84 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



the paper refers to these rocks being sometimes met with out at 

 sea, but the evidence adduced is not sufficiently detailed. My 

 own observations show them to exist in one or two places sHghtly, 

 though very slightly, below low water mark, but subsidence is not, 

 I think, conclusively proved by these instances, as slight sub- 

 mergence might be caused by local coast action. In reference to 

 the supposed footprints, it is necessary to be very guarded in 

 accepting any but the strongest evidence on such points. 

 Amongst limestone rocks it is well-known that mimetic forms are 

 common. In the ^oHan rocks of Cape Bridgewater occurs the 

 so-called fossil forest, which the casual observer can hardly be 

 persuaded to believe is an accidental resemblance, and nothing 

 more. At the same time Mr. Officer must be congratulated on 

 having produced an interesting and highly suggestive paper. The 

 rocks are well described, and whether his conclusions concerning 

 the impressions are accepted or not, he has succeeded in drawing 

 renewed attention to one of the most striking formations in 

 Victoria. 



Mr. G. Sweet supported the views expressed by Mr. Dennant, 

 and in remarking upon the numerous impressions on rocks, many 

 of them of fantastic shapes, which had come under his own notice, 

 told a good story of an alleged find of a fossil calf — a discovery 

 only to be excelled by the exhuming of a fossil cow. Messrs. 

 F. G. A. Barnard, M. C. Bridger. and F, Wisewould also joined 

 in the discussion. 



The second paper was by Mr. T. Steel, F.C.S., on "Maori 

 Preserved Heads of New Zealand." Reference was made to the 

 custom of the Maoris in the reverence they pay to their deceased 

 ancestors, and corresponding customs amongst the natives of 

 Africa, New Guinea, New Hebrides, Egypt, and Austraha. The 

 writer then described the method pursued by the Maoris in pre- 

 serving the heads of distinguished persons, and exhibited a very 

 good specimen in illustration, the age of which could be traced 

 back for at least 50 years. He concluded by stating the fact 

 that before the head came into his possession it had been neglected, 

 and most of the hair had been destroyed by moths. After having 

 kept it some time, he noticed that a thin growth of very fine hair 

 in scattered patches had taken place. In order to gain definite 

 information of future growth, the hair has been closely shaved 

 from a marked patch, and subsequent inspection will reveal the 

 extent and rate of growth should it take place. 



Owing to the lateness of the hour at which the paper was con- 

 cluded, members did not show any disposition to discuss the 

 subject, Mr. D. M'Alpine being the only one to offer a few 

 remarks. 



Fijian and Mallocollo crania were also exhibited in illustration 

 of the subject. 



