THE Victorian Naturalist THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE of the FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA VOL, 65 MAY, 1948, To APRIL, 1949 Hon. Editor: J. H. WILLIS, B.Sc. The Author of each Article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded ’ MELBOURNE: Brown, Prior, ANDERSON Pry. LTp., 430 LiTtLe Bourke Street ; 1949 The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 65.—No. 1 MAY 6, 1948 No. 773 PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was hekl at the National Herbarium on Mouday, April 12, 1948. The President, Miss Ina Watson, ard about 250 members and friends were present, The President explained that the impending departure of Mr. Colliver had necessitated the appointment of someone to act in his stead, and that Mr. J. R. Garnet had agreed to act as Secretary for the remainder of the year. Mr. Garnet weitioned that a footnote on page 213 of the March Naluralist might lead mewmbers to believe that the National Monu- ments Sub-committee was inactive. This was not the case, 3s considerable time ane effort had been pul ito an investigation of Victoria’s National Parks and a report concermug Lhe was now in circulation among members of the Sub-committee; it was hoped that it would soon be available for discussion by the various interested Societies which participated in the conference some time ago. Mr. A. J, Swaby briefly referred to the forthcoming Lree- planting day at Maranoa Gardens. Members were reminded of the interest taken in this unique garden by the Club and it was hopect that the occasion would be marked by a large altendance— the “Friends of Maranoa” and their friends. The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club: Mrs. G. Wright, Mrs. N. Scoble, Misses Lock-Smith, M. Yates and DO. Tempany, Messrs. C. M. Walker, A. W. Thomson and J. Dwyer, The new members were welcomed by the President. Nominations wete called for the two positions of Auditor, Messrs. A. S. Chalk and A. G. Hooke being the only nominations received. Meimbet's were also invited to submit nonunations to the Cominittee for the 1948 Natural History Medafhion, On hehalf of the Club, the Hon. Editor, Mr. A. B. Chisholm, presented to Mr, F. S. Colliver a fine kangaroo-hide wallet contain- ing substantial monetary gifts from the members and Committee as a mark of their appreciation of the Jong and invaluable service he had rendered during seyenteen year's’ association with the Club, most of the time in the office of Honorary Secretary, Mr. Colliver was assured of the best wishes of all members for success in the new work he is about to undertake at the Geology Department of the University of Queensland, and he suitably responded. 2 Fleld Natirctisih Chit Praceedinus ial Mr. €. Gabriel took the oppartumty to niake a private presen- tation to My, Colliver and le explained that his gift was one likely to be treasured by the recipient. Lt wasa very rare aud very sinall land shell known only from: South Gippsland and shortly to be liaihed in honour of Mr. Colliver, His giit was the co-type. Mr. Colliver, in reply, said he was doubly honoured in having a tiny shell named for him, as his name hae) also been used on a whale. Reference was nade to the Easter Camp-ourt by Mr. A. A. Bakev. who commented on the rich geological interest of the Heatheote- Dersinal district, indicating that the area invrited longer ancl chaser study ly Ctub members, It was hoped that another extended excursion would be held, The tustructive excursion to Beenak on Saturday, April 10, was mentioned and atrention directed to same particularly interesting exhibits irom both Heathcote and Beenak. NINE MONTHS ON NOVAYA ZEMLYA Mr. H, Dyce Murphy gave a hivhly diverting but none-the-less informative account of his whaling experiences and travels in the Antarctic and Arctic regions, Mr. Murphy's adventurous career led him inta many strange andl remote nleees and inta several predicaments, not the least heing that in which he was ice-hound for eight or nine months at latitude 77 in the Arctic. The reasons advanced for the survival of the party weve of the greatest interest to Mr. Murphy's appreciative audience and many facets of natural jnustory im the icy regions wert revealed during ms whimsical discourse, His comment on the absence of arboreal growth from Macquarie {sland and Kerguelen, despite ther equable climate, later brought farth the suggestion that seeds would almost certainly be brought there through the agency of birds, but no doubt they would 7ail to germinate as a consequence of the almosi unchanging low tem- peratures (about 5 degrees ahove freezing point), In cantrasi, the island of Novaya Zemlya, in a far higher latitude (69 to 77 degrees north), was a veritable Arctic paradise invested with more than 300 flowering plants, among them being various grasses, seilges, saxifrages and the vellow Arctic poppy, Pagasvr nudigoule (better known to ws as the “Iceland Poppy’), which was particularly abundant, In the words of the speaker. “Bees, moths, butterflies and birds were there in multitudes—and of birds the Little Auks were there in millions.” So vivid were the mentai pictures conjured up hy his lively descriptions, that one did nat miss the films or slides that usually accompany such a trayel talk. The appreciation of inmémbers for this unusual address was expressed in a vote of thanks moved hy Mr. H. C. EB, Stewart and seconded hy Mr. Ivo Hamyet, May 1948 tn Heeld Natyratists’ Chit Prucecdings EXHIBITS Mi's. J. J Freathe: Marine objects, ineliiding: 1, Head ai Angel Shark from Point Cook (resembled picture af Squalinn. feryacelleta featured in Fishes af Australia, p. 158). 2. Curious ball-like green alpa (Codtwin navritiosuin) trom Lorne, 3, Parchment tube af worm (Chaelopterus (ntevs\—lives permanently in seashore mud and the tube usually harbours a commensal crab (Polyongr transpersite) , Mr. A, A, Baker; Collection of rocks. minerals and fossils irom the Heathcote-Derrinal district (taken during the Easter Campout, 1948). Mr. A. WN, Carter: Some colourful shells from U.S.A., including; Murex ‘iealor Vat, Mf. vedie Lam. M. festito Hind. 27. teialata Sow., Oltoe porphuvia Linn, O. sivena Reeve, and O_ aporassata Dillw, Mr, ©, j, Gabricl; Scallop and Fan saclls from Western Pott—Pecten sovoe-sclandiac Reeve, and Chiamys asperrtmus Lam. Mr, J. R. Garnet: 1. Branch of Swamp Gum (&s¢alysins ovate) come pletely galled hy the coccid Apomorpha maatita (oollected at Rosebud, 28/3/48), 2. A jative slug (Custopelia sp.) found under the bark oi a large Woolly Tea-tree (Leplosperium prabeseens) at MeCrae’s Creek, Beenale, 10/4/48. 3. ‘Two very small land snails, also collected uader rotting waod in a fern gully at McCrae's Creek, and identified by Mr. Gabriel as Alfodirut meracus Cox and Hedkty, 4. A curious “pulfbals" fungus irony Beenak (Colassonead firsereitj—a group of ive freiting bodies, including the dehisced cap which resembles an acorn cup, Mr. A. J, Swabs: Utricularia foterifora (Tiny Bladderwort), U. dichoe fount £ Purple Bladderwort ar, to tse a ntw vernacular name cortied hy the Fisch children, “Fairies’ Aprons") and Lycopediin Jalorale (Stender Club- pioss) showing the fertile spikes.on the sides of the main branches—from senale. Mr. J. 5. Seatow: Acraliunm voscunt,a Western Australian “everlasting”: and Astralomea conodtephigides—bath garden-grawn at Caulfield Messrs, H C TE Stewart, J. R, Garnet and J, H Willis: 1, Fifty species of native plante collected on the Club excursion to Beanak ({McCrae's Creck area), including: Norkofagus Cunnnyhumit (Myrtle Beech), Gletchenta circinnaia (Coral Pern), Shehernus dence (Silky Fan-fern), and a frond of Blechnuiw proceryuns (Bard Water Fern) with infertile leaflets on one side of the mid-rib and fertile leaflets on the other. 2, Alsa various plants in flower, several species of funes, anc fresh specimens of the Fly Agaric CAmoaiihs wisenraty—a polserous toadstoal fea under pine trees at Olinda, SOCIAL NOTE Mt. and Mrs. F. 5. Calliver were the guests of honour al a very happy Thnetion Well in the Victoria Palace Banquet Room on April Ist. The cecasion was quite informal and affurrled about 120 Club members and close friends an opportunity to wish Mr and Mrs, Colliver all success. on their departure for new labours jn Brishane. Several members with musical ahility led the gathering in community songs atid solo items, and older honorary menibers gave renuniscences from the Club’s Inne history, Mrs. T.H. Savavich, who alsa undertook (ke financial arrangements, improvised a canp-fire scene on the staging: Miss Aileen B, Adams wat responsible for the programme, Mr, P. Crosbie Morrison was master of ceremonies, ant My, L. H, Cooper gave sterling service as planist al short notice. Thanks are due to these friends. to the President and Vicce-Presidents, and ta all whe made the vyledietary evenmg such a conspicuoys success, 4 K. A, Hisnwoon, The Spangied Bronge im beretoria ry by THE SPANGLED DRONGO IN VICTORIA By K. A. Hixnwoon, Sydaey, NoS.W, In the Mreterton Naturalist (Vol. 64, March 1948, p. 211), My, H. Hunt, when recording the presence of a Drunga (Cheba bractewta) at Mansfeld, asks: “Is it known to frequent any other part of the State?"—that is, Victoria, During the past ten years or so T have heen collerting data on the wecurrence of the Spangted Dronge in south-eastern Australia. Its status io that part of the continent seems to be thar of an augumin and winter nomad, or largely so, because most of the records fall outside the normal breeding season, October to January. The most southerly acceptable breeding locality available to me os Way Way Creek, Nambucca, central coastal New South Wales (M. V. Goddard, tr Hit,). The Drongo appears to be a fairly regular, though rare, atitumnn and winter visitor to the Sydney district. There are several records for New South Wales localities south of Sydney and at least three fren Tasmania. Victorian records known to me ate listed helow, Details of any additional occurtences would be upprteciated, as would the date of the Mansfield observation, 1885. Spevinien in the National Museum, Melbourne, from Gippsland Lakes, presented hy J. Leadbeater, May 21. 1889. This is probably one of the “specimens taken in Fastern Gippsland, Victoria, 3885, .---m the National Museum and in the collection of birds of the Government Entomologist, Melbourne — .. 7 (Campbell, A. J, Nests ond Eggs, 901, p. 86.) 1893, Recorded from Myrntong and sutrenmding districts by CC. Brittle- bank (Wie. Nat, Vol. 16, August 1899, p. 50)> name only. This may he the record noted by A. J. Campbell (Nests anid Eggs, 01, p. 86). who refers to a bird “answering the description of the porns in the Lederberg [= Lerdzrderg] Ranges, Victoria, Novenr- ber, 1893,” 1926. May, “The head of a bird found at Lakes Mntranee was sent for examination by Mr. J, Egan, who says that the bird was shot because it was persistently trying to kill some canaries ii an aviary. No one could rerember hayitig seen such a bird im the locality before."—Donald Macdonald in “Nature Notes and Queries,” The Argus, 18/6/1926. This is the same bird as noted in the Wietortan Naturalist (Vol. 43, July 1926, yu 94). 1932. May-June Single bird observed near Mooroolbark. (The, Eun, vol, $2, October 1932, p. 94.) 1938. “In the winter of 1938 a Spangled Dronga found its way inte the Combienbar Valley, only to perish im a snow-storm, and another has heen seen there since.” ({/te. Nat, Vol. 58, November 1941, p. 105.) 1948. (7) Mansfield (Vic. Not, Vol, 64, March (948, p, 211), Date of noourrence and olher particulars not published. Tt should he mentioned that Fred Barton, Jor., recorded (fac. Nat., Vol, 43, August 1926, p. 119) the Drongo as a breeding nitgrant to Sperm Whale Head, Gippsland Lakes. His descriptions rind Alteration te Clad Rules 5 af rests and cggs, supposedly af the Drongo, do not agree with these af that species. 1 understand that Barton later intiniated that his “Drongo” was none other than the introduced Blackbird. There is a superficial Balance in Savings Account at 30/4/47 .. ., £30 1 3 Cost of Reprinting Publications .. .. .. .. £310 7 Interest on Commonwealth Bonds and Current Deposit an Hawthorn Town Hall, for next Aceounbh 5.85 22 Teed pal BPS ae ve 35 411 Wild Nature Show .. 3.0 0 Sale nf Publications .. .... .. 2... 2-2 914 9 Balance itt Savings Bank Account at 30/4/48 118 10.4 Donation received .. 2. 2, -. -- 02 oe ee we ee 50 0 0 . £125 O11 #125 0 tl sTRaviqog paw Sididoay fo, peamaays | 9A PUNT EA LIFE MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT Balance in Sayings Bank No. 2 Account at Taken into Ordinary Income in year to 30/4/48 #2 0 0 30/4/47 - om on Sine F358) OD: Balance in Savings Bank No. 2 Account at i 30/4/48 Lael . : 36 0 0 £38 0 0 £38 0 0 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30th APRIL, 1948 LIABILITIES | ASSETS Building and Contingencies Fund £1,008 10 4 Bank Current Accounts— Dudley Best Library Fund .. .. 50 0) General Account, E.S. & A. Bank £22 | 3 £1,118 10 4 Life Membership, State Sav. 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CuisHo.m ‘AA remarkable practice among birds of various kinds, anid one which resembles i some degree the curious habit of “anting,” is at present engaging international attention. Eleven years ago Mrs. Edith Coleman, of Metbourne, recorded in The Emu (vol. 37, p. 69) that the male of a pair of White- plumed Honeyeaters which she had under chservation often put his head well down in the nest and shook the structure violently, the beak spearing the floor of the nest so definitely that its tip was sometimes visible through the hottom, Occasionally the bird clung to the outside of the nest and speared it so vigorously as to leave it quite ruffled. The observer assumed that the action was ‘‘some- thing akin to our airing and turning beds and was probably useful in disturbing and dislodging vermin.” More — recently = (March 1948) Mrs. Coleman has varied her theory to a slight extent. Following soime totes which I wrote regarding the “open-work"” nature of certain nests used in summer, she has reported having again seen a White - plumed Honeyeater “spearing’”’ its nest—this time from the outside—and she has added the suggestion that the reason of the practice may be to let air into the nest on very hot days. Curiously, this subject has heen engaging a good deal of attention in [england of late— I say “curtously” because the Probing the nest. “Greenie” perched practice, as with that of “‘ant- upside down in typical “spearing” ing.” appears to be deep-seated attitude. A young bird is secn pushed Heese ; dips Mine and widespread, and therefore Photo.: Edith Coleman, should have been imore or less freely remarked long ago, Coument on the matter is made in British Birds for April 1945 (p. 206) by N. D. Pullen: in the course of a paper on the Blue Tit he mentions that while young were in the nest the mother- hird frequently dived head first to the bottom of the structure and remained there for periods up to five minutes, during which time nothing could be seen but the movements of her feet and tail. Mr. Pullen labels the action “digging” and suggests that its reason oe AK Crisnorm, Why Do Birds Probe Thew Nests? Mu way have been to search for insects, such as fleas, ar for faccal matter; but if so whatever was found must have been eaten on the spot, for at nQ lime was anything ty he seen in the beak when the bird emerged. Following Mr. Pullen's lead, at least five other contributors to British Birds have discussed the subject, all giving stimulating tlotes and coammients ot what the journal itself terms “'nest- probing.” TH. G. Hurrell (Auguste 1945, p. 300) relares that a Hlue Jay which had five young oties would stand in the middle of the over- crowded nest and dive the heak down to the bottom and shake vigorously. As the parents swallowed all droppings ejected by the young birds, the “digging” could not have been related to ordinary sanitation, “The purpose can at present be only a givess,”” Mr. Hurrell says. “JL may,of course, be concerned with parasites, but as an alternative I am cousidentg the possibility that it may have ty do with the reniovat of the young birds’ scaled-off feather- sheaths,”' Miss N, C, Hicks (Navermber 1945, p. 360) records having seen four species of birds rapidly poking of tugging at the lining of their nests, pausing every few seconds to pick minute objects from the nest-lming and swallow. them, As the young of a Black- bird which poked at the nest weré only two days old at the time, the action could not have been for the purpose of renioving scaled- off feather-sheaths, “I suggest,” says the writer, “that the tugging ur poking shakes any fleas or other vennin present ito a state of atlivily, so making Uhem easter lo see and dispose of,” B. H. Ryves (May 1946, p. 189%) lists ten species af birds which he fas seen “probing” the nest and suggests that the practice may he iar any of the following purposes: (1) Eradication of insects. (2) Inducement tothe young lo evacuate faeces, (3} To prevent the hottem of Ure cup beeoming a solid floor m order that the “scurt’ shed by the young inay percolate through the limng. (4) To move the positions of the feet of the young in order to lessen the risk oi their becommg entangled im the lining. Stanton Whitaker (same issue) records having seen the “dig- ging” practised not only by several spectes of small birds but by the Sparrowhawk, Smpe and Redshank, the last two doing the work before the voung were latched, All the evidetice indicated that the procedure was “purely one of ventilating the nest dunn hot weather.” Negative eviderice strengthened this theory, for the writer had not known the practece to be followed by birds whose nests were loasely constructed and therefore sei{-yentilating, Stuart Smith (August 1946, p. 255) differs froma Mc, Whitaker: “Having seen the avtiun a great inany tines at the nests of many species,” he says, “I am convinced that eradication of parasites is the major, if net the only, motive of the action... The adult 42 AL HL Cusiropa, hy) Do Birds Probe Their Nests?» [Sisk 0h hird raises & pieee of the lining in ils bealc, shales it quickly, lets it return. and then studies tte area carefully with a most intense attitude, In most instances the bird will then pick up something from the lining and eat it.” The writer adds that a hen Goldfinch which ke watched was most assiduous in “lining-chaking,” a stviking developinent in the case of a birt which makes no serious attempt at ordinary nest-sanitation, So there you are! Whether we term the practice “‘spearmg,” “digeing,” “probing,'' “poking,” or “hning-shaking,” it resolves into a queer little problem and one that merits further attention. What is to be deduced trom the evidence now available? Personally, I reject the theory touching the disposal of “seuri” shed by the young (for nest-prohing is sometimes practised before the eggs are hatched), and | see little to support bwo other theories submitted by Mr. Ryves. The “hest bet,” if seems to me, is cither eradi¢ation of insects or airing of the nest. Certainly Mr. Stuart Smith presents a slrong case Jor eradication, and bis theory would prohably be unassailable but for the evidence of Mr. Whitaker and Mrs. Coleman, notably the latter's report that the “Greenie”’ sometimes probed while eggs were im the nest and sometimes probed fron» the outside, ‘These points, coupled with the fact that on one occasion the honeyeater used nesting material a second time (so indicating that it was not verminous) seem ta weaken the supposition that nest-probers are concerned omly with eradi- cation of msects Is it possible that more than one reason obtains? Jf so, we may find that im some instances the ‘‘spearing” aims at ventilation— the airing of the babies’ beds—and in other insrances 15 prompted hy an impulse to eradicale insects, Conceivably, indeed, both pur- poses may be served by the one action, In any event, I am still rather dazed by the reflection that so many expericnced observers in Australia (including some who have watched birds for up to half a century) have failed to see any indication of what is apparéntly a confirmed practice; and I wonder yayurly—and perhaps hopefully!—if the nature of otir nests generally causes the action to be less common here than, it is in Britain. MODERN HOLIDAY CAMP AT MEALESVILLE Ag vp-ta-date holiday ramp has been established beside Maroondah Take, Healesville. and the organizers have offered the site as a toca! point for Feld rambles by members of our Club and other kindred societies. Tracks around the lake to Watts River below the Dan have ‘been opened, and the manager of the camp has indicated thar further development in this direction, with the provision of facilities. additional to the present kioslk,. cabin and caravan park, je expected ta tale place goon, Anyone wishing to take advantage of this offer should get im touch with Mr. J. A, Hender- son, “Camp: Marrodah,” Ternshaw Road, Tfealesville, ; sane E. Copeman, More About ieris and Birds BS MORE ABOUT HERBS AND BIRDS By Enitw Coteman, Blackburn, View Mr. Fisch hag added two names to the list of aromatic leaves ¢arried or woven into birds’ nests (f/V., April 1948, p. 237). in this instance we have English birds using leaves of Australian plants. Were other, non-aromatic leaves chosen one might assume that they are used for concealment, more especially in specits in which incubation does not start with second or third eggs. Some British birds (pheasant, partridge, moorhen. Jittle grebe) conceal their cues until incubation starts, or when leaving the nest during incubation. The moorhen is said to cover her butf- coloured eggs with dead reeds of the same colour; but when, rarely, she nests in a leafless tree ot hush overhanging water, she adds green leaves ta the nest as soon as the bush bursts into leaf, and also covers the eggs with preen reeds. David Lack (Life of the Robin, 1943) has a few remarks. which lear, indiréctly, on our subject. He first quotes Turner on the robin (1544) [ram Ray's translation, 1678: It makes its mest among the thickest thorns and shrubs |i spinners where it finds many oaken leaves; and when it is Built coveretlt it with feaves, not leaving it open every way, but only one passage to it On that side also where the entrance iy it builds a lang porch of leaves before the aperture, the outmost end thereaf, when it aoe) forth to seek its meate, it cluts or stops up with leaves, What I now write i observed when 1 was very yaune; howbeit J wall not deny that it may also build after another manner. Says Lack, writing 400 years Jater: “That Turner did not altogether trust his boyhood memories is evident. O(her writers were not so cautious and Turner’s observation was quoted as a general nestirig habit of the robin by Buffon, Bewick aiid other less distinguished ornithologists, Recent records show that Tuyner’s observations may afrer all have been correct.” Lack continues: “The robin normally builds a cup-shaped nest; bur when it is placed iu a hele, or in, grass on a bauk, there is sometimes the appearance of a tunnel in front, Kirkman reports a roliin paving stich a tunnel with dead hawthorn leaves. Brown reports a rohin's nest in which the bird cavered the eggs with oak leaves, removing them when 5 eggs were laid and incubation started. It is unusual for a robin to conceal its eggs. during the laying period, lt another case is on record from Cornwall. In this instance the eggs were hidden in the nest-lining until incn- hation started. Between them these three records cover the essen- vials of what Turner observed.” Lack writes of Tirner as a “good observer,’ Although re- parded as the “Father of Ornithology” he was perhaps better entitled to his other name, ‘Father of British Botany.” Certainly he, shared some of the errors and fantastic beliels of his age He even accepted the barnacle-gaose legend. K T Conenpan, Mave Abort Herbs and Birds , rare Lack’s notes start another train of conjectures. Was the robin'’s use of concealing leaves the element of fact upon which were founded. fantastic stories of its covering the bodies of unburied dead? They are sometimes attributed to the ballad, “Babes in the Wood”; No buria) these pretty babes Of any san receives, Till Robin-redbreast: piously Did cover them with feaves, This, according to Bishop Percy, was written in 1601 hy Rob Yarrington; but the story is older still, and was given in many earlicr books on natural history—some of which might better have been termed un-natural story : The Robin-red-breast, if he find a man or woman dead will cover the face with moss, and some think that if the body should remain unburied he will cover the whole bhady. Cjacksan's Cormucopta, 1596.) The tradition was repeated mauy times in prose and poetry during the 16th and 17th centuries, more frequently by Ebzabethan writers, i.e., Shakespeare (Cymbeline), Drayton (The Owl) and Decker (Villaxies Discovered by Larthorn and Candielght). Webster associates wren and rohin in ihe pious deed, in a refrain which Cornella’s grandmother sang to her Jute whenever she heard the hell toll; Call for the Robin red-breast and the wren Since o'er shady groves they do hover And with leaves and flowers do cover The friendless bodies of unburied men. (The White Devil, 1612,) Does the wren, tov, conceal its eggs with leaves? Izaak Walton’s “The Robin loves mankind, both dead and alive,” doubtless has reference to the same legend, and Gray has what is probably an allusion to it: ; There seatter’d oft, the earliest of the year, By hands unscen are showers of violets found ; The redbreast loves to build and warble there, And little footsteps Nehitly print the ground. (Elegy, Ist ed.) These legends certaimly suggest a new line of approach to Aus- tralian Intd-watching. Also, they recall the biblical pronounce- ment: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is donc is that which shall be done; and there is no oew thing under the sun, Js there anything whereof if may be said, “See, this is mew"? Tt hath heen already of old time, which was before us. (Eccles. T, 9-10.) jad HMR Ry, Mone pie Grehids of dust.and Tas | SB “THE MONOTYPIC ORCHIDS OF AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA By the Rev. H, M, R, Rupes, Northbridge, N.S.W’, By a monotypic orehid, I mean of course one belonging to a genus of which only a single species js known Lo exist. We have quité 4 nuniber of genera in Australia which ave represented here by a single species ouly; but niost of then possess other species in other lands. Of strictly monotypic orchids we have eleven, viz.: Orthoceras sirictem R.Br., Gordbyella gracihs Rogers, Corune- stylis apastusioides Fitze., Towasonia viridis (Hook.£), Schitr., Rinutcala el&ptica (R.Br.) Rupp, Burnetiia cuneaia Lindl., Lepso- ceros fanbriaiwin Lind], Rhizonthella Gordnert Rogers, Cryptar- themis Slater’ Rupp, Drymoanthus manvtus Nicholls, Mobilabowm homainm Rupp. It may be of interest to orchid-loving yveaders to have a few notes on these “solitary’’ species brought together in one article, 1. ORTHOCERAS STRICTUM REBr,, Prod, 317 (1810). Well known to wildflower observers in ‘many areas of south- eastern Australia and Tasmania, ft dors not seem to extend farther north than the southern parts of Queensland, nor iarther west than South Australia. it occprs in New Zealand, where it was named by the botanist A, Riehard Diteris nove- aclaadie ; but Brown's name had a priority of 22 years, and the plant cannot be satisfactorily placed in Drurts. With that genus, however, it has. obvious affinities, as may be seen by exatining the structure of the labellum and column. A young plant of Orthaceras, with che raceme just showing, may easily be mistaken for a Diwris, The mature raceme, with its erect “straight-borned” flowers, ig very different, and easily recognizable. The plant is often very robust, andl mav attain a height of three feet. The Rowers vary in colour frou dark brown to light green. 2. GOADBYELLA GRACILIS Rogers in Trams. Roy, Sue. S Austr, LI (1927), 294, This rare Western Australian terres- trisl appears to he a link between the genera Aficratis and Priso- phatium, The small green Rowers differ jrom those of Mievotts in bemg reversed, and in certain structural details; while the latérul sepals, labellum, and coluinn are ail different from those ot Prasophylhei. The plant itself considerably resembles a slender Microtis; it may reach a height of 37 cm. The genus was named in honour of its discoverer, the late Lieuwt.-Col. B. T. Goadby, 3. CORUNASTYLIS APOSTASIOIDES R.D. Fiteg. in Austr, Oreh., 11, 3, This curious Jittle plant might be regarded as. an anomafious form of Prisopiyiam, in which genus it was placecl by Mueller in his Second Census of Australian Plajits (1887), The anther and stigima are separate structures, so that Ene Not 4 — HMR. Rupp, Manntypie Orclads of Aust. wd Tos, Vat. 6% a rigid adherence ta the defined character of the Orchidaceae would exclude it from this farnily altezether Tk was found at Berrima, near Bowral in New South Wales, but has net been recorded for aver 60 years. and our knowledge af it is entirely confined to the particulars given by Firagerald. 4, TOWNSONTA VIRIDIS ¢Hook-f-y Schlir. in Fedde, Repert,, ix (1911), 249, The genus Towntsonia, of which the New Zealand botanist Cheeseman was the author, was discussed by the present writer in this journal for Mav 1933, p. 18. The opinion was there expressed that Hooker’s Tasmanian stermnthus virtdes (which Schlechter transferred to Towrsema) and Cheeseman's New Zealand Townson denesias were not only members of the same genus, but were actually conspecific. In colluboratton with Mr, FE, D, Hatch of Auckland, T was able subsequently (o inivesti- gate this matter more fully; and we reached the conclusion that the New Zealand and Tasmanian plants are completely identical, Townsonia differs from Acianthws in its creeping rhizome, its stalked Jeaf quite independent of the flowering stem, and its broadly winged colurin, It las not so far been fond on the maiand of Australia. 5. RIMACOLA ELLIPTICA (R.Br,j Rapp in Piet, Nav. LVIIT (1942), 188, Robert Brown placed this plant in the genus Lyperanthus, where, however, ils position always appeared to he rather unsatisfactory. Ti is a very different plant, both im habit and floral structure, from any other species within that genus, Tes present generic name was given in allusion to its invariable habir—“the dweller in crevices.” Ic has only been found in moist crevices of sandstone cliffs in the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast of New South Wales, Within these areas it is hy no means unconivion, With its graceful, deoeping racemes of vivirl-green flowers emerging fram among the broad leaves, it is a very attrac- tive orchid. Fitzgerald regarderl il a8 a link between terrestrials and epiphytes. (.dustr. Orch. [, 1.) The form of the individual flower suggests an interinediate position between Acianthiws and Larpevanthus, 6 BURNETTIA CUNEFATA Lindl in Cen. and SA, Orch. (1840), 518, This pretty little orchid, usually found in moist, peaty soil near the coast, oceurs chiefly in Victoria and Tasmania, but extends ta New South Wales, where (besides one or two coastal Jocalities) it has been recorded from the Blue Mountains. Tt is figured in one of Fitzgerald's unpublished plates in the Mitchell Library at Sydney, the locality being given as Woodford, The genus is closely related to Lyperartius, and was included in it hy Mueller, 7. LEPTOCERAS FIMBRIATL™ Lindl. in Gen. ead Sp. Orel. (1840), 416. Bentham included this ar Caladenia on account nas H. M_R. Reve, Monotype Orchids af Aust. and Tay. MF of its affinities with C, Menasiesit R.Br. There are, however, no distal cali on the labellum, and there js often jnore that one leaf: so it seems better to accept Lindley’s genus. St is an attractive little flower, the labellum being conspicuously fringed, It is found in Vietoria, South Australia and Western Australia, usually 1 peaty sail, & RHIZANTITELLA GARDNERI Rogers in Jow'n, Roy. Sor, W, Austr, xv (1928), p. 1. With this may conveniently be taken No. 9, CRYPTANTHEMIS SLATERI Rupp in Prae. Linn, Soc, N.SW., VIL (1932), 58; ibtd. LVIIT (1933), 225° thid., LIX (1934), 118; Austr. Orch, Review 111, No. 2 (1938). These are the two extraordinary subterranean orchids of Aus« tralia, obviously related, yet not sufficiently lo allow of their inclusion in the same genus. /ehisanthella was found at Corrigin in Western Australia: Crvplanthemis nearly 2,000 miles away at Bulahdelah in New South Wales. A short account of the latter appeared in this journal for August 1932. Rogers's description of Rhizanthella is illustrated by W, H. Nicholls, and there is a good figure of it in the late Mrs. Pelloe’s West Australian Orchids, . 65. The best iustrations of Crypdanthemzs (without floral detuils) are those in the Ausér, Orch. Rewnew, 1, c, Muel still remains ta be leurtt about these rematkable orchids; the references given above have not been followed; so far as 1 know, by eay later information, 10. DRYMOANTHUS MINUTUS Nicholls in Mict. Nat. LIX (1943), 173. This diminutive epiphyte from North Queens~ land is fully described and iNustrated by the author, It ts allied. to Sarveciaiws, but the labellime is not label, and is sessile mmime- diately ai the base ef the column. It was discovered at Mount Fox near Ingham, N.Q)- 1], MOBTLABIUM HAMATUM Rupp in A. Queensland Nat., xii (March 1946), Another small epiphyte from North Queensland. superficially it somewhat resembles the ‘langle: Orchid (Sarcanthus tridentatus), but morphologically it ts nearer to Saccolodamn chan to Saxcanthus. It differs from these genera in] the possession of a mobile lahellut, attached to the cultmn- fool by a short, strong claw, on which it can be turned upside down and hack again, quite freely, The leaves are conspiciinusly reflexed (hooked) at their tips. STARLINGS AS “WOOD-SWALLOWS” When Mr. Alen Gtto and T were reaming about Wattle Park recenily ali! attention was attracted by wit we at first suppased to le wood-swaillows, but which presently became revealed as starlings. The birds were floating aud wheeling m a fair height in precisely, the Iastuon of wood-swallows. Cunously, Mr. A, S. Chalk has. reported having seen a similar occurrenee recently at Moarnineton.—A. B.C, : N a8 ED, Grit, Gedlegy of Paint Lansdale-Quconsehf Area Wh. Ns ' GEOLOGY OF THE POINT LONSDALE-QUEENSCLIFF AREA, VICTORIA By Koweno D. Grin, #4, t-n., Melbourne Jntvodyction If it were not for lee Age dune-building, there would be nu Point Lonsdale or QueenacdiT. And tt it were not for a colm- paratively yecent high sea-level, Point Lonsdale and Queenschfi would he islands instead of headlands, The Point and Queenschff are of dune limestone (called aeolianite because built by the wind), andl the country invinedtately behind consists of sands and shell-lheds deposited some 3,000 to 5,000 years ago when the sea reached ahout 20 feet above present low-water mark. (See Browne, 1945, ». viii; Crocker and Cotton, 1947, p. 100.) ‘The area ig fringed y high dunes along the ocean steandline, and by lawer dune ridges alang the Port Phillip margin. Jurassic Sandstones and Shales ‘The aldest rocks of the district do not outcrop at the sintface, but are well known from shafts and bores, They belong to the same group as those of the Orway Ranges and the eogal-beanng strata of the Gippsland ills, Indeed they were explored For coal it 1860-1862 (sce Daintree, 1862). No commercial quantities were obtained. Tlowever, the thin seanis of coal that are present, being formed fram land plants, indicate that the strata in which they ocetu were Jaid down on a land surface—probably i) a series of swamps. The thickness of this series is not known, but Bore 1 of the Geelong and Western Port Coal Prospecting Co. (see Diammoud Drills in Ptetoria, 1885) went to a depth of 1501 f. 2m without piercing the Jurassic rocks, The old land surface must have been gradially sinking relative to the sea to inaintaiy the swampy conditions and yet build up such a thickness of strata. The Otway sandstones and shales! occur not only in the Otway Ranges auld the Seuth Gippsland hills, but also in ynuch of the low country in between, where they are covered by later deposits, A sinall patch outcrops on the beach near Mornington. These rocks thus form a coasta] fringe mere or less parallel with the present Great Dividing Range. ‘The blocks of country forming the Otways auld South Gippsland hills respectively have been raised, and are bounded by faulls atid warps. The strata in the Otways dip tawards Bass Strait at 15° (Colson, 1939), and were apparently implicated in the earth movements which formed Bass Strait. Ancient Lavo, Flow Water, wind, and the other sub-aerial agents wore down tle old Jurassic rocks, hevause shafts and bores show that the former | land surtace on this formation was undulaime and with pebhle 1, These rocks are of the order of 125,000,000 milliun years old. For the hasis on which such calculations are made. sce Holmes (1937). June 1645 E. D. Gin. Gealayy of Poti Lousdete-Oneenseh ff Area a9 deposits in places, Over this terraity flowed a stream or streams of multen lava froin an eruption farther north. Many think that Mt. Bellarine itself was a point of eruption, Thia river of molten rock solidified inta the basalt which 28 a feature or the north ceritral part of Hellarine Peninsula. So old is this rock, that it 1s now much weathered and decayed, and prohably the rock remaining ig but part of its farmer extent. This Glider Basalt, as it is called, is seen also in the cutting behind the North Melbourne station, al Sottth Melbourne, at a number of points on the east side of Port Phillip Bay, and it forms the craggy cliffs of Cape Schanck* Miocene Marine Limestone Following the flood of lava, there came a flood of the sea. Either because the sea rose or the land fell, the sea transgressed the land. ‘The tormer is probably correct, for there is a fairly even fringe of rocks from this transgression all round Australia. ‘The Australian centinenc is ane ut the stable blucks of the earth's crust, and so probably did nor sink. In any case, that a whole continent should sink evenly like that fs beyond the range of probability, Jt js thought that at the time there was a world-wide eustatic ris¢ pi sea-level, The sea invaded the land dtid in Vietoria deposited 4 fringe of limestones with some sandstenes and mudstones. They constitute the Gippsland coastal plain, some of the rocks of the Nepean Peninsula, the base of the Werribee Plain and Geelong, and the base of the Western District Plain which is now tnostly covered with lava flows and ash spreads. The seas also invaded the Murray valley, forming an inland sea and covering the Mallee and Wim- mera with marine rocks. Wells and bores often bring to hght shells Jaid dawn in that sea (Chapman, 1916). Rocks of that same age underiie much of the Gellanne Peninsula. Phacene Sands and Clays Over the Miocene marine limestones of the Peninsula Tie ferruginous sands and sandy clays which are usually seyarded as Lower Pliocene in age, but no fossils have been found in them to prove their age, Various interpretations have been piven (hese beds and their correlatives elsewhere, My opinion is that, with the Red Beds of the easter bayside and the rather simular chocolate-colaured sands seen along the ctiffs of the Childers Cove- Peterborough coast, they are rocks laid down as the high Miocene sea gradually receded. he effect of the lowering of the sea would be the rejuvenation of the streams on land. They would bring down a heavy load of comparatively coarse sediments, and spread them over the recently deposited limestones. The beds may well be partly terrestrial and partly marine. 2 These rocks are of the order of 30,000,000 vears old, 40 E, D, Gus, Geolagny of Point Lonsdate-Queonsclif Area [YS Nat The Pliocene sands and clays are all rich in tron, and display the red to dark brown stainings due to iron oxides. Ln some places buckshot gravel is well developed. This probably formed during arid periods when percolating waters would bring up the iron in Solution, then, evaporating, deposit it méear the surface of the ground. Apolianite During the Pleistocene Ice Age,* the Antarctic ice-cap advanced so as to cover most of Tasmania, aud the Aretic ice it) the sorthern herrisphere advanced to a similar extent. There was a world- wide lowering of sea-level due to the removal oj such vast quantitres of water for glaciation. Stells and other calcarcous skeletons [eft high and dry on the fermer sea-foor were broken by the winds, just as we can see the shells of many aboriginal kitchen middens being broken up by the winds along ihe coast of the Western District row. The resultant caleazcous sant (a comtrast with the quartz sand of the Pliogene beds} was blown up into a series of high dunes. Percolating waters dissolved some of the lime, then re-Jepostled it again, ceinenting the grains of sand together, In this way the consolidated dune rock ar aeohanite was formed. With the melling of the ice-caps, ihe sea rose avain, and inuch of the dune formation was covered by the sea, At Point Lonsdale itself, elow the lighthouse, the wind-bedded rock can be clearly seen in the cliffs. On the edge of the shore platforras, the same wind-hedding can he seen going dawn below low tide fevel, AL Warrnambool the dune rock goes tu about a hundred feet helaw sea-level at the coast (Gill, 1943), Lt is interesting to nate that one of the eartiest geological reports in Victoria (JJaintree, 1862) contains a lithograph of the rocks at Paint Lansdale. 3, The Pleistocené dee Age (there were others) began abuut a dnillion years aga, and finished roughly 20,000 years ago. Conditions oscillated, giving five glacial phases with fout iterglaclal pluses, The fossil soil liotizons often seen in the acolianite are thought to origiuate iu the better climate of ihe interglacials, Fig.) Geslogical Map of Point Longdlale-Queenseliff Area, This map is based on the Mihtary Map, Sorrento Sheet. Sone closer contours were taken from 2 map inscribed “Tytelligeence Section, grd Reserve Btn, H.C. Hayman Set, 15/3/42" The area within a couple of miles radius of Point Lonsdale was, covered in detail, antl a reconnaissance tnade of the rest, Some of the boundaries are taken from the Geological Survey Or. Sheet 29 N.E, Precise boundaries in country of such low relief are difieult to obtaity, but it is believed the map gives wu accurate picture of the seolagy of the ares. The contours are based on L.W-M. Wilbamstown, but the mean spring rise af the tides at Port Phillip Heads is 2 [t. higher thaw at Williamstown. tbat E.D. Gite, Goologyuf Pains LonsdaleQnecnscliy Area 4 GLOLIercaL Fos LOWSDALE AREA Mar Gr - x Ee ae ae ee ILA IELE Eo Hk . » Ss ~ a ro z oes 25 ers A _— [et eC ts 1 ‘ vy AY BP MANS . 4 : . j \ AE 42 ELD, Gua, Grotogy of Point Lonsdale-Queenseh ff Area "ee As shown on the map (Fig 1). the aeolianite is piled up against what was. the former shoreline, When approaching Point Lons- dale from either Geelong or Ocean Grove, there is a marked scarp where the high Pliocene rocks end and the younger ones commence, This was the shoreline before the old dunes were built. This innermost dune line continued round through Queens- elitt, but has been much broken by later eresion, A second line of dunes is indicated by the ridge of aeolianite which runs along the ferrm paee a LOMSDALE LAG ORM “86040 woot ee Mahe ten St hen pass BTRAIT Alia = Fru. 2 Palacogeography of the Pom Lonsdale-Queenscliff Area, ai the time of the mid-Holocene higher sea-level. The shell-beds were Jaid down in the comparatively quiet waters of the lagoon. northern edge of Salt Lake (also called Lake Lonsdale}. Victory Shoal is the remnant of a dine. Also, a line of dunes obviously connected Point Lonsdale and Point Nepean. The Rip is the narrow and shallow entrance to Port Phillip Ray, but geologically it ig a breach in .an old dune line which constitutes a bay bar (Keble, 1947), That is why there is deeper water inside the Rip and outside it, The shore platforms jutting uot from Point Lons- dale and Point Nepean show where the dunes were. The rock blasted from the Rip when the entrance to the Bay was being improved for shipping was a¢olianite. Fer most of the distance along the Bass Strait shereling, it can be seen that the semi-mobile dunes there are resting on a platform of aeolianite—an old shore platform, Before the dunes were built, this reef of rack must have formed a bar on which the heavy seas of Bass Strait broke. Inside the reef, lagoonal conditions would Obtain (see Fig, 2). fel | E. D. Gir, Geoloyy of Port Lersdale-Qneenscltf Arca 43 Holacene Shell Beds The low-lying flats hetween the scarp (as marked on Fig. 1) and the headlands of Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff are characteristic of the physiography of this area. They consist of fine marine sands, large areas of which are packed with fossil shells. Three firing are working this ‘shell conimercially. At McMahon’s shell works (the more northerly of the two at the eastern end of Salt Lake) there ts a large excavation which shows very clearly the nature of the shell beds. The deposit is a compact mass of shells, ather calcaregus material, and sand, The shells have been examined hy Miss J. Hope MacPherson, conchologist of the National Museum, who reports as follows: MeMahon's Shell {A orks, Point Lonsdale PELECYPODA Osivea sienata (Lamarck), Ms Anadava trapezia (Dashayes)—often yelorred to as Artec, Katelysia scalarina (amarck), Katelyste. strigesa (Lamarck), GASTEROPODA . Bullaria botandca (Hedley). Bittium cerithiwn (Quoy and Gaimard), Cominella. icolaia (leamarck). Commelin eghurnea (Reeve). Feseiolariq australasine (Perry), ,Pelecypods and Bullaria usually found in sandy mud, Ostrea and Anaderu below low tide level, and others between tides. Other sastetopeds betweeu tides on rocky ontereps. All common Victorian shells. Danis’ Shell Works (S.W. corner of Salt Lake) PELECYPODA As at MeMahon’s Shel) Works, GASTEROPODA As at McMahon's except for the Iasefolaria. Also: Nassaring pyerhas (Menke), Batillaria austratis (Quoy and Gaimard). Measadesnic enueata (Lamarck) Synrera brosier? (T. Woods). ? Diala picte (A. Adams). Brlleria. and Bakllaria inhabit sandy mud flats between tides. Dion and Nassovrixs liye among weed on sandy mud flats below low tide. Syacera occurs in estuarine mud flats. All common Victorian shells, The shells in the excavation at McMahon’s shell works are in layers, and also are so closely packed, that it is clear their present position is one to which they were moved after death, and not the place in which they lived. This is also proved by the fact that the shells belong to different habitats—between tice levels, helaw low- water mark, in iniud, among weeds, and on rocks. The rock-loving gasteropods would adhere round the aeolianite islands and reefs shown im Fig, 2, 44 ED, Gre. Geology of Powmt Lonsdale-Oucensclif Area poet, Nes Often the two valves of bivalve shelis like Katelysia are still fixed together. From this it is wferred that the shells were -deposited in quiet waters, otherwise the valves would have been knocked apart. On the other hand, some of the shells are worn, and most of them have their concave side downwards; also there is some cross-bedding. These facts show that although the waters were quict, they (a) were not deep, for tidal and other currents were present which caused cross-bedding ; and (b) the currents were strong enough to push shells to and fro $0 as ta wear off their “ornament,” {c) alse to push the shells over so that they were Ieft concavt side downwards, If exhaustive collections were mace, it would probably bé tonnd ‘that the same assemblage of shells occurs at each of the localities examined, but the proportions of the species varies considerably. At McMahon's, Katelysta is the dommant menther of the faunule. while the oyster and sfnadera, though present, are by no means common. On the other hand, the latter two forms are véry con- amon at Davis’ shel] works, The gasteropod Fatillara is also noticeably more frequent there. So it is inferred that within the shell-bed facies there were a number of suh-facies, ie., sets of conditions which favoured some forms af life more than others. The beds at McMahon's shell works dip to the south at about 2°. This shows that the open sea was to the south, as it is at present. Gut at the time when the shells were laid down, the sea was obviously higher than it is now, and alsn there were no dunes along the Bass Strait shorelines as now, As Fig. 2 shows, a lime of seolianite reefs formed a bar which broke the force of the sca, giving the quiescent conditions which have already been inferred tram the shell-beds. Around the edge of the shell-beds there is usually a marked change of contour, i.c.. a nobceahle bank where the higher sea-level came. In some places the shell-beds are being changed mto a solid limestone by the depasition of calcareous ‘matter as a cement hetween the shells and fragments, Near the Queenscliff Yacht Club jetty, on the S.E. side of the railway crossing, there is exposed (Fig. 1) what is evidently a former shore platform with sea cliff behind it. On the platform there is a shell-bed ahout four inches thick. The platiorm is 8-07 feet above Admiralty datum (low-water outer spring tides at OueensclitF), Daintree (1862) provides an interesting lithograph of an acolianite platform near the N.E. end of Salt Lake, with an oyster bec on top of it. in the aeolianite are shown caves irom which guano was extracted. That was before the days of superphosphate, when deposits of guano were greatly valued, In the caves, wombat hones were foun. ' ty Tr. D. Grits Geology of Pawit Lonsdale-Quediicky Ann 45 Origin af Shell Beds * > mM As the shell beds are above present high tide level, either the sea must have been higher when they were deposited, or the land lower. It has been established that some 3,000 to 5,000 years age the sea reached about 20 feat above present low tide level, This higher eustatic level was accompanied by warmer weather and land conditions that were arid egmpared with the present (Crocker and Wood, 1947). It is believed that this higher world-wide sea-level was caused by a partial melting of the polar ice-caps, The recession of the ice-caps would mean hotter climates farther south, and so the more arid conditions, of which evidence has been collated in South Australia {Crocker and Wood, 1947) and in the Mallee (Hills, 1939), == This recent high sea-level is no doubt the oné under which the Point Lonsdale shell-beds were Jaid down, The shellfish are all farms still found living round the Victorian coast. The conchola- gist's report shows thae the shells were washed froms the intertidal zone and from places. below low-water mark into their present position, The shell-heds must therefore have been laid down a few feet at least helow the then L.W.M.