62 THE VICTORIAN NATUKALIS'I. 



The life-histories of several species familiar to pond-life workers 

 were described, and the sexual reproduction of Hormiscia 

 zonata and the genera Spirogyra and Zygnema explained. 



The paper was illustrated by a number of microscopical 

 mounts and a fine series of beautifully-executed coloured drawings. 



Mr. J. Shephard complimented the author on his paper, and 

 expressed his satisfaction that a member had taken up this 

 interesting group. From an economic point of view the subject 

 was of importance. He mentioned an occurrence where, 

 probably due to a favourable season, swarms of these minute 

 plants had appeared in the water pipes, and there died, the result 

 being that the water became impregnated witli a very disagreeable 

 odour. 



Mr. C. French, jun., remarked that he, with several other 

 members of the Club, had collected Fresh-water Alg« for the 

 late Baron von Mueller, who had forwarded the material on to 

 Dr. Otto Nordstedt, of Lund, Sweden. Dr. O. Nordstedt had 

 since published the results in a work entitled " Australian 

 Characeae," and Part I. was in his possession, but wheliier other 

 parts had been issued he was unable to say. 



Mr. H. T. Tisdall mentioned that, in collecting Algfe, he had 

 found that the best results were obtained by placing a piece of 

 blotting or other paper under the leaves of a water plant, then 

 gently raising it to the surface of the water, when the minute Algas 

 would be found adhering to the paper. 



The president complimented the author on his paper, and 

 hoped that he would cor.tinue his useful work. He was glad 

 that Mr. Hardy had sent doubtful species to Europe for 

 determination, as large quantities of material had been examined 

 there by authorities on the group. Regarding the preservation 

 of specimens, he had found Ripart and Petit's fluid an excellent 

 medmm, and gave the formula for it, which will be found later in 

 this issue. 



2. By Mr. A. Mattingley, entitled " Some Remarks on Queens- 

 land Fish." 



The author, in an interesting paper, described some of the 

 peculiar forms of fish abounding on the Barrier Reef, and said 

 that about nine hundred marine and fresh-water species are 

 known to inhabit Queensland waters, of which over three hundred 

 are edible, many of these attaining to a very large size, and 

 possessing excellent culinary qualities. He also referred to the 

 Dugong and Bechede-mer fisheries, the latter being an important 

 item of trade with Eastern nations. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Fibre Balls, — Dr. Kaufmann, referring to the fibre balls 

 exhibited by Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., at last meeting, remarked 



