THE
VICTORIAN NATURALIST
THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE
OF THE
Field Maturalists’ Club of Wictoria
VOL. XLI
MAY, 1924, TO APRIL, 1925
Stee tp os 1
Won. Cditor: MR. F. G. A. BARNARD
—
a
The Author of cach Article is responsible for the facts and
opinions recorded
MELBOURNE:
RAMSAY PUBLISHING PTY. LTD., 203-5-7 KING STREET
1925
INDEX
vii
ILLUSTRATIONS:
A Mixed Community .. 2. 0. 0, 2, ce ce ce ae ia
Brachycome alpint .. 0. 6. ce cc ce ee 31
Caper Tree 2. 2. ue ee ki oe Ge ee Gene pe ee 4, ©6180
Cushion-bush 22 2. 0. 0. ee ee ee ee ee ee ee 108
Barling Tote ac hatin ele! ase Sear Silat coed ee Se Melee ete oe ee “T80
Mistletoe-blue Butterfly .. .. .. .. 6... ee we e. © 80
Moonlight-blue Butterfly .. 2. 2. 1. 1. ee ue ee 50
Obdiide” se. ey eset pe De ge te ee Be ge ge we BBE
Protozoa .. .. tae re cash ecae Ast “geen ae) 4OR
South-West Queensland, Sketch Map of .. .. .. .. 103°
Vellow-tails .. 6. 2. ce ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee oe = 108
ERRATA:
Page 6—Errata in Nuturalist,, April, 1924.
Page 24—Errata in Nauturulist, May, 1925, page 2.
Page 96—Errata in Bogong Plants, pages 53-74.
Page 99—Erration in August Nuturalist, page 90.
Page 147, line 21—For ‘“Guaphalium"” read “Gnaphalium.”
Page 168, line 20—For “Silcified Lignita’ read ‘‘Silicified
Lignite.”
Page 204, line 1i1—For “Senecio odoratus” read: “Veronicu
notabilis.”
Page 204, line 15—For “Orchid” read “Orchard.”
Page 209, line 12 from bottom — For “luxurious” read
“luxuriant.”
Page 232—Errata in Noojee Plants, pages 170-183.
Che Victorian Naturalist.
Vou. KLE—No. 1. MAY 8, 1924. No. 435.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA,
THE ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the
Royal Society's Hall on Monday, rgth April, igzq. 0 +
The president, Mr. C. Daley, B.A., F.L.S., occupied the chair,
and about fifty members and visitors were present. '
. REPORTS.
A report of the excursion to Sherbrooke, on Saturday, 15th
March, was given by the leader, Mr. I. Pitcher, who reported
a good attendance of members. The object of the excurston
“was ferns, and of these-twenty-six species were noted during
the: day. Some gullies, not often visited, around the head
waters of the Monbulk Creek, proving a delighful area for
investigation. y
On the motion of Messrs, F. Pitcher and C. Daley, it was
decided that a letter of thanks be sent to Miss Billing, of
Sherbrooke, for her hospitality to the members of the excursion
party.
A teport of the excursion to the Botanical Gardens on
Saturday, 2gth March, was given by the leader. Mr. P. R. H.
St. John, who said that, notwithstanding a showery afternoon,
there was a good attendance of members who enjoyed the
uting. The conservatory, propagating sheds, &c., were
visited, and many interesting novelties brought under the
notice of the visitors.
A report of the excursion to Bayswater on Saturday, 5th
Apnil, was given by the leader, Mr. C, Oke, who said the excursion
had hean well attended, and as the day was all that could be
wished it had been much enjoyed. Insects were the objects of
search, but, excepting ants,- were, not numerous. Numbers of
the crater-like openings to the nests of the Brown Ant, A phana-.
faster longiceps, were observed, and their mode of construction
investigated. A specimen of: the Black-mottled Lacewing,
Porismus sirigatus, Bohem, proved a great attraction to Several
of the excursionists who were unacquainted with it.
ELECTION OF MEMBERS,
On a ballot being taken, Miss Dorothy Round, 9. Warburton-
road, Camberwell: Miss Sharman, r Sir William-street, Kew ;
and Mr. J. Dayidson, 3 Leslie-street, Richmond, were duly
elected members of the Club,
GENERAL BUSINESS.
The president, on behalf of the Club, offered congratulation:
2 Field Natuvalists' Club—Proceedisgs. wa
to several members who had secured University honours at the
recent examinations—viz., Miss R. Chisholm as B.A. ; Mr. P. C.
Morrison as BSc.: and Mr. C, D. Gillies, M-Sc., as B.S., also to
the daughter of a member, Miss D, Coleman, who 1s an enthusi-
astic worker at the wild-flower exhibitions, as B.A.
Mr, E, E. Pescott, F.LS., referred to the recent retirement
from the Education Department of the Club's president, Mr, C,
Daley, B.A., F.L.S., and wished him many years of life to enjoy
his well-earned rest. He was supported in his remarks by
Messrs. Barnard, Williamson, and Hardy.
Mr. Daley briefly responded.
Mr. W, J. Stephen called attention to the proposal to form
golf links in Riversdale Park, and urged that the Club. take |
steps to prevent the removal of trees from the eastern portion
of the park, which was a beautifully wooded area, such areas
adjacent to Melbourne being now very scarce, He moved that
a letter be written to the Tramway Board to that effect. This
was seconded by Mr, E. E- Pescott, and caericd unanimously,
Some discussion took place regarding the proposed American
Museum expedition to Anstralia for collectmg ethnological
Specimens, and on the motion of Messrs. Pescott and Barnard
it was decided to communicate with the Minister of Customs,
and urge that the collection be made only under stringent
conditions, and that the export of any specimens be prohibited.
NOTES ON EXHEBITS.
Mr. F_ Pitcher drew attention ta his exhibit of ferns (rom the
Strathbogie Ranges, and remarked on the-interesting nature of
the vegetation of the district.
Mr. L, Thorn drew attention to his exhibit of the various
Stages in the lile history of one of the lycemid butterflies.
Mr. E, E. Pescott drew attention to a series af hend-coloured
photographs of Australian birds and flowers exhibited by Mrs.
E, Coleman, the work of Miss Llewellyn, of Ballarat.
MICROSCOPICAL DISPLAY.
Tn place of the reading of papers, the evening was devoted to
a display of microscopic objects by members, about twenty
microscopes being in use.
The following are some of the principal objects shown —
By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S.—Section of Devonian Chert,
from Rhymil, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, containing the oldest
known structure in any fossil plant, Rhzwia gwynne-Vaughant 7
type slides of interesting and rare foranimifera, from Nare’s
Harbour, Admiralty Island, Cocos-Keeling Island, Great Barrier
Island, New Zealand, Coldaren, Farol Channel.
pn ba Field Natuvatists' Club—Pvoceedings. 3
By Mr. V. Gray.—-Rotifer colony, Lacinularia natans.
By Miss O, Hardy.—Entomological slides, including stomata
of larva of Gum Emperor Moth, showing valve-like structure 5
pollen basket of bee, ke.
By Mr. A. D, Hardy. —Botanical sections, including sections
of wood of Blue Gum, Eucalyptus globuins, and Murray Pine,
Callitvis verrucosa; pollen grain of various trees, &c., showing
different forms,
By Mr. C. Lambert,—Botanical sections,
By Mr, C, Oke.—Proventriculus of Apple-borer Beetle,
Leptops hopet.
By Mr, J. Searle.—Tubercle bacilli; Larva of Smafl Caddis-
fly ; Simulinum fatya (larva of a small black fly very trouble-
some to cattle),
By Mr. A-L, Seott,—Sections of basalt under ordinary and
polarised light. \
By Mr. J. Shephard.—Larval Branchipods, Branchipus (adult),
Eulimnidia (adult), Lepidurus {adult),
By Mr. J. Strickland-—Anthrax bacillus.
By Mr. J. Wilcox.—Rotifer, Melicerta rangens.
EXHIBIT.
By Mr, F. Pitchers—Austral Filmy Fern, AHyimenopiyllen
austvale, collected on Sherbrooke excursion, 14th March, 1924;
stem of Common Bracken Fern, 7 feet 3 inches long, from
Lima East, Strathbogie Ranges; also dried specimen of Sickle
Fern, Pell@a falcata, Blanket Fern, Pleurosorus (Gramnitis)
yulefolius, and Rock Fern, Chetlanthes tenuifolia, fronds over
eighteen inches long; juvenile and adult foliage of Blue Gum,
Eucalyptus globulws (adult leaves over twenty inches long),
from Sugarloaf Creek, Strathbogic.
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated,
“Tue AustratiAn Forestry JouRNAL.”—In the January
number of this journal a writer points out that it is waste of
good timber to tingbark the trees with the idea of getting a
better crop of grass for grazing purposes. For some time he
had taken particular notice of paddocks in which mast of the
trees had been rung, with the view of finding out what difference
the killing of the trees made to the paddock, and, from the
observations he has made, has come to the conclusion that
more and better grass is to be found where trees exist than
where there ate none, or dying, the explanation being that
the fallen leaves of the trees act as a mulch and fertilizer of the
soil, :
4 Excursion fo Sherbrooke. Vice. Nate
Vou XU
EXCURSION TO SHERBROOKE.
A BEAUTIEUL early autumn morning greeted the excursionsts
en route to Sherbrooke by the 8.50 a.m. train on Saturday, 15th
Match. The train journey was enjoyed. Alihough few plants
along the line were in bloom, the grass lands, farms, gardens,
and riative vegetation look bright and green after the splendid
summer rains. It was noted that plants of-the Hop Bitter Pea,
Daviesia jatifolig, which is valued by some herbalists for its
medicinal qualities, were still abundant’ between Bayswater
and Boronis, though not se plentiful as formerly, After leaving
Blackburn, plants of the Golden Spray, Wominaria denudata,
were also still to be found syrviving in the railway reserve near
to Boroniastation, The Leper Acacia, 4, /¢prosa, which abounds
between Upwey and Belgrave, gave promise’ of abundant
fiowering next Spring At Belgrave our party numbered
seventeen in all, including our president and Miss Ratt, whom
we were pleased to welcome after her return the previous week
from her holiday and Studies in Europe, We passed through
the township ta the track which leads through the forest ‘to the
Sherbrooke Falls. Our exenrsion object being ferns, our atten-
tion was soon attracted to the various species prevailing along
the track, and their distinctive characteristics were pointed out,
The rough and soft tree-ferns of varying heights and girths
of stems were readily determinable after journeying a Jittle
way along our path. The exceptionally tall growths and
immense size of many of the White Mountain Ash, Eucalypins
regnans, and other timber trees, as well.as of the Hazel Poma-
erris, Christmas. Bush, Prickly Currant-bush, Blanket Leaf,
and Austral Mulberry plants were pointed out en rote. Various
mosses and lichens and small botanical specimens of the ferns
were gathered by the members under authority of the. permit
obtained by the leader from the Secretary for Lands. About
hall a mile along the pathway to the Falls we were met, under
atrangement, by Mr. A. G. Hooke, the Club's treasurer, who
led us inte a side track on the right up the hill and through a
fine gully and dense bower of soft trec-ferns. On these ferns
were remarkably fine growths of the Shining Filmy Fern, the
Bristle Fern, and alongside the track were seen some splendic
examples of the Leathery Shield Fern, Soft Water Fern, Tender
Bracken, Necklace Fern, and Mother Spleeenwort. Two large
plants of the common garden Hydrangea, which had been
planted in the victnity of this track by the proprietor of Sher-
brooke Lodge, were found to be growing luxuriantly. They
hore numbers of large, tich, blue-coloured Howers as a result of
the iron inflitence of the soil in which they were luxuriating.
After passing through this erove the track led us ont on to the
astern boundary of the main Sherbrouke Falls valley vegetation,
9] [le Excursion to Sherbraoke. 5
and through an area now covered with the Commoii Bracken,
the most cosmopolitan of the world's ferns, After a journey of
about half « mile we were guided by Mr. Hooke io the country
louse of One of fis relatives, 2 Miss Billing, where, at-about
7 o'clack, we were welcomed by that lady and Mr. Hooke, sen.,
and Miss Hooke, who had kindly prepared a very acceptable
lunch for the party. This was partaken of under the shade
of trees in the garden, and was greatly enjoyed by all. At its
conclusion the leader and our president expressed, on behalf of
the excursionists, Sincere thanks for the extremely kind thought
and action of Miss Biling. This was supported with en-
thusiagm by all the excursionists, who jomed in singing, '' For
they ate jolly gond people.'' A photograph of the party was
then taken as a memento of the occasion by Mr, Harvey, We
then started tor Clematis Avenue Gully, at South Sassafras,
As we leff the house, picturesque views of Ohnda and Mernda
were Observable in the distance, and further along on our
journey beautiful views in the direction of Nethania Springs,
Monbulk, and the Gippsland mountains beyond were noticed
as we passed by the well-kept gardens of the tounsts' home ot
‘'Grendon" and the adjoining properties. After a pleasant
walk of about a ntile we reached the head of the gully, which
was onr objective, Some tall examples of our rough tree-ferns
were yery attractive objects as they stood along the valley
roadsides as single specimens, or in groups of three and four,
up to 20 or 30 fect m height. This Clematis Avenue Gully
appears to be about half a mile in length, and eventually joins
the Monbulk Creek. Good road approaches have been made
which enable motorists and others to reach this gully irom
Belgtave and to make a round trip through Sherbrooke,
Sassafras, and Ferny Creek districts to Ferntree Gully. We
entered this gully from one of the highest of the nrany tracks
leading from the road, and spent about 14 hours searching for
different ferns. The most interesting noticed here were the
Shiny Shield Fern, The Shade and Weeping Spleenworts, the
Ausiral Filmy Fern, the Batswing Fern, the Lance Fern, the
Finger Fern, the Kangaroo Fern, the King Fern, and the Socnted
Polypody ; the last-named was to be seen covering branches
of the Sassafras and other gully trees, as well as the tree-ferns.
Some fine examples were met with throughout the day of the
common Shield ern, with young plants developing in various
stages at the tips of the parent fronds. One nf our party
obtained a nutnbet of mosses and fern specimens for University
work. Minute plants of the Batswing Fern, showing distinctly
the prothallus from which they were developed in each case,
were obtained from a side bank of the road. As we left the
gully at about 4 o'clock, a leisurely walkown the well-made
° ; Viet. Nat.
6 Excursion to Sherbrooke, Vou XLT.
and nicely-shaded toad to Belgrave enabled ts to reach the
station in time to catch the 5 p.m. train to Melbourne. A few
of the excursionists remained for later trains. The- weather
was perfect, and a most enjoyable day was spent. ‘The following
is a complete list of the twenty-six ferns noted during the day-
In view of the fact that nearly one-half of the species of Vic-
torian ferns may be found in the Sherbrooke district, and the
many changes receritly made in their specific names, I have
deemed it advisable to add to my report in tabular form the
vernacular names of the twenty-six species observed during
the excursion, with the new specific names, a5 well as the older
and more familiar ones, in brackets,
Bristle Fern, Trichomeanes. venosum.
Austral Filmy Fern, Aymenophyllwm australe (H. javanicum).
Shining Filmy Fern, H. flabellatum (H. nitens).
Soft Tree-fern, Dicksonia antarctica (D, billardieri),
Rough Tree-fern, Alsophila australis,
Shining Shield Fet'n, Dryopterts decomposite (4spidium decom-
postin).
Ground Polypody, D. pwnctata (Aspidium punclatum)..
Common Shield Fern, Polystichum aculeatum (Aspidium
' aculeatum).
Leathery Shield Fern, P. adtantiforme (Aspidium capense),
Rainbow Fern, Davallsa dubia.
Shade Spleenwort, Athyriwn umbrosum (Aspleniumn ambrosien).
Necklace Fern, Asplemum flabellifolizn,
Mother Spleenwort, 4, bulbiferwm.
Weeping Spleenwort, A. flaccidim,
Gristle Fern, Blechnwm cartilagineum,
Fishbone Fern, B. discolor (Lomaria discolor).
Lance Fern, B. lanceolatwm (Lomaria lanceolata).
Soft Water Fern, RB, capense (Lomaria capensis).
Common Maiden-hair Fern, Adiantum a@thiobicwm,
Tender Bracken, Pteris tremula,
Batswing Fern, Histiopteris incisa (Plerts imetsa),
Common Bracken, Pleridiwm aquilinum (Pteris aguilina),
Finger Fern, Polypodium Billardiert (Polypodtw» australe).
Kangaroo Fern, P. pirstestatune.
Scented Polypodium, P. diversifoliam (Polypodium scantens).
King Fern, Todea barbara.
F, Pircner,
ERRATA IN APRIL NATURALIST.
. Page 236, exhibit by J. Searle—For “ Apendicula’’ read
“ Appendicularia.”’
Page 244, jine z—For ' throat" read “ thorax,”
May, One, Notes on the Natya District: ?
19%
NOTES ON THE NATYA DISTRICT.
By Cuas, OKE, '
(Read befove the Field Naturatists' Club of Victoria, 10th Mav., 1924.)
THESE few notes on the Natya district, while based on three
short visits paid t0 the district in July, 1919, September, 1922,
and June, 1923, may really be taken as a report of the Club
excursion in September, rgz22.
Natya is situated about 4o miles [rom Swan Hill, or 250
miles from Melbourne, and is about four or five miles from the
Murray, In July, rgtg, the Lands Department was advertising
land as a soldier settlement in the parish of Pines, and as a
friend of mine, Mr. J. Hann, was desirous of taking up land
in the Mallee, we decided to go and have a look at it. So, on
the tyth ef July, Totg, we travelled by train as far as Piangil,
then the terminus of the line. We spent the night in the train,
aS beds were net procurahle in ihe town, and were awakened
eatly by the noise oi the other free boarders, mostly shearers
making for eatly sheds in New South Wales, After breakfast
we tolled our swags and set off for Possum Flat, where we
expected to camp Jor a week or ten days,
The immediate vicinity of the town did not scem very
inviting from an entomological point of view, but no doubt
much interesting material might be taken quite close to the
town, for just at the station entrance I caught the fitst beetle,
Onthophagus henleyeusts, Blackb., one of the small dung-chafers.
Right in the main street were some logs, and on turning these
over a number of J'alanrtnus sywamosus, Macl., were obtained,
this being the first Victorian record of this beetle.
On making inquiries at the coffee palace as to the most
direct track to Possum Flat, we received quite a bewildering
lat of advice as to ‘short cuts,” but decided to go along the
newly-laid railway line for a couple of miles and then get on
to a track leading to our objective, Soon after leaving the
railway line we got amongst the mallee, and from here on we
hardly saw a break in the dense virgin growth, Some: tiles
out we reached a small tank, and decided to have lunch. While
my friend ‘' boiled the billy’’ I had a look around. Every
stick and piece of wood seemed to be harbouring several
Cubscorrhynchus granuatus—they could have been taken in
hundreds ; but insects, other than ants, were scarce. Every-
thing was very dry—in fact, it was practically a drought, as
no rain had fallen, we were told, for over four months.- Snoy
after leaving the tatik we passed over a large sand-ridge, and
gladly would I have spent some time here; but, being under
promise not to hunt beetles until the tent was up, LI had to
abandon the idea. A couple of miles further on my fiend
§ OKe, Noles on the Natya Distvich viet. Hater
decided he must have a rest as soon as we reached the top of
the next rise ; but just before We started up this rise I noticed
that there was a slight depression, about a dozen pases across,
tunning along the base af the ridge, where the grass was nice
and green, This was the only really green grass we saw in
the district. I suggested that we take our rest there, and, to
stop further argument, I dropped my swag at once and started
hunting. Under a mallee root, within the green depression,
I caught a fine blue specimen of Ewtoma tincitllatun,, Newm.,
and two specimens of Chalcoplerus picipes, Macl,, and, seeing
a hole near the edge of another root, L dug it out, and caught
a nice example of Cavenum elegans, Macl, As this was the first
one of the species I had taken myself, 1 considered it a real
prize, and it certainly is a very fine insect, with its head and
front of prothorax jet black, the rest of the upper surface dark
green, and its "elegant ’” shape with beautiful Instre. Under
@ stick I gota Staphylinid that was new to science } it has since
been described as Lethrobiisn orthatovwe, Lea, and several
Polylobi were found amongst leaves and grass. A very pretty
little Saprinus, metallic blue with coppery head and prothorax,
was found running around a bil of dry bone, An Anthicid,
Formicomis kingt, Macl., and the Carabs, Parroa apicalis, Sl.
and Tachys mitchelét, Sb., were also added to the’captures before
time to move on was called, It is with regret that I think of
this spot and the few, minutes spent there. An, hour's collecting
would not have exhausted all its possibilities.
After this break we hurried on to Possum Flat, and started
Lo put Up the tent, when two returned men drove along in a
ight springcart. These were the first two to take up blocks
in this area, and had only arrived a few days previously, and
were camped in the scrub nearby. They offered to drive us
aver their blocks, so as to give us an idea of the country—an
offer we gladly accepted, and so Saw the first Lit of mallee (about
half an acre) rolled in the parish. The first block had an
unusually high sand-ridge on it, and up this we went to have
a look around us, This drive lasted over an hour, with (he
consequence that it was nearly dark when We returned to our
unpitched tent, und so we had to finish putting it wp by candle-
bight.
Just as dawn was breaking | heard a fox yelping, 50, picking
up the rifle, went after him, and, though I saw him, | could
not get within shooting distance. After this L had a hune
sround Possam Tank, Here I took four species of Amycterides
—Talaurinus squamosus, Macl,, Pfattdisre favosefosa, Ferg.,
P, (sp. ?}, and Cubs granulatus, the latter being in great numbers.
Three speci¢s of Clivina were obtained from holes in the bank,
and a few small things were taken at the water’s edge, Running
peel | Once, Notes on the Natya District: “9
over and amongst leaves on the ground were numbers. of two
species of Laius, of the Malocodermide. After breakfast we
visited the large sand-ndge, and I dug out a few young speci-
mens of the large Mallee Cockroach, Gsoscapheus grganinus ;
lmt by g o'clock 1 began fo feel so queer that we decided, to
Teturn {o the camp, and soon after reaching it 1 collapsed with
pneumonic influenza, and was half-dragged tu bed, where I re-
mained for three days, and was then broug)it into Piangil. That
1 lived to reach Melbourne is, I believe, entirely due to the
attention I received from my friend, but his ideas of nursing
would not commend themselves to the average doctor. His
One idea was to keep me lively, and with that ebject in view
tned to make me walk about, though he really pulled me
around, The only thing of interest I saw ncar the town was
a medinni-sized eucalypt with hundreds—if wot thousands—
of a small leaf beetle on it, Unfortunately, I only took a few
specimens, thinking it must be a common species, but it wes
then unnamed, and was described last year by Mr, Lea as
Monoletta arida-
The Club excursien to Natya from 23rd September to 2mi
October was arranged for the State-school holidays, and 1!
thought there would have been a fairly large party ; but, through
the School Exhibition, the holiday was cut out, and the party
dwindled down to two of us—Mr, J), E. Dixon and mysell.
Leaving Spencer-street at 8.30 a.m., we arrived in Bendigo at
11.49, and after an carly lunch started off [rom there al
r2 o'clock for Natya. The journey to Bendigo is too well
known to need any comment, After leaving Bendigo there
is a little timber to be seen till Raywood is passed, after which
the country is a flat plain, almost treeless, or, excepting small
clumps, quite so, until nearing Swan Hill. At first sight these
plains seem devoid of interest, but to anyone interested in
bird-life there is much to be seen, such birds at White Ibis,
Straw-necked Ibis, Native Companions, Plovers, Dottrels,
Wedge-tailed Eagle, Hawks, Crows, and Magpies being recog-
nized from the train, Then there is Pyramic Hill. This as
seen for miles, gradually resolving itself from a misty, nebulous
mass into a sharp pinnacle rising abruptly from the plain, and
ther, as you pass it just before reaching the station called
Pyramid, it appears to swing around, and discloses another
mountain behind ft, and then you see it gradually fading away
in the distance as you pass on towards Kerang. Further on
you see the lakes at Mystic Park, Lake Charm, and Lake Boga,
where you are almost sure to see Black Swans, Duck, Teal,
Coots, and perhaps other water-fow],
Tn several places between Mystic Park and Swan Hill there
are large clumps of prickly pear, Opuntia, on land that appears
10 Oxe, Notes on the Natya District. Mier Hare
to be of very little use. Surely this should not be allowed to
temain, It may not, be spreading much at present, but thal
is no guarantee that it will not become more virulent and start
spreading rapidly, The lesson of the prickly pear in Queensland
and New South Wales ought toe be, sufficient to make any
Government see that if is not allowed to acclimatize itself in
our State. Beyond Swan Hill the journey becomes very tire-
some, and the four and a hall hours that it takes to do the
40 miles is mostly taken up by the driver or guard “ swapping
yatns “ with the station masters and other friends along the
line. .
Anived at Natya, we were met by Mr, Hann, who had kindly
offered ta put up a party of the Club, and he was somewhat
disappointed on finding out that only two had come. It was
a beautiful, bright, starlight night, with a keen nip in the atr-
that suggested frost, and we soon had all signs of dtowsiness
blown away as we bowled along al a smart pace to Mr. Hann's
house, a distance of six or seven miles, and two and @ half miles
beyond Possum Flat.
Sunday morning we were astir early, and wandered around
the house and its Sheltering patch of scrub, consisting of
White Mallee, three Acacias, and Turpentine-bush, with, of
course, a sprinkling of smaller shrubs, and, on a patch of sand,
the Porcupine-grass. One of the first things to attract the
eye were the numerous raised-up little mounds of fresh earth,
or, as they were more often on the sandy patches, sand. These
were about eight or nine inches high, and about four or five
inches across, and were the result of the burrowing of our
largest Victorian dung-chafer, Bolbuceras sloane?, Blkb. These
xo down erghteen inches to two feet, and vequire some effort
to dig out. The first thing we thought of fcoking fot were
Carenums, and, as we were both armed with strong trowels,
we were soon busy digging out burrows. Some species seem to
have their holes out in the open—that is, away from cover-—«.g,,
C, elegans, Macl.; but they ate mostly near fallen Mallee, or
leaves or sticks, This is rather a tedious pastime, digging in
the hatd ground, as some of them go down from six to nine
inches, and wp to two feet alanyg, and when you get to the end,
where there 1s generally a small chamber, you very often strike
a “dud,’’ or worse still, when inexperienced, the large cock-
roach, Geoscaphus gigantens, popularly known as the ‘' Mallec
Turtle." On the sandy patches if is rather difficult to follow
the tunnels, for, though you push a thon stick into the tunnel,
they often turn off at almost right angles, and you dig past
without seethg the hole, which, of course, easily fills with the
sand.
I suppose if was due to this that the following incident
May J One, Noles on the Natya Destrigt, Ib
occurred :—I saw a Catenum sitting in the entrance to a
burrow, and made an unsuccessful attempt to cut off bis
‘ retleat with the trowel, so I carefully pushed a stick down
and started digging, and after 1 had dug about five feet along
a tortwous course, and overa {foot deep, I saw something wriggling
in the sand, and thought I had found it, but, on Lifting it out
on the (rowel, found it was a lizard, Helronate binvet, Gray, a
pretty mottled little species in liver and white. Just where L
lost the original tunnel and got inte the wrung one I could not
find out.
Tiring of watching us digging, our host suggested a walk down
to his tank and the water-channel, Between twa patches of
crop he has left.a strip of about 50 yards. One end of this is
a patch of hop-bush, and intermingled are a few fair-sized
eucalypts. Here, amonyst some old hop-bush stamps, we
ohtained a few specimens of Ewtome tinectillatum, Newm., and
Chalcopterus picipes, Macl.; this is the only species of Chal-
copterus that, in Victoria, seems to be habitually on the ground,
and I have not heard of this species being taken ander bark
of on tree-trunks, as other species are, In the small branches
of the hop-bush we found two species of Belits breeding, ay als
was Stemodera parallete, Eventually we were persuaded to
leave the hop-bush, and, rather than trust us in the scrub,
our host suggested cutting across Lhe crap for the tank. Here
we obtained a few small things near the water, such as Bemdidiuen
jacksonjense, Guer., Notopiulus gracilis, Blackb., Trogophleus
punctatus, vl, aud some water-beetles. Under a log were a
nutiber of small Tenebrionids and a sumber of small weevils
I was quite pleased with the later until it suddenly dawned on
me that they were the wheat weevil.
Mr. Hann decided to leave us and go back to cook the dinner,
and made us promise to be back by 1 o'clock sharp. Mr. Dixon
and I decided to follow along the channel to the scrub, and so
baek to the house, about a mile, vollecting a5 we went, Turning
aver Mallee roots, we got a few more beetles, a fine Plerohelaus
blackhournt, Semanopierns convextusculus, and Elona (Carenunt)
grattosum, Sl.—a real prize. ‘This was described from a speci-
men in Mr. C. French's collection, and, though it was labelled
as '' Mallee, Victoria,’’ Mr, Sloane has since cast doubt as to
the habitat being correct,* This is apparently only the second
specimen to be found. Beating some Acacias, we obtained
several small weevils, including a species of Myjlocerus, also a
Lemidia, but were surprised at not getting a single Melobasis,
On some Purple Daisies, Siigmodera clonguinla and S. flaw.
pica were obtained, while several attempts to catch a beautiful
silyery Syrphid fly were unsuccessful,
* Proc, Lau, Soc. N.SW,, vol, xxv. p. 383
a2 OnE, Notes on the Natya District. Vist, iets
Returning towards the honse through the scrub,; we came
across two very fine trees of the Bitter Quandong, or Ming,
Fusanus (Santalum) -persicarius, F. v. My laden with fruit.
We liad to cross a sand-ridge, and an this we saw the first pines.
Hitherto it had appeared as though the patish had been named,
Uke Possum Flat, from an absence of its namesake, Here we
also saw cur first bull-ants’ nest, These ants, Myrmecta vindev,
Sm,, var. wiyriceps, Mayr., are very fierce, and when I stamped
on the ground, a foot away frum the nest, they all came
tulibling out im a great hurry and fury to defend the home
against all comers. Only two nests were seen in the district,
and they were both the same size and shape. They appeared
as though they had been raised up in @ perfect cone, and then
indermined in the centre, so that it had fallen in, leaving a
ceater-like structure. The sides were over two feet high and
about tq or 15 inches across at top, Two or three hundted
ants must have come out of this first nest, and all had black
heads and abdomens, the rest a pale yellowish-brown. We got
back soon after three, and found dinner ready, and nothing
was said about the two hours we were late. We had accepted
an invitatton from Mr. and Mrs, J, Ferguson to go over to their
house to tea; so soon after dinner the three of us drove aver,
The track passed through Possum Flat and the Natya Station
to about a mile beyond. Now it was daylight, what a difference
was to be seen in this track from when I had walked over it
inrgrg! Large paddocks of two or three hundred acres without
*% single tree, and rolling going on all the lime! One settler
who has 700 acres ha’ only one tree left—his house (?) Jeans
against it—on his holding,
Monday morning was dull aad rather close, and we went
over the road to some large sand-ndges. Here I was surprised
to find the Detted Sun-Orchid, Thelymitra txtodes, Sw., growing
in great profusion, as also was the Fringed Spider-Orchid,
Caladewsa dilaiata, R. Br. and a few specimens of a Pterostylis
unknown to me. Sofie ant nests were searched carefully for
inguilines, but, with the exception of a small Ctenisophus, with
fvidomyrmex ritsfonigery, nothing was found. Amongst the
clumps of Porcupine-grass pieces of a Scaraphites were common,
but it was not till the Thursday that [ caught a live specimen,
and found it to be 5. Awitipes, Macl. The most commen insect
here appeared to be the pretty Bombylid fly, Newria apicelss,
Macq. Pieces Gf Mallee an inch or more in thickness, broken
down and lying on the ground, were very plentiful. The roots
below were cavefully grubbed out, and found to contain the
larve of a longicorn beetle. A number of these were brought
home, and from them a large black-and-white Species ol
Hesthesis was bred out. In the afternoon we went to Possum
pre Oxe, Notes on the Natya Distyiet, 33
Flat, and here, in a nest of Iridomyrmex gracilis, 1 obtained a
single specimen of Daveyia, probably mira, Lea, This beetle
Was named from specimens obtained at Geelong and Portland
by Mr. H, W. Davey, and this is an interesting extension of
its distribution, Insects were not as nifmeroms as we had
expected ; still, we managed to get a few interesting specimens,
including ‘Trogophieus, sp, n. (?), Lathrobsum eéexsgium, Blkh.,
Pederus crwenticollis, Germ., var. (?}, Eupinoda, sp, (?), Cteni-
sophus, sp. (7), Clivina, two species, Bembedtum qacksontonse,
Guet., Mecyclathorax punclatus, Si, Pfalidura flavosetosa, Ferg.,
and several water-bectles. Ants were numerous, but, with the
exception of a pale species of Camponotus, perhaps a form of
migriceps, were only small, common specivs. Flying around
some Dudder-Laurel were severs] specimens of Candalides
hyacinthina siimpleya, one of our Mallee Lycenid butterfiics,
Shaking the tangled masses of Dodder-Laurel into the umbrella
in search of the simplexa larve only produced negative results,
but a most interesting spider, belonging to the Argiopid, with
two large humps on its back, was caught,
Towards night it became very hot, and while we were having
dinner it ceaghed 9&8 in the dining-room, Numerous tsects
came in to the light, including a number of species either found
in of near water, such as Clivina, Trogaphleys, Bledius,
Bidessus, Copelatus, &c, This surprised me, as there was no
permanent water fearer than Possam; but next morning, on
unpacking some Sheets of fibrous plaster from Lake Boga, the
mystery was explamed.
The next three days were spent near the lowse, and several.
interesting finds were made, the most interesting being,
pethaps, a Terbrionid inguiline, Thortctosoma tbiale, Lea, trom
the nest of Buponera lutea. This has only recently been
described from two specimens taken in Western Australia,
Another Western Australian insect found was Clark's Jumping
Bull-Ant, Myrwecia clarkia, Craw.,- also recently described,
Ants were very numerous, especially on the flats. Iridomyrmex
delentus and Camponotus migricebs had their nests in every
direction, while two species of Crematogaster were also very
numetous, One of the most interesting species found was ia
Meranoplus. This ant, which is fess than a quarter of an incl),
has a peculiarly-shaped head and a remarkable thorax; ihe
latter, at a glance, seems to be nothing but spines. Podoyryma
adelaide were fairly common, running in and out of their
nesting-holes in twigs, especially in the ' Wait-a-While,"" Acacte
colletiodes. Several species of Indomyrmex were seen, thr
most common being delectus, while its var,, viridianeys, Vieh,,
was also common. Of Pheidole only a few were seen, and only
two nests found. Three species of Thynnid and one Vespid
14 Oe, Notes on the Nalya District. Vicke Bian
wasp, with a few Chalcids, were the only other Hymenoptera
taken. Very few species of Lepidoptera wete seen, Junonia
vablide being the only butterfly, besides the one already
mentioned, thal was seen. From the White Mallee, Eucalyptus
gracilis, two larve of Hyleora eucalypt, Doubl,, were taken,
These pupated on the 4th and roth October, and emerged on
ard and 7th April, and, fortunately, were male and female.
The commonest moth was a yery pretty little black-and-yellow
Pyralid, on the Desert Cassia, C. eremophila.
Orthoptera were tepresented by a small black cricket, a few
small, immature grasshoppers, and one imagine of Chortotcetes
terminifera, Walk, and three or fowr species of cockroach,
including the large *' Mallee Turtle,"’ Gevseapheus pigantens,
Tepper. This large cockroach is about 2? inches long and
14 inches wide, and of a bright reddish-brown ; is wingless, and
has the front Icgs admirably adapted for digging. Its egg
eapsule is about three-quarters of an inch in length, These
cockroaches wete very plentiful, and One morning, after a shower
of rain overnight, they were running about the flat the house is
on in such numbers that a hundred could have been caught
ii) less than au hour. The same morning I toon the gun to
try for a tabbit on one of the sand-ridges without success, bub
on passing over the ridge to the flat beyond I saw two foxes
running acound amongst the Mallee and picking up something
and eating It, On getting a little closer LT saw they were eating
these cockroaclics. Unfortunately, the foxes were too Jac apart
to get but the one, the vixen, Se she will eat no more ‘roacies
or birds.
Coleoptera was our chief desire, and this partly accounts
for the fact thaf we obtained far more species of this order than
ajl the other orders put together. There was no need to go
far, for a morning Spent in a few acres produced several inter-
esting beetles, all ''néw to me," and, just to name some, I
might mention these few —Quedius anderson, Bik., Conosoma,
sp. (?), Eupenes concolor, Sharp, Eupinoda, sp. (?), Pselaphophus
sp. (?y, Arthropterus, sp. {2}, Saréicus dixons, Sl, Carenum versi
color, Sl., Cerotalts semiviolacéa, Cast., Gigadema (three species),
Adelinme goudiet, Chalcopterus leat, Blkb., C. lonyscutlus, Blkb.,
C. lepide, Trox eyrensis, Blkh., Haplonycha carinata, Bikh. (7),
H. ticolor, Bikb., A. opaca, Lea, AH. pectoralis, Blanch,, Byro-
morpha, sp. (7), Cryptodus, (two species), On this flat a small
land shell occurs belonging to the genus Pupina, which Mr, C.
