xI viii. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 
The subject of this note was contained ina few grams of 
concentrates from Niagara, W.A., forwarded by Mr. ©. F. 
de J. GRUT, M.A., B.E., of Kalgoorlie. It gave on analysis 
the following result:—Bi,O, 73°77; V.O; 25°31; Fe,0, 
0°36; P.O, trace; residue (insol. in HOl.) 0°81. The 
physical properties and composition of the mineral agree 
with those recorded in Dana’s ‘“‘System of Mineralogy’”’ for 
the mineral Pucherite. This is believed to be the first 
recorded occurrence of Pucherite in Australia. 
Remarks were made by Mr. W. J. CLUNIES Ross and the 
President. 
EXHIBITS. 
Mr. MAIDEN brought under notice of members the poison- 
ing of human beings by a climbing plant known as Rhus 
radicans or *‘ Poison Ivy,’’ from North America, and occas- 
ionally found in gardens in New South Wales. It is areally 
dangerous plant causing acute skin irritation, and a per- 
fectly harmless plant, Ampelopsis Veitchii, is often mis- 
taken for it. He showed how the two plants may be 
readily distinguished. ‘‘Poison Ivy” is far too poisonous 
a plant to be permitted in gardens, especially as it is not 
necessary to actually touch it to be affected by it. He 
also exhibited a plant of the beautiful Primula obconica, 
and showed a photograph to illustrate the very serious skin 
irritation induced in some persons who handle it. He 
explained that the irritating principle in the case of the 
Primula is the glandular hairs; in the case of the Rhus, 
known also as Poison Ivy, it is a peculiar oil. 
A discussion ensued in which the following gentlemen 
took part, viz.:—The President, Messrs. L. HARGRAVE, 
W. J. CLUNIES Ross, Dr. SPENCER, Messrs. J. A. SCHOFIELD, 
L. WHITFELD, H.G. SMITH, and A. DuckworTH. Mr.J.H. 
MAIDEN replied and promised to bring forward the matter 
