Ne ek SES PTE ~ Tepe Seating ere a ra i Le, . Na a —_ = Lig seeping 29 aoe ater ‘ LD EE , : : SD enhenieg ao oe an per tees | Sema eagmeng ™ SERA amo tin PPM Ta seal, nj ese haeeciialea os ae santa Yost eae Peano. DEF Semecittincinaree. bE EAS SLY Poa oes Mca Gtielrei tine ceo Nec palate 5) ink: ah Bs i la Rl os erica Cy eae 7. . tNthest ght meee: a cteeae 3 : Axe [OS eeeebyet , eat pitleeein Whscinsiete ccc a — sete ees AY nahi PA a aS Aap ais aais pig Haren Rete ber ene NED ;. : = See - oer. PORE: & SPOR EPR eer 54 as vpaensnne oggsSHi oe tT 4 Ahi: " Bipabetonin Reiss 4 “Th HPS) . x) ” Para bemenlapaiee Leia Set er juntas Rage ane «nee Cee Pe eS Cisitety Faces Piped fore yates: fy operon behalf Trae Deeded en any gala Bal vi prasad CERES ET Naat Late ssi Pinata al , ah $ eRe py PT SEWED ALN PN CPLA gs 2 oe ns Ny oO gh Phas Pk a att PO Dogg hy RAPA SOUS PSs , lanes: 2 enelehnrerttrietes ties i alia siete neta asap pacsacteacan asia aan iis aan iouatidstanetbbuuchaainibi pian aid ako Oo Fil ema lalieatipara Loeb ear ban toa sahintgrace tots -a-terenis ned p-in icnioivunjainpcepaapectonwmanes Wy eens Sree J Fg ATE a SIN Were Pte ner tere, Ral ae he DP Ses os aie see bh essa ee 2 DOD AREA a aN genet ab NS SEED ate ee eae - poe ty Po * AED OP fag ohm Oe ye ee eye mE Fe ay AND TRANSACTIONS: PROCEEDINGS ~= > OF THE Royal Society of Victoria. DURING THE YEARS 1861 TO 1864, INCLUSIVE. VOUS IN BY Fidited and Published under the Authority of the Council of the Society, THOMAS E. RAWLINSON, C.E., Hon. Sec. o THE AUTHORS OF THE SEVERAL PAPERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SOUNDNESS OF THE OPINIONS GIVEN AND OF THE ACCURACY OF THE STATEMENTS MADE THEREIN. MELBOURNE: WILSON & MACKINNON, PRINTERS, COLLINS STREET EAST. Issued May, 1865. fs rn fe SAE SST SRS Se Arclibal = Sate 5 Oo MUSEUM MAORI MS, VEHTELN SARUTAL 10 EDITOR’S PREFACE, THE publication of the Transactions of the Society having been delayed, from unavoidable causes, for a period of four years, some deviation has, during that time, been permitted from established rules, in allowing original papers to be removed for the purpose of making abstracts for the public. press, such having been done to meet the wishes of authors and members for immediate publicity. This deviation from rule has (owing chiefly to the several changes of office-bearers in the interim) been developed into an irregularity of such an extent, that some of the original papers have been lost, and it has been necessary to supply their places (as in the cases of Articles 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 17) by brief abstracts, which the authors in the majority of instances have been kind enough to furnish: whilst in some few others, abstracts have been written up by the Editor from such accessible data as were available. Of these latter are the Articles on Dry Rot—The Nitella —and Kerosene, whilst Mr. Ellery has kindly furnished the abstract of Professor Neumayer’s paper on an Improved Pendulum. The abstract of Mr. Christy’s paper on Irrigation and Mr. Smith’s paper on Underground Drainage vi eee | were drafted by the. Editor : (with the consent of the authors) to meet the wishes of the Council. In all other cases the authors have had the usual facilities for revise and correction, although in one or two instances the opportunities have not been used to the full extent. Dr. Julian Haast’s valuable paper on the Geology of New Zealand having disappeared, it has been thought better to avoid giving an, abstract on so important a subject, in the absence of the original document, unless such could be obtained direct from the author. The Editor begs to record his thanks to Dr. F. Mueller for his revisal of the lists of donations and proceedings generally, and to - Professor M‘Coy, of the Me!bourne University, and to P. H. MacGillivray, Esq., A.M., Surgeon, of Sandhurst, for the revision and correction of papers touching on subjects of Natural History, either living or fossil. The Editor in tendering his thanks to the above gentlemen for assistances rendered, desires it to be distinctly understood that it is for actual services rendered, without involving their reputation in connection with the accuracy of the entire issue, many portions of which they have not yet even seen. 26, Queen street, Melbourne, — 8th May, 1865. CON TEN ES. LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS & PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES. PAGES Office-Bearers, 1861 ... ee as S56 Sas me aks ee cic XVii President’s Address, 1861 ... as ae tee a Ha xix—xxXxiv Office-Bearers, 1862 ... ... ay: ae ah es saa a XXXV President’s Address, 1862... ae Sos tee Ate ... «= XXXVliI—xIVvili Office-Bearers, 1863... Pe ae aoe a we AS am: xlix President’s Address, 1863 ... AN a = hs 54 aoe li—lx Office-Bearers, 1864 ... eee ca ae Sas noc os See lxi President’s Address, 1864 ... weg ave are a ae se xiii TRANSACTIONS. PAGES ArT. I. On some Remarkable Changes which have taken place in the Flowers of the Plantago Major, by THomas SHEARMAN RALPH, M.R.C.S., Assoc. Linn. Soc. Lond. 1—2 II. On some Tertiary Fossils in South Australia, by the REv. JULIAN E. Woops, F.G.S., &c., &c. Penola, S.A. 3—6 III. Observations on the Microscopical Characters presented by a Mineral (Dysodil) from Tasmania, by THomas S. Raney, Esq., M.R.C.S. 5 2 ae aia zl e IV. On the Snakes of Victoria, ne PROFESSOR M'Coy ae 7—8 V. On the Structure of the Flower of the Pea ee a THomas S. Raupu, Esq., M.R.C.S. ze Be 8—10 VI. On the Coccus affecting the Orange, by THomas S. - RaupH, Esq., M.R.C.S., and Assoc. Linn. Soc. Lond. 10—13 VII. A Few Notes on the Dialects, Habits, Customs, and Mythology of the Lower Murray Pape Ee PETER BEVERIDGE, Esq. ... ae 14—24 VIII. On Dry Rot, by THomas S. RaLpH, Esq., M.R.C. Ss. &e. 24 IX. On the Bones of a New Gigantic vee us PRo- ee Uae sae ee one ig 25 Vili >:GUF, XIII. XIV. Die XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX, XXI. XXII. SO. UGE XXIV. (EXE. Contents. . On the Structure of the Plants Nitella and Chara, P Tuomas S. Rapa, Esq., M.R.C.S., &e.. . Remarks on a Filamentous Material, Grown upon the Plant ‘‘ Cryptostemma Calendulaceum,” believed to be suitable for Manufacturing Purposes, by Henry H. Hayter, Esq. eee oes p On the Coal Seams near Stony Creek (junction of Sin- gleton and Wollombi roads), West Maitland District, New South Wales, by Rev. W. B. CLarKs, M.A.,, F.G.S., &ce. see On the Carboniferous and other coon Relations of the Maranoa District in Queensland in Reference to a Discovery of Zoological Fossils in Wollombilla Creek and Stoney Creek, West Maitland, a REv. W. B. CiarKke, M.A., F.G.S., &c. Renate on a Series of Fossils volieceea at Wome billa, and transmitted by Rev. W. D. Clarke, of a ney, he PRoFESSOR M‘Coy On Chlorine as a Solvent of Gold, in fe a J OHN J : BLEASDALE, D.D. Abstract of a Paper on the Viel a Uses of Volante Oils, from Native and seat Plants, in the ee of Victoria, by J. Bosisto, Esa. . ee sat On Kerosene, By the Hon. Joon Macapam, M.D., &c. On the Unexplored Districts of Victoria, a R. BRoUGH SmytH, Esq., F.G.S., Lon. i On the Fresh-Water Algx of Victoria, ae HENRY Warts, Esq., of Warrnambool ... = eee Suggestions for the Formation of a Colonial Navy, and for securing Speedy and Certain Communication with Europe, and Defence of our Coasts in time of War, by T. E. Rawuinson, Egq., C.E.... ae aie ns On Fossil Polyzoa, es HENRY Watts, ee of Warr- nambool 55 5a ab ee ACB Report on the Entrance to the Gipps Land Lakes, sa Tuomas EK. Rawiinsoy, Esq., C.E. On the Determination of Personal Equation in Astro- nomical Observing, by Ropert L. J. Eiuery, EKsq., F.R.A.S., Government Astronomer Be * Description of a Pendulum Apparatus for Determining the Léngth of a Seconds’ Pendulum in ee by PROFESSOR NEUMAYER.. = Further Notes on the Coast and Lakes of Gipps Land, with sketch plan, being supplementary to report on the Lakes nae by THomas E. Rawlinson, Esq.. C.E. eee eto eco eee eve eee PAGES 26 26—27 27—81 32—42 42—46 47—62 52—61 61—62 62—67 67—68 69—82 82—84 84—90 90—91 91—92 92—98 eetstisse XXXVI. XXVITI. XXVITI. XOX X, XXX. XXXII, XXXII. XXXII. AXXTY. XXXYV. XXXVI. XXXVIT. XXXVITI. XXXIX, XL. Polyzoa ... Contents. On Precious Stones, by R&v. JoHn J. BLEASDALE, D.D. On Water Supply and Irrigation, by F. C. CHRIsTy, Esq., .C.E. a On a Genus of Coleoptera hitherto unfound in Victo- ria, by WILLIAM HENRY ARCHER, Esaq...- ae Ae Surface and Underground Drainage of Melbourne, by ALEXANDER K. Surry, Esq., C.E., F.R.S.8.A., &c. ... On the Surface and Underground Drainage of the City of Melbourne, by A. K. Smiru, Esaq., C.E., F.R.S.S.A. On the Determination of the Sun’s Distance, by RoBERT L. J. ELLERY, ee . F.R.AS, &c., Government Astronomer ... * Notes on the ase of Hobart ‘Town, by THOMAS HarRRISOoN, Esa. On the Systematic Position of the Ne Plant, and the Physiological Characteristics of its Fruit, a FERD. MUELLER, M.D., F.B.S. &c., &.. Notes on Gastrolobium grandiflorum, ee FERDINAND MUELLER, M.D., F.RB.S. &c., &e. .. Yarra Floods and their ee by Rost. ieee Esq., C.E. a ve On the Intimate Structure of Pig es by GEORGE Britton Hatrorp, M.D., M.R.C.P., Lond., Professor of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology, eee of Melbourne Remarks on the Australian Fish of the Genus Ai by Proressor M‘Coy, F.G.S., &c. &c. The Wealden Formation of Europe, as Illustrated a the Physical Features of Port sy ee by THOMAS Harrison, Esq. : Notes on the Tidal Phenomena of Hobson’s a as affecting the discharge of Flood Waters from the River Yarra, by THomas E. Rawuinson, Esq., C.E.... Abel’s Fuse and Wheatstone’s ae ae ly ae ELLERY, Esq@., F.R.A.S, ve aa PLATES. Sections of the suciee Creek Socal elds N.S. W. Gipps Land Lakes Entrance Map of Melbourne, showing Drainage Areas Yarra Floods a5 ae Tidal Phenomena of Hobson’s Bay - 1X PAGES 98—104 104—106 106—107 107—122 122—123 124—131 131—187 1387—147 147— 148 148—155 155—158 158—159 159—160 161—167 168 A Contents. PROCEEDINGS. Anniversary Meeting, 1861 ... Do. Go:el Soir. Do. do. 1863 ... Do. do. 1864... General Meeting, 1862 os Special General Meeting to alter Rules, &c. ’ General Meeting Ditto PAPERS AND VERBAL DESCRIPTIONS. On Plantago Major, by T. 8. Ralph, Esq. Australian Sponges, by W. H. Archer, Esq. On Wool, by J. H. Clough, Esq. ay, ; Some Tertiary Deposits, by the Rev. Julian Woods ... On Dysodil, by T. S. Ralph, Esq. : On the Snakes of Victoria, by Professor M‘ con On the Flowers of the Mignionette, by T. S. Ralph, Esq. . On Improved System of Propelling Ships, by J. J. Blanche, Esa. On the Coccus, by T. 8. Ralph, Esq. On the Dialects, Habits, &c., of the Lower Maia Aborigines, by Peter Beveridge, Esq. on ee ve Dialects of Australia, by J. J. Thomas, Esa, ie wee On Dry Rot, by T. S. Ralph, Esq. . ae 5 On the Bones of Gigantic ea &e., by Professor M‘ eo On the Tangencies of Apollonius, by Martin Gardiner, Esq. On a Filamentous Material, by Henry H. | Hayter, Esq ee cau On the Nitella and Chara, by T. 8. Ralph, Esq. On Australian and Polynesian Dialects, by J. J. Thomas, sq, On Some Diatomacez of the Yarra, by Dr. Coates On the Application of fog to Stone ee by AL Ke Smith, Esq., C.E. . at a ag oa On the Carboniferous and other Geological Relations of the Mara- - noa District, in Queensland, in reference to the Fossils of the Wollombulla and Stoney oe in West Maitland, by the Rev. W.B. Clarke ‘ ite : Remarks on the above Paper, by Professor M‘ Gap PAGE ili xiii 0.0: | xlvi XXVill xl xliv liv xii Xiil. Xili 3 Contents. Notes on the application of Chlorine to the Extraction of Gold from Quartz, by the Rev. J. J. Bleasdale, D.D. ‘ On the Physical Geography and Geoley of New Zealand, ie Dr, Julius Haast, From His Excellency, Sir H. Barkly, relative to Rare Pigeons (Di- danculus strigirostris) required and offering premium for them On Essential Oils, by Joseph Bosisto, Esq. On Kerosene, by Dr. Macadam On the Unexplored Districts of Victoria, by R. B. Smyth, Esq. On Steering le for Balloons, by M. Costello, Esq., Williams- town ae on 500 od ane AOC Oe ee On the Systematic Position of the Nardoo, &c., by Dr. F. Mueller Samples of Native Flax, submitted by Lieut. Col. J. E. N. Bull On Site for the Burke and Wills Monument, oe John Millar, gee C.E. Sec On Fresh-Water Algz of Victoria, fe H. Watts, (a On formation of Colonial Navy, by T. E. Rawlinson, Esq., C.E. Specimens of Fishes and Shells, from the brackish and salt waters of the Western District, by R. B. Smyth, Esq. M‘Kinlay’s Diary and Maps of Route, from His Exoelleney Sir H. Barkly, K.C.B., &c. Sections of Coal Mines, New South Wales, by His Bsellney Sir H. Barkly, K.C.B., &c. Be On the Observations and Collection ae Aereolites, Ps Professor Maskelyne .. =, " On Colonial Wine, ie Arthur Dobree, Esq, ; ee On Collecting and Exhibiting Minerals, &c., by R. B. Sea th, ane On the Atomic Theory by Dalton, by Dr. Macadam ... The Fire Sticks of the Natives, by R. B. Smyth, Esq. On Fossil Polyzoa, by H. Watts, Esq. On the Entrance to the Gipps Land Lakes, by Thomas E. Rawlin- son, Esq., C.E. sae sep = nee se soe Observations on the Silk-worm, &c., by J. J. Stutzer, Esq., M.A. ... Geological Notes in Queensland, by R. Daintree, Esq. On Improved Pendulum, by Professor Neumayer Specimens of so-called Vegetable Gold, by Dr. F. Mueller On Precious Stones of the Colony, by the Rev. J. J. Bleasdale, D.D. On Water Supply and Irrigation, by F. C. Christie, Esq., C.E. Mr. Ligar on the position of Gold Veins On Stoney Creek Sections, by Rev. W. B. Clarke xV Xvili xix XXV xXXV xXXV XXV XXVi XXVIi XXVIi XXVIi XXVili XXVili SOCK XXXili XXXIV XXXIV XXXIV XXXIV Xl : Contents. Specimen of ‘‘Sida pulchella,” the bark ee suitable for ropes &c., by the Secretary Sie 55 “ae ad Professor Neumayer and his Works 2 On a Genus of Coleoptera, by W. H. Archer, Esq, On the Surface and ee ee eee of Melbourne, A. K Smith, Esq., C.E. . Se Dr. Crooke on Denes fhe on Basin by way of Baie Swamp, direct from Dight’s Mills a : On the recent Determination of the Sun’s Distance, wi R. Gas a: Ellery, Esq. bp at sed On Poison Plant (Gastrolobium Es oy Dr F. Mueller . Wheatstone’s Exploder and Abel’s Patent Fuse, by the scereuani Sas Notes on the Geology of. Hobart Town, by Thomas Harrison, Esq. On the Yarra Floods and their Pe 2 Robert me a sf C.E. Messrs. Giles and Conn on White Men’s Graves Structure of Cartilage, by Professor Halford BS On Australian Fish (genus “ Arripis ”), by Professor M‘Coy... On Spectrum Analysis, by Mr. Ellery Suggesting an Exhibition of Colonial Geille ke., e Rev. J. J. Bleasdale, D.D. 60 a oes eee EAS Do. do. do. Report on White Men’s Graves, by @oumurien Do. do. do. Report forwarded to A. Gregory, Esq. ... he ae i Bs Approval of Council of Suggestion to hold an Exhibition of Gems Notes on Tidal Phenomena in Hobson’s Bay, LY Thomas E. Raw- linson, Esq., C.E. . Notes on the Wealden ia Port Phil Ten atione he. by Thos. Harrison, Esq. va On Saxby’s Weather System, by R. L. J. Ellery, fea On the Underground eae of Melbourne, ie A. K. Smith, Esq., C.H. #3 Acie BS fat wae On Fibrous Plants, by Mr. M‘ ional Vote of Sympathy to the Memory of Ludwig Becker sae kee Patten, Stone, and Purcell, of the Victorian Exploration Photograms of the Bhoto Ghaut Railway to be bound Appointment of Sanitary Committee for Melbourne ... Report of Exploration Committee read . Annual Report and Balance-sheet of the Council for 1861 Do. do. do. 166222 Do. do. do. GES 5 ses Do. do. do. 1864 THe PAGE xlvii xlvili xlvili xlvili xlvili xix * 1 Tix xi lili liv liv liv liv sexs vi xi xii xiv XV XXViii xliv lv Contents. Report by Dr. Wilkie on Mr. Wilkinson’s proposed Ear Trumpet... Report by Mr. Ellery on Mr. Rawlinson’s Suggestions for better de- termining the direction of Australian Ocean Currents... Capt. Mayne’s presentation of Maps of Walker’s Route from Rock- hampton to Carpentaria vee oe Son Presentation of Gold Watch to Mr. John King Mr. Landsborough present Meteorite and Correspondence Do. do. Mr. M‘Kinlay present... Re-appointment of Committee ss out ue Vote of thanks to Dr. Macadam for his long services as Secretary Special Meeting to alter Rules, &c. &c. pnauon by Professor Neumayer to inspect his Pendulum Appa- Fee ienent of Committee to draw up Memorial to Sir H. aa K.C.B., &c., prior to his leaving the Colony ae Dr. Mueller’s offer to supply Cuttings of Mulberry Trees aa Valedictory Address to Sir H. Barkly, K.C.B., &c., and his Reply ... Appointment of Librarian and Custos of Collections Do. Auditors Do. do. Abstracts of Proceedings to be ene monthly by Mr. Bless left to Council ue ee, Professor Neumayer elected by acclamation Heaven Life ene in acknowledgment of the services rendered to science and to this country nee rr ae wea aa ove Xi PAGE xlvii xlvii xD XX XXil XXil XXVIi XKV Xxviii XXXI XM XXXV XXXKV XXXVI XxXxvii xiii xlii xiii xlvili xlix £ z ae é © ‘5 - Seb PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES FOR THE YEARS 1861 to 1864 Royal Society of Victoria. 1861. resident. HIS EXCELLENCY SiR HENRY BARKLY, K.C.B., &e. Vice- 2 res dents. CHARLES W. LIGAR, ESQ., SURVEYOR GENERAL OF VICTORIA. FRED. M“COY, ESQ., F.G.S., &., PROF. OF NAT. SCIENCE, MELB, UNIVERSITY- Oreasuret. REV. JOHN J. BLEASDALE, D.D- Hon. Secretary. HCN. JOHN MACADAM, ESQ., M.D., & Council. FERDINAND MUELLER, Esq., Ph.D., , SIR REDMOND BARRY. M.D., &. : HON. JOHN O’SHANASSY. M. IRVING, ESQ., M.A., PROF. MELB. | RICHARD EADES, ESQ., M.A., M.D. UNIVERSITY. PROFESSOR NEUMAYER. J. W. OSBORNE, ESQ. WILLIAM GILBEE, ESQ., M.R.C.S.E. HON. D. WILKIE, M.D., M.L.C., &c. W. H. ARCHER, ESQ. S. IFFLA, ESQ., J.P. EDWARD WILSON, ESQ., (vice PROF, SIR W. F. STAWELL. | IRVING resigned.) aopul Society of Victoria. ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF Che President, HIS EXCELLENCY SIR HENRY BARKLY, KCB, &e. &e. &e. {Delivered to the Members of the Royal Society, at the Anniversary Meeting held on the 8th April, 1861.] GENTLEMEN OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA, As you have been pleased unanimously to re-elect me your President, it becomes my duty, on assuming office to night, to deliver the customary inaugural address. I shall begin by tracing the proceedings of the Society for the past year, and then glance briefly at the progress of scientific pursuits in general in this community during the same period. With regard to the first, I think I may assert that the ordinary monthly meetings in our new hall have been better attended than heretofore, and that several communications ofmuch interest have been read at them. XK Presidents Address The relative importance attached to the particular branch of science discussed in each must depend mainly on the bent of our individual minds; but among the twenty papers thus communicated will be found some not merely interesting in a scientific point of view, but of direct practical importance. Of this latter class, | may enumerate Mr. Acheson’s trea- tise on a “New System of Ventilating Public Buildings,” with Mr. Knight’s comments thereon; Suggestions by the last named gentleman for holding an Australian Exhibition, preparatory to the Imperial Exhibition in 1862, (the first appeal to public attention on this important matter ;) Remarks on the “ Cultivation of Cotton,” by the Hon. Mr. O’Shanassy ; Captain Perry’s description of his “ Anti-collision Dial and Shipwreck Preventor,” (which seems likely to prove a valua- ble invention ;) “ Suggestions for the Introduction of Animals and Plants,” by Mr. Lockhart Morton ; as also, “A Descrip- tion of the Country near the Darling, and Proposals for the Formation of a New Colony in Northern Australia,” by the same enterprizing colonist; “A Notice of some Fibrous Plants abundant in Australia,” by Mr. Francis Corbett, as well as an instructive contribution to our social statistics, by the same gentleman ; and, lastly, a paper by Mr. Wilhelmi, “On the Manners and Customs of the Natives of the Port Lincoln District,’ containmg much valuable information on a subject which I would take the opportunity of impressing on the attention of the Royal Society, with a view to the institution of immediate and systematic inquiries of a similar nature within our own territory. Whole tribes of the aboriginal occupants of the soil, are, under some mysterious dispensation, rapidly disappearing, and the links which their dialects and traditions might supply to the ethnologist, will, without some effort on our part, be lost for ever. When at Omeo, two years since, the last survivor of the numerous and warlike tribe which had disputed possession with the jor the year 1861. Xx early settlers only a quarter of a century before, was pre- sented to me, and I fear, from official reports which have come under my notice, that in other districts, despite all the efforts that the newly-constituted Board for the Protection of the Aborigines can make, this unfortunate race is fast becoming extinct. Reverting to papers of a more exclusively scientific cha- racter laid before the Society, I may cite (passing over some relative to branches of mathematics too abstruse to be adverted to on such an occasion as the present) a brief but interesting dissertation by Mr. Ellery, “ On the Application of Galvanic Electricity to Practical Astronomy ;” and in natural history, a description of a new species of the fresh water polyzoa, “Plumitella Aplinn,” by Mr. McGillivray ; “ Observations on the Nidification of certain Birds,” and on Victorian Ornithology generally, by Mr. Dobree. A very able paper by Dr. Coates, illustrated by Dr. Ralph, on a remark- able.Deposit of Fossil Diatomaceze, discovered in making the railway at South Yarra; an instructive account of micro- scopical researches into the adulteration of articles of food, by the former learned gentleman ; and last, though not least in importance, a series of observations, contributed by the Rev. W. B. Clarke, of Sydney, and Professor M‘Coy, of the Mel- bourne University, in support of their respective views as to the “ Age of the Australian Coal-fields.” Possibly, at first sight, a controversy of this sort may seem to offer little attraction to those who have not had either time or perhaps inclination to pay much attention to geo- logical studies, but, independently of its commercial import- ance as bearing on the probable value, extent, and accessi- bility of the supply of indigenous coal, it so happens that the points in dispute are of the deepest interest in connection with the history of the primzeval world, and the inspired record of the Creation. XXH President's Address The coal measures of New South Wales, of Tasmania, and, no doubt, of Victoria also, rest upon a stratum of sandstone rock, containing marine shells and corals, of descriptions similar to those found in the mountain limestone on which the ancient carboniferous formation of Great Britain repose ; but, on the other hand, the beds of shale, in which the seams of workable coal are interspersed, exhibit fossil plants widely differing from those of the British coal measures, although it happens, strangely enough, that the remains of the true carboniferous flora are yet found in various parts of Australia, but not yet, I believe, in conjunction with coal. Notwithstanding this discrepancy, the Rey. W. B. Clarke has always held, that the plant beds of the Hunter River eoal-field, are of nearly the same age as the underlying beds with animal fossils, and that neither, are of more recent origin than the close of the first great epuch of ancient life on our earth, termed by geologists the Paleeozoic period. Professor M‘Coy, on the contrary, published his opinion jong before coming to this colony, that a vast geological mterval elapsed between the deposition of the marine re- mains and the ferns and cycadeous plants above them, and argued that the latter so closely resembled the species found in the oolitic or secondary coal of Yorkshire, that they must (together with nearly identical forms from the coal-fields of India) be referred to the same group, the Jurassic of geo- logists, or second division of the Mesozoic or middle age of life. This opinion has been adopted by most of the leading geologists of the day, but that of Mr. Clarke has, neverthe- less, been supported by some distinguished authorities, in- eluding Mr. Jukes, now local director of the Geological Survey of Ireland; Professor Dana, of the United States Exploring Expedition ; Dr. Hochstetter, of the Austrian Ex- ploring Expedition; Dr. Joseph Hooker, the eminent botanist ; for the year 1861. . Xxiil and Dr. Oldham, the director of the Geological Survey of India; all of whom, however, pin their faith on my rev. friend’s announcement, that he has in certain instances obtained the spiriferze productz, and other true carbonifer- ous shells, from beds situated above those which contain the fossil plants in dispute. Were this one fact ascertained beyond the possibility of error, and proved not to be due to the accidental contortion or dislocation to which strata have sometimes been sub- jected, the question would be at an end; and so desirable do I regard it for the progress of geological science, especially in Australia and India, that it should be settled without loss of time, that were our Government geologist possessed of more leisure, I should long since have urged his being des- patched to New South Wales to make a special investigation on the spot, as he formerly did in Tasmania, where he established the position of this same plant-bearing sandstone, as being in every case above the clay in which the pachy- domous shells are there embedded. Failing this, lam in hopes, from what Sir William Denison told me, of procuring a report on this subject from Mr. Keene, the inspector of coal-fields in New South Wales, who is engaged in investigating the stratigraphical succession of these deposits. | Meanwhile the controversy has been revived, and carried on with much ability on both sides, in consequence of the discovery a few months ago, in our own Cape Patterson coal-field, of a fossil fern, of a kind called, from its fancied resemblance to a wreath, Toeniopteris, a genus classed by paleontologists among those typical of the oolitic formation, so that its presence strengthens the previous inference as to our coal being of that age. More recently still Professor M‘Coy has procured from the fossil plant beds at Bellerine, near Geelong, three distinct XXIV . Presidents Address species of a genus styled Zamites, from its resemblance to an existing tribe of cycadeous trees called Zamia, a sort of dwarfish cross between the palms and firs, common in the subtropical regions of Australia; and as thirty species of Zamites are known to exist m the oolitic beds of Hurope, whilst not one has ever been attributed to any Paleozoic bed, he not unnaturally considers this further discovery conclusive proof of the correctness of his views. Still the challenge thrown out by Mr. Clarke, in his recent interesting work on the southern gold-fields of New South Wales, that “no one has ever detected a single zoological fossil of Jurassic age in any portion of Australia,” could not have been satisfactorily answered but for the still more recent detection in the Port- land Bay coal-fields, mingled with the same fossil plants as at Bellerine, of shells which Professor M‘Coy unhesitatingly pronounces to be unios of the strictly normal type, which has existed ever since the Mesozoic period, as contra-distin- guished from the improperly named unios of the Palzeozoic age. | If this prove, on further examination, to be’ the case, the question as to the age of our coal will be set at rest for ever, and all the speculations which have been founded on the alleged absence of secondary deposits from the Australian continent, will fall to the ground, leaving the peculiarity of its fauna and flora, the non-disappearance of the kangaroo and other marsupial animals, and the contmued existence of the she-oak, and such like ancient forms of vegetation, to be otherwise accounted for than by supposing, as has been done, that the elevation of the land throughout the Mesozoic period was continuous and uninterrupted, so that Australia would represent a portion of the great secondary continent, which has ever since remained isolated and unaltered. 4 ies The labours of Mr. Selwyn and Professor M‘Coy tend, on the contrary, to demonstrate that the land here has jor the year 1861. XXV undergone all the terrible mutations to which the rest of the globe has been exposed, and to establish a remarkable con- formity between the fossil fauna and flora of each geological period in Australia and in Europe, from the first faint glim- mering of life traceable in the graptolites in the silurian slates of our gold-fields, of which Professor M‘Coy has iden- tified ten species at least, as common to Scotland, through the secondary formations, as already exemplified by our coal measures, up to the mammaliferous crag of the tertiary, which preceded but a short time the appearance of the human race upon earth, and which Professor M‘Coy was the first to prove, some years since, extended to this country, by the determination of a wombat’s jaw, cut out of the solid auri- ferous cement at Dunolly. This uniformity of fossils, is to my mind, a matter of no small moment, inasmuch as it tends to confirm the complete- - ness of the series of the products of the animal and vegetable kingdom, entombed in the various strata, which have, during successive ages, been deposited on the surface of the globe. For the ingenious author of the new theory of the “ Origin of Species,” by natural selection (which has recently startled society,) himself admits that if the completeness of the geo- logical record can be established, his doctrine becomes un- tenable. Of that doctrine I will only add, that however true it may be within the limits which the word “ species ” would, in its ordinary acceptation, indicate, it seems to me, when pushed to such extremes as to be made to assert the derivation—not merely of fresh “genera,” but of the most strongly marked “natural orders” of plants and animals from a very few originals,—scarcely less subversive of belief in a Divine architect of the universe, than the grosser theory of “ progressive development,” which science has so completely exploded. It would surely be a remarkable encouragement to the fearless pursuit of truth, if the refutation of errors so XXVI1 Presidents Address pernicious to the very existence of Christianity, should thus be supplied by the researches of geologists—too often regarded with distrust by religious minds. I must not, however, wander further amidst the mazes of such mighty mysteries, but proceed to a recital of what the Royal Society has accomplished in addition to the reading of the papers to which I have referred. I should not omit to mention that for the first time, in contormity to a new rule, its members have formed them- selves into sections for the cultivation of special branches of science, and though too short a period has elapsed since this was effected to enable us to judge of the results, I have no doubt that they will prove valuable, especially in microscopic investigations and other branches of study requiring careful and minute experiments. I have already alluded to the fact that attention was first called in this hall to the necessity of early preparation for the International Exhibition, and though a commission has since been constituted by the Government for the purpose, and a vote of £5,000 submitted to Parhament by my advisers, yet, as the commissioners are mostly chosen from our mem- bers, whilst our able and accomplished honorary secretary fills the same office under it, [think we may fairly claim our full share of the credit of its useful labours. The prizes, too, offered last year by the Government for the best essays on gold mining, water supply, agriculture, and manufactures, which will form an admirable basis for the commissioners’ report on the resources of the colony, were awarded according to the recommendation of sub-committees of the Royal Society, after a long and painstaking examina- tion. | But it is to the preparations for exploring the interior of Australia that the time and energy of a large number of the members of this Society, who were nominated a committee r t : a B b} fl y } y ; for the year 1861. XXV for the purpose, at a meeting of the subscribers to the Ex- ploration Fund, have been chiefly devoted during the past year. When I delivered my last inaugural address the ar- rangements connected with the proposed expedition, includ- ing the most important of all—the appointment of a leader —remained to be made. With a single exception, the aspirants to this post of difficulty and danger could boast little personal acquaintance with Australian exploration. They had still their sptrs to win. The choice of the com- mittee fell on a gentleman of whom I will only on this occasion say, that he has as yet done nothing to discredit the confidence reposed in him, and that if courage, disin- terestedness, and a firm determination to succeed In crossing the desert despite all obstacles, were amongst the foremost qualifications for the leadership, no better selection could have been made. Before Mr. Burke was well out of the settled districts, rumours reached us of that extraordinary journey of Mr. Stuart’s, from the adjacent colony, which if it has not alto- gether solved the problem of Australian geography, has at any rate obliged the most learned geographers of the day to confess themselves mistaken in assuming the whole interior of the continent to be either an arid and inhospilaple desert or a vast central lake. To the veteran South Australian explorer it still remains to complete his track from Chambers’s Creek to the west- ward of Lake Torrens to Stokes’s Victoria river on the north coast, or to Arnhem’s Land, and we are all aware that he started from that spot on the first day of the present year with a larger party and ampler equipment, bent on still claiming the honour of being the first to cross the continent. As regards his Victorian competitor—I will not call him rival, in this glorious race, Mr. Burke, we might long since have looked to hear of his arrival at the pre-concerted depot XX Vill Presidents Address on Cooper’s Creek, and of his departure thence to skirt the eastern border of the desert, as the shortest route to the Gulf of Carpentaria, but for the delay which occurred in the transinission of the second portion of his stores from the Darling, which probably deterred him from sending back a messenger with the news of lis movements. We know that the rest of the party with these stores left the camp on that river on the 24th of January, so that we may soon expect to receive intelligence of their junction, or of the course Mr. Burke had adopted in their absence. It is certainly possible that he may havé pushed on towards the northern coast without awaiting their arrival, but, as he was fully aware that no arrangement was in contemplation for sending a vessel to meet him there, he is not likely to have gone beyond the point from which, with the aid of the camels, he could fall back on his supplies ; and there seems, therefore, no ground for anxiety as to his safety, though, of course, we must be prepared to act promptly, according to the tenor of the first advices which may reach us. ; Such are the self-imposed and gratuitously-performed tasks in which the council and members of the Royal Society have been busied during the past twelve months; but I need hardly remind you that several of the number have in their professional and private capacities rendered far higher ser- vices to science than any I have yet recorded. In November, 1859, Mr. John Walter Osborne communi- cated to the Society a paper on a new photo-lithographic process of his invention, the object of which was to reproduce maps and plans on a reduced or enlarged scale, without trust- ing to-the human hand or eye, but relying on the aid of | photography alone to transfer them to the stone from which they are to be printed. This object he proposed to accom- plish mainly by the introduction of a peculiar species of transfer paper, and I am happy now to state that the merit, > An er ees of aye for the year 1861. ORR originality, and importance of his invention have been re- eognized by a commission appointed by this Government to consider his claim to reward, and admitted in strong terms by the most competent judges at home, of whom I may quote Sir Henry James, the director of the ordnance survey of Great Britain ; and Mr. Hardwick, Professor of Chemistry and Photography at King’s College, London. Some idea may be formed of the comparative excellence of Mr. Osborne’s work from specimens which lie on the table ; and he will be good enough himself, in the course of the evening, to furnish explanations as to his process, which, I will only add, may be rendered applicable to zine and copper-plate engraving, as well as to lithography. Of the labours of another of our most distinguished mem- bers—Mr. Selwyn—on the geological survey of the country, we have ample proof, likewise before us, in the beautiful maps now issuing from the Government press. The singular objection has, indeed, been raised to them that they are too beautiful, in the sense, I presume, of being too elaborate and costly for the purpose for which they are required ; but, besides the national credit derivable from the proper execu- tion of such a work, a little reflection will show that its value is proportioned solely to its truthfulness, and that in order to secure that quality, a thorough examination of the strata must be made, and the minutest facts recorded. Sim- plicity, in a word, can only result from the accumulation of complex data; the sketch map must follow, not precede, the highly finished surveys first completed. If anything, there- fore, be wanting to make Mr. Selwyn’s work more generally available, it would seem to me to be, that such sheets as depict a portion of any gold-field should be re-published by the Mining Board on an enlarged scale, and in as simple a form as possible, for the use of the miners of that district. the collection of mining implements, machinery, and | : : 2 XXX Presidents Address models of gold workings which have been brought together at the University by the unflagging zeal and assiduity of Professor M‘Coy, every day increases 1n size and importance, though, I regret to say, it is becoming more difficult to view it to advantage, as the rooms in which it is necessarily placed become more and more crowded. I hope that the example thus set will some day be followed in our large gold- fields towns, and it might possibly conduce thereto if a system of temporary Joan, on the principle of that lately introduced in connection with the Melbourne Public Library, could be established. The Zoological Museum is also making rapid progress under Professor M‘Coy’s charge, and on our table to-night will be found the illustrations for the earliest of “The De- eades of the Prodromus of the Zoology and Paleontology of Victoria,” in which our learned Vice-President purposes, under the auspices of this Government, elucidating the sin- gularly exceptional fauna which this portion of the globe has, more or less, in all ages displayed. : In a kindred branch of Natural History, another of the ornaments of our Society, Dr. Mueller, whom, in a letter which I received last mail, my venerable friend Sir Wiliam Hooker characterises as “the most active and intelligent naturalist of the present day,” continues those indefatigable researches which have as‘it were subdued the whole flora of — this continent to his sway, and left him facile princeps amongst writers on Australian botany. > Besides his literary labours in connexion with his forth- coming work on “The Plants Indigenous to the Colony of Victoria,” and with the second volume of his “Fragmenta,” in which last he has recently made known to the scientific world some of Stuart’s plants from the central desert, as well as others of much interest discovered by Dr. Beckler and Mr. Fitzalan in tropical Australia, our Government botanist oa ; 3} for the year 1861. 0.3.4 has, with his wonted personal activity, penetrated thrice during the last few months the still unexplored fastnesses of Gipps Land, visiting, on the first occasion, the unknown region about Cape Howe, whence he enriched the Australian flora with several new species, and brought back many not hitherto known to exist within the limits of Victoria; and subsequently ascending the loftiest interior ranges of the Alps, including Mount Baw-Baw and Mount Useful, within whose humid and sheltered recesses, beneath forests of Cun- ningham’s beech, which reminded him of Europe, he was rewarded by the discovery of the first Australian represen- tative of one of the favourite wild fruits of our youth, the bilberry. Another of our scientific associates, Professor Neumayer, has since my former address published his first report of the magnetical and meteorological observations made under his superintendance at the Flagstaff-hill Observatory, Melbourne, as well as at various stations throughout the country. He has likewise been actively engaged in carrying on investiga- tions as to terrestrial magnetism over a wide area, and I trust at no distant period we shall be put in possession of his promised volume on the magnetic survey of the colony. The removal of the Magnetic Observatory from the Flag- stag-hill to a spot where the instruments would be less subject to disturbance from iron buildings and machinery has always been a desideratum, and as the situation of the Astronomical Observatory at Williamstown is daily becom- ing, through the oscillation arising from the trains on the adjacent railway, equally unsuitable for the purpose for which it was designed, the board of visitors to these establishments, constituted pursuant to a resolution of the Legislative Assembly early last year, has, after full inquiry, recommended the amalgamation of the two under one roof, and obtained ~ the approval of the Government for a site near the Botanic XXXli President's Address Garden reserve, which seems admirably adapted from its commanding situation, the absence of bufldings, and the nature of the geological formations below, for the erection of a National Observatory, on a scale suited to the wealth and importance of this province. The interest attaching to the record of the daily atmo- spheric phenomena is everywhere increasing in proportion as we seem to have arrived at the threshold of great discoveries, through the ascertained correspondence between the mag- netic storms and the so-called spots on the sun’s dise—a fact long since suspected by Schwabe, but placed beyond all doubt by the concurrent testimony of independent observa- tions at the widely-distant colonial capitals of Canada and Tasmania. As the Observatory at Hobart Town, which became so famous under the superintendence of one of our members, Captain Kay, R.N., is no longer supported by the Imperial Government, it behoves us all the more to keep up a similar establishment here. Apart, however, from merely scientific considerations like these, the maintenance of a thoroughly efficient Observatory seems essential for the successful prosecution of the geodetic | survey now in progress, under the superintendence of two eminent members of the Royal Society, Mr. Ligar, the sur- veyor general, and Mr. Ellery, the astronomical observer ; for such an undertaking must very much depend for its accuracy on frequent and correct observations of the heavenly bodies. _ As some doubt has been expressed whether this method of land surveying, by dividing the country into squares, with sides conformable to the geographic figures formed by the intersections of the meridians of longitude hy the parallels of latitude—a system now first introduced into British territory —is as reliable and enduring as the old plan of taking the bearings of conspicuous natural objects and laying out the for the year 1861. 3 XXXi country in triangles, of which they form the points ; it may be well for me to mention that I have recently received a report, which the Government of the United States has most kindly had drawn up attheinstance of the British Government, in which it is stated that the rectangular system has been in operation there ever since the commencement of the present century, with satisfaction to all concerned, and that it is considered both cheaper and better than the trigonometrical Looking upon its retention, therefore, in Victoria as certain I trust that the erection of the new Observatory, for the reception of the improved instruments which Mr. Ellery is procuring, will not be unnecessarily delayed ; for even if the whole amount requisite for its completion cannot well be spared at once, enough might be granted to enable a com- mencement to be made. JT am fully aware that a time of financial pressure like the present is unfavourable to the extention of scientific enter- prize, and that even existing scientific institutions not only cannot hope to escape their share of the general economy, but must be prepared, as having no special representatives to protect their interest, to bear the brunt in such reductions as are made. So far, however, as the influence of the Royal Society of Victoria extends, it must ever be our duty to exercise it on behalf of the not less real, because less apparent, wants of true science in this community, and to lift up our voices, when once we feel convinced of the occurrence of such wants, in favour ofa due provision for them by the state. Our testimony in such matters ought assuredly to be treated with respect. We have no selfish ends to gain; we are actuated by no sordid motives. We love knowledge for her own sake, it is true, but we prize her far more highly for the blessings she is capable of bestowing on our fellow creatures, and if we advocate the devotion of a portion of the Cc ‘ entertain a heartfelt conviction that such a course will re- 3 dound more to the honour of this country in distant lands, will create more confidence among educated men in its political institutions, and secure nobler and more imperish- able advantages to its inhabitants than the most lavished outlay on the passing fancies of the day, nay, even than vast capital expended in the erection of gorgeous edifices, or in the execution’ of public works on the most stupendous scale. 7 | I have only, in’conclusion, to thank you for the patience with which you have listened to me, and to assure you that, appreciating as I do the compliment paid me in being again installed in the chair, it will be my constant endeavour to discharge the duties of my office with diligence and effi- ciency. aitesident, HIS EXCELLENCY SIR HENRY BARKLY, K.C.B., &. Vice- Dresivents. SIR W. F. STAWELL. _ I REY. JOHN J. BLEASDALE, D.D. Treasurer. H. F. EATON, ESQ. Secietarp. ‘HON. JOHN MACADAM, M.D., &c. Council. RICHARD EADES, ESQ., M.A, M.D. PROFESSOR NEUMAYER, Dr. F. MUELLER. W. H. ARCHER, ESQ. PROFESSOR M’COY. -S. McGOWAN, ESQ. Aopal Society of Victoriz. ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF Che Vresident, HIS EXCELLENCY SIR HENRY BARKLY, K.CB. &e. &e &e. [Delivered to the Members of the Royal Society, at the Anniversary Meeting, held on the 28th April, 1862.] Me. VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE RoyYAL SOcrIgETY, In reviewing the events of the past twelve months which interest or affect this institution, I am painfully reminded by the name it has the honour to bear, of the loss we, in common with our Queen and country, have sustained in the death of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort. True, that as a scientific body, it is only with the last of the long list of high-sounding titles which, as if to mark the mutability and emptiness of earthly grandeur, were in- scribed on his coffin, “‘ President of the British Association,” that we are directly concerned ; but even in this limited point of view, the greatness of the loss cannot be questioned. XXXVI Presidents Address Who that has watched the career of His Royal Highness in matters of science—who that remembers the eloquent and comprehensive discourse which, in his presidential capacity, he delivered at Aberdeen two years ago—can doubt that Prince Albert was a zealous student as well as an enthusiastic admirer of nature; one who, if born in a less exalted social sphere, might have achieved that pre- eminence in physical investigations for which the speculative yet exact character of the German mind qualifies so many of his countrymen. . Having struck so mournful a chord at starting, Iam led to a loss nearer home—to a vacancy in our own ranks, humbler far, yet not the less acutely perceptible within our limited circle. I am aware that the anniversary addresses from this chair have not hitherto been prefaced by the necrology of deceased members, so customary on similar occasions in the learned societies of Europe. Our origin is too recent, our numbers too small, the scientific reputation of the greater part of our members too inconsiderable, to render such a practice expedient; but you will bear with me, I know, while making an exception in favour of one of our earliest and most indefatigable contributors, Dr. Ludwig Becker—the more especially as he fell a victim to the cause of scientific exploration, which this Society has ever had so much at heart. It was not his, indeed, to take part, as he so ardently desired, in the great exploit which has covered our land with so much grief and so much glory, the first crossing of the Australian Continent from sea to sea. Like many another brave man, he was fated but to form one of the baggage- guard whilst the victory was being won. But whenever-the history of the Burke and Wills Expedition is written, the name of Ludwig Becker will, like theirs, rank with those of Cunningham, Kennedy, Leichhardt, and the rest of that noble jor the year 1862. XKKIX band who have sacrificed their lives in the cause of science, and for the benefit of the generations yet unborn that shall inhabit this vast continent. But I must turn from this theme for a time, to trace, accord- ing to custom, the proceedings of the Royal Society at its ordinary monthly and special meetings throughout the past year. These have been well attended, so far as I have had the opportunity of observing, and the original papers read at them were as numerous and as full of scientific interest as heretofore. Among these I may particularise, in botany, Dr. Ralph’s observations, On the Structures and Organs of Plants, as exhibited through the microscope; in zoology, a Description of Victorian Sponges, by Mr. Archer, and of the Snakes of Victoria, by Professor M‘Coy, as well as a most interesting paper by the latter gentleman, On the Remains of a Gigantic Marsupial, found in sinking a well at Colac, which, in his opinion, combines the distinctive characters of diprotodonand nototherium, as established by Professor Owen, from previous fossils, so fully as to render the union of these genera essential. Nor have our friends in the adjacent colonies been remiss in their contributions. An account by Mr. Julian Haast, the Government Geologist of New Zea- land, of the Physical Geography and Geology of Middle Island, which now attracts so many emigrants from our shores, has been communicated to us through Mr. Ligar. The Rev. Julian Woods has favoured us with further infor- mation as to the Foraminifer and Bryozoz of the Mount Gambier Tertiary of Calcareous Cement, whilst to the untirmg energy of the Rev. W. B. Clarke, of Sydney, we are again indebted for the knowledge of the recent discovery, under his auspices, of zoological fossils in the Maranoa district of Queensland, as well as for a fresh elucidation of his views in regard to the Strategrapical Position and Geological Rela- tions of the Coal-seams of West Maitland. xl Presidents Address Both these papers drew forth, at the writer’s request, valuable reports from Professor M‘Coy, who showed the _ fossils in question to be of jurassic age, and the precise marine equivalents of the flora found both here and in New South Wales, in connection with the carboniferous forma- tion, which flora you will remember he always referred to that epoch, though Mr. Clarke claimed for it far higher antiquity. I entered so fully into this interesting and important con- troversy in my last address, that I would not now recur to the subject, were I not in a degree bound to do so by the reference which my reverend friend has done me the honour to make to the opinions I then expressed in the able essay he has since published, “On Recent Geological Discoveries in Australasia,” a work destined to form an invaluable fruitand lasting memento of these discussions. No less an authority, moreover, than the Director-General of the Geological Survey of Great Britain has since adverted to the question on so important an occasion as the opening of the Geological Section of the British Association at Manchester, last gested, indeed, the possibility of both sides being right in regard, that 1s to say, September. Sir Roderick Murchison sug to the particular formation each had in view, it seeming probable that in so vast a region asAustralia, coal-fields both of palzeozoic and mezosoic age might be found. But such, assuredly, was not the issue this Society met to consider when Mr. Clarke’s sections from Stony Creek were exhibited before it ; his proposition being neither more nor less than that the plant-beds containing glossoptetris, phy- lotheca, &¢., were at that particular spot inferior to or older than the zoological beds containing productze, spiriferze, and other well-known paleozoic forms. Such a paradox as this we could not receive, unless it were clearly proved that the apparent super-position could be accounted for in no other for the year 1862. xi manner whatsoever ; and finding that the whole country around West Maitland had been largely disturbed by volcanic action, eruptions of basalt and porphry protruding through and upheaving the strata on every side ; whilst by simply protracting the drawing on the true scale, a downcast fault of many feet became apparent between the two shafts, of which sections had been sent us; we felt ourselves justified in rejecting Mr. Clarke’s crucial test. Our discussion was, on that evening, enlivened, as you will recollect, by the presence of Mr. Gould, the young and talented geologist of Tasmania, (whose life, let us fervently pray, may not have fallen a sacrifice to the enthusiasm with which. he has striven to discharge his duties amid the densely wooded ranges of that island.) Mr. Gould’s opinion so far corroborated that of Mr. Clarke, that he contended for the palezeozoic age of one of the Tasmanian coal-fields,—that between the Mersey and the Don,—on which his official report has since been published; but in this, as in the former case, the disturbance of the strata by volcanic action has been so excessive as to necessitate the utmost caution ; yet from all that he saw and heard during his resi- dence in the district, he arrived at a conclusion opposite to that which Mr. Selwyn formed in his hurried visit to the spot in 1854, I cannot perceive, however, after the most attentive perusal of his report, that he adduces evidence that the palzeozoic marine fossils lie in any case over the coal ; the facts cited—apart from the suppositions with which they are mixed up—shewing merely that the coal, in several instances, is found on one side of a fault and these fossils on the other ; a juxta-position which by itself proves nothing. Turning to other topics :—Much interest has been excited in Europe by the account read before the society by Mr. Fitzgibbon of two huge masses of meteoric iron, which then eee xii President's Address lay in the neighbourhood of Cranbourne, about thirty miles from Melbourne. The smaller meteorite described, which weighed nearly a ton, was shortly afterwards purchased by Mr. Abel, and after being exhibited here, was sent to the Inter-National Exhibition, on the close of which it will, it is understood, become the property of the British Museum, The larger, which exceeds the other nearly fourfold, weighing 8,512 lbs. or 3 tons 16 cwt., was likewise destined by its owner for the same institution, but an appeal having been made by Professor M‘Coy on behalf of the Victorian Museum, Mr. Bruce, I am happy to say, has expressed his willingness that half should be retained in the colony, a course, to which, however, some objections have, under these circumstances been raised. The question having been submitted to my judgment, I suggested that perhaps the better plan would be, to ask the trustees of the British Museum to send back the smaller mass purchased from Mr. Abel on condition of receiving the “ Bruce” meteorite in its original state ; but in opposition to this it is urged that the sawing of the latter in two, so far from injuring it, is absolutely essential to admit of its structure being properly examined, and its inner face polished or etched, and thatifcasts be taken beforehand of the whole, as well as of the respective moieties afterwards, and deposited in both Museums, every possible object will be attained. I am proud certainly to think that there are in this young country men so eminent in the study of magnetism, of mineralogy, of chemistry, and the other sciences involved, as-to be capable of satisfactorily investigating the properties and the origin of such phenomena, but I must confess, nevertheless, that looking to the uniqueness of the specimen —for though three larger meteoric masses are known to exist, two in Mexico, and one in La Plata, the heaviest yet brought to Europe weighs but 14 ewt., and the next but jor the year 1862. xii 12 ewt.