338 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
the fly has never been seen to eat. M. Valisnieri repeatedly 
offered these insects sugar and syrup, but they could not be 
induced to touch it, although he kept one ot them more than two 
months. The flies, both male and female, seem to be inert and 
sleepy things, and are generally to be seen on the rails and walls 
in the neighbourhood of some flock of sheep. Both French and 
English writers give a fearful account of the mischief which the 
larva effects in its dark abode. Gasparian (Manuel d’Art Vete- 
rinarie, p. 468) speaks of frequent convulsions, giddiness, and half- 
unconsciousness, distinguished from turn sick by the violent 
sneezing with which it is accompanied. I have been unable to 
find out in any of the works on the disease of sheep whether the 
insect causes death. 
Hobart, 17th November, 1884.—His Honor the Deputy- 
Governor, Hon. W. L. Dobson, F.L.S., in the chair. 
New Fellows—Miss E. C. Poynter, Signor A. G. D. Bernacchi, 
Messrs. Hi. L. Swift, J. C. Ross, B.Sc. F-G.S., W.. A. Weymouth, 
E. Wallack, J.P., J. Andrew, J.-W. Syme, RK. A. Barstow, Geist. 
Rooke, M.H.A. 
Papers—1. ‘‘ Notes on the Infusorial Parasites of the Tas- 
manian White Ants,” by W. Saville-Kent, F.L.S., &c., &c. 
2. ‘On the Determination of a True Meridian”’—a problem of 
interest to surveyors,—by H. C. Kingsmill, M.A. 
3. ‘Observations on R. M. Johnston's Vital Statistics,’ by A. 
B. Biggs. 
4. “A Rejoinder to A. B. Biggs’ Criticisms of Observations 
made in respect of the Observed Periodicity of the Death-rate, 
&c.”—in reply to A. B. Biggs’ paper,—by R. M. Johnston, F.L.S. 
5. ‘Earthquake Shocks in Tasmania during the years 1883- 
1884,” by Commander Short, R.N.—This paper contained a list 
of the various shocks felt and noticed at the various stations 
throughout the island during the years 1883-1884. The object of 
the paper was to afford the members of the Royal Society an 
opportunity ot learning the way in which the earthquake shocks 
were recorded at the meteorological office, and to furnish a 
summary of the information to be deduced from a study of the 
records as a whole. 
A complete census of the flora of Deal Island, in Kent’s Group, 
was laid on the table by His Honor Mr. Justice Dobson, who had 
enlisted the services of the superintendent of the lighthouse on the 
island, Mr. Johnston, to collect and send him specimens of all 
plants growing there. These were forwarded to Baron F. von 
Mueller, who prepared the census. One plant, and orchid— 
Pterostylis vittata--was new to Tasmania, but was common to the 
continent of Australia. 
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