Proceedings, &c., 1867. 327 
at this meeting to announce that the following office-bearers retired 
at the close of the year :—The President, Vice-President, Secretary, 
Treasurer, Librarian and Custos of Collection, with Messrs. Aplin, 
_ Gillbee, Von Guerard, McGowan, Rusden, and Professor Halford. 
By Law X., All nominations to supply these vacancies must be 
given before the close of the Ordinary Meeting, to be held on 9th 
December, and the election would take place in January next. 
Professor Halford read a paper by Captain Perry, “ On a Dis- 
covery for determining danger of collision in vessels crossing one 
another’s track.” 
Captain Perry explained his diagram, 
The President considered Captain Perry had described in a very 
simple and correct manner a proposition of very great import- 
ance. He concurred in the value of the discovery, and thought the 
suggestions were worthy of the greatest support. 
Captain Perry stated that his attention had been drawn to the 
subject through the collision that occurred between the Penola and 
City of Launceston. It was a fact that what had been hitherto 
considered the proper way of steering, he had demonstrated was 
the reverse. 
Professor Halford considered the matter of very great importance, 
and it was a question how far the Society should take up the 
matter. 
Mr. Aplin inquired if the President, as the Government Astro- 
nomer, could not bring the subject before the proper authorities. 
The President said he would be happy to do what he could in 
the matter. Perhaps the Council might recommend some course of 
- action. 
Dr. Neild then read a paper ‘On the Purification of Water,” 
by Mr. Dahlke, who afterwards exhibited specimens of various 
samples of water from the Yan Yean and the Yarra ; some of which 
he had treated with permanganite of potash, and others passed 
through a patent filter. Professor Halford, Mr. Lang, and other 
members took part in a long discussion; Mr. Dahlke stating 
that a filter on an improved plan was in course of construction at 
an expense perhaps of two guineas or a little more, quite capable 
of preventing the ova of the Hydatids from passing through the 
percolator. 
Professor Halford called the attention of the Society to the subject 
of an antidote to snake-bite ; stating that he had been in commu- 
nication with the man Shires, who proclaimed the value of his 
antidote, and that it tallied somewhat with an analysis previously 
made by himself. It was Tincture of Iodine mixed with a solution 
of Ammonia, strong enough to render it colourless, and thought the 
matter sufficient to warrant it being brought under the notice of 
Government with a view to ae aid in prosecuting the neces- 
Sary experiments. 
