Minutes of Proceedings. xv 



to South Africa, six of which are found along the eastern coast 

 districts, three in the eastern part of the Transvaal only, one variety 

 reaches the neighbourhood of Cape Town, and the remaining fifteen 

 thrive chiefly in the Kalahari. Excellent specimens of nearly all 

 these varieties were exhibited during the lecture by Dr. Marloth from 

 collections made during his explorations. 



The ensuing discussion was carried on by Messrs. Bolus and Peringuey 

 and the Rev. G. W. Stegmann ; the latter stated that the roots of 

 some of the acacias growing in the Oudtshoorn District reached to 

 a depth of 36 feet. He also extended an invitation to botanical 

 members of the Society to visit Oudtshoorn, promising a rich harvest 

 to collectors since, so far as he knew, Oudtshoorn had been neglected 

 by botanists. Prof. MacOwan testified in ^arm terms to the great 

 value of this most interesting and carefully prepared paper and moved 

 a cordial vote of thanks to Dr. Marloth which was carried by 

 acclamation. 



Dr. J. A. Ross then read " Some Notes on Bacteria in Relation 

 to Public Health." He explained that although in many cases 

 Bacteria were fatal to human and animal life it was doubtful whether 

 life would be possible without Bacteria. He strongly advocated the 

 establishment of a laboratory under Government auspices for the 

 purpose of investigating the various scourges which hanapered farming 

 so much in this country, and recommended that more study should 

 be given to the subject in future. Dr. Ross exhibited several well- 

 prepared specimens by means of his fine microscope. 



An animated discussion was carried on by Messrs. B^lus, Peiinguey 

 and Dr. Marloth, and the meeting closed with a unanimous vote o£ 

 thanks to Dr. Ross for his interesting paper. 



Ordinary Mo7ithly Meeting, 

 Wednesday, November 30, 1887. 



Mr. W. H. Finlay, M.A., F.R.A.S., President, in the Chair. 



Miss L. A. Robinson was duly elected an Ordinary Member of the 

 Society. 



The following donation was announced and the thanks of the 

 Society voted to the donor : 



Boletin de la Academia Nacional de Ciencias en Cordoba. Vol. iXo. 



