506 NOTKS AND EXHIBITS. 



Mr. Fred Turner exhibited and offered observations on Pani- 

 Giim didactj/lnm Kunth, (Syns. Panicnm hicnrne Sieb., Diyitnria 

 distarhyum Bojer , and D. didacfi/Ia Willd.), the exotic "Bkie 

 Couch," which is said to have caused the deatlis of a number of 

 pasture animals near Muswellbrook, Upper Hunter, N.S.W., in 

 1907, as reported in the newspapers. The inflorescence of tbis 

 grass is sometimes infested with a fungoid growth, and the 

 " mysterious " deaths of stock might perhaps be more reasonably 

 attributed to such a source. The exotic Blue Couch is different 

 from the native gi'ass bearing the same vernacular name (Pcn^pa- 

 lum hrevifolium Fliigge); and may have been accidentallv 

 introduced into Australia from Mauritius, in the early tradinig; 

 days. It has long been established in Queensland. 



Mr. Froggatt exhibited a small collection of named Australian 

 biting flies (Fam. Tahauidfi') comprising Tabanus cowco/or AValk., 

 T. uigropictu.^ Meig., 7'. ardens Meig., T. reyis-georgii Macq., T. 

 ahstersus Walk., T. pdenfnhis Macq., T. hrevidentatns Macq., T. 

 jack.sunii, Macq., and 7'. gregarius Erichs., and he pointed out 

 the necessity for a satisfactory knowledge of this group of the 

 Diptei'a, especially in its bearing on the investigation of tropical 

 diseases. 



