xl. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 



during the month of Jane 1859. His subsequent determin- 

 ations indicated that the value is numerically too small, 

 and the present reduction supports this view, the mean 

 latitude obtained being 



<£ = -33° 51' 41*55" 

 This is only a provisional value, but is probably accurate 

 to 0*25", an alteration in the accepted value is regarded as 

 unwise until the question is more completely discussed. 

 Local conditions, existing near each meridian circle, differ 

 considerably at all observatories. The results of the 

 meridian circle should be reduced having regard to local 

 refraction determined with the instrument used. Similarly 

 the latitude, used in transforming the observed zenith dis- 

 tances into declinations should also be determined by the 

 same instrument. A definitive determination of the abso- 

 lute mean latitude of the Sydney Observatory is a desider- 

 atum. Were it decided to undertake such work, the obser- 

 vations should be made at intervals extending over a long 

 period, so that the data could also be used for an investi- 

 gation of the variation of latitude. For this purpose the 

 construction of an instrument specially for the object in 

 view is advocated. 



Remarks were made by Mr. Lenehan and Mr. T. F. 

 Furber. Mr. Merfield replied. 



3. " Sociology of Some Australian Tribes," by R. H. 

 Mathews, l.s. 



The author stated his opinion that among the social 

 institutions of a primitive people there is none of greater 

 interest and value to the anthropologist than the study of 

 these social systems. He also expressed his conviction 

 that neither " sexual promiscuity " nor " group marriage " 

 have ever existed among the Australian aborigines. He 

 further expressed the opinion that the divisions into phra- 

 tries, groups and sections had not been deliberately made 



