April, 1907.] THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 243 



received from the Hon. the Premier of New South Wales that 

 the close season for wild duck in Victoria be altered to 

 conform with that on the other side of the Murray. He asked 

 for an expression of opinion from the Club as to whether the 

 present season — namely, from the ist August to the 31st January 

 following — affords sufficient protection, or whether it is considered 

 that the close season in New South Wales, commencing on ist 

 July and ending on the same date as the Victorian season, should 

 be adopted. 



Opinions had been obtained from over twenty officers in charge 

 of police stations situated along the Victorian side of the Murray 

 on the question, the large majority of whom favoured the proposed 

 alteration. 



As an early reply was requested, the matter had been dealt 

 with by the committee, the alteration being approved of, which 

 was endorsed by the meeting. 



PAPERS. 



By Mr. A. Mattingley, entitled—" A Trip to Mud Island, Port 

 Phillip Bay." 



The chief object of the visit was to investigate the breeding 

 and times of arrival and departure on the island of the White- 

 faced Storm-Petrel, Pelagodroma marina, Lath. A series of 

 lantern views was shown, illustrating the nesting-ground, eggs, 

 young, and adult birds. 



It was shown that the action previously taken by the Club, by 

 which these interesting birds are now protected during the whole 

 year, has resulted in a large increase in their numbers. 



The author's remarks were supplemented by Mr. A. G. 

 Campbell, who gave an interesting resume of the plants found 

 growing on the island. The paper was discussed by Messrs. T. 

 S. Hall, M.A., G. A. Keartland, and the president. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. 



Mr. A. D. Hardy drew attention to an abnormal growth in the 

 flowers of an Aster and Marguerite exhibited by him. 



EXHIBITS. 



By Mr. A. G. Campbell. — Fossil skull of Wombat, Phascolomys 

 mitchelli (?), from limy sandstone rock, Bats' Ridges Caves, 

 Portland. 



By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. — Volcanic tuff and a volcanic 

 bomb from CoUingwood Quarry. 



By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells, Ghlamys huhnholtzi, 

 Bern., from New Caledonia and Western Australia. 



By Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S. — Malformations of blooms of 

 Aster and Marguerite (cultivated). 



By Mr. F. W. Schafer. — Spear or arrow heads made by 

 American Indians ; also, ground stone axe from Murrumbidgee, 



After the usual conversazione, the meeting terminated. 



