XXXIV 



frequently in the northern part of Tasmania), on account of the cloudy 

 evenings. It showed a well-defined nucleus, and a tail of about 3deg. in 

 length, nearly vertical ; visible about N.W. by W., between 5 and 6 p.m. 

 A few days of strong westerly winds, but light winds and calms prevailed 

 during the remainder of the month. 



J. Shortt, Government Meteorologist. 



Rainfall in Ta.wiania, June, 1882 : — 



Circular Head, rain fell o: . days, amount l*17in. 

 Oatlands, rain fell on 9 d' i, amount l*27in. 



On 16th, 7in. of sno . 

 Falmouth, rain fell on 4 days, amount '7Qm. 

 Mount BischofiF, rain fell on 17 days, amount 5"59in. 



On 16th, heavy fall of snow. 

 Southport, rain fell on 13 days, amount 3*89in. 

 Low Heads, rain fell on 8 days, amount l'55in. 

 Macquarie Harbour, rain fell on 13 days, amount 4"34in. 

 Botanic Gardens, Hobart, rain fell on 12 days, amount l"88in. 

 Hobart City, rain fell on 13 days, amount 2'41in. 

 Mount Nelson, rain fell on 6 days, amount l"84in. 



Time of leafing, flowering, and fruiting of a few standard plants in 

 the Botanic Gardens during June, 1882 : — 



loth. Maclaura aurantiaca leaves commencing to fall. 



18th. Common Privet ditto. 



20th. Calycanthus prsecox commencing to flower. 



24th. Crocus vernus ditto, 



30th. Pyrus japonica commencing to flower. 



The presentations to the Museum were as follow : — 



1. From Mr. R. C. Weeding, Mount Seymour. A specimen of the 



Grey Flying Opossum [Belideus sciureus), from that locaHty. 



2. From Mr. Thomas Ransom, Fingal. A specimen of the Owlet Nightjar 



(jEgotheles JVovce Hollandice). 



3. From Mr. A. Dowling, Melton Mowbray. A living specimen of the 



Chestnut- faced Owl of the colony {Strix castanops). 



4. From the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. A specimen of the buoyant 



mattress used in the Italian Navy, with letter from the Italian 

 Consul, Melbourne, on the subject. 



5. From Mr. J. E. Baynton. A specimen of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo 



(Gacomantis Jlabdliformls), shot near Mount Nelson, on July 6. 

 [In reference to the Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Gould states that it " is 

 a migratory species, arriving in Tasmania in September, and, 

 after spending the summer months therein, departing northward in 

 January and February." Its occurrence in the colony in the depth 

 of winter is therefore remarkable.] 



6. From Mr. G. Innes. Specimen of Huon Pine [Dacrydium Franklinii), 



and Red Fine {Athrotaxis selaginoides), from Macquarie Harbour, 



in which locality an extensive bed of the latter timber has been 



discovered. 



Mr. Barnard read " Some further Notes on the economic value of the 



aquatic plant, Tipha latifolia," illustrating its utility as a material for 



stufl&ng buoyant and life-saving mattresses in the case of shipwrecks and 



disasters at sea. 



Some conversation ensued, and an examination was made of the sample 

 mattress, with a general expression in favour of its introduction into the 

 marine service, its value being recognised from the fact that it was in 

 use in the Italian Navy. 



A vote of thanks having been accorded to Mr. Barnard for his paper, 

 and to the donors of presentations, the meeting terminated. 



