Sept., 1908.] THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 75 



purpose of forming a society devoted entirely to investigation by 

 means of the microscope. 



Prof. Evvart and Mr. G. Coghill thought that such a society 

 would only weaken existing societies, and hoped that the 

 promoters would carefully consider the position before taking any 

 definite steps. 



Dr. Kaufmann said that there was no intention to clash with 

 existing societies, and thought that it would be found that the 

 new society would fill a decided want. 



PAPERS. 



1. By Mr. T. Carter, M.B.O.U. (communicated by Mr. A. 

 J. Campbell, C.M.B.O.U.), entitled " Description of a Supposed 

 New Grass-Wren, from Western Australia." 



The author stated that the bird, for which he proposed the 

 name Amytis varia, differed in many particulars from Amytis 

 gigantura, Milligan (A. megalurus, Sharpe), described in the 

 Victorian Naturalist, xviii. (1901), p. 72. It was much darker in 

 colour, the rictal bristles were well developed and easily visible, 

 and the bird was rather larger in all dimensions. Owing to the 

 fact that it has been found only in " Marlock " scrub, he gave it 

 the vernacular name of the Marlock Grass-Wren. 



The chairman said that the genus was an interesting one, but 

 very difficult of study, owing to the extreme shyness of the 

 birds. 



2. By Mr. J. H. Gatliff, entitled " Description of a New Aus- 

 tralian Volute Shell." 



The author said that the shell he proposed to describe had 

 been in his possession for many years, having been purchased 

 from the late J. F. Bailey, who had given '' North Queensland" 

 as its habitat. There were two specimens of the same shell in 

 the National Museum collection, unnamed, with the same locality. 

 The shell somewhat resembles Y. canalicidata, M'Coy, but on 

 taking the opportunity of sending it to England lately, the British 

 Museum authorities decided that it was not that species, and 

 stated that it did not agree with any described species; he there- 

 fore determined to name it Voluta {Armoria) spenceriana, in 

 honour of Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, C.M.G, in recognition of 

 his many valued services to the natural history of Australia. 

 The type specimen and the Museum specimens were exhibited 

 in illustration of his remarks. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



" Onion Grass." — Prof. Ewart referred to the difference of 

 opinion as to the correct naming of the introduced irid known as 

 " Onion Grass," and read letters received from various authorities 

 regarding it. The Kew (England) authorities confirmed their 



