160 Proceedings, &c, for 1884. 



effected. Now, if they could suppose that the upper portion of 

 the earth's atmosphere were so loosely combined as to be altered 

 in its constitution by a shiver of that kind, it would perhaps be a 

 tenable theory that those red sunsets may have been caused by 

 some alteration of the upper region of the air from that cause. 

 It was only a hypothesis, but the barometric disturbances were so 

 universally felt, and were so terrific, that something of the kind 

 he now suggested might easily be conceived as possible. He 

 believed we should have to wait for the true theory. He certainly 

 could not accept the dust theory, because he could not explain 

 how it was possible that the dust could have been so universally 

 diffused as to bring about the phenomena that had been observed 

 in various parts of the world. 



Professor Kernot pointed out, in support of the observations of 

 Professor Andrew as to the suspension in the air for a long time 

 of particles specifically heavier than the atmosphere, that to test 

 its accuracy one had only to observe the floating particles revealed 

 by admitting a ray of sunlight into a darkened room. 



The President said he had lately received some fresh reports, 

 one or two of which were rather curious. A gentleman in his 

 garden at Urana, New South Wales, wrote to say that during one 

 of the wonderful afterglows it became so suddenly dark, although 

 the red glow remained, that he had to put down his watering-pot. 

 Then there was a sudden accession of light, a quarter of an hour 

 of twilight; and these pulsations of light occurred at intervals 

 lasting each time for a considerable period. In the Western 

 District, on one occasion, the beautiful rose-coloured light was 

 seen bounded by an intensely black band, denning the margin with 

 great distinctness. 



Mr. Griffiths read his paper on {! The Evidences of a Glacial 

 Epoch in Victoria during Post-Miocene Times." 



Mr. James Stirling read his paper on " The Phanerogamia of 

 the Mitta-Mitta Source Basin." 



April 17th, 1884. 



Present, the President (in the chair) and 2 1 members and associates. 



Captain Wagemann was elected a member, Dr. Wagner a cor- 

 responding member, and Mr. Ludovic Hart an associate of the 

 Society. 



A discussion took place on the paper read by Mr, Griffiths at 

 the previous meeting. Mr. Ellery, Professor Kernot, and Mr. 

 Posales mentioned a number of facts which seemed to support 

 Mr. Griffiths' views as to the existence of a glacial epoch in Vic- 

 toria during comparatively recent geologic times. Mr. Selby and 



