THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, 73 



made to the Furneaux Group in November, 1893 (V.N'., x., 167), 

 the last long excursion for six years. On his resignation of the 

 secretaryship, Mr. Fielder was presented with a valuable micro- 

 scope. During the year Prof. Spencer and Mr. G. A. Keartland 

 were away in Central Australia with the Horn Exploring Expedi- 

 tion. The Juvenile J*rize Competition was continued, but the 

 results were not considered satisfactory. Baron von Mueller again 

 attended to distribute the prizes. 



"1894-5. — The year was under the presidency of Mr. 

 Tisdall, and the report (V.N'., xii., 25) reports a large reduction 

 in the members, and all owing to financial stress, 180 being the 

 total quoted. Only sixteen papers were read. The credit 

 balance, had the locked-up money been available and all 

 accounts paid, would have been only about ;^i5 ; however, an 

 additional bookcase had been purchased. The eleventh conver- 

 sazione, the first extending over two days, was held at the 

 Athenaeum on the 14th and 15th June, 1894 (V.N., xi., 50), and 

 for the first time a charge for admission was made to non- 

 members. By this means the cost of the conversazione to the Club 

 was reduced to about ^j in place of nearly ;^2o. Prof. M'Coy 

 delivered a brief address, and was supported by Baron von 

 Mueller. Lecturettes were given by Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A,, on 

 ' Orchids,' and by the Rev. W. Fielder on ' The History of 

 an Egg and How to Read It,' while Mr. A. J. Campbell, 

 recalled the three trips to the islands of Bass Strait by means of 

 lantern views. 



"1895-6. — Prof. Spencer commenced his second period of 

 office as president, Mr. H. P. C. Ashworth being hon. secretary. 

 The members' roll showed a further shrinkage to 146. Twenty- 

 three papers were read, while the real credit balance remained 

 about the same. By the deaths of Dr. Dobson, Dr. Mac- 

 gillivray (Bendigo), and Mr. J. Bracebridge Wilson (Geelong) the 

 Club lost earnest supporters (V.N., xiii., 29). 



** 1896-7. — Prof Spencer remained as president, but the 

 Club was unfortunate in losing the services of Mr. H. P. C. 

 Ashworth as hon. secretary, owing to ill health, Mr. C. French, 

 jun., being elected in his stead. The number of members showed 

 a further slight falling-off (V.IV., xiv., 37). During the year 

 the Club lost one of its heartiest supporters, Baron von Mueller, 

 who, though an original member, had, singularly enough, never 

 really been an office-bearer of the Club. An appreciative memoir 

 appeared in the Naturalist for October, 1896 (V.N., xiii., 87). 

 The death of Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith, one of the first committee, 

 and a great supporter for many years, took place in England. 

 Twenty-one papers were read. The twelfth conversazione was 

 held at the Athenaeum on 28th and 29th May, 1896, memorable 



