58 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST OF AUSTRALASIA. Apr. 1st, 1886. 
found in Ipecac, wine \vas not considered detrimental to the 
activity of the wine in its medical sense; he was also of opinion 
tliat percolation was the best method of preparation, the 
Ipecac, to be reduced to a rough powder, then packed in the 
percolator, and, after moistening it with acetic acid, add the 
proper proportions of water and spirits according to the phar- 
macopoeia. 
The Society’s gold medal and the President’s prize to the 
most successful student of the year, were next presented by 
Mr. Bowen (accompanied by a short genial speech), to Mr. Paul 
Ward Farmer. Mr. Farmer responded with a few well chosen 
words. He said that the presentation was entirely unexpected, 
as he did not consider himself worthy of it, and although aim- 
ing at a higher position than that of a Pharmaceutical Chemist, 
he had to thank his teachers for the proud position he held 
that evening, and he would always in his future medical 
studies remember the kindnesses he had received at the College 
of Pharmacy, and he would also continue to take a great 
hiterest in Pharmacy. 
The gold medal is a handsome coin, bearing on the obverse, 
“Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria, established MDCCCLVII., 
and on the reverse, “ Paul Ward Farmer, Dux. 1885.” 
The President’s prize consisted of three handsome volumes, 
“Buckle’s History of Civilization in England.” 
No other business worthy of note being brought forward, the 
President, Mr. Bowen, then read his valedictory address, which 
was short, felicitous, and to the point. He reviewed the pro- 
gress of Pharmacy in Victoria as well as the transactions of 
the past year, and stated that everything w’as very satisfactory, 
the large number of students attending the College being par- 
ticularly BO, and he impressed upon them (the students) the 
necessity for diligence and perseverence so as to enable them 
to climb the hill of science, and get out on their profession. 
He further remarked that 108 men had passed the modified 
examination; 48 the major, and 312 the preliminary, since the 
establishment of the Society; and that there was a credit 
balance to the Society of £4,357, on which the Society was to 
be congratulated. 
Mr. Bowen also stated that to Mr. H. Shillinglaw, the 
Honorary Secretary, who had held that position for a great 
many years, the thanks of the members were due, as in a great 
measure it was owing to the creditable manner in which that 
gentleman had carried out his honorary duties, that the Society 
was in the flourishing condition in which it now stood. 
The President, in concluding his address, added that he re- 
gretted that he would not have the pleasure of meeting them 
again for some time, as he was leaving for England, but whilst 
there he would do everything in his power to forward the 
interests of Pharmacy, and of the Pharmaceutical Society of 
Australasia in particular. 
The meeting was then brought to a close by the chairman 
announcing that an adjournment would be made to the Maison 
Dor5e, where a supper, provided in the usual Continental 
style, was partaken of by about thirty members of the Society 
(including some from the country), who highly appreciated it. 
The evenings’ entertainment was interspersed with numerous 
songs and recitations. After a very pleasant evening, the 
company broke up at about 11.30, thus terminating the annual 
meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australasia for 1886. 
[Note, — We think it right to say that our representative was 
twice refused admission to the above annual meeting by the 
secretary of the Society, yet we believe we have published a 
good and correct report of the proceedings. This report was 
received on the 11th ult.— Ed. C. & D. of Australasia.] 
THE EOYAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. 
The^ annual meeting of the Royal Society was held in the 
Societies’ Hall on March 12. Professor Kernot (the president 
of the society) occupying the chair. 
ANNUAL REPORT. 
The annual report of the council of the society was read by 
Mr. G, W. Selby, the hon. secretary. There had been received 
for the library during the year 85 volumes and 518 parts of 
scientific publications. The council had continued the binding 
of the valuable scientific journals and magazines which had 
for some years past been accumulating. 
The balance-sheet, which was also read, showed that the 
income of the society during the year had been £1,016 15s. 5d 
The expenditure amounted to £354 Os. 7d.; and there was a 
balance left in the bank amounting to £662 14s. lOd. 
