390 
Miscellanea. 
By the south pole of the sun is to be understood that point on 
the sun’s circumference, where a circle passing through the poles 
of the heavens and the sun’s centre, intersects the sun’s circum¬ 
ference on its southern side. 
By the vertex of the sun, is to be understood that point of the 
sun’s circumference, where a circle passing through the zenith of 
the place of observation and the sun’s centre, intersects the cir¬ 
cumference on its upper limb. 
This latter is more easily understood by persons who may not 
have paid much attention to astronomical subjects. 
All that is required for the purpose of observing this eclipse, is 
to note accurately the contact of the limbs, at beginning and 
ending, with a chronometer, whose error, or apparent or mean 
time at the place of observation, is very accurately known ; and 
that the observer may not be fatigued with long watching, the 
times of these contacts, given in the commencement of this 
paper, may be relied on to within very small limits. For obvious 
reasons, the observation at the ending will be the most valuable 
and the most easily made. Telescopes of very high power are 
not required for the purpose. 
J. H. K. 
MINUTES OF THE TASMANIAN SOCIETY. 
April 2, 1845. 
Read a paper by the Rev. J. P. Gell u On the first Discovery of 
Tasmania by Tasman, in 1642.” (Printed at page 321, vol. ii of 
the Tasmanian Journal.) 
Lieut W. H. Breton, R.N., exhibited numerous specimens of a 
fossil Isocardium ? found on Grass-tree-hill, near Richmond. Mr. 
Breton observed that the sandstone formation in which these 
shells occurred appeared on both sides of the summit of the hill, 
and that he had not found it in any other part of the colony. 
Some of the specimens were very large, and Mr. Breton stated 
that he had sent a number of them to the geological society of 
London. 
The secretary read an extract from the address of the president 
of the Royal Geographical Society, on the progress of discovery 
in Australia. 
A letter from Joseph Milligan, Esq. was read, wherein he dc- 
