THE Victorian Naturalist THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE | of the FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA VOL. 61 MAY, 1944, TO APRIL, 1945 Hon, Editor: A. H. CHISHOLM, F.R.Z.S. The Author of each Article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded MELBOURNE: Brown, Prior, ANDERSoN Pry. Ltp., 430 Littte Bourke STREET 1945 a I = -4: fer a5 Miny “t= = ene teat We oP RGA eee wa ! ~~ 7 - Field “Naaralioe Se <4 ‘ - - 4. % ma ~ “7 -5 “s ee - oS pT, OFPICE-BEARERS;. ies. ted, Em Eee eee ee igh ae PRR UR : ats | Prealdent: 53: - Me Ivo & HAMMUT, Customa Bouse, Mf +k Pdi ranenreseci ules ATE 1260), - . '- a . = B= 2 Wide reat Sita le A a 5, Gm BEWARE W 3 wea Sa fy ‘ el Si 7 =e Ls fo! = “Te gn Lm 1 .. “~Aetiniy: Alor, ie Try pte ? ‘Mr. 1B, WIGLIS, ‘ati 7 As ie = . ‘ ? j= ee 7 =, =, “; ee: a et oa © —) wyts 5 i. Es 8, cuts Suet = : . a ees St = = = = -_ : ” seeeeth aS, es ssaranbay, APRIL 1—=Zouldiesl Gardens’ Lesder’: rane ke > ie) Oe Pinched, “Suibjeet: Anstisli - r= = L at, 2.80 De e a +4 ee ~e / UV SATURDAY,- APRIL 21 — Morals, “‘Menbinede: va. _. (B.01Cie Lender: Mr oRi GF Painter’ Subjext<“Aurumin: ; Poo 5) Tske 1,35 pap. trai ee Dele: Get to Wodrieibarie: eet vie Seluni # ty eal mage patty. at Beall, +7 - J ba ‘S +s" - wos re “ eee The Victorian Naturalist Vol, 6r.—No. 1 _ May 4. 1944 No, 925 PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held on Monday, Apri 10, 1944, at the Royal Society's Hath. Mr, Ive C. Tlammet, vice-president, presided in the absence of the president, and some 80 members ‘and friends attended. Reports of excursions were given a® follows; Queen's Park, Miss Wigan (who reported noting five species of ducks, including the Musk Duck, as well as Moor Hens, Grebes, Coots, etc.) ; Seaholine, Mr, J, H. Willis, The following were elected as ordinary members: Mr. and Mrs. Burgess, Mrs. C. W. Connery, Miss Neilie Stewart, Mr. Albert P. Dunn; as country members: Mr. A. Teese and Mr- S. C. Nicol; and as associate member: Miss Valda Baley, NATURE PROBLEMS The subject for the evening was “Quest Night,” wherein members were invited to submit queries that were passed by the Chair for discussion and reply by other members. Following are the items {with replies) that came before the meeting — BOTANICAL QUESTIONS 1. Have any subterranean, orchids like the West Australian Ritzanthella Gardueri been discovered in Victoria, or, if tiot, are they likely to occur here?—Answrer (Mr. W. H. Nicholls): None has been found to date, but it is quite likely that the New South Wales Crypianthemis Slater: (first unearthed in 1930 at Bulladelah, £50 miles N. of Sydney) may occur in soils favoured by the Hyacinth Orchid, Dipodium punctaluin. 2. Friends fram England state that the Australian Acacias seem to resémble yery closely the Mimosas that they know in Europe, What is the difference, if any, between an Acacia and a Mimosa?—~Answer (Mr. J. A. Willis): Acacia and Mimosa are two Superficially very similar genera of pod-bearing plants belonging to the Mimusoideae section of the family Leguinsrosae, Linnwus called them both “Mimosa,” but modern betanists distinguish the former by its auriverqus stamcas (in each minute floret), and by the almost invariable occurrence of glands on the leaf-stalle or midrih; a true Advmosa has 10 ar less stamens, and rarely shows any leaf glands. Early colonists called many of our Acacta species “wimase”’ trom their resemblance to that tropical genus, one of which has hecome naturalised in Queensland (14 ae 2 Field Nataralists’ Club Proceedings “Peart pudica, the “sensitive plant’), and “Prickly Moses" for the common icaeta verticilata is said to be a corruption of Prickly Mf inesa 3. The New Zealand Looking-Glass Plant (Coprosma repens) has small pils in the undersurface of its leaves, at the junction of mid-rib amd Jatecal merves. What ts the explanation ?— Answer (Mr, ). H, Willis): Apparently no one can explain the nature of the litile “pockets” or domatia which occur in several species of Coprosma. The late Professor A. T. Ewart frankly admitted that he did not know, and W. R. B. Oliver, tn his exhatslive monograph of the genus (1935) made no attempt to account for the leaf pits. Even the much larger and commoner glands in deacia ave still very imperfectly understood, Mr, Ivo Hammet reported having noticed ants about the glands of Acacias, where they were apparently feeding on some sugary excretion. 4. The family Caprifoliaceae mcludes élder-berries, guetder roses, honey-suckles, cinchona-bark, etc,, and 3s derived from the Latin caper, 2"he-goat,” and folium, a “leaf” What ts the origin of the name “goat-leaf’?—Anewer (Mr, J. H, Willis): The family name has been adopted from Tournetort's old pre-Linnazan gentis Ce¢rifolivm, which Linieus (1753) and others after him included in Lenicera —the large assemblage of “honeysuckles," now numbering nearly 200 species, Tournefort’s name (published in £700) is a straight-out translation into Latin of the vulgar French chevre-feille, by which “heneysuckles” had been known mw? France for centuries, the German equivalent being geiss-dlatt, with precisely the same meaning. Strangely enough, no available French dictionary, encyclopedia, or botanical text-book attempts to explait the term, but Leudon's English £xcyclopacdia of Plants, 1855, says, “poetical name, signifying-. . . a leaf which climbs ike a goat." Nevertheless, Tournefort’s diagnosis contains the Latin equivaient of “with stinking seers,” thus alluding to a had odour in some parts of the honeysuckle plant, and as dried foliage of the related Viburnum species is truly offensive (even in old herbarium specimens), it is more than possible that “goat- leaf" was originally associated with an objectionable goat-like odour, 5. Schomburgk, a prominent naturalist-explorer in South Ainerica during the earlier part of last century, was afterwards director of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Wid he accomplish any outstancling work in Australia?—Awswer (Mr. J. H. Willis) - Dr. Richard Schomburgk held the directorship of the Adelatde Gardens for 25 years until his death in 1890, and was therefore contemporary with Guilfoyle of Melbourne; the present Ane lay-out owes much to his energy and foresight. He did not concern himself with pure botany, and the only noteworthy cree i Field. Natavalists’ Club Pracecdigs 3 contribution im that direction was a Flora of South Australia, 1875, being .a 64-page essay with list of species ‘known to inhabit the Colony. In the 1870's he wrote many smaller papers on tobacco cylture, grasses, fodder plants, and sich-like economic subjects, but nune of them can be compared with the voluminous writings af the colonial botanists (Mueller, Maiden and Bailey). ORNITHOLOGICAL QUESTIONS 6. What are the latest theories regarding bird mugration—- Mr, A. H. Chisholm summarised the various types of movements among Australian birds, including overseas, interstate, inier-— tropical, altitudinal, and gipsy nugiants, and gave brief details regarding each uf the sections. .'Yhe subject was also discussed by Messts, Hammet, Mattingley, Colliver, Miller, and Miss Watson, 7, What peculiarities has the Lyre-bind that it should have a Natural Family almost to jitself?—Mr. Chisholm said that osteglogical stitdy of the Lyre-bird liad been interrupted by the wir, and so it was not yet possible to “place” the group on a structural basis, However; sufficient regarding the nature of the bird’s “make-up” was learned Jong ago to make clear that it had very distinctive characteristics. &. What are the differences in the tree habits of Tree-runners aml Tree-creepers, and how can they be récugmised ?—Mr Chisholm replied that the clearest superticial point of difference was that Tree-creepers worked upward oi the trunks of trees, and ‘Tree-runners worked downward. The Tree-creepers were good deal larger than ihe other group, Mr, A, H, Mattingley remarked that there were alse differences jn vorce and nesting habits. ; GENERAL ZOOLOGY 9, What are the reptiian characteristics which link the Platypus with the Jawer arders from an anatomical point of view?—Mr. Colliver stated that as far as he knew, the egg- laying habit would be the only trait. Mr Chisholm stated that - Prof, 5. Sunderland, worlting on the brains of monotremes and marsupials, found that the impression previously held that both these Iorms were somewhat allied to the reptiles is now incorrect, and that the Monotremes are much more closely related to the Eutherta, I has thus been shown that the concept of marsupials being on advanced stage of the monotremes js wrong, and actually there is no direct connection between them. A further question regarding ¢iftereyces between the Platypus and the Echidna was answered by Mr, Colliver, and a question whether both these animals hibernated was answered by Mr, Chisholrn, who stated that a short period of hibernafion was common to bolh forms, 4 Field Naturalists’ Club Proceedings Wer Me 1), We are told that the Koala has au appendm some 6 feet in length. Secing that the appendix in man, a very much larger animal, ts only an inch or two long and can very well be done wilhoul, what js the function of such a long one in the Koala?— Mrs. Pinches suggested that it was probably due to the small amount of néurishment m the Jarge amount of food taken, stating further that Ambrose Pratt gaye this as a reason in his book on the Koala. Mr. Chisholu said that Sir Colin MacKenzie was so engrossed by this appendix problem that he studied the Koala to apply the lessons learnt to humanity, but up until the time he left for Canberra he had not reached any definite conclusions, Mr, Colliver understoad that Sir Colin had at Icast proved the organ to be functional. 11. Miss Watson stated she had been told uf a large turtle being seen close intto the shore at Portland, and asked whaf sert it would be?—Mr, Mattingley stated 1t was the sort that was ooeitsionally found in Bass Strait. Mr. Colliver stated that several records of the large leather-back turtle eccurring im Victorian waters were known, and that just prior to the war he had seen a very large specimen that had landed alive on the beach near the mouth of the Glenelg River at Nelson, Victoria. This one had apparently trayelled from ihe Indian Ocean, 12, We are tokd that the common Earth-worm aerales the soi and benefits it, How is such a soft-bodied creature able to burrow into hard ground? What particular mechanism does it emplay?—Mr. Coltiver stated that worms generally had masticatory jaws, and were not fourd, as the question seemed to Sugeest, im perticulatly hard ground, but tather tn damper pertions of soil, ‘The soil was passed through the body, and food particles extracted in the process. Slime (as well as salivary secretion) was no doubt used to help seften the ground. Mr, Matlingley remarked that worms fed on decaying vegetation, which separated the earth as eaten, and that the worms were helped in their travels by bristles, which made sulhcient noise lo attract the attention of birds hunting fer food, Me Colhver stated that ihe giant worms of the Hass Walley had their burrows nearly filled with liquid nud, and the gurgling sound they madé was easily heard by the human ear. Mr. H, V. Miller reported that hme-water poured over the ‘soil would bring out wonns very guickly. ; GEGLOGICAL QUESTION 13. A few years ago a resident in one of the Melbourne suburbs put up a wall in which a large number of “Dendrites” were visible. These lave now almost entirely disappeared, Where have they pone?—ANswer (Mr. A. C. Frostick) : Most likely weathering of the rock surface caused the disappearance ates The Channel-tilled Cuehkow be feictors wn of jhe dendrites; as they had heen formed from solutions there wis ne reason that he could see to prevent their being removed hy solution. Miss Wigan stated that the dendrites at one line a feature on the fence around the property of the late Sidney Myer in Toorak had disappeared, _ = . mat REMARKS TY EXHIBITORS Mr. ©, J. Gabviel remarked on the living species of Victorian Teredo, and also: species new to him that oiuy he Victorian or ai introduced farm Mr. Mattingley exhibued some seeds of the sweet Quandong, and asked. if they had ever been propagated in Victoria. Mr Willis stated that the seeds were olten germimated but their future hte was 2 prablam ewike to parasitic Nabets: the roots developed suckers which entered ether roots. Mr, Hammet stated he had a plant growing, now steven years old, and he attributed his success to ihe undisturbed growth of grass and weeds around the tree .Mr Mattlagley said that people! in Central Australia believed the seeds «onkd not grow until they were eaten and yoided by an etd. ; Mr, Colliver displayed a serie: cf the Jarger forms of Victorian fossil sharks’ veeth, ard mentioned n theory that was recently pnt forward that these tecth were not shed but were permanent and had & certain amount of movement duc to conscitus muscular action. Slides of a restoration of fhe jaw of a giant shark (fossil) Curehoradow meqotod ont; displayed in the American Museum of Nutural History, and several showing views of the recently discovercd Coclacanthid fish fram the African Coast were also shown, and with this last the importance of the discovery was emphasized and the extension of the evolutionary scale imeutianed : THR CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO IN VICTORTA To the discussion which resolved around the question of the oecurrence im Victoria al the Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scplhrops novdeshollautiar) at a reeent FIN COV. meeting may be added John Gould’s quotation of a description of its habits by De Bennett, of Sydney, in IS858: “When the young Sevthrops (Channel-bill} was introduced into Mr. Denison's aviary it was plated in a compartment already occupied hy a Dacela gigas (Koola- burra), and doubtless feeling hungry, immediately opened its mouth) ta be fed, ani its wants were readily attended ta by the Kooleaburra, who, with great kindness, took a piece of meat and, after sufficiently preparing it by beating it about until jt was in a tender and pappy state, placed it carefully in the gaping mouth of the young Scytlirogs; this feeding process continued until te bird was capable of attending to its own wants, which it now does, feeding in company with the Kooleaburra in the usual niatner. When I saw it in the morning jt was perched upon the most elevated resting-place in the aviary, occasionally craising itself, Mappitig its wings, ane thon quietly settling down again after the manner of Hawks in confinement, and presenting much the appearance of a member of that. tribe of birds." This account indtrates an extraordinary instinctive dependence on an equally instinctive response of anothér hird not famed as a friend in adversity, Ts there any record of the Channe-bill's eee having heen found in a Kookaburra’s nest? ~ [No—Ed.] HGES. rye Now 6 Martinctiiy, Plea for a'ttall of ‘Science Vo}. 61 | FLEA FOR A HALL OF SCLENCE By A. H. E. Marrivoney, Melbourne .More than 40 years ago, on 26th August 1911, I advocated in the Melbourne Argus the institution of a Hall of Science as part of the Melbourne Public Library biulding. Subsequently a meeting was held-at-the home of Mr. R, D. Elliott, when two of the Public Library trustees (the chairman, Dr. Leeper, and Mr. Eflictt) commended the scheme, and Dr. Leeper indicated that the time for establishing such a hall would be when the presenL Public Library block ef buildings became overtaxed Lor suitable space—-probably aiter a lapse of 20 te 30 yeurs. ‘The time has now arrived for reconstruction on more spacious lines, and, since the site for a cultural centre for Melbourne has been selected near Prince's Bridge and approved, it behoves the Vielorian Field Naturalists’ Club, tn conjunction with kindred scientific societies, ta approach the Minister of Public Works before plans of the prospective buildings are drawn up, The desirability of incorporating a wing specially designed to house in separate rooms all the small libraries, belonging to struggling sciéntific societies and scattered throughout the city and suburbs, is apparent, The propused wing should also have a central hall, open to the use of each society and for the purpose of giving educational lectures to the public and students, Above all, the librarics would be centrally accessible and, if the biilding were fire-proofed, the valuable collections of reference books and documents (unproctirable elsewhere, but at present exposed io the risk of fire) would be safegnarded for the nation. ’ Most of the natural history sovielics, owing to their slender finances, are now oeciipying wunstitable sooms, whilst others cannot properly utilize their Jiterature for want of shelf- accomunodation. In several instances valuable and irreplaceable papers are deteriorating for-want of binding and shelf-space. The moncy at present dissipated in tugh rentals could be saved and utilized in publishing the results of research by the societies —results which for want of sufficient funds now gn unrecorded. The labours of skitted naturalists are of a national character, and the community cannot afford to lose them. Great credit is due to the Council of Education, heretofore + engaged in the national work of broadening the channels through whith seattered and discunnected rivulets of the mabon's education flows, Why not, then, give the societies engaged in other branches of education (which for abvious reasons are outside the jurisdiction of the Council), the opportunity to organise them- selyes for the public weal? The facilities afforded by such a . brovil i Matrincity, Plec fur'a Hall of Science 7, scheme of centralization are mamfold, Scientific attainment would became mare popular by a reduction in expense to club members, whilst the membership itself would increase by virtue of the greater comforts and facilities provided for study and research. Compared with many countries, Australia is deplorably lacking in scienific outlook, as witness lhe researches into our unique fauna and flora whith are avidly taken from us and dealt with by Government-aided foreign scientists and investigators—a galling fact to those worthy Australians who could accomplish such work admirably but for financial disabilities. In this manner Australia loses her prestige, and other nations, far better organized scientifically in their arts and crafts, outstrip her. The national importance of the arts and sciences to our country cannot be over-estimated. If these languish, so does the country also, as history bears ample testimony. Our American cousins, with clear perception and true patrivtic imity, have established such useful State-subsidized departments as the Smithsonian Institute, a society that has materially helped her citizens to develop the arts and crafts of their mighty confederation, and 7§ still enabling them sa to de, by equipping them menially in their struggle for international supremacy, The comparatively small amount spent in maintaining this institute has returned untold wealth to the coffers of the United States. ; As our Victorian associations, without ‘any thought of fee or reward, and at considerable pecumiary sacrifice, are rendering public service and making for national prosperity by the researches of thetr members, is tt tov much to expect from the Government a building for such work? The time has surely arrived when it behoves our State administration to help build up that portion of her national edifice which, at present, is being tediously erected by devoted, but unorganized, bands of enthusiasts, . The Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, as an old and strong body, 18 the logical canvenor of all Societies with this laudable object. Let us seize the opportunity now offered to mitigate those difficulties so. long suffered by the champions of natural science in our State, ree ° : C " SPIDERS STOP TELEGRAMS - On the Nullarbor Plain there was a telegraph line where spiders at times made webs which connected From the wite to the-pole. When -the webs fot wet they “earthed” the electric current until there was noi enough to operate the telegrams.—ALFX McKenzie, Glenhuntly. & Peay, Breeding of tre Platypus ot Cnptnaty is. . . ' In the cases of both animals the success in breeding was not brought about by shutting then) away and leaving them strictly alone, The daily exhibition, with a general alternate day appear- ance of each (unless Jill” happened to be hibernating) went en much as usual right until the famous October day, when “Jill”. actually gathered nesting material under the eyes of spectators and began to construct her nursery. Naturally thereafter “Jack” had to represent the family at 3.30 p.m. each day, but even so “Jill” appeared on many occasions im succeeding weeks on daylight’ foraging excursions, and “Jack’''was able to enjoy periods of well-earned rest, i Normally crepuscular and nocturnal, platypyses in Victorian streams are rarely seen during daytime unless flood-waters aré high, food is scarce or females are engaged in caring for infant families. The usual thing is to find the animals slipping out into ‘the streams during the cyening light and swimming Cone atsly ‘up and down stream practically the whole night through: ) f Three years ago, while I was engaged in procuring five pairs ' of platypuses for Jiberation-in the streams of Kangaroo Island by the South Avstralian Government, it was particularly instruc tive at night 1o illuminate by means of a powerful spotlight the shallow rapids of such Healesyille streams as the Watts River and Chum Creek, and observe the underwater “‘swim past’ of a number of otherwise unseen duckbills on their various lawful occasions. The most usual indication of their presence when one is quietly sitting on a river bank at night is the sudden “splash dive’— an almost double sound characteristic of the platypus alone: This alarm signal, like that of a rabbit's op wallaby’s “thump,” , conveys ils meaning almost simultaneously to any other platypus in the vicisity, © | . ‘ In view of the typical. nocturnal habits of the speciés, the behaviour of “Till,” which has been most consistent over the past two seasons, is of exceptional interest, “Jacl,” not being concerned with procuring food or preparing himself for incubatory duties, broke his nocturnal emergences on but 4 single occasion during the pairing month of October 1943. ~ - Skipping then the notes made over several past years, I-shalt describe “Jill's movements from the day they departed from normal in 1943 just as they did in the preceding year of 1942. In the ‘winters of these two years, and in fact at’odd times even before that, "Jill had disappeared for periods of several days ‘ _ Freay, Breeding of the Plaiypus.in Caprinity U at a time deep in her burrows. There is little doubt that these absences were stretches of hibernation or sleep during the coldest and bleakest periods of the year, and they may be.in the case of the female animal part of the preparation far the incubation period to come.: At sucha time.:she plugged up ar blocked. off her camping chainber from its connection with the water, “Fale” is.not the only platypus I have‘ktiowti to hibernate. © Harry ‘Burrell’ (The. Platypus, - Page 164) says: “Although, Bennett has made the suggestion that Ornithorhynchus hibernates, My -investigations do not bear him out. In the New England district of New South Wales, the pairing season commences in July, which is the mid-winter month an’ those cold highlands. The platypus lives an active life the whole year through.’ Bennett's statement read: “These creatures are scen in the Australian rivers at all seasons of the year, but are most abundant during the spring and summer months, and I think, a- question may arise whether they do not hibernate.” _ Robert Eadie (The Life and Habits of the Platypus) recorded. periods of hibernatfon during the months of June and July for his famous pet platypus, “Splash,” a male animal. There is bo doubt whatever that in Victoria platypuses do hibernate for greater or lesser periods, and my field obseryations agree exactly with those of Bennett. Unless a platypus in captivity has access to earthen burrows of its own construction, it will not always hihernate, Since it is possible that such periods of retirement plus ensuing stretches of ravenous eating, in the case of the female, are correlated (as suggested} with the’ nesting period, I have tabulated the following account of “Jill’s” winter behaviour in, 1943, The summary indicates the dates and periods of time, apart from ordinary nocturnal emergences, spent inside the Vurrawing bank with the animal’ “pugging” or sealing herself in —to usc the mining term so. appropriately adopted by Mr- Burrell. | Another interesting thing was the fact that from this period on for the first time ia 1943, the end of her tail tonk an the bare and patchy appearance that so commosily develops each year. This, of course, was a direct result of using the tail in i:ack-pushing soil to close off unwanted passages and working tip blocks of pugs. On emerging from her various abserices, “Till” became definitely diurnal and could usiially be seen feding ravenously all day Jong, It was a common sight on such occasions to watch her working away in patches of mid below water with her’ ever-questing bill, and when on a good praspect flailing hard with both “fore paddles” inn unison to stir up pall delicacies from ‘obscure crannies, _ - h . wi- ve 42 F DAY, Breeding af the Platypus far Capiiaity Viet. Nate Vol. él “Tr will be noticéd that the hibernation péridds began towards the end of May and ended just before mid September -—- ah Intervals May 28 : May 31 June l ! June4 ' June 7 Tune 12-June 19 June 24-June 26 June 28-July 3° July 6=Tuty 12 Tuly 17-Tuly 21 Fuly 28-Aug, 2 ' Aug. S-Ang. 13. Aug: 25 Aug. 29 ‘Sept. 1-Sept. 3 Sept. i0. Froni September 15, onward “Jill” Approximate Time _ Spent in Retirement One night and day— 24 jhowrs.. Two nights and a day —36 hours. One day and night- , 24 hours. Two nights and a day . —36 hours. 156 hours. 36 hours. 120 hours. 132 hours, 12 haurs. “120 hours. 120° hours. 24 -hovts; away dur- ing a day and night. One night and day— 24 fiours.. 92. hours, ‘to Sept. 15 Ensving Feeding Pertod. Ont at night. Ont two sticcecding days all day and sleepy at night, Out all day, Ont iwo succeeding days alf day and sleeping at night, Ernerged for half a day—12.30 p.m. until dark. Fed all next day and fpr several days with: nights in retirement. Fed all day for two days— away at night. Out all dav for four days. Nights in retirement. Feeds all day for five days. Away at wyeht, Extra hun- gr, Emerged in early afternoon. Fed 64 days consecutively, and away each tight, Einerged 4.30 p.m., Fed until well into night. Out in after- noons for seyetal days and for several other whole days —away at night ~ Appeared 3° p.m. Fed into bixbt, Out with little varia- Hon for seven days. running, Away at night. Threc' more half days staving in to night- Our all day three days ron- ning, Away at night. Fed 3, daylight twe following days. Away at_night, cmerg- ing after mid-day ‘in cach case. ' Emerged 4 pam. Out mast of day for three following days. Away at night. Foutth and fifth days out from 3.30 p.m. Away at. night. “Till” ont each day all day and away sleeping at night. gave no further indicatior of-any periods of hibernation, but -her appearances .in_ day- time continued. more regularly: than . preyiously. . With few exceptions, she now appeared im the afternoon. (from 3 p.m, otwards) and fed into the night. ay Fieay, Breeding of the Platypus in Cipiivity ; \r ‘In the 1942.season, when no pairing was observed and evidently none took place, “Jill's” habits returned to normal in late October; and from the 23rd of that month onwards (the end of the mating. season), she became once more a nocturnal creature, slecping by day and appearing at dusk to feed through the night. The most interesting observations in this 1943 season, as in the preceding year at a corresponding time, lay in the prodigious spring appetite displayed by the vigorous creature. Following her three months of on-and-off hibernation, during the intervals of which she ate very heartily indeed, she now (from early September on) devoted herself to banqueting of a-much more intense nature. From the time of her afternoon bow to the public (coming out of her own accord) until far into the night she devoured grubs, yabbies, beetle larvae, worms, and tadpoles with little pause, coming out each and every day. In view of the story yet ‘to be told, it will be seen that this performance was a preliminary storing-up in preparation for the domestic activities so close at hand. “. Throughout all these months, “Jack” had inhabited the same home and swimming pool as “Jill,” but he had not been permitted to-enter her bank of earth. He showed no inclination to hiber- nate, did not come out to feed during daylight, and fed as usiml throughout the nights. I am not inferring that the male platypus docs not indulge in periods of winter hibernation, “Jack” has never done so, but it must be remembered that he has not been perinitted to extavate. his own burrows. ‘he adult male platypus is also far more difficult to observe in the wild state than the female, for these big “old men” are far more suspicious and retiring than the females, In a2 long period of observing and capturing platypuses in — various Victorian streams ranging from the Western District to Gippsland, I have only once managed to hoodwink a fine big fcllow -like “Jack,” whereas young males and immature and. fully-grown females are fairly easy game. Returning, then, to the mid-September period of 1943 (by which time “Jill” had ceased her boults of hibernation but still continued tn feed by day), it happened on the 14th of that month, during an afternoon show featuring ‘Jack’ (who had been brought from his “burrow" for display) that “Jill” slipped forth fromn.her tunnels and began begging for special items of food, This she'does by waving her beak jerkily above the water . surface and repeatedly emerging from underwater dives in the corner nearest the hand holding the food. Accordingly some beetle larvae were profféred to “Jrll," who re-acted eagerly by clinging to the hand that approached her and levering its+fingers apart with her bill yo 6-7: 0% 14 Furay, Breeding of ihe Platypus mm Captimly ae Aftér a few minutes it was noticed that -"Jack"-seized “Jill's” tail in a firm grip with his bill and the two animals swam slowly in a processional circle. The period between mid-September and mid-October was evidently the pairing season, and several instances of courting actions with the two animals swimming im a processional circle were noted during that time, “Jill” (as previously méentoned) continued her daylight feeding sessions— occasionally vitrying the procedure by appearances. at night. Apart, however, from the rather interesting evidence of this play at courting, the first true act of malig was observed on October 11. During the afternoon fairly heavy rain Feil, and at 3.30 p.m. both animals were in the water of their-own accord— “Jack” of his own volition in broad daylight for the only time noted in his, five years at the Sanctuary. In view of Mr. Harry Burrell’s notes and. theories on one use of the platypus spur as a means of holding. the female during. copulation -( Burrell, Chapter 7), it is worth recording that during this act when the animals were fast for nearly 10 minutes no spur grip was noted. A good deal cf splashing and floundering about occurred, and in the first place the maie animal doubled his body under while maintaining his grip on the female's tail with his: bill. "jill" fed on ravenously each day—if anything coming outeven earlier (about 1 pan.). On October 18 it was decided to remove “Jack” and give him the run of a new ccastern section or wing of the platypussary, which.was shut off trom “Jill's: western quarters. “Jill” became more and.more hungry. She was often seen mow at 9 aim., feeding continuously right through ta 9 p.m. and for hours after that. Down she would dive time after time to weave her blind way about, on the bottom seeking palatable items, rising then to the surface: for a iestinbly chewmg and continual buiging of her cheek-pouches. I supplied her with aquatic plants, thinking that green yegetation might be in demand at this particular time, but all to no purpose. On October 22 her actions were decidedly restless. She had for a week or more beforehand changed her entrance-hole from the water to one leading out on the northers side of the platy- pussary, and had excavated a fresh entrance-burrow high up ite her burrowing. bank. On this day she emerged at mid-day, disappeared again at 3 p.m., re-appeared at 4 pyn., and again -fetired at 6 pm. Possibly, in view of her further activities and the amount of earth thrown out, she was working on the nesting chamber at the burrow terminus. md Weighty support for this theory developed on, ihe following day (October 23), “Jill” was ready to build a nest? | (To be continued.) 9 SFsf vue = mat "r ee eee | yl tae CRISHOLM, Birds of the’ Mistivtoe 1s, BIRDS OF THE MISTLETOE ads - a By A. H, Catssoum. | a Members of the large family of Australia’s Honeyealers (some 70 in number) manifest among them considerable variely in size, voice, and general behaviour. Some are distinctly “unorthodox,” | But the most singular species of them all, perhaps, is the one known loosely as the Painted Honeyeater, Grantiella picta, the sole member of its genus. It is curious-in its distribution, its ‘movements, its voice, its general conduct, arid above all m the fact that it has forsaken nectar as food—if indeed it ever wos a honeyeater—in favour of mistletoe berries. — ’ I discusseil this singular little bird—it is rather less than six iiches long—in the Vic. Nat. for December: 1940. In that article it was shown ‘that john Gould encountered the ‘species testing in the interior of NiS.W. in September 1839; that Kendall Broadbent shot-a specimen near Melbourne in the 1850's; and that a break of many years’ duration occurred before the bird was again recorded, Eyes were-taken at Bathurst in N,S.W, ou December 23, 1899, and near Sydney in‘January 190], and in later years the species was reported spasmodically from some few parts of thé imverior of N.S.W., Queensland, Victoria, and the Northern Territory... Ir-thus becanie clear that the bird was distributed; but only sparsely, aver a: wide area of the sub-interior oi the eastern portion of the continent, ' ~ The points in-Victoria where the: species’ has been Seen, either in small flocks or pairs, are Carinya (far notth-west),’ Parwan (28 miles north-west of Melbourne}, Elthani: (15 milés north- east of Melbourne}, Bendigo and Marybovough. At Eltham Mr. W, C, Tonge first’ saw a pair and found a nest in” 1923; an after'that there were two breaks of six years each (to 1929 and 1935) before he again saw the birds, At Bendigo the species appears to have been -first seen in 1925, and since then it has been voted in vartous springtimes, ‘though not consistently, At Maryboruugh the bird has been seen in several years since 1937; not 1939 as stated in my previous article. k'20 a! The date of the first Maryborough record was October 25, Two birds were noted and both were very restless, as though in strange country; moreover they were chased by other birds. Whether any members of the species returnéd to Maryborough i. 1938 [ cannot say {1f was abroad then), but two pairs. were seen there, about two miles apart, in November of 1940. In the following spring (1941), as early as September 2]; I again heard ihe Painted Honeyeater at Maryborough, by which time: Ibegarits regard ‘it as a-cotifrmed,, if-inconstant, ' visitor 16 CHisueam, Hrds-of the Mistletoe ee to the district. , But. the visitations clearly wére only of recent occurrence, for certainly the species was not in the district when I lived there years ago. Probably, indeed, the restless pair of 1937 ‘were pioneers in the area, and possibly they were an extension of the little colony that had discovered and adopted’ the Bendigo district im the 1920's . Curiously, however, during ten days spent in the Maryborough regton jin October of “42 1 neither saw nor heard a Painted: Honeyeater, and this despite the fact that the season was good. and many birds {notably the erratic migratory Wood-swallows)- were breeding. : - A very different story 45 to be told in relation to the spring of ‘43. In that period a remarkable irruption of Painted Honey- eaters occurred near Maryborough. Within a week I located at’ least six pairs of the birds at various points close to the town, and in the same period I found no fewer than six nests af that other lover of the mistletoe, the brilliant little red-and-blue Mistletoe-bird, Diceeuw hirundinaceum. (Incidentally, in the same period and the same area I inspected about 30 other nests representing 18 species, and saw im al) some 80 species. of hirds.} ; ' To begin with, on October 31 1 wandered on to a hillside near’ * the East Maryborough State School. Many years previously,, when the Mistletoe-bird was uncominon in the district, 1 had! found my first nest of the species being built in this spot, but had been denied knowledge of the complete nest (after having: sought an example for several years) through removal from the district. Other nests of the species had been found in. Queensland and N.S.W. in the intervening years, but it was at least refreshing, after a lapse of about a. quarter-century, to: find my first completed nest of the Maryborough district on the site of the original discovery. The nest was situated at a height of about Sit, in an ironbark sapling. It was found through the activities of the. female, who when J sat down to watch her soon made it clear that T was “parked” fairly alongside the: nestmg bush. ; ; : , Presently, from a spot perhaps 300 yards away there floated through the morning air the yoice of a Painted Honeyeater; and soon afterwards | tound the bird upon a hillside that carried only goats, jam-tins, and ironbarks festooned wtth mistletoe “Georg-EEE, Georg-EEE, Georg-EEE,” the Painted Honeyeater called, and then it brake inte a rapid “Kow-kow-kow-kow” and notes suggesting the prattling of the Brown Flycatcher. . Aiter feasting for.a Hime in a mistletoe cluster the bird spraner into the air, shot upward, and began its.wavy, erratic, inconse- THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Von, ol May, 1944 Prare I rey Crisuorm, Birds of the Mistletac 47 quential flight; and as it did so I imitated the “Georg-EEE" wiristle. npon which it turned quickly and flew to a tree near by, where the morning sun played upon its clean black-and-white body, the gold bars of the wings, and the pinkish-red bill. Each time the bird lauached itself into space, or even after it had alighred in a tree some distance away, it came at once in response to an imitation of its call. Evidently it was a solitary specimen and was seeking a mate. : When -about ta leave the spot | heard again “the call of 4 Mistletoe-bird, and, following the flight a1 the female, found another nest situated at a height of Sft in a small ironbark bush, The pretty little purse-like structure contained three, eggs, On the following day (Nov. L) I went to the western fringe: of the town and immediately found a third Mistletoe-bird’s nest, this time a half-buill example placed about (0ft. up in an ironbark sapling, Here, as in the earlier instances, the tell- tale factors were the high-pitched chatter of the brilliant Ittle male bird and a sighl of the female going to the nest. Jn this spot, two, | heard and saw angthtr Painted Honcyeater, but one lacking the enthusiasm of the bird of the morning—it only occasionally cricd “Georg-EEE" and it refused to acknowledge ‘imitations of the call. . » Later in the day three local residents accompanied me on a visit to the first “Georgie.” and when the bird appeared in respotise to a whistle they greatly enjoyed seeing, with ihe atd -of field-glasses, the dainty little form and the pretty plumage iit by the evening sun. Subsequently we went on half a mile ‘or so to the Maryborough cemetery and there (through following the distinctive. deliberate call) saw another “Geergie’—two im fact, for the first bird was soon joined by a second one “and ihey disappeared in company, Bere w may be said that the season was very dry, so much so that agriculture was suffering ("as badly as 1914," said one farmer) and not a single orchid could he found flewering in the district. As for birds, a fair number of sedentary species and Some few visttors were nesting, but the twa Wood-swallows that had been abundant m the previous spring--the White- browed and Masked spectes—were conspicuous by their absence, ‘To what extent these conditions affected the Mistletoe-birds and Painted Honeyeaters is problematical. ‘The fact ts,, however, ‘that either in spite or because of the prevailing dryness there was an abundant crop of berries on the many examples of mistletoe, and the herry-loving birds had rallied to the feast: During the next few days (Nov. 2-6) 1 encountered at least three fnore pairs af Painted Honeyeaters atid.found three more 18 Cursnnen, Birds,of the Mistletoe Mae nests of the Mistletoe-bird. All of the nests were placed in ironbark saplings at from 5ft, to i5ft. Jn one instance the building material was mainly wool, but for the most part it was soft vegetable fibre. In all instances the nests were ornamented externally (either for camouflage or decoration) wilh the brown castings of wood-boring caterpillars or the brownish dried frag- ments of dry heads of flowers. The colour-fancy of little Dicaeum, it would appear, tends strongly to brown, since decorations of the kind are freely used by the species. A question that puzzled me was this: Why were the Mistletoe- birds nesting in advance of the Painted Honeyvaters? Was it hecause the bull of the beeries were not yet ripe and the supply was not sufficient to satisfy the needs of the larger birds? On the other hand, it is possible that some at least of the Painted Honeyeaters were breeding. Close searching, it is truc, failed to reveal a nest, but discovery is much more difficult in this cast than that of the Mistletoe-bird. ‘In any event the failure ‘did not trouble me unduly; there was sufficient recompense in watching the beautiful With ‘Honeyeaters” feasting and preening and flying, and in listening fo the “Georg-EEE” and other curious calls. Almost every example located was right on the fringe of the town {in one instance the bird flew over houses in West Maryborough to reach a: cluster of inistletoe in an ironbark growing in a back yard), and so the making of visits was an easy matter. Indeed, when news of the birds’ presence was circulated quite a number of Maryborough citizens ——olherwise more or less normal— discovered themselves to be potential ornitholozisis. So did certain visitors from Me)bourne, meliding three resolute women wito serve as Manpower officials. In these excursions it was the “Georgie” first found—the bird that always responded to a calttogether with the pretty Mtsiletoe-bird’s nest near by, that provided most entertainment. The Manpower ladies offered am assurance that the sight and sound of “Georgie” afferded a pleasant and novel contrast to their usual experiences! The first definite indication of breeding on the part of the Painted Honcyeaters was gained on Noy, 6& We {a few local residents had joined in the hunt) inspected two Mistletoe-birds” nests on the south-eastern edge of the town and heard Painted Honeyeaters in the same paddock; and then we went on a mile or so to a spot where I had heard “Georgie” in November of 1940. Sure enough, the familiar cry arose again and two birds were seen Aying to a iarge Yellow Box in which they (or others of their kind) had been seen disporting four years previously. ‘Although very restless they returned to the. tree again and aa Cursio.m, Birds of the Mistletoe 19 again, and each time the female entered a cluster of pendulous Jeaves at a height of about 30ft. and squatted there for a while, When the birds were at a distance the “Georg-EER” cry and the “Kow-kow-kow-kaw" were freely uttered (I catinot say whether both birds or only the males use these calls), but when the big tree was approached a strange purring note was added to the repertoire. - - Using two pairs of strong field-glasses, we peered up at that leafy cluster until our necks ached, But we did not see a mest. Tt seerced clear that the little cradle was not yet built or was so flimsy as to be indiscernible from the ground. At this stage 1 had to return to Melbourne, so 1 asked Mr. 8. C. Nicol, town clerk af Maryborough, to watch developments. . ‘Two months later (Jan. 5) Mr. Nicol came to Melbourne with a report that in the intervening period the nurnbers of Painted Honeyeaters in the district had increased, possibly through the emergence of young ones, “Georg-EER,” he said, was the dominant note in bush areas on the outskirts of the town, He said, too, that Mistletoe-birds were still abundant, but of the six nesis we had found only one survived—one or two apparently were wrecked by boys and the others had been torn open at the back, presumably by bird-raiders of some kind, a fate that often overtakes the builders of small suspended nests, Moreover Mr. Nicol brought with him a nest of the Painted Honeveater, the first example found in the district. It was recovered from the spot an the Majorca Road where we had acquired neck-aches ‘on Noy. 6, The birds had been seen at the site frequently in following days, and, after allowing’ ample time for the young to he reared, Messrs. Nicol and Pheian had climbed the tree, cut the nesting branch, and lowered it -with a rope, z The nest surprised me. John Gould, who found an example containing young in September, 1839, had deseribed jt as “'the frailest structure possible"; later observers had made similar comments, and a nest. which I saw near Sydney in 1932 had seemed véry flimsy. ‘This Maryborough example, too, was very sketchy—a remarkable contrast to the closely-woven purse- like nest of the Mistletoe-hird—but it was by na means frail. Suggesting lace or net-work in general appearance, it was a fine little cup consisting of numerous Abrous threads attached to no fewer than: 22 branchlets. The binding material wag mainly spider-webbing, but here and there a glutinous sput suggested ihat, either deliberately or fortuitously, the jelly from mistletoe berries had also’ been used. in all instances the supporting’ threads-were firmly attached and at the base of the nesi fibre : Vict, Niet a Crursiotm, Birds. of the Mistletne betcha had been woven into # solid foundation for the eggs and young. » Possibly this nest improved on the average (Mr. Tonge says that his specimen of 1983 consisted merely of a few dry grass- stems and two or three small dead leaves), but certainly tt was, In syté of its “‘open-work” nature, 4 strongly-buile little cradle. {neidentally, a glance at this nest showed clearly the reason why Paintel Honeyeaters always build among pendulous branchlets and slender leaves, such'as the “needles” of Casuarinas, the fine leaves of- Melalettcas. and the slender leaves and twigs of Eucalypts of the type of the Yellow Box, Situations of this kind are necessary far the weaving of the delicate nest. This histary of the Maryborough irruption of 1943-4 ends with summer. Mr. Nicol tells me that he examined the environs ef (he lawn thoroughly at the end of February, but, although Mistletae-birds were still to be heard, he could neither see nor hear a single Painted Honeyeater. "Where have they gone?” Mr. Nicol asked: and I could only veply, in the modern phrase, “Search me!" [ assume, however, that all those “Georgies" of the Maryborough district reared at least one brood to cack pair, and that when the supply oi berries became exhausted they collected their young and made eff towards some indefinite point in the northerw interior. That aside, there are other questions relating to the Painted Honeyeatér that I cannot answer. Here are some of them: Assuming thal the species was once a true honeyeater, what caused it to turn to mistletoe berries? Bearing in mind thal Gould saw specimens catching insects on the wing, and that this practice has not since been reported, is it to be supposed that the mistletoe-eating habit has developed, or at least become more confirmed, during the fast century? Where does the species spend its time when not visiting southern N.S.W- and/or Victoria? What causes-it to be so. erratic in its movements and how are those movements regulated? Assuming that the fruiting of nustletoe is the decisive factor, how do the birds “‘know" trom a distance whether ‘the season is or is not favourable? Additional questions arise fram reflecting, upon the behaviour of the other eater of mistletoe-berries, little Dicaewm, Firstly. in view Of the fact that this species may be seen in Victoria during winter, should ii be regarded as more adaptable in its food-tastes than ‘Georgie’? | Secondly, recalling . that the Mistletoc-bird'’s nest is the more accessible and open to danger, why is the tiny bird the better stabilised and more widespread, of the two species? Should we assume, that the ‘sem+-migratory movements of the “Painteds’ affect their chances. of survival? Thirdly, what significance, if. any, is to be, attached-to, the fact ial Crisnotm, Rivds of the Mistletoe , 2k that both these eaters of mistletoe berries are amongst the most heautiful of all our birds? ; Other questions again arise from recent events. Since the “Pamteds” were not in the Maryborough district until about 1937, and then only scantily, what factor or factors caused them to discover the district as a good feeding-ground in 1943, and what factor or factors caused mistletoe: to flourish to a degree sufficient Lo warrant a company visit af the kind? Further to the same point (and possibly botanists can answer this question), tn view of thé fact that Painieds” were not at Maryborough in the - lysh springtime of “42, but were in record abundance in the dry sprmytime of “43, are we to assume that mistleloes fruit best in {iry seasons? Finally, there is the question of a name. John Gould called the bird “Painted Honeyeater” because of its pretty colouring and becatse its general characters (noted in skins seen before he left England} showed it to be related to the Honeyeater family. But Gould did not know—althongh he suspected the species to differ in some respects from true Honeyeaters—that the bird was an eater of mistletoe berries; and now that the point is well established the term “Honeyeater” becomes anomalous, What then should the species he called? “Mistletoe Moneyeater” will not do. “Misfletoe-bird”’ is preoccupied. In fact, if the word '‘Mistletce” is to be used in the title of the “painted” bird, it will probably be necessary to find a “‘Christian”’ name for the present Mistlctoe-bird, Are there any suggestions to be offered? For iis own part, the gay little Grantiella icta, like the bird that “tells its name jo all the hills,” is quite assured on the point—it calls itself “Geargie.” JOHN GOULD TO AUSTRALIANS "Now a word to the Australians, particularly to those whe are interesting themselves about acclimatizing animals from other countnes—wishing for things they have not and nevlecting those they possess, At what cross purpases are we playing both in Europe and Australia?—in Eveland a price is put upon the head of the Sparrow, while in Australia rewards are oftered tor its introduction; but on this subject I must content myself hy prayite that protection may be afforded to that noble bird, the Emu, in order that it may oot be extirpated from the contment, as it neaTly has been from Tasmania, where, I hear, it would require a month's search, in the most remote ‘parts of the island, betore one could sce any of the few that are still living thereon. How inch wall the loss of this fine bird be regretted by every righi-minded person who claims Tasmania as his father- land ?"..-Handbook ta the Birds of Axstealia, Vol, Il, p. 202, published 1865, ox “The Orchids of New South Wales’ - EV ict Nas "THE ORCHIDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES” The Rev. H. M, R Rupp has eclipsed his handy Guide to the Orchits of New Souwh Wales (1930) by a much more pretentious work bearing the abowe title and the date December, 1943. As an lionorary member of the Syduey. National Herbarium staff, to Mr. Rupp bas been entrusted the honour “af producing this first patt of the projected Flora of New South Miatcs. We warmly congratulate both the author and the Herbarium on what is probably the finest piece of monographical botany to issue from an ftustralian press this century. The bonk is a 168-page octavo volume in red cloth, abtainable from the Chief Betanist, National Herbarium, Botanic Gardens, Sydney, for 9/6. Trs-set-up is excellant, the intraduction being informative but not unwieldy, the headings of genera and species in bald, heavy type, the keys simple, well spaced. and, above all, workable, Full citation and synonymies accom- pany every species described, and there is data on the known distribution within New South Wales, with Aowering times indicated against cach locality collection Qccasional notes as to pollination are given, and intricate protiens in nomenclature are discussed throughout. The final section of the book is devoled to a dichonary of impersonal specific and varictal epithets, a glossary of botanical terms as affecling the Orrhidacece, and-a complete index embracing synonyens, The systematic arrangement follows that of Pftzer in the main, which iy a reversal of the order usually adopted im Australian Aoras (with epiphytes at the beginning atid the tribe Meorttiine last). Most of the 24 full-page line drawings are the work of Mr, G. V. Scarome)! and attain a very high order of merit, recalling those lithographic masterpieces of Blume and contemporary Dutch artists. ; Out of a total of 253 species (25 in excess af what Bentham described for the whole of Avstralie in 1873). there are only two at which we feel inclined to Jeyel criticism, viz, Plerastolis sananuate and P. Boormanii sp. nov. The desenption under the former name applies to what we regard as typical P, rufa, whereas the latter is surely a re-description of true P, squamaie. Specific rank has been given to certam entities which Vic- torian orchidetogitts would merge with older species ag imere variants, but that is where the individual tastes of specialists will slways deviate, and so lat as a2 group of plants can be recognized as different, even under varying edaphic conditions, we shall not object to their haying a disfinctive name, particularly if so designated by ane of such long field experience and qguistanding ability as Mr. Rupp, The Oychids of New South Hales is likely to be a scientific reference work for generations to come and at indispensable asset to ithe serious student of Orrhidertrae anvwhere in Australasia. W.H. Nienotts and J, H. Wrents, HAWK AND STARLINGS Twice while staying at Sorrento we saw a Jarre number of starlings fying high over the duncs, with a hawk in pursuit, Massed into a living balloon they flaw as one bird, Occasionaily the hawk dived Into and svattered the cluster, which re-formed again and again. Eventually, his object probably achieved, he was shaken off and we lost them in the blue distance. Ts it possible that tte starlings first united 14 attack the hawk? In the gerden one often sees small birds in force attacking the frogmouth or the kookaburra and even the magpi¢—Enrre CoLeMAn. eee! _ensitaw, Join Eradbeotye, of he National Museu 2 TOHN LEADBEATER, OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM T read with much interest the atcount of John Lendbeater's early history as Sivencby .H. M, Whittell in the March issue of -the Mictorog Nateralivr, and as I was associated with him for a few years priop do: his. dearh in 1888, the following facts may be of additional interest, Just when Leadbeater arrived in MeSbourne is uncertain, but in a Melbourne: Directory. for 1856-7 appears the firm ‘of Williams. & Ibead- heater, Naturalists, 107 Queen Street. The firm was apparently sshort- lived as it did not appear in later issues. ] Jolin Leadbeater was appointed taxidcrmist io the Museum.in 1858 and held that position for about 3) years. He awas recegnized as ast excellent taxidermist and keenly interested in bes work, the results of whith were to be seen it the fine collections of mousted taginials,, bitds, fishes: etec., then on public exhibition. Many examples of his skill may still. be seen in the galleries and cabinet skin collections. Although jrany Major Whittell’s account he collected “for the Londaa House" in all branches at aalural d3story, he did not appear to have uudertakes much, rf any, active field work during Wis association with the Muscum, He was, however, instrumental in acquiring for the Museum numerous specimens, many of which at that time were little known or new to the collections [think [ am correct in stating that he married a Miss Peters, whose father lived for may, years ut Western Port, and ix was through the latter that he obtained from time to time many of the smaller mannnals, and particularly birds, fram that locality, including the hitherte wiknown ‘and 4ull very rate marsupial Gymnobeliders leadbeatert. His chief hobhy was birds, a inunber of which he kept im his aviary, and among these he succeeded in breeding the king and swamp quail. My recollection of John Leadbeater is of one of good appearance and ot a genial and kindly disposition. Thomes, Leadbeater, a rélative, was appointed assistant taxidermist in 1882, His health was very unsatisfactory and he died on 22nd September, 1884.—Jas. A. Kersnaw. Aiter reading the artrle about John Leadbeater -in the Mir. Net, for March, [ examitied a case nt birds we have had in our possession for some years, On the back is a emall advertisement measuring’ 3 x 4 inches, stating under the Royal Coat of Arms; “John Leadbeater, Ornithologist to Her Majesty and the Royal Family," followed hy his address, 19 Brewster St, Goklen Square, London. On the left are the words: “Birds preserved, collectivus artanyed’’; on the right: “Manufacturer of orna- mental cases and cabinets.” Across the tap is written in neat Jiandwriting: “Tohn Leadheater, Melb. Australia,” and “con of” is written between the Royal Coat of Arms and the name John Leadbeater, The case, which is' very licavy, measures about 4 feet high—20 x 38 inches wide, and veomtains 22 birds, 2 nests and eggs—M. £. B. Veeame, Glenferrie. VISITORS TO THE SOUTH While on 2 visit to Portland recently = friend of mine was fishing of the pier when a large turtle swam inta yiew. It was accompariled hy several black-and-white stoped Ash, which kent the vatne telative positions wheneyér the turtle altered its cotitse, ia, bo é¢arh side and just below Jr dts width was estimated at at least 4 fect, Surely this isan unusual meand for so far south? —Ix4 Warsan. eat Setence Conference or Fane Iter ata SCIFNCE CONFERENCE IN JUNE The FNC, ju conjunction with fifteen ather representative scientific sacieties, hat participated im organizing a four-day conference om the "Planning of Science.” te he held at the University Union Thealte on June 6, 8, 10, and 11, Admittance to one of all sessions is 2/- and altentlance is open to the general public. The alms of the confercmce deserve your warmest support and are briefly ;— Critical examination of science in Australia, Policy for orgatiiziig science to meet nmediate and post-war necds. Ways and means for implomenting the scientific utilization of all out atural resources, . Promotion ‘of applied science for the common jgood, Provision of a inificd yoice to express conclusions and ati organization to achieve the above airns, Some 36 addresses and Incturettes will be given by scientific specialists, follawed by discussion periods, and will embrace such topics at the structure of science in Austrulia, the making of a scientist, the planning of research, post-war reconstruction, and the applicalion of science to primary and segondary industries. Sumultancous conferences are to be held in New South Wales and South Australia. Further detaits may be cbiaited from the secretary or assistant editor of the FLN.C, ak wee EXHIBITS AT APRIL MEETING OF FNC Mc. © J. Gabriel —All the Teredo species of Victoria, _Mr. A. H. Mattingley—Bruit o7 the Ovandeng, Sentalum acumiatim, Miss Lyndon—Skull of the hawkshill turtle from Whitsunday Is. Mr, A, N. Carrer—Specimens of molluscs iram Western Port showing Various Parasitic marine growths; also specimens of the cow fish, {Aracana flawigasivay from Flinders, Vic., similar to tliose featured in Wild Life for April, 1944, - Me _ Miss G_ Anchterlonie—A number of garden-grown native plants, including Sitlardiera longiflara (purple apple-berry), Solanum aviculare, Apacris longflora and Melaleuca. nesephita, Mr. B.S. Colhyet—Specimens of the larger Victorian fossil sharks’ teeth, including Carcharadon megalodom, Isurus hastatis, Lamnd aptcalata, fsurus retroflexa, ete. (AN Tertiary in age.) Messrs. H.C, 6, Stewart, J,.H, Wulis, Mrs. M. E. Freatne and others, ~Objects from the Easter Saturday excursion to Seaholme, including live spiders and crahs, shells, and plants of the salt-roarstr; with flowers, hreuthing roots, and a seedling ot White Mangroye CAvicennia murina). Mr.. Owen Singleton—Fronds of Victoria's latest fern record, oy penis pemnigera, from Sherbrooke River, west of the Otways (Jan, Mr; Frank Kitchen, a Boyanup farmer, reports that-iwo large Wedge~ tailed Eagles {evidently from a distant disitict) some two or threc weeks ago visited his farm and carried off one af his sucking pigs. The meat was evidently acceptable to the birds’ palates for despite Mr. Kitehen's constant vigilance they returned from time to time and carried off seven more af his young pigs—H/es!t Australian, Perth, 29/3/44, The Victorian. Naturalist Vol. -63—No, 2 June 8, 1944 No. 726 PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held on Monday, May 8, 1944, at the Royal Society’s Hall, where the President (Mr. DB Morris) and aliout 100 members and friends attended. Among other visitors, Mr, Hanson,” oF New South Wales, and Staff Sgt. Reynolds (US. Forces) were made welcome. Excursion reports were given as follow: Frankston, Mr. P. Bibby and Mr..A. C. Frostick; Balwyn Wild Life Sanctuary, Mr. A, S. Chalk, The following were elected as ordinary members: Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. A. E. Holland, Miss Violet Fletcher; as country iiember: Mr. G, Ashmore; and as associate members: Me. H. R- Shaddock and Mr. Bruce Salau. Wontinations for office-bearers, 1944-45, were received as here- inder :—President: Mr. Ivo C, Haminet. Vice-Presidents: Messrs. H. C. B. Stewart, J. H. Willis. Hon. Editor: Mm A. H. Chisholm, Hou. Secretary; Mr. F. §.-Colliver. Ton. Asst. Seererary> Miss Nanee Fletcher. Hon. Treasurer; Mr. E. E. Lord, How, Librarian: Mr. 13. Greenwood, Hon. Asst, Libravian: Mr, A. Burke. Members of Committee; Messrs. A. S. Chalk, H. P. Diekins, P. Crosbie Morrison, R..G. Painter, G, N, Hyam, H. T. Reeves. Hon. Auditors: Messrs. A. S. Chalk and A. G. Hooke. THE MYRTLE FAMILY An illtistrated lective was given by Mr. P. Bibby, who dealt with the ancestry, distribution, classification, habits, and econanitc impartance of this large sonthern group of plants, ‘Typical repre- sentatives of the various tribes and sub-tribes were portrayed by a fine series of coloured slides, and many instructive and interest- ing facts imparted to the audience. Following are some questions ait at the conchision of Mr, Bibby’s address: _iMr. H.C. FE, Stewart.) What are the largest and smallest members a Mawtaccne i Australia 2 Answer: Eucalypins veynans in the larwzest sntd probably a species of Reeckva would be ihe smaflest. (8. ericaoe af a Victorian Mallee is a midget plant, often only 4 inches high) 2 (Mr. Gates.) What is the oldest type of Euralypt still living Auswer: Possibly gne of clavigero-setosa Broeup, uccurrimge i North Aus- tralia, but confrmatory fossil evidence is_ required, 3. (Mr. C. J. Gabriel.) What is the difference between Calitstontran and Metatencn? Answer; Both genera often exhibit the “hotude-brush” type of %6 Notes on Seruleterens Ve aah mifvrescence, but in the farmer the very long stamens are always free, hag ah Melatenca they are shorter and united in five bundles opposite the petals. 