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Papers. — "Polyplacophora, Genus Stenochiton" by 

 Edwin Ashby, M.B.O.U. ; "Notes on Australian Orchids, with 

 a Description of some New Species," by R. S. Rogers, M.A., 

 M.D.; and "Deflection of Columns under Axial and Eccentric 

 Loading," by Prof. R. W. Chapman, M.A., B.C.E., F.R.A.S. 



Ordinary Meeting, June 13, 1918. 



The President (J. C. Verco, M.D., F.R.C.S.) in the 

 chair. 



The President referred to the death of Augustus 

 Simson, J. P., of Launceston, conchologist and entomologist, 

 and a Fellow of the Society since 1893. 



Elections. — Ernest H. Ising, machinist; H. W. 

 Andrew, botanical assistant in Department of Agriculture; 

 and the Rev. J. C. Jennison, were elected Fellows. 



Exhibits. — Capt. S. A. White stated that Mr. How- 

 chin considered that the so-called grinding stones shown by 

 himself last month were only cores from which flakes had 

 been chipped, but that he still believed that they had been 

 used for grinding. He exhibited the following birds : — 

 Regent or warty-faced honey-eater ( Zanthomiza phrygiaj 

 from Mount Lofty Ranges ; blue-faced honey-eater (Ento- 

 myzon cyanotis) from River Murray ; helmeted friar bird 

 (Neophilemon buceroides) from Queensland ; friar bird 

 ( Tropidorhynchus cornicidatus) from Queensland ; white- 

 eared honey-eater (Nesoptilotis leucotis) from South Aus- 

 tralia; pied honey-eater (Certhionyx variegatus) from South 

 Australia; white-fronted honey-eater (Gliciphila albifrons) 

 from South Australia; grey-headed honey-eater (Lichenos- 

 tomus keartlandi ) from Central Australia ; New Holland 

 honey-eater (Meh'ornis novae hollandiae) from South Aus- 

 tralia ; and ornate honey-eater (Ptilotis ornatus) from South 

 Australia. Mr. A. M. Lea showed, two drawers of exotic 

 insects from the collection of the late Augustus Simson ; also a 

 tray of bones collected from the pellets or castings of a barn owl. 

 These proved that in two months the bird had eaten at least 

 544 mice, 39 rats, 1 young rabbit, 203 sparrows, 5 starlings, 

 5 blackbirds, 9 frogs, 1 lizard, and numerous night-flying 

 insects; and that it was therefore a most useful bird. Capt. 

 White stated that birds of this species roosted in the blow 

 holes on the Nullarbor Plains, and would help to check the 

 threatened advance of sparrows along the East-West Railway. 

 Mr. A. G. Edquist showed cocoon of emperor gum moth 

 attached to leaf of apple tree, showing that the larva attacked 

 these trees ; also several hard cocoons of moths, each pierced 

 with a minute round hole, which he suggested was for breath- 

 ing purposes ; also a bunch of silky material, being feathers 



