2. “On the Stone Period of South Africa,” by Dr. Comrie, of H.M.S. “Dido.”

The author gave an account of implements and remains belonging to the stone period at the Cape of Good Hope, and specimens were laid on the table. They were of two kinds: Stone flakes found in circular cooking-places: and shells, and bones of animals that had been used as food, cemented into a breccia, in caves 200 feet above sea-level. The author considered that neither belonged necessarily to a period of great antiquity, and quoted accounts of the condition of the natives at the Cape by the first European discoverers, to show that their habits were such as would account for these remains, although the tribes having such habits have entirely disappeared.

The President pointed out the similarity of certain circular stone implements perforated with a hole, which were in Dr. Comrie's collection, to those in the Colonial Museum from Denmark, and also to some still in use in North Queensland, which have been presented by his Excellency Sir George Bowen.

3. A beautiful collection of ores and products, prepared from minerals obtained in the province of Nelson, was exhibited and explained by Mr. Tatton. There was also on the table a fine collection of tin ores, from New South Wales, presented by Mr. T. Beck.