62 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



in the present species in 17 rows ; the ventral plates vary from 180 

 to 220, and the sub-caudals are in 64 or 66 pairs, difiering widely 

 from F. Ramsayi, where they are respectively 162 and 38/38. 

 The markings on the body also seem distinct and constant in each. 

 There ai-e three specimens in the collection, of different sizes, 

 but all marked alike. The dimensions given above are from the 

 largest specimen. The other Reptilia from Mount Brown 

 received at the same time were a specimen of Vervdcella annulata, 

 the rare Dehna Fraseri, a species of Typhlojis doubtful. 



NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



Mr. Whitelegge exhibited a large collection of fossil ferns 

 from the Hawkesbury and Wianamatta beds, mounted as trans- 

 parent objects for the microscope. It is remarkable that the 

 tissues of these plants have remained almost unaltered and per- 

 fectly elastic and pliant through the vast periods during which 

 they have been preserved. 



Mr. Tenison- Woods exhibited two very small stone axes, or 

 " kelts," from the Murrumbidgee, supposed to have been used for 

 ceremonial purposes ; a canoe ornament from Florida, Solomon 

 Islands ; a wooden figure of a mammal (Cuscus 1) from the 

 Louisiade Archipelago ; and several fine stone axes from New 

 Guinea, the Louisiades, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, and Aus- 

 tralia. 



The President exhibited some of the " pug," or mixed clay and 

 wash-dirt which is being worked in the Caledonian claim, near 

 Gulgong. This material is found filling up the ancient caverns 

 and tunnels of a mass of crystalline Devonian ("?) limestone, 

 excavated under conditions of rainfall and drainage totall}' 

 different from those now existing. It contains large quantities of 

 ii'on and manganese in small grains, and also in lumps of con- 

 siderable size. The gold is said to be coarse, or nuggetty. 



He also exhibited specimens of Macadamia ternifolia, or 

 Queensland nut, in illustration of Dr. Woolls' paper. 



