HARVARD UNIVERSITY. LIBRARY MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. x^rL,cuna^ . chiL/AxUlU/ I^S^'j .'^LfTV^^^U^ )^/f^ \(Tl RECORDS AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM EDITED BY THE CURATOR Vol. III. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES. Qlurator. " SYDNEY, 1897-1900, JAN 1? iPni C0:N TENTS. No. 1. Published 7th January, 1897. Ou Circular and Spiral Incised Ornament on Australian Aboriginal Implements and Weapons. By K. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... 1 A Spear with Incised Ornament from Angeldool, New South Wales. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... ... ... ... ... tJ An Actinoceras from North- West Australia. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 The Discovery of Bones at Cunningham Creek, near Harden, New South Wales. By E. Etheridge, Junr., Curator... ... 9 Additional Localities for Feripatus leuchartii — Sang. By the late Frederick A. A. Skuse, Entomologist ... ... ... ... 10 Description of a New Papuan Land Shell. By C. Hedley, Conchologist 11 On a New Sub-Species of Psophodes crepitans. By Alfred J. North, Ornithologist ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 Ornithological Notes. By Alfred J. North, Ornithologist — I. On the Extension of the Range of Calamanthus fuliginosus, and Emblema pActa to New South Wales ... ... ... 14 II. On a Curious Nesting-site of Anthus australis ... ... 1.5 III. On the Nidification of Megaloprepia magnifica, the Magnificent Fruit Pigeon ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 No. 2. Published 5t.h August, 1897. An Australian Sauropterygian (Cimoliosarus ) coavertei into Precious Opal. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... ... ... ... 19 On the Occurrence of the Genus Columnaria in the Upper Silurian Rocks of New South Wales. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator .. 30 Description of Two New Australian Phasmas, together with a Synopsis of the Phasmidae in Australia. By W. J. Rainbow, Entomologist 34 Catalogue of the Described Phasmidae of Australia. By W. J. Raiabow, Entomologist ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 37 Description of New Land Shells. By C. Hedley, Conchologist ... 44 Description of a New Species of Colly riocincla from Queensland. By Alfred J. North, Ornithologist 49 On Stichopus mollis, Hutton. By Thomas Whitelegge, Zoologist ... 50 No. 3. Published 17th November, 1897. The Nocoleche Meteorite, with Catalogue and Bibliography of Aus- tralian Meteorites. By T. Cooksey, Mineralogist ... ... 51 Ankerite from Sandhurst, Victoria. By T. Cooksey, Mineralogist... 63 On a Precaudal Vertebra of Ichthyosaurus australis, McCoy. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... ... ... ... ... ... 66 A New Blind Snake from the Duke of York Island. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist ... . ... ... ... ... ... 69 IV. RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. No. 4. Pablished ISth June, 1898. New or Little-known Lower Palaeozoic Gasteropoda in the Collection of the Australian Museum. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... 71 Haly sites in New South Wales. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... 78 Description of the Larva of Pseudoterpna per compt aria, Gn. By 'V^ . J. Rainbow, Entomologist ... ... ... ... ... ... 81 Description of a New Araneiad. By W. J. Rainbow, Entomologipt 82 Description of a New Bivalve, Lima alata, from Santa Cruz. By C. Hedlcy, Conchologist ... ... ... ... ... ... 84 Ornithological Notes. By A. J. North, Ornithologist— IV. On a Species of Pigeon frequenting the Atolls of the Ellice Group ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 85 V. On the Occurrence of Butastur teesa in Australia ... ... 87 VI. On a Living Example of Psephotus chrysopterygius 87 VII. On the Extension of the Range of Phieton candidus to New South Wales and Lord Howe Island 89 Addenda to Catalogue of Australian Meteorites. By T. Couksey, Mineralogist 90 No. 5. Published 17th April, 1899. Description of a Ring-tailed Opossum, regarded as a variety of Pseudochirus herbertensis, CoUett. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist 91 The Nest or Drey of the Ring-tailed Opossum (Pseudochirus peregrinus, Bodd). By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist 93 Observations on Testudo nigrita, Dum. & Bibr. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 95 Notes on Snakes. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist 104 Ornithological Notes. By Alfred .1. North. Ornithologist — VIII. Description of a New Species of Honey-Eater from North Queensland ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 106 IX. Description of the Nest and Eggs of Micrceca pjallida, De Vis 107 Contribution to a Knowledge of Papuan Arachnida. By W, J. Rainbow, Entomologist ... ... ... ... ... ... 108 A Review of the Systematic Position of Zemira, Adams. By Charles Hedley, Conchologist ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 118 On Two Additional Perforating Bodies, believed to be Thallophytic Cryptogams, from the Lower Palaeozoic Rocks of N. S. Wales. By R. Etheridge, Juar., Curator 12) On the Occurrence of a Starfish in the Upper Silurian Series of B owning, N. S. Wales. By R Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... 128 Additions to Catalogue and Bibliography of Australian Meteorites. By T. Cooksey, Mineralogist 130 The Queensland Cattle Tick. By W. J. Rainbow, Entomologist ... 131 Occasional Notes : — I. iitegostoma tigrinum, Gmel. An Addition to the Fauna of New Soulh Wales. By Edgar R. Waite 133 II. A Sbipworm new to Australia. By C. Hedley ... ... 131 CONTENTS. V. No. 6. Published 11th December, 1899. Page On a Fern (Blechnoxylon talbragarense) with secondary wood, forming a Mew Genus, from the Coal Measures of the Talbragar District, New South Wales. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator 135 Descriptions of two Beetles from Mount Kosciusko. By W. J. Rainbow, Entomologist ... ... ... ... ... ... 147 Larva and Pupa of Batocera wallacei, Thoms. By W. J. Rainbow, Entomologist ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 Descriptions of two new Land Shells, with Notes on known Species. By Charles Hedley, Conchologist ... ... ... ... ... 151 Note on Scyllarus sculpt us, Latreille. By Thomas Whitelegge, Zoologi^'t ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 155 Regalecus glesne, Ascanius : An Addition to the Fauna of New South Wales. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist 163 Occasional Notes — III. Pal(eopedewhiteleggei,Eth.6.[. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator 166 lY. Lampris luna, Gmelin, its recurrence in New Zealand Waters. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist 166 No. 7. Published 15th June, 1900. Two New Thomisids. By W. .J. Rainbow, Entomologist ... ... 169 Spears with Incised Ornament. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... 176 Little-known and Undescribed Permo-Carboniferous Pelecypoda in the Australian Museum. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... 178 Recurrence of Megaderma gigas, Dobson. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist 188 An extended description of Mus fuscipes, Waterhouse. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist ... 190 Additions to the Fish- Fauna of Lord Howe Island. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist ... 193 Notes on Fishes from Western Australia, and Description of a New Species. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist ... ... ... ... 210 The Card-Catalogue System adapted to Museum requirements. By Edgar R. Waite, Zoologist 217 Occasional Notes — V. Turricula scalariformis Ten. -Woods : Its occurrence in New South Wales. By Charles Hedley, Conchologist ... ... 219 VI. Scala revoluta, Hedley : Its occurrence in Fiji. By Charles Hedley, Conchologist ... ... ... ... ... ... 219 VII. Phyllotheca and Cingularia. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator 219 VIII. Lygosoma fragile, Gunther. By Edgar R. Waite 220 Part 8. Published 1st December, 1900. Title Page, Contents, and Index. YI. RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. LIST OF THE CONTRIBUTORS. With References to the Articles contributed by each. Cooksey, Thomas— Page The Nocoleche Meteorite, with Catalogue and Bibliography of Australian Meteorites ... ... ... ... ... ... 51 Ankerite from Sandhurst, Victoria ... ... ... ... ... 63 Addenda to Catalogue of Australian Meteorites ... ... ... 90 Additions to Catalogue and Bibliography of Australian Meteorites 130 Etheridge, Robert, Junr.— On Circular and Spiral Incised Ornament on Australian Aboriginal Implements and Weapon. s ... ... ... ... ... 1 • A Spear with Incised Ornament from .Angeldool, New South Wales 6 An Actinoceras from North-West Australia .. ... ... ... 7 The Discovery of Bones at Cunningham Creek, near Harden, New South Wales 9 An Australian Sauropterygian (Cimoliosaurus) , converted into Precious Opal ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 19 On the Occurrence of the Genus Columnaria in the Upper Silurian Rocks of New South Wales 30 On a Precaudal Vertebra of Ichthyosaurus cuistralis, McCoy ... 66 New or Little-known Lower Palaeozoic Gasteropoda in the Collec- tion of the Australian Museum .. ... ... ... ... 71 Halyaitex in New South Wales ... ... ... ... ... 78 On Two Additional Perforating Bodies, believed to be Thallo- phytic Cryptogams from the Lower Paheozoic Eocks of New South Wales 121 On the Occurrence of a Starfish in the Upper Silurian Series of Bowning, New South Wales ... ... ... ... ... 128 On a Fern ( Blechnoxylon talbragarense) with secondary wood, form- ing a New Genus, from the Coal Measures of the Talbragar District, New South Wales 135 Spears with Incised Ornament ... ... ... ... .. 176 Little-known and Undescribed Permo-Carboniferous Pelecypoda in the Australian Museum ... ... ... ... ... 178 Occasional Notes- Ill. Paloeopede ivhiteleggei, Eth. fil. ... ... ... ... 166 VII. Phyllothec'i and Cingidaria ... ... ... ... ... 219 LIST OF THE COXTRIBUTORS. VII. Hedley, Charles— ■^ Page Description of a New Papuan Land Shell 11 Description of New Land Shells 44 Description of a New Bivalve, Lima aiciia, from Santa Cruz ... 84 A Eeview of the Systematic Position of Zemira, Adams 118 Descriptions of two New Land Shells, with Notes on known Species ... ... ... ... ■•. ••■ ■•• ••• 151 Occasional Notes — II. A Shipworm New to Australia ... ... .. ... 134 V. Turricula scalariformis, Ten-Woods : Its occurrence in New South Wales 219 VI. Scala revohita, Hedley : Its occurrence in Fiji 219 North, Alfred J.- On a New Sub-Species of Psoj37iode.s cre^ntans ... .. ... 13 Description of a New Species of Collyriocinola from Queensland 49 Ornithological Notes — I. Oa the Extension of the Range of Calamanthusfuliginosus and Emblema picta to New South Wales 14 II. On a Curious Nesting-site of 4>if/uis awsfratis 15 III. On the Nidification of Megaloprepia magnifica, the Magni- ficent Fruit Pigeon .. 16 lY. On a Species of Pigeon freo^uenting the Atolls of the Ellice Group 85 V. On the Occurrence of Bufa.shn- ieesa in Australia ... 87 Yl. On a Living Example of Psephotus chrysopterygius ... 87 VII. On the Extension of the Range of Phwton candidvs to New South Wales and Lord Howe Island 89 VIII. Description of a New Species of Honey-Eater from North Queensland ... ... ... ... ... lOG IX. Description of the Nest and Eggs of Micrceca pallida, De Vis 107 Rainbow, W. J.— Description of Two New Australian Phasmas, together with a Synopsis of the Phasmidse in Australia ... 34 Catalogue of the Described Phasmidte of Australia 37 Description of the Larva of Pseudoterpna percomptaria, Gn. ... 81 Description of a New Araneiad ... ... ... ••■ ••• 82 Contribution to a Knowledge of Papuan Arachnida 108 The Queensland Cattle Tick 131 Descriptions of Two Beetles from Mount Kosciusko 147 Larva and Pupa of Baiocero iraHacei, Thorns 150 Two New Thomsids 169 VIII. RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. Skuse, Fred. A. A.— Page Additional Localities for Peripatus leuchartii. Sang ... ... 10 Waite, Edgar R.— A New Blind Snake from the Duke of York Island ... ... 69 Description of a Ring-tailed Opossum^ regarded as a Variety of Pseudochirus herbertensis,Co\\ett.. ... ... ... ... 91 The Nest or Drey of the Ring-tailed Opossum {Pseudochirus pere- grinus, Bodd.) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 93 Ob.servations on Testudo nigrita, Dum. and Bibr ... ... 95 Notes on Snakes ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 104 Regalecus glesne, Ascanius : An addition to the Fauna of New South Wales 163 Recurrence of MegacJeriua gfijas, Dobson ... ... ... ... 188 An extended description of JlfMs/'itscijaes, Waterhouse ... ... 100 Additions to the Fish-Fauna of Lord Howe Island ... ... 193 Notes on Fishes from Western Australia, and Description of a New Species ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 210 The Card-Catalogue System adapted to Museum requirements... 217 Occasional Notes — I. Stegostoma tigrinum, Gmel. An Addition to the Fauna of New South Wales 133 IV". Lampris luna, Gmelin. Its recurrence in New Zealand Waters 166 VIII. Note on Ly go soma fragile, Giinther ... ... ... 220 Whitelegge, Thomas— On Stichopus mollis, nutton ... ... .... ... ... ... 50 Note on Scyllarus sculptiis, Latreille... ... ... ... ... 155 LIST OF THE PLATES. LIST OF THE PLATES. [Note. — For the convenience of those who prefer to bind the Plates with the text, rather than at the end of the volume, the pages which they should face are indicated in margin.] Plate I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. stone Implements Bull Koarers from Queensland Actinoceras hardmani, Eth., fil... Nest and Eggs of Anthus australis Opalised Sauropterygian Columnaria pauciseplata, Eth. fil. Clemacantha regale, Riinb. Tro2ndoderus decipiens, Rainb. ... New Land Shells The Nocoleche Meteorite Goniostroph% pritchardi, Eth. fil. Mourlonia duni, Eth. fil. Helicoioma johnstoni, Eth. fil. ... Trochonema? nodosa, 'Eth.. &l. ... Holopea welling tonensis, Eth. fil. G-yrodoma etheridgei, Cress well Mourlonia duni, Eth. fil. Helicotoma johnstoni, Eth. fil. ... Trochonema etheridgei, Johnston llolopea ivellingtonensiit, ly Prof. Baldwin Spencer. Speaking of the Churina or " Bull-roarers," met with in Central Australia, he says — " Stone ones are still more valuable and sacred than wooden ones, which are usually spoken of as " Irula," the patterns on which are copied from the older stones, the history and origin of which are lost in the dim past." This rather tends to confirm the view I have taken of this incised stone implement. 4 RECORDS OF THE AU8TRAXIAN MUSEUM. similar to those already described in the first " Bull-roarer," and the stone implement. On the flat side of this implement (PI. ii., Fig. 6), the carving is very remarkable, consisting of indiscriminately scattered small circles, and arcs or semicircles in various degrees of completeness and position. Here and there are transverse short incised lines proceeding from the margins inwards, precisely as the larger incisions drawn in PI. i., Figs. 1 and 2. These crossbars or trans- verse incisions are also seen in one of Hardman's figures* of the Kimberley implements. On the convex face of the smallest " Bull-roarer " (PI. ii.. Fig. 8) are four discs, each one surrounded by two semicircles of concentric incisions, whilst the thii'd from the top is separated off by crossbars. On the reverse of this implement (PI. ii., Fig. 7) the ornamentation is again different, consisting of a central longitudinal serpentine figure looped on itself at the upper end, margined by bow-shaped figures of three or more incisions, and the re-entering angles between the latter occupied by short transverse bars. The execution of the incised sculpture on this beautiful little implement is of a much more finished nature than that on the preceding "Bull-roarer" (PI. ii.. Figs. ^ and G), and more akin to that of the first descri))ed (PI. i.. Figs. 3 and 4). It is ten inches long by one and a quarter inches wide. The question of this circular ornamentation or pictography seems to have engaged the attention of writers on the Australian Aborigines but little. It has been suggested by Mr. D. Brown, who obtained examples from Stuart's Creek, Central Australia, that these concentric rings indicate the practice of sun worship on the part of those who carved them.f On the other hand, Pi'of. R. Tate rejects the view that they are symbols at all, and believes the execution of them to be merely a matter of sport, j He further very much doubted if they could be regarded as the production of the untutored Aboriginal. It is, however, a curious coincidence tliat one of the principal localities for these circular inscised " Bull-roarers " is Kimberley, where at the time of Mr. Hardman's explorations the Blacks had come in contact with the White-man possibly as little as anywhere. Without entering into the question of sun worship, although some of our Aboriginal tribes seem to have possessed customs and practices suspiciously like this form of adoration, even if they were unacquainted with, or had lost their esoteric meaning — it may be pointed out that the only published objects bearing this circular ornamentation are " Bull roarers," and as everyone knows these are the most * Proc. K. Irish Acad. (2), i., 1888, No. 1, t. 3, f. 2. t Trans. Eoy. Soc. S.A., iii., 1880, p. xxiii. I Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., iii., 1880, p. xxiv. ABOKIGINAL IMPLEMENTS AND WEAPONS — ETHERIDGE. 6 precious and sacred of the Black's possessions, and only used in the mysteries of the Bora. I think, therefore, that unless Prof. Tate's view can be supported by stronger evidence than mere opinion, it must be dismissed, whatever the real significance of this circular incised ornament may be. Mr. W. W. Froggatt, when in Kimberley some years ago, paid considerable attention to the practices of the Aboriginal inhabi- tants. He observes* that during initiation " men are stationed round whirling flat-oval sticks, on which are carved curious sy77iboIs." The italics are mine. We know that amongst some ancient peoples, and even amongst the remnant of some existing, the circle or disc was symbolic of the sun. Our acquaintance, however, with the beliefs and esoteric mysteries of the Aborigines is too limited to hazard a suggestion that the figures on the " Bull-roarers " and stone implements bear a similar reference — but it is possible. One of Mr. Hardman's " Bull-roarers " bears five sets of concentric circles, separated by groups of vertical incisions, and horizontal marginal ones, as in our PL ii., Figs. 6 and 7. A second implement bears irregular concentric semicircles at the apices, one on each side, and four sets of quadrangular figures concentric within one another. Two of the implements now figured are said to be from South Australia, but the correspondence in every way with Hardman's Kimberley figures! causes me to suspect that they must in reality come from the same district, or at any rate high up in Central Australia. A few other cases of circular ornament in Australia may be mentioned, such as the circles, and ovals as well, carved on the trees surrounding the larger circle of a Bora ground near Gloucester, N.S. Wales,! and the numerous figures found by Mr. Richard Helms, during the propress of the Elder Exploring Expedition from South to West Australia. On a cave-shelter pictograph at Arcoeillinna Wells, S.A. § are several of these concentric circles in red. Mr. Helms says these •' are of very frequent occurrence, and have undoubtedly a symbolic meaning." Others were met with at Wa-Wee Rock Holes in another Cave- shelter, and at Mount lUibillie on white pigment. || The most complete ones, however, were found in a similar situation near " Camp 6," Everard Ranges. Here is a circle in red of sexen rings, a black nucleus, and radial bars passing from the centre *Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., (2), iii., 1888, PI. 2, p. 6.52. t Proc. E. Irish lead. (2), i., 1888, No. 1, t. 2. f . 4-5a, & t. 3. JFraser; Aborigines of N.S. Wales, 1892, pi. opp. p. 11. § Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., xvi., 1896, Pt. 3, t. 9. \\Loc. cit., t. 10a & 11. 6 KECORDS OF TUE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. to the circumference.* The circular incised sculpture is very common on many petroglyphs, particularly in America, such as Bald Friar Rock, in Maryland ; Girao, in Brazil ; Cipreses, in Ohili, and on the Colorado River, Utah,! and it is certainly curious to find this form of ornamentation whether on implements, us pictographs on the walls of Cave-shelters, or as petroglyphs, so widely distributed. It is curious and even startling to find the close general resemblance there is between this circular and spiral incised ornament on our Black's weapons, and in their Cave-shelters, and those curious petroglyphs found in odd quarters of the globe, and known as "cup-sculptures," Vjoth with and without a radial groove. Many of these were described by the late Mr. George Tate, occurring on Northumbrian (England) rocks, both circles and ovals, mostly with a radial groove. | Mr. Tate regarded them as the work of a Celtic race, and "symbolical most probably of a religious nature." Dr. B. Seemann has figured precisely similar closed concentric circles from the rock surfaces in Veraguas, New Granada, and believes them to have been produced by a very ancient people of that country, and to be "symbols full of meaning" to those who executed them. I have lately seen a number of single circles on the petroglyphs of the Hawkesbuiy country around Narabine Lagoon, between ]Manly and Pittwater, both separately incised and forming portions of compound figures. A SPEAR WITH INCISED ORNAMENT from ANGELDOOL, NEW SOUTH WALES. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator. A remarkably ornamented spear has been received from Angeldool, on the Narran River, by Dr. James C. Cox, who has been kind enough to present it to the collection. It is made from a sapling of light coloured hardwood, eleven feet nine inches long and two and a-half inches in its greatest circumference, tapering at both ends to a point. Unlike a very large number * Loc. cit., t. 13. fMallary; 10th Rep., Bureau Ethnol., U.S., 1893, pp. 86, 120, 153, 160. X Tate ; Authrop. Review, iii., p. 293. AN ACTINOCERAS FROM N."W. AUSTRALIA — ETnERIDGE, 7 of Aboriginal spears, it is in one piece, and not with the head separately formed, and lashed or ceoiented on. I take it to be a hand-thrown weapon, and not propelled with the assistance of a womerah. The head of the spear, for eight and a-half inches from the apex, is blackened, then five alternating white and black bands follow occupying in the aggregate one foot, three of the bands white and two black. From this point downwards, to within nine inches of the proximal end, are six serpentine, but not encircling, continuous grooves, each bearing a series of close, back- wardly directed, incised barbs, or teeth, and rendered prominent by having been coloured black. tSpears similarly banded at the apex have been figured before, but neither Angas, Eyre, Wood, Smyth, or Knight, in their respective works, have given an illustration of one similarly ornamented with incised sculpture or decoration. With the exception of this feature, it is one of the type of such simple spears as the Uicinda, of the Murray River,* or the Koy-yu7i.j 3Ir. E. M. Curr, however, states; that the Blacks of Hinchinbrook Island, and the adjacent mainland used carved spears, but he does not give particulars. Smyth figures a simple spear with the distal end, or apex, segmented by white and black bands from West Australia,§ but otherwise it completely differs from the present weapon. An ACTINOCERAS from NORTH-WEST AUSTRALIA. By R. Ethekidge, Junk., Curator. (Plate iii.) I am not aware that this interesting genus has so far been recorded from the Carboniferous rocks of West Australia. A rather fine example exists in our collection from the Lennard * Angas ; S. Australia Illustrated, 1846, t. 51, f . 34. t Smyth ; Aborigines of Victoria, i., 1878, p. 307, f. 83. J Australian Race, ii., 18SG, p. 418. § Smyth; loc. cit, p. 337, f. 143. 8 EECOKDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. River, less the oldest and youngest chambers of the shell, and unfortunately it has been crushed, more particularly in the upper portion of the specimen. The length is six inches, and there are within this space nineteen or twenty chambers, the upper with a breadth of one-quarter of an inch, and the lower a trifle less. At both ends the large beaded siphuncle is visible, above in the round, below in partial cross-section. The siphuncle is nearly marginal in position, or in a perfect specimen would probably Ije sub-marginal. At the younger end it stands out from the crushed and partially denuded shell exhibiting portions of three of the "beads," or segments, so characteristic of the genus. The diameter in its present condition is nine-sixteenths of an inch, but at the older or lower end of the shell it is only three-sixteenths. The siphuncular .segments to the naked eye are grooved and ridged, and Nvhere not abraided, the ridges are very slightly convex. An examination of the partially and naturally sectioned siphuncle at the older end of the shell, as well as in a cut section, reveals the fact that these grooves are the infolding of the siphonal membrane, as described by Mr. A. H. Foord* who says: "The calcified lining membrane of the siphuncle is thrown into a series of folds, which impart to it a puckered appearance, which is very characteristic." The same Author also observes that the shelly covering of the siphuncular segments, or "beads" composed of several layers, is very rarely preserved, but at the oldest end of the present specimen it is distinctly visible. Some good figures of the infolding of the membrane are extant, and foremost amongst these may be men- tioned Actinoceras Bigsbyi, Stokes, as represented by Barrande.f In some of the infoldings, the membrane seems to expand into vertical sac-like cavities protruding inwards. When subjected to microscopic examination, in a thin section, the inflected portions of the siphonal membrane are seen to be comparatively thick, each one increasing slightly in width as it proceeds inwards, becoming somewhat truncheon-shaped, leaving in the centre a narrow free space filled with impalpable matrix. They are variable in length, some long, some short, but never approach- ing the centre of the siphuncle. At the point through which the section is taken there are seventeen of these inward pro- longations, but they do not appear to be developed with equal regularity as to distance apart around the rather oval siphuncle. Furthermore, these prolongations appear to be open to variation in shape, for along one side are two assuming a decidely pyriform outline, and a third that seems to show signs of bifurcation at its inward end, although too much stress must not be laid on this point. There is no trace of the endosiphon, * Cat. Foss. Ceph. Brit. Mus„ 1888, Pt. i., p. 166. t Syst. Sil. Boheme, 11., t. 231. DISCOVERY OF BONES AT CUNNINGHAM CREEK — ETHERIDGE. 9 nor remains of its tubuli. The chambers are narrow, about four-eighths of an inch in the upper portion and three-eighths of an inch in the lower portion of the shell. There are four and six septa to the inch respectively in the parts referred to, increasing very slowly in their distance apart, and with plain edges. The siphuncle is a good deal inflated between the septa, wider than long. The external shelly-layer is not preserved, and in conse- quence the sculpture is not known. I propose to call this species Acti7ioceras Hardmani, in honour of the late Mr. E. T. Hardman, who acted as Geologist to Forrest's Kiniberley (N.W. Australia) Exploring Expedition in the years 1883-84, but who was perhaps better known through his connection with the Geological Survey of Ireland. The discovery of BONES at CUNNINGHAM CREEK, NEAR HARDEN, N. S. WALES. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator. The Cunningham Creek Gold-field is situated about fourteen miles south-east of Murrumburrah and Harden. The " diggings " lies along both sides of the creek, above and below the Jugiong Road — crossing to Cunningham Plains, reaching almost down to its junction with the more important Jugiong Creek. The whole of this district is composed of grey granite cropping out here and there in bosses and tors, otherwise a thick granitic detritus hides the bedrock completely, and in consequence a subsequent denu- dation has given rise to gently rolling downs and hills. It is in this detritus that the bones of extinct Marsupials have been found for some time past, generally lying immediately above the auriferous wash-dirt of the old subsidary branches of Cunningham Creek. The claim of Messrs. J. F. Wilson and Party, who first reported the disco^ ery, is situated on the north bank of the creek, the shaft mouth being about seventy feet above the creek bed, and on the Cunningham Creek Common, barely a mile south-west of Cahill's Hotel. The shaft is down sixty feet in fine granitic detritus, interspersed with large bouldera of granite. The bones are usually met with at fifty-eight feet from the surface, and, as before stated, immediately above the wash-dirt, but from the wet 10 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. natare of the ground, they are all very rotten, and difficult of extraction and preservation. The wash-dirt appears to be of poor quality, although containing a few gem-stones, running in narrow gutters between hard granite bars. The l)ones procured were chiefly those of Difrolodoii. Through the courtesy of Mr. W. T. Ditchworth, the Manager of the Crown Point Gold Mining Co., Ltd., I was able to inspect the workings of the Marshall-McMahon Reef, where a quartz lode carrying free gold, and another with very refractoiy ore, are worked. I was fortunate enough to obtain good specimens for our collection. ADDITIONAL LOCALITIES for PERIFATUS LEUCHA R Til— Sang. By the late Frederick A. A. Skuse, Entomologist. The writings resulting from the researches of Dendy, Spencer, Fletcher and others, have for some time past aroused considerable interest in Peripatus in Australia ; so that every scrap of addi- tional information respecting these remarkable creatures may be considered of some value, and the evident interests attached to a new discovery affecting our knowledge of Peripatus lends no mean impetus to its investigation and the seeking out of its distribution. During a recent visit (Oct. 22nd, 1895) to Colo Vale, near Mitta- gong, N.S. W., Mr. Edgar 11. Waite* chanced upon a specimen of P. leuchartiij whilst searching beneath fallen timber for reptiles and insects. Colo Vale lies on the Great Southern Railway line, seventy -two miles from Sydney, and the specimen of Peripatus was obtained at an altitude of 2,000 feet. Other examples have just l)een presented to the Museum by Mr. C. J. McMasters, who obtained them at Moree, New South Wales, and plentifully by the Curator in November, 1895, in and under rotten logs in the vicinity of the Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, at an altitude of 4,000 feet. * Waite; Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. (2), x., 1895, p. 549. t Fletcher; Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. (2), x., 1895, p. 183, considers "all the known Australian specimens of Peripatus as referable to one compre- hensive species, i.e., F. leuchartii.. Sang. DESCRIPTION OP A XEW PAPUAN LAND SHELL — IIEDLEY. 1 1 It might here be ruentioned that in 1 887 Prof. Jeffrey Bell contri- buted a note* on the "Habitat of Peripatus leuchartii" wherein he mentions that previously the place of origin of this species was vaguely stated as "New Holland" and on the receipt of two specimens from Dr. E. P. Ramsay, of Sydney, gave the Queens- land scrubs, near Wide Bay, as the more precise locality. The error is perpetuated by Sedgwick,! who incidentally remarks, " the finder's name has not been communicated to nie." I would point out that the specimens referred to as coming from Wide Bay were collected by myself on April 3rd, 1887, when I obtained several examples under stones close to the Hospital and Acclimatisation Society's Grounds, in Brisbane. These were handed to Dr. Ramsay, who sent two specimens of them to Prof. Bell for study. They were ultimately forwarded to Prof. Sedgwick for inclusion in his Monograph. Mr. Henry Tryon previously recorded t the finding of other examples from the same locality in conjunction with myself, but their identity with those mentioned by Sedgwick has not to my knowledge previously been made known. Mr. Clias. Hedley tells me that he found Peripatus under a log by the road-side at the altitude of 2,000 feet in 1889 at Cunningham's Gap, South Queensland, and that this specimen was pronounced by Mr. Tryon, then of the Queensland Museum, to be P. letwhartii, which determination was no doubt correct. DESCRIPTION OF a NEW PAPUAN LAND SHELL. By C. Hedley, Conchologist. Thersites septentrionalis, n. SJJ. Shell turbinate conic, narrowly perforate, large, solid, brownish- yellow with deep chocolate bands. A third of the base is occupied by a broad chocolate band whose outer margin reaches the insertion of the lip, a yellow peripheral zone of less width follows, a chocolate band as wide as the last and which becomes supersutural in the upper whorls, a narrow yellow, a wider chocolate, a narrow yellow, and a narrow subsutural chocolate *Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (5), xx., 1887, p. 252. tQt. Journ. Micro. Sci., xxviii., 1888, p. 431. X Proc. Koy. Soc. Qd., iv., 1887, p. 78. 12 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. band then successively occur. The sculpture consists of fine raised growth lines which slightly pucker the suture ; the reticu- lations characteristic of many Queensland species were not visible in the specimens under examination, from which they might, how- ever, have been worn. Suture impressed. Whorls five, convex, descending rather suddenly at the aperture for the breadth of the yellow peripheral zone. Aperture oblique, squarish, light within and showing the chocolate bands. The lip is blackish, very glossy, thickened, and widely reflected throughout, the columellar expansion almost covering the deep narrow umbilicus. A thin transparent callus extends from insertion to insertion of the lip. Length 52 mm. Breadth 38 mm. Collected on the Musa River, on the North East Coast of British New Guinea, by His Honour Sir W. MacGregor, K.C.M.G. The original of this description and life size figure is registered in the collection of the Australian Museum as C. 2890. This species, and T. broadbenti, Brazier, I now consider to be the only representatives of Thersites yet discovered in New Guinea. Much interest therefore attaches to so handsome and characteristic a species as the novelty occuring in a locality so remote from the principal seat of the genus. Though differing in size and colour, an unfigured Queensland species T. etheridgei. Brazier, closely approaches in contour and perforation, and may be held as nearest in systematic order. Specimens were received, perforated, and strung together in bunches for native ornaments. One tassle contained this species and Chloritis rehsei tied together. The animal has not yet been seen. ON A NEW SUB-SPECIES OF PSOPHODES — NORTH. 1 3 0\ A NEW SUB-SPECIES of PSOPHODES CREPITANS. By Alfred J. North, C.M.Z.S., Ornithologist. For many years past I have known that the specimens of Psophodes collected by Messrs. Cairn k. Grant in 1887 and 1889 at Boar Pocket, North-eastern Queensland, were different in several respects from the P. crepitans, inhabiting New South Wales and Victoria. While lately examining the Reference Collection 1 found another skin from the same locality, which was obtained by Mr. W. S. Day on the 4th of May, 1891. As all the .specimens collected at Boar Pocket at wide intervals are alike, I take the present opportunity of pointing out the distinctive characters of this northern race of Psophodes crepitans- Psophodes crepitans lateralis, subsp. nov. Adult. — Like P. crepitans, Gould, but diifers in having the lateral feathers of the tail, which is shorter, tipped with pale- brown instead of white. Moreover, the sides of the lower flanks are olive-green, whilst in P. crepitans they are ashy-brown. Total length 98 inch; wing 3-9, tail 5-4, bill 09, tarsus 1'3. //a6.