Proceedings, 



vii 



without practical effect ; and as the resources of the Philosophical So- 

 ciety are insufficient for the prosecution of these researches, your Memo^ 

 rialists are therefore led to beg Your Excellency's consideration of the 

 great and incalculable beneHts that might result from such inquiries, 

 pursued under the supervision of your Memorialists; and if it should 

 appear of similar importance to Your Excellency, your Memorialsts 

 would earnestly pray for such support as your Excellency may de«tn 

 advisable to extend, 



And your Memorialists will ever pray, &c. 



To the Honourable the Legislative Council of the Colony of Victoria 



The Memorial of the Members of the Philosophical Society of Victoria 

 in General Meeting assembled, 



Humbly sheweth 



That your ^Memorialists, mindful of the onerous duties which, devolve 

 upon them as citizens, and as Members of a Scientific Institution, have 

 endeavoured to enlist the support of the inhabitants of Victoria in the 

 prosecution of inquiries, tending to the discovery of the various natural 

 productions which are held to be the chief sources of wealth in all 

 countries. 



That your ^lemorialists have proposed to establish^ on a broad basis, 

 a system of discovery replete with benefits to the Colony at large, and 

 of high and significant importance to the scientific world. 



Your Jilemorialists propose to send to the interior, or to such districts 

 as they shall determine, suitably-qualified persons to examine and report 

 upon the mineral as well as other natural resources of such districts and 

 to collect specimens in natural history of a practical value, so that the 

 Avealth of this country in these departments may become available to 

 the inhabitants. 



Your Memorialists have not received as yet that support from the 

 public which would warrant them to attempt the realisation of this 

 scheme ; and therefore your Memorialists would respectfully draw the 

 attention of your Honourable House to the consideration of this matter 

 relating as it does to the immediate prosperity of the country. ' 



That your Petitioners feeling the responsibility which attaches to a 

 w^ork of the magnitude here indicated, would beg the support of your 

 Honourable House in the furtherance of the object aimed at. 



And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c. 



J. H. Brooke, Esq. moved, and S. Wekey, Esq. seconded; and 

 it was agreed, — 



That the memorial to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor 

 be presented by a deputation consisting of Captain Clarke, E.E. 

 Dr. Hutchinson, and Dr. Iffla. ' 



Dr. E. Davey read an essay ''On the construction of an instrument 

 for ascertaining the mean temperature of any place." 



