116 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



at the top ; placentaries nearly cordate ; ovules very numerous, 

 the laxe integument much and equally extending beyond the 

 nucleus. 



Near the Derwent ; L. Rodway. 



Length of stem to about three inches. Flower about ^3-inch 

 long. Ripe fruit not obtained. 



This plant connects the genera Thismia and Bagnisia, so that 

 the species of the latter should merge also into Thismia ; indeed, 

 Geomitra might likewise be transferred to that genus. If 

 however these three are separately maintained, then the new 

 Tasmanian plant could also be generically isolated, and might 

 then receive the name Rodwaya thismiacea. 



Thelymitra Elizabeth/e. 



Under this name has been distinguished a Thelymitra, as a 

 variety of T. carnea or as a distinct species, discovered towards 

 the Yarra, near Camberwell, by Mr. John M'Kibbon. The stature 

 is rather more slender than that of T. carnea, and the plant is also 

 in all its parts somewhat smaller. It differs furthermore in having 

 the appendages of the gynostemium dark-purplish or almost black 

 and less papillular-rough, the lobe between the appendages being 

 likewise dark-coloured, while the apex of the anther is also 

 purplish. This rare plant is dedicated to the lady of the finder. 



(To be continued.) 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist 



Dear Sir, — Can you or any of your readers inform me where 

 I can obtain a fairly representative collection of Victorian fossils 

 suitable for illustrating lectures on geology? Thanking you in 

 anticipation, I am, yours sincerely, 



ERNEST LIDGEY. 



Edgevale-road, Kew. 



Parasites on Beetle. — I have to submit a small beetle which 

 I found about three weeks ago on a dung heap, and which has 

 attached to it a curious cluster of parasitic mites (Acarus, sp. ?) 

 They are attached to the abdomen of the beetle, on the back, 

 just at the hinder ends of the elytra, some of them evidently 

 adhering to the soft cuticle of the body, whilst others are attached 

 to a bristle-like projection, about a quarter of an inch in length. 

 When I noticed the beetle it was moving along briskly ; and 

 besides the fixed parasites, there were three or four very active 

 long-legged mites running freely about on its body. Mr. French 

 informs me that the name of the beetle is Saprinvs foetus. — T. Steel. 



