1889-90.] TWENTY-FOURTH MEETING. 37 



Istituto di Bologna, offering a gold medal of the value of i,ooo Italian 

 •lire for the best memoir on Galvanism written in Italian, Latin or French, 

 to be received before the nth of May, 1891. 



On motion of Mr. VanderSmissen, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, it was 

 resolved " that the Council be requested to take steps for obtaining 

 materials for brief memoirs for publication in the " Proceedings " of such 

 deceased members of the Institute as may have been distinguished for 

 their services to Science." 



Nominations for Officers and Members of Council for next session 

 were then made. 



Mr. Alan Macdougall, read a paper on " Present Efficiency in Sewage 

 Disposal." 



He described the several systems in use in this province and those 

 lately under trial at London, on a large scale, and in one or two other 

 places at private residences. Filtration was under trial, and so far the 

 results were satisfactory. Sub-surface drainage, tried on a small scale, 

 had stood the test for two winters. The tile drains were from 10 to 15 

 inches under the surface, and had not frozen. The porous carbon system 

 came well recommended from England, and the poudrette exhibited was 

 a practical illustration of what it could effect. The sulphate of iron, or 

 Conder system was still sub judice, and he awaited the report on this 

 system with much expectation and interest. It was said to have deodor- 

 ized the Yonge street sewer completely. Samples of the treated sewage 

 were exhibited during the reading of the paper. 



Mr. Tully remarked that the system in use at the London Asylum, so 

 far as it was tested was a perfect success ; there was no effluent, it passes 

 through the sand and disappears. In Guelph where the porous carbon 

 system was used, it took 20 lbs. of porous carbon to 3,000 gallons of 

 sewage, and the effluent was very pure. 



Mr. L. J. Clark read a paper on " The Formation of Toronto Island." 



He illustrated his remarks by a series of maps and drawings on the 

 blackboard, showing the gradual development of the Island from its 

 earliest stages. He believes the Humber and the Don to have furnished 

 the substratum of clay while excavating their huge channels during a 

 period when the waters of the lake stood at a higher level than at present- 

 All indications go to prove that an ancient lake beach once existed at 

 the foot of the range of cliffs just north of the present limits of the city. 