—it strikes me it would be a pity to break it up before it has been seen by the scientifie world, while the number of Huropean savans is so far greater, that it would seem almost selfish to seek to anticipate on these distant shores their experiments upon it. The point has, I believe, been referred to the highest authorities at home, whose views will, I am confident, be cheerfully acquiesced in. Meanwhile this mysterious visitant of a bygone age from an unknown world has been placed in front of the quadrangle of the Melbourne University, where it well deserves a visit from all who delight in the wonders of nature. Since our last anniversary the labours of the Commissioners appointed to prepare. for the Inter-National Exhibition in London, have been so far crowned with success, that a preliminary display of industrial products, and other useful oer remarkable objects, has taken place in this city, anda selection from it of what seemed likely to possess most interest has been forwarded to England, where it will, I trust, create an adequate impression of the resources of this magnificent province. The Commissioners at the same time rendered a scarcely less important service by procuring and prefixing to their catalogue essays upon the statistics, mineral products, climatology, vegetation, natural history, and geology of Victoria. Of these prefatory desertations, contributed for the most part by those who are the brightest ornaments of our Society, I can scarcely speak in sufficiently high terms of commen- dation ; nor must I forget the valuable reports of the juries, particularly that on ‘indigenous vegetable substances, which reflects the utmost credit on the jurors in that class, Dr. Coates, and Messrs. Osborne and Ashley, who have opened up in it new and unrecked fields of manufacturing industry. = ———- - CS Fe ane A ae yf mee xliv Presidents Address Another most important matter when I last addressed you, occupied the attention of the leading members of our Society, and has continued to engross much of their time and consideration throughout the year. I mean the exploration of the interior. When I then alluded to the glorious race across the continent between the expeditions fitted out in this and the adjacent colony of South Australia, we little dreamt, alas! that the victors were on the point of returning from it, to find the depét forsaken by the comrades they had left there, whilst the well equipped party despatched months previously to reinforce them, baffled by scarcity of water, by disease, and by the hostility of the natives, was about abandoning altogether the attempt to reach the spot. I will not harrow your feelings by describing the melancholy results of these unforeseen mischances. How bravely Burke struggled to the last gasp to accomplish his mission by regaining the settlements; how nobly he was seconded by Wills in all his efforts; how faithfully King, who by God’s providence stands here to-night the sole survivor, adhered to both in the hour of direst extremity—these are recollec- tions indelibly engraven on all our memories. I proceed to a less painful theme. The Continent has been crossed—the mystery solved—the victory, dearly purchased though it be, is ours. It remains but to do honour to the ashes of the victors, and to evince our admiration for their devotedness by rearing a monument worthy alike of their heroic exploit, and of thes community whose gratitude it is destined to commemorate. Brief and imperfect as were the notes they left of their journey, they form a most important addition to our previous geographical knowledge, as shewing the narrow limits of Sturt’s Stony Desert, and the existence of good and well-watered country beyond it, stretching to the very verge of the Gulf of Carpentaria. jor the year 1862. — xlv This knowledge has been since largely extended by the subsidiary expeditions sent in quest of the missing explorers, which have connected their discoveries on every side with regions previously visited, and established the existence of a broad belt of fertile country with soil of volcanic origin, stretching from east to west at varying distances from the northern coast, and watered by streams flowing, in some cases, in that direction, but mainly towards the south. As four of these expeditions, besides a fresh one under that intrepid veteran, McDouall Stuart, are still in the field, we may reasonably hope to acquire further information of value as to the nature of the interior, and to fill up some of the blanks which still remain on the map of this Continent. Hitherto, owing chiefly to the hurried movements of these parties,’ and their light outfit, the collections made in the various branches of natural history have not been very extensive. No new genera of plants havé, I fear, gladdened Dr. Mueller’s eyes; nor has Professor M‘Coy many novel zoological specimens from this source to produce to-night. As, however, the South Australian party is this time accompanied by an experienced naturalist, Mr. Waterhouse, whilst our own, Mr. Howitt, is an ardent and _ skilful collector, it may fairly be anticipated that these explorations will ultimately prove by no means barren even in these respects. One result indirectly bearmg on zoology has been fully established in several of these expeditions, the perfect fitness of the camel as a beast of burden in the hottest and driest parts of Australia. Large orders, it is stated, have been in consequence already sent to India on behalf of these remotest _ South Australian settlers, and though in the more tempe- rate clime of our own Australia Felix no absolute necessity for such aid may arise, I think that the Acclimatization xlvi President's Address Society is wise in trying to keep up the breed now that it has been introduced for exploration purposes at so heavy an outlay. I regard that Society as an invaluable auxiliary in many ways to our labours, aad sincerely trust that the noble Zoological Garden it is founding in the Royal Park, will facilitate the various important experiments contemplated by its founder, and that it is destined to become a perma- nent institution in the land. A few words as to the state of the scientific departments of the Government, and my address must draw to a close. Our Government Botanist, I need hardly tell you, has not been idle during the past year. The first of the five volumes in which the Plants Indigenous to Victoria are to be described, has just been given to the world ; and while it is superfluous to state that the contents do honour to his learn- ing and assiduity, the style in which the work is issued must be pronounced no less creditable to the Government Printing- office. Dr. Muelfer has likewise found materials enough among the plants brought back by Mr. Frank Gregory from his recent most interesting expedition in North-west Australia, those collected by Stuart in the centre, and those preserved on board the Victorva during her eventful voyage through Torres’ Straits to Carpentaria and back, to induce him to recommence the issue of his well-known “ Frag- menta ;” whilst, with that rare magnanimity which marks true science, he is opening the treasures of his herbal, and giving his most strenuous aid to one of the first botanists of England, Mr. Bentham, who has undertaken at the instance of the Imperial Government, and with the aid of the colonies, a compendious flora of the entire Australian continent. Of the progress of the Geological Survey I will not speak, since Mr. Selwyn has kindly promised to explain it to you him- self on yonder map this evening. Nor is it requisite for me to say much as to the National Museum, for all know that Re Ore Nie Se 47% > for the year 1862. xlvil under the zealous superintendence of Professor M‘Coy, its collections increase from day to day, whilst the space allotted to them has long since been crammed to repletion. The rooms, in fact, are so crowded with objects of interest, that nothing can be seen to advantage ; the corridors leading to them lumbered up with unopened cases full of hidden wonders. Doubtless, the moment is inopportune for urging the extension of the building, but the evil is so patent to all, the injury to the public so manifest and undeniable, that I do not despair of a speedy remedy. Despite financial discouragements, I rejoice to perceive the buildings of the new Observatory rising gradually on the brow of the hill adjoining the Botanic Gardens. Allow me, in conclusion, to express a hope, that now that our leading members are relieved from the arduous duties they have been for two years past discharging, in con- nection with the preparations for the Great Exhibition, and the fitting out of exploring parties, they will be enabled to devote alittle more of their leisure to the internal affairs of the Royal Society, so as to secure more vigour and activity in the conduct of business, and expedite such matters as the publication of its Annual Proceedings, still in azrear for 1860. Papers enough were, it is true, sent in to be read at our last year’s meetings, but the number of contributors not- withstanding, was smaller than usual; andit can hardly be expected that those who desire to give publicity to the views they entertain, will be content to await their appearance in print some two or three years after. I speak the more freely on these points as it may be my last opportunity. You have done me the honour to elect me a third time your President, and it would be mortifying to me in the extreme, on quitting office, to leave your affairs in aught but the most efficient and flourishing condition. xlvii President's Address With the recognised position and established organization which the Royal Society of Victoria now enjoys, it ought not merely to be the medium of communication and inter- change between this country and the scientific bodies of the rest of the world, but to draw to itself and garner up every species of local knowledge. No where can a stronger neces- sity exist, an ampler scope be found, for such an institution. The realms of science in Australia are as yet but imper- fectly explored, and almost all we meet is strange, non- descript, and worth observing. Of the origin and lan- guages of its aboriginal races, how small the extent of our information. Its fauna and its flora still remain for publication. The habits of its animals require investigation ; the habitats of its plants to be defined. We are ignorant of the process by which its quartz-veins were impregnated with gold, or its enormous nuggets moulded. We know less still of its other metallic and mineral treasures. Nor do the marvels of earth and air alone invite our researches. The recesses of the heavens above, are yet unprobed by human vision ; the depths of the ocean beneath teem with fresh masterpieces of Divine handiwork. Royal Society of Victoria, 1863. resident. HIS EXCELLENCY SIR HENRY BARKLY, K.C.B., &c. Vice- aresidents. SIR REDMOND BARRY. Svat HON JOHN MACADAM, M.D., &c. Crevsurer. H. F. EATON, ESQ. Secretary. R. B. SMYTHE, ESQ. (Succeeded on 20th July by DR. FERD. MUELLER.) Council. SIR. W. F. STAWELL. HON. JOHN O’SHANASSY. REV. Dr. BLEASDALE. W. GILBEE, ESQ., M.R.C.S.E. A. K. SMYTH, ESQ., C.E. R. L. J. ELLERY, ESQ., F.R.AS. DR. F. MUELLER. : W. H. ARCHER, ESQ.* PROFESSOR M‘COY. A. R. C. SELWYN, ESQ. C. W. LIGAR, ESQ. HON. D. WILKIE, M.L.C. * E. G. Fitzgibbon, Esq., elected 10th August, vice W. H. Archer, Esq., resigned. wy aopal Society of Victoria. ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF Ghe President, HIS EXCELLENCY SIR HENRY BARKLY, KCB, &c. &c. &c. | Delivered to the Members of the Royal Society, at the Anniversary Meeting, held on the 7th May, 1863.] GENTLEMEN OF THE RoyAL SocleTy oF VICTORIA, I did not expect to be called on to address you again from this chair, but as you have been pleased unan- imously to re-elect me your president, notwithstanding my suggestion that another should this year be chosen, I must continue to discharge the duties of the office to the best of my ability. | In taking, as usual, a rapid retrospect of the operations of the Society, and of the general progress of science in this country during the past twelvemonth, I shall not have to detain you long. So far, indeed, as the former are concerned it may be described as a period in which the results of past labours were realised, rather than one wherein fresh enter- prises were inaugurated. Step by step our knowledge of D2 li Presidents Address the interior of the Australian continent was extended by the return of the expeditions under Walker, Landsborough, M‘Kinlay, and Howitt ; whilst at the very moment that the last mournful honours were being paid in Melbourne to the remains of Burke and Wills, that veteran explorer, M‘Douall Stuart arrived in Adelaide to receive from our South Austra- lian fellow-colonists that enthusiastic welcome which his indomitable energy and perseverance, in literally cutting his way,—after repeated failures—to the northern coast, so richly deserved. The great work of exploration was thus brought to a close in 1862—for a time at any rate—possibly (af such an allusion be permissible) until it is more clearly ascertained whether overland communication with Western Australia— which alone remains to be accomplished by a practicable route—be desirable or not. In like manner, another of the tasks on which the leading members of the Society had bestowed so much care and attention—the fitting representation, namely, of the products, resources, and civilization of Victoria, at the great Interna- tional Exhibition—culminated during the year in a triumph for which this community is deeply indebted to this Society, but notably so to one of our vice-presidents, Sir Redmond Barry, whose indefatigable exertions in the cause of science and art were never more conspicuously displayed than throughout his recent visit to Europe. Under circumstances such as those adverted to, it was not unnatural that a certain degree of inactivity should pervade the proceedings of the Society in other matters, nor that the list of papers read at its ordinary meetings should be shorter than in preceeding years; yet so marked a falling off as occurred cannot, I must confess, be thus satisfactorily ac- counted for, but must be referred to the cause touched on in my last address—the delay and uncertainty attending the jor the year 1863. hii publication of the Society’s Transactions. Unless this object can be better secured, I am afraid the Royal Society of Victoria will languish more and more; and, even if it con- tinue to exist, will scantily fulfil one of the chief purposes of its foundation—the evoking and diffusing original informa- tion on scientitic subjects. Of the eleven papers read last session, some perhaps hore so directly on the topics of the day, that the transient notice they excited through the press may have sufficed ; but the Rey. Dr. Bleasdale’s suggestion as to the use of Chlorine as a Solvent for Gold, Mr. Bosisto’s account of his experiments in the extraction of Volatile Oils from Native Plants, Dr. Mueller’s Essay on the Physiology of the Nardoo Seed, and Mr. Watts’s Catalogue of Fresh-water Aloze, may be cited as instances of contributions which cannot be locked up in our repertoires without serious loss to science. It is not for me to enlarge, on an occasion like the present, upon the best mode of surmounting the difficulty in question. The council are in hopes of obtaining means to publish the Transactions of 1861 and 1862 at an early date; but in any event, it will be their duty to bring the financial position of the Society under the notice of a special meeting, with a view to placing its operations on a permanent basis, and of creating a fund for the publication of its Transactions, either by a moderate payment in commutation for life membership, as proposed by our late vice-president, Dr. Mueller, or in such other way as may be determined. That the paucity of contributions is not attributable to want of literary ability, nor to neglect of scientific research amongst our members, a few salient facts will prove. Amongst the most recent and highly-commended books which have issued from the British press, is one, on the title-page of which initials of membership in this society are appended to the author’s name. I allude to Geological liv President's Address Observations in South Australia, by the Rev. Julian Woods, a work in which our esteemed associate has given a most interesting and graphic account of the rock formations and — fossils of the district in which he resides ; and has thus set an example, which, if extensively followed, would enable the scientific world to form a general idea of the geology of this vast continent, and to settle the vexed question of its primeeval history, at a much earlier period than can other-— wise be hoped for. Look again to the distinguished men who preside over the scientific establishments of Victoria, almost all of whom we have the honour to number on our roll. The annual history of these departments furnishes, as is well known, the clearest indication of the rapid progress the arts and sciences are making in our midst; and there is, assuredly, not one of ~ them of which the colony has not just reason to be proud. The Melbourne Library, under its zealous and mtelligent librarian, now boasts so large a number of books, and, thanks to the efforts of Sir Redmond Barry and the liberality of Anglo-Australians, is becoming so rapidly enriched by ad- ditions to its art collections, that steps have been taken, I rejoice to perceive, towards commencing the erection of the new wing. The Museum of Natural History also, wisely, in my opinion, kept distinct from these treasures of literature and art, has assumed such large proportions, under the fostering care of Professor M‘Coy, that it is at length about to be relieved from the mining models and machinery which have obstructed a close inspection ; but which, when properly arranged in the adjacent building, which is rapidly springing up, will form the nucleus of a museum of economic geology and a school of mines worthy of a country as prolific in metallic and mmeral resources as any on the face of the globe. One of the func- tions assignable to a school of mines will be greatly Se Fay jor the year 1863. lv facilitated by the consolidation of the department of mining statistics, under the charge of our newly installed honorary secretary, who had just given an earnest of his desire to ad- vance the mining interests of the colony by his unpretending, yet useful, little pamphlet, The Prospector’s Handbook. Permit me, in passing, to observe, that on the promotion of our late honorary secretary, Dr. Macadam, to a vice- presidency, your choice could not possibly have fallen on a better qualified or more active successor than Mr. Brough Smyth is proving himself to be. The geological survey continues to make progress under the superintendence of Mr. Selwyn, who has recently done much towards the completion of his general examination of the province by a tour through Gipps Land, hitherto a per- fect terra incognita, in a geological point of view. With that keen yet cautious perception of facts which has elicited praise from more competent judges than myself, the Govern- ment geologist of Victoria has taken a rapid coup d’ail of the relative positions of the different formations in that important district, and, whilst discovering in abundance, amongst other fossils, those of the Devonian and mountain limestone groups, has satisfied himself of the wide separation in time between these Paleozoic strata and the contiguous coal measures, In which remains of the Mesozoic flora were long since found. He assures me, in short, that the carboniferous and carbonaceous rocks of Gipps Land dip in contrary directions, and are everywhere perfectly unconformable with each other. Though numbering several members of its council in our ranks, it scarcely belongs, perhaps, tothissociety to chronicle the progress which the Acclimatisation Society of Victoriaismaking in its self-imposed, yet invaluable, zoological labours. In the kindred domain of botany, the Government botanist is em- ployed as actively as ever, aiding where necessary the in- lvi President's Address troduction of new plants, and pressing forward the description of the indigenous flora. His progress in the latter depart- ment is evidenced by the third volume of his Fragmenta, which has just seen the light, as well as by the preparation for the second volume of his Plants of Vietoria, which he has not suffered to be interrupted by the co-operation he is affording to Mr. Bentham in the work on Australian botany which that eminent botanist is bringing out at home. Lastly, let me refer to a sign of progress which all lovers of science will hail with pleasure, the completion of the new Observatory—a most convincing proof, if others were want- ing, of the continued interest taken by the Government and the representatives of the people of Victoria in scientitic pursuits. The building, admirably situated outside the Botanic Garden reserve, is furnished with fixed meridian - and prime vertical instruments, superior, I believe, to any hitherto employed in the southern hemisphere; and it contains ample accommodation not merely for astronomical but meteorological observations. If anything, indeed, can com- pensate for the loss we are about to sustain in the departure from our shores of Professor Neumayer, on the completion of the magnetic survey to which he has mainly devoted his attention, 1+ will be found in the increased economy and efficiency which may be looked for from the combination of both these branches under so competent a head as Mr. Ellery, the Government astronomer. One thing alone is still wanting to render the Melbourne Observatory complete, and that is an equatorially-mounted telescope of large optical power. Upwards of six-years ago the establishment of a first-class observatory was pointed out by Professor Wilson, —in a paper on the Southern Nebulze,—read before the then Philosophical Institute,—to be but a requisite preliminary to the still grander undertaking of erecting a four-foot reflector for the purpose of minutely observing and mapping for the year 1863. yn down the ‘outworks of the universe,’ as they have been aptly termed. I need not repeat the admirable and exhaustive arguments by which the importance of such a task was demonstrated in that paper. I will only briefly remind you that about 1,600 nebulous clusters, invisible to northern observers, were brought to their knowledge between 1834 and 1838, by the labours of Sir John Herschel, at the Cape of Good Hope, with instruments far inferior to those which can now be constructed, and that it admits of no doubt that the most valuable results would be attained if his necessarily imperfect observations could be subjected to that closer scrutiny with which Lord Rosse, Mr. Lassells, and others, are now re-examining in Europe the nebule of the northern sky. Deeply impressed with this conviction the Board of Visitors to the Melbourne Observatories,—of which I have the honour to be chairman,— felt it their duty, some months since, not merely to recall the attention of the Imperial Government to the subject, but to lay their views before the colonial authorities also. Ifas yet no further response has been elicited than ~a universal recognition of the desirableness of the undertaking, the board do not despair of this being followed up ere long by due provision being made for the requisite outlay, either jointly or at the expense of one or other Government. It is no slight proof of the interest which the revival of the proposition excites at home, that the president of the Royal Society of Great Britain could find no fitter theme with which to commence his inaugural address on Ist December last, devoting nearly four pages to a detailed ac- count of what is contemplated. Nor is this interest strange, for the department of nebular astronomy, has from first to last been so entirely conducted on British territory, and by British observers, that it would be a national disgrace if it lviii President's Address were now abandoned to foreign hands. Nothing, 1 must own, would give me greater pleasure than to see the Colony of Victoria, taking its share in a work, which would confer such great and lasting glory. Small comparatively in number as its inhabitants are, they have not shrunk from far more arduous and expensive undertakings. They did not think it necessary to await Imperial aid, to explore the unknown regions of this great southern division of the earth. Why should they feel more unequal to the task of exploring the heavens above them? Let no one say that expenditure so incurred would be useless. The people of Victoria have shown, in the case both of exploration and of the International Exhibition, that they know how to value such an argument at its true worth; and they must have since acquired the proud consciousness that the leading part they took in both transactions, has done much to dispel false ‘notions as to their social condition, and to enhance the re- putation of the colony in the eyes of EKurope. It is impossible, moreover, to foresee the results of scien- tific investigations, or to estimate beforehand their probable value in a material point of view. Experiments on the nature of solar light, have, for example, within the last year or two, not merely led to a clearer idea of the composition of the sun, but to the totally unexpected discovery of three new metals. Another illustration of unforeseen advantages may be found in the fact, that it was owing entirely to the knowledge recently obtained of the interior, that the dele- gates at the late Intercolonial Conference, were enabled to consider an overland route for the anglo-Australian electric telegraph feasible, and even to discuss the direction it should take, in full assurance, that by dispensing with some hundreds of miles of submarine cable, a larger saving would for the year 1863. lix be effected than would repay fourfold the sums expended on exploration. I would not for a moment, however, be supposed to base my own advocacy of scientific enterprises on grounds so low as these. I regard science, in its highest acceptation, as sy- nonymous with knowledge of what is true. All truth I hold to be of Divine origin. I desire therefore, to see science honoured and cultivated for its own sake alone. There are those who shrink alarmed, from the conclusions to which modern discovery in astronomy, in geology, in comparative anatomy, may prechance be leading; but I have no ap- prehension that such discoveries can really reveal aught it would not be a boon to learn. | We live, it is true, in times of unprecedented mental activity and excitement. Nothing seems too high, nothing too holy, for the grasp of man’s understanding. Nay, those who profess but to trace the human, from the self-generated transmutation of the simian brain,—to see in man but the de- velopment of the monkey,—show themselves most eager, as if in vindication of their own intellectual superiority, to probe the profoundest secrets of Providence—to indulge imagination in its wildest flights. Even authors of established reputation (with due deference be it spoken) scruple not to lend the weight of great names to such visionary speculations, and chafing as it were at the slow accumulation of historic data and abstract physical truths, accept the most startling hypotheses, on the slenderest evidence. All this, however, but renders it the more essential that the observation of facts should be kept, as far as possible, in advance of the promulgation of theories ; that the safe though rugged road of inductive reasoning should not be deserted for the flowery but delusive paths of pre-Baconian philosophy. Be it ours at least to take nothing for granted where Revelation appears lx President's Address. to be impugned, but reverently and patiently to await the results of investigations still confessedly in their infancy ; confident that if all nature’s problems be not destined to be solved in the brief span allotted to us here below, the veil will be lifted from every mystery in the world beyond the grave. Roval Society of Victoria. 1864. qiresident. FREDERICK M‘COY, Esq., F.G.S., &c., PROF. NAT. SCIENCE, MELB. UNIVERSITY. Vice-Presidents. REY. J. J. BLEASDALE, D.D. | W. GILBEE, ESQ., M.R.C.S.E. Creasurer. A. K. SMITH, ESQ., C.E. Hibrarian. JOHN J. STUTZER, ESQ., M.A., CAMBRIDGE. Custos. of Collections. W. H. ARCHER. ESQ. Secretary. R. L. J, ELLERY, ESQ, F.R.AS., &. Council, SIR. W. STAWELL. HON, JOHN O’SHANASSY, M.LL.A. EUGENE VON GUERARD, ESQ. E. BARKER, ESQ., M.R.C.S. C. DOYLY APLIN, Esq. E. G. FITZGIBBON, ESQ. T. H. RAWLINGS, ESQ. SIR R. BARRY. J. B. WERE, ESQ. W. CROOKE, ESQ, M.R.CS. PROFESSOR HALFORD. T. E. RAWLINSON, ESQ., C.E. Hoyul Society of Victoria. ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF Che Wresiwdent, FREDERICK MCOY, ESQ, F.GS., &. [Delivered to the Members of the Royal Society, at the Anniversary Meeting held on the 25th April, 1864.] Your EXcELLENCY AND GENTLEMEN, In accordance with the annual custom of our Society, it now becomes my duty, as President for the year, to address you on the subject of the progress made by the Royal Society during the past year, and also—following the usual custom in such cases at home—on the progress in the colony of all the chief branches of knowledge embraced by this Society. And first, I must refer to the great loss our Society has sustained during the past year in the departure from the colony of his Excellency Sir Henry Barkly, our President for so many years, and who, by the great interest he took in the Society, the frequency of his presence at our Meetings, the eloquent and able addresses which he delivered as President at our Annual Dinners and Conversaziones, and by lxiv | Presidents Address the singularly varied and exact knowledge of many branches of knowledge which he brought to bear on the discussions of the various points of scientific interest which were brought forward from time to time, exerted a most powerful and beneficial influence not only upon the Royal Society, but upon the progress of learning and research in the colony generally. Science and art have lost in him a consistent and enlightened friend, ever ready to sacrifice his personal convenience, and to freely use his purse, and his position, for their advancement. Owing to the strain on the energies of the members of the Society, produced by the harassing details of the Exploration affairs, the number of papers read at our meetings last year was not so large as in some former ones, but several of great interest were read, and interesting discussions followed. At our first ordinary Meeting, which took place in June, a highly suggestive paper was read by Mr. R. Brough Smyth, “On the Advisableness of Collecting and Exhibiting in Europe the Mineral and other Products of the Colony,” and in it the probable. good effect of such exhibitions of a permanent kind in England and on the Continent in pro- moting emigration of persons skilled in developing or using such materials, as well as by attracting the attention of capitalists and manufacturers to our products, were dwelt on with much force. At the same meeting, Dr. Macadam read a paper on “ Dalton’s Views on the Atomic Theory,” which gave rise to a lengthen discussion on the modern theories on the sub- ject, im the course of which some new lines of investigation were suggested by other members. At the October meeting following, Mr. Daintree read a paper entitled, “Geological Notes made during a Three Months’ Leave of Absence on the Upper Burdekin, Queens- for the year 1864. Ixv land,” in which he made known a belt of Silurian (he believed Upper Silurian) rocks extending from Brisbane to near Broad Sound ; the strike of the beds was nearly parallel with the’sea coast, and the general dip, at a high angle, was to the North East. The Maryborough and Rockhampton beds were considered to beon about one geological level, but the goldfields of Canoona were supposed to be older, or lower in the series, as _ were also the beds extending South West from Maryborough: Mr. Daintree suggested the probable extension of aurifer- ous land between those points. Beds of the same age were also noted at Mount Caroline, Perry’s Ranges, Upper Bur- dekin, with a South West dip, representing the gold beds of Peak Downs, and forming the West side of an anticlinal axis, of which the Canoona and Maryborough beds might be the eastern bend. The coast ranges from Broad Sound North to Mount Elhot are composed of granite, and it is only through this rock that the gold drift streams of the district run. A recent Basalt covers the greater part of the country between the 19th and 20th parallels of latitude, having flown from isolated craters; and this by its decomposition forms a rich soil for pastoral purposes ; while, as in Victoria, the older Basalt is found in dykes cutting through the older rocks. The general geology of the country resembled that of Victoria, except at Fitzroy Downs, where the beds are found containing the Wollombilla Fossils, which I had the pleasure of determining at one of the former meetings of our Society, and so proving, for the first time, the existence of marine Oolitic formations in Australia, from the characters of the Ammonites, Belemnites, and other Molluscs found in them. Mr. Daintree also tried to settle the points in dispute “between the Rev. Mr. Clarke and myself, relative to the age and position of the beds associated with the coal of New South Wales, but failed, from the very spot where sections might have. given a definite result being covered up, E Ixvi | Presidents Address so that he could not advance our knowledge on the matter He mentioned, however, in the course of the discussion, a fact of the highest importance, and which may be found in some measure to reconcile the views of Mr. Clarke and my- self, namely, that Mr. Clarke in making his original collections for determination had mixed together the fossils of the upper and lower beds. Now, as a portion of the fossils could beiden- tified with European species, and there were among them two genera of Trilobites (Phillipsia and Brachymetopus) characteristic of the mountain limestone as found in Ireland and Russia, the clearly marked age of these would have determined the age of the whole, if, as was supposed, they came from the same beds; and in this indirect way the Pachydomi and other new generic and specific forms, which from their novelty could not afford any indication of age of themselves came to be considered as Palzeozoic forms from their supposed associations with those which certainly were - of that age. It is obviously, therefore, necessary to collect and investigate the evidence afresh from each bed by itself with care, and I am happy to be able to announce the recent receipt of a letter from Mr. Keene, the New South Wales Inspector of Coalfields, in which he informs me that in con- sequence of the suggestions which I made at the meeting referred to of our Society, as to the scientific necessity of having the materials collected anew with scrupulous care, and which suggestion was forwarded by his Excellency, our then President, Sir Henry Barkly, to his Excellency, Sir J. Young, he was now engaged officially in making such a collection, which he promises to send to me to enable me to determine, as I suspect may be the case, whether the marine fossils over the coal beds may be of a newer geological period than the Palzeozoic strata under the coal beds. The result of the examination will, of course, be brought before our Society, for which purpose the investigations are being made. a for the year 1864. Ixvii At our August Meeting, Professor Neumayer read a paper, “On Observations made near Melbourne for Determining the Length of the Pendulum,” and he subsequently demon- strated at his residence to the members of this Society the very ingenious mechanical arrangements he had made for the purpose. On the same evening a Farewell Address was presented to Sir Henry Barkly, and his reply received. At our*next Meeting, in September, Mr. Archer read a paper, “On an Improved Revolving Disc-holder for the Microscope, and a New Mode of Mounting Opaque Objects, so as to get Lateral Views of projecting parts; also on an Improved Method of Mounting Pollen.” On the same evening, a paper by Mr. Osborne was read, “On the Qualities of Victorian Essential Oils,” accompanied by a paper drawn up on the subject by Dr. Gladstone. The September Meeting was a special one, for alteration of the Rules; but at the Meeting in November, the Rev. Dr. Bleasdale read a paper, “On the Precious Stones of the Colony,” illustrated by a beautiful collection of gems. Neither Mr. Selwyn, the Director of the Geological Survey, nor Mr. Brough Smith, the Secretary for Mines, nor myself, have ever had any direct evidence of the occurrence of diamonds in Victoria, although rumours have been published many years ago of their occurrence. Dr. Bleasdale, on this occasion, referred to information he had had relative to the occurrence of diamonds in the Ovens District; and he exhibited two, one of three carats from Beechworth, and one small one from Collingwood, found on a garden walk, in gravel probably brought from the neighbouring Johnston- street Bridge. None of those examples had, however, occurred to Dr. Bleasdale himself. On the same evening, a paper was read from Mr. F. C. E 2 —| 1 Ixvili President's Address Christie, on that most important practical subject, “The Making Storage Reservoirs for Water.” At the same Meeting, the Surveyor-General, Mr Ligar, one of our Vice-Presidents, gave a most interesting description of the newest and richest of our gold-fields at Wood’s Point, which he had just visited; and entering at some length upon the vexed question of whether, as a general rule (omitting small exceptions or little rich patches or spurs), the gold-reefs of the Colony were richer near the surface or at greater depths, he ven- tured the suggestion that as the richest known reefs, those at Wood’s Point, were 4,000 to 5,000 feet above the sea, while Ballarat for instance was only 1,000 feet, and various less rich places still lower, that it seemed as if the reefs were rich in proportion to their height above the sea. These observations of Mr. Ligar on a new and remarkable locality, tend, together with a great body of evidence taken by the last Gold-fields Commission, to support Sir Roderick Mur- chison’s original views on this point, which always seemed to me to be borne out by this country generally. The most glorious work of the Royal Society has been brought to a formal termination during the past year, by the presentation at our Meeting in August last of the “ Final Report of the Exploration Committee of the Royal Society of Victoria.” This great undertaking, of exploring a route from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria through the central area of the Australian Continent, was set in motion by the anonymous donation by a member of our Society, Ambrose Kyte, Esq., of £1,000, on condition of our Explora- tion Committee raising £2,000 more, by public subscription, within a year. The condition was fulfilled, and with this £3,000 of private money in hand, the Government of the Colony was asked for £6,000 in addition, which, with that enlightened liberality which has always distinguished the Victorian Parliament towards scientific objects, was voted : ~ d for the year 1864. lxix at once, and-the task of organizing the Expedition was confided to the Exploration Committee of the Royal Society, and vigorously commenced. Five thousand pounds worth of camels, both of the swift and of the strong carry- ing breeds, were sent for to India, and on their arrival the members of the party were appointed, and equipped with a most ample provision of stores of every kind that could be useful. When the most advanced portion of the party with their stores had reached Cooper’s Creek a depot was formed there, and left in charge of Mr. Brahé and a small party, while the leader, R. O'Hara Burke, with only Wills and King and Gray pushed on, and gave to this colony the glory of sharing in their brilliant achievement of first Opening up a path across the Continent, and proving that the great interior, instead of being a barren arid waste, as was previously supposed, was in reality for the most part a rich pastoral country, opening a boundless future of great- ness to our colony, which, from its commanding position on the seaboard, and Great Melbourne and Murray River Railway, must reap all the material advantages to be derived from supplying the wants and receiving the merchandise of the settlers, who are so rapidly taking up the new country. Not only may this direct route possibly afford a line for telegraphic communication by Batavia and India with Eng- land, but our Exploration Committee can claim, by the labours of the explorers sent out on the’ main and subse- quent assistant expeditions, to have achieved the valuable result of showing the connection by a wide tract of fertile, well-grassed.and comparatively well-watered country between the lands discovered by Leichhardt on the Burdekin, those of Burke towards Carpentaria, those discovered by Stuart towards Arnhem’s Land, and those of the two Gregory’s from North West Australia to the Northern parts of West ixx Presidents Address Australia. So rapid has been the occupation of this hitherto unknown country, that on the east coast alone the sheep- stations now taken up and stocked extend from the settled - districts in an unbroken line to within one hundred miles of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The heroic success and melancholy death of Burke and Wills are known in every civilized part of the earth, but, — from ignorance or forgetfulness of facts, the blame has been thrown on the Committee of such neglect or mismanage- ment as it was supposed had led to the death of those two lamented men. Although a member of the Exploration Committee myself, I think the feeling of indignation which prevented. the Committee as a body from defending itself against those animadversions, is perhaps unfair to the public, which is never wilfully unjust or ungenerous, and I take this occasion to clear the Royal Society of blame by a simple statement of facts, the more willingly as they are not distinctly set forth m the published reports. Té was said the Committee established no depot with stores at Cooper’s Creek, and hence the misfortune. The fact is, the Expedition started with ample stores and instructions (both of which can be seen m the formal reports published), which were sufficient to insure success. The leader, however, divided his party and stores, taking on with him to Cooper’s Creek only the smaller portion, and leaving the larger party to follow under the leadership of abushman, Mr. Wright, appointed and instructed not by the Committee, but by Mr. Burke himself in the field, when the Expedition was prac- - tically beyond the control of the Society. This person failed to carry out the instructions of Mr. Burke for the immediate advance of the reserve party and stores to Cooper’s Creek. Mr. Brahé remained at his post with his little party and the stores first brought up, at the depot at Cooper’s Creek, until long after the date at which Burke on parting with him left him ~ for the year 1864. xxi orders to return ; and as it was well known that if the Gulf of Carpentaria were reached, the safest and easiest route home would be by the watered and grassed north-east coast line leading down to the settled districts of Queensland—and this route had actually formed the subject of their last conversa- tion—Brahé felt at last that there was a probability that Burke was already at home by that route, and that at any rate the time had arrived, not only when he had overstaid the period allotted him by Burke, but when the provisions had become so far reduced (as Wright and the reserve party had not come up), that he had only enough left to carry his party down to the next depot, and leave a sufficient supply buried to bring down Burke and his companions also, if they should come. This reasoning was approved at the time by the Committee and the public, and it was obvious, apparently (not then having the knowledge of after events), that the party could do no good by remaining beyond this point, but, on the eon- trary, that further delay would diminish the stock of food already reduced to the lowest point of safety for both parties ; yet, when subsequent misfortunes became known, this man was assailed with almost inhuman cruelty and injusticesby the press and the public, as the direct cause of the calamity which followed, and I was almost alone in raising my voice in his defence, by showing that his conduct was approved when the public knowledge of following events was no greater than his at the time. But now comes the sad story of the unaccountable chapter of unlucky mischances which clouded all the glories of the Expedition, by the loss of the leader and his second. Brahé buried the stores at the foot of a tree, and put a notice with the word “dig” upon it, and the better to conceal the cache from the natives, he lit a fire over the spot, and then tied some camels during the last night over the ws a, cae ae ae ar rs = ~*~ east oseeteliien a te 8 * : Ixxil President's Address place, so that by their soiling and trampling the ashes into the earth all traces of the excavation might be obliterated. And then, on the morning of the 21st April, he left the depot—on the very day on which Burke and Wills and King returned to it. The Explorers opened the cache and found the ample supply of food, and, as we now know from the survivor, King, they debated about following the party who had only a*few hours before left the spot, and which, asa first day’s journey is generally short, would be encamped so near that the night would probably be sufficient to come up with them. But, unfortunately, 1t was decided not to follow, but to remain to recruit their strenoth ; and when sufficiently recovered to undertake a journey, they deter- mined, instead of following the obvious track home, to endeavour to find a new one into South Australia, in which they failed, although without knowing it they had actually reached within about sixty miles of the station at Mount Hopeless, when they exhausted their strength and provisions by returning again to Cocper’s Creek. The most inconceiv- able part of this unlucky series of mischances has yet to be ~ told, and has never been clearly set down. Before leaving Cooper's Creek for Mount Hopeless, the explorers buried their papers, &c., in the cache from which they took the food, and then with fatal accuracy restored everything above to the exact condition in which they found it—they not only lighted their fires over the disturbed ground, as Brahé had done, but actually picketed their camels to the tree, to trample in the ashes and leave their soil and footmarks exactly as he had left them, and finally, by an almost incredible mischance, they neither defaced nor altered Brahé’s notice on the tree, nor added any note or mark or sion of their own to show that they had been there. And this cost our heroes their lives. For while they were on their fruitless journey towards South Australia, Mr. ee for the year 1864. Ixxiil Brahé, having joined Mr. Wright, returned with him to Cooper’s Creek on the 8th of May, so as to get a further chance of seeing if the party had returned from Carpentaria, but they found everything exactly as Brahé described to Wright his having left it; and the latter who was an excellent bush- man seeing the ashes and camel marks, &, was convinced that no natives could have disturbed the cache, and as the notice on the tree was not interfered with, it seemed no white man had been there; and so not wishing to disturb the cache, and having nothing further to add to the previous notice, they returned to bring the remainder of their parties now suffering from sickness, back to the settlements ; and when Burke and his companions shortly after again came to Cooper’s Creek they did not recognise any sign of their visit which might have cheered them to exertions to follow even then the tracks homeward towards Menindie. When Brahé’s news came of the non-arrival of Burke within a time to which the provisions he took with him could have lasted his party, the Exploration Committee immediately equipped several re- hef parties; H.M.C.S.S. Victoria, under Commander Norman, was dispatched to the Gulf of Carpentaria, to make search by boats up all the rivers on the banks of which Burke might be, and to convey horses and stores for a land party, under Mr. Landsborough, to form a depot on the Albert River, and follow any tracks of Burke until he was found. At the same time a party of native black mounted trackers was dispatched, under Mr. Walker, to search north from Queensland in hopes of meeting the travellers if they were coming that way. While the South Australian Government aided promptly by sending the party under M‘Kinlay to search the northern districts of South Australia, in case the Victorian Expedition might have taken that direction; and finally, a party with large stores was dispatched from Mel- bourne, under Mr. Alfred Howitt, to replenish the depot at Ixxiv President's Address Cooper’s Creek, and maintain it as long as any of the relief parties were in the field and might want aid. All these parties aided greatly in the unexampled advance made in knowledge of Australian geography, and the energy and liberality of the Victorian Government cannot fail to redound greatly to the credit of the colony at home, when it is known that Victoria’s share of the expenses of the explorations was (£35,000) thirty-five thousand pounds, while the only other contributor, Queensland, gave but (£500) five hundred pounds, and that to be spent within her own boundaries. To Mr. Howitt’s party, as you all know, it was alone permitted to give any succour to the missing explorers, and he found on his return to Cooper’s Creek that the only survivor was King, a brave young soldier, formerly in the Indian army, and who having tended Burke and Wills to their death, and preserved their papers with a faithful devo- tion and constant heroism worthy of the Victorian Cross, was found living in a deplorable state among the natives. The Government and Parliament in voting a public funeral for the leaders who fell, and £4,000 to erect a monu- ment to their honour as well as any other mark of respect that could be suggested, and granting the survivor King a pension of £180 a-year for life, have shown a noble spirit of appreciation of the services of the explorers; and I trust, after what I have said, that it will be clearly seen that for the misfortune at the close of the Expedition no shadow of blame directly or indirectly can attach to the Exploration Committee of the Royal Society. Passing now to the consideration of Victorian scientific works not immediately under the control of the Royal Society, though for the most part carried on by officers or members of our body, I will first refer, as connected with the highest branches of exact science, to the Astronomical, for the year 1864. Ixxv Magnetic, and Meteorological Observatories directed by our Honorary Secretary, Mr. Ellery, in the early advancement of which by the Government our Society played an important part. In 1856, Professor Wilson brought under the notice of this Society the important discoveries in Stellar astronomy which had been made by Lord Rosse. The great optical power which he had brought to bear on the double and multiple stars, and on the nebulee, had revealed features in the constitution of these systems, opening up wide fields for the investigation of the student of physical astronomy. One of the most important points in connection with the subject at that period was the marked difference in the appearance of many of the nebulee, as seen in Lord Rosse’s telescope, from: their appearance in telescopes of lower power. He pointed out that the southern heavens are pecu- harly rich in objects of this kind, and that the only observa- tions which had been made were those of the two Herschels, at the Cape of Good Hope, with telescopes of power far inferior to that which modern mechanical skill places within the reach of the astonomer. The Royal Society of Victoria appointed a committee to take steps for inducing the Government to furnish the requi- site means for establishing a powerful reflecting telescope in Victoria ; and again in the following year appointed another committee to consider the whole question of the establish- ment of a Magnetical, Meteorological, and Astronomical Observatory, on a scale commensurate with the position occupied by the Colony. At that time astronomical observations were carried on at Williamstown, by Mr. Ellery, with great zeal and energy, though with very insufficient instrumental means, and in a situation singularly unsuitable for the purpose. A series of meteorological observations were being carried. lxxvi Presidents Address on by Mr. Brough Smyth, at the Crown Lands Office,- and Professor Neumayer had just at that time arrived in Mel- bourne, furnished with sets of instruments both for carrying on a systematic series of magnetical observations and_ for conducting a magnetic survey of the colony. The Committee recommended the establishment of an Observatory in the Royal Park, in which these three branches of science should be carried on under one superintendence. After specifying in detail the instruments, buildings, and personal staff requisite for carrying the recommendation into effect, the Committee added :— “We wish it to be borne in mind, that in recommending to the Government the establishment of an Observatory, the Philosophical Institute (which was the title at that time of our present Royal Society) is not asking anything for itself, but is only coming forward to urge upon the Govern- ment to undertake in its own way, what it believes to be a ¢ great national work.” | Though this recommendation met with no immediate response, beyond a verbal expression of approval on the part of the Chief Secretary, still in due time it bore its fruits. Ample funds were supplied to Professor Neumayer, by the Legislature of Victoria, for carrying out an elaborate system of magnetical and meteorological observations, extending - over a period of five years, and also for completing a magnetic survey of the colony. The Astronomical Observatory at Williamstown, also received additional instruments, and the buildings were rendered somewhat more suitable for the purposes of the observer. 