386 Catalogue Raisonné. 
part of the breast into white, which latter colour also characterizes all 
the lower portions of the plumage, and the under coverts of the tail. 
‘The back, scapulars, wing-coverts, primary and secondary quill feathers, 
and tail, are dark glossy brown. ‘The feathers on the thighs are white. 
The bill is pale yellowish-brown. The legs and feet are nearly of the 
same hue, and the claws are horn colour.” 
A condensed view of the origin and natural history of domestic dogs, from 
the detail published in the 5th and 6th Nos. of the Quarterly Journal of 
Agriculture, forms an interesting addition to the descriptive portions of 
the text. Indeed, throughout the whole work, the amusing and instruc- 
tive is thus pleasantly blended with the necessary details of science. But 
we delay our observations on this important work,—important from its 
high descent, until we can give a minute examination to the whole. 

r 
PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. 
EDINBURGH. 
Royal Society.—Jan. 4. The business of the evening was a paper by Dr. 
Knox, entitled, ‘‘ Observations on the structure of the stomach in the Peruvian 
lama. Of this valuable and interesting paper, we have, through the kindness of 
the author, been able to give a full account in the present number. 
Jan. 18. There was a large attendance this evening to hear a paper by Sir 
George Mackenzie, onthe Fundamental Principles of Geology. Owing tothe length 
of the paper, only part of it was read at this meeting, and no observations were 
made. 
The Secretary announced the reception of communications from Dr. Hibbert, 
on the Geology of the volcanic «istrict Laach, in the Prussian Rhine Provinces ; 
from Dr. Knox on the dentition of the Cetacez, with an attempt to fix the rank 
which the Dugong holds in the animal kmgdom ; and from Dr Edward Turner, 
a chemical analysis of Wad. 
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.—Jan. 11. Interesting donations weré 
made. The original letter of the Edinburgh Volunteers, offering their services 
against Prince Charles Edward 3 a collection of old English, and a few Grecian 
and Roman coins, and a great number of books. A letter was likewise read 
from General Ainslie, giving an account of his exertions to extend the Society’s 
correspondence among the French Antiquaries. 
There was also exhibited a beantiful intaglio of Hercules strangling the Ne- 
mean Lion, worn as a seai by John Duke of Lauderdale. 
Dr Brunton resumed the reading of Colonel Millar’s Essay, “‘ On the site cf 
the battle of Mons Grampius.”” The conclusion of the essay was deferred till 
the next meeting of the Society. 
Wernerian Society.—_ Jan. 9. Dr Greville read a communication, “‘ On the 
various economical uses of sea plants.”” (Vide present number, p. 243.) 
The Rev. Dr. Scot of Corstorphine next read a learned and interesting paper, 
** On the rams and badgers, with the skins of which the Israelites covered the 
outsides of their tabernacles. 
Specimens (bred in Europe from imported eggs, by My. Sommer of Altona) 
of the Saturnia Luna, a rare North American moth; as also ef the coeon and 
eggs of the animal were exhibited. Some notes on iis natural histery, by Mr. 
James Wilson, were read by the Secretary, (Vide present number, -p. 382.) 
Mr Wilson intimated an intention of submitting some remarks en the? distribu- 
tion of animals, to the Society, at an early opportunity. Yee 
The Secretary reported to ‘the Society the reception of a new velume of trans- 
actions from the Royal Society of Berlin. 
