Proceedings, Sc., for 1884. 161 



Mr. Sutherland supported the views enunciated in the paper, as 

 to the probability that the recurrence of glacial epochs is to be 

 explained on Dr. Croll's theory by the combined effects of the 

 precession of the equinoxes and of the variation in the eccentri- 

 city of the earth's orbit. 



A paper by the Hon. Dr. Wilkie, " On the Determination of 

 Small Circular Arcs by means of the Cycloid," was taken as read. 



May Sth, 1884. 



Present, the President (in the chair), 27 members and associates. 



Mr. James Chapman, C.E., was elected a member, and Mr. 

 Francis 0. Hill as an associate, of the Society. 



Mr. Ellery exhibited some specimens of mud which had recently 

 fallen in various parts of the colony as rain-showers. 



Mr. Newbery said he had examined some of this mud which 

 had been submitted to him for inspection, and found it to consist 

 of powdered basalt and organic matter, such as would be swept off 

 the roads by the wind. He had no doubt but that the prevailing 

 dust storms had carried up into the higher regions of air great 

 quantities of finely pulverised matter, and that this had been 

 brought down by a shower of rain to such an extent as to colour 

 the raindrops, and give them the appearance of mud. 



Professor Andrew explained to the Society a little point in 

 connection with the charging of an electroscope. All that was 

 necessary was merely to rub the knob of the instrument, thus 

 doing away with the use of an electrophorus every time the 

 instrument was to be employed. 



Mr. Culcheth read his paper on li Shingle on the East Coasts 

 of New Zealand." 



A discussion followed on the means of keeping natural and 

 artificial harbours clear of shingle. 



June 12th, 1884. 



Present, the President (in the chair) and 17 members and associates. 



Mr. A. M'Petrie, Mr. W. H. O. Smeaton, and Mr. J. S. 

 Wilson were elected members of the Society. 



One of the Honorary Secretaries read a paper by Mr. Lockhart 

 Morton, entitled "Suggestions for the Reduction of Excessively 

 High Temperatures in Ships and Buildings," 



M 



