FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Bound at A.W, N.H. J920 PAPERS & PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIExf OP TASMANIA, FOR THE YEAR 1902. (ISSUED JUNE, 1903.) s^fc/?* Tasmania : PRINTED BY DAVIES BROTHERS LIMITED, MACQUARIE STREET, HOBART. 1903 / The responsibility of the Statements and Opinions given in the following Papers and Discussions rests with the individual Authors; the Societv as a body merely places them on record. , , .^, ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA. oojagejoo patron : HIS MAJESTY THE KING. HIS EXCELLENCY SIR ARTHUR ELIBANK HAVELOCK, G.C.S.L, G.C.M.G. THOMAS STEPHENS, ESQ., M.A., F.G.S. R. M. JOHNSTON, ESQ., F.S.S. A. G. WEBSTER, ESQ. HON. N. J. BROWN, M.E.C. (Jlottttdl : * T. STEPHENS, ESQ., M.A., F.G.S. * C. J. BARCLAY, ESQ. * HON. G. H. BUTLER, M.R.C.S.E., M.L.C. * A. G. WEBSTER, ESQ. COL. W. V. LEGGE, R.A. R. M. JOHNSTON, ESQ., F.S.S. HON. N. J. BROWN, M.E.C. L. RODWAY, ESQ. HIS LORDSHIP THE BISHOP OF TASMANIA. RUSSELL YOUNG, ESQ. PROF. NEIL SMITH, M.A. BERNARD SHAW, ESQ. 5|on. STreaiSurer: C. J. BARCLAY, ESQ. Ion. ^l}otogiapI)er: J. W. BEATTIE. Aubitoi of Annual llccortnts; : W. W. ECHLIN. ^ecretarg ant) librarian: ALEXANDER MORTON. * Members who next retire in rotation. SIR ARTHUR ELIBANK HAVELOCK, G.CS.I., G.C.M.G.. G.C.I.E., President of the Royal Society of Tasmania. Clonal Sncittn oi Casmanhi. ABSTRACT OF PHOCEELINaS, APPwIL 29th, 1902. A meeting of the Eoyal Socie!;y of Tas- mania was held on Tuesday evening, April 29, 1902, in the society^s new room, Argyle- s'treet. The President, His Excellency the GrOTernor, Sir Arthur Havelook, G.C.S.I., G.'C.M.G., presided. The Go- vernor was accompanied by Lady Have- lock and Captain Gaskell, A.D.C. Welcome to the New President. The Hon. Nicholas J. Brown, Speaker of the House of Assembly, and Vice-Presi- dent of the Eoyal Society, said he was charged with a duty of a y&i:y pleasant character. He had, on behalf of the Fellows of the Eoyal Society, to welcome His Excellency on that, the first, occasion of fTiS presiding at a meeting of the Eel- lows. According to the charter of the society, the representative of His 'Majesty the King was, ex officio. President of the Eoyal Society of Tasmania, a privilege which, he believea, was not included in the charter of any other Eoyal Society in Australia. They knew, from, ample evi- dence, since His Excellency's arrival m Tasmania, that he took a very warm and sj'mpathetic interest in the welfare of this State, and the Fellows of the siociety hoped that His Excellency would derive pleasure from his 'association with th'at society. They felt confident the society vroald derive great advantage, encourage- ment, and assistance from His Excel- lency's ass'ociatioin with the society from time to time. He desired briefly to al- lude to a few instances in the past his- tory of the society. In the early days of its existence, considerable difficulty arose regarding land for its use. One Govern- ment after another promised land, but a great deal 'of correspondence took pla3e, and a few years ago they found that their title to a portion of tihe land supposed to be obtained was doubtful. Tlie recoirds of the siociety were searched, and a state- ment was prepared, showing beyond all doubt, that while it was the general in- tention to' grant the society a large block of land, including Franklin-square, ultim- ately the land given was confined to the block between Macquarie - street and Da- vey-street, now occupied by the society. Their title to that larg» ajea of land -was now assured, but he desired to refer par- ticularly to a letter found in the corre- spondence written by the early secretary, in which he spoke cf the necessity for ample space being reser'ped to the society. He S'aid the society "must be cumulative and expansive beyond any limit they could assign to it.'" The Fellows had done very well so far. They had got natural history specimens, and a fairly good rep.resantation of art, and, on tlie whole, he thought the institution would compare favourably with any institution in the other States. But they could say now. as the secretary said in 18o7, that the society must be cumulative and expan- sive beyond any limit thsy could a».-ign to it. Its first expansion now should be in the direction of the securing and equip- ment of a Techuological museum. I'hat seemed to be necessary, in view of the an- ticipations that, in the near fature, Tas- mania would become an important manu- facturing and distributing centre for the whole of Australia. Technical instruc- tion was being imparted in our schools, and he hoped that technical knowledge would progress. But 'a Tecl^nol^g!:'al museum was a very important tuing to have at our command. While welcoming His Excellency to the Eoyal Society, ihe ventured to express a hope that, while it was certain that the present moiment was not an opporttine one at which to discuss heavy expenditure, yet they believed the pre- sent difficulties would rioU away, and that His Excellency's tenure of office, as Governor, and as President of the Society, might be signalised by the addition of a Technological m'useum to the National Museum of Tasmania. He extended to His Excellency a very cordial welcome on belhalf of the Fellows of the Society. (Ap- plause.) His Excelleaicy the Governor said fie begged the Fellows to accept his very sin- cere thanks for the extremely kind terms which they had extended to him. He felt proud to occupy tlie chair whidh had been occupied by John Franklin, Wil- liam Denison, and Eobert Hamilton. (Ap- plause.) He was unprepared for the sug- gestion that was thrown out by the Vice- President, but (for the short time he had had to reflect upon it) it seemed to be one that deserved consideration. He trusted that before his time wa:s over, the idea might be carried into practice. He tlianked them once more for their kind Trel'oome, and they would now proceed to the business of the evening. (Applause.) New Fellows. Major E. C. Lewis, D.S.O., and Dr. E. E. Whishaw, and Mr. Horace Watson, were elected Fellows of tfie society. Apologies. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from the Aichbishop of H )!)a.rt, Mr. T. Stephens. M.A.. F.G.S., fuul Mr. L. Kod way. PiesiJent's Address. His Excellency the Governor, as Pres'i- ■deut, deliveied the followiug presidential addres's : — Mr. Vice - President, members of the Council, and Fellows of the Koyal Society, — Among the many honourable and agieeab/le positions held by the Governor of Tasmania, there is none more honourable, none moie agree- able, than that of President of the l\'oyal Society of Tasmania. Not only can the Royal Society claim to be one of the oldest scientific bodies of Australasia, but it may also justly pride itself on having contri- buted largely to the stores of science and research' which have been laid up in this great Southern Doriiinion, The societrj' had its beginning in an informal as-socia- lion, of Sir Joliu Franklin and of men among his friends and acquaintances, who shared with him his love of knowledge and of inquiiy. Under Sir John Franklin's care, this association grew, until in 18-11. before he relinquished his office of Gover- nor, it was foimed into an organised so- ciety, called the Tasmanian Society. But, it was not until three years later, when Sir John Franklin had left the co'lony. that the institution which he had brought into being, and which he had iso lovingly cherished, reached its fulness of strength and dignity. On the 12Lh September. 1844. Sir J. E, Eaidley-Wilmor, Sir .Tohii Franklin's succe-sor in the Government of Tasmania, was able to proclaim that the Royal So':iety. with an approved con- stitution, and witli a grant of i.'4-OO a year from publi.- funds, had been formally es- tablished. At the same time, the Gover- nor was authorised *"o make the auspicious announcement that Her Majesty the Queen had signified her consent to be Pat- ron of the society. For fifty-eight years — until by death the Empire lost the noblest and be-t Sovereign that has ever been — the Eoyal Societv continued to hold and treasure this signal mark of honour. His Majesty the King lias now been graciously pleased to become Patron, The leading ob- jects of the Eoyal Society were defined to be the investigation of tl'e physical charac- ter of Tasmania, and the illustration of its natural history and productions. The constitution and objects of the societv re- main, at the pi-esent day, substantiallv what they weie at the time of its estab- lishment in 1844. Among the names of men associated with its work, the Poval Society records with pride — Sir .Tohn Frank'in. its distinguirshed founder; Cap- tains Ross and Crozier, succes-ful Ant- arctic investigators; Sir Joseph Hooker, the great botanist; Sir George <}rey, tlie eminent colonial statesman and poli- tician; the Keverend Mr. Colenso, the ar- dent naturalist; the Reverend Di. Lillie. an eminent scholar and divine; Sir Thomas Mitchell, the Australian ex- plorer. I could greatly prolong the list. but I fear to weary you. The names I have recalled to you are probably already growing faint in the memory of the pie- sent generation. But the roll of the so- ciety contains one name which is fresh in all our minds and hearts — that of Sir James Agnew, w'hose keen intellect, and whose warm poAver of sympathetic in- terest, pervade the whole history of the societ.v. from its earliest days, sixty years ago, until November of last .year, when he was called to his lest. All Tasmania owes Sir James Agnew a deep debt of grati- tude for the good deeds, for the open-hand- ed munificence, and for the noble example, by which, during a long life, he helped to raise the character of her people, to cheer their hearts, and to brighten their lives. Tasmania and her Royal Society need no visible monument to keep alive their re- membrance of Sir James Agnew. But. if they did, it may be found in marble, in the beautiful work of the sculptor's art. which adorns the Art Gallery of our Museum, and "which he has bequeathed to Tasmania. The Honourable C. H. Giant and Dr. Bright, who passsd away only a few weeks before Sir James Agnew\ have left also a record of earnest and success- ful work, in the service of the objects of the Royal Society, and of high aims for the improvement of the community among whom they lived and laboured. And now. before I c'lose my testimony, which I feel to be inadequate and impel feet, to the zeal, the perseverance, and the ability which have been devoted to the further- ance of the objects of the society. I should not be doing justice to my subject, if I were to omit the name of our secretary, Mr. Alexander Morton. I have hardly yet ceased to be a stranger among you. But, already, the assiduity, the tact, the power of organisation, which Mr. Morton has l>rought to bear upon the promotion of the interests of the Royal Society in par- ticular, and upon the advance of science, and upon the cultivation of art in Tas- mania, in general, have been forced upon my attention. You, who have known Mr. Morton for many years, and who have had long experience of his work, of his con- stant and strenuous efforts, and I ma.y say his successful efforts, to dp good, are, I know, deeply imbued with the respect and gratitude which are due to him. Mr. Mor- ton's labour among us is a labour of love. He has lately returned from much-needed rest and recreation in New Zealand; and I know you w411 join with me in trusting that he may be long spared to continue hi;* Ill career of iisefuluess among lis. Aud. now I beg leave to be allowed to give a short summary' of the hisiory, for the past year, of the Eoyal Society, and of the Museum and Art Gallery, insititutions which are closel}^ allied with it. The council of the society aud the Museum Boaid of Trus- tees have suffered great los? in the death of the thi ee revered members whose names I have already mentioned. And, by the re- signation and departure of Bishop Mont- gomery, the council has been deprived of the services of one of its niost practical and active workers. The four vacancies thus created have been filled by the ap- pointment of the Honourable Gamaliel Butler. M.R.C.S.E.. M.L.C.. Professor Neil Smith. M.A.. Mr. L. Rodsvar, and Mr. A. Mault. The high charac- ter and the scientific attainments of these men are well known to you, and need no comment f j om me. The scientific objects of the society have been furthered, and its records enlightened and enriched by the presentations of nineteen papers' on Orni- thology, Ichthyology, Conchology, Geology, Botany, Astronomv. and Geo- graphy. The subjects and atithois of these papers are the following: — Ornithology. — 1. Note of the birds of Tasmania, bv Col. W. V. Legge, E.A., C.M.Z.S. loht'hyolcgy. — 2. The Fishes of Tas- mantia. "by B. M. Johnston, F.S.S. Conchology. — 3, The re'cent Mo'hisca of Tasmania, by Miss Ma:y Lodder. 4. Notes 'on some Land shells fiom Maria Island, by \V. F. Petterd. C.M.Z.S. Geology. — 5. The Mineral-s of Tasmania. 6. Description and analysis of a new •species of Mineral. "Petterdite," a new Ox.ychloride of lead. 7. Ue-cripfion of ;?- Meteorite from the Cay'ra River. 8. Microscopic structure of isome Tasmanian Toeks, by W. F. Petterd. C.M.Z.S. 9. Outlines .of the geology of Tasmania. 10. Progress of the mineral iudustiv of Tas- mania, by W. H. Twelvetrees, F^.G.S. 11. Flexible sandstone, by Proie-sor E. G. Hogg, M.A. 12. Nates on the discovery of coiai at Wvnrard, bv R. M. .Johnston, F.S.S. Botemy. — 13. Tasmanian botany, by L. Rodway. 14. The present and future l)riospect9 of timber in Tasmania, by Wm. Heyn. 1'). The value of the timber in- dustry in Tasmania, by A. O. Green'e. 16. Practical forestry in Tasma-nia. bv A. Mault. Astronomy. — 17. Asbronomical observa- tions at the Cape by H. C. Kingsmill, M.A. Geogranhical. — 18. Notes on a, trip to Barn Blutf. by .1. W. Beattie. 19. Ac- count of a visit to British Columbia for the purpose of introducing the sockeye salmon i( )uchorhynchus jieikti) in Tas- manian waters. b,y Alex. Morton. Antarctic Expedition. The annals of science have been marked by the departure of the Antarctic ship Discovery, under the command of Captain Scott, Royal Navy, assisted by a staff of highly scientific men — among whom is Mr. L. Beruacchi, a .young man, educated at the Hutchins School, in Hobart. Mr. Bernacchi was the meteorologist of the Southern Cross Expedition, which, under Sir George Newnes, explored the Ant- arctic m 1898-99. On the return of that expedition to London, Mr. Bernacchi was awarded by the Royal Geographical So- ciety of England the society^s diploma, the Cuthbert Grant Medal, and the so- ciety's gold watch, for his distinguished services. A.A.A.S. Ninth Mesting. The dignity of Hobart as a seat of science has been .enhanced by a session of the Australasian AssociatiDn for the Ad- vancement of Science. I believe I may sa.y that this was the most successful meeting of the association ever held in Austral- asia. Seven hundred members attended the session. A session ot the Intercolonial Medical Congress has also been held in Hobart; and, although this congress is not directly connected with the Royal So- ciety, I ma.y claim that its session in. Tas- mania has added to the scientific lustre of the year. New Additions to the Tasmanian Museum. In the next place, I wish to draw your attention for a moment to the important extensions and improvements which have been made to the accommodation of the Eoyal Society, by the addition of the room in which we hold this evening's meeting, to the buildings of the Museum, and of the Art G£.lTery, and to the additions which iiave been m'ade to the collections of the Art Gallery. I have already aWuded to the splendid gift 'oy Sir James Agnew of the statue of Medusa — probably the finest piece of sculpture to be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. In addition to this, the same generous benefactor has be- queathed to the Art Gallery several paint- ings of great beauty, and of high artistic merit. The Art Gallery has also been further enriched in the same way by munificent gifts, made by two ladies, the daughters of a Tasmanian statesman, whose name holds a distinguished place in the history of this country. A liberal grant of money by Parliament has enabled the Board of Trustees of the Museum, upon which the Council of the Eoyal So- ciety are strongly represented, to complete the new wing of the Museum building, to provide a more suit- able room for Tasmanian exhibits, and to add a large room specially IV appropriated to the exhibitiou of objects and trophies, which will show to advan- tage specimens of the produ-ts of the Tasmauian mines and ot the timber and cabinet woods found in the State. Photo- graphs, by the artistic hand of Mr. Beait- tie, in number about six hundred, repre- senting tli« beautiful scenery of Tasmania, have been hung on the walls of this room. The Museum and the Art Gallery now form institutions of which Tasmania maj' be justly proud, and with which, as a means of illustrating and bringing into notice the re-ources, the at- tractions, and the progress of Tasmania, and as a mean> of cultivating our taste for what is beautiful and elevating, we may well be satisfied. Mr. Vice-President and members of tlie council, ladies and gentlemen, — I think you will concur with me in the gratifying opinion which I venture to express, that the Eoyal Society has, in co-operation with the Board of Trustees of the Museum, worked well during the past year, towards their combined purpose, of promoting science, art, and the progress of the coun- try. I trust the sessional year of the Koyal Societ}-, which begins to-daj^, will, at its close, show equally good results. Late Sir J. Agnew. Col. W. V. Legge, E.A., moved,— 'That in the further recognition of the valuable services rendered by the late Sir James Agnew to the Royal Society of Tasmania and to the community generally as a liberal patron of art and science, a sub- committee of the council be appointed to draw up an ohituar}' notice to be pub- lished in the Society's Transactions of 1901; such committee to consist of the Hon. N. J. Brown, Mbssts. Thos. Ste- phens, M.A., E. M. Johnston, F.S.S., and the mover.'' Mr. A. G. Webster seconded the reso- lution, which was agreed to. Papers. Grapitolites in Tasmania. Professor E. G. Hogg, M.A., read a pa- per by Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., Melbourne, on '"'Discovery of Graptolites in Tas- mania.'" A brief discussion upon the paper fol- lowed, in which Mr. E. M. Johnston and Professor Hogg took part. ''Tasmania as a Manufacturing Centre."" By Mr. E. E. Naghten B.A. The advent of federation, and the consequent abolition of intercolonial duties, are bringing aibout new condi- tions, which are well worth the at- tention of the British manufacturer or capitalist. Of no pait of the Common- wealth is this truer than of Tasmania. In the first place, Tasmania possesses, in a superabundant degree, what is conspicu- ously wanting in ail tiie other federated States, namely, water power. To this must be added the fact that, owing to the peculiar configuration of the island, this water power can be utilised at the mouth of the Derwent, on which Hobart, the capital, is sittiated; in other words, this water power is available in conjunc- tion with one of the finest natural har- bours in the world. To get some idea of the natural features of tlie island Avhich bring about this resultant water power, Tasmania may be compared to an inverted and slightly elongated basin. From the very coast inwards the whole island i« mountainous, and the^e mountain ranges ctilminate in a vast plateau in the mid- lands, where the large annual rainfall is stored in the natural reservoir of the lake district. These mountain ranges, covered in many places with vast indigenous for- ests, attract the atmospheric moisture which the neighbouring continent of Aus- tralia, owing to its flat and monotonous landscape, is unable to retain, and from this high plateau the water so a.ccumulat- ed descends by one or other of the natural courses to the coast line in a series of abrupt falls in a comparatively short space, in a manner that seems almost ideal for the best development of water power. For instance, the Dee river, which is the natural outlet of Lake Echo, starts at a barometrical altitude of 2,975 feet, and the total fall in the short -dis- tance of 27 miles is 2,675 feet. (N.B. — • The height of the Great Lake, 3,350 feet, and that of Lake St. Clair 2,500 feet above the sea.) Eeport by K. L. Eahbek, Mem- Dan. Assoc. C.E. An interesting profes- sional report on the possibilities of the water power that is available from three of the central lakes, namely, Lake St. Clair, Lake Echo, and the Great Lake, has lately been presented to the Tasmanian Houses of Parliament. From this report it appears that the horse-power probably available from these three lakes amounts to a total of 82,000 actual horse-power, represented by 46,000 from Lake St, Clair, 9,000 from Lake Echo, and 27,000 from the Great Lake. In this connection Mr. Eahbek says: — "It must be borne in mind that by obtaining the power as specified, I have not in any way prejudiced the irri- gation question; in fact, it has helped to solve it, inasmuch as I have made provi- sion for giving ample compensation water for all irrigable lands for the parts of the rivers where water will be drawn for power; and below the terminal power- stations all the water is available for any purpose, and will be forwarded in a steady stream all the year round In case it should be possible to make Ho- bart the manufacturiEg centie of Aus- tralia, amongst otlier reasons, on account of her facilities in producing inexpensive and reliable power, the 82,0OU horse-power at the different power-stations would be reduced by about 30 j)er cent, namely, by converting the mechanical energy into electric force, by friction and loss on line friom power-stations to Hobart, and by reconverting the electric curi^ent into me- chanical energy ; and the power which could be distributed at Hobart would be, say, 57.000 actual horse-power. At present there is not one thousand hoise-power consumed in Hobart for tram service and for lighting, but it is a true maxim that '^supply creates demand,' and if an inex- pensive and plentiful supply of electric force was offered here the demand would increase; perhaps, under such conditions, Hobart itself might absorb from 5.000 to 7,000 hoi^e-power, and 50.000 horse-power would be available for laige manufactur- ing industries Judging by the rapid strides which have been made dur- ing the last few years by electrical en- gineers and manufacturers, it is more than probable that within a few years it will be practicable and profitable, to run all the Tasmanian railways, to supply light all over the island, to run all mo- tors as well in the mines as anywhere else within this island by electric power, de-^ rived from Avater. but all this cannot be accomplished to-day/^ The water power meniioned in this report is that derivable from three only of the central lakes, and does not by any means exhaust the power available in ether parts of the island; but enough has. perhaps, been said to give some idea of the vast quantity of water available, and of its value for com- mercial purposes. But water power is only one factor in the new situation. Even before federation, in spite of hostile tariffs, the manufacture of woollens in Hobart and Launceston was a growing in- dustry. Partly owing to the climate, and partly owing to the excellence of the water supply, the local manufactureTs were able to do an increasing export trade, even with the "protective" colony of Vic- toria, and notwithstanding her 25 per cent. duty. With the proper utilisation of water power (which has hitharto not been turned to account), and with the abolition of inter-colonial duties, there »eem good reasons for anticipating that Tasmania will become a great manufactur- ing centre for woollens. Australia, the g-reat wool-producing country of the world, lies at her very doors, and for fis- cal purposes now forms part of the same community; and there seems little doubt that, as a purchaser of the raw article, the count}' of Yorkshire will in future find a formidable competitor in the colouy of Tasmania. For at least fifty miles in a south-westerly and a gouth-easterly direction, each way from Hobart, the southern part of the island is pre-emi- nently suited for the establishment of "power'' factories. From Hobart to Nor- folk Bay on the one hand, and from Ho- bart to Franklin (situated in the Huon river) on the other, there is an uninter- rupted stretch of deep yet completely sheltered water, which combines the ad- vantage of a gigantic natural dock with the beauties of a lake. Along almost any part of these shores land can be obtained at practically "prairie value,'' which would be eminently suitable for tjtie es- tablishment of factoiies — that is to say. with deep water frontage, from which the manufactured article could be sent to the several Australian States by the cheapest of all means of tiansit, namely, water carriage. A greater contrast to the manufacturing centres of the Yorkshire woollen trade can hardly be imagined than these sheltered bays, with their forest-covered hills running almost down to the water's edge. At the prtsent time the Channel (as the long and sheltersd passage between the Island of Bruni and the mainland is termed) and the Huon river, whose wateis flow into this chan- nel's southern extremity,^ are chiefly known as a delightful roving-ground for tourists, and as a centre for the small fruit and apple trades. But it is at least within the bounds of leasonable probability that within the next twenty years these beautiful bays and quiet imlets, where the sea is calm, peaceful, and shel- tered as a lake, may be resounding with the busy clang of machinery, though, for- tunately, owing to the eneigy being de- rived from water power, there is no fear of the peculiar brightness of the atmos- phere being marred by the volumes of smoke that cast a pall over the chief manufacturing centres of Toikshiie. There are at least three other industries which must make enormous strides with, the advent of federation. It has already been incidentally mentioned that the val- leys of the Channel and the Huon are thie centres of the apple trade. In the past that industry has been seriously handicapped by the protective tariffs of the other colonies, with the single excep- tion of New South Wales, and the duties thus imposed, added to such an appre- ciable extent to the price which had to be paid by the consumer, that only the wealthier classes were able to afford) what, under these circumstances, became a luxurr. But the moment that these hostile tariffs are removed the market expands automatically, and consists of four millions instead of about one mil- lion consumers; while the bulk of these four millions live in a climate which makes the consumption of large quantities of fruit almost imperative. Almost pre- cisely the same remarks apply to the tim- VI her Miul the be°r trndes. The T.ismaiiian hlue gum (Eucalypuis globulus) and the stringy hark (Eucalyptus obliqiia) are amongst the must valuable luiidwoofl tim- fieis of the world, and. even iu the teeth of all almost prohibitive tariff, a certam quantity was always exjiorted to the luain- land. rhietly owing to the tad that the timber cotintry is iti (.-lose pioximity to water carriage, and the liandiiiij;' and transport were, in con-equence. compara- tively economical. Now, with the aboli- tiou of the tariff, the deiuaiid must enor- mously increase, and whtn on<'e a proper system (jf re-afforestatiou is introduced, Tasmania must gain enormou.-^iy and per- manently from her wealth ot iorest land^. Lastly, it has been found that, owing to the temperate character of the climate and the excellence ot the water suj ply. the beer which is brewed iu Ta-mania is very superior to the article piodiued on the mainland. Even before rederation there was a considerable export; and now that the wliole of Australia is open to the Tas- manian brewer, there seems every reason to believe that the brewing industry ef Australasia will inevitably gravitate to the place where the climatic and gene- ral conditions are favourable to the production of the most superior ar- ticle. In a brief sketch of this descrip- tion it is impossible to do more tlian out- line the new commercial tendencies which are at work in this part of Australasia, but enough has, perhaps been said to show that, under fedeiatlou, the island State of Tasmania is well woith the at- tention of the British manufacturer and the British capitalist. Discussion on the paper "was deferred till the 12101 May. Notes on a New Tasmanian Eish. By Mr. K. M. .Johnston, E.S.S. ^\v. Eodway, who takes a keen in- terest iu all branches of the nataral history of Tasmania, besides that of his loved science of botany, of which he is now our chief local authority, has recently submitted for my examina- tiou a small fish, preserved in spir- its. Unfortunateh', there was ouly one specimen obtained, and it is so shrivelled up that some of the ray characters cannot be very exactly deter- mined. This specially appues to the an- terior portion of the dorsal rays, which for nearly half the length of this fin are rudimentary or uudeveiOped, and closely enveloped in a somewLiat thick and (nowi opaque skin. However, tue principal dental, scale, and other characters leave no doubt in my mind as to its true generic position, viz.. the genus Pseudochromis of the family Tiachinidae. The follow- ing contains a fuller description: — Family Trachinidae. Genus Pseudochromis. JiUpp. llf'ad and body rather compress- ed, more or leys elongate; cleft of the mouth sligntiy oblique, with the lower jaw longest; eye lateral. Scales of moderate size, ciliated; lateral line in- terrupted. One dorsal with a few spine:^ anteriorly; ventrals thoracic; the lower pectoral raj's branched; jaws with cardi- form teeth, anterior with canines; vomer and palatine bones toothed. Praeopercu- ium entire. Six bianclnostegals; the gili-membrane<; joined inferiorly; pseudo- oranchiae and air bladder pre- *«eut; pyloric appendages none. In- dian Seas. Poit Darwin, Mac- quarie Harbour, Ta?.mania. Pspudo- chromi* lod'wavi K. M. .fohnston. D.3;26 — 27. A. 3; 17. P. f7. L. lat. 50? L. tr. 11. Tlie heigiii of the body is nearly five times in the total length; the length of the head four and a half. In front of both jaws there are markedly curved canine teeth, the three in the lower jaw the stronger; theie are, besides narrow bands of small canine^ reetii on jaws, vomer and palatine bones; no spines on the operculum. Dorsal and anal produced posteriorly; half of the anterior portion of the former undevelop- ed or rudimentary, and enveloped for the most part in a somewhat thick (now) opaque, skinn,y integument. The number of spines on dorsal probably three, but not detei mined satisfactorily. Diameter Oi the ej'e nearly equal to width of inter- orbital space, and greater than th© length of the snout. Colour in spirits a uniform darkish brown. This interesting little fish is only about 3 6-8in. in length, and is somewhat of thfr general appearance of one of our common shore blennies. Mr. Bodway informs me that the fish was cap- tured by Mr. Hinsby, an enthusiastic col- lector, in. or near Macquarie Harbour. It is to be hoped that he naay soon obtain a. few more specimens, in order to settle a few doubtful points in some of the characters. It is remarkable that, with the exception of a single member of the genus (P muel- leri). described by K"lunz:nger from Port Darwin), this is the first miember of the genus caught in Ausf^raiian waters. The v^peclfic name is given by me in honour of our own distinguished botanist, Mr. L. B.odway. Yores of Thanks. The Hon. Adye Don§»las (President of the Legislative Coancil) moved, and the Hon. N. E. Lewii (Premier) seconded, a vote of thanks to the president, which Avas cordially passed. The President moved a vote of thanks to the leaders of the three papers, which was also agreed to. Members and the ladies present then, adjourned to the large room, where re- freshments were partaken of. vu NEW ADDITIONS TO THE TASMA- NIA N MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY. Duiifig the Parliamentary session of 190U a vo'je of i4,O00 was passed for addi- tions to the Tasmanian Mu-etim and Art Gallery, and :t was decicjed to entiast the preparation of plans and specifications to the f'liolic Works Dei)artmenc. The original design, prepared by the late Mr. Hy. Hunter, in 1860, has been ad- hered to externally, as far as practicable, but the interior has been alteied con- veiderabiy to bring it more up to date; when the original design was made iron girders, fsteel joiits, etc., were not avail- able, and columns were necessary to sup- port the upper floor. Now they have been dispensed with, and the whole floor space IS clear in the new buildiiis;'. Tenders for the work were invited in December. 1900, and Mr. W. H. Chever- ton's, at oveied with a very neat and lighc-iookin^- .ron roof, abundance of light being pi ovided through a large lantern light in ti e centre and sKyiights round the sides over the windows of the old buildij:g. The roof is cov-'ed with gaivanisei corrugted iron, laid upon roofing felt, and the under- side lined with colonial stringy bark boarding; the portion under the l.^nttrn, being varnifheased upon its many natural advanttaiges, eepectially with regard to its superior local conditionis for obtainiinig cheap mo- tive power derived from its lakes and levers. What I propose to discusis is the reasoniaibleness or otherwise of tHiis found'aition, on which he builds his hopes. His authority apparenitly is a report preisen'ted to Parliament by Mr. Rahbeik, ^hawing \ybat power could be obtained froim the water of the cenitral lakes. Mr. Rahbek estimates that 57,000 h.p. could be delivered at Hobart from this siource. A general statement of this kiind is of no value to an engineer, and is distinctly miisleadinig to fhe genieral public. With juist as much accuracy I oould state thiait there is daily 57,000 h.p. of wind power blowing to waste, or 57.000 h.p. stea.m power in unde^ veloped coal in Taomaniiia. To utilise to advantage this water power, two problems must be solved, engiineertin'g and comjmercial. The engine erinig pro- blem resolves itself into the queistdon whether the local circoioiLstances are S'Uch as to eniaible tihe necosisary works to be cairried out to give a certain h.p. ajb a ."^ufficicmtly low cost per h.p. to com- peibe with steam.. As regainds the coim- meroial prohliem, thiere is the necesisilby for oonislt'an't remunera-tive employane'nt of the power produced. Takinig the enjgineeirinig proiblem fir.-\t, one of the chief nec'esisary factors is a waterfaill in proximity to civilisation. Unifortu- niaiteily Tasimania does molt possess a waterfall of amy size, and to get a fall of even 10 or 15 feet per mile you mtist go- 40 or 50 miileis up the Derwentt, and powder derived frotm the cenJtral lakes would be double that. diLsitanioe away, so the eil'emenltis for cheap comoitructiionj eune wanting. No doubt the power obtladn- ed woruld be turnied^ into electric power, capable of beiinigtranismdtted mianiy miles, but although we hiear of electric powea' being in special casies traiii-niittied 100 mile® and more, I think I am correct in saying that for practical purposes the economical limit is not over 20 miles! at the present day. Then looking at the commercial sicle, Mr. Macnaghten mentionis four indigenouis industriefii : Woollen gcods, be^er, timber, and fruit as likely to benefit and increase owing- to federation — as no doubt they widjl, but, unfortunately, they are not trades that: irequire much power, iso that if wat'er power is to- b-e largely ujyedi, it must be by iniroiducing some new manu- factures into tihe idand. The position then isi this. There is a. la^rge amount of water power undeveloped, but it is doubtful whether it would pay to utiliisie it at the present time. A pr'actictaJ solution of this quesition wou'lld be the erection of works to creaite and STipply electric power. But Government wouJJdl hardly be justified in, engaging in suctli a speculation, and there does not appear to be sufficiemt inducement for any pri- vate company to enter the field. The question is entirely one of reiliative coJst, and that you may more eaisdiy under- IX ebaii'd it, I wiU endeavour to sihow tihe approxiimate capitial coist per li.p. of steiadii and water power. Steam plant may be put diown foi*, say, £30 per h.p., wihile to pujt down a wate.r power pianrti to utiliiise the power of tiie Gentile Annile Pajl'Tis the estimaite is not le-is than £100 per h.p. yeit here "vv^e have a waiteiiifailfl 400ft. high. To obtain a falil of 400ft.. on any river, falling 40ft. per mile, would require a pipe or race 10 miles long, entailing a very large initial expen- diture. For thisi reason water can onily compete with steam when the local conr ditions are exceptionally favonrablle, 601 C'h as tbe proximity of a watterfall, or when capable of being produced on a large scale. This is tihe neail reasion why the water power in this country is still wihat is popuLairly called running to waste, and it will oonitinne to do sOs un- tiil there is £iuflicienib inducement foa* a company to gink from £50,000 to £100,- OOO in a latrge power producing ijlant. The only suggestion that I can make is tlijat Government s'hould assist priVate enterprise as far as poisisible hj colliecting and publishing usieful information witti regai'd to rainfall! and river ganging, etc. They might also advertisei the fact^ tlrat tlney are desirous of developing tthe lalt- enib wateir power in the Stiate, and witli tills intent are willing to deal liberally with any person or company formed for tli'is purpose. Tihey will 'have to give up tihe idea, which. I believe they hold that this water power can be made a direct source of income, and be content with the indirect profit to the State de- rived from tliei .leistabli 'hment lof new manufactures and new industries. Mr. A. 0. Greene said they were all much indebted to Mr. Macnaghten for .again drawing attention to the subject. At Launceston, witb the aid of tliie stream rumning tihrough tihe town a very great deal ,was being done b3^ wate\r power, electric power for lighting, and nunKcirous ot.her purposes wais generated!, proving a great boon to the city in very many directions. He was much impreeis- ed with the water power available iin thifS State to aid in t'hie development of many industrieis. It was not at all necessairy in biils opinion that there slhould first be one great and expensive scheme for developing the power. Hie agreed that it, would do much good to have directed attenitdon to this latent power that was availajble in several dis- tricts. Mr. R. M. Johnston, F.S.S., thought they must all agree that there wasi much water power available, but the quesition was whether it could be utilised with commerciail advantage. It appeaoned that at present in transmitting electrical energy, generated by water power, over a considerable distance, there waS' a great deal of ''leakage." There were engineers now in Tasmania alive to th« exiistenoe of thisi water power in varioufl partS' of the island, and to soime extenft it was already being utilised. Mr. Geo. Kerr looked forw^ard to many manufactures arising in this State with the aid of water power. It would no doubt become a very valuable asset. The new Waverley woollen mills in the oity were being worked by water power. He predicted that ene long paper mills would be established in Hobart. Mr. Target, C.E,, referred to the generation of electrical power on a large scale at Niagara Falls , Mr. Macnaghten replied to the dis- cusision. Mr. Rahbek's reportsi did' not confirm Alderman Moore's view. Mr. G. E. Moore could not find that Mr. Rahbek had gone into the financial aspect to prove that thisi water power would be remunerative, coimmercially. Mr. Macnaghten : Last session of Par- liament, two companies made applica- tion for right® to dervelop the water power. It w^as to be hoped that such a valuable asset of the State would not be given away. There was toO' much of the power of throwing cold water on pro- jects existing, in Tasmania. Tasmania would become a great manufacturing and industrial country if the people had mjore faith in their country, and more rterseverance. (Applanse.) He quoted Mr. Rahbek's report, which showed that 57,000 horse power (ele>ctrical) could be generated for use in Hobart, by utilis- ing the available water power, and the place might become a great commercial centre. Mr. Moore said it all depended on th© cost of developing the power. Mr. Maonagh-tein was accorded a vote of thanks. School of Forestry and Agriculture. Mr. L. Rodiway read a further paper by Mr. W. Heyn, who is connected with the Dover (England) harbour works, on tJu' (| II lotion of o'ta'bHshinp; a Scliool of For('>trv ami Agji-icu;tiire. in Tasmania. The writt r offered nunii^roiis dotaili (I 6*U4igi'st ioivs with respect to nuarkoting numerous pnoduct^, from apples to tim- ber. The State couM eiasi'y grow enor- mous quantities of those timbrrs which hhe wius niow importing;, equal to one- third of her export? of timber, nnd paid two-thirds more for it. Di.scu«fiion on the paper wa« postponed till the next meeting. A New ^i^h. Mr. R. M. Johneton tab\d a de- scription of a new species of Goby, Avhich hi> named in honour of Mr. Geo. Hinsbv. \\ ho has pre're/ited man.y speci- mens to the Museum, "Gobiu:- hiusbyi:" Mr. .lohnston said : There is no doubt that many more Oi 'the smaller type's of our marine and fresh wat?r fishes have a? yet escap- ed thtj notice of ichthyologists, and our amateur sportsmen might do good service in preserving and forwarding to the Tasdnanian Museum aU forms of fishes which may .seem to them to be' new^ or in any way strange in ap'pearanice. The meeting then terminar-'d. Li»t of books and magazine? piesented to the Royal Society of Tasma;i::-i du.ing the niontii of May,"^ 1902: — Transactions ot the Koyal Du'jlin So- ciety, Parts VIII. to XII [. Proceediugs of the Koyal Dublin So- ciety, Parts II. to IV. Ecoaomic proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, Vol. I., Pa:t II. Menioiis and proceedings ot the Man- chester Philosophical Soeiet}*. Vol. 46. Parts III. and iV. 1901-2. Atti della iieale Academia dei Lince;, Kg ma. A list of the best books i elating to Dutch East India, made up in com- memoration of the third centeaary ci ths foundation of the E«,st India Co., Mai eh 20, \m2. By Martmius Nijhoff. Fi'oni Shanghai to Bhamc. iiy E. L. Jack, LL.D. Proceedings of the Eoval Socieiy of England. Vol. LXIX. No. 457. Boletim da Sociedade de Geographia de Lisbon. Journal of the Society of Arts. Journal of Agriculture of Victoiia. Proceedings of the Washington Aca- demj' of Sciences, (a) Papers f.om the iiopkins Staadford Galapagos Expedi- tion, 1898-9. lb) Vri. Entomoingical i e- sulls. Aiachidna. iiy N. J3ank-. (c) Pa- pei-s from the llairiman, Alaska Expedi- tion. XXVIi. Apterygota, by J. W. Eolscai. (di Organ 'satioii and Membei- ship of tlie VVajliington Academy of Science. The Scollisli Geogiaphic.