Proceedings of the Royal Society for the month of April, 1876

The monthly evening meeting of the Society was held on Tuesday, 11th April, His Excellency F. A. Weld, Esq., C.M.G. in the chair.
In the absence of the author a paper entitled "Notes on a new Genus of Nudibrauchiata," by the Rev. J. E. Tenison Woods, was brought before the meeting by the Secretary.
Some introductory remarks on "Contributions to the Phytography of Tasmania, Part 4," by Baron von Mueller; also, an introduction to "Notes on a new species of Vaccinium from Samoa," by the same author, were read.
The Secretary then read a communication from Mr. Calder on the language of the Aborigines of Tasmania, having previously remarked that, although Mr. Calder unfortunately was not a member, the paper was one which he was sure would be of interest to the meeting. The paper gave a list of ninety-six native words published in the Courier of the 3rd November, 1828, and referred to another published by Dr. Milligan in the Society's proceedings (Vol. 3, p. 239) containing 882 words.
His Excellency delivered an inaugural address.
General conversation took place as to the destruction of the Fern Trees on Mount Wellington, referred to in the Presidential Address. It was admitted that the destruction of these beautiful ornaments of the mountain gorges was carried on in the most wanton and barbarous manner.
To afford a display for a single evening, instead of only taking the fronds, entire trunks, the growth of many years, were ruthlessly cut down, and thus by degrees whole valleys had been robbed of their beauty, and turned into unsightly wastes. A great public injury was in fact being done, as the mountain was fast losing one of its greatest attractions.
Mr. Abbott informed the meeting that the Cork Oaks, mentioned in the address, had arrived safely at the Gardens. A considerable manner of Himalayan Rhododendrons, from the Royal Gardens, Kew, had also been received at the same time in excellent order.
Mr. Justice Dobson read an interesting paper on the "Codlin Moth" Carpocapsa pomonella.