158 Proceedings of Scientific Institutions. 
Academy of Sciences. 
Meeting of the 19th October 1829.—M. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire made his 
report on a communication from Dr. Warren, of Boston, relative to the two young 
Siamese, aged eighteen years, who are united at the belly. These individuals, 
said the reporter, experience simultaneously the same wants and affections. They 
eat, drink, and sleep together, and scarcely can speak ‘to each other, although 
they like to talk with those who visit them. They have the same impulses,— 
the motion of the pulse is the same in both ; and the respiration is also the same. 
When one is touched during the time they are asleep, they beth awake ; and they= 
generally agree to do things quickly or instaneously,—for instance, during the: 
voyage, they ran and played on the deck of the ship. Their course is always in- 
a diagonal line, towards their supposed direction. They suddenly found them- 
selves near the hatchway, and were in great danger of falling into the hold of the 
vessel, where they must have bruised, perhaps killed each other ; but with a spon- 
taneous, and really admirable movement, considering their danger, they leaped 
together, and cleared the hatchway without accident. 
‘Though the most perfect intelligence reigns between the united individuals, 
who appear to have constantly the same wants, yet M. Collin witnessed a quarrel’ 
which arose between them during the voyage. The cause was a cold bath, which 
one wished to take, and the other refused, alleging the coldness of the season. - 
M. Collin, however, succeeded in restoring harmony between them, by remark- 
ing that, in either case, one ought not to desire what would be prejudicial to the 
other. . These two young men, it is thought, will come to Paris. 
At this sitting a work was presented by Dr. Chervin, in which he contends- 
that the late fever at Gibraltar was not contagious. Dr. Cherwin formed part of 
the French commission at that place. 
A report was read from M. Rebineau Desvoidy, who states that, from a se 
viper of the red species, he extracted 3000 young. . 
‘A report by M. Boyer was read, stating that he had invented a new instru- 
ment for crushing the head of the fetus in the womb, when that operation is re-- 
quisite. It was announced that he had made several snecessful experiments with 
this instrument. 
M. Dupetit Thouars read a memoir Retin to Botany, by M. Gautherot, a 
proposes, by a new process, to reproduce the shape of plants with great exactness. 
Edinburgh.—The Royal Medical Society held its first meeting on Friday the 
23d instant. 
The Royal Physical Society commences its meetings on Tuesday the 3d No- 
vember ; from the great improvements which have been made during the recess,,. 
and from the spirit which actuated its members last winter, the scientific world 
has a right to expect some ap Da results fromthe labours of the associates 
during the ensuing Session. 
The Plinian Society will also meet at their hall in the College early in the’ 
next month. 
Newcasile.—In the lecture-room of the Literary and Philosophical Society, 
Newcastle, on the 20th instant, the second monthly meeting of the Durham, 
Northumberland, and Newcastle Natural History Society was held, and presents 
announced from Mr. Taylor of Boldon, comprising 116 specimens of plants from 
New South Wales; the head of a New Zealand chief, completely tattooed ; and 
a box of insects from Rio Janeiro. ‘The Rev. R. H. Brandling, of Gosforth, 
presented a portion of a fossil tree, found in Wideopen quarry, Northumberland. 
An interesting paper was read from Mr. Richard Wingate of Newcastle, ex- 
plaining the. probability ef a wild swan, shot in February last, near Haydon 
Bridge, being an entirely distinct species from the Anas cygnus, or common wild 
swan of Linneus. It is much smaller, and differs considerably in anatomical 
structure. 
The Hon. H. T. Liddell, M. P., and the Rev. R. H. Brandling, were elected 
Vice-Presidents of the Institution. Twenty-two gentlemen have joined the So= 
ciety since last month, making in all 126 members. 
