98 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



The visitors were shown round by the Director, Mr. D. Le Souef, 

 who explained the habits and any special characters of the 

 animals on view. The colours of the birds and mammals was 

 particularly noted as harmonizing with their natural surroundings. 

 A brood of young Cape Barren Geese, Cereopsis novce-hollandue, 

 were seen, and a male Emu sitting on its nest of seven eggs. 

 Altogether there was so much to be seen that the afternoon 

 proved too short to view all the various animals exhibited, 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On a ballot being taken, Mr. James A. Armitage, Station- 

 street, Carlton, and Mr, John W. Gray, M.A., Continuation 

 School, Melbourne, were elected ordinary members ; Mr. John 

 Borlase, Coimadai, a country member ; and Master George 

 Farrand Haig, Athelstane-grove, Ivanhoe, an associate. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



The president referred to the destruction of wattles along the 

 Yarra, near the Kew Asylum, as noticed by the excursion party on 

 the previous Saturday, and moved — " That a letter be written to 

 the Asylum authorities asking that action may be taken to prevent 

 any further destruction taking place." This was seconded by Mr. 

 G. Renner, and carried. In connection with the same matter a 

 letter was read from Mr. C. French, jun., reporting the wholesale 

 destruction of wattles near Kew and Heidelberg, stating that 

 several fine trees had been ruthlessly cut down and the blossom 

 strewn all over the place. 



Mr. J. A. Leach, B.Sc, drew attention to the fact that some of 

 the cuttings in Alexandra-avenue were being planted with creep- 

 ing plants, such as ivy and mesembryanthemums, which would 

 soon cover up some of the few interesting sections so useful for 

 illustrating the geology near Melbourne. He moved — " That a 

 letter be written to the Public Works Department asking that 

 portions of the cuttings may be left exposed." This was seconded 

 by Mr. A. E. Kitson, F.G.S., and carried unanimously, 



Mr. Leach also moved, and Mr. G. Coghill seconded — " That a 

 letter be written to the Railway Department asking that a portion 

 of the railway cutting near Jolimont station may be left uncovered 

 by creeping plants." Carried. 



The president announced that Mr. J. H. Harvey had been 

 elected to fill the vacancy on the committee. 



PAPERS READ. 



I, By Mr. A. J, North, C.M.Z.S., entitled "Description of a 

 new Genus and Species of Honey-eater from Rennell Island, 

 Solomon Group." 



The author described a new Honey-eater from Rennell Island, 

 Solomon Group, forwarded to the Australian Museum, Sydney, 



