THE Victorian Naturalist THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE of the FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB OF VICTORIA in which is incorporated The Microscopical Society of Victoria VOL. 72 . MAY, 1955, To APRIL, 1956 Hon, Editor: N. A. Wakefield The statements and opinions recorded in articles and papers herein are the responsibility of the respective authors and do not necessarily indicate the policy or opinions of the Club. MELBOURNE: Brown, Prior, ANDERSON Pry. Lrp., 430 LiTrLe Bourke StREet 1956 THE CLUB’S PUBLICATIONS." | of NATURE'S LINGUISTS, by A. H, Chisholm, A study of Voral Mimiier oot acnong ihe birds of Australia, Price, 2/-, 7 ; : A CENSUS OF VICTORIAN PLANTS, by the Plait-naines Coriandites ‘ e ze “J vi thn Club, containing scientific and yernacular mames sod disirilajion ..' ~ : af all owe bigher plants, Unbaswid copies only avaiable. at Un. ' i Sa = = ~ ae WE BREED THE PLATYPUS, by David Fleay, l/-. = oa VICTORIAN TOADSTOOLS AND MUSHROOMS, by J., He Willis -—- B.Se. (2nd edition), available mow. Price, 5/+. _ Be BOTANICAL PIONEERS IN VICTORIA, by J. A. Willis, B.Sc; Read about the work‘of ourTeading botanists, past and preseutin PRES: Bera - da KEY TO THE*IDENTIFICATION OF AUSTRALIAN SNAKES; CaN a by R. A, Hunt. Tells you how to recognize them. Price, 2/6: tweets zs ye LYREBIRD- ISSUE, September 1952, 32 pages. Fresh: light-orf thig-sibjet =3i, wD by well-known authorities. Well illustrated. 2/6.- ee | NATURE SHOW ISSUE, December 1953, 32:pages. YoismEaucatians, on 4 Gonseryation and Utilization of Natural Resources, etc. Price, 2/8.>_. + FAUNA ISSUE,-March 1954, $2 pages plus’ 12: plates. Dolienttuly. -y) fe" illuatrated articles on Bandicoots, Koalas, ial valiahice, BauitTeh ope Glider, etc. Price, 2/6, ; by > - 4 in cal_Pine—Cutved Forceps -Cabincl S08" “Bi ‘oat pa acaba Warr Les apenas “eters WILD LE. OF AURTRALIA AND yew dunes itharien” ‘aartet 1a/s, post. 1/— THU WADERS OF SYDNEY (Hindwevd add Honking. Sanat! 10)e "bes Stai*~ BIRDS OF CENTRAL NEW GUINBA. (idey nnd Gilliard) Net Bye pect, mM wns SOUTH AMERICA— THE GREEN- WORLD OF THE, NATURALISTS, (Betested ie he Vo W. von Hegen). Ilat. £3/16/+. piet. 1 THRE ANOPRELINE MOSQUITODS OF “THE nivo-ANSPRALiate! Beoron) {Bonne-Wepstéer and Sweliehgrebely. Lileer” 24, pose’ 2 ~< ig Por BIRDS—From John Gould's Birds at New Guinea = “Gol ‘niatei? aajse Sey AQUARIUM HIGHLIGHTS iW. T. Innes), “et is /it/-2 post. ase US Fes Tan * A GUIDH FOR NATURALISTS (A. Ao Main, Utiv, Wea, Tish 5, poet a > Mir, Pro EIDE TO SOUTH. aFRICAN- FISHES (Ey E. Rate _Tilst. £1/10/9,- prot. ANIMAL LIFE IN PRESH WATER (i. Wellanby).. Hist, An0/4, ‘poate < sles 5. KRE TO THE FROGS OF SOUTH-WHETERN AUSTRALIA (A) ER - Msi). iat: we * Z/~ po aE io HO et A PRACTICAL FOME GARDENER (T. BR - Noe} Lothlar—Directaz, |, Botadler =A ; Gardens, Adelalae). Guide to tho Cultivation of Plants: des Aurrala, ang oo 4 44f4/- past 3/- GRDERS Oren. a THE TRACHING OF NaATUALC STUDY {Thistle 7T! Hattls), Met UL/-, post. a US TRAETAN AOR ES— Bow 19 Understang Them (A... P, ae i E1/30/-, pest SNAKES OF THE WORLD (H. Ditmars), Tis Ensits post. ‘aye. - Eutomotogicat Pins and Naturallety’ Reavlaltes Optical end sofentitio: Ingtras' te jmenta, New apd Secondhard Seoks on Australia, New, Taian, Ate Bing eS Ehieretere, Natural History; ete. Ate byt - ” N, H, SEWARD PTY. ‘LTD. $57 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE, C.1, =~) The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 72—No. 1 MAY 4, 1995 No. 857 PROCEEDINGS About 120 mentbers and friends were welcomed by the Presi Jem, Mr. Baker, to the General Meeting held in the Nauanal Herbarjunv on April 4. Mrs. Margaret Fletcher and Mr. E. R, Allan were elected as Ordinary Members of the F.N.C.W. and, in welcoming them to the ranks of the Chub, the Chairman: re- sacked that Mrs. Fletcher was a nicce of the late Donald Mac- donald. ; The speaker for the evening, Mr, Graham Pazzey, was then introduced, and he treated the gatherig to an excellent series of 35 wim. slides, many in colour, dealing with Victorian birds, Conspicuous amongst them were many unusual pictures df the Wedge-tailed Eagle taken at Werribee Gorge during the nesting season, and of Ganners at the now sadly depleted rookery at Cat Island in Bass Strait, A vote of thanks was moved by Mr, FE, S. Hanks and seconded by Mr, Crosbie Mornson, the latter remark- ing that many hitherta unknawi aspects were shown in the pie- tures ol the eagles, Among the exhibits was material of Lapertia gigas, the Giant Stinging Tree, shown by Mr. K. Atkins from the Melhourne Botanic Gardens. The species is commion in scrublands of eastern Queensland and New South Wales. ; The meeting was adjourned at 10.15 p.m. for the iisual conyer- sazione and examination of exhibits. BACK NUMBERS OF “NATURALIST” URGENTLY NEEDED The FWN.CV., Council) wishes to make up for sale a tmmber of sets of The Fictorian Noaluralist, For whis purpose copics of the following are urgently uceded : Vol, l—Nws, 2, 4) Vol d1—3-12: Vol. t1—24, 6-t0> Vol. TV—1-4, 6. 8, 10; Vel. V—1, 2. 4, 6, 8 9; Vol, W13—1-4, 6-8, 10-12; Vol. 1X —1-12; Vol, NX—l1; Vol, XAXXU-1, 2, 5; Vol. XXNIT=8, 9 1b, 12) Vor. AXNAV EL -— 10, 115 Vol. SLIM 2, 45 Vol. NLIT—2, # 12; Val, XLTII— I-4, 7, 10; Vol 1—10, 12; Vol LI-1; Vol. 61—75 Vol. 62—9-125 Vol. 63-1; Vol 64-2, 3, S, 7, 8. l€ Club members or other readers of the journal have any of these Numbers ahd no longer require them, the Council would be greatly lavoured to have them returned, cither as a gitt or at balf the origmal price, Such returns may be inade either io person (at Club Meetings) or by post ta “How Editor, Pictorian Natrratist, P.O, Box 21, Noble Park, Victoria’ The return of any other comes of The Mictorian Naturalist, wo longer necded by their holders, would be appreciated by the Council; aod arrangements can be made for large pareels of such ta be picked up from dovors living in the Melbourne area, 1 2 Tie Victorian Natwratist Vol 72 PORT DAVEY, SOUTH-WEST TASMANIA By Mervys Davis, Black Rock. Three hundved and twelve years had clapsed between Abel Tasmat’s approach to Tasmania's southern shores nnder sul in 1642 andl unr descent on tu Cox Bight Beach in an Auster airerait, piloted by Lloyd jones, during March of last year. South-West Tasmania is an approximate area between Mar- quanie Harbour on the West Coast and Recherche Bay on the South Goast. It ts bounded from Macquarie Harhour towarels Adamsfiell and down the eastern side of the Hartz Mountains to Ramsgate. This region is stilt remote to all, but accessible ta some by water, lane or air. From the eastern shelter of Recherche Ray 10 the Haven of Port Davey, the sailor from Hobart taces the hazard of the South-West Cape. lying in the path of the Roaring Fortes, By land, early survey tracks are opeu to the experienced walker, usally with aid from sea or air. ‘By air, a sktlled pilot ma¥ land and take off on beaches at Cox Bight aud Kelty's Basin, but nly under favourahle weather conditions, The whaling industry fitst brought settlement to Port Davey. Later tite Hnon Pine mdustry at Port Davey and tin mining at Cox Bight, Moulter's Cove and Moth Creek further increased the Alctuating population. he coast line and adjacent islands are inapped. The Fisheries and Mines Departments have undertaken surveys. Ratt today, all that remain of past activities are a Tew ruins, some svattered reports, and the sketch maj: of South-West Fasmanta, issued by the Miges Department in February 1953, Three of the reports have been published in this jourmal fer the years 1875, 1927 ancl 1940- P It is a long time since Tasman passed by, and still only eight people live in this area of southern Australia, Three of them wrest a living trom it: ome irom the sea, and two irom the earth. The whales pass by travelling west, and the Huon Pines are re- established. ‘The aboriginal widders, the ship wrecks and rufus tell their sitent story, while the romance of lile there today echoes the romance of the past. In all this magnificent area of momitain ranges and extensive waterways there are only two permanent dwellings. One, a sinall lined, timbered house on Bond Bay, off Port Davey proper, is the home of a crayfisher, Mr. Clyde Clayton, and his wife, who spend much of their time aboard their boat, the Arie D. The second settlement, on Moth Creek, off Melaleuca Lagoun, at the eastern end of Port Davey beyond Bathurst Harbour, is mere extensive. This is the hone of a tin mittet, Mr. Denrus King, his wife and two baby danghters, and his father. Mr. Charles King. Ina nearby Hut Lives another fin miner, Siguard (Fred) Edwardsen, after whom Edwardsen Creek and Norway Kange were named when Mny itd Davis, Por! Davey, South-west Tasmania i he was a member of geological survey parties about 1953-+ and 1936, The Wings’ howse on Moth Creek, known as ‘Melaleuca’ resembles a miniature atecraft hangar, The roof te curved fir protection franr the bigh winds, and the whole Inmlding ts set inte the bank Tor protection tram the south-west. They have relrigera- tion, electric ght and hue water. Their mail, fresh meat, buner, etc., are dropped by plane. They have a sailing cruiser Atted with a powerful diesel engine, and a large petrol-dnven dinghy. Wood fuel is carted hy water from the Baihurse Harbour avea, and pest ig cut from the button-grass plam about the settlement, where Faeckia lepteconfis is welk represented. There are two diesel engines at the mine workings, one 20 hurse-power and the other 40, Tn late March of 1954 a4 caterpiiar cvactor was landed from the Tooru’t at the Bathurst Harhour end of Melalenca Inlet ta Facilitate Mr. Kang’s tin mining activities. This is the first piece of movable atachinery i South-West Tasmania, Buth settlements have wireless reeciver-transuitter sets based on Tlobart Radio, as do most outlying settlements as well as small crafrarnund the Tasmanian coast, The Clavtons keep temperature readings whetr on land, and Mer. Kings maintains a metenrological station, Weather seems always ta he threatening front somewhere, and one's weather eve is ever lifted, The barometer completely donunates Wire na South-West ‘Tasnaia. Having a shorter Tand passage frou ihe west, the weather at Jsond Bay is milder than that at Melaleuca settlement. In the latter casé, winds encounter the South-West Cape Range, causing a high rainfall area on the eastern side of this barrier. The whole area has a ligh rainfall, Melaleuca up to 80 mehes per annum, With the upper Davey River, and an urea south ot Macquarie Harbour, this is the highest in South-West Tasmania. The South-West Cape, Mela- leuca settlement and Mt. Counsel to the east ave strbjected to pales attainmg 9O miles pec hour, Quartzite predominates in the outcrops of the arca, Point Eric, in the centre of Cox Bight, being the only visible granitic tormation, Some mountaitis show sandstune foritations, mainly on the eastern slopes. There is a diabase capping on the higher mountains such as Anne, Snowy’s, Picton’s, Pinder's Peak and Precipitons Bluff, As we flew over the area Mr. Jones puinted out that the New River lias ceased te flow from the pool below the falls to the New River Lagoa. He presumes that the stream now follows an underground course through the underlying limestone formation, as the lagoon level ss unchanged ‘This alteration ocenrred within six months prior to cur visit iu March, Mountain ranges seen from) waterways aud the air carry no large shrubs or trees except in the sheltered gullies between the spurs, Eastern slopes are most sheltered From the prevailing north ‘ r 4 Dayts, Port Davey, South-west Tosnaonile age peat fo north-west winds, although the presetice of forests in gullies with a westerly aspect is considered to be due to better soil con- ditions. Dennis King suggests that these timbered areas occur where clay slates are present on the surface, and possibly furiher mineral material is beconting available by leaching from the under- lying rock. Quite abrupt cessation of the forest occurs within a small distance, about 20 geet. Good examples can he seen al Crossing River Valley. There are large areas of black sehist which hear associations similar te those on quartzite. Vegetation on the quartzite of South-West Cape iz prostrited and toughened under the influence of wind. “Trees normally 15 feet high are recduceci ta ten inches above the ground, following any shelter in rock crevices of crests of South-West Cape. Soil at water level is bound by Poa poasforntis, and the upward razor edge oi the Point for some hundreds of yards, at length surmounted by a round knoh, ig clothed with smnacled prostrate Leptosperneuin sericeum, locally called "Manuka". The button-grass (Cymnoschoenus spliacerocephaius) associa- how reaches a climax of development in South-West Tasivania, and extends from alpine conditions above 2.000 fect to sea level, in the latter case usually fringed with Me/lalewen, Eucidyptas and Leptazperinum. Many of the same species occur throughout this altihide line, but a high degree of hahit variation occurs at different levels. The only rabbits west of the Iron Bound Range are on Breaksea Tsland, where the whalers released them fer food, The country is too wet und tnuuntainous, aad Mr. Edwardsen says that those Temaining on the island are stunted and struggling for survival, Large routton-bird tookeries are established on Hreaksea Island. It is hoped that this preliminary information of conditions there today will be followed later by a more detailed account of past atid present life in the area, together wath some acctuunt of the flara fram Cox Bight ta Payne Ray, Port Davey, by Mr, J. HL Willis, from maternal housed at the National Herbarium of Vic- toria, including my collections during Mrs. Ray Gabriel's and my eleven-day visit, FOR SALE: BACK MUMBERS OF “VICTORIAN NATURALIST” Those anstitvtions er persons who wish to acquire individual copies which are missing from their Ales of Phe Hictonan Natdratist and/or to extend their series by adding a number of back volumes, are arvised that, excepting perhaps tur some shortyges, sttch may be obtained trom the Hon. Tditor for abour half price. Concise details in connection with this offer will appear in a jater tssuc of the Natyratist. May O56 uy The iztorian Materalise SYSTEMATIC NOTES ON VICTORIAN MOSSES —5 By J 1, Whieis, National Merbariom otf Victoria 1—Two Hitherto Undescribed Species TREMATONON ALPINUS 4H. itillis: Species nova Wn subgeners-Evlromulodonle et Sect, Buia ( Aratherusit 1924) ingerenla—ob colluin, quod quam theca vix longius est—ved Unica mW statura minute atque peristonn, dentibus fragehbas wreyo- lariter furcacis, Plate greganie, posite (ln allitudise tota quant & mm. breviures), im terra humida saepe bulosa alprum crescentes, Caulos gracites, cveeirer 2 ony. longi. Fohy luerids ergex:pitentin (ares itrenuleriter suttertuusa), cire 143 mn, longa, ebsparlviluta, ‘basin versus Juta ¢0.2-0.4 totmi.d, tum dd ere, 025 mm. e cant an subulam raptim; snamalata, ail a=picem jysunt ghtuse deneaty; fala perichatiatia sumiia sed sebulis brevinribus. Coste prowminens, ca, 48 nye, lata, aubulani ominting dpletts, Celia: laming tasin verses cro. 6S min dongar angnste tectangulares Praline (eclule alares hud diversa), Iewinee zc curginem snperom subquadrate-cive 10 mic. latm Sate 1.5/2 mm. longa, enki Aexusest Vel subarcuatu, comparate robusta, levis. Theew denperculata circ. 1.5 mms bong (collum cormprelendens), (106.4 mm lata, suberecta vel oaree wrcuetta, Iuevis. luteul et cireuml selinm rufescens; pars fertilis: 0.4-4.8 mon, lunga, eubtos dw cellum seyjuilongum raptiak angustata, Fertstonst denzes Fragites, Tuglentes, cine, 150 mic longi, icregularites 1. yet 2-tamosi, interdom Tforcatt, perminure papilla, annoli cellnla cohspiois eine, 10 mis. Fale, suotungulice. Operceinn circ, 01.7 nom, longum, cmieerostratam (rostrar sm@pe lungum, obljqeuer), luteolum et ciresim basin tufescens, Colipira etant cure, 0.7 mi), lung, ¢ucullsto-mitpiaretic, Spore comperite waene, 24 3) ne. diam, flys, manifest? conferte verrucae. VICTORIA: Bugong Ijen Plains—at = bead of Midille Greek NTE of Me. Cape, growing an “hanging sphagnum baz gmongat wet granite boulders with Celousia sercopkyile, ca. SG00 Fr (Coral Shower, 2! Jan. 1952—Trpr, No 200'W. in Herharia MEL, G ©, K. Sains- fury, BB Bartram, DO. Gr Catchestde, Coryl Skewes, und the author); Bagong High Pilains—on Dare damy earth herweei bacalt rocks about 1 mile SJR. of Mt. Jam, ca. 5700 ft (J. HB. Me 1 Feb. 1949—No BIW in Herb MEL, anthor and G O, KR. Sainshury} NEW SQGUTH WALES. Mt. Kosciusko: -amongst jiplopluan australe on wet sandy sot Che Forsyth, No. 1Y9, Jan, 1899—Tyre To pyge maus Broth, nowen vudum, in Herb, NSW), This niass was recorded by ae, but without description, ms Miet. Nat. 68 = 157 (Jam 1952), Since then, good material has been collceted hy Miss Coryl Skewes Gi the Bopong High Plains, making possible the formal diagnosis tas given ahove). Pohad been inclined at fest to take up Brotherns’s more audi, published by A, Burges in Prec. Linn, See. NSM $7: 240 (1952) : bur the Mt. Kosciusko calledtion upon whieh the nnomal “7. pygarews” was based, 4s wnsatisfactary fer whe material. Moreover, the epithet “pygatatter ts not parucularly apt im a genus of 68 species (ace. Brorherus, 1924) among which stich names a5 7, Mawilis, T. pyomamoelus and T. terelies are already in use. Vhere are no epithets ut present signiiying au alpine habitat, sa 7 elfienes has heen chosen as appropriate snd simple The yew species has no close congetiers, Hut belongs to Brotherus's (1924} sectian Bba of the subuenus Sutrematodon, 1c. with a theeal neck scarce y any laenger than the capsule itself. As far as we know, 19 umique in this group by reason of its minute size (less than 6 mm.) and very iragile, yreeney forked feristdme teeth. [See illustration ou page 1D, figures tn 4 - ln the Pretortun Natwratist 68: 157 (Jan. 0952) [ precarded alsa the accurrente of an wnkitown J'resuatoen species on thy Baw Baws. Dr R. Melville collected the same moss uear “The Hump" on Mt. Tuffalo at _aboue 4600 ft. (No, 2653, GL Dec, 1952), but the fruits are very innrature. Te is close to FT. swbercetus Mut. ond may represent a small farm of that New Zealand. species-—withont ripe capsules in good condttiun ofe could Hot venuire a positive opinion. Vict, Mat. 4 Writs, Systematic Notes on Victorian Masses—$ Vol. 72 TORTELLA DAKINIL f. H. wWiilis; Species neva ex alfinitare T) arriote (Hampe) Broth. et T. bnightit (Mitt) Broth, sed ab utraque foliis multo. munus acuminatis, thecis Ea angushoribus (eireiter 3 x 0.5 mm.), sporis parce majorihus (circ. 13. sc,} differt. Plante dense gregaria, in watpibys (Siurium) dums umbrosis Caules eeceti, circiter tocnm. alti Fofiw bumida erecto-patentia, cavinata, panlusa concave (sicea trivolute contorta, superioribus juvenibus dortiter cirratis), cir 3 mm. longa, hasin versas dsque ad 0.3 fom, kera, ameusie Unearia vel linear-lanceolata, apice subacuta yel. obtnsu- mucronata, margins planiz integris; folia perichetialia similia, sed paulum breviora fatioraque, Cesta yvabda, breviter excurrens, cire. 6U-7{) mic. lata, sects supechcient dorsalem carinam hevem comapicuam formas; cosist sectie trunsversa ceblulay purvas incrassatas (etereidy') in fasciis duobus exhibeng, fascia ventral) ab anelo care, £5 SHWRS atel Mop fosy Tortella dakiitt sp. nov. A—Fruiting plant to scale) S—Form of aw average Jeaf. O—Arcolahon av raf hase, with transition to. smalk papillate tells O—Aper of leaf FE—Transverse section of nerve, F—Summit of capsule, with operculum abont to fail. G—Peristome H—Spore. ny Wittrs, Syatematic Moles on kietorfon Masses—3 7 cellulurum magnarune laxarum C'dewters’) incluaa, Cellnte unvferiores keves, pellucida, rechangulares, dire, 50 amie, longe, ad basin folii aream. hyalitam V-farmem consei- tuentes, zd elec. 0.75 moi. super basi in celolas parvan (rire, G6 tic, latas) sith: quadrats obscures perpapiilatas mutates; papile canspicaz, obtuse, 24 per cellolam; soste auex exeumens cellulgy pellucidis cite. LU oid. lalis. Seta pergracilis, 14-2 em Jonga, Talidd, rufescens. There deoperculaca 22.4 mm, torga, U.2-0.3 mms, ata, sugaste cylindrata, ad aatinm qyaubum ccvtracta, ereeta, Vwvis, castanea-hrunnea, Perutemer dentos erecti, sdb formes, circ. 0.7? am, longi, indistincte ¢ Mexi, pallide salmonicolores, fanny pik , ad aplees abtuss: Sfercindiww ereulugi. dngusze nonico fegraLaa cure 7 mm. doagum, ad apicen subshlusum. Calypted angust: mitrifirmis, theea sub squulunes. Spores W616 ave, diam, parce sed disnacte veriaculosz. VICTORIA: Pound Hend, Warrandyte -on shaded Silurian rocks of steep cliffs alrne Yarra River (&, Deki, 14 Noy 1951—Tyer, No. T70W, in Herbarin MEL, G. O. K. Sainsbury, I. B. Bartrani, E. Dakin TD. G. Cateheside, Coryl Skewes, eid ane author). An autgcous imoss, relnted to Toartelia cirrliata (Hanipe) Broth, of limestone formations across southern Australia aud to T_ karti ¢ Mitt.) Broth. ot New Zealand and New South Wates, it differs fram both dn the far tees tapering leaves, narrower capsules. (About 3 x O-3 amm.) and rather larger spores which average ahout bo amie an diameter. TL civetiota differs also front the jew species in its more contorted foliage (when dry) and darker, red peristome teeth with iong-tapered apes. Y Rohit jas tie pallid saimon-pink teeth with blont apices of the new species, bit they are ever more slender ane distinctly once ar twice siirally twisted at reid while the hyaline V-shaped area at the leaf base is more abruptly clefined. T. dakinit is known only be the single Wipe collection, tut there is simple inaterial of ic ia good fruiting canditian—a necessicy Tor recognition ot most species in this. difficult genus. Roth Messrs. G, O. K. Sainsbury, NZ (3/2/1951) and E, B. Bareraut of Penisytvara (26/1/1952), 18 whom 7 submitted examples, could nor natch the plant with any species know ty them aid sugested that | publish it a3 a novelty, The accompanying diawraty inedicares All important features of YT dakint, sa itis nat considered neveigacy 39 supplement the Latin diagnosis with any detailed deseripticn m ingeuso, With its elongated. bright brawn capsules snd salmon-coloured pemstume beust, the new iuss is 4 landsome object aud a noteworthy additian to the brydlayical area mf the Stare. [ have named it after the discoverer, Mr. Edward Lakin, as a tribute to his untinng energy in collecting masses; an enthusiastic member of the Victorian Vield Naturalists Club rince 1918, Mr. Dakin has botanized over much of the erstern highlands, addinu nrate- rially 10 our knowledge of the bryophyte flora, and he bas prepared a detailed list of mosses found in the vicinity of Warrandyte 1|—A New Combinotian LITRICRUM RUFO-AURELIM (Hampe) J. BL Willis comb. nov. Angstvcewio wieo-onren Haompe in Linnru 30: 627 (1BKV)—Vie, type. Dieranella enfe-ourec (Bampe) Jeu ia Sher. St. frollen Nai, Gos-: 379 (t872), VICTORIA: Cobboras Mrs—on porphyritic racks near the sununit, $,000 i. CF. Mueller, Jou. 71854—Tyre, in Herb. BM, MET.) ; Bogong High Plajos—intenvingled wih Cesostonun pusiiian in a “hangin” sphagnum bog at a head of- Middle Creeley NE. of Mt. Cape, ca- 5,600 ft. (Coryl Skewes, 2) Jan. 1952—with anmainre capsules) > M4 Buller fruiting aburdantly i: a hillside sphagnum bog at "The Springs”, on wet shaded earth at edge al tree-line, ca, 5,500 it, Hy ills and Dr. Ro Melville, 9 Mar 1953-0 Herb. MEL, kK Na. 3276, and author). 8 Wits, Gystematic Notes ox Vietoriak Mosses—5 ee NEW ZEALAND: Styx River, Rock and Pillar Range, Central Otago, South Island 4G, it, O'Malley, 20 Dee. 1951—Fferb. G. O. K- Saimsbury No. 6352, and author), This alpine species. until now known only by the tyne collection (Gab- haras Mts. Vic.), beats an unfortunate epithet, {nm colour it is lively green, not “reddish-gold” (except perhaps in the dead basal leaves} and die con- cludes that tle original description was based upon discoloured matesial. Since Jacger transferred it to the genus Dirsanella wy 1872, stcceeding bryalogists have been content to let it so remain the habit strongly sug- gested Prerazeflo, albert capsules. were immature in the type and no per)- stome cetuils were given mm Hampe's diagnosis, Miss Gory! Skewes made the second -\useralian collection of this little hnir-like mose on the Bogeay High Plains-—SU imles west of the type area—in January 1952, bur agaiu fruits were ton immature to show peristeme structure. On 9th March 1953, ite company with Dr. Ronald Melville (al Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), T found excellent franting material at Mt Buller, and, for the first time, an examination of the peristome beame passihle. The teeth were iound to be amber-brownish, couspivaously and sharply papillate, and trregilurly preforsted—clearly those of a Datrichwnr, and not af a Dicranella. Ll ain meth indebted to Mr G OG. K. Sainsbury (Walroa, N.Z. jor painting our the trues affinities of the plant and encouraging me (29/3/1953) tu ake the necessary Hew combination under Dinichum At the same ume, Mr. Sainshury was enabled to solve the mystery of a recent (1951) colle tion from the Central Gtapo district, southern New Zealand, which bac been pul aside as dubiously reterable toa Dutrichion codcarenm CR. Tr ter Rroth, Efe shared part of the collection with me, and we both agree that it calindl be separated specifically from /). vtfa-aneaumn, Spores in rhe New Zealand material are brown, faintly dimpted and slightly larger (16-20 mic.) than in the Australian plane where they average about 15 mic Wilh such a widely extended geographic range, 0. rofe-avrenim is sure to accur m the alps vf south-eastern, New South Wales® and roost probably will be found also em Tasmanian mountains. In Victorin it appears to he restricted to sphaentm beds at high altitudes, and Wate & Whaitelewzge's statement [LSnpalemrut to Proc, Lina. Soc. N.SM.: 39 ({192)] that it otcuts- also “on the limettone al lower leyels’"—presiinably along Limestone Creek perth of the Cebboras—is open to question; I haye not seen the collections of “FP. v. M.. Stirling et al. ta which reference is made, The vemoyal of this species fram Dieronetia leaves the Vietorian moss flacw witheut a knawn representative of that genus, although six species are presumed to oreur in New South Wales (inore haye been recorded) and seven are in New Zealand. 1 have prepared scale drawings ta show essential teetures of Ditrichua: rufa-merenm which has never been depicted hefore [Sce accompanying tll-page illustration, figures O te U.] * A recent (cu. Feb. 1954) mixed cullection of bryophytes front moist stream bankw in the Guihega Reservou area. aboul 5 snes east of Mr. Twenam (KRoseusko plateau) and at tome $200 fr, altitude, etmtairierd barren material that eereea vegetatively with D_ vufevanrenm, thls Was placed at the disposal of the ainbor by the Snowy Mountains iWydroelectme Authority under No, 1962, and it os ju be hovel that eapsies will be found in the area tu substantiate this tentative record of the species for New Sour Wales, HL—A Bryurm New to Victoria and South Australia BRYUM SURCURVICOLLUM Broth. in Proc. Liam. Soe. NSW. 41: 590 (1916). NEW SOUTH WALES*« Apsley Faliy, 10 miles E. of Walchs—an slate formation LH". Forsuth, No. 749, Get. 1900—Tyre, in Herb. NSW). May 1966 Wiis, Sustemutte Notes on Ficturian Mosses—s & VICTORIA. Gorge of Tower Glenelg River—forming Jarge mounds arcana springs in the limestone cliffs ar “Eaglehawk Bend") growing With Cratineurapic relara and Didtichophyllum wcerecarpun and oiien beavily encrusted with lime (/, Ho Willis, Na, J26W, Oct, 194—Herb. MEL. G.O. K. Sainsbury, E. EB. Bartram, and author) ; “Teripping Rock’ in came area (Clif. Beauglelrole, No, 3000, Jan W52 Herb. MEL, CL Beatiglebole, and suthur) , Swan Lak, Pulls, NW, of Poetland (CHR, Bsanglehale, Mar, 1980); Cape Sebanck, Manington Penmszla—imider grave af Melaleuca pubescens just ewst ol livhtvuse, dadainst runoiig water fram springs im Hinestone chit (J, A, Milas, Feb. 1952—Herb. author), SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Spear Creek, Flinders Range. Not Horrock's Pass -barrénm specimens on wef rocks in the caleareous stream (DOG Catehestde, No. 55.252, Aug. 19353-—Herh. D. G. Catcheside, and author); ILindwarsh Valley Falls—harren saniples on travertine under the ain fal (1) G. Cuteheside, Nos. 54.322 and 34.326, Dec. 1954) Me, Sainsbury, who made an exhaustive study of my Lower Glenelg callectian, Na J3GW. uidieated) irs clase affiuuty to tyet distinctiveness trowy Bo ovetdcolfinn Mitt. 2a nat uncommoan nigss iQ New Zealand, bur as yet unknown by any Vieturian specimen. Through che. courtesy of Mr. ROH, Anderson (Chel Boianist at the Navional Herbariuin, Svdney) 1 was able to borrow aid examine the type collection of 2. submawicoliwn Broth, from norta-castern New South Wales, lt accords very satisfactorily in all essential detiils with Nee 12GW., and Mr Saiisbury ayrees with me that our Victoriun mater] should be referred to this species, The sale moss occurs also at Cape Sehanck, Vie, at Hindmarsh Valley Falls, S. Aust. and at Spear Greek in the lingers Range, S$. Aust—assaciated in each instance with springs im mehly calcareous terrain, The range of the species is rhus greatly extended from the single known and type _oveur- rence near Walcha, N.S.W,, vinx, by 800-900 miles southwesterly (Glenelg River) and westerly (Flinders Range). Future recards may be anticipated feom imtervening and other tracts of well-watered Ninestone camutry, JF, swbeurvicaltwnt is closely relared to Bo ovrricallim, but differs in the usually Tony-excurrent nerves—not only in Jeaves of the fertile stents, but also in those of the lang innovations —the roustaucly bordered Jeal marpins and jgénerally more rohest hakat. Sinee this large, handsome dioiroos Bryon, with pigidly erect imbricate leaves, lias never been iMlustated prt- viously, L have indicated its important features on the accompanying Tull- pare series of drawings, Agures A to P. 1V.—An Introduced Moss, Previously Unknown in Victaria MRACHYTVHECIUM ALBICANS (Hedw.) Br. & Sek, '85i- 145 Noble Street, Geelong—~a tres, replacing gore! tury in a hewn, anh coubtless introduced (4?) J. Torr. 3rd Jan. 1955—iet, G. O, XK. Sainsbury, 13,1/1955, from No, 27)W. in Herb. author), Mozses being capable of rejuvenation alter projonged periods of darm- ancy and (heir spares being se minute and easily transported, it is singular that anly a very few alien species have become naturalized in Australia Barhule wmegwrculate Bexlw, if wow recorded fron: lawns jn a Melbourne suburb [see Mict. Nat, 70: 159 (Feb. 1955)). acid L. Rodway (L912) re- eorded st front "ow the ground, New Town”, Tas., but G. 0. K- Seingeary (1953) queries this latter determination; Aldine ambiqua (Tr. & Sch. Limpr. hes appeared on w ruadside bank near Marion, Adelaide, SA. (Tref, D, G, Catcheside, July 1982), while Enchynchinin prelongun (Hedw.) Hobk was recently found at Lymington on the TTuen River, 45 miles S.W- Wis, Sustematic Notes on ff ietarian Wosses—S vik ee 10 <= Somic.—> PY t FARIS ET HUTTE, « martin Jal =, SR lommiey! TO, ms E Wy & ra te HP A) y Die baie, aN a IN J Eos a 5 Std & ci = r Ry A ~ Cae = v “- sp i i il | } Details of Vietarian Moss Novelties (For key, set foot of opposite page.) May ] 1986 Weioigs, Systematic Mates on Mictortan Afasger—s li of Wobart, Tas. (Tasiwanian Dem. Agriculture, Nev, 1951)—all borval specs, atid the dast alia maturalized in New Zealand. The most recent and interesimgz exanwle for Woclora is Brothathechan ulbicans, wide spread on dyyish sandy ground and im prassy places almost throughout the Northern Henuaspbere ‘Tins plant a know also from several paris nt New Zealand—chiefly itv lawns or artificwl pastures aud almost certainly inirodiaved, bul My. Sainsbury fom it ig be abso teuby mouwenons on the Tasman Glacier W. Marin (1946) records iv fram Vasmama ain) Aytarc— tica, pon what authonty 1 do net know, hut this Geelong occurrence 1s apparently the first wwe noted on Ure Aastraban mainland. 8 allycway departs [rom the other, indigenous Victorian species tn its slender myosuroid shoots (very Vittle branched) aid closely imbticate, erect, more or less Wicate leaves V.—A Correction ta Vietorian Records of Cratanenropsis Tn the Mictorian Nataralty: 68 152 (Jan. 7992), all but the first twa records—Mr. Disappowtment and Omeo—which T gave for Crefoneurepiis deetissata (Ak. ft. & W.) FBleisch. shoultl be transferred ta the closely allied species C. refaxo (Ak, f. & Wo) Fleisch, which differs im rts Jess crowded branches, larger spreading Ienyes (not sharply and constantly decurved as in C. deeussata), Vhat is, all west Victorian niatertal of the genus dimeludiag that from calgareous cliffs along the Lower Glenele River and ebuyarles) is teberable to C. relare, as are (he three known South Austruhan collec tians—from Hindmarsh Valley Falls (DG, Catchesinfe, Sep. 1953 anil Dec. 1954) and Little Para River (QO. Tepper, 1888). H. N. Inxon aptly remarked in tim Studies on New Zealand niosses, po 320 (1929), shal the two species ‘are by no means always casy 10 separate’. T have gathered typiral CL decnssata free swaps adjoining the north-west comer of Wilson Promontory National Park, near tie narthern ead of the Vereker Range (Dec, 1951}, aud in Melbourne Herbarium there ts a genuine example from King Tsland, Rass Straw {eollected about 1R70 by A, Neste). this would seem ro be the only Tasmanian collection at firesent available in Austraha, although J. TR Havker's Flare Tesmama (1858) cites ane— under Aypmnnut decussetiun- from 4 bog tear the Derwent River al New Norfolk (A. Oldfield, No. 91). T.. Redwar, iu his Tasmanian Bryophyta C1914), has cast doubt ot) the Hookerian record a$ “possibly an erroneons identification, but he admits C. relarao—from Forth River Falts The only recorded locality for both species ut New South Wales is Yorrangobilly Caves in the far South-east, where Rev W. W_ Watts made several coller- tions of cach im January 1906. Professor D. G, Catcheside, of Adelaide, in a recent letter (20/4/1955) to the author, expresses ihe oylwion that there is really no clear-ent morphological distinction hetween the two, and that it would be prelerable tg vegard them a5 ecolypes of a sige speaes The original figures (T.90; 1 and 2) an J. D. Hooker's Flora Nape-Zelandia 2 (1854) certainty look Very aintilar; bic ( would tot care to fise these chaisies without exannning the type specimens—all fram the North Idland, REY TO ILLUSTRATION ON PACE Ww Firyru subriomecolluin Broth—A Fruuue plant wo scale; B, Form of an average leaf; C) Areolation at leaf base; D. Apealation at apex of fenf and excurrent necye, EO Sevistonice details— annulus, outer and inner teeth, and processes uf eudostame; ff. Spore, : Trematwdon ofpintes J. WH. Wallis to) nem—er, Fruiting plant (nat sized- H Capsule; |. Form of avtrage leat, with Iyp enlarged; J. Areidation at leat buse: BK. Arecta- tron ac summit of lanima, L, Calsptra; a7. Peristome. wiih soure cells of annplus ~ et left-hartd side; N. Spare, tAtiehion vufe-aivenmn CHampe) SJ. W. Willis (ome fae 0, Pruning plane te scale: P. Worm. of avernge Tea; G. Areolarion ay Jeri hose; Fe Cells af deaf sip; Sy Capsule and operculum; 7. Peristome, of peréatated teeth; OU. Spore, head fo KE , Vict Nut. 1? The Wietovian Nataratist Vok..22 INSECT VISITORS TO MELBOURNE By A. N, Byrans, MSc, PRES The comparatively lone and warm summer Has been favourable for lie sppearance of several quite interesting species af inseets fot fre- quently seen near Melbourne. Normally such species are visitors from New South Wales. bur with the continued evild weather over the past two months, several of them have been noted ta be breeding near Melbourne this auras, Burning the latter part of January and early TPebruary, niany specimens of the “Wanderer” of “Monarch hutterty ({Dawaida pleaippus Linn.) were seen Aying im suburhan gardens. Their appearance was soon fol- lowed by the advent of numerous larvae in gardens where the Swan plant (Gomphvcarpus Frutieosvs) was growing. AL the present time the adult butterflies are emerging from (hese larvae, and again we see these large and showy insects fying in our parks and gardens. A Sew cxamples of the “Lesser Wanderer” (QDanntda chrysippus petifia Stull) have also been observed uver the past couple of weeks: Odd specimens have even heen seen Aying in the streets of Melbourne! Another rather rare visitor to Melbourne 15 the Chequered Swallow: tail butterfly (Papilic demateus sthenelys Mach), This large and pretty species favours us with visitors unly every few years. Normally it occurs plore plentifully m ule drier antemor than near the coast, asd it 18 common in New South Wales ancl Queensland. It flies rapidly and strongly, and it as dificult ta caplure; most ef We specimens that we receive here are frayed and worn. This. surmmer has apparently been fasourable enough to enable P. sthenelus to breed in Victoria, for the writer captured a perfect specimen at Blackburn during the Easter lolidays This specimen was in such fine condition that it could mot have flown Cor long mor ever any great clistanee. The larvae feed on Citrus, Wild Lime (in the dry areas), aud in Queensland on a wild Satvia-tike plant with blue flowers. This Butterfly fas a rather remarkable ehstribution, hemp found in all States of the nvawiland of Australia, und throughout the Oriental region as fay west as Persia. During the past week or so specimens of the pretty litthe Small Grass Yellow (Terins smilex Don.) have been noled in Melbourne suburbu This little buttery does not visit uz every year, and it is only every few vears when favourable conditions exist that we see it, The wings are bright canary yellow with the apoces of the forewings black, so it is &® very conspicueus insect when Auttcring close to the ground as it usually does. [ts fight is rather weak, but it has the ability to dodpe in a cemarkehble manter if pursued, Specimens taken by the writer durmuig the last few days fat Blackburn} have been in perfect condition, which suggests that they bred in Voetoria. The larvae have been bred on several spears of Carsia {eqinmiosor). Yet another mteresting Lepidoptera record for Melbolirne is the Jaree numbers pf the Crimson Speckled ootman Moth (Utethesia pulchellr Linn.) that are about in wardens jist now, This pretty moth has an expanse of just over an inch across the wings, the forewings are creamy white with black and crimson spots, and the hindwings milky white wilh black. edges. U. pulthella has a’ very wide range of distribution over rractically all the warner parts of the Old World. Rarely it aceurs even in’ England! Jt is very abundant in Queensland and New Seath Wales but sporadic jn Vietocia, [1 the southern parts of this State only odd specumens are met with at fairly long intervals of time. This autumn it is breeding in large numbers it the writer's garden at Blackhura, where it is so plentiful that often ten or a dozen specimens may he scen at ane tCurator of Insects, National Muscum of Victoria. ™M , 1886 Buans, Jasect Wisilors to Melbourne 13 tiwie, The larva ig dark grey with a whitish stripe on the baek and redilish markangs on the sides af the body. It feeds on a number of diferent weeds and some gafden plants, Various species of Plartage (Plantain), Heliotrupe, and several Composites are most favoured, Reports have gust conte ta Nand from several country districts along the Murray that this mioth as everywhere fu Wundrids, so its distribution i) Vietora this anteny is prohahly State-vide, A fitthe over a week ago ny atrention was drawn to an observauon made by ait urttomelugiat living near Malvern, that he had seen and cantured & Specie ot the “Connnon Migrant, Catapstha pyranthe pytitas Whs, & Lyeli. This almost pure white butterfly (especiatly the male) ix commen in the inland districts af northern New South Wales, in Queensland, and in soethiee Austraha Beyond Australia it has a very wide range, as fur as nedia, A couple of days after this observation, the Writer captured a perfect male specimen at Blackburn. This naturally led to keeping a close watch for further specimens; four were observerl, and a further perfect male caprured two days after the frst capture, All the specimens noted were males. The ‘writer has collected and studied Lepidoptera for niany years, and these are the only Jive specrmens he has seeu in Victoria for 37 years! Two Victorian specimens, both tnales, in the Lyell collection at the Natiolal Museum, came from Riddell (May 1920) and Gisborne (June 1904) respec- tively, A few other Victorian speciinetis are on reeardd, and Waterhouse states, in “What Butterfly ig That?) that the species is only an orcasional visitor to ave State, The larvae feed om yartous species of Cassia; and rhis summer, being so long and mild. has evidently been favourable tu the species extending its Tange further southwards than usual. HAKEAS AS GARDEN PLANTS By A. EL Beoors The well-known Pincushion Hakea (CH, Jasna) makes a good garden plant, ceaching the stature of a large shrub or small tree within about three years, Huwwever, it haz not proved so successful as a street tree cr for positions as d Introduced for 2), aillestrratea Smith 1874, this clistinctive form has been deseribed by lredace (1939) when eating with Western Anstratian land shells, Its sculpture af fine radialy aud fine siirals throughout as rentiniscent of the ‘Vastianian Aischoffenu Lredale hot that genus bas a different fornt aud, moreaver, a dentate aperture, Umbiticus. narcow and deep. Dixtribuliow: Western Australia. Rive piindon Hedley 1924> Tis aeons i the first ot those contain apper- tural lameliae as a feature of the shell form, The general appearance is depressed but nat us much us an Gyrececktea. The type is Ie. peregrine Hedley 1924, ant two other syecies are inelded, Hedley (1924) discitsses! the classification. af the ~ ‘toothed snails", airch veted chat future classification tay being together farms with and without dentition, the present imuthod being the sjmplest for the needs of the moment Uheré appear to he ane ar twa iastances where a relationship may exist betiveen shells with and without apertural lamellae respectively. [a the Present genys the type has a radially striate protoconth, though-in the species’ ®. comeortis Hedley the protacanch is smooth and the ssctiiplure much Aner, The type carries tiany fine close riblets, which are coarser jn the species RA. consubrinns Hedley. The umbiheus is large and shallow. The lamellae are prominent (except in A’, contortus), deep seated, and on hoth sides of the aperture. The species RK. contortus has one prominent palatal fold and two deep seated short parietals ow the base, compared with the comparatively numerous teeth of the other species. Distribuedou: Northern New South Wales, Kry to tiie Genera or Groom Cn) + Shell biconcave, aperture not dentate, Adule sculpture uumerous elevated racial cil, Protoconch amooth. umbilicus. wide. Interstitial seufpture absent ., 6. 