Hedley informs me Is new to science. We Saw very few reptiles,
two or three Blue-tongued Lizards (Tiliqua) and the same
number of the Bearded Lizard, AmpAtbolaurus barbatus, Cuvi,
and Fraser's Delma, D. fraseri, being the only lizards, and only
one snake, the Brown, D, textilus. .
ple , Ong, Noles om the Natya District. 15
Entomologists do-not need to cover much ground while
callecting, Still, we thought a day at the river might prove
bath enjoyable and profitable, so we decided to go there on the
Friduy, We left ghout § o'clock in the morning, but did not
reach the Murray until after 12, as we did not know to cut
through some paddocks, Where we stopped and had lonch the
Tiver ran between high banks, and I doubt if it ever overflows,
but half a mile lower down were some typical Murray flood-
flats, Fairly soon after starting to collect I turned ayer a
small log that was cpvering the nests of Exponera ftea and
lridomyrmex, sp. (?). Right between the two nests T saw a
small beetle, since named Oreclsceles bifovercollis, Oke. In the
nest of Euponera lutea were some Eupines favoapicalis, Lea,
and several specimens of a Micrachztes, while over twenty
specimens of Déphobia familiaris, Oll., were obtained from a
nest of Camponolus nigriceps, The Hood-flats were very dry
when we were there. if there had been more moisture about
it Would have been better for us; but, even as it was, there
were some nice things to. be taken, including the following species
of Staphylinide -—Cryplobimm elegans, Blkb., Lathrobsnm ans-
traticum, Sol., L. orthodoxum, Lea, L. mutator, Fyl,, and its var,
drperti¢um, L, aratellum, Evil. Scopexs falebricofa, Blkb.,
Scymbalium australe, Fyl., Domenc torrewsts, Blkb., Qxedins
luvedipensis, Macl., Leptacinus, sp. (?), Neohismtus procerntus,
Grav., Eulissus chalcopterus, Er., E. pheenicopterns, Er. It was
strange, considering the dryness of the grouna, that there should
have been so many Staphylinide, but no doubt it is the
aceasional overflowing of the Murray that attracts them.
Under the bark of logs were numerous long, thin, spotted
Scorpions. These were very close to Keyserling’s figure of
Isometrus maculatus, De Geer, but the apical segment of the
jail is shorter and broader, and the spine not so acutely curved,
Under the bark of the River Gums beetles were very scarce,
but Wwe got a few Chelifers and spiders, also several Marbled
Geckos, Phyllodactylus marmorvatys, Gtey, were seen; perhaps
they had cleawed up the insect life. Tenmites were in every
piece of dead wood, even in pieces that had one end in the
water, and, although they were carefully searched for inquilines,
the only yesult was three specimens of a species of Aleocharides
{Staphylinidea) unknown to me. About two hundred yards
from the river some clumps of Mallee were just coming out in
flowet, and from these a few small weevils were taken, including
Lybaba pretiosa, Lea, two species of Lemidia, and a species of
Ditropidus. On digging out a burrow under this Mallee, a
fine example of Pusloscaphus tuberculata, Macl.; was obtained,
We stayed at the river till dark, and got back home at 10.30,
well satisfied with our day on the Murray.
16 Orr, Notes on the Natya Distvict, yeh Ee
Saturday morning we visited a sand-tidge near the house,
and here we took Exryscaphus dilatatus, Macl,, Astreus sastersi,
Macl,, Sclevorimts gowdier, Ferg. (2), About to o'clock i rained
very heavily, ancl we got drenched before wu got back. If
was not (ill four that it cleared sufficiently for us to venture
jorth again for a final look around the wiuter-charnel. We
had barely feached there when it rained again, and we returned
drenched to the skin. And this ina part of the country where,
according to local tradition, “it never really rains''| Sunday
was mostly spent in gathering flowers for-the Club's wild-flower
show. An eatly start was made for the train on Monday
morning, and tt was just light enough as we crossed Possum Flat
(a see the pretty patch of Koachia triptera, and long for another
day, especially as we temembered we did not have a good look
for small insects amongst this Three-witiged Blue-bush of the
patch of K. brachyptera (?) & little further on. On arrival at
the station we found we had twenty minutes to spare, so we
made a hasty search around the station, In a nest of the
Green-head Ant, C. mefailice, three Polylobi, a Microchetes,
and a small black Trichopterygid were obtained, and from
a bush of Dewesia genistifolia a pretty little Monolepta was
taken, while under some old bags were several Anthictds,
My third visit was made on 23rd June till 26th June, 1923,
which, of course, only left two days for collecting, The con-
ilitions this time were very different from the first visit, although
it was only a month earlier in the year. Then everything was
dry, and the earth on the flats crumbled into dust on being
touched, Now the flats were just like so much mud, with
water in every little depression, so it mace collecting rather
difficult. L was particularly anxious to obtain some more of
the littke Jand shells, Pupina, sp. (?), but, though T dragged
‘around a couple of bags to kneel on, and looked well amongst
the leaves and rubbish, I could not see a sign of one. The rain
had evidently swamped out nunrbers of a small scorpion from
their retreats. I had net seen this species un my fonmer visits.
It is similar to the common species in the Dandenongs and
around Melbourne, and is probably only a form of that species.
They were sO mumerons amongst dead leaves that it was
necessary io exercise great care in handlmg them. Qwedins
audersoni, Bik., was now fairly abundant, as also were a species
af Conosoma, and a species of Polylobus, near fongudys, ON,
L spent nearly an hour watching a solitaty Jumping Bull Ant,
Mvyrmecia clarkt, Craw,, to see where its nest was, bat it would
not go to it, Opening a nest of the Green-head Ant, I got
three small white crickets, and two in another nest, Very little
fresh materia! was found around the house, but on the Monday
1 went to Possum Flat and got a pair.of the Bombardier Beetle,
May] Oxe, Notes on the Natya District. 17
Pheropsophus verlicalis, Dej. This beetle makes a fairly
distinct sound when it “ bombards," and apparently five oy
six “ shots" is its limit, and then it has to wait three days
before firing again. Such was my experience with this pair,
Here I also caught a most interesting little ' squeaking "'
weevil, I know af two other weevils (hat “squeak"’ when
caught, but this one is by far the best “ squeaker.” My spect-
mens vary in size from 35 Wo-7 mM. Gaim, being the usual size,
and are'of a light stone colour, with dark brown mottling on
back, and coarsely punctured. Under a piece of tin was a
gpecimen of Catadrommus australis, Cast,, and the only Scyd-
menid I have from the district, Heterognathus, sp. (?), was
obtained from the nest of Iredomyrmex rufoniger.
_ Tuesday morning I returned to Swan Hill, and had the
afternnon.to devote to collecting along the river. The Victorian
side is without a sign of trees, but on the New South Wales
side there is a single row of trees growing. Stripping the bark
off these was rather liresome,'as nearly every piece had «
swarm of ants under it—a smiall blackish species of Iridomyrmex,
They were there in thousands, but, so far as I could find, without
inquilines of any kind. Three species uf Staphylinide were
very common—namely, Soymbalinm arcualam, Fvl,, Pinoplilus
rinfitersés, Fvl., and Lathrobiwm ausiralsenm, Sol., while single
specimens of Seybalium ausivale, Fv... duplopuncetion, vt,
Cryptobiam elegaws, Blkb., and Neebtsnins procerulus, Grav.,
were all taken under the bark of these trees. From nests of
Iridomyrmex under tins and pieces of wood I took a few
Articerus constrickventris, Lea, apparently a rare species, as
no complete male has yet been described, Thé armature of
the intermediate tibie is very similar to A. netidicollis, Rafi
Another specimen of Eupines concolor, Sharp, was also taken,
and L saw a Pselaphid with a general appeatance of Balraais
armilagei, King, but more robust, which, I regret, escaped me
through somcone coming up to me to find out what was wrong,
(I’m sure this man still thinks 1 am “dippy.") A few small
weevils and some common Carabs, including in the Jatte;
Catadromas lacordairer, Boisd., and the Bombardier Beetle
previously mentioned, were About all I could find before the
dayliglit faded away, and, having used my box of matches,
T had perforce to make my way the best way I could along the
mud-channel that served as a road to the hotel,
Much interesting material could, no doubt, be gathered around
Swan Hill, and the conditions that are there to-day are likely
to remain for years to come, But at Natya it is very different,
Each year sees large tracts of Mallee rolled and burnt, and in
a;few years all this district will he open, undulating country,
without a patchTof scrub anywhere, with only a narrow fringe
18 Oxs, Notes on the Natya District vee ee.
of Mallee on cither side of the road left for anyone to see what
lsed to grow all over this pansh. Even the fringe on the
roads, which are few and far between, has an unliappy existence,
because, as the centro of the track becumes bogey after ruin,
the ruad is either widened or a freslt track made, Of course,
all this clearing of the Mallee is good progress for the country,
but it hurts the naturalist to see all the natural growths dis-
appearing so rapidly, and with it going the birds disappear,
and species of land mollusea and Arthropoda become extinct
without having been recorded, as some of these are probably
very local.
There can be very little doubt that some of the insects herein
mentioned are distributed over a small area only ; others extend
nght through the Mallee, a few east and north, and some right
through to Central and Western Australia, whtle only four of
the beetles, Catadvomus lacordaires and Scymbalvum uycnatitee,
Pinophilus rufitarsis, Fvl., Stigmodera flavapicéa, Boisd., and
four of the ants, ©. metallica, Iridomyrmex rufoniger, T, svacilss,
and Camponotus nigrviceps, mentioned occur, or ate known to
occur, near Melbourne. Of course, there are pleaty of insects
common to both localities, but I have refrained from men-
tioning these. In the three trips I have taken 245 species of
Coleoptera.
It is interesting to compare the list of Coleoptera of the Sea
Lake district by Mr. Goudie * with mine, from Natya, Several
in some families arc missing from one or the other. Iridomyrmex,
the best ant for inquilines, I have not been able to find in the
Natya district, though Mr. Goudie finds it in great numbers
around Sea Lake. Mr, Goudie has had the advantage of living
for years at Sea Lake, while my trips to Natya have only been
hurried visits; but L have hopes of being able to re-visit Natya
and continue my investigations of its insect life, I am greatly
indebted’ to Mr. A, M. Lea for identifying most of the Staphy-
linide, and to Mr, J. Clark for identifying some of the ants,
and to both T tender my thanks.
Some East Gtprsianp Notrs.—A brief holiday of six days
towards the end of Debraary afforded me the opportunity of
visiting a portion of Victoria of which I previously had little
knowledge, My first abjective was Nowa Nowa, at the head
of Lake Tyers, about 2to miles from Melbourne. During an
early morning ramble some nice specimens of Isofoma axillaris,
the Rock Isotome, were noticed. This plant is net recorded
from the eastern ¢'E."') division in the “Censns2’ From
* Goudie, J-C., '' Coleoptera of North-West Victoria,” Vict, Nal., vol.
xixe, Dr 41.
i) Notes. 19
Nowa Nowa we visited the Buchan Caves, and along the road
saw several plants growing in their mative hahitat for the first
time. That curious composite, Hinea elegans, Plume Hume,
occurred at one or two places, but, beitig past tts best, its
“plumes” had lost the pink tinge which earlie! in the season
tenders them attractive. ‘‘ Native tobacco'’ was the name
given them by a resident, evidently from their large tobacco-like
leaves, which are somewhat sticky and aromatic. The twiner
Kennedyd yubitunda was noticed climbing up the saplings or
over the bracken in many places, its large trifoltate leaves being
rather handsome. Buchan Caves—or, rather, the two we
visited, the Fairy and the Royal Caves—we considered well
Worth the trip, and we were glad to find that Buchan is becoming
well patronized as a tourist resort, A charge ef two shillings
and sixpence per head is made by the Government for all visttors
entering a cave, this amounting to an average of £40 to £50 per
week, while on one day during Christmas week three hundred
visitors were shown through the Caves. The Caves contain
all the forms of stalactites, stalagmites, &c,, usually seen ili
limestone caves, together with shawls, mysterics, &c. The
formations are perhaps not on such a large scale as those of
Jenolan, N.S.W., but they are equally beautiful, and worthy
of inspection. -- 95 I O
Sales of Flowers and Plants” oe we 648 16S
Refreshments (profit) or sts «. 17 OF
——— 16017 &
Savings Bank Deposit withdraw '
Piant Names A/c, .. . &; + 150 0 0
General A/c. .. es v as +» 75 OG 0
———— 2750 0
{672 16 2
* Arrears, £14 155, Od.; 1923-4, {127 12s, 6d.; advance,
{ir 2s. 6d.—total, £153 ros,
38 Field Naturalists’ Club—Proceedings. Viet Bac,
Vol. XI.1-
. EXPENDITURE.
By Victorian Naturalist— ,
Printing. . o . +. A#206 11 3
Llustrating as ts z+ 42 9 5
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1924 owe oe + - F «. 18 00
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*} ; {672 16 2
A, G. HOOKE, Hon. Treasurer.
30th May, 1924.
Audited and found correct.
H tne ALFRED J. TADGELL, \ 4 girs.
FREDERICK PITCHER, | uditors,
13th June, 1924. ,
The following statement of assets and liabilities was also
read :-—
ASSETS,
Balance in E. S, and A, Bank... os os £5 16
War Loan Bond . an x o
Arrears of Subscriptions (£40), say ae = 20 0
Deposit in Savings Bank . r00 0
* Census of Victorian Plants, ” Stock on ‘hand at
oom oOo00™N
cost price -. «618k 5
Library and Furnitare. at Insurance Value Pel 130 0
Rent of Town Hall—paid in advance .- 25 ao
Sundry Accounts due—
Advertisements in Naturalist -- £35 o
Reprints az ee ied + 615 10 ,
—_——— 10 [0 10
#485. 12 If
hr] Field Natuvalists’ Club—Procecdings: 39
Liasitrtes.
Subscriptions paid in advance as ay. -- gtt 2 6
Char-a-banc Fund 4, a -- aul .. 613 0
Outstandifg Accounts -- ‘. ae v; Nil
dup rg 6
On the motion of Messrs. G. Coghill and F. Pitcher, the
Statements were tread and adopted. ‘he latter remarked on
the accuracy ard detail in the accounts as presented by the
hon. treasurer.
ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS.
The chairman said that Mr, E. E. Pesentt, F.L.S., had with-
draw his yomination for the office of president, owing to the
fact that he considered Mr. Searle’s long membership of the
Club and the great assistance he had been to many members
in pursyit of their hobbies entitled him to the position, and
that he would not be a candidate for the office of vice-president,
for which he was eligible, in accordance with the rules of the
Club. The following office-bearers, being the requisite nunyber
required, were then declared elected :—President, Mr. J. Searle;
vice-presidents, Messrs. G. Coghill and F. E, Wilson, F.ES. ;
hon. treasurer, Mr. A, G. Hooke; hon. librarian, Dr. C. §.
Sutton; hon. editer, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard; hon, secretary,
Mr. C. Oke; hon. assistant sectetary and librarian, Mr. H. B.
Williamson, P.L.S. Mr. F. Pitcher said that he desired to
withdraw his name from the nominations for the committee
owing to pressure of other engagements, The remaining
nominees, Messrs. I. Cudmore, J. A. Kershaw, “A. E, Rodda,
and £. Thorn were declared elected, and on a nomination being
requested for fifth place, Mr. J. Stickland was nominated and
duly elected, :
A yote of thanks to the retiring committee was moved by
Mc. J, Stickland, and carried unanimously.
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS,
The retiring president, Mr. C. Daley, B-A., F-LS., said that
it was customary for the retiring president to give an address
on the work of the Club or on some special subject, He pro-
posed to say a few words about Australian gem stones.
In the course of his remarks the president said that gems
had played an important part iv history and superstition from
time immemorial, They had even been the cause of wars,
Tradition:and romance were inseparable from certain famous
stones, and even to-day amongst scme races magical powers
are atttched to certain kinds of stones. Australia has pro-
duced almost every kind of gem, though in many cases, either
not of sufficient size, or in insufficient quantity, to really establish
40 + Field Naluyalists’ Club—Proceadings. Hate -00)
the search for any particular kind as a profitable industry.
The most. valuable ot all gem stones, the diamond, had been
found in all the States, but nowhere approaching the produc-
tion of the Rand, in South Africa. New South Wales had the
distinction of producing the largest diamond. fownd near
Oberon in 1905, and weighing 28} carats. Supphires have been
found im considerable quantities, especially in Queensland,
but mostly the green and yellow types. Rubies occur at
several places in Queensland and New South Wales, but are
generally too small to command high prices, though their colour
is good. Quartz crystals were prized to some extent by the
Australian aboriginals, and specimens are often found
associated with the débyts of their kitchen middens. A gem
of the silica group is the opal, and Queensiand has produced
some of the finest specimens known to the world: a variety
known as “ black opal” is dictinetly Australian, and commands
a high price, one weighing 6¢ carats was sold for froz, A
remarkably fine opal known as the “ Flame-tree Opal," weighing
253 carats, was found in Queensland sume vears ago. Ft is
almost chameleon-like in its changing hues. When examined
it was found to have in its structure fossil remains of the ginko
- tree ofthe Jurassic period. The topaz and bery! have been found
near Stanthorpe, in Queensland, and in other places. Garnets
have been found in considerable quantities north of Oodna-
dutta, in Seuth Australia, also at Harcourt, Maldon, and Qmeo,
in Victoria. A large number of other gem stones were
mentioned, and their chemical composition given, From the
indications already given it may safely be concluded that
many valuable discoveries await the secker after Australian
gem stones.
; PAPER READ.
By Mr. A. J. Tadgell, entitled ‘' Mount Bogang and Its
Flora.”
The author gave an interesting account of his fast visit to
Mount Bogeng, Victoria’s highest mountain [6,593 feet), in
January last, in company with Mr, A, G, Hooke, the hon,
tveasurer of the Club, and a frend. Owing to its distant
position, considerable time is accupied in reaching it from
Melbourne and making the ascent, Remarking on the fora,
which 1s decidedly alpine in its character, the author said that
his collections, as the result of several trips. amounted to 256
species, He had also collected same fifteen mosses, all at more
than 5,500 feet. He concluded with a list of the species
collected, with notes of the height at which they were found-
REMARKS ON EXHIBITS
Mr. H. W, Davey, F.E.S., read some notes on two Marbijed
Geckos (lizards), which he exhibited with young recently born.
July Mrold Naturalists! Clab— Proceedings: 40
Mr. C. French, jun., contributed a note on some parasites:
collected irom a dog by Mr, H. F, Clinton, which had net pre-
viously been collected from that host in Australia.
Mr. A, N. Burns, F.E.S., referred to his exhibit of specimens
ol four species of Prickly Pears (Opuntia) which are proving
terrible pests in Queensland and Northern New South Wales,
about 29,000,000 acres heing infested with this cactus in the
former State. He also called attention to two very rare
Lycaenid butterflies in the case exhibited by Mr, L, Thorn.
EXHIBITS. .
By Mr. F. G, A. Barnard.—Flowers of Long-podded Wattle,
Acacia elongata, grown at Kew.
By Mr. A. N, Burns, F.E.S.—Four species of Opuntia
{ptickly pear) from Queensland, with photographs of experi-
mental cages used by Prickly Pear Board in Queensland.
By Mr. Geo. Coghill—Flowers of Greville rosmarvenifolia,
from a cultivated plant in his garden at Canterbury.
By Mr. C. Daley, B.A., I.E.5—Case of gem stones in illus-
tration of his address; also, on behalf of Mr. D. Cameron,
Mortlake, N.5.W., samples of the following chemicals ex-
tracted from the crude oil distilled from Eucalyptus dives in
the Braidwood district, N.S.W.=—(a) piperitone, the crude ail
contains 30 to 50 per cent. of it; this is oxidized to (b) thymol,
or reduced to (c) menthol ; in the latter case there are two-stages
—piperitone to (¢) menthone, menthone to menthol. .
By Mr, C. French, jun—Specimen of a remarkable pall-
making coccid (scale insect), Apiomorpha munita, from
Croydon, Victoria; also the Kangaroo Louse, Heterodoxus
longitarsus, found on a domestic dog, not previously recorded
fer Australia from this host; collected by Mr. H. F, Clinton,
at North Melbourne. é
By Geological Survey ot Victoria, per Mr, A. E. Rodda.—
Samples of retinite (fossil resin) trom brown coal mines at Lal
Lal and Yallourn, also alluvial gold mines at Allendale and
Creswicle. ’
By Mr. A. G. Hooke.—-Photograph (enlarged) of Mount
Bogeng, showing the greater part of the top ot the mountain.
By Mr, H. E. James.—Flowers of Eviostemon pbovalis and
Pimeles, sp., trom Retreat-road, Bendigo,
By Mr. C. Oxe.—Insects from Menzies Creek, and zircons,
&c., from Beechworth,
By Mr. Ff. Pitcher—Photographs of webbing and nests of
spider, Arachnina Aigginst, on Douglas Ping, 9 feet high, taken
by Mr. ©. Hammond in his garden at Belgrave, May, 1g24.
By Miss J. Raff, MSc. F.ES,—Leaflet by Dr Alfred
Moore, I'.E.5., describing a simple inethod of mounting insects.
42 Field Natwralists' Chib—Proceedings. ve ta.
This method is adopted by Prof. Maxwell-Lefroy as the
standard.for use in the Entomological Department of the Royal
College of Science, London. The materials used are celluloid
slides and ' Thymoplas,” a specially prepared plasticine con-
taining a strong preservative. In illustration of above—
mounted preparation of.a stick insect hatched from egg, and
eggs showing the characteristic lid which is pushed off at
iatching,
By Mr. W. H. A. Roger—Three tubes and penholder con-
taining opal chips, from White Cliffs, N.S.W.
By Mr. J. Searle —Australian precious stones—diamond and
topaz trem Beechworth, Victoria; sapphire, Queensland ;
tourmaline. South Australia, zircons, Tasmania; opals,
Queensland; turquoise, King River, Victoria; also pvars,
Thursday Island and Western Australia.
By Mr. A. L. Scott.—Basalt and basaltic glass (tauchylite),
under the microscope,
By Mr. A. J. Tadgell.—Geological specimens Irom Mount
Bogong, consisting of metamorphic gneiss (mica schist or
phyllite) pegmatite, felspar, quartz* with large plates of mica
(muscovite), white quartz showing tourmaline crystals.
By Mr. L. Thorn.—Case containing sixty-six species of
Australian Lycacnid butterflies, including Md#etws delicia, var.
duaringee} and M. tsntta, vat. chrvsonotus.
By Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.L.S.—Hairball from stomach
of a cow,
After the,usual conversazione the meeting terminated,
THe Kancaroc Louse.—Some interest is attached to the
parasites from the domestic dog, exhibited on behalf of Mr,
H. F. Clinton, from the fact that they have not previously
been recorded from this host in Australia, and were collected
by Mr. Clinton, in company with Mr. J, Fraser, from an Irish
terrier at.Noréh Melbourne, Victoria, on 15th April last, and
identified as the Kangaroo Louse, Helerodoxus longilersus,
Piaget. Specimens were forwarded to Professor Harrison,
Sydney University, who confirmed the determination and the
new locality record. Harrison and Johnston (rgr6) state that
they find this species to be gencrally distributecl upon the genus
Macropus, und that if has also been recorded from dogs from
several localities in America and Africa, as well as from
Japan, and from a jackal from Africa. They also state that
ik-is undowbtedly a marsupial parasite, and all occurrences on
carmivara must be regarded as stragglers. Mr. W. M. Bale,
Kew, Victona, has in his collection specimens of this parasite,
which he obtained from a dog in 1886.—C. FrREencH, JUN,
Toth June, 1924. :
yer] Tuorx, Some Vitiorian Lycacnid Butterfltes, 43
NOTES ON THE LIPE-HISTORIES OF SOME VIC-
TORIAN LYCAENID BUTTERFLIES. _
By L. B, THorn.
(Read before the Feel Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 12th May, 19243)
Berore dealing directly with the Lycaenid butteriiies, the
subject of my paper, it may perhaps be advantageous to some
of those present to have a few of the main facts in the life-
history of a butterfly put before theny.
Butterflies and moths belong to the Order Lepidoptera or
insects having Wings clothed with scales, This order is divided
info two sections, the first being, called the Rhopalacera or
club-homed antennae; butterflies belonging to this section,
The majority of our butterflies are day-fliers, and like the
bright sunshine. A few species in Queensland and northern
New South Wales fly in the evening, just before dusk. When
at rest the wings of a butterfly. arc usually held erect above
the back, with the upper surfaces pressed closely tovether.
The second section is called the Heterocera or insects with
broad feathery ov fine thread-like antenne#. Moths belong to
this section, and, as a rule, fly after sunset, and have the above
type of antenn®. The wings of a resting moth are nearly
always seen folded along the back, or flat against the surface
on which they rest.
Butterflies and moths are among the giants of the insect
World, They can be defined as insects with two pairs of
menibranous wings well adapted for extended flight, and
clothed with scales overlapping each other like the slates on
the roof of a house, flattened and rounded on the surface of the
wings, but more or less hair-like upon the body, The head is
usually provided with a tubular proboscis that can be curled
up like a watch spring when at rest, and, when extended, is
admirably adapted for sucking up the honey from flowers,
Typical butterflies are usually slender-bodied insects with
delicate Jegs and richly-tinted wings ; they fly about in bright
sunlight, visiting flowers and feasting upon the nectar that they
find in the blooms. They have large compound eyes, so that
they can see very well; and the Slender, tubular mouth is very
highty developed in all butterflies.
This evening I am dealing with nine species of our Victorian
Lycaenid butterflies, of which I have specimens un exhibition,
with, in some cases, complete life-histories. My notes on the
species are the result of observations made in the ficld, and by
hreeding out some of the species. The localities where the
larvae, pupae, and perfect insects have been taken will also be
given, All these beautiful butterflies exhibited belong to the
family Lycaenidae, which is divided into two sub-famuilies,
+
44 TiorN, Sore Victorian Lycacnida Butterfifes. [Vit Bar
Ogytinae, Theclinae, and four genera—Ogyris, Miletus, lalmenus,
and Protialmenus. ;
The first stage in the life-history of a butterfly 15 the ovum,
or egg; the second the larva, or caterpillar; the third the pupa
or chrysalis ; and, lastly, the imago, or perfect butterfly. The
eggs of Lycaenid butterflies are smooth, and almost spherical ;
sometimes smooth and much flattened at base and apex, some-
times densely pitted and flattened. They are deposited either
singly or in clusters upon the stems, young shoots, or flower-
buds of the food plant. The caterpillar is composed of thirteen
segments or rings, the first one being the head. They have
sixteen legs, the first six being the true legs, which reappear in
the perfect insect, while the other ten are termed pro-leys, or
claspers, which are used for holding on to the food plant while
the caterpillar is feeding, and are entirely lost when the change
into a chrysalis takes place. The Lycacnid larva'or caterpillar
is almost invariably flattened and slug-like in shape, with the
head concealed while at rest, The posterior segments usually
possess dorsal glands, which secrete a quid much prized by
ants, The ants, consequently, attend the larvae and shepherd
them. Some of these caterpillars feed during the day, others
at night, sheltering during the daylight in ants’ nests, under
loose bark or stones, in curled leaves ot fower-buds, or in
crevices of the trunk of the feod-plant. The chrysalis is usually
smooth, ahd in transverse section ovoid, sometimes much
Hattened, and with the abdomen extended in lateral ridges.
lt is usually attached by the tail, and sometimes hy a central
silken girdie-thread in either horizental or vertical position,
arid with the head either upwards or downwards_ It is gencr-
ally found in the same position as the sheltering larvae, more
rarely loose just beneath the surface of sandy soil, The perfect
butterfiy is usually of a small size and delicate structure, with
beautiful rich colours of bluc, purple, green, and copper. All
the legs are developed for walking, but the front pair less so
than the others, and are better developed tn the female than in
the male. These four stages in some of the species exhibited
take a year to complete ; with other species there are generally
two broods in a season—the spring and autumn. |
The first three species of butterflies shown belong to the
sub-family Ogyrtinae, genus Oeyris. The caterpillars of these
three species of butterflies feed on mistletoe, which is nearly
always found High up on encalypts and other trees. Conse-
quently, the butterflies are nearly always seen flying high up
over the top of the trees and around the mistletoe, with the
result that they are difficult to capture on the wing} hence the
best way to secure good specimens is to find the larvae or pupae
and breed out the perfect insects.
Avy. Thorn, Some Vicorian Lycaenttd Builerftes. ' 45
My first species is the Common Mistletoe Blue, Ogyris olane,
Hewijtson, exhibited with the four stages in its life-history—viz.,
eggs, inflated caterpillar, chrysalis, and perfect insects of both
sexes (ste fig, 1). The food plant of this species is the Dronping
Mistletox, Loranthus pendudes, which is found on ecucalypts.
The caterpillars are night feeders, hiding under loose bark on
the trees during the day. Sometimes 1 have found the larvae
and pupae, with two Species of ants, on the same tree, but they
are more often found without ants attending them. When
full grown a number of caterpillars ceawl down the tree to
pupate under bark, which is generally found loose wear the
base of the trees. Tt is interesting to note that the pupae, when
exposed to a strong light, make a faint clicking sound. I
remember the first time 1 brought home several pupae, and
while transferring therm into the breeding box, under a strong
electric light, to my surprise one after another made this
sotind,and I found that by placing the pupae in a tin the sound
was more clearly defined. There ate two broods in a season
of this beautiful buttertiy. ln the spring the caterpillars are
found in various stages from June to September. The perfect
insects being on the wing during the end of September and
throughout October and Noyember, The aututmn brood is
on the wing in the months of January, Pebruavy, and March.
The majonty of the insects emerging from this latter brood
in the breeding box were females. Last season I made a gote
of how long if look this butterfly tu emerge from the chrysalis,
A full-grown caterpillar was secured on the Moorooduc
excursion, 20th Octuber, 19235; the caterpillar turned inte a
chrysalis on the 27th October, and the perfect female, which ts
shown, emerged 6th Decembey, thus taking forty days for the
butterfly to emerge, he central asea on the wings of the male
butterfly is dwl purfple; on the wings of the female hlnish-
purple. The Jocalities where the larvae and pupae have been
secured are Frankston, Eltham, Macedon, Bendigo, and along
the Femtree Guily-road,
The second species is Lhe scarce Mistletoe Blue, Ogyris abrata,
Westwood, of which I exhibit two stages in the life-history —
the pupa and perfect insects of both sexes, The food plant of
this species is the common Mistletoe, Lovanthns celastrovdes,
which is found principally on eucalypts, The caterpillars ure
night feeders, hiding under loose bark on the trees during the
day, They are attended by a number of small black ants
of the genus Crematogaster. This. ant has a heart-shaped
abdomen, and when disturbed raises the abdomen and
moves slowly around and about the caterpillar and chrysalis.
This butterfly is becoming very scarce in Victoria. It is a
rather local butterfly, and generally found in pumbers
-
46 Torn, Some Victorian Lycacnid Butterflies, [Vice 8a
where it occws. While on a visit to Broadmeadows
with Mr, A, N, Bums, in 1922, we noticed a couple of
Meat Ants, fridomyrmex. detectus, coming down a tree with
two young larvae ofthis butterfly between their mandibles.
After catching the ants we found that both the cater-
pillars were dead, and very nearly bitten in two. There
was one eucalypt tree bearing the Common Mistletoe that was
free from this ant and on which L was always sure of finding
a caterpillar or chrysalis every season. This year I paid a
visit ta the tree and found that the Meat Ants had invaded the -
tree, with the result that my search for a larva or pupa proved
fruitless, Jé seems strange that this large ant kills the larvae
of this pretty butterfly, as these same ants attend with great
cate caterpillars of the Imperial Blue Butterfly, and will
always attack oy if the tarvae or pupae are disturbed. In the
Spring ®rood the larvae and pupae are found in the months of
July to October ; perfect insects are on the wing in the months
of October and November. Jn the autumn brood the butterflies
are on the wing in Febryary and March, a large number of
female butterfiltes emerging in this latter broad, The central
area On the Wings of the male butterfly is rich dark purple ;
the forewings of the female are brown-biack, with the central
area light: yellow. Localities where larvae and pupae have
been ¢ollected are Broadmeadows and the You Yangs.
W. H. A, Roger secuted larvae and pupae at Black Rock and
Springvale.
My third species is the Satin Blue, Ogyris amaryllis meridion-
alis, Bethiine-Baker. The food plant of this species is the
Slender Mistletoe, Loranthus lanophylius, which is found oa
Sheoke trees in the north-west of Victoria. F, E. Wilson
captured the specimens exhibited in the Mallee during Sep-
tember, 1gz7- The wings of the male butterfly are metallic
blue; of the female, metallic blue tinged with purple.
The next three species belong to the genus Miletus. The
butterflies of this genus are noted for their beautiful smetallic
colours on the upper surface of the wiags and also by the rich
metallic markings on the under surface of the wings.
‘The fourth species is the Moonlight Blue, Mitetus delicia delos,
of which I have the four stages—the eges, inflated larvae,
pupae, and perfect insects of both sexes (see fig. 2), The central
area on the Wings of the male butterfly is metallic green, of the
fernmale: metallic blue. This species is one of our most beautiful
butterfites, and is very rarely scen on the wing, This year,
for the first titme, I found a specimen of this butterfly on the
wing, It was walking over the flowers of the Sweet Bursaria,
Bursaria spinosa, feasting on the nectar with the wings held
erect above the back, with the upper surfaces pressed closely
eh | Taorn, Some Victortan Lycaenid Bullevfites. 47
together. The caterpillars of this butterfly are night feeders,
hiding under loose bark, also in holes in the tree made by the
bering beetles and wood-moth caterpillars. One of the
inflated caterpillars shown to-night was found on a Black Wattle,
Acacia mollissima: the other on a Blackwood, Acacia melan-
oxylon, They are always attended by a number of small black
ants ot the genus Crematogaster. This ant has a heart-shaped
abdomen, and when disturbed raises the abdomen and moves
slowly around and about the larvae. The attendance by ants
is due to the fact that the larvae secrete a liqnid from two glands
situated at the posterior end of the body, The ants are also
a protection for the caterpillars from parasites, which kill a
large number of other species of butterfly caterpillars that are
not attended by ants, and also a great number of moth cater-
pillats, every season. The Moonlight Blne Butterfly larvae
are found from the end of January fo the middle of November.
I have had them feeding fur nine months in the breeding-bex.
From February to April the larvae would come out at dusk
from under a piece of blotting paper pinned in the corner of the
box and craw! on to their food plant, placed in a bottle of water.
From the end of May to July the larvae appear to semi-
hibernate or eat very little of their food plant. Durmg August,
September, and October the caterpillars seem to be very
hungry, and make up for the two months they hibernated—
in fact, every week f noticed a difference in the size of the
larvae. IT used to place small pieces of apple un the food plant,
The caterpillars seem to pre the apple first before going on
to the Acacia to feed; also gave the ants bread. soaked in
water. Lt the ants were not in the breeding box to attend the
larvae the secreted liquid would form into a mould or mildew,
which kills a number of species of Lycaenid larvae every season.
This white mildew develops on the eleventh and twelfth
segments, situated at the posterior end of the body. Once
this mildew forms on the caterpillar it generally keeps in the
same position for a week, and gradually shrinks ta nearly half
its original size, becoming hatd and rigid, When full grown
the caterpillars attached themselves to the breeding-box with
a silken pad at the tip of the abdomen, and also by a central
silken girdle-thread. They turned into a brown chrysalis,
which gradually became black a week before the butterfly
emerged, There is only one brood of this lovely butterfly
during the season, the perfect insects being on the wing in the
months of December and January. Localities where the larvac
and pupae were secured, Dandenong and Woori Yallock,
W. H. A. Roger, while collecting at Springvale, found a2
numberof pupae of this butterfly in a voll of loose bark, which
was on the ground near the base of a Black Watile, a number
4% Teor, Some Victorian Lycacnid Rutterfites. Nit ee
of ants mentioned being inside the roll of bark with the
pupae,
The fifth species is Miletus ignita, Leach. The caterpillars
of this butterfly feed on the Golden Wattle, Acacia pyorantha,
HH, W, Davey, while collecting ant-nest beetles at Oocan Grove,
found a number of caterpillars and pupae of this butterfly,
They were attended by a number of small ants, not identified.
The caterpillars were found hiding under the foots and curved
trunk of the young Golden Wattles, and came out to feed at
night. The pupae are found in the same position as the
sheltering caterpillars throughout October and November, The
butterflies are on the wing in November and December. The
central area on the wings of the male butterfly is dull coppery-
purple; on the wings of the female, purple tinged bluc.
My sixth species, Miletus hecalius, Miskin, has been captured
on the wing near Sherbrook Falls, Belgrave, A, N. Burns
secuted a number of pupae at Como, New South Wales, and
forwarded four to me, from which three butterflies emerged,
a paic of them being exhibited this evening. The central area
on the wings of the male is rich purple ; on the forewings of the
female there is a central patch of orange.
The next two species belong to the genus lalmenus.
Seventh species, the Imperial Bluc, Talmenys evagoras,
Donovan, showing the four stages in the life-history—eggs,
inflated caterpillar, chrysalis, and perfect insects of both sexes.
