892 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



Mr. Whitelegge exhibited under the microscope preparations of 

 mycelia of the fungus referred to in Mr. Ogilby's note. 



Also a well-preserved specimen of Neis cordir/era, Less., one of 

 the Beroidte from Port Jackson, obtained in the month of June. 



Also the fat of some beef which for some days past had been 

 observed to be phosphorescent. 



In regard to the preceding exhibit, Dr. Katz suggested that the 

 phosphorescence was probably due to contamination from sea- 

 water, or perhaps from fish. 



IMr. Fletcher exhibited three living and four spirit specimens of 

 Feripatus (supposed to be P. Leuckarti, Sanger), and in reference 

 to them read the following note : — "Ten days ago (June 17th) 

 Mr. A. G. Hamilton, Mr. R. T. Baker and myself were walking 

 along a country road a few miles out of Wollongong, not thinking 

 about Peripatus at the time, when on casually turning over a 

 stone left by the road-makers on the edge of the road we 

 unexpectedly picked up a specimen. Search was then made under 

 the remaining stones along the road, and in the space of about 100 

 yards five others were found. The seventh was found under similar 

 circumstances the next day in another direction. Three of the 

 specimens (females*) were kept alive, and I have thought it worth 

 while to record a few notes on the appearance of these, preserved 

 specimens undergoing considerable alteration in colour. In size 

 they vary from about 15-1 8 mm. in length by 4-5 mm. in breadth 

 when contracted, to about 4:0 mm. by 3 mm. when extended and 

 crawling. From the base upwards for some distance the rings of 

 the antennae are pretty regularly alternately light and dark 

 coloured. The colouration of the body differs consideraldy in 

 different specimens, no two of the three being exactly alike, though 

 there is a general similarity of pattern. Mr. Tryon, presumably 

 speaking of Queensland specimens, says that the colour is indigo- 

 blue ; in this respect ours are different, the prevailing colours 

 being dull black or brown and red. On the median dorsal surface 

 in all three there is a fine dark median longitudinal line, red or 

 black, presenting at regular intervals knot-like enlargements, of 

 which there are about sixteen altogether, the first one behind the 



*One of these was subsequently dissected and proved to be pregnant. 



