THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



Ladies and gentlemen, mixj we learu to dwell on wisdom's 

 serenest height. 



*•• Per campos instructa, tua sine paite pericli 

 Suaye, etiaui beUi certamina magna tueri; 

 Serl nil dalcius est, bene quani munita tenere, 

 Edita doctrina sapicntum, tcmpla sereiia ; 

 Despicere unde queas alios. i)assimque videre 

 Errivi-e, atque viam palanteis qurerere vitfe 

 Cjrtare iiigenio, contendere nobilitate 

 Nocteis atqne dies niti prfestante labore 

 A I summas emergere opes reramqne potiri." 

 Lucretius de rerum natura. 

 Liber TL, L 5-13. 



Baron von IMaeller, K.G.M.G., proposed a bearty vote of thanks 

 to the president for his address, and in the course of his remarks 

 advocated the study of natural history, and the extension of the 

 use of the microscope. The Eev. A. W. Cresswell, M.A., briefly 

 seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. 



The address was followed by a lectnrette after a short interval. 



Outline of Lecturette — "An Old Rail," by Mr. C. A. 



Topp, M.A. 



In the course of his remarks he explained the causes of the grey 

 colour which old fences assume, and of the black, green, and red 

 patches and streaks which they almost invariably present. These 

 he showed to be due to the giov>fth of minute algte and fungi. The 

 remainder of tlie lecturette was devoted to a popular account of the 

 structure and life history of tlie lichens so frequently seen on oUI 

 fences, and of the theory that they are compound plants formed of 

 fungi para.-itL.' on algas. Mr. Topp stated that this theory vras 

 still in dispute, and suggested that members of the CJub who used 

 tlie microscope, niiglit perhaps succeed in obtaining new_ facts 

 bearing on the question. 



During the evening. Baron von Mueller, K.C.M.G., Governtnent 

 Botanist, exhibited advanced copies of the second part of "The 

 System of Victorian Plants," which he has been jtreparing ia 

 response to the wish expressed by the Hon. Dr. Dobson, in his 

 presidential address to the Club in 1884. This part enumerates 

 the 1825 species of Victorian vascular plants, under their orders 

 and genera, giving annotations of their regional distribution. Ifc 

 contains 210 wood-cuts, repiesenting 152 species, witli explanatory 

 notes referring to the original description of the plant. Tiie size of 

 the publication is such as to allow it to be conveniently carried in 

 the pocket during excursions, nevertheless, all the illustrations are 

 given at the natu'/al size or magnified. Another part, also of 

 about 270 pages, will complete the work, which has been printed at 

 the Government Printing; Office. 



