Proceedings. Vv 
November 14th, 1854. 
Montuty Mezrine. 
In the absence of the President, R. Hades, Esq., M.D., was voted 
to the Chair. 
The Minutes of the last Meeting were confirmed. 
S. Wekey, Esq., Hon. Sec., announced to the Meeting, that in 
order to meet the wishes of several of its Members, it was resolved 
at the last Meeting of the Council that the Monthly Meeting of 
the Society should be held on the second Tuesday of the month 
instead of on the second Saturday. 
New Members admitted since the last Monthly Meeting of the 
Society :—W. C. Rownsley, and Charles Gregory Feinagle, Esqs. 
Dr. Mueller’s paper,—‘ Definitions of rare and hitherto unde- 
scribed Australian Plants,’ was laid before the Meeting. 
Clement Hodgkinson, Hsq., read a paper on—* Engineering 
Earthworks, and Railway Cuttings,” illustrated by tables and dia- 
grams. 
Dr. Eades having vacated the Chair, which was occupied by 
Dr. Iffla, brought forward an essay—“ On the comparative Actions 
of Disinfecting Agents.” 
Dr. Eades showed that hypochlorite of lime should be considered 
as the true disinfecting agent. By the combination of the carbonic 
acid of the air with the base of this salt, hyponitrous acid 
(Cl +0) was eliminated. The elements of this acid being 
nearly equally negative electric repel each other, thus oxygen is 
set free, purifying the air, while the disengaged chlorine acting 
on aqueous vapour, an additional quantity of oxygen is set free, 
at the same time that other atoms of chlorine decompose the fcetid 
gases. After some further remarks on the part of Dr. Eades, some 
discussion took place, and Charles Feinagle, Esq., observed that 
upon the theory now proposed, the moisture of the air would be 
rapidly exhausted by decomposition, in which case the chlorine 
would cease to act. 
To this it was replied that the chlorine was given off in its 
moist state. . 
Several of the Members expressed their opinions in reference 
to Dr. Eades’ assertions, and the subject was then allowed to give 
place to the other business of the Meeting. 
The President having arrived, Dr. S. Iffla vacated the Chair, and 
requested the President to occupy the same. The progress made 
with reference to the contemplated exploring expedition having 
deen brought forward before the Meeting by the President, it was 
noved by Richard Eades, Esq., M.D., seconded by R. Brough 
‘myth, Esq.,and carried—‘ That the Council be instructed to pre- 
