10 



OCTOBEE, 1880. 



The monthly evening meeting of the society was held on Monday,, 

 the 11th October; His Honor Mr. Justice Dobson, vice-president, in 

 the chair. 



Robert Henry, jun., Esq., Superintendent of Telegraphs, who had 

 been previously nominated by the Council, was balloted for, and 

 declared duly elected a Fellow of the Society. 



The hon. Secretary, Dr. Agxew, drew attention to the following 

 returns, received since last meeting, viz. : — 



1. Number of visitors to Museum during September : On Sundays, 



1,057 ; on week days, 907 ; total, 1,964. 



2. Ditto to Gar-dens, 3,996. 



3. Books and periodicals received. 

 Meteorological Returns — 



1. From the Marine Board : Tables from Swan Island, for July and 



August ; Mount Nelson, for September. 



2. From R. L. J. Ellery, Esq., F.R.S.: Monthly records of obser- 



vations made at the Melbourne Observatory during March and 

 April. 



Time of leafing, flowering, etc., of a few standard plants in the Botanic 

 Gardens during September : — 



18th. Moutan Peony commencing to flower. 



20th. Horsechestnut ditto. 



21st. Querais iiechinculata commencing to break. 



27th. Ash commencing to break leaf. 



28th. Sycamore ditto. 



30th. liohlnia i^seudo-acacia commencing to leaf. 



30th. Platcmus occidentalis ditto. 



F. Abbott, Jun., 



Superintendent. 



The Secretary reminded the meeting that Mr. Charles Gould, then 

 a resident member, read a paper about eight years ago, before the 

 society, "On the existence of large animals (probably seals) in the 

 upland lakes of Tasmania," and connected the possible existence of 

 such animals on the neighbouring continent with the traditions of the 

 "bunyip," Mr. Gould having recently written to enquire if any further 

 information on the subject had been obtained, he (the Secretary) had 

 now to report that a mutual friend had brought the matter under the 

 notice of Professor McCoy, probably the most competent authority to 

 give an opinion ; and he would read an extract from the learned 

 Professor's reply, dated 22nd September, which would appear to 

 confirm Mr. Gould's suggestion that the so-called bunyip had probably 

 a real existence, and if so, that it was in fact a seal. 



"I also think the 'Bunyip' is a seal of the group having external ears, 

 which differ from the others in having the legs so developed and directed 

 that they can walk well and far on the land, and from their gait are often 

 called 'Sea Bears.' One of this group on our coast, Euotaria cmerea, 

 frequently ascends the rivers for great distances; and as it is a_ matter of 

 indifference to them whether the water be salt or fresh as long as it contains 

 plenty of fish for food, I think this must be the creature, as all the accounts 

 of appearance and voice agree. (There are no special freshwater seals.) 



"The il/oreZi(X ran^ra^a, or 'Carpet Snake,' is, as you mention, the only 

 snake in this colony approaching 10ft. in length. 



" Fredekick McCoy." 



Mr. John Sw^an exhibited a strange fish, obtained by him at George's 

 Bay. In Mr. Johnston's opinion it was closely allied to Datnia 

 ambigna, Richardson, the latter being classified by Dr. Gunther within 



