84 Proceedings of the South African Institution. 



Phaenogomous Plants than have been allotted to the whole of 

 Africa, by the most complete, though conjectural calculations 

 on record. He continued by observing, that however careful 

 the Botanist might be in his researches, he would find by 

 visiting the same grounds in the corresponding seasons of 

 different years, many plants which had hitherto escaped his 

 notice altogether; and, in conclusion, furnished a list of 244 

 plants belonging to 99 genera, which might be expected to 

 flower in the Cape District during the months of October and 

 November. 



Notes on the Earthquakes which occurred at the Cape of 

 Good Hope during the month of December, 1809, Sfc. By Mr. 

 von Buchenroder. — In this communication the author gave a 

 full detail of the effects of the various shocks, more particu- 

 larly at Cape Town, Jan Beesjie's Kraal, and Blaauweberg 

 Valley; and also furnished a minute register of the Barometer, 

 Thermometer, and Winds, between the 4th and 27th of the 

 month, in which the phenomena in question took place. — 

 Printed in our present Number. 



Notes on the Earthquakes of 1809. By Mr. Laing. — This 

 paper contained several remarks corroborative of the state- 

 ments of Mr. von Buchenroder, as well as details tending 

 to establish the activity of Electricity during the time the 

 earthquakes were experienced. 



October 28. — Dr. Smith, Corresponding Secretary, produced 

 specimen? of Minerals presented by Mr. Bowie and Mr. Gris- 

 brook; and also a specimen of Caretta hnbricata, presented 

 by Dr. Murray, and a specimen of Ornithorinchus Paradoxus, 

 presented \>y Mr. Chiappini. In presenting these objects, 

 Dr. Smith accompanied them with details of their characters 

 and habits. 



The Rev. Dr. Adamson, Private Secretary, produced a large 

 specimen of transparent Calcareous Spar, presented by Mr. 

 Reid, Collector of Curiosities ; and in allusion to an Analysis 

 of a Calcareous Conglomerate, transmitted by Mr. Tredgold, 

 Chemist, he proceeded to illustrate, by details and specimens, 

 the appearance and structure of certain masses of that sub- 

 stance occurring along the shore to the northward of Cape 

 Town. 



A paper was read, entitled, Remarks on the Phocce or Seals 

 met with on the coasts of South Africa, with other observations. 

 By Mr. Jardine. — The writer pointed out the importance of 

 the Seal Fishery to the commercial interest of the Colony, 

 and the causes of its present unproductiveness. He then de- 

 scribed the circumstances attending their capture, as witness- 

 ed by him; and particularly illustrated the influence and pro- 

 portionate power of their different organs of perception; the 



