firmation of them is announced and explained. M. Fries, in his Systema Mycologicum, published last year, observes laws of the same kind to obtain in the natural arrangement of fungi, which Mr. Mac Leay had pointed out as existing in the animal king dom, and as probably extending to all organized beings. In the course of the paper, the difference between affinity and analogy was philosophically examined and defined. Some observations were also made on the law of continuity as far as it regards organized nature; in these was shown the distinction between saltus and hiatus, which have usually been confounded even by the first metapbysical writers. It was remarked that no saltres ever existed in nature, and that where there were hiatús, they had arisen from the extinction of species. Towards the conclusion, it was stated, that M. Decandolle had likewise observed the general laws of natural arrangement which formed the subjects of the paper; so that these laws had thus been presented to three individuals, in different countries, nearly at the same period of time. Dec.3.--A Description of some Insects which appear to exemplify Mr. W. S. Mac Leay's Doctrine of Affinity and Analogy; by the Rev. W. Kirby, FŘS. and FLS. was commenced. Dec. 17.-Mr. Kirby's paper was concluded, and another by the same entomologist, entitled, “Some Account of a new Species of Eulophus (Geoffroi)," having also been read, The Society adjourned to Jan. 21, 1823. erst fou there. GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Nov.1.- A letter was read from W. C. Trevelyan, Esq. MGS. addressed to Prof. Buckland, VPGS. on the Geology of the Ferroe Islands, dated Copenhagen, Dec. 3, 1821. Mr. Trevelyan observes, that the Ferroe Islands appear to be of the same formation as that of Antrim and of the Western Islands; they are literally mountains surrounded by water, and are composed of numerous alternations of almost all the varieties of trap, which are so regular, that the hills appear as if they were divided into a number of terraces: most of the beds are divided from each other by others (generally thin), of a red colour (sometimes green), perhaps the clay ironstone of Werner. These beds Mr. Trevelyan thinks have not been remarked in other formations; neither a curious lava-like appearance, which is very frequent, and the alternations extend to the height of about 3000 feet, and in some parts, perpendicular sections may be seen of more than 2000 feet high. The rocks on decomposag are seen to be stratified; the strata display surfaces geneally even, but sometimes waved. Excepting in the island of Myggeneas, the dip appears to be the same throughout. In that island are some thin veins of coal. In Suderoe, a coal similar to the Scotch, but superior, occurs in abundance; the best sections of this are near Frodboe, where it is seen between kently abo The let and with Ninth | iastitutions of its frie veret and the played by The ca and in pa guvius heit illu a two thick beds of a hard greyish clay, which crumbles on expos sure to the air, and which contains sometimes numerous nodules of a rich ironstone (carbonate of iron). The coal in Suderoe is seen rising from the level of the sea through an extensive tract of country (which the author describes), until it reaches an elevation of above 1000 feet. Basaltic veins of various descriptions are very frequent ; sometimes they alter, but seldom disturb, the strata they pass through; they are frequently accompanied by thick veins of zeolite, in a state exactly resembling the steatite of Cornwall. The coal, however, at Toidnences is disturbed by insinuated masses of basalt. Slips are not frequent in Ferroe, but a remarkable one is described in Soinoe, cavities of great length, perfectly circular, extending in a direct line, and incrusted with zeolite, are common; one was seen, of which the one side was filled with compact zeolite; the other with clay ironstone. Conglomerates are common; one only was observed of rolled pebbles, apparently of the rocks of the island. In two of the islands, a bed of greenstone, in some parts columnar, is seen of great extent: it is 100 feet in thickness. Native copper is very frequent, but not abundant, in most of the rocks. At Famarasund, in Suderoe, it occurs in clay ironstone, in thin plates ; in the other rocks, it is generally crystallized, frequently, inclosed in zeolite. Specimens of most of the zeolite family were procured, and a variety of tabular calc spar, first found in Ferroe by Sir G. Mackenzie, and unknown elsewhere. On his return, Mr. Trevelyan, in passing from Fludstrand, in Jutland, to Copenhagen, crossed a considerable extent of chalk; the whole of the country is covered with large rolled blocks of various primitive rocks. Near Fludstrand are some beds of sand, clay, and marl, apparently above the chalk. The letter concludes with observations on the aurora borealis, and with reasons tending to confirm the opinion that Ferroe is the Thule of the ancients. ROYAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CORNWALL. Ninth Annual Report of the Council. The progress of the institution since the last anniversary, if not equal to the wishes of its friends, is at least encouraging; though the Society had to regret the loss of their late able Secretary, Dr. Forbes, whose professional pursuits occasioned his removing from this county; and the Council considered it due to the zeal and ability displayed by that gentleman, to elect him an Honorary Member. The cabinets have been enriched by many valuable donations; and in particular by a splendid series of minerals from Mount Vesuvius, for which the Society is indebted to the kindness of their illustrious townsman, Sir Humphry Davy. The value of this accession to the Museum is not a little enhanced by the circumstance of the package having been missing for several years owing to the disturbances which occurred at Naples, so that it was given up as lost, when it happily reached its original destination. The collection of specimens in most of the departments of mineralogy is now become interesting, and being open to public inspection, creates a growing attention to the subject, and has led to the discovery of minerals hitherto unknown in this county, and is thus accomplishing one important object of the institution. The series of our native metallic minerals has also