335 
protective resemblance in inseets may have arisen by a similar process. — 
Mr. W. R. B. Oliver showed some large Trochus and other shells from the 
Kermadec Islands, and he reviewed the probable evolution of this insular. 
group. They are oceanic islands possibly built up on a continental base. 
Granite is found in small pieces, but has not been seen in situ. The lowest 
beds are of submarine volcanic origin, and these are overlain also by volcanic 
rocks. The ancestors of the terrestrial fauna and flora probably came over- 
seas, as former, hypothetical land-connections with continental areas were 
not required to explain the present-day natural history. — Dr. H. G. Chap- 
man cited a case, which had recently come under his notice, of a green tree- 
frog (Hyla coerulea) resting on a red leaf of a Canna, which had the lower 
parts also markedly red; and he discussed the possible mode of production 
of the red tinge. — On the invitation of the President, Dr. E. Mjoberg, 
who had recently returned from a lengthy collecting visit to North Queens- 
land, showed a number of interesting specimens, including skins of Dacty- 
lopsila trivirgata and other marsupials, blind or partially blind insects and 
other organisms inhabiting dark caves, Peripatus, and termites; and he gave 
a very interesting account of his experiences with these animals under natural 
conditions. — Mr. North sent for exhibition an instance each of ‘‘climatic’’ 
and “individual” variation in New South Wales birds. The former was a 
skin of an adult female Yellow-breasted Robin (Hopsaltria australis) obtained 
by Mr. Thos. P. Austin, of Cobborah Station, Cobbora, in the lightly-timb- 
ered, stony scrublands found in a portion of that neighbourhood, and nearly 
two hundred miles in a direct line from the coast. The type of Hopsaltria 
australis was procured near Sydney, from which the present specimen may 
be distinguished by its being everywhere paler, and by its clear yellow upper 
tail-coverts. “Individual” variation was exhibited in the skin of an adult 
female Superb Warbler (Malurus australis). This specimen, which is remark- 
ably pale, was obtained by Mr. Harry Burrell at Manilla, the only one ob- 
served among a number of typically plumaged birds. 
III. Personal-Notizen. 
Großherzogl. Bad. Naturalien-Kabinett zu Karlsruhe. Zoolog. Abteilung. 
Die Leitung des Institutes ist dem seitherigen Kustos, Prof. Dr. M. 
Auerbach, übertragen worden. 
Museum des Königr. Böhmen in Prag. Zoologische Sammlung. 
Leiter: Kustos Dr. V. Vävra, 
Assistent V. Haas. 
Nekrolog. 
Am 15. November 1913 starb Dr. Anton Fritsch, o. ö. Professor 
der Zoologie an der böhm. Universität, Direktor der zoologischen und 
