OYSTER CULTURE. 



Mr. Sayille-Kest produced some specimens showing his success in 

 oyster culture at Oyster Cove. These were grown on split palings, 

 covered with cement. He also exhibited a young salmon taken by a 

 fisherman in the Mersey, and which showed how they were thriving 

 in that locality. 



Dr. E. L. Crowther hoped the Government would carry on oyster 

 culture on a large scale, and induce a large export trade for the 

 Colony. 



Mr. Kent said the Government had made provision for larger ex- 

 periments during the coming season. 



SUN" SPOTS. 



Mr. J. R. McCance, F.R.A.S., produced some photographs by Mr. 

 Pickering, of the Lands Department, taken from sketches of sun spots, as 

 seen by Mr. MeCance at the observatory on January 16. He advo- 

 cated the Government getting a lOin. reflector from England at a 

 cost of £250, so that they might study astronomy as well as meteor- 

 ology. The present telescope was a good little instrument, but it 

 Was not half large enough. 



SNAKES. 



The Curator read a letter from the Rev. H. R. Atkinson on the 

 subject of what he believed to be a new species of snake which he had 

 found near the mouth of the river Arthur. Mr. Morton stated that, 

 after a very careful examination of a number of specimens he was of 

 opinion that it was not all improbable that other species than the three 

 already known as being found in Tasmania would be found, he had 

 written to several persons in different parts of the Island, asking them 

 to forward to the Museum any snakes they might capture, so that a 

 careful examination might be made. 



Mr. Swan doubted if a new species would be found in Tasmania 

 beyond the three kinds now known. Variations in colour in those 

 kinds were caused by climate and locality. 



Mr. Johnston stated that ho had considerable advantage in observing 

 the snakes in nearly all parts of Tasmania, but he only knew of three 

 species, which vary considerably in colour. It was quite possible, how- 

 ever, that more careful examination might disclose other species than 

 those now known to science. 



EXHIBITS. 



A collection of ]\ew Guinea Butterflies, collected and presented to 

 the Museum by Lieut. Lucas, R.N., H.M.S. Raven, was greatly 

 admired. 



The Chairman drew attention to a box presented by Lidy Wilson, 

 made from the warship Gibraltar, 80 guns. 



The Curator stated that during the past month Mr. Vimpany had 

 captured a black snake ( Iloplocephalus curtus) at Longley, measuring 

 about 4ft. Sin. in length. On opening it the unprecedented number of 

 109 young ones were found in her. The specimens now before the meet- 

 ing are the largest ones, the measurement being frorr 8 Jin. to jin. in 

 length. Mr. Morton stated that the greatest number he had known 

 Previously to be taken from a similar snake was 32, but he had been 

 informed by a resident of Tasmania that over 70 had been taken 

 from a similar species. 



A vote of thanks to the donors of presentations to the Museum, and 

 to the readers of papers and speakers of the evening, was accorded, on 

 the motion of Mr. Justice Giblin, seconded by Mr. A. G. 

 Webster. 



This terminated the proceedings. 



