the sand hills on our shores, as an article every way likely to be beneficially manufactured into bonnets, &c. See p. 20% of our second volume.

"

In Chemistry only two rewards were bestowed; these were, one to Mr. H. W. Reveley, King-street, Bryanstone Square, for his communication respecting the nature and preparation of the stones used in Tuscany for grinding flour; the large silver medal.

The other to J. Meigh, Esq. Shelton, Staffordshire, for the discovery of a glaze, for vessels of common red earthenware, not prejudicial to the health of those who make use of them; the large gold medal.

The remainder of the proceedings we have it not in our power to report; the remaining classes of Mechanics, and Colonies, and Trade, must therefore be left for the Society's Transactions.

It appears that no facilities for being accurately informed were accorded to any of those powerful engines which lend their impetus to such escapements. This, as we have again and again repeated, is not judicious, nor at all worthy of the age, nor the Society.-The French savans know better how to arrange these things-how to make echoes, more powerful than the original sound, spread their doings over the world. But we have heretofore said enough on this subject. Associated bodies do not often improve by age.

Edinburgh School of Arts.

On the 24th of April, the first session of the School of Arts was closed. After Dr. Fyffe had finished his lecture, Mr. L. Horner, gave an account of the proceedings of the session. The success of this school has far surpassed the expectations of its friends and supporters.

Nearly 400 individuals, chiefly mechanics, have entered as students. The principal classes have been well attended; and among many who distinguished themselves by scientific exercises, may be mentioned three individuals from the blind asylum. Why have we not such a school or schools in the metropolis?

Irish Academy.

THE artists of Ireland have been incorporated into a Society, similar to the Royal Academy in this country. A council of fourteen Academicians has been chosen, and ten Associates are to be elected next year from the exhibitors of Irish art.

Royal Society.

THE following papers have been read at this Society since our last.

April 25. On the Mechanism of the Spine, by Mr. Earle. Observations on the Eclipse of August, 1821, by Mr. Dawes.

May 2. On the Nerves which associate the Muscles of the Chest in the actions of Breathing, Speaking and Expression, by Charles Bell, Esq.

A short account of some Appearances in the Moon, on the 24th of April, by Mr. Lawson.

May 9. Experiments and Observations on the Newry Pitch-stone, and on the artificial formation of Pumice, by the Right Hon. J. Knox.

May 16. On the Changes which the Egg undergoes during Incubation, by Sir E. Home, Bart.

May 23. On the Mathematical Laws of Electro-magpetism, by P. Barlow, Esq.

On the Height of Places in the Trigonometrical Survey; by B. Bevan, Esq.

45

(Concluded from our last.)

Account of some standard Fig-trees, at Sompting near Worthing, Sussex. By J. SABINE, Esq.

Notices of new and remarkable varieties of Fruits ripened in the Summer and Autumn of the year 1820, which were exhibited at the meeting of the Horticultural Society.

Strawberries ;-the Rostock Vernon, or Bostock; a handsome fruit and very abundant bearer. The Mathven Castle Strawberry; fruit large, much knobbed, the fairest specimens resemble the Pine; a vivid scarlet all over; flesh very soft, bright red throughout; flavour resembling the old scarlet; bears abundantly in the light; ripens early in June, and continues bearing till the end of July, or beginning of August.

Cherries ;-The Early Black Cherry, described in a former volume of the Transactions; a valuable addition to our fruits. The Waterloo Cherry has also been noticed in a former volume. Cerise quatre à la livre is a tree received from France: the name given from the gigantic character of the leaf; fruit small. Except, however, as an ornamental tree, which its large foliage and vigorous growth entitle it to be considered, it will scarcely be allowed a place in the garden.

Peaches.-The Flat Peach of China. This peach is cultivated in China, and is well known at Canton, where it is esteemed a good fruit. An exquisite drawing accompanies the description of this plant.-The Sulhamstead Peach, a seedling variety raised at Sulbamstead, near Reading, is a fine new variety. The Rosanne Peach bears in our climate as a standard; the fruit is small, but ripens well, and has a rich high flavour.

Melons ;-The Green-fleshed Egyptian is one of great excellence. The Levant Melon is also an excellent one. Grapes;-The Black Corinth Grape, is the variety so well known, in its dried state, as the currant, (or rather Corinth) of the shops. The vine was first introduced into this country in the year 1817, when Prince CORNETO sent twenty-one plants and some cuttings packed up in earth from Zante to Sir Herbert Taylor, for the Queen. Directions were sent by Prince Corneto for its cultivation, which were given, with a plant, to Sir Joseph Banks. It was planted in the hot-house at Spring Grove, where it has grown luxuriantly, and ripened its fruit well. High temperature, however, does not appear to be necessary to it: for it has been also planted against a south wall at Fangrove, near Chertsey; and has thriven well, borne plentifully, and ripened the fruit somewhat earlier than other sorts in the same situation, though all the berries on the branch have not ripened equally well. The fruit must be protected from birds and flies, which seem particularly fond of it.

The Wortley Hall Grape is a seedling similar in its appearance to the Black Hamburgh. The bunch exhibited weighed upwards of two pounds. The Poonah Grape is a very handsome variety received from Bombay. Colour of the fruit when fully exposed to the sun, dark red; the vine a free bearer; the fruit keeps for a considerable time after it is ripe.

Walnuts;-The Highflyer Walnut is by far the best walnut grown.

Pears;-Knevelt's Pear is long, somewhat fig-shaped; skin dull green, covered on the exposed side with brownish red and sprinkled with minute brown spots. Flesh white, firm, yet melting, very sweet with a bergamot perfume. Ripens toward the end of September. This is

the same pear as the Poire Figure, or Poire Pistolette. The Marie Louise Pear has already been noticed in the transactions; it has far exceeded the highest expectations which had been formed of it. The accompanying drawing conveys a very perfect idea of this excellent and beautiful pear. It ripens from the middle of October, to the middle of November, according to the place of its growth. It sometimes weighs eight ounces. We can merely name the Seckle Pear, the Charles d'Autriche Pear, and the Tillington.

Apples;-The Red Astrachan Apple, imported from Sweden, but now growing here, is one of the very best early apples its fruit ripens about the middle of August. The Revelstone Pippin. The Gravenstein Apple, is a fine fruit, and a first rate autumnal apple ripening in the end of October, but does not keep well beyond the end of November. It has been obtained from Germany and Sweden. The Golden Noble, Mollett's Guernsey Pippin, the Alexander Apple tree, Hunt's Duke of Gloucester, and the Petit Jean Apple, are varieties which we can only name. The Sweeny Nonpareil is a seedling, raised by Mr. Parker, at Sweeny, in Shropshire. It is considerably larger than the nonpareil, and is an excellent fruit for culinary purposes. It is fit for gathering about the middle of November, and some may be kept till late in the Spring. The tree is an abundant bearer; some of the apples weigh seven ounces and a half each, or more. The Bossom Apple, is a handsome, large and useful apple; the Bayfordbury Pippin; the Wellington, the Royal Reinette, and the Pinner Seedling, we simply mention.

On Forcing Plums, by J. T. AITON, ESQ.

Notice of a Pit for Fruiting Pines and Melons, with