^l Magazines, current numbeis. The Queensland Flora. Vols. I. to V. By F. M. Bailey, F.L.S., Government Bo- tanist ot (Queensland. Tlie I-'eriodieal. By ii. Froude. Liizury dei- Mathematisch Naturwia- senschiaftlichen. The Victorian Xaturalist. Vol. XIX. ^'o. 1. May. 1902. Annual report of the Colonial Labo- ratory of New Zealand. Transactions of the Koyal Iiish Aca- demy, (a) Vol. XXXI. Part XII. Fur- ther developments of the Geometrical Theory of Six Screws; by Sir Kobert Ball, 'F.U.S., LL.D. ib. Notes on the High Crosses of Mocne Drumcliff, Ter- monfechhin, and Kidamery; i)y the late Miss Margaret Stokes, (c; The Ancient Forts of Ireland, being a contribution to\yards our knowledge of their types, afhnities, and structural features; by T. J. Westropp, M.A. (d' Vol. XXXIl. The .interpretation of a Quaternion, as a point of symbol. Part "il. Quaternion Arrays; by C. J. Joly, M.A., Koyal As- tronomer of Ireland. Journal of the Koyal Mioroscopical So- ciety of London. Pare II. April. 1902. Annals of the South African Museum. Vols. li. and III. Bulletin of the Natural History Sooie- of New Brunswick. The Koval Geographical Journal, Lon- don, April 1902. Journal of the Scottish Meteorological Society (third series). Statistics of the Colon v of New Zea- land for the rear 1901. Part III.— T;ade and inte: change. North Queensland Ethnography, Bul- letin 4. March, 1902. "Games, Sports, and Amusements/' by Dr. W. E. Koth. The Kecord of the Mines of Soath Aus- tralia, Taicoola, and the North-Western district, with plans by H. Y. L. Brown, F.G.S.. Government Geologist. Kspo-rt of the British Association for the Advancement of Science held at Glas- gow, September, 1901. iBound.) Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of New South Wales. Part iV. Vol. XXVI. No. 104. Alonthly Notices of the Koyal Astro- nomical Society. \'^ol. LXIi. No. 5, March. 1902. Boletim Mensal do Observatorio, Rio ty of New Brunswick. Boletin del lustitutio de Geologico^ Mexico. xl JUNE. 1902. A meeting of the Ro.yal Socii>ty of Tasmania was held on, the lOtli June at the Museum, Argj^le-street. His Sx- cellencv the Governor, Sir A. E. Have- lock. G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., Preddent of the Society, presided. New Members. Mr. J. H. Maiden, Director of the Botanic Gardens, S^'dney, was elected a corresponding member, and Messrs. W. A. Finlay and F. Grove were elected members. The Observatory. Mr. A. Morton, the secretary, read the following communication from Air. H. C. Kingsmil], M.A., Government Meteorologist, Tasmania :■ — (Jbservatory, Hobart, June 7, 1902. To the Secretai-y of the Eoyal Society. Dear Sir, — i shall feel obliged if you will sub- mit for the consideracion of the Council the following remarks on the meteoro- logical service of Tasmania, having re- ference to its present condition, and its nospects under federation. I am led to request their attention for two leasons: — One. their readiness in the past to give their help, on all occasions when it was needed for this work; and the othei' is that there is a crisis at pre- sent, due to the advent of federation. Recognising that changes must be made the Acting Federal Premier has asked all the States for detailed information as to the cost and personnel of their Mete- orological Departments. The publica- tion of this news in "The Mercury" would seem to indicate that the Gcvem- ment of this State is leaving the way open to receive suggestions. The Koyal Society is in a position to make sugges- tions that would. I believe, have giea: weight with the Government. It will be remembered that a deputation from the Royal Society, in IS&S, prevailed on the Government to invite Mr. Wragge to make a report on the meteoroiogical ser- vice of Tasmania, and that he accepted the invitation. The report, coming from one whose training and experience as a meteorologist are so widely known, had two objects in view. One, to give the colony of Tasmania the benefit of his observations on the local meteoro- logical arrangemencs, and suggestions for increasing the eflB.ciency of the same. The other, to at the same time benefit the meteorology of the mainland by obtain- ing more thorough details from Tas- mania, which occupies a position of much importance to those engaged in forecasting. I therefore think that what has been .*o ably done, with the double object of ensuring local efficiency, and also federal benefit, in the matter of meteorological work, will be found the best guide on the present occasion in estimating the cost of the service now required. For Mr. Wragge's estimate, see General Remaiks, page 15, paragraph 18, of his report. To those who know what the actual expenditure has been, it will be apparent that a mere answer to the Federal Premier of the question asked would not be a fair indication of the cost of an efficient meteorolcgical ser- vice, as it would have to be worked under federal control. Moreover, it should be pointed out that Mr. Wragge^s estimate is for meteorological work alone, and doe.^ net include the astionomical work of th? department. The character of this work, and the conditions under which it had to be done, are explained in a report furnish- ed to Lord Gormanston in 1894 by Ad- miral JBowden Smith. This report was prepared by _Captain Cust, of H.M.S. Dart, who had been specially trained in astronomical work at the Koyal Obser- vatory. Greenwich. His suggestions are most valuable. They are a complete summar.y of the conditions necessary for the maintenance of an accurate time-ser- vice in an important shipping port; but he makes no estimate of the cost. These two reports, by Mr. Wragge and Captain Cust, are herewith enclosed. They cover all the present work of the Meteoro- logical Department of this State, and they furnish data on the highest authority obtainable for estimating the cost of enabling it to work in line with the other States. I hope that the Coun- cil of the Royal Society will see their way to make some repiesentation to the Government, and I shall be in readiness to give them further information if it is required. — Yours, etc., H. C. Kingsmill.. •Meteorological observations in Tas- mania were begun by Sir John Frank- lin in 1840. Being Governor of the is- land, then called Van Diemen's Land, he sent home for instruments, and when Captain Ross arrived at: Hobart in Aug- ust, 1840, in command of the Erebus, an observatory was built near Govern- ment House, and three magnetometers, a transit, ciock-^, and other instruments set up. Lieut. Kay, R.N., was put in charge of the Royal Observatory, which, was called Rossbank, lat 42.52, 27.4 S. ; long. 147, 27.30 E. Mean magnetic dip, 70deg. 40.5 ; variation, lOdeg. 24.24 E. Here Lieut. Kay took hourly \l observation-; for eight joars, Sir .lulin himself holpinp; in the magnetic obser- vations. Mr. Francis Abbott, who had a private observatory in Murray-street, carried on observations tri-daily from 1841 to 1880. Being a member of the E(.yal Society, he .supplied them with monthly meteorological reports, which are published in their yearly report. Observations were taJ^en of barometer, temperature, humidity, clouds, and rain. In 1858, ozone wavS added. Observations were also started of rain- fall, etc., by the Marine Board at the lighthouses under their care, and by guitlemen in different parts of the is- land, observations being taken in 1864 bv Mr. J. Boyd at Port Arthur, Dr, Stcrev at Swansea, Mr. R. Henry at Tamar Heads. In 1865, by Mr. M. Duncanson at Ross, Mr. F. Belstead at AVestbury, and Mr. W. E. Shoobridge at New Norfolk. Mr. Francis Abbott was obliged to relinquish his work in March, 1880, and in 1881 observations were taken only at New Norfolk by Mr. W. K. Shoobridge. In 1882, Captain Shortt was asked by the Royal Society to un- dertake the work. In March. 1883. a deputation from the Royal Society waited on the Premier, and asked him to establish a Government Observatory. This w^as done, and the present observa- tory in the Barracks started under Cap- tain Shortt in 1883, lat 42, 53, 28.3, long. 147, 19.45 i^. Captain Shortt re- mained in charge till his death in 1892." Professor McAulay said he desired to impress upon the right quarter the very unsatisfactory state of the keeping of time in Ta.-mania, and the pressing practical importance of an improve^- ment being made. Those who had to do with the keeping of time knew that it was a matter of life and death to some to know the correct time to the half second at least. Accurate time was of the highest importance to navigators, who, if they were a single second wrong in their time, might be out a quarter of a mile. It was a small thing to provide for the simple commercial matter of ac- curate time, but he did not think that the residents of Hobart at the present realised its importance. The observa- tory at Hobart had not a clock worthy of the name. The observatory depended upon a private citizen of Hobart, Mr. David Barclay, for reasonable time. There was an antiquated transit, and accuracy to the 100th part of a second <;ould not be secured. The accepted way of announcing the exact time to the public was by the dropping of a ball, but it might be done at 9 o'clock at night by a single electric flash. Two or three instruments, two good clocks, a good transit, and a proper connection between the observatory and the ball would not cost more than £500, and an extra salary would, perhaps, be £50 or £100 more. It was unreasonable for the Federal Government to have taken over lighthouses if they did not provide for the keeping of accurate time in an iso- lated place like this as well as in other ports of call. Mr. H. C. Kingsmill, Government Meteorologist, read some questions ask- ed by the Acting Federal Premier in a circular addressed to the State Pre- miers on the subject of astronomical and meteorological establishments in the various States, and said that a bare answer to those questions would be exceedingly mislead- ing to the Federal Government. Mr. Kingsmill then went on to say that the transit was certainly antiquated : and that when he took charge of the ob- servatory he found the meridian mark out. He recommended that it should be changed, but the cost would be £3, and the money could not be got. (Laugh- ter.) Yet, in s.pite of difl&culties, the Admiral of the Australian station had acknowledged the accuracy of the time signals here. At Tamar Heads, the Miclbourne Observatory had been con- nected with, and it was found that Vic- torian and Tasmanian time agreed "to the very tick" of the telegraph. This success had been obtained with an ex- penditure of labour, which would be alto- gether unnecessary if he had proper ap- paratus. Practically, the observatory standard time was Mr. David Barclay's clock, with which they had electric con- nection. As regarded meteorological work, they had ten stations, which sent in daily telegrams, and these were sent on to the mainland to enable the fore- casts to be made. There was nothing mysterious about forecasts. They were simply the result of the combination of the barometer, the telegraph, and an army of observers, and were of great value to farmers and passengers by sea. There were 80 rainfall stiationsi over the island, and these sent in monthly reports, and each year a map based upon them was made. Magnetic obsiervations would be of great importance. An in- strument in the Isle of Wight coranmni- XIU cated knowledge of earth-tremors in any part of the Avorld. That was one of the additional pieces of work that the ob- servatorj^ staff would be glad to under- take, if placed in a position to do so. Hon. N. J. Brown spoke of the ef- forts of the late Sir Joseph Abbott and himself at the Federal Conventions at Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne to have astronomical and meteorological observations included in the subjects to be dealt with by the Federal Parliament. and of the great benefit these observa- tions were to persons engaged in pastor- al and agricultural pusuits. Accuracy and continuity throughout the Common- wealth were important. It was now probable that the whole of the Barrack "Reserve" at Hobart would be placed at the disposal of the inhabitants, and the observatory would have, to be removed. But this need not be regretted, as the accuracy of the instruments was inter- fered with by the ironstone rock of the place. He moved, — •'That the Coun- cil be requested to arrange for a depu- tation of its members to wait upon the Hon. the Premier for the purpose of urg- ing that the reply to be sent to the Act- ing Premier of the Commonwealth to the queries as to the present staff, cost, and equipment of the meteorological es- tablishment of Tasmania should be ac- companied with a statement that the present arrangements for astronomical and meteorological observations are al- together inadequate, and that in the general interests of the Commonwealth it will be necessary in the future to pro- vide for a fuller equipment, and a better paid staff, as suggested by Mr. Clement Wragge in his report to the Tasmanian Government, dated August, 1895, and by Commander Purey-Cust, dated April 5, 1894, and laid upon the table of the House of Assembly on July 10, 1894." Hon. A. Douglas seconded the resolu- tion, which was adopted. Tasmanian Conchology. A paper by Mr. C. Hedley, F.L.S., en- titled ''Notes on Tasmanian Conchology^' The author said : — "The study of Tasmanian conchology has been facilitated by an excellent catalogue published lasit year by the late Professor Tate and Mr. W. L. May in the proceed- ings of the Linnean Society _ of New South Wales. Therein certain &pecies ascribed to Tasmania by the Rev. J. E, Tenison Woods were rejected from the fauna chiefly because no later obs'erver had taken them. Though apparently of foreign origin, their exclusion could not be wholly justified until that origin was ascertained. At the invitation of Messrs. A. Morton and W. L. May I undertook their examination. From the result it appearc that five West In- dian species wckj supplied to Tenison Woods, which he erroneously described as Tasmanian, and as new to science." On the ''Advantages of Forest Con- servation," by Mr. C. B. Target: — Mr. C. B. Target read the following paper," On the advantages of Forest Conservation" : — First, as to the term forest. In England a forest is a place reserved for wild beasts of the cbase. and is not necessarily cover- ed with timber. I \ Scotland many of the deer forests have few trees. On the con- trary, on the Continent of _ Europe, a forest is an agglomeradon of timber trees divided into two niiun dasses! — pure urd mixed. The former is when the forest consists of only cue species of timber; the latter when there are several kinds grow- ing together. it is in the Coutiuental sense that iin; this enemy which has constrained XV us to substitute for the culture of cereals, which had become almost unpro- ductive, that of the vine, an arborescent culture with deeper roots. This enemy which is inc: easing every day with great- er damage than that caused ))y the phyl- loxera is drought. In Cooig and the Wvnaad, and also the Shimoger district of Mysore, India, it was found that the borer was worse where the bamboo had been cut .so the planters have largely replanted the bamboo, with the re- sult of keeping down the borer, which has helped destroy the coffee industry of Cey- lon. May not the entomologist find that the Calif ornian scale on fruit trees is owing to its natural habitat being destioyed; for surely this pest was in the woilcl be- fore it began to damage apple trees? Truly man cannot interfere Avith Na- ture without suffering sooner or later for his presumption. He may damage, but he has not learnt to improve. Nature will yield a portion of the surface for cereals, but when that area is encroached on too much, drought and floods destroy what man has done, but does not always, or rather seldom, restoie the damage done by man. Now, amongst the advanti^ges ;!erived from, forests are the folowing industries: ■Sa^wmill, buildings, shipbuilding, en- gineering, farmir,g, carving, paper pulp manufacture, match making, manufacture of cases, boxes foi' fruit, eto.. frttnies of sieves and drains and cask hoops, wooden wire for table covers, and blinds, pencils, •R'ooden nails, instruments, shovels, spoons, shoes, Lasts, saddle trees, staves for barrels, brushes, harrows, gunstocks, furniture ,toys, timber for mines, railway 'leepers, etc. In Germany these indus- tries support 3.O0O.O0O i^eop:e. but owing to the greater frugality of the Germans, the longer hours of labour, and lower w^ages, no comDetition could be started against the import of the manufactured article. In wood pu'p there is an excep- tion. In a letter from Mr. Henri Ami, of the Dominion Geological Department, he states: — "There is no doubt a big fu- ture for Canada in the direction you men- tion; in fact, the world is looking towards Canada's coniferous forests for its supnly ot paper tor the coming generation, and if Canada wil] only extensively and vigO!ous- ly carry out a prudent, provident policy in coniiection with this industry, ps well as lumbering, there is no doubt that Ave ?an control the output in years to come. British Columbia has, as you know, fine oniferous foiests. May they be ever- lasting, and they can be so by careful at- rention, and judiciously enforced legisla- tion." With refeience to inquiries as to 'orestry in the United States, it shows that there was little sysitematic work car- ried oj*- •k^cept in New York State, and the main conclusion arrived at wai^ "There were but poor depauperated for- ests left in the United States just south of us," Again, fioni the "Journal of Commerce of Neiw Yora." — "But the main ground of objection to the iDrivilege Congiess has given to the paper manufacturei s — the letters of marque and reprisal which Con- gress has given to the paper trust to prey upon the book and newspaper trade ot the country — ijeing Irankiy stated, a second reason cf a very substantial character, is that, although pulp woods are free of duty, for the profit of the paper tru&t, the duties on i^uip and paper stimulate the ruinous consumption of American forests. When forests are cut for timber, the smaller trees are spared, but the pulp men cut everything down to six inches at the stump, so that the spruce forests, ravaged by the paper makers, are not perpetuating themselves." The National Irrigation Congress, a .year and a half ago, and the National Forestry Association, have urged that all public lands, more valuable foj* timber than for cultivation, should be absolutely withdrawn from sale by the general go- vernment. The efforts now making on a Avicie scaie to preserve the forests do not spring from altruistic regards for the well being of the next generation. So far as the future supplj' of timber is concerned, the de- struction of our forests will only make timber more expensive, and lead to a freer use of metal for the purposes of construc- tion. It is the farmers' need of rain, and the cities" need of drinking water that is inspiring the efforts, legal and scientific. State and National, to retard the destruc- tion of our forests. In England, New York, and the older part of the West, the denudation of the soil has already pro- ceeded, so far as to seriously diminish the volume of the rivers. This has unfavour- ably affected the water supply of some of our cities, and it is diminishing the evaporation upon which agriculture must depend for its rainfall. It is for the sake of the crops, and for the sake of the water supply of towns that etforts are now making to check the reckless de- struction of the forests. The enormous profit the pulp paper men are making, evinced by the capitalisation of the Trust at ^'11,000,000 sterling, and 'absorp- tion of mills at a valuation of <:£5,50() per ton of daily output, which mills, with entirely new machinery, can be erected at 30 — 40 per cent, of that, offer an im- mense premium upon the rapid destruc- tion of the forests. Forests and Reservoirs. — From Ameri- can "Gardening." October, 1901,— F. H. Newell, H.ydrographer, United States Geological Survey, makes a few remarks "^hich should appeal to all who cultivate XVI the soil. He points out tJiat the full de- •velopmeat of the United States, especi- ally of the arid West, rests upon a. com- plete utilisation of the water for irriga- tion, power, and municipal, as well as domestic supply-. Furthermore, as the evaporation of the water, and protection from pollution, both natui'al and arti- ficial, rests largely upon the proper treatment of the forests at the head- waters of the streams, there can be no question as to the beneficial influence ot these forests, although the extent of the influence may be, and still is, open to in- vestigation and discussion. The forests, with the accumulation of vegetation upon the ground, serve to break the force of the ram, and regulate the run- off, excessive soil erosion is to a large extent prevented, and the waters drained from a forest are, as a rule, free from suspended mineral matter. The Government has set about the pro- tection of forests upon the head-water streams of the West, and Congress has under consideration legislation tending to promote the construction of large reservoirs within or adjunct to the for- est reserves. Here are to be found at the head-waters of the streams many valleys whose outlets can be closed by a dam of moderate height, holding back the water from melting snow, or from occasional storms. These natural reservoir s.ites are being surveyed, and their capacity and cost ascertained. The amount of water available for storage is also being mieasured, and the facts recorded so as to make it possible to know definitely the benefits to be derived from the con- struction of these hydraulic works. One of the sources of anxiety and un- certainty in regard to these reservoirs is the matter of silt 'and sediment. The flood waters roll along sand, gravel, and even boulders, depositing them wherever the current is checked. These floods, entering the artificial reser- voirs, are brought to a halt, and quickly lay down their load, forming a coating or layer of mud in the reservoir, tending to greatly diminish the storage capacity. If the waters come from forested slopes, where the soil is protected and held by roots, the amount of settlement may be negligible; but if, on the other hand, these forests are cut away, the under- wood humns burned, the driving storms soon attack and move the loose earth and disintegrated rock, starting it on its journey dowr the slopes, to be finally caught in the reservoir below. Thus it happens that it is of the first import- ance for the prolonged life of the reser- voir that every care should be taken to perpetuate the forest cover upon the catchment area, wherever this can assist in holding the soil. It may be here mentioned, when re- afforestation is out of the question, that when tlie volume of water in the stream entering the reservoir is so great in pro- portion to the size of the reservoir that the inertia of the water in the reservoirs is insufficient to arrest the velocity of the stream entering, the remedy is either to make the reservoir larger, or to make a greater number of reservoirs further up the vallej' before the minor streams have formed one large stream beyond control as to power. Monsieur Valle, in a work entitled ''Etudes sur les inondations,'' gives a table of floods in the Seine from 1615, showing that the height of the floods has decrea.sed from 8.39 metres to 6.47 metres, and makes this deduction, viz., that the felling of forests gives us — More rain annually. Less flood water. More cultivated land. But he omits to mention that the Forest^ Edict of Colbert, made in 1669, was ow- ing to the denudation of forests in France, and that the since then forests have increased, especially the Communal Forests, in the beginning of Last century, and the end of the 18th under Napoleon, when, for twenty years, all private felling, without permission was strictly prohibited. Schlich states that — The climate of forested countries is more equable than that of deforested countries. The mean temperature is lessened. The reduction of temperature may be hurtful where crops do not ripen in time, but very beneficial ejsewhere. As forestfe moderate extremes of tem- perature, pliants grown under their shelter do not suffer so much from the effects of early frosts or drought as plants growing in the open. There is an excess of from 3 to 10 per cent, of moisture in a forest. After allowinsr for the water intercepted by branches, etc., running down the trunk, 12 per cent, may be allowed as stopped by the forest. Against this, the evaporation in a forest, where there is leaf mould, is only 22 per cent, of that in the open, and this more than compensates for the loss of rain reaching the ground. As to the effect of forests on slopes, I will give the case of Hoshiapur. in the Punjab, where formerly the hills were covered with forests, but by the act of man, and the grazing of cattle, these forests have disappeared. The treading of sheep and goats has loosened the soil. The soil being no longer bound together by roots, ravines have been formed, the debris actually destroying a part of the town. This is what may possibly hap- pen to any irrigation works started here. XVll Tlie advantages of sylviculture are : — 1. To yield the timber necessary for certain i>urposes. 2. To produce the greatest quantity per acre per year. 3. To produce the highest possible money return per acre per year. 4. To produce the highest possible inter- est on the invested capital. 5. To iiifluence the climate, to regulate the draining of the country, and prevent landslips and avalanches. The following table gives the results of forest culture in several different coun- tries as far as possible. Only the Crowu forests are given, a.s the results of private forestry are not obtainable, so the areas given are very much less than those of the total areas under forest: — '^ - o o o Ph •ic< 00 o ^ O O O O K t^ 2^ d^ 5 c^ ri o"> "^ o g CO :^-'^ io O o ^J, ^ <=^ 5 ^ ^' *"• '-Ir-ToicOrH lO QJ != !=l 'r^ ' o — > o en ' o O o 6i r^ c-o >/2 o i.'o ^^ Oi O 1-' o H o m '"o fH o a ^ ooooo— 'O £m o O --^ c^ « Cp _ c:^ ^ oS ooo^oo go O r^ Ooo'o O ri o' ^ •rW C-l o O CO T-i p O ■t— 1 lO o (.rj T-H ^;;; o O C^ <4-i CD rH C-l'o (M'c^I fij ^' r- < w. ~ , T-i .— lO cc o '-i^ CO 05 0_'*C^I__ ■^ CfS C5 ^D O' !>. L^ -^ IC lO ■^ Ci O (M>/3 O (Xi t^ T-i ->! LO (X) '^__C» -.# O CO C5 05 lO W iO CO LC CO CO " ;£5 !>■ 1— I C-1 Cl 1— I ).0 t- 00 LO ■■ T-Tcot^'w'o T-H CO o o CO C5 Ci C3 i>y t^ a o _ o ■ 2 cj5 133 a; O r:^ ^ =1 ■■^"ro'^ op- • 1:3 OT f^ ? c- cp i>. CO CI O CD 0:1 Ci Cj <55 o > I I I i I >H > T :o r- 00 Oi C5 5l C5 0? Ci The <£ in the case of India has been taken, as in the official returns, as Rs. 10 for purposes of comparison. The profit fro'm the forests in 1869 was only ^139,971. Since then, although a large portion of the revenue has been spent on reafforestation, yet the revenue has largely increased. In European countries, which have been chosen as their climate more nearly approaches that of Tasmania, the total acreage of Crown forests is 18,060,0'ao acre®, with a net profit of c£3,376,971. or 35. lO^d. per acre. This net profit, capitalised at o per cent, would give £S 17s. 6d. as the average value of each acre, and this is including large areas, of which some are inaccessible, and some valueless for tree planting. During the last 10 years the country lots of Cro'wn lands sold in Tasmania amounted to, 248,924 acres, at an average price of Jil 7s. 4|d. ; this, at 5 per cent., would give Is. 4|d. per acre, so that, even after allowing for the hours of labour be- ing less, and wages being higher than in. Europe, twice the amount of the revenue yielded by_ the investment of the money obtained by the sale would be obtained by a, judicious system of forestry on the same land. All the best land is first selected for ag- ricultural purposes, so the price of saie and the small return given for perpet- uity is presumably for the best land, whilst the returns for European forests are for all the land, including bad. and in many .areas thoroughly denuded of trees, this is especially the case with the Cro wu forests of Sweden. According to information kindly given me by Mr, Counsel, the area of the but- ton grass land, which is absolutely worthless for 'agricultural purposes, is not less than 1,150,000 acres, and as it has been shown that forests are neces- sary for the climate, which is said to have become colder during the last half century, whether due to the deniidation of forests or not, may be questioned by some, but the excess of evidence shows that forests cause milaer n-inters, whilst the intense heat of summer is mode- rated; for agriculture, grazing, etc., it ia necessary to strip ai large area of land of its covering of trees, but at the same time they may be replaced elsewhere. On the basis of a net return of 23. an acre, and a gross return the same as in Europe, a rise of 28 per cent, may be given for the wages, but as the age at which trees mature in Tasmania is said to be half that required in Europe (see ''A Practical Treatise on Tree Culture in South Australia,'" by J. E, Brown, L.L.S.), the profit may safely be taken as double. The exact profit caused by quicker growth must be more or less left for experience, although the age of tim- ber may be judged by the ringsi. Taking the time required for the pine tree to matu.re in Europe to be 112 years, every gSlOO of initial cost of planting at xviu 2^ per cent, per annum compound in- terest would amount to iil,600, whilst if the trees matured iu 81 j-ears the com- Sound interest would be dB80U; but if [r. Brown's figures be adopted, only J&400 would have to be deducted from the sale of the timber planted at a first cost of dfc;iOO, No allowance has been made for maintenance, as this is met from the sale of the thinnings. In Eng- land, where the cost of labour more near- ly approaches the rates prevailing in Tas- mania, Dr. Schlich, a forest authority, states that allowing 100 years for the growth of the pine and 2^ per cent, com- pound interest for the money laid out, the result is <£]83, equivalent to 7s. 6d. per acre per annum after all ex- penses are paid, so surely with the quicker growth in Tasmania the esti- mate of 23. per acre is a very safe one, presuming the trees are allowed to come to maturity. But I would not suggest this, but rather that the button grass land be planted with spruce, Scotch fir, and, as suggested by Mr. Rodway, stringy bark, and that a twenty year rotation be adopted for the stringy bark, las the tree after this would not be suit- able for pulp. Allowing only stringy bark to be grown, and assuming that the growth is only that of the spruce, it would take 71,400 acres to supply the American consumption of wood for the pulp industry, estimated at 90,000 tons yearly. Allowing the spruce to weigh when green 401b. per cube foot, this would give 5,000.000. and the German yield of spruce, 20 years old, is given as 1,400ft. per acre. For spruce and Scotch fir a rotation of 60 years might be adopted. This would give the yield per acre as 5,40Oft., 57,300 acres to supply this requirement annually, and would enable a most pro- fitable industry to be established; an industry that pays so well that the American Papffr Trust can afford to give 30 — 40 per cent, more for an old mill than it would cost to erect a new one with up-to-date appliances. It is very probable that the button grass land might require some open drains before it be planted, but the ad- vantage would be that we should be ex- porters instead of importers of deal and pine woods, and also that the oak could be grown as well as the pine by having the tap roots cut when planted, it having been shown by Duhamel that this does not interfere with the growth of the tree, but on the contrary, when the subsoil is sour, the growth is hastened. This has been largely adopted with great success on the Landes in France. On the siandy wastes on the North- West Coast of Tasmania the Pinus pin- aster might be planted with advantage. This would arrest the sand, and large areas of ground recovered for cultiva- tion, leaving belts of pine to prevent the sand again moving, and after the pinaster has run its course, the Scotch fir might be planted, as the soil would then be in a fit state to grow it. One of the principal products of the Pinus pinaster is resin and turpentine, after which the wood is used for cha.- coal or firewood. It might, very pos- sibly, having lost its resin, be also good for pulp. The oak. as well as the pine, would serve to increase the exports, and in compartively few years stop the imports, and cause a large export trade. For, owing to the ruthless manner in which the forests in America are being denuded of timber, the price is almost certain to rise, thus increasing the profit on all timber trees that are now planted. The oak will find a ready sale for staves for barrels, which are now im- ported into Australia for the wine in- dustry, and it is to be hoped that the cider industry will soon increase under federation in Tasmania. One of the principal difficulties in ex- tending the timber trade of Tasmania is decidedly the uncertain quality of the timber. This would, in a great measure, be overcome by the introduction of a Forest Department, for then, instead of the present license sj'stem, the tiees that would have to be cut would be marked, and sold hy auction. The ap- proximate quantity required being esti- mated by the department, by this means, the trees would be ringed at the proper time. I am informed that the period for the rise and fall of the sap varies with the ages of the tree. Facilities would be given for carting the timber, or else it would be felled by the depart- ment, and the tress taken to a depot, and then sold. This latter system is in force in manj^ parts of India. For maintenance the usual average is 5 days work per acre, or from 40 — 60 acres per man. This, on ^an estimate of 600,000 acres, being carefully looked after, would require 10,000 men; thua an extra population of 30,000 people would be supported, exclusive of saw- mills; whilst making, preparation of tur- pentine, etc., would support some thou- sands more. The total j'ield of an acre of spruce, 60 j'Cars old, after adding the amount given by the thinnings, may be taken at 8,250ft., so that after allowing 25s. a year for labour, any price over 2^d. per cubic foot would be profit (5d. per foot is allowed in England). No allowance has been made for the rapid growth of spruce in these colonies, as it has been left for a margin of safety, as these are XIX only approximate figures taken from the yield given in German forests. There is one matter to which I musl: draw attention, that is the scale of charges levied to give animals a fre^ right to destroy young trees, which varies from Is. 6d. for a horse, to 3d. for a goat, one of the most destructive, if not the most destructive animal that can be turned into a forest, except, per- haps, a camel. The great necessitj^ for a Forest De- partment is to see that the young trees which make the forest of the future are cared for. Without this a forest is either destroyed by being cut down, or, in due course, it perishes naturally, and disappears of itself. In either case the re- sult is deeply to be deplored, for when once a forest disappears it can onlj^ be replaced at a great expense of time and money. As a proof of Vv-hat has already been effected in India by forest officers edu- cated in European schools, I may men- tion that in 1884 there were in that country 9,820,000 acres of reserved for- ests, the whole of which are managed on the principles taught in the European Schools of Forestry, and 2,493,010 which are protected from fire, as well as cattle and sheep grazing, and goats, and con- sequently are now in 'a condition to reproduce themselves, under the natural system, and as perhaps the most con- vincing proof, from a financial point of view of the value of the sj^stem, the forest revenue, which in 1S70 was ^57,- OOO, of which =£52,000 was profit, in 1830 reached j6545,0u0 with a net profit of c£215 000; and in 190O the gross revenue was .£1,235,425, with a net profit of .£50o,250. These figures speak so very eloquently that no comment is needed. A Forest Act was passed in South Australia in 1878, and in 1883 a quarter of a million trees Avere planted out, and the forest revenue amounted to .£6,517, against ^an expenditure of .£6,200. Last year the revenue was ^£14,421; the ex- penditure, as far as can be seen from the Blue book, .£12,675. Why cannot we also secure the pre- servation of our forests, and plant, when forests are destroyed for the purpose of of agriculture, to restore, or rather maintain, what Nature has done to ren- der the Tasmanian climate one of the most perfect in the world. Adjourned Discussion. A proposed discussicn on Mr. Heyn's paper was jDostponed till next meeting. Vote of Thanks. On the motion of His Excellency, a vote of thanks was passed to those who had read papers. The proceedings then terminated. Geographical 1st session, List of works presented to the Royal Society's Library during the month of June : — Atti della Reale Acsdemia dei Science, Roma, current numbers, from the So- ciety. Records of the Australian Museum, vol. VI., No. 6. From the Trustees. Journal of the Linnean Society, London, vol. XXVIII., Zoologv, No. 184, XXXV., Botany, No. 244. " From the Society. Proceedings of the Society of Australasia, 1885-6, vol. I. From the Society. Notes sur les Fourmrs et Les Guepes Extracts des Comptes rendus dee3i recommended by these experrs, and Low far their recommendations have been carried out. Such infjrma- tion is espiecially necessary _ p^z- the present time, when the question of a xxu transfer of observatory work to the Coramonwealth Government is under consideration. lb appears from what transpired at the meeting of the Royal Society on the 10th inst. that the con- ditions which Captain Gust and Mr. Wragge reported as necessary for the cflicienb conduct of the astronomical and meteorological work of the Ob- servatory h'ave never been pro- vided by the Government, either as to staif or equipment. Con- sequently, as the Hon. N. J. Brown has pointed out. it must bo mrde clear to the Commonwealth GoveriMuent t^iar if a transfer is made, additions to both will be required. The difficulty of the situa- tion is enhanced by the pressing neces- sity for retrenchment at the present time. All are agreed as to the desira- bility of placing the Meteorological De- partment on a better footing. It seems to have been considered in the past that the department, having to deal with atmospheric phenomena, should live on air. This idea led to its being nearly starved out of existence. Yet if the Vork is required, it should be paid for, and the payment should bear some proportion to the skill and experience necessary to the attain- ment of scientific accuracy. Few who havei not been trained m sci- ence, Mr. KingsmiU pointed out, can realise the quantity of labour neces- sary to ensure accurate results, or the worse than useless character of work in a scientific department that is nearly right, but not quite. For example, a sniall mistake in the time-service is more puzzling, and more likely to be mislead- ing, than a large error, which would be obvious. What then is to be done? The most practical appears to be, that ar- rangements should be made for a con- ference of the Directors of Observatory work in the different States, and that they should be assigned the task of pre- paring a scheme which will satisfy both general and local requirements. There is no insuperable difficulty in the pre- paration of such a scheme ; the problem is identical with one which has been al- read}^ solved in the Dominion of Can- ada. There was a time, said Mr. Kings- mill, when each Province in the Domin- ion had its own seperate time service, and meteorological .siervice, vsuch as it Avas. Now, there is one central office in Toronto, which receives wea- ther telegrams from over three hun- dneid observing stations throughout the Dominion. Forecasits are issued daily from the central office to all tlie Provinces. A similar syste^m prevail- ed in. the United States, only on a great- er scaLe. No meteorological service in the world was better organised than that of the United States, and on none was there so large an expenditure. Yet it is a productive expenditure, and it has often happened that} a sav- ing has been eft'cctexl by the timely Avarning of a single storm, which would more than cover the cost of maintain- ing the service for a year. What has been done both in Canada and the United States, with signal suc- cess, can be done, and ought to be done, in this State. He would, in conclusion, most strongly submit for the Hon. the Premier's consideration the advisability of urging that a conference of meteoiologjsts be appointed at an early date. Mr. A. Risby, Warden of the Hobart Marine Board, supported the object of the depatation. Mr. John Macfarlane (President of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce) urged that the work of the Observatory, if ijroperly carried out. was of great importance to the shipping. The forecasts of weather, as given to the fishermen m the o.d country, were largel}^ the means of saving life. The Eev. J. B. Woollnough, M.A., M.H.A., asked had the Premier received any communication from the Federal Go- vernment as to giving Mr. Wragge facili- ties for his work, as we had been doing .