138 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
strike off nearly at right angles, and, running out into the sea, form the Peninsulas 
of Spain, Italy, Greece, Arabia, Hindostan, and Further India. He then men¬ 
tioned the great Mountain Chains running east and west, and the deserts of Central 
Asia, as forming a natural barrier between the wandering tribes of Northern Asia 
and the civilized nations of the south ; in our times, between the Eussian Empire 
and British India; and concluded by observing that Eussia, notwithstanding its 
barbarian character in relation to the south and west, is doing good service to the 
cause of civilization in Northern Asia. 
APRIL 5, 1854. 
George C. Hyndman, Esq., in the chair. 
Mr. Patterson read a paper on the “Uses of Animals to Man.” The paper 
commenced with a brief extract from Smith’s “Wealth of Nations,” in which it 
was pointed out that man, in a savage state, was a being absolutely dependant for 
his existence on the inferior animals. This dependance continued, in a greater or 
less degree, as he advanced in civilization, and still continues to a very considerable 
extent, although, in many cases, the animals may be regarded more as objects of 
luxury than of necessity. The use of animals, as furnishing food to man, was 
illustrated by numerous examples from the vertebrate and invertebrate kingdoms 
in nature ; also their furnishing raiment, either in the shape of furs and skins, or 
in that of wool and silk, to be afterwards spun and woven. For various arts they 
supply us with feathers, hair, horns, teeth, oil, and tallow, as w r ell as with many 
substances for medicinal purposes—several important branches of trade depend 
entirely upon such supplies. In agriculture, their importance is most manifest; not 
only are they indispensable to the farmer when living, but their dead bodies are 
valuable in their flesh and bones for manuring the land. As objects of luxury they 
furnish delight to the sportsman, in hunting, fowling, and fishing; as sanitary police, 
from one kind preying on another, the accumulation of noxious creatures is pre¬ 
vented. They add beauty to the landscape, which would be very tame, indeed, 
without the addition of animal life; and the contemplation of such a variety of living 
beings, all fulfilling the intentions of the great Author of Good in each department 
of animal nature, has the effect of improving the moral nature of the observer, and 
of developing a pious feeling. 
APRIL 12, 1854. 
Eobert Patterson, Esq., President, in the chair. 
Mr. William Millen read a paper on “ The Eare Plants found in the neighbour¬ 
hood of Belfast.” The following is a list:—Anacharis alsinastrum, cystopteris 
fragilis, triticum junceum, lysimachia nummularia, rubus saxatilis, epilobium 
angustifolium, orobanche rubra, ruppia rostellata, potamogeton pectinatus, pota- 
mogeton gramineus, equisetum Mackaii, equisetum Drummondi, equisetum hye- 
male, artemisia campestris, carduus acanthoides, erodium cicutarium, radiola 
millegrana, peplis portula, listera nidus avis, erodium moschatum, hippuris vul¬ 
garis, chara hispida, chara translucens, myriophyllum spicatum, statice spathulata, 
statice armeria, carduus tenuiflorus, medicago falcata, lathyrus aphaca, senecio 
viscosus, silene noctiflora, sinapis tenuifolia, vicia bithynia. 
DUBLIN NATUEAL HISTOBY SOCIETY. 
APRIL 7, 1854. 
Eobert Caldwell, Esq., M.E.I.A., in the chair. 
The minutes being confirmed, 
Mr. Andrews presented to the Society a copy of Ealf’s beautiful work on the 
British Desmidim, and by Mr. Williams, from Mr. Edward Dombrain, four speci- 
