2 
Plain/’ a paper throwing light on the geological history of this 
portion of the State. 
Mr. J. S. Battye’s paper on “Causes which led to the Col- 
onisation of Western Australia” was a valuable contribution 1o 
the history of our State, and brought before us the need ut some 
organisation to save from oblivion many of the interesting docu- 
ments, sketches, photographs and data concerning the early settle- 
ment of the Colony. As the number of the early settlers is rapidly 
decreasing, effort s should be made to collect and sort out historic 
data before it is too late. 
Mr. \Y. Kingsmill brought before the Society the subject of 
•• Acclimatisation and the very interesting work which has been 
carried out under his directions. This work is not only of great 
interest but is also of economic value to the State, and it is to be 
regretted that it is so little known or appreciated by the public. 
“Some aspects of Town Manning” was the subject of a paper 
by Mr. W. A. Saw, a subject which is slowly but surely being 
realised as an important factor in our lives. The improvement in 
environment must increase the health and happiness of the com- 
munity, and minimise the production of the criminal element. In 
the building up of our towns and cities we all realise the necessity 
to prevent the growth of slum conditions. 
Professor Dakin’s paper on his investigations into a serious 
form of sheep disease dealt with a subject of considerable import- 
ance and economic value to the State. 
A paper by Mr. A. R. L. Wright on “Houses in Western Aus- 
tralia” dealt with a subject which is of general interest. The 
climate and other conditions naturally must affect the design and 
arrangements of our homes. 
One of the most interesting papers read during the session 
was presented by Mr. D. A. Herbert on the “Xuylsia floribunda , its 
structure and its parasitism,” m which lie pointed out its para- 
sitical functions, and at last cleared up the mystery which has 
surrounded this well known tree for so many years. 
The last paper of the session was read by Professor Ross on 
“Light and the Ether” in which he explained the interesting 
theory recently advanced Avhieh threw doubt on the usually 
accepted theory that a ray of light travels through the ether of 
space in a straight line, and the especial interest in this year’s 
Solar Eclipse, in the attempt of astronomers to answer this 
question. 
I think the Society may be congratulated on this list of 
papers, and I trust that in the future we may have many papers of 
a similar nature affecting this land of ours, which is rich in rare 
and interesting subjects. No time should he lost in collecting data, 
as much of the fauna and flora is rapidly disappearing before 
what we are pleased to call civilisation. 
