It ran one of its spurs into his hand. In a short time, his arm swelled, his jaw became clenched, and he exhibited all the symptoms of persons bitten by venomous serpents. The symptoms yielded to the external application of oil, and the internal of ammonia; but the man suffered acute pain, and had not recovered the use of his arm in a month. On examining the spur, it was found to be hollow, and on pressing it, a quantity of venom was squirted out. For what purpose the animal is supplied with this venom does not appear, though probably it is to wound and destroy its prey.

On Tuesday, April 1, part of a paper, by M. de Brisson, was read, giving an account of hymenopterous and dypterous insects, not yet described by systematic writers.

On Tuesday, April 15, a short account of an uncommon species of serpent, found in Dorsetshire, and long ago described by Linnæus, was given by Mr Rackett. It is more poisonous than the common viper.

At the same meeting, a paper, by Mr Colebrook, was read, describing some little known Indian plants.

On Tuesday, May 6, a paper, by Andrew Knight, Esq. on the species of the common strawberry, was read. The author is of opinion that no plants can be considered as constituting different species, excepting those incapable of propagating with each other. He therefore planted all the different varieties of strawberry known in this country, in garden pots, and cultivated them in the proper situation to impregnate one another, and continued his experiments for several years. The result was, that there are only three distinct species of strawberry known in this country, though some of them assume many various appearances.

At the same meeting, a description of some fossil bones, found on the coast of Norfolk, by Dr Arnold, was read.

The bones in question had some resemblance to those of the turkey ; but the author of this paper did not attempt to make them out.

At the same meeting, some further observations on alcyonia, by Dr Ar. nold, were read.

On Saturday, May 24, the society met for the election of office-bearers for the ensuing year. The following members were chosen : PRESIDENT,

Sir James Edward Smith.
TREASURER,

Edward Forster, Esq.
SECRETARY,
Alexander Macleay, Esq.

UNDER SECRETARY.
Mr Richard Taylor.

There remained of the old councilSir James Edward Smith; Samuel, Lord Bishop of Carlisle; Edward Forster, Esq.; George Bellas Greenough, Esq.; Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Esq.; William Horton Lloyd, Esq.; Alexander Macleay, Esq.; William George Matou, M. D.; Jo. seph Sabine, Esq.; Lord Stanley.

There were elected into the council:-Michael Bland, Esq.; George, Earl of Mountmorris; Sir Christopher Pegge; William Pilkington, Esq.; Charles Stokes, Esq.

On Tuesday, June 3, a paper, by Mr Salisbury, was read, containing a description of the seeds of the lycopodium denticulatum. He found the description of Brotero in most particulars correct. He exhibited drawings of the seeds from the earliest periods in which they have been perceived, to their ripe state.

At the same meeting, a description of a new species of malaxis, by Dr H. Barton, was read. Dr Barton found that species near Philadelphia, and called it longifolia, because its leaves are twice the length of those of the two species previously known.

At the same meeting, a description

of the lycoperdon solidum, by Dr Macbride, of Charleston, Carolina, was read. The substance so called is an immense tuber, sometimes forty pounds in weight, found in the southern parts of the United States. It may be used as food. Soon after it is dug up it becomes very hard. It exhibits no regular structure, and seems to have the property of uniting with the roots of those trees near which it grows. It vegetates under the earth, and is usually found in fields that have been cleared of wood only about three years.

On Tuesday, June 17, a paper, by Sir James Edward Smith, was read, giving a description of a rhizimorpha found in a well at Derby.

At the same meeting, a paper, by Mr Seaton, was read, on the red and white varieties of the lychnis dioica. Some botanists are of opinion, that these two plants constitute two distinct species, while others think that they are only varieties. To decide the point, Mr Seaton placed them near each other. The produce was a hybride plant, with pink flowers, which was capable of producing seeds like any other plant. Hence he conceives it to follow, that they are only varieties.

At the same meeting, Dr Leach announced that he had examined the specimen, sent from Hull, under the name of the many-headed serpent, and found it to be the penis of a sow.

the first part of Mr Wilson's paper on the genus falco; and Professor Jameson read an account of the mineralogy of the country between Perth and Garviemore.

February 15. The Secretary read the remaining part of Mr Wilson's paper on the genus falco of Linnæus.

March 7. The Secretary read a communication from Mr Scoresby on the effects of the pressure of the waters of the ocean at great depth; and Professor Jameson gave an account of some remarkable geognostical appearances observed by him on the east coast of Scotland, particularly near Montrose.

