30 Aruitagb, PI aitt Remains in Olivine-Basalt. [^^^june^^* 



1 8. KiTSON, A. E. — Further Notes on the River Yarra Improve- 



ment Sections, &c. Proc. Roy. Soc. Vic, vol. xv. (New 

 Series), part i. (1902), p. 45. 



19. Armitage, R. W. — Natural History Note and Exhibit. 



Vict. Nat., vol. xxvi., No. 10 (1910), p. 142. 



20. Armitage, R. W. — Microscopical Exhibit. Vict. Nat., vol. 



xxvi.,' No. 12 (1910), p. 183. 



The Utricular! as. — P. von Huetzelburg, in Flora, c. (1909)' 

 p. 145, gives the results of a study of various species of Utricularia' 

 and comes to the conclusion that they are truly insectivorous, 

 being able to digest the insects which they catch owing to the 

 secretion of an enzyme and an acid. The hairs which entrap 

 the insects secrete sugar and mucus, but have no digestive action. 

 The bladders are all of similar structure, and the flap closes so 

 tightly, owing to the mucus present, that no insects can possibly 

 get out. 



Sanctuaries for Sea-Birds. — By a recent Gazette notice the 

 Tasmanian Government has proclaimed Foster and Albatross 

 Islands as sanctuaries for sea-birds. The former is situated in 

 Banks Strait, off the north-east coast of Tasmania, and is the 

 resort of Pelicans and Cape Barren Geese ; while Albatross 

 Island, off the north-west corner of Tasmania, is the breeding 

 place of the Sooty Albatross and other birds. Cat and Store- 

 house Islands, portion of the Flinders Group, on which there 

 are extensive rookeries of gulls, gannets, penguins, and mutton- 

 birds have also been reserved, so that our sea-birds should now 

 receive some measure of protection, and naturalists should be 

 deeply indebted to the Tasmanian Government for its action. 



Distribution ok Rotifera. — Mr. C. F. Rousselet, in the 

 Joiornal of the Queckett Microscopical Chcb (1909), p. 465, dis- 

 cusses the results of recent investigations with regard to the 

 geographical distribution of Rotifera, and arrives at the conclu- 

 sion that most of these creatures enjoy an almost cosmopolitan 

 range all over the world, and that it is not possible to speak of 

 any typical or peculiar Rotatorian fauna for any continent, zone, 

 or region. Numerous examples are given of rare species appear- 

 ing in widely separated localities, indicating that distance is no 

 obstacle to their distribution, provided only that suitable condi- 

 tions are encountered. The fact that certain Rotifera can come 

 to life again after prolonged desiccation cannot account for their 

 wide range, and he considers the main cause of their cosmo- 

 politan distribution is to be attributed to the dispersal of the 

 resting eggs, which are able to resist desiccation and low tempera- 

 tures, by means of wind and other agencies, to any distance. 



