108 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
by the author, which is a very creditable addition to our 
knowledge of the group. ‘he work is copiously illustrated 
from original drawings and photographs, but the illustrations 
_ are of varying merit, many of the wood-cuts being rough and 
wanting in clearness. These, however, are but trifling 
blemishes to a most excellent work. Plate 1, representing the 
larva of Danaus menippe is perhaps the best, and’ makes a very 
pleasing picture. 
There is a useful appendix of technical terms and a compre- 
_ hensive index. 
Tuos. STEEL. 
NOTES AND COMMENT. 
BecGa Brancu, N.S.W. Narorausts’ Cius.—A branch of this 
Club has been established at Bega, and the following is a list 
of its members :—Misses Julian, District School, Bega, Curios; 
Mangan, Public School, Kameruka, Timbers; Smith, District 
School, Bega, Nature Study; Messrs. Grassick, District School, 
Bega, Hntomology; Gould, Public School, Toothdale, Pests 
and Parasites, Minerals; Main, District School, Bega, Lepi- 
doptera ; Fitzell, Public School, Candelo, Minerals; Cahill, 
Public School, Tantawanglo, Natural History ; Byron, Public 
School, Tanja, Coleoptera; McDonald, Ornithology. 
From Rance to Spa.—Mr. T. C. Lothian, of Melbourne, 
has just published a charming booklet under the above title. 
It consists of a series of nature-study chapters, chiefly on bird- 
life, by that excellent penman and naturalist, Mr. Chas. Barrett. 
The illustrations, principally from photographs by Mr. A. H. 
HE. Mattingley, are exquisite. Both author, photographie 
artist, publisher and printer are to be congratulated on the 
excellence of this publication, which should find its way into the 
library of every Australian Naturalist. The literary matter is 
both bright, simple and interesting, and we quite agree with 
the author in his remarks respecting the superiority for study 
of the living bird in its natural surroundings, over that of the 
average abominatious in the shape of bundles of feathers, that 
frequently find their way from the workshops of some so- 
called taxidermists, many of whom really do not know how to 
set a bird or a mammal, 
A New Lreserxuun.—Mr. M. J. Allen, ‘ Alata,’ Victoria 
Parade, Hast Geelong, of the Geelong Field Naturalists’ Club, 
has devised an improved form of Lieberkuhn for illuminating 
opaque objects when under examination with the microscope, 
which is reported to be of great utility. He is anxious to place 
it in the hands of every working microscopist, and will be 
pleased to forward details to any person desiring information 
on the subject. 
