XIV. 
ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 
constructed by mounting a veneer of the soil itself on a rigid background. 
The result is a striking and realistic representation of a soil section that 
exhibits an unusual distribution of two differently coloured horizons. 
The section as displayed in the field measures 30 feet long and 6 feet deep. 
Dr. Bryan suggested that this technique might have many valuable 
applications in pedology. 
Mr. 0. A. Jones exhibited a specimen of carbonised fossil wood 
embedded in welded tuff from the cliffs at Kangaroo Point. The wood 
structure is unusually well preserved and apparent to the naked eye. 
For comparison he showed other specimens from the welded tuff and 
from the bedded tuff usually found at the base of the welded tuff. The 
fossil wood so common in the bedded tuff is always of the ordinary 
silicified type and is in striking contrast to the infrequent and always 
carbonised fossil wood from the welded tuff. The carbonisation of the 
latter indicates the high temperature of the welded tuff when ejected. 
Abstract of Proceedings, 27th November, 1944. 
The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the 
Geology Department of the University on Monday, 27th November, 
at 8 p.m., with the President (Mr. F. A. Perkins) in the chair. Twenty 
members and friends were present. The minutes of the previous 
meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. Alan Earnshaw was elected to 
Ordinary Membership. 
Mr. E. T. Holdaway gave an address on the “ Determination of 
Longitude in Australia,” during the course of which he said that by 
the middle of the 18th century determinations of latitude were being 
jmade with fair accuracy, but longitude values were very erroneous. 
The observation of the transit of Yenus on 3rd June, 1769, by James 
Cook, assisted by the development of the chronometer, was a big step 
forward. A further improvement in the determination of longitude 
in Australia was attained by the observation of a transit of Yenus in 
this country in 1882, using the electric telegraph line from Greenwich 
to Sydney for the exchange of time-signals. Then in 1902 greater 
accuracy in time was obtained by means of the Pacific cable when 
Greenwich values were available via Canada. Finally, wireless time- 
signals were used, giving the value at Sydney as 10 h. 4 m. 49.19 sec. 
The earliest value at Sydney was 10 h. 4 m. 50.31 sec. ; the difference 
appears to support the idea of continental drift. 
