Proceedings of the Royal Society for the month of July, 1885.

Abstract

The monthly evening meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania was held on Tuesday evening, Mr. James Barnard, Vice-president, occupying the chair. There were fifty-six Fellows in attendance, amongst those present being the Bishop of Tasmania (Dr. Sandford), the Acting- Chief Justice (Hon. W. R. Giblin), and several ladies. Dr. A. Bingham Crowther and Mr. R. R. Rex were re-elected Fellows of the Society. Owing to the indisposition of the Hon. Secretary, for whose absence the Chairman apologised, the Curator of the Museum brought forward the usual returns including additions to the library, presentations to the museum. Mr. W. F. Ward, A.E.S.M., Government Analyst, read the following paper on the Impurities of Water in Relation to Typhoid Fever. Mr. C. J. Atkins read some notes on the sea-worm Synapta, illustrated by Polarized Light. A most interesting feature of the evening's proceedings was the microscopic exhibition. Mr. Atkins' very fine Ross instrument was used for the display of the various features of the Synapta suriniensis referred to in his paper, their peculiar formation and anchor-like appendages creating much wonderment. On the table was exhibited an oil painting of an English salmon by S. Rolfe, the celebrated fish artist, who is familiarly known as the Landseer among fishes. Dr. H. A. Perkins, said that no doubt the Fellows were aware that a Public Health Bill was shortly to be introduced by the Government, but he was sorry to see that the power in some cases to deal with this important matter was to be left in local hands, which, in his opinion, would not tend to work satisfactorily