XV111. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 



Society since 1887, and they hereby express their appreci- 

 ation of the inestimable value of his work in physiology, 

 especially in the training of physiologists, and for his 

 unremitting labours in the cause of science generally." 



That the above resolution be forwarded to the late Sir 

 Michael Foster's family, as an expression of the Society's 

 sympathy with them in their bereavement. 



"The members of the Royal Society have learned with 

 great regret of the death of Sir B. Baker, k.c.m.g., k.cb., 

 p.r.s., etc., an Honorary Member of the Society, and they 

 express their appreciation of the value of his services to 

 the Empire in connection with the great engineering works 

 which he has carried out, and his labours in engineering 

 science." 



That the above resolution to the late Sir B. Baker be 

 forwarded to his sister, Airs. Kemp. 



THE FOLLOWING PAPER WAS READ I 



44 Note on action of Nitric Acid in Neutralizing Alkaline 

 Soil," by R. S. Symmonds. (Communicated by F. B. 



GCTHRIE, F.I. C., F.C.S.) 



Remarks were made by Messrs. W. A. Dixon, W. J. 

 Clunies Ross and the Chairman. Mr. Guthrie replied. 



By permission of the Chairman the paper by Mr. H. I. 

 Jensen, b. sc, "Note on Copper in Andesite near Lautoka, 

 Fiji," was postponed. 



Mr. J. H. Maiden, f.l.s., then gave a lecturette on 

 Opuutias or Prickly Pears. There are about one hundred 

 and sixty valid species recorded ; there are probably many 

 more, but there are special difficulties in studying them. 

 They cannot be studied in a room. Seven are acclimatised 

 in New South Wales; one of them is harmless and even 