^ The Premier said he bad received a tele- gram from Mr. Philp, Premier of Queens- land, saying that if free telegrams and postage were conceded, Mr. Wragge^s work could be carried on for d£2,O0O a j^ear, and asking would the various States contri- bute fhat amount. He had replied, asking for information, and saying that if Tas- niiania's contribution was to be on a popu- lation basis, he would submit to Parlia- ment a favourable proposal. South Aus- tralia had refused, and New South Wales had agreed to contribute. He understood that the Federal Government were will- ing to concede free postage and telegrams. He also understood that the Federal Go- vernment would consider in the recess — if there was one — (laughter) — the question of taking over the meteorological service. Ill writing to Mr. Deakin, he would bear in mind all that had been said by the de- putation. He was afraid the time wias not opportune for asking this Government to provide new instruments for our Observa- tory. He would suggest to Mr. Ceakin the conference spoken of by Mr. Kingsmill. XXIU JULY, 1902. The montMy meetiug of the Eoyal So- ciety of Tasmania was held on the 8th of July at t'Jie rooms, Argyle-street. His Ex- cellency'the Governor (Sir A. E. Havelock, G.C.S.I.. G.C.M.G.), (preside.nt of the So- cietj") presided. The King's Illness. His Excellency the Governor said: — As members of the Eoyal Society of Tas- mania, of which Her Majesty tlie late Queen was, and His present Majesty King Edward VII. is, patron, it was fitting they should join in expressing the feel- ings of public satisfaction and happiness at the news received during the last few days of the successful recovery of His Majesty the King from an illnesis, the re- sult of which was watched with so much ■anxiety a fortnight ago. (Applause.) There was one other matter of congratu- lation he should like lo mention concern- ing one of the oldest members of the Eoyal Society — the honour which His Ma- jesty had been pleased to confer upon their friend Sir Adye Douglas. (Applause.) He was so well known to all in Tas'mania and Australia that any words of his as to Siir Adye Douglas's place in the com- munity or his past history would be su- perfluous. The honour conferred upon him in his 87th year had given pleasure and satisfaction to them, and to all Tas- mania. (Applause.) Sir Adye Douglas briefly replied. New Member. Mr. Edmund Leolin Piesse, B.Sc, of New Town was elected a Fellow of the So- ciety. Proposed Eetirement of the Queensland Colonial Botanist. Mr. Eodway, member of the Council of the Eoyal Society of Tasmaniia. moved the following resolution, — "That this So- ciety hears with sincere regret the inten- tion of the Qtieensland Government to re- tire Mr. F. M. Bailey from the position of State Botanist. It would respectfullv urge that if this cannot be avoided, it may at least be delayed until the completion of Mr. Bailey's valuable work, "The Queens- land Flora." The motion wsis seconded by Col. W. V. Legge, E.A., and carried unanimously. Mr. E. A. Counsel, F.E.G.S., Surveyor- General of Tasmania, w'ho was to have taken part in a discussion on "Forest Con- servation," forwarded the following tele- gram from Launceston : — ''Pleaee apolo- gise for my unavoidable absence from meeting of Eoyal Society. Hoped to have returned on Saturday night." Papers. "Notes on Unrecorded land other Mine- rals Occurring in Tasmania," by W. F. Pettea-d, C.M.Z.S., Lend. The writer, in tiie opening remarks of his paper, said: — The following notes, in con- junction with a paper upon the subject published in tihe proceedings of the E03W Society of Tasmania, 1897, embraces the work done to elucidate the mineralogy of the State isince the publication of the "Minerals of Tasmania,'' 189S. They com- prise many interesting substances of moTe recent discovery, including one, or per- haps two, which are quite new to miner- alogical science. It will be found that above 40 species hitherto unknown as oc- curring in this island have been added to the lalready voluminous catalogue, and additional localities and associations are recorded for several previously known. An imi)ortant feature is the record of se- veral complete .analj^ses of complex sub- stances for which I am indebted to Mr. S. Pascoe, of the Magnet Silver Mining Co., and Mr. 0. E. White, of Hobart, to whom I return my sincere thanks ^or their ready and valuable assistaince. SucSh work is invariably a welcome addition to mineralogioal investig'^ation. and I am sure it will be duly appreciated by those interested in this field of inquiry. In many cases it is only hy such means, coupled with a crystallographic chaiacter. hat the specific identity can. he obtained with reasonable certainty. It is almost needless to say that in this department much yet remains to be done before we can possess a comprehensive knowledge of the mineral known to occur in this Stat'f The list, with descrii^tions and localities^ number 77 species, and will prove to bp a most valuable addition to our knowledge of Tasmanian minerals. Note on Euoailyptus linearis, Dehn- hardt (a supposed Tasmanian species), by J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Director. Botanic Gardens, Sydney. (Corresponding mem- ber) : — XXIV The author said he had recently received from the Imperi'al Natural History Museum of Vieniifa, a type speeimeu of Eucalyptus Linearis, Dehnhardt, which has not been seen either by Bentham or Mueller. Usually a Mount Wellington, Tasmania, emooth- barked tree, closely related to E. amygdalina, Labill, is referred to Dehn- iiardt's species, which was described from a European seedling in 1829. The author describes the type, and expresses the opinion that the precise position of the plant described by Dehnhardt requires yet to be determined by Tasmauian botanists. Mr. A. M. Lea, F.E.S., Government En- tomologist, contributed a paper, entitled, "Notes on some remarkable Tasmanian Invertebrates.'' The writer said, under the above heading, he proposed from time to time to give notes on some remarkable Tasmanian insects, and probably other invertebrate forms of iife. The notes, whenever possible, would be illustrated with sketches. The present description deals with one of the "Walking Stick'' in- sects, being the first official record 9f th'^ occurrence of the remarkable famiiy of Phasmidse in Tasmania. The specimen was found at Burnie, and presentel to the- Tasmanian Museum by Mi&s Dora Shoo- oridge, and will be known as Acrophylla ta?maniensis. The Great Lake. Colonel Legge furnished the maximum and minimum temperature at the north end of the Great Lake for the mcnth of June, 1902. compiled by Mr. F. H. Archer, Police Station, ^\orth Gr.eiat Lake. The maximum was 43 degrees on the 3id, 5t:h and 2-lth, and the minimum 15 de- grees, on the 2&bh. The me^.n tempera- ture for the monLh was 35 degrees. Forest Conservation. A discussion took place on Mr. W. Heyn's and Mr. C. B. Target's paper on Forest Conservation. Mr. L. Bodway spoke upon tiie papers at considerable length. Spe.aking of the *apple trade, he advocated the leglstration of brands by tihe Government, and the publication in pamphlet -rom of results of sales. Otherwise he thought tihe in- dustry would be able to take care of it- self. The timber trade po'ssessed greater difficulties, and to do much for it, the Go- vernment would have to take the wlioue management of il. But the Govern n-mt might inquire if there was a sufficient quantity of timber to warnant the going in for a large export trade, and if thore was. it would be within their provi.ice to find markets. It was hardly possi})le to establish .an a.gncaltaTal college in Tas- mania at present, but there were such es- tablishments already in Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales, and scholarships in one of those colleges might be founded here. If, then, the sciiolarB were numerous enough, we might find ic worth while to establish a college of our ovyn. Referring to Mr. Target's paper, he said tihat the oak in Tasm.ania had not been a succevs-s. There was a gre'at deal to be done in planting stringy bark, which grew verj-^ rapidly. Button-grass plains were poverty-stricken — you got a foot of soil, and then came gravel. Mr. A. 0. Green said that he always compared this country with Norway: Nor- way, like Tasmania, is a poor country. It is mountainous, it has a broken coast line, it is largely covered with forests, but there line similarity ends. The forests of Norway produce small trees, not more than a foot to eighteen inches in diameter, and from which a plank cannot be ob- tained wider than nine inches, or longer than ten or twelve feet; and .yet the Nor- wegians so prepare and classify their tim- ber for market that it has a' staple value throughout the civilised world, and is sent everywhere, including Tasmania — and the country reaps a profit of about a million pounds annually. Tasmania on the other hand, with her magnificent for- ests from want of the system and care that make the Norwegian industry so suc- cessful, reaps a merely nomiiial benefit from her much more valuable forests. Mr. Heyn^s remedy for this state of affairs, summed up in one word, was education, and with this in general terms he fully agreed. Tasmanians who should know better may be found, who will lun down Tasmanian timbers as worthless, wherea^s, if properly prepared for market, they are seconcl to none in the world for the pur- poses for which the.y are suited. Again, people may be found in Tasmania who will stigmatise the science of forestry as a fad, and even in the present day may be found Tasmanians who will deride educa- tion, as applied to timber. Mr. Target had shown, very forcibly, the good that forests do to a country from simo'.j^ ex- isting. He went on to show that they pro- fit several countries to the exteat .">f up- wards of a million per annum, yrhe:'i treated on sound commercial principles, and further pointed out how, by system- atic planting, barren and profitless stretches of country might be profitably improved. There is no what is termed ■ Jiieory" about this. Round our coasts there are plenty of places where oixr good land is being overwhelmed by the sand blown in from the sea ; exactly the samte thing has been overcome on the shores of the Bay of Biscay by planting pine trees. In the Bay of Biscay, not only lias the XXV sand b&en stopped, and a profitable indus- try in turpentine established, but, owing to the fact that pine trees make vegetable soil more quickly than any other trees the sandy wastes have been transformed into fertile land. In Lne same way in Denmark, by the planting of pines and other trees, heathy morasses, somewhat like our button-grass plains, have become a source of revenue from the timber, and, eventually, dairy farms adding greatly to the wealth of the country. If rightly managed, we have inexhaustible supplies of timber, superior to oak and a&h, for whidh, were it properly placed upon the market, there would be an inexhaustible demand, at remunerative prices. Mr. G. E. Moore. C.E.. also offered : some observations, and was followtd by Mr. A. Maul't The 'discussion was adjourned till next I meeting, and a vote of thanks to the readers of papers wa® passed. The proceedings then terminated. ■polonel W. V. Legge said he had re- ceived a very important communication from Mr. F. B. Archer, residing at the Great Lake, dealing with the tempera- ture of that part of T&smania for the moptli of June of the present year, which he would read. Police Station. North Great Lake, 2nd July, 1902. Colonel Legge, Military Barracks, Hobart. Dear Sir. I enclose herewith a record of the max. and min. temperatures for June. Comparatively, June was very mild. The frosts were not nearly so severe as they were last year. The Great Lake is covered with about 2in. of ice, and the Little Lake Sin. But a thaw set in this morning, with a strong N.W. wind, and the ice is breaking up. We had about 18in. of snow during the disturbance "Braddon," which is' rapidly disappearing. We had 6in. last year at the same date, and it lay about till the end of August. Rainfall for June, 1902, 7.985in. There are still a number of little gulls about, but the ducks have wholly disappeared. I am, dear sir, Yours, truly. F. H. ARCHER. Max. and Min, Temperatures at North Lnd, Great Lake, for the month of June, 1902: — Date Tempei ^ature. 1902. Max. Min June 1 44 30 2 39 28 3 48 32 4 45 40 5 48 29 6 44 30 7 44 39 8 44 33 9 45 34 10 42 29 11 44 26 12 46 24 13 43 21 14 39 32 15 41 32.5 16 42 35 17 39 33 18 34 24 19 37 SO 20 38 23 21 SB 22.5 22 36 21.75 23 44. 18 24 48 23 25 39 '3.5 26 37 -I r 27 44 23 23 45 25 29 45 21 30 43 23 Merai for month, o'^c List of Work? Presented • Society of Ta.^mania Month of July, 1902. o the Royal during the Journal of the Department of Agricul^ ture of Victoria. From the Department, Journal of the Straits Branch Royal Asiatic SScjety, No. 37, Januaiy, 1902. From the Society. Journal of the Society of Arts (current Nos.) From the Society.. Journal of the Eoyal Anthropological Society of Australasia. From the editor. Transactions of the Roval Society of South Austxalia, Voi. XXVI. From the Society. Insect Enemies of the Pine in the Black Hills Forest Reserve. An account of re- sults of special investigations, with re- commendations for preventing loss, hy A. D. Hopkins, Ph.D. From the U.S. De- partment of Agricrriture. XXVI Catalogue of Casts, Mod'els, Photo- graphs, and Restorations ot fossil verte- brates. From the Department of Verte- brate Palfflontology. American Museum of Natural History. Hand-list of the Genera and Species of Birds, Vol. III. By R. Bowlder Sharpe, LL.D. Catalogue of the Collection of Birds' Eggs in the British Museum", Vol. I. Ratitse, Carinatse (Tinamifornies, Lari- formes), by E. W. Oates. Caitalogue of the Fossil Fishes in the British Museum, Part IV., containing the Actinopterrgian, Teleostomi. of the Suborders Iso'ipondy
  • 25 Physical Science (1st elements) 5 'l Total points s 100 In order to gain admission, the candidate would require to have gained at least one-half of the points attributed to each section. There might be two examinations annually for the admis- sion of pupils, at dates specified beforehand, if found necessary and practicable. The examiners would be ap- pointed by the school authorities, one of whom should be present to superintend the proceedings. The names of the successful candidates, with the points they have acquired, as well as the establishment where they have been educated, ought to be published in the papers within a fortnight after the examination. This publicity would benefit the schools from which the successful jDupils had passed, and would doubtless encourage the masters in training boys for the future examinations. After three year's study at the out- side, the scholar, if attentive to his work, should be able to pass such a satisfactory final examination as will entitle him to a diploma of efficiency either in forestry or agri- culture, or both, and he is fitted for a career, either in his own interests or for the account of others, who will, I feel certain, be glad to make use of his services, knowing that he is competent to render them efficiently. Of course you will understand that I merely throw out these suggestions as my own ideas on this subject, and they ought, of course, be discussed and modified after careful study to suit the requirements of your State. I may, however, remark that, on the whole, they have proved successful elsewhere. At one of the most prosperous of existing similar schools (I do not name it, as the information so kindly afforded me by personal friends is more or less confidential), which was founded in 1860, the progress made in the number of S TASMANIAN SCHOOL OF I cannot fancy a more suitable career for your Tasmanian boys, such as I know them (active, courageous, and full of life and vigour, fond of all sports), than the fields and forests, for which such a scheme as I propose would prepare and enable them to exploit to their own advantage and to that of their country. Not only would they benefit from a materfal point of view, but occupied away from towns, with all their seductions and temptations, they would, in your bush, fields, and orchards, most likely become, both physically and morally, finer and better men. I wish I could impress upon parents, and particularly on the mothers and daughters of Tasmania, the importance I think they should attach to the completion of this project, and get them to use their utmost influence, so valuable and all-pervading, in a matter which concerns both their own family interests, and in which the welfare of their boys is so deeply involved, feeling certain that any successful exertions on their part to get such a school founded will eventually be amply rewarded by the results acquired. You have also numerous agricultural, horticultural, pas- toral, and other similar societies in Tasmania. I would propose that some of the most important of them should send one or more of the most promising scholars in their districts to the examinations, and, if returned successfully, pay all or part of their expenses during their education at the school. They could scarcely do anything more calculated to benefit the interests they wish to promote. Now, supposing that such a school will, as I trust, be established, what I propose is this — Boys intended to benefit by the instruction it will afford them should, after having attained their thirteenth or fourteenth year, and completed their usual schooling term, be entered for it. An exami- nation, one half written, one half verbal, to prove that the candidate is up to the standard in reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, geography, and the first general principles of physical science, with a volun- tary examination in French or German (to count as five points each, and to be added to any deficiency in English or Geometry), should be compulsory before admission. The two first examinations should, I think, be of such a nature as to allow ordinarily well educated boys from good schools to pass without much difficulty, and, as the number of pupils increase and the popularity of the school is estab- lished, the questions might be made more difficult. The maximum of points attributed to the different subjects FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURE. 7 prevent your wasting your money, time, and labour for no profitable result, to keep men honest against their will, and to hinder those most interested from destroying their own property, and ruining the State's prospects of success in the leading markets of the world. All these proposals, or some of them, may perhaps be considered as a magnificent scheme of grandmotherly govern- ment and political philanthrophy, and will no doubt meet with the approbation of men who prefer others to do the work they should be doing themselves, biit, to any practical and business man, such a system must appear a? preposterous, as it would, on trial, prove to be useless and impracticable. What possible good can it do an agriculturist who has been properly taught, trained, and knows his business to be told by an expert that he has pests in his orchard ? He ought to and v>'ould know that long before the expert, and have taken the necessary measures to abate or eradicate them, and this example applies to all the other functions to be* performed by experts and baililffs in carrying out the duties suggested in the foregoing so-called remedies. How many experts do you imagine w^ould be required to inspect thoroughly all your orchards, fruit gardens, and agricultural establishments in Tasmania? Plow do you propose to inspect and examine the fruit, before shipment, on the wharves? I fear that there would not be the necessary room, and decidedly not the necessary time to do this efficiently, and better no inspec- tion than an inefficient one. Then, where are you to get proper experts in sufficient numbers whose inspection and knowledge can be relied upon, if you have no training schools where they can study and be taught theoretically and practically their duties? In my opinion there is no real remedy for curing existing evils and preventing their continuance and recurrence in the future but one, and that is the establishment of a well-managed Tasmanian School of Forestry and Agriculture. In such an institution the rising generation, as well as adults occupied in these pursuits, would receive an education or information which w^ould very soon render expert interference supererogator}'' and unneces- sary. Not alone would it be of invaluable service to these two industries, but it would open a new field of enterprise and remunerative employment to the youth of Tasmania. As you are well aware, most of your professional and mercan- tile occupations are more than sufficiently filled up at present, and your young men are often obliged to go to other lands to seek their living, much to the detriment of your State and population, a loss which ought to be avoided, if possible. 6 - TASMANIAN SCHOOL OF produce, and the ultimate ruin of your fruit trade, now- valued at the export worth of nearly £300,000. Commercial history is full of examples, dating from the most ancient periods up to the present time, showing how some of the most flourishing trades and markets have been lost or destroyed by negligence, ignorance, or dishonest dealing, and the following extract from Mr. Neville Edwards' interesting " Story of China " shows with what disastrous results a simila,r policy in the once important tea trade of China has ended. ''In Tea from China," he say?— " The falling off in our purchases has been enormous. The Chinese have injured the reputation of their tea by re-colouring old- used tea leaves. It took a long time to knock this idea into our heads, but now having once got that idea, it will take an equally long time to regain our confidence." Substitute •'Tasmania" for "China," "fruit" for "tea," and '.'in- ferior shipments " for " re-coloured tea leaves," and we have a timely warning of what may and will happen to your own fruit trade unless precautionary measures be immediately taken to prevent such a catastrophe. In regard to your timber industry, the foregoing obser- vations relative to the loss of a valuable market can only be applied in a limited degree, as you have not, unfortu- nately, as yet, got any market worthy of the name to lose. Why this should be so is a question which ought to occupy your most serious attention. It may be, and most likely is the case, that the small quantities you have exported have been of inferior quality, or not properly prepared, chosen, or suited for the work for which it was intended. Another reason, no doubt, is that no energetic means have ever been taken to bring the good qualities of your timber for construction works, paving, furniture, &c., to the know- ledge of the foreign consumer, and no really business-like efforts made to establish a market for the disposal of 3'our wood produce. Whatever the reason may be, it is more than time that a proper remedy be applied. So-called remedies have been proposed in abundance, such as — experts to examine the cases of fruit before shipment; experts to find out real, or invent imaginary, pests ; experts to see that your fruit is properly packed ; Agents-General to tell you that you are ruining your markets ; bailiffs in your forests to prevent your destroying and burning your own property and your best timber; experts to see that the wood is of good quality, and properly seasoned and prepared before shipment, &c. Of course, as usual, it is expected that all these people are to be paid by Government, in order to FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURE. 5 Pests of various kinds no doubt give sometimes much trouble, but; as a rule, their presence in numbers sufficient to menace the existence of the crop is a proof of bad or careless culti- vation. During my stay in Tasmania several so-called " pest scares " arose, and it always struck me that if the same time, energy, and labour displayed in writing and disputing about their existence or non-existence, and the best means of eradicating them, in the long letters appearing every day in the newspapers, had been judiciously expended in the orchards and fruit gardens, the result would have been decidedly advantageous to the fruit crop. We must not forget that agriculture in all countries has been subject to pests of all descriptions, some of them more destructive than the average of those with which you have to deal, and Tasmania can scarcely expect to escape from the ills that plants are heir to. But scientific culture, increasing care and examination, combined with the well-directed applica- tion of the latest remedies, will be found as effective in either considerably diminishing or eradicating these pests in Tasmania, as they have been elsewhere. The suppression and extinction of pests, to be effective, must be thorough, and, consequently, entails a certain loss of fruit, as every apple affected by codlin moth, &c., or injured in any way, must be picked from the tree at once and destroyed. This waste of produce (more apparent than real, the tree profiting by the removal of unsound fruit), should be followed by careful selection, picking, and packing, if the fruit is expected to arrive at its destination in good condition. It would seem, however, that many producers are not alive to this fact, and will not take, or do not know how to take, the most neces- sary precautions to prevent any but the soundest and best fruit being sent to markets at a distance of some 13^,000 miles. They appear to think that purchasers in England and on the Continent are such fools as to be willing to pay a good price for bad fruit, although they have the choice of impor- tations from some of the finest fruit-exporting countries in the world. Worse still, the recurrence of inferior shipments from Tasmania will lower the reputation of its fruit, and purchasers on the other side of the world, who have neither the time nor the will to discriminate between good and bad shippers, will refuse to have anything to do with fruit exported from that country, unless at such low prices aa they may think may cover any risk they run. This, in reality, means the destruction in a very brief space of time of some of the best markets in which to dispose of youi 4 TASMANIAN SCHOOL OF Before leaving these interesting statistics, the compilation of which reflects the greatest honour on their author, I would also call your attention to that most important part of agricultural industry, dairy produce. It appears that you are exporting annually butter and cheese to the value of about =£2000, and importing the same produce at a cost of about £35,000. This fact seems strange, considering that other countries, not much larger than Tasmania, are able to supply their own wants besides making the exportation of these products one of the most prosperous and remunerative of their industries. I wish to impress upon you that the foregoing statements are not mere " idle fancies of the heated brain," but solid facts, corroborated by statistical figures, which, if you doubt their correctness, you can easily examine and verify for your- selves. Taking for granted, then, that these statements and figures are correct, what conclusions can we reasonably draw from them? It appears to me that we can reasonably con- clude that — 1st. The agricultural industry of Tasmania, particularly as regards the production and exportation of fruit, is at present not realising the advantages and profits which the resources of the country, if judiciously and pro- perly exploited, would legitimately warrant the producers and exporters to expect; 2nd. The timber industry, con- sidering the large area of forest lands and the quality of the wood growing there, is in a still more unsatisfactory condition as regards conservation, replanting, and exportation, while one-Tialf of the value of exported home products is absorbed in payment of imported timber, which could and ought to be grown in Tasmania at one-third the cost ; 3rd. The minor products of the farm, such as dairy produce, butter, cheese, eggs, poultry, honey, &c., may, as far as exportation is con- cerned, be treated as quite negligable quantities ; 4th. The most strenuous efforts should be made, without delay, to determine the cause of this state of affairs, and remedies found to ameliorate the present condition and ensure the future development and prosperity of the two great indus- tries of forestry and agriculture in Tasmania. The causes which are generally put forward as reasons why your fruit trade is not giving a remunerative return for the labour, time, and money expended on it, are numerous. XJnpropitious seasons and weather will, of course, have an influence on this as well as on other agricultural crops in every country in the world, but in such a climate as that of Tasmania it is not likely that great material injury will be caused by them, or only in rare and exceptional instances. FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURE. O item in the budget of any country, but of paramount impor- tance to a small State like yours. If the export value of other agricultural products, which is returned as being about £454,054 (including wool) be added, we have an annual total export value of £734,042, or 28 12 per cent, of the whole total export value of every description from Tasmania, and next in importance to the mineral export, valued at £1,640,778. So much for agriculture. Now let us see how forestry figures in these statistics. In a State with such important forests, containing, as I have already informed you, some of the finest timber in quality, and unique in possessing trees of dimensions and specific gravity invaluable for certain important works of construction, it might have been confidently expected that the export value of such produce would form a large asset in your revenue statistics. On examination, however, it appears that this, unfortu- nately, is not the case. In these statistics, in 1900, timber of all descriptions, including bark, only figures for export value as £71,618, but against this there is an item of import value of £23,246 for timber imported, so that this product in reality would only represent a net value of £48,372 really to the credit of your timber account. We see, therefore, that Tasmania is importing wood from other countries, principally Norway and Sweden, a distance of about 14,000 miles, amounting to one-third of her own export of timber, and paying at least two-thirds more for it than if it were grown on her ov/n soil. As a matter of fact, it could be grown better on your own waste lands and islands, within a few miles of your principal ports, at a mere nominal expenditure relatively to what it costs you now to import. I think you must admit that it can scarcely be called good business to go to such a distance to procure an article which you could easily have grown in your own country at a saving of 60 per cent, to 70 per cent., with the triple advantage of having sufficient for your home consumption, a large quantity for exportation to the neighbouring States (on which you could make a good profit), and last, but not least, at the same time ameliorating the hygiene of your island by plantations which would collect the rain of which you have, in some districts, so much need. Another most regrettable fact gleaned from these statis- tics is that there does not appear tha.t one single log or plank of timber had been exported in 1900 to Great Britain, the largest timber-importing country in the world, and the most important market for all other timber-producing countries in which to dispose of their produce. 2 TASMANIAN SCHOOL OF outdistanced in the fierce race of life, and learn, perhaps too late, that " the survival of the fittest " is the ultimate result of the struggle, and that their old-fashioned and unreasoning efforts have neither benefited themselves nor others We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that in every branch of business and industry the most important im^prove- ments and developments are being introduced daily, requiring careful scientific, technical, and practical teaching, training, and study to enable us to understand them thoroughly, to adapt them to our own requirements, and to profit by these nev/ facilities for the promotion of commerce in our own interest and for our country's benefit. Quite lately most important changes have been introduced into your own export business. Quick steamers, fitted with refrigerating machinery and chambers, call weekly at Hobart, enabling you to deliver your splendid fruit in good condition in the markets of England and the Continent, at a period of the year when such produce, if of good quality, ought to realise a remunerative result. Have you profited by this grand opening for your fruit trade, and have satis- factory results been obtained by producers and exporters ? From market reports it appears that about 85. per case was the average rate realised for your apples, a price which, after paying freight and other charges, will certainly not leave much, if any, profit to the producer or exporter. Con- sidering that good Tasmanian apples v-^ere being retailed at the same date in England at Sd. per pound (about 305. per case, and South Australian produce was realising 135. to 15s. per case, there seems to be 'prima facie evidence that some serious deficiency, arising either from bad cultivation or careless or dishonest shipment, in connection with Tasmanian exports, must have existed, which calls for examination and future immediate remedy if your fruit trade is to prosper as it should. I think you will find that the reports of your Agent-General and others interested in the matter point to the conclusion that these faults did exist, and that your producers and exporters had only reaped what they had sown, and had only themselves to blame for such a deplorable state of affairs, which must eventually lead to the loss of your English and other markets. What such a lamentable occurrence v/ould mean to Tas- mania, the following statement, taken from figures compiled by your well-known Statistician, Mr. R. M. Johnston, will give you some idea : — In his report the vahie of the fruit export for 1900 from Tasmania is estimated at about X2 79,98^. a very cOY*Tiderable SUGGESTIONS FOK THE ESTABLISH- MENT OF A TASMANIAN SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURE. BY WILLIAM HEYN, (Timber Department, Admiralty Harbour Contract Works, Dover, England.) Read 12th May, 1902. In the paper on " The Present and Future Prospects of Timber in Tasmania," which I had the honour to read at a meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania, on the 29th April, 1901, I ventured to express my firm conviction that a Tasmanian School of Forestry and Agriculture was abso- lutely necessary if the treasures of vegetable wealth which exist in your Island are to be properly exploited, so as to yield a remunerative return for the time, labour, and money expended on them. It must, I think, be painfully evident to anyone who has seriously studied the subject which, in my opinion, is of such vital importance to Tasmania, that the unscientific and unreasoning manner in which forestry and agriculture has been conducted there for the last 15 or 20 years has materi- ally hindered their proper development, has led to the destruction and waste of valuable produce, and prevented the attainment of results which, under scientific and tech- nical treatment, would have been satisfactory, not only to those who are occupied in these pursuits, but to the com- munity in general. As the world advances in civilisation and population, and the '' struggle for life " becomes more imperious and neces- sary, competition, of ever increasing intensity and ubiquity, manifests its presence with new inventions, new methods, and better appliances. Those who continue to follow the now antiquated ideas and systems in vogue some years ago will find themselves GRAfTOLITES IN TASMANIA. 17 As the thecae can be seen only when the specimen is held in a particular position with regard to the light, they are not easily demonstrated. Their outer edge is straight, and the apertural margin is about normal to the branch. From the appearance of the indistinct markings present on the stone the specimen belongs to the Dendroidea, and I am inclined to think to the genus Callograptus, which is in itself of no great stratigraphical value. A few weeks ago Mr. Waller sent me two slabs of slate from 12| miles from Zeehan, on the same railway line. On one of these a fragment showing graptolite thecae can be distinguished, the specimen being monoprionidian. The specimen on the other slab is more obscure, and I can only say it is suggestive of a graptolite. In neither instance can even a guess at the family be hazarded. We thus have undoubted evidence of the existence of graptolites in Tasmania, but, so far, no evidence is thrown on the exact age of the containing rocks, and it rests with those on the spot to fill up the hiatus in our knowledge. Mr. Stephens' specimen has been sent to the Hobart Museum, and Mr. Waller's two specimens to Mr. Twelvetrees, for the Survey Collection. NOTES ON UNRECORDED AND OTHER MINERALS OCCURRING IN TASMANIA. 7?// W. r. Petterd. The following notes, in conjunction with a paper upon the subject published in the proceedings of the Royal Society of "Tasmania, 1897, embrace the work done to elucidate the mineralogy of the State since the publication of the "Minerals of Tasmania, 1896." They comprise many interesting substances of more recent discovery, including one, or perhaps two, which are quite new to mineralogical science. It will be found that 49 species hitherto iinknown as occurring in this Island have been added to the already voluminous catalogue, and additional localities and associations are recorded for several previously known. An important feature is the record of several complete analyses of complex substances, for which I am indebted to Mr. S. Pascoe, of the Magnet Silver Mining Company, and Mr. O. E. White, of Hobart, to whom I return my sincere thanks for their ready and valuable assist- ance. Such work is invariably a welcome addition to mineralogical investigation, and I am sure it will be duly appreciated by those interested in this field of enquiry. In many cases it is only by such means, coupled with crystal- logi'aphic characters, that the specific identity can be attained with reasonable certainty. It is almost needless to say that in this department much yet remains to be done before we can possess a comprehensive knowledge of the minerals known to occur in this State. 1 Analcite. — {Hydrous silicate of sodium and alu- minium.) Somewhat abundant in the haiiyne phonolite of Port Cygnet. 2 Anorthoclase. — (Triclinic soda-pofash-felspar.) In rhombic sections of a shining milky-white. Solvsbergites of Port Cygnet. ITNflECOEDED AND OTHEU MINEEALS IN TASMANIA. 19 8 Arsenopyrite. — (Sulph-a/}'senide of iron.) In peculiar minute crystal trillings implanted }n cavities in hard gossan. Magnet Mine. As minute needles abundantly scattered throughout siderite gangue. Block 291, E-ingville. Analysis of this Mineral. Fe = 32-95, As = 43-20, S = 21-48, 97-63, with about 2 per cent, of antimony. 4 AuGiTE. — (Variety of pyroxene.) The embedded crystals of the nephelinite of the Shannon Tier are of a shining black colour, and often of remarkably large dimensions, sometime* one inch and a half in length. 5 Beresowite. — (Chromate and carbonate of lead.) Occurs as small, in many cases almost microscopic, lamellae implanted in gossan. The colour varies from pale yellow to orange-red. It is sometimes changed to crocoisite. Magnet Mine. 6 Beryl. — (Metasilicate of beryllium and alntninium.) At the Shepherd and Murphy Mine, Bell Mount, specimens have occurred several inches in length, wholly changed to gilbertite, fluor, and chlorite. At the same locality small slender crystals have been met with of a pale green colour, intermixed with quartz, topaz, molybdenite, and cassiterite. The crystals are commonly embedded in a thin film of pyrite. 7 BouRNONiTE. — (Sulphantimonite of lead- and copper.) In bright well-developed orthorhombic crystals, which gave the following result upon analysis : — S = 13 62 per cent. Sb = 28-68 Pb = 42-39 Cu = 11-93 Fe = 1-97 98-40 UNRECORDED AND OTHER MINERALS 8 Brijcite. — (^Magnesium hydrate^ Radiating, massive, and white, near the workings, Mt. Bischoff. 9 Calcite. — (Carbonate of calcium.) Some remarkably fine crystals have been obtained at the Mt. Lyell limestone flux quarry at Queens- town. (H. W. Judd.) 10 Campylite. — (Lead arsenate.) In very characteristic barrel-shaped crystals aggre- gated together. The colour is very pale, almost white. Britannia Mine, Zeehan. 11 Carminite. — (Arsenate of lead and iron.) In minute orthorhombic groups of crystals coating fractures and vughs in gossan. It is of a reddish colour, and adamantine lustre. The Magnet Silver Mine. 12 Cassiterite. — (Dioxide of tin.) Pseudomorphous after orthoclase. * Mt. Bex Mine, Ben Lomond. 13 Cerussite. — (Carbonate of lead.) Analysis of the characteristic form of a yellowish- green colour from the Adelaide Proprietary Mine, Dundas, by Mr. J. C. H. Mingaye, F.C.S., of Sydney, N.S.W. : — PbO CO, c^o^ Gangue = 83-07 per cent. = 15-97 minute trace. •62 per cent. sriTE. — (J 99-66 Hydrated manganese and zinc protoxide.) As an amorphous black metallic brilliant substance, somewhat rare. Dundas. 15 Chalcocite. — (Copper sulphide^ Occurs massive in several of the Mt. Lyell mines and at the King Jukes Mine, Mt. Jukes. Small crystals have been obtained disseminated in schist, with bornite, at the North Lyell Mine. OCCURRING IN TASMANIA. 21 In slugs up to many pounds in weight, associated with native copper, at the King Lyell Mine. (H. W. Judd.) 16 Clinochlore. — {Basic magnesium and aluminimn silicate.) In large masses and occasionally crystalline bunches of a pale metallic green colour. Near Mt. Heemskirk. Abundant in fine groups of hexagonal crystals of a dark olive-green to black colour. The plates are often over one inch in diameter. Near the Hampshire Hills Silver Mine, Hampshire Hills. At Anderson's Creek in minute, almost microscopic, radiating bunches of a dark colour. (W. H. Twelvetrees.) 17 Chlorite. — {Basic silicate of magnesium and alu- minium.) In schist, and as beautiful bright green fan-shaped crystals in honey-combed quartz — Crown Lyell Mine — species undetermined. (H. W. Judd.) Occurs pseudomorphous after felspar — Block 4891- 93m, Ben Lomond. (Waller, ''Report on the Ben Lomond District," 1901.) 18 CopiAPiTE. — {Hydrous basic ferric sulphate.) Results from the decomposition of pyrites, Colebrook Mine, Ringville, Khaki Mine, Whyte River, and at Barn Bluff. The rock from the last-named locality, when freshly broken out, soon becomes coated with this and other sulphates. 19 Crocoisite. — {Chromate of lead.) Rare as small crystals in gossan at the Silver Queen Mine and at the Colonel North Mine, Zeehan. (H. W. Judd.) A full detailed description of the typical and well- known Dundas occurrence of this beautiful mineral, by C. Palache, may be found in the " American Journal of Science " for 1896, page 389. ^ ^ UNRECOKDKD AND OTHER MINERALS 20 Deweylite. — {Hydrous basic iiiagnesiuni silicate.) In thin seams, sometimes reaching a foot in width, traversing serpentine. Harman's Rivulet, near the Parson's Hood Mountain. 21 Dolomite. — {Carbonate of calcium and magnesium) Analysis of the pure white form from the Magnet Mine. (F. O. Hill.) Ca 0 31 "72 per cent. = Ca Co 3 56*64 per cent. Mg O 15-60 „ = Mg C03 32-76 Fe 3-92 ,. = Fe Co, 8*26 Mn 1-80 „ = Mn C03 3-76 101-42 22 DuNDASiTE. — {Hydrous carbonate of lead and alu- minium.) " Minerals of Tasmania," 1896, page 33. Dana, " First Appendix to the Sixth Edition of the System of Mineralogy," page 23. The following is a complete analysis of this new species : — Pb = 38-84 per cent = Pb O 41-86 AU O3 26-06 Fe = 3-85 „ = Fe', O3 5-50 H/O ■+ Co^ 28-08 101-50 Mr. Pascoe states that the Fcg and O3, or a portion thereof, may be foreign to the substance, as it is next to impossible to perfectly separate it, since it almost invariably occurs as an incrustation on the mineral from the original locality at Dundas. A trace of P 3 O 3 was also found ; this was certainly obtained from an extremely thin coating or skin of pyromorphite, which is often present, and gives an external green colouration to the surface of the mineral. At the Hercules Mine, Mt. Read, a mass of snow-white cellular quartz has been obtained, throughout which are scattered crystals of cerussite, gibbsite, and numerous patches of dundasite, the whole forming one of the most attractive associations of minerals as yet obtained in this State. OCCUERING IN TASMANIA. 23 23 DuFREYNOYSiTE. — (Sulpharseuite of lead.) Analysis : — Pb = 32-88 Cu As — 9-08 21-60 Sb = 8-53 Fe — 6-42 S = 21-79 Ag = 0-22 = 73 ozs. 3d^v ■ts. 11 j^rs. per ton. 100-52 Occurs in thick orthorhombic ciystals, which are deeply grooved longitudinally, colour lead-grey, highly polished, and implanted on and in the cavities of crystalline siderite. Many of the beauti- fully developed crystals exceeded 1 ^^ in length and ^" in width. Locality, Block 291, North-East Dundas. 24 El^olite. — {Orthosilicate of sodium, potassium, and aluniiniu7n .) Occurs as a constituent in the eljeolite syenite of Port Cygnet. 25 Epidote. — (Basic silicate of calcium, alu7niniu7n, and iron.) Occurs very well crystallised and of good colour on the Melba Flat, North Dundas. (H. W. Judd.) 26 Evans ITE. — (Basic phosphate of cdwminium.) Analysis of this mineral from Zeehan, by Mr. H. G. Smith. (Proceedings Koyal Soc, N.S.W., 1895.) P2 O5 =18-11 Al, O3 = 40-19 H; O =41-27 99-57 27 GiLBERTiTE. — (Variety of potassium mica.) Of a yellow to green colour and glimmering lustre with tin ore in granite. Mt. Eex Mine, Ben Lo- mond, Anchor, Liberator, and other mines, Lottah. 