“VICTORIAN NATURALIST: THE JOURNAL & MAGAZINE OF THE Higlt Ratuyalists’ Elub af Pittoria, VOL, XL. MAY, 1923, TO, APRIL, 1924. fbon. Boditer: MR. F. G. A. BARNARD. 7 The Author of each Article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. , Melbourne: WALKER, MAY & 00., PRINTERS, 429-431 BOURKE-STREET ‘1924, INDEX. vii ILLUSTRATIONS. bray Aquatic House-builders - - : * 4 - 242 Alpine Stream-in Rocky Valley - - - - 90 Australian Ground-Thrush at Nest - - - - 99 Bairnsdale and District, Map of - - - - 107 Bogong High Plains, Map of _ - - - - . 88 Bronze Cuckoo, Young Narrow-billed - “ a oe Butcher-Bird, Nest and Eggs - ft - - « . 11 Butterflies from New South Wales and Queensland - - 230 Celinisia longifolia - - - 3 E > 90 Choristemon humilis - - - = - - 934 Clematis glycinoides - - . > - -. 113 Concretionary Nodules, and Micro-Structure - : e g Cradle Mountain (Tasmania) - es ‘ 4 ~ 131 " ” Dove Lake - - - ' - 132 " ” Map of District - - - ~ 133 3 si Cushion Plant Association - ~ - 186 Ewartia Mevedithe - - - - - - 136 Flea, The Sticktight - - - - - - 119 Gippsland Cave, A + - - - : - 79 Hemidonax Chapmani - - - cs 4 - 10 Prasophyllum Tadgellianum - = + - - 244 Protozoa - - - e - -_ : s 73 River System West of Hamilton, Sketch Map - - - dig Spiders, Prominent Features - - - - - 170 Thrips - - - - = = ns - 57 Whipstick Scrub, Map of - - oy ees - 196 ERRATA. Page 48, line 9—For “ strictula, Menke, sp.” read "' striata, Sow, sp."' Page 142, line 8.—For “vtridescens"’ read '‘ividescens.” Page 187, line 21—For '' Hierochion”’ read '‘ Hievochloa.” Page 187, line 18 from bottom—For "' Choretum" read '' Choretrum.” Page 244, line 2] from bottom—For*‘ Bogong” read '' Hotham." NOTE TO BINDER, Bind supplement (list of members, &c,, in July Naturalist) at end of volume, following page 246. Che Victorian Naturalist. Vou. XL—No. 1. MAY 10, 1923. No. 473. FIELD. NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. - Tue monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Roya? Society’s Hall on Monday evening, oth April, 1923. The president, Mr, C. Daley, B.A., F.L.S., occupied the chair, and about fifty members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE, Irom Mr, T. G. Sloane, “ Moorilla,”’ Young, N.S.W,, thanking the Club for his election as a life honorary member in recognition “of being one of the foundation members of the Club. REPORT. A teport of the excursion to Beveridge on Siturday, 24th March,, was given by the leader, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who stated that the excursion had been well attended, and the excursionists were very much interested in the physiographical features of Beveridge Hill, an extinct volcano with a very fine crater, ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mrs. Shiels, Lisson-grove, Hawthorn, and Mr. J. R. T. Mannix, Botanical Department, University, were duly elected as ordinary members of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS, Mr. F. G, A. Barnard said that a deputation of nature-loyers Would wait on the Chief Secretary on Wednesday, trth April, with regard to further protection being afforded to certain of our native animals and birds, and asked any members interested to make a point of attending. 4 letter was read from Mr. T. G. Sloane, of ' Moorilla," Young, N.S.W., urging the Club to do what it could towards securing the permanent reservation and exemption from grazing licences of all land ahove'the 4,000 fect level in South-Eastern Australia. This area contains the sources of a number of important rivers, and. by its use as grazing areas is gradually heing denuded of its timber, and thus rendered less useful as gathering grounds for streams, Dr. C. S, Sutton supported Mr, Sloane’s statements, and suggested hat a copy of the letter be forwarded to the Forest League, and that the Club join with the League in any action that may be decided upon. Mr. C. L. Barrett, C.M.Z,S., asked whether arrangements had been snade for enlatging the Naturalist. + Field Naturalists: Club—Procsédings: hhc tea ty The hon. editor, Mr. F, G, A. Barnard, called attention to the paragraph at the end of the current nuinber', and said that he hoped members would come to Ins assistance and forward sufficient notes every month to make up a twenty or twenty- four page journal, He could not guarantee any enlargement on his own aceount. Messrs. Hardy, Best, Williamson, and others spoke on the desirableness of ‘ijcreasing the size of the Naturalist, PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr, J. Stickland, entitled '' Notes on the Protozoa of the Melbourne District.” i The author, by means of enlarged drawings, gave a general outline of the classification of the Protozoa, and referred to , those forms to be met with in and around Melbourne. 2, By Messrs, J. H. Gatliff and C. J. Gabriel, entitled ‘Description of 4 New Marine Bivalve Shell for Victoria.’’ The authors described a small shell as Henvidonax Chapmani, of which, though many Single valves had been found from time to time along the ocean beach, San Remo, and tn other places, a complete specimen had only recently been found. It was named in honour of Mr, F, Chapman, A.L.S., pala- ontologist. of the National Museum, MeJbourne, in recognition of his very great interest im marine conchology. 4 NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. P. R. H. St. John stated that an albino form of the Blue Wren, Malurus cyaneus, Mlis, has recently been seen on several occasions in the Footscray Park by the curator, Mr, H,. Matthews, Mr. ©. Oke gave an interesting account of the way in which an Argiopid spider, Araneus capitalis, L. Koch, spins its web. This is done by the female soon after sunset each evening, and is removed before daybreak. EXHIBITS. By Mr. Chas. Barrett.—Land shells, Helix. bifartila, Ferussac, collected by Mr. Sidney W, Jackson at*Tinaroo, Barron River, Cairns district, North Queensland ; and Helicella separate {in- troduced), found in great numbers under stones, in tea-tree scrub, between Middle Brighton and Brighton Beach. By Mrs. Coleman.—Thelymutra venosa, collected on Mount Bogong by Mr. A. G. Hooke, ro/2/23, growing in & wedge of sphagnum moss, a little soil being added to fill the pot, (Other specimens collected from Mount Buffalo in January and planted in soil only have sent Wp rather less vigorous shoots.) By Messrs. J. H. Gatliff and CG. J. Gabriel—New Victorian SS Field: Natuvatists’ Chib—Procecdings. 5 marine shell, Hemidonax Chapman, Gatliff and Gabriel, in illustration of paper. By Mr. L. Hodgson,—Flewers of Leplospermum scoparinm, Var. grandiflorum vosed, a rare variety, grown at Bayswater from seed found in New South Wales about five years ago (first recorded in 1817 from seed sent Lo England), By Mr. A. L, Scott.—Striated pebbles and glacial con- glomerate, both from Werrihee Gorge, Bacchus Marsh. By Me- f-. Stickland.—Drawings of various forms of Protozoa, in illustration of his paper. Alter the usual conversazione the meeting terminated, EXCURSION TO BEVERIDGE, Frew, tf any, of the many hundreds who pass Boveridge in the Sydney express and other trains every day have any idea of the interest attached to that comparatively low, hollow-backed hill to be seen about three-quarters of a mile to the west of the station. Saturday, 24th March, was not an ideal day for our excursion, but I think all who went were well satisfied with the outing, Beveridge Hill, as T prefer sto call it, is officially known as Mount Bland, having been named by Hume and Hovell on that memorable first trip fron) Goulburn to Port Phillip, they having reached it on 14th December, 1824 ; and, as it forms a conspicuous feature in the district, they bestowed upon it the name of one of their patrons, Dr. Bland, of Sydney. As we approached the hill a slight shower occurred, but soan passed away. Beveridge is 25 miles from town and 989 fect above sea-level, and we found by baro- metrical observations that the highest point of the hill was about 420 feet higher. The ascent on the south-eastern side is not very steep. When the top was reached a vast amphi- theatre, about a quarter of a mile across and sixty feet deep, revealed itself as the site of an extinct crater, perhaps responsible for much of the lava now forming the plains between it and the city. The crater is well defined, the floor measuring about 18a yards across, We walked round on the ridge to the new trig. Station on the northern crest, and from there made a survey of the surrounding country. Unfortunately, the day was too dull and cloudy to pick out all that can be seen front it on a clear day, and it was with difficulty that we just made out the You Yangs, about fifty miles away. Of cou7se, the Plenty Ranges, near at hand, wete the most prominent of the many hills DecUPY INE the landscape. Having watched the Sydney express, looking like a toy train, laboriously climb the incline towards Wallan, we descended into the crater and over D 1 ‘dpe: Vict, Nat, 4 Excursion to Beveridge: Re xt. the southern lip (the main breach is to the north-west) to the homestead at the foot, where we were kindly furnished with lot water, and were able to haye an al fresco cup of tea, &e., before inaking for the station, The farm here is known as "Mount: Mtaser," tence the hill appears on Broadbent’s map as '‘ Mount Fraser." If we had missed the view from the top we Were amply rewarded by a beautifel sunset, the- colours of which require an artist’s eye to describe, The station was reached in time for the 7-15 p.m. train, and by 9 p.m. we were saying good-bye to one another at Sponcer-street. I would like to suggest, a8 a future excursion, that about the 14th December, 1924, the committee arrange to again visit the hill, and to invite the Historical Society to join in celebrating the hundredth anniversary of Hume and Hovell’s visit to the hill An account of the last Club visit, on 13th March, roog, will be found in the Naluvalist for May, T909 (vol. xxvi, p, 4), in which greater detail is given —F G, A. BARNARD. IN the Trans. Roy. Soc, 5.A., vol. xlvi,, 1922, Professor Osborn gives a sketch of the ecology of the Franklin Islands, a small group lying between Fowler's and Streaky Bay, towards the eastern end of the Great Australian Bight, These are low-lying, waterless, and composed of granitic rock covered with travertin and sand, Only thirty-four species of plants were) observed there, mostly grasses, camposites, and salt- bushes, All are found in this State. Professor Osborn con- cludes that: the vegetation is in process of degeneration, chiefly from the burrowing of birds, and that it is fated to disappear utterly. ‘Toe Gum Teee.’