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Vol. XVL— No. 5. SEPTEMBER 7, 1899. No. 189. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 14th August, 1899. The 

 president, Mr. J. Shephard, occupied the chair, and about 50 

 members and visitors were present. 



REPORTS. 



The hon. secretary reported that a practical evening, devoted to 

 the general classification of insects, was taken by Mr. F. G. A. 

 Barnard on Monday, 24th July, when, by the aid of specimens, 

 the main orders and groups of insects were pointed out, and many 

 general hints given as to collecting, setting, &c. 



A report of the excursion to the Zoological Gardens on Satur- 

 day, 15th July, was read by Mr, D. Le Souef, who said that a fair 

 number of members availed themselves of the opportunity to 

 inspect the collection of animals, birds, &c. The polar bears 

 were much admired, also a jaguar, a new arrival from South 

 America. Some time was given to noticing the differences in the 

 Carpet Snakes from various parts of Australia, and the construction 

 of the nesting mounds of the Brush Turkey and Mallee Fowls 

 was explained. 



The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following dona- 

 tions to the library : — " A Catalogue of Australian Coccidse," by 

 Jas. Lidgett, from the author ; " Proceedings of the Linnean 

 Society of New South Wales," 1899, part i, from the Society ; 

 "The Missouri (U.S.A.) Botanical Gardens Tenth Annual 

 Report," from the Director. 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On a 'ballot being taken, Messrs. F. Baker and L. K. M'Nab 

 were duly elected members of the Club. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



The hon. secretary reported that the deputation re extension of 

 close season for Quail, appointed some meetings since, had waited 

 upon the Commissioner of Customs, who had, after hearing 

 Messrs. Keartland and Le Souef on the subject, promised to 

 again consider the papers dealing with the matter in the light of 

 the fresh evidence now tendered. 



A letter was read from Mr. F. C Christy, " St. Cyr," William- 

 street, South Yarra, suggesting that steps should be taken by the 

 Club to have the close season for waterfowl extended. 



