THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, 



and on larvse. The caterpillar of this moth has hitherto been 

 confined almost exclusively to young saplings of Eucalypti, but 

 has recently been attacking the Pepper Trees (Schinus molle) in 

 many parts of the colony. By Mr. G. A, Keartland — A pair of 

 Apteryx {Apteryx oweni), the fast disappearing wingless bird of 

 New Zealand. By Mr, J. A. Kershaw, — Larva and pupa o( Papilio 

 erectheus (Don) and pupa of Danaus erijjpus (Cram.), from New 

 Souih Wales. By Mr. W, Kershaw. — Specimens of Hepialus 

 (Ohm-agio) ramsayi, Scott (male and female), and Hepialus [Gha- 

 ragia) splendens, Scott (male and female), from New South Wales. 

 By Baron von Mueller. — Orchid (Cryptostylis leptocJdla) from 

 near Mt. Baw Baw and Dandenong Ranges, second time found 

 in Victoria ; collected by C. French, jun. Also, proof plates of 

 thistles for the publication just being brought out for the Agri- 

 cultural Department, to contain descriptions, &c., by Baron von 

 Mueller ; plates drawn by Mr, Ashley. 



EXCURSION TO CARRUM. 



On Saturday, the i8th of March, four members only arrived at 

 Carrum to take part in the excursion fixed for that place with 

 " pond life" for the object. One of those present was a lepidop- 

 terist, and devoted his time to his own pursuit. It appeared at 

 first as if the day would yield but scanty results, the freshwater 

 pools first visited being almost dried up. Attention was then 

 directed to the saltwater creek, and gatherings taken for home 

 examination. Sweeping the net through a mass of grassy-looking 

 vegetation landed some young specimens of Actinozoa, which so 

 readily detached themselves from the weeds, that they were at 

 first taken for Hydrozoa ; a large number were found floating in 

 the water before some specimens were taken off the weeds. 

 Examination of the material at home showed the presence of 

 Protozoa of the genera Amphileptus, Thuricola, Zoothamnium, 

 and Peridinium. The latter were very plentiful, and interesting 

 as affording a demonstration of the presence of two flagella, one 

 projecting and the other lying in an encircling groove. This 

 arrangement of the flagella is characteristic of Lancaster's class 

 Dinoflagellata, excepting one genus, and was originally misunder- 

 stood, it being represented as a projecting flagellum with a girdle 

 of cilia. As most of the text books figure the wrong arrangement, 

 it is worthy of note by members who interest themselves in the 

 Protozoa. Specimens treated with iodine showed both flagella 

 very well, the encircling flagellum being best seen when the 

 animal's movements were rendered feeble by a slight application 

 of the solution. In this state the corkscrew-like undulations could 

 be noticed passing along the encircling flagellum. When quite 

 active the undulatory movement was so rapid as to be either in- 



