30 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
1 
describes a new sponge Chalinwa Coxii, which appeared some years 
ago on certain oyster beds in the Clarence River, and destroyed some of 
them completely. 
(3) Note on the Glacial Period in Australia,” by R. v. Lendenfeld, 
Ph.D. The author draws attention to some further evidence of ice 
action in the Mount Lofty Group near Adelaide, where some Glacier- 
polished Siluro-Devonian Rocks, with very well-preserved strie, have 
been discovered and photographed. 
(4) Jottings from the Biological Laboratory of Sydney University,” 
by William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc., F.L.S., &c., This paper contains 
—l1st. ‘‘Some notes on an Australian species of Bonellia which seems 
scarcely to differ from the European species Aonellia viridis ;” and 
2ndly. ‘‘Some observations on aquatic respiration in fresh water 
Turtles.” 
(5) “On the supposed Glacial Epoch in Australia,” by Capt. F. W. 
Hutton, F.G.8., &. The author discusses the phenomena which have 
been adduced as evidence for the former existence of a Glacial Epoch 
in Australia, and shows that they are susceptible of a different interpre- 
tation. He distinguishes between a Glacier Epoch, such as has occurred 
in New Zealand, in which, owing to various local, but only local, 
causes, icefields prevailed over much larger districts than at present, 
and a Glacial Epoch, such as has heen demonstrated in the Northern 
Hemisphere, which is the result not of variations caused and limited by 
local circumstances, but of alterations universal or cosmical in 
character. The Glacier Epoch in New Zealand is regarded as anterior 
to the Glacial Epoch of the North. 
Mr. Fletcher exhibited the young of Pseudophryne Australis, and 
mentioned some points of interest in regard to its development. The 
ova are laid under stones, after rain, on the margin of ponds. In abovt 
three weeks the embryos have reached the condition of fully formed 
tadpoles, which can sustain a prolonged postponement of their hatching. 
Specimens were shown, in which the embryos were seen sti‘l coiled up 
in their gelatinous envelopes, developed from ova collected more than 
three months ago. When placed in water, a number of these tadpoles 
emerged within the space of an hour; a fact which explains their 
sudden appearance in swarms after heavy rain in places which had been 
previously quite dry. No trace of external gills has been detected. 
A fuller account is in course of preparation.. 
Dr. Cox made some observations on the migrations of the Maray, 
the fish known as the “ Australian pilchard” and ‘“ Picton Bloater,” 
Clupea sagax, and called attention to the importance of ascertaining 
the time and place of spawning. 
ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
Sydney, 3rd June, 1885.—Professor Liversidge in the chair. 
New Members.—Messrs. J. N. Dalton, J. A. Newbery, and J. C. 
Rolleston. 
Papers.—(1) ‘“‘On a system of accurate measurement by means of 
long steel ribbons,” by Mr. G. H. Knibbs, The object of the 
paper was the expeditious attainment of a high degree of accuracy in © 
