been extensive. After stating his attempt to simplify the spell- 

 ing, Mr. Ritz compared three versions of an aboriginal song, 

 accounting for every word, and explaining the meaning of the 

 sentences. He said there was no sign of any accidence. The 

 words seemed invariable in form and widely applicable in mean- 

 ing. The words were probably supplemented by gestures to 

 define their exact meaning. In that respect a parallel was 

 found in the sentences of the Chinese language. The fact that 

 the song existed in different dialects made it most valuable.. 

 Quite probably the song was connected with some important 

 ■tribal ceremonies. 



The President asked if the half-castes on the Straits Islands 

 retained any traces of the native language. 



Mr. Ritz said that it was scarcely possible. Constant inter- 

 course with the whites would cause them to neglect their own 

 tongue, except as far as they wished to keep it for secret con- 

 versations. 



Dr. Noetling and Mr. R. M. Johnston spoke in high terms 

 of the value of the researches of Mr. Ritz, and hoped he would 

 continue his studies. 



NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



Mr. W. L. May presented to the Society a number of new 

 species of shells, dredged by himself and Mr. Hedley from a 

 depth of ICO fathoms ofif Cape Pillar. There were 80 species 

 in all, many of which had been found at a depth of 100 fathoms 

 ofif Sydney, and at a similar depth off the coast of South Aus- 

 tralia. Amongst them were specimens of Pteropods, free 

 swimming organisms, which lived on the surface, but whose 

 s'hells fell to the bottom when they died. 



Mr. R. M. Johnston said that Messrs. May and Hedley had 

 performed a very notable feat in presenting to the Society one- 

 eighth of its molluscan fauna at one time. 



NOVEMBER 25, 1908. 



A Special General Meeting of the Society was held at the 

 Museum on Wednesday evening, " November 25, 1908, for the 

 purpose of considering a proposed modification of Rule 16, 

 and for other business. 



His Excellency Sir Gerald Strickland, K.C.M.G., President, 

 in the chair. 



Mr. T. Stephens said that a Committee had been appointed 

 to consider the question of reducing the annual subscription, 

 and other matters, and had brought up the following recom- 

 mendations: — 



I. That the rate of subscription for all Fellows resident be- 

 yond a radius of 15 miles from Hobart be reduced from £1 

 los. to £1 per annum. 