--Wrth the current number of the Guam | Tyee (March, 1923, vol. vii., No. 2§) is issued a representation in colour of probably the finest specimen of a Scarlet-Aowering Gum, Eucalyptus ficifolie, F. v. M., in the world. The tree is about thirty-three years old, and is now in its prime. it stands on the lawn in front of the club-house of the Metro- politan Golf Club at Oakleigh, near Melbourne, Victoria, When in full flower (as depicted in the illustration) there is perhaps no finer sight of its kind in the world. The tree is a very shapely specimen, being about thirly fect in spread of branches and the same in height. This species of eucalypins is remarkable in many ways. Jn its restricted native habitat in the south-west of Western Australia it 1s a comparatively small tree, growing in tangled masses.* It seeins to have im- proved in cultivation, and this particular specimen is worth travel- ling many miles to sce when in bloom in January of each year. * Maiden, '' Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus,” part 43, ond Viet. Nat, April, 1921, vol. xxxvii., p. 142- May, nies Caarman, On Concrehonary Limestonas: 5 ON CONCRETIONARY LIMESTONES IN GENERAL, AND ON PEBBLES FROM LAKE OMEO IN PARTICULAR. Br F. CxApman, A.LS. (With Plate.) (Road before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 12th Mar, 1923.) L—Inrropucrory: Some months ago, after reading his joint paper on ‘ Where the Murray Rises,''* Mr. Chas, Daley, B.A. I,.L.S,, kindly handed over ta me for examination some of the pebbles which he had collected from the shores of Lake Omeo whilst on a recent trip with Messrs.. Williamson, Hughes, and Allen. As I have been interested for many years m that muchi- neglected study of our so-called conerctionary and chemically- formed Jimestones, a large percentage of which, I have good evidence to believe, are formed directly or indirectly through organic agency, tt seemed an opportune moment to study these pebbles from Omeo and to give my results, with some general yemarks oy more or less similar limestones, to this Club. Definitions of Concretionary Limestones.—Limestones, as we all know, may be formed in different ways. Vor example. by the deposition of carbonate of lime (CaCO;) upon a foundation of luaves and twigs, as an encriustation. Tis is seei in the “fossil forest ‘' of Sorrento, &c., where the tea-free scrub has been invaded by a drift of calcareous sand, subsequently partially dissolved and ce-deposited on the vegetation ; or as im the Oaky Creek at Yass, where leaves of Peppermint and Casuarina cones are encrusted.f Or we may have a purely chemical deposit of CaCO,, as in some banded travertins laid down by springs, as seen in owe older sand-dunes along the Victorian coast, as at Warrnambool, Torquay, aud Point Roadknight ; also as stalagmites and stalactites in limestone caves, and pebbles on the Hoors of such places_ But probably the most important method of the formation uf concretionary calcareous deposits is in the ease of the limestones which are partially ov wholly composed of nodular, cylindrical, ov {uberose bodies more or Jess compacted to Tock, but sometimes free or mecherent, 2s in the pink nodular Lime- stone Of the Mallee and South Australia and in the nodules such as we have on the shores of Lake Omen, Most. of the text-books, ancient or modern, nsnally appear ta avoid the description of concretionary limestone, and one * Daley and Williston, Victorian Naturalist, May, rg2a, vol, xxxix., No, r, Part J. > Physiographic and Geueral Notes, Chas, Duley, pp. 4-12. fA. J, Shearsby, "Notes on the Occurrence of Recent Te verti Formations in Oaky and Ravenswood Creeks, NSW)" Vicw. Nat, val, xxxvii,, 1920, P- 35. 6 CHAPMAN, On Concretionary Limestones, [yi Ba text-book of sedimentary petrology does not mention the term. Oolitic structure, one of the forms of organic con- cretionary limestone, is well desctibed in Harker’s " Petrology ,’"* tnd there is also a good descriptive paragraph of such by Howehin in his ‘' Geology of South Austraha.”t Speaking of the formation of oolitic and pisolitic structures of limestone, Prof. Howchin says ——"‘ This process can be seen In operation at the present time in the formation of the ‘ lakestone’ in the neighbourhood of Robe, where oolitic: and pisolitic limestones are now in course of formation on the floors of shallow lakes between the sand-hills. . . . It is frequently seen in the Jimestone of the Flinders Ranges (Upper Cambrian), and is sometimes present in the ‘ pink’ limestone of Brighton (S.A.)" From his description, Howchin appears to assume that the carbonate of lime deposit is chemically precipitated on a nucleus of the alga Girvanalia, a foraminifer, or other object. IT am inclined, however, to think that the bulk of the deposit in these Pleistocene and Holocene accumulations is through organic agency. The structures of the lime-secreting blue-green alge (Cyanophycee) are often excessively minuté, and the thallus, when broken up by solution of the cellulose, forms a powder which cannot be distinguished from a “ chemical precipitate.” When, however, the stages from the «one amorphous condition into the other organic threaddike structure is seen, the conclusion is chvious, iI,—Brier Norrs on Some AuSrRALiaN COoNCRETIONARY LIMESTONES, x. Hard Concrctionary Lamesions Obtained in the Mallee Bores.—This peculiar form of limestone is generally of a pink to pale hrown colour, duc to a mimule quantity of ferric oxide included in it, It seems to form extensive bands in the upper strata (Pleistocene and Holocene) of the Mallee and Wimmera districts, and was met with in Several of the sub-artesian Mallee loves at varying levels t A note giver: in the report below referred to states that ||:— " At several levels down to go feet, hard, calcareous, and concretionary limestoné bands occur. One bed in particular, at 56-69 feet, appears to be a deposit such as is found at the present day in and around the saline lagoons in Central and parts of Southern Australia, which are inhabited by molhisca such as Coxiella, Bulinus, and other forms living in brackish * Harker, A., *' Peitology for Students,” end ed., a7, pp. 2476240- ¢ ‘Geology of South Australia,’ 1918, p. 178, {See Chapman, F., ' Cainozoic Geology of the Mallee and Other Vie torian Bares,'' Rec. Geol. Surv, Vict,, vol. iii,, part 4. 1916, pp, 345-347. 350. 354, 354, 375. 380. Gp. crt., Pp. 353s Maps) Caarman, On Concretionary Limestones: 7 q water, These lJinvestoné deposits, foiind a little below the surface nearly all over the Mallee, are in all probability due, as explained by Howchin and Gregory,* to the effect of the hut sun and dry wind causing the evaporation of the surface moisture (suTartimes one inch per day), and consequent upward suction of water charged with calcareous matter (sometimes ferruginous) from the lower depths. The deposition of this mincral matte’ takes place just beneath the surface of the loose soi], and results im a hard ‘pan’ ” With regard to this limestone, which can also be seen in its loose, nodular state in the Ooldea (on East-West Railway) district of South Australia, my views have been, somewhat inad(fied since the above was written. It will be remembered that Prof. Tate referred to the nature of the “ biscuit *’ lime- stone of South Austrailia in his note at a meeting of the Royal Society of South Australia.f He there stated that a fresh- water shell (Butiwes} can often be found as a nucleus of the flat, discoidal, limestone biscuits. This, together with other evidence from the Mallee concretionary limestones, shows the starting-point of the limestone biscuit, nodule. or other form is in a swamp or lake where (he organic encrustation is likely to flourish, Their subsequent shapes seem to largely depend on the varying amount of rolling or skimming in the face of the wind to which they have been subjected. But it may be taken for granted that the further growth of the nodule does not Lake place unti] it comes ta rest, or partially so, In a brackish lake, This surmise, founded on the facts before ws, points in the direction of an organic origin for these concretious. And so it must have been, and, in fact, now is to a large extent, fot the Lake Omeo concretions. The examination of this hard Pleistocene limestone of the Mallee in thin sections under a high power of the microscope confirms the idea that the rock is almost purely of organic origin. Shells and ostracod valves are seen to be enwrapped with a finehy-granular deposit which has all the appearance of a disintegrated calcareous plant thallus, and which bears positive evidence of its organic origin by being riddled through in places by the parasitic boring fungus allied to Achlya. Under a low power the generally laminated character of an encrusting plant organism can be clearly seen. The rock itself is olten a perfect aggregate of these nodules, large and small, the interstices being Aled in with detrital material, of sand, including sharp to well-rounded (iwind-worn) quartz grains- *Gregary J. W.." hy of Victoria,’ new ed,, igre, p. O44 Mnwchie We ivan. Rea aetealie we. sails vie oat. ig f Trans. Roy, Soc. 5S, Austvaba, vol, xxli, 1898, p, 236, : fo4 ! Viet. Nat. 5 Cunpman, On Concretionary Limestones. Vol eLe ‘ 2. Note on @ Calcareous Concretion from the Pleistocene of Kangaroa Island, S.A., collected by Mr. A.G. Campbell 1m 1905, —tI made u thin section of this rack at the National Museum many years ago, and it was kept for future reference. 