The central atea on the wings of this beautiful butterfly is pale
metallic blue. This insect ts locally common, and generally
found in numbers where it occurs, The caterpillars are found
in Various stages from December to March, feeding during the
day on young Early Biack Wattles, Acecia decurrens, and the
Black Wattle, Acacia molitssima, and are always attended by
a number of small black ants, probably of several species. These
ants are always moving quickly, on and about the larvae. It
is amazing to watch how the ants keep with the caterpillars
when disturbed. Sometimes there will be a number of larvae
grouped together, and if one moves away from the rest the ants
ate after it, A number will pin on to the back of the caterpillar,
holding on With their mandibles, while a number move around
to head it back, and generally succeed in bringing the cater-
pillar to a-halt after it has moved a few inches. When a cater-
pillar falls to the ground it is wonderful how quickly the ants
on the ground find and keep with it, and when the caterpillar
is touched er disturbed, by the way the ants inwnediately show
fight, by tunning over the hand and nipping it with their
mandibles. The majority of caterpillars have pupated by the
end of January, and are found attached to small branches,
and undet surface of leaves of small stunted Acacias. Often
July, THors, Some Viclorian Lycaenid Butterflies. 49
a number of pupae are found clustered together on a silken
web spun by the caterpillars. The colour of the chrysalis is
brown, which gradually turns a dark brown a week before the
ulterfy vmerges. This,season I made a note how long it took
the butterfly to emerge from the chiysalis. ‘Twelve full-grown
larvae were secured Gn a small Black Wattle on 3rd February ;
larvae pupated from the 4th to the roth of February; perfect
insects etiefyed from the 2nd to the oth of March, thus
taking four weeks for the buttery to emerge, fram the time
the caterpillar turned into a chrysalis. Localities where the
larvae and pupae were secured, Eltham and Woori Yallock.
The eighth species is Ialmenus Seilius, Hewitson. G. Lyell
has secured larvae and pupae of this rare buttery at Gisborne,
and if also ocewrs in South and Western Australia. The central
area on the wings of the male being metallic green, on the wings
of the female metallic blue. The specimen exhibited was
captured in Western Australia. ;
The ninth species is Protialmenus ictinus, Hewitson, Imperial
Blue, with two stages in the Ife-histary ts exhibited, pupae and
perfect insects, The caterpillars are found feeding during the
day on the Black Wattle, Acacia decurvens, and the. Blackwood,
Acacta melanoxylon. They are always attended by the large fierce
Meat Ant, Iridomyrmex detectys, and I well remember the first
tiie I climbed a tree to secure some full-grown caterpillars. When
the larvae were disturbed this large ant immediately attacked
me, and it did not take me long to reach the ground and pull
off my coat to brush off the ants that were holding on to my
arms with their strong mandibles. When a caterpillar falls
to the ground it is wonderful how quickly the meat ants moving
about near the- base of the tree find and shepherd the cater-
pillar, The larvae and pupae of this butterfly are found in the
months of October, November, and December, the perfect
insects being on the wing in the end of December and January,
Localities where the Jarvae and pupae were secured, Broad-
theadows. A. N. Burns found the larvae and pupacat Bacchus .
Marsh. J. E. Dixon found larvae and pupae at Kerrisdale,
and W. H. A. Roger found the laryae and pupae at Trawool,
This species occurs all along the eastern side of Australia and
as far north as Kuranda, in Northern Oucensland,
My remarks this evening may have created an interest in some
of the younver members of the Club who have not yet settled
down to any particular ne of study, To my mind the
“development and life of & butterfly is a subject of deep interest.
The part different species play in the economy of nature re-
quires patient investigation, and any facts gleaned should be
recorded,
The published literature on Victorian butterflies is sone
‘50 THoRN, Some Victorian Lycaenid Butterflies.” [Vic S34
What scanty. In 1893 E, Anderson and the late F. P, Spry,
both members of this Club, published “ Victorian Butterflies
and How to Collect Then," in which most of our species were
illustrated. It is a useful book for a young beginner, but is
now out of print, and difficult to obtain. In 1907 W. J-
Rainbow, of the Australian Museum, Sydney, published
“®\ Guide to the Study of Australian Butterflies,” a more
comprehensive work, in which were illustrated a number ‘of
life-histeries of Australian butterflies. In “ Australian “Insects,”
by W.'W. Froggatt, Government Entomologist: of New South
Wales,'a number of species-are illustrated, also many moths.
The standatd.-work at present:on Australian butterflies is
by Waterhouse and Lyell. (also members of this Club),
published in 1914. This is a.most complete: work, describing
and illustrating the whole of .our Australian _ butterflies,
numbering four hundred and twenty species, also illustrating
types of the larvae and pupae of the different families. In this
work eighty-four species are recorded for Victoria, classified
as follows :—Nymphalidae, 19, of which fourteen belong to the
sub-family Satyrimac, “browns” or "' forest "butterflies:
Lycaenidae,“ blues” and " coppers,’ 2q; Pteridac, '' whites”
and “yellows,” 6; Papilionidae, “swallow-tails,"" 4; and
Hespéridae,. “‘skippers."’ 26, The parts of ‘ Destructive
Insects of Victoria," by C. French, first Government Ento-
mologist of Victoria, also contain scme account of the life-
histories of certain Victorian butterflies, and-I am indebted
to several of these authors for some of the information
included in these; notes. ; :
Though net approaching the sizé and coloration of the more
tropical species, Victorian butterflies are not without some
beauty, -and ate well worthy of study: =i
of ~EXPLANATION OF-PLaTE. at 2
I.—Ogyits vlane,-Hew., "' Mistletoe Blue." —a, eggs |, 5, cater-
pillar ; c,chrysalis ;“d, imago (male) ;.2,/imago (female) ; /, food
plat (Drooping Mistletoe, Loranthus pondiiws), = = *
2.—Miletus delacia delos, “ Moonlight Blue.""—a, eggs; b, cater-
pillar ; c; ants which attend caterpillar: @, chrysalis; ¢, imago
(male) ; f, imago (female); #, food plant (Black Wattle, Acacta
mollassvne), prey pe ak
“aT
—————————
An APPRECTATION,—Nalitre (London) for April -zgth, t924,*
says that-the Victorian Naturalist for February, 1q24,-contains
‘a very readable account" by Mr. D. J, Paton of “a very
unusual plant formation ” (the Whipstick Scrub, near Bendigo),
and gives brief notes on the characteristics of the vegetation,
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol. XLI, july, 1924
PLATE Il.
eee
tant eee
+ Crees
er
eereesee *
. ee*
SSG Gimp SPet se -
eee?
1.-MISTLETOE BLUE BUTTERELY (Ogyris olane), Hew.
2.-MOONLIGHT BLUE BUTTERFLY (Miletus delicia delos),
July. J Notes, gt
Mareten GrcKos HatcHep t Captrvity.—Early last
November Mr. J, E, Dixon, of this Chub, returned from @
collecting tip to the Mallee around Lake Hattah, North-West
Victoria, where he kindly collected for me some living speci-
mens of the Marbled Gecka, Phyllodactylus marmoratus, Gray
According to a paper, ‘ The Lizards Indigenous to Victona,"'
by Lucas and Frost, read before the Royal Society of Victoria,
rgth April, 1893, the writers state that this lizard is usually
met with under logs and stones. These are certainly not the
usual places to look for this species, as, although | have met
with great numbers of this gecko, they haye always heen
found under the loose bark of trees, and 1 have oever yet found
any under stones, it being essentially an arboreal species, A
much rarer species, Diplodactylus strophkurus, Daum. and Bibr.,
3s usually taken under stones; sa alsa is the lat-tailed Getko,
Gvamodactylas waltusi?, Bory, a ground species, which is
fairly plentiful under granite slabs on Mount Alexander and
similar situations. The several geckos collected at Hattah
by Mr Dixon were received by me on 6th November of last year,
and were at once placed in an insect breeding cage having the
usual glass front. At mght. when the geckos were crawling
up this glass, it could easily be seen that two of the females
each contained a pair of eggs. The first female deposited her
eggs on the night of ryth November, while the other did mot
deposit her eggs until two days later. I then removed the
eges from the cage and placed them in the small box shown
here to-night, together with a small quantity of dry soil for
the eggs to rest on, so as to prevent their rolling about. The
first egg hatched out on the 7th of this month (June), and two
more eggs hatched on the rath; the other egg was accidentally
broken some time before. The young geckus, shortly after
emerging from fhe egg, commenced to shed their skin, this
process being completed within twenty-four hours, the
markings from which this gecko has received its specific namn
being then most pronounced, as can ‘vet be seen on the young
specimens exhibited to-night. It is of interest that these
geckos have hatched out at the present time (June), and also
the time taken to hatch—viz,, 207 days, or nearly seven
months, a5 well as the small number of eggs laid by the
temale, My, Dixon has just informed me that, although he has
also seen great numbers of this gecko, he. like myself, has
never yet come across one of this species wider a stone—
H.W. Davey, F-E-S., 26th June, 1924,
52 Notes. [yor S04.
“Frora oF Sourm Austratia,” Part Il—Another of the
handbooks of the Hora and fauna of South Australia, issued by
the British Science Guild (South Australian branch), has just
been published. This part comprises the second third of the
plants of South Australia, and is the work of Mr, J. M, Black,
the author of the first part (with the exception of the Orchid-
aceac, which was cantributed by De. R. S. Rogers). Arranged
mnder the system of Engler, this part comprises the families
Casuiarinaceae to Euphorbiaceae inclusive, extending to 203
pages (82 x9), A third part will complete the work, which will
be uf great advantage to students of South Australian plants.
It contains twenty-four full-page plates and about 120 figures
in the text, all by the auther of the work. These are most
useful, as they give in many cases dissections of the flowers
variously enlarged. No attempt has been made to record a
vernacular name for each species, but where a fairly universal
one exists it is given. Turning to the Acacias, we find eighty
species listed, among them A. rivalis, J. M. Black, ‘‘ Silver
Wattle,” 4. decurrens, var. mollis, Willd., being Black Wattle"
and “Silver Wattle” (4. dealbata does not occur in South Aus-
tralia), while 4, .aymata, R. Br., ‘' Kangaroo Thorn,” does not
tlaim Kangaroo Island as one of its habitats, as is usually
believed. A- vhetinodes, Schlecht., appears to be the correct
spelling of the specific name, as it is derived from the Greek
rheltnodes, resinous. Apparently. according ta the tules of
pniority. the Sturt Pea must henceforth be known as Chanthys
spectosus instead of C. Dampieri, as named by Allan Cunning-
lam. That the work has entailed a temendous amount of
research on the part of the author is apparent in every page.
it will be found equally useful by Victorian betanists as by those
of the sister State. The published price is three shillings.
Qiher volumes of this series which have been issued are Fishes
(6s.), by Mr. E. R, Waite, F.L.S., and Mammals, Part I, (4s.),
by Dr. F. W, Jones. About twelve more are in course of
preparation.
THe Anakie Heats, Choristemon humilts, H. B, Williamson,—
I have astettained that previously to my gathering the specimen
from which this plant was described and figured in the March
Naturalist (vol. xl, p- 231), a specimen had becn handed to me
by my companion and guide. the Rev, A. C. F. Gates, M.A.,
by whose good offices the excursion was made possible. is
nO Significance was attached to the find at the time, this was
inadvertently overlooked by me, and T regret that the name
of Mr. Gates as first collector was omitted from the descrip-
hon in the Natwyelst+-H. B. WritLramson,
Che Victorian Naturalist.
Vow. XL —No, 4, AUGUST 7, 1924) — - . No, 438.
FIELD NATURALISTS" CLUB OF ‘VICTORIA. :
THE monthly meeting of the Club was held ‘at the Royal Society’s
Hall on Monday evening, r4th July, 1924.
The president, Mr. J. Searle, occupied the chair, and about
fifty mmembets and visitors were present,
REPGRTS.
A report of the’ visit to the Geological Museum on Saturday,
21st June, was given by the leader, Mr. A. E. Rodda, who said
that, by the courtesy of Mr. W-. Baragwanath, the Director of
the Geological Survey, the museum was made available for
the visit of the members. of the Club, about twenty of whom
spent a very interesting afternoon in the examination of the
fine collection of rocks, minerals, &c., displayed. In addition,
a number of slides of diatoms and foraminifera were examined
under the microscope.
In the absence of the leader, Mr. F. G._A. Barnard, a report
of the excursion to Mitcham on Saturday, 5th July, was
given by Mr. C. Daley, B.A., who said that he was one of a
party of several members who missed the appointed train, and,
atriving at Mitcham late, did not catch up to’ the party led by
Mr. Batnard, and so could not say what his party had observed.
However, he and his fellow-members bad spent an enjoyable
alternoon rambling through the paddocks, where a fair amount
of the Common Heath, Epacris ampressa, principally the white
varpety, was seen. a ee Wey te
[Mr. Barnard reported subsequently that, with a party of
about a-dozen members, he had* walked towards the Deep
Creek via OQuarry-road, and thence through the bush to the
Lilydale-road. Heath’ was ‘not as plentifnl as expected, but
sufficient was obtained to satisfy the desires of the party.
Early blossoms of two Acacias, A. myrtifolsa and A. verticillata,
Correa speciosum, and a few spring flowers; were noted.j
- ELECTION OF MEMBERS.
On a ballot being taken,"Mr. D.M. Ebbs, 6 Pernhurst-grove,
Kew; Mrs, V. Millec, Lambeth-place, St.-Kilda: Miss C.
Quarterman, 4 Canterbury-road, Toorak; Mr, T. J. James,
tra Maling-road, Canterbury ; Mr. W. Mohr, 9 Marine-parade,
St. Kilda ; Mr. J.:M. Sinclair, yoo Butwood-road, Hawthorn ;
were duly elected ordinary members ; and Miss J. Curdie, c/o
Mrs, A. J. Black, Mount-Noorat, via Terang, as a country
member of thesClub, — - :
84 Field Naturalists Club—Proveedings. vice fabs
“GENERAL BUSINESS,
Mr, C. L. Barrett, C.M.Z.S_, called attention to the great
destruction of wild-flowers going on in every direction. He con-
sidered it' time for the Club to.see what protection could be
afforded to the fast-disappearing native fiora, and drew particular
attention to the practice of visitors to heath districts gathering
such large quantities of that favourite flower. He also thought
that collectors of orchids should refrain from digging up
quantities of plants for home cultivation, which, as a.rulc, was
unsuccessful.
Mrs. Coleman also deplored the destruction which was going
on, and made some valyable suggestions as to the gathering
of wild-fiowers for the annual exhibition. These might be
sent. ta intending exhibitors with the hope that greater care
would be exercised in collecting exhibits. Miss Nokes, Dr.
Sutton,, and Messrs. Williamson, Daley, Pitcher, Oke, and
Searle also referred to the importance of Mr. Barrett's
suggestions. : f
Mr, Barrett referred to the Way in which flowers and shrebs
were protected in the United States of America, and more par-
ticularly in California, and thought that something similar
might be done in Victoria. He moved—“ That the committee
be asked to consider means for protecting the native flora and
of remedying the mischief already done.” This was seconded
by Dr. Sutton, and carried unanimously.
PAPER READ.
‘By Mr, J, Stickland, entitled “ The Aquatic Protozoa of the
Melbourne District, Part 11.”
The author, in continuation of his paper in the Valwralist
for August last (vol. xL., p. 65), in which he dealt with the class
Sarcodina, described the class Mastigephora, the individuals
of which are provided with fisgella for purposes of locomotion,
&c. In this group the boundary between plants and animals
was completely obliterated; hence many forms were claimed
by both botanists and znologists, Reptesentative local specics
of the various orders were described and illustrated by large;
scale drawings.
Mr, H. B. Williamson congratulated the author on the
interest of his remarks, and suggested that a “ pond-lfe “. night
might be arranged, which would place members more in touch
with the subject of the paper. :
The president mentioned the interesting tests that could be
made in phototaxis and galvanotaxis in the group dealt with
—the Infusoria—and gave examples of the galvanotaxis of
several species, demonstrating how the experiments’ could be
carried out.
Aug. Field Naturalists’ Ciwb—Procesdings. $5
bese
EXHIBITS.
By Me. C. L. Barrett, C_M.Z.S.—Several species of South
African ants, including Messon barbavus, the species mentioned
in the Bible ; also males and workers of the Driver, or Legionary
Ant, Dorylus, sp. - ’
By Mr, J. E. Dixon—Scorpions from various Victorian
localities—Ouyen, Lake Hattah, Natya, Mount Arapiles, Castle-
maine, Gippsland, and Kam, Broken River, being probably
six different species.
By Mr. A. E. Rodda.—A "' bull-roarer''—an insteument
used by the aboriginals during ceremonial gathcrings, from
North Queensland. ;
By Mr. J, Searle—Photomicrographs of the protozoan,
Diplodinium ecandatum, stained by Mallory’s connective tissue
stain and Heidenhaiv’s iron hzmatoxylon stain. to show the
neuromotive apparatus. ‘
By Mr. A, J. Tadgell —Blooms of Acacia verniciflud, Varnish
Wattle, grown at Sandringham. This Wattle produces
abundance of flowers, and grows well in poor soil, A pretty
effect is produced if the Western Australian Sarsaparilla,
Kennedya pentaphylla, can be grown as a background to the
Wattle, the sky-blue flowers of the creeper blending well with
the deep yellow of the Wattle.
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated,
“THE Orp Pioneers’ MEmMoRtAL HistoRY OF MELBOURNE."
—This recently-published volume of about 500 quarto pages,
profusely illustrated with maps and drawings, though not con-
taining many references to natural history, is well worth
] by field naturalists, most of whom should be of a
literary turn of mind, and interested in what has gone before.
The author, Mr. Isaac Selby, has succeeded in getting together
a vast amount of information about men and women who were
foremost in the foundation of our city and State, many of
whom have left indelible marks on the days that have come
after, and he is to be'congratulated on having carried out such
a self-imposed task so well, The price of the volume is twelye
shillings and sixpence, and the profit on the sales is to be devoted
to a lasting memorial of those pioneers whose resting-place in
the Old Cemetery, West Melbourne, has recently been resumed
for market purposes, in spite of the protests of relatives and
friends—an example of: utility before sentiment.
w
mn
Tavnce.t, Mount Bogone and ils Flora vat it
MOUNT BOGONG AND ITS FLORA.
By ALFrep J. TADGELL,
(Read before the Fistd Naturultsts! Club of Vieloria, 16th June, 1924.)
Wir my friends, Messrs. Blagdon and Hooke—the latter your
esteemed honatary treasurer—I spent 2 fortnight last Christmas,
as well as part of January and February, 1923, on Mount Bogong,
Victoria’s highest mountain. 1t¥ remoteness from the capital
may be judged by the fact that Bright is 210 miles from Sand-
tingham (Melbourne), Tawonga 24 miles further, and Mount
Bogong Hut (by horse) vet another 24 miles. You will perhaps
realize the distance better if I say that our train journey from
Sandringham began at about 5 a.m., and ended at Bright at
5,30 that afternoon. We were in our conveyance for Tawonge
within an hour Jater, arriving at our guide's house at ro p.m,
Next morning at 6.45 we were in the saddle, and arrived at
the hut on Mount Bogong at 7 p.m, that evening. The journey
even takes longer in returning, as, though we left Mount
Bogong Hut at ro.30 on Thursday morning, facilities did not
allow of our reaching home tilt Saturday at ¢ p.m.
We do not advise, unless experienced, that the traveller
essays Mount Bogong una‘ded. One traveller we met set out
from Tawonga in the morning, but had retumed by evening.
Guide maps direct, but lines are not shown on the countryside.
There are few indications, many blind gullies, spurs innumer-
able, and rough country,
The Tawonga valley gives one a sensation of pleasure, as one
misses the desolation of the Ovens Valley, through sluicing
operations, and the St. John’s Wort, though Califomian Stink-
weed, Giulia, 1S in evidence. The Kiewa River, known to-the
aborigines as the Ki-ee-wa (flowing waters), commands our
first attention. A great natural barrier, part of the High
Plains, under Mount Bogong, acts as a buffer and throws the
waters of the Big River away to the east, and those of the
Kiewa, which absorks the Mountain Creek, towards the north.
At the mountain end of the valley the river has two main-
branches, known as the eastern, rising under Mount Bogong,
and its high plateau, and the western, having its source in the
Diamentina, under Mount Hotham. A large delta-like area takes
in Mount Beauty and beyond. The branches join near the local
post-office or township of Tawonga.
The river bulked largely in the report of the Commission on
the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme in 2919, and later in that
of its engineer. Much was expected: from the scheme in the
development of the North-East of Victoria. Storage basins
were to be constructed ander Mount Bogong and the High.
Plains at 3,coo feet, using the Rocky Valley and Pretty Valley
Aug.,
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48 TavcEr., Mount Bogzong and ils Flora, yee. Ts
bratiches of the East Kiewa. Statistical information is still
being gathered from the High Plains.
On our two occasions of enforced waiting we botanized
several miles up both the east and west branches of the Kiewa.
The residents are rather proud of the Red Cypress Pines,
Callitrts catcarata, on the banks of the eastern branch, and
local tradition ascribes their being brought by aborigines from
a considerable distance.
Leaving our guide’s house on the West Kiewa, a road takes
us first north, then east. Before a mile has been traversed our
pack-horse is seen struggling with a shifting pack, and fails,
with our food and belongings under him. In a couple of miles
We are crossing the wide stream of the East Kiewa, and a
pretty picture is made by our horses splashing in the sunlight-
reflected water. The tall Narrow-leaved Lomatia lines the banks
of the stream, with the Slender Tea-tree, Lediaspermuem alfenu~
afuo, a handful of whose astringent fruits our guide carries
in his pocket as a useful bush medicme, The last settlement is
soon passed, and we no longer hear the hum of milking-machine
motors. Splashing across Mountain Creek, we pass through a
milé or twoof rich grass flats, in whictt [rom time to time may be
Seen traces of a track, and halt near the junction of Soda
Creek, whose mineralized water our guide advises not to dmnk
Loo freely. We ate here about 2,000 feet high, and seven miles
of the journey have been completed. At our backs is a spur,
once used asa cattle track up to Mount Bogong, bnt since fis-
carded oWing to the steep grade and its roughness, The
rosaceous burt, Bidgee-widgee, Acacna sexguisorba, a common
plant, grows around us, an infusion of which is used by local
bushmen 88 an eye-wash, and which, twenty years ago, I found
an effective astringent on a trip to Mount Kosciusko. The
Prickly Currant-bush, Coprosme Ballardieri, abundant about
here, is, in February, loaded with its bright scarlet, edible
berries, that look like red cuttants. Strap Ferns, Blechrnem
(Lomaria) Palteysontt, and others line the banks of the creck,
while the “Common’’ Spleenwort—which, by the bye, is rare
as a Victorian fern—and the Small Rasp Fern, Dootia caudata,
are to be found among the rocks, Twice we cross the creck
and climb out to the drier spurs, keeping on the highest ridges
up to 3,000 feet. Numerous holes made by the Wombat,
Pihascalamys latifrons, are passed, and although our guide
shouts a warning, a rider is seen struggling as his horse turns
a somergault; bat by wonderful dexterity le falls clear, a
fittle shaken, though without damage even to his eyeglasses,
while in another moment he had caught and remounted his
horse.
On our first visit, though the ndge at 4,000 feet leads
oe Tancer., Mount Bogong and its Flora: 59
southerly and direct over the Mount, circumstances compel
our guide to make a detour to the north-east tno locate the
Trapper’s Creck hut, so we descend over a saddle of the range
for three miles into a wide valley, on the opposite water-shed,
We cross iniry country and push through under-scrub that
brushes our heads roughly and has no respect for our clothing.
A bad iake-off when his hoarse jumps a log causes a broken
saddle girth, and another rider is precipitated on to his shoulder,
still no damage,
Trapper’s Creek at 3,000 feet is seen with overhanging
Myrtle Beech and Sassafras trees, and we emerge on to the
cattle-yards of the grazier and a nicely-built hut r5 x rr. It
is a useful shelter, a kind of half-way house, where the cattle
spell a night before the’ final ascent to the top, still twelve
miles distant. It is situated on the Eskdale to Mount Bogong
track, near where’ there is an indicator fastened to a tree—
“To Granite Flat '"—but this track will he found to be over-
grown, The hut is not hard to locate if general directions are
followed, and the saddle of the ridge found. A recluse dwelt
in the hut for a number of years, finding a living trapping native
fauna. Overnight we had puzzled at @ notice a wag had
fastened on the door of the hut, which read, '‘“ Look under the
bed for strangers“; but some of us slept on the floor, on gum
leaves, and we did not realize his joke until next moming, when
Me. Maddison killed a good-sized snake before we had pro-
ceeded far, Snakes, however, we found scarce, while we saw
no foxes,
The mighty Bogong now stood out in all his majesty as though
challenging us to scale him, while his Jong spurs acted like
buttresses for his bulky side. Our trail along the ridges from
Mountain Creek had shaped itself into the form of a horseshoe,
and a well-worn cattle track was met and followed to the hut
beyond the summit and on to the opposite side, Snowdrifts
increased in size and in number, and my friends began to
develop plans for a toboggan, made later, and which at
Christmas time they were able to enjoy to their hearts’ content,
Beyond the wide Mountain Creek depression on our right hand
there is a splendid view that culminates in the Kiewa Valley _
in the west, while to our Jeft hand, looking easterly, there is
the deep vale of Lightning Creek, with “Terrible Hollow.”
The ridge dips again at 3,700 feet, and we dismount to ease
our horses up the steep slopes of the '"' Pinch.” A nice creek
is crossed at 4,000 feet, and Jarge Snow Gums, Ewcalyptus
coriacewm, vat. alpina, and Silvertops, EF. Stebersana, inter-
mingle. At 5,000 feet we find ourselyes among dwarfiug
eucalypts, ghostly and bleached, with the remains of a young
bullock, that has gone down from exhaustion among the
& sTADGELL, Mount Bogong and its Flora, Vict aes.
tangled Snow Gum jungle during last mustering, When heavy
snow made the going almost impassable.
Mount Bogong is now only separated from os by a narrow
und steep connecting ndge, down the slope of which our guide
has known more than one beast to fall and fail to return. We
are at last on the side of the mountain, and the panorama
extends for 50 miles. Mount Kosciusko, with several peaks,
Gibbo, Pilot, The Cobboras, are on the eastern sky+line, while,
looking back northward, 2 wondrous view is seen of broad
river valleys—the Mitta and others, to the River Murray, lost
in a sea Of ranges, far beyond the New South Wales border.
We feel, with Hazlitt, that "we are surrounded with the constant
sense and superstitious awe of the collective power of mattee—
of the gigantic and eternal forms of Nature, on which from
the, beginning of time the hand of man has made no impression."
The final effort has been too much for ''Sam,” our pack-
horse, who, for the second time, struggles with his burden, but
is only prevented from sliding further down the mountain side
by again lying on our provender and by a rush of arms that
held him back, At the top of the slope a wide expanse of snow
causes us to make a detour from the track, and at the same time
the aneroid perceptibly falls when the intenstfied warmth and
sunshine of the lee side of the mountain are no longer afforded
among the many large snowdrifts of the summit.
We had no petrologist with us, so only a few specimens were
collected as we made the spurs leading up to the summit. They
are laid on the table this evening, and show the decomposed
state of some of the rocks. They may have a little interest,
perhaps, for some of our members. My friend, Mr, J. T
Jutson, tells me that they consist mainly of specimens of méta-
morphic gneiss (mica schist or phyllite}, pegtatite, felspar,
with large plates of white mica (muscovite) and milky white
quartz, with black bands of a mineral that Mr: Rodda says is
tourmaline.
Rain, sleet, snow, and losses by the cattlemen on Mount
Bogong ‘were reported at this time (June) last year by the
press ; but the winter season is not the only time an uncharit-
able welcome will be received from the Spirit of the Mount.
On our arrival on top, at the end of January, 1923, we were
greeted with stinging hail, sleet, and painful cold, A few days
later we were witnesses of onc of the Mount's peculiar
phenomena. A wall of thick bush-fire smoke, after first filling
the valleys and obscunng the hills on the north side, gradually
crept up Mount Bogong and banked up for several miles along
the crest, as the air from the south met and checked its further
movement. :
Writing from Omeo in December, 1854, to Sir Williaa Hooker,
of Kew Gardens, England, Baron von (then Dr. F.} Mueller
a TaADGKLL, Mount Bogong ang its Flora; 61
. tells that he is the first and only white man who has ascended
the two highest summits of Bogong, and he has named them
Hotham and Le Trobe, in honour of two of the Colony of
Vietoria’s, Liewtenant-Governors. He added that on these
vanges he found the boiling-point to be 198° Fahr, He expressed
disappointment that the vegetation of these lofty Victorian
mountains did not boast of as many peculiarities as he had
anticipated, for, as he said, the Australian highlands reflected
Tasmanian forms, Mount Latrobe has since been often
ascended, Mr. Black, the Surveyor-General, trigonometrically
measured it as 6,508 fcet above sea level, and found it to be
Victoria's highest mountain. It now bears the name of Mount
Bogong.
In 1886 Dr. von Lendenfeld and Mr. James Stirling explored
the Victorian Alps together geologically. In theiy report to
the Victorian Mining Registrar, March, 1886, they fully describe
the difficulties of their journey in January, 1886, to the summit,
from the Omeo or eastern side, Mount Bogong is siluated at the
northern end of a high plateau or massed elevation, extending
for sixty miles between the Mitta River in the east and the
Kiewa Rivet in the west. The mount is divided from the
southern portion of the table-land by the deep ravine of the
Big River, a tributary of the Mitta, and is connected with it
by a low, rocky ridge, The explorers further explained that
Bogong got its name from the caterpillars of a night moth.
These caterpillars are called " Bagong "’ by the aborigines, and,
being exceedingly abundant at certain seasons of the year, were
half-roasted and formed a favourite food at their “ Bogong “
{or " Bugong"’) feasts, (A juicy grub would certainly be more
palatable than a winged insect when singed.)
Mount Bogong itself forms a long ridge, the slopes of which
on the north and west are very steep and rocky, those on the
south side less so, while those of the east have a more gradual
slope stiJl, but only a few spurs ate passable for horses, It
extends from west to east about five miles, slightly curving
to the south, and appears as a bald, isolated and almost
inaccessible mountain even in the near distance. It is about
half a mile broad, with slightly undulating summits of three
elevations, about a mile apart, and of about the same height.
At the centre of Mount Bogong, on the north-eastern of the
summits, and at the highest point of 6,508 feet, there has been
erected 2 large, high, and well-built cairn, on which time has
left little trace. Another smaller caivn was built at the south-
west summit by the geadetic survey where the Monnt overlooks
Mount Buffalo and the beautiful Kiewa Valley, and in the
near distance Little Bogong, 1,000 feet lower, This latter is
difficult of access, as tangled scrub and rocky outcrops impede
progress so much that my legging came off, and I did not miss
62 TaDGELL, Mount Bogong and tts Flora: — [Yih Ray,
tt for some time until too late to recover it, If the inter-
yening space between Mount Bogong and Little Bogong were
made easier to cross, as no doubt it will be for tolinists some
day, Judging from the Ministerial visit to Tawonga, and, the
promise made by the Minister to a recent deputation, Mount
Bogong will come into its own and be fully appreciated, as the
distance from Little Bogong to. the Kiewa River crossing is
unly abont five miles, while the distance hetween ihe upper
end lower summits is about a mile-and a half to two miles.
Now the distance from Tawonga to Mount Bogong is twenty-one
miles. I am not saying that a motor-car or buggy will make
the trip in so short a distance, but a good horse track would
not be a very expensive work, and the return journey will be
as easy to accomplish in a day as is the trip from Harrietville
to Mount Feathertop, which is taken by so many, What finer
scenety could be had? The view from Mount Bogong. is
regarded as the finest in the Alps. f ‘
In describing the geclogy of Mount Bogong, Mr. Stirling
states that, although marked “granite” on the map, it is really
gneiss (a hard, crystalline rock of thin layers, mainly of the
same material aS granite). Tt is a highly metamorphosed sedi-
mentary rock; outcropping, and forming escarpments on the
north and west sides of the mountain near the summit. Blows
of white milky quartz are frequent, and stand out prominently.
Lower down the Mount, the rock is transmuted into metarnorphic
granite, quartz, white felspar, and dark brownish-black mica,
Rounded and flattened masses of hasalt-like rocks—quartz
porphytites—occur, which, he thinks, are transported boulders
derived from Mount Nelson, twelve miles to the south, at the
extremity of the High Plains. Von Lendenteld adds. that,
on the summit of Mount Bogong, the metamorphic gneiss has
retained its stratified character. It will thus he seen that
the geological structure of Mount Bogong diflers fram’ Mounts
Hotham and Feathertop, The summit of Hotham is a
recurring mass of argillaceous greyish and bluish slate, alter-
nating with siliceous and lelspathic Sandstone, some of these
atpillaceous members being full of anastamotising seams of
quartz, while on the eastern slopes, near the Omeo road,-are
hasalt outliers, and sedimentary rock is exposed in the
cuttings,” .
Arnved at the mountain top of Bogong, at 6,450 feet, one views
the cairn for the first time, and leaves it a few hundred yards
an the right hand, while one follows the well-worn cattle track
ior a good two miles along the grassy crest of the mountain,
hearing south-east, and heading for the grazier's hut on the
opposite slope. We pass jwhat ovr guide denominates a
“rocking stone” —an oval, water-worn stone about. twelve
inches long, lying in a hollow cradle of a huge-rock, The
Aut TANGELL, Mount Bogong and its Flora, 63
tucking stone is now loose as the result of expostire to the
elements. This may be patt of one of the transported inasses
cof stone that Mr. Stirling refers to, in what he thinks is glacier
action, near the summit. Snow Gums, protected somewhat
ly the dome-shaped mountain mass, are reached at 6,000 feet,
and the track continues through them for a quarter of a mile
before leading down for another hall a mile to the but at
5,900 feet, where the valley closes in.
Without direction it would be difficult ta locate the hut,
but a good indicator is the depression on the south-west side
leading to the commencement of a stream that springs out of
the mountain, and whuse rocky bed soon shows deep erosion
from melted snow waters. This is close to the first Snow
Gums, and to the right of them. The hut cannot be scen from
here, as it is situated among the trees, close: to the ereek, but
it is ‘‘a hollow in the hills,’” suggestive of where one would
naturally look fur a camp, If the stream be followed fur hall
a mile in a westerly direction the hut ts passed before the vieek
takes 4 southerly trend, as it. follows parallel, under (he horse
ridge, a spur leading down, by an easy grade for a horse to the
Big River, which it joins at about 4,000 feet. Tt requires a
walk of 24 hours from the hut to reach the Big River, buf the
journey on return will take 4 hours, a¢ part of it will be through
very rough and dry tangled Snow Gum scrub, while steep slopes
occur towards the river bank.
The Big River, a swiltly-flowing, pellucid mountain stream,
25 tect wide, is spanned by a fallen tree bridge, and its many
rapids and deep holes suggest good trout fishing, The river's
straight outline is like a liqnid road for more than a quarter of
a mile through the overhanging vegetation when viewed from
its banks. We cross the old mining pack track from Tawonga
towards Omea, and follow it over the river a little, as it leads
up ta Mount Nelson and the High Plains, .
The gtazier's hut, which ts the orly dwelling on Mount
Bogong, is an erection that has defied the elements for many
years, and one can imagine the packing of the stout ivon for
the roo! from Tawonga in those rough old days, and the diff-
cullies for tweuty-four miles of a horse with such dead weight,
In tmagination we follow the horse up the steep slepes where
the rocks on edge and the sharp-sided razor-backs make foct-
bold so uncertain that even we are glad to dismount, thongh
the day is windiess, The hut is built very strongly of chocks
and logs and dab, with a capacious chimney and doorway
occupying the whole of the north end of the building, A glance
at the structure, and one would think it proof against wind
and rain, aS its position was chosen, not only because of the
abtindance of wood and water close by, but for the shelter that
the mountainside affords, while the last rays of the setting
64 TADcEtt, Molt Bogong and ils'Plofa. — [Yas Na
stn give as much light and warmth as possible when the days
grow shorter. We found, however, by the splash of ram on the
Sleepers’ faces at times, how searching are the elements on a
boisterous night, when, as we lay in bed, we would ‘isten for
the rush of mountain Wind up the valley, till it struck our home
and caused it to shiver. But what pleasure can be more
oyous than to heac the rain pattering on the iroy roof of a
mit when you know that you are Safe within, and you watch
the blaze of the huge log fire, provided the wind is not driving
the smoke down and filling the Tut, kept up well into the night !
It is only in the early hours ot the morning that you are looking
for the extra blanket. The hut remained a faithful friend to
us, though it must lie buried under the inidwinter snow many
feet aeep.
