XCVl 



of the Royal Society an opportunity of learning the way in which the 

 earthquake, shocks were recorded at the meteorological office, and to 

 furnish a summary of the information to be deduced from a study 

 of the records as a whole. It was pointed out that a very 

 large number of shocks (over 1,000) had been felt, but that none 

 of them were severe, and that the reports are tabulated with the time, 

 etc., of each shock, and an attempt was made to demonstrate the 

 probable centre of disturbance. It was found that there were dis- 

 crepancies in the reported times of various shocks, but, on considera- 

 tion of a considerable number of shocks, it is shown that the slighter 

 shocks were only felt in the N.E. part of Tasmania and adjacent islands, 

 while the severer ones, which were felt over a wider area, affected St. 

 Mary's, Gould's Country, Kent's Group, etc. , before they did Laun- 

 ceston, Hobart later still, and South Victoria, with Gabo Island, 

 afterwards. Various sources of error were pointed out as liable to cause 

 discrepancies, and the various subjects for investigation in reference 

 to the shocks were also alluded to. Finally, a short reference was 

 made to the various theories in connection with earthquake phen- 

 omena, and it was strongly urged that further and more careful 

 observation was required before any theory could be satisfactorily 

 established. 



A further explanatory paper on the same subject by Mr. J. C. Ross, 

 B.Sc, F.G.S., illustrated by models and diagrams, showing various 

 rough forms of seismometer, by the use of which the tremors or shocks 

 might be more accurately recorded. The forms described weresuch as 

 from simplicity of construction were suitable for use by untrained ob- 

 servers, such as blocks of wood of various sizes to be displaced by the 

 shocks, basins containing treacle or other viscid liquids, etc. 



A complete census of the flora of Deal Island, in Kent's Group, 

 was laid on the table by His Honor Mr. Justice Dobson, who had en- 

 listed the services of the superintendent of the lighthouse on the is- 

 land, Mr. Johnston, to collect and send him specimens of all plants 

 growing there. These were forwarded to Baron F. Von Mueller, 

 who prepared the census. One plant, and orchid, Pterostylis vittata, 

 was new to Tasmania, but was common to the continent of Aus- 

 tralia. 



NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



Mr. E. D. Swan drew attention to an extremely rare nest and egg 

 of the common blackcap (Melithreptus melanocephalus), which bad 

 been taken at Austin's Ferry, Bridgewater, and presented to the 

 museum by Miss A. Brent, Roseneath. Although the bird was one 

 of our commonest, and various rewards offered for the eggs, Mr. 

 Swan stated this had been the first egg as yet obtained. The nest 

 taken in November is composed almost entirely of wool, though a few 

 pieces of moss, stringy bark, and cobwebs are also used. It is cup- 

 shaped, two inches in depth, and two in breadth on the inside, while 

 externally the measurements are one inch more each way. It is 

 suspended by the rim to the small branches of a lofty gum tree (Eucalyp- 

 tus), where, from its situation, it is very difficult of detection. The 

 eggs are either two or three in number. Their ground color is pink or 

 buff, spotted and streaked at the larger end with deep reddish brown, 

 with fainter markings appearing beneath the surface of the shell. They 

 difi'er from the well-known eggs of the M. lunulatus of the mainland 

 in not having the clouded markings of bluish grey, and in being 

 free from spots towards the smaller end. 



Mr. T. Stephens exhibited a black wallaby. He stated that he was 

 indebted to the kindness of the Rev. E. H. Thompson, of the Frank- 

 lin, for the specimen which he had been able to present to the Museum, 

 which was distinct, so far as colour went, from any hitherto described in 