3 . ) As the expenditure on these institutions increased with their growth, it was considered necessary that there should be some supervision, which, without interfering with the individual exertions of the gentlemen in charge of the : rer . De hake oS : 13 A ari for the year 1864. Ixxvil observatories should be able to report officially to the Govern- ment as to the usefulness of the work which was being done, the manner in which it was executed, and the adequacy of the means for the purpose. With this object the Board of Visitors to the Observatories, was appointed in 1860, in accordance with a vote of the Legislative Assembly. Since that period, the representations of the Government Astronomer, backed by the recommendations of the Board of Visitors, have been promptly attended to, and Melbourne now possesses an Astronomical Observatory which, in situation, in instrumental appliances, and in personal staff; is second only to the great metropolitan observatories of Europe, and in many points may be com- pared favourably with them. With one exception, every recommendation of the Committee of the Philosophical Institute, 1857 (or Royal Society as it is now called), has been carried out on a larger scale, and in a more com- plete manner, than the Committee then ventured even to hope for. The magnetic survey of the Colony is now just completed, and funds have already been transmitted to England for print- ing the results of that survey, and also the five years’ series of magnetical and meteorological observations. The Astro- nomical Observatory has already acquired credit for itself in Europe by the valuable series of observations of Mars which it contributed, and which, in conjunction with those at Greenwich, occupy the most prominent place in the deter- mination of the increased value which must be assigned to the solar parallax ; and it is now preparing to take its part, in conjunction with the observatories at Madras and the Cape of Good Hope, in a systematic cataloguing of the southern stars, which is about to be carried on under the auspices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The one exception alluded to, is the recommendation for Ixxviii _ President's Address the establishment of a great reflector, and there is every ground for confidence that this will not long form an exception. Whatever reasons could be assigned for it in 1856, still weightier reasons exist now. From the experience acquired in England during that time, the construction of a telescope of the kind required a reflector of four feet aperture, has become a matter of mechanical certainty, and no longer an experiment with a great risk of failure. Lord Rosse also reports that on comparing his earlier drawings with those made at a later period, he has observed in some of the nebulz systematic changes of form. If this is really so, and there seems no ground for doubting it, what a vast field for speculation and research is opened out by it ; that we should be able to look at other systems, grander and more complicated, perhaps, even than our own firma- ment, but placed at such a distance that we can see them as a whole ; that we should be able to watch in them gradual changes which we can only infer in our own from laborious observation of details, is indeed a triumph the achievement of which is worthy of our best efforts. In 1862, Sir Henry Barkly forwarded to the Duke of Newcastle a series of resolutions passed by the Board of Visitors at Melbourne, requesting the advice of the Royal Society of London, and the British Association, as to the best form of telescope. In his annual address to the Royal Society in December that year, General Sabine, the President, after announcing this, added— ) “J cannot close this brief notice without congratulating — _the Society on the prospect thus opened, of accomplishing an object of such manifest importance, as to have induced the Royal Society and the British Association to. solicit jointly the aid of Her Majesty’s Government in effecting it ; for the year 1864. Ixxix and, however great their disappointment may have been at the refusal which they received on that occasion, they will if the present hopes are realized, have no reason to repent that it has been left to the Colony of Victoria to carry into - execution an undertaking, which may well be expected to hold a high place in the annals of science in all future time.” During the early part of 1863, an extended correspon- dence was carried on amongst the men most distinguished in this department of astronomy in England, for the pur- pose of determining the best form of telescope for the purpose, considering the especial objects for which it is designed. This correspondence has resulted in the offer by Mr. Wm. Lassell, of the four feet reflector, which he erected at his own expense, and which he has been using for several years at Malta, as a free gift to the Colony of Victoria, on the sole condition that it is considered suitable for the purpose. The success of Mr. Lassell’s observations leaves no room for doubt as to the excellence of the optical part of the telescope ; it will, however, require very considerable altera- tions in the mounting to suit it to the latitude of Melbourne, and the greater increased range of zenith distance which will be requisite, in order that it should take in some of the most important of the southern nebulz ; and the Legislature of Victoria has just voted £3,000 that the colony may avail itself of Mr. Lassell’s most munificent offer without delay. In the past year, the Observatory has been removed from Williamstown, where it had gradually grown since its first establishment in 1853, to the new Observatory erected in the Government Domain, near the Botanical Gardens. This was accomplished in June last, and soon afterwards the Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory, which had been for several years so ably directed by Professor Neumayer, Ixxx President's Address was combined with the Astronomical Observatory into one department under the direction of Mr. Ellery, our Honorary Secretary. Professor Neumayer, having completed the Magnetic Survey, returning to Europe. While taking credit for the part which the Royal Society had in urging forward the formation of an Observatory, we must not omit to give honour where also it is justly due, and it is with great pleasure that I am able to state that the rapid advance which the Observatory has made is mainly due to the first Honorary Secretary of the Board of Visitors, the Hon, George Frederick Verdon, M.P., who, as an independent member of the Legislature, and subsequently as Minister of Finance, exerted his influence in so powerful and beneficial a manner that to his advocacy we owe, not only the worthy condition of efficiency in which the Obser- vatory has been placed, but also much of the progress of the other scientific, literary, and zesthetic establishments in the country, maintained or established at the public expense. The new Observatory is a substantial building, erected with special regard to the modern requirements of astronomy, magnetism, and meteorology. The principal instruments are a four feet transit circle by Throughton and Simms, a chronographic apparatus by Siemens and Halske, of Berlin, two sidereal clocks by Frodsham, .of London, besides other clocks, barometers, and other meteorological - instruments, and a complete set of magnetic instruments, both for abso- lute and differential determinations. The work of the Observatory, besides the ordinary rou- tine of observations for some instrumental errors, meteorology and magnetism, has consisted principally ofa revision of star catalogues, with the immediate view of completing the Williamstown Star Catalogue now in the press. | This volume, which will shortly be published, will contain the results of all the work done of late years at the Williamstown for the year 1864. Ixxxi Observatory in Melbourne, up to the date of its removal, and will contain a complete catalogue of the places, precessions, proper motions, &c., of 550 stars, the results of 9,000 complete ebservations. It will also contain the “Series of Mars Observations,” taken in connection with Greenwich, Pulkowa, and Cape of Goed Hope, for the determination of the sun’s mean distance. This series has made our Colonial Observatory already famous at home, and is very favourably referred to in the Quarterly Review of Science, as in the note at foot of the page.* The Magnetic Survey of the Colony was completed in the month of January of the present year. The last work was the survey of Gipps Land, in which part of the colony * «To Encke we owe the best discussion of the observations of the transit of Venus in 1769: he determined the value of the sun’s parallax to be 8”-5776, from which we infer the earth’s mean distance from the sun to be 95,283,115 miles. Now the time occupied by a ray of light reaching the earth from the sun is known very exactly to be8 min. 13 sec., from which a velocity of about 192,000 miles per second is deducible. Foucault, of Paris, however, by the optical contrivance of a ‘turning mirror,’ due to Professor Wheatstone, has concluded that this value is too great, that it ismore precisely 185,170 (English) miles. Assuming that Foucault is right, and all his predecessors wrong, it follows that the solar parallax must be 8”86. Two most singular coincidences must here be disposed of. (1.) The ‘theoretical’ value assigned by Le Verrier, irrespective of all instrumental measurements, and purely on physical grounds, is 87-95; and (2.) the discussion, by Stone, of Greenwich, of the obser- vations of Mars (adverted to above in Mr. Hind’s 6th point) taken by Ellery at Williamstown, Victoria, N.S. W., give avalue of 8”-93, with a probable error of only 0”-03. Combining the foregoing, we find that three different observers, working in three most diverse ways, have all arrived at the same general result, and more than this, at actual valuations, the extremes of which differ only by the minute amount of 0”09. It is impossible for us to withstand the conclusion that our estimations so long adhered to must sooner or later be materially ‘reconstructed,’ and, as a consequence, that those portions of our treatises involving this distance must be unceremoniously pulled to pieces and built up again. An origiual calculation of the mean distance of the earth from the sun, amended according to Stone and Ellery’s value of the parallax, makes it 91,512,649 miles.” EF Ixxxil President's Address 25 localities have been examined, with a view to determine the magnetic elements. Throughout the whole of the colony 230 places were in this way determined at all elevations, from the level of the sea to 7,200 feet; the aggregate number of miles passed through amount to nearly 11,000, over which the magnetic stations are distributed in such a manner, that the greatest distance between them is 30 miles, frequently only 18 or 20. As by far the greater number of places had not previously been, accurately determined with regard to geographical position, the latitude had to be observed for the purpose of obtaining an accurate azimuth, necessary for the determination of the magnetic declination of the needle. The computations based upon these observations have been completed, and their publication will be undertaken without delay at the public jexpense of the colony. The maps, also, to accompany the work are already compiled. In conjunction with the Magnetic Survey a hypsometrical survey was carried out, and the elevation above the sea of upwards of two thousand places was ascertained by means of mercurial barometers ; the results of this work will be published as an appendix to the Magnetic Survey. The results of the labours of the Magnetic Observatory in connection with the Magnetic Survey are so extensive that it was thought advisable to publish them in London on behalf of the colony, and at the colonial expense. The survey and the original observations of the Magnetic Obser- vatory, will appear in two or three large volumes. The Geodetic Survey being another great national scientific work, under the direction of Mr. Ellery, the Secretary of our Society, may be considered immediately after the Observa- tories, and is a subject likely to interest scientific departments in other countries. | This Survey, which was commenced here under the advice of our Vice-President, Mr. Ligar, in the end of 1858, jor the year 1864. * Ixxxii has now gradually progressed over a large portion of the country. The ebjections that were raised so loudly against this method ef surveying at first, arose in great measure, no doubt, from a mistaken statement made in Parliament that it was intended as a cheap substitute fer the great Trigono- metrical Survey, and was to supersede it. These objections have by experience proved practically fallacious, and have died out. Large tracts of country have been laid out under the Geodetic system in great blocks, each ef which is then subdivided by “contract surveyors, for sale. The great advantage is thus obtained of immediately embodying these numerous contract surveys in the general map ef the colony with precision ; and it is admitted by those undertaking the subdivision of blocks by contract, that much greater despatch and accuracy is obtained in their undertaking when the blocks are laid out geodetically. 7 The geodetic division of lands, ef course, has only been applied to unsurveyed country, but the work of the geodetic surveyor extends beyond this: his duty is to afford data for the construction of an accurate map of the Colony, and this involves not only the connection of all the surveyed lands, but the erection of marks spread over the country, so that any future surveys may be at once accurately placed on the maps, and the survey of the boundaries of runs facilitated. The great General Survey of the Colony is thus being done by the prosecution of the Trigonometrical Survey in connection with the Geodetic work proper. ‘Trig. stations are erected, and their positions fixed, and lines (meridians and parallels), are run from those trig. stations, traversing the colony in all parts. | The Survey extends now from the western boundary of the colony to thirty or forty miles to the east of Port Albert, | F 2 lxxxi1v , Presidents Address all the coast line between these points, with the exception of Cape Otway, is connected with the trigonometrical lines. The line of the boundary between South Australia and Victoria is now being determined ; Jines and trig. points are being laid down in the north-west districts. The triangulation of the northern plains is in progress. In the north-east of the colony, Geodetic lines, with a secondary triangulation, have been extended from Benalla to the Indi and Snowy Ranges, and preparations are being made to connect by triangulation the work going on in South Gipps Land, with that in the north-east, across the great dividing ranges, of which Baw Baw, Mount Useful, and the ranges about Wood’s Point, form apart. Altogether 120 trigonometrical stations have been fixed, and their precise latitudes and longitudes obtained. The construction of a new map of the colony, from the work already done by the geodetic surveyors, is In progress : and the whole topographical work connected and fixed by this survey is being laid down to a half inch scale in “divisions” containing one square degree,. of which there are thirty-one contained in the colony. Another great scientific work carried on by a Government department, under the direction of a member of the Council of our Society, is Mr. Selwyn’s Geological Survey of Victoria, —a work of which this colony may well be proud, and which cannot fail to be of the highest advantage in all future time to the colonists engaged in undertakings requiring a know- ledge of the structure and composition of the earth, and the distribution of the mineral riches of the country. From personal experience of the British Geological Survey, in which I at one time took part myself, I can confidently affirm, that the Geological Maps issued by the Victoria Survey, are equal to any in the world, and superior to most works of the kind which have been published, in the admi- for the year 1864. Ixxxv rable accuracy of their detail ; although the great additional labour and delay has been thrown on the department of making a great portion of the topographical map, and nearly all the physical feature-shading required as a basis on which to plot the proper geological work. During the last twelve months, the field geologists have mapped an area of about four hundred square miles, a great portion of which, being more or less auriferous country, has required that the physical features should be minutely laid down: these include gullies, quartz reefs, igneous dykes, and the contouring of hills. This makes about 3,500 square miles of the colony now geologically mapped. The staff engaged in this work has consisted of three field geologists, one assistant field geologist, and nine men. The districts in which they have been at work during the past year are Yandoit, Pentland Hills, Ballan, and the Campaspe, north of Barfold. Besides this regular and progressive work, the auriferous and argentiferous reefs of St. Arnaud have been carefully examined, as well as the processes in use there for treating the silver ores for the extraction of the silver, and a detailed report on the same by one of the staff, Mr. Ulrich, is nearly completed. The quartz reefs at Wood’s Point have been also visited and reported on. Amongst the more interesting points of discovery by the Survey during the year, is the occurrence of an auriferous drift resting on basalt, and overlaid by a subsequent flow of the same rock. This was met with by Mr. Daintree, within little more than a mile of Mr. Lyons’ homestead, at Ballan. A party of miners have been tunnelling this lower basalt under Mr. Daintree’s direc- tion, with a view to drain the water from the superincum- bent drift, to enable them to work it more conveniently and economically. This basalt rests on the Bacchus Marsh sandstones, which again repose on lower silurian beds. Of © ixxxvi | President's Address the age of these drifts all that can be said is, that they were deposited anterior to the basaltic lava, which now covers so wide an expanse of our western plains, and the older basaltic bottom on which they rest is merely a local feature. Another peculiar geological feature discovered is the occurrence of horizontal, undulating, auriferous quartz veins traversing a broad dyke of greenstone, at Wood’s Point ; these have already, by their rich returns, conferred a wide- spread celebrity on the principal so-called “reef” there, the “Morning Star.” This and other quartz reefs at Wood’s Point have been made the subject of a special report to the Government. The work at present in hand by the Geological Survey is more of an exploratory character. One party of a field geologist, Mr. Taylor, with a topographical surveyor and three men, has just been dispatched to examine the hitherto almost unknown country lying between the Snowy River and Cape Howe. The party was instructed to proceed in the first instance to Twofold Bay by sea, and thence to the Genoa River, to examine its valley and tributaries, informa- tion having been sent to the Minister of Mines, that gold had been lately found in the crevices and ledges of reck in the bed of that river. A letter recently received from Mr. Taylor states, that gold in small quantities has been found within a few miles of the river by asettler there, and that a considerable extent of country east of that river is oecupied by drift that appears likely to prove auriferous ; and further, that he has met with what appear to be silurian rocks, and that granitoid rocks are also abundant. Another party consisting of four men, is about to examine the Cape Otway ranges and district. There will thus be henceforward no portion of Victoria of any considerable extent quite unvisited and unexplored by the Geological Survey Staff, although, as regards a thorough for the year 1864. Ixxxvil examination and mapping, by far the larger portion of the colony must long remain uncompleted for want of topo- graphical surveys. The maps which are being executed by the Geodetic Survey, under the able supervision of the Honorary Secretary of our Society, Mr. Ellery, though on a rather small scale, will greatly facilitate the labours of the geologist, and in proportion to the physical and topographical details furnished in the surveys executed for the Government, will be the minuteness of the geological features and information which the staff of the Geological Survey will be enabled to supply, and I may add the rapidity with which the work can be executed. The publication of the general Geological Sketch-Map of Victoria, which Mr. Selwyn prepared at the request of the Royal Commission of Goldfields Inquiry, is so far ad- vanced that it will probably be ready for issue during next month, and will no doubt prove a most interesting and useful index. Mr. Selwyn, as Director of the Geological Survey, and myself, as Director of the National Museum, have on several occasions addressed joint representations to the Colonial Government, pointing out that it is impossible to determine many of the simple minerals and rock masses, occurring in the course of the Geological Survey, without a proper analysing room, in which all doubtful substances might be tested, before entering their names on the maps or depositing them in the cases of the National Museum. It was pointed out that the same provision was necessary for the determi- nation of the various foreign rocks and minerals in the general Geological and Mineralogical collections of the Na- tional Museum, and we suggested that one such room would suffice for both departments, and would be most con- veniently and economically placed at the Museum. Our Ixxxvill President's Address suggestion has been acted upon, and the Analytical branch of the Geological Survey is now conducted in rooms in the “ National Museum Offices,” where a chemical and metallur- gical laboratory has been fitted up with nearly every requisite for conducting mineral analysis or research, as well as to afford to miners, prospectors, and others, a ready and reliable means of ascertaining the value of any mineral discovery which they may make. Without such information much of value has been hitherto lost or neglected, while in other cases loss and disappointment have been occasioned by a mistaken idea of the value of such discoveries. For the public to take advantage of this arrangement, it is necessary that a sufficient specimen or sample, together with a full description of its mode of occurrence, localities, &e, should be sent to the “Director of the Geological Survey either through the Minister of Mines or any other channel, and if he thinks that it is a proper subject for examination, the analysis is made, and a report is forwarded to the sender, containing the results, with any notes or suggestions which appear of practical use. An analytical chemist was appointed in April last year, who has since been constantly at work. A great variety of interesting substances have been analysed during the year, as, for instance, the lignite from a remarkable deposit at Lal Lal. As a fuel, it was found both practically and theoretically to be a little better than wood ; in fact, some of it resembled wood very closely, not only in retaining the external form, but in its chemical composition. On being submitted to dry distillation at various tempera- tures, it yielded numerous products—solid, liquid, and gaseous, acid, alkaline, and neutral, and if this subject were worked out in detail, it is highly probable that compounds of commercial value might be obtained. The coal from Cape Paterson has also lately been the sub- io for the year 1864. lxxxix ject of careful examination. The “Cement Stones” or Roman Cement nodules, from the Tertiary clays at Schnapper. Point, in the Bay, the Antimony ores of M‘Ivor, and the Silver ores of St. Arnaud, and various iron ores, fire clays, gold-quartz, and auriferous pyrites, &c., have also been analysed. Some minerals, collected by the officers of the Geological Survey, having a more purely scientific interest, have also been analysed. Of these, the most important have been the A lbite and Pholerite, collected by Mr. Ulrich, at Blacksmith’s Gully, in a quartz reef, and the Oligoclase and Chabasite from the basalt of Ballan. The minerals, composing the heavy sand accompanying the gold, have been also under examination, which is not yet completed. In several cases the result of these examinations have prevented the useless expenditure of capital by detecting errors in the supposed nature of minerals; thus Carbonate of Magnesia was mistaken by the discoverer for Carbonate of Zine, Sulphide of Molybdenwm for Graphite, and stranger still, a mixture of fine quartz sand, oxide of iron and iron pyzites, the product of a gold extracting process, has been declared to be pure Hmery of the best quality by persons contemplating a mercantile use of it. In this colony, the importance of mining is so great, that many of the functions performed in England by the Government School of Mines and its Mining Record Office in connection with the Geological Survey, are now under- taken (together with various political duties) by a separate “Mining Department” of the Government, presided over by a Mining Minister, as political head, and having Mr. R. B. Smyth, who has twice held the office of Honorary Secretary to our Society, as the permanent head. This Department has now the entire control of the large body of Mining Surveyors appointed by Government, not only XC President's Address. to perform numerous duties connected with the official management of the gold-fields and regulating the entry of miners into possession of their claims, but many of them are required in addition to furnish various statistical and other scientific information touching their various mining districts, which are subsequently either published in various forms by the Mining Department or retained in the office for inspection of enquirers. Several important changes have been made lately by the Minister of Mines in the duties of © the mining surveyors, a knowledge of which would pro- bably prove of interest to other mining countries. Formerly, these officers reported monthly, on the state of mining operations in the several mining districts of the colony, and forwarded more or less perfect geological and mining plans and sections of the progress of the workings, which they were expected to keep a record of; but now they are required to make quarterly reports, and if the instructions which Mr. Sullivan, the Minister of Mines, has issued, be complied with, the quarterly reports will be more accurate and comprehensive than those which have hitherto been published. By a recent arrangement, the surveyors are required also to report promptly on new discoveries of gold. When a “rush” takes place, the mining surveyor furnishes a rough sketch shewing the locality, and gives particular information regarding the nature of the strata, the depth of sinking, the character of the adjacent rocks, and the minerals associated with the gold. He supplies too, a description of the country, of the sources of water-supply, and of the kinds of timber available for mining purposes. The surveyors are likewise encouraged to collect minerals, rocks and fossils, for the National Museum, and some of them, as well as some of the wardens of the gold-fields, have shown praiseworthy zeal and much intelligence in gathering together specimens illustrative of the rocks in = = for the year 1864. X¢l which auriferous veins occur. There is already a large collection of rocks and minerals acquired in this way in the office of the Mining Department, all of which will be trans- ferred to the National Museum as soon as there is room to exhibit them. It is gratifying to find that the Minister of Mines, while he requires from the surveyors strict attention to the several duties of their office, has evinced a strong desire to promote the interests of science by encouraging their scientific labours. If the recent attempts to open up Northern Gipps Land succeed, the unknown country at the sources of the Delatite and King, on the western side of the Great Range, and the vast area Hast of the Snowy River, where surveying parties are now employed in clearing tracks,* the resources of an immense hitherto unexplored country will be rapidly developed. Some rather unreasonable complaints have been made of the incompleteness of the mining statistics published by the Mining Department; but having regard to the state of mining in the colony, the extent of territory over which mining operations extend, and the difficulty of travelling in some parts of it, they will probably be found to bear favour- able comparison with those of most other countries. Here there are no large employers of labour from whom returns can be obtained ; but instead we have some thirty thousand miners (among a total of ninety-two thousandt) who are ready for any “rush,” and it is not easy to follow their movements or chronicle their proceedings. It is to be remembered, too, that until the year 1858 we had no “ Mining Statistics,’ and that those which have been pub- lished have been obtained from returns furnished by gentle- * As suggested-by Mr. Sullivan in a letter to Mr. Grant, which was published about three months ago in The Argus. + The total number of miners at present is 92,368. xcli President's Address - men not wholly in the employment of the Government, and, until lately, but partially under its control. The Mining Department co-operates with the Director of the Geological Survey, and much useful information is from time to time given to the public, both by communications to our Society, and in papers laid before Parliament, and published in blue-books. In this way we have learned that considerable quantities of the oxides of manganese occur in many parts of the Ararat district, both in quartz veins associated with gold and in the alluvial deposits ; that there are beds of lignite in numerous localities alternating with the lower strata of clays in the “deep leads ;” that the ores of copper and lead are found in most of the localities where there are numerous quartz veins (and, though in small quantities, they deserve the attention of the geologist); that the sulphide and oxide of antimony in large quantities are not restricted to Heathcote, but occur in the basin of the Yarra, at Ingle- wood, at Steiglitz, and elsewhere ; that in the neighbourhood of plutonic rocks there are nearly everywhere mingled with the drift titanic iron, pleonast, corundum, zircon, and topaz ; that chromate of iron and chrome ochre are found in con- siderable quantities in the vicinity of basalt on the River Loddon ; that pyromorphite is found at Ararat, and that lolingite and pyrrhotine are common at Maldon. If many of these do not at present add to our national wealth, they serve to indicate fields of research for the mineralogist. Jam also indebted to the department for the knowledge of the discovery of fossil bones on McCallum’s Creek, near Talbot, by Mr. Hull and Mr. E. J. Bateman, who forwarded the specimens now in the National Museum, and which I found to belong to the Diprotodon. The Map of the Colony is being gradually filled in from the surveys made by the Mining Surveyors, which, together with the for the year 1864. Xclil valuable results of the labours of Mr. .Ligar’s (the Surveyor General’s) officers, will shortly leave nothing to be desired as regards the. topography of Victoria. The great credit of first discovering and practically apply- ing a process for photographing maps, &c., on lithographic stones, and printing from such impressions directly, without the aid of a draftsman, is due to the Surveyor General's (Mr. Ligar’s) department of this Colony, and the first suc- cessful steps in the invention were exhibited at a Meeting of our Society. Our Vice-President, Mr. Ligar, commenced, and is still carrying on, the series of experiments in the course of which his assistant, Mr. Osborne, made this valuable discovery, for which he was rewarded by Parliament with a grant of £1,000. It is now acknowledged by those in Europe who are the best authorities in the matter, that to this colony is due the merit of having first originated Photolithography, as now so extensively practised at the Crown Lands Office for the re- duction and publication of the numerous sale-plans issued to the public by that department. When first introduced by its inventor (Mr. Osborne), con- siderable doubts were expressed as to its practical utility, but such doubts may now be considered as set at rest, by the fact that the immense numbers of sale plans required by the Government in connection with the business of the Crown Lands Office are prepared exclusively by this process. As an instance of the rapidity with which plans may be reduced and copied by it, I may state that upon the passing of the Land Act of 1862, upwards of 350 different plans of a large size were issued by the aid of Photolithography in the space of about four weeks. The process is also frequently taken advantage of by the other Government departments for the purpose of making fac-simile reproductions of valuable documents both in print XCLV ‘ President's Addvress and in manuscript, as the copies are so minutely exact as to render it almost impossible to distinguish them from the originals. By this means also copies were made of the Chinese writings connected with the peculiar transactions of the Chinese merchants with the Custom House here. I have dwelt now so long on the applications amongst us of the Exact Sciences, that I have scarcely space to say a word on the Natural Sciences :—Botany has always flourished in this colony, from the early days before our independent existence, when our noble Botanic Garden was laid out and adopted as the favourite out of doors resort of the people ; and since the appointment of Dr. Mueller, the late Secretary and former President and Vice-President of our Society, as Government Botanist, the more exclusively scientific branches of the subject have been cultivated with a success which has attracted marked attention and admiration. During the past year, as in former ones, the collection of living plants in the garden has considerably increased ; but the most impor- tant recent addition is the establishment, by the liberality of the Government, of a Public Herbarium close to the gardens, which now numbers about 200,000 specimens from all parts of the world. It is expected that the various fasciculi will be arranged in the course of the year. Many of the new plants discovered by Dr. Mueller in Australia, have been first made known through the Transactions of our Society. The more extensive publi- cations of his botanical labours for the Government have made a marked advance during the past year, in which part of the second volume of the “ Plants Indigenous to Victoria,” and part of the fourth volume of the “ Fragmenta Phytographie Australie” have been printed, so that they may be expected to appear this year. The specimens and observations accumulated at the expense of this colony during several years, and which were jor the year 1864. | XCV originally expected to have furnished a separate Colonial Flora to our special credit, have been sent to London, to be incorporated in Mr. Bentham’s “ Universal Flora of Australia ;’ and although we cannot, like the State of New York, have our own special volumes, yet a- great interest must be felt by the colonists m this work, the second volume of which, containing the Myrtacece and Leguminose, to which so many of our more important plants. belong, amongst other orders, may be expected to appear this year. The National Museum of Natural History and Geology, with the application of economic geology to mining, agri- culture, and the arts, has rapidly increased in the last as in several preceding years, and would be found now, if suffi- cient space existed for satisfactory examination, to bear favourable comparison with some of the best in Europe in several branches. Mineralogy and Geology are particularly rich, although but a small portion of the collections can be seen, and amongst the general Zoolegical collections which are geographically arranged, a great number of rare and interesting types have been brought together, as well as the more ordinary species, in greater numbers than might have been expected in so short a time as the Museum has been in existence. One of the last additions is the famous collec- tion of British insects of the late Mr. Curtis, containing all the species referred to in his great work on the subject, for all the original types in which our Museum must in future be quoted, as well as for the original types of several of Frazer’s Niger Expedition species, and many other species described before the Zoological Society of London. The assistance which I have received from the principal scientific men in Europe and America in my endeavours, as director, to make our National Museum worthy of the country, has been of the most cordial and active kind, every xevi President's Address one entering into the spirit of the undertaking with a zest which must surely be due to kindly feelings of appreciation for this young country in its endeavours in every depart- _ ment to earn quickly a foremost place. In the department of mining machinery, so important to the colony, I have succeeded in getting together a series far surpassing those of most of the Government Schools of Mines in Europe, and scarcely behind any of them. Considerable materials both in manuscripts and. litho- graphed plates, have been accumulated for the publication of a serial memoirs of the Museum, in which catalogues and various treatises connected with the collections are to appear; and in the present year the publication will com- mence of a series of Decades which I have been preparing, illustrative of the Natural History and Paleontology of the Colony. The most important step in the progress of the Museum was made last year, in the erection of rather less than half of the permanent buildingy devoted to containing the whole of the Government collections appertaining to the Natural and Applied Sciences, on a plot of ground granted by the University for the purpose, at about 150 feet from the University Science Lecture Rooms. This has afforded about half the space required for the arrangement of the mining, geological, and other collections, and secures the important advantage for the country of making the collections useful as aids to the instruction given in the adjacent lecture rooms (where non-matriculated students may attend lectures in any one of the branches of science illustrated in the Museum), as well as accessible to the general public, upwards of 40,000 of whom visit the rooms yearly. The establishment of a Mining School is rendered easy by this proximity of the University Lecture Rooms (in which eight out of the ten courses of instruction required are for the year 1864. X¢vil already given) to the collections of geology, minerology, and mining models, in the adjacent National Museum. If the building were completed, I believe the development of the Museum would satisfy even the Museum Committee of the Royal Society, which, forso many years, watched over its progress. For some years the Parliament has voted some thousands annually (£4,000 this year) for acclimatization purposes, and confided its expenditure to the Victorian Acclimatization Society, by whose exertions a very large variety of useful and ornamental quadrupeds, birds, fish, and insects have been imported, and numerous kinds of deer and smaller game, and a great variety of song and game birds have been turned wild and successfully acclimatized, besides numbers of semi-domesticated creatures of great prospective value, as the Angora and Cashmere goats, llamas, alpacas, Ligurian bees, &., and at the present moment the English salmon ova are being hatched for our colder rivers by the Society, after repeated failures; the gourami in small numbers has also been introduced. The Imperial Society of Acclimatization of Paris has just awarded their great gold medal to the President of the Acclimatization Society of Victoria, Mr. Edward Wilson, for his exertions in the cause ; a compliment which, although exclusively due to the per- sonal merits of the recipient, must be a source of great satisfaction to us all. As further illustrating the progress of learning and taste in the colony, I should have wished to have alluded to the Public Library and the newly commenced Museum of Art and Antiquities connected with it, but I have unfortunately not been able to obtain the few details of information I required, and I can only refer to it as an institution which is one of the greatest boasts of the colony from its magnifi- G xXevill Presidents Address cent extent and general excellence, and which, from the largeness of the annual grants it has for many years received from Parliament, is one of the most astonish- ing proofs of the profuse liberality of the country wherever the diffusion of knowledge is to be promoted. In conclusion, gentlemen, I have but one circumstance to regret, namely, the non-publication of our Transactions owing to the rather sudden withdrawal of State-aid ; but the Council have now determined to resume the publication, although it will under the circumstances be necessary to make some selection and condensation of the papers to be published, and give abstracts, as is done by so many societies at home, of the others. This publication is absolutely necessary to keep faith with the very large number of scientific societies in every part of the world who now send us their Transactions, and expect to receive ours in exchange ; and although a considerable increase in the number of members of the Society is very greatly desired to enable the publication to take a form worthy of the Society and the country, without asking aid from the Government, yet I have no doubt at all of the success of the new endeavours. From what I have already said, it will be seen that the people of this country and their representatives in Parlia- ment, and all successive Governments, have been pre-emi- nently distinguished by their zeal for the dissemination of knowledge, and for the success which has already added a different lustre to our “ golden” reputation, with which so many and important branches of the different sciences and their applications have been prosecuted here ; and as I have shown that in most of the best of those intellectual successes which raise the colony so much in the estimation of think- ing men at home, the Royal Society has played no unim- : : a eC Boca which led to them, I am sure you will all _ agree. with me, that such a Society is an essential requisite _ of our community, and that a brilliant, useful, and honour- _ able future is before the Royal Society of Victoria. Art. 1—On some Remarkable Changes which have taken place im the Flowers of the Plantago Major. By THomas SHEARMAN RALPH, M.R.C.S., Assoc. Linn. Soc. Lond. [Read-2nd May, 1861.] The observations I have to make this evening, refer to some remarkable changes which have taken place in the flowers of the Plantago Major, and which, as far as I can learn, have never been noticed to occur in this plant, although changes like these are frequent in the common rose, and have been met with also in many other kinds of plants. The changes to which I refer are well known to the physiological botanist, and present him with many inte- resting confirmations of what is known and acknowledged as to the morphological origin of the parts of the plant com- posing the flower. All who are in the habit of enjoying an ordinary acquaint- ance with flowers, are well aware of the existence and value in sume respects of what are termed double flowers,—plants in which flowers are produced possessing double sets of petals, in place of a few, say four or five, the remaining organs of the flower being converted into petals and no seeds yielded by the specimen. Now these changes are carried on still further in some plants, and are useful in confirming the theories which are held relative to the nature of the different parts of the flower, 2.¢., that all may be regarded as so many modified leaves arranged according to certain laws around the stem. In order that I may be better understood, I ah first intro- duce the plant to your notice as it commonly occurs. It is | termed the Plantain or rib-grass, and is a common plant in Great Britain. It possesses large leaves placed in a rosette on the ground, these being marked with strong ribs from the centre, the flower stem rising to a height of several inches, bearing at its top a cone of small flowers, which, when fully ripened, form seed vessels placed at a distance from each RB : 2 . Plantago Major. other on the increased spike or flower stalk, and in this condition it is commonly given as food to small cage birds, as the canary, &c. The flowers are very small, but easily distinguished by means of a common lens. The calyx consists of four sepals. The corolla is one with four divisions, and of a scaly texture, four long stamens and a single style. The germ or ovary is, in the early stage, two-celled, and contains a few ovules. The capsule, or ripened fruit, is usually one-celled, and two or three seeds or more may ripen, and the capsule top splits off like a lid. Now the specimen in question, I observed, had run to seed, but several of the spikes, in place of fruiting as usual, had metamorphosed the carpel as follows: it had become longer than usual, and in most instances enlarged at its upper extremity, and also unequally so, and when fully developed, the styles having fallen off, it dehisced or split in two at the top. On opening the capsules, each was found to contain a small cluster of leaves in place of the ovules. On some I counted'as many as ten or twelve leaves. Now, in some botanical works, and Ii can quote Lindley’s Vegetable Kingdom, it is stated that the ovary is composed of a single carpel, and seldom four-celled. (Page 642). From an exa- mination of the carpel in this specimen, it will be seen that the ovary is really composed of two carpellary leaves ; first, because the carpel is in some instances more developed on one side, 2.¢., posteriorly, and next, that a sutura] line may be seen separating the anterior from the posterior portions; and again, that the fully grown capsule in this state dehisces at the top into two. IJ] have taken one of such carpellary portions, and having decolorized it, I find that the carpel presents all the character of a leaf, it has a central vein with lateral anastomosing ones. The other point of interest in this specimen is, that the ovular buds, in place of remaining as such had in some instances, become further developed into florets, each being a miniature of the parent flower—four sepals, four stamens. Art. Il—On some Tertiary Fossils in South Australia. By the Rev. JULIAN E. Woops, F.G.S., &., &c. Penola, S. A. [Read 27th May, 1861.] I have frequently had occasion to describe to the Society certain rocks which appear at Mount Gambier, and the South Eastern district generally. I now wish to draw attention te the fossils contained in them. The stone, as I before men-_ tioned, is a mass of organic remains, but these are either so finely comminuted, or of so small a size, that it looks likea compact freestone. The fossils are principally Bryozoa, and Foraminifera, enclosed in a calcareous cement. The resemblance of the formation to the Lower Crag de- posit is very striking, and an examination of the imbedded fragments shows a positive identity. [tis to the considera- tion of the fossils which form the basis of resemblance between the two formations, that I have principally ad- dressed myself in my investigations, part of which form the subject of the present paper. On seeing the mass of minute beings matted together in the stone, and representing almost every variety of shape and form ;and on noticing how in the thousands of specimens composing a cubic inch of rock, not two of the little branch- lets are alike, all being more or less broken, it would seem almost impossible to draw order out of this confusion, and give a family and specific name to every individual. It is, indeed, a matter of no small difficulty. Fortunately the classification of the Polyzoa has made great progress lately ; not a single twig of the little stony shrubs with which the formation teems, but can be named, and its affinities described. Though the Polyzoa at all times possess no ordinary inte- rest, yet those of these strata have an especial attraction of their own. It is the last link in Australian geological his- tory immediately preceding the present state of things. But this is not all. The included fossils differ not only from existing species on the coast, but also almost entirely from every species, and sometimes even genera, previously de- scribed. Out of forty-two specimens sent home to Dr. Busk, thirty-six proved to be previously unknown to science. In their general character, and in the genus Cellepora, the beds ; B 2 + Tertiary Fossils in South Australia. possess features peculiarly their own. I proceed at once to describe the specimens to which the accompanying drawings refer. No. 1. Salicornaria Simuosa (Hassal). This fossil is the prevailing one of the beds. It is found everywhere, and is so common that I have never yet found a square inch of stone belonging to the deposit which did not at least contain a dozen of its fragments. Busk identifies with this species the S. farcuminordes. The variations in the form of the cells which I have witnessed, after examining hundreds of spe- cimens, make me believe this to be very proper. S. gracilis and S. tenuirostris, have both been found fossil, but are not drawn, as they are both figured in Busk’s catalogue. No. 2. Candua angulata, the connection of the branches by transverse tubular fibres is not, according to Busk, a character of either generic or specific importance. It was only known to occur in one species till the discovery of that here described. No. 3. Cellepora Gambierensis (Busk). Thisisthe character- istic fossil of the formation. It grew to immense size. In appearance it very much resembled a true branching coral; was hollow in the stem, and was very much and irregularly branched. No doubt it existed in the form of a reef, and probably gave rise to the coralline formation. I have seen it, where sections of the bed have been exposed, branching up like a strong tree ten or twelve feet high. Probably such an im- mense operation as a coral reef by Bryozoa is a solitary instance, but we have long since learned that in nature the magnitude of the work bears no proportion to the workman. No drawing can give a character by which it can be known, for it varies so much in form. It may, however, be described as irregular branches studded with cells, which are perforated with one minute opening. The branch is hollow inside, and the interior of the cavity is smooth and finely ribbed. The thickness of the tube varying with age; cells apparently growing from without, and irregularly disposed. No. 4. Cellepora Hemispherina (Busk). This is a lenti- cular polyzoary, more or less flattened, but generally in shape like a double convex lens. It varies in size from that of a sixpence to that of a lentil. The cells are very small and equal in dimensions. No. 5. Cellepora Nummularia (Busk). Polyzoary obliniar ee ye ee} -7 ae ‘Tertiary Fossils in South Australia. 5 above, slightly concave beneath. The upper surface studded with small irregularly disposed cells, and the under surface with a calcareous crust, on which are radiating raised ribs and concentric rings. This is a very common fossil, and extends through the whole formation. It is of various sizes, the largest about that of a shilling. The under surface is not unlike a nummulite. No. 6. Cellepora tubulosa (Busk). Spherical polyzoaries with one side perforated two-thirds through with a cone- shaped cavity, cells irregular, very large and minute, the latter grouped around the former, and giving an ornamental appearance. No. 7. Cellepora spongiosa (Busk). A hard compact irre- gular polyzoary, with cells raised and rounded. Aperture simple. A very common fossil, and never found encrusting others. No. 8. Melicerita Angustiloba (Busk). Another species of the genus peculiar to the Crag deposits, described by Milne Edwards. It is a common fossil, and is small and brittle. Figures 9 and 10 are two species of Hornera, very common in the beds.. They are probably H. Rugulosa, and H. Gambierensis. Figure 11 is a fragment of Caberea lata. It still exists ’ on the coast, and is described in Busk’s Catalogue. It is not very common, but occurs from time to time. Figure 12. Crisia eburnea. I have very little doubt that this is the species described by Johnson (S77. Zooph., vol. 1, p- 284.) It is a British species, and yet appears to have been very abundant in our seas when these strata were de- posited. The species is not described by Busk, who has distributed Lamouroux’s order of Criside into other genera. I have only described in the foregoing a very few of the most common fossils in the Mount Gambier rocks. It will beseen, even from these few, that most of the species are new. I have omitted mention of three new genera, namely, Psileschara, Celeschara and Scutularia, of which the leading characteristics are not well made out. But at any rate it will be perceived that these deposits offer a wide field, replete with novelty and interest, and their fauna will probably number thousands of species peculiar to them alone. it must not, however, be supposed that they ever will, even when fully explored, give a true picture of the former state of our seas. More than half the genera and species must have perished. The Polyzoa of our present seas would tell . 6 Tertiary Fossils in South Australia. us this. Very few are calcareous (and no others can be pre- served), and of those which are, the majority are so fine and small, and lightly jointed, as to render their preservation almost an impossibility. Thus, for instance, our Catenicellidee being united by short corneous joints, their decom- position and destruction is certain. The same may be said of the different species of Carbasea Flustra, Bicellaria, &c., &e. None of these are found in the Mount Gambier lime- stone, and yet I believe we are not without some record of their former existence. Under the microscope the finest dust of the stone is seen to have some trace of organization, and there are apparently a great many foramenifera, such as Globigerina, Orbulina, Rotalia, &c., &e. Doubtless some of the latter might prove to be scattered cells of Catenicella, &e. I must state, in conclusion, that shells are never found unless as casts, with the exception of the Pecten coarctatus, and the Terebratula compta, but in other respects the forma- tion is so precisely similar to the Upper Crag, Suffolk, that a specimen of the latter, which I have, cannot be known from Mount Gambier limestone, except by a narrow examination of the fossils. Even the very concretions and texture of the stone are repeated in both strata. I shall return to the sub- ject again shortly. In conclusion, I append a list of the fossils here figured and described :— | EXPLANATION OF FIGURES. No. 1.—Salicornaria Sinuosa, a natural size. No 2.—Canda Angulata, a front and back view. No. 4.— Cellepora Hemispherina, six transverse sections. No. 5.— Cellepora, six upper and an under surface. ' No. 6.— Cellepora tubulosa. No. 7.— Cellepora spongiosa, two specimens. No. 8.—Melicerita, an upper surface, six sections natural size. No. 9.— Hornera, much magnified ; a front and six back view. No. 10. Hornera Gambierensis, a front, six back, and natural size. No. 11.— Caberea lata, a front, six back, and natural size. No. 12.—Crisia eburnea, a magnified to natural size. No. 13,— Part of an axis of a coral resembling Iris Hippuris, N.B, These are universally disseminated through the stone. — ve | accompany the Rey. Julian F Woods paper on Tertiary Fossus in South Austr pes Cellepora Hemispheertna. aad fe Wt a Y aoe!) crop, 5 Crista eburnea. Hamel & Ferguson litho. Snakes of Victoria. 7 Art. I1].—Observations on the Microscopical Characters presented by a Mineral (Dysodil) from Tasmania. By Tuomas S. RAupu, Esq., M.R.CS. [Abstract of paper, original read 27th May, 1861.] The author shewed that the mineral was a kind of shale, containing, besides a bituminous substance, a large amount of Algze, of a spherical form, which were preserved, from their being coated by a resinous substance. Art. [V.—On the Snakes of Victoria. By PROFESSOR M‘Coy. [Abstract, original read 17th June, 1861. Original paper lost.] In this paper the characters were pointed out of all the snakes known in the colony, and specimens were exhibited of each species to the meeting at which the paper was read. The “Carpet. Snake” (Morelia variegata) was the only harmless species ; its close relation to the “ Diamond Snake” (Morelia spilotes) of New South Wales, was referred to, in connection with the term “Diamond Snake” erroneously given to the poisonous forms experimented on some years ago in Tasmania, when the investigations published in the Journal of the Royxl Society of Tasmania were in progress, to determine the value of remedies for snake poison. The relation of the carpet snake to the Pythons of India was dwelt upon, and the statement, formerly published by the Society of the existence of a true Boa in Victoria, was shown to rest only on a mistaken identification of the character of the common carpet snake. The rare “Death Adder” (Acanthophis antarctica) was the only venomous snake with isolated fangs found in Victoria, although all the remaining snakes belonging to the Colubride gave poisonous and some- times fatal bites from the poison fangs mixed with the solid teeth. Numerous examples were exhibited of the large poisonous “Brown Snake” of the colony, and the reasons for referring it to the Pseudonaja nuchalis and to the Pseudozlaps superciliaris were discussed. Hoplocephalus superbus, H. curtus or “ Tiger Snake,” H. Gould, H. coro- noides, and a new species, Hoplocephalus flagellum (M‘Coy), were exhibited and their characters pointed out. The latter SRR ETL Sins Seer Sy, 1 Eee es oe 8 Structure of the new species resembled H. Gouldi, but with seventeen and nineteen rows of scales where the other had fifteen. The true “ Black Snake,” Pseudechys porphyraicus, as well as the Murray, Brown, Pseudechys were exhibited, and their charac- _ ters ‘discussed. Only one species of Diemensia, the D. reticulata, was noticed; it was common in the Murray district. | ; ArT. V.