114 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



nucleus, and said that there were only three known methods 

 of nuclear division : — i. Direct nuclear division. 2. Endogenous 

 nuclear division (Hertwig) ; and 3 (which is by far the 

 commonest in animal and vegetable life, viz., Karyokinesis. 

 This was explained in detail, and methods for microscopical 

 demonstration explained, as also suitable material for examination. 

 At the close of the evening micro, slides prepared by the author 

 were shown, which clearly illustrated some of the stages in cell- 

 division. 



In the discussion which followed Messrs. H. T. Tisdall, T. S. 

 Hall, M.A., J. Shephard, and G. Coghill took part. 



3. By Mr. J. G. Luehmann, F.L.S., entitled " Notes on New 

 Australasian Acacias." The author described two new species of 

 Acacia, A. palustris and A. Cuthbertsoni, from Western Australia. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Mr. J. A. Kershaw contributed some notes on the vast 

 numbers of the two large Cicadas, Cicada mcerens and Cydochila 

 Australasice, now occurring in most districts about Melbourne, 

 especially at Black Flats, near Dandenong. 



Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., called the attention of members to the 

 fact that some fossils had recently been discovered in the pre- 

 Cambrian Rocks of South Australia, being the oldest fossils 

 known in Australia. 



EXHIBITS. 



The following were the principal exhibits : — By Mr. F. G. A. 

 Barnard. — Coleoptera from Ringwood excursion. By Mr. A. 

 Coles. — Birds' eggs from New Zealand — viz., King Penguin, 

 Crested Penguin, Tufted Penguin, Royal Penguin, and Black-eye- 

 browed Albatross ( Diomedea melanophys). By Mr. C. French, jun. 

 — Eggs of the following rare birds — viz., Little Eagle and Black- 

 backed Superb Warbler, from Central Australia. By Mr. W. H. F. 

 Hill. — Eggs, larva, pupae, and imago of the butterfly Iahnenus 

 7nyrsilus, from near Gordons. By Mr. J. G. Luehmann, F.L.S. — 

 Two species of new Acacias from Western Australia. By Mr. F. 

 Reader, the following plants new for N.W. Victoria : — Stipa 

 micrantha and Cyperus eragrostis. By Mr. O. A. Sayce. — 

 Microscopic slides, in illustration of paper. By Mr. J. Shephard 

 — Mounted Rotifer from Heidelberg, probably a new species. 

 By Mr. G. E. Shepherd. — White-bellied Sea Eagle, from Lang 

 Lang ; Jardine's Harrier, from Somerville ; Garrulous Honey- 

 eater (albino), from Bittern ; eggs of Little Penguin, from Cat 

 Bay, Victoria ; eggs of Yellow-breasted Robin, showing peculiar 

 markings, collected at Somerville ; and eggs of Spotted Night- 

 jar, from Queensland. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



