THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 85 
congratulate the author upon the-care and trouble bestowed 
upon the work. 
THE TASMANIAN NAtTURALIST.—We have r 
courtesy of the Hon. Editor of the “ Tasm 
copy of the first issue of that journal —the official organ of the 
Tasmanian Field Naturalists’ Club. The present issue con- 
tains some well-written articles of much interest to Naturalists, 
such as “ The Coccidw,” “Swan Shooting on the East Coast 
of Tasmania,” and “The Breeding Habits of Bronzewing 
Pigeons,” the writers being Mr. A. M. Lea, F.1H.S., Mr. B.A, 
Elliott, M.A.O.U., and Mary G. Roberts, M.A.S.B., &c. The two 
first articles are illustrated. We cordially congratul 
Tasmanian friends on their forward movement. 
Rate or Growru or Sraracrrres.—An enormous space of 
time is generally assigned for the growth of stalactites in 
lime stone caverns, and no doubt some of the larger examples 
must be of great antiquity ; but at the cave in the vicinity of 
Moore Creek, eight miles N.W. of Tamworth, the rate of growth 
is at least perceptible. At the time of the discovery of these 
caves—about four years ago—there were in existence a num- 
ber of large and beautiful stalactites. Since that date, how- 
ever, vandal hands have destroyed most of these natural 
beauties; but already, on the stumps of these stalactites, new 
ones are forming. ‘he length of these later formations varies 
from ; to 2 inch, and they average about { inch in diameter, but 
in one instance I noticed an example, the length of which was 
over 2 inches. This, of course, must have grown within the 
last four years, and is greatly in excess of the reputed 
rate of growth of stalactites, and may be interesting as show- 
ing the difficulty of computing the age of limestone caves from 
this evidence.—Carl F. Laseron. 
Haas AND Breepina HMasits or Fisurs 
grams and actual specimens).—Mr. Stead conttibuted a paper 
on the “Eggs and Breeding Habits of Fishes ” at the June 
meeting of the Club. In this paper the author describes in 
detail the natural divisions into which the eges of fishes 
group themselves, a number of local examples being particu- 
larly brought forward. Some of the many diverse methods 
followed by fishes in an endeavour to keep up the continuity 
of their species were touched upon, particular prominence 
being accorded those species in which parental solicitude and 
care are especially marked. A complete list of those Australian 
fishes which produce pelagic eggs was given, and a number of 
those which reproduce by means of eggs of a demersal nature 
were mentioned. Mr. Stead stated that a leading firm of pub- 
lishers desired to print the paper, with illustrations, as a small 
“ Nature-Study” book, and that this would be done. The 
eceived, through the 
anian Naturalist,” a 
ate our 
(illustrated by dia- 