—On the Structure of the Flower of the Mignionette. By THOMAS Ss. RALPH, Esq., M.R.C.S. [Read 8th July, 1861.] ~The flower of the Mignionette is remarkable for the curious one-sided appearance it presents when viewed on the supporting flower-stalk. A closer examination shows us that the centre of it, or ovary (the seed-bearing part), is really on one side, and if we denude the flower of all its parts, save the stamens, we find this appearance is due to the stamens and ovary being placed on a thickened scale or part, termed disk, which is itself on one side. Outside of this thick green pad or scale, we find similar large green scales, like bodies fringed with white fringes, and to the eye of the observer appearing to answer to the character of petals. Of these organs, there are four plamly seen, two being larger ; there are, however, two more minute ones, each furnished with only one strap-like fringe, and placed hidden away under the bundle of stamens. All these parts are in turn surrounded by six sepals, which together constitute the calyx or flower cup. Dr. Lindley, in his work entitled “‘ Vegetable Kingdom,” thus describes the flower :—“ Calyx, many parted; petals, broad plates having lacerated appendages at the back, unequal ; disk (hypogynous) one sided, glandular ; stamens, definite, inserted into the disk, &c; ovary, sessile, three lobed.” (Page 356.) “The flowers,” he says, “of these plants, of which the common mignionette may be taken as a type, differ in many respects from those of other orders, especially in the presence of a:very large glandular one-sided plate, out of which the stamens grow, and in the petals bearing a great resemblance to that disk. This led me in the Collectanea Botanica, and in the first edition of this work, to deseribé the structure of the Weldworts as con- ae cy Flower of the Mignionette. 9 ‘sisting of an apparent calyx, which was really an involuere, while the petals are abortive staminiferous flowers, and the disk a calyx of one central bisexual flower. I am, however, _ now convinced by the arguments of Henslow, that this theory was erroneous, and I accordingly revert to the old view of the organization and affinities of the order.” It.is to this particular view of the subject I now wish to direct attention. If we take almost any kind of anther fully developed, and making a section of it, examine it under the microscope, we find in it the usual structures, namely, pollen grains, and also a number of fibre cells, which appear to be serviceable in rupturing the anther, or ejecting the pollen when the anther has opened. Now, on examining any of the white petal-like fringes of the Mignionette in the same way (having discolorized them), we find each contains a bundle of spiral vessels which run up the petal, or lobe, or fringe, call it what we please, and, at its termination, this bundle is developed into a number of fibre cells, closely resembling those usually met with in anther cells, but which is a very remarkable structure to be found in a true petal. This unusual development of fibre cells in a petal leads me to suggest that each strap-like, petal-lke part, or lacerated portion of the so-called petals, is, in reality, an undeveloped stamen, and that the original idea of Dr. Lindley is the correct one, 2.¢., that each petal is an abortive stameniferous flower; so that, thus in all, we have six sets of stamens bearing flowers, undeveloped in one flower of the Mignionette, the disc-like scale accompanying each petal-like body, and one perfect or bisexual flower, in the portion consisting of the large scale, supporting the true stamens and ovary, but which flower is destitute of petals, not an unusual kind of flower botanically considered. If we cannot admit this view of the case, then we have the following difficulties. First, the unusual presence of the fibre cells in the petals must go for nothing ; next, if these cells are to be admitted as indicative of the true nature of these parts, 7.¢., that they are undeveloped bundles of stamens only, and analagous to the bundle of stamens immediately surrounding the ovary, and known as true stamens, but not flowers, then I answer we have one other difiiculty—that each bundle of undeveloped stamens is seen to spring from the back of each scale in a reverse direction to that taken by the true stamens in relation to their particular glandular scale. For my part, I am inclined to favour the i ; j j { j 10 Coccus affecting the Orange. old view as stated by Dr. Lindley, and that the presence of the fibre-cells bears me out init. Added to this, we have usually a six or seven-lobed involucre, which would represent the bracts due to each flower, taking the central one as a perfect pattern. I have examined the flowers of another species of Reseda, the R. fruticaulis ; I find the glandular bodies supporting the petals are not nearly so large as in the common Mignionette, but each fringe has a small number of fibro-cells developed in it. That these fleshy glandular parts have been noticed and compared with the central one of the flower is well known, but no explanation has ever been offered save by Dr. L: and now by myself. He again says, when speaking of the part termed disk, “It is an opinion, which daily gains ground, that the disk is really only a rudimentary state of the stamens, and it is thought that the proofs of the correctness of this hypothesis are to be found in’ the frequent separation of the cup-like disk into bodies alternating with true stamens, as in Gesneria, and in Parnassia, in the resemblance to bundles of polyadelphous stamens.” I trust, therefore, the view I have revived and attempted to illustrate, will not be deemed untenable ; as also in a paper ~ I lately brought forward, I instanced the Plantain of Europe developing its ovules into leaves, and in some specimens into true flowers, each case serving to show us that any part of a flower may be developed into a different kind of organ than that predicated by its position in the particular flower. Art. VI—On the Coccus affecting the Orange. By THOMAS S. Raupw, Esq., M.R.C.S,. and Assoc. Linn. Soc. Lond. [Read 19th August, 1861.] The chief object I had in view in bringing before the . Society some observations on the insect which attacks the fruit of the Orange, was to direct the attention of micro- scopists and others to the study ‘of one of those forms of insect life, which present many favourable opportunities for a series of observations bearing on the structure of the Coccus family generally ; and perhaps these observations might be attended with advantage to others, by directing their attention against the probable results which may follow from the attacks of this insect upon the Orange, as an article Coccus affecting the Orange. 1] of produce. That orange crops have been injured by this insect is no new fact to bring before you. In 1843 the ravages by the Coccus, of the orange trees, had been so extensive as to cause the loss of the entire produce in one of the Azores, and the evil rapidly extended itself to the other islands, so that the whole injury done appears to have been the work of three years only. : The insect belongs to the same family as that which yields the cochineal dye (Lac); and is commonly recognised as the scale insect upon green-house plants. Last summer I noticed a few of these scales on a piece of shaddock-rind, which I kept for examination ; but this winter bas supplied me with a more abundant crop than I remember to have seen; and some lemons, also, present a few on their surface ; but whether the disease is on the increase or not I am unable to state. The fruit is found sometimes fully covered over with circular scales, of a dark reddish yellow hue; each scale presenting a slight, nearly central elevation, with a light- coloured margin: it can be readily detached by the point of a needle, or the scales come off in numbers on peeling off the rind. They should be transferred to a glass slide, with that side uppermost which was in contact with the orange, and moistened with a drop of water, and covered with thin glass in the usual way, they may then be examined under the microscope. Within the round scale may be seen a yellow or amber- coloured animal, which, at first sight, it is difficult to recognise as such, especially as the insect is likely to be met with in varying conditions: the usual form is that of a rounded one, with a deep notch on one side, while the border presents a thickened margin, and sometimes exhibits a number of leg-like appendages. The nearly transparent shell or case of the insect will be seen to be very delicately striated in most parts, an appearance which is apt to be lost whenever the fluid applied to it comes completely into contact with the surface. The portion which presents the notch appears to be the hinder or -tail-end of the insect, and is likely to be taken for its head, which, I believe, is indi- cated by the presence of three sete, which in some specimens can be seen to spring from that portion which occupies the centre of the disk, and is of a yellower colour. On either side of this part may be seen two points, which appear like openings for respiration, or what are technically called 12 Coccus affecting the Orange. stigmata, because from these radiate a number of exceedingly fine Jines towards the circumference of the body (of the insect), arching and uniting much in the manner of the tracheze or respiratory tubes of insects; but these tube-like lines I am unable to make out as being constructed on the same plan as those of higher insects, which consist of a spiral fibre closely rolled up inside them, in order to keep them from collapsing; but analogy would lead us to infer that they are so constructed. And here we have a difficult point for the microscopist to solve, requirmg good management, and a very powerful instrument, in order to verify the fact. By manipulation of different kinds it will be found that there exists a central body, which is itself surrounded by a number of perhaps thirty or more vesicles, contained in a part extended nearly all round the body, except the notch. These vesicles appear to contain a multitude of minute oily dots, and are the ova or eggs of the insect; which may, by careful observation, carried on durimg the whole of the season, lead to a further acquaintance with facts of interest in physiology. In some, which have become more advanced, I have recognised the central mouth-like part even in this the egg condition. Hach scale, when removed from the orange surface, leaves behind a small white pit or cavity, in which the insect fed upon the juices of the plant. This pit is lined with a white substance, which appears to have been excreted from the animal, and is not due to.any abrasion of the cuticle of the orange. When we lift up the scale, to remove it, it will be often found that this depression contains in its centre two or three fine brown hairs, of extreme tenuity : these are the bristles or sete to which I have alluded, and by which the insect is evidently anchored securely to the orange, and by which, I believe, it derives its nourishment. It also accounts for the frequent absence of these organs in the specimens when examined; and if this is really the mouth, may also explain the difference of opinion expressed relative to their number in some species ; and, therefore, should be a point for observation by any who investigate the structure of the species of Coccus. The best specimens will, I think, be found in those oranges which are of a light yellow colour, and in which the scales are not over- crowded, as also in the more recently imported fruit. There is another fact worth remarking, and one which I have noticed in the case of other Cocci infesting other plants, that these insects are always accompanied by mildew, or Coceus affecting the Orange. 13 fungus of some microscopic kind. Not only are they apt to attack the scales themselves, but the stems of the plants are generally covered with a black sooty covering, which consists of Mycelia. Thus there is a double cause operating to injure the plant by robbing it of its juices* or preventing those changes in the sap which may be necessary to the full development of the fruit. 3 Tam not acquainted with the male insect, this being the female, and is not winged as the other is. It is probable, I think, that a similar insect attacks the Orange elsewhere. Some twenty years since, I remember seeing oranges grow in India; and was informed that, during the setting of the fruit, the natives were accustomed to light small fires under . each tree at night, in order to drive away some insect which, at that season, usually attacked the fruit. In the present case, supposing the attacks of this insect are likely to extend, I should be inclined to try some such plan ; or else water each tree with a mixture of sulphur and water, and a small quantity of gum, in order to render it adherent to the leaves, &c., for a short space of time. I see by the late news that a paper on this very subject was read in March or February last ; but no account or observations on the subject have, as far as | know, yet reached the colony. I can only suggest the following, as I have had no time for working the subject up, and would gladly leave it to others : That the young insect gradually develops into a small ova- bearing one; and that its remains then form a kind of tent or shelter ; and that another insect either appropriates this scale, and adds to it another beneath it, and larger in extent; or, there is some explanation of a similar kind to be sought out relative to the structure of the external scales, which, in some instances, appear to have resulted from three layers of scales, each below the other, and increased in size, the upper- most being empty when laid open. The exceeding transparency of the insect, its numbers, and the ready way in which it can be obtained, all recommend it as a highly interesting object for the student, be he young or old; and one which will well repay the time and attention . bestowed on the study of its structure. 14 Art, VIL—A Few Notes on the Dialects, Habits, Customs, and Mythology of the Lower Murray Aborigines. By PETER BEVERIDGE, Esq. [Read 9th September, 1861.]} The Aborigines herein described inhabit the valley of the Murray River from Lake Boga to the Moornpal Lakes in- elusive. They are divided into seven tribes, each tribe having a distinct name, and very nearly a distinct dialect. They are named as follows :—Boora Boora, Watty Watty, Waiky Waiky, Litchy Litchy, Yairy Yairy, and Darty Darty. Each name is the negative of the dialect spoken by the respective tribes. | These tribes average about fifty-five in number, old and young ; the males preponderate very considerably. The only apparent reason for this excess is because of the great numbers of women who die from their husband’s ill-usage, and from dis- eases, the consequence of their own profligacy. There are very few of either sex under the age of fifteen, and the pre- ponderance of those under that age are by European fathers. _ The mortality amongst them during the last fifteen years has been very great indeed. The diseases to which they have chiefly fallen victims, have been of a pulmonary or venereal nature, or a combination of both. They also suffer very much from scurvy during the winter months, when food is scarce, and the blood becomes impoverished by poor diet. They do not appear to have any contagious diseases, such as fevers, &c., although many of the adults are marked with small-pox ; this, however, may have been contracted by the natives in the neighbourhood of Sydney, and passed on from one tribe to another, until it had ravaged the whole country. In speaking of this disease, the old men say that their sufferings were fearful in the extreme, and the deaths so numerous that they could not inter them, therefore they left the bodies where they died, and shifted their camps to some other place. They repeated this manceuvre day after day, until the whole atmosphere was tainted with the de- composing carcases; they thought that not one would escape death, and hac arrived at such a pitch of misery as to make them careless whether they died or not. The hot summer, however, set in, when the distemper gradually left them, but it was years before they got over the panic. This seems to Se es) Lower Murray Aborigines. 15 have been the only great terror they ever had, and the only instance they have of great numbers being carried off at one time by the same disease. Their food consists chiefly of fish, but they have many other kinds, such as kangaroo, emu, opossum, and wild fowl of the aquatic species, abundance of which inhabit the lakes and lagoons. They have also a farinaceous root which grows abundantly on the marshes; it is very nutritious, and quite as palatable as the best potatoes. It can be got in any quan- tities, but it is hard work digging it up, therefore it is not often procured. The fibre of this root they make into fishing lines and nets ; it is very strong, and lasts very long in the water without rotting. They make duck nets’ of this fibre also, fifty or sixty yards in length, which they stretch across lagoons about three feet from the water, placing themselves at intervals along the lagoon on each side in the trees, wait- ing until the ducks are put to fight by some one sent for that purpose. As soon as the ducks come wheeling along the lagoon, the natives in the trees imitate the whistle of a hawk, which makes the ducks in fear fly close to the water, and so-into the net. Sometimes they catch as many as three dozen at one time in this manner, without a single mesh breaking. Their dialects are not known to philologists, nor is it pos- sible to obtain a correct knowledge of them, in consequence of the multifarious pr onunciations and accentuations used. Their dialects are very meagre and limited ; for example, their numerals are confined to two alone, viz., politi, rywp, the former signifying two, and the latter one. To express five, they say ryuwp murnangin, or one hand, and to express ten, politi murnangin, or two hands. In speaking of a large number, such as fifty, they say col col, and if of a very great number, such as-a flock of sheep, they say kirtowel, or countless. They do not possess any powers of comparison whatever ; if asked which of two things is the best, such as flour and sugar, they will reply “twofellow.” Hereunder are a few of their proper names :— Milloo, the Murray, or other large river. Pannoomilloo, small river. Bamawur, a creek. Pannoo Bamawur, small creek. Hayannie, water. Wanuyp, fire. Nowve, the sun. a IY 16 Lower Murray Aborigines. Mitiam, the moon. Toort, a star. Kooran Hayanwie, a large water-hole, or lake. Their pronouns are identical, whether relative to persons or things, masculine orfeminine gender. Thus Wanthy, for instance, means he, she, it, him, that, their; other pronouns are used in the same manner. Their adjectives are used much the same as in English. Thus (talko) good, is frequently used alone, the noun being understood. ‘The other adjectives are applied in the same manner. Their verbs are very impertect. For example— Callo yetty wirwy, I went. Callo mitha yetty.wirwy, I went a long time ago. Yetty wirwy, I go, or am going. Datty yetty wirwy, I will go. Berha yetty wirwy, 1 will go to-morrow. Urgin berha yetty wirwy, I will go the day after to- morrow. These examples are only applicable to the Watty Watty tribe; all the other dialects, however, are just as meagre, and similarly constructed: The dialect spoken by the Lake Boga tribe is not under- stood by the members of the Moornpal one, but there are one or two men in each tribe who speak and can understand all the dialects. ‘These men are termed gualla wattow, sig- nifying postmen. They can travel with impunity from one hostile tribe to another, as their persons are deemed sacred. They carry news with amazing rapidity, and conduct all kinds of negotiations in the way of barter, and as one tribe possesses what another tribe lacks, it gives these postmen plenty of travelling ; from their continual intercourse with other tribes, they are much more enlightened than the gene- rality of the natives, and are therefore deemed by their ._ respective tribes as oracles and authorities, who may not be doubted or disputed with. There are no ceremonies connected with their marriages, | and polygamy is permitted to any extent. In taking wives, they pay great respect to consanguinity. They carry this so far that they will not even take a cousin to wife. This custom, however, does not hold good in their sexual inter- course, as incest is of very frequent occurrence. Chastity is quite ‘unknown amongst them, and not cared for, This Lower Murray Aborigines. 17 state of things is induced by the elders (men and women), recounting lewd tales and traditions by their camp fires, and by their promiscuous manner of sleeping, and huddling together in their rude gunyaas. No man can get a wife unless he has a sister or female ward to give in exchange, and in too many instances the father of a grown up son will (instead of allowing the son to have his sister to exchange for a wife) exchange his daughter for a young wife for himself, although, perhaps, he may have two or three wives already, and no one has a right to say anything against it. The elders of a tribe will not let the young men go to other tribes to steal wives, as that would entail a feud, and probably an onslaught to recover the abducted wife or wives, when perhaps many lives would be lost ; thus, therefore, a poor fellow who has no female rela- tive under his contro], must perforce live all his life a bachelor, and the worst part of it is, that he is perfectly aware of it from his earliest years. Sometimes two brothers-in-law will quarrel, when the first thing they do (if it become serious) is to take each his respec- tive sister away from the other, although they may each have babies, and exchange them away with some one else. Quarrels of this kind very often arise, and this summary method of settlement is deemed perfectly just. The children receive no education ; as soon as they can run about, they are allowed to do whatever they please, without reference to any one; their parents have not the slightest control over them. They have no system of teaching patience, endurance of pain, or privation; in fact, the children and adults. are woefully deficient in everything good or virtuous. The sports of the children are merely the occupations of their riper years in miniature. They arrive at puberty about the age of thirteen ; girls of that age are oftentimes mothers. An instance of twins being born is unknown. When a woman becomes a widow, she falls back to her father or brother, as the case may be, and if not too old, she is exchanged for a young wife the first convenient oppor- tunity. The woman’s feelings are never studied in matri- monial proceedings. They cook their food by means of red hot clay placed over the bottom and round the sides of a hole prepared for that purpose. Over the hot clay they place a thin layer of damp C 18 Lower Murray Aborigines. grass, upon which they lay the joint to be cooked, covering it over also with damp grass, upon which more hot clay is placed, the whole is then carefully covered over with sand. It is a very perfect method, and can be made large enough to roast an ox, or small enough to cook an opossum. They have no exhilarating drinks, but when half civilised, become very fond of European ones. They have very little capacity for lengthened physical exertion. This may probably arise from a want of energy, rather than from lack of thews and sinews; be that as it may, an average Englishman will tire the natives one after the other, when physical exertion is requisite. The males and females have no distinguishing dress; the only dress is the opossum rug, which is worn in many in- stances very becomingly across the shoulders with one arm out. They do not possess any holiday costume, for the sim- ple reason that they have no particular holidays. They make necklaces of reedsand crayfish legs, which they wear round the neck ; this, with the reed through the middle cartilage of the nose, and an occasional crimson band round the brow, are the only ornaments they care about. Of course, this is speaking of them in their natural state; of late years they have adopted many of the customs and habits of Europeans. They have great gatherings during the summer for wrest- ling Gn which exercise they excel), and corroberee dances, to both of which they are very partial. The dances and songs are generally of a lewd nature, the latter consisting of two or three lines continuously repeated to a tune, the time of which they keep admirably ; the former is only a series of grotesque hops and lewd postures, all however in excellent time. They have not any idea of games of chance or gambling, although prone to imbibe the other vicious habits of the Europeans, with whom they come in contact. They have no religion, but believe in a Good Spirit, who, if in good humour, looks down upon their nets and fishing lines with a favourable eye, and the consequence is a great haul.- They have no ceremonies for propitiating the favour of this Spirit, his good or bad humour being dependent entirely upon his good or bad health. His name is Gnawdenoorte. : They have an idea of an Evil Spirit also whom they call Gnambacootehela ; they are very much afraid of him in the dark, and impute all their ill luck to his influence. If a turkey’s nest has been scratched out by a wild dog, or a swan’s Lower Murray Aborigines. 19 nest been robbed by a crow, in each case the evil spirit in question is blamed. They go so far as to pretend to show the spirit’s tracks, when there is nothing to show, unless perhaps some slight depressions of gigantic size, attri- butable to the action of water, or other natural agent ; if laughed at for their absurdity, they become very cross, and ask how a white man can understand black fellow’s affairs better than a black fellow. They speak of a Water Spirit as well, whose presence is death to the beholder, unless he be one of the initiated, two or three of whom are to be found in each tribe. The initiated are termed Bungals, signifying doctors; occasionally these learned men disappear for two or three days together, and come back with bleared eyes and humid garments, and tell extraordinary stories of the wonders they beheld in the water spirit’s domicile in the bottom of the river, and the simple natives give perfect credence to every thing told them, no matter how gross or glaring the falsehoods may be. The only thing in the shape of magic found amongst them is the power they imagine themselves to possess, of making any one member of a hostile tribe sick, and more sick until he dies. Their method of proceeding is this: if they can procure any of the remains of a piece of meat from which the person they wish to kill has eaten (such as bones), they col- lect them carefully together, and wrap them tightly round with native twine, and then smear the whole over with fat. After this is completed, if they wish to kill the person at once, they kindle a fire, upon which they place the bones, and whilst the bones are being consumed, they chant some very monotonous incantation continuously, until the bones are reduced to ashes, and then scatter the ashes to the four winds and the person is dead. If they wish to prolong the sufferings of their foe, they merely burn a small portion of the bones every night, chant- ing the incantation during the process, and if it takes a month or two to complete the destruction of the bones, so long will the victim’s torture last. They attribute all deaths and sickness amongst them to this cause, and nothing will persuade them to the contrary. Ifa white man asks them to practise so on him, they will laugh at the seeming absurdity of the idea, and say, “O too much fear white fellow.” Whether we are to infer that their magic would be of no avail on a white man, or whether they are in too much terror of the law to put it in practice, it is difficult to say. C2 20 Lower Murray Aborigines. _ They are a very short-lived people, being old and grey at twenty-five or thirty. Very few of the women live so long, being generally worn out by disease and drudgery before they have even arrived at the former of these ages. The sick are very carefully attended, more especially the males, who having no contagious diseases, their friends have no fear of contracting sickness from contact with them. They practice bleeding very largely, upon the cupping system, for many of their distempers. Their method is this: they scarify the part from which they wish to take the blood, and suck the place, until they have taken what they think sufficient. This practice 1s very effectual in the removal of headaches, from which they suffer very much. For pulmonary affections and rheumatism, they make use of the vapour baths. This they construct after the fashion of their ovens, and the patient is walled up much in the same manner as a joint about to be cooked. ‘They receive great benefit from this system, but only make use of it in extreme cases, as it takes a great deal of trouble and toil to prepare it. They wrap their dead in rugs, and bury them four or five feet deep, in every instance with the feet to the east; all the clothes and property of the deceased are buried with him. If a person of weight or consideration in the tribe, they build a neat hut over his grave, and cover it with bark or thatch, and strew the grave, or floor of the hut, with grass from time to time. ‘The grave is enclosed by a fence formed in a diamond shape, the grave being in the very middle. Inside of the fence they keep quite free from weeds, and have it swept perfectly clean. This they continue for about two years. After that time the tomb 1s allowed to fall into decay, until in the course of a few years the very site of it is forgotten. If a woman, or person of little note dies, they merely cover them up in some soft sandhill out of their sight, and there is no more about them. Their dogs often scratch them up, and feast upon the bodies. Of this the natives only make fun, deeming it a fine subject upon which to display their wit. After a person dies, his name is never mentioned by any chance. If they wish to speak of bim at all, which is very rare indeed, they do so by saying such a one (a cousin of the deceased perhaps), is a “ poor fellow ;” more than this they cannot be got to say on the subject. Lower Murray Aborigines. 21 If by chance any one of the tribe to which the deceased be- longed bears the same name, he immediately adopts another, and his original one is forgotten. When they die they imagine that they become birds or beasts, and inhabit the localities they used to frequent prior to death. Their huts are merely sheds thrown up against the wind, consisting of bark or reeds, if the weather be wet, and of a few boughs only if fine. An assemblage of their huts might be called a village, but they are erected without any refer- ence to order, and according to the whim of the intending occupant. They have no monuments in commemoration of particular events, nor have they any works of art beyond their imple- ments of war or chase. The chiefs have very limited powers; the chieftainship goes by seniority, 7. ¢., the oldest man in the tribe is gene- rally deemed the head thereof. They are not divided into clans, castes, or grades, but live on a perfect footing of equality. They have no existing laws; the strong occasionally steals from the weak, and laughs at the victim if he remonstrates with them. Generally, however, they are very honest amongst themselves. They do not possess any courts of law, nor have they any judges. The only trials they ever have are for murder, and then the culprit has to stand up as a target to be speared at for about twenty minutes. If he escape, as is usually the case, he is received upon the same footing as prior to the commission of the crime, and he is thought just as much of. They never keep any prisoners, as no offence is deemed worthy of punishment except murder, and then the ordeal follows immediately on the commission of the crime. They have the most vague ideas of geography. They imagine the earth to be one immense plain, with here and there a river, creek, mountain, and hill, and that the Murray is the largest, deepest, and sweetest water on it, and that it has no end, and runs for ever. They think there is a new sun every day, and that it is a. large fire, being weak in the morning when it is newly kindled, and becoming hotter towards noon, as it spreads, then gradually becoming less powerful towards evening, until it goes out entirely when it is night. With regard to the moon, they think it lasts thirty nights, 22 Lower Murray Aborigines. and is composed of some shiny substance. They account for this by saying it gives no warmth like the sun; they com- pare it to an opossum rug in this way. When a native begins to make a rug, as soon as he has procured a few skins, he sews them together, and wears them on some part of his person, going on adding to it daily, but wearing it all the time, until at last it becomes a finished rug. After this, of course, it gradually begins to fray at the edges, until, like the moon, it is worn out ; then they commence a new one in the same way. They have tales and legends about nearly every planet in the heavens, but it would lengthen this paper too much to transcribe them here. : They make canoes from the bark of the red gum ; they generally select a tree with a bend in it for this purpose, as that saves them a great many hours work in the manufac- ture of their tmy craft; because if they use the bark of a straight stem they have to give it the necessary curve at each end by means of fire. They use these frail vessels very dexterously in the pursuit of fish, which they spear with the paddle, which has hooked grains at one end made of kan- garoo leg bones. They also chase swans and other aquatic birds during the moulting season, and capture canoe loads of them. Hach male adult is the proprietor of a canoe, and he values it more than any other thing he possesses. The only domestic animal they have is the native dog ; they use these animals for hunting, and for food in the winter time, when game is scarce, and the winter bois- terous. They have no set terms for declaring war; their only mode of warfare is to creep into the camp of their foe, and when all are hushed in sleep, slay all who cannot get away, irrespective of age or sex. After the mélée they cut off the limbs of their victims, and carry them home in triumph, re- counting all sorts of grandiloquent stories (as to the prowess displayed during the fight) whilst feasting on the flesh of their poor victims. | They have no method of commemorating victories, nor do they possess any poems of a. national character, but they have some oral traditions of their origin. Infanticide is often practised, and meals are too often made by mothers of their own offspring. This practice is attributable to laziness principally, for if a mother has two Lower Murray Aborigines. 23 children, one two years old, and the other just born, she is sure to destroy the youngest. In the traditions respecting their origin, they say that they were all birds and beasts, and that there was no sun, but darkness dwelt upon the land; but a quarrel arising between an emu and a native companion, the latter threw an ege of the former up to the sky, when it broke on a pile of wood seemly prepared for that purpose by the Good Spirit (Gnawderoot) when the concussion produced fire, and the earth was flooded with light, and the Good Spirit saw that it was an improvement upon the darkness, therefore he has continued to light it up every morning since that time. Im- mediately upon the sun making his first appearance, those of the birds and beasts who had been good, and had striven to assist their fellows when in trouble, and looked after their food, without reference to what their neighbours fed upon, were at once converted into blackfellows, and had their ancient fellows, who had been grumblers, given to them to prey upon. This is one of the two only instances of rewards and punishments for good and bad conduct on record. The other one is in the use of a wicked old bustard, who lived before the sun shone on the earth, and who used to kill and feed upon his own species, dwelling upon the margin-of a nice plain, where delicious yams grew in abundance, and to which plain bustards used to come from all quarters to feed - upon the milky roots. This wicked old wretch would watch with impatience in the glowing afternoons until an unwary young bustard would single out from his fellows, to have his siesta under some shady qundong tree, away from the tur- moil and noise of the crowd, when he would never again wake, but to find the death-grip of the ogre on his throat. This ruthless old vagabond had continued this sort of thing as long as the most ancient bustard could remember, but it had now arrived at such a pitch that the bustard people were everlastingly in mourning for their lost ones, and nothing was heard but wailing in every corner of Bustardy. At last two young bustards who had travelled in strange lands, and lived amongst extraordinary beasts, returned home just when the bustards were at their wit’s end, and seriously thinking of making a general exodus to other countries, where they might feed in peace. On learning the cause of all this wailing and misery, these two smart young travellers laid their wise heads together to devise some means of ridding the nation of this terrible pest. Hitting 24, | Dry Rot. upon this plan, they were to get, if possible, on to the great yam plains unperceived by the wicked old bird. One was to hide in the tall yam stalks, and the other was to pretend to feed, and afterwards to sleep, and when the old beast came to procure his disgusting meal, at a preconcerted signal they were to fall upon him and slay him, and so rid Bustardy for ever of the worst monster that ever lived. All of this they succeded in carrying out effectually, and when bemg feasted and caressed by the whole Bustard nation who had congregated to do honour to those gallant young slayers of the hideous monster, they suddenly soared away in curling whirls, higher and higher, until they reached the sky, and became the two stars that always point to the southern cross. The consternation and grief of the poor bustards was immense, when they saw their two deliverers soaring away towards the heavens, but when they saw them fixed as stars, they danced with joy, saying the earth was not good enough for them, and that they were better rewarded for the great good they had done on earth, by being made two such bril- hant stars, than if all the bustards in the world had given them everything they possessed ; and these two beautiful stars can easily see from their glorious position, how everlastingly grateful all the Bustard people are, and will be; and gratitude is to them as the fragrance of the myall is to the nostrils of the yam feeding bustards. i Art. VIIL—On Dry Rot. By Tuomas 8S. RALPH, Esq., M.R.CS., &e. [Abstract of paper, the original read 30th September, 1861.] The various kinds of fungus were shown, interlaced with the woody fibre. The rot might take place externally in timber, in damp and dark places; yet it was commonly found in such a position as left no room to doubt that it must have grown up inside the tree before it was cut down. The remarks were chiefly in reference to pines, but Mr. Ralph stated his intention of prosecuting his researches on the same subject in connection with the woods of this country ; 25 Art. IX.—On the Bones of a New Gigantic Marsupial. By Proressor M‘Coy. [Abstract, the original read 30th September, 1861.] The original paper delivered to the Society has been lost. The paper gave a detailed description of the lower jaw, with the whole of the molar and incisor teeth in place, of a new species of Diprotodon, found in sinking a well near Colac, and of some of the bones of the extremities, and of some upper incisors, found at Back Creek, and the distal end of a humerus from Mount Macedon, which the Hon. Dr. Greeves had deposited, on the part of the Mechanics’ Institute, in the Melbourne National Museum. The new Victorian Diprotodon longiceps (M‘Coy) is nearly as large as the great D. Australis of New South Wales; but is distinguished from all known species by the greater length and narrowness of all the teeth, giving a much more slender elongate form to the head. The analogies of the various parts exhibited were demonstrated with corresponding parts of the Native Bear (Phascolarctos), and the Wombat (Phas- colomys), between which the animal was shown to stand in structure. It was shown that as the creature, according to the indications of the fossils, was phytivorous, most probably feeding on leaves of trees, and at the same time was at least twelve times the linear dimensions of a Wombat (or as large in the body as a Ahinoceros), it could not climb trees like the Native Bear or Sloth, but probably tore down the forest trees by sheer strength of limb, like the extinct Megatherium of the South American deposits of the same age, and then browsed on the tender twigs and leaves. The gigantic size rendered it impossible for the Diprotodon to burrow like the Wombat. 26 Art. X.—On the Structure of the Plants Nitella and Chara. By Tuomas 8. Rapa, Esq., M_B.CS., &e. [Abstract of paper, original read 11th November, 1861-] Mr. Ralph summarised the observations of others on the life and history of these plants, with a view to direct atten- tion to their further study by microscopists, to whom they afforded excellent opportunities for studying many important vegetable phenomena. The paper was arranged under three heads: 1st. The structure of the globule and nucule, or re- productive parts of the plant; 2nd. The structure of the stem and rootlets, and the circulation therein displayed ; 3rd. The nature of the animalculze which were developed in connection with these plants. He stated that the principal points to be attended to in the study of these plants, was to direct special attention to the cir- culation in the rootlets, and their mode of developing new cells, and that, in order to do this, it was needful to grow them, as he had been in the habit of doing, in small water cells, so that the changes exhibited in the growing parts might be readily noted. The other poimt was, to carry on still further the investigations of the growth of animalculze in connection with these plants, a subject which had only recently been brought under the notice of students of Natural History. Art. XIl.—Remarks on a Filamentous Material, Grown upon the Plant “Cryptostemma Calendulaceum,’ be- leived to be suitable for Manufacturing Purposes. By Henry H. Hayter, Esq. [Read 11th November, 1861.] I have here a sample of a fibrous substance I gathered in the Royal Park, from a plant which is very abundant in that locality, and which is also extremely common in most of the reserves and open spaces of ground in and around Melbourne. It bears a yellow flower, the appearance of which is doubtless well known to most of you. I produce a specimen of the plant which I picked from the reserve in which the hall of this Society stands. I have ascertained from the Government Botanist that the name Coal Seams near Stony Creek. 27 ad of this plant is the Cryptostemma Calendulaceum, that it is an annual, making its appearance in the spring of the year, and, that although it has now become so common, it is not indigenous to. Victoria, but was brought originally from the Cape of Good Hope. Since its introduction, however, it has spread very rapidly, and is now gradually working its way into the interior, where it is much disliked, as it forms only indifferent pasture for animals, and when it dies away, which it does during the summer months, it leaves the country quite bare, and almost as black as if it had been passed over by a bush fire. The substance which I am introducing to your notice grows upon the seeds of this plant, which seeds it would be necessary to remove by machinery before it could be made available for manufac- turing purposes. The fibre is rather short in staple, but as it is of a curly nature I believe that its want of length would not be detrimental to its uses, especially as, although very fine, it is also exceedingly tough. J have been informed by a hatter in Melbourne that it would form a good material for the manufacture of felt hats, and I have very little doubt that it could also be converted into textile fabrics and paper. I should like very much to see it turned to useful account, as its collection would give employment to numbers of children as well as to aged and infirm people, a descrip- tion of labour which now finds very little occupation in the colony. With this view I have therefore sent a parcel of it to the Exhibition in order that it may be experimented upon in Europe, and I now bring it to the notice of the Royal Society. Arr. XIL—On the Coal Seams near Stony Creek (junction of Singleton and Wollombi roads), West Maitland dis- trict, New South Wales. By Rey. W. B. CLARKE, M.A, F.G.S., &c. [Read 23rd December, 1861.] The position of coal-seams at this locality has been urged by me on various occasions, and in a preceding paper, on the Geological Relations of the Maranoa District (Queens- land), as proving the greater antiquity of the genera Glossopteris, Phyllotheca, &c., than is usually assigned to them. 28 Coal Seams near Stony Creek. The recent railway-cuttings from Maitland to the back of Harpur’s Hill, and to Singleton, have afforded good oppor- tunities for testing the character of the formation in which the seams are situated. West Maitland Station is 16 feet above the sea; Lochinvar Station, 200; and, according to my measurement, Harpur’s Hill is 385 feet above the sea, the highest level in the cuttings between them being 300 feet. To the Wollombi- road Station the distance from West Maitland is 2 miles, and from the Lochinvar Station 44 miles. This line occurs on the south side of the hill in which the coal-pits have been sunk, and at the distance of half a mile. On the north side, the main road from Maitland to Harpur’s Hill meets the road from Stony Creek, the former nearly parallel with the railway line, and the latter transverse to it. The summit of the hill is about 160 feet above the sea, the slopes falling gradually to Maitland and to Stony Creek. From West Maitland and 2 miles further (Hast Maitland), to about 24 miles towards Lochinvar, the whole country is occupied by a succession of beds of sandstone, grit, and cal- careous concretionary rock, full of fossils of Paleozoic age, such as Spirifers, Producti, Conularie, Orthoceratites, Asteriade, Pachydom, Eurydesme, Fenestelle, Bellerophon, &c., which are exposed in the cuttings, and in quarries, and on surface blocks. They all dip more or less to points between KE. and 8.8.E., but where the rock is highly concretionary and nodular there is an apparent divergence or meeting of dips, where two concretionary nodular masses come together : and in such case, the surface dip may be towards N.E. This is the case in the lower part of Stony Creek, which has a short course between such masses. But in the railway line the beds covering the more solid portions dip persistently in the same direction. At the point indicated above, these beds begin to be troubled by infusions of amygdaloidal trap, or by basalt, and thence to Harpur’s Hill, the igneous and sedimentary rocks irregularly alternate, Harpur’s Hill itself consisting of concretionary masses and beds partially derived from igneous matter, and containing fossils of the same Paleozoic forma- tion, which Professor M‘Coy. has long ago determined to be at the base of the “ Lower Carboniferous” formation of Ire- land. The strike of the main axis of the intrusive dyke of Trap, and of the minor dykes that cut through the sedi- mentary deposits, is from N.W. toS.E. On the N.W. side Coal Seams near Stony Creek. 29 of Harpur’s Hill, the dip of the beds is reversed, and falls in that direction towards Black Creek, similar phenomena exhibiting themselves in the structure and texture of the deposits, in the association of Paleeozoic fossils with silicified wood, patches of coal, detritus of granite, porphyry, lydian- stone, &e., on the surface, which have been derived from the disintegration of out-cropping fossiliferous conglomerates and sandstones, the latter of which are partly a péperino or “ash.” In the railway cuttings, the trap is seen to have been partially contemporaneous with the sedimentary deposits, and partially of later date, as is the case in the Illawarra District. At the axis of the anticlinal, the trap is found in rounded boulders on the edges of the outburst, in the midst of the fossiliferous rocks. The diagram (No. 1) represents a section on the north side of Harpur’s Hill) No. 2 gives the horizontal section from Maitland to Anvil Creek, in which the coal- seams of Stony Creek, and of the falls to Black Creek, are shown in reverse order, proving that they really belong to the succession of the beds in which they occur. The Trap which thus forms an anticlinal is a spur belonging to Duguid’s Hill, a little to the southward of Harpur’s Hill, and it breaks out in that direction at the head of Black Creek, and is probably the cause of the divergent drainages from the great bend of the Hunter to the parallel of 33°S. By reference to Mitchell’s map of the colony in 1854, the state of the case will be understood. .The Myall Range along the 33rd parallel, and the country north of it to the Hunter, including Ellalong and Tomulpin Hill, and some part of Wallis Creek up to Maitland, consists of the Palee- ozoic fossiliferous formation. The Sugar Loaf and Buttai Ranges, with the mountamous ground to the south of the Myall, including the ranges to Broken Back, consist of beds above that formation. On Mulberring Creek, over the fossiliferous beds, coal occurs; in the Buttai Range the sandstones, &c., abound with glossopteris and other plants.) The Watagon and Broken Back-country consists of Hawkesbury rocks, and the summit of Warrawolong is of trap, resting on the latter.* On the north side of the Hunter, the Paleozoic fossiliferous rocks rest on porphyry, which exhibits itself in massive * T was upon it in 1843, but then had no barometer with me. It is not lower than 2,000 ft. 30 Coal Seams near Stony Creek. hills at intervals from Port Stephen’s Heads to the 151st meridian. Near the junction of the William’s River with the Hunter (where porphyry enters largely into the formation of the pebbles in the fossiliferous conglomerate of Muree), and along the Myall the dip is south-easterly, at about the same angle, 16°, as at Stony Creek coal-pits. Eastward of the Buttai Range, and so to Newcastle, the coal basin of the latter locality occupies the country, seams cropping out at ies as far as Waburg Head and Tuggerah, in the coast elifts. It will be seen from. the above topographical account, that about Maitland, the Four-mile Creek, and Greenhill, coal seams of the Newcastle basin are separated from the Stony Creek coal by the Paleozoic fossiliferous beds, that ascend from the sea level at Maitland to the height of nearly 400 ft. in the line of section No. 2. The* consideration of all these facts will show the im- portance of that section. But, although for nearly twenty years I have been working out the details of the country in question, and have long been acquainted with all the local phenomena, I have not had so valuable a comment on them as has been afforded by the railway cuttings and the coal- pits near Stony Creek. The section (No. 2) shows a depression above the coal. This represents a small gully excavated by atmospheric waters in the outcrop of the softer beds. The proprietor (the Hon. Bowen Russell, M-L.C.), having given directions to form a garden in that hollow, found traces of coal, and very judiciously put down a shaft to the dip of the outcrop so accidentally discovered. He has since made a second shaft a little to the S.E. of the former, but owing to water it is not now wrought. The beds passed through in the new ~ pit (Pit B), above those with which Pit A begins, are repre- sented in section No. 2 in the stratigraphical order, and the continuation of that pit is carried on past the beds in which Pit B ends. As the beds were the same in each below Bed 4, this is the most convenient mode of representing the series. At the time of my last visit, I found experimentally that there was 40 feet of waterin Pit B. Water became very troublesome at the fifth bed of that pit. ’ There seems to be some occasional irregularity in the beds; but the dip given in the section is the mean dip from 16° to 20°. The size of the shaft is 10 ft. 6m. in diameter. Coal Seam near Stony Creek. 31 The depth of Pit A is 208 ft., and of Pit B 190 ft. 7in.: the whole section, including the lowest boring, being 289 ft. The coal is partly cannel, partly splint, and soft coal. They appear to be about equal in gas; the cannel burns to a white ash, the others toa brownash. The specific gravity of the large seam I make 1:281. The coal in the corresponding seam on the N.W. side of the anticlinal is nearly the same. The coal is worked on the dip for about 30 yards, and it is sold at the pit’s mouth at eleven shillings per ton. The extension of these seams to any great depth is limited in all probability by a band of porphyritic trap, that ranges from Maitland in a southern direction. But with the dip of 16°, if persistent, it ought to be struck at a depth of 500 fathoms below West Maitland. Pr obably, however it does not attain such an extension, if the supporting porphyry base has a gentle acclivity. The deepest coal reached in the Newcastle basin, is, at present, under 500 ft. below the sea level. In reference to some of the peculiarities relating to these coal fields, I may refer to the evidence I gave before the Legislative Council of New South Wales in the year 1847, a copy of which I forward with this memoir.* Mr. Keene, Inspector of Coal Fields, has been very dili- gent in his observations, and probably possesses details of some minuteness respecting the locality in question. I doubt not he will confirm all the main features reported by me. Bs to the depth of the Newcastle field, had a recommen- dation made by me to the Government in 1856 been attended to, the bottom of that basin would probably have been ascertained ; as it is, we only know that the beds are very irregular, thinning and thickening out, and that there are, perhaps, seams yet deeper.than ‘any yet reached. * Report on Coal Inquiry, 16th September, 1847, pp.6, 7. Iwish to remark that I now refer to this evidence only in connection with the stratigraphical and not with the palgontological facts. 32 Art. XIV.—On the Carboniferous and other Geological Relations of the Maranoa District in Queensland in Reference to a Discovery of Zoological Fossils in Wol- lombilla Creek and Stoney Creek, West Maitland. By Rev. W. B. CLARKE, M.A., F.G.S., &c. [Read 39th December, 1861] In the admirable inaugural address delivered by His Excellency, the President of the Royal Society of Victoria, at the beginning of the present year, some remarks were made respecting the probable future discovery of further evidence of the existence of true Secondary or Mesozoic formations in Australia. The existence of the middle division of those formations, as supposed to be exemplified by the coal measures of New South Wales, has been disputed by me, and that upon grounds which have already, in part, been laid before this Society, and in publications of other kinds. Strictly speaking, the existence of Mesozoic formations has not been disputed by me; all that my proposition amounts to is the denial that the coal beds of New South Wales are Oolitic, and that up toa certain date (August, 1860), no one had detected a jurassic fossil in any part of Australia.