Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 155 



interest in this scientific expedition. If tlic}^ gave what 

 they coukl afford, wliatever it was, it would be an evidence 

 to Baron Oscar Dickson, and those who took an interest in 

 the matter, that Australia was bound to support them in a 

 generous way. 



Mr. RusDEN thought the offer of Sir Thomas Elder of 

 immense advantage, it being a splendid example to a great 

 many in Australia who were in a position to do the same 

 thing. At the same time, he did not know that they could 

 rely upon anything that only appeared in a telegram, with- 

 out corroboration. He might also mention that in a letter 

 to the Swedish Academy accepting so far as was possible 

 Baron Nordenskiold's offer, although it was stated that no 

 doubt he would have tlie right to take with him whom he 

 would, yet the names of Professor Spencer and Mr. Wragge, 

 of Brisbane, were mentioned as candidates to accompany the 

 Expedition, in terms which would show that they were 

 suitable persons, and quite as good as any he could find. He 

 therefore thought the objects suggested by Mr. Dendy had 

 been conveyed in more delicate terms. 



Mr. Dendy asked to be allowed to withdraw his motion, 

 as he thought it had been made sufficiently clear that it was 

 unnecessary. 



The motion, as proposed by Mr. Sutherland, and seconded 

 by Mr. Griffiths was then put and carried unanimously. 



A Member moved, "That the Secretaries be instructed to 

 send out circulars to the Members for private subscriptions." 

 He thought a good many subscriptions could be obtained in 

 that way. He Avould like also that subsci-iptions which came 

 from ]\rembers of the Society should go into a common fund, 

 and should appear as Boyal Society subscriptions. This 

 resolution was carried. 



A paper entitled "A Description of New and Little-known 

 Polyzoa, Part XIV," by Mr. P. H. MacGillivray, M.A., 

 IVl.R.C.S., was descril3ed to the meeting by Mr. Wilson, and 

 taken as read. 



A paper entitled " The Dukduk Association of New 

 Britain," by the Rev. R. H. Rickard, presented by the Rev. 

 Lorimer Fison, was read by Professor Spencer. 



Mr. Blackett said it would be interesting to know 

 whether the English word "taboo" had had its origin in 



