166 Proceedings of the Wernerian Natural History Society, 
ing to their natural Affinities.^’' In these muscological inquiries, 
Mr G. W. Arnott is assoeiMed with Mr Greville. 
Professor Jameson then read a Geological Account of the doun-- 
try in the neighboiirhoocl of St Jolmis, Newfoundland, by Mr 
John Baird, illustrated by sketches, shewing the arrangement of 
the rocks. The Professor also communicated a short paper ou 
the Causes of the non-existence of Human ' Fossil Remains iu 
Europe, by Mr Murray of Simprim, 
Mar. 9. The Secretary read a communication from the Rev. 
James Grierson, M. D. minister of Cockpen, On the Natural 
History and Habits of the Talpa Europaea, or Common Mole, 
At the same meeting was read an Account of the Phcenoga- 
mous Vegetables and of the Birds observed along the banks of 
the river Dee, from its sources in Brcemar to its embouchure at 
Aberdeen, by Mr Macgillivray. 
March 23. The Secretary read two communications frona 
Lawrence Edmondston, Esq. of Unst in Shetland ; the first de- 
scribing a specimen of the Snowy Owl, Stryoc nyctea, with some 
account of its habits; the second giving an account of a speci- 
men in perfect feather, of the Iceland Gull, of 'VYhich he had for-r 
merly shot a bird in immature plumage. Both specimens were 
now exhibited at this meeting, and, from the external charac- 
ters, combined with the peculiar manners of the bird, Mr Ed- 
mondston concluded that it is a distinct species, and proposed 
to call it Larus Islandicus. 
Professor Jameson then communicated to the Society some 
observations on the natural history of Fossil Organic Remains, 
as connected with the theory of the earth. 
April 6. Professor Jameson read a notice from Captain Scores- 
by, regarding recent experiments made by him on the remark- 
able effects of Percussion on Steel, in producing strong magne- 
tic powers. The Professor also read an account of M. Tiede- 
mann’s comparisons of the Brain of Man with that of Apes, 
Seals, Whales, Bats, and other animals of the Class Mammalia. 
The Secretary then read a notice regarding the Northern and 
Speckled Divers, by Mr Lawrence Edmondston. 
Api'il 20. Professor Jameson read a notice regarding the 
Tusk of a Fossil Elephant or Mammoth dug up in Lincoln- 
shire, illustrated by a drawing of the tusk ; communicated by 