* Sir Henry Barkly, m dealing with this state- ment, pointed out that sence zt was made, certain fossils had been discovered at Bellerine (which might be either Oolitic or Triassic), viz., species of Zamites, and that subsequently Mesozoic Unios had been detected at Portland Bay coal- fields. Well established facts of sach kinds must have their due weight ; but whilst they bear upon a general declaration as to the non-detection of fossils of Mesozoic age up to a certain period, they leave the particular facts relating to the coal- fields of New South Wales untouched. The correlation of those coal-fields with certain alleged Oolitic coal-fields of Europe, India, and America, has, how- ever, lately received some discouragement from the results of examinations undertaken by competent Paleeontologists. And—as appears in the number of the Quarterly Journal of the Geographical Society of London, published in August, * Southern Gold-fields, p. 252. L To accompany Mi? Clarkes paper on Coal seams at Stony Creek. N.S. U7 SECTION FROM SEALEVEL AT MAITLAND TO ANVIL CREEK EXHIBITING THE POSIFlON OF COAL SEAMS BEDDED WITH PALAEOZOIC ROCKS LENGTH /3 Mites. VerTicae SCaLe 364 fF roan [cH | | W.B. | E. | apne ft W. 1 GIsE | Lechirar ange S36 FE 7 = 2 g Surtacectay x cklusiur ny 0 ints NS Fi / West Maitland 5 /6F. Sarrdstones and Guts jk — Nodular congetionar Basalt and anyodaloidiue lirnpe striftz, Upper beds of Greets) poperetionar “, x Z PSs. Lil a FALE OC LOSSES -00 9" lessililerous eae ort. ke MW pepe OOD Ge @ ahs ar salhs Core te h Be aes Tepes ee LN SUEDE SIL cul Urcugh in weil 08 F Sandstone xe ab lidinvar Searietary 1h 4 Till of fossils. Ie toss\Wikerous sandstone Coal. Ber eh creek Bull of them. q sarhing These beds ‘ bluish yey with Benestelive | be Bawbway cutting a 300 reerabove sea tender bed of voliare aN, suppeciiated (ie west of this, diy avain reversed. (o LSE on Gee: ees ee | (arented Feliles ced boulders bwmyyaadee CVLOS SUMP CUS Coyloherate Phricthece J OL Gy z Naitla. A ec Y - f ~ Livyerdarra Cs, by atin bebween i anak Mach Creek, the beas teiag Broken wy long the (xis preat disturbances arbth wed th Che ctettz705.) Other coal Seains octlt' on Black Creek, Sinyligpe leech Maren aure << under SFL? UP ALPS LAPLCES. MW. To vecompirny M. “Clarkes paper on Cowl Liedds al Stony Creek «NST COAL PITS AT STONY CREEK N.S. WALES,NEAR WEST MAITLAND, State dsteer ro ONE IncH. i DypE ey 8 ———__ Pit begins | —— | | 2 Reddish surhace Clay 2 Ferrpinous Clay. | : | | Grey gritand enelomaate quarts perp hus reaestare cena sccpry cline muuldy cand Maecconsistincy ViaIae Full of Spraber s Lens lie, COMMA UE CrMOCEL AS, | 9 Aslendne with bands af Shade wilh Cyeloptiris Foss wrod and patches a coal | wrilersprersed ix the conglonurale | | | | | | | Sarne as abort, but with more Shale vite miaed wlll, the pebbles (iy distinc | 4 and associated with coal pupees aN Le5SUS Pita begizs | Yetiowtse rey grit with large sjilis Finestellae Inorerarne Corciariae & | 5 Passing to prey pri and conglomerate like those ol Nuweasie, patches of Cadca ous rock wih Ertomestraca anrapebbles. ab (00fiet tossilwood ana wat- at 02 Lee water where the-rock becomes w browrash white ue / aT A 6 Conglomratewlinrigiable 77 ~| Shears wore tre light blue shuarie, aridst tb ard a leer Felten soft deconye coalpupes, shale sieg conploriaraty of a presish Fe the AS wood and renstore. Shatt obliged to be tir 7 lary hurd tae conglomerate uh wabjupes, passiiiy li grit Coarse conglomerate with pebbles A tinty rock ead unrdled traces of sonastone. x 10 Wittowith will rounded pebbles: silly llervescat, 2 Coal seam Sheet 7s §.6 128), charcoal AC yuleris, chaehly cond coat Shale or dod, twolil Guichen Ld thai Pil B bern leaves and slater aburulant 13 Bright solt coal veauced lod Lie Sb A. While dod Sandy Qed and sandy shale Carued coat ees te splint Top oavorhing sare tn HLH Stoidslene tend reduced lo tio bee wu lit Coad 7 19 Blue cod: ov Lied Lb Glossopleris, Phujllotheax wud leaves? Noeggerathia Lib ends 20 Voy hard conglomerate 2l Tronstene band 22 Conglomerate 23. Coal 24 Blue cod, fidl large Classypleris leaves we sarne as be WI2 25 Boing. Fine conglomerate apa sod intomiaadl- continu lo dgsth if 50 Let iam) Maranoa District in Queensland. 33 1861—the tendency of present opinions is to remove the - alleged Oolitic coal to a lower horizon. Thus Sir C. Bunbury considers the Glossopteris and Phyllotheca beds of India as either Palzeozoic or Mesozoic, the “ question” being “an open one.” Mr. Hislop considers that these beds, to- gether with those of New South Wales, “ probably represent the Jurassic (or possibly the Triassic) period.” Professor Huxley, examining the reptilian remains of the Bengal coal- fields, pronounces them to have a connection with the reptiles of the African Karru beds Gn which Glossopteris occurs), and that the rocks in which these reptilian remains occur are probably “ 7riassic or perhaps of Permian age.”* Sir Charles Lyell has already surrendered the reputed “ Oolitic’ coal of Virginia to the Trias, and Dr. Oldham, in India, maintains, that the India and New South Wales coal is even older than that. Whilst then advocating my own view of the probable age of the coal-beds of New South Wales, from the fact, that the vegetable fossils, which are taken as the datum for the Oolitic age of the coal, have been traced into a position between rocks. assigned, from their distinctive zoological fossils, to be as low as the “base ” of the old “ Carboniferous system,’ I have not been indifferent to the opinions or determinations of others with respect to the younger period assigned by them to the disputed beds. Under the influence, therefore, of a hearty desire to co- operate in the endeavour to ascertain the truth of opinions, promulgated on one hand or the other, as affects the suc- cession of geologic epochs in Australia, I requested a friend, who is resident in the Maranoa district (now a portion of the new colony of Queensland), to search the rocks in his district, and to forward to me any fossils that he might discover, having been led to consider it likely that, under the wide-spread tertiary deposits of the plains westward of Darling Downs, if any where, traces of formations of Mesozoic age would be discovered. I was induced to look in that direction from circum- stances which it may be well to mention. On the return of the late Sir T. Mitchell from his survey of the head of the Victoria, and on the subsequent return of the late Mr. Kennedy, I had an opportunity of inspecting a few of the specimens collected by them, consisting chiefly of fossil © * Abstracts of Proceedings. No. 68. Session 1861-2. D 34 Geological Relations of the wood, and of some concretions of a peculiar kind, such as I had not seen in any part of the colonies traversed by myself.* After the publication of Sir T. Mitchell’s report, I found that he had placed on one of his charts the word “ Belemmite,” and as all his collections had been placed in the British Museum, I wrote to the Very Rev. Dr. Buckland to ask him to ascertain for me whether such a fossil had been sent from Australia. The silence of my friend was accounted for by his subsequent illness and death. I then renewed my request to Professor Owen, but to this hour I have not heard a syllable on the subject of the fossil in question, the geological age of which I was anxious to determine, and which I thought might have been an Orthoceratite. All the further light that I had been able to procure, respecting the formations between Darling Downs and the rivers diverging on the parallel of 25° S. and the country up to 24° S., centred on the conviction that a very extensive carboniferous forma- tion existed in that region, aud that in certain localities equivalents of the Newcastle coal beds existed, whilst the higher points of the formation were much more allied to what I have denominated the Wianamatta and Hawkesbury rocks.- There were also, 1t appeared to me, certain differ- ences for which, in absence of reliable knowledge, I could not account. I was in great doubt, in consequence, whether, besides rocks of Permian age, the existence of which I believed to be probable from some fossils I had received from the country between the river Claude and the “ Newcastie” coal-beds of the Mackenzie, and which is geologically, as I believed, above the latter, there might not be other beds of still more recent age. The investigations I had myself made along the Condamine proved to me that the coal of that region was higher in level than the Moreton Bay coal, or the coal seams of the Hunter River and Illawarra, and I also concluded that it belonged to a geologically higher portion of the series, inasmuch as, though bearing strong resemblance to some portion of the carboniferous series on the eastern side of the Cordillera, and containing fossils known therein, it did not exhibit those peculiar genera of plants which distinguish the beds of Newcastle and Illawarra, although some of the plants appeared to be identical. Thus, I did not find Gloss- * See Kennedy’s Diary, with notes by myself, Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, vol xxii. + See Southern Gold-fields, pp. 247-249. Maranoa District in Queensland. 35 opteris, Vertebraria or Phyllotheca, though Sphenopteris was abundant. I reported the existence of this coal-field and the resemblance of some of the beds to those of the Hawkesbury, in my Report, No. X. (14th October, 1853), to the Govern- ment of New South Wales.* It did not surprise me to find coal without Glossopteris in Darling Downs, since I knew of its existence in the Hawkes- bury rocks under similar circumstances. The researches of Mr. Gould, in Tasmania, have shown that coal exists, not only in beds allowed to be parallel with those of Newcastle, in New South Wales, but in the beds along the Mersey, which are the equivalent of those on the Hunter, considered to be on the horizon of the base of the old “Carboniferous system” of Ireland. And I was glad to find that Mr. Gould+ confirmed my own statements respect- ing the latter fact, made on the spot in 1860, considering, as I did, that the Mersey rocks were in the same position as those at Stony Creek, near West Maitland. I have since, and only by the last mail, learned that coal, in association with “‘ Carboniferous fossils,” has been detected in Western Australia; whilst, in another part of that colony, Ammonites and Trigonize have been found, and have been referred to “ probably the Cretaceous formation.” ¢ When there, my friend, Mr. W. P. Dawson, of Wollum- billa, on the Yaboo River, sent me a collection of fossils from the eastern part of the Maranoa district, and which I recognised as Mesozoic, though, at first, I considered them, from the occurrence of certain genera and other particulars, to be at the base of the Cretaceous system, and which I afterwards found to be incorrect. I saw at a glance that it was possible they might illustrate some portion of the series from the Wianamatta beds downwards, and knowing the deep interest which His Excellency takes in the subject, I reported them to him, and suggested that I should be willing and ready to forward them for the examination of Professor M‘Coy, to whom they were most appropriately submitted, considering the interest he also has in the question, and the fact that most of the previous palzeonto- logical determinations, on which a controversy hinged, had * Geology of Basin of the Condamine River. Blue Book, December 1854, _ p. 33, 34. T Report to Government of Tasmania. t Letters from Geological Society, June 1861. | D2 36 Geological Relations of the _ been made by himself. And, whatever be his determination as to the age of these fossils, I cannot but express my thanks publicly to him for undertaking the inspection of them. Should they eventually be found to occupy a position in any Wianamatta or Hawkesbury rocks, then, of course, an alteration must be made in that part of the series which I now consider to be persistent. But the fact still insisted on, that the genera, chiefly distinctive of the age of the New- castle coal, viz., Glossopteris, Phyllotheca, &c., are found in beds interpolated between those ranked with the base of the old “ Carboniferous system,” cannot be so disposed of. At the time of writing this, -being in ignorance of the epoch to which Professor M‘Coy eventually assigns the Wollumbilla fossils, I can add no more than that I believe them, from all the information I possess, to be above the horizon of the New South Wales coal along the coast. I have only been informed that he considers they are “ probably Triassic.” If so, I can understand their influence upon previous opinions, and shall be ready to arrange the coal-bearing rocks in con- sonance with such evidence as they may supply. The New South Wales series admits of certain divisions, which I have marked in my present arrangement, there can be no difficulty, therefore, on that head. And should further investigations, which I have done my best to institute, cause me to modify the views which I have hitherto entertained, in accordance with the fresh light now coming upon us, | shall be quite satisfied with having been the chief agent in the discovery of the data upon which much of the history of the Carboniferous rocks of Australia depends. Seeing, that in New Zealand Dr. Hochestetter discovered Permian fossils, and a formation which Viscount d’Archiac considers may be “Oxfordian,’* having also examined reptilian remains from that country, which appear to me to be as high up as the base of the Cretaceous system (viz., vertebree,+ which much resembled those of Plestosaurus pachyomus), and recollecting that Mr. Mantell had already determined the existence of Cretaceous rocks in the district from which the reptile comes; further, learning that in New Guinea} a portion of the Jurassic formation has been * Progres de la Géologie, Tom. VIII. + I forwarded a cast of these to the President at the time. { See “Contributions to the Knowledge of New Guinea.” By Dr. Solomon Miller. Journal Roy. Geogr. Soc., vol. xxviii., p. 268. 5 aed oo aa v — A ae Maranoa District in Queensland. 37 supposed to be detected, I shall have no difficulty in admitting, on sufficient evidence, the existence of any portion of the Mesozoic rocks in New Holland, whether upper, middle, or. lower. And although I have maintained with some earnestness certain opinions as to the age of the New South Wales coal-beds, and those, too, in accordance with similar opinions as strenuously maintained by other ob- servers; yet, if the evidence already possessed be over- weighed by fresh light, it will be no part of my philosophy to resist the force of it. I will now enter upon a few remarks relating to the district in which the Wollumbilla fossils were found, with some particulars of the physical features of the country. The districts, called Darling and Fitzroy Downs, lie to the westward of the meridional part of the Cordillera, and are at a higher level above the sea on the northern and eastern border than are the coal-bearing beds on the coast side. Thus, the profitable seams of the Illawarra range from the sea level to about 800 feet above it, whilst on the Hunter River country many are a long way below the sea level. On the Condamine and its feeders the level is from 1,300 to 1,600 feet. Thus, also, whilst on the eastern side of the Cordillera the escarpment is very steep and the workable coal lies generally at the base of the Hawkesbury rocks, which range above the sea along the coast to the height of 2,000 feet, on the western side, where the country at the base of the Cordillera gradually slopes away into the interior, the occurrence of the coal is ata height which is only attained by the Hawkes- bury rocks above Illawarra. In the small coal-seams of the Hawkesbury and Wiana- matta beds, the Glossopteris shales are wanting, as they are, so far as I know at present, in the Downs, where the plants are like those of the Wianamata beds. Over the coal-bearing beds of the latter districts, which are chiefly a Psammite or argillaceous flagstone, le the deep blacksoil of the plains (which appears to me to resemble the Regur of India), in which the remains of gigantic mar- supials, fishes, fragments of drift-gravel, fossil-wood, jasper, &c., abound. The Condamine river, which rises in the northern extremity of the granitic plateau of New England, runs first north and then west parallel with the range of the Cor- dillera, and is then joined by the Balonne River, which comes 38° Geological Relations of the from the corner of the curve, and the drainage of the - Cordillera flows in channels, between north and south ridges, to the united channel. A great part of the district is covered by dense scrubs, and only two main routes through it exist, one of which is described in the Diary of Dr. Leichardt, in 1847, which I published, with his original chart, in Waugh’s Sydney Almanac, in 1860. 7] | 7 |ms|msims\ms ope) © lassymss| s | s Rrezbcoe|2 lial hall S| s ass/mulocézpesz] 1 1a3s | | | | yp40 Poyy Wanas3) 3 |MsH#eZ oC} IC iil IB Oeeo! 2 o a inl epigtd wos [as aca oc | | omer epuyn Fuc.ng | over) 6x WN | MN [MN SFE |erezlpzLsnany ayraoentral tase] C98 — SMHVNIH SONIM uve |3iva = = = iS) < « = ou Qa & fs = 6 2 = 0 » IS z AS 2 12 4 a) S| BAS q |u| Z =S <| =| < Sai S lols | @ |e! * < > = a = | = a S28) o ° a a Ww o zs ° oF Coast and Lakes of Gipps Land. 93 vent by re-opening the old, and bursting through a new channel, about one third of a mile south-west of the old entrance, across the narrow spit of land which divides Reeves River from the sea. The subsequent persistent floods have kept both channels more or less open up to this time, but indications have for some time back been presented of the probable blocking up of the channel of the river connecting the two entrances, and also of the old entrance channel. 4. By reference to the accompanying plan, it will be seen that the Reeves River is divided from the sea throughout its length, by only a narrow strip of land, which, for a distance of upwards of a mile south of the last formed entrance, and rather more than two miles south-west of the high land, running inland from the bluff, at the north-east side of the entrance, consists of a low sand spit almost wholly without vegetation, and nowhere exceeding 500 feet in width, and rarely exceeding five feet in height above the surface of the tide waters ; in most instances however it is much narrower and lower. 5. Further to the south-west the dividing land rises into sand dunes, varying in height and width, and covered to a ereater or less extent with the vegetation common to the coast. 6. The lately formed entrance occupies nearly the same position on the coast as the one in existence seven years ago. During the above period the entrance gradually wore its way in the direction of the high bluff lands to the north- east, until it reached its present site, known as the old entrance. 7. The gradual shifting of the entrance, as above stated, during the past seven years is, in my opinion, tolerably con- clusive evidence of the existence of sand throughout the whole area of the sand spit between the two entrances, to a depth equal at least to that of the waters in the entrances, and may, I think, be also acceptable as evidence of the probable minimum depth of the sands forming the divide between the lake and river waters and the sea. 8. Anattempt was made, during my last visit, to ascertain the depth of the sands by boring within certain limits, but, after reaching the level of the surrounding waters, the sand became so quick that our imperfect apparatus was insufficient to lift the materials, or deepen the bore hole - 9. Owing to the recent visit of the Geological Surveyor to this locality, I will not do more than very briefly allude to ind 94 Coast and Lakes of Gipps Land. the general nature of the two more prominent features of the locality, namely, ‘“ Brait-putta,” known as “Jimmy’s Point,” and the “ Bluff” 10. “ Brait-putta” rises to about 150 feet, and is a mere extension of the high coast land seawards, so that from the sea it is soon merged in the dark back-ground of timbered lands behind. _JBrait-putta is a laminated sandstone rock, presenting favourable indications of being able to afford a supply of good stone, suitable for building and other purposes. 11. The “ Bluff” to which so much importance has been attached hitherto, as the point where a permanent entrance could be made to and from the lakes, is a low promontory projecting but slightly from the general line of the coast, rising at the face about 50 feet, and a few yards inland to a height of about 70 feet, and thence gradually rising further to the level of the higher wooded lands behind. At a little distance out at sea it requires a bright day and a knowledge of the coast to be able to distinguish the Bluff on the general coast line. 12. The Bluff consists, for about half its height, of soft friable sandstone, alternating with thin irregular layers of hard calcareous sandstone, containing abundance of mutilated fossil shells, whilst the upper portion of the Bluff consists of marl, thickly studded with fossil shells, in various stages of decay. 13. The Bluff is liable to rapid wear, owing to the washing out of the loose sandstone below, and the consequent falling over and destruction by the sea of the harder materials from above. Evidence of such destruction exists in the reef of rocks which extends from the Bluff seawards, for a short distance. | 14. Having so far endeavoured to fill up some of the out- lines of my previous sketch, I will now as briefly as possible call attention to the new facts, which I deem to be of im- portance, as they have not been prominently observed before, that I am aware of, and because they are illus- trative in a new locality of natural laws which have been pointed out elsewhere. 15. The facts to which I allude are, firstly, the existence of a powerful ocean current close in shore ; and secondly, the influence of what in this place I will call atmospheric tidal influence, as distinguished from the diurnal tides, resulting from lunar and solar attractions. oes Coast and Lakes of Gipps Land. 95 16. My attention was called to the first by the remarks of a Mr. M. Campbell, who for some years back has been conversant with the coast, and who informed me of the existence of an easterly current along the shore ; but it was only upon the occasion of proceeding to obtain soundings outside the bars that I had any suspicions of its true nature, in consequence of finding blue water in nine fathoms, with a strong drift, and in seventeen fathoms, at a distance of about two miles from _ the shore, a great increase of colour, with soundings. consisting of fine gravel and very coarse quartz sand, showing that the current was not a superficial one only. From various causes I was unable to take the velocity, but, judging from the rate of drift and the nature of the soundings, I think the current cannot be much less than two miles per hour. 17. From the strength and direction of the stream, I am induced to believe that it is part of the great polar current shown on Maury’s charts, running to the north, of which, dividing against the southern extremity of Tasmania, one portion continues as a northern current up the eastern shores of Tasmania and New South Wales, to Moreton Bay, and the other, meeting the southern side of the Australian Con- tinent,* is diverted to the eastward through Bass’s Straits, and forms the current the edge of which runs along the Gipps Land shores. 18. Although there may be little doubt on this matter, it would be desirable to obtain confirmation, by floating bottles (containing memoranda of time and place of starting) in the leading currents to the westward of the Straits. 19. During the period of the recent survey of the entrance a series of bottles were properly sealed, with notes inside of the time and place “where floated, and a request made that any person picking up the same would note the time and place and forward the papers contained, either to the office of Roads and Bridges, or to the Melbourne Argus, for publication. The last series of bottles, dated the 15th Sep- tember, were intended to have been floated at two miles distance from the coast, but the threatening weather prevented this being done, and the bottles were consequently only launched in the old entrance and watched through the line of breakers into the currents beyond. * Norre.— Evidence has since been obtained that this is part of the easterly current setting from St. Paul’s, across the Indian Ocean, past the South Coast of Australia. 20/4/65. pie Dead 96 Coast and Lakes of Gipps Land. 20. It will be most interesting to hear again of these wanderers, as they may afford more positive data relative to the final course of this current. 21. The second point which I deem of importance, is the atmospheric tide, as contra and distinct from the diurnal tides. By a reference to the tidal diagram on the drawing, and the accompanying meteorological register, it will be seen that the ordinary lunar tides appear as mere diurnal undula- tions upon the surface of a greater and more general wave. 22. The origin of this larger wave, or, as I have before termed it, this “atmospheric tidal influence,’ was for some time a complete enigma, which I attempted to solve, by supposing the depression and elevation of the waters to be_ caused by winds, on or off the shore, heaping up or depressing them as the case might be ; but, although there was some show of reason for this idea, there were discrepancies which could not be fully reconciled with the theory, and I was led to consider how far the barometer readings would account for the phenomena presented. 23. After a careful analysis of the record, I believe the results justify me in regarding the readings, when taken in connection with the wind register, as sufficient to account for the apparent anomalies. 24. In the instances where the barometer readings would appear at first sight to be at fault, a reference to the wind register shows influences which modify the results but do not affect the theory, and as the wind can only be looked upon as a result or consequence of the atmospheric conditions, of which the barometer is the index, even the anomalies them- selves may, Inmy opinion, be quoted as a confirmation of the theory advanced. : 25. After reviewing the various phases of the question, I have arrived at the conclusion that the larger undulations of the ocean, as shown on the tidal diagram, are the result of the atmospheric waves indicated by the barometer, the existence of which has been hitherto suspected, but of which I am not aware that any one has had the opportunity previously of demonstrating from regular observations. 26. By reference to the register, it will be seen that, on the 28th August, with the barometer at 29°50 and north- west winds, the waters stood high; and the subsequent fluctuations of the barometer, the winds and tide-levels are in accordance, until the maximum pressure of 30:25, shown by the barometer on the 5th September, gives the greatest Coast and Lakes of Gipps Land. 97 depression of the waters; whilst, from the 5th to the 9th September, a minimum pressure of 29°65 inches, although checked by strong winds from the N.W., allows the waters to rise again. 27. On and after the 10th September, the barometer again stands high, and is followed by the depressing action of the imereased atmospheric pressure on the waters, as indi- cated by the baremeter, although in direct opposition toe the south-westerly gales, until the greatest depression of the waters is again the result of a maximum of atmospheric pressure, on the 12th and 13th of September. On the 16th September, the gales of wind from the south-west are, in my opinion, quite sufficient to account for the rise of the waters, even under the influence of a high barometer; for it will be seen how rapidly the weight of the atmospheric column vindicates itself with light winds during the subse- quent days of the register. 28. It is possible that I may attach too much importance to the few facts brought forward in this paper ; but as they are entirely novel to myself, and appear strongly to confirm the theories of others, by facts obtained from direct actual observations, they must be my apology for laying them before the Society. 29. In attempting a series of tidal observations, it was my primary object to establish a fixed mean tide level datum for future reference in connection with the objects proposed in my survey, and also to afford means for testing the truth of the opinions relative to the asserted upheaval of the southern coast of Australia ; but the anomalies pre- sented in connection with the various readings during the short period of time at my disposal, and the limited means at my command, compelled me to leave these objects unaccomplished. 30. I cannot conclude my notice of this subject, without urging upon the attention of the Society the great desira- bility of a larger series of connected observations of the lakes, rivers, tides, and meteorology of this district ; more especially because of the very great climatic changes which are likely to result from the opening up of the mountain fastnesses of the interior, by the miners, and the conse- quent denuding of large tracts of country, of its undergrowth of scrub and timber. . 31. The rainfall, and consequent river discharge, must, as a necessary consequence, be very materially affected, and H 98 On Precious Stones. the temperature modified by the clearings and burnings of the timber; whilst the lakes and morasses must be much more rapidly silted up by the unusual quantities of mud brought down the rivers, owing to the extensive sluicing of their banks, and the lateral creeks and gullies, in the search for gold. Sale, 19th November, 1863. Art, XXVI—On Precious. Stones. By Rey. Joun J. BLEASDALE, D.D. [Abstract of paper, the original read 28rd November, 1863.] In former years, when the little leisure time at my dis- posal—seldom more than barely sufficient for necessary ~ recreation—was taken up by some chemical or microscopic investigation, I often wondered that no one undertook to make a collection of, and report upon, the precious stones, (which from time to time were picked up about the gold- fields,) and aid the miners with a few hints as to the stones they should look for, in what place they would be likely to find them, and the probable value attaching to them in their rough state, or in a wrought condition. When once it became known that our mines yielded gems as well as gold, I could not help thinking it a pity that such fine opportuni- ties as were every day afforded of collecting them should be lost, when little more would be required in order to obtain them than a sharp look out when washing for the gold, and occasionally examining the sluices, water-courses, and boxes in which the gravel and sand are agitated and washed. Neither would the additional time and labor needed be of much importance, since being for the most part specifically much heavier than quartz pebbles and sand, they would find a lodgment in such cases not far from the gold. In fact, nearly all the diamonds and sapphires were so found, or picked out of the tin dish in the last operation of clearing the old. Still, no one came forward, so far as I could learn. Notices of discoveries did appear occasionally in the public papers, but they have always been individual and fragmen- - tary. About a year ago, when my leisure became too little and too interrupted to allow me to look to my laboratory : , f . D On Preeious Stones. 99 for relaxation from my serious duties, it occurred to me that 1 might find a source of reasonable recreation, without much demand on my time, if I took up once more this branch of my early education, whilst at the same time I might hope to contribute my mite towards opening up a probable source of profit to others, by pointing attention to this neglected element of wealth, by eliciting valuable information from ethers, and by throwing out such practical hints as might occur to me for easily and speedily accomplishing its realisa- tion. To judge from the display of jewels and jewellery in the windows of this city one can haveno doubtof the great demand for them; while ene regrets that so much of that which is manufactured here should be stuffed with cheap, trumpery stones, and more frequently only paste and imitation stones, notwithstanding that we have both an abundance of fine stones in the country and the requisite means of imparting to them their highest finish in cutting and polishing. In the case before me, | have brought together a somewhat extensive collection of colonial precious stones, some my own, the greater portion kindly lent me by my friends for the purpose of being exhibited this evening. To assist me in the history of some of them, I have invited—and he is here—Mr. Spink, the able lapidary, who cut many of them, and who knows them well; and Mr. Murray, the jeweller of Bourke-street, who has brought the gem of the evening with him. Here they are in goodly array, and for the sake of enabling you to form a juster idea of them, they are placed, as far as may be, side by side with the best specimens I could obtain of stones of the same kind from Ceylon, the Hast and West Indies, Brazil, and Peru. Here are three diamonds, two from Beechworth and the third from Collingwood Flat. I am enabled, by the kindness of Mr. Crisp, of Queen-street, to exhibit the latter to-night. It was found in the gravel spread on a small garden walk in the lower part of Colling- wood, the gravel having been obtained either from Northcote or just above Johnston-street bridge. It is small, but even a small diamond is a great fact. The diamond which Mr. Murray has brought is the largest yet found ; 1t weighed in the rough about three carats; it now weighs a little less than two, and is, as you can all see, a magnificent gem. It was sent to Amsterdam to be cut, and has quite recently been returned to its owner here. Its fair value I take to be from £35 to £40. I may remark that all the Beechworth diamonds that I have seen—about a dozen—were beautifully H 2 100 On Precious Stones. distinct in their crystallographic features. With regard to the price of diamonds, I have copied the following from the most recent work I could obtain—Bristow’s Glossary of Mineralogy (1861)—“ Diamonds are weighed in carats (1514 “of which make one ounce troy) of 3.16 grains each. The “ medium value of a diamond when rough is £2, if of one carat “weight; and the value of diamonds of greater weight is “estimated by multiplying the square of their weight in “carats by two, which gives their value in pounds sterling. “ Example :—To find the weight of a rough diamond two “carats in weight—the square of the weight 2 x 2—4; this “multipied by 2=4 x 2=£8, the value of a diamond of “two carats.” “A polished diamond of the purest water, “well cut and free from flaws, is worth £8; above that “weight, the value is calculated by multiplying the square “of the weight in carats by eight. Thus :—The value of a “polished diamond of two carats—2 x 2 x 8=£32; the “value of a polished stone of three carats—3 x 3 x 8= £72, “and so on.”’—Bristow, page 110. The following informa- tion is taken from the works of Dr. L. Feuchtwanger, New York, 1859 :—“ Diamonds are found in talcose chlorite schist “and in a breccia, consisting of ferruginous clay, quartz peb- “bles, sand and oxide of iron fragments; and also in a “secondary bed, accompanied by gold, platinum, topaz, “beryl, tourmaline, kyanite, amatoze, spinelle, corundum, “and garnet. The rocks in which diamonds have been “recently found consist of the itacolumite, a micaceous sand- “ stone,accompanied by mica-schist, accidentally traversed by “quartz veins. The gold, diamonds, and other fine stones “are always imbedded in the lower part of the alluvium.” Speaking of Brazil, he says, “Experience has shown the “ richest localities to be in Curranlinho, Datas, Mendanho, “ &e., where the alluvial soil is from eight to twenty feet “thick, and is composed almost entirely of silicious sand, “ strongly coloured by argillaceous iron, which forms a species “of cement of pebbles of quartz, milky quartz, and itacolu- “mite, which form a coarse pudding stone, called cascalho, “and which is considered by the diamond-washers a sure “sion of the diamond.’—Pp. 188, 189. I travelled last year over a vast area of formations of the above characters. I allude to the district in which the diamonds have been found ; it stretches from the foot of the Beechworth hills to Chiltern, and further; and in even more strongly marked features between Chiltern and Rutherglen. The On Precious Stones. 101 rubbish thrown out of every hole sunk by the diggers at intervals over that plain was strongly marked with the above-mentioned features. The gravelly hill at Northcote, and the one above Johnston-street bridge—out of which came the small diamond which I exhibit—are not altogether without these characteristics. Mr. Anderson, of the Junction Hotel, Plenty-road, stopped me lately when passing, but before the small diamond was found in Collingwood, to show me quite a quantity of stones—beryls and tourmalines, I think, and others that I have not yet had time to study— which he had picked out of a hill at the back of his house, apparently of the same formation as that at Northcote. Surely it would be interesting if the Government geologists would examine, or cause these formations to be examined. IT understood Mr. Anderson, who has had much practical experience in mining both in America and here, to say that he had traced them to the granite hills above the Yan Yean. d CORUNDUM. SAPPHIRES.—These gems have been found from time to time since the opening of the Ovens gold-fields, and perhaps there more abundantly than elsewhere. I have got them in every shade of blue, from nearly black to the palest blue. Their crystallographic forms are generally exceedingly obscure, fine crystals beg very rare. 2. Besides the blue, I can exhibit to-night specimens of the green sapphire—the Oriental emerald—but I have not a fine specimen polished. The one before you is brownish in this light. 3. Star sap- phires.—I believe I may claim to have first discovered any specimens of these gems in Victoria. In fact, until I found some among a quantity of matters collected together from diggers, by Mr. Turner, the enthusiastic collector of gems at Beechworth, I was not aware that this stone had been found anywhere out of Ceylon.* Rusy.—I have seen but one which had been obtained anywhere in Australia, and that was got in Queensland, and cut in Melbourne by Mr. Spink. It turned out to be a star ruby, of good size and great beauty. This stone (producing one) is, I think, new. It belongs to the asterias ; but, instead of having a floating star of six rays of white light, it has a fixed star of six black rays in a deep blue ground. * The crystalline structure of specimen No. 2 from Beechworth is as indisputable as its star is superior to this (No.3) from Ceylon. 102 On Precious Stones. As to the price of sapphires when cut and _ polished, a good sapphire of ten carats is valued at fifty guineas, and one of twenty carats at 200 guineas. Under ten carats the price may be estimated by multiplying the square of its weight in carats into halfa guinea ; thus one of four carats would be worth—4 x 4x 10s. 6d.=£8 8s. Topazes.—1l. White.—-These are very abundant at the Ovens and about Dunolly, and in smaller crystal of great beauty from Flinders Island. This very beautiful small specimen is from there, and was cut by Mr. Spink. 2. Blue. —Of these I have seen some very large and exceedingly splendid specimens. 3. Red.—I have seen none of this kind, but they are reported to have-been found at Dunolly. AU, without exception, were outwardly almost without distinet crystallographic characters. No yellow ones yet have been shown to me. Berit.—l. I haveseennotrue emerald. 2. Aquamarines, I believe, have been found in several places, lately at or near Northeote, but the specimens given to me I have not yet finally examined. GARNETS, HYACINTHS, AND ZIRCONS.—I. Garnets.—I have seen about half-a-dozen altogether, Almandine tints, Mr. Butters mentioned a fine one found lately just over Prince’s Bridge, near the barracks. 2. Hyacinths——I have several, one of very fine colour. 3. Zircons are very abundant on several of the gold-fields.) They have often been mistaken, when small, for rubies. I exhibit the first white Victorian zircon I have seen. It is cut heart shape, and is a superb stone. Opats.—District, the Ovens.—1. White and milky, but with a fair share of fire—I have seen in Beechworth some fine specimens, much water-worn and in shape resembling rather long and flat French beans. 2. Fire Opal.—I have seen only one specimen, which was given me by a Beech- worth digger. It is a very grand one. & AMETHYSTS.—In great abundance on the Ovens and else- where. 1. Yellow, very abundant, and frequently fine, of the Cairngorm variety. 2. Purple, alsoabundant. 3. White Rock Crystal—This is the stone which so oftens tempts persons with the notion they have discovered a diamond. JASPARS AND AGATES.—Very abundant on the Ovens, and some of them large, and very beautifully variegated. With regard to improving and diffusing the knowledge of precious stones among the mining populations, especially in On Precious Stones. 103 districts like Beechworth, where so many have been already found, and facilitating the collection of them, I would sug- gest two things :—First, that the Athenzeum or Mechanics’ Institution should be provided with a few suitable and secure glass cases, in which the stones found might be placed for a time by their owners for exhibition. The larger the number of each kind that can be got together the better, as then all the different shapes of the crystals, and their shades of colour, can be compared. It is only by getting together quantities of the different species, and showing them in a collected form, that any adequate idea of either the beauty of individual specimens, the abundance of the material, or even the local monetary value of them, can be ascertained. In this way, too, the various crystaline forms of the different classes can be most easily impressed on the mind, and occurring specimens readily recognised in the often hasty operation of washing for gold. In all cases when practicable, cut and polished specimens should be placed along with the rough stones. The importance of this recommendation cannot be exaggerated. Secondly, As to more carefully searching for gems, I would suggest that schoolmasters teaching on places like the Woolshed, for example, should try to interest the children in searching for them in their play hours, and induce them to- bring all the smaller crystals, no matter of what colour, that they can find. With very little teaching, they would soon learn to reject the mere worthless quartz crystals, and become expert collectors. Their quick eyes and nimble fingers would enable theg§to pick up rapidly any crystal of value that was lying exposed on the heaps of tailings or in the sluices. It is certain they would often find stones that would be at once worth a considerable sum of money. As to children's fitness for this work, or amuse- ment, I will make one extract from the writings of the celebrated traveller and trader in gems, Tavernier. The following was witnessed by him, on his visit to the mine of Roolconda :—‘“ A very pretty sight is that presented every “morning by the children of the master-miners and of other “inhabitants of the district. The boys—the eldest of whom “is not over sixteen, or the youngest under ten—assemble “and sit under a large tree in the public square of the “village. Each has his diamond-weights in a bag, hung on “one side of his girdle, and on the other a purse containing “sometimes as much as 500 or 600 pagodas. Here they “wait for such persons as have diamonds to sell, either from 104 On Water Supply and Irrigation. “the vicinity, or from any other mine. When a diamond is “brought to them, it 1s immediately handed to the eldest “boy, who is tacitly acknowledged as the head of this little “band. By him it is carefully examined, and then passed “to his neighbour, who, having also inspected it, transmits “it to the next boy. The stone is thus passed from hand “to hand amid unbroken silence, until it returns to the hand “of the eldest, who then asks the price, and makes the “bargain. If the little man is thought by his comrades to “have given too high a price, he must keep the stone on his “own account. These children are so perfectly acquainted “with the value of all sorts of gems, that if one of them, “after buying a stone, is willing to lose one-half per cent. “on it, a companion is always ready to take it.” Art. XXVII—On Water Supply and Irrigation. By F.C. Curisty, Esq., C.E. [Abstract of paper read 23rd November, 1863.] The author briefly noted a few of the chief causes of aridity in Victoria during the summer months, and urged such causes as reasons for storing the winter rains. The average of ten years’ rainfall for Victoria is about 28 inches. The average rainfall in Melbourne for six con- secutive years from 1840, was 26679 inches. The average rainfall of England is 26-6 inches. The following table shows the average for the Spring. Summer, Autumn, and Winter months here and in England. _ Prof. Neumayer’s . 8S. Gibbons’ Mean of 10 Years’ Obs. 5 Years’ Obs. England. . Inches. | Inches. Inches. Sonne... Ob + 9-42 4929 Summer... 5°34 4°58 6927 Autumn ... 765 5°68 9-299 Winter ... 702 8:26 5459 The mean evaporation at Melbourne for the three years, 1860, 1861, and 1862, is 44°517 inches. This amount of evaporation is less felt owing to the ereatest rainfall in Victoria occurring during the months of Winter and Spring, when the ground is moderately moist On Water Supply and Irrigation. 105 and cool, and from this cause the catchment areas are capable of yielding the greatest quantity of rain for storage. Practically, fifty per cent. of the rainfall here may be saved for use. The Yan Yean Reservoir is a fine example of what can be done in this country in collecting and storing winter rains for use, although many prophecied that it would be a failure. . In India, in the Mairwara district, with a much higher temperature than Victoria and a rainfall ranging from only eight inches in some years up to twenty-two inches in others, the country has been successfully irrigated. The physical features of Victoria are well adapted for the formation of reservoirs for storage purposes—such reservoirs can generally be formed at little cost, owing to the favour- able configuration of the surface of the country in localities most suitable for constructing them. Reservoirs can be constructed in the neighbourhood of most of the gold-fields at such moderate cost as to be available for the supply of water at a rate not exceeding from one penny to two pence per 1,000 gallons for either washing gold or as a motive power for machinery. Italy and India have benefited largely by irrigation. In | Italy, upwards of one anda quarter millions of acres are irrigated with success. The soils are variable, being sandy, clayey, and gravelly. On this irrigated ground the tem- perature is sufficient to grow rice and Indian corn. The heavy, argillaceous soils are available for rice, and the lighter for all the cereals, Indian corn, and varieties of green crops. Prior to the system of irrigation and drainage being adopted on this land, all authorities agree in describing the condition of the country as deplorable in the extreme. The light soils were parched and arid and the heavy soils retained the water and formed pestilential marshes, but now the country is the opposite of all this, rivalling the Milanese in rich productiveness. The increased rental of the above lands, due to their improved value from drainage and irrigation, is £290,000 per annum, in addition to which the canals, which serve as— arteries throughout the country, are an additional source of income. In India the favourable results of irrigation are equally remarkable to those of Italy. The value of crops raised from land irrigated by canals from the Western Jumna, in the 106 | On a Genus of Coleoptera. years 1837 and 1838, amounted to £1,462,800. The land would have been totally unproductive without irrigation. In this last instance the rental paid to the government in two years more than covered the cost of the original outlay. There is an annual balance of revenue over expenditure of £167,136. The area irrigated is 351,501 acres. The author quoted copiously from Colonel Baird Smith’s work on “ Irrigation and Drainage in Italy, and also India,” and from a return by Major Baker on similar questions. Art. XX VIII.—On a Genus of Coleoptera hitherto unfound in Victoria.*—By WILLIAM HENRY ARCHER, Esq. [Read 16th May, 1864.] I beg to introduce to your notice this evening an interest- ing specimen of a beetle, which, as far as I can at present learn, has been hitherto unrecognised within the limits of Victoria. I obtained it from the neighbourhood of the St. Arnaud silver mines, where it was found under an old log, with about a dozen others of varying size, by the Director of the mines, whom I had requested to look out for Natural History objects. When I received them, they were in a small tin canister. Some were dead, and had become offensive. The survivors I found proceeding deli- berately to eat each other; and to put an end to this Kilkenny-cat process, I gave them all a protecting qwietus. The specimen before you is two and a-half inches in length, and about three-quarters of an inch in breadth, a size for a beetle which may well be termed gigantic. From its struc- ture, you will perceive that it has powers of attack and defence of a most formidable character. My friend, the accomplished naturalist, Count Castlenau, or, as he is quoted authoritatively in scientific writings, M. Laporte, states that: “This beautiful insect belongs to the order Coleoptera, to the family Carabide, and to the tribe Morionide.” It was first described by Schrebers in the “Transactions of the Linnzean Society,” under the name of Scarites Schretteri. Count de Castlenau, curiously enough, years ago, in his “Ktudes Entomologiques,” separated it from the Scarites, and established it as a separate genus, _ under the name of Hyperion. Since then, Bois-duval, in * See Note in Proceedings. Pata 2 b. ua ar > — as —~— een. Se ee Drainage of Melbourne. 107 his “Entomological Fauna of Oceanica,” has formed on the same insect his genus Heteroscelis ; and Mr. Westwood, in his “Arcana Entomologica,” changed that name, already employed for a genus of Hemiptera, and called it Campyloc- nemis, in allusion to the singular character of the hind tibize, namely, that of being curved. Castlenau’s generic name, being the oldest, should be retained ; and I therefore introduce it to you this evening as the Hyperion Schreetteri. The Count tells me this insect is very rare in collections. © It has been figured by Schrebers, Castlenau, and Westwood. The few specimens previously known were from the eastern parts of New South Wales. Both Count Castlenau and Dr. Godfrey Howitt consider the discovery of this insect in Victoria as a zoological fact of considerable interest, espe- cially as, by its size and remarkable form, it belongs to a tropical fauna. I trust, that, now it is known to exist in this country, many will be on the look-out for it. It has considerable pecuniary value, and can always be exchanged for first-class specimens of other Coleoptera in any-part of the world. Art. XXIX—Surface and Underground Drainage of Melbourne. By ALEXANDER K. Situ, Esq, CE, F.RS.S.A., &e. [Read 16th May, 1864.] In bringing this subject before the Royal Society, I at once admit that, though the Surface Drainage is of less im- portance to the inhabitants of Melbourne than the Under- eround Sewerage, at the same time the information contained in this paper will materially assist the proper consideration - of the best mode to be adopted in carrying out the latter at the least expense. The chief objections to the present open drains or chan- nels in the streets are, first: That they become the reci- pients of the sewage from houses, the overflow of cesspools, ‘&c., which they convey through the public. streets, and in the largest quantity where the population is most dense, and the traffic greatest, to the prejudice of the comfort and * health of the inhabitants. The second objection is, that the street channels, especially in Elizabeth and Swanston-streets, are filled to overtlowing resonance = RE BS rt 108 | Surface and Underground during sudden and heavy rains; flooding the streets, inter- fering with public traffic and private business, destroying property, and causing vast and often-recurring expense to the corporation in re-metalling portions of the streets, and in removing the deposits of mud, sand, road metal, &e., caused by these sudden inundations. The first of these objections can only be remedied by underground drainage, and the second by intercepting the storm waters before ‘they enter the city so far as to occasion loss of property or inconvenience to business, and it is to this portion of the subject that I especially direct attention in this paper. Any one at all acquainted with Melbourne will be aware that the outlets for the surface water are the open street sewers; on the south, crossing Flinders-street at right angles, "at Russell- street, Swanston-street, Elizabeth-street, Market-street, and King-street ; and at Little Bourke-street on the west: and my principal object in this paper is to show the relative amount of water carried off at each outlet, the area it drains, and to suggest a plan for preventing floods in the principal business parts of the city. Ten years ago it seemed to me not only desirable, but essentially necessary, to prevent the various floods that occurred in Elizabeth and Swanston-streets, by intercepting the waters at the north boundary of the city, and conveying them by means of a tunnel into Batman’s Swamp. Subse- quently, I brought the subject before the Philosophical Institute, in a paper read before that Society on the 4th March, 1857, and in another paper “On the Reclamation of Batman’s Swamp,” read before the Philosophical Institute on the 5th May, 1858, and published in Vol. IIL of their Transactions. I now bring this suggestion again forward in a more practical shape, and to determine how far it would answer its intended purpose, I have made a survey of the entire area drained by the open channels to the south and west of the city, avoiding any particular reference to the main channels that carry off the storm water falling upon the various suburbs, except so far as those that pass through the city itself.” The proper consideration of this subject renders it neces- | sary to ascertain, as accurately as possible, the amount of rain that falls during the year, and more particularly the maximum quantity that has fallen in any given time, as it Drainage of Melbourne. 109. will be obvious that any underground sewer made to carry off the surface water must be of sufficient size to receive and discharge the largest quantity that has been known to fall in a given time, together with the ordinary waste water from ‘the Yan Yean supply. __ The following tables, compiled from the records at the Government Observatory, supply ample information relative to the rainfall during seventeen years, and which is of special value when brought to bear upon the subject now before us. In short, without some reliable data of this kind to guide us, any system of storm-water drainage would be merely a matter of opinion on which engineers might dis- agree. TABLE A. This Table shows the amount of rain falling in Melbourne each year from 1840 to 1850, and from 1855 to 1860, inclusive, and shows also the difference in the amount each year, from the mean rain- fall during 17 years. a Difference of Amount of Amount in Inches. each Year, and mean : rainfall for 17 Years. 1840 D227 — 5°83 1841 30°18 + 1:78 1842 31°16 -- 2°76 1843 21°54 — 6°86 1844 28°26 — 014 1845 23°93 — 447 1846 30°53 + 2:13 1847 30°18 +178 m 1848 33°15 + 475 1849 44°25 + 15°85 1850 26°98 — 1°42 1855 28°21 — 019 _ 1856 29°75 == 135 1857 28°90 + 0°50 1858 26°02 — 2°38 1959 21°80 — 6°60 1860 25°40 — 3°00 “Mean rainfall for 17 years, 28°40. The greatest difference in rainfall for the above period amounts to 22°71 inches. The average rainfall for the last six years—from 1855 to -1860, viz., 26°679 inches, differs but slightly from the average fall of rain for any six consecutive years from 1840 to 1848, including the abnormal rainfall in 1849. : 110 Surface and Underground TABLE B. This Table gives a comparative statement of the average rainfall during the spring, Quarters. Spring Summer Autumn Winter summer, autumn, and winter seasons of the years 1840 to 1850, and 1855 to 1860-1. 1840 to 1850. 9°15 5°34 7°65 7°02 1855 to 1860-1, 7°90 7°86 6°46 A494 In both periods the fall in spring is the greatest, but there is a marked increase in the average rainfall during summer in the last period on that during the years 1840 to 1850, while, on the other hand, there is a decrease in amount in the remaining quarters. ‘ TABLE C. ‘This Table is a statement of the maximum amount and duration of rain that fell on different dates from 1855 to 1861. 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 Dec. 29 ~ Sept. 23 Feb. 10 Dec. 19 June 8 Dee. 9 Jan. 31 0°92 inches OP? aay BAZIN. 623), OGG Ee, 2°586. 5, 237 we LABEE .D. 24 hours. Thunder storm, 20 minutes. 7 p.m., to evening of 11th. During the afternoon. Thunder storm. 20 hours. 11 hours. This Table shows the amount of rain that fell in each month during six years, being from 1858 to 1863, inclusive, and also shows the average per month for six years, and the maximum amount that fell in 24 hours, in every month during the same period. Months. Jan. Feb. March April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Ba 1858. | 1859. | 1860. as | RE | 0'880 2864 | 1°974 4910 0°828 | 1°075 1:090 0177 0°963 0°599 | 1°288 4525 1°384 | 2°324 | 0°995 761 | 4510 1716 bk ‘087 | iL Bu 0: a Ae 2 0 3 6 1861. | 1862. | 1863. | Average.