— Boar Pocket, N.E. Queensland. Type. — In the Australian Museum, Reg. No. 0-4645. Remarks. — I have selected the largest and finest specimen as the type. The tail measurements of two more adult males from the same locality are respectively 5-2 and 5 inches. Specimens of P. crepitans, obtained in the II la war ra District of New South Wales vary in the total length from 10-5 to 11 inch, and in the length of the tail from 5-75 to 61 inch. Boar Pocket is situated on the table-lands of the Upper Barron River, about thirty-two miles from Cairns. 14 REOOBDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. By Alfrkd J. North, O.M.Z.S., Ornitholo<,nst. L— On tiik extension of tiik RANGE of CALAMANTllUS fuliginosus, and emblema pict a to new south wales. During tlie months of August and September, 1896, tlie Ornithological Collection of the Australian Museum has become enriched by the receipt of specimens in the flesh of Oalamantltus fidiyhiosus, and Emblenia picia. The former species was obtained on Boloco Station, near Buckley's Crossing Place, New South Wales, on the 19th August by Mr. E. Payten, who killed it with a stone. It was then taken to Mr. Reuben Rose, the owner of the station, and was by that gentleman presented to the Trustees of the Museum. Buckley's Crossing Place, situated on the Snowy River, is about 29G miles south of Sydney and 34 miles as the crow flies to the nearest point of the imaginary line between Cape Howe and Forest Hill, which separates the south-eastern corner of New South Wales from Eastern Victoria. The natural or artiflcial boundaries of the Continent of course do not form any barriers to birds, but hitherto 0. fuliginosus has been recorded only from the southern parts of Victoria and South Australia; Tasmania being the stronghold of the species. From typical examples of C. fnlvjinosim^ the bird procured in New South Wales differs in the following respects : the bill is shorter, the throat is buff" instead of white, altliough similarly streaked with black, and the outer webs of the primaries are externally edged with ashy-white. These slight differences may be due to immaturity, or climatic variation, the locality in which it was oV)tained being over 2,000 feet above the level of the sea. On the 23rd of September, Mr. A. M. N. Rose presented to the Trustees three adult male specimens of Emhlema picta in splendid plumage. These birds were shot the previous day Uy his nephew, Mr. Arthur Payten, at Campbelltown, an agricultural and dairy farming district, 34 miles south-west of Sydney. Mr. Payten saw altogether ffve specimens, which kept together in a small ffock while searching for grass-seeds on a hill devoid of any cover. Previously this rare bird has been recorded only from North-west Australia where the type was procured ; from Derby and Cambridge Gulf by Mr. E. J. Cairn and the late T. H. Boyer-Bower, and from several localities in Central Australia, CtTRIOUS NESTING-SITE OF ANTHUS AUSTRALIS — NORTH. 15 where it was obtained by the members of "The Horn Scientific Expedition." Why this small flock should have wandered so far south-east instead of pursuing the usual course of migration to the north-west it is ditticult to conjecture, unless the birds followed in the track of an abundant rainfall so common to Central Australia, with its rapidly accompanying growth and profusion of rich grasses, thereby causing a plentiful food supply. There is no doubt whatever that reaching the westeni border of New South Wales the excessively dry season now being experienced there lias driven this small nomadic flock from the withering and burnt-up grass lands to the cooler districts near the coast. This is only a repetition of the effects of last year's drought when many birds whose habitat is the dry inland districts of the Colony, were obtained near Sydney, among which may be mentioned Falco liypolencos, a typical Central Australian species. Roughly estimated, the nearest recorded locality in Central Australia in which Emblema picta has been obtained, is 1,300 miles in a direct line from Oampbelltown, in New South Wales, where the present specimens were procured. IT.— On a CUllTOUS NESTING-SITE of ANTHUS AUSTRALIS. (Plate iv.) The Trustees of the Australian Museum are indebted to Mr. A. M. N. Rose, for a nest of the Australian Pipit or common "Ground Lark," Anthus aiistralis, placed in a very curious position. It is built inside an old rusty preserve tin, measuring four inches and a half in length by three inches and a half in diameter. The entrance to the nest is narrowed to two inches, by a small platform of dried grasses which protrudes out of the mouth of the tin. Tliis nest was found on the 24th of November, 1896, by Mr. A. Payten at Campbelltown in the same paddock as he shot the specimens of Emblema picta, and contained two slightly incubated eggs. The tin, which has the lid still attached, but bent at a right angle, was lying exposed on the ground, without shelter or concealment of any kind, beyond a few short blades of dried grass. The eggs are of the usual type, a greyish- white ground colour thickly freckled all over with pale brown markings; length (A) 0-8 x 0-67 inch ; (B) 084 x 0-67 inch. As will be seen on reference to the accompanying plate, it is a curious site for a bird to select which builds an open cup-shaped nest concealed only by an overhanging tuft of grass, or the surrounding herbage. 16 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM, III._On the NIDIFICATION of MEGALOPREPIA MAGNIFICA, THE MAGNIFICENT FRUIT PIGEON. Columbia magnifica, Temm., Trans. Linn. See. xiii. p. 125(1821). Carpophaga magnifica, Gould, Bds, Austr. v. pi. 58 (1848). Megaloprepia magnifica, Salvad., Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus. xxi. p. 167 (1893). The Magnificent Fruit Pigeon is freely dispersed throughout the rich coastal brushes of Eastern Australia, from the neighbour- hood of Cairns in North-eastern Queensland to Berry in New South Wales. In the latter colony it is far more frequently met with in that rich belt of luxurious vegetation lying between the Tweed and Bellinger Rivers, than it is in the humid valleys and mountain ranges of the south coastal district. At Cairns it over- laps the closely allied, but decidedly smaller species M. assimilis, which ranges northward from that locality to Cape York. Although M. magnifica is plentifully distributed throughout these brushes nothing has hitherto been recorded of its nidification. For an opportunity of examining a nest and egg of this species I am indebted to Mr. George Savidge, a most enthusiastic oologist, who has lately found this fine Pigeon breeding on the Upper Clarence. Mr. Savidge has also forwarded me a skin of the female shot at the nest, together with the following notes relative to procuring the nest and egg : — " Having been told by some timber-drawers that they had discovered three nests of Megaloprepia magnifica at Pine Scrub, Oaky Creek, Upper Clarence, each with a single egg, and upon which the birds were sitting, I determined to pay a visit to these scrubs to search for the nests. Accompanied by a friend, Mr. Thos. Woods, and an aboriginal called Freddy, we started at daylight on the morning of November 8th, 1896, and arrived at our destination, twenty-five miles distant a little after ten. Several nests were seen but they contained neither eggs or young, and after a long search we decided upon going further into the scrub. The peculiar call of M. magnifica could be heard on all sides, and at last after searching for several hours we saw one fly from a tree about twenty-five yards in advance. Upon nearing the tree we dis- covered the nest, and the egg could be plainly seen in it. Wishing to obtain the bird we sat down for some time, but eventually decided to move lower down the creek into closer concealment, as I thought the bird might be watching us and would not return. After waiting a quarter of an hour we observed the Pigeon fly NIDIFICATIOX OF MEGALOPREriA MAGNIFICA — XORTH. 17 hack and settle on a thick branch. I did not fire as it was a bit too far, and its body protected by the limb it was sitting upon. After having a good look round it flew into a thick patch of scrub a few yards away and was lost to view, however, it soon came back and settled about two feet from the nest, and facing us. I was afraid the spread of shot might shatter the nest, but as it was getting late I fired and the bird fell into a small pool of water beneath. The egg was secured after some ti'ouble as the nest was built on the end of a thin outspreading branch of a ' Scrub Elm,' about twenty feet from the ground. The scoop had to be used, and the nest was so small I was afraid the egg would I'oU over, and it took the black some time before he got it safely into the net. The limb was then chopped off and the nest secured. Upon dissection of the bird, which proved to be the female, no other egg was found in it approaching maturity, the largest being the size of a pea." The nest of M. magnijica, is an exceedingly small and perfectly flat structure, and with the exception of a few long straggling sticks lying almost parallel to the branch on which it is placed, barely averages five inches in diameter. It is built at the junction of a forked horizontal branch of an Apliananthe jyhillipiiiensis, which is partially covered with a growth of moss. The nest is composed of thin sticks and twigs intermingled with the wiry spiral tendrils of a vine ; the latter material wholly form- ing the centre of the structure for the reception of the e^g. When sitting the Magnificent Fruit Pigeon would almost conceal the nest for very little of it is visible below the branch. The green leafy twigs which sprout out in close proximity to the nest, also harmonises well with the colour of the back, wings, and tail of the sitting bird, and renders it less liable to detection. The egg is pure white, elongate oval in form, and there is very little difference in the shape of the two ends, the texture of the shell being very fine and the surface lustreless. It measures 1-57 inch in length by 1'2 inch in breadth. Specimens of Megaloprepia magnifica and 21. assimilis from different localities measure as follows : — M. magnifica. Sex. Length. Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus. Locality. ? ad. 17-2.5in. 9-1 7-6 0-83 M Clarence River, N.S.W. (^ ad. 17-5 9 1 7-75 0-85 M Maryborough, Wide Bay, Queensland, M. assimilis. S ad. 13-.5 7-6 6-75 0-78 1-05 Cairns, N.E.Queensland ? ad. 13 7-1 6-3 0-62 1 in. Cape York, N.Australia. 7th January, 1S97. Publications of the Australian Museum.— Contintjed. III.— MEMOIRS. 1. History and Description of the Skeleton of a new Sperm Whale in the Australian Museum, by W. S. Wall. 1851. 8vo. pp. 66, with plates. Eeprint 1887. Wrappers, 2s. 6(i. 2. Lord Howe Island : its Zoology, Geology, and Physical Characters. 1889. 8vo. pp. viii-132, with 10 plates. Boards, 7s. 6d. ; cloth, lOs. 6d. 3. The Atoll of Funafuti, Ellice Group : its Zoology, Botany, and General Struc- ture, based on Collections made by Mr. C. Hedley. Part I., 21st Dec, 1896. 8vo. pp. 86. Price, 5s. IV.— GUIDES. 1. Guide to the Australian Fossil Remains in the Australian Museum. 1870. Svo. (Out of print.) 2. Guide to the Contents of the Australian Museum. 1883. Svo. pp. iv.-o6. (Out of print.) 3. Guide to the Contents of the Australian Museum. 1890. Svo. pp. 156. Wrapper. v.— MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS. 1. List of Old Documents and Eelics in the Australian Museum. Ig84. Eeprinted with additions, 1890. 8vo. pp. 4. 2. Descriptive List of Aboriginal Weapons, Implemenes, etc., from the Darling and Lachlan Eivers, by K. H. Bennitt, F.L.S. 1887. 8vo. pp. 8. (Out of print.) 3. Notes for Collectors. 1887. 8vo. ] s. 4. Hints for the Collectors of Geological and Mineralogical Specimens, by F. Eatte. pp. 26, with a plate. 6d. 5. Hints for the Preservation of Specimens of Natural History, by E P Eamsav 1891. 4th Edition, pp. 32. Is. ^ j- VI.— RECORDS. Vol. I., March, 1890, to Deer., 1891. Svo. pp. 202. .30 plates. Price 25s. Vol. II., April, 1892, to Jan., 1896. Svo. pp. 112. 23 plates. Price 25s. Vol. III., No. 1, .Tan., 1897. Svo. pp. 17. 4 plates. Price 2s 6d. May be obtained from the Attendants at the Museum, or from Messrs. Angus & Robertson, Castlereagh Street, Sydney; Messrs. Turner & Henderson, Hunter Street, Sydney ; Mr. E. W. Cole, George Street, Sydney, Book Arcade, Melbourne, and Bundle Street, Adelaide; Messrs. Melville, Mullen & Slade, Melbourne; Messrs. R. Friedlander & Son, Berlin ; Messrs. Kegan Paul, Trench, Triibner &. Co., Paternoster House, Charing Cross Road, London. [Exchanges of Serials, Works, Eeports, and other publications are earnestly solicited on behalf of the Museum Library.] CONTENTS. On Circular and Spiral Incised Ornament on Australian Aboriginal Implements and Weapons. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator.. A Spear with Incised Ornament from Angeldool, New South Wales By E. Etheridge, Junr., Curator. ... An Actinoceras from North-West Australia. By E. Etheridge Junr., Curator... The Discovery of Bones at Cunningham Creek, near Harden New South Wales. By E. Etheridge, Junr., Curator Additional Localities for Peripatus leuchartii — Sang. By the late Frederick A. A. Skuse, Entomologist Description of a New Papuan Land Shell. By C. Hedley Conchologist ... On a New Sub-Species of Psophodes crepitans. By Alfred J. North C.M.Z.S., Ornithologist Ornithological Notes. By Alfred J. North, CM. Z.S.,Ornithologist- I. On the Extension of the Eange of Calamanthus fuUginosus and Emhlema picta to New South Wales ... II. On a Curious Nesting-site of Anthus australis III. On the Nidification of Megaloprepia magnifica, the magnifi cent Fruit Pigeon 10 11 13 14 15 16 RECORDS OCT 1 1097 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM EDITED BY THE CURATOR Vol. III. No. 2. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES. Curator. ^"SYDNEY, AUGUST 5, 1897. F. W. WHITE, PRINTER, MARKET STREET WEST. PUBLICATIONS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. AUGUST, 1897. I.— CATALOGUES. 1. Catalogue of the Specimens of Natural Histoey and Miscellaneous Cukiosities in THE Australian Museum, by G.Bennett. 1837. 8vo. pp. 71. (Out of print.) 2. Catalogue of Mammalia in the Collection of the Austkalian Museum, by G. KrefEt, 1864. 12mo. pp. 133. (Out of print.) 3. Catalogue op the Minerals and Rocks in the Collection of the Australian Museum, by G. KreflPt. 1873. Svo. pp. xvii.-llo. (Out of print.) 4. Catalogue of the Australian Birds in the Australian Museum, by E. P. Ramsay. Part I. Accipitres. 1876. Svo. pp. viii-64. Boards, 28. ; cloth, 3s. Part II. Striges. 1890. 8vo. pp. 35. Wrapper. Is. 6d. Part III. Psittaci. 1891. 8vo. pp. viii-110. Wrapper, .58. Part IV. Halcyones. 1894. Svo. pp. viii-24. Wrapper, 2s. 6d. 5. Catalogue of the Australian Stalk and Sessile-eyed Crustacea, by W. A. Haswell. 1882, Svo. pp. xxiv.-324, with 4 plates. (Scarce) Wrapper, 21s. 6. Catalogue of the Library of the Australian Museum. 1883. Svo. pp. 178. With two supplements. (Out of print.) 7. Catalogue of a Collection of Fossils in the Australian Museum, with Introductory Notes, by r Ratte. 1883. Svo. pp. xxviii-160. Wrapper, 28. 6d. 8. Catalogue of the Australian Hydeoid Zoophytes, by W. M. Bale. 1884. Svo. pp. 198, with 19 plates. Wrapper, 3s. 6d. 9. Descriptive Catalogue op the General Collection of Minerals in the Australian Museum, by F. Ratte. 1885. Svo. pp. 221, with a plate. Boards, 2s. 6d. ; cloth, 3s. 6d. 10. Catalogue of Echinodermata in the Australian Museum, by E. P. Ramsay. Part I. Echini. 1885. Svo. pp. iii. ii.-54, with 5 plates. Wrapper, 3s. 6d. ; cloth, 3s. 6d. 2nd Edit., 1890. 11. Descriptive Catalogue of the Medusa; op the Australian Seas. Part I. Scypho- medusse. Part II. Hydromedusse, by R. von Lendenfeld. 1887. Svo. pp. 32 and 49. 12. Descriptive Catalogue op the Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, by A. J. North. 1SS9. Svo. pp. iv V.-407, with 21 plates. Wrapper, 25s. Coloured plates, £2 15s. 13. Descriptive Catalogue op the Sponges in the Australian Museum, by R. von Lendenfeld. 1888. Svo. pp. xiv.-260, with 12 plates. Boards, 78. 6d. ; cloth, 10s. 6d. 14. Catalogue of the Fishes in the Australian Museum. Part I. Palseicthyan Fishes, by J. Douglas Ogilby. 1888. Svo. pp. 34. Wrapper, 2s. 6d. ; boards, 3s. 6d. 15. Catalogue of the Marine Shells of Australia and Tasmania, by J. Brazier. Part I. Cephalopoda. 1892. Svo. pp. 20. Paper, 2s. 6d. Part n. Pteropoda. 1892. Svo. pp. 22. Paper, 28. 6d. Part III. Gasteropoda (Murex). 1893. Svo. pp. 32. Paper, 2s. 6d. 16. Catalogue OF Australian Mammals, with Introductory Notes on General Mammalogy, by J. D. Ogilby, 1892. Svo. pp. xvi-144. Wrapper, 3s. 6d. II.— MONOGRAPHS. 1. Australian Lepidoptera and their Transformations, by the late A. W. Scott, with Illustrations by his daughter* Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Forde. Edited and revised by A. S. OUiff andMri. Forde. Vol. II., Part . 3, and Wrappers, l.'^Utis. hoc. — Eli Elwah Station, tif leen miles W. of Hay, N.S. Wales. Finder and Date. — Coll. — H. C. Russell, F.R.S., Govt. Astronomer, Sydney. GiLGOiN, No. 1. — H. 0. Russell, Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales, xxiii., 1889, p. 47 ; A. Liversidge, Proc. Austr. Assoc. Adv. Sci., ii., for 1890 (1891), p. 388. Type. — Siderolite. Weight. — 67tt)S. 5ozs. Loc. — Gilgoin Station, forty miles E.S.E. of Brewarrina, N.S. Wales. ' Coll. — H. C. Russell, F.R.S., Govt. Astronomer, Sydney. Gilgoin, No. 2.— H. C. Russell, Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales, xxvii., 1893, p. 361. Type. — Siderolite . Weight. — 74ft)s. 5ozs. Most probably part of the same meteor- ite as Gilgoin, No. 1. Loc. — Two miles S. of Gilgoin, No. 1. Coll. — H. C. Russell, F.R.S., Govt. Astronomer, Sydney. Haddon. — Illustrated Australian Neivs, 17th May, 1875, p. 68; W. Flight, Geol. Mag,, (2), ix., 1882, p. 107. Ohs. — A meteor was seen on April 14th, at 030 a.m., and immediately afterwards an eyewitness thought he saw matter fall near him. Several pieces of melted matter of varying colour were found. Type. — Aerolite ? Loc. — Haddon, Grenville Co., Vict. Coll.— Le Gould Meteorite.— Le Gould, Geol. Mag., i., 1864, p. 142. Obs. — An aerolite was found ten inches in diameter, which had struck and broken a tree. Loc. — Two day's inarch beyond the Isaacs, the first branch of the Mackenzie River, Queensland. 58 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. MoONBl. — J. C. H. Mingaye, Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales, xxvii., for 1893 (1894), p. 82 ; A. Brezina, Ann. K.K. Naturhist. Hofmus. Wien., x., 3-4, 1895, p. 268. Type. — Siderite, belonging to the Octahedrite Group. PTei^A^.— 29tbs. Loc. — Top of one of the ridges of the Moonbi Range, eighteen miles from Moonbi Township, N.S. Wales. Finder and Dale. — Mr. Langston, in 1892. Coll. — Technological Museum, Sydney (main mass). MoORANOPPiN. — H. A. Ward, Supplementary Catalogue of Meteor- ites for sale, April 1, 1897. Type. — Siderite ? Weight. — Loc. — Mooranoppin, West Australia. Finder and Dale. — An Aboriginal in or before 1893. Coll. — Perth Museum, Perth, West Australia; H. A. Ward, Rochester, U.S.A. Mount Stirling. — (Under investigation). Type. — Siderite. Weight.— mQ\%%. Loc. — Twenty-five miles S.E. of Mount Stirling, one hundred and thirty miles E. of Perth, West Australia. Finder and Date. — Existence known in 1892. Coll. — Australian Museum, Sydney. MuNGlNDi, No. 1. — G. W. Card, Rec. Geol. Surv. N.S. Wales, v., 3, 1897, p. 121. Type. — Siderite, belonging to the Octahedrite Group. Weight. — -Sifts. Loc. — In Queensland, three miles N. of Mungindi Post Office, N. S. Wales. Finder and Date. — Early in 1897. Coll. — Mining and Geological Museum, Sydney. Mungindi, No. 2.— G. W. Card, Rec. Geol. Surv. N.S. Wales, v., 3, 1897, p. 121. Type. — Siderite, apparently part of the same meteorite as Mungindi, No. 1. Weight.— ^mi%. Loc. — Found with Mungindi, No. 1. Finder and Date. — Early in 1897. Coll. — Mining and Geological Museum, Sydney. Narraburra. — H. C. Russell, Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales, xxii., 1890, p. 81. Type. — Siderite. Weight. — 701bs. 14ozs. CATALOGTJE OF AUSTEALIAN METEORITES — COOKSEY. 59 Loc. — Narraburra Greek,* twelve miles E. of Temora, N.S. Wales, Lat. 34° 10' S., Long. 147° 43' E. Fhider and Date. — Mr. O'Brien, 1854. Coll. — H. 0. Russell, F.R.S., Govt. Astronomer, Sydney. NocoLECHE. — T. Oooksey, Rec. Austr. Mus., iii., 3, 1897, p. 51. Type. — Siderite, belonging to the Octahedrite Group. TFei^/i^.— 44-18Ibs. (20,040 grams.) Loc. — Five miles S.W. of Nocoleche Station, near Wanaaring, N.S. Wales. Finder and Date. — Existence known in 1895. Coll. — Australian Museum, Sydney ; H. A. Ward, Rochester, U.S.A. ROEBOURNE. — Type. — Siderite. Ifei^/i^.— 19Ufts. Loc. — Two hundred miles S.E. of Roebourne, N.W. West Australia. Finder and Date. — H. Reginald Hester, in 1892. Coll. — Perth Museum, Perth, West Australia ; H. A. Ward, Rochester, U.S. A Temora. — G. W. Card, Rec. Geol. Surv. N. S. Wales, v ., 2, 1897, p. 52 ; A. Brezina, Ann. K.K. Naturhist. Hofmus. Wien., X., 3-4, 1895, p. 288. Type. — Siderite, belonging to the Octahedrite Group. Weight. — Loc. — Between Cootamundra and Temora, N. S. Wales. Finder and Date. — Found by some miners about the year 1890. Coll. — Fragments: — Mining and Geological Museum, Sydney ; Hofmuseum, Vienna ; H. A. Wai'd, Rochester, U.S.A. Thunda. — A. Liversidge, Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales, xx., 1886, p. 73 ; ibid., xxii., 1888, p. 341 ; A. Liversidge, Proc. Austr. Assoc. Adv. Sci., ii., for 1890 (1891), p. 387 ; A. Brezina, Ann. K.K. Naturhist. Hofmus. Wien., x., 3 - 4, 1895, pp. 272, 283. .Z^/jOfl.— Siderite, belonging to the Octahedrite Group. Weight. — 1371bs. Loc. — Thunda, Wiudorah, Diamantina District, Queensland- Co^^. — A. Liversidge, F.R.S., University, Sydney (main mass). * Mr. Russell tells me personally that Yeo Yeo Creek is its proper locality. 60 , RECORDS OF THE AITSTRALIAN MUSEUM. YoUNDEGiN, No. 1. — L. Fletcher, Min. Mag., vii., 34, 1887, p. 121 ; A. Brezina, Ann. K.K. Naturhist. Hofmus. Wien., X., 3-4, 1895, p. 286. Type. — ^Siderite, belonging to the Octahedrite Group. Weight. — Four fragments weighing 25flbs., 241bs., IT^lbs., and 6Ibs., and broken pieces 17ft)s. Loc. — Three-quarters of a mile N.W. from Penkarring Rock, about seventy miles E. of York, West Australia, Lat. 31° 30' S., Long. 117° 30' E. Finder and Date. — Alfred Eaton, Jan. 5th, 1884.* Coll. — Two fragments in British Museum (Nat. Hist.). YouNDEGiN, No. 2. — J. R. Gregory, Nature, 1892, xlvii., 1204, p. 90; A. Brezina, Ann. K.K. Naturhist. Hofmus. Wien., X., 3-4, 1895, p. 286. Type. — Siderite, belonging to the Octahedrite Group. Weight.— ^^'>m^&. Loc. — Youndegin, West Australia. Finder and Date. — Louis Knoop, in 1891. Coll. — J. R. Gregory, London. Youndegin, No. ^.— Nature, 1893, xlvii., 1220, p. 469 ; A. Brezina, Ann. K.K. Naturhist. Hofmus. Wien., x., 3-4, 1895, p. 286. Tyjie. — Siderite, belonging to the Octahedrite Group. Weight.—IOims. Loc. — Youndegin, West Australia. Finder and Date. — Louis Knoop, in 1892. Coll. — J. R. Gregory, London. A Contribution to a Bibliography of Australian Meteorites. Anonymous. — The Meteor of the 14th April [Haddon Meteorite]. — The Illustrated Australian News, 17th May, 1875, pp. 68 and 74. „ [Youndegin Meteorite, No. 3]. — Nature, 1893, xlvii,, 1220, p. 469. Berthelot (M.) — Nouvelles contributions a I'histoire des Car- bones, du Graphite et des Meteorites. — Ann. Chimie, 1873, XXX., p. 424. „ Nouvelles Contributions a I'histoire du Carbone. — Compt. Rend., 1871, Ixxiii., p. 494. * Catalogue of Exhibits in the Western Australian Court of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London, 1886, gives 1883 as the date of discovery. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF AUSTRAMAN METEORITES— COOKSEY. 61 Brezina (A.) — Die Meteoritensammlung des K. K. naturhistoris- chen Hofmuseunas am 1 Mai, 1895. — Ann. K. K. Nalur- hist. Hofmus. Wien, 1895, x., 3-4, pp. 235, 252, 267, 268, 272, 273, 285, 294, 301, 305, 306, 307, 340, 341, 344, 355. BuCHNER (O.) — Die Meteoriten, etc., pp. 202 (8vo. Leipsig, 1863). [Cranbourne Meteorite, p. 198]. Card (G. W.) — On the Occurrence and Classiti cation of some New South Wales Meteorites. — Rec. Geol. Surv. N.S. Wales, 1897, v., 2, p. 49. „ Mineralogical and Petrological Notes, No. 6. — Rec. Geol. Surv. N.S. Wales, 1897, v., 2, p. 121. CooKSEY (T.) — The Nocoleche Meteorite, with Catalogue and Bibliography of Australian Meteorites. — Rec. Austr. Mus., 1897, iii., 3, p. 51. Fletcher (L.) — On a Specimen of Meteoric Iron found at Youn- degin. West Australia, in 1884. — Mhi. Mag., 1887, vii., No 34, p. 121. ,, An Introduction to the Study of Meteorites. — Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Guides, 1886, pp. 45, 67. Flight (W.) — A Chapter in the History of Meteorites. — Geol. May., 1875, (2), ii., pp. 264, 552. ,, Supplement to a Chapter in the History of Meteorites. — Geol. Mag., 1882, (2), ix., pp. 107, 448; Ihicl, 1883, (2), X., p. 59. „ Report of the Examination of the Meteorites of Cran- bourne in Australia, of Rowton in Shropshire, and of Middlesborough in Yorkshire. — Phil. Trans, for 1882 (1883), clxxiii., p. 885. FooRD (G.) — Nickeliferous and Meteoric Iron. — Brough Smyth's Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Ficioria, 1869, p. 424. Gibbons (S.) — Note on the Cranbourne Meteorite. — Trans. Roy. Soc. Vict., 1874, X., p. 130. Gregory (J. R.) — A Large Meteorite from West Australia. — Nature, 1892, xlvii., 1204, p. 90. Haidinger (W. von) — Die Dandenong Meteoreisenmasse in Mel- bourne. — Sitz.K. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 1861, xliv., pp. 378, 465 ; Ihid., 1862, xlv., p. 63. Hauskofer(K.) — Meteorit von Cranbourne, Australien. — Journ. Prakt. Chem., 1869, cvii., p. 330. „ Meteorite found near Cranbourne, Melbourne, Australia. — Chem. News, 1870, xxi., p. 12. Le Gould (L.) — Discovery of an Aerolite, and Visit to a Petrified Forest in Northern Queensland. — Geol. May., 1864, i., p. 142. 62 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. LiVERSlDGE (A.) — -The Deniliquin or Baratta Meteorite. — Trans. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1872 (1873), p. 97 ; Joti,rn. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1882, xvi., p. 31. On the Bingara Meteorite. — Jonrn. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1882, xvi., p. 35. Metallic Meteorite, Queensland. — Jourii,. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1886 (1887), xx., p. 73. [The Thunda Meteorite]. — Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1888 (1889), xxii., 2, p. 341. Australian Meteorites. — Proc. Austr. Assoc. Adv. Sci. for 1890 (1891), ii., p. 387. The Minerals of New South Wales, etc. — (8vo. London, 1888), pp. 207, 218, 221. MiNGAYE (J. C. H.) — Notes and Analyses of a Metallic Meteorite from Moonbi, near Tamworth, N.S. Wales. — t/owrw. Roy. Soc. N. S. Wales for 1893, xxvii., p. 82. Russell (H. C.) — [Meteorite near Hay (Eli Elwah Meteorite)]. — Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1888 (1889), xxii., 2, p. 341. ,, [The Baratta and Gilgoin Meteorites]. — Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1889, xxiii., 1, p. 46. „ [The Narraburra Meteor]. — Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1890, xxiv., p. 81. „ On Meteorite No. 2, from Gilgoin Station. — Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1893, xxvii., p. 361. ,, On a Meteorite from Gilgoin Station. — Nature, 1894, xlix., 1266, p. 325. Selwyn (A. R. C.) AND Ulrich (G. H. F.)— Notes on the Physical Geography, Geology, and Mineralogy of Victoria. — (8vo. Melbourne, 1866). [Cranbourne Meteorite, p. 517]. Smith (J. Lawrence). — On the Composition of the new Meteoric Mineral Daubreelite, and its frequent, if not universal occurrence in Meteoric Iron. — Silliman's Amer. Journ. Sci., 1878, (3) xvi., p. 270; Min. Mag., 1879, ii., 9, p. 152^ Ulrich (G. H. Y.)—Vide Selwyn (A. R. C.) and Ulrich (G. H. F.) Ward (H. A.) — Supplementary Catalogue of Meteorites for Sale, April 1, 1897. Wilkinson (C. S.) — [The Cowra Meteorite]. — Journ. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales for 1888 (1889), xxii., 2, p. 341. I am indebted to Prof. A. Liversidge, F.R.S., Messrs. H. C. Russell, F.R.S., R. T. Baker, G. M. Card, B. H. Woodward, and the Curator of this Museum, for assistance in compiling this Catalogue and Bibliography. ANKERITE FROM SANDHURST, VICTORIA — COOKSET. 63 ANKERITE from SANDHURST, VICTORIA. By T. CooKSEY, Ph.D., B.Sc, Mineralogist. Among the specimens of minerals in the Museum Collection are two, which were obtained from the New Chum line of reef, Sand- hurst, Victoria, and which had been placed among those of the Calcite group. That these were correctly named seemed doubtful, as the powdered mineral effervesced very feebly with dilute hydro- chloric acid in the cold. A qualitative test showed that both iron and magnesia were present in considerable quantity and a complete analysis furnished the following results : — CaCO, ... 48-95 FeCO, ... 2312 MgC03 ... 25 01 Insoluble residue 3-54 100-62 •3016 gram of material was taken for analysis, which on treat- ing with hydrochloric acid, left -0107 gram of insoluble matter consisting mainly of albite. By subtracting this insoluble portion from the total quantity taken, namely -3016 gram, and calculating the results on the amount dissolved, that is '2909 gram, the per- centage composition of the three carbonates is found to be : — CaCOs 50-76 FeCOs 23-97 MgCOs 25-93 Manganese was not present, neither the borax bead test nor the fusion with nitre and caustic potash giving the manganese reaction. The specitic gravity of the mineral is 2-994 (uncorr.) and its hardness about 3-5. The crystals consist of very flat rhombohedrons with slightly curved faces occasionally striated, and form the lenticular crystals with sharp edges frequently seen in calcite and more especially in siderite. They are, however, externally slightly altered and the 6.4 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. surfaces have a dull yellowish tinge deepening occasionally towards the edges. Internally they are colourless and translucent and shew the rhomboidal cleavage perfectly. In the one specimen the crystals of ankerite are associated with large and well formed crystals of quartz, some of which are left- handed, having both the rhombo- and trapezohedral surfaces. A few saddle-shaped crystals of siderite are deposited here and there on both minerals.* The other specimen contains no siderite, the associated minerals being quartz crystals, and a few large and numerous small crystals of albite. Normal ankerite has the formula 2 CaCOs.FeCOs.MgCOs assigned to it and requires 2 CaCOj 50-0 FeCOj ... 290 MgCO, 21-0 100-0 The analysis of the above mineral is seen to differ from this in the relative proportions of the carbonates of iron and magnesia. Calculated however for the formula 5 CaC03.2 FeCOs.S MgCOg the percentages found agree exceedingly well with the theoretical Calculated. Found, 5 CaCO, 50-81 50-76 2 FeCOg 23-57 23-97 3 MgCOs 25-61 25-93 Borickyt writes the formula for ankerite and similar minerals thus : — (CaFeC^Oc)-^^ (CaMgC,Oe), and states that n may vary from ^ to 10. When n is 1 the formula represents normal ankerite, but he assumes that those minerals in which n is 2 or less may be classed as ankerites, while he names tho.se in which n is greater than 2 parankerites. The formula 5 CaCOa. 2FeC03. SMgCOg calculated for the present mineral may be written : — 2 (CaFeC20e)-t-3 (CaMgC^Oe) * These crystals of siderite have already been figured and described by the late Mr. F. Ratte in " Notes from the Australian Museum," Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales, x., 4, 1885, p. 759. t Boricky— Min. Mitth., xlvii., 1876. ANKERITE FROM SANDHURST, VICTORIA — CO0K8EY. 6.5 and this again : — (CaFeC,Oe) + f (CaMgC^Oe) in which it is seen that n is equal to f. This mineral therefore, according to Boricky's nomenclature, must be placed with the ankerites, but differs from the normal however in that n is f in- stead of 1. In Australia generally this mineral has been rarely observed. In New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania it has not been recorded. In Victoria, A. R. C. Selwyn and G. H. F. Ulrich* state that a mineral similar in composition was met with in veins and patches in decomposed basalt at Philiplsland ; and in South Australia it has been found at Gill'sBlufF, near Lyndhurst, and at theWalleroo Mine. Brown spar and ferroealcite have been observed in several places, but they vary very considerably in composition from anker- ite itself. * A. R C. Selwyn and G. H. F. Ulrich— Phys. Geogr., Qeol. and Min. Vict., 1866, p. 75. 66 KECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. On a PRECAUDAL VERTEBRA op ICHTHYOSAURUS AUSTRAL IS, McCOY. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator. The subject of this paper is the imperfect vertebra of a large Ichthyopterigian, referable, I believe, to Ichthyosaurus australis, McCoy.* The original was brought under my notice by the Rev. M. Kirkpatrick, of Bega, N. S. Wales, who obtained it from Marathon, Central Queensland. With his permission a cast was taken for the Australian Museum Collection. As Sir F. McCoy's description was very brief, an extended notice of one of the middle trunk, or anterior pre-caudal vertebrse, may be acceptable to Aus- tralian investigators. The specimen is the centrum of a large vertebra measuring five inches in its vertical and transverse diameters, and rivals in size those of the gigantic /. campylodon, Carter, from the European Chalk, the vertebra figuredf by the late Sir Richard Owen measur- ing only four inches high. Our example is devoid of the neural spine, neurapophyses, and pleui'apophyses, but having the articular surfaces of the first and last well displayed. The positions of the diapophy.sial and pleurapophysial articular surfaces leads to the belief that the vertebra is one of the middle trunk series. It is subcircular in outline, slightly narrowed and contracted neurally. Measured across the articular surfaces from the neural to the hfemal margins the diameter is exactly five inches, and in a trans- verse direction, from diapophysis to diapophysis it is an eighth of an inch short of a similar measurement. Longitudinally measured V)etween the dia- and pleuraphysial tubercles the centrum is exactly two inches, but on the hajmal surface it is a quarter of an inch more. The concave terminal articular surface visible is deep, terminat- ing in a central fossa, the extent of the concavity being well exemplified by the matrix cast of the anterior cavity of the succeeding vertebra? at the posterior end of this specimen. This mass of matrix represents the " elastic capsule " that intervened l)etween the vertelDn-e, and retains on its surface portions of the osseous tissue of the succeeding centrum. The periphery or im- mediate articular rim at each end is narrow, the surface thence sloping rapidly inwards, but the edges of the rims project slightly * Trans. Roy. Soc. Vict., viii., 1868, p. 41. t Owen — Mon. Foss. Reptilia Cret. Formation, p. 70, pi. xxii. PRECAUDAL VERTEBRA OF ICHTHYOSAURUS AUSTRALIS — ETHERIDGE. 67 outwards, thus rendering the longitudinal or lateral surfaces of the centrum somewhat concave. The depth of the concavities is an inch, or perhaps a little more, and a longitudinal section of the centrum would be, in consequence, of a strongly hour-glass shaped outline. The floor of the myelonal canal is three-quarters of an inch wide, the joint faces of the neurapophysial surfaces rather triangular on very strongly raised fore and aft synchondrosial articular elevations, the space between these and the diapophysial tubercles is roughly three inches, the latter having descended in close contiguity to the parapophysial tubercles. It is clear, there- fore, that this vertebra from the wide disassociation of the neura- and diapophyses occupied a position in the column certainly more than one-third of the trunk from the head, and, according to Owen's measurements, was near about the forty to forty-fifth vertebra, for in this region in Ichthyosaurus, the dia- and para- pophyses form a pair of separate tubercles on each side near the anterior end of the centrum. The diapophyses are set further in from the anterior articular edge than the parapophyses ; these are close to the latter, but are not connected with it by a "neck." Both are represented by large and strong rounded tubercles, separated from one another by an interval of two-eighths of an inch, this interstitial surface being deep and groove like. The haemal surface is quite plain. The posterior concave articular surface is infilled with matrix, affording a complete cast of the next succeeding anterior cup, and even retaining a portion of the osseous tissue of the latter adhering to it. This tissue throughout the centrum is well preserved and dense. The specimen is certainly of the Campylodont group of Ichthyo- sauri, and occupies an intermediate position in outline between an "early posterior dorsal" and a "late posterior dorsal" vertebra of /. trigomis, Owen.