ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. XVii. 
A ‘reception ” was held at the Royal Society’s House, No. 5 
Elizabeth-street North, on Wednesday, July 14th, 1897. 
The hall and staircase were decorated with ferns, palms, &c., 
kindly supplied by Director of the Botanic Gardens. 
About one hundred and fifty guests were present; there were 
but few exhibits, inasmuch as the principal object of the gathering 
was to bring members and their friends together for a kindly chat 
and smoke. 
Professor THRELFALL delivered a short lecture on the electro- 
lytic deposition of zine at the Cockle Creek Sulphide Works ; 
Some plates were shown illustrating the process. Acetylene gas 
illumination, and the calcium carbide from which the gas is pro- 
duced were shown by the Technical College. A large number of 
samples of etched gold and sections of nuggets showing the 
crystalline structure of the metal, were shown and explained by 
Professor LiversipGs, who also exhibited a series of photographs 
of the etched sections. 
Mr. Hamer shewed a spectroscope for use in chemical analysis, 
and gave demonstrations of the spectra of the rarer or more 
interesting metals, 
Professor HasweE.t’s biological exhibit illustrated some features 
of more than ordinary interest to biologists. 
Photographs of the moon, taken at the Lick Observatory, at 
the Paris Observatory, and by the Bruce telescope at Harvard 
College, Cambridge, were shown by Mr. Russzxt, illustrated and 
rare botanical works by Mr. Maipen, and an autograph letter of 
Lord Nelson announcing the victory of the battle of the Nile, by 
Dr. H. G. A. Wricut. Mr. Lawrence Harcrave exhibited 
One of the latest forms of his cellular kite, and explained the 
recent developments in aeronautical science, and the results of his 
later experiments. Messrs. WintougHBy and Lane exhibited 
one of the latest phonographs and microphone, the performances 
of which were much appreciated. 
Mr. Henry Deane, M.A., M. Inst. C.E., President, presided. 
b—July 14, 1897, 
