PROCEEDINGS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE Jlogd Sorittn of ilctona. VOL. V (New Series). Edited under the Authority of the Council. ISSUED MAY 1893. THE AUTHORS OK THE SEVERAL PAPERS ARE SOLELY RESPOKSIBLE FOR THE SOUNDNESS OF THE OPINIONS GIVEN AND FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE STATEMENTS MADE THEUEIN. MELBOUENE : STILLWELL AND CO., PKINTEES, 195a COLLINS STREET. AGENTS TO THE SOCIEIY: WILLIAMS & NORGATE, 14 HENRIETTA STREET, OUVENT GARDEN, LONDON To wliom all communications for transmission to the Royal Society of Yicto: ia, fiom all parts of Europe, should be sent. 1893. lanal $0fictD of ^Tittorhi. 18 9 2. fatron. HIS lOXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HON. JOHN ADRIAN LOUIS HOPE, G.C.M.G. SEVENTH EARL OF HOPETOUN. ;|1rfsiDcnt. PROFESSOR W. C. Ki:UN()T, M.A., C.E. K. J. WHITE, F.R.A.S. | H. K. RUSDCN, F.R.G.S. |jon. (Lrcasurcr. C. R. BLACKETT, F.C.S. |)ou. Secretaries. PROFESSOR W. BALDWIN SPENCER, JI.A. A. SUTHERLAND, M.A. I^on. ICibradau. A. DENDY, D.SC. douiuil. W. H. ARCHER, F.L.S., F.I.A. A. H. S. LUCAS, M.A. .). W. BARRETT, M.D. PROFESSOR L\LE, M.A. K. L. J. ELLERY, C.M.G., F.R.S., PROFESSOR ORME MASSON, M.A., F.R.A.S. D.Sc. G. S. GRIFFITHS, F.R.G.S. H. MOORS. .IAS. JAMIESON, M.D. REV. R. H. SUGDEN, B.A., B..S. . PROFESSOR LAURIE, LL.D. C. A. TOPP, M.A., LL.B. CONTENTS OF VOLUME V. Akt. I.— Preliminary Notice of Victorian Earthworms. Part II. The genus Peiichfeta (with Plates II, III, IV, V, VI, VII). By W. Baldwin Spencer, M.A. .. .. -• 1 I[.- Fm'ther Notes on the Oviparity of the larger Victorian Peripatus, generally known as P. Leuckartii. By Abthuk Dendy, D.Sc. . . - . . . . . 27 III.— Nest and Egg of Queen Victoria's Rifle Bird (Ptilorhis Victoriffi) (with Plate I). By D. Le Souef .. .. 3fi IV.— Notes on the Lilydale Limestone (with Plates VIII and IX). By Rev. A. W. Ckesswell, M.A. . . . . . • '^>i V. — Preliminary Account of the Glacial Deposits of Bacchus Marsh (with Plates X, XI, XII). By Graham Officer, B.Sc, and Lewis Balfour.. .. .. ..45 VI. — Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocosla ; with a proposed Classification of the Group and Descriptions of some New Genera and Species. By A. Dendy, D.Sc. (59 VII.— On Two New Tertiary Stylasterids (with Plate XIII). By T. S. Hall, M.A. .. .. .. .. ..117 VIII.— Three rare Species of Eggs hitherto only described from the Oviduct of the Bird. By A. J. Campbell, F.L.S... 128 IX.— Notes on the Mode of Reproduction of Geonemertes aus- traliensis. By Arthur Dendy, D.Sc. .. .. 127 X.— The Bluff at Barwou Heads (with Plate XIV). By G. S. Griffiths, F.G.S. . . . . . . . . . . 131 XI. — On the Conductivity of a Solution of Copper Sulphate (with Plates XV and XVI). By W. Huey Steele, M.A. . . 184 XII.— The Lichens of Victoria. Part I. By Rev. F. R. M. Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 XIII. — On a New Species of Leueosoleuia from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads. By Arthur Dendy, D.Sc. . . 178 XI v.- The Present Position of the Snake-bite Controversy. By James W. Barrett, M.D., M.S., F.R.C.S. Eng. .. 181 XV. — Sneezing: Fallacious Observations. Bj' James W. Barrett, M.D., M.S., F.R.C.S. Eng. . . .. .. ..187 XVI.— Physical Constants of Thallium (with Plate XVH). By W. Huey Steele, M.A. . . . . . . . . 193 XVII. — On " Confocal Quadrics of Moments of Inertia" pertaining of all Planes in Space, and Loci and Envelopes of Straight Lines whose "Moments of Inertia" are Con- stant. By Martin Gardiner, C.E. .. .. 20(» 40H0 vi Proceedings of the Hu/ja( tiocietij of Vicforia. XVIII. — Notes on a PoiaououB Species of Homeiia (H. colliua, i.ai;i; Vent. — var. miniata), found at Pascoc Vale, causing death in cattle and other animals feeding upon it. By D. McAlpine and P. W. Farmer, M.B., Ch.B .. 209 XIX.— Report of the Committee of the Royal Society of Victoria, consisting of Prokessors Kerxot, Lylk and Masson, and Messrs. Elleky, Love and White, appointed to arrange for the carrying out of the Gravity Survey of Australasia . . . . . . . . . . 21B XX. — Report of the Cremation Committee of the Eoyal Society of Victoria, appointed to enquire into and report upon " Cremation " and other methods of disposing of the dead, with particular regard to hygiene and economy.. 222 XXL— Report of Port Phillip Biological Survey Committee, 1892 229 Anntai. Meeting, Report anp Balance Sheet .. .. .. 230 Report of Ordinary Meeting.s . . . . . . . . 239 Laws of the Royal Society of Victoria . . . . . . 289 List of Members . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 List of Institutions and Learned Societies which receive Copies of the " Transactions and Proceedings of the KoYAL Society of Victoria" .. .. .. .. 306 Art. l.—Prdlmlnarii Xotice of Victorian Kartlnvorni'i, Part II. Tha (icnuH Pevichceta. _,„„-«-.,_ (With Plates II, III, IV, V, VI, VII.) /'^'y^^'^^ '^^^ Profi By W. BaldwixX Spencer, M.A. i,^.j h I B R A R Y • - essor of Biology in the University of Melbouru'^II^N. ^^ ^ ' y'c^ [Read March 10, 1892.] ^^^_J--^ This ficcouiit includes tlie description of twenty-two species of the genus Perichfeta, which have up to the present time been collected in Victoria. Two of these, Perichceia dorsalis and baker i, have been previously described by Mr. J. J. Fletcher, who obtained them from Gippsland. My own collection has been made in different parts of Victoria, and especiall}^ in the South Eastern district, where Gippsland is peculiarly rich. As in the case of the genera Cryptodrilus and Megascolides, so in that of Perichseta, the forms described are at present, for the sake of convenience, referred to the one genus, though this will undoubtedly have to be broken up, and at the same time, certain forms provisionally as yet referred to it, may have to be placed under other existing genera. With this, Mr. Fletcher and myself will deal in our extended monograph. Sufficient details only are now given to serve for the identification of the species. We have in Victoria only one species which is reall_y widely distributed — this is P. dorsalis, which was first described by Fletcher from Warragul, Gippsland. Since then it has been obtained in West and South Gippsland, from the Otway district, from the Grampians, and from Creswick and Castlemaine. It is not only widely spread, but is also abundant in numbers, almost always forming the majority of specimens of any collection in West or South GipjDsland especially. It is interesting to note that an allied form, Peric/iceta stirlingi, is apparently prevalent in South Australia. 2 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. The diNtiibution of the former species is in marked contrast to that of most. Certain forms, such as P. tanjilensis and yarraensis, are characteristic of the Upper Yarra Valley especially. Perichcvta fielderi, a veiy well marked form, has only come from Fern Ti-ec Gully and Sassafras Gully and the hills outside Narre Wan-en, all of which localities lie within a small compass. P. hakeri, copelandi, 'and ohscura, are characteristic of the Warragul district in Cippsland, and P. deiulyi is an intei'esting form recorded as yet only from Healesville. P. lateralis has been found only in North West Victoria and is closely allied to the Soutli Australian species P. stirlingi. For valuable assistance in collecting, I am again indebted to Dr. Dendy, Rev. W. Fielder, and Messrs. French, Frost, Shephard, Hall, Steel, Mann, Copeland, Brittlebank, D. h Souef, R. H. Anderson and H. Giles. Unless otherwise stated, the description alway?, refers to spirit specimens. Such structures as the accessory copulatory ones are only evident after preservation, and examination of numerous specimens shows that spirit exerts a uniform action upon these. (I) Perlchceta copelandi, sp. n. (Figs. 52, 53, 54, 76). Length of spirit specimen o inclies, | inch broad. Number of segments about 175, Dark purple colour dorsally, with a darker median line. Prostomium completely dovetailed into the peristomiuni, and marked by a median groove. Clitellum not strongly marked, occupying segments 13-17, but not alwa^^s the anterior part of 1.} or the posterior of 17. Setpe. The first setigerous segment has 10 on each side, after this and to the posterior end of the clitellum the number varies from lo-]7. Behind segment 20, it varies from 23-25. On the last 6 or 7 segments the setae are difficult to see. Dorsal and ventral median lines free of seta3. Male poi'es on papillae in segment 18, at the level of the interval between the two inner seta^ of each side. Oviduct pores on segment 14 anterior to, and at the level of the interval between the two inner seta; of each side. Spermatl)ecal pores, 5 pairs placed on the line between segments 4-9, very slightly dorsal of the level of the innei'- most setse. PreUmiiiai'j/ Notice of Victorian Earthtvornis. 3 Accessoiy copalatory structures. A pair of elliptical tumid patches between segments 16 and 17, at the level ot" the interval between the inner two setse of each side. A pair between segments 17 and 18, at the level of the interval between the second and third sehB of each side ; a pair at the same level between segments 18 and 19, and nioother between segments 19 and 20. The male openings lie ventral of these structures and not dorsal, as in the case of the similar ones present in P. hakeri. A series of ]iaii-s of small elliptical patches marked by distinct pores on the veiy anterior margins of segments 9-13, each one slightl}' dorsal of the innei-most setfe of its side. These patches in segment 9 are enlarged and include the openings of the spermatheca3. An additional pair, with similar relationships, may be present on segment 8. Dorsal pores present, the first between segments 4 and 5. Kephridiopores not visible externall}". Alimentary canal. Gizzard present in segment 5. No true calciferous glands, but vascular swellings are present in segments 9-15. Large intestine connnences in segment 17. Circulatory system. Single dorsal vessel, with the last pair of hearts in segment 12. No supra-intestinal vessel present. Excretory system. Meganephric. Reproductive .system. Testes, two pairs in segments 10 and 11, into which the ciliated rosettes open. Prostates long, coiled, and tubuhir, occupying segments 1 8-22. Sperm sacs, three pairs attached respectively to the posterior wall of segment 9 and the anterior of segments 12 and 13. Saccular in foi-ni. Ovaries in segment 13, with oviducts opening into the same segment. Spermatheca3, 5 pairs present in segments 5-9, each consisting of a large sac and short diverticulum. Habitat. Warragul district. I have associated with this characteristic Gippsland ])ericha3te the name of Mr. Hugii Copeland, to whom I am much indebted for frequent and valuable assistance in collecting. (2) Pcrichwta ohsciivd, sp. n. (Figs. 4, 5, G, 70). Length of spirit specimen 2^ inches, aljout | inch br<)ai Earihw<>Tins. IJ) Ovaries in seo-ineiit 13, into whieii clie oviducts o|)en. Spennathecw, four pairs, in se^^ments G-9. Each consist- ing of a large sac and short soniewliat thin diverticuhun. Habitat. Fern Tree Gnlly, under logs. (IG) PevhcludaJieUleri, ^^. n. (Figs. 19, 20. 21, G-t). Length in spirits nearly 6 inclies, breadth \ inch. Both when alive and when in spirits, the worm, has not the sliglitest resemblance in appearance to an ordinary pericha3te form. It is only provisionally referred to this genus. The body is cream coloured, with a thick bright pink coloured clitellum, and is quite smooth, there being- no indication of setse, except in the clitellar region and perhajjs an odd one here and there posteriorly ; to see the setse, it is neces.sary to cut sections. Its general ai)pearance is closely similar to that of a Megascolides, to which genus I took it to belong when collecting it. Prostomium possibly completely dovetailed into the peris- tomium, but the latter is strongly ribbed, two grooves being continuous with the edges of the prostomium, which has also a median furi'ow continued on to the peristomium. Setfe, about six on each side, irregularly arranged behind the clitellum. In segments 13-lG, a pair can often be seen on either side ventrall}^ Clitellum well marked and thick, extending over segments 13-18 ; complete, save for two small depressed patches ventrally, one in the middle of segment 16, another occupy- ing the hinder part of segment 17 ventrall}^, and the anterior of 18. These depressed patches ma}" be absent, and the clitellum complete, in some specimens. Male pores on two prominent papilla?, which may have their inner sides confluent, on segment 18. The pores at the level of the interval between the two inner setfe of each side. Oviduct pores in a small linear depression on the anterior half of segment 14, each pore slightly ventral of the level of the innermost setfe. Spermathecal pores, two pairs, one on the posterior margin of segment 7, anothei- on the posterior margin of segment 8. Each pore is placed on a small, tumid, elliptical patch. Accessor}^ copulatory structures. An elliptical patch ven- trally, half on each of segments 19 and 20, a similar one half on each of segments 20 and 21. Only one of these may be present. C 2 20 Proceedings of tite Roijal Society of Victoria. Dorsal por-es present. Alimentary canal. Gizzard in segment 15. Vascular swellings in segments 11 and 12. Calciferous glands some- what ventraliy placed in segment 18. Lai'ge intestine commencing in segment 17. Prominent glandular tufts (pepto-nephridia ?) attached to the pharynx. Circulatory system. Dorsal vessel single. Hearts in segments 8-13. A continuous supra -intestinal vessel in segments 9-14. A lateral vessel in segments 7-13. Excretory system. Plectonephric. Reproductive system. Testes not visible, but a large membranous sac on each side in segment 1 1 tilled with sperm, and enclosing a prominent rosette. Probably this encloses also the testes. Prostates flattened, rather small; mammiilated surface; in segment 18. A large whitish swelling close to each duct, containing penial setae. Sperm sacs, one pair, attached to the anterior wall of segment 12. Ovaries in segment 13, into which the oviducts open. Spermathecse, two pairs, in segments 8 and 9. Each con- sisting of a large sac and divei'ticulum. Habitat. Navre Warren. Fern Tree Gully (collected by Rev. W. Fielder and Mr. Mann). Sassafras Gully (collected by Mr. She})hard). Under logs, in burrows partly exposed when the log is lifted, and })artly penetrating to a depth of one or two feet beneath the surface. The first specimens of this were found by the Rev. W. Fielder and Air. Shephard, and subsequently Mr. French and myself found it abundantly at Narre Warren. • Its area of distribution appears to be very limited, as I have never found it elsewhere, or received it from other districts. (17) Ferichcvta frost i, sp. n. (Figs. 13, 14, 15, 71). Length of spirit specimen G inches, breadth about ^ incli. Number of segments about 220. As in the case of F.fielderi, the worm has not the slight- est resemblance in appearance to an ordinary pericha^te. It resembles closely in general appearance the group of forms at present classed together under the genus Qyptodrilus. In spirit the body is bleached, and the clitellum of a light brown colour. Prostomium not at all dovetailed into the peristomium. Preliminary Notice of Viclorion Earthworms. 21 Setre, save an odd one here and there, are invisible. Clitellnra strongly marked, saddle-shaped, incomplete ventrally, except in the middle of segments IG and 17, extending over segments 14-17. Male pores on very prominent papillae on segment 18. Oviduct pores placed on a ridge which runs across the anterior part of segment 14>. Spermathecal pores, five pairs, between segments 4 and 5, 5 and C, 6 and 7, 7 and 8, 8 and 9. Dorsal pores present, the first between segments 3 and 4. Alimentary canal. Gizzard in segment (3. Calciferous glands in segments 8, 9 and 10. Vascular swellings in segments 11, 12 and 13. Large intestine commencing in segment 15. Circulatory S3'stem. Dorsal vessel single, as far back as segment 13. In segment 14 and succeeding ones to the posterior end, it is double — that is, there is a loop in each segment, the two parts uniting at the septum. Hearts in segments 6-13. A lateral vessel is present on each side in segments 8, 9 and 10. Exci-etory system. Plectonephric. Reproductive system. A single pair of testes and rosettes in segment 1 1. Prostates small, flattened ; bi-lobed ; in segment 18. Sperm sacs. A pair attached to the anterior wall of segment 12, and a smaller pair to the anterior wall of segment 13. Sac-like in form. Ovaries in segment 13, into which the oviducts open. Spermathecse, five pairs, in segments 5-9. Each consist- ing of a short sub-spherical sac, with a blunt rounded diverticulum about quarter the size of the sac. Habitat. Croajingolong, E. Gi]>psland. Collected during an expedition of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria to Eastern Gippsland. I have associated with this the name of Mr. F]-ost, to whom I am indebted for much valuable aid. (I8j Perichcfita goonriiiirh, sp. n. (Figs. 16, 17, 18). Length in spirits 4i inches, breadth ^e ^^ '^^^ inch. Number of segments about 150. The body is dark purple colour dorsally. Laterally it is dark purple, but chequered with little rectangular cream coloured areas, in the centre of each of which is a seta. 22 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. Cream white on the veiitiMl surface. The colour is niucii the same in spirit-preserved animals, as in the fresh state. This form is provisionally referred to the genus Perich^eta. Prostomiura veiy slio-htl y dovetailed into the peristomium. Clitellum well marked, complete, light giey in colour, extending over segments 13-19. Seta3. The first setigerous segment has 4 sette on each side. The second 5, then up to the clitellum there are (i. The 2()th and remaining segments have 8. The setfe are irregularly arranged, save the inner two of each side. Male pores on papilla? on segment 18, each slightly ven- tral of the level of the second setse of each side. There is a marked depression immediately in fi-ont of, and behind, a median ventral ridge on segment 18. Oviduct pores on segment 14 anterior to, and very slightly ventral of, the level of the iimermost setee. Spermathecal pores, five pairs, between segments 4 and 5, 5 and G, 6 and 7, 7 and 8, 8 and 9. Each slightly ventral of the level of the innermost seta. Dorsal pores. Alimentary canal. Gizzard in segment 5. No true calci- ferous glands, but vascular swellings in segments 8-14, those in segments 13 and 14 smaller than the others. Large intestine commencing in segment 16. Circulatory system. Dorsal vessel double as far forward as the sixth segment, where the two halves do not unite anteriorly, but pass forwards on to the surface of the gizzard. In each segment the two halves unite where they pass through the septum. In addition to the dorsal, there is a double supra-intestincd. vessel in segments 9-12. Hearts in segments 8-11. In segment 8, the hearts arise from the dorsal vessel. In segments 9-11, they arise from the supra-intestinal. Excretory system. Plectonephric, associated witli large nephridia with internal funnels at the posterior end of the body. Reproductive system. Two pairs of testes in segments 10 and 11. Rosettes doubtful. Prostates flattened, somewhat fan-shaped structures in segment 18. Sperm sacs, a single small pair attached to the anterior wall of seoinent 12. Sac-like in form. Prelimlmcri/ Notice of Vlc'or'mn EarthworrtiH. 28 Ovaries in seo'ment 13, into which the oviducts open. Spermathecpe, five pairs, in segments -5-9, gradually increasing in size from before backwards. Each consisting of a sac, with a short blunt rounded diverticulum. Habitat. Mt. Goonmurk, Croajingolong. Whilst collect- ing in Croajingolong I only found this interesting form, the colouring of which renders it at once noticeable, under logs at the head of a fern gully on iVlt. Goonmurk, at an elevation of about 3500 feet. Mt. Goonmurk forms part of the Dividing Range which runs from east to west across Victoria. (19) Perlchceta yarraensis, sp. n. (Figs. 61, 62, 63, 74). Length of spirit specimen 5i inches, of living form 7 or 8 inches, breadth h inch. In life the body is of a dull purple colour, darker dorsally than ventrally. The setpe are placed on little lighter-coloured .spots. The clitellum stands out very clearl}^ in the living- form, being thick and cream white in colour. P]-ostomium completely dovetailed into the peristouiiuni. Clitellum thick and strongly-marked, and extending over segments 13-17. The ventral surface of segments 15, 16 and 17 is not always white and glandular, the clitellum here being then incomplete and saddle-shaped. In other specimens it is complete. Setae. The first two setigerous segments have four on each side, arranged in two couples. Back to the clitellum there are two couples on each side, and in addition a fifth one external to these. Occasionally, but rarelj^ an additional one may be developed, but the worm can be recognised by the presence of five setae on eajh side, regularly an-anged so far back as the clitellum and including, at any rate, the two first segments of this. Worms from four localities all show this feature. Behind the clitellum the number increases to 10-14? on each side, arranged, save the innei-most one. very irregularly. There is left a broad very iiTegular doisal space fiee from set?e. Male pores on slight papilltB, from which penial settv may iDe seen protruding, on segment 18, at the level of the interval between the two inner setae of each side. Oviduct pores on segment 14 anterior to, and ventral of, the level of the innermost seta?. 24- Proceedings of the Roijdl Society of Victoria. Spei'uiatbecal i)ores, five ])airs, between vsegiuents 4 and 5, 5 and (>, G and 7, 7 and 8, 8 and !J, at the level of tlie inner- most setae. Accessory copulatory structures. Three pairs ot elliptical tumid patches in front of the male openings, and three or four behind. One pair placed half on segment 17, and half on segment 18, at the level of tiie interval between the second and third seta on each side. The others placed at the level of the interval between the two inner set, / ' / ' t n " L ^-^ 4 ■% "■ L_--fe ^1 -41 -^- i : '^T" -■^ ' *■ * '■ £ i^s "■ /'/•tfc A.J. I'/c/or/a PL 2 /;' -m^^ 't ^^1 '? to a/ « " «. /^ 6. ts PERICH/tTA L0CHEN5IS. PERICH/tTA OBSCURfl. ^K- ^. 1=!?==^ .S;,W v^ ^ "^r "^^ ^^ "^^ ^^ "^ ^^ ^l/asc. "' \ ^ ^^e:^ "^^ ^^^ ^^/T ■RlCH/tTA DICK30NIA PERICH>^TA AL30PHILA. ^^TTX ^ f^X' / V / /^ ^i3 V'^-C civ ^ s f , ^ \e> ^ m^. .^^ .5/ fl ^W-^- fl ft— -Ji ^^ /^ Ok- _-?! '^ * '■*■ It 17 fM 'I WA 'f '"/:- -m- " tt « i4 /^'S i. zr PERICH/tTA LOCHENSIS. ^K' /"/•oc /; .S l'/f/<7/-/a /v. 2 /a$^.i ~^ / V y^ v^ S/ijUu y h> 15 \ ^ ^ \e li ^ >3 ^_ «.- — -J (9 ,.^^'^ W^ 1"::^^ oi/d:' --^ ^--■€^r ^p .;, IS- Proc. AS. Victoria Pi. 3. iSfi. ~^x. / V ^> <& / d^ vi 'ptK^ ^) v^ , \d^ v^ ^ .'^- _^^^ a ^"^ R — tm "% 01',- — 'Z^ f? o^dr -^ Pr.- -^^ W^ F,-) «. PERICHftTA FR05TI. PERICH/tTA COONMURK. |-*-Y'r~"-"'r^p-^ -^^ n ^^ ^^ / N' 5^/^.- — /; ^ --/y vs (^) (p) '' ::!j «F JA :^ /^ nx / N » * ^ ^ *■ ^ c5^ ^ • s <^ ^ 7 \c5^ ^ 1 ^^ _> / « 1^^-=^ " ff-^-"^ '* mm « ^,. - IS ni-rf- /♦ '^ /i '/ (m -% n /v.- W" " WW ^^ " " " ^* f'S !♦. '^ PERICH/ETA FIEDERI PERICH/tTA BAKER) ^^- ^. j£« / w ^ ] ~ '"-\ rN ■^) rX '- (R rS ?■ \ ( ■■.W^M y'^m^b )fe'6-:.'rt %'jml m^&iy )Uifm F.s- >■<' PERICH/tTA RUBRA. ~-~-v' / Y \ ^ vi>^ <^ ^ - d^' ^ <& >^ ^.^ ^/g r-. -■- -Q ^ "■' ^^ ^^^: ^ ' Md. —-e^ ■ (7^.^ ■\^ t 'J (?^.ir /* '■5- M " Pr — S^^ 1^^ /* wi^ wh /^ Z. ^' " " "" Fii JJ. IS- c. R. 5 Victoria. Fl. 1*.. li ^i. f \' \ -^-^- » ^J -- ipH-..' c:) 'S" * ■ S Vi. ' .^ >^^ • '?^^'> v^V ' 11.3:' ■^r ft r: ^/t "^W ^^'4m ". oir.- ■-"^ rT ■> ovir '♦ '•^ " •7 Pr- -^^ « " " " » " •■■' '> .M. xs ~^' / N- .^ ^ S/,,/^ - ^ ^ ^ . ^ ^ \ \ r-^^ M^ miM .;r- — t:^ ^ oi'iir /T — ■^^ ^ '"'^ 36. \l PERICM/tTA FRENCHI PERICHA.TA 5YLVATICA. p/'^ Fnc. R.S. Victoria PIS IS9Z. w- w^- 3^ ^%^ / ^- ♦ ^ ^i <• s^M.; ' C& >^ * N ^ 'v^ 7 \^ ^^ « 5^^ '^^ » / f1 ^T^ ^T. '\: ir ■±^ U^ ^/^ '•■ v.^— -V^ ^ " —^ /♦ "■ ,t " Pr — fA ,f t> " u. ti f. F.g «. "" PERICH/ETA 3rEELI. PERICHft.TA HALLI. / V \ / / ^ - - -"— J J = £: -"^ /=■ ^.K) / N ' * i il... f~N ^x ^ f> o\ 7 (^ ^> ^ « ^^-^ r (■> 4 / \ ,-> \ / " \ ,^ V « /i /♦ ( ) — '•^ ^ ) « r V r /< AJ ( \\j- 'C ^ S W z^ -nS (" 5^ '^z ■\5 (■ ^Ir '^ « z» r/i?. -«>. ^i- :z "^^ "^^ "^^ ^s' "^^ ^ T^' / V \ ' * M -i -£o. o o\ < r> r. \ ' r^ ' ) ^- Ars r\ /V ki y / (> o / " (TN ./ « \ « \ /♦ "^ /4 '■', (^ /S -nS \ {ir 't '^ \ )^ U ^ ^ ■)5x " ^ ( )^ It. 13 Z.U ^'>. M •■^ p^ \' ' * ^ ^^ ' /^ ^ • Sp/H. ^ ^ ' \<^ V& t ^^ ' / 9 ^r^=: ^ \ R :&, N^^ ''W^ - -'F-r^i^ ^ " 0„cLr "■ "' .<, ^!M. " m_ u " "■ " " F.g. tiS. MS PERICM*TA WALHALL/t. .^ "~~-\' / v / ^ ♦ ^ ^ ^ < SpfK^ '<^ V-, ' \c^' ^ » w ^ » T-=. ^z^Z^ w 10 ^=^ " ^^^^^y ^^ "■ ^>^-^ '^^^ " 0»< .,>^ v^ * o„d. '^ li V —fW ■%^, /< Pr. ^W ^P /(■ « ^/ " « '» ^'* . JV. iS^ ^^ / Y ^'f^ Sp/A.. ^ -^ >^3-- ^^ ^^y^/'^ nr— aSs- 'W- cS^ X^v Ov. - --^ ^ Oi'dtr :^ -%- ti/^ W^l M^ __J^_ ___ ^^ .^.T "S... Proc. R. S. Vichina. PI 6 /89i. .^^ A', F^ PERICHff.TA COPELANOI ^ \,' 1 \' ^ ^ J/.M..' ' c^ ^ \ ^ '^ \^ ^ f^ ^^ / f| g f) f? cii^ ^ ^^ ,^^ :^ ^^ im ^ #- -^ '■'s JT*. PERICHftTA LATERALIS. PERICMffi.TA D0RSALI5. ^ ^~^/ . / Y ' " s ^ 'sSS' <- ^SS' %^ ' ^'^^ •>.^ « ^^- ^^ ? --^ ^ ?-^ ^- .-.w^ •^si^-; i::^ >^ %M> ^ /j- iii " -—mt "^ n w w ,9 to f It " «+ ^■9 tf ^^ lis ^S" ""^^' ^^S^ ^^" ^^^ PERlCH/tTA YARRAENSIS. r^gje F,gJ7. Fig.7i. Art. II. — Further Notes on the Ovipariti/ of the larger Victorian Peripatus, generally liwivn as P. leuckartii. By Arthur Dendy, D.Sc. [Bead May 12, 1832.] My observations* on the oviparous habit of the larger Victoi-iau Perlpatus (hitherto generally regarded as identical with the Peripatus leuckartii of Sanger) have excited a good deal of hostile criticism, chiefly emanating from the pen of Mr. J. J. Fletcher. On three different occasions since the publication of my notes Mr. Fletcher has brought the question before the Linnean Society of New South Wales and his I'emarks have been ))ublished (I do not know whether in full or not) in the Abstracts of Proceedings of the Society.f I have already replied to the eai-lier criticism^s in a short paper read at the Hobait meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, which will, I am informed, be published shortl^^ Mr. Fletcher's latest observations, however, compel me to return to the question and I am the more willing to do so as I have some further information to communicate in support of my views. The object of Mr. Fletcher's latest contribution to the literature of the subject is explained in the opening para- graph, which runs as follows : — " This paper is a reply to certain views expressed by Dr. Dendy with regard to the reproduction of the New South Wales Peripatus, which on the ipse dixit of Dr. Dendy himself is P. leuckartii, Sang.; the questions at issue being not whether or no the Victorian Peripatus is oviparous, but whether, firstly. Dr. Dendy was * Proc. Eoval Soc. Victoria for 1891, p. 31; Nature and Zoologischer Anzeiiier, No.":-580, 1891. t Septemljer 80, 1891; February 24, 1892 ; April 27, 1892. 28 Proceed hig.s of the lioyd.i Society of Victoria. Justitied, on the evidence before biui and in the absence of an}'' pei'sonal knowledge of the reproduction of tlie I^ew South Wales Fervpatu.s, in contradicting statements which were quite in order ; and secondly, as Dr. Dend3''s views were published in September ]891, and as certain informa- tion on the subject was subsequently brought under his notice, whether it is not now nearly time that Dr. Dendy took ste])s to explain that his views apply wholly and solely to the Victorian Peripatus, and to withdiaw his insinua- tions respecting, and his erroneous interpretation of, ' Mr. Fletcher's observations,' because already Dr. Dendy's state- ments are finding their wa^y into the records of zoological literature, and confusion and nnsap})rehension may result therefrom." In reply to Mr. Fletcher's indictment I wish to make the following remarks : — (1) I di) not understand the meaning of the statement that the New South Wales Peripatus is, "on the ipm dixit of Dr. Dendy himself," P. leuckaitii, I (;ertainly am not responsible for this identification, which was, I believe, first made by Mr. OUiti* who remarks,* on first recording the animal from New South Wales, that " the species is identical witli that recently recorded by Mr. Fletcher from Gippsland and is probably the Peripatus leiiclauiii of Sanger." I need scarcely point out tiiat the name leackartii has since been applied by Mr. Fletcher himself to the New South Wales species. Possibly Mr. Fletchei means to i-efer to tlie larger Victorian species, of whicli the first i-ecorded specimen was identified by himself f as " in all probability an example of P. leiiclurtii, Sanger." If Mi-. Fletcher will refer to my earliest communication on the subject:|: he will find that in recording the discovery of two specimens at Warburton (only one specimen having been previously recorded from this colony) I made the following statement, "after carefully study- ing Professor Sedgwick's full description of P. leuchartii, I am fairly certain that they do not belong to that species, but to a new one, which I for the present refrain from naming," basing my conclusion on the )-emarI<:able pattern of the skin. * Proc. Limi. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. il, p. 981. t Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. II, p. 450. t Victorian Satnralixt, January ]889. The Ovlparitjj of the larger Victorian Peripatus. 29 Professor Sedgwick, however, in reply to my observations, expressed the opinion* tliat the species probably was subject to a considerable range of variation in colour. Having studied more specimens I myself came to the same conclusion^ and liave since tlien followed Mr. Fletcher in calling the larger Victorian species l\ leiickartii. This use of tlie name leuckartii on my part seems to be Mr. Fletcher's chief grievance against me but I would ask him to remember that I have onl_y followed his own lead in this respect. (2) I am not aware that I have contradicted any state- ments for the simple reason that I cannot find that there wei'e any definite statements as to the mode of reproduction of the New South Wales Peripatus for me to contradict. There was merely the assumption by Mr. Fletcher (which I quoted and characterized as very natural) that the 3^oung animals which he found in comj)any with the parent had been born alive. (3) I consider that I was fully justified in assuming that the mode of i-eproduction of the New South Wales Peripatun was the same as that of the Victorian one, as at the time when I wrote there were no definite observations published as to the mode of rejiroduction of the former, and it was almost inconceivable that different individuals which Mr. Fletcher liimself, in common with all other writers on the subject, regarded as belonging to one and the same species should be oviparous in the one colony and viviparous in the other. I have no doubt now that the New South W •a\q?, Peripatus is viviparous, as maintained by Mr. Fletcher and Professor Haswell, but I would ask Mr. Fletcher to remember that when I wrote, the only publisiied observations as to the mode of reproduction of the New South Wales species were — {a) the finding of the young in company with the mother, though there was notliing, so far as the published account goes, to show that they had not been hatched from eggs laid for some time ; and (/)) a footnote:|: to one (jf Mr. Fletcher's observations, stating that a female had been dissected and found to Ije pregnant ; the term pregnant is not defined and might, in my opinion, be * Nature, February 28, 1889. t " Observations on the Australian Species of Peripatus," Proc. Royal See. Victoria, July 11, 1889. t Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. Ill, p. 892. 00 FroceecUuf/s of the Royal Society of Victoria. correctly applied to a female containing lai'ge but un- developed eggs in the uterus ; nothing is said l:)y Mr. Fletcher about the embiyos. Mr. Fletcher may personally have had abundant evidence that the New South Wales Feripatiis was viviparous, but that evidence was not published and not known to me when 1 wrote, and, therefore, I consider that I was quite justified in stating that the mode of reproduction of F. leuckartii was unknown, and in placing my own interpretation upon the only i-ecorded facts as to the life history of the New South Wales form. Naturally 1 interpretated them in the Ught of my own observations on the Victorian species. That interpretation I now fully admit to be incoi-rect and I congratulate myself that if my observations have had no other good result they have at least elicited some definite information as to the mode of reproduction of the New South Wales Feripatiis. (4) Mr. Fletcher seems to be very greatly troubled because my statements are already " finding their way into the records of zoological literature, and confusion and mis- apprehension may result therefrom." There is not the slightest need for confusion now that we have at length a definite statement as to the reproduction of the New South Wales species. It must be perfectly obvious to ever}^ reader that my own observations were based entirel}^ on Victorian specimens, as stated distinctly in the paper, and that my suggestion as to the New South Wales form was a perfectly justifiable, though, as it turns out, incorrect deduction from the only published facts. It is perhaps unfortunate that both the New South Wales and Victorian forms should have been included under the name leuckartii, but for this Mr. Fletcher himself is at least as much responsible as any (5) Mr. Fletcher states that the question at issue is not whether or no the Victorian species is oviparous. Herein I must beg to differ from him, as this is the real question which I have been all along trying to solve and compared with which the mere question of nomenclature is, in my opinion, insignificant In concluding his observations he also indulges in certain offensive and unjustifiable person- alities, which I need not ([uote. It is greatly to be regretted that he should have considered such a proceeding advisable The Oviparlty of the larger Victorian Perijyatus. 81 and, for my own ]iart, I entirely fail to see the advantage to be derived therefrom and must refuse to follow his example in this respect. Probably the solution of the whole difficulty will be found to lie in the fact that my original opinion was correct after all, and that our larger Victorian Feripatus is specifi- cally distinct from F. leuclurtii. For the present, however, I still refrain from giving it a distinctive name, as I have had very few specimens from other localities to compare it with and do not wish, if it can be helped, to create a new species merely on account of the oviparous habit. This question, however, is discussed in my communication to the Austra- lasian Association already referred to. As to the oviparous habit of our larger Victorian s|:)ecies (so called to distinguish it from the smallei- F. in.sigihis), I have some additional evidence to offer and I would like at the same time to recapitulate the main arguments in favour of my view. My critics have entirely ignored all that is new in my observations, such as the remarkable sculptured egg-shell, and have suggested that what I have observed is simply a case of abnormal extrusion of eggs such as takes place sometimes in P. novce-zealandice. Professor Hutton, however, who made the observation on the New Zealand species, merely states that the eggs are often extruded before development is complete and then always die. Professor Sedgwick quotes these statements in his monograph of the genus and j^et, in replying* to my letter in Nature, he states that " no one knows whether the eggs so extruded undergo complete development." I suppose that most animals some- times extrude eggs which never complete their development, but this has really little to do with the question. What I have been endeavouring to prove is that the larger Victorian species of Feripatus is normally oviparous. The two principal arguments originally brought forward — both of which have been entirely overlooked by my critics — were (1) that female specimens dissected at various times of the year were never found with embryos in the uterus, as has been so frequently described for otlier species, but generally with large undeveloped eggs of definite oval shape and with a thick membrane ; (2) that the shell or membrane of the eggs after (but not before) being laid, is very definitely and characteristically sculptured on the outer surface, in such * Nature, September 21, 1891. 32 Froeeediuf/s of the Royal ^Society of Victoria. a manner as to recall the eggs of some insects. This sculpturing alone a))pears to me to indicate a truly ovipai'ous habit, and, inasnmch as it affords anotiier character common to Ferlpatiin and tlie Jnsecta, to deserve special attention. I am not aware that a sculptured egg-shell has hitherto been observed in Feripatus and 1 should be glad to learn from Mr. Fletcher whether anything of the kind has ever been found around embryos of the New South Wales species which have, as he informs us,* been extruded in the process of drowning. The additional evidence on the subject which I now wish to bring forward consists in the subsequent history of the fourteen eggs which were laid in my vivarium between the 18th May and the 31st July last year and of one which, though possibly laid about the same time, was not discovered until September 16. Before going any further, however, I may premise that the fact that the eggs are really those of Feripatu.s has been absolutely i)r()ved by their development. It may also be as well to relate the fate of the parent animals by which the eggs were laid. It may be remembered that on the 3 1st July, 1S!>1, when the eggs were lirst found, there were in the vivarium three females and one male, all apparently in good health. The male specimen died shortly afterwards but on August 17th the females were still all alive and apparently healthy. On August 31st, as mentioned in a postcript to my first communication on the subject, one of the female specimens was found dead. On being dissected the reproductive organs appeared very well developed ; but, although the ovary and oviducts were both large (the former containing a great many ovarian eggs), there was not a single egg in either of the oviducts, all having been doubtless laid. On September IGth the two i-emaining females wo'e still alive. I killed and dissected one. The organs appeared healthy and well developed. In the lower part of each oviduct one large egg was found. The eggs presented the usual characters, having a very thick but unsculptured envelope filled with yolk. Both eggs were cut open and examined microscopically, but I did not succeed in recog- nising any trace of an embrj^o in either. On completely turning out the vivarium and examining its contents carefully, I found one more Feripatus egg * Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Sej.tember 30, 1891. The Oviparlty of the lair/er Victoricui Pevipatas. 33 amongst the rotten wood (September IG). It looked much healthier than those which had previously been transferred from the vivarium, many of the latter having already begun to shrivel up and acquire a dark colour. \\\ the newly tound egg and also in the healthier-looking of those previously obtained there now appeared to be a dark spot in the interior, but this was only dimly visible through the thick sculptured shell. On September 25th the last remaining female was still apparently in good health but on Octobei- 1st it was found dead— how long it had been so I do not know. On dissection I found the internal organs in a bad condition. I^eitlier eggs nor embryos were visible in the oviducts. The ducts of the slime glands were very much enlarged and swollen out, while the bi-anching portions appeared feebly developed, in fjict not distinctly recognisable. The alimentary canal was almcst empty and the animal seemed to have died of •starvation. On October 3 I dissected one of the eggs from the hatch- ing box. I could find no embryo in it but only the same semi-liquid, yolk-like contents as when in utero, full of little oil or yolk globules. Inside the thick, sculptured "shell" there was, as usual, a very thin and delicate, transparent mem- brane. Probably a young embryo was really present but was broken up in opening the egg and overlooked ; even at a much later period the embiyonic tissues are extremel}- delicate. On November 30 I noted that several of the eggs were shewing indications of an embryo appearing coiled up within them, but the shell was so thick and opaque that it was impossible to make out any details. I dissected the vgg which was found on September 1(5 and which had since then been kept separate from the rest. I found in it a beautiful embiyo Peripatus in an advanced stage of development. The embryo was surrounded by a delicate, transparent membrane, which fitted closely on to it and was very difticnlt to remove ; outside this came the sculptured shell. The emliryo possessed a distinct head, with clearly recogniz- able brain, eyes and ringed antenna^, and there were at least seven pairs of appendages behind the antennae. It lay tightly coiled up, with the posterior extremity resting against the side of the neck, in such a position as to make it very difiicult to count the appendages. The specimen was stained and mounted in Canada balsam. This embryo, then, D :}4' Proceed 1 1 Kjs of the Royal Society of Victoria. developed Ibv more than ten weeks after the egg had heen laid and did not show the least sign of " going to the bad." I need hcirdly say that during the heat of the summer months I found it a very difficult matter to keep the eggs in a suitable condition, of moisture, especially as I had no ])i'evious experience to guide me. Hence it is not to be wondered at that the majority of the eggs perished, shrivell- ing u]) and being attacked by a mould. As I was away from Melbourne for some weeks during the summer I entrus- ted the eggs to the care of the Rev. W. Fielder, who most kindly looked after them for me in my absence. Fiequent attention was necessary in renewing the supply of nioisture. On April 14, 1892, only three eggs remained in the hatching box, the others having been removed as they showed signs of going bad. One of the remaining three had been showing dark ])igment inside for some days ]iast. This egg I removed and carefully dissected. I found the shell of a much darker (yellow) colour than when laid, a good deal crumpled on the surface, and very soft, as though beginning to decay away. The cfintained embryo was removed and found to be in excellent condition, although outside it there appeared under the raicrosco])e a great many very fine threads, which I take to be the hypha; of a fungus. Possibly this fungus might have ultimately killed the embryo but the latter was so far advanced that it seemed to be on the verge of hatching. It was enclosed within the usual transparent delicate membrane lying within the thick shell. I could not determine whether the fungal hyphse had penetrated within this inner membrane but I think it very doubtful. The embr3'o was tightl}^ coiled up as in the previous case. When uncoiled it measured about 5 mm. in length (exclusive of the antennse) and 1 mm. in breadth, ^^i the appendages were developed, viz., antennte, oral papillae, two pairs of jaws and fifteen pairs of claw-bearing legs. The eyes were conspicuous at the bases of the antennae, and the antennae themselves showed each about twenty deeply pigmented annuli. The remainder of the body was nearly white, but very distinct, isolated pigment patches (chiefiy indigo blue, with a few specks of orange) appeared scatteied pretty abundantly over the legs and back. The mouth was surrounded by the very characteristic, thick, transversely furrowed Ii]3. The dermal j)apill?e were very obvious and exhibited the characteristic spines, the cuticle being very strongly developed. The claws on the feet were very distinct. The alimentary canal The Oviparitii of the kmjer Victorian Peripatus. 