* The largest Ichthyosauri attained a length of from thirty to forty feet, and the present meridianal species was in no way inferior to its gigantic fellows of the European Secondary seas. If we apply a similar method of arriving at the comparative size of an Ichthyosaurus as that adopted by Prof. Owen, that the jaw was " thirteen times the length of the vertical diameter of an abdominal or anterior caudal centrum," we see in the present fossil the representative of an animal possessing a jaw a little over five feet in length — thus 13 x 5' = 65" = 5' 5" long. Prof. McCoy computed! the remains of his type specimen to represent * Lydekker — Brit. Mus. Cat. Foss. Reptilia and Amphibia, 1889, pt. 2, p. 26, figs. 13 and 14. t Trans. Roy. Soc. Viet , ix., 2, 1869, p. 77. 68 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. an animal twenty-five feet long. Similar vertebrae to that now described he states possessed a diameter of four inches, and else- where he remarks* that the longitudinal measurement reached one and a half inches. The elastic capsule was also preserved in some of his specimens. Mr. R. Lydekker, in the previously mentioned " Catalogue," gives a list of species that " cannot be classified."! Amongst these are /. australis, McCoy, and /. tnarathonensis, mihi. I am afraid he has overlooked Sir Frederick's principal paper on his /. australis, wherein, although the description is meagre, the latter specially compares the teeth of his fossil to those of /. campylodon, and says they " have a rough bony square base like those of /. campylodon (Carter) " As regards /. marathonensis, mihi, less can perhaps be definitely said, but the whole of its structure, so far as we know it, is also after the type of /. campylodon. In my paper on this fossil, I called attention to the necessity of affording another name to /. australis, Hector, a New Zealand species distinct from McCoy's. This has now been done by Mr. Lydekker terming it /. hectori,\ but unfortunately the species is of no value, from the absence of either description or figure, all that Sir James Hector says about it being " this genus is only represented in the collection by a single vertebral centrum." Ichihyosaurtis indictis, Lydk.,!^ seems to be an allied species to /. australis, and also vied with /. campylodon in size. It is from the Ootatoor Group, the homotaxial equivalent of the Chalk Marl and Upper Greensand of England. McCoy's original specimens were from Walker's Table Mountain on the Flinders River. The present vertebra is, as before said, from Marathon on the same stream. Both are localities in the Rolling Downs Formation, or Lower Cretaceous. * Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (3), xix., 18G7, p. 355. t Loc. cit., p. 113. X Loc. cit., p. 113. § Pal. Indica (4), i., 3, 187H, p. 27. A NEW BLIND SNAKE FROM THE DTJKE OF YORK ISLAND — "WAITE. 69 A NEW BLIND SNAKE from the DUKE of YORK ISLAND. By Edgar R. Waite, F.L.S,, Zoologist, Australian Museum. The species herein described, is represented by two specimens, collected, together with other material, in the Duke of York Island, by the Rev. George Brown, D.D., and forwarded to the Museum many years ago. For this snake I propose the name of — Typhlops subocularis, sp. nov. Habit stout, of even thickness. Head flat, much depressed. Snout prominent, with a rather acute, but not sharp, edge. Rostral above, very narrow, about one-sixth the width of the head, reaching but little more than half-way to the level of the eyes ; the portion visible from beneath somewhat longer than broad ; nasal incompletely divided, the fissure extending from the anterior portion of the second labial. Nostrils inferior, preocular, but little narrower than the ocular, separated from the labials by one scale, ocular separated by two scales. Four upper labials, the anterior three very narrow. The mandible is ^-shaped, the symphysis very acute, and the scales adjoining the labials oblique. Diameter of the middle of the body thirty times in the total length. Tail longer than broad, terminating in a large thorn- like spine. Thirty-six (specimen A.) or thirty-four (specimen B.) scales round the middle of body. Colotirs. — In spirits, dark brown above, yellow beneath, the two areas strongly marked, line of union interrupted. Dimensions. A. (Type). B. Total length ... 360-0 mm. 280-0 mm Length of head 7-5 ,, G-0 „ Width of head 9-0 „ 7-5 „ Width of body ... 12-1 „ 9-2 „ Length of tail ... 17-3 „ 7-8 „ Width of tail ... 11-5 „ 6-5 „ abitat. — Duke of Yo rk Island. Two specii nens. Type. — In the Australian Museum, Sydney. 70 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. This species will come into Division III. of Boulenger's synopsis,* "a prseocular and one or two suboculars," but will fit into neither of the subordinate groups, the character of the snout not being sufficiently marked. Taking the number of scales round the body, namely, thirty four to thirty -six, the only described species with which it thus agrees is T. acutiis,^ at once distinguishable (apart from its distribution) by the peculiar snout and the remark- able size of the rostral. A species, T. depressus/i has previously been made known from the Duke of York Island ; in this the pneocular is in contact with the labials, and a comparison of Peters' figures (a reference to which Mr. Boulenger has, in his Catalogue,;^ omitted) with those below given, shows how widely the two species difter. I From above. From below. In profile. Head of Typhlops suhocularis (enlarged). * Boulenger— Brit. Mus. Cat. Snakes, i., 1893, p. 14. t Dum. et Bibr., Erpet. gen., vi., 1844, p. 333. t Peters— Monatsb. K. Preus. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1880, p. 220, fig. 3 (p. 309). § Boulenger — loc. cit., p. 33. Publications of the Australian Museum.— Contintted. III.— MEMOIRS. 1. History and Desceiption of the Skeleton of a new Sperm Whale in the Australian Museum, by W. S. Wall. 1851. 8vo. pp. 66, with plates. Eeprintl887. Wrappers, 2s. 6d. 2. Lord Howe Island : its Zoology, Geology, and Physical Characters. 1889. 8vo. pp. viii-132, with 10 plates. Boards, 7s. 6d. ; cloth, lOs. 6d. 3. The Atoll of Funafuti, Ellice Group : its Zoology, Botany, and General Struc- ture, based on Collections made by Mr. C. Hedley. Part I., 21st Dec, 1896. 8vo. pp. 86. Price, 5s. Part II., 2oth Feb., 1897. 8vo. pp. 76. 7 plates. Price, 5s. Part III., 12th July, 1897. 8vo. pp. 63. 5 plates. Price, 5s. Part IV., 27th Sept., 1897. 8vo. pp. 78. 3 plates. Price, 5s. Part v., 17th Nov., 1897. 8vo. pp. 42. 7 plates. Price, 5s. IV.— GUIDES. 1. Guide to the Australian Fossil Remains in the Australian Museum. 1870, Svo. (Out of print.) 2. Guide to the Contents of the Australian Museum. 1883. Svo. pp. iv.-56. (Out of print.) 3. Guide to the Contents of the Australian Museum. 1890. Svo. pp. 156. Wrapper. v.— MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS. 1. List of Old Documents and Kelics in the Australian Museum. 1884. Eeprinted with additions, 1890. Svo. pp. 4. 2. Descriptive List of Aboriginal Weapons, Implements, etc., from the Darling and Lachlan Rivers, by K. H. Bennett, F.L.S. 1887. Svo. pp. 8. (Out of print.) 3. Notes for Collectors. 1887. Svo. Is. 4. Hints for the Collectors of Geological and Mineralogical Specimens, by F. Ratte. pp. 26, with a plate. 6d. 5. Hints for the Preservation of Specimens of Natural History, by E. P. Ramsay. 1891. 4th Edition, pp. 32. Is. VI.— RECORDS. Vol. I., March, lS90i to Deer., 1891. Svo. pp. 202. 30 plates. Price 25s. Vol. II., April, 1892, to Jan., 1896. Svo. pp. 112. 23 plates. Price 25s. Vol. III., No. 1, 7 January, 1897. Svo. pp. 17. 4 plates. Price 2s. 6d. „ „ 2, 5 August, 1897. Svo. pp. 32. 7 plates. Price 2s. 6d. „ „ 3, 17 November, 1897. Svo. pp. 20. 3 plates. Price 2s. 6d. May be obtained from the Attendants at the Museum, or from Messrs. Angus & Roberttson, Castlereagh Street, Sydney ; Messrs. Turner & Henderson, Hunter Street, Sydney ; Mr. E. W. Cole, George Street, Sydney, Book Arcade, Melbourne, and Rundle Street, Adelaide ; Messrs. Melville, Mullen & Slade, Melbourne ; Messrs. R. Friedlander & Son, Berlin ; Messrs. Kegan Paul, Trench, Triibner & Co., Paternoster House, Charing Cross Road, London. [Exchanges of Serials, Works, Reports, and other publications are earnestly solicited op behalf of the Museum Library.] CONTENTS. PAGE The Nocoleche Meteorite, with Catalogue and Bibliography of Aus- tralian Meteorites. By T. Cooksey, Ph.D., B.Sc, Mineralogist .51 Ankerite from Sandhurst, Victoria. By T. Cooksey, Ph.D., B.Sc, Mineralogist 63 On a Precaudal Vertebra of IcMhyosauras australis, McCoy. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator 66 A New Blind Snake from Duke of York Island. By Edgar E. Waite, F.L.S., Zoologist 69 RECORDS AUG 2 lago llJSJ AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM EDITED BY THE CURATOR Vol. III. No. 4. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES. (Euratcr. SYDNEY, 13 JUNE, 1898. F. W. WHITE, PRINTER, MARKET STREET WEST. PUBLICATIONS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. JUNE, 1898. I.— CATALOGUES. 1. Catalogue of the Specimens of Natural Histoey and Miscellaneous Cueiosities in THE AusTEALiAN MusEUM, by G. Bennett. 1837. 8vo. pp. 71. (Out of print.) 2. Catalogue of Mammalia in the Collection of the Australian Museum, by G Krefft 1864. 12mo. pp. 133. (Out of print.) 3. Catalogue of the Minerals and Eocks in the Collection of the Australian Museum, by G. KreflPt. 1873. 8vo. pp. xvii.-115. (Out of print.) 4. Catalogue of the Australian Birds in the Austealian Museum, by E. P. Ramsay. Part I. Accipitres. 1876. | Second Edition, revised J 8vo. pp. xii-74. Part II. Striges. 1890. t by A J. North, 1898. |^ 8vo. pp. vi-31. Wrappers, 48. Part III. Psittaci. 1891. Sv. pp. viii-110. Wrapper, Ss. Part IV. 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II.— MONOGRAPHS. 1. Australian Lepidoptera and their Transfoemations, by the late A. W. Scott, with Illustrations by his daughters. Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Forde. Edited and revised by A. S. Olliff and Mrs. Foide. "Vol. II , Parts 1, 'z, 3, and 4. AVrappers, 15s. each. AUG 2 18S8 NEW OR LITTLE-KNOWN LOWER PALEOZOIC GASTEROPODA in the COLLECTION of the AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator. (Plates XV., and xvi.) The following Lower Palaeozoic fossils are either new to Australian Palaeontology, or have been imperfectly described. Genus Goniostropha, (Ehlert, 1888. (Bull. Soc. Etudes Sci. Angers for 1887 (1888).) Goniostropha pritchardi, sj). nov. PI. XV., Figs. 1 - 4. Sp. char. — -Shell small, elongately spiral, of seven or eight slowly increasing angular whorls, each bearing two sharp median keels, enclosing between them a smooth, slightly concave band, and the remaining surface of each whorl occupied by a series of fine spiral lyrte that are sometimes finer above than below the band ; sutures deep ; mouth with the outer lip apparently rounded, and the inner lip reflected. Length (of largest specimen) one and a quarter inches. Obs. — None of the mouths in the specimens before me are perfect, but the outer lip seems to have been rounded in outline, and the inner lip is certainly reflected. The whorls are only rendered angular by the projecting principal keels, enclosing between them the band, and they become less median in j^osition as the apex is approached. This form belongs to a group of rather common 3hirchisonia-\ike shells for which Dr. Daniel (Ehlert has proposed the name Goniostropha, distinguished by more or less angular whorls, the band occupying the angle or greatest periphery of each whorl, accompanied by supplementary finer revolving lyrae. In this respect it differs from an allied genus, Hypergonia, Donald.* As this is an undescribed species from the Lilydale Limestone of Victoria, I have much pleasure in associating with it the name * Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc, 1889, xlv., p. 623. 72 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MTTSETTM. of Mr. G. B. Pritchard, who has done much to advance our know- ledge of Victorian Palaeontology. Log. and Horizon. — Cave Hill Quarries, Lilydale, Upper Yarra District, Victoria. Lilydale Limestone, Upper Silurian ; pre- sented by Messrs. J. Hinder and E. Smith. Genus Gyrodoma, gen. nov.* Gyrodoma etheridgei, CresweU, sp. PL xvi., Fig. 1. Eunema etheridgei, Creswell, Proc. R. Soc. Vict., 1893, v. (n.s,), p. 42, t. 8, f. 2, (2 figs.). Qhs. — Mr. Ores well's figure represents an imperfect shell, and those now before me are also in the same condition, but suflicient characters are deducable to show that it is not referable to Eunema, which is an imperforate genus, with angular whorls. In G. etheridgei, on the other hand the whorls are boldly rounded, certainly seven in number and possibly more ; in PL xvi.. Fig. 1 seven are visible, whilst Creswell assumed five to be the number. In the latter's left hand figure, as above quoted, there seems to me to be an umbilicus, although no mention is made of this in the description. In PL xvi., Fig. 1, a distinct and rather flat or depressed band is visible, bounded by two lyrte that are certainly more prominent than the remainder encircling the whorls. Mr. Oreswell's figures both distinctly portray two bands side by side, but the example now figured has but one. If a double band does exist on some specimens, it indicates a departure towards the Cretaceous genus Disopeta, Gardner. The whorls decrease in size rapidly, the inner lip is almost straight, and with the anterior termination of the outer lip describes nearly a right angle. The presence of the regular spiral lyme distinguishes the proposed new genus from the allied Goniostropha, CEhlert, Cnlocaulus, Qiihlert, Hormotoma, Salter, Caliendrum, Brown, Cerithioides, Ilaugliton, Stegocn'lia, Donald, Hypergonia, Donald, and Glypho- deta, Donald, aided in some instances by the rounded whorls of Gyrodoma, and the position of the band. The nonderolement of the whorls distinguishes the latter from Loxoplocus, Fischer, and the absence of all tuberculation from Murchiso7iia, the genus proper in its restricted sense. If an umbilicus exists it cannot be a Pithodea, De Kon. I therefore conclude it is a new section of Murchisonia and call it Gyrodoma. hoc. and Horizon. — Cave Hill Quarries, Lilydale, Upper Yarra District, Victoria. Lilydale Limestone, Upper Silurian ; pre- sented by Mr. J. Hinder. * Gyro, to turn round, and domus, a house. LOWER PALEOZOIC GASTEROPODA — ETHERIDQE. 7t3 Genus Mourlonia, De Koninck, 1883. (Faune Calc. Oarb. Belgique, 1880, pt. 4, p. 75.) Mourlonia duni, sp. nov. PL XV., Fig. 5 ; PI. xvi., Fig. 2. Sp. char. — Shell conical, or somewhat trochiform, the sides of the cone fairly continuous; spire rather depressed, but acute at the apex ; whorls six, gently rounded ; base convex. Body whorl large, more than twice the height of the penultimate whorl, obtusely angular at the centre ; sutures faintly impressed ; band sutural on all but the body whorl, bounded above by a faint keel, on the body whorl occupying the obtuse median angle, the bound- ing keels very sharp and distinct, with a faintly impressed groove below the lower, and apparently without special sculpture ; sinus unknown ; umbilicus open, although not widely so ; mouth oval, with the inner lip reflected somewhat over the umbilicus, but without concealing it. Ql)s. — The late Mr. Felix Ratte figured* three univalves from our Lower Palteozoic rocks without assigning specific names to them, nor even generic in the case of two. Whether or no the present shell be one of these I am in doubt, but in some points his fig. 6 is like it, and again in other respects widely divergent ; for instance in the figure quoted there is too great a convexity of the whorls, too elevated a spire, and too prominent a band. At the same time there is the possibility that the two may be identical, allowing for defective drawing. Mourlonia duni is an exceedingly characteristic species of the Wellington Caves Limestone, and is at present unknown to me from any other horizon. It is named in honour of my former Assistant, Mr. W. S. Dun, to whom I am indebted for much cordial help. Log and Horizon — Wellington Caves, N. S. Wales. Siluro- Devonian. Genus Helicotoraa, Salter, 18.59. (Canadian Organic Remains, 1859, Dec. I., p. 10.) Helicotoma johnstoni, sp. nov. PI. XV., Figs. 6-8; PI. xvi., Figs. 3 and 4. Straparollus (Maclurea) tasmanicus, Johnston, Geol. Tas., 1888, t. 5, f. 7 (excl. f. 1 and la). Sp. char.— Shell discoid, of about four whorls, each nearly twice the breadth of the preceding ; spire short, wholly depressed * Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales, x., 1, 1885, t. 9. f. 6. 74 EECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. below the level of the body whorl, which is traversed on its outer angle by a keel, without nodes, crenulations or echinations, but variable in its degree of prominence and acuteness, on the inner side of the keel the surface of the whorl slopes rapidly away to the suture, with immediately above it a second feeble obtuse keel; on the under side the surface of the body whorl is either gently rounded or flattened, but the inner whorls rounded only ; umbilicus telescopic, but most of the whorls visible ; back in no way concave l)eneath the keel of the body whorl, but rounded and broadening towards the mouth, the surface loosing much of its convexity. Mouth generally rounded, but slightly insinuated at the keel, and more so along the sutural margin, the upper margin, in other words, retreating towards the shallow notch or insinuation referred to, and the lower edge advancing and insinuated. Sculpture of the upper sui'face consists of fine obliquely retreating lyrulpe on the inner half of each whorl, and similar advancing lyrulse on the outer half, giving a faintly V-shaped figure, but on the wide back these lyrulte become more directly transverse ; on the under surface the lyrulje descril)e a sigmoidal curve, becoming much coarser and sub-laminar towards the mouth, the sharpest portion of the curve being immediately above the suture at the obtuse feeble keel. Ohs. — Under the name of StraparoUus tasinaiiicus, I feel con- vinced Mr. R. M. Johnston has included two perfectly distinct shells. His figs. 1 and la. represent a Rajohistoma that may be known as Raphistoma tasmanicum, Johnston, sp., whilst fig. 7, the subject of the present I'emarks, appears to me to be a Helico- tonia, and I therefore propose for it the name of H. johnstoni. The specimen now figured was received in a collection of fossils forwarded from the Tasmanian Museum. PI. xv.. Fig. 6, repre- sents the upper side, corresponding to Johnston's fig. 7, whilst our PI. XV., Fig. 7, is that of the under or umbilical side of the same specimen. I am puzzled how to distinguish this from another shell that Mr. Johnston has figured as Lituites, sp. indet.,* except that in the latter the transverse laminae are too coarse for the lines occurring on the under surface of Helicotoma johnstoni. In the faintly V-shaped outline of the sculpture on the upper side, the apex of the V is at the keel of the body whorl, producing a slight notch on the outer lip, after the manner of Helicotoma, without in anyway simulating a true sinus. This reflection of the sculpture lines and the presence of the notch distinguish this shell at once from Polytropis, De Koninck. Loc. and Horizon. — Gordon River, West Tasmania. Gordon River Limestone, Lower Silurian. * Johnston— Geol. Tas., 1888, t. 5, f. 8 and 10. LOWER PALEOZOIC GASTEROPODA — ETHERIDGE. 75 Genus Trochonema, Salter, 1859. (Canadian Organic Remains, 1859, Dec. 1, p. 24). Trochonema etheridgei, Johnston. PI. xvi., Figs. 5 and 6. Trochonema etheridgei, Johnston, Geol. Tas., 1888, t. 5, f. 13 and 14. Sp. char. — Shell tux-binate, of five or six acutely keeled and angular whorls, the principal keel occupying the periphery of each whorl ; on the anti-penultimate whorl there are three keels, the first small aixd thread-like bordering the upper suture, the surface thence to the second keel being tabulate or flat, from the latter to the principal keel slightly oblique and concave, and thence to the lower suture the surface is straight-walled ; the pen- ultimate whorl possesses four keels besides the peripheral, the three upper arranged as in the anti-penultimate, whilst between the third and fourth the surface is again straight-walled ; the body whorl (somewhat hidden in matrix) probably possessed four also, the peripheral keel being strong and prominent. Sutures excavated. Mouth almost rhomboidal ; outer lip strongly angled at the peripheral keel, rounded below ; inner lip possibly straight. Umbilicus distinct. Sculpture consisting of oblique sub-imbricat- ing growth lamellfe, faintly varicose along the peripheral keel, and becoming much stronger and rugose towards the mouth on the body whorl. Ohs. — This well marked shell was figured but not described by Mr. Johnston. In his plate explanation the author remarks that T. etheridgei is allied to T. tricarinata, Meek,* of the Corniferous Group of North America. T. tricarinata, Meek, should be known as T. meekiamim. Miller. f The present shell is readily dis- tinguished from T. montgomerii, mihi, by its much more turbinate form, and difterent arrangement of the spiral keels and sculpture. Log. and Horizon. — Gordon River, West Tasmania. Gordon River Limestone, Lower Silurian. Trochonema montgomerii, Eth.,fiL Eunema montgomerii, Eth., fil., Ann. Rep. Secy, for Mines Tas. for 1895-6 (1896), p. xlvii., pi. f. 21 and 22. Ohs. — Since the publication of this species, further examples have been received from the Tasmanian Museum, one with an umbilicus exposed. This will necessitate its removal from Eii,nema to Trochonema. The following additional features may be noted : * Ohio Geol. Report, Pal. I., 1873, p. 218, t. 19, f. 5 a and h. t N. American Geol. and Pal., 1889, p. 428. 76 REC0BD8 OF THE AUSTKALIAN MUSEUM. Each thread-like lyrula of the sculpture is separated from its neighbour by several times its own thickness, the obliquity of the lyrulpe on the upper part of each whorl being changed on the straight-walled portion to a perfectly vertical direction. The upper part of the inner lip, although not forming a callosity, is revolute, slightly projecting over the umbilicus. The aperture was long oval, angled on the outer lip by the principal keel of the body whorl. Log. and Horizuji.—Grordon. River, West Tasmania. Gordon River Limestone, Lower Silurian. Trochonema? nodosa, sp. nov. PL XV., Figs. 9, 10. Worthenia, sp. nov., Ratte, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, x., 1885, pt. 1, p. 80, t. 9, f. 1 and 2. Sp. char. — Shell turbinate, but not depressed ; whorls more than four (four in part only preserved), the body whorl apparently not free, each whorl horizontal or nearly so on its upper portion around the suture, vertical or straight-walled in the lower ; all, except the body whorl, bear two keels, the latter three, the upper- most keel in each case demarcating the two portions of the whorls, and earring a number of blunt nodes, or tubercles, which on the body whorl become of a variciform nature, and more pronounced with the growth of the whorl ; the second keel is midway between that just mentioned and the suture, and with the third on the body whorl is nodose also. Mouth generally oval, vertically elon- gated ; outer lip quadrangular ; inner lip and minute sculpture not preserved ; umbilicus deep and apparently open. Obs. — Had not Mr. Ratte figured this shell, and referred it to Worthenia (with which it has no connection), without a specific name, I should not have noticed it in consequence of its poor state of preservation. I am even doubtful of its proper generic resting- place from the same cause, but Trochonema, so far as I can judge, seems to be the most appropriate genus. At the same time it departs from the majority of species referred to the latter by the nodose nature of the encircling keels. There is one species of this genus, however, similarly ornamented — T. yandellana, Hall it Whitfield,* from the North American Corniferous Limestone, but otherwise distinct from T. ? nodosa. It may even be related to our old friend Buccinum breve, Sby., of the British Devonian rocks, and which Whidborne has of late referred! to the recent genus Liotia, Gray, without, however, in my opinion, sufficient reason. * 24th Ann. Rep. N. York State Cab., 1872, p. 194 ; 27th ibid., 1875, t. 13, f. 3 ; Nettelroth, Kentucky Fossil Shells, 1889, t. 20, f . 3. t Men. Dev. Fauna S. England, 1892, pt. 4, p. 271. LOWER PALAEOZOIC GATTEROPODA — ETHERIDGE. 77 hoc. and Horizon. — Cave Flat, Murrumbidgee River, N. S, Wales. Cave Flat Limestone, Siluro-Devonian. Genus Holopea, Hall, 1847. (Pal. K York, 1847, i., p. 169). Holopea wellingtonensis, sp. nov. PI. XV., Fig. 11 ; PI. xvi., Fig. 7-9. (Unnamed shell), Ratte, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, x., 1885, pt. 1, t. 9, f. 3-5. Sp. char. — Shell ventricose, of six whorls rapidly decreasing in size above the last or body whorl ; apex acute ; whorls rounded, uniformly ventricose, or almost inflated, very much wider than high, slightly horizontally flattened around the suture ; body whorl very much expanded in proportion to the others. Mouth round ; outer lip sharp and fine ; inner lip straight and slightly thickened. Umbilicus open and deep. Sculpture consisting of a large number of regular, fine, equidistant, sharp revolving threads crossed by others exceedingly fine and oblique, giving rise to a beautiful and minute cancellation ; towards the outer lip are a few coarse sub-laminar ridges. 06s. — This species was figured, although neither named nor described, by the late Mr. Ratte, but his figure shows a revoluted inner lip that is not present in any of our specimens. A similar flattening of the whorls around the suture is seen in Holopea obesa, Winchell.* H. wellingtonensis is not unlike some forms of Callonema, Hall, but possess spiral and growth threads, instead of the latter only, and also lacks the obtuse angularity on the anterior part of the body whorl that is almost always seen in species of Hall's genus. Both Holopea and Callonema are umbilicated. Loc. and Horizon. — Wellington Caves, N.S. Wales. Siluro- Devonian. * Geol. Wisconsin, 1873 - 79, iv., 1882, p. 348, t. 27, f . 4. 78 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. HALYSITES IN NEW SOUTH WALES. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator. (Plate xvii.) The history of this genus, not only in N. S. Wales, but in Australia generally, is a very brief one. Halysites was first recorded by the late Prof. L G. de Koninck,* who recognised //. escliaroides, Lamk., in the collection of N. S. Wales fossils sent him by the late Rev. W. B. Clarke for determination. In the description given, however, there are no characters that would readily differentiate between this species, and the typical H. catenulatus, Linn. De Koninck gives Wellington as the locality, but I have never seen a Halysites from the limestone of that district. Although the presence of this old Palpeontological landmark has been in a generic sense, recorded as occurring in N. S. Wales, the microscopic structure has not been investigated, so far as I know. The largest fasciculo-reticulate corallum that has come under my notice is a specimen measuring six and a half inches by four and a half, forming, in every case, a lax and spreading mass rather than a high erect growth. The intersecting reticulations, or " fenestrules," are very variable in size and shape, but always polygonal, the smaller having an average size of three by three mm., the largest observed fifteen by five mm., fourteen by twelve, and so on, with intermediate gradations, the angles of junction of the vertical lamina? or plates being equally variable. The reticu- lations are usually longer in one direction than another, but not by any means invariably so. The walls are strong, but in conse- quence of the alteration that has taken place, the epitheca on the free sides of the lauiinje is rarely discernible, but when so, is well developed. The number of corallites on any one side of a reticu- lation varies from two to twelve, but the average number is from four to six. Examination in thin sections renders the great amount of alter- ation the corallum has undergone apparent, an unfortunate cir- cumstance common to a large number of our Lower Palaeozoic * Foss. Pal. Nouv.-Galles du Sud, pt. 1, 1876, p. 16 ; Clarke, Sed. Form- ations X. S. Wales, -Ith Edit., 1878, p. 129. HALYSITES IN NE"W SOUTH "WALES — ETHERIDGE. 79 corals, still sufficient details can be made out to elucidate the finer characters of our Halysites. The mineral condition is very remarkable. The corals are preserved in a dark blue limestone, the tissues where unaltered being composed of the usual dark grey or brown sclerenchyma, the general infilling of all the intertabular spaces or old visceral chambers, being crystalline or granular calcite, the former in places with cleavage. Every here and there, however, the walls of the corallites are converted into a radiating siliceous mineral, or blebs of the same look as if forced into the walls ; there is every reason to believe that the latter is chalcedony, in the form of Beekite rosettes, a by no means uncommon mineral in our Lower Palaeozoic Invertebrata. In some cases these blebs occupy spaces within the corallites, breaking up the uniformity of the tabulate structure in a very marked manner. Notwithstanding this excessive alteration the external walls are quite discernible, and here and there the continuous epitheca on both the free sides of the laminje is visible also. As described* by Nicholson, the epitheca does not take any part in the " form- ation of the partition which actually divides any tube from its neighbour on either side," but the partitions are formed solely by the coalescent tvalls of the two contiguous corallites." Further- more, the corallites are of two orders, as in the well known Halysites catenulatus, Linn., thus at once distinguishing it from H. escharoides, Lamk. The larger, or normal corallites are oval, from three-quarters to one mm. in longest diameter, and the latter in the direction of the chain. In a macroscopic examination these may be at once distinguished by an outward bulging of the epithecated walls. The smaller corallites, or those of the second order, are ranged alternately with the larger, and are either round or quadrate, and each is enclosed by a thick wall of its own, distinct from the common or enclosing wall of the laminje. The position of these " interstitial tubes," as they are termed by Nicholson, is equally discernible externally by a biconcavity of the wall opposite to each secondary corallite. The angles of junction of any two lamina? that assist in forming a reticulation, or fenestrule, are always occupied by an interstitial corallite, which, in well weathered specimens, is visible with an ordinary pocket lens. Septa are absolutely wanting. The two sets of corallites become even more apparent in a vertical section. The normal tubes are closely tabulate, the tabulae horizontal, very regular, and equidistant, five in the space of one mm., enclosing between them more or less transversely elongated or quadrangular intertabular spaces. The interstitial tubes, on the other hand, are very narrow and pipe-like, sparsely * Nicholson— Tab, Corals Pal. Period, 1879. p. 227. 80 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. tabulate, the tabulae far apart (they are nearly half a mm. apart), although complete, the intertabular spaces vertically elongate, and both the walls and tabulfe greatly thickened, (PI. xvii., fig. 7) as compared with the similar parts of the normal corallites. There is not the slightest trace whatever of the small projections in the interstitial tubes, " apparently of a septal nature," dis- covered and described by N^icholson.* The presence of the interstitial corallites, and the absence of septa clearly places the present coral within the group of H. cateaiulatus, the " Chain-coral " of the Wenlock, but as compared with the latter there is this remarkable difference. In //. catenu- latus the tabuhe of the normal corallites are " comparatively remotely disposed," whilst in the interstitial tubes they are " much more numerous and more closely set."f In our coral, which I propose to call Halysites ausiralis, the exact opposite is the case. It is customary with Monographists to include in H. catenulatus a large number of other forms, in former days regarded as separate species, purely from external characters, but I think before this indiscriminate lumping is done, the whole of such forms should be submitted to microscopic examination, when possibly ditferences of an equally important nature to that shown above, may be found to exist. Halysites ausiralis difi'ers from //. agglomerata, Hall,| by the same characters that it does from //. catenulatus, Linn. In the form of the reticulations and mode of growth it is more akin to H. lahyrinthica, Goldf.,§ and H. catenulatus, var Harti, Eth.,|| but in both cases the fenestrules are larger than in our species. The specimens were collected by the Rev. J. Milne Ourran, at Molong, N. S. Wales, and by him presented to the Trustees. * Loc. cit., p. 229, t. 11, f. 1. t Ibid., p. 228. Z Hall— Pal. N. York, ii., 1852, t. 35 bis. § Petrefacta Germanic, t. 25, f. 5a. II Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc, xxxiv., 1878, p. 583, t. 28, f. 2. LARVA OF PSEUDOTERPNA PERCOMPTARIA RAINBOW. 81 DESCRIPTrON OF the LARVA of PSEUDOTERPNA PERCOMPTARIA, Gn. By W. J. Rainbow, Entomologist. (Plate xviii.) Family GeometriDjE. Sub-Family Boarmiin^e. Genus Pseudoterpna, Meyr. PsEUDOTERPNA PERCOMPTARIA, Gu. (PI. xviii.. Figs. 1, 1«, \h, \c, \d.) Dorsal surface sage green with small black spots ; sides con- colorous, with narrow longitudinal median stripes of pale yellow, the latter bordered with green ; lateral surfaces sparingly dotted with minute black spots ; in addition to these, the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth segments have each a small red spot, seated just below the spiracular oriface ; spiracles white, oval, ringed with black ; ventral surface concolorous, with median stripe of pale yellow. The head consists of an elongated, hard, chitinous process, wedge-shaped, deeply grooved down the centre both above and underneath ; back of head sage-green at base, apex suffused with pink and tipped with black, the surface finely granulated, and sparingly dotted with black ; sides granulated, sage-green, with a median longitudinal line of dark brown commencing at apex, and terminating rather lower down than half-way ; in front sage-green at base, suffused with pink, and thickly furnished with minute brown granules ; mouth parts of a dingy pinkish colour. Legs short, closely grouped together, pale yellowish ; pro-legs small, grouped together, and attached to the two final segments. Anal segment terminating with an elongated, chitinous, bifur- cated wedge-shaped process, the surface of which is granulated ; sage-green at base, black at tips. The specimen described was obtained by Mr. Sydney L. Evans, at Guyra, near Inverell, and was forwarded by him to the Aus- tralian Museum, where it was received on the 12th of April, 1897. Two days afterwards it entered the pupal stage. In the interval, however, that elapsed between the date it was received and the time of its pupating, the notes and sketches necessary for a description of the creature were made. The pupa was attached to a stick by its tail, and had a silken girdle across the middle. 