100 Proceedings, &c, for 1880. 



I6ik December, 1880. 



It. L. J. Ellery, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the Chair — Present, 

 20 members and associates. 



The Hon. John Woods, M.L.A., and Mr. S. Jermyn Masters 

 were elected members of the Society. 



Mr. Ellery, F.R.S., read a paper by Mr. Robert Morrice on 

 "The Lowan, or Mallee Hen." 



Mr. Ellery also exhibited a " Sunshine Recorder," and explained 

 the method by which the instrument records the duration of sun- 

 shine. 



REPORT OF SECTION A. 



Gentlemen, 



I have the honour to present the usual Annual Report of Pro- 

 ceedings of Section A of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



During the year 1880 nine meetings of the Section were held, 

 the dates and subjects discussed being as follow : — 



January 28th. — "Factors of Safety," introduced by Mr. Kernot. 

 " Edison's loud-speaking Telephone," by Mr. Kirkland. 



February 25th. — General discussion on the subject of conveying 

 motive power to a distance by compressed air, electricity, and other 

 means. A Tisby's compound pendulum was exhibited in action by 

 Mr. Chambers. 



March 31st. — Adjourned discussion on "Factors of Safety." 

 Mr. Kernot submitted to the Section certain calculations as to the 

 strength of the Tay Bridge. 



April 28th. — Mr. T. W. Fowler introduced the subject of 

 " Continuous Girders," and Mr. Kernot offered some suggestions 

 as to re-building the Tay Bridge. 



May 26. — Adjourned discussion on " Continuous Girders." Mr. 

 Kernot exhibited portion of a steam boiler showing a peculiar case 

 of corrosion. 



June 80th. — Professor Nanson submitted a paper on " Methods 

 of Electing Representatives," and advocated a modification of 

 Hare's system. 



July 28th. — Meeting lapsed, there being no quorum. 



August 25th. — Mr. Kernot read notes on the dynamical con- 

 dition of railway trains, and Mr. Patching exhibited some experi- 

 ments on the behaviour of fluids at high pressures and tempera- 

 tures. 