35 was full of granular food yolk. The specimen was stained witli borax carmine and mounted in Canada balsam. This embryo, then, developed for at least eight months and a half after the egg was laid and at the end of that time was a perfect young Perlpcttus, differing externally from the adult only in its smaller size and less deeply pigmented skin. There are still two eggs left in the hatching box but they do not look to me at present as if they were going to hatch. Whether they do so or not, however, I think I may fairly claim to have now definitely proved that the larger Victorian Peripatus at any rate sometimes lays eggs, and that these eggs are capable of undergoing development outside the body until pei-fect young animals are produced. The great length of time required for the development of the eggs is very remarkable, but it is only what one might expect on considering the unusual length of time required for intra-uterine development in other species. D 2 Art. III. — Nest and Egg of Queen Victoria s Rifle Bird {Ptilorhis Victorice). (With Plate I.) By D. Le Souef. [Read March 9, 1892] The nest and egg of the Victoria rifle bird here depicted, was taken on one of the Barnard I.slands by Mr. H. Barnard and myself. We visited tliese islands on November 18, 1891. in quest of the egg of this bird, and built our small humpy about eight feet from a screw palm (Pandanus aquaticus), which grew just above high water mark. We saw a pair of rifle birds in some light scrub close by our camp, and they seemed very fearless, the hen bird especially so. Next morning was spent in searching over this interesting and densely timbered island, but without success. During the afternoon, however, we determined to watch the hen bird, which was seen on a tree close by, and so posted ourselves one on each side of the aforementioned patch of sscrub. The bird had some moss in her bill, which she kept dropping and catching again before it reached the ground, and we naturally thought she was building, but presently she darted down into the scrub close by Mr. Barnard. In a few minutes he saw her fly into the screw palm by our camp, in which we found she had her nest. The nest itself which was built near the crown of the tree about seven feet from the ground, not being visible, and all we could see was the head of the bird. She continued sitting most of the next day, having ap{)arently become accustomed to our presence. We then took the nest and found it contained only one iigg, which was hard set, the chick being about seven days old. The nest was built principally of vine tendrils and leaves rather loosely put together (Plate I). Proc.RS.VictorLa Plate 1. 1692. 0^ RWendel dell Uth. Troedel&CoPrin, Nest and E(jg of Queen Victorias Rifle Bird. 37 Tlie ecjor has a little more ijloss on than is shown in the illustration. Another egg and nest which was said to belong to this species was previously sent to Mr. C. French, in 1886, from the Cardwell Scrub, but the egg was spotted instead of being streaked, as in the present specimen ; it is also smaller, and the nest, although made of somewhat similar material, is not so large, and is much more compactly built. Eggs of the same species of bird often vary considerably in colour, markings, and size, but still the general characteristics are the same, except in a few instances, notably the egg of the Gymnorhina tibicen. On several occasions I have noticed that the eggs laid by one pair of birds are almost identical with those laid by the same pair in the previous year, espe- cially in the case of sea-birds, and it would be of interest to ascertain if this fact has been noted by other oologists. Art. IV. — Notes on the Lilydale Limestone. (With Plates VIII and IX.) By Rev. A. W. Cresswell, M.A. [.Head July 14, 1892.] The limestone formation of Cave Hill quany at Lilydale, the subject of this paper, is, for the most part, a hard semi- crystalline marble deposit, wedged in between hard qiiartzite on the one .side, and soft shales and mudstones on the other; and has for many years ])ast been recognised by Professor Sii' F. M'Coy and others as of Upper Silurian age, of about the horizon of the English Wenfock, fi'om an inspection of its contained fossils. The limestone strata dip to the east at varying angles of from 35° to 50°, the strike being nearly north and south magnetic, var3'ing, however, on the east side of the quarry to as much as 18° east of magnetic north. The exact thickness of the limestone is not as yet known, for it does not naturally crop out on the surface, but is only artiticially exposed by quany ing. As early as 1850, the late director of ouj- Victorian Geological Survey, Mr., now Sir A. R. C. Selwyn, speaks* of the limestone as known to exist, but as only discoverable b}^ a well-like hole on the side of the hill, leading into a cave hollowed out in the rock, and sloping down to a depth of 120 feet, with stalactites, &c. (a specimen of which is shown). But about fifteen years ago, a quarry was excavated in the limestone on the side of the hill, and the opening to the cave is now covered up with debris, and is inaccessible. The progress of quarrying has now proved the limestone to be of much greater thickness than was at first reported.-f- The measurement across the outcrop is about 5 chains, or * Eeport on Geological Structure of Colony of Victoria : Basin of Yarra, &c., 1856. t " Victorian Naturalist," 188o, II, No. 3, p. 35. Notes oil the Llhjdale Limestone. 89 830 feet, and allowing for the average dip of 40°, this v.-ould mean a vertical thickness of about 220 feet, but this is only so far as it is at present exposed. Its eastern limit ma}' be considered to be about already reached, for almost immedi- ately flanking it on that side may be seen an extensive series of quartzite and conglomerate strata, running conformably CORRIGENDA ET ADDENDA. Page 39. -For (See Fig. 1), read (See Fig. 9, Plate IXa). For (See Fig. 2), read (See Fig. 10, Plate IXa). ,, 41. — Read " Pleurorbynehus costatus " and " Pleurorhynchns bellulus" under Lamellibranchiata, instead of under Gasteropoda. Plate VIII.— 1. Tremanotus pritchardi. 2. Eunema etiieridgei. 3. Stomatia antiqua. IX. — 4. Tryblidium nycteis. 5. Pleurorhynchns costatus. 6. Pleurorhynchus bellulas. 7. Naticopsis lilydalensis. 8. Ambonychia tatei. appeals in uie quarry, wiiea juokcu ac asa^wiioje, aim iiom a distance, is cream, or almost white, especially on weatiieied exposures; but when freshly broken, it is of different shades of dark or light bluish grey, ])inkish brown, or grey with pinkish brown patches, it is for the most part semi-crystal- line, is here and there somewhat l.)recciated on a snifdl scale, and is in some ])laces roughly oolitic (a slide of an oolitic specimen on view). Art. IV. — Notes on the Lilydale Limestone. debris, and is inaccessible. The progress of quarrying has now proved the limestone to be of much greater thickness tlian was at first reported.f The measurement across the outcrop is about 5 chains, or * Eeport on Geological Structure of Colony of Victoria : iJasin of Yarra, &c., 1856. t " Victorian Naturalist," 1885, II, No. 3, p. 35. Notes 0)1 the L'dydale Limestone. S9 330 feet, and allowing for the average dip of 40°, tiiis would mean a vertical thickness of about 220 feet, but this is only so far as it is at present ex])osed. Its eastern limit may be considered to be about alread}'- reached, for ahnost immedi- ately flanking it on that side may be seen an extensive series of quartzite and conglomerate strata, running conformably with the limestone ; but on the west it is not yet deflned, as it is still partly covered over with basaltic soil and decomj)osing basalt. (See Fig. I.) About half a mile off, or rather less, to the west, and on the other side of the valley, are a series of sandstones, shales, and mudstones exposed beneath the basalt in the jyielbourne Road cutting, and seen to be dipping in the same direction as the limestone. The lateral extension of this Lilj^dale limestone is a matter of much uncertainty. It is generally believed to be like most other Silurian limestones, and especially in Vic- toria, a mere lenticular or cake-like patch that ra])idly thins out in all directions, but as the country in the neighbour- hood is completely covered over with soil, trees, and verdure, it must remain more or less a matter of conjecture, until someone is enterpiising enough to prospect the country, if not with a diamond drill, at least with a geological cheese- borer. Its uovtltem extension has not been observed at all, but what looks somewhat like a southern extension of it may be seen in the shape of two bosses of the same kind of limestone in the side of the railway cutting, about three- quarters of a mile towards Melliourne, and somewhere about on the line of the strike of the limestone at Cave Hill quai'ry. As it is hardl}^ conceivable that the great thickness of the Cave Hill limestone, however lenticular it may be, can thin out so rapidly as all this, these two bosses, or boulders, in the railway cutting are probably mere outlying boulcleis of a southerly extension of the limestone that is mainly concealed beneath the surface. (See Fig. 2.) The general colour of the Cave Hill limestone, as it appears in the quarry, when looked at as a whole, and from a distance, is cream, or almost white, especially on weathered exposures; but when freshly broken, it is of different shades of dark or light bluish grey, ])inkish biown, or grey with pinkish brown patches. It is for the most part semi-crystal- line, is here and there somewhat brecciated on a small scale, and is in some ])laces roughly oolitic (a slide of an oolitic specimen on view). 40 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. Tlu' limestone strata are separated at intervals by five dark shaly or mudstone partings, averaging Irom 18 inches to 4 feet across ; the tliickest one, which is of a dark brown or claret coloui-, is npwards of 4 feet, and in this one is an almost perj^endicnlar shaft-like cave, 91 feet deep, apparently caused b}^ the action of running water. I am informed by the owner, Mr. David Mitchell, of Burnley, that the limestone of his quarry has been long ago analysed, and runs to 95 or 96 per cent, of calcium carbonate. The limestone is in high esteem as the best and purest source of lime for building purposes in the colony. It has also been lately turned to profitable account in the manu- facture of cement, and the owner informs me that the force required to ])ull it apart is 985 lbs. The stone has not been directly used for building purposes, but some slabs, which, when polished up, have an ornamental appearance, have been occasionally used for marble mantelpieces. Upon the whole, I think, therefore, we may congratulate Mr. David Mitchell upon having a more payable thing in his possession than many a gold mine. "When the quarry has been in full work in prosperous times, he tells me that he has had as many as 120 men employed on it, and has been able to send away the almost incredible amount of 70 tons of lime a day. In these days of depression, however, when there is so little demand for lime, 20 men are found quite sufficient to do all the work of the quarry that is required. The limestone of Cave Hill, like most other limestones, contains occasional patches of crystalline calcite, mostly in rhombohedrons or in modified scalenohedron.s. It also con- tains segregated lumps and layers of chert, in which corals and other small fossils are sometimes beautifully preserved (specimens of both calcite and chert are exhibited). Associ- ated with this same limestone, the following minerals have been ibund, but not in sufficient quantity to be of any commercial importance : — Galena, malachite, azurite, and copper and iron pyrites (specimens on the table). The great interest, however, of the Lilydale limestone lies in its fossils — of which, indeed, the limestone itself is largely composed — and which constantl}' attract scientific visitors from Melbourne and other places, and indeed from the neighbouring colonies. In lact, one of my chief reasons in writing this paper is to take possession, in the name of Victorian geologists, of the priority in describing some of the fossils, as at present so many of them have been described by geologists outside the Note,s on the LUijdale Limestone. 41. colony; for without a moment wishing to do away with that principle of free-trade in scientific research that we all so much rejoice in, or desiring to make any undue claim for protection to native industry in Victorian geology, 1 think you will agree with me that it is but right that we should try to take inventories of our own possessions for ourselves, and not leave it to outsiders to do it for us. The following is a list of the Lilydale fossils that have been so well described by Mr. Robert Etheridge, jun., Govern- ment Paheontologist of New South Wales, in Nos. 8 and 7, Vol. I, of the " Records of the Australian iMuseum," there:— Favosites grandipora, Trochus (Scalietrochus) lindstromi, Niso (Vetotuba) brazieri, Cyclonema australis, Cyclonema lilydalensis, Plianerotrema australis.. Oriostoma northi, Mur- chisonia attenuata (i), Bellerophon cresswelli, Ambonychia poststriata. In addition to these, Mr. Etheridge records, without describing, the well-known and world-wide Silurian brachiopod, " Atrypa reticularis," and mentions also that there are three species of the well-known Rhizopod " Strom atopora" yet to be described. The fossils which I myself wish to record, as also occuiring in the Lilydale limestone, and as a supplementary list to that supplied by Mr. R. Etheridge, iun., are the following : — MOLLUSCA AND MOLLUSCOIDEA. Cephalopoda. — Orthoceratites, sp; ; a«id Discoceras? sp. Bellerophontldw. — Tremanotus pritchardi. Gasteropoda. — Eunema etheridgei, Stomatia antiqua, Tryblidium (Metoptoma) nycteis, Pleurorhynchus (Oono- cardium) costatus, and Pleurorhynchus (Conocardiura) bellulus, Naticopsis lilydalensis. La7)iellibranchiata. — Ambonychia tatei. Brachiopoda. — Strophomena rugosa, Leptcena transver- salis, Orthis elegantula. CCELENTERATA. Actinozoa. — Heliolites, sp. ; Cyathophyllum, sp. Some of these names will at once be recognised as being those of world-wide Upper Silurian forms, but the following .species are new, as far as my knowledge goes, and so I 42 Proceedings of the Royal Societi/ of Victoria. will venture to name and descrilje tlieni as such, at least provisionally : — The first and most important to be described is a shell belongino^ to the Bellerophontidtie, a group of extinct shells of generalised form, which had charactei's that are now divided between the Cephaloi)()da. the Heteropoda, and groups of Gasteropoda, of which Pleurotomaria and Haliotis are respectively the t\qjes. It is a Trernaiiotiis v/hich I have named T. pritchardi, in compliment to Mr. G. B. Pritchard, a well-known ge(Jogical friend, who has kindly lent me the best specimen that I have with me, and which he found in the Lilydale quariy some time ago. 8p. Char, of T. pritchardi shell discoidal, bi-concave, trumpet-shaped, and very thick, consisting of about live rapidly increasing whorls, forming a deep umbilicus on both sides ; spire elliptical in section, and back symmetricall}^ convex. Breadth of the shell about two inches, length from three and a half to four inches. Aperture very much expanded and reflected like the mouth of a trumpet, but more so anteriorly than laterally ; the inner surface of expanded outer lip quite smooth. No slit or sinus as in Belleropbon,but the middle dorsal line of the shell is pierced by a row of oval siphonal openings, resembling those of Haliotis, there are about seven of them to an inch of the ])eriphery. The outer surface of the shell is ornamented with spiiul fluctuating lines parallel to the dorsal keel, and becoming on the ex[)anded outer lip more flattened, coarser, and more plait-like. There are also the very distinct lines of growth in a transverse and backward direction to the dorsal keel, that are so characterestic of the Bellei'ophontida3. The lines in the two directions condjining in this shell to give a very distinct fenestrated appearance. T. pritchardi has in general form a near i-esemblance to "Tremanotus maideni," described by Mr. Robert Etheridge,* from tiie Hawkesbur}^ (Trias) rocks of New South Wales, and which he legards as a curious survival from Silurian times, but, besides other differences, our fossil is a very mucii thicker shell. The next fossil to be briefly described as far as may be from very imperfect specimens, is Eunema etheridgei, a gasteropod shell that a[)pears to belong to the Littorinida?, * Departraeut of Mines. — Memoirs of Geological Survey of New South Wales. PaliEontolouy I. Invertebrate Fauna of Hawke-bury ; Wiauamatta Series, by llobett Etheridge, jun. J^otes on the Lily dale Limestone. 43 like the Cycloneinas of this Ibi'iuatiou, wliieh it very much I'esembles, only that the s])ire is more elevated. In typical Eiuiemas, according to Nicholson, " the whorls are more or less angular, and tlie surface is often adorned with elevated spiral ribs." In our Eunenia, however, the whorls are lounded like those of Cyclonema, and ai-e traversed with spiral keels, but more numerous and less distinct than in C australis, and C. lilydalensis. There is also an indistinct appearance of a spiral band about the middle of the whorls. C. etheridgei is like "E. cirrhosa" of the English Wenlook, as figured in Murchison's Siiuria, but has much more numerous keels. I have taken the liberty of naming this shell after the celebrated Palseontologist of New South Wales, who has taken so warm an hiterest in our Victorian fossils, and which I hope may be still continued, notwith- standing the fact that he is an outsider and lives across the border. The few other shells which I take to be new, shall be passed over with but very slight notice, as time hastens, and there are three other papers to follow. One is a gasteropod shell, a Stomatia, which I have called " Stomatia antiqua," because, as far as I am aware, it is the oldest Stomatia upon record. The whorls are somewhat steeper in the sides, and more flattened than Stomatias usually are, and though the spn-e is bioken off in the only specimen I have, it must have been higher than is usually found in that genus, but in all other I'espects the appearance of the shell is that of a " Stomatia." The whorls are diagonally crossed with very numerous lamella;-like lines of growth. The shell is one and a lialf inches long, and one inch wide. Then thei'e are two small species of " Pleurorhyncltus, or Conocardium " — lamelli-branchiate shells belonging to the Cardiidie, one about half-an-inch long, with nine simple ribs on the anterior part of each valve, and about seventeeL on the hinder part, and which I have called '' Pleurorltynchus costatus." And the other species is about one-third of an inch long, with the body of the shell more oblique to the hinge line, more prettily banded and ribbed than the other species, the ribs being crossed with striaj, and the valves having a distinctly fenestrated appearance at the posterior end. This I have accoi-dinglj^ named " FleurorhyncJtus helluhis." There are two other shells that I have not figni-ed on that diagram, but have here to show j'ou. I will pass 44 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. them over with bare mention, not having yet had time to examine and compare tliem with other shells. One is a Gasteropod, a Aatico2%sis appai-ently, which I will call N. lilydalensis, if it should tnvn out to be new ; and the other is a lamelli-branchiate shell, an Ambonychia, differing from A. post-striata of Etheridge, and alluded to by Professor Tate, as having a fenestrated ornament on the sides of the valves. If Professor Tate has not already named it, and will forgive my impudence, I will take possession of it in the name of Victorian geologists and call it A. tatei, for I am pretty sure we had found it long befoie he did. In concluding, I desire to-^ acknowledge my indebtedness to Mt. D. Mitchell, the owner of the quarry, and also to his foreman, Mr. J. Fuller, for statistical and other information about the quarry ; to Mr. G. B. Pritchard, of the Woi-king Men's College, for the loan of fossils ; and to Mr. H. J. Stokes, organist of St. John's, Camberwell, for the photogi-aphs of the quarry that have been exhibited in illustration of this paper. Pnr. P. s VK'.anr. Plate Vlll. . ,tis>»3«rS»V<;V-> ^. "^ • / %k/': V r Umitl . lith C Tratdd i Cpml. ^f^-. Proc. RS Vidma. Plate IX. A >^' :^\^ ■J', 'v " ,"; u \^- I ^ t' :f a.iyendel lua. CTrocdd iC" print. Proc R 5. Victoria Plate JX' 4" .'^'^^ I I Art. y.—Preliminari/ Account of the Glacial Deposits of Bacchus Marsh. (With Plates X, XI and XII.) By Graham Officer, B.Sc, and Lewis Balfour, Melbourne University. [Read July 14, 1892.] The subject of glaciation is one that is always of the greatest scientitic interest. Its important bearings on the questions of climate, past and present, and on the problems connected with the evolution and distribution of plants and animals, render it a field where the astronomer, geologist and biologist may meet on common ground. The subject has received its fair share of attention in the Northern Hemisphere, in Europe, America, and Asia, but in the Southern Hemisphere, where the evidence of past glaciation is not so conspicuous, comparatively little has been done in this direction. Any evidence of past ice-action in Aus- tralia that may be discovered is of peculiar value, on account of its bearing on the question of the probable cause of ice- ages. The earliest reference to glacial action in Victoria is made by Selwyn in his work on the Geology of this colony. In this, a conglomerate is mentioned as occuriing near Bacchus Marsh, and which contained boulders which he and Mr. (afterwards Sir) R. Daintree considered could only have been brought there through the agency of floating ice. Mr. James Stirling, F.G.S., and Di". Lendenfeldt, have described evidences of former extensive glaciation in the Australian Alps. To these discoveries reference will be made later on. Mr. E. J. Dunn, F.G.S., has contributed two papers on the Glacial Conglomerates of Victoria — one read before the Royal Society of Victoria ; the other, in which the first is incorporated, before the Australasian Association for the 4G Pi'oceediiKj.^ of the Royal Society of Victoria. Advancement of Science at the 1890 meeting. Tliis conglo- merate is described as occurring, among other places, at Bacchus Marsh, and is said to consist of material, the great bulk of which is derived from schistose and other ancient rocks and to contain pebbles, boulders and masses of from 20 to 30 tons M^eight. Granites, gneiss, schist, quartz-rock, sand- stone, lydianice, agate, shale, porpliyry, and jasper, &c., are said to occur in it. Many of the included stones are striated, and often flattened on one or more sides ; others are well rounded, and others again are rough angular fragments. Erratic blocks of granite occur on the surface at Wild Duck Creek, near Heathcote. Mr. Dunn is of the opinion that " no other conclusion can be arrived at than that floating ice has been the agent by which the material has been brought into its present position." "Much of the material," he says, "is foreign, and many of the rocks are not known to occur at present in this Conti- nent anywhere near Victoria." He also considers the conglomerate at Wild Duck Creek to be very similar to the Dwyka glacial conglomerates of Soutli Africa. Mr. Dunn's description is very general, and the evidence on which his conclusions are based is somewhat vague and wanting in specitic detail. Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., has also given a short account of these deposits at Heathcote in the " Victorian Naturalist," (Vol. VIII, No. 2). He also considers the beds to be of iceberg origin. Victoria is divided into two main areas by a continuation of the Australian Cordillera, known as the Main Divide, or Great Dividing Range. This extends from Forest Hill on the east to the Grampians on the west. In the eastern part of the south division we have the South Gippsland and Westernport Ranges, of which the Southern Spur forms a leading feature. West of Port Phillip we have the isolated Otway Ranges. The Main Divide reaches its highest elevation in its eastern portions. Mount Kosciusoo being over 7000 feet and several other mountains over (iOOO feet above sea level. Passing westwards the elevation gradually diminishes. The average elevation is about 8000 feet, but in some places it sinks to 1000 feet above sea level. The average distance from the coast is about seventy miles. There are three main drainage systems — (1) The Murray System, north of the Divide ; (2) The South Eastern or Gippsland System, south of the Main Divide and east of the Account of Glacial DcpO'^iit^ of Bacchii.^ AJarslt. 47 southern spur; (3) The South Western System, south of the Main Divide and west of the Southern Spur. The Main Divide, according to Murray, is a " longitudinal area of Lower Palaeozoic rocks, with granite and trappean intrusions." These may be overlaid by, or flanked by IJ])per Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Tertiary deposits. The Bacchus Marsh district is situated about midway between Melbourne and Ballarat, and thus belongs to the South West Drainage System. The principal streams in the locality are the Werribee and its tributaries, the Myrniong and Korkui)ei'rimul Creeks and the Lerderderg River. The town of Bacchus Marsh is picturesquely situated in a broad extensive valley 343 feet above the sea, and which has pi'obably formed the basin of an ancient lake. On the one side runs the Werribee, and on the other the Lerderderg, the junction of the two streams taking place about a mile below the town. From Bacchus Marsh the country gradually rises to the Dividing Range, only a few miles distant to the north. The rising ground between Bacchus Marsh and the Dividing Range is known as the Pentland Hills. The so-called glacial conglomerates are well developed in this district and numerous sections exposed to view by the Creeks and various cuttings provide very favourable conditions for their study. The first section we examined is situated on the Ballarat Road, about three miles on the Ballarat side of Bacchus Marsh, and is at a height of about 750 feet above the sea. The deposit exposed consists of a matrix of clay of a quite unstratified appearance, and of a somewhat variable con- sistency. It is tough and hard in places, while in others it is softer and less tenacious. The colour is an indefinite patchwork of white, yellow and purple. Through this matrix are scattered irregularly numerous stones of various sizes and sorts, rounded and sub-angular. These stones do not show the slightest trace of arrangement either in size or in position. Some of the stones are waterworn, but many present quite another and distinct appearance. These often show one or more flattened sides, while the edges and ends are frequently rough or sub-angular. Besides these peculiari- ties many show striated surfaces, the striae generally running in the direction of the longest axis, but several sets of striae can often be distinguished. Certain kinds of stones show strifb much better than others. 48 Froceeduup of t/ie Royal yiocietij of Victoria. A hard fine grained argillaceous sandstone varying in colour from a very light to a darker green is the predomina- ting rock-material, and this kind usually exhibits the most marked striations. Another common variety is a hlue-black very hard quartzite. These, though commonly exhibiting flattened or facetted sides and angles, seldom show stria', their surfaces being more often polished. Granite often occurs though not so frequentl}' as the other kinds of rock. The largest boulders are of this material. One taken from the cutting can be seen 13'ing at the side of the road, which is well flattened on one side. The granite is generally considerably decomposed. At the top of the cutting a large angular fragment of sandstone occurs, while another piece can be seen at the base ; whether the latter is in situ or not we have not yet determined. The unstratifled nature of this deposit, together with the peculiar nature and want of arrangement of the included stones, at once stamps it as of glacial origin. A few feet back from the top of the cutting on the south side, an outcrop of white silicious sandstone occurs. We are inclined to think that the glacial deposit is banked uj) against this, really overlying it. A short distance below the cutting a small lateral road joins the main one, and on this road, a hundred yards or so from the junction, another cutting exposes a good section. The material exposed is similar to that just described, but is of a more uniform purple colour. It is also somewhat harder. It is quite unstratifled and contains numerous well striated stones. On the surface, on both sides of this cutting, glaciated stones aj-e scattered about in great profusion and variety. This deposit apparently overlies sandstones and is continuous with that exposed on the main road. Before making our next visit to the locality, we wrote to Mr. Chai'les Brittlebank, of Dunbar farm, near Myrniong, who, we were led to believe, could give us information in our researches. Mr. Brittlebank readil}' responded, and during our subsequent visits has rendered us much valuable aid. He has accompanied us on most of our expeditions and shown us much hospitality, while his intimate knowledge of the locality, as well as his keen powers of observation, have been of the greatest assistance to us. Mr. Brittlebank informs us that he found glaciated stones in this district four years ago. He thus appears to have been the first to actually prove the glacial origin of the deposits in question. Account of Glacial J)eposits of Bacchus Mavsli. 49 The valley of the Myrniong Creek for some little distance above its junction with the Werribee is cut through basalt and sandstones and conglomerates to a depth of over (iOO feet. Good sections are exposed along this valley. On the south side, about half a mile above the confluence of the two streams, a depth of over 100 feet of a material similar to that described on the Ballarat Koad is exposed. It consists of a mass oi yellowish white clay, quite unstrati- fied, and in texture somewhat soft on the weathered surface, but much harder on being penetrated. Numerous stones of all sorts and sizes, from mere grit to boulders several feet in diameter, are scattered irregularly, and without any trace of arrangement thioughout this clay. Among these stones, the principal varieties are those . occuri'ing in the cutting on the road already described. Chiastolite and other varieties of slate were found, together with quartz, bits of jasper, and a hard, red quartzitic sand- stone. Most of these stones are sub-angular, often showing one or more smoothed and flattened surfaces, while the edges and ends are roughly angular ; many are will striated and grooved in a characteristic manner. On some large 1)0ulders lying at the base of the clift', the strisB and grooves are exceptionally well developed. This deposit can be traced up the valley for about a quarter of a mile above this point, when it thins out, and is seen to overlie and flank the sandstones through wliich the valley has been worn. It is overlaid by basalt known as the newer volcanic, and assigned to Pliocene age (Fig. 1). On the other side (north) of the Myrniong Creek, but nearer its junction with the Weriibee, the glacial deposit is again well shown to a depth of about ] 50 feet. It is much the same as that on the opposite side of the valley, and striated stones are numerous. This extends to within "100 yards or so from the junction of the two streams. It can be traced over the brow of the valley up to about the level of Mr. Brittlebank's house, about 350 feet above the Creek, and about 1100 feet above the sea. It then spreads out over the surface. It would seem evident then, that the valley now occupied by the Myi-niong Creek at this point at any rate is a very ancient one, and was at one time probably almost filled up by this glacial conglomerate. The sandstones and conglom- erates through which the valley is worn, were set down as Upper Palaeozoic by the Geological Survey ; then, on the dis- 50 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. covery of three species of Gangamopteiis, Professor McCoy assigned tliem to Triassic times. Last year, more fossils were obtained. These were somewhat fragmentary, but Sir Frederick McCoy thinks he can identify Schizoneura and Zeugopliyllites, indicating a lower Triassic age for the rocks in question. After the glacial material had been deposited in this ancient valle}', it was overflowed by basaltic lavas of Pliocene age. Whether the older basalt of Miocene times also overflowed this valley ])reviously to the foi-mer, we cannot say with certainty. We have seen no evidence of it at any rate. Since Pliocene times the valley has been again denuded to its present condition. From the general characters presented by the so-called glacial conglomerates, we were much inclined to the opinion that they would turn out to be, not an iceberg-drift, but in reality till, or boulder-clay— in fact the ground moraine of ancient glaciers. These characters may be summed up as follows: — (I) The unstratifled nature of the clayey matrix. (2) The number and variety of the included stones. (3) The striated and glaciated aspect of many of these stones, (4) Their total want of arrangement. In fact, these deposits bear such a striking resemblance in every wa}' to the till of Scotland and elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphei-e, that it can haixlly be doubted that they are of similar origin. Corroboration was therefore to be sought for in the shape of roches moutonnees, or shattered rock surfaces beneath this deposit.* In the valley of the Myrniong Creek, opposite the section described as occuri'ing on the south side, can be seen rounded, hummocky-looking masses of sandstone, the appearance of which is very suggestive of glacier action. It is very probable that the glacial conglomerate not long since covered these rocks, and thus protected them during a long period from the effects of weathering. It must also be ren)embered that the glacial conglomerate itself must have been piotec- ted for a considerable time by the basalt. The sandstone is hard and massive, and is just the kind of rock on which the abrading and rounding effect of glacier ice would be well represented. Certainly, stride and grooves are absent, but * Having had opportunities of observing the till and other phenomena of glaciation in Scotland, Ireland, and Switzerland, I can vouch for the striking resemblance of our glacial deposits to the boulder-clay of the Northern Hemisphere. — Graham Officer. Account of Gldcial Deposits of Biwchiis Marsh. 51 these may liave weathered away. In many parts of the Scottish Highlands, where the whole country shows the rounded and flowing contour chai-acteristic of ice-action, it is often very difficult to find actual scorings and grooves. Some little distance further up the Creek a section has been exposed by the stream, showing some feet of a hard unstratitied material containing striated stones. This was much hardei- than any we had previousl}', examined, and was traversed by joints. It was seen to be clearly overlaid by sandstones, the junction between the two being very distinct, there being apparently an unconformit3^ Here a fault occurs through tl^e sandstones and the underlying material, the displacement being about seven feet, and the hade at a high angle. There would seem to be no doubt that the overlying sandstones are continuous Avith the surrounding ones, which, as we have seen, are probably Triassic. So now it seemed probable that we had to deal with two glacial deposits. At the junction of the Myrniongand Werribee, the latter stream is seen to be flowing over the highly inclined and sorely denuded edges ot Lower Silurian rocks, here consisting of very hard, flne-grained, well stratified sandstones. On the weathered surface the colour of these is of a patchy yellow rusty colour, but on the fractured fresh smface they are of a light greenish white, or light slaty white colour. On proceeding up the Werribee from the junction, we found ourselves walking over another kind of inaterial, which was seen to rest unconformably on the Silurian rocks, which it closely resembles in colour. The Creek has cut its way through this to the Silurian, so that on the floor of the river course one walks now on a few feet of Silurian, and now on this other deposit, while sections are exposed on both sides of the stream. This deposit consists of an exceedingly hard clayey material, through "which are scattered stones and boulders of considerable size, of granite, quartzite, flne- grained hard sandstones (very similar to the underl3dng Silurian), and quartz. Nearly all these present the flattened sides, and striated and grooved surfaces characteristic of ice action. The stones and boulders at this point are very numerous, and the scorings and scratchings exceptionally well developed. This conglomeiate resembles those already described, in the absence of any appearance of stratification, the character of the included stones, and the total want of arrangement of the latter. In fact, it cannot be distin- E 2 52 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. giiislied fiom boiildei--clay or till. However, it differed from tliose we had yet examined, except the last described, in being so excessively hard and tough, and in being traversed by numerous joints. Till one has actually tried, it is inijiossible to give an idea of the difficulty of extracting a stone from this material, which will ordy come awaj' in small angular fragments, in a manner that is peculia)-!