Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 199 



Woodruff). (4) "The High Frequency K Series Absorption Spectra 

 of Erbium." By L. H. Martin, B.Sc. (Communicated by Professor T. 

 H, Laby). Exhibits: Mr. F. Chapman showed a copy of a pre-Linnean 

 work on Shells from the shore of Arimini, written by Janus Plancus 

 (Giovanni Bianchi) and published in 1739. The signature of Janus 

 Plancus on the fly-leaf is interesting as, according to British Museum 

 authorities, there is no other known. Mr. E. J. Dunn showed speci- 

 mens of Maldovites from Bohemia, and Billitonites from Dutch East 

 Indies. 



Messrs W. Baragwanath, S. P. Mann, and E. G. Austin were elected 

 Members. 



December 14th. — Messrs. J. E. Gilbert and A. E. V. Richardson, 

 M.A., B.Sc, were elected Honorary Auditors. Papers: (1) " The Aus- 

 tral Rhynchonellacea of the Nigricans Series, with description of the 

 new genus Tegulorhynchia." By F. Chapman, A.L.S., and Irene Cres- 

 pin, B.A. (2) "Contributions from the National Herbarium of Vic- 

 toria." No. III. By J. R. Tovey, and P. P. Morris. Exhibits: Pro- 

 fessor Skeats showed examples of Varves from the Upper Carbonifer- 

 ous of New South Wales, and Lower Cambrian of South Australia. 

 Mr. R. T. Patton, B.Sc, M.F., formerly an associate, was elected a 

 Member. 



During the year eight members, one country member, and fifteen 

 associates were elected, including one associate elected as a member. 

 Ten members, five country members, and fourteen associates resigned, 

 and two members and one associate died. 



It is with much regret the Council has to record thei losses, by 

 death, of Mr, William A. Hartnell, Mr. A. J. Higgin, F.I.C., and Mr. 

 William Stickland. 



Alfred James Higgin, P.I.C, was born in Manchester, and trained 

 at Owen's College, and at Zurich. He came to Ballarat over 30 years 

 ago as Lecturer at the Ballarat School of Mines, and later was ap- 

 pointed Lecturer in Metallurgy at the Adelaide School of Mines, and 

 Demonstrator in Chemistry at the Adelaide University. About 1911 

 he was appointed Lecturer in Metallurgy at the University of Mel- 

 bourne. Mr. Higgin was a skilled metallurgist and chemist, and 

 many of the present mining men of Australia received their training 

 under him. His published work includes many papers on organic and 

 inorganic chemistry, and during the war he furnished a valuable re- 

 port on the manufacture of alloys for use in special stunts. He died 

 in London on July 18, 1922. 



Mr. Hartnell joined the Society in 1900, and for thirteen years 

 •occupied the position of Hon. Treasurer. In 1921, owing to continued 

 ill-health, he was compelled to relinquish the duties of the position, 

 which he had carried out in a particularly conscientious manner. He 

 took a very keen interest in the work of the Society, and occupied 

 the chair on several occasions. He died on June 21, last, in his 69th 

 year. 



