185 



and broke out in red blotches and pustles, which, however, 

 soon subsided. 



It is worthy of remark that the hands, which, of course, 

 would come into direct contact with the plant during the 

 process of the work, did not appear to be affected in any 

 way. 



I have gone fully into the details of the case, as it is one of 

 some interest, and one of rare occurrence out of North 

 America, where the plant is indigenous ; indeed, I am not 

 aware of any similar case having occurred, more especially in 

 the colonies. Therefore, as the facts connected with it are so 

 clear, it is desirable that it should be placed on record. _ 



I was present during the whole of the time occupied in 

 taking up and burning the plant, passing to and fro between, 

 the plant and the fire, frequently handling portions of it as 

 the work proceeded, without feeling its poisonous properties 

 in any way, and at different times during the season I have 

 handled it with impunity, especially in the autumn, when the 

 falling leaves assume tints more effective than those of the 

 Virginian creeper. At this season I have gathered the leaves 

 by the handful without at any time being affected by it. 



I need only add that if any of the medical men who may 

 have attended the patients professionally will add their 

 testimony, the case will be made more conclusive and 

 interesting. 



HISTORY OE AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHY, II — 

 TASMANIA AND NEW ZEALAND ON THE 

 DAUPHIN AND OTHER MS. MAPS. 



By J. R. McClymont, M.A., Edin. 



[The first of these papers appeared in the volume for 1885, 

 p. 407, and should have been described " History of Aus- 

 tralian Geography, I. — Edel's Land, Do Witt's Land, and 

 Carpentaria."] 



On a recent occasion, wheu I had the honour of addressing 

 this Society on the Portuguese Discovery of Australia, I 

 anticipated the composition of this paper by stating that, in 

 my opinion, no satisfactory explanation of the south-eastern 

 portion of the Dauphin map (Add. MS. 5. 413. Brit. Museum) 

 had been given. Mr. Major and Mr. Petherick have 

 advanced conflicting opinions— a fact which may, perhaps, 

 excuse my temerity in differing from so highly reputed an 

 authority as theirs. 



Mr. Major conjectures from the extreme length of the 

 eastern coast line of Jave la Grande " that ' Baye Neuf ve ' 



