THE 



tyict avian Jt a t xx v a I i 1 ♦ 



Vol. IX.— No. 11. MARCH, 1893. No. 111. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The monthly meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club was held in 

 the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, 13th February. The Presi- 

 dent (Professor W. Baldwin Spencer) occupied the chair, and 

 there was an attendance of about fifty members and friends. 



MEETING FOR PRACTICAL WORK. 



The Hon. Secretary reported a good attendance at the meeting 

 for practical work held on 23rd January. The subject, " Sponges," 

 again claimed the attention of members, and, in the unavoidable 

 absence of Dr. Dendy,- the general histology of the calcareous 

 group was briefly touched upon by the Rev. VV. Fielder, and then 

 four types were described in detail, with special reference to their 

 canal system, the forms chosen being Leucosolenia stolonifer, St/con 

 carteri, Sycon gelatinosum, and Leucandra phillipensis. Those 

 present were supplied with mounted sections of these examples, 

 and drawings were made then and there from the sections under 

 the microscope, Mr. J. Shephard and Mr. Fielder acting the part 

 of demonstrators. Those members who attended the two meet- 

 ings on which "Sponges" formed the subject of study have thus 

 material in hand which will enable them to understand some of 

 the intricacies of the anatomy of these interesting forms as will 

 constitute a fitting introduction to the study of the other groups 

 in this large kingdom. 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On the proposition of Mr. C. French, F.L.S., seconded by Mr. 

 D. Best, Mr. A. H. S. Lucas, M.A., B.Sc, the late editor of the 

 Victorian Naturalist, who has just entered upon his duties as 

 Head Master of Newington College, Sydney, was unanimously 

 and enthusiastically elected an honorary member of the Club. 



EXTENDED EXCURSION TO THE FURNEAUX GROUP. 



After some discussion on the notice of motion by Mr. F. G. A. 

 Barnard, it was decided to hold the next encampment on the 

 Furneaux Group, Bass Straits, in November next, being part of a 

 scheme drawn up by a sub-committee in 1890. A new sub- 

 committee, consisting of Dr. A. Dendy and Messrs. A. J. Camp- 

 bell, C. Frost, J. Gabriel, G. Sweet, and the Secretary, was 

 appointed to arrange the necessary details. 