0. 4 Ly. Gxrococklru Interstitial sculpture string . ee oe Fegitouecn Adalt sculpture close sharp threadlike riblety. Protocanch sculpture extremely fine, umbilicus wile, degp. Interstitial sculpture retieulare —, veo ee ne Gempnyoropa Adult sculpture fine radials andl Ane spirals Umbilicus narrow and deep .. .. vee ee ee Dripraredrar epic Adlilt sculpture regular close videos. Protoconch sculpture reticulate, imbilicus medium. Interstitial concentric striae -, ,. 0) iH i) Gorinaneala Shell depressed, aperture dentate. Adult sculpture dense minute riblets. Prutovench radially striate or smouth. Unibilieus wide and shallow hiterstitial sculoture absent... 0. 0... 0. 0. Rhopodldn REXERENCES Hedley, Charles (1924), ‘Some Notes on Australian Lang Shells", Aastr. Zeal, 3 (6) + 215-221, Plates xxtx=xssxii (May 9), Tvedale, Tom (1937). “A Basic List ot the Land Mollusea of Austretia’. Austr, Zool 8 (A)s 287-333 (Mar. 12), 41939). "A Review of the Land Mollusca of Western Aus- tralia", Jour. Roy. Soc. WoAustr. wavy (1938-39): 1-74, Plates 1-5, nap Cpubl. Aug. 2), 1939). — Juin rp , ‘ 14ae The lltortan Notutratise al CHELTENHAM PARK By ASE. Broors Thr the alteriioon af Saturday, April if, owenty people assembled at Cheltenhan: Pack to plant out about 450 native slirtbs and (réés @rawn for the guirpose by the Madrabbin Council nursery, Those present included Cy Le Page, who ecpresents the Cachteniam Ward, and members of Chelten- ham Horticultural Society. Country Women's Association and Boy Scouts. Mr. Matthews, the curatur to the Moorabbin Coimeil, and a ywernber of ins stalf were present also. The plants used Were grown Tron cultings atid seeil, obtained fromm Marauoa Gardens, Frankston Golf Chub, the CS.LR.O. ar Highett, and trom dhe private gardens of Mr amd Mrs. E. M- Bourke and the writer, and by seed obtamed from the Conservatar of Forests in Penh and twa frivate suppliers, The result was about GOU plants, comprisiny 70 species, from whieh the largest were chosen for planting Most of the cuttings were made i February 1954, the best results being obtained wath the new hybrid pink thryptomene and 7 sartcola, Prastunthera posttndifolia, Kaynsva amingua, Calyirta sullivanii, Brachysemurt fanceolatin, Leplospermaan citra- tim, Melatenca decussate, M. vesophia, AT. prdchella, Microwiurtus ciliates, Rovaria aicllert, Grewllea olevides, Correa réflewa, Callin, Hibbortes scandens and Chamolancion axitlare, Some of these could have heen prapa- gard more easily from seed bad the latter been availahle, Seeds were planted ah ates and sprinp lase year, aad the most successhul jwants grown thus were of Afelaloure fateritia, M, bypertcifola, M4, eli ptirat, Leplaspernnin refeadijolinm, L. flavesceus, Callistoman Tncaris, C. paehy phoadlis, C. cuapidiens, Eacalyptuy predssietna, , torguata, Fo platypus. F, lorresiians, E, sepitcralts, dudiyofera austratis, Acacia prictperuea, ct. denn mond, ot. fhafala, Calhtris prewsii, Grevillea banksn, Hardeuberisia cam p- foniatia, Actaosteobis Pyramidalis aud Cisseriia tenlesa Many other species were propayated in small numbers, perhaps the most surprise strike heme a smele plant of Dryandra forinosa Crom three cuttings imied Recently a plan was drawn up for the thirty acres grea which cumes under the ¢antrol of the Plauning Comenttee, original plans by Mr. A. J- Swaby lemme wirorporated. The pathways formed by the Comment lave been of considerable help in keeping people off areas planted with shrubs and ireus. aid many lore local speerss are tow regenerating. Up ta date, operatans haye been haimpered by the Jack of clearings amongst the tea-tree and by the large number of pine trees. Some of the smaller pines ute Leing removed aticl plaus are im hand to take oul two large ones near the raibway gates entrance. Vandalism and the ayy conditions on the hillside are also problems, bul, thauks to the splendid ca-opcration of the cupater, some really eAlective Warks should he passible in the near future. ty was largely due to the iiterest and cnaliusiasn: of Mr. Swaby, over three years aga, that a public meeting resulted in the fornvtion of the Planning Conimittee of mince members. Mr G. Mitkleborough, an ex- ceunecdlor, has been ¢thairiian since its imeeption, and le has acted as lintson officer with the Copncil, FLN.C.Y. members pn the communities are Messrs. PL Wyatt. G. Echbere and the weiter, and there ate represcntatives from the local Progress Association, Horticultural Society, C.W.A- branch aid Ray Scour movement, Continuity of the committec is ensure! hy nem bers retirioy in rotation, three each year, and dhe positinns beng Med hy lection. The committee now feels thal they are making substaitial progress and there should be increasing evidence of the resulis of earlier planting amd rlevelopment af Mr Swala's initial planning. 32 The Victorian Naturalist Val. 72 MICROSCOPICAL GROUP The April meeting was devoted to a-diseussion on diatorts. Dr. BR. M. Wishart delivered a short leelure, made the more interesting by the fact that he is a New Zealander and had visited the site of the famous Oamaru deposits. Mr. Woollard exhibited a slide projector. aod there were several microscopes an the inch. Dr, Wishart showed diatems [rom Cormacks Siding deposit, Gamart No, 2. My, W. Black: diatoms, Type, Port Philip Bay, and there were three very fine slides trom the Group cabinet of mountings by Mr, Willams, a late ihember, of beautifully arranged diatoms. Mr. E, Snell had a slide oF selected diatoms, and Mr, J. Evans showed living Volvox and the rotifer Bowlauts iriguetre. Owing to the unavoidable absenoe of Mr. A. Bushy at the May meeting, which was to have been a projection night, using the late Mr. KF. Ockenden's machine. Me. Woollard filled the gap by usmg his projector, Mr. Tarlton Rayinent commented on points of mterést in the various insect slides. The leader desires to express his thanks to all concerned who assisted at the show at Prahran Town Hall. The June meeting is to be au “Open Night’. and members are earnestly requested ta bring their mikes and slides, WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN F.N.C.V. Excursions: Seuday, Tune 12—Zoolosical Gardens. [eader: Mrs. DPinches. Subject: Australian Mammals. Mect at Royal Park station entvance, 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Semday, Juiie 19—Kallista. Leaders. Mr A.B. Cott and Mr. R Vo Smith Subject: Genoral Botany. Take $.55 aim. train to Ferntree Gully, then bus to (Callista, or meet at Kallista ytenic around at 10.30 ame Rring one meal, Return train arrives Binders Street, 5.26 p.m Fures. (i/-" rein, Saturday, July 2—Studlley Park, Leader: Mr, R, Davidson. Subject; General ~ Geology, Mect 2 pan, at Johitson Street Bridec. Sunday, July l0—Sherbroeke Subjecr: Lyrebirds. Leader: Mr. Howke Take 8.55 a.m. train to Perntre: Gully. ‘then bus to Perny Grevk stare. waiere leader will meet party, Bring lunch, to be eaten at pine plantation 12 noon. Group Meetings; (3 pam al National Herbarium,) Wednesday, Je 15—Micrnscopical Group. Wednesday, June 29—Botany erobn Subject: Plani World, Part 2. Fungs, illustrates Speaker: Mr. Atkins, baer Sualy hb et i Group. Subject: Mincrals. Speaker: Mr. Cobbett Preliminary Notice: Saturday, August 6—-Parlour coach excursion to Kinglake West. Leader - Mv, A, A, Baker. Subject; Geology and General. Old sea-floor areca, ouer frequented by trilobites and other tuvertebrates. now covered with forest and fern-gullies. Coach leaves Batra Avenue, 9 aan, returus about 6 p.m. Pare 12/6. Leader to travel with coach, Bring one meal, Junior Clubs: Tuesday, June 14—Prahran Juniors, at Children's Library, Greville Srreed, at 7.30 p.m. , Friday, June 24—Thawthoen Juniors, at Town Fall, Burwaad Road, at & p.m, —Marte Attrexner, Excursions Seeretary. The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 72—No. 3 JULY 7, 1955 Ne. 849 PROCEEDINGS About sixty-five menthers and friends were present at rhe Clih leeting held at the National Herbarium on June 13, 1955, First came the Extraordinary General Meeting, at which, after a lengthy debate, the Secretary's motion “That the action taken hy the Cotwneil in regard to the publication of the Fern Book he approved by the meeting’ was carried hy a three-quarters majority. The Annual General Meeting followed, The Secretary's annual report and also that of the Treasurer were read and their adoption carried. These appear in this assue and last month’s Naturalist respectively; Mr Huoke subnatted the Auditor's report and com- mented on the satisiactory financial position oi the Club, Mr. Baker, after thanking the Club and the Council for their support during his cerm of office as Presilent, declared Mr, T. Rayment elected as President far the ensuing year, In taking aver the chair, Me. Rayment expressed fis thanks to Mr. Baker and ta members for the honour hestowed upun him, and expressed the hope that he would be able to fll the office ina manner comparable with that of the former President. Messrs. F. Lewis and T. Sacovich were elected as Vice- ’residenys, Miss M, Butchart as Assistant Treasurer, Mr. N. Wakefield as Editor, Mr. A, Court as Assistant Editor, Mr. A. Burke as Librarian, Mr. R. Lee as Assistant Librarian, and Miss M. Allender as Excursion Secretary. Members clected to Council were Dr. R. Wishart, Dr. W. Geroe, and Messrs. K. Atkins, R, Garnet and W) Williams: ; Mr. Garner moved a vote of thanks to retiring Counctl members, mentioning particularly the years of service to the Club of the retiring: Secrétary, Mr, Lewis,’ Dr, Geroe, who was relinquishing the Treasurership, and Ms: Wakefield, the Editor. The motion waz seconded by Mr. Sarovich and carried with acclamation: Miss Alison Hooke and Miss Barbara Hooke were elected as Joint Ordinary Members with Mr. A. G. Hooke, Mr. Willis announced the passing of a Club member, Mr. P. Bibby of the National Herbarium. Messrs. Burston, Swaby and Stewart spoke cancerning the passing last month of Dr. Chapman, son of the Jate Frederick Chapman, The meeting stood in silence asa token of respect ta the memory of the two members. The President mentioned that the Argws newspaper hid donated 2 coloured illustration for his monograph of the Halictine bees, and a sample of this picture was exhibited. He told, too, of the Satin Birds’ acquisition of blue-bags for their howers, the males choosing such objects because of their resemblance to the ‘blue eyes of the females. Mr. Gabriel commented on birds in a Kew 33 aw Praceatings eth - f gatden carrying large pieces of wood itta a cotoneastee bush; Mr Swaby said that the agents Were probably blackbirds; and Mr Woollard remarked that the sume species hacl on one occasion transplanted some shallots from one position to another The meeting was then adjourned for the ustial conversazione and perusal of exhibits. SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT, 1954-55 Your Council has pleasure in subniitting the 75th Annual Report af the Clb. Our membership at the end of te year was 546 as compared with 467 at the end of last year. We now have 20 hanorary members, 5 life mentbers, 353 ordinary members, 143 tountry metibers and 25 juniors. We also have 33 suhsecribers to The Fictorian Naturalist. During the year honorary membership was conferred on Miss Mary Wise. Amongst those whose passing during the year we have had to mourn were Mrs. Cooper, Mrs, Gabriel, Mrs. Gates, Miss Wini- ired Taylor, Miss Dorothy Kidd, and Messrs. EB. FE. Pescott, F, E. J. Ockenden and W.C. Tonge. The death nf Mr. Ockenden in particular was a great loss not only to the Cluh bit to the Microscapical Group in which as a sociely he Had been such an dictive and useful member_ The Australian Natural Histary Medallion fer 1954 was awarded ta the Rey. H. M. R. Rupp, who was nominated by the F.N.C\V. in 1953 and the F.N. seetion of the Royal Saciety of Adelairle. : Perhaps the most outstanding event of the past year has been the iMeorporation of the Microscopical Saciety inta the Club. We were very glad to welcame these good friends into our organization und feel sure that hath we and they have berefited and will con- tinue to benefit by the action take, Owing to the changes in governments that have taken place during the last few yeat's, no progress, so far as we can tell, has heen made with the proposed National Parks législation. The National Parks Association continnes to press for the measure and it 1s hoped that in the not too distant future the care of our long-neglected National Parks will be placed on a good and proper footing, : The use of the virulent poison ‘1O80" for rabbit destruction in the Wyperfeld National Park has given us much concern, We with other interested bodies made strong protests but with no efiect whatsoever on the authorities concerned, Under the régu- lations controlling mest National Parks it would appear douwheiul if even Lauds Department officials have any right to go into any National Park and use poison without the approval of the trustees. but it looks as if this pomt has not been raised. Reports {rom che aay Seventyefyth Annual Report, 1934-35 33 Grampians, where the poison was used freely, seen) to meicate that mare eats, dogs and possums were killed than rabbits. After our good Nature Show at Prahran in 1953, tr was fell ihat future soch events should not be held in the spring hecause of the clash with school suudies and examinations, and autiuur war suggested. But Mr. Wakefield received so little encouragenjesl and so few offers of assistance that nn furrher action in the matter of shows has heen taken. As members know, we have now made the National Herbarium our official headquarters, and all groups as well as the Club now yneet there. The library, too, is gradually bemg transferred and thus we will make a coniplete break with the Royal Society’s hall, which we have used tor many years, This break is regretted |ach by our Cluh and the Royal Saciety, lat it could net be avaided, The rebuilding of the hall made it practically useless for group meetings, and furthermore, the increased rental proposed to be charged was more than out Club could afford. Mention was made in our Jast report that the Club fern bank was being re-written and brought op to dace by Mr, Wakefeld. This joh has now heen completed and we hope before long to have this umuch sought atter publication again availalle. The Club owes a debt of gratinide co Mr. Wakefield far his work on this book. A thew edition of the fungi book will suon he requiced as it is almost out of print. As the Education Department has placed hoth of these bouks on ats free list for schools we can expect a big demand for hoth pulilications. The cost of publishing The Micterian Naturalist is a constant source of worry to your Council. Iris the main item of expenditure in Our accounts, Our printers have advised us that printing costs are agairi on the rise, so we urge members ro do all they can ta introduce new inembers to the Club and ihus provide us with the funds necessary to carry on, While we are talking about aur journal, the Editor will always be glad lo receive articles for publication, Even short notes on matters of interest are welcome. Three groups are now qieeting on Weilnesday evenings at the Herbarium, the Botany Group having been restirtecl under the capable leadership of Mr. Dakin as chairman and Mr. Ken Atking as secretary, They are wnodertaking seme group projects of great interest and would welcome new members, The Geology Group also repurts that satisfactory interest is being maintained in their meetings and excursions, but they also would welcome new nrem- hers. The Microscopical Group ts also having good nieetings with Nuch interest shown. : Your Council is disappointed on the whole with the support given to the study groups. Acterding 19 our Constitution, the principal object for which the Club is established is to pramote the study of natural histury in all its bran¢hes. Simply caming MM Seveuty-Aifit Aniial Report, (954-55 ¥en ™ along on Club mghts and listening to an interesting lecture, illus- trated perhaps with Kodachrome slices, is not sttidying a subject. Same of out groups have had to disband because of lack of sup- port. L wonder if we are becoming lazy. Much credit and thanks are due to all those whu have lectured to the Club in the past year, generally illustrating their remarks with beautiful Kodachrome slides. The two Junior Cliths at Hawthorn atid Pralirai, under the capahle leadership of Mrs. Freame and Mr. Wakefiekl respec- lively, continue to Tunction and generally speaking receive good support: There ts roomt for much more of this kind of thing in out city, The Frankston Club also continues to thrive. Congratulations to all o£ them. : In conclusion we would like to thank all whe have worked hard the past twelve months to ensure the success ot the Club. In par- ticnlar we would thank Mr. A, W. Jessep, Government Botanist and Director of the Botanie Gardens, for his interest and assist ance and for the nse of the fine hall for our’ Chob and group meetings, and especially for making «a room wvailable for our library, On behalf of the Council, F. Lews, Honorary Secretary. MACDONALD SANCTUARY There were three F.NCC.V. members and a large number of Jocal peuple present at the Macdonald Sanctuary for the inspection and planting ob May 28. Several members of the Beaumaris Tree Preservation Society and fepresentatives .of the Reawmaris Parents and Citizens Association were iumong the Jocal residents. there. During the week prior to the excursion, the Sandringham Couneil hac again repaired the wire-netting enclosure and cleared an area af about a square chain behind the memorial. Lt was very pleasing to see that the trees had been cut close to the ground without any disturbance of the soil, as had been requested by the FLN.C.V. Advisory Ceammittee. It was also very pleasing to receive an offer frum two Teaumaris citizens who live close te the sanctuary to care for the memorial enclosure, They have suggested tan bark over a layer of ashes Several inches thick as a means of keeping this enclosure in a neat, well-cared-for condition. a\ large trimber of local plants brought by those present were planted i the new clearing, These included Ranting Postman, Twiggy Daisy-hnsh, Suver Banksia, Sitky Guinea-flawer, Bundled Guinen-flower, Showy Rossiaea, Common Bearcd-leath, Sweet Bursaria, Common Correa, Silke ‘Tea-tree, and many others. Th many cases. large blocks of soil containing several species of plants were set Into thé sropri, and some of these had large numbers of orchid leaves growimg in them. Seeds of abont cight local species were also scattered iat ihe clearing. The energies of the people present were then diverted to forming a third clearing in about the centre of the enclosure. Tlas was achieved to lhe satisfaction of the workers, and a very attractive pathway leadwig into it was also opened up. There is no longer any doubt that a number of clearings joined by pathways through the tea-tree will convert the enclosure into a | > - ri Mnedonold Sasa teeny 37 very attractive area and a desirable ane dor native species of birds. In these clearings may speci¢s Will regcterste, and others can be moved into them from the susrounding areas before they ang all destroyed by the activities of home-builders. ~ An inspection of the first clearing, made in September last, shawed that several plants of Wedding Bush aml some spider-orehids haye commenced to grow. it fs now proposed to enlarge the Advisory Committee to include repre- stutatives of the Beaumaris Tree Preservation Snejery, Beaumaris Parents and Citizens “Association, and ather bocal residents. With streng support now assured from these and fram the Suntlrieghans Cane, the future of the Dewald Macdonald Sanctuary looks brighter than it has for many years. —A. E. Bevows. TALLAROOK EXCURSION With Miss Jean Blackburn as leader, there was an attendance of six members on May | for the ten-mile walking excursion) from ‘Tallaruck 9 Breech Peak and Mill Creek. After crossing the maim road aiid walkie & short distance alone a tane, the party crossed a stream near a onique sWitty bridge made of fencing’ wire and short plans, ay at was ther farewell to roads until late on the afternoour With the beantiful warm weather, the climb op the spur ro Breech Peak called for may rests. Guimed-fowers were most prominent amour the flora. The ascent was fitially acconiplisheel before funeh, for which a site was selected gust beyoud the peak. In response io the leader's warning that no water would be avantable for Junch, wu varwty of drinks was produced, including orange juice, lemon juice, cogoa, and tea, A good specnnen of the fungus forte mercrecerpe, white, with large holys, wis seen on the underside of we leaning wok af a stringybark cree eruwing near the dumeheon spot. As the party continued alone the ridge alter Funch, there were many good views, with Mt. Flickey to the south at the end of the ridge, ihe isolated symutwtrical cone of Mt. Piper to the south-west, aul Mt. Williant further aficld. Clumps of Rock Isotome, ne fuil flower, were plentiful on the hillsides. . The trip thus far had heen through lightly timbered country, witht Grey Box, Red Box, Red Stringyhark and Black Sheoke all numerous, but aa it gully was descended to cross a tnbutary of Mill Creek there were many fie stands of Eurabbie (Fvcalyptns bicorteta). and Slender Hop-bush was encountered as the party scrambled over the rocks Rock Fern (Chetlauthes tentdfolin) had been frequent on the granite hillsides, and Necklace Fern was among the wocks of the gully. Even when a rest was called beside an Leviting: pool, the first water simce lang before lunch, some members can- tied to search for planis A suggestion that they would prefer to have their reste while walking alang seemed to describe the situation The route now lay towards the north. Many fine views wlong the valley called for same colour photographs, and Rock Isotome hecame very plentiful again. During # rest on a granite hillside some time wus spent in Specu- lating on the colossal amount of material which must have been eroded away to form the Goulburn Valley. Eventually a road had io be followed again tor a short distance, It passed near some huge granite tors, ther: Mill Creck was crossed and a halt made for tea on the banks of the Goulbucn Rover, The road was again forsaken for a route across country, and, on a night made as beautiful by the moonlight as the day had been by the delightful sunshine, the party entrained fur home, —A. E. Brooks. jut, Nat, 4a Native Orchids ed ot ARE YOU INTERESTED IN NATIVE ORCHIDS? Té so, there is. a larwe range ot excellently sllustrated articies and papers on the subject available ta you on the back wombers of The Mietortes Naturalist, For your perusal and consideration, these “orchid” parts af the journal, for the past taventy-five years or so, are listed! below tn thetr various categaries; and they are piricud tor sale accotkling to the scale set out iy last month's Vateratst (page 19), Serws ot (Wholly Victorian}: Dealing with new specivs, new State records, ote. (mainly by the late W. Fl. Nicholls), each accompanied by a full page (or more) of illustration; providing a coverage of the local work done on the subject subsequent to the Censas af WVietorian Plants (FINCY., 1928), Flora of bietoria (Ewart, 1930}, Gems of the Hiesh, cte, (Period, May 1929 ta April 1953.) Vol. XLVi—Nos. 2.7, 9: XLVil--@, 10. LL; XEVITI—6, 7 10, il, 12: XLIN--1, 2, 4, 27, 8,9 IL; 1—3; LI—@; LIL-9, 12; LITE-4, 8; Llv— 1, iL; LV=—9; LVI—2, 4. 4 & 12; LVU—8, LL, 12; LVI, 7, 8, 11; LiX—). 9 12; TX—4. 47-6, 12; 02—4; 63—f;) B4—G- oG—5, $1. 12; vw—J, Fitty-rwo separate parts—£1/17/3- Series B (Victorian): Less important articles aud uotes., by various authors, same with very good sMlustrations, all of interest te the keen orchicl 4tudent; supplementary to Series A and covering the same period Val. NLVUI—No, 7; XLVIIT—35, 8; XLIX—I0; L—2. 3. 11; 1If—z2, IL; LikI—2; LIV—12; LY—6, 7, 4: LVi—3, WW; LVII—3, 4 6; LVILI— 12; LIM--3, 4, IL; LX—2; 64-8; 45-1: 67—8; 68-1; 69-10, 11; 7O- 2, 4. Thirty-two separate parts—£l/0/3. Series C (Not Victorian): A number of parts containing papers ani articles hy various aurhors, an new species and records, ete., of other suus- tralian states, covering the same periud. of publication and supplementary to Series A and B combined, Vol. XLVL—Nos. 1, 5, 10, 12; XLVIL[—2. 12: XLVIII—1, 9; SLIX—3, L—l, 4, 7, 8; LI—j, 4, 7, 8; LTIt, 4, 7; LITE-11; T1JV—1, 4, 8- TLVI—9> T.VIT—2, 6, 9) LVIIL—2, 3, 9; LIX—7, & 10: LX—I1: g1—2, 9 11; 62-4; 63-8, 9; 64-9, 12; G5—2, 5, 6, 7 11, 12; 66-3, 4. AF—, 7, 10; 68—S; 69—3, 9, 12; FO—10), Fifty-nine separate parts—£1/16/3. Club tuembers of sorne vears standing will have some back volumes and ttumbers already, amd they can purchase any extra parts they may reqtire. of those listed above, at the prices published last month, Similar series are to he advertised in the near future, covering other subjects (ae. geology, anthropolegy, ormthotegy, entomology, etc.). Thase who wish to hill up a lihvary catering for seneral natural history interests should consider acquiring complete back yolumes of the Natwalist In this couneetiun, last month’s advertisoment should be bovue it mind. It 1s pointed out that rhe twenty-Hve volumes covered by the above “orehid' advertisement [ Vols. 46 to 70 incisive) may be purchased atmost complete (with only thirteen tumbers missing) for £8/12/6. Orders for back numbers and parts of the Vaturalist should he rialled to the Hon, Editor (P.O. Boa 21, Noble Park, Victoria) or handed to bir or to the Assitant Editer ar F,N.C.V meetings, Jul ope ay 4 . | The Victorian Naturalist 39 1955 TERTIARY FOSSILS AT ABERFELDIE, MELBOURNE 3y LepauNp D. Gitt* and ALFRED A. BAKERT Evidence of a basalt reef that stood in the swirling waters of an ancient tropical sea replete with living things is contained in a small read cutting on the south side of Buckley Street. West Essendon (now known as Aberteldie). This interesting locality was first recorded by Armitage (1910@). There, he said, ‘Mr. Pritchard discovered ironstone of a similar lithological character to the Barwonian beds at Royal Park, and this contained Cerithtum flemingtonensis McCoy. Mr. C. Waters and the writer subse- quently visited the locality, and, about 30 yards to the east of the spot where Mr. Pritchard made his discovery, succeeded in finding several specimens of Cerithiuim flemingtoncusis McCoy, as well as Conus ligatus Tate. Cypracu subsidua? Tate, and a cidaroid spine.” HOFF MAN AD BUCKLEY ST Text-fiyire 1 Locality with Miocene marine fossils in Buckley Street, West Essendon (Aberfeldie), Victoria, The cross-hatched areas are basalt, and the rest consists of Sandringham Sands and river terraces (largely derived from the former) resting on Older Basalt. Scale: 2 ins. = 1 mile. In 1949, a sewerage excavation was made at the foregoing locality, which had been more or less lost for half a century. Large numbers of fossils were revealed, and the Geology Group held an excursion there to collect the fossils available. The writers returned later to study the site more closely, and they have since kept it under observation. In 1953, the road was widened and a footpath formed, and this provided an opportunity for still further *Curator of Fossils, National Museum of Victoria. tLeader, F.N.C.V. Geology Group. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. Bow ly 5, “tT lo THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. Piate I Eutrochus aff. fontinalis. Latex cast of external mold in ironstone. Magellanta. yaribaldiana, Steinkern in ironstone. Cerithinum flemingtonensis. Ditto. Cerithiim flemingtonensis. Latex cast of external mould in iron- stone. FHaliotis naevosoides. Steinkern in ironstone. All fossils are from the locality shown in text-figure 1, and are reproduced at natural size. [40] ane Git, Tertiary Fossils at Aberfeldic, Melbourne 4] Le collecting. The area is now being built over, and probably there will be few opportunities, if any, in the future for studying this occurrence, atid hence these notes are written. : The site is on the south side of Buckley. Strect as. shown in text- figure 1, and the fossils were found east and west of a ridge of decomposed Older Basalt situated opposite Hoffman Road and jor two chains east thereof. The rich fossil localiry broughe to light by the sewerage Jocality was on the south side of Buckley Street and one chain 75 links east of the east huildiny' line of Hoffman Road. Reconnaissance shows that the bedrock ih all this area is Older ‘Basalt of Lower Tertiary age tit is gtey in the creek eight chains west of Hoffman Road but yellow in the Buckley Street outcrop (see also Armitage 19100). The Tertiary marine sediments con- taining the fossils. are clayey sandstone to fine conglomerate, and are part of the Sandringham Sands formation (Gill 1950), The fossils are preserved as external casts and internal molds (stein- kerns), and these are often so Ane i detail that it is to be inierred that originally there was a good deal of fine sediment present ta wive such delicate detail in the impréssiais (eg. Plate 1, fig. 1). The sediments are naw highlygcharged with iron, but originally must have been rather. poorly sorted sificeous sand to conglomerate with clayey and silty admixture. 3 ; Marine Life The fossils in the iroustone are not easy to detennine with certainty, but at Aberfeldie they are very plentifu) in actaal numbers. The following torms have been recognized: GASTEROPODA st Haliotis saevosoides ‘HH. maograhaolensis Cerithium flemmngtonensts Conus ligatis Cypraea sp. Eutrochus aff, fontinalizs + LAMELLIBRANCHIATA °, - M “ue Mactra sp, , « BRACHIOPODA 3 Magellania garibaldiana ’ CIDAROIDEA , ‘ Spines POLYZOA i oe — Encrusting types DECAPODA’ | Pseudocarcinus dz Gie. TVeriury Fossthe at Abeefalitic, Melbatvur - Viet, Nat. Val. 72 Many more fossils could be recégmized with a closer study of the material which is mostly howsed in the National Museum of Victoria, and in the Department of Geology, University of Mel- bourne. Mr, Kiric Nielsen collected parts of a-big crab which Dr M. F. Glaessner kindly determined as the “Giant Crab Pseiudto- carcinus, the first fossil representative of this present deep-water form and probably a new species” (personal communication), In Plate § some of these fossils are figurerl. A modern palaeanto- logical methoel has been used to portray Cerithium. flenungtonensts and Eutrochis aft, fentinalis, the external surfaces of which are preserved only as holes in the ironstone, which of course cannot’ be photographed satisfactorily. Latex was painted on the inside of these external casts, curred, then pulled out. Being flexible, the jatex. pulls out of holes arid crevices without breaking or losing shape, The latex molds were then sprayed with ammonium chloride and photographed. The latex iupression’ shows every detail of the original fossil, and as seen in Plate 1, can appear just like the original shell lony since leached away. Ehis new method is greatly assisting the study of fossils preserved only as casts and molds, The tana from Aberfelclic 3s degcribed in the older literature as Eocene. Tn those days the Terthary was livided inta Rocene, Miocene, and Phocene only,:ie, there was no Ohgocene, Haw- ever, with the growth of palaeontological knowledge, the fauna has come to be regarded as of Miocene age, probably Lower Miocene, Palaececology Having noted the kinds of fossilS and the sediments containing them, we are iva position to attenipt reconstruction of the condi- tions of the Tertiary sea at this place. The coarseness of much of the sediment and the crass-bedding show that fairly strong currents were running there, due in part pechaps to the basalt reel. The fossils show that the environment was a fully marine one, so this reef was out in open water, and net in a lagoon or partly closed embayment. The sea was shallow, as is shown by the types of shells present, e.g, the plentiful Alatiotic (Venus' Ear shell) which grows on rocky platforms at or about low tide level, So it may be that the top of the basalt reef was bare or nearly so at low tide, with the waves breaking over it. — - Many of the shells present are types that live on rocks, The gasteropnds crawled over the basaltic reef and thrived in the highly oxygenatecl waters. The enerusting forms of polyzoa would ferow on the reef and on the shells of the molluses. The brachio- pods, attached to the reef by their'strong peduncles, would be at home in the swirling waters of (his environment, as they are to-day in the often swiftly moving waters of certain channels in Western Port Bay. r duty lone Hi, Tertiary Fossils af Aberfeidic, Melbourne 43 ReY¥RENCES Nearragr, R, Wy 19100, Notes on the country about West Gesendon, Vict. Nat. 27: 83-98. ———, /910 b Excursion to Pesendon Mirt, Nat, 27; 46-49, Grow, FE. Oy, '980, Numenclature of certain Ternary seiliments near Mel- lourte, (tetoria. Proc, Row. See. Pict, 6? 165417) Hate, T, S,, and Paves, G, B., 897. A conirtbution to our knowledge ef the Tertiaries in the neiphbourhood of Melbourne. Proc. Ray. Soe. tier 9 187-229, Prerenarn, G. DB, 1901. Eorese deposits at Moanee Pouds. Vict, Nat, 18: 61-63, FLORA OF VICTORIA: NEW SPECIES AND OTHER ADDITIONS—2Z By N. A. Waketienn, Noble Part. Genus Leptospermurn: A New Southeastern Australian Species LEPYOSPERMUM GCLABRESCENS ap, nov.) ex afinitate Le faye (Ait) J.Sm, (gens strict), sed differt: folits adults denique onmina glabris, juvenilibus + pilis longis firnhriatis (indumento brevi velatine ahsenti), Aoriticne aecstivali. HOLOTYPE: Reedy Creck, Taniboon Road, Cana River valley, easten Victor; 201.1955; N. A. Wakefield, No. 4806; tal! shrub on. bank of creck, IMET.—PARATYPES to be placed ar KEW, NSW and AD) An erect shrub, up to akour 2 oetees. high when in awampy places, ta ahout 4 imetres high when riparian; branchlets long-pilose, the young shoots desely villose> Jeaves small, crowded, gblinceolate or rarely obovate, up tw about 10 mn, tong and 3 mm. broad, almost flat, obscurely 3 or 3 neryed, the apex evenly tapered te a shart hard promt, vwormally quite glabrous though with a fringe of long silky hairs wher voung, always lacking any short. vestiture; flowers nemerons, small, sessile, terminating very shore Jateral Pranohlers; bracts straw-cdloured, pubescent, falling early ; thalamus- tub: hemispherical, very dark grey, densely clothed with short silky hairs; sepals short, blunt, whitish, shortly tumentuse; pelals smadl, round, white: anthers very numerons; style long; apex af avary glabrous; frum lareral (due to growth of basal shoot aiter flowering), with a louse shortly pabeseeut papery skin, the annulus prominent, calyx-lobes persistent; valves 4, protruding, elabrous. Flowers in sunwimer- febitet: Swampy sedec-fAlats and heathland creek-banks of the Cann River-Gerioa district of eastern Victoria; usually iu the yieinity of Lepto- spermine Janiyervir. I. glabrescens was cotlected by the auttior, al Maramungo Creek, vear Genea (No. 4125, 29/9/1946) and in places wlongy Reedy Creek, near Cann River (Nos. 2874 and 2875, 11/12/1948; and No. 4220, Nov. 1948). It was recognize as distiner from L. lemiyerin because the two species Erow in association along Reedy Creek, the latter flowering two montis earlier than she former and bavi the felty Jeaf-puhescence and lonr-vitlose thalamus- tube typical of the species. There was no evidence of major valiation an wither of these twa species int this area, nor were there any plants inter- mediate in character between the two ‘In the Melbourne National Herhariur there are New South Wales arid South Australian specimens winch appear to belong to 4. ylabrescens. The *MECL—WNetional Herbarivim of Victoria, Melhourne; KEW—Reyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, England; NSW- National Hevharion of New South Wales, Sydney> AO)- -Deparement of Detany, Cnisersioy of Adelaide, South Australia. 44 Waknrieto, Flare of Micturias New Species, fe, yah, me fest is 2 fragment with no data other than ~“Nungatta, Genoa, W, Wenther- lead"; it has leaves up to 13 no. in length. One South Australian specimen is labelicd “Square Waterhole; Jai 6-7/1882, Dense growth in swarapy peound, 4-? fl, high; Tepper, (Near St, Vincent Gulf)"; the other bears the data “Lake Boney; Mrs. Wehl: 1874" There is alsa, in south-eastern South Australia and the adjaining lower Glenelg area of Victoria, a glabrescent form af L. lanigerwin, but this has broader, shorter leaves dnd it Aowers in October. Genus Leptospersium: Two New State Records hE, MULTICAULE A,Conn, Leaves tiny, ghovate, bluntly pointed usually hearing appressect silky vestiture on both suriaces; flowers sessile. each amongst thé clustered leaves at the apex af a short twig; thalanwis-tube shortly pohescent: sepals reddish, usually pubescent on the margins as well as the dorsum; ovary 3-celled, pubescent at the apex. The qaots are small. consisting of several stems. fram a commou stuck, acd tisually grow on dry, gtavelly hillslopes. This species 13 apparently very rare in Victoria, being ‘known doly from a single collection from the Mitta Mitta River, This ntarerial was collected in January 1923 by S, Chintan, ane, though its flowers are less pubescent, it is otherwise a guad mutch for Cunningham's type collection from Bathwrst. part of wich is in the Melbourne National Plerhariun. CL. trivalvien Cheel, with which material of L. teuticaufe has in the past heen confused. has pungent leaves, sub-sessile Aowers, villose thaiamus-tube. aut the marzins 7 the sepals are glabruus. It is eudénnt bi New South fates.) L. EMARGINATUM Wend.t ex Link (Syn. L. amarante Cheel)- Brariches glabeuus; leaves spatimlate, glabrous on bath surfaces, Me apex indented and often with a tiny cute of hairs im the sinne: flowers on long pedicels, axillary, alten twe together, quite glabrous; avary 3-celler. This species qs riparialy and favours a recky habitat, Ty has been soted by the writer, during the past mune years, in several places along the Genow River. by Boeey Creek at Nowa Nowa, in ile gorge of the Nictiolson River at Sarsfield, and aloug Glenmaggie Creek, west of the MeAlister River, In the Melbourve National Herbarium there are specimens whieh were collected by Mueller at "Genoa River, ov geavelly banks’ jn Sep tember 1860; bat these huve not heen identified nor has the species been recorded for Victoria until the presetil Nomencletural Revision in Leptospermun, Invalving Several Additions to the List of Species for the State ond One Deletion i. CABVIGATOM (Solan ex Gaertn.) F.Muell. Under this speries. f.. cortéceun: Cheel must be included as « synonym, the latter being but « desert development of the farmer The name £. coriaceuim has been applied, too, to sue Sandringham material which is apparently hybrid herween L. Jacwuigatun and TL. myrsinaides, haying the sepals and multi-valved Ceyit of rhe former, the silky thalamus-tube of the latter, and leaves intermediate in character, L. loewigatia ranges from Tasmania to South Australia ane New South Wales: an Vietoria it is aburulant in coastal areas. but occurs also in the nurth-west L£, SERICATUM Lindl. ig the true identity of the species described hy Ewart (Flore of Fictori, 1030) under the name L. atlennatunt. It is 2 small-flowered, racksloving shrub, ieually pariau, fourkl im eastern ard worili-eastern, Victoria and extending thence northward to Queensland. L. brevites F Mueil,, is 2 synonym, - Tuly | 1966 Wakerikiu, flora of Mictoria: New Species, ete, 48 L, ATTENUATUM J.Sm, is, in tealicvy, 4 large-leaved, large-fowered species, with a paper-barked trunk, and it usually attains the proportions of a small cree. a is confiited in Victoria to the dar-castern cuomly of Creajingolong, where it is abundant, forming exjensive stands on the Nonthorrhoea hasttits fats of wear-coastal areas; thence it extends north- ward into Queensland, 2, stetlatwn Cay. is a syaowym, The Victorian material of the species represents a large developmen: which was usually tdentified in the past as a form of L. laigertem Csens, foe), Crenit for the first collection of 7, eltenwatun in this Stare helongs to tie late EO If Pescote, Whose specimen, collected at Cape Conran plains in November 1900, is in ¢he Natioval Herbunum, Melbourne, L_JUNIPERINUAM J.Sm, 45 the correct name for the species deser.herl by Ewart under the came L. sruporikon, The Jéeaves ave normally well under iy inch wide, and the flowers ace small. The species is wides['ead ard Abundant in Victoria. wsually it wee situations, and it extends from South Australia to Queensland, Ip is not native in New Zcaland or Tasmuama L. SCOPARIUM Torst. bas obovate or oblanceolate (rarely ghloue) leaves, Usually small (in ‘Tasmania aid New Zealand). bar somerimes yuile large (as in Vietoria). Int the Istter Sate it seems to be restricted in range co East Gippsland, where it grows exteustvely on rocky creck and river banks, and high rocky outcrops of the Gramyeans. There it is large flawered and showy, and has large leaves often exceeding 4 inet a length and 2 ines in width. This Poem js also an adzoming areas of New South Wales and in Tasmania, snd it may occur toa in rhe highlands of north- eastern Victoria. L. MICROMYRTUS Miguel iz confined to the Australian Alps (Mout Buffalo, et), where it grows amongst pocks. It hag thick, rounded leaves whieh are glabrous except occasioually for some marginal hairs, and the flowers are quite glabrous, Previously jt was aonstered to be 2 form of L flowcscens J.Smi. LOBOVATUM Sweet ts widespread in Victoria, growing along the bank of fuwland streams. The leaves are ubovate, with the apex blun and ofte: indemed, Flowers arc small and yellewish, aud the thalamus-tube is normally quite glabrous though rarely J litle pubescent im some westeriz Victanan specimens. 