2G0 
THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 
On Tuesday, tlie 6th July, the Pharmaceutical Society of South Australia held 
its monthly meeting at the Society's Room, Ring William- street. There was a 
good attendance of members, the president (Mr. Harrison) being in the chair. 
The minutes of the previous meeting having been adopted, and an application 
for membership referred to the next meeting, the matter of the Pharmaceu- 
tical Conference in Melbourne was again discussed, and it was resolved that 
an expression of concurrence with the objects of the conference should be 
made. Accordingly Mr. Sowter moved, and Air. Parker seconded — “ That this 
Society approves of, and concurs with, the objects of the proposed Pharma- 
ceutical Conference." 
Mr. Parker, in seconding the motion, spoke of the advanced and flourishing 
condition of the Pharmaceutical Society in Victoria, and mentioned the kindly 
help that had been rendered by that body to the South Australian Society. 
Mr. White, in supporting it, said that, of course, all were agreed as to the 
advisability of uniformity in pharmaceutical legislation, education, &c., and that, 
therefore, the objects of the Melbourne Conference commended themselves to all. 
The motion was carried unanimously. 
The president then called attention to the approaching preliminary examina- 
tion, and mentioned Mr. Hopkins, a gentleman of considerable scholastic 
attainments, as a suitable examiner, and after a short discussion it was proposed 
by Mr. Sowter, and seconded by Mr. Main — “That Mr. Hopkins be appointed 
examiner for the preliminary examination to be held on 15th July.” Carried. 
Messrs. Porter and Sowter having declined appointment on the sub-commitee 
nominated at the last meeting, Air. Wood, of Rundle- street, was nominated to 
fill the vacancy. 
Some other business of an unimportant character closed the meeting. 
At a committee meeting of the Society a valuable collection of dried plants, 
which had been presented to the Society by Air. Fryer, called forth many remarks 
appreciative of the kindness of the giver and the worth of the gift, the president 
and other members of the committee speaking of the orderly arrangement and 
good state of preservation of the various specimens. Mr. Fryer has now left 
for Melbourne, and South Australian pharmacy has sustained a loss by his 
departure, as he is a gentleman of high standing both as a pharmacist and chemist. 
An interesting expedition of Government officials and gentlemen experts to 
the Ninety-mile Desert, with the object of ascertaining what useful trees 
and plants could be grown there, took place on 23rd and 24th June. 
The result of the inspection of the country was that possibly olives, vines, 
wattles, pines, carobs, mangold, cloves, &c., could be grown in various parts, 
and in some places even fruit trees and vegetables. One important suggestion, 
the report states, was made by Mr. William Murray, namely, that nearly the 
whole of the country gone over is suitable for flower-farming— that is, for the 
production of lavender, mint, sage, rosemary, thyme, savory, marjoram, basil, 
and such plants, from which essential oils could be distilled. Such plants, he 
thinks, would not be attacked by rabbits or other vermin. The cultivation of 
these plants would, no doubt, prove eventually a valuable industry, and anyone 
who initiates such a work will greatly benefit the colony. Surely, with a climate 
so suitable, the time must come when Australia will compete with European 
countries in the production of essential and other oils, and possibly drugs. The 
olive grows well here, the castor tree profusely, and almonds seem to flourish 