Daybreak was heralded by Red-tipped Pafdalete's unceasing
call, '' Which-ee-coo, which-ve-coo,” thrice repeatecdt in quick
sticcession.” From sunset till dark lie was back, again cest-
lessly breaking the silence. Scarcely a mile from the hut, on
the southern slope, as one looks towards Mount Nelson, one
takes a Tough scramble into the bed of the creek, aided by tall
Grevilleas and Mountain Plum Pine, Pedocarpus (Nageia)
alpina. One arrives at a nice cascade, over which a good flow
of watertuns. Here our new fern, Cystopteris fragilis, luxuriates,
bathed in the spray from the running stream as it shelters
under the zocks or in their crevices. Almost immediately a
sudden drop reveals a waterfall of some thirty feet. Again
one works out to the high mountain side near by. which stil
overlooks Mount Nelson and the high plateau, and, as one pauses
fov breath, one’s attention is arrested by what, if they were
anywhere else, might bec mistaken for three newly-made
uritolled macadamized roads, or long shoots of [nose stones
fram sotne mine near by, and running down the mountain side
for roo yards. On investigalion they prove to be talus, caused
by the weathering of the mountain's escarpments; and vety
difficult these loose masses of stones prove to us to walk over,
on the steep slope of the range. Returning to the ridge over-
looking the hut, where the Snow Gums commence, and where
our creek rises, we pass for half a mile by a gradual fall on to
the east side of the mountain. Here is the salt-lick flat of the
gtaziers, where sait is put out for the stock. It is somewhat
Swampy just now, and out of the soddened ground a creek
soon forms to join those that flow later to the Big River from
this side. Two fine sphagnum moss beds are close at hand,
fed by the melting snow and springs.
By the end of February the Sun Orchid takes possession,
and counticss sky-blue flowers of Thelymitra venosa give beanty
and delight the eye-cf the flower-lover. The outlets of the
sphagnuin beds are: rushing cteeklets. that -join-that from the
Aw] ' - TapceLt, Mount Bogong and its Flora: Os
salt-lick flat. In the pools of the latter we find an interest,
not only in the plant-life, but in mumerous tadpoles disporting
themselves, while hard by, on hearing the call, we collect the
Golden-yellow Frog, Myla cuingi. The height, 5,800 fect,
seemed to ws interesting and unusual, as the frogs must have
hatched out While the snow lay on the ground, and ice made the
water very cold. As a matter of fact, there was still abundant
snow lui a few yards distant, extending in an unbroken drift
tor a mile or more, On referring the matter to Mr, Jas.
Kershaw, of the National Museum, - that gentleman was kind
enough to identity the frog and supply me with a note, stating
that the pecnrrence was not unusual for this widely-distributed
gpecies, ;
About a mile east from the sphagnum beds, after the valley
has widened considerably, it once again contracts inte a rocky
flat, and a nice series of cataracts are passed. We thought
at first that this was “ the bit of a fall"' to which the graziecs
had referred, but my ever-enetgetic companions, Messrs. Hooke
and Blagdon, always on the look-out for something new, were
not long in making a discovery of importance, The stream
was Tunning fast, along a narrowing bed, when the country
showed a deep depression, and a valley was seen, hemmed in
on all sides by steep hills. Suddenly the water was pre-
cipitated over a rocky face, estimated by us at 130 feet, by three
clear drops of nearly 50 feet each, depositing the water inta
a large, rocky pool below. Hownvan's Falls are worthy of Mount
Boygong, and the natural swimming pool was not long in being
tested, though the icy water did not allow of the swimmers
remaining long in the bath, but quite long enough for a photo,
to be takea of them in their pleasant surroundings.
A curious circumstance is that of another face over which
no wate flowed on either of our two annual visits. This face
almost adjoined, was of the same height, and its dry basin
and the water-worn condition clearly showed that at one time
it must have been the original fall and the channel's course,
but how it had been deflected the precipice and approach did
not permit of our examining, -Animal life-is absent from the
mountain, although at one time, it is said, there were large,
fierce, half-bred dogs running wild with dingoes, Only a broWwn-
coloured porcupine ant-eater, Echidna aculeala, was run to
earth, from which our dogs in-vain tried to dislodge it.
Large black-winged insects with red blotches, grotesque in
appearance and slow in movement, beautifully-coloured
Locustidke, leisurely moved back to the rocks when disturbed,
Eagles, Kestrels, Hawks, Crows, Lory Parruts, and Pardalotes
could be heard and seen almost to the summit. In fact, this
seemed a common meeting-ground for several large individual
flocks of Raven Crows, at whose gatherings something of. very
6 TADGELE. Mount Bogong.and és Flova, [Viet Nat
grave itnportance seemed to be discussed, for on a Sudden they
would all take wing, and, after a deal of cawing, would re-
assomble and- begin the discussion over spain, Shortly after
sunset millions of Bogong rieths were to be seen,_all fying
eastward in one direction, and not flying hither and thither,
as is their bent elsewhere, and, although such 2 large tumber,
they did not seem to invpede each other’s flight. At the same
time there were to be found on the stones in the creek hard by
hundreds quenching their thirst, and, although the water ran
strongly, covering part of their bodies and wings, they held
4 firm grip with their feet for several seconds before flying off.
It would seem difficult to drown these Cut-worm Moths, A protis
infuse, as they easily recover the banks of the creek if by
chance they get into the water. -
A fourteen-mile walk irom the hut for the full length of the
mountain crest, “ over the top " and down on to Little Bogong,
and back, provided a good and varied day’s outing after our
hotses had left. As there was no spring water available we made
our tea {rom a snowdrift. The smoky taste of the tea caused
eur cook to be censured, but, as our guide informed us that
when the snow waters came down into the Kiewa River at
Tawonga if was similarly tainted, we wondered at the. cause.
(n referring the matter to the Government Meteorologist, he
explained to me '' that the peculiar flavour was caused by the
soot from bush-fires, brought duwn by the rain and snow, a
matter previously reported to him.” Perhaps the light atoms
remain in Suspension in the same manner as those that cause the
phenomena called the ted and sulphur-coloured snow of Europe.
There is, as far as I am aware, no separate extensive list of
plantdie that has been collected on Mount Bogong, so I am
appending a list as a “contribution to the flora,” showing at
what heights over 4,000 feet the piants were collected, This
gives 256 native species, 28 varieties, 13 immigrant weeds,
also 24 Species of mosses, &c, In the Victorian Naturalist, for
March, Tg04 (vol. xx., p. 1§6}, there is a short account of a visit
to Mount Bogong by Dr. C, S, Sutton and Mr. G. Weindorfer,
but the visit only allowed of a hurried stay on top of a little
yore than an louc,and then under untavonurable conditions.
Twenty-seven species of plants were recorded at over 4,000
feet. May I express my admiration of these enthusiasts who
went up and down the mountain in one day, as you would agree
with me that a jotiimey One way in twenty-four hours is quite
sufficient, especially with pack-horse and impedimenta. That
indefatigable worker, the late Mr. James Stirling, collected over
our Australian Alps, and made a comprehensive survey recording
its fiota at varying heights and many collecting grounds,
listing Tasmanian and Australian alpine, with other plants,
even. comparing our flora with that of part of Scotland and
Aug P TapcELL, Mount Bogong and is Flora, 67
Antarctica. In his report to the Mining Registrar, and in a
paper read by him before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh
on 2th February, 903, he specifically mentions eighty
species of Mount Bogong plants, exclusive of two ‘species of
Musee, Most of these appear under the initials 'St,"" in Prof.
Ewart's ' Flora of the Victorian Alps” (Vact, Vat., Oct, 1910,
vol, xxvii), but in this last lst no collecting prounds or
heights are given.
In my list some of the plants are shown to have a higher
range of elevation than that recorded by Mr. Bhtirling.
Evidently some of the species collected by this geitleman were
not submitted to the Government Botanist fer confirmation,
er recorded by the National Herbarium of, Victoria. I fear
that some of the plants must be tegarded as douhtfiil records.
Indeed, some arc left out of the ‘’ Census. cf Victorian Plants”
recently published by this Club. Thus, Dichosciadewn ranun-
crlaceum (Azorella dithopetala), Olearsa (Aster) rosmariyt-
folium, Platago stellaris, Euphrasia antarctica, Ranunoulus
anecmoncus ate nut regarded as valid Victorian plants, Brachy-
come extits Is included, but this isa small annual not recorded
for the North-East, and hardly likely to endure the riguroys
eunditions of Mount Bogeng. Stylidewa (Candollea) serrnlata
is now included in S. graminifaltwn It may be found that
Colobanthus subulalns (C. Bénthamianus), which T have not
collected on Mounts Feathertop, Hotham, or Bogong, may have
heen mistaken for C. Billardiert, whose leaves are not apatite.
and which is common on Bogong. When I first found it on
Mount Hotham. in roz5, it had previously been regarded only
as coastal (vide p, T44, Proc, Roy. Soc, Vict,, vol, xxix., part 2,
1917). Acacia alpina and Bovrowsa algida, though common
between 4,000 feet and 5,800 feet on the Mount Hotham portion
of the Alps, must be rare if found on Mount Bogong, as we did
not find either of them. I sought for them both, down to
4,000 feet, on the north and south, and as far as 5,000 feet on
the east and west slopes, as well as the on summit, but without
success. Mr, Stirling mentions the. Acacia as widely dis-
tributed—" Mount Bogong, ascending to the rocky summits
of the eastern points '’; while the Boronia, he states, “ grows
on the rocky slopes of the mountain.” Could Podolepis
acwrtnela also, which we could not find, have been mistaken
for P. longtbedwta when out of Aower, abundant here, and so
‘robust that Mr. Maiden spoke of similar plants on Mount
Kosciusko as like young lettuce plants. I have yet to collect
Cotule aépina from these Alps. The fem Plenresorns
(Cranmittis) rulifolins, collected by Mr. Stirling at 6,000 feet,
may probably be Cysiopteris fragilis, that 1 recorded last year,
My own hotes say that, when dry, the fruit masses merge, and
they lose their individual character, reminding one of Grammitis.
63 TapcEty, Mowns Bogong and ite Flora, — [¥a" Sty
Both grow in crevices of rocks,’ Mr. Stirling found Aster
glandulosus at 5,800 feet; my Olearia (Aster) found at ¢hat
height is QO, ranmilosus, var, conumunis (the Winute-leaved form),
T have fully availed myself of the gencrons assistance of the
gentlemen connected with the Melbourne National Herbarium,
and Messrs. Audas and Morris have been kind enough to go to
a lot of trouble to compare specimens for me with those in
their large and varied collectiott, and have retained a large
number I have sent them, -
The following plants have been added to the Census as the
result of our two Mount Bogong trips :—Carex pyrenatca, Cyst-
opterts fragilis, a new species of the orchid genus Caladenia
which Dr. Rogers will shortly publish the name and desctip-
tion of, Ranunculus Muelleri,* the variety oblongatus of Erigeran
pappochroma, while a new locality has been listed for Olearia
remriosa, var. communis, and Trichomenes hunile, Lt was through
my horse getting away from me while 1 was botanizing down
a Steep Slope, and by having to follow on foot for two miles,
that I found the Felted Buttercup on the summit.
Some of the plants collected are worthy of notice. A form
ol Erechiites hispidila assumed a beautiful beet-root ved all
over its foliage. The white forms of Hovea tongifolia and
Dianella tasmantca do not seem to have been previously noted,
We also. found white forms of Siyhdium graminifolzwm and
Viola betontcafelia, though we did not see Viola Caleyana.
Ferontca Derwentia, which usually has bluish-white corollas,
was found in groups with bright pink colouring. The plants
marked in my list with ? were not sufficiently advanced
io name other. than vegetatively, as Prostanthera mecise,
at §,000 feet would be new for N.E., and Tristanta Jaurina
at 4,000, feet, neither of which could be found in fruit or
flower, Some of the rarer alpine plants were found to be
by mo ttleans uncommon here, Some were even abundant—
Didiscus humilis, Acyplutia simplicifolia, Exocarpus nana, forr
species of orchids, the Edelweiss: Wheel Heath, and Podolepis.
‘The Hoary Sunray was a tiniature flawer show, with 110 flowers
in a Tadius of little moze than one foot square. On the other
hand, such plants as Dauiesia ulicone and Helichrysum rosmarini-
folium were unconimon or very local. The Royal Grevillea,
G. victorig, tall and handsome, was abundantly coveted with
its rich, iatge, crimson flowers, and showed two distinct forms
of leaves. On some plants lanceolate, while on others they
were quite uvate, Masses of Exphrasia and purple Brachycome
* It had been considered up to this date that Ramuncoles AMisellart
had been confused with R. fappacens var, subsericen? and wrongly
recorded fur Victoria (Williaesop p, of, Vict, Nat. Sept. 1923, Vai. go,
Ne a) The Committee compiling the Censias. 1923, accordingly
omitted it, - : u t
Anes Tavcrtt, Mount Bogong wnd ils Flora. 59
cilievis were sights, down the slopes, ‘not, to’ be forgotten—
quite gardens in themselves. I was surprised to find Dithondra
repens at the elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 feet, T fear that contact
with the haily stems and fruits of Bassiea foliosa, a shrub that
stock will eat, and which was abtindant and much handled,
was responsible for my dermatitis, so put the note m asa warning
to others, The Silver Daisy, Celnesta (Aster) longafolra, is well
liked by horses, our guide assured us, but when. they first come
upon it, and the snow, they are disposed to shy at both, The
Tree Violet, Hymenanthera dentata, which by an obviow
misprint on page 45 of the Census appears as “ All but N.E,,”
is a handsome shrub in the Kiewa Valley from six te eight feet
high. On the summit of Mount Bogong it is a dwarf, spinous,
divaricate shrub, whose flowers are found on its underneath
side, close to the ground,
Collectors do not always make the same records when going
over the same ground, even at the same time of the year,
Thus, of the twenty-seven species recorded by Dr, Sutton and
My, Weindorfer, four are not on my list. Of the 80 species
Mr. Stirling collected, I did not find 31; while I have 159
native species out of the 22t that F collected not recorded by
either of the other collectors from Mount Bogong.
My thanks are due to Mr, A, D, Hardy, who has assisted in
adapting the map issued in-the Victorian Mining Registrar's
report, March, 1886, The additional information recorded will
aid in following the- narrative, and will be found useful to others
visiting the locality. ;
The Naturalist for September, 1923 (vol. xl, p. 88) contains,
a short illustrated article, with map, by Mr, H. B. Williamson,
F.L.S., who visited the plateau from the eastern side earlier in
the year. His map shows more of the surrounding country
than the present one. 1. ,
CRYPTOGAMIA.
The student of bryology will sometimes find a medley of
mosses “ smothering cach other,” as the late Mr. Bastow once
described some that I sent him. But the question arises: do
they, in smothering, destroy life by living upon each other
only, or do they not rather contribute to the prolongation of
the existence of their life-associates ? ’
Symbiosis is the living together of two organisms in close
velation for mutual benefit. It occurs among the mosses, ferns,
and some other o) the plant-life on Mount Bogong. Some plants
appear to recetve help to exist among rock crevives, where
warmth is essential to maturity in their brief life-season, while
later theit concern is the retention of that life. Some of the
mosses, Hepitacee, &c., intermingle, Many occur with ferns;
some with Droseraceez, some with Crassulacex; others are
attached to Cyperacee--and- Juncacee, and’ even with
‘7D TADCELL, Mount Bogong and tls Flora: Tice Sate!
Coraposite. At least eight of the seventeen species of ferris here
listed are found on Mount Bogong in rock crevices only. The
Finger Fern, Polypodinm Billardieri, is much more abundant
on Mount Bogong than on the Mount Hotham portion of the
Alps. In both localities, in lieu of fern-tree hosts of the lower
gullies, rock crevices are chosen. On Bogong it will be found
associated With Gnaphalium, Hymenophyllum, and Asplenium.
In return for the benefit derived from the mosses, the latter
will be found sometimes well coated with fibre wrapped around
and well up half the length of the stems and branches. The
Filmy and Bristle Terns, Hymenophyllwn Tunbridgense, and
H, ausivale (H. javanicum) and Trichomanes humile, ave found
abundant in communal existence, and arc sometimes. difficult
under these conditions to separate into their respective
species, while in close association with them are to be found
as many as ten different species of mosses, &c., some of which
become so fragmentary on being separated from their hosts
as to make determination difficult when immature.
The following mosses, hepatics, and lichens were collected
(except No. 4), but the absence of capsules in a’ number of
instances gave my Sydney and Melbourne Herbarium friends
much trouble, and made the determinations difficult and
incomplete, I found it very interesting to note the plant
associations, so subjoin them :—
Musce— Names, Height Assooiatlana,
1. Acanthocladium extenuatum 5,600 15, 8, e,
2, Amblystegium (Hypnun)
fluitans.”., .. 6450 Floating in marsh
caused by
melting snow.
3. Bartramia Halleriana -. 6,000 8, d, 8, 4,7.
4. Blindia robusta... -- 6,500 Stirling colr,
5, Bryum, sp. .. = -- 6,000 4.
6. Hookeria hepaticefoliz .. 6,000 16, 17, e.
7. Hypnodendron (Hypnum)
comosuni 3 -- 6,000 15, g.
. 8. [sothecium gracile -. ,- 6,000 ac. 4, fi
g. Orthorrhynchium Thorpe-
anum (syn. Phyllogonium
elegans) .. tA »- 5,800 «, df.
to. Philonotis fertilis —. .. 6,000 £, Stirling also col.
1, Polytrichum juniperinum 5,500~6,000 18, a, d, ¢, g; t, ¢.
12, Psilopilum pyriforme - + 6,000. (rare).
13. Rhizogonium parramattense 5,800 75, ¢, a, f, &,
74, Stereodon cupressiforme ,, 5,800 b, c, d, f.
15. Sphagnum cymbifolium ,, 5,800 1, 7, 13.
154. Ptychomnion aciculare .. 5,800 5.
Aug.) * ;
ton - TanGELt, Mount Bogong and its Flora. 7t
Hepatice— }
: Names. 3 Height. | Associations,
16, Mastigobryum nove -hol-
landie ., ioe 5,500-6,000 6, ¢, d, e, f, Ll.’
17. Meteorium limbatum 5,800 6, b, ¢, d, f.
18. Teboulia hemisphericum 5500-6000 II,
1g. ? (unidentifiable) .. .. 6,000 mt.
Lichenes—
20. Parmelia physodes 9 6,000 24.
21. Parmelia physodes, var, pul-
verata .. -.» 5,500 d,
22. Parmelia conspersa . os .. 5,800 9, 16, ¢, d, R.
23. Thamnolia vernicularis .. 6,450 Between rocky
_ j : outcrops,
24. Usnea barbata fy .. 6,000 On caim and rocky
outcrops, 20.
ASSOCIATES OF THE MosskEs, HEPATICS, AND LICHENS.
Filicales—
a. Asplenium flabellifolium—8, 9, 11.
bh. Cystopteris fragilis—r, 3, 14, 17, I5A.
c. Hymenophyllum australe (H. javanicum)—6, 8, 9,
13, I4, 16, 17, 22.
d. Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense—3, 8, 9, rz, 13, 14,
6, 17, 21, 22,
é. Polypodiaum Billardieri (australe)—r, 3, 11, 16.
f. Trichomanes humile—8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17.
Cyperaceex— —
g. Carex breviculmis—7, 11.
s Scirpus antarcticus (S. cartilagineum)—13.
i. Scirpus cernuus (S. riparius)—3, 5, 10, II.
Juncaceze—
7. Luzula campestris—3,
Crassulaceze—
k, Crassula Sieberiana—22.
Composite2—
d. Gnaphalium Collinum—xrr, 16.
Droseracese— é
m. Drosera arcturi—rg.
72 TADGELL, Mount Bogong and tis Flora. van can
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE FLORA oF Mount Bocone.
REFERENCES,—St., James Stirling; SW, Dr. Stitton and G,
Weindorfer ; T, Tadgell; *, naturalized aliens; ?, not
fully identified ; +, doubtful (see notes),
° Upto Upto Summit and
Nae. 4,000 ft. 5 oun it, 6,000 ft. over 6,000 ft,
St —
SW St
Abrotenella nivigena
Acacia alpina (f) _
A, dealbata re
A. melanoxylon
A, mollissima .. ia 4.
A. penninervis ..- S
A, penninervis, var. falciformis,
Acena sanguisorba
Aciphylla glacialis ,,
A. simplicifolia as
Agrostis venusta
A, scabra ae a
Arthropodium paniculatum p
Asperula (oligantha) Renpatty
A. conferta a3 4
A. Gunnil Be
Asplenium flabellifolium a3
Astellia alpina . ' or
Austtalina Muelleri
Azorella cuneifolia
Beckea Gunniana ‘ es
Blechnum (Lomaria) penna
marina +t $4 ‘e
B. discolor a” hon
B. capense
B. fluviatile ..
Blennodia alpestris— (Exysimum
capsellimum) ete
Boronia algida
Bossiza foliosa
Brachycome ciliaris
. ciliaris, var. robusta
. nivalis a + =
. decipiens #4 -¥
. scapiformis .. r ba
. stricta je
exilis
. Tadgellii (Tovey & Morris)
Brunella vulgaris <3
Bulbine bulbosa \ ’
Caladenia (nov. sp., Rogers)
a
YO) HAH | S| ABHHA| 4] | CI
palll ld
PEt I satilesll
Ii [a Peresisist ii later til
5 |
4
ie
2
3
HAHA PITT EL S811) asSaset 1
LLP dE Sbasi yee f1)
w
<=
Bann Paes | |
4
[4 |
bo be bo bd bo bo be
ee
a
|
4
HHH] HHA
Aug) ) TADGELL, Mount Bogong and its Flova,
1944
_ Name. |
Calamagrostis rudis, var. contracta
C. nivalis
C. densa £3
C. quadriseta, var. minor 2
Callistemon Sieberi (C. salignus,
var, Sieberiana) be
Caltha introloba -
Cardamine dictosperma
C. hirsuta 23
‘C. hirsuta, var. tenuifolia
Carduus lanceolatus (*)
Carex acicularis
. pyrenaica
. Gaudichaudiana
. polyantha
Buxbaumii
chlorantha . ne
alsophila ea Ms 7
. breviculmis .. +
. longifolia
. inversa
. appressa
- pseudo-cyperus
Carpha alpina ,,
Cassinia aculeata
Celmesia longifolia
Cerastium vulgatum (*)
Chenopodium -murale .. Pi
Chiloglottis Gunnii ;
Choretrum lateriflorum
Claytonia australasica
Clematis aristata
Colobanthus subulatus (Ben-
thamianus) . -.
C, Billardieri .. _ “4
Coprosma. hirtella = Ay
Cotula filicula +s
C, alpina ra ae
Craspedia Richea
C Richea, var. alpina
Crassula Sieberiana..
C. longifolia, var. latifolia-
Cystopteris fragilis
Danthonia penicillata .. By
D, penicillata, var. pilosa se
D. penicillata, var. alpina
elelatelelelslslelele:
T
afalllisalise#l ts r@lililistti
Lr} tl tbat |
Upto Upte
4,000 ft. 5 obo ft. 6,000 it.
HH[ ses] | | SAHRA] Sa] | es} Aslt | Lt |
BY/ Hl H[ As] |
| |HAtr
Ww
had
3
[H) 81 48] 48[ | 844] e444] 4[ 44]
w
~
Hl Bass
73
Summit and
over 6,000 ft,
aca
[12H AIH] Te
74 TADGELL, Mount Bogong and its Flova: Vaan Madd
Name, 4,000 tt. IBgR eau tt over 8,000
Danthonia penicillata, var. race-
mosa +A a rs — T — —
D. tobusta An se aM St St St —
Daucus brachiatus .. ee — = —
Daviesa latifolia 4 . T,SW T,St — —
D, ulicina te .. SW,T T — —
Dianella tasmanica SW, T T T
D, tasmanica, var. alba T T- —
- Dichondra repens | T
Dichosciadeum ranunculaceum
(Azorella dichopetala) m
Dicksonia antarctica
Didiscus humilis
Diplaspis (Huanacea) hydro-
cotylea “ <4
Dipedium punctatum .. St
Drimys. aromatica 3
Drosera arcturi
Dryopteris punctata’
Epacris Bawbawensis ..
E. microphylla . .
E, serpyllifolia ,
E. petrophylla -.
E. nubigena Ts
Epilobium glahellum ie
E, confertifolium Baie 3
Erechtites hispidula ..-- .
E. hispidula, var. 4 od
E. prenanthoides a
E, quadridentata
Erigeron pappochroma 23
E, pappochroma, var. opledse
atus
Eriostemon myoporoides
Erythrea australis
Eucalyptus coriacea, var. alpina
E, Sieberiana ,, 13 =
Euphrasia collina
E. collina, var. alpina ..
E. antarctica (Tf)
Ewartia catipes les Ws
Exocarpus nana ahs
Galium Gaudichaudii ..
G,. aparine (*) . :
Gaultheria hispida en
Gentiana montana (saxosa)
(alpine form) . 2:
|
| 2 |
H| 2
4
|
st,T St,T
>
ur
[2]
Qo
|
St, T
Ll} aet stl | [lata
HHA! Ss! 4/4) 18] [312
HTL Ishi lis
fn
All lt lallealsl
=
|) HBS H] [RL [a 8] | | aA e eas] HA]
ltd
w
os
g
<
Jee] | | | aa] BHR
ney
Il]
|
|
H
4
2
Aug.) * Tapser., Mount Bogong and tts Flova:
1934
Name,
Geranium dissectum ..
Gleichenia dicarpa
Glyceria dives . - “ a:
Gnaphalium alpigenum
G. japonicum ..
G. collinum, var. radicans
Goodenia hederacea .-
G. hederacea, var. cordifolia
Grevillea alpina - 3 “i
G. australis, var. montana
G. victoriz $i 3 =
Halorrhagis micrantha. a3
H. tetragyna. .. i is
H. teuchroides ..
Helichrysum lepidophyllum |
(baccharoides) .,
H, leucopsidium
H. scorpioides .. ws
H. lucidum oF m9
H. lucidum, var. alpina
H. rosmarinifolium
H. rosmarinifolium, var. iedi-
folium =
H. rosmarinifolium, var. thrys-
oideum ; ‘ }
H. semipapposum 6
H, Stirlingii .. ba
Helipterum anthemoides
H. incanum (alba)
H, incanum, var, auriceps
H. incanum, var. auriceps, var.
alpina wt
Herpolirion novee-zealande
Hierochloe redolens --
Histiopteris (Pteris) incisa
Hovea longifolia ar
H, longifolia, var. alba. .
Hydrocotyle hirta i. =
H. laxiflora
Hymenanthera dentata (Banks)
var. angustifolia .. ’
Hymenophyllum tunbridgense.
H, australe . en
Hypocheris radicata (*)
Hypolena iCalphtrepine) lateri-
flora, . tt a
I=; 4H) 11 lt asia
HH] | At |
|
| | AARY
HH | aA] |
|
T T
St —
T T
T _
T T
— T
SW,T T
T —v
— St
— T
SW T
— T
T T T
— T
St,T T
— sW
T =
T St
— T
T of
— T
St =
T =
T St,T
— &t,T
T
— $&,T
— T
T —
T St,T
—_ T
T aa
— T
— T
— T
T
&
4
LL LS, ael etd |
wn
o
4
75
Upto Upto Summit ana
4,000 ft. 5 O00 ft. 6,000 ft. over 6,000 ft,
ro)
H {All|
Peril
lllstitrA
76 TADGELL, Mount Bogong and its Flora. Viet, Nat.
La Name, 4,000 it. 5 abO' Rt. “8006 tt, over 6.000 tt.
Juncus communis
J. pauciflorus
J. plebejus
Kunzea Muelleri
K, peduncularis
Lagenophora Billardieri
Leptorrhynchus squamatus
Leptospermum lanigerum_..
Leucopogon (Styphelia) « collinus
L. Macraci. if
L. Hookeri e
Lissanthe (Styphelia) montana
Lomandra longifolia .. bs
L. filiformis ‘ chs om
Lomatia ilicifolia =, . S$
L. Fraseri +4 .:
L. longifolia .
Loranthus pendulus
Luzula campestris
Lycopodium clavatum
L. clayatum, var. fashiglarys,
L. selago :
Mentha laxiflora
Microceris scapigera (Fc orsteri)
Mimulus moschatus (*)
Nertera depressa
Olearia Frostii ..
. flavescens
. glandulosa
. Subrepandra
. megalophylla
. myrsinoides .. a
. Tamulosa, var, communis. ...
. Tosemarinifolia (t) .
Oreobolus pumilio a Ad
Oreomyrrhis andicola ,. fs
QO. pulvinifica ..7 4. 43
Orites lancefolia
- Oxalis corniculata:
Oxylobium alpestris
O. ellipticum
O. procumbens yo
Pelargonium australe ..
Pentachondra (Trochocarpa)
Pp a : -
Persoonia conlertiflora
|
4
Plbd bbe bigeapaltis
Mn
SiS! 11Ell2tii | ssl
ie
a
wm
+
Pld
<2]
4
[| Pies] spa] easl]] [|] | eee 4@es44] 44] |
OO000000
B/ {| ] RH] 44] |
Z
=
alll li tii tts
St, T
“ )
Alslel lal {| esi 4] [ass] | | seasasssy4| | [ [al sei [is
bi 4
4 4
| AHHH YH
os} 444 |
a
a
|
n
= |
| 2
In
w
ef
ar
ih TANGELL, Mount Bogong and its’ Flora. 77
Nome. | 4,000 th. gs Obo%. eddo tt, peer ty
Phelabium (Eriostemon) phy:
licifolium *
P. podocarpoides (alpinus)
P. ovatifohum ..
Picris hierachoides (*).,
Pimelea alpina . :
P. axiflora, var, alpina
P. ligustrina-.
P. ligustrina, var. hypericifolia
Plantago stellaris (t)-- ok
P. tasmanica .. ns
Platylobium formosum
Pleurandropsis (Eriostemon)
trymalioides 4
Pleurosorus (Grammitis) ruti-
folius of 2 ‘
Poa annua (*) , Kom
P. czspitosa
P. cespitosa, var. alpina :
P. cespitosa, var. latifolium ,.
Podocarpus alpina ‘
Podolepis acuminata .,
P. longipedata, var. robusta ..
Polygonum -aviculare (*)
Polypodium Billardieri
Polystichum aculeatum
Poranthera microphylla
Prasophyllum brevilabre
P. Suttonii os hi
P. Tadgellianum (Rogers) 4
Prostanthera: cuneata ..
P. lasianthos
P. lasianthos, var.
P. incisa (5,500) (?) -
P, rotundifolia .. .. ° ..
Pteridium aquilinum
Pultenza j jumperina, var. plani-
folia
Ranunculus anemoneus sh
R. hirtus : . -
R. Gunnianus .. ° .. “4
R. lappaceus ve _
R. Millanii . .. wa tas
R. Muellerii.. 7 4
Richea Gunnii .. ‘ “4
Rubus parvifolius
w
ot
BL /Slalably
HANI eglasee
J 8, 84H | OH
a
4
e
|
Y
Hy |
yy
BH | eee sH HH]
=|
wm
oo
Po! d laa | BSsHn[ sli [lal es
LIP SAST PLAS SL Tart ttl
|yatl:
[| sel] |
BEL Seals all isl] ss4lslrl lard!
fe)
HY fal | |
ae
| AHPHA| YI
78 TADGELL,’ Mount Bagong and its Flora: et nt
Up to to Sumit and
Name. 4,000 it. 5 goo ft. woo it over 6,000 ft,
R, Brownii
Scacvola Hookeri :
Schizeilema fragoseum (Acorella
Muelleri) ‘ +
Scirpus cernuus
S. inundatus
S. setaceus :
S. cartilaginets, var. alpina Ae
Scleranthus biflorus 24
S. mniaroides ..
Senecio dryadeus (australis)
S. velleioides is
S, pectinatus
S. vagus ns x i
S. odoratus - ie
5. Jautus
Shoenus apogon
Spergularia rubra ,
Stackhousia linarifolia
S. pulvinaris .. 2s L
Stellaria pungens
Stylidium (Candollea) serrulata
S. graminifolium ‘
S. graminifolium, var. alba
Taraxacum officinale (*) ..
Thelymitra venosa af
T. grandiflora ., - ,.
Thysanotus tuberosus
Tieghemopanax (Panax) sam-
bucifolius. ..
T. (Panax) sambucifolius, var.
angustifolia ; .
Trichomanes humile ..
Trifolium pratense (* ?)
T. repens (*) .. ‘
Trisetum subspicatum |
Tristania laurina (?)
Uncinia compacta
Urtica incisa. > >
Veronica Derwentia .. - .. S$
V. serpyllifolia .
V. arvensis (*) .. fs
Viola betonicifolia _,
V. betonicifolia, var. alba os
V.caleyanas-, ey oe
Rumex acctosclla (*).. .. TT
| | 428
w
tam
ra
#
tae)
St, T
St, T
Qa, 4Hnnn] tH
2
ioe
| | axH
IIIT ALS¢ iti baliasre tl
HIPsieZel TPIS tlt lel ye tis
|
|
|
|) RA] SH) Hl 4asla 8 aH lalsalslsalllialisall yell
a]
Past lari lait
Yl a_ eSs4] aa] |
LP LIA Slali rl
fats] TADGELL, Mount Bogong and its Flora. 79
Upto Upto Summitand
Name. 4,000 ft. 5 obo ft. 6,000 tt, Svea bon {te
V. hederacea. .- fs T S&T —, =
Wahlenbergia gracilis .. ‘s T ST T T
The plants included in the above list are classified according:
to the systematic arrangement adopted in the “Census of the
Plants of Victoria ’’ by the F.N. Club of Victoria, 1923.
Families. Species. Varieties, Aliena,
Araliacee.. Le I be I
Campanulacez a. ne I +S — a
Caryophyllacee .- a 6 ra — “5
Chenopodinacee.. an oe .
Composite 4. ‘3
Convolvulacez ~ see
Crassulacee .. ©
Cruciferz
Cyperaceze an 24
Droseracez .. as Se
Epacridacee
Ericacez
Euphorbiacez
Filicales
Gentianacex:
Geraniacez ..
Goodeniacez
Graminee ..
Halorrhagidacee
Juncacez
Labiate ry oo
Leguminosa ‘a 5 I
Liliaceze re
Loranthaceze or
Lycopodiacez
Myrtaceze
(Enotheraceze
Orchidacee .,
Oxalidacee ..
Plantaginaceze es
Polygoniacez e
Portulacee ..
‘Proteacee .. Ls
Ranunculacez 25
Restionacez 2
Rosacez 3 Ss
‘Rubiacez hy
Rutacee - .. rt
Santalacee ..
H 13 on
NPN H HOH OCWHAHOH
Land
aad
PADNHABDHH YH ONS ANH OWUNAW NL
PALLET EEL Eda ba awe Doe PEPE
8 TADGELL, Mount Bogong and its Flora, = [Yi Mov
Families, | ali ' Species, Varietics, Alfons.
Scrophulariacee = _- :
Stackhousiacez , ::
Stylidiacee ,. OS 2
Taxacez mse , I
Thymeleacew’ ~ 2.7 | 3
Umhbellifere ~, ~~ KEE
. 2
4
r
ne
Urticacee .. ot
Violacew ..,. ar
Winteracee .. - -; Vas =
Species _. = _- +. -- 256
Varieties -. oe, v2 . 28
Allens-—., | *. ur ott ra 13
Mosses, Hepatics, Lichens, additional 24
byt dl dd bes
|e | oe ee
‘
Atrrep R. C. Seniwys.—One hundred years ago on 28th
July last was born, in Somerset, England, the inan who made
Victorian geology, or, tather, put Victorian geology on such
a sure foundation that few of his conclusions have been upset.
He was head of the Victorian Geological Survey from 1852
to 1869, duting which period he and his staff succeeded in
geologically mapping a large portion of the State. The maps
produced were models -of their kind, and at the time: were not
excelled by those of any other country, Unfortunately for
Victoria,-one_of those ‘ cutting downs" of governmental
expenditure which happen now and again led to the departure
of Mr, Selwyn to Canada, where he carried on a similar survey
until his retirement in 1894, honoured by scientific societies
all over the world. He died*in Vancouver in 1902, at the age
of 78, respected by all who knew him. _. :
Tue Kea, Nestor notabilis—This fine New Zealand parrot
has the reputation of killing sheep by alighting on their backs
and digging into the carcass for their kidney fat. According
to an article in the July (1924) Eon, by Mr, J. Moncrieff, on
‘The Birds of the West Coast of New Zealand,”’ this practice
has never been witnessed, and, like many other natural history
stories, requires to be proved. At any rate, it is believed by
the authorities, and at the- request of the sheep-farmers a
bonus of six shillings per beak is being paid as a means. of
getting rid of the poor birds. As the bird is a large one, it
affords a good and profitable target: to the shooter. The bird
is a quaint one and plays many tricks on, confiding tourists to
the higher regions if frequents, such as carrying boots out of
tents, &c. Before extitpating this fine bird the matter shoufd
he definitely decided by experiment or by careful watching,
Che Victorian Naturalist
Va... XLT,
SEPTEMBER, 4, 1924, No, 489.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
Tne ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at thé
Royal Soriety’s Hall, on Monday, 11th Augnst, 1021, '
The President, Mz, J. Searle, occupied the chair, ald about
fifiv-five members and visitors were present
aw ELECTION OF MEMBERS,
_” On a ballot being taken, Mr, and Mrs, R. W. Wilkuison,
“Alma Road, East St. Kilda; and Mr, A. J, Day, 199 Toorak
Road, South Yarra, were duly eleeted ordinary members of
the Club.