March 15. Professor Jameson continued his description of the geognosy of the east coast of Scotland.

April 19. The Secretary read a communication from Alexander Stewart, Esq. of Calcutta, mentioning the occurrence of the Tapir in the Malay peninsula, accompanied with a reduced drawing of the animal, and a representation of the skull of the natural size.-Professor Jameson continued his account of the geognosy of the east coast of Scotland.

May 3. Professor Jameson continued his observations on the geognosy of the east coast of Scotland.

May 17. The Secretary read a communication from Thomas Lauder Dick, Esq. contained in a letter to Dr Gordon, giving an account of the transportation to some distance, by natural means, of a mass of rock weighing about eight tons, situated

1817, January 4. Dr Macknight read the first part of an account of the minerology of Ben Cruachan, and of the country from thence towards Fort William.

January 15. Dr Macknight read the remainder of the above paper.

February 1. The Secretary read

shire.

The Secretary read a communica. tion from Mr John Mackenzie, at Irvine, addressed to Colonel Fullerton, giving an account of some fossil bones, apparently those of an elephant, found in tirring a sandstone quarry in Ayrshire; also two communications from Mr Braid, surgeon at Leadhills, ad

dressed to Dr Charles Anderson, Leith; the one describing a thunder storm which occurred on the 15th February, 1817; and the other giving an account of some curious effects of a noxious gas on several persons exposed to it in the mines.

November 1815. The society having met for the first time this session, it was moved by Professor Jameson, and unanimously agreed to, That in consequence of the melancholy event of the death of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, the society should immediately adjourn without proceeding to business.

December 6. Professor Jameson read a communication from Mr Scores. by, containing an account of his examination of the remote and desolate island named Jan Moyen's Land, and which appeared to him to be principally composed of volcanic rock, and those of the floetz-trap formation.

the great incorporated charities of the empire.

"It appears that the number of scholars in your central school has increased 169, making the number now in attendance 974, being as many as the school can conveniently hold; a decisive proof that the master and mistress have discharged their duty. The state of the central school is a matter of the very first importance, on the ground that it is the resort from whence all other schools are to receive information.

"The training of masters, another important branch of the committee's care, has received particular attention, and great numbers of those thus trained are now diffusing the system both in this kingdom and abroad. These exertions have not been made without incurring great expence, and it appears that the disbursements have exceeded the annual receipts by upwards of 1000l. This circumstance has been occasioned by many persons having withdrawn their subscriptions from the general fund, and applied them to the

TION OF THE POOR.

ON Thursday, June 5, this society held its annual meeting. The follow. ing speech of the Archbishop of Canterbury will explain the present state of its affairs and proceedings.

"I have the honour to meet you for the sixth time to receive the annual report of your general committee, and I meet you with more than ordinary satisfaction, because the hopes I ventured to express when last I filled this chair have been realized. The law of ficers of the crown, by the gracious directions of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, have prepared a charter, which having received the sanction of the great seal, has been this day accepted by your committee, on behalf of the members at large; and the National Society now constitutes one of

ate neighbourhood. The expense of training masters in the central school alone during the last year, has been upwards of 5001.

"The extent to which the labours of the committee have gone, may be estimated, when we learn that not fewer than 253 schools have been united to the society in the course of the last year, making the whole number now united 1009.

"Your attention is further called to the increased number of children now under instruction in the principles of the Established Church. It is estimated that the scholars now taught upon the plan and principles of our society, of whom no official intimation has been received by the committee, amount to no less than 40,000. Of these, it is probable that many are in fact united to district committees in the country,

though no regular return has yet been received from them. I am happy to say, that the scholars of whom regular returns have been received by the secretary, amount to 155,000. The number of scholars now educating according to the plan and principles of our society, cannot, therefore, be much less than 200,000. When you connect this statement with the rapid succession of scholars which takes place in our schools, some idea may be formed of the good which has been done, and is now doing, throughout the island. Nor has the benefit of our plan been confined to this kingdom only; but the colonies and several foreign nations have largely participated; a reflection which to the liberal feelings of an Englishman will afford the highest gratifi:cation.

