196 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



years before, and noticed by W. M. B. in Studley Park, the 

 moral may be drawn that minute floating plants may be easily 

 overlooked, and that naturalists may be in possession of rare or 

 new captures without securing a permanent record. The Baron 

 adds that Wolfifia was first found in Australia by himself in 1873,. 

 near Mount Emu. It was at once recorded, and, attention 

 having been drawn to the find, Rev. Dr. Woolls soon detected 

 examples near Port Jackson. It is probable that this tiny plant 

 will be found in the Melbourne district, and it is to be hoped, 

 that the find will be duly recorded. 



Another small and closely-allied plant, also, is to be looked 

 for. In 1 847 Baron von Mueller recognised a Lemna at 

 Adelaide as a new form, and proposed the name L. pleiorhiza 

 for it. The plant was not described, as he could not find speci- 

 mens of the tiny flower or fruit, which, as in Wolfifia, is so 

 rarely developed. Dr. Kurz, many years afterwards, discovered 

 the same species in India, and, unaware of previous observation,, 

 named it Z. oligorhiza. The fruit of this species is still 

 unknown, and, in order to stimulate search for it, that compari- 

 sons may be made with L. minor and L. polyrhiza, the subject, 

 was brought a few months ago before the Linnean Society of 

 New South Wales. It may perhaps fall to the lot of some of 

 our botanical readers to come across this little plant by closer 

 searching in their rambles. If so, it is earnestly to be desired: 

 that they will communicate with the Baron on the subject. 



Mr. H. Watts also writes that he " found Riccia five or six 

 years ago at one of our Club's excursions, near Frankston," and 

 has "repeatedly seen it on the heathy places between Cheltenhani 

 and Brighton." 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



PRESERVATION OF COLOURS IN SPIDERS. 



To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. 



Sir, — In the course of " J. A. H.'s " communication in your 

 number, she regrets that it is not possible to preserve spiders, 

 so as to retain their colours. If "J. A. H." had been at our 

 last general conversazione she would have seen nearly 100 spiders, 

 each with their colours fully preserved. The specimens still 

 retain their colours, and, if " J. A. H." should visit Melbourne, 

 I shall be happy to show her that spiders can be preserved 

 with all their colours, if they have any. — I remain, your 

 obedient servant, 



HENRY WATTS. 



12 Wellington-street, Collingwood. 



