THE VICTORIAN* NATURALIST. 



white undersides of flat-fish. It was found that if light be 

 reflected from below the undersides gradually became spotted, 

 and finally dark all over. 



EXHIBITION OF SPECIMENS. 



The following were the principal exhibits of the evening : — By 

 Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Geological specimens from Bacchus 

 Marsh excursion, and geological map of district. By Mr. J. 

 Gabriel. — Egg of Great Wandering Albatros, Diomedia exsulans, 

 and Hydroid, Ceratella fusca, in spirit. By Mr. G. A. Keartland. 

 — Eggs obtained during recent trips to Adelaide and Sydney, 

 including Megapode, Megapodus tumulus, Macleay's Kingfisher, 

 Halcyon Macleayi, Phaeton Finch, Eslrilda p/iaeton, Great-billed 

 Gerygone, Gerygone magnirostris, White-fronted Gerygone, G. 

 albigularis, Rock Parrakeet, Euphema prtrophila, Bauer's Parra- 

 keet, Platycercus Bauetii, and many others ; also pair of Cockatoo 

 Parrakeets, Calopsittacus Novic-Hollandice, bred in captivity by 

 Mr. Mellor, of Adelaide. By Baron von Mueller, K.C.M.G. — 

 Pimelea Treyvaudi, new to science, collected by Mr. H. Treyvaud, 

 at Cudgewa, Upper Murray River • also Asplenium bulbiferum, 

 with unusually large growth, collected by C. French, jun., at 

 Strezlecki Range, South Gippsland. By Mr. F. P. Spry. — Two 

 cases of Australian Lepidoptera. By Mr. G. Sweet. — Fossil flora 

 from the Leigh's Creek coal formation, south-west of Lake Eyre, 

 South Australia, obtained during a recent visit to that locality, 

 including Thinufeldia media, T. odontopteroides, Phyllopteris feis- 

 mantelli, Macrotccniopteris tz'iatiamattc?, Tceniopteris Carrut/iersz, 

 Equisetunty Otozamihs, Podozamites, Trichomanites laxum (?), and 

 Allthoptens. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



The Horn Scientific Exploring Expedition. — This party, which in- 

 cludes two members of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, has been fitted 

 out by Mr. \V. A. Horn, of South Australia, for the examination of that portion 

 of Central Australia between Oodnadatta — the present terminus of the Great 

 Northern Railway of South Australia, about 28 S. lat. — and the Macdonnell 

 Ranges, which lie on the Tropic of Capricorn, left Adelaide on Thursday, the 

 3rd May. Mr. W. A. Horn will act as leader; Mr. C. A. Winneke, F.R.G.S., 

 will have charge of the meteorology and surveying ; Prof. E. C. Stirling, 

 F.R.S., of anthropology and ethnology ; Prof. R. Tate, F.G.S., of palaeon- 

 tology and botany ; Prof. W. B. Spencer, M.A., of biology ; and Mr. J. A. 

 Watt, M.A., of geology ; whilst Messrs. G. A. Keartland and F. A. Belt will 

 act as collectors and naturalists. Besides these there are three camel-drivers, 

 a cook, and two prospectors sent by the South Australian Government. It is 

 proposed that on arrival at Oodnadatta, about 4S0 miles north of Adelaide, the 

 parly will take a north-westerly course along the overland telegraph line to 

 about Charlotte Waters, when they will strike to the west to Avers Range, 

 then again north-west along the Palmer to the George Gill Range, named by 

 Giles, then up the Finke River to the Macdonnell Ranges, thence easterly to 

 the telegraph line at about Alice Springs. This task will, it is calculated, 

 take them about three months. All specimens, &c, obtained will be the 

 property of Mr. Horn, who will distribute them as he thinks fit, and to whom 

 the various reports are to be furnished on the termination of the expedition. 



