4L 



bird only that gets the worms, both literally and metaphorically 

 in this case, — I witnessed, in October last year, an assemblage of 

 Ne.reich on the surface of the water, which, though of somewhat 

 smaller size, resembled in form, and manifested all the peculiar 

 movements, decscribed of the PnJoJo. In like manner, they also, 

 within a few hours, entirely disappeared from view. By a> close 

 examination of these worms disporting upon the surface of the 

 water, and also isolated in suitable receptacles, and with the aid 

 of the microscope, I was fortunate in discovering the raisoit 

 (Vet re of their early revels. It was in fact, their general wed- 

 ding moi-n, and these their wedding junkettiugs. Each worm 

 was laden wnth ova or milt, and which was discharged in little 

 thin milky streams, one from each side of the body, as they 

 swam through the water. The reproductive elements com- 

 mingling under these conditions were fertilized after the manner 

 of the spawn of certain fishes, such as the Gadida; or cod tribe. 

 It may be taken for granted, that the ])eriodical appearance of 

 the Polynesian FaloJo at the surface of the water is similarly 

 associated with the animal's propagation. Concerning the 

 Thursday Island variety, it is well worthy of further investiga- 

 tion from both a scientific and gastronomic point of view. Pre- 

 mising a hap])y combination of the two, we may look forward, in 

 the not very distant future, to a nineteenth century revival of the 

 " Diet of Worms " at the Thursday Island Zoological Station, and 

 which shall be annually discussed by the ministry of ^Sorth 

 Queensland, with all the dignity and decorura of a (Ireenwich 

 whitebait dinner. 



In conclusion : the keynote of this brief address, viz., the 

 establishment of a zoological station or biological laboratory at 

 Thursday Island, will not, I trust, die away without wakening up 

 some sympathetic chord or chords, that will be in such full 

 harmony with the aspirations and exigencies of the times, that 

 the institution shall become an accomplished fact. The mainstay 

 of such an institution should, no doubt, be the Queensland 

 University. It would be one, however, that should command 

 the su])port of every Australasian scientific society, and more 



