selves for geese, plunged into the water; and Orfila relates a case of furious madness, produced by the same cause in a vinedresser and his wife.

GENUS ARRACACHA. (Bancroft.)

A. esculenta (De C.), A. xanthorhiza (Bauer.), Conium arracacha (Hook's Exot. Flor. Bot.). Esculent arracacha. The arracacha of the South Americans, of Bogota, and of the Caraccas and Andean tribes; and the apio of some of the European settlers-so called from its resemblance to celery. This plant is a native of South America, about Santa Fe de Bogota, and the Caraccas, where, as well as in all parts suited to its cultivation, it is a highly valuable esculent vegetable. The part used is the root, which branches or separates into several parts, each as large as a full sized carrot. These roots are to the natives of the countries in which they are grown the same as the potato to the European, and are the everyday vegetable. They yield an abundance of starch, which is used as arrowroot, and they are also employed in distilling a spirit, as the potato is in the north of Europe. It will not grow except at some elevation on the mountain ranges, where it can find a temperate climate, and the soil must be rich and light. The plant has been fairly tried in this country, but without success; it, however, flowered in the Liverpool Botanic Garden, under the care of Mr. Shepherd.

GENUS PHYSOSPERMUM.

(Cusson.)

P. cornubiense (De Cand.), Ligusticum cornubiense (Lin.), Physospermum commutatum (Spreng.). The Cornish physospermum. No other locality is known for this plant than Devon and Cornwall; its only use is as food for cattle, which are exceedingly fond of its foliage.

GENUS SMYRNIUM. (Koch.)

S. olusatrum (Lin.). Formerly called in Italy HerbaAlexandrina. Maceron (Fr.), Macerone (It.), Smyrner kraut (Ger.). Common Alexanders, or Alisander. A native of Britain and most parts of Europe. In this country and in other parts of Europe it was formerly much grown as a pot and salad herb, but is now seldom used. It, however, retains a place in the vegetable gardens of the French.

TRIBE XVII. CORIANDREÆ.

GENUS CORIANDRUM. (Hoffm.)

C. sativum (Lin.), Coriandre (Fr.), Koriandre (Ger. and Dut.), Coriandro (It.), Coentro (Port.), (Sp.), Cottamillie (Tam. and Tell.), Mety (Malay), Cotumbaroo (Cingalese), Dunya (Hindoo), Dhunnian (Dukanie), Dhanyàkă (Sans.), Kezereh (Arab), Kishneez (Pers.), Kurbara shamie (Egypt.). The common or cultivated coriander. The coriander is a native of Southern Europe, but is cultivated in this country, in Egypt, India, and other parts. Wherever it is known it is used as a gentle carminative and aromatic. In Europe it is most used in confectionery and in flavouring spirits and liqueurs. It is also employed in “doctoring” some kinds of ale. Its ancient history leads us very far back. In Exodus xvi. 31, we read-" And the house of Israel called the name thereof manna: and it was like coriander seed, white." The Greeks used it under the names коpioν and Kоplavov, and the eminent Greek physisicians Dioscorides and Hippocrates employed the seed medicinally. Pliny mentions it, but the author thinks there are grave reasons for doubting that it is the same plant as our coriander. Doubtless the true coriander was

known to the Roman naturalist, but some mistake may have arisen in the translation of his name for it, because he states that it is not found wild in Italy, and that it is brought from Egypt. Now, at least we know that it is wild in Italy, and that Egypt receives its supply from India, where it is only known as a cultivated plant; besides which, Europe is more particularly the geographical location of the 'Umbelliferæ. Again, Pliny attributes such potent properties to his coriander, that we can hardly suppose him to have been so ignorant of its real characters.

SUPPOSED TO BELONG TO THIS ORDER.

Sumbul root. Two varieties of a large root have been lately introduced into European pharmacy, which from certain characteristics are supposed to belong to the Umbelliferæ. Both varieties-the Russian, which is the more valuable, and the East Indian-are in pieces, being transverse sections of a rather woody root about the size of a parsnip, and of a drab or whitish colour, having a rather strong smell of musk. The Indian variety is sometimes brought from China. It is used as an antispasmodic in substance or in tincture.

Q

FOURTH ORDINARY MEETING.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, 29th November, 1858.

The REV. H. H. HIGGINS, M.A., Sen. V.P., in the Chair.

Mr. NISBET submitted the bodies of two chameleons, one of which had been kept alive, at Egremont, for a period of eighteen months. The other had laid numerous eggs, which, with the animal, were deposited in the museum of the Institution.

Mr. ARCHER exhibited a very convenient lecture-room microscope, which could be passed from hand to hand; also some cocoons of the Australian silkworm.

Mr. H. DUCKWORTH described the recorded appearances of Donati's comet in India.

The paper for the evening was then read, "ON BONES AND BONE MANURE," by NEWTON SAMUELSON, Esq., F.C.S. The author entered minutely into the chemistry and analysis of bone, its preparation and application to the soil. He traced the history of its use in agriculture, described the soils best suited for it as a manure, and the process by which it could be most profitably employed. The manufacture of organic superphosphates, led to the consideration of mineral superphosphates, and the exhibition of specimens, from deposits of extraordinary richness, the tests ranging from 55 to 91 per cent.

FIFTH ORDINARY MEETING.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, 13th December, 1858.

The Rev. H. H. HIGGINS, M.A. Sen. V.P., in the Chair.

Dr. JOHN W. WATKINS was elected an Ordinary Member. The resignation of Señor Don Manuel Pacheco was received and accepted.

The following communication was made by RICHARD BROOKE, Esq., F. S. A.

OBSERVATIONS UPON THE

MIGRATION OF THE SWALLOW TRIBE.

It is a remark, which I believe has often been made by others, that the study of Natural History may make a man better, but never can make him worse, because this most interesting and instructive science peculiarly brings under our observation, never ending instances of the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Most High. In the Book of Nature we find recorded in indelible characters, abundant evidence of his care and benevolence; and amidst the myriads of animated creatures which this globe contains, every one of them is wonderfully formed and adapted to the position, habits and circumstances, in which it is destined to live. From the gigantic elephant down to the microscopic beauties of a little insect's wing, we discover proofs without end, of the care, contrivance and superintendence, of an all-wise and benevolent Creator.

Entertaining as I do, these opinions, I have always taken some degree of interest in Natural History, although I have never made it a study, and consequently I do not profess to be an adept in the science. I have, however, made some observations connected with the