1t throws a clear light on the origin of this style of concretion, Under the microscope it is seen to consisL of numerous tiny balls of laminated structure, some measuring not more than 4mm, in diameter, and all welded together by other enwrapping alge. The vertical thickness of the laminz in this example measures about .o26 mm, Very often the thallus shows it to have been eink: with a boring fungus, the cavities of Which are of a deep rich brown, I11.—Ow A CuemrcaLly-Dipositgp ACCRETION. Some calcareous nodules collected by Mr. W. H- Ferguson, wf the Victorian Geological Survey, from the Murrendal Caves, wear Buchan, have been examined by me, but the full note has not yet been published.* The nodules arc rounded to suh- spherical, and measure about half an inch to one inch in fianieter. They are composed of numerous coats of varying density and colour, and are wholly crystalline, excepting for the nucleus, which consists of a fragment of igneous rock. These nodules are “formed from rolling fragments of débres, which are slowly covered by a deposit of travettin in regular layers." iV.—A DerschirtioN of SomE PEBBLES From THE SHORES OF Lake Oweo, N.E. GIprpsiann, COLLECTED BY CHAS. DALEY, 1922, The specimens submitted to me have an average’ didmeter ef 2 ta 3 cm. In colour they are pale grey to light. ochreous, and externally have an carthy appearance, although they are hard ta break open. Under a low-power Jens they show little or no concentric structure, excepting on the outer layers, which, by the way, are more ochreous than the inner, They show a decided tendency to fracture along irregular joints, which, when- the nodule is broken, exhibit on their surfaces minute clusters of dendrites (hydrous protoperoxide of manganese = H,MnO,) or Psilomelane. The main part of the nodule, under magnification, consists of a kind of travertin paste, in which are embedded numerous mganic remains. Their structure, however,.is in most cases so altered by re-crystallization that it is difficult to specify “The Director of the Victorian Geological Survey has given permissjon for this prelimimary reference to. be published (sent in 12/1/16). - THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol. XL. May, 1923. PLATE 1. CONCRETIONARY NODULES AND MICRO-STRUCTURE, F.C. Photo, My, Cuarpman, O% Concretionary Limestones, fe) any particular organisms. We may say with certainty that calcarcous alge are present in considerable quantity. Some of these may be siphoneaceous in character, whilst others are presumably of the nature of Chavacee. In’ one instance 2 tubular stem is sliced through vertically, and showing the granular calcareous walls of a lime-secreting plant. In another instance we have horizontal sections of a hollow stem sur- rounded by a zone of trapezoidal outgrowths. ' Remains of minute crustacea may-be represented by frag- ments of the carapace and spinous appendages, and may possibly belong to the Cladacéva, The altered shelly fragments Seema to be referable in some cases to minute mollusca. There are also some puzzling, rotaline-locking tests present, which suggest foraminifera, and the only solution would be to surmise that they were washed out.of older sedimentary rocks of the surrounding limestones.. There is ne: doubt,; however, that the nodules themselves are of quite recent date. In concluding these brief-notes, 1 would suggest the further study of these concretionary bodies farming limestones as a fruithil field of research. its importance needs no emphasis from me, seeing that-such'a vast amount of material in the Australian sedimentary series is made up of these sa-called concretionary limestones, EXPLANATION OF PLATE. Fig. t.—A split concretionacy nodule from Lake Omeo, showing a dark, ferruginous nucleus and a rudely concentric structure ; collected by. Mr. Chas, Daley, ‘Nat, size, Fig. 2.—Superficial aspect of a similar nodule from Lake-Onico. Nat, size. ‘ ; Fig. 3,:—Micro-section of nodule from Lake, Omeo, showing , dendritic structure and included organisms, x “16. ~~ oe NO oe y" Fig. 4.—Micro-section of a calcareous concretionary nodule fram Kan. garoo Island, $.A., showing bundles of tubes: of the thallt of. limie- secreting alge, also other included organisms:; co)l, by-Mr. A..G. Campbell, . x. 16. ch : - > »-« Gig. §,—Micro-section of a chemically-deposited nodule from the caves at -Murrendal, Buchan, showing the nocleus.at-base of a fragment of igneous rock, and the successive coats of aragonite (?) crystals forming zones of -growth ; collected by Mr. W. H. Ferguson seproduced by permission of the Geological Survey of Victoria, x 16, , THe Saw Banksia, B- serrata; is found in the coastal district of southern New South Wales and Victoria as far west as Wilson’s Proniontory. In ‘Tasmania it occurs, only at, the Sisters’ Hill, on, the North-West Coast, near Table Cape, where several specitnens are growing on an area only a few acres m extent. . t \ to Gariirr AND Gaenter, New Marine Bivalve Sholi, |View Bar ON A NEW MARINE BIVALVE SHELL, HEMIDONAX CHAPMANI, sv. Nov. By J. H. Gattire anv C, J. GABRIEL. (Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Vittoria, yih April, 1923.) HEMIDONAX CHAPMAN, sp. nov. Shell solid. Ovate triangular; inequilateral; tadiately Striate, the sttrie becoming stronger at the anterior angle, but towards the posterior end they gradually become broader and flatter, and are not continued beyond the rounded angle. Margin crenulate, and denticulate within on the ventral margin. White, with discontinuovs brown rays. Interior has usually, in adults, a large, triangular, purple blotch descending from the umboes. Dimensions of Type.—Anterior-posterioy diameter, 24 mmm, 4 dorso-ventral, 15 mm. Habitat—San Remo, ocean beach, Victoria. Observations.—We have collected very many valves of the above species, but only in one instance have we found a con- joined pair, and it is not half grown, and is uncoloured. Neither have we met-with the shell in our numerous dredgings in Western Port: °_ a ee It is the species listed by Pritchard and, Gathif as Donax cardioides, Lamarck, They jollowed the identification of Prof, Ralph Tate, and they received similar'odd valves, much worn, that .were,.obtained .at Royston Head, Spencer’s Gulf, South Australia... 60s - In the Victortan Naturalist, vol. xxxi,, page 83, we quoted this species as“ being H. auséraliense, although it is much smaller, and might be considered distinct.’ Mr, Charles Hedley, F.LS,, has drawn our attention to the fact that it is distinct. We have great pleasure in dedicating it to Mr. Frederick Chapman, A.L.S., paleontologist at the National Museum, who, in the various. branches included in the science he studies, has done such) excellent work respecting our marine mollusca of past ages. The valves figured are not quite the same size; the measure- ments refer to the larger valve. The figures are enlarged. Type in Mr, Gatliff’s collection. BIRD NOTES. Cuckoos.—Interest in the habits of Cuckoos has been deepened by the observations recorded in “ The Cuckoo’s Secret” and the photographs that illustrate this remarkable book. Mr. Edgar Chance, the author, an English ornithologist, 1s con- vinced that Cyemwlus canorus, the common Cuckoo of British THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol. XL. May, 1923. PLATE II, HEMIDONAX CHAPMANI, GATLIFE AND GABRIEL, n. sp. (Enlarged.) THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol. XL. May, 1923. PLATE Tr, YOUNG NARROW-BILLED BRONZE-CUCKOO, Chalevcoceyx basalis, Horsticld. Photo. C. BARRETT. NEST AND EGGS OF BUTCHER-BIRD. Craeticus destructor, Tumm. Photo. C. BARRETT. 4 ' ‘ . Bay, Bird Notes: tt bird-books, diweys lays its eggs direct into the victim's nest, ar into the opening ta or mouth of such nest, and _never inserts its own egg by way at its beak into the victim’s nest,” Further, he- contends that.‘ every species of Cuckoo, Caw-bird, or ather parasitic. bicd, in any part of the world also lays its eggs direvt- into the victim's nest in the’ aforesaid manner, and never inserts its own egg by way of its beak.” Here is a pretty, problem for Australian bird-observers ta solve. Some claim that certain Australian Cuckoos, notably ‘the Fan-tailed, Cacomantis flabelliformis, lay their eggs on the ground and deposit them from the heak in the domed- nests which- they favour. It is’ generally believed, however, that the Pallid Cuckoo, Cuculus pallidus, selecting open, cup “shaped nests, lays its egg ‘directly into them. A Cuckoo of this species has actually heen seen ‘sitting upon the nest of a Scarlet- breasted Robin, Petvoica multicolor. 1 have found, often, an egg of the’ Fan-tailed Cuckoo in a- nest- of the White-browed Scrub-Wren, Sericarnis fromtalrs, and wondered how it was deposited without the “door'' of the ,nest being enlarged: Mr, -Tom' Fisher informs me, however, that’ he has, more than once observed both Fan-tailed and Bronze Cus koos; Chalca- cogeys plugosns, cUnging to domed nests, and has clear evidence that the eggs are deposited in the manner described in '‘ The Cuckoo's Secret.’ 