° Bur the top of these heds is now some feet above high-water mack. At McMahon's shell works, the shell-beds reach 8:06 feet above Admirally datum. Near the high ground north of the works (below Miss Phipp’s house) and about a chain south of the road, the shell-bed was found ta be 9-74 feet above datum, andl the sand on the shell reaches 10:3 feet above datum. [It is prabable that further inland still, at the limit to which this sea went, the shell-beds occur higher still above datum, Present spring tides, on the average, reach 4-8 feet above datuin at Port Phiilip Heads- ft would appear from evidence gathered from estuarine terraces, shell-beds, and such like, that the sea did not fall suddenly to its present level, hut rather came down in a series of stages, perhaps three. There is much detailed work ta be done yet to unravel the story of this higher sea-level of recent times, but evidences of it are abundant. Shell-beds similar to those at Point Lonsdale are Found in the estuary af the Yarra River, at Aitona, north and west ef Point Lonsdale, at Barwon Heads and Lake Connewarre, Gellibrand River, Port Campbell, Peterborough, Hopkins River, Warrnambool, Dennington, Fort Fairy, Yaimhuk, Narrawong, Portland, and sc on in very numerous places round the coasts of Victoria and Australia, Tn the past, various local explanations have been giver of such shell-beds “raised above the sea, anil hoth Pleistocene and Holocene ages have been attributed to then: Hawever, it is tow clear that all these heds are prodiicts af this Mid-Holocene higher, sea-level. 4 E, D. Gru. Geology of Point Lonsdate-Queonsclif Area [via "Gn' Sand Dunes ond Ridges The sand dunes and ridges are the most recent geological formations in the district. They are in process of formation—and destruction—at the present time, It is important to distinguish between the dunes which line the Bass Strait patt of the coast, and the dune ridges which line Lonsdale Bay. The dunes are from 50 to $00 Jeet in height, and are a function of tha prevailing winds. The ridges, on the other hand, are only from 20 to 25 feet high, aid are not related to the prevailing winds, They line the coast, whatever direction it goes, and are a joint product of wave and wind, The waves throw up rocks, sand, and such like to form a beach midge. This forms an anchorage, as it were, for sand moved by the wind, o Acknowledgements Dr, A, G. Scholes, secretary of the National Fitness Council. arid the warden of the Point Lonsdale N.F.C, camp, Mr, Bertrand, did much to facilitate the survey, and my thanks are extended to them. Levels were determined by dumpy level {kindly loaned by Mr. M Teese), commencing with permanent bench marks on Point Lonsdale road, For the values vf these relative to datum I ath indebted to Messrs. Gutteridge, Haskins and Davey, consulting engineers, REFERENCES |. Browne, W, R,, 1943. Presidential address, Proc. Lin. Soe. NSW, Vol LX, pp, iexxvill, Chapman, F., 1916. "Cainozsic Geology of the Mallee and Other Vietorian Bores.” Ree. Geol. Surv, Mis, IT (4), pp. 327-430. Coulson, A, 1999. “Notes on the Physiography of the Geelong District.” Proc, Roy, Soc, re. 0.8, St (1), pp. 61-72. Crocker, RL, and Wood, J. G., 1947, "Some Historical Influences on the Development of the South Australian Vegetation Commutilics and their Bearing on Concepts and Classification in Ecology." Tans. Ray. Soc, SA, Vol. 71 (1), pp. 91-136. ‘ JJaintree, R,, 1862. "Report on ihe Geology of Bellarine and Paywit, with Specitl Reference to the Probable Existence of Workable Coal Seams in those Partstes." Geol, Surv. Reet, Fates and Proceedings Lenis- lative Coumetl of Mictorta. Diamond Drills in Victoria, 1885, Geol. Sury. Rept. Fairbridge, R. W., and Gill, E. DB, 1947. “The Study of Eustatic Changes ot Sea Level." Aust. Jourm Se., Deo. 1947, Gil, E, D, 1943. “The Geology of Warrnambool,” Proc, Roy, Sac Vie, ns, 95 (2), pp. 133-154. —— 1947, "Some Features of the Coastline betweeh Port Fairy ane Peter- borough, Victoria.” Proc. Roy. Soc. Vie, meu 58, pp. 37-42: Wills, E. S., 1939. “The Physiography of North-Western Victoria!” Prec, Roa, Soe, Mic, tus, $1 (2), pp. 207-323. — 1940. "The Question of Recent Einergence of the Shores of Port Philip Bay." Proc. Ray, See, Vic, 05.52 (1), pp, 84-100, Holmes, A., 1937, The Age of the Earth, London, Keble, R. A. 1947. “The Sunklands of Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait.” Ment, Not. Afus, Pict, 14 (2), pp. 69-122, tue }, R. Gaxwer, Latect Gleanings from Moranaa Gardens 47 INSECT GLEANINGS FROM MARANOA GARDENS By J. Ros Gasner Dering a visit tao Macanaa Gardens an April 17 last, several of the excursion party gave some attention ta the smailer animal life existing there, The mountain grasshopper (Acripeso reticuata) was an earky frst —a sturdy male specimen with powerful pincers, strong enough io give our fingers 2 distinct mp. For lack of a better container it finished up in a paper iwist. In the late afternoan aur iuterest was caught by the “aridges!’—swarming compactly on a Ddlly-pilly, the tips of several of the branches, Jeaves: and stems being ctitively concealed by thousaids of little black flies. A sample was hastily transferred to 2 J-pine milk bottle for further investigation; but, althougl careful enangh, we were not sufficiently agile to avoid bemg showereil with haudreds of the harmless lietle insects. It may be recalled that Miss Janet Raff (Pict, Nat, 1943, LX, 67) offcred some comments on the swarming of “midges in autumn, and this was followed (an page 95 of the same voluiney by my further reference lo swarms beige observed in inicl-winter, Ota that occasion specimens were not collected and, remem- bering the consequent incompleteness of the record, our Maranoa “midges” wore seized for Jater identification at the Nabenal Museum. Mr. A. N. Burns his since informéd me that the species is Sratepgse richmondengty Sk., belonging to the family Sibiandac. Another note of cntomological interest concerns the painted apple-moth. A caterpillar had spun its cocoon amoarig the tips of the feauchiets of a Casuarina; af the time of aur yisit, the wingless fernale noth had emereedl from ler flimsy white, almost diaphanous cocoon, had mated with the winged male of the species, and lain ber numerous eges on dhe surface of ils pupal honte, The Casuarina (C snberosaz) is conceivably one of the natural [ood-plints of this species, which Rke several other well-known natives has adapted itself to exotic vegetation and become a pest to orchardists. NATURE NOTES FROM MR. R. J. ALKEMADE It is Qniortunare thar several observations recounted by the late Mr. Alkemade, ay our last Cup Day excursion (Noy. 4), were nat received early enough for inclusion with the obiluary cotice in the May Naturafist (p. 5), At the age of eighty, Mr. Alleemade was still actively interested in the natural world araund lint, aa the following notes wall testily- Rasellas westnte i trurratus Resellas, which usually nest in the hollows af dead trees, bail heen found, yuite frequentiy, to be vesting im ealhit burrows—probably duc to the scarcity at dead trees in Ccimmadai district, whence they have been removed for the requircments of Jimestone kilns and for domestic firel. Absence af small birds at Coixtadat ws" Since local authorities ordered the destruction of boortharn, there has heen w naticealle decresse in the number of small hirds, especially over the last fow yeara. These box-thorn bushes were a safe refuge for smaller birds fram qnarauding hawks, which could aot foroc thelr way through qhe maze af small branches and thorns, Koaolas migrating Mr, Alkemade stated that an experimental number of koalas lad been roleased in hve district, by the Fisheries and Game Department, some tine ago; bot upor searching recently, he could sot find ane koala, although numbers fad been seen in more bushy parts of the country toward Macedo, ‘These, he thought, were prabably the giey liberated at Commadai, from where dtey had tnigrated on their own account. 4A. A. Bakes. 48 , What, Where and When "Wol.8e WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN General Excursions: Saturday, June 5—Botanic Gardens. Subject: ‘Australian ‘Trees in Winter” (second of series for beginners). Leader; Mr. H. Stewart. Meet 2,30 pm. Rose Pavilion on Hopetoun Law, Timed to finish 4.15 pan. at Park Street gates, - . Kdag’s Birthday Week-end—Murray Valley, from Albury to Kerang. Sub- jects; Physiography, Birds, and General. Limited party only. Total apprex. cost, £7/11/-. Leave Melbourne 4.15 p.m. train to Albury on Friday, June 11; return from Kerang on Monday, June 14. Further details at June mecting, and from Leader, Mr. H. Stewart, 14 Buay- view Terrace, Ascot Vale (Tet. FU 022, ext. 457—day only). Saturday, June 26—Mystery Winter Walk, of ‘approx, 6 miles, easy goimg, Leader: Mr. Colin F. Lewis, Nash's bus leaves Batman Avent 8.45 am. Bus bookings with Mr. H. Stewart; fare, 8/6 return. Bring one meal. ; Saturday, July 10—Kallista/Sherbroake.. Subjects: “Lyrebirds’’ and “Giant Eucalypts.” Leader: Mr. A. G, Hooke. Train from Flinders Street 9.18 a.m. ta Upper Ferntree Gully, thence motor bus. to Kallista. Bring one meal. Afternoon excursionists mect party Clematis Avenut about 2.30 p.m. ’ Group Fixtures: Saturday, June 5—Geology Group cxeprsion to Sunbury/Gisborne, Sul ject: “Graptolites.” Train details at Group Meeting, Saturday, June 19—Marine Biology Group excursion ta National Museum. Subject: “Fishes and Other Marine Fauna of the Barrier Reef.” Meet Russell Street entrance to Museum, 2.30) pan. Saturday, June 19—Botany Group excursion to Ferntree Gully National Park. Subject: “Timber Fung, ctc.” Trains to Upper Ferntree Gully, 9.18 am. and 12.45 pan, Monday, June 28—Botany Group. Royal Society’s Hall, 8 pam. Subject: “Hepatics," by Mr. P. N. S. Bibby. Thursday, July 1—WildHower Garden Group. Royal Society's Hall, 8 pm. New members welcome. Particulars from Hon. See. of Group, Mr, H. Preston (Tel. Haw, 1853). { Friday, July 2-Marine Biology Group. Royal Society's Hall, 7.45 p.m, Further details from Hon. Sec, of Group, Miss W, Taylor, 13 Jolimont Square. Jolimont, C.2 (Tel. MY 4269—-day only). Tuesday, July 6—Geology Group. Royal Society’s Hall, 8 ym. Subject: "Chemical Tests for Minerals,” by Mr. H. Preston. A. A. BAKER, Exeorsion Secretary, ‘ The, es 53 Carlisle St. Preston, N18, The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 65.—No. 3 JULY 7, 1948 No. 775 PROCEEDINGS The Annual Meeting of the Club was held ar the National Herbarium on Monday, June 7, 1948. The President, Miss Ina Watson, and about 150 members attended. Apologies for nun- attendance were received from Mr. F. Lewis, Mrs. V. Miller and Miss Blackburn, The Secretary reported having received a letter from the General Secretary, A-N.Z.A\A.S., inviting the Cluh to send a delegate to forthcoming meetings. Members were invited to subunit naines if they wished to attend. Members knowing anything about Lord Howe Island ivete asked to get iti touch with Miss Taylor, Secretary, Marine Biology Group. Mr, Swaby spoke of the forthcoming Show on October 19-21, and pointed ont that a three-day Show would entail munch work for everyone. He reqiested that those able to help would indicate the times on cards available at the mecting. Election af Members The follawing were elected ay Ordinary Members of the Cluh. Mrs, A, E. Lambert, Mrs. E. E, Chattaway, Miss E. Davis and Miss 8.. Perrott; and.as Country Memhers, Mr. A. G, Smith and Mr. Wallace Stevetis. lt was proposed hy Mr. Lord, and seconded by Mr. Garnet, that Mc. J. 1. Hatmilion, 2 member since F905, should be admitted ta honoraty membership, The following nolninations were recerved: Ordinary Menihers, Miss L. G. Dunn, Miss Mavis Starkev, Mrs, J. T. Hanulton. Mr. and Mis. C. E. Tsate. Mr. RR. G. Thompson, Mr. H, Haase: and as Country ov Interstate Members. My, 2. Easterbrook, Mr C. EE, Chadwick, Incorporation of Chelr uader the Companies Act The President spoke to the motion: “That this Club be jneor- porated under the Companies Act,"’ and the matter was thrown open for discussion, Miss Watson advised the meeting that, since the notice on page 5 at the May Naturalis) was written, she had with Mr. Hooke interviewed a solicitor of the Registrar- General's Department, who entirely endorsed the recommienda- tion of the sub-eommuttee that the Club should be incorporated, and stated that rf at any time the Cluly should desire 4 Goyern- Ea) Field Naturatists’ Club Proceedings a. ment granl, é.g., for publications, a claint would not be considered unless the Club were incorporated. A member enquired regard- ing the cost of this move. The President stated the cost would be approximately £50. She further advised that a Public Officer would have to be appointed, the Club would need ta have # Registered Office (viz., The Royal Society’s Hall) and a Ralance Sheet and Report would have to be Jodged annually at the Registtar-General’s Office, Mr. V. Miller and Mr. P. Croshe Morrison also spoke in support of incorporation, This motion, proposed by Miss Watson and seconded by Mr, lord, was put ta the vote and carned with only ane dissentient (Mr. Is. S. Hanies). Miss Watson ihew proposed the totion (seconded by Mr. Lord) = “That the Rules of the Club, as revised by the suh-com- mittee appointed for the puspose aud subsequently approved by the General Conunittec, he adopted.” This monon, when put to the vote, was carried unaiinionsly, Anuval Report aut Balnice Sheet 4 The Secretary read his Annual Repart and its adoption (moved, Mr. Morris: seconded, Mr, French) was carried unanimously. Mr. Coghill, on behalf of members, congratulated the Secretary on such a comprehensive Report, Mr. Tooke presented the Balatice Sheet and Financial State- ment, explaining certain features of the Balance Sheet; its adoption (moved, Mr. Hooke; seconded, Mr. Chalk) was carried, Mr, Lord, as Treasurer, spoke of the increased volume of worl cn- tailed in drawitg up the Balance Sheet in its present form, Some new ledger accounts bad been opened during this last vear, and the system of bookkeeping fmproved, He expressed the thanks ef members to the Honorary Auditors. The Secretary requested any member halding Club property to notify him without clelay, as an inventory of these items was being cunmpiled, Klection of Office-bearers As only one nomination had been received for the office pf in-coming President, Miss Watson then handed the meeting over wo Mr. J. Ros Garnet, whom she had much pleasure in declarme President for the ensuing vear. Mr. Garnet, in assuminp the chair, thanked fellow-members jor the honour and confidence entrusted ta him and proceeded to the election of office-bearers for 1948-49. As the exact number of nominations had been re- cevwed for offices and Committee in the new Council, no election was necessary, and the following were duly proclaimed: President, Mr. J. Ros Garnet: Vice-Presidents, Mrs. M, E. Freame and Mr, Coin Lewis; Hon. Seerefary, Mr. Harry Preston; Hote mor Fretd Naturalists’ Clu Proceedings 3t Assistant Secretary, Miss Aileen Adams; Hon, Editor, Mr. J. 14 Willis; Hon, Assistant Editor, Miss Ina Watson: Hon. Tressurer. Mr. K. E Lord; Hon. Assistant Treasurer, Mr. Allan Carter, Hon, Libranan, Mr. A. Burke; Mon. Assistant Librarian, Mr, R. D. Lec) on. Excursions Scoretary, Mr. A. A. Baker. Committee: Dr. Margaret Chattaway, Miss M. T., Wigan, Mr &, N- Hyam, Mr. RT, Jennison, Mr. H.C. E. Stewart. The new President, Mr Garnet, expressed regret that neither Mr. Swaby nor Mr. Hammet would be ou his Council, and he conveyed the thanks of menibers to hese loyal retiring officers for their able hel» in the past, Retirenwut of Hou, Bditer (Mr. A. TH. Chishoin) The following motion (proposed by Mr. Garnet, seconded, Mr. Chalk) was cacried with acclamation: "That this Club place on record its deep appreciation of the fine service rendered by Mr. A. H. Chisholn earing the nine years of Ins occupancy of the office of Honorary Editor of the Club's publications,” Mr, Chalk addressed the meeting aml spoke of the value of Mr. Chisholnt's work far the Club, especially during the difficult war years, Asa mark of appreciation a small gift would he made on behalf of the Club to Mr. Chisholm. Mr. Chisholm, in reply, thanked mensbers for theiy yoo!) wishes, and said that although the editorship entailed a good deal of work he hacl enjoyed it. The Naturalist was still the best publication of its kind in Australia and the standard should he kept up. He expressed regrer at leaving so many friends in Melliourne, but assured the Clitb that he would follow its activities with great interest while resident nt Svdney. Presidentiglh Addrass, ele. The retiring President, Miss Watson. chose for her residential address the lives of Linnaeus and Lamarck, which were contrasted and presented ag shining examples to which all naturahsts might well aspire. (A surmmary of this address is published elsewhere in the journal.) Dr. Margaret Chattaway told us that at Oxford a section of the Universily garden was plunted by Linnaeus and the same kinds of plants were flourishing there just as he had designed. Me. Crosbie Morrisum notified receipt of a letter from the Secre- tary of Lands’in Western Australia in reference to a request that menibers of the receut Grimwade Expedition had presented to hiny In consequence. at Cape le Grand an area af some 39,500 acres Had heen set aside as Class A Reserve. and the islands of the Recherche Archipelago, comprising an area of about 22,800 acres, had lieen declared a reserve also. Miss Chisholm drew members’ attention to sae snapshots on the exhibit table of Miss Hele Keller with a bouquet of wild- 2 Meld Nulugatsts Chib Proceedings View Se 4 flowers which had been collected after the last General Meetiiiy and presented to her next day. She had been delighted with them, Hotably an account of their strong aromauc perfume, EXHIBITS Mr. RD, Lee: Specimens af tungi—Clanoria sinapicalor, C. achraces salmontrotor, C. urnaceo-cerwuta, Leplenia laniprofus. Photos. of fungi— Morchella sp, Hexagona Guanii, Mratians borngtinss, Clavarta fisiformis, Cropidotus cucalyptorian, Amante grisea: aso photo. of Hakca petiolarts. Mr. ©. J. Gabriel: Marine Shells of the genus Spordains C'thorny oysters’) from various localitics, including .5, fcvells Reeve (Bass Strait). Mr. A, A. Baker: A collection of rocks and fossils from Cave Hill Quarty. Lilydale, and Hult Road, Moorsolhark—from the excursion on May 22. Mr, ALN, Carter Some of the world’s “Faun Shells"—Chlorge ciren- lurts Carp. (WUS.A,), Cy tffyons Lam, (South Australia), €, latemeritius Con (U.S.A.), CL pattie Lum. (5... Pacific), and C_ irradiaits Lam, (U.S.A). Mr. K Atkins atid Mr. A. Burke: Collection of native flowers fram the Batanic Gardens—fanhsio autenrifotian, Makea pubescens, I, tenntfolta, also the vivid voarler late-flowered Hitcalypis feucoxylon var, aocrocar pe. Mrs, M, E, Freame (Convitted from list of exhilnty for May 10): 1 Au Irish “shillelagh” (of Blackthorn woot) vised al Bricke's brewery, Dublin, iy 1866. 2. Shell (Afrex sp.) 7rom Gaza in the Mediterranean. 3. Brittle- atar (Ophia sp.) from Altona. Vic. “FAIRY WRENS” (A Book Review) Weitten in Alec H. Chisholm; alluring style, this slim volume will be hailed with delight by bic lovers and a wide public. The Fairy Wrens, “hte birds of tlie stickyup tails!’ are a (group of native fauna about which Australians happily have np wieasy conscience. We have never tried 10 lame them in cages, our womenfolk have not sought their plumage for adoromertt, nur have mur sportsmen tramed gums on thet, The book Consequently is a ‘safe one toe send overscas—also an ideal present by reason of the modest cost, 3/9, But we will first cesire to awa a copy, to te-read, and have it lwandy for reference, Of the Fairy tribe, the Superb Wren ar “Bluey” is. of course, familiar to all Australians, and ove bird club has adopted hitu as its emblem. The rarer sprightly Fairies, however, are not so well known. In the, engaging epriversation he has with “Perer’ (a medico) Mr, Chishelim makes us privy to the history, habitac, family life and general economy of the fourteen species. The reader becomes ivfected by the author's obvious pleasure tn “aeclaiming them as one of the most endearing groups of birds ta be found in any part of the werk.” Ten photography iUestrate the text and appropriately reproduced is Neville Cayley's fine colour plate of the thirteen Moelurns species, with the coe representative of Kasing. The printing and format are excellont, apart from he unfortinate choice of a colour foreign to "Bluey" for the front cover. The publishers are canibende! for their anterprise in issuing [his little hook which, it is hoped, will prove a forerunner of similar volumes, Perhaps the author sill cansider further discourses on aller spall birds—the Emu Wrens, the Heath Wrens and the native Rohins—from his store of expert lnowledge? Like Peter, we wish “to contitiue a3 aly audierce.” H, C. FE, Srewanrr, + ‘ peri Anneat Repurk 3 SIXTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT The Report is of concern to 543 financial members. OF these, 333 are Ordinary Members, 172 Country Members, 16 Associate Members, 19 Honorary Members, and 3 Life Members. In addition, there are 6 Subseribers, The Club has had the pleasure this year of electing to Honorary Membership Messrs, E. E- Pescott, J. W. Audas and A. H, E. Matlingley, During his very long association each has, as member and office-bearey, added much to the prestige of the Cluh, During the year we have lost through death several members whose passing has heen recorded with sorrow. Aniong them sliould be mentioned Messrs. James Searle, R. H. Croll and Charles Daley. all men of emmence in the community and all st-Presidents of this Club, The passing of Miss Ingram severs the Jast link in our association with that fanuly. The continved membership expansion has auginented the work and problems of the officers of the Club. The average attendance at meetings has been high—on some oceasions embarrassingly go—and although the Lecture Room at The National Museum and Public Library at first seemed an ideal meéeting-place, its abandonment was forced upon us by limited seating and exhibit space. The Conunittee invited an expression of opinyor 2s to the advisability of transferring our General Meetings ta the Her- harium and, with an overwhelming vote im favour. the change was effected during March last; whe new meeting-place appears to give ¥eneral satssfaction, Kefetrence to recent Proceedings wilt indicate that there has been a good variety of exhibits on display front time to time, but inenbers will doubtless recall that miauy interesting Nattral History objects rémain unrecorded in the Naturalist. The fault has heen with the exhibitor, who should have made it a point to supply the Secretary or Assistant Secretary with a brief identi- fying and explanatory note, The Editor has made repeated requests for short paragraphs to fill in small spaces in the journal and a regular supply of brief notes on various exhibits would serve very well, The Club has reason to be grateful to its Editor and Assistant Editor for devation to their honorary offices. The fact that the Naturakst appears on time without fail is sufficient com- ment on the combined efforts of these gentlemen and the pub- lishers. Volwne 64 has heen completed and the Index is now available. It will have been noted that some small changes have heen made in the format, the chief purpose bemg to devote more space to the Club's own activities. The popularity of Group Meetings has not lessened and during the vear two new Groups have become well establislted—one for Marine Biology and the other a Wildflower Garden Section—both providing the vehicle for special sludy and discussion which is 52 tna! Report vin we le not so easily available, utr perhaps desirable. at our General Meetings. Atteudances at the Botany Discussion Grow: have been very good. Mr, J. H. Willis has presented a series of lectures dealing with systematic botany aid plant ecolagy, while excursions have been specially arranged {o link up with topics discussed at the Group meetings. The exhilats by members have been an inpor- tant part of the proceedings and the Group has given generous assistance at three publie displays during the year, An Index of botanical references from the Mictorian Naturalist was undev- takes by members and it has been decided to attempt an ecolpgtcal survey af the Sherbrooke Forest area, Members are also indebted to Mr, A, J, Swaby, Mr, H. C.K. Stewart and Mr. P. F. Morris for the part each has played in the development of the Group, the présent pupularity of which is gauged by its membership of more than 40. ¢ The Marine Biology Gronp only came ito being last August, hut is steadily growing a strenpth and scope. Under the guid- ance of Mrs. M. FE. Freame and Mr. A. J. Swahy (who os con- ducting 2 course of lectures on elementary biology) rhe meetings, discussions on exhibits and special summer excursions to places such as Cawes and J.orne have all added to the mterest. The value of the Cowes excursion was enhareed because the leader— Mr. Croshie Morrison—spoke iniormatively on various collected specimens which were exhibited in his marine tank. The Group is hoping, in the near future, to possess its uwn manne tank fitted with a large lens. Such an instrument would add greatly to the interest and instructive value of living marine forms, The Geology Group is continuing to stimulate interest in gen- logical aspects. of natural history ancl its members have taken full advantage of those excursions to districts of geological interest. Perhaps the most noteworthy was the Easter Cainp-out at Heath- cote. The Group has suffered a distinct foss im the departure of Mr. F. S. Colliver to Brishane, but his place is being capably filled by Mr, A A, Baker, who is instructing beginners in the study of geology. including palaeontology. The Wildflower Garden Section has planned its mectings at the Royal Society's Hall for the first Tharsday in each month. For a variety oO} reasons meetings have not been regular, but atten- dances ate good, The Section is concerned with encouraging the cultivation of our native plants in private and civic gardens, and the exchange and exhibition of such plants: a “wildflywer” seed repository has been set up and is in the charge of Mr. R. Savage. The wisdo of establishing an Excursion Sul+Committee has been apparent to members who have had the pleasure and profit of joimng in the Club’s outings, Some ef these have been notable successes, andl the Sub-Conmmittee’s only regret is that present z uy Aannal Report 55 costs and transport Tucilities set limits on the number of members who can participate. The Sub-Comnuittee’s greatest difficulty— ane which, should be ton-existent in a Club the size of owra—is 10 obtaining leaders. Jt might be worth pointing out here that such leaders are not expected to be authorities on the subject with which che excursion may be concerned: the leader's task is ratlier ‘to define a route, appoint the tine and place of the final rendez vous, and assist members of the party to meet and compare notes on the results of the excursiat. The thanks of all are due to the Excursion Secretary, Mr. A. A. Baker, and his helpers, who have worked far harder than we are entitled to expect of them, In segard to excursions, this year has heen notable for the revival of F.N.C.Y, Camp-outes, the first during the Australia Day week-end at Lake Mountain, and the secant during Easter at Heatheote. Other Sub-Committees have also justified their appointment. That concerned with Plant Names and the Revision of the Census af Victerian Plants reports that its monumental task is nearing completion, while the Maranoa Gardens Advisory Sub-Committee has been larpely instrumental in awakening and maintaining in- terest in those gardens. The Camberwell City Council has now erected the handsome Frederick Chapman Memorial Gates at the Parring Koad entrance, The official opening of the Memorial Gates on April 17 last was performed as prelude to a tree-planting ceremuny in which many of our officers and members took part. All visitors to Maranya will be indebted to Mr, A. J. Swaby for his splendid work in identitying, listing, and indexing the vege- tation, and our Club wishes to place on record that his work in this comnection is deeply appreciated. The Heathlands Flora Reserve Sub-Committee has pursued enquiries into the feasibility of establishing 4 permanent natural garden reserve in some part of our characteristic “red-sand” heath area; hut, from its report to the Committee, we can hope for very little in this direction unless it take the form’ of some sinalfer garden complementary to Maranoa rather than a park-like reserve. To obtain even this, it seems essential ta win the interest of private land-holders. The National Monuments Sub-Committee has continued its work during the year, Initial enquines ivite the present condition, status, financial position, and possibilities of development of our existing National Parks has involved extensive corcespondence, aiid visits have beert made to several of the Parks. This work has resulted in the compilation af a reasonably comprehensive report which is due to be published soon. Tiw establishment of a Nationa] Forest Reserve i (ie region of the Lewer Glenelg River—s project sponsored by the F.N.C, aid R,A.O.U.—has been approved. ‘Whe Reserve is to be con: Vict, Nnt. x Annual Report sh Hint trolled by the Forests Commntission—an arrangement similar to that applying to the Kulkyne Forest and Hattah Lakes region, but at present the reservation of the whole area recommended is conditional on the Forests Commission effecting an equitable exchange of acres with the Vepartment of Lands and Survey, which at present’ controls an mmportant and substantial section of the area. 1 Dnring the year the Victorian Counei) of Scientific Societies has held regular meetings at which the Club has been repre- sented by Mr, J. H. Willis. Tor the ensuing year his place will be taken by Mr. E, E_ Lord. Three delegates attended the A.N.Z.A,A.5, meetings at Perth in August 1947. The Committee has received from one of them ir P_ F, Morris) a report on stich proceedings as affect the ub. The Aystrahan Natural History Medallion for 1947 was awarded to Mr. P. Crosbie Morrison, and the presentation made by Mr, W. Russell Grimwade at the November meeting of this Club. The award ts now anade ander rules which have been entirely revised and considerably amplified. Two major alterations deal with the composition and tenure of office of the Award Com- mittee, which is composed of highly competent people nominated hy the General Conmmittee. but not necessarily members of that Committee. Ta permit of some continuity half of the members at this Committee will be replaced every two years by three new members, whose tern of office will be for four years. The second imperfant amendment permits a nomination for the Award to stand for fhree year's, Earlier tr the vear a proposal emanating from the Raval Zoo- logical and Acchmatizabon Society of Vietoria—that this Club should amalgamate with it—gave mse to long discussions between representatives of both bodies; it became apparent that the scheme was unworkable and the Club then proceeded ta form its Marine Biology Group, the establishment of which had been delaved by these negotiations. Since last Annual Report the Club has received several dona- tians of hooks, and is especially grateful t) Mr, Allen (a nephew of the late J. and W_ Ingram), Miss Wilcox (the daughter of one of our yery early members), Mr. J. McCaw (one-titne mem- ber of 40 or 50 years aga}, the estate of the late Charles Daley, who will be remembered as a prominent member of this Club, Miss F. Smith, Messrs. F. §. Colliver, H. P. Dickins, T. S. Hurt, Noel Learmonth and Mr. and Mrs. R. 8, Jenitison, Congratulations were offered to several members whose appoint- ments and achievements have brought some distinction during the year: to our former Assistant Secretary, Mr, Noel Lothian, as Director of the Botanic Gardens, Adelaide: ta Mr, R. A. Bunn, ci Aunyel Report si as Honorary Arachnologist at the National Muse), Melbourne; and to Mr. F, S, Colliver, as Curator of the Geological and Palae- ontological Collection of the Geology Department at the University of Queensland. Other matters which have been dealt with by the Committee unchide the setting up of a Sub-Committee to co-o/dinate Youth Movements and wherever possible to relate them with those ct the F.N.C.V. This Sub-Committee (Messrs. A. J. Swaby, P. F. Morris, 5. R. Mitehell and Mrs, M. E, Freame) has kept the General Committee informed of what is being done with various youth associations such as our own Jumor ‘Branch at Hawthorn, the Bayside County Boy Scouts’ “Association, the Hawthorn ts- trict Boy Scouts’ Association, the Opportunity Clubs, etc, Mentbers of the Sub-Corumittee and other tnembers (notably Miss I, Wat-. son, Messrs. Colliver, Hammet and Willis) have all devoted portion of their limited leistire in giving Natural History talks te various youth groups and societies. In this and many other ways devised by the Sub-Committee the good influence of the Club is. being extended, lt is ahmost supérfluous to cay that we have continued our Vigilance over matters affecting the conservation of fora and fauna, ‘The wanton destruction of werdge-tail eagles by imembers of an archery club, the unnecessary cruelty ta caged birds as part of the normal activities of country gun clubs, the alleged wusatisfactary captivity oF 2 young kangaroo, the export of our fauna to overseas ‘zoos,’ the destruction and vandalism oecur- ring in the habitats of our rarer protected wildflowers, are all matters that have been the subject of represeutation to the appra- priate authorities, often with the support and independent action of the country Field Naturalists’ Clubs. A number of short para- graphs stressing the uniqueness and beauty of certain wildflowers, und rennndets of their protection under the Jaw, were prepared by some of the members and broadcast irom one of the national Stations. One of the major matters thal as claimed the altention of the Committee has beem ihat of legal incorporation for the Club. A stateent on this matter by the President was published in the Naturalist last May, consequently nothing more uced be said in this Report except ta mention that the proposition had the vnani- imuus endorsement of the General Committee, Pending acceptance of the proposal by the geiteral body of menibers, a Strb-Committee consisting of the Presidetu (Miss I. Watson), the then Honotary Secretary (Mr. IP. S. Collivery, the Honorary Treasurer (Mr. E. E. Lord), with Mr. C Brysnt as legal adviser, was appointed to undertake a complete revision af the Rules, Mr. A. H, Chisholm, Mr. A, G, Hooke and Mr. G. TIyum were co-opted to assist. This long und tedious: task SR Annual Report "Yel oe has been completed and after examination and amendment by the fuli Committee the new Rules have been presented for con- firmation by members, It is necessary to point aut that a further revision to one or two of the Rules will be necessary, if and when incorporation is decided upon. In the meantime the present revisions are mostly clarifying in nature, but one of them is of some interest to country mettibers ag it extends the radiis of residence for metropolitan or ordinary members to 20 miles from Melbourne, instead of 15 ag hitherto—the suburban area is now generally regarded as being within a radius of 20 miles of the city. The amoimt of clerical work associated with Club activities is now large and occupies a considerable amount of the time of officers to whom this work is delegated; much correspondence might be avoided if all members paid their subscriptions promptly. As from May of this year wrappers for the Naturalist will be handled by the addressing machine systen) and the replication work has been putin the hands of a business firm, - Under the direction of Mr. A. J. Swaby, matters are well in hand for the 1948 Australian Nature Show to be held at the Hawthorn Town Hall next October, it is hoped that this will be an outstanding event in the history of the Club, The several Discussion Groups are closely associated with the project, hut individual members should do their best to assist in any way they can- Regular contact has been maintained with kindred country clobs at Ararat, Bendigo and Portland, and much co-operative work has heen acconiplished during the year. The excursions to Ararat and Bendigo were memorable events which created considerable interest among the general public in each town and we can be sure they did much to foster the ever- growing appreciation of our flora and fauna and the value of its conservation, It is appropriate to mention several notable bappenings that have occurred in the Cluh during the past year, Perhaps the most noteworthy was the acceptance of the office of President by Miss Ina Watson, the first lady to preside over our meetings in the sixty-eight years of the Chub’s existence. Another event has been the relinquishing by Mr, F, S, Colliver of the office of Honorary Secretary after almost 17 years’ service in that position. The continuity of his service as Secretary was broken once by illness, and again for # year by his elevation to the office af President. The departure of Mr, and Mrs. Colliver to Qucensland University was suitably acknowiedged by the Club at a well-attended farewell social evening last April. Among the last acts of Mr, Colliver was the completion of a task that has heen under way for many years and in which a 338 Anival Ieport 39 number of past officers of the Club has heen engaged at one time ot another, viz-, the GO-year Author Index to the Naturalist. The thanks of the Club is due to all who have been associated with this monumental taslk, . Another severe luss is the recent tesignation of My, A. H. Chisholny as Honorary Editor of the Club's publications. His transfer to Sydney ends nine years of pleasant companionship and invaluable service to the Club. As a matter of interest it is recorded that, following repre- geutations from numerous bodies, including this Club, the Postal Authorities have decided to issue a special postage stamp in com- memuration of Daron von Mueller, an early patron-of the FLN,C, The financial position of the Club is at present on a very satis- factory basis, but it will be seen from the Honorary Treasurer's Audited Statement that the increases in subscriptions and charges which were authorized last year were: applied none too soon as the continually rising costs of goods and services for which we inust pay would otherwise have left us at a, disadvantage. Tn conclusion we thank the Government Botanist for his kind- ness in making available for General Meetings che lecture hall at the National Herbarium, for his affording safe storage for some of the Club’s vatuable property, including the callectian of water-colour paintings by Miss Amy Fuller, and for permitting the officers of the National Herbarium ta act on our Plant Names Sub-Committee during their official time. To all members and iriends who have devoted time and energy in Furthering the aims and ideals of the Club we tender the gratitude of fellow-members, Finally, to our President, who, although 2 signatory of this Report and one af the Committeé on whose behalf it is presented, can claim no responsibility for this last statement, the rest of the Committee desires to record its deep appreciation of her kindness in making available her hoine for our meetings. (Signed) Inn M. Watson { President). J. Ros Garnet (Hon, Secretary), NATIVE SHRUBS THRIVE WITH GRAVEL The use of gravel, both incorporated in the soil and a3 a molten, is highty to be recommended. Mr. Iva C. Hammet of Ivanhoe has long been au advocate of its use and, in my mwn experience, | de mor kiiow of any “native” that does not benefit from gravel in the soil. Most Western Australians varietles seem to relish egravelle soil American Muscum of Natural History: Bulletins. Publications. Smithsonian Institute, Washington: Anniuni Renorts, Qhio Journal of Science: Bulletins. Lioydia (Menasha. Wisc.) . Bingham Oceanographic Society: Bulletin. Plants an@ Gardens (Brooklyn Botanic Gardens), Various: Lingnan Scietice Journal (Ching)- Stnitio Rotanica (Czechnslovakia) - 72 What, Where and H' hen ue WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN General Excursions: Saturday, July 10—Kallista/Sherbrooke. Subjects; “Lyre-birds"’ and “Giant Eucalypts.” Leader: Mr, A. G. Hooke, Train from Flinders Street 9.18 am, to Upper Ferntree Gully, thence motor bus to Kallista. Bring one meal. Afternoon excursionists meet party at Hairpin Bend, Clematis Avenue, about 2.30 pom, Saturday, July 24—lnverleigh. Parlour coach 180 miles, via Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, returhing yia Geelong, Subjects: “Birds, Historical, and Aboriginal Microliths.” Leaders: To be announced at July meeting: Bring two meals, including picuic lunch at Reservoir in Brisbane Ranges, Reserved seat hookings, 17/- return, with Mr. A, A. Baker, 33 Carliste Street, Preston, N.18. Satwday, August 7—Museum of Applied Science. Subject: “Wax Model- ling Demonstration” (of special interest to Botany members), Leader; Mr. R. H. Fowler. Meet Swanston Street entrance to National Museum 2.40 p.m. lutending excursionists must register names beforehand. with Excursions Committee. Group Fixtures: Saturday, July 10—Geology Group Excursion to National Museum Labora- tory. Subject; “Chemical Test Practice.” Mect at Museum, Russell Street, 2.30 p.m. Saturday, July 17—Marine Biology Group Uxcursian. Further particulars From Mrs. M. E. Freame (Tel. WA 2379). Saturday, July 17—Botany Group Excursion to Ferny Creck via Upper Ferntree Gully. Subject: “Mosses anc Hepatics’’ Leader: Mr. P, N. S. Bibby. Particulars from Mr. A. J. Swaby (XW 2669) or at general meeting. Trait from Flinders Strect at 9.18 am. Monday, July 26—Botany Group. Royal Society's Hall, 8 p.nt. Subject: “Mosses aid Heathlands,” by Mr. J. H, Willis, B.Sc. Tuesday. August 3—Geolopy Group. Royal Society's Hall, 8 gan. Study “Trilobites,’ hy Mr EH. D. Gill, B.A. B.D, Thursday, August 5-—Wildflower Garden Group. Royal Society’s Hall, 8 p.m, New inenibers weleome, Friday, August 6—Marine Biology Grom Royal Society's Hall, 7.45 pan. New members invited, Further details from Hon. Sec. of Group. Miss W, Taylor, 13 Joliniont Square, Johmont, C2 (Tel, M¥ 4269— day ouly). . A A. BAKER, Excursion Secretary, 53 Carlisle St.. Preston, N18, The Victorian Naturalist __ Vol, 65—No. 4 AUGUST 4, 1948 No. 776 PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held at the National Herbariurn on Monday, July 12, 1948, the President, Mr. J. Kos Samet, and about 180 members attending. Apologies for non- attendance were received from Messrs. P. Crosbie Marrison, J. H. Willis, G. N. Tyam and Allan Carter, and from Mrs, V. HH. Miller, whose iliness evoked an expression of syinpathy, The President spoke regarding the proposed excursion to Kush- worth (September 30 to October 3), durmg which it is intended to make biological observations in the Rushworth, Waranga and Whroo areas. Mr_ Baker spoke on the forthcoming trip to Inver- leigh, announcing that a new scheme was to be tried aut «the bus would stop at interesting spots on the road and members of the party would be asked to act as leader in turn. In this way mem- bers should gain experience it) conducting an excursion. My. Baker appealed to members for additional orgamizers on the Excursions Committee. Mr. Swaby reported that the response for helpers at the forth- coming Show in October had been very poor and again appealed for volunteers to share in the work. Members should antity the Secretary, without delay, of any Club property in their possession, The President drew attention to the Conference on National Parks which would take place in the Lecture Room, Public Library, on July 28, at 7.45 pan, Members are urged to attend this Conference and give the movement all possible support: Iv was announced that Miss Raff had nominated Mrs, E. Cole- man as the Club’s vominee ior the Natural History Medallion, 1948 (approved by Commitiee), Thanks were conveyed to Mr. H. P. Dickins for a copy of his booklet, Mictoriam Orchids, and to Mr. E. E. Lord for his hook, Shrubs and Trees for Austraian Gur ears. The following wert elecled as Ordinary Members; Miss 1, G. Dunn, Miss Mavis Stackey, Mrs. J. T. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. C, E. Isaac, Mr. R. G. Thompson, Mr, D, G. Semmens and Mr. H, Haase: and as Country or Iuterstate Members! Messrs. B, Easterbrank and C, E, Chadwick, Messrs. J. T. Hamilton, F_ §. Colliver and A, H, Chisholin were elected’ to Honorary Membership, Mr, Harnlton and Mr. Chisholm, being present, received their Certificates and were con- eratulated hy the President. 74 Field Naturalists’ Club Provecdinas Waa {In appreciation of his splendid work as Honorary Editor, Mr. Chisholm was presented with a smoker's table, and the best wishes of members were conveyed to him by the President. Mr. Chisholm, in reply, thanked the Club; he was happy to be an Honorary Member of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, his home State, as he was already one of the Queensland Club. He told inembers that the new edition of The Ansiratan Encyelopadia, of which he had been appointed Editor, would be of considerahle interest to naturalists, since it would contain articles, by recognized experts, on all phases of natural history. The following nominations for membership were received: As Ordinary. Messrs, W. E. Day, L. G, Dale and I. Morrison; and as Conntry or Interstate, Me, E. &. Smith (Christchurch, NZ.). Mr. A. N. Burns, Entomologist of the National Museum. took as his subject “Butterflies,” Mr. Burns gave a brief survey of the position in the ammal kingdom of these beautiful insects, followed by plates through the epidiascope, After the lecture members had an opportunity to adimtre the trays of beautifully mounted speci- mens which Mr. Burns had brought from his own collection. Nature Notes Miss Raff read an extract from an overseas. publication which reported that, owing to severe winter in Vienna, the swallows had been unable to migrate south over the Alps. as is their custom. They had heen collected and transported over the mountains into Italy by plane, train and other conveyances. Me. French reported having seen, in Maranoa Gardens, a mappie building its nest entirely of wire. Mr. A. H. Chisholin said that this was not yuncommen. Mr. Dickins remarked on the species of native plants still grow- ing on Caulfield Racecourse—the last rémnant of a once abundant flora. ‘Mr. A. H, Chisholm reported the cutting down of many trees in the wattle grove at Wattle Park and requested the Club to make enquiries into this matter, and if possible ensure that no further destruction occurred. He also showed some pictures of the helmeted honeyeater taken aul Woor Yallock by Mr, Roy Canper. EXHIBITS Mr, V. HB. Miller; One of the Peneil-orchids—collected on Cabbage-tree Island, an uninhabited island just outside Port Stephens, N.S.W.. by Dr. D'Ombraim twenty years aga: it has only just begun to bloom. Mr. G, A, Hateley (Stawell): The Orange Banksia from WA, (2. prionotes}; the King Hakea from) WA. {AL evento); red-Howered variety of Etccalpptns levicoxrylon) and the Mitre Guy, WA, CEndalsptis mitrata, syn. E, covenatn), Mr. R. D. Lec: Six motnted specimens of red seaweeds. collected at Middle Brighton. Mr. R. © Kershaw: Specimens of Tiger Cowrie (Capraca liynis Le), jncluding several juvenite specimens, one unnsually large ps R. C, Keesuaw, Jngonile Speciueus of Trper Cowry 75 Messe, ©. French and R. Bury: Thirlecit species. of uative Aowers from Ovecnslaid, West Australia and Victoria—grown at Maranoa Gardens, Garden Group (per Mr. &. Savage): Grevillca pruuiceas GO. buwifalias G, Hooherima; Go resmonnifaio (Hurstbridge) ; G. lavondulacen| Eucalyptus Jeuconyon “rosea”; Cassia urtenusiotdes; Achnastrobus sp; Correa mba; Barckeo cressifohas Bo ramasissima: ancl Eriasteunon abovalls. Mr, I. Hanwmety Grevilfos snacroshilis, Evivstanton eahavelis, Correa veflera, €. pitchella; Diplolacsa yravifent, Mr. Richardsan: Fossil Tidecua shell from Nauru. and oyster shell gram the South Seas. Mrs. M. E. Freame> Tunicate from Willizinstawn. NOTE ON SOME JUVENILE SPECIMENS OF THE TIGER COWRY {Cyproea tigris) By Row. C, Kresnaw, Melhourne. Probably ihe mest widely known of siollusea are the cowres, and doultless the ‘Tiger Caowry” ranks among the best-known species. The layman, however. is possibly less familiar with the juvenile form, which, bearing os it does seame resemblunce to the Oliva, is harder to recognize. At the July imecting of the Club ie avrite! exhibited a series of ‘Tiger Cowries, among which were several juvenile specimens, These ad all reached a stage of growth at which they hear closer resemblance to the adult form than would 4 inore youthtu) "Oliva-like” specimen. The exlitsits showed forms approachtug and ineluding tha fully developed adult. ‘The juvenile cowry has a thin, sharp outer lip, a proimineit spire, and 35 covered with a thin epidecimis. When fully developed, the Johes o7 the mautle have expanded over the sheli, and have deposited a shining enamelled surlace—so much a feature of the cowry shell, A line of brighter colour 3s usually ubservable traversing (he dorsum nt the shell, asc is an indication of the position at which the mantle Jobes mect. The first of the juyenile specimens exhibited, upam which UC will comment, showed @ partially inflected outer hip with a few erenulations or teeth. The shell as a whole was thin and light, being approximately one-third the size of an adult specimen, and weighing, half an ounce. Its dimensions were: length, 64 19m.