March, 1907.] THE TICTORIAN NATURALIST. 911 



The difference between galls caused by ins,ects and 

 those by fungi was pointed out, and some fine specimens 

 of the latter were found on Acacia armata, where they 

 were destroying a fine tree, over loo galls being counted 

 on one plant. Many other specimens were collected for 

 further study by those present. 



After lunch, some demonstrations were given, viz. : — 



(i) The material required — umbrella, nets, cyanide 

 bottle, bottle of methylated spirits, breeding 

 cages, pill boxes, pocket boxes, forceps, lens, 

 &c., for collecting. 



(2) Where to look for specimens ; under bark, logs, 



stones, dead leaves, and branches of trees ; 

 native flowers, &c. 



(3) How to relax, pin, and mount micro-coleoftera, 



hymenoftera, diftera, galls, &c. ; how to pre- 

 serve and inflate larvae ; label and arrange in 

 cabinets. 



(4) How to collect entomological specimens. 



(5) The preservatives to use against various insects 



destroying stored collections. 



The teachers were afterwards invited to set, pin, and 

 label moths, butterflies, and " card " micro-beetles. Their 

 work was very well carried out, showing that attention 

 was paid to the demonstrations. A cabinet drawer be- 

 longing to the economic entomological collection at the 

 Department of Agriculture was shown, to enable those 

 present to see how specimens should be arranged. After 

 the demonstration was finished, questions were asked and 

 ans,wers given to each. 



An invitation given by the Government Entomologist, 

 Mr. C. French, to visit the office collections was availed 

 of, and on Thursday, 3rd January, about forty teachers 

 attended, and were shown over the extensive collections h\ 

 Mr. French and his son. The life histories of the various 

 specimens were explained. The fine collection of Aus- 

 tralian and foreign butterflies^ moths, and beetles belong- 

 ing to my father were greatly admired, and have since 

 been inspected by many teachers who remained a few da\ s 

 longer in Melbourne. The teachers passed a hearty vote 

 of thanks. In reply, Mr. French, sen., assured the 

 party that the little assistance they could give was alwa} s 

 gladly given by his son and himself. He hoped it would 

 help to further Nature-study in our schools. 



