120 ROYAL SOCIETY FBOM THE YEAR 1840 TO 1900. 



of Belladonna, as a preventive and cure, is interesting, but I 

 do not know whether subsequent experiments in its use 

 modified the opinion of its efficacy. 



The important subject of drainage, which can never be 

 properly dissociated from water supply, was discussed in 

 a paper by Sir William Denison. One of the conclusions 

 at present of interest, was that for a really efficient system 

 of drainage the supply of water must be very much 

 increased, preferably by tapping the grand supply of the 

 upper Derwent. 



The losses and gains to Tasmania in consequence of the 

 gold rash were noted by Mr. James Barnard in a paper on 

 the statistics, published in the proceedings for 1852. 



The population loss is set down at over 8000. During 

 the period 1851-3 inclusive, the average value of the imports, 

 [3er head of the population was .£18 19s. 9d., and of the 

 exports, £19 15s. 4d. 



The balance of trade, upon the calculation of the same 

 period of three years, was =£156,505 in favour of the colony ; 

 clearly denoting under the feverish and exciting conditions 

 of the times, the healthy state of the commerce of the 

 little island. The quantity of gold exported in the same 

 period amounted to the large total of 212,000oz., but most 

 of this was first brought over from Tasmania by the lucky 

 diggers. It was valued at £714,870. 



Wages rose to an enormous amount, in consequence of 

 the scarcity of labour, painters and plumbers getting up to 

 16s. per day. Mr. Barnard says: *' The houses uninhabited 

 two months before the gold discoveries were 599, or five per 

 cent of those built ; the first effect of these discoveries was 

 to create the belief that there would be a general desertion 

 of houses by people of every grade rushing off to the 

 diggings. House property at the onset was greatly 

 depreciated, and sold — and that with difficulty — at a nominal 

 price. In a short time, however, there came an unlooked 

 for reaction. The streets of Hobart and Launceston 

 by the end of the year began to swarm with lucky 

 diggers and numerous visitors, the former bent upon 

 enjoying the fruits of their success with their friends, 

 the latter to take up their abode more or less per- 

 manently, attracted by our superior climate, and our more 

 quiet, better protected towns. The demand for dwellings at 

 once exceeded the supply, and soon there was not a house to 

 be had without a scramble, rents rising 300 or 400 per cent." 



At a meeting held on the 9th April, 1854, the first report 

 of the Victorian Government Botanist, Dr. Mueller, was laid 

 on the table. In this quiet way a name was introduced into 