24 ' INK'KOORDKl* AND OIHKH MINERALS 28 GiBBSiTE. — [Hydrate of ahnniniuin.') Apparently abundant in botryoidal masses, associated with native copper and earthy lode-material. It varies in colour from clear pellucid glassy to pale green, and more rarely to golden yellow with a bronze lustre. It decomposes to a white powder. Rio Tinto Mine, Savage River. 29 Gmelinite. — {Hydrous sodium, calcium, and alu- miniuTn silicate.^ 3^ fine lot of perfect crystals of this zeolite have been obtained loose and coating a vugli in Tertiary basalt at Bell Mount. Middlesex. 30 Hauynite. — {Sodiu7n, calcium, and aluminium or- thosilicate with sodium sidphate.) In micro-crystals sparingly in the fayalite-melilite basalt f]'om One Tree Point, near flobart. 31 Hematite. — {Sesquioxide of iron.) At Zeehan this occurs pseudomorphous after cubical pyrites. (R. F. Waller.) 32 Histeixite. — (Sulphide of antimony and bismuth.) An apparently new substance occurring in radiating groups of prismatic crystals, which are occasionally in confused bunches, and commonly stained ex- ternally with a dark brown coating. The crystals are orthorhombic, with acute but indistinct ter- minations, and striated longitudinally. They sometimes reach over 2 in. in length by | in. in width. Slightly sectile, with a hardness of about 2. Lustre eminently metallic, shining on fresh crystalline surfaces. Colour and streak, steel-grey. When massive, it presents a foliated structure, and tarnishes to blue and purple iridescent colouration. The crystals occurred interpenetrating a vugh from a bedding of a mixture of iron and copper pyrites. It was found in a somewhat massive body of tetrahedrite, with which were associated bismuthinite and pyrites, and appeared to te of very exceptional occurrence. OCCURRING IN TASMANIA. 25 Kesult of two analyses of the pure material: — S =2405 S =23-01 Bi = 55-93 Bi = 56-08 Sb = 10-08 Sb = 9-33 Cu= 6-86 Cu= 6-12 Fe = 5-18 Fe = 5-44 102-10 99-98 Answering to the formula — 7 Bi^ S3 + 2 Sb, S3 + 5 Cu Fe S, (Locality, No. 1 Curtin-Davis Mine, Ringville.) 33 HuASCOLiTE. — (Sulphide of lead and zinc.) A massive, fine-grained, dark-coloured and somewhat dull substance — Comstock Mine. Zeehan. 34 H YDROM AGNES ITE. — (Basic carhonate of magnesium.) Occurs in solid, almost white, radiating bunches — Comstock Mine. Zeehan. 35 Hypersthene. — (Magnesium and iron metasilicate.) In basalt. Circular Head; in granite, St. Mary's Pass. 36 Jamiesonite. — (Sulfhantimonite of lead.) Analysis of a sample from the Magnet Mine : — = 0*12 per cent, = 39 ozs. 4 dwts. 10 grs. per ton. Ag = 0-12 Pb = 40-82 As = 2-44 Sb = 21-48 Fe = 4-91 S = 17-51 Insol = 11-51 98-85 Analysis of a sample from the Silver Spray Mine, Zeehan, by W. F. Ward, Government Analyst: — Pb = 40 Sb =29 S =18 87 26 UNRECORDED AND OTHEK MINERALS Analysis of a columnar and striated sample from Mt. Bischoff : — Ag = 012 Pb = 32-08 As = trace Sb = 26-74 Fe = 5-56 S = 17-82 Si 02=14-28 Al = trace 96-60 37 JoHNSTONOTiTE. — (A new mcmgancse garnet. Pro. Roy. Soc, Tas., 1898-99.) Occurs abundantly distributed in the mica-solvsber- gite of Port Cygnet. The cavities containing the garnet are often lined with a thin coating of purple fluor and arsenical pyrites. 38 Knoxvillite. — {Hydrous basic sulphate of chromium, iron, and aluminimn.) Occurs as a granular sugar-like substance of a pale green colour. From adit at the Victoria Gold Mine, Salisbury. Analysis : — SO3 = 30'32 per cent Cr, O3 = 8-47 „ Al, O3 = 2-48 „ Fe, O3 = 15-86 Loss on ignition 40-56 97-59 The identification is somewhat doubtful. Associated with this sulphate is another of a fibrous habit. It has been found in large compact felted masses, which are extremely tough under the hammer, and comparatively heavy from contained hygroscopic water. The fibres are minute, short, and silky- white; the surface often nodular and rough from protruding fine spiculae. OCCURRING IN TASMANIA. 27 following An analysis of this substance gave the result : — SO 3 = •27-20 Fe, o = 14- 0 Cr, o! = 10-64 Loss on i^ni tion over 39-19 Gar igue 10-77 101-80 Before the blow-pipe the substance swells and forms a brown-coloured mass, which is easily powdered. With soda, after trituration, it leaves a loose powdery residuum, which is readily attracted by the magnet. The fused mass with borax bead gives reactions of iron and chrome oxides. It is readily soluble in water, and if kept in dry situation it gives up much of its hygroscopic moisture. If anew mineral species, which is highly probable, I propose it should be called '' Sclerospathite." 39 Leuchtenbergite. — {A variety of chlorite poor in iron.) In the variolite rock at the Magnet Mine. 40 LiLLiANiTE. — (Sidphohismutite of lead.) Found disseminated in association with bismuth, sulphide, and other minerals in a quartz matrix at the Osborn Blocks. Mt. Farrell. 41 Magnetite. — (Sesquioxide and protoxide of iron.) In bunches of well-formed crystals — Tenth Legion Mine, Zeehan. (H. Waller.) 42 Margarite. — {Basic aluminium and calcium, silicate) In irregular radiating bunches in schist. Locality, west slope of Hamilton Hill, near the Hercules Mine. 43 Melilite. — {Complex silicate.) As microscopic rock-forming crystals in the melilite basalt of the Shannon Tier and One Tree Point, near Hobart. 44 Microcline. — {Triclinic potash soda felspar.) Occurs abundantly in the hypersthene granite of St. Mary's Pass. 28 UNRECOHDRD AND OTHER .MINKRALS 45 MiLLERiTE. — (Sulphide of 7iick(l.) In the characteristic capillary patches in quartz, with pentlandite — near the Colebrook Mine. Ringville. 46 MONAZITE. — (Phosphate of cerium metals.) This mineral has been obtained in a fine granular form in alluvial at the following localities, in ad- dition to those quoted in the " Minerals of Tas- mania " : — Stanley River, South Esk Tin Mine (Ben Lomond), Briseis Tin Mine (Derby), the Pioneer Tin Mine (Mt. Stronach), and at the Khaki Mine at the foot of the Meredith Range). 47 Natrolite. — (Hydrous sodium and aluminium sili- cate.) Somewhat abundant in massive pure white masses and pockets, which often exhibit distinct rhombic crystals agglutinated together, Nephelinite, Shannon Tier. 48 Nephelite. — (Ortho silicate of sodium, potassium, and aluminium..) In microscopic crystals, as an essential constituent in the nephelinite of the Shannon River. 49 NoNTRONiTE. — (Hydrated iron silicate.) A green variety of chloropal. Occurs of a pale yel- low-green colour. Middlesex. 50 OsMiRiDiUM. — (Iridium and osmium in varying pro- portio7is.) A fine nugget of this substance was recently obtained in the Whyte River, near its junction with the Pieman. The specific gravity was 19-5, and weight 60 grains. 51 Pectolite. — (Metasilicate of sodium and calcite.) Occurs in fibrous radiating bunches of a pure white silkv subvitreous lustre — Upper Emu River. W. R. Bell. 52 Penninite. — (Basic silicate of magnesium, aluminium, and iron.) In dark, almost olive-green, masses and crystals, the latter sometimes over |'/ across. It is invariably associated with quartz — Tharsis Copper Mine. Mt. Lyell. OCCURRING IN TASMANIA. 29 53 Perofskite. — (Tifanite of calcium.) Microscopical crystals in the melilite basalt of the Shannon Tier. 54 Petterdite. — {A new oxychloride of lead. Fro. Royal Soc, Tas., 1901.) Occurs implanted and in bunches of pseudo-hexa- gonal crystals — Britannia Mine. Zeehan. 55 Pharmacosiderite. — (Hydrous basic iron arsenate.) Found as coatings of microscopic cubic crystals of an intensely green colour and bright lustre — Magnet Mine. (R. F. Waller.) 56 Phosgenite. — (Chlorocarbonate of lead.) Some fine adamantine crystals of this somewhat rare mineral have been obtained at the Comet Mine, Dundas, with anglesite and cerussite. 57 PiCOTiTE. — (Aluminafe of inagnesium and chrome.) Chrome spinel is stated to occur in the vicinity of Zeehan. (Krause, "_ Mineralogy," p. 245.) Abun- dant in the alluvial of the Heazlewood River. 58 Prosopite. — {Hydrous fluoride of aluminium and calcium.) Occurs as a granular powder, and often kaolinised. It is associated with decomposed green tourmaline (zeuxite), which is so characteristic of Mt. Bischoff Tin Mine. 59 Rhodonite. — {Metasilicate of manganese.) Massive^ in a somewhat impure form as a boulder in a large asbestos seam in serpentine on the ground leased to the Australasian Asbestos Com- pany at Anderson's Creek, west of Beaconsfield. Called "red quartz" by the miners. (W. H. Twelvetrees.) 60 Saponite. — (Hydrous magnesium and cduminium silicate.) Occurs in patches of a yellow to brown colour and glimmering lustre, with chrome ochre and quartz on the hanging-wall of a reef at the Duchess of York Mine, Salisbury. White and amorphous at Trial Harbour. West Coast. 30 UNRECORDED AND OTHER MINERALS 61 ScAPOLiTE. — (Hydrous silicate of alu7ninium and cal- cium.^ This mineral was found as loosened rounded boulders in a seam of asbestos occurring in the serpentine at Anderson's Creek, near Beaconsfield. It was mis- taken by the miners for quartz, which it somewhat resembles. It has, however, a slightly greenish tinge, and its hardness is only between 5 and 6. It is soluble with difficulty in HCl. Microscopical characters. — Confusedly crystalline, with the larger crystal faces obscurely divergent. The crystals often form rosettes. Double refrac- tion, strong ; interference colours higher than quartz; extinction straight in longitudinal sec- tions; no sensible absorption. Scapolite is mostly found in schists and gneiss. It also occurs in amphibolites and ophites. When it is found in gabbro, it has been derived from felspar, and this may have been the case here, though there is some reason to believe that the serpentine was originally pyroxenite. Scapolite is undeniably a secondary mineral, and was here formed during the hydro-metamorphic process of serpentinisation. (W. II. Twelvetrees.) 62 ScHEELiTE. — (Tungstate of calcium.) Analysis of a sample of this mineral from Mt. Ram- say: — W O2 = 79-77 M O3 = trace Ca O = 19 65 99-42 (Dana, ' System, of Mineralogy," page 987.) 63 ScHROTTERiTE. — {Hydfous aluminium silicate.) A soft brittle white to honey-yellow coloured gum- like substance, occurring as an incrustation and in patches in a fissure in Silurian slate. It decom- poses to a white powder. Occasionally it is stalac- titic or mamillated, and easily falls to pieces. Obtained near the Pieman River. OCCUKRING IN TASMANIA. 31 64 SiEGENiTE. — {Sulphide of cobalt and nickel.) Occurs massive, of a steel-grey colour, intermixed with magnetite, pyrite, and niccolite. Rocky River Mine. 65 SoDALiTE. — {G hi or OS Hi cat e of sodium and aluminium.) In the elaeolite syenite of Port Cygnet, changed to natrolite. 66 Spodumene. — (^Aluminium and lithium metasilicate.) Variety, triphane. Several thin flakes of this substance have been obtained in alluvial tin workings near Mt. Cameron, with quartz, topaz, and sapphire. It is of the very characteristic yellow-green colour, and quite indis- tinguishable from the clear samples found in Brazil. It might easily be mistaken for a variety of corundum — Oriental topaz — or even quartz ; in fact, it is highly probable that it is more abundant than supposed, but has been overlooked from its resemblance to the minerals mentioned. Some minute bright green specks in granite from Ring- arooma are probably the same mineral. 67 Stilbite. — (Hydrous sodium, calcium, and aluminium silicate.) In large radiating masses of a yellow-brown colour imbedded in basalt vitrophyre. Bell Mount, Middlesex. 68 Strigovite. — (A basic silicate of iron and aluminium:) A chlorite-like mineral consisting of a black shining aggregate of minute plates, in the fractures decom- posed to brown. Occurs as a narrow band a few inches wide in granite — near the Great Republic Tin Mine. Ben Lomond. 69 Stromeyerite. — (Sulphide of copper and silver.) Analysis of an amorphous slug from the Mt. Lyell Mine : — Ag = 13-80 = 4507 ozs. 19 dwts. 23 s^rs. per ton Pb = 1-60 Cu = 32-46 As = 3-17 Sb = trace Fe = 19-26 S = 38-27 98-66 32 UNRECORDED AND OTIIKR MINKRALS 70 SuLPHcm. — (Native.) Found ill minute blebs on crystallised and other galenite. Magnet Mine. 71 Symplesite. — (Hydrous iron arsenate.) Occurs thickly coating gossan in small radiating blue- green tufts, of great attractiveness under the lens. Magnet Mine. 72 Tennantite. — (Sulpharsenite of copjjer.) Analysis of a sample from No. 4 adit, Mt. Lyell Mine : — Ag- = 054 Cu = 16-17 As = 13-82 Sb = 17-10 Fe = 16-39 S = 30-77 94-79 73 Tephroite. — (Orthosilicate of manganese.) Occurs in crystallised masses of a dark reddish- brown colour and greasy lustre. Blyth River. 74 Tetrahedrite. — (Sulphantimonite of copper.) Variety, Freihergite. Analysis of a pure sample from the Hercules Mine, Mt. Read: — Ag = 9-82 per cent. = 3201-32 ozs. per ton. All = -0019 „ = 13 dwts Cu = 29-76 As = 2-69 Fe = 4-56 S = 27-21 9i-7319 Balance, insoluble matter. • Occurs in well developed crystals at the 650-ft. level, Western Mine, Zeehan. 75 Thomsonite. — (Hydrous sodium- calcium-aluminium silicate.) In bunches of white capillary fibres coating vughs in the nephelinite of the Shannon Tier. OCCUERING IN TASMANIA. 83 76 Variscite. — (Hydrous phosphate of aluminhim.) As incrustations, often with a uniform surface. General character somewhat dull, but of a bright emerald-green colour, and thus sometimes mistaken for an ore of copper. Associated with wavellite. Back Creek. Implanted in the cleavages of quartz. Lefroy. 77 VoLTZiTE. — {Oxy sulphide of zinc.) Formed as an incrustation of a thin lamellar struc- ture and globular; colour, clove-brown. Very- Rare. Silver Crown Mine, Zeehan. 78 Wavellite. — {Hydrous basic phosphate of alu- ?niniu7n.) Occurs in small white discs, with the characteristic radiating structure implanted in the cleavages of sandstone. Ballast Quarry, Zeehan — Comstock Line. 79 Wolfram. — (Tungstate of iron and manganese.) An unusual occurrence 'df this mineral is in small patches, associated with stannite and pyrite, at the Oonah Mine. Zeehan. Occurs in the form of small brown crystals in quartz. Mt. Bischoff Mine. 80 Zeuxite. — {A ferriferous tourmaline.) A peculiar variety of tourmaline of a dark green colour, of remarkable habit. It is confined to and characteristic of the tin-deposits of Mt. Bischoff, where it occurs in great abundance, often forming rock masses of considerable size. Its common habit is in short acicular crystals, which are interlaced together into irregular bunches. Both colour and habit are very constant. •^ I THE TIMBER INDUSTRY. By A. O. GREEN. FOREST PRODUCTS. Among many other natural resources, Tasmania possesses large forests of valuable timbers. It is a land of forests, extending in many places to the water's edge, and producing more than 50 varieties of timber trees, fromi which woods suitable for almost any purpose may be obtained. There is no lighter Pine than the Tasmanian King William, and none more durable than the Huon Pine. Tasmanian Hori- zontal is almost the toughest wood in the world ; while the Native Ironwood resembles Lignum, Vitce in weight and hardness, and is used for pulley-wheels and plummer-blocks. The Tasmanian Beech (locally known as Myrtle) is as strong as English Ash, and in character resembles the hardest and heaviest English Beech. The Native Box and Whitewood are suitable for engraving blocks and fine turnery, and there are more than a dozen species of Tasmanian trees adapted for ornamental and decorative purposes. One of the most beautiful ornamental timbers, the Blackwood (Acacia me- lanoxylon) — often used in the outlying districts for making post and rail fences — has for many years past been exten- sively used in Melbourne for the manufacture of billiard- tables, and within the last few years by well-known London firms for pianos. Some of it is called locally " fiddle-back," from the resemblance of its grain to that of the back of a fiddle. It is of a rich reddish brown to an almost black colour, banded with golden-brown. The Huon Pine, from which large panels up to three feet in width can be cut, the grain of which is curiously curled and spotted, like the " bird's-eye " Maple, is of a light yellow colour, turning browner with age. Some Red Myrtle trees also produce 36 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. good figured-timber. The Myrtle is also subject to a growth which produces large bosses on the trunk two or three feet across and a foot thick, which are prized for veneers and ornamental work. The boles of the Musk, the wood of which is of a yellowish brown colour, and takes a very high finish, have a great reputation for furniture-wood. There are also a number of the smaller trees, from which pretty wood can be obtained for inlaying and the smaller kinds of ornamental work. These are all used locally, and are highly esteemed, but are not to be found in such quanti- ties as to form the basis of a trade by themselves. Tasmania has a great wealth of ornamental wood besides these, which is at present almost entirely neglected. The various Gum trees grow with a straight, clean barrel to an immense height, and above six to ten feet from the ground the trunks have a very small amount of taper, but from two feet below the ground to this height there are curving buttresses spring- ing from the roots which all unite to form the trunk of the tree. This part of the wood is so hard to chop that trees are never felled less than three feet from the ground, and often scaffolds are erected to enable the woodman to cut the tree through at a point from six to twelve feet above the ground. These stumps are left as they stand, and oft-en contain the most beautiful wood, from a yellow to a bistre brown colour, crinkled and waved and barred, the grain of which, when polished, has a singularly bright appearance. Very occasionally such stumps of trees are got up, and are reduced to panels for wardrobes and drawer-fronts, but as a rule they are entirely neglected, and left to decay where they grew. This ornamental wood, if systematically put upon the market, would be valuable, as it can b© supplied in quantity, and natural curves very suitable for furniture- making can be got. In Tasmania the forest lands may be classed as " bush " and " forest." In the Tasmanian " bush " the timber trees are comparatively small, and the undergrowth appears either in patches or, if continuous, is so stunted that little TASMANIAN TIMBEKS. 37 difficulty is experienced in walking through it. In the forests the reverse is the case. The soil may be of tlhe richest - or poorest description, but, thanks to the humid atmosphere, due to the proximity of the sea in every direc- tion, and the fact that the mountain peaks of Tasmania draw down the rain-clouds sweeping up from the Southern Ocean, the prodigality of growth is equalled only in tropical regions. In many cases not a foot of soil can be seen, so dense is this wealth of foliage. The ground is covered with cat-head fern (Aspidium aculeatum) from one to two feet in height, or with " lady " fern (Pteris incisa) rising to three or four feet. Above these rise the '' tree " ferns (Dicksonia antarctica and Alsophila australis), growing from four to eighteen feet in height. Above these rise the smaller trees locally termed " scrub," though their height ranges from 'ten to forty feet or more, their diameter being from three to twelve inches — the M.usk (^01 earia argophylla), Dogwood (Fomaderris apetala), Wooden Pear {Hakea acicularis) , Sas- safras (^Atherosperma moschata), and several minor species, soine of them flowering shrubs. Above all this wealth of foliage rise the timber trees, straight in grain, because they have to struggle upwards to the sunlight (which rarely falls on the lower growi^h of ferns), and branchless until they have far overtopped the scrub below them. These forest giants are confined to the Eucalypti, or " Hardwoods," of Tasmania, the Myrtle, though it attains a large girth, not being so lofty. The principal agricultural districts in this State have been " carved " out of the primeval forest. To the agricultural settler the timber, so valuable elsewhere, is (except such as he requires for buildings, fences, &c.), the bane of his exist- ence, and his whole energy is devoted to destroying it with axe and fire. Fortunately for the timber, the inhabitants have so far been too few to appreciably diminish the immense extent of forest with which the Island is covered. Tasmania has until of recent years been far from a market, but the knitting together of the countries of the world by 38 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. improved steam communication, and the increased scarcity of timber in the older countries, make it apparent that Ihecre is an opening for the profitable employment of capital and enei'gy in rendering marketable the various vegetable pro- ducts of this State. There is a steady trade with the other Australian States and New Zealand, and timber is also sent to South Africa, to England, and the Continent of Europe. Tasmanian Eucalyptus oil is sent all over the world, but as yet the trade is very small compared with v/hat it might be, and several industries are quite un- touched. Pyroligneous acid and potash might be made, also wood-pulp, besides wliich the distillation of essential oils could be largely increased. One common tree, the Native Box (Btfrsaria spinosa), pi the order Pittosporice, is impregnated with a very fragrant resin, while the Oyster Bay Pine {Frenela rhomb oidea) exhudes gum sandarach, and the grass-tree (Xanthorrwa), a red reein which is used as dragonVblood for staining and for making varnish. The Tea-trees {Melaleuca and Leptospermuvi) and other trees have very fragrant leaves, and contain both essential oils and tannin. Many of the smaller trees, producing excellent timber for a variety of purposes, are neglected and wasted because they are so dwarfed by the giant Eucalypti as to be considered not worth the cutting. Truly the Eucalypti are noble trees, growing in serried ranks, with a smooth, clean trunk, sixty, seventy, eighty feet and more (sometimes over two hundred), without a limb, and from four to twelve feet in diameter. The wood is hard, strong, and tough; some very free, making excellent shingles and palings; some witih the grain interlocked. They contain a resin which is used medicinally, and is called " kino." The leaves give Eucalyptus oil, and the flowers are full of honey. The bark contains fibre suitable for paper, also tannin. The wood is rich in pyroligneous acid, and the twigs and leaves in potash and valuable essential oils. The seeds^ also are marketable abroad. At present trees are cut down for the seeds alone, or for oil or for timber; but it seems certain TASMANIAN TIMBERS, 39 that, when the industries of sawing, pulping, and distilling are ccxmbined, as well as the utilisation of the small trees that abound among the larger ones, the expenses of each industry will be considerably reduced, the forests will be- come a large source of revenue, and the old ground be better re-afforested for coming generations than under the present system. Tasmania, with its temperate climate, reliable rainfall, and land-locked harbours, affords special facilities for the growth and export of timber. Deep arms of the sea run inland, reducing land-carriage to a minimum; and from sheltered inlets the ground rises to a central plateau, where lakes conserve water to feed rapidly-falling streams, which provide ideal sources of motivenpower. It is the policy of the Government to encourage legitimate enterprise, and the terms for leases of timbered lands and water-rights are almost nominal, as niay be seen by the following extracts : — SAWMILL AREAS. A lease may be obtained on application to the Commis^ sioner of Crown Lands, for a period not exceeding twenty- one years, of an area not exceeding five thousand acres, at an annual rental of one pound for every hundred acres per annum, in advance; and the payment of a royalty of — M. per 1000 superficial feet of Eucalyptus timber, cut in the log. 55. „ „ „ „ of other than Eucalyptus timber, cut in the log. If a siurvey is necessary to define the lease, fees have to be paid by the applicant for the lease, at varying rates from five pounds for a fifty-acre block to fifty pounds for a five^ thousand acre block, and approved machinery and plant must be put up of a nominal power varying from eight horse-power for a two-hundred-acre block to twenty-five horse-power for a five-thousand-acre block. The lessee must also use due diligence and despatch in removing the 40 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. timber from his lease, and employ an adequate number of men. Detailed information may be obtained on application to the Agent-General in London, or to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hobart, Tasmania. WATER. The general rate for the use of water is one pound per annum for a flow of twenty-four cubic feet per minute, which is known as a '' mining sluice-head." < < Oi c > ^ o _ £?^ H -J <; b.0 DQ 2 O ^ ^ < < DQ O 2 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 41 TASMANIAN TIMBER. MYRTACEAE GUM TREES (Eucalypti). Eucalyptus means well-covered, because the flower-bud is covered with a lid, which is forced off when the flower expands. Of all Tasnianian trees Gum trees are the most remark- able, from the immense size to which they attain,, thedr very general distribution over the Island, and the wide range of uses to which their products may be put. The tmnks of these trees are straight and cylindrical for a hundred feet and upwards, with only a small amount of taper; the whole tree will measure from two to over three hundred feet in height; the diameter of well-grown trees, varying from three to six feet commonly, and up to twelve and fifteen feet above the buttresses. Piles have been recently cut for the Admiralty Works, Dover, one hundred and twenty feet long and twenty inches square. Bridge beams and large wharf -timbers also are cut on " the quarter," not sided down out of the round timber, as is done with smaller European trees. In Tasmania timber is got from the virgin forest, not from plantations or artificially-made forests, as sawmills have not been established for a sufficient length of time for secondary gi'owths of the Gum or Eucalyptus timber to grow to their full size. In consequence of this, trees that are somewhat past their prime may be cut with others. In aged trees the first part tq fail is the centre or heart-wood, the wood ia- 'creasing in strength towards the outside of the tree, the best part being the ring inside the sap wood. This is always borne in mind in getting or inspecting timber; any show- ing signs of being near the heart is either rejected or very 42 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. carefully tested. The growing tree and felled timber left in the bush is also subject to the attack of grubs (the larvae of beetles), which riddle the wood with small holes the size of a pin-head. The holes are so small that the roughness left by the saw will hide them unless carefully looked for, and any timber showing them should be rejected. This is known as " specky timber." The timbers of the various Eucalypti or Gum so closely resemble each other that it is a matter of great difficulty to say with any degree of certainty from which particular variety any specimen was cut. In the two best-known varieties — Blue Gum and Stringy Bark — the leaves, flowers, fruit, and bark are quite distinct. Blue Gum is, on the average, seven to eight per cent, heavier than Stringy Bark, though mature, slow-growm Stringy Bark will be much heavier than some specimens of Blue Guni, so that identification of the wood after the tree is cut up is difficult. BLUE GUM {Eucalyptus globulus). This tree takes its name of globulus from the large seed- vessels, which appear of a globular form on the tree. It is named Blue Gum because of the colour of the young growth, which is of a glaucous blue tint. It is found abundantly in the south-west, but is not generally distributed, like the Stringy Bark. Blue Gum grows up to two hundred feet in height, and one hundred and twenty feet before the first branch springs, with a diameter of from four to ten feet at the butt. The coloair of this timber when planed is of a golden yellow to purplish brown or buff. The grain, especially of the butt of the tree, is considerably crossed and interlocked; in the upper portions of the tree the grain is freer, and splits well when green. It is especially esteemed for piles, owing to the large size that it attains, and the comparative immunity it enjoys from the attacks of the Teredo. It is also used for ship and boat building, the superstructure of wharves and bridges; builders' scantlings of all kinds, joists, frames. f 0' FELLING A STR I N GY- B A R K. TASMANIAN TIMBERS. beams, flaor-boards ; wheelwrights' work, for naves, shafts, swingletreee, felloes, spokes, and body work. It is very durable, both in the water — especially searwater — and in the air. In the Exhibition held in Hob art, in 1894, amongst the Government exhibits was a sample of bridge-decking that had been about fifty years under foot-traffic, and which was still hard and sound. A timber also was shown which formed part of the original Bridgewater Ferry punt, built in 1818. The punt had been destroyed by blasting about fifty years before, and the wreck had been lying on the foreshore, between high and low water mark, and where there is Teredo, ever since. This timber, when cut out and planed in 1894, showed no sign of decay, and beyond being stained by the iron fastenings the wood was absolutely fresh. At the same Exhibition were shown bent shafts, turned naves, spokes, and hammer-handles, all cut from Blue Gum timber. In Tasmania the rainfall of different districts varies from twenty to sixty inches per annum; the Government Rail- ways are ballasted with gravel, and on these railways Blue Gum sleepers six feet six by nine inches by five inches have an average life of fourteen years. The life of the wharf-piling in Hobart is reported to be twenty-five years. These piles) are up to eighty feet in length, and are driven in forty feet of sea-water, where they are subject to the attacks of the Teredo. The oldest wharf now in use was erected in 1868, and has stood till now (1902) without renewal. The waggon ferry-steamer plying across Hobart Harbour, built of Blue gum, has been run- ning about fifty years without any repair or caulking to the hull. Throughout the country there are several small factories, where the essential oil is extracted from the leaves. This oil is exported for medicinal use and for varnish to various parts of the world, and is probably the only example in which what may be termed the " by-product '' of a tree is 44 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. utilised in Tasmania. The Blue Gum has been largely planted in Southern Europe, South Africa, Anierica, and India, both for its timber — which it produces more rapidly than almost any other tree — and for the beneficial effect it has upon the climate of marshy and malarial districts. The exhalation of its essential oil and its vigorous circula- tion together purify the air, and make the soil more healthy. RED GUM (^Eucalyptus stuartiana). This variety produces timber very similar to the Blue Gum, but of a red-brown colour. It is not a large tree, and is rather branching. MUELLER'S GUM {Eucalyptus Muelleri). This is a fine, tall, straight tree, with a very heavy reddish timber, hard and strong, but does not grow in quantity near a shipping port. It is a valuable tree, and appears to stand a considerable amount of frost. STRINGY BARK {Eucalyptus ohliqua). The distinguishing name ohliqua is from the leaf, the two lobes of which are unequally divided by the midrib, and the foot-stalk springs from one side obliquely, not from the middle of the end of the leaf. It is termed Stringy Bark from its bark, which is of great thickness and of a fibrous nature. Stringy Bark trees are very much more widely distributed through the Island than the Blue Gum ; growing over large tracts of poor, hilly country, they attain to an immense size, up to three hundred feet in height and from two to ten feet in diameter. The wood is on the whole of a lighter colour than Blue Gum, and varies from a pale straw to a reddish brown. In appearance brown Stringy Bark is somewhat like Oak, and it would be a difficult matter for most people to distinguish a picture-frame made of Stringy Bark from one made of Oak. < < m m < m Q 7- < D O DJ D CD TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 45 The timber varies very considerably, according to the situation and soil in which the tree grows. In appearance it is freer than Blue Gum, but lacks the purplish tint, and is more subject to gum-veins. It is the most general timber for all sorts ol constructive works in this State. It makes excellent piles, especially for fresh water, but is not considered quite so good as Blue Gum for salt water, being more subject to the attacks of the Teredo. It is also used for shipbuilding, the construction of wharves and bridges, and for railway sleepers; for the dado, flooring, and fitting of houses, and for furniture; it is also an excellent wheelwright's wood. When polished ft very much resembles Oak, but has a more sparkling grain ; it has a very pretty effect when used for a ballroom floor, or for wain&cotting. Besides being sawn for almost every purpose. Stringy Bark is split into fencet-rails, palings, and shingles. It is certain that if this wood and the Blue Gum, properly pre- pared, were exported to London, a ready sale would be found for it for the construction of carts and vans. It would very well take the place of English Oak and Ash used for this purpose, which are every year becoming scarcer. In the Tasmanian International Exhibition before-men- tioned a Stringy Bark sleeper was shown by the Government that had been twenty-five years under traffic. The usual life of this timber in bridges is from twenty to twenty-five years; sleepers average about fourteen years, and none of the Government Railway buildings — some of which were built twenty-seven years ago, chiefly of this timber — have yet been renewed. Wood Pavement. The Stringy Bark of Tasmania is especially suited for wood-paving. It is preferable to Jarrah, being quite as durable, gives a better surface, and is also lighter in weight. If properly laid on a good foundation Stringy Bark blocks 46 TASMANIAN TIMHERS. will wear out two sets of the Deal or Beech blocks which are largely used in European cities. Stringy Bark is evenly hard all through, the annual rings of growth not being so well defined as in Fir timber, and there are no alternate layers of soft spongy wood to absorb moisture. Stringy Bark blocks do not polish under traffic, but give a good foothold for horses. The mode of laying found most successful in Australia is, first, to form a solid concrete foundation, accurately rendered, to the camber and incline of the roadway; second, to dip the blocks in boiling gas-tar, drain them, and again dip and drain ; third, to bed the blocks, end grain up, close together, in hot pitch and tar, grouting as the work proceeds with hot tar, pitch, and sand ; fourth, to pay the surface with a good coat of hot tar and pitch, with plenty of hot, coarse sand, sprinkled as the work is payed. An expansive joint is usually left between the blocking and the kerb. Stringy Bark blocks laid as above will last under heavy traffic from fourteen to twenty years. The Stringy Bark paving of the roadways of the Hobart Market building, laid in 1853, are still doing duty. PEPPERMINT {Eucalyptus amygdalina). This variety is called amygdalina from its almond-like leaves, and peppermint from the scent of the leaves, which contain a larger percentage of essential oil than those of any other Tasn>anian Gum. This division of the Eucalyptus family produces several very different classes of timber; one variety, growing upon dry ridges and reaching a height of one hundred feet, with two to three feet of diameter, supplies the most durable wood of any of the Gums in the State. It is especially used for sinking in the ground, or for shingles; and fence posts, in districts where it can be obtained, are always specified to be of Peppennint. The wood is more of a brown red than the Blue Gum and Stringy Bark. TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 47 This quality of timber is not to be found in large quanti- ties at any point of the Island within easy reach of a ship- ping port. GUM-TOPPED STRINGY BARK (Eucalyptus haemastoma.) A second variety of the amygdalina division is known as Gum-topped Stringy Bark from the base being clothed with rough hairy bark, like the Stringy Bark, while the upper trunk and limbs have smooth grey bark, like the Blue Gum. This tree is very plentiful throughout large districts of the Island, and produces jfine straight timber ; it grows up to two hundred feet in height and four feet in diameter. The wood is easily split, and when sawn makes excellent house-framing, floor-boards, skirting-boards, &;c., but it has not the strength of the Blue Gum or the Stringy Bark ; neither is it so good for resisting the weather. It would be an extremely valuable hardwood for any purpose not requiring the utmost strength, and makes good staves for casks. SWAMP GUM {Eucalyptus regnans). Swamp Gum, another variety of the amygdaliria sub- division, grows to a large size, has a wood of a light brown colour, which, when kept dry, is of great strength, and when planed up and polished makes an excellent fumitureHWOod for wardrobes, &c., and inside fittings of houses. It has a bright sparkling gi^ain, and takes a very good finish. This wood is discredited chiefly because it is sometimes sold for Stringy Bark or Blue Gum, and used for purposes for which it is entirely unfit. It is not lasting in the ground or if exposed to the weather. WHITE OR MANNA GUM {Eucalyptus viminalis). A sort of willow; is called viminalis from its growing upon the Viminal Hill of Rome, and White Gum is called viminalis from the leaves resembling those of the Willow Viminalis. Called White Gum from its very white, silvery 48 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. bark, and Manna Gum from a peculiar exudation from the leaves and bark somewhat resembling the icing of a wedding- cake, and caused by the punctures of insects. This tree grows to a very large diameter, eight to twelve feet ; the timber is reddish when green, and from a pale straw to ivory colour when seasoned. When dry it is brittle, and does not last in the weather, and so has the name of being useless; it is, however, a very useful hardwood for internal fittings. It can be got in wide planks, and when properly cut and seasoned will stand very w^ell. When used for wardrobes^ and polished, it has much the appearance of Ash. IRON BARK {Eucalyptus sieberiana). This is a tree that is locally distributed in the higher land of the north-east, and produces a very fair timber. The trees grow from a hundred to a hundred and thirty feet high and from two to four feet in diameter, but are not within reach of a shipping port. The timber is used for general construction works, piles, post and rail fences, builders" scantlings, &c. CIDER GUM {Eucalyptus gunnii). Named from its sweet sap; is rather a branching tree, from which long planks cannot be obtained. It will stand a considerably colder climate than the other Gums, and the seeds are sometimes inquired for from abroad for sow^ing in districts subject to frosts. WEEPING GUM {Eucalyptus coriacea). This is a mountain species, and does not grow to a great size. The timber is somewhat similar to the viminalis or White Gum. The last three varieties have been mentioned more with a view of completing the list of trees that will produce timber than for any use they may be commercially. There are some three or four other species that do not grow beyond the size of a bush ; but, besides producing essential oils, these are only of interest botanically. TASMANIAN TIMBEES. 49 IDENTIFICATION OP TIMBER. As before mentioned, the/ identification and differentiation of the above-mentioned timbers, if not absolutely impossible, requires a lifelong acquaintance with the subject. The present botanical classification is not exact ; each name may- be said to cover several closely-allied varieties, rather than one specific kind. The bushman and the man who lives amongst timber would scout the idea of Gum-topped Stringy Bark being called a Peppermint; but Peppermint is a divi- sion to which this tree comes nearest botanically. Then trees, acknowledged to be of exactly the same kind, will produce very different timber, according to where they grow. For instance, upon a rocky eminence or in a sheltered river- bottom, the timber will differ in texture, in colour, in dura- bility, and in weight, according to soil and situation. Then, as to durability. Timber cut when the sap is in full flow will shrink and warp to a very much greater ex- tent than that which is cut when the tree, either through cold weather or from drought, is in a dormant stage; it will also decay more readily. Of course, when a mill has to be kept cutting logs, it is difficult to arrange all the felling at the most suitable time of the year ; but if the tree is ring-barked six months be- fore it is letlecl, the timber got out of it will be of a better quality than that taken from a tree in full growth. Young and free-gr«j'vn trees will give a very different class of tim- ber to that got from a slow-growing tree of the same class. To these difficulties must be added the fact that timber from all the varieties of trees before-named is put upon the market as '' Tasmanian Hardwood," and from the descrip- tions of the various sorts given, and from the specific gravities and strengths shown in the accompanying tables, it will be seen that the terms " Hardwood," " Gum," or " Eucalyptus Timber " are not terms under which timber for any special purpose should be bought. 