182 THE VICTORIAN NATUEALIST. 



Darwin's rather hasty conclusions on the fauna and flora of 

 Australia had done much to limit and discourage biological research 

 in these colonies. 4. Mr. C. French read some extracts from a 

 review in the " Gardeners' Chronicle" of January 24th, of Miller's 

 " Dictionary of English Names of Plants." He called the attention 

 of members to the importance of discouraging the use of local and 

 bush names (often absurd and generally misleading), for Australian 

 plants. He drew attention to this review as clearly and vigorously 

 stating the chief "objections to the use of popular names for other 

 than popular purposes.'' 



The following were the principal exhibits of the evening: — By 

 Mr. E. Bage, fungi, parasitic on larva of ISTew Zealand Swift Moth, 

 (ffepialus virescens,) also Kauri gum ornaments from New Zealand; 

 by Mr. A. J. Campbell, fossil fruit found ninety feet below the 

 surface at Ballarat, also egg of Keef Heron {Demiegretta sacra,) 

 taken from a rocky islet off Tasmania, being the first recorded 

 instance of this bird being attached to the avi-flora of Tasmania; by 

 Mr. E. M. Cornwall, two rare longicorn beetles, (Tryphocaria sp.); 

 by Rev A. W. Cresswell, geological specimens from Kilcunda, and 

 marine specimens from Griffith's Point, Western Port; byMr. J.E. 

 Dixon, fossil crabs and barnacles from dredgings of River Yarra; by 

 Mr. C. French, two war-drums from New Guinea, and rare butterfly, 

 (Ogt/ris genoveva), from North Queensland; by Master C. French, 

 orchid, {Prasojihyllum Archert), grown by exhibitor; by Mr. R. 

 Hall, whip snake from India, and water snake, from Fiji; by Master 

 Hill, recent entomological captures; by Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith, 

 pair of red-capped robins with nest and eggs. Stormy Petrel 

 {Procellaria pelagica), Cape Pigeon (Daption Capensis), Short- 

 tailed Petrel {Pujfinus brericaudus),and Fairy Prion (Prion Ariel); 

 by Mr. D. Le Souef, black cobra, scorpion, and centipede from 

 Malay States, pearl shells from 'J'hursday Island and West 

 Australia; by Mr. H. Kennon, Marine Algse from Flinders, 

 Western Port Bay, also English fossils; by Mr. W. H. Passmore, 

 minerals from South Australia: by Mr. F. Reader, Plants from 

 Studley Park (Candolleacece-Plantagincee), also different stages of 

 growth of fungus (Poli/porus-Mesopus-rudis, Berk): by Mr. F. 

 Spry, case of Victorian lepidoptera. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting- terminated. 



NOTES OF A VISIT TO GRIFFITH'S POINT. 

 By Rev. A. W. Cresswell. M.A. 



It is not worth Avhile taking up your time by describing the journey 

 thither, although as it involves railway, coach and steamer travelling 



