205 



NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



Ml-. D. G. Stead exhibited two specimens of the rather 

 uiicoinmon "Doctor''- or ^^Snrgeon^^-Fifih, Prionurus microle2ndotus, 

 Lacep,, (so-called on account of the keeled, sharp, bony jDlates 

 running along each side of the tail, which are used for purposes 

 of offence and defence). These were both procured from Port 

 Jackson by means of the trammel net. This means of capture is 

 worth}" of note, as there is only one man at present using this 

 kind of net in Port Jackson. It will be of interest to record 

 that the contents of the intestinal tracts of both fishes consisted 

 of the remains of two or three species of Fucus-like seaweeds, 

 for the plucking of which the curiously denticulated teeth are 

 splendidly adapted. He also showed a specimen of the " Flute- 

 mouth " (Fistularia serrata, Cuv.), also from Port Jackson. 

 Although the mouth of this curious fish is only J inch in length 

 as compared with a snout SJ inches long, the stomach contained 

 a small fish 2 inches long, which could not be determined, as all 

 the external portion had been digested. 



Mr. Froggatt exhibited specimens and photographs of Aus- 

 tralian fleas, in illustration of the well known fact that members 

 of the Siphonaptera often li\e upon animals of different species, 

 and of diverse habits. The largest known flea, Hystrichopsylla 

 talpcSy described from the mole, is common upon the field-mouse, 

 and in the nest of humble bees whither field-mice go in order to 

 feed upon the bees' nests. One of the most peculiar Australian 

 species, Echidnojohaga ambulans, was described from an Echidna 

 by Mr. Olliff (Proceedings of this Society, 1886). The specimens 

 of this species now exhibited were recently received from Mr. 

 Steel, and were caught upon a native cat {Dasyurus). Mr. 

 Turner, of Mackay, had lately sent him the exhibited photographs 

 of a flea taken upon a bandicoot [Perameles), which agreed with 

 Mr. Skuse's description of Ste2:)hanocircus dasyuri, taken upon a 

 native cat. 



