286 JOUKNAL OF SCIENCE. 



Melbourne, October, 12th, 1891. — C. Frost, Esq., in the chair. 



New members. — Mrs. 0. E. Andrews, Miss Burkett, Miss G. 

 Sweet, Miss F. Thompson, and Messrs. E. T. Carter, J. L. Bowen, D. 

 E. Martin, G. J. Page, W. Strickland, and .T. B. Walker. 



Paper. — (1) " Some peculiar changes in the colour of the flower of 

 Swainsonia procumbens" by J. P. Eckert. When the flower opens the 

 corolla is lilac, and the first change is noticed in the longitudinal venules 

 of the largest petals, which soon after assume a deep crimson. Then, at 

 two different points of the petals a dark blue is noticed, which gradually 

 extends over the whole surface, the peripheral portion being a little 

 paler in colour. In the central portion the colour varies through all 

 the shades of blue till finally it assumes a rosy tint. Frequently the 

 petals will assume their original colour for some days, and afterwards 

 go through all the gradations of colour once more. Mr. Eckert assigns 

 as the cause a meteorological one, that arch scourge — the north wind — 

 being very effective towards its accomplishment. Experiments with 

 the electric current gave almost conclusive testimony in favour of the 

 hypothesis. In speaking upon the subject, Mr. T. Steel, F.C.S., gave 

 some interesting letails as to the application of the spectroscope to this 

 particular branch of study. 



ROYAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. 



Melbourne, August 13th, 1891. — Professor Kernot, President, in 

 the chair. 



Papers. — (1) "On the mode of reproduction of Peripatus leuckartli," 

 by Arthur Dendy, D.Sc. 



(2) " Short Descriptions of New Land Planarians," by Arthur 

 Dendy, D.Sc. 



(3) Professor Spencer exhibited and remarked upon Notoryctes 

 tyvhlops } the new Australian mammal recently described by Dr. E. C. 

 Stirling of Adelaide. 



(4) " Notes on the recent Flood on the Yarra," by Professor W. 

 C. Kernot. 



Melbourne. September 10th, 1891. — Professor Kernot, President, 

 in the chair. 



Papers. — (1) Adjourned discussion on the paper read by Professor 

 Kernot, on " Notes on the recent Flood on the Yarrow." 



(2) "On a new species of Graptolitidae — Temnograptus magnijicus," 

 by J. 13. Pritchard; read by Dr. Dendy. This new fossil was discovered 

 in Silurian strata near Lancefield. 



(3) " On the presence of Ciliated Pits in Australian Land Pla- 

 naiians," by A. Dendy, D.Sc. The author stated that these structures 

 have the form of little pits on the head ; they probably acted as 

 olfactory organs, and were supplied with special nerves from the brain. 



