. 
HE AUSTRALIAN ! NATURALIST. ial 
Mr. Steel exhibited an acorn from Quercus peduncu- 
lata, growing in the Domain, Sydney, having each cotyledon 
subdivided symmetrically into two unequal sized lobes, thus 
forming four distinct cotyledons. This was the only abnor- 
mal example noticed amongst many hundreds examined. 
Also an egg laid by a Muscovy duck having an unusually 
dark shell, the colour being as dark as that of the Emu. 
ANNUAL REPORT, to11-12. 
The past year has been one of marked progress in 
all directions. Excluding the Annual Meeting, which was 
‘a crowded one, the atendance at our meetings has been on 
an average from 50 to 60; while the attendance at our 
monthly excursions has greatly increased, so much so that 
an attendance of 50 is not unusual. 
Twenty-five new members have been elected during the 
year, while six have resigned. 
The following lectures have been delivered during the 
year :— 
The Fertilization of Plants, by A. G. Hamilton. 
Insectivorous Birds, by W. W. Froggatt, F.L.S., F.E.S. 
[Mr. Froggatt gave this lecture at very short notice on ac- 
count of the illness of Mr. Waterhouse. We are indebted 
to this gentleman for much help during the year.] 
Gondwanna Land, by W. S. Dun, 
Botany through the Camera, by W. B. Carne. [This 
gentleman was too ill to finish the lecture, and it was re- 
peated to a large audience in March.] : 
Some more Butterflies of North Queensland, by G. A. 
Waterhouse, B.E., B.Sc.,- FES. 
The Hairs of Plants, by Mr. McKinnon, B.Sc. 
Sponges, by Mr Hallmann, B.Sc. 
Some Aspects of the Locust Plagues of South Africa, 
by Professor Watt, M.A. 
To the above gentlemen our sincere thanks are due for 
their kindness in lecturing to the members. 
Our special thanks are due to our President, Mr. E. 
Cheel, for his presence at our excursions as botanical 
leader, and to Mr. W. B. Gurney, F.E.S., as entomological 
leader. These gentlemen have frequently put aside personal 
engagements and their own pleasure that they might be 
helpful to the members, and the great success of our ex- 
qursions is mainly due to their unselfish labours. 
