Proceedings. XV 
April 10th, 1855. 
Montuty Meerrine. Dr. Wilkie in the Chair. 
The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed. 
R. Brough Smyth, Esq., read a paper “On the Influence of 
the Physical Character of a Country on the Climatology.” 
He endeavoured to show how far the physical character and 
geological formation of a country react upon the climatology, and 
how the course of rivers and creeks are influenced byit. He next 
showed, by diagrams and sections, the principal geological features 
of Victoria, and compared the formation of the ranges as influen- 
cing the course of the main streams of the rivers running parallel 
with them, and mentioned the following rivers as examples :—The 
La Trobe, the Goulburn, the Snowy River, and the Yarra. 
He next showed that little reliance could be placed on meteoro- 
logical observations, made at a certain place, either with regard to 
the quantity of rain or the evaporation, as the greater portion of 
Victoria consisted of alternate ranges and plains. 
After referring to the origin of springs and their effects, in this 
climate, he concluded with practical applications on the formation 
of reservoirs, pointing out the absolute necessity of a due recog- 
nition of scientific principles in opposition to empirical knowledge 
in all such undertakings. 
William Blandowski, Esq., laid before the meeting specimens of 
rocks, containing fossil remains, forwarded by F. Acheson, Esq., 
through him. The peculiarity of these rocks were, that they were 
discovered in the vicinity of one of the first gold-fields of Victoria, 
though the fossil remains were those of oceanic animals usually 
found at a great depth below the surface; these were discovered 
between layers of hard blue slate, in a vein about fifteen inches 
thick. 
On the subject of: the amalgamation of the Philosophical Society 
and the Victorian Institute, the Chairman stated that at a special 
general meeting held a fortnight ago, the subject was adjourned to 
this meeting, on account of the small attendance; and he now 
begged to suggest that the subject be referred to the council of the 
society, and that they should report to a general meeting their 
opinion as to the best course of proceeding. 
Dr. Iffla agreed with the views of the Chairman. 
Mr. Blandowski thought it better to discuss the subject at once- 
When it was moved by R. Brough Smyth, Esq., Hon. Sec., and 
seconded by Wm. Blandowski, Esq. and carried. “That six- 
