ITT 
Oct. i, 1885.] The Australasian Scientific Magazine. 
Sumatran lepinnptera, and the rare beetle ( Neolainprima Muelleri) from 
North Australia, just described in proceedings of Linnean Society of New 
South Wales ; by Mr. J. T. Gillespie, Victorian birds’ eggs; by Mr. II. W. 
Hunt, fan-tailed cuckoo (alive) ; by Mr. Hugh Kennon, fossils and geo- 
logical specimens from Mount Noorat, etc.; by Master j. Lawrence, 
minerals ; by Mr. D. Le Souef, head of Egyptian mummy about 4000 
years old ; by Mr. J. M‘Ivibbon, Victorian orchids in bloom ; by Mr. A. 
H. S. Lucas, large lizard, from near Saltwater River; by Mr. F. Reader, 
fungi, in illustration of his paper; by Mrs. J. Simson, curious insect nests 
from Deniliquin, New South Wales, also native cucumbers. 
The Zoological and. Acclimatisation Society. 
A meeting of the Council of the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society 
was held on Monday afternoon, the 7th of September, at the Society’s 
office, 69 Temple Court. There were present — Mr. R. Simson (president), 
Mr. C. J. Jenner, M.L.C., Mr. C. M. Officer, M.L.A., and Messrs. Halfey, 
C. Purchas, A. Moule, C. Ryan, and F. R. Godfrey. The Director brought 
up a report and suggestions as to the best means of adding to the attractions 
of the Zoological Gardens, and augmenting the present insufficient income 
of the Society. A sub-committee of four members was appointed to 
confer with the Director on the subject, and draw up a report to be laid 
before the Council. It was reported that several improvements were now 
in progress at the gardens for the purpose of properly exhibiting some of 
the animals recently received from England. Amongst the stock which 
were acknowledged, with thanks, as having been received since the last 
meeting, were a tiger snake from Mr. T. F. Wilson, of Wallan Wallan ; 
two striped Indian squirrels, from the Rev. Alex. C. Maitland ; and two 
lyre birds (male and female), from Mr. Thomas Watton, jun., of Drouin. 
Victorian Engineers’ Association. 
A meeting of the Victorian Engineers’ Association was held at the 
Melbourne Exchange on Wednesday, the 26th of August. Mr. R. H. 
Shnkespear was in the chair; and Messrs. D. Munro, R. Warnoch, G. 
lames, K. L. Murray, G. Gordon, J. Iveily, and A. C. Wnnnan were also 
present. Mr. Deakin, M.L.A., Mr. Derry, and Mr. S. Murray were 
present by invitation. Mr. G. Gordon, C.E. read a paper on “American 
and Australian Irrigation,” reviewing at considerable length the reports of 
Mr. Deakin and Mr. Derry on the irrigation works of America. He 
concluded his paper with a summary of his views, in which he pointed out 
that the irrigation works of one country cannot be taken as models to lie 
copied or reproduced in another; that the introduction of irrigation in a 
new country should, if possible, be made after proper investigation of the 
physical conditions ; and that the study of the irrigation systems of old 
countries is at least as useful as, and probably more so, than that of 
tentative and hurriedly initiated works such as those of Western America. 
