, WDA THE GEELONG NATURALIST. ' 
In the Engineering Laboratory the Testing Machine was ‘at 
work at 7.45, 8.45, and 9.30, while Cement Testing was twice shown 
Sure the evening. Various models were at work, and specimens 
shown. 
The exhibits in the Biological School were very good indeed— 
much better in my judgment than they were last year. Of course 
we had the inevitable cases of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, without 
which no exhibition is complete, and very attractive they looked, 
even to a non-scientific eye. The Rev. W. Fielpn and a batch 
of helpers were employed in demonstrating curious facts in 
Embryology, such as showing under a hand lens the beating of 
the heart in an embryo chicken. Others had their sections cutting 
machines, and explained how the work was done,—cutting many 
sections before the spectators in illustration. The fact that one of 
the expert operators was a young lady shows how domains, once 
held exclusively by the ruder sex, are being invaded by the ladies. 
Microscope slides were exhibited showing how series of sections are 
cut and mounted, one set showing the eye of a molluse, may be 
especiallynoted. Wehad the usual living hydra under the microscope, 
and a very suggestive object he is, for if a cat has nine lives, surely 
a hydra has ninety and nine. One thinks of Mr. Trembley and his 
wonderful hydra experiments till one is puzzled to say where the 
attributes of animals begin, and those of the vegetable end. In 
another part of the hall was a series of slides containing various 
pathogenie forms of bacteria, indicating the determination of the 
Melbourne University to keep itself well abreast of modern theory 
and discovery in relation to the causes and treatment of disease. 
One of the most striking objects in the room was a pyramid of jars: 
containing many zoological specimens in spirit, and crowned by the 
CLONE Forsteri, the Lung Fish of Queensland, locally known as. 
the “Burnett Salmon," and the * Barramunda," though I believe 
the blacks call it *Ieevine." This curious animal, possessing both 
gills and a lung, is only found in the “Mary” and “Burnett” 
rivers, no other water in the world being known to contain them. 
Arranged at the base of the pyramid was a collection of wax 
models, illustrating the embryonic development of the human eye; 
also a series showing the development of the chick in the ege. 
They seemed to be exceedingly well prepared, and reflected great 
credit on the modellers. 
The Conversazione was wound up with refreshments, served in 
the Wilson Hall. The whole affair was very creditably arranged, 
and well carried out, and some of the exhibits were of peculiar 
interest, and will live weli in one’s memory. The attendance was 
excellent, and the University Science Club is to be congratulated 
upon the success of its Annual Exhibition. 
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