THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 167 
moving along in the company of the Physalia. It has to 
be remembered that, apart from the action of currents. the 
siphonophore is dependent solely upon the winds; so ‘that 
often, for long periods, its rate of motion, in any direc- 
tion, must be exceedingly slow. Under the circumstances, 
then, it would appear to be very difficult for a fish having 
such a highly-compressed body as that of Nomeus gronovii, 
to maintain its upright position in the water without some 
special provisién—such as is actually to be found here— 
having been made. Of course, if the fish were travelling 
at any speed, the fins would be laid back in the ventral slit, 
Even though this species may use its ventral fins as sup- 
ports, when in shallow water or aquaria, it must be pointed 
out that it is of such a pelagic nature that the greater pari 
of its existence is spent far away from shallow water and 
the bottom.—David G. Stead. 
Lipartip Moris.—At the June meeting Mr. C. H. 
Wickham showed a pair of Darala cheleptery, a species 
closely allied to the common Chelepteryx Collesi. The lar- 
vae were found at Kensington feeding on Bossiaea, in Octo- 
ber. After feeding on this plant for three months, on 
putting into the same cage another larva of a different 
species which was feeding on the Port Jackson Fig, the 
Darala took to the latter plant, on which they completed 
their metamorphosis. The larvae somewhat resemble those 
of Chelepteryx, but are smaller and not so hairy. They fed 
for four months, and remained three months in the pupal 
state. © 
Tue Grape-Vine Morn, Phalaenoides (Agarista) 
glycine.—Mr. Wickham reports finding the larvae of this 
insect feeding on Hibbertia linearis, R. Br,, an occurrence 
not noted before. 
Witp Lire PRESERVATION SociEty.—This Society is 
doing valuable work in a quiet, unostentatious manner. At 
the Annual Meeting, presided over by His Excellency Lord 
Chelmsford, there was a large attendance. Mr. W. W. 
Froggatt, F.L.S., was elected president. Tord Chelmsford 
gave a thoughtful address, full of sympathy with the objects 
of the Society. Some of our unique native animals, he 
said, are within measurable distance of absolute extermina- 
tion. The “oppossum” is already becoming scarce, and the 
lyre bird is seldom seen in districts where formerly both 
were abundant. Closer settlement is driving back such 
characteristic creatures as the emu and kangaroo, while 
wild birds are becoming fewer and fewer. They could:only 
regret that the Society was not in existence 50 years ago, 
