MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. 275 
between the tableland and the sea; and its river systems. Secondly 
the author enumerated the formations which had been recognised 
in Australia, from the fundamental granite up to the recent alluvial, 
showing that none of the large groups of rocks which are known 
in other parts of the world are absent from this Continent. Re- 
ferences were made to the character of the fossils found, and the 
soils resulting from the rocks. 
(6.) ‘On a large cretaceous Mytilus, from the Barcoo,” by the 
Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, F.G.S., &c This paper was descrip- 
tive of a very large tossil Mytilus (M.imgens, sp. nov.) which was 
found in some Mesozoic strata in Queensland, of probably Oolitic 
age. The paper also contained a brief reference to the collections 
of Mesozoic fossils made in Australia. 
(7.) ‘‘Notes on the inflorescence and habits of plants indige- 
nous in the immediate neighbourhood of Sydney,” by E. Haviland. 
The author gives an account of his observations on the mode of 
fertilisation of two species of Rutaceous Plants common in the 
neighbourhood of Sydney—Philotheca austvalis and Boronia pinnata. 
In the former species the arrangement of the parts of the flower is 
such as apparently to specially favour self-fertilisation, but a closer 
observation shews that this is rendered physiologically impossible 
by the maturing and discharge of the pollen of each flower before 
the stigma comes to maturity. A similar phenomenon was ob- 
served in Boronia pinnata, and the author suggests that the close 
opposition of the anthers to the stigma inthese species until the 
pollen is almost ripe, may be designed in order to prevent, to some 
extent, the access of light and heat, and thus retard the maturing 
of the stigma until the pollen of its own flower has become dis- 
charged. 
*“« Note on some Seaweeds from Port Jackson and adjacent coast,’ 
by E. P. Ramsay, F._L.S.—In a recent letter from our esteemed 
correspondent, Baron Ferd. von Mueller, that distinguished 
botanist has kindly given me the names of the following Alga, 
which I had sent him for determination, requesting me to bring 
under the notice of the Society, the fact that no fruiting sqecimens 
of Claudia bennettiana have yet been recorded. This beautiful and 
delicate Alga was dredged near Spectacle Island; where particular 
search should be made for this rare and interesting plant. And 
indeed the marine flora of Port Jackson and the adjacent coast is 
worthy of special attention and research, several new species and 
anew genus having been recently discovered on our shores. The 
following species from Bondi have been determined by Professor 
Agardh, of Lund, the greatest authority on Alge : Pterocladia lucida, 
J. Agardh, sp. nov.; Splachnidium rugosum, Greville; Lederstedtia 
australis, J. Agardh (nov. gen. et sp.) ; Gelidiwm' cornicum, Greville ; 
Plocamium augustum, J. Agardh, sp.nov. Specimens of a Laurencia 
and of a small Martensia, probably new, were obtained in deep 
water. I may also mention that a new species of Sargassum was 
dredged near North Head. 
Mr, W. A. Haswell read a note on some points in the anatomy 
of the Pigeons referred to by Dr. Hans Gadow ina recent paper 
on the anatomy of Pterocles. In this note M. Haswell redefined 
the Columbide myologically as birds with an expanded tensor 
accessorius, with the posterior belly of the latissimus dorsi some- 