GENERAL BUSINESS,
The President. announced that the Atawal Exhibition of
wildflowers would be held in the Melbourne ‘own Hall on
Tuesday, 2ist October, and urged menibers to make the
exhibition a success. It had been deeided to give half the
net proceeds to the Victorian Bush Nursing Association. |
Mr. H. B. Wilhamson, F.0.8., referred to the quantities of
wildlowers exposed for sale in the streets and florists’ shops,
and, while admiring the taste for indigenous flowers which
has growi considerably during the last year oy two, depre-
eated the collection of these flowers and their sale for
monetary gain, as it would undoubtedly hasten their extir-
mination, He urged members to obtain what evidence they
eould regarding the question in view of future discussion.
Mr. C. “Daley, F.L.S8., and Mr. FP. G. A, Barnard alsa spake
on the subject.
PAPERS READ.
1. By Mn. RF. Pitcher, entitled; ‘‘In | the Strathbogie
fanges.’
The ie Pave some interesting notes of an autumn visit
to the Strathbovie Ranges, which he visited from the yicinity
of Lima. The couniry traversed was principally granitic,
and contained many interesting spots from a botanical pomt-
of view, ferns of many species being plentiful, while in the
early summer wild-flowers should be yery plentiful.
The author exhibited a fine series of specimens in illustra-
tion of his remarks.
Messrs. H. B, Williamson, F.L.S., and G. Coghill also
veferred to the interesting natnre of the district.
Bz Freld Naturalists’ Club—Frocesdings. yne ES
2 By Der ‘W. Maegillivray (Broken EOL), entitled, “An
Excursion in South-western Queenslanud.’’
Tn the absence of the author, the first portion of the paper
was tead by i. FM. Wilson. The author gave some secount
of the hirds and vegetation seen during a motor-trip from
Broken Hill, N.S. W., to Hungerford, and then to the nearest
rail-head in Queensland. The paper gave a detailed descrip-
tion of the natural history of the trip.
Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.L:8., remarked on the interest
of the author’s observations, and said that though the trees
wete different, a large proportion of the smaller plarite mon-
tioned were to be found in Vietoria, especially in the north-
West.
Mr C. Daley, P.LS., remarked on the sitilavity of the
hird-fauna to that of our north-western area.
NATURAL HISTORY NOTH,
Mr. 1. Thorn drew attention to his exhibit of three specics
of the Silvery Wattle-moths, and gave some aceount of their
life histories.
EXHIBITS.
By Mr. VT. G. A, Barnard.—Flowering branches of the
Long-podded Wattle, Acacia elongata, of New South Wales,
grown at Kew.
By My, G, Coghill—Flowerg of native shrubs, ste, grown
‘at Canterbory :—Rosemary Grevillea, Grevillaa rosmarini-
folie: Mountain Grevillea, G. adn: Olive Grevillea, G.
oleaides; Bushy Heath-myrtle, Thryptomene Mitchelliana :
Fringed Heath-myrtle, Micromyrtus ciiatus; and uoug-leaf
‘Wax-flower, Ertostenian myoporoides, with Purple Coral- pea,
Hurdénhergia monophaylla growing over it.
By Mr. C. Daley, F.LS — Flowers of Bushy-Heath-myrtie,
Thryplomene Mitchellians, and Wringed Heath-myvtle, Micra-
myrtus ciliatus, grown at Caulfield : Steatite, from Black
Ranges, wear Stawell,
By Mv. J. E, Dixon.—Coleoptera collected at Farntrec
Gully. and Emerald during July.
By Mr. L. Hodgson —Flowers of Varnigh Wattle, Acacia
vernacifiua; Mudgee Wattle, A. spectebilis; Mountain Grevil-
lea, Grevillea alpina; Fern-leat Grevillea, G. asplenifotia:
Fuchsia Heath, pacris longifora; and Fringed, Heath-
jayrile, ificromyrtus ciliatus, srown at Canterbury.
By My. V, Millér, —Fldwera “of Dwarf Greenhood fovehied),
Pterostylis, nana, from Cheltenham Park.
ac
cree | Field Naturalists’ Club—Proceedings. a3
By Mr. C.'Oke.—Rare bectles—Curenum scaritaides (m.
and £.), from Eltham, rave so near Melbourne; and Phovdoli-
phala. granulate, Lea, from Sunshine, only the second speci-
men of (his beetle that has been found.
By Mi. BF, Pitcher—Dried plants, etc,, collected at Lima
Bast, in illustration of paper:—WPoliage of Bluc Gum, EPuca-
lyptus globulus, young foliage, 4 in, x 6 in.; adult foliaze,
over 20 in. long, une leaf being 25} in. long and 3} m. wide;
Frond of Bracken Fern, 7 ft. 3 in. in length; Fronds of
Maiden-hair Fern, Rock Pern and Sickle Fern, ‘each 18 in.
Aong; Delieate Rue Fern, Anagreninn (Grammeitis) leplto-
phyllu; Orchid, ‘Striped Greenhood, Ptervostylis veflexa; and
other plants formid im bloom.
By Mr, W. H. A. Roger—Portion of pod of Chinbing
Bean, Batunda scandens, also a hean, from serub near Cool-
town, North Queensland.
By Mr. L. ‘horn —Specimens of Silvery Watile-moths :—
Thulaana claru, TU. inseripta, and 7, punetilinea, with pupa
cases, ete.
After the usual conversazione, the meeting closed,
ia Tasmanrnan Birup Narurauis’s*® Cramm—For many
years this elub has made a feature of its ‘‘ Kuster Camps,’’
the twenty-first of which was held this year at Marion Bay.
Forestier’s Peninsula. ‘These camps are usually well attended,
no less than forty members and friends taking part this year.
An illustrated veport of the outing has been issued by the
eluh, which gives bricf details of the activities of different
sections of the party, as well ag a general account, mainly
historical, by My, Clive Lord, F.L.8.
“an Lyre Birps or Moun Burttio,’’—This is an attrae-
tive booklet of about a dozen pages, containing seven i-plate
reproductions in sepia of photographs uf Lyre Birds, their
nests. and young, taken at. Mount. Buffalo by ‘“‘Guide Alice,"
wha also supplies short notes explanatory of the pictures.
My Charles Barrett, C.MLZS:, has written an appreciative
introduétion, which serves to introduce the reader to ‘Guide
Aliee,’' through whose patience and perseverance the almost
wnique pietures were secured, The snap of the male bird,
with his tail-feathers proudly displayed, is very fine, aud was
worth waiting far. The hooklet is priced at hatf-a-crown, and
will form a nice souvenir to post to friends at hoine and
abroad,
Bt SrcKLanp, Aquatic Protozoa, Melbourne District. | voi sce
THE AQUATIC PROTOZOA OF THE MELBOURNE
TMISTRIC'T.
Paar If.
By Joum Surccbano.
(Read before the Wield Naturalists’ Clob of Victoria, 14th
July, 1924.)
In the first part of this paper, which appeared in the
Victorian Natwralist for August, 1923 (Vol. XL, p. 66) Ai1
may be vementbered that a brief sketch of the chavactoristies :
of the organisms constituting the phylum Protozoa was given,
ineluding a little about their physiology, after whieh the
lowest group, Class 1, Sarcodina, recetved attention. A dis-
linguishing feature of the forms included in that class was
their power of extending and withdrawing portions of their |
eytoplasm in the shape of blunt or thread-like processes—the
pseudopodia—by rmeaus of whieh they are able to travel
slowly and also capture their food,
In this paper I prapoge to deal with Clags 2, the Mastigo-
phora. he organisms belonging to this class, with very feiv
exceptions, do not extend pseudopodia, but in them stead
possess ove or More whip-like organclla, known as flayella, at
What may’ be vegarded as the anterior end of the animal in
most cases. It is in connection with these flagellate forms
pringipally that botanists and zoologists join issne.
Speaking of flagellates, Professor G. 8, West, in his
Alem,’' vol 1, page 162, says, ‘Lt is well known that among
the helérogen¢ous assemblage of forms in the group, the dis-
tinetion between animal and vegetable organisms entirely
breaks down,'’ and, although he claims certain forms as
ridoubted plants, equally eminent zoologists, while admitting
their plant-like nature, consider that they cannot be omitted
Trom the Protozoa.
The sedentary forms use their flagella for procuring food
by creating a disturbance in the watet which brings the food
particles into contact with them, while the free swimmers use
them for the purpose of locomotion also, as mentioned in the
previons paper. According to Verworn, the flagella of
Flagellates, like the cilia of the Infusoria, are possessed of
the power of contracting, like the fibrilla of muscle fibres
in the higher animals, henee their capacity to move. The
Hagollum “onlginates at ar near the nueleus of the animal,
noha? SttCKLaKD, Ayuatic Protozoa, Melbourne District. gS
often frony a speci] particle known as the '‘blepharoplast,"?
hence it ig More than a mere prolongation of the animal's
cytoplasm. A central thread or axial filament runs through
the entire length of the flagellom, which thus bears some
resemblaiiee to the axopodia of the Heliozos. he movement
of the flagellum seems to be extremely effective in producing
Jocomotion by the animal of which it forms part, as tt ie fre-
quently noticeable that the mere tip is waving even when
rapid swimming is induced.
> As is frequently the case in nature, the transition from a
~ lower toa higher type ts bridged over by intermediate forms,
80 here the gap between the pseudopodia bearina Sareodina
and the flagellate Mastigophora is filled by some creatures
which axe capable of extending pseudopodia although fur-
tushed with a flagellum, Such an animal is Mastiganiba,
which, although flagellate, nigests its food atter the muoner
of ah Ame@ba, Animals of this type are very rare if my
experience is any enterion,
Professur Minchin, whose classification 1 am adopting,
divides the Mastigophora ita three sub-classes, Flagellata,
Dinoflagellata, and Cystoflagellata, The first-mnentioned sub-
class coniains most of the organiams to which reference will
be made, They arc not of large size even for Protozoa, some
indeed are extremely wimite, as will be seen, They are in
some cases free swimming, in others sedeutary; some have one
flagellum only, others have tio ov more; some are solitary,
others colonial in their habit. Dinoflagellates will receive
attention later, but the Cystoflavellates, of which the marine
luminous form, Noetiluea, is a type, have never beech repre-
seuted in my gathermgs and will therefore be passed over.
The sub-class, Mlagellata, is divisible into several orders.
Order T, known as the Pantostomiina, contains animals having
no definite mouth opening, The Mastigameba before
referred to belongs to this category. As 1 am wucertain of
the identity of the only creature, apparently of this type,
whieh J have taken, I pass on to Ovder I, Protomonadina.
This order containg some parasitie forms, such as the dreaded
Trypanosomes, which are outside the scope of my paper. The
Pratomonads ingest their food at the base of the flagellum;
those with which we have to do are hologoic as far as their
nutrition 1s eoneermed.
Of those to be had near Melbourne we May riention
Sponygonionas wimtestinalis, Cienk. This is a social aninval.
35 SricKLAnD, Aquatic Protozoa, Melbourne District. [Yih Shh
hiflagellate, of the “‘isomastigote’’ type, tho flagella being
of equal leneth. It is extremely small, measuring only about
8 miecra in length. ‘The individuals comprising the colony are
embedded in the surface of a thread-like zoothecium, often
considerably branghed and of a brown colour, They ave oval
in shape and appew' like dats in the surface of their domieile.
The. flagella, being always in motion, ave very hard to gee,
their presence being, however, demonstrated by the com-
motion, among particles In the surrounding water, The colony
may contain “hundreds of individyals and are of decidedly
rave oeeurrence near Melbourne. IT have taken this form,
duly in the Kilby Dagoon, at Bast Kew, and the Botanic
Cardens.
Anvuther animal somewhat similar in shape is Anthophysa
vegelans, Miller, which is also colonial in habit, Lt is another
extremely small eevature, being from 4 to 10 mitra in leneth,
aud is ''paramastigote,’’ that is, possessing two flagella of
unequal length, ‘The colonies in this ease are oval or
sphevieal in shape, contaimye iumerous imdividuals closely
attached to one another and toa the end of a frequently
somewhat roughly-constructed peduncle of a dark brown
colour, often branched, construeted of excreted matter. It is
quite A common occurrence to eome across the colonies
detached from theit peduncle rolling through the water after
the manner of Volvox. RKhipicdodendron husleyi, SN. is
another minute isomastigote animal, about 12 mieva in length,
forming colonics inhabiting branching zoothecia, of a dark
brown colour, very granular in appearance. ‘he various
branches of the zoothecium consist. of four throsd-like struc-
tures placed side by side, the extreme ends of which eontain
the tiny builders. This form can be obtaince in most ponds
hear Melbourne.
‘A very interesting and beautiful little animal is Stylobryon
petiolatum, Duj. Lt forms fixed colonies of ten or twelve
zonids attached to some medium of support by a common
vigid stalk or pedunele, The animal seeretes a transparent
yuse-shaped lorica, one individual. oceupying each domicile.
Buch torica, after the first, is attached by a pedicil to the
inner aviface of the one belaw. the aninial itself being also
strppovted hy a pedieil fixed to the bottom of its lorica. It
has two flagella of unequal length. The lovica measures about
25 miera in Jeneth, Strlobryon is a decidedly rare form,
and bas been vecarded only frony the Black Pool al. Heidei-
herg aid a small pond at Bulleen, Dendromonas, St,, forms
ante Srickcanp, Aquatic Prolozua, Melbourne District. 87
a tree-like colony and is destitute ota loriea, Tt also has tiwe
aneqnal flagella, whieh sometimes appear as if proéeeding
from the-side af the animal, which measayes trom 3S to 40
huidtn in Jength,
The Family Choanotlagellide contains a number of remark-
able forms of extremely minute size, They are monomasti-
gole and chatacterised by the presence of 4 transparent .cup-
shaped collar enelosing the area around the flagellum. They
aye sessile in some genera and stalked in othors, some of the
latter forming colonies contaiiing a eousiderable number of
Individuals attached to a common centre. In al! the flagel-
lates previously referred to the flagellum is of the *“tractel-
lunw”’ type, that. is, it draws the animal to whieh it belongs
after it, as ih were; in the ease of the Choanoflagellates,
however, When swimming freely, it is used as 2 ‘“‘prulsellum,’’
that is, it impels the animal before it after the manner of a
single our used in scullng a boat from the stern.
A form whieh TE take to be Huruxiga consecielum, SK, 14
segsile and frequently found in large nnmbers rlosely packed
side by side, completely encasing the supporting filament,
which not ibifreqnently is the stalk of a yorticellid. In
Cotvsiga botrytes, Ehe,, wo have a siinilar animal forming a
stalked colony. These Choanoflagellates ave only 6 to 15
niicra iv length and the collar so delicute that it 1s extremely
difficult iudeed to see it satisfactorily , at its outward edge
it generally appears as two lines only, one on each side of the
flagellum,
Tt is remarkable that practically identical collared cells
oveur in sponges and indicate a close relatiouship between the
Protozoa and the Porifera. The Choanoflagellates are sone
times desiguated Oraspemonads.
The third order—Polymastigina—-consists. of animals
having three or more flazella, Of these T have faund i
certain replesentative. They are mostly parasitic
Order TV is known as Muglenoidena and is well represented
in the pools near Melbourne, The animals comprising it have
a well-defined mouth opening and @sophagua at the hase of
the flagellum. Kuglena viridis, Uhv., is perhaps ave of the
hest known. Tt is spindleshaped and monomustigute, the
flagellum is possessed of an axial Alament whit is hard to
wake out, The possession of preen chromatophores stamps it
as being holuphyfic in its manner of nutrition, It has a
stigma, ov eye spot, red in -cotour, comtaining wilmerous
bs STICKLAND, Aqualw Protozoa, Melbourne District [SS¢3M-
pigment eranules of hwmatochvome. WMuclena is extremely
‘changeable in shape—or ‘'imetabolie,’'’ this a part of the
erdabure, say teat the anterior end, will become thicker than
the vemmoinder of the animal, the thickness will travel along
the length of the animal, disappearing at the posterior end.
Englenas ave decidedly positively phatotactic, possibly
‘theough the possession of the stigma referred to, whieh is
considered ta be sensitive to light. A good demonstration of
this was seen recently when passing along Alexandra Aven\te
one bright Saturday afternoon, when a red seam-like material
floating on the surface of the water In the rocky fountain
pool neay the Queen’s statue was noted, On returning a
couple of hours later when the licht was less intense not a
sign of this red substance was to be secon. An examination
later under the microscope showed it to consist of innumer-
able red Buglenas, possibly 2. sanguinea of Bhrenberg,
many of which weve of the round form Euglenas assume when
resting. 2. spirogyra, Mhr.. is a larger animal than 2,
viridis, word wot wearly so common, and is characterised by
well-defined spiral markings extending over its whole length
A jarge and extremely sluggish form cecasionally met with
I take to he &, deses, while W. acus is extremely thin and
needle-like.
Amblyophis, Bhe, differs from the Duglenas by being blant
acl rounded at the posteriny end. Wy experienee as a
collector indicates’that it is very rare.
Phacus. Nitzsch, 1s another genus belonging to the same
arder, There are several species, and all are beautiful
objects. Their thin filintike substance and slowls-revolving
mation when swinming, suggest the falling leaf, the com-
talued chloroplasts add to the similarity by reason of their
vroenness. PF. triguveter, Ehr., is the commonest; it is oval in
shape and has a short spur-like extension at its hinder end.
while P, longicaudus, Ehr., as its namic indicates, is possessed.
of « long tail-like appendage, Tt is found in two forms, one
qttite flaf and the other twisted into a spiral. P. payrwm, hr,
bas well-defined spival ridges extending across its Avhole
length: it is. however, rarely taken. The members of this
genus hare a prominent stigma. ‘he genus Trachelomonas,
Nhr., is very well represented, accurring in most of the ponds
and ornainental lakes in the vicinity of Melbourne, The
constituents of this genus form tests of orange or. red colour,
said to be of a caleaveous nature. The animal doos not fill
‘
—-
sels] StickLAND, Agquane Protozoa, Melbourne Distne?. 3?
its test, while from an opening at one end projects u siigle
Hagellum. The green colour of the contained ehloraplast ean
he noticed through the test.
15.—Dinobryon sertularia,
16.—Mallomonas sp.
17.—Uvella viresceus.
18,—Chlamydomonas sp.
19.—Sphaerella pluvialis.
20.—Gonium pectorale.
21.—Pandorina morum.
22.—Volvox aureus, showing characters of protoplasmic strands
connecting cells.
23.— Gymnodinium fuscum.
24.—Ceratium tripos. : us
25.—Colony of Dinobryon encysted.
Sent Bivd Notes 95
Biro Nores.—The month of Jaty mnat be regarded in the
bird world as the beginning of spring, particularly this year,
when the rainfall has bean the lowest for a considerable
number of yeavs. The prevalence of fine mild days caused
maliy birds te commence nesting earlier than usual, ald even
the euckoos arrived ii the Ashbarton district fully a month
eurlier than in previous years. On Jaly 18 the nest of a
Yellow-tailed Tit, Acanthiza chrysorrhea, with three eggs,
was found in an aeacia bush st Ashburton, while im a tall
eucalypt in the vicinity a pair of White-bavked Magpies,
Gynnerhkina lexconoto, was still building a nest whieh they
-had commenced during the latter part of June, It is notiee-
able with early-breeding birds that a longer period is vequired
for nest building than with those that nest later in the season.
Both the Wattle-Bird, Acanthochaeru curwaculatu, and Swill,
Parrot, Luphenm discalor, anviually visit the box fivees near
Melbourne during the winter months. While a few of the
fornier remain to nest locally, the parrots retire further
inland as the nesting season approaches, A notable record
for this year is the early appearanee of the Bronge, Chal-
ceceys plagosus and Fan-tailed, Cucomantis flabelliformes,
Cuckoos; both birds were seen at Ashburton oan July 20,
and the latter bird has been seen or heard every week sinee
It is practically eertain the Fan-tailed Cuekoo remained m
the northern parts of Victoria during the winter, us a bird
wus noted in the Caulfield Park on May 11, and a woek
later another one was acen in the Mooroolbark distriet—D-
Tickson, Bast St, Kilda, 22nd August, 1924.
Tre YeEvLow-Foormo Povucuen-Mousr.—li May last,
whilst awaiting the train at Everton (Bright. ne) station,
1 paused near ue clump of Red Box trees for an ol-fresce
loneh Bere J made my first acquaintances with a little
auinal whieh, on referenée to “‘Lydekker’s Marsopials’’
(Naturalists’ Library), plate xxvii, I take to be Phascologale
flauzpes. T became so interested in the httle creature that [
almost missed ‘the train. In the locality, tree-crcepers
(Climacteris sp.) were plentiful, and for a while, as the little
marsupial dodged about among the leaves and sticks on the
ground, and by the rapidity of its movements as it spirally
climbed the trunk of a box-ree I took it to be one of these
birds, but in its Jater actions it became more conspicuous
and 1 could eee it was not a bird. It moved spirally round
the base of a box-tree, Rucalyptus polyanthemos, in little
jumpy vuns, then climbed a two-feet thick tres trunk in #
95 Bird Notes ye tir
lialf spival and disappeared, only. to be seen again ten feet
higher up on one of the tertiary branches in an incredibly
short time. Thence it presently reached another ‘branch,
nearly three feet distant, by “a horizontal jump, the same
sudden and apparently effortless jump that is made by a
Ringtail Possum, Appearing now here, now there, and often
aut-of view, it seemed to be searching the bark for food,
probably in ‘the shape of- beetles and other insects which were
in crevices in the bark, hence it would be a good friend to the
forester. As ib may have been eating ants, | would be pleased
‘to have confirmation or otherwise of my observations from
some reader who has had better opportunities of seeing this,
little animal ‘than I Haye had, Lydekker quotes Kreitt as
saying *‘that im confinement this species killed any number
of mice put into the’ same box.’? Were domestie mice
referred tol—A. D. Harpy, Studley Avenue, Kew, 14th
August, 1924.
Corrections.—The following corrections should he made
in the August Vetwralist — ‘
Page 53, line 30: Por “Correa speciosum,’’? read ‘‘ speciosa.’ - -
» 65 ,, 20 ,, ‘Kewnedya pentaphylla,’’ read * Har-
- denbergia, Comptoniuna.”* -
» 8 ,, 28 ,, Acacna sunguisorba,’” read Acaenit
; sanguisorbas.’
>» DS , 35. ,, “Pattersonti, * read **Puatersaivii, ?
. 59 ,, 44 4, “coriaceum,? read ‘'corinced.’
» 68 , 38 4, “ramulesus,’” read “‘ramulosa,"’
>; 468 , 34 ,, ““deyphilla,’’? read “Aciphylla.’?
. T2namelS ,, ‘Astellia,’’ read ‘‘ Astelia.”’
+ 74 . 20, “HE, petrophylia,’?? read ‘ER, petvo-
phila.?? '
z 5 .; I4 ,, ‘‘H. teuchroides.’”’ read ‘'H. teuero-
ides.””
. 76 . 3t , ‘DO. rosemarinifolia,’’ read ''O. rosma-
rinifolia.*”
, 76 , 38. 4, ‘'Ovites lancefolia.”’ read ‘‘Orites Jan-
* eifolia.?’ —
. 7 4 1 ,,. ‘'Phelabuim,’’ read *!Phebalinm.””
» TF 4, 40 ,,. ‘*R, Mueller,’’ read ‘‘'R. Muelleri,’’
., 13 Remove ‘‘Celmisia longifolia, var. latifolia’? froin
line 5 from bottom, and insert after line 26.
» (4 Remove ‘‘TEwartia catipes’’ from line 7 from bottom
and insert after name 20, ‘'H. petrophila (U,
nubigena. = Ewartia nubigena).
~
Che Victorian Paturalist
Vou. XLI—No. 6. OCTOBER 9, 1924. No. 490.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
War monthly meetine of the Club was held at the Royal
Society's Hall, on Monday evening, September 5, 1924.
Tn the absenew of the President, the ex-P resident, Mr, C.
Daley, BA. FS., ceeupied the chair, and abaut, forty-five
members and visitors were present.
REPORTS.
A yeport of the excursion ta Warrandyte, on Saturday,
August 16, was viyen by the leader, Mr. (. Daley, B.A,
who said thai twenty-two niembers and triends took part in
the outing, which was arranged for the purpose of seemg
the Silver Wattles, Acacia deullbula, in bloom, along the
river. banks. Favoured by a pleasant day, though somewhat
dal, the chara-bane trip of about forty miles was noch
enjoyed. ‘The wattles bad suffered somewhat: from the recent
severe frosts, but there was enough bloam remaining in good
condition to reward the excursionists for their long journey,
The outing partook rather of a social watare, and little —
collecting was done, -
A report of the excursion to Baiyivaden. on Saturday,
August 30, was given by the leader, Mr C. Oke, who seid
that (here was a good atlendance of members. Tusects were
vather searec, the season being somewhat late, owing to recent
cold weather, and fow speeinens of note were captured.
A report. of the excursian ta Alphinyton, on Satmrday,
Septeinber 6, was wiven by the Jeader, My, J. Stickland, wha
anid that, notaithstandine the ereat increase of water in
the pools, owing to the recent rains, specimens of pond-life
were very namerous, but he had uot yet had an apportunity
of thoroughly examining the material brought heme.
Le es
FLECTION OF MEMBERS.
On a ballot being taken, Miss Wilson, 92 Park Street.
South Yarra, was duly elected an ordinary member; and
Mr, A, Wade, Ridley College, Parkville, an associate member
of the Club.
98 - Field Naturalisis* Club—Proceedings. Wubi Se
GEN) RAL BUSINESS.
The Hon. Secretary called the attention of members to the
‘Annual Exhibition of Wild-flowers, to he held in the Mel-
hoarne Town Hall, on Tuesday, October 21, and weged then
to ipteeest their friends in the country in the matter,
Civewlars had been, propared giving divections as fo the
collection and torwatding of Howers, copies of whieh could
be had on application. Te abso asked for assistance yt the”
Town Ehell oo the morning of the exhibition, and hoped a
nuinther of mombers would be able to give some fime ta the
arranging of flowers, ete.
The ineveasing destruction of wild-flawers was referred
to by several members. ‘Tho quantities of Thryptomene
exposed foi sale im the city (his s¢ason caused sane comment.
While some Inembers thoneht that it carefully ent it weald
do po hav to the plants, others thonght some aetion should
he taken fo regulate its collection. Me. Oke said that on
the.previous day, at Foruteee Cully, he had seen two motor
curs decorated with wild-flowers, jnore especially with fhe
heantiful elimber, the Purple C ‘oval Pea, Hardenbergia mono-
phyla, which as everyone lnows, quickly faces and withers
when pieked, Tug streamers of (is pea were entavined: all
about, the ears and over the hoods, Both ears lonked very
pretty at the time, but the flowers wonld soon fade, ancl.
besides, the display for future seasons would he lost, Te
thonght that some action should he taken, ov the beauty
of the hush would soon be a thine of the part.
My. C. Daley. B.A. F.L.S., as onesof the Club's delegates
on the Goneral Coureil of the Anstrnlasian Association for
the Advancement of Sciences, give wu short aceonnt of the
recent meeting in Adelaide, w hich he said was well attended,
and he was pleased to see several other members of the
Club aniongat those present, Fle said that the programme of
lectitves. addresses and papers was 1 vory full one, and had |
leew well attended, Tho exeursions were of an interesting
nature, and he considered the meetms a erent sucecss and
trusted much goad would result. from tt.
PAPER READ,
By Dr W, MacGillivray, entitled, “A ip. to South-west
fQueensland’’ (eontinued).
This was the concluding portion of the paper commenced
it the preyious meeting, and dealt principally with the floral
seb Field Naturalists’ Clut-—Proceedings, yo
features of the iveip from Charleville back towards Broken
Will, and revealed what: al splendid display is made by the -
Huweriny plants and shrubs during a vood season, in a segion
which-is generally vegarded as the last place to look for
flowers,
Severn) nenbers spoke as to the terest of the papers, and
expressed surprise al the varicty of vegetation ina part of:
the continent which is generally regarded as arid and
desolate. .
BARES,
By Miss Jd. GC. Camerun—About a dozen spevies of Mallee
flowers from Tempy, NW. Victoria.
By Mr. C. Daley, F.U8.—-Purple Slate ox Shale trom.
Mount Lofty, SuA.; Aborivinal duplements—ehipped stones
(surapurs) fromos.. of Take Eyre, and hammer stones fom
Costal Midden, Svutl of Macino, 8.A.; Obsidian Button from
Lake Eyre distriet; seeds. of Adrus precaturtus, Joquirity
or Slueky Seeds’? from North-west Attstralia.
By Mer. C. Oke—Cuopperhend Snake, Ventsunia superba
from Preston,
By Miss G. Nokes—I*lowers of orchids, Caludewia cornea;
“Pink Fingers’! and CO. .defurmis, °* Blne Faries’’ from Sand-
vingham, Y
After the usdal conversazione, the niveting terminated,
THe Smoner Parrov.—aA correspondent at Otiyen records
in the Aryus “Nature Notes’’ the breeding of this bird,
known variously as the Black-tailed Parrot, Roek Pébbler, oi:
Regent, Parrot, Polylelis melunwri, ii captivity. A dozer
veges were laid, but only six were sat upon, the result, beiny
two fine birds nuw a year olel,
4
Diath —aAs we go to press the death is annouieed of Ma.
L. &. Thorn, a member of the Committee of the Club, and
wm enthusiastic lepidopterist, Further partienlars will
appear lit the next Naturalist.
Correerion.—Aupust Naluralisl, page 60. he eonelusion
of the third paragraph should read:—‘'. . . . specimens
of gneiss, nica schist. (or alternatively phylite), and regma-
tite, the mmerals comprised felspax, museovite and quart.”
100 PuteHur, fi the Strathboygie Ranges vig
IN ‘MID STRATHBOGIE RANGUS,
' By EB, Peron. .
Miicad before the Bield Naturalists’ Club. of Vaetorta, fii
August, 1924.)
| Apripag, |
Nothing hax hitherto appeared in-the Naturalist vepavding
the Strathboyie Ranges, a tangled group of granite: hills
sitmited between Muroa and Mansfield, The highest dull, M4,
Wombat, ases,to 2600 feet, or about 1800 feat above the
suurounding courte y. One of the most reyular and consistent
wontribufers of wild-flowers fo the Clib’s aunuval exhibitions
las been Mrs. Evans, of Flowing Vale,"’ Lima Last. This lady
lad often pressed me to pay her district a, visit, bat cireum-
stances did not allow an opportnnity until April last, when,
with my wife, LT accepted the invitation. ‘lo reach Lima Mast
Hecessitatedt we journey of LS6 urtles by vail, via Benalla, eon
the North-oustern line, Flere a beaneh fine runs almost due
south, ending at Tatong, a few miles beyond Lina, where
‘there is a considerable saw-milling industry. We were met
at Lima, and motored out to ‘Mowing Vale.'' a distance of
xomy five or six miles. Elere we were among the foothills
of the Strathboyies,
A short ramble ou the atterhvon of our arrival goon showed
is that the district would be a prelifie collecting ground in
the sprav aid carly summer Aimony the eranite rocks the
well-known Ruck Porn, Chetieuthes lenwfolia, etew las-
Wriantly with fronds of more than cighteen inehes in length
‘An opaerkl, Melichrus urceolatus,, BR, Bu Urn Heath,
laving ashy-reen eon Was vather common aud well in
Hower, The Golden WMverkigting, Jelichrysiim lecidun,
bristhtenud Che logality with tts woldpit heads of Mfowars, eve
Wso was the Winger-lower, Choiranthera linearis, A. Cum,
iui not bearing its hewmutitul blue flowers, Cater f obtained
soine plants which { handed over to the Botanical Gardens
un my xeturn to town,
A dew days later we visited the Newbery, or Newton, Balls.
situated at the head of a valley cast, tran Suir-lopt Peak,
nbout three wiles away. This walk revealed iany other
interesting plants and shrubs. ‘he district reminded one of
the Grampians, especially as the Common Fringe-myrtle,
Oalytiix tefvagonn, was very abundant. The Box-leaf Acacia,
A. bumfola, was Eromising a fine display of bloom in a fow
ee. PITCHER, In the Strathbogie Ranges itt
weeks’ time. The Mountain Grevilleay G alpina, ark the
Hairy Geebung, Persoonia rigid, were also noted. The only
arehid seen was the Striped Greenhood, Pterostylis reflena.
Nhe falls were about 40 feet in height, and when well-supplied
with water nvust be an imposing spectacle, the water falling
avey imimetise granite boulders in its descent to the basin
below, Ferns of various species were fairly plentiful. A
number of young plants of the king Fern, Vodea barbara,
Was obtamed for home cultivation, the glossy surface of the
loaves making this fern. an attvactive pot plant, The maiden
hair fern, Adddgmdwon AChiopieua, was luxuriant in its
trovidage, mary fonds measuring eighteen inches in lemeth,
Nest day the Lower: Lima Walls. on the'Sugavlaal Creek
wire visited, Ov the way thither some fine young Blue Gun
inealypis, /. globulus, twenty to thirty feet in height. were
passed, the fohage of the upper portions of these was the
iypical lony strap-bke leaves, many measured were: over 20
inthes, and one was 254 mches by 34 inches wide, while the
Jowey portions of the trees were still bearing the rounded
silvery.grey juveuile foliage, the whole making a beautiful
pieture in the bright sunlight. Here also the Cotnmon
Bracken was of very stvong grawth. One frond JY cut
measured seven feel three inches iu Jength: ‘Though an old
fern collector, I found bere my first specimen of the Meadow
Moonwort, Botoyehwin wustrole, a widely-distributed plant,
hat nowhere plentiful. Being strange to me, T first took it
ty he some intrvadueed plant. The Blankei Pern, Plenrasorus
(Grammaitis) vutifolius, grew in the ereviees of the
rocks. "he Oorres and other shimbs bordered the pathavay,
while the Drooping Mistletoe was seen on the branches of
imauy of the xam trees. he rocks along the track were of
immense size aml various shapos, reminding one of ruined
rustles or ancient. cathedrals,
Onur gambles in the distviet weve interrupted by a visit. {o
The Dookie Agrieulttiral College, sone forty miles away on
ihe other side of Benalla. This proved very interesting. Wul
hardly comes within the seope of my paper. However.
advantage was taken of a few minutes’ waif at Benalla to
visil. the Public Gardens, prettily situated on the banks of
the Broken River. Here some very fine Fugenias were
hearing a wealth oftheir pink frvats, aking a handsome
sight, . Numeérons fine coniferous trees testified to the suit
ability of the situation far their erowth,
102 PercHen, fi the Struthdogie Ranges act See
The text. day WAR SPOLL tiea vial’ ta the imaka Tima, Balls,
4 journey of about six or seveu miles, atc situated somewhat
further away than the other falls, avd i steeper and more
hugwed countyy necessitating the ase of horses. ‘On this
oecasion we were accompanied by the local schoolmaster, Mr.
Jordan, atid Mv, Lewis, a vecent arrival from England, who
was studying Austrrlian farm life at ‘Flowing Vale.'' The
trees were larger and shrubs more plentiful, but did vot offer
eereatay variety than we had already seen. ‘Che fally were
eurying a good volume of Water. and looked well in the
bright suulight. Sone tine was spent in the vieinity, but no
new ferns were noted, vom the top of the falls a fine view
was obtained of the immense rocks forming the crest of the
Sugarloaf Peal,
Our stay willy the vans family was a most pleasant one,
find, as Me. Evins was one of the pioers of the district. he
Was able to give Us an anotnt of listorieal information whieh
wis. extremely iiteresting. Mua. [Evans proved herself an
ardent lover of our ative flora as well‘as 4 most enthusiastic
eollector and capable vuide in this traekless district.
The district is one whieh, in the right season, would make
oil excellent exploring svound for a Club party, and I hope
to hear that an effort will he mace at an early date to visit
these ranges en messe.
Murrox Birog,—An interesting article by Mr. F. Lewis,
RA.G.L., Acting Chief Inspector Fisheries and Gaine Depart-
ment, Melbourie, appears in the Ostober Zauw (Vol, XOXTV.
pages 1, 2), giving details afta number of observations made
at Phillip Island: Westernport, Victoria, regarding the return)
of the birds to their breeding burrows during’ the seasons
1920-23. ‘This’ brrd- Puffin tenairostris, also known os the
Short-tailed Petvel, avrives m great. numbers fron’ 26th to
80th November each veat for breeding purposes. The eggs
-are large for the size of the bird and ave nmeuch sought after
by residents and others for eulinary pneposes. The question
has atisen whether. when the first eye is taken, the birds lay
again. Mr, Lewis* experiments seem to be fairly conclusive
that the birds do not lay more than one egy, but that thev
return to the same rookeries, and often actually to the same
holes each year, Fron these facts it should he possible te
frame regulations whieh will give the birds that measnre of
protection whieh is badly needed at the present, tine, as
there t« evidence that thelr nanihers ate gradpally decreasing.
‘
ra MACGILLIvRAY, Excursion in S.W. ‘Queensland 103
AN EXCURSION IN SOUTH-WEST QUEENSLAND ~
By Dr. W. MacG@itsavray, Broxsn Hit.
(Read before the Meld Naturalists’ Olub of Victoria, 11th
August and. 8th September, 1924.)
