February 21. — 122nd Ordinary Meeting. Mr. J. Jenner Weir gave some 

 interesting infor.natian concerning the Eruption of a Volcano in the Straits of 

 Sunda. 



Mr. A. E. Lamb delivered his lecture on " Gardening." He said we were 

 reminded by Biblical history of the antiquity of gardens, gardening, and 

 gardeners. Citing Eden as an example, he then went on to describe the 

 gardens of the East, as being walled around, well watered, well planted. 

 Then, also, the Egyptians were zealous cultivators of the soil : in fact, their 

 gardens were so productive that they were enabled to tide over a severe famine. 

 The Persians were mentioned as being great gardeners, and the hanging gar- 

 dens of Babylon were fully described. Mr. La nb reaiarked that under the 

 auspices of the late Prince Consort, the R )yal Agricultural Society did a great 

 deal for the agriculture of this country, the Prinze, when at Osborne, often 

 going round his farms early in the m irning, just like an ordinary farmer. He 

 was always very particular in the height and position of his trees, removing 

 any that did not please him. C ining t ) the practical part of the lecture, Mr. 

 Lamb spoke about the lawn, shewing that a well-sown grass lawn was much 

 preferable to a turf one. Then with regard to the planting of rose trees, some 

 very useful advice was given. Kitchen gardening was touched on, g:)od 

 drainage being insisted on Ijy the lecturer. Pruning and grafting were subjects 

 illustrated by cuttings exhibited by the lecturer. 



March 6. — .\ .Special Meeting, when Capt. A. Stewart Harrison d3livered 

 a lecture on "The Causes of Turbidity in SeaWater," illustrated by experiments. 

 The lecture, an account of which appeared in the South Eastern Herald, was 

 much appreciated by those who were present. 



March 20. — 123rd Ordinary Meeting. Dr. H. F. Lancaster delivered a 

 lecture on "The Nervous System." After giving a clear definition of what 

 nerves are, and nervous energy, he went on to describe the structure of the 

 nervous tissue, including its microscopical anatomy, which prepared the way 

 for the understanding of the evolution of a nervous system. This was taken 

 first in its simplest for.n, and it was then shown how the multiplication and 

 diflferentiation of the elements took place. He next described the spinal 

 Cord and nerves, and its functions, especially dwelling on its reflex action, 

 also the medulla oblongata with its numerous nerve centres which make its 

 integrity absolutely necessary to life. The other parts of the brain with more 

 obscure functions were alluded tJ, and then ha passed on to the :erebrum or 

 brain proper in which reside volition, perception, &c., as well as the higher 

 psycical powers. The way in which impulses pass along nerves next had 

 attention, shewing the distinction between those of motion and sensation, and 

 of the latter, common and special sense. 



Before concluding. Dr. Lancaster took a review of the mechanism of nervous 

 action as a whole, shewing the extremely complex arrangements which take 

 place in a rapid and harmonious manner upon even simple (as they appear to 

 us) acts. 



April 3.— 48th Usual Gossip which afforded great interest. 



April 17. — 124th Ordinary Meeting. F. Harrisson, the President, delivered 

 his lecture on "The Chameleon and other Saurian Reptiles." Prefacing his re- 

 marks by a general definition of Reptilia, he then proceeded todescribe the Cham 

 eleon, noticing among other peculiarities the unique character of its visual or- 

 gans which allow it to see in two entirely different directions at once. The 

 change of colour for which this reptile is famous, appears to be equivalent to a 

 human blush. More abstemious than blue ribbonists it refuses to drink water. 

 It is essentially a tree animal and in .Spain is eaten by cats. Passing to the 

 consideration of other reptiles the lecturer tiescribed Lepidosiren, Slow Worm, 

 Blind Worm, Salamander. The animal which St. George vanquished may be 