4. Would hot some species of Knuzea be hetter classed under Leplo- Spermian? Answer: Kantsee is distinguished from Leptosperitaine by its exsgrted stamens and closely sessile Aowel's, but certain species have intermediate characteristics and botanists are yet by Wo means in, serecinent ws to thei systematic status. (As late as December Jayt. Mr, Edwin Cheed, former Government Barayist of New South Wales, transferred the common “Burgan’ from Kuuzea to the genus Lepltospermuds) EXHIBITS Mrs. E. £. Freane: Young stages of Goby, Cobbler, Gammarus and Shrimp from Altona, Mr. Owen Singicton: Fossil fruits from the open cat at Yallouri, Mr, tric Muir: @learie vanndosa, QO. flaridanda and a Leek Orchic (Prasaphytion fesco-wrde) trom Dimboola, Vie. Mr, V. 1. Miller) Magnificent specimen of Cyibidiion Traceganuit with three flowering spilecs. Mr. Alan Carter: Specimens of Victorian marine shells of the Jamily Trochidae. Mr, C. J. Gabriel: Marine shells (Cardivn costatun, Linn) from Chivas, Mr. Tom Griffiths: Wateru Fern, solla filtentotdes, vay eubea, fron Victoria. (Syecies afso found in all eastern States and New Zealand.) _ Mr. A. H. Mattingley; Edible fungus, “Inky Cap" (Coprinns atrment- arts). Me P. Fiscii; So-called “Petrified Tea-tree” from Black Reach at Rye = shells (ing’s Macrocallista, Circular Dosinia, Frilled Venend) from Rosebud; variations of common mushrooms, and a small Garhe fungus (Marasmins alhalus) from Koontitig Creek, Doncaster. Mr. J. H. Wills: (1) Coral Lichen (Cladonra retipora) and late anjunin wildflowers from Coimadaj district, inchuding the five orchids Plerostytes parviflora, P. revolyda, P. tendcata, Aefantlins oxsertus and Eviachilus cueniiains. (2) Norocifa, 3 parasitic fish Jonse, common ou ihe gills of flathead. NOTES ON SCRUB-WRENS It is wsually supposed that the main matérial of the nest of the “Devil- bird” {Vellow-throated Scrub-wren) 4s black roollets, but it is really the hosseliarr fungus. I mentioned one day to my sou that J did not know what the sactlets Lelonyed to because on many kinds of plants these black horschau-like growths could te found A few days later he came home from whe jrugh: and said the material was a fungus, and he brouglt some minute mushroom-like heads on the black roots. Under the microscope they were perfect litte mushroom heads with gills, but about the size of an ordinary pin’s head atid brown in colour, 1 took a nest and some of the rootlets growing on twigs Wiig Jown to the Natukalists: Clyb meeting, and was vold that the material was horschair wags. ; The other day [ found in the jungle three nests of the 'Devil-bird” and iwo were oceupied by Large-billed Serubewrens, Sericornis magmrositts, ‘One was cherishing Whree pretty grey egas and the other was feeding three babits. ‘These ladies certainly are getting worse in their lazy housekeeping ways. But why waste a good Jigme? Shouwld they build homes of their own when ready-made ones were available ?—Ha.na Curis, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland. aun Coreman, The Mountain Grasshopper 27 THE MOUNTAIN GRASSHOPPER: A STUDY IN PROTECTIVE COLORATION AND MIMICRY By Epitn Coteman, Blackburn, Victoria During the past few years it has not been possible for me to visit the haunts of the Mountain-grasshopper (Acridopesa reticu- lata), whose hile history 1 have previously descnbed (f’.N., June and Nov., 1938}. Having recently spent three weeks at Sorrento in close proximity to large numbers, I am able to confirm my suggestion that they feed on ragwort, which is all too abundant in the locality. One finds isolated specimens in other parts of Sorrento, but they are numerous only where the ragwort abounds, and here one may see them actually eating out little bights and bays along _ the margins of the leaves. Indeed the ragged appearance of the ragwort betrays their presence. In a natural state 1 have seen them eating no other plant. Although late in the season, —__| there were many males—once . : thought to be rare. I counted Adult female, resting on the ground, 35 one evening. I saw only elytra closely folded over her body, | | lay “ resembles a clod of earth, or crumpled one nymph, and no larvae, leaves. {Protective coloration.) Most of the females appeared heavy with eggs. I watched closely, but saw none deposited. Only two adult females were seen on tea-tree stems, where one might expect to find eggs, and these appeared to be merely sleeping. Scores were basking, or roaming on the ground. It seems probable that eggs may be dropped at random among leaves and twigs. On the other hand, they are covered with viscid matter which suggests that they should be found glued to stems or twigs, just as they adhere to the cage of domesticated specimens. The ragwort had fruited, its hairy achenes had all dispersed, leaving great masses of straw-coloured corymbs of empty disks, on stems up to + feet in height. Here early one morning were found many females, at an hour when bird appetites are sharp. I found a few specimens with the fleshy abdomen missing. Yellow robins, grey thrushes and other insect-eating birds frequented the spot. At a footfall, or the gentlest touch on the ragwort, the insects dropped to the ground. This beetle-like dropping must be of great survival value. One touch by an investigating bill and the insect is lost among the debris below. Unless the bill is open LJ 28 Coceman, The Mountain Grasshopper porttt widely enough to get a good grip, I think few birds would succeed in taking them. Doubtless some are caught when moving slowly over the ground. If motionless they are almost invisible. The males were usually low down on the stems where leaves were dead or dying, and harmonized perfectly with their colours. Tt was interesting to note in the fenvales great variation in colour, some being green with grey, others grey with green markings. It seems possible that the insect is able tu change her colour to fit changing environment. Among the females were five without any trace of elytra, the wasp-like colours being fully exposed. They seemed just as comfortable as the others, merely dropping when alarmed in the manner of the rest. There is mever any hopping or leaping at umy stage of their develop- ent Lime is impressed by the jwrlection of the yarious pro- teciive adaptations in this insect, perhaps one © e mitest remarkable in the world. Motienless on the ground, with elytra closed over her terrifying colours, the female is ywactically invisible. 41 a touch, up go the elyiva 2 touch - me - now - if - you - dare - eallenge, which of course is Elytra raised to show wasplike pure bluff—no more harmless colours, threatening to use a sting creature exists. which she does not possess. (Mimicry.) JT saw some straw-coloured {eek ong (Wl Wer ears just bell “5° stick-insects so perfectly ? camouflaged on the corymbs of empty ragwort disks that they were only betrayed by movement. I brought some of the scapes to Blackburn and placed them im the cage with my stick- insects. Next day every “stick” resting on the ragwort disks had changed its colour to harmonize with its new surroundings. From Cassells Illustrated Family Paper, {5th October, 1859:— Three hundred sparrows, carefully sclected from the best hedgerows in Engtand, have been lately sent to New Zealand. The food alone put on board for them cost £18. The necessity of small birds to keep down the grubs that devastate the crops in that colony has long been felt The farmer is beset by myriads of caterpillars, Should the sparrows become acclimatized and multiply, the greatest benefit will have been conferred on the country. dune Frinay, Breeding of the Platypus in Capripity 2 OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF THE PLATYPUS IN CAPTIVITY By Davin Fieay, B.Sc., Dre,Ev., Director, Badger Creek Sanctuary, Healesville Part 2 That day of October, when “Jill” showed so clearly that she was intent on nesting, was a memorable ocoasion. A considerable number of visitors was present at the tine, and what a treat was afforded them! However, probably not one spectator realized the unique nature of the proceedings, “Jill,” clearly, was not inclined to feed. She appeared to be more interested in making repeated snatches at a leaf fragment in the water, I gathered a handful of dry eucalypt leaves and dropped them in the water. Immediately the lively little animat seized upon them with her bill. With feverish energy she ducked her beak below and under her body, at the same time bending - and tucking her tall forward so that the leaf became held in a neat tail-grip almost identical with the mode employed by both nestibuilding ting-lailed possums and possum-gliders of the penus Pelawrus. | Again and again Jeaves were transferred below water to the grip of the tail, and as the bulk grew the platypus’s hind feet were used ta kick the bundle back into a more compact roll, Ta was a mast amazing sight, and I have often, figuratively speaking; kicked myself since for not taking photographs. All thought of food forgotten (which, in a platypus of “Jill's” calibre, was unprecedented), the little nest-builder swam towards her northern burrow entrance again and again with her tightly-held leaf bundle, anc scuttled inside, There was no hesitation. She had a ‘job to do and she went straight to it. Through the wooden burrows and then up the burrowitg bank she could be heard rustling along with her loads, and then in a few minites out she came for more. From 3.30 p.m. until goodness knows what hour she worked a continuous “shuttle service”’ Food was disregarded entirely, We had provided a veritable floating raft af leaves. I saw her a nurtber of tines during the evening, and when jast imspected at haif an hour past midnight she was still test making! Leaf material was her object, but wisps of prass in the water also were gathered. A second important habit revealed at this time, apart from the actual method of gathering and carrying material, was the fact that all of if was taken from the water.. Wooden burrows through which “Jill” travelled con- lained leaves and grass, but this was entirely by-passed. Even n Heeay, Brecding of the Platypus in Captivity iS ig leaves dropped from her tail-bundles in the hurraws were not picked up. All nesting material was chosen thoroughly wet wt the water. This fact has definite significance. Burrell (Page 180) quotes Kershaw as saying that mere exposure of platypus eggs to dry air produces denting in a few minutes. Mr. Burrelj also suggests that it is the necessity for a moist atmosphere over the incubation period that is part of the reason for the pugging of the burrow. “jill” has shown that the nest itself is made originally entirely of thoroughly wet stuff, and it can be.imagined that leaves and other materia! collected by wild female platypuses would be in an even more thoroughly soaked state than those we threw in for “Jill” on the afternoon of October 23. The thickness of the mest in a platypus nesting chamber, plus its damp nature and the pugging habit, would undoubtedly provide, for same little time, the moist atmosphere mentioned by Mr. Burrell, The afternoon and night of October 23 saw the beginning and the completion of ‘Jill's’ nest-buildmg—~a typical exainple of the restless nervous energy afl our duckbilled oddity. On the following day she emerged at 3 p.m. with no further feaf- gathering ambitions, and chewed away continuously far into the night, This and the following day were the last two days before retirement. It should be understood that a very special diet had been accorded her for some time, consisting of prodigious guantities of beetle larvae, tadpoles, young. yabbies (fresh-water crayfish) and earthworms of several species, Again on October 25 “Jill” appeared—on this occasion at 10.30 aim.—to feed ravenously and contimuously, On both these days she appeared shy and disinelined for any form of frolicking, which was so frequently her custom when I paid her a visif. At dark on the 25th,. after an all-day feeding session, she retired. That was her final disappearance for the incubation period, and it seems reasonable to assume that the first at least of her eggs (ane or more in number) was laid during that night —for her period of preparation and feeding had ended and now she was really down to business. It should be recalled at this point that just a fortnight had elapsed since the only ohseryed instance of mating had occurred, At the time of her withdrawal from public affairs “Jill” was both fat and well, The number of pugs placed in the burrow, thus blocking the brooding animal in her nesting chamber, could not of course be ascertained, but that she was in the habit of carrying out these activities was revealed later when futely- worked dry earth (which, as Mr. Burrell remarks, slips through the fingers like flour) came to light along the course of the opened burrow, dune 1944 Firay, Breeding of the Platypus mt Captiznty 3t Day after day passed by and night succeeded night. with ~ no sign of “Jill!"—nou food was “touched and the water of her long swimmmg pool remained as clear as crystal. Imagine out excitement! | could feel it im my bones that at long last, after all the years of endeavour, luck bad turned and “Jill” was curled up below ground in the pecuhar upnght ball so typical of her kind, while reposing in her lap were the precious eggs (one, two or three) comparable in size with whose of a sparrow. | The earliest sign of a re-appearance by “Jill” was evidence that during the carly morning hours of October 31 she had pushed away grass arranged im the testing burrow “doorway.” She had defaecated in the water, bul no inod had been touched, nor was the water stirred up. -The unimal was not seen, and evidently she had simply come in and cut for the purpose of wetting her fur and defaecation. This emérgence was on the sixth night following five full days and nearly six nights of absence, - On the next oceasion “Jill” appeared—November 1, at 2 p.m—she stayed out for just half an hour. She appeared unusually timid: For the whole of this ime she rolled and swam about in the water, making no definite attempt to feed, bat con- centrating strongly on toilet-seratching of her fur with her hind Feet, and combing her flanks and lower back; and four the first accasion im Uke maiiy (iies she had been watched al this. process her combing extended into the abdominal region in what might be termed the pouch or mammary area. Perhaps this region was matted owing to the stickmess of the eggs whem first laid; or, again, perhaps the stimulus of developimgz mill glands caused “nine ta scratch so continuously-at this spot. During the brief half hour of her outing, she kept her beak pointing anxiously towards her burrow entrance and was never far from it Her outing abyiously had 2 Sout-fold purpose! (a} a_weting, (b) exercise, (c) a cleansing of her fur, {qd} defae- ‘cation, Following her return she could platy be heard scratching through and replacing pugs in her hierraw. Her third outing took place during the early tmoming hours of November 3, sometime between 1 a.m. and dawn. There was little, 1f any, evidence of -feedig—and again the excursion was almost éertainly a matter of defaccation, fur-wetting. and brief exercise. Gn’ account of the considerable loss ef condition noticed in the animal over this period, as distinct fram her appearance following winter absences, added to the forerunnimg preparatory period when she built wo her reserves, I think it mpst unlikely that she passed into any state of torpidity or low body-fémperature 32 Fieav, Breeding of the Platypus in Capiiutty bind aai peculiar to periods of hibernation, On the other hand, Rurrell (The Platypus, page 182) writes: “J am conyinced that duting the three weeks or more which clapsed between the laying of the eggs and the onset of lactation the female not only does not leave the nest but also passes into a condition of partial zestivation,” In order ta convey some idea of the period of inctibation, which must necessarily be somewhat uncertain but is definitely much shorter than was supposed, the following tabulated obser- vations are set out — No. and Date Time Duration from Time Spent Out and Notes of emergence Date of Retirement on Behaviour (7 pam., 25/10/43)) 1, 31/10/43 Five complete days Out during early morning and nearly six hours: for extremely brief nights. wetting of fur and defaeca- tion. No food eaten. Ani- mal not seen, 1/11/43 Six and a half days Observed 2 pnu-2.30 pm. Fur- ; and seven nights, preening and considerable scratching at mamthaty ares. Animal raising her hody side on to reach this abdominal. region. Exercise and fur- wetting “pointing” anxiously with heak at burrow en- trance. 3. 3/12/43, Fight days and nine Not scen. Out between times nights. of 1 atm. and dawn. Evi- dently same as before — simply a wetting, preening and defaecation. Extremely small evidence of feeding. 4. 6/11/43. 1) days and 12 nights. Secn 11 am-ll45 am Looked rather miserable. Feeding; ate a few small yabbies and earthworms. Exercising a Jct. Up on landing board, concentrating | on turning side on and con- tinnnusly scratching “mam- maty area” with hind feet. 5. 7/11/43 12 days and 13 nights. Seen 5 p.m-5.45 pm. Swim- ming actively, fecding, and apain scratching “mammary” aren while on tanding board: “Waving” her bill anxiously at entrance of bur- row’ as seen om previous occasions, Once she made up her mind there was ne hesitation about returning. 6. 9/11/43 14 days and 15 nights, Seetr 12.30 p.m-1.30 p.m. Same w OM ‘ hehayiour. Jine 14d Tiray, Breeding of the Platypus m Captivily aM 7. 10/17/43, Sdaysand (A dighis, Seen 3.30 pims6.30 p.m. Very ; little for-preening. Feeding very vigorously. R W/11/435 16 days and 17 mtgtts Seen 3.30 pm~i.30 pm. Feed- ihe hunevily whole time. Looked well thou usually thick tail had now became : strap-like. 9. 12/14/43 17 ¢teally 18) days Seen 7 p.m-10 pan, Very and 18 nights, hungry and lively. Feeding walks vigorously. . 0. 13/81/44 Actually 19 days and Seen 4 jnims8 pam, Behaviour 19 neglits. similar to last. VW. 4/11/43 Nearly 20 days and 20) Seon 3 pm-6.30 pam, Feed- nights. ing vigorously. Much food consumed jaw. In arriving at a fairly reliable, though naturally somewhat approximate, estimate of the incubation period (which is my main purpose in giving the above table), it is as well to bear in mind Mr. Burrell's chapter on “Nursing habits of the Platypus.” On page 184 he says: “The most remarkable -and mysterious feature about the baby platypus is ihat it js not suckled at all by the mother for some days after hatching, for the very goad reason that the maternal mammary glands are tot yet actively functioual. Investigations of this extraordinary phenomenon have advanced far enough to place the matter beyond doubt - -. The delayed lactation which I have observed may be due to the incomplete development of the necessary stimulus in the early young. How the young platypus is nourished in the meantime I do not know,” From the notes in the table it will be observed that “Jill” concentrated in each of her early outings on at oft-repeated and entirely new habit of scratching vigorously af the area of the mainmary glands, It was no mere preening, and probably may have been brought on by stimulus from within requiring a type-of external massage. In other words, it is possible that the mother animal may stimulate herself in order tu bring about the supply needed by the very tiny helpless babes. Rearing this in mind, and the fact that the mammary pelands are not functional for several days after hatching, and the important vabstrvation by Caldwelt that the egg of Ornithorhynchus when teady to be laid contains an embryo already in approximately the same stage of development as a thirty-six-hour chick, {t seems that “Jill's” activities indicate a very short meubation period. The. mere fact of a three-quarter hour absence from the nest en 6/11/43 (her fourth outing), her feeding on that date, and ty . ‘ ‘ bos ink. ft, Futky, Breedity of He Platypus in Caplivity ea a va) a practically daily appearances for increasingly long periods there- aiter, are strong evidence that hatching had occurred at least several days previously. In view of the evidence set out it is ttot unreasonable lo suggest that the Jongest possible period for eqg hatching was ten days and the shortest perhaps shghtly less than a week. Tt is, of course, quite possible that her first and even second excursions, brief as they were, took place before the hatching point had arrived, and had as their aim the bringing- in of additional moisture. Definite evidence of demands upon the mother’s resources appeared from 6/11/43 onward. when her mammary glands were evidently functioning. She began to feed vigorously and appear regularly for longer periods. An interesting observation was the fact that the times between her outings became progressively shorter, No further scratching of the mammary area was noted afier 7/11/43, when the busy little animal spent her whole water periods in continuous feeding. : Carrying on with the tabulated. and systematic summary of “Jill's” activities from the last listed date, 14/11/43, we have the following — Date Time Spent in Water. Behaviour, 15/11/43 11,30 asn.—3.15 pam. Fed vigoronsly. 16/11/43 12.30 p.m—4.30 p.m. ' Feeding very keonly on yali- . ; ines, worms, grubs, 17/14/43° 11.40 a.n'i.—4 pm, Same as above, 18/11/43 10.30 9 1.—4.30 pom, “TH now Jeft baby ar babies . ’ : in west for six-hour stretches and was with them for ap- TO/11 /43: 8.30 a.m—2?.30 p.m. proximately #8 hours. 20/11/43 Out early mutning hours Honrs an nursery steadily de- —11.30 am. creasing. Zl /4a “TH ont during night. First time out; twice jin 24 Out again 5 pm. ott- hours. wards, ' 22/18/43 Ont 2 am. vntil dark, Her appetite greater than ever. 23/11/43: Ont carly morning and wil day until dark. 24/11/43 11 a.m —evening. : 25/14 /as 12 noon—still ont at t0 Had been out £6 hours con- Tem. ; tinuously feeding and stil = . going strong when last seen, 26/11/43 Ll poe until far into Condition of “Jill? herself : night. “ vastly impreyed. No longer at ail worried about tresiing hiitrew. Resuming her old playful ways and Icisurely ‘preening of her fife on lasd- > Sgg-board at night. Jone inaa Firay, Breeding of the Platypus i Caplrory RN 27/11/43 Gut 3 pm — most of Exhibited each day. night 28/11/43 Out 4 gam. — onwards: Exhibited each ilay- strc night. : - 29/91/43 Ovt 230 pam. onwards = Exhibited each day, 4 through night. : 30/11/43 348 y:m.—through great- er part of sight. “Jill” now had reached her peak as far as maximum foraging periods were concerned—spending as long as fourteen consecutive hours in the water, feeding with very occasional visits to landing’ platforms for a little fur-preening-—while her baby (a single one as we discovered later) was safely tucked away in its nesting chamber behind safety puys in the passage-way, However, itt this process, largely perfor med by the mother’s tail, no further abrading of the stiff hair on its extremity—apart from that Jost in the winter period—oceurred, With the coming of Deceinber, “‘Jill’s” exctirsians took more - of a nocturnal turn, She appeared round about 7 p.m and stayed out all might. There was alsa evidence on December 2 that she had pulled grass from her wooden “burrows” into the water and then probably transferred it as fresh material up the burruw {0 the nesting chamber. Wisps' of wet grass were strewn aver the water-surface in all directions, and also about -the entrance to her burrow. According to calewations about the incubation. period, the single youngster was now (2/12/43) aged four weeks. “Te was very consistent in her outings, appearing cach evening between 7 and 8 pm (E.S.T.), and leaving the youngster to its own devices in the nest all night. She was quite bacle to her normal auttook on Jife--way and carefree in behaviour. Naturally, however, any shortage of food supply on @ particular evening would cause her to emerge hours earlier on the succeeding day to make up the leeway. On the mght of December 7 J caught her for! an inspection, noting that her condition was comparatively fat, while the abderninal mammary ares showed the typicit slight indentation with a median-growth of rusty-red fur differentiating it front the rest of the ventral surface. Domesticated and trusting us “Jill ts, she objected most strenudusly to such indignities as this, so, allbaaigh I made an attempt to express mille by squeezing ,the mammary area, [ had to desist almost at once, On December 13 a test feed was given to ascertain the quantity and weight of Ube assoriment of items the little animal was now i the habit of devouring during her nightly banqtiets. The list included the wireworm larvae of dick-heetles, chafergruhs, stag-beetle larvee, earthworms, and jand yabbies (Yurrowifge Kb Pinay, Srocding of the Platypus mt Capttuity eaten crayfish). ‘lhe youngster at this date was néarly five and a half weeks old Tt was found that “Jill” in this one night consumed a Lypical meal of the following items:— Worms (Native species, larger uhan Ettropean carthworm) 400 Grubs (mainly chafers) : ae anit Cl 438 Yabbies fo fh on etE-- » 38 The total weight of all these items. (without soil of any icnd} was 2814 oz. or 134 tb.! Considering “Jill's” mere 1624 inches lengih and her awn body-weight of 2 tbs. wien im her fattest condition, this test gives some idea of the amazing appetite of Ornithorhynchus-—particularly during some phases of the nursing period. What a terrific time of it mother plafypuses must have in their wild state! Little wonder (see*liter) thal some baby ‘animals leave the nesting burrow too soon. Naturally, an anima! weighing 2 Ib. could not hold a meal of another 134 Ib., and it follows that the nursing platypus mother must assimilate the food as she swims and build up her milk supply to tuil capacily over the extremely long hours (up to 14) of continual foraging, Energetic “Jill” actually found time away from her hours of busy mastication to drive into her nesting chamber from an old side-burrow which she cleaned out—this was now used as an entrance-passage while the original doorway high wp on the north ‘side of the platypusary was abandoned. From December 19 onward, with the youngster then approximately 6% weeks old, there was a noticeable falling off in “Jill's” appetite. She ate few earthworms and concentrated mainly on grubs and yabbies. This, fogether with the abandonment of her former mode of entrance to the nesting burrow, plus the fact that now for the first frme since the pre-nesting period she had commenced working soil ont of the old lrying burrows on the satth side of the platypusary, seemed to me a very omitious state of affairs, “To make my worries worse a family of Swainson's phascogales {large pouchedl “mice” of insectivorous and occasionally carnivorous tastes) had taken to living in and about the platy- pusary, and naturally I imagined that perhaps they had even tasted tender young platypus. Beyond a good appetite “Jill” gave few signs that she had any family responsibilities. She was to all intents and purposes an ordinary platypus “citizen.” As we discovered jater, her labours on the southern side of the plalypusary, where soil would oecasianally be pushed back for 18in, by 6in. by Gin, into wooden “burrows” connecting with the water, were devoted solely ta the purpose of making pugs for yet a third route of daily egress from, and entrance to, the nesting chamber, a Fitay, Breeding of the Platypus tn Coptivity qv f could sometimes watch her at work blocking up the passages —a small creature of marvellous strength and industry. In view of later knowledge, the comperative falling-off in “Jill's” appetite was probably connected with the stage of growth attained by the youngster, Burrell (page 189) remarks: “A rapid rate of growth in the early stages, but such rapidity is explained by the fact that when once the young commence to suc, their appetites increase rapidly. The quantities of food found in their stomachs on dissection are surprising.” It is indeed very probable that once having attained a certaia size, with fur beginning to make an appearance, the youngster enters a quiescent phase, requirmg fess nourishment than previously, In any event, it was true that leading up to the stage of 5-fi weeks, “Jill's” baby required a phenomenal amourit oi nourishment, However, in our general ignorance at the time of “Jill's” late December activities—or shall I say lack of extra activities?—time dragged and I became an impatient and badly disappointed observer, . The days went by until the calendar registered January 3, which would make the inmate or inmates of the nursery at least 8! weeks to 9 weeks of age It seemed that “Jill” must have failed, particularly in view of Burrell’s statement (page 188): “About 6 weeks after hatching the young will have reached a length of twelve inches, By this time their eyes are open, their fur is a quarter of an inch in length, and they are able to erawl frecly about the burrow.” = (In any case it now seemed that, in the interests of finding some record of “Jill's” underground activities; the nesting burrow should be opened, With great care, then, we began this delicate operation on January 3, carefully removing the firm ground from the extreme back of the platypusary so as to avoid as far as possible interference with any tunnels leading to the nesting chamber. Ruther high up near the passage-way used during and after the incubation period, we found a deserted composite nest of prass and leaves. Possibly this was a nest from the previous year, though we had not seen her carrymyg im the matetial, At all events it did not improve our prospects. We dug on—not so carefully now—and found we were following a burrow that ran well below the surface on the southern side of the burrowing hark. On its floor was a good deal of the well-worked bone-dry doury earth that tells of frequent working and pugging. Then ihings began to happen. (To be continued.) 38 Massmer. Four New Species of Diwris Ve Net FOUR NEW SPECIES OF MWURIS FROM MOUNT VICTORIA, NEW SOUTIT WALES By Veart BR. Messmer. Lindfield, N.S.W-. . Que day's work does wot often yield from a locality seme two hundred yards long and cho-widlth of a road eieht species of a genus, four of which are New to science. Such was my guod fortine on October 1%, 1943, wher { went to Mount Victoma jn the Blue Mauntains to procure more material of what appeared to be two new species of Dreis. 1 Wad received dried plants from my son Bruce the previous spring.” Upon investivation of the locality last year, Diuris wacnlata Si., including’ the dark southern forn was lound to be very plentiful, DB. peduncnfate R.Br, DO. patechile Rogers and DB, plotickilns Fite. moderately sn Nat only the two species haped for, but also two additianal mew species, were plewtiful enough to establish their just claims to suche-rank. 1 have called them Dats vieforicusis, D. flavopurfricca, D, polymorpha and D, Tmeata, and haye published my original deseriprions in Die Orchids of Now Sanit “Wales, by Rev. H. M. R: Rupp, Dec., 143. i Between these. four outstanding species, thete ate, 40 many variants, ‘imtermediates and indeterminate forms, that one is forced ta come to the conclusion that, in this lacality, hybridization has taken place to an waysual extent, which, when the confined area of the locality aud the close proximity of the various species is taken into ronsideration, may not be: sm remarkable. Some intermediate forms show s6 many constant charac- teristics, namely, labellum markings, shape, etc., thal, upon turther jvesti- gation mext year, they may merit specific er at least varictal rank, The scason being almost at an end, on the date of my visit, further work fast year was unlorlunately impossible. In addition to the four species from Mount Victoria, 1 have | also described a new species af Davris which [ coilected in. smal] aumbers an the slopes of Mount Jerrabomberra at Queanbeyan, N.SW., in October. 1042. - This was submitted to Mr. WH. Nicholls for examination and he: suggested that [ should call it DO. siwilia on account of its affinities with PD. maculato, but the half-moon shape ef lhe large sidelobes of the Jabellum ‘und the dorsal sepal are so distinctive that T considered D. scimilnnuiata more desemptive Tn may respects this species approaches D. inaculate Sm. but differs in the shape-and preportions. of the Jahcllum, in ihe Iength of the column wings and the anther and an the general aspeet of the more robust and waxy flowers } In the private herbarium: of the Rev. A M, RL Rapp are two specihens which I would refer ta D. wictariensis; one collected by -himself near Launceston, ‘Tasmania, Sept, 1922, and. labelled “doubtinl D. polarhila, but, probally a hybrid between D. aeacnlata and D. pedungylate.” and the ather collected by Mrs, I Persin in the Victortan Grampians, Oct., 1922, and labelled “possible hybrid.” A specimen in the N.S\AV, National Herhatium was collected by W > F Blakely, Sept., 1932, ail tahulled “Gndeterminate,”” but tt seems to tally with some of my intermediates ar hybrids between DL flara-pirpurea and J? lencata Would orchid enthusiasts keep a close watch in the Grampians arent aso the north-east of Victoria for specimens whith accord woth any of these five new Species (ay deseribed in detail in Mr. Rupp's recent worle) * The accompanving plate has been prepared from line-drawings by, the Rey, H, M, R, Rapp and will serve as 4 useful guide fu recognition of the four Mount Victoria Dinris’ Spp. - Messmer, Four New Species of Diuris 39 NA TuaA mre) Fig. A: Diuris victoriensis (1, dorsal sepal; 2, labellum; 3, column from rear; 4, column from front; 5, column wing; 6, crenate ridge on labellum). Fig. B: D. Hneata (1, labellum; 2, crenulate margin of dorsal sepal). Fig. C: D. polymorpha (1, labellum; 2, column from rear; 3, column from front). Fig. D: D. fluvopurpurea (1, 2, and 3 as in preceding). 40 Wis, Excursion to Seahalme Yee Ree EXCURSION TO SEAHOLME SALT-MARSH FLORA AND MANGROVES A fine burst of summer weather added much to the enjoyment of forty excursionists who visited Seaholme on Easter Saturday (April 8th), and it was encouraging to number in the party half a dozen children of club members whose keen interest in wild life and alertness throughout the afternoon is surely a happy augury for the future F.N.C.V. The previous. part-botanical outing held here fourteen years ago registered an attendance of only fourteen (for report by the late A. E. Radda, see Vict. Nat., Vol. 46, p. 220, March, 1930). The sandy cliffs and heathland scrub, so familiar on the opposite eastern sea-board of Port Phillip, are here replaced by a seemingly bare and monotonous lava plain which meets the sea at dead-level, Evidence of a recent slight uplift, with recession of the shore line, is provided in the raised shell beds and ridges of sand that overlie newer basalt immediately west of the railway; otherwise the local geology is not particularly interesting. Between railway and beach is a tidal flat, subject to frequent inundation by high seas, and on this saline swampy area is developed a luxuriant salt-marsh flora. Right at the Seaholme station one steps out among halophytes (salt-loving plants), both native and introduced, ‘and these extend in a more or less continuous belt to the mouth of Kororoit Creek (1} miles north-east) where they attain their best development. Including the few sand-loving plants of the narrow elevated zone between marsh and sea (eg., Stipa elatior, *Lagutus ovatus, *Agropyren junceum, Atriplex cinereum, Salsola Kali, Cakile edentula, *Mellotus indica, *Lycium fera- ctssimum, and *Solanum sodomaeum, which are only margiual to the marsh proper, the indigenous and alien species total about 50 species each and blend agreeably in a fairly stable population—no aggressive weeds are conspicuous. It is thus apparent that, although the salt-marsh is densely populated with individual plants, the number of species is not large when compared with a heathland association or even that of the adjacent but sharply differentiated basalt plains. The leader briefly explained the peculiarities of halophilous vegetation: haw it exhibits much the same physiognomy with the same contributing genera the world over, for only a few groups of plants have become adaptable to high salinity in the soil (sea water is about 34% salt). As in other coastal marshes, as well as inland salt-pans, dwarf shrubs of the “Goosefoot" family (Chenopodiaceae) were found to predominate at Sea- holme (viz., Arthrocnemwum arbusculum, A. halocnemoides, Saltcornia australis, S. Blackiana, Suaeda maritima, and Hemichroa pentandra of doubtful affinity). ‘Physiological drought”? dte to the difficulty of moisture absorption from salt water, is overcome by a rising saline con- centration in the cell sap itself; this attains an osmotic pressure of more than 50 atmospheres in the two Saticornia species ("glassworts’). The late season precluded any chance of viewing those tiny ephemeral plants which flower im the marsh during spring (7riglochin minutissina, T. mucronata, Sagina apetale, Hydrocotyle capillaris. Sebaca albidtflora, Angianthis Preissianus, Cotula filtfolia, etc.) and only occasional blooms were noticed on the Sea-heath (Frankenia pauciflora) and Rounded Noon- flower (Disphyma australe), which are such a riot of colour in earty summer. However, the exquisite green to rosy-amethyst transitions in the foliage of Sea-blite (Suaeda maritima) were some compensation for floral inactivity. aber Wits, Excursion to Seakolme al Holding close to the shore, members were afforded a variety of attrac- tions in the arthroped, mollusc, and bird life to be found hereabouts: excellent examples of the “bird-dropping” spider (Celaenita) and spiny spider (Gastercantha) were examined; the Port Phillip coral (Plese- astraga) and numerous shells were collected, notably Phasianella australis (“Pheasant Shell” or “Painted Lady’) and a sample of Afurex ¢rifermis with colour beautifully preserved; gulls and black swans (several hundred on off-shore sandy shallows) were plentiful, while a flock of the Little Stint or Red-necked Sandpiper defied custom by remaining there when all such birds should haye migrated northward, The culminating interest of the excursion was an unbroken line of healthy White Mangroves (Avicennia marina), stretching along the southern bank of Kororoit Creek for a quarter of a mile from its mouth, Strange indeed it was to gaze upon a strip of distinctly tropical vegetation, so far removed from. its usual ‘association with palins, epiphytes and the like and so near the heart of Melbourne (64 miles away), A. E, Rudda said, These small trees were once abundant around the mouth of the Yarra.” Baron vou Mueller frequented the Yarra mouth in the 1850's, but if he ever collected mangreye, it is not now represented amohg his specimens al the National Herbarium. Just as the term “mallee” is used to denote a certain habit of growth among eucalypts of diverse affinities in arid parts of -southern Australia, so “mangrove” is applied to an assembly of smalt trees favouring tidal mud flats throughout the torrid regions. Mixed mangrove forest is a feature of North Australian coasts, eight species in four different families occurring near Darwin; as one comes south along the Queensland and New South Wales coastline, the components of mangrove torest gradually’ decrease until Avicennia marina alone enters Victoria, penetrating as far as South Australia but not crossing Bass Strait; records for Chatham Island (on latitude 44”, 400 miles east of New Zealand) are quite erroneous. White Mangrove (family Verbenaceac) always occupies water-logged' soil which is inundated by every high tide, but it will not endure exposure: to the wind or ocean breakers. The roots are aerated by singular vertical branches or “pnetimatophores” which project several inches above the mud,. like a crop of asparagus shoots; these structures are brittle. with spongy texture and ahundant stomata. (The northern Black Mangrove, Rhizo- phora mucronata, bears large aerial “stilt-roots” on its trunk, but these are never developed in Avicennia.) Another noteworthy feature is the viviparous habit, secds germinating on the parent plant and the young embryos dropping off mto the mud or sea water for dispersal. The timber is bad-smelling, coarse-grained and difficult to dress, but has been used for mallets, boat-knees and bullock-yokes; it yields an ash that. will cleanse cloth and has been used in soap manufacture. At the time of our visit, most trees were in full bloom (though no fruits: were observed) and the small golden four-lobed flowers emitted a sweet perfume, suggesting pollitiation by insects. Several specimens of the agile mangrove crah (Graphisura sp.) were taken alive frotn burrows among the “jmeumatophores.” So ended this very pleasant afternoan, and all participants were back at Seaholme station in time for a 6 p.m. train. By virtue of the great scientific interest attaching to the mangrove survival along Kororoit Creek, it is desirable that negotiations for a guarantee of adequate protection be made with trustees of the Williamstoww Racing Club, which leases from the Crown that triangular flat of some 30 acres between the eastern fence of the course and the creek mouth, J. H. Wits. AZ Sketch of Basalt Cave at Panmure a QUARRY ~ 7O PANMURE i TO MELBOURNE. Figure .1. Sketch plan of tcranty néar PANMURE Showing position of quarry from which the basalt cave is entered. QUARRY. Figure _¢. Sketch plan of BASALT CAVE af Panmure. Basalt Cave at Panmure. The illustration above is supplementary to an article by the Rev. Edmund D. Gill in this journal, Vol. 60, p. 167 ie: (March, 1944). pot Radial Reys and Bid Behkavione — ~ 43 RADIAL RAYS AND BIRD BEHAYLIOLK (To The Editor) Sip —Two letters appear in your issue of March, 1944, trom Messrs, A. A. Gook and A. HL E, Mattingley, respectively. With regard to the term “radial ray” thus appears to be just as intelligible ag “Laminous Jight,” “musical music.” “paidiul paint" etc. 1 2m uniuivaré that any physicist has ever ased such a tenn, Who coined in? As a specialist in roentgendlegy I ain, of course, well conversant witli ‘ie various electromagnetic waves from the longese wireless right down to the cosmic revs of Millikin, 1 am also aware that a satisfactary cause for alte disenyery of beetles and warms by certain wasps, as beautifully ilustrated by Fahre, has not vet heen obtancd, Moreover many zoaloyisis regard the antennae of certain insects, ctc., as sense organs, perhaps for the reception of electromagnetic waves of certain quality, and they Lave good reason in doing so; but, as far as 2 am aware, such waves although suspected have never been actually demonstrated. But even 1£ ilese were actually demonstrated, it is surcly not logical or reasonable to attribute numerous other eperations such as the Hight of birds to tiese without jurther proof. The Spanish experiment quoied is surely vague aud ghsolutely anvonclisive! ‘ The remarks qnoted about the impulse to seck for food depending on environment 18 not supported by preol and is absolinely unconvincing, and yagne. The fact remains that the newly-hatched spider can spit # miniature wel) just tike its parents withonwt any previous experience. No other explastation than instinct—of this. phenomenon, at present very littl. understood—can apply unlil siutisdactory proaf of the aclial cause, based upon experiment, can We adduced and zoologists wall continue to Use the tery “onstined’ antl futher informyalion is available toa justify the application af a more satisfactory cause. The brain is not peculiar in providing electronic impulses, for sich are preset i many other vssucs, notably miusele, heart, gland, ete, and is inerely a function of the activity of these These facts are Hot al ull relevant to the question at issuc. Re directional guidance. Although this thay be suspected for anseers with speelal organga, there 18 no evidence of the ¢xistence of amy sucle guidance in-birds, nor is there amy indicution of the presence of any such sente organ. The dogmatic statement “what is ceriain is that some form of ray in the environment surrounding the hird acts upon it in directing: its course and must motivate its action,” is absolutely unjustified by (he ‘facts. The behaviour of the reef beron can be casily oxplained by simple means well known—Yowrs, ete, M. Fheckkhk, Caitns, Queensland, “Many begumers sweat nmutdlessly after wie rare, Common objects have the widest and deepest significance, and there is never any end to wlhiat vou can Jearn about them. Instead of the rare, go after whal is new to you; yow get the same thrill.” “Some people think of nature only as something io collect. Alas for the butlerflies, birds’ exgs, ferns and orchids. A collection, of course. cau be scientifically valuable, but the collecting mania ts nat redated 16 science oF to the ebjoymen|) of tative; the urge to Iraye something apa aise has Isreake the first rile of honest science."—Dowais © ATTIE. ‘ 44 Chistesing of Mfood-Siwallaws Me He ‘CLUSTERING OF WOOD-SWALLOWS On 26th Pebruary 1944. at & pm. my daughtér called me to see a cluster of wood-swillows im one of our, gum-trees at Blackburn. Like a swarm of great bees they clung, altnost encircling the stem, where three forks meet at about 15 fect from the ground There must have been &) ar more in the awarm judging by the number of bills or tails 1 managed to count. They suggested a. pill-box bristling with guns or a pight-mare chister of saw-fly larve. Sonre were head up, others head down, while the rest chine horizontally or at varving angles, so that tails and bills protruded like spmes of an echidna. When motionless they resembled a dense mass of mustels clinging to the pile of a pier, For a time there was much “talking” and fidgeting as they pushed in and out of the cluster, each seeming to seck a cosy spot, althourh the evering was watm and Sultry. When one fell out of the swarm it morcly clutched the bark 2 oc F fect belaw and clambercd back instead. of Aying, while ail tlre rest made encourspeng lithe sounds, At about 8.30 p.m. a magpie flew into and dispersed the cluster, We did not sce them re-assemble again that evening, . Next evening they clustered again in the same place at tle same time, and remained all night, As there were no droppings on the ground it was obvious that faeces were retained during the period of clustering. We left for Sorrento an February 28, hut my husband siaticed the swarm in the same tre¢ for atlother week.—Emra Corman, BOWER-BIRDS "THEATRES" On the edge of a palls througls tse jungle I found a very pretty bower qiite unike anv T bad ever seen. Jt was small and very neat and the depression inside was complercly covered with the lavender Aowers from the kangaroo-apple bush, There were na otnaments at all outside the bower, I did mot see any bird. This was not a Satin Rower-bird’s Lower (it was toa small), dnt |b have never sen a Regent Bower-bird's bower decked With duc or lavender. 1 think if mnst have been 4 Regent's bower {wliac else could it be?) but it-alters: all my records of bowers of the species. A. Regeutchirds’ picnic was held in an mkweed just outside aur flower- Nanuse one morning. There wert three fully-plumaged males at the party, and they made a very lovely sight with their rich colours of hack and gold —-Hinns Curtis, Tamborine Mountait, Queensland. : TASMANTAN TIGER REAPPEARS Mr. Charles Spencer, of Fitzgerald, reports having seen a ‘tine specimen of the Tasmanian tiger in the Styx River Valley about five mules from Kalists, at the terniinus of the Derwent Valley time, Mr. Spencer says ihe tiger was beautifully marked and would measure at least 6 ft, from tip to tip, Mr, Spencer, wha is an experienced bushman, was engaged cutting a track from the Styx to the Franklin’ range, and had a good opportunity of seeing the animal, Jt was not aware of his presence umil he spoke, and then it only went Icisurely away. Mr. Spicer also states that he saw the Lracks of a female tiger with cubs af Adamsfield fast March. Tn the days when there was a price on the head of the tiger. Mr. Spencer had eausiderable experience in hunting {t in the Swansea district, I is now very searce—( Hobart Mercury.) A ' The Victorian Naturalist Vol, 61-—No. 3 July 6, Io44 No, 727 PROCEEDINGS The annual meeting of the Club was held on June 12, 1944, at the Roval Society's Hall, where the President (Mr. P. F. Morris) and about 100 members and friends attended. The Hon. Secretary announced the recent death of two Club Members, Miss E. L. Keartland and Mr. A. Underwood, and a tribute was paid to their memory. The following matters were reported on by the Hon. Secretary : Conlerence of scientists at the Melbourne University with an attendance of over 1,000; a mecting of combined socictses in the matter of the proposed Cultural Centre; receipt of a letter froni Prof. W. E. Agar thanking the Club for congratulations on, his being presented with the Clarke Medal; receipt of letters from Liew. Noel Lothian (past Assisi. Secretary), now in charge of the 3rd Army Farms Coy.; and Capt. Lee Burchan, of the U.S. Marines, sending good wishes to the Club... - An excursion to Mooroolbark was reported on by Mr. R. G. Painter. Mr. H. C, E, Stewart reported that the Kalorama excursion was cancelled owing to train restrictions. : The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club: Mr, and Mrs, Savage, Mrs. Robertson, Miss Latham, Miss C. Clark. as Country Members: Miss Lorna Hansson, Mr. R. A. Hansen; as Associate Member: Miss E, Hill - é Mr. H. W. Davey was electéd as an Honorary Member of the lub. The Annual Report was read hy the Hon, Secretary and its _ adoption was agreed to on the motion of Messrs. V. H. Miller and E.S. Hanks. Mr. Gates spoke on the work the Club had done over Many years. The Balance Sheet was read and explained by Mr_ A. G. Hooke, who proposed its adoption. ‘This was seconded by. Mr. A. 5 Chalk and carried. . - ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS - Mr. P. F, Morris, as retiring President, called on Mr. Ivo C. Hammet to take the presidential chair. Mr. Hammet thanked members for the honour done hin. 1 ty ; Vics, 46 Sonth Australian Cork Yeh al Other officers elected were: Vice-Presidents, Messrs, H, C E. Stewart and J. H. Willts; Hon. Editor, Mr. A. BH. Chisholm; Hon, Secretary; MreF. S, Colliyer; Hon, Assist. Seeretary; Miss Nance Fletcher; Hon, Treasurer, Mr, E, E. Lords Hon. Librarian, Mr. D. Greenwood: Von. Assist. Librarian, Mr A Burke A haifot for Committee returned the following; Messrs. A, 5, Chalk, H. P_ Dickins, P. Crosbie Morrison, G. N. Hyam, H, T. Reeves. NATURE QUESTIONS Mt. R. G Painter asked why Honeyeaters (“Greenies”) chat- tered and attacked a Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Mr, Miller suggested if was rmistaken for a Pallid Cuckoo or a Hawk. Mr. Chisholm said that small hirds often attacked large birds that were strange to an area, and that Greenies were naturaily aggres- sive. Mr. V. H. Miller asked whether the Blackbird or the Thrush was the first to begin singing. Mr. Chisholm replied that the Thrash was usually about two months ahead of the Blackbird. Miss. Wigan stated she had heard odd Thrushes in April, and that Blackhirds were now beginning to sing. EXITIBITS Mr. Ivo C. Hammet: Gardeusgrown native pals (Diplolaena granadsflora, Hakeo petiolovis, Fl. sulcata, Correa reflexa, Miola, hederacea). Mr. Tom Griffiths: The Tree Cricket (Poragryllagris combusia) - Mr. P. Crosbie Morrison: Egg of the giant Gippsland Earthworm (Afege- scoltes gippslondicus showing the unhatched yourlg, Specimen from Korumburra, Victoria. Mr. J, H. Willis: “Red Stink-horn” fungus (/thuphalius rubicundus), an Sachauaon and remarkable species, occasionally appearing on Buffala-grass awis. Mr. C. French: Correu cefleta, var. rubra, from Anglesea, Mr, KR. G, Painter: Fight species of garden-grown native plants. | Mr, F. §, Golliver: ‘Three skulls of Kodlas and a skull of a domestic goat fram Quail Island, SQUTH AUSTRALIAN CORK We have been shown (reports the 5.4, Register) by Mr. A- Hardy, M.P., 3 sample of cork, nearly an inch thick, stripped from a cork tree xrown by lim near Mount Lolty, at an elevation of about 230 feet ahove the sew level, In 1864 the then Government obtained from Spain a number of acorns | of the genuine cork tree of conimerce, Many of these were distributed through Dr. Schomburgk, and Mr, Hardy obtained 25 plants, of which 20 are now in 4 Adurishing state, The tree from which the bark referred 10 was taken is over 12 fuet high, and iy 18 inches in cirewnference at one foot above the ground. ‘The sample will be sent to Philadelphia, and will no doubt form a noticeable addition to the list of our products, It 1s. evident, too, that the carlt tree could be profitably cultivated here ote a larger scale (From a Sydney newspaper of January, 1876), : ps7 Anaual Report 47 SIXTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT The Membership is as follows: Hon. Members, 15; Ordinary Members, 253: Country Members, 94; Associate Members, 18. Total Membership 380, being an imcrease of 41 on figures for the last report. t Still more of our miembers are on service with the Forces and we note the following: Messrs, K. E. Ash, E. V. Barton, R. S. Bellinger, J, L, Bignell, J. A, (W/O) Blackbur, T, H, (Major) Brinn, C, A. Burley, A, Carter, A. Coulson, W, R. Cover, G, J. Dungas, J. Firth, H, Fulton, M. Furze, D.C. Geddes, W. (Dri) Geroe, D. EL Greenwood, Keith V. Hately, R. D, Kent, M. F, Leask, N. (Lient.) Lothian, R. G, Matthews, CC. Ralph, B. M. Slogpett, N. A. Wakefield, and J. Waterhouse. Possibly there are others and' the committee would be glad to have their nares. We record with sorrow the death of the following members: Mr. A. F. Fullard (1901-1943), Mr. F. Chapman (1902-1944), Miss Ethel Bage (1921-1943), Mr. George Aiston (1927-1943), Mr. A. B. PL Underwood (1935-1944), Mr. Lance Le Souet {1943-1943}. _ Attendances at meetings have averaged about 90 and a series of interesting lecturettes and symposiums was held during the year. The displays of exhibits have been well maintained, Excursions this year were subject to minor alterations only, and the several close-hy localities gave outings of good general interest. Volume 60 of the Victorian Naturalist has’ beet completed, and, flatwithstanding paper rationing, the standard of publication has been maintained. War conditions have again prevented matters affecting the protection of fauna and flora irom recetving the attention that is their due, but we haye considered many items and contacted the relevant authorities. Matters in which the Club was called to coliaborate included: Investigation into the high price of scientific books; Provision of accommodation for Alhed Societies in the proposed new Cultural Centre or vacated National Museum build- inz; Control of Sherbrooke Forest; Save the Forests campaign: Proposed Memorial to the late Mr, EF. Chapman at Maranoa - Gardens, and the Conference of Scientists convened by the Aus- tralian. Association of Scientific Workers, _ A sub-committee for the Cultural Centre project arranged a meeting of interested kindred societies and further joint meetings are anticipated. _ Owing to the fact that many of our kindred societies are in recess, we were not asked to assist so much at displays, hut on the other hand several of our members have been prominent in lecturing to the Forces and other organizations, 4a Awnivat Report Tc The Junior Club at Hawthom was successfully inaugurated this year and we hope this will prove the forerunner of other such clubs and feedér societies in the suburbs. To stimulate interest among the juniors a small show was staged at the Hawthorn, Free Library from October 4-9, 1943, and proved very popular. The Australian Natural History Medallion was awarded this year to our fellow-member Major H, W. Wilson, recently of the Teachers’ College, and the presentation was made by the Director of Education, Mr, J. A. Seitz. } No Wild Nature Show was held this year, mor does it seem possible to stage one for the duration of the war, but we look forward to days when the Club can again bring Natural History before the general public in this popular way. The Plant Names Sub-committee has made show but definite progress with its revision of the Census and findings have been published in the Neteralist with a note asking for comments by interested people; these are mm turn carefully considered and desir- able alterations made to vertiacular natnes, The successful breeding of the Platypus at Badger Creek prompted one member to offer the sum of £25 toward a fund for Mr. David Fleay, if the Club could raise a similar amount. Mr. Fleay would not accept the'money for himself, but agreed to tise it in, the best interests of the Healesville Sanctuary, An Author Index for the first 60 volumes of the Naturalist has been commenced and the work is progressing favourably, although more slowly than at first anticipated, This will be a useful piece of work and the Committee is hoping to make arrangements for pnnting it in due course. _ The appeal for old pamphlets, members’ lists, newspaper cut- tings, etc., made some time ago his yielded a few tteins, but the material to hand is not vety represeritative. Members are asked to keep this matter in mind, since the Committee desires as complete a collection as possible of these interesting relics. We have welcomed to our various meetings visitng naturalists and members of the Allied Forces stationed here, and from Hime to time it has been a pleasure to sec some of our own country members. Toa Mr. MacCrae Howitt we tender our sincere-thanks for con- tinticd use of his rooms as a Commiltee meeting place; to Mr. Cooper for his onerous work in addressing wrappers for the Naturalist; to-Mr. F, A. Cudmore for completing our set of [7sld Life; and to Mr. J. A. Kershaw for a good series of early Club meeting notices. A comprehensive expression of thanks is ex~ tended to all who have given-of their time and energy toward the advancement of the Club and its idesis. re FIELD ‘NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA . -. .-STATEMENT..OF RECEIPTS . ‘AND EXPENDITURE FOR 12 MONTHS ENDED 0th APRIL, 1944, R&ceirts Co EXPENDITURE Balance at Banks on Ist May, 1943— . ; Fiétorian Naturalist— ; ES. & A. Bank ,. .. £23 8 10 ol Printing .. -. 5. +) -. 2) ++ €18815 0 State Savings Bank 57 16 6 Illustrating ce oee te ey ee ee)60 BOD Ne 15 4 Index .. 00. -} sy ee ae ys ve) 3 18 6 Subscriptions— Despatching .. .. 2. 22 64 ee es 712 °5 Arvears ,, -, -. ., £3217 0 ———— £24013) Current .. .. .. ,. 20211 6 Reprints... bien a: 1 2 6 In Advance .. .. .. 31 2 7 Wrappers for ‘despatching Naturalist |... -. 1218 9 ae £265 11 1 Postage and Freight .. .. so oe 63 0 Cash Sales of— Genéral Printing and ‘Stationery 6 Se 514 3 Victorian Naturalist < £2 10 6 Library .. .. sar ALE 1z Publications ,. .. -. 408 Rent and Caretaking . Sg een tes eta sail 17 10 6 Badges .. 6. 4. 6. 3.5 0 Affiliation Fees .. 6. 2. 60 ck we ee ee en 10 6 916 2 General Expenses 0. 6.06. cue ee ee te ve 5 310 Interest Beeeiyet— ; ——— “Best Fund” . .- #1 i 9 - #290 8 9 Fixed Deposits Ly 3 : Invested in Cospmcnrealth Loan— Commonwealth Loans. 25 ‘ s: . “Best Fund” ., .. :. .: .. .. £50 0 0 Savings Bank ,, .. (1 General .. .. .. ww. .. 2 100 0 0 ——— 2 9 0 , 150 0 0 ——— 304 16 3 —_— Kixed Deposits Matured— ; : £440 8 9 “Best sical opadi« tee os §6©£50 0 °0 Balance at Banks on 30th April, 1944— General. uc os ue ty ee ce ee «650 000 EBE.S. & A. Bank .. .. 1... -, £7010 5 : —— 10 6 0 State Savings Bank: joy sey ae 3.2 5 “Dayid Fleay"” Testimonial .. ., .. .. .. .. 28 0 0 —— ._ 73 12 10 #514 3.7 £514 1 7 [a saays sug TIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA BALANCE SHEET ON 30th APRIL, 1944, LIABILITIES ASSETS Late Dudley Best Fund .. .. 2. i. -- 4 £0 0 0 Arrears of Subscriptions— Subscriptions paid in advante .. 6... ek es 3ko2 7 Estimated to realize... 6. 4) ey cp ae #40 0 0 Special Trust Account .. -. <2 ue ye ey ee 1215 3 Advertising charges due ,. -- -. -. wun ee 10 0 0 —_—- State Savings Bank— £93 17 10 General Account .. ,. .. .. ,. #3 2 § “David Fleay” Testimonial ., .: Fla! 28 0 0 Special Trust Account .. .. .. 1215 3, Balance, being sttping fe Assets “over Lia . a 1517 8 bilities .. ., ; é . «1,553.10 30 | ES. & A, Bank— - ’ j General Account .. 2. 60006 2) ee ee ce 70.10 3 Investmetits— 3H . Coramonwealth Bonds: : > : Late nad Best sind ,. £50 0 0 General .. .. . « .. 750 Bb 0 _ 800 0 0 » Library, Furniture and Epidiascope— ; : At insurance value .’. eefes 680 0 0 Stock on hand of Books and ‘Badges— At valuation; Fern Book .. .. 1... -- .- £9 0 0 Fungus Book .. ..°i:. .. . 19,0 0 Club Badges ..'.. .. 6... 100 ——_ 59 0 0 £1,675 8 1 : £1,675 8 1 Audited and found correct on 25th Maye cee CHALK xe FeGik } Hon. Auditors, «BLE, LORD, Hon. Treasurer, yaoyS aounjoy TD TPA ] “WN PEA rad | . Méarts, Value of Valure Sacioties to the State 51 THE VALUE OF NATURE SOCIETIES TO THE STATE Summary of Presidential Address to the F.N.C, by P. F. Moms Tt was a momentous day for Australians when the ship Endeavour hove-ta in Botany Bay on April 28th, 1770, Accom- panying Captain Cook was a party of skilled naturalists headed by Mr. (later Sir) Joseph Banks, who had personally subscribed £10,000 towards the scientific work of the expedition. A duplicate set of the specimens collected by Banks and Sojander is now housed in the Melbourne Elerbarium, ' As the first settlers arrived native pastures werd located and a rapid development m the pastoral mdustry followed, Wheat breeders and plant hybridists gave ta the new Austrahans suitable plants for their country, whilst the merino sheep breeder founded studs which produced the finest wool an the world's market to-day, The pastoral pioneers were sound practical men, thinkers in ther own Jine of research, and to-day we must realize the value of their endeavours. These men and women may be styled our first naturalists., r Jt niust be borne in mind, when reviewing social progress m a new country like Australia, that any comparison with the tnore settled European communities, living and working uncer different conditions of climnte, geography, geology and ethnology is entirely futile, The tsolated position of Australia, the sparseness of its population, the forhidding character of its forests and deserts, seenverL to conspire against even the most strenuous efforts to extend to the pioneer the benefits of modern social institutions, It was just here that the early scientists were able to help, by the establishment of natural history societies and the publication of suitable literature. : Natural history societies contributed to the welfare of the community by bringing members regulacly together to share observations and express opinions: excursions were held to. the seaside or country for studying the fauna, flora and geology of. each State. Such contact with nature span develops a lively interest outside the ordinary routine of city living, These interests we know to he worth while; they are educative, curative and stimulating. Vducation is fundamental to social progress. Nature is a great teacher when she comes it contact with a kee and receptive mind. True knowledge does not come from books, but from practice; one gives us information, ihe other familiarity -with an object, which is permanently imprinted on the mind. Our conversazioges, exhibit nights and field excursions enable us to practice what we choose and knowledge so gained is passed.on from member to member- “_ ie . $2 Mauris,’ Malne of Nature Soeitis to the State Vast, wraty The successful Iwsiness swan is very often self-made. His know- ledge and suecess have beet gleaned along the hard road of expen- ence, He has learned his work by applicd science. The, fact that man’s very existence upon earth is duc to yegetuble matter is often disregarded by the multitude, Students of nature are lovers of the earth, the skies, and their products, and join together to protect the natural features of their native or adopted countries. The earth is a loving rnother to all plants, amimals and men. She gives us the cheniicals necessary to build our skeletons. our bodies and brains; the sun aud at provide the rest. Our chief aim is to preserve a balance of nature, knowing well its significance to the present and fnture generayions. The present world condition of war places upon us all the necessity for special care of our collections. Destruction to scientific institutrons abroad js constantly enhancing the yaltte of our own collections; nulitary occupation and despohation of wide natural breas makes replacement of scientific material in many cases impossible. “he material we have, boih Jiving and preserved, must not be neelected; it ts a trust whieh we must bear for our fighting men and women and for the culture and lite of future generations in our Commonwealth, Natural laws euide the earth kindly, but mati tears and burns- Tle over-crops the urable laud, over-prazes the pastures, destroys the forests, antl erosion takes place; the birds disappear and insect and mice plagues harass agricultural communities, which trek to the cities. The knowledge of, or ignorance of, a few facts of nature may meat the difference of millions of pounds to us. The recently introduced cabbage or white butterfly has laid waste our cruciferous crops; & [ingus disease recently introduced may prob- ably wipe our the daphne growers, while St. John’s Wort is still costing Australia many thousands of pounds yeatly. It is useless to expect the trained orchardist to keep his land clean when every cottage garden in his vicinity is a breeding-ground for the pests against which he is battling in fear of the law, * ‘There is a notion that a waturailist should be a rechise, one unfit for hard work. This could apply to so-called highly educated classes, but it is net my judgment of fellow-members, who seem to be drawa from all ranks of society. Many of the leading scientific workers in Australia are self-taughir. There sre at least two types of study in natural history: (1) original research or the thorough study of # branch of natural’ science in detail, with all necessary chservations, experiments and’ calculations; (2) the study of scientific facts wilhout a mastery of the methods or processes by which they have been ascer(ained—a form of stady which may be compared ta wandering on pleasant 1 Monets, Valve of Nature Societi¢s to the Stato SF by-paths beside the regular roadway, The latter methods generally lead fo the former inore important phase. Of all the attractions of rurad life, probably none is more interesting and profitable than the study of the periodic phenomena associated with plants and animals, and to persons engaged in rural pursuits they wre a concern of great moment, (The germination of seeds; the blossoming of flowers; insects and their larvae; the migration, song and nesting of birds; the habits anc instincts of animals: all are phenomena largely dependent on seasonal and meteorological conditions, and therefore correlated.) During the present century, study of naturat history has altered much, both in methods and in character. It no longer consists of merely collecting, preserving, classifying and naming plants, insects. or animals; bul embodies the development, life history and periodic phenomena of such objects and the relation they bear to each other and ta the pleasures and wants of man. What a wonder(ul change has been Peon during our lifetime by the discovery of radio, radium and the germ origin of disease. ft should be clear,. too, that the life histery of stock diseases must be given most serious consideration, a8 matry ate translerable to man and are probably the cause of high infant mortality. Educationists realize that impressions gained in childhood are the most vivid and lasting and that knowledge must be flavoured with something different from the daily class-roont routine, Let our children acquire the habits of close observation and the added power of reflection upon the facts observed, so that what is studied becomes theirs in very truth and must out in character and deed. “Nature study is learning those things in Nature that are best worth knowing, to the end of doing those things that make life most worth living.’ This statement by Professor J. Hodge expresses admirably the whole purpose of nature study and the value of tatural history sacieties to the State. The association of workers in natural history is, in fact, no longer a matter of choice, but of necessity. Collection, classification, and publication by the- various societies throughout Australia is an essential element in modern progress. SPECIMENS WANTED Mr. Melbourne Watd, well-known as a naturalist, who has recently opened: a “Gallery of Natural History and Native Art” at Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, is anxious to secure specimens of insects, preserved lizards amd snakes, shells and similar objects of interest. He 3 prepared to buy or exchange and will be glad to hear from collecaors. The address is Gallery of Natoral History, Medlow. Baths, N\S.W. The Editor acknowledges receipt of several papets that have had ta be- held over, together with two letters oi the interesting siibject of radial rays., 5 Fleay,. Breeding of the Piatyprs in Copticaty ee OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF THE ' PLATYPUS IN CAPTIVITY By Davin Freav, B.Sc., Dre.Eo,, Director, Badger Creek Sanctuary, Healesville Part 3 Suddenly, in a bend of the burrow dry leaves showed up— there was a shrill sustained growl of annoyance (like that of a broody hen) and “Jill's beak and head poked out, To our delight, and horror also, there bulged: out and was pushed out —as “Jill” in her rage turned her back and began to throw out nesting material and earth to block opt the daylight—a blind, fat, wrinkled babe with satmy short fur forming a very thin coat. The baby creature had a tiny stubby “milk bill,” aptly Jikened by my assistant (Cecil Milne) to the beak of a Cape Barren goose. Here at last was actual proof that we had really bred the platypus. It seemed also that we had wrecked all our chances of complete success by unwiltingly breaking in too soon! At cight and a half weeks this youngster was only nine inches long and entirely helpless, its only utterance a kiss-hke sucking sound, and its only movement that instinctive lifting of a hind foot to po through the characteristic motions of scratching the fur on tts fianks. On jhe ankles of its hind feet tiny spurs were visible. A frantic few moments followed with the camera recording half a dozen hasty pictures. What would “Jill” do? She haa already thrown out part of her nest and blocked the way by which we had disturbed her. We thought at the time that in with her was another infant, or perhaps two, but later observa- tions proved the baby we photographed to be the only one IT scraped away her hastily-constritcted “pug” and endeavoured to replace the bahy, However, she persisted in her “back-shoving” and buried the baby with earth. I repeated the performance, got the baby fairly well tn, and then built a “pug” of my own, so as to block it in. Then we fitted a hollow log over the spot and filled up with an overburden of earth and ald bags. ‘ It can well be imagined that our feelnigs were very dubious, What goad all the notes so far if “Jill” did not rear this little fellow? I called back that night after dark to see if “TN” had pushed the baby out into the loose soil in the hollow log, and it was slightly ré-assuring to find that she kad not done so, Evidently, however, she wasn a considerable turmoil over the event, for an haur after we had replaced the youngster inthe burrow at mid-day “Jill” appeared in the waler in abvious agitation. And hers was not the only disturbance of mind! We had staked everything on a successful isstie with the platypus ik Fieay, Breeding of the Platypus in. Captivity $5 —tven io almost rvinows expenditure from slender Sanctuary financial resources—in purchasing food that cost at least £1 per day, and in dry summer months 22/- to 25/-, It seemed jhat if was this season or never, and, in spite of all, this season it was! Following several weeks of doubt and worry, subsequent to January 3, it was found that “Jill” had re-established her quarters and maintained her youngstér in spite of the general upheaval, Considering that this small mother animal is a member of such -an exceptionally nervous species, with probably no temperamental equal among the world's furred animals, no tnbute to her mothercraft can be too high in view of her actions following the breaking-up of her home. Here, in the survival of her helpless youngster, is noteworthy evidence of a strong maternal instinct in the platypus—one reason, perhaps, why this ancient species has managed to survive and,even thrive in modern days, Why, cven a tarne doe rabbit would probably have deserted her brood had the nest been interfered with as had "Jill's.” For séveral days after the disturbance I could hear her towards evening, through the walls of the dwelling, excavating passeges and also pugging up the outlet near her entrance to the water as she prepared tor the night's feeding activities. Actually, it was not for two days after the imspection of January 3 that “Till? got back into her-normal habits of feeding. The night following the excavation af her nesting tunnel she spent within the burrows, evidently keeping the youngster warm, for later inspections revealed that in thoroughly pugging up the original entrance that [ had ruined she pushed out her whole nest and much soil beside. Then she dug a new entrance and exit burrow to the nesting chamber on the opposite side irom the original one which we had unwittingly destroyed. Tor weeks, thea, the youngster was entirely without “bedding” of any kind until on the next inspection I provided a new collection of leaves, which “Jill” accepted quite gratefully, On January 3, then, it was found that the youngster, whose sex at that time could not be determined, but we now know by the disappearance of its spurs to be a female, had attained a length of nine inches and was blind and entirely helpless, with a very short growth of satiny fur, at the age of eight and a half weeks. Such observations, and others to follow, do not agreé entirely with Burrell's notes on incubation and adotescence, but, as I meritioned previously, this is not surprising, for throughout his long and careful work resulting in the classic book on the platypus, Mr, Burrell did not have the good fortune ta keep a y Vist: Nat- Val. 6t % Firay, Breeding af the Plaryprs in Captivity breeding platypus where he could watch il. He had to make his estimates irom jaborious field-study over long years, for which valuable work naturalists the world over, and I particularly, are grateful. to him. From mid-January onward “Jill's” furry coat took on a very sorry appearance. ‘This was partly due to the arrival of the moulting period. Each year in southern Victoria towards the end of January and beginning of Fchruary platypuses lose their old. coats and rapidly grow new ones, Worn patches on tails: are covered by a fresh growth of hair in a very short period, and il is a0 time before a platypus is clad m a new and glossy coat of superb fur. “Jil” with her domestic. cares, was terribly “moth-eaten” ant ragged, but extremely cheerful, with a streaky worn patch front shoulder to hip along the left side of her body. This was: evidently duc to some position adopted in the burrow or to some activity on the part of the baby. Abont the middle of February her new coat began t cover these marks of wear and tear. Evening afier evening, when I arrived at the swimming tank betore her advent int the water, her progress along burrows could be anarkeil by careful listening. ‘The digging and scrambling noises as “Jill” dug through earth-blocks in the burrows and pushed them hack again after her, were unmistakable. ‘Che fairly frequent dog-like shakings of her body ta rid herself of loose earth dosing these operations sounded at close quarters like distant thunder. The second inspection vf the youngster (when all doubts as te ts safety were dispelled} took place on the evening of January 26. Tt was obvious that by now the youngster should have made considerable progress, and since mid-January the mother’s appetite had increased until she was demanding almost as muclr ~ as she did tm late December 1943. On the evening of the second parade of the youngster; “Jill” had already journeyed into: the water, where she was “‘splash-diving” in mock alarm and rolling and twisting between submerging for food items. Now aged eleven and three-quarter weeks, the youngster meéasured eleven inches in length; its fur had grown longer ou the body regions but not on the tail. Little development of the short stubby beak had occurred, Its eyes had not been long open, probably. not more than four or fiye days, so that it could be reasonably assumed that the young creatures spend at Irast eleven weeks in a state of blindness. The-striking thing in the absence of the mother on this occasion was the almost reptiliar: coldness of the baby, . , THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vat. él July, 1944 Pare 1 Baby Platypus when first seen, Jan. 3, 1944. Blind, wrinkled with fat, and having a scant growth of satiny fur, she measured Y in, in length aud was aged 84 weeks. Note the short “milk bili.” Baby Platypus on Feb. {8 Age now 15 weeks and length 134 in. Note long glossy fur. She did vet make her first exit until a fortnight later. Photas.: David Fleay yy) Fixay, Rieeding of the Platypus it Captivity W Generally speaking, the little creature was much less fat than when first seen, its tail now being more flat and platypus-like ‘than the roly-poly. sausage-like appendage noted on January 3. Also, thongh no longer blind the young animal possessed no power of locomotion and again went through the curious qustinctive action af scratching at its flanks with its hind fect. When my wife nursed it, it pushed its short stubby beak down -on the skin of her arm. Its only reaction to, the disturbance was to growl shrilly when first touched in the burrow. In the absence of a nest, a position that was soon remedied, dry earth from the floor of the chamber had caked into hard mud over the doubtless oft-wetted bill and nostrils of the baby. This was removed, . j - “fill's” feeding periods were regularly from ten to twelve hours in extent, commencing towards evening and extending through the night. “The evidence of various faecal deposits in the water (the pools being cleaned daily) indicated that, as usual, she masticated and assimilated food continuously through- -out the nights in order to build up the all-important milk supply, The third inspection of the baby was made easy by- the fact that I had a bag “plug’’ in the back of the nesting chamber, this in turn being buried under a weight of soil; for it is very -obvieus that in some inysierious way a platypus senses the ‘thickness of sail between itself and the surface. “Jill” evidently became more or less reconciled to these visits, for beyond a little shyill growling, she was not unduly upset. The date of the third visit was February 8; the baby now was 15 inches long, iis eyes were quite bright and alert, and its age was 1334 weeks, ~or slightly more than three months, The youngster was three inches longer than “Jill” herself had been when picked up— six years ago, on February 19, 1938. ; On scraping away the soil immediately adjoining the leaves of ‘the nesting-chamber “hedding” when opening up for each, of these inspections, it was extraordinary to feel the intense wannth that had emanated from the closely-curled mother and baby. ‘This im itself, even before sighting the animals, proved a certain indication that they were at home. . The baby was now a young platypus with a fairly straight! ‘though short bill and long and very handsome fur, It was «lefinitely a female, for the srnall spurs on the ankles of its hind feet had shrunk -away to mere hard stubs, Remarkable to welate, the anima! still did not show any sign of activity, remaining curled up in the typical platypus ball in the nest. (Ts be concluded) nant ; Viet. Nat. 54 Frexcu, Litsects Attaching Introduced Plants ue : RECORDS OF NATIVE INSECTS ATTACKING INTRODUCED: PLANTS 1 Ry C. Fresca, Retired Government Biologist, Melbourne It is remarkable how many of the native insects are changing over from: their natural food to that offered by cultivated alicn plants which they find to be as pelatable, or more so. The familiar “Emperor Gum Moth." whose natural diet is eucalypt foliage, turned first to the Pernvian pepner- tree (Sedimus snolle) with a very different sap; jt has since gone on to roses, apple, plum, apricot, and many kinds of street trees (Tristanis, Eugetia, Birch, Plane, Elm, etc.J—a highly varied ment. All of the following records haye come wnder my personal observation, and some have not heen previously published. No doubt members of tht Field Naturalists’ Club could augment this list of insects and/or hosts, and’ T would suggest that they register their observations m this journal, as 4 matter of economic interest. I have adopted a systematic arrangement (based on the work of R, J. Tillyard) and am indebted to Mr. John Clark, entornologist at the National Museum, Melbourne, for kindly checking the scientific nomenclature, whicli: hes been subject to much recent alteration, Order ORTHOPTERA— Locusts and Grasshoppers + : cereals, vegetables, flowers, fruit trces, Order JSQPTERA—~ Calolermes lacteus (“White Ant’’): from diet of native timber trees ta wood of vines, apple, apricot,. peach, also potato, Order FTE MIPTERA— Nysins vinttor ("Rutherglen Bug") = vegetables, cereal crops, Front trees of all kinds. Dindynms versicolor (“Harlequin Bug’) * fruits (jomes, dmmes, berrics of all kinds}, greens, potato, tomato flowers (esp. dahiia mid bollykock). Mictts profana {"“Holy ot Crusader Bus”): froin eucalypts and wattles to lemon, orange. Icerya purchast (“Cottony Cushion or Fluted Scale") : from wattles ta cypress, pine, pittosporum, lemon, orange, rose, gorse, grasses. Grioesccus coriacers ("Eucalypt: Scale”); froth eucalypts fo pear twigs Order COLEOPTERA— Bostrychapsis jesuiia (“Anger Beetle”): silky oak, tamarisk, elm, fig, ofange, lemon, apricot. Xylion nollarts (“Apple-tree Beetle”) - apple, ; Lagela orondis ("Bronze Apple Beetle”): ripe fraits of apple, pear, apricot, strawberry, etc. Lamprima retiats ("Golden Stag Beetle’) : i rom decayed eucalypt wood and leaves to apple, cherry, and other’ ruit trees, Dipkucephala colaspdordes (“Cherry Green Beetle") : from tea-trees and wattles to cherry, plum, death, ‘apple, haw-- thor; quinge, rose, Aulacophora oliveri Chilerisy (“Pumpkin Beetle") = all members of the pumpkin-mielon family, also vines, cherry, ory Prexcu, Insects Attacking Jutroditced Plants sr plum, peach. ! Haltica pogana (“Metallic Flee Beetle’) ; from Sheep’s Burr (deena) to root crops (carran, heet, ¢te.), also parsley; strawberry, Leptops squatidus (hapet) (“Apple Root Borer”) : from wattles to vines, cilrus. trees, appte, pear, peach, plum, apricot,- rose (buds}. Othorkines esindlirostr’ is (“Elephant Beetle of Orange") : from eucalypts and vanttted to orange, lemon, apricot, apple, quince, plum, vines, tamarisk, elm, pine trees. Orthoriinus blugi (“Vine Weevil”) ; from wattles to. vine ‘stems. Belus bidentates (Apricot Beetle”) - irom wattles to apricot, apple. Order LEPIDOPTERA— CBrietus (Charagia) lignivera (“Smaller Green Waod or Apple Hang inz Moth’) | fram tea-trees, wattles, young eucalypts, ctc., to apple, pear, citrus trees. Xyleutes (Zeusera). encalypiy (Wattle Goat Math”) ; from wattle; to apple, peach, plum Maroga unipunctata. ("Cherry Borer Moth’) : ' . from Acacia, Banksia, Cassia spp. ete. to brambles, étuit trees, ‘and many dcinds af street trees (oak, elm, plane, willow, etc,) Tortrix postuttiana {“Light-brown Apple Moth’) : from wattles to. fruit trees, street trees (pita, cypress, oak, silky ' oak), vegetables, and garden flowers. , Meeyna polygonelts (“Treé-hucerne Moth") : 7 ‘tree-fucerne (Tagasaste), cape broom, weeping willow, Greticus (Metwra) clangates (“Saunders' Case Moth") - - orange, lemon, and other fruit trees’ (young foliage and bark). Hyalarcta hubnert ("Leaf Bag Moth” or ““Hubner’s Case Moth"): from. eucalypts and tea-trecs to pines, oak, quince, vines {leaves and grapes), rhubarb, chrysanthemums, Clana (Entometa) tgnobiis ("Raggot Case Moth” or “Stick Math of Orange”) : pines, cypress hedges, vines, cherry, plum, apple, quince, orange, Temon—young foliage and fruit spurs. Thyridopiesrys Aerrichit (“Ribbed Bag Moth"): from ¢eucalypts to apple, cherry, quince. Doratifera spp- ("Cup Moths”) : from cucalypts to apple, pear, cherry, apricot. Pinare cane (“Pinara Grub of Apple’) : from wattles to apple, pear, Nyctemerta amica (“Ivy Moth”): aster, cineraria, carnation, Begonia Rox. Orgyta (Teia) anertoides (“Painted Apple Moth"); from wattles and eucalypts to ierns, fruit trees, street Lrees, gardest flowers, cabbage, cauliflower. Phataenatdes glycine {Vine Moth") ; vines, virginia creeper, fuchsia, apple (leaves). Agrotis spp. Heliothis spp. ete- (*Cutwarms”) | ' ceréal and vegetable crops, garden flowers, apple, strawberry. ' Diacvisia canescens (“Tiger Moth’) : cereal: Crops and’ garden, flowers esp. violet, pansy, caraalhony pelargonium). a Crour, Sasi the Purests Pe ne Hippotion ceterio ("Silver-siriged Vine Hawk-moth—may be an early introduction) : ' Fines, mormitig wire Lophodes sintstraria (“White-shouldered Looper”) = from wattles to apple, pear, apricot. ’ Phrissogonus spp, ctc, (“Laopers”) = ; pities, cypresses, fruit trees, rose, iuchsia, pelargonium, etc Autheraa cualyptt ("Emperor Gum Moth") : from eucalypts to pepper-trees, frit trees (apricot, plum, anple), and many street trees (elm, plane, birch, etc.), Angpheots java-teutonia (“Caper Butterfly”) = from Capparis app, ta citrus trees, fuchsia, virginia creeper, Ztzina labradus (“Bean Butterfly’) : from tative and introduced Jerumes to garden beans SAVE THE FORESTS Ry R. H. Cros " It looks as if the Age of Destruction of our mast valuable asset, the forests, were really passing. The present Save the Forests Campaign is sa wide and so definite in its appeal, it is so richly backed by earnest people and powcriul organizations, it is broadcasting so many reasons, both logical and sentimental, for better treatment of our timbered areas, that one fecls that this effort, of all the many that have been tried, cannot possibly fail. “There are some forty societies and institutions, government departinents and municipal bodies, united in the campaign. Together they represent, it is Ciewated, over 200,000 citizens. The objects of the movement are easily Stated: To arouse piblic interest im forestry; to enlist public assistance tn pre- -vewming ond fighting bush fires; to take action to ensure that the tunber, maeey and soil resources of the State are conserved; to build up am organi= Salton: to ensire contiuarce of active publtc interest in owr forests. A club such as outs needs no reininder, or should need none, that forest predicts enter into practically every domain of human life, especially the life which we call civilized, From the cradle to the coffin we use timber in multitude of ways. lt may ‘astonish some to Jearn that i takes ten million super fect of timber every year, i Victoria alone, to produce the matches we use here, And we carry our dead to the grave (or the crematonum) in another tmilfiott super feet annually, j Apart from such utilities how could animal life exist in the world without the necessary vegetation? That point is toa obvious to need dwelling upon, Our water supply, evetr the retention of our food-producing soils, largely depends upon our care of the forest cover, Those are general statements—what about our special mterests as natura- tists? Again it is stating the obvious to point out that the green covering of the earth {all af it so readily 3 victim to fire), from the tiniest growth that scarcely casts a shadow to the tall tree that avertops alf living things, that covering is our happy hunting ground, in itself a study and at the same time the home of the creatures in whose lives we are interested. Even the geologist’s needs ara met, for the dead forests of the past live for him. This campaign deserves the full support of every Australian, for both fatianal and personal rezsons. An informative booklet entitled Forest Facts has bees issued by the Campaign Council. This may be obtained free of ost iron Mr. J. S. Owens, Town Hal!, Melbourne. : : The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 61.—No. 4 August 10, 1944 No. 728 723 ae PROCEEDINGS - T ‘he monthly meeting of the Club was held on July 10, 1944, at the Royal Society's Hall, where the, President (Mr. Ivo C. Hammet) and about 120 members ‘and friends attended. The Hon. Secretary announced the death of Miss. Ewings, a Chub member of some years’ standing, and a tribute was paid to her memory, The President welcomed to the sina Lieut, A, G, Young (on leave from New Guinea), a member, of the Queensland Naturalists’ -Club, Excursion reports were given as follows: " National Herbarium, Mr, P. F. Morris (for Mr. Jessep) ;- Botanic Gardens, Mr, HC, BE. Stewart. The following were elected as Ordinary “Members: Mr. and Mrs, D, K. Hill, Mts. M. Murphy, Miss Eileen McGlynn, Mr. P. Wyatt; and as Associate Member, Master R. Barron. ° ae NATURE QUESTIONS AND NOTES . ..' ™ 1, What are Greywackes? Answer (Mr. F, S. Collivet) +The term is rather loosely used according to the country and the author, (a) A sedimentary rock of a particular kind ‘altered by pressure (dynamiometamorphism) has been termed a, Greywacke, (b) A slightly felspathic sandstone slightly altered. has” heefi referred to as a Greywacke, (c) The term has been revived for a complex rock with grains of quartz felspar, and other iinstals and rocks united by a cement nsually siliceous,- -- - 2. What is Oolitic Limestone? Answer (Mr, Colliver) : Mant shallow-water limestones, of all geological ages, contain spheroidal grains built up of successive coats otf caleareouis material; and these may'be so numerous as to make up the-chief bulk vf the rock. Such rocks are called Oolitic Limrestants, Oolites, or Roestone, 3, What are Permian Sequences, and are there any in Aws- tralia? Answer (Mr, Colliver): The term Permian is applied ta one of the ages of the geological Time Chart, and Permian Sequences would refer to a series of rocks somewhat’ different from each other but of thé same age, e.g, Pertnian.. The order 1 in which these rocks are to each other would rnake up the sequetce, a aR 62 Nolnre Gwestions ond Nales ya ete Such rocks dv oceur in Australia, as at the coalfields of N.S.W. and the ‘Bacchus Marsh area in Victoria, but they have not been zoned to the extent similar sequences in America have. Mr, R. G, Painter stated that he had noticed Swallows in Box Hill on July 2. (Mr. A. H. Mattingley commented that some Swallows remained in Victoria all the year round.) Miss Wigan reported! having seen two Picd Currawongs near the Alfred IIospital, Melbourne). (Remark by Mr. A, B. Chis- hohe: This ts chiefly a bird of the mountains, but it is usually _ wandering at this. tine of the year.) « ee : _ Mr. H. C, E. Stewart commented upon the early flowering of almond trees, and stated that a very dry summer, then rain and absence of frosts, explained it. He had noted some trees fawering in June. ~ {ty ; Mr, V. H. Miller said he had observed a Black-faced Cuckoo- Shrike eating cheese and fat from his bird-tray at St. Kolda. Mrs. Pinches: reported that the Zoa's colony of Koulas had four females each with young! . Mr, Ros Garnet stated that a Grevillea hal seeded anc young plants had appeared for the first tune, probably due to climatic conditions. Mr, Hammet drew attention to the fact that a new hee had heen named by Mr. ‘Tarlton Rayment after Miss Lynette Yonng, who found the specimen in a post close to her home. Mr, F, G, Elford reported having received a cnuntry paper con- taining an accoust of the capture of a Wedge-tailed Eagle in a rabbit trap baired with a rabbit, The article stated that the bird was available for exhibition. Mr. Elford aid he had written to the paper concerned, and he suggested that the committee disciiss the matter with a view te cdueating the people of the district concerned as to the economic value of Eagles. FORESTRY AND NATIONAL WELFARE Slides and a motion picture with a commentary given by Mr. C. M,. Ewart, of the Fotests Commission, afforded insight into problems of erosion, soil conservation, proper care of watersheds, ete., besides the varied aspects of forestry and the use of timber in industry. Stress was laid on protection of forests from fire, and ‘safeguarding measures were shown. Ahove all it was urged that forests were an invaluable national heritage, and not something to he erased as soon as possible, A wote of thanks to Mr. Ewart and'to Mr, Thompson {lan- ternist) was expressed by the’President and‘ carried by acclamation. Aunsst . Extubits OS EXHIBITS My. V.H, Miller; Seven exaniples of native’ Queensland titthers, also red gum from Kenny's baths at St. Kilda: (portion. of a pile that had heen immersed in seacwater for upwards of 70 years) and Banksia wood beme used ag {uel by the é6ok on the Western Australian Railwaya. Specimens were all hand-polished by Mr, Miller. Mr, T- Griffiths; Pressed ferns, inchuling twelve species of Maiden Hair (native and exotic), Cyrtominm. fateatuns 3 iroin Japan, and Bicchanm penso- jitavina Trom the Victorian Alps- Mrs. M. E. Freame: Termites and wood bored by ee wood bored hy Teredo; large burrows containing Crustacer, and also ant mounds. Mr C French} Parked Comb Vern (Selnseva adperse) collected at Anglesea. Mr. R. G. Painter: Six species of garden-grown native plants: Mr. C. J. Gabriel: Marine shells, including Chlowys patitwm, Maldair Is; C. osperrinins, View C. leofardus; Peeter yappersalaidene; Vices FP. maxvniues, Britain; J?. heppetliasa, Cape Verde Is; ;_P. sicsac, W. Indies, Mr. Hatomet: Wrappings from. a AY at one time on show at the Exhibition Building, Mr. 5. R. Mitel ell: Eeaihples of aboriginal atone deives; some specifrens lieing hafted. Miss Wigan Albino form of Flame-Robin (Petroica seeillesa) collected w the Mansfield district over- fifty years age by Mr. J. O, Edwards; also Hares Owl (Tyto aloe) collected by Sergi- Major Toone at Cape Otway, f44 “Me, F, G, Elford: Ganoderma applitealum (Giant Lacquer Pengus), a polyporaid fungus fomid growing on the trunks of Eucalypts and other trees, specimen fram Sherbrooke Forest; Crested Grasshopper (Alectariu superba) from Lake Meran, Eastern Mallee, and also the Smaller King aaa (Anostostoind. erinacevs) from Red Hill South, -Moshington ctrinsia. Master A. B. Court:. (Omitted from fine list) —A. collection ot nendngers fer) specimens recently gathered m the Mt, Dandenong district. 1 ran a - ’ = - Tu. 4 oe Sea DEATH OF MRS,-W HW, NICHOLLS — - ~-- Members. of the FNC. will jom in sympathizing warmly with ‘My. WH, Nicholls, Victoria’s chief stinient of Australian orchids, whose wife died suddenly on July 29, Mrs. Nicholiy was 4 womatt of competence and sunay nature, and gave her husband considerable help in his.work,_ Several officers and members of the Club attended the ftineral at the Footscray. Cemetery on August 1. Native flowers were a feature of the floral tributes. — ee eV ate, + ens ‘ ~ _ ae PERSONAL, soe & eat “Master Arthue 6. Court, of Child's Road, Ralorarra, Vic.. “Tnsiste ui make pen-inends who. are Thterested in ‘botany, preferably ashong ‘residents ii .ihe Grampians af, north-eastern Victoria. - - - o b4 Beck, Non-Migiation of Welcome Stvallodes ie a NON-MIGRATION OF WELCOME SWALLOWS By H. N. Becx, Hon. Secretary Gould League of Bird-tovers, : Victorta. The seasonal movement of animafs from one ‘region to another is a matter of cammon interest to all students of nature, bur it is the migration of birds that, makes the strongest appeal, because so much is hidden from us that we can only theorize on the motives or principles guiding these movements, Of course, one can-hardly doubt that it is mainly a matter of food that drives ihe creatures irom a region oi lessening supply to one where the requisite food is increasing in quantity, ur, i. any rate, where it is juore abundant. ‘Lins woud adequately account for much of the limited migration or seasonal wanderings of‘many birds that we might class as nomads rather than as migrants—for example, Robins (Peélroica) and Thrushes (Col- luricinela harmonica), which during the cold~ season leave the shady forest and mountains for the more open fields, and Lori- keets, which follow the blossoming of the eucalypts. Probably, ioo, many of the birds that have spent the warm months in the district moye away with, the sun, while their place is taken by others of the same kind that have spent their summer further south. ‘Yhere may be muclimore of this sort of nugration than utost of ts suspect, Two species L have in mind that probably do-this are the Black-faced Cuckdo-Shnke and the Bronze Cuckov. Observations of many persons remove any doubt that these birds move to the norih in winter; yet every year during the coldest months they are reported to be seen around Melbourne. A most remarkable feature of the true migratory birds ‘is ‘that J tae = habits? One can assume the habits to have been gradually evolved. If such is the case, mightmot the evolution be reversed— ang the ouce-migratory bird become one of stationary hab? This thought is occasioned by the fact, that of the birds credited with fligration to distant lands the -Welcome Swallows (Hirundo weavena) are bringing ‘themselves to the notice of obscrvers by remaining in their summer habiiat throughout the year in imcreasing numbers, m4 , How wonderful it would be jf we were being privileged to aCjually ohserve a step in evolution! The thought that this might possibly be, so stirred the imagina- tion of Bruce Fleer and other members of the Gould League of Bird-lovers of State School No, 160), Oakleigh, that fram-ecarly April, 194], they made regulary counts: and kept records ‘of the Agent Rieck, None Migration of Welcome Szwallows 6s number of Welcame Swallows found perching at night on ‘wires stre(ching under a shop verandah—“like ‘clothes-pegs on a line" This record, in the form of monthly graphs, shows a maximum of 260 birds early in April with a sudden drop to 80'on the last day, ‘The count rose to 150 for May 1, and next evening again dropped, this time to 50, A steep rise is shown for the second week, and the Jast record for May was’ 228 birds. Fer June the count fluctuated between 160 and 220, and for July between 188 and 236. August shows 236 as the highest count. This was in the middle of the month. Then there was a gradual fall to 160 on the last day. On the 6th of September 176 was the score, then the number decreased ti] the count was 108 on the 30th, From this on we have a declining chart right through October, when the last week shaw’ counts. down to 30. This was 2 Steady month and gave the lowést average record. November was also a steady low month with gradual rises ta 80. From then on the birds came along in increasing numbers, 210 being reached in the Jast weck in December. January shows a limit of 308 on the 25th, and the maximum far the.first twelve months: was reached on February 4th with a count of 316, January and February were months of greatest variation, March also showed considerable fluctuation between I80.and 300. The graphs for, the remainder of 1942 mark suntlar conditions, with somewhat.higher numbers for most months, Records. for 1943 are not available; and now has! come ms- fortune—the perching wires have been removed. ‘The Gould ~Leaguers are keeping a'lookeut, hoping to find that the Swallows have Iocated such another convenient roosting place. Finat records were taken last May. ‘Uhe count was about 200, A remarkable feature is that such a very sinall percentage of the birds Jrequenting this particular Jocality moved away, for the wititer, that one would prangey.s imggine them te be o migrating species, Othe notes do not give! any “Feasotts (perhaps they were not known). for the extra low ‘counts on two or three dates in April ant May but possibly, as many people pass that way, the birds may have bee disturbed’ on these occasions. Howeyer, Bruce records: “Qn stormy nights they sometimes amount to 200 or aver, Towards nesting-time they gradually decrease; and in spr ime there are hatdly any.. In summer when breeding -has they begin’ to inerease pradually to their riormal.” » - Adult also reported the occurrence of these Swallows—"about 400," one man reckoned’; but na doubt. the boys panne was more ‘accurate. They - had: set out to daa definite job. , ; At. the foot of Mt. Arapiles in western Victoria, where the 4 Beck, Nou-Migration of Weteome Swallows ae writer spent the winter of 1942, Welcome Swallows were so plentiful that “familiarity bred contempt,” or af any rate led to the following instance of careless and therefore worse than wseless observation ; 7 Qn August 2! the children of the Grass Plat School cauve wil) we fo a nearby little freshwater Jake mainly ta study Little Grebes, “Swallows” were hawking over the water as we had secn them on other days throughout the winter, {It was a bright day and we casually remarted that there was a good number of Swallows and that insects were fairly plentiful. The children had just left fur schoo} when a flash of white caught my eve as a “Swallow” skimmed the water; and to my surprise, and disgust at my lack of cart, T found that more than half the birds were Fairy Martins-— prohahly 40 or 50 were in sight. We had witnessed the return ol the Martins from their worthern Aight. The incident “pointes a moral and adorned a Lale’ when next L met the children. . _ Regarding the graphs. The beys were very interested in the task and T have confidence that they carvied it out with commesdd- able care and that the many counts were substantially correct. It would give me pleasure to submit the graphs for inspection at any of the Club meetings. , So many observers have noted the rapidly incteasing wimber of Swallows to be seen in winler during the past decade or so that the pussibility of the movement being a stage in evolution is worthy of serious consideration; and for the guidance of future students definite data of the incidents originating the idea should be secorded in official publications, then. later generations anght he able to prove or disprove the suggestion. fete a at GERALDTON WAX-FLOWER IS A CHAMELAUCIUM ° Desfontaines’ original description of ahis genus (Mom.Mdus.D'Hist Nat, Vol, V, p- 39, IBI9) plainly sets. out the spelling as CHAMELAUCIUM. The error in writing CHAM AELAUCIOM appears to be have bren. made by Sprengel in his Systema Megetabilinnt (No, 1622, 1825) and has been (dwari} faxcihis (poplar) i. hamelaucium from: Chamelaia, moaning a smail fog" Padees ET eg tl / = PL Btedy. -- : ‘ cern Dowsiiy, Cell-tadlding by 9 Mason Wasp 67 CELL-BUILDING BY A MASON WASP By F.'O, Donyet., Newbridge; Victoria, Most of us are usually glad io. receive visitors, but it is doub! interesting When the visitor is a “lady"’ and is dressed in shining orange and black. Such a one—of the wasp fatnily—arrived at the school, Poowong North, Gippsland, on April 15, 1943, She examtined walls, posts and other objects, with the idea, I hoped, of building. Later I was able to watch the whole procedure of cell-construction afd note every action that, she made. first thought was to capture her and mount her beauty, but the urge to know more about her actions led me to act as an observer. Jn size, fornt, and colour, she answered the description. of Ewinenes latveitli, a Queensland wasp. Gippsland seenied a long way from Qucensland and the climate perhaps is not so inviting 0 3 sut- loving imséet.. : ; ’ A start was made on the side of an old desk, but this did not seem to be satisfactory, Another cell was begun on the north side of a verandah post and it was completed. As it was placed about five feet from the ground, J -was able to watch every movement from a distance of six inches. She flew within an inch or so of my-face but did not seem to-resent my presence. With long legs folded close tothe body, ‘she hung poised in front of her work, her wings seer: only as a thickening of the air on each side, her sensitive antenna touching all work with a touch so light that it seemed a caress, : The first cell-foundation began as a crescent and gradually grew into an oval. The walls began to rise, taking the form of adome. I’ could not but admire the dexterity with which the clay pellet was manipulated,. It was spread evenly, but thickly, on the top of the growing wall, and then with the underside of her head against the inside of the cell wall, and the tarsus of both fore-legs on the outside and opposite, she began to draw the-clay up to an even thickness, This was dotie in the same manner as the potter who draws the spinning clay into shape with. one hand onthe inside, and-one on the outside of the growing vessel.- Work was . ‘carried out on a different section each visit, thus aJowing all work to dry thoroyghly before being added to” | * Ss a The dome’ rose slowly until only a narrow apetture remained at its apex, and ‘this was finished off with an outward curling Jip. ‘T thought at first-that she had sertowsly miscalculated the size of the aperture, but she soon disproved this-idea by inserting her -abdomen through, anti] at its thickest it was a neat fit. She remained in this positiots for about- two minutes; and later. by flashing a mirror and lighting up the inside of the cell, I could see a white sausage-shaped egg suspended from the-top -by ‘a short 68 Donmect, Celfbuilding by » Masot. H/ast ere sitken thread. Hér next task wasito carry three paralysed smonth- skinned caterpillars, and stuff them into the cell, laying them horizontally. After this operation the apening was closed and another cell was begun at the side of the first During the building process she made occasional visits tu a ‘nearby gutter, resting at the water’s edge, apparently drinking. Then she would disappear for a time, returning later with a ball of clay. Enlisting the aid of the children, a line of observers was formed in the direction of her flight from the site of work, It-was ‘found that she alighted on a path of hard-packed, clayey gravel “She set to wark, tearing at it with powerful mandibles, kneading the clay intu a moist ball, disearding the satid grains and’ thakiny ‘a smooth mixture, So engrossed was she'in her task, or so antiable “was het disposition, that I was ablé to kneel ‘and approach my head within about 18 inches of ber. The moisture that she used to work up the clay was supplied from the mouth, and perhaps had some cadhesive quality. One pellet that I saw her make up came from ‘a patch of white gravel. It was difficult to understand why she should change her place of gathering material, especially as this was her only lapse for the whole of the time, ’ When the second cell was finished, an egg was suspended fron! the top as. before, but.a period of bad weather kept the builder ‘away for two" days. When she returned she seemed to have lost ‘interest in her work amd we did ot see'her again oo) ) EMUS AND “INDUSTRY” | $= QAr an-emu drive in-this ‘district last, Sunday over 400} ers were shot, representing about twa tons af good meat which, if prepared ti the’ correct sway, catinot, be- distinguished from, wild turkey,” writes D. J. O'Leary. of Walgoolan, in the West Australia Perth) for July tO, 1944, “During 4 short visit to the city this week; everywhere L went people ‘were complaining of the' very inferior meat supplied ta city consymers and it dctutred to mc that perhaps something could be done to serut “supplies oF emu_meat-to the meat hungry poople of Perth. “[ believe that a very lucrative industry ger be established not only ih’ the miarkeling of emu nieat but by the sale of emu eggs and feathers. “Offers have been received from Pert Dryers for blown ¢mu eges at 10/- -each, for sale a’ souvenirs to Allied servicemen; and the Walpooclan Emu Destruction Committee has already sold £26 worth of emu -feathers to-ap eastern States buyer at 10/- per Ib. An average. size emu yields aluitat 4 ib, weight of feathers, = "Bis olf Js considered hy ald? bushmen as an. infallible remedy, for wtheumatisin and no better dressing could ‘be used for the etescryation of harness and other, leather proods. ht want to make it perfectly clear, however; that farmers’ ha to lake advantage of the opportunities outlined above. They’ are Kes in a fight against the enwus'for survival and havc to neglect important jobs ‘just. to shoat dawn as many 2 us possible on God ci the ey te bring Isft'torot.. Solan Cage! RRS ai ' Srewalit, Bard Life on Mownl Buffalo Oo ‘BIRD LIFE ON MOUNT BUFFALO Ry A.C. E. Stewart, Melbourne Apart frorn the Lyre-hirds, the Buffalo Platean is pot renowner! For its avifauna. One reason may he that the native hirds found there, almost without exception, can be observed close to Melbourne Stil, in the words of Viscoynt Grey of Falloden, we feel a ‘sense of privilege? to;observe « wild thing free ofall restraint, Common birds can be an, attraction when we are in heliday mood, amid magnificent scenery, and breathing the rarefied atmosphere of over 4,000 feet! The most pleasant feature of a stay by a regular Buffalo visitor, from ath to 19th January last, was evidence that the birds.seem to be “staging a comeback” after the Ates of 1939. This was ‘particularly noticeable with the. Lyre-birds, The former well- known domain from the Chalet to the Haunted Gorge is arain tenanted by Mentra after a vacancy of some years. On one occasion at dusk a family party of male..femele and heir. was seen and followed for some distance. At other. times the female cand chick were watched as they scratched for provender jin the forest debris. Both fed with an air of proprietorship, disdainfal of prying eves, Lyrebirds were also’ to be seen and heard in other areas, and Lyre-bird Hill once again enjoys the reputation implied by the name. The Lyre-bird commensal, -the Pilot-bird.’ too, has returned, Right in front of the Chalet, hy the Guinea-pig Rock, one was momentarily seen. A little tater. his presence was confirmed by his distinctive call. : “Some seventy species of birds have been reliably recorded on the Platean, at varying altitudes of 4,000 ta 5,600 feet. These may be broadly grouped as {ay permanent residents known to ‘nést in the vicinity; (b) regtilar spring. and summer visitors occasionally nesting on the mountain; and (c) birds observed as accidental ot transitory. The last group contains the largest number of species. The Victorian treedine limit, approximately 5,000 feet, determines the bird population. Therefore the Jaw of representation among Austrahan birds laid down by John Gould For the orderly arrangement of Nature's manifestations nomenclatural refinement cannot remain static, and the type af ray must be defined when dealing with it since there are numerous rays associated with mapgneto- clectnc infiaences dn the environinent. All persons have the night to express themselves, For instance; the word “Radar was employed to distinguish this ray from others such as for instance the rebounding say used in navigation, Cowrented with -cstablished facts cated by me, Dr, Flecker has the temerity to state that the Spanish experiments are ‘vague and absolutely ineouclasive.” By so doing he denies facts unjistifiably since many tests were made by the Spamish authorities and afterwards more exacting oles by Germans, all of which established the effect of rarliating rays an the oricwtation of carrier pigeons. Thus it has been ‘conelusively established that the rays of the environment do affect birds. That which has been proven cannot be stigmalised as a “dogmatic statement,” but is wicceptable evidence, ' . Regarding the use of the ward "anstinel,” no proper reply has been niade wherein [ ttemized two well-known factors operating in conjunction, namely, that pf the organic structure of animals and the stimuli of the environment, both known. factors of the cyolutionary processes subscribed to by most ecientists. ‘lo tery to offset a bad position. Or. Flecker has used some inappropriate similies, Tor instance, he stated that-the «use of the term “raduil rays" spears to be just as intelligible as “musical music’ and “painiul pein’ The average-cidizen knows dhat there is harmonious music and discordant music and excruciating pain’and feeble nerve disturbance, However, the similics ate not felevant tu the issue. ' \ Lei me quote what Professor C J. Patten says; "I cannot subscribe ta fhe idea that the desired goal reached hy the migrating bird, andthe home- coming of the trained pigeot, are due tone other than ‘unqonscious unerriug instinct’ The speed of Aight, the keenness of visual -observation, and the endowmet of a refentive memory jorm the'chief bul net the whole equip- ment through which birds have acyuired "place memory'” T might add oes ie ofer missing factor directing the Right of migrating birds is that of radial rays. . Professor Planck formulated the theory that the enetiey (vibrations or radiations} given off by any living maller, whether it a live cell ov living animal, once: started, never ceases to vibrate, even after death of ihe cell or animal, This is in conformity with the ceaseless anrl perpetual mation of raya of the environment as postulated by me, i ‘ _ Yours, etc, T ; _ Melbourne, —- AstHum H. E. Marrnaren a? 80 Cook, Radial Rays and Rind Bekaviony vee om RADIAL RAYS AND. BIRD BEHAVIOUR (‘To the Editar) Sir—I note Dr. Flecker's remarks re “ltadial Rays and Bind Behayiour.” Gratmnatucally T agree with his cruticism of “radial rays," but 99 our of 100 people will understand what is.meant by the tean—ie., Yays expanding in all directions trom a centre, as against beam of directional rays, “Musical music” may be tautology, but the man in the street would under- stand its meaning, unless he be like -the individial who recognizes but one air by rrame and that only jor the reason that people stand with bare heads when it is played. However, with dug respect, this all is beside the mark, The fact remains that sufficient evidence is commie forward to enable us to believe that the actions of birds, animals, ere, are actuated! to a very gveat) extent hy radial waves. The Spanish experiment with pigeons, backed up as it was b experiments in Germany, was either, “vague? not “absolutely inconclusive.” These tested experiments are very much, the reversé, The radio-location and other instruments being- used in’ the present war—which we will hear abayt in more detail after the struggle-is over—will be practical evidence of how radial waves can be uel in this direction. This evidence will assist us to understand—hacked up as it is by many natural cxamples—what is behind the behaviour of our feathered friends which we Jaliel “invstinet/* - ; ; ' Yours, etc.) Walkerstan, ' A. A. Cook. Mackay, Queenslaid. i : A GALAH THAT ESCAPED Reports of Galahs and other Cockaloos encountering electric wires are fot uncommon, What is probably mare unusual, is for an observer to see all stages of the encaunter {rdin stare ta fitasll, and alse to see a hird survive the ordeal of electrification, This was my experience an a recent Saturday afternoon st Brighton. : This particular Galah was seén lo fiy overhead and alight, aleit.iwo fect from a pole, om one of two high-tension wires, These wires were supported by a Cross-bar at the tap ofthe pole. With a few steps alon the wire, tie dtd was soon testing the top of the pole with its beak, an then commenced to explore the cross-bar, Finally, it reached one end of He bar and, ‘inturning,. appeared to'lose-halance. Stretching ott its sects, it graspeil the tearrst wire in is Weak and immediately became fixed. It was to remain jn that position for the next iwenly minutes. The instant the hird grasped ithe wire its wings commenced to droop and the tail feathers lowly spread out. A very slight, regular vibration of the extended wings and tail was hoticedble during the period of capture, At one stage the bird emitted a number of deep guttural crics, which gradually died away. within a few minutes. - . Des Y Within a few ‘minutes. of the Galah's capture a neighbour had telephoned the Efectricity Commission, and about a quarter af an hour Jater linesmen appeared om the scene, Just as theie car was pulling inter the kerb, the birel fell to the #round. . ; : : The bird wis scon on. its feet and, alter staggering around for a-iew aminutes, quickly regained its.sense of balance—nat to mention. its ability to draw blood from the hand of-ane of the linesinen., A slightly burnt toe svemed to be the only damage, jt suffered from its expericnce with, a" wire carrying 400%) volts of slectricity. Apparently its escape fram inciteration was due to the Jact that it; had reeeived only a few-volts off the current, and.,(he, pole, -bhemng dry, made a poor conductor with the earth. | ; red " ie Re of A. / - F, G. Erroro. ’ The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 61—No. 5 September 8, B 1944 > Ne, 729 PROCEEDINGS Vhe monthly meeting of the Club was held on Auvust 14. 1944, at the Roval Society’s Hall, where the President (Mr. Ivo C. Hammiet) and about 100 members and friends atlendect. The President announced the death of Mrs. W. H. Wicholls, -and Mr. P. R. St. John, two very good [riends of the Cla, Mr, St. John being a past President although not a inember at the time of his death, A tribute to the memory of these friends was paid by those present_ oe Excursion reports were given as follows; National Museum, M+, Tyoa-C, Hammer (for. Mr. Maclk) ; Melbourne Streets, Mr. F. 5. Colliver (for Mr. A. C. Frostick). The following were elected as Ordinary Manbers; VX82270 Gr.-f. 1S, Slatter, Mr, E. J. Cope, My, Keith Winsor: as Country Member: Mr- Geoff. Huston: as Associate Member: Master B, Grant, - - NATURE NOTES Mr. V. HW. Miller reported on a Blackbird feeding young at (he beginning of August ; locality, Brighton district, Mr. A. A, Brunton reported seeing a Platypus m the Maribyr- nong River, near Keilor. _ Mr. H. ‘T, Reeves remarked that Platypnses were often seen near the Footscray Gardens, and Mr, F..S. Colliver siated he had a record of one heing seen near Princes Bridge just priot 1 the war. SHARKS. FISH AND CRUSTACEANS An illustrated lecture was given by Mr. P. FL Morris, who mentioned a sinple-classification of the fish, differences bet\veen these arid sharks, and also some interesting items on both marme and fresh-water crustacea. Mention was made alsa of life histories and, the lack of knowledge of some of the Victorian forms, problems die to introduction of foreigiy sporting fish, problems due to erosion and its effect.on the fish fauna of our streams, the necessity ol proper fisheries: yesearch, etc, Altogether a very interesting. lecture. was given hy My, Morris, and uch infor wia- tion waa afforded those present: 2 Jyavey. Sas Lizards | Hao Kept one SOME: LIZARDS L WAVE KEPT By 17. W. Davey, Melbourne VE tiga ds, or indeed any of our Australian reptiles and auiphibia, ule given suitable fiving conditions, they can afford great pleasure ios naturalist. fn this paper a stlection is made from the numerous lizards T haye kept iy captivity, and is dealt with under five family headings. 1. GECKONIDA The geckos are well represented in Australia, and diligent sesrels would probably increase the present number of species recorded jor Victoria. Several years. ago the writer discovered a pretty lithe gecko (Heteronvta Inystoek) al Mildura and supplied the Melhourne Museum with specimens, but only recently has it again heen talen it, our State, This gecko apparently does not leave the ground, but prefers to shelter under logs, etc, Other genera (eg. G qannadact yes. which 1 have taken only [rom beneath inoken stabs of gyanite) favour stony country, while others agsin, such as Phyllodactyher, are mostly found under the loose hark of trees, usually high up From the ground. Geckos are harcly little fellows. and succeed. in captivity; the writer still possesses, sbve and well.a spectinen of Gymurodactylus watinsn that has lived m a small glass-sided case (2 ft. x 10 ins. x Sins) for over seven years, in company with two other geckos— G. ntlins for hve and a Phytladactylus aavmoralus tor over four years. ‘hese hizards are extreinely fond of spiders, which are not always plentifnl, but they do equally well on the mealworm larvae on Tenebria nwlitor, a beetle which may be bred easily and in ereat quantity : The mose remarkable thing about Gymnadactwas onilivsit is the number of ties it sheds its skin—never less than four per year, lui some years ag many as six times. After the skin is shed this species displays a pretty pattern, but just prior to moulting all geckos become quite grey in colour, dug to a separation of the old fram the new skin heneath, J have reared Phylodactytus marmoratnus Tron ees lanl in captivity (hard-shelled, unlike most other lizard cegs)}, and it is interesting to note (he length of time it takes for the eggs te batch, viz. 207 days, Each year the female of P s»armorates lays only ‘two eggs. which can easily he seeg inside her body as she crawls up the glass of her cage. Jn the Mallee, 1 have also collected a specimen nt Diploductylus spinigeras, of whieh another was later given me by My, Erasmus Wilson. While in the Winimera district it was my good forfine to obtain D. vittates and ID. straphiures. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vow. ol September, 1944 Prare il A Northern Geeko, Rearded Dragon ¢.farplaboduris barbatus. be eerie Davey, Some diewede f Moar Kept 9 Geckos fese their’ tails very readily, but it takes them a lony lime «© grow new anes. Most writers on this subject advance the theary that the involuntary movements in the dropped tail se attract.a potential encmy’s notice that the taj-less owner is enabled ta make good his escape; this, in the writer's. opinion, does not appear fo be a satisfactory conclusion, for he can see no resson why the predator Utat broke off the tail shotld lose sight of its late owner --by far the larger object. Then again, a gecko. withont us tart would have little chance of escape next tine, im having no means wherehy to intrigue its enemy, Many lizards of the Scinctde part with their tails like geckos, yet other' genera in the same fannly do not; thus, if losing the tait cam save the life of one species, why should not similay species in the same family he. likewise fayoured? The little swale-like lizards (in the family Pygopodide:) are “nearly all tail” anc are very helpless creatures indeed 3f they Jose ar, which ean aceur readily enough. | 2. ACGAMIDE This is a-large family. wnany of which thrive in captinily Most of the Aganude are very active and their enclosure must be covered] willl wire-setting to preven{ escapes, The Bearded Lizards Amphibolurus barbotis-and 4_ musicals, commonly but ioulishly named “Blood-suckers,” are well known but require reasonable space in captivity. A smaller species is the pretiy J pictus, which 15 highly coloured, is fairly common in “hlie- bush” country around Mildura, and makes a delightfol pet. A small agamid (Tyimponocrpptis lineate) thay was once so plentiful on the plains toward the You Yangs, never did well with a»e— probably due to the lack of a balanced spider and caterpillar cliet. also to the fact thar these lizards naturally inhabit holes in the ground, and it is diffierlt to imitate the right sot! condition so as to prevent their burrows Tron collapsing. The so-called “Gippsland Crocodile’ (Physignathus -lesueurtt) is quite at home near a small pond in which it cun disappear when alarmed. Tt appears to sulk awhile after capture, hut at the end rf eight or nme days will eat insects, as well as sinall pieces of raw meat. | am not likely to forget my first.encounter with this lizard at Dargo River, where it is very numerous; as soon as I realized their presence | was anxious to, procure a specimen, but the problem was how to capture one alive, Physignathns does not travel far from water, usually keeping the tip of its tail therein and plunging al the slightesi sign of impending danger. The banks of the river near Dargo township are so high and steep that it weuld le quite useless attempting to get hear these lizards from the water's edge, Lut by means of a bo] Davey, Same Lisards | live Kept Meet. BS . Jong sGck-and a much Jonger piece of strmg I was able to snare cone; “and. very ‘shortly afterwards sccared another -fine specimen. ‘To hold the ‘first- reptile and take the second out of the string noose, without one or ather escaping, was a problem, since these Neards can scratch like any cat;,-my wrists told a sorry story when I eventually: got back to the Dargo Hotel, a wriggling. ‘scratching lizard in each hand, JF subsequently gaye ove off them ‘to the late Sir-Baldwim Spencer, The prickly ““Mountam Devil” (Moloch horridnus) from the ‘Inland is far-from being horrid, either in appearance or behaviour, and is. rather- prettily coloured,, I have kept at different times several vf these quaint liltke.creatures, The first specitnens | ever received were kindly presented hy, Mr. John Clark (Entomologist ‘at the National Museum, Melbourne); Mr. Clark was then living 4n Perth, W.A, With the arrival of these ant-eating lizards, I was perplexed to discover the insect species upon which they would feed; many different ants were callécted in the “bush” and tried out, notably Jridomyrimex detectus, T, nitidns, Ectatommne metallica; Monomorium, Camponotus, and Pheidole- species. Moloch simply ignored -them ajl. At fast I proffered the small evil-smelhing ant Iridomyrmex rufoniger var. domesticus and then ihe fizards’ troubles—and mine—were over- The average number of ants-eaten per lizard per minute is 45, providing the day be warm and ants plentiful, so that for two meals a day of about 15 minutes’ duration each Moloch. will consume approximately 1,350 ants daily! These animals are of absorbing interest and, for a more detailed account than js possible here, TE would refer readers to my speci article in this journal (Vol. 40, page 58) wherein are discussed their drinking and sleep- ing habits, the hygraseopic nature of their skins, ete, ; _ Some years ago Mr. Norman,McCance sent me-a very fine example of the North Australian “Frill-neck” (Cifamydosaurus hingn) which, tike the “Gippsland Crocodile,”, refused food for several days alter arrival. To entice a sulky lizard, it is best io keep, the food moving, su J used a sliver of beef on the end af a stick and, by moving this in frant. of my “Frill-neck,” it began ta take notice and Jater. snapped the meat off the stick; after that, it took to mealworms and would eat many in succession. _ + (To he cantinued.4 peek PERSONAL 7 _ Two leading Australian" zoological scientists ‘liave terminated employment in which they fave rendered sownl service during many ycars—Mr. John Clark has fesigned fram. his position as Entamologist. at the National Mascnm, Melbourne, ané Mr. Tom Lredale has retired fronrthe office of Concholoyist at the Australian Museum, Sydney. vo eg Beier Canes as. cbonaite Plants ag Autiseplics 83: AROMATIC PLANTS AS ANTISEPTICS By Eorri Connman, Blackharn, Vietdiria. — "Pwo interesting reports of-the vse of aromatic herbs for nesling material partly confirm my Sugyestion that they are user as insect repellanis, As related in the #N. (Jan. 1944), in October, 1942. and October, 1943, leaves were stripped from a rate Pyrethrum, the only plant of the kind in the garden. A goldfinch's nest was foune to be almost entirely constructed with’ the silvery leayes. Au interesting note in Wild Life (March, 1944) relates-to' a gold- finch’s nest in a Northcote garden constructed with sprigs of ‘Thyme, again taken from the only plant of the kind in that garded, The antiseptic theory was carried a step further when, recently, Dr, O'Shaughnessy told me of.a spartow's nest built- with sprigs of Rue (Ruta graveolens). Some hirds, the yellow robin’. for instance, aften place green leaves flat on-the Hoor of the nest. | had assumed that it was done as a hygienic precaution, -Such. Icaves, if soiled, would be easily removed; yet, except when parents {and young) are perturbed by the proximity, of observers, the nests vf most birds are rarely soiled, The use of Pyrethrums as mseect sprays aud powders i is well, known. Tt is significant that Thyme contains thymol, a powerful. antiseptic, which is official in pharmacy. From very early times” dried Thyme has been used as an insect-bane and the preen juice as a powerful deodvraut. Both Virgil and Pliny refer to its use as 2 fomigator, The use by the birds of Rue is even more signiheant.