> breadth, 45 otm_; height. 39 tun. The secoid specimen I belzeve to be tihuswally large Te was shieatly more advanced than the ane described above, the auter lip somewhai mare inflected. while both lips showed a complete though inure serics of crenilations, The sliell in this specimen way again rather fragile. The followiva dimensions, however, may prove interesting? length, 104 mm; breadth, 74 mm.: height, 60 mm.; weight, 2 ounces. The lurgest of the teu adult specimens exhibited compares wilh the preceding a5 foliows: length. 102 wen.) breadth. 71 mm.; Neiwht. 56 mm.; weight, 5 ounces. The third juvenile specimen shawed an almost fully inflected outer Jip, with a full though sali series af cronulations on bath lips, The shell owas stronger and approximately two-thirds af the adule form Each of these specimens showed a depressed spire and enameiled surface, indicating their advanced stage of growth. AN specimens were from the Barrier Reef and Fijt, The adult Tiger Cowry may be thus briefly desevited (ior camparison) + Shell convalute, ventticose; covered with shining enamel: base white; dorsuity creamy, covered with hght to dark brown and ‘black spots or hlotehes; spire ranceated; aperture long and narrow, with a short canal at each oid; tmer lip créenulated, onter lip iWAeected and ereaulared 76 J. Fa Wiis, Natire end Distriiuenion of “Mioanale? bys fsa OM THE NATURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF “MOONAH” (Melaleuca piebescens Schauer) By James H, Winters, National Herbarium, Melboume Tulvodiutehion Mr. J. M. Béchervaise ina recent description of Rodando Island, stresses the dominant dle of Moonah (Melaleuca pubes- cena) in the luxuriant vegetation that he found covermg this mile- square, Bass-like rock. Tis many references to the tree, however, reaily apply to a related specics, M. armllariy Sm., and J have already admitted with regret ()/ic. Nat, Vol, 64, p. 22, June 1947) culpability for this unfartunate error: Moonalt does iat oecur on Rodondo, nar on any other island of Bass Strait. During the last four years, M, pubescens has heen mentioned’? as a frequent component of the lime-tolerant plant conmunities in southern clistricts of South Australia, uotably on Eyre's Penin- sula. Since the plant is also rather widespread in wester Victoria, the time seems opportune to summarize any information at present available concerning its distribution, Bat. perhaps one should begin hy describing the species briefly ancl indicating where its near affinities lie. Description aud A ffintitics Hotit—-A small spreading tree, 10-30 [1 high, the rootstock frequently giving rise to several thick (to more than 12 in, diameter} trunks which may lean outwards or become coutorted with age; falfage forming a dense umbragéous crown, Bark.—Rough and dark gréyish-bruwn throughotit, imparting a sombre appearance to the tree. Timber—Pale pinkish-brown, very taugh, heed and dense; air-dry weight about 35 Ibs, per culsio foot (sae Ewart, £i. Mie, 1930, 863), Leaves — Fede & = JH. Wis, Nature aud Distribution of “Moonah” er a contmuous community over wide areas, but the author has no records at present of any occurrence ontside this pravisioval boundary lire As to Western Australia, existing records are very doubtful on account of long confusion with the paper-bark M, Pretssiane and, tintil quite recently, it was even assumed that MW, pubescens of eastern States did not occur in the West. In August 1947. I had excellent opportunities for tracing Moonah west across Eyre's Peninsula to the fringe of the Nullarbor country near Cofona station, Apparently it was absent [rom the Head of the Bight, but definitely reappeared at Eucla (i170 miles away, over the W.A, Border) and continued all along the Hampton Range scarp, at least to as far as Madura station. Thereafter I noted it again near Cocklebiddy camp, around Norseman, and at Ravensthorpe beyond which the species was observed no more—l kept to the sand-heath plains toward Ongerup and the Stirling Range, where M, Pretssiana was conspituols in salty depressions, Prohably M_ pubescens is not infrequent in that great Salnion Gum beit between the coastal sand plains and the arid zone along the Trans-Continental Railway line; it certainly enjoys a wide distribution in the Eucla Division, W-A,., but authentic recorrls are at present too meagre to form the basis of a western distribution imap (see inset sketch of possible range in West Australia), I did not see Moonah anywhere in the South-west Division; bur Mr. C. A, Gardner, Govt: Botantst at Perth, tells me that there isa small rough-harked Melafened on Rottnest Island and that it answers rather well to descriptions ot the eastern M. prbescens. Until this islund plant is carefully examined, we shall nat know whether it constitutes an extraordinary isolated occurrence of Moonah or js same other related species, Commencing at the arid Nullarbor Plain (a natural barrier to arboreal migration) and working easterly, we find an outlier of Moonak at Qoldea Soak-—mentioned by various visitors to the spot—and other octurrences near Colana station and Fowler's Bay, on the west coast of South Australia. There is a { ringing of it along many parts of the coast from Smoky and Venus Hays into Eyre’s Peninsula, Here, Moonah spreads inland also, to Wudinna or beyond; together with Caswarina stricta, it iorms, according ta Crocker,” “probably the nrost widespread association on Eyre’s Peninsula.” - Fiinders Island and Pearson's Islets in the Investigator Group (18 miles, and more, off Cape Finniss) support dense forests of M. pubescens, which follows the western side of Spencer's Gulf from Cape Catastrophe at least as far as Cleve and Cowell. The Gawler Ranges define a boundary across Eyre’s Peninsula and there are no records of the syecies worth of it; but from Mt. Brown and Quorn at the head af Spencer's Gulf, there are occur- Am) TH, Witats, Nature aad Distributian of “Moana 81 rences along the western slopes of the Flinders Range to Copley and Mt Lyndhurst—presumahly the northern limit of distribution. We have many localities on Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, and the limestone country between Adelaide and the Victorian border, particularly the raised beach zones behind Robe and Beach- Ore. P In Vieteria, Moonah encircles but avotds the Western High- lands. We have records from Portland, Apsley, Dimbooia, and almost throughout the Murray Mallee plains, while a southern extension hugs the sea-front lo the environs of Warrnambool, The Grampians are a harrier; so are the Otways, beyond which Mounah reappeays at Lorne, Anglesea, thence as an almost con- tintiows belt above the sea cliffs to Barwon Hears, Queenscliff and Sorrento. ‘There are isolated patches of it on the western shores oi Port Phillip Bay, along the Djevriwarrh) Creek (in com- pany with Lucalyptus Behriana—a Mallee), on Phillip Island and, lastly, around Corinella and San Remo, No occurrence has been reported from Tasmania, nor from any island m Bass Strait. North of the Divide, our records include Wvceheproot. Ingle- wood, Kamarooka and Picola, Swinging east from Mildura, we micet scattered trees through parts of the Riverina, until the north- easterly limit of distribution is reached in the Wyalong-Temoura district, N.S.W., where Moonah becomes conspicudus again. It is puzzling to account for Maiden's® statement, “All the eolanies exept Vieroria.” when the spectes is so well known from many parts of this State, though absent front Tasmania, Applying the “Age und Area” hypothesis. one would look to Evre's Penin- sta, where Moonah is now so abundant, as a very prahable centre al origin aid soutge of migration toward the preseny extremes, - Ecological Crocker® has eszablished an association in whieh fi elalence pubescens is the dominant tree, Casuarina steicta and Buyrsaria soivesa heiig locally inpertant or even co-dominant. This is characterized] by very shallow soils of the recldish-brown “teria rossx” type in which travertine limestones oceur at or near che surface, and considerable areas in che far south-cast of South Australia support 4 savanbah woodland of Melaleuca with asso- ciated shrubs and grasses. On Eyre's Peninsula, as already noted,’ is a widespread Casuarina sficte-Melalewca, pubescens association, with the former species usvally dominant. and in both regrous the Moonah contmmities pass gradually into Mallee eucalypt scrubs. As it occurs in the Victorian Mallee. Moonah would probably. fit into Crocker’s concept of a calciphilous savannah woedland com- munity, though the occurrences are mostly very small “jsiands” in the surrounding eucalypt forest, eg. Red Gum forest along the flood plains of the Murray helow Echuea, where it occupies higher 82 JH. Wiutis, Nature and Distribution of “Moonah” bs Ang ground not sabject to inundation, Dr, N.C, W, Beadle, Sydney (in fit.) also quotes “sandy ‘islands’ in the saltbush country" of south-western New South Wales. Keferring to occurrences in western N.SW_, Mr. D. IL. W. Henderson writes: “The soils whereon I have seen if growing between Moama and Stoney Crossmg and about Wyalong and Taleeban are sandy red-brown earths of the ‘mallee sandhill’ type, not ‘terra-rogsas’.” The few coastal belts in Victoria are more in the nature of ecotones of consolidated dunes (also rich in lime) between cliff vegetation and Encalyptes forest, which is apparently the clinvacx community; but the species is found under such a variety of edaphic and climatic conditions that the factors controlling its distrthution ate anything bert clear, At the one climanc extreme, we have Mt, Lyndhurst (S.A.) with fone hot summers and a rainiall below 10 inches; at the other, Torne and San Remo (Vic), which are comparatively mitd and cool, with rainfall about 33 inches. Throughont this range of climate, Moonah occurs at alitudes of little more than sea- level and probably always well beneath 1000 feet—it does not take kindly to the hills, Asa general rule, the species as mdicative of very shallow soil, as at Djerriwarrh Creck (Ordovician shales and sandstones) and on Mallee travertme; yet at Apsley (far western Victoria) and Picola (Goulburn Valley) it occtrrs on grassland and very open savannah respectively, both wath a good depth of loamy soil, Mr. Béchervaise’ has expressed astonishment that such dense Melaleuce. forest should cover Rodondo, while there is a total absence of arboreal! (or even shrub) vegetation on neighbouring Bass Strait istands of similar size and geological structure—Anser, Moncceur, Curtis, Hogan. ete. He attributes the present luxnriant growth on Rodondo to the existence of its Melaleuca canopy during many thonsands of years, thes affording protechon from gales fo the smaller plants and enriching the soil with humus {to a depth of several feet in places} The surrounding islets apparently had no Melaleuca uvmillaris and have always been at the mercy of wind erasion. More surprising, perhaps, is the absence of this tree from continental and geologically identical Wilson's Premantory, less than 8 miles distant, Except far occasional she-oaks (Casuarina stricta) and a small patch of tall eucalypts (E. btcostata and another spectes—probably #. oblique) on the western side, Rodendo consisis of practically pure stands of ancient and interlacing Melaleuce trees of prodigious size. Making due allowance for lower altitude (below 200 feet) and vainfall (15 inches), much yreater size (14 square miles), more even contour and more variable soil (ntostly caleihed sand with limestone near the surface, but some granitic outcrops), Tlinders Island off the Seuth Austrahan coast presents a remark- Ae J. A. Wines, Nature and Distritiation ef “loonah” 83 ably similar picture—now modified by farming with its attendant clearing and repeated serub fires. Osborn" writes: “The natural vegetation of Flinders Island is of a uniform type. Dune and cliff communities in thetr highest states tend to develop inte a scrub woodland with Velalenca partiflora [= M. pubescons|]. Over the greater part of the area now leit in its original state, this is the dominant plant. indeed, at times, it almost forms a mono-specife community... . The trees grow close together. ... The crown is very dense and umbrageous so that there is little or no ground dora, the surface of the soit being covered with a litter of fallen twigs and leaves. , .. On these islands, MM. parviflora woodland appears to be a subclimax, but whether the climatic or edaphic factors inhibit further development towards the Mallee consaciation, typical of most of the mainland areas with similar rainfall, it is not possible to say.” Melaleuca pubescens Schauer, 4 miles west of Nathalia, Goulburn . Valley, Vie. (Girth at B.H., 45 in.; height, 25 ft.) Photo.: J. H. Willis. Osborn regards the Casuarina consocies in the Investigator Group as indicative of better soils and more humid conditions— “a forest type that has reached! its climatic limit.” On Rodonido, there is evidence of a development towards high eucalypt forest ina damp, sheltered gully above the steeper western cliffs (500 icet}; so, in this sector at least, the Melaleuca armillarts would seem to be a subclimax community. Casitartna stricta does not form a consocies on better moister soils, as in the Investigator Group; it replaces Melaleuca only on the drier northern aspect of Rodondo. .V. armilluris, however, is a tree of much wetter country than its congener and can hardly be considered as an ecological parallel. $4 J. H. Wits, Neture and Distribution of “Moonah” ode a Sumaary Melaleuca pubescens Schauer is described and its near affinities indicated. Historically, the site of Allan Cunningham's original collecting is considered and Wyalong district in New South Wales put for- ward as the most probable type area. Synonymy is discussed and mention made of the long confusion with M. Preisstana Schauer, of Western Australia only. The known distribution (in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales) is traced with respect to a map showing reliable records, and several barriers to migration are cited. Reference is made to available information on the ecology of the species, which avoids mountainous areas and evinces a prefer- ence for limestone formations at or derived from the sea. There are occurrences on a wide variety of soi’s and the precise edaphic requirements are not yet tunderstood, The dominance of arboreal Melaleuca species on certain islands is made a matter of interest, and the AY. prbescens woodland on Flinders Island (S.A.) is compared with that of M. armullaris recently examined on Rodondo, 8 miles south of Wilson’s Promon- tory (Vic.} Acknowledgments For information as to the distribution of Mconah, the thanks of the author are gratefully tendered to Miss A, B, Adams (Melbourne), Dr. N. C. W. Beadle (Sydney}, Messrs. J. M. Black (Adelaide), C, A. Gardner (Goyern- ment Botanist, Perth) and D, L. W. Henderson (surveyor, N.S.W.) References 1. Béchervaise, J, M., 1947—Wild Life, IX, 130. 2. Bentham, G., 1866—Flora Atst., ITT, 145. 3. Black. J. M., 1926—Flora S. Aust., II], 409. 4, Blakely, W. F,, 1941—Aust, Nat, XI, 9. 5. Cheel, E., 1926—FPrec. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., L1, 408-410. & Crocker, R, L., 1944——Trans. Royal Soc. S. Aust, LXVII, 162 and 163. 7. Crocken R. L., 1946—/bid., LXX, 101, 8. Lindley, J., 1839—Edwards, Bot. Rey, XXV, App. &. 9. Maiden, J. H., 1889—Useful Native Plants of Aust., 570. 10. Mueller, F. J, H. von, 1858—Fragmenta Phyt. Aust., I, 15. 11, Osho a G. B., 1925—Trans. and Prec. Royal Soc. S. Aust. XLIX, 12. Schatier, J. C., 1843—Walpers, Rep. Bot. Syst.. I, 928. 13. Schauer. J. Ey 1844—Lehmann, Plant. Preiss., 1, 143, 14. Schlechtendal, D. F, L. von, 1847--Linnea, Th 654. FERN CORRESPONDENT WANTED Mr. Ewart G. Smith, lronmonger, 147-151 [igh Street, Christchurch, C.1, New Zealand, has read the Club's Fern Handbook with picasure; he etested im the cutie mis aiid Weilld welcome a Victorian correspondent with like inclinatiene, ern’ T. Raywrnt, New Sees ond Harps 85 NEW BEES AND WASPS—-PART VII Two Undeseribed Species of Evonewra, with Notes on Recent Collectings of several other Exotewrae and the Extraordinary Appendages of Their Larvae By Takuton RayMENT, F.R.2,S, Tutroudnctory I have a correspondent, Norman W. Rodd, a chemist who is also au indefatigable collector of the native bees, Facing his home ar Lane Cove, near Sydney, is a gully, steeply walled, with masses of the ubiquitous sandstone flung hither and thither as. though broadcast with careless prodigality by some gigantic hand. In this gully is found the typical xerophytic flora of the Sydney - sandstone areas: a wattle or wvo; nodding blue-bells; beard- heath (Leveepegen); Scacvola; Dianella; Olearia; Banksia; Correa, Epacris; aid, indeed, most of the other genera typical of such areas. In these retreats,. untouched by modern housing schemes, the collector finds many indigenous bees, for he is eager to assist in unravelling the story of Ewxonewra. He clambers down the gully, breaking off any likely looking sticks in the hope of Anding yet another “nest.” Of course he is rewarded, for he discovers in small dry twigs of wattle, Lantana and Ervthrina “nests” which hitherto. were unknown to science. Well, the collector is elated by his success, for he finds adults, “nests,’ and larvae, also other species at Lindfield, which is near the extreme head of Middle Harbour. and Brooklyn, near the Hawkesbury River, all these localities being in New South Wales. Two of Mr. Rodd’s collections proved to represent new species, and I propose the following nantes and append the specific desenp- tions. The short notes on other bees, together with the drawings of the larval forms, will assist the student in recognizing these extremely interesting but, nevertheless, critical species. Exonenre angophorcla, sp, nov. (Pam. Ceratindec) TYPE; Female—Length, 6 mm. Black head and thorax, red abdomen. Head transverse, shining, but with a well-defined microscopic tessellated sculpture, and large punctures; anterior orbital margins converging slightly below; clypeus with the cross-bar of a hooked “T™ above. and a wide suffused bar of yellow along the anterior margin, a small yellow dot laterally; front of the scapes ferru- ginous; labrinn reddish; mandibles black with a median red patch, and a sinall yellow patct basally, Mesothoras: shining, but tessellated, sculpture still evident; considerable white plumose hair an the pleura; tubercles black, with a thick fringe of white hair; tegulae apricot colour, as are all the axillae, . L View Bo J, Rayman th Nine Bees and Wasps tale Each segment of the seddish-fermiginous abdomen has a band of dsffused blackish cotour. Legs ferruginous, with very distinetive lack posterior tibiae and tarai with black hair; median tarsi dark with coppery hair. Wings with nervures septa, and pterostigma dark umber-brawn. Lacality: Lane Cove, Sydney, October 6, 1946. Tu stems af Lantana, Approaches £. hackert Cll. and. angopherae Chil, and more definitely alboknecata Ckil. By the larvae appendages there is some relationship to &. roddiana; there is a hke lack of “fingers” but there arc twa sleuder arms, and no nodes along the segments of the abdunién, Exancura sul-haculifern, 3p nev, TYPE: (in the callection of the author) > Female—Length, 6:5 mm, Black head and thorax. red abdomen. Head oily-bright with a tessellate sculpture; face deeply exca- vated arownd the bases af the seapes: clypeus with a yellow “T"” with a thin stent; scapes obscurely red in front, flagellum black; labrum) obscurely xediish; mandibles: black, r Mesothorax shining. but with tessellate sculpture still evident; much white hair on pleura; tegulac blackish: tubereles black. Each segment of the abdomen with a band of suffused dusky colour (a5 in angophorelia, but abdomen darker red); a mnecro- scapic rather coarse lineation, and numerous short stout hairs almost like peg-hairs. Posteriar legs ved, with much long black hair which also covers the hind tarsi; other legs mostly réddish, with same black on the Jemora. Nervares and pteroshgma reddish. Locality: Lindfield, October 5, 146, In stems of Frytloina. In the absence of the larvae, this species, and also A. omgo- phorella, would most certainly be determined as anyophkerae. Tndecd, it would now appear to be unwise, in the absence of larvae, to describe as new awy specimens im the group, The latge teat-like protuberance on the head of the larvae is indeed remarkable, and is an extreme developinent of the cephalic nod of £. bacuitfera Ck, Rodd suggests that the unique appendage of the larvae way he an exudatoritin, such as are present on certain ant larvae, Le. Pachystma latifrons, ihe adults of which bel off an exudate from the appenilages, and appear to enjoy such lipaids, for ant larvae are Jnown to exude fatly salstances. Rodd thinks that even the male Eawnenrd may receive some of the exudate, and this may account for the presence of sa many males in the nests of the species with appendages, and none in the nests of bees, the larva ot which are without such exudatoria Se far, I have not heen abte to study exhaustively the appendages of the Evonewrac. Dr. Hans Braumns, too, observed the larvae of ae T, Rayaewr, New Boos and Wasps RF one group of As Ordinary, Mrs. E. K. Lording, Hood St, North Essendon, as Country, Mr, John Young, 62 Victoria Av,, Chatswood, N.S.W. Mr, Garnet again asked for volunteers to join the Jexcursions Committee. . DISCOVERIES OF GREAT INTEREST The first speaker in Uns Syinposium was Mr. C. [. Gabriel, wha toll us of a very important “find” he had made in Westernport gay wear the Cowes Jetty. The tittle shell caused great discussion among many learned conchologists abroud, but was finally put in a wew penus, as Larinapsis turbinata, Another shell described was Himphrevia stranger, he only good specimen of which was given by Mr. Gabriel to the South Kensingtow Museum of Natural lfistory. Mr. R. Dunn showed a shde of the spider Saitis pavonis (the latter word meaning “‘peacock’) and deseribed its extraordinary courtship dance, Miss J. Raff gave an interesting Ieeturette on the three types of water nysects: ones that lived on the surface of the water, breathing free air; another, the “incotmplete aquatic’ type, that retained con- tact with the air, though usually submerged; and the third that wis entirely aquatic and completed its Jatval life beneath the surface, ; Mr. J. Willis told us how ih 1929 he had fornd plants of a strange sdstcha that grew 6 ft. tall in the Powelltowss-Beenak cis- trict. There are nine species of the genus in New Zealand, but ilis plant was the first giant species to be recorded for Australia. It grows in the dense shade of hoggy mountain gullies: uear their sources: Asteha (Liliaceae) with two dozet species, has a cireun- polar distvibution, being found is South America, Falklands, Réunion, Chatham and Campbell Islands, New Zealand, New Caledonia, SAL. Australia, New Guinea, Tahiti, Hawaii and the Marquesas, ' eanbeniset | FNC. Praccedings 10? Mr, A, Baker showed specimens of “imprisoned rocks,” \vorn into smooth surlaces and Many curious angles by the action of -water in a confine spice (potholes, eie.)- Mr. R. Lee spoke on seaweeds, tnd showed shdes to illustrate his short talk. These plants are conveniently clivided into three sections—the reds. browns, and greens, Chey differ from land plants in liaving neither vasenlar structure, flawers nor roots, reproduction bemg by water-borne spores, and very complicated. Mr. Crosbie Morrison showed a film of the fruit-eating bat (“flying fox’) ard pointed out the comfortable manner i which it weapped itself ap im its wings amd rocked self to sleep, -Mr. A. D. Hardy spoke on anto-parasitism of 2 giant dodder- laurel (Cassytha melaniiia), and showed that by experiment it had been proved that the haustoria an the twinmg stem ma penetrate into jzs own tissue, He also reported the case of a “Bewildered Grey Box,” which had sent dawn a liranch 30 ft. long towards the ground. The foliage on this branch appeared to he that of grey box, Sut the flowers and buds were something between a grey and yelluw box ! Mr. A. Swaliv made same interesting comments on .4ngiilleene dioiva (Karly Nancy), Surchurdio umbetkite (Milkwsaids) andl Dichopoyan stvictes (Chocolate Lily;, with regard. to the purposes uf certain floral appendages, Mr, Willis read a nute from Mr. C. Trench telling how in 1892, on an excursion to Oakleigh, he had discovered beneaili sone tea- tree a patch of Golder Leek-orchids (Pravophyihimt Dion) anil Corybas wiqguiculatus, a small helmet-orchid—both new. records for mainland Austraha, and the former new to science, ‘The type of Prasaphyiiuis Dixontt, ia Melbourne Herlaninn, has been critically examined recently by Mr. W.-H. Nicholls, whe Pranounces tt to he merely a pale jorm of P. nigricans; so the species must lapse into syronymy.—Ed.] ; Mr. Muir, of Dimboola, reported that the hahitat of rasa fhylion fusco-viride (Dusky Leek-archid) im Vicroria has heen extended by another 40 miles, Tt is now known from Dimboola (the lype area}, Diapur, Portland, from Yorke and Eyre Penin- sulas in South Australia, and from near Dripstone, on the central) western slopes af N.S.W. ORCHID DISCOVERIES OF SIXTY YEARS AGO Ry T.S, Haer, Croydon. During a walk ihrongh weil known country at Cheltenham in December, 1888, I visited a remarkable circular hollow kauiown ‘to us as “the amphitheatre.” A small area, of flat ground encircling the lagoon afforded specimens of the orchid Cryplostylis sitbaiata, intil then nat known fa me Hence it hecame the subject of one wi my first attempts at identification with the Baron's Ney tu 108 FANSC,- Proceedings ex ee Victoriaw Planis, whichvhad just heen published, Orthoceras was founrl there a few days Jater. As it happened, these two orchids were particularly easy to name, Dr, (5, Sutton apparently did not locate this occurrence. 11 was not Cheltenhain Park, list a water reserve off Wetherall Road nearby...]t passed into private hands about 30 wears ago. T recall also 4 squat form of the greenhood orchid Prerostydts « crenata, found in 1892 on the low chiffat Hampton. Plants were to be seen as Inte as 1912, hut trafie and other causes have proh: ably obliterates, this patch Jong since, The'soil is quite different from the ardinury sandy soil of the district and earried a jew other unususl plants. The Baron, | think, noted the orchid as at “Brighton Bluff’; actually, it 1s on the Jong gentle curve between Brighton. aid Picnic Point, ‘ Many years ago I found close ta Cemjre Road, Clarinda, a small Caladenta whose labellun clearly put st with congesta, hut not the much larger C, congesta known tome. 1 showed tt to the Baron and did oot understand hint further, in my inexperience, than a small form related to C. congesia> “possibly,” I have in my notes, “a new valiety,” Last spring, while looking al fresh C, tridescens, the thought struck me. “that lcoks like the labellum of my Clarinda orchid.” EXHIBITS Mis EL Raft! Acar leprosu, carden-grown at Tawthorn, Ms, J. S. Seatens, Leptospermtinn sceporinm, van “Lembeti,” garden- grown at Caulfield Mr, Allan Carter: Cone shells—Caturs vnermorns L, SW Pacific; £. capitencus 1., %. Ol, C senetor L,, Barrier Reet; C, prumeps 1... Mexteo: CO. tuwlicns L. Qld; C. wrye 1... Philippines: €. guerniomnes Diwass. Philip- pines; C. Rtaratus L., Phitppness GC. duennbe Lath, Vdetoriay aad ¢. steNutus Reeve, Old. ‘ My. ik, Atkins: Collection of Acacias ‘from Botanic Gardens—a. mined. A, alata, A. Baileyona, A. colamifolta, A, deenivens, “A, alengata, 4. Hownttit, AL Jonesti, A, lorgifaha, 34, auyetifelian, A, pravissint, Ay fyenantha, A rupicola, of, vernicifiua and A. westita. Mr. and Mrs, Brig Muir (of Dimboola) = Four cases of mounted cucalypt fruits and buds. FEATHERTAIL NOTE When walking daw a ‘bush track at Kalorama one night tm Aggist) J heard a rustle in the scrub and shone suy torch beht among the lashes. There was a little Pyemy Phalanger or “Feathertadl” gliding from hranch te branch fon a Prftenaed bush). Jn order to examine its feather-like tail, Lwas able w approach within a few feet yt the tiny creature. T then stepped back as it glided from the bush to a punt tree about a vard away and sa disappeared. After watching that beautiful little sprite for the first Une, I felt happy co have seen ore of Nature's most charming pictures FL M Ciuinn. ed E. Gawea, Comtabutrons to the Flora of South: Austra = 100 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FLORA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA—1 By Dr. Eawrs Gara, Research, Vic. A sojourn in Loveday, near Barmera, Soutlt Australia, afforded nie opportunities lor botanizing in and around this irrigation settle- ment. Of my rich collection £ will publish here only those plants which are new to science or new for that State, or, at least, new for this particafar district. Some critical notes ow certain plants will also be added_ Loveday is a semi-arid) Mallee district of reddish sandy-loamy soils with am average annual rainfall of about 10 inches. The dominant plant community may be considered ine the hgit of Wood's classification as a Eucalyptus oleosa-Myoporum platy- carpuin society, though it bears everywhere very defiiie traces of anthropogenons disturbance. Nevertheless, besides the two lead- ing trees, the characteristic represeritatives of this society's shrub layer (eg., Grevillea Huegelit, Pittosporium phillyreoides, Cassia Sturtit, C.. evemaphile, Acacia rigeus, Heterodendrow olerfolinim, etc.) are present everywhere, Acdcid rigens (with Triodia ivrttans in the undergrowth) appears often as a pure community on the sand ridges. In certam places, the abundance of Atriplex stipitata is mote- worthy—a plant which is generally characteristic of doer con- ditions. This may explain the fact that some plants, kriown hitherto from the Far North only, occur also around Loveday. My thanks are due to the staff of the National Herbarium of Victoria, especially to Mr. J. H. Willis, for constant helpfulness in providing me with the necessary literature and in enabling me to examine relevant material, including several basic types. GRAMINEAE Pasticion decomposition R\By,, var. biflovinn Gauba, var. nov, Spicwlae biferae; flas mfertor mosculus. superior hermephroditus, Ay- theme floris maseuli 3, Hinearcs, 12 mm, longac, poléa superior mferiovem aeguans vel pauto brewer, btcarinata, hyalina. Common on the battk of the Murray River opposite Moorook (TYPE-—leg. E. Gauba, 26.11.44) together with Paspalidsunn qibtflorum and Eragrostis ausiralasica, Between the large tus- socks of these grasses the superb Siwainsona Greyana is frequent. Type matcrial has been lodged in the National Herbarium af Victoria, Typical Pavicuim decomposttum is quoted hy all authors as having the spikelets with omz (bisexual) flower only. We read, for mstance, in Bentham’s Flora Anstrakensiy (VII, 1878, 1. 489); .. the 3rd (glume) with a palea from $ to £ its length, 110) «EB, Gauna, Contvihulions fo the lora-of Smith Austratio ee es but no stainens.”"" In all my specimens the anthers of the male: flowet are identical with those of the bisexual flower, produce normal pollen grains and open by longitudinal slits, therefore— as far a5 can be ascertamed under the microscope—ready for pollination and fertilization. They ripen after the anthers of the bisexual flower have withered, It would be more correct to consider the ‘third glume’—in spite of its morphological identity with the second one—as the flowering glunie (palea inferior) of the male Aower. Sparobolis Mitchelht (Trin. C, E, Hubbard, Found on the bank of the Murray River opposite Moorook (26.11.44). J. M. Black (in Flora ef S.A.) also quotes thig grass from the River Murray, but with “stems erect or flexuous, 30-50 erm. high." My specimens represent a very tender form with thin creeping, stems up to two feet long, rooting at the nodes, In its vegetative parts it is not unlike the forms of Couch-grass (Cynodaw dacty- fon} from dry localities. Ennewpogon avenaceus {Lindl.) C. E, Hubbard. New for this area, the spectes was hitherto recorded from: Flinders Range northward and westward only; but in Loveday it is frequent in sandy soils (17.2.1944). Leptochloa digitata (R.Br.) Dorin, New ior this area, the species was util now Known only froir the Far North and North-East. In Loveday it affects sandy soils, but is nat common (25,3,1944), LILIACEAE Corynotheca leterifiora (K.Br.) F.iv.M. em. Gauba. Diagnosis noun campleta Planta pevennis, viridis, glabya, multicandts, 20-70 ou. alta, radicis filndy fasctiulahs, colle residurs (vagnns) folorwn basalt pmorikortnt scaiasa- ninety, wtidis, domune in fibrus solitis veshte. \ Caules nyjmerast, basi vaginis usque ad V5 cin, tangis invelverata, trtenie simplices, areuate vel floxtuse asceudentes, teretes vel compressl, ilerdiom tarti, striatt vel sulcat, superite iteratim ¢¢ tiricatissente roanost. Rawuli ultimt ordints evrecto-patentes vel pavllian avenati, eines, rigidull, striatult, usgur ad 25 cm. longi, tote longitiadtine floriferi. Folie basalia mimerasa, rigida, fiienriw, plona vel longitudine — plicata, ad At can, longa ef 7 yin. fate, aargine sparse scabridule, Folt cautina’ (infra rameficationem) ad nodos tucrassates sifa. punca ¢\-2), besabns *In the typical, the palea superior of the empty lower Aower is without’ any faiiction and therefore generally more or Jess rudimentary. Nevertheless, T found it jn a specimen from Murriumbidece (/eq. Bennett. 1866) as longo as the “third glume” and bicarinate. ne E, Gausa, Cosribytions to the Flora of Svuth Avstrolia Ui sinilia Lyraminea), wsgire ad 25 cm. longa, Lust scarisa sewmiomplexicoult. Folia vamos suffulcrantia valde reducta, infisme (1-2) interdum folits cautinis similia, titearia (ad 22 cwt, longa) vel subulata, cetera mebito deercssentio et it bractras imconspicwas, acummtatas seartosas (rensiontig. Brngteae floraler secns ramulos wsque ad 2 cm, inter se distautes, siti amplexicaules, tcarfosae, acwminelac, cordatke, ungne ad 2 new, langae-terac, Winerviae, hervt uficem versus confitientes. Bractsolae I4 vi axiths bracte- arum floraliven suboceultag, albo-hyalinae, triangulori-cordaluc, wninervine, risque 1} min. loagae-latar, persistenter. Flores torhy vel auateran vt oxillis bructearum digpostte sed sucdedentey flurenies, Perigoninim mutans vel pendulnin. 5-6 st, longnin, angusto-vel camparylato-obconicium, yara at vide + steHetini explanativt, past anthesin spiraltiter contortum, decider Pholla 6 usquc ad basin prope libera, in medio nerwis tribus porallylis longitwdinwliter fercurto, inter nerves viridia vel lwlea-viridia, margine lata albo-hyalina, rocpe (it viva) rosei-vel futeale calore suffisa; phyla exteriora Nnearic, co f wert Joti, apiew macudlaie vel cuchllato-micronutata, thier nerves Uiterdiwn sibido-siviatila: inferiona oblongo-imearia, exteriortbus panto breviora vt lotiora, apiece subcwcullate vel ratindata vel lewtter emargina(e. Stareina 6 perienthto od basin better affixa, filementa plone, glabra, Meter, persus basin apicemaee alfeunala, exteriora ca 24. mint, tnteriora 3 mer. longa, Antherag eblongar, 4-3 sar. lonyae, dorse ed basi versaliliter frac, im state maturo apice reflexe- Stylus indivisus, fl¥formis, 24-3 mic lungs, Ovorinn oblong 1-14 utr. jongan, Iriloerlare, loculis bi-ouulatis, avila inferiove pendula, supertora recta Pedicelli flovifert filiformes wseyue- ud 2 (24) sun. longi, prone erectar patentes, detude comma ol pondult. Pedicelli fructiferi pantlo longiores (nsygue ad 3 ann), induron, sub aptce articwats, supra articulationzan a- erasselt cf gesidias porinuthin scarinsis coronati, posthac yecnrvaly-dafleri, persistentes, i Capsale 3-4 wnt. longa, membrovacea, tritoentaris; sed plerwmmtque aborts dn-vel witlocudaris, locwlt di-vel aburte monasperin, gra de cimsa cupsilar forma wvariabilic: capsita. monosperma, clavala ct flerwague indehtseens, copsutac 2-5 {rarirsine 6-) spermac ambtia pirtformes, ovatac wel ablongar, + trilobite, in medio constricted, ox parte vel ft lute dehiscentes. Seining oblonga, 2 tm, longo, testa crustacea, wigru, sie lente taberoudts qunnnis in lineis suhtardulatis dispositig dense obsita. Caruncwlu valida, crassinscnla, irregularier fatale vet crenulata, + drewrsper tia Ganha, var, nov, Tovta nitida fueeasstme vel sparse minuttysiaic paeirtita-|ovdolatd, Trach arenarid prope ripas iwlabtiuns—Mi, Dispersion. Riser Mfir— vay, NM, FaMwetler, Dee. (257. CUOLO-TYPUS, in tlertr, Melt) The species was first discovered hy R. Brown nu islands of the Gull of Carpentaria (N.T.) and was published at Ceesta laterifora in tus Predromxs Floree Nov, Holl. (1810, p. 277). The diag- nosis is not only very imeamplete bul erroneous too, for instance by the statement "fwamentis Aispidulis.”” This mistake is retained un Muoeller's Fragmenta Phyt. Austr. (VII, Jam 1870, p. 68). where “flamenta barbelfate” are quoted, Kut E. Baker (“Revision of the Genera and Species of Authertene, ele,,” in Jou, Lin. Soc., XV, 1877, ». 360) notes in the diagnosis fur sur genus “filunente nada,” just as Bentham and Mueller (Flora Aust, VII, 1878 p' 49) write “filaments glabrous.” Tu the Melbourne Natronal M2 FE, Gauna, Contributions to the Flora of South Australia pitch te Herbarium, I checked over the numerous specimens from very different localities, mcluding an apparent type specimen collected hy Brown on the “Islands of the Gulf of Carpentaria’ (1303), and in all cases J found the filaments to be glabrous. The different statements about leaves introduce another uncer- tainty. We read in Beritham and Mueller (lc, p. 49): “Leaves very rarely seen at the base of the stem, very narrow, almost stibulate, and only two or three inches long.” E, Baker (/e., p. 360) writes: “folie basalia filiferinta glabra 4-6 poll. longa.” C, A: Panicum deronipositum R.Br., var. biflorim Gauba, Spikelet with the fower male flower (the upper bisexual omitted). gi = glima inferior; pi = palca: inferior; ps = palea superior. B; Carbecthess laterifiora (R. ie) F.v.M. ‘Some capsule forms from the specimens of Loveday {(S.A.). Moore (Handbook Flora N.S.W., 1893) notes: “Radical leaves almost subulate, a few inches long, early withering away.” Most of the Loveday specimens which I kept under observation during three months (October-December) have had through the flowering and fruiting season well developed grass-like leaves, up to 40 cm, long and up to 7 mm. broad. All authors describe the fruit as being 1- or 2-seeded, indehiscent ar sub-indehiscent, and by Bentham. and Mueller (i.c., p. 49) it is described as “an obovoid nutlet, little more than | line long.” Because of this character, Mueller decided to separate our plant from the germs Caesto, establishing for it the genus Corynotheca (in Fragn., VII, 1870), Under the diagnosis of this new genus, we read in Flora Australiensis (VII, p, 49): “fruit a single ovoid Bapianeber ] E, Gavea, Contributions to the Flora of South Australia 113 indehiscent J-seeded nutlet.' Now, in my Loveday samples the “one-seeded nutlets” are very frequent, but there are also 3- to 5-seeded capsules which open more or less easily (loculicidally) and scatter the seeds. On the other hand, t observed in Victorian Cacsia vittata (from Research) that the few-seeded capsules oper only incompletely or not at sli. Therefore, there is really mo essential difference between Coesia and Corynotheca and it would he much better to adopt Baker's point of view, returning the three Corynatiece species of Mueller 10 Cagsiu (as section Cory- notheca). With regard to the structure of the testa, we find a further contradiction. In the Fragmenta Mueller quotes “semina . . -. lacuissima,” but nm Flora Arstreliensis we read thar the seeds of Corynotheca acinthuclada are “rather more distinctly grantlate than in C. lateriffora.” The fact is, that besides specimens with rugulose seeds—typical for Cresta and Corvsotheea species— theré are also forms of our plant with a perfectly smooth and shining seedcaat. All these contradictions, together with the brevity of the original description, call for a new diagnosis, and the foregoing is based on my numerous and complete samples from Loveday. J. M. Black (an Flora S.4., Part i, sec. ed., 1943) intimates that Corynotheca micrantha (Lindl.) Macbride may be expected to occur in South Australia, because it 1s found at Barruw Range close to the western border, Nevertheless, this species has not yet been recorded from the State, but in its place I now register Corytotheca lateriflova as the first representative of this genus in South Australia. ; In the Loveday district I found C. latesifora in one locality only, Viz,, On sand-rilges within the Mallee, bit here very abundant and in association with other psammiophilous species, e.g, Txriodia irriians, Stipa Draamanondti, St, semibarbata, Zygophyllum avema- Philwan, Podolepis capillaris, Matocephalus Stuarta, ete, By the development of adventitious roots from the higher nodes, when buried by drifting sand, this plant is highly adapted for thriving in such mobile sails. : Tn the National Herbarium, Melbourne, the new variety laewi- Sherma is represented by samples with the following lahels: “Drift sand on the Murray”; “Sand dunes on the Murray towards Mt. Dispersion, N.S.W,, Dec,, 53” (TYPE): “Ashburton River, WA?” [Mt Dispersion is a point on the Murray opposite Kul- kyne Station, so the variety shoul be looked for in- Kulkyse Forest and other Murray lauds of far N.W. Victoria.) (To be continued, ) 144 E, GCoreman, Movement in Plots tate MOVEMENT IN PLANTS By Evirn Coneman, Blackburn, Vic. Until comparatively recently we were taught thar animals differ from plants in their power of movemerit, We kraw jiow that plants do not lack this power when movement is useful to then. The microscope has shown that they are mtensely active within, Visible external movements are endless, In the garden, light-seeking and light-avoiding mavements are comstantly seen. Clinibing plants bridge great gaps, feats of engineering, by coiling back upon themselves. In seedlings, the slow movement of un arched stem that breaks the ground through which cotyledons are drawn is as powertul, relatively, as that of the Eruiting body of a mushroom, which is capable of lifting cement slabs, On my walls I ain continually replacing heavy stones pushed off by the growth of “Cobweb” Sempervivums. In certain growth-movements of steris and peduncles, change of direction may take place several times. One need only cite the straightening of the down-curved stall of the poppy head, thus lifting it where the open flower will be fully exposed to sun- light and tnsect attention, or the downward curving of bell- and truimpet-flowers which would otherwise fll with rain and dew to the detriment of essential organs, Apart from such ordinary growth-novements, certain periodic, heliotropic of geotrapic mave- ments seem almost purposive, in view of the benehts secured hy them. if is interesting to note the punctuality of periodic movements— the daytime opening and closmg of such flowers as Goatsheard, Chicory or ‘Tigridias, the evening opening and daytime closing in Evening Primroses, Lychnis and Nicotiana. The last-named are miélancholy duytime flowers, but see them at dusk! White fowers have become beckoning lamps which jhe swift hawk-moth will not jmiss wher lured from afar by their delicious perfume, Even the dark-red Nicotiana is evening-pollinated. It opens its fragrant “taverns” only at dusk. We wonder how the moth can find a doorway woti) we note that the anthers Have now opened and have exuded a ring of pale pollen—a golden eve in the dark, Dark purple petunias, too, open their anthers at dusk, guiding the swift pollinators, One sees a long proboseis coil and uncoil as it dips into flower after Nower- Quiet moments spent in watching such movements as these are among the most satisfying of garden delights. Then there are the so-called sleep moveriients of plants. a study in themselves, Gne sees them in may, wattles and other lezumes, One of the best is seen in Acacia Farnestana, the only indigenous wattle we share with the Old World, Ji this the leaflets fold so Sera | FE. Co.eman, Worement in Plants 115 1948 closely at dusk as to spoil the beauty of the plant, making it look quite bedraggled. Although sleep nicvement in clovers and wood- sorrel are pronounced, they do not afford so sorry a spectacle. Other visible movements are those of the Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica), in which the leaflets close at a touch, or even a breath; and those of Sundews whose seusitiveness to external stimuli seems very like our own nervous responses, The move- ments of lilies are interesting processes to watch, and to time, for Hive bee, showing pollen “baskets” (rorbicufa of her thighs) piled up with Cyfisus pollen. they are as exact as if run to schedule. One of the best to study is the Swamp or Panther Lily CL. purdeliumr)., An inflorescence should be cut in bud, before bees have had access to the flowers, Placed in water on the dining table, few movements will be lost, so much of our days being spent at meals! At first the buds are pendant, like eardrops, on “hair-pin” curved peduncles; then we see the lips of the perianth part, the rismg and reeurving of each segment, the recurving of the “hairpin” peduncle to lift the now open flower inte its characteristic poise. More movements follow, Each large oblong anther, which lies flat and rigid against the filament, is seen to curve. -A black line down the centre opens into a narrow slit through which pollen protrudes. You and I cannot curve that anther. It waits for the swelling grains of pollen to do so. The curving has freed the * 2 Vict, Nat, 116 E. Coreman, Movement in Plants Vol 65. anther from the filament, and it now swings freely (‘versatile’), trembling with every movement of the stem. No black line is now visible. Each anther is an oblong mass of pollen, adding so much to the beauty of the flower. Every movement is so punctual, and so exact, that the lily has become for the watcher an almost conscious actor on the great stage of life. One might write for a week without exhausting the number of slow but certain plant movements seen in a garden. It is when we come to those which facilitate, or prevent, pollination that we reach the incredible, One need only cite the ten stamens in Aalmua, held under tension until released by the touch of an insect; the irritable stamens in Berberis, which spring tip against the pistil, dusting with pollen the bee which caused the movement; the two stigmatic flaps in Mimulns which lie expanded until touched, when they close together, closing over any grains of pollen that may be left on them, Movement of irritable stamens in Opiutia, Cistus and Hehanthemum, and others may all be seen without a lens. Then there are the movements of pollinated flowers, the “no beer” signs of floral “taverns,” the turning down of clover florets, and fall of the lip in Snapdragons so that the bee wastes no time in visiting “dry” houses. Movement in the Brooms (Sparttum, Genista and Cytisus species) is almost uncanny. In Cytisus, despite the double explo- sion which dusts her above and beluw, the bee will continue to despoil the exposed anthers until her pollen-haskets (corbicila) are loaded. One may watch her at close range while she works, but when she can pile no more on her panniers she becomes shy, as if she knows the value of her ioads. I grow dozens of Brooms, not for the groves whose shadow, Shakespeare tells us, the dismissed hachelor loves, “being lass- lorn”; nor for the myriad flowers that flood the bushes in spring until they “rain” butterflies of every hue; but for the pleasure of watching those uncanny explosions which follow the bee’s entrance into an unvisited flower. I love to watch her despoiling the anthers of their orange pollen, scratching as if life depended upon speed. And as she flies off to the hive with her precious orange loads (Virgil's “stones’”) or red, brown, gold, yellow or cream loads from other flowers, I have no doubt whatever that these are the “stones” which the ancients believed were weights to aid her balance in windy weather. In Virgil's words: And often they carry up little stones, as unstable boats carry ballast when the wave tosses them about; with these they poise themselves through the empty clouds. [Giles’ Transl.] I think, too, that these masyes of pollen explain Virgil's views on reproduction of bees: “But themselves gather their young ones with their mouth from leaves and from sweet herbs; themselves THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. 65 September, 1948 Pate I a ey E. CoLemax, Atonement i Planes il? supply a king and little citizens." (By the ancients the sex of the queen bee was confused.) They witnessed pollen carried into the hives, and saw it in the waxen célls. Young bees emerged from many cells, The assumption that they were produced from pollen was only less absurd than a belief ia their birth frown dead oxen, Few nature lovers, except the very young, are disciples of the Linnaean school which taught that the best botanist was he who knew most plants, as opposed to the Cuvienians whose students should know more about a few, Certainly in the garden one derives greater pleasure in close intimacy with a few plants, rather than a nodding acquaintance with many. One of the best forms of gardening, surely, is to know plants as living, moving, acting tdividuals. rather than patches of colour— to know what plants do, how they live, rather than their relation- ships. To quote the late Prof. J. Arthur Thonson: “While we cannot have too much science, it is, dor opdinary ten and women, unwholesome to keep continually looking out at one window. and to keep the shutters on the others. . . . Science requires to he kei qin touch with our liie and our dreams; with our doifg and our feeling - with our practice and our poetry." Beantiful words, so applicable to wan’s work in his garden! AUSTRALIAN BARNACLE THREATENS TO BECOME A PEST In dhe Science coluunn of a recent wunber of the IVastrated Lendon Netes there appears sn interesting article by Dr, J, P. Harding on one of our shell-like byrnacles, Elnatings modesins. This form is camunonly found) here encrusting mussels. ete. i our rock pools. Having reached the southern coast of England, it is tlifeatening to became a pest in the muddy estuaries there, for, writes Dr. Harding, “not only does it foul the bottoms of barges and yachts tu aur estuaries much inore then native barivacles. do. but it also las a more serious effect on our shell-fish industry.’ It is reported as being the predominant organism in the lower reaches of the Colne. Crouch. Blackwater and Thames. Apparently Elynuring is one of the baynacles that can withstand ‘niuldy conditians, and it has thus been able to establish itself in these estuaries, Also, it is noted, its breeding scason extends over a mich longer period than is the case with British related forms, These two factors are quoted as the chiei causes for its rapid establishment in new surroundings, Owing to its longer breeding period, a coat of aiti-fouline paint used on crait ty the spring, to prevent native harnacles from settling. does not retain its efficiency as a repelling agent against the Australian fornn which con- tinues ta breed througtiout the summer months, Regarding the shell-fish industry, winkles and oysters are becoming encrusted with the barnecle,. and extra Jabour will be necessary to serape the oysters sufficiently clean for market purposes, if the trouble mereases. ' Cinefly, however, it is as a “competitor for food and especially living-space™ thar Elwunins will prove disastrous, J, W. Raer. 418 T. Ravarent, Pelintation of Trigger-Plants ee NOTES ON THE POLLINATION OF TRIGGER-PLANTS By Tariton Rayment, F.R.Z.5., Melbourne, The author has heen able to make a few obsérvations on the pollivation of certain species of Stylidium owing te the courtesy of Rica Erickson, Bolgart, Western Australia, and Hugh C, E, Stewart, of Melbourne, Broadly, it would seeny that many bees in several genera trip the trigger ot the Victorian species of the Grass Trigger-plane, Stytdian gramenifolinm, but the Western Australian species appear to be pollinated by four genera of flies. Rica Erickson js working with the author on a paper on the poallinztion of the Western Trigger-plants, and the descriptions of the pollinators are for the time in uheyance. However, a note on the poflen-grains may not be out of place here, Microscopical study of a series of the plants revealed the fact that, while the pollen-grains are alike in form, and cannot he separated on the structure, vet the colours are distinetive but not conspicuous. Tt was found that some are a delicate green, others a faint pink, a iew are golden, others white; but umless care be taken, all appear to be pale-green- T¥owever, the author was able ta deduce, from the colours oi the pollen-grains adhering to the haivs of the body, rhat certain flies had tripped three species of Styhdurar. Observations in the , field at a later date praved this deduction to be carrect. Another interesting fact that emerges fron) the study is the varying manner it which the several insects are struck by whe anthers of the different Triggers, The further disectission of “sensitivity” must alsa be deferred to a later date, hut the several methods arc full of interest. - The Victorian species, Styhdriin orantuifoliim, thrives in the alpime regions as well us it does along jhe lower littoral, and all the hees were collected by Mr. Stewart at Mount Buffalo, Vic- teria, in December 1947-January 1948, The author expertinented on a number of plants collected at Dandenong, Victoria, hy Mr. Gwen Dawson, and ‘it was found that wher the flowers on a stalk had been “tripped” with a pin, all had regained their original “ready”? position within fifteen nrinutes. Although the style aud anthers quickly return to the “ready,” no amount of stimulation wil) cause them to “fire” until sufficient “shot,” 1e., tipe pollen-grains, has accumulated ta make the dis- charge worthwhile. When the anthers are agai gravid with vipe grains, the sensi- tivity of the style increases, so that at its zenith anv slight stimmlus is sufficiest to bring about a discharge, and the ripe grannies are then sometines spread like a veritable shower of “shrapnel.” a, T. RayMent, Pollinanon of Tringer-Plouts 119 Certain of the insects are stunned by the aceyracy of the "hroad- side,’ and literally fall down off the plants, and some little time elapses befure they recover sufficiently to clean the “powder’’ off the eyes and other inconvenient parts of the body, Sowe of the Western Trigger-plauts actually huld the visitor down for some litte time, and the sinall insect is unable to release itself until the style begins to lift on its return to the “ready” position, , {tis eertaitt that naany more interesting observations await those who make 2 close study of these unique plants. and the author would be glad to reveive specimens of the Victorian species, other than Styltdics spianinifoltuni, together with the name vi the locality, date, ete, and also any insects observed to “top” the trigger mechanistn. Me H.C. E, Stewart has kindly undertaken to transmit to the author any specimens handed to him at Club micetings or excursions, The Victorian species include Stvfidtuin perpustilun, 5, despes- win, 5. saboliferum (found only in the Grampians), and S. caterratian {rare}, also the two Styleworts, Levenhootia dubia and L_ Sondars. Systenigtic botanists regard the Styvidicece as very highly developed , Scattered amang trees of the nol-so-well-kept archards grow Cursw australts, Poneles Ggustvita Cwhich the locals say is a goad substitute for wine), Melicheysiae albicans, WH, dracteatiom and Homolomthus populners. Araund the edges of such orchards the rain torest slowly tukes back its ground aud ongulls the bordering teees. [fe ts intercst- ig te mote dhat such trees, once surrounded by the forest, seen’ to bear sweeter Cruit alll are unaffected by such diseases as red sualy. Tlowever, these trees do nat bear as heavily as those still in the open. ‘Lhe more valuable “sofeweads” must have been very plentiful here once. for the last of the hoetele to be demolished yichded weatherboards made of Red Cedar (Codrela austrasir), Brown Beech ig not so plentifully tepre- sented, bot is present with Resewood. To-day, Wardwood is lumbered ulielly on “the tops"—woods ltkt white mahogany, turpentine, blue gum, larpe- iruited grey Quit, abd others, It would seent that at least two beautiful Red Cedar trees at Copeland will not fect the axethese are very conspicuons, because all round them bas been cleared, In the carly days they were used as hitching posts for horses, and the wood has now grown over nuntwrous horse-shoes, nails, rings, ete,, hammered into them long ago; it would be courting disaster ta mill them! —~ y All day long the sounds of bell-hirds tinkle, whale the luuger ecald of the whip-bird js almost as constant, From the clase hardwood forest come the crying calls of koala bears as they are swayed to and fro in the trees- Te would seem, too, that there is s hird which mimics the koala—possibly 134 1, Girsert, Natural History po} @ Ghost Tram ee the Jyte-bird—beeause the “'beays” aye by no means plentifal, yet one ofico hears the crying sound fram a pomber of different quarters, and these are by po micans Aycd, weus giving the kmpression that a bird, oc birds, moves fred place t plate marking the sante sowhd as the marsupials, Qther hirds frequenting the rain forests are parrots of varions kinds, flock wigeurs (which came inte the forests when brush figs are ripe), wana Pages and scrub turkeys, Vhere the creek tons through raw forest the scene is yery beautiful, and one mariing a lyre-bird was seen umbking its way very lwnrriedly over staiies in the ercelcsberl. It is never safe ta wander far from any oi the tracks in Copeland, whether through forest or m the moré open areas, because of the vast nuniber ot abandoned diggings. everywhere Some are perpendicular shafts, now Alled with water aind snahke-ridden; some are shallow excavations, others great depressions, while jm olaces the edges of the road and (racks are undermined, These old diggings, when over- erown with lantana ar wines (Simlex, bits, Stephanie, ete.), are perlect traps, and there have becn losses of stock beeause of thein, Ticks and leeches al certain times of the year cause Further difficulty. ' Some very fine specimen trees gre to be sccm along the ¢reck—@ Brush Wilga (Getjora saltetfatio). “Ausitalian Fuvangtpanni® (Hymenosporiin Aawon), Sandpaper Pig (Ficus slephanocarpay, Brash Box (Trestonin canferta), Red Cedar (Cedrcfa anstralit), and many others, Growing amongst stones along the water-courty were many ferrrs—Adtert rr, Dryopterts, Athyetni eve, and Cunjevol Lilies (¢Alocasta mmacrarrhisn), with their great hastate leaves and greenish-yellow spathes, Stinging Trees (Loporied digas) ate also ms evidencé, while the usual rear colonies of epiphytic orchids, suck as Deudrobtune speriosent, are abundant overbead, Most af the trevs become over-grownt with Flayellaria indies, Geitono- flesinan esas, Silos avstyilis, Clematis qglycmatdes or similar plants, and among the smaller terrestrials are great mumbers of fungi and mosses, Only une colowy of Mistletse was secon, and abis was Loronvthnt congener. Some of the larger old shafts are mast intcresting—the forest is gradually dlosing in on these, with their great heaps of ore, tarsted rails and upturned trucks vearhy, One sirch shaft was a horizontal one Jeading into the Moiwitas, ald thraveh this blew an iey blast alote the damp tunel. At the front were tons of ore glistening with irom pyrites, Apparently the reel gald in places was washed oat during the course of time io became alluvial gold farther down the yalley—even flow cacefud investigation of the cautents of cracks in stones of the creck-bed may yicld a few grains after careful panning; lack of water is the maim troultele, At certain times of the year dimgacs howl tn their dozens around the ald settlement, aaid there are a few iaxes, Possums are not so plentiful as they used to be. nor are the small orallabies, but rabbits hawe sakes comtrol of cleared arcas away Sram the rah! forests White Cedars (Melia asedorack, var. anstralasics) have sometimes caused eoicern in many artas, The fruits arc péisonems, ver are eaten Iyy the Rlack Magpie. These birds often frequent pig pens, ald cither excrete ar disgorge the bernes of white cedar in these pens, leaving them to be eaten by the pigs, which dic very suon alter, Children wating such herries have been made seriotisly ill, It would geem that magpies cat) consume the quter Aush of the fruit, hut not the actual seed, Copeland, with its charming scenery, provided the setting for the Alro Bills uf Hale many yeace ago and, later, Rengle River was filmed in the vicinity, in amp case, whether the vlusive gold be re-discovered there io binsriet! on vot, Hs Wtle rown with irs memncies and wealeh iv matural Wistory can still provide ove with detight and J recommend it to all pasture trwers. In conclusion, I should like to acknowledge valliablo assistance obtained frum Mr Jack Bithrey uf Nabiac. Panterier A. &. Burns. Clossifiration and Distribution of Butterflies 125 1948 THE CLASSIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BUTTERFLIES By AN. Burys, National Museum, Melbourhe, Position in lke Animal Kingdaur Phyium: Arthroafteda (Jointed imoving bodies). Class . Jorsecta, Subclass : Apierygets Ciuel, Thysanura, Protrura, Collembatay. Subclass: Pterygota. Order: Lepidattera. Siub-Order: Helterucera (Moths). Sub-Orrer: fhopafocera (Butterflies). Famtlies of Khapalocera: (1) Papilionidae, Swallow Tails, (2) Pteritae. (3) Danaidac, Whites and Yellows, Danaids. (4) Aoanthahidae. Nymphs. (5) Saryridae. Browns. (6) Erycindac, Erycinids. (7) Amathusidac, Owls, (8) Lycaenidae. Blue, Coppers and Hairstreaks: (9) Hesperidae. Skippers and Darters.: : Tapteal Life Histories Papitiouidae : Pieridae : Danantae ; Nova plialidac ; SYatyridae : Lryeurdac; “Amrathusidac; Lyverenidac : TMesperidise . Egg usually round, igposited simgly. Larva, usually larger at anterior end, often wilh Aeshy spines Puna, attached by tai] and central girdle. Epes afren laid in groups, higher than broad. Layva may Or may not be gregarious, cylindrical, usually wath scat- tered fine hairs. Pupa, attached by tail and central girdle. Ege rounded, laid singly. Larva, with tong Reshy fila- ments, body striped, Pupa, suspended by tail, often _ metallic in colour, : Eee rounded, ribbed) laid-singly, Larva, cylindrical, with numerous branched spines, rarely gregarions. Pupa, often spiny, suspended by tail. Eee rounded, laid singly, Larva, evlindrical, head and- jail bifid, hedy surface regh. Pupa, ustally grec or brown; suspended hy tar, Life history not known, Lite history not definitely. known, py taid singly or in groups, rounded and rrbhed of pitted. Larva, flat, slug-like, deeply seginented, possesses secretor glands at ana! extremity which exude sweet substance so that larvae are often attended by ants, may evel occur in ants’ nests, Feed by night and hide during day. Pupa, attached by tail and central girdle, without prominences, sometimes. also attended hy ants, . Eeg large and round, may be smooth vr ribbed. Larva, cylindrical, usually smooth or with yery fine hairs; shel- ders withiss folded leaves which it draws together with silk. Pupa, long, with a “cap” or opercutums, attached by tail, in same also with i central girdle, and found in similar situations as the jaryi. Vigt, Nat. 12 AON, Buss, Classification and Deatieshation of Butterfiies Vol. #5 Distribution af Muttertres Most Austrian species accar within the coastal helt, the iuniher incress- img as one goes farther north, A few species are alpine, enty, athers Freruent the dry interior, several arc esseulially coastal, Forest and jangle country harbour by far the greatest number Ia Victotia there are nearly 100 species, and in Australia (with subspectes) over 400, Males often resort ty dulltopy or une glades; females may he iound only near the food nant, There may be a single brood, a several during the vear, A species in {Jueensland, which also occurs in Vit toria, nrty have wwe oor even three broods in the northern State but only one in Victoria, Many species, haw- ever, have a defonte spring: sind autumn brood, "EDIBLE PLANTS IN NORTH QUEENSLAND” A brochure under the above title ig a very valuable recent addition iw our scanty koowledye ob the ecovomic properties of Australian plants. The authors, Club member Dr TT, Flecker, CG Roand 8, BE Stephens, well known members of the North Queensland Nopurahsts' Chab, stare that much of their information hits heen “collected dram abariginal inhahitants of the arca and confir med by trial.” (We are reheved, for the authors’ sake; that each) recipe was “confiened" ') A list of 205 planus is divided into six sections, the contents of cach ‘being arranged systematically under familins. The se gtians are: Gne hundred and Alty-cight plants kode to. the authors te tay ccliller without any treatment, or shh only sanple cooling, Plants know to the authars to he addible after preparshion suc), ns soakimp, roasting and pounding. [Sorely. vot "Voastimg, pounding and washing” as mentioned, in that order, by the authors] Masts known to be eaten ii tines of famine These cotitain: uiinen- tioned poisonous principles removed by the afore-mentioned treatrent. Plauts reported to be edible. but of which the authors have had no experience. Edible plants cammonty cultivated and oftem formd wild in the tropics, such 7s supar-cane. tomittu. tary, svcet potato. various ‘beans. rice. cre. Plants reported cchble by olber authorities, but ktlown tuethe authors as poisonauts (the Finger Cherry has been known to cause blindness). Linu recoutly, India was almost self- -supnarting in food, but bas now practically ceased exporting and hecome an importer, Since a dangerous position 15 developing in world food praddrtioa, any inforniation on such profilenis is of value. Prived at 2/+, the brochure contains Kyenty pages of considerable Witerast ta members, and i is obtainable Irom Mr. I, Wyer, “Lachiny at, 253 Sheridan Street, Csims, Novth Queensland, P, bf. Montes. JUNIOR EXCURSION TO KEFLOR On Saturday, June 19. seventy menhers and Friends were conveyat in ten curs and Mr, Fisch's truck to Keilor, where Junch was enjoyed at Arundel Bridge before journeying ty Um caves. Thereafter the juniurs, armed with hammers and picks. found some snteresting fossils, including lamp-shells and sea-yrchins, earlier they had examined a colony of nud WHSPS, M. E. Preame Hon. Sec, Hawthorn Junior FNC. Sentempec]) Bay-Moths Attacked by Shike-Tits 127 BAG-MOTHS ATTACKED BY SHRIKE-TITS Te is caininanle cenciuced that caterpillars of the hag- or case-moth do int wove about dunng mid-winter, My observations, however, fait to bear Sut thet sipostion. The first week in July, 1943, was singularly cold and Eusty, yet i oy gatden at Toorak, Vietori, | hail ample evidence of the ability of the caterpillurs to travel Tréely. Oi cae oetssian 1 Lransposed x Case af Saunders’ Bap-moth, at the-vieee-veur-old stage, trom a Craraeguy ina Coproésina, a distance af some five test or more, The following day 1 observed wat the cayerpiilac had retarned to ils -origival position on the Crataegin, ata heiglt ut, say. six fee A two-year caterpillas has nieved its case soveral feet higher ona leafless crab-apply trea, There ts, Werelore, iw doubt of the ability of the caterpillars te change their pkasitian even in the coldest Melbourne winter Tr was interesting to see the Eastern Shrike-Tit (faleuncufis frontatis) attenipting to extract the ¢aterpillars from their cases. during: the same menth, A pair of these birdy made very determined efforts for nearly av hour ta peck toe eases te yeees. The snap of their beaks could be heard for some distance, bit while T coulé not tel whether or not they were successful, T could sec that the dower emdloar one case wis open, and if ube caterpillar was injured by the onslaugse al tke birds, a would fall to the hattor Of the cage, whenee it could easily be extracted hy the bird's heak On a more recent morning, two Shrike-Tire attacked two “Bags” oa ory Pronus true. Thes¢ three-year-old! mnothy were the survivors af a hatching in my garden during the spring of 1945, and Chad them under observation, hoping ta see anrther batehiye this year The Sbrike-Tits attached wgorausly for nearly an hour auc thea Hew away. When I examined ry Bags, 1 found that they were frayed and gpht dow one side and that the eaterpillars bad “Alown’ away with the birds LYWETTE Youxe, MYSTERY WINTER WALK On Saturday, June 26, a Tw) bus-load af members attended the cute iw tie State Forest Reserve st Tonitobuk (horth of Tynong) and enjoved a delightful walk in showery conditions for about six miles. Although the forest had been repeatedly burnt and the timber extensively mifled, many relics of Torimer forest “piants' remaimed. Mountain Grey Gun CE. gontecalye) was the dominant tree, unngling variously wilh obliqua, & sentra, EB. taminaiiv, 12. dhwes and Bo radiata, while J. eephilte- carpa was tnore at hoe oy swamp) ground, Where the forest cover was Cight, Padtonred angisttotin, iP. scabra, P. Gianit, P. jwd¢ertat and Hanks colling had grown peatusely and on sock a delightlul “wardyn’ that the party was sArey iL was viet spiinetime The Rosy TMeath-myrtle, just showing flowers oc the northern slopes of Mt. Towt, preferred the edge of the road cutting. Yhis district ts notable tor the widespread wccurrenge of the otherwise very luealizrd Pittenuea Moinderferi. found at its’ best along Snell's Road aud also as the westward record of Acacia boiricephale of whith but a single plant was notrecori. Acacias were represented by uvelye species while. surprisingly, only occasional orcnid plants were seen, without flowers. Smaller birds were fairly plentiful, bey particularly pregaroys aa one llawering encalvpe and a pair of Wedge-tiled Bagles were seen sonring as the party “de-busserl" GCoua PF Lewts. 128 What, Where und Mehen both te WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN Generol Excursions: Saturday, September Jl—Boiame Gardens. Subject. “Australian Trees, Spring” (third of series’ for beginners and visiters), Leader; Mr Bibby. Meet at main gate ('R"), at Herbarium entrance to Gardens, “2.30 pm. Saturday, September 18—Vanghan, Subject: “Fairy Waxflower.” Leader: Mr. fva C. Hanmer, Caldeywood's parlour caach leaves Bawan Avenue 830 am, IB0-anile trip. Arrive Vaughan, via Daylosford, for gene hich; botanic walk through urea; rejom coach at Fryerstown; tea before 5 pt, wher coach leaves on return via Chewton and Kyneton. Bring two aeals., Reserved seat prelimimary bookings, 17/6 return, must be corfirmed on o¢ before Sept, 14 with Mi, WH Stewart, 14 Bay- ~ view Terrace, Ascot Vale (Tel, FU 022, Ext, 457), otherwise hookings cattcllad. Six seats available for junior members at 10/- return. Suiday, September 26— Kalorama. Subject: “Elementary Botany for Juniors and Beginhers.” Leader: Mr, Prank Child. Srain trom Flinders Strect 91S am. to Croydon, thence bus to Montrose; leader will micet party at “Old Mountain Road,” Montrose. Bring two ineals Thuesday, September 3 to Sunday, October 3—Four-day execursjon to Rushworth, Subject; “Botanical and Generul Nature Survey of Dis- trict," Leaders Mr. J. Ros Garnet. Bus will teave Spencer Surect {opposite M,& M, BAW.) at 9.15 am, Accommodation has been arranged, Saturday, Octoher 2—Montrose ta M1, Evelyn. Subjects: General Flowce- unt Plants and Birds of Aven Leader; Mr, T. 5, Hart, M/A. Train from Flinders Street 10.10 aim. to Croydon, thence service bus to Montrose, walk to Mt, Evelyia reserve, Bring two meals. Saturday, Octoher 9—Plenty Gorge, Invitation to all mewbers by Geology vod Botany Groups, who will act us leaders, Train 9.5 a.m, From Princes Bridge to South Movanwg; chaoge at Thomastown (or 1.20 pan. from Spencer Street}. Locality bas a accra) botanical interest. Bring twa meals. ; Special Announcement: October 19 to 21 (Tuesday ta Thursday inclusive)—Three-day Australian Nature Exhibition at Hawthorn Town Mall, Active assistance of every member desired to cnsure success of Exhibition, Director Mr, A. J. Swaby (Tel. XW 2559), 17 Avondale Street, Hampton, Group Fixtures: Saturday, Sepember 18—Botany Group excursion, Particulars at Group monthly meeting. Monday, September 27—Botany Group. Royal Society's Hall, F pm. Sub- ject: “Isolated Cominuities and Behe Flora” {or alternative subject by arrangement). Friday, October 1—Marine Biology Groups. Royal Saciety's Wall, 7.43 jam, Particulars from Hon. Sec. of Group, Miss W. Yaylor, 13° Jolimoni Square, Jolimont, C.2 (or from Tel. WA 2379), Tuesday, October 5—Geology Group. Royal Society's Hall, 8 wm Sul ject: Peelavinary 160 a Review of the Melhourne District Geology. Tharsday. October 7—Witdflower Garden Group. Royal Society's Wall ¥ pin. New members cordially invited co join, aA. A. BAKER, Excursion Secretary, 53 Carlisle Sn, Preston, MV. The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 65.—Ne. 6 OCTOBER 7, 1948 No. 778 eaEaEaEoaEaoaEaIaaIlIaa———————— PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held at the National Herbarium on Monday, September 13, 1948. The President, Mr. J. Ros Garnet, and more than 200 members attended, Apologies for non-attendance were received from Miss Ita Watson, Miss M. L. Wigan, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Hanks, Mr, P. Crosbie Morri- son, Miss. Florence Smith and Mrs, Cochrane, all of whom were attending the R.A.O.U, Conference in Westerp Australia. The President drew attention to Mrs, Blanche E. Miller's recent death, and members stood in silence for a moment as a mark of respect to her memory. It was announced that the Gould League is shortly to publish a booklet of 32 pages (price 6d.) and the Hon. Secretary of the League has offered to reserve a number of these for F,N-C. members, The Rev. BH. M. R. Rupp from Northbridge, N.S.W., Mr. Noel Learmonth from Portland and Mr, H. Best were cordially welcomed to the meeting. Mr. Swaby spoke regarding the Show during October, and again appealed for helpers. The President announced the resignation oi Mr, A. Baker as Secretary of the Excursions Committee: Mr. H.C, E. Stewart would act as Secretary for the time being, but it was intended to form a larger Committee than previously in order to spread the work, Several members had offered assistatice. The following were elected as Ordinary Members: Mrs, £. K Lording and Mrs. Anne Macky; and as Interstate Member: Mr. John Young. The followmg nominations for membership were received— Ordinary: Mr, Tarlton Rayment, & Bath St., Sandringham, $.8; Mr. T. E. George, 17 Ashley St., Reservoir, N,19, and Mr. A, H- Bradfield, 83 Kent 5t., Ascot Vale. Country: Mr. B. B. Given, Box 305 P.O., Hamilton, Vie. NATURE NOTES The President reported having received irom a correspondent the interesting news that wornbats were still lo be seen at Wattle Park, Miss Adants had heard a Tawny Frogmouth calling at about 11 pin, from a Moreton Bay Fig-tree in Charnwood Grove, St, Kilda, 130 Field Natwratists’ Club Proceedings ita “GREEN GOLD’ The principal subject for the evening was the screening of a recent Forests Commission fin under the above title. This por- trayed, in natural colour, the various branches of the Comrnis- sion’s activity—mountamn road-making, fire-ightiny, re-afforesta- tion, work at the Creswick training school, etc. It was follawed with great interest by menibers, and # hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Commission through Mr. Mervyn Bul, who intro- duced and supervised this excellent film (moved by Mr. J. H. Willis, ecbndes by Dr. M_ Chattaway), MUELLER COMMEMORATIVE STAMP On this very day, a special postage stamp commemorating Baron von Mueller’s life and work had been issued by the Post- master-General, and, in honour of the Baron, his friends Mr. H. Best and Rev, H, M, R, Rupp had been invited to address the meeting. Mr. Rest had first heard of the Baran in 1874, while at school in Germany ; but it was not antil 1887 that he met the great scientist in Melhourne, when Baron von Mueller was elected to the Com- mittee of the German Club. Mr. Best spoke of the Baron's kindh- ness—nat only in material things, but also in giving generonsly of his time, knowledge and spiritual help, He gave intimate details of the botamist's declining years, which were too often saddened with official difficulties, and, with a savouring of humour, showed us “Mueller, the Man.” Rev Rupp told us how his frst meeting with Baron von Mueller went back ta 1892, witen he was a University undergraduate. He had a letter of introduction to the Baren from the Rev, J. Brace- bridge Wilson, and was overwhelmed with the help and encourage- nient received. ‘he Baron did an immense amount of worl, writing in English, German, French or Latin, and was never tired of extolling the glories of our Australian flora EXHIBITS Mr. H. Stewart: Ophioglozsnw coriecesn, “Adders-tonguc,” from Huntly North (near Hendigo)- Mr. K, Atkins; Plants in bloom from Botanic Gardens—Acaria cyouo- plevile, AL pratchella. A. verniciflua. Bowera sessilifiora, Commersomd Frasers, Gloehidion Ferdinand? (foliage), Micrantyrtus ciliates, Pittesporyne bicolor, Pomadervis elhprca and Pulienca daphaodes. ae” H. P. Dickens: Twenty specimens of Ferns collected by John Barker, Messrs. (C. French and R. Bury: 15 native plants cultivated in Marasoa Gardens, ; Mr, R. S. Savage: Melaleuca “psendo-ineana," Boronia “lutea,” Pullene@a £irictd, Mr. ©, j. Gabried; Series of opercula, with corresponding shells, fram various localities, including—Polinires drdynus Chem. (Vie), P. comecns Lam. (Vic), Turi petiolatus Sby. (Ol.), Turbo fovrdant Kiewer CW, Aust.) and ftustellaria delicatule Nevill (Persian Gulf), ee British Native Flowering Plants 131 Mr. Alan N. Carter: Mutton-fish shells—Aaitotis austratis, Gmel. (N.Z.), H. viryinca Gmel, (N.Z.), H. iris Martyn (N.Z.}, H. cyrelebates Peron (S.A.), H. naevosa improbula Iredale (S.A), H, asinina Linne (Qld.) and H. scalaris Leach (W.A.). Mr. R. C. Kershaw: Specimens of land shells, including—4chatina acuta Fer. (Mauritius), A. sebra Chem. (Sth. Africa), Thersites semicastanca Pir. (New Britain), 7. silvani Pet. (Solamons}, Pythta albovericosus Pir, (Solomans), -luricnfa midae Linne (Nth. Austraha), Baltwinus decollatis (Bermuda), Paputna boivini Pet. (Solomons), Paryphanta atramentaria Shutt. (Lorne, Vic.) and P. compacta Cox and Hedley (Lorne, Vic.). Mr. J. H. Willis (on behalf of Nattonal Herbarium): Various relics of Baron von Mueller, including the Certificates of Knighthood (K.C.M,G.), Barony (Wiirttemberg}, and Legion of Honour ( France}, the Clarke Medal, Box-wood printing blocks, early personal notebooks, and sundry photo- raphs, é Mr. H. Best: Sculptured bronze tankard frum Munich, bearing the fol- lowing inscription—-"Yon M. F. Bahse an Baron Mueller, April 889.” Mr, G. M, Bryning: Four- and five-leaved clovers, BRITISH NATIVE FLOWERING PLANTS (A Review) From the earliest times when the first herbals were formulated, until today, the number and scope of works on the botany of Great Britain have beet legion. Yet. strangely, no complete sequence of illustrations (uniformly treated and with appropriate dissections) of the British flora is known to us. Consequently, Stella Ross-Craig, F.t.s., of the Herharium, Reyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has set out to provide a standard set of line drawings of all the accepted native plants of the British Isles—a formidable venture when more than 1,500 species have to be considered. The first two parts of this work, which will take several years to complete, have just been issued by the publishers, G. Bell and Sons Ltd., London, under the title Drazwetugs of Brifish Planis. Part T comprises 39 examples of Raniunciulaccac. and Part I] illustrates Berberidaceac, Pupaveraceae, and Fumartaceac, represented by 22 plates. Miss Ross-Craig’s graphic skill is of a high order, combining a judicious blend of artistic perception with accurate observation and delineation of the subject treated. The structaral parts are so clearly shown that deserip- tions are superfluous. Where warranted, many plants have their under- ground parts outlined, whilst aquatic subjects, for example the several Crowivots and Water-lilies, are deftly figured with the addition of a iew lines to leave no doubt as to their habitat. Moreover, subtle specific dif- ferences of such plants as TVhalictrum (the Meadow Rues) and Fienarta, are made so plain in. the drawings that one does not need to wade laboriously through any detailed verbiage. Australians will recognize same species that have beet) introduced and cultivated here, athers have become escapees or even pests. The very first lustration, the familiar and much-loved “Traveller's Joy” (Clematis witalba), expresses a happy augury for the quality we can expect from Stella Ross-Craig, in the large number of plants she has essayed to figure. In a foreword. Sir Edward Salisbury, F.R.S., Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, avers that: “A flora is never completely definitive, and from time ta time the need arises for a new survey embracing the accretions of the years. The flora of Britain, like its people, is not the product of a single event, but of a process continuing in the present as in the past. though varying in degree with time.” The eventual acquisition of the complete parts of these plant drawings will form a valuable iconographical adjunct to the F.N-C. hbrary. H. C. E. Srewarr. 132 H. Best, Ferdinand von Mueller, the Man mpeg FERDINAND VON MUELLER, THE MAN (An Address at the F.N.C. Meeting, September 13, 1948, to mark the appearance — that day—of the Mueller Commemorative Postage Stamp) By H. Best, St, Kilda The task J have set myself is not to present to you Baron von Mueller, the Scientist, for that has often been done before and by much abler men than myself; but Baron von Mueller, the Man. Elbert Hubbard, the American philosopher, said: "It is a fine thing to be a great scientist, but finer still to be a great man,” And, in my humble opinion, the Baron wes a great man—great, kind, generous, simple and essentially human, To werd-paint him for you, as I would Jike you to see him, I would need toa have at my command the oratory of a Demosthenes, the flowery speech of an Alfred Deakin {or the easy-flowing descriptive language of a Crosbie Morrison )-—and I don’t think any of us have forgotten the lovely address AUSTRALI yea 4 Mr. J. H. Willis delivered He ES 1 before the Club on November y) d 10, last year. 2 The first time I heard of oe Mueller was in 1874 in Ger- ; many, when, as an eleven- vear-old schoolboy in a lesson ai botany, I listened to our teacher mention Dr. Ferdinand Mueller, the eminent botanist who was doing such wonder- ial work in that far-off won- derful country, Australia. For, even at that time, Baron von Mueller was well known all over the old world as a botanist The Mueller Commemorative Stamp of note. Let me quote from a German paper of the time: In 1847 Mueller arrived in Australia and at once revelled in the idea ta explore the Australian flora. Without waiting for Government assistance, he began exploring the greatest part of South Australia— 1847-52, After travelling thousands of miles he came to Victoria, where the then Governor, La Trobe, appointed him Government Botanist. In 1855-56, with Gregory and others, but this time assisted by the Gavern- ment, he explored the greater part of North-Western Australia and into parts never before trodden by white men. In 1857 he was appointed Director of the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. As such, he founded a Museum, into which he incorporated the extensive collection of his plants. He also, mostly of his own means, started a Botanical Library, spending also much of his time in introducing useful trees and flowers into Australia, The colony also has to thank him for a most valuable 4 a oN EL. Begr, Ferditand von Muetler, the Man 135 collection of oils, gummiata, paper trials of indigenous plarits, resins, etc, ete, Alsv, as author, he made a name for himself, We have before ws seven volumes of the Fraguientea Phyptographiae Aystratac, 1858- 1871, Besides these, he wrote two volumes on Ue Australian florz, profusely illustrated. But really adivirable energy he displayed in’ the collection of material for that great work, J lora Aastralionsts, of Which so far six to seven volumes have been published by Beotham,, im collaboration with Dr, Mueller, Honour to such indefatigable endeavours! [Horticultural Lexikon, 1874.) Little did I think, at that time, that I was ever to become a citizen of this (to me) mysterious country where, we were told, the trees shed their bark instead of leaves, where all the animals carried their young in pouches, where the many multi-coloured birds were absolutely without song, and so forth. Little did I think that J was ever to become personally acquainted with this so much admired man—thal, in years to come in Metbourne, I was to be honoured with the fask of proposing the toast at his 7th birthday, But it carne to pass. Again, I quote from a con- temporary paper: The hall of the Turn Verein was the scene of a very pleasane gathering yesterday, when the members entertained Baron yun Mueller ii student fasion at a “commers” might. The chair was occupied by Herr W. Wiesbaden, president of the society, and among the puests were the German consul, Mr. Brahe, and Mr. Panton, P.M, In jhe course of the evening an interesting programme of vocal and instru- mental music was rendered by the orchestra and Nelertafel of the society; but the event of the occasion was the presentation ta Baron vor Mueller of @ splendidly framed and illuminated address, in which happy allusion was made to the consistent [riendship which the Baron had displayed to the society during the past quarter of a century, to his efforts Im the cause af the Gevaraty community, and to his distin guished position in the world of science. His health was thea proposed by Herr Heinrich Best, and drunk with students’ honours. In the cout'se of his reply, Baron von Mueller referred ta the comipliment paid hitn as an honour beyond his deserts, and said that among ather honours which had been showered upun him was his clection a5 a member of the Institute of France, It was sad to reflect that the Jate M. Pasteur had been one of the warmest supporters of his election, The health of the president was also honoured, and after other toasts the gathering dispersed. The Jarge Turn berer Hall was crowded out; many of Mel- bourme’s notabilities were present—and I must admit I felt very proud of myself that night. In his reply to the toast, the Baron referred tu many interesting episodes of his eventful travellings allover Australia, and faid great stress upon the fact that he was elected a Member of the Pasteur Institute—a much coveted honour by scientists—and that the great Pasteur himself had nominated him, ‘The first time L met the Baron personally was at a Smoke Night of the now defunct Tura Vere, German Gymnastic Clib, late 154 H. Beer, Ferdinand von Mueler, the Man rare ee” in °*87. when L was introduced to him as the latest addition to the Committee. Shortly after that 1 was deputed by my Committee to interview the Baron regarding a Christmas tree, and this led to my first visit to the Baron’s hamble howe im Arnold Street, South Yarra, The forcrunner of many others, this visit, at first, was not lonked upen with much favour by the Baron's factotum, George, or, as the Baron called him, “Shorshe." But it was not very long ere 1 was received with a smile and the aside, “I'll haye 3 nice cup of coffee ready before you go, Sir)” As he canfided later on tome, 'T thought you alsa were one of those people whe come often, bring nothing and take a lot away.” I felt flattered! The Baron’s wants were very simple, very simple indeed. He thought of nathing clse but his Department and his beloved science, He paid very littl: attention to his personal appearance, His dress- snit was a particular headache to “Shorshe”” It was dyed, it was turned and dyed again; “Shorshe” had to remove spots and brush it untr) it was. practically threadbare. ‘Look at this,” he said one day to me; “tsr'f it awinl! And the Master savs he can't afford a new one,” The Baron was just as landhearted as he was great: wobady ever came ta his door that he did tut leave willtout moral or matertal help, His generosity was made use of by many unscrupu- jous persons, also hy others who shonld have |cnown hetter, He often showed me complainingly some guinea or half-guinea tickets left with htm by fashionable ladics tor disposal—(Oh, the dear old Baron will get rid of them for us!” I shocked the Baron one day when I said to him, and T fear with an unparliamentary adjective or two, “Why don’t you send them back?’ “Bai, my deat Mr. Best, I could not possibly do that’:—and here the ever- present fear of Josing his position showed itself unmistalkably— “ip might offend the ladies and they might use their influence to harm me in my, as you know, precarious position,” This constant fear, in fact an obsession, dangled like the Sword of Damocles over my charming old friend's head, causing hini many a bitter hour. One can read ot m letters to me—letters and some relics that I placed in the hands of the Herbarium authorities several years ago, Being well acquainted at the time with Mr. George Turner, MLA, later Sir George, I mentioned to him one day the Baron’s worres; fie said, “You can tell the dear old chap from me thut his position is as safe as the Bank of England” This assurance seemed like sunshine to the Baron: but his mind was soon cloutled over again by Depattmental worres, of which he had more than enough, and slowly, relentlessly his physical health was also under- mined Subjects we often discussed were the badly managed and ouch neglected Forestry Department, the deplorable rlevastation of a H. Best, Ferdinand von Mueller, the Mor 135 timberlands, the lack of effective water coriservalion, and so on, On one of these occasions, he rose, went into his library and came back with a volume of Alexander von Elumboldt’s Cosmos in his hand, Turning a few leaves and finding what he wanted, he said, “Now listen to whal this eminent naturalist had to say in 1848, after his three years voyaging all over the world—‘Men of all climes seem bent to brite down upon their descendants two calamities at once, the want of fucl and the want of water, through the wholesale destruction of Forests.” ‘In spite of all my preach- ing,’ the Baron continued, “this deplorable habit has taken root here, too, and my dear Australian friends seem to be bent on learning by the hard road," He ended up by saying, “In the old European countries, it has been found that ane-fifth of the country must be forest, m order to ensure the best chmatic conditions,” Ina little work by Ellwood Cooper, Forest Culttie and Eucalyplas Trees (practically the work of the Baron himself), is an excellent article dealing with this very question, Asking him one day isome- thing about Sequoia gigasiea, | was presented, tvuch to my delight, with an autographed copy of this same Sittle book. ‘Another favourite theme of Mueller’s was the planting of a timber-helt as hreakwind across the exposed Werribee plains, but nothing came at it. As far as I know, the Baron was master of several lansuages, including English, German, French, Latin and Danish. English he spoke with a highly pronounced German accent. He was a corresponding niecniber of an amazingly large nuniber of scientific bodies all over the worid, and his actual correspondence was enormous—sume 3000 letters a year. One Saturday afternoon I called on him. Tt was a Evropean mail day and there was a big pile of parcels and letters. The Barow had just started! opening them when he said, “My dear Mr. Dest, there are two or three letters that must have immediate attention, so I will ask you to excuse me for a quarter of an houy or twenty minutes.” | wanted to leave, but he would not heat of it; 50 1 settled myself comfortably with a book and a smoke, knowing full well that he would quite forget me for a while, Bat, when that short “quarter of an hour” had grown inte nearly two hours, T thonghe it time to lec him know that I was still in the house. 1 got up, coughed—the Baron turned quickly around with, “Oh, niy dear My. Best, a thousand pardons, | had quite forpotten you.” The usual cup of coffee was ordered and. before leaving, I glanced at the number of letters written; Lhere were some twerity of them. 1 marvelled. His letters, as a rule, were as short as his speeches were long. He hacl the pitt of saying a lol ma few shert sentences. He also had a. marvellous mentory. L had proof of this on various occasions, He asked me once to get him a book from his Ithrary, T found it almost in the very spot lie had indi- 136 HB, Best, Ferdinand vou Mueller, the Maw Menta ested, while the heavy dust was certain proof that it had not been handled for months, perhaps years, His hour-long, noteless speeches and lectures are also proof of this assertion. His lectures were often embellished with suitable quatations iram well-known poets.’ Mary people thought the Baron vain, I am not quite stice on this point; but [ am certain that he was very, very jealous of his Teputation as a scientist, and received a profound shock whe he was rudely deprived of the Directorship of the Botanic Gardens in June 1873. If this can be put down to vanity, nolens-volens, I have to admit it. The loss of the Directorship was a terrible blow to his sensitive nature. He thought it a grave injustice— painful to him even. after twenty years. It was in '93, in a thought- less moment, that I referred to it; ii I were to live for another LOO years, I never could forget. the anguished picture my foolishness d conjured up. The Baron stared at me for a few moments, then sank hack in his chair, sobbing as if his heart would break. Saying things to myself—things I could not say in a Sunday School— I quietly leit. I don’t think he noticed my going, and I stever dared mention the Gardens again. As a counter to this sad happening, and the only time T really saw the Baron laugh heartily, was when he related the following incident ta me. “On Thursday last, [ was at a Government House Party; during a conversation with some ladies, one of them sud- denly said, ‘My dear Baron. [ thmk you should marry.’ Quite surprised, I said, "But, my dear Madam, I wonder if a lady could be found to honour me with her hand.’ ‘You leave that to me,’ she replied, ‘I know better.’ ‘Well, this is very flattering ta me, hut, my dear Madam, Agave you considered my position? TI ama Baron and a Baroness would need to give house-partics, dinner- Parties and such-like, My humble home and meagre salary would never pernut that sort of thing. But, om the other hand, if you gould find a lady so inelined, with, say, £2000 a year as dowry, I might give it consideration.” "’ Still chuckling, he ended up by saying, “I don't think PU hear any more about this marriage business." Now we come to the second week of October 1896, when the sad news spread over Melbourne, and the country in general— Baron von Mueller seriously ill, noi expected to live! His friends and admirers were dumbfounded—it all came so suddenty. I called at Amold Street, but the Barony was too ili, nobody was allowed to see him. October 10 announced the death ot this distinguished and beloved scientist\—apoplexy had suddenly ended the glorious lite of one of the finest characters that ever graced this land of ours. A few days afterwards large numbers of mourners assembled at Arnold Street to pay their last respects to the departed scientist. ae H. Best, Ferdinand von Mueller, the Man 137 The cortege wended its way along St. Kilda Road, Wellington Street, and Dandenong Road to the St. Kilda Cemetery, The Turn Verein Orchestra headed the funeral procession, playing al intervals the “Dead March in Saul,"" whilst large numbers of aout followed the hearse on foot and in yehicles of various kinds. At the graveside some fine orattions were delivered, the final sentence in one af which inipressed me deeply—‘Today, we buried @ good man; to many, he was more.” What a wealth of meaning in those few simple words. Yes, to many he mas more. His great, kind heart beat for the world, and his beloved Australia in par: ticular, That day closed the chapter, as Mary Carr said in that fine article which appeared last year in the Sit newspaper (April 12). That day the grave closed over all that was carthly of the kindliest of men, a “mental qant with the heart of a child.” Now the question arose--a suitable Memorial to the mentory of this extraordinary man, A Commitlee was formed, “The Barot von Mueller Grave Monuinent Fund.” It was decided to raise £500 for the purpose. The three executive officers were the late soentist, Sir Baldwin Spencer, late Mr, W. Wiesbaden { President of the Tur Verein) and myself. We called for donations which, at first, rolled in very nicely, but gradually fell away to nothing. After about three years’ hard collecting, we had some £400 at our disposal. Jt so happened, at that time, that a prominent footballer broke his ley and in a little ovet three inonths nore than £600 was found for his injury. That nettled us! A letter was written to the Press in which great stress was laid on the fact that it seamed our community admired brawn more than brain. The Government camé to our aid, raising the sum to the desired £500. The result is the Monument as it now stands in the Se. Kilda Cemetery, to the Memory of a really great man, Virtute Fngenioqnue Valemus! = BIRD BOGEYS Tn arder to save a few figs tor the family I hung some “Wedge-tailed Eagles" on long poles, and attached them to the tree. They were made of lacee fungi (Balelas portentosis, of which there are many in the garden every year) with moulted fowls’ feathers stuck into them. Not a bird went near the figs for some weeks. Then it rained heavily and the “eagles” wore a bedraggled Jook. Yet still, a sparrow was the only bird who braved them. The apricots were saved by the tall cobweb brash and a nucralft model af “Horatio,” David Fleay’s Wedge-tailed Eagle. I recently moved the “eagles to » Sturmer apple tree which, being near the hack door, is always the Inst ta be attacked; but, like all my bogeys, and they are legion, the “eagles” are now flouted. Do birds remember? We shall see trext year when I set up more “cagles,” er 138 E, Core an, Movants oh Seonted dlopasia Vee Bint, INTERESTING MOVEMENT IN SCENTED ALOCASIA, A, ODORA (Roxb.) C. Koch, 1854 [Syns, rum adorwi Roxb. Colocasia odara Bort, | By Eurtx Caremay, Blackbur, Vie. Some of the most interesting of all plant movements are related to pollination, and one of the most curious is seen in the Scented Alocasia (A. odore) of tropical Himalaya, Formosa and the Philippines, a metnber of the Ardecoe, In the White Arum (Zantedeschia asthiopica) pollination is effected in an urthadox manner hy hive bees which visit the orange-coloured spadix for abundant pollen (Pict. Nut, Jan. 1937). In the two common ‘“Wake-robins” (Arvin nraculatent aml 4, éfalicur) it is brought ahout by small winged insects which are trapped in the spathe, and released after a short period (ict. Not., Feb. 1937), Tn the small Corsican Arum (Arisarian vulgare) the adaptation (5 for insect pollination; but, as the species appears to be infertile in my garden, I assume that its “official” pollinator has not been intraduced, Although flesh flies are attracted to the handsome Black-aram (Dracunculus vulgaris), they do not appear to pallinate the flowers ; but, as two or more apikes have so rarely heen in flower at the one period, I wnte with no certainly on this point. Its odotr is nat nearly sa objectionable as that of Art dracuseulus, which makes its presence known from afar. Hosts of carnon flies flock to the sanrce of that intalerable odour. They deposit eggs on the spadix which do not hatch out. This Arum has a dark red velvety spathe, up lo 25 oriches in length, with crenate margins, Itis really a haridsame thing, but, “handsome is as handsame does,” There can be tew plants that emit such ar offensive odour— almiost as evil as that of the Hairy or Dead-horse Arum (Heck- ¢odiceros criniius) so feelingly described by F. A, Bowles: The mast fiendish plant Y know, the sort of thing that Beelzebub might pluck to make a bouquet for his mother-in-law—a_ mingling of unwholeseone greens, purples atid pallid pinks, the Ilyery of putrescence, in fact. And it possessed an odour to. match the colouring. It only exhales its stench for a few hours after opening) and during that time it is better to stand far off and took at st thenugh the telescope. But the handsome Arum dracunculus remains offensive for several days, Long after the spathe had been cut, measured and exammed under the microscope, rhe spadix still called, offensively, for visitors, The egys of flies attracted to the Hairy Arum do hateh out, to starve in the absence of flesh food. (Those deposited on my leautiful bot udorous Stapelias dry up—useless to both plants and insects.) There appears to be na benefit to the flies in any Ka E. Coteman, Movement in Scented Alocase 139 of these evil-smelling Arums, although they may cross-pollimate a few flowers in going trom spathe to spathe. Three other lurid Arums have set no seed in my garden. In the Snake-lily (4, corautyn) the spadix elongates into snake-like form, bursting from the spathe at an early stage to lie on the ground in realistic snake fashion. In the Lizard-arum (Sanromutwn guttetwm) and Devil’s- tongue (dAimorphophalius Rivert) the handsome pellate leaves appear after the flowers, I have seen no insects visiting these. Jr is pleasant ta turn ta a sweetly scented Arum, the “Scented Alocasia” (Aloceasia-odora). It is in the spathe of this that a remarkable movement is seen which must have an iniportaat bear- ing on pollination. The female flowers, which, as in other Arumms, are on the lowest part of the spadix, mature frst. After a certain period during which they should have been pollinated, the spathe closes im at its constricted part and, twelve hours Jater, bas formed a collar or shelf above the now fully enclosed female flowers, Two hours after this the male flowers above the collar com- mence to slied pollen—only to fall on the “shelf,” Were suclt large quantities to fall on the female flowers, even if un-pollinated, they would became clogged, and in the closed cylinder would probably become moist, and decay. Lodged on the shelf it remains dry and is readily picked up by insects which still respond to the sweet periume, and will be carried to female Aowers on a youtiger spadix where the spathe has not yct closed in to form a barrier The pollen falls as dry dust; but, under the micrascope, it is seen to lie in chains and small masses of bead-lke grains which, having an adliesive exine, cling together, Unlike those of other Arums, the spathe becomes rigid, as it withers ancl does not fall until rains have softened it. Were the seeds fertile, it would probably split open later to expose the fruits, ad facilitate their dispersal by birds. In the twelve years during which f haye watched this Ajocasia it has produced no fertile seeds. I have occasionally seen ants on the skins, and once (16/3/37) I saw a tew thrip-like insects within a spathe. As in so many plants, life of the male flowers is short. With the shedding of pollen they have served their purpose, and the part of the spadix bearing them now withers, The sweet scent fasts for several days. It would probably cease with effective | pollination. The spachx is the mast important feature in these curious Arums. Those who would assign a special benefit to the plant in every structure evolved, must find this organ puzzling, at times—as, for instance, in the Snake-tily, where it lengthens to 28 inches. One wonders whether, indeed, there is any value to the plant, commensurate with the expenditure in producing it. Up ta a point, a spadix of reasonable height should be useful. (ek Nat. 140 E, Coreman, Movement om Seonted Atocose Vol. a6 dt serves Arst as 4 fag. On it flowers are massed, making pollina- tion an easy niatter ounce insects are lured to the minute male and female flowers. These, although often produced in juxta- position, are effectively separated by their maturity periods. The enveloping spathe gives not only shelter but warmth. It has been shown, first by Lamarck in 1770, that most flowers, at the haght of their flowering period, are slightly warmer than the surrounding air, So, when flowers are massed, as in Artrms, the Tise jn temperature should be considerable. Tamarck's theories were elaborated by other botanists who found a rise of temperature in many Arunis. According to Brong- hiart (1834), the temperature in Alocasia (Colacasia) odora was 19:8 degrees (Fahr.) above that of the conservatory i which it grew. Other workers (1828) had measured @ rise of 50 degrees {Fahr.), above that of the surreunding air—measuted by means of a thermo-electric apparatus. In Arwin cordifolia a rise ot 54 degrees was noted ! Warm air rises. The rise m tentperatare should thus aid in dispersing scent signals. I should be interested to learn whether other growers of these intssesting plants have noted fertile seed. EXPLANATION GF PLATE [il Ist fg.—spadie with receptive female flowers below, immuture male flowers above and, beyand arrow, infertile male flowers; 20d fig—female Aowers receptive, spathe apen to mséecis; 3rd fg —spathe clased in to form a shelf, thale Rowers shedding pollen which cannot reach female Aowers; 444 arid Sth fgs—pollen irom male Aowers falling on shelf, feraples will’ reccive none oT tt SELECTIVE PROPAGATION OF NATIVE SHRUBS The fact thal most of our native shrubs suay be growa readily from «uttings makes it possible to propagate from shrubs af especial merit and thereby considerahly improve their jorm, foliage, and flower. The remark able superiority of the cultivated Brown Boronia (8. megastignus) over the same Plant growing wider natura) conditions in Wester Austraha ils trates Just what could be done with other species. lt is nat generally known that there is 2 wide variation in the flowering quality of Grampians Thrymomene, Some bushes are so floriferawy as to completely lide the foliage, while in ather cases the flowers are quite sparse in comparison and of inferior quality. It shauld be pegsible, h selecting a good strain and propagating Jrom dt, ta rais¢ the standard or this outstanding shrub. There are sparse- and poor-fawering forims of the well-known Pincushion Hakea (A. doweina) and of Hakeo omuttilineata that are hardly worth warden room, antl seed or cuttings from such inferior strains should be avoided. Grevilleas in particular show wide range of coleur and flower massing within the species, and there are many other genera (e.g, Correa} wherein caretu) selective treatment would do much to increase the popularity athat our native shrubs so richly deserve J, 5S. Sraven: THE VICTORIAS RATURALIS' Vol. 63 October 1948 Puate ITI roe VW. MR, Rupp, Seaton Genaplestum in Genus Prasnphyliam 141 THE SECTION GENOPLESIUM IN THE GENUS PRASOPHYLLUM (ORCHIDACEAE) Hy the Rev, H, M, R. Rupp, Northbridge, N.S.W. T, TNTRODUCTORY The difficulties in connechon with che study of members of the above prow are well known to all students of extratropical Australian Orchids. The diminutive size of the plants themselves (small térrestrials), and the literally mictoscepic dimensions of the somewhar complicated floral ¢dletails, have taxed Fhe patience of many observers to breaking-point. Yet these yery features, when examined undera sufficiently powertul lens, prove extremely fascinating to those who can persevere in studying thent carelully. The distinctions between different forms are found to be as clear- cul, and just as inportant botanically, as they would appear to the naked eye were the flowers fifty times their actual sree. _ Every Avstralian State possesses representatives of these pyguny spectés of Praseptiadinin. But. for reasons which are as yet not evident, they appear to have developed to a far greater extent in New South Wales than in any of the other States. At the time of writing (September 1943), forty species have heen recognized, including five described for the first time im this paper. Only fifteen of these have been recorded outside New South Wales, and of those fifteen only four (Ff. dexspectans Hook.f, P. brachy- stachywm Lindl, P. Horbwrvanumn Rupp, and 2. porzicallwae Rupp) are not known tu oeeur in New South Wales. The number of spesies for this State, therefore, is at present thirty-six. Eight species are on record for Oneensland (feelucins P. dens and - Foolish as both very daubttul), eight for Victona {excluding P. Dixonit, which is now regarded as conspecific with P. nigricans), five for Tasmania, three for South Australia, and two for Western Australia, Within New South Wales, the greatest development of distinct species appears to he in the comparatively simal] area covered by the counties of Cock and Cumberland. These include the greater part of the Blue Mountains and portion. of the Central Coast, No fewer than 33 species have been recorded from this limited area Yo the north of it, eight species have been found in the vicinity af the Hunter River Valley. Records [rom other parts of the State are very scanty, No dou the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast, being within easy reach of the metropolis, have been “combed for these pygmies more irequently. and by more col- lectors, thau the outlying areas; and in the course of time the nttrnbers for the latter niay be stuhstantially increased. The present writer, a resident of New South Wales for many years, has for some time given special attention to these diminutive orchids, 142 H. MR, Ruvv, Section Genaplosinas i Genus Prasophyllin Usain especially since retirement from occupational duties nm 1938, Difh- culties are experienced in studying them adequately, aot ouly for the reasons alluded to ahove, but also because one can never be sure when they will make their appearance. With tare excep- tions, they are orchids of summer and autemn; and their growth above ground seems to depend upon the time of the heavy summer and autumn rains, which varies vonsiderably, If the rains fail, so do the pygmics; they remain dormant, or appeac in such small numbers that even the sharpest eves may wiss ther. In the Victorian Naturolist for- November and December 1942, ani! January 1943, I published a somewhat lengthy arlicle ow the section Genoplesivm, with descriptions of seven new species In The Orchids of Now South Weles, published ahout a year later, descriptions were given of all the species then known in this State, and an artificial Key was supphed. With the discovery of new facts fand inerdentally, of more species), that Key as now not satistactory. Im the present paper I offer a new Key, which includes all the known Australian species up to the ime of writing. It is prefaced hy the description of five new species, all discovered recently within 5€ miles of Sydney. One of the species listed in the Key requires a'word of explana- tion. I have ventured to choose the name ?. EXT GU UM to indicate ithe plant Agured by R. 19. Fitzgerald in Anstration Orcirids, Uf, 3, over the naine P. rufa. It carmot be accepted as representing the FP, réfie of Robert Brown. Mr, WH, Nicholls received from London drawings made with the aid of a camera lucida, of Brown's type specimen in the British Museum. These drawinys showed clearly that Brown's species is identical with a New South Wales jHant. abundant in some districts, which had for a long time been regarded as a form of P. migricans R.Br. The dif- ferences between it and the true migricans, however, ave of specific importance. Te hears no reseniblance to Fitzgerald's rufa, and the name camot be retained for the latter. No definite record of Fitzgerald's plant, so far as | am aware, has been made since he lied > hut it must exist. or he could not have figured it. As he considered the flowers to be the smallest in the genus, the name earner Sees appropriate. Il, DESCRIPTIONS OF FIVE NEW SPECIES 1. PRASOPHYLLUM ANOMALUM, sp-nav- Planta maderate gracilis, usqane dd 30 cmt. alta, Moki lamin 2-3 cm. sab spice Flores §-18, virides, nom congesti, promincutes, in ovaria brewssime peduncidatn, Bractca florea mucronata, Sepalnim. dorsate c. & aon. longum, ciliatins, cucrnlation, late fanceolatumn, Sepala tateralia 2-8 mnt, longa, aperta, patenke, fore acuntinate, ahquendy ad apices hamata. Petala co 4 yen tonga, ciliata, plerumque in unguibus brevibus articulate, sed ravo sessitia et poreioru. Latollean o. 6 atm. longi, i ange articulatnmn, oblongum, dircetue sed od apicem rofleximn. ef acutum, pallid macuis pavers, ciltts longis purpureis plus aad H. M, R. Rove, Séenow Genoglesinon im Genus Prasophyllum 143 minusve veversis dense uestihins callus obscuris, Coliniu miomala, ontkera stantinata, sacfissime sed nom semper abertiva; stigma pistiliotinn, ad antherag basem annixens, rostelitnt, obscurwn vel obsaletwm, alae inckortar vel ofiqnaitda Nngares, glabree, otegrac vel tocguatler fwredtoc. A vather slender plant up to 30 cm. high. Leaf-lamina 2-3 em. below the spike. Flowers 5 ta about 18, green, not crowded, standing out prominently from the axis on shortly pedunculate ovaries. Floral bract mucronate. Dorsal sepal about 5 mm. long, ciliate, cucullate, broadly lanceolate, Lateral sepals 7-3 mm. long, free, spreading, almost acuminate, sometimes hooked at the apices. Petals ahout 4 mm. long, ciliate, most frequently erticulote on short claws, hut rarely sessile and smaller. Labellum about 6 mm. long, articulate on a claw, eblong, straight, Lut at the apex refiexed and acute, pale with a few purplish blotches, densely fringed with long, purple, more or less reversed cilia; callous plate rather obscure but apparently large. Column anomalous; anther stalked, separate fram the stigma, often but not always abortive; stigma on a flat stalk, usually leaning aparnst the hase of the anther: ros- tellum obscure or obsolete; column wings rudimentary, or some- times filiform and glabrous, entire or occasionally unequally fur- eate, The description of this extraordinary little Rower reads Wke that of a “freak,” But the discoverer, Miss Isobel Bowden, to whont we ate also indebted for the Four species which follow, found it in considerable numbers along a range of several miles, on the eastern slopes of the Ilue Mountains, so that st can scarecly be denied the status of a species. In all, some forty iidtvidual Howers were dissected and examined under a bifoeal microscope. As a check on my own observations, Mr. H, K, C. Marr, B.Sc., of the Sydney Herbarium, kindly exaiined a tiuinber of the Aower's, atid confirmed my findings except in the case of the few plants with diminutive sessile petals, which he did not see. The species may truly he termed “atiomalous,” since the atither and stigma are separate structures in every flower. Comparison may be made with Fitzgerald's Corunastylts apostastoides, which is only known from the author's plate and description (in Ansty, Orch, I], 3); but there is little or nothing im common between the two plants beyond the possession of a gynostentium: of non-orchidaceous character. Fitzgerald describes the petals of Coriwnactylis as fili- form) and glabrous. In nearly all the flowers of Prasophyllum anomalutt they are natrow-lanceolate and ciliate, and only differ from those of alled species like P. fismbrratum R.Br. in their curious articulation on claws like that of the labellum. Miss Bowden reported finding a few plants in which it was difficult to see petals at all, She sent in specimens of these, and T found that the petals were cértamly present, but were yery diminutive, almost concealed 144) HLM. RR. Ree, Seetion Grnoplesinm in Gens Prasophytlent vata ly the edges of the dorsal sepal. and quite sessile, with no trace of a mobile claw. In most flowers the anther is abortive, neither pollinia nor caudicle being present. But this is not an mivariable rule; in some flowers there was an imperfect anther sac with a few pollen grains; and in a few instances the anther was perfect. In many lowers the wings of the colunin are tidiinentary, one on each side with what appears to be a third rudiment in front; but occasionally ihe two laterals are develaped into glabrous filaments of varying length; in some cases these were unequally furcate, The flowers open very shyly: and I have not seen more than three out on the “same plant at one tine This is also the case with the next species described below. Hahitat: Weodford and Iazelhronk, Blue Mountains, N.S,W_; collected by Miss Isobel Bowden, March and carly April 1948. 2 PRASOPHYLLUM BSOWDENAE, sp. tiov. Planta rotnista tel yraciliz, wsgne ad 4$ cn. alin Polti famine @ sfica remota, Carlis sub lamina teres, supra anyulates. Flores 6-21, moemgnem comycsts, virides vel fuscovtrides, subsessiles sed prowinentes, Labelle ot sepola toteralia valde inajora gram segmenta altera. Sepalun dorsale ininutyin, vara 3 sam. languim, ovatoracnian, cucullatum. Sepala lateratia usyre ad i em. Jonga, apcrio, late lineata, concawt, prima pateutia scd cite prapingna wel traits. aprso, of bases gibboso. Petala ¢, 24 ym. longa, lnrccalata, citiata, venosa, Labetfum arhicnlatum, obfonge-aentum, weque ad lent. longum, ndulahan, od anddivane parlilnin canstrickia, pallid anaeuts purpredis, cits toners impheotis glaucis wel purpuratis dense vestitum, callus magnus, conspicue condhaadeldne. Calvnina minittissime: alae profrnde inlobataec, lobo externa ciate, acuminatn, loby interior’ olbtise, breviort, Rostelhom comporate magnum, shyna fuscum: authera apice filiform. Plant robust or slender, up to 45 em, high. Leaf-lamina remote from the spike. Stem below the lamina tcrete, above it strikingly angular. Flowers 6 to alwut 21, never crowded, green or greentish- brown, sub-sessile but standing well out from the axis. Labellum and lateral sepals developed ou! of all proportion to the rest of the Hower, Dorsal sepal minute, rarely 3 mm, long, ovate-acute, cuctilate. Lateral sepals wp to 1 cm, long, free, broad-linear, con- cave, at first divergent but soon becoming parallel or even crossed, gibbeus at their bases. Petals hardly more than 24 mm. long, often less, lanceolate, ciliate, veined jongitudinally. Labellum articulate on a rather tong claw, oblong but acufe at the recurved tip, up to 1 em. long, undulate, shghitly constricted about the middle, pale with same purple patches, especially about the apes, densely beset with long tangled grey or purplish cilia; callous plate ill-defined, buv Jarge and conspicuously channelled. Column extremely diminttive; wings deeply bi-lobate, the outer lobe ciliate, acuminate, the inner one shorter, obtuse. Rostellam rather large; stigma brown; anther with a filiform point, Habitat: Woodford and adjoining localities on the eastern fall eel H. M. R Rupr, Section Geno plesiunt te Genus Prasophylivm 14S of the Blue Mountains, N.5.W, ; callected by Miss Isobel ‘Bowden, March 1948. This plant was found (7 abundance; and jn view of its relatively large diniensions, it is surprising that it remained unknown for so long. In a different way, it is almost as remarkable as P, anometwin. The first impression made by the Bowers is that they consist entirely of lateral sepals and labellum. It is impossible to ascertain the’ characters of the dorsal sepal, petals, and column withour the aid of a high-power lens; and even then, these parts can only be made ont accurately in flowers of the larger and more robust speciinens. In the smaller ones it is doubtful whether they ever open, though the lateral sepals and labellum expand widely. Tt seers likely that the flowers are seli-fertilizing; the ovaries ate well-formed, and most of the mature ones seem to contain seeds. I have named this interesting species after its discoverer, whose painstaking efforts in searching ior new and rare members of the Genoplesinin Prasophylts have been so singularly successful. 3. PRASOPHYLLUM MUCRONATUM, sp. nov, Plotita gracillina, msque ad 12 cm, alta, Fotit lamiva prope sincam. Flores 6-)2, parvissiini, viz congesh, virides et purpurel, Sepalnn dorsale c. 2 mun. longum, cucu lotissiiman, lote ovatwn, sebite in aspicidd acuminate contractam, Sepala lateratia c, 3 mm. longa, linecria, potentia, ad apices glande clavata anata, ad bases nnita, gibbosa. Petala vic 2 min. longa, triquctra, fate lanceolata uel fore rhomboidea, sed semper aciminata; margins aliqguando serrutati. Loécthon oblongum, atice obtuse sed paicroiato: mergetes minute serrulot, ad apicem fere fiabriat; callus amaguns, radroprrpyreus, ad basen fate conalicidatns; labathon c. a man. longnnt, i sngue brevissimo. Cofumnae alae aequaliler bilobatae lobts ebinsss, lobue cxtertns wisute sorrulotus. Aunthera obtusa cum glande roteundo; stigma ovate, A very slender plant up to 12 cm, high, Leaf-lamina cloze to the spike. Flowers 6-12, very small, hardly crowded. green and reddish-purple. Dorsal sepa] about 2 mm, Jong, deeply cucullate, broadly ovate, suddenly contracted into an acuminate point, Lateral sepals about 3 nm, long, linear, spreading, furnished at the apex with a clavate gland, united and gihbous at theiy bases. Petals scarcely 2 mm, long, triangular-laucealate or almost rhouwiboid, but always acuminate or even with a filiform point; margins some- times minutely serrulate. Labellum oblang with a rounded but mucronate apex: margins minutely serrulate, or about the apex almost fimbriate; callous plate large, reddish-purple, widely chan- nelled near the base, Labellum about 3 cm, long, articulate on a very short claw. Column wings equally bi-lobate with obtuse lobes; outer lohe minutely serrulate, Anther obtuse with a rela- tively large rotund gland on top; stigma oval, Habitat; Woodford, Blue Mountains, N.S.W,; collected by Miss Isobel Bowden, March 1948. Wahroonga, N.S_W., grown in a pot by J. D. MeComish, March 1948, but collected by him in the neighbourhaod. 145 H.M. RB, Rupp, Section Genoplerinm in Genus Prasaphy! lien Acie The late Captain MeComish's solitary pot-grown specimen agrees precisely with those collected by Miss Bowden at Woodford Not many plants were found, The species seems nearer to P, nigricans R.Br. than to any other; but the mucronate labelluin and the equally-lobed column wings sufficiently distinguish it, 4. PRASOPHYLLUM MOLLISSIMUM, sp. now, Planta grocitis, usqui ad 24 cm, alta. Folit lara a spe vemota, Floves 3-15 in spicom breve, ‘mie congesti, Sepatum darsile cymbiforme, c. 3 mem. tonguin, cucellator, salra fuscuns, uttus viride, amarginbur minuitssine fimbriatis. Sepato Jateretia c. 4 ron, longa, faleato-lanceolate, fere plaua, patentia, ad bases unite, fuscoviridie. Petale fateata, acuminate, c. Fen, longa, juses, marginibus wandisnon findriatis. Labdéllyne late oblomdann, entasn, céecurtem, spodiz, dense pubescens, articnlahwa, marginibus nurmitisstine fuebriatis; callus obseuuts, canalecnlatus. Cofamerac alae cousmenac, projunde cf imacynaltter bilobatae; folus externns gracilis, acuminaies, penlilin Ambriains, fuseus) lobus antenus beewor, pallidus, obtisus. Anthern obtusa, gostellym con spicnus, stiyna fere orlnentatian. ; A stender plant up fo 24 em. high. Leaf-laniina rather broad, remote Irom the spike. Flowers 5 to about 15 in a short spike, hardly crowded. Dorsal sepal brown outside, green inside, cymby- form, about 3 mn, long, with minutely finbriate niargins (not ciliate). Lateral sepals about 4 mim. long, ialcate-lanceolate, nearly flat, divergent, united at their bases, hrown and green. Petals faleate, acuminate, about 3 min. long, brown, with minutely fipibriate margins. Labellum broadly oblong, acute, recurved, rich chestnut brown, densely pubescent all over the upper surface and having the appearance of yelvet, articulate on a moderately long claw; margins minutely fimbriate; callous plate rather obscured by the pubescence, channelled. Column wings conspicuous, deeply and wiequaily bi-lobate: outer Inbe slender, acuminate, dark, with shinute Aimbriag; inner one shorter, pale, obtuse, Anther obtuse, rostellum conspicuous, stigma nearby circular Halniat; Heatheote, National Park, N.S.W-.; collected by Miss Isobel Bowden, April 1948. Seen under a magnifier, the flower of this species is perlaps the most beautiful m the section. The nch chestnot-brown pubes- cence of the labellunt has no parallel 1 other species. Mast of the plants had finished flowering; but fortunately a few were found with perfect Rowers. The aame (“very soft) is m allusion ta the velvety appearance of the Iabellum, The fiower is quite unhke that of Fitzgerald's P. erteedvduan, the Jabellum of whieh is densely ciliate all over, 5. PRASQPHYLLUM OBOVATUM, sp, anv, Planta gracilis, wsque ad 15 cw, atta. For lanina a spica remota, Plores panct, rvbropurpuret ct pellucid®. Srptotum dorsale c, 2 win, longaom, latissime avatwn, aptentatunt, altnllatin Sepala lateradiia c. 3 niwr. tanga, lanceolata cunt spel marmeta vefleco, cancavissima, vedio, Peteia fatisstina, ¢. 2 won, longa, abhiaus falewto, com spicults witnntis duobes et glande ano. Labellum ¢, 3 am, fought, artiewatum, obovatum, recurtnan, margiibus andulatts; colts bed | H. M.R Ruev, Section Crenoplesium in, Genus Prasopiyiliime 147 crissy, purpureus, comparale porvus, Cohuneae ala profunde ¢) aequaliter bilobetac, lobus externus gracilis, faseus, lobus internus pallidus, Anthera glande orlicnlare voronata, rostellten partnan, sigma ovale. A slender plant up to about 13 cm. high, Leaf-lamina pot close to the spike, Flowers few, reddish-purple with transtucent patches. Dorsal sepal ahout 2 mm. long, very broadly ovate, apiculate, cucullate, Lateral sepals about 3 mm. long, lanceolate with a nunute reflexed point, very cleeply concave, green, Petals very broad, about 2 nim. long, obliquely falcate, with fo minute points at the apex and on one of them a small gland. Labellum about 3 mmm. long, articulate, perfectly obovate, recurved, with undulate margins, Callous plate thick, dark purple, rather small, Colunm wings deeply and equally bi-lobate, the outer lobe slender, dark, the inuer one pale, Anther crowned by an orhfeular gland: ros- tellam. small; stigma oval. Habitat: Heathcote, National Park, N.S.W.; collected by Miss Isobel Bowden, April 1948. The curious “double pomt” of the petals, and the strilingl obovate labellum with undulate margins, sufficiently distinguish this from other species. It is apparently rare. Ill. A NEW VARIETY, AND RECENT RECORDS PRASOPHYLLUM MORRISIT Nicholls [Vict. Nat, XLVI (1931), 108], Var. INTERMEDIUM, var, hoy, Planta P_ fanbriato similissima, floribus magnis; colummmae alae saepe glabrae. Plant closely resembling P. fonbriatum R.Br, with large flowers which, however, are dark purple or almost maroon. The tremulous Jabellum, quivering in the wind, is particularly suggestive of this sezment in P, fmbriatum, but it is broader than in the latter, The column wings are more often glabrous as in Brown's species, than ciliate, Habirat: Blue Mountains, N.S.W.; Mt, Irvine, Misses J, and G. Serivener, February 1942; Woodford, Miss I. Bowden, February- March 1948 Two of the Mount Irvine specimens in the National Herbariuin at Sydney are identical with those collected hy Miss Bowden at Woodford. The type form of the species also occurs im both localities. The following records of the species named (some of which have been considered extremely rare) have been made since, the pulli- eation of The Orchids of New South Halex im December 1943, 1, P. Barert (R.Br.}) Poir, Pennant Hills, Miss 1. Bowden, 2.1948; Wahroonga, Miss T. Bowden, 3.1948; Heatheote, A. W. Dockrill, 4.1948. Vict, Naty 1448 H.M,R. Rupe, Seationt Genoplosiu in Gans Prasophyllon [ Vol. 65 P. Deeneonum Fitag. Cowan, Miss ft, Bowden, 1.1948; Wah- roonga, Miss I. Bowden, 3.1948. - P. longisepatum Fitzg. Wentworth Falls, A. R. and AH, M.R. Rupp, 1.1948. P, Nichollsienwm Rupp. Woodford, Miss I, Bowden, 1.1948. P. trifiduin Rupp, Wahroanga, Miss TI. Bowden and Mrs. P. R. Messmer, 3.1948; Castlecove, Miss J. Bowden, 4.1948 P. avrecoviride Rupp, Recorded by Miss J. Bowden at Woad- ford, 2.1948, at Lindfield, 2.1948, at Wahroonga, 3.1948. Also by J. D. McGomish at Wahroonga, 3.1948. (AII plants recorded were yar. Elmae.) . P. ansatune Fitzg. Pennant Iills, Miss 1. Bowden, 3.1948; Woodford, same callector, 3.1948. . P. nigricaus R.Br, Woodford, Pennant Hills, and Wahroonga, Miss 1. Bowden, Feb. to Aprit 1948; Wahroonga, J. D. McComish, Mar,-April 1948. ! P. rufum R.Br. Normanhurst, Miss I. Bowden, 4.1948; Heathcote, A. W. Dockrill, 3.1948. . P. densum Fitzg. Wahroonga, J. D. McComish, 3.1946; Woodford, Miss I. Bowden, 1.1948, . P. viride Fitzg. Glenbrook, Miss I, Bowden, 2.1948; Heath- cote, A. W. Dockrill, 3.1948. . P. Hopsonti Rupp. Near Barrington Tops, A. W. Dockrill, 7. 12.194 _ P. Archeri Hook. Blackheath, G. W. Alfthofer, 2,1947; Woodford and Hazelhrouk, Miss I. Bowden, 2. and 3.1948; Wahroonga, J. D. MeComish, 4.1946, 4.1948, (First records of this species in the neighhourhood of Sydney.) . P, reflexus Fitzg, Woodford, Miss I. Bowden, 1.1948. . P. fanbriatua. R.Br. Glenbrook, Miss I. Bowden, 1.1948, (No definite record of this species previously irom the Blue Mountains. ) . P. Morrisitz Nicholls, Woodford, Miss I. Bowden, Jan. to laté March 1948, . £. Nublingit Rogers, Bundeena, A. W, Dockrill, 5.1940; Heathcote, same collector, 3.1948. . PB. Ruppit Rogers. Wahroonga, J, 0D. MeComish, 3.1947; Pennant iiills, Miss I. Bowden, 2, and 3,1948, 2 i & | ~ eal H. M. R. Rupp, Section Genoplesium in Genus Prasophyllum 149 PRASOPHYLLUAM spp. (Section Genepiestuns), Key to Miustration. (AIL figures greatly enlarged except No. 1.) P. anomaluin, nosp. A plant, slightly enlarged. 2 * Flower, from the front. » Petal, showing claw at the base. Labellum from the front (flattened out). i » Labellum from the side. " a Column with wings developed, from the front. cu, column wings; az, anther; sf, stigma. i » Column with rudimentary wings, from the side. . Bowdenac, n. sp. Fiower, from the front. Column, from the front. > mucronatus, h. sp. Flower, from the front. i Column, from the front, obovatum, n.sp. Flower, from the front. if Seaton Rupp. Flower, from the front. is Tip of petal, showing twisted gland. & Variations in column wings. : mollissimuem, n.sp. Flower, from the front. . Morrisit Nich, var. intermedium, n.var. Flower, from the front. Me ee TOUS EE RCA SNC Te SN a i aS sy TU ave 150 H.M.R. Rupp, Section Genoplesium in Genus Prasophyllum id ron IV. A KEY TO THE SECTION GENOPLESIUM 1, Floral segments not provided with cilia. (Exceptions; short cilia vecastonally found on the margins of the labellum in P. denswm and P, rufum,) 2. Lateral sepals conspicuously long. 3. Flowers few, never crowdel, 4. Stem pale. Petals notched or bifid .. .. .. P. Bauert (R.Br.) Poir. 4* Stem red, Petals entire .. .. . . P. Deaneanum R.D. Fitzg, 3.* Flowers few or many, crowded in ‘a short spike. §. Flowers relatively large. Anther conical, gland-tipped. P. longisepalum R. D. Fitzg. 5.* Flowers small, Anther flat-topped, with a filiform appendage. P. Nichollsianum. Rupp. 2.* Lateral sepals not conspicuously long. 6. Lateral sepals crossed. Labellum minute, sessile, P. transversum R.D. Fiteg. 6.* Lateral sepals not crossed, at least till after maturity, Labellum articulate on a claw. 7. Labellum oblong-linear, with an auricle on each side. P. ansatum R. D. Fitzg. 7.* Labellum rather broad, without any auricles. 8 Labellum trapezoid .. ., -. .. .. P. laminatum R. D. Fitzg. &* Labellum not trapezoid. 9, Dorsal sepal, petals, and labellum with filiform tips. Label- lun spathulate .. .. oo. PL unicun Rupp. 9,* Floral segments without filiform tips. 10, Labellum oblong or ovate. Flower spike short. 11. Flowers brown, 12. Plant consistently dwarf. Flowers light or dark brown, in a very dense spike, Labellum oblong, occasionally sparsely ciliate. P. densuim R. D. Fitzg. 12.* Plant not usnally dwarf, Flowers rich chestnut brown, spike not dense. Lahbellum oblong, densely pubescent, velvety .. .. FP. mollissimum Rupp. 11.* Flowers not brown. 13, Flowers golden-green, or green with crimson markings. Labellum ovate. P. aurcoviride Rupp. 13.* Flowers purplish-red with translucent patches. Labellum perfectly obovate ., P, obovatiun Rupp. 10.* Labellum varying in shape. Flower spike often relatively long [to 14]. 14. Labellum almost or quite triangular. Flowers minute. 15. Flowers red, hardly opening .. .. .. P. exiginwe (R. D. Fitzg,) Rupp. 15,* Flowers: green, opening widely .. .. .. .. P. Horburyanwn Rupp. 14.* Labellum not triangular. 16. Margins of lahellum more or less serrulate. 17. Lateral sepals or petals gland-tipped. 18. Lateral sepals gland-tipped. Labelluin oblong, mucronate. Lobes of the column wings equal in length P. mucronatum Rupp. 18.* Petals tipped with a twisted gland, Labellum ovate-acute, Lobes of the column wings unequal, often trifid .. P. trifidnan: Rupp. 17.* No floral segments gland-tipped. J.abellum acuminate. P. despectans Hook.f. 16.* Margins of labellum not serrulate. Labellum very dark, usually acute. 19. Lateral sepals greenish, united at the base, sometimes gland-tipped. 20. Labellum constricted near the tip, the margins along the con- striction irregularly crenulate .. .. .. .. P. nigricans R.Br, or H. M. R, Ruby, Section Gonopiesiun in Gens Prasophyltum 151 20." Labellum not constricted, its margins smooth. 2L. Flower spike usually elongating. Labcllum irritable, dark brown in contrast with other bright grecn segments, P, fuscoviride Reader. 21° Flawer spike always short, subcapitate. Labellum not irritable, recurved, concoloraus with other brownish segments, P. brachystachyune Lindl. W- Lateral sepals deep red, free, always eland-tipped. Labollum obovate-cunente, denticulate about the tip, margins rough or shortly and sparsely ciliate ,. 02-2 0... 6. Pe ornfwn RB. 4,* Various floral segments provided with cilia, ; 22% Cilia on the column wings only. Flowers very small, never opening. P. viride RD, Fitzg- 22* Cilia on various segments; always on the labelluni. 23. Incidence of cilia twofold; on the labelluri and the colurnn wings. 24, Cilia conspicuously long and dense .. PL phinosine Rupp. 24,* Cilia not conspicuously long and dense, 25. Cibe very short. Flowers very diminutive. 26. Flowers greew on rather small ovaries ., P, Hopsonty Rupy. 24.* Flowers dark on substantial ovaries. P, Beanglchales Nicholls, 25.* Cilia not very short. Flowers larger than in 25. 27, Very dwart plant, Flowers with purple, red, and vellow tints. Callous plate sagitlaty .. .. PF. sagittiferwe Rupp. 27* Plant dwarf to quite fall, Flowers greyish-green, yellowish- green, or purplish, Callous plate not sagittate. P. Archert Hook {. 23.* Incidence of cilia more than twofold. 28. Incidence of cilia threefold. 29: Cilia on dorsal sépal, petals, and Jabellum, 30. Column anomalous, with separate anther and stigma. Petals often hinged like labellum.- Cofumn wings either rudi- mentary or glabroug-filiform, sometimes forked, P. anginafun Rapp. 30.7 Column af aurmal construction, 31, Callous plate unusually small Anther with a curved fill- fortn point... .. 2. -. 2. ~~... PB parwcallin Rupp. 31,* Gallows plate relatively large. Anther without any til- form poutt. 32, Labellum ovate-oblong, densely ciliate ali over the upper surface .. -. -. a. -- .. PY ertochiliay RD. Fiteg, 32." Labellum finear-oblang, or occasionally broader, fringed with long crimson or pink cilia .. P. fondrtanun R.Br. 29, Cilia on petals, Javelliin, and colunuy wings [to 33]. 33, Lateral sepals and lahellum abrormally larger than other segments. Plant alten robust and tall) stem anguler above the leaf. FP, Bowdenar Rupp. 33.* Lateral sepals and Jabellum not abnormally large, 34. Anther with an ereet filiform pomt. Labellum often with only a few caarse cilia, not reflexed .. .. PF. fAltforme RK. D. Pitzg. 34.* Anthec rather blunt. Labellam sparsely ciliate, reflexed for half its Jength 2, ve ee ee ey ee Po ve feat B.D, Fitzg. ZR* Incidence wf ciha fourfold or more 35, ‘Cilia often on all fioral segments. Flowers deep purplish-red. P. wilsomense Rupp. 3h.* Cilia usually absemt from lateral sepals. 36, Flowers maroon or decp purple, rarely paler, Cilia long 37, Labellum acwminate, much reflexed .. P. acwminatun Rogers: 37.7 Labelluti oblong, somewhat uidulate ., .. 2. Morristt Nicholls, 4 152 H,M. R Rvs, Section Genoplesinm in Genus Prasophiyllian [ys Beh 264 Flowers brown or dark green, Cilin short. = - 38 Labellum short, ciliate near the tip, Flowers purplish-hrown P.. Woollsii F, Muell, 38" Labellumi lang, ciliate all along the margins. 39. Flowers dark brown or dark green, Labellum oblong, nearly rectangular 1.) a. PL Nmblingi: Rogers. 39” Flowers dark brown with bright green interes sepals, Labellum ablong-apicelate .. .. - -- +4 .- 0) PL Ruppir Rogers. Ih atty attempt to provide a workable artificial Key for this group af archids, it becomes obvious aimiést at once that the species may conveniently be separated into two primary divisions: (1) those in which the floral segments are deword of fringing cilia, and (2) those in which various floral segments are furnished with such cite. Two species are known, however, in which the labellum sumetinies extubits a few short marginal cilia, and sometimes is quite without them (7. densian and P. rufum). It would be pos- sthle ta create a third primary division, including these two and P. wiride, whieh is ciliate only on the calumn-wings ; but I prefer to place the first two in the non-ciliate division, noting them as occasional exceptioris to the general rule; and to keep PF, witde in the ciliate division. Tt is desirable to explain the omission fram the Key of several names previously recognized as valid. They are as follow: Ll, P. nadut Hook.f. (Tasmanian plant.) |See ict. Nat., LIX (1942), 9-11,] Mr. Nicholls distinguishes Hooker's Tasmanian plant from the New Zealand forn to which that author had pre- viously given ihe same name, The Tasmanian plant, which is also found jn Victoria and New South Wales, is mow known as P, Beaugleholet Nicholls. 2, P. Déronit F, Mucll. Mr. Nicholls informs me that after very careful examination of the holo-type in the Melbourne Herbarium, he and Mr. J. HL Willis concluded that this species must be reduced to a form of P. mgricans R.Br. Other material bearing the label “P. Dixenit” proved to be pale conditions of P. Archers Hk. I have similarly examined specimens in the Sydney Herbarium, and am in complete agreement with this view, 3. P. Feppert F. Muell, ex Rogers, The late Dr. Rogers described this species, previously a nomen nuduin of Mueller’s, in J rans. Roy. See. S. Austr., xxxiti (1909), 206, Subsequently, however he dropped it in his deseriptions of South Australian Urehids in Black's 5. Austr, Flore (1922 ed,), and, so far as | can ascertain, it has not reappeared in orchid literature since. 4, P, Elmae Rupp in Viet. Nat, LIX. (1942), 122. This has subsequently been found to be only a variety of 2? aureomride Rupp. [See Hunt in usin, Orch, Review, Val. XT, No. 4 (1946), 92.] real | H. MR. Rurer, Section Genoplesium in Genus Prasophyilun 153 V, COMPARISON OF PRASOPHYLLUM ANCMALUM WITH RB, D, FITZGERALD'S CORUNASTYLIS APQS- TASIOIDES (Austratian Orchids, IT, 3) Such a comparison scenis te me to call for special cornents, independently of the descnption of the first-named plant, Here we have two small terrestnal orchids, one rather obviously belong- ing to the genus Prasophyllum, and the other at least very closely allied ta it, yet both devoid of a fundamental characteristic of the fainily Orchidecear (the fusion of anther and stigma into a single structure). Unfortunately our knowledge of Corunaslylis apos- tasioides is entirely dependent upon Fitzgerald's plate aud descrip- tion, as it has never been seen since his death in 1892, and so far as I am aware no specimens have been preserved. It was found, he states, by G. H. Sheaffe at Berrima, on the high country about 90 miles S.W. of Sydney. No date is given, beyond the fact that it flowered in June; but the date of Fitzgerald's plate is August 1886. He does not say how many plants were seen; but pre- sumably he would not have established a new genus {especially one of such peculiar character) unless several specimens had been brought in. He considered the Berrima plant to constitute a link between the genus Apestasia and other orchids. I think I am right in saying that most orchidologists of today agree in separating Apostasta and the allied genus Nieuwedie. from’ the Orchidaceae, ta constitute the family Apostastacede, To both Corunastylis apostastoides and Prasophylivn. anomalum, the abnormal gynostemium does, perhaps, sugges! an approach to the Apostasiaceae; but it cannot be said that there is dauch else to connect them. The Apostastaceac are tall, robust, almost woody plants with large and numerous leaves, Cornsastylis and Praso- Piylinon anomalumn, on the contrary, are weak, succulent herbs rately 30 cm, high, with a sohtary stein-sheathing leaf having a very short free hnear lamina. Morenyer, the Apostasiarsae possess two stamens and anthers, with gecasionally a third imperfect anther, The description af Prasephylinm anomaluin, with its separate anther and stigma, and the frequent absence of colummm appendages or wings, may suggest to some readers. that it is actually only a modified form of the Berrima orchid for which Fitzgerald founded the genus Corwnastyas. I cannot, however, conceive of the plant depicted by Fitzgerald as representing the orchid found on the Blue Mountains by Miss Bowden. Except in stem and leaf, they do not resemble each other; it 2. anomehan the flowers are con- sistently larger in proportion to the spike, and they do mot expand readily: Morcover, in Corenastylis the petals are represented by glabrous forked filaments. These are extraordinarily like the Vict. Nat. Vobk $6 154 H.R. Rorr, Section Genoplestum in Goins Prasophyllum column wings of P. anomalin when the latter are not abortive; anid medeed, looking at Fitzgerald's fig. 4 (enlargement of tabellum, petals, anther ane stigma), I cannot see why the so-called petals (which the author himself queries) might not just as well be called columi) wigs! But in that case we should he conrpelled to regard Corunastylis as apetalous ; while in P, angmalum. (with few excep- tions) the petals are not only strongly developed and ciliate, but are articulate on hasal claws like that of the labelluus. In a few of the specimens collected they were reduced in size and non- articulate, hut were still ciliate. There is little resemblance in the labella of the two planis. The sugniata are undoubtedly similar; but the anther of Corunastylis is much larger and of different shape, and the stalk (stamen ?) at its hase is much shorter. Accord- ing lo Fitzgerald's plate, Corienastylis has six small oblong-ovate tubers, Miss Rowden found the tubers of P. anomalum quite normal, sinilar to (hose of other species of the section Genaplesium growing nearby, I do not think, therefore, that we can possibly regard Corunastylis and P. anomolem as conspecific. It might, perhaps, be argued that the latter should have been described as a second species of the former genus. But in every respect, except those of the gynostemtum and the petal-claws, itis so obviously a Prasophyliam that | think it is much better placed within this genus, AN EARLY BIRD-SONG (To the Editor) Sir—-William's Anstralion Mayasine, 1869-70, contains “The Native Wren,” a descriptive song. Words are by enry Kendall, music by J. Summers, Mus.Bac. (Oxon), Tn.a footnote the publisher states that while visiting the Dandenongs he was struck hy the swect song of the native wren. Fle took down the melody and the published sung was the result. Perhaps this is the first recorded instance of a native bird’s sone being set to rousic. Tn any case I feed the circtrmstance is worth recording. Does any member know of an earlier recording? Yours. faithfilty, Melbourne, Jj. K. Mom Aug. 20, 1048. BIRD LANGUAGE Large tubs. of water su the garden have Aoais of cork ot svood to aid birds which have occasionally fallen in. One cold morning recently T found a spinebill ina tib from wich the float had been removed. The bird made no resistance as 7 held it in my warm, cupped hands, Atthougly its eyes opened and closed it Jay perfectly still for a lone while. Seeing a rather excited spinebill on @ branch overhanging the tub, [ moved closer, thinking it might be a mate. It flew over my head, uttering its characteristic call, Immediately the wet bird fluttered, and when I Jifted the upper Wand, flew to a treo and commenced to preci itself. It certainly recognized 2 clan call. B.C, 4 L, Giiaakr, Zoglogical Notes on Novihern Territory 155 ZOOLOGICAL NOTES ON THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (June 1944 to September 1945) Ly Lioner Grieert, Nabiac, N.S.W, (Continued from Ite, Wat., August, p. 1023 II], REEF AND OTHER MARINE LIFE At Cape Dou, Arnhem Last Three distinct. land formations were visible here. First, the « camparatively high ground supporting savannah vegetation ; at the edge of this was a steep drop to sea-level, the sandy stretches and mangrove swamps, and thirdly the reef, which was covered at half and full tide. This reef was a great huming ground; but, to reach it, one could only wait until the tide was partly out— ta wait any longer would not perinit sufficient time to be spent there. Toward the edge of the main physical feature (the high area) the ground was sandy and clothed with Pundanus. The steep drop to sea-level took one over a type of ironstone, but ouce at the foot of the incline, there was sand once more—damp sand this time, pitted with ceab-holes and scarred with the tracks of gastropods, eg. “periwinkles.” ' A little way along this sand, the backwaters of the mangrove ewainp were encountered, and here it was necessary to walk on logs over the stagnant algae-covered water. until the first line of mangroves was passed; then the sind beeaime Armer and coarser. Within the swamp, the aniy clear part was a sandy track through the trees. It was higher rhan the surrounding areas, and on either side of it stood great mangroves, their buttressed roots rising from the oozing mud, These irees were very thick, and met overs head at a height of at least 30 feet. making the place gloomy, A few sea birds Auttered about the tops of the trees, but otherwise it was perfectly silent. Even the noise of the sea, mo tore than a few yards ahead, was excluded. Passing along this miafgrove track, une came Lo a further clear- ing, where the natives hanled in their dugout canoes and catches of the greet edible turtle (Chegowe anydas}. This litele clear space was high, and covered with clean white sand. Heaped here and there were the bleached bares and carapaces of tnahy green turiles speared.on the reef. Beyorid this last high aret, one entered the water or mud, according to the state of tide, and walked down a sort of creck hed, with mangroves high on either side. Apparently this strip was a drain for the swamp, and the water rushing down had swept it clear of the Jong mangrave pods, making a Sittle haven for thigout canoes which were tied to stakes driven far into the mud. in most canoes was a large Hailer Shell (Melo diadema), although occasionally a native would use the more modern tin, Vict Nat. Vol, 1% L. Gupentr, Zoclogical Notes on Northern Territory It was interesting (o nole that natives dig their graves with these same bailer, or melo shells, Farther down the drainage strip the sand became lighter in colour, although no finer, heing compesed of sharp coral particles that hurt one's bare feet, Here, the line of mangroves ceased altogether and, on the other side of a back-chanmel in whitch water might be three feet deep, the reef was visible. Wher wading through this channel, care was also necessary to avoid any sting- ~ rays which, although small envugh, were capable of inflicting 4 considerable wound, On the other side of the channel, one could step on to the reef. Its base was apparently an igneous rock, upon which ancient coral colonies had built up a thick stratum: of limestone, living ‘colonies continuing this process. The light brown “Brain Coral,” so-called becaused of a remarkable resemblance to the convolutions of the human brain, was there in huge orb-shaped masses—to three feet wide and two feet high. Others were bigger stil, and formed great coral boulders when their polyps died, When exposed at low tde, the coral polyps withdraw their “tentacles” into the limestone cells of the dwelling, but the whole exterior is covered with thin colourless nyocus. rather like white of egg. This prevents the sun and wind from drying up the living inhabitants before tide returit. Ln clear coral pools the edges might be clustered with branched and “staghorn corals’ in delicate tints of blue, white, pink and green, At low tide these culonies were usually level with the water, and had a spread of up to three feet. Lying Hat on the sandy bottom of certain pools, the brown unattached “Mushroom Coral” (Fungia spp.) could be found; these resembled very closely—in size, shape, and structure—the under part of an agaric or gilied fungus. They could be lifted from the water with ease and, once above water level, the slime began to slide off the coral disc, No living “Organ-pipe Coral” (Twitpora spp.) was seen, although there were great pieces of some dead colomes forming the basis of the present teef. Around some of the coral boulders clustered the soit green Alcyonarian or “soft” coral; although closely related to the “hard” colonies, it lacks the power of secreting limestone absorbed from the sea. The texture of these extensive flat colonies was both spongy and leathery, Occasionally, after paddling out to sea in their dugout canoes, the natives returned with specimens of a beautiful fragile “fan” coral. One of the gorgonid corals, it had the texture of lace, yet was hard, erect, and vivid red in colour, This thin-branched coral spread only in lateral directions so that colonies of it were Hat and roughly tnangular, bemg widest at the top where the branches ceased growing. The foot of such a colony wus like that of a Jarge marine alga. It is not known whence these specimens cane, probably from the outer islets and reefs surrounding them, ae L. Gizgent, Zaclogical Notes an Northern Territory ES? Tk soine coral pools of the reef were young clams (Tiridacna sp), looking very attractive, with their green- and blue-mottled mantles waving in the current. Such beautiful displays could hardly fajl to lure the reef fish. Other snares for fish were in the form of Jarge sea-anemones, brown and whites mainly, and among the waving tentatles of some of these glided the indrfferent Anemone Fish, deceiving and decoying other fish to make a meal for the ever-hungry coelentferase, To roll over some of the larger coral boulders, meant the likely discovery of a wealth of marine organisms. The dominant atiinial, of tourse, was encrusting coral of hard, but thin structure, while here and there, crawling slowly over the rough coral surface, might- be fonnd trockhus shells (Trockns spp.), trumpet shells (Tritost sp.) and various cowries (eg. the white, hrown-spotted Cyprea tigris; the tiny pale Money Cowry, Cyprara moneta; the greenish. mottled C. piperite, with a brawn blot on its back; and the beauti- ful large grey and brown C. arabica). , These molluscs were collected by native women, who boiled them, ate the flesh, and then sold the shells, in perfect glossy order, to the white man who was by no means ag éffictent at finding’ them, They sought other shells for sale too, and often returned with large bailer shells (Melo asmphova), some the size of 2 foat-: bajl, and the ynique spider shell (Lombis sp.) with fragile arms: extended all round. Pearl shells (Pirtetada mostra, etc.) were plentiful in some restricted areas. Under boulders with the ‘cowries were cone shells—brown and white (Cons spp.) Certain species of this genus are capable of poisoning the unwary, the sting at times even causing death. Another dangerous member of the reef iauna is the Stonefish (Synanceja horrida), which half submerges itself in the sand of the pools in such an effective manner as to become almost invisible. Its own colour andl irregular form heighten the camouflage, so that Without boots one constantly runs the risk of being inflicted with the most excruciating pain, and occasionally death, Other shells were the pretry grey-mottled Bubble (@uWaria sp.), Turbans (Tredo squimoasus and Astra stellaris} and, on the clearer rocks, stall sea snails {Nertta spp.), Washed up from reefs, and on the beaches mn this area (including Darwin itself), were found scallops (Pecten spp,), mitres (Mit- roidca spp.