1. adacutunn occurs alka tr New South Wales, and it was previousty included under J.. flavescens, Which is a northern species not ative in Victoria. LONITIODU AT AKL is the showy Grampians plant, now quite popular in cultivation. atten referred to as “S.. lowtyernny yar. grendiforwin”. The flowers ste very larwe, and Ue leaves are large, thick, slony and eventually quite glabrous. The species is found alsa in westera and southern Tasmania, ynd perhaps lod iy south-eustera New South Wales. LGRAINDIFOLIGM J Sm, is the large, spreading, broad-Jeaved shrub Which lines the watercourses of the Australian Alps and their foothills. Leaves gre thin in texture, aud their under-surface is covered will an appressed mat of short, whitish vestiture, bot the upper surface is usually sparsely villose or quite glabrous and shiny, This species ranges fram the Port Jackson chotrict of New South Wales to the easter Vietorram high- tands and probably to porth-enstern Tasmania, The various forms of L, ogravdifolion and of the move southern 1. fowigernm are cot yet iully understood, but where their geograplical ranges overlap they grow together and retain their iadividual characters with no evidence of intermediate Fortis. Viet. Nat. 46 Warrte.o, Flore of Kictoriey New Species, ete. Vol. "8 L. LANIGERUM {Aat,) J.Sm. ts a lowland plant in Victoria, with yery small, obovate leaves when the habitat is swampy, but with long, narrow leaves when it is riparian, In some situations it develops into a tree up ta abour GU fect in Height. The leaves rarely exceed + inch iu wlth and, as well as the long. spreading hairs, there is normally a mit of short, appressed vestiture on both leaf-surfaces, The species extends [rom Tasmania to Saiith Australia and the south-cast of New South Wales, In some south-western Victorian specimens the shart leat-vestiture is not it evidence, which marter is discussed in connection with L. glabrescens in the first section of this paper, [L. M¥RTIFOLIUM Sich, ex DC. is not affected by this revision. It is a small, rough shrub of the waterways and swampy terrat of the eastern Victorian sub-alps and alps, aut! it extends north through eastern New South Wales. lL. MYRSINOIDES Schlecht. is also not affected, It is abundant. il: lowland heaths in Victoria, atid it ceeurs also in adjonung districts of South Australia and New South Wales.) Key to the Victorian Species of Leptospermum (This: key anay not identify correctly some fragmentary herbarium speci- mens, but it is presented rather far use in conjunction with field observation of groups of plants. Furthermore, vertain features vsed here may not apply to non=Victorian forms of the species concerned.) A. Summit of ovary (round style) pubescent B. Ovary S-celled, fabitat werth-eastern Victoria .. L. multicaute B. Ovary usyally having more than 3 cells C, Ovary usually having more than 5 cells .- ., 1, laewigatum Cc. Ovary usaalhy 5-celled (rarely 3- er 4-celled an a Tew flowers) D. Thalamus-tube with appressed, shiny vestiture on hasal part, upper yart ‘and the sepals wlabrous .. ... . L. ninrsinoutes 43. Rath thalamus-tube ani the seals Ww vith spteads ing hairs E. Flowers large (about + inch across). sessile or nearly so} leaves “large Cé to + incl or inore broad)’ vee ee ee ee aa ee ae ee 2, atlenuatunt EB. Piowers small (about 4 inch agross), pedi- tels ustially long; leaves harrow ‘(about - 7 gto & inch broad) .. eee ee ey ee) Be wyrtcat nin A. Summit at ovary (round style) glabrous FL Thalamus-tube and sepals normally glabrous (rarely a little glandular-pubescent) G. Flowers pedicellate 2. 6. 0. 62 6 ee ee Ee etmorguitian G. Flowers sessile H, Leaves pungent-pointed, the margins slghtly denticulate 1. Leaves large (about 4 to 4 inch browd), flowers large (4 to $ inch gordss) .. -- Li seperti I. Leayes small (mostly ¢& to ¢ inch broad), ‘ flowers small (4 to § inch across) -. 4. LD. guniperinumn fed Wakertenn, Mlora of Victorias New Spectes, dtc. 47 H. Leaves not pungent-pointed, the margins simootlt . J. Leaves ablanceolate to obovate; habitat low- land, ripananw ., 2. |. oy ee cobacert ne J. Leaves broadly obovate to * atid: habitat alpine ,. ,- -- 4. - 2 2 8, Lo nmeramsutus F. Bath thalamus-tube and sepals Hills K. Leaves obovate, ustally about + inch long ard 4 inch hroad, apex usually rouhded: sepals shart, rounded, usually pinkish 2 0. 2. 0. 0. 2. tnawtefelran K. Naot as above: T., Leaves large, mostly ¢ ta 4 anch broad M. Flowers very farge, about 1] tech across; adult leaves thick, usually quite glabrous on both surfaces .. 0. 2. le ea ce is Ly wrtidun M. Flowers shout $ inch across; adult leaves thin, under-surface felty-puhescent .. .. £L. srandtfolinn j., Leayes smal], mostly 5 toa £ inch broad N, Saammer Teepecrang adult Jeaves quite glah- TuUS 4... PS capas 2. afl tte L. glabrescuns N. Spring Funserisig ; aduti leaves notiailly pubescent an both surfaces (rarely becom ing glahrous) .. 2... -. -. .. -, -. -) L. danigeran NATURALISTS’ NOTEBOOK (Reserved for your Notes, Observations and Queries) MIRRORS SCARE CROWS FROM CHICK YARDS (Under this heading a short article appeared in the Weekly Tinie ot May 11, 1955. it was contributed be one of the Club's ecotintty members, being inspired by the uote entitled “Shotguns for Hawks?" in The Vie= torus Naiurafat of February last. It is reprinted hereunder with the authorship appended ) “Each year 1 raise seyeral thousands of chickens on my farm, which adjoins undeveloped country. For some yearg I lost Jarge numbers ot eluckens to crows and a few to the Austrahan goshawk, “Nut aff crows are killers, but those that are become very cunning and often destroy large numbers of chickens during a single visit. “Goshawks. in my experience, ever all more than one chicken on the one day, Nut all goshawks take chickens, One pair regularly hunted aver my farm and didit take a simele click. “About three years ago a joultry farmer in the Talhot district advised me to place pieces of mirrar on the taps of feuce posts and chicken sheds, Since I adopted this practice my losses ta’ predatary birds have been uexligible. ' “T have’ seen crows carrying out a reconnaissance overt the clicken yards suddenly take alarm, change direction and Ay off at top speed after encoun- tering the ight reflected by the mirrors, “Chickens over about mine weeks of age are well able ta defend them- selves. When the youngest chickens reach this age I remove or turn face down the mirrors so that these invahiable servants (o the jarmer—the hawks, kites aud kestrels—ean revuru to their task af vermin destruction,’—Ilan R. McCann, Stawell. qk Nittuvalsts’ Natebook at ht. Val, 7 FANTAILS IN SOUTH-WESTERN VICTORIA Y can add a little to your notes on Rofous Pantails (Xhipidura refjrous) in recent numbers. of the Naturalist; The birds are common every suromer in the Portland district, but I. bave never seon them our of the thick tea-tree scrubs along créeks and round swamps, where they ace certainly one at the beauties of the bird population. Nests are often found an January and Vebroary and hy thi: ead of April the fantails Haye disappeared, and we see them not until the iollawing December. The thickets along the Lower Glenelo mark their western range. though the South Australian. Orni- thelogist (Marcty 1, 1990) reports from Vol. XY, p, 184, “& specimen taken at Coombe" (near Keith). This bird may have been a storm-blown siray, ax the many good ornithologists in the south-east af S.A, have never recorded the upecivs. The Grey Pantail (RK, flabellfera) is a permanent resident in our Portland arcas though many ‘move oft in the late summer. This bird prefers dpen focest and gacdens, and‘rwn were in my garden today (May 22). Last January, Mr, Les Chandler and [ found a Grey Fantail’s nest without the long slender stem. underneath, only ihe seco sample of the kine that Les had seen in all his long and valuable bird CX pErience —Noet F. Leanwonis, Portland. MICROSCOPICAL GROUP AM eatilest appeal is inade to everyone who has the success of the Group ai heart to make special efforts to leaye the comforts of the fireside these winter evenings and foregatber on the third Weduesday of each month in all ¢ndeayoul to recapture some of tbe enthusiasm so. evident im maiiy mertings of the past, ta the omtual satisfaction and ocucation of all, To ulus end Mr. Arch. Bushy will be operating the late Mr’. EB. J. Ockenden's Projector at the Wext amiecting on Wednesday, July 20, and alt thase who have micro. slides suitable for low-power projection are asked to bring then along ‘the Group hard thy pleasure of the company of Mrs. Erickson, one of Western Australia’s outstanding naturalists, at the June mevting, Mrs Erickson is an authority on orchids aad trigger plants. WRAT, WHERE AND WHEN F.N.C.V. Excursions: : Sunday, July [7—Mystery Walk of about 6 miles. Leader: Mr. G. McLean. Take 8,35 am. tram to Ferntree Gully atid meet leader ar Kiosk oppnaite station Bring one meal. Sunday, July 31---Botasy Group excursion, Heathmont to Bayswater. Boole sccand return to Bayswater, Catch 10.33 am. Fernitee Gully tray, alight at Heatliumont. Bring ane meal, Saturday, August &—Parler chach excursion to Kinglake West. Leader: Mr. A. A, Baker. Subject} Geology and General, Old sea-floor area, once frequented by trilobites and other invertetirates, now covered with jurest and fer pitllies Coach leaves Batynau Avenue 9 am. revens ahout 6 pam Pare 12/46. Bring oe meal. Leader to travel with coach. Group Meetings: 4 , {8 pm, at. National Herbarium) . Wednesday, July 20—Microscopical Group, Wednesday, July 2?—Botany Group. Subject: Plant World, Part 3— Mosses, Speakers; Mr. Dakin aud Mr. Athins, Wednesday, August J—Geology Group. Subject: Posstl Invertefirates. The ‘Critobites, their lite smd form, Speaker; Mr. A. A. Baker. Marit ALLeNpER, Excursion Secretary. The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 72—No. 4 AUGUST 4, 1955 No. 860 PROCEEDINGS Alwir 100 members ane Irrends uttended the General Meeting of the Club at rhe National Verharinut on july [1 The Presiden. Mr. ‘Varlton Rayment. svormed the Club of the passing of ove old and respectec| members, Als. Serovich wad Me, Dakin, and all present stood in silent trilinte to their memory. _A better was received from the Reverend 1. M. RK. upp, telling of his receipt, at tt ceremony ar the National Werbariyn:, Svdnev, of the 1934 Naioral Mistory Medallion, unl Mr. \Wallis real a pri- vare caMininicrtion expanding Mr, Rupp's etter, The meeting was then banded over to Mir, 2. 3S. Hanks, who showed a senes of coloured shdes amd spake ou the Wyperfeld National Park, trom both az historical and uataral bistary point of wiew. The lectuire wat very profitable and enjovable ta all présert Mr. Wakefieid reparied the eift al a complete set of the b’istorian Natiralist by Mr, George Cowhill, whuse instroacidans were thies at wats to be sold for the henefz af Claty funds, which resersaction hac heen effected lor the sum of £50. Ae reporter! also vbat ceriiye the past month a ticther £46 worth of hack qumbers al the sourwal hae heen soll Mr. Swahy reported on changes to the Maranoy Gardetes com- mitten, aud offered te der as this Chih’s liaisen officer woth a, whielt offer was gladly accepted by the Clab. ; Tl was reported thar Counei bac appointed Mr. A. G. Hooke as Honorary Treasurer, in place of Dr. Geroe, who ig rere on account of profess reasons. The President welcomed Mr Hooke back to the Exceutive, aid thanked Dr Geroe fer the ser vice he had remdered the Chip. Mrs. M. C. Chatterton was elected as Ordinary Member, Mr and Mrs. S. Ling as foot Members, and Mr. Stephen Berrigan as Country Meinber, Allare accorded a hearty weleame to the ranks of the Club, After a number of nature nutes by members and comments on exhibits, the meeting was adjourned for the tsnal conversazione NATURE NOTES ANDO EXHIBITS Reproductions or plates, by Mr. Tarlton Rayment: Ulustreting: the biologe and morphology af Sericaphoriie Wasps, anda showme the pollmavon by & hee of the Grass Teirger pluit. Bos made from wood of Banda infeurdolur, by Mr Colin Lewis Marine shells, by Me. GC. !. Gabriel: “Spindle Shell”. Mawcivlaria aystnat- asta Perey. from Westervin Port Bay and Lakes Entranec. A Inmch about 4 juches in dismeter irom the latter lovahty comlained about 170 capsules each with @ ta 8 juvenile forms. “Rock Whelk", Cynatini spcngiert Chem, from Wessera Port Tas, 49 call . tee J . ‘ All Mature Noles aud Fuvhifity + wet al Cultivated native flowers, from Marguoe Gardens and A J, Swiby. an Utustration of the valne of hardy Australian plants for winter display aml long flowering periods, The fallowing cetaifs are ever hy the exhibitoy ; Gremllear atspucnifali, Jan. Dec, | GC, alevides dinar pha, May-Qet.5 Gr, wie- tarive, Ap-Sept , CL wictoriee tommervis, An-Oeks G penicon, May-Oct : G. sericea, Jan Dee: (. rostnrenifelis, Jan-Dev. Thyrvplomene ro.ricnta, Mar-Nov.: 7. éalyrina. Jy Out. “Po pian. freb.-Nov, Loptuspernuon scoparia, varieties rudkert, Iauhethi, eatlivi, all Mar-Oct, Stonocarprs stanatus, May-Oct.; acadvie pocdely yriacfalic, May- Oct s Ant- uosuithos viridis, Mar, to 77 Carved Jasurenctana, Ap.- Sept C. reptewer hack- Aeusterna, Ap-Sept. Create victorive tenninersis has heen iy Maranoa Gardens for several years muler the name, ( aniguelianes The torn of G. pwrtced has elliptical leaves. [t is not knew where this beautiful form ip ualive; MW formnation woulit he weleaine, f. sertces took a long: une to find its way inte Victoria gardens ; but it will he very popular—-only 3 feet high, wel covered with pink Alowwers all the year, Vhr sprnneye. “payned” (said tO be alhybrid, CU. fbortivtes 2, saticohe), raise) hy F.C. Payne of Arhelstone, S.A., is a hardy in any soil. Jbiegts mtudos Davtdis, sian olant. is tarcly seer aint Vietoria. The pliiue at Maranoa will contnine nr flower for geveral yndnttis “NATURALIST” SETS FOR SALE: ANTHROPOLOGY, MAMMALS ANT HROPOLOGY : 13 individnal numbers of the jourtal, selected traur over the 28-year peril. May 1930 te April 1954 comaining over 150 payes ahout Aigst ralian ahavigines, including nnmerays text. figures, andl with 21 plates additional. Price, €1/5/6; see also note Tel ‘This Jol coniprises the following numbers; Vol NIV TNus. 1, 1, XLVI -5; XLVIEL-2, 6,8; IL-8, 8. limp; Li—as LTiL—49; Lave 6.9: Lv—8 12; LWiI— 4 7, 11, LV It 6, 7, LViti—t: LIX-5, LX “24,5, ty 7, 42: 62— 1, Oy O4—12; 67—Mh Vt. 12) 68—2; S9—2, 12, FY. 12. MAMMALS: Tio sets deghnie alos wholly with loeal marsinaids, caver- Wig the same period af the journal as the above authropolagy lol. Set A: Over 130 pages, with numerous text-Agures, and with 40 plates in addition, featurivig iy particular Davul Pleay's valuable contributions. Price, Bid (see pata below). This conyrises, Vol XNLVLL No, Ly XTIX—3, 4. L—2, f; LI—3}, 4: Lit, 4, &; OES LVI—8, 10; LV ILL—lLO: EXT 7, a” il: 67—t, 2.3. 4; oj—6, 7,8 , 12) 65-12. Set B Complementary to Sut A, 65 pages, with ilbustrauions. and tau plies alsa, oF articles nt less onistanding parure, but ileresting Heverthcless, Prive, 10/3 (see nete below). Set B comprises : Vol. XLVI—6; XLVIT—5, LI—S0, LIM-—5, 7; hIV 4. 1}, 12: LVY—6, LVIT—S 8, 11, 12; Vill, 2: Lixk—2z; 61—11- 2 6; O10; 64, &, 9. N.B—The prices quoted above are available to FN.CAV, members anil subseribers, being balt the original vost; the sume mtterral is available ro others at original price (twice those quater ahave), Under the same scheme, any dividual numbers or parts of the above sets may be acynired, This has been set out previonsly, but prices (half) are nore precisely listed as follows: From Val. T No. 1 to Vol Nhoeta Nod. 0. 0. 0. Sc per vopy KLies$ te MLITT—S, and XIX —2 to ai—t bth per copy XLT te Mt. INT nd Of are Gt Me per -capy Wi ww Ate " a oe : oo. oy bee per copy M—3 caramel ~ ; ee .. WS per copy Orders shale he uldressed ti tre Hh i, “faite (see qeldross Gi) griver), A A 4 . . - ee Phe Uretornane Aurtimadliat aI THE AUSTRALIAN ANCHOR PLANT (Discarla pubescens) Its Distribution and Present Status, an Occurrence along Creswick Creek, Vic., ond Notes on the Fruiting Structure ity J. H Wicais, National Herbarium of Victoria By the inevitable, if often anpalatable, appheation of the Rules of Ruotanical Nomenclature, many of our indigenaus plants have been “re-baptized” in recent years. Thus the old, fanihar Discurta aves- fralts TYook. (1830) became J. pubescens (Brongn.) Druce 1917 —hasedl upon Colfetia pubeseens of Rrongniart (1827). Australian Injtanists have heen slow to adopt this change, which is particularly distasteful > as W. J. Hooker remarked in his original deseriptivn of the genus Discaria, “The name pubesccny is scarcely applicable, fot, in general. the stems, branches and thorns are quite glabrous” Sonmeh fur the name of 2 remarkable plant, bur what cougerns bs move is Ws prestot quantitative distribytion—frore: canter Mp manic, through Viciouiw and the castern tablelands of New South Wales to the Darling Downs district in the fur soul of Qneess- linc Cit is absent fran South Sasstrala apd the West». Jusr a hundred vears age, i hin Alara Posie 7° 64 (1853), |. D Hooker renwtrbed that our Aystraban Adchor Mani was “net euin- mun. . an ely shri ——— much browsed on by cuctle and sheep" Yo we ave in these weeds io idembration of impending clout Recorded Jocalines for Tasmania are the Hobart-Kingston area (where Robert Brown first saw it in March 1804, nicknaning 1 “Cullevia ferox), Derwent and jordan valleys (inching Hamilaii, Lrighton and Bagdad), Great Swanpourt and the South Esk River; lay in a revent letter (2/75/1955) Dr, Winifred Curtis of the Tas- huiinian Wniversity tells mie: that she has never succeeded in finding the phint anywhere in her State and has u “horrible feeling that it may already be exterminated”. As far as Victoria 15 concerned, anchor plants are now 4 distiiet ranty, and lew people ever see them. Normally they are divaricate shrubs having opposite, awl-shaped spines, each pair set alternately att night angles. Leaves are small and early deeidiwous > Init at Cohungra ital leaty form grows. (or grew), with the spines much reducer) or even absent, tithe Micfortan Nutiratist 50: 6B (Aug. 142) 7 discussed the known Victoriaw occurrences (viz. Middle Creek aear My. Cole: Mt. Warrenheip: Lal lal fallas upper Dela Vite, Ovens and Mitta Mitta Rivers: Cobungra: Livnigstone Creek, Omeo. Black Mto,, Wolgulimeraity), with special reference to a patch near Creswick—orr basalt country where Major Mitchell hac first observed Che species, on September 27.7836, A visit to Lireh's Creek, wear Cresweck, in January 1953 showed that the suvall anchor plant colony there iad cwincled to one decrepit, mariiuod Tish, dneciitl co its battle for existence beneath cuermiching pingles 52 Wities, Phactertratiat tacher Plant of intraduced broom, ‘No other accurrences had been nated any yee in the Creswick district. ¢ ‘}ast January (13/1/1955). aw, company with Mr. Allan Sonsee ob the Ballarat Veachers’ College and several other friends, .L was, exploring the lower part of Cres- wick Creek “gorge™, ont mile: SAW. of “Snizort” Homesteail at Cattle Station Hill. This rocky Lract affords. many botaucal ex- citeiients and is the last refuge for several plants which have long sitice vanished from the surrouncd- ing basalt plains — either heavily grazecl (by rabbics and stock) or put under cultivation. We found an occasional very old gnarlecl tree of Bankste suey gatala wmony boulders along the creek, nearhy the shade-loviny elderberry Sam buens guadichaahane, and perch- ed high on one cliff-face a ew tufts of luc-grass, Dighesrthinan sericanme [see fict. Nat, 69: 130 (Peb. 1953)}. In the last cliffy - Section of the creek toward Tru- rello grew bracken fern, attractive masses of late blichells (He ehlej- hergia Licaloy) ov the escarpment, and ome plant af the Derwent Speedwell (Peranict derwenna.) —a distinct surprise in this hasal- tic area, Bur the piece de résiy- temee Of the day was Piscarta hubescensi—tliree old, vet vigor- aus, bushes overhanging the streain al au isclated’ patch of Viet, Mat, Vol 1 Aten a : \ Yi ‘5 <“ \ a Qt Ano. ] ae \ fan) Distribution ai Diszarte pubrsecis.’ Swamp Gum aud Blackwood ; they are aliost inaccessible to hrows- ing stack and would appear fit to survive fur many years, Magniti- cent examples of Mageiita Storkshill (P ?clargonisen. Today iri) in full hloota acconipanied rhe aychor playits at this spot. Auother important: '“Ainel’” for the day wag a chin of showy Feather-heads (Trichininit macrocephatuin) at the easteru (oor of Mt, Beekworth, on granitic wash. Probably the snectes cmce extended aver basaltic grassland near Clones, asyit dees turlay or the Keilor plains. ancl we had heen fortynate enough tu stumble upon one of its last resorts, August 1955 mn ws Wibtis, Yhe cbistrattan .fuehor Plant Qn the main road between Bendoe and Lower Bendoc (very near the NWSW. border) Mir. N. A. Wakefield and I found a single Jiscaria plant on January 20, 1948, After reading my anchor plant note of .\ngtist 1942 (Piet. Nat.). the Rey. Hl. Mo oR. Rupp wrote at once with the following infor- nation concerning cecurrences 40 years ago in the New England district, NWSW: Years ago (about 191-14) 7 used to collect it quite frequently in the Barraba district, west of the main New England tableland. It was fairly common there, at elevations ranging from 1,700 ft. (the altitude of Barraba itself) to about 4.000 ft. on the Nandewar Range and its spurs... So far as | can recollect, it was a low shrub from 2-4 ft. high, and was frequently ii association with one or two species of Cryptandra. usually on the grassy slopes of the yalleys. [do not remember ever find- ing it in the rough granite country towards New England proper, | think, however, that | once collected it on basalt near Glen Innes. One wonders whether the plant is as numerous now it the Barraha ranges, or whether it stil oceurs at Allan Cunninghan's original callecting spets near Bathtirst ( Macquarie River) and on Cox's River? 1 found a few specimens on the banks of the Murriuimn- hidgee, five miles NOW. of Cooma, mt October 1948. and in his monumental work, of Strdy of the see ms of the Monaro Region of New South (Vales, 1934, \. B. Costin records it as occur- ring in grassland, savannah woodland, a both wet and dry sclero- phyll forest—though apparently nowhere frequent. 1. 1. Pryor 11939) records /iscarid as a small shrubby component of /: uealyp- tus pauciflora-E, stelilata forest in the Federal Capital Territory at 3,000-4,000 feet. Mr. R. H. Anderson, Chief Botanist and Curator at Sydney Botanic Gardens, informs me (18/5/1955 ) that few members of his staff have seen anchor re in the field on more than one occasion, and then only im rocky mountainous country inaccessible to stock or where stocking is light—in such areas the shrubs were common enough and in no apparent danger of extinction. An in- teresting note accompanies a specimen in Sy dney Herbarium from Braidwood, 1949; stating that the plant was “spreading rapidly" in that district. In answer to a further enquiry on the matter, the Braidwood Shire Clerk reported (19/7/1953) that he interviewed Mr. W. B. Henville, from whose property the material of 1949 had come, and learned that Discaria was certainly not “spreading rapidly’ then-—in fact, Mr. Henville has not seen it at all for some years. It is strange that such an erroneous remark should have accompanied the specimen to the Sydney Herbarium, Coming finaliy to Queensland, there is only a single recorded locality—Eton Vale, on the Darling Downs 24 miles simith of Tow- woomba, where a collection was made in June 1898. Mr. S. T, Blake of the Brisbane Herbarium (in a letter to the writer, 30/5/1955) does not know anyone who has seen Disearfa in Queensland since 1898. Vict. Nat. Val, 72 Wintis, Phe ofustrattan otnehor Plant To my knowledge, the fruiting structure of Discaria pubescens has never been adequately described. Mature fruits are 3-4 1mm. in diameter, each consisting of three one-seeded, reddish-brown, bald but reticulate-veined cocci which split loculically. Seeds are about 2-5 * J-5 mm., ellipsoid, brown, rather laceate and slightly wrinkled, But a most noteworthy thing is the aecrescent hase of the caly.y. After the upper petaloid lobes have shrivelled and dropped off, the undivided tubular portion expands to form a very shallow funnel or disk subtending each young fruit: with fruit fall, these calycine disks remain in ‘axillary clusters on the branches, giving them a distinctive appearance. Photo: Rolf. R. Baldwin, 13/1/1955 The haunt of surviving anchor plants--on a basaltic cliff of Creswick Creek, 1 mile SW. of “Snizort” Homestead. (/uset sketch of flower, 3-coccous fruit, and fruiting branch.) Another curious feature in J), pubescens is the way in which the fascicles of flowers and young leafy shoots invariably develop wuderneath the opposing branch- spines, instead of in their upper axils as one might expect. Actually, the inflorescences arise in axils of old obliterated leaves from which the spines themselves once grew, and a stipular scar is discernible immediately beneath each pair ef spines, even on old branches. A Bendoc specimen (20/1 / a ngs Wins 198 » Phe nsteatian Anchen 2 lant 5 1948) in Melhawene Herbariun hus loth spines uf one pate torkerl uc their apices. The accompanying sketch-niap illustrates the known range of 1). pubeseens, with many occurrences (indicated by stall hollow dots) throughout the tableland region of New South Wales—from Tenterheld ta Delegate. FLORA OF VICTORIA: NEW SPECIES AND OTHER ADDITIONS—=3 By N.A. Wakerieey, Noble Park Genus Hydrocatyle: A New Specics from the Austrolian Alps HV BROCOTYLE ALCARUS Sysp. nov ; oh Hortes indumenturdyte A meceti- toby (FP Muelly No ATWaketeld, et ob dovman folioruia AL herr R.Tr. ex Rich. accedens, sed. ciffert habitation: alpina, toliis subs manifeste palhdhoribus atque peduncalis suepissnne quan) yetiol) longi dribus; a pnore foliis rotuniis er falis perobtusis, a posterorc ovaries {juim corolla angustior: etiam recedens. WOLGOUYPE: Mouwit Buller, Victoria, southern slopes, 5209 30 3400 Tout, amongst basaltic and granitic rocks under Eucalyptus pauciflorn. oO. Jost TOU, Wills and N. A, Wakefield, (MEI-PARATYPES io be planus ay KEW and NSW) Rhizoracs widely greening; petioles fone. densely villosa; lcaves rounded, te about 2 em. diam. with abut 7 mane lobes, upper surface dark preci with raised veins, under-surface very pale and the veins sunk, both surfaces hearing copious short curved acuminate hairs; peduncles longer than Ue adjacent petiales, densely villose; flowers ahout 15 per head, sub-sessile, the corolla inuch broader than the ovary. UY algadus Was the floral structure and the yestiture nf the lawland ft? ecwilube, from which it differs mainty in having ronnded Ivaves and leat lobes; its forage resembles that of J. feirfa, buc the floral structure is quite different; and fram, both these species H. alyidis differs further ba its elongated pechincfes aud the very pale under-surfaces. of the leaves. For rr kien of various species of the group, see Vict, Nat, as: 8 (May 951). ; Habliat Under Snow Gum (Eucatyptus padcrflerc), at elevations of about 4,000 fect and aver, throughout the Australian Alps, , In (te National Herbarium; Melbourne there are alge specimens of A. wyidas from the Cobboras Montana Cee, De Berd. Muchler, Feb, 1854), Mount Bozong (A. J, Tadgell, Feb, 1923 and Jan. 1924) ahd the “summit of Mount Erica in the Baw Baws (J. Ho Wilbs, 213.1991). Ie was collected also by Dr, R. Melville of Kew and the author, at the head of the 7 Sade River on the Nunnione Plateau m1 cuslernt Victoria, in January 195. By courtesy of the Chief Botaniist, National Herbarium, Sydoey, the author has been able to examine Gvo collections of the speews fram New South Wales. One in flower and frait (NSW, No, 21230) bears the data “Pretty Pom, Mouont Kosciusko, NSW. 1 HO Maiden wud W_ es Jalix, 1899"%y cond the other, with rhizomes anc foliage only (No. 31231), sar tla “Swampy Plain River (Snowy River area), 124.1934, M. Mucilec No, (84 2 MICROSCOPICAL GROUP Micro-proyectior wis the theme ata well altended July meeting. Mr. ©. Middleton and Mr. A, Busby collaborated with theery and practise to give = ost enjoyuble evening. The Aagust meeting will deal with phote-micny senpby, So if you have any inater ial, please Wrinar it, alone 56 The Whelevian Natwratet Val. 72 F.N.C.V, EXCURSION TO PORT FAIRY—EASTER 1954 By EO WW Arecepes Uniler the capable leadership Of twe local Cloh menhers, the Misses G Bowker and Mo Rrady, cur piety ot tevelve spent any insteuctive and enjoy- able stay it this locality, rich me Wi-tanical, geological anc onitholoyical iiterests. Situated 183 mies from Melbourns. in the south-weacern earner of the State, Port Fairy is pleasantly paced ow the banks of (he Moyne River, a stream noted for its large brown acl ritinbow trout. Downstream are shaper, whiting, silver bream and mullet af good sve andl quanttey. Hiatorieal Apparently this act of Acstralia was visited frst.taiwards the cncl of 180U, when Captain (rant, ex roate From Loudon ta Sydoey, took advantage oi the discovery of Bass Strait by Bass and Flinders, Graut sighted land near Mt. Gambier and exanined the coastline carefully trom there to Cape Otway Tr 1802, the Frenchotin, Bawdin, in Lie Cocayraphe, charted the coast fron Wilsan's Promontory Westward to Encounter Bay (South Austeahas, where lw inet THivlers working aimiuarly from the west, On April 25, 181. Capnan Jiowes Wisharn ty the entrar any. sought shelter fran) & south-Wwesterly gale in the hay which he named “Port Fairy In 1834, aemaster mariner, John Griffiths of Laqneeston, built bute tor |as inen in this locality, oad so pioneered the settlomentwhich ie said to hawe beer fer-a time the buyiust Australian aort cutstele Sydney, Goological ; The hedeovk of Port Fairy district cansiscs of Miocene marine tlinmegastente The beds, lying horivontally, are of considerable depth and they form part of the sediments extending across south-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australi. Ry Pliocene times, the marine Uinestone hac enrwerged tran the sea There Hien occurred vast culpourings of lava winels covered most of the Yicwwriatl Western Wistrict, forming ‘a great basaltic plain, 9400 square miles in area and the third largest in the ward, Where Port Fairy now stands, one of rhe many tongues of basalt which renched the coast from these @utpourings, Nhawed downy avd Bled a river valley eroded aiter the limestone, The ocrurrence of an Fee Ace towards the end af the Pleisteerne period, effected a drop ia, sen level to 150 fect below the present level, atl a con- spicuous feature of the coast from Port Pairy eastward to the Hopkins River is the deposits of consohdated dune Lmestatie formed during this Tee Vee fertod. The deposits extend one ta three mics intand, and seawards ter 2 quarter of a mile, below the present sea level. The roek, when even aid vom puet, is nsed for Iuiktimg purposes. Ce was formed from said blown by the wind inte daves and subscquently consolidated by the presence of ealeareme matter deriyert Irom shell (ragments associated with, tie sancl. With the passjug of the Ice Age, the yea encreached upon the lard, ten to twelve feet higher than the present Invel, and there are sumerous shelt beds of réeent character scattered) throughour the. district, laid down during this period. After the sea had veétrented to its piéesent level, Tower Hill yolcino erupted and tke fine volcanic ash from its craters hag become same af the most valuahia agriculraral land ia Awarralic The mobile sand dunes fringing the ocem ace ob recent origin ail were nuce densely covered with teaetoee aul native Hertwe, Aol today the sea ts fey again everoachine nem the Tani, its ts ilicarel by the Yeolosivally rapic reteoerading of the present coastliuc, . Excursion Activities On Easter Foeday. an atteruoen wes sper at the Killarney aborigines! widdern, Seven veiles to the east aleue the coast, The weather was cloudy anel August . 2 nuss- Atkins, Exeurnon ta Port Paiey ¥ showery. as we walked along the bench strewn with heaps of brows leuthery kel. On the landward side the coastal chines were covered With dense prowth of Hairy Spinitex, Maram Grass aud Coast Sword-sedge, Lining the candy heach were low bushes of “Sea Rocket Cults qeaeiiig. profuse with dainty sprays af mauve Aowers but entittings an uupleasaut odour This plant, an introduction, is a annual and prodagdes fal “pods'. aye seeds heloved of Mitue dl-geeen paccols which cone 1) large Hacks to parsake of the feast. On our way ta the nniklen we inade a waeed bird list: Caspian Tero, Lite Pied Cormorant, fed-capped aud Hooded Dartereis Little Stine, Sharqetailed Sandpiper, Turnstone, Golden Miover, Lesser Knot aml Pouble-handed Porcere}, The Killarney nidilen covers in ate some Unrve deres of sand cbaies, and i has heen searched thoroughly for aboriginal artefacts, though enongh hits and pieces are about for one te Tomy a prectare of the activivies assaciatel with the urea, Whe midden contains the remanis of a vatiets: of mollusc. “Elepliant Fuses Lintpers, Perswinkles, “Goats of Mad". Muttan-fish alvl Ovsters, 19- sctier with crade forms of stove dmplements, used ay Teonimers soul anvile tw break ppen the shells, and stones for knocking mallises aff the racks, Jn most heaps. the various spectes of shell are mingled tayecher ar strewn haphadardly over copsideyable areas, but sone leans, Fer ta sig feet in dimuecter, are composel of only ane shell hype, The p2tives Tit their fires in shallow hollaws ov the tus ef sand duvtes and fran the masses of jaueed, blick basalt reefs Cuimmie oul inte the «ec just below. the oddest they guihernd (her main supply ot shelletish, These were cuoked and tie contenes peked oni, of He shells were smashed and the niolliees waten raw. On the sand dunes grev Angular Nuoniower, Curpebratey aegualaterty, which the Port Fawy vatiees called prnsiaee, The meh-lorg recebsh fronts were eaten al considered a gyeat delicacy, though te the Evrooean palate they hive a Prackish Ayveur, For haw long ihe abrrigines hart contned this descvict befoye (he arrival of Fyropeans is debuiahle, but che finding at Bushteld, north of Warrnam- hool, oF 4 mative axe anu bane pplemertts with, foxsal dingo bones underneath the Tower PUN yoleanie ash Tas proved the often discredited aboriginal tradition that chem ancestors lad Wwitiessedl Tower Hull uy croption Radio- curhon tears show that the last ccupriaa oF Tewer Hill a¢curred about 19,000 years dau, And from the discoveries of fossil dingo Yoneg with those at YfiwWacelcu, au extinet @iait inarsupial it ve assumed that the ahorigities, who are credited with bringmg the dingo mto Austratia, bad arryed m Ure Western Destriet of Victoria hefore the Great Augtratian Arid Period, of 5,000-7,U00 years aga, Which caused the extinction of the Pfinecadea. Early on Saturilay morning we were on our way for an yli-day yisit to ome af Voetaria’s geutogical wanders, Tower Mii), the workd-famgus caldera— a voltanic crater Widened by subsidence, Tower Hill ie about midway betwee Port Fairy ang Warrnambool and was the ase active volcano in Viereria, Its Inatary begins with very bigh pressuces of volcanic gases, chiefly steam, thrusting through a weakness in the overlying bedrock of marine lnestore Ak the guses reached the Ground sirtace, dense clouds of suffocating tea nod volvanic ash billowed skyward aod woleavic bombs Cieanidescent piedes of Java) ahot joto the sky. The initial orater vent vastly ingrowsed in size as walls of Taase vole ash collapsed inte the flery furnace, and what Tower Hull ¢eclmed in airy ail beeante ynjescent, a criter, tenglily gear-shaped, twa tiles Tong. by one aul a halé wales avide hint fects gouged aut of the earth's surtace. After a period of vest a ting: eruption eceurred andl [ron (Wis vesulted the vest of canes that taday statid in the centre of the caldera. Taking advantage of a fine raad which descends inti the crater aid is con- nected 16 the causeway, we walked dosee, examining on the way an example Vick, Naw Val oa 3S NYSIRS Bearciesid to Port Fairy ofa sul) valeanic hamb whieh affected the UiFF he Mooplivg sharp downward shonils i the Horizontal layers Then the parcy begat: a pleasant five-mile sterofl around the island of cones in the centre af the crater lake whrse waters are rich in bird lie, We noticed multittlcs af Coots and Grey Teal, numerous Swamp Flens, Black Durk, Swans awl Hoary Grehes: there were a few White this, Yellow-bilied and Royal Spnanhills, White Egrets and a solitacy Pelicas, Brow Hawks @ew low over the lake waters and overhead a Ceregrine Valcon seared high in the air. From the bracken along the roadside we heard the “sisey" of the Blue Wren and uoticed Silvereyes, Field-Wrens and White-browed Serub-Wrens. After lamch, our party climbed a steep-sided slope ta rhe highest point af ie istatd, 325 foe, whove sea level, to obtain a panoranie view of this wast crater, Rumiing clockwise from the north-west to the scuth-weer af the crater is the sneceracular J-mife streten of almost vertical crater wall con- sisting of Uiousancd: of-horiaontal layers of tult Ceornsalidated yvoleanre ash) wel lapilli (pea-sized pellets). over 300 Teet nigh at rte thickesy part slong the eastern edge of phe rin, To te west and south the well falls away rapidly to a tow bank and su the finest Gutside view of the cones is trom the oceau, for Power LT accupics not deerater in a voloaoie bill bura hole below the earth's surface, formed ley the: gouging activity of the volcano, ‘ The difference in height between the two jordans af the crater wall i tue to rhe Giet than, cirtng ihe voleano's outburst 10,000 years ago, the then prevailing south-westerly winds spread the continuous shower-oF ashes and pellets marcketily tu the north-east of the crater, The crater islam! we a nile oe length. with a @rentest width of abour three quarters a1 a ile. There are a umber oi ¢eoria cones On the wand and. except fur two very distinct craters, one at each enel of the island, ir is cliPh- colt to separate the vents, as cach intertered with the othor's activity. From the suai we watked alone o high tanrew ridge te the rim af the well preserved satither scoria cone whose steep inher slopes are composed of coarse tragments of ash. We made our return to Part Fairy via the road bordering the eastern anil northern edges of ihe crater, We expected to ahlain views of the crater as we travelled aloug, but the serroummling country rises gently to the rim om the eastern and aerthern sides ad the road is an tive outside, At the morth- Western sector, hawever, gaps acer we Ue ring and s6 glimpses are obtainell of the crater wall aud the island west of bare brown cones Suaday aiternoon was spent at Griffiths Island, al ove time cnmnrctod fr the maiko by a lreakwater pier. Uheoueh the penerosity oF Mr. Rogers. Part (airy Harhour Mister. we were ferried ever and he conducted the thor. We ylolted the Hglithouse the Fairy Pengult) teste sites and the Matton- bird rookeries with, at the tin of pur visit, a few fledylinia almast ready to Ay Prom the trig beactin we obtained views of the sweey of coastline From Port Fairy to Warrnambool. . As we made our way to che guest house, a Musk Duck displaying im the river altracted one attention. snd ihe disorderly tail. consisting of a few spine- like fouthers, (as quite visilile, On Moudlay. we travelled by noad eight miles westward Trom Port Fairy ro the Silver Gull raokery at the Craigs, a jumbled memes of wined-swepr rocks detavhed fram ihe main cliff jace. Bren the clit top we viewed ihe Hat-wopped Lady Jutia Perey Esland, ave miles offshore to the wesl, Ried live was abundant as our party wensled its way hack to Tea-tree Bay over the oH tops and along the beaches. Prom the dense thickets uf Comst Benrd-neath came the calls of the Singing Honeyeater, Where the counter was covered waitin ad miss Of low lerbage, we noticed Silrereves, Flaine Rolin, Putt-tailed Thornhills, Whitelrowed Scrub-Wrens, Field-Wrens ave staail vumbers nf a liey hired with a prnderans versacular native the Golden-headed “ues Atkins, Exenrsean ta Part airy 39 J eae vy a Bema simply and attractively known hy pls schowbfe name, Costtealy Along the beaches were Curlew-Sandpipers, Gannets. Pied and Sooty Oyserestchers, Red-necked Stinta, Whistling Pagles (the mast nomerous bird-oi prex an the district), Crested Terns, Hooded, Double-handed and Red-capped Dotrerels, ancl several unidentified Albatrass offshore, The Turn stones were apparently restricted to the hasale veers runting Gut mito the sea, vreay which Chey prefer, and they were not sech on the sandy sections of the beach, Rirrnewees Gil, B.D. 01943). The Genlagy of Warrnamboal Proc: stow Soe, BG LY ONS.) C11) 5 151-54. (1948), Hypothisis Relative w the Age or Some Western Disteset Valranoes, Wietaria, Prag Ray Soc Mie 2 N ¢N_S_) = 180-94, --——— (1947), Eelelin Hill beet, Nat od) 130. 41054) Tasmanian Devil. Tasmanian Wall uel Ue Dinge. bred. Nar eth: 86. -——— (1954). Beoligy apd Ujstrrbution of ihe Estingt Giant Marsal, Viulacilen, Wiel, Not. 72s US Hart, FOS (1901) Notes) a Vist re Moar Tih Koran Mit Mat NTE 137 Marga. 