- This is one of the oldest and most interesting” ot garden plants. Hs grey-green, or silver, foliage’ is powertuliy scented. ““Kank-smedhng” "Rue, : Spenser calls it, ,with some justice. Freshly rubbed on the bands, the smelt is most ta a but it dries with a pleasant, gorse-like fragrance. From Saxon limes until.the nineteenth century Rue was regarded ag an antiseptic with almost magical powers to ward off contagious diseases. and to banish insects. Rue-water was sprinkied in_ houses as a flea-bane. Gerard, the Elizabethan, quoting botlt Dioscondes and Pliny, tells us that wasps, bees. hornets, elc,, will. nut- han a man who anoints himself: with the juice of Rue, Its. very smell drives away the serpent; so ‘when a weasel is to fight the serpent she.armeth herself by eating Rue” He adds: “The luaves. aré good against all evil_airs, the. plague or pestilence, and vesist all. poisons.” : Pliny, whe lists,84 ills for which Rue-was a remedy, writes” of it as one ofthe most active of medicinal planls. He ts right when- he says that large doses are harmful-—they may ever cause vertigo : P re Viet. Nat. 5) Careman, Aremabc Plants os Aitlisepiies h Vasa —hut his statement that the juice of Hemlock acts as an antidote minst be accepted with caution, It it fascinating ta look back ta those days when even physicians had such simple, unquestioning faith in the powers of these charm- ing old herbs. Rie maketh chaste; and che preserveth sight; Tafteseth wit, and putteth fleas to flight, So runs an old rhyme attributed to the School of Salerno, the oldest school of medicine iii Europe, which has been described as “uncontaminated by superstitious medicines.” Rue (Shakespeare's herb of grace) was given by Ophelia lo Hamlet's mother, as a preserver af chastity, If we may believe the old writers, Rue banished insects more loathsome than the flea. Long before gaol fever (typhus) was known to be carried by the body louse, Rue was scattered in courts of justice ta protect officials from the terrible disease. A bunch of it was placed on the. bench near the dock as a defensive against any infection hrought by prisoners from the gaol, Says Dr. Thornton (1810) : “Ruc is supposed to be anti-pestilential, hence aur judges have their noses tegaled with this most foetid plant.” It world be mteresting to learr whether Rue, natural oy syn- thetic, has any part in the new antiseptic used to treat garments issued to soldiers in the present war. There would seem, then, to be little question as to the antisepti¢ properties of the three herhs used as nesting maternal, Accepting the suggestion that birds employ them as insect repellants, how do they recognize their antiseptic properties if Uhey have so litte sense.of smell? When watching birds closely [t is almost impossible ta keep them unuwaré of our proximity. Na matter how carefully hidden, how quiet and motionless we may be, something apprises them of otir preseuce, Stricture of the brain would seem to preclude smell as the explanation; but does it? A tame Frogmouth which relished mice refused a baby rat which ID could scarcely distinguish from a mouse. Jt was’ held above his bill where he could not possibly see it without moving his head, and this he refused to du. We tried for a long-while to induce him to take it, yet. a moment later when a mouse was held in exactly the same position he gulped it down at once. He cotild nol have seen it until he raised his bill to snateh. : Many instances are recorded of the fondness of animals, includ- ing fish, for herbs. “The hidden virtues of herbs is such that the very brute beasts have fownd it out,” says Pliny, and from Theophrastus we learn that the sheep of one place will not est bitter wormwood, hut the sheep of Pontus fall on it—‘consequently they have no hile” Tzaak Waltun's friend Oliver Henly caught TILE VICTORIAN NATORALIST Vor. ol Sepleimber, 1944 Phare I Vellow Robin at Nest. Phato.: A. Hl Coishalm. Wedge-tailed Hagle bringing green branch te nest, probably as disinfectant. Photo,: D. W. Gaukredger. Sentomeecer ) yod4 Cunssers, elvomatic Plants as Aatise plies x7 more salmon and trout than anyhody else, This was very puezling lo Jzaak and the rest, nnlit it was revealed that, befare baiting his” ' took, Oliver's worms were put ints a box whieh had heen, anonited with a few drops of ail of ivy berries. ‘Ihe worms, ahsarbing the odour, were, irresistible, to the fslt. , Birds love the purple-black ivy berries. The leaves were ance warn a5 wreaths to prevent intoxication during Bacehanalian orgies, and a bush of ivy advertised good. wine, until some ann: keeper discovered that goad wine needs 110 bush. The fondness of dogs and other anjmals for anise is well known. and anise is suid to he the rat-cateher’s second-best hat, Bees love many herbs, which is why, from the time of Virgil, it was customary lo rub a new hive with Balm, Savay, Melilot, etc, On the uther hand. a sting was the direct result of rubbing a leaf al Bergamot (Morerde) ton near my bees! Many animals are attracted by Musk (natural and wsynthetic) und. the oils of, Lavender, Catnip and Rhodiuny. The latter, a kind i Con- volvulus, is said to be the finest of all war baits. , A few drops of oil of Bergamot {Bergamot-orange, - not Monatda) rubbed on the bill is said to tame the wildest of birds. First catch your bird! The passion of cuts [or Valerian. Catnip and Cat-thyme amounts to intoxication, The latter was once known 4s Herba-catti. My own plants were clestroyed by cats until a fellow-enthusiast told me that his planis were enclosed with wire netting. Each morning E had found them broken down, and the ground about then rolled smooth. Many members will remember a story told by Mr Charles Oke, for many years secretary of this club, He convulsed as with laughter while describing the antics of a nunther of cats, as they rolled im contortions of ecstasy (or intoxication) over his rublush-heap on which he had emptied dust and ant-debris from his collecting case. Some research ints ihe stent of those anes and a vowparison with the aifs of Cat-thyme and other cat-favoured herbs might disclase a link connecting “anting’ hy hirds and the use of arowatic herbs as nesting: inaterial. Catnip, when chewed, is said to make the most gentle animal or person trerce and guarrelsome—which is why a certain hangman could never work himself up to perform his office until he had eaten some | Numerous plants are repellant to insects. One need only cite the ails of Citronella, Lavender, and Cloves. Although anany plants are called “fiea-hane," onion juice is said tu be the Lest bane of all, Are onion leaves ever seen in birds’ nests?’ I find that Penty royal: believed to banish fleas from a dog's kennel, banishes the dog too! BB Cunmaran, eeamiatic Phuts as Antiscplics Wet ae Camphoryood and Sandalwood are two other well-known insect repellants. Are cheir leaves noticed by birds? Jlow many birdsjline their nests with gin leaves? Birds are said never to touch Fennel, yet this herly shaves: at least one of the virtues of Rue; bat unlike Fennel, Rie would wit no canmendation Irom Falstaff as an accompaniment of conger cel. , . In this garden birds have shown a fondness for leaves and seeds of way plants, such as ‘Marigold, Elecanpane, Helenium, Dan- delion, Récket, Spoonwort, and even.such narcotic herbs as Deadly- nightshade an! Henbane. Ji is possible thar whet exploiting the- plants tor food they discoverer their antiseptic properties. ‘For a further note on the rare Pyrethram whieh started chis discussion I ant again indebted to Mr, Willis, Jt as referred to in Flore and Sifve (April, 1937) as endemic bo the Canary Islands. Although discovered berween 1836 and 1850. ir was not found again until rediseoveerd by Dr. O. Burchard {wha published an account of the flora.of the Canary Islands} growing among rocks at an altitude of 1,400. to 1,500 metres. on the island of Gran Canaria, ; [A question mark muir he placed agaist Mrs. Columan’s statement that! “some birds, the yellow robin for ‘instance, often place green Jeayes an the floar of the vest." The leaves used by tte yellow robin, sind by the pale- yellaw robins of the north'as well, are always dzy, and they appear to serve onlv:as carpets. No other-lieds that [ can recall tnake a practice of placing green leaves oi, the floor of the nest, but same of the birds of prey, and: it particular the wedge-tailed cagle, often bring green brancliicts tothe nest when young: are present, and apparently this i5 either te serve ae an antiseptic or to cover ‘the portions soiled by the youny. That paint aside, a good deal of-suggestive matenal is contained in the wbove article. and jt ix hoped-that readers will endeavour to follow it up, At present cng of the diffecinties ts te reconcile the useof aromatic plants with the apparent fact {hat mast birds are-poorly endowed with a sense of smell—A. ILC) BIRNS AND ELUCTRIC WIRES "Can you explain,” asks “R.W.L." (Geelong) how it is that birt ‘curt nefech without harm upon high tension electric wires, while camact with. these wires’ would be fatal to human beings?” It.would surprise me to learn that birds are in any way twunuue., A faird might, of course, perch -uoharnied pow a single wire. but af at tonched shother wire in thé vicinity, at the same time completing the circuit, there would be sudden trouble, Opossums, especially ringtails, often use a single Wire as a right-of-way, but a aged many have heen electrocuted in getting in touch with a stund wire, “RAWLL. has evidently not heard the stucy af the old tady, who, seeing.an clectric Lramewire on tho ground,.asked the repairer whet anything would hayipen toe ler it she put her foot on it. “Oly! to, ma’ati." be esid, “not unless vou reached up with your other faot and, pucit on the overliead wire-of the other cram fine.” (Phe nons.) Perlestry DSA Srovaiy, Vip ty Adela Matonie Gyeylete RD VISIT 70 JHE MELBOURNE BOTANIC GARDENS . By H), C. E. Srewanr, Melbourne? ‘he value of our Botame Gardens can perhaps be assessed by City exebrsions such as took place on Ist July last. About fifty members and! visitors attended, amid geimal yinter susie, bo stale tropical ani sub» trapical arboreal vegeration, types thar nur Lroops would inevilably encounters on service in the iortl, The Gardena are notably rich m Queenslaid tree flara, and contat many species not ordinarily found among the Queensland: trees cultivated elsewhere in Melbourne. The thirty species chosen for imspectian may scem a formidable list to adequately discuss in & brief space~ if two hours, ut this was rendered possible by the convenient groupings on the Queensland Jawa near Park Street entrance, by the Queestsland bers, thes adjcaming southern triuge° of the Eastern lawn, and acfew sthyects. selecred front the -genera] Australian section. Farther, the system of labelling in the Gardene is a valuable time-saver in identification and. localization. The anajer tropical rain-forest vegetation, comprising ecucalypts, watiles, tea-trees, protcads, peauins and pines, was perforce set aside and conceit- tration imsde on four kinds of Evgenia, five of Freus, three ot Flindersie, a qumber of wut aod fruii-bearing trees. tivo of the stusging wants (Nos. 2) and. 23), the curious bird-catching Prisottia €No. 21), and scone punts with toxic qualities (Nos. 9 and 17), with several species having a tober or uselul ecarimnic attmbute. In addifion, attention was directed to ote or Wo exainplées od historic iterest, No. 14, and No, 26, "White Beech,” ane of the last-nantel being heavily Jaden with fruit clusters, Comment was mace upon the timber worth of “White Beech” (or “Grey Teak,” as iermed hy millers), on accomt of ant resistancy, difficulty ta fre, and suitabitity for furniture, floors and fittings, towether with a imodera tse zi hull plankings and floats of sea-plaucs. Indeed, the wood hay been favourably tested by Major Wackett, R.A.A.B., suggesting post-war possibilities in aircrait constriction, : No. 22 is another important tiwher tree. kitawn as “Australian Teak,” or rere correctly “Crow's Ash.” which in-a iwatural habitat attains a height of TAt feet, with straight clean bales of 80 fect. The borer-proof wood is admirable for boat decks, floors, skating cinks, and as a substitute for Indian Teak. Aboriginals made use of the rongh pods of the tree as rasps for surfacing weapons and scraping roots, hettee the frequent allusion to “Rasp-pad trees,"" Another of the same distinguished yronuds uf Pryedes it (No, BH, the “Northern Silver Ash’ or "DBowny-leaf Rasp-pod") was admired for its singular beauty. No, 2, a deciduows softwood, the noted “Red Cedar” of Australia was discussed at Jength in the tour examples stern; 2 hafhly prized dark rel timber, ftely grained, durable, unequallect- for laitse fittings and furoiture; it is iow scarce and cxpensive. The aew American legation building at Canberra is fitted with this “cedar” At Windsor, an the Iawkestury, 2 house was constructed in 1796 almost entirely of the wood, and stil] stands to-day, Among many notable examples oj. use: for intctior woodwork, the seats and’ organ case of the historic St. James’ “Church, Sydney, can be mentioned.” The shelter-seeking “Queens-- iand Tronwood,” No. 8, 1s one of our finest hardwaols, called hy the timbers getters "Bullet Wood" becatse of its toughness; it is much in deniand for farquetry Hoors, and particularly machine bearings, as it polishes well. Nird and (ree associations Were discussed with Nos. LO, 11, 14, 15, 19, $9 amt 24. In Australia the Pigeons reach’ ther highest devclopment, and the tropical Queensland region is generously supplied with firshy frunts tu formthe staple dietary for « large population of Prilisoprs and other Fruit . Vier, H 4) Sap wakil fag fie Medboiie Ravan Cardenas wat Pyros, as distinct Fram the Squattec, the Phoned and de block Pageons al the North—sved-eaters und pround-frequenters, Cussowariesy, Wompoo and Topknot Piteons, Fig and Cat Birds here among the larger species to need uw sizeable Jrmt. No. 16, the "Silver Quandong,” or "Brisbane Quandlong; is not to be confused with the Virtoriqn Quandongs, which are species, of Santatwan: it is also styled “lo: Pig’ or “Blucherry Ash,” duc to the metallic blue fruits. Quite commonly it the satural bush, the ground araend this tree. is liberally strewn with the while stones after the fleshy part has heen devoured by birds. The predilection of twany Australian Uirds for the colour blue is confirmed by their attentions in trees heariag Khae (rnits. ' The most reniarkable wee ofthe afternoon (No, @) was the "Queensland Dottle-tree” she first viewed a graceful sapling, and the secon] a matnres specimen somewhat encroached,.on one side hy a neaghbouring. if sot neighbourly, Moreton Ray Fig. Semn-deciduous, the “Bottle-free”™ grows sthundanth in the dry serns of North Australia—the specihe same rupestres sipmfhes “found in rocky situations.” Tmipervious to. drought, the tree reaches a licight of 30 to SO feet, whilst the peciline hottle-shaped trunk may attain s diameter up tw a feet. The leaves and pithy interior cau be eaten hy stock, Retween the pith and the inner bark drinking water ws extracted, also a sweet edible jelly, wholesome and nutritious. The hatives were well acqtiainted with the provisioning qualities of this tree. Three exampics together, coustituie -No. 7, the euphorhiaceous “Rivulet Tree,” Glochidjon Ferdijgndt (named after Ferdinahd von Mueller), These fine shady evergreens act as host for species of Cercopidae. or "“frog- fioppers.!' The hoppers subsist on ‘the young sappy growth of the leaves and stems. Ants m search of moisture prey on the frog-happers, which thvew cut wb mass.of froth or “cuckeo-spit.” The exudation falling Trem a tree, when tenanted by snany insects, gives rise ta the vernacular “Rain” or “Rivulet Tree” . Common to the Rockhampton district, the Queensland "Suowdeop rec,” No, 27, has flowers an panicles and egg-shaped iruits hal! am iuely fang. ‘The “snowdraps,” jeruptiois on the- trunk and branches, are a unique feature, accounting for the Bunch of native flowers (R spp.) gardeneprown al Canterbury. Mrs. J. J. Feeanie. Marine specituens, and ebm wing sloveang the claw, Mr. ‘Tom Griffiths: Books of pressed ferns, including Dryoptcris shepherdt’, Polystichum adiannferime, Doodia candata, D. zedia, Asploninne einsatant antl many others, _ Mr. Ivo C, Hammet: Gatden-grown native Mowers, Mr Tl. T. Reeves: Colnared photographs of native flowers. a Exrennstans, LIST OF EXCURSIONS, SEPTEMBER, 1944-AUGUST, * 7944 Sept. “Legality ' f 9—Hursthridge » 16—Doncaster Sep. Subject Wattles and Birels General » 2s~—East Oakicigh (B.0,C.) Heathland Flava Yet. 7 —Montmoreney-leitham 21-—Ringwood-Heathmont (B.0.C.) . 29%—TLilytale-M1. Evelwu- ' _ Lilydale Nov. 11—Botanic Gardens » 25~—Beaumaris-Fire area (B.OW.) Dec. . 9—Cohure” Gardens 1945", . Jim. 13—Rickeit’s Point 4 27--East Kew (B.0.C.) Feb. . 24 Heidelherg, Swamps (B.0,C.) d+Varra River Trip 4 LO—Upper Terntree Gully 24—Croydow (3.0.C.) Apr. 7-—~Zoological Gardens +» 2)]—Muoroojhark (B.0.C.) May 13*—Kalorama-Mt. Dande- ‘nong-Olinda. : Birds and General Botany General Fanily Myrtaceae Rehabilitation of arcaMr. Geolory Marine Bialogy . Birds W- Badger Creek SanctuarvAustratian Runa Pond Life - Ferns General . Australian Fama Auton Foliage . General » 2%6—Queen's Park (B.0.C.) Birds. June. T*—Kalista 25—Rotanic Gardens Os tBO.C): t= Zooloey School July = 7—Museum’ n 21-—Mouiseum {B.0.C) Aug, Wattle Park ry 58 iehaun- Greeerborortgh “hf RLO.C)- . +Sunday--all-day excursion. Cryptagains Atboreal Vegetition FFassils, Rocks and Minerals Birds Mares and Birds General , 1 wets wy _7Date to he Axed. [O4¢-Tayy:, 1945 “Messrs... Vict. Nat. Vol. 61 1945 Leader Messrs. Ivo C, Ham- met & A. 5. Chall Me, PL Fisch Mt, F, Salan Messrs. oA. 3S. Challe SoG. N, Hyam Mr, A. J. Swaby Messrs. R. G. Patnter & A. C. PFrosticl Mr. P. Bibby J. HL Wilks Messrs. A. C, Iros- tick & W. Hanks Mr. P. GC. Morrison “Miss T. Watson Mr, Mr, D, Fleay A. J Swaby HP, Dickins Messrs, A. J. Swaby _& To Griffiths Mr. 'T. 5. Hart Mr, & Mrs. Pinches Mr. R. G" Painter Mr. Mr, H.C. i: $tewart Miss 1. Wigan Mr. P_ Bibby Mr, H. C. E, Stewart Prot. W. Agar Messrs. FL S, Colli- ver, A. C, Frostick and S$, BR, Mitchell Mr, G Mack A, He Chis- holm, &, A. S. Chalk Messrs, A. S. Chalk & GN, Byam The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 61.—No. 6 October 5, 1944 __N®, 730 PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held on September i1, 1944, at the Royal Soctety’s TTall, where the President (Mr. Ivo C. Hammet) and about 100 members and friends attendéd. The President announced the death of Mr. J. Wilcox, an Honorary Member of the Club, and Mr. G, Coghill announced the death of Miss Amy Fuller, stating that she was well known for her wild flower paintings and suggesting tt might be possible for the Club to purchase some of these. As an indication of their value, Mr. Coghill stated that the set of paintings of South African flora had been purchased by the Kew Herbarium, England. Excursion reports were given as follows: Black Rock, Mr, T, S- Hart; Heidelberg, Miss Fletcher (for Mr. and Mrs. E. 5S. Hanks); Hursthrdge, Mr. lvo C. Hammet. The following were elected as ordinary members: Miss T. Scott, Messrs. R. T. M. Pescott, N, A. Hansen, G. Grant; as Country Members: Miss A. L. Laycock, Messrs. A. W. Cleaves and B. McKinnon ; as Associate Member: Miss Ruth Hart. NATURE NOTES Mr. and Mrs, Savage reported that the Boronia at Bendigo is doing very well this season, Mr. V. H, Miller reported having noted a Black-faced Cuckoo- Shrike feedimg on the ground at St. Kilda, Mr. P. C. Morrison reported that Bandicoots were plentiful in the Clarinda-Clayton area, Mrs. Freame reported on and exhibited a starfish that had qaturally broken into halves, ANNOUNCEMENTS A Wilt Nature Show will be held at the Hawthorn Town Hall ou Octoher 23 and 24. Proceeds will go to Jocal charities, and hele are required for setting up and watching the exhibits. A “Save the Forests” Exhibition will. be held on November 27-29 at the Melbourne Town Hall. fhe Club will participate in this exhibition. — a4 a, Naty ok Lorhehits Vet. m Mr. S. BR Mitchell reported (hat the Mawithorn Jumaer Naturalists’ Chuh recently celebrated its first birthday Pins elnls ineets at the Hawthorn Free Library on the last Friday in cach month, THE ABORIGINES Aw address on Kunmunya.. (WAL) and Musgrave Ranges (C.A.) aborigines and their crafts took the form of a series of motion pictures taken and commented’on by Me. -R_ 17. Balfour, Special attention was paid to the manufacture. of weapans, making af fire, spinning, food-gatherng, ete, and sa fine. sertes of action qretures of the childven at play was shown., These aborigines are pracneally untouched by white-contaet, and the Alms wete a valuablé addition’ to knowledge of. our native. rice .Of special ittevest, was the short film in-watural colowr as iL portrayed the wonderful tints of the Central Australian -area- Ac the conclusion of fhe films a vale of thanks was, carried ‘by acclamation, ow EXHIMITS “Mrs. J. J. Froame; Starfish that broke’ iy half ~f 5 Mr. VT. Griffiths: Pressed. forns-—Shining Filiny Form (J fyamernephy linn flabellata), Austral Filmy, Pern CH. misteale) | 7 ‘Mr. Vo H. Miller; Three’ native-opehide in bloom—Pendrobinn fateo- rostennt, D, gracilhnnean, and D. letraganun Mr. C. J. Gabriel: Marine Molluse. (.Siigqneria australis, QO. and G.) ma large clunp. Specimen from Bass Strait. Sa > a Date . Mr. H. P. iekind: Twelve paintings of Atstrahay will flawers, parden- grown. . i 3 Bi Mr. C. Brench: Puflenaca HW’ cindarfévi (Swamp Bush-Pea), Axtoralasta Muelleri (Lemon Star-Bhish), both from near Mt. Evelyn; &riostemon oboualis: (double fore), from Harcourt. Prostmithera aspalatlnrites 4 Sear- Ict Mint-Bush) and Thryptomene celyctia. (Bushy Heath-Myrtle) wiih pink: flowers, from Grampians ; all garden-grown at Canterbury. “Mr, F: G- Biford> Australite of the Core type (weight approximately a5 arms.), found at Myamyh, Westetn- District (scentific valve: spoilt by beng flaked by. the finder) ; pebbles from‘ fuvatile gravels ino New Guinea; ant Long-tailed Wasp (Mrgalyra. sp.). May boa aco oll - Miss. E. Colline Chogg. Watercolour. drawings of. (1), Drooping .Mistle- tne Aniyenta pendula), shoyane seeds; pollen grains ¢ shaped! Tike ‘caltrops) and Rewers in. groups of three with the central ones typically sessile; (2) “Pink Fingers” Orchid (Caladenioa cosa). wilh evlargements of the hairy vestiture and labelluin glands; (3)-larva- of a frog-hopper (enlarged); (4) gall-thakite seale msect (Ascehs) found on evcalypt foliage. 7+: PERSONAL ~ Sa 1 ~The nares of Messrs; 1), Dickison'ahd R.A Dur (ordinary mamhers} and Sper H. A. Nixon (country member) were omitted from ‘the lists of glecled members in the Nateralist Proceedings for June and September respectively. The oversight is regretted, October, 1944 ol Vor. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Pilate IV erty Bal Lovittax, foltmus drow New Gunen Note-fbeob 99 JOTTINGS FROM MY NEW GUINEA NOTEBOOK By Noe, Lorusran (on Service) Boranica.—Leaving fhe coast and tidal mud-Hats with their depressing mangrove vegetation, one finds on Ingher flats (te conmtion Molasses Grass and after the sun has heen shining a while its ndour i very pronounced, Kangaroo Grass is also in plenty aid many other grasses that 1 do not know, Cyces is often preseit in great numbers; along the north coast there are seem- ingly endless acres of this fern-palm. Odd specimens of Bankes occur, and much of a Crotalaria, which J think was used in the past as green manure, but is naw gone “wild,” Quite a oumber of plants had escaped from cultivation in pre-war days and it 1s often difficult to decide just whether a tree is native or naturalized in any area. Hill spurs are ofte’ grasstand, but, om the moister lee sides, thickets of semi-xerophytic character spring up. Bamboos antl bavanas are frequently present. depending on the degree of top shade. Six species of bamboo have been noted and they are most attractive m their huge clumps; a black-stemmed and very flexnose kind is to he seen at and above 6,500 feet, Once in the mountains, extensive jungle vegetation 1s encoun- tered. J.iawes make their appearance, and a scrambhnog kind of grass. Jampatrens is ote of the outstanding ground plants, which alsa include ferns, clubmosses, orchids and types of Afciasta- maceac. The overhead vegetation is even more luxuriant but difficult to examine for purposes of identification. Farther up the mountains pine forests abound and ate almost homogeneous ia places, with the ¢xceptinn of a few lanes, bamboos, tree-terns, staghorn ferns and lichens. I notice that these conifers (rax- caria) carry very little epiphytic growth, so difficrent trom the rough-barked trees at lower levels which are smothered with nmumerable lichens, mosses, climbing ferns, orchids and at least two species af the extraordinary “ant-house” plants. Cassanina 3s to be seen, but not in great quantity, and then mainly along river courses. A tather interesting find, and quite unexpected, was a “horse-tail’” (Equiselums sp.) which thrives in great pro- fusion along the stony banks of creeks; I also observed it ascending to heyond 4,500 feet. Above 5,000 feet rhododendrons appear and are still found av 7,000 feet. An arborescent species (10-14 feet high) has small dark red Rowers of no particular horticultural merit, but there are two epiphytic: kinds of intriguing beauty—one has large pink and white flower bells in clusters of Jour te six, it is not unlike onr single Australian species (Rhododendron Lochite from Nosth Cteensland) and would be an acquisition worthy of any garden. 100 Lariian, Jottings from New Guineas Notc-book eae Ornitifococicai.—I have ‘experienced the thrill of seeing a Bird-of-Paradise—a gold and vermillion creature with 1$-inch plunies; it was indeed 2 glorious and unforgettable glimpse, and I longed to have been closer, A general favourite is the noisy Black Wren, about the same size as our southern Blue Wren, but he is black with white on the wings. The ubiquitous Willy Wagtail is here and as cheeky as ever; he appears a little bigger than our southern bird. The very common Kunai Sparrow (so-called locally) is about the size of a small Blackbird—orange-brown with a white chest, hack wings, and a long tail of the same colour It builds a nest of imterwoven grass strands, not unlike certain possum nests, but only about six inches in diameter. The New Guinea Magpic is common and about the same size as a Mudlark, but with much more white than black and a less pleasing note than its namesake of the mainland. Azure King- fishers are very tame, and there appears to be a black species. There are Kookabutras at Port Moresby, but they are very interior to our popular “Jack.” The Swallow and Spine-tailed Swift seem to be identical with the species inhabiting southern Australia, Wood-Swallows— present in great numbers—are grey and white birds about six inches long, with very characteristic notes. Then there are Chats, Dotterels, Ground-Larks, Pigeons, many Parrots, several Hawks, and at least one type of Cockatoo. FUNGUS LIGHTS IN THE NEW GUINEA JUNGLE Captain L. T. Burcham (an American visitor to our club last year) writes With feeling about the nauiral beatities that lurk néar jungle path- ways “somewhere in the islands." Here is his appreciative description of Hiatula Wynne, a luminous agaric that immediately captivates the interest of anyone visiting its habitat in North Queensland or the New Guinea area— ‘strangely enough, the species was frst tnade known'to stienoe in 2872 from specimens appearing amongst Australasian vegetation in the hot- houses at Kew, England, "J must tell you of ane of the most intriguing sights I've seen in many ’ » day—truly something you'd nevet expect to see outside fairyland. There is here a smal] white mushroom, commonly found on pieces of very wet, partially decayed wood. It is = tiny, delicate thing, seldom more than balf an inch across the cap, the slender stem no longer, Its chalky whiteness strengthens the impression of fragility. “Beautiiul as it is hy day, it is infinitely enchanting by mght, for then it becomes luminous with a pale ‘Breet phosphorescence, so strong that a watth can be read by its glow. As youngsters we were told much about fairies, and how the toadstools spring up as tiny seats wherever they wish w sit. Having seen these, I wander if there mighta't be just a little truth in that, and wish so nmcli that every child could, at least onec, walk {in darkness along 2 path bordered with these tiny, glowing, fairy jewels.” . versber] Davnry, Some Lizards | Mave Kept 101 SOME LIZARDS T HAVE KEPT By H. W, Davey, Melbourne, (Continued from Scptember issue) 3, SCINCID Australia ts rich in members of this family, which is quite our largest In genera and species; the Bluetongue and Stump-tail lizards are the commonest of- the larger species, although our Rock Skink (Agernia cunningham j)—so plentiful in the You Yangs, Mt. Alexander, and other granitic outcrops—comes a good third. These afl do well in captivity, especially the blue- tongued, Tiltgua nigrolutea, which breeds freely, almost embar- rassingly when it comes to disposal of the young ones! I have turned numerous young loose in suitable localities as soon as they were old enough, but always far enough from the haunts of boys and motorists. Waite, in his Reptiles and Ampiubians vf South Australia (p. 144) says in regard to the common Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scinceides) that the young number usually about 10 in a single clutch, though as many as 15 have heen produced. This is an astonishing number compared with the very closely related T. ntigrolutea, which never produces more than five at a birth and mare often only three or four. My Bhue-tongues became extremely tame, and the only occasion on which [I obseryed anything approaching maternal instinct was when | essayed to lift a newly- born from 2 tussock of srass where its large yolk sac had become caught. ‘She mother immediately swung round and would have bitten my hand had 7 not moved it quickly away. At birth, the large and stil] attached yolk sac is eaten by the young one almost immediately. Another viviparous skink is that delightful, agile little Hinulia guoyi, so plentiful ncar water in southern Victoria; only recently 1 saw a very fine specimen at Gardiner’s Creek, Glen Iris, where this lizard would still be abundant were it not for predatory cats in the neighbourhood. Hinulia ts a bald little lizard and very numerous in the Cape Otway forests, Lasking in the sun an logs; it scurries into crevices When approached too closely, but wil] soon reappear if one remains still. 1 recall an occasion when I was seated on a Ing angling for black-fish in the Gellibrand River; a sudden noise at my tin of worms suggested the unwelcome company of a snake, bit my quick glance around revealed the culprit—a splendid specimen - of Hinuiie was struggling to lift a large worm out of the tin which, had I not grabbed it, was in danger of being upset into the river, This engaging sprite was determined to have his dinner 102 Travey. Sour Lizards Flav Kepi Vick Bate at my expense and soon carne hack, so 1 threw him his worm and, although promptly ducking out of sight at first, he presently emerged from a crack in the log and ate the juicy mersel_ I have bred H. quoyi over a number of years Tdeal conditions were provided, with a pond in the enclosure wherein lived also several species of European newt. The lizards would often take swim to floating leaves ‘of aquatic plants, and would bask on smali lows during daytime, sleeping in these at night. As far as 1 am aware, they have only four young at birth, but, where there are several adult females mn the one enclosure, these may produce young at or about the same time and segregation would be necessary in orler to determine the avetage family. Another fine skink is the West Australian Egernia stekesit, with habits much the same as /. ci¢tninghamii ; it favours stony. country and is chiefly remarkable for ifs fattened tail. This lizard did well with me during the summer months, but failed to survive a Melbourne winter. The stump-tailed Trachysaurus rugosus gives birth to only two young ata time and -succeeds in captivity. Unlike the geckos, which shed their skins several times during a year, this skink contents itself with an annual moult. One would-not expect a skin to be shed almost perfectly from a lizard hawng such large scales, but successful skin-casting in any reptile depends primanly on its condition of health, Rabhit-proaf fencing causes the death of many Stump-tailed lizards which push their heads through the wire meshes and, unable ta draw bach again, die.a miserable death. That times are often hard for them was brought to my notice on one: occasion while driving in the yvivinity of Horsham. Close to the: road, in a paddack of stooked hay, was a Trachyraurus busily eating some- thing; curious, I stopped the car and.went to investigate, To my great surprise, T found that the lizard was devouring heads of wheaten hay, and, allhough not wanting one of this species, 1 brought it back to Melhourne to ensure a more satisfying diet than Wimmera hay- These lizards frequently suffer ternbly (rom ticks in ther ears. I well remember a trip to Mt. Arapdes, when Stump-tails scemed to be unusually numerous. Upon picking one up for examination, 1 found its ears absolutely cramaned wilh ticks and many more of its brethren were in the same pitiable cotdition. In those days 1 always carried forceps, so spent a considerable time that after- noon “de-ti¢king' lizards. whose: abundance I now attribute to desfness on account of the tightly packed ticks - which blocked their ear passages—the basking reptiles were unaware of my approach until they aciually saw me. Catobet Davniy, Some Lisards 7 Mave Kop 103 4, PYGOPODIDE Some of the snake-like lizards-comprising tis family make interesting pets, but as a rule they do not take kindly to captivioy and keep out of sight as much as possible. Unforttinately for these Nzards, they are ‘oitent mistaken for snakes and killed at once. but the differences between the two are easily discernible. Serpents have neither the eyelids nor ear-openings which are commen to lizards: they have forkerd tongues and helly scales stretching right across the ventral surface, but these lizards possess Mat torigues and. several rows of small helly scales. Nearly all suakes, excepling the tree dwellers, have very shozt tails, whereas legless lizards have exceedingly long, fragile tails, calling for the preatest care in handling them—when bereft of his tail, one of these lizards ig a paor-looking abject indeed. Moreover. without a tail (having no legs} he has little chance of escaping his enemies at all. 5. FARANTDA Tn Victoria we have only two species, but several other niernbers of the genus Maraniws occur in Australia These big lizards are most commonly called “goannas,” a name probably bestowed on them hy miners arriving fram America. in the early gold- digging days, o account of a fancied resemblance to the large iguanas of their homeland. : The Lace Monitor, 7. varius, 1s widely ‘distributed throughout Australia and was at one time very plentiful.in Victoria, but the fiant specimens are now more commonly found in East Gippsland, the writer having seen some splendid examples about Nowa Nowa They do well in captiviry if taken small, the younger the better The second Victorian species 1s J”. gouldit. smaller and more vividly edlaured than its congener. I can not recommend it as a $itisfactory pet, and it does not take as kindly to captivity as daes V, varius, it is a great pity that such fine Nzards as these are often killed hy ilLinformed or stupid people and so-called “sports.” ‘Both species do far more good than harm, and, having a sensible regard to {he economy of Nature, no person is justified in destroying that of which he is ignorant. I once went to Port Faity to watch the arrival of murton-birds, and a local, overhearing my clated description to-a friend at the hotel, came to the door of the ‘Commercial Room and said, “What a pity you didn’t take a stick with you; it’s great fur knocking them over.” When T told hitn I could see a6 fim in knocking over a bird that had come to feed its young. the local replied, “They ain*t no good. are they?” 104 Coren yn, de Gintevor Gain Moll Mastesy Rei honed AN EMPEROR GUM. MOTH “MYSTERY by Eorra Coreman, Blackburn, Vie On the evening of October 15, 1943, T tiberated an Emperor. Gum Moth which had apparently emerged from an tnnoticed cocoon among guin-iwigs on a wired-im verandaln On March 18, 1944, twenty-five -nearly half-grown larvae were discovered on the stump-sprouts of a Sugar-gtim, On oe leaf nearby were twenty- five eggs from each of which a larva had emerged—surely a high percentage, ' ' As the sprouting’ stump was only about fiveryards distant from where the moth was released, I'assume that; even in the dark, she had found the night iood-plant on which to deposit her eggs. I found no more eggs, although there were two. other sprouting Sugsr-gum stumps in the garden. . I had often watched isolated captive specimens, but this was far more fascinating. The gum-shoats, with. theit Aatrened-spherical juvenile leaves, reddish twigs and petioles, were at their loveliest stage. One could not fail to note how well the handsome green larvae, with their red, blue and yellow spines, hatmonized with them, Most striking was their habit of élinging upside down under the twigs and petioles, clasping them with their fleshy, clinging feet, so thal. tu a bird's eye, “they miust have appeared jike narrow green leaves with a reddish mid-rib. The yellow line along the sides of thé body (the “sunshine line” we have always called it) appeared like streaks of sunlight, serving to break up the outline, and completing the ihision of leafiness. The larvae were practically invisible at a short distance and always had to be sought. Daily 1 visited them, watching much skin-shedding ; never marvelling at their escape, even in a garden full of birds, for they seemed so wonderfully camouflaged. =~ The larvae ate only the more mature leaves, never touching the tender reddish leaves at the tips of the branches. Voracious feeders, they soon became more expused on denuded branches and moved along to lealy ones. ; On April 26, even after two days of heavy rain, there were still twenty-five larvae, now almost fully fed. Next day two were missing, Had they pupated? On April 28 there were only eleven left, and these were ir the leafy shoots, as if they sought shelter as well as fresh food. As I found no cocouns, nur dead bodies on) the ground, [ assumed that birds had discovered them, * On May 7 there were still eleven fine, far larvae. I seemed surprising that even eleyen could have survived after such heavy rain and intense cold. I watched the rain. dripping off the tips of | 1944 CoLeMAN, An Emperor Gun Moth Mystery 105 limp, reflected bodies. When it ceased they commenced to feed again. eon May 8 they had disappeared. I found no dead bodies on the ground, so they had not been washed off by heavy rains. it seemed that they must have been taken by birds, tinless the eleven had crawled away in a company to pupate elsewhere. The larvae of some moths and butterflies always leave the food-plant to pupate—a wise procedure when they pupate singly, leaving others still feeding, for these would doubtless sever many leaves to which they had anchored themselves. But in this instance there was not the same necessity for such precaution, as the cocoons are usually fastened to the bark of a trunk, branch or twig. If the eleven larvae left the food-plant in a body to pupate, it suggests that the Emperor Gum Moth is gregarious to a greater degree than we have thought. An entomologist who visited the garden at once searched the bark of the stump and other trees, but we found no cocoons, and I have searched many times since. The chance of survival, there- fore, seems a very slender one. Of course it is possible that the moth had not put all of her eggs in one basket, and had deposited others which I missed, and that some of these survived. The name Emperor Gum Moth seems now a misnomer, seeing that the larvae are more ftequently found in numbers on the introduced pepper-tree (Schinus molle), and even on fruit trees, Why not Emperor Moth? As the moth existed in Australia many centuries before the white man introduced the alien trees, she has evidently evolved means of determining the edibility of alien leaves for larvae which she will never see. She herself has never eaten leaves, yet she deposits her eggs on only those suitable as food for her offspring, even on alien leaves. How does she recognize them? Inherited memory is out of the question. It is one more of Nature’s inscrutable mysteries. We have deeply regretted the cutting of our Sugar-gum. With its slender 200-ft. shaft and shining crown it was beautiful at all times, but never more so than when “flowering” with king parrots, gang-gang cockatoos or lorikeets, which foraged for unripe seeds, littering the ground with rifled calyces, even dropping them on our heads. The tree had pruned itself of lower branches, rising above all the other trees; but it swayed so alarmingly in a high wind that it threatened the house. Two other Sugar-gumts treated in the same way haye sprouted into such beautiful branches that one wonders why they are not more often lopped to provide closer shelter than those seen round Western District home- steads, although a smafler variety is sometimes used for the wind-breaks. Apart from other considerations, these lopped trees have shed new light on their power of regeneration—such a great asset to Australian forest trees in admittedly difficult conditions —Epita CoLeman. i Rurv, 4 New Spectes of Plerostylts from Portland ok A NEW SPECIES OF PTEROSTYLIS FROM PORTLAND By the Rev. H,. M. R. Rupr, Northbridge, N.S.W. P. celans, nsp. Ploata parva gracdisque, circiler 9 cm alta, cum faltis basalibus 3-6, pettolatis, arbicularibus vel ovatis, circiter 15-20 mm longts, Caulis bracicac latae, 2, superior florem subtendcns sed distans. Flos solitarius, viridis, in ovarium. altquanto robusium. Scpalum dorsale circiter 15 mm tongiwm, wrectum per 4 lonyitudinis, tum flexrum ad apicem ucntum et paulluly decurvum. Sepala lateralia erecta, ad petalorum bases adnate, et connata per 3 omom, tom divergentia ct Aliformia, neper galeam extendentia, porroe curvaia: sins ad suncttonem angustissimus. Petala non ad sepatum dorsale adnata, latissima, circiter 12 mm longa, dimidium iiterius wnflexion. Labellum fere lanceolatum, sed ci apice trun. cato inter rugas duas, circiter 71 mm longum, 2 mm = latum, floris mteriorem celans: lamina longitudinalis alba cum nervo ntedio viridi: appendix fere obso- Ietus, @ base 3 am. Columna 7 mm longa, fere directa: alarum fobi superiores tereti, glandulosi, lobi inferiores aliquanto diver- gentes, 2 mm longs, mfram cum marguttbus brewiter ctltatts. Stigma ovatum, magnum, lalins steam: columma. A diminutive, slender — plant apparently seldom exceeding 9 cm in height, with a basal cluster of 3-6 stoutly petiolate leaves, orbi- cular to vvate, up: to 15 mm long including the petioles. Stem-bracts 2, leafy, the upper one subtending the flower but distant from it. Flower solitary on a relatively robust ovary, green. Dorsal! sepal ahout 15 mm Jong, erect for 4 of its length, then bent forward to form a galea with an acute and Picrosiylis celans, n.sp. slightly decurved point, Lateral I. Labellum, upper surface. 2. Column, — sepals erect, adnate to the base of side view, 3. Column, front view. the petals for 3 mm, and connate 4. A petal. 5. Labellum from the side, with each other for 5 mm, the to show appendage. ap. appendage. sinus at their junction extremely s, stigma, narrow; their basal halves broad, then suddenly contracting to fili- form caudae extending above the galea and curved or hooked forward. Petals in all my specimens entirely free from the dorsal sepal for their whole length, about 12 mm long, nearly 4 mm wide at their broadest part. with a conspicuous median longitudinal nerve, on the inner side of which the petals are inflexed. Labellum ajlmost lanceolate, but with a truncated apex between two minute marginal folds, about 11 mm long and 3 mm KEY TO PLATE. Orcnber] Rum, 2 Mou Sovcied ef Plerostylir from, Periland In? wide at the broadest part: with the itturned ‘petals completely congeotinag tha taterior of the flaiwer, thin and membranous, Longitudinal Iabellar plate white on bath sides with a green median nerve; appendage almost obsolete, unbraiched, about 3 mm above the base of the labellam, Coluin 7 min Jong, nearly straight, upper wing-lobes terete, glandular-transparent tear the tps, the Jowet Johes broad, scatcely metting in front, shortly ciliate on the lower margins only, Stignva large and conspicuous, ovate, wider than the column, Portland, Victoria, 10.1943 and 10.1944. G. Bermett and Mrs IC Metiblon, ' Specimens of this cunous little Greenhood orchid, discovered by G. Bennett in 1943, were sent to me by Mrs. Mellblont [ts most obvious affinity 14 with J? naxe@ R.Br, of which 1 was at frst mclined to think jt a teratological form; this was alsu the opinion at che time of Mr. W. H. Nicholls. Bat turther examination, and the fact that |S specimens were found, all agreeing: precisely im the peculiar character wf the ‘flower, éutivinced me that it cold not be meludedsia J. nan, 7 = 1 ain now glad that circumstances prevented its publicaou as a chew species in 1943, because specimens of the 1944 season have been received fram. Mes. Mellblom, and they are identical in all respects with those of the previous yeur, thus endorsing the right of the plant, in my opinion, ‘to specific rank, The area upon which plants were discovered is utitor- tunately now being cleared for agricultural purposes, hut Mr. Bennett has transplanted as many as possible to safer ground The outstanding peculiarity of the flower is provided by its remarkable ameémbranous Tabellum, which might almost be described as petaloid ft does not appear to he trritablé, and the appendage so characteristic oJ species of Prerastutis at the base of the labellum is almost obsolete, being repre- sented by a single shart “hair of about 3 mm above the base. In P. wona the labellum ts very much shorter than the column; tt is thick and firm in texture. and has a branched apuendave at the base. In the new species the Sabellum is at Jeast 4 mm lonecr thao the column, ‘The fetalg also are remarkable, In sll my specimens -they are completely free from the dorsal sepal for their whole length. They are very broad, with a proitiinent median nerve, on ihe inner or anterior side ai which the petal is inflexed These inflexerd halves of the petals, together with the long, wide, membranous labelluni, completely condda) the whole ‘interior of the flower. thus suggesting the name F, celens. - . T coniess thet I cannot even hazard a guess at the purpose of thts concealment, In every flower I examined, pollen was freely scattered on the stigiwa, proving that some pollinating agent had heen at work. | do not think at péssible for a Pterostyis flower to be self-fertidizing. What 4s the agent in this case, and how does it yn about its jab? Here is a fine field for qhservation by our Porthind friends, who are to be congratulated an the discovery of such an tirteresting Spetics. . SCAVENGING BIRDS NEEDED Corporal R. D. Kent writes irom New Guineas "There is 2 very notice: able lack of sea-birds and in consequence the beathes here are very ilirty and ‘high! “My, D. J, Matwny, who retired recently from the position of Director of the National Museum, Melbourne, died on September Z7, An obituary notice will appear later. 108 WaKnrikkn, Feen Lave af Bust Cippstare via ate FERN FLORA OF EAST GIPPSLAND By WN. A, Waxurinly, ALF, (formerly of Genoa, Vie.) The district referred tw here as ‘East Gippsland’ is that seenon of Victoria east of ihe western watershed of the Snowy River—a roughly triangular tract of Yand with atr-area of about 4.00 square miles, Mast of the country is very rough and mountainous, and the main fern flora type is of Antarctic origin, fer the district, this forms a group of about two-thirds of the Jocal speties. Nearly all of these are common in New Zealand, and extend through Tasmania, Victoria and New Sauth Wales into the highlands af southern Queensland. In the drier western parts of the district there appear same inland species; and on the higher land io the north chere are some which are typical of the Alps. [np the ¢estern part there is an interesting extension of sub-tropical specics winch are common to the lowland brushes of eastern New South Wales and Queensland, a group comprrsing abaut one-fifth. of the total for the dastrict. In the southern cowsral belt are a number of littoral species, most af which range from Queensland to Western Australia, Of all Victorian vascular cryptogams, BD per cent, occur in East Gippstand- Tue Coastat Bret will be considered first, tor the sake of convenience. is the southern tract of low country, in some places extending well inland, aud ig characterized by sandy soil with a covering of Eucalypts and Banksia, extensive patches of Spear Grasstree forming plains devoid of trees, coastal heats, peaty swamps, and in some places low granite outcrops covered with tea-tree. All the fat moist parts show ai abundance of Swamp Sclaginella (Selaginetle utiginesa), Bushy Clabmass (Lycopudiem. desnins) and Screw Fern (Lindsaye iiyeraris], all three of whick may be found, too, in hollaws: amid the mountains, toe an elevation of abaut 1,000 fect. In the patches of Grasstree, where the soil is slightly peaty, Rough Comb Fern (Schtsaea asperula), Forked Comb Fern (8. bifida} and Pigmy Clubmoss CPhaylloglosttin Drumenjndit) ate plentiful in places. The two Comb Ferns grou to a lesser extent in the more undulating sandy pacts, and Common Hracken (Preridinwt aguilinnm) graws extensively heneath the jarest covering. ‘ Alang many of the creeks, in the geaty bogs, Wiry Coral Fern (Gloichenia circinmgta) forms extensive thickets; and on their borders, and in the black-soil soak are Comb Fern (Schifsaco fistslosa) and Slender Clubmoss (Lycopodinm laterale), On the river-Hate, where there is stagnant water, Ferny Azoll2 (Acoila pinnata) forms extensive floating patches} alld it Is worth recording that the commoner species of other parts of the State (4. rubra} bas not dcett found in this district, - About the mouth of the: Snowy River, tear Ewing's Morass and Marto, on open grassy flats, Tiny Selaginelta (S, Pretssiana) grows; Adder’s- tongue (Ophioglassunt coriacetum) is pisntisal and there is a little Meadow Moonwort (Botrychim ousirale) to 6¢ found. The two last are scattered in mossy granite country of the aouthern parts, and have both been found m. sub-alpitic lacslities. Where the creeks have rexched rock, they are bordered by Coral Fenr (Glewhenta micropliytia), and King Fern (Tedca barbora}, exch ol which extends inland to the lower mountain valleys; and Fishbone Fern (Blech- wun mudwn} and Soft Water-fern (Bt cepense} which are plentiful along open streains right up to sub-alpine parts Om rock-cliffs overlooking the sea a few miles south) of Mallacoota are isolated patches of the Blunt Shore Spleetiwart (Asplentum obtusatum)}, whith has uot becn found elsewhere on the Victorian mainland. oe Woaxermen, Ferm Flora of East Gippstand 719 Tre Ipcanp Spectres art Bristl Cloak Fern (Notfalaena aastans) and Blanket Fern (Ptewrosorus rultfoltess, both of which ace turamon on the drier himestones of the Ruchan distinct, and on the granite of the lower Suggan Bhegan wid Deddick River Valleys. Rock Fern (Chetlaosthes teswifelia) is abundant here tov, tot, unleke the other two species, it ts Pentifnl also on rock outcrops throughout Croajingolong. Sun-ateins Sencirs.—These are mainly in the moth, Tw the Inpec- waodbee, Bonang aud Bendoc districts, Alpine Water-fern (Biechhain penne wiariea is very abundant alang the open streams, amd it descends to as low as 2,500 feet in places’ Mountain Clubmoss (Lycopodrem fastigia- fum) frows on geassy flats by the Upper Delegete River, and the Meonwort GBatrychtin teuriod has been found on grassy slopes at Ingeegoodbec by Mr. W. Hunter. In a stagnant pool among granite rocks ef the Genoa River, near Wanerabelic, « single wilt of the Quillwort €fsoctes hatmatior) has beer found; and (hough this plant belongs to 2 typically alpine genus, this habitat is al an elevation of only a few hundred feet On the tops and slopes of the Coast Range, Goonmirle Ratige, and neat mountains, is a belt of country which. is focally known as the “Big Jungl ae and which has @ dense cnvering of Eucalypts and Bedfordiz, beneath w Soft Treeferti (Dicksomiq antarchce), Hard Water-Fetn (Blechnwn pers corkm) and Mother Shield Fern (Polystichaun froliferim} ace extremely abundant. These three extend, too, in fess abumdance, to the Sower mountain valleys farther south. Conimon Spleenwott { Aaplentuen trichosumes), usually found on gratute rocks in sub-alpime parts. is, in East Gippsland, confined to the Buchan and Gelantipy districts, where it is often Plentiful on mestone, A simular case is provided by the Variable Clubmoss (Lycopoditon vortum), which is usually alpine, but which grows on mossy cliffs at 1,500 feet elevation neat Genoa Peak. In both cases the particular racks seem to suit the propauation of ile plants despite their low altitudes, Ratn-poresr Bett—-Where the predominant plants are Acacias ard Eucalypts, on the slapes of the lower mountains, there rows an abundance of Roweth Tree-fern (Cyatheo austratss), False Bracken (Culette dubio}, Gristle Fern (Blechnum cartilayinesat) aod the ubiquitous Bracken. As well as these, there are Common Maidenhair Fern (Adiantsem acthiopficum), Sticky Hypulepis (JV ypelepis pancreas and Common Rasp Fern (Deodie medi) in the open gullies, and on, Enll slopes. Commoi Filmy Fera (Humenophullim cxpressiforine), Kangaroa Fern (Polypodnime diverstfolum), Sickle Fern (Pellaze falente) and Necklace Fern (Aspleninnr fisheltifoliwan) grow plentifully on moist rocks. m mst parts of the district, both im the gullies and an shaded cliffs on the mountaite spurs, Narrow Vilmy Fern (M4ecodinm rarnet), Weeping Spleonwort (Asbleninn Raccidenr) and Leathery Shield Fern: (Polystichasy adémnti- forme) xre plentifol on mossy tock faces andoin granite creviees al Genoa Peak. Tn the noist soil in the deeper gullies af the lower mountains are Bat's- wing Ferm Aichopleris rcisa), Strap Fern (Blechnuim Paterson), Mother Spleenwort (Asplentuns Indinfermm), Shining ‘Wool Fern (Dryopterts Shephordit), Teuder Bracken (Pteris trenna) and Rufous Hypoleps (A, rugosa), By the larger streams, Gipsy Fern (Potupodivane grasumnlidis) grows both as an epiphyte and as a lithophyte; and on the ground we frid Hypolepis (A. Mueller), Shade Spleenwort (Deplosium axstrale ), Sulky Fan Fern (Stic keris tenex) and Creening Lace Tern (Déonstaddita danal- fioides), all in fair abundance. 110 Warerrin, Fern Flora of Mast Cijpoluyet tira baa ln the gullies of the higher mountain country, mainly wi the many hears nf the Berm Raver (Arte, Combienbar, Errinundra, ctc.), the Antarctic type is. well developed and is almost identical with that of the Dandenong Ranges, though still Jacking th) same of the species of southern Victorsa (Preris comans, Polpstinlunn hispiduny cic.) The additiénal species. to be found freee are the Austral Filmy Feen (Mecoditon eiustrate), Shining Filiny Fern (17.. flabeliati), Veined Bristle Fern (Poalyphlaluae vena- zum}, Long Fern Clubmoss (Fimestpteris Aillerdiart) and Finger Fern Le otypodnan ausiralc), all abundant .26 epiphytes at trunks of Soft Tree- erie, The Stender Tree-fern (Cyathier Cioringlemel) and Skirted Tree-fern {{. marcescens) ave scattered through this part-tao; bur, like many of the ather species alteady menticticd io this section, they are more plentiful in the Mount Draimer “jungles.’ Where the 4treams are more rocky, Lauet Rein (8lechunm lanceelatun) and Ray VWiaer-lern (8. Revintile) are nat uncdinmon; but, excepr that the latter extends, to néactiy suh-alping streams, neither af these two is found in any othes.part of the district, ; Sup-taorrcar. Freon —This is in’ the east of the districL, and along the gtecams, and an same of the shaded hollows of the lower mnountams, there arc patches oi yegetation often referred to as “jungles,” with few or nv Ruealypts, but with w forest of Kanooka, Blackwood, Lilly-Pilly, Waratah, etc. Téestooned with laancs and other <¢recpers, so as to exclude direct sunshine, though at 1s quite open underneath. Jn such places, Giaic Maiden- hair (ddianlaart formosnim) grows by the Cana and Spoawy Rivers; and m wo localities the Small Shade Spleenwort (Diplacsiuwe japontemm) her heen recently found. The “jungles” are typified hy the ocemrrence of the terrestrial Jungle Brake (Pterts moshrosap, and by Fragrant Polypody (Polypodinan pusiatatumy oo the trunks af Soft Tree-ferit Prickly Rasp Fern (Doodioa aspera) and Spreading Fan Fern (Sireliceys lubetas} grow an the hillsides mand near the jungles. Here the Felt Fern (Cyclopharus rupestyis) is abundant as an emphyte on Kanuoka; and the species is frequently found 100 On rock outcrops int other parts of the distract, even as far nomh as Suggan Biggan, The Small Rasy Fern (Doadia condate)! is scattered from Genoa to Buchan, generally in moist Eranite crevices along watercourses, : _tn the Mount Drummer area, in the heads of Karlo Creck and of other tribularies of the Wingan River and of the Howe Ranges. the fori) Mate of East Gippsland (and indced of. Victoria) reaches its peak, both in the vember of species present and im the extent of their growth. fn these isolated islands of flora, almost all the Species of the last two sections grow proluscly, mainly in the moister parts, and right among them, but extending up the hillsides, are. large.patches of sub-tropical specios. The lithophytic species mentioned in the previous two sections grow here a9 epiphytes on the Kanookas. Prickly Tree-feria (Cyathea Leichhardtiangy ia very plentiful, aiid the fround js covered with Jungle Wood Fern (Qryopterius tenera) Even Rough Tree-fern here supports the growth of numerous epiphytes, inclad- inE quantittes of Jungle Bristle Fem (Macraglens condala); Soft Tree; fern is hast to many Species, among which are Blot Fern Clubmoss (Twrenpteris ovetc) and Small Fern. Clubmoss (T_ porvw). Near Karlo Creek is the only known Victorian patch of Lace Fern (Lingsoyo wrero- Hiwla),: - . In the far east, abut Genoa, atc great granite outeraps, and by one of jhe watercourses through them are patches of Rough Manknhair Fern (Adiautian hispidulent) and Fan Fern (Sticherns flabellstes), Whe former org Hawitiom dimior Fiold Naiweatisis Chit iit occurring also in the Thawe Ranges; while near Mallacoota Inlet. upposie Gipsy Paint, is an isolated patch of Trim Wood Fern (Dsyapteris decetie posita), another rarity of Ue extreme ¢asl, The Chinese Brake (Prariz gittaio) seems to favour porous. rocks, for theuih tts a sub-tropical speries, one ihust go as far west as (he Buchan limestones before it is Found, On the walls of one deep pranite erevine near Genoa there are a few jilants of the Willow Splecnwort) ( dapleniunt adimdtones}, almost the rarest Victorian fern, ft ts remarkeble that the stb-iruopcal species, Drpopteris agmphalis and - Davalite pyridata, baye pot heen found an East Gippsiand, lor they extend. through eastere New South Wales mlo other parts of Vivtoria, appurently missing this district, although many localities here would adiurably swt their arowth. Mueller had Jéeranopieris fitearis and Asplewisin ids on Victorian lists; but thoueh the Jatcer, at least, occurs within 3 aniles of the Victorals border, there 1 no real Victorian record of either, In addition to these, there are two other species Crthropteris tenglia and Platycerium bifur= Heder which come as far south as Mount Dromedary, &0 miles- from. the border. : So, althongh East Gippsland bas been fairly well explored durivg the past few years, it is quite likely that still further discoveries will be made. possibly in the Howe Ranges, which have not yet heen thorowelle searched. —_— ~~ —_ HAWTHORN JUNIOR FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUR After causiderable prelimuary work, and interviews with members of Hue Hawthorn Council and the committee of the Hawthorn Ice Libvary- consent of the Council to the formation of a Natdral History Cloh was. obtained. An orgamemg committec was thereupon formed, with Mr, and Mrs. J. 3, Freame. Mre Carbines, Messrs. P. F_. Marris, H, T. Reeves, 1. W. Cooper, H. P. Dickmy and S, R. Mitchell as personne], and at a meeting held in the Free Library it was resolved to establish such a club under the name Janzor Naturalists’ Chib (Hawthorn Branch) The madgural meeting tovk place on August 6, 1943, and since then nine iectures Have been given, two excursions condactedy and a “demonstration evening” arranged. The Iectures, usually illustrated by lantern slides or nuwtion pictures, have bern highly educative and preatly appreciated, From October 4th to 9th, 1943, an exhibition of varied mterest was staged, the Mayer, Councillors and Town Clerk attending, The club is indebted ‘to the Hawthorn Council for the continued use of a yer fine decture rou, and bas received much help and encouragement from the efforts of Cr. J. Fowler on particular, T wish to register my appreciation of the work so effectively carried out by Mr. and Mrs, Preame, the secretary (Miss L. Edgelcey}, Mr -P. BF, Marris, and other members af the committee. To celebrate jhe first anni- versary, Mr, and Mrs. Freame arranged a birthday party aud generously pravided all the refreshments, the tectwve on this occasion bemgy dehyvecred by Mrs. Freame herself. Local support afforded the new clay is so far rather disappointing, -but we hope to augmeut-the present membership of 35 when the elub's activities ‘become, more Widely known, However, the results te date surely justify this venture and emphasize the desirahifity of forming jucior naturalist societies in other suburbs. Any assistance in the | way of addresses by senior membors will be gladly welcomed, S. R. Mererieté 112 Favincre’ Meothoved Friends "Ae THE FARMERS’ FEATHERED FRIENDS To anyone doubting the ammense value to Australia of carrion-teeding autd insectiyoraes birds, or ta those who never think about the question at all, the South Australian Jowell of Agriculture for Aujust offers- at - ilininating aetiele by Mr. Po J. Carnow, under the above utle. The fact that many landowners are utterly oblivious of the jgood services. rendered dhem by native birds is deplored, while a credit halance is made out even far the much-maligned white cockatoo and wedje-taifed eagle, Mr. Cur- vow's, plea for better bird protection must appeal to all nature-lovers. He says, iter alia: “The greatest vandal in the world is the white inan. He comes into a new country clothed with valuable forests, strange forms o€ hird aml animal life, and often aboriginal life of a lower type than his own. The first thing he thinks of is to kill off any living thing he can rat, or, thraugt the sale of furs or feathers, he can turn imo cash: Before seizing & gun to shoot any Hird that may be strange to you, allempt to And out if it be a useful species before you take iis life. The greater number af our birds are useful, fram the tiny wrens that eat up aphis on aur roses to the larger kinds that help to control blowfly strike by eating up fly larvae m dead carcases AlN have a place in our economy and are worthy af preservation.” LIEUT.