13 



total eclipse of the sun readily accessible from Australia during the remainder 

 of the present century. 



The proposal is that a steamer should be chartered to start from Melbourne 

 about the 20th November, and touching at intermediate ports, to convey such 

 persons as may desire to witness the eclii^se. 



It is expected that the total cost will not exceed £25 per head of those who 

 form the jjarty. 



It is proposed that the expedition should be under the charge of the Go- 

 vernment Astronomer, so far as the control of the steamer is necessary to 

 prevent undue delay. 



A committee of this Society has been appointed to make preliminary en- 

 quiries, and I have to re(]Ufcst that you will have the goodness to make the 

 proposal known, and to inform me how many gentlemen from Hobai-t Town 

 are likely to join it. 



I have the honor to be, 

 Sir, 

 Your most obedient servant, 

 Robert L. J. Ellert, 

 President of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



To the President of the Royal Society, 

 Hobart Town. 



Mr. M. Allport, in reference to the question of carnivorous 

 marsupials on South Bruni, mooted at last meeting, begged to say- 

 lie had recently been informed by Mr. Bennett (of Sandy Bay toll bar), 

 that he had not only seen the native devil on Bruni, but had actually 

 shot one when residing there some ten years ago. At that time, at 

 least, they were pretty numerous, and apjjeared to haunt a portion 

 of the shore where they could obtain portions of seal and whale flesh, 

 left after the process of " trying out" the oil. 



Mr. Graves had never actually obtained a carnivorous animal from 

 South Bruni, but about 18 months ago he had seen from a boat a 

 number of small animals like black rabbits on the shore there. He was 

 puzzled at their aj^pearance, and soon afterwards visited the spot again 

 to make further examination. He could find no traces whatever of 

 rabbits, but afterwards meeting with Mr. Bennett, he was informed 

 by him that the animals were native devils, which was proved by the 

 fact of his having shot one. 



Mr. Allport had himself seen one small carnivorous marsupial on 

 South Bruni, the Antechinus leucopus, which also occurs in considerable 

 numbers on Partridge Island. This too was an animal which must have 

 been indigenous, and not introduced by the natives. 



Mr. F. Abbott read a long and interesting astronomical paper, the 

 subject being that of tj Argus and its surrounding nebula, which was 

 listened to with great attention. 



Discussion of conversational character having taken place, a vote of 

 thanks was accorded to Mr. Abbott for his jjaper, and to the donors of 

 presentations, after which the meeting broke up. 



