3° lyoies. [Vol. XXXI. 



vegetative period is not confined to species of the European 

 alpine flora, for he has observed that Ranunculus Gunnianus, 

 H., flowers under similar conditions in the Cradle Mountains 

 of Tasmania, about 5,000 feet above sea-level. 



Eels. — "Physicus," in the Australasian of 30th May, calls 

 attention to a review of recent publications regarding eels, 

 which appeared in Nature of i6th April. The principal work is 

 that by Dr. Grassi, in which hi points out that the mystery of 

 eel reproduction has existed for many centuries, for Aristotle, 

 the Greek philosopher, writing in 350 B.C., inchned to the belief 

 that eels sprang from earthworms, and much the same ideas 

 obtain to-day. Notwithstanding the investigations carried on 

 for many years, it can still be said that no one has ever yet 

 found an eel with its reproductive organs fully developed. 

 Seeing that eels are so plentiful in the southern portions of 

 Victoria, here is a chance for someone to solve the mystery, and 

 in so doing achieve world-wide fame. 



The Reptiles of Flinders Island, Bass Strait. — During 

 the visit of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union party 

 to Flinders Island in November, 1912, three snakes and four 

 lizards were collected by Captain S. A. White, and presented 

 by him to the South AustraUan ^Museum, Adelaide. It may 

 be of interest to make a brief record of the species. The snakes, 

 as well as the lizards, are represented by two species which 

 occur both in Tasmania and Australia. 



Denisonia superba. — Large-scaled Snake or Copper-head, also 

 known as the Diamond Snake of Tasmania. Two specimens, 

 measuring 33 and 48 inches in length respectively^. Previously 

 recorded from New South Wales, South Australia, and Tas- 

 mania. (Venomous.) 



Notechis scidatus. — Tiger Snake of South Australia and 

 Victoria, also known as the Brown-banded Snake of New South 

 Wales. One specimen, measuring 50 inches in length. Pre- 

 viously recorded from Australia and Tasmania. (Venomous.) 



This is a specimen of the melanotic variety, which has also 

 been found at tlie southern extremity of Yorke's Peninsula, 

 South Australia, and from some of the islands of Spencer Gulf. 



N.B. — The above measurements were taken after the speci- 

 mens had been ])reserved in spirit ; these are, therefore, less than 

 they would have been in life, on account of shrinkage. 



Tiliqua nigrolutea. — Black and Yellow Blue-tongued Lizard. 

 One specimen. Previously recorded from South Australia and 

 Tasmania. 



Amphibolurus angulifer. — Three specimens. Previously re- 

 corded from south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. — F. R. 

 ZiETZ, Adelaide, S.A. 



