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tion with a glass the patches were found to consist of masses of insects' eggs 

 of extremo minuteness. As they differ from any which he hjul ever previously 

 examined, Mr. Stephens promised carefully to watch their development, 

 and report upon the subject on a future occasion, 



Mr. M, Allport begged to report that the young salmon and trout were 

 going on in a very satisfactory manner. Of the former, almost all had lost the 

 umbilical sac ; and of the latter, all had lost it. It was calculated that the 

 young trout now number about 250, which was even better than had been 

 anticipated. Mr. Allport then read a very interesting paper on the natiiral 

 enemies which the salmon would have to contend with in our seas and rivers. 

 Specimens from theMuseum'of many of these predaceous animals were exhibited 

 on the table, amongst them were the platypus, beaver rat, seal, jaws of porpoise 

 and bliick-fish, black swan, ducks, cormorants, &c. 



On the conclusion of the paper, Mr. Gould observed that he feared the black- 

 fish, referred to by Mr, Allport, as likely to prove chiefly a nocturnal des- 

 troyer of the salmon, would be foimd to be also a very formidable enemy during 

 the day. It was satisfactoiy, however, to know that this would only be the 

 case in some of the northern and western rivers, where alone the black-fish 

 are found, and could not affect our southern streams, which were, perhaps, in 

 other respects also, the best adapted for the salmon. 



Mr. WiNTLE mentioned it had been suggested to him that the Murray Cod 

 might be introduced into our rivers with advantage. 



Mr. M. Allport said this had been thought of many years ago. The fact 

 was, however, the cod was a most voracious fish, and it would certainly be 

 unwise at the present juncture to introduce such an insatiable enemy among 

 our young trout and salmon. He thought it probable too that our waters were 

 too cold for the Murray fish. He had doubts, however, of the propriety of 

 attempting their introduction at all, as in reference to their value for the 

 table he had heard very conflicting and contradictory statements. 



Mr. Stephens stated the Murray cod was not a fine fish. It was well 

 enough for inland districts when no other could be obtained, but could only 

 be c^led good in compai-ison with very bad fish. It was not nearly so good as 

 our black fish, and by its introduction therefore we would only lose, through 

 its great voracity, some of our good fish without gaining any corresponding 

 advantage. 



Mr. "WiNTLB read some notes on the Hobart Town sandstone. In reference 

 to a fossil one found some years ago in the sandstone quarry in the Domain, 

 and which has been pronounced by Professor Owen to be the humerus of a 

 Labyrinthodont reptile. Mr. Wintle having alluded to the possibility of the 

 locality not having been carefully searched for other specimens, Mr. M. Allport 

 begged to assure him that the quarry had, immediately on the discovery of 

 the bone, been most thoroughly and repeatedly explored, both by himself and 

 Dr. Milligan, but without result. They had fully recognised the value of the 

 specimen, and had spared neither time nor trouble in the search. 



Conversation ensued, in which Mr. Gould and Mr. Stephens, in discussion 

 with Mr, Wintle, expressed doubts of the correctness of the conclusions he 

 had arrived at as to the age, &c., of the sandstone. A vote of thanks having 

 then been recorded for the papers and presentations, the meeting, after a more 

 than usually prolonged sitting, broke up. 



