102 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
Barnett in the berries of Lantana growing about Sydney. 
This insect is probably closely allied or identical with 
A lantane, which has proved very useful in checking 
the spread of this noxious plant in Hawaii. The plant 
has found its way to New Caledonia., Fiji, Queensland, 
and is abundant about Sydney. It is hoped that the fly 
will be able to restrict the spread of the Lantana in these 
places also. 
A Braconid parasite of the Powder Post Beetle 
(Lystus brunneus), the well-known destructive furni- 
ture beetle. This is the first record known to the exhib- 
itor of a parasite on this beetle. 
Living specimens of a small Sawfly (Zurys Sp.) 
common on rushes and grass at Moree (N.S.W.). 
Living examples of a Chalcid wasp (Dirrhinus Sp.), 
probably undescrtbed, parasitic upon the pupa of the 
Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga aurifrons). This curious little 
wasp has the head deeply cleft in the centre and remark- 
able spiny swollen hind legs. 
Specimens of the spider-egge parasite, described in 
his paper and of the rare Saw Fly (Plerygophorus bi- 
faciatus) iilustrating his notes, were also exhibited. 
Denisonia decorata, a venomous snake common at 
Moree. 
In the discussion which followed the reading of 
Miss Brewster’s paper on the Choko, a question was 
asked regarding variability in the successful germina- 
tion of the seeds. Miss Brewster replied that she 
hhad been told that germination was more certain if the 
fruits were left until they dropped from the vine. Mr. 
A. -G. Hamilton also supported this view. Other 
members had had no trouble with the growth of seeds 
gathered and planted. Mr. Gallard said he left the 
fruit on the vine until large shoots developed and was 
quite successful with them. 
Mr. Finckh exhibited nodules of ironstone and asked 
Miss Brewster for an explanation of the cause of the 
peculiar formation. Miss Brewster replied that Profes- 
sor David had described how the Hawkesbury sandstone’ 
and Wianamatta shale ( especially the latter) contain asa 
marked feature oxide of iron in the form of segregations, 