02, 1 (1994), Birds of Mort baity fhe Bird Obyeipate (July, THE VICTORIAN MOLLUSCA By Rew © Krasnaw This paper discusses Hteraturs relalins to the mollusea tu Vietoria, Tr ys milended ap rhe firat of a series, variously titled. Until recently the most inportant work relating to the molluss in Victoria was the Cataloyie of the Mectorian Mollusen, arepared by G, B. Pritchard and J, H. Gath The work commenced by these authors was sabsequencly carmed on by 1H. Gathitand C. J. Gabriel in collaboration, in the form of Additicns tn Lhe Cuolalugnie, Commenced mi 1898, the entire work, inchiding any additional papers describing new species, was carried on unlil the year 1931. All the papers published hy these authors haye heen listed by Colliver (1947a, 1947h, 1948). Part 1 of the above catalogue gave a briei renew of the earher Nats ang papers publisher! in Victoria, includiipe two describing new apecies by the Rev. Julian Fenisan Woods in the Proceedings of the Royel Suaety oat Mretoriv, Vol 4 (1878) and Vol i? C881), The earliest Hst hail heen thar prepared by Gevti and qoblished de thys Journal, is 1887, while }. Bracebridge Wilson, who is so well Kinwi for his collection ot Vietoran Chitons, also provided w list. The collection of shells brausht cogether by the late J. TT, Gatliff, number- ing 7,270 specimens. ts. preserved ju the Nationa: Muse. as an snvaluahle reference caliection for stutleuts of concholuey, The watoral sequel ta the wark of the early callectors \Wwag the publication yy Macpherson and Chapple (1951), of a new Systematic List. However, the eredt bulk of the systematic revision whiclt enabled the preparition of this valuable work had -hecr carried aut by Iredale, principally in New South Wales, and Cotion in South Australia, Iredale, after publishing many impar- tant papers dealin with lug cesenrches ip Ragland aid New .Zeuand, several of which have been Usted hy VWinlay (1926), began his revision of the “Check list of N.S. Wales Moilusca” prepared by Charles Hedley (1917). with an historic paper dealing with the collections of Roy Bell (Iredale, 1924) As Roy Bell had collected in Victoria muny skelis referred to hy Iredate, this paper assumes considerable importancr to. Vierorian students, Later, during till Kenetiagy, Lhe Pretoria (doses Ad ras Wat. oL 7 a Titiliee sens of ossays. dretile seviewed uot only the New South Wales wiaNuscat fata, but much of that al the remainder of the tastern and sauitherin coasts of Australia, cul in addition the rerrestial mollusca of the saine area, A list of the veey large tumber of esseys pubbshed by Charles Hedley (Lee- dale, 1936) was presented by this authoc alsa. Tie South Australia, sieilar IMPOkAML Werk. Cough perhaps dn a somewhat smallec scale, was carried wut hy B.C, Cattan, with the assistance for some years of F, KR. Gadiroy, “This tec to the pubheation of systematic lists af te moliusea of South Aus- tralia (Cotton and Godirey, 193%b and 14406) ‘The writer, Fy a dorthcorinag list of the Tasmanian mollusca. has provided. a list of refcrences of the bull: af the essays. contributed by [redale, Cotton, Laseron eunul oiler well-known authors. Accordingly such a list is not melded with this paper. Tn acklition to fhe decenptive papers published by the early wathors iu isturia, (, |, Gabciel in 1934 published a sorall hook, Hicterian hells, unforturafely pay out of prick. dealing with a iatze number of the shells ta be found mi Part Phillig Bay. The Wustrations fwovider nade ideijtifcation Gt mest species Hkely to be collected on our Bay beaches tather simple, Since then Cettan, and Gadfrea baye provided, under the title The MWfoltises oj Soul, Anedvatio, Weeuwatedk sel descriptive books dealing with bivalves (1938a). ad With ckitotis, task shelis. and cephalopods (19d40a}, Many shells fotind ow the Victorian coast abe dealt with in these Works, Then there appeared the ose impoctant comtribution of all, which enables rhe great mag ocity of shells tu be iclentifiecd, Joyee Alkan's Ansiraten Shells (Atian. oH Vor further allustratioms the excellent /Unwtroted Jndew of Tasmanian Sheils {May 1925), now oi of print, pives figures of many shells found in Victorian waters, weludiue spectes from the deeper waters aff the coast Brief méjerence Vas been matic to the heerature published so far during the preset century, with a few carber references, “Whe following notes deat with a few af ie inmortant works published during the elghteanth and nine- tewnth ceuturics, whieh bold some miterest Tor students ¢if rhe Wiectoriac Molluscs. Though cesirable a equuplete review and a list oF all the lileratuer dewliig with Vietorian molluscs la the present day ts hafdly practicable, hawever it is Haped oat many mure references tuay he given when clealing with individual species in later papers of the suries commenced here Systowu Nataraos Whe werk al the fanovs Linneaus i& su well kiewn a4 Seaccely to Need smention, and vet it seem Gardly rigkt to exclude the fomndation of which the structure. has: been built, Rinwroial naimenelatyte, as his now accepttd, dates fron the tenth ediGion ol the Sytewia Mularuc, ie. the firse day af Panuary L758. Names siroposed before this date are nat recognived. The iirteenth edition ot the work was celited by Ginetin. Salanler, a famous pupil of Linne visited Australia with Sir Joseph Banks Vaivorsat Concholayind . 4 Vols. 1784. Martyn’s work. wecordig ta Iredale, was heautiinlly ilustrated: however, he used his own system, whicl) as Net now regarded as binonnal and is consequently nat scceptesd, Histarre Naturelle dex danni saves Fertobres) % Vols, 1815-22; by Jean Baptiste Pierre Antoine De Nenet Oe Lamarck: (f Linniewus was the archi- tect af moder) systematic zacloey, Lamarck was one of its preatest ouilders. lin Vieldria, we are principally concerned wath Vol, 3 (188) and Vol 7 (1422) of this work, a secorl eclition of which wis piblished by Mr, Des- hayes. Several cated French equchologiats studied Lantwrck’s sliells, among who Lary hay recently miade domportaur sturies of bivalves. Peron anc Lesucur made collections when naturalists with Captain Baudin, hut their qoukmental work was nevgr filly reported au. Some shells were exdininel ty Lauaaeck tran the collection which was placed mn the Paris Museurny Variae autner cis ionde dela Cormette Mlstraleie 1826-9, 20 Vols. 8va. Paris 1830-5 lules &. C Dumont D'Orville [Zouloey (Vol 3) part b, pr Peet Keksunw, Tae Wietorntn Moattirece ol 1-368 (1844+), part 2) pp. 309-054 (1835): Atlas at Plites. t5hed 1833] - The thyec volutes dealing with Zogkwy Were published between T3830 and 1834. Velie 4, noted above, dealt with the conchalogieal collections. ‘Phe Asiraabe visited Victorian waters, and its celebeated naturalists, Quoy and Gitnard, cotlected i Western Part Bary. Arar the Many species collected Were the Rrst two land shells obtained Jeon Vietoria. The Atlas of plates witedales their descriptive essays on conchology, and the port has pven raised Vad yt the plates be deseriuive, should they nut supersedly the varecative in ayvstuinane conchology. Wrenn Cuming: Vie famous collecuon of Haugh Coming, accumulated fram the Philippines, America. Africa, and Anstrabu, gitssed to the British Maseun on lis death, Te collection was worked ion by such) avtiers as Reeve, Sowerby wid the brothers Adanim. Iredale and Hull (1927) give Niel notes on the Yves and work of these and many other authors, ieloding Professor Thiele, GF. Angas, H 4. Pilsbry, Philippine Islands shells from the Costimgy colleetion huve been confused with shells from sodtheru Australia. Muse Catania, 1797 (May) 2M. dé Calonoe, having lef, France due lo politcal unrest, disposed uf his collection in donde, to George Humphrey, dealer in natural kistory objects, M, de Calonne had pourehased the collection irom the Puke of Portland on che death wf the Dowager Buches, Min eu- feenou Nad formed the subir mutter uf ath Gapotbisbed myannuseript Muscat Portico hy Sakunler Ping Flaophrey obtutned yoel dealt With, i che Museuar Calunnianan, both thesy colluctions. "Thus the work 4 97 considerably Hterest. avi Hie systemintte maplcatians Nave been fully dracuysed thy Tredive PYGSF) Ya S17. Di tw i Nlishwil a Deseriptiae Catalagie af ecew Shelly. winelr combed suiiy peferenees Ga whe above swork. Coniunie of Shells othe Pankersite Calleetton, Y825 ¢ feuary), Sewerby , (nut the Sawverby refereed to above) porehksed Hurphegys busiless. | lar’! collection} and when cealing with the Tankerville Collection made reference: to the Portland Cylnet, aid the Catone Cabinet SHe japrailuicedd nannies which he crested) 16 Aiinyphrey. A controversy Gwure of this period, Perry, was? a author of (Wo works ou natieal history, namely, the tremnd, pudbtished 1310, and Cancheinuy, pub- Jishedl IRL] ‘Mhe former hax been reviewed by [rede and Matthews (1912), Une later py Gathiff (i902, see Coltiver, 1048, dae. eit), ad Heédiey (1902, see Tredale, 1950, hor ert), Most of the shell figures of Me dreang were yepra- duwed on Cunchalouy, Reeve and the younger Sowerby did nor recaynize Perry's work, the chief objection tuo whick appears ca be the munber of in- qeeurare fures Iredale (1937) vennirks the source of Perry's materi to be the Bullack Miseom Genera Wlyadyced by Humphrey hy the Mopstian Colaiutlanmin were used iin 4A Canabatteat tu Ade, Bullock's: MWuscun (Righth fdiiion, 1870), want Pervy clans some of (hese as lis own, The Bullock Museum has hea dig cussed liv Tredule (2048). . Canehvtien Cabinet, 12 Vols. 1769-95, Martini and Chemnite: This tapers taut werk wins begin by Martini wud eoatiniued hy Chenite fron 1780 (7 Vals.) ; the second edition was by Kester and is commonly known a4 Kus- ter's continuation Comchelagin Eoontes, 20 Vols, 1R44-78. L. Reeves A wonlerfol series of Monographs, beau tails Wustrated by G Bo Sawerby. Lovell Reeve was states! liv Tredisle ial Hull (1927) to be the greatest wonchelugical worker of the last coutary Megige of MS. Onaenper de ot 23, Lamelabranctaliad Redgar Ay Sreith couchalagiet at the Brith Museum for upwards of forty veurs, Was, accarding to Pyenaly, dhe only lnnelish worker omer thir Jukes Brann, 1 mike se suinlyoat bivalves, Thre slate wis PS8s, 62 Karceraw, The Pietarian Maltese Mat et Volume 13 ot the Challenger reports dealt with the Gastropoda, the anthar being Boog Watson. Alsa.in Volume 15 was Haddan's “Report on the Pelynlacophora” (Clitons}, the date of the volume bene 18864. “A List of the Genera af the Recent Mollusca, their Synonyms and Types", Irog. Adal. Soe. Loud. 1847) Dy. J. FE. Grey, the author of this historic paper, was also the anther of the “Appendix ta Captain King's Survey of Aus- rrablet” ((827), Tritish Museum Caretogues and many ather important works, The Genera up the Reecnt Mollnsea, 3 Vals., 8vo. fondon: Uhis. work hy A. ant A, Adams was pablished a parts elie tn 1833 and 1858, the camplete work heing dated IRS8, Ouier interesting works inehde Wissen Boltanandur Ln, 1798 (re- printed Haythure, L819); the Catalogue af the Musewn of the Eaipress of Musiria (Mus. Gres, Viudeh, Jo deseriptions iy Latin of shells by the Chevaher Barry Direeroe of the bmperial Cabinet; Mayeunt Gevervsianin, &vo (17875, tie catalogue of the Natural History Museum of Mynheer Gevers solel by auction at Rotlerdans Victoriam tno and freshwater shells have been reviewed by Gabriel, and uthor papers referring to land shells net included by Calliver (1947a) ure meluded iu the ligt of references below. ANisw meluded to the lise cre a humber ab references to essays an The (ictortin Natiralist by various authors, One ot these describes the cee girdle of Saliuatar trogilis (Preanie. 1940), others will he at particular interest to beginvers. REFERENCES Allan, Joveé K. (1952). Anstralian Sea-Stogs fret. Net NALIN (a) 5 LIS. Fl Vl €Sopt.d ——— (1933). The Octopus amd ity Altivs. (er Wat, ALAN PI) 295. PLINY ¢Feb F ~~~ — (195da) Bs Cases of Sea-Soatly antl SeaeSlups. ffee Nar &. (tO) > 229. PL (tebe) ——— {19354b), Pearl from a Freshwater Mussel. Mirth Me Le (7) > 166, ‘Text fig, (Now. --—— (1950), Australian Shells, weds Related Annals Loving te the Sea, die Preshiorter anid wc the Land. Bvo, Georgian Hause, Melbounie. Coleman, Edith (1945). Sea Life at Serrventa, bier, Nut s2 (9): 84 BTN (Sept). Colliver. FS C1442a). Riblionraytiy of Charles J. Gabriel ’ ier, Mat 63 (9) 199 (Jaud, . ; ut (47h). Bibliography ai Ci. B, Pritchard, Peer, Nat. oy (2). Ah wie) (1947c) Sea Shelis and Suaitls. Kael Nat, Ad CLV) s 2374( Mar). » (1942), Bibliography af J. Ho Gauliff bet Not, ae fle) 247 (Apr.), Cotton, B.C. ait Godtrey, 1 POR. (93Ra). Phe Malhives of Seah lustrilio, Purt a, Pylecypods. Filust. hier Goverament Printer, (1938). at Nystoueertie List of the Pareseer ite hele.) of Svan Cenirul 4usteatia. Malace Soc S. Austr. publ. 1. 11940a). The Mollnces of South vlustyalin, Murt 2, Seaphe padi, Cephalopoda, Aiacenhont, and Cregipada. Hlyst. Adelaide, Guvevnment Printer, Dee, 20) (1940h), e Nysiouuitic List uf the Pelveypade, Scuplapodu, Cepha- Jo pocda and Creplande -, af South Ayestralia. Matue. Soc. of S) Aimer, pub. 2, Dee 3 Vreanw, M. kK. atk (1940). Phe bstuariog Shell ancl bye Cireile. Wher Nor, LYE C19) 2 878 PL da (Mar) inlay, H. J. {1926). A iicten Commentary an New Acalaack Moelliveny Systematics, Trois, Mo fist avs SM-ARS. Fis. 17-23 (iss Deo 23). . ant Kerspaw, The Pietorian Af ollxsce fii Gwbrivl, Co J. C175). Adedhtiuns to and Alterations in the Catalogue of the Land Sheits of Victoria Cinetiding Descriptions New. Species). Afton, Nat, Mus. ret. 15 109-25, Pls. 9-30 (Oct). Gabriel, C. )., and Macpherson, J. Hope (1947). Biolagy af the Snowy River Area. Mollusca. Wenz, Nai. Aldus, Piet, 13: 158-67, Pt. 13 (Och. Hedley, Charles (1917). A Check Lig) of the Marine (eur ol New South Wales, Part 1, Mollasea, Supplement Jonra, Rey. Soc, Mose Ld, Iredale, Py (1924), Results trom Noy Bell's Mollusca Colieenions, Miwe. Linn. Suc. NOSE. AY (3) = 179-278. Pls. 33-6, (1936), C. Hedley (Memorial, C Anderson). hast uf Papers J’ rqe Linn. Sac, NSM? 6). 209-20, : (1937). The rath about the Museum Rabeaitel Fesischrifi wm Prof. Dr Fanbri® Strand (17) 408-19, Riga (Nov, @ — (1948). Bullock's Museum. ust. Zool, (3) Peed Pls. NVI- NWVIIT, test tig, 1b Iredale, T., and Auil, A. F, Basset (1927). A Moausragh ov the A\ustealian Suaticht ok Raw Zoal Soe NS 4? - 1-168 Pls. 1-2] Iredule, T., antl Matthews, G. ML (1912). Perry's Arcana, Ag Overluoked Work. i “ Net. YXEN (1)- 7 (May). Kershaw. Fo A. (#902), Notes aia the 4Srmooiests. Piet, Nae VEN (2)2 38 {3 unt}. Miepherson, |. Hope, aid Chapile, E.. (1bst). A eaten Yast at tie Manne and Estuarine Maoilusea of Vietoritt. ew Nat. Ms Vict W: 107-85 (Mar. 31). May. WoL. ¢1923), Nhustrafed frder of Vuswenine Shells 199 Pls, 1-47. Hobart, Government Printer. Undertitl, Juba A. (1929). Notes on the Nudibranches (Sea Sitias), fred Nat XLT (4): 84 (Aug), Yhe writer is much andebted to Mr. ‘I, Tredale furs gapy af hig essays i Dr Strands Yestschrift RED-BACK SPIDERS WANTED Scientists at the Commonwealth Seruni Laboraturies, Parkville, N.2, Vie- teria, dre anxious to obtain living, undamagert Red-hack Spiders ( Lotredertuy Jussetti) for research aly the venom, 16 Club members or their friends would care ta collect specimens durti che next twelve months aml Torward then: to the Director ef the laharatortes ar the above address, cheir assistance would be appreciate, di required. containers will be forwarded of request and postage or frereht will be re-habursed. From places distant Jrom Metbourne, air-freight is recommended. Packayes contaimne spiders should be clearly auarked “Living specimens’, LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Sir, Concerning Mr. Chisholm's letter in the April issue af the Micfartin Naturalist, 1 would Hke ta say that it is of Course a matter of conjecture at what precise tirne any species hecames extinct. In the case of the Paradise Parrot, T was advised by a profession! ornithologist whose ‘opinion I was prepared to accept. Ulu last authenticated observation of the Pararlise Parrot was made a tong time ago, but if Mr, Chisbolin van show that te sjeuies still @xises, uO one will be more pleased thi I will be. Yours faithfully, Haan Dy diya * 64 The Vietorian Naturalint Vol. 72 OBITUARY—WILFRID DINSEY CHAPMAN Witirid Dinsey Chapman, woah BENG, ALR. ane. CAtSt), died an Alay 6, 1955. Dr, Chapaan wis a son of the late Frederick “Ehainadein of hunvured memory, Ais lite story is one of distinguished. service at the engineering worl —desinnng bridges; uoectateety: ol paper manufacture ; conmaneting the 2/2 Army Field W orksbop, A Aw3.0.€.5 Chief Superintendent of Design, Land Headquarters: Director of Civil Engineecing. Railway Standardization Division; Commissioner af the State Electricity Conmmssiint of Vietoria The honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering was conferred on him, in recog- nition al his service to cyningering in peace and war. by the University of Western Austraha. While with Australian, Paper Manufacturers. Dr, Chapman, am authority qn the gens Eucaluprus, designed a scnies of charts depieting the essential features of Victorian cucalypts. He was tor a timed member of the Adtisory Stinding Committee for Maranioa Gardens, appamterd be this Club, ~A_ J. Sivany. DEATH 8Y MISADVENTURE Among a very farae collection of Aywidea reeenvedl from a valied collector, Alfred Snell of Carnarvon, WA, was a black mate Parucelletes conasipes Si, couspicuous for its srat—at as even larger than a heney-bee. But the most remarkable feature wes a sharp and glencler thor that had pewvirarcel up througl the mesosiernun aie inyatedd the hee, which back either flown, or heen blown hy the wind, against some spiny plant, and was. speared 19 dearle AMithovgh 0 have excuminedt nany thousands of hees, this is the frst speeiren f received rhat lid been killed in this strange manner —TVTanctaxs Rayvwest, © ars. (There cay be recorded-here a sunllar ocdarcyice which took place at Cus River several vears ago, when an adult of the comma hlowfly was found hupaled through the tharax hy the sharp end of w leaf a7 the Spear Gresstree, Nunthorrhace bastite. Lt hal fawn. evidently at high speed. against the hurd point, shartly before it Was observed there, far it wwas Still alive and) Wuezinig het did not seem able ta Ay free —Euhtor 3 WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN F.N.C.V, Excursions: Sunday. August 27--Stdivy. Park weather pernutone, Leaders; Mr. BK, Atkins, Subject General Botany. Mect 2 pan. atthe Joiuston St. Bridye. Saturday. September 10--Crabbourne, Subject: Rirds and Botany. ake 9 aan, Yorram train, alight at Cranbourney. Bring one nical atid a snack Group Mectings: (& pant at National Hlerbariaar Wednesday. Augast 17—MicrescopicalGronp- Wednesday Avgenst $1—RBotany Group. Subject: Plant World, Part 4— Lycopods and Horsetails, Mustratcd. Speaker: Mr. K. Atkins. Wednesday, Septentber 7--Geoloay Group. Microscope Night. Preliminary Notice: Sunitay, Octohec 2—Parlour coach excursion to Miphustone and Paracale with the Beudigo Viel Naguralist (lub, Leaders Meo. 1. Robbins, Presi- dent of the Bendigo singer Coueh leaves Bivtinan Avenue 9 aim. shacp, Veharis APPTON. £30 pny. Fare 2). Brine twa meals ~—MAIE NELES DER. Escurnons Secretiry. The Victorian Naturalist Vol, 72—No. § SEPTEMBER 8, 1955 No, 861 PROCEEDINGS Sixty-five members and friends were present at the General Meeting of the Club ar the National Flerbarium on August 8, 1955 After thé incoming carrespondence was read alid received, the President told of the organization of 10-minute fecturettes to be delivered by members at future mectings of the Club. Mr. A, | Swahy is to act as haisonm officer in the arrangement of these. The initial lecturette was delivered by Mr. W. L. Williams on the suliject of Greenhood Orchids. This was. fuiliowed by a talk hy Dr, R, M. Wishart om a tick from a Tiger Snake; this was itlustrated by a microscope mount. Members expressed approval of the Jecturette idea, Mr F.G., Elford delivered a dhoughtiul aud provocative address entitled “Circumstances Alter Cases” ; this was very much appre- ciated by the meetung, and the speaker was thanked by Mrs, F, §, Hanks and Mr. A. J. Swaby. The substance of this paper will appear ina future issue of this jourtal. Mrs, Rayment was elected as Joint Member; Messrs. Hickman, Gatliff and Baleombe-Quick, and Miss Johnston, as Ordinary Members; and Mr. Baldwin as Country Member. The President, in Welcoming them to the ranks of rhe F.N.C.V., expressed the wish that chey would profit by their association with the Club. Mr. C. J. Gabriel exhibited a number of land shells, and Dr Wishart had on show a series of stone and glass aboriginal imple- ments, After a varied rownd of nature notes by exhibitors and other members, the President adjourned the meeting tor the usual conversazione. MICROSCOPICAL GROUP The August meeting was devoted to a discussion of rhe apparatus used jor photo-nmicragraphy, Messrs, C. Middleton, W. Evans and D, Johnusioiy Were respousible for an iiteresting demunstration and discourse Because of the keen interest shawn by those pressnt, it has been decided ta continue the discussion at the next group meeting. Group members are inyited to attend theGeneral Monthly Mcetings of the Club’ at the Herbarium, to bring their microscopes and an object, and 10 prepare to-give @ short talk of a jew minutes’ duration on it. The Geology Group, tod, invited the Mieroscoyical Group vo their mecting on Wednesday, September 7, for “A Night with the Microscope”, dealing with the use of polarized light in the stady of rocks aud ntinerals. Og % The Meetortan Nuturalia Val 72 SAGA OF THE RUFOUS FANTAIL By Rov WuHasecer” Following the notes an the Rufous Fantail, RAspidura vuffroag. in the April, May, June and July numbers of the Fictarian Naturalist, something about its cisetbution and its amazing powers of migration may be of interest to readers. Early records gave the distribution of this attractive bird as “Eastern vustralia’, but since then it has proved to range ww New Guinea and the Celebes, and to parts of the Northern Terri- tury and the East Kimberleys in Wester Australia. In Western Australia the hird appears in the Nuapier-Broome Bay and the Parry's Creek districts In the Territory it occurs in the Melville Hay, Anson Hay, Darwin, Watlock Potids and Mataranka clistricts and probably elsewhere. Of the movements of this species in northern parts of Austraha little ts known. There the birds are usually foutid iit impenetrable niangroves or jungles. in thickets of melaleuca, bamboo, tubber-vine, lantana, ete. Perhaps thete is a regular movement between the Celebes and the Territory, and between New Guinea and the Cape York district. The Rufous Fantail winters in this northern portion of eastern Australasia, but whether in Queensland ar New Guinea is still an open question, We do know, through the récotds of reliable observers, that each vear Rufous Fantatls nugrate frour Towusville south along the eastern coast. They follow two routes, vither down the cost, using the extensive growths of mangroves for resting and feeding areas, Or else Iry the ranges that extend practically right down the vast of the continent. The ranges are clothed with jungle, rain forest and open forest areas, which, like the mangroves, yseldi the birds an inexhaustible supply of insects during thei lone trek south ‘The first of the migrants pass through Yownsville about iia August, they reach the Krishane area enrly in Septeniber, aud they pass uear Sydney in mid-Septemher. Ahout the last place, in the gullies of the Blue Mountains and at the National Park, birds begin to drop out, and they breed in these places later im the year. Down the coast the others ga, on to East Gippsland, and then they swing west in Victoria ar the last part of their Jong fight. their numbers progressively diminishing as more and more select suitable breeding places, The Dandenongs are usually reached about Melbourne Cup time, early in November; more drop out there in suitable treefern and tea-tree gulhes. Some still Ay on- across the plains, through Werribee or the Anakies, heading for the Just forests of the Otways or still [arther to the tea-tree thtekers of the lower Glenelg near Portland, Thus, in December, Hon, Secretaey, Bird Obwevese’ Clik of Victor, September | bya Wueecer, Saya of the Rufous Fantail 67 ends a journey of over 2,000 jules, a tremendous flight for a bird so fragile and dainty as the Rufous Fantail, In December 1933, at Coombe, 117 miles south-east of Adelaide, the first (and aly) South Australian record of the bird was made—a. pioneer looking for new breeding areas. Having finished the long migratory flight, a real task lies ahead af the birds. The nest site must be found—it 1s usually close to water—the nest must be built. the eggs laud and incubated, and the youngsters reared. Ly that time it is almost into March and time to retrace their steps, back through the Otways, the Dande- nongs, East Gippsland, and eventually to Queensland. In March 1945 a bird wandered the wrong way, and on the eleventh of that month arrived at Stanley in Tasmania, with the honour ot heing the first recorded for the Island State. Crossing nearly 200 miles of Bass Strait was quite a feat, How do the birds travel such tremendous distances? .\ccordiny to Mr. Po oA. Gilbert, of Lakemba in New South Wales, they iivve singiy or in parties just before daybreak and continue until sunrise, and later in the day thev travel hetween sunset and dark, This would apply to open country where little protection is afforded the birds, but i the forest country the movement prob- ably continues throughout most of the day. Some idea of the daily travel of the birds may be gauged from the writer's 1953. records. The first of the migrants reached Finchhatten Gorge near Mackay in Queensland on August 23; the first birds arrived at the Laming- ton National Park in southern Queensland on September 10; the first report from near Melbourne was at Toolern Vale on October 24. If the same birds headed the migration, the 2,000 miles were completed in 62 days—an average of just over 30 miles a day. The return journey is made much more quickly than the out- ward one. The birds usually leave southern Victoria in March, pass through New South Wales in April, and arrive in Queens- land in May. The birds appear to keep to the coast during their journey, hut oecasionally some have been recorded at great distances inland. In Victoria there is a record from Ballarat, in New South Wales from Wellington, Bingarra and Moree—up to 130 miles from the coast—and in Queensland from Murphy's Creek near Too- woomba, about 100 miles inland. Stragglers may be recorded also in the open forest through the winter, but such records are few. There is no June or July record for Victoria, although three have been made during August. In New South Wales there is one record for June and several for August. The Rufous Fantail’s main breeding areas appear ta he in New South \Wales and Victoria. Melbourne members may be interested to learn that this bird bred at the Botanic Gardens in = wae = — = ~ ee) TBD \Wirreier, Saga of the Aufans Panta ee February 1944. Along the creeks of the foothills and ranges are their usual breeding grounds. Besides the visits to huildings mentioned in recent mumbers of the Victorian Naturalist-- the kitchen at Tyers, the bedroom at Mallacoota, and the school hat-reom at Wyhong Creck near Muswellbraok in New South Wales--Rutous Fantails have heen recorded in a kitchen and a woolstere ar Geelong, in a bookshop and a museum at Sydney, in a house at Wangaratra, and in two wash-houses- ar Melbourne.* When next you see the Rufous Fantail, adore its beatnry vertainly but alsa admire che little fellow's determination and courage i covering those 4,000 miles of migration each year. ’Yhere is usu Une note about the Kufous Fantail on page 113 of Neste dad Egys of Austeatian Birds, where A. J. Campbell reports: “On the 23rd March, 1888, J noticed a bird rather out of sts “course under the roof of tm Prince's Undec Railway Station, Melbourne’) —Editor, FLORA OF VICTORIA: NEW SPECIES AND OTHER ADDITICNS — 4 By N. AW Wakerteno, Noble Park Genus Golium: Two New Species from Eost Gippstand SALIGM BINTFOLIUM sp. toy Pianta subglabra ciffusa; verticilli 4-follati, toliis pertuaequabirer jugatis! folia lineari-elliptivcas omflorescentia peraticnuata paucilora: cocca laevis. HOLOTYPE: Suud-danes near Betka River, Mauallacoota, Wietoria: of/l/l8Sis N Ao Wakeheld, No. 4,794; heneath a stand of tall Avelaleuce shrubs. (Type located at MEET, and duphcates to be sent to KEW and NSWw,*} Taprooted; stems prostrate, clongated, nich branched, usally asperous, rarely rooting at the Jower nodes; leaves im very unequal pairs, usually somewhat asperous, Enear-elliptic, often sub-faleare, usually reflexed; peduneles much exveeding the leaves; Bowers 2 or 3, on long, pedicels, thy, greenish-white; fruit normally smooth. {See figure i) Desirtbutiow: In high rainfall torest areas of south easter’ Australiu, irom Snows River in eastern Victoria, fo Meleéay River ur nurth-easteri New Sauth Wales. Thiy species was apparently first collected an Victeria by Mr. Frank Robbins, in about 1937, at the Backwater, near the mouth of the Snowy River, Dr, Ronald Melville, of the Royal Botanic Gardeus, Kew, in com- pany with the writer, made two callectinns of G. Iniwifoltuunns No. 2,782, fram the type plant (9/1/1953) © and No. 2,819, at Mount Drummer, about 35 miles to the weseward (12/1/1952) From New South Wales locaiities, mine collections of G. boufehnan have heen examined hy the writer: Warrawee, ‘W, FP, Blakely, LL/1914 (NSW, 2390); Mount YVivtorza, J. H. Mate, 12/1896 (NSW, 230) i, Upper Williams River, L, Fraser and J, Vickery, t2/1/1934 (NSW, Seayiew Range. J, H, Maiden, 11/1897 (NSW, 23910); Tiere We *Abbrevisiiune: MIEL—Naliowal Herbariin of Vicworias NSWeeNaronal Horharinn of Ney South Wales sod KEW—Royal Boanie Gardens, Rety, England. » a py . - : Vv diet 70 Wanerreto, Flora of Fictorias Newt Species, ete. hati Glenreagh. J, King, 1£/1949 (NSW, 23988}; Narira Creek (near Nar- coma), 1. Reatler, 26/8/1880 (MET); Mcleay River, Dr. Beckler (MEL) ; and two labelled “Blue Mts” and “East subtrop, Austr., Dr, Leichhardt” respectively (MEL), Cr. Girifatitene is so named (lin = two by two) because of the very unequal pairs of leaves, which feature is unique amongst the smooth-iruited Aus- tralian species of the getus, GALIUM LIRATUM sp. tov. Verticilly 4-foliati; folia Jata petiolata, in textu tenuia, yvenulis mani- feste reticulatis; asperitates (caulium foliurmmque) sparsae, sulstlel- toideac planae albides; jiuferescentia perbrevis pauciflara; cocea duo mature secérnentia nigra fongitudine lirata. Derails af Victorian Native Species ni Gallien . binfolium sp. nov., showing leaf whorls and inflorescences, . ratwe, sp. nov., part of plant: 2a, mature fruit, _ propunguen A. Cunt, bowland form; 3a, typical frow “bristles”. . atedichaudi:s DC, abnormally attenuated aid. bristly; 4a, abnormal outgrowths which develop sometimes an the fruit, a. G, axsirale NC. the tong, brown bristles. of the fruit. (AN shown natural size, except the fruit which are enlarged.) fe See QAAM HOLOTYPE: Turback Road, above Little River. near Snowy River, Victoria; 20/1/1953; N, A. Wakefield, No, 4,800; sprawling on rock out- crop. (Type located at MEL, and cluplicates to he sent to KEW and NSW ,} Yaprogied; stems much branched, shiny, strohgly 4-ribbed) leaves up ta 18 mm. long and 9 mm. wide, in sub-equal pairs, petiolate, pomtéd, the ce 2 “~ - Reeremuer) Warren Mora af Fictorurs Now Species, ele 71 mirgats slightly recurved, near the margins slightly asperous, the texture thin, the ~venelionwisilly. peti latens-asherathese (uunasksnrial any Neaves) «flat... whitish, triangular; flowers comparatively large, white, few, clustered in the axils, very shortly petiolate; fruit splitting, inte twor cach arvitler wrinkled with irregular longitudinal fusrows. (See figure 2) Diyiribrtion: Seattered from Snowy River district i eastern Victoria, hurrhwardl te central eastern New South Wales, vsually amongst rocks. In the case of G- /irafusm also, credit is dle ta Mr. F, Robbins tor the Arse Victorian collection af the species; he gathered two lots (one iature and ane juvenile) at Bogey Creek. Nowa Nowa, in-about 1937. lis January 1940, Ma W. Hinter votleeted more of the species at Sugegan. Buggan, The writee noted it Arst at Upper Combjenbar, on 2B/10/1995 (NLAW. Ne 3057}, and saw it ind for other localities in 1953 taude type and R. Mel- ville’s speciniens) Lr, Melyille mace Ure collections of the species during his tour of the extreme somth-eastern corner of Australia: Nou, 2735 in the “jiuigle” at Bellbird Creek, near Eden, New South Wales (8/1/1953) 5 No. 2897 on 2 sandy island of the apper Genoa River, Victorta (15/1/1953) > and No 3040 at the Rare Rocks, Wulgulmerang, Victoria (21/1/1953). There are three other "New South Wales collections of the specres: Den- nan, WL Heron 1O/PSUS (NSW, 23009); Eurola Creek, Glenbrook, TM, Wiraite, 1149 (NSW, 23994) > ainl “Bence Basin, Woulls’ (MELI Genus Gaiium: Delimitetion of Native Victorian Species Jn the gracess of derormining the status of the abuve two new species, it Was found Necessary to @xzumive critically lange suites af herbarnans specimens of the genus, aw! to consider them in the Hight of inpressions gained throygh field observation. Such was facilitated by the co-operatior) of che various Inotavints in charge uf Lhe major eastern Australian herbaria, and grateful acknowledgement of their assistance is made’ here. ' It was found, that. (he characters. ushally Strogsed_ in keys, (rhe. nature VF, the surface of the iruit and the length ‘of the inflorescence--ctde Eawart's Flora af Vietaria, p. 1040) were Rkely to vary ta extremes within one or another of the species. Wherefore the following system ts presented for the identifeation of the wate species of Victoria (and the (ree adjacent States) bl is important that the italicized key features should be considered im the order given. for the last species is best idensited by a process of elimuauon A. Donsely tefted aunt, branches haweithee the leaves analy in seharls al mare tain &. feiit sinantt ae . G paresicnse 1 Ewart (4c) is followed yr citing this | name for. local material: at has not been considered afherwise by the orestnt writer, (The five other specics have Ieaves in whorls of 4.) B—Stems arving Tras a ae roniitinly creeping, branched, waderground Shicnme systen . G. propingeunt A. Comm The tlatee Sallie seniiisuan” hits apparcutly never heen validly pub- lished, sa Allan Cunniigham’s name. which was originally applicd to New Zealaml plants, s: given here for the spectes. The tame Galina estiare Ak f. is also a svitonym, having heen piven to the common, broud-leaved, yellow-fuweréd, smovla-frusted fori abundant in Tasmania Cand in the Australian Alps of Vieroria and New Souch Wales), The (olive gone: ehaxdin van glabrescens (RBemham, Fiore Aystruliyis) is a form, af C. propingianin from the mountains of north-eastern New South Wales. and swuth-eassern Queensland, la the lowlands of Victoria aul New Soath Wales, ile: speeies has more ramwse and weok stenis, almost glahrons foliage, smaller aml whitish Howers, and the fruits asperous or with very shave 5 . say Viet. 72 Wakeriain, Flora of Mictorias New Species, ete eat hooked bristles. (Sce figure 3.) Some such were included in the var mtriculatum of G. youdichaudid (Beuth. ber.) aud of G simbroyum (Ewart lc), Here too scems to belong 0. dirt He £, from the description (Note: The other wWative species are tutted, the stems arising from a single stout roul-stack. however, there {8 sometimes also & minor dtyelop- ment af fibrous foots irom some of the Jawer nodes when sand oar soil has cavéred the tases of the stems.) C.—Leaves petiolate, very broad, thin, visibly wet-veined, and, together with whe stens, bearing flat, triangular usperities. {See figure 2} pay ee Hirndum &p. noy O,—Patrs of iranes very unequal. (See figure 1). G, hinifodient sp, tiov E—Mature fywits armed with lang, brown bristles which ore hooked at the oper, (See figure 5.) .. . GO. avsxtrale OC. This spevies. ts mainly littoral; it is widespread im Tasmania, and extends thraugh Vietaria inte adjacent partys wf South Australia and New Sauth Wales. Its vestituré yaries from 2 dew geattered asperities to a dense covering of whitish bristles including a few sometimes on the petals. The development of the inflyrescence as most variable, bub the nature af ihe liristles nf the fruit is uniform. Ag far as can be yudeed without reftredce to type specimens, G. deus, G. squaliduns and G. albescans (all of HK. 7.) are synonyms of G. austratc F.—The remaining native Victorian species is Ge. gaudrehaudd DC. This is mosr variable in foliage and inflorescence, apparently according to halitat, and the fruitlets, though normally smooth, may be asperous ar even invested With curved, whitish outgrowths. (See figure 4.) The species is Widespread ut Victoria, and is abundantly distributed from ‘Tasmania to southern: Queensland and to the Western Austratian border ‘Synonyms of the species are G. erythrorhicum and G. wrtflorton Choth of FL Muell. ex Mig.) aud G, vagane Hh. f, ABOUT A COPPERHEAD SNAKE Copperhead snakes have always been fairly numerous in the Cheltenham Black Rock area, ind in my boyhood days at the latter place it was opt unusual to kill a snake between home and school. Jp was. however, an - unpleasant surprise to fiid a copperhead snake ig the homme: warden onc evening, even a garden in which many things native to the area are » wucouraged. The surpitise was greater because of the extension of building activities ity the area, hut perbitns it was because of this that the snake had forsaken its usual haunts. The idea of having a live snake about the garden was. not an appealing one, so T called for a solid stick and a direct hit on the bead was sufficient to despatch the life of the vencimous one. Next morning we svere prepared to make a closer inspection and to put the identification af tae sake beydnd aluubt The tabuler key on page 3 ol Al Rey ta the Identification of “testralimn Suakes by Ro A. Hust trad always Iwoked complicated, but iu practice it proved easy to use, the diagrams showing clearly the different types of scales. “Phe anal plate being entire put the specimen in the left hall of the page: 15 scales counted aruund the body gave the Arst colin, and 156 ventral scales under the body gave a erogs-column, which limited the selection to seven species. Other detnils, such as 45 sub-waudal scales and the colour, definitely identified the snake ae a copperhead (Denssonid sxperity, Confirrnation was obtained from Poisonous Savkes of australia hy Eric Worrell and frorn the National Museurn. 5 : a —A, E. Brooxs. ee | 1955 The Vicloriaw Naturalist 73 NEW AND INTERESTING MOSS RECORDS FOR AUSTRALIA By J, H. Wits, National Herbarium of Victoria In the last two years it has been my privilege to examine several moss collections of outstandarg interest from yariabs parts of the Commtanwealth. AM those from Vietrria and South Australia, having been worked up in special detail, will form the subjects for separate papers. Four from the remaming States had mever been callected previously in Australia, while three were known from a single collection. [t is desirable that these, as well as a few other occurrences of particular wuerest. be placed on record, and the following arrangement 1s according to States ! Western Auttrolio 1, BARBULA EHRENBERCH iLor) Fleisch, 1902. Dale's Gorge, east of Wittenoom, Hamersley Range—mwist shaded ruck yall, growing with the fern dadiamutuie captllieaenris (David Moore, Aust. Blue Asbestos Ted, Der. 1953; saime Incality, Nav. 1954), comment: “A. distinct calcinbile, usually near calearenus spring-heads or even i water on dripping banks, but rarely found in fruit" The Dale's Gore example is barten—long-leaved and lax, 1 6 cm, tall, Brotherus (1924) vives ihe Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, Persia and Yunnan (Chika) as the principal regions of distribution, and dhe species a now known alsa fronk the West Indies and southern U-5,4. 2) GRIMMIA TRICHOPHYLLA Grew, 1824: Porongerup Range— Branitic formation near the Devil's Slide; rainfall 3940. (Mrs. iru Erickson, Jan. 1955). ‘The species is known trom many pals of Victoria, incladag die Grampians, the Mr Laity and southern Flinders Ranges in South Aus- tralia; it this is the first undoubted occurrence far Western Australia. Tr the wee. index to the Australian moss collection of Melbourne Herbarinm, itis erroneously recorded (under its synonym Grinmtn crispaotuta CM. & Hpe.) for the Western State, the compiler of that index having inadvertently wiven the distribution as “WA,” instead of "S.A." G\ trechophytia is dis- “tguished from the commoner G, fulamata by its more clongated basal cells ant marginal row of wide cells near the Teal base: both form little cushions an cack surfaces, hut Uiey are less hoary than these of G levigate- 3. RV ACOMITRIUM CRISPULUM (ik. f, & Wits.) Wils., 1858 Porongorup Range—sraniic formation tear the Devil's Slide, rainfall 3Qin. (Mrs. Rica Erteksou, Jan, 1955). The Porongorups undoubtedly provide the best environment for Murevet in Western Austtalia, and moré species are restricted to that sinall, well wafered mountain mass than-to any district in the vast ‘State. As long ago as 1848, botanical collector James Drumniand wrote that The Perongarup wre clothed with mossed and Jungermennia and Wohens a6 rank and Iweurlant as 1 have ever seen them in the molat, rich valleys in the south of Treland, KR. crispuhionw is a widespread] rock moss of Victorian mountains, including the Grampians, unknown as yet [rom South Australia and quite new to the West, This known by the slender branches, revolute leaf nargins, sinuose cells, shart lateral sete and pale-brown cylindrical capsules. Viet. Niet. 7A Wiitis, Messe Records Jor Australis Vol 2H 4 MACROMITRIUM ARCHER? Mitt, cv Wils., 1858; Porongarup Ranee—eramtic farmation” near they Devil's: Slide, camfall- ine (Mes, Riva Evicfson, Jan. 1955). Tn a paper entitled “The Myth of Mucromstteium in Wester Australia” Uifics, Nat. 69: 159 (Apr. 1953) ] Tdiscussedl the only two collections, aid soecies (AM, oneurtdfdlion and 37) anvelutifeltum), ever vrecotded for che West, and showed how neither cauld possibly haye come fram there. Tt is now of greut interest to place on record a callection of Moeromitraum genuinely from that State, the more so as iM. arene was not previously hoown west af the Otways in Victoria—an extension in range of U3) miles. Unfortunately this Porongerup collection is barren, but it accords in all essential veectative details with capsule-beacing maturial irom Victoria and Tasmania. Mo archeri creeps extensively on damp shaded rocks or hark, has crowded vellowish shoots with ligulate leaves which are extremely contorted and curled in the dried state: the basal quarter of the leat shows conspicuously clangated cells and the upper ones project slightly from the leaf surface, though not as boldly as im tre closely related J7_ digulare Mitt. whieh lacks the clongated basal cells 5 HYPNUM CUPRESSIFORME Hedy. 1201; Porongoryp Range— granitic formation uear the Bewl's Slide, rainfall 39in, (Mors. Rice Grickson, Jan, 1955 Tt is singular that this cosmopolitan species. so widespread aud variable i all the other States, should mot have Uiehed up m Western Australis before now, To November 1950, T was cunviaeed thar T saw the minss an the higher granite weak of Christtuas [sland m the Recherche Arelipelageu; but, because specimens were nat collected at the vme, 1 thought it inardlyis- able to record the observation, Northern Territory 1, FISSIDENS ASPLENTOIDES Medw., 1801: Talli-Parta Springs, about 35 miles west of Haast's Blufe (3,500 ftl- among ferns in shaded gorge fed by a permanent spring” (Peat Fisch, May, 1954). A diminutive condition af this common cosmopolitan niass, and the first recurd for the Northern Verritory, Material barren fay it usually 1s it Australig). 7 UP. PUNGENS C.M. & Hpe., 1853: Banks of Daly River, at crossing ahaut 37 miles ahove mouth and GO miles saith oi Darwin (Captain Vo Pedersen, Salvation Army. Aug, 1952), The first recerd for the Territory of a xmall species which ts abundant throughout well-watered parts of temperate Australia aud New Zealand; the nearest known occurrences are abot LOM) miles easterly in Norih QOneensland and 1400 yailes somh in the hills around Adelaide (TYPE area), Material barren. - 4 3. CO¥YMNOSTOMUM CALCAREUM WNres, Hornsch. & Snitin, 1823. Var LONGIFOLIUM Diron, 1923. Malapunyah Springs, SW of Borrolowla and halfway te Anthony's Lagoon—on black calcareous earth under shade of Pundanes (Captain , Pedersen, Salvation Army, Jan. 1953). - ‘Che saimpte is barren, but agrees excellently with Dixon's deyetiplion oi this variety (Bidletin 3 of NiZ. Institute; 116 (19231). CL cafeareum is & costnapolitan caleiphite, frequent in tetnperate Austraha, but never hitherte récorded for the Northern Territory. 4, OCTOBLEPHARUM ALBIDUM Hedw. Ol: Upper Katherine River, near western boundary of Arnhem land Reserye—on saud- stone escarpment ider a perniasent waterfall (CM Balcwen, Cweatth Forestry & Timber Turcau Aug, 1954}. eee | es Wrouts, Moss Kecordy for Austrolia 75 A Wost altractlye, sthvery, almost panetrapic species, it Had been recorded only once for the Territory—fruitiog on tranks, of live Guces wedia at Cox (or Douglas) Persiisula, few. Professor Ralph Tate, Mar. 1882, The Wresaily collection is. harren. & PHILONOTIS TENULS {Tayl.) Jacy., 1875: ‘Talli-Patta Springs, abqut 35 imles west of Haast’s Bluff (3,500 ft.)