10 



known locally as Sumraer-birda (Graucalusparvirostris) was in my garden 

 this day. I mean that handsome grey, slate-coloured bird, with black 

 head, that is so numerous during the summer months in the open forest 

 lands of Tasmania. 



"31st July, 1877." 



Mr. Edward Swan remarked that the 31st July was a very early date 

 for the appearance of the Graucalua. He himself had seen tbo bird on 

 the 4th iust., at Sandy Bay, 



The Secretary read a paper entitled, *' Notes on Bythinella " (a genus 

 of freshwater shells), etc., by the Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, F.G.S., 

 F.L.S., etc., Corresponding Member Royal Soc, Tas., and President of 

 the Linnean Society of N.S.W. 



In the absence of the author, the Secretary read a paper by Mr. F. 

 Abbott, Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, entitled, "Notes on the 

 Wild, or Canadian Rice." This paper was of a highly suggestive, and 

 practical character, and the wish was expressed by several present that as 

 much publicity as possible should be given to it. It was felt that the ac- 

 climatisation of the Zizania would no doubt realise most, if not all, of 

 the benefits to be expected from its introduction. By several of the 

 Fellows, the Lakes Dulverton and Tiberias and the Great Lake were 

 suggested as localities where the experiment should be tried, but of the 

 three it was the general opinion that Dulverton offered the most advan- 

 tages as that locality would be more under supervision, and its entire 

 surface was probably not too thickly covered by existing vegetation. A 

 few small parcels of seed have been forwarded to the Museum for dis- 

 tribution. 



The Secretary read the following note*from_Mr. F. Abbott, junr., with 

 the communication to which it refers from the Departmentof Agriculture, 

 Washington, U.S.: — 



"The accompanying communication from the Chamber of Agriculture, 

 Washington, relative to the Codling Moth, I received on Saturday last 

 (9th August). No reference is made in it to any reports having been 

 made by Commissioners or otherwise on the Moth, although I expressly 

 asked for them, should there bo any. The information supplied by the 

 Department does not add much to our previous knowledge of this pest, but 

 it confirms the fact of there being two generations in the year, and gives 

 detailed instructions for the suppression of the Moth." 

 " Department of Agriculture, 



" Washington, June lOLh, 1879. 

 " F. Abbott, junr,, Botanic Gardens, Hobart Town, Tasmania. 



" Sir, — I have the pleasure of enclosing the information you desire 

 relative to the Codling Moth, though I fear it will be too late for use this 

 season. 



" I have the honour, etc., etc., 



" Wm. G. Le Due, 



*' Commissioner of Agriculture." 



" Department of Agriculture, 



•• Division of Entomology, 

 "Washington, D.C, June 10th, 1879. 

 '• Sir, — In the absence of the Entomologist, I take the liberty of answer- 

 ing the request of Mr. F. Abbott, junr., of Hobart Town, Tasmania, for 

 information regarding the Codling Moth (Carpoca2)sa pomonella). 



"In the apple growing regions of the United States the Codling Moths 

 first appear while the trees are in blossom. The sexes pair, and the females 

 lay their eggs in the flower end of the forming fruit. The worms mature 

 in from thirty to thirty-five days, and, leaving the fruit, seek a convenient 

 niche wherein to spin up and transform. In two weeks more the moths 



