Nov. r, 1885.] The Australasian Scientific Magazine. 141 
on the life history of several species of minute insects belonging to the 
order Hemoptera, which cause the numerous galls found on the young 
trees of the eucalyptus family. His remarks were illustrated by drawings 
and by slides for examination under the microscope. 
The reading of a second paper mentioned on the notice-paper was 
postponed until the next meeting, in order to allow the members and 
visitors present more time for the examination of the exhibits of wild- 
flowers which were made the special feature of the evening. 
The inclement weather of the two previous days reduced the number of 
exhibits ; but, notwithstanding this, at least 200 species of native flowers 
were shown, and considering the great difficulty experienced in keeping ex- 
amples of the indigenous flora fresh for any length of time, they were in 
very good order. 
Several of the members had obtained flowers from country friends, whilst 
others had collected during the morning at Caulfield, Brighton, and other 
localities. 
The flowers were arranged in ordinary show-stands, and in most cases 
had their botanical names, together with those of their natural orders 
attached. 
The principal exhibitor was Mr. C. French, F.L.S., who showed about 
80 species from Caulfield, &c., among which were the curious orchids 
lyperanthus nigricans and prasophyllum elatum ; Mr. G. Coghill exhibited 
about 70 species from Donald, Box Hill, Dandenong Ranges, & c., among 
which were Grevillea alpina, G. ericifolia, Swainsonias, asters, native vio- 
lets, &c. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard tabled about 60 species from Doncaster, 
Ringwood, and Caulfield, including the curious so-called carnivorous 
plant, utricularia dichotoma, or bladder-wort ; also several growing Victor- 
ian ferns, lomaria fluviatilis being much admired. Mr. J. E. Dixon showed 
about 12 species of orchids, including caladenia latifolia. Smaller but in- 
teresting exhibits were shown by Miss Campbell, Miss Halley, Messrs. 
Bage, Best, M'Kibbon, Topp, and Watts. Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith ex- 
hibited a collection of dried ferns from Mount Blackwood ; Mrs. J. Sim- 
son exhibited some specimens of the Waratah, from New South Wales, and 
Dr. Lucas, a new fern from Queensland; Mr. Jesse, watercolour draw- 
ings of wild flowers ; and Mr. Watts, rare marine algae, from Port Philip 
and Western Port. 
GEOGRAPHIC^ SOCIETY OF AUSTRALASIA. 
A meeting of the committee of the Victorian Branch of the Geographi- 
cal Society of Australia was held on Friday, the 9th of October, at the 
residence of the president, Baron von Mueller. The members present 
were the president, Messrs. Geo. Gordon, F. Scarr, A. C. Macdonald (hon. 
secretary), D. Larnach, W. Potter, Captain Pasco, and Dr. Bride. Letters 
were read from Mr. H. O. Forbes, F.R.G.S., and Mr. H. G. French. The 
latter gentleman forwarded to Baron von Mueller specimens collected by 
him in the Kimberly district, Western Australia. Mr. Forbes, to whom 
Baron von Mueller had sent a copy of his small work on Papuan plants, 
wrote in acknowledgement of the gift from Port Moresby, under date 
