134 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



cussed at some length, but was not accepted by the meeting. 

 Various suggestions were made, but without any decision being 

 arrived at. It was finally moved by Mr. J. Shephard, " That the 

 matter be referred back to the committee and that they be asked 

 to consider the adoption of a single green leaf as the badge of 

 the Club." This was seconded by Mr. D. Best and carried. 



On the suggestion of Mr. A. J. Campbell, members were re- 

 quested to send in designs for an emblem and a motto suitable for 

 the Club. 



The great destruction of the Mutton-birds, Nectris brevicaudus, 

 during the nesting season, owing to the wanton cruelty practised 

 by a section of the egg collectors in opening the birds or squeez- 

 ing them under foot to obtain their eggs and leaving them to a 

 lingering death, was brought before the meeting by Mr. F. G. A. 

 Barnard, at the instance of Mr. C. French, jun., who had re- 

 cently visited Phillip Island, the principal breeding place in 

 Victoria. Mr. Barnard proposed that the matter be brought 

 under the notice of the Police Department. However, after 

 some discussion, in which it was pointed out tliat notwithstanding 

 the enormous numbers of young birds and eggs taken every year, 

 no apparent diminution was noticed in the numbers of birds 

 which annually visit the island, Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., 

 moved — " That steps be taken to have a close season proclaimed 

 for the eggs of the Mutton-birds on Phillip Island," which was 

 seconded by Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., and carried. 



Mr. F. G. A. Barnard further moved — "That the wanton 

 cruelly to the Mutton-birds be brought under the notice of the 

 Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals," which was 

 seconded by Mr. J. Gabriel, and carried. 



PAPERS. 



I. By Mr. O. A. Sayce, entitled " Dredging in Port Phillip 

 Bay." 



The author gave a very interesting resume of his paper, em- 

 bracing the results of a four days' dredging trip in Port Phillip 

 Bay by himself and three other members of the Club. With the 

 aid of a map the various localities and channels, principally near 

 the Heads and Queensclifif, which were worked by the party were 

 pointed out and described. A very interesting collection of 

 specimens was obtained, including Sponges, Starfish, Echino- 

 derms. Crustaceans, Worms, &c., many of which were exhibited 

 on the table, and some account of their peculiarities given by the 

 author. 



The President remarked on the energy and care shown by the 

 author and his colleagues in collecting and preserving the speci- 

 mens obtained, and drew the attention of members to the need of 

 workers in mnny of the groups touched upon. 



