4 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
regular statistical statement of the actual number of times that the lending volumes 
in the library have been lent out, because the figures would give you no adequate 
idea of the state of matters in this respect. During the past year there has been 
much irregularity, in consequence of members detaining some of our very best 
books longer than the time allowed by the Society, and continuing to detain them 
after having been noticed to return them. Although this state of things has caused 
many complaints, I am happy to be able to inform you that a decided improvement 
has taken place during the last two or three months, and the books are now being- 
circulated more regularly among the members. 
At the close of the year 1853, the number of persons taking out books from the 
library was 62 ; at the close of the present year, the number is 98, showing an in¬ 
crease of 36. 
Several volumes have been added to the library during the past year. In the 
year ending October, 1853, there were 273 volumes in the library ; in the year just 
ended, there are 325 volumes—being an increase of 52 volumes. 
BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHICAL 
SOCIETY. 
NOVEMBER 1, 1854. 
Dr. Andrews, President, in the Chair. 
Dr. Dickie read a notice on specimens of the axolotl, from the Lake of Mexico, 
where it is abundant, and is highly prized as an article of food. It belongs to the 
perenni-branchiate reptiles, so called from the persistence of gills which co-exist 
with the usual pulmonary or air-breathing apparatus. The axolotl in general 
appearance resembles the tadpole of the common water salamander, but is much 
larger—being, when fully grown, eight or nine inches long. Cuvier examined two 
young individuals procured by Humboldt, and came to the conclusion that it might 
be the immature or tadpole state of a gigantic salamander. This idea he subse¬ 
quently abandoned ; the view in question is still, however, held by some zoologists. 
Dr. Dickie entered into details regarding the organization of the axolotl, and of 
the perenni-branchiates generally. 
Mr. MacAdam exhibited specimens of sandstone from Scrabo, having upon them 
ripple marks similar to what may be observed at the present time on sandy beaches, 
and which were evidently produced by the action of sea water many thousand years 
ago. 
Dr. Dickie stated that he had observed in the east of Scotland similar markings 
on recent dry sand at some distance from the sea, and which had been caused by 
the action of the wind. 
NOVEMBER 15, 1854. 
Dr. Stevelly, Y.P., in the Chair. 
The President of the Society, Dr. Andrews, read a paper on the Art of Photo¬ 
graphy. After alluding to the early attempts of Wedgwood and Davy to copy the 
fleeting picture of the camera, by receiving it on a sensitive chemical surface, which, 
although attended with partial success, led to no practical result, from the impos¬ 
sibility" of subsequently fixing the picture, the author gave a short historical account 
of the more recent discoveries of St. Victor, Daguerre, and Talbot—the two latter 
of whom especially may be considered as the founders of the present art of photo¬ 
graphy. The processes now chiefly in use for obtaining light pictures were then 
briefly described, and the chemical actions which accompany them explained. The 
causes of the imperfections in photographic representations of natural objects were 
fully considered—one of the most important of which arises from the circumstance 