On August 15, 1923, four of us, Dr. Chenery, intrested,
like my self, in Ornithology : Mr. P. C. Riddell, principal of
the local Nechnical College, and our driver, Norman Reid,
packed all our eamping gear, with sufficient petrol to take
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us to the nearest yail-head in Queensland, and took the
‘northern road leading from Broken Hill. The previous year
had been one of dr ought, but good rains had fallen in the -
autumn and in early winter’; all eowth, however, had been
retarded by severe frosts, but for all that, the country was ,
becoming green from herbage that had-to seize any oppor-
tunity fo teproduece itself. Birds were very searee, the
majority not having returned after having left the district
for more favoured localities during the dry year- ‘
Our road took us out on, the eastern side of the Barrier”
range, crossing Stephen's Creek at nine mules, then Yalco-
winna Creek 10 miles further out. .A few Little Corellas,
104 MacGiILiivReay, Excursson fi SW Queensland eit Pity
Carciua sanguinen, and Galubs, C. reseicupilli, were seen
feeding on the erouid on tying aay Campbell's Creek. Oi
the gravelly country that we passed over before teaching this
creek, the ground was white with the Hairy Cress, Blewradia
lusiovanpa, and to a lesser extent with the Yellow Cress, B-
wasturtiowdes, with the Woody Cress, F. trisecta,, aud the
bitte‘ Eradiun cygnorum by way of contrast im smaller
patehes. Craspedia chrysantlia was mostly in hut, with
Heliptariean polagalifoliam. Aveas of the aasty-smebling
nrucifer, Blennadia cardamenoides, wore soon forgotten im
conten plating the glorionsiv-vellow single plivts of Seveets
spregorin,
At about focty miles we enter the Muvowie Hills, where the
vegelunon is again not so torward. Oveasional evecks, lined
with Rec guns, Hucaiy Bite vastratu, whieh provide nesting
hollows ‘For a few Galuhs, Little Corellas, or Ringed-Neck
Parrats, Barnariline hurnarii, ave crossed i intervals, The
Rocky JHillsides ure clothed in Mulga, Aeveta aneura, Dead
Finish, 1, telragonophylla, Rremophila alternifolia, and #.
apposttifoliu, with Acacia oswaldi along the» smaller water
eourses. Ennerging from the hills to the more open country
we find patches of the Yellow Everlasting, Weliptemun paly-
galifolinm, well in flower. ‘On to Enrowie, fifty miles from
the FOll, the voad traverses open gravelly slopes which in
places are mantled withasnowy covering of Blénnodin lnsiv-
carpa. From Fowler's Gap ta Sandy Creek Bore we pass
over an open gravelly plain with o gum creek away ta one
right snd the Barriey Range ont to the left. Brom this
plain we flush a few Anatralian Dottrell, Pellohyus australis;
Grange Tangs, Ephthienwra curifrons, and an oceasional
Pipil, Avthus australis Beyond the Bore the country
beconies sandy with a: wvound flora of New Zealand spinach,
Tatrigonin expunsa, and voung plants of the Ham and Eves
Daisy, Myriocephalus stuayti, some only of whieh ave in bud,
Baneauina Lake, 100 miles from Broken Hill is vereled
late i the afternoon, as our motor had not bee workin tno
well, We lenve the northern road oight wiles further on.
‘going off to the vight, sfill theough sandy conulry. Cater-
pillars ave numerous, the Now Zealand Spinaet being eater
in juny places ta bare sfalks, We distuvh namhers' oF
Whistlianz Magles. Hrltingti: sphenwrus, and a few Black
Kites. Milvns tarshun, from the ground where they had heen
feeding on the caterpillars Whose insects Were at all stages
OF, developnient. from tmr newly-hatehed ones, to the rity
Ean MACGILLIVRaY, Excursion in SW. Oneensland ‘106
metuyed grubs iu. were burrowing into the sand to pupate,
Tittle Covellas, O, sanguinea, and Galahs are becoming more
immercus oy the execks. that we pass. After passing
Nundora Station we eame te a yate, from one ot the posts of
of which » Galah-ilew. We afterwards Jeary that a pair of
these birds had’ nested in the same post ‘for the past thes
‘veasons, and we are advised to keap a lock-out wher
wyypeoaching another gate about six miles oii from Wouna-
minta Station, which we reach ubout au houe after dark,
after negotiating several bad cveeks and washuways, but. the
welcome that we receive from Mr, and Mrs, dackson makes
light of all-our troubles,
The next’ morning 18 spent in looking raved the troute-
steal; the- dans are all full and the young red vums vlog
the éveuk looking fresh and well awing to the reeent local
rains, All old trees had been cut ont years lefare to teed
the Yurnacos of a woolscour, Famy Martins, Mhjlocheliden
iviel. were bisy buildiig their nests wider sheds and
vermudahs anti the ‘arcival of a Goshawlk sends them all high
in the air to wait there until he departed, when they came
down and started vathering mad along the water cdee, with
whiel) ty construer their retort-shaped nests. We were
ahown the site of a Greene's, Meliphayu penreiltuta, neat in a
climbing plait on the verandah. Many White-Browed and
Masked Wood Swallows passed overhead on their southerly
nigration, sone dropping out to feed or vest for the night.
The walls of "he house ave of pisa protected by pluster. Ina
plane where the plaster had fallen off, a Red- Baeked Kings
fisher, Maleyou pyrrhepygius, had burrowed in,.and reared
a lr avd of young 4 season previously, Striated Pardalotes:
PB. streiatis, also regularly build it these walls, and the White
Race, A, leucopsts, in. the vuttering of roofs.
Leaving Wonnaminta after lunch, the solitary Rovner
berry Movuitain sooth fodms up, and oar road winds round
its eastern end, which is continued for a considerable distanee
as an outeropping ridge, and the gravelly plains that we pass
over are a result, of this mountain’s. denudation. These
plains bear a. pieturesque appearance, consisting of pure
white patches of, quartz or blossoming Blewnodia. lasigcaipa,
wernating wrth others of vivicl green Spinach and other
herbage, and others, of « dull yellow colouriiw due to
Bleniodia nasturtioides, or a bright golden yellow: with the
Suuvay, eli evn polygulifoliun. After crossing we pull up
within two miles of the foot of the mountain, and Walk over
-
106 MacGrutivray, Excursion in S.W. Queensland [Ye th
to it-as T was anxions to gee an idea of the survival vegetation
on the evest of this vesidval, The first mile was over a plain
secupied principally by Adroples vesicarwm., the speeies af
perennial salblnsh which above all others makes it yossible
for the Western Dialing country to be, used for graxwug
purposes, and gives a name to the saltbush plains. Aelip-
tery flaidundimn was mostly in bad; a brilliant-white
Sancay, whieh ut Hines cavers large tracts of eonntry, and
which 18 4 valuable fodder plant. The erabholes (soakage
depressions), that are fond on sandy and gravelly plains,
were here aoeupied prineipully by, two composites, a, small
* vellow-Howered Groundsel, ., Seneio” “‘brdchuglossus,’ with,
torigght grey) foliage which — appears jnore green than yellow
in the Wass, as the flowers ave inconspicuous, ated Helipteriwn
sfeectiem, av einai) white Howermy andual with dark green
Toliage. (erasions eluups of the Aeshy Groundsel, Senecie
gregori, Wade splashes of br illiant yellow at intervals, with
Helipter um pokygalifolarn m sinall communities. No grass
exeept sone very young stuff just showimg above the ground,
was t6 be geen, A White-fronted Tang, EL ulbifrers, as
disturbed from her nest low down in a saltbnsh, the nest
containing three hard-set, eges. to whieh the bird soa
returned when we went on, Shortly after an Orange ‘lang,
BE. auvifrons, flushed from hor nest well concealed alsa in th
saltbush: this nest contained three: ean of the Tang wii ane
of the Narrow-billed Bronze Cackoo, all nearly hatching.
We pars a few stunted Belars, Casuariniw lepidophious:
Bullock [sushes, Heterodendron oleifolium, and Mulgus.
Acatia am.uton. scattered at long intervals over the plain, A
mum ereck, bordered as usual with Hucalyptus vostruta,
erosses ou path, and whids its way through a gap in bhe
ridge. Crossing this we start elimbing the foothills, on Whiehi,
Needle Bush, Haken leucoptera: Belars, Casuaring tepi-
daphlowt + Leopord Trevs, Plinedlersta macidosa, and Dead
Finish, Acacia tetragonophylla, makes an open scrub. Up
the mountain, Mulga and Dead Finish are the principal
trees. Kvemophila oppositifolia and &. allevnafatiue are
flowering. und Cassia stur(t showing signs of revival, after
being dvy ane miserable, form, the undetserub, On top
a fow vagged pines, Callitris robusta, grow Tron
erevices in the big boulders that cap the uumuntain, Other
plants are Solanwn elliptacui, soto petider, Parieturia
debiis, Leptorrhynchus pangetinides. The Mriostemon, whieh
T am anxious to find, proves ta be identieal with the species
+ Tye MacGiLuiynay, Excersion tx SW. Queensland 10!
found on ML, Manara, on the opposite of the Darling Vullev,
auid pot with that found on the hills near Broken Hill. Bird
life in scavee, Red-capped Robins, P. geodenova, and Little
Crows, C. bevnetti, and Chestnit-eared Finches, Toaenopygie
eastunolis, only. Dr. Chenery found a nest of the Wedge
Bill, Sphenostonia crista¢um, in a& Dead Finish, containing
two half-fledged young and the est, of u Singing Honey
Eater, MW. virescens, with two hard-set eggs; the nest was
unusually placed, being two feet from the ground in a
Kochia, A smadl Hoel of Siteldas, Veusitle pileatu, were busy
searthing the Mulguy for food. A Shinule-backed Lizavd,
Trachydosaurns rugosus, on the plait is photographed and
ellowed to go, This lizard is vegetarian and. viviparous. and
js capable of aestivating for lone dry periods of two o1 more
years, duving which time they remain buried in the ground,
usally nuder (he roots of some perennial bush. We inspect
an old nest of the Wedee-tailed Bagle on aue of the creek
fluus, note many Calahs and Litthe Corellas, ) few Ravens,
C. corone, and Magpies, (. diesen, and a lot of Miners,
Miyzuntha flavtgulas Pardalotes. P. status, and Greenies,
M. penieliata, At is date when we retnm) to the motur,
su we decide fo ean on the first ureels; aur iinter deciles,
however, that we stiy for three days.
A Maepie wakes us early as she is ineulatiig in o sapling
close to our canip, two Miners! nests ave quite agai, and a
Crested Bronzewing Pigeon is feediig twa von ta nest
nah Acuda cana about 100 yds. wway. The Miners tune up
soon after the Magpie, followed hy Galahs and Corelas, with
a Whistling Hagle a good last, “Aiter brenkfast, Mr, Riddell
and myself evoss as aravelly plain to an elevation near
Kuoonenberry; on this we find a few stunted Jevere cane and
Belars, big bunches of Surcostomme australe, a few bushes of
FErvemophala Duttont, and a fine flowering bush tear a rabbit
burrow of Senecio maynifica, One of the Casnarinas sup-
ports an ald nest of the Wedge-iniled Eagle, Haroaelts
oudax, the top of the nest being six feet froin the ground
and the bottom two feet. We return to neamp, msperting
another Hagle’y nest on the wav Adler a short rest we go
on to a small bare plain covered with remain of Aboriginal
fireplaces, with many fling and other clippings. Drm Chenery
whe had heen down the ereek, reports the piisence there of
the Black Honeyeater, Wyzomeln miged : the Pied Toneyeater,
Certhionyx verteyatus, and Didhwers assinitis, After laneh
we go. down to look these birds up and find them feeding on
10% MAGGILLiVRaY, Excursion in SW. Queensland {yea tet Naz,
the “hones yeladon’ flowers of Vicoliona ylunea, the intvadueed
Tabacco: ‘Bush, This busli doés ‘little harm, grows usually
whure ‘nothing else will BROW, often shelters a lot of useful
herbawe. and provides food’ for a wumber of honey-eating
bids, who dre-also useful as inseet lestrayers, to tide, them
aver a ¥ sedgons. .
A Whistling Bagle was noted building, and ik Little FKagte,
Tieritetus morphnaitlos, sitting on one ege in her bulky nest
atcthe: top of a slender ein.
eOn the followings dw we go in i South easterly ‘direction
through: scattered Acacia cana bushes,.in one of which a
Singing Honeyeater, /. virescens, has a nest and three eggs.
We ascend ia rocky pinnacle’ to get a view of the surrounding
fconntiy and note a fairly thick ‘sermb to the: south-east, whien
westto down to examine, On our way we note the Pied d, whe
Black, the White-plumed, and Spiny-cheeked _Honeyeaters,
Brown ‘Song Lark, Yollow-thvoated Miner, Crinison “lang,
and’ Browie Qiwil, “The serub Wwe find to consist principally
of Acvewe cunt with an odd group of Leopards and Belars:
The evened ling covered with Taw bushes of Kremaphile
mecnlela’ in full flower, these Howers are honey laden and
provide a plentiful supply for the Floneyeators mentioned,
which are here in numbers.
Kremaphia maculata shows a bie vange of colours, from
bright ved, through maroon, terri-eotta, pork, to ereamy
white. with foliage also varytng from" bright green to dark
purplish red, Myoporunt acunuinukum and M. desert? are
Wso growing m this association with Jusmenwe Linewra sup-
porting itself ai these or other shrubs: Growing up through
many of the bashes were the beautiful white ov mauve
(luisres, Minweva denitioulata, und M. “leplophylta, awd all
through' the, patch at. intervals, Senecio gregerii and 8,
Taatus, Dr. Chenery was not long in finding a nest of the
Pied Honuereater, placed Tow down in the dead Wremnapkitee
macula, through which was growing Machylaena tomentosm
iy berry, wud a White Brachycame.. This nest. open and cup-
shaped, was eomposed of dried stalks of herbage and rootlets,
and Jinecd avith finer rootlets. Several nests of Clycipkaila
albifrans, the White-fronted Honeyeater, were found at all
stages, contaning part or full elutehes, or youny birds newly
hatched, to others that were almost ready ta leavé the neal,
These nests were mostly placed low down in the Eramophilas
and well hidden, The Black Lfoueveaters, Myzomele negra,
were seen, but hae not yet started to nest. After lunch, Mr.
Riddell and myself explored a stony and serub-covered hill
on
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol. XLI. October, 1924.
PLATE IV.
*YELLOW-TAILS '' Trichinium Nobile, Launp.
The flower spikes are 3-4 inches high.)
A MIXED COMMUNITY
(Mostly Composites of various Species. }
it MacGiuliyRay, Excursion in SW. Queensland 109
to the east of the camp. Two old Wedge-tailed Eagles’ neats
Wem exwinined, a Spotted Nightjar, Lurostopodus gutiatus,
flushed, and a fest, composed almost wholly of sheeps’ wool,
of the Singing Honey eater found in an Acacia cana, «Other
trees and shrubs on this hill were Acacia uncura, A, tetre-
navophylla, Leocorpus aphyllus, the Quondong, Fusanys
acunndatis; Brenophila duttoni, and masses of Sarcostemma
australe. On the following morning, the 9th August, we
made a further examination of the Acacia, cuna—-hrenmophala
maculata flat, with a view of getting photogriplis of the
valious nests and other ‘objects of interest, Vhis being
accomplished, we return to camp to find that the parts of the
hotor for whith we weve waiting had arrived, so that we
were able to continue our journey to Morden Station, where
we pot in the following night, being hospitubly entertained
by Mr. and Mys. Con. White.
The voad to Virieania, which wo traversed on the next
morning, passed over #ravelly ope country, on whieli
Blenadio losioorrpw wid Bo nasturtiaides were doawerbnys
freely, with smaller patches of Coodenia glanee aud Metip-
turun polygalifoliums clevalions support a little serub,
mostly Mulga and Dead Pinish, the latter is in flawer, bul
CAL Ot dispuise its rugged form and prickly Phylledes. On
Saudy travts the bie daisy, My ocephalus stuerti, is well in
flower. Craspedtw plerocephele is also here. We came to the
mile six miles Tram Morden, 1 one of the posts of which
Wwe had toan told to luk for a Galah’s nest; the pair of birds
were there and bad been bedding the hollow with green gum
leaves carried fron) an adjacent gum ereeck., Crossing a
ereek, Our attention is alfractid ta ‘umn bers of tussocks with
a yellow button-like inflorescence, Crespedia glabosu. That
fing shady tree, the Whitewood, Ataliya hemiglanca, now
appedirs singly and in elumps, and the sandy vidges show a
more varied scrub, Mulga, Dead Finish, Acacia Burhitts,
wilh Hremophala longifolia, EB, shal, E, oppositifolim. ima
flower; and, later on, #2. altemnifelia, Along. the watercourses
one sces mastly Belay and Mulga. tn) moister flats, the
Liveuder Daisies! Brachycome sp, which vary in shade from
hvht to very dark. Myriocephalus stuarti, and occasional
plants of the beautiful purple pea, Swainsona procumbens,
‘well'ii tower We arrive in Yancannia in time for Junch,
Whith delays ts threesptanters of am hour, A fine erimsen
floweruigs Mnealypt, of Western Australian wrngm, makes a
beautifol ohyect In the garden, A graceful ivec with smooth
'
'
Lio MACGILLIVRAY, Excursion in SW. Queensland = [YE SRE
white steni and branches, and smali lanceolate leaves, ih is
well in flower, these are lage and of « beautiful crimson
eolatr; it is probably the Mt. Lindsay gum, 4. erythronewre,
a very desirable omamental gum for drier parts of. Aus.
tralia,
We are sor On our way again, our road. leading us down
the creek through a rank growth of herbage till we are able
to eross the water-hole, the only permanent natural water-
hole in New South Wales west of the Darling. Over imore
gravelly plains covered with wild flowers, down along a. creek
where we noie'the Moulie Apple Tree, Owenia-acidalu, with
jie dark, glossy pinnate leaves and bushy rounded top, sil wai’
a beantiful abject. If hears a dark purple fruit about 1 in
by 14 iv. in dianieter, nearly all stone, and often eaten by
Emus.
Bootra Station is our next stopping place, only long cnough
to inquire the Way, a8 we are anxious to push on, Shearers
have just artived, after eutting out at Mt. Sturt, and are to
‘start operations on the following day, We ga almost due
east from here and take a road past the shearing shed, which
is some distance from the house, through thick serub. mustly
uf Mulga. and Bullock Bush, with an wndergrowth of Tur
pentine, Evemophita Sturtis i. dultoni, E. longifolia, and a
earpéling of Croeifers, Composites, and other herbage, Birda
other than Galahs are scarce, but later on we note a Spotted
Harrier, C., nssimilis; many Short-billed Crows, C0, Bennetts;
Singing Tloneyeaters, M. wirescens; Miners, MW. flavigala; -
Red-capped Robins, P. goodenovit; Greenies, WM. penicillata,
The crows are nesting freely in the Mulga and, pulling up
the var under a Mulga, a Wedge Bill flushes from her nest,
in a bunch of Loranthus pondulus, Dy, Chenery finds it
to eontain three of this bird's beautiful blue spotted eggs
Tt is almost. dark when we come to a dam and pull off the
road toa camping place on a box ereek, the trees bordering
it being mostly Bimble Box, Eucalyptus populifoliu, w tree
with very distinetive rhomboid or rounded grcen leaves.
The harsh calling of 2 Short-billed Crow wakes us early, to
he-fallowed by the beautiful notes of the Rufous Song Lark.
Cinclorhamphius mathewsi. from the ereek quite near our
camp. Its nest is afterwards found in the Spinach growing
in the hed of the creek, an open enp-ahaped structure
lined with bark. and constructed of comrser bark.
built into a depression scraped in the gvound, if son-
tained three fresh eges. Down the ereek » Spinycheeked
'
Po
Aus, MACGILLIVRAY, Excursion me SW. Queenstand ~ dil
Houeyeater ‘0 lev nest in a Mistletoe on s Mulga, and a
pair of Galahs had been vainly trying ta bed » hollow stump
with gum leaves without result, as there was « hole at the
hottem through which the leaves fell to form a: considerulse
heap wt the foot of the stamp. A Crested Pigeon, Qcyphaps
fovholes, is on her nest. in a Malye also, ' Y
We nuke an early startup past the dam to pick up our
woud, The day is beautifully fresh and sunny, with a light
south wind blowing, as we pass through open semb of Mulgy,
Whitewood and Bullock Bush to No. 5 Bore, where we come
upon a mob of about, 150-mus feeding onthe herbage. An
Eremophila, %. BowmaStu, hero’ attracts .attontions its
foliage being silvery grey with large lilac flowers, and is new
tons. An Acti Lguluta erowmg by the bore, is showing
afew flowers, We take a vight-hand track and pass through
aw ostuntod growth of this species for some distance; further
On we voine to d tine, tall Achéia, with a trunk 18 tiehes to
twa -feel in dinmeter, which is « stranger, and which we
Tound to be lroywood, A, excelsa, vied later became a feature
of the Jandseape until we veach the Queensland border,
maniy of these trees being 50 feet in height We now pass
through thick Mulza and Bullock Bush serub fo some dis
tanee 111 we come to No.6 Bove, wherea tall éypreas-like trae is
segagiised as being identical with one that had grown np on
a barren steny spotoon the British Mine at Broken Hall
Codonocni nis cotiifolius, like its wear allies the manbers af
the genus Brachyehatou, mt as pithy and reputed to be wood
fodder for stock. Tas loeally known as Mustard Bush. Water
is bving be all claypans amd depressions, herbage good all
the way, and many wild Howers, Blewnodia — canescens,
Brochyoome ciliaris and Helipterwm poligalifokium pve-
vailing. i i
We reach Byrosing Station, where we are hospitably ente.
tained by the manager’s wife, Mra. Lawton, and ave relieved
to find that we have only 25 miles of good road to negotiate
before reaching or destination on the Paroo—Wanaaring
township. It is soon over, and we enter through shrubby
growth of Mrenophila shri, Dalanace viscosa, and the
Aster, Ofearia pancleuides, the latter beng finely in Hower
The township consists of 2 dozen or more hovses ranged along
the main road on the banks of the Paroo; theve are severni
empty ones ind many ruins. The Paroo has recently heen
in Hood, Inil 3s now only tyekling between holes, Ime
diately below the town, along the water's edge, are grawing
'
'
2 | MacGILLIVRAY, Excursion in SW, Queonsland = | Sh Sap
!
a Binhle Box, 1. popubifolas Black Box, 4. ticalor, Yap
yah, 4, echyophlaia, and the Ned Gi, 2. rostrata. A ‘iocal
varden contains two date palms, each about L2 feat i beigli.
These palms do well im this distviet: thare are several fine
éexumples ol. various stations along the Darling, some planted
in eavly days being 40 to 50 feet in height anc bearing large
quantities of fine fruit annually. They come into bearing
whe about ten years old, and practically go on for ever;
thus should be.plinted in groups oy avenues to facilitate
fertilisation, as the sexes are on different trees. Af present
Australia as importing £600,000 worth of dates annnally.
wid all that we reqaine could be grown here.
~ Our oad fromm here runes north parallel with the Paroo,
and fle vegetation passed by varies as the country is subject
ty inundation or the sandy bordering of the river. The
prevailing timber irecs on the sandy country are Mulga,
Beetwood, Gyreviller strata: Whitewood, with Irouwood, are
the largest and the most conapicuous. “We fearu fron the
locals that if is so named heeause the wood is ao hard as to
be almost wiworkable. On the flooded grmind the niost-
wohapieuous tree was the Yapunyah, whielt was llossoming
freely, with Howers balf an ineh ju diameter, these being a
erent attyaction for numbers of honey-rating birds. The
Gimble Box, with ity glossy, bright green leaves. ig always
attinelive, especially the foliawe of the young saplings; ever
the dry leaves that have fallen to the gvound shine Vike
pieces of glass when. reflecting the sun’s rays. FLarmonions
Thrushes are common along .the viver, thongh seldom seen
outhuck. The Red-backed Parrokect, P, huentolonatus, tol-
lows. the river timbers ancl never ventures away from them.
Miners and. Spiny-cheeked Houeyeaters are feeding on the
flowers ot the VYapunyah and frequenting the serub and under
serub;: Pallid Cuekoos are reeognised by thei mournful
calling, About 16 miles from Wanaaring the Bloodwood,
£, terminalis, adds itself to the tinwber on the sandy country.
On the river soil we find Acacia stennphylia, which. always
Keeps to this hahitat. ‘The Queaniurra, Prenophila bignauia
forta, and. Lignum, Wuehlenbeckia Cunninghanit: and.
wearer the ¢cdge, ‘oeeasioual bushes of the Tiignum-like
Bremophila polyciada, The Wild Orange... Oapparis
Mitehelli, is occasional on the sandy ecorntiy.- At Willava
Station we hive lanely with Ma. and Mrs, Staller. and admire
a Magnificent Lemor-seented Gum, HL. citmaduru, evowing iW
the garden, where it had heen planted many veary previonsls
‘
Tous! MACGILLLWRAY, Kxenrsion in SW. Queenstond iia
Tts bole was fully tivo feet fi) chameter. he children here
were being taught trom the State Correspondence Selool in
Sydney, ond seemed to be inaking good progiess in thew
studies. i
Our next stopping place is Talvalya Station, owned by an
olil friend, Mr. Austin Cline. Our radiator is leaking badly,
so-flat our driver has to take it off to solder the leaks, the
rest of us walking on (il le overtakes us. The réad passes
over sandy ground with the same elass of timber and under-
bush. A single Grey Falcou is seen, also Brown Hawks,
I, berigora; Whistling Eagles, Little Crows, Galahs, Ring
Neeks, and Blue Bonnets, P. huematerrhous. We have not.
seen any Little Corellas, C\ sanguenea, since leaving Bootra,
Cresird Pigeons, Qeyphaps lophetes, ave common: Red-
cupped Robins, Singing, Spiny-cheeked, White-Plumed and
Black Houeyeaters, Dr, Chenery found a nest in a charred
Mulga stomp of the Chestnut-tail Tomtit, containing three
fresh épys, and we tioie many of the birds. Whitefages, 4.
[eucopsts, are conmion id
- Nearme Muneerford, the border fawn, we pass frst
cthreagh oan avenue of Black Box, 4 hbteolors then
an owmderserab oof © Turpemive, Weemagloila Sturte,
and Dodenuea viscose. Nhe first building we “come
to is the Past Office on the New South Wales side; all the rast
are In Queensland. We make a few inquiries pid, as il is
near nightfall, push on to find a camping plate before dirk.
We seevoss the bed of the Paroo te vegain the eastern side,
and camp for the night. A Boabeok Owl had been eainu,
but the first streak of day was greeted by the gloriously
mellow notes of the Pied Wuicher Bird, CL aayroguharis
followed by those of the Harmonious Thrush, CL Jiueranonien,
Wiite-browed Wool Swallows axe uumerous and huilding
thei nests. The Littl Wee Bill, 8. brevivostris, is searching
the box leaves for smaller forms of inseet life, hover in
front of the branchlets or clingiwg to them when effeeting a
capture, Our oad still follows the course of thes Puro
piestly on, Hooded country, which sipports a more vuyied
tree population—Bimble and Blick Box, Yapunyah, still
flowering freely and in places. forming forests by iteelf, The
Red Gun keeps to the actual watereonrse On sands
stretches we have Mulga, Gidgee, A, Cenrhageds Tronwood,
AL vrcelsa; Boetwood, Grewllen striata, with Bloodwoou.
Bucelyptuy terminates, t, fower, making a fine: show with its
sorvubose inflorescence; the trees of this species here ave
fe : Tiel Mat,
Mla MACGILLIVRAY, Excursion in SW. Queensland [Ye SSP
much lavger and finer that those me the orth- west of New
South Wales, owing to The greater average raiutall All
these trees have » grey sealy bark on trunk and limbs. We
suill have an widergrowth of Dodonaea viscosa, but the Tur
pentine. Eremaphilu Sturti, is gradually being replaced by
one of larger growth, with darker bark anc broader green
leaves without ‘the gununy exudation, Lremophila Metchetti,
The Lavender-flower red Hremophila i ix also being replaced by
one with darker green leaves wud a light blue Hower, YZ. fload-
weit, As we go north Cidgee bedomres more common than ear
old fiend the Molga. and has Mremoplile Latrotet, with its
erimson flowers as ait weidergrowth, and wo find whole bracts
of country covered with Bremophila Cioodwind whieh is
rarely inove than two feet in height. We meet here with the
Grey-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomues lemporalis,. replacing
P. ruficeps and P- super ciliosus, the conimon species in West
Darling country. The two Friav Birds, P. corniculatus and
P, citreo gularis, soon make their presence kuown,. from
amongst the flowering Bloodwoods and Yapunyahs. Much
of the timber in the “paddoeks bordering’ the toad has been
ringbarked, and the ground covering varies from dry and
dead herbage in placeg where no rain had fallen veceutly,
to others that had been tavonred with a thunder storm, and
here we find the ground covered with a sweetly: sinellins
composite, Calotis “Plumutifera, or Bleniodia canescens, and
the Lavender daisy.
We arrive at Kulo at about 2.30 p.m. on Avigust 23, a
small township marking the turn off ta Cunnamulla, which
road we take through a fuirly-thiek sernh of Mulya, Gidgee
and Beetwood, with undergrowth of ‘Turperitine and
Doatonsed wiscosa, whieh soo opens out anti) we come to the
gravelly indge which marks the divide between the Warrego_
aid Paroo Rivers. A beatiful hop bush, Dadonuea borandue-
folia, with pinnate leayes and sitatl deed vessels in all shades
from pale yellowish “green to michest dark evimson, attracta
our attention. Cassin avlenisinides is also finely in flower,
the flowers being larger aud the leaflets broader that: thease of
the species found at Broken Hill, Brown ‘tree Creepers are
common; also Grey-crowned Babblers. Magpies, Gavrulous
Miners, which have replaced the Yellow-throated species;
Clreenies, Blue Rounets; PF. huematorrkous conthorrbhoen:
Ring Necks, B. barawdi: Major Mitehelts and Galahs-
' Our road takes as over sone yery bare wantey, evideutly
stibject to inundation. of Moongiree Statiou. On this a
prs MACGILLIVRAY, Hecuersion it SW, Queensiand 11s
few isolated specimens of Swutusone procumbens ave Hower-
ing, aud wa few daisies. The Wilga, Geigera purvijlove, graces
Lhe Jandscape more often, with its fine dark green bushy
growth, and is in flower and seenting the atmosphere,
Nearing the Warrege the country is still open, but being
dotted with shapely Wilgas and syiusnetrical White Pines,
Cullitvis robusta, has quite 4 park-bke appearance. ‘he
road winds through the Red Gums and the Box Trees of the
viver frontage before srossing the bridge leading to Cunna-
inulla, a prosperous town of from 1500 to 2000 inhabitants,
in which many new nildings ave going up, ineludipg a
shive hall, w general hospital, and maternity hospital, The
streets are well planted with the common and Broad-leafed
Peppers and White Cedars, A Bottle Tree, Lrachychiten
ripestris, with its eromous bulging stem and fine-foliaged top,
is both an ornamental and useful shade tree. It was not far
ngeth from here that this species was first found by Major
Mitchell. Water is laid on all aver the town from a fine
artesian bore, which has a daily flow of over one million and
a quarter gallons, zoming from the pipe at a leniperatare of
107 Fahe. Tt isa soft alkaline water, with ¢ slightly chlorin-
ous odour. Peaceful Doves were cooing in the atrect trees,
and numbers of Fairy Martina nesting under the high-arched
roof of the railway station.
The road from here to Charleville, a distance of 125 miles,
was quite perfect for travelling, and in places quite pic-
turesque, ug it went north between the fiver and the railway
line amongst finely-timbered country, the trees being mostly
Yapunyah, Biinble Box, Bloodwood, Coolibah, 2, microtheca:
Wilga, Tranwood, Gidgee, Mulga, and Beefwood, with White
Pines on the sandy patehes. Capparis Miichellt, the Caper or
Wild Orange, was finely grown and in green fruit. Mrema-
phila Mitchell was more plentiful, Fremophila hougifolia
accasional, as it had been all the way, and Erenephila big-
noniweflora, keeping to foaded country as always. The last
two have long flowering periods, The Warrego itself was
bordered with Red Gum, Black Box and Coolibah, with Tea-
tree (Melalewece sp.?) waking 4 thick se¢nb in amongst the
channels in many places,
We pull into the bank of the river for lanch and note many
birds, conspicuous amongst which were Jacky Winters,
Microsea faseinans; Harmonious Throshes, Grey-crowned
Rabblers, Yellow-throated Friar Birds, Greenies, Sulphur-
crested Cockatoos, Galahs, Cockatiels, Crimaon-winged Par-
i16 MACGILLIVRAY, Excursion ix SW. Queensland [SR
vots, White-winged Choughs, and Apostle Birds. Grallinay,
Crested Bronzewings and Common Bronxeyvings were numer:
ons, also Striated Pardalotes, and two being flashed from nest
ing holes m gate posts ew route. After passing Wyandra, a
wayside township on the railway line, we go on for abont four
niles before making camp for the aight on the viver bank
Boabook Owls and Owlet, Nightjars ave heard calling in the
night, aso, at intervals, the guttural gruntings and roarings of
the Koula, Piasealeretos cinereus, were heard again after
neeuy years.
We ave all yp curly to investigate the bird lite of the river;
hut foluid nothing ney, Fairy Martius are nesting im snl
colonies along the xteep banks. Sulphur-crested ‘Cockatoos
sereanl amongst the trees, garrmious Miners scold us for our
intrusion, and the fine miellow notes of the Pied Butcher Buvil
and of the Harmouious Thrush are distant and near. Wo
ave away early, pick up the road, and find it very rough owing
to cattle having been over it in wet weather In open forest
miauiy fine Bloodwoods are in Hower, the foliage being covered
with thei’ corymbs of large ereamy-white flowers. The ston
and branches ave covered with a rough, grey, seuly-bark, the
nppermost. smaller branches anly being smooth. The Yapin-
vahs, £. ockrvophloia, have their buits black, the bark coming.
off in flakes, all the vest of the stem and branches being
sooth ov Hesh-coloured or white. The Coolibah have
prey. scaly stems, the upper branches being smooth
and white. The Bimble Box has its branches gvev
and rough, with rovnded glossy leaves, Fyenrophila Michelli -
is, in places, in blossom, which ig white, and 2. maenlata js
also in flower. More trees and shrubs appear as we wear
Charleville, and soon we find ourselves in an Iranburk. Bneu-
Lyptus melanophloia sermb, the trees varying in trunk diame-
fer from 1 to 14 feet; leaves silvery, and bark rmeved and
black. We hurry. on to reach Charleville before the stores
close, as tl is Saturday, passing many shriths that are new in
us On the outskirts of the town we find a lot of tall, gracefut
Eunealypts, which we afterwards find to be Moreton Bay
Ashes, Mucalyplus tesselaris, at the western lint of its range.
Charleville is a large and well-built fawn, nearly all the
houses: being raised up on piles 6 or T Feet from the eround,
with inverted, tin-dish-like eonrses ta cap them as a protec-
tion front white ants and other vermin. ‘The most, resistant
wood to decay, and white ants. is Gidgee, next to which comes
Pine, so lony as it lasts.imprernated with is natiiral ais and
ty ~MACGILUIVRAY, Excursion (aS) W. Qaverislane if
resins. Wherever the Pine grows it is being eul for fencing
ahd building parposes, and the forests of it are beiupy pradn-
wlly cut out, and there is no reproduction,
in Charleville we male a few inquiries us toa lileely camp
ing place, muke a few additions lo the conunvissaviat, atid
retrace our steps to the Warrezo over the week-end. We
veach the Inonbsrk serub aguin in time for lunch, and adil
afew specimens to our plant portfolios. A small und graceful
Wattle. is coming into flower, Acocim palens,. which proves te
be a new reeoril for the State that we are in. Indigafolia
breviders is an old, frignd met with at the Depot. Glen. af Sturt.
A shrubby Groevilley, with trifuliate leaves aud dry seed ves-
sels, is Hew to as. A tall, scraggy Aster, Olearia subspicalu,
ix fiawering, but not nearly so finaly as O. penceleotdes was al
Wanaaring, A rough, tussocky gvuss, T'riudia Metchelli,
les been caten down by eattle, but the Lew ereen leaves that
ure left exale a perfume that scents the whole atmosphere
uf the serub in aw agreeable way. It should be possible to
istif a fine cesential oil from this phint. Velloye paradowe,
Holiplerum polygalifotium and a Lavender Daisy are grow-
ing amongst these plants. ‘Thwo pretty shrubs are Phebaliwn
qlundulosum and Claythain longiflora, the latter in flower. We
fo dnd camp on wa waterhole on the river, choosing » soft, dry,
wiby spot for our poor hips, During the mght many ealls
of the Boobook are heard frony different quarters, and also of
the Koala.
