of that existence. Xo room was left by the theories laid down 

 by Mr. Pinniss for the sonl and spirit as distinct from matter, 

 though he did not deny their existence. But those who would 

 summarily dispose of the non-material part of man left out one 

 or two important factors from the calculation of the sum of 

 existence. The passions, fear, hope, joy, grief, love, all the 

 emotions that imparted colour to the ever-changing kaleidoscope 

 of life, were not matter. This admitted, the materialist theory 

 of life was much shaken. Of the two he would rather incline 

 to the transcendental theory, which threw matter rather into 

 the background. 



Mr. TV. Hill also spoke upon the subject. 



The Hon. B. T. Fnorass, in reply, said he was glad that the 

 discussion had taken place. Mr. Harry had said he lived, and 

 wanted to know how he lived. That was just the difficulty he (Mr. 

 Finniss) had experienced in writing his paper. He had said 

 that a man being run through by a bayonet felt pain, but how 

 motion of a violent kind became converted into consciousness 

 they could not tell. They knew that every action on the nerves 

 was transmitted to the brain, which received and interpreted it ; 

 but they did not know why it was so. He expected that during 

 the discussion the transeendentaHst would speak out and oppose 

 him on some of the views on materialist grounds which he had 

 taken. He would like to hear arguments in their favour. 

 They knew that the primary forces of nature existed, and the 

 transcendentalist would have to prove that forces existed 

 independent of matter. But before those proofs were brought 

 he must hold the materialist views he had expressed in his paper. 

 It had been said that consciousness belonged to man alone, but 

 he was of opinion that it was traceable to animals as well. He 

 referred to dogs, and said that they were conscious that they 

 were different from other animals around them. He would be 

 very glad if any one else would throw any more light on the 

 subject. 



Ordinary Meeting, Ferri-ahy 4, 1S79. 



Mr. D. B. Adamson, Member of Council, in the chair. 



The Hon. Secretary laid upon the table — " Statistical Register 

 of the Colonv of Victoria for 1877, Part vii., Law, Crime, &c," 

 by H. H. Hayter. 



Mr. Carl Fmbehaun elected an ordinary member. 



Mr. Thos. Tate elected an associate. 



The Chairman (Mr. D. B. Adamson) laid on the table 

 several remarkably fine ears of wheat which had been grown in 

 California by a Mr. Phelps on land which had not had rain 

 upon it from the time of sowing the seed to the time of reap- 

 ing the wheat. He also stated that Mr. Phelps had raised 