}' exaspera- ting. On the north side of the Creek, a short distance from the junction, a section of a similar deposit is exposed, which pi'esents a somewhat stratified a])pearance ; striated stoiies occur irregularly through this, but they ai-e not so numerous as on the opposite side of the Creek. The appearance of stratification presented may possibly be due to pressuie. It is overlaid by basalt. On proceeding up the Weiribee a few yards furtlser on the south side we found a small cliff, where the junction of the conglomerate with the underlying Silurian could be well seen in section. Here was a ])lace wliere, if the conglomerate were a true till, we might expect to find the underlying- rock smoothed and striated, or else shattereefore to refute the iceberg hypothesis of the origin of the boulder-clay in the Northern Hemisphere, and they ap|)ly equally well hei-e. Mr. Dunn describes the so-called glacial conglomerate, besides being found at Bacchus Marsh, as occurring on both sides of the Dividing Range, at Wahgunj^ah, Rutherglen, The Springs, El Dorado, Wooragee, Tarrawingee, Badda- ginnie, at various points on the road between Wangaratta and Kilmore, north east of Costeriield, Wild Duck Creek (west of Heathcote), underlying the auriferous deposits at Caris- l))-ook and Oreswick. South of the Dividing Range, it is met with about four miles east of Gordons, Barrabool Hills, and near Foster in South Gi]ipsland. Thus it will be seen that the deposit is widely distributed, and it appears to be of ccjnsiderable thickness, beino- over 100 ft. in several 1 • 'ft known instances. It has been shown (CroU, " Climate and Time ;" Geikie, " Great Ice Age," etc.), that the amoui.t of material carried by icebergs is quite inconsiderable, and what is carried genei-ally consists of rubbish and angular blocks that have fallen on the surface of the parent glacier. In the case of the ice-sheet that is at present desolating Greenland, the surface of the ice is ver}' free from debiis of any kind, and so it is quite a rare thing to find an iceberg shed from one of the vast glaciers of that countiy bearing any material at all. Yet a tremendous amount of erosion must be going on, and the eroded material is being accumu- lated beneath the ice as a moraine profonde, although 00 Pfoceedinf/s of the Royal Society of Victoria. ])rodigious quantities must be carried away by sub-glacial streams. Dr. Wright (" Ice Age in North America") calcu- lates that from the great Muir glacier in Alaska ovei- 33^ million cubic yards of sediment is annually cairied away by sub-glacial streams. Little, if any, of the sub-glacial material can be carried away by icebergs — a few stones, })erh;ips, frozen into the bottom of the bergs. The finer material carried away b}^ streams from beneath these great glaciers must inevitabh- be stratitied, and well stratified, as the quantity of material brought down must vary considerably from time to time. Even if much line matter weie carried by icebergs, it would inevitabl}^ be re-assorted by the water ; the stones, too, would assuredly show some trace of arrangement. In the deposits we have been considering, the absence of stratification and the total want of arrangement of the included stones, are their chief and most striking cliaiacter- istics. Then again, in the great mass of the sections we have examined angular fragments are comparatively rare, except as we have seen, where the till rests on the under- Ivinsf rock. So here aoain, we have a strono- armament in favour (jf the glacier theory. Further, these deposits are found up to a height of 1400 ft. at Bailan ; so, to account for them en the iceberg theory, we would require a submergence of at least 2000 ft. to allow icebergs to float, and as icebergs can only transport material from higher to lower levels, it is quite impossible to account for the mingling of fragments of the underlying rock in the overlying till, at an elevation not exceeding 800 ft. above the sea. Besides, such a submergence would considerably diminisli the area frcnn which the deposits could be derived, and their extent indicates a large surface. Again, such a submergence would tend to produce climatic conditions which would be quite o[)posed to the production of glaciers, even were the astronomical conditions favoural)le. It must also be observed that, so far as we have seen, these deposits are quite unfossiliferous. Mr. Dunn states that much of the rock material occurring in the till is not known at ]n-esent to occur in situ on this Continent anywhere near Victoria. Daintree remarks that a granite occurs in the formation at Bacchus Marsh, which \\t> had not observed south of Queensland. However, as he has not described this granite, it would be difficult now ti> identify it. We would reply to this that further search will Account of Glacial Deposits of Bacchus Marsh. Gl probably reveal the sources of this material. The .i!;eoloi;y of Victoria has not been so lully worked out as to warrant us asserting that a certain kind oi' rock does not occur in situ. Then again, it must be remembered that these deposits are anterior — as we shall sliow — to the Miocene and Pliocene lava flows, and probably to the Miocene leaf- beds, so that, not to speak of the effects of denudation, a a great deal of the then rock surface is now concealed. Of the various kinds of rock met with in the till in the Bacchus Marsh district, the gieat majority are derived from Silurian rocks, which form the main part of the Dividing- Range. In the Werribee Gorge several kinds of slate occur, which are identical with slates found in the till. Quartz veins are als(^ numerous in the Silurian rocks. We also noted a quartzitic sandstone in the Gorge, which is very similar to fragments found in the till. Several varieties of quartzite occur in the till which we have not yet seen in situ, but we have not yet examined the Ranges to the north, and it is very probable they will be found there, as quartzites frequently occur in the Silurian. Fragments of schist(;se rocks have also been observed in the till, and these occur in situ to the north. Several kinds of granite occur in the till. Granite is i'onnd in situ in the localit}^ and among the granite boulders some occur that seem identical with this gianite. A very coarsely cr^'stalline variet}^ is also met with, the crystals of felspar being sometimes over an inch in length. Though we ourselves have not seen this in place, 3'et the Geological Surve}' report a granite with very large crystals of felspar as occurring in this locality. Pegmatite and aplite also are found in the till. As both of these may occur as veins in other granite, it would not be surprising if they have been overlooked. It is not unlikely even that they may be now concealed beneath the basalt that is well developed in this distiict. Summing up, then, the results of our investigations, it would appear that two main points are clearly brought out. The first of these is, that there are two distinct glacial deposits ; and the second, that both of these deposits are due to glacier ice, and not to icebergs — in fact, both being moraines profondes. Both are of similar character, except that the lower one is more indurated and jointed. Of these, the latter has been seen to closely enwrap the smoothed, grooved, and furrowed surftices of Silurian rocks, of the G'2 Proceedinfiii of the Royal Society of Victoria. glacier origin of whieli there can be no doubt. It is useless at this stage of geological inquir_y to maintain that icebergs can produce roches moutonnees. A full discussion of this point may be read in Dr. Croll's " Climate and Time," Geikie's " Great Ice Age," and in "The Labradoi- Coast," by Dr. Packard. In connection with the upper till, though no undoubted roches moutonnees have yet been met with, yet, as we have seen, shattered rock surfaces below the till are found, which may be said to be quite as characteristic of the action of glacier-ice as a smoothed and moutonnee surface. It now becomes a most important and interesting question to determine the respective ages of the two tills. It seems certain that we must look to astronomy for the explanation of ice ages. Dr. Croll's celebrated theory has, until now, notwithstanding considerable adverse criticism, been the most satisfactory ex])lanation offeied. Recently, however, Sir Robert Ball in his little work " The Cause of an Ice Age," has re-stated the astronomical theory, pointing out an error made by Croll. It would be beyond the scope of this present paper to enter into a discussion on the cause of ice ages, it will suffice to say that Sir Robert Ball has stated the case with great force and clearness. The theory as it now stands shows that when the astronomical conditions for the production of extensive glaciation arise, then we have a period during which several glacial epochs alternate with genial epochs between the two hemispheres, the length of each epoch being 10,500 years. The conditions for this state of things then graduall}^ disappear, and do not occur again till after the lapse of long ages. Sir Robert Ball says he makes no attempt to state the date of the last glacial period, nor to say when the next is to take place. So, according to this theory, using the term "period "to embrace several glacial and genial " ejwchs," we should expect to find evidence of glaciation in both hemispheres during the same period, though not necessarily to the same extent, for of course the astronomical conditions for glaciation are liable to considerable modification by the existing distribution of land and sea, and the elevation of mountain chains. Now, taking the case of our lower till first, we have seen that it is overlaid (apparently unconformably) by rocks which have been assigned to Lower Triassic age. In the Permian Period in the Northern Hemisphere, there are clear indications of a glacial epoch or epochs. In England, Dr. Account of Glacial Deposits of Bacchus Marsh. 63 Ramsay describes " brecciated conglomerates," consisting of " pebbles and large blocks of stone, generally angular, imbedded in a marly paste." Man}- of these stones are as well scratched as those found in modern moraines, or in boulder-clay. Similar boulder-beds occur in Scotland, Ireland, and Gei'many. Mr. Wallace (" Island Life ") states that these phj'sical indications are corroboi'ated by a consideration of the life of the period, which is characterised by its poveity. In India, similar Permian boulder-beds occur, in which large striated stones and boulde)-s are found. In one instance, the rock surface beneath this deposit was glacially scored and striated. These beds have beeti corre- lated with similar ones in South Afiica, also of Permian age. Mr. G. W. Stow has, according to Dr. Ramsay, given elaborate accounts of these South African boulder-beds. He says that in Natal the great masses of "moraine matter" not only contain ice-scratched stones, but the underlying rocks are well rounded and mammilated, and covered by " deeply incised glacier giooves " in a direction that at last leads one to the p)'e-Permian mountains, whence the stones forming the moraines have been derived. In Natal, the striated rocky floor is only 30° south, and in India, only 20° north of the equator. That evidence of severe glaciation should be found in the same period in both hemis))heres, and so near the equator — being actually within the tropics in one case — is a strong argument in favour of the astronomical theory, betokening a much wider cause than mere local elevation. This being the case, we might expect to find traces of a glacial period during Permian times here in the more southern parts of Australia. The position of our lower glacial conglomerate, or till, is quite compatible with its being of Permian age, and when to this we add the considerations just noted, this conclusion is much strengthened. There is a strong break in the flora at the close of the Permo-carboniferous series in New South Wales (Prof David, Address A.A.A.S., 1890). It is possible that this break may correspond with a Permian glacial period. Now, as regards our upper till. We have not as yet been able to arrive at any very definite conclusion as to the age of this deposit. As we have seen, it lies on the denuded surface of the Triassic rocks, and is certainly overlaid by the Pliocene basalt. That it is also overlaid by the older basalt admits of little doubt, for although this basalt occurs 6-i Proceedings of the Royal Sociefi/ of Vicfoi-ia. in the locality, yet we have never found a. trace of any volcanic material in the till. The same reasoning applies as to its rehxtion to the Miocene leaf-beds that are well developed in the district. These beds consist for the most part of hard clay-ironstone, in which leaf and plant impres- sions are very numerous, and as a rule exceedingly well preserved. As we have not found any fragments in the till that in any way resemble the material of these beds, it seems highly probable that the upper till is pre-Miocene. In Europe, we have evidence of glaciation in Eocene times. In the " Flysch" of Switzerland, huge erratics occur. One of these measured 105 ft. in length, 90 ft. in breadth, and 45 ft. in height (Croll, " Climate and Time," p. 305). Although the Eocene fossils, both in Europe and Australia, indicate a mild climate, yet, as has been pointed out by Croll and other eminent authoiities, the life of a glacial epoch would be characterised b}- negative conditions. As it is of the very essence of the astronomical theory of ice-ages that glacial alternate with genial epochs, it is only to be expected that the life of the genial epochs would be the more likely to be preserved. So it is possible that out upper till is Eocene ; this, however, we merely throw our as a suggestion, in the absence of any furtiier evidence a.t present. Considering the great amount of erosion that took place in Upper Mesozoic and early Tertiary times, it seems improbable that this deposit is earlier than Eocene. Mr. Stirling and Dr. Lendenfeldt have described undoubted evidences of glaciation in the Australian A1])S. These gentlemen found glaciated surfaces on Mt. Cobberas at elevations between 6000 ft. and 4000 ft. above the sea, on Mt. Pilot, and on Mt. Kosciusco. Erratics of huge basaltic boulders occur in " linear extension for miles " in the Reewa River and Snowy Creek valle3^s, the nearest basaltic outliers being twenty miles away. Perched blocks of hornblende porphyrite occur on " crests of spurs and sidelings" in a regulai- descending series from near the summit of Mt. 3ogong towards the Reewa valley, many of them resting on smoothed surfaces of pegmatite. Moraines occur at the base of Mt. Bogong, at 1000 ft. above sea level. Similar evidences of former glaciation have also been described by Mr. Stirling as occurring in the Livingstone valley, Parslow's Plains, and elsewhere in our Alpine regions. There would seem to be no doubt that the glaciation iudicated by these evidences in the Australian Alps is of Account of Glacial Deposits of Bacchus Marsh. 65 much more recent age than that represented by the upj3er till at Bacchus Marsh. The piesence oferractics of basalt, in "linear extension " along the valleys and on the slopes of the Alps is sufficient to show this. Dr. Lendenfeldt considered that this period of glaciation only terminated between 2000 and 3000 years ago, but, as Professor Hutton has shown, there is no evidence to sustain this. Professor Hutton has expressed the opinion that there was no evidence to indicate that the Southern Hemisphere had ever had a glacial period. That glaciers had formerly existed in the Australian Alps, he has explained on the hypothesis of a local elevation of the Alps, to about 3000 feet above their present level. Now this glaciation took place since Miocene times, as is shown by the basaltic ei'ratics. Mr. Stirling has assigned it to the Pleistocene Period. It is impossible that it can be earlier, for if it were, the erractics would have long ago disappeared from their positions on mountain sides and spurs. During the Pliocene Period we have evidence, in the distribution of marine gravels, of a submergence of nearly 1000 feet below the present level, and since then the land has graduallj^ risen to its present condition (Muri-ay). In his address to the Biological Section of the A.A.A.S., at Hobart, Professor Spencer says : — " We must conclude from the mammalian fauna, that there has been no absolute land connection between South-east Australia and Tasmania since practically the end of the Tertiary Period or early in Pleistocene times, as otherwise it would be impossible to account for the absence, not only of the dingo, but of the large and specialised diprotodont fauna, of which the Pleistocene Period saw the rise and fall upon the mainland." From the evidence supplied by raised beaches, and by the great depth to which many of our river channels have been cut, it is apparent that the land has been gradually rising for a considerable period. It is thus pretty certain that, since the beginning of Pleistocene times, the land surface has never stood higher, relatively to the sea, than it does now, and in Pliocene times, as we have seen, there was a submergence of nearly 1000 feet below the present level. If denudation has been the means of i^educing the height of our Alpine regions by about 3000 feet since the last glaciation took place, then it would be quite impossible for lines of erratic boulders and perched blocks on mountain spurs to be preserved. Many of these, according to Mr. F ()<3 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. Stirling, even yet show striated and grooved surfaces. If the mountains had suffered much denudation, the stri?e and grooves would certainly have been removed and roches moutonnees would have vanished — except where protected by overlying deposits — long ago. 80 then, seeing that the theory of greater elevation cannot be sustained, we must look in another direction for the explanation, and we have the astronomical theory at hand. According to this theory, we should expect to find evidence of a Pleistocene glacial period here, corresponding with that of the Northern Hemisphere. As we have seen, this is the period to which Mr. Stirling has referred this latest glaciation of the Australian Alps. As eminent authorities have already observed, in trying to realize the probable effect of astro- nomical conditions favourable to glaciation in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres iCspectively, the great proportion of sea to land that now obtains in the south must always be borne in mind. The effect of this, in the present distribution of land and sea, would undoubtedly be to mitigate these conditions. In Pleistocene times, there is no evidence to show that oui- mountains were appreciably higher than now ; it seems more probable that our land surface stood actually lower. So that the astronomical conditions which, during this period, resulted in producing such a severe glaciation in the Northern Hemisphere, weie probably so mitigated in the Southern Hemisphere that glaciers only appeared in the higher mountains. Mr. G. S. Griffiths, in a papei' on the "Evidences for a post-Miocene Glacial Period in Victoria," describes heavy boulder washes, distributed in many parts of the Colony. These " washes " are ascribed to glacial action. Though the evidence for this is not conclusive, yet it is by no means improbable that these heavy deposits of bo\ilders — many of them basaltic — were formed at the period of the last glacia- tion of the Alps, when the precipitation was much greater than now. The Dividing Range, except in its eastern parts, not being high enougli for the production of glaciers, in the short hot summers of the epoch vast floods from melting snow swept down from the mountains, swelling the rivers and depositing these boulder bed.s. At the two earlier periods of glaciation we have indicated, it is not improbable that there was a greater southward extension of land by way of Tasmania than now obtains. In Upper Palaeozoic times, tlie Main Divide must have stood Accoiuit of Glacial Deposits of Bacclais Mar«h. 07 many thousand feet higher tluiii it does now. In Eocene times, though enormous denudation had then taken ])lace, this mountain chain must have been veiy much higher than now. Under these conditions, the glaciation during an ice age might be of considerable severity. We would thus appear to ha\e evidence of three periods of glaciation in Australia, which may be provisionally assigned as follows : — (1) One in Permian times, of consider- able severity ; (2) one in Eocene times, also severe ; (3) one in Pleistocene times, mild, being represented only by glaciers in the higher mountains. At these periods then, it would appear that the Dividing Range nourished great glaciers which radiated outwards, and, in the two earlier periods at least, spread to some distance over the lower ground. Beneath these glaciers the till, or glacial conglomer- ate, was accumulated as a ground moraine. Undoubted evidence of glaciation has been adduced by Professor Tate and Mr. G. B. Pritchard from South Austi-alia. and traces have also been noted in Tasmania, although Mr. Johnston remarks (" Geology of Tasmania ") that there is no evidence there to show that a glacial period has ever taken place. However, it will seem strange if further evidence from Tasmania be not forthcoming. In concluding this pajjer, we would urge the careful examination and mapping of our glacial deposits, and the collection of all evidence bearing upon them. In the words of Sir Robert Ball—" A strict search for glacial indications among all deposits, primary, secondary, and tei-tiary, would be one of the most valuable pieces of scientific work possible at the present time." — (" Cause of an Ice Age," p. 149). Literature. Prof David— ^' A Correlation of the Coal-fields of N.S.W." A.A.A.S., 1890. E. J. Dunn, F.G.S. — " Notes on the Occurrence of Glaciated Pebbles and Boulders in the so-called Mesozoic Conglomerate of Victoria," Proc. Roy. Soc. Vic, Vol. XXIV, Pt. 1. " The Glacial Conglomerates of Victoria," A. A. AS., 1890. O. S. Griffiths, F.G.S.—" Evidences of a Glacial Period in Victoria during post-Miocene Times," Ti-ans. Rov. Soc. Vic, Vol. XXI. F 2 C8 Proceedings of the Ro>jal Sooietij of Victoria. T. S. Hall, M.A.— " Victorian Naturalist," Vol. VIII, Mo. 2. Plot". Hutton, F.G.S. — " The Supposed Glacial Epoch in Australia," Proc. Lin. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. X, Pt. 2. P. M. Johnston, F.G.S. — " The Geology of Tasmania." R. Von Lendenfeldt, Ph. D. — " The Glacial Period in Aus- tralia," Proc. Lin. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. X. Sir Frederick McCoy, K.C.M.G., F.R.S., &c.— " Prodromus of the Palaeontology of Victoria," Decades II and IV. R. A. Murray. — " Geology and Physical Geography ot Victoria." Prof. W. Baldwin Spencer, M.A. — " The Fauna and Zoological Relationships of Tasmania," A.A.A.S., 1892. Jas. Stirlhig, F.L.S., F.G.S. — " Notes on Some Evidences of Glaciation in the Australian Alps," Trans. Roy. Soc. Vic, Vol. XXII. " On Some Further Evidences of Glaciation in the Australian Alps," Proc. Lin. Soc. N.S.W., 188G. Annual Report of the Mining Department of Victoria for 1891, p. 30. Also, Sir Robert Ball. — " The Cause of an Ice Age." Dr. Croll. — " Climate and Time." Prof Jas. Geikie. — " The Great Ice Age." Dr. Packard. — " The Labrador Coast." Dr. Ramsay.—" Nature," Vol. XXII, p. 389. Dr. Wriofht. — " The Ice Affe in North America." Proc. R S Victoria Plate X R. S. VICTORIA, PLATE PHOTOLINE 516 GEORGE ST., SYDNEY PROC, R. S. VICTORIA, PLATE PHOTOLINE PRINTING CO., 515 GEORGE ST., SYDNEY Art. VI. — Sij}iopsi.'^ of the Australian Calcarea Hcterocada ; with a proposed Classification of the Group and Descriptions of some Neio Genera and Species. By Arthur Dendy, D.Sc, F.L.S. Demonstrator and Assistant Lecturer in Biology in the University of Melbourne. [Read September 8, 1892.] 1. Introductory Remarks. • Owing to the reduction of the Government grant to the Royal Society, it has been found impossible at present to continue the publication of the volume of the Transactions which the Council of the Society generously set apart for "A Monograph of the Victorian S[)onges." Under these circumstances the Council has kindly agi-eed to m}^ proposal to divide the work by publishing in the Proceedings of the Societ}' only the necessary systematic portion. Avithout illustrations, and publishing the anatomical portions, for which numerous illustrations are indispensable, elsewhere. It is hoped, however, that the continuation of the Mono- graph in its original form may be carried out at some future date. I have in my possession, in addition to the very fine series of Victorian Heterocoela collected by Mr. Bi-acebridge Wilson, a number of very valuable specimens, including sevei'al remarkable new species, from otiier parts of Australia, and it seemed desirable to incorporate descrij)tions of these in the present communication. I have also a number of fragments of type specimens, generously forwarded to me by the authorities of the British Museum, which brings the total number of species of Australian Calcarea Heterocoela in m}^ collection up to forty-seven. 70 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. Up to the present time sixtj'-tvvo species of thi.s group of sponges have been described from Australian seas, chiefly by HfBckel, von Lendenfeld, Polejaeff and Carter. Sixteen new species are described in the present paper, which brings the total number of Australian species of Calcarea Heterocoela u[) to seventy-eight. In order to make the work as complete as possible, I have decided to include, not onl}' descri[)tions or notes of the forty-seven species which I have been able to study for myself, but also references to those species which 1 have not seen, and thus to provide a complete Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoela. In or(ier to arrange the sjiecies satisfactorily, I have been obliged to adopt a classification which has many new features. This classification has not been arrived at hastily, nor without careful consideration of the work of previous writers. It is impossible to justify it fully in this place, because it is based upon a minute study of anatomical details and a careful consideration of historical questions of y)riority in nomenclature into which I have not space to enter. I intend, however, to publish a paper on the minute anatomy and classification of the group in another place, in which these questions will be fully discussed ; and, in the meantime, I may perhaps point out that the classification proposed is based upon tlie careful anatomical examination of a very large number of species. It will be seen that more stress is laid upon the arrange- ment of tiie skeleton than is usual at the present day, and less upon the form and arrangement of the fiagellated chambers, which I find to vary considerably, even within the limits of a single species. This change certainly facili- tates the identification of specimens, and will probably be welcomed by those workers who have not at their disposal the elaborate appliances required for the preparation of stained microscopical sections. Polejaefi'* clearly showed that no hard and fast line could be drawn between the Sycons and Leucons of Hfeckel. 'J'his idea was followed up by von Lendenfeld, who has created a special group, the iSylleibidai,-\- to include the intermediate forms. This group, however, seems to me to be very arti- ficial, as, judging from my own observations, it appears that * Keport ou the Calcarea of the Challenger Expedition. t See especially " Die Si^ougieu der Adria. I. Die Kalkscliwamme." Zeitsclirift fiir WissenschaftlicheZoologie, Vol. 5H, 1891. Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea HetevocMa. 71 the transition from the Sycon to the Leucon type of canal- system has not taken place along a single line of descent, hut along several. Here, as in other cases, we must classify by an assemblage of characters. The canal-system alone is l)y no means sufficient, though, when taken in conjunction with the skeleton, it is often of great value. In enumerating the various genera and species I have not attempted to give a complete list of synonyms and references, as this would have taken up a large amount of space. In the case of the species, however, I have given those synonyms and references which are most important. My warmest thanks are due to Mr. J. Bracebridge Wilson for the bulk of the specimens here described, to Mr. Thos. Whitelegge for a very valuable collection from Port Jackson,' to the Adelaide Museum for some very interesting specimens from St. Vincent's Gulf, to Professor Spencer foi- a number of specimens from Port Jackson, to Sir Frederick M'Coy for permission to examine the collection in the Melbourne National Museum, and to Dr. Glinther for fragments of type sjiecimens in the British Museum. 2. Proposed Classification^ of the Calcarea Heteroccela. Order HETEROCCELA, Polejaeff. Calcareous sponges in which the collared cells are confined to more or less well-defined flagellated chambers. Family 1. — Lelx'ascid.e. Flagellated chambers very long and nai'row, copiousl}^ branched ; communicating at their proximal ends with exhalant canals which converge towards the oscula ; their blind distal ends covered over by a dermal membrane pierced by true dermal pores which lead into the irregular spaces between the chambers. Skeleton consisting princi- pally of small radiates irregularly scattered in the walls of the chambers and exhalant canals and in the dermal membrane. 72 Proceedin(/s of the Royal SGciety of Victoria. Genus I. — Leiica^cun, nov. g-en. Diagnosis. — The same as that of the family. (For species see Part 3 of the present paper.) Family -1. — Sycettid^. Flagellated chambers elongated, ai-ranged radially around a central gastral cavity, their distal ends pn^jecting more or less on the dermal surface and not covered over by a con- tinuous cortex. Skeleton radially S3aiimetrical. Genus II. — Sijcdta (Hieckel, emend.) Diagnosis. — Radial chambers not inter-commuuicating. Articulate tubar skeleton. No tufts of oxea on the distal ends of the chambers. (For example see Part 3 of the present ])aper.) Genus III. — Sycon (Risso, emend.) Diagnosis. — Radial chambers not inter-communicating. Articulate tubar skeleton. The distal ends of the chambers provided each with a tuft of oxeote spicules. (For examples see Part 3 of the present paper.) Genus IV. — Sycaiifha, von Lendenfeld. Radial chambers long, united in groups ; those of each group inter-communicating by openings in their walls and each group with a single common opening into the gastral cavity. The radial chambers have freel}' projecting distal cones surmounted by oxeote spicule.s. Tubar skeleton articulate. No Australian species of this genus has yet l)een found. The t3qoe is von Lendenfeld's SycantJiu tenella.* Family 3. — Grantid.e. There is a distinct and continuous dermal cortex covering over the chamber layer and pierced by inhalant pores. * " Die Spougien cler Aclria. I. Die Kalliscliwiimme," p. 51. St/uopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoda. 73 There are no subderraal sagittal triradiafces or quadriradiates.* The flagellated chambers vary from elongated and radially arranged to spherical and irregularly scattered, while the skeleton of the chamber layer varies from regularly articulate to irregularly scattered. Genus V. — Grant ia (Fleming, eraend.) Diagnosis. — The elongated flagellated chambers are ar- ranged radially around the central gastral cavity ; they are not provided with tutts of oxea at their distal ends, but are covered over by a dermal cortex composed ])rincipally of triradiate spicules and without longitudinally disposed oxea. An articulate tubar skeleton is presents (For examples see Pai-t 3 of the present paper.) S lib-Gen us. — Gra nt iops is, no v. Diagnosis. — The sponge has the form of a greatly elongated, hollow tube, whose wall is composed of two distinct layers of about equal thickness. The outer (cortical) layer is provided with a very strongly developed skeleton of radiate spicules and contains the narrow, ramif}dng inhalant canals. The inner (chamber) layer is formed b}^ elongated I'adial chamljers arranged very regularly side by side. The skeleton of the chamber layer is very feebly developed ; the normal subgastral triradiates ai-e replaced by quadiiradiates ; the tubar skeleton is articulate, and composed of very abnormal sagittal triradiates whose ])aired rays are greatl}^ reduced. (For species see Part 3 of tlie present paper.) Genus VI. — Ute (Schmidt, emend.) Diagnosis. — The ends of the elongated radial chambers are covered over by a well developed cortex, consisting in great part of large oxeote spicules arranged parallel to the long axis of the sponge. Tlie tubar skeleton is articulate or else composed entirely of the basal rays of subgastral triradiates. (For examples see Part 3 of the present paper.) * I propose these names for spicules lying beneath the dermal surface and with inwardly directed basal or apical rays as the case may be. Such spicules are of great importance for purposes of classification. 7-i Procee(/inf/s of the Royal Society of Victoria. Sub-Genus. — Synute, Dendy. Dhifj'nos'o-;. — Sponge compound, consisting of many Ute-lika individuals completely fused together and invested in a common cortex composed largely of huge oxeote spicules. (B'or species see Part .'^ of tlie ]_)resent ]mper.) Genus VII. — Utella, nov. gen. Diagnosis. — Flagellated chambers elongated, arranged I'aclially around the central gastral cavity. ThfU'e are no longitudinally arranged oxea in the dermal cortex, but a layer of oxeote spicules lies beneath and parallel to the gastral surface. The tubar skeleton is articulate. I propose this genus for H^ckel's Sycandra hystrix* Schmidt's Ute utriculus (the Sycandra utriculus of Hgeckel-f-) may perhaps also be included therein. No Australian species are as yet known. Genus VIII. — Anamixilla (PolejaeH" emend.) D'nujnosls. — Flagellated chamber's elongated and radially arranged. There is no special tubar skeleton, the skeleton of the chamber layer consisting of large radiate spicules, arranged without regard to the direction of the chambers, and of the outwardly directed basal rays of subgastral tri radiates. (For species see Part 3 of tl)e present paper.) Genus IX. — Sycyssa, Hpeckel. Diagiiosis. — The tiagellated chambers are elongated and arranged radially around the central gastral cavity. The skeleton consists exclusively of oxeote spicules. The only known species of this genus is Hyeckel's Sycyssa huxleyi,\ from the Adriatic. Genus X. — Limeandra (Hreckei, emend.) Diagnosis. — The flagellated chambers are spherical or sac- shaped, irregularly ari-anged. and communicating with the Die Kalk.scliwiiinme. Vol. II, p. 375. t Loc cit., p. 370. I Loc. cit., p. 260. Synopsis of the Au.sfralian Calcarea Heterocada. 75 gastral cavity, or main exhalant canals, 1)}^ a more or less complicated canal-system. The skeleton of the chamber layer is irregular. (For examples see Part 3 of the present paper.) Genus XI. — Lelapia (Gray, emend.) Diagnosis. — Canal ,S3^stem unknown. Skeleton of gastral surface composed of ordinary radiates. Skeleton of dermal surface composed of triradiates, quadriradiates and minute oxea. Skeleton of the chamber layer composed of large, longitudinally arranged oxea, crossed at right angles by bundles of tuning-fork-shaped triradiates whose oral rays are directed towards the gastral cavit}^ while the basals point towards the dermal surface. (For species see Part 8 of the present paper). Genus ^ll.—Leucyssa, Hreckel. Diagnosis. — Flagellated chambers (presumably) spherical or ovoid, irregularly arranged. Skeleton composed solely of oxeote spicules. No species of this remarkable genus ai'e as yet recorded from Australian seas, the only examples being Hseckel's Leucyssa spongilla, L. crdacsa and L. incrustans.^ Family 4. — HETEROPiD/t:. There is a distinct and continuous dermal cortex covering over the chamber laj'er and pierced by inhalant pores. Subdermal sagittal triradiates are present. The flagellated chambers vaiy from elongated and radially arranged to spherical and irregularly^ scatteied. An articulate tubar skeleton may or may not be present. Genus XIII. — Grantessa (von Lendenfeld, emend.) Diagnosis. — The flagellated chambers are elongated and arranged radially around the central gastral cavity. The dermal cortex consists principally of triradiates and does not contain longitudinally disposed oxea. (For examples see Part 3 of the present paper.) * Loc. cit., pp. 137, 138, 139. 76 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. Genus XIV. — Heteropia (Carter, emend.) Diagnosis. — The distal ends of the elongated radial chambers are covered over by a well-developed dermal cortex, consisting principally of large oxea arranged parallel to the long axis of the sponge. I propose to retain this generic name for Carter's Apltvo- ceras raniosa,* which he observes belongs to his genus Heteroina. No species are yet known from Australia. Genus XV. — Vosmaerop.sis, nov. gen. Diagnosis. — Flagellated chambers spherical or sac-shaped, never truly radial. Dermal cortex composed principally of triradiates, without longitudinally disposed oxea. (For species see Part 3 of the present paper.) Family 5. — Amphoriscid^. There is a distinct and continuous dermal cortex covering- over the chamber layer. Subdermal quadrii-adiates are pre- sent. The flagellated chambers var}^ from elongated and radially arranged to spherical and irregularly scattered. Genus XVI. — Heteropegma (PolejaefF, emend.) Diagnosis. — The flagellated chambers are elongated and arranged radially around the cential gastral cavity. There is a vestigial tubar skeleton of minute radiates. The dermal coi'tex is very thick, composed principall}' of large triradiate spicules. (For species see Part 3 of the present paper.) Genus XVII. — Amphoriscus (Hreckel, emend.) Diagnosis. — The flagellated chambers are elongated and arranged radially around the central gastral cavity. The skeleton of the chamber layer is composed exclusively of the apical rays of subdermal and subgastral quadriradiates. (For examples see Part 3 of the present paper.) Genus XVIII. — Sycidmis (H?eckel, emend) Diagnosis. — The flagellated chambers are elongated and ari-anged radially around the central gastral cavity. The * Proc. Lit. PhiL Soc. Liverpool, VoL XL, Appeudi-N:, 1886, p. 92. synopsis of the Ausfrdllaii Calcarea Heterocwla. 77 skeleton of the chamber layer is composed of the apical rays of subdermal and subgastral quadriradiates. There is a root-tuft of oxea and anchoring quadriradiates. The only known species of this remarkable genus is Hiieckcl's Sijculmis suYKipla,^' from Bahia. Genus XIX. — LcuciUa (Ha^ckel, emend.) Diagnosis. — Flagellated chambers spherical or sac-shaped, never truly radial. (For examples see Part o of the present paper.) Genus XX. — Faraleucilla, nov. gen. Diagnosis. — Chambers spherical or sac-shaped (?). Be- neath the dermal cortex a series of subdermal cavities supported by an outer and inner layer of quadriradiates whose apical xixya cross each other in opposite directions. Beneath these comes the chamber layer, whose skeleton consists ot irregularly arranged quadriradiates. Large, longitudinally arranged oxea occur between the triradiates of the dermal cortex. (For species see Part 3 of the present papei'.) o. Synopsis of the Australian Species of Calcarea Heteroccela. 1. Leucascus simplex, n. sp. Sponge usually more or less flattened, cushion-shaped, spreading, with convex upper surface ; sometimes becoming almost globular. Oscula irregularly scattered on the upper surface, one or several, varying in size, naked. Surface smooth. The largest specimen is a rather thin, ovoid,^ flattened ci'ust, which, from its shape, appears to have grown on a crab's back ; it is about 3o mm. long, 20 mm. broad, and only about 2 mm. thick in most parts ; the other specimens, though smaller, are much thicker, one being nearly spherical. The surface is covered by a thin, pore- bearing dermal membrane. * Die Kallvschwamme, VoL 11, p, 288. 7«S Froceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. The flagellated chambers (if one may use the term) are greatly elongated, tubular and copiously branched ; their terminal branches end blindly beneath the dermal mem- biane. I'heir walls are thin and pierced by numerous })rosopyles. There is no central gastral cavity but the chambers open into exhalant canals, devoid of collared cells, which convei'ge towards the oscula. The scattered dermal pores lead into wide, irregular sjjaces between the tubular chambers. The skeleton is extremely simple, consisting of small, regular triradiates, irregularly scattered in the walls of the chambers and exhalant canals, and in the dermal membrane. All the spicules are alike, except that some exhibit an incipient apical ray. The rays aie stiaight, conical, fairly sharply pointed ; measuring about ()"1 by 001 mm. Localities. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Stations 1 a)id 5, coll. J. B. Wilson) ; Watson's Bay, Port Jackson (coll. T. Whitelegge). 2. Leucasciis clavatus, n. sj). The t3'pe specimen of this species is a sub-globular sponge about 14 mm. in maximum diameter, with a single rather wide osculum. It very closely resembles L. simplex in general appearance, canal system and skeleton, and the only point of distinction of any importance which I have been able to find consists in the presence in L. clavatus of large club-shaped oxea lying at right angles to and with the club-shaped extremity projecting slightl}' beyond the dermal surface. These spicules attain a length of about 07, and a diameter, in the thickest part, of about Ol mm. The outer end of the spicule is usually more or less rounded off and slightly curved, while the inner portion is straight and tapers gradually to a sharp point. The triradiates are like those of L. simplex, and of nearly the same size, perhaps a little larger on an average, A second specimen is ii-regularly lobate, and differs from the type in its much denser texture, which is due to the stronger development of the mesoderm. It contains very numerous etnbryos, which fact may be associated with the strong development of the mesoderm. Locality.— 'Nenv Port Phillip Heads (coll. J. B. Wilsoii). Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heierocoila. 79 3. Sycetta primUiva, Ha?ckel. Si/cetta prlmitiva, Hseckel, Die Kalkscliwanime, Vol. II, p, 237. Locality. — Bass Straits, Gulf of St. Vincent (Hasckel). 4. Sycon coroiiatum, Ellis and Solaiider, sp. Spongia coronata, Ellis and Solander. Zoophytes, p. 190. Grantia ciliata, auctoruni. Sycandra coronata, Hseckel. Die Kalkschwamme, Vol. II, p. 804.. Locality. — East coast of Austi-alia (Hc>3ckel. Also recorded from the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Pacific). 5. Sycon carteri, n. sp. Colonial; consisting of very many small Sycon individuals united in a copiously branching, bushy mass ; branching irregular. Sycon individuals about 5 mm. in length b}' 15 mm. in diameter; cylindrical; with minutely conulose surface and naked, terminal oscula. Canal-system typical ; chambers thimble-shaped, rather short, with freely projecting distal cones. Skeleton ai-ranged in typical manner-. Spicules as follows: — (1) Gastral quadriradiates ; sagittal; oral rays shorter and stouter than basal, slightl^y recurved, gradually sharp-pointed, measuring Oil x 0()07 mm.; basal ray rather more slender, straight, very gradually sharp-pointed, about 0"2 mm. long ; apical ray variable, stout, more or less curved, often angulate, gradually sharp-pointed, about 0'077 nim. long. (2) Gastral triradiates ; like the quadri- radiates but without the apical ray. (3) Subgastral sagittal triradiates ; oral rays extended almost in a line, gradually sharp-pointed, measuring about 0*06 x 0007 mm. ; basal ray veiy long (0175 mm.), straight, gradually sharp-pointed, extending for more than half the length of the chamber and forming by itself about half of the articulate tubar skeleton. (4) Ordinary tubar triradiates ; like the last but with shorter basal ray and oral angle diminishing towards the distal cone. (o) Oxea of the distal cones ; rather shoi't and stout, angulate, with shorter and stouter outer, and longer and slenderer inner segments ; fairly sharp-pointed at both ends ; measuring about 0 15 x 001 mm. Locality. — St. Vincent's Gulf, S. Australia, (coll. Adelaide Museum). 80 Proceediiif/s of the Royal Society of Victoria. 6. Sycon minutum, ii. sp. Solitary; sessile, or with very short stalk; sub-cylindrical or sausage-shaped, with naked terminal osculum surrounded by a membianous extension cxf the wall of the gastral cavity. Texture characteristically soft and s])ongy; surface minutely conulose. Usually only abotit 5 or 6 mm. in height by 2 mm. in breadth. Canal system typical ; chambers rather short, thimble- shaped, often octagonal in transverse section, with low rounded distal cones ; inhalant canals usuall}' square in. transverse section. Skeleton arranged as usual. Spicules as follows : — (1) Gastral quadriradiates ; facial rays straight, subequal in length, very long, slender and gradually sharp-pointed, measuring about 012 by 00035 mm. ; oral angle somewhat smaller than the paired angles; apical ray short, relatively stout, slightly curved, sharp-pomted, about 0-03 mm. long. Towards the osculum these spicules become much more markedly sagittal. (2) Gastral triradiates ; like the foi'e- going, but without apical ray. (3) Subgastral triradiates, not distinguishable in form from the ordinary tubar spicules. (4) Tubar triradiates ; varying from sagittal, with very widely e::tended, slightly curved, oral rays, to sub-regular; rays long and slendei', gradually sharp-pointed, the basal not much longer than the orals, measuring about O'l by 0006 mm. ; these spicules are rather irregularly arranged. (5) Oxea of the distal cones ; not very numerous ; long, slender, straight or very slightly curved ; fusiform and gradually sharp-pointed at each end ; measuring about 0'28 by 0007 mm. ; arranged in loose tufts which project obliquely upwards from the distal cones towards the osculum. Locality. — Watson's Bay, Ft. Jackson (coll. T. Whitelegge). 7. Sycon raphaiius, 0. Schmidt. Sycon raphanus, 0. Schmidt. Spong. Adriat. Meer., p. 14. Abundant in the collection. Solitary, usually about half an inch in height, with well developed stalk, markedly conulose surface and small oscular fringe. In spiculation I can find no tangible distinction between this common Victorian species and the European S. raphanus as described by Hajckel in " Die Kalkschwamme." Synopsis of the Australian Galcarea Heterocosla. 81 Localities. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Stations 1, 8, 14, and outside the Heads, coll. J. B. Wilson) ; King Island (coll. Profe.ssor Si)encer). Ha:jckel also records the species from Bass Straits and the Gulf of St. Vincent. 