Proceedings of Scientific Institutions. 477 
Mr. K. T. Kemp’s Experiments on the Ammoniacal Amalgam were post- 
poned. 
Mr. W. Ainsworth communicated some Remarks on the Results of Mr. 
Pentland’s Researches in Southern Peru. 
-Plinian Society.—Jan. 26. A paper was read on the British Species and 
Varieties of the genus Erica, by Mr. Bushnan. 
Feb. 2. Mr. Adie read a communication on Salt Mines. 
Mr. Edwards read a paper, containing Observations on the Queen Bee. 
Feb. 9. Specimens were presented of Limestone with Manganese, by Mr. 
Westmacott ; of Bovista gigantea, by Mr. R. Spittal, (vid. Edin. Phil. Journ. 
July—Oectober 1829, p. 377.3) and cells and specimens of the Queen Bee by 
Mr. Adie. | 
A paper was then read by Mr. Bain on Subterranean Temperature. 
LONDON. 
fioyal Society.x—Jan. 28. Experiments on the Influence of the Aurora Bo- 
realis on the Magnetic Needle, extracted from Letters from the Rev. James 
Farquharson to Captain Sabine, were read. 
On the Production of Regular Double Refraction on the Molecules of Bodies 
by Simple Pressure, with Observations on the Origin of the Doubly Refracting 
Structure, by David Brewster, LL.D. F.R.SS. Lond. and Ed. 
Remarks on several Icebergs, which have been met with in unusually low 
latitudes in the Southern hemisphere, by Captain James Horsburgh, hydrographer 
to the East India Company. 
The Coronian Lecture, read at a recent meeting, was entitled, “‘ Report on 
the Peculiarities met with in the Stomach of the Zariffa, (his Majesty’s Giraffe, 
which died at Windsor, and was lately dissected there.) In common with other 
ruminant quadrupeds, the Zariffa has a stomach consisting of four cavities. The 
effloresence which lines the paunch is similar to that of the bullock, but is more 
prominent. The second cavity is destitute of the cellular structure met with in 
other ruminants ; but the third and fourth cavities exhibit no peculiarities. The 
cud, formed from the leaves and twigs of the Acaciz, which are the natural food 
of the Zariffla, is so succulent, as not to require being again moistened in passing 
through the second stomach, as is the case with grass. The cavity is therefore 
not furnished with cells, which are provided for this purpose in herbiverous 
quadrupeds. 
Geological Society.—Dec. 18. A paper was read, entitled, Observations on 
pert of the Low Countries and North of France, principally near Maestricht and 
Aix-la-Chapelle, by William Henry Fitton, M.D. F.G.S. &c. — 
Jan. 1. Henry T. de la Beche, Esq. F.G.S. F.R.S. &c. read a paper on the 
Geology of the Shores of the Gulf of La Spezia. 
Linnean Society.—Jan. 19. An account was read of the Mode of Growth 
of Corals of the Genus Fungia, by Mr. Samuel Stutchburg, A.L.S. 
A communication was read on a New Species of Swan taken in England, and 
hitherto confounded with the Hooper, by William Yarell, Esq. F.U.S. Mr. 
Yarell gives the name of Cygnus Bewickii to this new species ; its characters he 
gives as follows :— 
“ C. rostro semicylindrico atro, cera flava, corporealbo, caudé restricibus 18, 
pedibus nigris.”’ 
PROVINCIAL. 
Royal Geological Society of Cornwall.—At the Anniversary Meeting, held on 
the 16th October 1829, Davies Gilbert, Esq. M.P. P.R.S. &c. President, in the 
