38 



probably blown across the Straits by some of the very high winds which 

 have of late been so prevalent. 



3. From Mr. E. J. Hampton. A white fantaikd Pigeon, prepared aaid 



mounted. 



4. From Mr. Dickenson. Specimens of Agrotis vastator. [These 



were obtained by Mr. Dickenson from the Blue Mountains, New 

 South "Wales, where, as in other parts of that colony, they occur 

 in incredible number, inflicting damage of the most serious nature 

 on the growing crops and grass lands.] 



5. From Lieut. Col. Dwyer. A Eussian officer's helmet from 



Sebastopol. 



6. From Mr. J. Y. Buckland. Queen Mary's signet ring. 



7. From Mr. E. D. Swan. A collection of nests and eggs of Tasmanian 



birds. 



Mr. Swan drew special attention to several points of interest in con- 

 nection with the nests. The nest of the White-shafted Fantail 

 (Rhipidura albiscapaj, was peculiar for its shape, which very nearly 

 resembles that o-f a wine-glass. In addition to these the presentation 

 included nests and eggs of the Wood Swallow, the Yellow-throated 

 Honey-eater, the Flame-breasted Eobin, &c. 



Mr. M. Allport brought for exhibition some living miscroscopic objects 

 either identical with or closely allied to Volvox globator. Before placing 

 them under the instrument, Mr. Allport remarked that his attention was 

 first drawn to these specimens from the fact, that out of several small fish 

 ponds one only contained the volvox, and in that pond the perch fry 

 invariably grew more rapidly than in any of the others, leading to one> of 

 two conclusions — either that the minute fish feed upon the 

 volvocines which are distributed through the water in countless 

 myriads, or the volvocines supply food to a number of small insects or 

 crustaceans, which in their turn go to feed the fish. As to the volvox 

 itself, Mr. Allpovt observed that in the early days of microscopic research 

 all minute moving specks in water were at once looked upon as low forms 

 of animal life. Further investigation, however, soon showed that these 

 minute organisms might be separated into two very distinct classes, viz., 

 those which possessed stomachs, and could be seen to take food, and those 

 which, even under the highest powers of the microscope, had no trace of 

 a digestive cavity. As to the first class there was no doubt they belonged 

 to the animal kingdom. As to the second class much difi'erence of opinion 

 long existed, but it is now generally believed that they are really vegetable 

 cells, reproducing themselves by the ordinary process of gemmation or 

 budding. In the lower forms of those organisms, which are undoubtedly 

 animal, motion is effected by precisely the same means as in the volvox 

 now exhibited, viz., by minute vibratory hair-like appendages covering the 

 surface in vast numbers, and known technically as vibratile cilia. The 

 second class of organisms mentioned may be subdivided into two great 

 divisions, the first division possessing a calcareous or silicious skeleton, 

 many forms of which will be well known to Fellows of the Society as the 

 Diatoms so deservedly admired for their delicate lace-like markings, and 

 so often used as test objects. The second division (known as Desmidise) 

 consisting of a gelatinous mass, but nevertheless symmetrical, and covered 

 with markings as delicate and beautiful as those of the diatoms. To the 

 last division, viz., the Desmidise, the Volvox belongs. Upon examination 

 they will be found to present the appearance of delicate globes of some 

 transparent and colourless substance, each globe entirely surrounded 

 by a network of fine lines, the lines and knots being of a pale green 

 colour. They are in vast numbers, of various sizes, and are per- 



