PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 291 
the last half of December for three years being as follows :— 
1897, 66.1 deg., 1.02546; 1898, 64.0 deg., 1.02535; and 1899, 
63.6 deg., 1.02513. The results from other portions of the 
coasts are very similar. These variations must have a great in- 
fluence on the character of the seasons in southern Australia. 
The probable cause is, no doubt, a slight variation in the set of 
the currents from the westward, owing to a greater prevalence 
than usual of south-westerly winds in the southern portions of 
the Indian Ocean. The author urges the importance of regular 
observations of sea temperatures at suitable stations as likely 
to be of considerable value in weather forecasting. The 
stations should be situated on the open sea coast and perfectly 
free from all land influences. 
4—THE MINERAL SPRINGS OF NEW ZEALAND. 
By Sir James Hecror, K.C.M.G., M.D., F.B.S. 
| Abstract. | 
The hot springs are principally found in the North Island, . 
where superficial volcanic forces have been active since the com- 
mencement of the Tertiary period, and are not yet altogether 
dormant. A few thermal springs are found to escape from the 
upper Mesozoic rocks, the heat being attributed to the chemical 
decomposition of bituminous matters and sulphides, and in some 
instances warm waters spring from Paleozoic rock formations 
in the Middle Island. The author proceeds to describe the loca- 
tion, chemical composition, and medicinal properties of the prin- 
cipal hot mineral springs, and of a number of cold ones. 
).—AN EPISODE IN THE HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN 
EXPLORATION. 
By A. W. Howirvr. ~ 
Tue records of Australian Exploration belong to one branch 
of historical geography, and in that aspect I present this as a 
contribution which will find its place when the history of the 
Burke and Wills’ expedition shall be rewritten. 
In John M‘Kinlay’s Journal of Exploration in Central Aus- 
tralia he describes the discovery of a white man’s remains, and a 
subsequent encounter with the blacks, at a place which, for 
that reason, he called “ Massacre Lake.” 
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