THE VICTORIAN' NATURALIST. 143 



tion of Thylacoleo is unique, and not on the pattern of any exist- 

 ing predaceous carnivores. Even in the Tasmanian devil and 

 tiger, as in the Carnivora proper, there are large canines set well 

 apart, with the incisors so small as not to interfere with their 

 tearing action. But in Thylacoleo the canines are rudimentary, 

 and the central incisors greatly developed. He concluded that 

 it was "not safe to speculate on the habits or food of an 

 animal the dentition of which was so highly specialised, and 

 without any analogy in the existing state of things." Professor 

 Huxley said that he agreed with the conclusions of Professor 

 Flower. 



The manager of the Adams Freehold Goldmining Company, 

 near Talbot, has furnished the department of Mines with a 

 fossil corresponding with Baron Von Mueller's description of 

 the Celyphina M^Coyi. It is about the size of a walnut, and is 

 the fossilised remains of a fruit. It was taken at a depth of 

 145 feet from the surface in the gravel wash on the bed-rock, 

 and overlaid by a drift of black clay and layers of basalt. — Daily 

 Telegraph. 



Sharks in Corio Bay. — The chief inspector of fisheries 

 (Captain Mandeville) having returned from Geelong, is 

 engaged preparing a report containing information relating 

 to the netting of fish in Corio Bay. When at Geelong 

 and elsewhere on the Bay, Captain Mandeville was 

 extremely busy ascertaining all he could on this important 

 question, and it is expected that his report will be a most 

 valuable one. In reference to the extraordinary yarns about 

 the immense quantities of sharks caught in Corio Bay during 

 the captain's visit, he states that he went out one day fully 

 equipped and prepared to catch some, and the result of the 

 very first haul was almost miraculous. When the first net was- 

 hauled in it was found to contain 3540 sharks. Altogether, 

 five boats which were out that day captured 8310 sharks, 2050 

 soldiers, and 100 leather-jackets. Captain Price formally 

 superintended the counting, which was done by three men, 

 and occupied three hours. The sharks were only about a foot 

 long, and quite young. It would be imagined that such little 

 things would not be able to do any damage, but Captain 

 Mandeville states that they are able to bite their more peaceful 

 finny friends most unmercifully. He has in his possession the 

 head of a mullet bearing a mark, which is evidently the bite of 

 one of these young sharks. Captain Mandeville's report will 

 contain a recommendation that netting be allowed in Corio 

 Bay in consequence of the enormous number of sharks there. 

 He says there is no doubt that the bay is a huge spawning 

 ground for sharks. — Daily Telegraph, 2gth January, 1887. 



