534 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
young ones in the Meredith district, owing to the preference of the 
opossum for the tenderer leaves, and those near water-holes also suffered 
before those situated in dryer parts, owing apparently to the preference 
of the same animal for water. Some illustrations of the different eftect 
on tha leaves of the ravages of the opossum, the caterpillar, and the 
beetle. also of the spectral appearance presented by the Meredith trees, 
were shown by the lecturer, which had been prepared by himself. 
Mr. Russell drew attention to the stately relic of an ancient forest, 
still to be seen on the North Shore, near Lake Cove River. The tree, 
of which a photograph was shown, measured 35 feet round the girth. 
On the motion of Mr. Russell, it was resolved to ask the Government to 
reserve the ground on which this noble relic grew. 
ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA. 
Hobart, June 9th, 1885.—Mr. James Barnard, Vice-President, in 
the chair. 
New Fellows. —Messrs. A. M. Ritchie and T. B. Moore. 
Papers.—(1) ‘ Notes on the discovery of new species of leaf im- 
pressions from the Tertiary sandstones at Mount Bischoff, belonging to 
the genera Hucalyptus, Laurus, Quercus, Zamia, &c.,” by Mr. R. M. 
Jonnston, F.L.5. im this paper Mr. Johnston describes a number of 
new species of very interesting leaf impressions obtained by Mr. Kayser 
in sinking through Tertiary sandstone beds, which underlie the recent 
basalt at Mount Bischoff as it does at Breadalbane, One-Tree Point, 
Geilstone, and other places in Tasmania. Mr. Kayser is highly com- 
mended for his services to science in this matter, as he has by his pains- 
taking energy added considerably to our knowledge of the Tertiary 
Flora of Tasmania. In the collection made by Mr. Kayser, Mr. John- 
ston recognises at least 10 new species belonging to the genera 
Lucalyptus, Quercus, Laurus, Ulmus, Zamia, and possibly the genera 
Zomatia, Ceratopelatum, and Ficus, are also represented. This, accor- 
ding to the writer of the paper, is most interesting, as it substantiates 
the opinions advanced by Baron von Ettingshausen and Baron Sir Ferd. 
von Miiller, that the whole existing vegetation of the world can in its 
development be traced to an universal flora in bygone geologic ages, and, 
therefore, in perfect accord with the evolution hypothesis. It is strange 
to observe that the prevailing forms of vegetation in Tasmania during 
the Tertiary period should be more closely allied to the existing flora of 
Europe than to the existing flora of Tasmania. Mr Johnston states 
that the species of Hucalyptus from Mount Bischoff named by him /. 
kayseri, is the first indication of our most characteristic vegetation (the 
gum tree) which he has yet observed in a fossil state in Tasmania. 
Quercus, so abundantly represented in a fossil state at Mount Bischoff, 
is now restricted entirely to the Northern Hemisphere. 
(2) “The Tasmanian Earth Tremors of 1883-4-5,” by Mr. A. B. 
Biggs. 
(3) The following note on the determination of the coal plants of 
Tasmania, by Mr. T. Stephens, was read :--Some five years ago I sub- 
mitted to the notice of the Royal Society specimens of Glossopteris, 
Gangamopteris, Noeggerathiopsis, with other forms not yet fully iden- 
——— 
