MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. As3 
interrupting the series of marine beds were being formed in situa- 
tions adjacent to the shores of the old paleozoic mainland, the 
marine areas, more remote from the land, still continued to deposit 
their marine sediments with an uninterrupted chain of marine or- 
ganic lite; and it is quite conceivable, and, indeed, in harmony 
with existing evidence, that the Southern and Eastern marine beds 
of Tasmania cover in one unbroken series the whole period repre- 
sented in Australia and in Northern Tasmania by the lower marine 
beds, lower coal measures, and upper marine beds; and that the 
final oscillation ot land, producing conditions favourable to the 
deposits of the upper coal measures of Australia and Tasmania, 
was the only one which extended as far as the South and East of 
Tasmania. However, Mr. Johnston was greatly pleased that this 
matter was being tested, as far as possible in the North and South, 
in a practical way by means of the diamond drill, and he hoped to 
see this most useful practical test still further employed in our im- 
portant coal basins, not only to measure the value of our coal seams 
vertically, but also sufficiently extended to ascertain their extent 
horizontally. 
PeeeOsSOPHICAL INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY. 
Christchurch, 3rd July, 1884.—H. R. Webb, Esq., in the chair. 
Papers—1. “ Is life a distinct force ?” by Dr. Bakewell. 
Christchurch, 7th August, 1884.—R. W. Fereday, Esq., Pre- 
sident, in the chair. 
The Chairman announced that the Council had appointed 
Mr. R. H. Webb Honorary Treasurer, and Dr, Symes to fill the 
vacancy thus caused in the Council. 
Papers—1. ‘‘ The exceptional advantages of New Zealand for 
Sericiculture,’ by Mr. Federli. The author clearly showed that 
the climate of New Zealand was most suitable for the rose-leaf 
mulberry and the silkworms. The great secret of success was to 
carry on the silkworm industry with some other industry, and it 
was especially suitable for the farming population, as the whole 
work comes in just when they are idle, after having sown their 
crops. In answer to questions, Mr. Federli showed that exporting 
the grain (eggs) to Europe would be a most remunerative business. 
He had sent some to France himself. Cocoons could also be sent 
to France as they are now from China. The rose-leaf mulberry 
grows luxuriantly in parts of Canterbury, and if these trees were 
planted instead of so many poplars and willows, they would be 
much more valuable, as the leaves are used for fattening sheep, as 
well as tood for silkworms, aud they give a fine quality to the wool, 
making it resemble silk. Indeed, in France the sheep are kept on 
mulberry leaves and hay during the winter, and their wool is always 
in great demand. No expense was required in growing the trees. 
The best way to remove the prejudice that people have against 
sericiculture, Mr. Federli said, would be to introduce a few well- 
selected families from the south of Europe, and when the farmers 
saw that they could successfully carry on the business, they would 
very soon embark in it too, and it would provea great boon to all 
the working classes and the country generally. 
