Minutes of Meetings. xlvii 



tion, to take the lead in geographical discovery. The present was 

 the most auspicious occasion for Victoria to contribute her share in 

 this honorable work. Her Majesty's Representative, Sir Henry 

 Barkly, was the friend and patron of science and he ventured to 

 hope that His Excellency would aid the cause of geographical 

 discovery. Sir W. Denison was at present organizing an explor- 

 ing party in search of Leichhardt. This expedition being equipped 

 for six months only, ought not to interfere with the Victorian 

 expedition, which was intended to embrace far wider objects. He 

 had no doubt that Victoria would now endeavor to emulate the 

 noble example of the other colonies. If the proposed expedition 

 should be successful in exploring the central regions of Australia 

 from east to west, this disinterested contribution of Victoria to the 

 cause of science would be honorably remembered in Australian 

 history. 



Dr. Wilkie's motion was seconded by Mr. Dobree. 



Dr. Macadam moved an amendment to the effect, — 



" That the subject be postponed until the results of the expe- 

 " dition now being organised by the Government of New South 

 " Wales for a similar purpose should be known." 



This was seconded by J. D. Pinnock, Esq. 



The Rev. Mr. Bleasdale moved, as a second amendment, — 



" That the Philosophical Institute appoint a Committee to devise 

 " the best means to co-operate with the promoters in New South 

 " Wales of the search for Leichhardt, and the exploration of the 

 " interior of Australia, in order to enable the party to pursue their 

 u explorations entirely across the Continent of Australia, as near 

 " to the Tropic of Capricorn as possible." 



This was seconded by Dr. Mueller. 



Dr. Gillbee moved a third amendment to the effect, — 



" That the discussion be postponed till the next Ordinary 

 " Meeting," which was seconded by Mr. Broad. 



The amendments were severally put and negatived. The original 

 motion was carried, as also the Committee, nominated by the 

 mover. 



The Secretary read a communication from J. Brache, Esq., C.E., 

 requesting permission to give notice of motion of his intention to 

 bring- forward the report of the "Mining Committee of the 

 Institute." 



W. Blandowski, Esq., read a paper on " Extensive Infusoria De- 

 " posits in the Malee Scrub, near Swan Hill, on the Lower Murray, 

 " River, in Victoria." As also, " Observations on the Existence 

 " of Fucoidse in a Fossil State in the Silurian Rocks near Mel- 

 " bourne, as in the neighborhood of the Botanic Gardens." Mr. 

 Blandowski exhibited specimens and drawings. 



Thomas E. Rawlinson, Esq., C.E., read a paper entitled, 

 11 Observations on the Saw-fish, with Young, taken in Hobson's 



