76 DISCUSSION. 



cold districts I have seen the cattle exposed during winter nights 

 without any shelter whatever, causing also a considerable loss to 

 those engaged in dairy pursuits. I think it is greatly to be 

 regretted that any stock should unnecessarily be thus exposed to 

 the inclemency of the weather. 



Mr. Abbott : — I have not known of any permits being given 

 of late years to ring-bark that did not stipulate for some 

 timber being left growing for purposes of shade and ornament. 

 The Local Boards, in whose hands the matter is, do not permit 

 indiscriminate ring-barking. 



Hon. G. H. Cox : — I move a vote of thanks to Mr. Abbott. 

 I have read with pleasure the papers written by him. 



Mr. Russell : — I second the proposition. I think everyone, 

 whatever may be his views upon the scientific question as to the 

 effect of forests upon rainfall, will admit the national importance 

 of preserving a certain quantity of trees, and planting forests 

 where they are required. The misfortune is that questions of this 

 nature get mixed up. But we are not discussing the question 

 whether they are useful for commercial purposes. It is a scientific 

 question that is being discussed now, viz. : whether trees produce 

 or increase the rainfall. Whether trees do affect the rainfall or 

 not I am sure every care will be taken by the Government of 

 this Colony, as in other countries, to preserve a certain number of 

 trees. But as I have said, that question is not being discussed 

 to-night, but simply the scientific question. 



The President then put the motion, which was carried 

 unanimously. 



ON THE INCREASING MAGNITUDE OF ETA ARGUS. 

 By H. C. Russell, B.A., F.R.S., &c. 



[Read before the Royal Society of N.S.W., June 6, 1888. .] 



This remarkable star, which so surprised Sir John Herschel in 

 1837 by its sudden increase in magnitude, and which continued 

 to increase until it was brighter than every star in the heavens, 

 Sirius only excepted, has I think passed its minimum recently. 

 It will be remembered that after reaching its maximum about 

 1843, it fell a little, but was still a bright 1st magnitude star 

 until about 1856, when it began to fall rapidly, and by 1859 was 

 only of the 3rd magnitude, and has ever since been going down 

 in the scale of magnitude, until some have been led to think it 

 would rise no more. 