}, fragile razor shells (Sefen sp,}, small spindle shells: (Frusus sp.), staircase shells (Solavinim sp,), turret shells ( Turri- fell sppr.}, young pearl shells (Pinctada spp.), limpets (Patelta spp.j, ear shells (Haliotis sp.), young cowries in their very dif- Ferent stages oF maturity, hammerhead oysters (Meatlews sp.) and numerous other kinds of univalve and bivalve molluses, including” a very pretty fragile pink bivalve. Cockles of many types were present also, and the usual dozens of young and tiny gastropods. 158 LL. Giewenr, Zealagica! Notes on Northern Perritory Men? More rarely on the beaches were found the white and almost tyanslucent “shell” of the Paper Argonaut (4¢gonaula sp.j— almost too fragife to be collected with safety—and the harder, many-chambered true shell of the Pearly Nautilus (Newtius sp-)- Another cephalopud lived on the reels ton, the small reef actopus. Among solt-bodied creatures in the reef pools was trepang or heche-de-mer, so favoured as a table-delicacy iv the East, Most specimens were very dark, and might attain 18 inches in Jength. Sonte were quite smooch, while others had small fleshy protuber- ances over ihe body, A very Jarge type of red and black starfish was plentiul in one restricted area, but apart from some Brittle- Stars, not many echinoderms were seen. Tish included prettily coloured coral fish (around the reefs} and small reefauhabiling eels, Farther out to sea, fiying fish (Cypselurus sp.) flashed brilliantly as they Look their prolonged leaps out of the water, Natives oftes speared a very fine table fish which grew to great size and was called locally “Whitefish,” Near the beaches, sharks measurmg 8 to 10 feet were often seen. They swam leisurely at the very edge of the sand im search of schools of small fish which habitually [vequent the shallows. Although the white man was quick ta Jeave when these came ertising by; the natives remained unmoved and continued their frolicking in the water. In chese places, there was no “‘surt,’' so that the sharks were in no danger of heing thrown upon the sand hy powerful breakers, Other dangers to avoid when swimming were the stingrays, common on and around the reefs, and the Portuguese Man-o'-War (Piysalia sp.). The latter (a co-cleuterate) was rightly feared, as its effect is both jnstantaneous and paralysing. When struck by the Jong armed threads, a yictim simply collapses, and it any deji- cate nerve centre be sa struck, death may resuit. According to the natives, sand rubhed on the affected area and continually washed with fresh water was the only treatment; such scarifiestion did seem to have definite results, After a few days, an ugly raised weal indicated the area which had come in contact with Physalia’s poisoned barbs. Crustacean life on the reef included several types of multi- coloured reci crabs, and che interesting sponge crab. which takes # piece of Living sponge and “plants” ic on top of the carapace. There the sponge continues to grow and cuvelopes the crab's carapace, thus disguising und protecting it—-no fish relishes the siliceous spicules of a sponge. Reef shrimps were camtnon in the rock crevices, and some attained considerable size. In dark mangrove swanips, the giant Mangrove Crab (.Seylla serraty) kept company with the inleresting httle midskippers (Periophihalnus argentiinestus}. The former is extremely strong, being able to snap quite large sticks, and probably a man’s finger, Oct. teas with ms large bulging nippers. These were dug oul of their holes in the mud by hibras and were very good eating. ' The mudskippers, with big protruding eyes, lived in the swantps in great numbers, and probably provided food for their crustacean assoctites. None of these little fish was seen to exceed four or five inches. They were very well endowed with protective colora- tion, basking in whar lite sunlight penetrated the gloom, and frequently lying on the buttress roots or pneumatophores of the mangroves (rugnera and Rhizophora spp.). Tf disturbed gently, the skippers simply took a tew paces by means of their forefins, but if agitated they literally “ran” through the mud on strong pectoral fins, until well in hiding, Very often, when a fine collection of shells was hrought back from the reef and Jeft outside for the night, one would be accttsed next morning of taking some of the specimens; sometimes halt the shells might be missing, hut when you saw various examples of the conchological collection “walking” along the grass towards the sea, it was clear that these shells were inhabited by Red Hermit Crabs (Dardanus megistos) or some other species. The number of apparently empty shells which were thus inhabited by the soft- bodied hermit crabs was truly remarkable. The salt water crocodile (Crocodifus porostus) was not very plentiful, although natives often reported them from various dis- tances away, occasionally bringing in young-ones as proof. Some claimed to have heard one “old man crocodile” making his barking’ noise at night as he lumbered about the swamp. No Johnston's crocodiles were sten owing to the lack of fresh water. Turtles were tather abuidant around the reefs and in the open sea, and the natives had many a feast of the green edible turtle (Chelone mydes). Hawksbill turtles (Chelone imbricata) were also brouglit in after being speared through the carapace. The Jatter kind of turtle, if cleaned, cured, stuffed, and polished by an expert taxidermist wha removed the thick cnerustations of marine organisms, might he made into very Anc specimens, especially if lacquered to ensure their preservation, If cat's-eye shells be inserted’ behind the eyehales in these reptiles’ skins, the appearance is quite Jifelike. (Concluded, } BIRD ACTIVITIES REPEATING THEMSELVES On April 26, 1946, there was much commotion high up in one of our oldest gum trees, Magpies and poewits were dashing at a kookaburra perched on a bough, The kookahurra decamped. The same thing happened othe same tree on April 18, 1947, and again the kookahurra was forced to move on, ix 1, Giorax, Zoological Notes on Northern Territory 150 ° 160 What, Where and Wien ‘Fae WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN Generol Exeursions: Saturday, October 9—Pletity Gorge. Leadets; Members of Geology ahd Botany Groups. Invitation to all Club members, Train from Princes Bridge 9.5 am. to South Morang (change at Thomastown). Twa meals required. Afternoon excursioiists by 1.20 pam. Whittlesea train from Spencer Street, direct to South Morang. Plenty River and Gorge short walk from South Morang railway station, Rail fare, 2/2, 2nd class return. Saturday, October 16-—Lahertouche (Gippsland). All-day visit lay private cars, to obtain special boranical exhibits for Show. Leader: Mr, Colin F. Lewis (Tel. Dandenong 686), who will fittish foll particulars to members. able to provide own transport. Leader will meet other cars at Dandenong en route. October 19 to 21 (Tuesday to Thursday inclusive) —Three-day Australian Nature Exhibition at Hawtharn Town Hall. Open each afternoon and evening, with morning sessions for schools by arrangement. Directar - Mr, A. J. Swaby (Tel. XW 2559), 17 Avondale Street, Hampton. Saturday, October 23—Toolern Vale. Subject: “Birds” Leader: Mr. 4, S. Chalk. Nash’s bus from Batman Avenue, 9 a.m. Bookings, 7/6, with Mrs, ]. Pinches, 8 Thomas Strect. Brunswick, N.J0. Brine two. meals, Tuesday, November 2 (Cup Day)—Ctub picnic, Arthur’s Scat, Dromana. Leader: The President (Mr, J, Ros Garnet). Nash's bus from Batman Avenwe 8.30 am. Bookings, 9/-, with Mr. R. DB. Jennsson, 3 Linda Street, Coburg, N.13, Two meals required Preliminary Announcements: Sunday, Novernber 14—Macclesfield. Subject; “Spiders.” Leaders: Mesdrs- A. and R. Dunn. Nash's bus from Batman Avenue, 9.30 am. Bookings, 7/6, with Miss M. E. Argo, 25 Spray Strect, Elwood, 3.3, ! Saturday, November 27—Inverloch, 2M0-mile parlour coach excursion vie Cape Patterson, leaving Batman Avenue 7.45 atm. Full particulars later, Advance reserved scat bookings, approx, 20/-, with Mr. H. Stewart, 14 Bayview Terrace, Ascot Vale, W.2 (Tel. FU 022, Ext. 457). ‘Group Fixtures: Monday, October 25—Rotany Group. Royal Suciciy's Hall, & p.m. Subject: "Swamp Ephemerals." ‘Monday, November 1—Geaolovry Group. Royal Society’s Hall, 8 pxm. Sub- ject: "Build of Victoria, Part 3, The Port Phillip Arez.” ‘Thursday, November 4—Wildflower Garden Greup, Royal Society's Hall, & pm. New members cordially invited ta join, ; Friday, November 5—Marine Biology Group. Royal Socicty’s Hall, 745 pin : Ssiurday, Navember 6&—Geology Group excursion, Full details at previous Group meeting, or irom Hon, Sec. of Group, Mr A, A. Baker, 53 Carliste Street, Preston, N.18. ‘Special Notice: Excursians Committee would welcame suggestions jar 1949 excnt'sion sylla- bus, also valuntecrs to lead. especially for éxtended week-end and holiday period excursions, , H.C. E. STEWART: Acting Excursions Secretary, (Tel, FU 022, Ext. 457), The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 65—No. 7 NOVEMBER 4, 1948 No. 979 PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held at the National Herbarium on Monday, October 11, 1948, The President, Mr. J. Ros Garnet, and about 170 members attended. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Messrs, P. Crosbie Morrison, T.S, Hart and E. E, Lord. Members will be interested in the news that Miss Dawn Weston, now travelling abroad, had been spending some tune with Miss Nancy Fletcher, who is still in Birmingham, hut who frequently has occasion to travel on the Continent. The President thanked the following. members for their ¢a- operation with the exhibit at the Royal Show: Mr. and Mrs. Dave Lewis, Mrs, Pinches, Mrs, Gsborne, Miss E. Dixon, Mrs. Grassick, Miss Davies, Miss Balaan, Miss Peterson. Mrs. and Miss Holland, Mrs, Freame, Messrs. Schubert, Ras Gartiet, Haminet, Reeves, Dodds and Finlayson, The courtesy of the Museum was also acknowledged in lending specimens of animals, and our thanks were due to Mr, Isaac, M,L.C., for Ms assistance, and also to Mr, Reeves for his photographs, The President reported that the Rushworth excursion was a great success, and the party had been accorded a civic welcome, The Club Pienic on Cup Day would be to Arthur's Seat, The President advised that the Assistant Secretary, Miss Adams, had been granted three months leayé as she is going to Rockhanyston, and wished her good hunting in birds and flowers. Gur good wishes. were extended ta Mr. R. Kershaw, who is soon to depart for Tasmania, where he is to lye in future, The Secretary reported that new notrination forins were ayail- able. He again asked for members to advise him of any Club property they hald. A welcome was extended tu any visitors present, and also in particular to new members who have heen admitted as under: Ordinary Members; Mr, Tarlion Rayment, Mr, T. E. George, Mr. A. H. Bradfield. Country Member: Mr. B, B, Given, No nenimatiens for membership had been received. Miss Wigan brought good wishes to members from Mr. Noel Lothian, Director af the Botanical Gardens in Adelaide, and Miss Watson from the Western Austrahan Field Naturalists’ Chib, Mr, 5. R, Mitchell brought greetings from our former secretary, Mr. F, S, Colliver. 162 Mield Noturalisis’ Cinh Procecduyys Cre ae SOIL, CONSERVATION RESEARCH The speaker for the evening was Prof. J. §. Turner, whose subject was “Soil Conservation Research on the Bogong High Plains.” The speaker showed slides of the surrounding country, and also of the alpine flora on the High Plams, followed by Alins. Experimental work is being carried on by trained botanists to determine the damage done hy cattle 1o the important soil-holding plants of the area. Particularly beautiful were some studies of Relipterum albicans growing amongst rocks with Brachycome rigidula, Prof. Turner also exhibited some fine drawings of alpine wild-flowers by Miss Margaret Stones. EXHIBITS Dr, M, M. Chattaway: Exhibit of “brauch stubs" of Eucalypine oblique; some photographs of the recent trip to Rushworth and Whroo, Mr, F. S. Seaton: Leflospernnan stoferizm var. “Lambethn", and Vert. cordix plumosa, both garden-grown at Caulfield Mr. J, Ras Garnet; A collection of pigmy plants from Rushworth— Junens bufonian, Mehptermn pyguerwu, Hydrocotyle calycarpa, Rytidosts nueltifiera, Levenkoakia dubia, Crassula macrantha, Mriocephalus shiso- cephalus, Drosera pygmaca, Glossoshgara elatinoides, Trichintua spathue latun, Fimbristylts lenclla, Centrelepis strigose. Mr, A, A. Baker: Rock specimens Srom South Morang excursion, 6/10/48—Newer Basalt from the Plenty Gorge; grandodiorite, fresh and weatherad forms; felspar phenocrysts in geanire, hortiiel aod banded hornfel, and jron jointing in Silurian shales, Mr, C. J Gabricl: “Carvier" shells—Xenophora conchyhopharus Ram (West Indies}, X_ colevifera Reeve (Hong Kong), X. pallidils Reeve (Japan), X. corrugote Reeve (Hong Kong), X. (7urginnr). crnta Reeve (Hone Kong), X. COnttstas) solaris Reeve (China). Mr, Alan Catter: A senes of Notocaliista Kingt (Gray 18275 from Rosebud, Victoria, showing the great variation of colouring exhibited by this species of shell, Messrs. C. French and R. Bury: Native flowers from Queensland. Westetn Australia and Victoria, grown at Maranoa Gardens, Mr. S. R. Mitchell: Opal and caleite pseudomorphs. Mr. P. Croghie Morrison: Common Heath (Epocriy tnpressa), pink, with “douhte” (actually quintuple and sextuple) flowers, callected jy Dr- Byron L. Stanton at Belgrave Heights, October 9. SEEN AT YERING On April 29, 1948, we saw hosts of white cockatoos feeding on beaumfully green pasture—a lovely sight, From the road, they Jooked like white-leghorn fowls. Half the flock flew, dehehting us with their graceful Might, as they wheeled and turned, We have seen them tn the same locality alighting on ‘a gum tree, looking like great white flowers. ; be te E, Gaupa, Contyibrtints te the Flava of Sotth Anstratio 163 CONTRIBUTIONS FO THE FLORA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA—II Hy 13a. Kewin Gausa, Research, Vie. CHENOPQDIACEAE Racha erincada (Benth,) Gauba, start. nev, (syn. AKoehia tiptera Benth. var. criaelada Benth.} Trbus portonthat feavdifert 44-6 (7) anon, dongs, aasbity tv longttadinali seehione waifundibyadifarme: mm wedio constrictue, snpra mddivon apicen verses obconico-diatatug ct caveman fruclus tuclndens, baste verses solidus ce stemt stipes angustatns, Tabt foun lobts grtgue ad margincm: & sparse cilignalis, harisantaliter depressis, stylriny stigmatague tegantibus dense clausns. Ala circum twhi apicaw: Rorizontalis 3-5 pun, lata, membranacea, obra, margine integra vel feviter andidata, Tobi alae verticates 3¢4 (5 siperte Cum ala horizontal coalescontes eademaue gre ola horizontals latitudine, bosun verses singin avcuato-aiugustatite, Ley. th. J. Drimmmand No. 432, W.N. (TYPE), This plant, a stall shrub up to 2 ft, in height, has been described by Benthain as variety erfociada of his Keciia triptera. Llowever, in the course of accurate exantination, several contradictions arose, necessitaling a comparison of Drummond's speciinen No, 432 {“var. ertacluda”) with those original specimens upon which Bentham had based his diagnosis of K. fviplara, i.¢., the apecimens collected by James Drummond in Western Australia (without number), by Beckler in the Darling Desert (Vict, Expedition, 1861) and by E, Giles near Mt. Murchison-—all preserved in the National Herbartum, Melbourtic. I found that, with regard to the entirely ditterent structure of its perianth tube, Drimmond’s exsice- No, 432 cannot be classed as a variety under Kochia triptera. Benthain’s deserjption of the var, erioclada (Flora Australiensss, ¥V, 1870, p. 185) reads: “Branches densely tomentose; leaves glabrous as in the typical form, but more obtuse and terete.” 1 do nor attach a-high systentatical value to the indumentum of Roshia species, rather more va the form of the leaves, But there are very ittportant differetices in the structure of the perianth tube. For his type teiptera Bentham yuite correctly states, “broadly turvinate tube’; but in var. erterdada the tube (which Bentham probebly has not subnvitted to examination) is funnel-shaped in longitudinal section—from the constricted middle enjarged up- wards and enclosing the fruit cavity, bul narrowed downwards into a thin stipe (and woof with a “thick solid base” as in the type). in both plants the tube of the fruiting perianth is, thetigh mm a different. way, firmly closed by the horizontally depressed lobes; lint ia the type, the atyle and the stigmata protrude, whilst in the var, evioclada they are bent down under the lobes and therefore invisible. 164 E, Gacna, Contributions (o the Flora of South Austratia ee ee With regard to the structure of the flower there are further differences: for instance, in the shape of lobes and of the ovary, ete.,—as it is shown in Fig, 3,.a and b. All these facts justify my raising of Benthani’s var. crioclada to the rank of a good species, and the foregomg description of the fruiting perianth enlarges the short diagnosis given by Bentham. Ip addition to Drummond's original sample, No. 432 from Somane Fig. 2 Vertical section of fruiting perianth of: (a) Kochia triptera Benth. (Jeg, E, Giles, neat Mt. Murchison), th “ray erivclada {Benth.) Gauha (leg. J. Drammond, No, 422, (c) Kachia decipiens Gavba (leg, E, Gauba, Loveday, S.A,). W.A,, I consider as belonging to Kochia erioclada the following specimens in the National Herbarium, Melbourne ; Northern part of Yorke’s Peninsula (/ceg. Miss Salmon, 1869); Eucla Harbour (eg. Forrest, 1870); Between Eucla and Fowler's Bay (/eg. _ Richards, 1875); South of White Wells, Head of Great Austr, Bight (fea, J. H. Willis, 1947); Ceduna, Great Austr. Bight (Jeg. J. H. Willis, 17); and Moonta, Spencer Gulf, S.A. (leg. 2). All these specimens come from the coastal region and their fruiting perianths are very uniform in size and structure, being of dull brown colour in the dried state (cf. K. tiptera, which is blackish, lacquered and shining); when fresh they are pale green to bright rosy-crimson. Jt would thus appear that K. erieclada is typically a coastal plant; but I found at the Melbourne Herbarium ‘also specimens from inland districts. There are some sheets labelled “Barrier Ranges, 1889, Mrs. Irvine” containing a mixture of K. erioclada and K. decipiens (sp. now.) and another sleet labelled “Balranald (N,S.W.), 1878, No. 152, Dr. Lucas," con- ‘taining one fragment of K. erioclada and one of a Kochia which I have not yet determined. Quite recently (Sept., 1948) Mr. J. H. Willis has collected genuine K. erioclada in the Victorian Mallee—growing with K. . souk E Gavea, Coutrtbitions ta the Flora of South Australia 165 sedifalia ahout five miles south of the 63-mile post on the Sturt Highway. | have examimed his maternal and it constitutes the first reliable record of this species from an inland district. Unfor- tunately the original specimen of Drunimond’s (No, 432) is only labelled ‘“"W.A."; 50, provisionally, I mmst leave the question ot the precise geographical range of Kochia ertoclada unanswered— it certainly occurs in W.A., S.A,, Vie, and NSW, Kochia decipiens Gauba, sp. nov. Frutex ad WO em, alice [prope Loweday], vegulaviter ramosus, emnlritre pyramidatis. . Ages (coulis et ramt) dense albo-tominstost, ad msertiqnesmn foliorigms pilts albis 2 mat. Songs fastruci. Folia succulents glabra, glauca, in siece nigricontia, apiece rotundata titerdwm Lrevisshye mucremate, bast attends, interdum clatnfarntia, 10-15: num longa, aillis fascieuliferis. Fleres singuli in asillis foliorwm sesstles, porianthits fructifications terapore alotiy spicas tristichas densas formantthus. Labi perianthit florifert quingue ¢ bast lata rotundato-triangidares vel ablungt, ad margenem dense albo-anlasi, swpra tedium vbconicum erect vel avetiato-comnmtvdtes, Stanidnan 5 ¢ prrionthic non exserta, flamenta 2 (24) snm, fanga, plano, host conles- cena, afice anguefeta, Antherag cordata-oblongag vel eblongar, ca. } v0H. Tongae, Stylus I wre. longus, stigeote 3 sxlatuta, 2 mm, longa, # pertanthio juvenslt exserta, Tubus peviantha fruciidiré 5-34 mm longus, ¢ best angusta ad apicem versts sensin. obconica-dilatatius, th media wie ust lewter comstricths, od foucom 3-4 won. diametra; cavea $ fongitidinix tubi oceupans, sed soepe ttque ad basi oms descendens (in Kochia triptora et K- erioclada covea dimidio brevior quan tubtas). Lobi pertanthti fructéifert snprafancem ebe sicut tects commmventes ot styhenn crm stiymratiles aeeytluntes, Alu hori- sontelis citer faucet dubi expan, giobra, prinuen viridis vel rosea, denim brimica vel grisew, wolateraliter fisea, usque ad S nen. Inta. Aloe verticales quoad Rumerum insenstontes, gnead formam ef niagrrtudingm vartuhttsrinad, srebe 3-5, sed tant wtode im parle tubl inferiore bene evotwtae, in qua parte weque ad 2 (3} % 2 wan Jatge-altae, rotundafor vel ongulotae, pors init superior anguste wota vel wlae ad costus roductee wl gallon, Due alae (vara plures) interdum: anthle rudinicettariae, ad lobules wel gibbos mronspicnos reducter vet nulla, Very common on sandy and loamy soils around Loyeday, flowering and fruiting October-May (TYPE—leg. E. Gauba, 15.11.42). T carmot place my Kechta specimens from Loveday either under K. tevplera ar under K. ertocinds, Thongh the leaf shape and the axial indumentum of my plant conform to those of K_ evwelade, there is an essential difference in the structure of the fruiting perianith, The tuhe of the Loveday Kochi is obconical {some- times with a slight constriction ae the middle} and the fruit cavity occopnes at east two-thirds of its length, but often descends down ta its base, The perianth lobes, densely villous on the margins, are not depressed but form 4 prominent dome above the throat- The vertical wings are in contrast to those of the two previous species, being generally well developed only in the lower hali of tH = E, Gausa, Contecbutions ta the Flora of Sauth Austraha Wins, Mate the tube. These structures and features ave sufficient to justify the above description of my Loveday specimens as a distinct species. Mr, Wilhs’s field observations in the far narth-west corner of Victoria lend further support to my contention—he describes XK. erio¢lada as a bushy undershrub to 2 ft. (ca, 60 cm.) high, whereas 4’. decipiens is much Jarger and more attenuated, to 6 ft. (ca, 2 m,) high. Both have clustered greevish to bright rosy fruits, when fresh, As far as I] could see from collections on hand at the National Herbarium, Melbourne, this species embraces a wide range of farms, their diversity heing chiefly caused by the varying degree oi development of the vertical pertanth wings. Nevertheless, if we emphasize the structure of the fruiting penanth itself. regardless Fig, 3 (a) eae at Kochia (riptera Benth. (feg, F Giles, Macdemnell Ranges, 1 " {h) Blower of Kochia crioclada (Renth.) Gauba (leg. Miss Salmon, . northern part of Yarke's Peninsula, 1869). {¢) Frait of Rhagodia nutans R.Br. yar- exycorpa Gauha (lrg. E, Gauba, Loveday, S.A), (da) vie} of Rhayodw metans R.Be. (ley. Mrs. A. E. Dyasou, Research, ic. of these wings ¢which vary in size, form and number, very often on the same sample}, we may group all fornis around the Loveday type, I desist here trom the creation of any varieties, pending study on a larger seale, and will only mention some extreme forms among the collection a¢ the Herbarium, putting the all under Kochia dectpiens. The species occurs also in W.A., S.A, Vic, and N.S.W., but, unlike X. erioclada, does not evince any preference for coastal localities, . The most perfect development of vertical witigs, extending from the base up to the horizontal wing and often connate with it (theic upper border bemg as Jarge as or shorter than the horizontal wing}, ts exhibited mm the specimens iram; Barrier Ranges, NUS.W., pro parle (leg Mrs. Irvine, 1889); Lake Torrens, Aroona Range (leg. R. Tate, 1883, svi “HK pestatroprs” Tate}; and Turcoula, S.A. (leg. E. A. Ising). ra E. Gaur, Contributions ta the Flora of Sowth Austeelia 147 The greatest reduction in size, to narrow longitudinal ridges or basal fin-like appendages, is shown in samples from: Red Cliffs, Vie. (leg, Miss Jean Galbranh, 1947), a small friuited form; and Coalgardie, W.A. (leg. R. F, Thornton, 1895). Ao indumentum ot very long soft hairs covers the juvenile leaves of A specimen from Lake Lefroy, W.A. (leg. R, Helms, 1891}. . The greatest conformity to the Loveday type is shown in a Sal from Mildura, Vie. (per Bot. School, Melb, Univ., With regard to the systematic afinity (to one another} of the three Kochia species treated above, it may bé stated that K. triptera oceupics an isolated position, while K. erreclada and K. decipiens are obviously close relatives. A shortening of the stipe, a size reduction of the vertical wings and finally a domeshaped erection of the perianth lobes, the ciliate edges of which become densely villous, may theoretically jndicate the course of evolution from K. ertectirda to K. decipiens, or (the reverse changes) from K- déctpiens to A, ertoclada—an tdea only, of course, but supported - by the existence of (ransition forms with regard to the one or the other characteristic. In any case, K. erloclada and K. decipiens are close Jinks in the same evolutionary series. Rhagodia nufans R.Br., var. oxrvcarpa Gauba, var nov. Biece matera ouveriace avoidra (nec depresso-qlolosa), apice ecto, 2-23 aim. fata, 4-5 mm. longa (ic, dupla longtar quean fate est), Lele perionthit tempore fructiwum matrrorum succulenti, 1 > | wim fongi-fati, arcvato-depert’, Perranehanne uta cum bacca deceadens. Loveday, in a bush clearing (VY PE—leg. E. Gauba, 28.5.43). Specnvens I collected near Berri (27.1.43) were in Hower, but withoul ripe fruits, therefure nut exactly determinable, Atriplex leptacarpa F.v.M, This species is variable in all parts. Provisionally T relegate my specimens from Berri (Jeg. 27.1.43) to the forma miner R. WH. Anderson (q.v. Proc. Lin. Soe, NS IV, LV, 1930, p. 4995; “bracteolis frnetiferts 2-4 mim. lomgis tubo ailalate subalohose,” but the fruiting perianths of my samptes have above the rounded- basé two /eteral hollow humps. J. M. Black (F/, S.4., Pari UI, 1924) mentions a var. ucwmtnafant—suppressed in the second ecl., 194%—with fruiting bracteoles “often furnished at their hase wath 2 small hard dersal tubercles." These. humps evidently signify an enlargement of Lhe seed cavity, and exactly the sane perianth is observable in a specimen at the Melbourne Herbarium, labelled ““H, W_. Potts, Murray River, 19.4.1901," With regard to the tiultiplicity of variations aud their numerous combinations to which 4. feptocarpa is subject, 1 cannot at present 168 Monthly Notes from the Portland FNC, MLE evaluate the systematical importance of this particular structure, until a thorough examination has been made of the species’ whole and very considerable variability. Atriplex prosirata R.Br. Very common nn loamy soils at Loveday, together with Atriplex séwibaccots, A, campanulata, Bassia ynifiora, B. patenticuspts, B. paradera, and other Chesiopodiacead The species is apparently new for this area. Black (J. S.A.) admits it only from Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and Eyre’s Peninsula. (To be continued, ) MOWTHLY NOTES FROM THE PORTLAND F.N.C, By Notre F, Learmonts, Tyrendarra, A Search for Rore Fars Same of cur members held a field day early in September, their object being the re-discovery of two local ferns collected by Wiltam Allitt eighty years ago, but mot seen sitice, viz, Forked Spleenwott Casplenium prac smorswn) and Common Filmy Fern (A ymenophython cnprossforme). They were both said to occur “on Darlots Creek” (Tyrendarra), though, in the cage of the Spleonwort, which has never been found clsewhere in Victoria, Mueller added rather confusingly “near the Grampians.” We had previously searctted a large area near Tyrendarra for these ferns Without suceess, sa’ this time tried the upper reaches of the stream where it rushes witdly through a narrow gorge betwéen @ limestone cliff and piles of sugged basalt barriers—a rovgh, isolated spot near the former Lake Condah Aberiginal Station. Here we found Fishbone Fern (Blechnum nudyns), Saft Water Pern (8, copense), Hard Water Fern (5. procerwm), Common Azolla CA. fiiculvides), and Common Matdenhair (Adiantuon ethiapicum), but neither of Abitv’s species However, in a deep limestone crevice was a single plant of some wood-fern (Dryapterts) which will prabably tum out to be Naked Wood-Fern (2. pennigera), reported from Sherbrooke Creck (Port Campbell), and later found growing. abundantly on the Moleside Creck, Tower Glenelg, by Mr. Cliff Beaugichole, Another similar plant was found higher up the creek. Tn the record flaods of March, 1946, when almost twenty inches of rain fell in three days, this gorge was swept clean of all vegetation, thus destroying what was probably a mass of ferné and leaving only the remnants which we found ilere, However, the hunt for Allitt's ferns will be continued, as favourable and hopeful terrain runs inte many square miles. Other uncommen finds for the day were the Black-shouldered Kite (Iiftnur axvillarés), a bird we lave not seen in our district for many years, algo ati outsize pair of Wedge-tail Eagles with their nest surmounting an equally outsize tree on a Chi edeo—a yety wild, out-oi-the-way ctortier, ERRATUM In the (Viet, Nat, ier Octoher (page 149) the caption under Hfustrations ot Rev. H, M. R. Rupp’s new Jrarephallum species should be extended to read, "AIL figures greatly enlarged except No. 1, which 53 only about half natural size," R. ©, Keasnaw, Bibliography of J, A. Kershaw : 169 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF J. A. KERSHAW, F.R.E.5S., C.M.Z.3, Complied by Rox. C. Kershaw, Melbourne 1. Kershaw, Vic. Nat. XI, No. 1 (Apr), p. 2% A Trip to North Queensland: List of Lepidoptera, Kershaw, Mic. Nat, XTIT, No. 9 (Dec.), po 119, Notes on Cicadas. Kershaw, ic. Nat, XPV, No, 5 (Sept.), pp. 74-5, On the Synonymy of the Butterfly Pieris "perimale Dan, Kershaw, Vic. Nat, XIV, No. 7 (Nov.), pp. 104-6 (PL). Deserip- tion of a New Victorian Moth, Psendoterprta singularts, . Kershaw, Vie. Nat., XV, No. 4 (Aug.), pp. 38-41. Notes on Halo- thila subpalhdus Luc, and streas mmarginata Don. Kershaw, Vic. Nat., XV, No, 10 (Feb_), p. 124. Excursion to Lower Ferntree Gully. Kershaw, Mic. Nat., XVI, No. 4 (Aug.), pp. 72-4. On the Butterfly Libythea geoffrovi Gadart. Kershaw, Vic. Nat, XVL, No. 11 (Mar.), p. 16% Excursion to Plenty Ranges; Fntomology. . Kershaw, Pic; Nat, XVII, No. 12 (Apr.), pp. 204-6. On a Rare Victorian Moth, Mochlotona phasmatias Meyr. Recor. Pte. Nat., XVIII, No. 6 (Oct), p. 100. Swordfish in Port rillip. , Kershaw, Vic. Nat, XEX, No. 1 (May), pp. 7-14, The Shoreham “Camp-out’': Gencral, Ornithalogy, Entomology. Kershaw, Vic. Nai, XIX, No. 2 {June}, pp. 28-32, Notes on the Atgonaitits, Kershaw, Fic. Nat, XIX, No. 4 (Aug.), pp. 62-6 (Pls. 3, 4). Notes ona Rare Victorian Shark, Cetoriinus smarisnits Gunner, . Kershaw, Vie. Nat, XX, No. 9 (Jan.), pp. 1223. Excursion to Launching Place: “Zoology. . Kershaw, Mic, Nat, XK, No, 10 (Feb.}, p. 140 A Colour Variety of the Common Eel, Anguilla ausiralts Rich, Kershaw, Vic. Not, XX, No. 11 (Mar.), pp. 150-1. The Byffalo Mountains “Camp-out”: Entomology. . Kershaw, Vic. Nat, XX, No. 12 (Apr.), pp. 173-5. Notes on Colour- variations of Two Species of Victorian Butterflies. Kefshaw, Vie, Not. XXI, No. 3 (July), pp. 424. Excursion ta Yarra Glen. Kershaw, Vic. Nat., XXII, No. 11 (Mar.), p. 199. Excursion to Otway Forest: Entomology, General Zoolugy. Kershaw, Vic. Nat, XX, No. 12 (Apr.), pp. 197-207. Excursion to Wilson's Promontory : General Zoology (except Mollusca). . Kershaw, Vie, Not, XXIII, No. 6 (Oct), pp.-121-7. On Some Additions to the Fish Fauna of Victoria, No. 1. 170 2908 R, C. Keaswaw, Uiilrography of J. AQ Kershaw haa 22. Kershaw, bic. Nel, XXV, No, 8 (Dec.), pp, 10-5. Excursion to Plenty Ranges: . Kershaw, Fie. Nat, X¥V1, No, 6 (Ocu). pp. 78-9. Additions to the Fish Fautia of Victoria, No. 2, Kershaw, Iie. Nat, XXVI, No. 8 (Dec). pp. 418-9. Notes on the Hairy-noased Wombat, PAascoloniys lahfrons Owen. §. Kershaw, ic. Nat, XXVI, No. 10 (Febj, p. 149. Excursion to Toolangi; Entomology. . Kershaw—Baldwin sees and, Memows of the National ifusoum, Melbaurse, No. 3 (Feb.), pp 5-35, Pls. 1-8. A Collection of Suh- fossil Bird, and fEncenpd Remains from King Island, Bass Strait. Kershaw—Batdwin ‘Spenver and, Memorts of the National Museum, Melbourne, Now 3 (Feb.), pp. 37-63, Ple, 9-11, The Existing Species of the Genus Phascolamys. Kershaw, Proc. Roy. Soc, Fic, MXIT (ns, Pt. 2, pp. 330-4, Pl. LXJ. Notes on the W ambat, Plrscotonryy ursinns Shaw, fom Flinders island, Kershaw, Vic. Nat, XXVIL, No. 10 (Feb.), pp, 196-201, Migration gf Eels in Victoria. 30. Kershaw, Pic. Nat, XXVITI, No, § (Sept.), pp. 93-5, Additimis to the Fish Fauna of Victarin, No 3a. Kershaw, Vic. Not., XXVIU, No, S (Sept), p. 92, Note on the Tupong. I9F2 32. Kershaw, te. Nat, XXEX, Na, § (Sept), pp. 75-6. The Tasmaman Devil in Victoria. 33, Kershaw, te. Not, XIX, No. 7 (Nov.), op. 102-6. Notes on the Breeding Habits and Young: of the Platypus, Ormtharhynchus ditutmins Shaw (with Plates, VL-V1l). I9IS 34. Kershaw, Hic. Nat, XXX, No. 11 (Mar.), pp. 163-74. Exoursion to the 'N atioral Parle, Wilson's Promontory: €seneral and Zoolary. 35. Kershaw, Mic, Nat, XXX, No. § (Sept.), pp. one (Pls. Vi, VIL). Additions to the Fish Fauna of Victoria, No. 4 1914 36. Kershaw, Mic. Not. XXXI, ve § (Dec.), pp, 113-24. A Noatuiralist in Northern Queensland, Pt. 1 ISIS 37, Kershaw, Mie, Net, XXXI, No. 10 (Feb.), pp, 143-52. Excursion to National Park, Wilson's Promontory: General. 38. Kershaw, Vic, Nat., XXXT, No. fi (Mar), pp, 161-72, A Naturelist in Northern Queensland, Pt I. 39. Kershaw, ic. Nas, XXXI, No. 12 (Apr.), pp. 179-84 A Naturalist in Northeth Queensland, Pt. 111. S9 16-57 40. Kershaw—~Hall, T, S. and, Pictoria Year Book, 1916-17. The Fauna of Victoria. wit 41, Kershaw, Vie. Nai, TXIV, No 3 (July), p. 3& Note on the ia National Park, Wiiun's Promontory, , 18, 42, Kershaw, Fie, Net, XXXV, No. 2 (Jane), pp. 30-2, Two Snakes New to Victoria, with a List of Victorian Species. R.C. Kersuaw, Bibliography of J. ct. Kershaw 17) 3. Kershaw, lic, Nat,, XXXVIII, No. 11 (Mar.), pp, 128-30. Ooldea Plants. Kershaw, Fic. Nat., XLII, No, 3 (July), p. 57. National Museum Notes: Snake Swallowing Snake, . Kershaw, te, Not, XLII, No. 4 (Aug.), pp. 103-4. National Museum Notes: Nautilus ‘trom Victorian Waters. Kershaw, Itc. Nat, XLII, No. 5 (Sept.), pp. 189-60. Notes on the Ely Boreoules subilatus Hardy. Kershaw, Vic, Not, XLIII, No, 12 (Apr.), pp. 335-44 (text fig.) Victorian Reptiles. Kershaw, tc. Not, XLIV, No. 4 (Aug.), p. 110. Notes from the National Museum: The White-striped Bat, Nochinomas australis Gray, . Kershaw, Fic. Nat, XLIV, No. 10 (Feb.), pp. 290-94. Some addi- fions to the Fish Fauna of Victoria, No. 5, Kershaw, Fie, Nat, LIV, No. UL (Mar.}, pp. 300-2. Notes on the National Park, Wilson's ‘Promontory. - Kershaw, Vie. Nai, RLIV, No. 11 (Man), pp. 36-7, (Plate VIIL) Battles Long Aga. Kershaw, Iie. eo XLV, No. 3 (July), pp. 87-8 (text fig.). Addi- tions to the lish Fauna of Victoria, No. 6. Kershaw. Vic. Nat., KV, No. 6 (Oct.), p 164 Occurrence of the Tupong (Psendaphritis nreilt) in Salt Water. Kershaw, ic. Nat., XLV, No. 8 (Dec.), pp. 214-7. Swiss Lake Dwellings. Kershaw, Mic. Nat. XLVI, No. 1 (May), pp. 9-10. Unusual Occur- ténce of Swilt Maths. . Kershaw, ic. Nat, MLVIL, No. 1 (May). pp. 11-12. National Museum Ensect Collections, 87. Kershaw, Jic- Nat, XLVI, No. 4 (Aug.), pp. 75-7 (PL). Little Known Victorian Fishes. Kershaw, Mic, Nat, XLVIEH, No. 8 (Dec.), pp, 157-60, Some Port Phillip Fishes. . Kershaw, Fie, Net, XLIX, No, 2 (June), p. $2. Bluc Wren in Spider's Web. OO. Kershaw, ie, Nai, LL No, 3 (July), pp. 76-7. The Koala on Wilson's Promontory. . Kershaw, Vic. Nat, LVI, No. 5 (Sept), pp. 104-5. The Tiger Cat (Dasyuris macilafus) on Wilson's. Promontory, . Kershaw, Mic. Nat, LVIL, No. 11 aca pp. 194-5. The Platypus aq Wilson's Promontory. . Kershaw, ic. Nat, LUX, No, 11 (Mar), p. 196. Concerning a Rare Parrot (Geopsittacus occidentalisy. Kershaw, tc. Nat, LX, No. 8 (Gee), pp 116-20. Looking’ Backward, M2 R, C. Keasnaw, Stblrogrophy of J, A. Kershow ee ee 044 6S, Kershaw, Mie, Nai, LX, No. 1 (May), p. 28 John Leadbeater of the National Museum, Mr. Kershaw (18646-1946), whose obituary by R. A. Keble was pulilished «a the Naturatist tor Apel, 1946, p. 243, also wrote & sscmorial notice concerning Professor Sit Batdwin Spencer ¢)/zn Naet,, Vol XLVI, p. 102), 1 4m indebted ta Mr. F. §. Colliver for mid and helpfisl supeestiens in thé compllation of this bibliography of iny Jxle grandfather. —Bk.C.K, “OLE MAN RIVER’ On Saturday, September 11, few members of the Geology Group went to the Outer Circle Railway Bridge at Fairfield 10 study the history of the Yarra. Though the attendance was not good, those who came had a very interesting time under the tutelage of Mr. Bryan. Tt was at this point that “Ole Man River"—the original Yarra—was blocked durmg Pleistocene (f} times by a flow of newer basalt down the old Darebin Creek. “Ole Man River" could po longer keep “rollin’ afone.” “He” couldn't even pet over the barner, and so the waters were dammed back, forming a lake which extended as far as Templestowe, four miles upstream from Weidelberg. Owing to the checking of the flow, silt was deposited over this area, thereby raising the level of the river until it was able to flow aver the batrier and carve another course—hetween the Newer Basalt lower ‘down at Collingwood and the Silurian rock which forms the hills at Kew, ; In a road cutting near the Outer Circle it was noticed that two distinct Jayers of sand and silt were depoxited horizontally on top of the tilied Silurian strata during the period of blockage. As the river cut deeper dow into the basait below the bridge, it was also able lo cut down decper into the silt above the bridge. This work is still continuing because the Yatra has not yet reached its original level. ‘The metnbers proceeded upstream from the bridge and notiecd numerous tiver terraces, indicating the different tevels of the stream from time to time. Some good examples of “ox bow" lakes or “cot-off meanders” were also seen. A.PL, OBITUARY Mrs, Blanche E, Miller, whose death tonk place on August J, was carmected with all the Jeading eluhs and societies. interested in Natural History in this Stace, and worked in various wave for the wellare of all Mrs. Miller made herseli familiar with the Sistory of the Picld Naturalists’ Club by personally tahulating and indexing its doings, and this exceedingly valuable work was always freely availtble (o anyone requiring it foe reference, She was pever an-ofhee-hearer in any of the wlubs to which she belonged, but her husband, Mr V. W. Miller, is a Past President of our Club, and was for very many years. on its executive committee. Mrs, Miller's ehief interest was in birds, and she was assocrated [or many years with the work of the late Dy. J. A, Leach. Her xreat delieht was tO introduce a new member—especially a junios—ta any of the clubs and societies with which she was connected, and it would he very hard indeed to assess the actual worth of the work done by her over the years M. L. Wican. ue H. M, R. Ruev, What iz Coladonio greciis R.Br 173 WHAT IS CALADENIA GRACILIS R.Br.? By the Rev. H. M. R. Rupe, Noritrbridge, N.S.W. Robert Brown’s description of this orchid (as a species from Van Diemen's Land) will be found in his Prodromus (1810), p. 324. Bentham [I Austr, VI (1873), 387} suppressed the Ne and gave €. grecilis as a synonym of C_ éestacea R.Br odway [Tasm. Flora (1903), 205] agreed with Bentham, and described C. testacea as occurring in Tasmamia. Following his description is 2 note to the effect that Hooker’s figure of C. alata R.Br. (in the second volume of his Tasm. Flora, plate CXXV) really represents C. testacea, but is incorrectly coloured. But the figure in question is an excellent representation of C. angnstate Lindl, : it is certainly not C. testacea, Rodway is correct in saying that it is not C, alata; hut although we cannot be sure whether Bentham was right in reducing the latter to a synonym of C. cornea R_Br., we do know precisely what C. angustata is like, The names in Hooker’s plate were (probably accidentally) trans- posed, The plant over the name C. alate is a typical C. angustata, while the plant over the name C. angustata 1s not that species; if it correctly represents Brown's (, alata, then the latter is identical with the plant which Rogers named C. alpina [Trans, Roy. Soc. S, Austr., LI (1927, 12], which in its turn has been shown to be conspecific with the New Zealand C, Lyallit Hook. It would appear. then, that Brown's name lait has priority for this species? But it is quite certain that none of the plants concerned in Hooker’s Tasmanian plate is C. testecva, Brown described the latter (Prodr. be.) from Port Jackson specimens. It is a common orchid in many districts of New South Wales, especially on dry hillsides is: coastal forests. It is ‘also found in Victoria, where a brightly-coloured form was for a while accorded specific rank under the name C. Hildae. This is the only variation fram the type which hus been recorded, C, festavea is 80 distinctive in appearance that in the living state it could never be confused with any other species; but herbarium specimens, unless very carefully dried, might easily be mistaken for small forms of C. angustate or C. carnea, With the exception, perhaps, of the West Australian C. aphyife Benth., it is the most attenuated species in the genus; and from this extreme slenderness it scarcely ever shows the slightest variation. The small flowers number one to six in a femmiinal raceme. The perianth is rather dark brown externally, and glandular-pubescent; inside it is more or tess golden green, The labellyin is seldom definitely lobed; its margins are entire along the erect basal portion, then rather coarsely fimbriate, and then cremglate to the recurved of revolote tip, The discal calli are dark reddish-purple, in four rows which fuse and 174 HM. R. Ree, Whar ds Calodenia gracilis Bre [Yt Ne become congested towards the tip. The flowers are sweetly honey scented. Now what has al) this to do with Brown’s C. gracilis? I believe that this species was wrongly suppressed hy Bentham, and that it ig the orchid which has passed for many years in Tasmania as C. testacea, During a residence in the island State froin 1920 to 1923, I frequently collected the so-called ©. testacea, but cauld never reconcile it with the New South Wales plant of that nante, with which 1 was very familiar. To qne it scerned niore like C. cucutiata Fitzg.; and I still think its affinities are closer with that Species than with C testacea; but the discal calli of the labellum are very different. In the National Herbarium at Sydney there are nhout 65 specimens of this plant collected hy Ronald Gunn more than a hundred years ago. They are in an adorable state of preservation. I have made a critical examination of a number af the flowers, comparing them also with the more recent spect- mens collected by myself. Browns desenption of C. gracilis, hc. is ws follows: C. gracilis, tertonthas foltolic aclis, lebelli glanduliy guadriseriatse, lolis lateratihus fattoribas gnam longts addiusclis, internwdta brewer fimbriata; atsco bast glandulese, (D,), [The bracketed D denotes Van Diemen's Land.| Rodway’s deseription, which is very bricf, will be found as cited above, under the name C. testacea. ‘The following more elaborate description of this plant, which I believe to be €. grociis, is offered with a view to showing the differences between at and its nearest allies. A slender plant, but never attenuated like C. teutacea R.Br., 10-24 em. high, with an acite bract about half-way up the stem. Stem anore or Jess glandular-hairy. ovary densely so; leaf aljnost or quite glabrous, linear, 9-14 em, long, Flowers L tu 6, but iost commonly 2-3. in a lerminal raceme, TPeriamh outside dusky grey or scmetimes brownish, densely glandular-pubeseent; ingide greyish-green. Dorsal sepal cucuilate, but less so than in °C- cuenllate Fiteg,, narrow-lancealate, 10-12 mm, lang. Lateral sepals and petals similar to the dorsal sepal except for the cueullare eurve, spreading ov somewhat deflexed, Labellum shorter than the perianth, trilobute; basal portion erect, then gradually recurved or even rewlute; Isteral lobes short and broad, (heir margins either (1) entire, or (2) irregularly and minutely finbriate, or (3) sharply dentate in front. Middle lobe either (1) conspicuously firnbriate, ar (2) deeply dentaic, or (3) crenulate nvar Lhe purple Up. Calli of the dise shortly stalked or almost sessile, rewnd- headed and glandular-rugase, but devoid of prickles like those of GC. crcwiate, not inclined forward as in €. testacea, purplish- brown, in 4 irregulat rows or irregularly scattered, but in either case congested towards the tp of the middle lobe Column Wt H. M. R. Rerp, What is Caladenia gracilis R.Bv.? 175 For Key, see page 176 17 HM. R. Rupr, What is Coladema gracilis R.Br? [Veh Mate straighter than in C, testacea ov C, eucutlata, and the wings extend- ing farther down. Labellum and column both occasionally barred with pink transverse striae, but this feature is very inconstant, The very variable character of the labellunt, as indicated above, is not shared by allied species. Although it would appear from a general survey of the characteristic features of the flower that C. testucea and C, cucullata are the nearest allies, neither of these species (at least in their typical forms) occurs in Tasmania; and it is suggested that a natural cross between C,. carnea R.Br. and €. angustata Lindl., both of which are abundant there, might be expected to produce a form such as C. gracilis. Most of Gunn’s specimens came from “Degraveses”, a locality identified by Mrs. Florence Perrin of Launceston as the Cascades near Hobart. I collected the species there myself, and also at Brown's River, All but one of the records known to me are from southern Tasmania. The exception is that given by Bentham, tc. (under C. testacea); “Port Dalrymple, R. Brown,” This locality is at the mouth of the Tamar estyary. Much collecting has been done in that area by keen and competent observers, but the record has not been repeated. It is curious that Hooker omits both C, gracilis and C, testaced, though he must surely have seen Gunn's specimens. The occasional occurrence of transverse bars on the column and labellum may have led him to associate the dried material with C, corned, = In conclusion, I do not hesitate to express the view that C- gracilis R.Br, is a valid species, and that it should be restored in place of C. testucea in any future publication of the flora of Tasmania. Caladenta gracilis R.Br. and allied species. KEY TO ILLUSTRATION A, Colodenix gracilis R.Br. 3B, Caladenia icstarea R.Br. C, Caladenia cuenilata Fitzg, Plants about natural size. Figs. 1-13 all enlarged. 1-6, C. gracilis. 1, 2, 3, labeila from the side, showing variations. 4, 5, colurnns. 