40 



6. From J. W. Craves, Esq.— Cast of face of Timmy, an Aborigine 



of Tasmania ; Cast representing an interview between G. A. 

 Kobinson and a group of Tasraanian Aborigines. 



7. From the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, Pro* 



cecdings of the Society, Vol. 1. 



8. Fnmi Mr. F. J. Salier — A "Frigate," or Man-of-War, Bird. 



9. From Lady Dry— A specimen of the Superb Fruit Pigeon 



(Lauijn-otreron .superhtift), shot at Quamby by the late Sir R. 

 Dry, after a heavy northerly gale. 



10. From Skelton Enimett, Esq. — A young specimen of a Tree 

 Fern (Cyathea affinls) from Circular Head. 



As to presentation, No. 9, the Secretary remarked that this pigeon 

 was not indigenous to Tasmania. The preparation was that of a young 

 bird, which consequently had not been able to contend against the 

 " heavy northern gale, " and had been blown across the Straits. An 

 extract from Gould's Handbook, Vol. II., page 108, was read, pointing 

 out the extreme beauty of the bird. Its habitat is the northern portion 

 of Australia, and the islands of the Pacific. 



The presentation (No. 11) of the Cyathea affinis was brought under 

 particular notice as being a specimen of the Fern which formed the 

 subject of Mr. Stephens remarks at the July meeting. 



Bearing on the subject of Mr. Gould's paper, read at last meeting,^ 

 the Chairman read the following letter from Mr. Joseph Barwick of 

 the Tea Tree :— 

 (Copy.) "Tea Tree. 



" September 2nd, 1872. 



*' Dear Sir, — Having seen a copy in The Mercury of a paper read by 

 yourself at a meeting of the Royal Society, written by Mr. Gould in 

 reference to a large unknown animal supposed to exist in some of the 

 lakes of Tasmania, and having positively known of such an animal, I 

 take the opportunity of sending an account of as near as possible under 

 what circumstances I became aware of its existence. In the autumn of 

 1852 I was lying in ambush near Lake Tiberias for wild ducks. It was a 

 fine moonlight night, when my attention was attracted by a commotion 

 in the water some 15 yards from me among the debris of a fallen tree. 

 I noticed a large animal, which, after watching him for some time, I 

 concluded must be a large devil. I fired at him, which caused him 

 to flounder in the water, I saw he was seriously w^ounded and went 

 in to secure him, but when I got within 3 yards of him I saw to my 

 surprise it was quite unlike any animal I ever saw before, his length 

 appeared to be about 4ft. or 4ft, 6 inches, colour black, w ith a remark- 

 able round bull dog like head, and. w^hat surprised me at the time was, 

 instead of his making for the land he made for deep water. I had only 

 a single barrel gun or I could have shot him again, and I have re- 

 gretted ever since I had not hit him with the gun, even though I had 

 broken it. Upon my reporting the circumstances the following morning 

 in Oatlands, the late Mr. Burbury and two other gentlemen, accom- 

 panied me to the lake. I feel certain I must have mortally wounded 

 the animal, but our search proved unsuccessful, but we found large 

 quantities of his hair some having been cut off with shot, and some when 

 making his escape against the timber. Some of this hair we took with 

 US, and showed it to a Mr. Dean (known as Dr. Dean) who was making 

 a collection of Tasmanian birds and animals, and had at the time I 

 believe a specimen of every known animal in the colony, and also a 

 large bush experience, and his opinion was that it was from some 

 unknown animal, and he then offered £20 for the animal from which 

 the hair came. The hair was unlike that described by Mr. Keach, a» 



