m 



pressions, and two of fossil wood from Gulgong. Surveyor's mark 

 cut in a native apple tree, on the Macintyre River, and over- 

 grown by new wood IJ inches thick in eight years. 



The Secretary read a paper on "New Species of Tasmanian 

 Antechini and Mus," by Edmund T. Higgins, M.R.C.S., England, F.L.S., 

 and William F. Petterd, C.M.Z.S. 



The Chairman remarked that some incidental reference had already 

 been made to the proposed establishment of an Australasian Geographical 

 Society, of which some of the Fellows present had seen notices in the 

 Sydney Mornmg Herald. The scheme was first mooted by a committee of 

 the Royal Society of New South Wales; but it had been thought advisable 

 to found the institution on a wider basis, in order to secure the co-operation 

 of all the Australasian colonies in furtherance of the objects of the new 

 Society. These are briefly stated to be "the advancement of geo- 

 graphical science and the study of the physical and commercial geography 

 of the world, more especially that of Australasia. The society would fill 

 up a great gap in the education of the people, and public lectures would 

 be given on all countries illustrative of their commerce, productions and 

 industries." He (Mr. Stephens) thought he might say that although it 

 would be premature to discuss the matter until the constitution, ob- 

 jects, and mode of procedure of the society were more fully defined, there 

 would be no difference of opinion among the Fellows present as to the 

 importance of the subject, and that further information would be gladly 

 received. 



Some conversation in favour of the proposed society followed the 

 remarks of the Chairman, reference being made to the prevailing want of 

 geographical knowledge of this group of colonies, particularly in the 

 Mother Country. 



Mr. C. H. Grant then moved, " That the thanks of the meeting be 

 accorded to the authors of the paper read, and to the donors of the 

 various presentations." 



Dr. Perkins seconded the motion, and referred to the numerous 

 additions to the museum, and especially to the varied collection of 

 mineral specimens fromN.S.W. presented by Dr. Barnard. 



The motion having been unanimously agreed to the proceedings 

 terminated. 



JUNE, 1883. 



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

 12th June, C. H. Grant, Esq., in the chair. 



The following gentlemen, who had been previously nominated by the 

 Council, were balloted for and declared duly elected as Fellows of the 

 Society, viz.. Captain Shortt, R.N., Mr. William Humphrey Page, 

 Bengal Civil Service, and Mr. James Fincham, C.E. 



The Hon. Secretary (Mr. Barnard) brought forward the following 

 returns for the past month, viz. : — 



1. Number of visitors to Museum : — 



On Sundays, 1,387 ; on week days, 425 ; total 1,812. 



2. Ditto to Gardens, total, 4,467. 



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



From Messrs. Shepherd and Co., Sydney, seeds of 18 species of 



eucalypti. 

 From the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, seeds of 24 species of palms. 

 From Baron Von Mueller, 150 packets seeds. 

 From Mrs. R. P. Harris, 30 packets seeds from the Botanic Gardens, 



Saharunpore, India. 

 From Mr. J. Smith, Victoria, 12 plants. 

 From Messrs. Vilmorin and Co., Paris, 5 packets seeds. 



