PROCEEDINGS, MAY. XXV 



Mr. Justin Browne seconded the motion, which was carried with 

 acclamation. 



Owing to the lateness of the hour, the reading of a paper by Mr. R. 

 A. Bastow, " On the Riccia natans (water plants)," was postponed till 

 next meeting. 



The proceedings then closed. 



ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION. 



A deputation from the Council of the Royal Society, consisting of the 

 Bishop of Tasmania, The Hon. J.W. Agnew, M.D.,M.E.C., Messrs. James 

 Barnard, R. M. Johnston, T. Stephens, and Alex. Morton (secretary), 

 waited upon the Premier at his office on Monday afternoon, April 25th, 

 with reference to the above subject. 



Dr. Agnew stated that they had waited as a deputation from the 

 Royal Society to ask for the sympathy of the Government on a matter 

 in which the society had taken a great deal of interest — that was the 

 exploration of the Antarctic Seas, with a view to any discovery that 

 might be made towards the South Pole. It was a subject that many 

 other bodies had taken a deep interest in, and he believed the Govern- 

 ment of Victoria had expressed its readiness to do a good deal towards 

 the object of such an undertaking. As Tasmania was the most southern 

 colony it was fitting that she should take a deep interest in the 

 proposal, and the colony had already been linked with discoveries in 

 the South Seas by Hobart having been the port from which the ships 

 Erebus and Terror, with Crozier and others, sailed on their memorable 

 voyage. The port has been very largely interested in the whaling 

 industry, and he thought it behoved them to take part in the under- 

 taking. About £10,000 would be required to fit out vessels in a thorough 

 manner, and it was estimated that some of the other colonies, besides 

 Victoria, would join, and, if so, the pecuniary share Tasmania would 

 have to take in the undertaking would not in the leapt degree 

 be beyond her means. Under these circumstances they were anxious to 

 enlist the sympathy and support of the Government, and any information 

 the Society might obtain from time to time would be promptly placed 

 before the Government. They hoped in the course of another year to 

 have one or two ships arrive in Hobart fitted out for a voyage of 

 discovery to the Antarctic Seas. He could not say what the results 

 might be to some people if any land were discovered not dreamt of 

 hitherto, but possibly a new flora and a new fauna might be there 

 discovered. They knew that in all probability those seas would be found 

 the haunts of whales, probablj- only the black kind of whale, but that 

 furnished in its bone an article of increasing value to commerce. He 

 did not think the sperm whale was likely to be met with so far south 

 in the colder waters, but those who were engaged in commerce, like the 

 Premier, would probably know more about this subject. It was thought 

 that probably a sum of about £500 would be sufficient to furnish 

 Tasmania's quota towards the expense of the undertaking, and he hoped 

 the matter would be favourably considered by the Government. 



Mr. Barnard thoroughly agreed with Dr. Agnew in what had been 

 suggested as to the advantages and benefits that might be supposed to 

 accrue, and the scientific results that might be made elements in the 

 consideration now being bestowed upon the question of raising the 

 requisite ways and means. It had now become a practical question. 

 They wanted to see what could be done in Tasmania in comparison to 

 what would be done by the adjacent colonies. All colonies, no doubt. 



