THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 29 



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

 Wisewould, the report and financial statement were received and 

 adopted, 



OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1895-96. 



The following office-bearers for 1895-96 were declared duly 

 elected, being the only nominations received : — President, Pro- 

 fessor W. Baldwin Spencer, M.A. ; vice-presidents, Mr. C. 

 French, F.L.S., and Mr. J. Shephard ; hon. librarian, Mr. O. A. 

 Sayce ; hon. treasurer, Mr. C. Frost, F.L.S. ; and hon. secretary, 

 Mr. H. P. C. Ashworth. 



A ballot for five members of committee resulted in the election 

 of Messrs. D. Best, J. Gabriel, F.L.S., T. S. Hall, M.A., F. 

 Wisewould, and Dr. W, Macgillivray. 



A vote of thanks to the retiring office-bearers was carried with 

 acclamation. The retiring president, Mr. H. T. Tisdall, F.L.S., 

 then delivered a short address, after which he vacated the chair 

 in favour of Professor Spencer, the newly elected president. 



PAPERS. 



1. By Mr. C. French, jun., entitled " Observations on the 

 Flowering Times and Localities of Victorian Orchids." 



As the result of observations extending over nine years, the 

 author was enabled to compile a list comprising 72 out of the 90 

 species of Victorian orchids, which should be of great value to the 

 many members interested in these beautiful flowers. 



2. By Mr. R. J. Fletcher, entitled " Notes on a Recent Visit 

 to Some Basalt Caves near Skipton." 



These caves, situated on the side of Mt. Widderin, contain a 

 large deposit of guano of some commercial value, said to have 

 been produced by bats. A list of the different minerals and 

 deposits was given and samples exhibited on the table. 



In the discussion which followed, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., 

 referred to the importance of a thorough exploration of these 

 and similar caves for the bones of extinct animals. As to the 

 formation of caves in basalt, he thought they were accounted 

 for by the liquid larva flowing away after the crust had hardened. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Mr. G. E. Shepherd, of Somerville, contributed a note on the 

 occurrence of a variety of the White-backed Magpie in that 

 district, distinguished by the possession of a black band or 

 saddle across the back. The Black-backed Magpie is never 

 found in the district, and is a much smaller bird. 



Mr. D. M'Alpine read a note on a specimen of the edible 

 mushroom, Agaricus campestris, with a second smaller inverted 

 pileus on the top. This curious double development of gills, 

 as in the specimen shown, has so far as known not been previously 

 recorded. 



