96 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



Beaconsfield ; Corticiiim Iceve, Fr., Bunyip ; Lycoperdon dennox- 

 ant hum, Vitt, Broadford ; Diploderma fitmosa, C. et M. ; Licea 

 frangiformis, Fr., Ringwood ; Phoma Goodeniareum, C. et M., 

 Brighton ; P. portentosa, C. et M., Broadford ; Torula mycefo- 

 phila, C. et M., Broadford ; Puccinia alyxiae, C. et M., 

 Broadford ; Uredo spridii, C. et M., Oakleigh ; Phyllosticta 

 Harde?ibergii, C. et M., Box Hill ; Sphaerosiilbe microspora, 

 C- et M., Oakleigh ; Trihlidhcvi ccespitosum, G. et M., Box 

 Hill ; Gloesporium suhglobosiim, C. et M., Brighton ; Sphaerella 

 Alyxiae, C. et M , Brighton ; Phyllachora Eucalypti, C. et IM.,. 

 Bunyip ; Leptosphaeria Camelliae, C. et M. ; Pleospora ducuhae, 

 C. et M.; Diatrypc glomeraria,'^.,0-a}i({Q.\%\\\ Sacidium Camellae, 

 C. et M., Brighton ; Coniophora olivacea, Fr., Oakleigh ; Bovista 

 cenina, Beenak. 



Birds' Nests. — Wanted to exchange birds' nests from Westernpovt,. 

 including those of sea-birds, for nests from northern districts. E. 

 KoBiNSON, Hastings. 



Me. Bracebeidge Wilson, F.L.S., of Geelong, who has obtained so many 

 new and rare forms in his dredgings at Port Phillip Heads and at Western 

 Port, reports Amphioxus from the South Channel. Mr. Wilson is to be 

 congratulated on this most interesting find. 



Me. W. Ball, of Bourke-street, has been very successful in micro- 

 photography. He has succeeded not only in reproducing such objects 

 as parasites, parts of insects, etc., but also in some eases the details 

 of histological mounts. He is directing his attention to Bacteria, and we 

 look for good results from this work, for "many valuable records have been 

 obtained in the laboratories of Koch and Pasteur by the aid of photo- 

 graphy. 



We are hoping soon to have the whole of Baron von Mueller's Dichoto- 

 mous Key. It is impossible for the Baron to do any botanical work per- 

 functorily, and we understand that, while the dichotomous method of 

 diagnosis has been strictly adhered to, we are not left entirely at its mercy. 

 The dichotomies will be emphasised by large type, and further information 

 will be, where necessary, appended in smaller tpye. The author thus, by an 

 ingenious plan, secures the advantages without the disadvantages of the 

 method. 



Botanists will be glad to know that the natural line of affinity of the 

 orders is not broken. Some of the natural orders are represented in 

 Victoria only by aberrant forms, e.g., the Lauraeece (with only Cassytlia, a 

 climbing genus), the Anonacece (with only perigynous forms), etc. The 

 Key separates such orders by natural distinctions of world-wide application, 

 but gives the clue to the local representatives in smaller type. The wisdom 

 of this will be seen, even for local purposes, when we consider that the 

 opening up of East Gippsland will most likely add other and conforming 

 genera to our flora. 



In some particulars the attention of European botanists is challenged. 

 Five families which have representatives in Europe (the Phinttiginecc, 

 Plumhacjinece, Ngctagbme, Thyiiielece, and Vinifem have new positions 

 assigned thera. Perhaps most unexpected, but of great interest, is the 

 relationship of the Thymelecr to the Eosaceic (through the Sanguisorbretr). 

 There are, we understand, other original features in the work, and we shall 

 hope to review these when the " Key" appears. 