1 am inclined to believe that in all cases where damed nests are selected by Cuckoos this i the method adopted, In a letter to me, Mr. Edgar Chance states :—" I quite agree that it is impossible for a Cuckoo in, all circum: stances t0 lay her egg tm the nest, but I am now firmly, con- vinced, just’ as ‘are several other ~ enthusiasts over, here (England). who have studied the subject with mite, that -all Cuckous Invariably lay their ees thito the nest, ever when they cannot sit upon the nest to lay.” _ It would be interesting to know the views of any iriewibvers of the Club who have ~paid attention to, the habits of our Cuckoos, We have yet a great deal to learn concerning | these parasitic bids, 4nd every observation is worth recording. Burcuer-Birps.—The autumn song of the Butcher “hitd, Crachicus: desiyuctor, ts now being heard in districts near-Mel- bourne, and even some of the outer suburbs. T hough a fine songstel, this species is “red in beak and claw." I have seen one darting upon a Blue Wren, Malurus cyanews, and when Acarthizas-and other small birds ‘heat the notes that please our eats they fly to caver. ‘But there is something in favour ol GC. desivuctoy as a hunter : it preys upon tats and mice as well as btile birds, As jt is proposed to devote a pages 2 at least, In each issue of the Naturalist to bird notes, LE hope that bird-lovers will 14 Bird Noles: byt es keep the editor supplied with items of general interest,— CHARLES BAnrert. During the last six months many northern birds that rarely come south have appeared in the lightly-timbered country around the eastern suburban areas. It is quite apparent that the severe drought now raging throughout Australia has caused a gencral migration of birds towards the sea coast, As early a8 14th October a White-necked Heron, Notophoyx pacitfica, appeared on Gardiner’s Creek, where it remained for a few days, and then suddenly disappeared. However, it was subsequently found dead with a rifle bullet through its neck. This was an unfortunate occurrence, as this was probably the lard that had been visiting that locality for years past. During the same month a small flock of White-browed Wood- Swallows settled in some box saplings. Here they nested {freely in the Buysarta spinosa and Acacia armata bushes, and only left the district at the end of January, A solitary Masked Wood-Swallow was observed in the abave flock whey frst noticed, but a week later this bird greatly exceeded the White- browed in aimbers, They made but a bilef stay, and not a bird remained after the end of November. Four Nankeen Night-Herons, Nycticorax caisdonions, all in cinnamon-coloured plumage, were flushed from some dense teattree scrub bordering the Gardiner’s Creek, Though these birds ate regarded as nocturnal, they ave almost equally as alert during the daytime as their congener, the White-lronted Heron, The beautiful Regent Honey-eater, Meliphaga phrygia, which comes south at irregular periods, was nated on 22nd November, Other birds soon hecaine aware of this bird’s arrival owing ‘to its pugnacions habits.. Any bird that happened to come inte close quarters with the Regents was futiously attacked and driven some distance away, In all, three pairs frequented the locality for nearly three months, when they gradually dis- appeared, Both the Brown, Cénclorhamphus cruvalis, and Rufous, Cinclorhamphus rufescens, Song-Larks arrived during October, and remained till the end of December and carly February respectively, The former bird frequented the open grass- lands, and only perched on fences on very rate occasions. The Rufous Lark spent most of its time in trees or singing tn the tir, The female is barely more than half the size of the male. Stubble Quail, Coturatx pectoral's, appeared more plentiful than in previous years, but this may be accounted for by the luxuriant growth of grass that extsted in the district diving the spring months. When the grass dried the birds becaine m Biv Notes: . 13 scarce, and eventually the whole of them, disappeared. One particular pair had reared a brood by the end of November, and the young ones had just left the nest when I came unexpectedly upen them, The vid bird, whe was with them, immediately made a short flight, and the young concealed themselves so well that they could not be disturbed or found, On two separate occasions a Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus axillaris, was seen disturbing Starlings, They were probably different birds, as one was seen in November and the other in. January. Their white plumage harmonizes so well with the grey atmosphere that they become almost invisible at a short distance a\way. Probably the ravest bird seen during the time under review was the Yellow-plumed Honey-eater, Plilotis ornata. This bird was seen only once, and, although frequent searches were made, I could never locate it again, It is readily distinguished from the White-plumed Honey-eater, Piilotis ponictilata, which it greatly resembles, by its streaked breast and prominent yellow plumes. In addition to the migratory birds, the locality was well represented with numerous stationary species. Undoubtedly last season proved extremely rich, not only in ornithology, lyut in botany and entomology,—D, Dicxisox, East St. Kilda. MICROSCOPY AND AQUATIC BIOLOGY, Now that the winter evenings ate approaching, what better way of passing them could be sthagitie than by microscepical study? Gbjects of interest are so easily procured, even ij) the houSehold itself, the garden, or the pond; and then what a world of beauty and variety of form is opened up to us! One of my most enthusiastic—and, 1 might add, valyminous— correspondents 15 a man who, at the age of fifty-eight, had his first glimpse of Nature through the microscope, and was so impressed with what he saw that he immediately became the possessor of an instrument, and spends most of his leisure time —when not writing descriptions of what he saw and asking information about them—in the study of pond-life. One of the most widely-distributed organisms, and one that can he collected all the year round, in somte localities, is Volvax, Av times. it is so plentiful that the collecting net is filled with them at every dip; and what exquisite objects they are under a low power of the microscope! Beautiful crystal spheres studded with emeralds, gracefully revolving beneath on gaze. Volvox is one of those interesting organisms on the border live between plants and animals, It was formerly claimed by the botanist as a green alg@. Really, it is a type of "4 Microscopy and Aquatic Biology’ vat eke Gagellate infusorian, and its place in Nature is between the single-celled Protozoa and the Metazoa, or many-celled animals. Volvox consists of numerous biflagellate individnals connected by a fine neiwork of protoplasmic threads, and embedded in 3 gelatinous matrix, from which their flagella project, the whole forming a hollow, spherical, actively mobile colony. There are two species of Volyox found in our ponds—l. aurens and V. globator—iistingnished by the shape of their _individual cells, each of which contains # nucleus and a contractile vacuole. At the hyaline end of the cell where the. flagella are inserted there is a pigmented spot—the so-called “ eye-spot "> the Lest of the cell is green, owing to the presence of chlorophyl cerpuscles. In consequence of the presence of these, Volvox is Aolophylic—that is, it feeds as a plant does. In its method of reproduction Volvox is of much biological interest. Some of the colonies are asexual. In these a limited number of cells possess the power of dividing up into little clusters of cells ; these clusters escape from the envelope of the parent colony and form new free-swimming colonies. [n other colenies there are special reproductive cells, which may be called ova and spermatozoa cells. Almost every young Volvox, when first discharged from the parent sac, already contains a certain number of enlarged zoids, destined in due time to become its own progeny + not only so, but long before its discharge, and while yet it exists as a daughter-cell within the cavity ot the parent generation, these sclected zoids are already visible as spots larger and darker than thei! fellows. Ag may probahly be affirmed of all living organisms, its life-history would be incomplete without a process of sexual reproduction, and accordingly, after a long sequence of asexual generations, a strictly sexual process mtcr- venes, from whirh resilt certain onspheres destined to Jie dormant for a while, to resist the vicissitudes of condition and climate, and to reproduce the parent form in the succeeding year, When external conditions again favour its development, — ’ ‘Interesting as the life-history of Valvox is, it is troubled with @ parasitic rotifer nearly as interesting, When examining Volvex one occasionally finds a colowy Inside the sphere of Which a small rotifer is seen swimming. Ty other Velvaces may be see two or three eggs of this rotifer, Proales, sp. It was my gond fortune on two occasions to see this rotifer 4ttacking and making his entrance into the Volyox. Swimming up to the Volvex, the rotifer fastened ilself In some marnec that could not be clearly seen with the objective IT was. using. Then the rotifer began to spin round rapidly on its longer axis, its head being close in the Volvox, and in a very short time it had cut or torn a small hole in the Volvox, through which it ’ May, apal Microscopy and Aquatic Biology. 15 Ssqveezed itself, apparently with some difficulty. Once inside the colony it seemed quite contented, swimming freely in the cavity. When the eggs of this rotifer are observed inside Volvox it can be seen that development is proceeding, Ojten the young rotifer is scen moving in the egg, almost'on the point of hatching, —], SEARLE. - aS BOTANY NOTES. Pant SocicLocy.