72 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



" The seeds of some of the Indian banians, I believe, require 

 to pass through the bodies of birds to enable them to germi- 

 nate. A minute bird (Diceuvi) feeds on them, and is so small 

 that its droppings cannot fall clear of the branch on which it 

 sits, consequently it is glued to the bark, and takes root. 

 Sometimes this takes place on a palm tree ; the roots then run 

 down the trunk, and finally smother their host. 



" E. L. Layard. 

 "British Consulate, Noumea, 15th May." 



Bendigo Science Society. — We are glad to notice that this 

 society has recently been advancing with rapid strides, and now 

 numbers over one hundred members. At the June meeting 

 papers on " The Integumentary System," by Mr. J. B. Lillie 

 Macka,y, A.K.C.L., F.C.S., and "The Necessity of a More 

 Extended Knowledge of Geography," by Mr, D. Hickie, 

 F.R.G.S., were read; whilst Mr. G. W Knight made a good 

 •display of rare orchids, other objects of interest being contributed 

 by members. At the July meeting Dr. Colquhoun read a paper 

 •on " Evolution," which was received with much satisfaction. 



Black-cheeked Noddy Tern ( Anous melanogenysj. — 

 Locality, coast of North Queensland, and throughout Polynesia. 

 Egg, of a soft, warm, white colour, sparingly smudged and 

 spotted with rusty brown, the markings being generally confined 

 to the larger end of the shell A few clouded markings also 

 appear underlying the shell's surface. Dimensions fairly 

 regular ; average of six examples is i inch 9^ lines by i inch 

 3|- lines. Rev. F. M. Nobbs, who kindly forwarded me speci- 

 mens, informs me that this tern breeds on Norfolk Island 

 during December. It breeds in colonies. One egg only is 

 deposited, in nests of seaweed very firmly secured to branches of 

 trees. Some nests are placed on large trees half a mile inland, 

 others on dwarf scrub close to the seashore. — A. J. Campbell, 

 Armadale, July, 1888. 



We deeply regret to announce that Mr. Thomas Henry Potts, 

 an old resident of Canterbury, N.Z., and well known as a 

 naturalist, died suddenly in Christchurch. Mr. Potts, who was 

 62 years of age, was a man of considerable means when he 

 arrived in the colony, and was therefore able to pursue his hobby 

 at a time wlien the leisured class were few. His papers, "■ Out 

 in the Open," made his name known outside the colony. 