—oxtensive cushions among ferus in shaded garge fed by a permanent spring (2 Rtes- chieck, Aug. 1953; Pant Bisch, May 1954} The first vecord for the Territory, aud an umexpored vecurrence int Central Australia of a cirecun-Antarctic mess which usually inhabits anich damper cooler country, The collection 13 barren Talli-Patia Springs affords a micro-climatic refuge for several plants of typically milder, betser-watered terra, eg. the feens Adiantiar hispidum, distiopterts aicisa, and Nephro- fepis cordifolia. Queenslend 1 EPHEMBERUM WIITELEGGE? Géhech, 1895: North Pine River CC J, (dtild, Apr. 188%; ucar Humpyhong (0) J. 47d, May 1888) Watts and Whitclepye Spates to Proe Lim. Sear, MASE OS (1902)] had anisdetermined these collections a3 “adsionaan perpiysillion”, based on Phascuin peepistiuan CM.—a very different plant, 1 have carefully gxalvined the Wild exanples i Melbourne Lflerbariuny and And vbem wentical in all respects with type A. cehttelogaet irom Port Jackson— hitherta the sale record of the species for eattern Austraha, although J recentiy reeorded 7 fram pear Kalgeorlic, WA, [sec Piel. Nol. #7 W2 (Mav 1954)]. 2 MNIUM ROTUNDYFOLIUM Bartram. (953) Headweiers of ‘Tulle River in the Cardwell Range—an rain-forest trees at about 2400 it. (Poort KR. Messmer, Sept. 1954—Herb. NvS.W., No, M10264): Hyyupamec Crater, 7 milea SB, of Herberton (Pearl Ay Messier. Aug. 1954-—Herb. N.S.W., No. 10260), Thais constitutes the fest record of the family Monacewe for Queensland, avd is espeelaily interesting in that the species was deseribed as recently as S53 [Pvensk Botunish Pilshyife 472 398 (19$3)) on the basis of a single collection frotn Mt. Hagen area in the north-eastern highlands of New Guinea. Coincident with receipt of Mrs. Messiner’s North Queensland collections for checking (from the Sydney Herbariuiy) Lo diac onty juste finished reading Mr. FE. B. Bartram's paper, antl | recognized their identiw with the description of his new Morten trom New Goines. At once, ] sent a wieder of the Cardwell Range plant by air ta Mr Bareran and lie was alle to confirny my opinun (23/10/1954). Moreover, he recounted spine interesling, details connected] woth the discovery did deéseription of af. rotanditolian, which had reached bint enix by 2 stroke of luck, In 1951 Count Nils antl Countess Greta Gyldenstalpe were on an ornitho- Ingical colecting trip fh the Mt. Hagen, Waghi, Nondugl and Weiga segions (5,000-9,000 Jt.) of New Guinew, their journey being sponsored by Sir Edward Hallstrom af Sydney. On the way oot of the New Goiiea highlands, the Gyldenstulpes’ plane was wrecked and they lust the larger art of their collections. Gy some remarkable way, a few mosses were salvaged and dhese included the types of several new speeies, notably AMorinm rotundafotivu, Lhe spwctes is a large long-creeping moss, with excecilingly felted (rasly- Mipose) stems and Ing, rounded, widely spaced leaves which crinkle much in drying: the werve terminates a lide heyond the entre of the leaf and there as bot a very narrow feeble border ef more elongated cells. Capsules fire as yer unknown. - j : * th. uh. 76 Witkts, Moss ecards for Australia pea ai i J. BUCAMPTODON MUEBLLERI ITpe. & CM. 1870) Eunyella Rance National, Park, about 60 miles W, of Mackay—damp shaded tree trunks at ¢,.000-4,000 ft. Cet. /. Aficks of Kaniva, Vie. July 1934). This distinctive moss, with seta almost onclnsed dy the long-sheathing yerichwtial leaves, was first described from “Australia Felix” (presumably the jungles of East Gippsland) at the extreme southern lint of its rauge. En New South Wales, Professor A, Burges says {ms ) that it is “frequent on the coast and Dividing Range” Apparently the northernmost occurrence was Mt. Warnoing, NUS.W., until in i952 E. Bo Bartram [Farlow 4. 238 ($952) recorded tt for Queensland—at the summit of Mt. Beflenden-Ker (5000 fr. The present, second recur for Queensland ais intermediate between Mts. Warning atid Butlenden-Ker. New South Wales 1 AISTICHIUM CAPILLACEU MM (Nedwy Bre & Sciimp. Vas: Turmut River falle—barren material from edge of water channel, on racks and partly subnerged Chnewy Mountams Hydro-Kectric Authority, No. 1952, Feb. 1954) The only other New South Wales record, also barren, was From Yarru- pohilly Caves—on cliffs opposite the hotel (leg, Rev, W. W. Watts, Ne. 8530. Jaw. 1906); so the Turwut catlection is a rediscovery in the sanie general sub-alpine arcs. Pistiehium is as yel voknown in Vietorsa. and Tasmanian records are open to doubt. Superficially yery like Oltrietim rifo-aurenss (Hampe) J. H, Willis, it may be distinguished br the ilistichous, abrtptly spreading leaves. smaller, von-elongated cells ane? papillose leat subule. : 2. BRYUM LARVIGATIIM Hook. f. & broil, UR44: MeKoubnie’s Creck im the Timnut River watershed at 4,900.0t., 9-10 miles W. uf Adamitaby—small tufts in a spring basin with Aankacnirs, Orra- anyrrhis, etc. (Tae, Max Mueller, Snowy Mins, Hvdro-Biectr, Att, No, 1793, Jan, $954); headwaters of Tooma R. at shout 5,200 t1— on rocks in stream beds aud in valley bows (Dr. Mex Muelicr, Snowy Mtns. Hydra-Eleetr, Auth. No. (803, Feb 1954), - Apparently the second tecords for the State, the only other collection heing from Reservoit Gully. Yarrangabitly Caves at ahowt 3,500 fu (Rev. Le Le. Watts, Jan. 16). Recently [Miet. Nat, 72) VSO (Fel 19535) F recorded the first collection of this distinctive Bryne to be made m Victoria ou the Bogeug High Plains; that and the present Tooma River gathering were both certified by Mr. G. ©. 1. Sainsbury (of Wairoa, N.Z.). +, POQHLIA MIELICHHOFERI/A (CM) Broth. 1901-2 Nbout 7 muiies W.oN.W. of Yarrangobillv--on rocks along roadside rlescent to Talbingo, at about 3.500 it. (Dr Mie Weller, Snowy Mtns, Aydro- Electr. Auth. No, 2149, Oct, 1953). A mast interesting Russet! Falls, Mt. Field National Park—on trunk of Pomederris apetala, along shaded tourist track to jalls (J. A, Willis and De, RO Melaitle, IL Dee. 1952—-ia Herh MEL, and K Na. 2552) Only D. prsitla ook, f, & Wis. has been recorded tor Tasimania, the type of the species coming from springs on Mt. Wellington (fey. A. OMfield, No. 67). In the original description Lf lera Tasmenie 2: 221 (1RSB)) it is athed wath D, splachnurdes of the Gld World, anid the authors remark that their material was “very scanty”, L. Rodway [Pap- & Proc, Rov, Sac: Tas. for 1904: 24) (19144) gives D. pusilla for “twigs and fern leaves iv damp gullies Slopes of Mt. Wellington, Gordon, ete'’ My Russelt Falls collection accords well with the wp knawn Victorian occurrences cf Dalltoma (Sherbrooke Falls in the Dandenong Ranges and near Beech Forust in the Otways), anc T tall te scé where any of them can be separated! Specifically from LI, splachnoides as tt occurs 1 Great Rritain, Mr. Sansbury informs me (14/7/3947) that the New Zealand D. nowe-sealandig Mitt. is certaidy the same as our Australian plant. lt is noteworthy that in his UM wsei- vom Butlensorg J: 96 (191) Fleischer expresses the apanion that Tasmanian 1), pusilla is doubtfully distinct from tropical 0, angustifolia bDozy & Molk. which again is scarcely separable fromm whe widespread N. gplachknoides—the name which T intend te ase far our only Australasian member of this genus. : {The various collections eiied in the foregoing notes are all located ul the National Herbarium ot Victoria, either in the State reference folders or in the writer's private moss herbarivin,] ERRATA 34, line 4 -for “loculically", read “toculicidally’. 55, lines 20, 26, 29 and J6- for “olgidies", read “nalgida™. . 57, line 36; and 88, tine 23—tor ‘10,000’ read “2,000" Bret. Nal, Vick Nint Vict. Nat. at ea | tyre te Septamber a4 Ce ae : oe eee a The Victorian Naturolist 79 KIATA LOWAN SANCTUARY We are pleased to report that the Department of Lands and Survey has agreed to the reservation of 537 acres of virgin mallee scrub in the Little Desert, Parish of Woraigworm. County of l-owan. The purpose of this new rerpiee is lo pravide a sanctuary fur the mound-huildine Mallee Bow) or awan. The people of Victoria, in- the years to come. will have reason to thank the Lands Department for its acquiescence, andl Mr, Keith Hateley of Kuata for Wis persistent effort ta obtain this area as a reserve. It is one of the few remaining places ity Victoria where the Lowan sui] breeds. Alsa, it svill he recalled, i¢ was in this district that Mr, Fred Lewis, when Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game, cared out his investigations of the breeding habits of the bird. Mr. Hareley was his guide and assistant during the observations As Vice-President of the Kiata Progtess Association, Mc, Hateley obtained the support uf the Nhitl and District Progress Association, and in February last the latter hody conyetied a public nweeting at which the Shire Councils of Dimboola and Lowan and the Borotgh of Stawell were cepresentei| Addresses by a number of influential citizens including Mr, Hatcley and Crs. J. J, Kiagston and Tan McCann {respectively President and Secretary of the Stawell Field Naturalists. Club) canvinced the meeting: that rhe need for the reserve was vrgent, and it decided thet and there to make appheatios ta the Tands Departinest to have it sei aside as a National Park, EXHIBITS WANTED Now the task ahead is to fence the reserve and clear out foxes and rahlats. To make possible che commmenvement of this very necessary work the Kiata Association is now preparing to hold a Wildflower Exhihition and Museum of Natural History in the Kiata Hall from September 23 to October 2 next, The vew sanctuary is expected to be officially opencd during that period. Me. Hateley would welcome suitable exhibits from Club members. AN APPEAL FOR FINANCE Although three covnciltors of the Shire of Dimboola have been appointed as iis Committee of Management, it must nat be thought of as a nmunicipal reserve. lt belongs ta the peaple nt Vistoria, and the cost of making it an effective sanctuary should be shared by all of us, The FLN.C.V. will gladly recive and pass on any donations, fram members - who may wish to contribiite to the rather substantial cost of erecting tk fence and thee freeing the sanctuary of foxes and rabbits. - A GIFT TO THE PEOPLE Members will be delighted to learn that Mr. KO W. Jordan, a resident of Kiata, has offered to donate to the Committee of Management 200 acres of his property which udjuing rhe north-east corner af the reserve, thins iilereasing the effective sive of the sanctuary to well aver a square mile. —J. R, Garwer Vint Not 80 The Victorian Naturalist Vol 48 IS GEOLOGY ONE OF YOUR -INTERESTS? Two hists of back numbers of the Victurian Naturalist have been coni- piled, for those who have geological interests. These cover the 25-year period from May 1930 19 April 1954, Members may purchase one or both sets at the prices quoted (these heing half original cost), or they may select any umber of individual copies and acqutre them at the prives quoted for such at the foot of page 50 of the August Naturalist, Set "A" jneludes about 120 pages of well-illustratetl papers and articles of majar geological interest, by such authors a4 Chapman, Keble, Priechara, Colliver ainl Mitchell, dealing mainly with Victoria subjects. Set ‘"B" includes about 80 pages ef material of iess moment, bitt which should he considered by those making a serious study af Ipcal geology. In all, the 56 individual aumbers Listed here contain over 1,000 pages of general natural history, with a considerable amount of information on ‘botanical and .zdological subjects hesides the geclozy, Set “A™: Vol, RUVEII—No, 2; XCVITI—3, 7; XELIX—12; LITI—tl: LIV—10; LV—5, 9: Lyin; LVill-2; LVilt—s, 9. Lix—?¥, 12: 62—3, 8; 65—2, 8) 664, 12) 67—H; G8—B: AO—4_ BF Tclividual numbers. price 15/6, See "B" = Vol. XLVI—3. 7, 10; XLVI, SLVITI—3. 10: KLIX—3; Ll, 3, §, Jl; LOL-7, 9, 12; LIV—2, 5, 7, 11; TV¥—2, 4, 10; LXE, 4, 10, 11; 62—7; 64—4; 66—2, 67 —+; SS—I], 4, 7: 69-10; 7O—3, 4. 43 individual nambers, price £1/2/6, j Address arders ta the Hon, Editar, Pl Box 21, Noble Park, Victoria. WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN F.N.C.¥, Excursions: Saturday, September 17—BRotany Group exeursien torthe gardens of Mr. Hammet and Mr, Savage. Fake 2 p.m, train from Prince's Bridge tu Tyanhoe, or meet at 2.20 pam. at the latter starion. Vhursday, September 29 (Show Day }—Wattle Park. Leader: Miss Wigan, Subject: Birds. Meer at Wattle Park tram tertninus at 2 p.m. — Sunday, Ceteber 2—Parlour coach excursion to Elphinstone atid Taradale with the Bendigo Field Naturaiists Club, Leader; Mr. FF. Rabbins, President of the Bentligo Club. Coach leaves Batman Avenue 9 ain, shaep; returns approx, 8.30 pan. Fare, £1. Briag two meals. Saturday, October $--Geology Group excursion. Details at Graup mecting. Group Meetings: (8 p.m. at National Herbarium) Waulnesday, Septentber 21—Microscopical Group. Wednesday, September 28—Botany Group, Speaker: Mr. Atkins. Sohject: Feens (illustrated). Wednesday, October Se=Geology Group, Subject: Petrology. Speaker: Mr. Blackburn. Preliminary Notices: Sunday, October 16—Parlour coach exeursiot to Mount Charlie. Leader: Mr. Williams, Coaq)) leaves Batrin Avenus 9 a.m; erequrns. by 8 ptt, Fare, 15/-. Bring iwo meals, Tuesday, November 1 (Cup Day}—Cluh Picnie. Parlour coach excursion to Warnmeet. Leader: The President, Mr, “Tarlton Rayment, Coacli leaves, Batman Avenue 9 am! returns by 8 pm. Fare, 17/-, Bring two meals, OCTOBER 6, 1955 No, 862 PROCEEDINGS There was.a good attendance at the General Meeting held at the National Herbarium on September 12. Dr. Gwenda Davis of the New England University was elected as a Couniry Member. My. C. Derrick addressed the meeting on hehalfl of the organizers uf the forthcoming Scout Jamboree, and asked for members to give talks to the scouts. The function will be current from December 29 to January 10, and the President gave an assurance that speakers would be available. . : + letter was received from the Fisheries and Game Department to the effect that an area along the lower Glenelg River would not he reserved. Mr. Ros Garnet pointed out that this was hecattse the proposel area was not sufheient and hence jts reservation not desirable, The President reported the resignation irom’ Council of Mr. W L. Willams, and expressed appreciation of his work for the Club. Mr. A. J. Swaby was welcomed as a new member of Council. Attention was drawn to an exhibition by two Club members, Mrs, Wood and Mrs, Sutherland, of pottery and paintings of will- flowers, to be held at the Kosminsky Eallery fron October 10 to 21. Several Jecturettes were given hy members, Mr, N, A, Wake- field spoke om one of cur smallest birds, the Brown Warbler, Gerygane richmond, which inhabits the lilly-pilly jungles of far eastern Gippsland. Mr, Colin lewis told of Ins success with the culture of boronia by the application of sulphate of ammonia, with most adjacent species benefiting except the yrevilleas. Mr, Garnet spoke on “Cores from Bores’ and showed samples of basalt cures fram ‘Tyrendarra. Members of the Microscapical Group treated] members to some most interesting micro-prajections on a variety of subjects from the Group slide hbrary, ; Mr, A. Stewart reported that at the recent Box Hill Hortieiteural Show, one of our members, Mrs. Paul Fisch, gained a first prize with a display of native Australian flowers, one of which, Grevillea jrartperina, took the show's highest award, Mr. Swaby réported that a party fron the Club had attended at Maranoa Gardens on the previous Saturday, when members of the State Electricity Commission had planted a specimen of Eucalyptus chapmany in memory of the late Dr. W. D. Chapman in whose honour the species had been named. $l iu The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 72 CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES* Some Random Thoughts on Conservation By FP. G, Etrora The histary of mankind is a succession of events that hraye resulted froin the Operation ot particilve sers of vircumelances at particular places gt particular tinies. Man is the common factor, Circumstances. places. aud times differ, If cirewmstances had been different a certain event may riot have pecurred. If thease same circumstances had operated in a chifferent place, or at a different time, the resultant event may have beet diflerent. Tt is dificult to imagine, for ¢xampic, how the history of Austraha would have read had the Dutchman, Dirk Hartog, in 1616, touched Austalia at Botany Bay instead of landing onan island in the vicinity of Sharks Ray. Similarly, modern history may have been very different if, in 1945, an atomic homb had aot fatlen dn Hiroshima, : And 30 it is in matters of ceniservation—circumstanees alter cases. To eongecve means ta keep from decay or change or clestructicn, Sometimes we speak of preservation rather wan ¢oitseryation. To preserve also incans to save froin decay or, according to whether we use the word in a particular on genéral sense, iL may mean to save irom death, op injury. ar loss, or teom oblivion. Ideas om catisetvation vary from generation to genéranon in one particular place, and they vary from place to place at any one time, They all depend upott circumstances, and it is. the peanle whe decide. Although individuals may plin and advise, it is people collectively who are Tespunsihle for the final result. All paturatists are interested in conservation or preservation, Conse quently, they should be interested in a study af two things— |. The objects to be preserved, that is, the living things Guvienal or plant} withm their nittural habitat; 2, mankind, people, their fellow human beings—thuse wha determine, iu the Joug run. whether an abject will be preserved or nat, Vii af these rio, Nima beings arc by far the most difficult to deal with. Generally speaking. although there are exceptions, a careful and thorough study 14 nile of the objects tu be preserved, But, after being carefully planted, and after the expenditure of much time, effort and money. a con- servation project may be doamed to failure because insufficient attention has been giver to the people of the community ti Whose lauds the success ef the projecr lies, Hurrian nature, compiex as it ix as very dimeult to understand. We are told that, individually, we are the products of Najure and Nurture. We are born with a certain degree of intelligence and with *ariouy physical and mental aptitudes and obilities We haye a number af fendamenta) physical weeds in, order to sarvive—air. water. food and warmth. Quickly, We acquire hy education a cerlain standard of living and part of the cultural backeround of dur mce, As social animals, we develop those worthy charac- teristees which ate essential [ur the progress of the commipnity as @ whole. But we are also prone to those undesirable features commonly referred to as humal weaknesecs—selfishness, greed, jealousy, and sq on. The characteristics of 4 community are the sur total of the characteristics né its individuals, We i Australia have a reputation of heing a light- hearted, carefree. happy-po-lucky people, lovers of sport and the preat aut- (dors We garnble, but believe in fair play. We are tolerant and have our awn particular sense vt humour, but wll feht when aroused. We regard ourselves as having a bigh standacd gf Jiving, and as having high standards of ediwation. We rise to (he oveaston When called uport to do so, as We *An aibiress given to the Chub on August 3, 1535, Ofanes | Evewau, Corcumstances After Cases EJ have shown du (vo world wars, We believe dit democracy and have a code uf Jaws accordingly. Of sswurse, we have aur weaknesses toa Tar example, we beligve to dows what we like wotil we are convinced that we carinot do what we like We alnost have a tradition that it is nor wreng to break laws but the wrong les i being caught breaking laws. Aud se we could go ou analysing human taluee apd classifvine the characreristics of the people callectivery. Bur what has all this oo do with canseryatian? A very great deal. Let bs consider seme problems of comervavon which are resily provlents ul human beings—as individuals, or as the community ac large. As 9 conmmuinity we are tolerant people. During the early years ov sertls ment h thiy country, man’s redetion gn part was LO tors ta Commercial ganar certain of the unique animals and plaints that were discovered nere Thus, kangaroos, wallabies, possums aml koalas were slaughtered by the tens of thousands for their pelts Tus, lvrebirady and egrets were killer fac theér plumes. Atore tragic still was the indrserinnintte Fring at thousands af acres of natural flora ior the puryose of clearing suche pnprafiiable tubbish out of the way to enable the mure necessitans and profitable primary industrivs ti le established. In Uns process, of voar'se. the andrstrimnate destruction of fauna wag a natural corollary. Then cirenmstances charged Animals such as koulag and lyrebads. being on the verge of ettinclion, Seoame Tigotuusly protected Other aninialy also became protected and the destruction af kangaroos. wallahics, passums and ems became con trolled by permit. Mr. Everyman was praduaily educated to the fart that it was aboot time we took some pride in ovr imique flora, Scientists ad found atl kinds of interesting things about them, Caiservation became the waichyord, faut, as u cormmunicy, just haw proud are wer We still ialesare those rather eride representations of koalas, Iprebirds and other anmuals on our postage stamps, Al the same time, we appear to be conteat to allew dhese Los to be weed as brands for our vroduce in such a way that people overseas are vot at all sure shout “kangaroo” better ar whether jam is otade fram parrots. We have rather 2 poor idea of methods of displaying Gur fauna to the rest of the world. In sume zoologocal gardens we pot a kosls on 3 dead] tree drtmk fn a relatively siuall enclosure and provide ip with bunches af gun tips placed in a kerosene tin of water. ; Then, aguin, we have people who are exhilatigmsts, who remain childish throughout life, who abways Want to pee to whar an extent an animal will Uchave like a human being, some who lave an insatiable appetite for sensatiimalism, and, finally, the adherents of blatant vandalisen. Te 43 rose difficult to classify or even name these human pecoharities There are thosc who will take duck out of season av who will Lesp or shoot poxsutn fur sheer devilment, while ethers du it hecause they are “agin the law". Date Fashion will always find wenn who have the pecessury wherewithal (a be so different feoon all others as tq appear in public wearing, the plumes of some yare Wied cyen though, these days, ois usually cxotic. But perhaps these are minder rusdéemeacours which we tolerate, Defenceless credtutes, sich as kualas and penguins, often Iecome objects for finn To the amusement af anlogkers, they are poked and pulled and subiected to all kinds 17 Nazards ust to Bun iat similar to Co fapevialiy bur the marginal costae ave narrower, aid! there is m clear space rowed the vempal transverse Jines, Tt js nat uncomment some Bay gatherings, Co singutans A. Selymidt: Not ambike Co sunactsis, but has hruader siar- ginw) costie, and these have a distinet tine Tumis oentetly sWeough then. TL as usually found assoeraced with the preceding species ie tabniatis A. Schmidt: Very plentiinl iq parts af qe Taya River, also foxind in Port Philhp Bay and along the Victorzan voust, | Pigure 2.1 C. thiretié Brebissoa: A snialt forms while most of the metnbers ot this genus are found on the sturface af mud or sand, the writer unce four Zosteragat the estuary of the Great Porrester River in Tasmania covered with this for. HM alse occurs in Victorian gatherings, [Figure 3] C. tniiinphons A. Schmidt This has a narrow border of about 48 costae. then a wWayrow hyaline crescent each side. There ix a narrow Longirudinal clear cejitre with about 24 (eansverge liney cach side; thege are broad at the centre. ad narrowing iowards the apices. This was a single specimen fownd at Seahehine. C. wmididatus Greville: Somewhat similar to C. trruirbhais tuit the nvar- - pinal costag are wider at the centre aad the central Lines are almost parallel. Tt is fond occasionally in lucal gatherings but is mory plentilul ou Ure Queensland coast aud the adjacent islanils, CG. xodiichionus Greville: Found in the Tamar River and at Seabolme. [Figure 6:] C. normananns Greville is sdentical with this species: Figure 7 slips ant interesting: variety; it has four hyaline spots on the margin of ihe central arca but is oflierwise (he same as the type fortn, It was fairly abundant in a gathering made hy the writer at Seaholme about eight years ago. It does not appear to have been previously recorded . ’ ' N 100 Barrett, istration Specles of Compytodisens Ve lt C, rebertsianns Greville: Although a lew specimens Wave been collected mw Yooradin, Westernport, the coast of New South Wales seems tu suit this diatom beet; i is ver plentiful in some Sydney Harhout aud Botany Bay gatherings, [Figure |] { The size has been shown for all the species Wustrated. These sacasuremeiits are correct for the datos shows) in the ellustrations, but it is us well to indicate that they ure average stess only, anit that both lareer and smaller specimens of all the species are aol uncomimnen.| REVIEW: “MEMOIRS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF VICTORIA’ No. i9 Theee distmeuished members of the Field Naturalisis Club of Victoria base made outstanding contributions lo cuc knewwledwe in three very different ucienuces—Entomology, Ornithology, aud Palacontoloyy—in the curreitt issue of the Memarrs of the National Masewn of Micters, There is algo a weal of fine iMuscralions so the March 1955 issue is a singularly valuable one Professor W. Stephenson of the Queensland University has contrilitted some notes oh Victorian Crustacea, particularly the gemus Synilla. The Group 1 an excecdingly interesting one or ipvestucation, but it falls ta aliract as many studenils as it shonld do. Tn this issue of the Afeioirs, the FIN.C.V. President. Tarltow Mayment. has produced an admivable monograph at nearly ene hundred pages, sixtecn of whieh are devoted to beautiful phitcs, on the “Taxonomy. Morphology and Bivlogy of SERICOPHDRINE WASPS”. He has jucreased ihe number of deserbed species Trem five to fifty. and bas iWustrated avery detail of their anatomy with imeticulous skill, The reviewer found the biological studies Sull of ipterest. aud these succinct backs enberge; LL takes twelve golden blow-fies to rear one baby wasp. There ure two babies in cach shat, which means tweony-faur fies, Mach wasp dies ahowr six shafts; that connotes the capture of at least one hwnered and forty-four blow-Bies by each wasp for the seasay. There are often several hundred wasps ii one cvjony, sa that the total number of Altes destroyed each summer runs into many thousands, These are valuable wasps indeed for the passoral imdustry | Edmund Gill delves into something very dtiforent—ihiorine analysis, which he Has used to determine the relative agés of fossil bones The Auorine index 18 a modern measucine stiek fur Tire, andl he says, "Every ton of the earth's crust averages something over three hundred grains of flnorine (Mason 1932), and for any giver ground-water envacoument with Auurine an solution, the accumulation of Aaurite ions by fossil hones, if pervious, 12 a function o7 time.” Gill has the happy facility of presenting bis ghotehts and facts ut pleasant Isnguage understandable to the ordmary naturalist. Roy PF. Cooper records his obseryations on birds of rhe remote Mauyuaric Marshes in New South Wales, aud he includes list af species for the aren. The paper contains erghteen very fine photographs of the birds of thar arca, wl if ois intriguing te conispare the two methods af THlustrating a scientific paper—pen ane camers, A Swedish seiemtist, Bengt Hubendick. of Stuckholin, cowtributes a report on Stphonaria from Queensland, and makes some interesting: comparisons. with Indian anc Wrst PaciBe forms. There are several ilusiatwons of the anatomy of these shells, and we glean Uiat Hope Macpherson, canchologist ob the Miseum stat. rendered material assistarec. ' Ie is ret possible yo de justice to the Mensoir in & tabloid review of this character, but i can be truthfully said that No. 19 is an outstanding volume that pofests Seat credit, bod only on the conribuitg scwtitists, but on the Tiirector of the Museum, KU. M. Pescott, and on the Government Printer whi tins turned aut a very fine production. —L. Yuurs n art teh | The Mieloriun Naturalist wi FLORA OF VICTORIA: NEW SPECIES ANO OTHER ADDITIONS—<6 By N_ A. Waterieco, Melbourne : Some New State Records from East Gippsland Sinve the pilheation in 195 of A.J. Ewart's /lora ef (ictorie, ummerous dddetiaits have heed jwadé ty the vascular plant census for the State Much af itis expansion has been the resule of revisionary studies of certain groups and genera, aad from time to time many of dhe additians have been noted in Phe Mictavin Nalerefist. Tinus, dotanists aud waturalists have access us this journal fo up-to-date information on the Victorian ferns, orchids and mistictoes and on such genera as Pomadernis, Leptosteronen, cec. The wlditions hsted an the present paper are in no cases the resules of revised delimitauion of species, bot simply of discoveries made recently within the borders af the State. Exeept for a few commnients ahour some particular points, descriptions are vot ineluded here, but yeferences are given ta such in George Bentham’s Flore Ausiralienyis and Baron von Mueller’ Key to the Sustem of Mictarian Plauts. Thase species hereunder which were incladed m Mueller's Key are amongst chose lsied ag “ervonedlisly recorded far Victoria” on pages 70-72 of A Consus of the Plants of Wietoria (FNC, W828). AN observations recorded here which aré not acknowledged to other persons have been made by the writer during Une past 14 years. ‘ Family GRAMIN AT. PANICUM FULGIDUM Lnghes Syn. 2. biegtor BRT. ag in Bl dusts 2 - 487. On 19/12/1947 this grass was noted to be ahuodant on sedpe-Aats near Maranmeo Crevk, by the Princes Higlway, Giles north of Geno DEYPUNLA CUNNIANA (News) Reuth FR Austr, 7 > S84 Lichuding also the D.? bracghemss Benth, fee which appears in Muetler's Key (Yok 1, p. 492) as Ayrasts breuighaints. This species was found at Bidwell, by the upper Delegate River on 30/1/1948, and on the high ridge towards the Snowy Rives, cast of Butchers Ridge ou 23/1/5953. ; {For a complete revision of this genus, involving a number af addivioual species, eee J Viekers’s paper in (nutrifrtions from te NSA. National Herbarium, Vol. 1, No 2 (1940). QF the new species doscribed thecein, Do micrasela, D. parviselu van, boormant and B, radwavi have since been found to Geour im Victoria| ERAGROSTIS TRACHYCARPA (Benth) Domin Syn Ji. nigem var. trachycarpa Benth, Fl otnstr, #) 643, A sinvle plant of this species was found at the railway bridge over Providence Pondy on 19/4/1953. The wikorescence is pamculate with very long, fine branches and thay, fow-fowered spikes. VDANTHONIA PARADOX. R.Br. See PL Austr. F590. Fhis was found on 26/1/1947, growing abundantly at Maramingo Crevk, near Gonea. lows distingwshed front all other VYictowan members of the genus in having a broad panicle with very long, filiform branches ail in the cenual awn ot the Howering glume being alinest obsolete. [Far revision in this genus, including.a number of new species, many of which oceuy ur Vietoria, see paper by J. Vickery in Contrib. N.S. Nur. Herb. 1 (5) (1930) J CHLONIS VENTRICOSA RRr, See FI. Agstr. 7 > OVS This was found at Suggan Buygan at ahout 1440 by Wo Hunter PGA SANICOLA R.Br, See Bl. Austr. > 654 This Tasmanian species was found on 27/1/1949 au the verhern peak af the Cobboras Mountams, at air elevation of 6,000 feo ” 168 Wakerien, ffora of Mietortus New Specie, ct ‘ar 72 Family RESTIONACKAE LEPYRODIA ANARTHRIA F. Muoll. See Fi. Aust. 7) 216. Thijs species is distinguished fram mher Victorian members of the genus in having the stems unbranched and without sheathing scales. It was found t eraw abundantly on sedae-flats at Materningn Creek atl atso near the upper Genoa River, on 26/1/1947 and 2/10/1949 respectively, 1% Family LILIACBAIS THYSANOTHUS JUNCEUS R-Br Sve VL Ausir. 7: 45; This was added to the Victorian floru by its discovery near Genoa in ubout 1940 hy W, Hunter. Te has since heen founcl ter occeir in several of the heaths and sedge-fats in the Cann River-Genoa-Mallacoota districts Family IRIDACEAE PATERSONIA LONGIFOLIA RBr. See Fl, Austr, 6: 406, This ts distinguished ly its very narrow leaves which aré aivested with long, silky hairs. Ir was found on_sandstone formation near the. viv nd Genoa River anil by Yambulla Creck an 29/9/1987 and 21/12/1948 respectively. Family PROTEACEAE FERSOONIA MYRTILLGIDES Sich. ex Roem, et Schult See Fi, Austy. 5: 401 (as var. brecifylia Benth), and Mueller's Key 2: 277- This species Was found to extend a few hupdred yarrls within Vieroria, on sandstone formation by Yarobutla Creek, in the upper Genoa River area, on 29/12/1049. Family SANTALACEAE SANTALUM OBTUSIFOLLUM R.Br. Sve FL Austr, 6; 215, and Mueller’s Key 1: 287. T, was discovered growing amongst granitic rocks by the Genoa River, both i) the gcarge above the township and a Hite dlownstreans tron) Wan- grahelle, an 19/3/1949 aod 2/10/1949 respectively, Family POLYGONACEAR MOUEHLENBECKIA GRACILLIMA Melssn, gx DCL See Fi. Austr, 3; 274, and Mueller's Key L: 172, This was found ta grow in Victoria wear Cann River by W- Houniter in the late 1930s. That occurrence was in the township area and it has since flisappeared, but the writer noted it recently on the river bank about three miles further worth, Fatwnily ULMACEAE TREMA ASPERA (Brotu.) Blume. See Pl Austy, 6> 158, anc Muellerc’s Key 2; 162 and 2: Fig. 24 A and DB (as 7. cannabine). This was found mear Mallacooca Inlet by V. H, Miller in 1930, anel more recently im the Howe Ranges by the writer, It is a large “jungle” shrub or smail tree the leaves of which are ay harsh aa sand-paper, =~ Family LEGUMINOSAE COMPHOLOBIUM GLABRATUM DC, See Pl. Austr, 2: 48. This is a tiny Plant distinguished from others of its gems in Victoria in having each leat composed of 5 to 7 leaflets. It is apparently very rare, a few plants only having been noted in each of its known Victorian habitats : No. 1 Peak near Mount Kave. and by the upper Genoa River, on 13/10/1948 and 25/9/1948 respectively Tere Wakevietn, Flora of Mtetoria: New Species, ete. 109 DAVIESIA WYATTIANA Bail See Muctler's Key Js 203 (as “reyattiv’), This species was discovered in Victoria on 20/10/1946, growing plenti- fully on the western slope of Mount Kaye, Mach inflorescence i3 so short that if appears. to be am umbel of about 5 fowers, subtended by an myolucre of an equal nomber of bracts- PULTENAEBA SUBSPICATA Benth. Fl Awstr, 2: (37, Althoozh specimens of this were esllected by A. W. Howitt ju 1882 at Wolgulmeramz, it was not included tm subseruent warks on the State Hors. Atluntion was draw vo this coserepancy wheir the species was ré-diseovered im the sanw urea by A, W. Cleaves in 1947, Family RUTACEAE BONQONTA LEDIFOLIA (Venu) J Gay ex DC. See Fil. dusty. £) 314. This js a remarkably showy species, growing to a Weight of several [ver and with masses of reddish flowers each a)inost aa itch across. Tt graws un profusion amougst the porphyry cliffs towards the Snowy Riyer, cast of Hutchers. Ridge, where it was discovered several years ago by Leo Hodge ol W Tree. _ : " Famly EPACRIDACEAE a ACROTRICHE DIFARICATA R.Br. See Fl. sSustr. &) 226, This speciés is distinguished from other Victorian members of is genus by its robust prowth, individual plants being 2 or 3 fect high and spreading to a width of several feet. [be was found at Boundary Creek, Gelantipy, ly W Honter in about 1940, and it has since been noted by the writer on Tupped outcrops in other places iy the Walgulmerang-Gelantipy district. Family }OGANLACKAE LOGANTA PUSILLA R.Br. See FY. Atal, 45 306, Tas as distinguistewd Tro utler Jocat species of the genus hy its tiny size, individual plats Weing no nore ean an inch or so im trent Lt was jound in the coastal heathlauds ut Mallacoeta by J. H, Willis on 23/10/1948 and Jater by the writer at Maramingo Creck, Family LABIATAE PROSTANTHERA SIEBERI Benth, £1, Aste. 5: 96. A small piece of this. species was collected in the Howe Ranges by Cy Walter i about 1870, but the specimen remained unidentified until tie writer rediscovered it in the same area on 24/30/1946. Lt wrows abundantly in gullies on both sides of the ranges, Family STYLIDIACBAR STYLIDIUM LARICIFOLIUM Rich. See Fl Auste, 4) 21, Credit for the discovery of this species in Victoria belongs to RB. H. Buckland, late of Genoa. In about J940 he told the writer of a plant with piie-like foliage which he had seen near Wingan Inlet, but its identity did not héecame apparent unril he collected a specime in 1948. Investigation showed that the spectes grows abundantly in moist peaty or sandy soil over about 3 niles af tcrubby country ou the west side of the inlet. Tt sometimes attumts a height of 6 feet, with branched stems and numerous panicles each aver a joot long, “ Family COMPOSITAE GLOSSOGYNE TENUIFOLIA Cass. See Fl, dusty 3; 544, and Muoller's Key 2; 530, A single plant of this species qyas diseovered at Suggan Bugesy on D/L 1999 by W. Iunter , Jia The Victarinn Naturatise Vol. 72 ADDITIONAL SPECIES OF THE GENUS DIURIS (ORCHIDACEAE) IN NEW SOUTH WALES By the Rev. H, M. R. Rery, Willoughby, NSW, Th a paper tothe Linnean Society of KS.W. entitled “The Orchid Flova at the Central Western Slopes ni New South Wales’ [Vol 73, parts 3 aitel a (7948) J, [ described three mew species of Pius (OD. -althotert, 1, cnentlaty and D. cuneilabris), all of which were discovered by Messrs, G. W, and PL Althoter, ot Deipstane The Altholer brothers see other spec mets, some of which are still undetermined; but recently I have been exanmning three furnis which appear to me so distinctive as te rent specific fank | they are therefore named and tescribed m the present paper, BD, MACULOSISSIMA, ep. nov. Planta usque ad 40 cm, alta. Folia 2-3, angistissima, 25-30 cm, donga Bractea conspicuissima. Flures 5-7, fulvt: segmenta vtrinceguc dense macu- losa. Sepalum dorsale ovatum, © 1 cin fonguny, fere plane:fuscam, Sepala lateralia } om, lotga, Eusea (pester to apacibus wridibus}). Petale {cum ungibus fuscis) 16 mm, longa; lamina graviter maculasa. Labeltum trito- baiuin; tobi laterales feré 1 em. longi, angusti, acute; lobus. intermedius tatthim longier, in fronte Inuatus. Colunmnae alae now anctheram cxcedentes Plant up to 4D ont high. Leaves 2-3. very narrow. 