Proceedings of the Royal Society for the month of June, 1877

The monthly evening meeting of the Society was held on Tuesday.
12th June. The Right Revd. the Bishop of Tasmania in the chair.
In reference to a question which had been brought forward at a late meeting of the Society, namely, the alleged sanitary influence of the Blue Gum tree (Eucalyptus globulus), Dr. Agnew mentioned that certain experiments had been recently conducted at home by Mr. C. T. Kingzett, F.C.S., etc., which might possibly assist in throwing some light on the subject. In a lecture delivered before the Society of Arts in February last, Mr. Kingzett showed that the slow oxidation of certain turpentine’s, with which the essential oil of the Blue Gum is virtually identical in chemical composition, give rise to two very active sanitary products; one, the peroxide of hydrogen, well-known as a most potent disinfectant; the other camphoric acid, a powerful antiseptic.
Mr. F. Abbott, F.R.A.S., read a lengthened paper on "The Modern Progress of Astronomy." Being necessarily a resume the paper did not invite or call for discussion.
The Rev. W. W. Spicer, F.R.M.S., read a paper "On the occurrence of 'Ergot' on Rye-grass." Sir James Wilson was sure every one present would agree with him in thinking that not only this Society, but many others to which we have sent our Meteorological Tables, were much indebted to Mr. Abbott for his unwearying attention, extending over a period of about 30 years, to meteorological observation.