50 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



The author entered into a most interesting description of the 

 Algae found in the half-tide and deeper pools in those localites, 

 and, with the aid of drawings, paintings, and mounted specimens, 

 enabled members to follow him closely. The parasitic plant 

 Notheia anomala, which springs from the conceptacle of Hormosira, 

 was mentioned as calling for closer investigation as to its life-history ; 

 while the strong Macrocystis pyrifera, that acts as a buoy to 

 warn navigators, and is said to be the highest plant in the world, 

 growing to 800 feet or over, was described from its commencement 

 as a tiny spore. 



The author deplored the waste of material here as compared 

 with older countries in that our drift seaweed is not made use of 

 as manure, and pointed out the economic value of Porphyra, 

 Chondria, Gelidium and other Algae. 



Some discussion ensued, in which Messrs. Barnard, T. S. Hall, 

 M.A., J. G. Luehmann, and the Chairman joined. 



2. By Mr. J. Shephard, entitled "A New Rotifer, Lacinularia 

 elliptica." 



The author described a new Rotifer found during a recent Club 

 excursion to Heidelberg, which is a further exemplification of the 

 necessity of carefully examining all material obtained on such 

 occasions. The paper was illustrated by drawings and mounted 

 specimens under the microscope. 



3. By Mr. J. G. Luehmann, F.L.S., entitled " The Flowers of 

 Fig Trees." 



The author, in a conversational manner, with the aid of drawings 

 and specimens, gave a demonstration on the construction of these 

 hidden flowers, which proved most interesting. 



4. By Mr. J. A. Kershaw, entitled " Note on Pieris perimale, 

 Don." The writer pointed out that the butterfly, generally known 

 as P. scyl/ara, Macl., but with a long list of synonyms, is really 

 only a variety of P. perhnale, Don., an already nan:ed and com- 

 mon species. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Mr. J. G. Luehmann, F.L S., read a note received from Dr. A. 

 Morrison, now of Perth, W.A., with a list of uncommon plants 

 collected near the mouth of the Yarra and at Werribee, which 

 rarely occur on the eastern side of Melbourne. Some discussion 

 ensued on the occurrence of plants commonly found in the Mallee, 

 near Melbourne, and Mr. T. S. Hall stated that similar plants had 

 been collected at the mouth of the Little River by the Rev. L S. 

 Hart. 



Mr. C. M. Maplestone reported having found six species of 

 orchids in flower within 30 yards of one another on a roadside at 

 Eltham. 



Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., read a note on an uncommon seal, 



