Cbe Uktorian naturalist 



Vol. XXV.— No. 4. AUGUST 6, 1908. No. 296. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



A SPECIAL general meeting was held at the Royal Society's Hall 

 on Monday evening, 13th July, 1908, to consider a proposed 

 addition to the rules. 



The president, Mr. G. A. Keartland, occupied the chair, and 

 about 40 members were present. 



In accordance with notice, Prof. A. J. Ewart, D.Sc, moved 

 that the following words be added to rule 3, viz. : — " The reading 

 of papers at ordinary meetings shall cease at 9.30 p.m." The 

 mover contended that a mere resolution such as passed at the 

 last meeting was not imperative enough, since it might be set 

 aside at short notice ; whereas as a rule the matter was placed 

 beyond the reach of any meeting or chairman. 



Several members thought there was no necessity for a hard and 

 fast rule, which on some occasions might be found to act harshly. 



On a vote being taken, the requisite majority for the adoption 

 of the additional words was not obtained. 



The business of the ordinary meeting was then proceeded with. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the visit to the Zoological Gardens on Saturday, 

 nth July, was given by the hon. secretary, who said that, despite 

 the threatening weather, about twenty-five members and friends 

 attended. The director, Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., met the 

 party and conducted them round the gardens, giving interesting 

 information about many of the exhibits. A specimen of the Tree- 

 climbing Kangaroo of North Queensland was seen to great 

 advantage. Unfortunately, heavy rain came on before all the 

 animals, &c., had been seen, and brought the visit to an abrupt 

 conclusion. 



A report of the visit of the junior members to the Biological 

 School, University, on Saturday, 4th July, was also given by the 

 hon. secretary, who said, considering the wet afternoon, there had 

 been a good attendance of juniors. In the unavoidable absence 

 of Prof Baldwin Spencer, M.A,, C.M.G., who had intended 

 giving a demonstration on •' How Animals Hear," Dr. Georgina 

 Sweet, D.Sc, kindly took his place, and dealt v/ith the same 

 subject, taking for her types the crayfish, the shark, the frog, and 

 the human species. The demonstration was fully illustrated by 

 specimens, models, drawings, &c., and was attentively followed by 

 the juniors, after which a brief examination was made of the 

 School museum. 



