vi Proceedings, fyc. 



The result of the ballot was — 



Samuel M'Gowan, Esq 8 Votes 



Dr. Luclwig Becker 17 „ 



Dr. Becker was accordingly declared duly elected. 



The Secretary laid upon the table the following contributions : — 

 Botanical Beport on the North Australian Expedition, under the 

 command of A. C. Gregory, Esq. By Dr. Mueller, Botanist to the 

 Expedition ; communicated by the Colonial Office, and presented to 

 the Institute by the author. A box containing shells and other speci- 

 mens, and three samples of Silt dredged out of the River Yarra-Yarra, 

 while removing Raleighs' Bar, a little below the junction of Salt- 

 water River, by John L. Simpson, Esq., Engineer. A copy of the 

 account of the Principal Triangulation of the United Kingdom, from 

 the Ordnance Survey Office, Southampton, by direction of the Right 

 Honorable the Secretary of State for War. Parts III. and IV., 

 volume XIV, of the " Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society 

 of London," with the President's address for 1859, by the Geological 

 Society of London. Part IV. of the " Fragmenta Phytographise 

 Australia?;" also, "Report on the Plants collected during Mr. Bab- 

 bage's Expedition into the North Western Interior of South Aus- 

 tralia in 1858," by Dr. Mueller. Presented by the author. "Treatise 

 on Measurements as a Diagnostic Means for Distinguishing the 

 Human Races," by the Naturalists on board H.I.A.M.'s frigate 

 " Novara." " Instructions for the Guidance of Meteorological Ob- 

 servers in Victoria," by the author, R. B. Smyth, Esq., C.E. "Me- 

 teorological Tables for Victoria, for July, August, September, 1858;" 

 also, "Quarterly Abstract ending September, 1858," by the Govern- 

 ment. "The Royal Kalender and Guide to Tasmania, 1859," by 

 the author, H. M. Hull, Esq., E.R.S., Tasmania. Communication 

 from Monsieur Laporte, aine Imperial Office of Administration of 

 Marine, expressing a desire to exchange specimens with the Institute. 



A paper was read entitled "A General View of the Geological 

 Distribution of Gold, by Pedro Nisser, Esq., many years practically 

 engaged in the gold-mines of South America." — Communicated by 

 the Honorary Secretary. — [Vide "Transactions."] 



Dr. Ludwig Becker read a paper, entitled "Some Observations on 

 Donati's Comet," illustrated by 12 drawings. — [Vide "Transac- 

 tions."] 



The Honorary Secretary communicated, in behalf of A. C. Gregory, 

 Esq., "Some Interesting Facts, founded on Barometrical Observa- 

 tions," conducted in connection with the late expedition from More- 

 ton Bay to South Australia, illustrated by a chart. — [Vide "Tran- 

 sactions."] 



Discussion ensued on the reading of each of the communications. 



From the lateness of the hour, the reading of Mr. Gregory's letter, 

 on the subject of Australian exploration, was postponed until next 

 meeting. The Institute then separated. 