6, a discal callus, 7-10, C. testacea. 7, 8, labella: No. & showing obscure lobation. 9, column, 10, a discal callus, 11-13, C, cenilata, 11, labellum. 12, column, 13, 9 discal callus WANTED TO BUY—Mathew's Gtrds of Anstralia, Three parts only: Vol. & Part 2; Vol. 10, Part 1; Vol, 12, Part 1, Good prices would be given. Apply Robertson & Mullens Ltd, Box S2A, G.P.0., Mel- OuIME, We R. D. Lee, “Cup-flowers” 177 “CUP-FLOWERS” By R. D. Lee, Brighton. While wandering around the salt marshes at Seaholme during spring, 1947, our attention was attracted to an area of a few square yards, slightly higher than the actual marshy ground, We say “slightly higher” advisedly, as the altitude of the highest part would only be some four or five feet above water level. However, this particular patch was carpeted with light grey. We investigated and found innumerable little plants no more than three inches high. Upon later enquiries they proved to be the “Common Cup- flower,” Angianthus Preissianus, a species we had never seen before. We also learned that of the five Victorian species, this Cup-flower is the only one to be found throughout most of the State (all except the north- Common Cup-flower (Angianthus Preissianus}. east)—-wherever salt-marshy conditions abound. The other four species inhabit sandy Mallee country in the north-west, with two of them (A. tomentosus and A. strietus) extending also to similar sandy portions of the south-west. This genus of Compositae embraces dwarf or pygmy plants with a brief life span, flowering and fruiting quickly during the short favourable period in such dry areas. They all, to quote Baron von Mueller, are more or less “beset with somewhat cottony vestiture,” giving them that silvery greyish appearance, The flowering heads, surrounded by floral leaves, them- selves consist of numerous headlets, each with two or three (according to species) tiny florets—a somewhat unusual “ultra-compound” arrangement in the family Compositae, Mr. J. H. Willis tells me that Western Australia is the headquarters of 178 R. D, Ler, “Cup-flowers’ bbricienas the Cup-flowers, with 27 species, including all seven* Victorian ones. In a tecent letter that he received from the Government Botanist at Perth, Mr. Gardner expressed dissatisfaction with the uunaturalness of the genus Asgi- anthus, which it is proposed to split up again imto four genera, viz., Angianthus (with the one type species, A. tomentosus), Skirraphorus, Chrysocoryne and Eriocladtum, several other species being united with the present genus Gnephosis. If this plan meets with acceptance, our few Vic- torian Cup-flowers will be divided among three genera, and A. Preissianns— the subject of this paper—will become a Skirropharus. *[Up to the present year, only five species of Angianthis were known to occur in Victoria, but during September I collected two others along the South Australian border: 4, Burkittti from near Boundary Point in the extreme N.W. corner, and A, tenellys from the Great Desert about 18 miles N, of Serviceton.—Ed.] COCKATOOS AND EUCALYPT GALLS At Warragul, late in August, I noticed two or three gang-gang cockatoos and remarked that they were rather late visitors this season; I was told that they had probably come to get seeds from some silver-top gums. Later, I went to the trees and saw several gang-gangs energetically nippimg the ends off branchlets and dropping them—apparently just for fun. The ground was covered with leafy litter which rained down continuously, Then I noticed that the twigs were heavily infested with galls, many of which were nipped open; obviously the birds were eating the gall larvae (ceci- domyid gnats), so I watched more carefully and saw one young bird nip off a twig, hold the galls in one claw and bite off pieces of the galls which it discarded. The number of unopened galls that were dropped shows the birds to be not over-thrifty; but the evidence is surely enough to convince me that the gang-gang is a friend of our forests. Arrsur F. SHerpon, Lilydale. MUDLARK VICTIM OF EUCALYPT FRUIT On my suburban back lawn, a pretty mudlark (Grallina cyanoleuca) recently flew up to me in apparent distress. It kept close to my feet, as much as to say, “Do you not sce I want help?” I talked quietly to the bird, which did not fear my presence, and then noticed that it had some- thing brown attached ta one of its feet—a toe was firmly held by the valves on a dry fruit of the “Bangalay” eucalypt (£. botryotdes). I tried to dislodge the grip, and at times the bird encouraged me by flying a few feet away and struggling itself with its “captor”. At last, I gave up my efforts, while the bird flew off—perhaps disgusted that I was of such little use in this emergency. One admires the pluck of our companionable little mudlark; I once witnessed an interesting fight between magpics and mudlarks when, to my surprise, “Mag” was worsted and flew off leaving spoils to the victors. Was it not strange that a bird seldom seen in captivity should have become the chance victim of Bangalay “gum-nuts"? There are many specimens of Eucalyptus botryoides growing in our streets, but it was certainly bad luck to have heen caught, apparently when roosting in one of these trees. Have any similar mishaps come to the notice of ornithologists ? A, J. Tapcen. Fiat Y. S. Hare, Batany Geanp Excursion to Ferulrce Gilly 173 BOTANY GROUP EXCURSION TO FERNTREE GULLY By T. & Haar, Crovdan, A sinall party in the afternoon, who failed to get in (ouch with the mar- ing excursion party of June 19th, made observations an the characteristic Gully vevetation af dhe areca in relation to its environment. The chick causes actiig to produce (His dasemblage of plants may he noted as adequate rainfall and water sepply ar all seasans, heavy shelter with reduction of the range of temperatare—both at the hot and cold ends— aud also better colseryation vf moisture, 4 suitable soil basis, and the swiace forms of the country, The general rainfall eatsblishes a better shelter by abundant vegetation outside the gully itself: the gully vegetation further improves 4nd adds to the soil, an effect helped by wash and slow settling from the slopes, both surface and soil waters receiving addinons also fromm the bisher land. Quite a differcnt type of moist forest vegetation develops in the east of Gippsland. with more sutitner rain and that luxuriance of vegetation which is au ordinary Feawre farther north on a east coast of the trade wind area (cf, also Naial), Luxuriance is favoured by equable conditions not neces- sarily the hottest and wettest. The actual ¢omiponents of gully vegetation then may miclide: (1) Plants of warmer origins, which are able to extend inco cooler climates by lessening of the winter cold (2) Plants of colder origin, which may extend guing ta the mitigatian of suamier heat and dryness. (3) Plants quite typical o the Latitude, if able to grow with sufficient vigour to compete agamst the others and wat be affected by overshading of overwemess, The Blackwood (Aeoria weianovplon) js a typical trce of the gullies. It makes height with a straight trunk to reach ample sunlight, and maintains its bipuimate juventle foltage longer than in more adverse condttiows. But Blackwued is by ito means limited to the gullies; it continues down dhe vallevs and still makes useful timber, while small forms may be found even in light sandy soils and cm the volcanic plains. The Siver Wattle (deeca dealhain}, abundant and tall—to 129 f1.—in the gullies, extends along rivers and crecks frecly. It reaches ncarly to the irce line on Mt. Baw Bavy, whore it as still very tall, Atting to the shorter active season of the mountains {Howering carly aud ripening its seed in five months), The nearly-rclated Diack Wattle flowers late and takes about fourteen montlts ta mature seed. Black Wattle a: also a smaller tree, The Hazel Pomaderris (P. apetaia) can make deuse scrub not only in gullies, if soil and rainfall suit. The Blanket-leai (Sedfordee talicme) of fern gullies grows also on the cliff slopes near Lakes Entrance, facing south and shaded by the cliff and forest above, but open to the moist sea winds; it has adequate shelter and moisture from the summer rains. The Tecoma, hike lianes in general, rus to the treetops and flowers up shere, but it occurs alsa outside the gullies near Kalsyth, and ever sprawling over low granite rocks, The percolation of water gives aflequate supplies for \oots, at least In some cracks (og. Granite Rock, Bairnsdale, with southerly aspect at about G00 ft. clevatiand, The Forest Wire-grans (Tetrarrhene juncce} is not confined to the guilies either, Nevertheless, all these are characteristic ully plants. The soft herbaceous little 4nsirolinn (of the Nettle family but withour stings) is one of the most typical gully plants aud can tolerare a remarkabe degree of shade. Beech, of course, is a plant of southern origm and in Victona it occurs only in some of the more favourable gullies, with heavy rainfall The Grant Mountain Grass (Glyceria dives) also seems te belong to the muer, more sheltcred valleys, occurring with tall Lefterpernuen scoparia. it ws very abundant in the upper Bunyip River and Toorongo country, 130 What, Where and When Vitek Tite WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN Gencral Excursions: Sundiy, November 14—Macclesfield Subject: “Spiders.” Leaders: Mussps. A. aod R. Dunn. Nash's bus from Bataan Avenue, 930 am. Bootings, Z Heath Miss M. If. Argo, 25 Spray Street. Elwood, $3, Bring one meal. Saturday, November 2?—Inverloch. 200-mile excursion, via Thoradin, Won- thaggi, amd Cape Patterson. Subjects; Conchology, Geology and Coastal Botany. Leader; Miss J, Hope MacPherson. Calder wood's parlour ecach Jeaves Batman Avenue, 7.45 a.m. sharp, reiurn to ciry at Epm. Brmg iwo meals, Reserved seat bookings, 18/6, with Mr Wi, Stewart, 14 Bayview Terrace, Ascot Vale, W.2 (Tel. FU 022, ext. 457), Advance réseryatios trust be coufrmed on or before Monday, Nov. 8, otherwise cancelled, Saturday, December 4—Willsmere Park Lagoon, North Kew. Subject: “Agnatic Insects." Leader: Miss J, W, Raff, B.Sc; Meet at Park gates, 230 pm. Take Tramways bus in Flinders St. to North Kew: alsa reached by Tooronga-Kew hus (all at Willsmere and Becllord Roads), and Alphingtan-Kew Station bus falight corner Willsniere Road and Grandview Terrace), Sunday, December 12—Henley Gorge, vin Lilydale. Subject; “Geology and Associated Rotany.” Leader: Mr. A, TT Sheldon. Nash's bus fron Batman Avenué, 9.30 as. Bring one meal. Bookings, 5/6, with Mr, H.E. Finlayson, 353 Geelong Road, Kingsville, W112. Group Fixtures: Saturday, November 6—Gealouy Gropp excursion Particulars from Her, See. of Group, Mr. A. A, Baker, 99 Carlisle St, Prestan, N18. Saturday, November 20 (afternoon)- Botany Group excursion. Subject: “Swamp Ephemerals.” Locality and details at Group monthly meeting. Monday, Novernber 22—Boltany Group, Royal Society's Tall, 8 p.m. Sub- ject: “Myrtaceae” , Thursday, December 2—Wijdflower Garden Grows Royal Sooety’s Hall, Bpo New members welcome. Fanlay, December 3—Marine Biology Group. Royal Society's Hall, 7.45 pm. Tuesday. December 7--Geology Group. Royal Society's Hall, 8 pam. Sub- ject 40 be arranged. H.C. E. STEWART, for Eercursion Cowanitier- HAWTHORN MATURE SHOW The Australian Natuce Show was held at the Hawthorn ‘Town Hall on October 19-21, The exhibits were well displayed, and, imder the able planning of Mr, A. J. Swahy, the work of settings up on the Monday evening went forward guickly and smoothly, The exhibit by the Junior Branch at Hawthorn, iv particular, was excellent, and attracted much attention, Althourh the fingnGal return may not be as great ag dust year, there a9 wo doubt of the value of the Shaw as a medium of introducing ta the public the work and aims of our Club. The crowd of school children packing the entrance waitin dor the duars to open on the Wednesday morning indicates their interest, and siresses its educational value, Further details and reports will be given in the next issue of “the Naitnealist, : The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 65,—No. 3 DECEMBER 9, 1948 Ne. 780 PROCEEDINGS The suonthily meeting of the Club was held at the National Herbaritim on Monday, November 8 1948. The President, Mr. J. Ros Garnet, and about 180 members were present, An apology was received from Mr, Alan Caster, The President tread a Ictter from the Inspector of Fisheries and Game in which it was staled that permits held by the company leasing portion of the Fern Tree Gully National Park as a private zaa were to be cancelled and all protected animals and birds removed. ' In reply to several enquiries from general inembers who wished to attend group excursions, the President advised that afl excur- sions of the Clul: were available to any member; but that, where a bus was engaged, the members of the group concerned must rightly have preference, Where the exenrsion was by public conveyance or there Was room on a bus trip, other members would be very welcome to attend. Mr, Garnet intimated that he and a few members were planning to spend a week at Lake Mountain during January, and asked others interested to ley him know so that he could make transport arrangements. Mr. Swaby reported on the Annual Show, from which the revenue had been £119 and the expenses £84, leaving a profit of £35, He sincerely thanked all members who had helped with the work, either beforehand in planning and gathering the exibits, or hy supervision duties during the Show iteeli—in some cases this hact entailed many hours of unselfish service. He felt, howevér, that helpers at these functions have a lot to learn in the way of showmanship and that the exhibits should be so displayed as immediately to attract attention. He also considered that plans should be in operation much carlicr in the year than is usual, ‘The President announced that the Australian Natural History Medallion for 1948 had been awarded to Mr. L. Glauert, Director of the Perth Museum. This announcement was received with applatise. A welcome was extended to visitors for the evening, and to the follawing who were elected as Ordinary Members: Messrs. E. A, Bartleman, N, Carter, R. W. Dewtsher, E, Howard, and Misses BE. Jeffery and M. Jolinson. The following nominations for Ordinary Membership were received: Mrs I<, Pullar, Miss FL. Paull, Mr. W. L. Davies, Mr. A. W. C. Burston, and Mr, A, N. Usher. 182 Field Naturatists’ Club Proceedings Vie Sat Notice was given that Mr. Coles, of Withers Trapaport Indus- tries, was planning an evening trip fo Phillip Island to see the Mutton-birds; mlerested members were advised to contact the firin direct, “THREE THOUSAND MILES THROUGH NEW ZEALAND” With remarkably clear colour films and facile description, Mr. F. Lewis took members with him through his five mouths’ tour of both Islands of New Zealand. The pictures were taken for a scenic record and embraced such highlights as the bubbling mud pools and hot springs of the thermal area at Rotorua in the North, the Franz Joseph and Tasman Glaciers in the centre of the South Tsland, and the beautiful lakes and sounds in the extreme south. The Pohutukawa tree. N.2. Clematis and Scarlet Manuka, the Kiwi and Royal Albatross were among the native floral and bird life so finely portrayed. The films possessed a delicacy and per- fection of colour which really caplured the beauty of the Islands, and Mr. Lewis attributed his suceess to the use of a “haze filter” throughout the entire trip. Those who were privileged to see these pictures will fong rememiber the interest and pleasure they arowsed. EXHIBITS Me, C French: Pink Tea-iree (Leplostermmim rohundifolhum), garden grown. Miss J. W. Raff: White Iorm of Pink-eyve (Tetratheca ciliata) and branch of “Prickly Moses" (dcacra vertteillate), much fasciated in crozier fashion—both collected at Katorama. Mr, C, J.. Gabriel; Marine shetls—Cordtum fennicostutnme Lam, (Vic, Cc. eygnorunt Desh. (Vic.), CG. pulelellym Gray (¥ic,), C. edule Linn, (England), C. lyratum Shy. (Wi Aust, C. unedo Linn. (Lord Howe Is.), and Hemicardium cardtisa Linn, (China) Mr. J, Ros Garnet: Clubhed Spider Orchid (Cotadenia clawlgera) fram Arthur's Seat, 2/11/48; “Sikh” Orchid, also known as Mitchell's Green- hood, (Pterastylis Mitchetlii) from the mallee serub at Rushworth; Tangle Orchid (Sarconthns tridentatus), formerly known ander Clesostoine—one of the five epiphytic orchids to be found in Victoria. TAIL OF A “BUSHY-TAILED” POSSUM Having regarded the naked underpart of the possums tail as a nor slipping adaptation which e:ables it to grip the twigs to which it clings, and ss useful, too, in holding securely bundles of nesting material whett climbing to nests in not very accessthle places, I was. inierested to observe at Healesville recently a (10 me} new usc. While emerging from under the eaves of a sleep-out, an almost fully grown possum was litcrally scraped off its mother’s back, and slithered down the wall for about three féet. As it climbed back, scratching vigerously to get claw-hold on the vertical wall, its tail was pressed perfectly flat against the wall, the waked part acting as a steq, or prop. Were it entirely furred the tail would not have been so helpfol. Recalling the clammy feeling of that naked part, and the very 4mall joints that would give the flexible, clinging power of fingers, it seemed a remarkable adaptation. Bt Dea, ‘1948 E. Gaupa, Canttibudions to the Klora of South Astralia 183 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FLORA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA—III By Dre. Erwin Gausa, Research, Victoria. PAPAVERACLZ Roemeria hybrida (L.) DC. var. velttino-eriocarpa Fedde. Loveday, 20.9.1943—not common, This variety is an alien weed new for South Australia (and probably for the whole continent). The first recorded member af the genus was a plant collected near Riverton (S.A.) by Worsley Fig. 4 a: Pruit with calyx of Phallanthus lucunarins F.yM. (leg. Mueller, Junction of the Mmurray and Darling Rivers, 1853), b; The same of Ph, lacunoriye var, detitera- calyx Gauha (leg. R. elms, Mt. Syuices, W.A,, 1891 : c: Ray flower of Brachycome ciliaris Less. (leg. auctar, Loveday). d: The same of B. ctharts var, grocling east Gauba (leg. auctor, Loveday). more or Jess bristly,” variety. LEGUMINOSAE Psoralea ervtantha Benth. C. Johnston and pub- lished hy J. M. Black (Additions to the Fl. of S.A. No, 29, in “Trans, Royal Society S.A., Lv, 1931, p. 139) as Roeimeriae hybrida (L.) D.C. My specimen from Loveday is doubtless the variety velutino- ervocarpa, the geo- graphical area of which extends from the Mediterranean re- -gion to Turkestan and Afghanistan; I cal- lected it also in Egypt and Persia, I have some douht whether Mr. Black's Riverton plant really represents the type. The description given by him {in Fi S.A., Tr, second ed., 1948, p. 367), “Erect hairy annual . , , capsule points more toward the above-mentioned The original diagnosis of this species was given by Bentham in Mitchell’s Tropical Anstraha, 1848, p. 131, after specimens from the Balonne River (Queensland). ‘The species is described as 184 EF. Gauna, Contribations to the Flora of South Australia ee “canescenti-pubesceus -.. pedunculis elongatis ...., floribus tnfert- oribas remolis supertorites appraximatis . 2 < .” Latet', in FL, Australiensts, 11, 1864, p, 192, Bentham widens the description to embrace material from nearly al! States, including under this species forms covered all over with a dense white tomentum, As to the leaf shape and spike stucture, he accords a much wider amplitude. Of the specimens cited by Benthan), there are in the Melbourne Llerbarium, unfortunately, only those helonging ta the tomentose form, corresponding well with specimens 1 callected in Loveday (17.12.1944), An entirely different aspect is offered by a Psoralea that I found in another locality of the same district (10.3,1944), It has nearly sessile subglobular spikes and its leaves resemble those of Psoralea patews in shape, pubescence and glands; but the calyx points im all details, especially with its dentation, toward Psoralea ertantha. My specimen could perhaps be related to the pubescent forms of P. eriantha, though Bentham docs not mention the immersed glands with which both leaf surfaces are strildngly dotied. More- over, this Loveday sample bears on branches and leaf stalks, in addition ta the verrucous glands, also stipitate ones, a feature I did not observe on any of the 19 Australian species (Black quotes 15 onty) that I checked in the Melbourne Herbariurn. Without. further basie material for comparison, I cannot yet correctly place my second specimen {rom Loveday, although Mr. C. A. Gardner, Government Botanist at Perth, has determined (17 &t., 14.7.1948) very similar W.A. material as Psoralea erianthit, Nevertheless, it seems quite sure that tle tomentose forms merit a least varietal rank beside the pubescent form from the Balonne Iver. EUPHORBIACEZE Phyllanthus lacunarius F.v.M., var. deulerocalyx Gauba, var. nov. Calycis lacimine anaturitate frnetwemn 14-2 mont. longae, latitvdiuem coccoriuim acaiuntes vel palin longiores (in typo dimidio hremorcs) Leg. R. Helms—Mt, Squires, Barrow Range, W.A., 23.9.1891 (TYPE, in Meth Nat. Herb). Fig. 4b. To this variety T relegate all specimens with sepals reaching or shightly exceeding the border of the mature capsule, their tops being pointed (as in the samples of R. Helms) or more or less rounded as in my samples Jrom Loveday, 30.11.44, Tn Mueller's diagnosis of Phytlanthus lacunorius (Trans, Phil. Soe. Vict. 1, 1855, p. 14, also Hooker's Jovr. Bot. vit, 1854, p. 332) there is a correct description of the sepals (‘‘minute, subovate, ebtuse...") Based on his 1853 collecting trom the junctron of the Murray and Darling Rivers. These samples must be considered as the type (see Fig. 4a), to which L refer also a specimen in the aie E Gana, Contributions ta the Plora af South Australia 185 Melbourne National Elerbarium labelled “Goodwin & Dallachy, Darling River“’ The sepals of both samples do not exceed the middle of the cocct and, as far as I saw, they are bent down and shrivelled atter the fruitlets have fallen off; in the variety denfero- calya: they remain unchanged and spread out star-like, According to the descnptions in Fl. of Vict. and Fl. of S.A. where the sepals are quoted as lanceolate and up to 14 mm. long, thus approaching var. dewterocalyx, it would seem that the latter has a wider distribution and is more common than the type. MALVACEH Abutiton otocarpum F.v.M. New for this district, being quoted from the Far North only, but near Loveday it js abundant in sandy localities (7.1.44). Hentham (Flora Australiensis) keyed, our plant in the section with carpels “persistent, or rarely at length deciduous,” and Black (Fl S.4.) placed it in the group with carpels ‘not seceding from the axis.” hese are gradual exaggerations of Mueller’s more correct statement (Key fo the Systent of Vict, Plants, 1887-88, p. 154): “fruitlets .. . slightly coherent.” My samples from Loveday show, besides flowers, also bare fruiting axes from which the fruitlets have obviously dropped. The same is observable on a number of specimens in the Mel- bourne Herbarium, It may be thal in this species the [ruitlets ''secede’’ a little later or not so readily as in other species; but, in any case, they ac last separate completely from the axis. Therefore, such a characteristic should be avoided in the compilation of any key, because it cau lead to wrong conclusions. ; GOODENIACE A Goadema heteromera Fv.M. In Loveday district, common on the banks of the Murray River, opposite Mevrook (10.12.44). mention this species because, according to Mr, J. M. Black, it seems to he rare in South Australia, from where it is reported only from the River Murray, above Morgan. COMPOSITAE Brachycome evianis (Labul) Less., var, brackyglossa Gauba, . DOr. MOU. . Cignlac 2 sum. longac, involucro terlid pavia carciter breviores fim typo 5-6 mm. tongue, duplo quam involucrin. tongires). Shectmina mea anni, ramosisstaa, mferne glabra, sudarne imprimis ad pedunenlas et divolucri bracteos glundulls = dense obsita. Cupitnfa murora, Loveday. in locts urettasis (TY Pl-—leg. Gauba, 6.12.44). Fig. 4d. ‘186 Monthly Notes from the Portland B,C, ae tise In the same district the entirely glabrous B. ciliaris and its variety lanuginosa (Steetz) Benth, are to be found, With regard to. ramification, glandular indumentum and small heads, the new variety hears a certain resemblance to Drummond's exsic, No. 210, described by Bentham as var. glawduloso, but conzidered by Mrs. G, L. Davis (in sched.) as belonging to var. lanuginosa, But the igules of Drummond's plant are, in spite of the smal] heads, 44-5 mm. long, the longest bracts being about 24 mm. only. The tigulate ray florets of the new variety are a little hooded and nearly spoon-shaped. In many otf the female ray flowérs I observed the development of a single stamen with rudimentary anther. (Concluded, ) MONTHLY NOTES FROM THE PORTLAND F,N.C. By Nose F. Learmontu, Tyrendaren, Qur regular mectings are held at & p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month and all kindred spirits are very wekome Mr. B. EB. Carthew is Honorary Scerétary. In September, Mr. J. B. Ponder of Geelong Grammar School attended our meeting. He spent a few days around Portland and Tyrendarre endeavouring to obtain bird photographs and hunting up some of our Jocal birds. Of these he listed about one hundred, but various mishzps ruined promising photographs of Orangé-winged Sittellas on the mest and White Ibis. His best bird find was two Corellas, feeding with a flock of White Coctkatogs on bulbs of onion grass. They are very rare in omr district and only appear at long intervals; A few Brolgas inhabit the swampy country twenty miles N.E, of Portland and, at the end of an afternoon’s search, we were able to show our visitor two of these stately birds, Tn low scrub and lieath near Portland he was fortunate in seeing a number of Beautiful Firetails. The birds ave very localized, and we know of several families along the coast. Rufous Bristle-birds and Emi Wrens were also seen here, while other “good finds" were Brown-headed Honeyeater, Black-winged Currawong and Crescent Honeyeater. Alone Darlot’s Creek, where there ts usually a White Lbis rookery containing about 200 nests [on account of the dry winter, few birds came this year; the water around the site was not deep cnaugh to ward off foxes] Mr. Ponder troted: White Egrets, Yellow-bill Spaonhills, White-necked and White-faced Herons, five species of ducks, swans, $wamp-hens, and, in the rushes and reed beds, Little Grass-birds, Reed and Fantail Warblers and Striated Field Wrens. He missed Bittern and Speckled Warblers by two days, Members of the F.N,C.V, will be pleased to know that an inspection of the proposed Lower Glencly National Forest. will shorily be undertaken by representatives of ihe Forests and Lands Departments with a view to establishing suitable and definite boundaries. The President of the Portland F.N.C. will accompany them, THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol 65 December, 1948 Phare IV EXPLANATION OF PLATIC TV Pig. '—Fiashlight photagraph vertically in Cenote 2.0 Note openings at ground level, flutings ¢iuterpreted as parts of former solution pipes), “ceiling” left by falling away of masses of rock, and bedding in acolianite. Fig. 2—Vlashtight photograph horizontally in Cenote 2. The darker Jower part is where the guano has heen. The bedrock behind the figures ts Miocene marine limestone. Resting on the marine limestone platiorn is aeolianite of Pleistocene age. Note here and in Pl V. Fig. 1. the planation of each dune series before erection of next. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. 65 December, 1948 PLaTE V Four explanation see page 191. Der iss E, D. Gita, Slrucere and Origin of Grand Cave 18? STRUCTURE AND ORIGIN OF GUANO CAVE, NEAR WARRNAMBOOL, VICTORIA Ry Epmunpb D. Gite, B.a., B.D. By descending the 100 feet high eolianite cliffs at the boundary between sections 15 and 17 of the Parish of Mepunga, and climbing eastwards round the rugged base of the cliffs for a few hundred yards, the entrance to Guano Cave can be seen. The opening {s some 60 feet above the shore platform, but can be reached by clambering over the huge blocks of rock which have fallen. from eure PLAN OF ——_ GUANO CAVE Fig. 1. Scale 1° = 150" the cliff. Previous papers (Gill, 1943, 1946) have given a general account of this part of Vic- toria. At the bottom of the chifs 10 fect of fossilifcrous Miocene marine limestone outcrop, surmounted by a fossiliferous soil layer, above which is some 90 feet of* calcareous solianite—lithified Pleistocene dunes. Three soit layers can be readily recog- nized in the zxolianite, indi- cating various stages of dune . building. The surface of the ground is not related to that of the dune which once stood there; the sxolian bedding shows that the top of the dune has been planated by subsequent erosion. The present surface is relatively flat and slopes towards the sea, The bedding likewise shows that the dune formation once extended out into what is now the sea, The coastlme is rapidly retrograding. Outer Cavern Guano Cave is a dry cave, there being no running water. The dripstones prove that it was once a wet cave. At present there is but a little dampness in the Outer Cavern, and occasional dripping in Recess 2, A strong current of air circulates through the cave, entering by the Outer Cavern and leaving by the tops of the cenotes. ‘188 E D, Git, Structure and Origin of Guana Cave Ki athe : The cliff overhangs the entrance to the Outer Cavern, due to falls of rock fram the cliff face. Massive talus is piled against the cliff, one monolith measuring some 30 ft. by 15 ft The Outer Cayern is 162 ft long, 37 ft. wide near the entrance, and a little wider inside. The roo? is arched but irregular, due to the falling away of masses of rock. The rool is 12 it above the floor of the mouth, but much higher inside, reaching a maximum of probably 30 ft. The floor is very irregular, as it is composed of masses of fallen rock, but some of the irregularities are smoothed away by dripstones and cave earth formations, The floor slopes up about 10 ft. to the inner end of the Outer Cavern. Between the fallen blocks of #olianite in the floor are crevices that penetrate deeply, Showing that most of the cliff up te this level was invalved in the collapse or collapses that formed the Outer Cavern, Stalactites and stalagmites wp to six inches in diameter were observed, but such structures have been considerably disturbed by guano workers who set up a winch in the Quter Cavern and collected Jarze quantities of guano from the floors of the two cenntes and the inner cavern, The giiano is. from nmmerous sinall -insectivorous bats. Such still inhabit the cave, especially the_ ~cenotes anid Recess 2. The Ramp The Ramp is a mass of fallen blocks of stone and rubble inclined at an angle of 33° or a little more, The angle of inclimation is related to the leeward slope of the ancient dune which the rock material once formed. The steep wolian bedding (leeward side of dune) can be seen in the roof of the Ramp. The top of the Ramp is 40 it, wide and about 25 ft, high. About a third of the way down, it narrows to about 15 it. and about 12 ft. high; at the bottom it is about 35 ft. wide. Near the bottom the Ramp changes direction from S$. 35° W. to S, 45° W. At this change of direction the steep talus slape ends and in the remaining patt to Recess 2 the drop is only about & ft. ; The rock in the Ramp presents very fresh surfaces, while the surfaces in thé Outer Cavern are old and thickly encrusted with secondary calcareous depositions. This suggests that the collapse or collapses forming the Outer Cavern took place some time ago, while the present forin of the Ramp may well he due to rhe recent activities of the guano workers. Near the top of the Ramp is Recess 1, due to more collapse there. At the foot of the Ramp is Recess 2, which is of quite different character. In horizontal section it is roughly circular, while vertically the roof runs up into a high narrow rounded recess or “chimney”, which is clearly. an incipient cenote. The “chimney” can be seen fo be derived from the coalescence of two such hollows, one larger and one smaller, This is a micromorph “er E, D. Ginn, Struciare and Origin of Guauo Cave 189 of the big cenotes, and helps in the interpretation of their iode af formaton. Shere ig a smaller incipient cenote in the roof at the erte) of the Ramp, : Inner Cavers This is in the form of a tunnel about 92 ft. long and 36 ft. wide. The raof is arched but again irregular because’ of fallen rocks, which in turn makes the floor irregular. This cavern is a solu- tional feature, which was probably first formed as a wrizontal component ina subterranean drainage systein related Lo the siirface dramage system and the major joint planes in the bedrock lime- stone, The Outer Cavern is clearly a collapse feature, and it must have fallen into a tunnel underneath at about the same level as the NSuORE CCaTFORM (Lwid APPROA) LONc tudiWaL VERTICAL 3f¢hen oF GUANO CAVE Bae ee ee Fig, 2. Horizontal and vertica! scales are the same; viz, 1” = 4504 Inner Cavern, but more or less at night angles to it, i.e., following the other set of rnajor joint planes. Other caves in the district, and alsa surface features, indicate that the Outer Cavern and Inner Cavern folluw the directions of the two main sets of joint planes in the district, The Ceveltes The two cenotes are vertical solutional features, Cenole 1 is 38 ft. in diameter and Cenote 2a chain in diameter. As Uwy are essentially the same in structure and origin, only the larger more easterly one will be described. It is circular in horizontal section, is 145 ft. high (measured with a line), and tapers upwards. The sides of the cenote are fluted (Pl. TV, Pig. 1) as though formed by the coalescenee af a number of solution pipes. And indeed this scems to be the correct explanation, because; — 1. Such solution pipes are cornmon solutional features an these and other similar limestones (seolianites)- 2. Coulescence of small solutional pipes has been noted, 3. There are five openings at ground level above Cenote 1, and these are related to some of the flutings, ad . . Viet Mat 190 ED. Gir, Structere and Oriam af Guang Cave f ete 4. Some cenote Autings have been explained as due to solution effects by waters running down ther sides. The flutings shown in Pl, TV, Fig. 1, are so deeply incised as not to admit of this explanation. However, some of the more superficial flutings in the sides of the cenates could be accounted for in this way. The sudden ending of the futings shown in Pl. TV, Pig. 1, 15 due to the “solurianal and imechanical stoping.” Masses of rock so plucked front the rpof eram the floor of the cenvte, Also on the floor is guano and the bones of the insectivorous hats, The bones of a young kangaroo, rabbits, and cows [ound there are probably of annals which have fallen through the holes at the top of the cenote. At the surface the openings wre masked by grass and bushes. As far as can be determined by an aneroid, the floor of the Inner Cavern is at about low water inark, while the hottom of Cenote 2 is some feet below that. The walls of the cenote are vertical where they are cbscured by the debris forming its floor. Itis clear that the cenote contmued on well down below ea level, Solution pipes so descending are a commion feature of Goastel zeolianites; the writer has observed them in Victorti and Western Australia. The ecenotes and solution pipes descending below sca level niust have been formed during 2. time or times of lower sea level such as are known to have occurred in the Pleistocene period, Relation ta Coastal Phystograpiny Baker (1943, p. 375) has described a feature cast of Port Campbell called “The Blowhole’, The sea runs into a tunnel . which connects with a high vertical shaft, round which the water swirls strongly. Kefore the colfapsing of the wolianite ip form the Ohuter Cavern, the sea probably, ran into Guano Cave in a similar’ way, The very fuunded cenotes, and the absence of secondary calcitic encrustations in. their lower parts, invite the suggestion that they were made so by the sea, If the top of Cenote 2 fell in when the sea had access to the cave, then ‘a structure similar 1o that of the Blowhole would be presented, Che platform shown in the section between Cenotes 1 and 2 is formed of pieces 07 rack stacked there by the guano workers.’ Baker also rightly pwints out that complete collapse over such tunnels would soon result in the forniation of one of those rectangular little bays which are so characteristic of this coast. Acknowledgements The writer in indebted to Mr, Alex. Wilkins of Wartrnambool, who accompanied him on a number of visits to Guano Cave and took the photographs herein reproduced; also to Mr. CW Ber. +s . ely} rs 1948 EL. Gra, Stracture and Origin af Guana Cave 191 Brazenor of the National Museum, who kindly identified a number of bones. f : REFERENCE LITERATURE. Baker, G., 1943. Features of a Victorian Limestone Coastline, Jour, Geol. Vok il, No. 6, pp. 359-386, Cole, L. J.. 1910. The caverns und people of Yucutan, Byll, Amer. Geog. Sec, Vol 42, pp. 321-331, avis, W. M., 1930. Origin of Limestone Caverns, Bull, Geol. Sac. Anter., Vol. 41, pp. 475-628. Gill, E. D., 1943. The Geology of Warrnambool, Proc, Ray. Soe. Vic. ns., Wol. 52 (2), pp. 133-154, Gil, E, D., 1947. Some Features of the Coastline between Port Fairy and Peterborough, Vieloria, Prac, Roy. Soc. te. ns., Vol. 58. pp. 37-42, Hawkins, W. B., 1874. Cave Hunting. Jiobdon. Moneymaker, B.C. and Rhoades, R. 1945, Deep Solution Channel in Western Kentucky, Brill. Geol. Soc. Amer., Vol. 56 (1), pp. 39-44. Stirling, J,, 1884. On the Caves perforating Marble Deposits, Limestane Creck, Trans. and Prac: Roy. Soc. Vie,, Vol. 20, pp. 7-17. Swinnerten, A. C., 1932. Origin of Limestone Caverns, Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., Vol. 43, pp. 663-694. PLATE V Fig, i—Aeolianite clifis where. they were descended to reach Guano Cavey Note how each dune series has heen planated, inchading the present ground jevel, The talus slope (seen in lower right hand corner of photograph) leads dawn to a narrow shore platform. ‘ Fig, 2~—Entrance to Outer Cavern, Note the large blocks of fallen rack heath inside and outside the entrance, the secondary calcification ot the walls, the cave earth on te fluor, and the remains of the guano workers’ winch (bebind firures). REPRINT PRICES Owing to the present high costs vt printing, your Council can no longer pay for supplies of reprints to contributors of articles iw the Nafuralist— except under very special cirenmstances which must be approved by Com- ntittee. But each author af a paper that is accepted for publication may receive three extra copies of the journal vratis. Each contributor should clearly indicate on his manuscript the type and quantity nf reprints desired. Henceforth, the following scale of charges for teprints will operate and payment should he made direct to Broz, Priev, Anderson Pty. Ltd. Printcrafé House, 43) Little Bourke Street, Hclbourne ; 4-page 8-page 12-page l6-page 25 copes .. ke, 4/- 6/6 8/6 1/6 Additional 25's .. V- 5/6 7/6 10/- With plain covers, add 3/6 for 25. With art illustrations, add 2/- for 25. ee, Nat, Val fit 1920 J. Fl, Wiis, tater Botenising on the Magan Mayga WINTER BOTANIZING ON THE MUGGA MUGGA, CANBERRA By J. H, AVES Like Black Mountain t the west and Mt, Majura at the north, the Mugga Mugga is a Trig. statiott mear (ie southern extremity of Greater Canberra city boundary, These three thickly wooded hills, and the more centrally placed Mt, Ainslie (with flashing beacon as 4 guide to nocturnal aircralt), lend Canberra much of its charm. Rising sume 700-800 feet above grassy plains that surround the city proper, they stand sentineltike and in striking comtrast at a distance of a mile or so: each affords quite a stiff climb up rocky sfopes, but one is repaid by magnificent panoramas from the sintious course of the Moelunglo River below ("meandering intermittently across the harmonizing land- scape like a torn khaki rib- bon,” as Donald Macdonald? beheld it) to those high and servated alpine ranges behind Stromlo, guarding the heads of the Murrumbidgee Black Mountain (ol sand- stone) and Ainslie Peak (val- canic tuff) had been visited often, yet no one seemed to know muelt about the Mugga Mupga Peak; few were even aware of ils Curious name. So Yi Eucalyptus ~ ry fritid Ma. G. H. Fether- fremiph fora, ston inyited me, while 19 Can- yar. aihens berra, to explore it and we set out on the afternoon of Jime 19th not the ‘best sea- son for botarizing ; bat shrubs and trees would be determinable in the absence of blossam, and eryptogams ought (o be in evidence then~ Beyond the city grassland, we entered an open forest of almost pure Yellow Box (Encalypivs melhadora), shawing a remarkable diversity in iis bark—from black and rugged to yellowish and of the sinouth “gum’’ type. Blakely’s Red Gum (£uc. Biakelyi} becaine conspicuous, in mixture with the Yellow Box, toward the jaot of the mount and occasional trees of Apple Box or But But (Luc. Bridgesiana) were also present. It is hard to see wherein Eucalyptus Blakelyi chfers essentially frou the variable Forest (F citrated Fears Re aT Oaths envscelly Jorg Aora-Stfe bie from %. Wege Pheaga, AE =) ara — JB. Writs, attiwty Botanicing on the Mugg Muga 19t Rel Gum (Exe, tereticornis-- widespread from Gippsland up the whale cast Australian coast indo New Guitea)- I would preter to regard it as a variety of the latter. There is a marked absence of shrob growth in this imediodore-Blakelyi savannah woodland, the grqund cover consisting af grasses and several herbaceous com- posites. eg. Mitradimia trileba and Helichrysum apienlatwn in great abuudance, with some Colotis luppelaces, Another zohe of open grass lay before us aa we left the forested roadway at a convenient point and commenced to climb, Sévper falcuta (donbtfully distinct from S. vertabilis) and the taller &- arisétgiumis were dominant Spear-grasses, in mixture with Wal laby-grass (Dapthonia pilosa and D, sermiannylovis), Purple Wire grass (Aristida vantosa), Windmill Grass (Chloris truncata) and a true pante (probably Partewin Muchelfay. A few plants of _ Cattony Panic (Digitaria Brownit) were seen, but no Nigygerheads (Zrneepogon nigricaxs), which ts common enough abour Can- herra, especially m the Yarralumla section. On the steeper rocky slopes we found a dense growth of small twisted euculypts—Euc, Aridgesiana and the silyer-blue Euc, einarea, which bears its cruciform buds and obconic fruits in the «axils of “juvenile” foliage; some White Box (Ene. hemi- phloa, var. albens) was also noted. Several other trees came ini here; Drooping Sheeak (Cusnartna stricta), 2 few Lightwoods ( Acheron Way al Cement Creek, on Nothofayus trivks (A. f. Swaby, 27/1/1948) , MeCrae Creck, Deenak, an old gnarled Nathofoaus burrresses (R, Wy Bond and | H. Willis, 16/7/1948)- The specie rame has deceiyed more than ome botinist (even the com- filers of wut Census) into beheving that the “Rare Filiiy-feen” was trleed’ ararite. Actually, Brawn's epithe rarwna implies very (hin texture and tas nothing’ 66 do willl quantities or eccurrehces; but it 1% redundant aimee allt filmy-ferns are texturally “rare. Mr, Singleron’s collection from the Lake Mountain area (April. 1943) represents the highest altitude—4000 feer—so far recorded tn this State, while My, Swabe’s Cement Creek aud Mr. Borl's McGrae Creek collections still farther extend auc knowledge of the dicui- bution of a fern whith. ai not very widesgread. is certainly mot ture jn the siveral focallties concerned. fi NO A, Waxerreun sed JH. Writs, Bern Records 217 7. Marsilia ongustifolic R.Br—Upper Glenelg River, near the Chery Pool éJ. H. Willis, 6/3/1948). The typical Nayrow-leaf Nardoo apparently extends from Port Jackson (type area) to jar north Anstraliag but a matied fori with very small fronds has been located on drying mud ene Mildui's atid at Dimboola, This Species 36 dow recorded for a thitd bicality considerably farther south: the McCoy party found it during March on wet mud around the edges of a “permanent water-hole in the bel of the Glenelg. about tree salles south wi Cherry Pool; Slatine gretaloidds occurred in association with it ‘8, Opbkioghossum coriaceum A.Cunn--Mt. Morton, South- Belgrave (Mrs. Paul Fisch, 22/6/1947; J. HW. Willis, 10/8/1948)_ The Adder's-tangue, affecting most parts of the Comtionwealth and all but the very mountaynous portions af Victoria, can hardly be celled an uncommon species. It ds a seusunal feature of grassland areas, like the Keilor basalt plains or Goulburn Valley, and of Mallee satid-tills. Why, then hother to mention ic from Mi, Morten? The location is nat sa ronarkuble here as the mode of occurrence, for specimens were found Krowing amongst loose moss on the wet surfaces Of granite rock, gbout half a mile south of Mt, Morton, This “lithophytic’ form of Gptloglossum bud exceedingly long fertile fronds—up to six inches or (hye, ‘9. Lyeopodiam varium R.Br—No. | Peak, near Mt. Kaye, Cann River Vulley, £ Vic. (NA. Wakeficld, 6/10/1046, 16/10/1948—Mt. Kayes One very large plant and a few smalier ones were located i crevices and von ledges of granitic rocks in the Mt. Kaye area, East Gippsland. Pre viously the species had been known only from Genoa Peak in this State. There are records in the Melbourne Herbariein from near Braidwood (N.S.W.), Furneaux Group (Bass Strait) and Surrey Hills (Tas.)—all -on granite, fer which the species sccms te have a predilection. 10. Psilotum #udum (L.) Griseh—Hallantyne's Hills, Sugean Buggan, Jar E, Vic. (MN. A, Wakefield, 31/1/1947. 16/71/1948). This recent discovery of Skeleton Clubmoss in northern rock crevices of the droish Ballantyne's Hills, fav eastern Victoria. constitutes a Very interesting link between the only other known Incation {Mt, Zero, Mt. Arapies and Mitre Rockall in the north-west Grampians district} and the nearest adturretite in New South Wales (apparently Port Jackson area) Though not uncommon through Queensland rain-forests, where it becomes an ejliphyte, Psilerwn remains one of our rarest Victorian pteridophytes. 11. Tmesipteris poerva N. A. Wakefleld—Head of Stony Crock, M_M_B.W. Reserve, near Olinds (J, H. Willis, A, B, Court and FL Child, 28/12/1947), Long Fern-clubmnoss, 7° Billeder, is the spocics most frequently encoun- tered as a tréee-fern epiphyte in our eullies, and any cecurrence of the smaller 7) ovate or T. parva is worth registering. The last-named is very rare in the Dandenongs, hue last December one Dicksonte teumk Cand only one) in tae Silyan Bam M.M BW, Reserve, was isuad to de smothered with this dainty plant, 7, ovate is represented in the Melhourne Hevharigm by an ald (1853) specimen fran the Wandenonys; but the record does not coum % Have heen confirmed he ay subseatent collection, ATL three Vic- torian Tonsipteris species, snd several others, had long been confysed under the name T. fonnemris [see Veet, Nat, LX. Jan. 144, p 142). . (Tt may be remarked here that ihe colitary plant of ‘Crnlenien adigaltozdes, constituling the only Vietorian record of the species—see Mirl, Nol, LVTL Met. 1940, p. 114—has since died, As its situation, on the wall oi a huge crevice about two miles S.E, of Genoa, was unique, it will yiobably not be found elsewhere in this State, alliough plentiful on Mt. Tiremedary, N.S.W,, BO miles to the north.) {To be continod> 218 M. Exper, Sem inland Parrots Vee phi SOME INLAND PARROTS Ry M, Eves By “Inland” T mean 350 miles fren Sydiey aud about the same distance rorth of Melbaurne, My headquarters was a wheat and sheep farm at Kamacsk, The bush padrdocit, where pine aml box tnuntry merged with mallee siroh, wee always popular with the birds, Cockatoo-parrats. could be seen idst evenings, twenty or thirty Aving abwut gust far the joy at ahowing their speed, I was never very sure of their nests, but 1 think some shared an old kurrajong tree with a biz cnlony of bees. The Cockatoo= parrot is 12 inches long, aofe grey, with a white splash on the wings, and the characteristic small yellaw pointed creat. Lhe ted spots nm each ode of a white head are not so easily seen ac.a distance fits call as rather Ike “Ouarrion”, «me of its names. The Blue-Bonnets were there too; I watenad oue fly up fram the grass ta its nest ina hollow branch of an old box tres, Tres mate came out, so I watched them bath for some minutes; she is “duller”, as the bird books say His olive-green back iy a camouflage when feeding in grass, Underneath the green shades ta yellow, with a red triangle forward up the legs. ‘The bine bonnet, face, head and neck, and the blue feathers on the wings, make hima really fine parrot, One moriing a pair of them camic ato the: white cedar tree at the house, only a few feet fron, me, They did not eat the ripe berties, but very vourng flower buds that we had noticed only the day before. White cedar berries are poison to some things, poultry included, and 1 have never seen anything eat them. Budyeriars nocd no description; they are lovely, flying iu lundreds at sunset, Ac this time they came co the dam to drink—a Truge of brighe green birds on the red-brawn mud at the water's edge. Sometimes in sunimer we Taye been swimming and they have come to drink at the other end wi the dam, provided we made les4 noise thar. they did. They also nest in colomes in the old box trees. The Mallee and the Many-coloured Parret zre in the district, hut T was not privileged to watch them om this visit. Of course, the noisy Galahs are always about. Some years ther are very ttobblesomeé, entung wheat at seeding time. —— EAST GIPPSLAND ORCHIDS By N. A. Wakemeto, Cann River. Referetce to this journal for August, 1940 (Vol LVIT, p 7) will indicate the orchid species recorded Jor Easy Gippsland up to that time, Following are some additional records and notes: Prasophplhin migricors, of moist Hats aimongse Nowtherchaw hastilis, at Meélenzae River and Genoa Creck—jhe pale green and teddish farm. Thetymnties sebra, in Clavey smi] at Cann River. Thelysnitra. ucnesd, in peaty bogs at Maramingo Creck, Genoa; and also in mass-beds near the Upper Delegaic River, Bereloc Thetoniitra craneu, reported as new for Victoria when discovered by Mr, W, Hunter near the Upper Delegate River (Fir. Not, Vol. LIX, p. Al, April 1943) > hut tomd also at Maramingn Creek (Dee, 1940, N.AW.). Surnete. cuneata. a few plants bordering a peaty how at Reedy Creek, near Cann River, . Caladonia Fitzgeraidii, widespread in lowland forest areas, and listed reviuusly as C. ¢lavigera (N.A.W.) and C. yetirnlaga (W. Anter), Despite My. W. H, Nicholls’ remarks (Wie Noe, Vol. LVITI, pp, 127, Dee. 1941), T am in camplete agreement with Rey, H, M. Ro Rupp's actian a keeping this form as @ distinct species, Tan. . . 