xxviii Minutes of Meetings. 



Dr. Becker explained that when his paper was published, Mr. 

 Beilby's remarks would be found corroborative, in all points, of the 

 statements already made by him to the Institute. 



On the motion of Dr. Becker, seconded by Professor Hearn, the 

 Secretary was instructed to send the thanks of the Institute to Mr. 

 Beilby for his communication and his promise to present the Insti- 

 titute with a nest of the bird referred to. 



Professor Hearn moved, that Mr. Dobree's motion be put to the 

 meeting, to the effect, "That henceforth the Transactions be published 

 every half year." This was over-ruled on the shewing that by the 

 laws this matter came within the province of the Council only. 



Professor Wilson verbally communicated the particular phenomena 

 attending an instance of mirage, which he had seen on two successive 

 Sundays, viz., the 1 1th and 1 8th January last, on the Sydney road, North 

 Melbourne. The observations were very interesting, and Professor 

 Wilson undertook to supply the Secretary with written details for 

 filing. 



Dr. Wilkie then read certain amendments and additions to his 

 paper formerly communicated, on a " new Propeller." 



A discussion ensued as to whether Dr. Wilkie's paper in the 

 amended form could appear in the Transactions of the Institute 

 for 1856. 



Professor Wilson and Dr. Macadam shewed that Dr. Wilkie had 

 withdrawn his paper from the Transactions of 1856, even when the 

 offer of an appendix or annotation to it had been given him, pre- 

 ferring to exclude certain portions and make additions and re-read. 



The matter was left to the Council. 



After a vote of thanks to the Chairman the Institute separated. 



Wh March, 1857. 



Monthly Meeting. 



Professor Wilson, Vice-President in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the meetings held on the 14th of January and 

 the 4th of February were read, and after some slight alterations, were 

 confirmed. 



His Excellency the Governor arrived at this stage and took part 

 in the proceedings. 



A letter from Dr. Ferdinand Mueller was read, expressing his sense 

 of the honor done him by the Society, in the proposal to offer him 

 the office of one of the Vice-Presidents, but respectfully preferring to 

 remain one of the humblest members of the Institute. 



The President, Captain Clarke, moved, — 



" That the honorary secretary be instructed to acknowledge the 

 " receipt of the letter, and to convey to Dr. Mueller the appreciation 

 •" of the Institute of his labours, and the sympathy of its members in 



