PROCEEDINGS, SEPTEMBER. liii 



journals as the "Ibis," " Stray Feathers," and the "Proceedings 

 of the Geological Society," and the information afforded by such papers 

 had proved of the greatest advantage to authors in the publication of 

 recent works. 



The paper dealt with some 64 species, and should prove of the 

 tmost importance to ornithologists. Accompanying the paper was 

 several interesting specimens of Terns and other sea birds. 



NATUKAL GRAFTING. 



Note on a specimen of natural grafting, or inarching of the branches 

 of the weeping ash {Fraxinus excelsior pendtda), by F. Abbott, 

 Superintendent Botanical Gardens. Mr. Abbott said the specimen laid 

 on the table was one of natural grafting or inarching ; similar examples 

 are occasionally met with, and it is most probable that the art of grafting 

 itself originated with the ancients by cases of a like nature coming under 

 notice. Several things are necessary to lead up to a union of this kind — 

 1st. The branches must naturally be in the right position 2nd. A certain 

 amount of friction is necessary to rub off the outer bark, and then some 

 amount of quietude and repose is essential to allow the union to take 

 place. As it is only occasionally that all these conditions can be fulfilled 

 at the proper time good examples like the one under notice are not 

 common, and on that account it may be of interest to those present. 



The Secretary drew attention to a very valuable cast of a skull of an 

 Australian herbiverous marsupial (Nototherium Mitchellii) an extinct 

 animal, rather smaller in size than the Diprotodon. The fossil remains 

 of this remarkable animal are found in New South Wales and the 

 Darling Downs, Queensland. The secretary stated that this very 

 valuable specimen had been presented by their very generous friends, 

 the trustees of the Sydney Museum. Dr. Ramsay, the curator of the 

 Sydney Museum, Mr. Morton stated, was always most willing to assist 

 the Tasmanian Museum in making the Museum as con^plete as possible in 

 their collections. 



MAGNIFICENT SHELLS. 



On the table were two magnificent specimens of Pinna nobilist 

 presented by Lieut. Beddome to the Museum. 



VOTE OF THANKS. 



The President proposed a vote of thanks to the authors of papers read, 

 which was carried by acclamation. 



OCTOBER, 1887. 



The usual monthly meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania was 

 held on Monday evening, October 10th, 1S87. The President, His 

 Excellency Sir Robert Hamilton, occupied the chair at opening, and 

 there was a moderate attendance of Fellows, and lady visitors. 



List of additions to the library during the month of September : — 



Bollettino della Societi$ Geografica Italiana, Ser. XL, Vol. XII., 

 Fasc, 6, 7, 8, 1887. From the Society 



Bulletin de la Society Royale de Botanique de Belgique, Fondle Le 

 ler Juin, 1867. Tome Vingt, sixieme, Anner, 1887. From the Society. 



Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, Part 4 , August, 1887. 

 From the Society. 



Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society's annual report for 1886-7. 

 From the Society. 



