THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 181 



FIELD NATUEALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's 

 Hall, on Monday evening, 9th March, 1885. 



The president, Rev. J. J. Halley, occupied the chair, and about 

 sixty members and visitors were present. 



The hon. librarian acknowledged the leceipt of the " Catalogue of 

 the Australian Hydroid Zoophytes," by Mr. W. M. Bale, from 

 the author; " Proceedings of Linneean Society of New South 

 Wales;" "Meteorology of Australian Alps," J. Stirling; "Science 

 Record, 'No. 2;'* also a collection of plants made by the late J. F. 

 Bailey, presented by Mrs. Bailey. 



The hon. secretary reported that since last meeting a deputation 

 from the Club had waited upon the Trustees of the National 

 Museum with reference to affording greater facilities to students 

 and visitors at that institution, and that the deputation had been 

 favorably received, and a promise made that the Director should 

 report on the alterations suggested, when the Trustees would see 

 what could be done to meet the wishes of the Field Naturalists' Club. 



Misses E. Mackenzie, E. C. Simson, M. .1. Simson, M. Simson, 

 Mrs. C. H. Nicolson, Messrs. A. R. Blackwood, Gowen Evans, 

 S. Miller, C. Ryan, T. G. Campbell, and Master R. D. Hatch were 

 •elected members of the Club, whilst three ladies and six gentlemen 

 were nominated for membership. 



Mr. A. J. Campbell moved " That a deputation wait upon the 

 Commissioner of Trade and Customs to request him to include 

 ■certain birds in the Game Act." Mr. Gregory moved as an amend- 

 ment "That Mr. Campbell's list be referred to a sub-committee for 

 report." The amendment was carried. 



Mr. A. H. S. Lucas drew attention to the Botanical and 

 Biological Classes now forming at Ormond College. 



Papers read. — 1. Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith read a paper " Notes 

 on the Petrel Family," in which he gave many interesting notes 

 about the Stormy Petrel, Cape Pigeon, and Mutton Bird, or short- 

 tailed Petrel. He also exhibited specimens of each bird, and 

 remarked that about twenty-four species of petrels are to be found 

 on the Australian coasts. 2. The Rev. A. W. Cresswell, M .A., read a 

 paper, " Notes of a Trip to Griffith's Point." He described with the 

 hrlpot' diagrams and specimens the geological features of the country 

 between Griffith's Point and Kilcunda, and also a visit to the coal 

 mine at the latter place, concluding with some account of his results 

 in shore collecting and dredging at Griffith's Point and Phillip 

 Island, which were highly reconnuended as localities for specimens of 

 marine zoology. S. Mr. A. H S. Lucas read a paper on •' Darwin on 

 Australia," being a critical examination ot the chapter on Australia, 

 in Darwin's " Voyage of a Naturalist." The writer argued that 



