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592 ; Learned Soctettes. | . 
By no means the least interesting portion of this book, 
is the miscellaneous information in which atmospheric elec- 
tricity, thunderstorms, whirlwinds, optical phenomena, the 
weather, &c., are ably considered, and under this last head 
we cordially agree with the author in the censure he casts 
upon almanac makers, and other would-be weather-wise 
charlatans who pretend that they can foretell, months before, 
what weather we shall have, whereas the truth is, that about 
three days is the outside term for trustworthy prediction. 
We are unable to do credit to this masterly performance 
in the space at our disposal, we can only express a hope 
that people will study for themselves a book from which 
they cannot fail to gain much valuable instruction. 
LEARNED: SO CIETTIES 
ROYAL SOCIETY, May 2.—Amongst other interesting 
papers, one on a Self-Acting Focus Equaliser, by Mr. A. 
Claudet, was particularly worthy of notice. The object of 
the instrument is to give an artistic and harmonious cha- 
racter to the portraits, and to ensure that the definition of 
the various phases of the figure is equalized. Portraits, 
which had been produced by this process, were exhibited, 
and much admired. 
ETHNOLOGICAL, MAY 7.—A paper was read “On the 
Indians of the Darien Peninsula,” by Dr. Cullen. The Red 
Indians were described as a handsome race, with lithe 
limbs, admirably adapted to gliding through the dense 
vegetation of the country. Their stature is low, but the 
physique generally good. They fish and hunt, are in- 
dustrious and peaceable. The canoes they use are made 
of calli calli,a wood like cedar. 
ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.—At the general meeting 
of the Acclimatization Society, held May 4th, at the So- 
ciety of Arts, Adelphi, Captain Malcolm, M.P., in the chair, 
Mr. Frank Buckland, Her Majesty's Inspector of Salmon 
Fisheries, reported that he had during the season 1866-7 
distributed to various members of the society and others 
eggs and fry of the salmonide as follows :—Great lake 
trout, 37,000; salmon, 15,450; trout, 11,025—making a 
total of 30,175. He had distributed in consignments vary- 
ing from 50 to 10,000. Among the recipients were General 
Seymour, Ranger of Windsor Great Park, for Her Majesty 
the Queen; his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, the Earl 
of Portsmouth, the Earl of Mountcharles, the Lord Bishop 
