ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. xlv. 
EXHIBITS: 
An Adding Machine by LAWRENCE HARGRAVE.—Most 
of us at some period of our lives have felt the deadly 
drudgery of some monotonous task; this causes the feeling 
that some mechanical contrivance may be devised that 
will relieve the strain, and is the germ of all labour-saving 
inventions. This implement was thought out in 1880, and 
the origin of the attempt to make it was Meteorological 
Returns. Four machines were made, the best was given 
to the late H. O. RUSSELL; they were all unreliable and 
examples of the futility of the conceptions of the heart and 
contrivances of the brain when unsupported by ready and 
skilful hands. Experts will notice details of construction 
and design that are embodied in modern patents which 
might be rendered void on the ground of lack of novelty. 
Remarks were made by the President, Mr. MAIDEN, Mr. 
R. T. BAKER and Mr. CARMENT. 
Mr. MAIDEN exhibted a ripe cone of Pandanus Forsteri, 
from Lord Howe Island, which had been collected by Mr. 
CHARLES HEDLEY on his recent visit. Mr. Hk&piry’s 
researches tend to prove that this is the only species grow- 
ing on the island. The botany of Pandanus was briefly 
touched upon and also the use of the fruit for food. He 
also exhibited a series of leaves of Quercus virginiana 
(virens) the North American “Live Oak,”’ cultivated in 
Sydney, showing the remarkable variation in shape in two 
generations of trees. The protean character of this species 
has caused some difficulty to taxonomists in times gone by. 
Remarks were made by Mr. C. Hepiery, His Honor JupGr 
DockER, Mr. J. T. WILSHIRE and the Hxhibitor. 
Abstract of lecture on ‘‘ Carbon Dioxide and some of its 
properties,” by THos. STEEL, F.L.S., delivered 17th Sept., 
1908. The universal distribution of carbon dioxide in the 
atmosphere, the ocean, in combination in rocks such as 
