J 70 Proceedings. 



The foregoing estimates are based upon the current prices of labour and 

 materials, and all incidental expenses are intended to be covered at the rates 

 above stated. The person making this offer, or tender, being willing to undertake 

 and fulfil a contract for the TPhole work at the prices named ; also to have the 

 proposed line completed, and in full operation, between Hobart Town and 

 Launceston within six months from the date of commencement. 



The posts to be formed of round timber, each twenty -five feet in length, and not 

 less than_yi«e inches in diameter at the smallest end, vnth the bark removed. The 

 bases of the posts to be well chai-red and covered with hot coal tar for at least five 

 feet of their lengths, and to be finnly imbedded perpendicularly in the earth at 

 least four and a half feet : the tops of the posts to be weU bound with hoop iron. 

 The insiiLators to be made of strongly glazed earthenware, and the pins on which 

 they are placed to be of weU seasoned stringy bai-k wood, boiled in a preparation of 

 resin and gum sheUac. The wu'e to be of the best quahty of number sis, gal- 

 vanized, weighing six himdred pounds to the mile. 



The whole of the work to be done in a thorough and dui-able manner. 



(Signed) S. B. M'Gowean, Superintendent, 



EiECTEic Texegeaph, Mexbouene. 



A note was read from H. Hull, Esq., giving an account of a shoal of microscopic 

 crustaceans in mud taken from the pond at Tolosa, and exhibiting some rough 

 pencil drawings of the objects as observed through his microscope. The meeting 

 considered that minute and carefully drawn up descriptions, with accm-ate figm-es, 

 for comparison with thoseof Australian and British Entomostracans, are important 

 desiderata. 



The Secretaiy read the following Eeport upon the machinery used, and the 

 means adopted, for raising the box of treasure sunk in the Yarra last year by the 

 upsetting of a boat; — ^forwarded to this Society by Mr. Clarke, the Surveyor- 

 Greneral of Victoria. 



MicJimond, lAth January, 1854. 



SiE, — I HAVE the honour to forward, in accordance -ndth your request, a Eeport 

 respecting the proceedings adopted by me in constructing the apparatus, and 

 conducting the operations, for the recovery of the specie from the Yarra Yarra 

 in July last. 



Although the apparatus I am about to describe answered the purpose for which 

 it was intended admirably, yet the principle was such that prevents me from recom- 

 mending its general use, owing to a deficiency of parts, thereby causing increased 

 risk and responsibility to the person who has the superintendence of the 

 operations. 



In preparing for the construction, I had two objects in view: 1st, Economy; 

 2ndly, Despatch, — time being of great unportance. 



Having in my possession an air pmnp cyhnder which I had previously made use 

 of IQ England, it occiUTcd to me I might employ it for the recovery of the gold; 



