TIlE

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY.

VOL. XIV.

DUBLIN : PRINTEDBY R GRAISBERRY, PRINTERTO THE ROYALIRISH ACADEMY.

18Q5. THE .41C4DZILYdesire it to be understood, that they are not an swerabk for any opinion, representation of facts, or train of reason. ing, which may appear in the following Papers. The Author of the several Essays are alone responsible for their contents. CONTENTS.

61spkeiwqt111

SC 1ENCE.

Page The Quantity of Solar Natation, as affecting the North Polar Distances of the fixed Stars deduced from Observation, and the Application of this Determination to confirm the Conclusions relative to the Parallaxes of certain fixed Stars. By the Rev. John Brinkley, D. D. F. R. S. President of the R. L A. and Andrews' Professor of Astronomy in the University of Dublin. ReadApril 1, 1822...... 5 II. On the Application of the Science of Geology to the purposes of Practical Navigation. By Alexander Nimmo, Civil _Engineer, M. R. I. A. &c. Read October 27, 1823. 39 III. An Account of a Trigonometrical Survey of Mayo, one of the Maritime Counties of . By William Bald, Civil En gineer, Member of the Geological Society, London, and M. R. I. A. Read April 30, 1821. 41 IV. A Letter from William Edgeworth, Esq. Civil Engineer, to Alexander Nimmo, Esq. Civil Engineer, M. R. I. A. Com municated by Mr. Nimmo. Read January 1, 1823...... 63 V. On the General Properties of Algebraic Surfaces. By the Rev. Dionysius Lardner, M. R. I. A. Read May 24, 1824...... 69 VI. An investigation of the Lines of Curvature of Ellipsoids, Hyper boloids, and Paraboloids, with a view to the improvement of the b viii Page Domes. the Rev, Theory of the structure and decoration of By Read June 14, 1824. 75 Dionysius Lardner, A. M. M. R. I. A. Ireland. James VII. Catalogue of the Indigenous Plants of By can Townsend Mackay, M. R. I. A. Associate of the Linn 103 Society, .frc.4-c. Read June 28, 1824.

ANTIQUITIES.

1. Observationson a passage in the Medea of Seneca ; and on the argument against the Evidence of Prophecy, drawn from it by Deistical writers. By the Rev. George Hamilton, _Rector of Killermogh, Diocese of Ossory. Read January 22, 1821. 3 11. Description of a remarkableBuilding, on the north side of Ken. mare river, commonly called Staigue Fort. By F. C. Bland, Esq. of Derryguin. Read November 19, 181. 17 III. Description of the Barnaan Cuilauyn, and some conjecturesupon the original use thereof; together with an account of the super. stitious purposes to which it was latterly applied. Also a des cription of the remains of an ancient Mill, which were recently discovered near the ruins of Glankeen Church, in the County of Tipperary. By Thomas Lalor Cooke, Esq. Read January 7, 1822 31 IV. On the Norwegian Settlements on the Eastern Coast of Green. land, or Osterbygd, and their Situation. By Sir Charles Lewis Giesecke. Read January 26, 1824. 47 V. A Catalogue of Maps, Charts, and Plane, relating to Ireland, preserved amongst the Manuscripts in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, with Preliminary Observations. By James Hardiman, Esq. M. R. I. A. Read April 12, 1824...... ix

Page VI. A Sketch of the History and Antiquities of the Southern Islands of Aran, lying of the West Coast of Ireland ; with Observa tions on the Religion of the Celtic Nations, Pagan Monuments of the early Irish, Druidic Rites, 4c. By John T. O'Flaherty, A. B. Read January 26, 79 VII. An Essay on the subjectproposed by the , " viz. An Essay on the nature and influence of the Ancient Irish institutes, commonly called Brehon Laws, and on the num.. ber and authenticity of the Documents whence information con cerning them may be derived ; accompanied by Specimens of Translations from some of their most interesting parts." With an Appendix, containing a Catalogue of the principal Ancient _TrishLaws to be found in the MSS. Library of Trinity College, and other Libraries. A Prize Essay. By Edward O'Reilly. Read June 28, 1824 14 L LIST OF THE

ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY,

MDCCCXXV.

PATRON-THE KING.

VISITER,

CHIEF GOVERNOR OF IRELAND.

PRESIDBNT,

Rev. John Brinkley, D. D. F. R. S. Andrews' Professor of Astronomy, Trinity College, Dublin. VICEPRESIDENTS.

Joseph Clarke M. D. Colonel Edward Hill. The Provost of . William Brooke, M. D. COUNCIL. COMMITTEEOF SCIENCE.

His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin. Joseph Clarke, M. D. The Provost of T. C. Dublin. Rev. F. Sadleir. D. D. S. F. T. C. a xli

Sir Charles G. L. Giesecke, Professor of Mineralogy, Royal Dublin Society. Rev. Richard Mac Donnell, D. D. F. T. C. D. Rev. Dionysius Lardner. COMMITTEEOF POLITELITERATURE.

