Sept, i, 1885.] The Australasian Scientific Magazine 65 
representative of the council.” It was then resolved that steps be taken 
to try and get the council’s demand for three months’ certificates for out- 
patient practice repealed, and it was agreed that a deputation should be 
chosen by the committee of the society to wait on the council, and 
endeavour to secure the desired change. Mr. A. L. Kenny then read a 
paper on “ Cocaine.” Votes of thanks to Mr. Kenny and the chairman 
closed the meeting. 
Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria. 
The ordinary monthly meeting of the Field Naturalists’ Club was held 
at the Royal Society’s Hall on Monday evening, the 10th ot August. 
The President, the Rev. J. J. Halley, occupied the chair, and about fifty 
members and visitors were present. 
The Honorary Librarian acknowledged donations to the library, from 
the Royal Society of Victoria of a set of their proceedings, and parts of 
proceedings from the Linnean Society of New South Wales and the Royal 
Society of Queensland. 
The Honorary Secretary read a short account of the Club excursion to 
Cheltenham, held on the previous Saturday, which had been fairly successful, 
more especially as regards fresh water Crustacea. 
The following ladies and gentlemen were elected members of the Club : 
— Miss Lange, Miss A. Lange, Mrs. Lange, Miss Rankin, Rev. W. T. 
Whan, Messrs. H. Andrews, I. Batey, W. Brook, Jno. Dennant, C. Frost, 
M. Gamble, A. J. Hall, F. C. Lange, G. Meyler, W. E. Pickels, R. N. 
Smith, and Wm. Taylor, whilst several others were nominated for 
membership. 
Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A., read the first part of a paper entitled “A 
Geological Sketch of South-western Victoria,” contributed by Mr. Jno. 
Dennant, of Hamilton. This gave a general geological description of the 
district, and a more detailed account of the older formations occurring 
between the Glenelg and Wando Rivers. 
The first part of a paper on u The Habits of Native Birds ” was con- 
tributed by Mr. I. Batey, of Sunbury, whose observations about crows 
created some discussion among those present. 
Signor P. Dattari, F.I.G.S., informed the meeting that he is compiling a 
new Dichotomous Botanical Key in the form of a synopsis, by which the 
genus and species of Victorian plants can be easily determinated, this, 
which is not pretended to be a compendium of Botany, and will be a very 
valuable help for the use of the students of Botany. 
The following were the principal exhibits : — By Mr. E. Bage, large grey 
water spider ( 'Argyrometra aquatica ), the small red water spider (Hydrac- 
tina globulus ), and three water beetles; also A pus cancrifornius , or the shield 
shrimp, taken on Saturday at Cheltenham ; by Mr. A. Coles, collection of 
birds from Townsville ; by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, geological specimens, 
from Mount Buninyong ; by Mr. T. Forbes-Leith, the American migratory 
thrush and red-winged blackbird, the British song thrush and blackbird ; 
by Rev. J. J. Halley, microscope stand, by G. Baker; by Mr. T. J. 
Hughes, bird of Paridise ; by Mr. H. Kennon, small pearl and dried fishes’ 
•eyes; by Mr. J. M‘Kibbin, four Victorian orchids, in bloom, and four 
