Proceedings. ix 
the land), in the Lieutenant-Governor’s opinion, fully encompasses the 
end sought by the Society; whilst with regard to coal, it is reported 
that the fields at Western Port are sufficient to last a generation. 
At a future time the Lieutenant-Governor will be most happy to lend 
his aid in furthering the important objects which the Philosophical So- 
ciety of Victoria has in view. 
I have the honour to be, Sir, 
Your most obedient Servant, 
8. Wekey, Esq. J. H. Kay, Private Sec. 
Some of the members did not seem to understand the proper mean- 
ing of the letter of the Private Secretary, as the latter part of the 
said letter appeared to be contradictory of its former part. In the 
first part of the letter it is stated, “that as the length and breadth 
of the land is searched by prospecting parties, and as it is reported 
the coal-fields at Western Port are sufficient to last a generation,” 
therefore, in the Lieutenant-Governor’s opinion, this circumstance 
fully encompasses the end sought by the Society, which is as much 
as to say that the objects of the Philosophical Society are unneces- 
sary,—whereas in the concluding sentence of the letter it is stated, 
that “at a future time the Lieutenant-Governor will be most happy 
to lend his aid in furthering the important objects which the Philo- 
sophical Society of Victoria has in view.” 
The subject however dropped. 
It was announced by the Honorary Secretary that a proposal 
had been received from the Victorian Institute, to amalgamate with 
the Philosophical Society; but as yet nothing definite has been 
done. 
On the subject of the amalgamation a discussion arose, when it 
was moved by Dr. Iffla, seconded by Mr. S. Wekey, and carried:— 
“That as soon as the correspondence between the Victorian Insti- 
tute and the Philosophical Society is complete respecting the pro- 
posal of the amalgamation of the two societies, a Special General 
Meeting be called to consider the matter.” 
D. E. Wilkie, Esq., M.D., read a paper “ On the probable Failure 
of the Yan Yean Reservoir.” 
After an ananimated discussion as to whether the paper be pub- 
lished or not, on the motion of Dr. Iffla, seconded by Dr. Eades, 
it was resolved :— 
“That a commission, consisting of F. C. Christy, Esq., Frederick 
Acheson, Esq., and Clement Hodgkinson, Esq., Engineers, and §. 
Wekey, Esq., Secretary, be appointed to enquire into the statements 
set forth by Dr. Wilkie, respecting the Yan Yean Reservoir, and to 
report to the Society at the General Meeting.” 
Balfour Stewart, Esq., then read a paper “On the Influence of 
Gravity on the Physical Condition of the Moon’s Surface.” And 
also a second essay “On the Adaptation ofthe Eye to the Nature 
of the Rays which emanate from Bodies.” 
c 
