TRANSACTIONS OF SOlTETTRS. 7^5 



gations. — "Heart rot of Pteroxyk'n utile (Siwccnvood) caused by Fomes 

 rimosus Berk. Dr. P. A. van der Byl. The distribution of the fungus 

 {Fames rimosus Berk) and the effect it has on the wood of Pteroxylon 

 utile were recorded. This fungus has thus far been reported in the Union 

 of South Africa on ii genera belonging to eight different natural orders. 

 The fungus attacks a large number of trees belonging to different orders. 



South African Institute of Electrical Engineers. — Thursday, 

 May i8th : Prof. W. Buchanan, M.T.E.E., President, in the chair. — 

 "Notes on Generating Station Reports'': V. Pickles. The author 

 described the method of recording station reports adopted by the Victoria 

 Falls Power Company, Johannesburg. 



Chemical, Metalluk-gical. and Mining Society of South 

 Africa.— Saturday, May 20th : J. E. Thomas, A.LM.M., M.Am.I.E.E., 

 President, in the chair. — " On some diseases of the respiratory organs 

 incidental to miners, as portrayed by Agricola in 1550." : Dr. J. de 

 Fenton. Centuries ago, lesions of the lung due to particles of dust — 

 in other words, silicosis, or miners' phthisis— were known to exist among 

 certain classes of mine workers, and the description given by Agricola 

 definitely connotes that disease. 



Saturday, June 24th: J. E. Thomas, A.I.M.M., M.Am.I.E-E., Presi- 

 dent, in the chair. — " The encouragement of Arst-aid work on the mines; 

 some suggestio)is based on experience at the Crcnvn Mines. Ltd.'": A. J. 

 Brett. An account was given of the scheme which had been carried into 

 operation at the Crown Mines, with a view to arousing increased interest 

 in first-aid work on the mines. 



South African Association of Analytical Chemists. — Thursday, 

 June 22nd : J. Moir, M.A., D.Sc, President, in the chair. — Presidential 

 address : J. Moir. The author laid stress on the unfortunate position 

 which the chemist occupies in the mind of the Government and the public, 

 due entirely to their ignorance of the importance of the chemist. It was 

 therefore necessary to educate them to a proper appreciation of the pro- 

 fession. The necessity of research in South Africa and the paucity of the 

 country's industries were also pointed out. 



