Cbe Uictorian naturalist 



Vol. XXII. —No. 12. APRIL 5, 1906. No. 268 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 12th Mrch, 1906. 



The president, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, occupied the chair, and 

 about 85 members and visitors were present. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



The hon. secretary read a letter from the hon. the Minister of 

 Agriculture, stating that there was no foundation for the rumour 

 that the Government proposed to remove the National Herbarium 

 to the Melbourne University. 



A letter was read from the Department of Public Works, stating 

 that the Waranga Basin had been proclaimed as a permanent 

 reserve for the protection of wild-fowl. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the excursion to the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, 

 24th February, was given by the leader, Mr. F. Pitcher, who reported 

 that the attendance was rather small. The afternoon was chiefly 

 devoted to the examination of the flora of the southern portion of 

 the Gardens, when the distinguishing characteristics of several of 

 the fine oaks were pointed out. A pretty sight was presented by 

 the numerous shades on the trunks of the eucalypts, due to the 

 outer bark having dried and peeled off, owing to the long spell of 

 dry weather, thus revealing the many beautiful tints of the inner 

 bark. The palms were found with their floral envelopes 

 developed and in the fruiting stage. The non-edible bananas, 

 which were noticed in flower at the junior excursion last 

 November, were now seen in fruit. 



A report of the junior excursion to Port Melbourne beach on 

 Saturday, 3rd March, was given by the leader, Mr. T. S. Hall, 

 M.A., who reported that about 30 junior and 12 senior members 

 were present. The ground covered was the same as that gone 

 over during the juniof excursion in March last. The most 

 notable find of the afternoon was a dead specimen of the King 

 or Crested Penguin in fairly fresh condition. 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On a ballot being taken. Miss E. Waugh, Lyndhurst-crescent, 

 Hawthorn ; Mr. Henry B. Coles, Mercantile Chambers, Collins- 