—Apart from that of Dr. Cockayne in Néw Zealand, very little systematic work has been done on this side of the world, and this by a few only, like Professor Osborn, of Adelaide, and Miss Collins and Mr. A. A. Hamilton, of Sydney, in the matter of the analysis and classification of our vegetation (gynecology or plant sociology), In the study of the relation between it and iis environment (habitat), and the estimation of the various factors constituting the habitat (autecology or plant ecology), almost’ nothing has yet been attempted, So far, the work done here has been toainly taxonomic and floristic, resulting im the more or less complete determination of the distribution and range of ‘some of our species. On the other side of the world, however, am ever- increasing attention is being devoled to these departments of the great subject of geobutany. Only comparatively recently has it been clearly recognized that vegetation is jaturally and inevitably subject’ to change—to phas¢s of progression or of degeneration—and that stability in it is arrived at only when it becomes in harmony with its sutroundings and continues, perhaps, for a very long time, but only as Jong as all the factors of the habitat remain unchanged, Plant communities then tend to be definite expressions in vegetation of existing con- ditions, and, when developed to the greatest possible degree, are termed climax. As Tansly expresses it, plant communities, like human communities, ‘are quasi-organisms governed by natural laws,” and, under the most favourable circumstances, may tise, as in the close exuberance of a tropical rain forest, to the very acme of all vegetation, or, under adverse conditions, decline to Uhe seeming nothingness of a desert. As an instance of the manner of investigating vegetation, the methods of Braun-Blanquet and Pavillard, two exponents of what Tansly, in the Jowrnal of Ecology of November, 1922, terms the new Ziirich-Montpellicr school, may be briefly referred to. Although there is still a great want of agreement in thc. terminology used by investigators and in the valucs given to the terms themselves, association seems now likely to be gener- ‘ally adopted as contioting a fundamental unit of vegetation, This association is a community of plants characterized ly the 16 Batany Notes: , - ven Mn presence of one or more dominant species which are generally peculiar to it, and which give it a definite and easily-recogniz- able physiognomy. Parts of an association dominated by one ov other of these are termed comsacialjons, and minor but still definite groups of planis characterized by species. other than the association dominants are termed soceeltes. After a complete list of the plants in any parlicular association is made, the workers above-mentioned ascertain, by counting in small areas or by estimation in large, the degrees of frequency, dominance, and distribution of each species, Then thee tendency to aggregate, or their soctabslity, their periodic changes giving rise to the different seasonal aspects or changes in the physiognomy of Lhe association, and their degrees of aggressyie- mess Of Otherwise are measured. Comparison of similar types of vegetation reveals the amount of constancy of the specics in these, and theiv exclusiveness, or the measure in which they are colifined to them. Life forms are recognized, and Rannkiaer's syste can be used for the ¢stablishment of biological spectra, as was done for the first time in regard to Australian vegetation in the very interesting paper, '' On the Ecology of the Ooldea District’ (Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A, vol. xlvi,, 1922), hy Mr. R. S. Adamson and Professor Osborn. A New Boranicat Worxk.—Admirers of Dr. Cockayne and of the fine work he has done in the plant ecology of New Zealand i] he mwuch relieved to Jearn that the manuseript of his hook, The Vegetation of New Zealand,’ which was sent to Germany for publication same time before the wat, has at last, in Is own words, “after more vicissitudes than any book has ever experienced, made its appearance about a year ago."’ The volume, which contains 335 pages of text and g5 fine illus- trations, mostly from the author’s own photographs, forms the 1qth section of ‘Dic Vegetation der Erde,” edited by Engler and Drace, The edition was quickly sold out, chiefly in Europe, and only 25 copies were available for New Zealand. Unfortunately, no copies appeat to have been obtainable here- According to a review in the New Zealand Journal of Scrence and Technology, the author, alter deschbing the physical features and climate of the islands, deals with the many plant associations of the sea coast, lowlands, high mountains, and the outlying islands in a most exhaustive manner, He then discusses the origin of the fiura, the geographical distribution of its members and their relation to the plants of other countries, and finally gives a brief account of its geological history. It is much to be regretted that we are, so far, unable ta make ourselves fully acquainted with what. is described as an "epoch-making work.” Che Victorian Naturalist. Vou. XL—No. 2. JUNE 7, 1923, No. 474. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. THE ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Soctety’s Hall on Monday evening, t4th May, 1923. The president, Mr, C. Daley, B.A., LS, occupied the-chair, and ahout fifty members and visitors were present ; - CORRESPONDENCE. ~ from Messrs. W. E. Briggs, R. H. Croll, and Dr. Heber Gteen, members of the Melbourne Amateur Walking Club, advocating the permanent reservation of an area i the parish. of Glenaladale, county of Tanjil {Gippsland}, adjacent to the Mitchell River, on account of the splendid specimens of various indigenous trees growing there, such a& Pittosporum, Manuka, Lilly-pilly, Myrsine, and Currajong, many of these being of exceptional dimensions, both in height, diameter of stem, and spread of branches, Twenty-seven species of birds were noted about the creeks intersecting the area, including the Lyre-bird, Wonga Pigeon, Bower-bird, and Black Cockatoo,* After some discussion, in which several members took part, the letter was referred to (he committee to lake such action as was deemed necessary. ; From Mr. A, Latham, secretayy of the Victerian Society lov the Protection of Animals, with reference to the export of live birds, and enclosing a copy of a letter received from the Comptroller of Customs on the same subject, The Comptroller said that “no promise had been given ta the effect that any birds. ordered prior to the issue of the recent proclamation will he allowed to be exparted-* In a following paragraph he said : —'The position is that, when an application is made to export birds, it will be approved in instances where it can be shown that the’ birds had actually been obtained by the exporter in ful- filment of an order received before the proclamation was issucd.” Considerable discussion ensued, in which Messrs. A. E. Keep, J. A. Kershaw, C. Oke, and C. L. Barrett took part, Mr, Latham said that the official attitude scemed to be to let the export of birds go on, He said that he had been to the ships to see how the business is conducted, and found that the birds were Sent away In ordinary packing cases, of which one side had been replaced by wire netting, Such cages were fotind {0 cortain ten‘to twelve Cockatoos or thirty to forty medium- sized Parrots: He moved that a letter be sent to the Comp- troller asking that a date he fixed on which export shall cease, * For ap interesting description of the ‘Encharited Gorge “’ See the Avens (page SJaf and June—Ep. Viel. Nat. 18 : Field Natuvalists' Crub—Proceedings. (yi Rit giving time for the dealers to dispose of thew stocks, and also askmg what societies or bodies would be represented an the proposed advisory committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. A. E. Keep, and carried. i REPORTS. . . A report of the excursion to Werribee Gorge on Monday, 24rd April (Eight Hours Day), was given by the leader, Mr. A. L. Scott, who reported a large attendance of members and an {deal day for the excursion. Owing to the continuous dry weather’ of the past three months the country was looking its worst, but, as compensation, the river was at its lowest, and thus excursionists were able to cross at places where at other times this was impossible. The geology of the Gorge was explained at several places, and the rugged scenery much admired by the visitors. A report of the excursion to Healesville on Saturday, 23th April, was given by the leader, Mrs. E. Coleman, who said ihat there had been a good attendance of members and friends, who, however, had been disappointed in the objects of their search—orchids—for, the autumnal rains having failed to - appear, the country was s0 dry that, with one exception, there were no signs of the plants they had gone'so far to seek. The exception was the Autunin Orchid, Zrrochilus dutyiinalis, of which a few flowers were found. A pair of leaves of Chilo- glottts diphylla was the only other sign of orchids in a locality which is usually considered 4 good one for these plants. Under these circumstances it was decided to pay a visit ta the new Maroondah dam in course of construction in connection with the water supply for Melbourne. Lunch was taken near the *‘Echo*' tunnel, and in its neighbourhood a number of inter- ésting birds, such as Blue Wrens, Fire-tailed Finches, Flaime- breasted Robins, were noted. Later, Donnelly’s Weir was visited, and its pretty surroundings of fems and scrub much admired. GENERAL BUSINESS, - Messrs. A. G. Hooke and P. Keep were duly elected to andit ihe Club atcounts for 1922-23, Nominations of office-bearers for 1923-24 were then made. Mr. E. Cox referred to the absence of a safe crossing-place at the eastern end of the Werribee Gorge, and moved that a letter be written to the Tourist Committee, pointing out the necessity’ for some inprovement in the present conditions. This was seconded by Mr. A. E. Keep, and carried unanimonsly, . PAPERS READ. - r. By Mr. Reginald Kelly, entitled “ Thrips; an Unpopwlar Tnsect, treated Popularly,” . la isla Nahuvalists' Club—Proczedings. 