25-30 em. lang. Stem bract. very couspicuous. lowers 5-7, dark vellow, the segments all heavily htoiched en both sides with deep brown, Dorsal sepal ovate, about 10 mm lan, almost wholly brown. lateral sepals 1 cm. long, dark hrown except at the grec tips, Petals with the brown claw 16 min. lone, daynna covered with large blotches. [iahelhum trilabate. lateral lobes nearly bcm. fons, irarrow and acute; mid-lohe a (rifle longer, crescentit in Front, sonietimes apparently bifid, Column wings not exceeding the anther, Kerr's Creek, Wellington-Molone Road, P Alihafer Qet 1947. Drip- stane, G. We. Atthofer Oct. 1947. The spperlative of oaculosus has been used in preferenes to that of nidemlatus, Lo avoid possible coufysion with O. uacwlote Sm. a species [rom which the new one is strikingly distinct. £. COQONOOENSIS, sp. nov : Plante usque ad 45 ot alta, Folia 2, aliquantum lata, ¢ 35 ent, longa. Plores conmparite magni, 3-4 10 racenoa Hexuyso, sabflavi, m&calis tise paucis ornati, Sepalunr dorsale fcre chomboidale, nata wna fusca add hasin pracditum, macrines punctis parvis. Sepala lateralla pawlum fangiora quam dorsale, fusca (sed apicibus viridihus), aliquando otutue in tramsversum-. Petata latissime ovata, im uneuibus Fuscis breyibus Labellum (rilobatum fohi laterales longi sed saepe angusti; Ishus intermedius triangularis sed in fronte lonatus, maculis duobus magnis intructys. Disc) calli breves ot sacpe lati, a carina separati. Colusmnac alat non antheran excedentes. Plant up ta 45 em high. Leaves 2, relatively broad, 30-35 cme long, Flowers rather large, 3-6 in a Hexuose raceme, light vellow with a dew brown markings Dorsal sepal almost rhomboid, with a single dark brow latch at ite base and dotted margins. Lateral sepals scarcely longer than the dorsal, brown with green tips, sometimes crossed, Petals very braadly ovate an short brown claws. Lahbellum:ivarly triangular, buy erescentic jn front. wath a large brown blotch on wither side af the median hne; discal gallt shart and rather wide with aekecl between them; lateral lobes as long as the mid-fobe bur less than half as broad, yellaw with 2 brown spots. Column wings not as high as the anther, or at Icast Wot exceeding it, Goonog Forest, 18 tiles from Dubbo, GC. H’. Althefer Oct. 1947 {Helotypey. The jocal spelling of this furcs! is "“Ganoo", but officially it is spelt “Coondn', ees Ruvy, Adititigndl Species af Dinrij WM Db. CURTIFOLTA, sp. suv. Planta usque ad 38 cm, alia. Fotia 2, curdssima (c, 12 cm. longa), acuninats. Mores 3-8, subfavi, Sépalum dorsale ovatum. flere 2 om. loge, sepala latershiz enguste linearia, 13-14 cin. longa. Petala in unguibus brevi- bus; lumina late ovata, 12 mm. longs, Labellum trilobutum; Job: laterals breves; lohus interniedivs aliguantum magnus, late cuneatey vel fere hom: hoidatis. Golumae ulae deatatae, oon antheram excedentes. ; Plant up ta 35 en, high, Teuves 2, extremely short fahout 12 an), atiminate. Flowers § to 8, Ryht yellow, Dorsal sepal ovate, nearly 2 cm, long; latera) sepals narrow-linewr, 13-14 mm, lony. Petals on short cliws, lainina breadth cvate, {2 rn, loog, Labetluo trilobate; faicca) lotes stort, mid-lohe rather jatge, broadly cuneite or almost rhambaid, Column wings dontaty, searcery as hign ag the anther, Hever exceeding it, Goonoo Forest, G. MW, Althafer Sept, 1950 (Holotype), The exceptional shortness of the leaves suggested this naine. they are much sharter than those of /). bretefolta Rogers. THE EYE-SIGHT OF AN INSECT From time to tine Laets came ty) light concerning the yvaneus urgans af perception in insects. Recentiy 1 nariced a pair of ting they matag: they were partly hidden jm a small creviwe it a Jog. After sume tinie, To py astonishment, another tiny male appeared on the scene making straight for the crevice, which he entered, However, in a moment he apparently realiged the sathation and departed. Some tine ago, when moving a cyse of frit, my attention was attricred to a Jarge winged ant, which appeared to nutice my movemenr, My curiosity aroused, Looved my ham about over its darge eves ah oan effort to find how ireh-j¢ could see Beyond a distance of perhaps ois invhes the insect lost interest, but al two inches at was obyyiainly dostorber, A movement of the hand drom side te side bravght w ke response inthe sevemunt of the ereature's head. The experiment was kept vp fer several minutes urine which aime the inseer never failed to follow every movement. However, on the hand being brought to & distaney of about an mich above at, the insect retreated into a space between owo cases, From this vantage point of conmurative safety it continued ww follow my movements with chose attention. However, it soon tired of the game aud flew off, leaving me to reflect on the martvets of mature, This latter observation has not much yaluce as J was nat able to retam or idemtily the insect, Nor 1s it so Fascinating as, for instance, ihe extra- ordinary range of the perceptive organs af the Gum Iemperor Meth when ratio. However, all these cogs in the great wheel of Nature are (he iugecdients which make their observation a delight. I feel too that most of us woulll be even more amazed if we could experiment with the organs of perception of our own remote anrestors who, living close to Nature, were prolably less surprised at the ability of her children than we are, —Rox C Kerkswaw LAND CONNECTION BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND An arbele, “Thoughts on Plants Cumimon io Australia and New Zealanil™, whivh appeareditn The Mtelorvian Naluralist for Pebruary, 1954, reached the conclusion thay Australian and New Zealind were once jomed by a land chain, Wot necessarily complete at any one time Lt was also poted that geologists du not believe that the two countries were over directly joined. Further consideration has done nothing to upset the former suggestion, tut the deep channel betweea Australia and New Zealand also supports the lz Land Councetion between Australia and New “Zealand Raytost 7" -geologists’ view that the countries were nat joined across what is now the Tasman Sea The fact that Tasmania has stronger plant connections with. New Zealand than hag the mainiand supports a theory that Awstruba and New Zealand both had a common land connection with the Antarctic, Certainly if the laud connection were now complete no plants would be likely to survive the frozen wasteland along the route, but the presence of coal in the Antarctic shows that its climate was once nwch different from what it is naw. li South Africa and South America were also once connected with the Antaretic lanel mass, this would explain the existence of some plants corm- mon to twe or more of the four southert land masses, and it would explain the close relationship of the native birds of Australia (emu and cassowary), “Neg hai (kiwi and extinct moa), Africa (ostrich) and South America (rhea) - Yo the previous conclusion that Australia and New Zealand were con- nected by a land jivuk, should tiow be added. therefore, the assumption that the land connection was with the Antarctic, to which Africa and South eunerica were also joined. t —A. E. Brooxs. WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN ‘ F.N.C.Y. Excursions; Sunday, November 20-—Seville. Leaders! Mr. and Mrs. Hanks. Subject: Birds and Vrees, Fake 915 ant, Warburton train from Flinders Steet, alight at Seville. Bring two inecals, Saturday, Nevember 26—West Melbourne Swamp. Subject; Ririls and Botany. Take 2 pm, Wolhiamstewn train, alight at Footscray. or meet 2.15 p.m. at Footscray station. ' Sunday, December 4—Kalorama. Leader: Mr, Webb. Take 9.15 am, train ‘ta Croydon, then Mount Dandenong bus to the scenic railway. Breng one imcal Saturday, December 10—Geology Group excursion to Green Gully, Keilor, Meet 2 p.m. outside Essendon station im front af picture theatre. Group Meetings: (8 pan. at National Herbarium) Wednesday, November 16—Microseopical Group. Wednesday, November 30—Botany Group, Subject; Monorotyledans, by Mr. Atkins. Wednesday, December 7—Geology Group, Members’ Night of Exhibits, Preliminary Notice: December 26 to January 2—Excursion to Moynt Buller, Accommodation at Welcome Lodge, 32/6 per day in s1x-bunk reoms, $2/- in foue-buntk. Towels are ot supplied, but tariff covers everything else, meliding cut lunches if required and free transport up to the ski village or down to the river. Bookings; includmg £5 depasit, clase with Excursion Secretary on November 16, after which members may make their awn bookings through the Grevhound Tourist Bureau in Elizabeth Street (mentioning the F.N.C.V,}. Transport details irom Excursion Secretary, Maare ALLENDER, Exeursion Seerctary, The Victorian Naturalist Vol._7 2—No.8 DECEMBER 8 1955 _ No. 864 PROCEEDINGS There was a yood dttendance of members and visitors at the General Meeung held at the Nationa] Herbarium on November 14, 1955. The President reported the death of Sir Russell Grim- wade, a distinguished member of the Club since 1913 and an Honorary Member since 1953, and of Mr. A. W. Burston, an ex-councillor with a fine record of service to the Chib. Members stood in silent tribute to their memory. The lecturette for the evening was delivered hy Miss Ralaam, on the pollination of the poppy, and a number of slides were shown to illustrate it. The Microscopical Group presented the subject for the evening, an interestmg demonstration of the biology of ponds, and they showed too some stained botanical sections. The President thanked those who had been the main contributors -—Dr. Wishart and Messrs. Meinnes, Middleton, Evans and. Nance. Six new members were elected—Mr, and Mrs, A. F. Tylee, Miss L. M. White, Miss Edith Pecke, Mr. S. Filer and Mr, H. Kleditz. To these the President extended a cordial welcome to the ranks of the FNC, Miss L. M, Young intimated that she woukl not continue tw act as Secretary after December, and the President stated that, in the absence of any volunteer for the position, it would be necessary to ohtain the service of a pard secretary. There was a large array of exhibits, mainly of botanical subjects, and the President adjourned the meeting at 10.30 pan. for the usual conversazione, F.N.C.V. FERN BOOK AVAILABLE It is expected that the first batch of the Cluls's new publication, Feris of Wictorta and Tasmant, will be in haud by the December General Mcetiny. The book comprises 80 pages of letterpress and text-blocks as well as 1 pages of photographic reproductions. Ft is comprehensive of the 116 APRCIED which are native in these two States, every species is Wustrated hy line drawings, and there are aver 30. photographs of ferns in their natural settinys. The book is durably bound and has a stiff cover. The price is 7/6, A full review will be published ina future issue of the Naturalist, Members may abtaly copies, past free, by addressing orders to the Honorary Editor, B.C), Box 21, Noble Park, Victoria, WG ild The Fictovian Naturalist Val. 72 EXCURSION TO MOUNT CHARLIE On Oetober 16, sbawt twenty members and friends made the trip by bus to Mott Charlie and the Rowallan Katary Seout Camp at the eastern end of the Macedén Range. Lhe panty arrlyed at the camp at about 11. a.m, acy after ynspecting the huts the jeader, Mr. Williams, selected a vantage peint-an the hill From which to point cut the lancmarks in rhe wile view southward across the plains to Methourne and eastward to the mouth ot the Kilmore Gap, A tour of the hill-top partion of the property gave opportunity ior studying the flora of the drier areas, The cucalypts comprised the Com- mon Pepperttune CG, reefiatel. with soe trees im Hower, Silyer-leal Stringy- bark CE, cinerevc), probahly ar its mest westerly point of avcurrence, Mess mute Stringyoark (&. ofliqer) and Mauna Gun (#. craanadtis). The buds and the {ruic, as well as the Jeaves and the hark, of the twa stringyharks were compared and contrasted. The country was thickly populated with Srass-trees aot id flower, probably NimitNorelaed wistrats Lunch was hail on the hill, and aiterwards an excursion was made along the Mewnt Gharlie rond ag far as the base of the spur leading ta the main ridge Several of the party preceeded upward for some Way, two members going om me the top of che mount ; A number of bras were seen during the day, including the Austrehan Raven, Scarlet Robin, White-throated Trec-creeper, Grey Theush, Crimson Rasella, Yellow-tatled Tharnbill and one ot the pardalotes. A comparatively large number of Paintert-lady Butterflies were noted, and a specimen of the Blue-toszue Lizard was exantined. Flowering plants noted were as tollaws; Eucalyptus rodiuta, Clossodia wor Cray Arne specimens), Caladena cucullitea, Caladenia carvea, Cala- denia testacca, Dinris maculata, Calochilus rohertsanti (in bud), Tlarhunitra pauctflara in bud), Plerosivies tongifolia Cov quautiy), Ptervstylis nutans, Chilagloitis qunnti, Stackhouste numogyit, Drosera aurieulata, Thysangtis difersonn, Leucoponon virgaths, Dawiesin corymliasn, Kenticava provirata, Bossinea prasirats, Pultenaca asigustifolia, Hovea heterophylla, Harden- heegia wioldcea, Tnidtigufera australix, oIcacia vewmeriformis, cde. ver uictflua, Acacia aerticitlata, Helichrysum abcerdatuan Cin bud), Surelavaiz. wnbellain, Contuurinnr pulehelliun, Dignella (sp., in bud), Ittola hederacea, Fixports glabella, Anguwilluria divtca, Veronica yracilis, Cywbouatus larw- soniaitus, ITekchrysim scarptoides, (aksa rugosa, Crevillenalping, Clematis ansiate, Tetratheca ctinéd, Bitlerdier scandens, Bredemeyera volybilis (a particularly fine show in places along Main Creek). Rasiuarelus (spi) Epeceis linpressu, Spyridiiorn purwefoltun tua hud) and Glycine clandestine The weather, which kad been slightly showery up ta midday, improved i) the afternoon, and the party had tea in very pledsait surroundings beside Mai Creek, F.N,C.¥. EXCURSION TO BENDIGO, OCTOBER 1954 Twenty Cluh members spenr tac. week-end of October 16-17 at Bendigo, under the leaderskip and generous Tellawship. of the facal FiN.C. On the Saturday a visit way tade to the Big Hill-Mondurang grea where, der the Yellow Box and Red Steingybark trees, there was a profusion af Iassom. Theres inciuded Pairy Wasx-Aower, Guinea-flowers, Fringeanyetls, Goidficlds Grevillea and three species of orchids—Msky Caladenia. Scented Sim orehid and Pink Sun-orelid. The abject of our visit was to see the iour-acre patch of Sticky Boronia, B dentyera, which wale a glorious display of piak aud white blossun, Since that time, this area has been enclosed by the Porests Commission with a sabbit-proos feace, ane] so roa has a patch ot Club-leaf Phebaliuin, BP. obcur- dertum, near Plagstall Halt wi the whipstick ares. . ern] E.recurson to Bendigo is 4905 Tn the evening on Sameday a large audience attender an iWastruted jecture ou “How Old is Australia?” given by our Past-President, Mr. 4, A Baker. in the Sehvol of Mines theatrette, On the morraw, an excursi was made ta the whipstick country Three flowers were of particular interest: Golden Pennants, Lotdouin befrir, put op A glorigus display with ats glowine chrome-yellaw Howers, Scarlet Mint- bush, f’restonthera aspolathoides, was at tts best, and there was ihe interest- ing Clasping Goodenia, Gy unplerous, with ate stesne pressed fatto the ground and each Gpped with single yellow flawer- Ty the afteritany opportunity was made to inspect an acea of Melqteucir coifsorm, where a dozen superh specimens displayed their horizontal branches heavily clothed with erinson fewers, Birds aoted in the urea ticluded the Yelkne-tyied Pardalote, Firetail Finch, Blue Wren, White-plumed Money- eater, Brown-headed Honeyeator, Orange-winged Sitvella, Dusky VWood- Swallow, White browed Wood-Swallow, Gifbert Whistler and Purple backed Wren, SANCTUARY FAUNA INCREASING Bandicoats, Pademelous, and Rat-Kangaraos at the Sie Colig MacKenzie Sanctuary, Healesville, ace all increasing at a satisiaucwry rate. This is very gratifying a5 so many small marsupials are either extinct ar threatened with éstincticon, Many animals, the progeny of freed amines, are tow rimming wild m the Saneduasy bushlands, The Rufous -Rat-Kangaroo (depyprament rufesces) is 2 case TM pont About fourteen wnches high, this marsupial (4 tHe largest of the nibe species of Rat-Kangaroos. Ik was once abundant along the coast of New Squth Wales, from the sea te the infand slopes af the monutains, but now its range is greatly restricted. THlowever, it is jadvally building up its nuoibers on the wild state ji the Sancuiaey area, A pair of Rafous Rat-Kangureds share an enclosure with Ube Long nosed Rat Kangaraa (Polorons (ruta. efvie), a soit-ferred marsupial ence common bat now extremely rare on the mainland. A seographical trace suvvives io Tasmania, Orber oceapants are three Bandicoois: he Long Nosed (Prranmelos masta), Short-Nosed (/svedon ebesdus), and the Taymauan Barred Bandicoat (Feraareler guise). These Bandicoots alsa row wild in the area. to a nearby eneclogere gre a number of Wallabies and Pademelons, ‘The iLraceful, fat-tailed Dama Pademelon (Phylagale ciigenti), omoe corimirni in South Austraha, 8 now foun cnly on Eyre Peninsula and Kangarou Island. The Quokka or Short-Taifed Pademelon (Setanix brachyurisd is now believed to be abundant only on Rottnest Island near Perth. ‘he Tas- munan or Red-balliead Pademelun (Thylagale bellardiers), once common in Victoria, is now thasght to be extiact on the mainland, Fortunately, (ese small, shy Pademelons breed readily in captivity. A jumber of Ksngaroo fsland Kangaroos (Macropis frlisiuyns) seen very wontented with their lange enclosure, Tt ts unfortunate tbat this gentle. dark hrowir Kaugaroo has only partial protection oalsule the Flinders Chase eserve on Kangurow Istanl. About a year ago a pair of Lawans (Letpea acellate) aud three Pustards (Eupadites australis) were added to the Sanetuary’s collection. The Brush. Turkey (Alretura dathame) has been runing wikl ar the Sanetuary for nearly twenty years, Large incnbajar mounds af the Brush Turkey can be seon near Ure kiosk, Recently, meraturg progeny have spread into: the nearby ranges. Lt is a good thing that this bird, which 15 2 native of Queensland ald northern New South Wales, should have been so siledesstully intteaduced into Victosa. —J. Morirsox V6 The Mietortet Ninturalist Val, 72 REDISCOVERY OF A “LIVING FOSSIL” DAMSEL-FLY IN VICTORIA - Ry Auax N. Buens* Duting 1954 entomulgists at the National Museum of Victoria were desirous of finding again, after a time lapse of twenty-seven years, a small damsel-tly of a metallic green eoluur, whieh had heen’ captured in “small mimbers in one or two lagoons along the Goulhura River in the Alexaudra district, Accorcingly plans were sel in motion and contact was estahlished with a Mr. R. Dehson ol Sydney, a nuted authority on these insects, The result was-that an expedition was planner] to visit the Alexandra district during December, the time of year when this rare and interesting msect might be found. Interesting it (s indeed because a special family had been created for it in the Order Odondto—the insect order which contams all the dragon-flies and damsei-dies. This tarmly, the [Temphileiidae, contains a single species in the whole world, Hemaphlebia imtri- dihst Entomologists have come to recogtize this insect as a “living fossil” because of its archaic type of structure which shows direct afhuities with fossil remains of dragon-flies in contrast with that of the present-day forms, Back in 1927 the late Dr. R. J, Tillvard who was an eminent entomologist and world authority an Australian dragon-flies, went to the Alexandia district specially to collect anc study (his insect. He was successiul in his mission and several snapshots of the lagoons in which this insect was breeding were taken, Eventually these snaps were sent to England, so before the 1954 search could be undertaken it was most desirable that these pictures be procured om loan to assist il possible in locating the correct spot. Although there are many hundreds of lagoons and billabongs adjacent to the Goulburn River in the Alexandra district. this danisel-fly had apparently been taken im two only! Then again a time lapse vf Awenty-seven years might have so altered the landscape that it was problematical whether the exact spot could be found, even with the snaps to yuide one! With excellent weather, the right time ui year and the stiaps. hopes were lagh that the quest for this damsel-fly ould be successtul, On the first day, Front 10 aa. until 3.30 puam., all vistble lagoons and billabongs within a couple of mules or more of Alexandra were carefully examined, but none corresponded to the shaps. Neither was any specimen of the danisel-fly seen, By strange coincidence a stop was made on One road, and it was decided to exainine the view for Lhe possibility of any portion of i resembling omic of the two snaps. One large tree in the joreground hore a stréng resentblance to one in the foreground of one snap, and alter *Curater ot tnsetis. National Moseam of Veotoria, Melbourne Degernber 1956 Burns, Rediscover): of @ Damsel-fiy MW? shifting position several times the party decided that the spor did bear some resemblance ta one snap in particular, A small lagoon was in the middle foreground, and our delight can well be imagined when, after searching this fora few minutes, a specinien of the inséct was seen and captured! The first capture went to our Sydney Triend, but it was. not very long before each ot the three members: im the party had collectecL specimens, The afterngan was hy this time well advanced and conditions were not the best fur rhese msecis te be active, se it was decided ta leave further investigation and collecting until the morrow, T]he next day dawned fine aid warm with 4 light breeze, excellent conditions under which to pursue the quest. By early afternoon quite a nice series of specimens had been collected ; on account of the rarity of the msect and its extremely restricted habitat, it was decided not to collect gore Specimens than were actually needed, To ensure safety in transit the specimens were taken back alive, being carefully placed in fairly large glass tubes. For a species of damsel-fly, “Hemiphlebia’ is vot large. it measures just under an meh sm total length front head to tip of the ahdomen. Phe measurement across the expanded wings is three quarters of an inch, The general colour of the head and beady is Wetallic green. At the tip of the abdomen are small whitish appen- dages. When the insect 1s at rest ota teecl or grass stem, it has a characteristic halnt of moving the end of its abdonen up and doen, and one’s attention is drawn at once to the white appeidages which more or léss give away the insect's presence. Although supposedly known only from the aboveauentianyd suvall and very local area, ir is quite possible that Hemiphilebia may yet turn up somewhere else. Mairy years ago a specimen wus reputed to have come from as far away as Bowen in Queensland; it is hard however to clear up the doubt that exists regarding this record, when all the authentically knows labelled specitnens came ‘from the Alexandra district, If, however, speciniens are collected in the tuture frem localities between Alexanidra and Bowen in Queensland, the accuracy of the latter place as a spot for blemi- phlebia wil) be greatly enhanced. The existence in the present day af species of living organisms whose structure compares with that of known fossil remains of siinlar types, is of inestimable value 10 science in that it eompletes lines ol study that enable students lo trace the process of evolution Trom a particular geological period right up to the present day- CLUB STOCKS OF “VICTORIAN NATURALIST” Our stocks of Volume 71 (May 1954 19 April 1955) are seriously low, Members who have any of this lot far which they have no further use could assist Breatiy by passing them hack inte the lihrary. Atso, would those members who have some of the Cloirs bound yolumes vf the journal please supply the Librarian ar Editor with details, as an inventory of such is being prepare 118 the Victorsan Naturalist Vol. 72 FLORA OF VICTORIA: NEW SPECIES AND OTHER ADDITIONS—7 By N- A. Weerripnp, Melhourne Genus Mibbertio: Delimitation af H. aciculoris and H. strieta and of some Species Allied to them Vhese species are members oi a natural group in the venus, having the Ovary consisting of two 141 (1827). Part of Sieber's No. 148, labelled “Plearandre cistifiora” las been examined and it agrees well with Sprengel’s origimal diagnosis, The typical plantas a sparse Siruh, glabrous or almost se; with thr leaves about 9 mm, long and 1 mm wide. bluntly pointed and somewhat tuberculete; flowers sessile within terminal clusters of Jeayes, subtended by tiny thiangntar hracts; calyx glabrous; stamens about 6, filaments uortmally, free; ovary elabraus, carpels 2, styles laveral. Tr aceuts aheut the Blue Mountaing ahd Port Jackson, abd in New England there 1s a form which has anly 4 stamens with the hlaments united. For Victoria, there are several collections from the Grampians, but Mount Rosea (ig. Miss K. Cowie} and Moeny Willian (leg, D- Sullivan, Nov. TE7E and 22/11/1873) are the only specific localities noted, Vhis is a robust, erect formaf the species, with the leaves. up to 13 com. loug. rather sharply pointed ane nriately pimplud. It apparently grows in very rocky places. [See figure 4.) Previously. he New South Wales material of A. cisrflorve was idenufed as a form of H. stricta (partly the var. glabrinsenta Benth. deo: 27). while that fram Victona was noted of herbarium sheets, tozether swith 4. erifioeircs, as a variety of A, aciculurty, Reference ta the accompanying allis- irations will indicate the relationshop of thease species, (0 Woanksrietn, Flora of Pictoria, Neo Spreies. ete. a. as (UBRERTIA STRICTA (R.Br. ex DC) PF. Muell. be Sym Pleurandsa strista R.Br, ex DC. Rey Beg. Nyst, Nut ft: 422° (1818) A tlupheate af the type collection shows the typical form to te an ereetly Vranched shrub with narrow, blunt leaves ancl small sub-sessile Aowers with few (5-8) slaves; the yestitule ol Upper stems, Waves and sepals is of small, fine, stellate hairs. [See figure 5.) [1 extends from the Port Jackson areca southward, growing if near-coastal heathlands; and at ts found in eastern Victoria, near Orhost, Longford, Grantville, ete. The species extends too inte Tasmania in a tora not much different Cron typical, A smaller-leaved form was deseribed as Plewrondra aucrophylia Sich. ex Spreng. (he. This is the mousraw and inland form, being Cound abut the highlands and western slopes of New South Wales. In Victoria it is recorded fron the upper Cann Valley iw the east, as well 45 about the Goulburn, Loddon and upper Murray Rivers and in the Witemera, it oceurs too in several places in. South Australia. tn inland Victoria (Broken River, Mv Ifape, Mt. Korong. Grampians, ctc.}, there is a Jong-leaved lori with longer. greyish vestiture and with the flowers ofte quite stalked, which was described as Pleurandra tucun Lindl. ex Mitch. (Three Fucpet. Jat. Rast. Amstr. 2) 156), front nvaterial collected on Mount Mope by Mitchell. This is the basis ot A. stri¢ta var. cunescous Benth (he.- 27)2 aed We rocladed alsa iu this variety the Pleur- tondrie maeerophulle and the ‘Tasmanian form. in south-western Victoria (Rrisbane Ranges. Otway Ranges. Port Fairy. ete) and in South Anstraba, there is a divergent form with marek of the vestiture becoming simple and in seme cases with hanked hristles alsa an the calyx, (See Agure 6.) ln north-western Victoria (Dimbuolta, Lake Hindmarsh, ete.) and in South Australia, there are tiny desert forms which are smatier in all parts and with very Little vestiture, E All the above material constitutes a satisfactorily circumscribed species, but an the past there have alsa been included under the fatve H stricta a, umber of entilics which are apparently quite distinct specifically, Of the Victorian representatives uf these, besides the f/. cisteflora already dealt with, there ave the two Lollawing, speetes. HIKBERT! A AUSTRALIS 5p, ney. Hi stricta (R.Br ex DC) F_ Muell proxima, sed foliis Iatis tuber- culatis, pilis ateHlats rohestis, pedumgulis longis, sepales intus nitidis differt. Flotarpe: Marcus Will (4 miles north-west of Queenscliff), Vietoria: fog HK. B Wilson (No. 22). 1884. : General Viaguesis Stems numerous, erect, little branched stellate- pubescent; Jeaves thick, oblnng-hnear. up to 16 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide, very obtuse, the margn)s recurved to the broad miidrib, scabrous, the npper surface glabrous and dotted or bearing fine stellate bales, ihe under surface tuberculace and bearing coarse stellate hair; Hower: appearing axillary but actualy terminal on very short smali-leavect branches; pedencles about 5 oyom. long, with a narrow bract about midway alone; sepals about 6 mn. long. stellate-pubescent on the outside, most of the inier syrfaces glabrous and quite shiny ; stamens 4-9 (usually 6), ina single bandle. anthers 12-2 1mm. long, filaments free: ovary invested in very short feliv vestiture, carpels 2. [See figure 9.] Distribution: Vietoria, mainly in southern and western parts (Shaul Inlet, Woddside, Wilson's Promontory, Heywood, Packenham, Emerald, Doncaster, Broken River, Queenscliff, Ballarat, Geelong, Steightz, upper Hacwon, Ararat, Curclies Litet, Victoria Range, Lower Glenelg, ete), and in South Austyvala as far west as Eyre Peninsula. Beagaber | Wakerieno, Flora of Mietaria’ Nex Siperres, eft » i2l Though H. avstralis was previously regarded as being a form of H. stricta, the two are not really closely related, the former haviny a different vestiture (coarse, flat, stellate hairs subtended by tubercles), different inflorescense (comparatively tong peduncles subtended by tiny leaflets), different sepals (straw-hke and shiny on the inner surfaces), etc, A small South Australian form of the species, from Kangaroo Island, was deserthed by J. M. Black in Trans, Roy, Sac. S. Aust. $9: 274 (1925) as var. ablanga of A. stricia. It was not considered desirable to adupt this varietal epijhet as @ specific name, first because Black's type material is abnormally smal), and secondly to avoid confusion with the epither ob/nugata which 15 30 use in the genus, ‘ 1. He velewlaris, piece of typical plant, with enlargerents of (aq) ovary, ztyles and anthers, (bh) ngedle-point of leat, (c) apex of sepal, shuwing havkedl haies, 2, H evudiaries, piece af type specimen, with enlargements of (a) ovary, eu, Chdevoung leaves with peedle-poinrs, and ald Wai 3. HH. rife. piece of typical olant, with enlargements of (a) uvary, 206, showing auitet Alaments- 4. JF. cistifiora, piéer of specimen from Grampana, with enlargements Of (a) ovary, pte., (ob) apex of leaf. So AL atritta, Piece of typieul plont, with enlargements of (a) avary, ete, (bd api of leat funder side), (c) apex cf seal, 6. MH. ateleta, piece of divergent form Crom Otways, with enlargements vt (ad apex af Wat (unter side), (h) apex of sopal Ki. calyanu, piece of typical form, with enlargements of fa) ovary. ic, tL) apex aw leaf funder sie), (c) anex of sepal, H, patycina, yiece of villose intand form. S A ansteaks, piece of type specimen, with enlargements vf Cay ovary, ste) tb) apex ul Jeaf Cyndee side), (c) apex of sepal. CAUL iMustratians Which are mot in circles are repraduced about «maqural sine.) Viel. Mut. | Waxereno, Flore of Micterig> New Species, etc Vol v2 HIBBERTIA CALYCINA (DC,) comb. nov. Syn, Pleurandra calycina DC. he.; 422 (1818), For the idengification of this species, refereuen has hot beet made to the typé specimen, Dit at as considered that the part of De Candolle’s description of Plewundra calyeina—"foliis acutis, Epilebinwn Kanecowdes and 5eif- bocarpa folavis are inadvertenUy recorded for Heard Island instead of Caldityiche aunditre hie an) Asarclle sclago cespectively. 3, An Enumeration ot Plants in the Albury, Hoibrook and Tumbarumba Districts of New South Wales . by E. J) MeBARRON. [Published a6 Vol, 2 No, 2 of the Comtr- linsions from the New Sunth Woles National erhuvinm, Gor Printer, Sydney, 1955. 97 x 74". TAD pages, L text nise | This ig a modest title for what 3s actually a histary of white man’s jollbence on the veeetauion of tome 3,300 ermare miles of Riverina platings, Murray River lagoons anc mountain slopes to 3,000 feet. IL is one of the hess jad mos detailed Incal floras yet to appear in the Commonwealth. The author Was a veterinary afficer at Albury and Halbrook for eight ye2ers, duriog which he made exhaustive collections trom settled areas, waste land alitl quadsides, sending his specimens tu the Svdney Herbariain for identifica- tian, Ths reseerches into distract history involyed combing the files of the Albury Border Post back to 1856, anf reading all the available reports of explovers and travellers to the rezton—from Hurne and Vovell onwards The enumeration cavers pot-only S00 indigens and 258 naturalizes aliens, hit also 350 cultivated species which are “either ornamental trees and shrubs cr common garden plants cultivated within the area” bloveuver. the Iistories of indyvidual kinds of trees, shrubs and herbs are given wherever known, Merrie | 1988 Wires, Baoks jor Bolontots ad - ng. White Mulberry (Mores alba), Paterson's Curse (2ichmm plonta- gens) and Wild Flax (Linu grargmatc) TL as strange that no eucalypt 34 Jisted {doubtless an unintentional omission), nar any indigenous species ukockieand Olesria, the abseuce of these gevups from such a large area wouldve reniarkable. A bibliography of 64 reterences completes this excellent compendium which should certainly be knoivn and consulted by all lacal botanists ar horticulturists in the Upper Murray region. 4. & Hondbook of she Naw Zealand Mosses By G. QO. K. SAINSBURY. [Published as filet Mo. 3 of Une Royal Society of New Zealand, May 1955, 04° x= 7)". 490 pages. 76 plates A moss Hora dealing with a majar part of the Gustrabind region giving ad e descriptive detail and accurate illustrator long been a esideratiinty The only 20th century works available to students have bren WO Dison's invaluadle “Studies in the Bryvlogy of New Zealand" (Bitten No, 3 af the Rayal Society of New Zealand, 1913-29) and L, Radway’s ““lasmanian Fryophyta—Mosses" ¢reprimted fron Papers and Pracevdiigs of the Royal Seciety of Tasmania, 1914); but both have been long out of print, and the Jatter Gehich is of hmited use a dhe [repacs) has many inaccuracies. Mr, Sainshury has spene half a lite-time intensavely studying tfve muss llora or New Zealand: aver a long petiod of yeary he has given Treely af his great knowlisige to budding hryologists on the other side of the Tasman Sea. No one is hetior qualified 10 write a modern hands haak on rhe Dominion’s Musez, and the small band of Australian moss students has cherished the hope that he rght du su. Happily, that wish as now fulfilled The Royal Society at New Zealand is to be congratulated for publishing Mr. Sainsbury's lengthy ma. Buth Jorma and lepograpby are excellently chosen. ‘Phere are good keys to all geera and the 440 recoynized species, the accurate descriptions are aniple, (he disesissions lucid and helpful, whale the whole work i, enhanced by beautiful line drawings from the pen of Miss N. M. Adanis why dlustrates a aeleenon of 215 speetes. The author adnvits that his “specific concept is a wide ane”, and tinder variods species he gives the important synonyms that have been applied to the same plants by other wrilers on New Zealand Afpact. There is aranifest, thronghout the pages, a seat eet acquaintance with species itr all their puzzling varhitious and esponses to chyiraument—it is Not ta be wondered ac that European oranists, working se offeyy woth raps of materjal, should have described’ the sanre Australasian moss under a multiplicity of names. This books will stand for many years as a worthy monument 16 ats author, and will serve 2san mvaluable guide Jor workers in southern Australia—LOY species (alwur 82 per cent.) of Victoria's 240 known messes are dealt with THE LATE EDWARD THOMAS DAKIMN 11897-1955) The sudden death of Mr. E. Dakin from pneumonia on Joly 8 came as a check to his many Friends m the Pret! Naduralists Cloke Always @ most enihitssastic supporter of the Botaiy Group, be had hur lately assumed its chairmanship. “Ted” was born at Richmond aml lived all ‘his hfe an the metrapaliran area, latterly at Surecy Hills; he never married, but is suar- vived By a lrother and twa sisters (both rmarsied), Duriug Word War T (1914-18) he worked at G Rirnington's worsen, Kew, and there developed Strong botanica] leanings which led ow to his nremberstip with dhe FAN, in 1918. For dhe last 25 years he was an independent! “jobbme” gardener, A natural gentleman, with a jovial disposition, Ted had a slight, but rot distressing, stamnur at MMs musical speéciy Although small in stature (about 5 f1-) he was an accomplished hgh diver “sy 128 The Lote Aedward: Themas Dakin ; hin roe and bush walker, He teamped over many parts of the alps (haw Baws, Lake Mountain, Cathedral Range, Mt. Buller anc Mt. Cobbler). also Quail Cslarid it Wester: Port, the Mitchell River gorse country, Kinghuke-Me, Disappointment area, Rushworth and the Grampians, with many excursions to Warrandyte—always on the trail of his beloved plants. But he had an eye for other objects of natural history interest tao, and could entectait by remtuiscences of his various encounters with snakes. All botanical speci- mens were hrought ta the National Herbarium for checking. and ii was . gratifying to sec his eyes dance whenever the collection included some ravity, of octasionally q déw cecord for ihe State! Ted would be all cager- ness to revisit the spoet—no matter how remote—and te gather more material in the cause of science. Bryophytes were his particular interest, and he was the first to find Luphacetea austrigenan (Fake Mountam), Plagiectita biseriahs (Woyrtle Creck near Kinglake West) anc Tortelia dokinit (Warrandyie) in this State. I had the pleasure of naming this last species of moss in his honour [Vict, Nat, 72: G (May 1955)], and am relieved that be lived just long etloligh to see its description in print; that was a proud occasion far him. He collected (also at Lake Mountain, and in fruit) the only really good * example of Sematophyliian tenwirostre known from Victoria. Perhaps his most noteworthy discovery (62,1934) concerns the rare, endemic Graceful Swamp Wallaby-grass, Anplibromus gracitis P, F, Morris [hiet. Nat. 51+ 145-6 (Oct. 1934)]. Dakin’s sinvle type specinren—from swamps toward the Yarra River at East Kew—retiained (he wooly keewn material unril Chas. Rryant rediscovered this species in a similar habitat at Nocth Bahyyn, 4.11,1942. His numerous plant specimens are to find a resting place in the Navianal Herbarium at South Yarra. —J EL Wrens FAUNA SANCTUARY DIRECTOR The Committee of Management of the Siv Colin MacKenzie Sancniary. Badger Creek, Healesyille, Victoria, invites applications in awritine (with details of qualifications) by December 17, 1955, for the posirion of Director of the Sanctuary, salary up to £1,500 ‘according to gualifications., The post requires a person with Jively enthusiasm for public display and explatation of Australian fauna in a bush setting, with ability to achieve efficient management (including breeding, of fauna), and to promote public julerest, Full-time staff at present is seven adults, Attendance in 1954-1955 was 90.000. Nitending apoticants can obtain details from the Seererary (Mr. N- G. Wishart), Sir Colin MacKenzie Sattctuary Committee of Managemctit, care of Premicr's Dept. Treasury Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria- WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN F.N.C.V. Excursions: Monday, December 26 to January 2—Excursion to Mt. Buller. Detadls in last rorith’s Netwralsst Preliminary Notice: Saturday, January 21—River Trip. Leader: Mr. Dickens, Boat leaves Princes Bridge, 2 p.m. Fare: Adults, 5/-; children, 2/-. Tickets from Excursion Sceretary ; Mante Atbenper, Excursiol Secretary, The Victorian Naturalist Vol, 42-Ne. 5 DECEMBER 2 20, 1055 No, 865 PROCEEDINGS The meeting hall was well fled for the Club's General Meeting at the National Herbarium) on December 12, [1 response to a request [ram the Secretary of the Maranoa Gardens Committee, Mr. J. Seaton was appomted as this Club's liaison officer on that cormaittee. Mr. Swahy spoke briefly on several matters: He requested future exhibitors to note on cards the important points in con- rection with their exhibits. Mention was made of the need for menibers ta consider forming a working group to organize future Clih shows, otherwise show equipment might as well be disposed of, A request was made for short lecturettes by members at fiture meetings, And finally, note was made of the Club's sorry position in having no nomination or volunteer for the position of Secretary. Mrs. Jennison’s resignation from the position of Exhibits Steward was accepted with regret, and a letter is to be sent i) appreciation of her service to the Club- » Mr. Ilaase delivered a short talk touching on the balance of nature trees, insects and birds, and the drastic results of the introduction of the domestic cat. The Meeting was then treated to an excellent set of Kodachrome slides, taken m various parts of eastern Australia, hy Messrs. Bums and Neboiss, entomologists of the National Museum of Vicloria, Some of the storm and sunset pictures, and one of a small frog om the flower of an Hibberha were excepuianally goad. The President thanked the speakers for a very imstructive and enjoyable evening. Six new members were elected: Mrs. Gardon, Mrs. Malonf, Mrs, Harwood’ and Messrs. Hahn, Bittner and Lewis, To these the President extended a hearty welcome to the FLN.CY., inviting therh to take full advantage of the library and to participate in excursions and other Club activities. These was an array of exhibits much above averaye, in particular sonte tropical shells shown by Mr. Gabrtel and insect specimens displayed by the speakers for the evening Mr. Hanks made a report on the bird life at Wyperteld National Park, and he commented too on the large eels making their wisy rorthward along Outlet Creek, with no possibility of ever reaching the ocean, The President then adjoutned the meeting for the tual con- versazione and perusal of exhibits, 129 1X The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 72 CRITICAL NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN STYLIDIACEA (with descriptions of three new species and two new varieties! By Rica Erickson? and J. HW, Waaist INTRODUCTION Ut has been found by one of us (REL), while prepare = monograph with coloured jilustrations on the fascinating Urigger-plant Family (Styli dace). that no descriptions of certain West Australian species and varietirs have evet been published; several adjustments to existe nomenclature arc also necessary. We have already collaborated in a paper describing nine Hew specias and two mew varicties of Séeylidtumm from Western Australia; Uns paper has gore to press and will shortly appear m Part L of a new botanical journal, “Mnellyria”’, issuing from the Melbourne Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium. The [ellowing additional items are now derall with, and theic arrangement follows the systematic order of J. Mildbracd in Das Uflancenrerch, [left 35 Civ. 278)—Syfidacer (May 1908) . New species Leventookia o¢tamacilate and Stytidiuim roseo-alation, ace described and Mlystrated; Srvitdiuw streptocarfem Sond. is synonymized under .¥, divaricatine Sand; 5, streptacar Pie var, ivacrvcarpuyt Benth. is raised to Full specific rank and delineated ; the new varictics, SL wecrocerpfiin var. plandfoliens and S. enleaietin RBr. vat. ecorne, are desertbed; the variety glandalosun: Maldbr. 1s transferred frone Y. fideune R.Br ta SL pect R.Br, and the name 4. breviscapiin R.Br. var, erythrocalye enth, is restored for the plant to which an iNegitinate combanarion, 5. bremscapum var. involucratiuan (F. Muell.) Mildbr. had been appled. LEVENHOOKIA QOCTOMACULATA Lricksom & Wrltis [Text lust. fig. 1-6], species nova clogans cw affinitace F, supitatar (Thenth,) F. Muell que recedit foltis, bracteis et lob: calycis glandulose- pilosis, petalis immaculatis. vagina quam longituda colamnas plus dimidio; ah orinibus speciebus £. actomacwata differt petalis duplo maculatis, Auta @tecitis, 410 con alta, parce Blandulopilasa, Folic paudca, qlibra, prope basin 24 mro, longi, chavate- spathulata, graciliter pruolara, apicen versiis longiova angustiora, Sedpua lenchrosns, |treriuitis, ainiplex vel parce ramusus, cparse yharchalo-pilasus: flores ires vel oumerns!, 1 14 umbels disposit, pedwellis Aiformitus quan bracter elubris sublinearibus ¢ad 1 em, Jongis) auple vel triple longioribus Cafve tenebrosus, globosus, cireitey Tomo lates, tobo péyelandutose; tobi olabyy, liters, quam thus longieney, Corolla patens, Fete roves, fauee alhy; petala cicc. 4 miu. lunga, obovatespathulata, -F apiculata, quedque prope bas maculas 2 saturate robras werens; Iahellum aqovlengum, Jonge faaqliter vnpuculatum, damina Cuculata subpblonga Joby (“appendeulis) duchas + triungulachus instracta, Colinina equitonga, etacdis, ad bagi vagina breve (quam futgitude columns animus dimidia) yraditu, a apicem (a matoritate) stigmats appen- dicuhs & practlitos ctieyyns pilosis ingtricia, . A small sparsely glandular-hairy plant, 4-10 om. tall, with simple or branched stem Leaves very few, glabrous, thase near the base of the stem approximate, obuvate to spathulate, the almost orbicular lamin 1-2 mm. wide and ori slender petioles of equal length, these higher ot the scape becominr longer andl matiow, Scape dark-coloured, usually umbellate, the branches also; flowers nwnerous on long thread-like, sparsely glandular-hairy pedicels which are two or three tines as lony as the floral bracte; bracts glabrous, alrstost linear or wider in the upper hall, to L cm. in length. Calyx dark-coloured, globose, about Vo wii, ii widtli, the lube yery elandular-hairy, the lols glabrous, free, longer than the tube, Corolla bright pink, with white throat, each petal bearing two dark red spots near the bage; petals more or Jess = "Barrlea”, Bolgart, W. swat) + National Herharium of Victoria, S. Yarea, View Soireory Erickson & Wiu.uis, dxsiradian Styhdiccear 131 dbovate, slightly pointed at the apex and narrowed at the base; labellum as Tang as. the petals, on a long slender claw, the hood almost ablang with twa more or Ices triangular flaps cr appendages, clett at the apex and sur mounted hy a short sensitrve pemt. Column with short basal sheath (much less than half the length af the column), slender, erect, when mature bearing at the summit two slender, curved, hairy stigmatic appendages. Capsule globose, Epithet: Ju alhiswot to fhe eiplu red spots on the coralfa (2 at the base of each petal). Vernacular none - Dottecl Siylewort, Habitat: Open Jaro-tree CAcacta acuminata) and Wandoc (Excaly pins wandoo) forest, in compact colonies. Representative locality: WESTERN AUSTRALIA—Bolgart (HOLO- TYPE in MEL, ISOTYPES in K and PERTH—Aire Erickson, 2 Nov 1953). Lopvrulaetia oclomacilata sp. itav. \. thahit wt growth; 2. Floral bract; 3. Flower, with one petal removed; 4, Column, with Gre stigma appendage. 