190 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



hopes of better fortune later on. Clambering over a fence dis- 

 turbed the repose of a specimen of Crypsiphasia occultaria, which, 

 after flying around wildly, dazzled by the brilliant sunshine, finally 

 pitched on the high limb of a large gum tree and there clung for 

 dear life; two more of this species, being approached cautiously, 

 were captured. 



In the hope of obtaining some coleoptera, bark stripping was 

 next resorted to, but nothing was found excepting a large colony 

 of the larvse of jEnosanda Boisduvalli ; being full fed, a selection 

 was boxed, and then the heath-land was reached. Here we found 

 the skipper Hesperilla donnysa flying, but difficult to catch, the 

 wind being somewhat high ; however, specimens were eventually 

 obtained, and also, by careful search of the food plant, one larva 

 and several pupse. 



While running about the heath two beautiful emeralds {lodis 

 meandraria) were disturbed and secured, also a pair of Melitiilias 

 graphicata, and specimens of Hydriomena suhochraria. Making 

 towards Oakleigh station a single specimen of the blue Holochila 

 'mcerens was seen flitting gently along, seemingly uncertain as to 

 where to rest for the night — a problem solved by putting it into 

 the collecting box. This completed the captures of the afternoon, 

 and catching the quarter to 6 train the expedition returned 

 home. — Ernest Anderson. 



EXCURSION TO BEAUMARIS. 



Some seven or eight members of the Club met at Sandringham on 

 Saturday afternoon, 9th December, 1893, and journeyed thence 

 by tram to a quiet little bay a little to the north of the Beaumaris 

 Hotel, and, although the tide was still somewhat high, several of 

 the members did some wading in search of the marine life which 

 frequents this particular spot. Their labours were not in vain, 

 and a good many species of Echinodermata were brought to shore. 

 Mr. Grayson was fortunate enough to lay hands upon some living 

 specimens of a species of octopus, and an effort was made to keep 

 them alive for exhibition at the December meeting, but without 

 success. Their briUiant colouring was the subject of much ad- 

 miration, adding a beauty to the " beasts " which is entirely 

 absent from the spirit-preserved specimens. 



The local form of Haliotis (Ear-shell) was fairly plentiful, and 

 a good many fine specimens were bottled ; but the chief interest 

 lay with the sponges, which seem to have taken possession of this 

 sheltered spot. Here they are found in numbers underneath 

 nearly every stone of any size, representing species amongst the 

 Calcarea ranging from the simplest Homocoelan type — such as 

 Leucosolenia proxima and Leucosolenia stipitata — to the com- 