82 EECORDS OF THE AITSTRALTAN MUSEUM. in which respect it might easily have been mistaken for a Papilio. This feature, it is well known, is not uncommon among the moths of the family Geometridfe. In answer to a query as to its food-plant, Mr. Evans writes us as follows : — " I am sorry to say that I am unable to tell you what the food plant of the caterpillar is. I found it holding on to a blade of grass near the Guyra Lagoon, and at first sight took it for a folded leaf, but on closer inspection found it was alive, but could not decide 'which end was which,' as there was apparently no difference." Mr. G Lyell, Junr., informs me that he has observed the larva feeding on the Peppermint Gum (Eucalyptus 2nperita, Sm,) The moth bred out on 3rd January, 1898. DESCRIPTION OP a NEW ARANEIAD. By W. J. Rainbow, Entomologist. (Plate xviii. ) Family ARGiOPiDiE. Genus PoLTYS, C. Koch. POLTYS MULTITUBERCULATUS, Sp. HOV. (PI. xviii., Figs. 2, •2a, 26.) ? Oephalothorax 6'2 mm. long, 4'8 mm. broad ; abdomen, 11-6 mm. long, 8 8 mm. broad. Cephalothorax longer than broad, arched, dark brown, almost black, glossy. Caput arched, terminating in front with a tuber- cular ocular eminence, the latter 0'5 mm. high, and clothed in front with long grey hairs ; commencing at base of ocular eminence and extending thence to the junction of the cephalic and thoracic segments there is, in the median line, a very conspicuous scopula, the hairs of which are long and grey. Clypeus broad, strongly arched, dark brown, almost black, glossy, median depression deep, radial grooves indistinct. Marginal band broad, and of a pale fleshy tint. Eyes black ; of these six are seated on the tubercular ocular eminence, and arranged in two rows, the lower consisting of four eyes, and these are in a curved line directed downwards and for- wards ; of this series the median pair are sensibly the largest of the group ; each eye of the anterior i"ow is separated from each other by a space equal to fully twice their individual diameter ; DESCRIPTION OF A NEW ARANEIAD RAINBOW. 83 the two comprising the second row are separated from their anterior neighbours by a space equal to rather less than twice their diameter, and from each other by about three diameters ; the remaining two lateral eyes are located in the angles of the cephalic segment at a distance from the tubercular eminence of about 0"5 mm. Legs long, robust, armed with strong spines, yellow-brown with dark annulations, clothed on the outer margins with hoary grey hairs, on the inner margins with ferruginous grey ; coxse densely clothed undei'neath with grey hairs. Relative lengths 1 = 2, 4, 3. Palpi long, similar in colour, armature, and clothing to legs. Falces long, robust, arched, glossy, sparingly clothed with black hairs, apices divergent, yellow at base to about one-third their length, where it terminates suddenly, and is thence dark brown to tips ; the upper margin of the furrow of each falx is armed with a row of four teeth, of which the two nearest the base are the longest and strongest ; the lower margin is armed with two. Maxillce broad, arched, moderately long, divergent ; laterally they are yellowish-brown, and clothed with rather long, hoary greyish hairs ; inner surfaces glossy, pale flesh-coloured and naked, but the edges are furnished with dense hoary scopulte. Lahiiun broader than long, arched, obtuse at apex, yellow-brown from base to about one-half its length, thence pale flesh-coloured. Sternum shield-shaped, moderately arched, densely clothed with short greyish hairs. Abdomen large, ovate, boldly projecting over base of cephalo- thorax, grey, with dark brown markings, and a large brown patch at the centre; sides grey; at the highest point of the anterior extremity there is a recurved row of nine tubercles, the central one of which is by far the largest and most prominent ; besides these there are on each side of the superior surface of the abdomen twelve tubercles, the first nine of which are distributed over three slightly procurved I'ows of three each ; the fourth row on each side consists of two each, and the twelvth tubercle is solitary; the total number of tubercles is 33 ; the median portion of the superior surface is, with the exception of two rather deep circular depres- sions, smooth ; inferior surface yellow-brown with dark markings and moderately clothed with hoary hairs laterally, and yellowish pubescence in the median line. Epigyne, a small tri-lobed tubercular eminence, arched in front, hollow within. Hah. Cooktown. The specimen herein described was collected by Mr. E. A. C. Olive, of Cooktown, and presented to the Trustees of the Australian Museum by Mr. P. de la Garde, R.N., Paymaster of H.M.S. " Waterwitch." 84 RECORDS OF THE ATJSTBALIAN MUSEtTM. DESCRIPTION OF a NEW BIVALVE, LIMA ALATA, from SANTA CRUZ. By 0. Hedley, Conchologist. Shell large, thick and strong, colour uncertain, in outline but slightly oblique, subelliptical, sharply truncate above and roundly produced below, in transverse sec- tion moderately rounded, in breadth two-thirds the length. Hinge line long, a third of the length of the valve, nearly straight, set at about an angle of thirty- five degrees to the median line of the valve. The narrow and shallow liga- meutal area is oveihung by the small, sharp, pro- duced umbo. The anterior auricle is enormously de- veloped, thickened, reflec- ted, and sharply and strongly recurved ; the posterior is straight and moderately developed. The exterior is everywhere regularly furrowed by numerous small grooves equal to their interstices. These are about a hundred in number, are deepest and broadest on the auricles and above, finest on the centre of the valve. They diverge at a small angle on each side of a median line ; trans- versely concentric growth lines indent and distort them. Length, 70 mm. ; breadth 50 mm. Locality. — Santa Cruz, S. Pacific. Type. — Au.stralian Museum. The material for the preceding description is a single, rather worn and discolored right valve, collected by Mr. J. Jennings on DESCRIPTION OF A NE'VV' BIVALVE — HEDLEY. 85 the beach of Santa Cruz Island in 1897, and presented by him to the Trustees. So unlike any other described species does it appear that 1 have considered that even such imperfect material should be utilised. The brothers Adams, in grouping the recent species of Lima, set apart under the subgenus Ctenoides of Klein, L. scabra, Born, and L. tenera, Chemnitz, distinguished, among other features, by a sculpture of " ribs divaricate, meeting in the centre." Our novelty appears to find its nearest relations with these. More recently described species embraced by this character are : — L. albicoma, Dall., L. concentrica, Sowerby, and L. murrayi, Smith. L. alata appears to be longer than any of its immediate kin, witli which I am not autopically acquainted, and to differ from any recent Lima in the development and sinuation of the anterior auricle. ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. Bv Alfred J. North, C.M.Z.S., Ornithologist. IV.— On a species of PIGEON frequenting the ATOLLS OF THE ELLICE GROUP. For nearly a quarter of a century various observers and writers have made reference to a species of Pigeon frequenting the Ellice Group. As I pointed out in my brief notes on the birds brought back from Funafuti by Mr. Hedley,* I could find no recoi'd of adult specimens having been obtained, but there was little doubt that the birds seen by Mr. Jansen on Funafuti in 1876, and by Mr. C. R. Swayne on Niu in 1895, were correctly identified by them as Glohicera pacifica. Prior to the departure of the Coral-Boring Expedition for Funafuti last year, I urged the desirability of procuring one or * Austr. Mus. Mem. iii.— Atoll of Funafuti, pt. 1, Aves, 1896, p. 86. 86 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. more of these Pigeons if possible, and subsequently Mr. W. G. Woolnough, B.Sc, succeeded in shooting the specimen herein referred to, on the islet of Fualifeke, Funafuti Atoll, on 9th August, 1897. The Pigeon was presented to the Trustees of the Australian Museum. It proved to be a female Globicera pacijica, slightly smaller, but precisely similar in plumage to an example obtained about the same time from the Rev. H. A. Robertson of Erromanga, New Hebrides. There is, however, scarcely any indication of the knob at the base of the bill and it is probably similar to the specimen on which Bonaparte bestowed the name of Globicera microcera, a synonym of this species. This may be due to immaturity, for the feathers surrounding the bill and on the chin, are not quite so white as in examples obtained in other islands of the Pacific, and in which the knob on the bill is more developed. In the Ornithology of the "United States Exploring Expedition, "■'^ Oassin, writes as follows of this species: "The knob at the base of the bill in this bird is not so greatly developed as in some other species, at least this is the case in the specimens now before us, from the collection of the Expedition. This appendage occurs in several species of the group of fruit- eating Pigeons, and is we suspect, not only peculiar to, or largest in the male bird, but also most observable at the commencement of the season of incubation, like the appendages on the head and neck, or wattles, of the turkey." The specimen of G. paci/ica from Funafuti, measures : — total length 12-5 inches, wing 8-8, tail .^-2, bill 0-95, tarsus, 095. A female from Erromanga measures: — total length 14'5, wing 9*2, tail, 5-6, bill imperf., tarsus 1. Since the receipt of the above specimen, Mr. J. Stanley Gardiner, B.A., of Caius College, Cambridge, has kindly sent me a reprint from The Ibis for January 1898, containing an account by Dr. Hans Gadow, of the birds collected by Mr. Gardiner on Funafuti, and later on at Rotumah. Nine species were obtained on the former atoll, of which Nuirienius tahitensis, Charadrius fulvus, Strepsilas interpres, and Gygis Candida, are additions to its avi-fauna. Dr. Gadow also remarks " The following species was observed but not obtained : — Carpophaga pistrinaria." Evidently this is the Pigeon Mr. Gardiner informed me, on his return to Sydney, that he had seen on Funafuti, but was unable to identify in the Museum. Hitherto, this species, of which we have a line series in the collection, has only been recorded from the Solomon Islands, about a thousand miles from Funafuti. It is a larger and much lighter coloured bird, and if well seen could hardly be mistaken for Globicera pacifica. If Mr. Gardiner is correct in his determination, there are two .species of Pigeons frequenting the Ellice Group. Cassin— U. S. Expl. Exped. Orn. p. 265 (1858). ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES — NORTH. 87 The following is a list of the birds recorded up to date, that frequent these atolls, brought so much into prominence by the recent coral-boring expeditions : — Urodynamis taitensis ^trepsilas iiderpres Fregata aqui/a Limosa nnvce-zealandice Demiegretta sacra Anous stolidus Globicera pacifica Micranous leucocapillus *Carpophaga pistrinaria Procehterna ccerulea Charadrius fulviis Sterna ancestheta Totanus incanus Sterna nielanauchen Nunienius tahitensis Gygis Candida v.— On the occurrence of BUTASTUR TEES A in AUSTRALIA. Some time ago Mr. Richard Grant of Lithgow, presented a skin of Butastur teesa to the Trustees, accompanied by the following note : " With regard to this Hawk, I shot it in a ring-barked tree, near the Bowenfels road, Lithgow. I do not know the exact date, but as near as I can remember it was in November 1889. I skinned it, also some Brown Hawks, that I shot the same day, and partly filled the skins out and put them away. I took no further notice of them until my brother returned home and drew my attention to this bird's plumage." Lithgow is situated in a valley of tkie Blue Mountains, .3007 feet above the level of the sea, and 96 miles west of Sydney. Buiastur teesa, the White-eyed Buzzard Eagle is very abundant in some parts of India, which is the habitat of this species, but I can find no record of its having been obtained on any of the islands lying between India and Australia. B. liventer, which occurs in Java and Timor, or B. indicus, inhabiting Borneo, Sumatra, and the Phillipines, I should not have been so much surprised at obtaining on the Australian continent. The specimen of B. teesa procured at Lithgow, is similar to others in the collection from India, except in showing very little trace of the white mottlings on the wing- coverts. It is not in full adult plumage, for the sides of the throat and the spots on the breast are white instead of vellowish- white, otherwise it agrees with the description of the adult female given by Dr. Sharpef in the " Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum." VL— On A LIVING EXAMPLE of PSEPBOTUS CHRY- SOPTERYGIUS. Regarding this species, Gould, who described it, writes in his Handbook to the Birds of Australia,; as follows : — "One of the * On the authority of Mr. Gardiner. t Sharpe— Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus., i., p. 295, (1874). X Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., ii., p. 65 (1865). 88 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. greatest pleasures enjoyed by the late celebrated botanist Robert Brown, during the last thirty years of his life, was now and then to show me a drawing of a Parrakeet made by one of the brothers Bauer, from a specimen procured somewhere on the north coast of Australia, but of which no specimen was preserved at the time, and none had been sent to England, until several were brought home by Mr. Elsey, a year or two prior to Mr. Brown's death. On comparing these with the drawing made a least forty years before, no doubt remained on my mind as to its having been made from an example of this species. This, then, is one of the novelties for which we are indebted to the explorations of A. C. Gregory Esq. and I trust it may not be the last I shall have to characterize through the researches of this intrepid traveller. Mr. Elsey, who, as is well known, accompanied the expedition to the Victoria River, obtained three examples— a male, a female, and a young bird — allof whicharenowinour national collection. In the notes accom- panying the specimens, Mr. Elsey states that they were procured on the 14th of September 1856, in Lat. 18° S. and Long. 141° 33' E., and that their crops contained some monocotyledonous seeds." Since the above passage was written by Gould, so far as I am aware, no additional information has been recorded of Psephotus chrysopterygius, the rarest of all our Australian Parrakeets, and the three specimens in the British Museum obtained by Mr. Elsey in 1856 were the only ones known. It was therefore with extreme pleasure that when passing one of the bird dealer's shops near Circular Quay, in November 1897, my attention was arrested by a living specimen of the Golden-shouldered Parrakeet, the first I had seen, and previously known to me only by Gould's description and figure. On making inquiries I found that it had l)een caught by a bird-catcher in his nets about three months before in the neighbourhood of Port Darwin, in the Northern Territory, and was the only specimen that he had ever seen. Subsequently it was acquired by the Trustees, and has since enlivened my room with its cheerful notes. It bears confinement well and is exceed- ingly tame, except to strangers, feeding entirely on millet seed and leaving untouched the canary seed with which it is mixed. Like other members of this genus — which I have seen wade into water to quench their thirst — it partakes freely of water. One note of this species repeated several times at intervals of a second apart is exceedingly sharp and shrill, and resembles the metallic sound produced by quickly turning an unoiled key in a new and close fitting lock. The remainder of its notes which are continued for some time, is like the warbling of the Grass Parrakeet, Melopsittacus undulatus, only much louder. This specimen measures ten inches, and from the brilliancy of its plumage is evidently an adult male. Gould's central figure of the male of this species in his " Supplement to the Birds of Australia,"* is too * Gould— Suppl. Bds. Austr., pi. 64 (1869). ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES— XORTH. 89 large and robust ; a better idea of its size is conveyed by the upper figure of the supposed female. The figure of tiie male is fairly accurate in colour, except in the bill, cere and feet, which at all times it is a difficult matter to faithfully depict from dried skins. In the living example now before me a narrow line of turquoise blue separates the pale-yellow feathers of the forehead from the crown of the head, and the black feathers of the latter extend in a central stripe on to the nape ; the bill is horn- white, faintly shaded with bluish-grey at the base, and the cere, legs, feet and claws are of a pale cinnabar-flesh colour. It is worthy of remark, that forty years elapsed between Bauer making a drawing of this bird, and Elsey obtaining the first specimens, and that nearly a half century has since passed away Vjefore the discovery of another specimen. Only four examples and a drawing of this bird during a period of eighty-two years, fully entitle it to the distinction of being the rarest of all our Australian Parrakeets. Addendum. — Since the above was in type I have received Part iv. of the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, for 1898, and find in the list of additions to the Gardens, that a pair of these birds was purchased by the Society on the 10th of March, 1897. VIL— On the extension of the R.\N(;E of PH.ETON CANDIDUS TO NEW SOUTH W ALES and LORD HOWE ISLAND. Climatic influences are among the most important factors in the distribution of species, and the recent heavy easterly gales of February 10th, 11th, 12th of the present year, which caused so mucii disaster to the shipping on the coast of New South Wales, have been the means of increasing the number of birds included in its avifauna. On the 1.5th of February an immature specimen of PlicHton candidus, in the flesh, was presented to the Trustees by Mr. Henry Burns, who had pii.-ked it up in a dying condition, the previous day, on the shores of Botany Bay. This species was not met with by Gould, neither is it mentioned in any of his works on Australian birds. Dr. E. P. Ramsay has, however, in his "Tabular List of Australian Birds" included Cape York and Wide Bay, among the numerous localities over which it enjoys a range. Previously it was not represented in the Museum by an Australian specimen, but there is portion of a skin in a slightly advanced stuge of immaturity from Lord Howe Island, obtained there by Mr. D. Love in May 1890 ; another new locality for this species. This wanderer over the intertropical zone of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, has been recorded, among other localities, by Count Salvadori in his " Ornitologia della Papausia e delle Molucche" from Florida, Cuba, Costa Rica, Jamaica, the Bermudas, 90 RECORDS OF THE ATJSTRAIilAN MUSETTM. Madagascar, Mauritius, Bourbon, Rodriguez, the Seychelles, India, Ceylon, Andaman Islands, Solomon and Friendly Islands, New Caledonia, the Marquesas, Gilberts, Marshall, and Pelew Islands. The immature specimen of P. candid us, olttained at Botany is silky-white with the upper parts beautifully marked with black crescentic and arrow-headed cross-bars similar to immature examples of P. rubricauda. Total length in the flesh exclusive of the two central tail-feathers which ar^■ imperfect, 14*5 inches, wing lO'l, tail-feathers next the central pair 4'4, bill 1'8, tarsus 07; bill and legs ashy-flesh colour, feet black. An adult mounted specimen receiveil from America is silky- white, with a crescent in front and a line behind the eye, a stripe along the wing-coverts terminating on the innermost secondaries and scapulars, and a band on the first fnur primaries and some of the elongated flank-feathers, black ; shafts of the wing and tail- feathers, except at the tips, black. Total length 22 inches, wing IU'5, central tail-feathers 11, bill 18, tarsus 072 ; bill and legd pale yellow, feet black. Dr. J. C. Cox informs me that immediately after the same storm in February 1898, in company with Major Ferguson, he observed a specimen of Pelagodroina marina between Cockatoo Island and Iron Cove, skipping over the surface of the water and following in the wake of their boat. Living examples of tliis species are extremely rare in New South Wales waters, and are only seen after unusually severe easterly or southerly gales. ADDENDA to CATALOGUE of AUSTRALIAN METEORITES.* By T. CooKSEY, Ph.D., B.Sc, Mineralogist. BiNGAKA. — Prof. Liversidge wishes it to be stated that he is not in possession of any portion of the Bingara Meteorite. Yardea — The following additional information has been received from Dr. E. C. Stirling :— Type. — Siderite. Weight. — lYi)?,. 3|ozs. Locality. — Four miles S. of Yardea Station, Gawler Ranges, South Australia. Finder and Date. — Found in 1875. Coll. — The Museum, Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of S.A., Adelaide. * Rec. Aust. Mas. in., 3, p. 55 - 60. Publications of the Australian Museum.— Continued. III.— MEMOIRS. 1. History and Description of the Skeleton of a new Sperm Whale in the Austbalian Museum, by W. S. Wall. 1851. 8vo. pp. 66, with plates. Reprint 1887. Wrappers, 2. 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GuiTe TO THE CONTENTS or THE Ar.TEALiANMrsErH. 1890. 8vo. pp. 156. Wrapper. V -MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS. ^ .,, 1 LIST OF Olb Docomekts akd Eemcs in the ArsTEALiAN MnsE.M. 1884. Eepnnted with additions, 1890. 8vo. pp. 4. 3 Notes FOB Collectors. 18^7. 8vo. Is. , t^ -d i_t 4. Hints fob the Collectobs of Geological anp Minebalogical Specimens, by F. Eatte. pp 26, with a plate. 6d. 5. Hints fob the Pbe.ebvation of Specuie.. of Natural Histoby, by E. P. Kamsay. 1891. 4th Edition, pp. 32. Is. VL— RECORDS. Vol I. March. 1890, to Deer.. 1891. 8vo. pp. 20i. 30 plates. Price 253. Vol II April, 1892, to Jan.. 1896. 8vo. pp. 112. 23 plates. Price 25s. Vol IIL.No. 1, 7.Tanuary!l897. 8vo. pp. 17. 4 plates. Price 2s. 6d. „ 2, 5 August, 1897. 8vo. pp. 32. 7 plates. Price 2s. 6d. '', „ 3. 17 November, 1897. 8vo. pp. 20. 3 plates. Price 2s. 6d. "„ "„ 4. 13 June. 1898. 8vo. pp. 20. 4 plates. Price 2s. 6d. l "„ 5,' 17 April, 1899. 8vo. pp. 54. 5 plates. Price 2s. 6d. Mav be obtained from the Attendants at the Museum, or from Messrs. Angus & iviay oe outaineu xiu Qvdnev Alessrs Turner & Henderson, Hunter 1^'^7a^:'X:'^^ ^ tole'£!:rrleStr:S:Sydney,BooU A-de, Melboume, and Lndt '^^^^^^^^^ Adelaide; Messrs. Mehdlle, Mullen^- ^l^^e Melbourne ; Messrs. R. Friedlander & Son, Berlin ; Messrs Kegan Paul, irench, Trubner L Co., Paternoster House, Charing Cross Road, London. [Exchanges of Serials. Works, Reports, and other publications are earnestly solicited on behalf of the Museum Library.! , CONTENTS. rA«E Description of a Eing-tailed Opossum, regarded as a variety of Pseudochirus herbertensis,Co\lett. By Edgar E. Waite, P.L.S., Zoologist . ... 91 The Nest or Drey of the Ring- tailed Opossum (Pseudochirus peregrinus, Bodd). By Edgar E. Waite. F.L.S., Zoologist 93 Observations on Testudo nigrita, Dum. & Bibr. By Edgar E. Waite, F.L.S., Zoologist 95 Notes on Snakes. By Edgar E. Waite, F.L.S. , Zoologist 104 Ornithological Notes. By Alfred J. North, C.M.Z.S., Ornithologist 106 Contribution to a Knowledge of Papuan Araehnida. By W. J. Rainbow, F.L.S., Entomologist 108 A Eeview of the Systematic Position of Zemira, Adams. By Charles Hedley, Conchologist... 118 On Two Additional Perforating Bodies, believed to be Thallophytic Cryptogams, from the Lower Palaeozoic Eocks of N. S. Wales. By E. Etheridge, Junr., Curator 121 On the Occurrence of a Starfish in the Upper Silurian Series of Bowning, N. S. Wales. By E. Etheridge, Junr., Curator ... 128 Additions to Catalogue and Bibliography of Australian Meteorites. By T. Cooksey, Ph.D., B.Sc, Mineralogist ... . 130 The Queensland Cattle Tick. By W.J. Rainbow, F.L.S., Entomologist. 131 Occasional Notes ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 133 RECORDS AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM EDITED BY THE CURATOR Vol. III. No. 6. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES. E-. :Ea?i3:E:E2,ix)a-:E:, ctxjne, . cr.ip., Curator. SYDNEY, 11 DECEMBER. 1899. F. W. WHITE, PBINTEK, MAKKET STREET WEST. PUBLICATIONS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. DECEMBER, 1899. I.— CATALOGUES. I Cataloctjb of the Fpecimens of Natubal Histoey and Miscellaneous Cueiosities in THE AusTEALiAN MuskUM, by G. Bennett. 1837. 8vo. pp. 71. (Out of print.) 2. Catalogue of Mammalia in the Collection of the Austealian Museum, by G. KreflEt, 1m64. 12ino. pp. 133. (Out of print.) 3. Catalogue of the Mineeals and Rocks in the Collection of the Austkall^n Museum, byG. Krefft. 1873. 8vo. pp. xvii.-llo. (Out of print.) 4. Catalogue of the Austealian Bieds in the Austealian Museum, by E. P. Ramsay. Part I. Accipitres. 1876.1 Second Edition, revised f 8vo. pp. xii-74. Part II. Striges. 1890.1 by A J. North, 1898.-|^8vo. pp. vi-31. Wrappers, 48. Part III. Psittaci, 1891. 8vo. pp. viii-110. Wrapper, 5s. Part IV. Halcyones. 1894. 8vo. pp. viii-24. Wrapper, 'is. 6d. .T. Catalogue of the Austealian Stalk and Sessile- eyed Ceustacea, by W. A. Haswell. 1882. 8vo. pp. xxiv.-324, with 4 plates. (Scarce) Wrapper, 21s. 6. 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North. 1889. 8vo. pp. iv V.-407, with 21 plates. Wrapper, 2os. Coloured plates, £2 ISs. 13 Descriptive Catalogue of the Sponges in the Austealian Museum, by R. von Lendenfeld. Svo. pp. xiv.-2G0, with 12 plates. Boards, 78. 6d. ; cloth, 10s. 6d. 14 Catalogue of the Fishes in the Australian Museum. Part I. Palseicthyan Fishes, by J. Douglas Ogilby. 1888. Svo. pp. 34. Wrapper, 28. 6d. ; boards, 38. 6d. 15. Catalogue of the Maeine Shells of Austealia and Tasmania, by J. Brazier. Part I. Cephalopoda. 1892. Svo. pp. 20. Paper, 28. 6d. Part II. Pteropoda. 1892. Svo. pp. 22. Paper, 28. 6d. Part III. Gasteropoda (Murex). 1893. Svo. pp. 32. Paper, 2s. 6d. 16 Catalogue of Austealian Mammals, with Introductory Notes on General Mammalogy, by J. D. Ogilby, 1892. Svo. pp. xvi-144. Wrapper, 38. 6d. II.— MONOGRAPHS. 1 Australian Lepidopteba and their Transformations, by the late A. W. Scott, with Illustrations by his daughters, Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Forde. Edited and revised by Mrs. Fordeand A. S. Olliff. Vol.11. Wrappers, ^£3. JAN 17 1900 A FERN FORMING A NEW GENUS — ETHERIDGE. 135 On a fern (BLECHNOXYLON TALBRAGARENSE), with SECONDARY WOOD, FORMING A NEW GENUS, from the COAL MEASURES of the TALBRAGAR DISTRICT, NEW SOUTH WALES. By R. Etheridge, .Tunr., Curator. (Plates xxiv. - xxvii.) The very remarkable and interesting plant remains about to be described were entrusted to me by Mr. J. Clunies Ross, B.Sc. (Lond.), of the Technical College, Bathurst, who received them from Mr. W. Pascoe, the Technological Museum Attendant at Bathurst. The specimens were obtained from the Coal Measure strata in the neighbourhood of the Talbragar River, somewhere between Gulgong and Cockabutta* Hill in the County of Bligh. The Talbragar or Erskine River rises in the Liverpool Range, and flowing in a general south-west direction, joins the Macquarie River a little to the north of Dubbo. Beds of Permo-Oarboniferous age, containing Vertebraria, and probably belonging to the Upper or Newcastle Coal Pleasures, have been casually referred to by Messrs. David and Pittman,t and it is from some portion of these that the fossils about to be described possibly came. There are ten specimens, six showing cross or transverse sections of the stem, with leaves attached, and four in profile, similarly more or less provided, to say nothing of sundry detached leaves, in a greater or less state of preservation. I believe these frag- mentary remains to be those of a Fern, and shall in consequence make use of terminology of this section of the Cryptogamia. In the first specimen the caudex (1 or rhizome) is seen in cross section surrounded by seven radiating fronds, or portions thereof. (PI. xxiv. fig. 1.) The second is a similar fossil, but with eight radiating fronds, one protruding from below a layer of matrix at a lower level. The section of the caudex is rather less apparent than in the first example. * ? Cockaburra, i.e., the "Laughing Jackass." t Mem. Geol. Surv. N.S.W., Pal. Series, No. 9, 1895, p. ix. 136 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSBTTM. In the third specimen there are certainly eight fronds visible, and possibly portion of a ninth, but this example is otherwise particularly valuable for it shows evidence of the minute struc- ture of the caudex; the venation is also remarkably well preserved. (PI. xxiv., fig. 2.) The fourth individual is a similar specimen to fig. 2, in that there are the remains of caudex structure, with five or perhaps six radiating fronds, being, in the present instance, impressions of the upper surface (PI. xxiv., fig. 4). Attention is specially directed to tlie frond on the upper left hand protruding from below the two fronds immediately above it, and the two on the right hand projecting from a still lower level. The fifth specimen displays a small caudex surrounded by seven fronds, one of them a young frond, and all again impressions of the upper surface. The sixth example consists of two small individuals contiguous to one another on the same piece of matrix, one of which is shown in PI. xxiv., fig. 3. Each possesses three fronds, or portions of three, much shorter and wider than in any of the preceding specimens, and to all intents and purposes pyriform in outline. The remaining specimens are preserved in profile. The first (PI. XXV., fig. 5) is a portion of a caudex, with at one end a set of attached fronds, four or perhaps five, forming a kind of corona; and a second series, six or seven in all, at the opposite end, detached and bent backwards out of position, but guided by the evidence of other specimens, there is reason to believe that, although detached, they are practically in siiu. Immediately above the latter, on one side of the caudex, is a round depression, and half way up it on the other is a small protuberance. Amongst the fronds at the end first described is a small somewhat pyriform scale-like body. The second specimen seen in profile (PI. xxvi., fig. 6) is a highly important one, in fact one of the most important of the series, consisting of a short portion of caudex, surmounted by a crown comprising six or seven fronds, and a couple of the scale-like bodies, already noticed in connection with PI. xxiv., fig. f). On the face of the crown are what I take to be leaf-scars. On the left of the figure one of the frond petioles is definitely attached to this scar- bearing face, and on the right is a petiole disappearing beneath the matrix, and reappearing beyond in frond form. The third fossil (PI. xxiv., fig. 7) is part of a caudex seen partly in a transverse view and partly in profile, in the former case dis- playing portions of three fronds, radiating therefrom. On the right hand side of the caudex is one of the wart-like protuber- ances described in PI. xxv., fig. 5. A FERN FORMING A XKW GENVS — ETHERmGE. 137 The fourth example (PI. xxvi., fig. 8) is supplementary in some points to PI. XXV., fig. 5, and is the longest portion of caudex in the collection, but much decorticated. At one end are portions of two fronds extended in opposite directions, and somewhat more than halfway down are traces of two others, one attached, the other protruding through the matrix, and although not attached, as in the first instance, so clearly answering in position to the corres- ponding frond above, on the right hand side, as to leave little doubt that it also is in situ. Finally PI. xxiv., fig. 9, is the enlarged caudex of PI. xxiv., fig. 2, and displays the broken edges of the different zones of the stem which will be explained later on. The structure of the foregoing specimens may be summarised as follows : — The Caudex. — The caudex is round, varying from one to three millimetres in diameter, and in length from ten to forty-three millimetres, so far as preserved, sometimes in the round, at other times only as impressions, or both conditions may occur on the same example. When in the former state there is clear evidence of a peeling-ofF of layers, thus reducing the general bulk of the caudex from what it must have really been in nature. At varied and inequidistant points may be seen the minute thorn-like pro- jections, when a caudex is seen in the round, or, in the case of an impression, as small depressions. I am unable to offer any definite explanation of these, but similar projections have been figured by Mr. R. Kidston on problematical stems from the Lanarkshire Ooal-field, called Psilotites unilateralis,* but as the name implies they are on one side only, nor do I, by calling attention to the resemblance mean to suggest any relation between the two plants. Mr. A. C. Seward has suggested that these may mark the positions of roots given off" from a creeping rhizome. The mode of distribution of the fronds on the caudex is peculiar, and, so far as the specimens permit me to judge, constant. At intervals occur clusters or tufts of fronds, the intervening caudex surface being destitute of leaf clothing. A caudex is therefore divided into nodes and internodes (PI. xxv., fig. 5 ; PL xxvi., fig. 8). In PI. XXV., fig. 5, we observe a cluster proceeding from an enlargement or corona, and at the other end a displaced cluster that has been accidentally pressed backwards. In PI. xxvi., fig. 8, traces of two of these nodes are visible, one a little below the middle of the caudex, the second at the upper end. The enlargement caused by the attachment of the frond bases has almost weathered away, but to the right and left of each the edge of a frond is traceable, particularly on the right of the lower tuft, where it is distinguishable by its revolute margin, and traces of * Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., xvii. (5), 1886, p. 495. 138 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. venation. There is a distance of twenty millimetres between the nodes. PI. xxiv., fig. 7, is on the opposide of the same piece of matrix to that on which PI. xxvi., tig. 6, is preserved, and the stem of the one is continuous through the shale, and joins that of the other, thereby confirming — first, that the two sets of fronds in PI. XXV., fig. 5, belong to one and the same caudex, and are looking in opposite directions by accidental displacement; second, that the clusters of fronds, occur at intervals along the caudexes, dividing the latter into nodes and internodes with great regularity. All the caudexes with fronds attached, as well as sundry small fragments scattered over the matrix of the various specimens, exhibit the remains of internal structure, but in varied degrees of distinctness. From two of the best fragments sections were pre- pared by Mr. Charles Merton, Section Cutter to the Geological Survey of New South Wales. A general view of one of these, enlarged, is shown in PI. xxvi., fig. 10, and an enlargement of a portion of the latter in fig. 11 of the same plate. A longi- tudinal section from another fragment is seen in PL xxvii., fig. 12. There is not the slightest shade of a doubt that the portions from which these sections are taken are those of caudexes of the same plant to which the fronds are attached, and not that of any fortuitous intruder. It will be observed that in PI. xxvi., fig. 10, the centre is occupied by an amorphous mass of opaque material surrounded by a zone of cellular tissue, and two other discontinuous zones. The enlarged illustration indicates that this tissue con- sisted of radial rows or lines of cells roughly arranged in bundles. Further remarks on these sections will be made later on. Frond Scars. — The corona, or enlargement, terminating the short caudex impression in PI. xxvi., fig. 6, bears numerous fronds in various states of preservation. On that portion left bare by the falling olf of the latter, are visil)le triangular frond scars in oblique lines indicating a spiral arrangement of the fronds, precisely as on the caudex of a living Tree-fern. Each of these scars bears a more or less central single pit, indicating the former presence of a vascular opening. On the right-hand side of the figure are broken stipe bases, with portion of a frond protruding through the matrix beyond, whilst on the left-hand are three fronds in a revolute condition, the stipes of two being actually attached to the frond scars. I do not think a more complete demonstration of the relation of these parts, one to the other, could be made. Fronds. — The fronds are linear-lanceolate, narrow, entire, de- creasing very gradually in size towards their apices, which are obtusely pointed. In the young frond (PI. xxiv., fig. 3) the linear-lanceolate outline gives place to a shorter, broader, and sub-pyriform shape. The fronds appear to have been thick and fleshy \ the longest observed measured twelve millimetres. The proximal end of each is in the form of a broad stipe, articulating A FERN FORMING A NEW GENUS — ETHERIDGE. 