306 Proceedings, &c, for 1882. 



elevated places, where it is blown down by the wind. The branches 

 take fresh root in the soil, and new plants spring up, which are in 

 turn blown down, and again take root. In this manner immense 

 tracts of land are rapidly covered with a dense brushwood. 



Mr. Kernot described a somewhat similar phenomenon he had 

 witnessed on the top of the Buffalo Ranges, 4000 feet high. The 

 scrub there is so thick that the only mode of progress is to walk on 

 top of it 5 feet above the ground. 



Mr. M'Lean then read his paper on " A New Dredge Crane," and 

 exhibited a fine model of the contrivance. 



Mr. M'Lean, in answer to questions, said that it had raised about 

 600 tons in eight hours, but that was with many stoppages, on 

 account of an insufficient supply of barges. Without stoppages, he 

 thought 1000 tons in eight hours might be a fair average. The 

 dredging we have to do in the South Channel is something over 

 30 feet deep. The new crane will dredge to 30 feet. It need not 

 be confined to silt and light soils. It can be used to excavate 

 solid earth for reservoirs. Mr. M'Lean then pointed out the main 

 difference between this crane of his invention and previous grab cranes. 

 In answer to further questions, he said that with the old cranes, when 

 the scoop seized a rock or root that could not be moved, a diver had to 

 be sent down to release it. He showed on the model how the simple 

 pulling of a rope would release the new scoop. With the ordinary 

 dredge the buckets are raised much higher than necessary, thus 

 wasting time and power. The new one merely lifts the weight to 

 the height actually required, swings it round and deposits it. It 

 lifts three tons per minute. 



l±th September, 1882. 

 The President in the Chair — Present, 19 members and associates. 



Mr. J. R. Corr, M.A., and Mr. P. Behrendt were elected 

 members. Mr. D. Anderson was elected as an associate. 



Mr. J. P. Wilson and Mr. Chas. Rowan, two new members, were 

 introduced to the meeting. 



Mr. E. J. White read his paper on the " Performance of Some 

 Timekepeers," and in answer to questions said that the chief causes 

 of variation were change of temperature and change of position. 

 Most watches would go at different rates when lying horizontally 

 and when standing upright. 



Mr. Ellery then said that a transit of Yenus was fast approach- 

 ing. There had been one eight years ago, but the next would 

 not occur for 121^- years. From England and the Continent there 

 are many observing parties coming out to Australia and New Zea- 



