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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 27

The Eoyal Society of Tasmania

The Eoyal Society of Tasmania.

A monthly meeting of this Society, the first of the present session, was held at the Museum, on Monday, April 17, Mr. Justin McC. Brown in the chair.

Mr. W. F. Ward, Government Analyst, who had previously been nominated by the Council, was balloted for, and declared unanimously elected as a Fellow of the Society.

The Hon. Secretary (Mr. Barnard) brought forward the usual returns.

The Secretary called special attention to the extent and value of the donation (No. 10), from the Trustees of the Australian Museum, as an act of great liberality, especially coupled with the promise of a future gift of skins of New Guinea Birds, whenever mounted specimens are available for the purpose. "In exchange, the Trustees page 115 would be glad to receive skins or skeletons of Thylacines (Native Tigers), and skulls or skeletons of small Whales; also fresh-water Fishes and Crustaceans."

The Secretary read a letter from Baron F. von Mueller, K.C.M.G., with a short paper, entitled, "Remarks on the Vegetation of King's Island."

Mr. R. M. Johnston, F.L.S., followed with a "Note and Description of the first discovered representative of the Genus Pupa in Tasmania," with a drawing of the Shell.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the writers of the papers, and to the donors to the Museum, making especial mention of the presentation of Birds from the Australian Museum, and of Shells from Miss Lodder.

At 8 o'clock the members adjourned to the upper rooms of the Museum, when an exhibition of the telephone took place, at which a number of ladies were present by invitation. Mr. R. Henry, the superintendent of telegraphs, conducted the proceedings, and commenced by giving a lucid and interesting description of the construction and uses of the instrument. Communication was made with Pearson's Point, Mount Nelson, and Battery Point; the extreme distance traversed being about 20 miles. The experiments were very successful, and afforded much gratification to those who witnessed them. Twelve telephones were employed on the occasion, by which means the various messages and replies were made audible to a number of persons simultaneously. In addition to conversation held between the several stations, music and singing were introduced, the airs being distinctly heard in the room.

In conclusion, Mr. Henry gave explanations of the working of the phonograph and microphone, which were attentively listened to.