| during six years. ef Maximum in 24 hours | 2°246 | 1253 | 1°838| 1:843 | 1:°288 26th, 1859 4618 | 0187 | 2°741 | 2393 | 2436 Ist, 1861 2°649 | 1.082 | 3°829| 1°633 | 2:158 19th, 1861 1:288 | 3558 | 1'758| 2:169 | 1916 5th, 1860 0836 | 4307 | 2545) 2065 | 0860 8th, 1862 1°780 | 2988 | 1161 | 2153 | 1170 27th, 1859 27138 | 2°26: 2872 1°931 | 0557 12th, 1858 1-470° 1954 | 27102) 1481 | 0664 2nd, 1862 3190 | 0976 19990; 2304 | 1072 10th, 1861 4°888 | 2.0: 891) 2°831 | 1393 4th, 1861 1-459 | 0°3 ‘509 | 2°095 | 1:203 26th, 1863 2584 , 1°16 3915 | 2359 9th, 1860 Drainage of Melbourne. 111 TABLE HE. This Table shows the maximum amount that fell in each month in each year from 1858 to 1863, inclusive. 1858. 1859. 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. January... ... iis 1:288 | 0°7386 | 0597 | 07388 | 0°553 a 26th | 8th 16th | 16th | 14th February... ... | .. | 0.248 | 0:043 | 2-436 | 0-087 | 1-007. es 9th 19th |Jan.31| 12th | 17th Marci? ee cs ei 0105 | 0727 | 2158 | 0-715 | 1:036 ne 22nd | 17th | 19th 6th 16th April eee fp 2031 (45201 “916! O4IG: | 1:0Se 4.0746 28th | 13th | Sth 16th | 17th | 24th May ws —vee_-| 0°484 | 0460 | 0:°280 | 07156 | 0860 | 0°672 6th 12th | 28rd | 3rd 8th 20th June See ee | OOS | 15170220328. |. 03 75.6 027760" O56 Zith | ith | 28rd Ist Ist 6th July sates. | O57 | 0:305 | 0:290 | 0:370 |..0:-440-|) 0384 12th 19bh | y27th. | ISthy | ott a ae August ... ... | 0481 | 0:273 | 0422 | 0:249 | 0°664 | 0-240 11th Tth | 28rd | 22nd | 2nd | 19th September... ... | 0488 | 0-637 | 0556 | 1072 | 0-194 | 0-416 llth | 15th | 8th 10th 8th | 22nd October ... ... | 0°494 | 0534 | 0°788 | 1:398 | 0989 | 1:125 20th | 27th | 8th 4th 28th | 13th November... ... | 0°949 | 0°741 | 0°647 | 0373 | 0-161 | 1:203 30th | 25th | 28rd | 30th | 14th | 26th December... ... | 1°623 | 0299 | 2°359 | O°681 | 0°592 | 1°847 : 19th 17th 9th 2nd 8th 14th TABLE F. This Table gives the date, duration, and amount of extraordinarily heavy rains that fell in 1859—60—61—62—63, and to the present date in 1864. | | 1859. Date. Quantity. Duration of Rainfall. January 9 0°567 During a thunderstorm in 1 hour 39 minutes. Siaeag Xe: 0-181 Between 2 and 3 hours, a.m. ee 0-481 . During a thunderstorm in 1 hour 42 minutes. 1184 Amount of rain onthis dayin 8 hours 9 minutes. —e ee r j 112 Date. May 15 9 29 June 8 9 13 = 14 i aT) Nov. 2 ” 20 January 7 March 17 April 5 93 22 August 22 Sept. 8 ” 20 Oct. 10 Nov. 11 ” 23 Dec. 9 January 16 eens) E Feb. 14 March 19 Seed, April 16 Sept. 10 October 2 ” 4 Surface and U ndergrownd Quantity. 0°428 0-161 0°683 0°230 0°570 0:437 1A) 0°557 0°668 0°542 0-727 0°850 2°519 0-474 1005 0°353 0°500 0°352 0°263 0°132 0°601 1°693 3°320 0°869 2°370 3°286 0°376 1004 2°158 0°246 0°416 1:072 0°269 0°'754 1592 Duration of Rainfall. During 1 hour and 15 minutes. » Thunderstorm, lasting 4 hour. 9 ” oS 14 hours. a 1 hour 6 minutes. 29 7 39 1 hour. * fa is 3 hours. Being the whole amount during this day. During 23 hours. . 3 hours 50 minutes. 1860. During a thunderstorm, lasting 34 hours. se 82 hours. sp 4 hours. The rain of this and preceding day, 33 hours. During 3 hours. The whole amount of rain on this and the fol- lowing day during 20 hours. During 2 hours. a heavy thunderstorm, between 5 and 6 p.m. During 2 hours 20 minutes. i 13 hours. zs + hour. Thunderstorm lasting 2 hours. Bs * within 7 hours. Being the whole amount of rain on this and following day, during 42 hours. 99 1861. During a thunderstorm in 7 hours. bi 11 hours, with thunderstorm overhead. The whole amount of rain on this and the fol- lowing day, during 33 hours. During a thunderstorm of 24 hours duration. xf 3 hours. Being the whole amount on this day, during 21 hours. A heavy shower, lasting 40 minutes. During 3 hours 15 minutes. , 114 hours. ; i» a thunderstorm of 1 hour 30 minutes. =p ne », & hours. Amount on this day, during 124 hours. Date. October 10 7 24 $3 28 “Dec. 2 & 3 $5 22 Jan. 16 9 21 March 6 April 16 5 17 a 18 May 5 ” 8 Jnne 1 July 23 October 23 53 27 os 28 Dec. 8 January 13 February 3 er any March i a i8 April 24 May 14 June 6 July 27 August 2 Sept. 1 October 13 oA 2 Nov. 22 es 26 December 6 seeO Quantity. 1118 0-661 DVO) era en ee Se © OM oe Cc I Ww D 5 2 Or Or wt Drainage of Melbourne. | 113 Duration of Rainfall. On this and 2 following days, during 15 hours. During a heavy thundersterm, in 3} hours. = 7 hours. ae 174 hours. os 7 hours. 3 5 heurs. . a thunderstorm, within 34 hours. 33 73 - 64 hours. = 6 hours. is 5 hours. x 2 hours and 5 minutes. The rain on these last 3 days, during 37 hours. Till noon on the following day, during 17 hours. During 2 hours. Amount of rain till 6 a.m.on the following day, in 22 hours. During 73 hours. 3 i hour. Within 40 minutes. During a thunderstorm, within 1 hour. i 4 hours 20 minutes. as a thunderstorm, within 25 minutes. 1863. During a thunderstorm, in 2 hours. 59 39 39 within 40 minutes. 39 39 39 y 23 hours. 39 33 3 9 8 hours. s the afternoon. ee 5 hours. x 4 hours. About 5 minutes, with hail. During about 6 hours. : the afternoon and part of the evening. Fe 24 hours, with short intermissions. a the afternoon and evening. Pa the afternoon. i 14 hours. Between 8 and 9 a.m. On the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th. During 2 hours. 114 Surface and Underground 1864. Date. Quantity. Duration of Rainfall. January 9 0°839 During the afternoon, and till 9 p.m. 3 19 0569 Between 3 and 9 p.m. February 7 0-724 During 5 hours. ie 18 0°500 ae a thunderstorm, in 1 hour. | March 2 1-180 - x lasting $ hour. April 1 1095 From 9 p.m. to 9a.m. on the 2nd, rain showers at intervals. ee 15) 0°283 During one hour. 24. 0-511 es 4A hours. Referring then to Table A, we find that the mean rainfall in Melbourne for 17 years amonnts to 28°40 inches. The minimum quantity fell in 1843, viz, 21°54 inches, ~ and the maximum in 1849, viz., 44°25 inches. From Table B we find that the greatest quantity falls in the spring, and the least in the winter season. In Table C we find that on the 23rd September, 1856, 0°92 inches fell during a thunderstorm in 20 minutes.* In Table D we find that the greatest quantity that fell in any month during the six years was 7-182 inches in Decem- ber, 1863, and the greatest quantity in any one day was 2-436 inches on the 31st January, 1861. (See also Table E.) In Table F we find that 1:180 Tne RES fell during 30 minutes on the 2nd March, 1864. TABLE G. The following Table shows the several areas drained by outlets A, B, C, D, and HE, their locality, and the mean amount of rain in gallons and tons that falls annually on these respective areas. z Imperial Weight in Outlet. Situation. Area in Acres. Gallons. Tons. A. Falling into the river Yarra below the falls at Market- street —§30°35 = 840,731,206 1,521,121 B. Falling into the Yarra above the falls at Prince’s Bridge 248:°2 159,459,763 711,874 C. Falling into a culvert running under the Government Rail- way Station at the west end of Little Bourke-street, .and subsequently into Batman’s Swamp 98 62,961,550 281,078 * The heaviest rainfall known during the time the records have been kept in Victoria. Dramnage of Melbourne. ila Imperial Weight in Outlet. _ Situation. Area in Acres. Gallons. Tons. ' D. Falling into the Yarra at the south end of King-street, near Cole’s Wharf 53 34,050,634 152,012 ‘“K. Faling into a culvert passing under the Melbourne Rail- way Station at the south end of Russell-street, and subse- quently into the Yarra 27°5 17,667,782 78,874 Totals --- 957°05 614,870,935 2,744,959 The abnormal quantity of rain that fell in 1849 upon the same area was nearly 56 per cent. more than the quantities here stated, the total quantity in that year being 958,029,539 gallons, being the greatest quantity that has fallen in any one year since correct meteorological records were kept in Victoria. The Elizabeth-street sewer, marked A, has its source (as will be seen upon the plan now submitted) on the roadway between the north end of the University grounds and the new Cemetery, at a distance of two miles and 15 chains (along its course) from the point where it discharges into the Yarra Yarra below the falls, the entire area drained by this channel being 530°35 acres. The area drained by the channel in Swanston-street, marked B, is 248-2 acres. The source of supply at the greatest distance from the outlet is at a poimt in Lygon- street, between Grattan and Faraday-streets, 14 mile trom the point at which it falls into the Yarra at Prince’s Bridge. The area drained by the channel marked C at the west end of Little Bourke-street, receives the drainage of 98 acres ; the greatest length traversed being 58 chains. The water from this channel is discharged into a circular sewer built of brick, 3 feet 3 inches in internal diameter, and passes underneath the station ground of the Victorian Railways into Batman’s Swamp. This culvert is now being considerably lengthened, in order to convey the water under the new station ground made by the removal of Batman’s Hill. On account of Spencer-street being sometimes flooded, it has given rise to an erroneous impression that the culvert is too small to carry off the water, but the real reason is, that the grating at the mouth has frequently been partially closed, and the whole storm-water not being able to enter, it, as a matter of course, soon covered the street. This can LZ 116 Surface and Underground easily be obviated by making the grating longer, with the bars lying in the direction of the stream, the force of which would keep the grating clear. This culvert, from its size and inclination, is sufficient to carry off the water of the heaviest thunderstorm recorded. The channel marked D, at the south end of King-street, drains 53 acres, and the channel marked E, at the south end of Russell-street, 274 acres; giving a total area of 957-05 acres drained by the five outlets A, B, C, D, and E. These channels have also another source of supply beside the rains, namely, the waste water or ordinary sewage from houses, cellars, shops, yards, baths, wash-houses, dye-houses, water engines, manufactories, urinals, the overflow of cess- pools, stables, fountains, street-watering, Xe. To determine the amount of water flowing im the street channels from these sources, I have made a series of experi- ments at the outlets B and E, the respective areas drained by them being 248-2 and 275 acres. The first experiments were made at the outlet E, near the Duke of Wellington Hotel, Russell-street and Flinders-street, and the results, from actual measurement, gave a mean result of 43°3 gallons per minute.* . The next experiments were made at the mouth of the stone culvert crossing Flinders-street at the end of Swanston- street, and the mean results of the various measurements gave 3974 gallons per minute. The measurements in both cases were made at periods when no rain had fallen within 48 hours; the streets and ground being dry, and the channels uninfluenced by rain. The discharge at B and E gave respectively 1561 and 1:574 gallons per acre per minute ; quantities approximating so closely to each other that it was only after repeatedly checking the measurements and calculations that I was satisfied of their being correct. The quantity of sewage or waste water discharged at the outlets B and E, according to the experiments, is at the rate of 203,670,000 and 22,758,480 gallons per annum, and by applying the mean of the two measurements to the areas drained by the other outlets, we have in Table H the total quantity of rain and sewage ee by each outlet per annum. * The water was Theses in a rectangular cistern, accurately made measuring 72 x 19 x 5 9-16ths = 4005 cubit inches, which was filled in 20 seconds. Drainage of Melbourne. 117 TABLE H. Gutlet. Area in Acres. Mean Amount of Annual Mean Annual Sewage Rainfall in Gailons. in Gallons. A. 530°35 340,731,206 436,943,697 iB: 248°20 159,459,763 203,670,000 C. 98°06 62,961,550 80,740,044 ». 53°06 34,050,634 43,665,534 E. 27°50 17,667,782 22,758,480 Motale.).... 957-05 614,870,935 787,777,755 614,870,935 Rainfall 787,777,755 Sewage 1,402,648,690 Grand Total. However, to determine the quantity of water discharged at the various outlets during the heaviest rain fall in a given time, we must refer back to Table C, where it will be found that on the 23rd September, 1856, 0°92 inches fell during a thunder-storm in twenty minutes. Upon this data, then, we can determine the maximum rate per hour discharged at these outlets, and thus be enabled to determine the size of any sewer or culvert necessary to carry off the storm waters from the city, by intercepting them at the intersection of Stephen and Lonsdale-streets, and of Elizabeth and Latrobe- streets. Table I. will shew the amount of sewage and storm water discharged in twenty minutes. The sewage being the ordi- nary waste water before alluded to, and the rain water being that which fell as before recorded. It will also show the rate per hour from both sources. TABLE J. Outlet. Sewage. Rainfall. Total. Total per hour. A. 16°626 11,037,771 11,054,397 33,163,191 5. 7750 5,165,597 5,173,347 . 15,520,041 C. 3072 2,039,599 2,042,671 6,128,013 D. 1661 1,103,048 1,104,709 3,914,127 E. 866 572,336 573,202 1,719,606 Total 29°975 19,918,351 19,948,326 59,844,978 ——— From this table it will be seen that at outlet A the water discharged during that storm was at the rate of 33,163,191 gallons per hour, and the water discharged at outlet B was at the rate of 15,520,041 gallons per hour. 118 Surface and Underground These enormous volumes of water, principally falling out- side the City, pass, on their way to the Yarra, through the very busiest of our streets, namely, Elizabeth and Swanston-_ streets, and flood the same to such an extent as to prevent traffic of any description. The size of the open channels in Swanston-street, and the contour of that street, will not admit of the channels carry- ing off the whole of the water, and from its being higher than Elizabeth-street, a very large amount of water overflows down Bourke-street, Little Collms, and Collins-streets into Elizabeth-street, augmenting the flood in that street to such an extent as to make it dangerous alike to life and property, irrespective of the great damage done to the streets them- selves. . The question now comes before us, by what means and to what extent can these floods, sc fatally affecting life and property, be prevented ? With respect to the means of prevention. Referring to the plan I now submit: the dotted lme shows the position of the tunnel I suggest bemg made to relieve the City proper from ‘such floods, and runs, as you will observe, from the intersection of Stephen and Lonsdale-streets along Lonsdale- street to the Hospital corner, then bears north to Latrobe- street, and west to Batman’s-swamp, making a total length of 109 chains. : This tunnel could be constructed without interfering with private property, and be at a sufficient depth beneath the level of the streets. I have taken the levels at the various points, and I find that there isa fall of 47 feet between the surface level of Elizabeth-street at Latrobe-street and low water in the Yarra below the falls, and that the fall between a point at the Hospital corner of Swanston-street and low water level is 5619 feet. There is also sufficient fall in Lonsdale-street, between Stephen-street and the Hospital corner. It will thus be seen that there is a sufficient fall to give the most desirable inclination to the tunnel or underground sewer. The material excavated in the construction of this tunnel could be used with great:advantage in the reclamation of the low swampy ground lying between the railway and the western end of Latrobe, Jeffcott, Franklyn, and Dudley- streets, and the firm ground thus made would not only assist in the expense of constructing the tunnel, but would also Drainage of Melbourne. 119 improve the value of property in the immediate neighbour- hood by converting what is at present an unsightly and unhealthy swamp, into ground capable of beihg drained and _ built upon. The first 43 chains of the underground sewer would not require to be more than 12 feet in sectional area, and the remaining portion, namely, from Elizabeth-street to Batman’s- swamp, from 36 to 44 feet in sectional area, according to the inclination it might be found desirable to give it. These tunnels should be elliptical, or, as it is commonly called, egg-shaped, and should be constructed of hard burned bricks, moulded to suit the several curves, and set in Port- land cement. With respect to cost. This would depend upon the nature of the material to be excavated, but under any circumstances it would not cost the Government one-half the sum that is now, and has been for nine years, lying idle in the shape of cast-iron sewer covers on Batman’s-swamp. Probably the best thing the Government could do with the said sewer covers would be to sell them to the ironfounders, and with the money thus obtained, execute the work now suggested, more especially as they will never be used for the purpose for which they were intended. With respect to the extent that this plan would relieve Swanston, Elizabeth, and Flinders-streets; this may be accurately determined by reference to the foregoing tables, and the comparative areas that such tunnel would drain out of the areas at present drained by the open channels in Swanston, Ehzabeth, and Flinders-streets. Referring to the map you will perceive that the area 2 tinted blue amounts to 530-35 acres, and that the area tinted red drains 248-2 acres. As the line of the proposed tunnels intersects those areas, as shown upon the plan, I have measured their collective area to the north of the tunnel, and find it to be 517-2 acres, being 1154 acres, or 284 per cent., more than the entire area of the city proper (that is, between Spencer and Spring-streets, Latrobe and Flinders- streets). But, inasmuch as the whole of the water from the 517-2 acres passes through Swanston and Elizabeth-streets to the outlets A and B, the ratio of the difference between the quantities intercepted and the quantities discharged at the outlets A and B, will be considerably increased. By referring to the area drained by the outlet B, namely, 248-2 acres, we find that the drainage of 145°6 acres would 120 Surface and Underground be intercepted by the tunnel, and that, consequently, the open channels in Swanston-streets would be relieved to the extent of nearly 59 per cent. of the waters that are now discharged by these channels during a storm. The source of their supply would he bounded by Latrabe- street on the north, and the remaining 41 per cent. of the water would gradually accumulate on its way to the outlet. At Bourke-street, for instance, only 15 per cent. of the present quantity would be discharged during a storm, effec- tually preventing any overflow to increase the flood in Elizabeth-street. Again, by referrmg to the area drained by the outlet at A, we find that the total acreage is 530°35, out of which we must subtract the area 33°35, drained by the same outlet, but unconnected with Elizabeth-street. Ofthis, the dramage of 371-65 acres would be intercepted by the proposed tunnel, and, consequently, the outlet would be relieved of nearly 75 per cent., or three-fourths of the storm-water and sewage, that is now discharged through its channel, or even during such a heavy rainfall as occurred on the 23rd September, 1856. The result of this relief would be that at Lonsdale-street, instead of 83 per cent. of the total quantity of water dis- charged at the outlet being received into the open channel, there would be only about 8 per cent. At the Post Office, 144 per cent, instead of 894 per cent. At the Clarence Hotel, Collins-street, 20 per cent. in place of 95 per cent., and at the outlet itself, 25 per cent. Irrespective of these great benefits that would accrue from this plan being carried into practice, there are others that are worthy of consideration, inasmuch as at the present time the city surveyor has to contend with these large bodies of water in the construction of the numerous crossings in the city. If he makes these crossings too acute, or deep in their angles, they greatly interfere both with the comfort and safety of the passengers in vehicles crossing over them. If, on the other hand, they are made too obtuse or shallow, the crossings are subject to a deposit of the stones and sand, washed by the force of the current from the street, and the consequence is that he has no alternative left but to adopt a medium course, in which both evils are fully represented. This, to a great extent, would be remedied by the plan now submitted, more particularly as the storm-water would Drainage of Melbourne. 121 never be in such volume as to remove the metal from the streets. . Many of the crossings of the city streets have been for the above reason most difficult to deal with. However, there are other open crossings of a very objectionable kind, situated in the principal thoroughfares, which might be entirely dis- pensed with by means of a combined cast and wrought-iron culvert, so constructed as to give the greatest strength and sectional area at the least depth below the surface level of the street, and at the same time to admit of easy access to _ any portion, so that the level of the street could be main- tained. I especially allude to an open channel crossing the main thoroughfare to Collingwood, from the Parliament House reserve to the Princess's Theatre ; to the open crossing at the east end of Collins-street, opposite the Treasury ; and the crossings in Collins-street at Queen-street, at William-street, and two at King-street. The four last crossings are upon the direct road of the vehicles running to and from the Victorian Railways, and are not only dangerous both to passengers and horses, but destructive to the vehicles. A slight modification of the ingress end of such culverts would prevent their being choked, and any one in the habit of driving over these crossings can easily imagine the vast improvement such an alteration would make. If the crossings to which I have now specially directed your attention had been where the streets are level or nearly so, I would not have recommended the adoption of a culvert instead of the open channel, but in each case I have alluded to the street not only has a considerable fall, but the quan- tity of water passing through these open channels is very limited indeed, as may be seen by reference to the plan. In conclusion, I will briefly review the advantage to be derived by the adoption of the plan now submitted. Swanston-street, at its intersection with Bourke-street, would be relieved of no less than 85 per cent. of the water which periodically renders this portion of the city impassable to foot passengers, to the great detriment of shop-keepers and the general public. Elizabeth-street would derive still greater benefits. No overflow would take place from Swanston-street, and the quantity of water received by the channels would be dimin- ished ; at Collins-street by 4-5ths, at Bourke-street by 5-6ths, and at Lonsdale-street by 9-10ths. — in eaten anne 122 Surface and Underground The photographs of Elizabeth-street (which I now submit) taken by Messrs. Perry & Co. during heavy rain storms, will give some idea of the vast body of water that passes down that street during a storm, but it is only by actual inspection of the scene after the flood has subsided that any conception can be formed of the destruction of property caused by such sudden inundations. 18, Collins-street East, May 16th, 1864. Art. XXX.—On the Surface and Underground Draimage of the City of Melbourne. By A. K. Smitu, Esq., C.E. E.RB.S.S.A. [Abstract of paper, read 21st November, 1864.] This paper on the Underground Drainage, is a companion one to that on the Surface Drainage of Melbourne, read 16th May, 1864. The author, in forcible language, showed the great danger arising from want of proper sub-drains, and the consequece existence of foetid pools, cesspits, and other abominations, under and around human habitations, and he also warned his auditors that fine streets and superficial external cleanli- ness, will not prevent the evil consequences of concealed nuisances. The author illustrated his statements from his own experience in Melbourne and elsewhere, and supported them with competent medical authority. The author then proceeded to show at lengtbh— That great facilities exist in Melbourne for efficient sewer- age, owing to the abundant supply of water. That the experience obtained during many years by the General Board of Health in England, has established the soundness of the principle of tubular drainage-pipes for sewerage of towns and cities, and the great economy and efficiency of them when in use. That pipes varying from four inches up to twelve inches, have been and are successfully used for drainage in leu of the old brick drains (nearly as many feet in diameter), to the great benefit of health, the more efficient removal of sew- age, and a vastly decreased cost. That the amount requisite for removing deposit alone from the old drains of large size, forms a very large proportion of the first cost of the pipe- PLAN CE OF THE CITY oS BOURNE. SHEWING 4 =) , aa & - il o Re oe ee SS. Drainage of Melbourne. 123 sewers. That old brick drains were built and kept open at a maximum of cost and a minimum of efficiency, whilst the modern pipe-drains are built at a minimum of cost and a . maximum of efficiency. That simplicity of arrangement and detail have been care- fully studied so as to obtain the greatest fall with the shortest length of piping necessary for draining the greatest possible area. That no drains are carried under buildings of any kind where it can be avoided. That a system of earthenware-pipe drains is perfectly applicable to the requirements of Melbourne and its suburbs. The author suggested that the outlet for the main-sewer should be at the junction of the Salt Water River with the Yarra, aud from thence the sewage can either be utilized by use on the Keilor and Werribee Plains, or allowed to discharge by the River Yarra Yarra into Hobson’s Bay. The author also suggested an exhaust-apparatus and chimney-shaft at the outlet or near thereto, to free the sewer from foul air. _ Tables are appended to show the practical character of the system of earthenware pipe-sewers, their freedom from nuisance, their harmless character to the recipient streams within certain limits, and their general efficiency. Another table shows the great strength of earthenware pipes for practical purposes. Attention is directed to the poisonous emanations from the Jarge sized porous brick drains, and the freedom from nuisance of the earthenware used to replace such. The cost* of efficiently sewering ten cities and towns of England, having a total population of 123,183, and containing 20,457 houses, requiring a total length of sixty-nine miles of sewers is given as follows : Total cost, £80,168 3s. 3d., being at the rate of £3 18s. 44d. per house, or thirteen shillings per head. The author believes that £320,000 will be sufficient to efficiently sewer Melbourne and its suburbs. — * See London Builder, 5th April, 1862, ‘“‘ Report on Towns Sewered and Drained,” by Mr. Robert Rawlinson, Engineer. ee ee? oe ee ee a = el 124 Determination of the Sun’s Distance. Art. XXXI.—On the Determination of the Sun’s Distance. By Rosert L. J. ELLERY, Esq., F.R.AS., &c., Government Astronomer. [Read 27th June, 1863.] The sun’s distance from the earth forms the great base line of astronomical measurements, and outside the moon all dimensions and distances depend upon it ; so that its deter- mination may well be considered the noblest problem in astronomy. It is a problem, too, in which the conditions to render it determinate with any probability of success, are only presented to us at long intervals; even then it demands all the skill and ingenuity of both the observer and mathematician to obtain the necessary measures, and to deduce from them results unaffected by the complications mtroduced by the movements of the bodies involved in the determination. At the same time, the object to be attained is of such surpassing interest and importance, that no care or cost can be considered too much to expend in its attainment. It should be of special interest to Australians, for it was when Captain Cook was sent in command of the expedition to the South Seas, for the purpose of observing the transit of Venus, in order to determine the sun’s distance, in 1769, that he re-discovered Australia and New Zealand, and it is more than probable that the colonization of Australia by the British, owes its origin to that very expedition of Captain Cook. The fact of our Victorian Observatory having taken so prominent and successful a part in the late determination of the sun’s distance, will possibly render a brief sketch of the history of this problem, and of the methods hitherto adopted in its solution, not altogether devoid of interest. Among the Ancients the distance of our great luminary was scarcely anything more than conjecture. The first attempt at its determination appears to have been by Aristarchus of Samos, about 280 B.c., who used a method which only aimed at obtaining the relation of the distances between the earth and the moon, the moon and the sun; it consisted of measuring the angle between the moon and the sun when the former was dichotomized, in other words, exactly half illuminated—literally, cut in two. It isevident that at this time the earth, moon, and sun will form a a, a t Determination of the Sun's Distance. 125 triangle which will be right angled at the moon. The angle also by which the sun and moon was separated could be observed at the same instant, and hence the three angles of a triangle obtained. Aristarchus took for his unit of measure the distance of the earth from the moon, and arrived at the result that the sun was nineteen times as far from the earth as the moon; we now know it to be nearly four hundred times. The method of Aristarchus, however, did not admit of a precise practical application, inasmuch as the exact instant of dichotomy, or half moon, could not be well determined, and the slightest errer in that respect would be fatal to accuracy. This distance of the sun, namely, nineteen times the moon’s distance, was accepted for nearly two thousand years subsequent to its determination. Ptolemy so far accepted it as to combine it with his determination of the moon’s distance from the earth, making the sun’s distance five millions of miles. It was not until Kepler’s time, in the seventeenth century, that this amount was discovered to be far too small, when that celebrated astronomer arbitrarily multiplied it by three, making it fifteen millions of miles. Notwithstanding this somewhat unscientific and summary proceeding on so grave a matter, astronomy owes to this celebrated astronomer the honour of making the first real step towards the solution of the great problem, by the enunciation of his three great laws of planetary motions, the substantial truth of which the illustrious Newton subsequently demonstrated. Kepler’s third law shows that the squares of the periodic times of the revolutions of the planets around the sun are to each other as the cubes of their mean distances ; therefore, if the periods in which the planets perform their orbits around the sun can be ascertained, the relative distances of the planets from the sun and from each other are determinate. These periods have been observed by most of the ancient astronomers, and indeed in Kepler’s time they may be con- sidered to have been almost as well known as at the present day ; although the question of whether the sun’s distance was ten, or a hundred millions of miles, was still unsolved, Kepler's law made known the proportional distances of the bodies of our solar system with an accuracy very little behind our knowledge of the present day. It will hé borne in mind, that no absolute distances have yet been spoken of, but from what has been said of Kepler’s po as LL ee 126 Determination of the Sun's Distance. third law, it will be apparent, that, if the distance of any one planet from the earth, can be accurately determined, the relative distances of the others can be converted into absolute ones. This became the next part of the problem. The distance of a planet is obtained by ascertaining the angle the earth’s radius will subtend at the planet: the larger this angle becomes the more accurate is the result. The nearest planets, of course, will give the largest angles, and for this very sufficient reason Venus and Mars have always been selected for observation in connection with the determination of the sun’s distance. The angle above referred to as subtended by the earth’s radius is generally known as the parallax, and it is by this name I shall now speak of it. Of course the determination of distance from the parallax of a planet pre-supposes that the length of the earth’s radius is known, but, although many geodetic enterprises have been undertaken for this purpose extending so far back as some centuries before the Christain era, Picard’s measure of the French meridianal arc, in 1664, was the first undertaking that furnished reliable results. This measurement, performed with great skill and care, and with a better class of instruments than had been previously constructed, is memorable from the fact that the earth’s diameter deduced. therefrom enabled Newton to establish his laws of gravita- tion, which laws he had discarded for many years previous, on account of the measures which had been determined from former surveys being so utterly at variance with his theory. Since Picard’s survey of the French arc, others have followed in quick succession, each more exact than the pre- ceding. The methods adopted in modern times for the determina- tion of the sun’s distance are two, involving the parallaxes of the two nearest planets, Mars and Venus. The parallax of Venus will give the largest angle, and consequently the most accurate result, but she only attains a position favourable for its measure at certain conjunctions, when her latitude is so small that she appears to a terrestial observer to transit across the sun’s disc. This forms the best of all conditions for determining the sun’s distance from her parallax, but, unfortunately, such occurrences are few and far between. | The celebrated astronomer Halley, in 1725, waS the first to propose the observation of the transit of Venus across the ia; iad ~ lial i Determination of the Sun’s Distance. 127 sun’s disc as a means of determining the sun’s distance. The method consisted of observing at two different stations, separated by a considerable arc of latitude, the intervals of time occupied by Venus in passing across the sun’s disc. The time occupied would be different to each observer in proportion to their distance apart, indicating that the path of Venus described parallel chords of different lengths ; the difference of times, therefore, would afford a measure of the separation of these two cords, which itself gives the parallax of Venus in terms of the distance between the two observers, and as by Kepler’s third law we know that the proportional distances of Venus and the sun are as twenty-eight to seventy-two, all the necessary data for computing the sun’s distance can be obtained. The practical solution of the problem of course involves the nicest calculations and many mathematical difficulties connected with the elliptical motions of both Venus and the earth. This method is, nevertheless, without doubt the best of any known, but, unfortunately from the rare occurrence of the transits of Venus, ages almost elapse between the opportunities of its application. Since it was first proposed by Halley, in 1725, only two have occurred, namely, in 1761, and 1769. The next will take place in 1874, and again in 1882. They generally, not always, occur in pairs. The method of determining the sun’s distance from the measurement of the parallax of Mars, although not sus- ceptible of quite so high a degree of accuracy as that by the transit of Venus, has, however, the great advantage of being practicable at every opposition of Mars, which occurs about every two years; it must, however, be mentioned that the oppositions in which Mars approaches nearest to the earth (as in 1862) are much more favourable than the distant SL alia from the fact of the parallactic angle being arger. , The method may be thus briefly described : when Mars is In opposition, observers, separated by large ares of latitude, obtain the differences of declination between it and certain fixed stars situated near him selected for the purpose ; it is then found that Mars appears in a somewhat different position at the same instant among the stars to the different observers, due to their difference of latitude. The distance between the observing stations being known, and the amount of displacement of Mars being measured, the parallax, and hence the distance, are determinate. 128 Determination of the Sun's Distance. There is another advantage in this method by Mars, viz., that the observations need not be confined to a short space of time, as is requisite in the case of Venus, but many repetitions may be made, both as the planet is approaching and receding from opposition, and in combining many observations a greater amount of accuracy is obtained. Were it not for this, the Mars method would claim far less reliability than, with the beautiful graduated instruments now available, it seems entitled to. This method appears to have been first used for deter- mining the sun’s distance, in 1672, when Richer was sent to Cayenne to observe the planet in conjunction with astro- ‘nomers in Europe; the result obtained gave the sun’s distance eighty-six millions of miles ; although one-sixteenth less than was subsequently found from its nearer approach to the truth than had hitherto been reached, the value of the method was clearly indicated. Cassini shortly afterwards obtained nearly the same result by observing Mars parallax in right ascension, or its displacement with respect to the stars, due to the distance in space an observatory is moved through during a large portion of the earth’s revolution. For, suppose the position of Mars with respect to certain fixed stars, be observed when it is far east of the meridian ; when it appears far west of the meridian, the earth will have moved through a considerable amount of space, which can be very easily calculated. Its position with regard to the same stars is then observed, the change in position, combined with base line described by the observatory in the course of the earth’s rotation with the motion of Mars in that time, then gives all the data for computing its parallax. A great, advantage of this method is, that it can be fully carried out at a single observatory with one observer, but, on the other hand, dependance has to be placed on the absolute stability of the instrument used for many hours, and this is a most difficult condition to obtain in instruments mounted in a way suitable for such observations. Nevertheless, unusual pre- cautions may be taken to secure it, as was done during the late opposition by Mr. Airy, when he most successfully used this method. The transit of Venus, which took place in 1761, was observed at the Cape of Good Hope and in Lapland; the sun’s parallax deduced from the observations was 853, equal to a distance of 95,141,830 miles. For the transit of Venus, of 1769, great efforts were made by most of the Determination of the Sun’s Distance. 129 European governments to secure good observations, and expensive expeditions were fitted out for all parts of the world, the celebrated one under command of Captain Cook being dispatched to the South Seas. The transit was fully observed ' in both hemispheres, the resulting parallax being calculated as 87-58, corresponding toa distance of 95,023,000 miles. This distance has been accepted up to within the last two or three years. Mr. Airy, however, in a paper read before the Royal Astronomical Society, in May, 1857, stated that oreat doubts were attachable by many astronomers to this result, inasmuch as “it happened that it depended almost entirely upon the observations made by Father Hell, of Wardhoe, ~ and to these great suspicion has been attached, many having without hesitation designated them as forgeries.” Encke, the well-known astronomer and mathematician, has discussed these observations on the transits of Venus with every possible care, and the numbers given above are the results of his computations ; and all reliance may be placed on their correctness as far as the calculation is concerned, but circumstances have since arisen, apart from the suspicions which some attach to the genuineness of some of the northern observations of these transits, which indicate very strongly that the sun’s distance derived from them is too large. The well-known French philosopher, Foucault, from some recent experiments on the velocity of light, with apparatus from which all uncertainty appears to be excluded, has come to the conclusion that we have hitherto attributed too great a velocity to light, and that instead of 192,000 miles it moves through only 185,170 a second. Now, from eclipses and other phenomena, we know exactly that light takes 8m. 18s. to move from the sun to the earth’s surface, from which, by a simple calculation, the sun’s distance becomes a little over 92,000,000 of miles, giving a parallax of 8°86; being more than 3,000,000 ofmilesless than the accepteddistance. Again, Mons. Le Verrier, the Director of the Imperial Observatory at Paris, some time since arrived at the conclusion that, in order to satisfy the theory of some of the planetary perturbations, the sun’s distance must be diminished, and theoretically assigned, on purely physical grounds, irrespective of instrumental measures, a parallax of 8”-95, equal to a distance of 91,066,350 miles, less, by over 4,000,000 miles, than that previously adopted. I must here anticipate, to draw attention to the singular coincidence, that the purely theoretical determination of the. sun’s parallax agrees closely with the practical K 130 Determination of the Sun's Distance. one accomplished during the opposition of*Mars, in 1862, the theoretical parallax being 8”:95, while that deduced from the Mars observation here and at Greenwich was 8”.95. The near approach of Mars to the earth in its opposition of 1862, offered a most favourable opportunity for a deter- mination of the sun’s distance, more especially as several — southern observatories had become possessed of graduated instruments of the highest class, and their geographical positions much more exactly known than at previous favourable oppositions. Our Observatory, geographically speaking, was most . favourably situated to co-operate with the great Huropean observatories in this interesting undertaking, for between here and Greenwich is included a base line of nearly twice the earth’s radius ; and fortunately a few months prior to receiving a request from Europe to join in the work, our beautiful transit circle arrived, which placed the Observatory in the position of domg so on. more equal terms with our friends at the antipodes. The Observatory, too, at the Cape of Good Hope was well situated, and ready with its magnificent instrumental appliances to take the lead in the Southern Hemisphere. The Observatory at Santiago, in Chili, under Dr. Moesta, also lent its aid. Unfortunately, the Sydney Observatory had lost its astronomer, in the retirement of Mr. Scott, or Australia might have claimed even a greater share of the honour of helping in this great work. The observatories of Greenwich, Pulkowa, and Washington were the principal northern ones which shared in the under- taking. | The correspondence from Greenwich, Pulkowa, and Washington, in which our co-operation was asked, had furnished the necessary directions to secure proper concert in observing, so that at the commencement of the arranged period all possible precautions to secure success at our Obser- vatory had been made. The whole series of observations, extending from August 25th to November 16th, were obtained most satisfactorily. Out of the allotted period, eighty-nine nights, Mars and its companion stars were observed on sixty-six nights, which, considering the great prevalence of cloudy weather during that portion of the year, ‘was more than was expected. The Cape Observatory was less fortunate, and I believe that our Observatory obtained, by aconsiderable amount, the largest number of observations. ’ : , Geology of Hobart Town. 131 The sun’s parallax, derived from the combination of the results obtained at Greenwich with those of our Observatory, was 8”-93, while from the combination of those at the Cape with the Pulkowa observations gave 8”-96. It isa matter of the highest scientific interest that the results arrived at by the co;operation of these four observatories should correspond so nearly with each other, so exactly with those deduced theoretically by Mons. Le Verrier, and so nearly approaches that arrived at by another distinct method by Faucoult, viz., from his experi- ments on the velocity of light. The distance of the sun arrived at from the Williamstown and Greenwich observations is, according to «Mr. Stones’, (of Greenwich,) calculation, 91,512,649 miles, or over 3,000,000 of miles less than has hitherto been assumed. In conclusion, | may remark that satisfactory in the highest degree as these results appear to be, astronomers are looking forward to the transit of Venus, in 1874, to ratify them or to determine with greater exactitude than the Mars method is susceptible of, the more precise amount by which our hitherto accepted distances of the sun requires to be diminished. This transit of Venus will take place soon after mid-day, on December 9th, 1874. Melbourne is admirably situated for observing it. European astronomers are already taking steps to secure proper co-operation in the Southern Hemi- sphere, and I trust that our Observatory, so liberally furnished with some of the finest instruments in the world, will do as well for science, and for the credit of Victoria, as it was permitted to do in the determination of the Sun’s distance, in 1862. Art. XXXII—Wotes on the Geology of Hobart Town. By THomAs HARRISON. [Abstract. Read 8th August, 1864.] Tasmania is, as it were, connected with Victoria by two chains of islands, running in a northerly direction, respec- tively, from Cape Portland and Cape Grimm to Wilson’s Promontory and Cape Otway. The lines of these two chains are afterwards continued in the several mountain systems of Tasmania and Australia. , K 2 132 Geology of Hobart Town. The age of the several parts of the Tasmanian mountain system is supposed to vary considerably, and evidence would go to show that Tasmania, of a past geological epoch, had a very different form from that which characterises it at the present time. At first, it most probably appeared as a group of islands : about five in number.. In the succeeding epoch. much of the intervening portion of sea bottom was elevated, and the area existed as one continuous mass of land ; indented, however, by at least’ two deep bays. The first of these extended from Campbell’s Town to the sea; the second, and larger, occupied the valley of the Derwent, and much of the surrounding district. | These bays were, in time, filled by what appears to be the carboniferous rocks of Tasmania, thus becoming the future coal basins of the island. It is to the geological features of the last-named basin that the following notes bear reference. | What may be termed the method of survey adopted, was to traverse the country by a series of lines radiating from Hobart Town as a centre. The first of these lines was along the main road, in the direction of New Norfolk, a town situate on the Derwent, about twenty miles from the metropolis. Leaving the coal seams of New Town on the left, there were met with a succession of carboniferous sandstones and shales; cut by numerous dykes and masses of eruptive green stone and black basalt; or covered over by gravel and other aqueous deposits until near Bridgewater (ten miles ' from Hobart Town), where is exposed a dense clay stone, afterwards in turn succeeded by thick beds of highly fossili- ferous limestone. The latter, after extending several miles, and presenting a gradually rising series, apparently dip in quite a contrary direction ; so that, after passing by masses of river deposits and dykes of basalt, at New Norfolk, the clay stone of Bridgewater is again met with, and then, towards Hamilton, are beds of sandstone, shale, and coal, appearing in the reverse order of the succession passed over in journeying from Hobart Town to Bridgewater. It would seem, therefore, that an anticlinal exists near the latter place. 4 A second line of route passed over Grass Tree Hill, towards Richmond, displaying a somewhat similar series, only that the limestone nowhere appears at the surface. Geology of Hobart Town. 133 A third route lies in the direction of Clarence, and towards Frederick Henry Bay ; the geological features re- sembling those of the last-mentioned district. On a line, _ in the direction of Sandy Point Bay, also, the rocks differed but little from those of the two preceding, only that nume- rous erratic blocks of limestone were scattered about the roadside, showing that the formation was probably at the surface at no great distance. In a series of branching tracks leading up the gullies of Mount Wellington, probably in consequence of convulsive movements, the limestone is met with, within a mile of the boundary of Hobart Town. Bobart Town itself is situate on undulating ground, rising gradually from the sea towards the north-west. Two valleys traverse the area in a longitudinal direction. On the western side, a hill named Knocklofty forms a considerable elevation; and still further in the same direction, Mount Wellington rises to a height of more than 4,000 feet. On a map geologically coloured it will be seen, that the site of Hobart Town is composed of a number of broad and alternate stripes of sandstone and basalt, such stripes running parallel with the valleys previously alluded to. It is worthy of remark, that the whole of the sandstones have a dip in the direction of Mount Wellington. This peculiarity is, save on the sides of the mountain itself, pretty general over the whole adjacent district. ~On the sides of Mount Wellington the dip is in a directly opposite direction. In a section drawn from the Derwent to the top of Mount Wellington, the arrangement of the sandstones resembles a series of ratchet teeth, rismg one above the other towards the south-west. As a very homely illustration, we may suppose a set of wooden cubes to be laid out upon a yielding foundation, say a sofa cushion, so that the surface of the whole represents a perfectly level superficies. Anon, and some disturbing force changes the horizontal plane of each cube into a gently sloping incline, and forms at every joint a diminutive escarpment. If we can only imagine that some molten substance, such as wax, has been forced through the various interstices from beneath, so that its overflow par- tially fills up the miniature valleys, we shall have a model representation of Hobart Town with its sandstones, disloca- tions, and eruptive rocks. It will probably be asked why the dip of the various » 134 Geology of Hobart Town. beds remains so constantly the same, and towards instead of from an evidently upheaved rock? Perhaps the local dip, in the opposite direction on the sides of Mount Wel- lington, may explain the difficulty. If a vast level plateau, such as must have once existed hereabouts, should ever be broken up by the protrusion of a mountain chain like the Mount Wellington range, it is not unreasonable to suppose that many fractures would take place at a distance from, and parallel. to, the eruptive mass. In addition to this simple fracture of the beds, a lateral pressure may also have led to a phenomenon somewhat analogous to what takes place when the pieces of ice, in a large floe, commence to pack one upon the other. The secondary fissures do not appear to have been filled up with basalt contemporaneously with their formation. The molten matter seems to have been run into them as previously existing crevices. Still the filling up may have followed closely, almost instantaneously, upon the shock causing the fracture. Of the rocks of the district, the lowest is of an extremely fossiliferous character, and is called mountain limestone by the colonists. It is divided into two beds. Of these, the lower is very calcareous, and contains a profusion of bivalves (spirifera and producta): the upper is more arenacious, and © is literally crowded with coral (fenestrella and stenopora.) It would seem as if the calcareous matter had granulated from the upper to the lower beds. In the former, the re- moval of the shells by infiltration, gives rise to a singularly honeycombed appearance, wherever the rock is exposed in a cliff. In the lower rock the matter of the original shells is substituted by crystallised carbonate of lime. Above this formation is a dense compact stratum, locally known as mud or clay stone. Mr. Selwyn estimates its thickness at fully 400 feet. There are a few impressions of shells found in it occasionally, but, generally, fossils are of rare occurrence. ; Throughout the mass, at intervals, are a number of pieces of angular quartz. The unworn condition of these would suggest some method of transport other than mere power of the water. Probably they were floated from a distance, en- tangled in the roots of sea-weed. : _It was probably the prevalence of the turbid water giving rise to this stratum which destroyed the corals, so numerous in the upper beds of limestone immediately below. Geology of Hobart Town. 135 Above the claystone is a great thickness of sandstone. This stratum is singularly bare of organisms. But as sand- stones generally contain but few fossils, the barrenness, in this instance, is no proof that the seas were untenanted Wwathilife. Interstratified with the’ upper portion of the sandstone beds, are layers of shale, bearing impressions of fern leaves and calamites, together with one or two thin layers of coal, changed for the most part into anthracite. The absence of Sigilaria, Stugmaria, Lepedodendra, and other plants characteristic of the English coal measures, would seem to suggest that the coal of Tasmania, like that of Victoria, is not of the true carboniferous period. What may, in some measure, go to confirm the opinion so hazarded, is the discovery in the sandstone of a bone, said by Professor Owen to be that of a Labyrinthodon, a batrachian generally associated with rocks of the Triassic age. A Hobart Town geologist (Mr. Morton Allport), who first directed my attention to this interesting fossil, supposes the rock from which it was taken to be situate above the coal beds of the district. It is with extreme diffidence that I venture to express an opinion, but I had thought, and still think, from an exami- nation of the locality, that the bed, in which the fossil was discovered, lies far below the carbonaceous strata, and that the carbonaceous strata in that particular spot have been swept away by denudation. This would render the fossil of great use in determining the geological position of the Tas- manian coal beds, and show that they were deposited con- temporaneously with the reptilian forms characteristic of the secondary period. It may be asked, as the limestone is of Palzeozoic and the coal of Mesozoic age, whether the surface remained unsub- merged during the intervening period, or whether there has been a subsequent removal of rocks once deposited ? Perhaps it may appear that neither of these alternatives is absolutely required. The Permian group may, after all, be represented by a portion of the strata intervening between the limestone and the coal, although, through the absence of fossils, no evidence of the fact is anywhere apparent. The magnesian limestone characteristic of the Permian age may have been so far local as to be excluded" altogether from Tasmanian waters. Probably the beds, during the course of formation, resembled, not a little, the aceginilations of sand cme Yarra Floods. 