^"^•'1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. K ^ 



The paper, being purely of a technical nature, was not pro- 

 ductive of discussion. Whilst expressing their regret at the 

 combination of circumstances necessitating an alteration in 

 the names of nine species of shells found on our coast, the 

 authors intimated their willingness to bow to the law of 

 priority. natural history notes. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland stated that, at the inception of the 

 quail season, he succeeded in securing unhurt a specimen of the 

 ordinary Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis, Gld., which he 

 placed in a cage tenanted by a male and female finch. The 

 former died, and the female immediately chummed up with 

 the quail. After some time he found a mate for both, but the 

 female finch still cherishes her attachment for her former chum. 

 It appeared strange to him that a perching bird, such as the 

 finch, should adapt itself, in so short a time, to the ground 

 habit of the quail. 



The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, instanced a parallel case. 



Mr. T. S. Hart, writing from Creswick, stated that the 

 " heath," Epacris impressa, in that locality seemed poor and 

 late, and that plants occupying a south-westerly aspect 

 appeared to present a far better appearance than on other 

 situations. Many plants were to be noted with dead tips, as 

 if growth had been promoted by conditions which, though 

 favourable, were not of long duration. 



EXHIBITS. 



By Mr. R. A. Bastow. — A collection of Victorian Liverworts, 

 in illustration of his paper. 



By Mr. F. Chapman. — A vertical section of the conical 

 cutting tooth of Chrysophrys, or Sea Bream, shown under the 

 microscope. 



By Mr. C. French, jun. — An abnormal flower of the 

 Arum Lily, Richardia Africana. 



By Messrs. J. H. Gatliff and C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells in 

 illustration of their paper. 



By Mr. J. A. Kershaw. — Dormouse phalanger, Dromicia 

 concinna, in spirit ; also a shelter bag of the larvae of the 

 Processionary Moth, from Bolga. 



By Mr. A. L. Scott. — Specimen of basalt with crystal-lined 

 cavity, from municipal quarries, Brunswick ; also three 

 varieties of New Zealand kauri gum. 



By Mr. J. Searle. — Sagitta, or" arrow worms," taken at night 

 in a tow net off St. Kilda pier. 



By Mr. H. Witty. — Specimens of varieties of the British land 

 snail. Helix nemoralis and Helix hortensis ; also several Lumiere 

 autochromes in natural colours, by Dr. H. G. Drake Brockman, 

 F.R.P.S., Eng. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



