BY R. ETHERIDGE, JUN. 629 



bones are evidently those of the extinct genus Meiolania, and the 

 extent of the clay beds is quite borne out by the investigations 

 made by the writer on the spot."^ On the chart accompanying 

 this report Mutton-bird Island is called Inaccessible Island, a 

 very appropriate name, and which, as a matter of precedence, 

 would appear to be its proper designation. Sixteen people were 

 resident on Lord Howe Island at this time. 



Dr. Foulis's report is followed by a brief one by Captain H. M. 

 Denham, dated 1853 — " Remarks on Lord Howe Island." He 

 places the "Madeira of the Pacific" in 31° 31' S. Lat., and 159° 5" 

 E. Long., which only differs from the careful observations of Mr. 

 W. J. Conder, the Superintendent of the Trigonometrical Survey 

 in 1882, by 2' S. Lat., the latter observer giving its position as 

 31° 33' S. Lat. The sixteen inhabitants mentioned by Dr. Foulis 

 formed the families of Andrews, Mosely, and Wright, " who 

 dropped into sole occupancy in 1843, from having been in the 

 service of a 'Captain Poole.' " 



We now come to the interesting paper by Dr. Macdonald — 

 " Remarks on the Natural History and Capabilities of Lord Howe 

 Island." 



I much regret that this did not come under my observation at the 

 time I wrote the account of our operations at the island, as it would 

 have given me great pleasure to have made copious extracts from 

 it. Dr. Macdonald describes the geology somewhat fully, and 

 his observations are, I am glad to say, quite in keeping with those 

 made by myself. He noticed the two chief rock masses of the 

 island, the volcanic series in horizontal layers, intersected by 

 dykes ; and the coarse later sandstone. These he traced out with 

 commendable accuracy, noticed the occurrence of grey pummice 

 on all low lands, and also the unconformity existing between the 

 two divisions of the Coral sand-rock, described by myself, f In 

 mentioning the lagoon within the coral-reef. Dr. Macdonald states 

 that in September during low tides it became dry, and that it was 



* Mem. Australian Mus. 1889, No. 2, pp, 114 and 120. 

 tMem. Australian Mus., 1889, No. 2, p. 118. 



