XXrVm PEOCEEDIXGS, NOVEMBER. 



especially the South Esk. He gave drawings of seven stapes of growth, 

 and showed how that if the variability of these stages j be taken into 

 consideration it would indicate that many of the Australian forms, 

 regarded as distinct species, may be due to the accidental selection of 

 different stages of growth of one widely distributed form. He urged 

 that beforet the perfect classification of the Unionuht: of Australia, a 

 similar study of variability of widely-scattered habitats must bo made 

 before satisfactory classification could be established. For these 

 reasons he felt disinclined to accept another synonym for our local 

 form at the present time. 



TIPPAGORY COAL. 



Mr. R. M. JoHN'STOX also made some observations upon a specimen 

 of coaly shale obtained by Mr. Hackett wliilst exploring on the 

 Tippagory Range, near Mount (Jeorge, in tlic vicinity of George Town. 

 He said it was a coaly shale containing abundant impressions of 

 Gangamopteriit apatulata, McCoy, and therefore allied to the coal 

 measures of the Mersey, rather than to those of the south-eastern 

 portions of Tasmania, and would, therefore, be much older than the 

 latter. 



KEVIEW OF THE .SESSIOX. 



The President said :— 



Gentlemen, — We have now come to the last of our meetings in the 

 year ISSS, and following the precedent of 1887, I propose to sum up 

 briefly the results of the session. The number of our I'oUows is some- 

 what in excess of last year. The additions to our library have been 

 very satisfactory, and the numbor of societies with wliich we exchange 

 our publications has been increased by tlie important additions of the 

 Royal Dublin Society, and the Royal (geographical Society of Edin- 

 burgh. In referring to the additions to our library, I would call special 

 attention to Mr. Johnston's great work, " A Systematic Account of the 

 Geology of Tasmania," published by tlie Tasmanian Government, who 

 are highly to be commended for the handsome contribution to the cause 

 of science which the cost of the production of this elaborate work must 

 have involved. We opened the present session with a conversazione 

 held in the new rooms recently added to the Museiim, wliich was largely 

 attended, and at which some very interesting mechanical processes were 

 exhibited. We have held live meetings, and have liad submitted to us 

 the following papers, viz., in " Ichthyology," from Sir Tliomas IJrady, 

 Mr, Johnston, and Mr. Seager. In "Ornithology "from Mr. IVtterd 

 and Colonel Legge ; in " Conchology " from Messrs. Joimston (2), and 

 from Mr. I'etterd ; in " Mineralogy " from Mr. Topiis ; in " Cicology " 

 from Mr. Davies ; in " Exploration " from Mr. Andrew ; in 

 "Topography" from Mr. Walker; and in "Statistics" from Mr. 

 Johnston. \Vc have no reason to be asliamed of tlic quality of tlic work 

 of the session, but tlie quantity is nob so great as usual. A glance at 

 the list of contributors shows how mucli we owe to one or two of our 

 members, notably Mr. Johnston. If, through any misfortune the Society 

 were deprived of the work of some half-dozen jncmberR, as wo have 

 already, I am sorry to say, been deprived of Mr. l^astow'H work though 

 he has become a corresponding member, I fear the record would lie very 

 meagre. Now, is it not possihle to remedy this? I find on looking at 

 the reports of the other Australasian Societies that they include many 

 more subjects than we do, such, for instance, an engin(!ering, agriculture, 

 use of timbers, etc. I feel pretty sure that some ot our members might 

 usefully contribute on some of tliose sulijects. Then, again, we have no 

 papers this year on hcaltli matters — drainage and sewage. Considering 

 that we have among ua so many medical men — men of science capable 

 of dealing with these subjects — I think this is matter for regret, and I 



