THE VICTORIAl? NATURALIST. 87 



under the microscope, and there recognized as species of 

 Navicula, &c. This Diatom-earth was given to me some years 

 ago, when it was stated to be from near Bacchus Marsh, 

 Victoria, but I have not been able to trace its precise locality. 



The time at my disposal, and possibly the patience of members, 

 will not permit of reference to polymorphism, alternation of 

 generations, symbiosis, and other interesting matters, so I will 

 conclude with the hope that in these somewhat disconnected 

 preliminary notes the way has been paved for subsequent papers, 

 in which I purpose dealing systematically with the fresh-water 

 Algae of Victoria. 



In conclusion, I desire to acknowledge my indebtedness 

 to Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A., I.S.O., for the loan of slides, and 

 also to Mr. C. French, jun., and Mr. J. Gabriel for a number of 

 slides from the collection of the late Mr. Henry Watts, one of the 

 original founders of this Club. 



Effect of Electric Light on Foliage. — Some twelve 

 months ago I drew attention {Vict. Nat. xx., p. 87) to the 

 influence of the electric light on vegetation, as evidenced by the 

 leaves, still green, on some of the branches of one of the 

 ornamental trees on the north side of Collins-street east, at the 

 entrance to Alfred-place. This year the same tree has again a 

 few leaves remaining on it, while all its neighbours are bare. 

 The twigs bearing the leaves are in close proximity to the 

 powerful arc light, which is no doubt the cause of their persist- 

 ence throughout the winter. I noticed a similar case in Flinders- 

 street, but this is now lost to observation through the annual 

 pruning. — A. D. Hardy. 



Fat-tailed Pouched Mouse (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), 

 Gld. — On 30th July last, whilst Mr. H. W. Dixon was crossing a 

 stubble paddock, near Bulla, his dog drew his attention to a hole 

 in some loose soil beside a cart rut. On removing some of the 

 earth he found four of these little marsupials, two of each sex, all 

 of which he captured and carried home in his pocket. When 

 placed in a box they soon became tame, and would eat meat or 

 worms from his hand, but took no notice of grain or seed. A 

 few days later Mr. Dixon heard a slight noise in the box, and on 

 looking to ascertain the cause, saw three of the mice devouring 

 their comrade. A fortnight later one of the males given to me 

 proved a very attractive pet, and when given its liberty on the 

 table would run back to its box on the least alarm. Unfortunately 

 it disappeared, possibly inside the house cat. — G. A. Keartland. 



Whales. — Capt. Thompson, of s.s. Aramac, states that Right 

 Whales have come up from the Antarctic Seas, with their calves, 