-COLONEL SIR DAVID PRAIN The Biddesi of the Imperial Jstite announces the death of this veteran botanist on March LO, at his home in Whyteleate, Surrey, England. Sir David Prain, who attained the age of 86, was formerly divectar of thie Botanical Survey of Initia. Returning to England, he assumed the director- ship of the Royal Batanic Gardens, Kew (1905), 2 post that he held wirh conspicuous ability for 1? years. In 1926 he was appointed first chairmart of the Advisory Connci| on Plant and Animal, Products al the Lmpersal Anstitute, retiring therefrom in J936 at the age of 79, Sir David presided over the Botany Section vi the British Association, for the Adyangemant of Science at Winnipes (Caiada) m 1909, and visited Australia with British delegates during 1914. Conipared with those of Sis predecessors at Kew, Sir David's botanical writings ate meagre, but he was a world- renowned and excellent administraror-scientist, and one of the most likeable men it has been oy baceur to meet—P_ FL Mouiss. EACURSLON TO BLACK ROCK A large Wumber attended the outing on August 19, the locality visaled being on the vicinity of Balcombe Road, from half to one inile east of the fram terminus. ‘The castern slope of the bill was first tried, but abundant #rowth of Coast Tes-tree bushes mate location of other plants difficult. Rarmt-over areas on the other side of the road were in various stages of recovery al gave better results. Mary small plants were seen here, tne)ud- a= Ule contmor Cros species and Scented Sundew (fowering vlentifully in places}. A low prowth of Runkste was sill flowering, and four speces af Acacta displayed attractive Wassoms. One of the abnormal folinge forms of the Acacia Tongifolia geoup (smalf phyliodes, and possibly 2 hybrid) was noted and it would be jiitteresting to test the sced later on, whee add if dbtainalile. Tew orchids were observed) an flower, fet The feathery plumes af Blady Grass ied to an cxamination of Ws underground method of spreading —T_ 5S. Hau. The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 61—No. 7 November 8, 1944 No. 735 PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held on October 9, 1944, at the Royal Society's Hall, where the President (Mr, Ivo C. Hatmimet} presided aud about 120 members and friends attended. Excursion reports were given as follaws; Doncaster, My. P, Fisch; East Oakleigh, Mr, F. Hy Salau; Montmoreney to Eltham, Mr, A, S. Chalk and Mr. Hammiet. The following were clected as Ordinary Members of the Chub: Misses C, Q, Palmer, J, C. Burnett, Greta Scott, 1.. Matthews, Messrs. G. Fraser, 7. HW. Laver; as Country members: Cpl, R. D Clarke, Messrs. G. H. Jennings and Edwin D, JHateh. -NATURE NOTES Mr, Chisholm was asked why black and white birds of different species often nested close together, He said in reply that black and white birds (e.g¢., Magpies, Wagtail, Mid-lark, etc.) appeared te be protected by their very prominence, and there seemed ta be some protective value attached to the fact that the Mud-lark and Wagtail frequently nested in the one tree. It would he interesting to know from observation which was the first species in possession in such cases. Mr, Gates nientioned having seen in Canterbury a black and yellow bird which he had never noted in the district before. Ma Chisholttt said that the species was the Regent Honeyeater, and the birds were possibly the same pair that had recently been seen at Wattle Park. 9 Mr. A. J. Swaby reported that two Spur-winged Plovers had selected a nesting site on a football ground, where three school ganies were played each week. The eggs were laid among Cape weed, and were soon taken. A second site was selected, this time alongside a concrete cricket-pitch, and the young were successfully hatched, fending for themselves at a very tender age, The old birds are again nesting in the same locality. A note on a habit of the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike was also given. it way stated that as soon as the young birds had left Lhe test the parents had destroyed ut. and had tot attempted to use the material again. Mr. Chalk stated that these birds often used ald nests of the Mud-lark, atid these were never destroyed, . Vict. Nat 114 Mountain dnd Busts Vol. 61 GENERAL BUSINESS \ The forthcoming Nature Show m the Hawtharn Town Hall Was mentioned and an appeal made for ladies to assist a the seiling up, j Mr. V. H, Miller reported that Mr, C. French had been appointed to thé curatorship of Maranoa Gardens, and said he Jooked forward to a continuation of the good work started by the late F. Chapman. Mr. Miller further stated there were some maguificent displays in the gardens at the present time. Mr. H. T. Reeves supported these remarks and congratulated Mr, Bury on having such a fine display. Mr. G. Coghill stated thar the collection af wild flower paintings of the late Miss Fuller had been left to the Club, and he pointed out the value of them for the Club's purposes. The President remarked that the Barrier Field Naturalists” Club at Broken Hill had issued an admirable booklet on Charles Sturt, and he exhibited a presentation copy sent to the Club. MOUNTAIN AND BUSH An illustrated lecture was given by Mr. Paul Fisch, who dealt with alpine scenes in Switzerland, sundry places en route to Australia, and Australian localities. A feature was the fine series of nature studies taken near his home at Doncaster. Giant fungi, new and rare forms of Cordyceps, orchids, etc., were among the illustrations. Mr. Colliver asked if the Jecturer could explain why many of the Swiss alpme plants were common garden plants over here now, and yet alpine plants of New Zealand, in some cases at least, would not grow below the snow-line. Mr, Fisch suggested it was possibly due to the plants nor being so forceful in growth 4s the European forms. Mz. Hammet stated that he had grown the Alpine Lily (Katwunetlas Lyatli) for one year but it did not flower. Mr, Hyam suggested that the plant needed a long resting period, as in jts natural habitat it is covered by snow for seven or cight months, Mir Morrison suggested that the isolated posinorr ot New Zealand did not make the plants’ struggle for existence as severe as in the case in Europe, where aggressive types are hred- Mr, Gabriel asked what was the plant mentioned as having medicinal properties. Answer: Arnica, and a tincture for wounds was commonly made from it, , Mr. A. D. Hardy asked if hush-tires in Swiss forests were ever caused by lightning. Mr, Fisch replied that fires were not commor —about two a year in the north—and after a thunder-storm such 4 quantity of rain jell that any fire would soon be extinguished. SE pel Exhibits HS EXHIBITS Mr, and Mrs. Paul Fisch: Roots of Exocerpus cupresafornms, enveloping bot not penetrating those of a eutalypt; garden-yrawn specimen of Olearie Urata; series of water-cotour and crayon drawings of Victorian urehids and fungi. i L. Dyall: Large radish, weight when dug 34 Jb, grown in Glen ris. Mr. T, Griffiths; Collection of pressed Selaginellas ard other mosses in book. Mr.-V. H. Millet Cultivated orchids—Dendrobinm. praciitimum, D, terete- jolium, Cymbidium Beryl, ©. Lowianwm, and Cymbidiuwn sp.> pot-grown specimen af Disris punctate; also pot-grown specimen of Drasera benata. W/O, ), A, Blackborn (peg O. Singleton): A perfect specimen of the gtant Jossil cowric Giganlocypreea gigas (McCoy) From Balcomhe Bay; maximum dimensiets of sample are 7 in. long and 54 in. broad. Collected hy exbibitor- Mr. J. H. Willis: A rare puffball (Phellortaa strobitima) from near Talla Station, Wakool Shire, Western Riverina, N.S..W, (toll. Major F, S. Wright, 3/10/44). This is probably the dargest example on record: height above ground 28 em.: girth of peridium 17 cm, (Dr. G, H, Cunningham's corresponding measurements for ihe jargest specimens he had scen, up to 1942 was 18% 11 cm.) The speries is listed for Victoria, South Australia. Queensland, and India, Mr. T. 5S. Hart: Lepidosperma congesiium, lately added to the lists of Victorian plants; examples from Highett, Black Rock and Mornington. Pomaderris subvepanda, a shrubby “Hazel” (so called) from North Croy- dons Levenhookia Sondert, a Trigger-plant from North Croydon. EXCURSION TO DONCASTER About 45 metnbers and Iriends avlended the outing on September 1h Along Blackburn Road, Cottony Cushion scales were observed on wattle and flowering specimens of Wibbertia and Daviesia latifalia. In a cutting af the road, where roots of Exrocarprs cupressiformis and those of a gum- ttee were exposed, we searched for evidence of the former's parasitical habit, but could not find any roots actually joined, although they were growing very closely together, suggesting rather a symbiotic relationship. Along Koontny Creek, where old Paperbarks (Melatevce erictfolio) and the Mantua Gums provide sotne very picturesque settings, several flowering plants were found: about three kinds of wattles, two species at Greenhoods, a Dird-orchid and Diwets longifolia, also Olearia livata. The laggest speci- met or Yellow Box tree an the district was also admired, A good yiew of a pair of Frogmouths was obtained, and later one of these birds waa abserved sitting on its nest—very well camouflagéed.—Paur. Frsci. PERSONAL. The Club's congratulations are extended to Mr, C, French upon lis recent appomiment by the Camberwell Council as curator of the Maranoa Gardens, in succession to the late Frerterick Chapman. Mr. Frenth, who has beet a energetic member of the F.N.C, for 62 years od was an assistant of Baron you Muctler daring the last decade of the areal scientist's life, Is sterped in botanical tradition anf brings a wealth of plant Ipre. gardening experience, and enthusiasm. into this responsible position. 116 Fosen, Natire Picteres Here and Alvoad gots NATURE PICTURES HERE AND ABROAD By Pau Frscx, Doncaster, Vic, (An address to the FLN.C. on Oct, 9} Under this tithe I shall relate somte of the rambles and observa- tions that ny wite and J have made, both in our home country, Switzerland, and in this equally lovely Iand uf Victoria where we settled down, Needless to say, I am very interested im everything that Nature has ta reveal to man. Donbtless the fact thal we grew up in x most picturesque mountain valley, with plenty of unspoilt natural life around us, aroused an eatly interest in Nature, and both our parents and school feachers encouraged nature study. In our secondary school we kept a hook where we had to enter each day an observation relating to natural histary with sketch or diagram atid text, and most pupils were very proud of those books. One of the most interesting observations was how the flora changecl on differing geological formations, eg., the saxifrages, certain primulas and clovers, favouring hmestone country, would not invade the plant life of sandstone and conglomerate. A unigue flora is that of the bigh moors at an altitude of aboni 1,200 metres. The peat-forming Sphagnum moss covers the whole level area and seems to thrive in a water-logged, sour terrain. Minerals are abouf non-existent, a fact that causes the extremely sttinted growth of the few forest trees that germinate on this Jand. About three different dwarf berry-beating shrubs, including the Blue-herry, or Bilberry (Vaccinisen mnyrtilies), da very well, alsn two insect-catching plants, one of them a sundew. All the shrubs and erass aré continuotisly threatened by the ever growing and rising carpet of Sphagnum moss. Some of the grasses overcome this threat of being smothered by the formation of a new set of raots Ingher up along the stem every year, and one ss able to trace many akandoned root sections right down into the snb-suil where the old vegetable matter is turning into peat. This same Tundra-like country T have later encountered in the Victorian Alps. Although the rainfall of Switzerland is very substantial and agricultural lands are tnore than adequately watered, forests which cover ahout one quarter of the country are very well protected and attended, What enormous assets these forest lands are to a country !—they shelter agricultural lands, homes and towns froin storms. avalanches and hail; they provide [he indispensable fuel for houschold and industries, the timber for building; they are a natural water-reservnir, regulating the flow of springs: and, last evant Pisen, Mavire Micters Were and Abroad liz lut not least, are an everlasting beauty to the country. The indiscriminate slaughter of forests in the mountains has been the cause ol disastrous Jandstides, with the formation of these uneon- trollable torrents whose yellow, or almost black, waters tear roclcs and valuable sail downstream, wreaking great damage. The Swiss Forest Law of 1876 declared jovests in the moun- tains, that is those im the catchment areas of the rivers, per- sanently protected and by 1902 ali forest Jands (privately owned as well) were cuvered by the Federal Forest Laws, which are carefully worked out, hased on experience, observation and experi- ment, Ti a farmer makes a mistake in a seasana) operation it is avenged in a short ome and the following season it will he eliminated, But in forestry suecess or failure is usually manifest only decades afterwards, when it may be too late to adjust the tatler, [t has heen found that the healthiest and most. profitable type of forest is the one with a mixed population of conifers and deciduous trees, from which always the mature trees are thinned out, so that no jorest soil is exposed: a kind 65f self-regeneratiny, perpetual forest, Yes, the forests: are worth protecting, 1 Tact i. is our duty to pusterity. The forests of Gurope ohee cut down ate very dithcult to replatil, as (he soil seems to change or Jose irs hicterial and Jungus life so heneferal und essestml] to the trees. After hearing the remarkable lecture in this Club, ‘Making the Desert Bloum,” T am imelincd to think that Australian species of trees may be aestined to reafforestate man-made deserts throughont the world- Iv is believed that the ¢reeline lint, which is at about the 1,800 metre marl, used io be about 250 metres higher up. In those regions, where now only the dwarf conifers and the glorious. “Alpine Roses” (Rhododendron tivsutum and R. ferruginewm) grow, the remains of tall forest trees, canes and seeds have been found in the peaty soil, indicating, of course, that forests once flourished there. Actually, jt is believed now that the helt of Rhododendrons once coincided with the treeline limit, And now a few words about the alpine flora in general, Le.. plant life between 1,000 and 4,000 metre altitudes approximately : Yes, Rutmaculws glactalis is found as high up as that. The temperatuce of the air in those regions is redticed, the sun’s vays are inteuser, the period of vegetation is shorter, the rainfall greater, the change of temperature ts severe and ait currents more pronounced, All these factors mfluence the specie character of alpine plants, With the increasing alatude the Number of species leereases and (he jndividuals grow smaller and hup the ground for protection, sts Fascn, Noture Pictnees Hore and Tbeaad Yaa Most plants are perennials, a5 the short summers very often prevent the maturing of seeds of annuals. Owing to short seasons the flowers appear early, blooms of the Soldanella often grow- ing through a thin layer of melting snow. Of interest are the felt coats of the Edelweiss and its relatives to hinder loss of moisture. Some of the mountain flowers have been successfully cultivated in the Jowlands, such as a few gentians, primulas, saxi- fragés, ranunculi, campanulas, ctc., but generally tt must be said that they thrive only on the high mountains where conditions created their very specific character and beauty. And now let us turn to Australia, It ts rather significant that as a nature-lover I really made my first friendship here by the meditm of a tree. On my search for a job, I passed by a garden where an old man attended his trees. One of these T recognized as Abies pectinata, the very extensively represented member of the Swiss forests. This I told the gentleman and, appreciating my interest in trees, he showed us over his whole garden and helped me to obtain employment. He thought it quite natural that I wanted to work on the land, in contrast to the young farm-worker I met (just disembarking at the port) who, wheh -I revealed my intentions to go on the land, looked at me very critically and asked, “Can y’ milk a cow, ¢an y’ plough and with ‘ow many ‘orses?" A few years later, when it came to choosing a place of our own, we were again looking at the problem as naturelovers, and never regretted having acquired a terribly dilapidated property with the bad name of being “played out,” and overgrown with couchgrass. We saw that the neglected building could be straightened up, and the walis (built of Silurian bedrock) looked quite dignified; the couch-grass also was a blessing in disguise, as it held the soil, preventing tt from washing away during the years nobody looked after the place. And then there were the few lovely old trees, planted perhaps fifty or more years ago, that now provide us with shady nooks around the house and are a feature of the landscape, Fram this home of ours at Doncaster we have made innintierable rambles close by and farther afield, first alone and later with our children, to explore the bird, insect, orchid and fungus worlds. and whenever anything new to us is found the delight ts great. I suppose Australians find our ataazement hard to understand at the first meeting with Pedargus, for instance, or the extraordinary plant family of Proteacee, the quaint orchids, grass-trees and fern-trees, the Cordyceps or a fiimgus like Boletus portentosus weighing 12 lbs. or more, to name but a very few of the amazing objects of this land. November ~ mt ou Witetans. Some Bolamcal Curientio: 119 SOME BOTANICAL CURIOSITIES By W_L. Wt.trams, Melbourne. A chance reference to ctielation in native plants led me recently to look back over a set of notes made from time to time between 1930 and 1935 on the subject of outstanding colour variation, apparent hybridizstion, and teratological formations in wild flowers of the Grampians district. J fear that the notes are not very scientific; they merely record curiosities that appeared to be worthy of notice, and some of the observations, a mixed bunch, are offered as a matter of intercst and for the sake of recording, In the neighbourhood of the Terraces on a north-eastern slope of the range there is, or was, a large patch of the “nodding blue ily” (Stypendra glauca), which straggled over rocky ribs and spread in some proftsion on every terrace of soil that lay between. The mass of blue colour in the flowering season was a delight that I have never forgotteri; nor have I forgotten the shock of finding in the midst of if a splash of pure white—the flowers af one plant or clump af Stypandra which so far as could be seen were im every other way quite normal. Three or four of these white spikes stood side by side among hundreds of blue examples. A white flower that ought to be blue, hawever, is not so startling as one that ought to be red, and my notes record the same peculiarity in two of the reddest Mowers in the whole bush— “flame heath” (Astroloma conostephivides) and the “scarlet coral pea” (Kennedya prostratd), A plant of the former hearing while flowers was found among acres of the usual seacfet-flowered heath in open country close to Stawell, while a runner of what mist be incongruously deseribed as “white scarlet coral pea” crept among the brush on the flat below Red Man’s Bluff, Two orchids appear in the list too, though in neither case was colour entirely absent, ‘Beside the Western Highway. a few miles beyond Ararat, there used to grow a small colony of the “tall diuris” (Divris longsfolia) of which every Mower, instead of being orange splashed with brown, was of a uniform pale vellow without darker markings of any kind. In colour they resembled very pale forms of Diuris pedwnculota, though the form of the orchids, even from a distance, shouted aloud Diuvis longifolia. Their constant pallor, however, was so remarkuble that specimens were sent to Dr. Rogers in Adelaide, who was good enough to check the identification. The second orchid noticed was a fine specimen of the “fringed spider orchid” (Caladenta difatata) which was morphologically normal, but, lacking any touch of colour ever! on the labellum, usually so brilliant, was of a uniform pale 120 Woawtams, Sune Betanival Curtositics rich Sai cream, ‘This spequnen was net observed in six, unfortunately, but was being carned in a bunch of orchicis suid to have been withered at Pomonal. Whether the paleness was a permanent characteristic in the Howe of that particular tuber and its descend- ants was therefore never established. In none of the cises men- tioned did lack of sunlight appear to have anything to do with the inatter, No special reference is of course made to the more conimorly known colour variations, such as the pele and dark forms of the “horned orchid” (Ortheceras strictenr), the stout sun orchid (Thelymttra epipactordes}, the “common spider orchid” (Cala- dema Patersowt), or such leck orthids as Prasophylhim French and P. Brainet, of which extraordinary extremes were occasionally found, At least ive examples of hybridisin, both iq orchids, are noted. One of these was a fine double-lawered spider orchid enliceted by the Rey, Clarence Lang, Jt had the size and general appear- ance of Caladenia Paterson, but the pale. labellum had mingled characteristics of both C. Patersonii and C. dilatate, including 2 short but characteristically ‘“dilatata” fringe. The other record involves two or three specimens of an orchid lying apparently somewhere between Dirris wnaculata and 1. petachila, in ail of which a broad but not entirely characteristic “palachila’ tongue seemed to have become accidentally attached to an otherwise iypical specimen of the former orchid. This form, which tor want of a better explanation was written down as a hybrid, appeared occasionally in the same locality (near the, tirn-off from the Pornonal road to the Terraces) over Iwo or three seasons. . But the prize cutiosity of. all was a tevatological form of “blotched sun orchid,” Thelyrtrtre fusce-intca, ane of the most beautiful kinds, and one which gives me always a slight feeling of incredulity. That the broad feaf and the succulent stem and the delicate bloom should belong to a genus that prefers its sunshine oven-hot seems on the face of it ridiculous. Tlowever, so it is- The specimen in question had a spike of three flowers, in each of which a toothed excrescetice, originating at the base of the label- lum, rese in front of the column, practically concealing it front view, This example was the first of the species that I had seen, and.I collected and pressed it without recognizing its teratological condition. Fortunately in a letter to Dr. Rogers concerning anuther orchid I described my specitnen in some detail, Never, | think, was a letter answered more speedily. The Doctor's anxious inguiry as to the fate of the etitiosity caused me to remove it front the press and send it at once to Adelaide, where lhe employed lo Woon, Hild Life in the West 12k methods of his own to restore, Mount, and examine the parts of the flower. The plant, whose pusition 1 had noted, bloomed again during the two next succeeding seasons, and each time the flowers had the same curious. structure—a partial survival of the missing authers that, thousands or millions of years ago, onve graced orchids generally. Then one season no grecn leaf appeared and there was no strange bloom in the spring. Perhaps it Howered again after T left the district; perhaps it is about to bloom at dns very moment, WILD LIFE IN THE WEST By LE. M. Wees, Melbourne. During half a dozen years in the outback of Western Australia, some torty years aza, I was in daily Louch with wild nature. The country was primitive and largely imfenced. My‘one regret is that 1 did not “take in” more of it. This was land thrown open to selectors at the begmming of the century, The best of it grew raspberry jam trees, york gum and salmon guin, with occasional poots or morrels. The worst of it was sand-plain and stony rubble that grew blackhoys, a stunted sort of useless herbage and potsonweed. ‘The proportions af good and bad were about 50-50, The poison weed killed stock that ate it. It was easy enough to gruly and it would not grow agai unless a fire passed over the area, This was. waterless country with the exception of a few soaks _ and tanks sumk by sandalwood gatherers of a previous age. No water was accessible to the bush animals, which seemed ta get on very well without it. The region was well endowed with possums, kangaroos, tammnya {wallaby), boodie rats (kangaroo-rats of some kind) and warunes, Thrushes, crested bell-birds, parrakee(s, ring-neck parrots and brown magpies (‘ ‘squeakers" ) were the most noticeable birds. The handed anteater was quite common. Bell-birds had the loveliest song—three or four beautiful pipes finishing with a deep chime an octave lower. [ have followed them matty a lime thinking their notes came from horse-bells. The similarity was apparent only at a distance, I never heard a horse-bell close up that could compare with the bell-bird. Ale was the last singer at night. The ning-neck parrots ate the wheat-crop as fast as we sowed 42a Wren, Hild Life in the Weg veer il, They came in great flocks and we had to poisan them or go without wheal. They and the “squeakers” died by hundreds. One ividday 1 had been working out in the open bush alone and was seated having lunch when a banded anteater came into * yiew, The place was a sandy rise growing white gunis and there was x lot of dead white gum sticks rotting on the ground. I kept very still because, although anteaters were fairly plentiful, they were desperately shy and would go for their lives if they saw a man. T suppose 1 watched this chap for half an hour and this is the way he went about things. Having nosed into a small piece of rotting wood. he would burrow underneath it. Then by means of the burrow he would get his forepaws under the stick, raise it underneath his chin, riseé on his bind legs and let the stick fall. Tt always seemed to fall bottom up. Then out would go his long red tongue along the stick and in would go the white ants. This litéle chap was having a great teed when a gust of wind disturbed the paper in which my lunch had been wrapped, He gave one look in my direction and promptly disappeared. ; The kangarons were light brown creatures that made very good eating if they were young. I have always regretted shooting them because they were lovely, harmless things; but when your daily meat comes out of 2 tin the chance of a little fresh kangaroo 3s too good to be missed. I salve my conscience these days by reflecting that I shot them only for food. Cooked in a camp oven with a bit of bacon, kangaroo steaks were very appetising. As far as I know, these kangaroos, in common with the rest af the fauna, never drank. The soaks had all fallen in long since and the tanks were inaccessible. In summer the only source of moisture was a species of corkscrew-grass, the roots of which . were always green. The possums, of the ordinary grey variety, had voices that J have not heard in other States. One used to sit in a jam bree (raspberry jam) above my tent and wait for niy light-to go out. He watld give me about half an hour to get to slecp and then come down into the tent and steal my jam. I would wake up to see a little round ball of fur an the table by my bunk, Hs nose would be deep in the jam, The voice was a sort of “chut-chut.” That and a kind of wheeze which T have heard elsewhere made up the pnssum’s conversation. Speaking of yoices, the Western Australian crow has one all his own. It is the usual “Caw-+aw” followed by a horrible. ghoulish chuckle. Crows were very scarce in those parts. J suppose I saw no more than six in as many years. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol, 61 November, 1944 Piatt ¥ Large clutch ef Eni eggs at the Wild Nature Park at Ararat. They took eight weeks to hatch. Five days after hatching the young Emus still remained at the nest. On the sixth day they walked off, led by the male parent, whe had brooded the eggs. Photos. by Set. T.. Blackie. Mogenier Wron Wild Life in the West 123 One nf them gave us an insight into the crow’s uncanny instinel Paspatidiwn gracile, change “Graceful Panic-yraas" to “Slender Panic” : « Fanicrt decompositum, change “Umbrella Grass" to “Native Millet.” » _Papeedin prolitunr, change “Pallid Panic-grass” to “Coolah Grass,” » *Setaria geniculate, change “Bent Pigeon-erass’ to “Knot-rooet Pigeon Grass,” : , y» SCenchens tribufotdes, change “Burr Grass” to “Dayne Sand Burr,” » Psexdoraphis paradexa (formerly under Chamaerapisy, change “Thomy Mud-grass"” to “Mud Grass,’ «» ‘*Bhrhorte longifiera, change “Veldt Grass” to “Annual Veldt Grass.” Add "&hrharta colyeina, “Perennial Veldt Grass." WN.B.—Species marked with an asterisk (*) are naturalized aliens. J. 1. Woxers, Secretary, PLN. Suh-cominitted. The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 61—No.8 December 7, 1944 No. 732 PROCEEDINGS . The monthly meetng of the Club was held on ‘Monday, November 13, 1944, at the Royal Society’s Hall, where the President (Mr. Ivo ©. Hammet) and ahout 100 trembers and friends .attended. A letter was received from Mr. J. M. Black,..of Adelaide, thanking the Club for nominating tim. for the Australian Natural History Medallion, and thanking the Selection Committee for awarding him the medallion. Excursion reports were given as follows: Ringwood-Ileath+ mont, Mr. A. J, Swaby; Lilydale-Mt. Evelyn, Mr. R. G. Painter ; Botanic Gardens, Mr. P, Bibby, The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club: Mrs. G. McGlynn, Misses F, Smyth, V. Andrews, MH, Bishop, M. Green; as Country Members: Messrs. P. Richardson, A, C. Ebdon, K. Simpfendorfer, G. W. Althofer; and as Assoctate Members: Misses Janice McMahen and Betty McKenzie; Masters John Court and Tan Wallace, GENERAL BUSINESS A report’on the Wild Flower Show recently held in the Haw- thorn Town Hall was given by the President, who thanked meinbers for the support piven, and especially thanked Mr. and Mrs. Freame, Mr. A. D. Hardy and Mr. H. P. Dickins for the work of organization, Mr. Dickins in turn gave a report on the show and the results expected financially. Mr. A. H. Chisholm reported on the recent formation of a Field Naturalists’ Club at Portland. PERSONAL "The Secretary announced that Mr. Noel Lothian, recently Assistant Secretary, and more recently im charge of the 3rd. Army Farm in New Guinea, bad been released to take: up duty as Senior Lecturet in Horticulture at Lincoln College, Christchurch University. On behalf of members, Mr. Colliver expressed good wishes for the future of Mr. Lothian, and stated he would he looked upon now as a valued country member. Mr. Lothian suitably replied. a . ram Vier, Nat 130 Blower Perfumes Vol. 6 QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS Mr G. N_ Hyam asked if flies were repelled by light blue colours, stating that recently in the Riverina disteict seation hands “were all wearing pale-blue shirts for this teason. Mr. Painter mentioned having noticed that fies were rarely seen on light materials of blue colour, and further said he had read that some hospital walls in America were painted light blue for this reason. FLOWER PERFUMES . Avery interesting lecture on this subject, illustrated by a large variety of flowers, was given by Mr J. H. Willis (see summary in this issue). Following are some questions (and discussions) raised at the conclusion of Mr, Willis’s address - Mr. P. ©. Morrison stated (a) that the purple colour of the Indoloid group closely approximates decayed flesh; (b) red flowers were never found with heavy scents; such scented fluwers were either yellow or white to attract night-flying moths, (c} insignifi- cant Aowers have strong scents in order to survive; (d) red roses have the best scent because they rely upon it tu attract bees, which are colour-blind to the red part of the spectrum. Question: Why was it that the Musk (Mtmulus smosehatus) suddenly lost its perfume all over, the world? Mr, Willis replied that it was a fact that by 1909 Misnittits nooschaties had lost its perfume, but it was still not known why- . Mr. R. G. Painter: Acacia pendula has a violet-scented timber, not evanescent; how do you account for this? Mr. Willis replied that this was purely imitative of the true violet odour in Aowers. Mr. Ros. Garnet asked why the Geraldton waxflower was infested with blowflies, Mr, Willis replied that he was unable to trace any perfume, but Erica canalewata, a South African plant of similar colour-type, had a rather mdoloid smell. In this matter it was of interest to note that A/lewua articulate, better knowt as “Candle Plant,” had the mdoloid srnetl, yet the flowers were a dirty white, whilst K, araulis, from a locality only a Tew miles away, had a definite rosy perfume, Mr. Hammet stated that the Geraldton Waxflower has aromatic leaves. Mr. Morrison suggested that some of the so-called blow#ies noted as infesung plants without apparent smell, night be fies of some other type, e.g., hover-flies. Mr. H. C. E. Stewart asked how to classify wattle-trees as regards sperfume, Mr, Willis replied that wattles varied con- stdérably, and there were several groups of smells: Acacia montana suggested caramel, Cootamundra Wattle was heavy-scented, A, Farnesiana violet-scented, ete, IL was not known-in what part of wattle blossom the essential oils were secreted. anal | ea Warts, Flower Perfumes and their Classification 13] FLOWER PERFUMES AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION By James H, Wits ; (Abstract from an address to the F_N.C.; Nov, 13) “And Quoodle here discloses all things that Qroadle can, They haven't got. 10 moses, they havent got no noses, And goodness only knowses the noselessness of ntan!” G. K. Chesterton’s Seg of Quoodie expresses a camne contempt for the human olfactory apparatus. Sense of smell may be very unequally developed among higher animals and, although man is perhaps unresponsive to parts of the “odour spectrum,” he can at least detect the presence of 1/120,000th of a grain of rose oil essence, wherenf the dog fraternity seems oblivious, The faculty for detecting odours is said to be more delicate among males than in females of the human species. Insects are particularly acute, and bees will smeli out a flowering bush from a distance ot a quarter of a mile. : Writing in New Flora and Silva (Vol. 12, Na. 3, p. 198, 1940), Mr. F, Gallard describes an interesting expermment carried our on 15 people who were asked to clase their eyes, sniell a flower of the Narcissus poelicus, and then describe its perfume. Here are some of the comments: “Delightiul, something like jasmine”; "qa pleasant narcissus smell”; “slight vanilla smell”; ‘slight lily-of- the-valley’: “hke a Jily, but with an unpleasant background” ; “sweet, but unpleasant.” Two of the number detected an un- mistakable odour of rice-pudding in the flower, while two others could find no smell at all! Two facts emerge from this experjment—the widely divergent interpretations of individuals in regard to odours, and the difficulty of descriling thent m any precise language. If a blindfofd person be asked to smell an unknown blossom and name its odour, as often as not he will be unable ta do so until his eyes act as a guide to its identity. Just as high-pitched notes are beyond the audibility of certain people, so can some orlours be outside the range of one's olfactory sense; a British ornithologist could ‘dis- tinguish species of birds hy their characteristic smells and yet fail to notice the bitter-almond tang in crushed peach and cherry shoots. Most people find the scent of tansy, fennel, African marigold, sassafras, and mint-bush quite pleasant and evén refresh- ing, but to some individuals vhese are repugnant in the extreme. A few people ave unconsciously deficient in sense of smell) and im sense of flavour which depends on it, in the same way as others are colour blind or tone blind. Usually flavour is similar to sreell, but not invanahly so—the tropical Durie (durian) possesses 2 stench like had flesh or rotting onions, yet, if eater, this fruit has all the qualities of whipped crearn and hlanc-mange ! No external sense can receive such delicate, enduring impres- 132 Weis, Flower Perfumes and their Clasmfication id dara sions @s that of smell. Musical sounds will conjure up visions of the past, but » stray whiff of wood-smoke, flower, or moss can tiafisport us ta scenes long since forgotten. The stbtle, warm, friendly exhalation of leaf-mould and moist earth is due to minute traces of a highly odorous compound—one trillionth of a milligram will afford a percepttble smell. Leaves, timbers, resins, and roots may secrete certain essential oils and often pive out a strong perfurne that is mot duplicated im any flower. Among such scents are: tansy, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, winter-green and sassafras im foliage and hark; the characteristic smells af camphor, teak, cedar, rosewood and Lawson Cypress timbers; myrrh, sandarach, and grass-tree among frag- rant resins; and the odours of ginger, antse, spikenard and orris root. Some.af these have been sought and highly prized since the dawn of history, The grass genus Cymbopogon embraces several ginger, or lemonssctnted species, collectively known as “Indian Oi] Grasses,” which haye been used in drugs and per- fumery for several millenniunis; C,. Schaenanthus bas particularly fragrant roots and stems, reminiscent of rose, geranium, and mint when fresh, and Schweinturth found pieces of it in a tomb at ‘Thebes (about 1100 B.C.), which were still odorous after 3,000 years | Unlike most leaf scents which are compsratively durable, the pettumes of flowers (our immediate concern) are evanescent and emerge only during a stage of development—very few (¢.9., rose) outlast the fading of the petals. It is generally conceded that the pleasant aromas of blossoms are there for one purpose: to altract the attention of insect visitors in order to ensure effective pollina- tion, Some flowers rely vpon their bright colouring as a hait, and in these the scent factor is either absent or fecbly developed. It ig natural that we should attempt to classify in some way the innumerable floral perfumes that exist. A colour may be defined with scientific exactness, its wave length indicated, and & visual comparison made against some standard, Odours, on the other hand, are extraordinarily difficult to express and there art no constant standards available for comparison, Any perfume is usually the sum-total effect of a whole suite of complex organic compounds, some of which may not be identifiable. Again, the quality of an odour will change remarkably with dilution; the substance tndoi is an important constituent of putrilying orgame matter and has a most revolting smell, but when rartfed it is sweetly fragrant and contributes to the agreeable scent of jasmine and many other flowers, A efitical analysis of the essential cil is unt of much use in specifying a perfume, since the distinctive quality of a mixture cannot be gauged from the odours of its component parts—what December THas Wits, Flower Perfumes and their Clasnftcation 133 would be the use of describing Jasminum grandiflorum scent as the sum of the smells of methy! anthranilate, indol, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetale, linalol, and linalyl acetate? Several classifications have becn propounded in the past, some- -by chemists, using the principal constituent of the essential oil as a esiterion, and others hy perfumers who were guided more by aesthetic considerations. It fas even been attempted to arrange perfumes in a series ike the notes of a macsical scnle, dull indefinite odours corresponding to Jow notes, and sharp keen smells to those of high pitch; such schemes, however, aré in thé nature of curiosities rather than useful contributions to scientific thought. Rimmel'’s classical Book of Perjwmes divides pleasant odours into 18 classes, including scents not found in flowers; hig “mint'" group embraces such differing entities 25 halm, sage, and ruc, Kerner has said that at least 500 distinct foral scents have heca distinguished and these he would apportion in five main groups based on the type of essential oil, viz., fndaloid, Asnsnotd. Benzeloid, Paraffmoid and Tuypenoid. Hampton improved on the work of Kerner and proposed an amended system with ten principal classes, but even this is unsatisfactory, especially lo an Anstraliatt who will find few, if any, of otir familar bush aromas exernplified. Having given some attention to the scents of both native and exotic (garden) flowers, I venture ta submit a new tabulation which will include about 100 conspicuous representatives of hoth. Hampton's divisions, with some minur rearrangement, form the basis of the following scheme Lo which are subjoined explanatory notes on the primary groupings employed. Eight major classes are here recognized and there are five minor classes, to which one could add almost imdefinitely, for the musnber of delicate floral scents which dety accurate grouping are legior-—where are we to pa the subtle fragrance of the Freesia, Solomor’s Seal, Wild aspberry and many of our terrestrial orchids? Plants ‘which are permeated throughout by a strongly odorous principle, as im many Loebite (eg, Salina, Prestonthera, Menthe), are de- liberately exclucled from the present compilation, Where the concrete ottos are too difficult or expensive to extract, chemists have aimed at copying natural flower perfumes by meang of synthetic mixtures. {t has been found, for instance, that the odour of Hawthorn blossont ts fatcly well reproduced by anisic aldehyde—the foundation of all hawthurn perfumes and faticy preparations, Styryl (or cinnanryl) alcohol has a powerful odour resembling Hyacinth, while terpineol is the base of Like periutues, usually modified by the addition of other fragrant oils according to taste, In 1893, after years of patient research, Tiemann and Kriiger succeeded in preparing a good artificial . , 1m” Wiis, Flower Perfumes and their Classification Wich. Nat. , Vol. 62 Violet perfume which they termed ionoac, Most artificial pro- ducts of this kind, however, are poor substitutes for the subtle aromas of Mother Nature. { tsegard fragrance as of equal importance with colour and form in the Hower gatden; the pity ts thal intensive breeding and selection toward bigger. brighter blooms so. often means a progressive degeneration of the scent factor. What satisfaction 1s there in a perfectly shaped rose of gorgeous colour, if it has no trace of perfume? Odour {aml taste) often furnishes the botanist with a useful clue to the identity of a plant, but. to anyone with a flair for classifying things, it is quite a pleasant exerctse to try and arrange the myriad floral scents experienced into some kind of orderly scheme: you will probably differ as much from your neighbour's opinion as the betanists differ about the affinities of the very plants themselves ! A CLASSIFICATION OF FLORAL SCENTS (Australian examples indicated thus +) MAJOR GROLNS Invo.oiw: Certain Aros (Amorphophatius, Deacuncalus) 5. Stapetia; Stercntia fecttla: Kletnia articulate; Erica canalienlata (2): tH ydrocolyle laxiflora, ret Aminow: Crotequs, Pyrarantia, Photina, Sorbus, Spirwa and many other Rasacee. : Freavy: Gardenia type: Gerdama; Datura arborca; Nyctocorenus, Epiphyt- ftom crenatim, and many other cacti; Gladiolus trisits (not- turnal) ; Atiharylits, Lili spp., Narcissus spp.) tCrinne flac cidum; tStackhousia imonogyna (nocturnal), Bowvardia type; Rouvardia langifora, Lucuia, and Viburnum spp. Nerole type: Citrus spp_; tttherasperma moschaturn, Champaca type: Michela Champora; Pondanus oduratissincns ("Keora’) : fPittospormm tunudwaten (7), Jasmine type: Jasunnni spp. Privet typo: Ligustewm spp. Adonthns, 4 Aronartic: : ' Spicy type: Dianthus (Pinks), Matihiola (Stocles}, and tHelichry« sum ferruginenm var. Gravesn (claves) + Evpatorhon app. {cinnamon}; Rhodadendron fragrantissinnun (nutwneg) ; tPimelea actophulla; }Lomandra spp.; Muscari botryoides; Tika ¢ordata; Catwha bignmtoides. Vanijla-Chocolate type: Manilla SPP. j Orchis fragrans, O. odaratis- soma, and Nigritela angustifolia (Swiss alps); }4/e/sonts spp.) Asara nicrophylla, Heltatrapiunt perunicamn; Patasites frag- rans; Cheivanthys Chetri, Choisva ternata (7); Eriobotrya japonica: Tris germanica (?) + tDichapogan sirictus, Solanum esurinie, tPimelea curviflova, FAcacta Montana, . Nutty-Clover type: Ulex, Trifaliwm spp. Spartin, Genista spp., Viet Fabe (Broad Bean—ecstatic to some people), Lethyrtes adovatus and L, pubescens, Laburiupt; Trachelospermum Fe estingistesy Salandva onitida; Leucacoryne txioides var. odorata. ’ Ww ba a Pyrenter 3944 Writs, Plewer Perfumes oud theiy Classification 135 Rose type: Rosa, Prunus mumc; Mohonia Bealei; Kicinta acautis; Cenrallaria murjalis, Cupripedium Calccolus. a Lilac type; Syntitga welgeris; TMfelia Asedorach. Mignonette type, Reseda odorata; Vitis amurensis, 5. ALocowmutc-Fuyity; Michelia figo and Antirrhinuen majus (wine);' Halts raprea (brandy); Nuphar tiefea (pawepaw); Philadelphur microphalius, Cytisns flipes and C. Battandicri (quince); Cuil- | tlardia scobiospides, Iris grogtinea, and Tilbaghia olliacea (apricot) . tHymenosporums fluwwn, Olearia fragrantissuna (peach); Pirila- delphus coronarius; Lonicera spp.; tCynoglosswm suaveolens 2). 6 Honey: tEncotvpius, tielaleuce, and tKunsea 'spp.; THdkea sericea, TH, suaveolens, and tH, pugioniformis; tBanksia spp.; tLexcn- pogan spp; FTetragonia tuplestcoma; FDiplarrhena Moreay FAnguillarta diotta ("Early Nancy”); Buddleja spp.; Sunccto syn. 7. Mousky: Resa omoschala, Achillea moschata; Hermintum Monorehis (or as of ants); FColadenin angustata; t{Melalerco. pungens var- nbtusifalia and tM, nodosa; Centaurca gyimndcarpa (?), &.-Awimau: Codonopsis: Cimictfuga;, Orchis Airetta and tCalticome serretifoha (goats); PMetalewca exerata (sheep); tAucolyptus . tereticonds ear, latifolia (bugs); Chery sontkemum lacuste and C. frutescens (sweaty feet); ;hrachkvloma dapknoidey.: ; miNon GHOourS 9. Sra-weep: tHakea nodosa; Thiparts seflrxu (7). 1 Poppy: Pofazer widicawte and athér apps Bschachottsta. Ll) Vrorer’ Viola odorata; dlocasia odora; fAcegia Fornesiana) Malus tocusis; Iris spp, (some,odour also present in rhizome, dc, “Orris. root"). , . 12, Boronta; tBoronta megastigma and FB. heteraphytta. 12 Lemowr (of foliage) Mayrelia grandiflora (slight 2); Daphwe wore (slight ?); Brasseo-Cattleya spp. EXPLANATORY: NOTES In the foregoing. classification, where nearly all members of a gens have, like odours, that genus is cited without incation of any. particular species : where several representatives. have a distinctive perfume, the letters “spp.!” are written after the generic tiame. The interrogation nzark, fallowing certain species, indicates cioubt as to their correct placing, ; 1, -The Jndoleid graop includes flowers, which, an account af thel) poliination by ¢arrion fies. give out an evil stench: some of ther (chiefly tropicat) even rival the animal putrescence that they seck to imitate, and they commonly hav deep, purphsh-red flower parts resembling the colour of deesyed flesh Jadu! is the determining substance of tha bad -odeur which is well exemplified hy giant ¥-2. asiatic members of the Arum farmiiy. 2 In the Aminoid group-belony flowers which, though sweet cnough, have an -unpleasant, disturbing background~ammoniacal or distinctly- “fishy.” The principal constituent is an amine, related to ammonia, and arboreal members olf «the Rose family (hawthorn, rowan, .frethori, ete.) ate conspicuous in this categars, . . 3. The Neary class is an enorniouy assemblage of species, having blooms with intense -‘heady” perfumes of often almost ayerpowering sweets. They are sometimes described as, “tropical,” and indeed many tropic Rowers belong here—frequenily with thiek white or yellawish petals which. vemiit their strangest fragrance at-night time, obviously with a view to 116 Watts, Flower Perfurns. ad ikeir Clarsifirgtion Lie pollination by nocturnal moths, The Keora (Partdattns mdoratissrmer) beat been claimed as "the most delightful, rich, and powerful of Aoral perfumes.” For convenience, the graup has heen divided into odours of six types, but others are recognizable’ and; even among the Mili many distinct nisafitics are found, a4 for instance the scent of “Maduuna Lily,’ “Christenas Lily,” “Regal Lily” and the various kinds of Narcissus, fridol, but in very dilute quantity, is an important factor. 4. The preceding group passes almest imperceptibly inta, amd is often difftcult to separste from, the Aromatic. Here, however, are blossoms that are sweet-smelling, and sometimes strang, bat refreshing and exhilarating rather than “heady.” The sectian is also a large one and at least six types of odour have been listed, all being most agrecable—epicy, tutte and caramel scents come into this group. Broad Bean is particularly uplifting. 5. Alcoholic and Fruity odours are discernible in some. blesscims, but are usagity masked by other more aperessive ‘smells; they ‘generally depend upon organic esters (c.g, amyl acclate, which is present in sipe bananas), Two oustanding exainples of the class are Port-wine Magnolia (Michelia fioo) and Giant Atlas Broom (Cytisns Boattandiert), which ts a striking simulation af quinces. Again, the group grades almost ansensibly inta aromatic scents on the one hand and thase of honey on she other, 6 Austral is unusually rich in Honcy scented flowers, some of our eucalypts, honey-myriles, heaths, and hakeas smelling deliciously sand exactly of “honey-imthe-comb." 7, There is no yeeetable facsimile of animal Musk (fram the Thibetan Musle deer), but many Gowers have a. Musky quality, described as a “ntixture of beeswax and honey?’ In some orchids (ee. Calodenta asgusicta and Herniniue Monorckis) the musky odour has 4 tendency to unpleasantrcss, like that of ants, while in Centaurea gynmnocarpa there is a tang of curry alse present. & A few flowers emit unmistakable Animal smetls, which may be quite disgisting—Orchis Jursina reeks of “billy-woat,”” whereas the Shasta Daisy clan smell ike “uiwashed or sweaty feet’? Other plants change to animal edours only in wilting, ¢.g., the Early Porple Orchis begins with a sweet vanilla fragrance, but at length dévelops a cat-like efflirvium , 9, Rarely, there is a Spo-qeed ot “kelpy” exhalation from small greenish flowers and one could cite the swamp-laving Hekra naduse (which Apwers in May or June). The orchid Ltdarts veffera T would also place here, though some regard ifs odour as anionad-like. 10. Poppy or opioid smells are most distinctive, bizt seem to be restricted to the family Papaseracea: they are excellently rendered lw the familiar Iceland Poppy, It. Pore Fiolet perfume (as found in Piel odorata) is comparatively rare and shared by few other Flowers; it induces olfactory fatigue, so that a hearty and repeated sniffing af a bunch of violets appears to rob their fragrance, whereas the fault is with our nasal nerve endings. The aroud Alorasia odora has greenish, cowl-like spathes with a violet scent Certain irises have a trace of it, but it is more strongly developed in their rhizomes (whence "Orris root’). The violet-scented blooms of Acucis Farretiane inflixt a garlic breath on whoryer cssays te chew them, and this curions teansformation of a violet into an onion odour is by to means isolated. - 12, Boretia is 2 glorious, fresh perfume of unique quality: it was esteemed by the aborigines of Western Australia who, tovk little notice of other Aoral scents, , ov 13, The Lomo scent of foliage is attributable to the share-stnetling, aldehynes ctlral am’ crfronel/at, but is pot paralleled among flowers, The larve and cream-flowered Magnolic grandiffore and, perhaps, Daphne ofora have a frazranee that could be described as “Icmony,” Renter Coheman, Lizards under [Jomestication 137 LIZARDS UNDER DOMESTICATION By Eortit Cotemay, Blackburn, Vic, Mr. Davey's articles on lizards (V.N., Sept. and Oct,, 1944} were especially interesting to me. His reference to the tail- shedding habit of Geckos recalls:an incident whick bas some bearing on the habit m other fizards, When weeding the garden at Healesville (30/5/43) my daughter unearthed a “nest” of four or five small lizards. Keeping their bodies perfectly motionless they all raised their tails and waved them to and fro for a moment or two, disappearing when the “danger” was averted, We assumed that this was a protective measure of great survival value, developed along evolutionary Jines. A bird might sight and seize a wriggling tail which, in the circumstances, its owner would be happy to leave behind, The early bird is bluffed into capturing a “worm” instead of a lizard! Returning from Marlo (Feb, 1933) we saw a large Blue-! tongue on the road near Orbost. As it appeared to have been hurt, we brought it home and proffered hospitality, Next morning: she rewarded us with 13 small replicas of herseif, seven of which” were stil!-born. Two days later the mother disappeared, leaving six very lively babies on our doorstep, so to say. They fed and lived lnstily for some months, bute died during some cold days in August, A surprising feature of those lizards, when newly born, was a great show of feracity. With gaping mouths they “charged” us in a most alarming manner, a ferocity which was soon dropped. While yet only a few hours old they were running up ahd down our bare arms, “all passion sperit.” Here, indeed, was a wonderful protective measure, Few birds would care to invade the arena in face of a dozen gaping and charging mouths. Under natural conditions, in a few hours they would have developed their trump protective cards, a flattened body and swift disappearing trick, Although Blue-tongues are rather sluggish in their movements, it is surprising how quickly they can get out of sight when the need arises. With body flattened to the ground they move off with an almost sliding action, The menacing attitude appears to be a useful piece of “bluff” which safeguards them while getting their first wind in the very dangerous world they have entered. The blue tongue, too, is a furprisingly startling piece of “bluff,” when displayed by older jzards. : Having entertained some of the larger lizards I know a litt af their fascinating ways. They make charming and mostly harmless pets, splendid subjects for budding naturalists. The Shingle-back and Blue-tongue, being fess exacting in the matter of diet than the Jew, or Bearded Dragon, were more readily domesticated, 198 Cortaan, Lizards nuder Domestication (rl, Bee The lew (dtphibolurns barbais) lived with me For 14 months. It was an object lesson to see lnm stalk and Seize an insect, with alinost iperceplible movement. His threatessing colours, open mouth, distended throat, and Fashing (ail, até not all bluff, for his leeth are sharp enough to demand respect He would make a startling leap at any object of his distrust or swing round, with a lashing tail, that should be most terrifying to a timid enemy. At one+thirtieth pf a second my photographs of this “attack” were always blurred, The “double-headed” Shinglebacks, or Stumptails (Trachy satus rugosus) were gentle pets. They walked backward or forward with equal facility, which made the stump ends of rheir hodies seen ¢ven more head-like, as puzzling as the old “fore and aft” caps! The feet, too, bemg often turned “every which” way, did not help one to anticipate the direction of their move- ments. Soft fruits, dandelions and other Howers, as well as Snails, eges (first broken) and milk, were relished ley both species, It was pretty to see a blue tongue sliding through the milk, then the raised head, as if an owner were enjoying the taste, as it ran down his throat. Bananas were swallowed in goodly nwuthiuls as well as raw heef; hut if too-large pieces of heef were given they were first well licked, as if to facilitate swallowing. Is this the origin of an ofd helief that snakes slime their prey? My hzards loved a bath and on hot days would lie m the water for long periods, Skin-sherlding was a fascinating thing to see. T watched it many times, making notes on Januaty 7th, 1941, January 24th and December 9th, 1942, and January Mth, 1943. Here are those of 27/1/42: “At 1.30 p.m, skin loose and ragged about the ears; a few flakes on head. Fragmentary shedding from right leg and alniost free from left forcley. By 3.30 p.m. the lizard was free of the body-skin, which Jay in a small moist heap. The new skin was stuch darker, the palrerning very bright and clear. Like Pliny’s sloughed snake, the owner appeared sleek and young again, but crept off into a dark corner.” The skin of the bady is shed in one piece, like a waistenat, or sleeveless cardigan, with pathetic little “arntholes” through which the litihs have been drawn. The soft hollow body is’ alternately humped and flatrened in the centre to achieve the first sht, when the now loose coat is easily shed: but from the solid tail it is “peeled” off in a tubular piece, leaving a few cuncertinaclke wrinkles at the extreme tip (such as One ‘nay see in the finger-tips of a Idd glove when “peeled” off inside aut), the “toneycanrbed” jonec surface beng now outside. H. was scraped off by being pushed into and with- drawn from the straw of his bed—a modified forin of snake sloughing, Dest Waxrric.p, A Renmant of the Snocey River fungle 139 A REMNANT OF THE SNOWY RIVER JUNGLE By N. A. Waxeriero, A.1.F. On the west bank of the lower Brudribh River, between Lake Curlip and the Snowy, i$ to be iotind the last remnant of the Jane jungte which fonnerly covered practically all the present Snowy River flats. The patch is roughly triangular in shape and necuptes only about filty acres, hut, by good fortune, it is completely isolated with teatree swamp on all sides, lhe Brodribb River to the south and east, a flawieg creek to the west (Mille Inlet) and Lake Curhp to the north. sAcecss to the pung!e can be gained either by boat irom the Brodribbh River or from the cleared fats to the west; the latter course, however, entails a search threugly the swampy scrub to find one of the only two crassings over Mille Inlet, The tea-tree swamp is covered by a dense stund of Swamp Paperbark, sheltering a [ew small seri-aquatic plants such as Water Buttons, Water Buttercxp and Swarnp Weed, with the Common Reed in dense stretches in the wetter parts. The jungle itself consists of great spreading *Mahogany Gams (L£ucalyptus botryordes) and a dense stand of Lilly-Pilly (Acmene Snuthit}, Blackwood and Sweet Pitrosporum (P. undelete), supporting tangled masses of a dozen species of hanes and climbers, and sheltering numerous ferns on the ground beneath. The *Staff-Climber (Celastrus australis), *Stalked Doubah (Marsdenut rostrata), and *Jasmine Morinda (Mf. jasnnnoides) are very plentiful, ascending the Jarger trees to a height of fifty ora hundred jeet, The four climbers of the Lily family—*Wombat Berry (Enstrephus latifolius), *Scrambling Lily (Geitonoplesium cymosum), tAustral Sarsaparilla (Swnlex australis) and *White Supplejack (Rktpagonum albiwinw)—are all very aboudant on ihe smaller trees, their rough wiry stenis forming such a tangle as to defy intrusion in many places. The White Supplejack is very rare elsewhere jn the district, but has been noted also at Lockend, a few miles further west, The large creepers in less abundance are: *Water Vine (Cissus kivpogluncus), Twining Silk-Pod (Parsonsia Browrti—sys, Lyonsia straminea), treet Clematis (C, glycinoides) and *Big- Leaf Vine (Sarvapetalint Hareeyanum)., The dustered pink pear-shaped berries of the Jast were in evidence in one place—an occurrence tarely, if ever, noted before in Victoria. Wonga Vine (Pandares pondarava—syn. Tecoma axstratis) and Common Apple-Berry (8illardiera scandens), though plentiful in . the Grchost district, are rare here, occurring on the marginal parts of the main jungle patch, Smaller fwiners are represented by the *Bearded Warl-flower (Tylophora barbata) in great abuudatice, 40 Wanerry, Rewmuant of tho Snowy River Hiagle rit Forest Bindweed (Calystegia morginafa) in more open places, and a iew seedlings of Clematis (C. aristata}, Epiphytic on the trunks of trees, and on fallen logs, is an abundance of Fragrant Polypody (Polypodium pustulatwnr), Common Filmy Fern (Hymenophylnm cupressiforme) and Neck- lace Fern (Astleatwn flabellifolinw), with also a few small patches of Kangaroo Fern (Polypodium diecvsffolium). On the jungle Aner are masses of Creeping Lace Fem (Dennstacdtia dawailioides), Shining Wood-Fern (Dryapteris Shepherdit), Com- mon Rasp-Fern (Deedia media}, and Swamp Hypolepis (#2. Mieilers). The Solt Tree-fetn (Dicksonia oanluretica) and Gristle Fern ( Blecknium cartilagineum) are appareritly each repre- sented by a single plant on the butt of a fallen iree. In some of the marginal parts the Sickle Fern (Pellaea falcata’) and Common Maidenhairfern (Adiantum esthiopicwm) are also to be found. The dense serub gives way in places to shaded depressinns where there are thickets of Tall Sedge, Tall Sword-sedee and Common Leaf-rush. Here, on the edges of the denser scrub, are patches of Prickly Currant-bush (Cofronua guadrifida), which together with many trecs is beautifully hung with Festoon Mass (Weymonthia mofle) and covered with lichens. These mossy trees are hosts to the Butterfly Orchid (Sercachilus austratis), and the Lilly-Pilly harbours the quaint little *Jointed Mistietoe (Korthalsella opuntia}, which was first recorded tor Victoria by Mr. Frank Robbins from Pipeclay Creel, 1 dozen miles to the west, Perhaps the most interesting feature of the jungle patch is the occurrence of *Cabbage-tree Palms (/ittstona australis) west of the Brodribb. There are three fine specimens growing in the dense thickets, and probably a further search wou)d reveal more. The other recorded locality for the palms is on Cabbage-tree Creek, where, happily to relate, nutnerous seedlings have appeared beneath the old ones in the past few years. About the rather intlefinite eastern and southern margins of the jungle, in the sormewhat open parts towards the river bank, *Blue Olive-berry (Llaeocarpus cyanexs), Mutton Wood { Rapance Howithana), Hazel Pomaderris (PF, apetale), and an imteresting shrub form of the Staff Climber begin io appear, The Tree Violet (Hymenanthern angustifolia) and Eoobialla (M-yoporuis insxlare) with the Spiked Dodder Laurel (Cassyfa phacolasia) sre quite plentiful, and Common Bracken and Hop Goodenia (C. ovete) jorm dense patches. The Scrub Nettle (U/rtica trcisa) 1s abundant and there are a few plants of both the Kangaroo Apple (Solanum aviculare) and Toothed Nightshade (5 xanthocarpum), the Jatter rather dawnier and less prickly than wsnal, recalling thal rare and beautiful species, *Y, wiolacewm, which is recorded for Deeoee Woanrrrrp, A Remsast of the Snowy River Fungle 141 Victoria only from Mount Drummer, where, the plants have presinmably suffered extermination by bush fires, The Legu- minosag are represented only by Blackwood in this particular jungle patch, while the only grass is *Bordered Panic Grass (Entotosia suarginata), and there is very little of that. ‘The rare *Yellow Doubah (Marsdenia flavescens) evidently does not occur here but favours rather steeper gully-scrubs as at Lakes Entrance and Pipeclay Creek; and other eastern jungle creepers which have not been noted are *Tape Vine (Stephama hernandiaefolia) and *Gum Vine (Aphanapetalum resinosum)— they évidently reach Victoria only im the extreme east, about Mallacoota Inlet. There is plenty of evidence to show that numerous wallabies, bandicoots and pessyms make this jungle their homes, and the waterways found about shelter black duck, teal and other water- birds. The whip-bird can be heard now atid again in the thickets, but there is no evidence of the lyre-bird being present. Many other birds would doubtless come for the seasonal harvest of jungle berries. This jungle patch is, remarkably enough, still unalienated Crown land, and its swampy surroundings wotld render it safe from fire were it not for the hand of mau, There has been at least one attempt at burning, hut it is to be hoped that none will ever be successful, and that destruction will never find the last stand of the Snowy River’ jungle as it has tragically overtaken Sperm Whale Head National Park. Note,—The species bearing an asterisk (*) are exclusively East Gippsland plants of the sub-tropic extension trom New South Wales Lilly-Pilly and Sweet Pittosporum extend ¢in isolated pockets) as far west as Wilson's Promontory and Western Port Bay, respectively. EXHIBITS AT NOVEMBER MEETING Mrs. Fenton Woodburn; Marine shell (Cerithum sp.) from Geelvinck Ray, Dutch New Gitinea. Mrs. C. French: Vase of seven species of Leptospermims (Tea-trees}, garden-grown at Canterbury. Mrs, 44, E. Freame: Seaweeds, mounted and wrapped in the 2frgus of November 1D, 1879, Flustrvated Australian News, March 10, 1881; and World, September 29, 1882. ‘ Miss ©. Raff: Abnormal flowers of Cream Marguerites, garden-grown ta Hawthocn East, The bush has only a few normal Anwers, Mr. E, Muir; Native Aowers, including Pimelea octophylla, Callistemon rugutotns, Melaleuca ocumnata, Billardéera eymota, Eremophile lonpi- folio, Nicctiona glauca, Stylidium oraméinifelivin, Bursaria spinosa, Euce iyptus fexcoxylon, Myoporum piatycarpum, Mr. T. Griffiths: Adder's Tongue (Ophtoglostum coriacewm) from Sandringham, (This is not O. vnigatam'of Europe.) Mr, ©, J. Gabricl; Marine shell (Magtlas antiques, Mant—from Mauri- tius) found li¢ing in coral. Me. J. GH. Willis: Lange Sclerote of the subterranean “Blackfellows Bread” fungus {Polyporus wylitiae Cooke et Masee) from Sassafras, Viel. Nat. 142 Hirst, Colour Preferences of the Satin Bower-bire Vote 81 COLOUR PREFERENCES OF THE SATIN BOWER-BIRD * By ARNoww Hurst, Sydney. Having forthe past ten years given constderable time to. the eas of the Satin Bower-bird in captivity, and in the process achieved the distinction of heing the first to have bred and brought to maturity a splendid male specimen, ot this remarkable bird* I fecl that my observations on tnany biological and other matters relating to this species may be taken ‘as authoritative. It therefore o¢curred to me that it may be helpful to give the result of a seties of tests that I made im 1941 at the request of Mr. A, J, Marshall, who was enqniring at the time into: several aspects of the birds’ economy. There were six tests in all carried out with the young bird, which bein then only in his fowtth year had not andergone his colour change, beng occurred some eight months Jater. For the ghuirpase the following catds were, used, each being 3 im in 4 boot length by 3 in, wide and divided into the follawing colour groups. Gard’ No. 1 # Blue 4 Red » No. 2 4 Blue & Red - ~, No. 3 2 Red > & Blue ,- No. 4 2 Grey 3 Red » No 5 4 Grey 4 Red, ‘ » No 6 + Green + Red » No. 7 4+ Yellow + Red ; , No. & 4+Blue + Yellaw . : » No. 9 + Blue 3 Green ‘ Tt should be omentionel that in. cartying out these tests I varied the flacement of the cards in the following order: , : Ie. Test Order of Selection No ! Scattered o 1, 2 8 Oo | , 2°In” row not’ in numerical * , sequence re? AD : , . 