enumerated above, and which, in combination and perfection, I believe, the climate of Upper Egypt and Nubia, possess over every other yet known to us; it has many others which should not be lightly passed over. The dyspeptic, the sufferer from chest disease, the rheumatic, the man whose constitution has been impaired by sedentary habits, anxious and harassing pursuits, or irregular living, may here, if anywhere, find the necessary means for recovering his lost vigour of mind and body.

In a brilliant and balmy climate, where mere existence is felt to be a positive luxury, and where the mind enjoys a serenity almost unknown in our foggy land, there is scarcely ever experienced any feeling of ennui, even when the traveller is confined to his boat, and that passing but slowly up the river, by tracking. The naturalist, and especially the entomologist, the botanist in a minor degree may ever find materials for examining and collecting. The sportsman may with his line or gun always meet with abundant occupation. The archæologist and antiquarian reap a rich harvest in the examination and contemplation of the wondrous remains of ancient art and science, as seen in the temples and tombs. The visits to adjoining hamlets-marking the habits and customs of the people, which illustrate so powerfully sacred writ, and classical authors-the pleasing intercourse between fellow-travellers going up or returning down the Nile, and the interchange of books or newspapers-making meteorological observations and entries in the diary, with a moderate proportion of pleasing and instructive reading-noticing the distinctness of the geological features, or the peculiar appearance of the moon, as white when on the horizon, as in mid-sky; or the sun set setting in a glory indescribable, to be succeeded by constellations brilliant and beautifuladmiring the deceitful mirage, or tracing the course and direction of the lofty sand-pillar-sketching the various

objects, as the panorama glides slowly and pleasingly by-these and similar pursuits, cause the day to pass away so quietly and agreeably, that at the end of the voyage one is surprised to find that so much time has for ever fled.

"What dire necessities on every hand,

Our art, our strength, our fortitude require!
Of foes intestine what a numerous band
Against this little throb of life conspire!

Yet science can elude their fatal ire

Awhile, and turn aside death's level'd dart,

And brace the nerves once more, and cheer the heart,

And yet a few soft nights and balmy days impart."-BEATTIE.

FIFTEENTH ORDINARY MEETING.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, 31st May, 1858.

Dr. INMAN, PRESIDENT, in the Chair.

C. COLLINGWOOD, Esq., A.M., M.B., was elected an Ordinary Member.

The SECRETARY gave notice of a motion to alter the period of the Society's meetings, by advancing the session slightly, filling up the gap in passion week, and cutting off the May meetings.

Mr. W. DANSON forwarded for exhibition several specimens of cotton,-one called " Barraguda," and the other, the produce of the poplar tree; also a silky fibre of extreme tenuity, the production of an Australian insect, the habits of which were as yet but imperfectly known.

Mr. WHITEHEAD exhibited some large specimens of the Mytilus edulis, from the Bristol Channel.

Mr. MARRAT submitted the Veronica montana, from Bromborough.

The SECRETARY, in the absence of the Author, read a paper," ON THE ADAPTABILITY OF WESTERN AFRICA FOR A COTTON SUPPLY, WITH A SYNOPTICAL NOTICE OF MR. JAMES LEES'S OPINION ON THE SIX MONTHS' Course of SEASONS IN THE TROPICS." BY THOMAS J. HUTCHINSON, Esq., F.R.G.S., H.B.M. Consul, Fernando Po.

The following paper was then read:

ON THE LIABILITY OF SHELLS TO INJURY FROM THE GROWTH OF A FUNGUS.

BY THE REV. H. H. HIGGINS, M.A.

It has often been observed that shells kept for a considerable time in cabinets, are apt to lose much of their original freshness and beauty of appearance. This kind of injury chiefly affects such specimens as have a bright enamelled surface, which at length becomes dull, and less pleasant to the touch. Several suggestions have been made with reference to the probable cause of the change, which has often been attributed to the efflorescence of saline matter absorbed by the shell; but, so far as I have observed, the specimens most liable to injury from saline incrustation, belong to genera in which the shells are without enamel, as Littorina, Turritella, &c., and many collectors are in the habit of steeping their specimens in fresh water for some days before placing them in their cabinets, a process which is said to be an effectual preservative from injury by saline efflorescence. Mr. Dennison of Woolton attributed the loss of lustre in enamelled shells to the ravages of a minute insect, but had not been able to detect the depredator. Many of the shells in my own cabinet suffered such serious injury during last winter that I was led to investigate the cause, which indeed became obvious enough by the use of a microscope.

An ordinary lens shewed the enamel of the shell to be beset with small bristly points, and when a portion of the surface was scraped off and submitted to a higher magnifying power, the forms of at least two species of Fungi became apparent, one resembling a Mucor with a globose sporangium, the other, and much more common form, exhibited both simple and moriliform filaments, with an abundance of minute spores, seemingly quite free. After having been carefully washed, the surface of the shell was found to be as it were engraved in some places with stellular marks, in others with striæ forming irregular reticulations, caused no doubt in each instance by the spreading mycelium of the Fungus. It is scarcely necessary to add that attacks of this nature need not be apprehended where shells are kept in a perfectly dry or well ventilated place. A slight deposition of moisture does however frequently occur upon their surfaces whilst shells are undergoing examination, in which case it would be a safe precaution to allow them for a while to remain exposed to the air before returning the drawer to the cabinet.

This closed the ordinary business of the session.

DONATIONS

FROM JUNE, 1857, TO JUNE, 1858.

October 19th, 1857. From the Government, through the Astronomer Royal-Hansen's Tables de la Lune, 4to.

From the Earl of Dundonald-On the Bitumen of Trinidad.

From the Borough Engineer-Report of the Public Baths and Wash-houses.

From the Liverpool Compass Committee-First and Second Reports, as published by the Government and laid before Parliament.

From the Linnean Society-Proceedings, Vol. ii. No 5. From the Zoological Society-Proceedings, Nos. 314 to 333 inclusive.

From the Royal Astronomical Society-Notices, Vol. xvii., Nos. 7 and 8.

From the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire--Transactions, Vol. ix.

From the Chemists' Association-Report, 1856-57. From the Natural History Society, Dublin-Proceedings, part of Vol. iv.

From the Geological Society-Journal, Vol vii., Part 4. From the Warwickshire Natural Historic SocietyTwenty-first Report, April, 1857.

From the Editor-Provincial Magazine, 5 Nos.

From the Author-Report on the Water Supply, by Thomas Spencer.

From Drs. Nevins and Edwards-Copies of their Inquiry into the Action of the Liverpool Water upon Lead.