THE 



^ictovian Jlatttralt^t 



Vol. XII.— No. 8. NOVEMBER, 1895. No. 144. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal 

 Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth November, 1895. The 

 president. Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, M.A., occupied the chair, 

 and some 60 members and visitors were present. 



REPORTS. 



Reports of the recent Club excursions to Melton and Berwick 

 were received from the respective leaders, Mr. G. A. Kearlland 

 and Mr. D. Best. 



The hon. secretary reported that the second practical meeting 

 of the course in systematic botany was held on Monday evening, 

 4th November, under the direction of Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A. 

 The attendance was good, and some useful work was done in 

 dissecting plants, illustrating various orders. 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On a ballot being taken, Messrs. J. Harvie, A. Mattingley, 

 and W. H. Terry were duly elected members of the Club. 



PAPERS. 



I. By Mr. O. A. Sayce, entitled " Formalin as a General Pre- 

 servative for Animal and Vegetable Structures." 



The author drew attention to the advantages of this newly 

 introduced preservative over alcohol — namely, its cheapness, port- 

 ability, and better results in the preservation of natural history 

 objects with their original colours, and especially for those required 

 for microscopical examination. The chemistry of the subject 

 was briefly explained, and some original methods for increasing 

 its penetration were also given. A large number of plants and 

 animals preserved in formalin and in alcohol for comparison were 

 shown in illustration of the paper. 



Some discussion ensued, in which Professor Spencer and 

 Messrs. J. Shephard and D. M'Alpine took part. Professor 

 Spencer advocated a mixture of alcohol and formalin, as it had 

 ])een found that formalin alone swelled up the tissues of some 

 animals. Mr. D. M'Alpine remarked that he had found glycerine 

 and kerosene very useful in preserving fruits. 



The author, in reply, stated that he was inclined to think that 



