PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
35 
There is in the muscular contraction of his temples a power of will and reflection 
which manifests a superior mind. Utterly different from those orators who talk 
about everything, and do not know three parts of what they say, M. Arago 
speaks only on questions he has prepared, combining the attraction of knowledge 
with the interest of the circumstance; Thus his discourses possess both generality 
and actuality, and are addressed at the same time to the reason and passions of 
his audience. Scarcely does he enter upon a subject but he concentrates upon 
himself every look. He takes (if I may be allowed the expression)—he takes 
science between his hands, strips it of its asperity and technical forms, and 
renders it so neat and so perceptible that the most ignorant are delighted to see 
and comprehend it. His animated and expressive pantomime adds to the effect 
of the oratorical illusion. There is something luminous in his demonstrations, 
and scintillations of light seem to sparkle forth from his eyes, lips, and the tips 
of his fingers. He cuts his speeches by pointed interruptions which defy all 
answer; or by piquantes anecdotes which are well connected with his subject, 
and adorn without encumbering it. When he confines himself to the narration 
of facts, his eloquence has but the natural graces of simplicity; but when con¬ 
fronted with science, he deeply observes her to visit her secrets, and to re-produce 
her wonders; then his admiration begins to clothe itself in splendid language, his 
voice becomes animated, his words acquire a colouring, and his eloquence is as 
great as his subject. 
This high eulogium of the splendid talents of the French philosopher, by an 
impartial and discriminating writer, is no more than M. Arago deserves. 
PROCEEDINGS OF NATURAL-HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
June 11 .— -Mr. Yarrell in the chair.—A letter was read from Mr. Cum- 
ming, dated Manilla, Nov. 18, 1838, in which he announced, that he had sent 
two cases with rare specimens of birds for the museum.—Mr. Ogilby exhibited 
and described several skins of Monkeys from Sierra-Leone, amongst which were 
three skins of Chimpanzees. —A Member exhibited, through the Chairman, 
several fishes analogous to the White-bait caught in the Thames, which were 
procured from a river in North-Wales. It was, until lately, considered that this 
fish was found exclusively in the Thames; but it has been discovered both in 
Cornwall and North-Wales, as also in several parts of Scotland.—Mr. Ogilby 
