qual distances. I now have to notice what I
consider a remarkable circumstance, namely, that all the tubes contained
a solid cylinder of clay, and in every instance where the worms occurred
under the circumstances above recorded, they were found to be dead.
Researches of this kind are calculated to throw a light on some of those
singular phenomena which geologists occasionally meet with in the older
rocks.

[_Mem._--Several specimens of clay, containing the worm-tubes as above
described, were exhibited to the meeting.]

Natural History--Extracts from the Journal of Captain Denham, H.M.
Surveying Vessel 'Herald,' 1857. Communicated by Captain WASHINGTON,
through the Secretary.

[Read June 3rd, 1858.]

We found upon the larger islands the small species of the Kangaroo,
bearing the native name Wallaby (_Halmaturus Billardierii_), which,
when mixed with other meats, affords a fine-flavoured soup.

On the islets are flocks of the Cape Banca goose, which Mr. Smith
informed me were only to be found in these straits in the vicinity of
Flinders Island, from Cape Banca to Cape Frankland (west about), and
that they are readily domesticated, and hatch from three to seven eggs,
and afford an acceptable dish. I obtained a live specimen, which Dr.
Rayner of this ship describes thus:--"_Cereopsis Novae Hollandiae_. Body
about the size of a common goose; bill short, vaulted, obtuse,
two-thirds of which is covered by an expanded cere of a pale
greenish-yellow colour, the tip of the bill being black, arcuated, and
truncated. Nostrils large, round, open, and situated in the middle of
the bill. Wings ample, third quill longest. Legs long, light dull-red,
and naked to a little above the knee. Feet black, webbed, the membrane
being deeply notched, great toe articulated to the metatarsus. Plumage
slate-grey, with black spots upon the wings and back. Wing-feathers
dusky black, and edged at the tip with pale grey. Irides light hazel."

We likewise obtained specimens of the following wildfowl:--

AVES.

A BRONZE-WING PIGEON, Phaps elegans.
QUAIL, Corturnix pectoralis (_Gould_).
OYSTER-CATCHER, Haematophus fuliginosus.
RING PLOVER, Hiaticula bicincta.
WILD DUCK, Anas punctata (_Cuvier_).
GREAT GULL, Larus pacificus.
LESSER GULL, Xema Jamesonii.
MUTTON BIRD, Puffinus brevicaudus (_Brandt_).
SOUTHERN GANNET, Sulu australi