162 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



PAPERS. 



The first paper was entitled " Natural History Notes from the 

 Townsville District" (Northern Queensland), compiled by Mr. 

 H. Kendall from correspondence, extending over several years, 

 of Mr. E. M. Cornwall. Ornithological jottings occupied con- 

 siderable space, reference being made to the habits, eggs, and 

 song of no less than about fifty different kinds of birds. Excep- 

 tion was afterwards taken by Mr. A. Coles and Dr. A. Dendy to 

 an assertion as to the non-permanence of colour in some birds. 

 Reptilia, of course, came in for notice, and amongst the speci- 

 mens sent down Mr. C. Frost, F.L.S., identified the somewhat 

 rare Black-headed Snake (Aspidiotes melanocephalus), an examina- 

 tion of which proves the species to be non-venomous. Mr. 

 Cornwall's observations on the subject of hornets were not only 

 amusing but interesting, and led to the hope that he will furnish 

 additional particulars at some future time. A study of their habits 

 is certainly more easily carried on there than with us, since they 

 so often take up their abode within the precincts of those northern 

 homes. Altogether, the paper called to mind very forcibly the 

 interesting contribution by Mr. Dudley Le Souef of this time last 

 year, which narrated experiences in Central Queensland, the 

 respective papers showing unmistakably how genuine is the 

 pleasure enjoyed by the true naturalist in the prosecution of his 

 investigations. Mr. Kendall merits the thanks of members for 

 labour in putting Mr. Cornwall's observations in such an attractive 

 manner before the Club. 



The second paper, " Notes on Some Victorian Coccidae, or 

 Scale Insects," by Mr. C. French, F.L.S., was a continuation of a 

 paper on the same subject read before the Club in October last, 

 and gave particulars and illustrations of some new species. A 

 cosmopolitan form ( Aspidiotus rossl) was specially alluded to as 

 being found on the foliage of olives, cork oaks, blackwood and 

 shrubs innumerable— a modified form of which has lately been 

 found feeding on the juices of the well-known native shrub 

 Ricinocarpus pinifolius, growing near Cheltenham. This 

 change of form to surroundings is worthy of further attention. 

 The hardy nature of the Scale Insect is shown by the fact that it 

 flourishes upon the leaves of a shrub (Alyxia) which grows on 

 the sea coast and is repeatedly covered or washed by sea water. 

 Mr. J. E. Prince, on the authority of Mr. Belt, called attention 

 to the association which exists between some kinds of ants and 

 these scale insects — an association which probably furnishes the 

 former with a supply of food. Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard and 

 C. Frost added similar testimony. 



The last paper was contributed by Mr. James Lidgett, "On the 

 Colour Variation in Some Australian Lepidoptera." The author 

 placed in review some of the facts bearing upon the specific 