1D4i Excursian from Montrose to Mt Evetine 219 ' Coladenia raticnloia, coastal, tea’ Betka River, Mallacocta, Though not the typical form of South Austvatia aud western Victoria, this ie Lhe common Vieturian form ta which (hig mame i3 applied, asid ie best dis- | tinguished Irom GC. Fitegeraldi by the white-headed “goll-seick’ type of marginal teeth on the labellum. Caladenia muvrantiaen, in heatllands at Maslo, Reedy Creck ant Genoa, This was recently raised to specific rauk by Rem H. M. BR. Rupp (Prac Line, Soe. NSM, Vol. LOST, p 278); and it is amply distinguished irann C. rarnea, of which jt had deen regarded as a variety, by the labelluin shape and a complete lack of red markings. Coladenta pallida, in mountainous situations -Goonwerral, Mt. Rilery and slopes of the Cobboras Mountains. Chiloglattis tragesiformis, plentiful at Cann River, Brodribb and Bruthen Prerostylis Baptised, abimdart about Genoa and Cam River, on wee scrubby flats, generally with P. falrate and P. acuminata. First recorded for Victoria in re. Not, Vol, LVI, p. 147, Dee, 1940. Prasophyilun edoratum, on coastal heaths at Maliaconta and Cape Conia. Also its var. afbidifiorna Sieg et Prasopislium Beaugicholter, Bidwell near Upper Delogate River. A new species Arst found in Victoria at Partland (ft. Nat, Vol, LDS, p 9, May There are now 107 species om the list tor Hast Gippsland, and 82 of these are Known to Ocur within twenty iniles of Orbost. EXCURSION FROM MONTROSE TO MT. EVELYN About sever members met at Montrose on October 2nd, the weather” neing fine, in spite of some forebodings, and conditions underfoot ood. Lt was decided at once ta make the through teip to Ma Evelyn Station and: board the evening tram. The route is in casy country (up to 450 ft,), not entering the byeher hills. Several species of Acacia were observed, though mostly past thelr best mca, 3 A form with very narrow phyllodes, varying somewhat hut commonly appeariny one-nerved in the narrower forms, was supposed to be 4, longissime. On consulting the Ferbariam, however, these and another varying collection from north of Croydon were al] referred to the “dlissitis flora” form of the 4. lenyrfolm group. This is -teacia dissitvfers of Benihant early, but reduced by kim to a variety of 4. longifeltta in Flora Australtensis, and by later writers to a yariety of Al smcrotate—ow separated from 4. Jougifolin The name disovifera is very apt, meaning “flower spaced apart.” The trae 4. longissiima appezrs ta he only far castern in Victoria, r€ indecd Victorian at all. Wentham regarded it as sufficiently distinct from the various forins af the 4. longifolia yroup. and later writers have followed his view, though the Teatures which lead to this decision are not very tlear. There is some incampleteness even now as to seed details, hut A, fongisrima’ has very flaccid leaves and pale, almest whitish flower spikes (ci. A. diacvronata). : Of other plants, Exocarpus stricta, Pale-frujt Ballart, was plentifn) and Howecing freely; Coprasma quadrifide, the Piselly Curraut-bush, showed! the styles- quite congpicuctis and much exceeding the spread of the very small perianth; a few Amwers of Coral Heath (Epacris wnicrophylla) were seen, but it may have been past its best sexsan. Few orchids were in evidence, and the season did not appear on the yliole to be far adyanced, T 5. DLawr: 220 Mehat, Where ard When eee WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN General Excursions: Saturday, January &—Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Subject: “Australian Trees in Summer” (fourth of series for beginners and visitors), Leader; Mr. A, Burke. Meet main gates at Herbarium, near Shrine, 2.30 pam. New members and interested yisitors cordially welcome. ‘Saturday, January 22—Shoreham. Subject; “Marine Life and Singing L Sands," {Foreshore also good for coastal botany aud hitds.) Leader: fee Mrs. J. J. Freame. Trains from Flinders Street to Franlsten (fare, 3/5 return) at 9 any and 97 am,, thence service bus to Shoreharn. Brifz two meals, wading shoes and glass collecting jar. . .* Australia Day weef-cnd (January 29-31). —Contemplated camp-vut has been "4 cancelled, due to lack of camping” facilities and to transport difficulties, *, Saturday. February 5—Geclong Botanic Gardens, Subject: “Australian “ -s Flowering Trees." Leaders: Messrs, Walley (Curator of Gardens) and Lt, A. J.’Swaby. Parlour coach from Batman Avenue 9 a.m, teturn to city Se 6.30.p.m. Bookings, 9/6, with Mr. H. Stewart, 14 Bayview Terrace, ga Astot Vale, W.2 (Tel. FU022, ext, 457). Bring picnic Junch and 2'- afternoon tea. N.B,; Some notable examples of uative trees, including < kurfajong hybrids, are expected to be in full flower and will be of particular interest to Photographic:-and Wildflower Garden Group mem- bers. Early booking essential, Preliminary Announcements: ‘Saturday, February J9—Launch exctrsion on Riyer Yarra (downstream and estuary), Leader: Mr. H. P. Dickins, Dredging to be undertaken . by Marine Biology Group. Leave Princes Bridge 2 pm. Bookings, _ 2/6, with Mr. R. B. Jennison, 3 Linda St. Moreland. ie fSatutday, February 25—Murrindindi-and Wilhelmina Fails. Locality never . _ previously visited by Club, Full details of subject and leader later. * Parlour coach trom Batman Avenue, 83) aan, Advance reserved seats, 12/6, with Mr. BH. Stewart, 14 Bayview Terrace, Ascot Vale, W.2 Group Fixtures; Botany Discussion Group in recess for January. First meeting for year on Pebruary 28, —H,C, &. STEWART, . for Excirsion Cominittee, F.N.CY, The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 65.—No. 10 FEBRUARY 9, 1949 No, 782 PROCEEDINGS The monthly meeting of the Club was held at the National Herbarium on Monday, January 10, 1949. The Vice-President, Mr. Colin Lewis, occupied ihe chair and about 150 members were present. Apologies were received from Messrs, Garnet, Lord and Willis and Dr. Chattaway. The chairman extended a welcome to several notable visitors from other States, mcluding Dr. F, W, Whitehouse, Associate Professor of Geology at Brisbane University, and Mr. C, T. White, Governinent Botanist of Queenslaid; alsa to the following Club membets. who had been out of the State for some time: Mrs. Stan Colliver, Miss Nance Fletcher, Miss Maud Perry, and Mr. L, Wooleack, The chairman also extended greetings fur 1949 to all members, Mr, Stewart advised that the list for the trip to Geelong Hotanic Gardens on February 5th was full, and asked members who had made tentative bookings for the Murrindindi trip on February 26th to confirm them, as he expected the trip to be popular. A launch is to be engaged for the River Yarra trip on February 19th, and early bookings were requested. Mr. Stewart made an appeal to members to send in suggestions for excursions for the winter programme. The following new members were elected and welcomed into the Club: as Ordinary Members, Miss R, MeCormack, Messrs. G, Jeffrey and W. A, E. Nielsen; and as Country Member, Mr. A. J. Hicks. NATURE NOTES Mr, H. P. Dickins produced sore pieces of strong string which had been cut neatly through by a case-mnoth after he had tied the case to a bush by the string. Mr, Miller reported that he had sliced up about 14 ths, of strong cheese and put it out for the birds; no cheese remained after an hour and a half. Mrs. Freame commented on the alacrity with which birds will eat any icecream which has been spilt on path- ways. Mrs. Salau described a migration of millipedes which she had observed. At first this migration was from north to south, and a week later it went to the north-east. The unllipedes noved over and not around all possible obstructions. 22 Field Naturalist's Club Proceedings Volee HIDDEN TREASURE An imprompti evening afforded members an opportunity to talk about their holiday experiences, and this experiment proved both interesting and enjoyable. The evening was further enhanced by two of our visitors who gave short discourses on topical subjects, Mr. Lewis commented on the absence of the little green beetle which is usually prevalent at this time of the year and does great damage by depleting foliage. It was later reported that the beetle is in the Brighton disirict, but not as badly as im some years, Mr. Hammet’s treasures were largely hidden, as he spoke about stones in the garden, the httle plants which thrive about them, and how well trees and shrubs thrive in ground which has a Itberal proportion of stone. 1t was alsa reported that the Forests Com- mission is now working on fhe theory that trees do better in Land with pletity of stone, and Mr, Alan Carter observed how well the pines were doing in that section of the Ovens Valley which was strewn with stones from the dredging operations. Five .treasures and one doubtiul record were reported from the Buffalo Plateau. The furmer were five Jand shells, the first recorded for ihe Plateau, found by Mr. Gabriel, and the other was the Large-billed Scrub Wren reported by Mr. Stewart, If the latter record is correct, we have the highest allitude attained by this bird. The unseasonal activities of a pair of Lyrebirds in Sherbrooke Forest, and “try-aut” efforts of a young male with only half-grown tail feathers, were described hy Miss Watson; but she was a little sceptical of a “local's" report that a Lyrebird had definitely been heard singmg "Three Blind Mice." Mrs, Freaine spoke about a limpet-like sea slug, Onchidinm, which, in place uf a shell, has a very tough and roughened sin; it is found on the coasts at Mornington, San Remo and Shoreham, Mr. Chisholm, after making further commerits on the Large- lilled Scrub Wren, the distribution of which has not been fully investigated, focused his remarks on the habits of the Mistletoe Bird and made a strong plea for its preservation, Miss Young had observed that the nectar on her fawering gums this year was not attracting bees, and, on tasting it herself, she had discovered that it lacked sweetness. This appeared to be a seasonal peculiarity, and it was reported thal apiarists expect the supply of honey to be seriously atfected. Dr, F. W. Whitehouse, Associate Professor of Geology at Brisbane University, and Mr. C. T, White, Government Hotanist ot QOucensland, spoke on their respective subjects, Dr. White- house outlined the history of the search for oil in his State and described the geological structure and conditions necessary before oil could be present, He also commented on the fact that basalt Fev Feeid Natusalist's Clib Proceedings 223 had been found in north Queensland, exactly the same as the hasalt in-and arotnd Melbourne. Mr White tele that he could nat make many camments in his official capacity, as he was much more at home with the flora of the northern parts of Australia tsan with that of Victoria, He gave a resumé of some of the Natural History Clubs in Queens- land and spoke on the efficient manuer in which the Forestry Department of his State controlled national parks, Miss Nance Fletcher bronght the evening to.a close with a few general impressions of England and the Continent, and expressed her great pleasure at being home in Australia, EXHIBITS Miss L, Davies: Large Tongue-orchid (Cryptestylis svbwala) and Hya- cinth Orchid (Dipodinm purtctatemi—both collected from Rosebud, Messrs. C. French and R. Bury; Fifteen species of native Aewers, includ- ing Evcalyptus Oldfieldii, Callistemon terelfolis, Grevtlea Buksit, var. Fostex, Lambortia farmosa and Melolonca snacronpehia, Mr, C, J, Gabriels Marine shell, Stronsine lociniatus Chen Mr. A. N. Carter: A series of flowers and fruits of the Saw Banksia (Banksia serrate}, showing A complete series of prowth stages from voungest buds to mature cone, Collected at Robertson's. Beach, Gippstand. Mr, H, Miller; Orchid (Thenta Morshalhaug) fram Moulmein| a plant bought ten years ago and flowering for the first time, Mrs. M. EB. Preame: Wing Shell, Pteria pamlionercu, collected at Paint Cook, 9/1/49; Onclddiwmn, a limpet-like slug which bears a close relation> ship to the garden slug (see further reference under “Hidden Treasure’). Mr, K, Atkins: Collection of Aowering plants from Botanic Gardens, including: Alyxia buxitole; Beckea fascicularis and &, virgeta; Banksia servatifolia; Calathannus chrysuntherus; Leptospermum pubescens; Lomatia fraxtnifelia, Melalenca mocronyehia, Peronica perfolitea, Viola hederaceo and fFibbertie scandens, “BEETLES AHOYI!’* (A Rook Review) * ‘This is the title of an excelent little volume af nature studies dot children of atl aves (eix to sixty). ‘ John and Molly are the two children who collect anything from insects to sea-shells, and whoa ask questions ahont everything they see. Mr. Jones, the “Professor”, is Just the person to answer them and explain in simple language what happets and why, and tell of the plant and animal wonders that can be found in this ancient Jand of ours. (Tle has a Jone white heard, 30 has probally been a member of some Field Naturalists’ Club for a considerable time. ) Originally giving them as broadcast talks to schools in Western Australia, the author, Ada Jackson, whe is well known jar her onntural history writings, has wisely decided to incorporate these interesting dialogues in more permanent form. And that is a lucky thinw tof all children over the years wha will enjoy the steries, explore with Jolin and Molly, and find | angwers from the Professor, A book of 160 pages which can be recommended with confidence, it Is attractively produced by Patersopiy Press Ltd, of Perth, at the reasonable | price of 8/6, —Iva M, Warson. : . View Rat. JR Garsxrt, Rapursion hy Risshwarth Mo Nels 6B me aN ere EXCURSION TO RUSHWORTH (September 30 October 3, 1948): Il. General Repurt By J. Ros Garner Althongh Rushworth has been visited from timie to time by individual members, the Club had never previously made an official excursion to the district—a remarkable fact when a, is considered that the regian has yielded such botanical rarities as the Long- tailed) Greenshood orchid (Pterostylis Wooflsi}, the “Beardless” Calachtlus or “Mother Christmas’ (Calachilus tmberbis), and the Short-beard Orchid (C. Riche), To onr knowledge the hamlet of Whroo is the only reported halutar of the last-named plant, which is named alter the discoverer, Mrs. Rich, a former resident of Rushworth, The same lady way responsible also for the other two records, and one of the two specimens of Pterastyls Weollstt known to have becn colleeted in this State was sent by her to Mr. WH. Nicholls in 1928—it is now in the National Herbarium. Calochilus puberbis tas been reported fram only three localities --Rushwoerth, Ringwood and Gisburne; hence, for the botanists of the party, had (here heen nothing else of especial interest to see, tle possibility of locating ane or other of these rarities would have heen sufficient meentive to attend this excursion. There was a further attraction, however, A glance at the map accompanying our Cluh’s Census of Victorian Plants will show that the Goulburn River coustitules a substantial part of the boundary betwee the north-western and the north-eastern gecgraphical divisions ot the State; the proximity of Rushworth to the Goulburn thus places it a: a marginal district which moglit be expected to extibit vegelational features commori to both divisians ar, at least, to show some interesting transitians—a fact that is appatent upon study of the accompanying botanical check-list- Because there had been no previous systematic investigation of (he general Rushworth flora, the Government Botanist (Mr. A, W, Jessep) appumted Mr. P_-Bibby to represent the Eferbarium dur- Ing the excursion. The records given in this check-list may there- fore be taken as authoritative and the writer wishes to thank the Director and staff of the National Herbarium for the inrerest taken in this excursion and for their generous assistance in checking determinations. The parlour coach, with its party of twenty-two adulis and twa children, lefe MeThourne at 930 aan. in brilliant sunshine on Show Day, and throughout the whole period of the excursion the party enjoyed perfect weather ; south of the [ivide, it was discouragingly wet and cold. After a short stop for lunch at Seymour, we moved on along the Goulburn Valley Highway and made a brief stop near bis J. R, Garner, Excursion fo Rushworth 238 Nagambie, where the lovely Broughton Pea, Swainsana proctea- fons, invited close inspection, Here we met Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fisch and their family, who also took part in the excursion. Tempting as were the meadows of wild flowers with their riot of culaur in the railway reserve near Hammond, we passed with a promise to examine them on the return trip. As we travelled through the outskirts of the Waranga Basin the nature of the vegetation began ta change, sparse remnants of Grey Box (Evcalyptus hemiphioia) merging mlo Red Ironbark forest where the “Chinese Scrub” or Draoping Cassinia (C- arcuate) became dominant undershrab, Head winds, and a producer-gas unit on the “bus, delayed our arrival at Rushwomh until after 2 p.im.; but, late as we were, the Shire President (Councillor Speers}, with the counollor for Rushworth Riding (Mr. Heily) and other civic officials, extended to us a very cordial welcome. In his address Cr, Heily touched briefly on the early history of the district—the gold-miriag activities of the past, the rise and decline of the town of Whroo, the present-day more stable indus- urics (dairying, honey and other products of the Red Tronbark forests) which had replaced the bustle and bustle of the mining era, Mention was made of the importance to adjacent towns and ta the whole State of the Goulburn River, its weir aud the Waranga Storage Basin—source and life-blood oi inland irrigation farming over much of the Mallee and Wimmera, Cr. Heily spoke also of several problems that were concerming the peaple of his district and sugpested that these might he worthy of s¢rigus study by field naturalists. One problem was the epread throughout the forests of the parasitic Tangled Dodder-laurel (Cassyihe melonthe), while another was the inexplicable and almost sirrjultancous dyitig of old Ironbarks in many parts of the diswiet. In speaking about the wild flowers, he knew they would find favour with all, since, in many places nearby, they grew in profusion and afforded one of the special attractions of Rushworth. He commended us te the care of Mr. Ken. King, who had grown up in the district and, as an officer of the Forests Com- mission, was familiar with all the natural history enjayiments it had to offer. In reply, the writer, speaking as President of the Club and leader of the excursion, thanked the Shire President, Cr. Heily and all those people at Rushworth who had so kindly and wartutly welcomed our party. A Vitthe mere than 104 miles from Melhourne, Rushworth is situated among the eastern foothills of the Colhinabbin Kange, which runs northwards as a spur irom the main Divide. It is thus in the Goulburn Valley, although geologically not a part of it. The district provides an interesting study in vegetalional changes that 22 5. R. Gannet, Excursion to Rurhworti: Dea ae” appear with a change in physiography. There are four quite well- defined regions, each possessing its own characteristic plant aid animal life. To the morth and north-east of the town lies the great Waranga Basin—once a savamiah plain sparsely populated with Grey Box and River Red Gum, a place of tepbane and back- waters from the Goulburn where, in days of yore, the aborigies lived and hunted, where feed was plentiful. The blackfellow has gone and few traces of his existeuce now remain, The lagoons and backwaters have now Inerged their identity with the vast miand storage basin and the only occupants representative of an earlier eta are the birds and a few trees, many of the latter but gaunt skeletans standing part buried in the waters of the lake. Back in Rushworth there is a broad swathe of “Whipstick” intersected by the main street, In fact, here ane there in the town cat be seeri numerous examples of the Green Mallee (Hucalyptus wiridis) which have been allowed to remain and prosper under the care of home gardencrs. Mrs. anil the late Mr. Rich were extremely proud of their avenue of fine Green Mallees. Under the unusual and considerate attention received, fhese grew to a height of more than 50 feet—atypical, straight-boled trees, They failed, however, to sutvive the change of ownership which occurred a few years ago. - On the much fossicked and pitted slopes un cither side of the town the characteristic “whipstick flor” as to be seen (denoted by the letter “w" in the appended check-list}, Se concentrated were the diggings on the south-east side of the town that the Whipstick, if it were ever there, has entirely gone from the flats and now little other than Drooping Cassinia remains. The transition from Whipstick to Red Jronbark is made to appear less abrupt than might be expected by the appearance of Blue Mallee (£ycalyptus oderata, var. angustifolia), Grey Box intermingling with the dominants. Most of the showy planis are found among the Red Ironbark which, for the most part, occurs in temarkably pure stands over many square miles of country, extending from the north-western outskirts of the township right down to Sonth Bailston and perhaps beyond. Where there is intermingling, its principal associate is the equally valuable Grey Box. With preponderance of (he Box, one may often chserve Cassinia thriving to the detriment of other undershrubs which might otherwise be expected to occur. The fourth unit of any ecological significance consists of the tnoist, almost treeless, flats or meadows which oecur infrequently almost as pockets, Such flats are to be scen aniong the Ironbark, Box or Re) Gum and they are generally of relatively small area, Examples were exainined at Whroo to the south of Rushworth and at Hammond to the worth-east. In face they occur mst wai) J. R. Gasner, Excursion to Rushworth 227 frequently along the railway line, one such meadow lying less than a tmle from the Rushworth railway station. In such places were found Bulbine Lilies mingled with Broughton Pea and with hosts of other showy herbaceous plants obscuring numbers af the ephemeral pigmy plants thal characterize such moist fats, After the lace arrival, our party made its way ta Growlers' Hil, “at the back of the town,” for a brief inspectian oi the nesrest wild flower garden. The shapely bushes of Nodding Rice-flawer on the hill above the old reservoir attracted much attention, but the abundance of Common Beard-heath, Daphne Heath, Common Fringe-myrtle, Bent Gnorlenia, Grey Everlasting, Austral Grags- tree, Mountain Greyillea, both Prickly and Silky Guinea-flowers, and several species af orchid provided a sight that will long be remestibered by many of us. In succeeding days Growlera’ Hill became the pre-breakfast resort of a number of the early risers, for here one found the Aura of huth che Whipstick and Irenbarle- It was on Growlers' Hill that one of the children found a recently emerged Gum Emperar moth and where the abundance of avi- fauna delighted the bird observers, ‘Vhe notes by Mr, H. C, E. Stewart on the iurd-hfe of the district will give some indication of the attractions in this direction. On Friday we travelled to Whroo, ai old mining settlement about five mules south of Rushworth A shott stop was made to examine an interesting coppice of Red Ironbark, which the writer recalled visiting more than len yeas ago; it has changed very little in the intervenirig years The evealypts on an area of two or three acres had been cut to fround level for experimental distillation and the surviving sub-« surface stems had cuppiced as & low-growimg, luxuriant “mallee” type of bush, The soft hlue tones in the foliage of coppiced gume were in striking corlrast with the sturrounding dark green leaves of the nearmal Ironbarks, and passers-by could hardly fail to notice the area. What changes the decade has wraught are to be found in the . character ot the accompanying vegetation, Where a few Hibbertias and a small number of annuals once constituted the “in between” plants, one now finds rich perennial fora composed of such plants as Twiggy Bush-pea, Daphne Heath, Slender Daisy-bush, Nod- ding Rice-fiower, Gold-dust Wattle, Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea, Com- mon Correa, Common Beard-heath and the twa Guinea-flowers. Perhaps the most conspicuous of the shrubs was a Daisy-bush (Olearia teretsfatia) observed by us only in this one place where the shapely and floribund plants were numerous.- At Whroo some time was spent examining the relics of old mine-shafts, tunnels and poppet-heads, the puddling basins and the ingeniously contrived crushing and washing plant, all of which 228 | Ro Gagner, Excursion to Rushworth eccae were slowly crumbling into decay. Our guide, Mr. King, even demonstrated the absorbing art of panning for gold—whether or not with positive resulis [ do not recall! . Whiroo is a place of some historic note and it was learned that the “hig bole" an Balaclava Hill, into which we descended, resulted froin the detonation of several tons of dynamite in an effort to hurry-up the acquisition of gold that lay beneath the hill. Many thousands of pounds worth of gold were won from this Balaclava Mine, but seepage of water—so ojten the bugbear of miners— eventually led to its abandonment. With electric power and modern pumps Balaclava may yet yield more of its weastires and the face of Whroo and its famous hill be changed once more. Althoygh we did wot see stringybark anywhere elsc in the district, in the depths of the “big hole” there grew one solitary tree which, through the accidental Joss of the specimen branchlet, was not positively identified; it is possibly the Brown Stringybark, On the nearby gravel and quartz rises, in places furrowed and pirted by fossickers, were seen several old plants of the Sucky Boronia (8, dentiyera), Careful inspection revealed a number of seedling plants which are probably doomed to a brief existence, The pestiferous Dodder-laurel and irs common associate, the Drooping Cassinia, were especially abundant in and around Whroo, but in those spots where they are ahsent there Was a very rich development of showy shrubs and herbs, It is only hereabouts that the blackberry seems to have beconte established in the Rushworth district, but the pest is little niore than holding its Own and itis unlikely that it will ever become such a nuisance a5 in the wetter southern and eastern parts of the State, The heathy serub near the old Whroo cemetery was a delight to behtold—acres of Calytrix, Pimelea and Grevillea mingled with Wax-lip Orchids, Sundews and Beard-heath, ‘lwiggy Bush-pea, Flax Lilies, Grass-trees und Silky Tea-tree were all there—a community very like thar on Growlers' Hill, In the warmth of a sunny afternoon the air was filled with the scent of flowers, with the murmur of becs and the songs of birds. We searched for an aboriginal rock-well which is reputed to be on the summit of one ot these hills, but we did not locate it. The well is of interest in having provided the only coustant waver stpply for natives who dwelt nearby. South-east of Rushworth and about eight miles ‘beyond Whron js un area designated on Frrests Commission maps as the “Buftalo Block,” On Saturday, with several young people from the town, we fuurneyed to chis region and in the afternoon went on a sight- seeing trip to uhe Goulburn Weir. The main attraction at Buffalo Block was the ander-shrobbery of its Ironbark iorest—substantially the same as on the Growlers’ Hil Iroubark stand and around Whroo, but with the added ze ). RK. Gatner, Exenrsion tu Rushiwortl 229 interest of many Fairy Wax-flower bushes aud Frmged Spuler- orchids, The orchid flora, although nut especially rich in species, is prodigal in plants, and the abywndance of Comimon Wax-lip Orchid (Glossodia major) was remarked on by all. A carpet of pigity plants occupied the little shrubless patches that occurred here and there, No fewer than sixteert species of such plants were counted in one “parden’ — Helipterum, Drosera, Hydrocotyle, Centrolepis, Myriocephales, Crassuia, Ruttdosis, Wahlenbergia, Stylidinim, Veronica *Bartschia, and *Microcala were some of the genera represented, native and exotic" thriving in company, We lunched under the shade of a fine old Ironhark and were intrigued by a lone specimen of Casuarima—the only ore of its kind seen in the whole district. It was the stirvivor of a pair of trees, and evidently a male plant (no cones could be found); from the habit and nature of the bark and branchlets, we concluded that it was a Buloke (Coswarina Luehinannit), The appearance of a “solitary” such as this one is usiually a matter for conjecture, Is it the sole survivor of a foriner stand of the species ar did it arnve there accidentally—a seed from afar, dropped by chance to ger- minate and grow without hindrance from man or beast? A sionlar puzzle was presented by an aged Cypress-pine growing in the Whruo cemetery. Is it also a sole survivor or was it planted there, perhaps as a living memorial? After Mr. Dakin had, with considerable ceremony, photo- graphed us we moved on through byways lined with Grey Box, over cleared paddocks, past settled areas and an orange grove, past the only stand of bracken fern seen on the trip, to the borders ot Reedy Lake and beyond. From Reedy Lake to the Goulburn Wer the roadside reserve afforded a number of “canoe trees,” some of them splendid examples of aboriginal workmanship, The Grey Box, tree of preference in the days gone by, provided many a native with a nicely-rounded strip of bark which he shaped into the form of a canoe to paddle around the lake and backwaters of the adjacent river. One felt that such trees have a unique history and, where they occur in such abundance as in wiis locality, the whole road should be declared a National Monument; not one of the trees should be allowed te suffer at the hands of men, whether private or official vandals, On the return trip a short stop was made at Reedy Lake where, it was hoped, the biedife might vepay investigation. Very few species were seen; the aquatic birds were noticeably absent, although thousands of them are knuwn to frequent the area at times, The northern margins of the like have af least one feature of interest in the “potted” Riyer Red Gume that way be seen there. Many of these gums had been sawn dawn in the distant past and now jn the stumps that were left, slowly to rot, seedling gums have germinated. Grown themselves Co the stature of sturdy 2 J, R. Garwer, Excursion ta Rushworth sg ae trees, the seedlings present a curious spectacla—as of trees grow- ing in large wooden tubs, Dozens of such “'potted' trees may be scen, Later, another stop was made to explore an attractive meadow beside phe road [rom the Jake to Whroo. Here we found a wealth of ewamp-laving ephemerals, some of which were exhibited a tortnight later at the Club's Australian Nature Show. Here were seon the typical wet-soil-lovers: Broughton Pea, Buttercups, Small Trigger-planis, Sundews, Angled Lobelia. Water-niliail, etc. Many of the species were so insignificant as to pass undetected until a magnifying lens was brought into use, Sunday—our final .day—was profitably spent by a morning tip to the Waranga Basin and its main outlet channel. Birds were far less abundant than had been expected, and the herons, spoonbills, pelicans, cormorants, swans, ducks and gulls that usually frequent the waters of the lake were either not observed or seen only in small numbers. The botany of the area was striking, A little vegetation existed on the horders of the channel, mainly grasses and rushes; but the embankments on cither side of it were almost entirely deyoid of plants. In spots where « little earth had lodged in the red clay and ironstone an oceasianal plant of Sand-spurrey might be found, but this grew belter as shapely little "bushes" in the erevitces of masonry protecting the walls of the channel near its main outlet. In grass-land of the surrounding Grey Box plains flourished numbers of sinall herbaceous plants (Hefiptermm and Cotuta species, Pussy-tail, Wrinkleworf, Rindweed, Stonecrop, Bluebell and Wolly-head), chiefly mingled with introduced grasses whose predominance is attributed. to the long-continued grazing of the plains. Because of our short stay, the botany and ornithology of the Basin area were barely touched: fat it can be said that, apart from a few magnificent hushes of the Broom Bitter-pea (Daziesia gesistifolia) which grew on the bank of a subsidiary distributing channel, shrubs were noticeably absent. Fron the Basin we set off jor Rushworth again and noted the lush green of farmlands on the outskirts of Stanhope—a place we had been especially invited to see by the Shire President, himself a farmer in that district, That we did see so much of the whole region is a tribute to Mr. King, whose kindness in aeting as guide was heartily appreciated by all, Those who participated in the excursion dre conscious of much that remains ta be seen and much that would repay intensive study. But these are pleasurable tasks for any who may undertake an excursion to Rushworth at some future date. Qur own experience has indicated that members of the Field Naturalists’ Club can expect a very warut welcome from friends at Rushworth, bre J. Rk. Ganser, Masculor Plants observed in Rushworth 23) Regretfully we left for Melbourne and home in the early after- hoon and on the way paused to inspect the promised Hammond Mmeadews—lovely fields of wild flowers beside the railway line near a station of that name. Plants not previously seen, which were noted in this locality, include the Basalr Daisy, New Holland Daisy, Wild Flax, Blue Devil and the introduced French Catch- fy, Bellardia, Snail Burr-medick and Woolly-headed Clover. Our next stop. was for tea at Seymour, then an cueveutful trip home with the pleasure of listening-in at 6 o'clock to the “Wild Life” session as we passed over the Divide, in a brief shower of rain; and so down “Pretty Sally,” admiring the perfect rainbow and colourful sunset. Il. Systematic Enumeration of the Vascular Plants Observed In and Around Rushworth By J, Ras Ganser The interest in such a list as the ioHowing centres in the information it gives with regurd to the composition gf certain plant commijnities typical of northertt Wictoria, As mentioned in my report on the excursion, the Rushworth district lies ycross a bourdary separating Muller's north-west and north-eastern geographical sectors, The boundary 15 somewhat arbi- trary, since both divisians share the mid-northern Tertiary plain, the geological nature of which contributes, in a substantial measure, to the character of the vegetation, For those interested in divisional and locality recards, some will appear to be new tecords for either the north-west or the north-east, according to which division oie would refer this particular district. In the accompanying list: (1) denotes the Ironbark forest association, such as occurs commonly at Whroo, on the Buffalo Block and on parts of Growlers’ Hill. Cd) 5 the shrubless patches often seen in éhe Ironbark forests, These differ from the meadows in that they lack, almost entirely, 4 grass cover and, generally, are extremely circumsertbed in area. (c} ., the carnpestric ar wét-meadew =ssociatiol, as along the road between Reedy Lake and Whrooe and at Hammond, (mm), the community found on the shores of the Basin and to a Jesser extent of Reedy Lake—a type of marsh vegstation which develops where there is permanent non-Aowinge water, (5), on the assacigtion of the savannah plains, as seen ta advantage near Waranga Basin—the Grey Box grasslands. (wh the Whipstick association, as found on Growlers' Hill. * » that the plant has been authentically recorded fram the district, but not seen during the excursion, It is not claimed that this enumeration even approximates 2 complete check- list of the yascular flora, and the writer is wel] aware of several grave oihissions; Gg, although much of the area is grassland, sot a single species of the large family Graminca has been determined with certainty, the season being too early for inflorescences at the time of our excursion—this omission must he rectified before it is possible to indicate the composition of Grey Box s4vannah. 232 J. R. Garwey, Fasclar Plants observed in Rushworth [ae ee PIERIDOPHYTA SPERMATOPAYTA (gonid.) Polypodiacexz Asplentum fabellifolium €£) Cheilanthes tenuifolia (4) Pteridium aquilinum (s) SPERMATOPHYTA Pinacex Calittis sp. (Whroo Ceme- tery) Cyperacen Scirpus calocarpus (¢) S. antarcticns (c) Carex appressa (1) Centrolepidacez Centrolepis strigosa (d) Aphelia gracilis (c) (d) Juncacer Juncus bufonins (f) Luzula campestris (f) Liliaceze Burchardia umbellata (£) Anguiilaria dioica (c) Bulbine bulbosa (¢) CE) Thysanotus Patersonii (f) Dichopogon strictus (f£) Arthropodiumn minus (5) A. millefotum (c) (f) Cesia vittata (c) (s) (6 Dianella reyoluta (c) (f) Cw) Lomandra multiflora (4) L. filiformis ({) Xantharrhoea australis ({) Armaryllidacez: Hypoxts glabella (c) Orchidacese *Prasophvlium nigricans (f) Calochilus Robertsonii (f) *C. Riche *C, imberbis _ Thelymitra antennifera (£) T. aristata (i) T. pauciflora (1) T. rubra (d) (£) *Microtis unifolia (c}) (d) (£) *Caleana major (f) *C. minor (f) Aqanthus exsertus (6) A, reniformis (1) ‘*Eniochilus, cucullatus ff) Caladenia angustata (f) C, cucullata (f) Ow) - C. caerulea (f) (wy C. carnea ({) Ow) C. dilatata (1) Glossodia- major (f) (w) Diuris macalata (4) D. sulphurea (f) Ptérostylis, barbata (1) P, cycnocephala (7) P. longifolia (£) (w) P, Miteheilii (vw) P. mutica (£) P, nutans (f) P. nana (w) (f) P. parviflora (f£} P. pusilla (typical form) (w) *P. robusta (£) *P Woollsii Casuarinacere Casuarina(?) Luehntannii. (1) Proteacer. Grevillea alpestris (£) ‘Santalacea: Exocarpus cupressiformis (&) tw) Loranthaces Parmlattn rs eacalyptifolius } Chenopodiager Rhagodia sp. (f£) (w) Amaranthaces Trichinium spathwatum (3) Portulacacer Calandrinia calyptrata (w) Caryophyllacex Spergularia rubra (c) (5) (f} Ranunculacesz Clematis microphylla (7) (w) Ranunculus Jappaceus (¢) (f) Lauraces Cassytha glabella (f) (w) CG. melantha (4) Droseracee Drosera pygmma (c) Blandeligera (7) auriculata (c) {d) (4) Planchonii (d) (£) Crassulaces: Crassula Steberiana (¢) {d) ~ G(s) Gw) ; €, colorata (d) (f) C. macrantha (d) (f) (3) Cw) Pittosporace Pittosporum phillyreoides (w) Marijanthus procumbens. (f) Bursaria spinosa (f) *Cheiranthera linearis (1) Billardicra ¢ymosa (w) Leguminose Acacia aspera (f) A. armata (f) A, acinacea (f) (w) Feb, 4949 J. R. Garner, Paseular Plants observed in Rushworth 258 SPERMATOPHYTA (contd) SPERMATOPHYTA (contd.) A. diffusa (4) A_ pycnantha (f) (w) & verniciflua (f) (Cw) A. yomeriiormis (£) Daviesia corymbosa (f) D. tilicina (£) D, genistifolia (s) Pultenza largiflorens (t) Dillwynia floribunda (1) Swainsona procumbens (¢) Hardenbergia monophylla (f) Geraniacee Erodium cygrorum (¢) Geranium pilosum (d) (f) Linaceze Linum marginale (c¢) Rutacez Boronia dentigera (f£) Eriostemon obovalis ({) Correa reficxa—glabrous. var. me Sapindacee Dodonza cuneata (w) Dilleniacez Hibbertia sericea (1) H, stricta (f) H, acicularis (f£) Thymelzacez Pimetea spathulata (£) Lythracez Lythrum Hyssopifolia (c) Myrtacez Eucalyptus albens. E. henriphioia (s) E. odorata, var. angustifolia (w) E. camaldulensis (m) E. viridis (w) I. sideroxylon (£) E. sp. (a stringybark) Leptospermum myrsinoides (1) Melaleuca uncinata {w) Calytrix tetragona {f) Haloragidacez Haloragis tetragyna (f) H. clata (f) Mytiophyllum integrifolium {ec M. propinqyum (m) Unmbellifere Hydrocutyle callicarpa (1) (d) Eryngium rostratum (c) Daucus. glochidiatus (f) (3) Epacridacez Astraloma humifusum ¢f) Melichrus urceolatus ({) Leucopogon virgatus (7) L. rufus (f) Brachyloma daphnoides (£3 Gentianaceze ‘ Sebea ovata (d) Convolvulacex Conyalyulus: erubescens (c) (5) Labiate Prostanthera aspalathoides (w) Sctophulariacese Mimulus repens im) Glossastigma elatingides (¢} Plantaginaces: Plantago varia (c) (i) Rubiacest Asperula conierta (¢) (i) Lobeliaceze Lobelia anceps: (c) Pratia sp. (probably P. creeta) (c) (m) _. ; Tsutoma fluviatilis (<) ¢m) Campanulacee Wahlenbergia grécilenta (d) (s) (w) fe} Goodeniacee Goodenia geniculata (¢) (1) Cw) Scaeyola(?) microcarpa (¢) Brunoniacez Beononia australis (£) Stylidiaces Stylidmm graminifolium (£) S. despectum (c) Levenhookia dubia (c) (4) L. Sondeti (c) Composite Olearia teretifolia (f) Vittadinia triloba (c) Brachycome basaltica, var. gracilis (c) Cotula coronopifolia (c) {f) {m) (s) Centipeda Cunninghamii (s) Isoétopsis graminifolia (c) (m) Mytiocephalus rhizocephalus (ey) (s) (#) (d) taspedia uniflora (c) (f) C. globosa (<) Cassinia arcuata (f) (s) (w) Rutidosis multiflora (2) (f) s) (d) Millotia tenuifolia (d) Leptorrhynchiis squamatus (¢) 234 H. C. E. Srewarr, Bird Notes on Rushworth ee tet SPERMATOPHYTA (contd,} SPERMATOPHYTA (contd } Helichrysum apiculatum {c} H. obcordatum (f) Cw) Heliptertim coryibiftorium (c) (s) H. pyemeum (s) fH], denussum (f) [#) H. australe Ce) (3) (4) twh ) Stuartina Mucileri (f) (5) Erechthites quadridentata (f) Egehbonets Lawsoniaus (c) Microserig scapigera (r) (Ff) B. trixagg (cj Veronica agrestis (1) Cw) (A) Caryophyllacez Moenchia erecta Silene galtica (c) Tunica proliiera (¢) (i) (8) Gentianacexe Microcala quadrangularis [(c) _ @) Geraniacese Evodium moschatum (¢) Leguminoss: Medicago minima [c) Trifolium. tomentosum (c) Compositae _ Hypochsris glabra (f) Iytrovucen Syrcies Primulacex Anagallis arvensis (1) (5) Scrophulariacece Bartschia latifolia (c) (d) (f) ts) Il. Bird Notes on Rushworth By H.C, E, Stewart Broadly, the Rushworth disirict has three contrasting zones, each with its distinctive avian types—the auriferous slopes of Mallee Whipstick and Red Ironbark, inhabited by the Misttctoc- bird and the Crested Gell-bird; the lightly timbered Grey Box and Red Gum forests supporting Wood Shrikes and Parrots; and the extensive water expanses of the Waranga Basin and the Goullurn Weir, the domain of a large aquatic bird population. A local youth, John Williams, proved a valuable bird guide, and members were amazed at his prowess in locating nests. Growlers’ Hill, overlooking the town, was the first area visited. Besides its rich and varied native flora, this place had its complement of birds, Which were very amenable to observation. The frst nest proved to. be that of a Red-capped Robin, m a Mallee; it contained two eges which hatched out before we Jett Rushworth. The adult birds permilted a close view of their charming deportment, and the vivid colour of the inale bird, In a low bush of Melalence wactaaia the nest of a Yellow-winged Honeyeater, with one egg, was found ; hit later the nest was despoiled, presumably by some enemy bird. The woody root of a dead eucalypt, protruding froma mine hollow, cunningly conecaled a nest, afterwards identified, by the young it contained, as that of the Buff-tailed (hornbill. The nesting burrows of three species of Pardalote—the Red- tipped and Spotted, bath very curumion, and the Striated, nat so common—were to he seen in excavated ground. The deeper mine tunnels were favoured nest sites for Welcome Swallows and Fairy rr H. CE. Srewan, Bird Noles on Rushworth 235 Martins, No vests of Mistletoe-hirds were discovered, though the species was abundant, and the cheerful notes of Crested Bell-birds were frequently heard. The proximity of Growlers' Hill enabled several visits, prin- tegulae picéous, Wings dusky; nervures brownish; cells: the secoud cubital tmaet an equilateral triangle, pterostigma dark-brown, hamuli weak. 250 T. Rayment, New Bees and Wasps Yee Be 1. Larval appendages of Exonenra concova, sp.nov. 2. Larvaof Eroneura, probably sib-ho/mest Raym,, heavily parasitized by a minute wasp (dorsal view). 3. Larval appendages of Exoncive roddt, sp.noy.. 4. Clypeal mark of male &. wariabilts, sp.nov. 5. Larval appendages of E, montawe Raym. 6. Clypeal mark of male &. oppomia, sp.noy. 7, Clypeal mark of female EB. apposite... 8. Larval appendages of 2. wariahilis. 9. Clypeal mark of female E. sub-bacwifera Raym, 10. Larval appendages of &. ercaveta Ckil, 11, Clypeal mark of female A. warjoriclla, sp.nov, 12. Larval appendages of FE. apposita. "teen. T, Rayment, Mes Boos ond Wasps 251 Locatity: Brooklyn, New South Wales, feg, Norman W, Rodd, February 2, 147 (TYPE in the collection of the author). Two females were taken Teun a Sle of lantana, bogether with three pupae and five larvae, all in a fat, healthy condition, The first larval appendage is di-dactylous, and the second simple and slender, The other abdominal appendages are long and slender. but segments 5, 6, 7, & have only vestigal nodes; the longest are the caudal ones, as in £. albolineata yanety (see Iict Nat., Attg, 1948, p. 88, fig, 2}, There is some relationship by the appendages to £. sub-bacsltfera Raynr. Exoneura wurjortella, sp. nav. TYPE: Male—length 9 nim. approx. Black, red abdomen, Head transverse, {rons rising to a fine cacina, huely punctured ; clypeus coarsely but distinctly punctured, with a dark-amber mark like a tack with an excessively thick stem (sce Fig. 11, page 250): supraclypeal area high, and distinctly punctured; verlex with a few black hairs; compound eves with anterior margins parallel; genac prominent; labrum obscure red; mancibulac black, obscure reddish apically; antennae with flagellum reddish heneath, a red fine on scapes. Protkorax not visible from above: tubercles black, with a white fringe and a few long plumose golden hairs; mesothorax shining, but a microscopic tessellation, and a few blackish hairs on the anterior “corners", a few large punctures; seutellum and post- scutelluny similar; metatherar large, with a ftessellate scalpture and some, golden hair laterally, which extends to the pleata; abdominal dorsal segments a rich dark-chestnut red, with a thick black “T“" on one, and a black patch on two; the apex of the abdomen is darker, with considerable black hair; ventral segments red, each with a short fringe of golden diair- Legs chestnut-red, coxae and trochanters and extreme hase of femora black, hind tibiae with much black hair, otherwise legs have golden hair; tarsi red; claws red; hind calcar red; tegulae black. Wings dusky; nervures brownish; cells: second cubital very Jong, pterostigma blackish, hamuli six or so, weak. Locality; Brooklyn, New South Wales, feg. Norman W. Rodd, January, 1947 (TYPE in the collection of the author). The larvae were taken from stems of lantana, and the appen- dages reveal wu close relationship to EK fawndate, for the first is tri-dactylous and the third simple, the “fingers” being very short and stout on all. The other xbdorminal segments bear only very short nodes. Allies: Clearly approaches E, hamaulata Cki\l., which has hooked c - 5 Vi m 6 W.H. Nicnous, Plerastylis furcata, an Elusive Orchid [ artery i] on Pt. Furecala Lindl. A and B—Typical specimens, C—Flower, from front. D—Column wing, showing marginal cilia. E—Petal. TF—Colunm, from side. G—Stigmatic plate, H—Pollen masses, I—Labellum, from side. J—Labellum from above. (Appendage flattened out to show trifid character.) K—Labellum from below. (For natural size of Figs. A, B, C, sce letterpress.) cri W, WL Nieson.s, Prerostylts furcata, an Elusive Orehid = 257 ecimen Pt. foliata Hicf, while the Western district record ic af ~ Rogers’ Condah specimen. As to New South Wales, H. M. R, Rupp's Ks. aseiusko specimen T have not seen; but the New Zealand Pt, wreromeyo Aki, has been considered by Rupp and Hatch as sufficiently close to Ps. furcata to be regarded as conspecific. At irregular intervals anomalous greenhoad specimens (jpre- sumahly the result of hybridization or “sporting” have come to hand froin widely separated areas. One sucht exaniple may be quoted here: A Plerastylis, which was initially thought ta he valid furceta, was discavered by Mr. D. Blair on the timbered hills near Wandin in Victoria, Outwardly it had all the features of Lindley's species, but a carefyl diagnostic exantination of the interior structure of the galea revealed it ax an anomalous iorm of Rogers’ Pr. alpina. This particular example is now in the National Herbarium, Melbourne (Herb.. W.HLN.}. Rodwayé recards Pt, fureata as “Very Colmoty in numerous situations’; also that it is “somewhat similar to Pt cueullote R.Br.” (incidentally, so daes Bentham’), He refers to Hooker's figuee over Pi. pedunesiata R Br, as representing Lindley’s Pt. furceta, but thts Ggure represents an entirely different species, PE. fotiata Hk F,, which 3s sometimes plentiful in certain parts of the island State. also in Victoria (southern division). Descrietion of Prerosty.is rurcata Lindl. (Russell River material) Plant slender glabrous, 15-18 cm, high. Basal deaves 2-3, shorily petiolate, avate of avate-Ignceolate, margins entire or crenate, about 1-5-3-5 cm. long. Stem-Sracts 2-3, Jeaf-Itke, loosely sheathing, 2-2-5 em. long. Flower solitary, erect, 2.5-3 cm, from base of galea to tip, Galea beaked, projected forward, dorsal sepab and-petals equal in length, wholly green and winite; petals simple feaj-like, Inwer tip erect, the sinus arute, the filamentous points embracing the galea and exceeding it by 4-5 mm, ; projected forward. Labellum oblong-hnear, wider af the base, gradpally” ‘narrowing upwards. te a narrowly-obtuse tip, erect, curved forward in its distal third, apux protruding but very little through the sinus; appendage curved, trifid, the