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Minutes of the 
brought down by the stream from the volcanic mountain Tonga- 
riro. Mr. Gunn also exhibited a specimen of the Pumice which 
is occasionally washed ashore upon the islands in Bass’s strait, 
and from the similarity of structure and appearance, Mr. Gunn 
thought it probable that these latter pieces came from New 
Zealand, and that they indicated a westerly direction in the cur¬ 
rent of the ocean. 
W. H. Breton, Esq., drew the attention of the members to the 
following extract from the “ Proceedings of the British Associa¬ 
tion for the advancement of Science, held at Southampton, in 
September, 1846,” as published in the Hampshire Advertiser, 
recently received. 
“The Tasmanians, a paper, by R. H. Davies, Esq., was 
read, (published in the Tasmanian Journal, vol. ii, page 409) 
on the above race, who command so much interest as having 
been extirpated from their country, and sent to Flinder’s Island, 
within these few years. It contained some curious information 
respecting this race; for instance, the writer stated that he had 
seen an unweaned infant smoking a pipe, and that a woman 
would eat from fifty to sixty eggs, larger than a duck’s, at one 
meal. 
“The Chairman (Dr. It. G. Latham) stated, that among them 
there were to be found traces of four distinct languages, and that 
they were altogether distinct in race from the people of Australia. 
“ A conversation arose on the reading of tins paper, as to the 
effect of that climate on the digestive organs. 
“ Mr. Ogilby slated it to be no uncommon circumstance for an 
individual, at a single meal, to eat 12 lbs. of meat, and wash it 
down with a gallon of train oil. These were, however, only 
occasional gorges. 
“ Dr. King stated that he had himself, while in that climate, 
eaten as much as 10 lbs. at a single meal.” 
Mr. Breton observed that Mr. Ogilby must surely have meant 
his remarks to apply to the aborigines of some other country, as 
those of Tasmania never had the opportunity of obtaining train 
oil. Nor could he admit that the climate is more conducive to 
increase of appetite than that of any other country, though 
unquestionably the labouring classes consume a large quantity 
of animal food as compared with the same classes in Britain. It 
must, however, be borne in mind that animal food is more easily 
obtained in Van Diemen’s Land. 
Lieut. M. C. Friend, R.N., produced a striated cube of Sul- 
phuret of Iron, from King’s Island, Bass’s Straits, obtained by 
him from a sealer. 
Some specimens of a very curious Polype ? obtained by Mr. 
Gunn at low water off the rocks at Brown’s River, 8 miles south 
from Hobart Town, were exhibited. They bore externally a very 
