349 



forming limestone blocks, and consisting chiefly of stems and 

 spore cases of this fresh-water plant. The bed was consolidated 

 by calcium carbonate carried in solution by water from a lime- 

 stone spring in the neighbourhood, and flowing through a 

 forest of Chora. One specimen also showed calcified confervse 

 scum. A large obsidianite was also exhibited by Mr. How- 

 chin from Kangaroo Island. Mr. Howchin considers the ori- 

 gin of these obsidianites to be not volcanic but meteoric, and 

 explains their characteristic form as produced by the pressure 

 exerted on a plastic mass in passing through air. Chemically, 

 obsidianites are allied to the felspars. They are very widely 

 distributed in Australia, and are sometimes found many feet 

 below the surface. The aborigines are often found with obsi- 

 dianites in their possession, which they use as charms and 

 sometimes chip them into the form of scrapers. Mr. W. B. 

 Poole exhibited large teeth found at Shoreham, Philip 

 Island, Victoria ; probably dugoug teeth (TIalicornis. austra- 

 lis). Dr. Rogers exhibited Thelymitra epijmcfoides, F. von 

 M., new to South Australia; Dr. Verco some mutton bird 

 oil, arid commented on its colour. This gave rise to a dis- 

 cussion on the colour of the flesh of animals as influenced by 

 their diet. 



Papers. — ''Basic Rocks of Blinman, S.A., with Notes 

 on Associated or Allied Rocks," by W. Noel Benson, B.Sc. ; 

 "Description of Thehimitra e'pipactoides, F. von M., new to 

 South Australia," by R. S. Rogers, M.A., M.D. : "Notes on 

 South Australian Marine Mollusca, with Descriptions of New 

 Species," Part xii., by J. C. Verco, M.D., F.R.C.S. 



ANxNUAL REPORT, 1908-9. 



The Council has pleasure in reporting that the work of 

 the Society has been carried on successfully during the past 

 year. 



His Excellency Sir Day Hort Bosanquet, K.C.B., 

 G.C.V.O., has been pleased to accept the position of patron 

 of the Society. 



Mr. W. Howchin, F.G.S., was re-elected to represent the 

 Society on the Board of Governors of the Public Library, etc. 



Library. — Towards the end of last year the President 

 urged the Superintendent of Public Buildings to place shelv- 

 ing in our rooms similar to that which the Government had 

 erected for the reception of the York Gate Library. The 