139 to the caudex, and is at once distinguishable from the frond proper by the absence of fascicles, and narrower proportions transversely. The largest number of fronds in any one whorl is twelve, ordinarily there are eight. The venation is very characteristic and stable throughout the whole of the specimens. A strong midrib, or costa, was present continuous to the apex, but perceptibly decreasing in thickness upwards. The fascicles are free and bilaterally symmetrical, the largest number observed on any one frond being twelve, but the usual number is eight. The veins are short, sub-internal, equal on each side, non-cost;eform, and rising at a very acute angle. The first bifurcation gives rise to two veinules, which are long and excurrent, following an upward and outward direction, the anterior always the longer of the two. The latter is almost invariably dicho- tomous, the posterior sometimes so, more often single, the resulting veinlets being short. There is, however, one very characteristic feature — the posterior veinule of the first fascicle on each side is always unbranched, and further, the veins of the first facicles are always the longest in each frond, springing from the costa well within the stripe, and remaining subparallel to the former. The margins of the fronds are at times revolute. Several microscopic sections of portions of fronds were made with more or less satisfactory results. In PL xxvii., fig. 16, which is a section transverse to the line of growth, the general form of the frond is admirably shown, the revolute lateral margins, and the median longitudinal depression occupied by the mid-rib; none of the leaf tissues are preserved. The width of this frond is 1'45 mm., the thickness in the centre 0'17 mm., and the thickness of the ends, including the revolute portions, is 03 mm. PI. xxvii., fig. 15, is a longitudinal section of a frond, or one parallel to its line of growth, and of .special interest from the fact that the cellular tissue of the epidermis is to some extent visible, and both the upper and lower surfaces are clothed with setiform hairs. I cannot distinguish either stomata or the parenchymatous meso- phyll of the frond. There are certain peculiar and equidistant tissue-pillars, extending transversely for half-way between the upper and lower surfaces, which appear to be composed of much decayed tissue, and enclose clear vacuities that certainly possess determinate margins ; one at the end of the section is filled with amber-brown pulverulent matter. The space below these pillars, extending nearly the whole length of the frond, does not show any I'egular parenchyma, but has distributed throughout it a number of straight or curved filaments.* A second longitudinal section * These filaments are not unlike the fungal borings described by me under the names of Palceachlya toHuosa and P. torquis (Rec. Austr. Mus., iii.. No. 5, 1S99, pp. 121 and 126), but if of this nature, distinct from either of these forms. 140 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. (not figured) exhibits the tissue pillars extending completely across the frond from surface to surface, without the intervention of the space just referred to. There are no clear vacuities between the tissue-pillars, but their place is taken by patches of dark brown pulverulent material, as if filling up such hollows. In PL xxvii., fig. 14, we see a section taken horizontally through the leaf, im- mediately below the surface, exposing the mid-rib, veins, and epidermal tissue between the latter, as well as very dark brown round patches between the veins, which occupy the same relative position as the dark spots in PL xxvii., fig. 15. There is evidence of fructification only in the microsections of the fronds, although when the undersides of the latter are visible, and disintegration has taken place, an appearance very similar to fructification presents itself, but that is all. This is due simply to the veinules passing over the revolute margins. In PL xxvii., fig. 16, however, are probably the remains of sori, consisting of a number of filaments clustered under the revolute margins, which remind one of pedicels for the support of sporangia, and attached to one of these on the right-hand side of the frond is a small ovate body that may be a sporangium (PL xxvi., fig. 7), very similar to the arrangement of the fructification in Pteris* There is no trace of an indusium. The length of the revolute portion of the frond is 0'3 mm., width of the receptacles contain- ing the pedicels 0-1 mm., its depth 006 mm., and the length of the pedicle 01 mm. When first this Fern came under my notice, I took the fronds to be attached in a verticillate manner. I now look upon them as forming small tufts arranged in ordinary close spirals. The structure shown in PL xxvi., fig. 6, showing that the fronds were not arranged in a verticil on the same plane, but in a spiral manner, is emphasised by the fact that in PL xxiv., figs. 2 and 4, and par- ticularly in the last, some of the fronds appear protruding from below the others. This is specially the case in PL xxiv., fig. 4, where the dark shade running across the matrix, indicates a piece removed, displaying a lower level than that to the left of the shading ; on the former are two fronds. The Scales. — More or less pyriforui bodies are visible associated with the fronds in PL xxv., fig. 5, and PL xxvi., fig. 6 ; these I have tentatively termed "scales." Mr. A. 0. Seward, to whom I submitted photographic copies of the present plates, has been good enough to suggest that these may be bulbil-like appendages, or scale-leaves. He remarks that bulbils occur in some recent ferns, such as Cystopteris bulbifera. A dimorphic condition of the fronds has been shown to exist in Glossopieris browniana, * See Hooker and Baker's Synop. Filicium, 1868, pi. iii., fig. 31. A FEEN FORMING A NEW GENUS — ETHERIDGE. 141 both by Zeiller and Seward* ; by the latter in examples from the Newcastle or Upper Coal Measures. These secondary fronds present a scale-like appearance, with an upper convex surface, and slightly spreading and anastomosing veins, but no mid-rib ; the first two characters accord well with the appearance of the "scales" in the present plant. Instances of other recent Ferns possessing two kinds of simple fronds are given by Mr. Seward, in the paper referred to below. No very satisfactory alliance amongst recent Ferns can be mentioned. All I can do is, as suggested by Mr. Thomas White- legge, to call attention to the shrub-like Oleandra neriiformis, Cav., in which the fronds are simple-linear-lanceolate, as in our form, subverticillate, and the short stipes articulated with erect frutes- cent stems, t Except that the fronds here are spiral, and not verticillate at all, there is otherwise a general resemblance between the two. 0. neriiformis is said by the late Mr. John Smith, for- merly of Kew, to be the "only representative of a shrub among Ferns."! I believe that some Botanists do not recognise Oleandra but merge it in Aspidium ; I am, however, content to speak of the plant as referred to by ]\[r. Smith. I have been similarly unable to find any near relative of this extraordinary little plant amongst extinct species. The venation is to some extent Pecopteroid, as may be seen by a comparison with the many excellent figures of Pecopteris species given by Brongniart in his " Histoire," particularly P. aquilina, P. nervosa, or P. cist%i.% There is a superficial resemblance in the form and venation of the fronds to those of Marxaria, Zignoji ; but in the latter the frond is pinnate, and the pinnules are described as digito-radiate. Indeed it is the linear-lanceolate form of the pinnules in Marzaria paro- liriiana, and their often radiate arrangement, that first strikes the eye as resembling the fronds of the Australian fossil, especially when the former are pressed from above downwards, in a similar manner to some of those of the latter. The venation of the two forms is almost identical. Mr. Seward has called my attention to the figures of a Taxo- dinaceous Conifer, Cyclopitys nordenskioldi, Schml.,1 from the Russian Permian. In a letter recently received, Mr. Seward remarks : — '* In the Russian plant there are apparently no lateral * Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc, liii.. 1897, p. 218, pi. xxiii., fig. 1. t Lowe — Ferns : British and Exotic, 1868, p. 41, pi. xvi. ; Beddoine — Ferns of Brit. India, ii., p. 264, pi. cclxiv. X Historia Filicium, 1875, p. 81. § Hist. Veg. Foss., i., 1828, pis. xc, xciv., and cvi. II Flora Foss. Form. Oolithicse, i., p. 168, pi. xix., figs. 3- 17. 4[ Beitrage zur Jura-Flora Eusslands, 1879, pi. xiv., figs. 6-8. 142 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. veins in the leaves, although it is conceivable that the ' cross- wrinklings ' may be veins. I do not think that the two are identical, but the plant is worth referring to. Schmalhausen regards his plant as a Conifer comparable to Sciadopiiys {'JJm- brella Pine ')." These are the only comparisons I am able to suggest. When first dealing with this fossil, I came to the conclusion that it was a Fern of anomalous structure, probably a new genus, but my difficulties were increased on the preparation of the micro-sections of the stem, for I at once saw that the struc- ture revealed was not that of an ordinary Fern. I accordingly forwarded notes and copies of the illustrations to ^Nlr. Seward, who in an exceedingly kind manner has solved my doubts in the letter already referred to, as follows: — ^"The internal structure strikes me as particularly interesting; your figures 10 and 11 suggest a fairly broad zone of secondary wood — a form of structure practically unknown among recent Ferns, V)ut slightly developed in some species of Botrychium, which have undoubted secondary thickening. From Permian and Coal Measure rocks we have, however, several genera of plants which possess characters now shared by Cycads and Ferns, e.g., Lygiiiodendron, Heteraiigium, Poroxylon, and others ; in the first two the leaves are of the type long known as Sphenopteris elegmis Siud other forms, and the stems have a broad zone of secondary wood, M'ith a structure like that of living Cycads. These intermediate types have recently been placed by Potonie in a special class, which he calls Cycadofilices ; the genera have been described by Williamson and Scott, Renault, and others. It would seem not improbable that your plant may belong to this class ; it certainly suggests a Fern with secondary wood. It would be very interesting to know more about the anatomy, whether the wood consists of radial rows and tracheids separated by broad bands of medullary ray tissue — as in Cycads, or, if it is of the moi'e compact form, with narrower and less obvious rays, such as we have in Conifers ; also what the tracheids look like in longitudinal section." Mr. Seward's remarks suggest comparison with Botrychhim. The structure of the stem in this genus is thus described* by Dr. D. H. Campbell : — " The vascular bundles of the stem are much more prominent than in Ophioglossum, and form a hollow cylinder with small gaps only corresponding to the leaves. This cylinder shows the tissues arranged in a manner that more nearly resembles the structure of the stem in Gymnospermes or normal Dicotyledons than anything else. Surrounding the central pith is a ring of woody tissue, with radiating medullary rays, and outside of this a ring of phlcem, separated from the xylem by a zone of cambium, * Mosses and Ferns, 1895, p. 243. A FEKN FORMING A NEW GENTJS — ETHEHIDGE. 143 SO that here alone among Ferns the bundles are capable of second- ary thickening. The whole cylinder is enclosed by a bundle-sheath (endodermis) consisting of a single layer of cells. The cortical part of the stem is mainly composed of starch-bearing parenchyma, but the outermost layers show a formation of cork." An excellent diagramatic sketch of the several parts accompanies these remarks. I believe PI. xxvi., tig. 10, to practically represent the greater portion, if not all, of the stem or caudex, viewed transversely. It will be noticed that the central portions retain a fairly continuous oval contour, but the outer portions, possibly from extraneous causes, have been crushed together, and the contour broken or distorted. The dark centre in our figure, and from which the whole structure in the specimen has been obliterated, represents without doubt the pith (there is no evidence of primary wood), whilst the zone surrounding this is the secondary wood or xylem. The two outer rings in PI. xxvi., tig. 10, judging by Dr. Campbell's, may possibly represent — the inner one the endodermis, and the outer the cork formation of the parenchyma. These rings in the fossil are of a dark orange-brown colour. In the enlarged figure, (PI. xxvi., fig. 11) the dark radiating lines perhaps represent the medullary rays. The following measurements were kindly made by Mr. T. AVhitelegge : — Longer diameter of caudex I'S mm. Shorter ,, ,, 1'2 ,, Diameter of pith .• 0-35,, Width of ring of secondary wood 0-25 ,, Space between exo- and endoderm O'l to 0"2 mm. Space between endoderm and secondary wood 0-0 to 0-1 „ Width of exoderm 04 mm. Width of endoderm 003 ,, In a longitudinal section of the caudex (PI. xxvii., fig. 12) the same number of zones can be distinguished as in a transverse section (PL xxvi., fig. 10). Thus, the central cylinder, without structure, is followed by the zone of secondary wood, in which faint longitudinal parallel lines can be discerned, answering to the radial lines in Plate xxvi., figs. 10 and 11, but no minute details can be made out. The edge of the secondary wood is of the same deep amber-brown colour already referred to in other parts of the organism, and between this and the layer corresponding to the endoderm in Dr. Campbell's diagram of the stem in Botrychiuni, is a further narrow structureless zone (the inner of the two in PI. xxvi., fig. 10), that varies so much in radial diameter. The endoderm and the exoderm are again of a deep amber-brown tint, and form strongly marked features of the section, the intermediate 144 RECOEDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. space between them being again structureless. This section, which was prepared from a stem fragment enveloped in matrix in the hope that it would display the longitudinal structure simply, has by accident revealed other unexjjected details, in the form of tliree bract-like bodies on each side, opposite to one another, two and two, those on the right being better preserved than those on the left. As sectioned they form an extension of the parenchymatous zone, and are margined by a continuation of the amber-brown exodermic layer, which is cellular, the tissue having the appearance of the epidermal of the fronds. The two lowest bodies are the longest and best preserved. The only suggestion I can ofter of this structure is that the section at this point traverses a node, and that we here see petioles of some of the fronds. In the same section, but detached from this caudex fragment, is what may well be termed a root and rootlets (PI. xxiv,, fig. 13). The former is straight, 2'7 mm. long, with a transverse measure- ment of 1*5 mm., and from it on each side are given otf at right angles longer and shorter processes, varying in length from 0*15 to 03 mm. There is no structure preserved. Whether or no these are a root and rootlets of the plant under consideration, it is of course impossible to say. •Could further points of structure be made out in this interesting fossil, a comparison might then be instituted with that of Lygino- dendron, Will., on the one hand, and that oi Heterangium, Corda, on the other. On a superficial comparison with figures of both,* a general resemblance is noticable, particularly in the central cylinder, and the surrounding zone of secondary wood, but as we are unacquainted witli the constitution of the central cylinder, whether of pith and primary wood, as in Lyghiodendron, or primary wood alone, as in Heterangiuin,-\ it is impossible to carry the comparison further, One very interesting point, however, remains to be referred to — the attachment of a fern foliage to stems with affinities of a higher order. The late Prof. W. C. Williamson suggested J that the rachises of certain ferns known as Rachiopteris aspera, from a similarity in some of their tissues to those of Lyginodendron, were the petioles of the leaves of that genus. He remarked — " If we are correct in this supposition, we have now, for the first time, in Lyginodendron Oldhaniiuin, a Fern of which the stem or rachis exhibits a highly developed form of exogenous growth. . . Some months ago Mr. Kidston sent me some stems which he believed * Williamson — Phil. Trans, for 1873, clxiii., pi. xxii., fig. 1 ; Williamson and Scott — Ibid. (B) for 1895, clxxxvi., pi. xviii., fig. 1; Seward — Ann. Bot., xi., pi. v., fig. 1. + Williamson and Scott — Loc. cit., clxxxvi., p. 745. i Phil. Trans. (B) for 1887, clxxviii., p. 298. A FERN FORMING A NEW GENUS — ETHERIDGE. 145 to belong to Sphenopteris elegans, the cortex of which displayed an exactly similar series of thickened horizontal parallel bands. Still more recently, he received from ray friend Professor Von Weiss, of Berlin, and forwarded to me, a beautiful specimen of an exactly identical stem, attached to which are the unquestionable pinnules of Sphe7iopteris elegans. As far as these internally structureless specimens affect the question, they suggest the possibility that both the species of Heterangium may also prove to be Ferns." Again, speaking of the two genera already referred to, Prof. Williamson remarked* — "One thing is certain, viz., that in their internal organisation they present combinations of tissues that find no representatives amongst living plants. Possibly they are the generalised ancestors of both Ferns and Cycads, which transmitted their external contours to the former, and their exogenous modes of growth to the latter types. In considering this possibility, we must not forget that in Stra.ngeria we have a still living plant in which the stem of a Cycad bears fronds, the leaflets of which retain the dichotomous nervation of a true Fern. The Strangeria has retained, not only the primitive exogenous stem of some ancestral type, in common with its other Cycadean relatives, but also the peculiar Fern-like leaflets, which may also have come down to it from Palaeozoic times. Hence we have here a combination of Fern-like features and of an exogenous mode of growth. Such being the case, it need not startle us if we have to conclude that a similar cambination existed during the Carboniferous age." On this subject Messrs. Williamson and Scott remark conjointly! — ''In all cases where the petioles can be determined as belonging to Rachopteris aspera, we now know that we have to do with the foliage of Lyginodendron" thus confirm- ing previous conclusions, " namely, that the leaf would fall under the form-genus Sphenopteris of Brongniart, as shown by the finely cut foliage and the acute angles between the veins. . . The mere fact that the foliage of Lyginodendron resembled that of certain Ferns is in itself no proof of affinity with Filices. The classical case of Strangaria is a sufficient warning against any such hasty inference. It must, however, be remembered that in the foliage of Lyginodendron we have not only fern-like yor?/i and venation, but also fern-like structure, whereas in the case of Strangeria, a single transverse section of the petiole would be sufficient to prove that the plant is no Fern but a Cycad." The form of the leaf in the present fossil is certainly that of a fern, but unfortunately the structure is not in a sufficiently good state of preservation to warrant any definite generalisations. There is certainly no evidence of the existence of palisade paren- chyma ; on the other hand the presence of a bifacial structure * Phil. Trans. (B) for 1887, clxxviii., p. 299. t Phil. Trans. (B) for 1895, clxxxvi., p. 727. 146 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. and epidermis seems to be tolerably apparent, and the fact that the fronds were supplied by a single vascular bundle, as in Heterangiuni. * As regards the petioles a general resemblance exists between those attached to our longitudinal section PL xxvii., fig. 12, and that of Lyghiodendron given by Williamson and Scott,! but little or no minute structure can be made out. They are here opposite, and not spiral as in PI. xxvi., fig. 6 ; they are spiral in Heterangium. t In conclusion, as to the general affinities of this very interesting little plant the following observations may not be inappropriate. Messrs. Williamson and Scott remark § — "The occurrence of secondary thickening in a Fern-like plant is not in itself very surprising. We know that it takes place in a perfectly typical way, though not to any great extent in the stems of Botrychium and Helmiiithostachys at the present day." Tlie same may be justly claimed for the present plant. It is unnecessary to follow Messrs. Williamson and Scott through their very interesting line of reasoning to show the structural connection of Lyginodendron and Heterangium, with both Ferns and Cycads, but the following sentence |j is probably very pertinent to the Talbragar fossil — '■'■ The view of the affinities of Lygino- dendron and Heterangium, which we desire to suggest, is, that they are derivatives of an ancient and 'generalised' (or rather non-specialised Fern-stock), which already show a marked diver- gence in the Cycadean direction," and they think " the existence of a fossil group on the borderland of Ferns and Cycadeaj is now well established. "11 For this intermediate group of plants Dr. H. Potonic has proposed ** the divisional name of Cycado-filices, a class not hitherto recognised, Mr. Seward remarks to me, in the Southern Hemisphere. I intended using the generic name of Pteroxylon for this plant, but Mr. J. H. Maiden, Director of the Botanical Gardens, Sydney, informs me that as Ptaeroxylon it was employed in 1835 for the " Sneezewood" of South Africa. As, however, it is very desirable to retain in the name a connection between the presence of secondary wood and a Fern alliance I have adopted a suggestion made to me V>y Mr. Whitelegge, and term it Bleclinoj:ylon.-\] Now, although f:i\-7jXi'ov, is literally a "kind of fern," still, according to Loudon it is also "one of the Greek names of the fern,"|| and may * Phil. Trans. (B) for 1895, clxxxvi., p. 754.. t Ibid., pi. 26, tig. 22. J Ibid., p. 756. § Phil. Trans. (B) for 1895, clxxxvi., p. 766. il Ibid., p. 7(59. \\ Ibid., p. 770. ** Lehrbuch der Pflanzenpalaeontologie, Hief 2, 1897, p. 160. tt fSXrixvov and ^uAor. IX Encyclopedia of Plants, 1880, p. 881, Note 2183. BEETLES FROM ilOI'^^T KOSCITTSKn— RAmBOW. 147 in consequence, I think, be justifiably used in the sense intended. The plant will therefore in future be known as Blechnoxylon talhragarense. The fossils are associated in the same deposit with leaves of Glossojjteris, and stems of our characteristic Coal Measure Conifer, Bracliyphyllum. Throughout this enquiry I have been very ably assisted by my Colleague, Mr. T. Whitelegge, and desire to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks not only to him, but also both to Mr. E. R. Waite, who has spared no pains to render the illustrations accurate and intelligible, and to Mr. J. P. Hill, B.Sc, of the Biological Laboratory, Sydney University, for the loan of micro- preparations of Bleclinum, Strangeria, and other plants. DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO BEETLES FROM :\IOUNT KOSCIUSKO. By W. J. Raixdow, F.L.S., Entomologist. In working over the collection of Australian Carabidje contained in the cabinets of the Australian Museum, I came across two species apparently undetermined — one a Percosoma, and the other Notonomus, sp. These arc, therefore, now described. Some time ago, Mr. T. G. Sloane described the Australian and Tasmanian forms of the genus Percosoma as known to him.* Of these P. tnontanuin, Casteln., and P. concolor, Sloane, were recorded from Victoria ; the former from Yarragon, Gippsland (Sloane), Dandenong Ranges (French), and the latter from Marysville District (Track to Yarra Falls, Best). Two others, P. careiioides, White, and P. sulcipenne, Bates, were from Tasmania. The four species here enumerated comprised all that was known of the Australian Percosoma up to the date of the publication of Mr. Sloane's paper, and from then until now, no further additions to our knowledge of the native species of this genus have been made. In the working out of the species (Percosom.a) herein described, I have been courteously assisted by Mr. Geo. Masters, Curator of * Froc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vii., 1892, pp. 60-62. 148 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. the Macleay Museum, and I therefore have much pleasure in associating his name with it, specifically. Genus Percosoma, Schaum. Percosoma mastersi, sp. nov. (Fig. 1). Measurements: — Head (to tips of mandibles) 5 mm. long, 3-5 ram. wide; pro-thorax, 6 mm. long, 69 mm. wide; elytra 11-7 mm. long, 7"3 mm. wide. Black, shining, narrow, elong- ate. Head rather large, smooth; transverse impression behind the eyes strongest laterally, faint behind vertex ; vertex rather flat, frontal impressions well defined, short, anterior angle with a row of six punctures ; jaws not long, hooked at apex ; eyes prominent, inclosed behind, projecting before post-ocular prominences — these not strong. Aiitennce subfiliform, clothed with pale, yellowish bristles ; basal joint has a deep round puncture above. Pro- thorax slightly convex, cordate, truncate in front and behind, median line lightly marked ; sides slightly rounded on anterior half, gently narrowed but not sinuate towards base ; lateral border narrow, extending from anterior to posterior angles — the latter somewhat obtuse. Elytra convex, oval, narrow, striate (the strise — seven upon each elytron — very distinct), intermediate spaces flat ; shoulders rounded ; base declivous to peduncle, apex broadly rounded ; lateral border narrow ; within the outer margin of each elytron, there is a row of small punctures, widely separated from each other individually; of these four are seated well forward, one at the centre, and the remainder (four) towards the apex, the last three rather closer together. Ventral surface lightly rugose laterally. Anterior legs — thighs canaliculate below, dilatate at middle ; outer angle of tibia finely serrated. Ohs. — Judging from the fact that the anterior thighs are similar to those of the female of P. montana as described by Sloane;* the species diagnosed above is doubtless a female also. * Loc. dt., p. 60. BEETLES FROM MOirNT KOSCIUSKO — RATXBO^V. 149 Genus Notonomus, Chaud. NOTONOMUS MONTANUS, Sp. nOV. (Fig. 2). Measurements: — Head (to tips of mandibles) 5-5 mm. long, 4-2 mm. broad; pro-thorax 5-1 mm. long, 5-8 mm. broad; elytra 14 mm. long, 7*5 mm. broad. Black, shining. Head smooth, broad, frontal im- pressions well marked, clypeal suture distinct, end- ing on each side in the fron- tal impression; eyes some- what prominent, inclosed behind. Pro-tho7'ax hrosider than long, grooved down the middle, slightly rounded on the sides, gently narrow- ing towards the base; pos- terior angles rounded otl', lateral impressions short ; marginal border reflexed on the sides, reaching as far but not extending beyond the inner side of the lateral impressions on each side of the base; posterior marginal punctures in the lateral border at the basal angles. Elytra oval, not convex, a little narrower towards the base, rounded on the sides, broadest just beyond the middle, sinuate behind, dehiscent at apex, sides and apex declivous, striate ; interstices flat, the ninth marked through- out its course with umbilicate punctures, those towards the base and apex close, but not confluent; lateral margins wide, humeral angles not marked. Abdominal segments normal. Ohs. — The third interstice of each elytron has a series of punc- tures, but as the number is not uniform, there l^eing six on the right elytron and four on the left, these impressions can scarcely be accepted as speciflc characters. Fi*?. 2. 150 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. LARVA AND PUPA OP BATOCERA WALL AC EI, THOMS. By W. J. Rainbow, F.L.8., Entomolo,j?ist. A SHORT time ago, the Trustees of the Australian Museum were presented with a small collection of Insects from Samarai, or Dinner Island, British New Guinea. These had been gathered from time to time by the donor, the Rev. C. W. Abel, in the field of his labours, and amongst them were included larval and pupal forms of that huge Longicorn, Batocera wallacei, Thorns. In respect of the former, which is apparently nearly fully grown a brief description may be interesting. The animal is nearly four inches long, footless, gradually tapering posteriorly, as is most frequently the case with Longicorn larvje ; the head is short, broad, flat, corneous, punctate, black, and provided with short, strong, incurved mandibles ; the pro-thoracic segment is much larger than those succeeding, and of a glossy mahogany-brown hue, the anterior, posterior and lateral angles, both above and below, are dirty yellowish-brown, and rough ; the other segments are fleshy, yellowish, and all, with the exception of the two last, provided both above and below, with large, rough, transversely oval, granu- lated patches ; these are, of course, the organs of locomotion. The pupa is large, soft, and of a greenish hue, with yellowish dorsal and lateral patches ; in other respects it presents the usual appearance of Longicorns at this stage of their e.xistence. The wings and legs are folded against the sides, and the feet doubled under; the enormous antenna; are turned back against the sides of the body, the third and succeeding joints being coiled round and round, something like the mainspring of a watch. The adult insect is so well known, that there is no need to to describe* it here. See Arch. Ent., i., p. 447, pi. xviii., fig. 1. NEW LAND SHELLS — HEDLEY. 151 DESCRIPTIONS of NEW LAND SHELLS, with NOTES on KNOWN SPECIES. By Charles Hedley, Conchologist. {Plate xxviii.) Papuina mayana, sp. nov. (PI. xxviii., tigs. 10, 11). Shell imperforate, ovately conical, periphery rounded, glossy. Colour — the base and a subsutural stripe in the lower three whorls are ochre-yellow, contrasting sharply with a broad dark chocolate band which intervenes, the upper whorls are slate. Whorls six, rounded, divided by an impressed suture. Sculphire oblique, regular, incremental lines are decussated by faint, spiral striations the latter only visible under the lens. Ajjerture very oblique, slightly descending, subrhorabic ; lip a little reflected ; columella deeply entering, then straight, edged within, not truncate anteriorly but joining the basal lip at an angle ; a thin white callus spreads on the base. Major diameter 22, minor 19 mm.; height 25 mm.; another specimen, 18, 22, 23-5 mm. The species has a general superficial resemblance to P. meta from the Solomons. The Australian Papuina are confined to the Torresian Region, of which they are characteristic inhabitants. At present there are known, P. macgillivrayi, Forbes ; P. bidwilli, PfeifFer ; P. cerea, Hedley; P. poireiiana, Pfeiffer; P./ucata, Pfeiffer; P. conscendens, Cox; and P. folicola, Hedley, The novelty is a near ally of P. poiretiana, from which it differs by colour, greater breadth, and absence of perforation. Zoc. — Collected by Miss E. Hatfield at Rossville, on the Upper Annam River, near Cooktown, Queensland. It is named in honour of Dr. T. H. May, of Bundaberg, at the desire of Mr. Arthur Dean who presented the type specimens to the Trustees. Endodonta aculeata, sp. nov. (PI. xxviii., figs. 1, 2, 3). Shell thin, depressed, spire level, umbilicus a quarter of the shell's diameter. Colour pale ochraceous. Whorls three and a half, rounded. Sculpture oblique, thin, recurved, epidermal lamella?, in number about thirty, cross the last whorl from the suture to the umbilicus. Each lamella is produced at intervals into long, slender points, so arranged as to fall into four equi- distant spiral lines, one being on the base, one at the periphery, 152 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. and two above. On the inner whorls the lamellse grow less prominent and disappear. Between the lamellae the surface of the shell is microscopically spirally grooved. Aperture oblique, not descending, unfinished. A slight callus spreads in advance of the aperture on the previous whorl. Major diameter, 2*4, minor 2 "2; height 1"2 mm. The curiously tagged lamellae sufficiently distinguish this species from all co-generic forms. In systematic order its place is next to E. paradoxa, Cox. Log. — Two specimens were collected at WoUongong, New South Wales, by Mr. A. E. Lower. That figured has been presented by Dr. J. C. Cox. Endodonta NORFOLK ensis, sp. nov. (PI. xxviii., figs. 4, 5, 6). Shell minute, depressed globose, perforate. Colour uniform tawny-olive. Whorls five, gradually increasing, rounded, separated by a deep suture. Sculpture — fine close longitudinal riblets cross the whole breadth of each whorl. Aperture perpendicular, lunate, outer lip sharp. Armature — two lamellse on the parietal wall, one median, curling within and projecting beyond the aperture, the other straight, posterior and deeper seated ; on the outer wall two lamellfe are so situated as to divide with the parietals the height of the aperture into fourths; on the inner side of the columella is a short curved ridge ; the armature does not extend back into the shell for more than half a whorl, its rear aspect is shown in the accompanying dissection (fig. 5). Base rounded, umbilicus about a fifth of the shell's diameter, exposing the previous volutions. Major diameter 144, minor 128 ; height 1 mm. The mouth armature will readily distinguish this species, which belongs to the subgenus Thaumatodon, Pilsbry, and is one of many links between the faunas of Norfolk Island and New Zealand. Allusion was made to this species by Brazier in describ- ing E. dispar from Tasmania.* The land shells known from Norfolk Island have been described V)y authors as follows: — Helix phillipii, Gray; //. cainpjbellii, Gray; H. insculpta, Pfeifier; II. Jlosculus^ Cox; //. qiiiutalce, Cox; H. exayitans, Cox; Carocalla stoddariii, Gray; Omj)}ialotropis cerea, Pfeifi*er; 0. albocarinata, Mousson; Palaina coxi, H. Adams; Ilelicina pictella, Pfeifier; //. nor/olkensis, Pfeifier. Brazier has also recorded the introduction of the European Vallonia pulchella.f Loc. — Collected by J. Brazier in 18G5 on Norfolk Island, South Pacific, in a guava forest on a hill side. * Brazier— Proc. Zool. Soc, 1870, p. GOl. t Brazier — Journ. Conch., 1879, p. 281. NEW LAND SHELLS — HEDLEY. 153 Dendrotrochus mentum, sj). nov. (PL xxviii., figs. 12, 13). By colour, texture and general shape this species might be taken for a diminutive form of the well known D. helicinoides, Hombron and Jacquinot, of the Solomon Islands. The chief distinction between the two, lies in a thickened, curved ridge, analogous to that of certain species of Papuina, situated behind the aperture of D. mentum. This ridge is a constant feature in a fair series before me, supported by the difference in size, D. mentujii being three quarters of that of D. helicinoides, and the difference of locality, sufficiently isolates the novelty to require a name for it. Major diameter 12, minor 10; height 9 mm. D. pyxis, Hinds, from the adjoining island of New Ireland, also is contracted and then inflated behind the aperture, though not so sharply so as D. mentum. In the species now recorded, the genus has its most western outlier. It was demonstrated in a previous article in this serial,* that Dendrotrochus was related not to Papuina but to Trochoinorpha. The group seems worthy of generic recognition. Loc. — Ralum, New Britain ; presented by Madame E. E. Kolbe. TORNATELLINA WAKEFIELDiE, Cox. (PI. xxviii., fig. 14). Achatinella wakejieldce, Cox, Mon. Australian Land Shells, 1868, p. 78. Specimens of this unfigured species having recently been received by the Trustees from Bryon Bay, New South Wales, the opportunity is taken to illustrate it. In reviewing the above quoted work, G. W. Tryon pointed out that the species could not be included in Achatinella.