^""^n Barnard, The F.N.C. of Victoria : a Retrospect. y^ 



ber is recorded (V. N., xxiv., pp. 134, 148), and at the December 

 meeting a member (Mr. Robert Hall) was congratulated on his 

 appointment as Curator of the Hobart Museum {V. N., xxiv., 

 138). At the January meeting the announcement was made 

 of the permanent reservation of Wilson's Promontory as a 

 National Park (F. N., xxiv., 150). At the February meeting 

 great opposition was expressed at the proposal to grant fifteen 

 acres of the Domain as a site for the Melbourne Hospital {V. N., 

 xxiv., 162). In April we had to deplore the death of Dr. 

 A. W. Howitt, a well-known scientist, and an honorary member 

 of the Club. An appreciative record of his work, from the pen 

 of Prof. Spencer, with a portrait, appeared in the Naturalist 

 {V. N., xxiv., 181). Notable excursions during the year were 

 to Launching Place, in January (K. N., xxv., 3) ; to Mount 

 WiUiam (Lancefield) Aboriginal Stone Quarries, in February 

 (F. N., xxv., 9) ; and to Stony Point (Western Port), at Easter 

 (F. N., XXV., 52). 



1908-9. — Mr. G. A. Keartland again occupied the presi- 

 dential chair, and, owing to pressure of work, Mr. Kershaw 

 handed over the secretaryship to mys( If. At the annual 

 meeting Mr. Keartland gave an address on his twenty-one 

 years' membcrsliip of the Club and the benefits he had derived 

 from it (F. N., xxv., 45). The annual report showed 212 

 members, 17 associates, and 81 juniors. Only 12 papers were 

 read, while the funds showed a falling-otf of £5. The sixteenth 

 conversazione and exhibition of wild-flowers was held at the 

 Masonic Hall on 22nd and 23rd September, 1908 (F. A''., 

 XXV., 92), and was opened by His Excellency Sir Thomas 

 Gibson Carmichael and Lady Carmichael. His Excellency, it 

 will be remembered, was an enthusiastic entomologist. Illus- 

 trated lecturettes were given, by Mr. C. L. Barrett on " Wild 

 Birds in Their Haunts " and by Frof. Ewart on " Carnivorous 

 Plants." In November three days were spent around 

 Toorourrong Reservoir (I'. N., xxv., 130). At the December 

 meeting the first report of a biological survey of the National 

 Park by the Government Botanist's Department was presented 

 (I'. A^., XXV., 142). Three days were spent at Healesville in 

 January (F. A^., xxv., 171), and in February a good party 

 visited that unique geological feature, Hanging Rock, near 

 Woodend (F. N., xxv., 192). 



1909-10. — The presidential chair was occupied by Prof. 

 Ewart, with Mr. F. G. A. Barnard as hon. secretary. Tlie 

 annual report (F. A'^., xxvii., 39) showed 218 members, with 

 K) associates and 80 juniors. NinetiuMi papers were read, and 

 £30 added to tlie credit balance of the Chil). In August the 

 rules were altered so tluit associates might obtain the Naliiralist 

 by yn extra payment of two shillings and sixpence. The death 

 of Dr. Halley, an early president and supporter of the Club, 