19 The author gave some account of the life-history of the family and the results of his observations in Victoria, together with a list of the Australian species recorded ta date. A number af species were exhibited as microscopic objects in illustration of the paper,. Remarks on the paper were mace by Messrs. Pescott, Davey, and Oke. : 2. By Mr, C, Hedley (communicated by Mr. C, Oke), en- titled ''On a Thalassoid Element in the Australian Molluscan Fauna." The author called attention te the fact that the genus Coxiella, represented by a small shell found both in fresh and saline inland waters, and originally recorded froma salt lake near Mount Arapiles, Natimuk district, Victoria, is almost identical with the marine genus Truncatella, thus indicating a true thalassoid fauna, The shell m question, Coxiella stvialyla, has had so many changes of its name that he included a list of synonyms, with authorities, and urged further study of this interesting feature. Messrs, Barrett, Oke, and Barnard referred to the presence of this shell near Melbourne, Mr. Oke stating that he had noted it at Elwood, while Mr. Barnard said that it is to be found on the shores of small lagoons near the Skeleton Creek at Laverton. NATURAL. HISTORY NOTE. Mr. H. W. Davey, F.E.5,, read some notes toncerming a pair - of Western Australian lizards, Moloch horvidns, Gray, which he had im captivity for about six months. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard.—Dried flowers of Grauillea victoria, gathered near the Leviathan Rock, Buffalo Ranges, r4th April, 1923. By r. C. Barrett, C.M,Z.5.—Stone axe (broken), found on sand-dune at Middle Brighton, Victoria. By Miss R. Currie—Foliage, flowers (unexpanded), and expanded ‘' balls’’ of the cotton plant, grown at Lake Boga, Victoria, 1923. By Mr. H. W. Davey, F.E.8.—Photo. of male and female Motoch horrdys, from Western Australia, and a stuffed speci- men of the ‘' Horned Toad” of California. By Mr. C. OkeomSpint. specinien of the Western Australian “Devil,” Moloch horridus. By Mr. R. Kelly.—Ninetcen species of thrips as microscopic objects, in illustration of paper, by Mr, A, E, Rodda.—Head of fresh-water Cat-fish, Tav- days tandanus, and preparation of shoulder girdle bones of 20 Field Natuvalists' Chib—Pioceedings, — [Vist Nav same, Showing method of locking fine spines in the pnsitinn of defence. By Mr. J. Seatle—/dolothyips spectiww a glank member of the tlirips family. By Mr, A. E. Seatt—Pebbles from Qamaru, New Zealand, typical of the pebbles and gravel that form the Canterbury Plains in every respect except in size; tubes of sand from streams near Mount Cook Hermitage. By Mr. L. Thorn.—A case of Orthopterous insects, including four species of leaf and stick insects, Phasmide—twa from Victoria and two from Queensland ; four species of shart-horned grasshoppers, Acridiid ; three species of long-horned grass- hoppers, Locustide, including a fine specimen from Mount Bagong, ealleeted by Mr. A. J. Tadgell. After the uswal conversazione the mecting terminated. AgticLes hy members have recently appeared in The Ev hy Dr. MacGillivray entitled “ Interesting Conduct of the Southern Stone-Plover, Burhinys mapgnirosives,'” and in the Australian Musenm Magazine by Mr. ©. L. Barrett, C.MLZ.5., entitled “Some Birds cf Prey.” FORESTS AND WATER CONSERVATION. —A forcible article dealing with the question of re-afforestation, fram the pen of My, E. G, Ritchie, Engineer of Water Supply, Melbourne and Metro- politan ‘Board of Works, appears in the-Gyi Tres for March, 1923. Many will be surprised to learn that he considers the common bracken the preatest obstacle to re-afforestation that exists. Its vigorous rooting system overpowers the young seedling eucalypts, while its thick growth assists and helps forest fires. It is practically valueless, and,-usually owing to fallen timber and stones, is quite unable to be cut by any machine in a practical way, He js strongly opposed to the remoyal of big timber from any land required for water supply purposes, because when such timber is removed its place is rapidly taken by bracken, which cannot be controlled in any way, and soon forms an impenetrable tangle. The Mountain Ash, Eucalyptus yegnans, is particularly liable to destruction by fire in its sapling state, and requires all the protection that can he given to it. Mr. Ritchie’s article should be placed in the hands of every person in authority concerned in water conservation, to be read and re-read and acted upon st every opportunity. The present drought is forcing the question of water supply hoine in may areas ; let us theretore beware of handing over the elevated portions af our State to the grazier or the saw- miller, . ; : ures | Goupre, Coleoptera of Novth-Westeyn Vistoria, zt NOTES ON THE COLEOPTERA OF NORTH-WESTERN - VICTORIA. Part IX. By J. C. Goupiz. (Read before the Field Natuvalisis’ Club of Victoria, 12th Mavch, 1923.) WHEN dealing with the Scarabeide in these notes (Wict, Nat, Dec., 1919, p. 19), the genus Heteronyx was purposely omitted - pending the completion of a revision of the genus by Mr. A, M. Lea, F.E.S., entomologist of the South Australian Museum. By the courtesy of Mr. Lea Iam now enabled to record all the species collected by me in the Mallee districts, as follows — Heteronyx auricomus, Blackh. “A delniis, Black. H. dimidiatus, Er. . UnSIgMMS, Black, . jejunus, Blackb. . selifer, Blackb. . testacens, Blackb. . xanthotvichus, Black. The aboye are small, hairy, red or brown beetles which feed on eucalypt leaves, and are often seen flying about the trée-tops in numbers on summer evenings. During the day many of them may be found buried in the loose soil round the butts of trees. Wy Ra ey SG NG BLATERIDA. The beetles belonging to this family are a remarkably homo- geneous eroup, not only from their uniformity in general appearance. and sculpture, being narrow and “elongate, but patticularly from the presence of an ingenious spine and sheath process om the under side, which enables them to bounce upwards from any hard surface, and thus, no doubt, often escape from their enemies. Generally speaking, they are moderate-sized, dull-coloured beetles, nocturnal in habits, hiding by day under the bark of trees or under logs, stones, &c. On summer evenings they often fly indoors to the light, and bounce about on the table with a clicking noise. Since Candeze wrote his monograph on the family but little of a systematic nature has been published, so that probably many new species await description. 3072. Lacon guttatws, Cand. 3073. L, hunitis, Er. 3077. L, lativelles, Cand. 3098. L, variabitis, Cand. The species of Lacon are very common and widely distributed, 22 Gounir, Coleoplera of North-Western ' Victoria. ye sat being found in large numbers under stones or logs on the * headlands” of cultivation paddocks. They are of obscure colours, and rather flattened in form. 3114. Telvalobus australasie, Gory. 3118. T, fortnwini, Hope. T. fortnums is a fine species, measuring Ti inches; it is dark brown or black. The males have the antenna strongly pectinate. T, austvalasie is a similar but smaller beetle, and is more often met with. i 3136. Monoctrepidius ausivalasig, Boisd. 3144. Af. castanerpennis, Macl. 3145. M. cerdo, Er, M. commodus, Blackh. 3152. M, fabrilis, Er. 3160. M, macer, Cand. 3168. M. plagiata, Cand. 3177. M. senrculus, Cand. The species of Monocrepidius are the slender brown or reddish ' Clicks ’* which fly indoors to the light in thundery weather. Sixty-seven species are recorded by Masters. « Cardiophorus dursus, Cand, 3219. C. fulvosignatus, Cand. 3224, C. venusius, Cand. These are small beetles found under bark. C. dursus is shining black, with the basal half (nearly) of the elytra red, C. venustus has the prothorax, pale red, the elytra dark, with two yellow spats on each. 3250. Crepidomenus aencus, Cand. 3251. C. australis, Boisd. C. eneus is a slender, nearly black beetle, with a metallic gloss ; it is three-quarters of an inch long. C. australis is smaller, also with a slight metallic sheen, which is rather an unusual feature in this family. ASoius australis, Cand. A small, dark brown species, with yellowish markings near the apex of elytra. 3281. Anilicus senuflavys, Germ, A faitly common insect. It is black, with about two-thirds of the basal area of elytra red or yellow, and measures three- eighths of an inch. RHIPIDOCERIDA, 3315. Rhipidocera mystacina, Fab. A. rather handsome species about three- -quarters of an inch fut] _ Gouprt, Coleoptera of Novth-Waeslorn Victoria 33 long. It is black, thickly spotted with white. The males have beautiful pectinated antenne. It is often seen lymg overt new clearings or resting on fences. 33245. Psacus atlagenvides, Pasc- At. first sight this might easily be mistaken for one of the Dermestid, or *' skin-weevyils.” It is a quarter of an inch in length, dark brown, mottled with spots and patches of whitish pubescence. Specimens were taken at Sea Lake in fiood waters. i ; DASCILLIDA. Helodcs tictoria, Blackh. This is an uncommon, beetle. It is about the size and shape ef Psacus, but is shining brown, with short yellow pubescence on the elytra, Taken on Golden Wattle, which grows freely in the Sea Lake district. MALACODERMID&, The members of this family are known as “ soft-skinned beetles ''"—that is, theelytra and other parts have not that horny or leathery texture common to most beetles, but are soft and fragile, In his comprehensive and valuable treatise * on this group Mr. A. M. Lea remarks :—" The species almost entirely live on flowers or on leaves, and feed on nectar or on other insects; the larve of Lut few species are known, but those of the Lycides live in rotting wood or underground.” c Metriovehvnchus occidentalis, Blackb. 