the Uictoria n naturalist. 



Vol. XXV.— No. 9. JANUARY 14, 1909. No. 301, 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting was held at the Royal Society's 

 Hall on Monday evening, 14th December. 



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

 about 50 members and visitors were present. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



From Dr. Kaufman n, hon. secretary of the Microscopical 

 Society of Victoria, conveying the Society's fraternal greetings 

 and hearty good wishes. The president said he appreciated and 

 reciprocated the Society's good wishes. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the excursion to the Botanic Gardens on Saturday, 

 2ist November was given by the leader, Mr. F. Pitcher, who 

 reported a good attendance of members. Special attention was 

 paid to characteristics in foliage, and the flowers of the banana 

 were examined and dissected. The fine display of blooms of the 

 Japanese Iris in the new lake was greatly admired. 



A report of the excursion to Carrum on Saturday, 28th 

 November, was given by Mr. W. H. A. Roger (who acted as leader 

 in the unavoidable absence of Mr. C. French, jun.), who said the 

 attendance was rather small, and little of interest was noted. 



A report of the excursion to Willsmere, Kew, on Saturday, 

 1 2th December, for pond-life, was given by the leaders, Messrs. 

 W. and J. Stickland, who reported a good attendance, and, owing 

 to the fine weather, a very enjoyable outing. A large number of 

 interesting captures were made, but owing to shortness of time a 

 full examination of the material had not yet been made. Very 

 fine growth of fresh-water sponges was noted, also the customary 

 Polyzoa and Hydras. The strange-looking tube-building rotifer, 

 Cephalosipho7i limnias, was very plentiful, and it was noted that, 

 though the full-grown specimens had an enormous dorsal antenna, 

 there was scarcely any sign of it in the young specimens. Some 

 clusters of Lacinularia socialis were found to have apparently 

 died in an extended condition, and in some of them, although no 

 other sign of life could be detected, the flame cells were seen to 

 be vibrating in full vigour. 



A report of the junior excursion to Black Rock on Saturday, 

 5th December was given by the leader, Miss Freda Bage, B.Sc, 

 who reported a fair attendance of juniors. Though almost low 

 tide, a strong wind from the sea prevented much wading from 

 being done, therefore attention was paid to objects picked up 

 along the shore, and the main features pointed out. An interest- 



