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Abstract

The monthly evening meeting of the Society was held on Tuesday,
November 11. John Swan, Esq., in the chair.
The presentations to the Museum were as follows:
1. From Mr. W. Legrand, Specimen of a Crinoid (probably Pentacrinus
Caput-Medusce), from the West Indies, [In reference to this
presentation the Secretary read the following extract from Nicholson's
Manual of Zoology:—"Of the living stalked Crinoids the
best known is the Pentacrinus Caput-Medusce of the Carribean
Sea. More recently a stalked Crinoid has been discovered in the
Atlantic and North Sea, and has been described under the name of
Rhizocrinus Lofotensis. The chief interest of this form is the fact
that it belongs to a group of the Crinoidoe, hitherto believed to be
exclusively confined to the Mesozoic rocks, viz., the Apiocrinidce, or
"Pear-encrinites." In fact, Rhizocrinus is very closely allied to the
Cretaceous genus Bourgueticrinus, and it may even be doubted if
it is generally separable from it. The late remarkable researches
into the life of the deeper parts of the ocean have brought to light
several new Crinoids, which will doubtless, when fully investigated,
still further fill up the interval between the living and extinct
Crinoidea."]
Presentation from H. M. Hull, Esq.—The Minute Book of "The Society of Van
Diemen's Land," 1841. This was the original minute book of the
old Tasmanian Society, which flourished under the auspices of Sir
John Franklin, and from which the present Royal Society had its
origin.
Presentation from E. D. Swan, Esq.—A Complete Suit of Japanese Armour.
This presentation was examined with much interest. The helmet is
of iron, artistically constructed, and with its appendages weighs not
less than seven pounds. The other defensive armour, which is confined
to the chest, arms, and thighs, consists chiefly of thin plates of
metal, covered with lacquer and fastened to strong woven material.
The Secretary laid on the table a pamphlet, by Mr. Moscrop, of London,
in which the writer lays claim to the discovery of the now well-known fact
that the development of fish ova can be considerably protracted by the
application of cold, by means of ice. [Mr. Moscrop's claim has been
strongly denied, and further information on the subject will be adduced
at next evening meeting.]
Mr. Augustus Simson exhibited several specimens of the beetle or perfect
insect (Otiorhynchus sulcatus, Fab.), the grub of which has of late been so
destructive to the strawberry plant. Mr. Simson had only looked for and
obtained the insect on the previous day, and hoped soon to be able to
furnish further information about it. ln the meantime, as the beetle has
not yet emerged from the cell in which it underwent its last transformation,
the insect might to a great extent, if not altogether, be destroyed by taking
up the dead plant, with the soil below it to the depth of three or four
inches and burning it. At present the insect will be found mostly in a
little cell in the Pupa or Chrysalis state, in which condition it is of course
inactive. A few have not yet reached this stage and are still grubs, and
some have recently become beetles. As this last change will take place
rapidly in all when rain falls, no time should be lost in putting the above
method of destruction into vigorous operation. The insect belongs to the
family of the Curculionidcn, or "Elephant Beetles."

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Royal Society of Tasmania
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers & Proceedings and Report of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.
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