Proceedings, 



April lOth, 1855. 



Monthly Meetino. Dr. Wilkie in the Chair. 



The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed. 



R Brough Smyth, Esq., read a paper ''On the Influence of 

 the rhysical Character of a Country on the Climatology." 



He endeavoured to show how far the physical cliaracter and 

 geological formation of a country react upon the climatolocry, and 

 how the course of rivers and creeks are influenced by it. He next 

 showed, by diagrams and sections, the principal geological features 

 of Victoria, and compared the formation of the ranges as influen- 

 cing the course of the main streams of the rivers running parallel 

 with them, and mentioned the following rivers as examples :— The 

 La Trobe, the Goulburn, the Snowy River, and the Yarra. 



He next showed that little reliance could be placed on meteoro- 

 logical observations, made at a certain place, either with reo-ard to 

 the quantity of rain or the evaporation, as the greater ponion of 

 Victoria consisted of alternate ranges and plains. 



After referring to the origin of springs and their effects, in this 

 climate, he concluded with practical applications on the formation 

 of reservoirs, pointing out the absolute necessity of a due re cog- 

 nition of scientific principles in opposition to empirical knowledge 

 m all such undertakings. ° 



William Blandowski, Esq., laid before the meeting specimens of 

 rocks, containing fossil remains, forwarded by F. Acheson, Esq 

 through him. The peculiarity of these rocks were, that thev were 

 discovered in the vicinity of one of the first gold-fields of Victoria 

 though the fossil remains were those of oceanic animals usually 

 found at a great depth below the surface ; these were discovered 

 between layers of hard blue slate, in a vein about fifteen inches 

 thick. 



On the subject of the amalgamation of the Philosophical Society 

 and the Victorian Institute, the Chairman stated that at a special 

 general meeting held a fortnight ago, the subject was adjourned to 

 thismeetmg, on account of the small attendance; and he now 

 begged to suggest that the subject be referred to the council of tlie 

 society, and that they should report to a general meeting their 

 opinion as to the best course of proceeding. 



Dr. Ifila agreed with the views of the Chairman. 



Mr. Blandowski thought it better to discuss the subject at once. 

 When it was moved by R. Brough Smyih, Esq., Hon. See , and 

 seconded by Wm. Blandowski, Esq. and carried. "That six 