Our driver direeted my attention to a erested bird in one
of the ereck Gums, which proved to be an Waster Shrike Tit,
Muleanculus frontatus, the firet that 1 had sewn for a lunar
time. ‘Ms must be about the western limit of its distribution
i Queensland, There was a pair, anid Dusy, as sul, pull-
ing bark off in searel for hreakfaat. A Square-taved Note
was starting a nést. on the horizontal fork of a Goolibah by
out #amp, ind we could watch her frantic efforts and adimive
her patience in trying to fix dry branchlets on a slippery hori
zontal fork. ‘Che branchlets: were all snatched from the top
wf a neighbouring tree by flying sweeps. with the bird’s claws,
carried in them ta the chosen site, transferred to the beak
before wliplting, and then placed in position, the oultspread
wings being used to prevent slipping as much as possible,
hit. In. spite of all this most of the twigs found the ground.
from which she sever retrieved them, more being obtained
from the tree tops. At this camp both Grownd Cuckoo
Shrikes,” Pterapodueys maxine, and’ the Little Onekoo
Rk MauGinuiyray, Excursion tn SW, Queenstane (eany
Shorikes, (erauculus robuslus, were seen, au J tried Lo Tallow
up the melancholy call of a Bronzewing till it led me to a
dense ‘lea-tiee pateh, with about 30 yards of water to eress,
when L duenle to leave the bird to its misery,
After breikfast Dr, Chenery and 1 went up the ereck fer
ihowhite, erosscd where a dead Whiqua seinevides was atteact-
ing wumbers of Mies to its clissolution. We-alyo went up on
the other side on the look out for the long-lost Ser era
tryanmuta, thon out tito the finber; Yupulyah, Gidgee, Mules
and, Lremophita Mtehelli, ow the Jast of which a ligtantic
L. Murvayi, new to us, is growing. L! pendulus is common on
Gidgee and Mulga, and a ved and yellow leafed one, Hke
4. mireouloses, but not or tlower ov fruit, on Yapuiyah. The
same Irian Birds are about, aud we admire the droll attitude
struck by LY ¢ormicelahus when ubterii ibs vollieking siotes
and it docs not require a big stretch of imagination to picture
him it an avdient monastery with a flagon of nut-brown ate
wt houd, head and bald pate rolling back to give forth o
jovial gone. Paacofnl Doves are plentiful, and Jacky Winters
ond Brown Tree Creepers common. We soon eome to the
wravelly divide, on whieh there ix quite a thick growth of
Dodonaea horonivefolia, with bromouphila Hatchedé and Cas-
sth artemistoides, occasional trees of Hremophila longifolia
and bushes ot Brenaphilin weedata There isa geoud deal of
dead tiiber on the gravid, adie atl birds ave pleatiful,
such cas Acdnitnse nue. A. curepyytels aud Geabresilerws
chrysorvious, We finda nest, of the last 6 feet wp, in a Beene-
phile Mitchells, Qtr AT Hing three eves, With oue of Mie Narrow:
billed Bronze Cuekoo, CUNanacleris snepereidvasrs und Sat)tn
chrysoplera ware poliging the trunks gal bmsuehes of the
larger diwes, ‘The Grey Waatail, At abeliifera. aul Willie
Wraetiil, Ao feneeploys, were Dusy about the semi alik eee
tops. ‘The Brown Honeyeater, Sligmitops audishinete, wae
vory lively tnoits nioyoments, and & fina snigzer, mary af its
wotes wveealling those of the Reed Warbler, Aerecophadus wus
tritis. Many Apostle Birds disported themselves th groups.
Red-eapped Robiuy and Rufous-breasted Whistlers were fre-
quent, anion our way home along the river we saw severil
speciinens of the Little Cuckoo Shrike, &. robustus,
At. about 4 pan. De. Chenery and 1 erosyed the viver and
Went straight out into the ppen forest of Pines, Calldtris
robusta; Mulvga, A. wneurd, and fine tall specrmens of the
Moreton Bay Ash, 72. fesselaris, in one ot whieh, ah a eun-
siderable height, a Whistling Hagle had her peat: We note
Oi MacGiucavray, Excision in SW Queensland 119
\
Grinson-wing aud Ring-neek Parrots, noisy Minus, Friar
Birds, Jacky Winters, Wille Wagtailk and Greenies, mamer-
ovs ag elsewhere, AY pain of Little Mhornbills, A. mand, are
building in an Hremophaita Mitehella ut about 8 fect from
the ground, and ai Orange-winged Treerunner, high wo on
waders Iyaneh of » Moreton Bay Ash. Kookaburras and Pvog
mouths are alno Réen on aur way back to eamp, At night it
KBoubook keeps ealliny trom a tree over our catap im the Legh!
of the partially-celipsed moon. hese birds seoi. to be plenti-
ful alony the Warrevo, and we ave stinek by the individual
variation of theiy notes, Away from the breeding season
their booboals call is rarely heard, being repliced by a single
note-hough,
Monday, Avwost 22, we make an early start baek ta
(harleville, but soon pull up ab the area of open Covest where
‘the ground is covered with flowerme bushes of Premaphila
maculata, We lange tinher being Bimble Box, Lronwood,
Gidgee and Mulys, amongst whieh wee apeoap of till fower-
ioe Watales, A. laerpophaylla, with faloate whitish leaves anel
a2 very rough dark bark. Birda. mostly attracted lay the
flowers of the FErenoplila, syere plentiful—the Yellow:
Whroated and conmon Mriae Birds, Miners, Greenies, Blue
Tuced Honeyeuter, hy cyanoatis; Brown Woneyvedters and
Spiny- cheeked Honeyeauters, also a few Spotted Bower Birds
Restless Flyeatehers and Jacky Winters.
On the roid we pick up Mr, Riddell, who bad gone on ta
take « group of trees consisting of Mulga, Carrajong, Needle
Bush, Moreton Bay Agh, Ginible Box und Yapanyah.
Th Charleville we look ap a few people and are advised
by all to go ont te the Ambathala Waterhole, on the Adavale
yoad, ahont 70 miles west, ts the hole is always kept full from
a bore straun. Leaving the town we Pass (hrough some fine
Mareton Bay Ash trees, lronwood, Cidgee and Binble Box ;
then leaving the Jarwer trees we pass alvernately tracts ‘ot
Midea. and Gidyew serub, with Bimble Box as the eonmnon
large tree, Yapanyah coming next. We pulled up for a late
laneh in patch of Mriga. ‘The ground ts dry and the
herbage seanty, due to the season's rainfall having been
patchy. We start again soon, and come to the gravelly ridge
which marks the divide botween the Wiorega and Parag,
eavered with the sume,serab aa before, af Dodonuew baroning-
folim and Evemaphile Abitehalli, The Langlo River is crossed
and we haye to keep roing to reach aur camping place for the
pight, whieh we do just before nightfall. We find the long
120 MaAcGILLIVRAY, Excursion ot SW. Qreensiand [Von'etets
waterhole tull, und covered with weeds. The country aur-
rounding it seems tu he very diy, nnd not to have had any ram
fur sone Gane. "The tole is bordered with @ good wrowhh al
young Red Gains, the old timber all having beau eut. olit
Acucw stenophyllu, Kramophila bignoniaefolia, and vceasional
trees of H. longifolia, Back from the waterhole was a border-
ing serub of Myoporum. desertt, in flowet; with scattered spect-
jucis of Bimble Box; aud beyond this thick CHilwee ser,
This Dr. Chenery avd L decide to explore on the “tol fartie
movning. It tured out to be very dry, the ground beng bare
‘at vexetation or covered with dend leaves, and birds nol plenty
ful. Ring-necked Parrots weve seen, Spiny-checked Toney-
eaters, Greenies and a tew Brown Honeyeaters, Chestout Tat
and Little hom: Bills, and two. famihes of Black-backed
Wrens, W. medanolus; Ovange-wing Sittelasand White-browed
Tree Creepers, Rufous-breasted Whistlers, Grey Thrash and
Crested Bell Bird and Red- capped Robina. We doeided that
‘we had better go on towards Adavale and paek np and get on
vir way, calling first at the station, and then piekiu up the
road that leads for some distanee through thick Gidgec serul
then Milaga and Bimble Box, It is all very dry autil we begin
to climb up the divice hotween the Paroo and Bulloo, rocks
ironstone eomtivy. Westop ata gully in the range to examine
if, Ab is meist-at first for a smadl distanes, and the serab thiek.”
wilh thamy iraees of Wallaby. The Mulgan. and
Gidgee are yery thick, with an underbush of Mremaphila
Tateobei and E, Bowmand, Solanun ferocissimiem aud the forn
Chedanthes tenwifolia vrow in the moister parts of the gully.
with a Lavender Daisy and the large Yellow Hverlasting, (els
chrysum lreidwm, Further in, we come iupon groups of @ucea-
lylus Morrist, avd a fine Tecoma erowing up over the, Mallee
and Mulga. This proves to he 7. Oxley, differitia in leat and
flower from. Z'. australis, .as U have found it floworing on Me.
Manara, We sec very few birds, and resume our journey over
the range. On the crest we find a-swallteated shral in full
flower, Lhryptomene oligandra, making « beautiful object
Associated with this is a great amount of Mrenophila Boy.
mani, alao flowering freely, A fine tall Euenlypt, with clean,
white trunk and branches and small bright ereen laneeolate-
leaves, A, Thozetiann, is much admired, Tt grows freely
in the yulllus of this range, and thins out as we proceed west-
ward. Adavale seeming to he the limit of its cange in that
irection,
(‘Lo he contiwned.)
Che Victorian Haturalist
Vor. XLE—No. 7. NOVEMBER 6, 1924. No. 491
TMIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB- OF VICFKORIA.
The monthly meeting of the Chib was held at the Royul
Societs’s Hall ov Monday eveniy, Octoher 18, 1924.
The President, Mr. J. Searle, occupied the chair, and about
fifty menibers and visitors were present.
CORRESPONDENCE,
Fron Miss R. Chisholm, B.A., saying good-bye to Club
menibers on account of her departure for Canada, where
aha will take a course in Domestic Science at, 'Poronto prior
to taking up the position of Principal of the MePherson
School of Domestic Meonomy, Melbourne.
On the motion of Messrs. C. Oke and H. B. Wilhamson,
FLAS. it was resolved that w letter of congratulation be
Forwarded to Miss Ben ay her appointinent, avd on the
motion of Messrs. FG. A. Barnard and I", Pitcher, it was
decided that a letter of aintroduetion tu similar societies in
Canada be give to Miss Chisholm.
DREAMT OF ALENT,
The President referred to the unexpeeted death of Mr.
Leonard B, Thorn, a meniber of the Committee, who passed
away after a short ilhiess on the did ult, Me rnoved that
a fetter of syazpatixyy be forwarded to his relatives. The
Mobioit was carried in silence, dll standing. Messra, C. Oke,
H. B, Williamson, F.14.8,, and F, i, Wilson, F..S,, spoke
of the devotion of the Jate My. Thorn to the study of lepidop-
tera, and the loss to the Club by the death of such an enthusi-
astic member. REFOR'TS.
A seport of the excursion to Greensborough on Satnrday,
Septenber 13, was forwarded by the leader, Mr. A.J, Tadgell,
who reported a good attendance of members: ‘he day was
very pleasant, and the green, undulating countryside made
the outing most eijoyable. . About one hundred and thirty
plants were identified, of which fifty-six were found in.
flower. leven orchids were recorded, while the uliens
nuntbered — thirty-eight. The ‘tour fornis, recog:
mised by Robert Brown, of — the Hiliaceous | plant,
Anguilluria dioie, R.Br. ‘Marly Naney, were
pointed out. Lovers of colour were attracted by the delicate
blue of the ‘Love Creeper’? familiar to collectors as Come-
sperma valubile, but veeently changed under the law of
122 Held: Natrvalists' Club—Proceettings. hints wat
priority to Bredemeyera vebuiile, A tew birds, such asx the
Grey Thrush, Patdalote, wid two species ot cnekoos were
identified by Mr. Chas. Bavrett, CIMLZS. Fvam the high
banks of the Pleniw River a. good example of a. meandey could
be seen, with ats erosive influence, and Prof, J, W, Gregory’s
conclusion was recalled that the Plenty, instead of joiming
the Yarva wear Eltham, as it does now, at one time flowed
jnovt southerly; and joined other rivers off Portarlingron,
or the plain or valley whose bed is now decupied by Hob-
sor’s Bay and Port Phillip,
A seaport of the excursion te Ringwood oy Saturdiy, Sop
tember 20, wax given by Mr. J. W. Anudas, Ful.S., whe
reported a faiv attendance of members. The railway enclo-
sure was followed for 4 couple of miles towalds Bayswater,
where a tum towards Vermont was made, anda helt of serob
searched for wild towers, with good results; sue Alty species,
jneluding thirteén orchids, being found it bloom. ‘he list
included a number of imteresting species, auch as Bre
demeyeru comespermna, B, oricinwn, Sphierolohium vinimeum,
Utricularia dicholoma, Polypompholys tenella, Philyoglossum
Driunmonde, Euphrusia collina, Hovea heterophylla, fudiga-
fern Australis, Kennedya prostrate, Acuoia sbrictu, A lenati-
folin, and A. myrtifolia, Pultenea Gunit and Hifhertia
stvicht were afame with ealour and very abandant. The
climbers Hardenbergia monophytl and Bredeameyera wolru-
bile were seen at their best, mit
- A report of the exentsian to Herstbridge on Show Day,
Septembor 25, wus forwarded by the leader, Mr, A, J, Tad
vol, who reported a pleasant outing, the vain of the previous
day haying freshened the paddocks consicleratily. About
oné hundred and fitty plats were identified, of which ninety
were in flower, Thirty aliens were among thuse listed. Same
physiological points were demonstrated during the walk,
such as the differerdit bushes beariie the male atid Female
flowers of the Prickly Currant bush, Coprosma Billerdieri.
The curious little fern-like plant, Ophioglosswm comaceum,
attracted some attention, This is usually founcd in a damp
depression, but here it was growing on a hillside. The Gold-
dust Acacia; A. actnaced, was at its best, and seemed to well
deserve its vernacular name. The party had been indehted
to'‘Mt, A. U. Seott for some remarks on the seolowy of the
' distriet, and to Myr. J. R. Leslie for the identifiestiun of a
‘uumnber of mosses and other cryptogaris.
A yeport, o£ the excursion to Bendigo on Satirday, Qeiober_
4, was given by the town leader, Mv. C. Daler, F.L.S.. whe
said that the seventh annual excursion to that distriet hae heen
.
‘ise ] Fieid Naturalists’ Clnb—Proceedings. 123
ered.
successtully carsied out by a small party! which left town
-by an carly train on the Saturday, and returned on Monday.
The date was found to be rather late to see many of the
characteristic flowers at their best, but enjoyable outings
were made to Peiper’s Hill, in the vieinity of Ojie Tree Hill,
and to Bie Hill, near the Melbourne raad. - Eighteen plants
were added to the list of Bendigo plants recorded on these
exeursions,
A report of the excursion from Wandin to Evelyn on
Saturday, October 11, was given by the leader, My. H. 5.
Williamson, FLLS., who said thai, notwithstanding heavy
rain, a small party managed to carry oul thig excursion,
covering a distance of about five miles. Only three common
orchids were seen. The most interesting plant collected was
Pultenea Weindorfert, Reader. This shrubby plant was
oviginally described in the Natioalist of July, 1905 (Val,
XN, p..51), by the late Mr. F. M_ Reacler, from ispecimens
collected by Mr, G. Weindorfer on, some swampy Jand near
the Warburton road at Wandin, Reeently it has been
gathered by Dr. Sutton, and My. J. W. Audas, F.0.S., neat
Gembrook, and specimens, without the collector’s name, are
im the National Herbarium, marked “Dandenoug Ranges,"
For this and P. junsperina, a week or two later “would per-
haps yield better specimens. The principal members of the
bush vegetation seen m flower were the Snow Daisy-bush,
Golden Bush-pea, Yellow Riceflower. Other plants noted
were (he Spoon Riceflower, Alpine Grevillea and Heath Miulk-
wort. The Narvowleaf Acacia and Myrtle Acacia were past
their beat. ELECTION OF MEMBERS.
Ou a ballot being taken, Miss Mary I. Allfrey, 6 Ken-
‘‘sitgton Road, South Yarra, aid Mr. ff, E, Grieve, M.A.
Wesley eng Prahran, were duly elected as ordinary mem-
bers, and My, K. F. Hatfield, ‘' Taleai,’' Lilydale, as a coun-
try inember at the Chab,
GENERAL BUSINTSS.
Attention was called to the Annual Exhibition of Wild
Flowers to be held on Tuesday, 21st jrist., and some timie wus
spent Tn arrangiig details, in coisequence of whieh: it was
decided to postpone the reading of the paper by Myr. J. H,
Harvey, I.R.V.1.A.. until next meeting. +
; NAVURAL HIBTORY NOUS,
Mi. A. E. Rodda vead some wotes on the KMastern Water-
dvagon Lizard, in Wusteation of his exhibit of photographs
of this lizard,
124 field Naturalist's Club—Proceedings, beng
Mv. C.Oke gavg an account of the peculiar attraction the
scent of the Wood Ant, Tridomyrmen nitidus, seems to have
ior cats. EXHIBITS. ,
By Mr. C. Daley, B.A.—Large specimen of Gypsum from
Northern Queensland; also fading blooms of the following
plants’ grown vat. Caulfield: Micramyrtus ciliatus, Galylete
Sullivant, Calytivix tetragona, and Uhrytomene Mitchellienee,
all having a brown to reddish tinge before fruiting,
Mr. C. Freneh—Double flowers of Fairy Wax-flower.
ywstemon obovdlis. This.torm is very rare.
Mrs. Mattingley—Some photographs of New Ciinea
natives, ete, Papuan axe-head, Wood-earving by Papuans.
bean of- Caseara tree.
Rev, A. J. Maher.—Specimen of Common Spider Orehid,
dete Patersoniz, two tect high, with three large flowers
Mr. A. I. Rodda. Photographs ‘of Eastern Watet-dragon
Livard, from Aberfeldy River, Gippsland. Also two other
species af same group.
Mi. A. L. Scott—tossils from Wandong Quarry.
Mr. J, Searle.—Large fossil tooth,
Mr. H. B. Williamson, F/L.S.—'‘ Fibre-ball”’ from Sonth
Australian. «oust. Flowers from Wandin excursion.
After the usual conversazione the meeting closed,
PXNHIBITION OF WILD TLOWERS.
The Annual Exhibition of Wild Flowers wag held
ul the Melbourne Town Hall on ‘Tuesday, Oeto-
her 21, when there was agai a good attendance
of the geveral public. The display of flowers was very vood.
lit it has nat been possible to complete the full list of exhibi-
tors, efe.. in time for the present Natwralist. From returus
to hand it ig expected that about £50 will be available for
the Bush Nursing Association, as its share of the proceeds.
THe Lave Mr. Lronarp B. THorn.—Attraected by Mr. F_P.
Dodd’s fine exhibition of Queensland and New
Guinea butterflies in Melbourne in 1918, the late
Mr IL. B. Thorn took up the study of butter-
flies and smoths, and im August of that year beexme
a menber of the Field Naturalists’ Club. The life histories
of the largest members of the group being fairly well known,
he devoted himself io the smaller species, and chose the
Lycawnide for special attention, This fanuly ye particularly
difficult to investigate, as the larve of many of the specios
are night-feeders, and in some cases the altendance of ants
~
‘
nee Obiticary 125
seers to be necessary for their arvival at iatnrity, ‘he
results of some of his observations weve published in the
Natwralest for July last. Tn September, 1922, he jomed
Mr. ( A. Waterhouse, F.E-S., of Sydney, and Mr, A. N.
Burns, of Brisbane, both members of this Club, m a
collecting tip to the Riehmond River district, N.S.W., and
on to Southern Queensland, in searel of certain “species ot
butterffies required for special investigation, and in Navern-
ber of Jast year, in con)Janetion with Mr. Burns, gave an
interesting account of the trip before thix Club (Vict. Nat.,
Maveh, 1924, XL, p. 221), illustrated by: a plate of soma of
the varer species ‘eolleeted. He was an adept at setting and
displaying his specimens, and was always glad to. give
information to others regarding the subject, During reeent
years he had acted as leader of several elub excursions, and
his wame appew's in the current programnic in a similar
tapacity, His iiness is thonght to have been oeeasioned hy
too strenuous atticution. to his hobby, in addition to his
every-day life, aud his death on Ovtuber 3, at the early age
af thirty-thxea, leaves a blank in the Club's workers which
will be hard to fill. At the last asl miceting le Wis
eleeted.a member of. the Committee, and exhibited vonsider-
able enthusiasm in that position. Le wus darimg the journey
ty Bendigo that some of his fviends learned the sad news,
and ag My. ‘Thorn had frequently joined in that excursion),
Jas felow-members felt {he loss very keenly,
THe Lave Mr. Grorgn RB. Huw.—By the death af Mr, G. R:
Hill, on the 19th ult., the Field Naturalists’ Club has lost
one of its oldest supporters, he having been cleeted a member
in January, 1884, Though we-believe he was not an actual
eallectoy of natnval history objects, be encouraged his
sons to devote their attention to the life around them, He
was 2 draughtsman by profession, and served the Victorian
Railways. twithtully for many years, vetiving after holdiag
the position of chief draughtsman for twelve years in Novem-
ber, 1594. He acted as a niember of the Committee of the
Club in 1893-94 and 1894-95. AL this time prizes were offered
to juniors for collections of natural history objects, and i
is Pleasing to recard that twa of his sons secured prizes in
these competitions One afterwards adopted entomology
as his life-work, and, some two years ago succeeded the late
a WY. P, Spry as entomologist at the National Mhiseum,
Melbourne. Mr. Mill wus born in Bristol, England, in 183s,
and hil reavhed the ripe age of eighty-six at the time of his .
death,* He left a widow and a fainily of eight sons,
126 MacGritivray, Exerrston in SW. Queensland Ries + Sat
AN EXCURSION IN SOUTH-WEST QUEENSLAND.
By Dr, W. MacGriiivrav. Brokts Ati.
(Read before the Field Natvralists’ Club of Victoria, ath
August and 8th Seplember, 1924.)
(Continued from page 120.)
Ta, a golly to the north of thé road there is much
under-serub of Lremaphile Bowman, Cassia Lremapkila and
Indigofera brvidens, with the Tecoma Oxvleyi climbing aver the
trees im masses. The serub itself is mostly Mules, Hremophita
Mitchedls; Wild Lemon, Cantheuwm oleifolium, with Bucatyptus
Worrisn, L, ochrophiow, Eo populifolia and LW. Uhozeteann
scattered through it. Returning to the road we climb to the
top of the range over a rough road, and find Dodonaea petio.
lovis making a great show with its lange bladder-like seed pods,
of all shades of. colour, fram pale green to rich, ruddy brown.
1 recognise it as the one that I had previously fod on the
Nappa Merrie range, to the north of Cooper’s Creek. To find
a camping place we run down the western side of the range
until we come ta a creek crossing the rodd, whieh we explora
up and down from the road for water; it is very bare, and
mast of the holes are nearly dry and muel) trampled with
cattle. One, however, a Little larger, serves our Purposes, 28
we intend toe return lo the range carly next morning.
We are up eatly, as the ground was very hard and burry,
and we ave soon back along the vead until we regain the top
of the range. We leave the ear and elimb down a steep, rocky
bank on the north side, in which are small caves used by
Wallabies for shelter. There are many tracks of these animals
through the serub. The underserul consists of Lremoplula
Oppositifolia, LW. alternifolia, Cassia eremophila, and C-
ortemisioides, with Wilga, Mulgan and Eremophila Met-
chellé wp to 20 feet im height. The larger timber trees are
mostly the Enealypts alveady mentioned. Birds are not
wumerous; Acanthiza nane and A. urepyginlis, Petr oad goods-
noun, Rlipidau'a albiscapi, Collyrwcmela harmonica, Acar-
thagenys rufogularis, and Pomutorhanus temporalis ate seen.
On the top of the range bordering the road is a stunted serub
of Acacia dovatozylon, and to the south of the road one looks,
over a Sea of serub interspersed with the lurger trees pre-
yiously mentioned. stretching away for miles. Our
peting of Holipleram corymbiflar wm, with patehes of the dull
Yellow-button Daisy, Cruspedia ev scenrthie, The Fareiowie
Hills are in places a blaze of yellow from the profusion uf
Helipterum. polygatitolium clothing the hillsides and valleys
After leaving the hills we fiud the country, hordering the
srand uncontovmity of geologists, covered With either Helip-
terun corynibiflonun, Craspedia crysanthea, ov a mixture af
the two. A few hours more and we are all settled dow in
Broken Hill again after an absence of thirty days,
Our plant specimens were entrusted to Me. &. Morris, a
lweal enthusiast, who submitted those taken in Quecuslancl do
Me, GC. T. White, the Government Botanist of that Slate: the
New South Wales specimens io the Sydney Herbarium
authorities; aud one Bremophila, previously taken in South
Australia, to ALy. Black, so that T ay indebted to Mv. Morris
nd the suthovities mentioned for the nami of the plant
specimens, aud my thanks are duc to them for the teouhle
taken,
Che Victorian Paturalist
Vou. XLT—Nn 8. DECEMBER 3 1924 1924 No. Ne. 492
PIBLD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA:
The monthly meeting of the Cli was held at the Royal
Soviety's Hall on Monday evening, Loth November 1924.
The President, My. J Searle, oceupied the chair, and Abas
Riaty members and visitors went present.
REPOR'S:
A report of the excursion to the Brisbane Rates oy, Sabhur
da\', 25th October, was sive by the leader, Dv C. 5, Sutton,
who said that-a small party left town by the mornme tonin
for Bacehus Marsh, from whence they motored ont about
five or six miles towards Stanvhton Vale. Tere the ranges
were entered, and the track followed to the Geelong Reser
voir... Owing to the enol and moist season, quite a aumber
of interestine plants were still flowertig, anid gaa callee:
tion of specimens was made,
A report of the evewsion to the Domain, Suuth- Yarra,
an Saturday, lst November, was given by the leader, Mr
F_ Morris, of the National Herbarium. Some twenty-five
apecies of grasses. were collected, nearby all of whieh were
introduced species. iheir prineipal characters were pointed
out, and attention was culled to the dependenes of Uhe Wuman
race on grasses and thei products for food, textile manu-
foctures! -ete,, while domestic animals were also to a large
extent dependant on them i in-one form or another.
A report of the excursion to Mornington on 'Nnesday, 4th
November (Cup Day), was given by the leader, Mv. F. Cud
nore, who said that a party of ten left: town by the early
train, and was met at. Mornington by four local fnends” The
coast road was followed for about, tivo miles to the Bossi)
Beach.’ Herve lunch was purtalon of, and then, descendiie
ta the beach, the hunt for fossils eommenoed. These ocour
in 4, deposit of ‘blue elay,"’ partly below sea level, and are
fairly nuinerous, representing a Jnrge wange of species, The
find of the day was w perfect speeimen of Cyprem gryus.
McCoy, the Jargest known species of cowrie, living ov fossil.
Fragments ov complete specimens of several other notable
species were alsa obtained. A couple of honrs were pleasantly
spent, and ihe party returned to the station for ihe 4 pan.
train just at steady bain was setting in.
A report uf the excursion to Eltham on Sattrday, 8th No-
142 Field Nalwralsts' Club—Proceecings. errs
vember, was forwarded by the leader, Mev, W, ‘louge, who said
that about fifteen incuibers had visited Elihain for the pua-
pose of an afternoon. among the birds. The afternoon was
not promising for ornithology; however, 1 eolurse of the
afternoon, quite a Nuinber of species were met, \vith, tho first
being three White-fronted Herons, perehed im the top of
a dead gum, assuming attitaces resembling dead |yranches.
The nest of a pair of Rosella parrots in tr old ceeajed
stump was noted, Nanieérous other nests were tonnd, and
after afternoon tea af the leader*s house the party left for
the evening tain,
Mr. F, Pitcher gaid that the members were very muelt
indebted to Mx. Touge for the interest of the ufternaon"s
outing, and moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded
to him and Mrs. Yonge for their hospitality, ‘Tine was
syconded by Mr. CG, Daley, and carried qnaniuolislhy,
VEROLION OF MEMBER.
On a ballat being taken, Rev. Geo, Cox, “*Guiuyal*
Mornington, was duly elected a country member of the Chik
URNERAL HUSINESS,
'’he hon. treasurer, Mr. A. G. flooke, reported that the
Tishibition of Wildflowers had been » financinl success, There
were still sottie sales of tickets to be veceiyed, and sone
accomts to be met, but he anticipated there would be abotit
£100 to share betwee; the Bush Nursiva Assovintion aud
the Chub.
The President congratulated the menibers me the result,
whith he considered very satisfactory,
Mx. H. B. Williamson, F.L.S., said that, from a botatical
point of view, it waa also satisfactory, It was unfortynate
that some towers interided for exhibition had not reached
town till the next dav. and that some eshihits did jint bear
the name and addvess of the sender. so conld not ba properly
acknowledged.
Refercrice was made by Mr. l’. G. A. Barnard to the kind-
tiess of Ma~ F. Keep in providing two portable stands for
use at the flower show, and for arvanging for the cartago
required ou ihe day of the exhibition, Ue moved that a
vote of thanks be accorded to Mr. Keep, This was seconded
by Mr, F. Piteher, and carried by acclamation,
Wo. ©. Daley, I-L-S., drew attention to the destruction
being caused by sawmillers ib. the valley of the Loch River,
near Noojee, where some fine myrtle beeches and fern gullies
were being spailed by the extension of tramways. He read
a draft of a letter which he suggested should he sent to the
3934, Field Naduralists' Club—Proceedings. 14s
er]
Worest Department, asking that every effort showd be made
to preserve the beatiful beech ail fern eullies of the
flistriet,
Mir A, G. Brown, MLA,, cudorsed all that Me. Daley had
sakl, and seconded the vesolution that a protest should be
made to the department regarding the matter, ‘lhe motion
was adopted. PAPER READ.
By Mr. J. H. Harvey, A.RALV.A,, entitled “Notes Along
the Coastal Railway, from Brisbane to Maitland,”
The author, with the help of a fine semes of Jantems slides,
gave some account, of the scenery met with durine the railway
journey from Brisbane to Sydney, via ihe coastal line. This
line, which may eveutually become the iain route between
Sydney and Brishane, passes through some fine semi-iropical
conntry, with associated big rivers. From the line can be
seen many crops unknown to southern vesidents, such as
slivar-enne, plMeapples and bananas. He also gave a number
Of silustrations af the towns passed through, some of whieh
are of consicerable importance,
PX,
Ry Mr. C. WH, Boreli—Thirts-three species of Saty viel
suttenties, ‘Sbvowns.”* ineluding eleven Vietovian, three New
South Wales, sixteen (neglish, and six Poruigu, some at
them. showing remarkable colourinys for this family
By Mv. Ff. A. Cudmore.—A large fossil shell, Cappram gugis,
MeCoy, from the tertiayy (Baleombian) clays of Baleombe's
Bay, Momington, collected on the Club’s excursion, Cup
Day; aiso several causes of fossils from the swine loeality.
By Mr. V. Miller—Fossil shells fron, tossd Beach,
Mornington,
By Mr. J. Searle—Parasitie Copepoda, Lernacpoda sp.
o)| the claspers of the Ghost Shark, Chanaera Ogitbyi, from
Bass Strait. ;
By Dr. Sutton —Senecio elegans fron: Point Lonsdale. Four
years ago one plant was seen nea the lighthouse; now it is
very prevalent. Also herbarium specimens of the following
plants from the Buisbane Ranges:—Wriestemon obovalis,
Pultenea laxiflora, Bossiewa microphylla, Grevillea flaribunda,
G. aquafalinn, @. purviflora, Olearia wdochroa, O. terelifatin,
O. pannosd, Prosthanthera denticutote, Pomadirris ferva-
ginea, and others.
By Mr. HB. Williamson, WUS—hivinw apeemian of
Lizard, Trachydosaurus Migosis, collected at Kooloonwitey,
Narthern Mallee.
After the wsual conyersazione the meeting terminated,
144 Exenrsian to Bordiga pe
EXCURSION ''O BENDIGO,
Ow Saturday, 4th October, the oeeasion of the Railways
Piece was taken advantage of. and five members of the Clnb
journeyed to Bencixo ly an carly train, where they were
met by Mr, D. J. Paton. After dinuer, from the terminus
of the train line at Back Creek, the party proceeded in a
soth-easterly direction through the rages. The country
was looking at its best, the carly iains having had the effect
of inaking the wildHower season carlier than ysual; lenee, the
(iolden Wattle, cleaem pycnanthe. except for a helated
Loom or (wo, was in the fruiting stage, whilst the Fairy Wax-
flower, iiostemon obovalis, was past its best. These two
plants, amid the Ivonbarks, @ucalyplus sideroxylon, ave the
‘glovy of the hills when in full bloom oO. September. However,
the Wax-flower still mace @ fair show, whilst the Pink-eye,
Nelratheca cileate, with its ever-attractive flawers, varying
almost trom pink to magenta in colour-shading, was very
fine. ‘The Narvow-leal Bitter-Pea, Dawuiesia corymbosa, and
the Gorse Bitter-pea, D. wlicina, were in good flower, as also
the Riee-flower, Pinelee spathulata. Orchids were scares,
but the Wax-lip Orchid, QGtossedia major, still lingered.
Trroseras, Helichvysums, and a few eomiposites, were flawer-
ing, An evidently mtrusive patch of Comman Fringe-Myrtle,
Calylrre telragone. was met with, its chastering pmk flowers
being very fine. The Digeers” Speedwell, Veranica par-
foalinia, was in bul. Thi the vieinity of Peiner’s Hill, near
the Strathfieldsayve Road, the serub flora improved. Crossing
the road, the Sun Orchids, Mhelymitre uristata, avd T. torgi-
folia, were numerous, and of large size. ‘The Geebung, Per-
soon juntperina, was in fruit, ‘he Mountaim Grevillea,
@. alpina, varying in shade from almost white to red, was
abundant through the ranges; also the Coiminon Fringe-lily,
Thysunolus tuberosus, and the Wlax-ily, Dianella revoluta.
A diversion was made to the Grassy-flat Reservoir, and past
St. Aidan’s Orphanage on the homeward track, about six or
seven miles being traversed in all.
On Sunday the party proceeded by motor through Kan-
gatoo Flat, the fine avenues of elm trees and Blue Gums ca
route being much admired. Near Kangaroo Flat the gums
on the roadside have not been much interfered with, and
provide both oviament and shelter. Reaching the Gap at
the Big Hill, our destination, we left the motor, and climbed
up the hill to the highest point, the aneroid registering 1620
feet above sea-level. Fyvom here a most pleasing and exten-
tral Excursion to Bendigo 146
sive panorama of great extent was before us. Southwards
wis Mt. Alexaader and aeighhoutinyg ranges; further west-
wards, avid not fav distant, the Mt, Vareaneower ranves, the
' ? Yr a
Daylesford Ranves wt ihe farther cdistauee, wed on the hori
yo” the ontlne of the Pyrences. ast iitervening ranges,
Monnt Hooghly, ucar Dunolly, and Mts. Moliagul and
Wavurra stood ont, then Mt. Kerowys, tu the north-west, and
over the plam conntey Pyramid Hill, due north. Bastward,
the irees obscured the view somewhat, bot the ranges. of
the Heatheote and intervening county were visible, whilst
seven duiles nway, amid its hills, lay the city of Beridigo.
Here and there were glimpses of settled places, and water
conservation. ‘The whole country, owing to plentiful raiis,
was verdant rom Big Will cyan be seen in marked contrast
the striking cbfferenco between the fiova of the granite areas
with their open. pakke aspect on the eusterm side, and the
denser forest growrh of the more braken ranges of the Ordo-
vieian menses on the other Towards Ravenswood, a Jittle
distanee away, at the foot. of the granite hills, and along the
valleys, were extensive pitches lookiie like snow amid the
green sward. A visit ta one of them showed that the white
patches were caused by cowntless mnbers of the composite
Relipterun catia After lunch on the sunaait of the hill,
a -fonrse Was taken through the slopes and valleys, eastwards,
Warx-fower was agit) searee. Orchids represented were,
Glossodia major, a specimen each of the Snake Orchid, Druris
peduacilata, wid the Musky Caladenii, (. testucea, three
flowers of Pink Fingers; C. carnen, completing the List. OF
Acacias, only A, armatu was in loon. The Priekly Gre-
villea, G, ugurfoltem, with blackish flowers, is found growing
freely in this area; alsa, seantily, the Purple Swainson Peu,
§. lessertifolia. . Creamy Stackhonsia, S$. linarifolia, with
flowers varying from creamy to yellow, was abundant. We
were fortunate to gain the shelter of our conveyanee at
Cherry-Tree, just before the bursting of a sturm, whieh had
been long brewing, and to reach Bendigo without heing
drenched by the vain. The number of species of plants seen
on Saturday was 63, and on Sunday 94total, 118. The
week-end was most enjoyable, weather and other conditions
being favourable.
This wag the seventh Club excursian to Bendigo. and there
are atill areas unvisited, which will well repay inspection,
Time was found on Saturday to visit the Conservatory and
Fernery, both of whieh have attractions, and ave in good
order, whilst the results of tree-planting in the streets many
Vict, Nat,
146 Vol. XL.
Excursion fo Mornington
yearg§ ayo gave frequent causé for admiration of this wise
' policy. “Tt was noticed that in the streets the Wax-flower and
other wildflowers were on sale, this growing practice being
much ayainst the preservation of the native Hora.