60 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. CORYLACEAE MYRTLE OR BEECH {Fagus cunninghami). This is a true Beech, but the local name is Myrtle, probably so-called from its small dark leaves. It is a tree that grows in great abundance over the western half of the Island. It attains a height of one hundred and fifty feet, with a diameter of from two to four feet. The wood varies from a greyish-brown to a brown pink ; when planed, it takes a beautiful surface, and, like the European Beech, always wears smooth. It is a strong, close-grained timber, and except for the colour, resembles European Beech, but is of considerably greater average strength. If cut from a level of eight hundred feet or up- wards above the sea, and felled in the winter, it is a very fairly durable wood for outside work, but it is apt to " go " between wind and water. It makes splendid felloes, staves for tight casks, saddle-trees, gun-stocks, and all sorts of turnery, floors, skirtings, and dados. The pinker tints make handsome furniture. The seasoning and treatment of this timber should be exactly that of European Beech, and it must be felled in the winter to get the best results. Although there are such large quantities of Cunninghami to be obtained in the Island, very little of it has been ex- ported hitherto ; probably because the chief beds of this timber are not near a shipping port. It is very generally distributed, and produces an excellent timber for a variety of purposes. The difference between the grey and the pink is hard to account for, as they are botanically identical, and there is no apparent reason for the difference. The railway from Emu Bay to Zeehan now passes through many miles of Beech country, so that there is a better pros- pect of this timber being utilised. TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 61 ACACIAS BLACKWOOD (^Acacia melanoxylon) . Melanoxylon means blackwood. This tree is very gener- ally distributed, but only grows in single trees or in clumps. It attains a height of sixty to eighty feet, and a diameter of from two to four feet. It is of a dark-brown colour, with reddish rings, but sometimes of a li^ht-brown. It has much the appearance of Walnut, and m.akes an excellent furniture wood. Some trees are beautifully figured. It is used for all kinds of furniture, including pianos and billiard tables. The timber varies in quality, and the sort where the reddish grain predominates is called, locally, '' Pencil Cedar." Again, a third variety, which is of a lighter colour, lighter weight, and freer grain, is called " Lightwood." These three names for varieties of the same timber sometimes cause confusion. There is a small but steady output of this timber, and it is exported to the other States of the Commonwealth for furniture, carriage-building, and as staves for casks ; but there it not sufficient quantity of it, in accessible places, for a large trade. SILVER WATTLE {Acacm dealhatd). So called from its blue-green silvery foliage. It is a tree that grows up to fifty or sixty feet in height, with a diameter of from twelve to thirty inches, and produces a somewhat porous timber of a dark-brown to a yellow-brown colour, easily split, fairly tough, and used and exported chiefly for cask stave®. It is occasionally used for furniture, and when polished has a very handsome grain. This timber is not to be had in large quantities. The bark is used for tanning. BLACK WATTLE {Acacia decurrens). Called " black " from its dark bark and dark green leaves, and decurrens from two lines " running down " from the 52 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. base of the leaf-stalk. It produces a wood similar to the Silver Wattle, but darker in colour, heavier, and stronger The bark is so valuable, and largely used for tanning, that very feAv large trees are to be found. It will grow to a height of forty feet, and a diameter of two feet. It comes up readily from seed in light soils, and may be made a profit- able source of income, if systematically cultivated, for the bark. CONIFERAE HUON PINE (Dacrydium franklinii). The Huon Pine, so-called from the Huon River, where first found, and also named after Sir John Franklin, is a pine which grows to a great size in the river-bottoms of the West Coast, with a diameter of eight or ten feet, but the ordinary size of the tree will give a plank of from fourteen to thirty inches in width and up to twenty feet in length. The wood is straight-grained, and heavy for a pine, of a bright yellow straw-colour, and very full of an essential oil, which causes it to be almost rot-proof. When made into furniture, the essential oil slowly oxidises, and the wood turns to a smoky-brown colour with age. It is a splendid joiner's wood, and is especially useful for boat-planking, a^ the teredo objects to the essential oil. The supply is little more than sufficient for the local de- mand, but it is a timber that is well worth systematic culti- vation. Most of the finest timber grows below flood-level, and it is an exception to the rule that durable timber does not grow in swampy ground, Huon Pine being one of the most durable timbers known. It is not a tough wood, having rather a short fracture, but it steams and bends well. Some trees will cut very handsome figured panels. It has a strong and, to some people, rather a sickly odour. The logs are cut in almost inaccessible gullies, and floated down the streams to the seaport, where they are shipped, generally, to Hobart. TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 53 KING WILLIAM PINE {Athrotaxis selagmoides and A throtaxis cupressoides — Cypress-like). This pine is so named froin the leaf resembling the selaginela, an ornamental tree-moss well known in hot- houses. It grows on the high lands in the north and west from two to four feet in diameter, and forty or fifty in height. It is not very plentiful. The wood varies in colour from a pinkish-yellow^ to pink. It is extremely light, and has a scent like cedar, from which it is called " Pencil Cedar " locally. After it is planed up, there is a slight exu- dation of the resin. It is used for cabinet and joiners' purposes, and for making sculls for racing-boats. Notwith- standing its extreme lightness, it has considerable toughness and strength, and is very durable in the weather, being second only to Huon pine in this respect. CELERY TOP PINE {Phyllocladus Rhomhoidalis). So called from the leaves in the young plant resembling those of the celery. A heavy, strong pine, of a clear yellow colour, useful for boards, internal fittings, or implements. It is very tough, and the shrinkage so small that the general belief is that it will not shrink at all. The smaller trees furnish masts for small vessels. Though not very plentiful, it is well distributed. This tree might also be very usefully cultivated. OYSTER BAY PINE {Frenela rhomhoidea). A tree on the East Coast, deriving its name from the locality in which it is chiefly found. It grows from ten to fifteen inches in diameter. The supply of timber from this tree is nominal, as the trees have been nearly all cut out, or burnt, but it is a tree well worth preserving and cultivating, as its timber is of extrenie durability. It makes good posts ; is also used for hop-poles, gates, and carpenters' work, and is a strong useful timber. It produces a fragrant resin (like gum sanderach) suitable for varaish. 64 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. SASSAFRAS (Atherosperma moschata). This tree grows in creek bottoms to a height of forty to a hundred feet, and from twelve to eighteen inches in diameter. It is a light timber, suitable for wooden pails, brushware, casks, wooden screws, &c., and is a good wood for carving; but it is essential that it should be cut when the sap is down, or it very quickly decays if exposed to weather. The bark and leaves have a pleasant bitter flavour, and the extract is used as a tonic. TASMANIA^ TIMBERS. 55 SMALLER TREES OF TASMAl^IA. Producing useful Timber, which is not exported. LEATHER WOOD {Eucryphia hillardieri). A small tree twenty to forty feet in height, with a trunk of from twelve to thirty inches in diameter, producing an excellent pinkish-brown mottled wood, which is very useful in the manufacture of implements, being somewhat akin in nature to the English ash, but stronger. TEA TREES MELALEUCA ERICAEFOLIA (Leptospermuf?i lanigerum) and {Kiinzea corifoUa). Called "Tea" trees because Captain Cook's sailors are said to have used the leaves for tea. These trees have a brownish timber, which is very lasting, either in the ground or in the water. The swamp teartree grows in salt-water and morasses, and is useful for shelter and the reclamation of land. The leaves, like others of the myrtle tribe, contain essential oils, amongst them, cajeput, which is used medicinally. The timber is used for pick- handles, shafts, wheelwrights' work, paddles, and small piles. HE-OAK (Casvarina suberosa). SHE-OAK (Casuarina quadrivalvis). These are short, bushy trees, growing usually through the open country, having a trunk of six to ten feet and a diameter of eight to ten inches. When green, the colouring of the wood is very rich; but this fades to a brown colour with age. The grain, especially the medullary ray, is very 56 TASMANIAN TIMHERS. marked, giving the wood a bold figure. At present it is used almost solely for firewood ; but it is fairly tough, and useful for implements, and would cut small veneers. LANCEWOOD (Eriostemon squameus), A tree of small growth, with wood of a yellow colour, which is fairly tough, and of a very fine grain ; useful for shafts, swingle-trees, and implements. IRONWOOD (Notelaea Ugustrina). This is a handsome tree, giving a trunk: of ten or twelve feet, with a diameter of from one to two feet. The outer, or sap-wood, is yellow, and the heart-wood of a dark brown, getting darker wath age. It is extremely hard, and is used in place of lignum vitae, also for tools of various kinds. HORIZONTAL {Anodo'petalum higlandulosum). A small-growing tree, which branches over the surface of the ground and forms impenetrable thickets on the West Coast. Before it is thoroughly dry it is of extreme tough ness, almost impossible to break. It is used for tool-handles and implements. When dry it has not the toughness "of English Ash, or American Hickory. DOGWOOD (Pomaderris apetala). A small tree growing thirty to iifty feet in height, but only up to ten inches in diameter. The wood is similar to that of the English pear tree, and is useful for carving, fine turners' work, and drawing instruments. MUSK (Olearia argophylla). A small tree producing a hard brownish wood useful for furniture. Some of the boles would cut veneers of good figure. TASMANIA^ TIMBERS. 57 HONEYSUCKLE (Banksia marginata). This is widely dispersed over the open country, and pro- duces a very curious yellow to pinkish-brown wood of a reticulated or netted appearance. Larvae of certain moths and beetles are so fond of this tree, that it is extremely diffi- cult to get a sound plank of any size. TALLOWWOOD (PHtosporum hicolor). A small tree producing a yellow smooth-grained wood useful for implements and furniture. BOX (Bursaria spinosa). A handsome bushy tree, with white, sweet-scented flowers ; the wood is ivory in colour, and of an even grain, suitable for carving or engraving-blocks. This wood is also very much eaten by larvce, and it is difficult to find a tree over ten inches in diameter that is not perforated. NATIVE CUERANT {Leptomerta billardieri). This tree grows little larger than a bush, but produces a very nice yellowish-brown timber useful for small tools, also for ornamental works and boat-knees. PINKWOOD OR ROSEWOOD {Beyera Viscosa). A small tree with a reddish wood, something like the Rosewood of commerce, but of very small size. It is used for ornamental work and tools. WARATAH (Telopea truncata). This tree may be got up to six inches in diameter. It is famed for its flowers; but the wood is also used for orna- mental joiners' work, and has a very pretty grain. 58 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. LABURNUM (Goodia lotifulia). NATIVE LAUREL {Anopterus glandulosus) . MINT TREE {Prosthanthera lasianthes). All the above are small trees, occasionally used for in- laying and turnery. NATIVE BIRCH (Dodonea viscosa). Has a pink sap and a dark heart-wood of extreme hard- ness, but this tree rarely grows to any size in Tasmania; it is useful for rulers, turnery, &c. NATIVE CHERRY (Exocarpns cujyressiformis). This tree will grow a trunk of six or eight feet long by ten inches in diameter; the wood is a warm red brown. It is used in cabinet work, but is not of commercial value. Its claim to notice is that the fruit is spoken of as the " Austra- lian Cherry," which grows the stone outside instead of in the centre of the fruit ; though, as a matter of fact^ the fruit is more like that of the Yew-tree than the Cherry. TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 59 o m W H O "A /-^ H ^ P^ H PS III O H o C/J ^ H <^* !> j r/j < fi l-H ^ < ;z; ^ U2 1— 1 H :z; w ^ ^ ^ ^ C/J ^ p o ;^ H -^ :z^ ^ < Fh w Ph H o > « 1— 1 p H H ^ ^ < Pm ^ O o M t-^ 't1< be X2 S fa o ^c .S a aJ II 5i^ O ct cS CQ o -* o 00 CO Oi O QC r^ t>. CD <>■ ^ r-H I— I ^ t^ « CD -^ -f -• o CO Tf CO rj ""i* 73 c8 o QQ O 3 O PI d j3 CO o O) C -t^^ OJ cS 5^ > a SS 2-^ go t4 o c -^ -s o o 2 tf 2i . . CS 03 „ o o o PI a OiCD -^COOO t^C0t>.Tj.00Q0»O r-iO C^J^O COO«— 'O'OOC^O^ Ot^ OO'l^OS COCDi>.00(?)"NCOC< G^G^I I— iCOi— I (Jlr-ir— ((S^S^CO — 5^ \0 r-i re nA O l-H Tt CO >0 3 O CD Tt* O O 00 rH CO ^Q ,—1 ,— 1 -^ CD CO CD 'i*< CD Oi CO '^ 00 r:t< O CD CO CO CD C^ Ci -?< CO ** CO r-i 1— I (H CD CO l-H c^ CO 'r> i» !>• !>• lO 00 05 O CD ■<* itO >— ' O 05 00 C^ Tf TfH O 35 O Ol t>- 1— I '^^ o C5 Tf I— I CO "0 O -^ lO CD •>• I— I »?< 1— ( — ( r-H I— I c^ CO O Oi C" o !» CD CD O »C ■^c»:Di>.t>.'0'^iN OO-^^CD-^CO-^ O C^ 00 CD >0 CD I— " t-, CD 'O iC 00 Tf* • Oi CD -* O • '^ CO o O 00 00 •O '^ -* O -^ Oi >0 ■* CO o t» iJ ij cS < O 3 •? '5 c3 CS op P>H m si be S3 -/i - o a OQQS Ph ^ 03 ^^■^ 'O Oh o o A 1% O tri Oj >> -1^ cS O) 01 D UO 60 TASMANIAN I'lMUKKS. TASMANIAN -AUSTRALIAN TIMBERS. (A. O. Green.) Approximate Breaking Weights for Stresses, of Crushing, Shearing, and Tension, in pounds per square inch, from experiments of Professor Kernot, Melbourne University »^ Crushing- Crushing Shearing Tension Tension along across across along across . Fresh cut the grain. the grain. the grain. the grain. the grain. String^ Bark . 4400 2000 2000 10,000 Dry* 8000 4500 2000 22,000 Blue Gum . . . Fresh cut — — — — 1} • • Dry* 0000 4500 2000 22,000 Leatherwood. . Fresh cut — — — — Dry* 8000 6000 2000 Myrtle ... . Fresh cut 5000 — — 10,000 i> Dry* 7000 4500 3000 12,000 Celery-top ' Pine . Fresh cut 4000 — — 3000 5> Dry* 7000 1000 1400 12,000 EUROPEAN TIMBERS. Crushing along Tension along 'I'ension across grain . grain. grain. Min. Max. Mean. Min. Max. Mean. Min. Max. Mean. Ash dry 8700 9500 9000 16,000 19,600 17,600 — — — Bef . 7700 9500 8500 11,000 22,000 17,000 — — — Oak ,, 6500 10,000 8300 9000 20,000 13,600 — — 2316 Deal „ 5500 6500 6000 12,000 18,000 15,400 540 840 626 * Note. — For Australian timbers, and given as an approxi- mate guide, for the breaking weights of Tasmanian timbers, data for which are wanting. The weights given for European timbers are from results obtained by the experimenters enumerated at the head of the Table of Weights and Transverse Strengths on page 29. For purposes of comparison, the " Shearing across the grain " shown for the Tasmanian woods may be taken as equivalent to- the " Tension across the grain " shown for European. ^ TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 61 TRANSVERSE STRENGTH, DEFLECTION, AND ELASTICITY. (A. O. Green.) Experiments made in Hohart in May, June, and July, 1902. Size of specimens 30 x 1 x 1 inches, of Tasmanian timbers of the ordinary quality accepted by the Tasmanian Government Railway Department for maintenance pur- poses— the Deal and Oregon the best that could be got. The time of each experiment was about an hour. About three-fourths of the load was put on slowly, with thirty- pound lead-weights; then fourteen pounds, then lighter weights, until the breaking load was attained ; all at about the rate of thirty pounds in five minutes. The specimens were supported on fixed wooden supports of tvv^o feet clear span, and the weights were placed in a scale-pan hung on the centre of the specimen by a half-inch shackle. The specimens weighed from half to about a pound each, but this weight is neglected in the deductions. In all the experiments but two the sap-side was dow^n and the heart up. The deflection was taken by means of a scale divided to fiftieths of an inch, standing on the specimen and against a fixed board, with a vernier, bridging the span. In the accompanying table the symbols used in the formulae are as follows : — W = weight in pounds, L = length in inches, b = breadth in inches, d = lepth in inches, § = deflection in inches, / = length in feet. S, E and A are constants for transverse breaking " Strength," modulus of " Elasticity," and for the stiffness of beams, the deflection of which does not exceed one four-hundred-and- eightieth of the span. The last, A, is Tredgold's formula for the stiffness of beams, which is often quoted in tables for European timbers where depth in inches, d = / ^ ^ and c = -p:rT- . S ^ the breakinef-weieht of a beam 1 foot X 1 inch X 1 inch, supported at the ends and loaded in the centre. 62 TASMANIAN TIMREKS. be o •=; ^ T! ^ — M V "^ ^ £ « 5 -i ^ = o O (N C>^ W 1— 1 CO «* 00 00 o o> o !2: O O Eh 00 ^ CO CO »o 00 >o !>. o o o o o l-H o o o o o 0« l-H o OS t^ CO !>. t^ o Tl- 00 fN 00 a o o 05 * 00 ©» Oi o •^ (>» CO (J< CO rjl (-5 I-* VQ t. > at) =s is 1— I I— ( -* 00 CO CD CO CO >o '«*< CO CO CO fN CD CO CO CO CO (N CO CO ^ ^U be • S "bi) -Hi-* Hi< Ml"* o O lO CO l-H l-H CO »o Tj< OS CO kO iO •o '^ 00 CO o^ ^ 1^ w -5 I-; lO o o o © l-H 04 00 CO (7« o CO 05 CO CO CO 00 -* o 1-CJ -Q C55 j; &3C ^ CQ GO S h «: -a J -^ C5>^ ^ . i 5 o ^.iB S 05 5S . g O- soa O 3 't^ S o 00 0) 1:2 >-' Sit Q, % Oi 00 o o C5 00 '3 00 i TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 63 a* -?* ■^ oo lO CO CD CO CO 00 CO 05 o o t>. CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO o o o 03 CO 00 05 l>. a l-H o o CO o o o 05 00 o o . CO 05 05 CO Oi r-H CO o -* (N t>. O 00 IT* CO Oi Oi CO o CO o o CO o o CO o o CO to (N Tfl lO 05 o CJ O G>» I— 1 1— 1 00 00 o o o o o o o CD O B o CO CO 00 CO "0 CO o CO CO CO CO CO CO CO 00 he o CD o 00 00 00 !>. CO o '^ 5* fN be 00 o CD CO CO 00 •a c o ea ^ be Si so r^ cu ? bi) s ^~ • o o OS o CI W 05 ?*^ <=> .5 be S3 ^ 03 a: ^ ^ o •a «3 'i: o be > .So 13 Ph ^ be Oi 00 ?i •!,' f^^-^ ■■Sn3 CQ bo m S CO ? be 09 C p o pa 64 TASMANIAN TJMHKHS. In the dry woods the elasticity was unimpaired to | of breaking strain; in the green ones to about a half. The nature of the fracture in each case will be seen from the illustrations. Tasmanian trees are very large, and may be got quite free from knots and with the grain evenly hard, so that the above may be taken as ultimate breaking-weights of well-selected timber free from shakes and defects. The results obtained for Deal could not be got in ordinary work, except with small scantlings, chiefly owing to the presence of knots; also, from the trees being small, the hard grain may be at many angles in a single plank. From these causes the timber does not give evenly throughout, and a large plank will not carry so much weight in proportion to its size as a small one will, in which these causes of failure have been eliminated. TASMANIAN AND OTHER TIMBERS. (A. 0. Green.) Arranged in order of stiffness from the deflections of specimens one inch square, supported at ends, span two feet and load one hundred pounds in centre of span. Name. Swamp Gum dry Stringy Bark „ Leatherwood „ Stringy Bark fresh cut Blue Gum dry Oregon Pine „ Yellow Deal —annual rings vertical* ,, Yellow Deal — annual rings horizon- tal* di-y Blue Gum fresh cut Myrtle or Beech dry Ash, English „ Celery Top Pine ...... ,, Oak, English ,, Beech, English „ King William Pine „ W = 100 lbs. Deflection inches. 100 115 150 153 170 180 188 195 195 210 211t 238 243t 257t 655 Breaking load. lbs. 555i 61 OA 543 341 560i 379 353 304f 326i 491 i 387f 182 Deflections at breaking. 1 0 5 1 1 25 0 1 2 4 1-1 1-655 * Cut side by side from one Deal. t Calculated from the value of E given in Molesworths' Engineering Pocket Book. •^^ oA {ama^ 04 w '^ iJ-^ f ^v Rbsults of Experiment to ascertain the Rksistance to Deflection and Ruptiire under a gradually increased Bfnding Stress of One Log of Blue Gum, received prom messrs. richardson & co. Load applied at centre. Distance between supporta, 10' 0". lU-ceiwd 21 feet Imtg. lllue Oum Log, 0- x S* (tawn) ... Skftcfi shoirmg gram of wood ■ Tutal Stress In Pounds. — Deflectinn Inch i 3d,US n-6 Failed Sy top ride comprettin^ CmrlKi a '.J w. defleeticn. Bent to S tun Weight re mot ed. Initial stress, 4000 lbs. (S = 1623. Average E = 2.(i6G.M0.— A. O.G.) Re.<e cut on the quarter, or across the rings of growth, shrank 3|% of its width, and did not warp. Tredgold quotes Rondelet's experiments, showing that ordinarily dry Fir will expand up to H% of width, and Oak to 1J%, under ordinary changes in the dampness of the atmosphere. Tasmanian timbers lose from 22% to 40% of their weight in drying. The usual allowance for the shrinking of Tas- manian hardwood is from half an inch to an inch to the foot, or 4 to 8% ; but this is only a rough general assumption, and no exact experiments have been made for the determination of the shrinkage. It is known generally that it varies con- siderably in the different timbers, that of Celery-top Pine being the least, and that of Stringy Bark probably the greatest; while, from the same kind of tree, timber grown on good moist land will shrink more than that grown upon poor rocky soil, and the young wood more than that of matured trees. It would be very useful indeed if the per- centage of shrinkage, both radially and along the rings, were settled by experiment, for each kind of timber. With regard to seasoning (most Tasmanian timber is sold uniseasoned), the practice in England is given above, but after the length of time allowed for seasoning, for carpentry and the rougher sorts of work, the joiners will either season for several years more, or further dry the timber in a hot room before using it. During the time of drying, the timber is carefully stacked with numerous slats between the planks, and sufficiently weighted to keep it from buckling. As has If a \o6 15 cut \nr Pour Fhrouqk tcnkr?, ds \hf shrmk- ment. SUNDRY WEICtHTS OF ROUND, SPLIT, AND SAWN TIMBER.— (A. O. Grken.) Blue gum Piles at 75 lbs. a cubic foot. Diameter in feet and inches— 1' 0' 1' 4' 1' 8* 2' 0" 2' 6' 3' 0' 4' 0' Weight per foot run of pile in pounds Aboutr 59 104 163 236 368 530 942 Number of running feet to a ton About 38 21^ 13f 9^ 6 4^ 2^. Stringy-bark piles weigh about 69 lbs. a cubic foot, or say 10 per cent, less than blue-gum. Other Tasmanian woods weigh from 55 lbs to 70 lbs. a cubic foot in the log. One foot super, or board measure of hardwood fresh cut weighs 5f lbs. to 6 lbs. 83 cubic feet or 100 feet super of fresh cut stringy-bark weighs about 560 lbs. ai „ 100 .„ dry stringy bark „ 450 lbs. SI „ 100 „ imported deal „ 373 lbs. THE FOLLOWING QUANTITIES WEfGH ABOUT A TON. Timber. Cubic Super, feet. feet. 33* or 400 of hardwood is usually coiisidered a ton = 68 lbs. a cubic foot. 32*6 or 390 of fresh cut stiingy-lbark :^ 68*7 lbs. a cubic foot 30" or 360 of fresh cut blue gum =74' ,, ,. 32- or 384 of fresh cut black wood ^7ti- ,, „ 37 "3 or 448 of fi-esh cut wattle =60* ,, ,, 50* or 600 of imported pine or deal is usually considered a ton = 45 lbs. a cubic foot. 66" or 792 of deal dry enough for use is considered by English builder* a ton ^ 34 lbs. a cubic foot. 60- to 72- or 840-864 of deal thoroughly dry weighs a ton = 30 to 32 lbs. a cubic foot. 68 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. Sleepers, Post,^, and Bails. No. to Cubic a ton. feet. 12-34 blue giini sleepers 7' X 10' X 5'. 1 sleeper ^ 2-4306, and weighs IS'2 lbs. 13-3 stringy-bark sleepers 7' X 10" X 5". 1 sleeper = 2-4305, and weighs 168 lbs. 14-7 blue gum sleepers 6' 0" X 9" X 5". 1 sleeper = 2-031, and weighs 152 lbs. 16- stringy-bark sleepers 6' 6" X 9" X 5". 1 sleeper = 2,-'031, and weights 14ii lbs. 27-2 stringy-bark posts 7' X 7" X o'x2". 1 post =1-191, and weighs 82 • 2 lbs. 61 stringy-bark fence rails 9' X 7" X 2 "X 1". 1-55 rails = 1 cubic foot. 70 „ „ 9' X 6"X2"X^". 2- rails = 1 cubic foot. Fireivood. 80 Cubic feet of green gum weigh about a ton. 100 Cubic feet of dry gum „ ,, ,, Staves. No. to , a ton. 504 Wattle -2' 8" X 4„ x 1" I au * iq. . t u- i- ^ Aoo 131 I J .V o/, w ^„ w T" } About 13i staves = 1 cubic foot. 432 Blackwood 2 8' X 4" X 1 ( 298 Wattle 3' 2" X 54" X ItV f vi. + q + i u- ^ ^ 256 Blackwood 3' 2" X 5V X 1^ \ ^^^"' ^ ''^^'' ^ ^ '"^'' '"^*- Itr «;'"J' . t' ?.'' J Vh ^ ]"" [ About 8 staves i = 1 cubic foot. 266 Blackwood 4 0 X 4|" x 1 j StHngy-hafk Palings. 308 palings & x £' J ., palings split from a billet 6" X 2f' X 2" at the end. o/O ,, O X D S 429 " 6' X o" { " " ^P^^* from a billet 6" X 2^" Xl^" at the end. Shingles. 40 bundles of 96 each, 3840 shingles to a ton ; each bundle weighs \ cwt. Apple Cases, Long Apple Case — No. to a ton, 768 top, bottom, and side palings 2' 4" X 7"jx g-", 26 ^ 1 cubic foot. 665 ends and divisions 1' 2" X 7"°X I", 20 = 1 cubic foot. Timber for 90 long apple cases weighs about a ton. Timber for 145 half cases weighs about a ton. Dump Apple Case — No. to a ton. 12-21 side palings 1' 8" X 7" i X I", 38^ = 1 cubic foot. 895 top and bottom palings 1' 8" X ^Yl X ^", 27=1 cubic foot. 460 ends 1' 3" x 9^" X i", 14 = 1 cubic foot. Timber for 100 dump apple cases weighs about a ton. TASMANIAN TIMBERS. HOBART PRICES. 69 LOGS— Per 100 feet super. Gum or Hardwood 3*. 9rf. to 4.?. Blackwood lO.y. Huon Pine 14.?. PILES. 1^. to 2s. 6d. a foot run for small. 2s. ad. to 4s. tid. a foot run for large. SCANTLINGS— Per 100 feet super. Gum, Quartering 5^. ,, Large 7s. to 10,?. Bridsre beams 10^. to 20.?. ONE-INCH BOARDS— Per 100 feet. Gum Green, 7.?. ;- dry, 8^. 6d. „ Tongue d and grooved ... lis. „ Weatherboards, dret^sed 8.?. Qd. Huon Pine, 1-inch boards 25.?. Blackwood, „ 2os. SUNDRIES. Gum, Cart shafts 35. per pair. Cart felloes 8^. each. Spokes ... 10.?. per 100. Fence posts 40.?. to 5(»5. per 100. Fence rails 30.?. per 100. 6-ft. palings 7s. 6<:?. per 100. 6-ft. ))alings 8^. 6d. per 100. Sawn lathes 10.?. per 1000. Shingles 10.?. 6rf. per 1000. STAVES. Wattle staves, 2 ft. 8 ins 8.?. per 100, „ 4 ft 10,?. per 100. Blackwood staves, 3 it. 2 in. ... 12?. per 100. Gum Top, called White Oak, 2 ft. 8 in 8,?. per 100. 70 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. - LIST OF TASMANIAN Local Name. Family. Species. Length and diameter of trunk. BEECH or MYRTLE " Corylaceaj Fagus cunninghamii 40 ft. X 2 ft. to 4 ft. BJRCH Sapindeae Dodonaea viscosa , 3 ft. X 6 in. BLACK WATTLE Legiiminosfe Acacia decurrens 12 ft. X 1 ft. 6 in. BLACKWOOD 9) „ melanoxylon 30 ft. X 2 ft. to 4 ft. BOOBYALLA | Mj^oporacere Myoporum iusuiare 3 ft. X 6 in. ) 4 ft. X 8 in. ) Legiiminosje Acacia longifolia BOX, NATIVE Pittosporege Bursaria spinosa 6 ft. X 1 ft. 6 in. DOGWOOD Rhamneae Pomaderris apetala 10 ft. X 10 in. GUM, BLUE Myrtaceae Encalj^itus globulus 120 ft. X 2 ft. to 6 ft. „ CIDER ?) ,, giirmii 20 ft. X 2 ft. „ IRONBARK „ sieberiana 40 ft. X 4 ft „ MUELLER'S ^j „ muelleri 80 ft. X 3 ft. „ PEPPERMINT „ amygdalina 100 ft. X 3 ft. to 6 ft. „ RED { „ stuartiana ? „ acervula S 60 ft. X 3 ft. „ STRINGY BARK 1? „ obliqua 120 ft. X 3 ft. to 6 ft. „ TOPPED STRINGY I „ hfemastoraa ? ) „ amygdalina var. ] 100 ft. X 3 ft. to 4 ft. BARK „ SWAMP jj regnans 100 ft. X 3f. to 8ft. „ WEEPING f t „ coriacea | „ pauciflora ) 10 ft. X 2 ft. „ WHITE » „ viminalis 80 ft. X 3 ft. to 6 ft. HE-OAK Casuarineae Casiiarineae suberosa 4 ft. X 1 ft. HOLLY or COFFEE PLANT Rubiaceae Coprosma hirtella 3 ft. X 6 in. HONEYSUCKLE Proteacefe Banksia marginata 6 ft. X 1 ft. to 2 ft. HORJZONTAL Saxifrageae Anodopetalum biglandulosum 12 ft. X 10 in. IRON WOOD Oleaceae Notelfea ligustrina 12 ft. X 1 ft. 6 in. LABURNUM Leguminosae Goodia latifolia 3 ft. X 6 in. LANCE WOOD Rutaceae Eriostemon squameus 20 ft. X 8 in. LAUREL, NATIVE Saxifrageae Anopterus glandulosus 3 ft. X 6 in. LEATHER-WOOD ,^ Eucryphia billardieri 10 ft. X 1 ft. MINT-TREE Labiatae Prostanthera lasianthes 3 ft. X 6 in. MUSK Compositae Olearia argophylla 6 ft. X 1 ft. 6 in. NATIVE CHERRY Santaleje Exocarpus cupressiformis 6 ft. X 1 ft. r Rubiaceae Coprosma microphylla 1 NATIVE CURRANT \ Epacrideas Lupcopogon richei > 3 ft. X 6 in. } Santaleag Leptomeria billardieri ) PEAR Proteaceae Hakea acicularis PEPPER Magnolieae Drimys aromatica 6 ft. X 1 ft. PINE, CELERY-TOP Coniferae Phyllocladus rhomboidalis 25 ft. X 1 ft. to 3 ft. HUON Da'crydinm franklinii 30 ft. X 2 ft. to 6 ft. KING WILLIAM Athrbtaxis sle-^ginoides 30 ft. X 1 ft. to 6 ft. OYSTER BAY ^^ Frenela rhomboidea 10 ft. X 6 in. to 1 ft. PINKWOOD or ROSEWOOD Euphorbiacese Beyera viscosa 12 ft. X 1 ft. PRICKLY MIMOSA Leguminosae Acacia diffusa 4 ft. X 6 in. SASSAFRAS Monimiaceae Atherosperma moschata 15 ft XI ft. to 3 ft. SCENT WOOD Apocyneae Alyxia buxifolia 3 ft. X 3 in. to 6 in. SHE-OAK Casuarinese Casuarina quadrivalvis 6 ft. X 1 ft. 6 in. SILVER WATTLE Leguminosas Acacia dealbata 12 ft, X 1 ft. 6 in. TEA-TREE MyrtaceaB Leptospermum lanigerum 10 ft. X 6 in. j^ Kuuzea corifolia 10 ft. X 6 in. J) Melaleuca gibbosa 10 ft. X 6 in. )> )) „ squarosa 10 ft. X 1 ft. 31 fj „ ericaefolia 20 ft. X 2 ft. WARATAH Proteaceae Telopea truncata 3 ft. X 6 in. WHITE WARATAH )) Agastachys odorata 3 ft. X 6 in. WHITEWOOD ) TALLOW-WOOD } Pittosporese Pittosporum bicolor 6 ft X 1 ft. TASMANTAN TIMBERS. TIMBER TREES.— (A. O. Green.) 71 4bd2 Specific Gravity. Well seasoned. «000-3500 2400 2400 3200 2600 1400-3000 •776--85 1646 1788 3000 3200 2300 1218 1019 •62- -85 •9 •616 •837 •744 • 84-1 • 09 •700 •896 1^001 75-1 • 039 1-052 •77-1-05 •776-^8 •7-. 76 -863 •675 •700 •875 •801 •7 -675 •790 •739 •65--7 •529 •336- -385 •625 •75 •652 •663 •775 •801 -750 •652 ■801 "Well seasoned samples weight per cubic ft. Remarks as to use, &c. lbs. 39-54 56 37-40 52 46 52-68 44 55-60 63 46-65 66 48-66 48-51 48-54 44-48 51 42 44 58 "*50 42-44 **42 49 46 41-44 33 21-24 39 47 41 "41 48-49 50 47 '41 50 General carpentry, cooper's work, furniture, 2 varieties, red and while. Plentiful. Turnery, inlaying, &c. Common. Ornamental wood, with variety of eolouis. Common. A handsome joiner's and cabinet-maker's wood. Common. Tough, suitable for wooden hoops, &c. Common on coast. Turners. Engraving blocks, &c. Common. [north. Mathematical instruments, cabinet and turner's work. Common in' Buildings, railways, bridges, furniture, &c. Plentiful. Inside work. Buildings, railways, bridges, furniture, &c. Plentiful. Most durable, suitable for all purposes. Plentiful. Suitable for carpenters, joiners, house fittings, floors, &c. Plentiful. Plentiful. Very strong wood for nside w ork. Common. Capentry and fencing. For carpenters, joiners, house fittings, floors, &c. Plentiful. Cabinet-maker's and ornamental work ; bold figure. Common. Cabinet-maker's and ornamental work. Common. A tough elastic wood for implements, tools, &c. Common. Pulleys and bearing blocks, similar to lignum vita. Common N.E. Turnery and inlaying. Turner}' and Implements. Common. Ornamental work. [Coast. A light, tough, and elastic wood for implements, &c. Common West Ornamental work. Handsome wood, for joiner's and cabinet-work. Common. A-red brown wood for cabinet-work. Common. Tui-nery and tools ; handsome grain. Common. Turnery, &c. Common North and West. A dense, strong pine : general carpentrj'. Common N. and W. Durable pine, often handsomely figured. Common W. Coast. Extremely light, strong, straight-grained. Common W. Coast. A strong pine for framing, poles, &c. ; very durable. Local, East Tools, turner}', &c. Ornamental and implements. Plain, light-coloured, good for carving if felled in the wioter. A sweet-scented wood for sachets, &c. Local, North Coast. A handsome, ornamental wood for cabinet-work. Common. Straight-grained, elastic wood, of general utility. Common. A tough wood for implements, tools, &c. Common. Turnery and inlaying. [Coast, [mon. Com- Engravers, &c. 72 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. BOTANICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF EUCALYPTI. By L. RODWAY. Eucalyptus globulus (Labillardiere) . — Tall, erect tree, even in exposed situations, tending to preserve a preponderating main- stem till the high forest age is reached, the branches few and acutely diverging; bark deciduous. Mature foliage alternate, stalked, lanceolate, acute, oblique, 6 to 12 inches long, 1 to 2 inches wide. Flowers solitary in the leaf axils. Outer operculum smooth, shed while the bud is approaching maturity ; calyx and inner operculum rough, warted, and obscurely four-ribbed ; mature calyx about | inch in diameter; anther-cells parallel. Fruit broadly obconic, | to 1 inch in diameter ; capsule slightly pro- truding; valves obsolete. In Eastern Victoria the common form of this tree bears a three-flowered umbel in the axil, the flowers being half the size recorded in the type, and less warted. In Tasmania, where this species and E. viminalis are mixed, a form will occasionally be found consisting of odd trees in which the flowers are in threes, the operculum and fruit quite smooth, and the fruit about i to i inch in diameter, the valves much pro- truding. This, though very close to the Victorian form, may be a hybrid. Eucalyptus viminalis (Lahillardiere). — Very variable, rarely exceeding 50 to 70 feet ; tending to diffuse branching. Bark usually smooth and deciduous, but sometimes scaly and persistent, even to the upper branches. Leaves oblique, lanceolate 2i to 6 inches, narrow to broad. Flowers usually in threes, in the axils, seldom the umbel bearing many flowers. Operculum smooth, about as long as the calyx, dome-shaped to pointed ; calyx smooth, obconic, about 2 to 4 lines long ; anther-cells parallel. Fruit 3 to 5 lines diameter, hemispheric ; valves of the capsule protruding. Eucalyptus coriacea (A . Cunningham), E. pauciflora (Sieher.) — Attaining in favourable situations 60 to 70 feet ; much branched, and rather spreading. Bark smooth, and deciduous from the base. Leaves alternate, oblique, lanceolate, and usually rather broad, 4 to 8 inches long, the primary veins bold, few, nearly aa large as and nearly parallel with the midrib, giving the leaf a penninerved appearance. Flowers many, in axillary umbels. Operculum hemispheric, very short; calyx hemispheric, about 3 lines diameter ; anther-cells diverging ; stamens all or nearly all complete. Fruit pear-shaped, about 4 to 5 lines long; capsule sunk. Eucalyptus sieheriana (F. v. Miieller). — A tree often attain- ing a considerable size, the main stem tending to predominate, but not as much so as in E. globulus. Bark persistent, thick, and furrowed to the branches. Leaves alternate, oblique, lanceo- late, rather broad, 4-6 inches long; the veins not numerous, much smaller than the midrib, and coming off and travelling at a very acute angle. Flowers many, in axillary umbels, the common stalk much flattened; operculum very short, hemispheric. Calyx hemispheric, about 2 lines diameter; outer stamens with- out anthers ; anthers with diverging cells. Fruit pear-shaped, capsule sunk, about 4 to 6 lines diameter. TASMANIAN TIMBERS. 78- Eucalyptus hcemastoma (Smith). — A tall, erect tree, the main stem preponderating ; branches few and sub-erect. Bark smooth, deciduous, except iibrous towards the base. Leaves lanceo- late, oblique, about 6 inches, veins few, obtuse, obscure, netting freely. Flowers many, in axillary axils, the common stalk rather long and flat. Operculum short, hemispheric; calyx hemispheric, about 2 lines diameter, on a relatively-long stalk. Outer stamens barren; anthers with divergent cells. Fruit broadly pear- shaped, 3 to 4 lines diameter, the rim broad and red, capsule nearly level; the valves usually protruding. Eucalyptus ohliqua (L'Heritier). — In shady situations, with a tail, preponderating stem, branches sub-ereet; in the open, a medium-sized tree with spreading branches, and an undehned stem in the branching portion. Bark normally persistent, thick and fibrous to the upper branches ; at an altitude the bark tends to become thinner and more deciduous, even to the base. Leaves 4 to 5 inches long, ovate, acute, oblique, very unequal-sided ; veins few, freely netting. Flowers many, in axillary umbels ; oper- culum very short, convex ; calyx about 3 lines diameter, tapering into the stalk. Stamens all perfect; anthers with diverging cells. Fruit pear-shaped, about 4 lines diameter; capsule sunk. Eucalyptus regnans (F. v. Mueller). —A tree attaining very- large proportions, with a preponderating stem, except where grown in open lowlands. Bark thin ; fibrous at the base, de- ciduous above. Leaves in the typical tree ovate-lanceolate, oblique, about 2 inches long, rather thick ; veins JFew, obscure ; in aberrant forms, the leaves are broad and very oblique. Flowers many, in axillary umbels. Operculum short and convex. Calyx obconic, about 2 lines diameter. Stamens all perfect ; anther-cells diverging. Fruit turbinate, or sometimes approach- ing a pear-shape, about 2^ to 3 lines diameter. Eucalyptus amygdalina (Lahillardierc). — Most variable in stature, flowering when a small shrub, or attaining 100 feet or more; stem preponderating, except in some open situations, where the branches may spread. Bark thick, persistent, and fibrous in the typical form, deciduous and smooth from the base in some narrow-leaved forms, but not in others (E. linearis, Denh.). I^eaves very variable, narrow lanceolate in the type, but varying from narrow linear to ovate; nearly equal-sided, veins few and obscure, 2 to 4 inches long. Flowers many, in axillary umbels : operculum short, convex ; calyx hemispheric, mostly 2 lines diameter, sometimes more, anther-cells diverging. Fruit nearly hemispheric, rarely tending to pear-shaped, about 2i lines diameter; capsule level with the rim, or slightly sunk. Eucalyptus mildleri (T. B. Moore). — A tall, erect tree, with a preponderating stem, in suitable situations attaining even 200 feet height. Bark deciduous, smooth from the base. Leaves oblong, nearly or quite equal-sided, thick and shiny, alternate and stalked, 2 to 3 inches long. Flowers three together, in axillary umbels, the stalks all very short. Operculum short, hemispheric, and usually with a blunt central point. Calyx hemispheric, about 4 lines diameter; anther-cells parallel. Fruit turbinate (whiptop-like), about ^ inch diameter, valves usually protruding. This tree differs but slightly in structure from E. vernicosa, Hooker, and may be but a luxuriant form. Eucalyptus urnigera (Hooker). — A tall, erect tree, with a pre- ponderating stem. Bark smooth and deciduous. Leaves oblong,. 74 TASMANIAN TIMBERS. equal-sided, and about 2 to 3 inclies long in sub-Alpine situations, but gradually becoming even linear and 6 to 9 inches long at a lower elevation. Flowers three together, in axillary umbels, the stalks and common stalks long. Operculum from very short and nearly fiat to hemispheric and umbonate (centrally projecting) ; according to elevation. Calyx in sub-Alpine plant narrow ovate, and much constricted below the rim, about i inch long. Fruit similar in shape, but about i inch long; the capsule much sunk. In lowlpnd forms the fruit is sub-globose, and about ^ inch long, with the capsule slightly sunk ; anther-cells parallel. Eucalyptus acervula {Hooker, not of Sieber). — A medium-sized tree, with a strong tendency to branch, close to E. gunnii, and combined with it by von Mueller and some Continental botanists. Bark smooth above, coarsely scaly below. Leaves broadly oblong, thin, and rather shining, often undulated, equal or nearly equal sided, 2 to 4 inches long. Flowers many, in axillary umbels. Operculum hemispheric, with a well-developed apex. Calyx 2 to 3 lines diameter, hemispheric; anther-cells parallel. Fruit obconic, 3 to 4 lines diameter; capsule slightly sunk. Eucalyptus risdoni (Hooker.) — A small to medium-sized tree, with a branching, often drooping, tendency. Leaves in the typical form apposite and connate, but often, without reference to size or locality, becoming, except where -very young, alternate, stalked, oblique, narrow, ovate-lanceolate, few and obscurely veined, 2 to 6 inches long. Flowers many, in axillary umbels. Operculum very short, nearly flat, and rough. Calyx about 3 lines diameter, hemispheric ; anther-cells diverging. Fruit hemispheric, or sometimes pear-shaped, about 4 lines diameter; capsule hardly or not at all sunk. Closely allied to E. amygda- lina (Lahillardiere), and combined with it by von Miieller. This completes the list of Eucalypts that attain size enough to vield timber. LOCAL NAMES AND GENERAL APPEARANCE OF GUM TREES. Local Names. Blue-gum. — E. globulus (LabiUardierc'^. White-gum. — E. viminalis (Labi'ilardiere). — This is also called Manna-gum and Swamp-gum. Weefing-i^um. — E. coriacea (A. Cunningham). Iron-babk. — E. sieberiana (F. v. Miieller). Gum-topped Stringy. — E. hcemastomo, (Smith). Also called White-topped Stringy, Stringy-bark. — E. obliqua (L'HeriUer). Swamp-gum. — E. regnans (F. v. Miieller). Also known as Moun- tain Ash, Gum-topped Stringy, Peppermint-topped Stringy, &c. Black Peppermint. — E. amygdalina (Labillardiere). This usually includes all Peppermints with stringy-bark. White Peppermint. — E. linearis (Dehnhart). Peppermints with narrow leaves and smooth white bark, the persistent portion at the base scalv. TA'SMANIAN TIMBERS. 75- Blue Peppermint. — E. risdoni var elata. Also known as White- gum and Cabbage-gum. Red-gum. — E. acervula (Hooker). Mountain Red-gum. — E. Milelleri (Moore). Drooping-gum. — E. risdoni (Hooker). Cider-gum. — E. gunnii (Hooker). Mountain Peppermint. — E. coccifera. E. urnigera (Hooker), E. cordata (Lahillardiere), and E. vernir- cosn (Hooker), have not yet received generally-accepted popular names, and will be referred to here as the Urn- bearing, Heart-leaved, and Dwarf -gum respectively. Blue-gum is usually easily recognised in the forest by its erect habit, the stem, even in the branching portion, remaining dis- tinct, and the branches few and erect. This habit is shared by few other species, and from those it may be distinguished by the character of the bark, which is scaly and never fibrous at the base, and above smooth, green to grey, and stripping off in long ribbons. Stringy-hark, on the other hand, except where close growth compels it, seldom acquires the same erect preponderating stem ; the branching is more copious and spreading, and the bark in the typical forms persistent, and fibrous to the upper branches. In trees at a considerable elevation the bark is less persistent, and in many cases is shed from close to the base, but the base is still fibrous. The Peppermints vary greatly, and are primarily dis- tinguished in the open by their small leaves ; in critical cases refer- ence will have to be made to the scientific description to avoid error. Black Peppermint has the erect habit, and a persistent, dark, fibrous bark to the upper branches, but forms are constantly met with where the persistent bark is not as copious. Stunted forms of this, which flower when merely shrubs, have a tendency for the bark to turn scaly. White Peppermint has a much more branching and spreading tendency, the bark white and smooth from the base, where the persistent bark is coarsely scaly. Blue Peppermint has the habit and bark of the last, but the leaves are much larger and broader, and the fruit larger ; it is a con- necting-link with Drooping-gum, which again has the same habit and bark, but the leaves are in pairs opposite one another, and joined at the bases. Mountain Peppermint is very similar to Blue Peppermint, but the leaves are still broader, and the fruit very much larger, and often three together, a feature not found in other Peppermints. Swamp-gum. is the name given to a perfect series of forms connecting Black Peppermint with Stringy-hark. In the typical form the habit is that of Blue-gum, but the persistent bark, though thin, is fibrous, and continues a considerable distance up the stem ; but in parts, however, the bark is deciduous from close to the base, and strips off above in ribbons, as in Blue-gum, leaving besides the more critical details merely the basal bark for identification. Iron-hark has the habit of a large Stringy-hark, but the persistent bark is nearly black, very thick, and coarsely furrowed. It occurs only on the North-Eastern portion of the State. Gum-topped Stringy is very similar to the latter, but tends to be more erect in habit, and the bark is less coarse and less persistent. It also is confined to the same locality. The name, when applied in other parts, refers to other species. Weeping-gum varies in habit, being erect, with a preponderating stem in damp forests, and much branched, spreading and drooping in the open. The bark is smooth from 76 TASMANIAN TIMHEUS. the base, and green to nearly white in colour. To distinguish it it is very necessary to examine the leaves, the parallel venation of which at once separates it from any form but Iron-bark. White-gum seldom exceeds the dimensions of a small tree, with a much branched and spreading habit— -the main stem soon lost in branches. The bark varies in deciduousness, is sometimes smooth and white from the base, sometimes persistent to the upper branches; this persistent bark is never hbrous, but more or less scaly. The leaves of this tree are most variable; they run from the shape and size of a typical Blue-gum to small and narrow-iinear, as in narrow-leaved Peppermints. Reference is already made in the botanic description of Eucalyptus globulus to the probable hybridisation with this species. The Cider-gum of the Midlands and Lake Country is more cf the character of a large bush, seldom exceeding 20 feet. The bark is smooth and white from the base; some forms have, when young, large round leaves opposite in pairs, and joined at the base, but this seldom continues long after the flowering period is reached. The leaves of this Gum are not oblique, but equal- sided, and the flowers are always three together. lled-gum is very closely allied to the last, and in Australia is often considered but a form of it. It is a small to medium sized tree, much branched and spreading. The bark is persistent more or less up the stem, and is coarsely scaly. The leaves are equal-sided, shining, and often undulated on the margin. The flowers usually six to eight together. The name Bed-gum has merely a local significance, as it has no relationship to the various Red-gums of Australia. Mountain Bed-gum, is a different tree altogether ; it has a ten- dency to a tall central stem, but is much influenced by surround- ings, attaining a height of 150 feet in some parts, dwindling doAvn to a mere shrub in others. The bark is smooth from the base, green, blotched with red-brown. Dwarf-gum is very close to this in form of organs, but appears to maintain a distinct character. It seldom exceeds 3 to 5 feet in height. Leaves are small, nearly round, opposite but stalked, equal-sided, thick, and shiny. The flowers are solitary or three together. It appears to occur only on the sub-alpine plains of the West and South- West. The Urn-bearing gum, at an altitude of about 2000 feet, is exactly similar to the Mountain Bed-giPm in general appearance, both of habit, bark, and foliage, but the fruit is shaped like a Grecian urn. Below this altitude the bark becomes ashy-white, the leaves long and narrow, and the fruit approaches the fruit of White-gum. The Heart-leaved gum is a small, erect tree, with a smooth bark, the old bark being shed in scales. The leaves are pale and opposite in pairs, but, unlike those of Drooping-gum, are not united by their bases. L. RODWAY. 