ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS, AUGUST 7th, 1912. The three hundred and fifty-first (351st) General Monthly Meeting of the Royal Society of New South Wales was held at the Society's House, 5 Elizabeth-street North, at 8 p.m. Mr. R. H. CAMBAGE, President, in the Chair. Twenty-six members were present. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. The certificate of a candidate for admission as an ordinary member was read for the second time. Mr. W. J. CLUNIES ROSS and Mr. C. A. SUSSMILCH were appointed Scrutineers, and Mr. W. M. HAMLET deputed to preside at the Ballot Box. The following gentleman was duly elected an ordinary member of the Society : - SIDNEY RADCLIFF, Radium Hill Works, Woolwich. Dr. T. HARVEY JOHNSTON, The University, Brisbane, having been nominated by the Council as a Corresponding Member, was, after a ballot, declared to be duly elected. The President made the following announcements:1. That at the meeting of 4th September the question of popularising Forestry in Australia would be discussed. 2. That a Popular Science Lecture, on "The wonders of the Soil," would be delivered by Professor R. D. WATT, M.A., B.Sc., in the Society's Hall, on the 15th August, 1912. 3. That the Geological Section would meet on the 14th August, 1912. 4. That donations consisting of 12 volumes, 227 parts, 6 reports, 9 pamphlets, and 6 maps had been laid upon the table. THE FOLLOWING PAPERS WERE READ: 1. "Notes on a Model of New England and the Associated Topographical Forms," by E. C. ANDREWS, B.A., read in abstract by Mr. C. A. SUSSMILCH, by whom also the model was exhibited. 2. "Notes on Two Lightning Flashes near Sydney," by Dr. F. H. QUAIFE, M.A. EXHIBITS: Mr. R. T. BAKER exhibited models of the Cullinan Diamond and the stones cut therefrom. Mr. C. A. SUSSMILCH exhibited apparatus used in determining precious stones. Mr. R. H. CAMBAGE exhibited specimens recently collected by him of Carboniferous fossils known as Rhacopteris from Currabubula near Tamworth, which are of interest in extending the known range of this type from the StroudClarence Town district. Mr. J. H. MAIDEN exhibited the following botanical specimens collected by Mr. SIDNEY W. JACKSON, Ornithologist: Two specimens of young bark of the large Queensland Kauri Pine, Agathis Palmerstoni, F.v.M., Tinaroo Scrubs, Upper Barron River, North Queensland. One is a dancing figure of a male native, 12 inches in greatest length and breadth. The other is roughly in the form of a cross and denotes a female native. The blacks originally cut figures of these shapes through the bark, which they removed. The young bark closes over the wounds, forming objects like those shown. The following specimens were obtained from the Collarenebri District: Portions of the stems of the Eurah Tree, Eremophila bignoniflora, F.v.M., which were once used by the natives for making fire by friction, the inflammable material round the hole of the horizontal stick being dry kangaroo dung. Specimens of Budda or Budtha, Eremophila Mitchelli, Benth., green logs of which were used in the early days for obtaining tar for branding by a rough process of dry distillation. Fruits of Pittosporum phillyræoides, DC., Butter Bush, from the play-grounds of the Spotted Bower Bird. It will be observed that the birds have only selected those fruits which are markedly heart-shaped, and which have not dehisced. Specimens of the Nypang, Capparis lasiantha, R.Br., in flower and showing the recurved hooks which are particularly abundant on the young stems, and which enable the plant to scramble up trees and shrubs. Fruits etc. of the allied Capparis Mitchelli, Lindl., sometimes called the Native Orange. Fragments of the scale bark of the Carbeen, Eucalyptus tesselaris, F.v.M., which forms tesseræ, roughly in one inch cubes, and from which the specific name tesselaris is derived. The various specimens were accompanied by herbarium specimens. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS, SEPTEMBER 4th, 1912. The three hundred and fifty-second (352nd) General Monthly Meeting of the Royal Society of New South Wales was held at the Society's House, 5 Elizabeth-street North, at 8 p.m. Mr. R. H. CAMBAGE, President, in the Chair. Twenty-three members and eighteen visitors were present. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. The certificates of candidates for admission as ordinary members were read; three for the second, and one for the first time. Dr. C. ANDERSON and Mr. C. A. SUSSMILCH were appointed Scrutineers, and Mr. H. G. SMITH deputed to preside at the Ballot Box. The following gentlemen were duly elected as ordinary members of the Society: Dr. FREDERICK GUY GRIFFITHS, B.A., 135 Macquarie- E. H. FULCHER SWAIN, District Forester, Forest E. F. HALLMANN, B.Sc., 65 View-street, Annandale. 1. That a Popular Science Lecture, entitled "Pre-historic Man," by Dr. S. A. SMITH, would be delivered in the Society's Hall, on September 19th, 1912. 2. That donations consisting of 5 volumes, 92 parts, 8 reports, 7 pamphlets and 4 maps had been laid upon the table. -66 THE FOLLOWING PAPER WAS READ: Note on Some Recent Marine Erosion at Bondi," by Mr. C. A. SUSSMILCH, F.G.S. At the request of the Forest Department, the Council decided to invite members and friends to consider the question of popularising Forestry in New South Wales, and an informal discussion took place. The President made some opening remarks and then invited Mr. MAIDEN to introduce the subject. Mr. R. D. HAY (Director of Forests) gave an account of the work of the Interstate Conference on Forestry at which the subject was first brought up, and also of the American Forestry Association. Mr. R. T. BAKER spoke of the value of the Eucalyptus Oil industry. Dr. FARNSWORTH spoke of the scarcity of timber in South Africa. Mr. J. BRECKENRIDGE spoke of the scarcity of timber in New South Wales, and also the approaching famine in Oregon timber. Mr. WHITE emphasised the remarks of the previous speaker. Mr. R. Mc. C. ANDERSON urged the Minister for Agriculture and other politicians to take the matter up. Mr. J. M. PRINGLE spoke of his travels in the Pine forests of Gascony, and, as a builder, alluded to the increasing scarcity of timber. Dr. J. B. CLELAND suggested an informal meeting of members of the Society with the view of helping in the inauguration of a Forestry League. Mr. J. LANGLEY asked the Society to pass a resolution in favour of the formation of a League. Mr. MCKELL suggested that the constitution of the "Millions Club" covered the objects of such a League, and indicated that the Club would help. The President gave statistics in regard to the land set apart for forests in New South Wales, and advocated the study of the introduction of useful exotic trees, and the advancement of forestry education. On the motion of Dr. CLELAND, seconded by Mr. BAKER, the following resolution was carried unanimously: 66 That this Society considers that the formation of a Forestry League in New South Wales is desirable." |