THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Ill 



have been taken from the nest ; the former are the same size and 

 shape as eggs of P. eximius, but smooth and glossy on the surface 

 as a pigeon's, whilst those of the latter are similar in size and 

 shape to the eggs of the Banded Grass Finch, Posphila cincta, 

 possessing the same blue tinge of colour. By Baron von 

 Mueller, K.C.M.G. — Acacia decurrens, from Terricks (not found 

 so far west before), and Westringia Dampierii, from Marong, 

 collected by Mr. A. Purdie ; Pterostylis barbata with two flowers 

 on single stem, from Sandringham ; Caladenia Cairnsiana, from 

 Fernshaw (new locality), collected by Mr. C. French, jun. ; 

 Callistemon lanceolatus, from Macalister River, collected by Miss 

 M. Macdonald; Eriostemon Hillebrandi, var., and fungus Cyttaria 

 (Junnii, growing on Fagus Cunningliami (Native Beech) from 

 Upper Latrobe River, collected by Mr. J. G. Luehmann. By 

 Mr. G. J. Page. — Slide of fossil Foraminifera (96 forms), from 

 Laverton; slide of Diatoms (130 forms). By Mr. G. Shepherd. — 

 Nest and eggs of Orange-winged Sittella, S. pileata ; three eggs 

 of Little Chthonicola, G. sagittata; three eggs of Striated Reed 

 Lark, Calamanthits fuliginosus, and egg of Ash-coloured Cuckoo, 

 Cuculus cinereus, found in nest of Scarlet-breasted Robin, Petrceca 

 Leggii. By Mr. J. Shephard. — A marine Ostracod, under micro- 

 scope, in illustration of note. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



THE ROTIFER IN MELBOURNE. 



By VV. Stickland. 



(Concluded from page 104. J 



The arrangements for the capture of food being very unique 

 in this genus, and difficult to make out, may require brief 

 description. There are, in short, three cavities for this purpose. 

 The cup-like corona constitutes the first, which can be closed 

 below by a very contractile collar. On a portion of the upper 

 surface of this collar, sloping ventrally, lies the true ciliary 

 wreath, in shape like a horseshoe. Beneath the collar is the 

 second cavity — the vestibule. A strong diaphragm forms the 

 bottom of this. In the diaphragm is a slit, on each side of this 

 a chitinous lip. This slit is the buccal orifice, and opens into a 

 tube, which hangs freely in a third cavity below, called the crop. 

 The Floscule, therefore, drags its living victims down through the 

 corona into the vestibule, where they may remain for a time ; 

 they are then forced through the tube to their doom in the crop. 

 The trophi, in the shape of two small double hooks, not enclosed 

 in any mastax, intervene between the crop and the stomach. 

 The rest of the structure is on the usual plan. 



The Floscule's body walls are mostly so opaque as to conceal 

 the internal parts ; but patient observation has disclosed the 



