"284 Yorkshire Scientific Mfctiiur 
Mr. II. Potter, Jmi., i:ext read u paper on tlie subject of llic refraction of iighl, 
iiiteiidfd to show, that a cei tain liypoiliesis of M. Fresnel, was contradictory to ex- 
pcriiiifiit. 
M W. Hutton, next read an Essay on tlie Wliiu ^ill, in which, with uiiicli nii- 
iiulpness and laborious research, he described the whole course of that interesting' 
rock, from its rise in liiis county, throug-h a line of lOtt miles, to a distant part of 
Northumberlaud, oli'ering, as lie proceeded, such remarks on its probable forinatioii 
as his own dose and personal inspection liad sugoe.sted to hini. Mr. Murchison, 
bore testimony to tlie dili'^out research and great ability displayed in the paper, 
and iiuide a few remarks which his own observation on the Wliin Sill had sug- 
gested, and expressed his hope, that before another annual ineetiug, future obser- 
vations would enable them further to clear up this interesting- subject. Mr. Phillips 
ngreed both with Mr. Hutton and Mr. Murchison. 
[The Kev. W. V. Harcourt begged leave to interrupt their scientific proceeding's 
for a moment, to observe, that an invitatioii had been received fro ii the Archbisliop 
for the oeutleineii pi'esent at this scientific nieetino- to dine at the Palace, to-morrow 
at five o'c ock, and to request those g'entlemen who meant to accept the invitation, 
to leave their names at the door of the theatre ] 
Mr. J h . W. Johnston then read a paper on the discovery of a new metal, 
called Vanadiuni, which had only been discovered a!:oiit November last. Many 
be'ciutifnl specimens were exhibited and described, with much scientific acumen. 
Henry Withatii, Esfj., next read a very ingenious paper on Fo.ssil \'eg;etatiuu, 
with a view to gain votaries to that part of geology which depends for its progress 
on accurate knovvh^dge of Fossil Botany. 
The jjroceedings of ibis morning's meeting were closed by the reading of a pa- 
per by Mr. Phillips, communicated by Dr. Henry, on a peculiar phenomenon 
belonging' to the Copper Ore of Anglesea. 
The meeting' was attended by upwards of one bnndred gentlemen, and during a 
part of the proceedings the Archbishop was present. The meeting broke up at a 
quarter lo four o'clock. 
On Thursday evening Mr. Scoresby communicated the results of bis recent re- 
searches concerning the law of magnetic induction, the diminution of the magnetic 
force in proportion to the square of the distance, and the employment of those data 
for the construction of apparatus by which to measure the thickness of walls, the 
.solid interval? between the subterranean tunnels, and gangways in mines, collier- 
ies, &c., and in getieral to the determination of short distances otherwise immea- 
surable. The experiments by which Coulomb ascertained the law of magnetic 
intensity were on a very minute and delicate scale, but the powerful magnets of 
Mr. Scoresby have enabled him to exhibit their effect in producing a deviatiou of 
the needle <i,t the distance of 60 feet. 
IirrU DAY, FKIDA-i". 
This morning Mr. Scoresby completed his curious experiments in Magnetism. 
Dr. Rrewster g^ve his very interesting paper on the structure of the crystalline 
lens. Mr. Murchison communicated the principal results of Mr. Gilbertson's re . 
searches concerning the shells of existing species which lie in the gravel and silt 
beds of Lancashire. Dr. Daubeny delivered a short lecture on the connection be- 
tween mineral springs and volcanic action, and on the gaseous contents of Taf}"'» 
Well, near Cardiff. 
A large party of the members of tiie As.sociation then proceeded to Bishopthorpe 
to enjoy the cheering and friendly hospitality of the .\rchbishop. Three delight- 
ful hours pas'sed rapidly in the Palace, and then the whole assembly returned to 
the hall of science. 
Mr. Potter, from the lecture-table, spoke of the passage of electricity in the 
Torricellian Vacuum ; Dr. Warwick exhibited Moll's method of creating a tem- 
porary magnet ; Dr. Daubeny exhibited a new instrument ; and Mr. Phillips read 
an account from the Malta Gazette of the New Island raised by submarine fires 
from the bed of the Mediterranean. 
i 'was obliged to leave York, on the Saturday morning, but am ii:iformed 
that several interesting papers ■were read in the course of the day. The Meet- 
ing closed on Saturday evening, and I fully believe that all the scientific 
visitors left York more highly gratified than the most sanguine could have 
anticipated, H 
