THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, 75 



University and National Museum, which are too recent to need 

 mentioning here. The thirteenth conversazione was held on 

 i8th and 19th May, 1899, at the Athenaeum, and resulted in 

 a small balance on the right side. The president, Mr. C. 

 French gave a brief opening address, and lecturettes were 

 given by Mr. O. A. Sayce, entitled ' How an Insect Lives,' 

 and by Prof. Spencer on the Natural History Museum at 

 South Kensington, London, illustrated by a fine series of lantern 

 views (V.JV., xvi., 20). After an interval of six years a long 

 excursion was attempted, and an enjoyable outing was spent 

 in November at the Lerderderg River, near Bacchus Marsh 

 {V.N., xvi., 119), while in January, 1900, a short visit was paid 

 to Wallaby Creek, Plenty Ranges {V.N., xvi., 163). 



" 1900-1. — Mr. J. Shephard retained the presidentship, and 

 Mr. Coghill terminated his four years as secretary. Provision 

 was made in the rules for country members at a reduced sub- 

 scription, which led to a slight increase in membership. Forty 

 papers were read. The credit balance increased to ;^7, and has 

 been on the up grade ever since. An enjoyable camp-out was 

 held at the Maroondah Weir, near Healesville {V.N., xvii., 131), 

 and was well attended. 



" 1901-2.— The president for the year was Mr. T. S. Hall, 

 M.A., with Mr. J. A. Kershaw as hon. secretary. The member- 

 ship was set down at 155 {V.N., xix., 38). Twenty-seven papers 

 were read. The credit balance rose to ^21. Considerable 

 energy was infused into the excursions. A camp-out was held at 

 Gembrook in November {V.N., xviii., 116), and an Easter trip to 

 Shoreham, Western Port Bay {V.N., xix., 7). The Game Act 

 was under consideration by a representative committee, and 

 certain recommendations made to the Minister of Lands. A 

 musical reunion was held {V.N., xviii., 39) to celebrate the 

 twenty-first anniversary of the founding of the Club, and 

 advantage was taken of the meeting to make a presentation to 

 Mr. Coghill, in recognition of his four years' arduous work as hon. 

 secretary, with the result of renewed activity and prosperity to 

 the Club. At the same time I presented to the Club a framed 

 record showing the office-bearers for the twenty-one years, which 

 now hangs in the Club room. Our badge, a shell, Nassa 

 fasciata^ was adopted this year. 



" 1902-3. — Under the same officers the Club continued to 

 advance. The members' roll amounted to 172. Thirty-three 

 papers were read, and the credit balance was nearly doubled, 

 being then ;£/\i. Long excursions were held at Shoreham, 

 November, 1902 {V.N., xix., 107), and at Launching Place, Jan- 

 uary, 1903 {V.N., xix., 147). The fourteenth conversazione was 

 held at the Athenaeum, an alteration being made from the usual 



