58 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



On the motion of Mr. A. J. Campbell, it was decided that a 

 camp-out for about a week be held in the Lerderderg Ranges, 

 Bacchus Marsh district, early in November, and Mr. A. Mattingley 

 was appointed hon. sec. for the camp-out. 



The secretary was instructed to write to the Minister for Lands, 

 asking him to take steps to prevent the destruction of the Wattles, 

 in the parks and Government reserves around Melbourne more 

 especially, during the flowering season. 



PAPERS. 



1. By Mr. C. Walter, communicated by Mr. C. French, jun., 

 entitled "A Trip to the Victorian Alps." 



The author gave a concise account of his trip to Mt. Hotham 

 and the Buffalo Mountains, in January last, mentioning the 

 more important plants collected, so that the paper should prove of 

 great use to future collectors in that district. 



Messrs. M'Alpine, Barnard, Tisdall, Kitson, and R. Hall joined 

 in the discussion which followed. 



2. By Mr. R. Hall, entitled " Three Phases in the Plumage of 

 Pomathorinus superciliosus." 



The author pointed out in his paper and showed by the aid of 

 specimens the various phases in the plumage of the White- 

 browed Babbler, which, though now only termed phases, may on 

 further investigation prove to mark new varieties. 



3. By Mr. D. M'Alpine, entitled "Plant or Animal — Myxomycete 

 or Mycetozoon ? " 



The author went critically through the stages of existence of 

 this form of life, and showed wherein it resembled animal and 

 wherein vegetable, summing up in favour of its being classed 

 under the vegetable kingdom. 



Mrs. Martin, Messrs. Sayce, Tisdall, Stickland, Barnard, and 

 the president joined in the discussion that followed, to which 

 Mr. M'Alpine briefly replied. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Mr. D. Le Souef forwarded a note on the finding of a bird 

 peculiar to the sea — the Mutton-bird, Puffinus tenuirostris — at 

 the Korong Vale Reservoir. This bird was forwarded to the 

 Zoological Gardens, and had just died, after living there a month. 



Mr. A. E. Kitson read a note on a very large half-bred Dingo 

 shot near Tatong, Benalla. 



EXHIBITS. 



By Mr. C. C. Brittlebank, Myrniong. — Water-colour drawings of 



Robins. By Mr. A. Coles. — Pair of Black-billed Spoonbills, 



Platalea regia, shot at Echuca in June last. By Mr. C. French, 



j un. — 2 cones of Banhsia grandis, from Western Australia. By 



