The reading room continues to prove a useful adjunct to the College, the latest additions to the large number of technical publications being "Knowledge," "Ice and Refrigerating," Mark Lane Agricultural Journal," "The Farmer's Gazette and "Out and Home." People in the vicinity of the Town Hall, between 9 and 10 o'clock on Saturday night, were the spectators of an unusual sight. Three very large black swans whilst on the wing, attracted possibly by the electric arc light on top of the town hall tower, struck the top of the building, and two of them fell dead on the footpath in front of the hall. The other got away.-Bendigo Advertiser, 10/8/96. A question which the photoscope suggests, Thoughts when expressed perchance in memories dwell: IRONBARD. We would be glad to receive short notes on natural history, art, photography, for this column, and members should communicate any items of interest they may come across on any of these subjects. The annual Xmas. camp from the museum will be held this year at the head waters of the Gellibrand, near Mt. Sabine, about ten miles from the half-way house on the road from Forest to Apollo Bay. All our previous camps have been on the coast, short excursions only being made inland, so this will be somewhat of a change, and should produce good results. A bill to amend the Game Act has been introduced in the Legislative Council. It provides that the protection of certain imported game, including deer, may be withdrawn by proclamation in any district. A penalty is imposed for the possession of the skin, feathers, and eggs of protected native game, but there is an exemption in favour of authorised garden or exhibition trustees, and the Commissioner of Customs may sanction the collection of game or eggs for scientific purposes. Power is given for the seizure of swivel or punt guns, whether they are being used or not, and these implements are defined as follows:-"Every gun or fowling piece having a barrel of a length exceeding 42 in., or having a single barrel exceeding 8 lb. avoirdupois in weight, or having a double barrel exceeding 14 lbs. avoirdupois in weight, or having a bore exceeding eight calibre, or being of a weight exceeding 16 lbs. avoirdupois, or having more than two barrels, or not being such a gun or fowling-piece as is habitually raised at arm's length and fired without other support from the shoulder." The importation of these guns is also prohibited. Proclamations may be made of close seasons for any native game in any locality, but aboriginals are not to be punishable for contraventions of the law with regard to such game.-Argus. In connection with the above, we would like to point out that the indiscriminate slaughter which takes place by so-called "sportsmen," especially when the open season has just begun, is not a whit better than that caused by the swivel guns. We not infrequently hear of a party of half a dozen men shooting several hundred ducks in a day, often in weather when the birds will not keep till the end of the day, and going about afterwards bragging of it as if they had done something of great note. We are fond of a little shooting ourselves, but not such "sport! Reports are appearing in all the papers lately of the immense damage done to farmers and fruit growers by the birds which, they say, are in unusual numbers this season, and every possible means seem to be being taken to destroy them. Perhaps they are in large numbers on the farms, but a day's journey through the bush in the northern parts of the colony will disclose a different state of affairs. Hardly a bird is to be heard for miles in many places. The late dry season has apparently cut off their supply of insect food, so that they have naturally resorted to the cultivated parts. If those short-sighted agriculturists have any measure of success in their efforts to thin out the birds, they will indeed be preparing a rod for their own backs, as they will assuredly discover when next season's crop of insects comes round. Can they have already forgotten what grasshoppers, for instance, are capable of? "The summer came, and all the birds were dead; Was burnt to ashes; in the orchards fed Myriads of caterpillars, and around The cultivated fields and garden beds Hosts of devouring insects crawled, and found Then they repealed the law, although they knew As schoolboys, finding their mistake too late, Draw the wet sponge across the accusing slate." LONGFELLOW. Closely connected with the subject of affiliation, discussed below by "The Wombat," is that of mutual aid that can be rendered among the various societies attached to an institution. This is treated of below in one aspect by Mr. D. Le Souëf, and we would be glad to receive correspondence on the subject. We have much pleasure in offering our congratulations. to Mr. A. J. Campbell on the occasion of his collection having entered upon its sixth hundred species of Australian eggs, and upon the success of the entertainment which he gave to brother collectors in celebration of that event. We hope that the son may do as well in the branch of science he has chosen as the father has done in his. He Writing in "The Mining Journal" upon the subject of the "Wild West of Tasmania," Mr. F. E. Harris calls attention to the practice of substituting for the native names of localities, those of