494 Proceedings. 
a depth of 240 feet by Z, Williams, at the Mersey River, and which will 
probably be found identical, in geological position, with the spiriferous 
clay-rock and limestone underlying the coal measures; also three cases of 
insects and three cases of shells, all in fine condition. 
The Secretary reported receipt at the Society’s Gardens of three cases 
of plants, from Messrs. Lee of Hammersmith, per Abberton. Out of 23 
plants contained in the first case—chiefly camellias, rhododendrons, and 
azaleas—eight were found dead ; out of a varied and choice assortment of 
23 plants contained in the second case, sixteen were alive; and the third, 
containing, with some select sorts of rose, the newest and most choice 
varicties of fruit-trees—namely, apple, pear, plum, cherry, currant, goose- 
bery, and raspberry—are in so sickly a condition that few, if any, will 
survive. 
The receipt of a case containing 24 plants, ex Abberton, from Captain 
Goldsmith, was reported. Of these, six only have survived—namely, 
3 varieties of Camellia, 2 varieties of Francisca, and 1 Scutellaria. 
The Secretary read a note presenting, in the name of the Hon. Colonel 
Butterworth, a case containing 33 plants from Singapore—namely, 7 Ne- 
penthes ampullaria, 14 Nepenthes Rafflesia, 2 Hypericum monogynum, 
4 Luphorbium splendens, 2 Inxora coccinea, 2 Gardenia Fortuni, 1 Hoya 
Imperialis (dead), and 1 Arundina, a fine Orchid—said by Mrs, Butter- 
worth to thrive at an elevation of 2000 to 3000 feet at Mount Ophir. 
A short paper by R. C, Gunn, Esq., F.L.S., was read upon the extent to 
which identity of vegetable forms is found to exist in the Islands of New 
Zealand and Tasmania, so far as may be gathered from Part 1 of the “ Flora 
of New Zealand,” by Jos. D. Hooker, M.D. R.N., F.RB.8., &c.,—in which 
Mr. Gunn alludes to the remarkable fact that the two genera of plants, 
Eucalyptus and Acacia, which are so abundantly prevalent throughout the 
Australias as to give a character to its vegetation and landscape, are in 
New Zealand altogether absent. 
The Secretary read the annexed report by W. J. Macquorn Rankine, 
Esq., C.E., F.R.S.E,, F.R.8.8.A4., &c., on the practicability and probable 
cost of establishing an Electric Telegraph between Hobart Town and. 
Launceston, and thence to Cape Portland—to be continued to Melbourne, 
Geelong, and Ade]aide on one hand, and to Sydney on the other. * 
The cost of the Hobart Town and Launceston line, it will be seen, is 
estimated at about £3500. Allowing for the alteration which has taken 
place in the price of labour and materials here, the actual cost would pro- 
bably scarcely exceed £5000, practical facilities for construction being pre- 
sented along the cleared margin of the main line of road. It is understood 
that there exists large tracts of naturally clear ground between Cape Port- 
land and Launceston, along which no great difficulty would be experienced 
or expense incurred in suspending a wire free from chances of rupture. 
The difficulty of sinking the electric cable from island to island, between 
Cape Portland and Wilson’s Promontory, would not be formidable; and 
for the rest, whatever its magnitude, the rapidly accumulating capital and 
vast resources of the adjoining colonies would be more than adequate. 