-\ Crosse followed by suggesting that it would be more appropriately placed in Tornatellina,X an opinion which was echoed by Brazier. § Petterd reported the species as occurring in rotten wood near Lismore and on the Clarence River, New South Wales. || H. Tryon found it on orange trees in the vicinity of Brisbane, Queensland.^ * Hedley— Eec. Austr. Mus., ii., 1895, p. 90. t G. W. Tryon— Am. Journ. Conch., iv., 1868, p. 285. J Crosse — Journ. de Conch., xvii., 1869, p. 176. § Brazier— Proc. Zool. Soc, 1872, p. 807. II Petterd— Journ. de Conch., xxv., 1877, p. 361. ^ H. Tryon— Report on Insect and Fungus Pests, No. 1, 1889, p. 148. 154 kecokds of the austbaman museum. Papuina hindei, Cox. (PI. xxviii., figs. 7, 8, 9.) Cochlostyla Hindei, Cox, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S.W. (2), ii., 1888, p. 1063, pi. xxi., figs. 1, 2. Ilelicostyla hindei, Pilsbry, Man. Conch., ix., 1894, p. 229. The most eastern point to which on assured, that is anatomical, grounds, the tribe of Belogona has been traced, is Waighiou, Dutch New Guinea, in the form of Helicostyla conformis, Ferussac. On other and doubtful grounds this tribe is assumed to occur as far east as the Solomon Islands, in Crystallopsis, Ancey. With a view to deciding on more exact limits, I wrote to Madame Kolbe, of Ralum, New Britain, enclosing a coloured drawing of Cochlostyla hindei, and requested her to procure the animal for study. Madame Kolbe, always a generous friend to this Institution, kindly responded by forwarding some well preserved material. The result of an examination of this is as follows : — Jaw (tig. 7) thin, ends rounded, saiooth, centre crossed by weak ribs. Radula (tig. 9) of the type which Pilsbry has described for P. vexillaris, with rows meeting in the centre at an acute angle, and with enlarged and broadened cusps. Genitalia (fig. 8) without accessory organs on vagina. Tentacle retracted between the branches. Penis-sac long, flattened, with- out internal papilla. Retractor muscle attached to floor of lung cavity. Epiphallus long, slender and twisted. Spermatophore on long slender duct. This dissection must certainly eff'ect the transference of Coch- lostyla hindei, from Helicostyla to Papuina as those genera are arranged in Pilsbry's classic "Guide to the Study of Helices." On this point the absence of a dart sac is conclusive and is supported generally by the structure of the male organ and of the dentition. Credit must be given to Brancsik, who in describing ZT. heiinburgi, synonymous as Pilsbry suggests with the species before us, correctly indicated its systematic position by referring it to Geotrochns. I regard P. hindei as related to P. xanthochila, Pfr. SCYLLARTTS 8CULPTUS, LATR. — -VTHITELEGGE. 155 NOTE ON SCYLLARUS SCULPTUS, LATREILLE By Thomas Whitelegge, Zoologist. (Plate xxix.) The history of this beautiful, rare, and well-marked species of Scyllarus may be briefly given, as follows : — It was figured by Latreille* with a bare name, which occurs on page 5, in the explanation of the plate of the undermentioned work. At a later datef the species is again referred to, the reference consisting of a line or two, stating that the tigure on P. cccxx., represents Scyllarus sculptus. The next notice, as far as I can ascertain, is by M. Milne Edwards, J who gives a short detailed description, the letters CM., placed at the end, signifying that the specimen was in the Paris JNIuseum, but without data. I have failed to find any later mention of this highly interesting form, and it seems probable that the type until recently was the only specimen known. In September, 1892, the writer and several other members of the JNIuseum Stafi", paid a visit to Port Stephens, and during the trip two examples were obtained from Mr. Jackson, one of the local residents. In October of the same year, the late Mr. T. Mulhall presented a specimen which was stated to have been obtained in Port Jackson. Since that date two other examples have been received, one from Port Jackson, and the other collected at Newcastle by Mr. J. Mitchell, who kindly presented it to the Trustees. The first specimens were readily identified by the figure, with which they agree in most of the important characters. There are only two points of diflference. The teeth forming the crenulate margin of the fifth joint of the second antenna are smaller and more numerous than represented in the figure; and the alternating bands of darker and lighter colour, indicated on the legs, are much less distinct, or wanting, in our examples. Notwithstanding these differences, I think that our specimens are identical with the individual figured, which was probably collected at or near Port Jackson by some of the early voyagers. * Latreille — Encyclopedie Methodique (atlas), pt. 24, 1818, pi. cccxx., fig. 2. t Latreille — Encyclopedie Methodique (text), x., 1825, p. 416. J Milne Edwards— Hist. Nat. Crust., ii., 1837, p. 283. 156 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. Cancellus typtis, M. Edw., affords another instance of a similar kind. This species was described* without a definite habitat, but a few years ago it was found in South Australia, and shortly after- wards also in Port Jackson. f The habits and exact zone inhabited by this Scyllarus are unknown. It is, however, probable that it lives close in shore, at a considerable depth below the tide line, a region that has been little explored, having a distinct fauna which has yielded many new or rare forms, a few of which may be here noted : — Tropidostethus rhothophilus, Ogilby, a small fish of the family Atherinidie, is common all the year round, and lives in the surf, being rarely seen except in the white foaming water. Notwith- standing its abundance, it remained unnoticed until found by the writer in 1893. Heiniscyllium modesium, Giinther, commonly called the Blind Shark, inhabits the rocky recesses immediately below the tide line, and can only be obtained by fishing with a hook and line. A rare zoophyte, belonging to the genus Myriothela, and differing little from M. phrygia, Fabr., lives on seaweeds in the same zone, and until recently it had not been observed in Australian waters. The most remarkable example, however, is a small tubicolous Amphipod, which I refer without hesitation to the genus Siphonoe- ceies. This genus, according to G. O. Sars, contains but three species — one arctic and two occurring on the coast of Norway. Early in the present year I found a number of examples of what I believe to be a fourth species, at Maroubra Bay, which had been washed up from a considerable depth during a heavy gale. The spot where the specimens were gathered has been my favourite collecting ground for many years, although I never met with the species before, and have since carefully searched the locality without avail. I am of opinion that this species lives in that intermediate zone which is out of reach from the shore at tlie lowest tides, and too rocky and inaccessible to the trawl or dredge. Occasionally at certain seasons, denizens of this region wander about the spring tide line, and may at such times be captured. As an instance, mention may be made of the rare and curious Isopod, Amphoroidea australiensis, Dana, a species of an olive-green colour like the plants upon which it feeds, and to which it clings so tenaciously that it can only be removed with difficulty. A single example was found on a loose piece of seaweed at Maroubra Bay in May, 1896. It was afterwards searched for in vain during my weekly visits, and was not met with again until December, 1898, when about fifty examples were obtained, and in January of the present year * Milne-Edwards— Hist. Nat. Crust., ii., 1837, p. 243. t See List of Invertebrate Fauna — Proc. Roy. Soc. N. S. W., xxiii., 1889, p. 232. SCYLLARUS SCULPTUS, LATR. WHITELEGGE. 157 many more were secured by wading and pulling up the seaweeds from deep holes. The plants were carried up above high water- mark, and left for an hour or so to dry. The drying has the effect of loosening the hold of the Isopods, and they may be readily detached by shaking the plants. The following is a complete description of S. sculptus : — ScYLLARUS SCULPTUS, Latreille. Scyllarus sculptus, Latr., Encyclopedie M ethodique, pt. 24, 1818, pi. eccxx., fig. 2, and x., 1825, p. 416; Milne Edwards, Hist. Nat. Crust., ii., 1837, p. 283. Adult male. — Carapace 90 mm. in length, the width of the front between the orbits 49 mm., that of the entire frontal margin (spines included) 81 mm., and that of the hinder margin 77 mm. ; the greatest width is in a transverse line with the posterior cardiac region. The rostriform process is slightly depressed, somewhat emarginate anteriorly, with obtuse lateral angles ; its length is about 5 mm., its breadth anteriorly 6'.5 mm., and its narrowest part is just above the base and measures 4 mm. It is bounded externally on each side by a transversely elongate C-shaped depre.ssion, into which the somital lobes are dove-tailed and appear to be fused with the carapace. Each lobe has about eight or nine rounded tubercles on the posterior border, a pair on the anterior externally, and a prominent wide based denticle about the middle ; its sides slope away to the rostrum and to the external pair of tubercles. The length of the lobe is 5 mm., and its width 10 mm. Lateral frontal margins deflexed, slightly curved, the inner extremity ending in a low tooth, the base of which is situated under the external portion of the somital lobe ; the outer portion of the margin curves upwards and terminates at the rather pro- minent interno-orbital spine. The orbits are well defined ; the cavity beneath the cornea is margined with long hairs. The inner portion of the superior border is elevated and bears three prominent spines and as many low tubercles ; centrally there is a pair of tubercles bounded on each side by a sinus, and the outer portion has a series of four tubercles and a spine at the angle. Anterior to the latter is a wide sinus, and a large spine-like process which arises from a point near the insertion of the second antenna and forms the outer boundary of a large anterior orbital fissure ; the inner side is limited by descending process of the front. The base of the fissure is occupied by a lobe a little higher than broad at the base, and uni- or bituberculate at the summit. The upper surface of the carapace bears a few more or less acute spines, and is closely covered with flattened scale-like tubercles ; each tubercle is fringed anteriorly with short stiff setae, 158 RECORDS OF THE AtJSTRALIAN MUSEUM. posteriorly the set;e are few or wanting. The spines are disposed as follows: three equally spaced in a median line, the first situated at the base of the rostrum, the second and third on the gastric region. There is a spine immediately posterior to each orbit, and another on each side, situated at a short distance inwards behind the latter and in a line with it and the anterolateral angle of the carapace. There are five or six submedian pairs ; the first are seated on the gastric region and are rather widely separated, the remaining pairs are arranged in the form of a narrow V on the cardiac area, with a single median spine at their base ; a few occur on the branchial i-egion in a line with the inner orbital prominence, and about ten form a transverse series at a short distance from the hinder margin of the carapace. Lateral margins of the carapace armed with fourteen or fifteen more or less compressed spines ; of these, five are in advance of the cervical incision, the anterior one is large and prominent, the succeeding four gradually diminish in size as the well-marked cervical groove is approached, the latter is bounded posteriorly by a spine equal to or larger than that at the antero-lateral angle, the eight following are subequal in size and in distance apart, their outer borders are beset with tubercles. An irregular sub- marginal series of spiniform tubercles is situated on the posterior half of the carapace immediately above the lateral margin ; these form one or two rows and are most pronounced posteriorly. A sharply defined, deep, smoothish, transverse groove extends from side to side across the hinder part of the carapace, at a distance of about 7 mm. from the ciliated posterior margin ; laterally the groove is nearly twice as wide as at the centre. Pleon strongly sculptured, clothed with setiferous tubercles. The first segment is evenly convex above and below, and exhibits superiorly a well-marked transverse groove, situated much nearer the posterior than the concealed anterior margin, and it descends on each side to the coxal plate; the latter is small and bilobed. The anterior lobe is broad, rounded, and its margin is continued inwards to the end of the transverse groove ; the posterior lobe is triangulate and acute, its point is directed outwards and down- wards ; the posterior margin is slightly crenate and oblique. The second to sixth segments bear raised arborescent markings; all, except the last named, have a median carina. Each segment is transversely grooved and somewhat depressed anteriorly ; the groove is bounded by a raised crenated line, which is just visible on the first three, but cannot be seen on those succeeding without bending the pleon downwards. The inner process of each coxal plate is limited by a well defined smooth groove, which extends from the anterior depression to the articular condyle. The inferior surface of the second segment is much less curved than the first ; the convexity diminishes to the fifth, which is SCYLLARTJS SCXTLPTUS, LATR. — ■WHITELEGGE. 159 almost straight; all except the sixth and seventh have a prominent transverse denticulated ridge, which is directed backwards ; it is centrally situated in the tirst and second. In the succeeding three the posterior margin to which the connecting membrane is attached is very short, and is overlapped by the denticulate ridge. In the female this ridge is present, but it is smooth and much less distinct in all except the first segment. The inferior surface of the sixth segment is flat, punctate, smooth, with a slight longitudinal median groove, it is imperfectly calcified, and scarcely higher than the bounding membrane. In length it exceeds the two preceding, and is equal to the third ; the latter is shorter than the second or first, which are twice as long as the fourth. Superiorly the segments, except the first and seventh, are sub- equal in length. Their width gradually diminishes ; the first measures 54 mm. across between the joints, and the fifth 35 mm. The surface ornamentation consists of groups of arborescent patterns, and flat subimbricated scales ; the latter occur chiefly on the upper and on the lower posterior regions of the coxal plates. The former are present on the second to the fifth segments and disposed as follows : a narrow median group which forms the longitudinal keel ; on the second the keel commences about the middle and is continued to near the posterior margin, where it becomes transverse and extends nearly the whole width of the segment. There are two prominent groups, one on each side of the keel, but separated from it by a longitudinal row of two or more rounded tubercles. On the remaining somites the dendritic sculpture becomes a little less distinct, but the keel is longer, and on the fifth it equals the segment. The coxal plate of the second segment is very large and bilobed. It bears a Y-shaped impression on its surface, and from twelve to fourteen spines or tubercles along its margin. The front portion of the margin is transverse, the outer is obliquely directed back- wards and downwards, and terminates in a large triangular tooth. The margin of the posterior lobe has five rather large denticles, and is slightly curved forwards towards its extremity. The plates on the next four segments agree in having the anterior margin elongate, straight, almost smooth, and slightly crenate, and the posterior more or less curved and dentate like the second. The outer border, however, differs in each. In the third it is obliquely truncated and obscurely bi- or tridentate, the posterior denticle being rather large. The fourth is truncate and may be regarded as one broad lobe or tooth. The fifth and sixth are triangulate, the latter somewhat elongate 160 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. The sixth segment has superiorly a faint longitudinal mesial groove, and two pairs of submedian tubercles ; the anterior pair are separated by the groove, the posterior pair are much wider apart and nearer the hinder margin ; the latter bear about eight tubercles, four on each side of a short central ridge. The uropods and telson have the basal third calcified. The superior distal margin of the outer ramus has eight small denticles, and that of the inner ramus two or three situated on the outer fourth. The telson is marked by four smooth pit-like depressions, the anterior pair are wide apart and seated on the base, the posterior pair are large, submedian, and occupy the distal half of the calci- fied part. The membraneous laminte of the uropods and telson have numerous radiating ribs, which exhibit repeated dichotomous branching ; the ribs on both surfaces of the telson and on the outer halves of the rami are closely granulose. The pleopoda are biramous ; the first pair are wanting in both male and female. The second pair in the former are foliaceous and have the rami equal in length ; the outer one is broad at the base, and the inner one rather narrow. In the succeeding pairs the outer ramus is similar in .shape to that of the second, but the rami decrease in size on each somite ; the inner ramus is represented by a short obtuse conical stump. It is interest- ing to note that the inner ramus of the fourth segment on the left side — in the male example under notice — is consider- ably developed, it is equal to the outer in length but is very narrow and styliform ; a small stylamblys occurs at its base. The second pair of pleopoda in the female are very large, and consist of foliaceus plates with strongly ciliated margins. The inner ramus is rather broader than the outer, and carries a single stylamblys tipped with long sette, to which the ova are attached. In the following pairs the lamina of the outer rami is much smaller than those of the second ; the inner ramus is narrow, elongate, and three-jointed ; a foliate plate arises from the outer base of the second joint. The margins of the joints and lamina are more or less fringed with long plumose hairs to which the bundles of ova are cemented. Basal joint of first antenna tuberculate, twice as long as broad, the inner distal angle terminating in a prominent denticle ; second joint stout, smooth, compressed, nearly twice as long as the first, and equal to the third ; fourth shorter than the latter, about twice as long as the outer flagellum. Outer antenn;e a little shorter than the inner. The basal joint is very large ; the inferior distal margin is denticulate, it carries NOTE ON SCYLLARUS SCULPTUS, LATR. — -WHITELEGGE. 161 about eighteen denticles, including the larger ones situated at the inner and outer angles. Second joint twice as broad as long ; the superior distal margin bears five spines ; of these, two are situated on the outer fourth, one about the middle and two on a produced lobe, which projects in front of the basal joint of the first antennye and partly conceals the lower third of the second joint. Third joint greatly expanded, somewhat cordiform in outline ; the outer margin is neatly curved, and bears six teeth, each of which is minutely denticulated. The distal margin is oblique, and has four or five large teeth ; the inner border is tridentate, the denticules occur on a projecting lobe similar to, but larger, than that on the inner angle of the preceding joint. Fourth joint as broad as long, the inner border with three spines and the distal margin with two or more ; the outer distal angle is produced on the lower surface, but not on the upper. Fifth joint nearly one-fourth broader than long • its outline is semi-elliptical ; the margin is shortly ciliate, the inner third is acutely dentate, the rest crenate, the surfaces are minutely hairy punctate ; the upper surfaces of all the preceding joints are more or less scaly or tuberculate. First pair of legs stout ; the inferior surfaces of the first three joints are beset with elevated tubercles, with dark brown tips ; the merus is somewhat compressed, the inner surface is smooth and adapted to the carapace, the outer is slightly depressed longitudin- ally ; near the upper border the latter is subcarinate, smooth, and shortly setose ; the inner lower border is similar to the upper, but is less elevated and only half its length ; the outer aspect of the lower border is marked by a series of ten subspiniform scales ; the distal margin has four or five obscure spines. Carpus half as long as the merus, with a strongly marked groove on the outer surface near the rounded upper border. Propodus tapering, its greatest depth equal to half the length, its diameter equalling the depth at the distal extremity, the upper and lower borders are rounded. Tarsus curved, as long as its supporting joint, upper surface somewhat flattened, internal aspect grooved, the lower with two tufts of setee near the base ; the distal half is horny, the corneus and calcareous portions overlap at their junction, the latter at the sides and the former above and below. Second pair of legs the longest, their length without the tarsus equal to the first and also to the third ; fourth and fifth shorter, the latter nearly equal to the first without the tarsus. The merus joint of the second pair is one-fourth longer than that of the first and of the fourth, about one-eighth longer than the third, and nearly twice the length of that of the fifth ; it 162 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. exhibits — like the first and those succeeding — a shallow longi- tudinal depression near the upper border. The carpal joints are subequal, aud each has a well-marked longitudinal groove on the external surface. The propodal joints also exhibit a shallow groove externally, and a line of short seta' indicating another less distinct groove on the inner surface. The length of the joint varies slightly ; the second measures 37 mm., the third and fourth 28 mm., and the fifth 32 mm. The tarsal joints of the last three pairs are shorter and more curved than the first or second. The basos of the fifth legs have the superior distal angles pro- duced, the anterior bears a triangular tooth, and the posterior a crest-like lobe directed outwards and tipped with from three to five denticles; the lobe measures 6'5 mm. in length, and 5 mm. in height. The ground colour is greyish-yellow, in parts almost obliterated by crimson tints; central area of fifth joints of the outer antenna? and the margins of the third joints wholly of this tint ; the lateral borders and the posterior margins of the carapace, and pleon also, red. Meral joints of legs with a central transverse crimson band, extremities of legs purple or blue. Membrane of telson and uro- pods yellow, mottled with purple. Inferior surface of antennae yellow dotted with red. The legs red, dotted with yellow. Total length of body, 300 mm. REQALECUS GLESNE — "WAITE. 163 REGALECUS GLESNE, ASCANIUS.— An ADDITION to THE FAUNA OF NEW SOUTH WALES. By Edgar R. Waite, F.L.S., Zoologist. In his article — "On a species of Regalecus or Great Oar-fish, caught in Okain's Bay,"* H. O. Forbes mentions that the example there recorded is the tenth known from New Zealand waters, the records being as follows: — (1) Nelson, Oct. 1860; (2) Jackson's Bay, 1874; (3) New Brighton, May 1876; (4) Little Waimangaroa Beach, 1877; (5) Cape Farewell, 1877 ; (6) Moeraki, 1881 ; (7) Moeraki, June 1883 ; (8) Otago, June 1887 ; (9) Nelson Harbour, September 1890; (10) Okain's Bay, May 1891. Two examples have been recorded from Australian seas. McCoy t figures and describes under the name Regalecus banksi, Cuvier, a specimen taken in May 1878, between Victoria and Tasmania. The second occurrence was near the Tweed River, in Queensland waters, and C. W. De Vis publishes a description of the fish under the new name Regalecus mastersii.X In his Catalogue § Macleay includes Regalecus gladius, Cuv. & Val., with the remark, "said to have been seen on the Tasmanian Coast. Johnston, possibly on this authority, places it in his list of Tasmanian species. || The example described by Ramsay as Regalecus jacksoniensis^ is really a IVachypterus. I have now to record a third Australian example. On August 12th last, a very fine specimen was discovered by a fisherman cast up on Shark Beach, within Port Jackson. It was obtained by Mr. Fitzwilliam Wentworth, of Greycliff, Vaucluse, who pre- sented it to the Trustees. Examples of the genus have never been obtained perfect, due to the extreme fragility of their members. The portions missing in our specimen were the lower parts of the head, including the branchiostegals, the cephalic and nuchal crests, one of the ventral filaments, and the end of the caudal. The body was cut almost in halves, by, it is presumed, a boat : otherwise it was in fair * Forbes— Trans. New Zeal. Inst., xxiv., ]891, p. 192. t McCoy— Prod. Zool. Vict., Dec. xv., 1887, pi. 145. X De Vis— Proc. Roy. Soc. Qd.. viii.. 1892, p. 109. § Macleay— Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., \i., 1882, p. 55. II Johnston— Proc. Roy, Soc. Tasmania, 1890, p. 34. 1 Eamsay— Proc. Linn. feoc. N.S.W., v., 1881, p. 631, pi. xx. 164 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. condition and the appended notes were made while the taxidermists were engaged upon their work, no time having to be lost in its preparation. It proved to be a female, as with every other specimen of Eegalecus sexually examined. Regalecus glesne, Ascanius. D. UO + 1 V. 1. P. 12. Height of body 1546, length of head 20'1 in the total length- Eye 5 and maxilla 28-5 in the length of the head. Teeth absent- The head and body together are much shorter than the tail, being contained therein 3-5 times. The gill rakers of the first arch are very long, the longest measuring 28 mm.; they are slender and tapering and are furnished with short stiff hairs on their inner margins ; there are five rakers on the hinder and thirty-four on the lower limb — ^there is also a very small raker between each of the larger ones, it may easily be overlooked. A second set occurs on the inner side of the arch, these rakers are comparatively small and are arranged in three series, the largest not more than 6 mm. in length. The first series consists of a rather broad triangular plate, surmounted by a thickened head which bears a number of hairs. The second series is alternate with the first one, and the rakers are similar, but only half their size. The third series is formed of rakers less than half the size of those of the second series, they occur between each of the others and are there- fore twice as numerous, these are comparable with the small alternate rakers described on the outer set of the first arch. The rakers on the other arches (there are four and a half in all) are very small and are similar to the inner set of the first arch. The tail is possibly incomplete, but I do not think very much has been lost, the membrane extends to its tip. Of the cephalic rays the first is tlie only one now perfect, it is very stout basally but tapers to a thread, it measures two and a quarter times the length of the head; the four following are slender, close together but are broken oft' at about one-third the length of the first one, the others are broken short, all were connected by membrane. The dorsal tin is tolerably perfect but broken away at intervals, its height is one-half more than the diameter of the eye. The only pectoral fin remaining is broken, but it has not the vertical aspect ascribed to some forms, and exhibits the bases of twelve rays. One of the ventral filaments is complete and extends nearly to the vent, it terminates in a fteshy tag. The lateral line arises above the operculum, passes obliquely down- wards and runs along the lower half of the body at about one-fourth its height from the ventral surface. The skin is very thin and is marked by five longitudinal rows of tubercles, where these tubercles exist the skin is attached to REGALECTJS GLESXE— WAITB. 165 the flesh beneath, but the spaces between are quite free and a pencil or penholder may be passed under the skin along the entire length of the body. Colour — The general colour is silvery-grey, the upper surface is quite silvery and the five tubercular rows are equally so. The body is marked with irregularly oval black spots, those in front being as large as half a crown, while those towards the end of the tail are much smaller — about the size of a shilling piece. On the lower surface the spots are more widely spaced, and narrow black vertical bars are placed at intervals and directed obliquely from before backwards. The fins including the ventral filaments, are flaming red ; the dorsal is variegated with a series of opal coloured spots, one to each ray, placed nearer the body than the edge of the tin ; mouth within black. The vertebra? are 13G + ? in number. Dimensions. Total length 4020 mm Length of head 200 „ Height do. ... 190 „ Diameter of eye 40 „ Length of maxilla ... 70 „ Height of body ... 260 „ Head to vent ... 1150 „ Length, cephalic filament ... ... 450 „ Ventral filament, including tag ... 280 „ Ventral terminal tag 60 „ Height of dorsal fin 65 „ The general inclination is to now regard all the described examples as referable to one species, R. glesne, and although this name is adopted for our example, it is to be borne in mind that specimens exhibit very great diversity in proportionate height and length. It has, on the other hand, been pointed out that the proportions of head to body and the number of fin rays difi'er greatly at difterent ages. Parker* has drawn up a key to the species of Regalecus, from this our specimen appears to be referable either to R banksii or R, grillii, having more than two hundred and fifty dorsal rays, no teeth, and no caudal fin. In the former species the height is one-thirteenth of the length and the dorsal rays two hundred and seventy-six to three hundred and five. In the latter the height is one-eighteenth of the length and the dorsal rays four hundred and six. In McCoy's example, named R. banksii, the height is one-twenty-third of the length and the dorsal rays four hundred and six. De Vis' species fR. mastersii) is the least elongate known, its height being but one-ninth of its length ; the number of dorsal rays is not given. * T. J. Parker— Trans. N. Zeal. Inst., xvi., 1883, p. 296. 166 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. OCCASIONAL NOTES. 111.—PAL.E0PEDE WHITELEGGEI, ETH. Fil. In the last number of this publication* I described a supposed Endophytic Alga, under the above name, occurring in a Favosites from the Middle Devonian Limestone of Moore Creek, near Tamworth, in the north-eastern part of this Colony. Since then, on examining a composite coral (not yet described), from a limestone, possibly of much the same age, at Goodravale, on the Goodradigbee River, not far from the junction of the latter with the Murrumbidgee River, I again met with a similar organism. As in the former instance the coral tissues are traversed by the alga in various directions, and the characters of the intruder are practically the same as those of P. whiteleggei. In the present instance the heterocysts (I) vary in diameter from '01 to "015 mm.; the diameter of the filaments of cells from '006 to 008 mm.; the distance between the heterocysts (1) '07 mm.; and the totallength of a filament generally about "2 mm. It is very interesting to meet with this Endophytic Alga and obtain confirmatory evidence of its existence in a perfectly distinct coral and at two places so widely separated, although near about the same geological horizon. R. ETHERIDGE, Junr. lY.—LAMPRIS LUNA, GMELIN. Its Recurrence in New Zealand Waters. On the 25th instant (October), we received notice from the Fresh Food and Ice Co., of this city, that a rare fish would shortly arrive from New Zealand. With the Curator (Mr. R. Etheridge, Junr.) I visited the depot of the Company, and there saw a very fine example of the Opah, Lampris hma. We learned that it had been so identified in New Zealand, and the daily papers of 2Gth October, contained the announcement that the fish exhibited in the window of the Company " was caught by some men employed on the Timaru Dredge, New Zealand, and after being exhibited in Timaru was forwarded to Dunedin. Professor Benham, of the Otago Etheridge— Rec. Austr. Mus., iii., 5, 1899, p. 127. OCCASIONAL NOTES. 167 University, on seeing the fish, pronounced it to be Lainpris luna, of which only one previous specimen is recorded as having been caught in New Zealand, namely on the coast of Wellington in 1883." A short notice of this former occurrence was published by Hector,* who states that the superb fish was cast on the beach near the Manawatu River, in December 1882, and presented to the Wellington Museum. In 1895 a specimen was obtained in Tasmania This is recorded by Morton,! who writes : — " This very interesting specimen, the first on record of having been captured in Australia, was forwarded to the Museum by Mr. Alfred Lovett, on December 18th, 1895. Mr. Lovett states that it was found washed up on the beach near Port Arthur, and weighed 130 lbs. Unfortunately the crows had picked and destroyed one side. . . . the branchiostegals were six in number, there was no sign of a seventh." The specimen now in Sydney, has been exhibited for the past three weeks in the window of the Fresh Food and Ice Co., daily, and placed upon ice for preservation at night. Owing to the price at which the fish was valued by the Company, the Trustees of the Museum have not been able to secure it for the National Collection. The following dimensions have been kindly supplied by tlie Manager of tlie Company : — Length 3ft. 6in., height 2ft. -iin., thickness 9in. EDGAR R. WAITE. * Hector — Trans. New Zeal. Inst., xvi., 1883, p. 322. t Morton— Proc. Eoy. Soc. Tasm., 1896 (1897) p. 99. Publications of the Australian Museum.— Continued. III.— MEMOIRS. 1. History and Description of the Skeleton of a new Sperm Whale in the Australian Museum, by W. S. Wall, 1851. 8vo. pp. 66, with plates. Reprint 1887. Wrappers, 2s. 6d. 2. Lord Howe Island : its Zoology, Geology, and Physical Characters. 1889. Svo. pp. Tiii-132, with 10 plates. Boards, 7s. 6d. ; cloth, 10s. 6d. 3. The Atoll of Funafuti, Ellice Group : its Zoology, Botany, and General Struc- ture, based on Collections made by Mr. C. Hedley. Part I., 21st Dec, 1896. Svo. pp. 86. Price. 5s. Part II., 2oth Feb., 1897. 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Price 5s, May be obtained from the Attendants at the Museum, or from Messrs, Angus r m CO > C CO H > r > c CO m c jrinjc, CD -< H I m H ;d c CO H m m CO O ■n "D m CO m H m c ^ 2 2 3 AUG 3 1900 TWO NEW THOMISIDS — RAINBOW. 