Oct. i, 1885.] The Australasian Scientific Magazine. 113 
Phoenix Chambers, Market Street. Mr. R. T. Litton, F.N.S., occupied 
the chair. There was a good attendance of members present. A letter 
from the Honorary Secretary of the Historical Society of Australasia was 
read, in which they invited the members of the Bibliographical Society of 
Australasia to amalgamate with them as their objects were almost identical. 
After a prolonged discussion, it was decided that the Honorary Secretary 
be requested to write to the Historical Society to ask for more definite 
terms, and would it be possible for the Councils to amalgamate with each 
other. The following gentlemen were elected provisionally as members of 
the Society: — Messrs. T. F. Phillips,, T. S. Bulmer, M.D., Robert 
Thomson, F.T.A., Richard Raw, James Stirling, F. L.S., F.G.S., etc., H. 
M'Kenzie, and James M’D. Larnach. The Hon. E. J. Barclay, Secretary 
of State of the Liberian Republic, was elected an honorary member. 
Messrs. Stirling, Bulmer, Larnach, and 'Thomson as members of the 
Council provisionally. The proceedings then terminated. 
The Geographical Society of Australasia. 
The fourth ordinary meeting of the Victorian branch of the Geographical 
Society of Australasia was held on Friday night, the 4th of September, at 
Gunsler’s Cafe, Baron von Mueller, the president of the society, occupying 
the chair. A considerable number of ladies and gentlemen were 
present, 
WESTERN TASMANIA. 
Mr. G. S. Griffith (for Mr. C. P. Sprent, deputy surveyor-general of Tas- 
mania), read a paper entitled “ Explorations in Western Tasmania.” The 
writer described the many difficulties encountered in exploring in Western 
Tasmania, through the mountainous and scrubby nature of the country, 
and then gave short accounts of various explorations he had made through 
different parts of that side of the island. The highest mountains in it were 
about 5000 ft. high, and the rivers were numerous. The flora was interest- 
ing and varied, including some very valuable timber trees. The animal 
kingdom was badly represented so far as numbers went, but there was 
plenty of variety. The only eatable animals were the wombat and the 
badger, but although there was little game, there was plenty ot vermin — par- 
ticularly tiger-cats — the most destructive beasts imaginable. During the 
summer months a few fish could be obtained in the rivers, and crayfish 
could be caught on the coasts, but the sea was generally too rough to 
allow the pastime or occupation of fishing to be followed. The results of 
mining and prospecting in Mount Bischoff and Mount Heemskirk were 
referred to, and it was stated that gold was found in almost all localities on 
the western coast — in some parts in payable quantities. The other mineral 
resources of the country were mentioned, and the writer concluded his 
paper by stating that the future prosperity of the wrnst coast of Tasmania 
depended upon the value of its mineral resources ; and although present 
prospects were not so bright as they were a few years ago, he considered 
that its resources were destined to convert its wild and desolate regions 
into scenes of busy industry and the dwelling-places of a prosperous com- 
munity of miners. 