8. Sf/con setosum, 0. Schmidt. Sycon setosum, 0. Schmidt. Spong. Adriat. Meer., p. 15. I identify two specimens in the collection with this species. They differ from the typical 8. rwphanus in the more hairy surface, due to the greatei- length of the dermal oxea, and also in the elongation of the apical rays of the gastral quadriradiates. Probably it is merely a. slight variety of S. raphanus. The species has hitherto only been recorded from the Mediterranean. Locality. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Stations (J, 9, coll. J. B. Wilson). 9. Sycon ensiferum, n. sp. Solitary, stipitate, closely resembling S. rapkanus ; with very markedly conulose surface and little or no oscular fringe. The two specimens are rather larger and especially stouter than most Australian specimens of >S'. raphanus which I have seen. Canal-system typical ; chambers of good length, termi- nating in low, rounded distal cones. Skeleton arranged in typical manner. The species is distinguished by the following characters in its spiculation, which in general characters resembles that of 8. ra/phanus closely : — (1) The apical rays of the gastral quadriradiates are very strongly developed, swelling out into long club- shaped foi-m (sword-shaped in longitudinal section), but fairly sharply pointed and only very slightly curved, very much broader in the distal than in the proximal half. (2) The ordinary tubar radiates very frequently have a small apical lay developed. (8) The basal rays of many of the most distally situated tubar triradiates are very strongly bent outwards from the wall of the chamber, so as to curve over and protect the entrances to the inhalant canals. (4) The oxea at the distal ends of the chambers are of moderate length and thickness, straight or nearly so, symmetrical and fairly gradually sharp-pointed at each end. Locality. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Station 9, coll. J. B. Wilson.) 82 Proceedings of tJte Ro/jal Sucieiy of Victoria. 10. Sy con .suhkispidum, Cavtev, s[). Grantia siibldnpida, Carter. Annals and Magazine of National History, July 1886, p. 36. This species, described by Mr. Carter from Mr. Wilson's collection, evidently belongs to the genus Sycon, but I have not been able to identify any of my specimens therewith. Locality. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Carter). 1 1 . Sycon rcmisayi, von Lendenfeld, sp. Sycandra ramsayi, von Lendenfeld. Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., Vol. IX, p. 1097. I have only seen specimens of this species from Port Jackson. Mr. Carter, however, records it amongst Mr. Wilson's sponges from Port Phillip. The gastral cavity is, according to my experience, widely dilated, and not comparatively small, as stated in the original desci-iption. Localities. — Port Jackson (von Lendenfeld, &c.) ; near Port Phillip Heads (Carter). 12. Sycon boomerang,'^ n. sp. Solitary, stipitate ; of slightl}^ compressed, ovoid shape, tapering gradually below to form the narrow stalk, which is about equal in length to the main body of the sponge ; with a rathei- small, terminal, naked osculum. Total height of the specimen about 37 mm., greatest breadth 12-5 mm. The dermal surface is smooth and even, but with a characteristic porous appearance. The wall of the sponge is very thick and the gastral cavity correspondingly narrow. The radial chambers are very long and nari-ow and branch re])eatedly, the branches running parallel and becoming- much narrower as they approach the dermal surface. The itdmlant canals are correspondingly long and narrow, and their outer ends are covered over by a delicate pore-bearing membrane which stretches between the rounded distal ends of the chambers. The gastral cortex is thin. The skeleton is arranged in typical manner, the spiculation being as follows : — (1) Gastral quadriradiates ; sagittal ; with very long, slender, hastate basal ray, measuring about 0'2 X 0007 mm., sometimes longer ; paired rays about one-third to one-half the length of the basal ray and somewhat stouter, straight, conical, gradually sharp- * So called from the shape of the apical raj's of the gastral quadriradiates. Si/noim6 of the Australian Galcarei, Heterocoela. (So pointed ; rti)ical ray very strongly developed, gradually thickening tor about two-thirds of its length, wliere it is extraordinarily stout, then bending shaiply and tapering more suddenly to a sharp ])oint, length about O'loo mm., greatest tliickness up to ()()28 mm. though generally less. (2) Gastral triradiates ; sagittal or suli- regular, with long, slender, gradually sharj)-pointed rays, the oi-al rays often somewLat curved. (3) Subgastral sagittiil triradiates, not clearh^ differentiated from tlie ordinaiy tubar spicules. (4) Tubar triradiates ; with very long, straight, slender, conical basal ray and shorter, widely ■extended, often slightly curved oiul rays. In spicules taken from about the middle of the length of the chamber the basal ray measures about 0"17 by ()-07 mm., and the -orals about ()-l by 0'07 mm. ; but there is a good deal of variation. In some of the tubar spicules a fairly well developed apical ray is found. In some of the most distal triradiates the basal ray, now much shortened, is curved outAvards so as to lie in tlie pore-bearing membrane, which is also supported b\- small, scattered tiiradiates and oxeotes like those found at the distal ends of the chambeis. {5) Oxea of the distal ccmes ; short but i'airly stout, more or less club-shaped, usually with the thick distal portion bent at an angle to the remainder; measuiing about 0().sembles Hpeckel's beautiful figure of S. (SycaviuTYi) clegaDS. The dermal oxea are long and slender, and gradu- ally sharp-pointed at each end, and the more distal tubar triradiates are greatly enlarged, with long and stout, but still straight basal rays. These peculiarities in spiculation are, however, found in some specimens of ;S^. gelatiiwsum, horn which the present variety cannot be sharply distinguished. Locality. — Watson's Bay, Port Jackson (coll. T. White- legge). 14. Sycon glganteum, n. sp. Solitary, with very short stalk or none at all. Tubular, greatly elongated, in parts more or less compressed, but not varying greatly in diameter throughout ; with a single, wide, naked osculum. Both specimens are curved or bent. The largest is nearly 100 mm. in length by 14 mm. in breadth ; the other is only a little shorter. The wall of the sponge is about 3 mm. in thickness. The dermal surftice is in part quite smooth and in part tessellated. The radial chambers are narrow and gi-eatly elongated, they branch repeatedly and the branches run parallel with one another to the dermal surface. They communicate with the gastral cavity by long exhalant canals, from which they are separated by diaphragms. These exhalant canals appear like continuations of the chambers only without collared cells, they may unite together before opening on the gastral surfiice. The chambers are approximately circular in trans- verse section. The inhalant canals are irregular and very Syno2Jsis of the Australian Calcarea Heteroc. 1111. 88 Froceediiuj^ of the Royal Society of Victoria. In canal system, so far as we can judge tVom the author's description, this species appears to ieseml)le my Grantia vosmaeri, the radial chambers communicating with the gastral cavity by elongated exhalant canals. Locality. — Port Jackson (von Lendenfeld). 19. Grantia votsmaerl, n. sp. Specimen solitary, sessile (?), sac-shaped, tapering gradually above to the naked, terminal osculum ; 15 mm. high and 7 mm. in greatest transverse diameter. Texture hard, dermal surface echinated by the large, projecting oxea. Wall of sac only about 1 mm. thick. The dermal cortex is very strongly developed, about 008 mm. thick ; the gastral cortex is two or three times as thick, but less dense and not so well-defined. The radial chambers are rather short and moie or less branched. Their distal ends abut against the dermal cortex, while proximally they communicate with the gastral cavity by means of long, wide, exhalant canals, which penetrate the gastral cortex and may unite together before opening onto the gastral surface. The chambers are sepai-ated trom the exhalant canals by constricted diaphragms. The inhalant pores take the form of irregular canals penetrating the dermal cortex. Except for the unusual thickness of the cortex and the great size of the oxeote spicules the skeleton is ari'anged in the ordinary manner. The spiculation is as follows : — (1) Gastral quadriradiates ; usually more or less sagittal, but very variable ; rays straight or paired raj's slightly curved, stout, conical and gradually sharp-pointed ; size very variable ; paired rays averaging, say, about 0 2 by 0-02.5 mm. ; basal ray about the same thickness and usually somewhat longer ; a})ical ray thorn-like, short, stout, conical, u.sually slightly curved, finely pointed, about 0"07 mm. long, projecting into the gastral cavity and exhalant canals. (2) Gastral triradiates ; usually like tlie foregoing but without the apical ray ; towards the osculum, however, they become much more strongly and regularly' sagittal, the widespread, slightly recurved oral rays being much longer and stouter than the basal ray ; amongst these suboscular spicules quadriradiates are very rare. (3) 8ub- gastral sagittal trii-adiates ; indistinguishable from the remainder of the tubar skeleton, which merges somewhat gradually into the gastral cortex. (4) Tubar trii-adiates ; Syyiopsis of the AudraJUui Calcarea Heterocmla. 89 strongly sagittal ; with widely extended, short, straight, conical and gradually sharp-pointed oral rays, and much longer, straight, gradually sharp-pointed basal ray; oral rays about Ol by 0-()]5 mm.; basal ray about 0-28 by 0-0 15 mm. (5) Triradiates of the dermal cortex; usually slightly sagittal but uearly regular ; rays stout, straight or slightly curved, conical, gradually sharp-pointed ; about 0"24? by 0 028 mm. ; arranged in several layers parallel with the dermal surface. (6) Oxea ; very lai-ge, stout, fusiform, usually gently curved, gradually sharp-pointed at each end; varying in size up to about 1'8 by 007 mm. The outer ends of these spicules project far teyond the dermal surface, while their inner ends extend through the chamber layer into the gastral cortex. Locality. — Watson's Bay, Port Jackson (coll. T. Whitelegge). 20. Grantia (.^) infreque^ni. Carter, sp. Ilypogmntia infrequens. Carter. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, July ]886, p. :39. The chief peculiarities of this species appear to be the presence of a very strong dermal cortex and tlie fact that the tubar skeleton is made up entirely of the V)asal itxya of subgastral sagittal triradiates. I have not seen the species myself, and Mi'. Carter apparently had only a single small specimen, collected by Mr. Wilson. I include it provisioiially in the genus Grantia. Locality. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Cartel-). 21. Grantia (}) IcBvigata, Hteckel, sp. Sycortii^ kevigata, Hseckel. Die Kalkschwamme, Vol. II, p. 285. In his description Hseckel distinctly states that in the case of the tabar trii-adiates the basal ray is always directed centrifugally outwards, while in the dermal trii-adiates it lies parallel to the long axis of the sponge and points to the aboral pole. No mention is made in the text of any subdermal sagittal triradiates with inwardly directed basal ray, but in the figure (Plate 49, Fig. 3) such appear to be present. Hence if the figure be correct we should have to place the species in the genus Grayitessa, but the evidence is hardly strong enough to justify us in so doing at present. Locality. — Gulf of St. Vincent (Hseckel). 90 ProceediiKj.s of the Royal Society of Victoria. 22. GrayitiopHis cyliiuirica, n. sp. Sponge forming long, cylindrical tubes, which may branch, with single, terminal, slightly constricted, almost naked oscula. Sui'face not hispid but slightly roughened by the large triradiate spicules of the cortex. Tlie largest tube in the collection is unbranched and slightly crooked, 57 mm. long and with a nearly uniform diameter of 5 mm. 'i'he wall of the tube is about 1 mm. in thickness, and is divided into two sharply defined concentric laj^ers of about equal thickness. The outer of these layers forms a firm cortex with a very strongly developed skeleton. , The inner la3'er is soft and spongy, consisting almost entirely of the radial chambers, which have but a feebly developed tubar skeleton. The iidialant pores, scattered in groups over the dermal surface, lead into veiy sharply defined, wide inhalant canals, which penetrate the cortex, uniting into larger trunks which conduct the water to the ordinary' " intercanals" between the radial chambers. The radial chambers ai'e ari-anged side by side with great regulaiity. Each is a straight, wide, unbranched (or very sliglitly blanched) tube, extending completely through the chain] )er layer. In cross section they vary from nearly square to neai-l_y circular. Each o])ens directly and separately into the gastral cavity, the gastral cortex being so tliin tliat no special exhalant canals are required. Kacli is provided at its i)roximal end with a membranous diaphragm, which, in the s]nrit specimen, almost closes the Oj)eniiig. The arraiigement of the skeleton is a slight modilication of t!)e Gravtia type, but the spiculation is xevy peculiar, as follows: — (1) Gastral quadriradiates ; sliiilitly sagittal, with small facial and enormous apical rays ; the oral angle is rather wider than die lateral angles, but tliere is not much difference in the length of the facial ra_ys, which are nearly straight (the orals may be sliuhtl}' curved), fairly stout, conical and graduallj' sharp-pointed, about 0-056 by O'OOT mm. The apical ray is slightly curved, very .stout, sword-shaped in optical section, thickest hi about the middle, gradually sharp-pointed, about 014 by 001 4 mm. These apical rays thickly echinate the gastral surface. (2) Subgastral quadriradiates; strongly sagittal; the oral rays very widely extended and parallel to the gastral surface ; the basal ray extending centrifugally towards the dermal surface through Synojisi'^ of the Australian Galcarea Heterocoela. 91 about half the thickness of the chamber layer ; the apical ra\' projecting into the gastral cavity, almost in a line with the basal ray. The basal ray is long, straight, and gradually sharp-pointed, about ()"28 by O'Ol mm. ; the oral rays are short, straight, conical and gradually sharp-pointed, about 0*056 by 0008 mm. ; the apical ray is slender, conical, elongated, slightly curved and finely pointed, about 0O9 by 0-007 mm. (3) Tubar triradiates ; consisting almost entirely of the strongly developed, centrifugaliy directed basal ray^ which is straight, fusiform, gradually sharp-pointed at the distal end, and at the proximal end provided with a pair of minute, widely divergent, conical teeth, which represent the extremely reduced oral rays. The basal ray measures about 0-3 by O'OOS mm., while the teeth representing the oral rays are only about 0 003 mm. in length. The entire tubar skeleton is made up of these spicules and the basal rays of the subgastral quadriradiates, arranged usually in single series but with overlapping ends, each series comprising only about three spicules. (4) Triradiates of the dermal cortex ; very lai'ge and stout and regularly sagittal, the oral angle being very considei-ably wider than the paired angles ; all the rays are straight, conical and gradually sharp-pointed, the oral rays measuring about O'o-t by 0-07 mm., and the basal ray somewhat shorter and slenderer. These spicules are arranged in many layers, parallel to the dermal, surface and extending through the entire thickness of the cortex. (5) Dermal oxea ; short, slender, slightly crooked, sharply pointed at each end, about 01 by O'OOO mm. These spicules occur in large numbers on the dermal surface, projecting at right angles from the outermost portion of the cortex. (6) Oxea of the oscular fringe ; long, straight and slender, gradually sharp-pointed at each end though hastate at the outer end. These spicules form a kind of vertical palisade inside the margin of the osculuin, their outer ends project- ing to form a feebly developed oscular fringe. (7) Oscular triradiates : closely resembling the remarkable tubar tri- radiates, but A\-ith the oral rays not quite so much reduced. These spicules occur mixed with the inserted portions of the oscular oxea, and assist the latter in forming a dense ]:»alisade ; the paired raj'S are directed towards the osculum, and no part of the spicule projects freely like the oxea do. This sponge is decidedl}^ the gem of Mr. Wilson's collection. The exquisite symmetry of the skeleton and canal-system, combined with the remai-kable spiculation, render it one of 02 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. the most beautiful and interesting sponges which I have ever seen, although the external t'oim is not particularly attractive. Locality.— ^eav Port Phillip Heads (coll. J. B. Wilson). 23. Ute syconoides, Carter, sp. Aphroceras syconoides, Carter. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, August 1886, p. 135. I identify with this species a single specimen collected by Mr. Wilson and a number of very beautiful examples sent to me from Port Jackson by Mr. T. Whiteiegge. As pointed out by Mr. Carter, the species closely resembles Schmidt's Ute glabra, having the same characteristic silvery sheen on the surface, due to the presence of the huge, longitudinally disposed oxea. The Port Jackson specimens are shortly stipitate and one of them consists of two individuals united below for about half their length, or one might regard it as a branched individual. Localities. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Carter, and Station 14, coll. J. B. Wilson) ; Watson's Bay, Port Jackson (coll. T. Whiteiegge). 24. Ute argentea, Polejaeff. Ute argentea, Poldjaeff. Report on the Calcarea of the Challenger Expedition, p. 43. This species is also very similar to Schmidt's Ute fjlabra. Although the skeleton is, as PoJejaefF points out, " inarticulate," there are no subdermal sagittal triradiates with inwardly directed basal ray. From personal examina- tion of Polejaeff 's type I believe this species to be quite distinct from Ute syconoides, the latter differing, amongst other things, in its much longer radial chambers, with many- jointed tubar skeleton, and in the much slenderer and less densely packed longitudinal oxea. Locality.— Oft' Twofold Bay (Polejaeff). 25. Ute ."ipicidosa, n. sp. Sponge colonial, consisting of a number of individuals (about twent}^ in the specimen under examination) united together by their bases so as to form a spreading colony. The individuals composing the colony are sessile, ovoid, narrowing above to the small terminal osculum, which has S)jiiopsi's of the Aadrailau Oalotrea Heterucwla. 93 a very inconspicuous fringe ; they attain a height of about 15 mm. and a maximum diameter of about 5 mm. The texture is dense and firm, and the sui-face is roughened by the projecting ends of some of the large oxea. The gastral cavity is narrow and cylindrica], occupying only about one-third of the total diameter of the sjionge. The flagelUited chambers are long and naiTow and more or less radially arranged with regard to the central gastral cavity ; they do not extend nearly through the entire thick- ness of the sponge wall, and they communicate with tlie gastral cavity through long, sometimes branched exhalant canals. The inhalant canal system consists of scattered pores on the dermal surface leading into elongated canals which lead down between the chambers, but the typical syconoid arrangement of the canal system is greatly obscured by the strong development of the mesoderm and the dense, irregular skeleton. There is a ver}- thick, dense cortex on both dermal and gastral surfaces. The skeleton of the gastral cortex consists of a densely felted mass of irregularly arranged triradiates, mostly lying- parallel to the gastral surface. These spicules are sagittal, with fairly stout, sti-aight, conical and graduall}' shar})- pointed rays ; the oral rays are longer than the basal and the oral angle wider than the other two ; oral ra3'S about ()-lS mm. by 002 mm., basal about 012 mm. by 0010 mm. The skeleton of the chamber layer is dense and irregular, but shows traces of the articulate tubar arrangement in the usually centrifugal direction of the basal rays of the tri- radiates. These spicules are smaller than those of the gastral cortex, and of different shape ; there is not much difference in the length of the rays, though the basal may be slightly longer or shorter than the others ; all the rays are fairly stout, conical and gradually sharp-pointed ; the basal is straight but the orals are more or less curved towards one another; dimensions of rays about 012 by 0-OlGmm. The skeleton of the dei-mal cortex consists of a dense,, confused mass of triradiates, resembling those of the chamber layer but becoming markedly smaller towards the outside, where they lie parallel to the surface ; amongst which are found oxea of two kinds : — (1) Very large, stout, fusiform, slightly curved and sharply pointed at each end ; measuring about 18 mm. by O'l mm., and arranged parallel to the long axis of the sponge, with the upper end often i)! I'nn'ccdhnjH of I la: Hoijal Sociel// of Victoria. slightly projc'ctJnii-. (2) Sinn]], lung and slender, neaih' straight, gradually sharp-pointed at the inner end and usually more or less hastate or lance-pointed at tlie outei- ; measui'ing about ()-24 hy 0"008 mu). These spicules occur in the outermost portion of the cortex, and their outer ends ])roject well beyond and more or less at right angles to the dermal surface. A number of similar but longer spicules insei'ted around tlie inside of the osculum form a dense but not pi-ominent oscular fringe. />of«?//v/.— Watson's Bay, Pt. Jackson (coll. T. Whitelegge). •20. Ufe spenceri, n. sp. Sponge solitary, sessile, globular or sub-sphericai, with correspondingly dilated gastral cavity and nari'ow, naked osculum. The texture is lirm and harsh to the touch, the dermal surface being rather uneven and slightly i-oughened by the projecting apices of some of the large oxea, but not hispid. Diameter of entire sponge about 11 mm.; thickness of wall about 2o ujm. Tlie dermal cortex is very thick, occupying more than one-third of the entire thickness of the wall. The inhalant pores, scattered over the surface of the sponge, lead into wide, ii-regulai-, sub-dermal cavities, lying in the coitex, from which narrow inhalant canals lead down between the radial chambers. The radial chambers aie arranged w^ith considerable I'egularity parallel to one anothei". They are long and narrow^ (about 1 •() mm. by ()"14 mm.), and at their distal ends they branch in a curiously iri'egular manner, the branches scmietimes penetrating for some little distance into the dermal cortex. The proximal ends of the chambers are all situate about at the same level, which is some little distance from the gastral cavity and even fron; the gastral cortex, which latter, though dense, is very thin as compared with the dermal cortex. Hence we find a number of rather short, cylindrical, radially-arranged exhalant canals, which look like continuations of the i-adial chambers without the collared cells, and which may unite together in groups before opening on the gastral surface. The I'adial chambers are separated from the exhalant canals by well-marked diaphragms. The .skeleton is very dense and very complicated and consists of the following parts: — (1) Quadriradiates of the gastral cortex ; sagittal, with straight, conical, gradually sharji-pointed facial ra3's ; the oral angle is wider than the Si/nopsls of the Australian Calcarea Heterocosla. 95 paired angles and the basal ray may be either longer or shorter than the other two, which measure, say, abont 0"09 by ()0()8 mm. ; tlie apical ray is well developed, conical, gradually sharp-pointed, slightly curved, and nearly as long and thick as the oral ray.s. These spicules form such a dense feltwork that it is difficult to make out the details of in- dividual form in situ, while the projecting apical rajs thickly echinate the gastral cavity. {'2) Quadritadiates of the exha- lant canals ; these are extremely characteristic and peculiar spicules ; the basal ray is reduced to a mere rounded tubercle, while the oral and apical rays are long, straight and very slender, and finely pointed ; the oral rays diverge at an angle of about 120" and the apical comes off between them and appears to lie nearly in the same plane ; the oral rays measure about 008 by 0 0027 mm., though occasionally stoutei*, and the apical ray is about one-third as long ; these spicules ai'e found around the exhalant canals, with the apical ray projecting into the cavity. A few lai-ger and stouter quadni-adiates, with normal basal ray, also occur around the exhalant canals. (3) Inner sagittal tri- radiates ; under this term we may pei'haps, in this species, include all those triradiates which lie in the zone between the gastral cortex and the commencement of the flagellated ■cliambers, although they lie at varying depths beneath the gastral cortex. The oral rays are straight or nearly so, conical and gradually sharp-pointed, about 0-09 by 0-0085 mm.; the basal ray is long, straight, conical and gradually sharp- pointed, measuring about 0- 1 6 by 0-0085 mm. ; the oral angle is wider than the paired angles. (4) Tubar triradiates ; very similar to the foregoing but the basal r;iy gradually diminishes in length towards the dermal cortex. These spicules form an articulate tubar skeleton of many joints, which is continued, as already indicated, within the inner limits of the chamber layer to the gastral cortex, while towards the outside it becomes irregular and gradually passes into the skeleton of tiie dermal cortex. (5) Triradiates of the dermal cortex ; slightly sagittal or sub-regular, mostly larger and stouter than the tubar triradiates, with conical, sharp-pointed rays measuring about O'l 6 by 0-02 mm., but very variable ; towards the outside they lie parallel to the dei-mal surface, but otherwise they are very irregularly arranged. (6) Large oxea of the dermal cortex ; fusiform, slightly curved, gradually sharp-pointed at each end ; measuring about 1-4 by O'l mm., but sometimes more or 90 Froceeclinifn(lla)i Cdlcarea Heterocfelit. 97 28. Anainixilla torresi, PolejaefF. Aiiainixilla torresi, Polejaeff. Report on the Calcarea of the Challenoer Expedition, p. 50. I liave seen no specimen of this s[)onge except a portion of the type from the British Museum. Locality. — Torres Straits (Polejaeff). 29. Leucandra australiensis, Cartel-, sp. Leuconia Jistulosa, var. australiensis, Carter. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, August J 886, p. 127. There is one specimen in the collection, belonging to the National Museum, which closely resembles in external characters and spiculation that described by Mr. Carter. The sleiiclerness of the radiate spicules gives to the sponge a soft and yielding texture, while the dermal surface is densely hispid from the long, slender, projecting oxea. At first sight the specimen looks like a large example of Grantessa hirsuta, but it differs markedly in the arrange- ment of the canal system and in the absence of the subderinal sagittal triradiates. The chambers are large and irregularly sac-shaped, averaging say about 0'3 by 0"1 mm. (but very variable) ; not arranged radially around the central gastral cavity of the sponge, but around wide exhalant canals which penetrate the thickness of the wall of the sponge and are, like the gastral cavity itself, echinated by the apical ravs of quadriradiate spicules. Locality. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Carter, and Station 1 4, coll. J. B. Wilson).- 30. Leucandra alcicornis, Gray, sp. Aphroceyas alcicornis, Gray. Proceedings of the Zoolog- ical Society of London, 1858, p. 114. Leucandra alcicornis, Hseckel. Die Kalkschwamme, Vol. II, p. 184. I have not j^et had an opportunity of examining this widely distributed and very remarkable species. Loccdity. — -Bass Straits (Hteckel). Also recorded from various localities in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and from the Cape (^vide Hreckel). 31. Leucandra catcqjhracta, Hseckel. Leucandra cataphracta, Hseckel. Die Kalkschwamme, Vol. II, p. 203. i)8 Proceedings of ike Roijal Society of Victoria. Leucandra catcqjhracta, von Lendenfeld. Proceedings ot" the Liiiiiean Society of New South Wales, Vol. IX, p. 1129. I am indebted to Mr. T. Whitelegge for a considerabh; number of tine specimens of this sponge from Watson's Bay, Port Jackson. Neither Hteckel nor von Lendenfeld have described the flagellated chambers, which are small, appioxi- matel}^ spherical and scattered abundantly in the thick wall ; measuring about 0 09 mm. in diameter. Loc(dities. — Port Jackson (Heeckel, von Lendenfeld, &c.) ; Port Denison (von Lendenfeld). 32. Leucandra typlca, Polejaeff, sp. Leuconia typica, Polejaeff. Report on the Calcarea of the Challenger Expedition, p. 56. Leucandra typica, von Lendenfeld. Proceeding of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol. IX, p. 1130. Locality. — Port Jackson (von Lendenfeld. Recorded by Polejaeff from the Bermuda Islands). 33. Leucandra "tneandrina, von Lendenfeld. Leucandra meandrina, von Lendenfeld. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol. IX, p. 1128. I identify with this species a somewhat mas.sive but not large specimen collected by Mr. Wilson, which seems to agree closely with a fragment of the type from the British Museum, but the species is by no means an easy one to characterise. The chambers are approximately spherical and about 009 mm. in diameter. Localitieti.— '^OYt Jackson (von Lendenfeld) ; near Port Phillip Heads (coll. J. B. Wilson). 34. Leucandra vaginata, von Lendenfeld. Leucandra vaginata, von Lendenfeld. Proceedings of the Linnean Society'of New South Wales, Vol. IX, p. 1133. Locality. — Port Jackson (von Lendenfeld). 35. Leucandra conica, von Lendenfeld. Leucandra conica, von Lendenfeld. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol. IX, p. 1 1 26. Locality. — Port Jackson (von Lendenfeld). Si/no^jiii'^ of fke Aitstiullan Galcarea Heteroccela. JJi) 36. Lcncandra Jtisplda, Carter, sp. Leuconia hlspida, Carter. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Auo-ust 1880, p. 128. This species is abundant in the collectiou. It is distin- guished by its elongated cylindrical form, hispid surface, and the long-ra37ed, slender triradiates of the main skeleton. All the specin'iens are solitary and sessile, of moderate size and with a well-developed oscular fringe. The large oxea of the dermal surface are long and comparatively slender, slightly curved. The flagellated chambers are approximately spherical and average about 0'09 mm. in diameter. Mr. Carter appears to have had oid}- a single specimen (collected by Mr. Wilson), which was exceptionally short and " conoglobular ; " I judge from his description and manu- script illustrations of the spiculation that it is speciticalh' identical with the specimens described above. Localities. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Carter, and Stations 0, 10, 14, coll. -J. B. Wilson) ; Port Jackson (coll. Professor Spencer). 37. Leucandra echiwda, Carter, sp. Leuconia echiimta, Carter. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, August 188G, p. 129. This species is abundant in the collection. The sponge usually has the form of a rather small, ovoid, sessile, thick- walled individual, with terminal fringed osculum and coarsely echinated dermal surface. The species exhibits a good deal of variation in spiculation, especially in the size of the irregularly arranged triradiates of the main .skeleton, which are often very much larger than those of the deimal cortex. The other forms of spicule present are gastral quadriradiates, large dermal oxea (echinating the sui-face), and long, slender, hair-like oxea of the oscular fringe. The flagellated chambers are approximately spherical and densel}" scattered through- out the thickness of tlie wall ; they measure about 009 mm in diameter. Locality. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Carter, and Stations 1,9, 10 and outside the Heads, coll. J. B. Wilson); Watsons Ba^^ Port Jackson (coll. T. Whitelegge). 38. Leucandra. niultifida, Carter, sp. Leuconia iiiidtijida, Carter. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, August 1880, p. 1-il. Localitij. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Carter). H 2 100 Froceediri into the substance of the wall. The exhalant canals are also wide and deep and unite to- gether in groups before opening into the gastral cavity. Between these wide inhalant and exhalant canals the tiagellated chambers are thickly scattered ; these are generally more or less ovoid in shape but onlyaboi.it 0-14 mm. in longer diameter. The skeleton is rather weak owing to the prevailing slenderness of the spicule-rays, the spiculation being as follows: — (1) Gastral quadriradiates ; usually more or less sagittal ; with very long, slender, straight or neai-ly straight, sharp-pointed facial rays ; the oral angle wider than the paired angles and the oral rays somewhat longer than the basal; oral rays about 04 by O'Ol mm.; basal ray about 0'3 by O'Ol mm. The apical ray is straight or slightly cui'ved, conical and finely pointed, measuring about 01 (i by O'Ol nun. These spicules are very abundant and form a thin gastral cortex, the apical rays projecting into the gastral cavity in large numbers. The walls of the larger- exhalant canals are aJso provided with very similar spicules. Near the osculum tlie gastral spicules become much more strongly sagittal and Si/riopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocada. ]()] the a[)ical ray is often absent. (2) Triradiates of tlie main skeleton ; varying from nearly regular to slight!}' sagittal ; with ver}- long, slender, straight or slightly curved rays, sharply pointed and measuring about Oo'i by 0()](j nma. These spicules ai-e veiy irregularly arranged but many of them have one ray pointing centrifugal!}^ towards the dermal surface. In many of them a small apical ray is developed. (3) Triradiates of the dermal surface ; similar to the fore- going but decidedly smaller ; arranged parallel to the surface to form a thin dermal cortex, (i) .Large dermal oxea ; rather slender, fusiform, symmetrical, very slightly curved, gradually sharp-pointed at each end; measuring about 1 '4 by 0 03 mm.; occasionally however they are much largei- and they may then have a hastately pointed inner end. These spicules are scattered singly and irregularly at right angles to the dermal surface, with the outer end projecting for a short distance. (5) Long, fine, hair-like oxea'; these are arranged in loose, iri-egular, scattered bundles between the large oxea and they also form the feebly developed oscular fringe. Locality.— ^e-Av Port Phillip Heads (coll. J. B. Wilson). 42. Leucandra gladiator, n. sp. The single specimen in the collection forms an extremely irregular, contorted crust, with a number of deeply convex surfaces, bordered by prominent margins, as if it had grown over some irregularly cylindrical body. A few small oscula are irregularly scattered over the convex upper surface. The surface is slightly hispid, the hispid character becoming mucli more strongly developed at the margins of the crust. The .specimen has been broken, but it must have Ijeen about 50 nan. in greatest diameter. The growth has been extremely irregular, and it has enclosed various foreign objects. The texture is coarse and fragile. The dei'mal cortex is strong, but not very thick. The canal-system is difficult to work out in detail, owing to the strong development of the skeleton, wdiich renders section-cutting very difficult. There is no large, ct.;ntral, gastral cavity, but a number of tolerably wide exhalant canals converge towards each osculum. The flagellated chambers are irregularly scattered, approximately sjiherical, and about 0 09 mm. in diameter. The skeleton is composed of the following spicules : — (!) Gastral quadriradiates; minute, cruciform or dagger-sha[>ed ; 102 ProceediiKjs of the Royal Societi/ of Victoria. till' ;n)ii'al luy long, slender, .straight and graduall}' sliarp- ])ointed, nearly in a line with the basal ray ; the facial rays short, stout, conical and sharp-pointed, the basal rather longer than the other two and often slightly crooked, the orals being straight; basal vav about 003 by 0007 mm. ; orals 002'by 0007 mm. ; apical 008 (or le.ss) by 0000 mm. These spicules are found in the walls of the larger exhalant canals, but they are not very abundant. (2) Enoi-mous sub-regular or ii-i-egular triradiates, with conical, gradually shar})-pointed rays which measure, when fully developed, about ] -8 by 0-16 nun. These spicules form the bulk of the skeleton and are irregularly and abundantly scattered throughout the thickness of tlie sponge ; they vary con- siderably in size. (3) Small, straigiit oxea, of hair-like fineness and up to about O'l mm. in length ; scattered through the interior of the sponge, either separately or in dense sheaves (trichodragmata). (4) Triradiates of the dermal cortex ; strongly sagittal, with long, nearly straight, very widely extended, gradually sharp-pointed oral rays, and much shorter, straight, gradually sharp-pointed basal ray ; these spicules form a dense feltwork, the\^ are quite irregularly arranged, excejjt that they all lie parallel to the dermal surface. They vary greatly in size, the oi-al rays, which are extended almost in a line, measuring up to about O-tio by 0-()3G mm., with the basal about 0-3 by 0036 mm. (5) Dermal oxea ; straight, .slender, gradually sharp-pointed at each end. In most parts of the surface these spicules are comparatively few in number, projecting at right angles from the dermal cortex and measuring only about O'-t- by O'Ol mm. They viivy greatly in size, hovvevei", and around the margins of the sponge they become very greatly elong- ated, forming a thick, den.se fringe. This veiy remarkable species is obviously very closely i-elated to the European Leucandra nivea, as described by Hfeckel in " Die Kalkschwamme " ; in both we find colossal triradiates, smaller dermal triradiates, dagger-shaped quadri- radiates and trichodragmata (which ai-e extremely rare in calcareous .sponges), and in botli we meet with the character- istic encrusting habit. There are, however, certain marked differences in spiculation, as in the shape of the dermal triradiates and of the dagger-shaped quadradiates, and especially in the presence in L. gladiator of the projecting dei'mal oxea, which seem to be entirely wanting in L. inrea. Si/nopsis of tJie Avf;fr(dia)i Calcarea Hetevocaela. 103 It is important to notice that Mr. Carter's Leuconia iiivea var. austra.Heiislfi appears to be totally distinct both from the true Li'ucavdra nivea and from L. gladiator. It is carious that Mr. Cai'ter should have chosen tliis name for onej^of Ml'. Wilson's sponges and that later on Mr. Wilson should have obtained from the same locality another s})ecies which really is ver}" closely related to the remarkable Leucandm nivea. Localitfj.— OntH'xde Port Philli}) Heads (coll. J. B. Wilson). 43. Leucandra carteri, n. sp. Leucaltis Jioridana, var. australiensis, Carter. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, August 1886. p. l-io. This species appears, from Mr. Carter's description, to be a large, massive Leucandra, resembling L. microrapkis in form but distinguished by the presence of minute oxea on the surface. As the name australiensis is already occupied in the genus I pi'opose to call the species Leucandra carteri. Locality. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Carter). 44*. Leucandra schuhei, Polejaetf, sp. Eilhardia scJudzei, Polejaetf. Report on the Calcarea of the Challenger Expedition, p. 70. Localities. — Otf Pt. Jackson and Twofold Bay (Polejaeff). 4-5. Leucandra loricata, Polejaetf, sp. Leuconia loricata, Polejaeff. Report on the Calcarea of the Challenger Expedition, p. 03. Leiicoriis loricata, von Lendenfeld. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol. IX, p. 1123. Locality. — Off P(n-b Jackson (Polejaetf). 46. Leucandra palvinav, H^eckel, sp. I^eucortis irulviuar, Hieckel. Die Kalkschwamme, Vol. II, p. 162. This species ranges, according to Hasckel, from the Red Sea to the west coast of Australia. I have not yet met with it. Locality.— West coast of Australia (Hfeckel. Also recorded from the Red Sea and various paits of the Indian Ocean). 104 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 47. Leucandra Jtelena, von Lendeiifeld, sp. Leucaltis helena, von Lendenfeld. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol. IX, p. 1119. Locality. — Port Jackson (von Lendenfeld). 48. Leucandra puiuila, Bowerbank, sp. Leacoma pumila, Bowerbank. Monograph of British Sponges, Vol. 2, p. 41. Leucaltis 'pumila, Hpeckel. Die Kalkschvv'amme, Vol. '2, p. 148. Locality. — Bass Straits (Ha?ckel. Also recorded from various localities in the Atlantic Ocean, vide Bowerbank and Haickel). 49. Leucandra hatkybia, Hai-cke], sp. Leucaltis batJtybia, Hpsckel. Die Kalkschwamnie, Vol. 2, p. loG. Leucaltis bcdkybia var. australiensis, Ridley. Zool. Coll. H.M.S. '^Aleit," British Museum, p. 482. Leucaltis bathybia, von Lendenfeld. Pi'oceedings of the Linnean Societ}^ of New South Wales, V^ol. IX, p. i]21. Loccdity. — Port Jackson (Ridley. Recorded by Hseckel from the Red Sea). 50. Leucandra pandora, Hpeckel, sj). Leucetta pandora, Hseckel. Die Kalksehwarnme, Vol. 2, p. 127. Localities. — Bass Straits and Gulf of St. Vincent (Hseckel). 51. Leucandra microraphis, Hjieckel, sp. Leucetta microraphis, Hseckel. Die Kalkschwamme, Vol. 2, p. 119 {= Leucetta primigenia var. microraplt.is). Leucetta microrapJiis, von Lendenfeld, Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol. IX, p. 1J17. Leuconia dura, Polejaeff. Report on the Calcarea of the Challenger Expedition, p. 65. I identify with this species a number of large specimens of very irregular external foi-m. They are sometimes com- pressed, sometimes massive and sometimes sac-shaped, with thick walls ; usually Mnth wide naked oscula and large Synopi:ils of the Au'^irallan Calcarea Heterocwla. 105 exhalant canals. The texture is very coaise, bard and dense; the surface is irregular, and often characteristically ridged ; frequently the huge triradiate spicules can be seen with the naked eye on the dermal suiface. Some specimens have a few quadriradiate spicules, while in others I cannot find any. Some of the s])ecimens measure four or five inches in their longest diameter, and one was remarkable from having been of a green colour in life, probably due to symbiotic algre. The flagellated chambers are approximately spherical ; thickly scattered through the sponge, and about ()'12 mm. in diameter. In some specimens the mesoderm around the chambers is very strongly developed, giving to the sponge a very dense texture. The inhalant pores are scattered thickly over the dermal surface, at any rate in parts. The skeleton is dense and very irregular, consisting of scattered triradiates of two very different sizes, i-ather small and enormously large, the former being most abundant. I ccuisidor Pol^jaefi's Leuconia dura to be identical with this species, because I do not think the presence of sagittal spicules in the neighbourhood of the osculum is a specific character, as it is of such extremely general occurrence. Localities. