664 
president's address. 
and prolonged cold, Central Australia makes but trivial demands 
upon its inhabitants in this direction. The power to withstand 
the effects of prolonged droughts — not merely to enter upon a 
" summer sleep " induced by high temperatures - in a high degree 
seems to be the all-important thing. 
Respecting the most characteristic Eremian species a few 
points may be noted. Among the Mammals, Notoryctes, 
that curious marsupial modified for a burrowing habit, is pre- 
eminent. Chcetucercus hitherto known onry from a unique made- 
up skin, and from a locality not entirely above suspicion, now 
appears as a new creature. The new genus Dasyuroides is an 
important addition to the fauna. Very important are Professor 
Spencer's interesting observations on the indications presented by 
some of the smaller marsupials of a diminution in the number of 
young produced at a birth; and also of the irregularity in their 
attainment of full growth due to the effect of continued adverse 
seasons. Among the Rodents, Mr. Waite reports a species of 
Mastacomys, a Tasmanian genus with previously only a fossil 
continental representative. 
The Birds include the rare Spalhopterus Alexandrce, which, with 
the new species, five in number, is beautifully figured. Mr. 
Keartland's valuable ornithological field notes are a most import- 
ant feature in this section of the Report. 
From the Lizards may be selected two species referable to the 
genera Ceramodactylus and Ebenavia — the former previously 
known only from India and Persia, the latter only from Mada- 
gascar. This group seems to furnish the most striking instances 
of colour-adaptation — if, without any knowledge of the actual 
surroundings, we may so interpret the unfamiliar and startling 
brilliance and variety of tint displayed by some of the species 
figured from Professor Spencer's drawings from nature. Doubt- 
less in this, as in other cases, the narrative portion of the Report 
will prove to be a source of much interesting information. 
From the Mollusca may be singled out a species of Microphywa, 
a genus otherwise known only from New Caledonia; which pro- 
vides an attractive speculative morsel for Mr. Hedley. 
