Miscellanea. 
463 
inhabiting Tasmania, with observations on their Habits, &c.” 
Specimens of the various birds were exhibited. 
W. H. Breton, Esq., exhibited a large specimen of Mylitta 
Australis, a species of fungus called native bread by the colonists. 
It weighed 25|lbs., and was dug up near Launceston. 
Mr. R. C. Gunn produced numerous recent specimens of 
Cyttaria Darwinii? a peculiar fungus which grows in large 
clusters upon the diseased branches and trunks of the Fagus 
Cunninghamii. Mr. C. Darwin found the Cyttaria ripe at 
Terra del Fuego in December, but Mr. Gunn obtained the present 
specimens the preceding day, 28th October. 
Two fine specimens of Phascogale minima , Temm ., obtained 
from near the Supply Mills, River lamar, were shewn by Mr. 
James Grant. They were both females, and were, together with 
a number of other small animals, brought in from time to time 
to a sawyer’s hut by a domestic cat. This cat brought in six 
individuals o { Dr omicia nana , Gray., in one night. 
C. S. Henty, Esq., produced a pair of gloves made by a lady 
from the fur of the common Opossum (Phalangista vulpina,) 
which possessed considerable beauty, with great softness and 
warmth. 
Specimens of Granite from Goose Island, in Bass’s Strait, and 
of Copper Ores from Adelaide, were exhibited. 
November 14, 1845. 
Read—a Paper “ On the Aborigines of Tasmania, by R. H. 
Davies, Esq.,” being the answers, as far as practicable, to the 
series of Queries respecting the Human Race, addressed to Tra¬ 
vellers and others; drawn up by a Committee of the British 
Association for the advancement of Science. 
Mr. R. C. Gunn exhibited specimens of a Fungus which is 
highly phosphorescent at night. It is most abundant about 
Launceston during October and November, growing on the butts 
of dead and decaying trees. Similar Phosphorescent Fungi are 
described by Mr. Drummond as being found at Swan River. 
December 10, 1845. 
Read—a letter addressed by Professor Owen to Mr. R. C. 
Gunn, wherein he specifies the following desiderata required for 
the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, from Tasmania. 
1st. The female generative organs of the Echidna at different 
seasons, and with a view especially of obtaining them in the 
pregnant state. 
2nd. A like series of the Ornithorynchus. 
3rd. The brains of both Monotremes immersed when quite 
fresh in spirits ; or the heads, the upper part of the skull having 
been carefully cut away to permit the alcohol to gain access to 
the cerebral substance. 