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Stations 1 and .9 and outside the Heads, coll. J. B. Wilson) ; Torres Straits (Ridley, Pol^jaefi) ; Port Jackson (von Lendenfeld). 52. Leucandra Jimtkeliaiia, Polejaefi", sp. Leucetta hceckeliana, Polejaeff. Rejiort on the Calcarea of the Challenger Expedition, p. 69. Voamaeria hceckeliana, von Lendenfeld. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol. IX, p ] 1 14. Loc(ditj/.—Oii' Port Jackson (Polejaefi). 53. Lelapia aastralis, Carter. (?) Lelapia austral is, Gray. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 18G7, p. 557. Lelapia austrcdis, Carter. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, August 1 88G, pp. 1 38 and 1 48. This sponge appears tt) be of exce|)tional interest, and I greatly regret that I have never had an opportunity of examining it. Localitij.—]ij(i.l Socicfij of Vlcfori'i. Go. Vo.smacfoihsi.s laoct'rd, Carter, sp. Hetei'opla macerd, Carter. Antials ami Magazine of Natural History, July J 880, p. oO. This species is well represented in the collection I have been able to convince myself of the correctness oi the identi- fication by a niinnte comparison of a piece of Mr. Carter's type fi'oni the Britisii Museum. It is remarkable for its densely agglomerated or colonial habit. Specimens may attain a large size, consisting of veiy numerous individuals almost completely fused together, usually in linear series, which are inter-connected by cioss-bars. The oscula are i-aised on conical prominences, and each indicates a separate gastral cavity. The canal system is remarkable. The chambers are thimble-shaped and mostly widely separated from the gastral cavity, with which they conuiiunicate by a strongly developed system of exhalant canals, each being- separated from its exhalant canal by a well developed diaphragm. Those chambers which lie next to the dermal suriace still exhibit a radial arrangement with regard to the long axis ot the individual. Both subdermal and subgastral sagittal trii'adiatcs arc strongly developed. Locality. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Cartel', and coll. J. B. Wilson). 06. Vosmaeropslti (Jepreaaa, n. sp. Specimen flattened, cushion-shaped, with flat under and convex up])er surface. About 12 mm. in horizontal diameter, and only 4 mm. thick in the middle. Maigin rounded, i-OLighly cii'cnlar in outline. There is no wide gastral cavit}', but several large, branching exhalant canals converge to a single small osculum situate near the middle of tlie uppei' surface. Sinface smooth ; no distinct oscular fringe. The inhalant canal-sy.stem is quite irregulai-, commencing in wide lacunar spaces situated beneath the thin, pore-bear- ing dermal cortex. The flagellated chambers are irregularly but thickl3' scattered throughout the thickness of the sponge, with no trace of radial airangement around a central gastral cavity. They are irregular-ly sac-shaped or thimble-shaped, measuring about 0'2 by 009 mm. The bulk of the skeleton is made up of fairly large, sub- regular or slightly sagittal triradiates, scattered witliout definite ordei- throughout the thickness of the sponge, but many with one .slightly longer ray jiointing towards the SynojJsi.i of the Australian Calcarea. Heterocada. Ill dermal surface. Beneath the dermal surface, but apparent only on the upper surface of the sponoe, is a distinct lawyer of subdermal sagittal triradiates with inwardly-directed basal ray. The dermal skeleton is made up principally oi" subi-eguiar triradiates of various sizes, placed horizontally, but with no definite ariangement ; amongst these very minute, slender oxea are scattered, rare on the upper surface of the sponge but abundant on the lower ; around the osculuin these oxea are numerous and a few are much lai-ger than the rest. Around the main exhalant canals there is a layer of small sagittal triradiates. The forms and dimen- sions of the different spicules are as follows: — (1) Triradiates of the exhalant canals ; sagittal, rays conical, fairly sharply- pointed ; basal straight, orals usually slightly incurved or recurved ; basal commonl}^ somewhat shorter than orals, which measui-e about ()i6 b}' 0012 mm. Just below the osculum I have seen short apical rays in a few of the sagittal radiates. (2) Triradiates of the main skeleton ; subregular or slightly sagittal ; rays usually straight, conical, gradually sharp-pointed, rathei- slender, up to about 0"3G by 0-024 mm. (3) Subdermal sagittal triradiates ; similar to the foregoing but a good deal smaller, and with the basal ray much longei- than the others. (4) Dermal triiadiates ; subregular, with long, conical, gradually sharp-pointed rays varying greatly in size, up to about 0-54- by 0-045 mm. (5) Oxea; mostly very- minute and slende]-, sharjdy-pointed at each end, with one end rather thicker than the other ; straight ; often slightly^ rougliened ; usually short, but varying greatl}^ in length ; around the osculum a few much stouter ones occur, Init still very small. Localhy. — Near Port Phillip Heads (Sorrento Reef, coll. J. B. Wilson). 67. Vosmaeropsis ivilsoni, n. sp. Sponge colonial, consisting of short, thick, sub-cylindrical or truncatedly conical individuals united together by their bases into smaller or larger agglomerations, which may attain a diameter of nearly five inches. Each fully grown individual has a circular. osculum at its summit, which may or may not have an oscular fringe, adjacent individuals of the .same colony sometimes differing in this respect. The osculum is often provided with a very distinct, membranous diaphragm, situated a short distance within its margin. Tlie 112 FroccediiHj.s of the Royal, Society of Victoria. iiidixiduals vaiy in size, and, owing to their peculiar colonial and bi-ancliing habit, it is difficult to give exact measure- ments, but we may put down the average adult size as about 20 mm. long and 5 mm. in diameter. A large colony contains dozens of such individuals united together in a complicated and irregular manner. The outer surface is smooth, except for a slight unevenness due to the presence of large triradiates, visible to the naked eye. The colour of spirit specimens varies from pure white to pale brown, but one specimen which I observed as it came out of the dredge was then of a violet purple colour. The gastral cavity is wide and cylindrical and the wall is about 2'5 ram. thick. There is a dense, thick coi'tex on both gastral and dermal surfaces. The irdialant pores are thickly scattered over the surface of the sponge ; each leads separately into a .shoi't, narrow, cylind]-ical canal, situate in the outer portion of the dense dermal cortex ; these canals soon unite to form lai'ger, but still very well-detined, cylindrical canals, which anastomose with one another by cross-branches and finally lead down to the chamber layer between the dermal and gastral cortex, where the canal system becomes more or less lacunar. The flagellated chambers are thickly scattered through the meso- derm of the chamber layer ; they vary much in shape and size, from approximately spherical and only about 0"072 mm. in diameter to elongatedly sac-shaped and as much as O'oT by 013 mm.* The exhalant canals unite together into tolerably large trunks, which penetrate the gastral cortex and open into the gastral cavity. The skeleton is divisible into four portions, that of the gasti'al cortex, that of the chamber layer, that of the dermal cortex and that of the osculum. The gastral cortex is about 0'3 mm. thick and its skeleton consists entirely of a dense feltwork of medium-sized triradiate spicules, arranged irregularly but parallel to the gastral surface. These spicules are sagittal, the oral angle being rather wider than the paired angles and the oral rays rather longer than the basal; oral rays straight or very slightly curved towards one another, conical and gradually sharp-pointed, measuring about 03 by 0'024 mm. ; basal ray straight, conical, graduall}^ sharp-pointed, a little shorter than the orals. The * These measurements were taken from different specimens, but it would be difficult to make a mistake as to the species in this particular case, and we also find considerable variation in the chambers even in the same section. Sijnop.si'^ of the A ((■^fralian Cahiarea Hefevocud't. 113 skeleton of tlie chamber l;t3^er is nuule up of lai-ii'e Mib- dermal and subgastral .sagittal tri radiates, whose basal rays penetrate the chamber layer in opposite directions. These spicnles vary greatly in size, the basal rays often extend completely through the chamber layer aiicl are very thick; the oral rays are shorter, more or less curved and widely extended. Frequently many of those which have centrifugal basal rays are not strictly subg.istral but ha\-e the oral i-ays situate at various levels in the chamber la^^er. The i-ays are conical and gradually sharp-pointed. The dermal cortex is about 0-i mm. thick and its skeleton is rande up almost entirely of triradiate s{)icules ot various shapes and sizes. Towards the inside we find large, I'eguiar or subregular triradiates, arranged parallel to the dermal surface, with conical, gradually sharp-pointed rays which measure up to about 10 by 0' 17 muj.; man\^, however, being much smaller. On the outside is a much thinner layer of veiy different, small triradiates. These spicules are irregular in sha])e and irregularly arranged ; their rays are conical and gr;iduall\' sharp-pointed, but crooked ; one of them commonly projects inwai'ds at right angles to the oit. The only difference which I have been able to detect concerns the size and shape of the minute quadriradiate spicules of the chamber layer, which are even further reduced in //. liditnhuhda than thev are in li. nodus gordii. Locality.— l^em- Port Phillip Heads (Carter, and Station 1, coll. J. B. Wilson). 70. Amphorisciis cyathiftcus, HaH:kel. Arui>horiscus cyatJd-scas, Hseckel. Prodromus cines Systems der Kalkschwamme. Jenaische Zeitschrift, Vol. 5, part 2, ]\ 238. Sycilla cyatJriiera- ture rose to boiling-point. The conden.sers were, of course, intended to keep the solution at a constant strength. Observations of the resistance above 70° were made after the solution had been well boiled, so that there were no air bubbles to increase the resistance of the system. To observe the temperature, I took a glass tube of the same section and thickness as that of the cell, and corking one end, I partially filled it with the same solution as that with which I was working, and putting the thermometer into this, I put the tube in a slanting ].)Osition in the bath. Under tliese conditions, I considered tliat tlie temperature of the solution in the second tube ought not to differ much from the temperature of the solution in the cell. For extra security, however, I always kept the temperature within a degree or two for several minutes, and within i degree for about half a minute before taking a reading of the resistance. The salt I used was ordinary commercial copper sulphate which I purified by making strong super-saturated solutions in distilled water, and taking the crystals which were deposited before the .solution became cold. I obtained the strength of each solution by weighing the amounts of salt and water in it, and checked the results by taking the density with hydrostatic balance, using a glass sinker, and then comparing these values with a series previously obtained and l>lMtted. I made a very great number of obsei'vations altogether, but finally have drawn my conclusions from eight sets, which were the last made, and on which I spent more time and pains than on the others. In the results which follow. ConductiviUi of a Solution of Copper Sidpli.ate. 137 T is the temperature centi<^ia(]e, R the observed resistance of the system in legal ohms, aiul /.• is the conductivit}', i.e., the rrciproeal of the specific resistance. Taking « as the specific resistance r = ^^. where r is the mean radius, and I is the length increased by "8 /■ at each end, ^72 i« a constant for tile instrument determined by measurement once for all. Thus k = logl loo- R = l-2:)4() j, and log log R^ so tliat the calculation of /• from the observed resist- ances is veiy simple. The following tables show all the observations used from whicli I calculated my results : — 5-98 R 1155 •0155i ; 887 2025 i im 2335 [ C7.9 2615 ! 629 2855 j 305 i 589 5a7 3343 i 537-5 334 1 5^0 332 i 0-18 328 [ 556 323 1 581 309 3-34 % 2-51 % 1^258 ; ; T R 1800 -00997 T li k 7' R k 18-9 18-3 2290 -00784 15-S 4030 •00445 31 1459 •012.30 :U) 1837 •00977 35^2 2800 641 15 1225 1465 40 1598 •01123 52 2350 764 (iO 1066 1684 50 1410 •01246 65 21^20 847 70 999 1796 60 1335 1344 80 1990 902 80 962 928 1866 1934 70 81) 1266 1218 1118 1474 100 80 1957 917 99-7 929 1932 97 1174 1529 90 1915 937 98-6 930 1930 94 1175 1528 94 1925 932 95 932 1926 90 11S2 ; 1519 97 1915 937 92 933 1924 85 1192 1506 100 1901 944 90 935 1920 80 1212 i 1481 97 1903 943 87 940 1909 1 94 1901 944 85 943 1903 80 957 1875 1 138 Pfoceediiif/s of ike RoyaL Society of Victoria. •597 % ■262 % T Ji Ic T A^ k DO 3270 •00549 99 6270 •00286 '.17 3250 552 96^5 6260 287 96 3235 555 94 6260 287 9;5 3230 556 91 6J80 286 89 3230 556 86-5 6330 283 87 3235 555 80-5 6430 279 84 3250 552 70-3 6740 266 82 3260 550 IS i 13850 1296 80 3280 547 30-5 10870 1651 70 3400 528 45 8900 2017 16-3 6650 270 60 1 7550 2377 30-2 5060 355 70 , 7000 2564 46 4130 435 80 6550 2740 6'J 3650 492 70 , 6900 2601 70 3380 531 I had now to find, first, the law of variation of conduc- tivitj'- with temperature, and second, its variation with streno-th of solution. In working out the former, I took 20° C. as my standard, and in what follows, t is the excess of temperature over 20°. I found that each set of observa- tions was given within the limits of errors of observation by the foiinula k^ = h^^ (I + at — /3 t'^) l\ and l'^^ being the conductivities at 20° + f C. and 20° C. respectively. Tn determine a and /3 as accurately as possible, I worked it out in each case by the " method of least squares," working from the conductivities at 20, 30, 40, 50, 00, 70, 80, 9('), and 100° ('. found by interpolation from the results given above. The values I found are shown in the foUowinu' table : — n h. a P (Solution Conceutration). 25-7 % •0458 •0254 •000100 9-24 •0224 •0237 140 5-98 •0165 243 144 3-34 •0102 211 125 2-51 •00808 221 136 1-26 •00482 231 138 •597 •00293 215 115 •262 •00135 220 69 Coiidactlult)/ of a Solution of Copper Sulphate. 189 From this table it will be seen that a. and /3 are fairly constant for all solutions, though perhaps a increases slightly with the concentration. The errors in ^ aie too great and too irregular to indicate any law of variation. Assuming then that a and /? are constant, we find the mean values are, a = 022!) ; (i = 000121. In a the probable error of the result is -OOOo^, or a little less than 2| per cent, of the whole. Although the values of a and /S thus found give the conduc- tivity with ftiir accuracy, yet they fail in one particular. It will be seen on examining the results in the case of the last two solutions, that there is a temperature of maximum con- ductivity somewhere between 90 and 100° C. In previous experiments, however, I got maxima between 90 and 100°, with solutions of 3 and 0 per cent., it being very marked in the latter case. It is possible that there may be a maximum in every case, but generally above 100° C, and that its position may vary considerably with veiy small impurities in the solution, though I do not know what impurity I could have introduced in the one case and not in the other, as in each case I used water distilled in the same way, and salt from the same vessel. I should remark that, in calculating a and (3 in the case of the solutions that have a maximum under 100°, I only used the results between 20° and 80°. It now remained to determine the law connecting con- ductivity and concentration {k and n). After trying various formuhe and plotting sevei-al functions of k and n, I at last suspected that k varied as some powei- of n, and on taking logai-ithms and plotting them, I found the resulting curve very nearly a straight line, the deviations from it being sucli as might arise from errors of observation. Putting tc ^ a n'', we have log A; = log a + h log n. This is a very simple form to work out by "least squares," and I found the constants were a = -OOiOS, b = -700, the avei-age error being 34 per cent. The general expression for the conduc- tivity thus becomes k = -00403 X ii^'^ (1 + -0229 t - •000121 t^). The curves I, II, and 111 show the relations between the conductivity and temperature for three different solutions, and may be taken as typical. The curves them- selves are plotted from the mean values of the temperatuie coefficients, and the crosses show the actual observations. As I remarked previously, the coefficients are probably some function of the concentration, but my results are not accurate enough to determine it. Curve IV shows the logarithms of 140 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. the diffl^rent values of tlie conductivity and concentration ; as before, the curve showing the mean calcuhited vaUies, and the crosses the observed vakies. The following table gives the conductivities for several concentrations and temperatures, and may be useful for reference : — CONCENTEATION. Tejip. •1% •5 % 1% 5% 10% 20% 30% 20 •000690 ■00237 ! •0040;! •013W •0235 •0398 •0543 30 •000840 403 i 490 168 286 484 661 40 •000975 335 569 ' 195 332 562 767 50 •001090 374 1 6H5 •218 371 628 857 60 •00119 4(.8 ! 693 238 405 685 936 70 •00127 436 741 254 433 733 1000 80 •001.^3 459 ! 780 267 455 771 1050 90 1 472 800 1090 100 1 483 819 1120 DESCRIPTION OF PLATES XV AND XVI. cups ; c c, indiarubber e e, Liebig condensers ; Fig. ]. — a, glass tube; b 6, copper blocks; r?, h«^iiip Packing /, level of solution in cell ; (/, level of bath in which cell is immersed. Fig. 2. — Curves I, II, III, showing agreement between mean value of temperature coefficients, and values in typical cases. Abscissae represent tem- perature centigrade ; ordinates, conductivity. Fig. 3. — Curve IV, showing that the connection between the logarithms of tlie concentration and conductivity is linear, and consequently, that the conductivity varies as a power of the concentration. Abscissae, logarithms of conductivity; ordinates, logarithms of concentration. Proc- R S Victoria Plate XV. Frg.l Froc R S. Victoria Plate XV/. ^^-^ --r- .03 ^^ - ^^ Ji^ ^^ ' __E— — r 2 0 3 0 4 C 5 0 6 0 7 0 so 9 0 !00 Fig. 2. 1 1 1 I I ^ Fig. 3. Art. XU.—The Lichens of Victoria. Part I. By Rev. F. R. M. Wilson. [Eead November 10, 1892.] INTRODUCTION. 1.— Thk Structure ov Lichens. Lichens are cellular plants, and consist generally of thallus, apothecla, and spermagones. 1. The thallus is usuall}^ composed of layers (a) cortical, (6) gonidial, (c) medullar^/, and (d) hypothaUine. (a) The cortical layer, which occurs on the upper surikce of most, and also on the under surface of mau}^ lichens, varies in composition, but is generally formed of closely compacted cellules. It varies also in colour, in thickness, in degree of tenacit}^ and in smoothness of surface. The inferior cortex of many lichens is furnished with vhizincB, or root-like filaments, by which the plants are attached to their substratum. (6) The gonidial system, which generally occurs immedi- ately under the cortex, is specially characteristic of this class cf plants. When the gonidial cells are completely filled with bluish or olive-green matter, they are called granula gonlma; but when the yellowish-green contents are suiTounded by a hj-aline .space within the cell, they are called gonidia. Both kinds are usually sphteroidal. In some genera the gonidia are flat and irregular in outline, chroolepoid. Some lichens are chrysogonimic, with golden yellow gonidia. (c) Tiie medulla, which is found beneath the gonidial sj'stem of many lichens, consists of colourless, tubular, and articulate filaments, more or less closely compacted or interlaced. (d) The hypothallus, which is spread under the thallus of some lichens, is usually (jf a dark colour, and is formed of the filamentous growth arising from the germinated spores, on which the other parts of the thallus are deposited. 142 Froceedinrjs of the Boy a I Sociefy of Victoria. 2. The apotliecium, or reproductive oi-gan, coDsists of (1) an exci]}ulum , either pale or dark, on whicli lies (2) the hyjjothechim, also either dark or coloiu-less. From the surface of the latter rises (3) the thechnrt or Itymenium, which contains tlteccv, generally sniroiinded by 'jniva/physes or club-shaped filaments, all which are usually' glued togethei- by the (/elathut liymenia. The surface jormed by the conglutinated apices of the paraphyses is termed the epitlieciwni or disk. The hypothecium of nucleated apothecia is styled a i^evithecmnt. The various forms of apothecia are («) leco/norhie, i.e., orbicular and bordei-ed by a tli; Uine margin ; (h) lecideine, i.e., orbicular with no thalline margin, but often bordered l)y the edge of the excipulum or hypothecium, which is called a proper margin, i.e., a margin propei- to the apothe- cium ; (c) graphicline, i.e., like writing, iiTegular in form, l)ut typically naiTow and horizontally lengthened ; and {d) pyo'etwdiiw, i.e., globular and nucleated. The theca? contain spores, usually 8, but sometimes 1, or 2, or 4, or (3, or sometimes innumerable. The spores vary much in size and form and colour and contents. Home are divided into two or man}^ cells, and some are simple. The outer and inner walls are called the e^yispjore and evdospore. 8. The spermagones are small thalline tubercles, containing a colourless receptacle, within which there arise minute filaments, eithei- simple, when they are termed sferigmata, or articulate, when they are termed arthrosteri(/viata. These filaments carry upon their apices very minute bodies, called spermatio, which are of various shapes, but generally (ylind)-ical, and which are readily separable and pressed foi'th in great numbeis through a pore in the a[)ex of the spermagone. The spermatia are supposed to fertilise the apothecia, but their function is not known. There are also other bodies occasionally found on the thallus. Pycvidei< are small organs of a dark colour, (■oniaining filaments called hasidia, which bear, singly at their summits, minute, generally oblong, bodies, called dylospores. These are by many authors supposed to be a sort of secondaiy fructification, and by others affirmed to be minute fungi. Cyp)heJla; are minute excavations in the under surface of certain lichens. Their function is unknown. When the}' are ap])arently filled with white or yellow powder, they are called phf portions of the interior through the surface of the thallus. In some species, the npothecia are often conv^erted into soredia and are sterile. This formerly constituted a genus Vrriolaria, from which this formation is styled vaviolarioid. The surface of the thallus is often roughened by minute tlialline excrescences, which formerly gave rise to a genus Isidium, by which name this formation is still distinguished. The obsolete genus Lepraria was formed of lichens whose thallus is s'terile and pulverulent. The obsolete genus Spiloma has been foinid to consist of certain small fungi parasitic on lichens. Various other foreign growths are occasionally detected on tneir thallus and apothecia. Some- tijnes minute alga?, or fungi, or portions of mosses will come into view under the microscope; but their structure is exidentl}' very different from that of the lichen with which they are found. 2. — The Usks of Lichens. Their chief design in nature seems to be to- form a vegetable soil for the growth of higher plants. It is lemarkable that no ])oisonous principle has ever been found in any species of lichen ; yet, with the exception oi a few kinds, they are seldom eaten by animals. Snails devour them, and there are microlepidopterous larvae which feed upon them. On a coi-al island in the Indian Ocean, I found lichens with the traces of the claws of crabs, which had evidently sought nourishment from them, especially from their apothecia. 'J^he omnivorous Acarus destructor seems to infest lichens, both in the field and in the herbarium. .Some species afford nourishment to the higher animals. What is called the reindeer moss is a lichen, and is well- known as the chief food of the reindeer in Lapland. There are also species in other lands, which are useful as fodder for domestic animals. Even human beings occasionally use some kinds for food, others are employed for medicine, and others again have proved valuable for the dyeing of cloth. 3. — The Geographical Distribution of Lichens. The growth of lichens in Victoria depends chiefly on the moisture of the various districts of the colony. On the 1+4 Proceed iv(/s of the Royal Society of Victoria. plains, and even on the hills, north of the Dividing Range, they are much fewer than on the southern slopes of tlie Range, and on the hills and in the forests towards the coast. Suh-A]i)ine species are found on the lofty mountains of the Victorian Alps, and sub-tro])ical species in east Gip])s- land. This latter district, indeed, from its position near the warm currents of the Pacific Ocean, and sheltered from the .Southern Ocean by Tasmania, is physically, rather a part of New South Wales, thari a province of Victoria. The annual firing of the forests has destroyed, and is destroying, many spots which used to be good collecting grounds. As lichens live only by the influence of air and moisture, their growtli is intermittent ; and man 3^ of them increase verj^' slowly, pi'obably continuing in life foi' centuries, and their reproductive organs are supposed to remain fertile for ages. The destruction of such plants is a loss which cannot be readily made good. Many of them are of more rapid growth, and some of them are ainiual. In favoui-able localities they are found on the earth, on stones, on rocks, on the bark and leaves of trees, and on other plants, even on other lichens, on dead wood, on decayed moss, on fallen leaves, &c., on dry bones, on leather, on glass. Some prefer one substratum and some another, and some grow indifferently on an}'. Some saxicole lichens gi'ow only on calcareous rocks, some on siliceous rocks, and some on any. Certain kinds love the mountain, and some grow oidy on Alpine or sub Alpine heights ; others love the plain. Some grow only in wet places, others in the dens«^ sunless shade, either on trees or in caves, or under ovei- hanging rocks. Some like the neighbourhood of the sea. othei'S of rivers or lakes. Some live in the water, either constantly or occasionally submerged, in the channels of streams, or on the seashore ; and some flom'ish on the slate roofs of houses. 4. — The Collecting utting it with a drop or two of water on a glass slide for a short while to soak, then bruizing it down gently with a pen-knife, till it is apparently dissolved. A dry cover is applied, and gently pressed down with a dry knife. The slide is then put under a micro.scope having a good | inch object glass, and an eye piece magnifying from 250 to 300 diameters. When more careful examination is needed for drawings of structure, a fine section will need to be made of the moistened apothecium, &c., M'ith a section cutter, or with a sharp surgeon's knife, under a watchmaker's lens. It will require great nicety to make a good section, neither too thick and opaque, nor too thin and depri\'ed of large spores. Drawings and measurements may be made with a camera lucida and a micrometer. A home made camera lucida can be easily constructed by cementing a half of a glass cover on to the end of a thin plate of brass, having at the other end an aperture to correspond with that of the eye piece, and bent in the middle at an angle of 45 degrees. The Lichens of Victoria. 147 The chemicnl le-agents used in examining specimens are tlecrieil by some liclienologists as being unreliable. Tliey are, however, v'aluable assistants in determining species, although they may not be absolutely conclusiv^e taken b}'- themselves. The usual formula by which the solution of iodine (signified by the lettei- 1), is prepared is — iodine, 1 gr., iod. potass., 3 grs., distilled water, | oz. For all practical purposes, however, a strong enough solution is made by j)utting a few grains of i(xline into a small phial of water and allowing it to stand a day or so. The solution needs to be kept in a glass-stoppered bottle of dark colour, or covered with tin foil to exclude light. Hypochlorite of lime (signi- fied by the letter C), is prei-»ared by putting a small j»ortion of chloride of lime into a phial of water, and shaking it. When the fluid clarifies, it is read}^ for use. Hydrate of potash (signified by the letter K), is composed of equal weights of water and caustic potash. It may be well to intorm the beginner that when the water is added to the caustic potash, a good deal of heat is evolved. It is well, therefore, to previously warm the bottle, lest the sudden heat should break it. The supply of caustic potash needs to be kept from the air by beeswax round the stopper of the bottle in which it is preserved. The hydrate should also be kept in a stoppei-ed ]ihial, and must be used care- fully, as it corrodes clothing, »Scc. These re-agents may be applied, a drop at a time, by means of thin rods of glass ; keeping each rod for its own solution, and wiping them dry on an old rag after using them. The application of C and K is either to the surface of the plant or to the medulla. The younger part of the thallus is the best for examination. In cold weather, a little heat needs to be applied to hasten the action. This may be done either by placing the ])hial with the solution in a cup of warm water, or by putting the ])art under examination close to the mouth and breathing heavily and repeatedly on it after touching it with the solution. First apply C to a portion of the thallus, and note the result. Then to another portion apply K, and, after watching the effect a short while, add C and note the results. To examine the action on the medulla, scrape off' a portion of the cortex from another part of the thallus, and apply K and C in the same manner. The more freshly made the solutions are, and the more carefully they are kept from the air, the more reliable are the results. L 2 ]4tmchi/)niiii, Mull. Arg. Thallus about 4 ceutim. wide, lacinia^ liovizorital or nscendiiig, obovate, obtusely lobate, mavgin entire, thinly coriaceous, fusco olivaceous, both surfaces concolorous, smooth above or shghtly rugulose, crowded beneath with polymorphous prominences, obovoid, obtuse, entire or ob- tusely lobate, exasperate or verruculose tomentellose. Apo- thecia 2 mm. diam., spores fusiformi ellipsoid, 5 septate, niultilocular, -02.") x "Ol mm. Mull. Lich. Beit. XII, 12, Katisb. Flora. 13. L. mi sf vale, Hook and Tayl. Thallus foliaceo membranaceous, thin, blackish olive, smooth, lobes ascending, sub-imbricate, somewhat concave, rotundate, undulate, entire, under surface paler, sub-tomen- tose. Apothecia elevated, black, at length convex, margin thin, entire. McC'iae's Island, Rep. Gov. Bot. 1854. 14. L. rufjatum, Hook and Tayl. Thallus gelatinous membranaceous, 3 inches diam., fuscous green, covered with close longitudinal plaits ; lobes crowded, ascending, oblongo rotundate, erenate, somewhat concave, with minute granulate stipitate isidia expanding into rlialline lobes, sterile. Hab. on trees, McCrae's Island, Rep. Gov. Bot. 1.S54. FAMILY II.— MYRIANGIACEI. GeiNUS 1 .— Myriangium, Mnt. and Berk. Thallus black, noduloso pulvinate, cellulose, unstratified. Apothecia sublecanorine, sphseroideo celhdose. Spores 8, colourless, irregularly septate. 1. M. duriwi, M. and B. = M. dwrieui, of De Bary. Thallus black, opaque, small, tuberculato glon:ierate or nodoso confluent, often depresso pulvinate. Apothecia minute, black, slightl}" impressed. Spores oblong or oblongo ovoid, variousl}- septate, "(UT to "024 x "007 to '008 nmi. Hab. on bark of trees, Mount Macedon, Sandringham, Koruraburra, Kilmore. !(!() Proceedhif/s of the Royal Society of Victoria. 2. M. dolicJiosponirn, Wilson. TluiUus black, opaque or slightly shining, small (2 to 5 mm. wide and 2 mm. high), unequal. Apothecia numerous, nearly covering the thallns and concolorous with it, stipitate; epithecia subrufescent, plane or concave, to 1 mm. broad, with rotundo obtuse thai line margin ; stipe some- times 1 mm. long, tapering downwards. TheciB sphseroidal, dispersed in the cellular sidjstance of the epithecium. Spores cylindrical, sim[)le oi- obsoletely septate, arcuate, someiivhat acuminate at a])ices, with minute guttse arianged in the longitudinal axis, -04 x OOG mm. Gran, gonim. •002 to -007 mm. diam., often conglomerate. Texture of thallus fuscous, cellular, cells angular, OOS to '005 mm. diauj. Cells in epithecium spherical. Hab. on twigs of Hymenanthera banksii, Maffra. The whole ])lant is often covered with the scyphophoroid apothecia standing out in all directions, and of various sizes and stages of development. The epithecium is almost identical in texture with the epithallus, but is geneially concave and slightly rufescent. In old apothecia it is worn into cavities, whicli give it a granulato rugulose appearance. Both thallus and apothecia contaiii granula gonima, usually conglomerate. When a dried specimen is submerged iri water, there arise from it on all sides stieams of minute air bubbles for a considerable time, showing the porous nature of the plant. It does not, however, appreciably increase in size when moistened as the Collemacei do. FAMILY III.— LICHENACEI. Thallus various in coloui-, white, whitish, cinerascent, flavicant, rufous, fuscous, veiy rarely nigricant, and various in form, filamentous, foliaeeous, sijuamose, ci'ustaceous. pulverulent or evanescent. The gonidial stratum very geneially of ti'ue gonidia. Ajiothecia vaiious in form, .stipitate, lecanorine, peltate, patellulate, lirellate or pyreno- carpous. Series I. — Epiconiodei. Apothecia with the spi)res naked, collected into a s[)oral mass on the surtace. The Lichen.s of Victoria. IGl Tribe 1. — Caliciei. Thallus crustaceous, granulose or obsolete, yellow or flavo- virescent, or cinerascent, or whitish, or none. Apothecia cnpuliform, sessile or stipitafce. Genus 1. — Sphinctkina, Fr. pr. p. D. N. Thallus none. Apothecia parasitic on Pertusarice, globoso turbinate, shining, black, sessile or shortly stipitate. Spores 8, nigrescent, simple. 1. S. microceplMla, Nyl. Apothecia black, globoso turbinate, briefly stipitate, nearly sessile, capitula small (about -1 mm. broad), spores nigricant, fusifoiini ellipsoid, nearly globose, but acuminate at apices, epispore thick, reddish, -01 to -012 x 'OO-i to 008 mm. Hab. on some pertussaria, on bark of Hymenanthera banksii, Maffra. Form tenella, Wilson. — Like the type, but with a smaller capitulum and longer stipe (to o mm.) Hab. along with type, Maff'ra. Genus 2. — Calicium, Ach, Nyl. Thallus granulose, powdery, crustaceous, squamulose, or altogether evanescent. Apothecia generally black, stipitate or subsessile, capitula globose, or turbinate, or cupular. Spores fuscous or nigricant. Spermatia short, oblong. 1. C. clirysocepJtalum, Ach. Thallus citrine or obsolete. Apothecia small (G mm. high), black, stipe slender (-OG mm. thick). Capitulum small (12 mm. broad), turbinate ; beneath citrino suffused. Sporal mass umber brown ; spores fuscous, globose, -OOS to 006 mm. diam. Hab. on decorticated decaying eucalyptus, near river, at Maffra, Kilmore. YciY. jilare, Ach. — Stipe longer and more slender (to -8 x •4r ram.) ; capitulum smaller ; sporal mass protruding upwards to a great height. Hab. along with type, Maffra. M 162 Proceedings of the liot/al Society of Victoria. 2. G. 2)hoeocephalum, Borr. var. phfjedrosporurii, Wilson. Tballus white, or whitish, witli pale glauceseent venucose congested granules, which are sometimes dissolved into citrine soredia. Apothecia atro-fuscous, with slender stipe (about "2 mm. high, -1 mm. thick), the upper ]>art citrino suffused ; capitulum hemispherico-turbinate or sub-globose ; margin citrino suffused ; sporal mass from fulvous to umbrine. Spores dilutely nigrescent, very nearly colourless, . Art. XIV. — Tlte Present Pvsition of the Snake-bite Controversy. By James W. Barrett, M.D., M.S., F.R.C.S. Eng. Demonstrator and Examiner in Physiology in the University of Melbourne. [Read November 10, 1892.] Tlie public and the technical press have of late been occupied with discussions on the merit or demerit of the so- called strychnine cure for snake-bite, but as usual, very little definite evidence has been adduced. I have, therefore, thought it advisable to bring the facts of the case under the notice of the members of this Society, so that the position occupied by the rival disputants may be rendered perfectly clear. Dr. Mueller of Yackandandah, it seems, has satisfied himself that a theory respecting the action of snake poison has been proved. He believes that strychnia is consequently indicated as a remedy. When, however, he is asked'[to substantiate both these projiositions, by showing that the treatment is successful, he has no further evidence to adduce than the report of cases of snake-bite, real or supposed, in which medical men assert that patients were saved from death by the injection of strychnine. Now, it is obvious that before reports of such cases can be of much value, it is necessary to ascertain the percentage of individuals who died from snake-bite when other modes of treatment were adopted. In other words, snake-bite is or is not a very fatal affection. The object of this communication is to endeavour to make answer to that question. In investigating it, I have had 182 Proceedings of ike lioyal Society of Victoria. extensive recourse to tables, furnished to me by the ever obliging Government Statist, Mr. Hayter. Table I, which follows, shows the deaths which have taken place fi'oni snake and insect bite (for the two are bracketed in returns together) in the Australian colonies during the decade 1881-1890. In accordance with the foot-note appended to this table, I have rejected from further consideration any deaths occurring in other colonies than Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. You will further note that of the total 1 25 deaths which occuri'ed in these three colonies in the period mentioned, at least 5 or 6 are obviously due to bites of other animals than snakes. There is the further probability tliat some of the deaths have been caused by the enthusiastic administration of alcohol to persons bitten or supposed to be bitten. However, to be well within the mark, I assume that 125 deaths represent fatal cases of snake-bite, and proceed to deal with them accordingly. Table I. Deaths from Snake and Insect-bite in iite Australian Colonies, 1881 tn 1890. Years. Victoria." N. S. Queens South West Tasmaiiiat Total. Wales. land. 1681 5 5 5 1 16 1882 5 . 3 1 1 10 1883 2 4 1 7 1884 3 8 •• 11 1885 3 3 3 .. 1 10 1886 4 5 u 1887 9: 3 8 1 21 1888 3 0 4 12 1889 2 4 11 1 18 1890 2 lU () 1 19 Total 38 47 40 2 2 4 1 133 ns 1 Note. — There are no deaths from snake-bite in New Zealand. In Victoria, in 1891, there were .5 deatlis from snake-bite, and 1 from iguana-bite. * In other years than 1881 and 1882, no distinction was regularly made in Victoria between snake and insect-bites. Two of the deaths in the former yeai-, and 1 in the latter, were from insect-bite. t In the case of these colonies, it i.s not certain whether there were any deaths in several of the years, as the cause was not specifically mentioned in the list of causes of death, t One of these is distinguished as " vermin-bite " and 1 " insect-bite." Present Fosltlon of the Snakc-hite Controversy/. 183 It will be seen that in this period, in the three colonies, snakes were unable to kill more than 125 persons. In order to determine the relative frequency of death from snake-bite, I next append a table showing the popula- tion (actual and average) of the colonies during the same period. Table II. JlJeaa Populations of the Australasian Colonies, 1881 to 1890. Yr,^ N. S. Queens- Soutli West New Total Aus- Wales. land. Australia. Australia. Zealand.* tralasia. 1881 868,942 765,0151 226,522 276,948 29,516 116,437 492,887 2,776,262 1882 889,720 798,5401 237,611 289,916 30,389 119,473 509,308 2,874,957 1883: 910,1301 838,15o| 267,865 299,012 31,233 122,242 529,292 2,997,929 1884 932,6301 883,14o| 294,782 308,648 32,329 125,352 548,993 3,125,879 1885 956,880, 927,275; 308,789 313,102 34,072 128,160 566,168 3,234,416 1886? 981,860; 969,455 327,034 311,254 37,184 130,441 .582,306 3,342,735 1887 : 1,016,750:1,004,835 346,545 311,050 41,699 133,802 596,373 3,450,391 1888 1,054,9801,035,705 361,230 312,253 42,312 137.167 605,370 3,549,017 1889 1,090,350 l,066,450j 374,240 313,751 43,053 140,261 611,716 3,639,685 1890^ 1,118,500! 1,101,840; 385,805 | 316,425 47,950 143,733 620,780 3,734,685 Average 982,374 939,041 313,042 305,235 36,973 129,706 566,319 3,272,599 Therefore, the proportion of fatal cases of snake-bite to the average number of persons alive during the period is shown by the following table, which gives : — Table III. The Ratio of Deaths from SnaJce-hite in each Goloiiy during the Decade to the average Population. Victoria New South Wales Queensland Avorase 1 to 25,852 1 to 19,980 1 to 7,826 1 to 17,886 The death-rate from snake-bite in Queensland seams very much hioher than in the other two colonies. The following 184 I'roceediiuj.s of (he lioi/al Sociefi/ of Victoria. table will, however, show the danger of drawing rash conclusions from figures : — Table IV. Deaths from Violence in the Australian Colonies, 1881 to 1890. Vkars. Victoria. N. S. Queens- South West New Total Wales. laud. Austialia. Australia. Zealautl. 1881 849 906 817 288 36 to. 459 2,905 1882 811 904 489 210 58 88 505 3,040 1883 908 850 896 202 59 lOG 494 3,015 1884 799 990 50.) 289 51 90 548 3,22(; 1885 816 1,106 492 212 45 92 517 3,310 1886 942 1,088 496 272 67 94 571 3,525 1887 l,C'2;-5 1,148 599 2-9 57 . 112 555 3,728 1888 1,119 1,140 598 284 90 118 513 3,807 1889 l,18fi 1,110 622 203 44 144 508 3,822 1890 1,165 1,168 787 238 48 138 521 4,005 Total 9.678 10,400 5,200 2,277 545 1,087 5,191 34,378 Table V. l^he Ratio of the Total Deaths from Snake-hite ditring the Decade to the Total Deaths from Violence. Victoria - - . - New South \V;ik's (i)ueenHlan(l - - . - Average The following table shows the ratio of the total deaths from violence during the decade to the average population: — 1 to 254-7 1 to 221-8 1 to 180 1 to 202 Table VI. Victoria New South Wales Qnecnshmd - Average 1 to 101-5 1 to 90-8 1 to 61-2 1 to 84-3 It will thus be seen that although the ratio of deaths from snake-bite to the average population, .and also to the total deaths from violence, is higher in Queensland than in the other two colonies, the ratio of deaths from violence to the average population is also higher. Consequently it is unsafe to infer, from the evidence furnished, thttt snake-bite is necessarih' a more fatal affection in Queensland than in the other colonies. Present Position oj the Snukc-hite Controversy. 