3350. M. rhipidins, W. 5S. Macleay. These beetles have the head, legs; and the small, strongly-. ridged prothorax black, the deeply-furrowed, soft elytra red or yellow. MM. occidentalis has a narrow black marking on the suture, not reaching base or apex of elytta. Both species (and several others of the genus) have a well-developed rostrum. The first-enamed measures one-half, and the latter five-eighths of an inch. 3383. Telephorus nobilitatus, Iv. | A pretty blue and yellow species, under half an inch long; rather rare locally, but common nearec. the coast, Laius armicollis, Lea, Trans. Ent. Soc. London, rgog, p. rox, fig. 4, 3395. L. bellulus, Gner. : 3309. L. cinclns, Redt.= Maslerst, Macl. = femoralis, Blackb. * Truns. Ent. Sov. London, June, 909. ' Viel. Nat.” 24 - Gounie, Coleoptera of North: Wostern Victovia, Vol. Xb. L. distortus, Blackb., Tr, Roy. Soc. S.A,, 1886, ». 26,4, L, flawopictus, Lea (?), loc. cat., p. 166, L. myritorit Lea, Tr. Roy, Soc. S.A,, xl, 2927, p. 130, G3. I, nodicornts, Blackb., loc. ett, p. 204. I. sculpius, Lea, Tr. Ent. Soc. London, p. 162. L, villosus, Lea, P. L. S. N.S.W., 1898, p. 906. The species of Laius, though small, are very attractive in appearance. They are of bright colours, usually red, with metallic blue, purple, or green bands on the elytra, They are numerous and widely distributed, being recorded from all the States, In the males the third joint of the antenme is usually greatly enlarged, forming a distinct knob near the head in these otherwise filiform appendages. This character is of great importance in the identification of species, as in scientific, descriptions of insects the male is always, when possible, taken as the type. L. armicollis is a rare species, distinguished from all others by a horn-like projection on the front maigm of prothorax. J. mvocervs is likewise unique in the genus in having the antenne strongly pectinate or comb-hke. So far it has ouly been taken at Sea Lake. ‘ 3420. Carphuvas corvicilis, Germ, This beetle resembles some of the Staphylinida, the elytra being very short, about half the length of the abdomen, It also has the elongate, narrow form of those insects, 1t measures three-cighths of an inch, and is gevierally reddish, with green or blue elytra. Helcogaster oxyleloides, Lea, Tr. Roy. Soc. S.A., xiv, IQ2I, p, 122, A small, shining black beetle, with yellow prothorax, Dasytes fuserbonnts, Hope, Tr. Ent. Soc. Lone., 1845, pr TO4. A widely-distributed species, It is dark brown, rather flat, and parallel-sided, clothed with long dark hair, and is about a quarter of an inch long. In his re-description of this insect Mr. Lea remarks :— On the prosternum, between each cox and the apical angle, is a large fovea, at the bottom of which is a ronghly circular, flat space (this tnay be an enonnously developed spiracic), There is nothing exactly like it on any other beetle known lo me." D. australe, Lea, var., Tr. Ent. Soc: Lond., 190g, p. 245. This is a minute species, bronzy-black, and clothed with white pubescence, It sometimes occurs in thousands on wattle blossoms, Joe, Scorr, Notes of .a Naturalist in New Zealand. 25 NOTES OF A NATURALIST IN NEW ZEALAND, By A, L, Scort, (ead before the Field Naturalists’ Ciub of Victoria, r2th Feb., 1923.) Ir as hardly nght that a member of this Club shonld wisit New Zealand without trying in some way lo pass on to jis fellow- members some of the pleasure and profit of the trip. As my leaning is principally towards geology, you must pardon, me if my remarks deal mainly with that branch of natural science. I fave about fifty slides, which 1 hope will interest you, and possibly in some ways they will speak more eloquently than I can. My trip lasted two months, duting which time I was able to visit some of the most famous places of both the North and South Islands. Of the sea trip to Wellington there is little to relate except that it was very smooth until we reached Cook Strait, where, as the slide shows, we took some water on board. Landing at Wellington (North Island) on the 6th Marcy tg22, L left twelve hours later hy the fine ferry steamer Wahine for Lyttclton, the chief port of Canterbury (South Island), and thence proceeded jo Christchutch and “Tintara. This fast vessel, though a ‘ferry,’ is larger than many ocvan-going liners. She hus a yood turn of speed and a fine record of war service as despatch vessel and mine-layer, as set out on a shicld in ® companion-way- Having set myself tq cover the main portion of two islands in so lumited a time, my unpressions are necessarily based an limited experience, and cannot do full justice to the places visited. Christchurch, however, appealed to me most of all the cities I saw. Wellington, Auckland, and Dunedin are all fine places, each with its own attractions (L did not see Napier); but the fine streets, parks, and buildings of Christchurch, its water supply, its level site and extensive plain with mountains close at hand, and particularly the fine weather I experienced, have all combined to plact Christchurch in’a setting of its own among my recollections. From Christchurch rail was taken to Timaru, where uw stay overnight was made, and thence inland by motor to Mount Cook--a trip of 130 miles, lusting from 8 am, to something after afternoon tea time. Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, is 12,350 feet high, and words and pictures both alike fail to adequately convey the romance, the fascination, and the wonderful grandeur of the seenes in the neighbeurhood. Fortwo weeks I stayed at the Hermitage (really a fashionable, if isolated, lintel), and IT could williwgly have spent my whole time there. In. a talk of Such a place an andience looks for something at least a little sensational. With the help of the gnides visiters can oblain, just as much, or as little, of sensational adventure 26 Scorr, Noles of « Natuvalist in New Zealand. [Yt Sa*- as is good for them, My own most. thrilling episodes are not illustrated. Obvionsly, a decidedly nervous tourist, standing at 5.30 a.m, on the Great Tasman Glaciey in tce-steps cut on a ridge between two crevasses, is not going to take a time photo. of {he situation. Such a suggestion might even have caused the guide to develop a gift of speech lke lis axe—sparky and cutting. This glacier is suid to be the biggest thing of its kind south of the line outside the Antarctic. The trips to it, graded carefully to mect the ability of the tourist, are deservedly '‘star’’ features among the many attractions af the Hermitage. The vast quantity of moraine, shown repeatedly in the slides, and the scarcity of striated pebbles, were striking to ont whose sole previous experience of glacial action lad been derived from an all toa slender study of the Bacchus Mat'sh deposits, where striated pebbles are so much in evidence. Very striking also to the visitor are the broad valleys between the towering mountain ranges: the swift-flowing, anastomosing Streams ; the size and number of the boulders moved, and the rapidity with which they are worn down, as judged by the distance carried from the place of origin, The rapidity of wear, howevet, may be more apparent than teal, as'a very slight change in the gradient of a stream has a great eficct on the size of the #ébris forming its burden. It is of these and the West Coast streams thet the saying goes that they are too kind te drown a man—they knock his brains out on a stone first, Heights, distances, and levels are very deceptive, There no horizon to give one a line of reference. The valleys are broad, and appear so level that it takes a Ij(tle time to get accustomed to finding such swift streams in them. Likewise with heights and distances. The air is clear, and there is no standard of reference. From the Hermitage lawn one sees, about three miles away, Kea Point, which overlooks the Mueller Glacier. The return trip makes a pleasant morning's outing, but the usual estimate of the distance by visitors 1s half a mile, and some won't believe otherwise until they have gone half-way there. . - As some people have an idea that every able-bodied, intelligent visitor to New Zealand cliinhs Mount Cook, I would emphasize that. visitors to the Hermitage Jall into two classes— toulists and high-climbers ‘he latter, like musicians, must be first born and afterwards made; and tot every high-climber Succeeds in Inaking the ascent, It was tewards evening on my first day at the Heroutage that 1 met the impressed tourist. He had, he stated, just returned from “the gates of hell.’” This was not the name of a topographical location, but a meta- phorical description of part of the trip that he had just com- Ju] Scorn, Notes of « Naturalist in New Zeatanut. 