5. Cohan, crglosed by Jabetuim; 6. Cola, with bork stigma appendages. developed and showing the sheath at the hase; 7. (Column ul L. stipitate (Uenth.) Mouell, for comparison, skowing sheath at inser, The new specics is close to TL, sffitata (Benth,) DP. Muell., and may in the past have been confused with it. L. sipitete is more glandular-hairy, including the leaves, bracts and calyx Jobes; the petals are unspotted, and the colaumu sheath cises to more tian halt the height of the column; the flowering: period is carjier and, as a rule, it does nat overlap that o1 the new species in the same area. Other species having spotted throats are I. leptantha, L, pretssi and L, pauctflara; but these are more glandular- hairy, with non-utibellate inflorescences, shorter pedicels, and only a single spot at the base of ¢ach petal. The Victorwy Nuturalist Vol. 72 ~ Phare [V (For details, see opposite) [ 132] Jomuary Errcksoy & Winrts, 4asiration Stylidioveve 133 in dred material, the glabrous Jeaves, bracts and calyx Iobes of the new species are significant, while the deubly-spolied petals are seen to De 4 wake feattere in fresh flowers: under a lens, the labellunt shape and height of sheath are apparent and distinctive. STYLIDIUM CALCARATUM &.8r,, var. ECORNE FL Mwell, ea Erichsan & Meelis; waricsas nova, a forma typica differr caleare brevissimo vel iuille, Differing freon the typical form im having a very shortly-spurred or even spurless corolla TYPE from “nbassy aeanetic rocks at King Grerage's Sound, Western Australia (TSOTYPES in MEL and PERTH OF. Atneller, Oct. 18607). By virtue of its spurless flowers, thes variety bas hitherto been puch coniused with S. perfrsiiwe Hovk,--a much more slender, minute plant with syaller and always white petals (rarely exceeding 2 mm}. SL cal- curator vat. ecarne forms pure colonies in inland. rracts, and ranges widely from near Geraldton, throughout south-western Austraha to parts of Sotstlt Australia and western Victoria Gwith oudying occurrences vear Gembraok and Violet Town). A fonn in Bindoon district, W.A. (damp Wardoc slopes) and near Manjimup is remarkable for its vivid rose colouring, shorter acuminate upper petals, and almost rotund leaves. F. Mueller was apparently the first to recognize the distinctiveness of thig spuriess plant, and his ss. eyithet ecorm has beet taken up, as both sintple and accompanying an excellent suile of tmaterfal froni the Albany district, STYLIDIUM ROSHEO-ALATUM Erickson & H'dfis [PI IV, fig. 1-7]; species nova Sections Despectee, ob lubos coralle Jateraliler geminatos et folia radicalia rosulata ex affinitate S. brachy- Phytht Sond. et SL ereglesst Evickson & Willis, sed difert a hoc presentia appendicularunt (in fice), ab illo situ labelli (haw externis) et ab wireque Gorhus comparate majoribers leetioribusque Jobis corolla subequalibus. vinnie gracilis, 4-6 em. alta, LF flores gerens. Padre iveiter 4, rutivalia, bawlar, Aduta, V6 ao. longa, Stopes grachhs, cuaples val parce camoqus, prope basen vuheserns. perapare glanduleprlosus; brarten: forum minwiz. Calyx Sinearis, cire, 3 mm. Tongues fad 1 cm. in frectificatione), parce ghanduinsus; tobi quam wibus malta breyinres, obtuse eorum 2 subvuninati, Corofla patens, cite, 9-8 mun. (ad partem tatioseme), [ele robea, Tatieem alhidany versus saepe subato robra saturay cobs ealycem Tod éveedens, perala 2-3 mm. longa, subzequalia. lateraliur geminata, obtusa, anguste oblonga, ungwibus tutes; fauicas aypendicula 4, angus lneures vel brewes (deneiformes) > Jabellam, minutus, de)toidenm, muctonatum, carnosum, feniter recurvom, Cofino pooderate racitls, corolla equilonga, pallida sed antheris nigris coftspicuis pradita. A small ephemeral, 4-5 cm. hivh, with 1-3 ffowers. Leaves about 6, rosulate at base of stem, ligulate, acute, 3-0 mn Jone. Scope slender, simple or sparingly branched, with very scattered olandular lirs and minute Aoral bracts, slightly reddish toward the base. Calwr linear, about 5 nun. long (almost 1 cm. in fruit), sparingly glandular; Iohes much shorter thaa the tube, Dhunt, nyo of them cammte for more than hall their PLATE [VY of Stytidten rasgea-alatwon and SY. macroacarpem spi. nay, 1 Style rerooasarinm: 1. Habit; 2. Flower enlarged; 3. Calyxy ~. Cross sectlon of calyx tobe; 5, Front and side views of labellam; 6. Side view af anthers; 7, Side view ef tap anthers and adcveloped shema, hla, 8. macrocarpinn: 8. Habit, ¢ Front view of empty anthers and develoned stigma; 40. Pron) view wh anthers; [1, Mature leat; 12. Flower enlarged; 19. Side view at lebcllum; 14 From view of labellunes 15, Jirvenile leaf; 16, Cross secon of jueenile rate 1, Portion of scape, showing bracts and base of calyx; 18, Cross section of calyx ty . Viet. Nar. 134 Entenson & Wiens, Assivalian Styluttacene Val. v2 Jength. Coralia about 5-8 mm, across at widest part, bright rosy pink and oiten suddenly ceepening to. red at the tlirgat which is avhite; tube not exceeding the calyx; petals 2-3 mim. long, almost equal, disposed in lateral pairs, bluntish, narrowly oblong irom broad claws: appendages 4, varying from jong varrow-linear and erect with red tips (at Bolgart) to short, tooth-like and rather inconspicueus (at Palgarup swamp neat Manjinap); TaheNunt minote, deltaic, mucronate, fleshy and slightly recurved, Cafuenn moderately slender, equalling dhe corolla in length, pathd but with con- spicuous Black anthers, stigina rounded and cushion-hke. Pollination: By the “velvet Ay’ Commpiosia cuncata Edw. €determined by Mr. Tastion Rayment of Sandeinghamn, Feb, 1955) fpethet? [n allusion to the spreading pink petals which somewhat resemble a dragonfly's expanded wings, Vernoccatlar nome: Piok-wing Triggor-plant. Habitat: On mud in drying swamps and creek beds. Representative localities: WESTERN AUSTRALIA—7 miles west of Bolgart (HOLOTYPE in MEL--Rica Erickson, 17 Oct. 1948); Palearup swamp neir Manjimup (Riea Ertchson, 1&8 New. 1953). The new species belongs to the bulbless group of the Section Despecta; it is close to SL brachyphylhen. Sond. and S. exoglossmn Erickson & Willis in having laterally paired corolla lobes and in the presence of a basal rosette of leayes, but it differs From the former in having throat appendages, from the latter in the position of the labellum Cnoé external) and from both in the rather larger, brighter flowers with almost equal corolla lobes. 4. atricwarioides Benth differs in its paler, longitydinally-paired petals and non-rosulate leaves STYLIDIUM SPATHULATUM &#-.&r, var GLANDULOSUM (Mildbr frickron & Willis, combinatio nova, ; [5 fated B. Be, vir gltndafosam Mildbried in Pflancenrerch Heft 35-57 (1908)5 Mildbraed’s new variety was based on a collection by G, Maxwell trom the Stirling District of Western Australia (without exact location), Duphi- vate materia! in Miclhourne Eferbarium has been critically examined, and it is considered that this south coast plant can not be athed with S. Leena RB, at all, T departs irom the latter species. in baring glaudular Ivaves, = More open racemose imflurescence, and completely glabraws calyx tube of shferent shape (oblong, instcad of globoid and very glandular as in S. betewm) > these characteristics all apply ta S_ spathidation KBr, from which the variety glanuatosten—an wofortunate epithet onder 4. spathatation ~-dilfers only m. its very narrow-linear loaves. The range of the variety is now known to extend at Jeast from Albany to the Mt. Barker area. STYLIDIUM DIVARICATUM. Souder ix Lefank Plant, Preiss, 7: S85 (1545) [So ateeptecurpum Sona. Leb Plant Peeise f° 385 €1845)] Examination of duplicate types ui S. divaricalum Sand. and S strepte- carfian Sond. in Melbourne Herbarium shows no essential difference, they must be referred to one aijd the same species, for which the epithet divaricatow has been chasen—as less likely to cause confusion. Mildhraed {Pdansene. Helt. 34: 83 (1908)] was incorrect im ascribing a naked throat to .S streptocarpum, the type of which bas defhoute Aliform appendages both on the (arolla throat and labellum—albeit- rather dificult to detect in aleied specimens. In the succeeding paragraph Bentham's S. streptucarpuemn var, ecrocurpnin ig raised to full specific rank; cogent reasans sre geven (or this change of rank. c danuary Exicxson & Wituts, Austeatin Stylidiagcar 133 STYLIDIUM MACROCARPIIM (Heuth,y Erickson & Wéillix, status novus [PI TV, fig, & 18]. CS. streptovuxpwan Soud., var wuerddarpi Venn Flora Aust ¢ 28 CIRGIFT A tufled perennial with 2-0 scapes; stock short and woods, on several stout rysd roots which change from red to black in old growrle. Leusésy numerous, densely tufted at base, terete. asually 2-5 cov lor: and about J mm, wide, micronate, glabrous, shvhtly fakrowed when dey) inyer juvenile fewves much shorter, Hattened aud with hvaline niirgins. Srapes 10-20 cm. (or niere) high, green, ghabraus, with several te many Hawers arraigerd in broad pamcles; floral bructy snmlt Colya bocar (but usually broader at base, especially a fit), 1-2 em long, slightly lwisted, offes curved in fruit, sparingly elandular (more sv oim some Murchison River collections); lohes free, about 2 mm. long, broadish and blunt; subrending bracts 2-3 mm. long, broad and blunt. Corea 8-10 min. across at widest part, rosv-pink with yellow throat, shehtly glandular of whe Outer surface , tube equal to the calyx lobes; petals almost equal, 3-4 mm. Jong, disposed wm Jateral pairs, oblemg-elliptic and yery blunt, mieinally pink and each With a conspicuous red spot at the claw, externally whitish and with median red stripes, appendages absent; labcllum minute, almost rotund, with hroad laciniate appendages. Cuhwn moderatety slender, slightly exceeding the vordila; stignia a narrowly ellipsoid cushian, : Epithet; To alluston to the comparatively long tmats (2 cm.). Merngcular name: Flagon Trigger-plant, Habitat: Low heathland on calcareous sand-hills not far from the sca. Representative localities; WESTERN AUSTRALIA—Swan River (LECTOTYPE in MEL, PARATYPE in K- J. Druntnotst 2nd coll., Ne. 271, PARATYPE tn K—J. Drusanand, Xo, 1391, thot eNaniined), Murchison River (inch PARATYPE in MEL and K—4, Ofdfield) ; 30 miles. worth af Murchison River (MELFL Muelter, Oct 1877); Coogee 1 MEL—A Oldfietd, So 1258); Yanchup (itica Arivésan, 4 Nov. 1953) > Swan River (PARATYPE in K—Colfte, nor examined) . Lower Swan Iver ¢MEL— Mrs. Geibite, 1887] ~ Middle Swan River (MIEI—Silia Soredl, IBSS) = Upper Swan River (MEL—Jidia Sewell, (285), nonlol Albany (PERTH —C. Andres, 26 Sept. 1902). This plant was duubtlutly placed by Bentham (1269) as a varicty of S, streptocurpwn Sow, which has now been proved identical vith 4. divaricatusm Sond—a species distinguished by its Habelhiorm corolla with Hlifurny appendages on both Jabellum and throat. The manifesthy Inleeal pairmg of coralla lobes and absence of throat appendages in S. macreverpun amply justify ats. recogniliqn as a distinct species, and the foregoing iia nosis supplements the very inadequate yarietal description given in Flora Ansirultensis (4: 74) §, MACROCARPUM (Benth) Erickson & Milt, var. PLANLIAOTIUM Fricksom & WW tllis: varielas mova, 4 forma usitata specied differt foliis milto lon gioribug (usque ad 10 cm.) ypanifeste complanais atyae culyeds labrs aeulis. Differing from the usual form in ats uch longer leaves {te 10 cnr} whieh are distinctly flattened, and in the acute calyx Iphes, TYPE trom stony slopes near Billerango Hills, SW of Morawa. Western aes HSOTYPES in MEL, K and PERTR—Kico Erickson, 10 Sept. This plant may everttually prove to he ideutical with . feplopAgiiime THC, var. glabrescens Mildbr, [Pflqusenr, Heft, 352 91 (1908)] and, Wf 50, anew combination "SW. macracerpum var! glabrescens” will weed to be thade Viet. Nat. 134 Euucxson © Wattes, festrahan Soylidiaceee Val. 72 STYLIDIGM BREVISCAPUM R.&8r., var ERYTHROCALYX Benth. Flora Aust. ¢s JL (186%) LS. breviscapum R.Br. var. involucratuwe (FP. Mucil,) Mildbr. in P}tanzeur, Hele 35: 92 €)908); 3 ainvelueratiwn PF. duel. Fragm. Piyt: Aust. 1: (5d (1859) ]- Mildbraed's new varietal combination in 1908 was superilionus and therefore illegitimate; Bentham's epithet erytirocelys aust be restored, if the plant x to be consalered as of varictal, not speesftc, rank. This yarant differs from typical S$, breeiscepum R.Br, chiefly in its looser inflorescence and rather longer leaves. it a nat Hnewrinon on the south coust of Western Australia, and in Melhowrne Ficrharium ics a eollectian fram “Sources of the Swan River (ditee Eaton, 1889) with an even more etiolated inflorescence, Some botanists favour the restoration af this plant te full specific rank. as S. favolneralunt FB. Mucll; hut from G. Maxwell's note on some very typical material from Cape Le Grand ("growing under eacks") we suspect that the diagnosti¢ peculiarities may well have beew induced by shade: and extra meisture. Cerainly, examples nt S$ breviscapus from Narembeen (tainfall 13 in.) and other dey inland aress have iar mare congested inflorescences thats is usual near the coast. PROPOSED RESERVE AT MOUNT RICHMOND, S.W. VICTORIA By ©. Beavevnnore unl N. Learsioxrer Perhaps few members of the P_NCV. are aware that their club, with olhier kindréd societies, recently sponsored a moyernent inaugurated by the Portlaw! B.N.C. ta reserve a large area in the Portland district far wild- flowers. The Lands Department was requested to reserye from settlement 1,106 acres ot bush country near Mount Richmond until such time as the raposed National Parks legislation made il possible Lo adnuiriustev a reserve The Departinent replied that no qore land im the vicimty af Mount Rich- mond woukl be ahenated, and “the proclamation of a reserve should be deterred wntil the Government has reached finality regarding the proposed Natioual Parks legislation". So the area is safe snd the next move is- with the legislatiwe, and the “National Park and Tourist” Bill now deafeed should be brought belpre the Flouse as an urgent measure. Mount Richmond is fourteen miles WNW [rom Portland aud rises te 700 feet above sea-level. From the summit can be seen a fine stretch of konely . coast alung Discovery Bay and, in other directions, the placid Inkes of Bridgewater and the high, wild headlands of Capes Bralgewater and Nelson, The mount is an extinct volrane “of fne-gmined olivine basalt and is Lunel beneath a thick mantle of dime sand that reaches to the sumeut" (Conlson— “Volcanoes of Portland District"), The proposed reserve wall include the niount and its slapes, the undulating open heath, the strimeyvbark forests, and the thick sedge and tea-tree swamp country surrounding it Though far from: acknowledged roads, a good hush track—folluwing the iwterstate tele- avaph lime—passes diagonally throuth the area, andl can he safely used im all seasons. The botanical wealth of the area is such that to date over 400 species of native Aowering plants have been tuted thereon, including 9 ferns, 32 erasses, Sl rushes and sedges, 19 lilies, 53 orchids, 4 sundews, ® wattles, 3) peas, 3 trarontas, 7 rice-fowers, 5 evealypts, 3 tea-trees, 3 Metatewca, 14 hearths, 4 speedwells. 5 lobelias, 3 blue-bells, 3 goodenias, 4 trigger-plants, 4 daisy- bushes and 6 cverlestings. Among the mosi interesting planis in the area are the Peat Leek-orchial, Prasaphyilew bcanglohele, named by the late W. H. Nicholls after its discoverer: aud Lealless Beard-orchid, Cutuchilur saprophuticns, rediscovered here after being lost te science for many years. Soft Bush-pea, Paticiteed mollis, 1s the show-piere of the area, with soft, drooping foliage often titeen ane Beaucckole Learsonti, Mut Riehsiond 137 feet high and omadsext bloom in season. Oval-leal Logania, 2. ouda, is known in Vietnria only fram the Movot Richmond area- To date, ninely-four species of birds have heen listed in the area The two summer visitars, Rufous Fantail and Satin Vhyeaicher, nest in che thick teartree belts; and there are the Kin Quail, Chestnut-tailed Ground-Wren, Striated Field-Wren, Fantail- Warbler, Southern Emu- Wren, Rujous Rristle- Fard and Black- -capped Sittella. The ‘sight local honeveater species aticlude the Tawny-crawned and the Crescent, and the Beauriful Firecail is not at 24) gacerran. In geveral, the Mount Riclimoid area holds auch of iitereer for the Haturslinc—a year tuund of bush flowers uncommon and beautital birds. and many tnusual species of insects The reseryalion of sach a locality is well worth achieving. STUDIES ON AUSTRALIAN CHAROPIDAE Port 3—Planate Genera By Rox, Cc KersHaw The getiera discussed) inchide shells, the apical whorls of whreli are planate or but slightly raised or depressed. Growth scagcs im wcrtaim species are described, The majority of the charopid genera may be deseribed as more or less planate on the ujiper surface, and: they may be conveniently Brouned on the basis of the présence or absence of pretocouch scitpture. Refore defining these groups, and jin arder that the relation between proroconch ior juvenile sculpture way be made clear. it is proposed to describe the various growth stages ae seen in certain species The species selected include a “eonvex”, a “plariate™, aul a “concave” ior, pue of which bay w deatate aperture. In addition Yo these factors, They have heen selected in order that cansentric aud radially sculptured, and smigoth prntacouchs are described. Lhe terms used are those defined be Kesteven (1932) for gastropod mollusea. Enudodaate batrasdatensis (Gabriel): This sheli bas the inutal whorls a hitle raisuel above the ulliniate, but is planate cather thatr convex The first scwpiure er radial, and there are two lamellae within the aperture. ‘The ouctens isa small shaltew pit, the primitive shelf gland. This is followed by the Neetuconch of one and a Mall whorls. Initially it is hard to determine the presence of sculpture, but there is a rapid development of rihlets which, though radial, are oblique ro the adult sculpture and are at first spaced comparatively’ widely. There ts a space between each equivalent to the width of two riblets. ‘Lhis continues jor perhaps ball o whorl when the squlptuce becomes much more crowded for the remaining: one whorl of the veliger or embryo, until there intervenes an ill-defined vanx or rib, ‘This appears to be mtermediate in structure between the embryonic ani subsequent grawth. This is the Nepioowmeh ot metamorplic stage represent- iy a pause in growth, but sich is mot always as readily observable as in the present specres. In this instance there 14 a small but marked space between the varix and the initial rib of the iollowing sculpture, in which sculpure is apparently absent. ‘Le neanic or juvenile stage which [ullows is modelled on the adult scolprse of eared ribs, ii the interstices of which there ure wumerous, radial lirae crossed by microseopis spiral striae, This sculpture is at first closely packed, but rhe spaces between the primary ribs gradually becomes wider and there 1s a show transition to the adult seulpture when the spirals may be sren to cross the primary ribs. For a little more than 2 whorl from the Neproconch the width between sutures is more or less uniformly narrow, but the width capidly increases from a paint where two primary ribs are closer than normal. The relatianstp between these two ribs dlees Nat seem necessarily constant, however from this point the senlpture is definitely adult. ‘This space af one whorl appears ta represeat the veame 138 Kenstaw, Stidies on Australian Charapidac bra Me * stage to Which Kesteven applies ihe term, Anancaneconch, Subsequent whorls represent the ephibric or adult stage, which is terminated by the gerontic or slage of old age. This is sonvelirnes secti as @ thickening of tle lip or as callus deposits, while in the present species a short basal lamella may he a gerontic feature. “There is also a Jong entersug palatal lamella, which 3s apparent in the adult buy difficult to trace ta carlier wharls. The various stages are defined im this spoctes bul (hey are uot always so clear, and sometimes the protoconch seems to merge into the juvenile However, careful study uttder the tmeroseope will usually reveal the extent af each period of growth. Gyrocochlen viuitincta. (Cox): This shell has tot beet examined by the weiter, but Hedley's (1924) description is sa clear that it is taken as an instance of a shell with smooth protoconch and concave farm. The growth stages descrited abpye are a3 readily defined jaw this shell, though the sculpture differs. The Nectaconch is smooth and terminates im a slightly “evetted lip", the Nepicconch. Following this, again for a littl: nore than a2 whorl, the sculpture is of spaced tehlets not “conformable with the pratoconch, the width of the whorl heing uniform. The termination af the juvenile sculpture is marked by the appearance of Anet und increasingly more closely packed riblets, te width of the whorls steadily itereasing, It seems Clear then that the youthful shell extends to this point, that is. some two to two and a half whorls from the nucleus From that point there is stranger and imore ragndl growth of two or more whorls to Tull nesturity. Most of the species of (/vrocochlea figured by Hedley (1924) show the stages just deserybedl niare or less elearly, Pernagera staileyensis {Petterd): This specimen qas collected in the Centea) Highlands of Tasmania, just sorth of Tarraleah, on the fringe af the temperate rain lorest, Pernagera bas an elevated apex of which Iredale says the tip 14 sniooth, One is in some dowht of this wm the present specimen. Within a very slight distance of the nucleus there appears a wrinkling of the shill which develops inta the Necteconch sculptiire of faintly raised steiae which are radial aad terminate abruptly after a whorl and a half. The Nepiocomch is not represcited in this case by @ varix hut there is a élefined dransiiion, very briel, to the followmg sculpture. The whorl is immediately a little wider and the primary sculpture, of numerous racial riblets with secondary of Bne decussate striae extcndme over thei, con- tinues for the rensainder of the shell, There is no noticeable difference in the sculpture defining a youthful stage as has heen noticed in other species ; the whorts very gradually increase in size, perhaps a litle more rapidly at the last. The shell is yellow with eeddish chesttit streaks, the pattern conlmencing at soyme ill-defined pomt oon the embryanic shell, It is wot an ailult feature. Pillomene dartidenoagensis (Petterd); The shell selected is one of a seties irom Sassafras in the Dandenong Ranges of Victoria. not far fram the type locality, The auclens of this alicll is represented by a very shallow depression frony which springs the Nectoconch sculpture of six (neigh (6-8) spiral riblets, These are crossed by very nunverous extremely hne radial striae This sculpture ends abruptly alter approximately onc and a half whorls am the juvenile sculpture begins. There is a faint widening af the sliell gad the first juvemle Sculptitve to appear as the secondary, of spiral striae, which continues over the primary sculptuce of radial riblecs, After one whorl at 3 point adjacent to the terminate of the Nectoconch (Nepiaconch), there is a sudden widenmg of the shell. From here the whorls continue to increase, and From somewhere in the same vecinity also radial striae commence. These radial striae gradually become stromper until they dominate the secondary spirals. They may also he observed on the radial riblets. There is then in tins shell a defimte neanic or juvenile dunwuty Kersuaw, Stuties on Aualration Charepidae 139 stage followiny the Nepienic stagé which is not itself represented by defmile scllpture The appearaves, as in Lhe last species, is more in the nature of a transition fram one fermi of sculpture to. aworther. Another feature of this shell is the cradually weakenimy of the ininally doniinasit spiral sculpture and the strengthening of the radtils, particularly am, the adult The Charopid protoconcl) reveals three feacures: a aucleus, a Nectfoconch at more or less oniform sculpture, and a Neplocanch consisting of a varix or orbee evidelive Uf duetaiiulpiosis from che embryo. There ia than a juvenile stage which may be called the Anneattocunth where it is defined, and fually an adule phase. The adult sculpture atten exhibits each of the duferent lurms of sculpture fauad i varyise combinations. The jayventie Has usually simpler senlytore or combinations. In some instances there appears a tendency for the juvenile seulpoire to be weak or obsolete, or «ven absent altogether, bat the adult sculpture almost always bas a reasonable degree of strength. Tn this work the aim 45 to assist Ulentificution, hence some importance is given to the different types af prataconch sculpture, It would be dangeraus to assume thal the protevuneh shearld take precedence in assessing the value of the various features, moreover, oné jeels that the true value of the features of seulplure, ere, are not yer weil understood ict these tiny shells. The following genera may be divicled into series according to the naire of the profeconch. Thus three series may be reeopiuiaed: Series A—Shells which have coucentnic protoconch sculpture. Series B—Stells which have no sroteconch sculpture: Series C—Shells which have radial protoconch sculptare in whirh 1, apertural dertition is absent: 2, apertural denvition is present. Series A—Protoconch Seulptuce Concentric Roblineiite Iredale 1937~ This type Of sculptule inStenced Australian workers ta use the genus AMadizcus Pilsbry Ilowever, Iredale has shawn that this procedure was incorrect and genera have beew set wp to replace thiy usage, Roltinella has a large protoconch sen)ptured with spiral striae The adult sculpture consists af segular fine radial striae, oiten with the interstices snicoth. DPlqwever, the species J?. gaathinney Peterd 1879, is deserihed as possessing siriarely reticulate avierstices. while A. speranda Fredale 1937-has finely. striate ixtterstices. Most species are southern hor there appears to be a North Queensfanil representative in R ortermedia Odhoer 1917, The type ot the genus is FR, vodlint Petterd 1879. Distrbutian: Tasmania, Victoria, Souh Australia, N. Queensland. Lumaadiscns Iredale 1997: Lredale remarked regular Gone radial sculpture, wade umbilicus, small thin mouth, and spiratly Irate protoconch, Later (1939) he added, “while the type of Luinodizcur is a small shell, other species, telerred for the present to this group, are larwe and more bulky." In chs Brvilp the spire aay be slghily gaised; one species, however, having a concaye proteconch, was separated yy Lredale (1939) under a subgenenec title Corntomala already retérced 9 in an easlier sevtion This helps to illustrate the inter-selationships which exist in this group and that all the Ceatures will need to be carefully valued before stability can be achieved. The type of Jatuodisons is £, cuprens Cox 868, and all species are fram Western Australia. Iredale remarky that most Western Austrahan species have concentrically striate apical whorls, which vary from verging ob Hirae in £, éupreus Cox ta almost sttiooth in LL. srblestys Renson ies Pisiwibuti¢:; Western Australia. j : . fet. 3 140 Kexsinaw, Studies au Australia Charo prdae bicie lb Pillostene Iredale 1933; These small thin shells have en adult sculpiure of lumerays fine evenly-spaced radial riblers, while the prataconch is micro- scopically concentrically striate, the umbilicus js emall narrow ancl deep. The type P. ineraca Cox and Hedley 1992 tas the apical whorls slightly elevale; other species have rhese whorls slightly sunken. The species P. daudetongeusis Petterd bis a large umbilicus, half the dianieter of the shetl, The species F. scindocatoracts Gabrie] 1950 has 'miero- scopic radial siblets — , . visible to the extreme afiex”, and it has tous apparettly both spiral and radial sculpture on the protoconch, the concentric being extrentely fine. The habitat of this species nesr the water- failg at Lorne im the high tainfall Otway acea, is related ¢o that of other species which are mountain farms. one being frem 4.500 iect on Mount Kosciusko, but there is also P. acuta Tate L884 from Penny Springs, George Gill's Range, Central Australia, Some species have a tendency tuwards decussate imtershtial sculpture. Distribution: Victoria, South New South Wales. Central Austratia. Oreemava Tredale 1933: A geaus of small shells with sculpuire of Ane close radial ribs, with their interstices decssate, a concentrically lirate protoconch, imperforate or éubiripertorate, with slightly elevate spire, The type is O. otseayenste Pettergd 1879, Petterd recorded from Tasmania the var. aijfina Johnston (ins.). but that was a aruch larger shell differing i other ways, toa, so it was named ©. johustoni fredale 1933, the epithet alpine being preoccupied The third species is O, canaflepietilis Gabriel L929, 2 shell with fewer rihs and a small unsbilicus, Distrrbution: Vietaria (Cape Orway; E. Gippstand) ; NW. Tasmania. Series B—Protoconch Smooth Discacharape Lredale 1910: The type of rhe genus is 2. exqiisita Lredale from Kermadee Isfands. The shells are yery small, giscoida), with planate spire, and the seulpture of close fine regular rib-striae with fitely scriate interstices. The apex is noticeably large and smooth, Tredale (1927 by states that the Tasmanian species, O. basst Leerand 1871, agrecs closely with the type, conchologically. This shell is figured hy Perperd and Hedley (1909, page 289, text figs. 16) Some southern shells, apparently congeneric, appear to differ in some respects DO. twenlaris Cotton 1939 Fram Reevesby Island South Australis, is an ex#enple. the Agure showing a very diferent shell from D. fas Leerand. The species D. inerpectata Gabriel 1947, appears mearer typical and probably belongs to this venus, as also perhaps does DB. problemeteo Gabriel 1947, which, although very much larger than is usual in Discocharopa, agrees in other respects. Distribution; Tasmania, Wictorza, South Australia (Recvesby Island), ‘(Central Australia, Queensland ( Bundaber). Elsothera Iredale 1933 This genus wis introduced for shells with a minute \mbificus, fine sculpteire, arid subglobase form, Treclale (19396) remarks the apex apparently smooth, observing ihat in South Australian shells. the umbilicus was siore open, the sculpture bolder, The form of Elsothera is very distinctive, so that although two surics at least seem recownizable, they da not apnear generically distinct on present knowledge. The tynical forin of the shell is rounded above but fat on the apex. with the rounded aperture oblique, The type ts &. serwateda Pieilfer and the series with this includes E, insti Cax, E. biretracta Moussan, E. ricet Brazier, and, with slightly more noticeable umbuiiews and scelputire, . reteperoidcs Tale and i xesaia Eredale, An interesting species, E, colliveri Gabriel 1947, appears to be correctly placed in this genus, bur the sculpture is mitch bolder than in the typical series although other features would associate it there. Tt is at once both distinctive in itself, amd a seeming link between the lwo series. Jaquary Kensuaw, Sindicy on Anstrafian Charoputee (41 The second series has the form. sirmlar, but the sculpture bolder, the untbilicus larger, and appears to include the species EB svurrayana Pierfer, E, sititarvayata Cox and Medley, and E. fugerea Cox. Two Victorian smucies, B. hustra Gabriel 1947, and E. spmevesiels Gabvic) and Macpherson 1947, have similar form but even bolder sculpture and wider unbiticus. These may belong to a new group bur could he associated with the above second serics if future interpretation held these as distinc!, othemnvise they ear rengain in Elsothera oaly temporanty af at all Tustribusion: South Queensland, New South Wales Victoria, South Tasmania, South Austradia- Torresiropu Iredale 1933: The wpe of this genus, 2) shaldiiyr Rrazice 1876, has seulpwire of irregular oblnue pugase striae with simootls inter stices, and a wide umbilicas. 11 is a translucent, whitish shell of dhrec ani one half whorls. One ofher species, 4. melia Lredale 1933, 1s juchided. Distribution: Cape York and the Islands of Torres Strait. Series C—Protoconch Sculpture Radial Allacharopo Iredale 1937- Tyedale’s definition indicates planate, widely wntbilicate shells, like Discneharapa but not so fat, with both the adult and protocench sculpture regulsr fine radials. The secondary or interstuval sculpluré consists of decussate striae, In the type, 4. brasient Com 1668, this sculpture ts fine with the spirals stroager than the radials, while in the species, cl, tarrovillensig Gabrie! 1930 and A. orskivousts Gabriel 1930, dhe radials are the stronger, ‘Vhe species 4. berehiqaat Potterd 1879 has strongly decussate interstices, while 4. legrandi Cox 1868 and A, belli Cox 1268 appear te have on intecstitmel sculptore, istyibution: ‘Tasmania, Victoria 1a Mid. New Sonmth Wales. Charepa yemanyreonas Gabriv) 1947: This shell is dealt with separately here, for while the pratoconch sculaiure is radial, it is not otherwise close to A/locheropa and will nut fit satisfactorily inta any other known genus, although there are affinities worth discussing. The shell is depressed, the spire slihtly sunken, the umbilicus wide anil shallow; the aperture is slightly oblique, rounded below and a little flattened above the periphery. The protocunch sculpture a of fine radial ribs; the adult sculpture is of spaced, prominent radial ribs, the interstices of whith ate very finely striately reticulate Gabriel observed the rather similar sculpture of Kaownaripa subriyyasa Levrand (Brazier ms.). There cloes appear to be a similar arrangement, the sculpture being of bold primary “striae”, the secondary being very fine The spire 75, however, rasséed, the unpbiheus exceptionally Jalwe, while there is a marke! depressronm on the last whorl near the aperture. Kasrarepa as at present defined, applies only to its type, A’. stePragosa, in this case the relative value of sculpture and form, here rather unusual, bis to Ise assessed. Egilodonta hwirnsdalensis is also not unlike C jewnrysensis, having rather bold sculpture and protoconch sculpture radial. In this case, however, thete are apertural lamellae in addition tu some difference of form. ‘The genus Egilomen, includes. a. series of shells of bold sculpture, most of whith have the apex coneave, so that they were dealt with on that basis in this work, In fact, however, the type has a slightly raised apex and Fagilodonto may be compared There is am association of fine and coarse ribs and wide umbilicus, but the protoconch is smooth Vitus the study of such a shell as C. femuysensie Gabrie] raises the question of the true yalue of such factors as protoconcly sculpture, apertural Jamellae, durrowed whorls, or for that miattec- other fine differences of form. These factors require intensive study, Vict. Nat, 142 Kersuaw, Studies on Australian Charopidac Vol. 72 Protoconch Sculpture Radial, Aperture Dentate, Egilodonta Iredale 1937: Although the apex is promitient jt is flattened ahove and not really convex as in Peruagera. The pratocench sculpture has been described above when dealmg with growth stages, it consists of fine radial ciblets while the tip of te apex seems smvoth, recalling Puynagera. Wowever, apart from these very general resemblances in’ the protaconch, there aré ho réal affinities of other factors. - The adult sculpture of sharp distinct radial ribs, with fine racial riblets crossed hy microscopic striae in their intersiires, has also been deseribed ahave. The shell is very fragile. the umbilicus wide, the aperture rounded and with a “Jog entering palatal lamella and a short basa)? lamella”, The iype is EF. bairusdalensiy Gabriel 1930, Distribution: South-éastern Victoria, Key ™ tae Geyveraor Geour (0), rae Planate GENERA Shell with spire planate, aperture not dentate. Protoconch spirally striate or lrate. Adult sculpture regular radial striae. Interstitial sculpture absent or absolete, yrabilicus moderately wide, apex large .. 2. , ‘ Lee ve ve ee Robtinella Interstitial sculpture abdet, sumibilicus pide deep, protaconch lirate i inodisens Adult seolpture fme radial riblets, Interstitial sculpture extremely fine, umbilicus small, narrow, proto- conch ohsoletely striate .. ., . ee ee ee Pillomene Interstitial sculpture minutely decussate, umbiticus abseat or very stall, protoconch lirate .. one ee pe ne ee ee ee Oreo marva Pratoconch smooth, Adult sculpture close, fine, radial rib-striae. Interstitial senlptupé fine tts. umbilicus very wide, shallow, apex are? oh .. ctonete e sf 9: 24-4 seve ae «a Discocharopa. Tuterstitial sc selenite aksent ar deouzsnte: umbilicus its apex roundly elevate -- 5. 6, 2. uy ee ty ee we ye pa Elsothera 1 Adult sculpture close, strong, radial riblets- Interstitial sealpties decussate, mmbileas small, apes roundly elevate .. ., !. 2 pee ae ae ce ee Elsothera 2 Adult sculpture irr égulat ablitiue, ritgose slriae. Imerstitial scolpture absent, umbilicus wide, apex slightly raised Terresiropa Protoconch radially ribbed. Adult sculpture fine, close. radial rib-striae. " Interstitial sculpture decussate strate, umbilicus wide and deep Allocharopa [Adult sculpture bold, spaced, radial ribs. Interstitial seulpture reticulate striate. umbilicus moderately wicde. shallaw ., Lees ve ae ee Charopa feniaysensis Gabriel] Spire planate, aperture dentate. Adult sculpture wide spaced, fine radial ribs, Interstitial sculpture fine & Tpels, fait spirals, bentalieus wide, apex prominent .; .. 2, <2 oe te eyes see or Egifedonta J “ose Kershaw, Studies on Austration Charapidie 143 Rerskeners Corros, B.C. (1939). Proc. Hoy. Soe. Mut, LE (2) msec 159-L?e, BL VEL Cox, J, C. ail Hepiv, . (1912). Men, Nat. Mus. Fiet, $2 5-14, Pls. 1-3, Gasaier, C.J. (1987), Men Nat, Mus, Jerct. TEs 109-125, Pls. 9-10, Tentey, C, (1924), dust, Zoal. 3 (6); 215-222, Ps, 29-42, Intoaie, T) (1937 a). Austr. Zool & (4): 287-333. (1937 bj. S. Austr, Nat, 78 (7, 2). 8-39, Pls. Le. (1939) Journ Kes. Sac UV daste. SF 2938-39). 1-74, Piso 1.3, Prrreru, W. F. and Hrovey, ©. (190%), Ree. Arestr) Mis, 2 (4)) 254305, Pls. 82-87 and Pig 16, Kesteven, HL. (1812). Prue. Linn Sor MSLMS, oreeil (7) quen2, DL | EXHIBITS AT THE DECEMBER MEETING Marine shells from Heron Island, Great Barner Reef by Messrs TH, Saravich and C. J. Gabriel. These included +istraca avreala Hedley, Cyprace mehvardt Leredale, Cymbiala pulchra Sowerby, Strowbiy taiehis Tiny, Tanthina wolaceg Bolt, Hoots astting Linn., J. ovina Gmel, Conus leriite Lion, Corits farbriata Lion, Pinctada ntargaritfers Cins,, Tellina tata and Amorta cavolt. — Orahanche ceria yar. austratiana F. Muell., hy Mra ST Bayley This is the Broom Rape, a raat parasite rare in Australia, hut ir is mn considerable numbers on her property at Kalorama, Mount Dandenong, Gardew-grown Australian native plants, by Messrs. A. BE. Brooks aml A. J. Swaby. OF these, Mr. Brooks strongly recommends Aelalenco prishello for adaytihility ea any soil and four long flowering period, from Noveniber to September. Insects related to the topic for the evenme; By Mr, A. Nebuiss—a «lrawer af ‘Trichoplera. (Caddis-fies), all Aus- tralian, same rare and several almost certainly new species. By Mr A, N. Biirns—three specimens of the archaic Rig Bladder Cicada, Cystosoma, saundersti Westwood and cast skin of nymph, from Montville, Queensland; three specimens of the rare Argiolesies chrysotdes Selys (Zygoptera) from Montville, rediscovered after a lapse ot 40 years; two males, three females and cast skin of pupa of rare Lycaemd betlerAy Psendamerus chlorinda barringionensis Waterhouse, the only previous specimen of which had consisted of four wings found on the snow many years aga; four specimens ot Heterithane frlva (7), Neuroptera, Ithoridae from Stradbroke Island, uecnstand, the larvae of which feed on grohs uf a cackchafer feetle; and w local race of the Sword-grass Brown Butterfly CTisiphone abeara rawnsley Waterhouse), Touud only in the Palniwoods- Gyapie fain-forest ateas. NATURALISTS’ NOTEBOOK (Reserved for yaur Notes, Observations ond Queries! BLUE-TONGUED LIZARDS AND INSTINCT This happebed quite some time age, but it 1s worth while putting it on record before it is lost with the passing of the years. If was im about 1928, and the scene was by the eailway fide at Buuinyung, eight miles south of Ballarat, where a boy and a large collie dog were setting out on a ramble to the Union Jack Worest about a mile from the township. The doy pounced on a lacge Rlue-tongued Lizard, caugtt it up, and, with a toss of che head, killed it by wrenching it iu cwo, Four fully-developed voung lizards fell to the ground from their unfortunate mother, They certainly had not been horn, for there was still some membranous tissue adhering to them. They Pa ae es ee Viet. Nat, 144 Naturalists’ Notebook Vol 7 were not harmed and were quite active, and, when the boy proceeded to gather them up, they grected him by opening their mouths wide, spreading their blue tongues, and hissing strongly—cxactly ag do adult "blue-tongues”. That was an outstanding example of hereditary knowledge or instinct, and. consideration. of the incidetit might provide a clue as to a possible contributing factor to the hushman’s belief ‘that some reptiles swallow their young when danger threatens, —WN, A. WAKEFIELD [This seetion oi the Naturalist has fallen away in recent months, owing to lack of contributions from teaders, Tf you think it worth continuing, tise it as @ medium for sharing your thoughts and experiences with others, and ie ne ‘Naturalists’ Notebook” once more a feature of your journal— “itor. ERRATA (ict. Nat. Dee. 1955, p. 127): Line 4, for “Kockio” read Kochia, sme 12, for “Australian” read Aus- tralasian; line 14, for “desideration” read desideratum: lise 37, for “protein” read protean, WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN F.N.C.