98 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



communicating his paper on " Phenology and Rural Biology," 

 and thus the only paper of the evening was contributed by Mr. 

 J. P. Eckert, and had reference to " Some peculiar changes in the 

 colour of the flower of Swainsonia procumbens." When the flower 

 opens the corolla is lilac, and the first change is noticed in the 

 longitudinal venules of the largest petals, which soon after assume 

 a deep crimson. Then, at two different points of the petals a 

 dark blue is noticed, which gradually extends over the whole 

 surface, the peripheral portion being a little paler in colour. In 

 the central portion the colour varies through all the shades of blue 

 till finally it assumes a rosy tint. Frequently the petals will assume 

 their original colour for some days, and afterwards go through all 

 the gradations of colour once more. Mr. Eckert assigns the cause 

 a meteorological one, that arch scourge — the north wind — being 

 very effective towards its accomplishment. Experiments with the 

 electric current give almost conclusive testimony in favour of the 

 hypothesis. In speaking upon the subject, Mr. T. Steel, F.C.S., 

 gave some interesting details as to the application of the spectro- 

 scope to this particular branch of study. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



The first note was handed in by Mr. C. French, and had 

 reference to the introduction and exhibition of the first rhinoceros 

 in London, A second note recorded some facts as to the habits 

 of snakes in swallowing their young, which Mr. D. Le Souef 

 corroborated by cases which had come under his own notice. 

 Mr. G. Renner also furnished a note relating to the therapeutic 

 value of Eucalyptus extracts, especially its application in cases of 

 severe influenza. 



EXHIBITION OF SPECIMENS. 



The exhibits at the meeting consisted principally of wild flowers 

 gathered in from different parts of the colony, the following being 

 the exhibitors : — Mrs. Flatow, Miss Roberts, Misses Taylor, 

 Baron von Mueller, and Messrs. G. Coghill, W. F. Gates, E. R. 

 Hammett, E. H. Hennell, J. G. Luehmann, W. Scott, and H. T. 

 Tisdall. An account in more detail of these exhibits is being 

 prepared and will appear in a subsequent issue of the Naturalist. 

 Mr. C. French, sen., exhibited an Eel, forwarded to him by 

 Mr. J. Sach, which had been pumped up by a centrifugal pump 

 at Benjeroop, Lower Murray River. The specimen is of interest, 

 since it has been asserted that the eel has never before been 

 found in the Murray so far down the river. Mr. H. Hill— 

 a C3se of Victorian and other Lepidoptera ; Mr. F. Spry — Larva 

 Thalassodis lithocroma (Myk.), Larva, Chrysalis, and Butterfly of 

 Oyyris abiota (with food plant), and Eggs of Delias aganippe 

 (Don). 