been augmented both by purchase and donation : but while the Council gladly report its continued progress, they beg to remind the members that this department of the cabinet is at once the most interesting and hitherto most defective; and recommend it earnestly to the attention of its friends, particularly to those whose connection with the mines afford opportunities of procuring rare specimens. The library and funds have also been increased, the latter by a liberal donation from John Hawkins, Esq. to whose interesting communications and encouragement, the institution has been from its commencement so greatly indebted. Flattering invitations to correspondence have been received in the course of the past year from foreign institutions and men of science, which shows that this Society has already attracted notice, and is contemplated with interest both at home and abroad. The Council have also the pleasure to congratulate the Society on the publication of the second volume of its Transactions, as ordered by the last general meeting, and they flatter themselves that it will not be found unworthy of its predecessor. It was judged proper to confine its contents entirely to papers relative to the geology and mineralogy of Cornwall; although it occasioned the regret of thereby omitting many valuable communications. A large space will be found devoted to the detail of numerous facts and experiments on the much controverted subject, the Temperature of Mines, and also on the Phenomena of Veins, which cannot fail to attract much attention and further investigation. To the authors and editors, the Society will feel much obligation, particularly to Mr. Carne, not only for so large a portion of the work itself, but also for his indefatigable attention to the arrangement of the papers and superintendence of the press. There are likewise two other circumstances deserving of notice;-that the volume was printed in this town (Penzance), and that the plates were engraved by a self-taught native artist; and the execution of both reflects no small credit on the parties. Since the last anniversary, a course of lectures on the elements of chemistry has been delivered by the Secretary, Dr. Boase, to a numerous and attentive auditory, and received with much applause and merited approbation. And the Council have also enal SO anal the pleasure to report, that there is evidently a growing attention to scientific pursuits, which encourages them to cherish and repeat the expression of their anxious hope that the period is not distant, when the great and leading object of this Society will be realised, and Cornwall at once distinguished and enriched by the establishment of a School of Mines. By order, HENRY S. BOASE, Sec. The following papers have been read since the last report : On the Tin Ore of Botallack and Levant. By. Henry S. Boase, MD. Secretary of the Society. A further Account of the Mineralogy and Geology of St. Just. By Joseph Carne, Esq. FRS. MRIA. Member of the Society. On the Serpentine District of Cornwall. By the Rev. Canon Rogers, Member of the Society. On the Neptunian Theory of the Formation of Veins. By On the Noxious Gases of Mines. By Dr. Boase. On the Temperature of the Cornish Mines. By M. P. Moyle, A proposed new Method of Drawing Mining Maps and Sec. tions. Communicated by Mr. Fox. On the Temperature of Mines. By Robert W. Fox, Esq. Member of the Society, On the Utility of a School of Mines. By Dr. Boase. An Account of the Quantity of Tin produced in Cornwall in the Year ending with the Midsummer Quarter, 1822. By Joseph Carne, Esq. FŘS. &c. An Account of the Produce of the Copper Mines of Cornwall, in Ore, Copper, and Money, in the Year ending the 30th June, 1822. By Mr. Alfred Jenkyns. Officers and Council for the present Year. Vice-Presidents.-William Rashleigh, Esq. Charles Lemon, Secretary-Henry S. Boase, MD. The Council.-T. Bolitho, Esq.; Joseph Carne, Esq., Stephen SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE, AND NOTICES OF SUBJECTS CONNECTED WITH SCIENCE. It Intro 90005 anca dearis a I. On the Temperature produced by the Condensation of Vapour. Mr. Faraday, in some observations published in the Annales de Chimie, xx. 329, has illustrated a curious property of vapour which, as he remarks, though it nright have been deduced from known facts, had never been cited or confirmed by experiment. It seems, indeed, that the property had been known in Paris to some of the chemists, but that it had never been published. Hold a thermometer horizontally so that its bulb may be introdueed into a current of vapour as it issues from a boiler or tea-kettle: it will soon indicate 212° ; then drop on to it a little powdered nitre, and immediately the temperature will rise to 230° or higher. This effect is due to the condensing power excited by the salt on the vapour, which, reducing the latter to the fluid form, liberates the heat that raises the thermometer. In making the experiment, care should be taken that the water condensed on the stem of the instrument does not run down and dilute the salt, for then the temperature falls. Another method of operating is to tie up the salt or substance, round the bulb of the thermometer in a bit of lint or flannel, and introduce it so covered into the steam. The following are temperatures obtained by the use of different substances; the first column of numbers as given by the last process, and the second by the other : Sulphate of magnesia.. 214 218 *Tartrate of potash. 230 236 *Tartaric acid. 221 226 Sugar.. 223 216 *Muriate of ammonia. 227 230 *Citric acid. 228 230 * Nitre. 230 232 Nitrate of magnesia. 236 236 Nitrate of ammonia 240 236 Acetate of potash 258 244 Subcarbonate of potash. 262 258 Potash 300 and upwards. Those marked * are convenient for the experiment with the naked bulb. * The effect, as might be expected, continues at different pressures, and the same difference of temperature which exists between a clean thermometer and one coated with a salt when placed in steam at 212° under atmospheric pressure, holds when the pressure and temperature are raised Mr. Faraday had stated that at the same pressure a boiling aqueous saline solution gave off steam of the same temperature as boiling water. M. Gay-Lussac makes some remarks on this statement, and shows, that Culloch In the by the Whiained The se hills, w black mhous ir |