185 From this mass of figures we arrive at a general conclusion that snake-bite is one of the most insignificant causes of death in our midst. For example, in the three years 1887- 88-89 more persons died in Victoria from hydatid disease than were killed by snakes in Australia during the decade. Anyone who cares to look through Mr. Hayter's tables will find that the snake-bite contribution is a veiy sraaU one. In 187G, a Committee was appointed by the Medical Society of Victoria which experimented in a methodical way. The Committee consisted of Drs. M'Crea (Chairman), T. M. Girdlestone, E. Barker, J. E. Neild, A. Bowen, P. Smith, J. T. Dempster, and Professor J. D. Kirkland. The particular value of the work done by this Committee lay in the fact that it found, with antidotes then in use, the recovery of a dog from snake virus injected hypodermically was chiefly a matter of dosage. IMone of the dogs used recovered when half a giain of fresh liquid poison was injected. They further found that tiger snakes 3tt. to 4 ft. long injected on an average from 1 to H grains of liquid poison, a quantity believed by analogy to be bai'ely sufficient to kill a man. One grain of tiger snake venom, if injected fairly into the skin, would be approximately a dangerous dose. It is, however, quite possible that a snake driving its fangs through the skin finds it difiicult to administer the full dose, if the snake bites through clothing, tiie chances of a fatal issue are diminished. On the other hand, in the case of some of the Indian snakes, allied in chai-acter to the Austi'alian black and tiger snake, the dose of poison injected amounts to from 10 to 13 grains. Com- ment is needless. Furthermore, Dr. M'Crea, in 187G, forwarded a circular to a number of medical practitioners asking them for infoima- tion on the suV)ject of snake-bite. In answer, he found that 253 cases of snake-bite had occurred in the practice of a number of medical practitioners, and that of tliese only 25, or 10 per cent., terminated fatall}'. Various methods of treatment had been adopted. It seems, therefore, that fatal results from snake-bite are not common, and can scarcely take place unless the condi- tions are favourable to the snake. Nevertheless, if snake-bite were resfwusible for onl}' one death in the decade, one would hail with pleasure the remedy which Avould obviate the repetition of such an accident; and my object in referring to these figures is not to under-rate the value of anj- remedy. ISO Proceedinrjs of the Royal Societi/ of Victoria. but to «liow the difficulty of being accurate in forming conclusions respecting its value. These iacts are so well-known that I must apologise for restating them. I have mentioned them in outline simply as part of the argument. In fact, if the name of other remedies used in the past be excised fiom old reports in the Journal, and the word strychnia be substituted, the descrip- tion would parallel the present accounts of the efficacy of strychnia. If, then, a discoverer of a snake- bite antidote has to refer to mortality tables as a proof of its success, he has a small margin to work on. He is dealing with a disease which is not usually intractable. The [)ublic reports of cases may be i-eferred to as evidence of its value, but apart from preceding facts altogether, 1 would ask anyone who is inclined to attacli any value to such statements to think for a moment what they mean. Men, women, or children of diffi3rent physiological resistance and vigour bitten, or supposed to be bitten, by snakes ot different age, biological characters, and virus-producing capacity, the jnmctures made into skins of ditferent thickness and in different parts of the body — treatment of various kinds adopted. Are there here not enough variables to cause grave doubt as to the value of a new variable introduced in the form of strychnia? Again, public reports of cases have been held to prove such extraordinary theories in medical history that one may be pardoned lor receiving them with great caution. As stated, other remedies for snake-bite have been similarly commended at the hands of their demonstrators in the columns of the Australian Medical Journal. 'J'here is one method by which the value of strychnia as a remedy may be settled, viz., by resort to experiments on anim.ils on which the action of snake poison does not to all appearances differ materially from that in the case of man. From this, however, Dr. Mueller dissents, though he refers to experiments made on animals in support of his theor3\ The evidence adduced serves to show that there is no wai-rant for believing strychnia to be of any value as an antidote foi- snake-bite ; but there is no warrant for asserting that it is valueless. By the experimental method alone, can the vexed question be settled. Art. XV. — Sneezing: Fdllacious Observations. By James W. Barrett, M.D., M.S., F.R.C.S. Eng. Demoustrator and Examiner in Physiology in the University of Melbourne. fReacl December 8, 1892.] In the last edition of '' Foster's Physiology," there occur the following passages : — " Coughing consists in the first place of a deep and long-drawn inspiration, by which the lungs are well filled with air. This is followed by a complete closure of the glottis, and then comes the sudden forcible expiration, in the midst of which the glottis suddenly opens, and thus a blast of air is driven through the upper respira- tory passages. The afferent impulses of this reflex act are in most cases, as when a foreign bod}^ is lodged in the larynx or by the side of the epiglottis, conveyed by tlie superior laryngeal nerve. But the movement may arise from stimuli applied to other branches of tlie vagus." " In sneezing, the genei'al movement is essentially the same (as in coughing), except that the opening from the pharynx into the mouth is closed b}' the contraction of the anterior pillars of the fauces, and the descent of the soft palate, so that the force of the blast is driven entirely through the nose. The afferent impulse is usually given from tiie na.sal branches of the fifth." When sneezing, however, is produced by bright light, the optic nerve would seem to be the afferent nerve. In Landois and Stirling, sneezing is described as consisting "of a sudden violent expiratory blast through the nose for the removal of mucus or foreign bodies (the mouth being rarely open), after a simple or repeated spasm-like inspiration (the glottis remaining open)." In " McKendrick's Physiology," coughing and sneezing are described as powerful expirations, in which the air is driven through the oral cavity in the first, and through the nasal passages in the second. 188 Proceedinrjs of the Royal Society of Victoria. "Hermann's Physiology" contains the following : — "The expulsion of foreign particles. Such explosive expiration is called sneezing when the nasal cavities are concerned, and coughing when the irritant is in the larynx." Eacli is accompanied b\- a noise produced by the sudden bursting open of a closed aperture, which in sneezing is found by the opposition of the velum palati to the pharyn- geal wall, and in coughing by the opposed vocal cords. In " Carpenter's Physiology " it is stated " the difference between coughing and sneezing is this, that in the latter the communication between the larynx and the mouth is partly or entirely closed, by the drawing together of the sides of the velum palati over the back of the tongue, so that tlie blast of air is directed more or less completeh' through the nose in such a way as to cany off any source of irritation there. Of the purely automatic character of the movement of sneezing there can be no cpiestion, since it cannot be imitated voluntaril}-." In "Kirk's Handbook of Physiology " we find "the same remarks that apply to coughing are exactly applicable to the act of sneezing, but in this instance the blast of air escaping from the lungs is dii-ected by an instinctive contraction ot the pillars of the fauces, and descent of the soft palate, chiefly through the nose, and any offending matter is expelled." In "Huxley's Elementary Physiology " it is stated "in sneezing, the cavity of the mouth is described as being shut off from the iihiuynx by the approximation of the soft palate and the base of the tongue, the air l)eing forced through the nasal passages." All these writers, then, are agreed in describing sneezing as a modified respiratory act. in which air is blown through the nose, and most of them assume that it consequently serves the })urpose of driving irritating substances from the nose. On the other hand, in one of the most recent works on the diseases of the nose (Greville MacDonald, published 1892), one finds the following reference to sneezing: — "Again, it may be doubted whether the physiological reflexes can be considered in an}' way beneficial. Sneezing, it may be argued, is not of any use in driving irritating particles from the nose, seeing that it consists essentially in a closing of the palate during spasmodic expiration, and thus prevents the current of air from passing through the nose. But we probably find the most accurate explanation Sneezing: Fallai-iou>i Observations. 189 of the phenomenon in the following considerations : — On the entrance of an irritating particle into the nose, the [jriniary object of the reflex phenemonon is to increase the flow of mucus, not only for the sake of interposing some non- irritating substance between the sensitive membrane and the foreign pai-ticle, but even more for the purpose of washing it away. This increased flow is produced by a double mechanism. In the first place there is a supply of more blood, and the stimulation of the secreting cells, through nerve influence ; and in the second, there is an increase of vascular pressure from over-fllling of the venous sinuses, as described in Chapter I. Now, this pressure on tiie venous sinuses must be enormously increased by the convulsive respiratory act comprised in sneezing. This latter consists in a violent contraction of the diaphragm, &c., together with the closing of the glottis and the post-nasal space, by contraction of the velum and the superior strictors and of tlie buccal orifice by the approximation of the tongue firmly to the teeth and hai'd palate ; in fact, every possible movement is thrown into action to prevent the exit of air from the larynx, mouth, and nose. What is the immediate consequence of this ? Increase of the intra-thoracic pressure, which necessarily increases the intra-vascular tension, especially in the veins, and hence in the venous sinuses of the nose. The act of forcible expiration, with all the outlets from the thorax closed, if voluntarily induced, i.e., without tlie preliminary irritation in the nose, is scarcely operative in producing the effect described, and it is probably only when the nerve stimulation is excited at the same time, and the gland cells are set working, that this increase in the venous pres.sure is of some additional assistance." Reviewing these conflicting statements, we find difference in matters of fact, and necessarily in the inferences drawn from them. Of the inaccuracy of the description of sneezing given in " Foster's Physiology" and the other works referred to, there can be no question. The process seems to be similar to that followed in coughing, with the following amongst other distinctions: — (1) That it is entirely involun- taril3^ (2) That it is caused mainly through stimulation of the anterior portion of the nose. Stimulation of the posterior portion of the nose generally results in coughing. (3) That the forced expiration is, if anything, more mai-ked than in coughing. (4) That the air in persons with normal palate (and apart from voluntarj^ efforts modifying the act) is 190 ProceediiKjs of the Royal Society of Victoria. driven entirely through the mouth ; that is to say, that the palate is probably pressed firmly back against the pharynx so as to completely cut oft communication with the nose. The peculiar noise made in sneezing is probably pi'oduced by the impact of the imprisoned air on the back of the hard palate, combined with certain modification of the shape of the mouth produced by movements of the tongue and lips. In coughing, on the other hand, it would seem that the com- munication between the nose and throat is not necessarily cut off, and that the air sometimes passes through the nose as well as the mouth, and that special movements of the lips and tongue are certainly" different, if not absent altogether. The mouth is generally opened more widely in coughing, and the noise produced by a cough is very different from that produced in sneezing. The one is lar^'ngeal in the main, the other is chiefly buccal. It is possible that the glottis has nothing to i, and m = -94. To find the neutral point— ^Jf = 0, i.e., 2SQ - 2 x •00512^ = 0, t = 230, i.e., 249° C. ; the height at 0' C. is therefore 249 X '94 = 234. The thermo electric height of thallium above lead is thus— 234 — 94 1, t here being temperature centigrade. Another similar but independent set of observations gave as the height 198 — -65 t, the mean of these being 217 — -79 /. Of the four metals, each pair was taken together, and the following results obtained. In each case the higher metal is the first : — - 217- -79^ - 43 + 1-79^ - 252 + i-oe^; - 12 + 10/ - 40 + 147 / - 200 + 1-35/ If we add the Thallium-Lead to the Copper-Thallium, we get 200 + 100 t, which agrees fliirly well with the directly 1. Thallium -Lead - 2. 3. 4. 5. Copper-Thallium Copper-Lead Copper-Silver Silver-Thallium G. Silver-Lead Proc. R 5. Victoria Plate Ml ^/- // \y / / / // / / / / / / f / / /'' / / / / / / f >< / \ X (0 \. Pb Tempe ^afure Fhydcal Cuiisfants of Thallium. 199 observed value of Copper- Lead. The results with the silver are not very consistent. Various diagrams can be con- structed from the above observations, but the nearest to the true one will ])robably be obtained from the first, third and fourth, from which the figure is drawn (see Plate XVII), tlie dotted lines on the figure being Professor Tait's results for silver and copper. I have been for some months engaged on a series of observations, of which I hope to give an account to this Society shortly, from which it appears that thermo electric values cannot be absolutely constant, and which explains the above inconsistent results of the observations on these metals. Summary. The constants obtained are thus : — (1) Coefticient of expansion - "0000225 (2) Specific resistance - - 20200 at 20° C. (3) Range of resistance with temperature - - -00392 at 20° C. (4) Thermo electric height - 216— '79^ The thallium was obtained from Schuchardt, and Professor Masson has kindly anal^^sed it and supplied the following statement of his results : — " The small sample of thallium wire submitted to me, was found to contain as impurities, lead, arsenic and copper. An estimation of the lead showed it to be present to the extent of 1-50 per cent. The arsenic and copper were present in too small amount to be estimated in so small a sample. A direct estimation of the thallium itself sliowed the wire to contain 9790 per cent, of that metal." Art. XVII. — On " Confocal Quadrics of MomenU of Inertia " 'pertainiiig to all Planes in Space, and Loci and Envelopes of Straight Lines vjhose " Moments of Inci-tia " are Constant. By Martin Gardiner, C.E. iRead May 12, 1892.] Abstract. The author commences by solving the following problem, by the Cartesian co-ordinate method : — Problem. — Given any number of points Pj, P^, P^, .... in space, and corresponding numbers «!, a^, «3, . . . , known in signs and magnitudes as respective multipliers ; to hud the Envelope of a plane L L X, such that, in every position it can assume, we shall have a^ .p\ + a^.pl + (^3 . pi -\- . . . . = 8, in which p\,pl,'pl, . . . . , represent the squares of the pedals from the points Pj, Po, P3, . . . , to the plane L L L, and S a constant entity known in sign and magnitude. He finds the equatloii of the envelope of the plane L L L to be that of a Quadric whose centre is coincident witii the meaTi-centre of the given points for the multipliers «i, a^, a-i, . . . And from the form of the equation arrived at (which is given abridged and expanded), he infers that for all possible values of the entity S, the corresponding Quadrics are Confocal Quadrics. He then shows by a purely geometrical method (indepen- dent of co-ordinates) that for an}^ constant value of *S', the " Oonfocal Qiiadrics of Moments of Inertia. 201 envelo|)e of the plane L L L is a Quadric whose centre is coincident with the mean centre of the points jPj, P-i, P^, . . . , and their respective multipliers «i, a2, a^, And he shows that tlie quadrics corresponding to all possible values of the entity ^.S, are Confocal Quadrics. In order to amplify his Geometrical Method, he proceeds to give a full and complete solution to the particular cases in which the given points Pj, Po, Pg, . . . , are all in one straight line. And he shows that it depends on the state of the data, as to whether the Confocal Quadrics be Ellipsoids ; Hyperboloids of One Sheet ; Hyperboloids of Two Sheets ; Spheres ; or Paraboloids. He then directs attention to the Physical Aspect of the problem, which he enunciates as follows : — Problem. — Given any masses M^, M2, i/3, . . . , in space, and corresponding units a-^,a.2,a.i, ■ ■ . , known in signs as their respective multipliers; to find the Envelope of a plane L L L, such that in every position it can assume, we shall have the sum of the Moments of Inertia of the masses represented by a, . ^ m, (Pi Lf + a.2 . ^ m. (P^ Lf + a,.^ m, . (P3 Lf ■+... = a constant S, in which 97ii, liiaj '>''*'3, • • • represent molecules of the masses i/i.jyo.Jfg, . . . , at any points P^, P2, P3, ... in those masses, and in which P^L, PoZ, P^L, . . . represent the pedals from the points Pj, Po, P,, . . . , to the plane LL L. In elucidation of this aspect of the problem, he recon- siders the particular cases, in which he now replaces the given points or molecules at Pj, P2, P3, ... all in one line, by Spheres whose centres are all in one straight line. He shows that the results arrived at previously, apply when masses replace mere molecules ; and that, according to analogous states of the data, the Confocal Quadi-ics will be Ellipsoids, Hyperboloids, Spheres, or Paraboloids. He establishes the limiting values for the constant S, and exposes the limiting forms of the Quadrics in minute and full detail. And he corroborates a remarkable theorem of 202 Proceedings oj the Royal Society of Victo7ia. Duhamel's, as to the existence of two points, for each of luhich Poinsot's " Ellipsoid of stress " is a Sphere. He shows, moreover, these two points to belong to a "Focal l-'onic" of the family of Confocal Quadrics. In the case in which the bodies are Spheres situated in any manner in space, he gives a simple and effective metliod of finding the tliree principal axes of inertia. He then records the followino- eioht Theorems, as results 01 his investigations : — Theorem 1. Given any raas.ses i/j, M^, M^, . . . in space, and corresponding numbers a,, a.2, a^, ... of known signs as multipliers. If a plane L L L (otherwise unrestricted) be such that in every position it can assume, the sum of the moments of inertia of the entities aj. M^, a^. M^, a^. M^, . . . , with respect to it, be of any constant magnitude S, then will the envelope of the plane be a determinable (piadric Q, whose centre is coincident with the mean centre of the entities. And the whole system of quadrics Qi, Q.2, Q^, corresponding to all values S,, S2, S^, . . . . , of S, will be concentric, coaxial, and confocal quadrics. And in all cases in which the multipliers ai, a.^, . ■ ■ are all positive, the quadrics will be Ellipsoids and Hyperboloids of One Sheet. Theorem 2. Given any masses i/j, ill 2, M^, ... in space, and corresponding numbers a^, a^, 0^3 , . . . of known signs, as multipliers. The envelope of all planes LLL passing through any given point V in space, and such that the sum of the moments of inertia of the entities a^. M^, cio. M2, (tj. i/3, , with respect to them severally, is of any constant magnitude S, will be a determinable quadric cone C, which envelopes a determinable quadric Q whose centre is coincident with the mean centre 0 of the entities. And the whole family of such cones Cj, G.^, C3, . . . , corresponding to all values 8-^, S2, S-^, . . . , of S, will be coaxial and confocal cones enveloping coaxial and confocal quadrics, whose common centre is the mean centre 0 of the entities " ConfoccU Quadrics of Moments of Inertia." 203 «!. Ml, do. M.2, And if the point V be at infinity, unci given in direction by means of a vector 0 R passing thi'ough the mean centre 0 ; then, corresponding to various values of S, the envelopes oi L L L consist of a system of confocal cylinders enveloping the quadrics, dnd having as common principal axis the directing vector 0 R. Now Ml, M.2, M^, . . . being masses, and a^, a^, a^, numbers known in signs: we know that if a plane ZX 2/ l)e such that the sum of the moments of inertia of the entities 11^. M^, cu M^, a-^. Mo^, . . . , with respect to it is of a constant magnitude S, then will the envelope of the plane be a determinable quadric Q. But the line of intersection / I of any two mutnalh' orthogonal planes, both tangent to the quadric Q, is obviously such that the sum of the moments of inertia of the entities with respect to it is represented by 2..s'. We can easily form the equations of tangent planes to tile quadric Q, and express their mutual orthogonism ; but we need not try to evolve an equation of a surface which could be the envelope of all the lines 1 1 of intersection of the pairs of mutuall}' orthogonal tangent planes to Q. This is obvious : — for if we suppose j:) to be any point whatever on any surface, and construct a Poinsot Elli))soid having such point as centre, we perceive that the lines / 1 tlirough the point form a cone, and cannot generally ell be tangents at one point to any other surface. However, we j)roceed to find the Loci and Envelo})es of lines ly l^ which fulfil the conditions as to equality of moments of inertia, and respecting which other conditions are imposed. 1°. — With respect to all the lines li iy wliich are parallel to any fixed straight line R R passing through the mean centre 0, which is also the centre of the quadric Qj. If throLigh 0 we draw a plane normal to the line R R, and that we put c^ c^ Cy to represent the conic which con- .-stitutes its trace on the quadric Qi : then, from a well-known theorem, we perceive that the pairs of mutually orthogonal tangent planes whose points of contact lie in the conic ''iCiC,,give us all the lines lilx parallel to the fixed line RR, and that they constitute a Right Circular Cylinder liavinw R R as central axis. 204 Proceedings of the Royal ISociety of Victoria. 2"". — With respect to all the lines /j /j situated in tangent planes to the quadric Qi . We may first observe that if Pj Pj 1\ be any fixed plane tangent to the quadric Q^, and that we project the quadric itself orthogonally by means of othe)- tangent planes upon J\ Pi Pi, then will the ])rojection be a conic c^ q c^ situated in the plane PiP^P^, which is obviousl}^ the envelope of all the lines li /^ in the plane. 3°. — With respect to all tlie lines l^ li situated in any plane B BB whatever. We first proceed and find the sum s,^ of the moments of inertia of the entities a^.i/i, a.,. M2, a.^. M^,, . . . , with respect to the plane BBS. We then find the quadric Q^ such that the sum of the moments of inertia of the entities with respect to any of its tangent planes is = 2.Si, — s^ . Then, ol)viously, the orthogonal projection of the quadric Q^ so found (by means of tangent [)lanes to it) upon the plane B BB will be a conic, which is the envelope of the lines l^ l^ situated in the plane. The foliowins^ is an obvious deduction : — Theorem .'>. Given any masses M^, M2, M-^, ... in space, and corres- ponding numbers a^, a.^, «3, . . . of known signs as multi- pliers ; and given also the system of confocal quadrics Qi, Q'^' Qz> • • • ■> such that the sum of the moments of inertia of the entities a^. ili,, a.-M.^, a-^. 31-^, . . . , with respect to tangent planes to the quadrics are equals respectively to 6'i, s.,, .^.g, . . . ; then the orthogonal pro- jections of the quadrics on any given plane B B B in space, constitute a family of confocal conies, which are the respective envelopes of straight lines l^li, l.^l-i, Izh, • . • ■ , situated in the plane, such that the sum of the moments of inertia of the entities ftj. i/j, a._,. M-2> (-h- ^Z' • • • > with ]-espect to them, are determinable constants. And if the plane P^ B^ B be parallel to either one of the two systems of parallel circular sections of the conibcal quadrics, then will " Confocal Quadrics of Moments of Inertia^'' 2().> the projections of the ([uadiMcs on the pLme be ;i system of concentric circles. Note. — The differences of the moments of inertia with respect to the lines ^j/j, /., /o- ^;5^3> • • • . (tangents to the respective conies) on the plane BBB are obvionsly equals to the differences of the moments of inertia with respect to tangent planes to the qnadrics Qi, Q2, Qs, ■ • ■ If we draw planes Pi Pi Pi, P2P2P2) ■ ■ ■ , tiirough any diameter D D of any one Q of the family of Confocal quadrics. the lines / 1 situated in these ])lanes and sucli that the sum of the moments of inertia of the entities %. J/i, «o. M.y, '^3. il/;j, .... with respect to them, several!}'-, is of any constant magnitude 2.s, have (as alrendy observed) as envelopes, in the ]ilanes, determinable conies. And we know that those of the lines II which are parallel to D D form a circular cylinder; having the line D B as axis. But it is easy to ])erceive that it is onl}' when the axis D D is normal to one of the circular sections of the quadric Q that the conies cut D D in the one and same point, at which the lines 1 1 form a tangent plane to all the conies. Hence : — Theorem 4. Given any number of masses i/i, J/o' -^^3' • • • > in space, and corresponding nundjers a^, cio, a^, . . . , of known signs as multipliers ; if a straight line 1 1 move in space so as to be always in contact with the line D i) of a diameter of any quadric Q (of the confocal family) normal to either system of its circular sections, and so that in every position the sum of the moments of inertia of the entities aj. il/j, «o. i/o, . . . , with respect to it, is of any constant magnitude 2.s ; then will the envelope of the straight line Z ^ be a determinable quadric lu of revolution, having the mean centre 0 as centre, and the fixed line B B as axis. And all such quadrics '"1, 10-2, iv-i, . . . , corresponding to all possible values 2.S1, 2.S.2, 2.S3, . . . , of the constant are determinable quadrics of revolution, having the mean centre 0 as common centre, and the line Z) Z> as principal axis. Theorem 5. The Locus of a straight line 1 1 through any fixed point B' in a line B B through the mean centre 0 and normal to 200 P roceedings of ike Roydl Hociely of Victoria. ' means of small Ijulbils which it })roduces in great abundance, and which might easily get mixed up with othei' seed. References to Homeria being Poisonous. As to the poisonous nature of this genus of plants, there are i-eferences in various standard works, such as Le Maout and Decaisne's "System of Botany," and Redwood's "Su[)ple- iiient to the Phannacopwia;" but we shall cijntent ourselves Poisonous S/)e('les of Honhi'rhi at Pascoc Vale. 211 with (Hioting tVom sncli a well-known work as Bentley's " Manual of Botany," otli Ed, 1887. At pa<,^e 703, lie ■Hays: — " Moraen (Homevia). Some species of tliis genus, more especially that of M. eollhia, and of other iridaceous plants known under the name of "Tnlp" at the Cape, have poisonous properties, and have been the cause of fatal results to cattle which have chanced to eat it. " Tulp " is also poisonous to human beings." lledwood refers to Homevia colliiia as (Jape Tulip, and as a plant well known to almost every child in the Colony (Ca})e of Good Hope). Reasons for Investkiatiox. Apart altogether from the pi-actical imjjortance of the ■subject, there were two main reasons Avhich induced us to enter upon the investigation. First, the poisonous ])lants introduced into Victoria have not yet been caretully recorded, and therefore any one to which su.spicion attached was worthy of being enquiied into, and its poisonous properties, if present, determined. In Queensland, a work has been prepared by F. M. Bailey, F.L.8., Colonial Botanist, and P. R. (lordon, Chief Inspector of Stock, entitled " Plants Re])uted Poisonous and Injurious to Stock," but there is no mention in it of this one, nor even of the natural order to which it belongs. Also in New South Wales, the Botanist to the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Turner, has a paper on "The Sui)[)().sed Poisonous Plants of New South Wales (both Indigenous and Exotic)," in A(j. Gaz. Vol. 11, Part 3, 1891, but thei-e is no reference to this plant or its order. Hence, a possible new poison plant, as ixv as these Colonies are concerned, deserved to Ijc satisfactorily determined, in order to prevent its further distribution. Such a determination is a necessary pi-e- liminary stej) to its eradication, just as in Western Australia, where certain poisoned land, as it is ealled, can only Ije obtained on conditions of exterminating the poison plant, which is only dangerous at certain seasons of the yem-. Second, as the cows which died at Pascoe Vale were said by skilled veterinary surgeons to have died from anthrax, and not from any supposed poisonous weed, this became a strong additional reason for sifting the matter to the bottom, and seeing if, after all, the reputed poisonous weed was simply an imagination of tlie cattle owners. P 2 212 Proceedlii(/.s of the Hoijal Socieff/ of Vic/oria. What is a Poison Plant? A ])(>ison ]>lant beiug one that poisons, flie first thing to (1;> was to settle that point, and tlien liave the plant analysed, in order to determine the poisonous principle or alkaloid. Mr. P. Wilkinson, of the Government Analyst's Department, has made an extract from the j)lant, but found no alkaloid present. It is attempted to settle the former point in this pa])er, and in order to be clear as to what constitutes a poisoi.i, we shall take the definition as given in Gu}^ and Ferrier's " Forensic Medicine," Gth Ed., 1 888 : — "A poison is any substance or matter (solid, licjuid, or gaseous) which, when applied to tl^e bod}* outwardly or in any way introduced intf> it, can destroy life by its own inherent qualities without acting mechanically." And Dr. Neild's definition is : — " A poison is a substance which, taken into the body, is fitted to injure health." So if thi& j)lant can be proved to cause the death of animals feeding upon it, it will deserve the name of a poison plant, irrespective of the symptoms which it pi-oduces. Experiments on Rabuits. Knowing from tlje experiments of Professor Halford and others, that such drugs as opium and belladonna can be given in very large doses to dogs wnth comparativelj- little eftect, the first difficulty was to decide upon and obtain suitab!,' ninmals for experiment. After due consideration, we ri'si !\( <1 to try the effects of the herb upon herbivorous animals such as rabbits, which Mr. Wyatt, of Woodlands Station, very kindly procured and sent to us. Three rabbits ariived on Saturday, 1st October, and were kept for a week on ordinary diet. They were all in good health and lively. C)n Saturday, 8th October, at 4 ]).m., two were placed in a separate cage and fed upon the Homer'to plant, the other being reserved for future experiment. Fresh plants were brought from Pascoe Vale, and the portion growing above ground, similar to that eaten by the cattle, was moistened and given to the two rabbits. Nothing else was in the cage, and we saw them eat freely of the plant. C)n Monday morning, lOth October, both were dead, and not expecting such a sudden effect, we did not watch syui])toms very closely. However, the question of symptoms was a secondary one at tiiis stage, the primary object being Poii^onoaii Speck''^ of Homer ia at Pascoe Vale. 213 to determine whether feeding upon this plant would cause death. On making the post-mortem, we found the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines congested. The rabbit kept for control was lively and well as usual. On Saturday, loth October, the third rabbit which had been fed dui'ing the week on green food and was quite lively, was placed upon the same diet. About 6 ]).m. it was given the freshly cut Homeria plant, which it readily ate. On Sunday morning it was drowsy, eyes half-closed and distinctly ill. Towards evening, there wei-e distinct traces of scouring in the cage. At 11 p.m. it was still alive, but on Monday morning, 17th October, it died at 7 o'clock. Post-mortem. — Externally marked evidence of scouring action on tail, ^^c. The liver congested, kidneys slightly congested. Bladder full, which was also observed in the other two rabbits. Before opening the stomach, little spots like ulcers could be seen in the w^all, and on opening it was found to contain a quantity of the herb and some mucus. The contents were moister than in the other two rabbits, and marked corrosion was visible. The mucous membrane was completely charred in places, similar in fact to what would have been expected if strong sulphuric acid had been administered. When these black spots were removed, i-ound patches of inflammation were visible, and on hi)lding the stomach up to the light, these ])atches w^ere very conspicuous, looking like little ulcers. Tlie enti'-e intestinal trnct was congested. Several more rabbits were obtained from the same quai-ter, and on Thursday, 2()th October, two were again selected for feeding on the Homeria plant. This was given to them about 5 ]).m., along with water, tiud next inorning, 21st October, one had died. On examination, the stomach was full and congested. The second i-abbit was found dead on Saturday morning, 22nd October, and the appearance of the stomach was similar to the tirst, only the peeling off of the mucous membi'ane was more marked. More of the plant had been eaten in the latter case. In these experiments live healthy and lively i-a])bits were taken, and so sure as they were fed upon the Homeria. plant, so surely did they die, within tw(» days at the most, while other rabbits similarly kept, but fed on oi'dinary f<^od, remained alive, and as fresh as' when first received. Pie- cautions were taken to exclude all disturbing elements, so 21+ l-'roceediuf/s of tJie Roi/al Socicf// of Vidorvj.. tliat the one point of ditference was, that one set of rabbits were fed iu the usual way and HvcmI, while another set were fi'd on the Homevla plant and died. It setnis, therefore, reasonable to conclude that the eating of this plant was the cause of death, ;ind tliat it is possessed of |>oisonoiis properties of an irritant nature. Experiments ox Cows. It was considered quite satisfactory to test the eti'ects of eating' the Hoinerhi ])]ant upon i-abbits, but in order to settle the matter even for cows, the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Oraluun) allowed two cows to be purchased for the purpose, orie to be fed ujK)n the plant, and the other to be fed, in the first instance, in the usual way, so as to show by way of contrast the effects of the difi'erent feeding. The two cows wei'e placed in se])arate loose-boxes, and on the evening ot October 14, about (J p.m., one was given half a bftg of the freshl}' cut Homcrin ]dnnt and water, while the other had a good su[»|>!y of hay and straw. She ate greedily of the plant (although not specially starved for tlie occasion) while we were ]>resent, along with Mr. W. H. Stephen, Acting Chief Ins|)ector of Stock, and Mr. E. Rivett, M.R.C.V.S. On the following day, the cow feeding upon the Hoimrhi plant was found to have eaten about half the quantity given her, and refused to have an}- more. On the Itith sh(! was lying down sick, and on the 17th the same ; then on the forenoon of the 18th the cow was killed, and a post-mortem made b}^ Mr. Rivett. This cow was three days and a half under treatment, and the eating of the ])lant had ])n»duced a scouring action, along with general weakness, and a very percej^tible trend)ling at the loins. Tlie second co\a', which was also placed in a loose-box on the evening of the Uth. October, was well fed on tlie 15th and IGth. She was made to fast on the 17th, in order to ensuie active feeding, and on the KSth, about 1 p.m., was su[»plied with about a quarter of a bag o'i Homer hi, together with drinking water. She ate very greedil}^ of the |)lant, and seemed to reli.sh it. On the U)th she was found lying down, unable to rise, and died that night. The examination of the animal was made about mid-day on Thursday, October 20, by Ml-. Stephen, in the presence ()f both of us. Tiie four stomachs w'ere carefull}' examined, and in the lumen or Poisonous S2)ecics of Homer hi at Fascoe Vale. 215 pauncli, there was marked congestion at the cardiac end, wiiile the mucous membrane peeled off, and was distinctly inflamed. There was also considerable scouring of the animal before death. The stomachs of both cows were found to contain a fair amount c>f food. The evidence derived from experimenting upon the cows, supplements that obtained from the feeding of the rabbits. CON'CLUSIONS. To sum up, as far as these experiments go, there are decided indications that the Homcria plant has poisonous properties, capable of causing the death of cattle and other animals, and this conclusion is based upon the following grounds : — (1) This plant is stated to be poisonous to cattle at the Cape, its native habitat, by Professor MacOwan, Govern- ment Botanist there, and the probabilities are, that it is so in Victoria. (2) Several healthy and lively rabbits were fed upon this ])lant, and with abundance of material they invariably died, while rabbits fed in the usual way remained quite healthy. (3) A cow fed U}K)n this plant also died, and the symptoms indicated poisoning. (4) Cows fed in the paddock where this Homeria grew died, while those in adjoining paddocks where the plant did not exist, were unaffected. That the cows ate the plant was shown, not only by the undigested remains found in the stomach, but from the characteristic seed-like bulbils found there, as well as in the droppings. Government Botanist's Description of Plant. Baron von Mueller, Government Botanist, has kindly supplied a description of the plant, which is as follows : — Homcruc colluia, Vent. — var. miniata. — A native of South Africa. Bulb almost spherical, covered closely by a coating of interwoven fibres, between the layers of which numerous minute readily sprouting bulbils are concealed. Whole plant to 3 feet high, but usually much less, 210 Proceedings of flu- Royal Society of Victoria. variable also in more or less robustness or slenderness, (jften somewhat branched. Leaves linear to 1| feet long to '6 inch bi'oad, but frequently of much less size, always channelled and gradually much narrowed upwards ; grey- green above, dark green ber)eatli, slightlj^ streaked, small bulbils also formed occasionally in the axils of some leaves. Inflorescence fascicularly compound when well developed. Somewhat paniculate, the supporting lowest floral leaf often much elongated, clasping at the base. Bracts comparatively long, nuich pointed, the outer green, the inner smallei-, gradually colourless, and very tender. Flower stalks to 2 inches long, though often shorter. Some of the stalklets finally to 1-^- inches long, all enclosed in longitudinally convolute bracts. Flowers almost horizontally expanding, very tender, stem shrivelling. Tube of the odyK thinly cylindric, pale-green, darker, six streaked, generally about I inch long. Lobes of the calyx three (or exceptionally two), petal-like lanceolar-ovate, about | inch long, yellowish towards the base, otherwise almost brick-coloured, or neai-ly orange- coloured. Petals similar to the calyx-lobes, but somewhat nari-ower, three (or eJvceptionally two), along with the calyx-lobes tv.'isted after flowering, finally deciduous. Stamens three (seldom two), much shorter than the calyx- lobes and petals. The three anthers erect, seated on the yellowish narrow staujinal tube, about | inch long, yellow, broad-linear, blunt, at the l)ase minutely bi-lobed, bursting marginally. Style tilif(M'm, about as long as the stigmas. These, as well as the anthers opposite to the calyx-lobes, three (or e. ceptionally two) in number; hardl}' extending beyond the anthers, yellowish, linear-cuneate, with numei'ous dilated bi-lobed crenulated and ciliolated summit, and witli two small tender inner appendages. Ovulary quite connate with the calyx-tube, three-celled (or seldom two-celled), cylindric and somewhat angular. Ovules very numerous, fixed along the axis. Fruit dry, trigonous cylindric, dehiscent, niany seeded. The flowers are distinctly smailei- than those of Hoineria rolJina, their- petals and calyx-lobes are more acute and of a ligliter red ; also less venulated, and the staminal tube is olabrous. Conclusion. It will be seen from the foregoing description what )nderful powers of j)ro[)agation this plant possesses by Poiso}i<)us Species of Hunierla at Pascoe Vale. 217 means of its nuinerous i-e[)ruducfcivo seed-like bulbils. It can easily be uiidersbood liow it has overspread thr paddock by this means alone. Its showy and attractive flowers likewise rendered it an object of interest and beauty to the numerous wayfarers, particularly on Sundays, and as handfuls of the plant were taken away, it would thus be spread over a large area, and carried to different districts. It is known in other places besides Pascoe Vale, but now that its poisonous properties are unmasked, it is hoped that this brief notice of it may lead to its being promptly destroyed in any garden or cemetery where it may exist. Art. XIX. — R<'i>urt of the (Johvuut/^e of the Rof/ai Society of Victoria, consistiru/ of Professucs Kernot, Lyle, and Masson, and Messrs. Ellkrv, Love, and White, appointed to arrainje for the rarrnliKj oat of the Gravity Survey of Australasia. To THE Royal Soc^etv of Victoria. Gentlemen, — In laying befoi-e you tliis, the Second Annual Report, your Committee has much pleasure in informing you that the work of the Survey has now commenced. The penduhuns and other apparatus lent by the Royal Society of London — of whicli a description is appended — -have been received, and ei'ected in a cellar at the Observatory, kindly phiced at the disposal of the survey hy tlie Government Astrononiei". Tlie observing telescope sent with the apparatus ])rovt'S to be somewhat inconvenient, and it is projXKsed to employ a different arrangement. The stand for tlie air-])um]) was badly packed, and found to be broken on its ariival ; otherwise the instruments were in \'ery fair order. It is ])roposed to devote the next few months to a careful examination of the effects of temperature and i»ressure on the times of oscillation of the pendulums; such an investigation being rendered especially necessary by the very considerable changes of temi)erature to which the instruments may possibly be exposed in tlie course even of a single set of swings. The values of the temperature and pi-essui-e coefficients for the pendulums numbered (4) and (1821) were worked out for the purposes of the Indian Survey; but the constants of the third pendulum, numbered (11), have not yet been determined. General Walker assumed them for the pui-pojjes of tlie Greenwich and Kew observations (lately completed) to agree with those of the other two ; but your Committee is of opinion that the matter requires further investigation. The question as to the construction of a new pendulum has received a o-ood deal ot attention fiom your Committee Ih'poii oil the Grarlfi/ Stn-rr)/ of Australasia. 