some distinguished personage. says "The township at Mount Lyell is named Gormanston, and with all due deference to the noble owner of that name, it is not a euphonious one. Why, I often wonder, will our Governments not adhere more to the native names which, as a rule, are exceedingly pretty, and mostly have some meaning relative to the place on which they are bestowed. Take, for instance, Teepookana,' the name of the settlement at which the Mt. Lyell railway terminates on the King River. It is at once pleasing to the ear and appropriate to the place, as it is the native name for the kingfisher, which bird is found on this river." We heartily endorse the sentiments of Mr. Harris in this respect, for not only are the native names more striking and original, but the custom of adopting these manufactured names, or names of some other English localities is often very confusing. In Victoria we have many examples of this wherein the appropriate native names have been discarded in favour of pet names adopted by some recently arrived potentate who for obvious reasons perhaps, cannot appreciate the descriptive names given by the original occupiers. The Bendigo Amateur Photo Association has transferred its quarters to the local school of mines, where its meetings are now held. The announcement of the death of Baron Sir Ferdinand Von Mueller, K.C.M.G., Ph.D., F.R.S., at the advanced age of 71 years, was received with very general regret. Although he had been unwell for some time, and his age reminded us that he could not be much longer with us, still the fact of his demise on the 10th of October, compels us to realise that a vacancy has been created that will never perhaps be filled. His zeal and his world-wide fame as a scientist need no comment. He was always to the fore in promoting scientific research, and his genial and courteous disposition endeared him to all whose privilege it was to meet him whether professionally or otherwise. He filled the position of Government Botanist of Victoria for 45 years, during which period his labours were crowned with great success. PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION. Summary of Business and Competitions. 17/7/96. Practical demonstration by T. Baker, Esq. SubjectVarious Toning Baths for Sun Paper. Good attendance of members. Chair occupied by Mr. C. O. Dentry, Vicepresident. 24/7/96. Mr. J. Wadelton, Vice-president, in the chair. Large attendance of members. Correspondence from various societies. Mr. H. E. Hill was elected to membership. Monthly competitions.-Interiors-A. E. Bratley, 1st., 2nd., and 3rd. Beginners' Division-H. Wadelton, 1st; H. Smith, 2nd. Purnell. 31/7/96. Practical demonstration by Mr. J. B. Leitch. SubjectPlatinotype on Fabric. Good attendance. Good results were obtained. 28/8/96. Mr. C. O. Dentry, Vice-president, in the chair. Large attendance. Correspondence and journals received from various sources. H. Wrathall was elected junior member. Competition for trophy presented by Mr. S. Wrathall. Subject" Fox Terriers."-G. H. Brinsmead, 1st.; W. Waddell, 2nd; G. H. Brinsmead, 3rd. Judges.-Messrs H. G. Roebuck, J. B. Leitch, and S. Wrathall. Monthly competition.-Architectural exteriors on Sun Paper-J. Wadelton, 1st; G. H Brinsmead, 2nd; A. E. Bratley, 3rd. Beginners' Division-H. Smith, 1st., 2nd., and 3rd. 11/9/96. Mr. J. Wadelton, Vice-president, occupied the chair, and here were about 40 members present. Paper by Mr J. H. Harvey, subject :-" Slide and Transparency making." Several slides, &c., were prepared in the room with excellent results, and were shown in the lantern, and the advantages of dry collodian working were amply demonstrated. 25/8/96. Mr. H. G. Roebuck, President, in the chair. Large attendance. Correspondence and journals were received. Messrs C. Weir and H. Faulkner were elected to membership. Owing to alteration in half-holiday for shops the night of meeting was altered to Wednesday. Monthly competition.-Subject," Animal study"-A. E. Bratley, 1st.; J. Wadelton, 2nd and 3rd. Beginners' division.-J. H. McPhillimy, 1st. and 2nd.; H. Wadelton, 3rd. Judges-Messrs. H. G. Roebuck, C. O. Dentry, and J. B. Leitch. 1/10/96. Paper by Mr. F. Baker, Melbourne, subject, “PhotoMicrography." Mr. J. Wadelton, Vice-president, in the chair, large attendance of members. 21/10/96.. Mr. C. O. Dentry, Vice-president, in in the chair. Numerous items of correspondence were dealt with. Rev. W. J. Eddy and Mr. J. Blake were elected members. The Chairman was elected to The Wombat Committee to act with the College Council. Monthly competition.-Subject, "Street Study "-A. E. Bratley, 1st.; W. Waddell, 2nd.; G. H. Brinsmead, 3rd. Beginners' division.-H. Smith, 1st. Judges.-Messrs H. G. Roebuck, C. O. Dentry, and A. Purnell. During the quarter several evenings have been devoted to beginners. The first outing for the season was held on 24th October, when 18 members took part, the locality chosen being the Queen's Park. The weather being perfect, some excellent work was obtained. On 29th October a Smoke Social was held for the double purpose of extending a welcome to Mr. A. Cowie and introducing new members. There was a very large attendance. After the usual mirth-making, Mr. C. O. Dentry, Vicepresident, took the chair. The principal toast on the list was that of the health of Mr. Cowie, and was |