The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-09-26 00:00:00

SECTION D.-ZOOLOGY

The day's proceedings were opened by Professor Hux-
ley, who read a paper " On the vascular system: of the
lower animals," which he illustrated by several rough
sketches. At the conclusion of the learned gentleman's
lecture, Dr. Redfern read a very elaborate paper "On the
Torbanehill coal and other varieties of coal," peculiarly
suited for the manufacture of gas, as it contains very little
carbon. This led to a discussion of considerable warmth
between some of the learned gentlemen as to the quantity
of heat evolved in the combination of this coal. The
chairman interfered, and, after the glowing savane, had
been cooled, Professor Owen made some observations" On
the animals which in their physical organization most
nearly resemble man." This subject was amplified by the
learned professor in a lecture, the same evening. After
some remarks on " Star-fish," by Mr. Patterson, the sec-
tion adjourned for the day.

SECTION F

—GEOGRAPHY
In this section the attendance was larp,(
many ladies. the attraction being. in 1

e, and included

brity- of the eminent Arctic navigators—Sir J. Ross, R.N.,
Rear-Admiral Sir E. Beecher, and others—who were ex-
pected to speak upon the first paper, and to express their
opinions with respect to the probable fate of Sir J. Frank-
lin. The Rev. Mr. Kemp read Mr. Findlay's paper "On
the Arctic and Antarctic Currents in connexion with the
expedition of Sir John Franklin." In this paper numerous
arguments were adduced to show that the North Pole is
affected by warm currents from the tropical seas. The effect
of these warm currents is to keep open the navigation to
a considerable extent. Having concluded what may be
considered the main body of his address, he proceeded in
a supplementary paper to apply the principles and facts
which he had laid down to the case of Sir John Franklin.
In 1851, it would be remembered, a report gained circula-
tion that two ships had been passed on an iceberg off the
coast of Newfoundland, by the brig Renovation. Their
first step must be, to determine, if possible, the truth of
this story, and their next to ascertain the probability
which exists of Sir John, if these ships were his, and were
abandoned, being able to find his way to any region in
which subsistence might be found, until he and his crew
could meet with an opportunity of reaching home. In
the first place a strict examination was made by Captain
Ommaney and others, of the parties who had seen the
ships on an iceberg ; and their testimony was not shaken.
They concurred in stating that they saw two vessels, one
about 500 tons, and the other 300, lying high and dry
upon an iceberg. This description applies pretty closely
to Sir John Franklin's ships. The evidence was strength-
ened by its being taken from the witnesses, who, since
the occurrence was made known, had spread themselves
over different quarters of the world, and whose accounts,
nevertheless, coincided very perfectly. With respect to
the probability of Sir John Franklin's being able to reach
home, and the question of his proceedings after leaving
the ship, that was a mystery which he was unable to solve.
He went through the Wellington Channel, and might
have attempted to reach the open sea, and been drifted
back. This he might have attempted several times, with
the same result, and finally have taken to the ice, or to some
land, and left his ships, which were quite strong enough,
to drift on the ice.—After a few observations from the
Chairman, the Rev. Dr. Scoresby stated, on his own know-
ledge, that on land as far as 81 deg. there was abundant
sustenance for animal life. His own opinion as to the
vessels seen on an iceberg being those of Sir John differed
from the opinion expressed by the previous speaker. He
thought they were whalers, of whom there were fifty or
sixty missing over a course of some years, some of which
might have been liberated by the parting of the ice.—ln
reply to a question, as to the character of Melville Island,
he thought it was only one of a chain, upon same of
which Sir John Franklin might have got, if he had been
aided by a southerly wind. He had a strong hope of
learning his fate from the expedition which had gone over
the ice; and this hope was strengthened by the fact that
there had been no search, until last year, in a direction
likely to meet with Sir John.—Admiral Beecher differed
altogether from the preceding speaker in thinking that Sir
John would find in those seas sufficient sustenance for him
self and his crew. In the event of his having to abandon his
ships, his first object must be to make the best of his way
to Behring's Straits ; and, whilst doing this, could not
have time to collect food. He himself triehe experi-
ment once when in those seas, with a party, and they could
barely succeed with their guns in supporting themselves
for three or four days. Like the two previous speakers,
Admiral Beecher expressed himself satisfied that the navi-
gation of the arctic seas was perfectly impracticable.
Sir John Ross, R.N., made a few observations, but, so far
as they could be heard, they related more to style of treat-
ment experienced at the Admiralty, than the subject of
Arctic navigation. Dr. Sutherland's paper, "On Glaciers
in the Arctic Regions," was read by the Rev. H. H,
Higgins. The next paper read was by Mr. T. Wright,
"On some remains of an Early People in the South-
eastern corner of Yorkshire." Three o'clock having ar-
rived, the proceedings adjourned to next day.
SECTION F.--STATISTICS.

The first paper read at this section to-day was by James
William Gilbart, Esq., F.R.S., manager of the London
and Westminster Bank, " On the Laws of the Currency,
as exemplified in the circulation of Country Bank Notes
in England, since the passing of the act of 1844."
This paper gave rise to a long discussion, in which H.
T. Danson, Esq., W. Brown, Esq.. M.P., Mr. M. Milnes,
and others took part. The paper next read was one by
Colonel Sykes, F.R.S., entitled " Statistics of Nice Mari-
time." The paper, a very interesting one, was illustrative
oAf
general social condition of Nice.
an its being read. Mr. New-
march followed moral,
discussionsa nit
ensued
suanedd
march followed by a long and able address on " Facts and
Statements connected with the question—whether, in con-
sequence of the Discoveries within the last Six Years, the
Exchangeable Value of Gold in this country has fallen
below its former level." After showing the immense in-
crease in the metallic currency which the recent disco-
veries had caused, he gave it as his decided opinion that
those discoveries had not had the effect of causing the
exchangeable value of gold to fall below its former level,
except indirectly, and that, in this respect, the commerce
and general trade of the country had derived great benefits,
and the social condition of the community had been mate-
rially improved. The statement was followed by a dis-
cussion, in which Mr. Monckton Milnes, M.P., Mr. Wm.
Brown, M.P., Mr. Danson, and Mr. J. Rosson took part.
Shortly after three o'clock the section adjourned till next
day.