21.4' during the past year. Fortunati'ly the Royal Society of London has forestalled the diseussion, and added ])enduluni (11) to the two originally asked tor. The difticulty and expense attending the constructicni of a new pendukini has thus been avoided. E. F. J. Love, Secretary. Appendix. De.scription of the apparatus to be enn)hjyed in tlie Gravity Survey of Australasia, by E. F. J. Love, iM.A. In drawing up a description of tlie a[)paratus, we may consider se))arately, [a) the pendulums, {h) the clock, (c) the vaciunn api)aratus and its accessories. {a) The penaratus. The three which it is pro))osed to employ are all constructed of the same materials, and practically identical, both in form and dimension. They aie of the kind known as 'Invariable Pendulum." The form is a flat bar of ])late brass 5 feet '1 inches long, Ui3 ijich thick, and 1 7 inches broad, for a distance of 40 inches from the upper end. The remaining portion of the bar, termed the "tail-piece," is lenticular in section, reduced to a breadth of (VJ inch, and terminates in a point. Just above the tail-|)iece is a tiat circular brass bob, G inches in diameter and J-.S inches thick, which is fastened to the bar l>y solder and i-ivets. The knife-edge is a prism of very hard steel, adjusted per|)endicular to tlu^ plane of the bar, and attached by means of a stout T head. It is 2 inches long, 0 2o inch in height, and equilateral in secti<.>n, save that the edge on which the (oscillations are performed is ground to an angle of 120". The planes on which the pendulum oscillates consist of two pieces of polished agate, ground true and set in a heavy brass frame suppoi-ted on ver\- massive levelling screws. Each })endulum has its own set of planes. All three pendulums are about 70 years old, and have 1 teen repeatedly used for gravity survey work; in which the}^ have given such consistent results as to warrant the belief that the\' have reached a condition of api)roximate e(|uilibrium as regaixls molecular change. For a statement of their history, reference may be made to the " Re])ort of the Great Trigont)metrical Survey of India," Vol. V, Appendix \^. 30. 2:^0 r rowed lugs of the Royal Societi/ of Victoria. With the pendulums is su])])]ied :i " dummy pendulum," of identical material and dimensions, into which two holes are sunk for the reception of the bulbs of a pair of thermometei-s. The dummy is placed in the same vacuum chamber with the pendulum when vibrating, and close to it. Their temperatures may accordingly be assumed as identical, and the temperature of the dummy, as given by the thermometers, can be employed for deteriiiining the temper- ature corrections to be applied to the pendulum. Tlie corrections to be applied to the thermometers have been determined at Kew. (b) The clock employed for the (jbservation of coincidences is a siderial clock, made by Shelton, and was used by Sabine on his exjiedition in 1822. Its mean daily rate is very constant, but it is subject to rather considerable horar}- fluctuations of rate. The clock has an arrangement which allows of its being re-wound without loss of driving power during the winding. (c) The vacuum apparatus consists of a cylinder of sheet copper, half closed at the top by a thick brass plate for supporting the agate planes, and closed in above this by a glass bell, ground to lit the brass plate ; it is closed at the bottom by a metal hemisphere. It has one glass window about lialf-way up, through which the thermometers are read, and four others in the plane of the tail-piece of the pendulum. Through one pair the coincidences are observed, the other pair allowing a side view of the tail-piece, which is necessary for determining the amplitude of its vibration. To the sill of the back window is attached a bi-ass plate bearing two scales at right angles to each other etched on ground glass, and with well blackened divisions for measuiing this amplitude. The cylinder is supported by three large levelling screws on a heavy iron girder, which is itself bolted to a very massive timber framework fastened together with iron bolts and clam])s. The massiveness of the cylinder and fram«^ render it quite impossible for the oscillations of the pendulum to be communicated to the supports. The starting and stopping of the pendulum is perf )rnied by means of levers worked from outside the cylinder by metal rods passing through stuffing boxes, and cases filled with oil to pi-event leakage of air. R(q>oi't on the. Gnwilf/ Survey of AustniUma. 221 A tap attached to the side of the cylinder is connected by rubber tubing to a Siphon barometer, and a second tap allows of the attaclinient of an air-pump in order to reduce the pressure to any desired amount, wliich is measured on the Siphon barometer. As the tail-piece is only a little way above the ground, the short telescoj)e with diagonal eye-piece sent with the apparatus is highly inconvenient. It is proposed to view the coincidences by means of a long telescope of considerable aperture, iuclined at a small angle to the ground, and carrying a plane mirror in front of the object glass, so as to reflect the image of the apparatus in a nearly vertical direction. This method will result in a considerable saving of light, and a much m(»re than considerable addition to the comfort of the observei-. Anyone who has had experience in really delicate })hysical work will understand the importance of these considerations to the accurac}'^ of the experiments. In order that the images of the detached and ch^ck j)endulums may be in the same plane, a large lens is provided, by means of which an image of the clock pendulum is thrown on the ground glass scale inside the cylinder. The lens is mounted on a brass angle piece, which slides on a brass frame attached to a wooden stand. The stand rests by means of three levelling screws on a ]»lank bolted to the framework which supports the cylinder. AlJT, XX. — RepoH nf the Ci'eiaoiloiK Cohomitlee oj the lioijal Society of Vlctorhi, ((ppolhted. to eiujiiire into and report upon " CreDudiori " and other methods of ditipo.siii;/ of th.e dead, with, pariit-vJii.r ressible to find a site for a cemetery anywhere in the vicinity of towns, such that there would be no danger to healtii to the living, in which the air, the water, and the earth of tiie neiglibouriiood would be secure from the dea;llv containination. Report of the Cremy((l 8<>cieiy of Victoria. of the coiitraiy. A movement in favour of desiccation has occnned in America, hut your Committee has no leason or wisli to think that it has any chance of success. The use of quicklime has been successfully tried in several instances, where large numbers killed in battle had to be rapidly disposed of, and in some other cases. It does not, however, appear to be adapted tor general use, particularly where lime is not readily and cheaply procurable. Another method has been suggested of disposing of the dead, by simply immersing them in a bath or tank of fused alkali, in w4iich they entirely disappear without leaving any discoverable residue. The cost and feasibility ol this method would depend upon the abundance and accessibility of the material, but it seems questionable whether it would ever commend itself to public sentiment. There appears, however, to be no hygienic objection to it. The expedient, which seems to be in a fair way to super- sede burial, is Cremation— an old one revived, and practised widely to-day. Cremation is general in Japan, and in India, where the Government has successfully introduced improved incinerators to expedite and perfect the primitive process in use by the Hindoos. Cremation is the simplest, cheapest, and most hygienic of all ; it can be easily eflected wherever there are combustibles, and it appears particularly adapted for use in cities, being lapid, economical, final and complete. The residue is small, innocuous, and easily pieserved in urns, the cost of which is trifling. Cremation is becoming popular in Italy, where it is rapidly extending. Large numbers are now cremated in Paris, and at Gotha. In England, its progress has been even more rapid than any- where else, except Rome. At Milan, 679 cremations have been eflected in 14 years, but only 227 in the first 7 years. At Lodi, 38 in 13 years. At Rome, where the practice has grown more lapidly than at any other place in Italy, there have been 297 cremations in 7 years. At 21 towns in Italy there were in all 1468 cremations in the 14 years ending with 1890. At Woking, in Suarey, the first cremation took place in 1885, and the numbers since cremated there yearly, are, 8, 10, 18, 28, 40, 54, and 99 in 1891—253 in all; the increase being more uniformly progressive than even at Rome, which began with 15, and ended with 90 in 7 years, and had fewer in 188G and 1887 than in 1885. The Duke of Bedford, Lord Bramwell, and Mr. Wm. Eassie, were all Report of the Cremation Committee. 225 cremated during the current year, and Crematories are being established at Manchester, Liverpool, Ilford, Darling- ton, and elsewhere. The great advantages of Cremation appet^r to be — Firstly, the perfect extinction, with the corpse, of the possibility of communication by it of any disease to the living. Secondly, its economy. The cost at Paris is only two francs, and it is less in Japan and India. There is eveiy reason to believe that it could be done in Melbourne for a guinea each at most, including examinations, memorial urn, &c. Carriage must sometimes form a comparatively important item in the cost. It can, however, be much reduced, as portable iron crematories have been successfully constructed for military purposes, and will no doubt come into general use. Thirdh-, its finality. Cremation will abolish at once all the shocking desecration which is now inseparable from the burial system. Fourthly, the innocuous residual ashes, less than a quart in quantity, can be preserved in an urn of aesthetic n;iaterial and device, and deposited either in a public institution (or Columbarium), or confided to the care of the family ; with Fifthly, the satisfactory certainty to all concerned, that the body itself can never afterwards be subjected to disturbance, insult, or desecration, or cause incalculable harm to others. The only apparently plausible objection that has ever been urged against Cremation is, that the body can never after- wards be available as evidence in cases of murder, particuarly by poison. A case, however, occurred at Milan, which goes far to prove that the risk is actually greater in case of burial (see Robinson, "Cremation and Urn Burial," [)p. 177-8). The parents of a deceased child obtained all the certificates necessary for its burial, before resolving to have it cremated. The additional certificates however, which were required at the Crematorium, elicited the fact that the child had been poisoned accidentally by eating sweetmeats containing copper. Your Committee would strongly recommend that no system whatever be tolerated whicli does not provide amply strict examinations to obviate the possibility of such facts passing undetected. An Act, legalising Cremation under conditions, has lately been passed by the South Australian Legislature at Adelaide. Lastly, the legal aspect of the question remains to be considered. Q 220 Froceedinc/s of the Royal Society of Victoria. Sir Jas. F. Stephen's judgment in the case of Dr. Price, ill 1874, set at rest the question of the legality of Cremation ill England, and decided that there was then no law against it there, so long as no nuisance was caused. Of course no system of disposing of the dead should be tolerated, unless all that can be called a nuisance is absolutely prevented. The objection to burial is that it produces evils far worse than nuisances. Since the judgment in question, the Cremation Society of England, though previously deterred by the discountenance of the Home Secretary, proceeded at once to cremate, and has continued to do so since. The same view appears to have been officially taken here, in the Metro- politan General Cemetery Bill, which was introduced by the Government in the Legislative Assembly in 1891, but made no further progress. The existence of this Bill implies that no legal objection to Cremation could be discovered. It provides " for the establishment and management of a Metropolitan General Cemetery " at Frankston, with nine managers ; two to be appointed by the Government, and seven to be elected by the Councils of eighteen city and surburban corporations. £20,000 was to be granted from the consolidated revenue to start with, and the corporations were to contribute .€2500 a year, until the fees to be charged should amount to a sufftcient sum to defray expenses. The cemetery consists of 8008 acres, worth ,€15,000; distance from Melbourne 20 miles. It is 11 1 miles round, and the cost of fencing it has been estimated at X^24,000. More thousands are required for a short branch railway. The Bill provides that the managers may make regulations, to be approved by the Governor in Council, prescribing fees for burials, &c., and also for cremations. Section 71 provides that any one may direct by Will or otherwise, that his body shall be cremated, and that his executors or others may carry his direction into effect, in the cemetery, under-regulations to be made under Section 77. The admission that Cremation is not illegal is something, and the attempt to legalise it is more. But cremation at a distance of 20 miles is useless. There is ample proof that its proper performance within a city admits of no reasonable objection. Persons living next door would not even know that it was in progress, and in itself it is essentially purifying as well as innocuous. Hj^giene demands the reduction to a minimum of the time and distance between the death of the body and its Report of the Cremation Committee. 227 iinal disposal. One weighty objection to burial is, that it must be as far from the city as convenient, notwithstanding the cruel inconvenience and expense to the mourning relatives in the performance of their sacred duties. Their strong claims to sympathy and consideration appear to have been wholly ignored in the Frankston scheme. But in Melbourne now, hundreds of pious mourners visit the graves of their departed relatives weekly, and even more frequently, to plant and carefully tend flowers around them. They would be cruelly debarred from performing this pious duty by the extra cost and time involved in frequent journeys, even by railway, of 52 miles. Cremation would abolish this difficulty entirely. Instead ot having to neglect these duties altogether, or to travel, say weekly or daily to Frankston to fulfil them, they would have the actual pure ashes them- selves, in an elegant urn or other receptacle, in either the mortuary chapel, or family household, where the^y could fulfil their cares and soothe their feelings by daily viewing them, and decking them with fresh flowers. As regards economy, compare a central City Crematory and Mortuary Chapel, costing perhaps £2000 or £3000, and 2s. 6d. or 8s. worth of fuel, and a fee of a guinea, with a Cemetery 26 miles oft', costing for land £15,000, fencing £24,000, and several thousands more for a branch railway to it. But these are of minor importance concerning the state contribution only. The snlient point is, what will be the charges for each funeral to bereaved mourners — the people ? The deaths in Melbourne may now be taken at 10,000 yearly (10,412 in 1889, and 9,207 in 1890, Hayter), i.e., 25 to 28 daily. oPlO is sureh' a low average for ordinar}' funerals now, and transport is always and necessarily, a formidable extra ; and however performed, the 26 miles cannot but add largely to the expense, falling upon the unfortunate moarners in the shape of undertakers' bills, thus augmented by at least 25 or 30 per cent. The fees, also, of unknown amount, would also fall upon them, and to provide the projected embellishments upon the scale hinted at, the fees must be anything but light. Even supposing that the increase altogether might not exceed 50 per cent., £15 for each funeral, multiplied by 10,000, would be at least £150,000 to be paid yearly by the i:>eo2:)le, beside the contribution of the state. Cremation would per- form the whole service for probably £1 Is. each, or £11,000 a year, in a few crematories costing perhaps £2000 each Q 2 228 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. Your Committee for all these reasons confidently recom- mends Cremation as incomparably the best solution of every difficulty, particularly on hygienic, sentimental, and economical grounds. Your Committee, however, also feels called upon to remark here that not only in the Bill in question, but also in the Cemeteries Act of 1890 (No. 1072, now in force), some of the most important facts which should be kept in view in disposing of the dead seem to have been entirely ignored. Its framers appear to rely, with most mistaken confidence, upon hermetically closed coffins and cemented vaults to prevent the escape of the poisonous gases generated in decomposition. This is a fallac3^ Siicli escape cannot he prevented. Your Committee cannot do better than repeat the decisive testimony of Sir John Simon, the eminent Sanitarian (quoted in the Duke of Westminster's letter to the " Times," dated December 9, 1889) : — " The leaden coffin soouer or later yields, and gives vent to its fatal contents. The most successful attempt at hermetical enclosure does not reach beyond ijostponemeut of the effusion through the atmosphere of the products of decomposition. Overcrowding the dead causes the soil to be saturated and supersaturated with decomposing animal matter, polluting the water-springs and vitiating the air ; and it is by the air, vitiated by organic matter undergoing decomposition, that epidemicsand infectious diseases most readily diffuse their poison and multiply their victims." Your Committee has made its deliberate recommendation upon the evidence before it. It is perhaps scarcely necessary to say that that recommendation does not include that those who prefer burial should not be as free as the advocates of cremation to do what they prefer. At the same time, it seems clear that both the j^^to^^c advantages of cremation, and the ])ublic dangers of burial, are infinitely more important and practical than any lorivate predilections either way. (Signed) Llp:wellyn D. Bevan, D.D., Member. J. Talbot Brett, M.D., D. A. Gkesswell, M.D., William C. Kernot, M.A., William Lynch, Orme Masson, M.A., William L. Mullen, M.D., James Edward Neild, M.D., „ G. A. Syme, M.D., H. K. RusDEN, Hon. Secretary. Art. XXI. — Report of the Port Pliillip Biological SuvveAj Committee, 1892. Your Committee regret that tliere are no results to rej)ort as received from the specialists in Eui'ope to whom material was forwarded, though we have information that the work is in hand. During the course of next year, Professor Spencer, who is on the Committee, is visiting Europe, and hopes to arrange for an early publication of the descriptions. Professor Tate, of Adelaide, has returned the specimens of the Nudibranch Mollusca, as he finds himself unable, through pressure of other duties, to undertake their determination. Dr. Dendy has continued liis studies on the Sponges, and has worked out the classification and much of the detailed anatomy of the Calcarea Heterocoela. He is publishing a Synopsis of this work in the Proceedings of our Society, and anatomical accounts in the European journals. Your Committee have incurred no expenses during the year. A. H. S. Lucas, Hon. Secretary. Nov. 8, 1892. MEETINGS OF THE EOYAL SOCIETY. 1892. [N.B. — The remarks and speeches in the discussions are taken down verbatim by a shorthand writer, and afterwards written out at length with a tyjjewritei', for reference and reproduction, if required ; and there- fore, more is seldom given herein than an indication of their general drift. If any person should wisli to refei to the verbatim report, he can api)ly to the Secretary to the Society, who will give him an opportunity of perusing and copjdng it, or if he resides at a distance, so much as he requires will, upon payment of the cost of reproducing it, be forwarded to his address.] ANNUAL MEETING. Thursday, March lOth. The President (Professor Kernot) was in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Election of Office-bearers and Members of Council. The following Office-bearers and Members of Council were duly elected: — President — Professor W. C. Kernot, M.A., C.E. Vice-Presidents— E. J. White, F.R.A.S., and H. K. Kusden, F.R.G.S. Hon. Treasurer— C. R. Blackett, F.C.S. Hon. Librarian — A. Dendy, D.Sc. Hon. Secretaries — Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, M.A., and A. Sutherland, M.A. Members of Council— J. E. Neild, M.D., C. A. 'J^opp, M.A., LL.B., Pj-ofessor Laurie, LL.D., R. L. J. Ellery, F.R.S., G. S. Griffiths, F.R.G.S., Professor Orme Masson, M.A., D.Sc, H. Moors. Rev. E. H. Sugden, B.A., B.Sc. The President referred to the services rendered in past years to the Society by the retiring Librarian, Dr. Neild. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 231 Annual Report. The following Report and Balance Sheet were taken as read, and on the motion of Mr. Ellery, they were adopted:— The Council of the Royal Society herewith presents to the Members of the Society the Annual Report and Balance Sheet for the year 1891. The following meetings were held, and papers read during the session : — On the 1 2th March, at the Ordinary Meeting held after the Annual General Meeting, T. S. Hall, M.A , " On a New Species of Dictyonema ;" A. Dendy, D.Sc, " A Preliminary Account of Synute pidchella, a New Genus and Species of Calcareous Sponge;" T. S. Hall, M.A.. and G. B. Pritchard, ",The Geoloo-y of the Southern Portion of the Moorabool Valley." On the 2nd April, R Etheridge, Jun., F.G.S., and A. Smith Woodward, "On the Occurrence of the Genus Belonostomus in the Rolling Downs Formation of Central Queensland." On the nth June, Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, " On the Anatomy of Geratella fmca ;" A. Dendy, D.Sc, "Additional Observations on the Victorian Land Planarians;" A. H. S. Lucas, M.A., B.Sc, " On a New Species of Fresh Water Fish from Lake Nigothoruk, Mount Wellington, Victoria;" Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, "Land Planarians from Lord Howe Island." ' ■ On the 9th July, A. Dendy, D.Sc, "Description of a New Species of Land Nemertean {Geonemertes australiensis) ;" R. L. J. Ellery, F.R.S., "The Present State of the Inter- national Photographic Charting of the Heavens." On the 13th August, A. Dendy, D.Sc, "On the Mode of Reproduction of Feripattis leuckartii ;" A. Dendy, D.Sc, " Short Descriptions of New Land Planarians;" Professor W. C. Kernot, " Notes on the recent Flood on the Yarra." On the 10th September, G. B. Pritchard, "On a New Species of Graptolitidas ; " A. Dendy, D.Sc, " On the Presence of Ciliated Pits in Australian Land Planarians." On the 8th October, A. H. S. Lucas, M.A., " Notes on the Distribution of Victorian Frogs;" R. L. J. Ellery, F.R.S , " Notes on the Magnetic Shoal near Bezout Island, North West Australia." 232 Pfoceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. On the 12th November, G. S. Giiffiths, F.R.G.S., "The Geology of Barwon Heads ;" A. Dend_y, D.Sc, " Description of some Land Planarians from Queensland." On the lOtli December, Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, " Preliminary Notice of Victorian Earth-worms. Part I— 'J'he Genera Megascolides and Cryptodrilus ;" H. H. Anderson and J. Shephaixl, " Notes on Victorian Rotifers ;" Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, " Note on the Ha.bits of ijeradotus forstei-i." The following Members and Associates were elected during the year : — Members, A. Dudley Dol)son, J. W. Barrett, M.D. ; Country Members, John Desmond, John Dawson ; Associates, W. J. Strettle, W. L. Mullen, M.D., Miss Agnes Ross Murphy. Your Council regrets to ]ia,ve to record the loss b}^ death of the following Members of the Society : — Hon. J. G. Beaney, J. P. Bear, Henry Edwards, Johnson Hick.';, G. LeFevre, M.D., John Wall, Hon. Sir Wm. McLeay. the Right Rev. Charles Perry, D.D. During the course of the year, your Council received witli great regret the resignation of A. W. Howitt. Though this was nece-^sitated by pressure of official duties, it is hoped that Mr. Howitt ma}' before long tind himself again able to take an active part in the work of the Society. A. Dendy, r).Sc., was elected by the Societ}' to fill the vacancy thus created. During the course of the year, also, J. Cosmo Newbery, B.Sc, who was leaving for England on a scientific commission, resigned the Vice-Presidency of the Society, and H. K. Rusden was unanimously elected to fill the vacant office. From 1870-77, and again Irom 1886-91, Mi'. Rusden had been closely identified with the Society in his position as one of the Hon. Secretaries, and in nominating him for the post of Vice-President, the Council expressed its warm appreciation of the services which, in the capacity of Seci-etary, he had rendered to the Society, in the work carried on by which he had taken an important and active share. The Librarian reports the addition to the Library during the year of 1076 publications. It may be noted that a Manuscript Catalogue of the Library has now been drawn up rendering it more available for reference. The Assistant Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 233 Librarian is in constant attendance to afford assistance to those desirous of consulting the volumes. Your Council has had under consideration the exchanges which are made with other Societies and hopes to be able, in the future, to add considerably to the value of these in consequence of the increased amount of publications which now emanate from the Society. The most important publication of the year has been that of Part I of Dr. Dendy's " Monograph of the Victorian Sponges." The Committee appointed by the Council to distribute the collections of animals obtained from Port Phillip experiences very great difficult}'- in obtaining any informa- tion from specialists at home to whom the various collections have been sent for investigation. It hopes, however, to obtain reports during the coming year, and is endeavouring to hasten the work, thougYi this must naturally take a long period of time in completion. The Council desires to place on record its high appreciation of the labours of J. Bracebridge Wilson, Esq., M.A., by whom the collections have almost entirely been made. As will be seen from the list of papers read before the Society during the past year, a considerable numlier of original scientific investigations have been carried on by Members. Your Council trusts that the amount of work recorded in its publications may increase year by year. 234 Proceedings oj the Royal Society of Victoria. o O -> t- o ^ 00 r- H O 00 o >ra ira t- ?0 (M ,_l •a 00 iM 00 ii^ 1 rH C3 ^ Oi (M r-l CD ^ CO 1^ OO 00 00 lO ta 05 rH to '^ t- rH CO CO CO 5-1 >o W o ^ >j u "o S e Ol ^ 1 • i o ■u ^ § " i a g to ^ i o 00 *< •~ CI c i o -tH -V o CO ■^ ~ s O rH 05 CO g "^ qj S : o o o o o o ^ 1 o o CO 00 (M oc '^ . o o o 05 HH . s U3 o CD (M >o o CO I 1 o o o o CO .S q li il o - o o CO 1 & « r^ » K i" g a o 1 o H W z 3 o int in favour of the hypo- thesis of the authors. It seemed to him that the specimens and descriptions all favoured a glacial origin for this bed, but whether one could go further and agree with the authors of the paper, that the bed was of Permian age, was another matter. In arriving at that conclusion, it was necessar}'' to take a number of matters into consideration. In the first 'lUH Frvceedimjs of the Royal Society of Victoria. place, tlie conglomerate was associated with a l)ed of rock which was known to be of Mesozoic age. In the second place, there were no Permian rocks described in Victoria, and it was well known that there was a great break in the sequence, the sandstor.es which were the Upper Devonian rocks being the last rocks met with before reaching the Mesozoic sandstones. There was no such break in the neighbourhood of Sydney, where there was a complete sequence from the Upper Devonian to the Oolite. On the Sydney side the country was sinking and the deposits accumulating, but in Victoria, the other end of the sea-saw, the country' was elevated and erosion was going on. There- fore, in Victoria, one did not look for Permian rocks, and if this were a bed of Permian age, it was an interesting fact which required more evidence than was at present avail- able. Its association with the Mesozoic rocks had led the Government geologists to associate it with the beds above it with regai'd to age, and he did not see any reason for disturbing that conclusion. With regard to the upper glacial deposit, the deposit on top of the Mesozoic sandstone, the rocks in the clay were of the same lieterogeneous character, and included granites and porphyries which were stiiated, and had all the general characteristics of a glacial deposit ; but there was one very great ditterence between the tvfo beds, as had been pointed (jut by Mr. Cresswell. The lower bed lay upon a surface that had liecn smoothed and planed apparently by the action of ice, but the uppe}' bed lay upon a sandstone surface as rugged and rough as a mountain peak; and in the fractu]-es wliich were found in this rugged suriace hard clay, very much like a boulder bed, and rocks, including granites, had been jammed down hard, and presented a very different appearau'ce indeed to the bed which lay below it upon the Silurian. If the upper bed were due to glacial origiu, certainly the circumstances were very different to those of the lower bed. No heavy mass of ice had ever passed over this till, because if it had, it would have planed all the soft sandstone as smooth as the Silurian had been planed below it. Therefore, if it were due to glacial action, the till and rocks must have been deposited where they were now found by the thin edge of the glacier, an edge which had no weight, but which at the same time was sufficieutl}' strong to cai-ry a burden of rocks and tip then; out Iaterall3^ This was a possible explanation. It might also have been caused Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 209 by a veiy small glacier indeed from some steep mountain close by, removed by erosion, the glacier itself" having no v/oight or body, but able to bring down stones and tilt them out. This was a very strong point of difference between the two beds of so-called glacial till. Then, with regard to the age as.signed to the upper body as being Miocene, tie failed to see that there was any evi- dence at present that would enable them to assign such an early age to the bed. Messrs. Officer and Balfour stated that it was overlaid by a Miocene lava, but he understood them now to retract that statement, and to sa}' they believed that the lava was the recent lava which was found all about the little cavities. Miocene lava was found there, but the Government geologists had not rej)resented it as overlying the Mesozoic sandstones, but stated that it was intrusive and pushed its way through. They represented it as pro- jecting from below, and the Mesozoic sandstone lying upon it. The later lava was distributed all over the country, and lay sometimes on the Silurian, and sometimes on the Mesozoic sandstones, and sometimes upon the conglomerates, which had been described by the authors. Therefore, there was no evidence that he could see, which would justify these gentlemen in attributing to this upper boulder clay the age which they had given to it. Their second pro- position was to the effect that the boulders of both these epochs were due to land ice and not to icebergs. With regard to that, the giooves and strite of the Silurian ran from north to south. As Mr. Cresswell had pointed out, that might be produced by the character of the rock itself ; but if there were grooves and strise there, they were just as one would expect to find them, because the highland there was always found to the north of this point, and ice travelling from the mountain cap must ha\*e taken a n(jrth and south dii-ection. Had these marks been produced by the grounding of icebergs, one would expect to find some- thing quite different. Icebergs would travel first of all upon the general trend of the coast, which was from west to east. They would travel with the currents of those seas, and as the prevailing winds in this locality were from west to east, so the currents were from west to east, and one would expect to find the icebergs travelling with the currents and with the winds and along the coast line, all three of which ran from west to east. Therefore, if they produced any strife at all, theSe stria? would run from west to east. But 270 P rucecdiiKjti of Ihe lioi/ai Soclely of Yiclorhi. it was known that icebergs when they grounded did not produce strict, in fact could not do so. When an iceberg grounded it swung round on its heel, and if it produced an_y marks at all on the rock, in the first place it bruised the rocks, and in the second ]:)hice the rocks which had been embodied in the iceberg and touched the rocky bottom in the bed of the sea, produced marks wliich were arcs of circles. Icebergs never made straight lines. Then there was another line of argument, which to his mind entirely disposed of the iceberg theory. The Mesozoic sandstone was essentially of fresh or brackish water formation. The only fossils found in the Mesozoic, were two fresh water mollusca and the vegetable remains of ferns. A])art from this, the form.ation liad all the characteristics of sedi- mentary beds which had been formed in a lake. It was known to most geologists, that the Mesozoic sandstone was a fresh water lake deposit. Our mountains at the time it was formed were very much higher than they are now, and a series of lakes were formed between their shelving sides, and as the lakes got tilled up with the sand which now formed the Mesozoic sandstone, the water rose higher.' There was very little doubt that it was never anything else than a shallow fresh water lake, perhaps of considerable dimensions. He would like to knovv how icebergs were going to float in fresh shallow water. An icebeig had one part above water and eight parts below. How were icebergs to float ? This was not a marine deposit, and although 2500 feet in thickness, we might depend upon it this Mesozoic sandstone had accumulated gradually, and as it accumulated at the bottom of the lake, the water had risen. No iceberg ever could have floated in these waters, and therefore, in his opinion, no icebergs could ever have caused these marks. There was also another important piece of evidence that should not be disregarded. Around all the remains of all these ancient lakes in Victoria, below the sandstone bed was found a bed of conglomerate. This was apparently the case at Bacchus Marsh, with regard to the conglomerate under discussion. The officers of the Government Geological Survey attributed the bottom member to the action of the water on the coast. Wherever the margin of this sandstone was found, the conglomerate was found under it. On the whole, the evidence was rather favourable to a glacial origin for the bottom deposits at Bacchus Marsh, and he attributed them to land ice,* not to icebergs. Proceedings of flie Royal Society of Vicfoiid. 271 With regard to the third proposition, that the immersion of the Continent sufficient to tioat icebergs would reduce the land sui'tkce to such a small area that it would iuive a mild insular climate. If tliese beds were due to a deposit in the lakes, they were not due to immersion in the ocean, and the argument of the authors fell through, because the^v assumed that the high-water level was the high-water level of the ocean, whereas it appeared to him to be th(- high-water level of various fresh-water lakes. Mr. Dexis'ANT said he would allude princi[)ail3' to the claim made by these gentlemen for a post-Miocene glacial epoch, or at any rate, even if not j)ost-Miocene, some portion of the Tei"tinrv time, which would include the Eocene, Miocene, and Pliocene. Consequently, if there were glaciers in Victoria at that time, the climate must have been a cold one, for it would be impossible to have a glacier with the temperature the same as at present. If we started with the Eocene, it was well known that there was a very rich fauna in the Eocene, perhaps the richest of any found in any part of tlie world, but it was essentially a tropical fauna, and no one who had examined the launa of the Eocene period would doubt ibr a moment but that he was in the same latitudes as the West Indies and the Tropics generally. Passing from the Eocene to the Miocene, the climate was certainly getting cooler, but was still very much warmer even than our present climate. The shells indicated a climate becoming more and more like the present, but ver}' far indeed from being a glacial one. Passing to the Pliocene, during the last twelve years, two very rich marine deposits had been found in the Pliocene, one in the older Plioceiie near Adelaide, and another in the west of our own Colony, at Limestone Creek ; in each of these there was a rich fauna. The climate indicated was slightly colder than that of the Miocene, and in both deposits was found a large number of living shells. In the late Pliocene or almost Pleistocene of Victoria, the living shells amounted to 81 per cent., but they were not those generally found on the present shores of Victoria, or of Southern Australia, but those more frequently found living in the northern pai'ts of the Continent. Consequently, at the time they were deposited the climate was warmer than now, and approximated to the climate of the northern parts of the Continent. It might be concluded that in the older 272 Froceedin'js of fl/c Ihiijal Sociefy of Victoria. Tertiary ])eriof the Roijal Society of Victoria. 275 (Carboniferous times there was a distinct break in tlie flora, and at the close of Perrao-carboniferous times there was also a distinct break in the flora. He was inclined to agree with Mr. Pritchard with regard to the Mesozoic sandstones. They had been assigned to Mesozoic age, simply on the evidence (if tin-ee species of Gangamopteris. Seeing that these occurred associated with Glossopteris in Permo-carboniferous beds in New South Wales, and, as it had been stated by Professor David that Gangamopteris was a more primitive form than Glossopteris, it would almost seem as if these beds were of an earlier age than Mesozoic. Mr. Griffiths had also said he did not think that an}^ ice ever passed over the till at the quarry where the Iractui-e in the sandstone occurred. On liis last visit to the same quarry, he had found a similar fracture filled with till-bearing striated stones at a much higher level, and about half-a-mile further up the creek there was a great thickness of this till, exposed at a height between sixty or seventy feet. If that had been accumulated under a glacier, the glacier which could have accumulated it must have extended much further down the valley, and it was probable it did over-ride these stones. The sandstone rock was very soft, and woukl not show strise. It had been subjected to much denudation. The rocks also dipped at a considerable angle up to 35 degrees, and a glacier coming down the v.Jley of soft sandstone would be i-ather likely to fracture them and give them a rugged appearance. On the whole, he did not think anything had been said which would lead them to suppose these deposits were due to anything else than glacier ice. Mr. Steele read a paper on "The Conductivity of Cop])er Sulphate Solutions." The President said that as it was now past ten o'clock, the other papers would be held over till the next meeting. Thur-sdai/, Septntiher Sth. The President (Professor Kehnot) in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Hogg signed the Roll Book and was introduced to the members. 