74 
Miscellanea. 
RESIN OF XANTHORRHCEA. 
Chemical Society, Nov. 17, 1845.—J. T. Cooper, Esq., V.P., 
in the Chair. 
A paper was read, “ on the Resin of the Xanthorrhcea hastile,” 
by Dr. J. Stenhouse. This is the substance known in commerce 
as the resin of Botany Bay, and is collected in considerable quan¬ 
tity in the neighbourhood of Sydney. Besides a peculiar resin, 
it contains very sensible quantities of cinnamic and benzoic acids, 
and a small quantity of a volatile essential oil, to which it appears 
to owe its balsamic characters. Treated with nitric acid, it yields 
carbazotic acid so abundantly as to recommend it as a source of 
that acid.— Athenceum, No. 947, 20 th Dec., 1845. 
MINUTES OF THE TASMANIAN SOCIETY. 
February 25, 1846. 
Read a paper “ On Microscopic Life in the Ocean at the South 
Pole, and at considerable depths, by Professor Ehrenberg,” as 
published in the Annals of Natural History, vol. xiv. p. 169. 
Lieut. W. H. Breton exhibited numerous specimens of Spheeria 
Robertsii with the stipes branched or binate; and one specimen 
with an undeveloped stipes growing out of the tail of the cater¬ 
pillar, as well as one from the back of the head. These were all 
from New Zealand. 
Mr. Breton also exhibited various interesting specimens of 
rocks and minerals from New Zealand and Adelaide. 
Mr. R. C. Gunn produced some bottles of the mineral waters 
from Circular Head, which were analysed by M. de Strzelecki, as 
detailed at p. 77, vol. i. Tasmanian Journal. 
March 25, 1846. 
Read extracts from a letter from Dr. E. C. Hobson, dated 
Melbourne, Port Phillip, 11th Feb., 1846, to Mr. R. C. Gunn, 
relative to the Geology of a portion of the Port Phillip district: 
“ Since writing you I have visited the Necropolis at Lake 
Colingoolac (which is the aboriginal name for Lloyd’s Lake;) but 
from the fossil bones being scattered over a wide surface, and not 
