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Scientific Intelligence . — Astronomy . 
Dr Ure of the Andefsonian Institute of Glasgow. 
Robert Jameson, Esq. Professor of Nat. Hist. University of Edin. 
David Brewster, Esq. LL. D. &c. 
And several corresponding and ordinary members. 
The papers read were, 
1. Original letter of Simon, Lord Fraser of Lovat. Commu- 
nicated by John Anderson, Esq. W. S. 
2. Evidence respecting a sudden commotion of Loch Ness 
about the time of the Lisbon Earthquake in 1755. From Mrs 
Grant of Duthil. 
3. Notice of a subterranean passage lately discovered in Glen 
Shiel. By Mr Mactavish, solicitor. 
4. Remarks by the Secretary on an ancient custom-house 
seal of the conjoined burghs of Inverness and Cromarty, sup- 
posed to be of the age between Alexander II. and Robert III. 
5. A paper from Mr Fraser, Croyard, on the sections lately 
made, by order of Mr Fraser of Lovat, of a vitrified fort on 
his property, laid on the table, but the reading of it postponed 
till next meeting. 
Art. XXXI.— SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 
ASTRONOMY. 
1. Comets . — At a meeting of the Astronomical Society of 
London, held on the 11th November, the President took the 
opportunity of calling the attention of the members to the re- 
markable circumstance of the appearance of no fewer than Jour 
comets during the recess, an occurrence unparalleled in the his- 
tory of astronomy. The first of these (he observed) was disco- 
vered by M. Gambart, at Marseilles, on May 19. in the head of 
Cassiopea. The second by M. Valz, at Nismes, on July 13, 
near % Tauri. The third by M. Pons, at Florence, on August 
9, in Auriga . The fourth (which was the most interesting and 
important of the whole, since it had been the object of solicitude 
at every observatory, and was anxiously expected and looked af- 
ter by every astronomer) was discovered about July or August 
last. The President remarked, that this last comet (which is 
better known by the name of the comet of Encke) has now made 
thirteen revolutions within the last forty years; six of which 
