9 



Mallee Snake, it has often been described to me as a formidable creature, 

 of at least 30ft. in length, which confined itself to the mallee scrub. No 

 one, however, has ever seen one, for the simple reason that to see it is to 

 die, so fierce it is, and so great its powers of destruction. Like the 

 •*Bunyip,' I believe th^ *Mindi' to be a myth — a mere tradition." 



The Secretary informed the meeting that a fragment of a paper, by 

 the late Mr. T. G. Gregson, on the habits and manners of the Tasmanian 

 Aborigines, had been placed in his hands for perusal. The first portion 

 of the paper referred particularly to the general treatment of the natives 

 by the white population, but as that subject was fully treated of in 

 " West's History of Tasmania," it could be of little interest to the 

 meeting ; the remaining portion, however, giving Mr. Gregson's impres- 

 sions from personal observation of the Aborigines, was, he thought, of 

 sufficient interest to warrant its being read. The paper was then read. 



A paper by the Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, F.L S , etc., " On some 

 introduced Plants of Australia and Tasmania," was also read by the 

 Secretary. The paper gave a long and most interesting account of the 

 introduction and acclimatisation of about 35 plants, including the 

 Bathurst Burr, common Nettle, several varieties of Thistle, Fumitory, 

 Verbena, etc., etc. 



Captain Stanley, R.N., read a valuable paper on "Oyster and other 

 Fisheries." 



Discussion took place on various matters connected with oyster fisheries, 

 and a general expression of feeling was given to the eS'ect that, seeing 

 our native oyster beds were being rapidly destroyed, some prompt and 

 decided action should be taken for the purpose of preserving them, 

 and of turning their produce to a profitable account, in the interest both 

 of the State and of the community. 



A cordial vote of thanks to the authors of papers, and to the donors of 

 .presentations, closed the proceedings. 



