MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. A25 
description of the workings and of the mode of occurrence of the 
gold and the rocks associated with it. He points out the impor- 
tance of relations between the eruptive and dyke rocks and 
mineral deposits. and calls attention to the rather unusual fact of 
the presence of calcite in quartz at the Lucky Hit Reef. 
Sydney, March 28th, 1883.—Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, F.L.S., 
Vice-president, in the chair. 
New. Members—J. H. Maiden, Hon. C. S. Mein, W. McKinny, 
T.’ Keele. 
Papers—(1) Occasional notes on plants indigenous in the 
immediate neighbourhood of Sydney, (No. 3) by Edwin Haviland. 
This paper refers chiefly to the genus Lobelia, its mode of fertiliza- 
tion, and its domestication. The author also took the opportunity 
of drawing the attention of botanists to a locality in the vicinity 
of Sydney, particularly rich in specimens of the coast flora. 
(2) **On tooth-marked bones of extinct Marsupials,” by Chas. 
W. de Vis, B.A. A large proportion of fossil marsupial bones 
from the Darling Downs, recently examined by Mr. de Vis, are 
considered by him to show more or less decided traces of the 
action of the teeth of carnivorous animals. ‘The tooth-marks are 
ascribed to the agency partly of the native dog, partly of the 
Thylacoleo, and partly of an extinct species of Savcophilus, which was 
identified by a portion of a tibia. 
(3) “On Brachalletes palmer,” an extinct Marsupial, by Chas. 
W.de Vis, B.A. A femur from the Darling Downs differs so 
markedly from that of Macropus and Halmaturus in the less pro- 
minent character of the great trochanter that it is considered to 
belong to a new generic type, proposed to be named Brachalletes. 
4. On the habits of the ‘“‘ Mallee Hen” (Lezpoa ocellata) by K. H. 
Bennett. This gives an interesting and detailed account from the 
author’s own observation of the nidification and general habits of 
this very curious bird. 
Mr. Macleay exhibited a specimen of Dendyvolagus dovianus, a 
new species of Tree Kangaroo, from Mount Owen Stanley, New 
Guinea, described by Mr. E. P. Ramsay at the January meeting 
of the Society. He pointed out that the hair on the body all 
turned the wrong way. | 
Mr Macleay also exhibited some specimens of a Moth, with a 
fungus upon which their larve had fed. He statea that the larve 
were inhabitants of portable cases, like the rest of the Psychide, to 
which family they no doubt belong. The genusand species 4cinia 
scott? were described and figured by Walker Scott, M.A., in his 
beautiful but unfortunately uncompleted work entitled ‘‘ Austvalian 
Lepidoptera.” 
en 
PalLLOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY. 
Christchurch, 1st March, 1883.—Professor F. W. Hutton, Presi- 
dent, in the chair. 
New member—Mr. L. Cohen. 
The evening was occupied with a discussion on the “ Small-bird 
question.” 
Mr. Murphy explained why introduced birds increased so rapidly 
in New Zealand, and why larger numbers can live on equal areas 
