314 



one-third dissolved out, and after evaporation of the carbor^, 

 bisulphide a soft yellow substance remained. The part that 

 remained undissolved in the carbon bisulphide consisted of a 

 brittle dark coloured mass. Neither of these substances were 

 hydrocarbons ; both contained oxygen, and were represented by 

 the formulie — the first Cj^oH^gO, the latter C^^HooO ; and the 

 former by oxidation readily passed into a substance similar to 

 the latter. These formulae suggest a connection with vegetable 

 substances of the turpentine and caoutchouc series, and so far as 

 this goes tend to indicate a vegetable rather than a mineral 

 origin. In other words, they do not suggest any connection with 

 petroleum. 



Paper. — "An Analysis of the Ash of the Acacia salicina," by 



A. J. HiGGIN. 



Ordinary Meeting, August 4, 1903. 



Prof. E. H. Rennie, D.Sc. (President), In the chair. 



Exhibits. — J. G. 0. Tepper, F.L.S., a sprig of sugar gum- 

 (Eucalyptus corynocalyx), rendered sickly by a scale insect, proba- 

 bly Eriococcus paradoxus, causing a branchlet of juvenile leaves 

 to grow. A black substance on the leaves, it was pointed out^ 

 was a fungus growth on the sugary secretion of the coccus. 

 A case of handsome butterflies and beetles from Queens- 

 land, presented to the Museum by Mr. Sam. Dixon, was^ 

 also shown. W. Howchin, F.G,S., referring to that part of his 

 paper read before this Society in April last, on the evidence of 

 occupation of Kangaroo Island by an aboriginal population,, 

 exhibited three " native hammers," stones showing signs of use, 

 which had been collected by Mr. S, Buck near the N.E. extremitjr 

 of the Island. The same gentleman also forwarded two round, 

 smooth stones, know ft as "seal bullets," or stomach stones of the 

 seal. A. H. C. Zietz, F.L.S., some cocoon-like limestones of 

 concretionary origin from Streaky Bay. These stones were open 

 at one end, smooth inside, and slightly rough outside, but 

 whether they are the work of animals or not is not known. 



Paper. — "Note on Supposed Volcanic Dust from Northern 

 Territory," by Prof. E. H. Rennie, D.Sc, A. J. Higgin, and W. 

 G. WooLNOUGH, B.Sc, F.G.S. 



J. S. Lloyd made some interesting remarks on the proposed 

 Trans-Canadian Railway, which it is proposed to construct across 

 the Dominion. 



Ordinary Meeting, September 8, 1903. 



Prof. E. H. Rennie, D.Sc. (President), in the chair. 



A letter bearing date 20th June, 1903, was read from Messrs. 

 Henderson & Hay ward, solicitors, reporting that the Incorpora- 

 tion of the Royal Society of South Australia had been effected. 



