108 ProceediH(/s. 



from the shaft at Proctei's Quarry, where pyritous schists and flaggy 

 and claijey sandstones prevail ; also a specimen of raw silk proiluced 

 here. A book also presented by Mr. Hull. 



A book presented from Mr. Westcott. 



Specimens of Hippocampus, Syngnathus, and Ostracion (Sp. ?), 

 presented by Mr. Bicheno. 



The skin of a small fish, a species of Balistes (?), from South Port, 

 presented by P. S. Tomlins, Esq., A.P.M. 



The Secretary read a Journal of Sir John Franklin's Expedition to 

 Macquarie Harbour, referring to the country lying between Hamilton 

 and Moimt Fatigue. 



The soil, climate, and natural productions of that district — its 

 adaptation to pastoral purposes — and the wholesale death of the 

 forest trees over extensive tracts of surface, were discussed. Mr. 

 Milligan attributes the destruction of the trees io fire, which, sweeping 

 like a hurricane through the forests, often consumes every leaf and bud 

 and twig at a season when the gigantic plants are replete with sap and 

 in the full vigour of vegetation, and, operating as a mephilic agent, 

 destroys by producing a sort of vegetable asphyxia ; the white and 

 bleached appearance and dreary and desolatecharacter of these forests 

 being the result of after years of exposure to sun, wind, and rain, and 

 other atmospheric influences. 



Sir Wm. Denison stated that the instruments used by Count 

 Slrzelecki, and since purchased by Government, have been found 

 very faulty — a fact which may account for some obvious errors in the 

 elevations recorded by that gentleman. 



The apartment was heated with a noble fire made of Coal brought for 

 experiment from the rich bituminous seams iu the Douglas River, on 

 the East Coast of Tasmania. 



11th July, 1849. — Monthly evening meeting; His Excellency 

 Sir W. T. Denison, President, in the chair. 



M. C. Friend, Esq., R.N., F.E.S., and Peter Eraser, Esq., Cov. 

 M. Geol. Soc. L., Colonial Treasurer, admitted on Rule xvii- 



James Ludovic Burnett, Esq., admitted on Rule xvi. 



Lieut. Akers, R.E., admitted on Rule xviii. 



A. Impie, Esq., and Thomas Read, Esq., of Hobart Town, ballotted 

 for and elected Fellows. 



The Secretary reported the receipt of several fasciculi of Pro- 

 ceedings of the Zoological Society of London iu continuation. 



