58 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



ings, such as Sponges, Algae, and even Sea-Anemones, which 

 they are said to be able to remove at will, and exhibited specimens 

 in illustration of his remarks. 



2. By Mr. O. A. Sayce, entitled " On a Method of Preserving 

 Crustacea." 



The author described a practical method of preserving Crus- 

 tacea by means of a mixture of glycerine, spirit, and corrosive 

 sublimate, which was also applicable to Sea-Urchins, Star-fish, and 

 even Brittle Stars, by which they were kept in a perfectly flexible 

 condition without the necessity of being enclosed in specimen 

 jars or other closed vessels, and exhibited a large series of speci- 

 mens which had undergone the treatment described. 



Several members spoke enthusiastically of the method, and 

 predicted a great revolution in the method of preserving and 

 exhibiting several classes of natural history objects. 



3. By Mr. A. Campbell, jun., entitled " A Trip to the Rich- 

 mond River District." 



The author gave a general description of the Richmond River 

 district, N.S.W., and gave some account of the principal botanical 

 features of the " Big Scrub," leaving the birds and the butterflies 

 for a future paper. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland drew attention to his exhibit of a pair of 

 live Collared Plain Wanderers, Pedionomus torquatvs. The birds 

 were captured recently by a friend when out quail-shooting. His 

 dog " stood " at them as they squatted in short grass, and when 

 approached they made no effort to escape. Though the female had 

 been taken only eight days, she was now so tame as to take worms 

 from the hand. He had on several previous occasions known 

 birds of this species to make no attempt to escape when 

 approached. 



Mr. P. G. A. Barnard drew attention to the volume on Natural 

 History of the " Concise Knowledge Library " laid on the table 

 by him, as a book which, from its reasonable cost and great 

 dictionary value, should be in the library of every field 

 naturalist. 



EXHIBITS. 



By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — A simple form of section-cutter for 

 microscopical work. 



By Mr. C. French. — Shells, Melo millonis, from Western 

 Australia. 



By Mr. C J. Gabriel. — Shells from Northern Europe, including 

 Linia excavata, Pecten islandicus, P. septemradiatus, Antalis 

 striolata (dredged at 300 fathoms deep) ; also case of Victorian 

 Pectens, P. as2oerrimus, P. laticostatus, and P. bifrons. 



By Mr. D. Le Souef. — Native Gourd from North Queensland. 



By Mr. F. M. Reader. — Dried plants, Setaria glauca, un- 