151 of the subsequent operations necessary for removing the sandy deposit at the mouth, the St. Kilda channel appears to me to be worse than the Sandridge lagoon channel. In fact, there are no valid arguments that I can discern in support of the St. Kilda scheme. The line of channel proposed in 1853, for a ship-canal, differs materially as regards results from those last mentioned, inasmuch as, if suitable for a flood-channel, it would also be available for giving passage to shipping between the Bay and Melbourne. It is doubtful, however, if an outlet for flood- waters formed at the point at which the entrance to that canal was proposed to be made would be effectual. The tendency of the mouth to choke with silt would be similar to that of the two schemes last mentioned. The argu- ment has been frequently made use of, that because the deep water penetrates more closely into the shore at that point than at any other, the mouth of a canal would be less liable to obstruction from deposit of sand there than else- where. But it must be recollected that the conditions of the case would be entirely altered if the upland waters emptied themselves through a channel having an outlet at that site. The waters of the Bay driven up by southerly winds, culmi- nate in force at that part of the shore, and coming over the deep waters of the Bay, hold little or no debritus in suspen- _ sion. It is not surprising that a body of water, free from a mixture of solid matter being hurled against the shore, wave after wave, during the southerly’winds, gradually eats away the bank of sand formed during easterly winds, and scatters the deposit right and left, to be deposited on the eastern side upon the shore ; and on the western side, to be carried away by the natural currents into deep water. Were an open cutting to be formed emptying into the Bay at this point, the state of the case would be entirely altered. The beat of the waters of the Bay is at present against a solid shore, on which the only effect that can be produced is, the carrying away of the sand to other sites immediately adjoining, or the floating away of the material into deep water. But if the outfall of the Yarra discharged into the Bay at this locality, the results would evidently be wholly different. Then the force of the waters of the Bay during southerly winds, instead of being expended, as now, in breaking fruit- lessly upon the shore, would drive the sand into the mouth of the canal with far greater force than the outward current could resist. At the point where the forces of the out-flowing 152 Yarra Floods. waters on the one hand, and of the opposing waters of the Bay on the other, neutralized each other, the debritus surged up from the beach, and the silt carried down the Yarra from the lands draining into that river must inevitably be deposited. It would be absurd to doubt that this effect would be produced, especially when we bear in mind that the outlet, formed at the mouth of the Sand- ridge lagoon during the late floods, was silted up in two or three weeks afterwards, although nine feet in depth. Well- known natural laws prove to us, without other evidence, that such an outlet must silt up. The only question that can arise is, as to the probable extent of the deposit and the cost of its removal. I am satisfied that no engineer would attempt to dispute that a deposit would accumulate at the mouth, and I believe that the extent of the deposit would be sufficiently large to render the outlet inefficient for its intended purpose. At any rate the injury that would be inflicted on the jetty of the Hobson’s Bay Railway Company agd on the Sandridge Town Pier, cannot be overlooked. An outlet at the site referred to could not avoid silting up those works, and the injury done to them could not be easily remedied. The wharfage works, on the opposite shore of the Bay at Williamstown, would likewise receive injury, as they would lose the scouring effect of the present current from the Yarra along the Williamstown shore. They would also be injured by the deposit of silt on that shore which would necessarily follow the conversion of the bight’ westward of Williamstown and Sandridge into a reservoir of dead water. In each of the three projects alluded to, the mouth of the channel must necessarily be exposed to the whole fetch of the bay ; and whatever advantages either may individually possess, it is evident, from the latter circumstance, that the escape of the flood-waters would be seriously retarded by the opposing influence of the waters of the Bay driven up by southerly winds against the northern unprotected shore. This alone is a material objection to the adoption of any canal emptying itself into the bay at either of the sites I have referred to. When we take into consideration the positive evils that would follow the carrying out of either of these schemes, I think sufficient grounds are apparent why neither project should be put in practice. The scheme suggested by me, as shown on the map, includes two important features which an enlarged considera- tion of the subject has induced me to regard as essential to — Yarra Floods. 153 uccess. These are, the permanent adoption of the site of Prince’s Bridge and that of the present Yarra mouth as pomts of discharge for the waters of the Yarra. The onus of proving the benefits that would result from diverting the natural channel of the river above Prince’s Bridge, necessa- rily falls upon those who advocate the construction of works, contemplating the discharge of the waters by some other route. The advantages which I claim in favour of my plan over others are—that the currents of the Bay are not interfered with, and therefore that the existing piers and other works of construction are not injured; that the mouth of the channel is in the position least liable of any to silt up from many obvious reasons, and that it is so situated, being under the lee of Williamstown and Gellibrand’s Point, as to afford an entrance for shipping thoroughly protected during all weathers. In this proposition, also, the general question of the future development of the harbour, as circumstances may require, is dealt with. The benefit resulting from the passing of the whole of the waters of the River Yarra, the Saltwater River, and the Stoney Creek, through the one outlet, ought not to be undervalued, as the accumulated scour of the three streams must certainly be more effective, in preventing a deposit of silt from forming, than the unaided upland waters of the Yarra discharging at a separate outlet. The only conceivable objection that can be urged against the scheme is, that the channel is longer than a direct channel from Prince’s Bridge to Sandridge. Even from this point of view the route I have sug gested has its advantages. The flood-channel, on whatever ‘line it may be constructed, will eventually, at any rate, be made of sufficient depth to accommodate shipping; when this occurs the channel itself will become a dock. The greater its leneth the more dock accommodation for shipping it will afford and the larger amount of wharfage frontage it will present. The diagonal course which the “channel takes through the Jow lands also divides the ground in a manner which will give the greatest available access from the wharfs to the adjoining lands. As already stated, the cutting must be of great width to afford a safe channel of discharge for the Yarra waters during : periods of floods. This width is far greater than, in all probability, will ever be required for the accommodation of ) shipping. It would then be useless to make the channel, s 154 7 Yarra Floods. for its whole width, sufficiently deep to afford passage and harbourage for vessels, In suggesting a wide shallow channel for dischar ging the flood-waters, I contemplate the ultimate deepening of the cutting, for a limited width, along its entire length between the Bay and Queen’s Wharf, and. the running out of jetties at suitable intervals for vessels to he alongside and to discharge and take in cargoes. Dr. Crooke has propounded a scheme which, although I believe it to be impracticable, has the merit of striking at the root of the disease. He boldly proposes to abandon the present course of the Yarra between Dight’s Mills and the junction of the Yarra and Saltwater River, and to bring the flood-waters by an artificial channel to be dug along the line of the Reilly-street drain and by way of North Melbourne into the lower part of the river. This project has a tempting aspect at first sight; carefully examined into, however, its objectionable features become strikingly apparent. The intersection of Melbourne and its suburbs, from east to west, by two rivers instead of one, as at present, would obviously prove inconvenient. Ifa channel, capable of dis- charging the flood-waters of the Yarra, were to be cut, on the line suggested by Dr. Crooke, a number of expensive viaducts would have to be built across it, otherwise com- munication between Melbourne and the interior would be embarrassed. The limits of the city would, in fact, be confined between the present course of the Yarra and the new channel. Again, the flood-waters would have to pass through the high land at North Melbourne either by means of a deep cutting ora tunnel. A cutting would obviously exile all properties immediately north of the city, unless a cousiderable number of expensive bridges were to be built over the channel at this point. A cutting would likewise render necessary the destruction of a large extent of property to provide space for it. On the other hand, to attempt to pass the flood-waters of the Yarra through a tunnel would be absurd. Ido not hesitate to say that to build a tunnel, capable of giving safe exit to the waters of the Yarra during such storms as that of last December, is practically impos- sible. There is no example of such a tunnel in Great Britain, nor, I think I may. say, in any other part of the world. The danger that would result from an attempt to confine the flood-waters of the Yarra within the limits of a tunnel, is such, that I am sure no engineer would seriously propose to attempt it. One of the benefits on which Dr. SS Intimate Structure of Cartilage. 155 Crooke appears to reckon, as arising out of his scheme, is, that the course of the river between Dight’s mills and the outlet, being thereby reduced to about one-third of the length of the present course of the river between those two - points, the flood-waters would thus escape the more rapidly. A moment’s consideration will show that this is the worst feature of his scheme. At present, the rate of outflow of the waters of the Yarra, in time of floods, is dangerously rapid. If the distance between the two points above referred to were to be reduced to one-third of the present distance, the rate of current would be such as to be beyond control by any ordinary means. I believe there is no important river yet known which has a fall at its outlet at all approaching the fall which the Yarra would have under Dr. Crooke’s proposition. Jam quite sure that the velocity of the stream would be so great as to destroy any limits which might be assigned to it, if any known works of con- struction were to be adopted in forming the channel, and I am equally certain that if works, capable of withstanding the vast erosive power of the current were to be adopted, the cost would be enormous. I have purposely abstained from remarks or suggestions as to the mode of constructing any of the works I have suggested as necessary for preventing future floods in the Yarra. It has been my desire to limit the discussion to general issues. The first point to be decided upon, is the course of the outlet. When that has been settled, it will be early enough to discuss as to how the works shall be built.. An argument, on matters of professional detail, at the present moment, could serve no useful purpose, and would draw the attention of members from the more important points involved in this question. Art. XXXVI—On the Intimate Structure of Cartilage. By GEorGE Brirron Hatrorp, M.D., M.R.C.P., Lond., Professor of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology, University of Melbourne. [Read 29th August, 1864.] The preparations beneath the various microscopes from which the diagrams on the walls have been copied, furnish evidence of the existence of two, if not of three, distinct and separable elements of cartilage. 156 Intimate Structure of Cartilage. 1st. The most constant is the “granular cell” of Messrs. Tomes and De Morgan, the cartilage corpuscle of most authors ; the germinal matter of Beale; but, for reasons which will presently be seen, I would call “the cartilage cell.” 2nd. An intercellular substance in which the cells are imbedded. 3rd. In some situations capsules which invest the cells, structures between the cells and the intercellular substance. OF THE CARTILAGE CELL. The cells have been thus obtained. Pieces of ossifying cartilage were soaked in a solution of magenta for two days, afterwards washed for four days in distilled water, and sub- sequently in glycerine for two or three months, so as to allow of repeated observations. Many of these cells are seen lying perfectly detached from the matrix; they are of the same sizes and shapes as the vacant spaces from which they have escaped. Nearly all possess a distinct nucleus, with granular, and very frequently fatty contents. They are the most persistent and characteristic structure of cartilage, resisting the action of boiling, their contained fat becoming liquified, and refracting the light very brilliantly ; - they remain undestroyed by concentrated sulphuric acid and caustic potash, which visibly affect, and apparently dissolve, the intercellular substance. Water soon renders them indis- tinct, but glycerine preserves well their form. Not only are they persistent in structure, but they may be traced from the cartilage into the bone, in which I believe they become, as stated by Messrs. Tomes and De Morgan, the lacunz or cells of that tissue.* The cell may very easily be examined apart from the matrix. * Bealesays, that when soaked in water thegerminal matter, and soft imper- fectly developed formed material (¢.e. cartilage cell and nucleus) break down and become liquified, and that then the cartilage appears as a matrix con- taining numerous vacuoles or spaces. By the process I have employed these cells may be preserved entire and separate from the matrix for months, and very probably for years, retaining their form so as to discountenance the idea of their gradually shading off and blending the forward material or matrix. From a piece of temporary cartilage thus treated they may with the point of a needle be turned out- entire, with forms as definite as those of starch granules for instance. Intimate Structure of Cartilage. 15g When first treated with the solution of magenta the entire cell is coloured, but after maceration in water the nucleus alone retains the dye. The colour will disappear also from the nucleus upon the application of acetic acid, and will reappear in it upon subsequent washing with distilled water and reapplying the magenta. The latter is rather a delicate operation, but when it succeeds it well repays the trouble— the cell-wall remaining quite uncoloured, the nucleus coloured. Whenever a cell exists singly I have been unable to detect an outer cell wall, but this is no longer the case when the cell divides and multiplies, 7.e. when groups, large or small, of cells exist. These cell-walls it will be as well to call cell capsules. OF THE CELL CAPSULES. 1. Where, as in rib-cartilage, large spaces are seen occupied by many cells, it will frequently be evident that between the cells and the matrix, a delicate and slightly granular membrane or capsule exists. A piece of such cartilage soaked in magenta is reddened in all its parts, but not equally, thus the matrix is deeply coloured and opaque ; septa, equally coloured, are seen running inwards and dividing many of the larger groups; the cells are deeply - coloured but translucent, whilst surrounding and apparently enclosing and separating them from the matrix, the capsules — are faintly coloured. If caustic potash be now added, the colour vanishes from the matrix, the cells become more translucent and almost colourless, whilst the capsules still retain the colour. 2. Near the margin of ossification, the oval space in which the cell is contained is lned by a delicate membrane which may very properly be considered a capsule. Many of these have been obtained separate from the matrix, and are found to agree in shape and size with the vacuoles in the abandoned matrix. Very many I have distinctly seen double, that is having a median septum, each partition containing one cell, some have presented the appearance of more or less perfect division ; others have evidently been torn and lost their cell or corpuscle, whilst again, close upon the bony margin, the capsule becomes much more evident, at the same time that the cartilage cell is smaller and the matrix more granular. These latter facts fully bear out Messrs. 158 Australian Fish of the Genus Arripis. Tomes and De Morgan’s previous researches. Whatever doubt existed is now removed by the careful application of magenta. MULTIPLICATION OF THE CELLS. This I believe is accompanied by division of the capsule, the septa when fully formed being continuous with the sur- rounding matrix. Microscopic preparations and diagrams showing all that has been now advanced, are around you for inspection. Art. XXXVII—Remarks on the Australian Fish of the Genus Arripis. By Proressor M‘Coy, F.GS., &. &e. Read 19th September, 1864, Professor M‘Coy described the generic characters of the genus Arripis so named, by Jenyns, from the supposed absence of the fan-like structure at the base of the scales which Professor M‘Coy, however, showed to be generally present. Branchiostigals seven; all the teeth villiform ; teeth on the palatine bones and vomer; tongue smooth; one dorsal with nine spines ; anal with three ; preoperculum denticulated. Pyloric appendages said, by the most recent writers, to be from seventeen to fifty, Professor M‘Coy found to be one hundred and sixty. The species were described as Centropristes by Cuvier, Richardson, &c., under the following names— Centropristes Georgianus. (Cuv.) - Salar. (Richardson.) a Tasmanicus. (Homb.) FS Truttaceus. (Cuv.) Perca Trutta. (Cuv.) and probably Perca marginata. (Cuv.) Of these, the C. Georgianus, Professor M‘Coy found to be the adult form. It is the fish improperly called “salmon ” by the colonists, the eating of which is supposed to be, at certain times and to certain people, more or less poisonous, although certainly good for food under other circumstances not yet understood. It has a nearly uniform pale olive colour. Wealden Formation of Europe. 159 The C. Salar is popularly called “salmon trout” by the colonists, and is recognised from the first by its smaller size and rows of large round brass-like spots on the sides. The species was separated, by Sir J. Richardson, from the former - on account of the differences in the number of the fin rays, the spotting of the body, and the greater diameter of the eye as compared with the length of the head and the distance between the orbits. All these characters Professor M‘Coy proved to be merely the characteristics of the young fish of the C. Georgianus. — The C. Truttaceus of Cuvier was mainly characterized by the posterior edge of the preoperculum not being denticu- lated ; and this also was proved by the demonstration of the characters in several specimen® to be a character of the very young of the same species, C. Georgianus, with which it also should, as well as the Perca Truttu of Cuvier, be united. The very young when examined alive have the caudal fin yellow with a black margin. These colours fade quickly in spirit or on dried skins, so this colouring noted by Cuvier on a drawing from life of a fish of which he had never seen a specimen, gave.rise to the species Perca marginata, which, as all the other characters also are those of young Centropristes Georgianus, Professor M‘Coy proposed to consider a synonym of that species, thus reducing, by extensive observations on recent specimens, six supposed species of Australian fish to one. ArT. XXXVIIIT—The Wealden Formation of Europe, as Illustrated by the Physical Features of Port Phillip Bay. By THomas Harrison, Esa. | [Abstract of Paper read Oct. 31st, 1864.] The characteristics of the Wealden Formation, in reference to its probable history, its geographical position, geological structure, and the peculiarity of its brackish and fresh water beds, intercalated between two extensive marine for- mations, were briefly and generally described. The hypothesis of Lyell, of a gradually sinking delta, was briefly reviewed, and the points noted in which some of the phenomena observed were not satisfactorily accounted for by such a cause. 160 , Wealden Formation of Europe. The views of Mr. Searles Wood and others, that the deposits had taken place in closed basins, and the presumptive evidence brought forward in support of such, was next referred to. This portion of the paper was illustrated by maps showing the several configurations of land and water in England, France; and Spain during the carboniferous, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. The partially enclosed area of Port Phillip Gulf presents some resemblance to such closed basin (as above alluded to), and the analogy would be complete if we suppose communication with the sea, through its present narrow outlet, obstructed by the formation or elevation of a bar of land connecting Point Nepean with Point Lonsdale, and so converting the existing gulf into an inland lake, which would confinue salt or become brackish, or even fresh, in proportion to the ratio of the river supplies of fresh water to the evaporation. The geological history of the Victorian tertiaries, in their alternate elevations and depressions, would further illustrate some, if not all, of the peculiar phenomena of the English Wealden formation. In Victoria, such vertical motions of the surface appearing in some measure to be connected with the various basaltic outbursts Incidental to so many parts of the Colony, it was suggested that, possibly in Great Britain, the continuous elevation of the land from the Old Red Sandstone to the end of the Oolitic period, and its subsequent depression during the Cretaceous era, and lastly, its final elevation after the Tertiary epoch, might be traced to be not altogether unconnected with certain trap and basaltic eruptions on the western coasts in Scotland. As presumptive evidence of such being the case, it was pointed out that the Skuir of Eig (a vast dyke of greenstone) reposes on the remains of an Oolitic forest, and portions of the trap rocks forming the Giant’s Causeway are found to overlie rocks of the Cretaceous age. The general scope of the paper was to suggest, by analogy, possible causes which may be inferred from existing pheno- mena in other places, particularly around Melbourne, in explanation of the yet somewhat obscure agencies concerned in the formation of one series of the most interesting, and to some extent, anomalous strata of the Wealden. EE Ne chee ea Ey Fre Fan ey cee tk Sm adil 40 JONVY USLIWOUVE2°JONVH] ONIM/NOLLIFUIORINYO4 Drawing W* 1 aT bi mW bpp 2 26 24 4c he in Hosson’s Bay Dinaram TO ACCOMPANY MM” Ramiunzon's Nores On THE Tione Puenomena 15, 16 17 8 Eph ERE 14 th hy, Nhat 12 e Tinie s FRERE ET bk a [fe | o f Ey 8 the Z NOVEM BER 1863 6 epeee eT! 7 + ER EE f= i tates ra PUREE t Sales Ion ® anes u nia ede adit jo 39NV4 Y3.L3WOUVE “°FONVY | CNIM*NOLL INO IIUOT Drawing MEP} DECEMBER 1863 JGIL 30 JONVA | YILINOUVEFONVY) ONIMMNOLLOIUIO RIO DOnOHD TNA Me 22 ADO 19 re 5 ic To theke I F ae ¢na- Tepee sy [bsees AGL 40 JDNVA |esLIWONVE*°S9NVE) NIM‘ NOLLOIUMIIINOS Tidal Phenomena of Hobson’s Bay. 161 ArT. XXXIX.—WNotes on the Tidal Phenomena of Hobson's Bay, as affecting the discharge of Flood Waters from the fiver Yarra. By THomas E. Rawurnson. C.E. [Read Oct. 31st, 1864. ] The importance of the River Yarra to the City of Mel- bourne, taken in connection with the-large and yearly increasing value of the interests which have arisen on its banks, and the prospective value of the low lands liable to flood between Melbourne and the Bay, renders the question of dealing with the flood waters to which it is subject one of no ordinary importance. The late frequent and disastrous floods, have further given the subject an immediately practical character. Various plans have been proposed from time to time for relieving the river in time of flood, nearly all of which (indeed all the plans of a practical character) contemplate the locality of Hobson’s Bay as the only available site for the discharge of the surplus waters, and it is in reference to this part of the- question that I propose to offer a few remarks in connection with the tidal diagrams submitted. The Bay being the only available outlet for drainage pur- poses, any influence acting upon its waters, tending to elevate or depress their general level, must as a consequence have a reflex influence upon the drainage, by diminishing or increasing the available fall for the waters, and propor- tionately reduce or enlarge the discharging power of the water courses, and it is proposed in this paper to illustrate the tidal phenomena in the Bay, having such tendency to diminish or increase the drainage power of the river. The fact of unusual high tides in Hobson’s Bay, and their retention at an unusual height for lengthened periods, is not unknown, and from their being usually accompanied by south-westerly winds, the high tides are attributed to such winds. : The object of this paper and accompanying diagrams is to show that the winds are but a secondary cause, and may perhaps be more correctly termed a consequence or result of the prime cause, namely, atmospheric disturbance, of which the barometer is the index ; the heaping up of the waters, or their depression, independent of the diurnal tides, being but the reflex of the atmospheric wave, acting upon the surface of the waters. = M 162 Tidal Phenomena of Hobson’s Bay. In a limited area like Port Phillip Gulf, communicating by a comparatively narrow entrance with the ocean through Bass’s Straits, I scarcely hoped to find such a decided result as the diagram affords of the influence of atmospheric pres- sure on the waters, independent of the wind currents. For the illustration of the question, I have selected from the 30th October to the 25th December, 1863, this period being inclusive of the time of the unusual and disastrous floods of last year. The diagrams are constructed as follows :— The tidal range is given hourly in time, and the vertical rise and fall in feet. The barometer and wind-readings are for the hours of 6 and 9am., and 3 and 9 p.m, of each day. The force of the wind is indicated by vertical black lines, according to Glaisher’s system of notation, the direction being shown by red arrows. Down is a north wind, upwards is south, to the right is a west, and to the left an east wind, whilst intermediate points are shown by angles of corresponding inclination to the chief points of the compass. The age of the moon is shown by the black circles under the tidal diagram. The reading of the attached thermometer was taken, but it is not used in connection with this paper, owing to its bearing on the question being far too remote to be entitled to notice. | By reference to the 30th of October on the diagram, the influence of a powerful north wind is evinced in counter- acting the effect of a low barometer, whilst, on the other hand, a west-south-west and south-south-west wind of force, drives up the waters even against a rising barometer, and the lessening lunar influence of the moon as she approaches her first quarter. The foregoing is an exceptional contrast to the usual result in showing the power of the wind, but it serves as a foil subsequently, to exhibit in a stronger light the overruling influence of the atmospheric column, as against the atmospheric current. The moderate breezes from the south-south-west and the south-west, on the 3rd November, are insufficient to force up the tides under the combined influence of high barometric pressure, and the low influence _of the moon in her first quarter; during the three succeeding days northerly and north-east winds, in some instances of considerable strength, are sufficient to nullify the slight fall in the barometer from the period of maximum rise on Tidal Phenomena of Hobson's Bay. 163 the 3rd November. On the 10th and 11th November, although powerful winds blew on the 10th from the south- west, they were not sufficient to force the waters up under the pressure of a barometer at from 29-90 to 30-00 inches, - even with the strong lunar influence of a new moon; but a remarkable influence of the wind acting with the barometer, is shown in the fall of the ebb tide on the evening of the 11th, under a sudden change of wind from south by west to north-west. The same influences as above enumerated may be per- ceived in a moderate form until, on the 16th and 17th November, a sudden fall of the barometer and high gales from the west-north-west, veering round by west to west- south-west, drive up the waters to an unusual height, although the moon had fallen to her last quarter. The gradual rise of the barometer, from the 18th to the 20th, again forces down the waters, although the winds are from a quarter tending to keep them high. On the 22nd, a moderate fall of the barometer forces up the water against a northern gentle breeze, whilst towards midnight a gale from the south-west is unable to keep up the tides under arising barometer. From the 26th to the 30th, a high barometer again shews its influence in depressing the waters, in the face of con- tinuous breezes or gentle winds from the south, south-west, and south-east. From the 2nd to the 9th December, the same influences are felt of a high barometer keeping down the waters in the face of breezes from the west, round by south to south-east, until, on the 10th, a barometric fall of -25-100ths lifts the waters upwards of six inches. The maximum of effect is shown on the 14th of December with the barometer at 28-90, and a gale of wind from the south-west blowing with a force of ten, being equal to 25lbs. pressure to the superficial foot, during which time the waters are driven up two and a half feet higher than the ordinary range of flood tide. On the 14th and 15th, the midday ebb- tides remain in one case twelve inches, and in the other eighteen inches, higher than the ordinary level of preceding flood-tides, whilst the midnight ebb-tide of the 14th did not fall below the level of ordinary flood-tides, and the midnight ebb of the 15th fell only a few inches below the same level. The diagram for the 14th and 15th of December is remarkable for showing, under the combined infiuence of — M 2 164 Tidal Phenomena of Hobson’s Bay. atmospheric pressure and wind currents from the south- west, a continuous heaping up of the waters of the Bay for a period of forty-eight hours, nearly three feet above their ordinary level. Of this result, about two feet is due to the atmospheric pressure alone, the rest being assumed to be due to the heavy gale blowing from the south-west. The continuance of gales of wind from the west-south- west and south-west, ending in the moderate breezes of the 18th from the same quarters, to some extent checked the beneficial influence of a rising barometer, until, on the 20th of December, the maximum rise again resulted in a maximum fall of the water level. From the 20th to the 25th of December, a slight fall in the barometer, accompanied by breezes from the south and south-west, slightly elevates the waters as before. The singular oscillation on the face of the tidal wave on the night of the 23rd of December,* appears to be owing to some inequality of force and direction of the north-east gale, before and after 9 pm. This inequality I thmk probable because of the wind having at 3 p.m. been blowing stiffly from the opposite quarter, to which point it had again veered at 6 a.m. on the 24th, from which point, with slight variation, it continued to blow during the remainder of the 24th of December. The slight fall of the barometer may, also have had an influence between the gusts of wind. From the facts narrated in this paper and shown on the diagram, it will be readily understocd that the capacity of the river Yarra for discharging its surplus waters is very materially affected by the atmospheric pressure and winds acting upon the waters of the Bay, and that, in the absence of a sufficient fall, the low lying lands around the eity and mouth of the Yarra cannot be effectually drained by ordinary channels at all times. Under ordinary circumstances the mean tide level of the Yarra, opposite to the Custom House, is nearly twenty-six inches higher than the mean tide level at Williamstown. This difference gives about 3? inches or 31 of a foot fall per mile. On the 14th and 15th of December, the waters of the Bay were continuously heaped up for a period of forty-eight hours to nearly three feet above the ordinary level of the tides, and the ebb-tide was retained to a yet greater difference = Note.—Not shewn in reduced diagram. Tidal Phenomena of Hobson's Bay. 165 of height, consequently, even if there had been no flood- waters from above, there must have been a flood (or unusual tide) in the Yarra from the flow of waters up the river meeting and checking the ordinary outflow of the river waters; but when, in addition to the ordinary river dis- charge, there is the extra drainage due to unusual rain fall and consequent heavy floods, the submerging of the low lying lands becomes a matter of course. The obstruction in the river, from the falls and the several bridges opposite Melbourne, aggravates the mischief. Even the iron bridge at Church-street, Richmond, is insufficient to pass the flood-waters efficiently, as shown by the thorough scouring away of the carriage road under the bridge. The result, in the case of the Church-street Bridge, is strong evidence of the very large sectional area requisite to dis- charge the flood-waters of the river, and that it will be unwie, under any circumstances, to construct any bridge lower down ofa less span or water way than the Church- street Bridge. Nor do I think it will be wise under any circumstances to reconstruct any dams or weirs in the river between Dight’s Mills and the mouth of the river, for they will act in each case as serious obstructions to the free flow of the flood waters. After a full consideration of the question, taken in con- nection with the tidal phenomena of the Bay, I believe that effectual means cannot be adopted to permanently benefit the low-lying lands, which do not provide for embanking and raising such lands, as the most prominent feature of the scheme. The report of the Commission appointed some months | back to inquire into the subject, appears to me to embody nearly all that can be said on the subject, even to the pro- posed point of discharge into the Bay. To one part of the report only do I take exception, and that is, the proposal to reconstruct stone weirs across the river above Prince's Bridge. Such weirs would merely change the locality of a portion of the evil, instead of remedying it; and I submit that the expense involved in the construction of such works, would be more beneficial if employed in buying up the vested interests, which it is one ostensible object of the weir to conserve, namely, the fellmongers and. other offensive establishments situate on the Upper Yarra. The construction of the weirs can scarcely be deemed an integral portion of the scheme, and may have been made in 166 Tidal Phenomena of Hobson's Bay. compliance with the strict letter of structions to consider the question so as to conserve existing interests; but I would suggest that it is a fair subject for the consideration of the House when voting supplies for the work. The retention of the present entrance of the Yarra as the mouth of discharge, is, I think, a sound and wise discretion, for many reasons. _ A flood channel entering the Bay at or near to Sandridge, would be subject to many disadvantages, from which the entrance of the River Yarra is free. For instance, near to Sandridge, the outlet would be at a place where the waters of the Bay would be driven to the highest level under the influence of the prevailing winds; and, from the drift and making of the foreshore, it would be very expensive to maintain open. Even if dredging were available, it would necessitate a double cost for two entrances, in lieu of the one which is now available. e By using the entrance of the Yarra as at present, we merely avail ourselves of one which has been formed under the influence of natural laws, and to maintain which we have but to assist natural causes which are at present exist- ing and in operation. The discharge along the Williams- town shore is under the lee of Point Gellibrand, where the water-level would be the lowest ; and, as a further reason, apart from the current caused along shore by the entrance of the River Yarra at this point, there would be a natural - current due to the waters of the Bay being heaped up and driven along the St. Kilda and Sandridge shores by the prevailing gales, and their subsequent escape round by Williamstown and Point Gellibrand. In the case of a new entrance near to Sandridge, the scouring powers of the discharge waters would be intermit- tent ; and the above influences, which are favourable to the discharge by the River Yarra motth, would in every case be the reverse at or near to Sandridge. The adverse in- fluences of the latter are, I believe, much more than sufficient to counterbalance any contemplated saving or advantage in shortness of length and economy in first cost. The lenoth of canal, and amount of materials to be removed, in the proposal for cutting a new channel from the Queen’s Wharf to the entrance of the Yarra, is, in my opinion, scarcely a matter to be regretted, seeing the advan- tageous use to which the materials can be put in reclaiming Abel's Fuses and Wheatstone’s Exploder. 167 the now comparatively worthless low-lying lands bor- dering onthe Yarra Yarra River. In preparing this paper and accompanying diagrams, iE . have been and am much indebted to the kind courtesy of Commander Cox, and the Government astronomer, Mr. Ellery, for the use of the tide and meteorological registers necessary for the compilation of the facts put forward, and. take this opportunity of tendering my thanks for the same. Melbourne, 10th October, 1864. Art. XL.—Abel’s Fuses and Wheatstone’s Hxploder. By Rok; J) BinEry serch BAS: [Read 18th July, 1864.] Mr. Ellery (the Government Astronomer) exhibited some of Abel’s patent fuses, with an instrument called ‘“ Wheat- stone’s Exploder,” together forming a most convenient and owerful means of firing ounpowder by electricity. Mr. Ellery described the exploder, which is in fact a port- able magneto-electric apparatus, as consisting of a set of compound permanent magnets, arranged around a cube, armed with electro-magnetic coils, in front of the poles of which, soft iron armatures could be made to revolve rapidly by turning a handle, giving rise to a pretty powerful induced electric current in the fuse covering wire of the coil ; which, by means of suitable connections, could be con- ducted to considerable distances through properly insulated wire. The whole apparatus was conveniently enclosed in a mahogany case, 8 or 9 inches square, and weighed about 30 pounds. The fuses exhibited were of two kinds. The ones for firing guns were very similar in appearance to the ordinary friction tube, with the exception that to one end was attached a small knob of beech wood, perforated with two holes, which were copper-lined and served to hold the connecting wires when ready for firmg. The other fuses were adapted to blasting purposes, and consisted of a small wooden car- tridge filled with powder, to which was attached a pair of insulated wires about two feet long, with which the connect- ing wires had to be joined ‘when used. The principal point of interest in these fuses was the use of a peculiar composi- tion, very susceptible of ignition by the slightest electric spark. ‘This composition was placed in contact with the two 168 Abel’s Fuses and Wheatstone's Ezxploder. ends of the conducting wires, which were separated very slightly, but effectually, with the fuse itself. The passage of the spark across the small space between the wires ignites the composition, and thence the gunpowder. This composi- tion, Mr. Ellery stated, was the result of considerable experi- ment and research on the part of Mr. Abel, the patentee, the chemist to the War Department. It consists of a mixture of a Phosphide and a Sulphide of Copper with Chlorate of Potash, in such nicely balanced proportions that it offered just sufficient resistance to the passage of the electric spark to ensure ignition, but not sufficient to hinder the passage of a moderately weak spark. _ After practically illustrating the efficacy of the exploder in firing these fuses through considerable lengths of insulated wire, Mr. Ellery proceeded to show the great facility and im- munity from accident this method of firmg gunpowder offered in mining and other engineering operations, and pointed out with what simplicity arrangements could be made in large mines for adopting it. He remarked that it notonly admitted of a very considerable number of blasts being fired at the same moment from aconsiderable distance, but would tend to obviate entirely those accidents so frequently occurring -through the smouldering of the ordinary tube fuse. He further drew attention to the great superiority of the ex- ploder and Abel’s fuses to the ordinary method of firing gunpowder by electricity, by means of a powerful voltaic battery, especially in submarine operations. - PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. ss PROCEEDINGS. Lies . PROCEEDINGS. ROYAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. Session of 1861. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. ANNIVERSARY MEETING In the Hall of the Society on the 18th March, to elect Office - Bearers for the current year. Richard Eades, B.A., M.D., &c., Vice President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected :— President : Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., &e., &e., &e. . Vice-Presidents : Charles W. Ligar, Esq., Surveyor General of Victoria. Frederick M‘Coy, Esq., F.G.S., and Prof. of Nat. Science, Melb. University. Treasurer : Rev. John J. Bleasdale, D.D. Hon. Secretary : John Macadam, Esq., M.D., &c. Members of Council to Fill Vacancies : Sir William Stawell. Sir Redmond Barry. Hon. John O’Shanassy. Richard Eades, Esq., B.A., &e. Professor Neumayer. W. Gillbee, Esq., M.R.C.S.E. (Signed) Henry Barkty. eZ iv Proceedings, &e. 2nd May, 1861. - ORDINARY MEETING. His Excellency, Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen’s names were read as candidates for election as Ordinary Members at the next Ordinary Meeting. Candidates : J. H. Clough, Esq., J.P, Albert Cummings, Esq. J. W. Bogg, Esq. Hon. Joseph Sutherland, M.L.C. John Flannagan, Esq. Robert Mackie, Esq. Dr. David J. Thomas. John Noone, Esq. Arthur James Wright, Esq. A ballot was held for the election of a Member of Couneil, vice Professor McCoy, elected Vice-President. The Rev. Dr. Bromby was duly elected. __ The following Contributions were laid on the table :—Part XY. of the “‘ Fragmenta Phytographiz Australie ”—by Dr. Ferdimand Mueller. No. I. of ‘ Quarterly Clinical Reports ”—by David Bos- well Reid, jun., Esq., Surgeon to the Geelong Hospital. “ Trans- actions of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts,” Vol. V., Part 4. “The Northmen in Iceland.” ‘Cabinet D’Antiquités Americaines” ~—by the Society Royal des Antiquaires Du Nord. ‘“ Transactions of the Royal Botanical Society ”—by the Society. “ Journal of the Statistical Society of London,” for the Quarter ending December, ’ 1860—by the Society (2 copies). ‘‘ Regulations for the Intro- duction of Immigrants ”—by the Hon. the Commissioner of Trade . and Customs. ‘“‘ A Chart of Stuart’s Last Journey to the Interior of Australia ””"—by Mr. R. Dickson. ‘“ Hull’s Tasmania ”—by Hugh M. Hull, Esq., F.R.S. Tasm. “ Maandelijksche Zeilaanwijzingen van het Kanaal naar Java : als Uitkomsten van Wetenschap an Ervaring, Aangaande Winden en Zeestroomingen in Sommige Gedeelten van den Oceaan, 1859—60 ;” “‘ Uitkomsten van Wetenschap en Ervar- ing, Aangaande Winden en Zeestroomingen in Sommige Gedeelten van den Oceaan, 1858—9 ;” “ Meteorolgische Waarnemingen in Nederland en Zijne Bezittingen, en Afwijkingen van Temperatuur en Barometerstand op Vele Andere Plaatsen in Europa, —1854—5—6—7—8—9 ”—by the Royal Netherland Meteorological Institute. A communication from the Trustees of the British Museum was read. Proceedings, &e. v A paper on a “ Remarkable Monstrosity in the Flower of the Plantago major,” read by Thomas 8. Ralph, Esq., M.R.C.S., &e. Some specimens of Australian Sponges were exhibited and de- scribed by W. H. Archer, Esq. A paper on “ Wool,” read by J. H. Clough, Esq. (Signed) FREDERICK M‘Coy. Chairman. 27th May, 1861. ORDINARY MEETING. Professor McCoy, Vice President, in the chair. A ballot was taken for Member of Council, vice Rev. Dr. Bromby> resigned. W. H. Archer, Esq., was duly elected. The gentlemen nominated at the last meeting for Ordinary Mem- bership were ballotted for and declared duly elected. The following contributions were laid upon the table :—Nine sheets of the “ Geological Survey of Victoria ”—by the Government Geologist. A Chart showing the Recent Discoveries in the Northern District of South Australia—prepared by G. W. Goyder, Esq., Surveyor General of South Australia—presented by Mr. R. Dickson. A large mounted Map of the “ Geological Survey of Victoria,” so far as at present complete—presented by the Gentlemen of the Government Geological Department. A pamphlet on “ Life Insurance ”—by John Jamieson, Esq., presented by the Author (2 copies). A pamphlet on “ The Acclimatisation of Animals ”—pub- lished by the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, presented by W. H. Archer, Esq. (4 copies). ‘‘Contributions to Practical Surgery”— Part I., by James George Beaney, Esq., F.R.C.S.E.—presented by the Author. A paper on “‘ Some Tertiary Deposits in South Australia,” by the Rev. Julian Woods, of Penola, was read by the Rev. J. J. Bleas- dale, D.D. Some plants collected by Dr. Beckler, the Botanist to the Vic- torian Exploration Expedition, were exhibited by Dr. F. Mueller. A paper on “The Microscopical Characters presented by the Mineral Dysodile, from Tasmania,” by Thomas 8. Ralph, Esq., M.R.C.S., d&e. (Signed) Henry Bargkiy. 17th June, 1861. a vi Proceedings, &e. 17th June, 1861. ORDINARY MEETING. His Excellency, Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., &c. President, in the chair. The following gentlemen’s names were read as Candidates for election as Ordinary Members at the next Ordinary Meeting. Alexander John Cooper, Esq. George Bell, Jun., Esq. John Hotson, Esq., C.E. James Rattray, Esq. The following contributions were laid on the table, viz.:—“Journal of the Statistical Society of London,” part I., vol. 24—by the © Society. “ Journal of the Royal Dublin Society,” Nos. XVIII. and XIX., July to October, 1860—hby the Society. “A Lunar Tidal Wave in the North American Lakes,” demonstrated by Brevet Lieut.-Colonel J. D. Graham, Major of Topographical Engineers, U.S. Army, with plates—by the Author. A paper on “ The Snakes of Victoria,” by Professor M‘Coy, who also exhibited several specimens. (Signed) Henry BARKLy. 8th July, 1861. ORDINARY MEETING. His Excellency, Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., &c., President, in the chair. It was moved by Dr. Mueller, and carried— __ “ That this meeting records its profound regret at the loss of Dr. “‘ Ludwig Becker, one of the earliest members of the Society, who, “with three of his companions, viz., Messrs. Patten, Stone, and “ Purcell, died from exhaustion whilst engaged on the Victorian ‘“‘ Exploration, and also desires to manifest its deep solicitude for the “ safety of Mr. Burke, Mr. Wills, and their companions.” Moved also by Dr. Mueller, and carried— “That the best thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. Orkney, “the owner of the small vessel the Hotham, for his kindness and “ promptitude in despatching her to the north coast for a relief “ of Mr. Burke and his party.” Moved by the Hon. D. Wilkie, M.L.C., and carried— “« That a vote of thanks be also given to the agents of the Steam “‘ Navigation Company of Sydney.” Proceedings, &e. | vii The gentlemen nominated at the last meeting for Ordinary Mem- bership were balloted for and declared duly elected. The following contributions were laid on the table, viz. :—‘‘ The _ Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London ”—by the _ Society. ‘‘Meteorological Observations taken at the Observatory,” Hobart Town, from January, 1856, to June, 1860, inclusive ; ij Meteorological Tables, Van Diemen’s Land, 1855 5 ”—presented by Francis Abbott, F.R. AS. No. XVI. of the « Fragmenta Phyto- graphize Australixe ”_by Dr. Ferdinand Mueller. A paper entitled “ Observations on the Structure of the Flowers of the Mignionette,” was read by Thos. 8. Ralph, Esq., M.R.C.S., &e. A paper “On an Improved System of Propelling by Steam both on Land and Water,” was read by John J. Blanche, Esq. (Signed) CuarLes W. Licar. 29th July, 1861. 22nd July, 1861. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING. No quorum. 29th July, 1861. * ORDINARY MEETING. Charles W. Ligar, Esq., Vice President, in the chair. A ballot was taken for member of Council, véce Professor Irving, resigned, when Edward Wilson, Esq., was declared duly elected. The following gentlemen having been nominated as candidates for Ordinary Membership, were balloted for and declared duly elected :— James McKean, Esq. N. Chevalier, Esq. John Ferres, Esq. John Warner McCutcheon, Esq. The following contributions were laid on the table :—Five-volumes of the “ Proceedings of the Royal Society of London”—presented by the Society. No. X VIL. of the “Oriental Budget,” by the proprietors. 19th August, 1861. (Signed) Henry Barkty. vill . Proceedings, ce. 19th August, 1861. ORDINARY MEETING. ‘His Excellency, Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., &c., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen’s names were read as candidates for election as Ordinary Members at the next Ordinary Meeting :— John Oswald, Esq. John D. M‘Haftie, Esq. _ Charles Wilson, Esq., Wimmera. The following contributions were laid on the table :—“Journal of the Statistical Society of London”—presented by the Society. “Government Gazette,” from July 11th to August 9th, inclusive — presented by the Government. ‘Colonial Mining Journal” for Aug., 1861—presented by Pedro Nisser, Esq. ‘ Results of Meteorological Observations for Twenty Years”—presented by Francis Abbott, Esq., F.R.A.S. “Guide to Northern Archeology ;” ‘“Denkschriften der K. Bayersch ;” ‘‘Botanischen Gesellschaft zu Regensburg;” “Mémoires de la Société Royale des Antiquaries du Nord;” “Runeindskrift I Pirzeeus Inscription Runique du Piree;” “ Statuten der Pollichia eines naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins fiir die Pfalz;” ‘13-17 Jahresbericht der Pollichia eines naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins der Rheinpfalz;” ‘Atlas de PArchéologie du Nord;” ‘Die Laubmoose der Rheinpfalz und deren nachbarliche’ Umgebung”—presented by Dr. Ferdinand Mueller. ‘ Proceedings of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries of Copenhagen ”—presented by J. B. Were, Esq., Danish Consul. A paper on “The Coccus affecting the Orange,” was read by Thomas S. Ralph, Esq., M.R.C.8., &. A paper entitled “A Few Notes on the Dialects, Habits, Cus- toms, and Mythology of the Lower Murray Aborigines,” by Peter Beveridge, Esq., was read by the hon. secretary. (Signed) Cuas. W. Licar, Vice-President. 9th September, 1861. ORDINARY MEETING. Charles W. Ligar, Esq., Vice President, in the chair. The following gentlemen’s names were read as candidates for election as Ordinary Members at the next Ordinary Meche — George Craig, Esq. Roderick Allison Sutherland, Esq. Thomas Finlayson, Esq. Wm. H. R. Rae, Esq. Proceedings, &e. 1x The gentlemen nominated at the last Meeting for Ordinary Mem- bership were balloted for and declared duly elected as Ordinary Members. The following contributions were laid on the table:—“ Report of a ’ Topographical and Geological Exploration of the Western Districts of the Nelson Province, New Zealand,” undertaken for the Provincial Government, by Julius Haast, Esq.—presented by the New Zealand Government. “ Family Immigration for Victoria ;” a Refutation of Thomas Loader, Esq.’s, Statements and Arguments on this Subject— presented by the author, John Jamieson, Esq. (2 copies.) A volume of “ Original Sketches,” by the late Dr. Ludwig Becker, Naturalist and Artist to the Victorian Exploring Expedition—presented by the Exploration Committee. A paper on “The Language or Different Dialects of Australia,” was read by John Jones Thomas, Esq. (Signed) Henry Barkty. 80th September, 1861. - 30th September, 1861. | ORDINARY MEETING. His Excellency, Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., &c., President, in the chair. The gentlemen nominated at the last meeting for Ordinary Mem- bership were balloted for and declared duly elected. The following contributions were laid on the table: —“ Gratulation des Herrn Professor Dr. Heinrich Rathke, zu seinem fiinf und zwanzigjahrigen Jubilaéum als Professor in Konigsberg, am 13 Juli 1860, von der konigl. ‘ostpreuss. physikalisch-ckonomischen Gesellschaft in Konigsberg. Schriften der koniglichen physikalisch- dkonomischen Gesellschaft zu Kéonigsberg,” Parts I. and I1.—pre- sented by the Government of Prussia. A Hall Clock—presented by Henry Elder, Esq., Bourke-street east. A paper ‘On the Dry Rot and the Microscopical Examination of Timber with Reference to Fungi producing Decay,” illustrated by diagrams and specimens under the microscope, by Thomas &, Ralph, Esq., M.R.C.S., &e. A paper “On the "Bones of a Gigantic Marsupial found near Colac, with Observations on the Genera Dzprotodon’and WNoto- therium,” read by Professor M‘Coy. A paper entitled “A Few Observations on the Tangeneie of Apollonius,” read by Martin Gardiner, Esq. (Signed) Henry BArkty. 1ith November, 1861. x Proceedings, &e. 15th October, 1861. ORDINARY MEETING. No quorum. 11th November, 1861. ORDINARY MEETING. His Excellency, Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., &., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen’s names were read as candidates for election as Ordinary’ Members at the next Ordinary Meeting :-— G. D. Carter, Esq. JohneChester Jarvis, Esq. John Carfrae, Esq. * Several objects of interest, collected and preserved by the late Dr. Ludwig Becker, were laid on the table, by order of the Explora- tion Committee. The following contributions were laid on the table :—“ Astro- nomical and Meteorological Observations made at the Sydney Observatory in the year 1860 ”—presented by the Gevernment of New South Wales. ‘ Report on University Reform, Kingston, Canada West ;’ 2copies. ‘‘ Statement on the University Question ;” 2 copies. ‘Syllabus of the Courses of Practical Instruction, Uni- versity of Queen’s College, Kingston, Canada West ;” 2 copies. “University Ode in Honour of the Visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to Canada in 1860.” ‘“ Report of Musci and Desmidee ;” collected by Professor Balfour’s party during a trip to the West Lomond Hill, Fife. “Remarks on Lepas Anatifera, Linn. ;’ 2 copies. “On the Occurrence of Chinchonaceous Glands in Galia- ceze, and on the Relations of that Order to Chinchonacez ” (with a plate) ; 2 copies. “ On the Structure and Development of Botrydium granulatum” (plate); 2 copies. “ Papers read to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh ”—by George Lawson, Esq. ‘‘ Notes on the Genus Graphephorum and its Synonymy ” —by Asa Gray, M.D., Honorary Member of the Botanical Society of Canada; 2 copies. * On the Silkworm and other Fibre-yielding Insects, and the Growth of their Food Plants in Canada ”—by Mrs. Dr. Lawson ; 2 copies. ‘Annals of the Botanical Society of Canada,” Vol. L, Part I.— presented by the Botanical Society of Canada. ‘A Lithographic View of Melbourne in 1839” (transferred from a copper plate) ; prepared by the Surveyor General ; 24 copies. A paper on “A Filamentous Material grown upon the plant . Proceedings, é&e. Xi Cryptostema calendulaceum, believed to be suitable for Manufac- turing Purposes,” with specimens exhibited, by Henry H. Hayter, Esq. A paper ‘On the Structure of the Plants Nitella and Chara, with a Description of the Circulation,” illustrated by diagrams and specimens under the microscope, by Thos. 8. Ralph, Esq., M.R.C.S., We. | A paper ‘On the Universality of Language traceable to Aus- tralian and Polynesian Dialects,” by John Jones Thomas, Esq. (Signed) Cuas. W. Licar. 9th December, 1861. 9th December, 1861. ORDINARY MEETING. Chas. W. Ligar, Esq., Vice President, in the chair. The gentlemen nominated at the last meeting for Ordinary Mem- bership were balloted for and declared duly elected. Letter read from G. Craig, Eisq., accompanying several contribu- tions. The following contributions were laid on the table, viz. :—“ Travels in Great Britain,” by Dosabhoy Franjer, author of the History of the Paroces written in Gujarati. ‘ A Series of Photograms of the Bhoto Ghaut Railway Incline in the Residency of Bombay, British India,” in number 47—presented by George Craig, Esq. Several Copies of the “Government Gazette”—by the Government. “ Report of the Proceedings of the Expedition in search of Dr. Leichhardt and Party, with a Map of the Route of the Leichhardt Expedition ”— presented by the Government of New South Wales, through C. W. Ligar, Esq. ‘Journal of the Statistical Society of London,” Vol. XXIV., Part IIl.