166 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



m^nt, were shown in illustration of the paper. Mr. T. Steel, 

 F.C.S., in speaking on the subject of bird protection generally, 

 gave some interesting details as to the utility of the Jackass and 

 Mynah to the agriculturist. 



Mr. A. J. Campbell, F.L.S., brought up the next paper, which 

 had reference to the protection of native fauna, the precise title 

 of the paper being " The Advisability of Petitioning the Govern- 

 ment to Impose a Gun Tax." Several reasons were given in 

 favour of the imposition of such a tax, the principal ones being 

 that it would be a legitimate source of revenue, would afford 

 better protection to native fauna, and also save many useful lives. 

 Mr. Campbell calculates that no less a sum than ^^ 20,000 per 

 annum would result from such a tax. The subject gave rise to 

 an animated discussion, in which Messrs. E. Anderson, W. 

 Fielder, C. Frost, G. A. Keartland, J. E. Prince, J. Shephard, T. 

 Steel, and R. S. Sugars took part, the majority being in favour of 

 the tax ; and that some steps may be taken for bringing the 

 subject under the notice of the Government, Mr. G. Sweet, 

 supported by Mr. J. Shephard, proposed that the following 

 should form a committee to consider the matter, viz., Messrs. 

 A. J. Campbell, C. French, C. Frost, F. R. Godfrey, G. A. 

 Keartland, D. Le Souef, and F. Wisewould. This committee 

 will be called together shortly, and will issue some suggestions on 

 the subject. 



THE PERMANENT PRESERVATION OF THE HERBARIUM. 



The Chairman said that, as some anxiety had been expressed 

 as to the future fate of the specimens at present in the Botanical 

 Museum, the members would be glad to learn that a movement 

 was on foot for bringing the subject prominently under the notice 

 of the Government and the public generally. At a late com- 

 mittee meeting of the Executive of the Club a sub-committee had 

 been appointed to give attention to the subject, and a letter 

 addressed to the Council of the Royal Society, asking for co- 

 operation on the part of their society. It was confidently expected 

 that this co-operation would be afforded, and a strong represen- 

 tative committee formed, capable of viewing the subject in all its 

 details, as well as of formulating means of arousing public opinion 

 on the matter. 



EXHIBITION OF SPECIMENS. 



The meeting terminated with the usual exhibition of specimens, 

 of which the following is a list : — By Mr. C. French, sen. — 

 Mounted specimens of Silver Gull, Laughing Jackass, Nankeen 

 Kestrel, and Australian Bee-eater. By Mr. C. French, jun. — 

 Eggs of the Singing Honey-eater, Gre)'-backed Storm Petrel, 

 Hoary-headed Grebe, Barred-shouldered Dove, Sordid Kingfisher, 