169 TWO NEW THOMISIDS. By W. J. Rainbow, F.L.S., Entomologist. (Plate XXX.) The present paper contains descriptions of two new species of Thomisidse, exceedingly interesting forms. The first, for which I propose the name Misumena tristania, was collected by Mrs. C. T. Starkey, of Neutral Bay, Sydney, at Cobbity, and presented by her to the Trustees. The spider was found upon some flowers of Tristania laurina, R. Br. (N.O. Myrtacefe) a tall shrub or small tree, which (according to Mr. J. H. Maiden, Director of the Botanical Gardens, Sydney, who kindly identified the flowers for me), is found near watercourses, and is not uncommon in mountain gullies. The flowers of this shrub are bright yellow, and the colour is closely simulated by the spider, so that, unless it happens to move, it is difiicult to detect. And, to colour must be added the form of the animal itself, when studying it in connection with the question of mimicry, because, when at rest, the body is posed in such a manner as to add greatly to the effect. The mimetic resemblance, therefore, must be regarded as protective and attractive: the former, because it would assist the Arachnid in evading insecti- vorous foes, and the latter, because it would be the means of attracting insects upon which it feeds. The second species, Saccodomus formivorus, is remarkable not alone, on account of its form, but also for the reason that, contrary to all previously recorded facts based upon accurate observations of the habits of the Thomisidse, it constructs a bag- like nest. It is in consideration of this, that in founding the genus diagnosed below, I propose the generic term Saccodomus. It has long been regarded as an axiom that all those individuals and species embraced within the vast family Thomisid*, popularly known as "Crab" or "Flower" Spiders, are essentially wanderers, constructing neither webs nor nests for the capture of prey, but relying solely upon their activity, cunning, or mimetic resemblance to surrounding objects. Another interesting feature in connection with this species is its food. Both Mr. W. W. Froggatt and Mr. George Masters, in speaking to me upon the subject, said that so far as their 170 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. observations went, these spiders lived entirely upon small ants — Leptomyrmex erythrocephahis, Fab. These insects were, Mr. Froggatt says, drawn into the nests by the spiders, where they sucked the vital juices from their bodies, and then threw them out. Mr. Masters, who collected some specimens and nests at Glen Oak, Williams River, informed me that the nests were covered with small ants, and that it was their great numbers on the trees that attracted his attention. Mr. D. A. Porter, of Tamworth, who has kindly donated both spiders and nests to the Trustees, wrote me as follows : — " The trap is a 'bag,' or cul-de-sac, with the opening upwards, and generally fixed between the small branches [in a fork]. The ants travel over and on it in going ujnvards, but often ' fall in,' prob- ably when coming down." Further, my correspondent says that he has observed the ants inside, travelling round and endeavouring to escape, but that he has never noticed one succeed, or try to climb out ; he has also seen fragments of dead ants in the traps. Mr. Porter is, without doubt, an admirable observer, and his remarks are therefore of value. In his letter he says, that although he had never noticed a spider in or upon one of these traps, he had always found them not far away, and as " they were always of the same kind, concluded that they were the owners." It is possible, however, that some of the .spiders were not at home, when Mr. Porter examined the nests, or that they may have e.scaped his observation, because upon closely examining the group of nests presented, I found a living example hiding deep down in one of the bags. The colour of the animal's abdomen, and the web of which the nests are made, are so much alike that detection is very difficult, and under some conditions impossible. Mr. Porter informs me that in the Tamworth District these nests or traps, so far as he can say, are only found upon one variety of bush, known to the aljorigines as " Dthluby." I am again indebted to Mr. J. II. Maiden for his kindness in identifying this species. It is the common " Whitethorn," Btirsaria spinosa, Cav. (N.O. Pittosporse). From specimens I have handled, how- ever, it is evident that this spider constructs its nest in various trees or shrubs. The one obtained by Mr. Froggatt at Aelong was taken from one of the tea-trees ( Leptospermum sp.J, and that by Mr. Masters from a Eucalypt. Mr. Porter says in concluding his note that the traps are generally situated at two to four feet from the ground.* * For description and figures of nests the reader is referred to a pre- vious paper by me in Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.W., xxii., 3, 1897, p. 549, pi. xviii., figs. 6 and 6a. TWO NEW THOMISIDS — RAINBOW. 171 Family TnOMisiDiE. Sub-family MisumeniNjE. Genus Misumena, Latr. MiSUMENA TRISTANIA, sp. nOV. (PI. XXX., Figs. 1, la.) ? . Oephalothorax 2-8 mm. long, 3 mm. broad ; abdomen 5*5 mm. long, 5'8 mm. broad. Cephalothorax obovate, arched, broader than long, orange-brown relieved by chrome yellow and pitchy-black markings. Pars cephalica arched, truncated in front, orange-brown, ornamented by a median line of chrome yellow and a few small concolorous spots; in addition to these there are also upon the upper surface two fine lateral chrome yellow lines : these commence well forward, curve gently first in an outward direction, and then more sharply in- wards, ultimately meeting at the base ; on the outer side of each of these lines, and commencing at a point immediately below, but in a line with the posterior lateral eyes, there is a broad, wavy, longitudinal pitchy-black line, which does not terminate until near the centre of the cephalic segment ; these lines are narrowest in front, become gradually wider, and terminate in an obtuse point ; immediately below the anterior row of eyes (the clypeus) there is a broad, strongly recurved bar of chrome yellow ; from below each lateral eye of the anterior row, there is directed backwards and outwards, a narrow, wavy, concolorous line, and immediately below the posterior median eyes, there is a rather sharp depression or pit which is broadest in front, and has its margins chrome yellow. Pars thoracica arched, broad, orange-brown with a large triangular patch of chrome yellow at junction of cephalic and thoracic segments, and enclosed between the pitchy-black lines referred to above. Marginal band chrome yellow, broad. Uyes small, black, normal. Legs orange-brown, extremities of tibiae of first and second pairs nearly encircled with a deep, black band ; extremities of each haunch, trochanter, femur, patella, and tibia encircled with a band of chrome yellow ; femurs, tibise, and metatarsi clothed with fine adpressed hairs upon their upper surface, and armed with small lateral spines ; tarsi hairy ; tarsal claws black. Relative lengths 1, 2, 4, 3. Palpi short, strong, orange-brown, clothed with fine black hairs, and terminating with a small black spine. Fakes strong, convex, orange-brown, sparingly hairy. Maxilloi yellow, moderately long, convex, slightly constricted at their centre, sparingly pubescent, apices inclining inwards. Labium concolorous, rather longer than broad, truncated at tip. Sternum yellow, glossy, convex, shield-shaped, sparingly clothed with rather long, strong hairs. 172 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. Abdomen broadly obovate, strongly arched, slightly projecting over base of cephalothorax, very finely pubescent, chrome yellow, relieved towards anterior extremity and sides with a series of black and dark brown markings, and irregularly shaped large and small concolorous spots; in addition to these there is also present, and running down the centre, a delicate net-work of tracery, barely visible to the naked eye; the inferior surface is also finely pubes- cent, chrome yellow and ornamented down the centre with a series of twelve dark brown spots, arranged in pairs, rather widely apart, the posterior pair especially so. Epigyne as in figure. Hab. Cobbity, New South Wales. Genus Saccodoraus,* gen. nov. The species for which a new genus is now proposed was first brought under my notice soiDe years ago by jMr. W. W. Froggatt, who gave me both the specimen and its nest. These have since been added to the collection of the Australian Museum. When examining it at the time it appeared to me there could be little doubt as to the position it should occupy, namely, in the sub-family Misumeninie. But, whilst many features appeared to point to this sub-family as its correct place, there were nevertheless, some that were decidedly conflicting, and these suggested certain important analogies with the sub family Stephanopsinaj. Indeed, the form was so novel, that I hesitated to describe it until I could obtain more specimens, and devote more time and labour to the elucida- tion of the problems presented. In my studies I was, happily, assisted by my esteemed friend, Mr. H. R. Hogg, M.A., of Melbourne, who, writing to me upon the subject said : — •" In this group [^ e., Misumenere] it has the nearest affinity with the sub-group Diajete, and I place it as a new genus between Hericeus, E. Simon, and Dice.a, Thorell, the chief points keeping it out of either being : forehead sloping instead of vertical ; legs smooth instead of having certain bespinements ; rear row of eyes less recurved than front row." During the interval that has elapsed since the above was written the subject has l)een further studied, with the result that both Mr. Hogg and myself still incline to the opinion that this species should form a new genus to be placed — provisionally — between Hericeus and Dicna. Nevertheless there are yet, to my mind, some very debateable points to be removed before the subject can be satisfactorily settled, and it may even be necessary hereafter, either to amend one of the existing sub-families, or to found a new one for its * Derivation : !laKKos, a bag or purse; 86fxos a dwelling place. TWO NEW THOMISIDS — KAINBOW. 173 reception, and by way of illustration the following tables are submitted : — Points showing wherein the genus Saccodomus differs from genera included in the sub-families Stephanopsinaj and Misumeninse : Sub-family Stephanopsinse. First pair of legs longer than second; Maxillae parallel ; Forehead vertical ; Both rows of eyes equally recurved; Teeth on lower margin of falx ; No row of hairs upon exterior mar- gin of falx. Genus Saccodomus. First and second pairs equal ; Maxillee slightly inclined inwards; Forehead sloping; Posterior row of eyes less recurved than anterior row ; Lower margin of falx smooth ; Hairs present upon exterior margin of falx. Sub-family Misumeninse. Genus Saccodomus. Second pair of legs longest ; Forehead square, vertical ; Both rows of eyes equally recurved. First and second pairs equal ; Forehead square, sloping ; Posterior row of eyes less recurved than anterior row. Points in which the arenus Saccodomus agree with- Sub-family Stephanopsinse. Sub-family Misumeninse. Labium (with some genera); Maxillae inclining inwards; Forehead not attenuated ; Shape of labium ; Front femur not bespined ; Lower edge of falx smooth ; Anterior row of eyes not near Tarsi without claw tufts ; together. Front row of eyes ; Hairs upon clypeus ; Skm bristly; Forehead sqviare ; No spines on tarsi or metatarsi. It will be seen, from the above comparative tables, that the majority of points rests in favour of the sub-family Misumeninre, in which for the present it is placed ; and again, if the reader will refer to pi. xxx., figs. 2 and 26, he will note, so far as the abdomen is concerned, a striking resemblance in contour to those species forming the sub-family Stephanopsime. Until quite recently our collection contained only one specimen of this remarkable spider, and this fact made me dubious about describing it. Fortunately, however, an esteemed correspondent, Mr. D. A. Porter, of Tamworth, to whom reference has already been made, forwarded additional specimens to the Trustees, by the aid of which supplementary material, I feel I am now justified not only in describing the species, but also in founding a new genus for its reception. 174 records of the australian museum. Oharacters of Genus. Cephalothorax longer than wide, high ; sides and posterior angle sharply declivous. Pars cephalica sloping sharply forward, broad, square in front, and truncated. Clypeus hairy. Pars thoracica high, sides declivous, and deeply indented laterally. Eyes small ; posterior row less recurved than the anterior ; of the four comprising the anterior row, the median pair is smallest and much the closest together, whilst the series constituting the posterior row, are widely separated from each other, and equi- distant. Legs long, hairy. Relative lengths 1 = 2, 4, 3. Palpi short, hairy. Falces robust, hairy. Maxillce moderately long, outer angles constricted near their centre ; apices inclining inwards, obtuse, and not divergent. Labium coniform. Sternum oval, convex, truncated in front, obtuse behind. Abdomen oval. Saccodomus pormivorus, sp. nov. (Plate XXX., figs. 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e.) $ . Cephalothorax 2*7 mm. long, 2*2 mm. wide ; abdomen, 4 mm. long, 3*7 mm. wide. Cephalothorax longer than wide, high, sparingly clothed with fine, hoary pubescence, dark brown, encircled with exception of clypeus, by a deep cream-coloured band. Pars cephalica dark brown, sloping forward, truncated in front, sides declivous. Clypeus dark brown5 hairy. Pars thoracica dark brown, high, sloping forward, sides and posterior angle sharply declivous; there is also on each side and near the junction of the cephalic and thoracic segments, a long, deep depression. Marginal band broad, cream-coloured. Eyes small, black, arranged in two recurved rows of four each; second row less recurved than the anterior; of the four comprising the anterior series, the median pair is the smallest, much the closest together and separated from each other by a space equal to about four times their individual diameter, but each lateral eye is removed from its neighbour by many times its individual diameter ; the posterior series are slightly larger than their anterior lateral neighbours, widely separated from each other, but equi- distant or nearly so. Legs robust, hairy; anterior pairs dark brown, joints annulated white, but, judging from the specimens before me, these limbs are TWO NEW THOMISIDS — RAINBOW. 175 subject to a slight variation in colour ; posterior pairs pale yellowish, with dark brown markings. Relative lengths 1 = 2, 4, 3. Palpi short, dark brown, hairy. Falces robust, concolorous, clothed with short stiff hairs. Maxillce dark brown above, outer angles yellowish, moderately long, arched, inclining inwards, apices obtuse, surface clothed with short, stiff hairs. Labium dark brown, coniform, convex, clothed with coarse greyish hairs. Stervium greyish, oval, moderately convex, truncated in front, obtuse behind, clothed with coarse greyish hairs. Abdomen oval, moderately arched, truncated in front, projecting over base of cephalothorax ; anterior, lateral, and posterior angles furrowed ; superior surface and sides sparingly clothed with short black hairs ; near the posterior angle, and in the median line, there is a rather deep puncture ; below this, and at about one- third the length of the abdomen, there is a row of two punctures, equally as deep and large as the one referred to above, but widely separated from each other ; below these, and just beyond the centre, there is another row of two, but these are much larger than the preceding, and rather wider apart ; a little below the second pair there is a recurved row of punctures, the lateral individuals of which are smaller than those already described, whilst the intermediate series (six) is much smaller still ; below this again there is another recurved row of six small punctures ; each of the recurved rows here described are seated in two trans- verse furrows ; lateral angles furrowed longitudinally and finely punctured ; dorsal, ventral, and lateral surfaces dull yellowish. Epigyne as in figure. Obs. — In gravid specimens the abdomen assumes a somewhat spherical form, the furrows and small punctures are entirely absent, whilst the deep, dorsal punctures so prominent in normal examples, are only barely visible. Hah. Aelong (VV. W. Froggatt); Williams River (G. Masters); Tamworth (D. A. Porter). 176 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. SPEARS WITH INCISED ORNAMENT. By R. Etheridge, Junr., Curator. In 1897, I fully described* an Australian Spear with incised ornament, extending nearly the whole length of the weapon. I further commented on the rarity of this form of sculpture amongst Aboriginal spears, and the general absence of illustrations in works of reference. In working through the store collection of Ethnology, I met with four additional examples, so far similar, that nearly the entire surfaces are covered with ornamental incisions, but all differing in the motive, and three of them greatly so, from the spear referred to. The first is of the same length as the already described specimen, viz., eleven feet nine inches, but lacks the colour bands near the point or apex. The serpentine longitudinal grooves are five instead of six in number, and extend from within two feet three inches of the point, and nine inches of the butt. The grooves are toothed in a similar manner, but instead of the serrations looking backwards, i.e., towards the butt, they are presented forwards towards the point of the weapon ; furthermore, the interstices between the serpentine grooves are occupied by V-shaped and bird's feet {" broad arrow ") incisions, or simple oblique nicks, arranged with a certain degree of order, like with like. The ornament at the butt is finished off" by four feather-like incised tags, consisting of a central groove margined by oblique nicks, reminding one of the feathered shaft of an arrow. This spear is said to have come from the Paroo River District, but from which side of the border I am unable to say. The three remaining spears are much shorter weapons, being each a trifle over seven feet in length. On the first the sculpture is spiral, consisting of two bands, extending from the butt to within two feet of the point. The bands are each defined by two grooves, the interspaces being cross incised, thus giving them greater prominence and eftect, but the apical two feet is variously occupied. First, proceeding upwards from the termination of the spiral bands, a rude representation of the human form is seen, with one arm only, and above this an oval body, both infilled with cross incisions. These are succeeded by sundry serpentine and meandering bands similar to the spiral already described. The interspaces are occupied by V-shaped incisions, oblique nicks, and what not. * Eec. Aust. Mus., iii., 1, 1897, p. 6. SPEAKS WITH INCISED ORNAMENT^ETHERIDGE. 1 77 The second shorter spear is carved to a certain extent like the first. From the butt to within two feet seven inches of the point, two encircling or spiral bands traverse the surface exactly as in the first spear, but they are connected by two other bands run- ning somewhat obliquely to the weapon's length, and at the same time are discontinuous, leaving free or unoccupied gaps. The result is that even these disconnected bands become in the long run elongately spiral in a contrary direction to the main bands, and, where present, divide the spear surface into long ovals. Some of the latter are occupied by zig-zag lines of nicks, either trans- verse to the length of the weapon, or oblique to it. The apical space of two feet seven inches contains an undoubted human figure, with both arras raised straight above the head, a boomer- ang-like object, and a third outline that may be intended to represent a fish ; the first and last figures are obliquely cross- incised. It is to be noted that the position of the arms in the human figure is one frequently seen in similar representations amongst the rock-carvings of the Sydney Disti-ict, and on the dilly- baskets of North-Central Australia. Above the figures, and to the apex, the surface is occupied by a single broad spiral band cross-barred, the interstitial surfaces being ornamented in a similar manner to those of the lower portion of the weapon. The third spear presents a complex style of incised sculpture, extending from within eight inches of the base to four inches of the point. It consists of short spiral bands terminating simply; others meander and return on themselves, either at one or both ends ; some again cross others forming oval loops by their inter- section, ultimately becoming so complex that it is ditticult to follow the pattern. Near the centre of the spear, on two of the interspaces are two objects that may be intended for shields, whilst on a third is another that has some general resemblance to a conventionalised bird. The human form is absent. The carving on this weapon is much rougher, and less well executed than on the others, In all, the section is circular, the ends pointed, acutely at the apex, obtusely at the butt. I am unable to state, either the immediate locality of these spears, or the site of their manufacture. The first described by me was derived from Angledool, on the Narran River, close to the Queensland Border, in Central North New South Wales. The equally long weapon, now described, is believed to be from the Paroo River, rather more to the west, but from which side of the border is not known. It seems possible that whether manufactured or merely localised, this type of spear may be regarded as charac- teristic of the district in question. It is, however, very difiicult and even hazardous, in the absence of definite information, added to the practice of barter, so common amongst the Australian Aborigines, to fix the locality of any weapon or implement. 178 BECORDS or THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. LITTLE-KNOWN and UNDESCRIBED PERMO-CAR- BONIFEROUS PELEOYPODA in the AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. By R. Ethbridgb, Junr., Curator. (Plates xxxi. — xxxiii.) Genus Stutchburia,* ye^i. nov. In our Pernio-Carboniferous formation are two bivalves that have been variously referred to Orthonota by Morris, Cardinia by Dana, and one of them to Pleurophorus by DeKoninck, the deter- mination of the last named author having been at various times accepted by myself and others ; possibly also one or more of the shells from the same series of rocks, termed Cypricardia by Dana, may be congeneric. I have, however, for some time past, from the edentulous nature of the shells in question, doubted the pro- priety of these references. The species are Orthonota % costata, Morris ( = Pleurophorus morrisii, DeKon.), and O.'i compressa, Morris, which may, or may not be only the internal cast of 0. costata. To these may perhaps be added Pleurophorus biplex, DeKon., and P. randsi, mihi. The internal structure of the two first, and particularly of 0. ? costata is known to some extent, but that of the third very little, and of the fourth not all. It is by no means certain that P. biplex, and P. randsi are congeneric with 0? costata and 0? com- pressa, and in consequence are left for the present in Pleurophorus. At the .same time there is still an undescribed form in our Marine Series, that appears to be generically identical with Pleurophorus: this will be described later. In form 0. ? costata and 0. '? compressa are narrow, transversely elongate, and more or less compressed Molluscs, inequilateral in the extreme, with simple pallial lines, strongly marked muscular scars, particularly the anterior, which are complex, and, so far as I can ascertain, edentulous, at any rate the examination of a very large number of internal casts has failed to reveal the presence of hinge teeth. In the place of the latter the cardinal margins were very much thickened, particularly at the extremities, and in all probability this was accompanied by an internal ligament. In the face of these combined characters the reference of the species * Named in honour of Samuel Stutchbury, the first Government Geologist of New South Wales, as it then was. PERMO-CARBONIFEROTJS PELECYPODA— ETHERIDGE. 179 in question to either Cardinia, Orthonota, or Pleurophorus appears to be impossible. It is a remarkable fact that the authors who have dealt with these shells invariably describe the cardinal margins as linear, narrow and concave. Indeed the remarks of both Dana and Morris indicate their mental uncertainty as to what genus they should be referred to. I therefore propose, under the circumstances, the genus Stutch- buria for the reception of Orthonota 1 costata, Morris, and if differing from it 0. ? compressa also, in honour of Samuel Stutch- bury, the pioneer Naturalist, and one of the two pioneer Geologists of Australia. The characters of the new genus will be as follows : — Shell transversely elongate, equivalve, very inequilateral, the posterior end the longer, more or less compressed, closed, test thin; posterior slopes always rounded; a mesial sulcus sometimes present in each valve ; edentulous ; ligament supported on the thickened hinge plates ; dorsal or cardinal margins erect and sharp ; urabones very anterior ; the anterior adductors large, with single smaller supplementary scars (?) between them and the umbones, in the cavity of which there are at times other scars ; posterior adductor scars large, but less defined ; pallial lines simple ; sculpture concentric and at times radiate. The form, edentulous nature of the thin shell, internal ligament, and often radiate sculpture indicate the Solemyidfe as the family to which Stutchhuria should be referred. The representatives of this family are Solemya, Janeia, and Clinopistha, to which Mr. W. H. Dall has suggested* the addition of Orthodesnia and Whitevesia. Now, the proposed new genus, although resembling Solemya in its edentulous nature, and simple pallial line, differs entirely in having the ligament practically posterior, and no trace of the umbonal ligamental clefts. From Janeia it is easily distin- guished by the equality of its valves, and from Clinopistha by out- line, the presence of an internal ligament, and by the fact that the umbones are anterior and not posterior. The reference of Ortho- destna, as described by Hall and Whitfield, to the Soleniyidse does not appear to be well established, but two of the species so described by Ulrich, from the Lower Silurian of Minnesota approach much nearer to Stutchburia, especially in their muscular scars. With regard to Whitevesia, the edentulous nature of the hinge, simple pallial line, and internal ligament, indicate a departure towards our shell, but the grooved hinge plate, and both external and internal ligament if present, but of which there seems to be some doubt, as well as the very much feebler muscular scars, * Dall— Trans. Wagner Free Inst., ill., 1895, p. 515. 180 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. should be sufficient to separate them. I have seen no trace of an external ligament in actual specimens of Stutchburia, but in one of Morris' figuresf of S. costata, as it must now be called, there is some shading above the hinge line that certainly does present the appearance of a cartilage, but I think it is misleading and not structural. Before proceeding with the specific descriptions, a few generic points may be dwelt on more in detail. The dorsal or cardinal margins, or liinge lines of the valves, are erect and unquestionably closed, but on their inner and lower sides form thickened obtusely rounded edges. These continue past thein conspicuous umbones, and in their substance immediately anterior to the latter, are excavated two depressions, one in each valve, which, in all prob- ability gave attachment to the ligament at this end of the shell. If not of this nature, the only other solution is that these depres- sions are muscular. In the cast these thickened internal margins are represented by wide, shallow, longitudinal concavities, whilst thedepressions are indicated by two sharp projections about midway between the umbones and the anterior adductor scars. The latter are large and deep, in the type species at any rate, and must have received strong and well developed muscles. On their posterior sides the interiors of the valves were much thickened, and in con- sequence deep depressions are left on the surface of casts, circum- scribing the impressions of the muscles, which stand out boldly from the general surface, with an oblique inclination to the anterior The posterior adductor scars are situated high up on the flanks of the valves, immediately under the hinge lines, and although conspicuous, are less so than the anterior. They have an oblique inclination to the posterior, with the test correspondingly thickened on their anterior sides, but to a smaller extent than those of the other extremities of the shell. The simple pallial scars are well defined, continuous, and from their prominence in casts must have presented deep and sharp lines on the valve interiors. The following are the species known to me : Stutchburia costata, Morris, sp. (PI. xxxi., fig. 1.) Orthonota ? costata, Morris, Strzelecki's Phys. Descrip. N.S. Wales, &c., 1845, p. 273, pi, 11, f. 1 (1 excl. f. 2). Cardinia? costata, Dana, Wilkes' U. S. Explor. Exped., x., 1849, p. 692 (1 pi. 4, f. 8, 8a, 6, c). Pleurophorus Morrisii, DeKoninck, Pal. Foss. Nouv.-Galles du Sud, 3. 1877, p. 143, pi. 20, f. 5. Pleurophorus Morrisii, Eth. fil., Cat. Austr. Foss., 1878, p. 77. t Strezelecki.— Phys. Descrip. N. S. Wales, «&c., 1845, pi. 11, f. 1. PERMO-CARBONIFEROUS PELECYPODA— ETHERIDGE. 181 (Compare Cypricardia(Avicida?) veneris, Dana, loc. cit., pi. 9, f. 3, 3a and b.) Sp. Char. — Shell more or less compressed pod- or filbert-shaped, very inequilateral ; dorsal and ventral margins almost parallel, the former straight, and the latter but little curved, with a slight inflection at about its antei'ior third ; no diagonal ridges, but the valves uniformly and very slightly convex throughout, except for shallow cinctures running obliquely from the umbones posteriorly to the ventral margins ; umbones inconspicuous, depressed. Anterior ends very small, slightly protruding, the margins rounded; posterior ends compressed, the margins obliquely rounded above and below. Ligamental fulcra large, leaving deep impressions in casts ; ligamental (?) pits transversely elongated, inclined to tri- angular, represented in casts by sharp crests. Anterior adductor impressions very large, rather deltoid, concentrically grooved, the thickened posterior edges leaving wide groove-like depressions in casts, which extend to immediately in front of the umbones. Six- teen to twenty radiating costas proceed from the umbones to the posterior margins commencing just behind the shallow oblique cinctures, with the whole surface crossed by close concentric tine lines, which imbricate the cost?e. Obs. — As this was the first species described by Morris, it must be regarded as the type. His fig. 1, of the»4'eference quoted above, gives a faithful and accurate representation of the shell, and it will be observed that the radiating cost?e are there visible on the cast, the test having broken away along the hinge line in both valves. Fig. 2 is an equally good illustration, but on this, although again a cast, the costa? are not visible at all. In DeKoninck's figure of this species the umbones are too acute and projecting, as they do not in reality overhang the anterior ends. There appears to be every probability of Dana's Cypricardia ( Avicula ?) veneris being nothing more than a small individual of this species. Loc. and Nor. — Jamberoo, Black Head, and Crooked River, near Gerringong, Illawarra District — Upper Marine Series. Stutchburia compressa, Morris, sp. (PI. xxxi., fig. 2, and xxxiii., fig. 1.) Orthonotal costaia, Morris, loc. cit., pi. 11, fig. 2, (non f. 1) Orthonotal compressa, Morris, loc. cit., p. 274, pi. 13, f. 4. Orthonota compressa, Eth. fil., loc, cit., p. 74. Obs. — The specific value of this form mainly depends on the presumed absence of the posterior radiate sculpture, but as this is seen on one of Morris' types of S. costata, and not on the other, it may be taken as a specific character, I have therefore included the figure without the posterior radii as a synonym of S. compressa, 182 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. and from the examination of several actual specimens, I believe the separation will hold good. It is also necessary to make the same remark on Dana's figure; he certainly describes S. costata plainly enough, but his illustration represents the form or con- dition known as .S'. compressa without a doubt. The characters of S. compressa are practically those of S. costata, with the following exceptions : — The shell is rather more com- pressed, ligamentary pits of the hinge larger, anterior adductor scars subdivided by a groove, posterior adductor scars much transversely elongated, and an entire absence of the radiating posterior costpe. The general characters are so much alike in the two, that I shall look forward with much curiosity to future descriptions of these shells. Loc. and Hor. — Jamberoo, and Black Head, lUawarra District — Upper Marine Series. Stutchburia simplex, Dana, sp. Modiolopsis shnplex, Dana, Am. Journ. Sci., iv., 1847, p. 159. Cypricardia simplex, Dana, Wilkes' U. S. Explor. Exped., x., 1849, p. 703, pi. 9, f. 2. Obs. — Four shells in our collection correspond in outline and size with the above species of Dana's, but with the internal characters agreeing in every respect with those of Stutchburia, as for instance those of the hinge, adductor impressions, and palial lines. The only points of departure are the size, a more truly oblong shape, and the exterior simple, sub-plicate, and not at all radiate. In the absence of Dana's type, it is, of course, impossible to speak with certainty, but I am strongly of opinion that his species appertains to the present genus. Loc. and Hor. — WoUongong, Illawarra District; Jervis Bay, Shoalhaven District. — Upper Marine Series. Stutchburia farleyensis, sp. nov. (Pi. xxxii., figs. 3-6.) Sp. Char. — Shell transversely elongated, oblong to almost quadrangular, moderately compressed, average Irngth one and three quarter inches, breadth one inch ; dorsal and ventral margins sub-parallel, the former straight, and not quite as long as the vales, the latter slightly insinuated near the middle, and expanding posteriorly; anterior ends very small, margins slightly oblique from the urabones downwards, but in some examples almost straight walled ; posterior ends much compressed, margins well and gently rounded ; valves most convex about widway between the umbones and posterior termination of the hinge lines; posterior ridges very obtuse, dying out on the compressed posterior ends, above and PERMO-CARBONIFEROUS PELECYPODA-^ETHERIDGE. 183 between them and the dorsal margins the surface of the valves is somewhat hollowed, and before them are shallow ill-defined cinc- tures dying off towards the insinuated points on the ventral margins ; umbones inconspicuous ; anterior adductor impress- ions triangular, of medium size but strongly marked, deep anteriorly and superiorly, with well marked bounding grooves on the posterior sides ; posterior adductor impressions inconspicuous, flattened, placed high up under the hinge lines, and immediately at the ends of the dorsal margins : indications of scars exist within the umbonal cavities. Ligamental fulcral impressions wide and shallow ; ligamental pits transversely elongated, each giving off an oblique and posteriorly directed ridge, and forming the anterior boundaries of the shallow cinctures. Pallial scars well marked, continuous (i.e., not broken up), the surfaces below rapidly thining away o the ventral margins. Obs. — All the specimens are in the form of internal casts, as an impure somewhat concretionary limonite, allowance must there- fore be made in applying the above description to future examples with the test preserved. What the nature of this envelope was we are ignorant, but on a few of the specimens there are apparently faint indications of posterior radiating costae. An example from the Upper Marine Series of Wollongong, possessing the outline and measurements of this species, and with the test preserved, exhibits a few radiating posterior costas and strong imbricating larainpe of growth that may represent the more perfect condition of S. farleyensis, but it cannot be accepted as by any means certain. Dana described two shells as Cardinia ? recta and C? cuneata* both from the Illawarra District differing greatly in outline from those forms I have made typical of the new name Stutchburia, but the internal features depicted in his figures are precisely similar to those of .S". farleyensis. They seem to be edentulous, and the only point allying them with Cardinia ate the nasute posterior ends. It is possible, therefore, that the shells in question may be species of Stutchburia, in which case the generic characters of the latter, will of necessity require to be slightly modified. The internal casts of S. farleyensis occur in great numbers in the Lower Marine Series at Farley, near West Maitland, and it is essentially a Lower Marine species, but the Geological Survey Collection contains a shell from the Upper Marine Series of Richmond Vale, Parish of Stanford, County Northumberland, of somewhat larger dimensions than the measurements above given; otherwise it agrees in every detail with my description. This bears out the suggestion that the shell found at Wollongong, with the test preserved is also S. farleyensis. * Dana— Wilkes' U.S. Explor. Exped., x., 1849, pi. 4, f . 