—by the Society. ‘ Journal of the Geological Society of London”—by the Society. ‘‘Presbyterianism in the Aus- tralian Colonies,’ Pamphlets, &c—presented by Rev. P. M‘Pherson. *‘ Verslag van de Heeren P. Harting, F. A. N. Miguel en I van der Hoeven ovu sen in hunne handen gesteld, uit de Zu opgehaald organisch Vorwerp, over Gronden door diep nee coodingen in de Banda—Zee opgebrost en over Passaatstof ; Frederici Antoni Guil. Miguel Oratio de Regno Vegetabili in Telluris Superficie Mutanda Efficaci ”—presented by Dr. F. Mueller. Proceedings, ke. Professor Neumayer laid on the table a copy of the Meteorological Observations taken in the Colony of Victoria during the years 1859 to 1862, and Nautical Observations collected and discussed at the Flagstaff Observatory during the years 1858 to 1862, and accom- panied it with a brief description of the plan of observations and of the accompanying chart. The President complimented Professor Neumayer on the result of his labours, and expressed the high esteem and appreciation by the Society of the valuable services rendered by the learned Professor to the Society at various times. The following gentlemen’s names were read as candidates for election as Ordinary Members at the next Ordinary Meeting. John Irving Winter, Esq. Frederick Walsh, Esq. George Pilley, Esq. _Lowe Kong Meng, Esq. Moved by Mr. Ellery, that “ An abstract of the Proceedings of the Royal Society be published either after each meeting or quarterly, in a form fit for being bound into the volume ‘of Transactions of which they will form a part.” After discussion, it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Council. A ballot was taken, and Mr. Germain Nicholson was declared duly elected a life member of the Society. A paper, “On a Genus of Coleoptera hitherto unknown in Vic- toria,” was read by W. H. Archer, Esq. Before reading the paper, Mr. Archer remarked that since it had been written he had learnt that other specimens had been previously obtained in Victoria, Mr. Ulrich exhibited a specimen discovered by Mr. Treacy near to Castlemaine. A paper, “‘ On the Surface and Underground Drainage of the City of Melbourne,” was-read by A. K. Smith, Esq., C.E. (Signed) FREDERICK M‘Coy, Chairman. 6th June, 1864. 6th June, 1864. OrpinaRy MEETING, The President, Professor M‘Coy, in the chair. The gentlemen nominated at the last meeting for Ordinary Mem- bership were balloted for and declared duly elected. The discussion on the paper On the drainage of Melbourne, read by Mr. Smith at the last meeting, was resumed. During the discussion, Dr. Crooke obtained permission to call attention to his suggestions Proceedings, ke. Pe 0-2 for drainage of floods from the Yarra direct from Dight’s Mills to Batman’s Swamp, which, he said, could be effected for about £457,999, with a fall of 1 in 90. Generally his scheme was objected to on the ground of its being expensive and virtually impracticable. (Signed) FREDERICK M‘Coy, Chairman. 27th June, 1864. 2th June, 1864. ORDINARY MEETING. The President, Professor M‘Coy, in the chair. The following contributions were laid on the table, viz.: No. 27 of “Dr. Mueller’s Fragmenta,” with two plates. Vol. II., No. 8, of the “‘ Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London.” “Annual Report on Observatories and Telegraphs in South Australia ’’—by Charles Todd, Esq. ‘“ Monthly Notices and Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania.” 22 Geological Maps, comprising progress sheets, from the department of Geological Survey and Mining for Victoria. The following gentlemen having been duly nominated were elected by ballot as Members of Council :— Sir Redmond Barry. Professor Wilson. J. B. Were, Esq. E. Wilson, Esq. Thomas Harrison, Esq., having been duly nominated, was balloted for, and declared duly elected as an Ordinary Member. The Hon. Secretary reported that a special meeting of the Council, called for the purpose of carrying into effect the resolution of the 16th May, 1864, relative to giving to Professor Neumayer some mark of respect and esteem from this Society prior to his departure for Europe, had, by an absolute majority, recommended to the Society that Professor Neumayer be elected an Honorary Life Member. Moved by Mr. Rawlings, seconded by Mr. H. F. Eaton, ‘That “so much of the 24th Rule, relating to election by ballot of an ‘* Honorary Life Member, be suspended, to give greater effect to the “‘ election of Professor Neumayer.” The motion on being put was carried by acclamation. A paper, “On the recent Determination of the Sun’s Distance,” was read by R. L. J. Ellery, Esq. (Signed) FREDERICK M‘Coy, Chairman. 18th July, 1864. D ] Proceedings, &e. 18th July, 1864. OrprNary Meetine. . The President, Professor M‘Coy, in the chair. The following contributions were laid on the table, viz. : Three numbers of the ‘‘ Proceedings of the Royak Geographical Society of London.” ‘The Anthropological Review.’ A Report on the Pro-— ceedings connected with the North-western Exploration Expedition. Letter from Dr. Mueller, relative to poison plant (Gastrolobwum grandifiorum) found in the neighbourhood of the Burdekin and northern territory of Queensland, was read by the Secretary, and a specimen exhibited. The President suggested that it would be of much service if Dr. Mueller would furnish specimens of each plant, which could be so placed under glass for reference and inspection, and render members familiar with these dangerous plants. Wheatstone’s Exploder and Abel’s Patent Fuse were exhibited and explained by the Secretary. (Signed) FREDERICK M‘Coy, Chairman. 8th August, 1864. Sth August, 1864. ORDINARY MEETING. The President, Professor M‘Coy, in the chair. A paper, entitled «‘ Notes on the Geology of Hobart Town,” illustrated with Maps and Collections of Fossils, was read by T. Harrison, Esq. After the reading, Professor M‘Coy described and named the ~ fossils exhibited. A paper, “ On the Yarra Floods and their Remedy,” was read by Robert Adams, Esq. Discussion postponed by consent. (Signed) _Freprerick M‘Coy, Chairman. 29th August, 1864. 29th August, 1863. ORDINARY MEETING. The President, Professor M‘Coy, in the chair. Professor Halford having been duly nominated, was balloted for as an Ordinary Member, and declared to be duly elected. : ‘The following contributions were laid on the table: No, 28 of the “ Fragmenta Phytographie Australie.” Proceedings, &e. hi Letter from Mr. W. P. Giles, having reference to the discovery of graves supposed by the writer to possibly contain the remains of Dr. Leichhardt. Messrs. Giles and Conn, who were present, at the request of the President, gave a short aceount of the manner in which they had discovered the graves, their locality, appearance, construction, &e. The thanks of the Members were given to Messrs. Giles and Conn, for the information afforded. The discussion on M, Adam’s paper, “ Yarra Floods and their Remedy,” resumed. A paper “On the Structure of Cartilage as developed by the newly invented application of Magenta Dye,” by Professor Halford, illustrated by microscopic specimens and diagrams. (Signed) Freperick M‘Coy, Chairman. 19th September, 1864. 19th Sepiember, 1864. The President, Professor M‘Coy, in the Chair. OrDINARY MEETING. The following gentlemen having been duly nominated, were bal- loted for as Ordinary Members, and declared to be duly elected :— William Nicholas, Esq. William Thomas, Esq. Henry T. Dwight, Esq., The Hon. Secretary called attention of members to the fact of certain vacancies in the Council, and the necessity for nominations to fill such vacancies. The following contributions were laid on the table, viz.: A Col- lection of Australian Sea Weeds, classified and named by Professor Harvey—collected and presented by T. E. Rawlinson, Esq., C.E. Part II. Vol. XXVII. of the “ Proceedings of the Statistical Society of London.” RS ies A paper “Onan Australian Fish (genus Arrzpis), illustrated by preserved species and diagrams, by Professor M‘Coy. The Hon. D. Wilkie, M.L.C., enquired if anything had been done in reference to Messrs. Giles and Conn’s discoveries of white men’s graves in the interior. He thought it desirable that the matter should be referred to the Exploration Committee. Resolved,—The question was referred accordingly. Mr. Ellery, at the call of the President, gave a brief account of the Application of Spectrum Analysis to Astronomy. (Signed) Freperick M‘Coy, Chairman. October 10th, 1864. D2 hi Proceedings, &e. 10th October, 1864. ORDINARY MEETING. The President, Professor M‘Coy, in the chair. T. Woods, Esq., having been duly nominated, was-balloted for and elected an Ordinary Member. The following gentlemen having been nominated as candidates for the Council, were balloted fer and declared duly elected :— Professor Halford. J. Crooke, Esq., M.R.C.S. The following contributions were laid on the table, viz.: Vol. XIII. of the “ Transactions of the Berlin Academy of Natural Philo- sophy”—by the Berlin Academy. One Vol. on the “ Vegetation of the Chatham Islands’—by Dr. Mueller. ‘ Analytical Drawings of Aus- tralian Mosses,” edited by Dr. Mueller—by the Victorian Govern- ment. Five Pamphlets from the Northern Society of Antiquarians. By permission of the Meeting, Dr. Bleasdale read a short paper (without notice), upon the desirability of holding an Exhibition of Jewellery and Colonial Gems, whether wrought or in their natural state ; as also of Colonial works in Jewellery, Plating, Gilding, Burnishing, &c. (See Appendix. No. 1.) _ Resolved—“ That the paper be referred for the consideration of the Council.” A Report from the Exploration Committee on the supposed dis- covery by Messrs. Giles and Conn, of white men’s graves, near Cooper's Creek, was brought up and read by Dr. Mueller. (See Appendix. No. 2.) Resolved—-“‘ That the Report be adopted, and that a perfect copy “be sent to Mr. Augustus Gregory, Surveyor-General of Queensland, “to obtain his opinion as to the utility of further investigation con- ‘cerning Leichhardt’s fate.” (Signed) ALExR. KENNEDY SmitTH, Chairman. Oct. 31st, 1864. | 31st October, 1864. ORDINARY MEETING. Alexander Kennedy Smith, Esq., Hon. Treasurer, in the chair. The following contributions were laid on the table, viz.: ‘The Annual Report of the Geological Survey of India,” Vol. TIL, part 2. Vol. IV., part 2, of the “‘“Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India,” and 2 Vols, of the « Palentologia Indica”—by the Geological Department of India. Proceedings, &e. hii Mr. Rawlinson having been duly nominated, was elected by ballot a Member of Council. The following gentlemen’s names were read as candidates for elec- tion for Ordinary Membership at the next Ordinary Meeting :— Dellisser, Esq. Charles Watt, Esq. The following Message from the Council in reference to Dr. Bleasdale’s proposition, made at the last Meeting, was read by the Hon. Secretary :— “That the Council is favourable to the Establishment of an Exhi- “‘bition of Gems, Jewellery, and Works of Art in the Precious Metals, “in accordance with the suggestions of the Rev. Dr. Bleasdale ; and “further, the Council is also of opinion, that the Exhibition should ‘be illustrated by Lectures on the Sources and Methods of Obtaining “Gems and Metals used in the articles exhibited, with practical “illustrations of the modes of preparing the same. The Council “further recommend the appointment of a Committee to carry the “ foregoing into effect.” After some discussion, it was carried—“ That the Report be *¢ adopted.” Dr. Bleasdale moved—“ That the following gentlemen form a ‘‘ Committee of Management, with power to add to their number :— ** His Excellency the Governor. *¢ Sir Redmond Barry. “The Minister of Mines. ‘‘The Hon. John Macadam, M.D. &e. “ Count Castleneau. ** Professor M‘Coy. *¢ Mr. Chevalier. “ Mr. George Lewis. “ Mr. Von Guerard. “Mr. Aplin. “ Mr. J. B. Were. “Mr. A. K. Smith, C.E. “Mr. Milner Stephen. “Mr. T. E. Rawlinson, C.E. “Mr. Selwyn. “Mr. Ligar. - ¢Mr. R. L. J. Ellery. “Mr. R. B. Smyth. “Mr. J. C. Patterson. ‘© And the Mover.” = Carried. hv _ Proceedings, ke. A paper entitled, “ Notes on the Tidal Phenomena of Hobson’s Bay, with reference to the various suggested drainage schemes for the valley and basin of the river Yarra Yarra,” was read by T. E. Rawlinson, Esq., C.E. A paper entitled, “ Notes on the Wealden Formation of England as in some measure illustrated by the Physical Features of Port © Phillip Bay,” was read by Thomas Harrison, Esq. A paper “On Saxby’s Weather System,” was read by R. L. J. paper Ellery, Esq., Government Astronomer. The purport of the was to show the vagueness of Mr. Saxby’s generalities, and the looseness of the so-called system in deduction, and the unscien- tific character of his prognostieations. (Signed) Freperick M‘Coy, Chairman. Nov. 21st, 1864. | 21st November, 1864. ORDINARY MEETING. The President, Professor M‘Coy, in the chair. The gentlemen nominated at the last Meeting for Ordinary Mem- bership, were balloted for and declared duly elected. W. Detmold, Esq., having been duly proposed, was elected by ballot a Life Member. The following contributions were laid on the table, viz. :—Three Nos. of the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London—by the Society. Part 29, of the Fragmenta Phytographie Australiz. Part II. Flora Australiensis—by Dr. Mueller. Part + of the Pro- ceedings of the Dublin Society of Arts—by the Dublin Society of Arts. : A paper “ On the Underground Drainage of Melbourne,” was read by A. K. Smith, Esq., C.E. The Hon, D. Wilkie complained of the omission to re-elect the Exploration Committee at the proper time. The question was referred to the Council. (Signed) FREDERICK M‘Coy, Chairman. December 5th, 1864. 5th December, 1864. GENERAL MEETING. The Presidént, Professor M‘Coy, in the chair. Mr. P. Alcock having been nominated ‘for Ordinary Membership, was balloted for and declared duly elected. . Proceedings, ce. lv THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR 1864 was read by the Hon. Secretary, as follows :— “The period for which your Council have now the honour to “submit their Report, is included between the 14th of March last “(when they, with the various office-bearers were elected) and the “present date. During this period, the Society has held ten “ordinary meetings, at all of which there has generally been a “ pretty full attendance of members. The donations received from “ foreign corresponding societies, and private donors here and abroad, “comprise seventy-four books and pamphlets. The following original papers have been read, namely :—‘ On a Genus of Coleop- “tera, hitherto unfound in Victoria,’ by Mr. Archer.* ‘On the “Surface and Underground Drainage of the City of Melbourne,’ by ~~ Mr. A. K. Smith. ‘On Recent Determinations of the Sun’s “‘ Distance,’ by Mr. Ellery. ‘ Notes on the Geology of Hobart Town,’ “by Mr. Harrison. ‘Yarra Floods and their Remedy,’ by Mr. “ Adams. ‘The Structure of Cartilage as developed by the newly- “invented application of Magenta Dye,’ by Professor Halford. ““¢On the genus Arripis,’ by Professor M‘Coy. ‘Introduction to a *‘ Paper on the Tidal Phenomena of Hobson’s Bay,’ by Mr. Rawlin- “son. ‘Remarks on Spectrum Analysis,’ by Mr. Ellery. ‘On the “ Desirability of holding an Exhibition of Colonial Gems, &e.’ by “the Rev. Dr. Bleasdale. ‘Notes on the Tidal Phenomena of “‘ Hobson’s Bay, with reference to the various suggested drainage ‘schemes for the valley and basin of the River Yarra Yarra,’ by “ Mr. Rawlinson. ‘ Notes on the Wealden Formation of England ‘as In some measure illustrated by the physical features of Port “ Phillip Bay,’ by Mr. Harrison. Addresses, also descriptions of *‘ instruments and scientific progress, have on several occasions been *‘ given by some of your members. During the sessions the Society “have enrolled twelve ordinary members, one life member, and one “honorary life member. The honorary treasurer submits a balance- “‘ sheet, from which it appears that £109 3s. has been received for “subscriptions and entrance fees during the past session The “number of members who have paid subscriptions for 1864 is “ thirty-nine ; although all members in arrears have been called on “for their subscriptions, the revenue of the Society for the current ‘year cannot be estimated at much over £110. The debt of the “ Society at the beginning of the session was larger than was anti- * cipated, and has been reduced by £105 2s. 9d. The withdrawal, “‘ for the last two years, of the subsidy from the Government which “the Society had hitherto received, has eigen rise to considerable * Before reading the paper, Mr. Archer remarked that since it had been written he had learnt that other specimens had been previously obtained in Victoria. lvi . Proceedings, &e. “embarrassment to the Council, and has materially checked the “progress of the Society. The Council have on several occasions ‘** waited on the Government, urging the continuance of a moderate “annual grant, but as yet without avail. In consequence of this “ the publication of the Society’s Transactious has ceased since the “Vol. V. for 1860 was issued. This is the more to be regretted as “we are unable to reciproeate with those foreign societies who “regularly add to our library by donations of their periodical publi- “ cations and valuable works. It was contemplated by the Council, “at the commencement of this session, to publish, monthly or ““ quarterly, the proceedings of the Society in abstract ; and it was “thought, by strictly economizing the current expenses, that this “might have been done out of the year’s revenue ; but the impera- “tive necessity of clearing off some long-standing Liabilities, and “the strong desire of your Council to avoid incurring further debt, “has hitherto prevented them carrying this into effect. Jt has, “‘ nevertheless, been decided at a late meeting of your Council, that “the publication shall at once be proceeded with, and a sub- ““committee has been appointed to carry this decision into effect. “The expense will have to be borne by the next year’s revenue, “unless, as the Council hope, the Government give a favourable “reply to their present application. The literary fund, inaugurated “last year at the instance and through the praiseworthy exertions “of your late secretary, Dr. Mueller, has been contributed to by “seventeen individuals, and the amount of their subseriptions, “ £178 10s., of which, according to rule, the interest only is avail- “ able for publication, has been placed for twelve months at interest ‘in the National Bank. Your Council, in conclusion, wish to “ congratulate the Society on a marked increase of vitality during “the last session, and trust that, through the energy and interest of “its members, and by economy and good management on the part “ of its office-bearers, it will rapidly rise out of its past embarrass- “ments, and become independent of all resources outside its own “‘ proper revenue.” The Report, at the request of the members, being first amended by the introduction of the words ‘“‘A Paper on Spectrum Analysis, by Mr. Ellery, (which the Hon. Secretary promised to contribute,) em- bodying the gist of his remarks on that subject on the 19th September, 1865,” was then adopted. The Hon. Treasurer submitted the following balance-sheet, with the remark that, although he had only received two subscriptions since the end of the session, he yet hoped to be able to clear off all liabilities before the clese of the year. Proceedings, &e. lvii Balance-Sheet of the Royal Socrety for 1863-64. Dr. 1863.— December Ist. Sess Ga > cay Sa To Balance as per Audited Balance-sheet of 1863 ... 6 8 10 ,, Publishing Fund Fe ach se one esjcco'. 2k 92 10 10 1863-4.—December 1st to November 80th. To Cash, viz. :— 1 Life Subscription ... wae ce ee OF GO Subscriptions and eens ae Sent OF —— 109 3 0 ,, Balance Publishing Fund... oes : ere OF EEO , Postage Stamps received from Publishing Fund and Credited in General Account.. “ an sa OR107 0 £289 14 10 1864.— December Ist. To Balance General Account... FS os Ree tee coc, IOI S A Re Publishing Fund ee Spc vee oe ie Lis Ise 0 £184 12 3 Cr. 18634.—December Ist to November 30th. or Sich By Postages, &c., and Petty Cash SOuahi oO ,, Clerical Assistance ... B= S.50 ,, Lncidentals ... 30 7 9 ,, General Printing 28 19 0 , Balance 18412 3 £289 14 10 We have examined the above balance-sheet, have compared the entries with the vouchers, and find the same correct. (Signed) THOMAS REED. FREDERICK WALSH. Messrs. Walsh and Reid were appointed auditors. A vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. T. E. Rawlinson for his valuable gift to the Society of a framed original pen and ink drawing of the Britannia Tubular Bridge. Rule XXXII. was amended as follows— “Members may compound for all Annual Subscriptions of the “current and future years by paying ten guineas. But for the “purpose of establishing a Permanent Publishing Fund of the ** Society, all Life Subscriptions shall be devoted exclusively to a “« Publishing Fund, such subscriptions to be invested solely in State ‘“‘ debentures, and the annual interest arising therefrom to be devoted “to the issue of publications alone.” \vili _ Proceedings, ke. Dr. Mueller moved—‘“ The suspension of law 31 to allow of the ‘‘ re-appointment of the Exploration Committee.” Carried. The Hon. D. Wilkie moved—‘‘ The re-appointment of the Ex- “‘ploration Committee,” which motion was lost by three votes, the Ayes being six, the Noes nine. The Hon. Secretary informed the members that arrangements were being made for the immediate publication of the Transactions, which arrangements had been very much facilitated owing to the liberal terms offered by the Proprietors of The Argus, who, from a regard to Dr. F. Mueller, and a desire for the advancement of science, had undertaken the work for the bare cost of the printing and paper. APPENDIX TO THE TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. APPENDIX, . iL Proposal for an Exhibition of Works of Colonial Jewellery and Colonial Gems, whether wrought or im the natural state ; as, also, of Colonial Works in Plating, Gilding, and Burnishing. By Rev. Joun J. Bueaspatez, D.D. [Read 10th October, 1864.] Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN.—Last year I brought before the Royal Society the results of my pleasant labours on the subject of the Gems found in Victoria ; and the favourable reception which my little paper received at your hands, and those of the public generally, has encouraged me to prosecute my inquiries in this direction during the past year: in such moments as I could devote to the subject. I have some few new specimens of interest by me, which I intend to bring before you probably at our next meeting. But they are hardly sufficient to form matter for a separate paper. I allude to this now in a cursory manner for the purpose of in- troducing another subject, which has occurred to me whilst studying how best to get together as large and varied a collection as possible of all kinds of colonial gems, whether wrought or in the rough state. At first, my object was little more than to enable myself to state positively in a pamphlet, which, together with a friend, I have been preparing for the press, in order to give some description of precious stones, the places where they are likely to be found, and their probable marketable value, to persons mining in those districts of this favoured country in which they have already been, or may reasonably be expected to be, hereafter found. I turned the matter about in my mind, it gradually assumed the dimensions of the present’ proposal, which I will very briefly lay before you. I know I have no right to trespass to-night on the public time, but I trust you will allow me afew minutes to give a bare outline of what seems to me a scheme likely both to benefit this Society and a large and increasing interest in the Colony at large. In order to get together for my own purposes as large a collection as possible of Colonial Gems, which le scattered about in private eC. ee Ix : Appendia. hands, I propose that an exhibition, under the auspices of the Royal Society, should be held in Melbourne, and, if approved of, in this _ hall, during the last three or four days of December next, not only of colonial gems, but of all kinds of colonial works in jewellery and byouterze, so as to bring out as far as possible into one point of view all that is now being done, or that may be known to have been done, in this matter in Victoria. I think we might even invite the neighbouring colonies to join us, and compete for such prizes and distinctions as we may be able to offer for the chef d’cuvres in each department of the jeweller’s art. That this branch of the fine arts exists among us in a most vigorous condition, no one can doubt ; and it is a matter of wonder that it should have been left to me to call attention to an exhibition of works, seeing that we have exhibitions of pictures, poultry, dogs, grain, farming implements, aye, even flowers and fruits ; and, so far as I can learn, all most successful in pecuniary results, and beneficial in promoting improvements in their several directions. Now, what I wish to-night to urge politely on the Royal Society is, that such an exhibition as I propose is, in the first place, legiti- mately within the scope of the Society ; and secondly, it will help largely in the development of a branch of the fine arts which is an established industry among us, improve the public taste by giving an opportunity for observation and comparison on a scale hitherto not attempted in Victoria, and encouragement by premiums and honorary certificates to colonial manufactures in materials which this country produces in hitherto unknown abundance. But it is only by bringing together in this way vast quantities of magnificent works that the general public can obtain an idea of what is done and can be done in Victoria; and it seems that only in this way can the taste of the general public be improved. So far, however, as it concerns the Royal Society, I may easily sum up a few of the leading advantages of such an exhibition. If it is the function of any body to develope our natural resources, to elevate public taste in the fine arts, encourage the production of worthy works of art in materials supplied by the Colony, surely it is pre-eminently that of our Society. Then, again, it is out of all doubt that such an exhibition will be visited by a vast multitude of our fellow-citizens and strangers. And out of the moderate admis- sion-fee, this Society may readily derive a handsome sum towards the publication of a volume of our Transactions ; and above all, and before all, convince a somewhat sceptic public that we really are working for the public interest, and the advancement of our own taste in the fine arts, and in the development of our natural resources and local manufactures ; whilst, at the same time, we render our Jabours a source of strength to this Society. : In conclusion, I would add, that the exhibition should embrace, by way of comparison, works of the jeweller’s art from other Appendix. Ixi countries ; provided they are the property of private individuals, and not merely imported for trade ; and that private persons should be invited to send whatever they think proper of rare and precious which they possess. Moreover, no selling should take place during the days of exhibition ; but that articles of Colonial manufacture may have their value placed upon them, selections may be made, and the day after our exhibition closes, time may be given to the exhibitors to dispose of whatever they think proper. I would add finally, that a committee be either now suggested, or the matter be let stand over for a week, and then a committee appointed to consider the whole subject, and draw up for publication the bye-laws and details of arrangement under which this exhibition shall be carried out. Gentlemen, the importance of the subject must be my apology for thus intruding upon the time of the meeting. My time is so little my own that I could not give you earlier notice of my views and intentions ; for I feared, had I done so, I might have disappointed your In your usual indulgence I trust you will excuse the hasty manner in which, you cannot help perceiving, these notes have been thrown together. BE. REPORT ON WHITE MEN’S GRAVES IN THE INTERIOR. Read 10th October, 1864. In accordance with instructions received from the Exploration Committee, we have the honour to submit to the Royal Society the results of our inquiry into the evidence brought forward by Mr. W. G. Conn and Mr. W. Giles, at the meeting on 29th August last, in reference to the supposed graves of white men found in longitude (approx.) 142deg. 35min. E., latitude (approx.) 28deg. 45min. §. From the tracing of Mr. Conn’s route, hereto annexed, from the detailed account contained in the published letters of these gentle- men appended,* and from their explicit verbal and written state- ments, which the committee received, it is perfectly clear that the graves can in no way whatever be identified with those of any traveller known to have perished in or -near the locality indicated, the burial places of Dr. Becker and some of his unfortunate com- panions at Bulla (a locality, moreover, also visited by Messrs. Conn and Giles), being the nearest to the spot where the graves of the supposed white men have been found. * Vide Mr. Conn’s letter to The Argus of January 20th, 1862, and to Dr. Mueller on September 5th, 1864, and Mr. Giles’ letter to The Argus, in August, 1864. baie | Appendia. We, however, cannot withhold our impression that the evidence of these graves really containing the relics of white men is solely based on the assertions of natives, who did not even themselves witness either the death or the burial of the supposed travellers. The young natives, who led Messrs. Conn and Giles to these burial places, may have received a misconstrued intelligence through the aborigines of other tribes on the subject, not having seen the parties of whites said to have succumbed in this locality under the hands of the savages ; and, notwithstanding the emphatic denial by the black boys, that these graves were those of aborigines, we are inclined to regard them as such, these graves corresponding sufficiently, except perhaps in size, to ordinary native tombs, recorded by Mr. Augustus Gregory as seen in his expedition along Cooper’s Creek.* Moreover, no signs of the employment of an axe or other European implement on the wood covering the graves, nor any other vestige giving a clue of Huropeans having visited the - locality, were observed. ”" Did not Messrs. Conn and Giles describe these graves as several years old, at the time they passed the spot in 1861, we would have been induced to consider the place as possibly covering the remains of natives, who were wounded when repelled by Mr. Wright, Dr. Beckler, and Mr. Hodgkinson, in their attack on the camp at the Bulla, an encounter which took place a few months before Messrs. Conn and Giles went to the Unutra Creek ; and the’ account of this conflict might have been misconceived by the natives. Nevertheless, we recommend not only a close investigation of the spot indicated by Messrs. Conn and Giles, and the disinter- ment of the bones for scientific inspection, but more particularly that this inquiry should be connected with an interrogation of the natives occupying the surrounding country, in order to secure the fullest possible information on the origin of these burials, Reflecting on the possibility that the graves noticed by Messrs. Conn and Giles might prove the burial places of white men, we are at once led to contemplate from whence and under what circum- stances could the supposed travellers have reached that lonely spot, © since no party, as far as we are aware, is missing in that direction. According to Messrs. Conn and Giles’ surmise, which is shared by Mr. John Neilson, these graves might perhaps be the last rest- ing places of some members of Dr. Leichhardt’s exploring party, and hence we deemed it incumbent on us to weigh the whole evidence hitherto extant cf the fate of that great explorer, in order to ascertain, in first instance, how far it bears on the facts im- mediately before us, * Vide appended extract of A. Gregory’s report, published in the papers of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, 1858, p. 677. Appendia. xi In thus far extending our scope of action, we have, moreover, been impelled by a deeply-felt persuasion that it is a holy duty of all Australia to leave nothing undone which might shed light on the destiny of one who stands second to none, and above most of the explorers of this country—a man who unfolded first to the astonished world the treasures and resources of a vast extent of this great continent, the richest dependency of the British Crown. The first tidings of the recorded awful termination of Dr. Leich- hardt’s enterprise were obtained in 1850, by Mr. W. Ogilby, P.M., at,Surat, and Mr. Gideon Lang, now of this city, through a black- fellow, at Surat. This latter had met a wild native, according to whose account a party of white men and two aborigines, corresponding exactly to the number of Leichhardt’s party, had been massacred by the wild blacks, beyond the Maranoa. To accomplish their design, they had watched the party from the very moment of their arrival in the country of these tribes, had sent messengers ahead to arouse the neighbouring hordes of natives, had gradually closed upon them without Leichhardt and his companions having been seemingly aware of the impending danger, had finally and unobservedly sur- rounded them in large numbers, and in the dawn of morning, when the travellers were asleep, crept stealthily on the camp in the bend of a creek, threw a volley of spears on the previously ascer- tained positions of the sleepers, and killed all except one, who, resting a slight distance apart, had sprung up, fired one shot, and killed a natve, but was then immediately speared. The oxen, horses, and mules, it is said, were then killed, the latter not with- out a desperate struggle to break their hobbles; but the native related, that two of the bullocks succeeded in breaking their hobbles, and that these were the only animals which escaped the slaughter. The savages perpetrating this destruction were beyond the inter- course of white men, and when plundering the camp left the tobacco and flour, then unknown to them, scattered on the ground, but dis- played a particular eagerness to possess themselves of the bright red blankets, known to have been provided by Leichhardt for his party. After hearing of this catastrophe, Mr. Lang at once resolved to set out from Mount Abundance, in long. 148deg. 40min. E., and lat. 26deg. 50min. 8., where Dr. Leichhardt finally quitted the settlements, in order to test the truth of these tidings. Mr. Lang took with him the man Walker, who afterwards was engaged for .Mr. Hovendon Hely’s party, and was accompanied by two stockkeepers and two blackfellows, the stockmen availing them- selves of this opportunity to search for cattle. Mr. Lang, unable to pick up Leichhardt’s then obliterated track at Mount Abundance, struck across to Sir Thomas Mitchell’s Depét Camp at the Maranoa, found on that river Mitchell’s as well as Kennedy’s tracks, but no xy, Appendix. traces of Leichhardt, and examined the Maranoa for seventy miles on both sides, without obtaining any further clue beyond some infor- mation from the natives, which corroborated circumstantially the first accounts received, and placed the death-scene further to the westward, The two stockmen then determined toreturn, and Mr. Lang was reluctantly obliged to relinquish his search, being, like Walker, greatly reduced in strength by extreme hardships undergone immediately before they set out on this journey, although they calculated to be able to reach the place of Leichhardt’s supposed fall in ten days from the Maranoa. Their provisions also at the time were exhausted. If the same high-minded energy evinced spontaneously on this occasion by Mr. Gideon Lang, had inspired others to imitate his example, the fate of one of the most glorious explorers of Australia would doubtless long since have been ascertained. - Mr. Lang, who verbally narrated these recorded facts to Dr. Mueller, felt at the time, and is still satisfied that Leichhardt and his companions perished under the circumstances related by the natives ; and when it is remembered that Leichhardt started with seven horses, twenty mules, and fifty oxen, as animals of burden, the travelling pace of which would necessitate his stages to be so short as to permit the swift natives to collect around him ; that long subsequently Mr. Walker found the natives on the Patrick River in possession of axes ; that Mr. Isaacs, a former companion of Leich- hardt, and many others, were informed of that unfortunate traveller’s intention to bend his course to the Alice ; and when, moreover, we consider the atrocious disposition of the natives of the whole dis- trict about Mount Abundance, and west of it, where many Euro- peans were killed by them, and even many stations were abandoned at the time as untenable, we must admit that Mr. Lang was fully justified in arriving at the conclusions he drew from the information originally and soon afterwards obtained by him from the natives. The fact of the blacks pointing rather to the west than north-west as the locality in which the encounter took place, does not, in our opinion, much invalidate the evidence, because the hunting-ground of their western neighbours would likely extend through several degrees of latitude, and they would only perhaps be generally aware of the travellers being destroyed in the territory of the western tribes. 7 The Government of New South Wales having obtained, through Mr. Lang and through other sources, this information of the pro- bable fate of Dr. Leichhardt, promptly despatched a party, under the command of Mr. Hovendon Hely, to investigate more closely these sad circumstances. This inquiry was instituted by Mr. Hely un- doubtedly with a deep appreciation of the duty devolving on him.at the occasion ; and although the results derived from his journey materially strengthed the evidence obtained through Mr. Lang, PEA oe Ra X- Appendix. Ixv Mr. Hely failed to ascertain with absolute certainty the fate of the missing explorers, and it is only to be regretted that this gentlemen’s researches were not followed up immediately after his return, before the vestiges of the lost party faded away. Mr. Hely reported, under date 22nd July, 1852, from Surat the results of his mission.* The evidence thus gained left unfortunately hardly any doubt that the poor explorers had all lost their lives by a brutal and treacherous attack of the natives, although a series of circumstances, which are best learnt from Mr. Hely’s report, prevented that gentle- man from reaching the locality where the death-scene took place, and although he found the accounts of the blacks as regards the precise spot of the catastrophe to be greatly at variance. It is easily understood why the natives, whilst without hesitation they generally admitted the destruction of the party, and brought to bear an un- deniable amount of corroborative and circumstantial evidence on the facts, were naturally reluctant to lead the friends of the fallen men to a place where the contemplation of the spot of horror, and of the relics of the unfortunate victims, might so easily arouse in the white men feelings of the most intense indignation and of fervent ven- geance. Hence Mr. Hely was readily enabled to find two of Dr. Leichhardt’s camps at the sources of the Warrego and Nive, bearing as marks XVA.in the lower portion of a capital L, but was con- stantly deceived by the blacks in their statements about the spot of the massacre. Had the guides acted otherwise, they would indeed have exposed themselves, and this without protection, to the retalia- tion of those tribes whom they had, may it be with ever so much justice, accused ; thus the natives, ever eager to gain rewards from the travelling party, conducted it to Sir Thomas Mitchell’s depot, and other spots, and finally vanished secretly. The inscription on each of the two Leichhardtian camps found by Mr. Hely has never yet been satisfactorily deciphered, and although, by the subsequent discovery of two other trees during Gregory’s and Walker’s expedi- tions, indicating camps of Leichhardt about 80 and 87 miles further to the north-west, the interpretation of these marks became of less importance, and although no interpretation is likely to shed any light on his fate, there is still attached a melancholy interest to these, as some of the very last signs we have of his movements. We wish, however, to observe that the Rev. W. B. Clarke, the venerable and ever active geologist of New South Wales, has sought to elucidate these figures as indicative of Kennedy’s camp, in a letter (published in the Sydney Morning Herald of August, 1858), in which he with the warmth of personal friendship for Leichhardt, cherishes the hope that evidences so contradictory as those hitherto obtained leave still ample room for the opinion of Leichhardt’s not ® Vide papers of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. E Iseviy 2 <7 Appendia. having ended his luminous career under the circumstances related by the natives. We have appended to this report a valuable memorandum from Mr. Giles,* in which he demonstrates from experience, how part of the inscription of one of the trees might have become obliterated by the overgrowth of bark. Otherwise it is difficult to understand why two camps of Leichhardt should bear precisely analogous distinctive marks, unless we suppose that the Roman letters were intended for the day of amonth (April t), and that evidently an error had been committed in fixing the date of one of *the camps. Mr. Giles deserves much credit for the vivid interest he evinced throughout this enquiry, and we share the hopes of his experienced fellow traveller Mr. Conn, of seeing Mr. Giles’s services secured for any future enterprise to be organised to find vestiges of Leichhardt, and simultaneously to examine the graves at Unutra. Mr. Gideon Lang entertains the opinion that, whilst the numerals indicate the number of the camp, the A, as a convenient letter, was added to distinguish the place from others Leichhardt might be encamped at in any retrograde direction and possible return journey. . Most important seems to us the assertion of one of the fugitive guides to another of his race, that Mr. Hely had still to cross four creeks ; next, a large plain of three days’ travelling distance ; and then again three creeks, before he would arrive at the spot where the disaster occurred. | The discovery of the extensive natural distribution of gold through South-east Australia at about this period absorbed universal atten- tion, and diverted the thoughts of all colonists so much from other subjects as to render it not surprising when we find that for several years no further direct efforts were made to fully solve the mystery which involved Leichhardt’s fate ; the more so, since in 1855 and 1856 the expedition sent for geographical discoveries by the Home Government through tropical Australia was in the field ; for it was thought that fortunate events might bring its movements in contact with the traces of the last explorers. No further tidings, however, having been obtained, the Government of New South Wales, in 1858, entrusted the command of a special search expedition to Mr. A. C, Gregory, with a hope that the well-known skill and experience of that tried explorer would dispel the mystery. But, although this expedition solved some most interesting problems in the geography of Australia, it left that of Leichhardt’s fate unsolved ; still, Mr. Gregory discovered, not distant from the junction of the Alice River with Cooper’s Creek, a marked tree indicating a Leich- hardtian camp, in lat. 24deg.35min. 8., and long. 146deg. 6min, * Vide letter to Dr. Mueller, dated 3rd October, 1864. + Leichhardt left Mount Abundance early in April, 1848. « A ppendix. Ixvil E., the huge but simple L being evidently intended as a conspicuous lasting mark by the unfortunate traveller to signify the spot where he intended to leave the line of Cooper’s Creek, the letter measuring fully eighteen inches in length.* From the discovery of this L, the only one which at the time extended our knowledge of Leichhardt’s movements, ‘the inference has been drawn that the accounts given by the natives of the destruction of Leichhardt beyond the Maranoa were unreliable or truthless. Ks It would have been a source of deep gratification to the committee, if in endeavouring to penetrate this chaos of conflicting evidence they could give their concurrence to this inference. But on reflecting how vague allinformation in this sad event of Leichhardt’s death has proved throughout, as far as the indication of the spot is concerned, we think that the discrepancies of some of the statements may be reconciled by the vagueness characteristic of the ideas of the savages on distances, numbers, and time ; hence we had arrived at the conclusion, that the various accounts given to Mr. Hely by the natives, as far as they admitted generally the annihila- tion of Leichhardt’s party, were thereby not invalidated ; and we even conceived that the locality referred to by those natives on whose statement Mr. Hely could place most dependence, is still quite with- in the reach of the spot where Mr. Gregory discovered the huge L. In this conclusion the committee has subsequently been strengthened by the testimony kindly proffered by Mr. Gideon Lang, who, after a lengthened conversation with several natives in 1851, calculated the distance of the spot where the tragical occurrence took place still to be ten of iis days journey from the head of the Maranoa. We are not surprised at Mr. Gregory having found no further in- dications of Leichhardt’s presence on the spot; that gentleman visited the locality ten years after the last explorers, and found the banks of Cooper’s Creek for nearly a mile on either side bearing the vestiges of one of those tremendous inundations, the torrent of which would probably carry away any relics of a river-camp, or bury them in the subsiding débris. No additional disclosures concerning Leichhardt were obtained until the year 1861, when the services of Mr. Frederick Walker were secured by the Exploration Committee of this Society, to conduct one of the expeditions in search of Mr. Burke and his companions. On his way to the Gulf of Carpentaria, diverging to Cooper's Creek, he found seven miles below the Leichhardtian camp dis- covered by Gregory, another tree bearing a smaller L, testifying Leichhardt’s presence.t * Vide appended extracts of Gregory’s journal printed by order of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. { Vide extracts from his journal appended. En 2 inva A ppendia. We fully acquiesce in the sagacious explanation of Mr. Walker, who points to the probability of Leichhardt having been compelled to retrace his steps to the river and descend along it until he could skirt the scrubs, which, to a party so peculiarly fitted out as his in regard to animals of burden, would prove still more impervious than to any other expedition since in the field in that direction. If the vestiges of tracks noticed by Mr. Walker on the Patrick River, about sixty miles north of Leichhardt’s last known positions, can in future be connected with any camps in the vicinity, we would have proof of considerable weight that the universal accounts given by the natives of the destruction of the party further south could not be true, unless we admit the great improbability of Leichhardt’s having fallen back on Cooper’s Creek for water, after an unsuccessful attempt to penetrate northward, or his having retraced his steps for any other reason unknown. The supposed tracks of Leichhardt indicated still further north on Mr. Walker’s chart, and recorded in his journal, lead seemingly to the tree marked L by Mr. Landsborough (in lat. 22 deg. 45 min. S., near the Thompson River*), a point reached by that traveller anterior to his most creditable Carpentaria expedition. On the other hand, this would give no clue to the statement of a native woman, who was understood by Mr. Walker to have seen white men W.S.W. of the Barkly River, Burke and Wills’ track being distant about two hundred and eighty miles in that direction. This closes our inquiry into the more or less tangible evidence of Leichhardt’s fate—an inquiry which necessarily was surrounded with difficulties, and which will continue unsatisfactory as long as it mainly rests on the fluctuating traditions of the natives and on positive testimony so faint. In furnishing our report, we have not quoted verbally all the statements bearing on the subject, but appended quotations from various documents. We found it hopeless to bring to bear on Leich- hardt’s fate, the statements recorded by Mr. M‘Kinlay during his skilful and daring expedition,t which informs us of human remains interred at Lake Massacre, and not yet fully identified with those of Gray’s of Burke’s expedition. We are of course equally unable to bring within the reach of our investigation the record of the famous J. Macdouall Stuart, of having crossed what appeared horse tracks before he reached Tennant’s Creek, near Macdouall Range, in latitude (approx.) 19 deg. 30 min. 8., and long. 134 deg. 25min. E., or the vague tradition of Western Australia natives, according to which, white travellers coming from the east had perished on a lake in the inland wastes of that colony. | But as long as all such accounts reawaken our thoughts of the * Vide Landsborough’s journal, p. 90. + Vide his journal, p. 10. A ppendiz. Ixix missing travellers, we are earnestly and ever anew reminded that we have not fulfilled the dictates of humanity and of gratitude to one of the early pioneers of Australian discovery, whose name will ever be identified with the history of this ccuntry. The spot where, in his philanthropic endeavour to expand our knowledge and to widen the area peacefully conquered for civilisa- tion, Leichhardt is said to have sunk, is almost now within the reach of settlement ; and what to those who formerly went on his path proved unattainable, is a task now portrayed readily to be accom- plished. We would therefore recommend that the localities on Cooper’s Creek which bear the last indisputable marks of Leichhardt’s move- ments should again be examined, and that a party sufficiently strong to resist any attempted attacks should scrupulously, through reliable interpreters, interrogate the natives, to set the question finally at rest, whether Leichhardt and his brave little band met their death on the spot originally recorded, and if this should be affirmed, to secure such relics of the perished travellers as will place the fact of their annihilation beyond doubt. ‘The forbearing and judicious manner in which Mr. Hovendon Hely acted towards the natives must have inspired them with confidence that his followers will deal with them in the same clement spirit ; and whilst now more than sixteen years have elapsed since the probable destruction of Leich- hardt’s party, it is likely that the perpetrators of the murderous deed will now display no greater reluctance to reveal the features of the sad tragedy than the natives of the Bogan, when questioned, to narrate the circumstances under which Richard Cunningham lost his life. If this recommended inquiry verifies our just fears, one duty alone remains to be performed—to mark by a monument the spot which must be holy to all of us and all future generations, and which would ever remain a historic landmark. If, however, and let us cherish the hope, the destruction of the poor explorers on that spot can be disproved, we ought not to rest until, by successive and systematic inquiry amongst the native tribes, we learn what became of the lost men, should it involve a sacrifice ever so great; for whenever Leichhardt’s fall beyond the Maranoa should be disproved, the assumption that he and his faithful followers number with the dead could likewise no longer be vindicated on any tangible ground, and we could no longer dispute the possibility of any of the un- happy men still having lingered on from one tedious year to the other for relief, and to have lingered in vain. The improbability of such a fact is great indeed, but its absolute impossibility, from evidence hitherto extant, cannot be demonstrated, and future ages will then pass on Leichhardt’s Australian contemporaries their judg- ment. Those on whom the burden of exploration has fallen heaviest amongst us have earned almost throughout but poor rewards for their self-sacrificing labours. But let it not be said of us, in lxx Appendia. addition, that we have been unconscious of our duties towards humanity. And here we must contend, that on the rising colonial community, occupying the vast extent of magnificent land which poor Leich- hardt under so many privations discovered, so lucidly described, and so faithfully mapped (and which now yields millions annually, to a highly prosperous population), more particularly devolves the duty of initiating the final steps for disclosing Leichhardt’s fate; moreover, the country to be traversed, for institut- ing at least the earlier of these inquiries, lies within the precincts of Queensland, a colony deeply indebted to Dr. Leichhardt. By patient perseverance the fate of Leichhardt can now be ascer- tained, if the inquiry is supported by the resources which this great country can well afford to devote for an object so noble. Future generations ought to have no cause or opportunity to cast on the present citizens of Australia, the reproach of having been unconscious of the claims of Ludwig Leichhardt—a man who has never yet been replaced amongst us—a man of imperishable greatness. Davin E. Wikre, M.D., M.L.C. Frep. Murtuer, M.D., F.R.S. Melbourne, October 10, 1864. EEE. THE CORRAJONG OR CORRAGINE SHRUB. [Communicated by the Surveyor-General to the Royal Society, March 1864.] This shrub grows plentifully on the top and upper sides of the Strzelecki Ranges ; it likewise abounds on the Gipps Land Gold- fields, and on the Dandenong Ranges, and attains a height of twenty or twenty-five feet, and a diameter of stem of about two to three inches. The bark, which is the most important part of the shrub, strips most readily even to the points of the smallest twigs, by cutting round the stem. It is doubtful whether a sufficient quantity of the bark could be procured for rope-making, but I am induced to think that what quantity there is may be applied to more valuable uses, as for the making of hats, similar to Panama ; paper-making, or even to the manufacture of woven fabrics. The bark is highly prized by miners- and others living in the localities in which it abounds, affording as it does a cheap and durable cordage, which is applied to almost innumerable uses. A ppendia. Ixxi Of the accompanying specimens of Bark, No. 1 is stripped from a bush of average size, and the thin outer brown bark has been removed, Nos. 2 and 3, are cords which have been made by hand from bark, without other preparation than drying for one day in the sun, and they would, of course, have been much finer had they been machine made. Grorce T, M‘Dona.p. Nore sy Epitor.—Insertion is given to this memorandum for the sake of publicity rather than because of the novelty of the facts. The plant is well-known to Dr. Mueller. (See Proceedings), ERRATA To the Rev. J. H. T. Wood's paper on some Tertiary Fossils, de. Art. I. In every instance for ‘‘ Cellepora Hemispherina,” read ‘‘ Cellepora Hemi- Spherica.” To ** Melicerita” in the list add the specific name ‘* Angwstiloba.” The figure of the ‘‘ Canda angulata” is not given, but a small fragment of “* Hornera”’ has been drawn by mistake. sea om r lll 100047828 | | | ij LIBRARY ss Rete ‘ Boag Bite SS a treet iad rarrmairibienritua tea OS ama rd SEE Dy Age es a on edly 4 se Shady as Bh beers é Bt ON ce 8 a RE oy ne tenet tomers heen LOD is tel gree ny > cerecetan emma wae eon 64 PT pay a. 3s | ba sitemagg 0 3 “ - SERIE, hd Roe Litt Be AS ashes sk TTT sake ate Ua ta teh . : res csin é an ates Te SS siete eee Sait z aseceree . SESE Nektar ARE bee ‘ ppm ; stl oases! ‘ . . 7 IRAE erepdo, RAEN RU ei . ; ~ nts 2 Awe a - be Raat at, Saco! Nie Cee “ (eRe 8 Ole Soke ev oP Ri garden, ¢ ; ; <> ene GS Og : peo tert deeds > ae nN ae a ‘ EYE web aabege: fs + raw SCS WRB PI ee encanta ea PERO ons gt OMEN NORRIE ate, iKens te Perawoitternel ind: gisele ue awh ote HEA : BRN ATi ARS Maat ae ae Neate iets Wh bare este) adeyis' Gate Cie Barca SE OM eig Fah HR eS CY is Ame rete, RR yc AE Fittest tly TRG Bl ta iad Tey aya aaah a EF SAE Carri rRAOI mente : ant ane eR EM yn aK reek bicapTtnaNa NS tet deo ait RTP of > ee Meanensropre tie oS soe sap Pea sea MAR SES ih Al meaty deb a ie tammy nn gen hE nee ey SeeTt 8 ast AR op Se ne VIM teh yy