MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. 535 
Mr. Trebeck showed the claw ofa very large crab, Pseudocareinus 
gigas, which had been washed ashore in Lane Cove. This species 
is of common occurrence fin Bass’ /Straits, but is seldom found 
much to the northward of that district. 
Professor Stephens exhibited, for the Rev. J. M. Curran, some 
good specimens of Sphenopteris, A lethoptervis and Merianopteris, as des- 
cribed by the Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods in his paper, vol. VIII., 
pt.1. Also of Thinfeldia odontoptevoides, and a photograph of the 
male amentum of Walchia Miilneana, allfrom Ballinore near Dubbo. 
Also a quantity of Coccus infesting a species of Casuarina; from 
near Warren. 
Professor Stephens exhibited, for Mr. J. Anderson, of Newstead 
near Inverell, several specimens of leaves and tresh-water Mol- 
luscs (Unio). They were clearly tertiary, were, though much frac- 
tured by the pick, excellently preserved, and probably all capable 
of identification. The matrix was hardened. mud, the detritus 
of basaltic rock mixed with much vegetable debris, and dotted 
with numerous little spheres of pisolitic iron ore. The pool in 
which this mud was deposited must have been of very still water, 
and may probably have been formed by a lava stream damming 
some small rivulet. 
Dr. Schuette showed a plaster cast of an impression which Mr 
De Vis had previously exhibited. This cast was therefore a model 
of the original fossil, and was regarded by Baron Maclay, as con- 
sisting of the Occipital and Parietal bones of a gigantic Wombat, 
seen from within. 
Mr Deane exhibited a portion of sandstone penetrated by a 
number of burrows, formed in all probability by some Hymenop- 
terous insect. 
Sydney, July 25th, 1883.—Professor W. J. Stephens, M.A., in 
the chair. 
Papers—(1) **On the Myology of the Frilled Lizard (Chlamy- 
dosaurus Kingw)” by Charles De Vis, B.A.. The author does not 
find there is any special muscular mechanism connected with the 
reptile’s habit of elevating the frill, and of occasionally assuming 
the erect attitude. The function of the frill he regards as being 
partly to frighten assailants, partly to aid in the collection and 
consentration of the waves of sound. 
(2) ‘Descriptions of Australian Micro-Lepidoptera, No. 9,” 
by E. Meyrick, B.A, The paper continues the descriprion of the 
(Ecophoride, bringing the number of Australian species ot the tamily 
up to 179. 
(3) “Some Remarks on the action of Tannin on Infusoria,” by 
Harry Gilliatt. The author points out with reference to a paper 
by Mr. H. J. Waddington that the effect of the tannic acid on 
Paramecium aurelia is to cause the elongation and discharge of the 
trichoysts, which form a dense fringe of slender rods all round the 
body. 
fc. Haswell exhibited a series of anatomical and zoological 
preparations. 
Mr. Deane exhibited a small collection of rocks, chiefly igne- 
ous, from the railway between Gunnedah and Narrabri. 
Mr. Pedley exhibited a specimen of what is called Copper 
