68 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



on the construction and use of the microscope, after which 

 the mounting and examination of dry specimens (Polyzoa) was 

 demonstrated by Lieut.-Colonel Goldstein and Mr. J. Gabriel ; 

 the examination of fresh tissue was explained by Mr. J. S. 

 Hart, M.A., B.Sc, and Rev. W. Fielder ; whilst Dr. A. 

 Dendy, Mr. T. Steel, F.C.S., and Mr. J. Shephard demonstrated 

 the mounting and examination of specimens in balsam. Great 

 interest was evinced in the various processes by those present, 

 and it is proposed to hold similar meetings from time to time. 



EXHIBITION OF SPECIMENS. 



The usual exhibition of specimens took place, the following 

 being a list : — By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — An orchid {Pterostylis 

 nutans), grown by himself. By Mr. J. E. Dixon. — Flowers of 

 Acacia haileyana, grown by himself By Mr. C. French. — Jarrah 

 timber, eaten by white ants, from Northern Territory, South Aus- 

 tralia. By Mr. C. French, jun. — Eggs of Australian Bittern, from 

 Queensland ; Boobook Owl, from Wimmera ; and Winking Owl, 

 from Wimmera. By Mr. J. Gillespie. — Specimen of Ihacus 

 peronii. By Mr. G. Keartland. — White-lipped Snake, from King 

 Inland. 



A TRIP TO SASSAFRAS GULLY. 

 By R. S. Sugars. 



(Read before the Field Naturalists^ Club of Victoria^ i2,th Aprils 



1891.J 

 Freed once more for a few days from the " daily round, the 

 common task," the interesting question confronts us, " What 

 shall we do with our Easter holidays?" Commencing as they 

 do on Good Friday, two members of the Club consult each 

 other with the view of spending them in a manner which, if it 

 could not be called good, would at least be fairly safe from being 

 described as bad. Acting on the information obtained from a 

 note read before the Club on the 9th March, it was decided to 

 pay a visit to what was soon discovered to be the beautiful spot 

 called Sassafras Gully. 



Departing somewhat from the usual custom of starting from 

 the beginning, we are compelled to commence our paper a little 

 way on in the journey, for on reaching Auburn one-half the 

 party is found to be comfortably seated in the train timed to 

 leave Prince's Bridge at 7.20 a.m., and which reached the 

 former station punctually at tabled time (7.38 a.m.) A seat is 

 found for the other half of the party, which now being complete, 

 we feel satisfied that for so far all has gone well. Shordy after 

 passing Camberwell we cross over the newly formed Outer Circle 

 railway, running from Oakleigh to join the Heidelberg line 