The report and balance-sheet were adopted. j 
The retiring office-bearers were re-elected with the exception 
of Mr. A. Sutherland, one of the hon. secretaries, wlio resigned 
his office in consequence of being unable to carry out its duties 
through press of other engagements. 
Mr. H. K. Rusden was then nominated to act as honorary 
secretary with Mr. G. W. Selby, re-elected. 
Dr. Neild proposed, and Mr. W. H. Steel seconded, a motion 
conveying the thinks of the society to Mr. Sutherland for the 
very valuable services which he had rendered to it for a number 
of years past as its honorary secretary. 
The motion was carried, and entered on the minutes of the 
society. 
The annual meeting then closed, and an ordinary monthly 
meeting was held. 
POLYZOA. 
_A paper, forwarded by Dr. M‘Gillivray, entitled “New or 
Little-known Polyzoa, Part X.,” was laid on the table for the 
purpose of being printed. 
OCEANIC LANGUAGES. 
Mr. A. Sutherland, for the Rev- D. Macdonald, of Havannah 
Harbour, Efate, read extracts from two papers on “ Oceanic 
Languages,” and stated that the object of the author of the 
papers was to prove that the languages of Oceanica were all of 
Semitic relationship. 
It was agreed that the paper should be printed. 
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OP VICTORIA. 
The ordinary monthly meeting of the Field Naturalists’ Club 
was held last month at the Royal Society’s Hall as usual. The 
president, the Rev. J. J. Halley, occupied the chair, and about 
fifty members and visitors were present. 
The hon. librarian acknowledged the receipt of Proceedings 
of the Royal Society of Tasmania for 1885. 
Dr. Springthorpe and Mr. L. N. Shepherd were elected 
members of the club. 
A paper was read by Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith, entitled “ Notes 
on the Eagle,” in which he gave short descriptions of the 
principal species of this bird, and mentioned instances of their 
great longevity, size, &c. Miss Campbell contributed a very 
interesting paper on “Edible Victorian Fungi,” in which she 
described ten species of fungi, which are usually regarded as 
poisonous. Specimens of each species were exhibited, and the 
paper created some little discussion. 
Amongst other interesting exhibits were:— By Mr. J. P. 
Chirnside, gum with insects imbedded, from Central Africa; 
by Mr. G. Coghill, orchid in bloom; by Messrs. Hall and Hill, 
water beetles and moths; by Mr. H. Kennon, large mussel 
shell from Fiji; by Mr. D. M‘Alpine, anatomical specimens 
Tir M'Kibbin 170 species of coleoptera ; 
by Mr. F. Reader, plants collected around Warragul; and by 
Mr. S. H. Winkle, giant topaz from Tasmania. The meeting 
terminated with a conversazione. 
COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION OF 
VICTORIA. 
At the meeting of this Council, held on March 16tli in one 
of the library rooms at Parliament-house, a tender was accepted 
for buildings at the Dookie Model Farm, this being a pre- 
paratory step for the reception of students at that place. The 
amount of the tender was £2,095. Mr. Herdman, the manager 
of the Doolae Model Farm, tendered his resignation, as he 
was of opinion that the Council, having acquired control of 
the place, should have the right to appoint their own manager. 
Applications for the position from practical agriculturists will 
be invited. 
ROYAL COMMISSION ON VEGETABLE PRODUCTS 
IN VICTORIA. 
At this commission, which met on the 16th ult., the secretary 
stated that representative witnesses from South Australia, 
New Zealand, and Tasmania, had responded to the invitation 
of the commission to attend and give evidence, and that upon 
their arrival he would call a meeting of the commission. Mr. 
W. Madden stated that he had received a list of imported 
goods from the Customs department, showing that vegetable 
products to the value of two millions sterling were annually 
brought into the colony. He moved that the list should be 
forwarded to Baron von Mueller for his opinion as to how 
many of the products mentioned could be grown in the colony. 
The motion was agreed to, and the commission then adjourned. 