77 NOTES ON TASMANIAN CONCHOLOaY. Bj C. Hedley, P.L.S. (Eead Juue 10th, 1902.) (Issued June 17th, 1902.) (Plate.) The study of Tasmanian conchology has been facilitated by an excellent catalogue published last year by the late Prof. Tate and Mr. W. L. May in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. Therein certain species ascribed to Tasmania by the Rev. J. E. Tenison Woods were rejected from the fauna chiefly because no later observer had taken them. Though apparently of foreign origin, their exclusion could not be wholly justified until that origin was ascertained. At the invitation of Messrs. A. Morfon and W. L. May I undertook their examination. From the result it appears that five West Indian species were snj^plied to Tenison Woods, which he erroneously described as Tasmanian, and as new to s^.ience. They are : — Pletjrotoma. WELDIA.NA, T. Woods, Proc. Boy. Soc. Tas., 1876 (1877), p. 137, identical with Brillia fucata, Reeve, Conch. Icon. PL xx., f. 169. Ethalia. tasmanica, T. Woods, Proc. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1876 (1877), p. 146, is the common West Indian Modulus modiihis, Linne, Adeokbis picta, T, Woods, Proc. Eov, Soc. Tas., 1876 (1877), p. 146, is Chhrosfomafasciatiis. Born, Woods's type answers well to fig. 2a of PL 63 of Fisher's Monograph m the " Coquilles Vivantes." Astele tuebinata, T. Woods, Proc. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1876 (1877), p. 145, is Chlorostoma scalare, Anton, another well- known West Indian shell. Semele wabbuetoni, T. Woods, Proc. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1876 (1877), p. 158, is Codahia orhicularis, Linne; a common Autillean species An examination of the type of Tarho cuciillata, Ten. Woods, Proc. Roy. Soc. Tas , 1877 (1879), p. 121, shows it t ► be T. zadiiitus, Gmelin ; a shell common to tropical Queens- land. Another unrecorded synonym of this appears to be T. pallidus, Perry, Conchology, 1811, PL 49, f. 5. Having inspected the type of Chione macleayna^ T. Woods, Proc. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1879, p. 38, I consider it identical with G. stutchhuryij Gray ; a common New Zealand species, and therefore probably not Tasmanian. Allportia expansa. Ten. Woods, Proc. Roy. Soc, Tas., 1876 (1877), p. 28. At my request Miss Lodder sent me some examples of this species. The material received cor- 78 NOTES ON TASMANIAN CONCHOLOGY. responded exactly to Wood's description, and was, I believe, rightly identified. It is certainly not a mollusc, but a planarian. My friend, Mr, T. Whitelegge, considered that it is I'Yohablj Polycelis australis, Schmarda. It bad better be excluded from tlie molluscan catalogue. The existence of the order Heteropoda in Tasmanian waters has been overlooked by Tate and May. The occurrence in Bass Straits of a species of Fie,oboida is noted by Maedonald. Trans. Eoy. Soc, Edinburgh, xxiii., 1862, p. 5; pi. i., ff. 1-4. EissoiNA GEETRUDis, Ten. Woods, Pro. Eoy. Soc, 1876. p. 146. This species approaches R. elegantula, Angas ; whether or not intermediate forms unite these two, I leave to the decision ot those better acquainted with the species. The illustration published by Tryon is very bad ; possibly it was based on a different species. I add a drawing of the type specimen in the Tasmanian Museum. Ctclostrema weldii, T. Woods. It is generally admitted that this and C. australe, Angas are synonymus. Tate and May regard the latter as having priority, but Pritchard and Gatliff award it to G. weldii. As a matter of fact, C. weldii was published Feb. 27th, 1877, and C. australe on June 1st, 1877. Teochtjs eingens, Menke iischer, in the Coquille Yivautes, Troque, 1879, p. 214, notes this species from " He Yan Diemen." It is not included in anj Tasmanian catalogue. 79 ISrOTE ON EUCALYPTUS LINE A BIS, D'EB.l^iB.AUBT. (A Supposed Tasmanian Species.) By J. H. Maiden, Director Botauic Gardens, Sydney, Corresponding Member. (Eead July 8th, 1902.) (Issued July 23rd, 1902.) In a paper entitled " The Common Eucalyptus Flora of Tasmania and New South Wales," read by me before the Australasiau Association for the Advancement of Science at its Hobart meeting last January, I drew attention to a small smooth-barked Mount Wellington tree, closely related to Eucalyptus amygdcdina, Libill., and considered to be E. Ii7iearis, Dehnhardt. I have recently received for study, from the Imperial Natural History Museum of Vienna, a type specimen of Dehnhardt's species, which is, however, in bud only. The original label in Dehnhardt's handwriting is in German, of which the following is a translation : — " I pray you read my description in the Catalogue. The tree is 40ft. high, with a slender stem, and flowers the second time." The reference to the '* Cataloiicue" is doubtless to the " Catalogus plantarum horti Camaldulensis," which contains the description of the species, and which I have given in full in my paper already referred to. The work in question was published at Naples, and I understand the Hortus Camal- dulensis was a garden near that city. The first edition was published in 1829, and the second in 1832, and should be noted in case any claims for f)riority arise. Dehnhardt's plant is, without doubt, a cultivated one, and bearing in mind the marked way ia which seedling Eucalyptus plants differ from their parents, it is not likely to be absolutely identical with the Mount Wellington plants to which it has been referred. The idea becomes stronger with me that E. linearis, Dehn., will prove to be a perfectly smooth-barked form of E. amijgdalina, with unusually thin, linear leaves. If so, this form of E. amygdalina might be named var. U7iearis. My researches in European herbaria in regard to this genus has brought to light another named species which is con-specific with E. linearis. It is E. pulcliella, Desfontaines. The original work not being in any Australian library, I obtained a copy of the description from Kew. It is as follows : — ■ " Eucalyptus pulchella, Desf . Eamulis filiformibus , foliis alternis, lineari-subulatis : floribus axillaribus, umbellatis, operculo convexo, mucrone obtuso, brevissimo. 80 NOTE ON EUCALYPTUS LINEARIS, DEHNHARDT. "Kamuli filiformes, pauiculati. Folia uucias 2 longa, lineam 1 lata, utrinque acuta. Petioli breves. Flores in innliellulas axillares dispositi. Pedunculus communis folio multoties brevior, 10-12 — florus." (Cat Hort. Paris. Fd._3, 408, 1829.) Delinliardt contracts this description into : — '^Eucalyptus pulcheUa. "Ramulis filiformibas"; foliis alternis lineari-subulatis. Ramulis filiformibus panicularis. Folia uncias 2 longa, linf am I lata." (Dehnb. Cat. PI. Hort Camald. Ed. 2, p. 20.*) Walpers' description, published in 1845, is also adapted from the orisfiual, and is as follows : — " Hamulis filiformib foil, alternis lineari-subulatis, florib. axillarib, umbellatis ; operculo convexo, mucrone obtuso brevissimo.— Crescit ? " (Walpers' Repert. III. 927.) BeDtham perha]>s saw the species, but he pronounces it to be " very doubtful " I have recently received some specimens from the Vienna Eerbarium labelled '' E. pulcheUa, Hort., Kew." They are in bud, and are identical with E. linearis, Dehn. Undoubtedly the WdTaQ pudcliella was well bestowed, for the specimens h;ive especially long, narrow, liiiear leave.', which are very graceful. The upshot of my investiga^tion is that: — E. linearis, Dehnbardt, and E. p)'^'^cliella., Desfontaines, are specifically identical. Both were named from plants raised in Europe. In my Australasian Association for the Advance- ment of Science paper I have put forth a plea for a final investigation by Tasmanian botanists as to whether a certain Mount Wellington tree is identical with E. linearis, Dehnh., and, if so, whether it is con-specific with E, amygdalina, Labill. * III mv A.A.A.S. Taper I quote E. imlchella, and aLso E. ruhricauUs, as they follcnv Dehnhaidt'.s description of E. linearis. My identification of E. ptdchella is given below. I have also seen E. rubricaulift, Desf., -which is not [identical with E. linearis, and may not be a Eucalyptus at all. 81 NOTES ON SOME E EM ARK ABLE TASMANIAN INVERTEBRATES. By Arthur M. Lea, F.E.S., etc. (Read July 8th, 1902.) (Issued July 23rd, 1902.) (Plate.) ^ Under the above heading I propose from time to time to give notes on some remarkable Tasmanian insects, aiid probably other invertebrate forms of life. The notes, when- ever possible, will be illustrated with sketches. The present deals with one of the walkiufj- stick insects, being the first record of the occurrence of this remarkable family {Phas- midce) in Tasmania. Acrojjhylla tas?naniensis, u. sp. Of a dingy, testaceous brown ; wings black, costal area on its basal half variegated with yellow and black, the outer half testaceous brown. Antennae very finely pubescent. ||;:Head without granules, anterior half wrinkled; ocelli absent. Antennas thin, joints 23 in number, first the length of second and third combined, second slightly more than half the length of third, terminal joint almost the length of the three preceding combined. Prothorax not quite as long as head, surface wrinkled, and with a few very small granules. Mesothorax more than twice the length of pro- thorax and head combined, with small scattered spines. Tegmina, nearly three times as long as wide, apex rounded, concealing about half the length of the folded wings. Wings about once and one-half as long as wide, the costal area about one-third of the whole. Abdomen about two-thirds of the total length of body, fifth segment inflated on each side posteriorly, sixth raised in middle of base ; anal styles long, parallel-sided, somewhat wavy, apex rounded. Meso- and metasternum with a few small granules ; ovipositor longer than three apical segments. Legs long and thin, anterior femora serrate, the others with small spines, of w^hich the largest are on the middle of the upper surface ; tibiae feebly spinose (the anterior almost bare of spines), the intermediate each with a large tooth on the upper surface before the middle. Lengths in millimetres : — Head, 8 [*5^] ; j^rothorax, 7 [5] ; mesothorax, 31 [19] ; metathorax, 16 [13] ; abdomen (exclusive of anal stvles), 89 [54] ; antennae, 26 [11^] ; anal styles, 20 [8]; anterior femora, 39 [2.3], tibiae, 42 [26], tarsi, 16 [11] ; intermediate femora, 28 [18], tibiae, 30 [18], tarsi 13 [8^] ; posterior femora, 34 [20], tibi», 38 [22], 82 NOTES ON SOME REMARKABLE TASMANIAN INVERTEBRATES. tarsi, 15 [10] ; tegmina, 19 [2^]; wings, 20 [3] ; total length (iiK'ludiug anal styles), 17Ut [102]. Habitat, Burnie. (Presented to the Tasmanian Museum by Miss Dora Sboobridge.) The specimen (a female) appears to be somewhat dis- coloured, as tbere are traces of green on the mesotborax under surface of teginina and anal styles ; the ovipositor is also somewbat damaged. The large tooth of tbe intermediate tibiae is single on the left, but; doubie on tbe right. Tbe species appears to be allied to A. chronus (West- wood, Catalogue of Phasmidse, p. 114, supplementary plate Y., fig. 2), but should be distinct on account of the posteriorly inflated fourth abdominal segment and large teeth of tbe intermediate tibiae. From Westwood's figure it differs in the shape of the tegmina and length of wings ; the latter, how- ever, are described as being very variable in length. The colours of tbe wings are very different to those given for chronus, the membranous portion being entirely black, whilst in the figure it is drawn (and also so described) as being variegated. The serrations and spines of the legs are also very different to those on Westwood's figure. An immature specimen, evidently belonging to this species, was presented to tbe Department of Agriculture by Mr. W. C. Weymouth. Irs antennae consist of but 24 joints each. The spines and serrations of the legs are the same as in the type, even to the peculiar dentition of the intermediate tibiae. Tbe tegmina '^nd wings are very small, of almost equal size and shape, and of a dull greenish yellow, with thickened edges, they look like scales. The general colour of tbe body is rather paler than that of the type. * The lengths given in brackets are those of the immature specimen, t It is, therefore, the longest (although not the largest) insect at present known, to occur in Tasmania. 83 NOTE ON A SPECIES OF EUCALYPTUS NEW TO TASMANIA. By J. H. Maiden, F.L.S. (Core. Member), Director, Botanical G-ardens, Sydney. {Ueacl September 8th, 1902.) (Issued September 10th, 1902.) Eucalyptus Macartliuri, Deane and Maiden, between Delo- raine and Chudleigh Junction, January, 1902. Swanport, Dr. Story (labelled E. 8tuartiana, by Mueller). For an account of this species see Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 1899, 448, with figure. Its discovery in Tasmania was the outcome of the Australian Association for the Advancement of Science Meeting at Hubart, and came about in the follow- ing way : — Mr. R. H. Cambage, L.S., of Sydney, was travelling in the train between Deloraine and Chudleigh Junction when he espied a rather umbrageous tree, with fibrous bark up to the branchlets, in grassy flats or depressions, which become filled up with water during the wet weather, on the right bank of the Meander River. From its situation and habit of growth he considered it might be E Macartliuri, which he had seen in New South Wales. When he came to the above meeting at Hobart he communicated to me his suspicious, and as it was impossible for him to examine the tree per- sonally, I made a special journey to Deloraine, found the tree in question, and obtained specimens, which proved the species to be E. Macartliuri, Deane and Maiden. I have since seen specimens in the Melbourne Herbarium, collected by the late Dr. Story at Swanport, Oyster Bay, Tasmania, and referred to by Mueller at the time to be E. Stuartiana. Further inquiry will doubtless greatly extend the range of the species, which will probably be found in Victoria also ere long. We thus add an additional Eucalyptus species to the flora of Tasmania, which now stands at 18, since in my paper on " The common Eucalyptus flora of Tasmania and New South Wales," read at the Hobart meeting, I produced evidence that the number stood at 17. This species of Eucalyptus promises to have commercial importance through the researches of Mr. H. G. Smith, who has shown that its oil contains geranyl acetate in large quan- tities, which oil, when rectified, has a delicious odour of roses, which is remarkable in the genus. As I do not know the extent to which this interesting species occurs in Tasmania, 84 KOTE ON A SPECIES OF EUCALYPTUS NEW TO TASMANIA. it will be desirable for oil distillers not to fell the trees, but to lop the branches only. A. De Candolle, in his Prodromus, iii., 218, described a plant under the name of Eucalyptus pilularis, ISmith, which is not that species. The plant must be referred to as E. pilularis, A. DC, and following is a translation of his description : — " Operculum conical, with a rather shorter calyx tube, the peduncles very short and subangular, flowers 6 or 7 in the head, leaves linear-lanceolate acuminate, with the veins con- fluent at the tops into an intramarginal one. New Holland, Sieber, plant exs. nov. boll. No. 474. I doubt whether this fepecimen of Sieber's that I have described is Smith's species or not ? Is Sprengel's species different by reason of its corymbose inflorescence ? Our flower-buds, the size of a grain of millet, peduncles 2 or 3 lines, nearly one half shorter than the petioles. Leaves 3 inches long and 5 lines broad." It will be thus seen that the plant is Sieber's No. 474, an original specimen of which I have been able to examine from two sources (a) The Berlin Herbarium ; (6) The Barbey- Boissier Herbarium at Geneva. The first S23ecimen is in hud only, and the sec' nd is in bud and fruit. It turns out to be E. Macarthiiri, Deane and Maiden, and thus the identity of a puzzling plant has been set at rest. Sieber's No. 474 is in Bentham's Flora Australiensis, iii., 240, referred to E. viminalis, Labill : which is a mistake. This erroneous reference to E viminalis reminds, me to warn collectors that some small fruited multiflowered forms of E. Gunnii [e.g., vars : acervula, maculosa, and 2)erhaps ruhida) may, in ihe absence of notes on the bark and suckers, be referred to E. Macarthuri. 85 PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY IN TASMANIA, AND A PROPOSAL FOR A SCHOOL THEREOF. By Professor Alex. McAulay, M.A. (Bead Se]jtemhtr 8th, 1902.) The leading English scientific newspaper "Nature," dated 24th July, 1902 (p. 304), has a paragraph on the pre- sent condition of meteorology m Australia. It is worth read- ing:— "We understand from, recent Queensland newspapers that it has been determined to abolish the Weather Bureau of that colony as from the 30th ult., and that the services of Mr. C. L. Wragge and his special staff have been dispensed with. In a letter addressed by the Premier of Queensland to the Federal Prime Minister it is pointed out that this apparently retrograde step is owing to the urgent necessity for reducing in every branch of the public service the estimates of expen- diture of the State, and that it is one of the "most unfortunate"' results of the large deficit in the revenue brought about by drought and other causes. Prior to federation, the Weather Bureau formed part of the Post and Telegrapli Depart- ment of Queensland, and all telegrams and corres- pondence passed free. But during the last fifteen months the Federal Government has charged for these communications at the rate of about £4,000 a year, which expense cannot be borne any longer by the Queensland Government. The Premier writes that he feels sure the States in general will welcome any reasonable suggestions for a continu- ance of the work of the Bureau under federal con- trol. We may, therefore, hope that the existing instruments and stations will be utilised, as far as practicable, in the interest of meteorological science. Truly the Colonies are in this respect fol- lowing the mother country, and we may soon ex- jDect the Empire, so active in neglecting science, to be the laughing stock of civilised peoples." Our meteorological service has been, as you all know, closely connected with the Queensland one, to the advantage of both. Apt^arently it is the federation of the States that has brought about the disastr^^ub check to what is both a com- mercial and scientific work in this part of the world, and I think you will all agree that it is the Federal Government 86 PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY IN TASMANIA. which is responsible for helping the various States back to their original efficiency in these matters. I leave to others the task of defending the utility of meteorological observations, and will immediately proceed to my more special theme ; but, before dismissing meteor- ology, I would like to remind any who may hear or read this jDajDer that continuity in meteorological records is essential for their full utility, and it is pennywise and pound foolish to establish such records for a time, then discontinue them, and later undertake them once more. The meteorological service in this State, as in many other parts of the world, is performed by the same staff as the astronomical service, and it is of this last I wish to speak in full. I shall not hesitate to repeat what I have already said to the Society two months ago, partly because it refers to a matter that I think the public should, for its own benefit, take seriously to heart, and partly in order to make the pre- sent paper complete I propose to consider our subject under the following heads : — (1) Practical astronomy of Tasmania in the past. (2) The uses and desirabilties of practical astronomy in such a community as ours. (3) The present. (4) Proposals as to the future. I. PjiACTicAL Astronomy of Tasmania in the Past. With regard to the past I propose to say very little, though it would be interesting if somebody could be induced to look thoroughly through the proceedings of this Society and elsewhere to make a proper history of the subject. Mr. Kingsmill two months ago gave you some account of the official work for the Government performed in the past. I would like to call attention to the other practical astronomical work that has been done here. We have had two enthusiastic astronomers in our midst, who performed their work merely for the love of it, true amateurs, in the highest sense of the word — Mr. Abbott (died 1883) and Mr. Biggs (died 1901). Each of these had a private observatory, furnished with very fair instruments, and each did useful work. I am sorry to say that, as far as I know, there is no such amateur, with the necessary instruments in the State to-day. BY PROFESSOR ALEX. MCAULAY, M.A. 87 It is of interest to know that what are, I believe, the two most valuable instruments which belonged to those two observers are likely now, after a number of years of idleness, to be put again to useful work. The transit instrument of Mr. Abbott has recently been acquired by the University by purchase. It has been housed and nearly completely repaired. Its various adjust- nier^ts in its new home have just been commenced by the students of the University. It is a larger instrument than the Observatory possesses, and it is probable that its per- formance will be found correspondingly more accurate. I may say for the benefit of those of my hearers who are not conversant with the technical terms of Astronomy that the chief object of a transit instrument (other than one of the first class, which has additional uses) is to obtain the true time as accurately as it can be obtained. No other instrument is nearly so accurate for this pui^pose, and the time in all the States of Australia is at present obtained by means of transit instruments. Mr. Biggs' equatorial telescope was left by him as a bequest to the Koyal Society. The Royal Society has re- cently offered it on loan to the University, and it is at pre- sent stored at the University, though not in such a way as to be capable of use. The University has not yet signified its acceptance of the loan, probably because an expense of some £60 will be necessary to house, mount, and repair it. This telescope is an 84-inch reflector (Newtonian), and is, there- fore, much superior to the equatorial at the Observatory. It is mucn to be hoped that the University will see its way to accepting the offer, and so secure (let us hope for all time) the benefit to students of observing the wonders of the Heavens, after listening to the dry-as-dust description of them in the lecture room. It is to be remarked also that the students may be expected, with such an opportunity, to add to the knowledge of the human race, and this is no little reason why the offer should be accepted I look forward to the time when an Astronomical School of renown shall be firmly established here. Our opportuni- ties in the matter of position are great. Let us not neglect them for petty passing reasons. While considering practical astronomy in Tasmania in the past, we ought not to omit a reference to the transit of Venus in 1874. The main interests of that transit were, of course, world-wide, but Tasmania (did she but know it) has herself benefited by the visually insignificant fact that in 1874 Venus passed between the earth and the sun, and there fore was visible as a dot on the sun's face. Tasmania's gain is 88 PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY IN TASMANIA. owing to the fact that on account of her valuable position in the far south, in this matter of finding tne sun's distance, as in many other astronomical respects, she was at once seen to be a place where the necessary astronomical observations ought certainly to be made. But the Astronomer Royal of England said "No,"' for we do not know her longitude suffi- ciently accurately — and that was true, we did not. America came to the rescue. "Why not," said America, "find the longitude accurately?" So they came, found the longitude, observed the transit, and w^ent. I will not preach here of the importance of knowing the longitude. I will only say that it is a very complicated mat- ter to obtain it, a matter requiring costly instruments, much knowledge, and much painful training, and the result is that we know where we are on this planet. The result with regard to longitude is that for all time we know the following fact : - — We know that a certain piece of masonry (at present in existence in the Barrack Square) is 9ni. 25.66s. enst of the centre of tbe transit instrument m Melbourne. The Melbourne longitude is itself in doubt, and I will now read you an extract from, a letter I have re- ceived from Mr. Baracchi, the Victorian Government As- tronomer, on that point : — "(1st) The present adopted longitudes of Sydney and Melbourne are: — Sydney, lOh. 4m. 49.44s.; Mel- bourne, 9h. 39m. 54.00s. "The Nautical Almanac still persists in giving the values adopted by Ellery Russell, and Todd, in their longitude report of 1886. I suppose, as the differences are small, and the values by no means final, it is considered unnecessary to introduce changes at present. In the American Ephemeris the value 9h. 39m. 54.00s. is adopted for Mel- bourne, and lOh. 4m. 49.54s. for Sydney. "When it will be time to introduce changes in our longitudes, my values of 1895 (Report A.A.A.S., 1895, pp. 185-208) will have to be further reduced, owing to the smaller values obtained for Madras later. I adopted for Madras 5h. 20m. 59.275s. The new and latest determination, gives 5h. 20m. 59.113s. Adding this to former results, with double weight, we obtain 5h. 20m. 59.167s., which, in my opinion is, at present, the best avail- able value for the longitude of Madras, and, as no further measures have been made east of Madras since 1888, the longitudes of Sydney and Mel- bourne may be considered to be — Sydney, lOh. 4m. BY PROFESSOR ALEX. MCAULAY, M.A. 89" 49.33s.; Melbourne, 9h. 39m. 53.93s. (0.04s. was dropped arbitrarily when Zone time was intro- duced, simply for convenience). ''But I have no intention of altering our longitude at present, for two reasons — (1st) Because the values are by no means final. (2nd) Because there will be probably soon, an opportunity for fresh indepen- dent determinations of Australian longitudes via America, and via Caj^e of Good Hope, through Cocos Island. "(2nd). The uncertainty of the present longitudes. — ■ On the strength of the new Madras value, I think that the values— Sydney, lOh. 4m. 49.33s. ; Mel- bourne, 9h. 39m. 53.93s. ; Hobart, 9h. 49m. 19.59s.; are within 0.7s. for Melbourne and Syd- ney, and within 0.8s. for Hobart. "(3rd). The true value of Harkness' position relative to Melbourne. — This value is 9m. 25.66s. (This is the only available value). [Harkness was the chief of the American 187^ transit of Venus Expedition to Tasmania.] "(4th). Harkness' position. — This is his transit pier." The piece of masonry in question is really very precious to Tasmania. If she allows it to become undecipherable, she will be put to much expense and much trouble once more to determine her longitude. Commander Pury-Cust some time ago recommended that this piece of masonry should be suitably inscribed with the record of its meaning. This could be done at a trifling cost, and I believe will be done, but in case there should be hesitation on the part of the public or Ministry, I now make the necessary appeal. The only reason that the Premier has not yet been informed (for he has not) what to put upon the stone is that his advisers (Mr. Kingsmill and myseii) have not yet found exactly what the record ought to be. Mr. McDonald, of the Observatory, first informed me of the special nature of the observations, whi^- were made by the American Transit of Venus Expediiion, and led me to recognise the meaning of the three marks left by them in the Barrack Square. He has also lent those stereoscopic photographs of the instruments and position used, which are now in your hands. I should like to enter into more detail about the transit operations, but i have not time. Two students of the University (Mr. McDonald and Mr. Ray) have lately found by surveying with instruments lent by Mr. Walker (an old student and present graduate)- 90 PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY IN TASMANIA. that the Harkness position and the present Observatory are situated lelatively thus: — 'Present Hobart Observatory relative to the transit of Venus (transit iustrumeut) pier. Lat. 3.61" S., Lon. 0.051 s. W. The present (1902) revised position of our Observatory is therefore Lat. 42° 53' 28.2" S., Lou. 9h. 49m. 19.54 s. E., whereas in recent years the adopted values have been Lat. 42° 53''2S.3" S., Lon. 9h. 49min. 19.76 s. E II. The Uses and Desirabilities of Practical Astronomy IN such a Community as Ours. I will now repeat and correct my remarks of two months ago. I said then that the keeping of time was so necessary for an island State such as Tasmania that it was imperative to know the time as accurately as possible. This I still believe. I also said (in the deputation of this Society to the Premier) that a first-class Observatory kept time to 1/100 of a second. This I said in ignorance. It is not so. Of this, more directly. It is imperative to know the time as accurately as pos- sible for tnis reason : Mariners depend ujDon the time for their position. I could say how they know their position North or South of the Equator by direct observations with the sextant, but this would occupy too much time, and I will only speak of how they determine their position East or West of some ascertained spot. They do this by means of their chronometers and sextant observations. If ocean mariners had a say in colonial politics, they would un- doubtedly say, "Please give us time correctly; chronometers are excellent in their way, but their indications depend ulti- mately on observations of the stars, and these observations can only be properly carried out at fixed Observatories.'' The rate of chronometers at sea is of the utmost im- portance, not only to mariners, but to the general public who travel by sea, for an error in the rate of one second in two days may mean an error of ten seconds in 20 days, and an error of 10s. in the chronometer may mean nearly three statute miles' error in position. Is Tasmania a place where time should be kept ac- curately? I have no hesitation in answering ''Yes." Tas- mania has a port where steamers from South Africa call on their way to distant ports ; other steamers call which are destined for a long voyage (say, starting from Sydney), af- ter staying for a time at Hobart. It is absolutely necessary BY PKOFESSOK ALEX. MCAULAY, M.A. 91 that we should be able to give them the same time as they received in Sydney, for it they receive it from ns, they can ascertain their chronometers' rates at sea, and they cannot obtain these rates otherwise. I have said before, and I say again, that it is in ex- treme cases sometimes necessary to know the time to one second, in order to make the necessary provision that means all the difference between life and death to many souls. With regard to this question of keeping time, I again quote from Mr. Baracchi's letter, and you will see that I was wrong in saying that in a first-class observatory an accuracy of 1/100 of a second was attainable : — "(5th). Whether an accuracy of u.Ols. is attained in time keeping at this Observatory. — In time deter- minations, we aim at an accuracy of 0.01s., but I do not think we attain it often. I can't say whether we ever attain it. Under the best conditions in re- gard to atmosphere, instrument and observer, M^ith a complete set of observations, viz., from six to ten standard clock stars, and from two to four azimuth stars, the clock error at the middle time of the ob- servations can be determined probably within 0.03s. ; greater accuracy is possibly attained on occasions, but is uncertain. Changes in personal equation are the disturbing causes. ''In ordinary time-keeping, viz., dropping of time signal at 1 p.m., and rating chronometers for the ship- ping, in all of which cases we have to rely on the rate of the standard clock for several hours, the un- certainty is much greater and the limit of accuracy that we can depend upon with safety is 0.1s." I should also here like to read a quotation from Mr. Morton's paper in the Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society for 1900-1901 (p. 122), and another from the paper by Mr. Abbott, to which Mr. Morton's paper directed me : — ''In May, 1865, the attention of the Society was directed to the necessity of some method of estab- lishing a time signal which should give the time regularly, so as to be available for the whole of Tasmania. The first duty of fixing a time signal was soon after undertaken by Colonel Chesney, who arranged for three guns to be fired at 4 p.m. on the first Thursday in every month, or, if that day proved wet, they were fired on the first fine day fol- lowing." [Quotations from "Time Signals," by Abbott, May, 1865, p. 45.] 92 PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY IN TASMANIA. That it is highly desirable in the interests of science to establish a practical School of Astronomy in Tasmania is illustrated by the discussions which arose in connection with the Leake Bequest. The whole of those discussions have a most direct bearing on our j^resent position. The Leake Be- quest of £10,000 j^urportcd to establish a School of As- tronomy, but, unfortunately, the money proved not avail- able for that purpose. At tlie same time, the possibilities led to a discussion of the suitability of Ilobart for astronomi- cal work, and I will now read extracts from the proceedings of the Boyal Society of 1892 : — [Quotations from ''Leake School of Astronomy,'' by Eussell, p. 26, and from letter by Waterliouse, p. xiv.] III. Practical Astronomy in the Present. Practical astronomy in Tasmania in the present, I am sorry to say, consists solely of what the Government is pre- pared to believe is useful ; that is to say, it consists of keep- ing time for the whole island by the transit instrument at the Observatory. As accurate time is kept as it is possible to keep by such means, and it is telegraphed every day to very many points in Tasmania automatically from the Ob- servatory clock. The ball — that is, the mariners' signal — is not, but undoubtedly should be, dropped automatically. There is no standard clock in the Observatory, and the public of Tasmania depends on the charity of two private citizens for their clock service. Not even surveyors (unless lately) make joractical astro- nomical observations in order to determine their meridian. I remember some years ago being rather surprised at a well known sui-veyor's evident delight in finding a new (to him) and very accurate (compared with his old compass method) means of determining his meridian. This struck me, and still strikes me as something pathetic. I cannot help think- ing that if we would allow ourselves a little more outside enlightenment, we might save ourselves a great deal of ex- pense and worry, if only in litigation. IV. Proposals Concerning Practical Astronomy in the Future. In what I have now to say, I would ask you to remem- ber Mr. Russell's remarks in connection with the Leake Bequest, which you have just heard. The advantages of combining the teaching of practical astronomy to students with observing are there properly emphasised. ^ BY PROFESSOR ALEX. MCAULAY, M.A. 93 Probably, if what I have now to propose should be adopted, such a School of Astronomy as Mr. Russell antici- pated, would grow up, even without the inestimable ad- vantage of a bequest of £10,000, and such a school would be a great benefit to the whole of Australia. The Meteorological Department is over-worked, under- manned, and under-paid. It is inevitable that under these conditions some of its work is not as efficiently performed as it would be were its resources adequate. My proposal is that that department be relieved of the astronomical work, but let it be most clearly understood that I, for one, will not counsel any such re-arrangement of duties if a single penny be as a consequence diverted from the Meteorological Department. I propose that, leaving the pecuniary position of the department precisely as it is at the present, the whole astro- nomical work be forthwith handed over to the University. It m?vy be asked how this is to be done, since the University f nds difficulty in performing its present duties efficiently. I will now make certain definite suggestions for the effecting of this scheme. The suggestions are definite, rather because I want a practical discussion here and elsewhere to be raised, than because of their intrinsic merit. Let those who are competent pull tue suggestions to pieces as much as they like, so long as the main object is kept in view, namely, the high desirability of laying the foundation of a really valuable School of Astronomy in Tas- mania. Such a school (there are many in the United States) would be a beneht and a credit to the whole of the Commonwealth, and it would also be a benefit to the world at large. I would submit then to your consideration the follow- ing suggestions : — (a) No funds to be diverted from the Meteorological Department. (b) The Meteorological Headquarters to remain in the Barrack Square, as at present, even if the Square be altered, as lately suggested by the Minister of Lands. (c) The Government astronomical work to be handed over to the University on certain conditions. (d) All the astronomical instruments to be transferred to the University grounds, and re-erected there, at the cost of the Government. (e) Loan of the Transit Instrument m the possession of the Melbourne Observatory, which for many years was lent to Adelaide, to be asked for. 94 PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY IN TASMANIA. (f) Automatic connection between the Observatory clock and the time ball to be established by Go- vernment. (g) Proper clocks to be provided by the Government, (h) The University to grant site of new Observatory, and site of a residence for a new officer, (i) The new officer to have the following duties : — • (a) Observing time for the island. (b) Teaching in the University, astronomy, surveying, practical physics, and such parts of the mining course as it is jDOssible and desirable for him to do. (j) The salary of the new officer to be £350 a year, of which the Government provide £150 and the University £200. (N.B. — The Observer would have to reside at the Uni- versity. He might perhaps live in the house at present oc- cupied by Professor Williams. If he lived rent free, the University's contribution to his salary should perhaps be only £175.) In conclusion, let me say that the University is faced with the unpleasant reality that it cannot continue to teach what it professes to teach without the appointment of some such officer. I am recommending merely that his appoint- ment be seized as the opportunity of starting what in the future may be of inestimable value to tne whole world — the establishment of an efficient School of Astronomy, in a high southern latitude, and in a climate peculiarly suitable for as- tronomical work. 95 TYPHOID IN HOBART AND MELBOURNE, AND THE INFLUENCE OF DRAINAGE ON ITS PRE- VALENCE. By James Jamieson, M.D., Health Officer, City of Melbourne. (Bead October ISth, 1902). At the meeting of the Intercolonial Medical Congress at Melbourne, in 1889, the subject of typhoid was largely con- sidered, and was adopted as the matter of discussion at one of the general meetings. At the end of that discussion a series of resolutions were proposed and carried unanimously. The first affirmed : " That the prevalence of typhoid is owing mainly to insanitary conditions, and above all to contaminated water supply, defective drainage, and improper disposal of night soil." By the second it was declared : " That while there is reason to believe that the sources of the water supply of Melbourne are carefully guarded, it is certain that, as regards drainage and night soil disposal the arrangements are very unsatisfactory, and to these defects must be ascribed in great measure the excessive prevalence of typhoid fever year after year." By the third it was affirmed: "That in the opinion of this Congress, it is the imperative duty of the Government to take immediate steps for bringing about an improvement in the sanitary condition of Melbourne, and specifically for the construction of a proper system of underground drainage, which shall include the removal of night soil by water carriage." Though these resolutions had properly enough special application to Melbourne, the affirmations were equally true of other places where conditions at all similar prevailed. The late Dr. Richard Bright, who took part in the discussion, and seconded the last of the resolutions, declared in a very positive way his belief that the excessive prevalence of typhoid in Hobart, in the years just preceding the meeting of the Congress, was greatly owing to the pan system. The resolutions took the shape they did very largely to strengthen the hands of the medical profession in Melbourne in their struggle for sanitary reform. It may be assumed that their unanimous adoption and vigorous wording had the effect intended, since the Government soon after engaged the services of an eminent London engineer to rej^ort on the best method for carrying out a scheme of underground drainage In 1890 that report was received, and a Metropolitan Board of Works constituted, with control of water supply and drainage. With some modifications the proposed plans were adopted, though for several years pro- gress seemed to be slow. About five years ago house connections began to be made, and now (August, 1902) 48,000 buildings out of about 100,000 96 TYPHOID IN HOBART AND MELBOURNE, have been connected with the sewers, and the pan system abolished, so far at least as concerns these places. Of course very much remains to be done, and as was proper, the central and more populous districts, and the suburbs on the line of the outfall drain, were the first to benefit. Clearly the full advantages from the point of view of sanitation are far from being attained, but it may be possible to show that they are considerable. It might have been expected that an enlightened self- interest would have led the citizens of Hobart, as a place of summer resort, to realise the enormous benefits any such place must derive from a good sanitary reputation. And there is nothing more likely than a fear of typhoid to check the influx of visitors. Without throwing doubt at all on the attractions of Hobart, both as a beauty spot and a good health resort, it must be admitted that, np till quite recent times, it shared the evil fame of Melbourne as a hot- bed of fever. And a comparison of the mortality returns brings out some striking points of similarity between the two cities. Taking the period since 1890, such a comparison brings out the very striking fact that the specially fatal years in both places were 1890-91 and 1898, and the year between these, showing the lowest typhoid mortality was also the same, viz., 1898. The concomitant variations are much too striking to admit of explanation by the easy way of " accidental coincidence." They strongly confirm the opinion, which I have long held and frequently expressed, that general conditions of the meteorological kind have much to do in determining the fluctuations of typhoid prevalence in particular localities from year to year. I must admit further that my endeavours to fix the exact nature of these meteorological, so-called cosmic, conditions have been attended with rather a scant measure of success (v. Proceedings of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, Vol. II., Melbourne, 1890, and Australian Medical Jommal, March, 1890). And, indeed, looking at the enormous fluctuations in the typhoid mortality, year by year and in almost a parallel way, in the two cities, it might seem as if they had been left at the mercy of these general conditions np till quite recent times. But knowledge has grown, and from application of that knowledge improvements of many kinds have resulted. And just as the fatality from consumption was steadily becoming less in most countries, independently of any recognition of its infectious character, and without much in the way of special precautions, so with typhoid the death rate has been under- going diminution, even though certain essential improvements may not have been adopted. In a paper read before the Eoyal Society of Tasmania by Dr Gregory Sprott in August, 1898, the argument in favour BY JAMES JAMIESON, M.D. '97 of the adoption of a proper drainage scheme was put in a very- forcible manner. At that time both Hobart and Melbourne showed, very unfavourably in the comparison of mortality rates, not only with European conditions, but even with Sydney. Since then there has been a great change for the better, and for several years it has been a pleasure to me to be able to point out that the deaths from typhoid in Mel- bourne had at last been reduced to such an extent that the mortality compared favourably with that of the great English towns. And comparatively lot? as the rate now is, there is every reason to hope, from analogy of what has ha])pened elsewhere, and notably in some of the G-erman cities, that the lowest point has not yet been reached. In presenting, in tabular form, the death rates from typhoid for a series of years, in Hobart and Melbourne, it is not necessary to go further back than 1890, as by the help of these figures we can make comparison of periods for which reliable census figures of population are available. Calcula- tions based on estimates are apt at times to be fallacious, and especially in our case, where census periods are as long as ten years apart. The following table gives a comparison of the rate of mortality from typhoid, in Hobart and in Melbourne, for the 12 years 1890-1901:— Per 10,000 op Population. Hobart. Melbourne. ]890 5-1 8-5 1891 167 3-9 1892 5-7 3-2 1893 2-5 2-6 1894 4-8 3-5 1895 5-8 3.2 1896 4' 3-3 1897 8-4 2-6 1898 8-1 47 1899 1-6 (?2-) 2-9 1900 1 6 (? 