152 



Mr. Andrews, who was present, described tlie localities in 

 whicli the shells w^ere found, and also produced some stream 

 tin obtained from the Palmer Biver, Queensland. 



Professor R. Tate, P.G.S., showed a branch of Acacia 

 tnelanoxylon, having true pinnate leares terminating the 

 phyllodia. He also produced a collection of fossils and other 

 specimens of natural history forwarded by Mr. J. Canham, of 

 Stuart's Creek, and said that probably the most interesting of 

 these were some pebbles of obsidian and pitchstone. The 

 origin of their present distribution is still an unsolved problem. 

 It has even been seriously asked, are they of lunar origin ? 

 There were no volcanoes in the central part of Australia which 

 would account for their presence, and even if there had been 

 we would expect to meet with other signs of their pre-existence. 

 The pebbles were regarded as very precious by the natives. 



The Hon. Secretary (Mr. W. Eutt, C.E.,) produced parti- 

 culars respecting a well-boring at Stirling North, near Port 

 Augusta, as forwarded by the Hydraulic Engineer. A depth 

 of 285 feet had been reached, and brackish water obtained in a 

 yellow sand. Professor E. Tate, P.G.S., thought the boring 

 should be continued to the bed rock, where it was possible the 

 desired subterranean water would be met with coming from 

 the Flinders Range. 



Professor R. Tate, P.G.S., read a paper upon " Geological 

 Observations near Wellington, South Australia." (See page 

 144). 



The Chairmais", in view of the gypsum deposits proving of 

 commercial value, asked if it was on public land. Professor 

 Tate said some of it was on a Government reserve, but much 

 was on private property. "With respect to our soils, he thought 

 they had plenty of lime in them, and he thought that sulphate 

 of lime was not needed. Mr. Molusteitx mentioned a case 

 where a person at Salt Lake, near Port Vincent, put black 

 mud from a salt swamp containing much gypsum upon his poor 

 land with very beneficial results. 



Ordinary Meeting, Dec. 7, 1880. 

 His Honor Chief Justice "Wat, President, in tlie chair. 

 The list of donations to the Library was read. 

 Messrs. G. Gotder and A. Molinetjx were elected Fellows. 



Rev. J. Kempe, of Pinke (MacDonnell Ranges), and Mr. 

 J. R. Y. Goldstein, Secretary, Microscopical Society of Victoria 

 were elected Corresponding Members. 



