liv 



5. From the author, the Rev. P. MacPherson, A.M., Sydney. "A 



Lecture on the Religion of the Aborigines of Australia." 



6. From the Victorian Chamber of Commerce. A paper on Australian 



Wines, by Leo. Moonen. 



7. From the New Zealand Institute. Transactions and Proceedings 



of the Institute, Vol. 15, 1882. 



The attention of the meeting was called to a collection of beautifully 

 preserved fossils from the Tertiary Beds at Table Cape, which had been 

 forwarded by the owner, Mr. Toffc, for exhibition only. 



Mr. F. Abe OTT read a paper entitled " Notes on New Plants intro- 

 duced into the Royal Society's Gardens during 1882." 



After the reading of this paper a long and interesting discussion 

 ensued, in which Mr. C. H. Grant, Mr. E. D. Swan, Mr. Belstead, Mr. 

 Abbott, and Mr. Barnard took part. . 



The Rev. J. Wilkes Simmons remarked that on his recent visit to 

 Sydney he had sought information as to the newly-formed Geographical 

 Society of Australasia, referred to at last meeting, and read the follow- 

 ing note on the subject : — "The objects of the Geographical Society of 

 Australasia are scientific, commercial, and educational. The first point 

 embraces the exploration of unknown and imperfectly known parts of 

 Australasia ; the second, the study of the natural and artificial products 

 of various countries and their industries ; and the third, the promotion 

 of the knowledge of physical, commercial, and political geography 

 amongst all classes by means of illustrated public lectures and various 

 publications. This scheme includes the collection of information for the 

 compilation of a reliable geography of Australasia. It is intended that 

 the society shall consist of honorary, corresponding, and ordinary 

 members. The first, persons who have rendered valuable services in 

 the cause of geographical science ; the second, residents of Australasia 

 elected for their promotion of the interests of the society. Any lady or 

 gentleman may become an ordinary member, subject to election. 

 Colonies joining in the movement are styled provinces^ — thus : * the 

 province of New South Wales,' — and three members from each associated 

 province have seats at the Board of the General Council. The members 

 of the society in any associated province may elect a local committee. 

 Reports of the transactions of the society will be published, including 

 reports from local committees." 



Votes of thanks having been accorded to Mr. Abbott and the Rev. J. 

 W. Simmons for their communications, the proceedings closed with a 

 similar acknowledgment to the donors of presentations. 



JULY, 1883. 



The monthly evening meeting of the Society was held on Tuesday, 

 10th July, T. Stephens, Esq., V.P., in the chair. 



The hon. secretary, Mr. Barnard, called attention to the follow- 

 ing returns for the month of June, viz. : — 



1. Visitors to Museum : — 



On Sundays, 1,185 ; on week days, 934 ; total, 2,119. 



2. Ditto to Gardens, total, 3,696. 



3. Plants, etc., received at Gardens : — 



From Mr. A. Wilson, Dunedin, one box of New Zealand ferns. 

 From Mr. G. Brunning, Melbourne, 100 plants, (various). 

 From Col. Crawford, Castra, seeds of Poivrea Doccinza, 

 From Mr. J. Smith, Victoria, 9 plants. 

 From Mr. Owen Meredith, seedlings of Douglas River pine. 



4. Plants, etc., sent from Gardens >— 



To Mr. G. Brunning, Melbourne, a collection of seeds. 