2') ]-9 1901 2- 1-4 The rates for Hobart are taken from the reports of the liealth officer, and as regards at least the years 1899, 1900, they almost certainly require correction, since the population had been overestimated by almost 6000,implying an addition to the rate of about one-fourth, and making it more probably 2' than 1*6, as given in the table. On the other h^nd the census returns showed that the estimates of population for Melbourne had been a close approximation to the true numbers. On analysing the figures given, the first thing at once noticeable is the great decline in the mortality rate in both cities, in the three last years of the period. Another is that the fluctuations from year to year are much greater in 98 TYPHOID IX HOBART AND MELBOURNE, Hobart than in Melbourne, owing of course to the smallness of the population not allowing of a correct average being easily got. But it has further to be noted, that with all the fluctuations the rate for Hobart has never come so low as that which has been found in Melbourne for the last two years, and notably in 1901. It is manifest from the fact that the mortality has been so much below the average in both places, that general conditions have on the whole been favourable during the last three years. The improvement in the typhoid mortality rate has doubtless been in great measure owing to advances in sanitation, better guarding of milk and water supplies, better cleansing of streets, lanes, and house surroundings, more care in the disinfection and ultimate disposal of night soil, and possibly other things not so obvious. But things being equal in all these respects, it might fairly have been expected that in Hobart the swing of the pendulum would have been more distinct with the small population than in Melbourne with the large. It might have been expected that, in one or other of these favourable years, the rate would by chance have fallen lower than in Melbourne, just as it was lower in 1893, than in any of the earlier years of the period, and far higher in 1891 and 1898 than at any time in the period. Many conditions being the same in both places, it seems as if there had been something at work in Melbourne of a special kind, not operative in the Tasmanian capital. It is not easy to think of anything greatly different in the two places but the drainage system adopted in the one and not in the other. Things being equal the mortality ought to be lower in Hobart, with its excellent undulating site, and its comparatively small and scattered population. It is worth making a further comparison, viz., between Mel- bourne and the rest of the State of Victoria, to see whether it favours this view : — Per 1,000 of Population. Rest of Melbourne. Victoria. 1890 8-5 3-2 1891 3-9 2-5 1892 3-2 2-2 1893 2-6 1-9 1894 3-5 3- 1895 3-2 1-9 1896 3-3 2-3 1897 2-6 2- 1898 47 47 1899 2-9 2-9 1900 1-9 2- 1901 1-4 178 BY JAxMES JAMIESON, M.D. 99 Here we have in some respects the same thing seen as in the previous table. With a large population, scattered over a large area, the fluctuations of course are not nearly so great as those shown for Hobart. But what is also apparent is that, while on the whole the mortality has been lower in Extra Metropolitan Victoria than in the Metropolis, this has now ceased to be the case. Something has happened in the last two or three years in Melbourne to make the rate lower than in the rest of the State, though the same thing had never happened in any other year of the period. To the casual observer the differences just pointed out may seem trifling, but in a place like Melbourne, with a popula- tion of about half a million, a lowering of a death rate by even 1 in 10,000 of population represents 50 lives saved annually, and these in turn may represent about 500 fewer cases of typhoid. The value of 50 lives of persons in the prime of life, as most typhoid patients are, and the cost of 500 cases of tedious illness, are not matters which can be dis- missed as trifles. By themselves, in fact, they make in their saving a considerable offset against the expense of sewerage. And when, to these savings, there is added the comfort, almost the luxury, of living in a sewered house, as compared with another in which the night pan is ever apt to reveal its offen- sive presence, and where foul water of every kind has to trickle along from house drains to right-of-way and street, it may well be a question whether the offset is not a full one. It will be for the people of Hobart, who have much to gain in the reputation of their city as a health resort, in addition to the savings and gains just mentioned, to decide whether it is not a grievous mistake to alloAV present conditions to continue longer than is absolutely necessary. I do not wish to refer specifically to other sanitary defects which reveal themselves easily to the trained, perhaps even to the untrained, observer. Many of them would disappear with the completion of a proper system of drainage. With these improvements accomplished, Hobart should be second to no other place in the Australian Com- monwealth as a health resort ; and it is hardly stretching prophecy too far to express the conviction that, among the benefits obtained, there would be complete, or almost complete, immunity from outbreaks of typhoid. 100 SEWAGE PURIFICATION AND DISPOSAL, SEWAGE PURIFICATIOX AND DISPOSAL. (Edwin H. Wilkinson, Engineer for Drainage, Hobart.) (Eead October 13, 1902.) The subject of the disposal and the puri- fication of sewage is one that has of late years received the clo?e attention of the greatest scientists. More especiallj- is this the case in the United Kingdom. It will be my endeavour this evening to de- scribe a few of the various methods adopt- ed for purifying the sewage, and the agen- cies whereby this state is brought about, together with various methods of disposal in use in various parts of the worlci. For much of the information contained in this paper (for which I claim no originality) 1 am indebted to the work by Mr. Dibdin on the purification of sewage and water. A very great deal of useful matter was also obtained from a recent "'Eeport on the Latest Methods in use in the United King- dom and elsewhere/' by Mr. J, Davis, M. Inst. C.E., who was until lately Engineer- in-Chief for Sewerage Construction in New South Wales. In_ the bacterial disposal of sewage, as carried out at many places, we assist na- ture in carrying out her work without offence and without danger to us. AVhen an animal dies and remains unhuned in the fields, Nature^s scavengers, in the form of bacteria, soon make themselves evident, and in a comparatively short time entirely dispose of the carcase. In order to more forciblj' impress upon you this bacterial life, which plays such an important part in the purification of •ewage, I ask your permission to be al- lowed to quote from some of the remarks of Mr. W. J. Dibdin, late Chemist to the London County Council. Firstly, sewage consists of animal sub- stances, largely composed of fibrine, gela- tine, chondrine, albumen, etc.; and, se- condly, vegetable substances, such as starclf and woody fibre (cellulose), gummy inatters, with tannin, etc. The decom- position takes place by the active organ- isms, "aerobic/^ as they were called by Pasteur in contradistinction to the anae- robic organisms. As their name implies, the first-named live only in the presence of air, whilst the latter live in the absence of air. When air is freely present the aerobic organisms destroy the organic matters in an inoffensive manner. According to Dibdin, the nitrogen of the gelatine, etc., is resolved with either the production of ammonia and the oxides of nitrogen, or possibly set free as uncom- bined nitrogen. The oxygen and hydro- gen, forming a considerable portion of the matters, are recombined into water, and the carbon into "carbon dioxide,'' or car- bonic acid gas, as it is generally called. Similar transformations take place with these elements in vegetable matters, but a longer time is usually required for the completion of the process than is :he case with animal substances, as they do not form so suitable a medium for the sup' port of the microbic life. Woody fibre, especially paper pulp, is more refractory, find will require a much longer time ifor its disruption, but in the end the same transformation occurs, a'ud carbonic acid, water, etc., are iformed as a result. It will be understood that t'he sub- stances mentioned are intended to repre- sent only types of compounds actually present in such a heterogeneous mixture as that which vre are considering. In the process known as combustion, or burning, the organic matters combine with oxygen, but the same action is brought about by the life processes of ani- mals. In the cpse of the higher animals, when the food is taken into the stomach, it there undergoes the nrocess of digestion, and a portion is absorbed into the system, wnere, by the action of the blood, it is eventually oxidised as it rushes through the lungs, in which it is freely exposed to the air taken, in by the breath. Thus is kept up a slow process of oxidation, marvellous in its character and action. It matters not whether it is meat and bread eaten by human beings; grass, etc., by horses or fowls; or a mixture of these things by microbes or by the direct action of fire; the final result is precisely the same, viz., combustion, fast or slow, as the case may be. But in bringing about this result we must not neglect to ensure an ample sup- ply of oxygen, otnerwise we shall have foul gases formed, such as sulphuretted hydrogen, and so create a nuisance. Here we must further consider the ac- tion of the minute organisms already re- ferred to as "bacteria,"" or "microbes.'" These are minute living bodies, some of which are ever present m various forma in or on every substance known; and whenever the circumstances are favour- able they bring about the destruction of the organic matters simply by living on them. In reference to their general char- acter that while at first they were thought to belong to the animal kingdom, it is now generally accepted that they are planta. With reference to the size of the bacteria. BY EDWIN H WILKINSON. 101 it is, indeed, difficult to describe the'm la popular language. They vary in length from one-five thousandth to one-twenty- five thousandth of an inch. When view- ed under the most powerful microscopes they appear to be a little larger than dots of ink on paper. "If," say Pearman and Moore in their work on ''Applied Bacteri- ology/' ''we could view an average human being, under an equal degree of magnifi- cation, he would appear to be about four miles in height." In a volume equal to the GGth part of a grain, Bujivid estimated no less than eight thousand millions of microbes. With reference to the incredible rapid- ity with which the bacteria multiply un- der conditions favourable to their growth and development, Cohn writes as follows: — "Let us assume that a microbe divides into two within an hour, then again into eight in the third hour, and so on. The number of microbes thus produced in 2i hours would exceed 16^r millions; in two davs they would increase to 47 trillions: and in a week the number expressing them would be made up of 51 figures. After 24 hours the descendants from a single bacil- lus would weigh l-26661b.; after two days over a pound; after three days. 7,366 tons. It is quite unnecessary to scate that these figures are purely theoretical, and could only be attained if there were^no impedi- ments to such rapid increase.'' • "Fortunately for us," observe Messrs. Pearman and Moore, "various checks, such as lack of food and unfavourable physical conditions, prevent unmanage- able multiplications of this description. Naturally the question will at once arise as to what becomes of the dead bodies of those bacteria which succumb in the struggle for existence. A dead bacterium is only so much food for his friend, who evidently considers that all is fish that comes to his net." The figures given fthow what a tremen- dous vital activity niicro-organigms or "bacteria" possess, and it may be seen at what speed they can increase in water, milk, broth, yeast, and other =nitable and nutrient media. You can realise from the foregoing remarks the enormous force which the sanatarian has at his disposal for the rapid and effectual destruction of tvaste animal and vegetable matters by the action of the life processes of these minute scavengers, provided that the con- ditions of their environment are carefu-Uy arranged, so as to afford them the freest possible scope. If any porous material, such as coke breeze, "^burnt clay, etc., be placed in a vessel or tank, and sewage water admit- ted thereto, a large proportion of the filth contained therein will adhere to the rough sides of the coke or other material, and the organisms will commence their work Ijy feeding and multiplying so that in a short time the whole surface of each par- ticle of coke or other material which may be employed, will be covered with them. Let the water be drawn off gently, after sufficient time has been allowed for the adherence of the fine particles of matter to the coke. Air will be admitted as the water is lowered, and a fresh impetus will be given to the little workers, who will soon be ready for another supply of food to be given to them in the form of a se- cond quantity of foul water. The organ- isms at work'uuder circumstances such as these are the serobic microbes previously described. The anaerobic do not depend on the air for their existence, and it is this class that carries on the purification process in what are known as septic tanks. It will be seen these processes may con- tinue indefinitely, and that we can bring about the destruction of objectionable matters completely and economically for as long a time as may be desired. Such, then, is Nature's method of puri- fication. The process is termed biological, but it must not be supposed that because this term is used in reference to the treatment of sewage, it is intended to imply that (he micro-organisms are provided by the bed itself, and that the sewage does not contain them. The organisms are to be found in all sewage, and they are by the sewage conveyed into the beds, where large surfaces are provided, and on which the bacteria are cultivated. Having, with these few introductory re- marks, given an idea of the great activity of micro-organisms, and of their enormous power in working out purification of sew- age, it will perhaps be interesting to hear of what is being done with their assist- ance in a few of the more important cities of the United Kingdom. For much of my information on this subject I am indebted to Mr. J. Davis, M.I.C.E., late Engineer-in-Chief of the Sewerage Construction Branch of the Pub- lic Works Department of New South Wales, who last year presented his report to the Minister for Public Works on the "Latest Methods in use^ in the United Kingdom and elsewhere." In order that we may start at the be- ginning I shall first deal with Scott-Mon- crieff's methods. _ ,, ^_ It appears that Mr. W. D. Scott-Mon- crieff commenced his experiments on a practical scale in 1891. He erected what he called a "cultivation tank," measuring 2ft. 9in. wide, 10ft. long, and 3ft. deep at the deepest end. Excluding the grease by means of a trap, he allowed the entire sewage and waste water from one dwelling house to enter the tank at the lowest end. The sewage passed through a perforated plate, which was fixed about one foot from the bottom of the tank. Underneath this plate the solids were arrested. Above the 102 SEWAGE PURIFICATION AND DISPOSAL, perforated plate was a layer of flint, through ■which the liquid portion ro?e un- til it reached the level of the outlet drain. The mean depth of the filtering material was 14in,, and the space underneath the plate 5 cubic feet. Mr. Scott-Moncrieft' states that the in- variable result, where he put down instal- lations of these tanks, based upon an al- lowance of 3 or 4 cubic feet for each in- habitant served, has been the almost com- plete liquefaction cif the solid matter, and the sludge in everj'^ case was a negligible quantity. His next step was to pass the effluent from the cultivation tank through shallow, open earthenware drains filled with coke, but it appears that this treat- ment had very little effect upon the efflu- ent. However, it was observed that when it passed into an almost stagnant, but bacterially very active, ditch, m the pro- portion of one to three respectively, the effluent purified what was before a pol- luted stream. This fact (which to many may be hard to believe) will again be de- monstrated further on in this paper, when dealing with experiments carried out with the Manchestei sewage. Using Mr. Scott-Mon Crieff's own words, he states that this proves two things: — •'First, that the ditch was a very active oxidising agent; and, secondly, that the organic matter coming from the 'cultiva- tion tank" was in a condition highly sus- ceptible to further oxidising changes, and was in a much more unstable molecular condition than the raw sewage, which had seriously polluted the stream when un- treated.""" He next devised a highly oxidising ap- paratus consisting of nine wooden boxes (perforated). Tin. deep, and each having an area of 1 square foot, which he placed 2in. apart and above each other. These he filled with coke about the size of beans. In utilising the filtering material for re- storing oxygen to the sewage to the fullest extent, he used V-shaped tipping chan- nels, so that the liquid would be evenly distributed. Installations have been carried out on this plan in several places, notably at Birmingham, at Chelmsford, and at Ca- terham, under the sanction and authority of the War Department. At the latter place there is exceedingly strong sewage from the barracks, which accommodate 1,200 persons. Dr. E.ideal, who was asked by the War Department to report on the efficiency of the installation at Caterham, states the results are satisfactory, and that "the process has been successful in destroying completely four-fifths of the total organic matter present in raw sewage." Septic Tanks. Under the septic tank system the larg-i est installation as yet carried out is atj Barrhead, where the works are designed' to serve a population of 10,000, and to puri- fy a maximum flow of sewage and storm water of 400,000 gallons per day. The works consist of two grit chambers, four septic tanks, and eight bacteria beds, all of which are built with concrete. The sewerage main discharges into the grit chambers, from which the sewage passes, without screening, into the septic tank. When the septic tank system was first introduced it was thought that it was ne- cessary to exclude all light and air. It is now found by experience that the results obtained from raw sewage are the sanie whether the tanks in which the anserobic microbes are active, is covered or open. This may be due, perhaps, to the coating of hard scum which is formed in the tank, and which would tend to exclude the light and air. There may be cases, however, where, for various reasons, it would be advisable to cover the tanks. For all practical pur- poses it is settled beyond dispute that the open is as efficient as the closed tank. Manchester Sewerage. To prevent the pollution of the Man- chester Ship Canal, in 1896 proceedings were instituted against the Corporation at the County Police Court, and an order made calling upon the Council to do what was necessary within 12 months. Thig period has had to be extended, as it was found impossible to make the necessary experiments to enable » conclusion to be arrived at in the time given. Eventually a scheme was prepared for conveying the effluent from Davyhulme to the tidal Rivftr Mersey at Randall's sluices. When this scheme was referred to a poll of the ratepayers it was rejected bv a large majority. Messrs. Latham, Frankland, and Perkins, experts, who were called in to advise the Council upon the question, supported the ratepayers in their decision. The Council thereupon decided to ap- point the three experts already named to advise them and report on the whole ques- tion of sewage purification and disposal. Up to this time no adequate experience had been gained in the use of bacteria beds with sewage diluted with trade refuse. Upon getting to work the experts named confined their attention to t"he three me- thods which had been already before the Council : — 1. Treatment by land. 2. Conveying the effluent into tlie tidal portion of the rivei. 3. Bacterial treatment. BY EDWIN H. WILKINSON. 103 Regarding the question of land treat- ment, they agreed with the committee in rejecting it; firstly, on account "of the great initial cost of land, drainage, con- duits, laying out, etc.;" secondly, "of the obvious difficulty of obtaining a sufficient area;" and, thirdly, "of the general un- fiuitability of the land in and around Davyhulme." With respect to this, they instanced the case of Birmingham, which is now feeling the formidable dimensions of its sewage farm to such an extent that other and more compact modes of dealing with the sewage are being undertaken. The extension of the sewer to Randall's sluices was condemned from an engineer- ing point of view. IJnder their direction, certaia beds were constructed at Davyhulme, and experi- ments were made with them. The filter- ing medium used in the upper bed was clinker. Sin. to Im. gauge; and in the lower bed lin. to iin. gauge. Two other beds of similar size, and a fifth, much smaller, were afterwards added, but the clinkers used were of much smaller mesh, as it was found that the coarser filters al- lowed sludge to get into the body of the bed, and so into the drains below. The material used in the third, fourth, and fifth beds varied from fin. to iin. mesh. Settled sewage was first used, the beds being filled once each day for the first week, and twice a day for four weeks. The beds, having acquired a high degree of efficiency at the end of this period, were filled three times a day for a further term. As the application of settled sewage was attended with such satisfactory results, it was decided to apply raw sewage on the same lines. For the first month the raw sewage was applied once each day, and the settled sewage twice. This having proved satisfactory the raw sewage alone was applied three times a day, and was continued for nearly two months, when four fillings per day were tried. After the first week the rough bed showed signs of clogging; and settled was therefore re- sorted to. ' The experiments with tnese beds have extended over a period of two years. The effluent from septic tanks was, instead of settled sewage, ulti- mately passed through the beds. The capacity of the beds was at hrst rapidly reduced, but when the solids in suspension from the raw sewage had pre- viously been removed, by bacterial action in the septic tank, and the beds had got fairly to work, they maintained a capa- city of one - third of the capa- city of the bed without filtering material. When a bed fell below this proportion a short period of rest would be the means of restoring it. The larger beds were constructed to contain 10,000 gallons before the clinkers were put in, and when working their capacity was 3,333 gallons. The beds were treating the effluent from the septic tank at the rate of 6{)0,000gal. per acre, with a resultant degree of purifi- cation of 0.5 grains per gallon oxygen ab- sorption in 4s hours; and 0.04 grains per gallon of albumenoid ammonia. The limits of impurity adopted by the Mersey and Irwell joint committee (the authority which has the responsibility of the con- servation of the rivers in question) is 1 grain and .1 grain respectively. In their report the experts say: "The results of the treatment of the open septic tank effluents have, from the first, surpassed our most sanguine expectatian.''' It has been found, with the use of the effluent from either open or closed septic tanks, one contact with a bacteria bed lias been sufficient to secure adequate purifica- tion. At the end of 1898 an experimental in- stallation of the septic system was got to work. After it had been working about nine months to trv its powers of dissolv- ing solids, garbage was tipped into the tank. After 279 barrow-loads were put in, it was decided to cease. _ Ihe tank was constructed in size sufficient to hold half a day's supply of sewage. If it had been used as a precipitating tanli:, at the end of fourteen months the quantiiy of sludge produced would have been about 12,000 tons, but, upon being emptied, it was found to contain 4,000 tons of sludge, and the garbage had been wholly dissolv- ed. The greater portion of this residue was inorganic matter; the proportions were 60 per cent, inorganic and 40 per cent, organic. A large proportion of the in- organic matter, if not the whole, is recog- nised to consist principal'y of silt from the street surfaces, and silt pits are oemg specially constructed to intercept it before the sewage reaches the septic tank. The rapid rate at which the sewage was passed through the tank may account for the comparatively large amount of organic matter, 1,333 tons. Notwithstanding this. It is a very great attainment to have suc- ceeded in destroying two-thirds of the solid matter, and that, too, when passing the sewage through the tanks twice as fast as is usual in other places. Experiments made at other places show that the most perfect bacterial action is obtained by allowing the contact to be twenty-four hours. A closed septic tank was treating sewage during the whole time the sewage was passing through the open septic tank, and samples of the effluent, taken under similar conditions, show that the results for all practical purposes may be regarded as the same. The sludge which is not retained in the septic tank passes away in a highly-divid- ed condition in suspension, and by gasi- fication. From samples of the effluent taken from 104 SEWAGE PURIFICATION AND DISPOSAL, the maximum flow the resiilts show that the suspended matter varies from 11.6 to 4.9 grains per gallon. Exhaustive experiments have been made to determine the effect the efflueut from the bacteria beds would have upon the waters of the Manchester Ship Canal. Average samples of the filtrates were caken from the bacteria beds in operati:/n on 132 days. A similar quantitj" of water was taken from the Ship Canal, and the two were mixed. The Ship Canal water, except in a few cases, when it had been diluted by heavy falls of rain, was putrescible to a high degree, but when mixed witn an equal quantity of the filtrate, the mix- tures in 117 cases were non-putrefactive. This shows clearlj^ that the organic im- purities of the Canal water had been oxi- dised at the expense of the nitrates in the filtrate, and thus vastly improved. It also bears out the fact demonstrated by Air. Scott-Moncrieff, and already alluded to. Of several the following were among tue ■conclusions and recommendations made to the Council by the three experts: — 1. That the bacterial sys'tem is the sys- tem best adapted for purification of the se -2 .-, mm latis, superne sensim minoribus, basilaribus oblongo-hexagonis, dorsalia et veritralia adpressa, minora. Caetera ignota, Patria. Tasmania, Hobart Waterworks, Gentle Annie, March, 1894. W. A. Weyracuth. Species E. cristato (Hedw.) Jaeg. affinis, sed statura niulto minore foliisque minutius serrulatis, latins limbatis facillime dignoscenda. — Brotherus's Australian Mosses, V. p. 125. 35. Fissiclens leptocladus, C. Miill. -Broth., n. sp. Hob. — Guy Fawkes Rivulet, near Hobart, on rocks, Sept., 1890, and Jan., 1897. W.x\..W., Nos. 385, 2,157. 36. Philonotis rigens, Broth., n. sp. Ha6.— The Bridge Gully, near Glen Eae, Wattle Hill, Jan. 1891, W.A.W., No. 556. 37. Weissia {Hymenostomum) Weymouthi, C. Miill., n. sp. Hah..— On wet bank, Cradoc, Huon, Sept., 1889, W.A.W.,. No. 163. New Varieties. 3. Acanthocladium extenuatum, Brid., var. rivuletorumy Broth., n. var. Hah. — West Coast, on the ground, banks of creeks, Macquarie HRrbour, Nov., 1896. T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., No. 2,069). 4. Sphagnum Australe, Mitt., var. grandiosum. Warnst.,. n. var. Hab. — Huon, on old tramway, Arve Eoad, Franklin, W.A.W., No, 2,063. Mosses New to Tasmania. 41. Barhula unguiculata, Hedw. Hah. — New Town, on the ground in paddock Foster-street,. March, 1893. W.A.W., No. 1,487. BY W. A. WEYMOUTH. 119 42. Bryum cupulatum, C. Miill., f. seta hreviore. Hah. — Lannceston streets, Aug , 1886. A. J. Taylor. (Herb. Bastow and W.A.W.) 43. Bryum (JEuhryuni) laevigatuhim, Broth. Dioicum ; gracile, caespitosuni, caespitibus densis, inferne ferrugineis, superne laete viridibus, nitidiusculis ; caulis fertilis humilis, longe radiculosus, apice foliosus, innova- tionibus singulis vel binis, 1 cm altis, dense foliosis obtusis ; folia caulina erecto-patentia, elongate oblonga, obtusiuscula, marginibus erectis, integerrimis, limbata, limbo e seriebus tribus cellularum comj)osito, nervo crasso, rufescente, cum apice evanido, cellulis ovali-vel oblongo-liexagonis, basilar ibus subrectangnlaribus, innovationum sicca imbricata, liumida erecto-patentia, subcymbiformi-concava, oblonga, marginibus erectis, superne minutissime serrulatis, limbata, limbo trise- riato, nervo cum apice evanido vel in apiculum erectum excedente, cellulis ovali-vel oblongo-liexagonis, bas'laribus subrectangnlaribus ; bracteae perichaetii internae foliis multo minores, lanceolatae, archegonia numerosa includentes ; seta vix 1,5 cm alta, flexuosula, tenuis, purpurea; theca liorizon- talis vel nutans, pyriformis, collo sporangium aequante, sicca laevis, deoperculata sub ore baud constricta, demuni rubra ; annulus 0, i o mm latus, per partes secedens ; peristommm duplex ; exostomii dentes c 0 s s mm Jongi et c. 0> o 9 mm lati, lutei, apice byalini, lamellis c. 20 ; endostomium liberum, sordide hyalinura, minute sed deusissime papillosum ; pro- cessus dentium longitudinis. carinati, anguste perforati ; cilia rudimentaria ; spoj^i 0, o 1 5 — 0, o i v mm, lutescentes, laevis- sinii ; operculum convexo-conicum, apiculatum. Species Br. laevigata Hook. fil. VVils. affinis, sed statura multo minore et peristomio ciliis rudimentariis raptim dignoscenda. — Broth. Australian Mosses, IV., j). 88. ila6.— New Town Falls, on rock, August, 1889. W.A.W.,. No. 1,845. Locality unrecorded. W.A.W., No. 1,849. (Also New Zealand.) 44. Campylopus Kirhii^ Mitt. Dr. Brotlierus says : — " That moss from Tasmania which my friend A. Geheeb, under the name of Dicnemon Moorei, Broth. Geh., mentions in Revue Bryologique, 1897, p. 67, I have by a further examination found to be Campylopus Kirkii, Mitt., earlier found in New Zealand." — Australian Mosses, IV., p. 74. Hah. — West Coast, on the ground, Jones's Track, Mac- quarie Harbour. T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., 2,016 h). 120 SOME ADDITIONS TO THE BRYOLOGICAL FLORA, 45. Campylopus suhappressifolius, Broth. Geh. Hah. — West Coast, Mount Darwin, damp places, alt. 3,400ft., March. 1893, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., No. 1,556) ; and on gravelly button-grass hills, Jones's Track, South Sprent River, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., No. 2,015). 4(). Heclwigia albicans (Web.) Lindb. Hab. — Hobart Eivulet, on di'j rock, Januarv, 1898, W.A.W., No. 2,167. 47. Spliagnum cenfrale, C. Jensen = S. intermedium, Russow. Hab. — Brown's River, 1885, F. Abbott (Herbs. Bastow and W.A.W.;. In a bog, Brown's River, 1894, C. D. Hazell {Herb. W.A.W., No. 1,915). Form hrachy-dasyclada, R. A. Bastow, No. 531 (Herb. W.A.W.) Var. Jlavo-glaucescens, Russ, Hab.— Blue Tier Range, Sept., 1897, W. P. Kirwan (Herb. W.A.W., No. 2,123). Weldborougli, Murphy's Creek, Aug., 1897 (f. brachyclacla, Warnst.) P. H. Weymouth (Herb. W.A.W., No. 2,122). Var. ftisco-pallescens, f. brachy-dasyclada, Warnst. ITafe.— Weldborough, in a bog, Aug., 1897, W.A.W!. No. 2,121. YsiY. flavo-pallescens, f. brachy-dasyclada, Warnst. Hab,— Blue Tier Range, Sept., 1897. W. P. Kirwan (Herb. W.A.W., No. 2,124). 48. Sphagnum cuspidatum (Ehrh.) Var. submersum (Schimp.), f. serridata (Schliepb). Hab. — West Coast, floating in water of sandy ditch, West Strahan, Oct., 1893, W.A.W., No. 2,063. 49. Tortula 'pandursefolia, Hpe. CM. Hab.— Wouwt Rumney, Nov., 1885. R. A. Bastow (Herb. W.A.W.) On stone, behind Knocklofty, near Hobart, Jan., 1888, W.A.W., No. 1577. 50. JJlota fidva, Brid. Hab. — West Coast, on wood, Comet-Dundas road, Oct., 1893, W.A.W., No. 1,654. 51. Zygodon obtusifolius, Hook. Hab. — West Coast, on trees, Sophia Point, Macquarie Harbour, T. B. Moore, No. 26 (Herb. W.A.W., No. 1,999). by w. a. weymouth. 121 New Hepatics. 1. Aneura dentata, Steph., n. sp., 1899. Species Hepati- oarum I. Hah. — Lottah, on wet bank, August, 1897, W.A.W. (a few admixed fragments) ; and St. Crispin's, Mt. Wellington, on rocks, Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 570, 572-574. 2. Aneura gracilis, Steph, n. sp., 1899. Species Hepat. I. Hab. — Guy Fawkes Rivulet, near Hobart, Jan., 1897, W.A. W.; Deep Creek and Bower Creek, Mt. Wellington, alt. 1,600ft., Dec, 1897; Hobart Eivulet, Jan., 1898; St. Crispin's, ou tree fern and on face of wet rocks, alt. 2,200ft,, and Watcliorn's Hill, on bank of watercourse near State- school, Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 252a, 296/7, 309, 328, 363, 369, 434, 566, 568. 3. Aneura longiflora, Steph., n. sp., 1899. Species Hepat. I. Hah. — Blue Tier near Lottah, Aug., 1897, and Bower Creek, Mount Wellington, alt. 2,000ft., Dec, 1897, W.A.W., Nos. 208, 210, 360. 4. Aneura tasmanica, Steph., n. sp., 1899. Species Hepat. I. Hah. — Guy Fawkes Rivulet, on wood, Sept., 1892, and Jan., 1898 ; Deep Creek, on stony bank, alt. 1,600ft., Dec.,, 1897 ; and Bower Cr^^ek, on wet rock, Dec, 1898, W.A.W., Nos. 228, 252, 307, 428. Locality unrecorded, R. C, Gunn (Herb. Mitten and Hobart Museum). Of Gunn's specimen, which was marked Sarcomitrium crassum by Mr. Mitten, Herr Stephani writes : — *' Aneurci ** crassa (Schwgr.) Nees is not to be found in any European " collection. It is reported to be collected ' in the Australian " Islands.' Such a vague expression does not permit us to ** consider Gunn's plant as a reliable original. See my *' Species Hepat. L, p. 274." 5. Cephalozia verrucosa, Steph., n. sp., 1899. Species Hepat. I. Hah —On. the Cataract Hill, Launceston, Julv, 1899, W.A.W., No. 694. 6. Cephaloziella Levieri, Steph., n. sp., 1899. Hah. — Deep Creek, on stony bank (a few scraps with Lejn- clozia glauca, Steph.), alt. 1,600ft., Dec, 1897, W.A.W., No. 316 in part. 7. Cheilolejeunea Weyrnoutlii, Stepb., n. sp., 1899. Hah. — Hobart Rivulet, on wet rock on margin, Nov., 1898> W.A.W., No. 403. 122 SOME ADDITIONS TO THE BRYOLOGICAL FLORA, 8. Fimhriaria tasmanica, Steph., n. sp., 1899. Hab. — Beltaua, on the Recreation Ground, June, 1899, and Launcestou, on Trevallyn Hills, Julv, 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 672, 711,714, 716. 9. Fossomhronia dentata, Steph., n. sp., 1897. Hub, — Launceston, on earth, Trevallyn, Sept., 1892, W.A.W., No. 13. 10. Isotachis pusilla, Stepb., n. sp., 1899. Hab — Loiigley, on roadside bank, Huon-road, Mav, 1899, W.A.W., No. 649. 11. Lejeunea (Eulejeunea) cuapidistijpula, Steph., n, sp., 1899. Hab. — Moun*^^ Welliugton, on live tree trunk (on Zygodon sp.), 25th Dec, 1897, alt. 2,o00ft., W.A.W., No. 412. 12. Lepidozia sejcfida, Steph., n. sp., 1899. Hab. — Huon-road, on roadside bank, Long^ey, May, 1899, AV.A.W., No. 650/1. North and South [Jpper Huon, on roadside banks, May, 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 652, 654/5, 660, 663. 13. Lophocolea Weymouthi, Stepb., n. sp., 1899. Hab. — Mount Wellington, Bower Creek, on trunk of tree fern, and on rocks, Dec, 1898, and St. Crispin's, on decayed wood, alt. 2,200ft., Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 420, 421, 565. 14. Flagiochila squarrosa, Steph., n. sp., 1900. Hab. — On rock, Newman's Creek, Tasinan Peninsula, Feb. 1899, W.A.W., No. 819. 15. Radula Weymouthi, Steph., n. sp., 1899. Hab. — On decaying sassafras branch, Weliard liivulet, Tasman Peninsula, Feb., 1899, W.A.W., No. 628. 16. Biccia tasmanica, Steph., n. sp., 1899. Hab — Beltana, River Derwent, on the ground, June, 1899, 'W.A.W., No. 674 ex parte. 17. Tylimanthus homomallus, Steph., n. s^)., 1897, Hab. — Blue Tier, Dec, 1895, E. McGregor (few specimens picked out— Herb. W.A.W.) Hepatics New to Tasmania. 1. Acrobolhtis piliferus (Mitt, sub Gymnanthe^, Schiffn. Hab. — No locality or date recorded, W. Archer. In Archer's Herbarium, Hobart Museum, there is a speci- men named by Mitten Gymnanthe pilifera, but it does not appear to have been previously recorded for Tasmania. BY W. A. WEYMOUTH. 12S 2. Acroholbus unguiculatus (Hook. /. Tayl.), Mitt. Hab. — South Upper Huon, on bank of roadside ditch, May, 1899, W.A.W., 659, 662 b. 3. Anastrophyllum echismoides (Mont.), Steph. Hab.— Blue Tier, Dec, 1895, E. McGregor. Herb. W.A.W., No. 195. 4. Aneura Colensoi, Steph. Species Hepat. I. Hab. — Hobart Rivulet, on damp earth at margin of stream, Jan., 1898, W.A.W., Nos. 862, 366. 5. Aneura erecta, Steph. Species Hepat. I. Hab. — Mount Wellington, on wood, Deep Creek, Dec, l887, Bower Creek, Jan., 1888, on rock St. Crispin's, Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 406 in part, 569. 6. Aneura minima^ Carr. Pears. Hab. — Mount Wellington, on a tree St. Crispin's, Dec, 1895; on wet bank. Falls Track, Nov., 1896, W.A.W., Nos. 108, 179, 181, 207. 7. Aneura nitida, Colenso. Hab. — Mount Wellington, on decayed wood St. Crispin's, Dec, 1895, W.A.W., No. 105. 8. A7ieura perpusilla, Colenso. Hab. — Tasmau Peninsula, on decayed wood, Wellard Rivulet, Feb., 1899, W.A.W., No. 804. 9. Aneura polymorpha, Colenso. Hab. — Hobart, on earth, Salvator Rosa Glen, W.A.W., No. 129 (b). Mount Faulkner, on bank of creek near Skye Farm, Dec, 1892, Mrs. Pettifer (Herb. W.A.W., No. 188). 10. Aneura prehensilis (Hook. f. Tayl.), Mitt. Hab. — Mount Wellington, on log. Bower Creek, Dec, 1898, W.A.W., No. 431. 11. Aneura stolonifera, Steph. Species Hepat. I. Hab. — Tasman Peninsula, lb93, Rev. John Bufton (Herb. W.A.W., 399). Mount Wellington, on wet bank Falls Track, Nov., 1896, W.A.W., No. 415. 12. Anthoceros carnosus (Hook./! Tayl.), Stej:)!!. Species Hej)at. I. Hab. — Mount Wellington, on wet rocks Deep Creek, Dec, 1887, on rocks near the Springs, Dec, 1890 and 1894, W.A.W., Nos. 54, 54 (b) 55. 