"The expenditure of our funds, we are told, and we are told correctly, has proceeded nearly to their whole extent; and I trust we have not been faulty in giving this assurance, that although there is a deficiency at present, we expect a fresh spring in the bounty of our fellow-countrymen. Three thousand pounds only now remains, and this we will liberally dispense, trusting that when the public knows our wants, and sees our efforts, we shall not have reason to regret our liberality. "The result of the whole appears to be, that with a sum of about 30,000l. upwards of a thousand schools have been united with the society, and 200,000 children are enjoying the benefit of a religious education. We hope this result shews that your committee have endeavoured to do their duty.

"It must not, and will not be forgotten, that putting books into the hands of this immense population may be the means of doing infinite good, if rightly superintended; and the means of doing infinite mischief, if let loose and undirected to their proper channel."

7

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

THE following account of the objects and state of this society are given in the report of its committee.

That in Ireland the condition of the poor is characterised by gross ignorance and immorality; that their children are rising into life, without instruction to enlighten, or principles to moralize them; that the Catholic religion, by systematically and determinately withholding the Scriptures from the greater part of the population, prevents the diffusion of divine light and influence, and perpetuates mental degradation and depravity; are truths, too evident to be doubted, too serious to be slighted, and too awful to be neglected; and they unite to produce a conviction on every reflecting mind, that Ireland presents a most impressive spectacle for the exercise of Christian benevolence, and a very extensive field for the ardour of Christian exertion.

The committee are truly happy to report, that the Institution "has lengthened its cords, and strengthened its stakes"-that Divine Providence has continued to enlarge the sphere of its operations-and that by the quarterly return which was made up to the 31st December, it appears, that the number of schools is more than three hundred, and that the children and adults educated therein exceed nineteen thousand.

The present state of the schools is reported to the committee to be such, as to admit of the most favourable representation being made of them. A correspondent of the society writes thus" In a school at S-there are 117 children; their parents, in general, are so poor that the education of their children would have been neglected; and so depraved, that their example might have had a fatal influence on

their offspring. These children are almost literally new creatures; never did I witness such a change. Filth has given place to cleanliness; forwardness the most indelicate, to a meekness and modesty the most engaging. Their proficiency in the Scriptures is very pleasing; and, from the answers they give, and the striking change in their whole deportment, it may be hoped that God has written his truth on their heart.

The visitors to the schools (consisting principally of resident clergymen) report very favourably of the proficiency of the children in learning, and in their scripture lessons; and also of the readiness and pertinency with which they answer such questions as are put to them, concerning what they read.

From the schools the word of God extends an enlightening and purifying influence to the cottages, and penetrates the strong holds of ignorance and superstition. The New Testament is the school-book for the children; their parents are pleased at hearing it read to them; it speaks for itself; their attention is engaged; they soon perceive that it was not that pernicious thing they were taught to believe it was; prejudice subsides, and admiration increases to an affectionate attachment and sincere reverence for the word of God; which, but for the schools, they probably would never have heard of. And so sensible of the value of these schools for their children, have some parents been, that when distance and the severity of the season would have prevented the children from travelling to the schools, their parents have actually brought them thereto on their backs.

Teaching to read in Irish is sedulously promoted in every district in which that language is known; an Irish class is formed in every school, when it is desired by the people, and likely to be useful.

The committee have also the pleasure to state, that the greatest attention is paid to adults, who live in the neighbourhood of the schools, and who can be induced to learn to read, either in English or Irish, after the working hours of the day, and on Sundays; that in the course of one quarter's attendance and instruction, many of them are able to read the New Testament intelligibly; and that these become Irish readers in the different villages where they reside. This collateral branch of the proceedings of the Hibernian Society is acquiring strength and enlargement-is assuming an aspect of the most favourable nature, and affording an anticipation of the most important and extensive benefits.

It is indeed truly pleasing, that none of the districts, in which our schools have been established have been at all disturbed; and were the disturbances to extend to the counties wherein the schools are placed, though they might more or less prevail, as the number of adults hitherto benefitted bears but a small proportion to the population of those districts, yet I think that the evils would by no means have such a general spread in them, as in districts less favoured with scriptural light and instruction. But it is when the rising generation, the materiel of the schools, come into action, that the salutary effects of the operations of the Hibernian Society will be fully developed. The change may then be expected to be most important and glorious. The political incendiary, and the intolerant and bigotted priest, will lose their influence; every succeeding generation will be removed farther from their grasp; error, superstition, and disloyalty will give place to religion, industry, domestic and national peace, and all Erin stretch forth her hands to God, and lift her voice to him, in thanks and praise.

The British and Foreign Bible So