The following seventeen plants have not been recorded
previously ou these excursions -—
(HRA MLS kav
Stipa setivcea
Ovrrr ich a—
Lepidosperina filiforme
LIGGAGE-E—
Dianella levis
Lonmandra filiformis
Portunacack—
Claxtonia augtralagiea
Lieu Mixosa—
Pultenma
pilosa
Swainsona lessertifolia
lastilor = var
Gut rir eR a—
Hypericum
Boracteackm—
Gynoglossum sauy eotdna
SCROPELULARTACK: T:
Verontea perfoliata
GoonexracKha—
Velleia paradoxa
Brecxoxtacna—
Brunouis. australis
japonicum
Compose —
Toxanthus Muellevi
Helipterum cotala
GHRAXIACKE-—
Evediun cergnoram
CALLUITRIGIACK.Z— —__
Callitviche verna
Helipternm exiewunm
Guaphahuanm Intea-alhurn
D. J. Paron.
Cras. Davey.
’
_EXCURSLON TO MORNINGTON,
A party of ten members canght the 845 am. train ou
Tuesday. 4th November (Cup Day), for Mornington. On
arrival there four loeal friends jamed the party, which then
followed the coastal road in a southerly direction towards the
Fossil Beach. About two miles from the station a sign-pust
marks a track, which descends throngh the serub to the sua.
ables and seats. sheltered by the trees, have been erected
hy the local Progress Association on a small cliff overlooking
the bay, and as the track has been rendered suitable for ‘cars
this spot is rapidly becoming a favourite pienic spot. At
one fine a Ceinent works was established here, but the long-
disused lime kilns are now overgrown by trees. On the beach
can be seen the outcrop from which the limestone was
obtained. After having boiled the billy and had lunch, the-
party walked along the coast for some 200 yards towards
Mornington, until.the best exposure of the fossiliferons clays
Dew
4934
Excursion to Eltham 147
Was vouched; Where a-seurch was commenced for fossils. Geo-
lovical. hammers and a pick were used to Mg up the clays,
when the fossils, which were plentitul, were extracted m
perfect condition with the aid’ of knives. A specimen ut
Aturia Australis, WeCoy—a. cephalopod shell allied to Nauti-
Ine—was obtained; a very closely related species. is common
in roelks of a simiay age in Burope. The rave Nautilus Bali-
conbensts, Chapman, was represented by some fragments.
A specimen of the bivalve shell, Cucullaa coriacnsis, MeCoy,
war the largest the leader bas seen from what locality, and
was of partieular interest, as if showed the carhonised
remains of the hinge ligament. Species of corals, cones and
volnies were conunon, while the cowries collected included
a sinall, vidged form, Trivia avellanoides, MeCoy, which is
still ving off the N.S.W. eoast in deep water. “A fine speci-
men of Cyprea gigas, MeCoy, was exposed hy the pick, and
is exhibited to-night. Whig is the lareest species of cowvie.
living ov fossil, in the world, and is considered a gical And
by fossil eallectors After having spent i ennle of poms
ciulecting, {he party returned 10 the pienie tables fay afte:
noon teu, later walking back to Muminglon to culel the 500
train to town. With the exception of one shower, the vain
held off nuti the party had returned 10 Mormmmeton, aid 1
think members enjeyed the outing —I™ Conuore:
EXCURSION TO LETH AM
The afternoon of Saturday, 8th Nuveniber, was Hor lan pra
misitie for ornithology, but about fifteen members turned
oul for the afternoon's outing. "he bridge leading lo our
destination belne under water—the ereek bein in heavy
Nlool—we were obliged to make a detour along the riadway.
whieh caused some delay in getting ro oar workite @ronnel,
The distviet is vich in bivd-hte, but the Wirds were unusually
qimiel, which is nok usuil after rain. However, as we
approached the éreel agai there was more cvidetiee of some
species; at least: ‘The first interesting cvent was Hie approaeh
of three White-frouted Herons, Votophoye nowee-hollandine,
which alighted in a dead tree, and assumed atitndes resend
lijgathe dead branches; Ove of the parts’ was wot long
in locating a nest of the birds high wp in the hon.onta!
linh of a tall River White Gum, Fueadyplis rodtote. sand
eontmniug one youne bird perched motionless nn the eilye
of the est. Passing along the siding of the willy. from
143 Excursion ta Eltham eae
whieh some orchids and other wildflowers, were gathered,
the negt of a pair of Hazel-eved Crows, Corvus coronoides,
was neted about 60 feet up in-a Stringy Bark; some of the
birds being distnrbed from about the nest. Close by, on the
horizontal limb of another Stringy Bark, a paiv af Choughs.
Corcorec nelanorhamplvus. had their nest, coutaming voung
binds. After a little delay we succeeded in locating an old,
decayed stump, where, in the carth at the bottom, a pair ot
Rosella Parrots, Platyeercus exineius, hac cleaned out a hole
for a nest on 5th October. On the 8th there were three eggs
in the hollow, with the female sitting on them to keep them -
div, but, owing to the heavy rains “att the time, they were
Inter atantloned, A little farther on anothey Chough’s nest
was noted. also buill, on a limb of a Stvingy Bark. Not far
away a@ pair of Sparrow Hawke, Accipiter cirrhocephalress
ltd their west of twigs and leaves Init, about Y5 feet wp in
a Stringy Bark tree, the nrale bird cloing a faiv share of the
siting, While watching one of the birds sitting on the nest,
its mate was sailing abont overhead with a small hitd in its
Lilons. evidently for the sitting bied, In tha gully close bs'
we came to the nesting hole of x paiv of Spotted Pardalates.
Pardulatus punclalus, from which the young birds had flown
early in October. Overhead a male Rufous Whistler, Pachy-
cephalic rufiveatvis, was giving « fine exhibition of its voenl
powers. The party then proceeded up to the house, and had
atternoon tea, after which a few move nests near the house,
including the snng little nest of the Short-billedl Tree-tit-
Snicronnty brevirostris, built low down in a hanging bough
of Red Box; the nest of o pair of Brown Fly-eatechers.
Microcca fascimans, and other nests were examined before
leaving for the station—W, C, 'loxer.
THe Tagsmanrnan Narirauist—This journal, which bas
heen missing front our exehanyves sinee 1911, owine to the
inability of the Vasmanian Wield Naturalists’ Club to over-
come the greatly Increased charges for printulig and publish-
ig, has reappeared as No. 1 (New Series). for October, 1924.
it consists of twenty-eight pages (double-column) of articles
by Tasmanian naturalists. Mv Clive Tord writes on the, fish
fauni of thé State, also Tasnjianian reptiles, parvots and
whales. Mr. A. N. Lewis deals with outlines of geolazy. as
evidenced in Tasmania; Mr, L. Roclway with gum trees. Alto-
gether a useful contribution for oahive students.
ese Exhibition of Wildflowers 449
WXHLBITION OF WILDFLOWERS,
The Avnnal Dxhibition of Wildflowers was held in the
Melhourne own Hall on ‘Tuesday. 21s October, 1924. ‘The
dite miontloned was the earliest in October on which the hall
could be obtained, and in ordinary seasons would probably -
heave proved much too Jate to make a good display of our
native flowers, but, fortunately, the season turned ont so
wonderfully cool, with frequent showers, thal when the day
arrived it was fouud that the display was quite up to the
average of previons years. A late date has its compensations,
for it enabled flowerg to be exhibited whieh do nat bloom
till after the nsual date of theae oxhibitions:
The exhibitivon was officially opcued by Sir James Bar-
rett, President of dhe Victorian Bush Nursing Association,
to which society if had been annonneed that half the wet
proceeds would be given. In declaring the exhibition open,
whieh he did with a very brief speeeh, Sir James Barrett
said that there were three things to be gratefnl for, viz, thal
we had sich beantitul flowers, that the publie took sueh an
iterest in them, and that the Bush Nursing Association
would gain in funds by the holding of the exhibition. He
enzratiiated the Clab an the execllanee of the display, and
the fine utrendunece at visitors.
Lwing to the generosity of 4 meniber, tivo portable stands
were erected in the centre of the hall, and enabled large
quantities of flowers to he displayed to better advantage.
The nearest to the entrance was fled with the Fairy Wax-
flower, Lrivstemon obovelis, and other flowers from the Tara-
dale district, specially collected hy Mr. G. Coghill. A fine
display of Australian flowers, grown at the Melbourne Botanie
Gardens, was, by the courtesy of the Director, Mr. W, Laid-
Jaw, B.Se., made by Mr. P. R. HH, St. John, whose interest in
the Australian flora is well known. Anong the fifty or soa
species exhibited may be mentioned the erimson flowers of
the Queensland Spear-lily, Doryauthes palmeri; several spe-
cies of Crevillea, from various States; Boronias, Pultenwas,
Dillwynias, Kuuzeas, Wesiringias, Chorizenjas, Swainsonas,
ete, the whole making a brilliant and cffeetive display.
Included in the exhibit was a quantity of Beronia pinnata,
fron Lahertouche, West Gippslind, a charming shroh, which
is deserving of extensive trial in our gardens. From the
gurdens cinie also a quantity of native foliage, whieh ereatly
helped in the decoration of the hall.
150 Exhibilion of Wildflowers Nal oe
The orehid display mace ‘by Mrs. Coleman, of Blackharn,
and friends, was a centre of attraction. Here, at least fifty
species of orchids from all parts of the State were displayed.
The genus Caladenia was vepresented by a doze specivs,
ineluding C. alba, angasteta, cucullata, cordiforimes. cridae-
ohila, dilatatu, leptochila, reticulate and testacea; ten species
of Sun-orchids, Thelymitra, including U. epipactoiedes, granda-
Hora, macmillann and panciflonn: ten species of Llerostylis
(Greenhoods). including 2. alpina, barbata, filet, mutica,
pusilla, and apparently » new species or variety, probably a
hybrid between #. foleata and P. nutans. Others were Surco-
chilus paverforus, Calochilus Robertsoni, Lyperanthus aigri-
cons, L. sanveolens, Dinvis longifolia, and Micratis parvi-
flare. An interesting plant of Caladenia dilateta, with a
flower-stem eighteen inches long, was exhibited by Mrs.
Flowie, of Vermont, the leat and flower being proportionately
large. Some of the exhibits sent by State Schools consisted
largely of orchids, that by the Mmerald School beiuw especie
ly good, while Master R. Moubister, of Pantow Fill School,
sent a most carefully collected sevies, in splendid condition.
Owing to the late date of the exhibition, Glossodia muior
(id wat male that splash of ealour whieh usually sets off the
orehid (splay.
A long tihle was set apart ae a ‘'Classifieation ‘Table.’
On this Mv, H B. Wollimnson, F.L.S. grouped towether
gnpecimens of certain orders, such as Proteaceae, Caniposite.
TLeguminose, Myvtacem, from all parts of the State, so that
Hindeits might be able to seé ar a glance the velotionship
lwiween the various genera.
The exhibition was vider the mayagement gf Me Pit
cher, to whose enthusiasm much of ite snecess is doe. He
was ably assisted by Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.L.S.. Dr, CL 8,
Sutton, and Mo. (t. Coghitl, to whom fell the impossitle tusk
uf trying to name the specimens me time far the udiittanee
of the geneval public,
Tnéluded in the display of Western, Austtaliah flewers,
kindly secured through the good offices of Miss Ani Fuller.
weve a numbet of very showy species, several of which had
not been seen at previous exhibitions. ‘The ever-popular
Kangaroo-paws from that State were in great Gemand. and
likewise the Waratahs from New South Wales. Perhaps the
greatest novelty in the hall were some double fowers of the
Fairy Waxflower, Mriostemon obavatis, sont by Mr, Semmens,
tr g Exhititian of Wildflowers 161
Torest Inspector, Bendigo, from a plant growing near his
hase,
Flowers were received from a wide range of luculilies,
bur it ig impossible to more than name the loeality and gender,
Several packages were without the wane of sender, or place
éollected, Contributions were also receivad from several
Bush Nursing Centres, while collections from State Schools
i various parts of the State showed the widespread interest
crated by the exhibition. As fav as could be uscertained,
the following is a list of localities from which packages were
gent, With the aame of the contributor, where given :—
North and North-west—'Taradale, Mr. @. Coghill, Mr.
C. Hansford; Bendigo, Mrs, W. H. Warren; Korong: Vale.
Miss 1. M. James; Maldon, Mrs. Brooks, Mr. A, WeArthur;
Tempy, Bush Nursing Centre; Rushworth, Mrs. Rich.
South-west—Beaulorl, Mr. 5, Young, Stawell, Mr, J, A.
Hill; Grampians, Mr. C, W, D'Alton,
seuth—Porrest, Bosh Nursing Contra; Brishaug Ropes,
Rev. A, GF. Gates: Wallan, Rev. W. PB. dart; Diamond
Cyeck, Mrs: Saunders; Witham, Wr W. Tonze; Wonga Park,
Mr. Dyer; Doncaster Kast, Mo. FG. A. Barnard; Ring-
wood, Mr. Jamés; Montrose, Mrs. G, Richards; Mt, Dande-
nowy, Miss @. Nokes. Miss Miry and Jessie Young; Pakenham,
Mr. F- Wisewould; Moriinyton, Rev. @. Cox; Red Hill, Mr.
RB. Haig, Ma. N.C. "Higving; Pi: ankston, Mrs. JO. Reid, Mr
J. W. Audas, Mr. V. Millen. Cheltenhum, Mr, 6. Daley;
Biighton, Mrs, Ballard, Middle Brighton, Miss 5S. Kinwie
Keysborough, Mx. H. Diekens.
Souldi-cast (Gippsland) ~-Carfield, Miss lu. Dyall, Dronin,
Mr W. . Dyall; Lovdver, Miss C. G. Corrie; 'yers, Mass
J. Galbraith; Heyficld, Mors, McHavlane; Briagolong, Mi, R,
R_ Penny ; Bairnsdale, Mr, U', 8, Hart; Paynesville, Mi F.
Barton, Juur.; Hedley, Misses L, and E. Rossiten.
North-east —Navambic, Mrs, Cameron; Wattsville, via
Dookie, Mr. O’ Dowd; Lima bast, Mrs. Evans; Beechworth,
Miss M. Scott; Springhurst, Mes. J. D. Read; Chiltern, Mrs.
W. Boucher.
Flowers were received from the following Stale Sehouls:—
Patton Hill, Queenstown, Wonga Park, Healesville, Ma, hye-
yn, Emerald, Langwarrin, Red Hill, Black Toek, Newry.
Nowa Nowa, ‘Orbost, Middle Tarvin, Macedon, Deep Sead
and Castlemaine,
Cattivated native lowers came trom the gardens of Mr,
J, Watson, ““Muraroa,"’ Balwyns Mr. G. Coghill, Canter
1b2 Exhibition of Wilddowers. va La.
bmry; Mr, b. Hodgson, Canterbury; and Me. W. Robinson,
flowers of Vietorian Waratah, grown at Kinglake.
A display of about 350 water-colony drawings of Ans-
tralian and South African native flowers by Miss Anry Muller
attracted considerable attention.
A volume of dried New Zealand Ferng exhibited by Miss
Taylov, of Brighton, proved interesting to many yisifore.
Interstate flowers were reccived fron -—New Sonth Wiles.
—Mr. Chalker, Hall Top. South Austealia.—Miss TE. Mack-
Jin, Adelaide ; Mr. J, Davies, Hutt Street, Adelaide. Western
Australia.—Mors, D. Kelvington, Hawthorn, Perth, and Mr,
T. H. Morean, Darlington, Unfortunately, the flowers gent.
by the Field Naturalists’ Society of South. Australia were
delayed in the post. unc were too late for the exhibition.
Owing to tle severe drought at Broken FLill, the Barrier
Naturalists’ Club was unable to forward any flowers of
Sturt’s Desert Pea, an attractive flower, which is always in
demand. at the sales table,
Pot-svown plants of native species were on sale, and with
the sale of bunches of flowers brought im a considerable
amount. ‘hese sales were eondueted. by a vumber of ladies,
headed by Miss A. Fuller, while Miss El. Gabricl and other
Indies had the management of the refveshment tables.
Severnl members and friends provided microscopes, nider
whieh Were shown botanical objects, These proved i great
souree ot attraction and wonder.
Ui is expeeted that there will be at loast £100 to share
hetween the Club and the Bush Nursing Association.
Tout Crveiocams orf tHE Hoursrerivgh lxcoiesras—
The distiiet traversed was not very favourable for the
growth Of Ton-vaseular eryptagamns. Of Hepatlicae, several
Laphoeolen and Chiloseyhpi, Pimbrianwn Druonmonddic a
species of Frullania, ane the couunon Austral Liverwort,
Marchunhia cephuloscypht, were noticed, whilst the following
nosses, with several others aot gathered. were common, viz.
Bryum bomuen, Brenfelran affints, Cerutodon purpwreins.
Nunarian wygronetvica Taylovia actoblephuria, Torbula prir-
ceps, Uhutdium furfureswn and Triqnibrella papitlata.
Funei ware alse searee, a few Agavies and Coasters ( Barth
stars) only being noticed. Little attention was paid to
Liehans, but those seen were probably identical with those
found in sinvlay places round Meclbourne—ZJ. R. Leste.
ord HARVEY, Brivhans fo Mattand iit
NOTES ON THE COASTAL RAILWAY JOURNEY
WROM BRISBANE TO MATTRAND,
By J. UL. Harvey, PR.VIA.
(fécad before the Field Natwralists' Club of Vietoria, 10th
. November, 1924.)
Leaving Somh Brisbane, the inner suburbs ave passed
through for about six miles, good views of One Tree Hill
being obtained until Morovka is reached; then hilly country
wives place to undulating landseape. After passing: Bethanit
dunetion, the line skirts the Albert. River, afterwards eross-
nig it, The country now becomes more hilly agaiz, the
formation consistiny of sandstones and shales, the land bemg
cleared and cultivated. Much of what appears to be Paper-
ark Tea-tree of a dwarf trpe is passed through, and at
about thirty miles the bush is entered again. ‘The Comera
River, a tine stveail, 1s ¢rossed, the river Nats beg rich, and
ill well-cnltivated, apart from the Mats, the soil is poe r-look-
ing. At 47 miles (ynest Junetion is reached. Here a
branch line rans off to South port, a fushionable watering-
plave, Fvormn tear here the cable is take io Norfolk Island.
Banana-growing country is now entered, and approaching
Mudgeeraba ave fine and yery extensive flats und dairy farms.
The decomposed shales and sandstones still persist. To the
south-west the pieturesque MePherson Range is now plainly
seen, and after passing West Burleigh the lme runs over
sandy flats, followed by swamps, the oeean being only about
100 yards distant, until, at Coolangatta, on the New South
Wales border, and 69 miles fron. Brisbane, the train draws
ap. Half a mile further is ‘Tweed Heads,’’ which is really
the Levminus. -
Tweed Heads and Coolangatta are virtually the same town,
only being in different States. The “‘border line’’ is a. piece
of neutral land, only a few feet wide, along which are two
fences, one on each side of the real dividing line; these are
eattle-prool fences, to prevent ‘tiek-infeeted cattle from
Queensland entering New South Wales. he two form
rather a vood town, clectric lighted, possessiny good picture
theatres, and commodious tanily hotels; it is really 4 water-
ing-place for Brisbane, Lismore aud the back country. ‘The
geologiea! formation lieve is basalt, which runs ont into the
sea on the north, forming Greenmount and Pt. Danger, and
ends on the south in another headland, Pont Wingal, on
164 Hakvey, Brisbane lo Maitland big “rx x
which 18 W hghthouse with # revolying light. ‘The Tweed
River spreads out behind the town ito a large lagoon, From
the suwnmit of a hill callect the ‘‘Ravorbaek ’’ the seene is
fairy extensive, ond the topography of the country around
may be easily studied. ‘Nhe Tweed is navigable as fas ae
Murwillumbah, a avun of three to four honrs by the river
slenner, and there’ is a good steam service, also a niobor car
service, the clistance by road being 20 miles. I chose the
steamer. Leaving Tweed Heads at 7 a.m, on a bright marn-
ing, we passed between plantations of bananws and sugar-
fane, and these were varied with luxurious snb-tropieal vere-
tition. ‘Mhe hanarta industry was, until a year or tw azo,
», very flourishing one; it Was uo Wicemmon thing For some
of the planters to net £100 per week trom. bananas; the @
disease known as ‘binichy-top'’ developed, and large num-
hers of the planters were rmmed. Many trees whiely had
heen uttacked were pointed out to me as the steamer went
along. Ata place called Cudgell is a sugar inill, the vailwiy
fines from which run out 14 miles into the planiations. The
growing sugar-cane is eo light pea-green in colour. aud looks
jot wnlike maize; it grows to wu height of about 12 fect, Fhough
T was told that, it is no nnnsual thing for it fo Abhain a height
of 18 feet at times, with a thickness of 12 to 24 inehes. The
hills ave voleanic, and the soil on the flats is clecp and rich.
Voring the whole run, the fantastic ontline of Mt, Warning
provided fine hackeronnds to the hundyved pictuves whieh
aponad out as the steamer progressed.
The ran fron Murwillambah to Lismore is done by tram,
pe basaltic country of a broken and very petieesqne
nature. with fine. vieh brush foliage along the banks of the
mecalte which, as well as tunnels throagh spurs, ave plentiful.
There must at one time have heew very dense fovests all
through here. The teain left at @ am, and the manner in
whieh the Wills und sullies were picked ont under the carly
morning sun formed an encless series of pictures, Dairy
farniing appears to be the staple industry, while banana
farms are plentiful ou the hills. The approach to Byron Bay
ig over a movass-like avea, amd the bills which run out into
the sea there fovm a bliff on which the lighthouse is ererted.
Al Byron Bay there is a butter factory, snid to he the largest
iu New South Wales (some say in Australia). Leaving
Byron Bay, a steep hill is climbed, aud the same kind of
pictnresque scenery ig noted; the general look of the country
was not unlike much of the Western District of Victoria.
Det, | HARVEY, Prish, aneto Maitland 186
Passiny through Bexhill, the iwnedus eounthy gives place
for o short. distance to slutes, and a firebuick factory is noted.
The shale formation is soon left, and the yoleatic soil
éenoduntered again,
At 62 miles from Murwillumbah, Lismore 14 reached. Lis
Move is On A Hibutary of the Richinond River, antlos a very
well-built, lively and prosperous town. ‘This rin was the
Most charming vail journey that 1 had had for a long time-
The town is built on a flat, which is sitwated ti an alluvial
basin, ond has &@ pretty set file. Il is connected with Nort
Lismore by a good bridge, Ocean-going steamers trade
belveen the town and Sydney, and other paris, the wharf
being 70 miles from Richniond Heads; the distanee by road
is 20 miles. ‘Whe town was a great place when the cedar and
other vsefal timbers were plentiful ; bit things have changed,
and the means of trade have to change with ten,
Leaviny Lismore, the hills are contoured by the line for
same distahee. They are very steep, and were xpparently
well-timbered at one time. As the fine began tu vise ont of
the valley, it was noted that dairy farms were abundaig, and
the soil was good. After leaving Beotley, a tanned os passed
throuvh. and we now began to rise ont on to the plain, After |
the Richmond River flats ure lett the country is iol worth
travelling, as far as seenery is concerned, ancl The soit passed
through appears rather poorer, thongh now anc then a hefher
pateh is seen. About five miles before veaching Grafton a
glimpse of the Clarence is obtained, but the eountey ts stil
fiat and uninteresting (Ti mast be understood thal I was
out for scenery: J took but little wotiee of the economic value
of the land.) Grafton, although go old a towu—and a cathe-
dral town, too—is exeeptionally quiet. Every day there
seems almost, Ake Sunday. he streets are wide, and are
laid out at vight angles, and the principal shreets are planted
—some having iwo rows. These saute red and white cedars,
camphor laurels, planes, fame trees and grevilless. In Prince
Strectis a plain brick clock tower, about 5b feeb lugh. very
oue of {hese towns hag its pieture theatre. Th din street,
leading from the railway station ta the town thee is an
avenue of jackarande (trees, which were in full bloam as 1
passed through. Some of ihe buildings are goad, eapecially
the Post Office Court Flouse, two or three bails. and the
Roman Cathedral, The sver js said to be TAN yids wide,
and connection with South Gratton is maintajned by steant-
ferry, Singular to relate, there ig no electric light tn Grat-
16 Harvey, Brisbane to Maitkind vit at:
fon, Which is gazliglted, but the eleetrie Heht is :in ase id
South Gratton The town ts certainly old-fashioned, It is
about KO miles by river teom the eity to the Heads.
At South Grafton the Lrsin was picked up again, and the
eountry soon changed, the part now entered showing shales
and sandstones containing concretionary ferruginous bands,
the seneral appearance being very similar to that of the
Hawkesbury sandstone formation, and this contimmes tor
the greater part of the way from here to Sydney, broken
enly occasionally for short distances by sandy flats and
marshy-looking patches here and there, and by short igneous
intrusions. In places the hills and escarpments remind one
at parts of the Kangaroo Valley, and other portions of the
aff-shoots of the Blue Mountains, although uot quite so dra-
-mmatic in appesruuce, After passing through Glenreagh,
same of the bluffs are very bold. The streams that are
erossed. ond skirted are lined with rich brush fohage, and
as much of this was in bloom many of the galliés presented
a very gay appearance; it gave one an idea of what stores
of miles of this country niust have looked like before it was
denuded; the tinvber mnst have been very rich in parts of it
Suddenly, just before reaching Coff’s Harbour, a chain of
steep hills is passed through, and in these the brush and
undergrowth, palms, elk-horn ferns, and vines grew quite
luxuriantly; the whole place is a veritable jungle. At Coft’s
Harbour works to improve the harbour are in progress, and
on one of the heads a large quarry, in what looks like a
bloff of basalt, provides useful material for the work,
Through Urunes to Macksville the rough country continues.
Macksvillu is practically a wooden town, and the streets,
such as could be seen, as it was alrnost dark, seemed irregular
and narrow. Here we were hurried into 2 fourth-class hetel
for tea, und as I had been told that there was only tame
country between there and Taree, on the Manning, IT went
on to the latter town through Kempsey and Wauchope, 108
miles, in the dark. With that exception, T saw the whole
of the country by daylight.
Leaving Taree at 9.30 next morning, the country resembled
that in the locality of Penrith, east of the Blue Mountains.
Soon the sandstone hilly country was met again, and the
luscions foliage lining the streams that were erosgsed, with
flaine trees and other trees in full bloom, provided magnifi-
cent pietures whieh wonld have captivated any eye. The
lint runs along a valley, in which farms ave plentifal, and
MAS Hanvuy, Brisbane to Maitland 157
between Mt, George aiid Somerset. the Manning is crossed;
after this a streant was passed oyer, the jungle oi which was
so dense that (hu water could not he diseerned, and the whole
af the gvowih along it was a blaze of colour, the pale yellow,
owuize and red bloom being exceedingly prolific, Farms
wore seen beside the line, and flame trees, all scarlet with
bloom, were plentiful; the richness of the foliage reminded
me of thal of blackwood, though what it was Lam unaware.
The landseape is now eroded tnto abvupt hills and V-shaped
valleys, and bold ranges appear berween the vine and the
coast. Some time before Gloucester is reached the line skirts
the Barrington River, and loyely views are seer. Swamp
oaks, apple tree, spotted yum, box, grey gum, white miuho-
gany and blackbutt. abound. The coutry continues moun-
fainous, and near Gloacester is plenty of ironbark and tallow-
wood, the latter favoured for street-blocking sid for Aoors,
Near Dingadee the vaad is seen winding throngh the
seamnaly-antenminable sandstone, und after passing through
another tunnel, abual 700 yards lone, the eountry resembles
that about Picton on the sonthert line, the rich-looking pad-
dowks and patches of luscious foliaze recalling the sconery
vf the Wlawarra district, Passing through Dongoe, the same
sceuery eontinurs, and, at 211 miles from Mackaville. the
pretty town of Paterson is reached. The river flats are very
fertile, and support extensive dairy farms. The Hunter is
erossed teal Okehampton, and at 224 iiles West Maitland
ix reached: heve the main northern line is joined, and as far
as J was concerned the journey wag aver, as T had traversed
the route between there and Sydney so frequently before.
Very little bird life was noticed during the whole of the
journey: this toay have heen dne to the extremely high tem:
perature that prevailed, or to the comparatively dry eondi-
tint af the eonniry——perhaps to both.
Regarding the tapoprapbical features_of this route, it 4s
of a far more picturesque and interesting nature than the
ywain northern line, via Armidale and Tenterfield, for
tourists who desire to observe scenery, and 1 hope to go over
it awain some day, under mare favourable weather conditions,
THE Easrern Warer-Deacos, Physignathus lesuew'%t—
The three photographs of the Water-Dragon Lizard exhibited
ti-night were taken on the Aberfeldy River, Gippsland, The
photographs of two other species of Dragon-Lizard are shown
for the sake of comparison. Lueas and Le Sauef, in their book,
188 Ropoa, The Lastern Waler-Dyviger yee
““Vhe Animals of Australia,’’ deseribe the Water-Dragen as
follows:—'' Tail, strongly vonpressed. Body, davk olive
above, wuts darker and bLehter erosshars, most marked an
the fails a brogal dark lene wrongs frei the eye, over The ear.
to the shoulders. fhe cheek pouch 3s barved with lines of
yellow and blue, bength. to over three feel, Habitat,
Hestern, Anstralia.”’ The Water-Deragon belongs to the
farnily of eect most unembers of which are unjustly
knowin as ‘Bloodsuckers, ' ‘he above-nuentioued authors
adopted the name of Dragon Lizard"? ay being move appre-
prialce Tie Water-Dragon is the most distinetly aquatic
livavd, aud frequents the banks of eveeks and vivers fram
Gippsland ta Queensland. L have observed it only in the
Thomson and Aberfeldy Rivers, where if appears lo be very
loeal, extendine only for a couple of niles from the janetion
of the two streams. being move plentiful br the clearer, and
warmer, waters of the Aberfeldy. In other streams of a
similay character dr the same distries it is absent. It is fond
of basking on u log ov rock close to ox in the stream, and
there cat be approached very closely 7@ ino quiek movernent
is made. Oni being clisturbed. tt divea in, te re-appear almost
immediuely, swimming on the sarfaee If forther motested,
it cives and stays ou the bottom for a considerable time. It
swims With a serpentine motion, bat not very rapidly, using
the tail only, with the limbs pressed elose to the sides. The
food seams to causist mastly of Tiseets and smalh animals
flouting on Lhe surface of the water. Prom its resting place
iW plunwes into the water to secure w drowning insect. and
returusy immediately to its look-out. Small dead ov disabled
fish inay vlso he devonred, Wut 7 should say thal af is not
quiek enough in the water to catch healthy ones. [ once
‘hooked one en a devon spinner in the Thomson, and on am-
other oeeasion, while still fishing, 4 large one, after attempt-
inw fo swallow the carle floater, dived down, and. tool the
earthworm bait. ‘his specimen was sent to the Melbourne
Zou, where it lived for nearly a year, The Water-Dragon
i a gwith minner, anc on a level surface will sometimes
ASST Oo SeMmi-erect Posture, ancl tun for several yards on
the hind levs alane. ‘This peculiar gait is also characteristie
af its distinunished cousin, the Prilled Lizard ot Queensland.
Iam not aware that any of the other dvagons
co
b
bo
an
27
wen
own
Localities.
Dand: Reges., Bel., F-T. Gully, B. Spur, Bays.
B.H!, Croy., Heal., Ring., Dand. R., Warr., Ev. Wand.
B.H., Croy., Heal., Bays., Ring., Dand. R,, Warr,, Wand-
Fern.
Ring., Croy., Heal., Warb., Warr.
Ring., Bays.
Heal.
Ring., Bays,, Heal., Croy., Warr., Dand. R.
Bel.
Bel., Ring,, Warb., Heal., Dand. R,, Warr,
Bays., Ring.
Bays., Ring., Croy,, Heal,, Warr.
Bays., Ring., Croy., Heal.
Bays., Ring., Croy., Heal., Fern., Dand. R.. Warr.
Bays., Ring., Croy., Heal., Warr.
Heal.
Ring.
Ring., Dand. R.
Box Hill, Croy., Bays., Ring., F.T. Gully, Bel., Heal., Fern,
Box Hill, Croy., Bays., Ring., F.T. Gully, Bel., Heal.,
Fern., Dand. R., Warr,
B.H., Croy,, Ring., Heal., Warb., Warr., Fern,
Ring., Bays., Mitcham, Warr., Heal.
Ring., Bays., Croy., Heal., Warr.
Ring., Bays., Croy., Heal., Warr.
Ring.
Ring., Bays., Croy., Heal., Warr., Fern,
Ring., Bays., Croy., Heal,, Warr.
Ring., Warr.
Ring., F.T. Gally.
Ring., Bays,
All districts,
All districts.
Ring., Heal.
Heal,, Dand. R.
Rirg., Heal. -
Ring., Heal., Fern., aud Fern Gullies.
Fern., Heal.
Fern Gullies.
Heal., Fern.
Ring,, Heal., Warr,, Fern.
Ring_, Heal., Warb., Fern.
Ring., Heal., Ranges,
Ring,, Warr., Bel.
AU districts,
2
27
228)
Prsaqve axp Froxen. Thirty Years’ Orchid Collecting pYiet, Nat,
| Vor.) SLL.
Scientific Name. ; Common Name
Caladenia alba (R.Br.)—White Caladenia -
4 cucullata (Fitz,)--Hooded Caladenia
" congesta (R.Br.)—Black-tongue Caladenia
h coerulea (R.Br.)—Blue Caladenia .
at cordifermis {Roagers)—Small Spider-orchid
gt ~carnea (R,Br.)—Pink Fingers
" deformis (R.Br.)—Blue Fairies
- dilatata (R.Br.)-—Fringea Spider-orchid
ie latifolia (R.Br.j}-—Pink Fairies
hegate Menziesii (R,Br.)—Hare Orchid
a Fatersoni (R.Br.)—Common Spider-orchid
Mm testacea (R,Br.)—Musky Caladenia
a clavigera (A.Cunn.j—Clubbed Spider-orchid
reticulatu (Fitz.)—Veined Caladenia
Chiloglottis reflexa (Cheel.)—Autumn Bird-orchid
16 Gauni (Lindley)—Common Bird-orchid
Muelleri (Pitz.)—Green Bird-orchid
Glossodia major (R.Br.)—Wakx-lip Orchid
Diuris alba (R.Br.)-—White Diuris
- punctata (Sm.)—-Purple Diuris
- palustris (Lindl.)—Swamp Diuris
By maculata (Sm })—Leopard Orchid
ie palachila, (Rogers)—Broad-lip Diuris
s pedunculata (R.Br.j—Snake Orchid
" sulphurea. (R,Br.)—Tiger Orchid
longifolia (R.Rv.j——Tall Diuris
Orthoceras strictum (R.Br.)—Horned Orchid
- Cryptostylis leptochila ({F.vM.)—Small Tongue-orchid
¥ longifolia (R Br.}—Large Tongue-orchid
Spiranthes australis (Lind!.}—Austral Lady’s-Tresses
Prerostylis alpina (Rogers}—-Alpine Greenhaod
st acuminata (R.Br.)—Pointed Greenhood
e barbata, (Lindl.)—-Bearded Greenhood
- concinna (R.Br.)—Trim Greenhood
rt curta. (R.Br.J—RBlunt Greenhood
‘1 alata (Reich.)—Purplish Greenhood
"9 decurva (Rogers)—-Red-tongue Greenhood
" falcata (Ragers)——Sickle Greenhood
1° longifolia (R.Br.)—Tall Greenhooa
" Mitchelli (Lindl.)—Mitehell Greenhood
1 nutans (R.Br.)—Nodding Greenhood
iy nana (R,Br.)—Dwart Greenhood
‘7 obtusa (R.Br.)—Blunt-tongue Greenhood
. pedunculata (R.Br.)—Mazroon-hvod
- parvifiora (R.Br.)—Tiny Greenhood
7 rufa (R.Br.)—Rusty-hood
te grandiflora (R.Br.)—Long-tongue Green-
hood
ty vittata (Lindl,
a fureata (Lindl.)—-Forked Greenhood
iY pusilla (Rogers)—Ruddy-bood
” refiexa (R.Br.)—Striped Greenbood
" revoluta (R.Br.}—Autumn Greenhood
‘
“toas. | PEScorr AND Frencu. @hirty- Year's’ Orchid Collecting 229
Localities,
44 Near Croy.
45 Dand. R., Heal.
46 Ring., Croy., Heal., Bays., Ranges!
47 Warr. 4
48 Ring., Heal., Fern,
49 All districts.
50 Ring., Croy., Heal., Warb.
51 ©All districts.
52 Ring., Bel. .
53 Ring., Moorool.,-Warb., Heal., Bel., Wand., Ey., Dand. R.,
Fern. ,;
54 Al) districts.” ~ -
55 = Ring-., Moorool,' Croy,, Heal., B.H., All districts.
54 Bays., Bel.
57 Bel. ,
58 Ring., Heal., Fern. ,
59 Ring., Heal., Bel., Dand. R., B.H., Wart., Fern,
60 Heal., Bel., Emerald, Gemb., B, Spur.
61