3 In raw in numencal sequence \, J, 2, & » 4 Reversed in numerical sequertce ow wha & » § In form of square » | i % 8 » © In form of square, but with , |, 8 & numerical varied In collecting the cards it was observed that, although no single card was taken and al] were collected and carried together to the bower, No, 1 was: foind in every instance to be the bird’s first choice, It may be of further interest to add that although the hen bird revealed a definite interest In the cards and also collected several im each test, they were invariably carried only a short distance away and dropped. . * Stimmarizing these tests on a percentage hasis iv will be seen, therefore, that the scord of each card. was as follows: arrangement Card No. 1 3 Blue i:Red was 100% > “No 2 4 Blue 4+ Red (80% » No, 3 4 Red 2? Blue » 16:6% - » No, 4 2 Groy' 2 Red nil ‘ ~. No. 5 4 Grey 4 Red , oni : > w No. 6 '+ Green £ Red « . nil » Not 7 ¥° Yellove 4 Red * oni » No, 8 4 Blue 4 Yellow 4 - 666% » No. 9 4+ Bluc + Green ,, 83-3% ‘ * See, ict, Nat,, Nov, 1940, Dezember ] isa Hinsr, Colour Preferences of the Satin Bower-bird 143 Having completed this series of tests with the immature male it was a matter of considerable interest to me to observe the reaction of the adult male to.the same stimulus, and on comparison with that cf the young bird it wat found to be remarkable, as the following extract [ram my records discloses : Time, (0am. Weather, calm and sunny. For each of the tests the cards were placed some distance irom the bower, but where the actians of the hirds could be ¢learly observed. In the first test (fe cards were stattered within the compass of a couple of square feet. Inmediately following my withdrawal, Cards. Nos. 1, 8 and 9 were picked up by the male and carried together ty the bower. Fer the second test 1 placed the cards in this arrangement: 6 4 35127 8 o On this occasion two. visits were pald, the first resutling in Nos. 1, 2, 8 anil 9 heing carried together to the bower, On the second visit, followimg a short display before the female in the adjoining aviary while holding Card & in his beak (Ue bower being so situated that this was possible}; Cards Nus. 3 5 and 6 were carrred and deposited with the others, . a the third test the cards were placed numerically in line resulting in Nos, 1, 2, & and 9/beine again taken. The old hen now appeared for the first time and collected Nos. 3 and 4, which she carried g Jittle distance away and deposited on the ground. Tw the fourth test the cards wete placed ih a citcle; again the blue bird made two visits; collecting Nos, I, 2, 3 and 9 on the first, and Nos, 3, 5 and 7 on the secomd oecasion- Te wag rere noted that while making brs first selection, which on every occasion was with greater deliberation than in the case of the young bird, the female aga visited the cards, bul. apart Irom causing the male to stare a short display before taking off with the cards, nothing was observed in her actions to Suggest more than a mild mterest in the cards that remained, In test five the cards were again scattered, and being called to Iunch T Jeit therm until 3 o'clock in the altermiwon when on my return it was fold that all the cards had been removed; Nos. J, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 2 being placed ahout the bower, and 4, ‘5 and 6 together some little distance away. Rodced also 1 a percentage has the result of these tests works out as follows = Cards Nos. 1, 8 and 9... Lew 8. 1M rt " 2 wea we «meee - -- '- + 7 80% " ap Hew ETS a EL LS a ORG e ea TE tly ete ope ee ee te ee aT pS: and Hh, bse er eee cop epg we te A a 8 6. 20% There can, L think, be little doubt from the foresing that these birds have a definite preference for blue in their decorative schemes, hut whether yhis colour attraction is indicative only of their artisti¢ weniuc or Is assa- crated also with their breeding habits, I am unable tm say. 1 would appear {eau my experience, however, that there is othe ta aunport the theory which has been advanced that the exteroceptiye stimuli provided by cither blue of blue-green has some. influence on the notmal breeding af the birds as T have never until the occasion. af the test referred to provided my birds with any coloured ornaments, yet without them the hen has each year reularly laid and hatched her eggs. 4 Story wf Eltsabeth Gould ese he Ha THE SfORY OF ELIZABETH GOULD . For somethwie approarhing a cendury, the mane ot John Gould- shwne almost m solitary glory as the father of Australian ornithology, Otlice workers before him—Latham, Lewin, Viellot, and Vigors and Hors&eld, to maint the most importamt—hud shown the world somethmg of the wonders of the birds of Australia, bist it remamed for John Gould to make the detailed study which stands to this day as wit classical foundation for all trodern work. Until the centenary of Gould's visit to Austrailia iii the fate eightecn- thirties, htthe was krpwn of his faithful and talented helpmeet, Elizabeth Gould {nee Coxen}. Yet Mrs. John Gould was in wsany ways as remark- able as her Kushand. Imagine, if you will, a yourg wonag still in her aiddle thirties, the mother of a young family, anchured by sirong tamily tics ta the sai of Engtand—a woman of homely instincts, married to a ina fived with almest Janatical eithesiasm for hy life's work, the stuty of birds of Far lands, Imagine her; filled with 2 deep and abiding love for hee man, struggling to And Lime adequately ta mother her children arid at the same time to help her hwshand by the cxercise of her artistic dalenis. Imagine her, tor belween coriflicting calls of duty, reluctantly leaving part of her young family in the care of others, leaying the soil she loved, setting out far high adventur: in a land acecoss the world, patiently working im the background while the more mercurial John was charging rotind the Australmin countryside collecting mew birds and bringing them home to her to paint. Imagine her, fiirther, wearing herself oyt in her double task untit she finally wears herself to death at the early age of 37 years, , . . Such, yery much in brrel, was the ile af Elizabeth Gould. Reyond the facr that she had painted many of the plates for Gould's Birds of Anstratic, and transierred them to the stone for lithographiug, litte wae known of her untit Mr. Alec H. Chisholin, visiting England in 1938 (the centenary of the Goulds’ coming m Australia) discovered 2 wealth of unpublished (and Jargely unread) Gould material in the possession of tlre few descentlants of the jamily. This was gencrously 2iveti to hint to be eeturned to Ausiralia The story of theGilbert Diary has alreatly been told in these pages and, more fully, in Strange New Hforld. The maternal also included a timber of Mrs. Gatld'’s letters written from Australia, the originals ot which are now liy the Mitchell Library, Sydney. The letters are published for the fret time in The Story of Elizabeth Gould, by- Alec I, Chisholm, together with a complete account of the members of her family, hoth antecedent and subsequent, Born at Raresgate in July 1804, Elisabeth Coxen was married to Joho Gould (who was two months younger) at the sge vi 24. Gould at this timte was alrendy launthed on his Iife’s work, and soon his wife's aid in figvritig and Hihographing his birds became indispetisable, IE John were to go fas he felt he must}-to Anstralia to covec worthily the field of Australian ornithology, they both realized that Elizaleth must make the visit too. sailed, in the litle vessel Parsee, of 348 tans, in May, $838, taking their eldest boy, John Henry, with thent and leaving rhe three younger children with Mrs. Coxen, senior, They reached Hobart in September af that year, and were the cuests of the Governor, Sir John Frankijn, and tits Jadvi Lady Franklin became very attached la Mrs: Gott, as the letters show, and after the BHfth (Gould child was barn, in Hohast, Lady Franklin wanted to adopt him, but Mrs. Gould would not consider the proposal, Inmileed, her letters show im crery page that her scientific keenness and zeal never abated ote whit her motherly love and care for hee rn a oe - Srgeine Story of Ehzaheth Gould 145 children, Her constant yearnings for a sight of the little ones left at home; her concern for their welfare in spite of her confidence im their grandmother's care for them; and her pride in them all, would do justice to a mother to whom motherhood was the anly care in the world. But she worked by day and far into the mght on her beloved Joha's plates, and in addisios found time to develop a very penetrating interest im the country and people around her, [{ appears, too, that she attended to some of hier heloved John's duties in the mutter of correspondence. .- . “In the first place he has desired me to say he would waite but for bis constant decupation” ,., “He wished me to say ter him everything that was. Itiod to all, especially to his mother, sisters, and Mra. Cleave and Mrs. Stuart, also Mr, and Mrs, Mitchell. He is extremely occupied. His not writing more frequently is really excusable, as you would acknowledge could you follow his movements as he slaves all day with untiring perseverance . - .” And of her sketching; “Just now duriag John's absence I find amusement and employment in drawing some of the plants of the colony, which will help to render the work on Birds of Australia more interesting. All our skelches ate inuch approved of and highly complimented by our friends. T wish you could hear some of the magnificent speeches that are frequently made us, because f know you like dearly to hear your daughter praised But at the end of it all [ sigh and think of I could bute see ald England agaia, and the dear, dear treasures jt contains, [ would contentedly sit down at my working table and stroke, stroke away to the end of the chapter . - .” Yhe Goulds retnfned to England in 1840, and the sixth child was born shonly afterwards, Then, at the carly age of 37 years, Elizabeth Gould died (in August 1841) before her eldest child had reached his J1th birthday. Such was the life of a noble, zealous, remarkable woman to whom Australian bird-lavers owe so much. Wiscly, Mr, Chishoim has leit her letters to speak Tor themselves. They are published complete, the only annotations being in the form of brief remarks preceding each totter. The introduction, however, is a masterpiece of biographical research, of which the autltor may well feel proud- The Story of Elisabeth Gould, wih a portrait and two small wood+cuts, is only a slender volume of 74 pages. It is published in a limited edition af 350 copies, of which only 300 are for sale, at £1/1/-. The production, by tha Hawthorn Press, is in keepittg with its status ae a collector's piece. li one were disposed to search for 4 point to criticize, it would be thar the edition should have been limited so strictly as to place the book, Mi reason of its cast, beyond the reach of sp many who would enjoy it—-C.M. AN ORCHIDOLOGIST'S LUCK Requiring a few specimens of Ptevoxtylis mawtica foy exchange, last August, 1 went to a Sydney western suburban areca where I had seen this species previously. Grecnhood rosettes were nemeraus, and I dug up six which looked promising, and put them all into one pot. Two developed inte fine specimens of P. mefice. Three proved to be P. pusilla var. prominess, which T trad not seen for same years, and which CT was anxious to study critically hecause opinion: have been expressed as to its meriting full specific rabk. The sixth plant has row come to maturity, and revealed itselE as a tall, well-developed P. Mitchelh€) Can anyone better this lucky performance?—H. M. R. Rure. ' 146 Sanial Rave Mee RADIAL RAYS AND BIRD BEHAVIOLIR a (To the Editor) Sir—lv is noe my desire to try and impress “scientific” people with the ijheary of electro-magnetic waves contrallmg the actions of birds and animals, bul to give the ordinary Jayman a line at thought—whirh can be supported by many natural cxamples--along whith to chserve and study, willt the object of getting a clearer Imowledge of what is the base of the jaculty possessed by birds and animals which we designate “instinct a word which explains qoulidg, We know the reception usually meted ant ty any new theory, by “absolutely sejentifie’ circles, thrangh examples recorded in the past. The names of Robert Koch and Louis Pastesr— Among many others will bring te mind how their, at that time, unorthodox thearies Were received by tte “ultra scientific.” li nothing is known hy Dr, Flecker, as he states, of the Spanish and German experiments with electro-magnetic waves and pigeans—the accounts of these have been pub- lished—-how can he justify his asronishing statement that fhey were “vague aud absolutely inconclusive’? Yours, etc, Atrrrt A. Coon, Walkerstan, Mackay, Queensland. (Toe the Editor) Sir—tn desling with the effect uf the acuon, of radiating ravy iu so far as they affect certain hieds, Dr. Plecker has, in his replies, drilled mmlo mere irrelevant quibbles regarding nomenclature. Tle has produced no evidence of the researches of physicists or of his own to refute my thesis wherein 1 pustalated the effect of rays in their action in the orientation of birds, He iow cites the well known structure of the eats of the carricr pigoan, thereby suggesting that this ia the ¢attse of the onentaton of birds. Were this a fact, then the question of the orjeutation of birds would have been settled years ayo instead of bein still ondecided. Having failed to'advance any aclentific cause Jor the ortentatian proto add one more. lick to the housd of knowledge, he now asks for amy authority for the proven effect of rays in-such orientation, Georwes Lakousky, at eminent French physics, who 1s engaged in scientific research with rays, records the following in his bank engitled The Sereret of Life. This book, on accowit of its great scientific value, has heen translate:! imto several Jangiiges. ‘Lo end this discussion T herewith quote what Lakovsky reeords amongst other things; "A. most interesting obseryation made July 2, 1924, at the radiq station at Paterna, near Valencia, came ta my notice. A flack of pigoans had just heen, released near an aerial of this “lation at the time af trantinission. 1t was Observed that these birds eould not manage to find their bearings and kept on Ayina ma circular fashian as if completely disorientated, This experiment was repeated several times and alwayy produced the same tesuit, that is ta say the. disappearance, af rather a very marked perturbation, aj the sense of ditection in carrier pigeons wider the infinence of clectro- niagnet. waves. "The expenmenis were taken up again at Paterna at the radio station of Valencia, under the contral of the Spanish military aathorities, aid also at Kreuznach (Germany). These fresh experiments folly canfirtied mv views concernmy the influence of Hertzian waves on the instincd of prienta- tion, A Spanish scientist, M J. Casumajor, wrote a detailed repart on the Vatterna experiments. The Spanish carrier-pigeon «service installed 4 aero Radial Rays 147 , military carrier-pigeon station at Valencia at a distance of aboni 8 ktlu- metres from the radig station of Paterna. A the time of the experiment in question pigeons were released ute by one at regular intervals oi three niittutes near the station while iansntission was taking place continuously. “It was observed that all the pigeons hegan to By by circling round for some cine, but without sacceeding im finding their bearings as they usually do after having flown round a few times, In spite af a change of waye- length in the course ol cransmission pe retata to the rornnal condition was observed, aiid so long a5 transmission acturred, and it lasted more than half an hour, ai pigeons succeeded in Aying ip a definite direction. “It is impertant to nate that barely a few minutes after the transimission was over the réleased pigeans few towards their dovecat without the least hesitation, ever thase which had taken part m the frst experiment. “Anathicr series ot experiments which Took place alt November 7ih, 1926, m the same locality, produced the same result, The original experiments at Paterna put investigators on thejr mettle, for they could nat understand the relation existing between the instinet of pigeons and the transmissioit of eleciro- -magnetic waves, Lhe German lechniciais hastened to verily: and, canirel Casamajor's observations In March, 1926, they initiated a series af experiments similar te those carried out at Rrenanath. The cote ditions, hawever, were different and more rigorous. A site was ‘chosen 50 that the dove-cot and radio station were diametrically opposed. Consequently this station waz situated exactly as Ue crow fics on he course Lat the peons were bowl ta teke, On arriving acar Ite radia station it was noticed that the pigeans chatiged their fligtit, were losing their bearings, and appeared to he definitely disorientated, They did not sticeeed iv resumunge their course towards the dove-cot until their Aying had brought thent outside ile littense eclectro-masnetic held surrounding the aerial of the radio station” Ficether qn Lakovsky states: “The observations made on carrier-pigeons appear tu hold’ good far nnctural birds also. [¢ acerms ohvious, a priors, that the sensibility af these birds to electro-magnetic waves in general is different from that of ditirnal birds by virjue of their special adaptation to Hight or darkuess. These two species of birds, hawever, shaw a common feature: they tecd ott the sanve insects. We are led to believe, as we shall see later, that they are attracted to their prey bt radiations.” This should be conclusive evidence of my thesis, quite apart fram other records of the effect of rays on animal life by other physicists. Yours, cle, Articr H,'E. Martino.ey. Melbourne. A NEW COMBINATION OF HELICHRYSUM Ry ‘P, F. Momws and J. H. Writs Behchrysim thyrsadenne (DC) comb, wav, (Osothomues thyrsordess A. P. De Candolle ia Prodronms Syst.Nat. VT, x 165, 1837), When discussing ihe just claims to specific rank of HH, hpraoidewin iMict Net, LIX, p 86, Sept. 1942) and using this binary nme for the frst time, we unfortmately neglected 10 comply wlth mes, The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 61—No. January 5 1995 No, 733 PROCEEDINGS The monthly mecting of the Club. was beld vo Deceinher 1), 1944, at the Royal- Society's Hall, the President (Mr, Tva C, Hammet) presiding over a large attendance. A letter was received from the Forests C onnnission of Victoria notifying that Messrs. H. W. Beck, A. G. Campbell, A. D, Hardy, kK. ‘Tl. Littlejohns and A. J. Swaby had been accepted as an Advisory Committee, for Sherbrooke: Forest. F.xcursion.reports were given by Mr, J, A Willis. (Beaumaris burnt area) and F. §. Colliver (Coburg Lake), . The following were, elected as Ordinary: Members : Mrs. W, G, Beavis, Miss M. Owen, Mrs. H. Oaks, Messrs, J, C. Le Souef, A. 5. Brown, and E. M. Fyson; as Country Members: Messrs. Sheldon (Lilydate), B, Tindale (Yarra Junction), J. J. Johnston CRackdale, N.S.W.), and A. G. Hately: (Stawell), BEES AND FORESTS Mr. Turlton Rayment gave: an illustrated lecture on this subject. He held the aticdience closely interested by a general discussion at the importance of bees in fertilizing forests,\in producing honey fespecially valuable at present) and in promoting bees-wax, which was now used in munitions. What first attracted him: to the study of bees, Mr. Rayment said, was the constructive ability of the insects, combined with their strong social sense. The beautiful social systetn of the bees was evolved by Nature long before man came with his stupidity to upset it. Me. Raytnent, who was cordially thanked on the motion of Messrs. ‘Hyam and Chalk, gave further information in reply to questions. Ge said that the first honey-bees were brought to Australia in the convict ship Isabella in 1822. There is at least one mative species of honey-hee (Apis), a rare inhabitant of the east Vicrortan highlands. ! Tn reply to other questions the lecturer said that bees w- doubtedly were attracted by the odour-cnianation frorn some ammals (including man) and repelled hy others; in one instance hees flew 200 yards to attack a‘man—why, no one cond say, Odour, Mr. Rayment thought, was a stronger factor with bees than sight. 150) Nature Querics beer it NATURE QUERIES Question; The Plain Turkey (Australian Bustard) lays ane and sOmefimes two eggs to a clutch. Bushmen in North Aus- tralia State that wher two eggs are laid one is infertile and never hatehes, consequently the parent bird is seen with one chick only. When sevéra! adult birds are together, no one bird has two chicks of its own. Are there any accredited instances of two chicks in a clutch? - Reply (by Mr. A. H. Chisholm): It is an odd thing that althoweh the Bustard when inhabiting Victoria was found usually to lay only one ege to a clutch, in Queensland the clutch is ustially two and sometimes three. There may be something in the statement regarding the infertility of one egg, but certamly two chicks to the one mother have been recorded—and photo- graphed. A singular consideration is that whereas the Bustard is so restricted in its breeding, the Emu, which lives in the same type of country and has similar habits, has as many as eight and ten eges to a clutch. The Bustard is now protected throughout the whole of Australia and strong efforts are being made to safeguard it. Jn this servicemen, who formerly killed the bird, are co-operating, Question: My, J, A. Willis reported having observed a wingless female of the Sydney “Blue Ant” (Dianna bieclor} on one flower spike of the Crimson Botdebrush for two hours, apparently busily engaged in seclang nectar. Was this usual for a wasp that is habitually an carth dweller? Answer (Mr. “f. Rayment): Diamine helongs to the Tiym- wide family of “flower wasps" and, although, wingless, it is only to be expected that females of the species should visit native blossoms for their nectar. As a predator, this handsome metallic- purple insect has been known to attack mole crickets and partially paralyse them as food for the young wasps, which hatch out in about a week, EXCURSION TO RINGWOOD The large party of excursionists on October 2lst included anembcrs of the Bird Observers’ Club. It was intended to study insect visitors. to flowers, Trigger-plants in particular. Sultry morning weather «was folluwed hy a enld change, and very few insects were moving in the afternoon, A few small bees were found huddled in bluebells; two flies, one in Manuka, the other in a buttercup, constituted the only other records) Members dispersed in smal! groups and followed their particular interests, At the Hawthom Nature Show, a few days later, Mr. Fultou menticmed having Found three stmell grey wasps in Trigger-plants—one even held down by the bent column. He did not know of our quest and had not captured a specimen. As far as I know, the actual springing of the column by an insect remams to be observed. A. J. Swany. ae Nictoonts, A New Queensland Phreatic ISL A NEW QUEENSLAND PHREATIA (ORCHIDACEAE) By W, H. Nicuotts, Melbourne PRREATIA CRASSIUSCULA, sp. now, Plontic ehiphytica tnemila, circa t-5-6 em. alta. Foltis crussitsenla, glabris, ervctes vet sub-patentdits Uneurits, canaligniatis, circa 2:S-5°S ons, longts, Inflorescentia erecta, 2-5 con longa. Flores minuti atin. Bractee onguste- lanccolate aruninate, circa 1+5-2 mun loitgae, vmrditibus serrulatis, Poviunlhit-scamenta patenies, marginibus iniegris. Sepatunt-dorsale erectum, ovation, obtusim, circa I ym, Jongum, Sepala-lateralia sepalo-dorsali equalia sed paulo latiora, Peiala oblonga abtusa, circa 4 min, fonga. Labellum bast concavum, ‘rhontboide-ovatum; margimibus integris, apiece recurvata, Colunvia brevissima ot lata, calcar obiusum. Pollinra 8. A dwarf plant, epiphytic on the stems of forest trees, also ou palms. The very short stem covered at the base with the persistent bases of fallen leaves. Leaves several, fleshy, erassula-lrke, glab- rous, stmi-terete, equitant, erect or somewhat spreading, chan- nelléd on the upper side, 2-5-5°5 cm. long. Inflorescence erect, in axillary racemes, shorter than the leaves, 2-5 cm. long. Flowers minute, white or cream (Bailey describes the flowers as yellow— as in Ph, timenophylas), rather crowded, almost sessile. Bracts longes than ovary, the margins briefly and somewhat irregularly serrate. Perianth-segments spreading with entire margins; dorsal sepal erect, ovale, obtuse, about 1 mm. long; lateral sepals free, about same length as dorsal sepal and wider at base, Petals oblong obtuse, shorter that sepals; labellum nearly as long as sepals, very concave at base, the lamina spreading avate-rhombeidal, ettire ; disk with a longitudinal raised line not extending along the Janina. Pollen-masses 8, minute. Column short and broad, produced for- ward into a mentum. Capsule shortly pedicellate or nearly sessile; avate-cblong. Obsronia crasstuscula, EF. Muell. Herb’m, Flowering during January, February. ' ‘ Haintat: Rockingham Bay (Dallachy}; Mount Bartle Frere (via Inghatn) (A, Glindeman) ; Root's Creek (Carr), The TYPE material (fram Mount Bartle Frere) is jn the Present writer’s herbarium, The first description of this misinterpreted Australian nrchid (under Phreatia Antenephylas Reichb.{.) appears inv Bentham's Flora Austratierss, Vol. v1 (1873), p. 290, and is transenbed in F. M, Bailey's Queensland Flora, Vol. v (1902), p. 1542. ‘Ferd, Bauwer’s original Plexaure limenoplylax fran Norfolk Island, though agreeime as to genus, is. very distinct specifically, Dr, R, 8, Rogers gives some most interesting and informative fata on both plants in Trensactions Royol Society Sunth Aus- tralia, Vol, riv (1930), p, 40. He writes of Phv'eatia (Plexoure) Hymenophylax - ‘ 2 Nicworrs, 4 New Qryeensland Phreviia Nolet "Tt Was originally discovered by Ferdinand Bauer om, Narfnlk Tslaod, ant] was carefully illustrated by him: in a plate now in possession nf the Vienna Herbarium. Tt was described by Endlicher under ahe name of Prexaure Simenophylae, Subsequently, when writing the sixth volume of the Flora stustrattensis, Beatham became the innocent victim of a discredit- able deception by H. G. Reichenbach which led bim to publish his belief “that the mainland plant Pious by Dallachy at Rockingham Bay, Queensland, -was weitical with Bauer's Norfolk Island plant This belief was founded upo evror, an error which was accepted and followed by Pfitzer and many eminent batanists until the true tacts at the case were: published by F- “Kranzlin in 191i, mm his prefatory remarks to the Dendrobime, Part LY p. 12, atid again in his Monograph on the genus Phreatia, in the sane work - (pp. "20-2 1), where he also published Bauer's original iNustratjioas.” Dallachy’s specimens in the National Herbarium, Melbourne, were collecied in the year 1870; they were in a state of bad preservation. It was on this material Beatham based his descrip- tion in the Flora Austroliensis, He was unable to define the particulars of the column, including ihe pollinacium. Rogers further states ; “Krnzlin is of Gpinion that this plant wat an Cberonia. Tit the most prouising of the three Howees slill intact, the upper portion of the column, and of course the pallinariam, were absenn There is no milication of a caluim-loot of of a mentum. This lends colour to Krinzlin’s suggestion,* which he reached tor other reasons, Taking all the circumstances into ronstcration, it is at Iewst a very doubtful member of the genus to which i bss been ascribed anil shoald be deleted from our census,” _ The present writer has in his possession a copy of Bauer's plate of the true Phreetia imenophylax Reichb.f., and it is thus abun- dantly cleat the Otecrisland plant is an untamed species. The exhaustive examination of fresh flowers—from fhree racernes—produced on three plants from the Mount Bartle Frere district in Novth Queensland (via Ingham) showed definitely the presence of (contrary to Regers’ conclusion) a well-formed ehin (mentum) or column-foot. Tt may be of interest to mention here that ameng the material of the Queensland plant in the National Her barium, Melbourne, there are the rematns of several racemes of flowers (only the ‘bracts and uppermost buds are infact) Among the few expanded blooms still remaming wm the same folder, the mentum is clearly visible, more so when the, flower is softened. [n the undeveloped buds on the racemes (his feature is difficult to define. ‘Bailey was tight in estimating the timber of pollen-masses as eight. Even with the aid of a powerful magnifier the sacrifice of many resh flowers was necessary to define every character correctly, as they are so very minute. “The blooms of this new species, also those of Phreatia Barleyana Schlechter (Botfahrb, 111), are excellent representative types of the world's tiniest,urchid Mowers. *Kranzlin writes, “Now est P Hinerca phylas nosira, sea cerlizsime Oherowia jnimiata, Lindl," which i¢ no “suggestion, hut” ani unequivocal statement of his belief, | NicHoits, A New Queensiand Phreatia 188 SEES KEY TO PLATE ede: > Tsqwitt Phreatia crassiuscula, sp. nov. ATES Fig. A.-—Typical plant. B.—Flpra] bract. C.—Flowet from above, D.— FloWer and ovdry ‘fréni front. o+Capsule. F.—Transverse section of leaf. G.—Pallen masses. H.—Labellum from side. I—Labellum from above. J.—An undeveloped flower. K.—Flower from side. L.—Column from front. 154 Nicnotis, A New Queensland Phreatia be ae . The Mount Bartle Frere specimens were collected by Mr, A. Glindeman, the well-known collector of tropical orchids. These plants readily responded to hot-house treatment in Melbourne, producing the three racemes of flowers already mentioned. A colour plate executed by the writer, with full dissections of the floral characters, etc., was subsequently loaned to Dr. Rogers, who agteed that the species there depicted represented the same orchid which was collected by Dallachy at Rockingham Bay, and so long misrepresented as Reichenbach’s plant. Dr. Rogers expressed a wish to put matters aright but unfortunately died before doing so. Identical specimens in the Herbarium of F. v. Mueller are labelled “Oberonta crassiuscula,” but this Queensland plant is definitely a species of Phreatia Lindl.! I have adopted Mueller’s Herbarium name crassiuscula for this plant. It is, I consider, an eminently fitting one, referring as it does to its salient characteristic, namely, the thick fleshy -Crassula- like foliage. It is difficult to understand why Phreatia crassinscula (sp.nov.) should have been identified so definitely by certain botanists with Oberonia miniata Lindl. (Edwards, Bot. Reg., 1843, Vol. xx1x, p. 6), which is described as a “singular epiphyte with the hahit of Aporum anceps; its flowers are extremely small, very brittle, vermilion-red and loosely arranged in a nodding spike, sometimes as much as eight inches long (approx. 20 cm,)” 4H, N, Ridley, in Flora Malay Penins., Vol. 4, p. 16 (1924), describes O. miniata as having “sepals ovate, ciliate.” A SPARROW-HAWK INCIDENT About mid-morning on the 26th September last, the pupils of S.S, No, 3792, Kilmany South (Mr. A. A. Lind, Head Teacher), had a Nature-study Jesson that had not heen planned for them. The normal routine was suddenly disturbed by the entrance, through one of the windows, of a sparrow pursued by a hawk. After wheeling round the room for a few minutes, the hawk perched on a bar across the room and the sparrow hid beneath a desk. Suddenly the sparrow made a dash for one of the windows, but crashed into a pane and fell dead. Shortly afterwards the hawk also flew at a window and was stunned by its impact with the pane. A very good description of this bird identified it as the Collared Sparrowhawk. It is probable that the commoner hawks in the district are Nankeen Kestrels, often erroneously known as Sparrawhawks, After completing their observations, and after the bird had recovered, the pupils, to their credit, liberated it. F. G. Exrorp (Teachers College) January} Coteman, Remarks on Hesbs and Birds 15s FURTHER REMARKS ON HERBS AND BIRDS “Part T—Medicinal Use nf J_eaves. By, Eorrn Corkman, Blackbur, Vic. Got ask now the fowls of the air, and Utey shall teach thee. {Job 12: 7). For the third year in succession, on October 22, 1944, I found my Canary Islands Pyrethrum greatly mutilated, I watched the plant and saw, not goldfinches this time, but sparrows, pulimg off leaves, carrying them into two of a little colony of nests in an old rose climbing ten to fifteen feet high an a dead gum tree. I also saw them take leaves away to nests in other parts of the garden, Few birds would cave to push their way in and out of the tangle of dead, thorny qwigs beneath the crown of this old rose, Some of the twigs were cut away to enable me to put a hand into one of the nests. I withdrew leaves and Jeaf-stems of the Pyrethrimn, They appeared to be lying among the eight or ten egys I could feel. The choice of this herb is puzzling, Why did the birds not ’ take the downy leaves of the far more aromatic Peppermint- pélargonium, which grows abundantly at the base of the gum tree? I scattered some of these leaves on the ground under the Pyrethrum. - They were not touched, although I saw sparrows pick up fallen Pyrethrum leaves, ; Says Topsell (1658-81), writing of cats and Valerian: “Cats dig it tp ior love thereof, as I myself have seen m my own garden, for it smelleth moscaver like a cat.” Does (his explain the passion of sparrows for Pyrethrum? Has it the odour of their kind? A beautiful Blue Petrel washed up on {he ocean beach at Sorrento in March had the smelt of OQak-leaved pelargonium, even after hanging in the breeze for three weeks. It has since been hanging out of doors at Blackburn, and still has the same odour. The use of Jeaves and flowers to adorn nests has been recorded; $0 tno has their use by hirds as food and medicine. ‘In this garden large preces are torn from the leaves of such narcotic plants as Belladonna and Uenbane. I found it difficult to ¢stablish the tabacco plant. (Nicotiana tobacue} owing to depredations in the carly staze of growth, Since watching the sparrows my thoughts have run back to the many old writers who recorded the use by-birds of aromatic or acrid herbs, eiiher as medicine or for some supposed magical property. Some of these records are fantastic: in the extreme, for dew of the ancients appeat to have been accurate observers. 18d Conedhtt) Remarks og Herbs ant Riel by sci Many of then ‘held ansttang belief that birds mre gifted with a knowledge of the virtues of herbs. Recalling the names, of men, régarded as great scholars in their day, wha have handed on these beliels, one “feels that they cannot have been without some folindation. Was the Seriptural association of the dove with the olive purely fortuitous, or were doves kriown to seek its leaves? Although the story of the Babes in the Wond is an ancient one, an even older story records the good work of loth robin and wren in covering with leaves “the Enendless bodies of unburied ren,” Many_writers refer to this. Herrick, Pope ancl Shakespeare make: use of it. In Cymbehne the niddock (redbreast) is to cover the supposed dead body of Imogen with pale primroses, harebells, teal of eglantine, as well as fur and moss, Does the redbreasé seek Eglantitte (Sweet-briar). to-day? Old authors state that pigeons and doves use the herh Vervain for ditiness of vision. “Stockdaves, jays, merles, and blackbirds use Laurel (Sweet- bay) fo recover their appetite to meste and tn sharpen their vision.” In Italy doves are said to seck the herh Cumin. whieh prohably explains why the Java doves haunted imme. In common with other birds, they love asaioetida (Ferula foenda) and are destric- live to crops in the seedling slage. Worlidge (Systema Agricul: twrae, 1681} alludes to the custom of exploiting this passion by washing the dove-cotes with asafoetida water; “Thetr feathers will bear, the scent thereof about them, so that whatsoever conrpany they, light into ‘will be pleased to ‘bear them company hoe, to the great increase of your stock.” Asafoetida contains a volarile oil, resi atl gum, Tt is still afficial-in pharmacy, Because of its disagreeable odour it is usually administered in pill form. Yer. despite the ndour, whieh out-onions the whole of the onion clan, it is much relished i in eastern countries. Tow Kipling’s Kim and hid lama enjoyed their meal of warm calves well scented with hing (asatoetida)! Planta (Waybread: or Cuckuo's-bread} is both bread and medicine ta the cuckoo, as- is Cuckoo's-sorrel. In my childhood I knew no other name for this: will sortel. - It gave me pleastire to learn that’ it is: socalled it other Countries. The list of authors who refer to the use by birds of herbs 10 vestoie ‘sight isa long one: “'Goldfnches,’ finnets,’ eagles and swallaws are said to use Eyebright, Rue, Fennel and Cefandine, TA thelief ‘that’ the eagle's. power of vision ‘is so’ great that he-is able'tovlook at! the sun windazzled is of greal antiquity | $0 too is! the legend: that he “shaipénd his sight and that of' his. nestlings: with- wild slettuces \Thie-hawk uses Hawhkshit | (:Hieraciwais) for’ the-sarse ptirpoge.’ “Thé péiveric tame, tas: well -as,'(he! popular? Sweet-Bas (Lanes aelidis) Photos. bs Edith (olemun. q ; 7 wet Courman, Kemarks on Herbs and Rirdr 157 names used in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, all have reference to the belief.‘that birds of prey made use of this herb to sbarpen their vision. Turberville recummends “the juice of Swallowes-hearbe (Celan- dine) couveyed to the eyes of hawkes if they be hurte by some mishappe.” (Book of Falconry, 1611.) The raven uses Sweet- bay: the stork and ring-doves use “organ” (Wild Marjoran or Origanum), It is remarkable that in widely separated countries, long before travel facilities hrought them into easy communication, Celandine (Chelidoniun. meajus) was believed to be employed hy swallows to restore their sight and that of their nestlings—a belief that dates hack to the first century, probably earlier. ‘The generic name Chelidoninin is derived from the Greek for swallow, and the names Swallow-wort atid Swallow-herb are’ common in many Enropean countries. In an original treatise on herbs, Bartholomew (thirteenth cen- tury) wrote: “Celidone is an herbe with yellowe floures; the fruit smorcheth’ them that toucheth ib: it helpeth swallowes" birdes (nestlings) if their eyen be hurt.” In another rare old herbal {Lyte’s tanslation of Dadoens, 1578) we read; “Chelidoniwun,: that is to say Swallaw-herbe ; becanse it was first fod ont by swallows and hath healed ihe eyes and restored sight to their young ones.” Gerard, 1597, reporting earlier writers, says: ‘EL will restore the eies of divers young birds and snanest of all, the swallows."" The great herbalist Parkinson (1643) alludes to ils use hy pitrtridges, doves atid swallows. ' Tt seems strange that so many bird-favoured herbs possess aromatic ils, acrid juices or narcotic properties, and are still employed by herbalists, or in domestic practice, for the very ills: ta which birds were believed ta apply them. Rue, Eyebright and Fennel have a centuries-old reputation for helping the eyes. With the two latter Milton's Michael purged Adam's sight, Fennel was even believed to restore lost sight, as, Langiellow sings in the Goblet of Life: Above thé lowly plants. 11 towers, The fennel, with its yellow flawers, Aud in an earlier age than ours te Was gilted ‘with the wandroits powers. ) oe Lost vision to restore. ‘ Many of the buttercups (Ranunculaceae) ‘contain actid: juices? which inflame and blister, and these are still used for that purpose. in treating «gout, rheumatism, and ‘even shingles” Cuckoo-buds,’ Crowfuot, the Lessdr” Celaitdine (all “butterciips’’) and the’ Grédter Gelaridine {a “poppy’) are all called Tetterworts and: their acrid juices were once employed by beggars to raise tetters* (sores) on. their faces, to. excite pity and pain alms! 158 Cocewan, Romarks on Herbs and Birds Vee Bee Tr seems incredible to us that Ue unopened eyes of nesilings should have been regarded as an ill, The fact that they were upen soon alter parent birds were seen to carry herbs into the nests was sufficient fo invest these herhs with metlicmeal and even magical powers; and man, who learned the wse of herbs from watching birds and animals, applied bird-chosen leaves to his owl needs, sometimes with suecess, As Kapling sings; Nothing in life has been made by man for man's using But it was shown lang since to san in ages Lost ag the name oi the maker of it. _ To this day Celandine is employed in treating cye trouble. Ths yellow juice, on the Doctrine of Signatures, is good for jaundice! Dropped into green wounds it effects a rapid cure! It is used in milk asa lotion and, as the names Pilewort and Itchwort imply, for other troubles. In Russia it is said to have heen effective in- treating cance. Why did the birds choose it? Did they test it, with success? With Celandine swallows were said to unlock their nests, if they were plastered up, or to remove obstructions. Hence its use by man to remove obstructions of the liver. It was preseribed for Tudor Queen Elizabeth, who was reluctant to have a tooth drawn, Tt was to be seated up in the tooth with wax. This would loosen the tooth, which might then he pulled out with the fingers! Larkspur or Larksheels, another “buttercup,” probably so called fron? a fancied resemblance of the flower-spur to the Jong nail on) a lark's “heel,” has a long medical reputation of some significance in the present. discussion. It was used by ancient Greeks, in the form of an ointment, to destroy body vermin, and to heal wounds. A tincture, said to be a fine insevt-bane, was used with success in the trenches during the Jast war. Laurel (Ziturus mobilis) (Sweet-bay), another “bird-herb,” yields an aromatic oil which is still employed in veterinary prac- tice. The leaves, familiar ta us in curry powder, are packed between layers of dried figs and liquorice sticks, probably to unpart flavour and scent, perhaps also as an insect repellant. Alter all, these strange beliefs regarding the use of herbs were not more curiqus than many others which persisted to the nine teenth century. Tor my part, as I dip into the vast literature of legend and myth that has gathered round the association of herbs and birds I feel that they were not without some foundation. T am wholly with Baring Gould, who traced many myths of fhe Middle Ages, when he states that there must be some verity upon which so vast a superstructure of legend has been raised, and hefore closing I should like to suggest one for our herb and. bird myths, - - Kipling (Eye of Allah) puts his pen on the spot, He’ is Ler i Courman, Remarks on Herbs and Birds 189 referring to an old belief handed down from Apuleius in the fifth century. In his Herberium, a little Latin treatise mainly derived from Dioscorides, Apuleitis says; “If a man eat fasting the juice of the cut-leaved buttercup (FR, selerotas) his soul will leave his body laughing.” “This,” says Kipling’s Roger of Salerno, “‘is a lie more dangerous thatt the Truth, smee truth of a sort it is: for the juice of this herb burns, blisters and wries the mouth— the rictus or pseudo-laughter on the face of such as haye died of poison by herbs of the Rantnculaceae,” To this John of Burgos, who admits that, when @ boy in ¢ottvent, he made tetters round his mouth and on his neck with the juice of this buttercup, to save going to prayers on cold nights, makes reply: “I’m no doctor, but I'd say that in all these years Apuleius ight have been betrayed by his copyisis, If Apuleius wrote ‘the soul seems to leave the body laughing’ there’s not three copyists in five would not leave out the ‘seems to,’ ” Probably many of the old authors: have been betrayed by their copyists, Birds were seen to carry leaves. Being inedible they were assumed to be medicinal or magical, and as the eyes of nestlings were open soon alter they were placed in the nest, they “seemed” to restore sight, As the legend travelled down the eenturies the “seemed” wes omitted, EXHIBITS AT DECEMBER MEETING Mrs, M. E. Freame: Examples of the various tropical sea-shells illustrated in December (tld. Life, also a living specimen of the fragile “Lantern Shell" (Leterme ereccina} from Part Phillip. Mrs, D, W, Lyndon: Representation of the Altona salt-marshes, by tse of actual glass-worts, caloured sea-blite foliage, sea-heath in flower, shells. and sparkling salt-encrusted sponges. Miss Colleen Chuggz: Nylosiroma of mycelial pad of te, “White Punk" (Polyporus cucalyptorant}, forming white and felt- or chamois-Jike sheets in the cracked wood of old trees, logs, etc. Miss M. L. Wigat: Unusually tong, thick aboriginal axe-head from McKenzie Creek, lower Bemm River, East Gippstand, W/O J. A. Blackburn (per J. H, Willis}: Mounted collection of nine common but colourful “bracket fungi," taken from a North Queensland rain-forest last winter, ~ -Mr, C. French: Specimens of Eucalyptus qividis (Green Mallee) and Acacia Mitchetlit (Mitchell Wattle—smallest pinnate specics in Victoria), » cultivated at East Cantborwell and Canterbury respectively. “Mr, T. Griffiths: Ferm prothalli, two months old. “Mr. A, H, E. Mattingley: Male of the Golden Beetle (Lamprima fatredli}. Mr. Ive Hatrnet: Gatden-grown natlyve flowers (Hibiscus Hucgetir, Melaleuca pulchella, etc.). 160 Wacericoen, -Moartue Life at Part Moreshy Vfeechiats 4 MARINE LIFE AT PORT MORESBY By N. A- WAKEFIELD, ALF. Except for a few conservative. individuals wh stick to the: use of theer multi-pointed, spears in the shallows, natives of the Motesby area do their fishing by talang partics of army personnel. to the outer reefs, where they drop “depth charges’ of usually a couple of six-ounce plugs of “jelly,” and then dive for the dead or? stunned fish. The outrigger-canots* used are very manoeuvrable. being ahle to beat out to sea against a suff wind, and the divers: have closely-fitting goggles with which they can see clearly underi the water. The mam types of fish so caught are sthnapper and 2 weed-caling species resembling the ludericl. The shallow waters of the coral reefs teem with innumerable. kinds of small but exqyunsitely beautiful tropical fish, which one can observe easily by standing still ‘ina few fect of water on a. calm day: the fish swim quite close, attracted by the whrteness of one’s feet, The Banded Sea-Snake (Platywrus) is common,, ao there is a large kind of starish—rather solidly buill, with big. blunt spikes above, and in colour from darle brown bo iglune. : Sea-slugs (Béche-de-mer) are very plentiful, one kind exuding: long while streamers of a very adhesive material if disturbed, and , marine worms attain a. length of several feet The stasurching are represented by at least three species, the commonest being quite safe to handle, but the other two are armed with sharp, finely barhed spines over six inches long which will. penetrate one's Alesh at the slightest touch. The broad wavy blue, green, or brown lines make clams the, most conspiettous shell in the coral masses; and the crevices con-: tain Jatge Trochus shells (7°. nilaticws) and Far sheils (Aatiates asinnins), adhering to the rocks, The Cone-Shells ave repre- sented by several species—Conus texrtic, C. miarmoreis, ete, and> one is reputed to have the ability of inflicting a poisonous sting, dangerous to man. Under every rock at low tide Jevel are hundreds of tiny narrowly” y" conical shells inhabited hy small dark Hermit Crabs, antl there is: a larger. forin which-carries roundish shells wp into Ue scrulyof the dry cliffs overlooking the beach, A third kind is a great tect and hairy species which occasionally brings larger shells front! the outer reefs; one brought in a good example of the Egg! Shell ‘(Oaudum évunt), and another a perfect exampte of the beautifully: sibbed Touma fiombriata: “The large green crab, common in wel "The focal canoe, With its double-ended narrow hull -arid square “sail rigeed away from the single outrigger, is a canagi, though it is generally’ réferre’ toby ‘sdldiers,as alakatn, which uae really applies ta’ larger douhfe-decked craft with crab-claw sails, caries A gy met y id Wanerizip, Marine Life at Port Moresby 16! rock crevices, is often overtaken seeking tefuge in shallow pools at daylight and is cooked. by (he heat of the sun. Beneath small boulders are little jewel-like maroon-coloured erabs, smooth and round, and another spiky, light grey species which camouflages ‘itself with an accumulation of rubbish. On the mud flats, toa, is a medium-sized species, with one large bright-red nipper held aloft as it moves about- The. Jumping or Climbing Fish is a feature of tock pools and marigrove swamps, where it perches on tree roots or rocks, and goes skipping over the surface of the water when disturbed, The smaller green crayfish, with long white antennae, which inhabits weedy shallows, is regarded as 4 very toothsome morsel by the natives, who will spend hours patiently hunting and stalkmg one from point te point. : \ Most interesting perhaps are the Cowries,* which range in size from a fraction of an inch to several inches long, and in coloti from white to blue, brown oF orange. Cysrea annulus, 2 small ~white specres with a pink ring-like mark, is the most plentiful; and next comes C. arabica, much larger and darker, with intricate markings forcibly resembling Avabic script. The large and popular C. figris is very plentiful on the outer reefs; it is commonly known as “Tiger Cowrie,"' though “Leopard” would be & more appropriate epithet. Both the “Tiger” and C. arabica are to be found in the juvenile form, when they are very fragile and beautiiully painted in shades of soft greyish-bjue. _C. errvenes, a small arey-blue species with dark dorsal patch, is common on the underneaths of small rocks; C. erosa, with its white-dotted surtace and two lateral dark patches, is not uncom- mon either, C. wiieller, brown with large lighf-blue spots, and. C. varnelli, mottled tan with darker spots, are two medium-sized and very attvactive species. The small finely mottled C. sopita and the pinkish-tan €. carneola are rather uncommon, while the beautiful, irregular, cream or orange Money-Cowrie (C. s#oneta) is perhaps the rarest'near Port Moresby. C_ staphylea, a very small species, blue with raised white spots and brown marginal ribs. has, in this area, jet black feeding mantles which distinguish it from the Queensland form, One of the tiny Ribbed Cowries (Trivia edgert) was found several times washed up on ihe beach, but it was not seen in the living state. It is interesting to note thal the same species of cowries at Kila Beach, just east of Port Moresby. are invariably deeper in colour than those towards Tdlers Bay, across Halifax Harbour to the west. *The gents Cypreee is used here in the old, wider sense, hetause opines at present differ considerably as to the generie status of the various groups oF cowries. ‘ ‘ 162 Excursion to Beaumaris iene EXCURSION TO BEAUMARIS (Regeneration of plants on fire area.) On Saturday afternoon, November 25, some forty excursionists (includ- ing members of the Bird Observers’ Club) visited thé scené of last January's disastrous scrub-fire at Beaumaris—the worst ever experienced there, A sandy rise of uncleared tea-tree scrub, less than half a mile along Cromer Road from the beach, was selected for observation, and here the party split into several groups, each with 3 botanist ta identify all seedling plants. Such seedjings, as had appeared since the burn, were listed by each group under two categories, viz, regrowth from seed of permanent iocal plants, and inquiline species (carried from neighbouring areas by wind or birds). A hatt-hour's scouting was sufficient time for the several groups to note down almost eyery kind of seedling present within about an acre of sctubland; the lists were then correlated and gave the following total resuli of 53 different seedlings :— ~ INQUILINES PERMANENT LOCAL: FLORA {mostly wind-blown annuals) ha ‘ Climbing Lignum Grasses— . +*Red-ink Plant . *Annual Meldt Grass Angular Noon-fewer (“pigface”) *Hare’s-toib Grass *Stluery Hair Grass Legumes— *Yorkshire Fog Grass Spike Acacia *Quaking Grass (“Shell Grass”) Late Black Waitle *Lesser Ouaking Grass Pale Wedge-pea *Aunual Poa . Showy Bossca “Brome Peseug Creeping Bossea *Rat-tail Pescue *Tagasaste *Gorse (“furze’) Coarse Club-tush *Clustered_ Clover *Mouse-car Clickweed Scarlet Caral-pea “French Catchfly *Dolichos *Fumitory . . ‘Indian Hedge-mustard Creep mag Wood-sorrel Austral Stonecrop Wedding-bush Rufous Stonecrop #Carolina Mallow aoe Pai Bundled Guinco-flower Ryn N ignite Silky Guinea—-fower rican Box-thora *Buck’s-horn Plantain Manna Gam. Tiny Biue-bell (not in Census) Coast Tea-irce 1 ; Common Beard-heath Composites— Ridneyeweed : Common Cotula Ruakeihid *White Cudweed Kangaroo Apple Catton Fireweed Stinkweed *Groundsel ; . *Cape-cuced *Spear Thistle *Sow Thistle *Cat's-dor ("flatweed")} In the foregoing table, the predominant seedlings. are indicated by italic type and naturalized aliens by means of an asterisk. Seedlings only are ae Wiis, General Notes on Port-Fire Pioneers 163 Ewen, not shoot regrowth From perenrin) root-stocks, rhizomes, or tubers which outlived the fire. ft is to be noted that, among the inquilines, annual grasses and composites ntcupy a prominerit positian (1h species, or mare than half}; members of these lwo large farnilies are always ‘among the first platits to populate a sterilized region—hy virttle of Umit very sual, light seeds, so readily carcicd away in ait cureents, OF the permanent laval flora, the comtparatively heavy seeds of Iegunics (i the genninatinn of which dire is even bencficial) account for nearly half the species recorded, viz,, 10 out of 24; these vecre dauhtless alreary in the soil before destruction o€ the averhead cover SOME GENERAL NOTES ON POST-FIRE PIONEERS Writing in the Naturalist, June, 1940, Mr. W. L. Williams reports on ihe regrowth at Dromana throughout '16 months following the holocaust of January, 1939. He, tuo, divided the young plants into two classes and found both introduced and ative grasses. to be early colonizers amony wind-blawn aunuals; there were later abundant seedlings of Coast Tea-tree and Swamp Paper-fark, with 4ome Drooping Sheoke, hut no sprouts. were discernible on any of the damaged, bla¢kened spars—rather a helpful factor, , as they afforded considerable protection to the seedlings during tender infancy. Mr. Noel Lothian (also in 1940) discussed the astonishing spread of Quionmgrass and Cape-weed withm six manths of the bushfire which wrought such havoc in Torquay. Recolgnization by plants of ateas from which the natural vegetation has been completely erased by intense heat (fires, volcanic action, ctc.) has always been a subject of great interest to the ecological botanist. It is only at such 4 time that questions as, to the vitality of seeds, speed of dispersal, survival’ power, aggressiveness or competitivenes of differen species can be studied in detail. A classical opportunity was pravided on a grand scale between May and August, 1883; the worst series of volcanic eruptions within humen know- ledge then visited the denscly-foregted trapic island of Krakatoa (between Java and Sumatra) and completely obliterated every vestige of plant life. Jiess than a year afterwards the Fretch scientist Cotteau latided on the island, but he failed to find & Single ving plant, Treth, however, whe made a close survey iwo years later (1886), discovered not anly lower cryntigams but 26 different vascular plants, meluding eleven ferns, dour - composites and ane grass (all wind-borne), and several trees of the strand (fram spongy, sea-horne fruits), Victorians allawéd a galdem opportunity for carrying ont similar detailed Surveys tq slip away alter the unprecedented bughfires of Jantrary, 1939: But our British friends. have been husy since 1940 listing, plants rhay have come up din bombed-aut areas in the heart of Condon. Cammongat among the bomb-crater pioneers are Annual Poa, Willow-herb, Fléea-bane, Ground sel and Colt’s-fooi—again a high percentage of wind-borne cotmposites. TOW Wraas- ——_ -—— + —- ‘ERRATA fy “Sloger Perfumes and their Classification” (fick Not, Dee 1944} the follawing typographical errors: call for correction, viz — Page 1.4, filth fine from hottoin, for Sporttinm read Spartiian, Page 136, first jine, for adaratisstmas read odoratisnyumns Pace 136, note 8, second line, for Aivsina read hircina. rinw ' _J 4 McFavnawr, Mature Votes fram Magga bs NATURE NOTES FROM WAGGA By Sarren P. BR. McPartann For ine months J have been a sajaurmer at Wagga, N.S.W., the surronndings f which, at Grst glance, appcar monotonous to the nature- lover from southern Victoria; yet this district hat a charm) all its own. True, there is little to offer the geolovist beyond a prevailing country rock of what seem to be Silurian shales and occasional hills of granite rock which in places yields orthoclase crystals an inch of more fong; schists and cherts appear so close presimity to the granite, bat nothing further enlivens one's interest. The most striking feature is the almost complote absence of shrub growth and small plants, due, no doubt, to the close-erazing habit of sheap which are masters af all they survey, Only m a few isolated and accidental sanctuaries cam ane visuahze the appearance of the original landscape. Arboreal vewetatio consists almost entirely of she Grey Box (Enealyptes hasniphlaia), White Cypress Pine (Callitris glatica), Kurrajong (Stercatia dimersifolia), Casuarinc, and a smal) white gum restricted to the rocky knollss—probably “Turmble-down Gun" (i. dealbatad, The Cypress Pine acteurs: frequently ju sinall almost pure stands; Kurrajong and Casuarina favour. rocky positions, but their present disposition may be artificial, as the land was settled sol long ago. Red Ginn (Bncatyptis ceomoldnlonsigy and River Sheoke (Ceasnarina Crmainghamiana) hold dominion along the Murrumbidgee and attain enormous size. In a few spots, inaccessible to sheep, Flax-lilies, Purple Coral Pea. Parrot Pea, various everlastings. auimerous acacias, and two shrubby species of Grevillea Cane with red and the other with woolly brown flowers) may still he found. To atone for the lack of variety amone native plants, there is quite a large bird population; along the river, and gamang the red gums fringing it, TI have seen White-diced Tlerons, White-necked Herons, Egrets, Black and Pied Cormorants. Black Duck and other water-fowl, and large flocks of White Cockatoos. which do not cange far [rom the river trees, Back toward the hills are Noisy Miners, Galahs, Butcher-birds, Magpies. Carra- worgs and numbers of different parrots. The two-chambered nests Vetluw-tailed Thorwbills and large unshapely structures of the Zebra Finch are fairly abuttdant in patches of pine serub. Rerd-capped Robins, Bluc Wrens, Tree-creepers and Choughs also Javour the quad, Welcome Swallows, Fairy Martins,“ and both White-browed and Dusky Waod- swallaws, represent the swallow and swallow-slrtke families. Lhe curious yetort-shaped mid oests af the Martins being frequent in suitable locations. FOOD URGENTLY NEEDED AT SANCTUARY Owing te exceptianally dry cosditions in the Tofests surrounding Badeer Creck Sanctuary, Healesville, the small staff is extremely hard pressed to obtain sufheiemt earthworms for its platypus charges or enough insects and erustacca for the Iyre-bird counntunity—slaters or any other “crawlies" of the forest Aoar would be most welcome Members of the F.NLC., if pot able to help a0 thiy direction Wermselyes, may fe able ta contacr friends whe can Mr, David Fleay, Director of the sanctuary. would gladly receive such’ contributions and suitably remuneraie anyone willing Lo assist. : The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 61.—No. 1c February 8, 1945 No. 734 —————— oo ESSEEE—EyUEEyUyILlEE——LE> _ E> _—y———— as PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held on January 9, 1945, at the Royal Society’s Hall, the President (Mr. Ivo C, Hammet) presiding over an attendance of about 100 Mernbers and friends. Letters were received from Mr, Noel Lothian, now in New Zealand, conveying New Year greetings to Members; from the Secretary of the Sir Colin Mackenzie’ Sanctuary, at Badger Creek, returning thanks for a donation, and stating that the money Woitld be used as the Club had suggested; and from the Town Clerk at Hawthorn, thanking the Club for a donation received from the Exhibition recently held in the Hawthorn ‘Town Hall. The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club: Mrs, G. Fraser and Miss Chisholni; and as Country Member: Mc. H. L, Tucker, SYMPOSIUM ON “RED RAIN" This was given under three headings:—“Geological Aspects of Red Rain,” spoken to by Mr. F. S, Colliver; “Organic Contents of Red Rain,” spoken to by Mr. A. D. Hardy; and “The National Significance of Red Rain," spoken to by Mr. P. C. Morrison. ‘ Mr. Colliver stated that his remarks were mainly based ou an article by Chapman and Grayson on “Red Rain,” published in the Victonan Naturalist, volume 20, He emphasized that dust, as represented by “Red Rain,” constituted an erosion factor very much wnder-estimated by the man in the street. Calculations made by W. H. Ferguson, then of the Mines Dept., of the dust brought dawn by a rain storm toward the end of 1902 gave a figure of 50 tons per square mile, based on samples taken in South Gippsland. A similar Fall on March 28, 1903, from samples collected by Chapman and Grayson, gave 35% tons per square mile; and another fall on December 31, 1927, was calculated by Chapman to have left 513 tons per square mifé in the Balwyn district; and hy Hunt to have left same 24 tons per square mile in the Elsternwick district. A_ fall on November 3, 1920, was caleulated to have left something like six million tons over Victoria. In giving these figures. Mr, Colliver suggested that “Red Rain” was-shown to be an erosion factor of considerable inyportance, 166 Field Nuturatists’ Club Proceedings Vist Bs Mr. Hardy. stated that a considerable change in the organic contents of “Red Rain’ could be noticed from the 1903 fall, so well worked out by Chapman and Grayson. The 1903 fall had a very large amount of diatomic material mixed with the dust, and the recent fall of red rain (1944) showed very little in the way of diatoms; these by the way, were the empty skeletons only, The 1903 rain showed protozoa and bacteria, and the diatoms, in many cases, were complete enough to list the genera. In the recent rain (1944), the diatoms were so badly damaged that determination even of genera was difficult, if not impossible, Mr. Hardy showed that in many cases the good soil had gone completely and the dust samples now showed only sand. Of particular interest, however, was the fact that collected samples of the 1944 red rain developed an interesting little microscopic object known as the “Water Bear.” Mr. Morrison, discussing the national significance of the problem, suggested that we must follow the course of red rain back and find where it originated. This was either the Mallee or one of seven or eight places in Australia. Dust would not drift ii adequate vegetational cover and wind-breaks were on the area. In Central Australia, no doubt, large areas were sterile even before white men came on the scene, bit overstacking and rabbits tow had produced even larger areas where the wind had free play. In the Mallee dry fallawing was one factor that produced dust, and the removal of all vegetable cover was a common’ feature of farming in that area. With the removal of the good soil, the subsoil remaining was of nile use for crops, and practically all that could be dont was to plant the area with some hardy cover such as trefoil burr, and thus prevent further sail driit. The Soil Conservation Board had calculated , that from the Mallee area some 11 million tons of soil were lost in one dust stonm of average intensity, At Tocumwal, recently, the R.AA.F, tested the height of dust during a storm, and the xeroplane had to rise 10,000 ft before the dust thinned out. A west wind prevailed the whole time, and there were no reports of qust.in South Australia or Central Australia then, so it was prattically certain that this dust had originated in our Victorian alee, DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS Mr. Collrver, replying to a question as to how sainples were taken, stated; The first sample was taken 20 minutes after the rain had started, thus allowing normal dusi fo be washed away, and five fluld ozs. of sample gave 17 grains of dried residue. The time then was 4.30 pn. Sample 2 was collected at 6.30 pm; sample 3 at 7.30 pm.; sample 4 at 7.45 p.m.