5a, 6, and f. Qa - e. 184 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. Log. and Hor. — Railway Cutting at Farley, near West Maitland — Lower Marine Series; ? Wollongong, Illawarra District, and? Richmond Vale, as above — Upper Marine Series. Stutchburia obliqua, sj). nov. (PL xxxi., fig. 3.) Sp. Char. — Shell transversely obliquely oblong, slightly modioli- form ; length two to two and a quarter inches, depth one and one- eighth to one and a quarter inches ; valves moderately convex, narrowing anteriorly, and expanding to some extent posteriorly; dorsal and ventral margins sub-parallel, the former straight, but not as long as the shell, the latter with slight inflections anterior to the greatest convexity of the valves ; anterior ends remarkably small, the margins obliquely rounded, posterior ends becoming flattened, the margins obliquely rounded above and below; greatest convexity anterior to the valve centres, with ill-defined cinctures from the umbones, which are almost terminal ; ligamental fulcral grooves well marked ; anterior adductor scars small, somewhat triangular and immediately beneath the umbones, with slightly thickened posterior margins, posterior atlductor scars inconspicuous; sculpture consisting of well marked close concentric laminae, arranged in broad growth zones, crossed by radiating costse (six in one example, ten in another), all posterior to the shallow cinc- tures, and widening from one another on and above the diagonal ridges, with a generally roughened surface. Obs. — This species differs from all the foregoing forms in its obliquity, and somewhat modioliform outline. It resembles S. costata in the presence of the posterior radiating costse, but the two cannot otherwise be mistaken for one another. It is a com- paratively much broader species than either S. simplex or ^S'. farleyensis. It is known to me both in the testiferous condition, and as an internal cast, the former being in the collection of the Geological Survey, the latter in our own. Loc. and Ilor. — Jervis Bay, Shoalhaven District (cast) — Upper Marine Series; Farley (testiferous) — Lower Marine Series. Genus Pleuropiiorus, King, 1844. (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (1), xiv., 1844, p. 313,) Obs. — Notwithstanding the fact that the shells referred to this genus by De Koninck and myself do not fall within its limits, we still have, I believe, a true and undescribed PUuropliorns in our Permo-Carboniferous rocks. It occurs commonly at Farley with Stutcliburia farleyensis, and is often mistaken for it, a little examination, however, will at once enable the difFei'ence between the two to be detected. PEEMO-CAEBONrFEEOtTS PELECYPODA — ETHEEIDGE. 185 In Fleuropliorus, as described by King, and redescribed by Waagen,* the equi valve closed shell possesses two cardinal inter- locking teeth in each valve, and a posterior lateral one, extending the entire length of the hinge ; there is a lunule and an escutcheon, entire pallial lines, and fairly well marked adductor impressions, the anteriors having before them strong shelly ridges. Waagen has pointed out that " one of the two cardinal teeth is often very little developed," and such is the case in most of our specimens, but in a cast in the Geological Survey Collection, the impressions of all four teeth are distinctly visible. PlEUROPHORUS GREGARIUS, S/). nov. (PI. xxxiii., figs. 2 - 5.) Sp. Char. — Shell transversely elongated, oblong, robust, practi cally maintaining the same width throughout its whole length, the latter on an average one and three quarter inches, depth one inch ; dorsal and ventral margins straight, parallel; bodies of the valves convex, most so at about the middle, but the flanks rather flattened or straight walled : faint cinctures exist, cutting the ventral margins at about the centre ; anterior ends small, the margins convexly rounded ; posterior ends but slightly flattened, the margins rounded ; umbones conspicuous and incurved, a little flattened above ; escutcheon long, widening posteriorly; lunule apparently cordiform, shallow ; posterior cardinal teeth below the umbones, the most anterior of the left valve often inconspicuous ; posterior lateral teeth leaving deep impressions in casts, the left often double ; anterior adductor impressions deep, low in position, forming strong prominences in the cast, guarded by a posterior shelly ridge, which varies in intensity in individuals ; posterior adductor impressions faintly marked, continuous; exterio-pallial margins flattened, leaving very conspicuous impressions in casts ; sculpture of concentric laminae, no radii. Obs. — With one exception this is only known to me as casts, and in the adult state I find the measurements very constant. The exception referred to, otherwise possessing all the characters of the species, is two and three quarter inches long by one and a half deep. I have only seen one individual that may be P. gregarius with the test preserved, but it is from a diflerent horizon. The sculpture is concentric, with well marked laminae, but without any traces of radiating costae. P. gregarius belongs to the group Imbricati in the classification of Waagen ;t and in outward form resembles to some extent all three species placed by him therein, but is a broader and more robust form. * Waagen— Mem. Geol. Surv. India, Pal. Ind. (13), ill., 1881 (Salt Ean?e Fossils, Pelechypoda) p. 214. t Waagen, loc. cit., p. 216. BJ 186 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MITSBTJM. Log. and Horizon. — Farley, near West Maitland — Lower Marine Series ; 1 Wollongong, lUawarra District — Upper Marine Series. Genus LiMOPTERA, J. Hall. (SSth Ann. Report N.York State Mus. Nat. Hist., 1884, p. 406a.)* LiMOPTERA 1 PERMOCARBONIFERA, sp. nOV. (PL xxxii., figs. 1 - 2). Sp. Char. — Shell obliquely subrhomboidal, length and width almost equal, but the latter somewhat the greater, produced postero-ventrally; valves very unequal, the left convex, the right more or less flattened, but the greatest convexity of the latter immediately below the umbone; hinge line straight, probably as wide as the shell ; ligamental area not well preserved, but appar- ently wide and deep beneath the umbones, and narrow posteriorly; anterior ends or auricles flattened in both valves, separated from the bodies of the valves by sharp declivities, the anterior margins below obliquely and sharply rounded ; posterior ends or wings triangular, flattened, much larger in the left than the right valve, distinctly demarcated from the bodies of the valves, margins sharply emarginate, then swelling out to round the protuberant postero ventral portions. Left umbo prominent, nearly central in position, the umbonal region abrupt on the anterior, but gently sloping on tlie posterior side to form a posterior slope ; umbonal cavity of the right valve containing a number of nodes (in the cast) indicating pits for muscular attachment ; adductor impressions and pallial scars not distinctly marked ; sculpture of the left valve consists of irregular concentric laminte and faint oblique radii, extending from the umbonal centre well on to the posterior end ; the surface of the right valve is transversely wrinkled on the cast. Obs. — The specimen is somewhat mutilated, but it presents most of the principal characters of the genus Limoptera, with the exception of the cardinal folds and the oblique posterior tooth. The former however may be hidden by the matrix infilling the deep ligamental recess beneath the umbones. The precise generic aflinity of this shell, I am not at present prepared to give, but it accords better with Hall's definition of Liinoptera than with any other similar genus. It is more produced posteriorly than any of the shells figured by Hall under this name, and is also specifically distinct from any other yet described from New South Wales. The outward form only is that of some GlyptodesmfE, or Pteriviea as restricted, or even more so perhaps Leiopteria or Leptodesma, * It is impossible to unravel the mystery surrounding the first annunci- ation of many of the late Prof. James Hall's genera. This reference is simply given as one to a description of the genus. PERMO-CAKBONIFEROUS PELECYPODA — ETHERIDGE. 18 i particularly in the case of the last with its deeply emarginate posterior wing. Log. and Horizon. — Mouth of Crooked River, near Gerringong, Illawarra District — Upper Marine Series. Genus Mytilops, J. Hall. (1st Report State Geol. N. York, 1884, p. 15.)* Mytilops 1 ravensfieldensis, sp. nov. (PI. xxxiii., figs. 6 - 7). Sp.Char. — Shell (left valve) narrow, somewhat elliptical, oblique, generally raytiliform, gibbous and transversely arched posterior to the umbone ; hinge line faintly arched in the cast, but less than the length of the shell ; no ligaiiiental furrows, but beneath the umbo is a single oblique cardinal fold, posterior teeth or folds none; ventral margin very obliquely inclined ; umbone terminal, no anterior end ; posterior end, or general body of the shell convex immediately behind the umbone, graduilly flattening towards the rounded posterior margin, where the valve is broad ; anterior muscular impression, invisible and the posterior very faint and high; pallial impression well marked and continuous, the exterio- pallial margin wide; sculpture unknown, but probably concentric and non-radiate. Obs. — Allied either to Mytilops or Mytilarca. It possesses the outline of the latter genus, and approaches the former in its simpler hinge structure ; difters from Mytilarca in the absence of a ligamental area and posterior teeth, and from Mytilops in the presence of the cardinal fold. So far as our Permo-Carboni- ferous fauna is concerned this is again an undescribed form. Log. and Horizon. — Raveusheld Quarry, near Farley — Lower Marine Series. See note to precedingjpage. 188 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. RECURRENCE op MEGADERMA GIG AS, DOBSON. By Edgar R. Waite, F.L.S., Zoologist. Twenty years ago Dobson described Megaderma gigas, a new species of Bat from Australia,* since which time no further example has been made known. The type taken at Mount Margaret, Wilson's River, Queensland, is a male and is in the Gottingen Museum. On the 9th February, the Trustees received from Mr. Fred.Hogan, by presentation, a specimen of the same species, taken in thePilbarra District, Northern West Australia. This is a female, and presents some few differences from the description of the male. The example was mounted before reaching us, so that in the following table of dimensions, the measurements of the length of the head and body are approximate only ; the other dimensions are, however, absolute. Dobson's measurements are recorded in inches and tenths — these I have reduced to millimetres for comparison with my own figures, so expressed. From these it will be seen that the female, which is adult, is generally smaller than the male, but the lengths of the tibia and the first phalanx of the fifth finger are actually greater; more striking, perhaps, is the relative difference in the phalanx of the second finger, but this supports and emphasises Dobson's statement — "While in M. spasma the extremity of the second finger does not extend as far as the middle of the first phalanx of the third finger, in this species [i/. gigas\ as in AI. frons, it extends beyond it." Further evidence that the West Australian example is referable to M. gigas is supplied by the circumstance of the extremity of the carpus, the thumb, and the membrane between the thumb and the second finger being hairy, in which respect it differs from the other known species. The mamma3 are two in number ; they are situated one on each side of the upper abdominal region. The colour does not differ from Dobson's desciption, but the pale grey of the upper surface shows brownish tints in certain lights ; there is now no indication of the deep blood-red colour at the anterior base of the ears, shown in Dobson's figure and described as being present in the type when obtained, but which had apparently faded out before the author saw the specimen. * Dobson— Proc. Zool. Soc, 1880, p. 461, pi. xlvi. RECUERENCE OF MEGADERMA GIGAS, DOBSON. "WAITE. 18^ The general colour of the specimen, were it not characteristic of the genus, would have suggested albinism. The effect of the beautiful whiteness of the fur of the head and whole under surface has been quite lost in the figure. Dimensions. C? Type. ? Aust. Mus Head and body .. 1350 mm. 110-0 mm.* Length of head .. 48-5 , 41 ■0(?), , t Ear .. 560 , 47-0 , „ tragus, anterior lobe .. 12-0 , 10-0 , „ „ posterior lobe .. 25-5 , 22-0 , Nose leaf .. 16-0 , 15-0 , Forearm .. 117-0 , 103-5 , Thumb, or first finger . . . .. 21-0 , 19-5 , Second finger, metacarpal .. 84-5 , 80-5 , ,, „ phalanx .. .. 16-0 , 170 , Third finger, metacarpal .. 69-0 , 68-0 , ,, „ 1st phalanx .. 47-0 , 44-0 , » 2nd „ .. 920 , 80-0 , Fourth finger, metacarpal .. 79-0 , 78-0 , ,, ,, 1st phalanx .. 25-5 , 24-5 , „ 2nd „ .. 38-5 , 33-0 , Fifth finger, metacarpal .. 84-5 , 820 , ,, „ 1st phalanx .. 32-0 , 33-0 , 2nd „ .. 28-5 , 23-5 , Tibia .. 44-0 , 450 , Calcaneum .. 28-5 , 28-0 , Foot .. 28-5 , 23-5 , + > + * Prom crown of head. t Occipital region of skull removed. X Exclusive of claw. 190 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. An extended DESCRIPTION of MUS FUSCIPE.i, WATERHOUSE. By Edgar R. Waite, F.L.S., Zoologist. (Figs. 1-4). Few of our native rats have been described, other than from external characters, and such characters are in many cases of but secondary value. As a revision of the Australian Muridse is much needed, any effort towards the completion of specific descrip- tions will be welcomed by the Monographer. By the kindness of Mr. E. G. W. Palmer, we are able to supply deficiencies in our knowledge of Mus fustcipes. The specimens described were taken at Lawson, on the Blue Mountains, and of them my correspondent writes : — "So far as my observations go, they are locally rare, but there is a small colony in my orchard, which I first observed about twelve years ago. Dogs and Dasyures have checked their rapid increase. A peaty ridge is their favorite burrowing place, and they burrow to a great depth. They make long well-cleared surface runs, so that their burrows are easily found. Water seems very necessary to them, and they swim freely. They feed on grasses and herbage, and consume or injure much fruit, climbing the trees for it or nibbling the windfalls, which they carry to the drains and watercourses. From dissections, I believe they seldom have more than two or three young at a time. Their teeth are very powerful, and they make good use of them when roots or dead timber obstruct their excavating. Just now (August 16th, 1899), they seem to be hibernating, as they rarely come out of their nests." Subsequently Mr. Palmer told me that the rats had left their old haunts, or more probably had been cleared out by snakes, as a large Black Snake ( Pseudechis porphyriac7is ) had been frequently seen in the immediate neighbourhood. It had, so far, evaded capture. At a recent meeting of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Mr. Palmer announced that he had been bitten by a Black Snake in his grounds at Lawson.* Description. — Fur long, very thick and soft to the touch. Colour rather variable, from yellowish-brown to blackish-brown. Basal por- tion of the fur deep grey, almost black, the tips yellow, sometimes * Abstract Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 28 Mar., 1900 AN EXTENDED DESCRIPTION OF MTTS FUSCIPES--"WAITE. 191 inclining to reddish, thickly interspersed with long black hairs. Muzzle and face grey, whiskers dark brown or black. On the sides of the body the black hairs are less numerous and shorter, and the yellow colour lighter. On the lower surface the basal fur is grey, not so dark as on the back, and more broadly tipped with yellow, which however is very pale. Ears small, almost naked without, and sparingly clothed with short yellowish- brown hairs within- laid forward, they fail to reach the eye by their own length. Limbs thickly clothed with greyish-brown hairs. Tail shorter than the head and body; the hairs are longer than two scales, but do not conceal them, they are not particularly stiff and are of black colour ; twelve scales to the centimetre. Mammae 2 -i- 3 = 10. Dimensions. A. S Head and body Tail Length of head Muzzle to ear . . . Ear Forearm and hand Hind foot Heel to front of last foot pad Last foot-pad 1730 mm. 1160 „ 45-5 „ 36-6 „ 21-0 „ 39-5 „ 31-2 „ 150 „ 4-0 „ B. ? 176'0 mm. 1190 44-0 34-0 200 41-5 29-3 14-5 3 6 Figr. 1. Skull. — Stout, compared with Miis decumanus, deeper and con- siderably more arched, the nasal region shorter and thicker ; the nasals do not project beyond the line of the premaxillary, they are wide in front but taper back- wards, so that the posterior is only one-third the width of the anterior portion. The narrowed part is sunk below the level of the premaxillaries which form a ridge on each side. The supraorbital ridge is very marked, and forms a distinct beading, but loses that character on the temporal region. The interparietal is short, but of average width, its front margin forming a nearly straight suture with the parietals. The anterior palatina foramina are narrow and extend backwards to the anterior margin of the first molars. The anterior zygoma root has the angle rounded, the front edge is vertical and slightly con- cave ; the foramen magnum is wider than deep. The mandible is very powerful, with strong muscle ridges ; in front of the anterior molar it is nearly vertical, and the incisor capsule is large and deflected outwards. 192 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MTTSEUM. Teeth. — The front edges of the upper incisors are of particularly deep orange colour, the lower ones are somewhat paler. The molars are relatively and actually larger than those of Mus decumanus, and are noticeably broader ; the upper series converge anteriorly, and are somewhat bowed outwards. Fia:. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. Dimensions of Skull. A. c? B. ? ? Greatest length . 40-3 mm. 396 i cnm Basal length . 36-6 , 36-2 5> Greatest breadth . 219 , 21-7 Nasals, length . 150 , 14-4 )) ,, greatest breadth... . 46 , 46 }> Interorbital breadth 53 , 5'6 >) Interparietal length . . • 41 , 4-6 )) „ breadth ... . 10-3 , 106 J) Brain case, breadth . 17-2 , 17-3 >> Anterior zygoma root 5 3 , 5-5 )) Diastema . 10-4 , 10-7 )) Palate, length . 21-9 , 21-7 )> Anterior palatina foramina . 7-2 , 71 )) Upper molars, length . 8a , 8-3 J> Lower ,, „ ... . . 7-6 , 8-0 )> Condyle to incisor tip ... . 28-2 , 28-2 n Coronoid tip to angle . 12-2 , 11-4 )) The caudal vertebrae are twenty-five in number ; in the longer tailed Mus arboricola {M. rattus, fide Thomas), the vertebrae number thirty-eight. Waterhouse described the colour of the lower incisors as black, evidently a peculiarity of the individual examined. Gray, writing on Mus lutreola remarks, "front teeth yellow"; while Gould says, "the incisor teeth are orange-coloured." I do not remember having examined a rat's skull in which the incisor teeth are so deeply tinted. The writers quoted describe the under parts of CORRECTION. Page 193. For Plates xxxv.-xxxvii. Rpad Plates xxxiv.-xxxvi. ADDITIONS TO THE FISH FAUNA OF LORD HO^WE ISLAND — WAITE. 193 the body as being greyish-white, or grey lead colour. In all the fresh examples I have seen, yellow enters noticeably into the colour of the ventral fur, and the almost blue colour of Water- house's figure is certainly never seen in this species. The dark frontal streak of Gould's drawing is intended to illustrate the convergence of the hairs to the centre of the head, but there is no colour band there as might be inferred. ADDITIONS TO THE FISH-FAUNA of LORD HOWE ISLAND. By Edgar R. Waite, F.L.S., Zoologist. (Plates XXXV. - xxxvii. ; and Figs. 1, 2). Since 1889, when the Fish-fauna of Lord Howe Island was first published in collected form,* sundry additions have been recorded by Mr. J. D. Ogilby and myself. The former in his latest con- tribution writes f — "The present additions bring the number of species recorded as inhabiting or visiting the shores of the island up to one hundred and thirteen, with seven (or six) unidentified forms." It was my intention to prepare a complete list of the known Fish-fauna of the island, but I notice that Mr. Ogilby, in 1898, also in the paper quoted, writes — "As it is, the list as it now stands needs careful revision, but I hope within the next few months to be in a position to lay before the Society a thoroughly revised and enlarged catalogue of the fish fauna of the island." Under these circumstances I will leave the field open to Mr. Ogilby, and publish the following list of additions in order that his "revised and enlarged catalogue" may include the Museum records, not otherwise available to him. Washed by a warm southerly current, Lord Howe Island supports a much more tropical fauna than is met with in lower latitudes on the mainland. It lies in latitude S. 31° 33', and on the west side possesses an extensive coral reef. On the mainland no coral reef is found south of Strad broke Island in Queensland, * Ogilby— Aust. Mus. Mem., ii., 1889, Fishes, pp. 52-74. t Ogilby— Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., xxiii.. 1898, p. 731. 194 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAJf MU8ETTM:. latitude S. 27° 25', but the fauna there is in no way comparable with that of Lord Howe Island, which is endowed with many purely tropical forms. The temperate fishes are, in the main, those found on the coast of New South Wales, while the tropical ones generally suggest a Melanesian rather than an Australian origin. Several bathy-pelagic fishes have already been recorded from the island ; we may mention Isistius, Brama, Gernpylus, and Tetragonurus. Being dependent for novelties on residents or visitors to the island, who, though kind and well meaning, can never accomplish the results of a trained collector, our work of building up a knowledge of the fauna is necessarily slow. If a small steamer, fitted up for dredging, could be chartered for a few weeks, we should, I am confident, be able to add many new and interesting forms both among fishes and invertebrates. The present contribution is based on material received at the Museum by the kind offices of Mrs. T. Nichols and her daughters, Mr.T.R.Icely,J.P., late Visiting Magistrate, Messrs. Wm. Nichols, and J. B. Waterhouse, residents on the island, and the late Mr. VV. E. Langley. The paper deals only with unrecorded species, two excepted, namely: — Tradiinotus russelli, Cuvier and Valenciennes, and Chiro- nemus marmoratus, Giinther, previously incidentically mentioned in a publication not generally distributed. Including an unnamed Atopichthys, thirty-two species are re- corded, of which four are described as new, namely : — Amphijirion latezonatus. Holacanthus cotispicillatus. ,, semicinctus. Euchilomycterus quadradicatus. The last-named is regarded as the type of a new genus. A new generic name, Acaiithocauhis, is also proposed to replace Prionurus, Lac^pede, pre-occupied. Of the remainder, the following are new to the Australian fauna ; some have, however, been taken in Torres Straits: — Leptocephalus cinerens, Riippell. Aulostovkus chinensis, Linna3us. Gernpylus serpens, Cuvier and Valenciennes. Decapterus sanctce-helenm, Cuvier and Valenciennes. Epinephelus fasciatus, Forskal. Thalassoma atteitense, Giinther. Platyglossus opercidaris, Giinther. Holacanthus tibicen, Cuvier and Valenciennes. Naseus unicornis, Forskal. Alutera monoceros, Osbeck. Ovoides meleagris, Lacepede. Parapercis cylindrical Bloch. ADDITIONS TO THE FISH FAUNA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND — "WAITE. 1 95 Those below-named, previously known from Australia, are new to the fauna of New South Wales, of which colony Lord Howe Island is a dependency: — Isistius brasiliensis, Quoy and Gaimard. Hi])pocampus hippocampus, Linnseus. Epinephelus tauvhia, Forskal, Therapon jarbua, Forskal. Ostracion cubicus, Linnseus. Isistius brasiliensis, Quoy and Gaimard. (Fi^s. 1, 2). Under the name Zeirts/eroa;, Kner*well described this species from Australia, but without any more definite habitat. It has not been since recorded from our waters. The example now under notice was sent to the Trustees from Lord Rowe Island by Mrs. T. Nicholls, and forms a most interesting addition to the fauna of the Island. In his Whaling Voyage, F. D. Bennettf described, as Squalus fulgens, two examples taken at different periods of the voyage by means of a tow net, proving the pelagic habit. The largest of these was an adult female, and measured eighteen inches in length. Ours is a male, and measures 390 mm. ( = 15^ inches), it possesses the dark band across the chest, and the white edged tins of Scymnus torquatus, Valenciennes. The upper teeth are arranged in thirty-three rows, in a band of crescent shape, four or five deep mesially, and two or three later- ally; each tooth is strongly curved outwards and backwards, and the whole series is depressible. The palate is very hard and is evidently the counterpart of the tongue which is furnished with a similarly hard plate extending all along the front and lateral margins. 8uch crushing surfaces would appear to be unnecessarily developed if used only for reducing the weak shells of lanthina and Reclusia, or even the armament of Natdiloyrapsus. The lower teeth form a single functional fixed series arranged in rather more than a semicircle, with a diameter of 35 •5 mm. in the specimen ex- amined. Each tooth consists of a thin erect plate with a triangular apex, the margins of which are smooth, the basal portion is faintly striated and has a central pit connected with the basal edge by a short channel ; the median tooth is wholly exposed and bi-symmetrical (fig. 1), the lateral teeth are im- bricate and their apices directed away from the symphysis, on approaching the angle of the inouth they become smaller. There are fifteen teeth on ^ig- 1- each side of the median one, making thirty-one in all. * Kner— Denks. Akad. Wiss. Wien. xxiv.. 1865, p. 10, pi. iv., %. 2. t Bennett — Whaling Voyage, ii., 1840, p. 255. 196 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. On the inner side of the jaw there are three other rows of precisely similar teeth, apparently destined to successively replace those in use, but not functional until the existing row has been lost. When the second row of teeth has reached the summit of the alveolus, erection must be speedy, for the dentary is very thin, nowhere more than 2 -5 mm. in thickness. The teeth in reserve have their apices pointing directly downwards, and the bases of the first reserve row are applied a little above the centre of the teeth of the functional row (fig. 2). As this paper was passing through the press the Trustees re- ceived the Report on the Deep Sea Fishes of the "Albatross"; this splendid work contains a descriptive notice and figures of Isistius.* Garman there enumerates all the examples known, from which it would appear that ours ranks as the fourteenth. The "Albatross " specimen was taken at Station 3413, where a depth of 1,360 fathoms was registered. Some idea is however expressed that the fish may have been netted during the ascent of the trawl, at a less depth. It is of interest to notice that Garman's suggestion that the number of teeth may within certain limits increase with age, receives support from the characters of our specimen. Examples previously taken were found to have twenty-six or fewer teeth in the lower jaw, such were however, immature, being ten inches or less in length. In the individual taken by the "Albatross," which measures more than eighteen inches in length, there are thirty-one such teeth, precisely the number possessed by the Lord Howe Island specimen, as before stated. This, though not quite so large is possibly adult, as indicated by the nature of the sexual organs. The largest example recorded measures more than nineteen and a half inches in length, while Garman remarks — " The species is mature at a length of eighteen inches." CONGERMURiENA HABENATA, Richardson. An example obtained by Mr. T. R. Icely quite agrees with speci- mens from the mainland, having the tail proportionately longer than in Richardson's type from New Zealand. This difference has been expressed by Ramsay and Ogilby in the name C. longi- caudata. * Garman — Mem. Mus. Oomp. Zool., xxiv., 1899, p. 34, pis. i., ii., iii., Ixix. ADDITIONS TO THE FISH FAUNA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND "WAITE. 1 97 Leptocephalus cinereus, Riippell. Conger marginatus, Valenciennes. This species has been recorded from Torres Straits. The island example differs only from the descriptions in being of less uniform colouration ; the ground colour is grey, crossed by about tifteen irregular more or less complete bands of a darker tint. There is a jet black spot near the tip of the pectoral, on the inner side of which it becomes a much more extensive blotch. The specimen, preserved in formol, has the colours unusually well retained. Atopichthys, Garman. " Heretofore certain pelagic, much compressed, band-like, translucent to transparent, larval fishes, have been placed in the genus Leptocephalus of Gronow, 1763. The type of the genus is Leptocephalus Morrisii, Penn., 1776, a larval form which has lately been traced to its adult in Mursena conger, Linn., 1758, which again was the typical species of Risso's genus Conger, 1826. In consequence Leptocephalus has taken the place of Conger as the title of the genus, and many of the Leptocephalids which do not belong to that genus, and cannot yet be definitely located, are left unnamed. That there is a considerable number of these larval forms that cannot be placed in Leptocephalus, but that belong to various other genera not now determined with suflicient accuracy, is evident enough from the figures and descriptions given below. Rather than to assign them at random, it is here proposed to form a group for these and similar unplaced larva?, Atopichthys, in which they may remain until such time as by means of larger collections the adult forms and their respective generic affinities may be determined."* As this is perhaps the first occasion on which the name Atop- ichthys has been used since characterised, I have reprinted Carman's remai'ks in full. In January last the Trustees received from the island a very fine larva, collected by Miss Nicholls. I do not propose to name this form, and will merely indicate some of its leading features : — Body elongate, narrow and slender; greatest depth behind the middle, one-fifteenth of the entire length. Head more than twice as long as high, 13-3 in the total length. Snout pointed, nearly one-fourth of the head. Eyes lateral, 7 "5 in the head, situated in its anterior half. Mouth large, reaching to below the middle of the eye. Upper jaw the longer. Teeth small, inclined back- wards. Gill-opening narrower than the eye, extending below the base of the pectoral. About one hundred and fifty muscle bands. * Garman — Loc. cit., p. 325. 198 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. Pectoral broad, longer than the eye : no filamentary caudal. Dorsal and anal fins indistinct, better defined posteriorly. Translucent; small black spots form a band on the nape and a similar one on the throat. Total length 200 mm. Height of body 13 ,, Length of head 15 ,, ,, snout 4 ,, AuLOSTOMUS CHiNENSis, Liutueus. Mr. T. R. Icely obtained a nice example in December, 1892. It measures 560 mm. in length, and has the following characters : — D. xii. 25. A. 25. P. 16. V. 6. C. 15 + 2. Length of head 3-2, height of body 11-0 in the total length, exclusive of caudal. Eye 30 in the postorbital part of tlie head. Lower jaw prominent, with the barbel one-half longer than the diameter of the eye. Premaxillary slender ; maxillary narrow anteriorly, greatly broadened behind, its posterior margin notched. Upper jaw edentulus ; lower jaw with a small patch of minute teeth in each ramus. Caudal pedicle equal in length to the dis- tance of the posterior margin of the opercle from the centre of the eye. Ventrals short, equal to the least depth of the snout ; they extend to the vent, which is situated midway between the hinder edge of the opercle and the base of the caudal rays. When freshly obtained, the colour was pink and the fins yellow. The body is longitudinally streaked, the streaks disposed both above and below the lateral line ; there is a deep black bar across the centre of the maxillary, and a narrower one passing through the nostrils to the eye ; a black spot at the base of each ventral fin, and another on the upper caudal rays. The bases of the dorsal and anal fins are black, and this colour is continued up the front margin of the dorsal; the portion of the body between these fins is very dark, relieved by two of the white body streaks in a line with the upper and lower margins of the caudal pedicel, each streak with two ganglion-like spots; two similar but fainter spots exist at the bases of the fins. There are also three pairs of spots on the pedicel, forming transverse bands. Drs. Jordan and Evermann, in describing the family Aulo- stomidse, write*: — "A single genus, with two species, found in tropical seas." This should surely read "three species," for they mention A. macidatus and A. cinerPAis, neither of which is synony- mous with A. ckinensis, admitted as the type of the genus. * Jordan and Evermann— Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,47, 1896, p. 754. ADDITIONS TO THE FISH FAUNA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND — WAITE. 199 Macrorhamphosus GRACILIS, Houttyn. The opinion expressed by me that this species may be of more pelagic habit than M. scolopax,* receives some support from the fact that an example taken on the beach at Lord Howe Island by Mr. Wm. Nichols proves to be 31. gracilis. Hippocampus hippocampus, Linnceihs. A specimen from the island, registered under the synonym H. antiquoruvi, Leach, cannot, so far as I can see, be distinquished from this European species. It has been recorded from Cape York. Gempylus serpens, Cuvier and Valenciennes. The example now recorded was obtained per Mr. Icely in May 1893, and measures 670 mm. in length. It differs in no way from specimens recorded from the Atlantic. Drs. Jordan and Evermannf describe the lateral line as being single, in our example it is cer- tainly double, the lower line is raised above the pectoral and otherwise runs straight along the body as described ; the upper one arises at the same point whence the lower one starts, namely just behind the first spine, and is continued along the dorsal profile close to the fin as far as its spinous termination. This condition was described by Cuvier and Valenciennes J: in the following words — " Sa ligne laterale est droite, continue et sans inflexions ; il y en a comme une seconde le long de la base de la premiere dorsale." These authors also describe the palatines as being edentulous, and I fail to find the slightest trace of palatine teeth in our specinaen; the American authors on the other hand write: — "palatines with a row of small teeth." The Lord Howe Island specimen is more nearly allied to the type of G. serpens the Atlantic, than to G. coluber the Pacific form, a circumstance which favours the view that both are referable to the same species. It is to be inferred that the type of G. coluber has but one lateral line, a condition found in, presumably, Atlantic specimens by Jordan and Evermann. In the Pacific, Gempylus has been found near the Society and Hawaiian Islands, its distribution is now therefore greatly extended westwards. "It is generally believed to be an inhabitant of great depths," in this connection I am sorry not to be able to throw more light on the subject. The Lord Howe Island example was certainly not taken in deep water, but I am not aware whether it was caught on the line or thrown upon the beach. Of the wide * Waite— Aust Mus. Mem. iv., 1. 1899, p. 60. t Jordan and Evermann— Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 47, 1896, p. 884. X Cuvier and Valenciennes — Hist. Nat. Poiss., viii., 1831, p. 210. 200 RECOEDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. distribution of the species there can be no doubt, and it is inter- esting to notice that the forms having the most extensive range are either bathybial or pelagic in habit. Decapterus SANCTiE-HELENiE, Cuvier and Valenciennes To this species I refer a fine example obtained by Mrs. T. Nichols last year. It measures 310 mm. in length and though not in very good condition, exhibits all the features of the species with the exception of the character of the first dorsal spine, this is short, not half the length of the second and is correspondingly feeble. I have assumed that Steindachner is correct in regarding Caranx muroadsi, Temminck and Schlegel, as synonymous with D. sanctce-