27 “pleted. " Only rocks and ice’ someone may say, but 1 doubt if anyone, “unless perhaps a native born and bred among them, can ever get really accustomed to the tivers of ice, the crevasses, and the towering snoW-clad qotuntains, welt their precipices, ridges, snow-fields, and gravel shdes. To a new- comer, lawnched suddenly, unprepared, into the very midst of them, the efleeL must he little less than terrific. ft was my good fortune to make the Malte Bran Hut trip up the Great Tasman Glacier and to encounter a variety of conditions in the course thereof. I must explain the huts. These are the ebjectives of the tourists, the jumping-off plaves of the ligh-climbers. ‘They are huilt in variaus places, some on easy tracks, the majority high on mountain sides. They consist, so far as 1 saw them, of two rooms opening inle each ether. and each opening directly to the outer world. Both are fitted with bunks, The smaller, in addition, being the ladies’ roam, has the washsland, The larger has the kerosene stove, the bookshelves, the mouse-proof lockers filled with lblankets and food, the table, aad all other Juxuries, This is the living roont and inen’s quatters. Gther necessary provision is made. At the Ball Hut, for instance, is accommodation for horses. This hut is in the Great. Tasman Valley, in a valley between the Wakefield spur and the lateral moraine of the glacier. To reach it is a pleasant thirleen-nulc walk over giavelled valley and mountain-side tracks. This constitutes thr first stage of the outward trip, and may be ridden if desired. At the tut We saw, as expected, one seagull and a solitary Paradise Duck, whose mourntul call sounded the reverse of joyfal, Next day we procceded a little further up this minor valley, over a couple of ridges of very tough moraine, and on (o the ide of the glacier itself, That ice was not smovth, Imagine the sea on an average day. It is all waves and troughs. Freexe it suddenly, and you have seme idea of the Great Tasman Glacier as { fonnd it. There were flat areas in it, but the greater part of ouy journey up wis amony these frozen ridges —sometimes In their valleys, sometimes transversely. As the Malte Brin Hut is 2,500 fect higher than the Ball Hut, and ice, like water, only cuins downhill, it will be understood that the ten-ttile walk from hut to hut entails some work, Add to this the constant climbing of smalk ridges, too high to take comfortably in one step, only to have to descend them in the next step, and the constaut watehfulness required io avoid slipping, and to escape stepping mto the streains that so often, though not always, run aloug the troughs, The surface of the ice was Iiuch honeyeombed. In the bottom of cach cell lay a grain of dirt. Occasionally a lacger hole would be seen; in it would Jie a pebble. The dark rock 28 Scott, Noles of a Naturatist in Now Zealand. figs ae absorbing the heat was thus gradually melting its way down ; but where the dirt lies thick there is no melting, but a hill of ice beneath the rock which has acted as 4 shield against the sun. For, as the surface of a glacier is hot smooth, neither is it, in general, clean, but covered with dirt and débris. Some- times i great islands, sometimes in Tong strips, and sometimes the troughs between the waves were almost like garden walks, strewn with fine grit. On these the going was as good as on a footpath, The honeycombed ice was little worse. Occasion- ally slippery patches were met with; but at all times a look-out had to be kept for runaway holes, usually only an inch or so in diameter, but occasionally wide enough to take a man down into (he cold depths. The water lying or flowing in the- valleys was usually frozen over, and one quickly learned to tell instantly whether the surface would bear, Preak, or required testing. The weather was so threatening that on one occasion we decided to change the programme for an easier trip; but a little later, forLunately, we again altered ou minds and resumed the original programme. Arrived at the edge of the glacier at the foot of a steep bit that takes one up to the track to the Malte Brun Hut, a little Blondin work had to be done. to get past the crevasses. There was only a little, and that little | did not relish. Arrived at the hut, we refreshed ourselves, and admired the view while enjoying a well-earned rest. At sundown Hie weather broke, We turned in early and listened Lo the thunder and the wind. The lightning was distant, but the thunder thundered none the less; and ation, as a giant roll seemed to challenge all the world to a rowring match, the wind would come with a whvop that would completely drown the thunder, while the hut seemed to strain against its moorings. And so it went on all through the Saturday night. Said an old hand Jater, ‘“ Yes, it can blow some at Maite Brun.” And indeed that remark seems to apply to the whole yalley and some, at least, of the tributary valleys. A curious thing about the gusts, more noticeable at might, was that just hefore the loudest came there would often be a lull, then a shght noise that could almost be described as a ‘'elick,” then presto! whoept down came the gust, With the morning the weather moderated, but, as the wind still came up in sharp squalls, it was not possible to start homeward that day. From time to time one would look out at ‘the door and say, “It looks like clearing,” then hastily bang the door ie keep aul the driving rain. After much consultation of the barometer a start was made at Ave on Monday morning. The rain had polished the ice, the storm had snade i inove, the crevasses had opened out. For the first part of our relorn journey it was oly possible for the tourist to keep his leet in . Shas Scott, Noles of a Naluvatist i New Zealand, 2 the troughs, where there was nowhere to slip to, or in hollows on the broader vidges in whieh powdered snow lay, The crevasses had greatly extended—sometimes on one side, some- times on both sides; they sloped away like great conchoidal fractures into the icy green depths. L did not ever see down any very great depth ; the things just steeply sloped and curved away vut of sight undet overhanging Ice. After studying them for a little, as occasion offered, 1 came to the decision to give undivided attention to the steps that the guide had to cut on the glassy ridges. A crevasse on one side is not so bad—you always have a chance, if an accident should happen, to fall te the olher side ; but a crevasse on each side is '' over the gute," as the saying goes. Keeping my cye very strictly on the business in hand, it presently came as a pleasant shock fo And that the last crevasses had petered out, and that we were among the old familiar ‘* frozen waves’’—ne longer with the honey- combed suface of Saturday, biet slippery as glass, sa that, watching every step, we kept as much as possible to the long valleys. Changing to another valley meant step-cutting or else a bodily rolling over the polished ridge To finish briefly, thanks to the altered conditions, our return journey to the Ball Hut (ten miles) took eight strenuous hours—thrice as long as would have been ordinarily expected; but the guide, in spite of loaded rucksac and other responsibilities, turned never a hair. After lunch and a test at the Ball ui we did the vemaining thirteen miles to the Hermitage comfortably in under four hours, I would not have missed that trip for a lot; but that Monday night, and for a little after, I did not want any more glaciers at presenf, thank you, Another interesting trip made a few days later was that up the Mueller glacier to the Mueller Hut vie the Green Rock. T have not, however, any slides relating to it. We returned over the rjdge of the mountains. Leaving the hut, we climbed up the mountain side inte a snow storm, over the ridge, and then, after a short clear space, descended into a rain storm, and atrived home thoroughly drenched. You take the weatner as you find it over there, and healthy people observing ordinary precautions are apparently none the worse for it— rather the contrary, for the tradition is thal almost everyone dies of old aye, Here are some slides Wustrative of the country round Queens- town and Glenorchy, both on Lake Wakalipu. The Seoit Memorial in Queenstown Park is most appropriate, A great boulder, borne from alar by long dead glaciers, now rests neal the strange lake. On one side tablets have been fixed beating record to the high achievement and cheerful suffering displayed in the carrying out of a noble adventure. Though not included qa Scott, Notes of a Natuvalist in Now Zoaland. big ost in the itinerary, T alsa show somic slides of Milfurd Sound to round off the subject, From Queenstown to Dunedin, city of Scolehmen, thence to Oamaru, noted for stone and the streets named after English yivers—Eden; Thames, Severn, and so on. Like so many of the New Zealand towns, Oamaru is a city of fine chucches, usually well filled on Sundays, Idyllic green hills surround it. The cailway line runs along the seashore, so that in heavy weather the spray must surely dash against the passing trains. Thence 40 Christchurch once more and across the island to Greymouth tra Olita Gorge, The railway through was soon to be finished, but then (and perhaps still) a portion of the journey must be made by coach, It is to be hoped that, for the sake of the tourist, the railway time-tahles will be so altanged that those desiring it may always be able to take the coach through the famous Gorge. Of Greymouth I have at present no slides ayailable, though there are some striking photos. on the table, Like the rest uf ihe fair West Coast, It is a place of heavy rainfall. There also is a notorious bar, reputed to be the worst in the South {sland and the second worst in the Dominion, The swift river meets the rollers of the ocean, and their mutual strife raises an ever-slifting bar. A northward current hurries along the coast. The vessel-that gets out of hand while going threugh the narrow entrance is alnost certainly doomed. Usually she piles up on the north mole, where some ot the plates of the last victim, the Perit, were still visible at ihe time af my visit. Thence J went by train and motor to Westport through the famous Buller Gorge, of which, and the current-driven ferry across that river, Ll have here some views: Thence by motor to Nelson thicugh picturesque country af whieh I have no slides. Crossing Cook Strait by a small ferry to Wellington, I went next to the Thames, an important siining and farming locality, famous in bygone times fer tts stupendous gold production—noted also for the apparent unifounity, to the eye, of its rocks, which, under the microscope, show very ¢reat diversity.