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^^OL. XYL— No. 6. OCTOBER 5, 1899. No. 190. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth September, 1899. 

 The president, Mr. J. Shephard, occupied the chair, and about 60 

 members and visitors were present. 



REPORTS. 



The president reported that a practical evening for the prepara- 

 tion and examination of Blood Films had been held at the Rev. 

 W. Fielder's laboratory on Monday, 28th August, when a most 

 interesting and instructive evening was spent. 



A report of the botanical results of the excursion to 

 Cheltenham on Saturday, 19th August, was read by the 

 leader, Mr. C. French, jun., who stated that a very interest- 

 ing afternoon had been spent. Some twelve varieties of 

 orchids had been noted in bloom, besides numerous other 

 plants. On one of the orchids a parasitic fungus new to 

 science had been found. Mr. J. Stickland stated that those 

 members interested in pond life had also experienced a profitable 

 outing, as among other captures were the males of the rotifers 

 Lacinularia 23edunculata and L. eUiptica, which are somewhat 

 uncommon. 



A report of the visit to the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, 9th 

 September, was read by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who stated that, 

 owing to the inclement weather, attention was principally devoted 

 to the collections in the Economic Museum and the System 

 House, which were kindly explained by Mr. J. Baker, in the un- 

 avoidable absence of Mr. F. Pitcher. 



ELECTION OF MEMBER. 



On a ballot being taken, Mr. C. L. Barrett, Dendy-street, 

 Brighton, was duly elected a member of the Club. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



The postponed discussion on the question of protection to 

 native birds was resumed, when a letter was read from Mr. F. C. 

 Christy advocating the extension of the close season for all water- 

 fowl from the 21st December to at least the middle of March, 

 Several members spoke on the subject, but it was considered 

 hopeless to ask for the inclusion of the Christmas holidays in the 

 close season, and that the only course open was to endeavour to 

 have the present Act more strictly enforced. 



The president drew attention to a copy of a new work by Mr. 

 R. Hall, entitled " A Key to the Birds of Australia and Tas- 



