142 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



level — runs from New Guinea and Northern Australia, in easterly- 

 direction, through Fiji, Tonga Islands, to Samoa, spreading south 

 to New Zealand and north to the EUice, Gilbert, Marshal, 

 Caroline, and Pelew Islands. This plateau is split into two parts 

 by a deep, narrow channel, .which runs between New Zealand and 

 the Kermadec Islands, and between New Caledonia and New 

 Hebrides, until it reaches almost to Torres Straits. Another plateau 

 extends from Chili, in north-westerly direction, to the Society 

 Islands and Cook's Island, including Juan Fernandez, Easter 

 Island, and Paumotus and the Marquesas. Mr. Wild, of the 

 Challenger, says : — " It seems as if an almost uninterrupted area 

 of elevation crossed the whole basin of the Pacific from Pata- 

 gonia towards Japan, probably about 1,500 fathoms from surface. 

 North of this the depth is 3,000 fathoms — south, 2,600 to 2,900." 

 Shallowest part, ridge between New Zealand and North Australia. 

 Here, probably remains of an ancient continental area, which 

 allowed passage of frogs, land shells, insects, and plants, but 

 which became submerged before present group of birds came 

 into existence. Date between Jurassic and Eocene periods. 



ARTICLES OF INTEREST TO VICTORIAN NATURAL- 

 ISTS IN RECENT PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. 



In " Proceedings of Linnean Society of New South Wales" 2nd 

 series, vol. viii., part 1 : — 



'' On the Life-Histories of Australian Coleoptera," part i, by 

 W. W. Froggatt. Gives brief but interesting accounts of a 

 number of beetles, including several Victorian, with allied 

 species. 



" Revision of Australian Amarygmides," by Rev. T. Blackburn,. 

 M.A., part 2, includes several Victorian species. 



In " Transactions of Nexo Zealand Institute" vol. xxv., new 

 series, 1892 : — 



"Further Coccid Notes," by W. W. Maskell, F.R.M.S. 



Describes several new coccids, including some Victorian 



species. 

 In " Transactions of Royal Society of South Australia" voL 

 xvii., part 2 ; — 



"New Australian Heterocera," by O. B. Lower. Describes 



several new Victorian moths. 



" The Gastropods of Older Tertiary of Australia," by Prof. R. 

 Tate, F.G.S. Describes several Victorian species. 



