THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALISY. 63 
by the Australian natives and those of numerous South Sea 
Islands were exhibited and described. The visit was thoroughly 
enjoyed by the members. 
July 8th. On this occasion the party was met by Mr. J. 
R. Kinghorn, who specialised on the frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes 
and crocodiles. | Many interesting particulars were given on 
these, one being that there was only one venomous lizard, .a 
native of South America, known to scientists. The difference 
in the appearance of ‘the bites of harmless and venomous snakes 
was shown, and the structure of the poison fangs explained; 
and also the proper treatment of snake bite. 
August 5th. A party of about 16° members met at the 
Museum, and was received by the Director, Dr. Anderson, who 
conducted the party personally around the exhibits of Australian 
birds, showing particularly the more characteristic of. these. 
Some curious examples. of nests were shown, including some in 
flower pots, broken bottle, jam-tins, ete. 
The final exhibit was a pair of Bosun Birds with a young 
bird fully fledged, and set up in a special case showing natural 
surroundings. These birds are from Lord Howe Island, and 
are named from the resemblance of their note to that of a boat- 
swain’s whistle. 
Votes of thanks to the conductors were in each ease passed 
by acclamation. d 
NOTES AND COMMENTS. ; 
Can any member of the Naturalists’ Society explain how 
ants preserve their food in a fresh state? The larger ants, 
“Soldiers,” “Jumpers” (Myrmecia albo-cincta), and others live 
principally on caterpillars, grubs, grasshoppers and other in- 
sects. 
The working ants never eat the food where caught, but 
carry it home often over long distances and store it in the nest 
where it will keep perfectly fresh through a whole season, 
It has been stated that they do not kill their victims, but 
only sting them, thus producing paralysis. ‘This might explain 
the preservation of live food, but would not apply when the 
prey is dismembered. I once killed a large snake and threw it 
on a soldier ant’s nest. By the next afternoon I found every 
particle of flesh had been removed. Jt was impossible that the 
ants could have eaten it all in the time, and I have never found 
any decaying food in their nests. As these insects do not hunt 
during wet weather a store of food is a necessity. 
Grorcr Srinson, Taree. 
rams 
at re 