Rev. Joseph H. Singer, D. B. F. T. C. D. Andrew Carmichael, Esq. Samuel Litton, M. D. Librarian, Royal Dublin Society. Rev. Charles R. Elrington, D. D. F. T. C. D. Rev. William H. Drummond, D. D. George Kiernan, Esq. Matthew Weld Hartstonge, Esq. COMMITTEEOF ANTIQUITIES. Colonel Edward Hill. William Brooke, M. D. Isaac D'Olier LL. D. Rev. Henry H. ilarte, A. M. F. T. C. D. Thomas Herbert Orpen, M. D. Hugh Ferguson, M. D. Rev. Sir Francis Lynch Blosse, Bart. A. M. OFFICERS. TREASURER.William Brooke, M. D. SECRETARIES.Rev. J. H. Singer, D. D. F. T. C. D. and Rev. F. Sadleir, D. D. S. F. T. C. D. SECRETARYOF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.Colonel Edward Hill. LIBRARIAN.Rev. William H. Drummond, D. D. AN

ALPHABETICAL LIST

OFTHE

PRESENT MEMBERS

OFTHE

ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY.

--,-...... m...... m.m...... -.....

Those marked thus are Membersfor Life...... s.IIIIIIIIIIII......

A.

Rev. Jerome Alley. John Lade Arabin, Esq. A. M. John Ashburner, Esq.

B.

William Bald, Esq. Benjamin Ball, Esq. William Ball, Esq. Rev. Charles Bardin, A. M. Sir Robert Bateson, Bart. Samuel Black, M. D. Bindon Blood, Esq. Rev. Sir Francis Lynch Blosse, Bart. A. M. Rev. Henry Boyd. xiv

Rev. Charles Boyton, A. M. F. T. C. D. Rev. John Brinkley, D. D. F. R.S. Sm. President. William Brooke, M. D. V. P. Right. Hon. Denis Browne, M. P. Rev. John Brown. Very Rev. Robert Burrowes, D. D. Dean of Cork. Hon. Sir F. N. Burton.

C.

Viscount Carleton. Richard Carmichael, Esq. Andrew Carmichael, Esq. Joseph Came, Esq. Earl of Carysfort, F. R. S. F. S. A. Hon. Henry Caulfield, M. P. George Chamley, Esq. Earl of Charlemont. Earl of Charleville, F. R. S. Richard Chenevix, Esq. F. R. S. John Cheyne, M. D. F. R. S. E. Physician General. Earl of Chichester, F. R. S. Earl of Clare. Rev. Adam Clarke, LL. D. Joseph Clarke, M. D. V. P. James Cleghorn, M. D. State Physician. William C. Colvill, Esq. Marquis Conyngham. Thomas Coulter, M. D. John Crosthwaite, Esq. XV

D.

Right Rev. William Magee, D. D. F. R. S. Lord Archbishop of Dublin. Right Rev. Richard Mant, D. D. Lord Bishop of Down and Connor. Isaac D'Olier, LL. D. Douglas, M. D. Rev. W. H. Drummond, D. D. John Dunn, Esq.

E.

William Edgeworth, Esq. Civil Engineer. James Elmes, Esq. Right Rev. Thomas Elrington, D. D. Lord Bishop of Leighlin and Ferns. Rev. C. R. Elrington, D. D. F. T. C. D. H. Baldwin Evanson, M. D.

F.

Hugh Ferguson, M. D. Rev. Michael Fitzgerald. Right Hon. Maurice Fitzgerald, M. P. Right Hon. W. V. Fitzgerald, M. P. F. R. S. John Leslie Foster, Esq. LL.D. M. P. R. Murray Frazer, Esq.

G

Sir Charles L. Giesecke, Professor of Mineralogy, Royal Dublin Society. Rev. Thomas Goff. Very Rev. Richard Graves, D. D. Dean of Ardagh. George A. Grierson, Esq. c xvi

Richard Griffith, Esq. Mining Engineer, Royal Dublin Society. s Rev. Hosea Guinness, D. D. Samuel Guinness, Esq.

H.

James Ilardiman, Esq. Matthew Weld Hartstonge, Esq. Rev. H. Henry Harte, A. M. F. T. C. D. Marquis of Hastings, K. G. F. R. S. Edward Hay, Esq. William Haygarth, Esq. 's Henry A. Herbert, Esq. William Higgins, Esq. Professor of Chemistry, Royal Dublin Society, F. R. S. Right Hon. Sir George Fitzgerald Hill, Bart. M. P. Colonel Edward Hill. Rev. Thomas Hincks. Very Rev. Richard Hood, L.L. D. Dean of Kilmacduagh. Henry Hudson, M. D. State Dentist. Arthur Hume, Esq. Robert Hutton, Esq.

.J

Hon. Judge Johnson.

K.

Rev. James Kennedy, B. D. F. T C. D. Rev. A. H. Kenny, D. D. xvii

George Kiernan, Esq. Alexander Knox, Esq. Hon. Thomas Knox. Right Hon. George Knox, F. R. S. Rev. S. Kyle, D. D. Provost of Trinity College, Dublin.

L.

