NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 605 



harmonising well with its surroundings. A few weeks ago, some 

 specimens were taken from the roots of some detached reed- 

 clumps. These roots had turned a bright red colour, and the 

 larvae clinging to them were found to have the ventral surface of 

 the labium, thorax, legs, and abdomen bright red, exactly the 

 same colour as the roots to which they were clinging. Other 

 specimens taken close by, on living water-weed, were of the usual 

 greenish colour. It was suggested that these larvae possess 

 pigment-cells which, after an ecdysis, reproduce the exact colour 

 of the surrounding surfaces; and it is further suggested, that 

 much of the so-called protective resemblance in insects may have 

 arisen by a similar process. 



Mr. W. R. B. Oliver showed some large Trochus and other 

 shells from the Kermadec Islands, and he reviewed the probable 

 evolution of this insular group. They are oceanic islands pos- 

 sibly built up on a continental base. Granite is found in small 

 pieces, but has not been seen in situ. The lowest beds are of 

 submarine volcanic origin, and these are overlain also by volcanic 

 rocks. The ancestors of the terrestrial fauna and flora probably 

 came overseas, as former, hypothetical land-connections with 

 continental areas were not required to explain the present-day 

 natural history. 



Mr. A. A. Hamilton exhibited, from the Collection in the 

 National Herbarium, specimens of tionchus oleraceus Linn.,(Yanco; 

 H. Wenholtz, February, 1913), showing both foliar and floral 

 prolification of the inflorescence. In some of the flower-heads 

 the ligulate florets had one or more leaves situated on the apex 

 of the achene, the ligula of the floret was suppressed, and the 

 pappus reduced. In other flower-heads abortive buds, with an 

 attenuated involucre, were produced on short branches. — Cosmos 

 Hort. var., (Sydney Botanic Gardens; W. Challis, March, 1904) 

 showing terminal prolification of the inflorescence. The invo- 

 lucral bracts of the capitate inflorescence were produced into 

 long acuminate points. The sterile ray florets retained their 

 position, but exhibited gradual virescence. The inner tubular 

 florets were raised upon elongated peduncles, and the bracts 



