27 
August i, 1885.] The Australasian Scientific Magazine. 
advanced to completion as an establishment of the industry in the 
United States, we may expect Texas to add another very lucrative 
branch of soil operations to her cotton fields, her vast cattle ranches, sheep 
and goat walks, sugar plantations, her timber forests, and thriving 
agriculture generally. With trade and transportation facilitating the move- 
ments of various industries, there is nothing to prevent Lower Texas from 
assuming position as the most inviting and remunerative seaboard stretch 
of our Republic. Ostrich farming, developed as it may be, will constitute 
no light interest, even though its weight may be only feathers, and if Texas 
shall in the near future supply some 20,000 of American wives and 
daughters with bird plumage, now commanding from three dollars to 
twenty dollars a feather, our extreme South-Western States may plume 
herself on profitable trade to come.” 
The fact that ostrich farming must, to make it pay, be carried on in a 
climate and under weather and soil conditions admirably adapted to other 
lucrative agricultural industries, and one thoroughly healthy and enjoyable 
to the settler so engaged, should make it desirable from every point of 
view. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES . 
VICTORIA. 
The Geological Society of Australasia. 
The monthly meeting of the Geological Society was held at their offices, 
Phoenix Chambers, Market Street, on Friday, the 3rd July, in the after- 
noon. Mr. A. C. Macdonald occupied the chair, and there was a large 
attendance of members. Baron F. von Mueller was elected one of the 
Vice-Presidents, and Dr. T. S. Bulmer a member ot the Council. The 
Hon. Secretary (Mr. R. T. Litton) read correspondence from His Excel- 
lency the Governor, accepting the position of patron to the Society ; a 
letter also was read, written by him to the South Australian Register , urging 
the South Australians to establish a branch in Adelaide, and a leading article 
in the same journal, warmly seconding the letter. The Hon. Ed. F. Litton, 
M.A., Q.C., etc,, of Dublin, and Colonel Brooke, R.E., etc., were unani- 
mously elected honorary members ; and the following gentlemen ordinary 