124 SOME ADDITIONS TO THE BRYOLOGICAL FLORA. 13. Anthoceros crassus, Ste])h.. Hah. — Western Rivulet, W. Archer. (Herb. Archer iu Hobart Museum.) 14. Cephalozia exiliflora (Tayl.), Steph. Hah. — Mount Wellington, on wood Deep Creek, alt. 1,600ft., Dec, 1887, and Geeveston, on burnt log, Nov., 1892, W.A.W. 15. Chandonanthus squarrosus (Hook.), Mitt. Hah — Mount Wellington, on the Springs Track, alt. 2,000ft., Nov., 1890, W.A.W., No. 7Z. 16. Cheilolejtiinea 7nuscicola, Steph. Species Hepat. Hab. — Hobart Eivulet, on rocks in running water, Jan.,^ 1898, W.A.W., No. 373. 17. Chiloscyphus affinis, Gottsche. Hab. — River Mersey, on shady earth bank near Latrobe Waterworks, March, 1893, W.A.W., and Mount Wellington, on wet rock in Bower Creek, Dec, 3898, W.A.W., No. 426. (Also Australian Alps, F. v. M.) 18. Chiloscyphus asperrimus^ Steph. Species Hepat. Hab. — West Coast, Moore's Track to Frenchman's Cap, T. B. Moore. (A few fragments picked out.) 19. Chiloscyphus com?fiutaius, Steph. Species Hepat. Hab. — Tasman Peninsula, on shady rocks, and on wet decayed wood, Newman's Creek, W.A.W., Nos. 604, 612. 20. Chiloscyphus cuneistipulus, Steph. Species Hepat. Z^^^.— Mount Wellington, Deep Creek, Dec, 1887, alt. 1,600ft., W.A.W., No. 97 (a few specimens). 21. Chiloscyphus ligulatus, Colenso. ZT^^.— Franklin, Price's Rivulet, Feb., 1892, W.A.W., No. 50. Mount Wellington, on wet rocks Guy Fawkes Falls, Sept., 1892, and St. Crispin's, alt. 2,200ft..'' Dec, 1895, and on face of dripping rocks Hobart Rivulet, Aug., 1896, W. A.W., 49, 115, 117. 22. Chiloscyphus Moorei, Steph. Species Hepat. Hab. — West Coast, on Jones's Track, and on hard button- grass plains, Macquarie Harbour, Nov., 1896, T. B. Moore. (Herb. W.A.V/., Nos. 150, 168.) BY W. A. WEYMOUTH. 1^5 23. Chiloscyphus Mullert, Gottsclie. Hab. — D'Entrecasteaux Channel, on wet bank of roadside drain, Middleton, Aug., 1894, W.A.W., 178. (Also Australian Alps, F. v. M.) 24. Chiloscyphus odoratus, Mitt. Hab. — Mount Wellington, on wood Deep Creek, alt. 1,600ft., Dec., 1887, W.A.W., No. 53. 25. Chiloscyphus physanthus (Tayl.), Mitt. iT'^Z'.— Mount Wellington, Deep Creek, Dec, 1887 (frag- ments with other hepadcs), W.A.W., and Guv Fawkes Rivulet, May, 1890, W.A.W., No. 184. 26. Chiloscyphus trispifwsus, Mitt. Hab. — Tasman Peninsula, on wood. Newman's Creek. March, 1891, W.A.W. (picked out from Tricholea tomentella) ^ 27. Fossombronia perpusilla (Col.), Steph. Hab. — Launceston, on earth, Trevalljn Hill, Sept., 1892, W.A.W., Nos. 389,395. 28. Fnillania ci?ina7?io?nea, Carr. et Pears. Hab. — Tasman Peninsula, on fallen sassafras, Newman's Creek, Feb., 1899, and Launceston, on rock. Cataract Hill, July, 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 77Q, 705. 29. Fnillania cranialis, Tayl. Hab. — Mount Wellington, on trunk of Prostafithera, Deep Creek Track alt. l,600tt., Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 580, 582. 30. Fnillania pentapleura, Tayl. Hab. — Kempton, on rock on the Sugar Loaf, May, 1892, and Mount Wellington, on a tree, St, Crispin's, alt. 2,200ft., Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 217, 581. 31. Frullania pycnantha, Tayl. Hah. — Launceston, on rock. Cataract Hill, July, 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 706, 707. 32. Fnilla7iia spinifera, Tayl. Hab. — Guy Fawkes Rivulet, near Hobart, on trunk of tree, Jan., 1899, and Tasman Peninsula, on English oak, Carnarvon, Feb., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 473, 476, 477, 775. 33. Hymetiophyton leptopoduni (Tayl.) Dum. Hab. — Mount Wellington, Deep Creek, Dec, 1887, on wood, Guy Fawkes Rivulet, Jan., 1897, on rock and roots, Hobart Rivulet, Jan., 1899, on wet rocks St. Crispin's, Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 124, 457, 458, 460, 563 (in part). * 126 SOME ADDITIONS TO THE BRYOLOGICAL FLORA, 84. Hytne7iophyto7i podophylla^ Nees et Mont. Zr<7^. — Mountains towards Lake Pedder, Schuster, 1875, with f. flowers.— /vv7^. Phyt. Aus. XI., p. 67 (sup})lement). 35. Isotachis graiidis^ Carr. et Pears. Hab. — Mount Wellington, on top, amongst Sphagna, Feb., 1888, alt. 4,ltJ6ft., W.A.W., No. 57. West Coast, Sophia Point, Macquarie Harbour, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., No, 131). 36. Isotachis inflexa, Gottsche. Hab — Huon-road, on roadside bank near the Halfway Bridge at Longiej, Feb., 1892, W.A.W., No. 401. (Also Blue Mountains, N.S.W., 1871, W. Woolls.) 37. Lejemiea {Eulejetmea) Drummondi (Tayl.). Hab. — Kiver Mersev, on trunk of tree near Latrobe Waterworks, March, 1893, W.A.W., No. 125. Guj Fawkes Rivulet, near Hobart, on Prosta7iihera, Jan, 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 469, 482. Tasman Peninsula, on rocks Newman's Creek, and on wood Wellard Rivulet, Feb., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 613, 629. 38. Lepicolea attenuata (Mitt.) Spruce. ZT^/^.— Mount Wellington, Wellington Falls, March, 1886, R. A. Bastow (Herb. W.A.W., md). On rocks, Sept., 1891, and near the Organ Pipes, Dec , 1894, W.A.W., Nos. 186, 198. West Coast, Comet- Duudas Read, Grubb's Tram- way, Ztehan, and West Strahan, Oct., 1893, W.A.W., Nos. ml^Ukc. Blue Tier, Dec, 1895, E. McGregor, and Sept., 1897, W. P. Kirwan (Herb. W.A.W., No. 214.) West Coast, Macquarie Harbour, Nov, 1896, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., No. 107.) 39. Lepidozia asymmetrica, Steph. Hab. — Mount Wellington, Deep Creek, Hobart Rivulet, and Bower Creek, Dec, 1897, Jan. and Dec, 1898, W.A.W., Nos. 281, 345, 364, 406^. North Upper Huon, on road- side bank, May, 1899, W.A.W., No. 653. 40. Lepidozia chcEtophylla, Spruce. Hab. — Tasman Peninsula, on tree fern, Wellard Rivulet, Feb., 1899, W. A. W., 808. 41. Lepidozia cliordulifera, Tayl. Z^a^.— West Coast, Jones's Track, T. B. Moore. (Herb. W\A.W., No. 135.) BY W. A. AVEYMOUTH. 127 42. Lepidozia concmna, Colenso. Hab.—Mo\Mit Wellington, St. Crispin's, Jan., 1899, W.A.W., No. 591^, alt. 2,200ft. 43. Lepidozia glatica, Stepli. ZT^^.— Mount Wellington, Deep Creek, alt. l,600it., Doe., 1897, W.A.W., No. 316. 44. Lepidozia magellanica^ Steph. Hab. — Tasmania, locality not recorded, W.A.W. 45. Lepidozia parvitexta, Steph. Hab. — Mount Wellington, Bower Creek, alt. 1,500ft., and St. Crispin's, alt. 2,200ft., Jan., 1888, Nov., 1890, Dec, 1895, W\A.W., Nos. 3, Q7, 10'>. West Coast, Macquarie Harbour, July, 1893, and Nov., 189G, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., Nos. 132, 166). Blue Tier, Dec, 1895, E. McGregor. 46. Lepidozia Saddlensis, Massalongo. LLab. — West Coast, Mount Darwin (amono-st Synipiiyogyna obovata, 1893, T. B. Moore. (Herb. W.A.W., No. 381.; 47. Lepidozia setiformisy De Notaris. ^^<^.— Sandfly Road, near Ludbey's, Dec, 1888, W.A.W., No. 410 (a few fragments). 48. Lophocolea allodoiita^ Mitt. LLab. — Port Esperance, on wood, main road, W.A.W. , No. 46. Mount Wellington, East Slope and Bower Creek, Dec, 1897, W.A.W., Nos. 261, 350, 356. Tasman Peniusula, on tree, Wellard Rivulet, Feb., 1899, W.A.W., No. 816 in part. 49. Lophocolea alternifolia, Mitt, LLab. — Mount Wellington, on fallen branches of trees, Bower Creek, Dec, 1897, W.A.W., No. 343. 50. Lophocolea australis, Gottsche. Hah. — West Coast, Porteus's Gully, Queen River Road, Feby., 1891, W.A.W., No. 94 (few fragments) Mt. Welling- ton : on wet rock in Bower Creek, Dec, 1898; en stony bank, Deep Creek Track, near Trolly hut, Jan., 1899; on rock Watchorn's Hill, Jan,, 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 418,496, 511. 128 SOME ADDITIONS TO THE BRYOLOGICAL FLORA. 51. LopJwcolea bispi?iosa (Hook, f Tayl.) Mitt. ifa6.— Hobart Kivulet, Dec, 1897, and Jan., 1898. Mt. WellingtoD, on the Springs Track, and on rocks Deep Creek, Dec, 1897 ; on rock in Bower Creek, Dec, 1898 ; and on rock St. Crispin's, Jan., 1899. New Town Eivulet, June, 1899, W.A. W., Nos. 241, 274, 802/3, 372, 427, 515/6, 519, 521, 719. 52. Lophocolea Bridelii^ Gottsche. ^^^.— Blue Tier, Sept., 1897, W. P. Kirwan (Herb. W.A.W.). Mt. Wellington, on rock Deep Creek, Dec, 1897; on rock and native laurel St. Crispin's ; on Deep Creek track, and at Watchorn's Creek, Jan., 1899. W.A.W., Nos. 304, 493, 514, 517, 575. 53. Lophocolea Campbelliana, Stepli. Species Hepat. Z^^^.— Hofcart Rivulet, Dec, 1892. W.A.W. (amongst Dicraniwi), 54. Lophocolea corticola, Stepb. Species Hepat. Hab. — Mt. Wellington, on rock St. Crispin's, Jan., 1899, W.A.W., No. 558. Tasman Peninsula, on wet decayed wood Newman's Creek, and on decayed wood Wellard Kivulet, Feb., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 606, 608. 55. Lophocolea enciijolia, Stepb. Species Hepat. LIab.—M.o\m\. Wellington, St. Crispin's, Dec, 1895, W.A.W., No. 111. 56. Lophocolea Lauterbachii, Stepb. ^g. Hab. — West Coast, on wood Grubb's Tramwav, Zeehan, Oct , 1893, W.A.W., No. 229, Also near Leslie" Junction, Dundas, Oct., 1893, W.A.W., No. ^i^l in part (a scrap). Dr. Levier says of this plant: — " Highly interesting. . . Mr. " Stephani writes that Masiigobtyiwi accrehini, an Australian " species not found in Tasmania since 1830, and quoted with " doubt, is now perfectly sure." 69, Mastigobryum eiegans, Colenso. Hab.—Kt. Wellington, St. Crispin's, Jan., 1888, W.A.W., No. 4. Blue Tier, Dec, 1895, E. McGregor. 70. Mastigobryum Mittenii, Steph. Species Hepat. Hab. — Port Esperance, Aug., 1887, D. Purvis (Herb. W.A.W., 226.) Lvmington (Port Cvgnet), Sept., 1887, Rev. F. C. B. Eairey' (Herb.' W.A.W., 223). Mount Wellington, Springs Track, Dec, 1890 ; Deep Creek, Dec, 1893 and 1897, on a log St. Crispin's, Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 224/5, 227, 319, 532. Blue Tier, Dec, 1895, E. McGregor (Herb. W.A.W.). West Coast, Moore's Track to Frenchman's Cap, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W.,136) ; North-East Dundas, Oct., 1893, Miss C. Page. Weldborough, 1897, Gilbert Murphy (Herb. W.A.W., 487). Tasman Peninsula, Eev. John Buftoii (Herb. W.A.W., 400) ; on decayed wood and on sassafras Wellard Eivulet, W.A.W., Nos. 642/3. 71. Mastigobryum mooreanum, Steph. Species He2)at. Hab. — West Coast, Jones's Track, North Sprent River, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., 147). 72. Meizgeria atrichoneura, Spruce. Hab. — Tasman Peninsula, amongst Tylimanthus ienellusy Wellard Rivulet, Feby., 1899, W.A.W., 761 in part. 73. Metzgeria nitida, Mitt. = J/! Australis, Steph. Hab.—Komit Wellington, Deep Creek, Dec, 1887; St. Crispin's, Dec, 1895 ; Bower Creek, Dec, 1897, and else- where, W.A.W., Nos. 27, 29, 32, 110, 242, 267, 462, etc West Coast, Frenchman's Cap, and Jones's Track to Huon, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., Nos. 142, 146). Tasman Peninsula, on wood, Wellard Rivulet, Feby., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 769, 784, 801. BY W. A. WEYMOUTH. 131 74. Metzgeria saccata, Mitten. Bab. — Mo-unt Wellington, on Orthotrichum tasmanicu7?i^ grrowing on a falling branch, alt. 2,500ft., Dec, 3897, W.A.W., No. 407. Tasman Peninsula, on sassafras, Wellard Kivulet, Feb., 1899, W.A.W., No. 782 in part. 75. Odontoschisma sp. (incomplete). Hab. — Launceston, on wood Trevallvn Gully, off First Basin, Jan. 1888, W.A.W., No. 42. West Coast, Jones's Track, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., No 154). 7Q. Plagiochila apiculata, Steph. Kah. — Mount Wellington, on a bank St. Crispin's Track, on rocks St. Crispin's, and on rock Deep Creek Track, Jan , 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 542, 549, 551/2, 555. 11. Plagiochila fuscella, Tajl. (? — incomplete). Hab.—^mxx Bav, Jan., 1892, J. H. Rovce (Herb. W.A.W., No. 68). 78. Plagiochila incurvicolla (Hk. f. Tayl.) Hab.—WQ\\n\. Wellington, Fork Creek, Oct., 1888, W.A.W. Hobart Rivulet, Dec., 1897, W.A.W.. No. 245. 79. Plagiochila inteftexla OAV. f. Tayl). lf^<^.— Mount Wellington, east slope, alt. 2,500ft., Dec, 1897, W.A.W., No. 270. 80. Plagiochila Kingiana, Gottsclie. Hab. — Hobart Rivulet, on damp earth at margin of stream, Jan., 1898, W.A.W., No. 365. 81. Plagiochila pleurota (Hk. f Tayl.) JZa&. — Mount Wellington, on sassafras Bower Creek, Dec, 1897, W.A.W., No. 339. . 82. Plagiochila ra?Jiosissifna, Lindenberg. Hah. — West Coast, on wood near Leslie Jiiuction, Dundas, Oct., 1893, W.A.W., No. 1Q7. 83. Plagiochila Taylori, Stepli. Hab. — Mount Wellington, on rock in bed of Bower Creek, Dec, 1898 ; on rocks in running water, Millhouse's Creek ; on rocks St. Crispin's, and on rock Deep Creek, Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 439, 545, 548, 550, 553^4. 84. Plagiochila Traversii, Gottscbe. ^«^.— Hobart Rivulet, Dec, 1897, W.A.W., No. 247. 85. Radula Mitteni,^ie^h. Species Hepat. Ha&.— Guy Fawkes Rivulet, Nov., 1891; Jan., 1898; on 132 SOME ADDITIONS TO THE BllYOLOGICAL FLORA, rock Jan., 1899. Huoii Road, Millhoiise's Falls, March, 1893 ; Mt. Wellingtou, Bower Creek, Dec, 1898, W.A.W., Nos. 21, 90/1, 251, 425, 443. Tasman Peuiusula, on shady rock Newman's Creek, on decayed wood and on musk Wellard Rivulet, Feby., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 623, 625, 627, 630. 86. Radula plicata^ Mitt. Kah. — Mount Wellington, Bower Creek, Jan., 1888 ; New Town Falls, Aug., 1889, W.A.W., Nos. 1, 88. Port Cygnet, Homedale Gully, Sept., 1889, W.A.W., No. 9. Tasman Peninsula, Welhird's Track, Mcli., 1891, W.A.W., No. 185. West Coast, Strahan West, Oct., 1893, W.A.W., No. 172. Blue Tier, Dec, 1895, E. McGregor (amongst Lophocolea Moorei). 87. Saccogyna a ti strait's, Mitt. Hah. — Huon Road, Lougley, at base of wet rocks near Bridge, Nov., 1892 (amongst Sphagnum australe), W.A.W. West Coast, Moore's Track to Frenchman's Cap (fragments amongst Chiloscyphus asperrijnus), T.B.Moore (Herb.W.A.W.). 88. Schistochila (?) Spegazziniana, Massalonga. Ifa^.— Macquarie Harbour, Birch Inlet, Nov., 1896. T. B. Moore, No. 185 (Herb. W.A.W, 169). Sterile. 89. Symphyogyna i7tterrupta, Carr. Pears. Hah. — Mount Wellington, Bower Creek, Jan., 1888, W.A.W., No, 23. 90. Tylwia?tthus breck7iocktensis (Massalongo, Hep. Fueg., 1895, cum icone, sub-Adelantho), Steph. Zr<7^.— Mount Wellington, Deep Creek, alt. l,G00ft., Dec, 1887 (amongst Hymenophyton), and Dec, 1897 ; on rock East Slope, Dec , 1897; on wet rock and on wood St. Crispin's, alt. 2,200ft., Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 278, 283, 259, 563, 594. Huon-road, Millhouse's Creek, March, 1893, W.A.W., No. 122. Blue Tier, Dec, 1895, E. McGregor (Herb. W.A.W., 193). West Coast, Gordon River, T. B. Moore (Herb, W.A.W., 165). 91. Tylimanthus crystallimis (Massalongo, Hepat. Fueg., sub- Gymnant/ie, 1885, p. 238, tab. 22), Steph. ^^^.— Blue Tier, Dec, 1895, E. McGregor (Herb. W.A.W., 194). West Coast, Mount Darwin, T. B. Moore (Herb. W.A.W., 152). 92. Tylhnanthus perpusilhis, Colenso. Hah. — Mo^y.nt Wellington, on rock and wood St. Crispin's, alt. 2,200ft., Jan., 1899, W.A.W., Nos. 533/4. TRACHYDOLERITE IN TASMANIA. By W. H. TwELVETREES, F.G.S., Government Geologist. [Read 1st December, 1902.] In 1889 evidence was laid before this Society by Mr. W. F. Petterd and myself, demonstrating the existence in Tasmania of two centres or districts characterised by eruptive rocks derived from elseolitic and theralitic magmas. I now submit further localities for rocks belonging to the same great felspathoid series. One of these is the Table Cape Bluff, near Wynyard, on the North- West Coast, and another is the Nut at Circular Head. A third is One Tree Point, Sandy Bay, near Hobart, where melilite, basalt has been identified, but only the first two will be dea,lt with in these notes. The tertiary basaltic rock which forms the headland near Wynyard came many years ago under the notice of the late Professor XJlrich, who thought at the time that he could recognise the small water-clear hexagons v\^hich are abundantly visible in prepared slides as sections of the felspathoid mineral nepheline. Both my colleague and I were, on the other hand, disposed to diagnose the mineral as apatite, and we learned from the lamented Professor shortly before his death that he had arrived at the same opinion. Mr. Thos. Stephens often communicated to me his idea that this coarsely crystalline rock was a distinct flow from our common 'olivine basalt. The mere difference in texture did not appear to me a valid reason for assuming any further diff'erence between the two rocks. However, in drawing up a classification scheme, the occurrence of a dyke of limburgite on the Em.u Bay Raihvay Line, nine miles from Burnie, led me to hesitate, in view of the fact that Rosenbusch classes^ limburgite as belonging to the theralitic magmas. Renewed examination of the doleritic rock at Table Cape and Circular Head showed the presence of a felspathoid. The optical tests were confirmed by stain- ing, and a specimen was sent Home to Professor Rosenbusch It was referred by him to trachydoierite, the effusive form of essexite. I wish here to acknowledge the readiness with which the professor has always aided in solving difhculties in Tasmanian petrology. , His letter reads as follows: — "The compact basaltic rock of the Table Cape Bluff and Circular Head is best referred to the trachydo- ierite group. Besides labradorite, augite, olivine iron ore, and abundant apatite, it contains a colourless mineral with 134 TRACllYDOLEKITE IX TASMANIA. a very low refractive index and abnormal double refraction, which gelatinises in weak acid and allows much Na ^ O to go into solution. I regard it as analcime. It is always allotriomorphic, and it is highly probable that this mineral is derived from nepheline. In a special slice which I prepared I saw distinctly in an isotropic spot the inter- ference figure of a negative uniaxial mineral (nepheline)." The hornblende, haiiyne. and sphene, which are common in typical trachydolerite. are absent, so the rock is not a normal member of the family. In the Table Cape rock, olivine is abundant as pheno- crysts ; augite as prisms, also in grains of the second generation ; labradorite in slender twinned prisms ; apatite in vertical and hexagonal sections, iron ores in numerous grains and cubes. There is a great deal of the feebly refractive analcime in plates of extreme tenuity. In some slides thin rectangular sections of the mineral determined by Professor Rosenbusch as nepheline are present. In the Circular Head rock, the augite is in larger crystals and plates, and exceeds the olivine in quantity. It is the violet-tinted variety of diopside so common in nepheline- bearing rock. Apatite is abundant in the slides in the form of short columns, spindle-shaped, or hexagonal sections. Titaniferous iron or magnetite has separated out. The interstitial groundmass abounds with microlites and with isotropic or feebly refractive material. It is apparently saturated with analcime, and in one instance natrolite could be detected. The macroscopic aspect of these rocks is doleritic. The Circular Head variety is somewhat coarser in grain than that of Table Cape. Briefly, the abundance of apatite and analcime warn us that we are not dealing with an ordinary basalt, and the presense of nepheline. in however small quantity, confirms this belief. It is difficult to suoforest what relation the rock of these Blujff bears to the ordinary Tertiary olivine basalt of the coast. Both are of Tertiary age. but each is the product of a different magma, and such rocks hitherto have not been found associated. The two families would be represented as under — Normal olivine basalt Trachydolerite Diabase (Dolerite) Gabbro Essexite (not yet discovered) TRACHTDOLEEITE IX TASMANIA. 135 The term trachydolerite here has not the original sense in which it was used in 1841 by Abich, who understood by it a basic trachyte or a rock intermediate between trachyte and basalt. Its alkali percentage is high, viz. — 6 to 11%, against the usual 3% or 4% in ordinary basalt. The variety of constitution points strongly to essexite parentage, and as essexite occurs physically connected with elaeolite syenite, so trachydolerite is associated with alkali trachytes, phonolites, tephrites, &c. Its sp. gr. is 2 • 86. Professor F. Loewinson-Lessing differs from this Rosen- buschian view, and ranges trachydolerite among monzonitic magmas, and not among essexitic ones.^ He treats it as equivalent to ciminite (Washington), a passage rock be- tween basalt and trachyte, and would suppress ciminite in its favor or in favor of " trachyte basalt." It is, then, considered the effusive equivalent of gabbro syenite or monzonite. But, as there is reason to regard the basic syenite known as monzonite as being not so much a passage rock between syenite and gabbro, as between normal syenite and alkali syenite, so trachydolerite must be looked upon as intermediate, not between normal basalt and trachyte, but between tephrite and alkali trachyte. The occasional presence in it of haiiyne, sodalite, barkevikitic hornblende, anorthoclase, leucite, and aegirine points to the alkali magma. It is possible that some of our other Tertiary basalts may, on closer examination, prove to be trachydoleritic ; and the eventual discovery of the parent plutonic rock, essexite, is probable. * Kritisclie Beitrage zur Sysieiiiatik der Eruptivgesteine : Tschermak's min. n, petrogr. Mittheilungen xix. 1900. iv. p. 303. ON CERTAIN CALCAREOUS NODULES. By Professor E. G. Hogg, M.A. [Read 1st December, 1902] [Two photos.] The nodules described in the following paper occur in certain bands in the upper members of the strata disclosed at Duff's quarry, in Forster-street, New Town. The nodule-bearing bands appear to be unfossiliferous, but both above and below them are other bands carrying numerous fossil impressions, including Alethopteris australis, Thinnfeldia ohtusifolia, Phyllotheca, &c. The whole series of bands is just below the horizon of the New Town Coal Measures. The beds in which the nodules are found are grey and blue-grey in colour, traversed by thin lajT^ers of darker hue, thus giving rise to a banded structure ; they may be described as a calcareous sandstone of fine texture, fairly tough, and showing little or no tendency to split along the planes of banding. In general the nodules have the shape of double-convex lenses, giving in the most perfect forms a circle in plan and two intersecting circular arcs of different curvatures in elevation. The equatorial planes of the nodules were al- most invariably parallel to the bedding planes; m the case of those nodules having bounding surfaces of different curvature the surface of greatest curvature was generally found to be the one lying upp9rn:Dst. The larger nodules have an equatorial diameter about four inches long, and the lens at its thickest part is about half an inch through ; on fracturing, the interior shows a crystalline structure, the surfaces exposed having a steel-blue sub-metallic lustre. An analysis of the crystalline part of one of these nodules, kindly made for me by M.x. Ward, A.R.S.IM., Government Analyst, gave the following result : — Carbonate of Lime 44 • 0 per cent. Silica, &c., insoluble in acid 50 • 6 „ Total Iron, taken as Peroxide... 4*7 „ Carbonate of Magnesia and loss. 0*7 „ 100-0 The specific gravity is 2 5. I I » I I M t 1 1« t i J I < i ) . I < I t I i g 1 J mm^m^mwf!/!^ . ■'•i3mmmmmmmmmmmmmm'»'~-^ CALCAREOUS XUDULES. 137 Mr. Ward writes — '" The nodule appears to consist of a fine sand cemented by crystalline carbonate of lime."' Slides of the nodules were prepared parallel to and cutting transversely the equatorial plane. In natural light the slide shows a confused micro-granular structure, the component grains being transparent, opaque, and grey; on rotating the slide, a slight change of tint, due to varia- tion' of absorption, is noticed. With crossed nicols, large areas of the slide extinguish simultaneously, and it is seen that adjacent crystalline aggregates appear to grow into each other, there being no trace whatever of anything like a definite crystal boundary, or of the twinning characteristic of tabular calcite crystals. Minute angular grains of quartz and opaque matter are irregularly dispersed through the calcite aggregate. The nodules in which the most perfect geometrical form is developed show little or no crystalline structure on fracture ; bands running parallel to the equatorial plane of the nodule are seen to traverse the broken face, and occasionally the area between two consecutive bands, presents a crystalline appearance very similar to that shown in the larger nodules. The nodules of perfect form are rather less than two inches in diameter, and they pass by stages into smaller ones of roughly spherical shape. These smaller ones show a banded structure, but exhibit when broken no traces of crystallisation. When the containing rock is broken the nodules are separated from the cavities in which they repose without the slightest difficulty. After the rock has been blasted, the nodules may be found lying in all directions, with scarcely a trace of the bed-rock adhering to them. The cavities and the exterior of the nodules, especially those of larger size, are frequently stained red. The nodules appear to occur most numerously along the bedding planes ; in one slab, the largest dimension of which was about fourteen inches, seven cavities were counted. The bed-rock is in places traversed by narrow irregular fissures containing calcite. CONTRIBUTION TO THE PHYSIOGRAPHY OF TASMANIA. By Col. W. V. Legge, R.A. [Read Ist December, 1902.] [Plate.] No. 1. — Pine Island, Great Lake. Pine Island is one of the five or six islets which, at wide intervals, dot the surface of the magnificent sheet of water known as the Great Lake. Considering the shallowness of its waters and its extremely irregular outline, it is singular that there are so few islands in this lake. Those that do exist are all of small area. Pine Island is situated in the north-eastern corner of the great bend of the lake, the eastern shore of which skirts the foot of the so-called " Sand-bank Tier," a rugged talus- strewn range, about 4 miles in length. The local name has its origin in the sandy shore which bounds this part, and along which the water is remarkably shallow, running out for about half a mile, with a depth of not more than a couple of feet. During a recent visit, I was much struck with the singular character of the shore of this island ; and the desirability suggested itself of writing a short descriptive account of the spot for the information of our Fellows, and in the hope that a satisfactory explanation of the causes which have led to the formation which I noticed, may be arrived at from a discussion on it. The distance from the head of the lake, where the boat belonging to the '' Improvement Association " of Deloraine is kept, is about four miles, and on the afternoon of my trip, in IMarch last, we sailed down (my son and myself), accompanied by Police Trooper Archer, in about half an hour. The long, low outline of the island is visible from the starting-place, and as we neared it the basaltic " tors," which rise from its centre, became conspicuous. It is said to have been formerly covered with timber, the King William Pine having been chiefly in evidence, but the only signs of this that now exist are the gaunt and bleached trunks of one or two " Cider " gums and one pine. At the " Cove," on the eastern shore, there are several large 1 >: r- > o J.: f^m) -0M m PHYSIOGRAPHY OF TASMANIA. 139 fallen trunks of pines lying partly in the water : fiirtlier evidence of the ravages of fire ! The stupid practice of setting fire to the country by shepherds and others, which obtains in the western wilds of this country, is probably answerable for the desolate state of this islet at present. On nearing it, however, scattered green bushes are seen, chiefly near the margin, and these are the only prominent signs of botanical life until one lands, when the surface is found to be fairly covered with the usual coarse vegetation and low bushes found in all open .tracts of this upland region. At about half a mile distant the singular character of the shore becomes apparent, the entire coast-line con- sisting of a raised terrace, rising about 7 feet from the water, and looking as regular and uniform in structure as if it had been built artificially. In looking for a landing- place we were able to examine the structure of this curious terrace, and found the rocks composing it to vary from somewhere about one ton in weight to stones of nearly one cwt. The face forms a regular slope of 35° or steeper in some places with an almost concave profile, and stands on a formation of small rocks below the surface, projecting outwards about four or five feet as a rule, and skirted by a flat bottom of shingle, the water being not more than three feet deep. The water is shallow all round the island, as indeed it is throughout the better part of the great bay at the north of the lake. The contour of the west side is circular, the terrace sweeping round in regular curves to the northern and southern sides, which run almost due east to the eastern end, where the terrace is broken by a little cove of shingle, which my son visited, but which I did not, myself, see. The island is about 600 yards long, 250 broad at the widest part, and contains about 30 acres. The shape is roughly given in the accompanying sketch, enlarged from the 1-inch to the mile map of the lake. On landing, we found the group of " tors " we observed in the distance to consist of six or seven mounds of basalt, rising more or less perpendicularly from the surrounding and, in some direc- tions, almost level land, the whole describing a crescent across the centre from west to east. The highest of these eminences was in the centre of the island, and I'ose to a height of 45 feet above the water, and 30 feet from the ground at its base. The others, at a distance of about 30 to 50 yards from each other, were smaller, the groups at the west end of the crescent being sub-divided into detached rocks. The class of rock, both in the " tors " and the boul- 140 PHYSIOGRAPFIY OF TASMANIA. ders which form the terraced show, is greenstone, of which the entire structure of the island also consists, as here and there the same formation projects through the shallow soil. In view of this fact some clue is obtained as to the cause of the terraced formation of the shore. The island lies almost in the middle of the strait — about 1^ mile wide — which connects the two great water tracts at the north of the lake, namely, the large " North-West Bay " and equally wide " East Bend"; and from all points of the compass, save two — north-east and south-west — it is exposed to the full force of the waves, with several miles of water behind them. The prevailing gales on the lake are from the north-west, south-south-west and south-west, and an extremely violent sea rises with them. After a hard winter, when the ice is from three to five inches thick, it generally brea.ks up during these gales, and drives in huge floes, v^ith great violence, on the shore of the island. It seems, therefore, reasonable to suppose that, during the course of the centuries, the effect of wave and ice pressure has been sufficient to cast up what was formerly a foreshore of scattered stones and boulders into rampart, or terrace, now- existing. Once this began to assume the elevated character of a roughly-formed terrace, there is no doubt that the ice iTiOvement and force of the waives w-ould gradually mould it, little by little, into its present form. The formation of the rampart is equally regular on the south-west and north- west sides, the latter part being somewhat less exposed to heavy weather. Round the whole island, with the exception of the cove or break on the east side, the rock ^:>ank is almost of uniform height. As the botany of these high regions is interesting, it may be proper to remark on the vegetation which we found clothing the islet. The surface is practically level, there being a gentle rise from the shore towards the " tors " in the centre. The soil is, for the most part, covered with a dwarf form of the ordinary cattle or '' thatch " grass {i^oa CKS'pidosa), thickly interspersed and patched V7ith the Epacris-like bushes Pultenoea ruhuinhellata, Bechia gun- niana, and Comesferma reUisum. The second of these was in flower at the time of my visit, and gave colour to the sward. We noticed that the dead tussocks of " thatch " grass {Pod) were partly covered with a curious earthy-look- ing deposit lying on them in thick patches, and on closely examining them found, to our surprise, that the covering was a lichen. The grass is killed in the usual way, by cold and age, as in the lowlands on our cattle-runs, and is PHYSIOGRAPHY OF TASMANIA. 141 apparently then fastened on by this curious lichen. Of flowering grasses, we gathered the tall Alpine Holy grass {Hierocliloe reclolens), the Craspedia richei, whose tall stalk and downy, button-shaped flower towered above the dwarf Poa grass ; we also gathered two other species {Hypochodris radicataa,ndFrasophyUunifuscum). On the northern shore, near the bank of stones, and here and there elsewhere, isolated bushes of the ''Mountain Pittosporum " were found, and these were the tallest shrubs on the island. The Pepper tree {priniys ((roinaticci), with its red stems and berries, was more plentiful than the last, and grew in company with the pretty little bush Bellcndena iiwntana, v/hich has green Teaves, with a red obverse surface. The " Yellow Bush," so well known on the mountain plateaus of Tasm-a.nia, with its intensely hard wood, is found on the island, as well as round the shores of the lake; but I have not seen it anywhere so plentiful as on Ben Lomond. Other small shrubs make up the vegetation we observed, and are included in the list at the end of this note, and for the identification of all of which I am indebted to Mr. Rodway. As regards the zoology of this lonely little tract, one would naturally expect to find it devoid of life ; but Mr. Archer assures me he once saw on it the largest specimen of a Porcupine {Echidna) he ever came upon; the inference of which discovery is, that this animal must be a permanent inhabitant of Pine Island, or crossed over on the ice pre- vious to a thaw. Whip-snakes are also said to be denizens of it. The only bird seen was the ubiquitous Pipit, or Ground Lark {Anthus australis). The little Gull breeds, at times, plentifully on Garden Island, near the Police Station, and no doubt affects this one, but we had not time to look for evidence in the shape of old nests, many of which we came upon in the former islet. The list of grasses and shrubs observed on Pine Island is as follows — Shrubs. Drimys aromatica Pepper Tree. Pittosporum bicolor Pittosporum. Orites revoluta Yellow-b ush. Pultencea ruhumbellata Native Wallflower. Bellendena montana Mountain Roebel. Coprosma nitida Mountain Currant. Comesperma retusum Purple Broom. Olearia/nyrsinoides Rou^h-leaved Daisy-tree. Ozothamus Hookeri Hooker's Scent-bush. BoecMa gunninna Gunn's Boeckia. Hakea microcarpa Small-fruited Hakea. 142 PHYSIOGRAPHY OF TASMANIA. Grasses. Hierochlo'e redolens Tall Holy Giass. Poa ccespidora Thatch Gia-is, Dwarf. Crasprdia richei Soldioi-.s' Buttons. Hypoch> o l>0 ^ O CO 02 O CO ^ ^ 1— I o lO t^ ^ ^ r— ( Q a OS i— 4 OS O) oi m w. <>! ^ rJ. -.1 O cc c; o r—l ^ CO o Hi i U2 H Ph I— I O o r2 Si s ^:l o o o 3^ a o ^ O ■^ s a 00 o M M h3 O (O ON O o o o o l>0 r^ -CJ C^ ^•g ^ \A^ CO 'S '"' o C:j C5 . rr d J -+— in _2 a; *H — * o : O C5 ^ iL o I-H •>tl o CO o I-H ■— t D --* H -1-3 i-H 04 ^ e* r^-^ c6 ^ := rM ^ H ^ t-s cT ja" CD f3 c: eg T— 1 pq tc m 'JD bp ^ > rt M o ;-i ^ :3 « ."t^ r— • 0) (— « d a Ph eS >4 Is W PP Ci o ^ a: I-H ^ ^ I— 1 o r— 1 a> m ce a> pq .15 «rt ^ 160 LIST OF FELLOWS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA. * Fellows who have contributed Papers which have been published in the Society's Transactions. *Abbott, Francis Allworic, Dr. F. Anderson, Dr. G. M. Archer, W. H. D. *Atkins, C. J. Barclay, C. J. Bennison, Thos. Bidencope, J. Booth, Chas. Boyd, Dr. P. *Brown, Holi. N. J. Burgess, Hon. W. H. *Burbury, F. E. Butler, Hon. Dr. Butler, Francis Clark, His Honor Judge Clarke, Pev. Geo. * Clarke, Dr. A. H. *Counsel, E. A. Crosby, Hon. Wm. *Crouch, Dr. E. J. Cox, Col. C. B. Davies, Hon. C. E. Davies, J.G., C.M.G. Dobson, Senator H. Drake, Dr. F. H. Evans, T. M. Kay- E wan, E D. Mc A. D. (Life Member) W. W. W. J. (Life Member) Fiulay, W. Foster, H. Giblin, Dr *Green, A. 0. Griffith, H. ^Grove, F., C.E. *Harrison, M. *Hogg, Prof. E. J. Holden, Dr. L. A. Home, Wm. Hudson, Chas. Ireland, Dr. E Jameson, Mrs. * Johnston, R. M., F.L.S. *Kingsmia, H. C, M.A. Knight, H. W. *Legge, Col. W. V., (Rd.) Lewis, Sir Elliott Lewis, Major R. C, D.S.O Lines, Dr. D. H. E. Lodge, F., B.A. Macfarlane, Senator Jas. Macfarlane, John Macgowan, Dr. E. T. MacLeod, P. J., B.A. ""Mault, A. *McAulay, Prof. Alex. *May, \V. L. Maxwell, Eustace McClymont, J. R., M.A. (Life Member) Middleton. A. E., C.E. Mitchell, J. J. (Life Member) *Moore, G. E. Mulcahy, Hon. E. Murphy, His Grace Archbishop Nicholas, G. C. Nicholls, Hon. H., M.E.C. *Patterson, R.C. Parker, A. C. *Petterd, W. F., C.M.Z.S.L. Petersen, C. B. Philp, J. E. Piesse, E. L., B.A. Propsting, Hon. W. B. Read, Dr. G. F. Read, R. C. Reid, F. W. Roberts, H. L. *Rodway, L. Rogers, R. J. Rule, C. H. Salier, F. Scott, Rev. Jas., D.D. Scott, Dr. R. G. Shaw, Bernard Shoobridge, Rev. Canon *Simson, Aug. Smith-Norton, J. W. *Sprott, Dr. Gregory (Life Member) * Stephens, Thos. Sticht, Robt. (Life Member) *Swan, E. D. Swan, C. C. ^Target, C. B. Thorpe, A. Twelvetrees, W. H., F.G.S. Walch, C. E. ^Wallace, W. H. * Waller, G. A. Watchorn, A. Watson, H. *Ward, W. F. Webster, A. G. Whishaw, Dr. R. K. *White, 0. E. *Wilkinson, E. H. Williams, Prof. W. H. Winter, A. Wise, H. J. Woflhagen, Dr. J. E. *Woollnough, Rev. J. B., M.A. Wright, Howard *Young, Russell 161 "Mixhtx. •o^o« Abstract of Proceedings for April i 1902 ;.. Welcome to the new Pi-esident ... ... His Excellency Sir Arthur Havelock, G. C.S.I His Excellency's reply to the Welcome ... Election : Major R. C. Lewis, D.S.O., Dr. Whishaw, Mr. Horace Watson .. Apologies President's Address... ;.: ... ... ... ... ... List of Papers for 1901 Antarctic Expedition ... ... ... ... ' A.A.A.S., Ninth Meeting ... ;.. ... ... New Additions to the Museum ... The Statue Medusa,.. ..* .. .'.: The late Sir James Agnew .. Graptolites in Tasmania (a paper). - Tasmania as a Manufacturing Centre (a paper) ... Notes on a new Fish (a paper) Votes of Thanks New Additions to the Museum and Art Gallery May Meeting ,.. The late Sir James Agnew... ... ... ... ... ... Tasmania as a Manufacturing Centre .... ... ... Discussion by Messrs. G. E. Moore, A. 0. Green, R. M. John- ston, and others School of Forestry and Agriculture (a paper) ... .. ..: A new Fish (a paper) ... ... .1.1,. "... List of Books and Magazines presented to the Society... June Meeting Corresponding Member Elected (Mr. J. H. Maiden) New Members (Messrs. W. A. Finlay and F. Grove) The Observatory (Notes by Mr. H. C. Kingsmill) Tasmauian Cbhchology (a paper) ... ...,. '"... ' "' ... -I" /^^'^ Advantages of Forest Conservation (a paper) ... ... ' ... Vote of thanks by His Excellency ... .... ... ••. List of Works presented to the Society ... Hobart Observatory and its work, Deputation to the Premier... July Meeting Page I. I. I. I. I. XL IL in. in. III. III. in. ■ IV. IV. IV. VL VI. VII. VIII. vin. VIII. IX. - IX. X. . . ^•. XL XI. XI. - ' XL XII [. XIIL XIX. XIX. XX. XXIII. 162 Page His Majesty the King's illuess ... XXIII. Sir Adye Douglas's Knighthood XXIII. New Member : Mr. E. L. Piesse, B.Sc XXIII. Proposed Retirement of the Queensland Botanist XXIII. Notes on Unrecorded and other Minerals occurring in Tasmania (a paper) XXIII. Note on Eucalyptus linearis (a paper) ... ... ... ... XXIII. Notes on some remarkable Tasmanian Invertebrate (a paper) . . . XXIV. The Great Lake, Temperature of the ... XXIV. Forest Conservation : A Discussion by Messrs. L. Rodway, A. 0. Green, G. E. Moore, and Mr. A. Mault XXIV. Temperature at the Great Lake for the month of June . . . XXV. List of Works presented to the Society XXV. August Meeting XXVIL New Members (Messrs. W. M. Hardy and A. Thorpe) XX VII. The Queensland Government Botanist XXVII. North Great Lake, Temperature for the month of July ... XXVII. Portrait of Governor Denison ... XXVII. Discussion on Tasmanian Forestry XXVII. Calcareous Nodules (a paper) ... ... XXVIII. Tasmanian Timbers (a paper) XXVIII. An Interesting Photograph XXVIII. List of Works presented to the Society (August) XXVIII. September Meeting XXX. The Bishop of Tasmania, Introduction of XXX. Nomination of the Bishop as a Fellow XXX. New Members (Dr. G. F. Read, Messrs. E. H. Wilkinson and F.W. Reid) XXX. Correspondence : Letter from Mr. F. W. Archer XXX. Discussion on Papers read at the previous meetings XXX. Practical Astronomy (a paper) XXX. List of Works presented to the Society (September) XXXI. October Meeting XXXIII. Correspondence ; Letter from Bishop Montgomery XXXIII. Presentation of a Water Colour Painting of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria to the Society by Mr. Sidney Hall, through Bishop Montgomery XXXIII. Election of the Right Rev. Dr. Mercer, Bishop of Tasmania . . XXXIII. Discussion on Professor McAulay's paper XXXIII. Typhoid in Hobart and Melbourne (a paper) .. XXXIII. Sewage Purification and Disposal (a paper) XXXIII. Special Meeting XXXIII. Discussion on Dr. Jamieson and Mr. E. H. Wilkinson's paper ... XXXIII. / Page. President's Address ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 11 Art. 1. Tasmania as a Manufacturing Centre ... ... ... IV. By 11. E. McNaghten, B.A. Art. 2. Notes on a New Tasmanian Fish ... .. ... ... VI. Art. 3. A New Fish X. By R. M. Johnston, F.S.S. Art. 4. The Observatory ... ... XII. By H. C. Kingsmill, M.A. Art. 5. On the Advantages of Forest Conservation ... ... XIII. By C. B. Target. Art. 6. Suggestions for the Estabh'shment of a Tasmanian School of Forestry and Agriculture ... ... ... „. I. By Wm. Heyn. Art. 7. Evidence of Graptolites in Tasmania .. ... ... 16 By T. S. Hall, M.A. Art. 8. Notes on unrecorded and other Minerals occurring in Tasmania ... ... ... ... ..; ... ... 18 By W. F. Petterd, C.M.Z.S.L. Art. 9. The Timber Industry 35 By A. 0. Green. Art. 10. Notes on Tasmanian Conchology .. ... 77 By Chas. Hedley, F.L.S. Note on Eucalyptus linearis ... ... , 79 J. H. Maiden, F.L.S. Notes on some remarkable Tasmanian Invertebrates ... 81 By A. M. Lea, F.E.S. Note on a species of Eucalyptus new to Tasmania ... 83 By J. H. Maiden, F.L.S. Practical Astronomy in Tasmania, and a proposal for a school thereof ... ... ... ... ... ... 85 By Prof. Alex. McAulay. M.A. Art. 15. Typhoid in Hobart and Melbourne, and the Influence of Drainage on its prevalence ... ... ... ... 95 By James Jamieson, M.D. Art 16. Sewage Purification and Disposal ... .. ... ... 100 By E. H. Wilkinson. Art. 17. On Teuisou-Woods Types in the Tasmanian Museum, Hobart 106 By W. L. Mat. Art. 18. Some additions to the Bryological Flora of Tasmania ... 115 By W. A, Weymouth. Art. 19, Trachydolerite in Tasmania .. ... ... .►. .. 133 By W. H. Twelvetrees, F.G.S. Art. 20. On certain Calcareous Nodules (Plate) 136 By Prof. E. G. Hogg, M.A. Art. 21. Contribution to the Physiography of Tasmania (Plate)... 138 By Col. W. V. Legge, K.A. Art. 22. The Tourmaline -bearing Rocks of the Heemskirk district 143 By G. A. Waller & E. G. Hogg, M.A. Art. 11. Art. 12. Art. 13. Art. 14. 0 PAPERS & PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA, FOR THE TEAR 1902 (ISSUED JUNE, 1903.) xm^^j^'^^i^^i^ STaamama : PRINTED BY DAVIES BROTHERS LIMITED, MACQUARIK STREET, HOBART. 1903 CD H hi o ,"■<('. :;::;-•;■ ■ ' ':'i- 111;,; ™.a:;-. ;,-■-■■■.>.;■.*■' J