282 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 



WELLINGTON FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB. 



The first excursion took place on Saturday, 10th October, when 

 the subject selected was geology. Mr. A. McKay, F.G.S., was leader, 

 and explained the several rocks and formations met with on the way to 

 Karori. The new gold mine, near the Devil's Bridge, was also visited, 

 and an examination made of the more recent formations on the Karori 

 Flats. An extremely pleasant afternoon was spent, the weather being 

 very fine. On Thursday, October 15th, the usual meeting was held at 

 the Museum, the president, Mr. 0. Hulke, F.C.S., in the chair. Mr. 

 McKay read introductory notes on geology, and also exhibited by means 

 of the optical lantern, a number of slides illustrating the various terms 

 used by geologists in describing the different formations of rock, which 

 were explained to the members by the president. The photographs of 

 many extinct animals were also shown in the same manner. They 

 included illustrations of a very perfect specimen of Pterodactyl, or 

 winged lizard, recently discovered in America ; the curious " fish 

 lizard" or Ichthyosaurus ; a remarkable bird (Archaeopt&ryx), having a 

 long tail composed of several vertebrae ; as well as photographs of the 

 Deinotherium, Irish Elk, and several other extinct mammalia. The 

 most recent forms of life were illustrated by a picture of the members of 

 the club who took part in the last expedition, and portraits- of the 

 leader, Mr. McKay, and the president, Mr. Hulke, which created great- 

 interest The meeting was in every way a most enjoyable and 

 successful one. 



LINNEAN SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Sydney, August 26th, 1891.— Professor Haswell, M.A., DSc, in 

 the chair. 



The Chairman announced to the meeting with deep regret the 

 death, only that morning, of the Government Geologist, Mr. Charles 

 Smith Wilkinson, F.G.S., F.L.S. Mr. Wilkinson was an original 

 member of the Society, for several years was a member of the Council, 

 in the years 1883 and 1884 was President, and since 1885 had been 

 one of the Vice-Presidents. His enthusiasm in the cause of Geological 

 Science, his extensive knowledge of the geological features of Eastern 

 Australia, his many personal qualities, and his decease at the compara- 

 tively early age of 47, combine to render his loss one which will be 

 severely felt. 



On the motion of Mr. Henry Deane it was resolved that a letter of 

 sympathy from the meeting be sent to Mrs. Wilkinson. 



The reading of papers and other business was deterred, and the 

 meeting then adjourned to September 30th. 



BOYAL SOCIETV OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Sydney. 3rd September, 1891.— H. C. Russell, Esq., (Government 

 Astronomer), in the chair. 



