xxiv Proceedings, &c. 



asrated water on strata of bisulphuret of iron (iron pyrites) over- 

 lying the tertiary fossil-bearing limestone and yielding sulphuric 

 acid. This agent wrought the chemical change on the shells. Dr. 

 Becker added that a fine collection of such shells was deposited in 

 the Public Museum at the University. Dr. Macadam described the 

 coast line in the north of Scotland, as in Caithness, and referred to 

 the identity of the appearances there found with some of those alluded 

 to in the paper read, with the exception of the substitution of the old 

 red sandstone, on the Caithness coasts, for the rocks existing on the 

 South Australian shores. 



The Secretaiy read a letter from Dr. Mueller, in reference to the 

 song birds entrusted to his care by the Song Bird Committee, and 

 which are located in the Aviary, situated in the Botanic Garden. 

 Dr. Mueller stated that — "the birds are mostly prospering, and 

 there are many young canaries, although the parental birds were 

 only received in autumn." Dr. Mueller added that there were 

 several nests vacant, and with the view of setting loose a large 

 number of young birds for naturalization, he earnestly besought the 

 members and then - friends for donations of female goldfinches and 

 linnets, also thrushes, blackbirds, and nightingales. The Secretary 

 recommended the request of Dr. Mueller to the attention of members. 



The Institute then separated. 



20th Oct., 1858. 



Ordinary Meeting. 



Dr. F. Mueller, V.P., in the Chair. 



The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and 

 several members, present for the first time, were introduced to the 

 Institute by the Chairman. ' 



The names of three candidates for ordinary membership, to be 

 balloted for at the following meeting, were read by the Secretary. 



Wm, Howitt, Esq., M.R.C.S. Edin., was duly elected, by ballot, an 

 ordinary member of the Institute. 



The Secretary laid upon the table, for the inspection of members, 

 a second contribution of shells, presented to the museum of the In- 

 stitute by Capt. John A. Layard; also part IV., vol. 1, of the 

 " Quarterly Journal and Transactions of the Pharmaceutical Society 

 of Victoria," presented by the society. A vote of thanks, on the 

 motion of Dr. Macadam, seconded by Mr. Acheson, was accorded to 

 Captain Layard, for his contributions on the previous and the present 

 meetings. 



Captain Layard explained the character and sources of the collec- 

 tions, the latter of which contained 160 specimens. 



The Secretaiy read a communication from A. De Lacy, Esq., on 

 the "Preservation and Silicatizing of Wood." The paper was illus- 

 trated by specimens and drawings. 



