exlvi 
whilst we still have the opportunity let us do what we can to insure 
for our united states a name to which no just exc2ption shall here- 
after be made. 
Colonel CrAwrorD added that just as the name Hobart Town was 
altered to Hobart, so the opportunity of federation should be taken 
to adopt the more euphonious name of Australia for the group. 
Mr. Justin McC. Browne called attention of the Fellows to a series 
of interesting articles in Notes and Queries, which appeared a few 
months since on the subject of the use of the words Australia and 
Australasia. 
Mr. R. M. JounstTon said that statisticians used the term Australasia 
to mean the Continent of Australia, and the Islands of New Zealand 
and Tasmania. 
Mr. E. D. Swan: And Fiji. 
Mr. R. M. Jounston: When such a term was generally used, it 
would require very great courage to suggest any alteration. It was, 
however, one which would very fairly come within the scope of the 
dealings of the Federal Council. 
Mr. J. B., WALKER said they were indebted to a Frenchman 
President De Brosses for the term Australasia, he having conferred 
itin 1756. He had brought down a book ‘‘ Histoire des Navigatiors 
aux Terres Australes,’ Paris, 1756, showing the charts ot that 
day for the inspection of the Fellows. Australia now, as he understood 
it, was used for the Continent, and Australasia for the larger group. 
He did not know whether the shorter term being more euphonious 
would be sufficient reason for altering it. 
Colonel Crawrorp: But we have nothing to do with Asia at all. 
Jf you have anything call it South-eastern Asia. It makes me writhe 
to think of the incongruity. A Frenchman may have introduced the 
word, but I won’t be guided by any Frenchman. (Laughter.) A 
century ago, too—what did he know about it? (Renewed laughter.) 
Let us use our own commonsense. We are famous for misnomers in 
this island. 
The CHAIRMAN said no doubt the Colonel’s remarks would elicit dis- 
cussion and call attention to the subject, and so he would attain 
the object he had in view. 
EXHIBITS, 
The CHAIRMAN drew attention to a further donation of a collection of 
mounted birds, received from the Trustees of the Sydney Museum. 
Among them was particularly noticeable two species of the hand- 
some Racquet-tailed Kingfisher (Tanysyptera galatea, and Dana.) 
The CuRnATOoR drew attention to afish he had received from Mr. D. 
Whitehouse. It was known as the Frost Fish of New Zealand 
(Lepidopus caudatus); the specimen was captured near the wharf, 
swimming about the surface. 
Mr. R. M. Jounston drew attention*to a fine specimen of a bream 
(Girella sp.) that he had obtained during the month; he was of 
opinion that the species, simplex and tricuspidata, would turn out to be 
identical with each other. 
4, The Curator drew attention to a specimen of a kingfisher shot at 
Cambridge ; the bird, although not included in ‘‘Gould’s Handbook” 
or ‘* Krefft’s Fauna of Tasmania,” has been occasionally shot and seen 
in Tasmania; it is known in Australia as the Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon 
sanctus). 
ORNITHOLOGY. 
The Corator stated that the Council of the Royal Society 
had received during the month a letter from the President of 
the Intercolonial Permanent Ornithological Committee, Vienna, which 
