154 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. XXIII. 



the Society ; and Knowledge (new series), September and October, 

 1906, from the proprietors. 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On a ballot being taken, Mr. A. G. Campbell, Armadale, was 

 elected an ordinary member ; Mr. Oliver Gray, Wedderburn, a 

 country member ; Mr. John Robinson, New-street, Brighton, 

 Master H. W. L. Schuchard, Cambridge-street, Auburn, and Master 

 J. Mann, as associates ; and Miss E. Archer, Parkville, and Master 

 C. W. Hutton, Ramsden-street, Clifton Hill, as junior members of 

 the Club. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



The Chairman announced that the botanical collections of Mr. 

 F. M. Reader and the lichen collection of the late Rev. F. R. M. 

 Wilson had recently been purchased by the Government for the 

 National Herbarium, and moved that a letter conveying the 

 appreciation of the Club of the purchase be forwarded to the 

 Minister of Agriculture. Seconded by Mr. A. H. Mattingley, and 

 carried. 



The Chairman also stated that trustees had recently been 

 appointed for the land at Gembrook which had been set aside 

 as a reserve for the public. 



PAPER. 



By Prof. A. J. Ewart, D.Sc, Ph.D., entitled " Note on the 

 Phosphorescence of the Fungus Agaricus (Pleurotus) candescens, 

 Miill." 



The author recorded the results of a number of experiments 

 made with this well-known luminous fungus with the view of 

 finding out the nature and uses of the luminosity. The results 

 seemed to indicate that the luminous property is confined to the 

 gills, and is probably used as a means of attraction for insects, 

 &c., and so aid in the distribution of the spores. 



Some discussion ensued, in which Mr. O. A. Sayce asked 

 whether, as had been stated, the species was restricted to the 

 coast line, and thus perhaps under the influence of sea air, but 

 Prof. Ewart said the species was widely spread in Victoria, and 

 the genus was common to the whole of Australasia and Tasmania. 



Mr. F. G. A. Barnard said that he had obtained some fine 

 specimens at Warburton last Easter, at an elevation of about 

 2,000 feet, which had retained their luminosity for several days. 



Mr. Mattingley said that he had recently seen the fungus at 

 Mt. Barrow, N.E. Tasmania, and had found a number of snails 

 feeding upon a specimen growing on the stump of a tree. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Emission of Colour by a Mollusc. — Mr. C. J. Gabriel 

 called attention to his exhibit of specimens of the shellfish Scala 