Rev. Dionysius Lardner, A. M. Earl of Leitrim. '1 Earl of Limerick. Thomas Little, M. D. Samuel Litton, M. D. Librarian, Royal Dublin Society. Rev. Bartholomew Lloyd, D. D. S. F. T. C. D.

M.

James Macartney, M. D. F. R. S. and F. L. S. Rev. R. Mac Donnell, D. D. F. T. C. D. James Townsend Mackay, Esq. Gerard Macklin, Esq. State Surgeon. Chevalier de Mac Carthy. William M'Gwire, Esq. Ninian Mahaffy, Esq. Alexander Marsden, Esq. W. Marsden, Esq. F. R. S. Henry Joseph Monck Mason, Esq. William Shaw Mason, Esq. Rev. Charles Mayne. Rev. George Miller, D. D. xviii

Sir Capel Molyneux, Bart. Rev. Marcus Monck.

N.

Right Hon. Sir John Newport, Bart. M. P. Whitlock Nichol, M. D. Alexander Nimmo, Esq. F. R. S. E. Civil Engineer. J. H. North, Esq. M. P.

O.

Rev. Andrew O'Beirne. John Oldham, Esq. Lord Oriel, F. R. S. Thomas Herbert Orpen, M. D.

P.

Paul Patrick, Esq. Thomas Peall, M. D. Professor in the Veterinary Art, Royal Dublin Society. Robert Perceval, M. D. Rev. William Phelan, A. M. Henry H. Price, Esq. John Pollock, Esq. Hon. and Rev. J. Pomeroy.

Q.

St. John Thomas Quin, Esq. Right Hon. John Radcliffe, LL. D. Judge of the Prerogative Court. Rev. Edward W. M. Rice. Rev. Thomas R. Robinson, D. D. Professor of Astronomy, Armagh. Rev. J. Cramer Roberts. Earl of Rosse.

S.

Rev. Francis Sadleir, D. D. S. F. T. C. D. Rev. G. V. Sampson. Anthony Semple, Esq. Rev. J. H. Singer, D. D. F. T. C. D. Hon. Baron Sir William C. Smith, Bart. T. S. Speer, M. D. Hon. Alexander Stewart. Whitley Stokes, M. D. Professor of Natural History, T. C. D. Rev. Charles Strong, A. M.

T.

Charles H. Todd, Esq. Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin. Rev. John Torrens, D. D. Archdeacon of Dublin. Thomas Townsend, Esq. Rev. W. Trail, D. D.

William Turner, Esq. A. M. Lord Trimleston. W.

Rev. Richard Wall, A. M.

William Wallace, Esq. Rev. Robert Walsh. Francis Weldon Walshe, Esq. Right Hon. Colonel R. Ward. Thomas Weaver, Esq. M. G. S. William Webb, Esq. Isaac Weld, Esq. Francis Wigram, Esq. James. T. Wilkinson, Esq. Edward Wilmot, Esq. Rev. James Wilson, A. M. Rev. James Wilson, D. D. S. F. T. C. D. Rev. IL Woodward, D. D. Benjamin Woodward, Esq.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

Monsieur le President de Verily, Dijon. It P. Georgi, Rome. Annibal Olivieri, Pesaro. Abbe Amaduzzi. 'ad

Abbe Lanzi, Florence. Sir J. Bernard de Rossi, Parma. Prince Abbondio Rezzonico. R. P. A. Don Appian Bonafide, Rome. Signor Lampredi. M. P. F. Suhm, Copenhagen. James Boudoin, Esq. Marquis Vinuty. Monsieur de Grand Matson. Count of Compomanes. Monsieur le Baron de Lisle. Monsieur le Compte Paul Andriani, Milan. Baron de Buehler. Lieutenant Wilford, Benares. Don Pietro Napoli Signorelli. L. Principe Giacomo Giustiniani. B. F. G. Herman, Petersburgh. Sir Humphrey Davy, President of the Royal Society. Dawson Turner, Esq. F. R. S. Yarmouth. Signior Bononi, Boulogne. W . R. Clanny, M. D. F. S. A. Nicholas Carlisle, F. S. A. and Assistant Librarian to his Majesty. Nathaniel Bowditch, LL. D. Monsieur Dupin, Member of the Royal Institute of France. T. C. Hope, M. D. Professor of Chemistry, Edinburgh. F. L. S. Francis Hamilton, M. D. Frederick Colladon, M. D. Professor Antonmaria Vassali-Eandi. W. Hyde Wollaston, M. D. Vice-President of the R. S. Thomas Young, M. D. F. R. S. Baron Jacquier, Professor of Botany, University of Vienna. David Brewster, LL. D. F. R. S. L. Secretary Royal Society of Edinburgh. Robert Southey, LL. D. Baron Fred. Schreiber, Director of the Imperial Museum, Vienna. Professor Schumacher, Copenhagen. Professor Jameson, Edinburgh. Sir Walter Scott, Bait President R. S. Edinburgh. T. Colby, Esq. Royal Engineers, F. R. S. L. and E. SCIENCE.

VOL. XIV. ANTIQUITIES.