> sample 5 at 830 p.m. A further sample collected after 9 p.m. Pesiiee Field Natwalists’ Club Proceedings 107 contained no appreciable sediment, The sample was not examined for bacteria straight away and if is quite possible that only the more resistant types were developed during the tests. Mr. Morrison, in reply to a question concerning the different colours of dust at various places, stated that the wind was a winnowing agent; the lightest matenals went the greatest distances, and certainly differing mineral content was sufficient to justify colour differences. Question: Has a sample of dust from the last storm been analysed? Mr, Morrison suggested that probably the Weather Bureau would do this. Mr. Colliver said he had collected a sample but could not be sure of its being a pure rain déposit. Miss Ina Watson mentioned that, in November, 1944, a plane from Broken Hill reported that Mildura and Kerang were invisible from the air. Mr. Morrison stated that 2 Broken Hill storm recently ¢oincided with the Canberra dust storm. Another member remarked that recently a sandhill or dune at Lake Hindmarsh, some 50-60 feet high, had been shifted 300 yds, by the wind. Mr. Owen Singleton asked Mr, Colliver where he thought the rocks occurred that gave rise to the dust—did he not think ihe Broken Hill area was move likely than Victoria? Mr. Colliver, in reply, satd that apparently he had wrongly quoted Chapman and Grayson, who stated, “The mineral fragments from the Victoria red rain sediment have undoubtedly been derived from the disintegration of the rocks ordinanly met with m_ the Victorian area, in the country to the north and west, The accessory silicates and the other rarer and heavier minerals were most likely derived Irom granitic and gneissic rocks, and from the disintegration of todes and veins.” Mr, Singleton asked Mr. Hardy if he had ever found sponge spicules and Foraminifera in rain samples? Answer: Spicules of the fresh water sponge “spongilla” were very common, but Foraminifera were very uncertain. Miss Wigan remarked that in N.S.W, dust storms continue day after day. Miss Raff asked: Should not regular tests be made to determine surface, otherwise, how can you achieve finality by weighing samples? Mr, Morrison, in reply, said it was not possible to prove the origin of a dust storm by a stain on a Jeaf, but such a stain backed by meteorological evidence can make a near scientific certainty; (he rain washes the dust-laden atmosphere clean, ancl from the precipitated mud the proportions of organic and mineral materials can be calculated. 16R Hicld Naturalisis’ Club Proceedings votae Mrs. Colliver stated that, with respect to the 1903. sample previously mentioned, the successive samples taken showed a dimimution of soltd material. A member remarked on the recent method of erosion control as tried oul in Russia, where a thin sheet of bitumen and grass- seeds is sprayed out from an aeroplane, and suggested it would be worthy of trial in Australia. Mr. Morrison, in comment, said that the Soil Conservation Board suggests wind-breaks, planting of burr clover, etc,, and deep furrowing at right angles to the prevailing winds, a method used in Kansas in 1935, as well as contour ploughing of deep furrows if the land has slopes, Mr. A. A. Brunton suggested the time would undoubtedly come when methods for bringing dowa the rain-clouds that now often pass over the dry areas would be devised, and he Further suggested that this was a matter worthy of experiment by scientists. Speakers in the symposium were accorded the thanks of the Club for their informative and interesting addresses. EXHIBITS Miss M. L, Wigan; “Witches Broom,” from Heathmount, Miss LE. Raff; Flower of Tropacolum peniaphylinm, from South Amerita; also Qenothera (Evening primrose), which opens parc white und changes to pink next day, Mrs: Fetitton Woodburn: “Hands of copra, dark (native cured) and light (plantation cored). Mrs, J. J. Freame: Marine specimens, W/O J, A. Blackbur {per J. H, Willis): Collection of native stone implements from South-eastern Papua, including a “Didiwau” or cere- monial adze head anda holed. club head resentbling a giant bead, Mr. J. H. Willis: A genus of lilics new to Victoria, represented by Chlorophytum alfimum, from Dandongadale Falls, on the Mt, Cobbler Plateau (3/1/45). Mr. A. D. Mardy: Samples of sand fram the Mallee drift areas and hammocks. Mr. C. J. Gabricl: Rare Australian marine shell, Péeraspira soad- hnightee, McCoy, from the Great Australian Bight. Mr. T. Griffiths: Box of beetles and other insects from Walhalla and Abeefeldy Reyer district. Mr. H. P. Dickins: Four studies im colour of Brachycliton, from Geelong Botanic Gardens. Mr, H. T. Reeves: Coloured phatographs of Australian natiye flowers. SAWFLIES: INFORMATION WANTED Sgt. M. F. Leask, a Club member on service, is anxious to hear of anyone investigating Phylacteaphagm cucalypii, he leaf-biister sawfy, or breeding any to match the larva with the imago, Would readers who can offer information please communicate with Mr. F. G. Eiford, Teachers College, Carlton, N.3? ead Covesias, Remarks an Herter and ‘Birds 169 FURTHER REMARKS ON HERBS AND BIRDS Part 11—Magical Use of Leaves. By Eorrs Coreman, Blackburn, Vic. There are many curious legends regarding the magical use of herbs, not arly by swallows but by many other birds, chiefly to remove obstructions from their nests or to unlock them if they have been closed up by human agency. The woodpecker uses Springwort, which Grimm identifies with Caper-spurge, but other authors with a fern, It is known in Germany as the Blasting-root, and has power to force the strongest lock! Unfortunately, it is very rare. One must seek it in the woodpecker’s nest. If a nail be driven into her nest (so runs the tale), she fltes off for a piece of Springwort. This she places in the bottom of her nest, and soon both leaf and nail drap on the red cloth which must be spread below it! She also uses Herhameropsis, which js called woodpecker plant, or woodpecker herb, The hoopoe uses Sainfoin and the lark, Larkspur, Albertus Magnus (13th Century), says that the magpie brings a herb to release her nestlings if her nest be tied up with new cords, but does not specify the herb, Nat to labour the point, I think we must accept some of the statements regarding the placing of herbs in the nests, but not the curious explanabons that accompanied them. 1 think we can presently offer a twentieth century solution — without stretching imagination. Yet, after all, those curious beliefs were not more fantastic than matiy other long-accepted bird legends, such as that of the raven which leaves her nestlings to starve. According to Izaak Walton, they are kept alive and fed by dew, and worms that breed in the nest, “or some other ways that we mortals know not.” Then there is the story of the pelican which feeds its young on its own blood: “The pelican turneth her beak against her body and therewith pierceth it till the biood gushes out, wherewith she nouwrishcth her young.” (Brand's Antiquities). ‘Vhree times Shakespeare alludes to this old belief: in King Lear (“whose flesh begot those pelican daughters’); Richerd JI, Act, IL Sc, |; and MNamle?, Act. IV, Sc. 5. Strangest of all was the story of the barnacle-geese, those “birds without father or mother,” This legend, first promulgated in the 12th Century by Gyraidus Cambyensis, travelled strongly down the centuries until 1783, when it was once again published as a fact, reported in all good faith by scholars renowned in their day: Sebastian Munster (who gives a sketch of the 170 Corman, Remarks on Herbs and Buds oe bird-tree, with water-birds escaping from its fruits, or trying their newly-Lorn switaming powers on the water below; Aldrovandus (1599) most learned ornithologist of the Renaissance; Gesner, renowned zoologist of the same period; Williany Turner (1544), Dean of Wells, who aceepts tke story “on good authority,’ sad wha stiggests that the geese were generated from a sort of fungi, which broke out on masts and planks of ships that had rotted in the sea, “in which one may discern evident forms of birds which afterwards are clothed with feathers, and at Jast become alive and fly!” Gerard (1597), who first wins our confidence by stating that “what our eyes have seen and our hands have touched we shall declare,” describes how the goose ‘cometh to maturitie and falleth into the sea, where it gathereth feather and proweth to a fowle bigger than 2 mallard and lesser [han a goose. For the truth thereof, if any doubt, may it please them to repaire unto me and J shall satishe them by the tesimanie of good witnesses,” And we have the first-hand testimony of Sir Robert Murray (Philosophical Transactions): “In every shell 1 opened I found a perfect sea-bird; the bill like that of a goose; the eyes marked, the head, neck, breast, wings, tail and feet formed; the feathers Svereaere perfectly shaped and the feet like those of water. ow ig Long after the legend was refuted by Willoughby (1678), and Thompson (1835), and Darwin had published his researches om the barnacle, there were still people who adhered to the old belict. It is not easy to discern a verity as foundation for the barnacle-gonse and pelican legends. ‘They were probably flights of wiagination of simple folk who had witnessed the feathery “feet” of bamacles kicking food inte their mouths”, and the feeding of young birds on regurgitated food. I think we may offer a more convincing verity as foundation for the herb-and- bird associations. One thing siands out. The leaves were not used us nesting material. When 30° ft, of one of our cum trees at Blackburn crashed in a storm, 15 ft. of the hollow fallen limb was found to be closely packed with nesting muterial, the accumulation of many years, ft included many chocolate and cigarette cartons as well as cards of a brand long since disconttuucd—surely uncomfortable bedding for baby birds. Did the parents choose them for their scent (nicotine and vanilla)— as insect repellants? While the old saying “No bird fouls its own nest'' cannot be applied to all species, it is strictly true of a large number, in whiuch spectes the parent birds anticipate, even encourage, the vuidance of excrement which they carry away from the nest. sien rmaiel Cxneman, Agmarks on Serbs and Birds 171 1 have done little bird photography, and most of my pictures are af gurden birds; but, taken at close quarters, they represené fairly complete stories of Blackbird, British Song-thrush, Yellow Robin, Iarmoniwus Thrush, White-shafted and Black- and-White Fantails, White-plumed and Regent Honeyeaters. Many of my negatives; quite unintentionally on my part, show the removal of excrement, a maller of wonder and adiniration to every bird-student, demonstrating clearly that birds realise the importance of nest hygiene. Although the capsules wiich enclose excrement must be of greater strength than ts apparent, doubtless a few are broken on the floor of the nest. Still keeping an open mind, | suggest that in these somewhat Tare instances leaves are placed on the soiled floor for comfort of the nestlings, and as some precaution against flies: I suggest that this procedure, witnessed in a more unsophisticated age than ours, elucidated those more attractive, but less convincing explanations of the use of teaves. I have seen both green and dry tea-tree leayes in the nest ai ‘ee Yellow Robiu, while occupied by eggs only. Ten years. ago (16/6/34), 4 related in a Melbourne newspaper the story of a Lritish Song-thrush which carpeted its nest wilh three broad Jasiandra leaves. FT mentioned that if is unusual for the thrush to use other than a mivd lining, Tn that mstance there was an easy explanation. Doubtless the click of my camera-shatter caused a parent bird to hesitate at the critical moment, and excrement was voided into the nest. The complete removal of a broken capsule ss difhcult. 1 have seen it attempted. I think the Lasiandra leaves were placed in the nest after the event, I have a photograph of a White-plumed Honeyeater upside down, spearing the floor of the basket-nest in endeavouring to remove a capsule which: she failed to receive when voided, for which the camera must again be blamed. One wonders what explanation would have been offered in Pliny's day. I offer it now as the “verity” upon which those fantastic legends were built. The herbs were employed as removable bedding, or insect repellants. Tmagimation supphed a more attractive explanation. After wribng at such great jength, I feel I have touched only on the fringes of a fascinating subject. Dipping only into authors at my hand, the list of birds believed to emplay herbs is a long one. More thorough research should reveal matter of more than ordinary interest to us at the present day, when plant drugs haye an imeréased importance, (Concluded. ) 172 Bryant, Noles an the Olive-backed Ortale vee NOTES ON THE OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE By C. E. Bryant, Melbourne. In that class of local migrants, as distinct from visitors from overseas, that come to Victoria cach spring, the Olive-backed Oriole (Oriahes sagittates) is prominent. The numbers of the birds yary from season to season, so that in some years the gullies and hillsides rmg ali day with their notes, but during others only occasional pairs call. In Southern Victoria the birds arrive, as a rule, about the end of September or beginning of October, but, as they do not always call frequently at first, many may be unobserved for a time after reaching us, This season (1944), the birds arrived early and the first Oriole 1 beard was cailing on September 24, Mathews and Nerth both state that the sexes are similar. As a general] statement that may be substantially correct, for, seen in the tree-tops, the sexes appear alike, oted tog@ther, or at close quarters, however, the female will be observed to differ in the very much duller green of the back and wings: “Olive” scarcely appears to be the most apt description, the back of the male, at Icast, being of a vivid green, Gould remarks on the plumage distinction in his reference to the “yellowish-olive of the upper surface of the maje of a deeper tint than the female,” } . Nest-building is commenced with little delay. The nests are pendent structures slung from slender twigs and are invariably constructed of coarse reddish-brown bark, with a lining of grass. A little wool or the cotton-like “dewn” that envelops the reeds of creepers, such as the clematis, may be added. Taken over a number of years I have noted 4 decided pactiality” for lightwoods as nesting trees. There is, howeyer, much variation fram year to year, and according to the particular habitat and the trees available, although the type oz country frequented by the Oriole is always more or less the same, that is, iightly- timbered undulating areas, Last summer (1943) at Mitcham, Vic, all of several nests which I found, or of which I had knowledge, were built in lightwoods, but this season I have noted ane only in a hghtwood, with others m eucalypis (most), wild-cherry and sweet bursaria. Few nests that are built in gum trees are readily accessible, but the first nest of the species I ever encountered was built in a drooping gum at a height af only four feet from the ground. Nest completed and eggs laid (three normally, but often two —and this year nearly all pairs have only a brace), the female settles down to brood anr thereupon practically ceases to call. Ber quietness serves little purpose, however, for the male usually discloses the nest site by his continued calling nearby, dr ry Bravarr, Vetes on the Olise-backed Oriole 173 The “song” of the species most ustialiy heard is the rolling, meliow and far-sounding call that indicates the bird's own nanve — “oree-oree-ole"—in which there may be some slight variation .in different districts. The resonance of this call has given rise to the name “Echoing bird” for the species among bush boys, There are additional calls, usually given in alarm or when the nest is approached, and a purring succession of squeaks that advises the young of the approach of the adults with food. Ail accounts of substance refer to the bird as a mimic, but this aspect, with nearly all birds, is subject to a certain amount of conjecture. Personally, I have usually demanded more convincing proof than a resemblance of one bird’s notes to those of another to establish that there is actual rmimicry, conscious or unconscious, The Criole occasionally utters, for example, a series of chuckling notes that suggest the laugh (in a minor form}, of the Kookaburra, Maybe others have heard such notes under other circumstances, but I have heard them only in the nature of alarm calls or notes of apprehension at the proximity of a human to the nest, and I think it may be doubted that the mere resemblance necessarily connotes mumicry. Gould refers to the Oriole’s imifating of other species, "includ- ing the Zasteraps,” Whilst the bird-observer will readily recognize the notes of the Silvereye, those same notes given by (he Orioje, possibly in a medley of calls, are surely somewhat mconsequential sounds upon which ta found a definite assertion of méintcry- These statements do not amount to an avowed disbelief in the Oriole’s ability to imitate, but suggest caution in assuming all urtisual notes to be proof of such ability. Notes rendered in more normal and unemotional circumstances than in association with alarm or concern might better serve to establish ummetic effect, especially if given as a “series,” though there are definite records of birds mimicking vociferously under emotional stress. Perhaps one of the most apt of colloquial names for the Oriole is that of “Green Thrush,” used by Wheelwright ("Old Bushinan”) in his Bush Wanderings of a Naturalist. Incidentally, he cansidered the Oriole’s notes as amongst the liveliest of bush sounds and instanced the species as an example to disprove the calumny of Australie’s “songless bright birds” and “scentless bright blossoms.” It is interesting to note that Wheelwright's comment on the misconception pre-dates Gordon’s *This suggestion is timely. Tt is true that a relatively large number af Australian birds (more than 30 species) are tore or less competent vocal mimics, but listeners frequently tend to mistake casual resemblances for imitations, Vocal mimicry should mot be aseribed ta a bird unless the oint in taken on something more than, say, a “Pretty Joey" note, The riole is in fact a borrower of other birds’ notes, but apparently mot with cansistency— Editar. ion \7e Hew any, Mente ae tte Oftoeebachedt Create 1p a refereive Lo it by ten years or sa, though. most people-ascribe the libel to Gordon. Once established, Orioles are very local, They build in close proximity lo their nests of previous years and will pull former nests ta pieces and use the materia! to fashion new homes, If the eggs or young are lost and a second nest is, built, the same season’s earlier nest yay be dismantled for re-building. The young birds remain in the nest for nearly three weeks, that-is, tf they reach the fiedgeling stage. Tino often the Kookabtuira snaps them tp shortly after their appearance. The nestlings are clothed, at first, with a fine soft down of a vivid carrer colour, Is there any connection between this hue and the reddish-brown bark used in mest construction? Before the young leave the nest they assume the black flecks on the breast of the adult hivery. With seme Oriole pairs, the male shares im feeding the young, but with others the hen appears to carry out all such duties, Insects comprise the bullc of the diet of young birds. I have seen adults feeding them on cicadas and, as the insects were not always completely battered to death before presentation, the young sometimes had quite a struggle before they could consume them: A photographic negative in my possession, ustless as a picture of the bird, on account of general movement, shows clearly 4 stall frog in the bill of a parent Oriole at ils nest with young, and oné wonders just how the capture was made and how the young were expected to cope with the amphibian. The Mitcham district, where [| have concentrated on the species, is largely planted with orchards, and cherry-growers tell me that the Oriole makes itself a nuisance when. cherries are ripening. Keartland (as recorded in North's Nests and EBges) was told of an uniisual bird frequenting the Clayton district, near Oakleigh, Vie, It was deserthed as being “all crimson and very wary,” After a cauple of hours spent chasing the bird from tree ta tree, Keartland secured it and found it to be an Oriole Stained from bill to tai] with mulberry juice, an indication of its late activities. Photographing Orioles may well entail a considerable ammount of labour, for often the construction of a substantial staging is necessary in order to obtain the requisite height. From my experience, however, results justify the trouble, for the birds are usually excellent subjects for photography and mostly retura readily to the nest. Some birdmen have not had this experience, but I consider their birds exceptional. The willingness. to face the camera applies almost as readily when eggs are in the nest as when the young have hatched, though personally I do not worry birds sitting on eggs i] the opportunity to picture them with young is likely to occur later, THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Val. ol February, 1045 Piate VIL Oricle (female) approaching nest. Phote.: C. KE. Bryant. “Vilac Berries” (Trechocarpa Clarket), from sources of the Yarva, Toorongo Forest. (See p. 178.) Photo.: H. T. Reeves. Pun More Sotaneal! “Bulls” 195 Orioles have a great hazard to contend with in the shape of high winds that toas their nests around on the awaying branches, and seemingly a nurober of them do blow down and become destroyed when storms and strong winds combine. The eastern mainland States constitute the principal habitat of the Orjole, thence extending across northern Australia to the north-west. ‘fhe species does not occur in ‘Tasmania, and South Australian records arc few, chiefly in the South-eastern commer, Some years ago | considered I heard an Oriole calling on Mt, Remarkable, near Melrose, but, not realizing at the time the significance of the record, I did not follow up the call, I may have been mistaken, of course, although one accustamed to the notes of the species comes to know them well, but I have never really recovered from the accusation of a South Australian birdman that the bird [ heard calling was “probably a Peaceful Dove,” —— MORE BOTANICAL “RULLS" ta volume 59, page 72, of this journal (1942), [ pointed out that three ostensibly new gertera published by Alfred J. Ewart in Flont of te Northern Territory C1917) were quite untenable; Tt now appears that a fourth Tiwartian “new” jenus must fall. Nomourng Bertha Rees, one-time Botany lecturer at the University of Melbourtie, there was described and figured in 1913 (yt. rec. Royal Soc. tic, Vol 26 New Series, p, 9) 4 monotypic genus Kecsig, based on material collected at Pine Creek, NUL, im 1904. Lovart placed it m the Amaorantiacee, between Aulermanthcra awl Gomphrena > but Dr, Hans Schinz, when mono- gfaphing the family in 1934 (Pfoisenfanitiet Band 16c,), relegated Reesta toa “genus of doubrful position,” emphasizing its departure fram all other Avwaranthacem in the possession of stipules and a many-secded, three- valved capsule=he could do na more, with only the fragmentary material that Ewart had sent to Zurich. “ Revsie ereeig has everything in common with members, of Polycarpea— a tropical genus of Caryophyllacea with about a dozcn representatives in Australia, some having attractiye papery purplish flowers—und itiderd the type accords perfectly with that of Mueller’s Polycarpera longifiora described in 1858, ‘In 1926 LEwart once more ventured to publish: “new” genera, az. H’yelifea (said to be in the Carvepiytlacce) and Scorpia (suppasedly a unique member of Leguininosee with bicarpellary ovaries) —see Proc, Royal Soc. Vie, Vol. 38 New Series, pp. 167-171. Apparently someone apprised him of the fawe pas, for within the next bwa years beth gencra were synonymused wader Glinus Speranla (Aisoacee@) and Corckorns vervicilarts (Tiliacee) respectively—te. Vol. 39, p, 57, and Vol. 40, p. 85. After this debacle he was prident enough to desist from further new .genera, since note: are put forward in later writinygs. : Ty. H. Wits. CORRECTION Ii was stated in this jonmal for December, m an obituary notice of Charles Anderson and H. C Raven, that Raven marrjed Anierson's daughter. Actually he married her friend, a dauebter af GH. Auroussesia Miss Anderson martied E. C, Ballek, who was a member of the Czechslovak Consular Service, 16 Witnts, Toorongo Sub.alpine Flova Viet, Mate TOORONGO SUB-ALPINE FLORA By J.-H. Wins Tn bts address ta Melbourne Club Rotary on July 7, 1943, Sir Herbert Gepp made reference to the virgin forest of titanic Monntain Ash which covered the Tworongo River catchment, north-east of Noojee, until the fateful month of Jamiary, 1939, His plowing description, coupled with the fact that Baron von Mueller had loug aga delighted in this botanic paradise, led me to hope that some remnant of its grandeur might still exist; 50, [ welcomed a recent opportunity to visit the regton, The experience, thourh inexpressibly sad, has enabled me to take stock of what yegelation still persists there, and to place on record w list of the lugher plants at Octaber 1, 1944, THE S(ITE—Faor purpetes of recording, I have taken into account the whole State Forest Reserve in Toorongo Parish, including an area af just less than 20 square miles. Happily, ue southern forest boundary approxintates. Fatrly well to the 2,500 ft, contour, so that all parts of tbe area lie between tis altitude and the culminating beight of 3.850 ft. on Mt. Toorongo—a definitely sub-alpine tract. Northward, the parish boundary embraces headwaters of the Yarra. This Yarra-Toorongo Watershed is really & westemm cxtonsion of the Baw Baw chain, farming a lower narrow plaicau of some 3,000-3,500 feet elevation; Mts. Toeronco and Horsfall stand up as slightly higher points, the former on a spur that terminates abruptly toward the south= east. The country rock is granitic, hut Jess exposed than on the loftier, boulder-strewn Baw Baws; metamorphosed silurian strata outerop in places and are quisrried for road metal, Rainfall and humidity are hich for a great part of the year, and snow falls frequently during the winter and early spring. AS IT WAS BEFORE 1939—The Tourongo Ash was a sawmiller's dream, towering skywards for 300 feet in clase stands—many of the now fallen giants stretch for mare than 280 feet, and ane was recertly Measured ta G30. teet, where a substantial top had been Broken off, I counted 230 annual rings on one sturnp; without doubt, most of the larger trees were alive im the reign of Queen Anne! Lucalypins reqnons was the dominant tree and it mingled with Shining Cum (C/E. ssitens}— ‘ting gum,” as known to the locals—in a truly magnificent’ sul-alptne forest, extending eastward ta tke heads of the Tanji! River over thousands of acres. Messmate (8. oblignho), Silvertop (EF, Steberiona) and Mountain Grey Gum (£. goriecalys) intruded from the lower country ere and there. Myrtle Beech (Nothofaous Cunning: Aamui) was not anly present in all the gullies, but occurred as an under- slorey on wany parts af the platean, and was draped from erpwn to butt in deficate epinitytic mosses and huge clumps of Kangirau Fem (Poly- podinne diversfolned—errpneously called “'steg-horn,"" Fragrant Sassafras sand Austral Mulberry trees, arboreal species of Acacia (including ouch. Blackwood), Correa, Persoonia, Prostantiere and Oleurte species, with an abundatice everywiierer of Soit Tree ferns, "“erowded inte a shade,” auite inimical to rhe growth of scrub, Through this cool green realm of lyre-hied© one could walk with ease, footfalls silenced by the age-old carpet of decp, rich, leafy mould. "D" DAY —IL dhe letter stands for iestruction, death, and desolation, then we may apply it to January 13, 1939. The Grst Toorongo sawmill had commicuced operations only the mormng before, and by aflernoon its amall community wisely removed south to safety, s0 ominously grew the Wid velocity and heat. Next day, all fears were turned to fact: lardly er Wiis, Toorongo Sub-alpine Flora 137 a section of the Upper Yarra-Latrobe watershed remained green, and the fast patches of unspoilt Ash. miracuiously spared by the terrible fires of 1926 and 1932, were blasted out of existence. An almost continuous wall of flame roarcd the 60 miles between Tagegerty and Erica, enveloping the whole of the Baw Baws and its network of river-heads. What had been virgin forest, glorious beech groves, or mossy alpine gardens of surpassing beauty, were transformed th a matter of minutes into a hellish inferno, then left a hideous dreary waste that cat never hope to recapture the pristine charm, - ee ee ee i H ! ! { i i ! i Je Ae te peg et 1 Ne NOW, AND FOR THE FUTURE.—Heavy eucalypt seedling growth and/or’ wattles now form a dense scrub ten or more feet high over most of the Toorongo reserve, while previously burnt-over areas (a5 along the Mt. Toorongo spur} carry practically nothing but bracken or “wild oats" (Glyceria dives). Should another conflagration overwhelm this re-growth—and conditions are ripe for it—then the final daom of our natural Ash stands wilf have been pronounced. Silyer Wattle and Blackwood have shown amazing regenctation, but not a single Beech seedling was observed—certainly, cvery butt has a vigorous crop of sucker shoots, hut it is extremely doubtfol. whether these have the necessary stamina. to thin themselves and develop into new trees. Tree- if Totus Jick. Nat, 178 Wants. Paereunyo Sub-alpine Flor ete) at ferns (Dicksowia antarctica) have all but vanished, though spores are sure to blow in and give rise to new plants) Mother Shield-fern (Polystichum proliferton) is now most plentiful and seems ta be thriving. Cascade Everlasting (Helichrysum thyrsoidetm) is very tall and prolife in places, exhaling a spicy perfume; other odorous “comie-backs” are Otway Daisy-bush (a poot name for the widespread Olearia Gunniana), Fireweed. Groundsel (Senecio ansivalts), Christmas-bush and Balm Mant- bush (Préstanthera losianthar and P. wmelersifola), Trancate Pacbalium {P. bilabum' and Mountain Correa (C, Lowrenczana). Tie Elderberry Ash (Tatalense pant sambuctfohns — both broad and natrow-leaved forms) is conspicuous almost everywhere: I felt a thnll of pleastite upon reaching one of the sowrees of the Yerra—an open, bogey Aai at about 3,200 fect, wear the timber stacks of AP.M’s No 2 mill. Here, there were still examples of the snow- loving Blechanin, penna-marine, Detmys tanceolais (small-leaved condi- tion) Scacvola Hookert in wide mats, Coprosma satida, Riches contineniis, Lewcopogon Macraet, and, loveliest of all, the dwari lilac-herried endemic heath, Trochocarpa Clarket—it was in Eull fruit and strikingly recalled (as Muoller remarked in 1855) the European bilberry (Meccuium Myytillus). The Hair-moss (Polyirichwm cominwie) provides a deep carpet over the whole area of sozkage, but little true Sphagntin was in evidence. A big saw-sedie, Galina t2tragonocar pa, is plentiful throughout wet depressions, and its tussocky ¢lumps do mot seem to have suffered unduly from the fire. Nearby giles afford both Victorian Ericaceae (Witlsteinia and CGanl- thera) and in one soak [ found Oralis magellanica, a rare waod-sorrct with pure snowdrap-like Aowers. Persoonta arborea {uecominan) and Lomatia Fraseri alone represent the Jarge family Proteaceas; Orites tancifotia, the splendid lustrous Greviliea Fi¢toriag and its close congener, G. Miqueliana, apparently did not descend so far below cheir accustomed habitat on and north of the Baw Baws, The Compositac, at in most laces, has more species here than any other family, Not more than 4 native vascular plants and 12 aliens were noted, sorrel and dandelion among the latter being widespread, but this tally is not by any means considered exhaustive. Good. forest roads bave been constructed by “bulldozer” tractor, primarily ta salvage the fire-killed Toorongo cucalypts, and cach week sees neatly two million sixpec feer of lumber.and pulpwood rémoved for utilization—mostly in the round. The present demand for this wood is keen, but it is 2 fase diminishing asset and, when exhausted, will call for the large-scale importation of building timbers into Victoria, once the best forested part of ovr continent. Ste transit copial LIST OF VASCULAR PLANTS {Alien species indicated by an asterisk *} DICKSONIACE nhdunt (marginal) Dirksonia antorctica brocerum CYATHEACEE pape ; Cyathea australis (merginal) na of Crate POLY PODIACER: Huaiopeoris twelve Polyittchume prolifersm (very Pleridiuin. aywitinune common) Polupodinia diversifofinne Blechmuem (once abundant, now al- cortiogtewm (marginal) most extinct) February 1946 Wirtts, Toordnga Sub-alpine Flore 179 GRAMINEZ . Tetrarvhexa juncea (marginal) Echinepogos ovatus . Agrastis htemalis Poa : carspilosa var. latifolia Fannie Glyceria dives (v.common) *Dactyhs glomerata *Holcus lonatus *Lolinem perenne CYPERACEZ Scwrpus cernuns inundatis Schoenus foliatus Galinia tetragonecaypu {v- common ~ in bogs) “Lepidosperma elatins Carex appressa (very common in ~ bors) Gaudichaudiana (?) JUNCACEZ Luzula campestris Junctes polyanthéemos pauciflorus LILIACER Dianella tasmanica IRIDACEZ i Libertia pulchella FAGACEZE Nothofagus Cunningham (vy. common, stump re- growth) URTICACE Uriica incisa Aistralina Mueller; PROTEACEE | Persoonia arborea Lomatia Fraseyri SANTALACE Exocarpus cupressiformis (marginal) POLYGONACE# "Rance Acetosclla CARYOPHYLLACEZ Stellavia flaccida "media | *Cerastium glomeratun RANUNCULACEZ= Clematis -aristata Rantatulus hirtns WINTERACEZ Drimys . lanceolate (small-leayed form, at Yar- ra heads) MONIMIACEZ Atherosperma moschatum ROSACEZE Acaenn Songnisorba LEGUMINOSZE Actcia dealbatu (v. common—S yr, secdlings) falciformis melanoxylon (v. common—5 yt, seedlings) nermiciflua (marginal) verticillaia (marginal) GERANIACEZE Gertnium pilosiwm OX ALIDACEA Oxalis wagetlanica {néar Yatra heads) RUTACEA Zieria Suithti (marginal) Phebshum bilobum Correa Lowrenciana CALLITRICHACEH Callilsiche -werna RHAMNACEZ® Pomadervis apetala { marginal) VIOLACE# Piola hederacea TAYMELZACEZ Pinclea axtflora MYRTACEZ Excalyptus gomocalyx (marginal) RLICRS obkiqua Sicbertana vegnans (dominant tree, now represented by 5 yr. seed- ling growth). Leptospermusn pubuseens var, grandtfolinm ONAGRACEZ: Epilobiinn label. ARALIACE FE Tieghemopanaxr sambucifolius (v. comman) UMBELLIFERE Hydrocotyle hirta ERICACEE Ganltheria appressa (rare—Yarra heads) Witisteinia vacctniacca (rare—near Yarra heads) Vict. Nat. 180 Parthenagenesis 14 Phasmds Yai BF EPACRIDACEZ STYLIDIACEZ Trochocarpa Clarkes Siylidiam graminifolium Leutopogon Moarcracé COMPOSITE (near Yasra heads) Olearia Richea continentis orqaphylla {bogs at Yarra heads) Guuniana Leneapogon Macract Lagenophora stipttata SL ha ee ie Catula filieula 04 by Te 1UStYsaG Cassinia aculeata Helichrysum Mentha taxifle witha lasiflors Hookert (rare—near Yarra Prusela untgaris Prostanthera heads) lasinthos thyrsaideum wrelissifolia Grephalium PLANTAGINACE cotlintim *Plantago major involucratum RUBIACEZ Erechthites Coprosma quadridentata var. Gunwii hirtelle Senecta nitida (Yarra beads) Asperyla conferia_(?) australis CAMPANULACE AL wellitoides Pratia eer Redfordia sahcina GOODENIACEZX *Cirsium lanceotatum “*Hypochaeris radicate *feraxacum officinale *Sonchus oleraceus Goodenta ovata (marginal) Seaevola Hookert (bops at Yarra heads) PARTHENOGENESIS IN PHASMIDS Through the kindness of Professor Hale Carpenter, Oxford, 1L have reccived a copy of “‘Parthenogenetic Breeding of Exryerntenta herculastea, Charpentier,” by R. Hanitsch, PhD, Curator of the Raffles Museum, Singapore, July, 1902, The museum received a female of this rreat Phasmid about January, 1897. It was kept alive on guava leaves, and in February, commenced to lay eggs, most of which hatched during April and May of that year, one being hatched in August, and the last In September. All were females, and these commenced to lay cggs in September. These wnfertilised cges again produced all fermalys, the first of which reached maturity in August, 1898, and commenced to lay eges m September, 1898. Her cegs did wot develop. Notie of her sisters Jaid any veges. Dr. Manitsch suggests artificial surroundings ag the cause of the lalter failure. The foregoing suggests that I gave up my experiment on our Great- brown Stick insects too soon, and that a partlienogenetic generation may have appeared later, The cage will be thoroughly scarificd and more immature females will ‘be isolated, Enrrh COLEMAN, PERSONAL Mr. K. Fairey, of “The Manse,” Yass, N.S.W., wishes to correspond with a Victorian naturalist who would be willing to exchange specimens of and information on insects in the groups Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera,- Diptera. Details would be supplied of the species that are particularly desired. Ceevern the Sumvy Niver Jwngle 181 THE SNOWY RIVER JUNGLE (To the Editor) Sir—I was greatly interested in the article by Norman A, Wakefield, “A Remnant of the Snowy River Jungle,” in the December issue. think I was the first botantst to visit this area.. Mucller seems to haye passed it am 1853-4; Messes. Spencer, French and party missed it in 1890. My visit took place in 1901, The jungle was not to be reached by Jand, so Mr. kt. PL Cameron tock me down in his river steamer. It was, and according to Wakeheld still is, a wonderfully interesting place, the only survival of the rich Snowy River jungle. Referetice is made ta the fruit of the “big leat vine” Sarcopetalem Harveyonum, with the suggestion that these were in eyidemce im one place, “an occurrence rarély, if evet, noted before in Victona&” Mueller must have collected these, for cbere ts a feure in his Key to the System of Victorian Plants, sill a asefal book. Mueller first fyured it in his Plants Tndigenons to the Colony of Vicleria (1860), as coming from “near the mouth of the Snowy River’ I cullected it in abundance from 1899-1902, The little pink berries are very lovely, and well merit the focal name of “pink pearls,” Mr, Wakeficld saw three large palias: I saw five, with many smal) seedlings. L£ hope that ‘the number bas increased. Mention is trade of he abundance of the “Seruib mettle.” Usdica imcisa. L woted ane slem thirty feet in length climbmg up a tall tree. Then, as to the “gunt wine”! Aphanopeltalinye resirosun, the article suggests thet this docs not occur here—"“they evidently reach Victoria only in the extreme east, about Mallacoota Inlet." In my day, this vine was fairly cammon ahout Orbost, and abundant in. the old Brodribb River jungle, now destrovod, as well as in Curlip jungle. Bat 1 regret to miss from the list that delightful trec, the "Yellow- wood,” Agronvelio loevis. It was Sairly common m beth jungles, aud when the clusters of very small “oranges? were abundant on the Irees, with a background of the so-called “Spanish moxs," to which the article refers, it was 4 Amc sight. As Rotaceous trees am yety subject tu Tungous troubles, it is possible Lhat they have all been killed our Mr. Wakefield has done.a good service in directing attention to this itleresting corner of fifty acres. Owing to periodic flooding, it could tever be of much value either for grazing or cultivation, and I suggest that the ume is now stipe for the E.N. Club to take action through the Minister of Lands, to have this most valuable botanic area preserved for the public for all time—Yours, etc, En, E, Pescorr, Camberwell. LINK WITH JOHN GOULD A link with Australia has been severed by the death, reported in the cables on January 10, of the 89-year-old Lord Desborough. He was probably, the last man living who bad been acyuninted with John Gould, the “father” of bird-study in Austraba. Gould died in (883, whieh means that Desborough was moderately young when fie knew him, In fact, he used to relate that “the Bivdman” lifted him np to his frst bird's nest. Lord Desborough, incidentally, was a sturdy sportsman in hig day. He powed for Oxford, shot in wild places, swam Niagara twice, won a punting championship three times, and between whiles indulged in farliatweniary, wiltary and a host of other activities —A,H.C, 7 ot Wy. 1K? Birds v, Avrcraft ie) . BIRNS y, AIRCRAFT The following informative azticle appeared in’ the issue of Tiie (American newemagazine) fur November 6, 1944:— Collisions between planes and birds are reported by U.S. airline pilots about twice a week. They can disable wing lps, dent the fuselage, foul the mator—but the chief danger ts a windshield break, Last ihonth a DC-3 abnost crashed in Towa when a duck came through the windshield jit ab explosion of glass and knocked out the pilot. Reth aimmen and ornithologists think that bird collisions may lave been responsible for some unsolved air disasters. The bird-bumpmg problem is becoming so treublesome that airlines rate the Civil Acro- rautics Admmistration’s windshield-strengthening expermments as ihe most urgent present research praject. In the October tir Transport, a veteran wirlings pilot. Pat Curtin, tells some wf the airmen’s strange stories about mixrating birds. Most collisions gecur at night or im clouds, when both planes and birds ace Aying bind. Migrating birds usuully Ay at night, stopping to feed mn dayhzht. Ornithologists agree that they scem to haye a sixth sense wlniél: enables them to fly cven in “instrument weathes.” Another Curtin stery suggests that birds may be downed by wing-icemg: a pilot reported that one night, alter he trad been forced dow, tiundreds of sialiard dicks alse landed, their wings heavily iec-coated, The chief U.S. expert on migratory birds, Frederick C, Lincoln of the Fish and Wildlife Service, doubts avich stories; he admits tbat birds are sometimes foreed down by snowstorms, bur thinks confusion and fright haye as much to do with jt as anything. Mimetheless, airmen's reports have greatly extended ornithology. Airmen, far cxample, have found old notions about the speed of birds mnch exaggerated: the Lop speed of ducks seems to be abont 55 atpeh,; of the fastest known birds, swiits, ad duck fiawks, not more than 150 to 200 mph. Mierating birds generally Ay at less than 3.000 ft. above ground level, bur in gufling over mountains ducks have been known to reach 7,500 ft, above sea level, cranes and condors, 20,000 &. Highest. recorded bird altitude (reached by wu Hock of geese photographed in India) : 29,00H) Ft. ANOTHER CUCKOO FALLACY Many queer belicfs developed im ather years from. the parasitic habits of cuckoos, lai tt is surely remarkable thal a journal of to-day (the Svdney Halletin, of November 11) should allow jtsclf to be the victim of such slatements as are contained m the following patagraph, which 1% erraneuuy i tvery sentence and in places rises to dazzling heights of fallitey + “Moyhu’s It was once thought that the bronze citkoo scoffed the cag of the host-bird remoyed to make riom for her awn. Rerent. researches, however, have shown that after she has accumulated ning or ton. eres the cuckoo batches them herself and feeds the young like any normal bird-mother. Tt isn't clear just why she prefers to incubate other birds! eges rather than her own, but it may be that she caw comfortably cover 10 eggs such as those of the wihute-checked honeyeater, 2 favourite hast-bird, whereas she would be hard put to it to cover more than three of her own, gaining m the process two more clutches in the same period. Ormthologists gentrally acc of opinion that the cuckoo, im hatching out host-birds’ eggs, is merely completing # eycle without which both parasite and hust-lirds would perish, Others are convinced that the phenomenun if an example ef avian good nature Saineary Herat Croat: Blafl | 183 HERMIT .CRAB BLUFF At Sorremy dariy this year We came Upon another instance of the usefulness of “bluff,” On the front heart s2nds many Great Hermit Crabs are left stranded at low tide. Left alone, they have plenty of water in their borrawed homes to ide them over the danger hours until next fiow. Mass ugwary ones fall victims to sea-gidls. but blutt must save scores of others. ; ' One may see a circle of gulls, like crows round a stilleliving sleep, keeping a sate distance from the crab, who has made himselt into a terrifying object. Exnerging from the shell, until only the soft, utarmoured end of his body is within, he raises his claws and waves thera in a most menacing manner, his complicated mouth parts making what seem very Jilce grimaces. As a gull méives forward, the crah pops hack into his shell with a loud click, snd the gulls pop back too! A eirele of foot-prints, 18 inches or 50 from the crab, shows clearly that the gulls are taking no chances with this fearsume jack-in-the-box. Tlonours are with the crab wha has sa cleverly blulfed his tarmentars. The noisy plops and clicks are certainly atartling, One involuntarily moves back, even thouch one knows the trick, and hag handird many of his clever brothers. Our dogs, ane of them a large deerhound whose very size keeps many people at a distance, jumped baci as swiftly as the gulls, although both were ali a-tiptac ta tackle this strange new “rut” oe SS aes Eotra Coveman, RAIDERS OF POULTRY FARMS — Recently poultry farmers around the North Croydon district (and probably other districts) have been suffering the loss of young chickens and ducklings, the offenders being lange birds with a raveaus note similar to ihat of 4 crow, but deeper and more profonged, These birds are jarger and more streamlined than 2 crow, with dark navy-blue shining plnmage and howked beak; they Ay high and swiftly until over their prey and descend m a circling rhayement etiding im a swoop. From my nlservatians their numbers in flight vary from six to a single bird, They are very amid and will uot approach while humans are arcumti, but when no lmaman is in sight they appear almost magically. On my own farm ter ducklings, nine weeks old, were attacked ar the first visit from these birds. All the bodies were left, but in every cose a hole was torm ip the side and the head was torn off, All but two of the heads were carried off by the birds, They appear ¢o be no réspectors of poultry, as Ineunds af mine have lost turkey chicks in the same manner. Turing my nine years’ residence in thé district I have not previously secu these particular birds. The same view is expressed by older residents whom T have interviewed. Irnumediately iny ducklings were attacked 1 erected a scarecrow, which had the desired effect of preventing further losses, the raiders muw Aying a straight course and not attempting to alght Ceartes Faencn, Jun. (North Croydon)- SCENT OF THE MUSK The English jourisl, My Garden, for August, 1944, reports that Alice Jordan, writing from New Zealand. states that she, husband and frend, prsacd a patch of flowenng Musk and, as usual, tried for scent. TY was faintly sweet, Later they passed amother patch and it was the scent that first attracted their attetttinon. The following week they réteived their copy of the previous issue of My Gorden, telling of the scented nlint which bad been removed to Kew (Oct, 1948), So it looks as if the little musk may regain its Jost fragrance, Enrrn Covesran 184 The Keilor Skull Vola THE KEILOR SKULL The English magazine Nature for February 19, 1944 (Vol. 153, No. 3877) publishes aty interesting short articic by Professor F. Wood Jones F.RS., of Manchester University, Comment is made un the “Memoir of the Melbourne National Museum (No. 13, 143)," relative wo the Keilor skull, The Professor regards the skull as a “wentine human document of first-class importance,” and accepts the geological authenticity of the And- ing of the skull in situ. Te docs not consider, however, that the account of the skull and that of the palate and maxillary teeth, as set out in the Memoir, shows canelusively “Australoid and Tasmanotd characters im about equal proportions," The hypothesis that the Tasmanian and Australian had inhebited continenta] Australia side by side end had fused their races in Pleistocene times is therefore questioned. The cultural development of the iwo races, as for instance the use of the boomurang, throwang stick, and shield by the one, but complete ignorance by the other, and the presence both diving and fossil of the dingo on the mainland, but not in Tasmania, would have to be hartnonized with such hypotheses. He advises "the actept- ance of the Keilor remains as permanent documents rather than to assume mat the conclusions drawn from their first examination are necessarily the Taal anes,’ FROM AN ARMY POST “UP NORTH" Last night I captured ati interesting nocturnal lizard, highly camouflaged wid possessing a most ouriously-shaped shovel-like fail, apparently as part af the general disguise. J got him in the dark—in the light of the tarch his eyes shone like rubies. Also present in the jungle was a possum, pre- sumably the Cuppery Brush-tatl, a local race of the common EBrush-teil of the southern States. One of the chaps in 3 Div, has a ringtail, which T take to he the Herbert River Ringtail, so that possums ate definitey present, though apparently not particularly common. Incidentally, 1 saw a specimen of the tare black-and-white Striped Possum, which had been killed on the Toad, #0 they are present also, it seents. . In the yumgle over the creek I have located several disused mounds of Scrub-iowl, There must he a good mound not very far away, however, as recently I saw and chased a chick only a few days old—not that T caught it; the wretched thing conld run like & champion sprinter, Ti wasn't particularly shy: while | watched it, it scratched about jn the leaves littering the ground just Jike any full-grown fawl, but made off at speed whenever 1 approached tov elosely. L stil have our bad-tempered Carpet Snake, Yesterday 1 gave him 2 rat which IT had trapped m the bush; he killed mt after T had stirred hin up a bit, but more a bad tenwer than in hunger, I think; anyway he refused to eat it afterwards, Sareen I. Givens. ORCHIDS ALONG THE ROADSIDE Besides the Sun Orchid Phelymitra pauctfora and two dsfferemt Onion Orchids, Microtis waifolia and M. purinflorcs, our children found for the first time the Ruddy-bood. Pterostylis pusilla, along Leeds Street, exactly oppoaite or gate, They found four flowering specunens (the bigest having twelve flowers, ine)nding buds, the smallest Aye} well on the roadside in the grass. Two years ago we found two flowering plants af the sanw specits in & paddock which formerly had been archard land, and several Snake Orchids, Dtwis pediuncrlata, in « trecless grazing paddock. It would be interesting to hear about other arcliids which can reé-éstablish them- selves after cultivation. M. Fisem (Doncaster). The Victorian Naturalist Vol. ér- S1—No. 11 March & 1945 No. 735 PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held on February 12, 1945, at the Royal Society’s Hall, the President (Mr Iva C: Haumiel} and about 120 inembers and friends attending, Miss Ina Watson reported on the recent excursion to East Kew, and Miss Natice Fletcher ot) that to Badger Creek Sanctuary, The following were elected as ordinary members of the Club: Miss J. Trebileo, Miss A, Quinsey and Mr. W. N. Douglas. Twa motions came before the meeting and were carried inani- matey, viz. (A. H. ChisholnfA. 1, Hardy). “Yhat the Field Natur- atisis' Club of Victoria expresses satisfaction at the assurance that the Aboriginal Cemetery at Coranderrk will be preserved, and urges that the cemetery be renovated and held as a Natiotial Memorial, and that the remainder of the reservation be added to the Mackenzie Sanctuary.” Mr, H. C. E, Stewart asked if’ any outstanding characters were interred in the cemetery, and Mr. Chisholm replied that Barak and some of Batman's Friends were certainly there 2. (A. D. Hardy/A. § . Chalk), “Whereas the destruction of useful plant ever and soil by continued firing of mountain forests will have a calamitous and irreparable effect: upon the future ecowony of Victoria; and whereas it is the solemn duty of those eitraisted with the government of our country te eliminate every probable factor contnbuting to forest fires; and whicreas Sires deliberately lit during the past year in the watershed of the Qvens and Buckland Rivers and along the Barry Range can only be altributed to grazing interests in these high areas; and whereas ‘the total value of stock depastured om Victorian mountains, and the State revenue. derived therefrom are only a preposterously sual! fraction of the incalculable permanent damage to soil, timber, wild life, and. natural scenery resulting from such grazing, this Cjab can do no other than request in the public weal that the’ presence of cattle on Crown Lands above 2,000 feet in elevation be declared a nutional menace and prohibited by law.” Mr. Frazer reported that the Otways were burnt im recent years by graziers. _ Mr, H.C. E. Stewart, in speaking of Mount Buffalo, stated that conditions are somewhat improved, as the lessee has been forced to keep to the conditions of the lease. 186 Field Naturalists’ Clb Praceenings Tae Mr. A. H. E, Mattingley stated that a clause in the leases piven jor Wyperfeld Park provides that the first fire on the property eancels the lease, and that there had been no fires asa result of this clause. It was also suggested that interested bodies arrange a meeting in the Melbourne Town IIall, and by means of American natjcnal park films show the general public what should gbtain in our own tational parks. Mr, ©. C, Ralph suggested that petitions be circulated to gain interest in the national parks with their lack of proper upkeep. NATURE NOTES Mr. R. G. Painter reported having seen on November & signs of emerging cieadas; also, on February 8 he heard the cicadas again. ‘Was this nota long season?" “A reply was promised for the hext meeting- Miss Edmondson reported there were many earwigs.in her garderi, and asked how to get rid of them. (Answer promised for the next meeting.) ; Mr, A. H, Chisholm introduced a novel visitor in the form of a living specimen of the Varied Lorikeet (Psiiteutelos versicolor), 4 species restricted to the far North and rarely seen in aviaries in Victoria, The specimen had beer taken’ from a nest near Darwin by an English airman, and had been fed at the outsét through an eye-dropper. It had become accustomed to riding on the shoulders oi pilots and bad actually been brought down in that manner on a Douglas air-liner., A honey-feeder, haying a very small stornach, the Varied Lerikeet ts a tropical nomad, and one that does not take kindly to the southern winter.* LECTURE ON ALPINE FLORA “From St. Bernard to Buller in Search af Plants.” Under this heading, Mr. J. H. Willis, of the Melbourne Herbariun staff, gave an illustrated account of an eight-day trip he had recently made across 38 miles of rough alpine country, embracing several little-visited peaks of more than 5,000 feet altitude, Nearly 300 different plants were listed in this area, and Mt. Cnbbler (3,300 fect) proved particularly interesting, its ultimate peak being one ~of the mast spectacular in our highlands and almost immune from both cattle and fires. (A summary of Mr. Willis's address will he published ina later issue.) - ' *The bird exhibited died a fortnight later, “Although feeding well it bad hecome subject. to fits—a, common trouble with captive lorikects—and athough it rallied. from the first few bouts nothing could be done to save it. Past mortem #xamination at the National Museum revealed that it was wet nourished. Apparently the nervous,"system bad become affected.— _— Wiis, Chlorophvtum—a Cenus New to Uietoria 187 CHLOROPHYTUM—A GENUS OF LILIES NEW TO VICTORIA (AND NEW SOUTH WALES) Ry J. Hl. Wiczrs, National Herbarium, Melbourne, Just below its source on Mt. Cobbler Plateau, the Dandongadale River emerges from a circular sub-alpme swamp (“The Lake’) to plunge over the precipitous northern escarpment of the plateau in a series of very heautiful falls. During a botanical excursion there on January 3, 1945, I was rewarded by the discovery of Chloraplytium alpraan (Hook. f.)+ Benth. ¢x Baker?—previously on record only from its type locality in the ‘western mountains,” Tasmania (most probably the watershed of Meander River, south of Deloraine, whence it was collected by William Archer some time prior to 1857, the year he visited England with his orchid paintings and copious botanical notes for inclusion in J. D. Hooker's monumental Flora Tasmanie), This humble plant grew rather plentifully in mossy soaks and dripping rock ledges at the head of the Dandongadale Falls (about 4,000 feet altitude), and I saw a few plants also on Mt. Specu- lation, some five or six miles to the south—-at 5,300 feet where the Catherine River begins. Our “Alpine Green-lily” (for this would be an apt name) has much the size and appearance of the Onion-grass weed (Homulea), but with lax and rather fleshy leaves as in Streaked Arrow-grass (Triglechin striafa) to which its resemblance is further heightened by the clusters of deeply lobed green fruiting capsules. Flowers are small, greenish, in groups of one to four, but, although the day was warm, none were expanded on any of the specimens I examined—since fruit and seed were abundant, it seems likely that cleistogamy may obtain. The floral racemes were, as described by Baker? “lavtssimus,” lying along the ground and often hidden by mountain mat plants, eg., Haloragis micrantha and Nertera depressa. Chlorophytum (established by John Bellenden Ker in Botanical Magazine t. 1071, 1808) is one of the largest genera in Liltacee; half of the 150 or more species now recognized occur in tropical Africa, while there is a good representation in the Cape region and southern Asia, with a few species in South America and but two widely separated ones in Australia (C. farunt R.Br. of the far north, and C. alpinum, subject of this paper). Buker®§ (celebrated monographer of the Lilvflore) described the seeds of all Chlorophytum spp. as discoid and thin—a generic criterion. C, alpinum is discussed by only four botanists, viz., Hooker f.,! Baker? Bentham® and Rodway,§ who all doubtless based their opinions on the dried type material in which ripe fruits appear to 188 Wits, Chlorophatum—a Genus New to Fictoria ae Weed with arf Chfo rophy lum alpini oor (HA f ) Benth ex Baker / / y f from VieLorion rraberraf ) be lacking—they are certainly absent from the duplicate types fortunately preserved at the Melbourne Herbarium—and it is therefore not surprising that some uncertainty should exist as to the exact status of the plant, Hooker,! in his original diagnosis, tentatively refers it to Cesia and states: “T am doubtful about the genus of this curious but insignificant little plant, which appears to differ from Cesta in the perianth not being twisted after flowering.” Sarelr] Wiss, Chiprephyivum—a Geans Nese to Pictoria 189 1pah He describes the pedicels as extremely short (though they cai be appreciably long and quite slender, as evedericed in the suite of specimens now at the Melhourne Herbarium), and goes on to say: “Ovary of three unequal rounded lobes, each with two collateral ovules.” No mention is made of seeds, Neither Baker* nor Radway® mention the seeds, but Bentham® remarks; “Seeds flat, disk-shaped.” 1 have examined ovules from ane of the type ovaties and found them indeed very flat, so Bentham probably jumped to a conclusion thal C_ alpinun would be sure to follow the genera) Chlorophytum rule in this regard, (Incidentally, the speling “Chlorophyton” as adopted by Bentham, and Ister by Rodway, also calls for correction—we are bound to follaw Ker’s original artd deliberate use of the "UM" suffix.) The seeds of Chioraphytum alpinum are a. striking anomaly in the genus: spherical, black, shining, papillate, 14-2 mm, diameter, with white and papery arils adhering as a prominent volva al the base—precisely the kind found in Cesta. Our species this com- _ bines the characters of bath Chlorophytum and Cesia, having the persistent, non-coiling {or ouly very slightly twisted) perianth of the former, but seeds of ihe Jatler, albeit the capsule opens up more widely and readily than is usual ina Caria, Perhaps it 1s as much entitled to distinet generic tak as Chamesettia, which occupies just such an intermedtate position (though with a reversal of the C. afprimeme characters) and of which Bentham’ wrote; “The genus is limited ta Australia, showing the perianth of Cesta with the fruit and seeds of Chlorophylon.” A search through Cesia exsiceatae at the National Herbarinm, Melbourne, brought to hght two collections of our “Alpine Green- lily’ that Mueller hac labelled “Casta pormiffora’: a good one from the “table-land,"’ Apsley River district, eastern Tasmania (presumably the Fingal Tiers. whence it was taken by A. R. Crawford in 1887). extends the known distribution there by at least 80 imiles; the other is irom Braidwood district, N.S.W. (W, Bauerlen’s Na, 164, Nov,, 1886, probably obtained i nearby tountains, rising to 4,000 feet) which definitely establishes Chlorophytum. alptnunt for that State and extends the range to nearly 5UQ mites. Probably the species has been overlooked on account of its grass-like appearance and small stature. Victorian specimens were exhibited at the January meeting of the F_N.C, and are now jn the Melbourne Herbarium, REPENENCES ; } D. Hooker, Flora Tasmanie, IT (1860), p. 373. , G. Baker, Journ, Linn, Soc, (Bo), XV (1876), p 38 1 2, 3% J, G, Baker, /lora Capensis, V1T es 397, 4. G. Bentham, Flora Adstratiensis, VIL (1898), p. 48. 5. G. Bentham, Flora Astralignsty, VII C1BF&), p. 0, 6, L. Rodway, Tasmanian Flora (1903), p. 2b9, 19) Datex, History of the Geelong FNC, ee HISTORY OF THE GEELONG FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB Ry Cuas. Darey, B.A.. F.L-5., Melbourne. OF the numerous Clubs, suburban and provincial, ¢stablished for the study of Natural History since the formation of the Victorian Field Naturalists’ Club, the only one which seemed to have the quality of permanence and which has left a fine record of accomplishment and useful systematic work was the Geelong Field Naturalists’ Club. Ji was formed in 1880 by some naturalists, the isost prominent of whoni Were Messrs, J. FP, Mulden and W. Shaw. For the first ten vears there is no published record of its activities, but at made good progress, its membership including Messrs. W.H. Renton, A. B. F. Wilson, A. Purnell, M. G. Roebuck, J. Hammerton, H. E. Hill, W. Errey, J. Goodlet, H, L. Grieve, E. Patterson, B.A., W. A. Hargreaves, MA, B.C.E., J. B. Leitch, and others. The Rev. J. S. H. Royce, F.RGS,, was one of the earliest Presidents, and Mr. Bracebridge Wilson, M.A., FLS., Principal of the Geelong CE, Grammar School, 4 keen botanist, was elected as Patron of the club. Mr, A. B. F. Wilson was the Hon, Secretary. Fortnightly meetings were held at the Gordon Technical College, where specimens of natural history were shown and described. Papers were read, lecurettes given and field excursions arranged. In addition a library and a museum were formed. An Annual Conversazione was fixed, with exhibits amd pertinent addresses thereon, From time to time public Jectures by qualified men were provided, The Cluh maintained close contact with the College Students’ Science Club and the Amateur Photographic Club of the Technical College. The first issue of the Geelong Naturelist appeared in July, 189]. The Rev, Royce was then President, the supplementary subject te his Presgidentig] address being “Sea Urchins.’ At the exhibition in 1893, Professor Baldwin Spencer gave an illustrated lecture upon “How Animals See.” The Geelong environment is specially suitable tor Nature study with iis varved features by mountain, Jake, stream and sea, forest and plain, At different times members had coastal excursions from Queenscliff to Apollo Bay, and Otway forest, also to the Barrabool Hills, the Lorne district, You Yangs and Anakie Gorge, the Barwon and Moorabool rivers, the lime-stones of Fyansford and Batesford, the Dog Rocks, overtying basalts, Eocene formations at Shelford, fern glades and forests beyond Anglesea, the middens and chipping grounds of Torquay and Bream Creek. Easter and Xmas Camps were held at Angelsea, Point Addis, Bream Creek, Erskine River and Otway forest. meet Tare, Mistery of the Geelong FNC 191 Dredging was undertaken in Corto Bay, so that an extensive aad fraitfal district was well traversed, and ils natural features observed, studied and recorded. The Journal was published quarterly. Mr, H, E. Hill was editor in- 1894, at which time Me. J. Dennant, I.GS., the distinguished geologist, was President. The membership then approximated 80. Among Corresponding Members were Messrs. W. A. Har- greaves, M.A., of Brisbane Grammar School; W. E. Matthews, Stawell Technical School; G, Sweet, F.R.GS., H, J. Tisdall, TLS, T. S$, Hall, M.A., Rev. W. T, Whan, M.A, J. H. Retheras, M.A., Rev. J, C, Love, Lorne; A, J. Woodward, Sale, cic. Mr. A. J. Campbell, F.L.S., contributed many articles, including “A Bird-list of 393 Species, Nests and Eggs," “Nests and Egps of Pardalotes," ete. Myr, W. A. Guilfoyle contributed a paper with a list of the “Flora of the Hellarine Penimsula,” Mr, Le Souef, one on “Victorian Mammais,” and Mr. Dennant set down the “Fossils from Shelford.” In 1895, Mr. G. H. Adcaels gave a list of “Plants from Cape Ouway Forest,” to be followed two years later by a “Census of the Plants of the Geclong District." Mr. H. Kingsbury with his paper supplied a list of “Victorian edible salt and freshwater fish,” also later a paper on “Oyster Culture,’ The editor of the Journal at this time was Mr. Elartley TE. Williams. On the death of Mr. Bracebridge Wilson, Professor Ralph ‘Tate, F.G.S., F.L.S., was élected Patron of the Club. In 1896, Mr. Dennant was still President. Life Members at this time were: Baron von Mueller, Messrs. C. French, P.L.5.,, J. F, Riley, J. R. Remfrey, and A J. Campbell, Mr, Adcock became editor, Mr, H, T. ‘Visdale, F-L.S., gave a paper, the first of many, on Edible Fungi of Victoria,” and Mr, T, 8. Hall, M.A, a paper on “Tupong or Marble Fish." A. member who by his wide knowledge, enthusiasm, and practical experience ity Nature’s ways, was outstanding, was Mr. G. F. Mulder. Well versed in every branch, a keen and intelligent observer, his advice, ready help, and special knowledge were of the utmost value to the Club for about forty years. His numerous notes, papers, and lectures aptly epitemise the natura] history of the Geelong district, dealing with Geology, Palaeontology, Ornithology, Entomology, Conchology, Zoology, and Ethnology, a valuable work. Many geological papers were, through the offices of his fellow geologists, Dr, T. S, Hall, Dr. G. B. Pritchard, and Mr. Dennant, who valued his research, submitted to the Royal Society, A few of his papers may be mentioned: “Tast of Fossils from Corian Bay,” "Eocene Deposits and List of Fossils, Corio Bay,” “Terrestrial 152 Darey, History of the Geelong FiN.C. [vain Fresh, and Brackish Water Mollusca of Geelong and neighbouring Districts," “Catalogue of Fossils from Birregarra,"' “Birds of Cape Otway Forest,” (225 species being noted out of Campbell's hist of 393), “Victorran Hydrozoa,” “Geology of Cape Otway Forest,” “Waurn Ponds Fossils,” “Cleoptera of the Geelong District,” etc. In [896 Mr. Adeock became editor. Te continued his botanical work, supplementing the list of Cape Otway forest flora, and giving a paper on “Insect Traps.” Mr. Tisdall also contributed “Survival of Water Plants During Drought,” and Mr. C, French, F.L.S., dealt with “Economic Entomology.” In the following year it was decided to hold the Club mectings at the Mechanics’ Institute. In 1898 an official branch for meteorological observations was registered, such being regularly noted in the Journal. In the year 1895, owing to some slight disagreement between the Field Naturalists’ Club and the Science and Photographic Clubs, the latter pubhshed, im August, a Journal of theic own, the Wombal. In 1895 it was recognized as the official publication of the Gordon Technical College, Mr. H. E, Hil being edjtor. Among occasional Nature Study papers in the MW’ ombat was Mr, C, 8, Belcher'’s “Notes on the Birds of the Geelong district.” In July, 1899, the Wombat suspended publication. Meanwhile the Science Club connected therewith had proposed amalgamation to the Field Naturalists" Club, and this was agreed to. Mr, G. H. Adcock was elected President, the veterans, Messrs. W. Shaw and J. F. Mulder, Vice-Presidents, Mr, J. F. Dentry, Hon. Treasurer, Mr, H. E, Hill, Editor, and Mr. J, B. Leitch, Secretary, In 1902 the Wowidat was issued for the combined incorporated Clubs, but in March, 1904, the name Geelong Naturalist was reverted to. The new editor, for a brief period, was Mr. C. FP. Belcher, M.A., LL.B. Professor Baldwin Spencer now became Patron on the death of Professor N. Tate. Myr. J. F. Cary was the next editor, About 1403 Mr. R. E. Trebilcock, an active member, in company with Mr. Robert Hall, F.L.S, C.M.ZS, the ornithologist, made an unusual trip ta follow the course of some of our migratory birds to Siberia, 2 journey to the nesting places at the Tundras within the Arctic Circle, full of incident and fruitiul of knowledge. During the early years of the century, the subject of nature study had assumed importance in the State schools, under Mr. J. A, Leach's skilful guidance. The Club decided to hold a Nature Study exhibition at Geelong, as a timely means of furthering natural science. A strong executive Committee, of which Mr. G. H. Adcock, F.L.S. and Mr, W. Shaw were — Datey, History of ite Geelong FNC, 193 chairmen, was formed, comprising Club members, prominent citizens, and Education Department representatives. ~ The exhibition fund was freely subscribed, ful) publicity given, and on Monday, April 24th, the Hon. Thomas Beat, M.L.A,, State Premier, opened the first exhibition, which in al! sections of natural history was a gratifying success, the numernis exhibets from State schools and scholars, as well a3 from others interested, showing how popular nature study was becoming in the commurnty. In addition to the genetal public, between two and three thousand children attended the exhibition. Mr, F- Tate, M.A., L§.0., Director of Education, an ardent supporter of the project, gave an address on “Why Nattire Study Should Have a Place in Primary Schools." Other lectures were giver by Dr. Gavin McCallum, Rey. W. Williams, F.L.S.; Messrs. J. A. Leach, BSe.; J. H. Betheras, M.A.; C, R, Long, MLA,; ae Trebilcock graphically described “A Trip through Nonhern iberia,”” Another Nature Study Exhibition was held in 1906, with equal success. A branch Club was started at Mortlake. Dr. Gavin McCallum succeeded Mr. Adcock as president, worthily holding the office for many years. Mr. Trebilcock edited the Journal, In 1906 Mr, H. BG, Wilhamson, on ardent botanist, on appointment to Geelong, continued Mr. Adcoclk’s. botanical researches on the flora of Geelong district. Messrs, C, F. Belcher, KH. E. Hill, and BH. A, Purneli did valuable work in observation of bird life over a wide area. Mr. G. C. Bartlett specialised in microscopical rock sections and Hydroid Zoophytes. A special lecture on “Central Australia’ was delivered by Sir W. Baldwin Spencer. In 1907 I joined the Geelong Club. Dr. McCallum was president andl Mr. A. B. F. Wilson hou. secretary. This year the membership was at its highest, provision having been made in the previous year for including junjor menibers and members of the Mortlake bractch, My first contiibutions were reports on attendance at the Victorian Field Naturalists’ Camp at Mornington, and on the Science Congress at Brishane as representative of the Geelong club. During four years! residence there | was busily occupied in the activities of the Geelong F- N, Club. Dr. Gavin McCallum was a popular president. He gave armual addresses on subjects such as “Instincts and Reason,” “X-ray and High Frequency,” “Low Forms of Liie at the Saltpans,” ete. Mr. J. M. Murdoch treated of “Moss Hunting” and “The History of a Moss; the Rev, W. Williams, I-L.S,, of insects generally; Mr. A. J, Campbell, jun., gave papers on *' Mud Island,” “About Torquay,” “Point Addis 19 Anglesea," “A Mountain Gully,’ and “After Lyrebirds in August,” Messrs. 194 Dasuy, History of the Geelong PAC. rea W, Shaw aid J. F. Mulder, the ty foundation members, were made life members for thew long and faithful services, At a visit to Geelong of Hts Excellency Sir Thomas Gibson Carmichael, K.C.M.G., on December 18th, 1908, the president, on behalf of the club, presented him with an address, his interest i entomology being so well known. The ex-president, Mr. G. H. Adcock, F.L5., then Super- intendent of the Viticultaral College, contributed an article, “A Field Naturalist in Papua,” and Mr. W. W. Froggatt, F.LS., Government Entomologist, N.S.W., “A Naturalist’s Notes in the Solomon Islands," both excellent articles, A welcome lecture was Mr. J, A. Leach's “Birds of Victoria.” The departure of Mr. R. E. Trebilcock was a distinct loss ta the Club. Besides being an ornithologist of note he had closely studied crustacea, diatoms, and lepidoptera, and with Mr. Mulder had described and figured many species of the Hydroida, Among papers contributed were: “Protective Colouring in Animals,” “Variation of Domestic Atimals,’ “A Cruise in Bass Strait," “The Butterfies of Geelong District,” "An Expedition Down the Lena River,” etc. He had heen librarian, secretary, and editor, respectively, Another useful member was Mr. H. W. Davey, F_E.S., who fusnished papers on entomology, reptilia, and amphibia, eg. “Insect Control in Victoria,” “Life Histories of Insects and of Coccids,” “Insects in Relation te Plant Life,” “Ants' Nests and Visitors,” “Insect Pests,” etc, Mr. H. B. Williamson's series of articles on “The Flora of Geelong” was also supplemented by papers and lecturettes, eg. “How to Collect, Press, and Preserve Plants,'' and by diligent feld work on introduced plants, habits of bees, ete. Mr. Mulder described "The Formation of the Highton Valley,” and “The Eocene Deposit of Limeburner’s Point?’ Mr. R, T- McKay, C.E., wrote on “The Great Australian Basin," and also on “The Murray." The Rev, Robert Kelly dealt with “The Flora of Yorke Pemnsula.” On Myr. Trebileock’s departure the writer became editor of the Journal, continuing for six years, Personal contributions were: “Casuarinas and Mistletoes,” “Afforestation, a National Duty,” “By the River,” “Origin of the Australian Aborigines,” “Instinct in Plant Life,” “Around Cunninghame,” “The Relation of Geological Structure to the Character of Indigenous Flora,” “Mt. Wellington and Tali Karng,” etc. In 1913, at the President’s (Dr. McCallum) election for the seventh year, he was presented by the Club committee with a complete set of the Geelong Natwralist (from 1891), beautifully hound and inscribed. The Vice-President, Mr. W. Kyle, made Maron Darev, History of the Geelong FNC, 195 the presentation. In the following year Mr. A. B. F. Wilson, on the occasion of his twenty-first nomination as hon. secretary, received @ purse of sovereigns subscribed by members, Among other papers by members, the Rev. Mack, B.A. described “How Nature Makes Peat,” Mr. If. A. Purnell gave notes on “The Pilot Bird,” and “Lorne.” Mr. Mulder, in his versatility, gave “Aboriginal Stone Implements in Victorta and Their Age,” his fellow Vice-President, Mr. Kyle, “Reminiscences of Aboriginal Life in Victoria and N.S.W.,” and Mr. II. If. Riordan supplied “Bird Notes,” and desenbed "Exploration of the Cursherland Falls” anc the Lorne District. Mention must also be made of Mr. C. F. Belcher's contributions in consistent observation of birds, “Notes on the Rufous Bristle Bird,” “Birds found Breeding in Eastern Park, “Notes on Birds of Torquay and Anglesea,” “The! Honey-eaters of the Geelong District,” ete. On December 2ist, 1911, at the president’s residence, a farewell furiclion and presentation ta the editor on his departure from Geelong was held—a pleasunt. social gathering. Among the special lectures given over the decade were those on geology by Drs. T. 5. Hall and G. B. Pritchard, by Mr, Hardy on “Freshwater Algae,” Professor J. A, Gilruth on “Microbes, Useful and Injurious,” Mr. J. A, Kershaw on “Wilson's Promontory,’ Sir W. Baldwin Spencer on “The Northern Territory aud jis Aborigines,” and Professor Ewart on “A Dotanist in the Tropiecs,’” These were all illustrated and open to the public, I edited the Geelong Neturalis! wp to May, 1914, the year in which I joined the F.N.C.V. Thes came the Great War with its widely disruptive effects. The journal ceased publication. Subsequently, with the departure of such active members as Messrs. H. B, Williamson, H. W. Davey, C. F. Belcher and others, later of Dr. G. McCallum, and with the severe loss by death of Messrs. Wilson and Mulder, interest waned and membership decreased. Eventualiy the Club ceased operations. The last secretary was Mr, H, E, Hill, This inglorious ending, after so Jong and honourable a record of achevement in studying and festering natural history, was a calamity that with a little foresight and energy by members should have been teadily averted. One cannot but think that if the Club in earlier years had opened its membership to wonien, its existence would not have so unforiunately terminated. Tt is hoped that when peace retums, there may be an active endeavour to resuscitate an institution which wus so educative and pleasurable a cultural factor in the important city of Geelong. 194 Ronnies, Sone Meats of Past Fietadan Meris Be = SOME HAUNTS OF EAST VICTORIAN FERNS By Faanx Roanins, Casilemaiie. Having spent three years (1995-6-7) in pleasant rambles through gullies and jungle ceamtry east of the Gippsland Lakes, where the pradigality ot lovely ferns was a constant absurption. T have follower with much interest Mr, N. A, Wakefield's splendid atihoritative articles which have appeared in this Journal since February, (94C--augmenting our Victarian VWst of yaacular cryptowains by at least a dozen species, and clearing up imany erroneons ideas surrounding their ideraity and notmenclature, His recent coritritnation, i which the whole fern flarg of our far wast ts suryeyerl, is a Welcome consummation of what be has already puhlisled. Tt tway be considered that the last word on this subject has now been suid, vet J have a few notes aliout specific areas which are worth placing or reeord for fhe guidance of fern enthusiasts who have the opportunity 16 pay East Gippsland a visit. Although T have obseryed Jess than 60 of Mr, Wakefield’s inpressive list of 82 derne and club-mogses for this: region, I OUtce, Miss MacPherson, National Museura, Melbourne, ig desigous of obtail- ing Ave iresh-water snails from as many different localities. as possible, and the assistance of interested members would he welcome The shells are being used in Liver Fluke experimental work, and should be addressed to Miss MacPherson at the National Museum, fi packed in damp grass they will carry through the post successfully, Be sure that localities are shown, including the name oi the creek or river if known. 202 Marrineter, Sets aud Mirations Wa ae BATS AND VIBRATIONS By A. H. E. Marrinctry, Metbdurne, OF what use are their eyes bo some species of bats when ofher senses or meatis of information such as vibrations guide thein in their Aight? | have frequently noticed that the sudden transition frone ditense darkness to brilliant light has had no effect on the rapidity of the, fight of small hats such as the gerius Pesperugo, The eyes of the smaller insectivorons bats are relatively much smaller than in mice of abcud the same size. The question arises, how are bats able to live in daek places and to secure their insect prey by tight without constamly dashing into ahstacles in their flight, Observations have Dee made by me of bats in caves im various countries, some of which were wide open to daylight. Ji some imstautes their sleeping-pla¢¢ys were sittiated under & ledge of rocks with just sufficient cover two shelter them from rain, but subject to the direct Nght of day. As fong ago as 1794, Spallanzani, an Italian, experimented with hats deprived of their sight. It was demonstrated by the cruel experiment of amputating their eyes, ard Jater by another method of covering thelr eyes with wax, Tt was found that these bats in some wmysterious way were aware of the proximity, of objects. With their eyes entirely covered or with their eyes amputated, bats whey hberated and atlowed ta fly im roams across which threads have been stretched with just room between for the dutstretthed wings 16 pass, im to case were the threads topched, even when laced s0 close together that the bats were obliged to contract their wings They also successfully avoided striking each other, as well as walls, ceilings, furniture, twigs and leaves, and suspended themselves by their Iegs to any object as cficiently as when potsessing sight, Rolliat and Tronesart, iv 1900 in France, and Haha, ii 1908 in America, tied similar experiments with black wires. In over 2,000 trials with small Myatis 25% hits were recorded. In G00 trials of same animals deprived of their sight the percentage of hits was less thai if the eyes wore wieovered, This provides evidence that bats depended little on sight in avoiding wires. In a second set of experiments the delicate ears and tragus were amputated and at was found that ihese membrances did not warn them by reflecting sound waves. No doube it ts ‘the echo of vibrations or radhations set in mation by aie currents that they really perceive. Apparently this docs nat apply to all speceis of bals with different speeds of fight and so far as is known to the larger fruitcating bats. The hits recorded may have been duc to the tiredness of the bats or weakticss auc to want af fond, Acting on the assumption that air vibrations were set up by passing insects of reflected by nearby objects, scientists invented a device far detecting obstacles in a ship's path at night or in fog by sending out vibrations of a Jow iene from ithe ship's prow atid recording the echo by dejicate membranes on board. E. Tronghton, zoologist of the Australian Museum, says that on account of their relatively small eyes some of the iuséctivorols bats must be pro- vided with sohte special aieans of avoiding objects during their Aight. G- Lakovsky, tbe cmincnt French physicist, says at scems more asl more evident that the sense of direction in bats originates from special ratbations ai ittra-shorl Wavelength, emitted by birds avid insects thenselves, In dealing with oocturmal and diurnal birds he says that we are led to believe that they are attracted to their prey by radiatians emitted by these insects. Wiech bats it is commonly beheved that it is to the acuity of the senses of hearing and smel] that the bat owes its ability to approach ils prey, whose least movements it can detect, thanks to the vibrations of the air reaching ; ‘Mol Exhibits 203 its ears. This hypothesis may be admissable under certan: comiitions such as the calm atmosphere of the countryside In Paris 1 have often watched bats from) my balcony, on tacing days, amidst the uproar of a great crowd and the notse of thousands of cars setting up vibrations lil the air, setrrated with the products of petrol com bustion, Amidst this deafening din and yitiated atmosphere it is neither the sense of smell nor that of hearing that guides the bat straight towards insects which they catch as easily as id undisturbed silence of the couniry- side. The bat is thus more probably attracted to these insects by the raaeneens they emit, which are not influenced bw mnolse tior by petrol Juines. Since expeniments marle by physicists by amputating the eyes, cars and tragus oi hats ¢stahlish the fact that none of these otgans side bats jn their flight, then one might assure that ihe Hight.of bats in yoursuit af their prey 14 due to the directional guidance of radjations affecting their arianic steucture which conveys (be requisite vibrations to their senses. Bats, like birds, migrate over the sea, Both are guided by radiations, as stated hy me same time aga when dealing with the ovientatian of birds. EXHIBITS AT FEBRUARY MEETING Mss. J, J, Freame: Eggs of Sevstug (Doris) under the microscope: “saws” of Sword Shark and Swordfish: swords or piercing organs of two species oi Sting-rays; Calappa, a crab from Queensland, and a large craytish (unidentified) irom Queensland; also cast skin of Diamond 'ython : Mr. C, French: Specsnens of the Hyacinth Orchid (Dipodtnan functatency from, Carrum having double labelluens, which fs very uncommon. (Col- lected by Miss Stanton, of East Camberwell.) ; Mr. ‘T. Giiffiths: 17 species of marine shells. Mr. E. Moir: Myaporw platycucpum (Sugar-wood) attacked by rab- bits. Specimen from the Mallee at Ralnbow Mr. P. Fisch: Cafadenia poffiida (presse specimens) found near An- dersan’s Creek, Mitcham, ty Ursula Fisch on November 19, 1944. Mr. T. S Hart: Muraltta waists (Polygola family), an introduced plant very uncommon in Victeria; specimen collected south of Moarningtan, January, 1945. Mr. tyo -C. Hammet: Encalypius Steedwant, B. Dessioudeass, Myo- forwmn debile, all garden grown, BIRDS AND WIRELESS WAVES (To the Editor} Sin —Mr, A. A. Cook perhaps desites to asseciate the discovery of the effect of wireless waves on the flight of pigeons in the sauie category as the beuutifully romclusive experimental series of Lister and Keech! The interference of the Aight of pigeons by wireless recorded by Lakovsky in no way proves the existence of any form of electro-magnetic waves a5 uccounting for bird behaviour, Over twenty years lave clapeed since such observations, but despite this Edward A. Armstruny, a distin@uished ornithologist, and author of Bird ARehavtaur, a comprehensive introduction to Bird Psychology, writing in The Way Birds Lin, 2nd Edition (ise Edition, Nov., 1943, published by Lindsay Drummond, Ltd, Lendon), mentions, on page $0, that all kinds of theories haye been fropeunded to accownt for bird beliaviour, including that of possessing a magnetic sense; but he definitely states that there is nothing to praye this. Cairns, ' Yours, ete, North Queens)and. H, Fiecner. 24 Excursion to Ricketts Pore Rabon EXCURSION TO RICKETT’S POINT More than 100 members acd friends attended the marine biology excursion to Rickett’s Point on January 13, and a pleasing feature was the nuniber of younger metwbers present. We were favoured with pleasant beach weather, and a very low tide which exposed a Jarge area of the rock reefs af ferragineaus sandstone apposite the Ricket?s Point kiosk. Aiter a preliminary skirmish among the weed-line along the hah tide mark, during which sponges, skeletons of rays, eggs of the Port Jackson shark, shells, and other common objects were noted, the party concen- trated on the rock pools of the recf, A very wide variety of Jiwing specimens representing almost every phylam was noted, and the smaller specimens ivere collected, at least temporarily, for closer exannnition. Because ¢f the large mumber present it was diffctilt to deinanstrate the specimens individually, so a demonstration bench was improvised hy piling rocks into a cairn, and on this a small aquarium tank was placed behind a Jarge magnifier, "This praved an excellent way to demonstrate living specimens. to a large party- The general fauna of this area has been described in previous reports of exctrsions ta the same spot, se a detailed Hist need not be given here. Specimens of outstanding interest were a starfish in the act of eating a piece of mussel hy the process of everting the stumach through the mouth (the stomach being swallowed again wher the feed was over); a large and-very lovely tubicolols worm of the Sabells type with a crowt oi feathery gills almost 3 ins, in diameter; several living’ sea-urelins; nnd some tiny hrittle-stars. I wenld like to express special thanks to Mr. and Mrs, Freame, and to Mr. P. &, Morris, as well as other experienced members. of the party, for the energetic way in which they ‘helpedh with the hunting ad demonstrating, for the party was much too largé to permil the leader to caver the whole ground single-handed. Cresatk Meorkson- NATIONAL MESSAGE Qne of our members, Majer T. H. Brann, who has just returned fromi active service, and has jriven hia services to help the Third Victory Loan, has asked that all members be urged tn subscribe to the limit af their power. Every additional £10 is required, and when you realize that a £19 Bond wil) purchase one Owen machine gun or ene thousand rounds of -302 aircraft ammunition, you will understand how necessary! it is to have this Loan fully subscribed, Besides, there is no better investment offering to-day, When making your subscription to the Loan, if a quota form is. used and returned to mé the total will be credited tu the war effort of this Club, and at the same time the amount can be credited to your local quota. . Major Brum will attend our next meeting, snd wi)) explain all abnot the Loan and answer any questiuns. Quota forms will be available at the next meeting. F. 8. COLLIVER, Hon. Secretary, F.N.O. . The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 6r.-No. | rz _ April 8 1945 No. 736 PROCEEDINGS The manthly meeting at the Club was held on Mareh 12, 1045, at the Royal Society's Hall, the President (Mr, Ivo C. Ilammict} and more than 100 members and friends attending. The deaths were announced of Col. B. F. Goadby, a member in Western Australia, and Mrs. Chas, Datey, wife of a very old and valued member; therr memory was honoured by a call to silence, and letters of sympathy from ibe Club will be sent lu near relatives. Reference was also made to the illness of Messrs. J, and W., H, Ingram—loyal brother members of long standing. l.eiiers were received from the secretary of the Sir Colin Mackenzie Sanctuary at Badger Creek, thanking the Cluli for support given jn connection with the desired additional reservation of land, and from Capt. Lee Burcham (of the American Marines), who had attended Club meetings whilst in Melbourne during 1943 and now sends greetings to the Club from U.S.A. Member Dave (Geddes (in the Navy), through Mr. L. W. Cooper, also conveyed greetings 10 fellow members, Reports af excursions were given as follows: Fern Tree Guily (ferns), Mr. T, Griffiths; Yarra River trip, Mr. H. P. Dickins; and Heidelherg (entomology of Yarra lagoons), Mr. A. J. Swaby- The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club: Miss P. Rowe, Miss L. Neil, Mr. J. K. Galbraith, Mr, L. Carritt: as Country Members: Mrs, Eric Muir, Mr. W. C. Hedditch, Mr. K. Fairey; and as Junior Member; Master Peter Braham, The President announced that recently Mr. A. H. Chisholm had been re-elected as a trustee to the Badger Creek Sanctuary, and that Mr, P, Crosbie Morrison and Mr. S. R. Mitchell had been appointed to membership of the newly formed Technological and Natural History Musetiuy Trust. In proffermg the Club's con- gratulation, he pointed out that these three members were all Past ‘Presidents. and had no doubts that they would strive to further the interests of the F.N.C.V, in every way possible. Major Brunn spoke for 4 few mmutes on the forthcoming Victory Loan and urged the itniost assistance by Club members, He emphasized the debt owed to inemhers of our FNC. who are now serving with the forces “up north”; his own sou never Jost a chance ta make natural histary observations and even carried wmisect collecting gear to the very batrle-front in the islands, = - «ae fe y. ho Vieo. 206 Fiold Noturatisty Clade Froccodings seh. Bia NATURE NOTES Mr. V. H. Miller congratulated the editor of Wild Life (Mr- P. Crosbie Morrison) on his recent hreadeast remarks chawpion- ing the Black-shouldered Kite, anc poimted out that this splendid bird was already “protected” by Jaw, but apparently by not much else. ‘ Me. P Crosbie Morrison brotight up the matter of Tea Tree destruction at Beaumaris, stating that local residents were chop- ping up the fire-damaged trees wong unmade roads, which were appurently still private property, he appealed to members to use their influence in stopping this destruction, Miss J. Chisholm suggested that pussibly a Jecture could be arranged at Beaumaris to arouse local interest. .Mr. A. J. Swaby promised to contact the Ipcal council in this matter and report results later. BUTTERFLIES 1 Mr. J. C. Le Souef began an instructive lecture on this subject by describing the various items in a butterfly collecror’s outfit, viz., the butterfly net, killing bottle, storage boxes, relaxing tray, farceps, etc. He went on to enumerate the types of country in which collecting is worth while, pointing out those particular plants which are attractive to insects. The collection of cuter- pillars and pupae, subsequent breeding of the insect, possible causes of failure to emerge, handling and mounting of specimens, were all mentioned. Lllustrations from the plates of HM hut Buttor- fly is Thot? were projected on the screen, and a running cam- mentary upin these brought the very interesting address ta a conclusion, : EXHIBITS Mrs, M, FE, Freame; Starfish with stomach still everted, (This specimen was screcned by means of the epidiascope and explained ‘by Mr, Mortison.) Mr. T. Griffiths: Box.vi butterflies and other insects. Portions of the harren and fertile fronds of Gristle Fern (Blecher cortilagineunt) seen by Mr, V. H. Miller on the banks of the Yarra at Studley Park. Mr, F, G, Elford: The spiny spider (Costercontha minax). Two varieties were exemplified, the coloured and, the less common black variety, “AUSTRALIAN POISONOUS SNAKES" Au iflusteated and yery injormative article on this subject has just appeared in Vol. VIII, No. 10. of The Anstration Musenim Mugasnne. Mr, J. R Kinghorn, C.MUZA., of the seientite ata at Sydney Museum, has supplied full data on menns of rtecognition, habitats, and actions of the different veuoms. eri Nrewbuts, A Nee Varioyy of SueOrchid a7 A NEW VARIETY OF SUN-ORCHID With Notes on Other Quaint Orchid Forms. - By W, H, Nreworns, Melhourne. (1} FTHELYMITRA INIOIDES. Swe van SUBDIFFORMIS, var. sav. Plata subushuscuta civerler 25425 cnt, alta, Racemé faxtusenits, Flores magn. Segmenta-periantht clliptico-iancealata, patentia; sepale ewirilitey petala lavendilacea maculata. This interesting variant was described in English in Orchidologia Zep- lanica, Vol. ti (1935), p, 156. To comply with the international rules it naw appears in Latin, (2) Two specimens ef a singular form of Caladenia Mensiesii, R.Br, were found at Portland by Mre. PF. Mellblom i November, 1943, The flower is much larger tham in the typical form, the dated petaloic witht undulate, incurved margins and papillate glands—Figs. If, J, M. - (3) A curious Aower of (apparently) Chrloglottis reflexa Gaahill,), Druce, Hab.: Creswick (R. W, Bond, April, 1939) —Figs. O, P, 0 (4) A neat, aud attractive, flower _ Thelyntitra veiordes, Sw, variety subdifformis, Nich, (Orch, Zal., Vol. 2, p. 156). Habs.; Portland (Mrs. F. Mellblom, Oct. 1934): Blackburn (Mrs. E Coleman, March, 1940), —adte here the wusual- month of dlowering. —Fig. N, (3) Caladenia itsGevalgii, Rupp. The lateral sepals with two feck fae = “calli alohgy ane. Hab.: Grampians (J, Cosstick,, Oct, 1934).— 1g (6) A symmetrical twin-Hower of Pterastylis dedunculata, R.Br. Hab, Portland (Mrs. F. Mellblam, Sept., 1954) —Fig, 5S, (For other notes on curious fower forms ste this journal, Vols. xIe, p. AS: xlwi, ps 183+ Iv, p. 135.) KEY TO FIGURES ON ACCOMPANYING PLATE Kk, L—Coladenta Mensiesi, R.Br. (Teratelogical form), M—Calurmit frm front {note sacklike hase). . : sea Atle avloides, Swi. var. subdiformis, vari noy. (flower trom iront O—Chilogloitis +eflexa (Labill.) Druce — Teratological form P.— babel tnt frem same, from above, Q.—A view of the conjoined tateral sepals R—Caladena FitsGeraldti, Rupp. Note calli_on fateral sepa, S—Twitt flower at Provostyfis peduncxlata, R.Br. e- (For natural size of flower figures sec their respective descriptions.) A CURTOUS NEW VICTORIAN GREENHOOD By W. H, Nicrotus, Melhourne. PTEROSTYLIS CRYPTA, sp. nov. Plonta gracilis glabra circiter IIL cm. alle, Folie. radicula absentia. Cautis bractcae Pt. obtusa. R.Br. similis, 15-25 ave. lounge, Flos solitarius, vitides cl rtifus. Galea erecta. ancwr'va, acuta, 13 mm. longa; apice paula surg curva. = Petala acta, goles non-cweedens. Lahnon infers erectron, tucini filifornmbus ad gateam basi mantfeste admatin, supra cileetantri}i, Labeliune gblonga-lanceolatem, medio constriclnit, immobile, Sere strictim, cirelter ZI 5-2 cm. longum: apice brewt-decurvihent: marqinibys 208 Necwatrs, 4 Cortwons Now Vectorion Greemhovd eg basi mtcwrvdtus saceus; floras enteriorum celanss Appendice filtforime act basis lobis obcordatty, Coluntaa erecta robusta, crrciter 8-13 mun tomps; lobo supéeriore alae acta; lobo tiferiore eblongo-obtuse Stiquin prommnens covatforme, elevatum. A slender glabrous plant about 10-1] cm, high, Radical leaves not seen. Stem-leaves as in Pt. obtusa, R.Br. 15-25 mm. long. Flower énlitary, green with rufous markings, Gafea erect, incurved, 13-2) mm, hagh, the tip short and deflexed, Petals acute, not exceeding the tip of galea Lower lip erect, the conjoined portion conspicuously adnate—for jully half its lidight—to base of galea; upper part widely dilated from its free hase, the lobes produced amo fine erect points, only slightly exceeding the galea, Labellum on a praminent immobile claw, almost straight, its shortly decucved apex extending to the tip af galea, thus, with the petals completely sealing the galen entrance; lamina chlong-lanceolate, somewlrat constricted ahout the middle, about 1-5-2 em. long, the lower marging incurved, forming a tleep pouch-like cavity belaw the constricted part: median ridge mot Prominent; the appendage Gliform, curved, arising Srons the base of claw, with a small cordate apex. Column crect, on a stout base, about 8-13 mim. long, cach angle of upper lobes producetl into an acute tooth: lower lobes oblong. Stigma prominent, situated immediately behind the lower lobes, cordiform. Flowering in May. TYPE (in writer's possession) - Nas. 1004, 1031; Hoddle Ranges, Toora, §.-Eact Victoria, May 1941, collected by Miss Ruth Glark of Toora I am indebted to Mr. A. J. Tadgell of Sandringham (Vic.) for forward- ing to me the specimens of Pt crypta (sp.nav.), with the collettar's following note: “Jt was in the sandy, soil along Waratal) Bay that these specimens were found," My spedfc epithet refers both to the habitat {in dense scrul} and to ihe hood which is perfectly sealed up by the sigid Ld-like labetlum, - Only three specimens of this remarkable greenhood orchid have so far been discovered and the foregoing description is based on this material; one flower bad to be sacrificed for dissection purposes. IT must confess that the very strange characteristics alone prevented its being described ¢zrlier, for it was originally cemsidered 2 freak condition of Pt. aftusa—just another intriguing, tcratological form so difficult to define But, with the appearance of the recently described Mt. relans, Rupp (Mic, Net, Vol. 61 (1944), pp. 206-107}, it was deemed expedicm to fix this form alsp- Pt. cofans is, apparently, well established at Portland, for since the desesiption appeared an additional colony of plants has been located. In spite of this, however, the writer does not present this analegous form as « yalrd species (notwithstanding its great interest) without sorte little irepidation, for almost every season brings forth seme curious “sport” amang orchid Aowers: several such examples are figured here. Otte oftert wonders what is the explanation for such abnormalities (Figs, A, B, G, 1., N, 0); és tt to be sumined np by the one word “mutation? The elose nature of the averhead canopy is possibly a contcibytory factor here; doubtless it prevented caslier discovery. Through thy altered con- ditions prevailing in the habitat, the pollinating insect agent may be absent. Linguestionably conditions are altering in samé areas. Bush fices create feventyally) a more compact growth in scrub-land areas; this fact was well demonstrated to our party recently, m the vicimity of Portland, home of Rupp’s remarkable species. ; P2, celuas (which closely resembles Pt, nanw, R.Br.) hides itself 1 such exceptionally dense serub country, while Pt. cryphs is found iw heavy tea- tree areas, also in association with its congener, Pr. obtusa, Rr Bath April Tye Pet nae | Nicuotis, A Curious New Victorian Greenhood 209 210 Save the Wedge-tailed Eagle oie are, in the writer's opinion, self-pollinated and thereby unique in the genus; this conclusion was supported by the exatiination of undeveloped flowers in Pt. celans, for even at a very early stage of development the pollen masses had dehisced, to some extent, over the surface of the stigmatic-plate. Both new species have much in common, yet belong to different sections of the genus (see figures), each, in its turn, intimately related to its ally. KEY TO FIGURES ON ACCOMPANYING PLATE A, B.—Pterostylis crypta, sp. nov,, side views, C—A flower from front, 7 taksim from above, E.—Labellun from side. F.—Column from side, G—Pterostylis celans, Rupp. H-—Column from front, I—Labellum from above, J.—Labellum from side, SAVE THE WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE “The eagle question continues to agitate birdmen and graziers. Is it a serious pest? Should it he shot or protected? My own opinion Is definite on this matter, after many years of observation. No one denies that the wedge-tailed eagic does occasionally take lambs, but only occasionally. It does not five on lambs. It is a brutally selfish and ignorant policy to shoot the fine native bird out mf existence. Some would callausly slaughter every native bird and animal on their property. On the other hand many graziers to-day will not allow eagles to be shot, im spite of tales of occasional lamb losses. The great birds take many rabbits, and also clean up carcases, thus helping against the blowfly pest. I am convinced that econumicaly the eagle is a benefit, not a pest. We should be proud to possess the largest eagle in the world, and not persecute it to extincticn, even if some small price has to be paid for its presence.”-—James Devanny, in The North Queensland Reytster. Townsville, p. 24, March 3rd. 1945. TO COMBAT EARWIGS According to American entomologists, earwigs are best controlled by the use of poisoned haits distributed over infested ground. The bait recom- mended for use against carwigs is made up of the following ingredients: Bran 12 Ibs. Molasses... .. 1 quart Beef scrap 2k Ibs. Sodium fluoride .. .. .. .- 12 ounces Water .. 6. 2, -- ee ve ee ee & Quarts Soak the beef scrap for three hours or more before using. Dissolve the sodium flucride in the water, add the molasses and mix with the bran, to make a crumbly mash. Scatter this in the evenings amongst the plants. Watering the garden should then be delayed for two or three days. Keep bait away from children and domestic animals. In small gardens, if crumbled newspapers are scattered about at night, many earwigs will hide therein and can be gathered in the morning and burnt. Soil fumigants such as Clift's Manurial Insecticide, Paradichlor- benzine (“P.D.B.") can also be used with good results, as can preen poison baits. C. Frencn. 1 Davey, Suakes in Fact unt Fiction Fab} SNAKES IN FACT AND FICTION By II. W. Davey Iittroduction Reptiles appeared on this carth long ages before mammals, or even birds, and in Mesozoic times attained their greatest develop- ment, some heing titanic ercatures measurable in yards and tons! The class Heptitia, though still occurring in temperate and tropical regkims, is best represented by variety and size in the warmest parts of the world. In this paper I shall deal only with snakes, concerning: which more tales have been told (mostly untrue) than about any other group of animals, Among the many oddities of Australia is the preponderance of venomous. snakes. over the harmless ones—a reversal of the rule in other lands. To my knowledge, 108 species of snakes are known to inhabit our iskind continent, and only 35 of these are detacanoiag No other country possesses so many venemous Inds as this. India is generally regarded as the home par excellence of aisonous snakes, yet Dr. Gunther, in Reptiles of India, gives 18 species of the Elapidae (the venomous Colabrine snakes) and 19 species of Viperine snakes—a total of only 37 compared with Australia’s 73 venomous species. Few peopie trouble to distinguish between snakes and legless ‘lizards, in species of which Austraha is particularly rich, but unfortunately many of the latter inoffensive creatures are killed every summer, These lizards do certainly haye a snake-like appeatance, but their scales are differently arranged; they possess eyelids and ear apenings, which snakes meyer have, and very long tails—a feature exhibited only by tree-inhabiting members of the serpent clan. Feeding Habits Your different methods of taking food are recognizable among snakes : . 1, In one family, including the ‘Rat Snakes” of India and America, the prey is seized and heaten against the ground until dead or stunned ; it is then gulped down very rapidly and another vicim usually sought at once, These snakes are so quick in their anovements that a rat is very seldom given the chance to bite them, 2, Other snakes, eg., Trepidonaius (the Common Ringed Snake of Evrape), swallow their prey alive ane otherwise unin- jured in any way. 3. Venomous species kill theiv food by means of poison fangs and wait patiently, ag a rule, until the victim is dead hefore 232 Davev, Surtes fo Lace and Fiction be Nuss attempting to swallow it; Lhe venom must be injected into the blood stream, and is quite harmless when taken into the stomach, Small mammals and birds usually die within a few moments, succumbing more quickly if the bite be inflicted on a fleshy part. Many poisonous snakes feed on hvards or frogs, especially the latler, but the venom takes longer to act than in warm-blooded animals, so that frogs are usually swallowed alive. The Indian Cobra wil await a mouse’s death, but never waste time waiting for a frog to die, while that largest of porscnous reptiles, the great STamadryad, is a snake eater that habitually devours its prey before death in case the victim should wriggle away and escape. In the Reptile House of the London Zoological Society T have seen a Hamadryad swallow a snake 24 feet long and then fook around for more. 4. Those snakes which kill their food by constriction first seize the prey (usually by its head) between their jaws and at the satne time throw a couple of coils around the yictim’s body, Ii the animal or bird be strong and can struggle, one or mare coils are rapidly passed round it and the pressure increased until struggling ceases, by which lime the prey is usually suffocated. The serpent retains its jaw-hold throughout, and often the strain oh its jaws ig very severe. 1 have seen a large Malay python (P4thon reticulatus) relax a coil in order to relieve the pressure on its awn head. All constrictor snakes would seem capable of exerting much greater force when anchored by their tails to some con- venient object. After a victim ceases all movement, the suake will relax its mouth grip, then relax the coils a Sittle and survey tts victim closely, with a simultaneous flicking of the tongue, This behayour probably pave rise to the absurd tales about serpents coating their food with saliva before swallowing it. All snakes swallow their food in the same manner, viz., by an alternate raising and reaching forward of one half of the upper jaw at a time, the hooked teeth thus drawing the food inside—actually a “crawling” over and along their food. Once it has passed the head, nourishment is worked down into the stomach by lateral bendings and by forward stretchings of the body; its passage to the stoinmach is indicated by “the widely separated scales. Finally, the snake usually gives two ar three big yawns, during which its jaws open beyond the ‘perpendicular, as if to settle hack into a normal position; there- after it crawls away and coils tp until the meal has digested. Anyone who has had experience with snakes can usually Torm a good idea of the real need for food by the position a snake assumes, but (here is naturally a variation with species. to seme natural history books, serpents are figured killing their rity Davey, Snakes ia Fact and Fiction 213 prey against a tree-trunk by wniding themselves around both tree and victim; such purtrayals, however arhstic, are purely imaginary- A belief commonly held is that constricting smakes crush their food to pulp before attempting to swallow rt. The writer had two opportunities al the London Reptile Tlouse for examining the bodies of Muscovy ducks that had been killed by very large pythons (P. reticwlatus), one of which was 21 feet in length, but there was no evidence of pulping. The ducks had been merely suffocated by severe squezing and were never allowed a gasp of air after being seized; the whole scizure was terribly sudden, In my opinion, pulpmg would be of no great, if any, advantage to the snake. Non-constricting species have to swallow without being able to pulp their foud, which is just as large im proportion, so why should constricting snakes find it necessary to do so? Moreover, the swallowing of an animal full of broken, splintered bones might even prove dangerous hefore digestion had proceeded very far, Most new snake arrivals (especially large pythons and boas) ‘at the London Zoo had their excreta examined for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of their last meal before capture. In the cast of the larger constrictors, this usually consisted of monkeys, which could he identified from undigested teeth and hair. Shin-shedding This is 2 universal habit among snakes, though the frequency depends upon species, and a well-fed healthy snake will usually cast its skin more frequently than one in poor condition. In the London Zoo there was an uncommon species of rattle-snake which always had to be assisted out of its ald skin; such was a delicate operation, especially in temoving the skin covering the eyes. It is often stated in books that, at shedding time, the skin splits behind the neck and then the snake wriggles out after the manner of an emerging cicada. ‘his is, of course, quite imcorrect, like many other nonsensical things written about snakes. What really happens, when.a snake is ready to cast its skin, is that the ips are rubbed against a stone or stick until the cuticle ruptures and turns back a little. This rubbing is continued until the skin of the whole head is rolled back; then the snake, if in good condition, crawls through or round grass tussocks, undergrowth, etc., at the same time pulling away from its old skin, which is turned com- pletely inside out, everi to the eye scales, The dull opaque appearance of a snake's eyes prior to skin-casting is due to a separating of the nid scales covering them, but, as soon as these are entirely free from the new scales beneath, the eyes again - resume their brightmess andthe actual shedding «usually begins soon after. Zld Javey, Siekes J Fart ied Firtuie ee Fang-shedding Venomous snukes shed also their poison fangs, to be replaced by others held in reserve. This is a wise provision of nature, because an angry or very hungry snake may strike at a large animal and lose its fangs, which, if not replaced, could catise death by starvation. When not lost by violence, these fangs are shed normally at intervals and replaced by a mew pair. Asbernation In countries of severe winter climate, the snake population hibernates until warm spring days re-awaken them to activity. Tere in the south-eastern part of Australia, although our winters are generally mild, snakes de hihernate, while those inhabiting nver flats are often submerged during periods of flood, yet with- out suffering mach harm. This is not so surprising as would at first appear: the writer has had small Japanese Terrapins (hat always overwintered deep in the mud beneath w small clay pond. [tis remarkable indeed that an animal, breathing entirely by lungs, can live under water for months without once coming to the surface—such would be understandable in amphibia, most of which can breathe mere or less through their skins. Reproduction Every serpent is hatched from an egg. In the oviparous group of snakes, eggs are Jain and left to hatch by the warmth of their surroundings, whereas 1 viviparous kinds the young are produced in a living condition, the mother retaining her eggs in her body witil they hatch. There appears to be no rule in this matter, as So many nun-vyenomous snakes produce living young, while others lay eggs. All vipers produced young alive, but a surprising fact is that snakes belonging to the genus of the common English Grass Snake {Trapidenotus) may lay eggs or bring forth living young according to species. This genus occurs also in Northern Australia, bot T have no knowledge as to whether its represernta- tive there be oyiparous or viviparous. Popular Legends Snakes are looked upon with revulsion by most peaple, and the dislike goes so far as to brand them ‘slimy creatures.” But they are far from being slimy: one could crawl over any cleau object without leaving a trace of dirt, while a snake can constantly Aicle the sides of a glass case with its tongue and yet not cause the slightest smear, Many are the silly stories iokl about snakes, and onc I well renember hearmg im England was commonly heliweved, viz, that a snake cannot die before the sun goes down, Nevertheless, J rad Davey, Snokes iw Pact ond Fietton 21 ™ have had an English snake dic here in Melbourne within two hours after it had eaten an Australian frog that probably carried in its skin an excess of poison (for a European snake), This particular reptile, Tropidonotus natrix, did remarkably well wilh me, especi- ally during the abundant supply of large tadpoles, which it wand yery cleverly captur¢ under water, eating severa] at a meal, Later, when tadpoles were “off the menu” and frogs (A yle aurea) were plentiful, it also prospered. Later sill, when these frogs were nol available and my snake was becoming really hungry, 1 hunted around my newt ponds, but the only frog I could find was the marbled Linnodynastes lasmasensns. FT am always suspicious about the edibility of highly coloured frogs and it was not without some misgivings that I took the risk; sq did my snake, whtch died al 2.30 p.m., proving ihat a Eutupean species at least does no have to postpone death until sundown, t More silly tales are about snakes milking cows, also about the “Hoop-snake" which allegedly makes a hoop of itself by placing its tail im its mouth und then trundles dawn hill, much to its enemy's cansternation—of course it must be down hill! But che mast persistent fable is that snakes will swallow their young in time of danger, This old story originated im Europe and was probably lronght out here by early settlers. [Tn Fngland it is still believed that vipers swallow their young (it may be noted that only wirporous snakes are said to indulge in the habit). Should a female snake near the end of pregnancy be beaten and broken hy some hush hero, it is feasible that the young could emerge [rom almast any part (mouth included) of her hattered hody. If a snake did swallow her young to protect them, the result would be just the reverse, because her movements would be sa retarded that an enemy could casily destroy both mother and progeny. I have seen snakes born, and if tt were instinctivé for them to swallow the young when danger threatened, surely the same trait would be exhibited in captivity, even as a “joty” kangaroo seeks the refuge of its mother’s pouch im a zoo exactly as if it were in the natural “bush.” The gastric juices of serpents are very powerful, everything with the exception of teeth and hair being digested, and their effect on the delicate, newly born young would be rapidly fatal— again a very reversal of security. Those snakes that I have seen: cume into the world were trealed with utter indifference by the mother and, when 2 purposely frightened them, would merely scatter for shelter wherever it could be fotind, more often trying to get beneath the mother whenever she slopped moving alyout, none showed the slightest incliftation to go near her mouth. 216 Davey, Césaed iietins of a Cayed Gecko Wana LIZARD VICTIMS OF A CAGED GECKO Early this summer, Mt, Erasinty Wilsou kindly presented me with three lizards of the genus Lygosome (sibgenus Liolepsma), which were housed ina case containing two geckos, viz., Gyinnodactylus widlivsi and Phylly- dactylis marmorctus, the fortter having occupied the case for over five years and the latter for more thau four years. A tragedy decurred at the beginning of January, whoir 1 disecvered iy smallest specimen gf Ligesoma lying dead and quite Hattened cur from head to tip of tail, as though 1 had passed throweh rollers. Later, the lizard next in size was alse found dead, but J could not distern any trace af injury sufficient to have caused its death, The third surprise came when it was noticed that the tail of the surviving and largest specimen had been bitten off during the ight of January 12, and apparently eaten, since there was 00 sign of it in the case. The final and greatest suprise of all came at night on January 28, when I was just m time to see the last of my taillese lizard disappearing down the throat of Gymnodactyfus miltusd. Osiginally, this hapless reptile was equal in lengi to that of G. mulined, but. even after its tail was Lost, the possibility af heing swallowed by such @ small gecko seemed srarcely credible These attacks were certainly not due te shortage of iood, as two receptacles containing mealworms a-plenty are slwavs available to the lizards, while beetles, spiders, and other small game that 1 may cine acrass often provide them with a change of meu; an earthenware saucer of water is also kept replenished. tohad offer: wotwlered why this particular gecko has such a very large head. compared for inatance with P. warmeratius, but, in yiew nf what G. ortfinss can uo, it seems probable that it ts more likely to encounter larger pame as a ground dweller than would a gecke frequenting ifees anly Te may now appear strange that the other gecko, sharing the same quarters for over four years, has been able to survive, much fess retaiW its tail. P, marmorates ts, however, a much more active, quick-moving, aid alse nocturnal lizard which is not likely to be caught napping, the smaller lizards, which curl up to sleep and are defenceless at night, stand far less chance against the predatoty powers of G_ «aliens, H, W, Dave, A LARGE FUNGUS At the head of Myer's crock, Healesvillé, there is an exceptional specimen of the common large “bracket-fougus.” [¢ grew at frst on a standing watile tree and attained a width of a fant, Ther the trec fell and at cach side a further growth produced tabes as large as the origisal. The total length is new three feet and it is still vigoros. , Fram the appearance of the fallen tree 1 would judge that it has lain aban! five years. {f <0, the age of the bracket must be at least ten years. A. J. Swany. (Apparently the “heacket-fuingus” alluded ta was a specimen of Gianr Punk (Ganoderms applomation) which 3n wel, avountainous country can attam immense size and form such a strong shelf on the bole of 4 tree as ia accommodate the weight of several pecple. The Dandenong Ranges has yielded fine examples, but the rocord for longevity among these large, woody palypores must ga to Fomes robustes, which has been known to Persist on a tree for some 8 years.—J,H/W_] ppt Wreoris, 4 New Alpine Fariery of “Mallee Everlasting’ 27 A NEW ALPINE VARIETY OF THE “MALLEE EVER- LASTING” (TLELICHRY SUM ADENOPHORUM) By J). He Waniss HELICHRYSUM ADENOPHORUM FwM, var WAUDELLAE var, nov. Porennis aljinit, codibus wrgatw foliatis glandulosts, we rupestribyes conglomeratis ant granitic attthudine 1200 mele, fet ultra) crescens. Differt a forma. typtca faliis bast angustiovibis nom amplexicanlbys, swhtus albida-lanosie utin A, leucopsidig D.C, , LOCI (ut m Herb. Melt. repr.) : 1. Mt. Speculation, Vic. 5000-5400 ft, J. H. Willis, 1/1/1945 (HOs.D- at PARA-TY¥P), 2. Mt. Buffato, Vic: (P. R13. St. John, March, 1937; Dr, R. T. Patten, 15/3/1933}. 3. Mt. Teathertop, Vic, 6200 it (K. J. Simpfendorfer, Heb, 1945)_ The Mallee Everlasting is described in Ewart's Flora of Vic- toria (1930) as “confined to N.W. and S.W. Victoria, but rare, except near the South Australian border,” and indeed there ts only one collection from this State represented at the National Herbarium, Melbourne (viz., "S.W. of Murrayville and 4 miles from S.Aust,” H. BG. Williamson, 29/12/1916) | this accords well with Muellee’s type specimen from “high barren ground” on Kangaroo Island, $.A., March, 1851. While botanising recently on Mt, Speculation, at the western extremity of the Barry Mountains, I found an elegant, pale pink everlasting growing plentifully amongst loose conglomerate rock on steep north-eastern declivities of the mount; it was also present on Mt. Koonika and Mt: Cobbler, 6 to 8 miles northwards. This Helichrysum has no rivals to beauty among all the large-headed kinds, At first I mistook it for a tall, narrow-ieaved condition of the ubiquitous A, learopsedium which grew sparingly in the Vicinity, but close scrutiny revealed much stronger affinities with H. atienophorum—a. desert plant. Typical H. adexephorum shows broad, stem-clasping bases to the leaves, which are glandular all over (as are the scapes), with no cottony vestiture beneath. My Speculation plant has narrow leaves, tight to the point of attachment, and they bear a dense web of white’ cottony hairs on the ventral surface (just as in Satin Everlasting, H, leucopsidinm), I am now satished that the alpine form is worthy of varietal vaink, and have pleasure in naming it after Miss Winifred Wad- deil—a keen advocate for the conservation and cultivation of ous native flora, and a lover of the high mountain plants in particular. Miss Waddell was first to observe the slender, pearly-pink ever- lastings of Mt, Speculation and, insisting on their distinctiveness, urged ine to collect and examine specimens if fortune should ever bring me near their rocky fastness, = ' ‘ . . Viet. is 218 Contaan, Clistéruty of (he Sordid Maod-Nrealarwe +s en CLUSTERING OF THE SORDID WOOD-SWALLOW (Artamus denebrosus) By Evit# Coteman, Blackburn, Victoria. On February 20, 1945, wood-swallows again clustered in one of our guim-trees, about ten feet distant from last season's site, and very much higher on the stem. For some days we had noticed them hawking at dusk hetween the stems of the trees, On February 21 they had commenced to cluster at about 7 pm, There were about twenty when [ first saw them, I counted twenty-three more as they came in. Then a hawk flew through the tree, and five or six wond-swallows left After the hawk disappeared there was a long pause; then T counted twerily-hve more as they alightecl, the last at 7.25 pum. Feb. 22.—At five past 7 1 saw the first birds settle and watched them leaping at each other as they clustered, as if playing. I counted forty-five.’ Tt seemed surprising that they could cling so surely to such a clean stemi—without fork or twig. With opera glasses, and the moon nearly full, T had a clear view. Feb. 23—I rose at ten to 5 am. but the birds had Aown, yet it was still dusky and foggy below the tree-tops. Higher up it was tuch lighter for the birds’ “take-off,” and the sky was clear. There were no droppings on the ground. At 7.20 p.m. on the same day they clustered in a much taller tree in the garden proper, I wondered if my attention with the opera glasses had worried them. They had all clusterect and were quict at 7.30 p.m. Feb. 24.—I went to Healesville, and although 1 returned at 7.30 it was too dark to find the cluster. Feb, 25—The birds were hawking very low after a warm, humid day. J think they did not cluster in our trees. Teb. 26—There were many on the telegraph lines and a few skimming among the trees, There was a vivid sunset, I waited until Sundown but saw no clustering, Feb. 27.—1 watched the wood-swallows cling to several stems, including last season’s site, as if they were undecided. Then they flew in a band to a tall tree in the garden, settling high up on a very slender branch, It was pretty to watch them clambering in and out of the cluster, as if playing at pushing each other out of bed. The branch was no thicker, perhaps, than my wrist. There seemed to be only about half the usual pumber. I counted thirty- five, nol very accurately, perhaps, for they were so high and so animated, and T hari not, heen near enough to count them as they alighted. There was little foliage on the chosen bratsch so they were much exposed, and the slender bough was tossing in the wind. All was quiet at 7.35 p.m, I did not see them again. The next two evenings were cold yh "Pinga Pury” 249 Each evening the first-comers had skinned between the tree- trunks héfore clustering, sometimes leaving the cluster to hayl again. Late-comers flew direct to the cluster. It is possible that the wood-swallows have been swarmmg a) these trees for many seasons, Year after year we have said, “The wood-swallows. are back,” and have enjoyed watching their manoeuvres at dusk smong guni-trees on less than an acre of ground which we call our “paddock'; but, knowing nothing of their clustering habit, we had not Inoked for it. It is interesting to reeall that last year's first cluster was noted on Feb. 26. “PUNGA PUNG" (Prom Salt, 9/10/44) Au iterestiu@ Uature uote cones from Pte. Ro Ryan, QO28247: “As 1 was wandering through jungle country one alteripou, my costs were shockingly assailed ty the most nauseating steavh I have ever encountered. “Tw rain-forest, dark, wet, cavernous and vine-curtained, abounding in pinkish, jelly-like, Juminescent ioadstocl growths, giant trees supported by huge fying buttresses, pulpy svil and rutting bread-Trults, gave no clue te the origm of the smell, J Jooked into a gloomy recess formed by the bulthessed base of an Ocfomelcs Swnatrana and saw, for the frst time, the Rewer of the Ponga Pung Lily. “The hloom, marbled in reddish magenta, yellow and green, not unlike 2 piece of decomposing liver, both in appearance and odour, gleamed dully il the halt light. ‘Punga Pung’ is ovly one caf the many New Guinea native words used to describe this plant. which is helieved to be akin to, if net the same as, a growth found im the East Indies. An amazing feature of the fleshy, trbular blossom [which emerges from the ground briore the tly, hinoms jar some weeks, then dics} is that it makes itself offensive auly before sundown, "L brought the flower back ts my hut and planted it in the garden. Jt Was on exhibitiun for two day’, durmg which twnc it behaved adimirsbly and caused no chsconfart; its viciousness had disappeared, However, on the third evening it polluted the pure equatorial air far a distance of 50 vards. Ungentle persuasivoness and Australian adjectives compelled te Ly aren iny prize to its final resting, place, the roaring: waters of the wild aloki, "The Punga Pung is insectivorous, ax flics, heetles, bugs, worms, ete., ot entering the tube, become entangled im the thick soupy syrups at its base. Tt is indigenous to both eoastal and mauntsia regions.” (Ed,; Amerphophatins rex Prain, also known from fndia, Malay, and Java.) PERSONAL Mr. A, H. Chisholm, who for the past five years has been Honorary Editar of the Mictorian Naturalist, has bad temporarily to relinquish the position owing to his having been appointed Press Attache to His Royal Highness the Dake of Gloncester, All material for the Natusaltst should be addressed. until further notice. ta the Acting Ifon, Eelitor, My. J. Ta. Willis, National Herbarium, Soith Yarra, SEL 220 Excuvsiott ta Ferntree Gully Bhai EXCURSION TO FERNTREE GULLY Light ram greeted the sixteen Club niombers wha attended an all-day outing (9 the National Park on Marth 0 After assembling to hear a brief dissertation on the subject of this excursiun, viz, Terns, by Mr, A. J. Swaby (leader), the party split in two, my section taking a right-hand track. We soon encountered a fine patel of Gristle Fern just wif the track and, a little further on, a very large Wanga Vine {our only native Tecoma)- Many clumps of the Kangaroo Fern could be seen on mossy trunks and branches of the Jow gully trees, and fungi were inch in evidence---one of the gilled type was a delightful little gem af lriiliant ruby-red. At the large grove of tree-ferns that was to be our principal hunting ground, many ferns were found in a very short dime and our list rose to 16 species. Just here the party was intrigued by sight of a powerful owl carrving aff 2 full-grown possum; it flew about 50 yards in, one stage, then, before we kest sight of it, at leaxt 71 vards more, still carrying the possum—surely ay mugual event for mid-day. A heavy shower forced us to take caver for ahout ten minutes beneath the irce-ferns, and we shortly afterwards retraced our steps to the public kiosk, where both settions met together for lunch and were joimed by additional excursionists from the city, More rain having fallen, Mr, Swaby kept the whole alteracon party ta a main track and the subject resolved itself into general botany ¢ leader gave interesting notes on seme 40 different plants that were observed and identified, including the pest St John’s Wort. Here is q list of the 23 ferns that were seen durmg the day: Austral King Fern, Crammon Pilmy-fern, Veined Bristle-fern, Soft Teec- fers, Rough Tree-fern, Rufous Hypoltepis. Sticky Sypolepis, Common Bracken, Hat's-wing Fern, Tender Brake, Netted Brake,” Common Maiden- hair, Sickle Fern, Gristle Fern, Necklace Fern, Mother Spleenwort, Shade Spleenwore, Shining Wood-fern, Mother Shield-fern, Lesthery Shiekd-fern, Kangaroo Fern, Pinger Fern, Gipsy Fern. “The record of Netted Brake (Pteris conwns) is particularly imrerrsting, as this rare fern was previously known in the Dandenongs from only ane small area, ¥i2., dq Clematis Gully. T A, Grirrirns. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG About fory members and visitars attended and enjoyed a qniet afrerngoy in ‘the shade on Pebvruary 24. The lagaon which usually, provides maximum variety was alinest empty, but among the weeds were fond plenty of Odonata, Hemiptern and Diptera, The best specimen of the day was as usual, the fish that got away! This was a very Jarge green ‘‘mudeve," vetted in a shallow backwater of the Yarra; it was inadvertently returned to the water, The leader finished the day with a short talk on types of breathing apparatus evolved by! msects which return to the watel, aid of some of the interesting modifications of their jaws. A, J. Swasy. SCARCITY OF TIMBER IN EARLY MELBOURNE "There is 36 great a Scarcity Of large, sound timber ft fur building, tbat the greatest part of Melbourne is built with wood from Van Dieinen’s Land. The want of gaod timber is generally felt theouthout the colony.”"—Letter from Thomas Winter, Esq.. aboot 1837. }