54 I HK VICTORIAN NATUUALIST. [Vol. XXIV 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



The question of the suggested alteration in the close season for 

 opossums, which was postponed from the last meeting, was again 

 brought forward for consideration. Mr. G. A. Keartland stated 

 that he had been informed that nearly all the female opossums 

 obtained by a friend in May carried young in their pouches, and 

 he thought that better protection would be afforded these animals 

 if the proposed alteration in the close season were made. He 

 moved — " That the Inspector of Fisheries be informed that this 

 Club recommends the alteration of the close season for opossums 

 from the present dates — viz., ist June to 31st December — to 

 I St March to 31st October in each year." Mr. G. Coghill said 

 he would prefer to see these animals protected during the whole 

 year. Mr. R. W. Armitage seconded the motion, which was 

 carried. 



A letter was received from the Inspector of Fisheries, in which 

 he stated that it had been brought under his notice " that seals 

 are destroying a lot of fish in Western Port," and that on " some 

 days from 1,000 to 2,000 of them can be seen basking on the 

 Seal Rocks at the entrance." The fishermen also complained of 

 the destruction of fish by seals, which, it is alleged, are useless. 

 He desired the opinion of the Club on the matter of continuing 

 or modifying the present close season. 



Mr. Barnard explained that seals were at present protected for 

 the whole year. 



Mr. Gabriel expressed the opinion that seals do very little harm. 



Mr. 0. A. Sayce moved, and Mr. J. H. Harvey seconded — 

 *' That the matter be left in the hands of the committee for con- 

 sideration," which was carried. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. 



Mr. J. P. M'Lennan contributed a note on the action of a 

 saw-fly, Perga leiuisii, Westw., regarding an ichneumon fly, Bracon 

 capitata, specimens of which he exhibited. 



EXHIBITS. 



By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Copies of Hannaford's "Jottings in 

 Australia '' and " Sea and River-side Rambles in Victoria ; " 

 Wheelwright's " Bush Wanderings of a Naturalist ; " and 

 Bonwick's " History of Boroondara," referred to in his presi- 

 dential address. 



By Miss S. W. L. Cochrane. — Paintings o( orchid, Dendrobium 

 speciosum, Rock Lily, and the Pink Eucalyptus, E. Jicifolia. 



By Miss C. Cowle. — Dried specimens of Pomaderris lanigera, 

 Boronia ledi/olia, Laviberlia forviosa, Petrophila pulchella, 

 Viminaria denudata, Blandfordia nobilis, &c., from Blue Moun- 

 tains, &c., New South Wales ; also series of photographic views 

 of the Jenolan Caves and Blue Mountains, New South Wales. 



