THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 135 



Mr. J. A. Ross, Jumbunna, conlributed a note on musical sand 

 noticed by himself and others at Anderson's Inlet, in which he 

 stated that while walking in their bare feet every step on the dry 

 sand caused a " very distinct screech," which was not noticed on 

 the wet sand. 



In connection with this subject, Mr. J. A. Kershaw read an 

 extract from the December number of the Geological Magamiie 

 (vol. ix., No. 12, p. 573, 1902), contributed by Mr. H. J. Lowe, 

 F.G.S., entitled "Sonorous Sand," which he met with near Tenby, 

 Skrinkle Haven Bay. He states that " the notes were clear and 

 metallic, and were emitted only from the dry, loose sand above 

 the range of the tide." He refers to explanations regarding thest 

 sounds. Dr. Julian and Professor Bolton attribute them to " a 

 film of condensed air round each grain of sand, which acts as an 

 elastic cushion, and enables the sand to vibrate when disturbed ; " 

 while Mr. C Carus Wilson considers the sound to be caused by 

 friction, " the cumulative effect of numerous vibrating particles 

 that becomes audible." 



Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., in remarking incidentally on the 

 above note, said there was a probable explanation of tlie phe- 

 nomenon in both the theories quoted, and that, whilst the 

 primary cause of the sound was friction between the separate 

 grains, this was perhaps assisted by a film of air acting as a 

 cushion. This layer of air would, however, be better conceived 

 as rarefied rather than condensed, for the occurrence of such 

 sonorous sands seems generally to take place in warm climates, or 

 under bright sunshine ;' but more direct evidence on this point is 

 especially wanted. 



Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., mentioned that the Talegallas in 

 the Zoological Gardens were breeding, and had hatched out 

 several chicks during the last few days. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland mentioned an instance in Queensland of 

 the Talegalla interbreeding with the domestic fowl, and a hybrid 

 fowl had laid 100 eggs this season. 



EXHIBITS. 



By Mr. F. Barnard. — Photographs by Mr. Mann of sections of 

 Victorian woods from micro, slides prepared by the exhibitor ; 

 also, fasciated stem of Jessamine. 



By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Pot Fern, Gleichenia circinata, 

 collected at Gembrook excursion in November, 1901. 



By Mr. A. G. Campbell, on behalf of Mr. A. W. Milligan, 

 W.A. — Skins of a pair of \Vestern Brown-headed Honey-eaters, 

 Melithreptus leucogeiiys, new species ; Brown Shrike-Thrush, 

 Collyriocincla brunnea : and Blue-headed Wren, Malurus pul- 

 cherrimus. 



By Mr. Cliflford Coles. — Life series of Pine-boring Beetle, 



