Proceedings. 



ix 



the land), in the Lieutenant-Governor's opinion, fully encompasses the 

 end sought by the Society ; whilst with regard to coal, it is reported 

 that the fields at Western Port are sufficient to last a generation. 



At a future time the Lieutenant-Governor will be most happy to lend 

 his aid in furthering the important objects which the Philosophical So- 

 ciety of Victoria has in view. 



I have the honour to be, Sir, 



Your- most obedient Servant, 

 S. Wekej, Esq. J. H. Kay, Private Sec. 



Some of the members did not seem to understand the proper mean- 

 ing of the letter of the Private Secretary, as the latter part of .the 

 said letter appeared to be contradictory of its former part. In the 

 first part of the letter it is stated, " that as the length and. breadth 

 of the land is searched by prospecting parties, and as it is reported 

 the coal-fields at Western Port are sufficient to last a generation," 

 therefore, in the Lieutenant-Governor's opinion, this circumstance 

 fully encompasses the end sought by the Society, which is as much 

 as to say that the objects of the Philosophical Society are unneces- 

 sary, — whereas in the concluding sentence of the letter it is stated, 

 that " at a future time the Lieutenant-Governor will be most happy 

 to lend his aid in furthering the important objects which the Philo- 

 sophical Society of Victoria has in- view." 

 The subject however dropped. • 



It was announced by the Honorary Secretary that a proposal 

 had been received from the Victorian Institute, to amalgamate with 

 the Philosophical Society ; but as yet nothing definite has been 

 done. 



On the subject of the amalgamation a discussion arose, when it 

 was moved by Dr. Iffla, seconded by Mr. S. Wekey, and carried: — 



"That as soon as the correspondence between the Victorian Insti- 

 tute and the Philosophical Society is complete respecting the pro- 

 posal of the amalgamation of the two societies, a Special General 

 Meeting be called to consider the matter," 



D, E. Wilkie, Esq., M.D., read a paper " On the probable Failure 

 of the Yan Yean Eeservoir." 



After an ananimated discussion as to whether the paper be pub- 

 lished or not, on the motion of Dr. Iffla, seconded by Dr. Eades, 

 it was resolved : — 



" That a commission, consisting of F. C. Christy, Esq., Frederick 

 Acheson, Esq., and Clement Hodgkinson, Esq., Engineers, and S. 

 Wekey, Esq., Secretary, be appointed to enquire into the statements 

 set forth by Dr. Wilkie, respecting the Yan Yean Eeservoir, and to 

 report to the Society at the General Meeting." 



Balfour Stewart, Esq., then read a paper " On the Influence of 

 Gravity on the Physical Condition of the Moon's Surface.*' And 

 also a second essay " On the Adaptation of the Eye to the Nature 

 of the Eays which emanate from Bodies," 



G 