276 Pi-oceedingn of tlie lioijal Socleti/ of Victoria. Mr. Fi-edrick Cliamljerlain and Mi-. Alfred Stilhvell were elected Members, and Mr. A. Purdie, M.A., and Mr. W. H. Steele, M.A., Associates. The PiiKSlDENT welcomed to the meeting Proi'essoi' Haswell, of the University of Sydney, and President of tlip Linnasan Society of New South Wales. The Librarian's re|)ort showed that 1)8 new volumes had been added to the Library. Dr. Barrett read a papei- on "Snake-bite." In reply to Mr. Ellery, Dr. Barrett paid that snake-bite was usually not a dangerous affection in Victoria. The natural remedy for a severe bite was the expulsion of the poison by downward bandaging. He thought a great deal was to be said in favour of strychnine. Mr. Elleuy instanced two cases of recovery from snake- bite, but in one case the man was subject to epilepsy ever afterwards. In the other case, injections of ammonia had the effect of causing a cure. In reply to a question by Dr. Brett, as to the length of time taken in the absorption of the poison, Dr. Barrett said it was impossible to state how long it would take for the poison to take effect if it were injected into the sub-cutaneous tissue. If the poison were shot into the vein, no bandaging would save the patient. Mr. Hogg considered that ammonia and strychnine were not antidotes, strictly speaking, but merely had the effect of making a patient recover from a comatose state. Mr. Fenton said that in Victoria in ten years there were thirty-eight deaths from snake-bite, but a great many of those were insignificant bites. Not more than about six of those cases were over twenty years of age. The I'emainder were all young children. In India there were 22,000 deaths from snake-bite, and that would give about ninety ])er mean of population. Dr. Jamieson said that no statistics wei'e kept of the number of cases of snake-bite. His impression was, that real cases of snake-bite were nmch less irequent than the supposed cases, and the symptoms usually presented by those su])j)osed to liax'e been bitten were not due to snak(^- I'roceediiuis of the Royal Socieiy of Victoria. Til l)ite at all. The stiyelniine treatment for real snake-bite was not at all irrational. The poison could not be extracted once it was absorbed, but the patient could be kept alive by stimulants — alcohol, ammonia, or strychnine. The last was a rational remedy if cautiousN^ used, and if the patient could lie kept alive for a sufficient length of time the poison would be thrown off b}^ the kidneys, or might be rendered inert by the action of the liver. The injection of permanganate of ))Otash was to his mind an irrational mode of treatment. It interfered with the circulation, and it could only act on the poison by meeting it on the spot were it existed and destroying it in a chemical way, as any similai- substance would" be destroyed in the test tube. It was, therefore, haphazardous ti-eatment, as it was uncertain if the permanganate would meet the poison. The time occupied in injecting the ]»ermanganate might be utilised to better advaiitage by excision of the bitten part, or by suction or pressure. Mr. Lucas was of opinion that the best thing to do was to keep the [tatient alive, if i)ossible, by sCimulants, until the ])roteid was ox\'dised. Professor Haswkll agreed with Dr. Barrett as to the i'allacy of statistics on this subject. He was of opinion that the only light on the matter was to be obtained by means of experiments on animals carefully conducted, with very careful and accurate weighing and measuring of the poison and the antidotes, and the effects of both. He was glad to announce that there was a prospect of some results being oVitained from experiments of this nature. Dr. Martin, Demonstrator (jf Physiology at tlie Sydney University, was engaged in researches as to the etfects of the poison of the Australian snakes. Mr. Frost had some experience in estimating the time occui)ied by the poison in circulating through the system. He had caused a tiger snake to bite a rat, and the rat was dead in a minute and a half. It was probable that the poison was injected into the vein. The tiger snake ))ossessed fully three times more poison than any other snake. He had seen a tiger snake emit poison at the third successive bite which would be sufficient to kill a small animal. It was difficult in experiments with small animals to estimate the amount of strychnine necessary to kill 278 Proceedhi(/s of the Roycd Societij of Victoria. the animal. After injecting sti-ychnine into a rat, the rat recovered from snake-bite, hut afterwards it died from the effects of the strychnine. Dr. Barrett said that in the Medical Journal for 187(5 would be found a collection of replies to a circular issued by Dr. McCrae to medical men. He got a return of 253 cases of .snake-bite, and 10 per cent, had died without any treatment. It was interesting to note that Australian snakes ejected only a small quantity of poison, while the Indian snake ejected a very large quantit}^ It was a question whether the doses were in proportion to the size of the animals met with by the snakes. In India of course the animals would be much larger than those met with in Australia. He agreed with the opinion expressed by Piofessor Hasweli, that careful experimenting in the labora- tory is the only means of settling the question as to the size of the doses. Professor Spencer read some notes on "The Structure of the Poison Fang in certain Australian Snakes." Professor Haswell said that he had an opportunity of inspecting Professor Spencer's sections, and there could be no doubt that they proved his deductions. A paper b}^ Mr. A. J. Campbell, F.L.S., on "Three Rare Species of Eggs," was then taken as read. Dr. Dendy read a paper on a " Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoela, with a pi-opused Classification of the Group and Descriptions of some New Genera and Species." An exhibition of specimens followed, and the meeting terminated. Thursdaij, October VMh. Mr. White (Vice-President) m the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. Dendy read the Librarian's Report, which showed that 110 new publications had been added to the Library. A paper by Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., on " Two New Tertiary Stylasterids," was read by Mr. Pritchard. Mr. Pritchard considered that the paper was very interesting, on account of its being the first description of Proceedliu/s of the Roijal Socletu of Victoria. 27i) Stj-lasterids from Australian Tertiaries. Since looking over Mr. Hall's paper, he had found numerous Stylasterids in his own collection. Dr. Dendy read notes on " The Method of Reproduction of Geonemertes australiensis." Mr. E. F. J. Love, M.A., exhibited and exjilained Professor Rowlands' Photogra})hs of the Solar Spectrum. Thursday, Novemher \Oth. The President (Professor Kernot) in the Chair. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and coniirmed. Professor A. Liversidge, F.R.S., was elected an Honor;uy Member. Mr. Steele signed the book, and was introduced to the Members ; Mr. Isaac Tip])ing, C.E., was nominated as an Associate. The following Members, composing the Antarctic Com- mittee, were re-elected : — The President, and Messi's. Ellery, Rusden, and Griffiths. The following Members, composing the Port Phillip Biological Committee, were re elected : — Professor Spencer, Dr. Dendy, Rev. A. W. Cresswell, and Messrs. Bale, Lucas, McGiilivray, and Bracebridge Wilson. The Members composing the House Committee, with Mr. Blackett as Convener, were re-elected. Mr. Love presented and read the Report of the Gravity Survey Committee.* The President and Professors Lyle and Masson, and Messrs. Elleiy, White, and Love, were re-elected as Members of Conmiittee. The Preside^it explained that the apparatus which had been used by the Committee, and which was set uj) in the Observator}', was in perfect order and fit for use. Mr. W. H. Steele, M.A., read a paper on " Physical Constants of Tliallium." Mr. Love said the paper was a valuable contribution to electrical science. It liad bi'ought out an important point, * ]'ide Supra, p. 218. '280 Proceeding.s of the Royal Society of Victoria. iiaineh', that silver wire as now ()l)tained is very mucli more pure, and altogether very much better than what was supposed to be pure silver twenty -five years ago. The metal J\latheson worked with iu making the experiments for the British Association, was supposed to he the purest that could be got, and up to the present that had never been dis|)uted, l>ut after Mr. Steele's work there need be no hesitation in asserting that silver Aviro had been produced in this Colony of a, considerably higher degree of purity than what was supposed to be chemically {)ure some years ago. Profi-snr Masson desired to know what steps Mr. >Steele took tii ascertain the degree of purity of his Thallium. He also wished to know how far Mr. Steele's coefficient of specific resistance agreed with Mathesoii's determiii;Uiou of some yeai's ago. Ml-. Steele said he was not then in a |:)osition to reply to the ([uestioti relating to the degree of purity of his Thallium. As to the conductivity- of Thallium, the '•Dictionary of Uhenustry" referred to it, hut the results were not given with absolute certainty. According to the fig-nves he had ([Uoted in his pai)er, the conductivity of Thalliuui is slightly better than lead, but a great deal worse than tin. Mr. Bl.yckett considered that the lead used by Mr. Steele, being ordinary commercial lead, would have gi\-en better results if it had been purified by re-crystallisation. Mr. Steele said that the purity of the lead made no difference. He merely measured the specih'c resistance of lead, and he might have used an alh\y. The PiiESiDENT said that the elasticity of the Constants was of interest. 'vlr. Steele believed that the jjarticular specimen of Thallnmi he had used, was imported into the Colony for the pur[)i).se of having its elasticity tested, and that had been ilone l>y Mr. William Sutherhuid, prioi' to his use of the s{K:'ciu;cn. A paper (~»n "'flu; Lichenology of Victoria. Part I," by the Rev. F. R. M. Wilson, was presented by Mr. \V. H. Arclier. F. L.S., and taken as read. Proceedliujs of thr lii>i/nl ^Societij of Vicforia. •281 ill-. D. McAlpink road notos i)re[)are(I by biuiself and Mr. P. W. Farmer, M.B., Ch. B., "On a Poisonous Species (if Honieria found at Pascoe Vale, causing the death of <'attle and otlier animals feedinti,' ujiou it." Mr. Blackett, ill lej)!}' to the President, explained that Mr. Wilkinson, with his assistance, had been making an iiivestigati()n of the plant, and lie was contident that there was no trace of alkaloid in it. They did not liope to isolate any particular poison from the plant. The corrosion of the mucous membrane of the cow's stomach, wdiich was rt'ferred to in the paper, ought, if it existed, to be detected from the extract. He di'ank a s[)Oonful of the extract, but it did not produce any after effect, alth(»ugh he found it disagreeable and nauseous Air. McAlpine said that the symptoms couhl be better explainetl when the chemical analysis was completed, and a second paper would be presented when that was done. Altiiough two extracts had lieen experimented on with negative results, yet there was the fact that the rabbits had died. The corrosion of the stomachs of the animals that had eaten the [jlant was a surprising thing, and he hoped that chemical anal3^sis would throw light on the symptoms recorded in the notes. Mr. White asked if the plants were more dangerous at certain seasons than at others. Mr. McAlpine said that in West Australia, at certain ^'asons, it was known not to cause death. Cows seemed to I void the plant. Mr. White said that might prove that the flowers and not the leaves were poisonous. Mr. McAlpine thought that the bulbous part contained the Doison. Thitrsdaij, Becember blh. The Pi'esident (Professor Keiixot) occupied the chair. The minutes of the ])receding meeting were read and ■ontirmeil. Mr. Isaac 'J'lpping was ballotted for as a Member, and Icclar.'d duly elected. 282 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. Rev. F. R. M. Wilson and Mr. P. W. Fanner were nomin- ated as Members. The President said that Mr. Lucas, who had been well known to those present for many years past as a member ot the Society, and a writer of valuable papers, and also as a Member of the Council, was about to leave the Colony, having accepted the headmastership of the xs'ewingtou College in Sydney. He thought that ever}' member would agree with him when he said they were veiy sorry indeed to lose Ml-. Lucas. He trusted that his removal to Sydney would be a step in the direction of prosperity and emolument, and in the name of the Society he wished Mr. Lucas every happiness, prosperity, and success in the new sjjhere which he was about to fill. He did not know whether he would continue his connection with this Society, or whether his contributions would fall into the hands of the Ro3'al Society of New South Wales. He might, perhaps, be ])ermitted to express a liope that he would not be in a ver}' great hurry to abandon the Royal Society of Victoria for that of the sister Colony. Mr. Lucas said, I thank you very much, Mr. President and Gentlemen, for the very kind way in which you have taken leave of me. I have not the remotest intention ot severing ni}' connection with this Society. I should be very sorry indeed to lose touch with the many friends and fellow workers, the advantage of whose society I have enjoyed during the last ten years. I have every confidence in the future of this Society, and no one will watch its progi-ess and success with more interest and pleasure than myself Dr. Dendy, the Hon. Librarian, reported that 77 publica- tions hail been received since the last meeting. The liberality of the Council had enabled them to send !)o complete volumes to the binder. Professor Spencer said that, according to the rules of the Society, the Officers, and some of the Members of the Council i-etired, but were eligible for re-election. He miglit say it was no use nominating Mr. Sutherland to the position of Secretary for the following year, as he was about to leave the Colony for an extended visit to Europe, and would not be able to serve the Society for the next three years. So far as he (Professor Spencei') was concerned, he did not want to sever his connection with the Council, if he could help it. FroeeediiKjs of the Roj/al Soc/eti/ of Victor ia. 2So He woiiIJ be at the fii'st meeting next year, but not at any of the subsequent ones. He thought it miglit, perhaps, be lett with the Council to appoint someone to do his work while he was away. The President thought it would be wise to fall in with Professor Spencer's request. If the Society gave him leave of absence to visit Europe, he would still remain Secretary to the Society, and as the Society's Secretary might be able to represent the Society to the Societies of Europe and America, and thus do useful work. Dr. Barrett said the Medical Society had a custom of empowering all distinguished members visiting Europe to represent the Society at all scientific gatherings. A written document to that effect was given, and was veiy often found iiseful in travelling. He tliought it the very least this Society could do. Mr. Hogg moved, "That Professor Spsncer be granted leave of absence to visit Europe and America, and that he be empowered by a suitable letter to represent this Society at the meetings of other Societies and scientific bodies." Dr. Barrett seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. White .said it often happened that, by the 1st Mai'ch, scarcely one nomination had been received, and to save the Council from the invidious position of always nominating themselves, he would suggest that some gentleman present, who was not a Member of tlie Council, would move that the old Officers and retiring Members of Council, should be re-elected as far as possible. This would not prevent other nominations, if any, being received before the 1st March. Mr. Lucas nominated all the i-etiring Members of Council who were eligible for re-election. Mr. F. A. Campbell seconded the nomination. Professor SPE^X'ER nominated Mr. Hogg as a Member of the Council. Dr. Dekdy seconded the nomination. Mr. White nominated Mr. F. A. Campbell as a Member of the Council. Mr. Griffiths seconded the nomination, Mr. Griffiths said it had been suggested to him that it would be only a giaceful act on the part of tlie Society to 2N I ProceeJii)>js of the R(>>fal Uncldy of Victoria. ackiiowk-dge tlie services oi Mr. Sutberland as Secretary, and he begoed to move, " 'J^hat we ]jlace upon the minutes the Society's appreciation of the services of Mr. Sutherland, and regret that lie is about to leave us for some time." Mr. RusDKN seconded the motion, which was carried. A pa[>er entitled "Some Fallacious Observations on Sneezing'' was read by Dr. J. W. Bauiiett. The PhksI!)i:.\t said that having done a good deal of sneezing himself during the past fortnight, since the grass had become dry and the smell of hay had been about, his im|)ression was tliat a large portion if not the v/hole of the blast (-fair came through the mouth. Dr. JamikS()N said that like most people he had been led by his reading to think that sneezing wasapurjiosive act, carried out with a view to expelling some foreign body from the nose. Since talking to Dr. Barrett about it, however, he had made liUservations for himself, and had conie to the conclusion that, as a matter of fact, in the act of sneezing the air was exploded thr convulsions. The child's violent struofglings, and the comatose condition which followed, haistol shot, fired alongside a person about to sneeze, would pi-obably |))it an end to the sneeze. Dr. Dendy then read a note on a " New S))eeies of Leu- cosolenia from the Neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads." The meeting then terminate^]. LAWS. Amended to December, 1892. I. Tlie Society shall be called "The Royal Society Name. of Victoria." II. The Royal Society of Victoria is founded for oiyeots. the advancement of science, literature and art, with especial reference to the development of the resources of the countr}^ III. The SocietN' shall consist of Ordinary Members Mombeisand residing vi^ithin ten miles of Melbourne ; Country ^^"•"^'■'*'^'^- Members residing be3^on(l that distance : Life Members (Law XXV), Honorary Members (Law XXIV), Corresponding Members (Law LII), and Associates (Laws XXV, XXVI, and LIII), ail of whom shall be elected by ballot. IV. His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, for Patron, the time being, shall be invited to accept the office of Patron of the Society. V. There shall be a President, and two Vice-Presi- officers. dents, who, with twelve other Members, and the following Honorary Officers, viz.. Treasurer, Librarian, and two Secretaries of the Society, shall constitute the (Council. V[. The Council shall have the management of the Management. atfai)-s of the Society. VII. The Ordinary Meetings of the Society shall be o.dhiary held once in every month during the Session, from ^«*>"gs. March to December inclusive, on days fixed and subject to alteration by the Council with due notice. VIII. In the second week in March, there shall be Annual General an Annual General Meeting, to receive the report of " ''^ "'^^• the Council, and elect the Officers of the Society for the ensuing year. IX. All Office-bearers and Members of Council iiethementof except the .six junior or last elected Members, shall retire from office at the Annual General Meeting in March. Should a senior Member's seat become vacant U Ortioer 290 Proceed in letter addressed to one of the Secretaries, and received by him before the 1st March, to be laid before the Council Meeting- next before the Annual Meeting in March. The nomination to any one office shall be held a nomina- tion to any office, the election to which is to be subsequently held. No ballot shall take place at any meeting unless ten members be present. XL No Member, whose subscription is in arrear. shall take part in the election of Officers or other business of the meeting. XIL An address shall be delivered b}' the President of the Society at eithei- a Dinner, Conversazione, or extra meeting of the Society, as the Council may determine in ea.ch year. XIII. If any vacancy occur among the Officers, notice thereof shall be inserted in the summons for the next meeting of the Society, and the vacancy shall be then filled up by ballot. XIV. The President shall take the chair at all meetings of the Society and of the Council, and shall regulate and keep order in all their proceedings ; he shall state questions and pi-opositions to the meeting, and re])ort the result of })allots, and carr^' into efi'ect the regulations of the Society. In the absence of the President, the chair shall be taken l)y one of the Vice- Presidents, Treasurer, or Ordinary Member of Council, in order of seniority. Laivs. 291 XV. The Treasurer may, imuiediatel}' after lii.s Duties of election, appoint a Collector (to act dnrini^' ]»leasare), subject to the approval of the Council at its next meeting. The iluty of tiie Collector shall be to issue the Treasurer's notices, and collect subscriptions. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys ])aid to the Societ}', and shall deposit the same before the end of each month in the bank approved by the Council, to the credit of an account opened in the name of the Royal Society of Victoria. The Treasurer shall make all pay- ments ordered by the Council on receiving a written authoiity fiom the chaiiinan of the meeting. All cheques shall be signed by himself, and countersigned by one of the Secretaries. No payments shall be made except by cheque, and on the authority of the Council. He shall keep a detailed account of all receipts and expenditure, present a report of the same at each Council meeting, and prepare a balance-sheet to be laid before the Council, and included in its Annual Report. He shall also produce his books whenever called upon to do so by the Council. XVI. The Secretaries shall share their duties as they Dutiesof may find most convenient. One or other of them shall conduct the correspondence of the Society and of the Council, attend all meetings of the Society and of the Council, take minutes of theii' proceedings, and enter them in the proper books. He shall inscribe the names and addresses of all Members and Associates in a book to be kept for that purpose, from which no name shall be erased except by order of the Council. He shall issue notices of all meetings of the Society and of the Council, and shall have the custody of all papers of the Society, and, under the direction of the Council, superintend the jirinting of the Transactions of the Society. XVII The Council shall meet on any day within one .Meetings of week before every Ordinary Meeting of the Society. Notice of such meeting shall be sent to every Member at least two days previou.sly. No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the Council unless five Members be present. Any Member of Council absent- ing himself from three consecutive meetings of Council, withntirmed. Laws. 295 New Members and Associates to enroll their names, and be introduced. Ballot for the election of new Members or Associates. Vacancies among officers, if any, to be filled up. Business arising out of the minutes. Communications from tlie Council. Presents to be laid on the table, and acknowledged. Motions, of which notice has been given, to be considered. Notice of motion for the next meeting to be given in and read by one of the Secretaries. Papers to be read. XXIX. No stranger shall speak at a meeting of the stranger. Society unless specially invited to do so by the Chairman. XXX. Every paper before being read at any Papera to be first meeting mast be submitted to the Council. comlciL'* XXXI. The Council may call additional meetings Additional whenever it may deem it necessiiry to do so. ^^ "'^^' XXXII. Every Member may introduce two visitors visitors, to the meetings of the Society by orders signed by himself. XXXIII. Members and Associates shall have the Members may privilege of reading before the Society accounts of '*'^* papeis. experiments, observations, and researches conducted by themselves, or original papers, on subjects within the scope of tlie Society, or descriptions of recent dis- coveries, or in\entions of general scientific interest. No vote of thanks to any Member or Associate foi' his paper shall be proposed. XXXIV. If a Member or Associate be unable to or depute oiher attend for the purpose of reading his paper, he may delegate to any Member of the Society the reading thereof, and his right of reply. XXXV. Any Member or Associate desirous of Members must reading a paper, shall give in writing to one of the thlir"pape'is" 2i)(; ['rocecdiiKjs of lioijal Soclefij of Victoria. Seci'etai'ies, ten clay.s before the meeting at which he desires it to be I'ead, its title and the time its reading will occupy. Papers by XXX VJ. The Council may tor an 3' special reason laiigeis. permit a paper such as is described in Law XXXIII, not written by a member of the Society, to be read by one of the Secretaries or other Members. Papers beioug to XXXVII. Evcry papei' read befn-e the Society shall the Society. |^^ ^^^^ y)roperty thereof, and immediately after it has been read shall be delivered to otie of the Secretaries, and shall remain in his custody. Papers must be XXXVIII. No paper shall be read before tlie original. Socict^' or published in the Ti-ansactions unless approved by the Council, and unless it consist mainly of origmal matter as regards the facts or the theories enunciated. Couuciiraay XXXIX. The Couticil may refer an\' j:)aper to any Mfmberr'^*" Member oi- Members of the Society, to re]X)rt upon the desirability of printing it. Rejeote.i XL. Should tlic Couucll dccidc not to publish a reTunied ^^ paper, it shall be at ' and tlie Treasurer for the time being, in trust for the use of the Society ; but the Council shall hav^e full control over the expenditure of the funds and management of the property of the Society. XLVI. Every Committee appointed by the Society committbe.s shall at its first meeting elect a Chairman, who shall chaUmau subsequently convene the Committee and briiig up its report. He shall also ol)tain from the Treasurer such grants as wv^y have been voted for the purposes of the Committee. XLVII. All Committees and individuals to whom Heiwrt before any work has been assigned by the Society shall pre- sent to tlie Council, not later than the 1st of November in each year, a report of the progress which has been made ; and, in cases ^here grants of mone}^ for scientific purposes have been entrusted to them, a statement of the sums which have been expended, and the balance of each grant which remains unexpended. Every Com- mittee shall cease to exist at the November meeting, imless then re-appointed. XLVIII. Grants of pecuniary aid for scientific pur- Grants e.xpi re. poses from the funds of the Society shall expire on the 1st of March next following, unless it shall appear by a report that the recommendations on which they were granted iiave been acted on, or a contiiuiation of them be ordered by the Council. XLIX. In grants of money to Committees and indi- Peis.mai viduals, the Society shall not pay any personal expenses uVne pali"*^ which may be incurred by the Members. L. No new law, or alteration or repeal of an exist- Alterations of ing law, shall be made except at the Annual General Meeting in March, or at a Special General Meeting summoned for the purpose, as provided in Law XIX, and in pursuance of notice given at the preceding Ordinary Meeting of the Society. LI. Should any circumstance arise not provided for Cases not in these Laws, the Council is empowered to act as may p''°^i'^«^* ^o' seem to be best for the interests of the Society. 298 Proccedln(js of l{o>/al Societ// of Vicloria. LIT. The Council shall have power to propose gentlemen not resident in Victoria, for election in the same manner as Ordinary Members, as Corresponding Members of the Society. Tlie Corresponding Members shall contribute to the Society papers which may he received as those of Ordinary Members, and shall in return be entitled to receive copies of the Society's publications. LIII. Associates shall have the privileges of Members in respect to the Society's publications, in joining the Sections, and at the Ordinary Meetings, with the excej)- tion, that tliey shall not have the power of voting; they shall also not be eligible as Officers of the Society. MEMBERS OF £l)c ^icrnal Botictn of yictoria Pat I! ox. Ho])etoun, His Excellency The Kiglit Hon. John Adrian Louis Hope, G.C.M.a., Seventh Earfof. HONOKAHY MemBEKS. Agnew, Hon. J. \V., M.E.O., M.!)., Hobart, Tasmania. Bancroft, J., E^sq , M.D., Brisbane, Queensland. Clarke, Colonel Sir Andrew, K.C.M.G., C.B., C.I.E., London. Forrest, Hon. J., C.M.G., Surveyor-General, West Australia. Hector, Sir James, K.C.M.G., M.D., E.R.S., Wellington, K.Z. Liveisidge, Professor A., F.R.S., Univer.sity, Sydney. Neumeyer, Professor George, P!i. 1)., Hainburg, Germany. Russell, H. C, Esq., F.R.S., F.R.A.S., Observatory, Sydney, KS. W. Scott, Rev. W., M.A., Kurrajong Heights, N.S.W. Todd, Charles, Esq., C.M.G., F.R.A.S., Adelaide, S.A. Verbeek, Dr. R D. M., Buitenzorg, Batavia, Java. Life Membeus. Bage, Edward, jun., Esq., Crawford, Fulton-street, St. Kilda. Barkly, His Excellency Sir Henry, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., Carlton Club, London. Bosisto, Joseph, Esq., C.M.G., Richmond. Butters, J. S., Esq., 323 Collins-street. Eaton, H. F., Esq., Treasury, Melbourne. Elliott, T. S., E.sq., Railway Department, Spencer-street. Elliott, Sizar, Esq., J.P., Were-strcet, Biighton Beach. Fowler, Thomas W., Esq., Carlyle-street, Upper Hawthorn.- (iibbons, Sidney W., Esq., F.C.S., care of Mr. Lewis, Chemist, 341 Bourke street. Gilbert, J. E., Esq., Money Order OtRce, G.P.O. Melbourne. 300 Proceed ln(js of the Royal Society of Victoria. Hovvitt, Edward, Esq., Piathinine.s-iortd, Auburn. Love, E. F. J., Esij., M.A., Queen's (Jollege, University. Mueller, ikron F. Von, K.C.M.G., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S., Arnold- street, South Yarra. Nicholas, William, Esq., E.G.S., Melbourne University. Rusden, 11. K., Esq., F.R.G.S., Ockley, Marlton Crescent, St. Kilda. Selby, (Jr. W., Esq., 99 Que^n-street. White, E. J., Esq., F.R.A.S., Melbourne Observatory. Wilson, Sir Samuel, Knt., Oakleigh Hall, East St. Kilda. Ordinary Members. Allan, Alexander C, Esq., Fitzroy-street, St. Kilda. Allan, M. J., Esq., 17 Delbridge-street, North Fitzroy. Archer, W. H., Esq., J.P., F.L.S., F.I.A., Alverno, Grace Park, Hawthorn. Bage, William, Esq., M.I.C.E., 319 Collins-street. Baltbui-, Lewis J., Esq., Tyalla, Toorak. Barnard, F., Esq., 49 High-street, Kew. Barnes, Benjamin, Esq., Queen's Terrace, South Melbourne. Barracchi, Pietro, Esq., R.E. and C.E. Italy, F.R.A.S. Eng., Observatory, Melbourne. Barrett, J. W., Esq., M.D., 34 Collins-street. Bevan, Rev. L. D., LL.D., D.D., Congregational Hall, Russell- street. Beckx, Gustave, Esq., Queen's Place, St. Kilda Ptoad. Bennetts, W. R., jun., Esq., 129 Rathdovvn-street, Carlton. Blackett, C R., Esq., J. P., F.C.S., Charlesfort, Tennyson-street, South St. Kilda. Brett, J. Talbot, Esq., M.R.C.S., S5 Collins-street. Campbell, F. A., Esq., C.E., Working Men's College, Latrobe- street. Candlei-, Samuel Curtis, Esq., Melbourne Club. Cohen, Joseph B., Esq., A.R.I.B.A., Public Works Department, Melbourne. Coane, J. M., Esq., C.E., care of Coane and Grant, Fourth Floor, Prell's Building.s, Queen-street. Danks, John, Esq., 391 Bourke-street. David.son, William, Esq., C. E., Inspector-General of Public Works, Melbourne. Lid of Members. 801 Dendy. Arthur, Esq., D.Sc, F.L8., Uuivei-.sity, Melbourne. Deiinaiit, T., Esq., JFG.S., F.C.S., Lyiidlmr.st Crescent, Hawthorn, Dunn, Frederick, Esq., 306 Littk^ Fliiiders-street Ellery, R. L. J., Esq., O.M.(i., F.R.S., F.R.A.S., Observatory, Melbourne. Foord, George, Esq., F.C.S., Royal Mint, Melbourne. F'ox, W., Esq., U Robe-street, St. Kilda. Goldstein, J. R. Y., Esq., Office of Titles, Melbourne. Gotch, J. S., Esq., 109 All>ert-street, East Melbourne. Griffiths, G. S., Esq., F.R.G.S., Waratah, Washington-street, Toorak. Grut, Percy de Jersey, Esq., E. S. & A. C, Bank, Collins-street West. Hake, C. N., Esq., F.C.S., Melbourne Club, Melbourne. Halley, Rev. J. J., Congregational Hall, Russell-street. Hart, Ludovico, Esq., i) Tivoli-road, South Yarra. HefFernan, E. B., Esq , M.D., 10 Brunswick-street, Fitzroy. Hogg, H. R., Esq., ] 6 Market Buildings, Flinders Lane West. Hewitt, A. W., Esq., P.M., F.G.S., Secretary Mines Department, Melbourne. Inskip, Geo. C, Esq., F. R.I.B.A., St. James' Buildings, William- street. Jager, Ernest, Esq., North-street, Ascot Vale. James, E. M., Esq., M.R.C.S., 2 Collins-street. Jamieson, James, Esq., M.D., 56 Collins-street. Joseph, R. E., Esq., Electric Light Company, Sandridge-road, Melbourne. Kernot, Professor W. C, M.A., C.E., University, Melbourne. Lucas, A. H. S., Esq., M.A., B. Sc, Newington College, Sydney, New South Wales. Lucas, William, Esq., 113 Leopold-street, South Yiirra. Lyle, Professor T. R., M.A., University, Melbourne. Lynch, William, Esq., St. James' Buildings, William-street. M'Coy, Professor Sir F., K.C.M.G., D.Sc, F.R.S., University, Melbourne. M'Alpine, D., Esq., F.C.S., 5 Wallace-street, Toorak. Main, Thomas, Esq., City Surveyor's Office, Melbourne. Maloney, William, Esq., 57 Roden-street, West Melbourne. Masson, Professor Orme, M.A., D.Sc, University, Melbourne. 302 Piocee(.(in(/s of the iioi/al Society of Victoria. Matliew, Rev. John, Oobuig. Moerliii, C, Esq., Observatory, Melbourne. Moors, H., Esq., Chief Secretary's Office, Melbourne. Morris, Professor, M.A., University, Melbourne. Morrison, Alexander, Esq., M.D., 472 Albert-street, Ea.st Melbourne. Muntz, T. B., Esq., C.E., 358 Collins-street. Nanson, Professor E. J., M.A., University, Melbourne. Neild, J. E., Esq., M.D., Biltou Hou.se, 21 Spring-street. Newbery, J. Cosmo, Esq., JJ. Sc, C.M.G., Technological Museum Nimmo, W. H., Ksq., Melbourne Club, Melbourne. Officer, C. G. W., Esq., B.Sc, Toorak. Oldfield, Lenthal, Esq., 36 Nicholson-street, Fitzroy. Prince, J , Esq., Henry-street, Windsor. Ridge, Samuel H., E-q., B.A., 257 Victoria Parade, E. Melbourne. Resales, Henry, Esq., F.G.S., Alta Mira, Grandview-grove, Aniiadale. Rudall, -J. T., Esq., F.R.C.S., coraer of Spring and Collins-streets, Melbourne. Rule, O. R., Esq., Technological Museum, Melbourne. Sargood, Hon. Sir Frederick T., K.C.M.G., M.L.C., Elsternwick. Shaw, Thomas, Esq., Woorywyrite, Camperdown. Spencer, Professor W. Baldwin, M.A., University, Melbourne. Stillwell, A., Esq., 195a Collins street. Sugden, Rev. E. H., B.A., B.Sc, Queen's College, Carlton. Sutherland, Alex, Esq., M.A , Carlton College, Royal Park. Sweet, George, Esq., Wilson-street, Brunswick. Syme, G. A., Esq., M.B., F.R.C.S., 74 Collins street. Tipping, Isaac, Esq., C.E , 90 Henry-street, Prahran. Ti.sdall, H. T., Esq., F.L.S., Washington street, Toorak. Topp, C. A., Esq., xM.A., LL.B., F.L.S., Grandview Grove, Armailale. Whitley, David, Esq., 26 Qii(!en-street Wight, Gerard, Esq., Phceiiix Chambers, Market-street. Country Members. Bland, R. H., Esq., Clunes. Cameron, John. Esq., Orbost, Victoria. Clarke, Donald, Esq., School of Mines, Bairnsdale. Conroy, James Macdowall, Esq., Wingham, Manning River, N.S.W. List of Memhei-ii. 303 Dawson, J., Esq., Rennyliill, Oamperdow!). Desmond, John, Esq., Warrnanibool. Dobson, A. Dudley, Esq., Warrnauiltool. Edwards, Henry, Esq., Princess Tlieatre, Melbourne. Field, William Graham, Esq., C.E., Railway Engineer-in-Chiefs Department, Melbourne. Hall, T. S., Esq., M.A., School of Mines, (Jastlemaine. Hunt, Robert, Esq., Royal Mint, Sydney, N.S.W. Ivey, James, Esq., Ballarat. Keogh, Laurence F., Esq., Brucknell Banks, Cobden, Loaghrey, B., Esq., M.A., C.E., City Surveyor, Wellington, N.Z. MacGillivray, P. H., Esq., M.A., M.R.C.S., Bendigo. Mackay, J. B. Lillie, Esq., F.C.S., School of Mines, Bendigo. Manson, Donald, Esq., Elgin Buildings, Sydney, N.S.W. M'lnday, J., Esq., Huberton, North Queensland. Murray, Stewart, Esq., C.E., Kyneton. Naylor, John, Esq., Stawell. Oddie, James, Esq., Dana-sti'eet, Ballarat. Oliver, C. E., Esq., C.E., Victoria Water Supply, Rialto, Collins- street, Melbourne. Powell, Waiter D. T., Esq., Hai-bour Department, Brisbane, Queensland. Purdie, A., Esq., M.A., School of Mines, Kyneton. Shaw, W. H., Esq.. Phrenix Foundry, Ballarat. Vickery, S. K., Esq , Ararat. Wakelin, T., Esq., B.A., Greytown, Wellington, New Zealand. Wall, John, Esq., Town Hall, Sebastopol, Ballarat. Williams, Rev. W., F L.S., Toorak. Wilson, J. Bracebridge, Esq., M.A., C. of E. Grammar School, Geelong. Corresponding Members. Bailey, F. M., Esq., The Museum, Brisbane. Clarke, Hyde, Esq., 32 St. George's Sipiare, London, S.W. 304 Froceedinf/s oj the Royal Societ;/ of Victoriu. Etlieridge, Robert, Esq., jiin., F.CI.S., Department of Mines, Sydnev, N.S.W. Sfcirton, James, Esq., M. U., F.L.S., 15 Nowton-street, Glasgow. Ulrich, Professor G. H. F., F.G.S , Dunedin, Otago, N.Z. Wagner, William, Esq., LL.D., Philadelphia, U.8.A. Associates. Askew, David C, Esq., 410 P)Oiirke-street. Page, C, Esq., M.D., 81 Toorak-road, South Yarni. Paker, Thomas, Esq., Pond-street, Abbotsford. Pale, W. M., Esq., Walpole-street, Hyde Park, Kew. Parnaid, P. J. A., Esq., M.A., Queen's College, Carlton. Pest, Heinrich, Esq., care of Mr. H. Falkner, Nightingale-street, Palaclava. Pooth, John, Esq., C.E., Rennie-street, Coburg. Powen, W. W., E.sq., 3o8 Collins-street. Prockenshire, W. H., Esq., C.E., Railway Department, Kerang. Champion, H. V., Esq., Council Chambers, Williamstown. Chase, L. H., Esq., Queensberry- street, Carlton, or Railway De])art- ment, Selborne Chambers. Craig, Robert, Esq., Training College, Grattan-street. Cresswell, Rev. A. W., M.A., St. John's Parsonage, Camberwell. Danks, A. T., Esq., 42 Pourke-street. Dawson, W. S., Esq., Runnymede, Essendon. Edwards, J. E., Esq., Colonial Telegraph Exchange, 133 Little Collins-street. Falk, David, Esq., care of Messrs. Falk and Co., Little Collins- street East. Fielder, Rev. W., Noiwood, Mitchell-street, St. Kilda. Finney, W. H., Esq., Pridport-street, South Melbourne. Fison, Rev. Lorimer, M.A., Essendon. Fraser, J. H., Esq., Railway Department, Melbourne. Gabriel, J., Esq., Simi>son"s-road, Collingwood. Harper, Andrew, Esq., M.A,. Toorak. Hart, J. S., E.sq., M.A., P.Sc, University, Melbourne. Holmes, W. A., Esq., Telegraph Engineer's Office, Railway Dejai t- nient. Spencer-street, Melbourne. Howard, Douglas, Esq., M.A., Hawthorn Grammar School, Power-street, Hawthorn. List of Member.^. 305 Hubbard, J. R., Esq., 99 Queen-stieet, Mell)Ourne. Ingainells, F. N., Esq., Observatory, Melbourne. Kernot. Frederick A., Esq., Royal Park, Hotimiu. Kiiklaud, J. B., Esq., F.C.S., University, Melbourne. Lambert, Thomas, p]sq., Bank of New South Wales, Chiltern. Lindsay, James, JEsq., 172 Bouverie-street, Carlton. Maclean, C. W., Esq., Walsh-street, South Yarra. Melville, A, G., Esq., Mullen's Library, Collins-street. Mills, H. W., Esq., Glan-y-mor, Brighton. Moors, Miss Florence Donald, Punt-road, South Yarra. Moors, E. M., Esq., University, Sydney, N.S.W. Murray, T., Esq., C.E., Yictoiia Water Supply Department, Melb, Paul, A. W. L., Esq , Male-street, North Brighton. Phillips, A. E., Esq., 99 Queen-street. Pritchard, G. B., Esq., Mantell-strei-t, Moonee Ponds. Quarry, Herbert, Esq., Alma Cottage, Macaulay-road, Kensington. Remfry, Josiah Richard, Esq., Branxholme, Yictoria. Riddel!, Mrs., F.S.Sc. Lond., 21 May-road, Toorak. Robertson, John Steele, Esq., B.A., Universit}', Melbourne. Ro.ss, Joseph, Esq., M.D., Warrnambool. Schafei-, R., Esq., 17 Union-street, Windsor. Slater, H. A., Esq., 121 Collin.s-street. Smibert, G., Esq., G.P.O., Melbourne. Smith, Elderson, Esq., London Chartered Bank, 410 Brunswick- stieet, Fitzroy. Smith, Mrs. Elderson, London Chartered Bank, 410 Brunswick- street Fitzroy. Steele, W. H., Esq., jNI.A., Sherwood-street, Richmond. Stewart, C, Esq., 9 Murphy-street, South Yarra. Strettle, W. S., Esq., Ormond College, Carlton. Tate, Frank, Esq., B.A., Traitiing College, Grattan-street. Wil&more, C. N., Esq., B.Sc, University, Melbourne. LIST OF THE INSTITUTIONS AND LEARNED SOCIETIES THAT RECEIVE COPIES OF THE "TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA." England. Agent-General of Victoria Anthropological Institute Biological Society of Liverpool Bodleian Library British Museum Colonial OflBce Library ... "Electrician" .. Foreign OiEce Library Geological Society Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers Institution of Civil Engineers Linnsean Society Literary and Philosophical Society Marine Biological Laboratory Natural History Museum Naturalists' Society "Nature" Owens College Library ... Patent Office, :^ 5 Southampton Buildings Philosophical Society Royal A.siatic Society Royal Astronomical Society Royal Colonial Institute Royal Gardens Royal Geographical Society Royal Microscopical Society Royal Society ... Statistical Society University Library Scotland. Botanical Society Geological Society Royal College of Pljysicians' Laboratory London London Liverpool Oxford London London London London London Newcastle London London Liverpool Plymouth London • Bristol London Manchester London Cambridge London London London Kew London London London . London Cambridge Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh List of Institutions, &c. 307 Royal Observatory Royal Physical Society ... Royal Society ... Royal Scottish Society of Arts Scottish Geographical Society University Library University Library Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Ediiiburgh . Glasgow Ireland, Natural History and Philosophical Society Royal Dublin Society Royal Geological Society Royal Irish Academy Trinity College Library ... Belfast Dublin Dublin Dublin Dublin Germany. Gessellschaft fiir Erdkunde ... ... ... Berlin Grossh. Hessische Geologische Anstalt ... Darmstadt Konigl. Botanische Gesellschaft ... ... Regensburg Konigl. Offentl. Bibliothek ... ... ... Dresden Konigl. Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften ... Berlin Konigl. Sachs Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften . . . Leipzig Konigl. Societat der Wissenschaften . . . Gottingen Naturfoi-schende Gesellschaft ... ... ... Emden Naturforschende Gesellschaft ... ... ... Halle Naturforschende Gesellschaft ... ... ... Leipzig Naturliistorisch Medizinischer Verein ... Heidelberg Naturhistorische Gesellschaft ... ... ... Hanover Naturhistorisches Museum ... ... Hamburg Naturhistorisches Museum ... ... ... Hanover Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein ... ... ... Bremen Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein ... ... Frankfurt Oberhessische Gesellschaft fiir Natur ociete Hollandaise des Sciences ... Societe Macologiqiie Royale de Belgique Societe Provinciale des Arts et Sciences 809 Grouingen Nijinegen Batavia . Haarlem Bruxelles . Utrecht Denmark, Sweden, and Nobway. Academie Royale Koiigelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskap ... Societe des Sciences Copenhagen Copenhagen Christiania Russia and Roumania. Institut Meteorologique de Roumanie ... Bucharest Jardin Botanique Imperial ... ... St. Petersburg 'La Soc. de Naturalists de I'Universite de Kazan ... Kazan Soc. de Naturalistes Kiew ... ... ... Kiew Societe des Naturalistes de la Nouvelle Russia ... Odessa Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes ... .., Moscow Societe Imjieriale Russe de Geographie ... St. Petersburg India and Mauritius. Royal Asiatic Society, Ceylon Branch ... ... Colombo Geological Survey of India ... ... ... Calcutta Madras Literary Society ... ... ... Madras Meteorological Society ... ... ... ... Mauritius Natural History Society ... ... ... Bombay Royal Beugal Asiatic Society ... ... ... Calcutta China and Japan. Astronomical Observatory ... ... Hong Kong China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society ... ... Shanghai Imperial University ... ... ... ... Tokio Seismological Society of Japan ... ... ... Tokio Canada. Canadian Institute ... ... ... ... Toronto Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada ... Ottawa Royal Society of Canada .. . ... ... ...Montreal 810 Proceedings of the Moijal Society of Victoria. United States. Academy of Natural bciences ... ... Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences ... ... Philadelphia Academj' of Sciences ... ... ... San Francisco American Academy of Arts and Soiences ... ... Boston American Geographical Society ... ... New York American Philosophical Society ... ... Philadelphia Bureau of Ethnology ... ... ... Washington. Colorado Scientific Society ... ... ... 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