510 



NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



Mr. Maiden exhibited a gum new to science, viz., that of Panax 

 dendroides, F.v.M., var. angusta from the Snowy River. 



Mr. Palmer exhibited portions of a Loranthus parasitic upon a 

 pear-tree, showing in an interesting manner some of the structural 

 peculiarities of the plant. Also, examples of the foliage of a 

 cultivated Eugenia infested with Homopterous insects, (probably 

 Psyllidce) ; and he stated that a native Eugenia in the bush 

 about Sydney at the present time is also similarly attacked. 



Mr. Froggatt exhibited some larvae of an undetermined species 

 of saw-fly, received from Mr. French, which are destroying the 

 tanning wattle, Acacia decurrens, about Melbourne. They not 

 only destroy the leaves, but also gnaw the bark, soon killing the 

 trees. The pest was locally known as " Fire-blight," until 

 Mr. French, the Government Entomologist of Victoria, discovered 

 and recognised the small grubs.* 



Mr. OllifF exhibited an interesting collection of insects from 

 Queensland. 



Mr. Fletcher showed specimens of a small worm (family T^thi- 

 ficidce) which, like the remarkable trematode ( Temnocephala ) 

 described by Dr. Haswell, lives as a commensal upon Astacopsis 

 serratus. 



Some discussion then took place as to the meaning of the now 

 universally adopted term " kangaroo," namely whether, as has 

 recently been reported, in the dialect of the blacks of the 

 Endeavour River the word signified " I don't know " and was so 

 used in answer to the queries of Captain Cook's party, or whether 

 as Cook supposed it really was the name of the animal in use 

 among the aborigines of the locality. 



Mr. North exhibited specimens of Malurus in different stages 

 of ])lumage as referred to in his paper. 



* The attempt to breed perfect insects from the Iarva3 exhibited was 

 unsuccessful. Mr. French, however, succeeded witli another batch, and 

 he subsequently sent M'ord to the effect that they turn out to be larvae of a 

 beetle, and not of a saw-fly as was supposed. The beetle in question is a 

 Paropsis, probably P. orphana, Cr. [Ed.) 