¥. Excursions: Sunday, January 15—Botany Group Excursion to Ferny Creek. Subject: Fern Gully vegetation. Leader: Mr. K. Atkins. Take 8.55 a.m, Ferntree Gully train, then Olinda bes. Alight at Sherbrooke Junction. Bring one meal, Saturday, Januaty 2J—River Excursion. Leader; Mr, Dickens. Boat leaves Princes Bridge, 2 pm. Vare, 5/- adult; 2/- children, Tickets from Excursion Secretary of on the boat. Saturday, February 4—Geology Group excursion. Subject: Silurian Struc- tures. Leader- Mr. McInnes. Meet at Tocronga Railway Statian, 2 p.m. Saturday, February 11--Botanic Gardens. Subject: Pond Lic. Leaders: Microscopical Group. Mect 230 p.m. at Lake edge near Kiosk. Bring hand Jens one a jar. Group Meetings: (8 pam. at National Herbarium), Wednesday, January 1R—-Microscopical Group, Wednesday, January 25—Botany Group, Dicatyledons, by Mr, Atkins. Wednesday, February [—Geology Group. Holiday Reminiscences. Preliminary Notice: . Sunday, February 19—Parlour coach excursion to Lpper Yarra Dam. Leader: Mr. Jennison. A guide will aiso be provided by the M.M.B.W. Coach leaves Batman Avenue, 9 am. Fare, £1, Bring two meals, Marre Acvenper, Excursion Secretary The Victorian Naturalist Vol. 72—No. 10 FEBRUARY 9, 1956 No, 866 PROCEEDINGS About 73 members and friends were present at the General Meeting held at the National Herbarimni on Monday, Janaary ¥, 19356. The President qmnounced that the 1955 award of the Ats- tralian Natural Uistory Medallton had been made te ene of our Clah menibers. Ar. S. oR. Mitchell. Mr. FL S. Colliver was welcomed as a visitor, and comment wits made upon his wonderful service ta the Clih in the past, us Secre- tary. He conyeyed greetings from the Queensland Naturalists Cluh and invited Vietotian natitralists to attend imectings shotld they be iv Brisbane at the appropriate tinie—the yeeond Monday in the month, Mr. Celiver thei gave the Meeting a talk entitled “Here and There in Queensland’, illustrating it with lantern slides. He dealt with a great number of localities and touched on poimts of interest, mainly in the fields of geology and metéevrology. Of particular interest was the story of the discovery of the footprints af a dinu- saur at Albion. Mr: Colliver was thanked by the President, why remarked that it was such enthusiasts who so assist mankind by their contribubons to science and knowledve. Mrs. 4. M. Doughty and Mr. F. G. Swindley were elected as Ordinary Members of the Cluli; and the President extended them a cordial welcome, Mr. [&. T. Muir, a Country Member from Dimbaola. was wel- comed ty the Meetine. He spoke of the recent formation of a Winunera Naturalists Club, and gaye details of the history of the reservation of areas as a sanctuary fur the Lowan. Mr. N. A. Wakefield’ conmmented on the new F.N.C.V. fern hook, mentioning several conmpliventary letters which had been received from officials of other naturalists cluhs: and he tald af a proposal by the Traralgon people to form a local Field Naturalists Cluh there. The Meeting was then adjourned for the usual conversazione and exainination of exhibits, KODACHROME SHOW On behalf of the Native Plants Preservation Society of Victoria, Mr. Crosbie Morrison will show slides selected from the work of photueraphers who. search the hyways for heauties of the bush. These slides come from several between Harrictyille and Mt. St. Bernard, 5,100 feet (4. J. Tadgell, March 1935); Mt. Buffalo, among’ granite rocks on cast bank of Lake AML. Bintnts ¢ Catani (J. A. Miths, January 1938—MEL.); Mt, Buffalo, at Lony Plains (P. N_ S. Bibby, Jan. 1946—MEL) iAP. ROH, Sh Sohn. March 19930-—TYPE—MER: Mt Torbreck, G2 “niles north-east ve Melbourne, grassy places “between thyo-dacite rocks. at 5,000 Ft. (1H Willis, March 1943—MEL): Mt. St) Bernard (C. alter, ‘January 1890—MEE.) ; Omes, on metamorphic rocks Cd. HO Hutili, 1883—MEL). [Noted by J. H. Willis also ar Cobborus Mts. Mt- Bogong, Mt. Feathertop, Dargo High Plains, Barry Mts, Mt, Cobbler, Mt Stirling and Mi, Buller] AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY; Bumbuhga Mountains southwest of Canberra, ca, 4,700 ft. on roadside amongst Preriduun, Veranits, Holeus, and other grasses CV. Lothian, Parntuary 1983). NEW SOUTH WALES: Kosciuskn Plateau (4. R. Costin, April 1947); Snowy Mauntaing, 5,000 ft. (H*. Banerton, January 1890—MEL). th CRRACLA N, Lothian Species nova proxima I. gloriosa Lothian, 4 qua ricedat; habitu partic alahre, foliis planis lanceolatis. vel Ineari-lanceclatis Ciiteris late oblances- lads), marszginius folioram dere imtegns atgue ceralia diluly czralea. Freduneuli longi robusu. Flores 52.3 em. lath. ante exepansionem conspicuc nutances, G Root-stock peremial. Rhigemes thin, often producing secondary aerial rowths. Jeopes one to many, arisink from a convnon base. 5 in-12 in. igh. erect aad slightly decumbent at the hase or scrambling and lang if in the shade, stout, unbranched, glabrous except for a few scattered short hairs Gn the angles or leafy parts, becconing terete and glabrous above Loaves oflen forming a suliple rosette, but more frequently an extenied vosette with leaves extending along the Jower 2 in-4 in, oi the stem, aitervate or sub-opposite, I.qgwer Ieaves spathulate te ablanceolate or broad lanceolate. glabrotls except for a few. hairs on the feal edges chase to stem, inka Loruran, Alpine Blnebelts 167 6:12 mm, Jong and 3-6 mm. wide. Upper leaves sub-cartilaginous, alntosi lanceolate, 12-30 mob. long and 4-6 mm. wide, glabrous oc (rarely) with few seatteced hairs near leaf axils, sessile, slightly decurrent, margins baicly thiekened, minutely crenulete-denticulate, slightly recurved: vaid-rih chan nelle above, prominent below. Peduactes stout, erect, slender and wodding in the bud stage, glabrous, 3 to 5S times the length of the Jeaty portion of the scape, rarely branched, or with au off-shoot immediately above the tealy portion. Cauhne leaves limired to the basal portion of peduncle, the remander of it naked Pedtgely shining, waxy {as are the calvees. of fresh flowers— hence the epithet). Flowers jarge, upio 1.5 in. 1 diatrieter, pale bite, always nodding ww the bud stage Calyx shining and waxy (in fresh Aowers), glabrous, attenuate; the 5 deltoid sepals acute, erect, 4-6 mim. long, sharter than the corolla tube. Coroifa pale blue, attaining a diaimeter of 15 tu.; lobes spread, broad-lanceolate; tube about half the length ot the lobes, whitish inside. Siinnens 5S; Glantent base bruad-wiangular, LS num, high and wide, somewhat curved; upper ridge with shoulder deaxely ciliste, but lemg hairs absent on the exterior face of the filament. Siyle crect, stout, exserted well beyand corolla tube, with scattered promiment glands. Strgmas 3, broad. Capsule glabrous, bread, ovoid, prominently werved, up fo & min. lang antl 4 nim. wile; lobes 1% to 34 the length ot the capsule. Seres numerous. Yigtrilutian— NEW SOUTH WALES; Kosciusko Plateau, on moist erassy slopes at ety ea 5,700 feet, (J. AL MAiNis, 5 February 1946-TYPF in VICTORIA: Bogony High Plains at Basalt Hill near Wallace's aod SFC, Hur, ca. 5,500 it.—very common in moist grassy places, (J, 1, Hihs, 1? January 1947), Nonnione Plateau, ca. 4,000 fe—in dani, Jush, grassy, more open forest situations, (Dr. AY. Adelaalle & NLA. Wakefield, Janoary 1953-1); Bidwell, Upper Delegate River, ca 3,00) 1t.—in wet grassy margin of bog, (N. 1. Mfakefeld, No, 2332, 20 Jannary 1948)3 Rocky Plain, 5. of Cobboras Mis.. ca 4,510 (t— wel gtassy places. (NN. 24. Wakefield, No. 3039, 28 January 149). [Although at presettt known from Victoria and New South Wales only, i¢ shoulel certainly be looked for in the alpine regions of Tasiania, because it has. affinities to W. saxicola Haok. i] Discussian— A hatidsorne plant differing frony previously described alpine species of Woblauberyia—eg. WW. gtemosa—vy ity lwler and stout habii, and by ats longer and almost glabrous plane lanceolate Jeaves. Cr lacks the crenulate tmargius Of WH’. gloriasa. The flowers are pale blue, waxy and shitune as are tlie caber fobes and pedicels in fresh lowers (J, J1. Willis ohs.), Certs of the iateria)l previously included in’ HW’, eloriant N- Lothian [Prec, Liv. Soc. NSH, 71> 225 (1947)] bas heen transferred to thic species. as the disenssions in the above-cited paper indicate, Barrington Tops mete- rigt sholild be re-examined, as this iz most likely the present species. W. verecea is 2n ideal plant for reck- of wall-garden culture, as 13 MW? glartosa. HY DENSTFOLTA N- Lothian Sprews nova iermetissima, al omnis aliis apecuelas australiemnsibes differt fultis parvis angustis confertissimis stque scape breyi guy florem “Hircunt compo rate marnhum caeruleum werit, Raat-sbock perennial, chin and branching, ramifying 2 ii-3 jy below the soil level, Scapes many per raot-stack, hut each tinbranched, 2.5 in-5 in. hieh, erect, rarely decumbent at the base, lower portions scabrid (revered with minute natrow-triangular sharp white hairs), plabrous above. Levnes THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST , Val. 72 Prate VI Details of Alpine Blucbells [163] a Lorniax, Alpine Bluchelly 1G . confined to the lower third of the stem, crowded, alternate to sub-oppasite (rately opposite or verticillate), sessile, mostly linear, membranous to varti- laginous, alwvost glabrous except for scattered scabrid hairs off both suriaces (especially ateng the midrib and concentrated toward the leaf-buse). Lower leaves spathulate to oblanceolate, gradually changing to linear, 3-10 mim. long and 1-2 mm. wide: slightly incurved; margins cartilaginous, entire or remotely and minutely dentate. Cauwhne eaves very few, or absent. Flowers one pet scape, borne on a long thin usually naked peduncle which is | in-2 in. long, deep blue inside, light blue externally, 12-18 nin. am diameter, Calye glabrous; the § sepals to 3 mm, long, narrow-triangular, acute ta sub-aente, three-quarters the length of the corolla tube, medial vein visible; tube (ovary) ubconic, cual in Jength to the calyx lobes when cordila is fully expanded, ohscurely ribbed, Curalla 12-18 nim. m diameter, lobes. spreading, 4-8 mim, Jong and 3 mm, wide, with prominent medial veins; tube short, broad, barely half the tural Jength of the curolla: Stamens So filaments Joaimm. Jong, with prominent non-ciliate shouklers> anther atrach- ment somewhat sigmoid; anther Jong (io 2.8 mm), linear, Sevle sitpie, exserled alive rim of corolla tube, branching into twa broad stiaratic luhes, Loin. long. Capsule obeonic. atout, ribbed, 25-5 nim. long and 3 mm. wide yalves protruding well above the rine of the capsule, Seeds brawn. IMMetriPalton— NEW SOUTH WALES: Wragge's Ridge, Koscitsko Platesu. ca 5,000 ft, (4, B. Costin, 18 April 1947—TYPE in MEL). VICTORIA: Dargo High Plains, amengst older basalt rocks at southern end of Lankey’s Plains, 5400 ft alt, (J. ft. Hillis, 29 January 1946), Nunniong Phan on Nunniong Plateau, ¢a, 4.000 ft.—amonyst very low, sparse grass (Pea 4p.) with no nearby shrub or eucalypt growth, (Dr. R. Melaille, No. 3104, & N. 4. Wakefield, 25 January 1933— in K & MEL), . Thiiscnssios— This species is known only fram the high alpine areas of New Sputh Wales. and Victoria, and it Was first callocted by } H, Willis who exhibited it at the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria on 31 March 1946, [¢ is quite @istinct and wnlike any other species so far described from Australia and New Zealand. The crowded narrow-linear leaves on short scapes, graceful habit and comparatively large deep-blue vorolla ate distingtive features, and such a dainty plant would be most attractive in rock-gardens. Key to Phare VT 1. W. GLORIOSA N. Lathian: A, Plowerltg stem (x4); B, Leaf arrangement (x4); ~ 0) Attachment of feaves da signs (at); D, Leaves (xt) showing (1) cyper sutface and (et) lower surface (vote mucronate teeth); E, Lower leaf (x2); Fy Yesselated lwaf- wurluce (much enlarged), prominent in deted material; G, Mature capsule; H, Stamen Olament, inlerion sarface; 1, Stamen filuneni, exterior surface, J, Two types of eva found op shoulders of filaments (munch enlarged); K, Cross-section of Afament (much emlarged). A. CRRACEA a nove te, Flowering stem (44); M. Typical growth, showing nad- ding hud (xa}) Ny Leaf avachnwnt at partion indicated (2144; O, Lower leaves (xl); PY Stamens filaments: Uy extértor view (i) interning wiew; ©, Syyle (with prominent glands) and stigma; R, Capsule. We. DENSIFLORAISp, thoy,) 5, Sums Cab): (i) with Aawer and Cit) with bud; T, Mature leaves from middle of leafy portion fade; U, Lower wrt basal Ieaves (2); V, Pordon of stent, showing naytd white hairs; W, Twsoranched xtyle, with glandular stigmatic surfaces; XN, Anther aid Alament; VY) Site sew of flanieut; Z, Mature capsole (£14). Sa wn iV The Vretorian Naturalist Vol. 72 SOME BIRDS OF A NORTHERN TASMANIAN ORCHARD By Ron, C. Kersnaw Ac dwnes during the year, and particularly aller harvestiag: when there i a certain amount of fruit on the ground, birds are plentifel in the apple and qear orchards. The situation in this instance on the West Arm of the Raver Tamar is favourable as there are 3uill considerable areas of bushland and houses aré uot plentiful. The number and variety of species visiting the orchard is guriguing and when there is frit en the eravnd J have counted seven native species, a5 well a5 several introduced, within a twenty or thirty: foot radius. Several of the species were in considerable nuntbers. Some birds from the adjoining bushland are frovuent visitars to the orchard, «thers rarely if at all appear One bird. the tiny Silvereye, lives almost constantly in the orchard and nests in the pear trees. This little fcliow is teally a gond friend though he does damage the fruw, Chere are several types of habitat near at hand. Firstly the proximity of the West Arm brings gulls and swans in Aight overhead. a pelican or two, and even a sea eagle. On the banks of the Arm and the slopes uf che hill ridge above vehere there is a orchacd, there is sclerophylous forest with Euralyptus awnygdaline as the dominant, while patches of dense dea-tree serub ogcuc m thé wetter liollows. In one area the stringybark AL wbtigna replaces the peppennint, AL the top of the ringe where the som is gravelly, the associmtion 1 a inore open one with £. amygdaling, certain wattles (as on the slopes) and various heath speens. Hence there is normally » variety of birds in the vicinily at any one time, and at Icast thirty speries have been seen more «ir less frequently ime area, nat including the introduced species. Parrets and “jays” (curcawongs) art plentifol when the fruit is ripening, while the ubiquitous so-called ‘crow’ is always about, This icllow is resson- sible jar sq much damage that st is sometimes hard to recall that he js also useful. From lime ta time a few Black Cockatoos appear. The Spur- winged Plover nests in the orchard, a: does the Welcome Swallow, and thesir two ‘species are the mast plentiful to le seen, with the exception ol the Starling. Occasionally a Rock of Yellow Watthe-Bireds will appear and remain for a few weeks. These birds ate apparently mot as common in this area as they wore at One tine, The Brown Hawk is Gairly plentiful, asl once or twice the large Swamp Harrier has been observed. Another large bird is the Native Hen—sometines very plentilul and always very shy herve where these birds are not used te bemg disturhed to any extent. Among the small Ines the Resl-breastedl Rabin, the Pipk-ireasted Robin, and the Stump Robin tor Dusky Robin) are fairly plentiful, as is also the delightrul litte Blue Ween. The tay bards of the bush and serub careby come heyonil the fringe bt the bush, hut the Brown Thornhill is sometimes about. The Yellow-throated Honevearer is very plentiful at titres, while the Fire- tailed Finch is seen fu family grovps, sometimes of seven or eight near the edge of the oretard, The eyratinns of the Grey Fantail always fascinate, and ifone watches with care the insects whicly it is capturing may be seen. The Black-iaced Cuckoo-Shrike or “Sunwner Bird", an open forest bird, ig an infrequent visitor, usually singly, but sometimes two have heen seen. The Whistling Shrike-Thrush, or more popularly “Whistling Trick’. is often ahaut, theugh not more than 4 fow birds at a time as a rules is song is always a delight. The Pallid Cuckoo is common in summer, but waually singly. : ‘These are the mest commen birds. several mthers often seen or heord in the bush nearby could be mentioned, Gut they usually do nat come inte the gechatcd. Tatroruced Frou the mainland, the Kookuburra ix jairly plentiful, while the Jitthe Goldfinch. appears sometimes an: very large humbors. Of foreigm birds the Sparrow is fortunately not common, ner is the Black- bird, but the Stacling appears in vast flocks nuinbermg thousands and as untortynately extremely destructive, Moret The Victorian Noterulist 17) NOTES ON TWO WEST AUSTRALIAN STYLIDIA (the description of & new species and reduction of anather fa synonymy? Ry Rica, Eescksan® and JH. Witiist SYYLIDIUM CHORRANTHUM Brickou 4 Hillis. m aE hele A ; . sjecles nova Secrioais “Repemer" msecenda, habite 9) repeategn R.Br. appropinquans atque ob scapum J) vilhreyse Benth. (Sect. “Appresse”) simublima, sed petalis perineequalibus ah ommibus speciebus harum. sectionum diflert—corolla in aspectn galta- tricem eleganter simulans, Figuta perens, stolovitera, per arenam qwpens. (agler 1-13 om, longi, flifarmes, plates ciubili, im farcibus vetustioribus efaliati, caulifus wowvis pallido bronpeis folwers ‘ela mandibulac ivury, but black basally: antenuae net jong, black, unly obseurely brawn beneath, Prothorax black; tubercles black; mesounorax polished black, with pan siderable Jong pale-ochreous hair) scutelluny and pust-scutellum. sinker + meta- thoras with tessellation very evident, with much fone pale hair, afklominad dorsal segments apmcot-colour, | practically black only the posterior margin pale; 4, 5, 6 darker, with a median Alack patch; ventral seemeats pale-ferruge- nows; caudal bair amber and wavy. Legs black basally, apical half of femwra, all ulide and tarsi feretginasss a black streak on posterior tibiac; hind busttarss steut; claves reds lind calear amber: resulae black and ening; winks cablyalmrey nereures seine _ rells normal for the genus; pterostigina with darkee margin; hamuli hye or Six weak. Allotyps, female —Venyth, 7 tim. approx. Black and apricot colour, Tlead black transverse; face excavated laterally: frons elevated toa lonei- tudinal ridge; schypeus entirety black, except for warrow anterior margiy supraclypeal area elevated, black: vertex with sinoky hair; ocelli large; com- pound eyes converge slightly helow; penae polished; labrtan amber: uiasidi- bulae amber, red apically, black basally; antennac black. scape with red ling anterior hy Prothoraxs black. a few white hairs> scutellom similar; poast-seutellam rougher > metathorax with a twatsverse lincation ; abdonynas dorsal segments apricot colour, With a black margw ond, and a black mark extending dorsally aver 4, 5, 6; ventral segments clear apricot colour. Legs hiht-ferruginous, slender, a line of blackish svffusion an the pasterter ferrora and tibiae, where the hair also ts blackish; it is otherwise pale straw- enlolir; jasterior basitarsi Stouter; ofher tarsi pale ferruzinous; claws amber; ralcar testaceous, Jong and slender; wings subbyaline. Locality: Gorae West. Puriland, Victorin; leg. Clifford Beauglehule. Type and allorype ay the collection of the authod rough the transluocnt ablanien of the Temale could be scen a nonber of internal parasites resernbliny Planidia- A POPULOUS COLONY OF SIMPLE SOCTAL BEERS On January 31, $955, Chiferd Beavghehole (ook a very long series of adit liees, 9 males and 37 females, together with 1 pupae, trom one small gallery wineh had been bored, probubly by a beetle, ona dey branch of Eucalyples hexters, at Bars Ridges, near Portland, Victoria. This was a partreudarly populous colony ef these simple social bees. A critical examination of qh¢e two sexes showed that they are chose to E-dhisirw Rayen. from Western Austraba, although much larger. ‘hey differ from 7. perpensa Chil, which has a vellow bing an the clypeus, but they have the heht apricot coloured abdeapen of ihat species; the two males afte very ditierent, &. allvsters Rayo. has a yellow dine on the seapes, and the mandibles are creamy coloured (darker in new bee); the male has puch less long yellow * Bon, Avsowsate is Eayromalags. Natvial Mudom, Melbourne (74 Raymenr, Vete Spector af Bees aud Meaipy—exy or in hair on head and thorax, and the posterior tibiae are much stouter than those of the new species, It approaches B. excavata Chil. which has the face very different, being hasin-like all overs that of the new bee is excavated only on cach side, leaying the middle "rib" very elevated ahoye the rest of the face There are ouly two generations in Exoneura for the season, and the colony fram Bats Ridges had undoubtedly reached the apex of activity with rts first brood. A comprebensive account by the author of the life-cycle of Exonvera, towether with many illustrations of the biology and its remarkable feeding habits appears in Astratian Zaoloumt ff) 285-312 ¢1951). NATURALISTS’ NOTEBOOK (Reserved for your Notes, Observations and Queries! INSECT ENDURANCE Gu Tuesday, December 20, 1955, two astonished members of the staff oi the Forest Producte Division, CS1R.0., watched a large rusty brawn moth (7 eum Wawk math fly ont of a high-pressure cylinder alter the follmwing teeatmust: A jar of taxic liquid with timber immersed in it was places in the cylinder [ram which the sir was then removed to vive a twenty-miniute vacuum of 28 inches. This was immediately followed by 24 hours pressure at 200 Ib. per square thch. These operations were al roum lenperatire. The faet that moths often weer neirher food nar drink shows rhey are remote in their inétabolisii from ws, Aut apparettly ther need no air either. It wSult be interesting to know at ‘what stage of evacuation the air would bernie too thin to siippord (elu and whether total lack of oxygen would kall them. Mr. Bob Watson, who has been uperatiog the cylinder for years, was the more suprised of the two. His companion, Dr. Mirams, recallesl that atlempos inade nt New Zealand to destroy the wood wasp (Sirer) by vacuum ant pressure were fruitless. Mr. N- Tamblyn of the Division also recalled that years before he bad received a salutary lesson on the subject after he had hastily advised the treatment of weevtl-infested wheat by vactumi ; it had no effect on ihe weevils, lt seems fair to conclude. then, thac these insects ignore the low pressure of air and consequent poverty of oxygen whether they reqnire nutritnent of other kinds or not and the goeurrence or ahsence af insects a¢ high altitudes in therefog$Pnat necessarily gaverned by the air pressure, ~ NE, ML Waterss. TAWNY FROGMOUTHS The sight of four Tawny Frogmouths in a Mahoxany Gym pt Buchan Caves National Parke last December prompts me ta write a paragraph wbaut these interesting birds, As three of the Frogmouths were on one branch, spaced at intervals of abomt a foot, the camouflage effect was not ag veord as usual becuose three short “dead branches” so clase together did not seem quite right, and tended ta give the show away. When one or two al these birds rest near the eid of a branch, the disguise is almost perfect. During a heavy slower three of the Frogmouths were seen huddled close logether on the same branch hut close to the trunk. If these were mother and tivo yung, the Jatter must have hatched carly an the season which exrends from about August to December. The fourth Sadargus was weil out on ‘another bratich. Tawny Froprwouths are noctgrnal, eat insects, unter an “oom, oom’ sound repeated many times, amd build a flat nest of loose slicks in which to tr chree raund white eggs are laid. —A. EL Brooks. ede Naturolitis' Notebood 175 FANTAILS NESTING Tearing the New Year holiday period (December 30 te January 2 last) while at my “shack na the Ten-wile Creek near Cape Liptrap m Suith Gippsland, [ had the pleasure of awatehing*at close range a Grey Fantail buikting her nest, The site she chose was on a Noriontal branch about Virree feet above the creek and overhanging ihe water. The weather at that time was very rough with cold winds and frequetit rainstorms. Hut despite rhe inclement conditions she persisted mi her endeavours to complete the job. As var as | could see, the male bird did absalutely nothmy to help his bard- working futhe spouse, apart from sitting on a branch and occasionally Iwittering a song af encouragement to her, She soon became aware that t was at imterested spectator, but cartied on even though 7 stood within a few feet uf her. Every move she made could be seen quite plainly. Qa our wood- heap a few yards away was an old log. and with her beak she stripped from it tiny lengths of bark. After a couple of trips with bark strips she would ily to a tall banksia and callect spider webs whieh she wove deftly my the coarser material, always using her teak an the outside of the nest, at the same time rounding the structure with her breast, To help the gaod work along, J scraped the bark on the log with a knife, providing her with a plentiful supply of building material After that, she conducted a cegulas shuttle service herween the lee and her nest, and it was amazing To sec how fast the work progressed. Thinking (hat cottum-wool might be usefn) as luting, | placed a few small pieces on her log. bur to my surprise shy reiceted the offering, Contrary to thé tjsval practice, Uns partelar nest bad 3a very short ta). When we left to return to Melbourne, the stage was all set for the epg-laymg ceremony. - R. M. Wisner. BUTTERFLY ORCHIDS in. 1938, by the upper Combienbar River, the writer [ound a plant of the Rotrerfy Orchid (Sarcochilus australts) wah a spectacular pendant raceme of fourteen Bowers. But the late W. HL Nicholls comumented that he had seen @ specimen with sixteen Aowers ona raceme, H was therclore interesting 19 fixl, along a small tributary of the Mitchell River near Glenaladale, in De- cember last, what minst be « record prawth of this same species, There were a great number of these plants on the mossy limbs of the Kanooka trees (Tristania Jaurtiur), sone wilh deaves as much as seven inches in Jengsh. The Jargest plant had twelve falcate leaves and its roots cold be traced for a distance of two feer in cither erection along the lind ta which is was clinging. There were the remains of twelve racemes, three belonging to last spring aim) nine to previous rears, evidently three per year fur uw period of four years. The Jast season's Aowers had all fallen, but a count of the scars left by their pedicels and of their subtending bracts, thawed that a tooth betore there had heen an aggregate of thirty-six blooms gn the plant, the three racemes. bearing six, twelve and eighteen Aowers respectively ! Though Victorva has fire species of epiphytic orchids, the Battery Oochid is the only one of them to extend to cemral Vielorian areas. It is knewn to survive HM) one Spot in the Dandenong Ranges, and some healthy plants were sven flowering in early December last in the vieanity af the Calder Rivér sh the Onvay Rames, The occurrence of the specics in the Otways is a ceminder that Ht is (or was) also on King Island and wn north-western Tasmania; just as another epiphyte, the Streatked Rock-orehid (Dendrobinm sirtalatumn) is found in Fast Gippsland, on Flinders Island and im north-eastern Tasirania. Ths Tastnaiia’s two empltytic orchids show nicely where the old land bridges were wheu the island Srate was connected to the mainland of Aus- tralia many thonsands of vears ago. —N_ A. WAKEFIELD 176 The Victorian Nateralist Vol, 72 BIRD LITERATURE AVAILABLE FOR ORNITHOLOGISTS Following whe policy of the FNC. an making available subject sets of the ferctortan Naturalist, the following back numbers of the journal are offercil for sale at half original price, Set A is made up of mujer articles with copious illustrations, by such noted ornitholagists and photographers as C, L, Barrett, A. H. Chisholm, 0. Dickison, R. T, Litttejohns and R, K. Munro; it contains special issues dealing with the Helmeted Honey- eater, Lowan aud Lyrebird, Set B consists of articles and reports of less ourstanding nature, bur of vital unterest to the student of bird-lore nevertheless. Set A= Vol. xXtyvin—No. ll; 1-5, 7, 8 9; 01-2, 4, 5: toe-7, 9, 10, 11; ret, 12: h1v—4, 6, 1 12) tv—5, 6) pwi—4, 7, 12 cvtrd. 4, 5, 8,9, 10, 11; ix—9; bI—1, 10; 63—2, 3, 4,6, 9; 69—S. 39 numbers, price £b, Set Bo Yot. xcyer—1h, 12; xuvcr—7, 10: xets—i, 6 97 1-3, 15 tre 10, 12; Lo—S, 6; vomd, 8 11; niw—2; Ly; rve=2. 9; Evit—2, 7 J2; witt—l, 3.4. 5,6, 7, & 9: urx—4, 12) tx—4; 6I—4, &: 62—2, 3: 43-8. 7, 105 d4—4, 9, 10) 45—1, 2, 10; G61, 3,6, 75 d?—--? + FG—3, 6, 9 56 wurnders, pree £1/17/9. Those who have some of these copies already may supplement their files by purchasing individual sumbers or any sections of the abuve sets. Thase with interests additional to ornithology may ebrain complete volumes, frou Volume 10 (1894-5) to the present, with only neeasional numbers lacking. A set of the b¥etorian Naturalist. fram January 1884 ta April 1933 (Volumes 1 ta 70) is available for £14/10/«; it lacks 51 of the 1/2 parts of the fiest 9 volumes, but from volumes 1) to 70 there ate only & of the original 732 parts missing. Orders should be addressed to My, K. W, Arking, c/o National Herbarium, The Duman, South Yarra, S.£.1, Victoria. WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN F.W.C.Y, Excursions: Sunday, March (8 —Parlour coach excursion to Macedon and district with Bendigo FNC. Leader Mr F Robbins, Subject: Geology and general Coach leaves Batman Avenue 9 a.m., returns approxjinately & pun, Fare, 18/-. Bring two meals. Sunday, March 25—Rotany Group excursion tu Sherbrooke Leader: Mr K Atkins, Take §.55 am. train to Upper Ferntree Gully, then Olinda bus to Sherbrooke Junction, Bring one meal and a snack, Saturday. April 7—Yering Gorge. Geology Group excursion. Take 8.25 a.m. Healusville train to Yarra Glen, ot meet 9.50 a.m. at Yarra Glew station, Bring Iwo meals. Walk af about & miles. Group. Mectings: (8 pm, at National Herbariim) - Wednesday. March 21—Microscopical Group. “Botany Night". Commentator: Mr. Ken Atkins Projection of slides by Mr. C.. Middleton. Wednesday, March 28—Batany Group, Subject: Fungi, by Mr, K, Atkins. Wednesday. April 4—Geolngy Group. Subject: Phystography of Yer Gorge, Speaker: Mr. R. Hemry. Preliminary Motice: Sunday. May 13—Pariour-coach excursion to Murrundinedy and Wilheleina Falls. Leader; Mr. R. emmy. Coach leaves Batman Avenue 9 ain, returns approximaicly & pan. Bring two tneals, Pare, 4, Maagte Antenpes, Exctrston Secretary The Victorian Naturalist Vol, 72—No, 12 APRIL 4, 1946 No. B68 PROCEEDINGS The President, Mr. Tarlton Rayment, occupied the Chair, and about 80 members and friends attended the General Meeting at the National Herbariuin on March #3 last. Welcome was extended to Dr, Cunningham of California, to Miss B. Perrott, a farmer mem- ber veturned from U\S.4., and to Mr Jan McCann, Secretary of the Stawell BLN.C. Letters were received front both the Anthropological Society of Vieteria aud the Frankston T’.NUC., accepting invitation to meet with the P.N.C,V, at the April General Meeting, for the preyrhte tion of the Australian Natural History Medallion to Mr. S. R. Mitchell Mr, (. 5, iflanks then spoke on Victorian trees, and showed a series of excellent Kodachrome shdes. He was accorded an en- thusiastic vote of thanks by the meeting. Mr, aud Mrs. E, G. Webb of Kalorama were elected as Jomt Country Members, and Mr. A. G. Mathews of Tlampton as an Ordinary Member, Four nominations for membership were received. After a muuber of nature notes, the President adjourned the meeting at 9.50 p.ni, for the usual conversazione and perusal of exhihits. WIMMERA FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB FORMED On Novernher 8, 1955, aur inaugural meeting was held at Dimboula. Eleven persons were present. The Cluols was formed with Mr. T. E, Arthur of Dimboola as President. Messrs. K, Mately and A. Hicks were elected as Vice-Presidents and Mr. E, Muir as Secretary. Meetings are to he held in turn in yariaus towns m the district, and excursions are to be arranged (eg. to Wyperteld National Park and Little Desert). In this way interest should develop and the gumbers in the Club increase. REQUEST FOR MATERIAL OF ALISMATACEAE J. T. Batdwin, Jr. (Chairman, Department oz Biology, College of William aod Mary, Williamshurg, Virginia), requires seed {and herbarium speci- mens 35 vouchers for the seed) uf representatives of this family in Australia These are needed to grow for cytological study, and it is advantageous 19 have the same species from various localities. 177 178 The Mictomon Noluralist Vol. 72 THE BROWN WARBLER IN EASTERN VICTORIA By N. A. WAKEFIELD This little avian sprite has several claims to distinetion. It is one of the tiniest of Victaria’s birds, usually under four inches in length; it is the only bird in the State confined to the far-eastern “jungles'”, so that few observers ever see it; and its scientific name has been badly confused with that of one of its inland-consins. Apart from all that, it builds a nest of really wonderfil design, it has a variety of intriguing little call-notes, and it ix otherwise a most entertaining individual. Let us first sort out its name, Tf you turn to page 124 of the earliest editions of J, A. Leach’s 4ustralion Bird Book, you may read, under the genus Gerygone : 252 SOUTHERN FLYEATER (Western) White-tailed Bush- Warbler, (7, exléervere, ELA. SA, (.N., WAAL, Own, forests, sermbs, 253 BROWN FLYEATER, Brown Bush-Warbler, G fusca, WA. Stat. ¢, forests, scrubs, Later editions list the same birds as; 282 SOUTHERN WARBLER (Western) White-tailed Flycater, Gr. codicivare, 253 RROWN WARBLER, Brown Flycater, G. fusca. And in the latest editions is the final ward to dare: 242 WESTE ‘RN WARBLER, seer G. fusca. W.A. (Perth) — NW.A-S-A,—N, & NW. Vie. 253 BROWN WARBLER, Flyeater, G. richmond, S.O—TLV, How all this came about was indicated by Gregory Mathews in ION (birds of -lusivalia Vol. 8, p. 141), im discussing the present Gerygone richiwondi, when he wrote : Foe this species the name Geryyoue fusew bas long heen m use, but Narth many years ago pointed out that this was not the bird or iginally su named by Gould, but did not emphasise the point nor make the necessary emendation. 4 So the point was- duly emphasised and the emendation took effect thereafter. We tinscientific naturalists may be thanktal that the numbers remained unchanged in Teach’s book, and that the bird with which we are concerned remained brewn! The published records of the oceurrence of the Brown Warbler in Victoria have so far all been rather indetinite, In 1900, in Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, A. J, Campbell commented ; The Brown Gerygone appears to possess .a somewhat limited hahitat, heing coated ta the scrubs of the coastal region from South Queens- land ta Eastera Victoria Why did Leach mdicate that this bird was common, in his frst edition of An Australian Bird Book in 1911? ty Wakerieio, Brows Warbler in Eastern i ielonia 179 The next record followed the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union campour at Mallacoota in 1924, after which S. A. White reported, under the tide ‘The Birds of Mallacoofa”, on page 141) of The Emu of January 1915; Gerygene, st. | ?)—There was certamnly @ species of tbs genus mm the district, but all efforts to identify iv failed. The same thing almost occurred twenty years later, on the oeca- sot) of the second R.A.O.U, campout in eastern Victoria, but in that instance pests saved the situation. In “The Excursiwn te Marlo” (Lr Vol. 33, p, 228) C, E, Bryant reported: On one oecasion two members of the party reported, within a few ininutes of cach other, hearing the distinct sume of G. oftvacea. A local resident tokl of long, pendant nests, built by “brown” birds, and found a few years previously. That siiggested the Brown Warbler UG. richimgndt) and the prodiction later, by the Incal man, Of one of the nests referred to, confirmed the identification. . © . During October (just prior to the camp) my brother found the Brawn Warbler nesting at the Thurra River a little firther eastwards. The present writer's first acquaintance with our little brown bird was ynade in $935 of 1936, when a nest was found in a patch of jungle un the western hank of the Snowy River about six mules downstream from Orbost. lt was ina chimp of Lilly-pilly (demena smith), about twenty feet from the ground, suspended from a slender twig, and there were three eggs. in it. In 1940 ahd 1941, close observation was made al the Urowa Warhler in the small scrubhy gullies about Mallacoota Inlet, par- ticularly in sitch “pockets” on the northern bank of the Genoa River opposite Gipsy Point. This was recorded in “Bird Notes from Croajingolong’, in August 1942 (ict. Nat. 59> 70)- Tr seems that only ane museunt specimen of the Brown Warbler has ever heen collected fram Victoria; it was takety by D, 1. Serventy and J. A, Tubb and a is a the Serventy-Whittell cof- lection i Perth. Of it we read in “Notes on the Fuod of Australian Birds”. by Keith McKeown, t# The fre 43; 191 (January 1944) - Gerygone richmond: (Math.)—Brown Warbler, Wingan Inlet, Vie. Sept. 24, 1942. Stomach crammed with very finely comminuted renin of Coleoptera and other insects, but nothing identifiable. In the Brrd Observer's Cli Monthly Notes of April 1952, David Morgan contributed a report on the °B.O.C, Christmas Trp, Birds of Bairnsdale and Mallacoota”. Under the heading, “Brows Warbler (Gerygone richmondi)", he threw considerable doubt on the identity of three pairs of birds and of their two nests scen in a pully at Mallacoota. Ife said.: Mathews _. . limits its distribution to the Richmond River district of WSW. The RA.O.UL Checklist lists it as accurving in Southern ®ucensiand and Victoria as well, though under what authority we do not know. The National Museum had no specimem of G rich nud 180) Wanurirrn, Beacon (Marbler in Eastern Iietoria M3 oer Then in the B.0.C, Notes of June (932, he stated further that "The evidence is such that it is still possible that the Lirds recorded at Mallacoota were Cerygone fusca’, However, the Western Warbler (G. fusca): has never been authentically recorded for Victoria south of the Dividing Range: and ft is rolerably certain that the birds at Mallacoota were cur- rectly reported as the Grown Warbler. (See also nete appended on page 186.) . The nests of the litte birds are certainly masterpieces of con- struction, Canipbell thought so, and ths coinment m Nests und Eggs of Australian Birds could hardly be tnipraved upon: Some of the nests were simply maryellous (or shape and beauty, being lengthened and elegant in form, with a small, cunningly wrought, hooded entrance at the side, and néatly composed of the most heantiful of cich emerald toss. decorated fantastically neariy all over swith shields of aesthetic-culoured lichen. ay NEW SOUTH WALES “Waa e VICTORIA \ _ bacality at Met Map Brawn Warhler lovalities thus mit Victorian Tocalitios ter the Brown Warbler On some ef Campbell's hocks, an illustration of this nest is used fo adorn the spine, On January 24, 1947, — H. Willis and the present writer found another such nest, suspended four or five fect from the ground, in a jungte patch by the Brodribh River not far from Marlo. Though about nine inches in overall length. the diameter of the entrance is only ahour 4 of an inch —a tight fit for one's little finger. This illustrates nicely the tininess of its builder, On Junaary 3, 1954, Brown Warblers wete heard and seen al “The Spring’, by the Princes Highway at Mount Drinnmer, in the dense tangle of Lilly-pilly, Blackwood (Acacly melagoaylon) and Gum Water-vine (Cissus hypoylauce), The follawing day a nest was located hy Double Creek, five miles west of Mallacoota. Je was hanging from a single strand of Clematis (C. glyeinoides) ubder a inass of foliage on aii old tree-stutip, about twelve feet above the water af the creel, pal Wake, Broo Warbler me Fostern Toretoria Fa] The wwooadult birds were ruoving ahour jn the dense toligge of shrulis and trees—Kanooka ¢ Tristanta Hania). hally= -pilly. cle Aving out, hovering. taking an insect, Aving i again, Gaming the lath occasionally, and uttering a single seft “eheep repeated at iiterviils of about four secands., [It was noted that the male bird had econsptenoush white dures, hist such was net the case with the female, This pot Tats Teen vonliriied Ty sivilur observation since, and by esau ol Museu) specmicns; bit all reference boule examined by the writes indicate thar the sexes are identical in colourativn, The Dirds ave of a veneral rich gresvish-browa colon. paler odernedth, a dite: vellowish on the sides of the abdomen and butt oon the flanks. The tail when fanned shows civ incomplete lick Tamd towards the end. and itis white at the tip. Tix nest apparently contained eggs, After the inital cisturbines RECOMIPMUIVINEE PhS discovery, the female came lack th reconnmoitre, flying direct to the spout but leaving again at onee, Phe male c rin nest, hovered oa fall secon about six inches fren: the sponte. cued then few off, Uhe female then few te the nest, moved in vied - arely, sind Geld Ne ahserved through the Tey tipper ldlf as at settled clown, The call of the bird is deserihed ly Nevitte Civles, in ff hut Rird is That, as wv teehle, vhough pleasing twitter, resembling "What isat? What is it* repeated several tines’. The same “trinslation” was given by Ivach ; hur the Double Creek birds intredtuced vieda- tions such as “\What is it? What is it? No it isn’t! Ne at isn’t! What is it?” tia fast trill, The same sort of thing was since hearel elsewhere. A veart Tater, or New Year's Day 1955, the site of this nest was found te have been completely wrecked by the fall of a large tree On this fatter oecusion, the remains of an old nest wis noted, about six feet irom the vroutd in a shrub of Baeched tiryate on the creek bank: incl about fifty yards further upstreany there was an occupied nest suspended from the end of a Lilly-pilly branch ahout ten feet from the eround. In the same tree was an old nest of the Black-faced Flycatcher, and in the same clump, the remains of yet another Rrown Warbler's nest. On this occasion there were Eastern Shrike-tits ane Crescent Honeventers in the yiemity, while a dittle dawnetceami a Rutatts Fantail was busy building a nest. Cm Jatiuary 2, three long poles were cut, lashed together te form a tripod, and eroass-pieces were fixed to two af then ve fornia ladder, While this was being built at the nest, both parent birds were much in evirence and were busy feeding the voung ones in oeeupation, At times each came to the nest when the writer wis on the ladder within two or three feet of it. One bird stayed in the spout of the nest (a5 shown in Plite VET) THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. Pirate VII > > pe * Nest of Brown Warbler at Double Creek, Victoria. When feeding the young, an adult bird often stayed in the entrance for several minutes. [182] April 1956 Wakerietn, Brown Warbler in Eastern Lictoria 183 for about a quarter of an hour, then entered the structure, stayed for a few minutes, then flew away. Later, one was timed to stay in the spout for eleven minutes. then it backed out and flew off. The next day, further observations were made and a few photo- graphs taken. It was a windy day and the nest was often tossed violently, the parents keeping away at such times. They paid the nest nine visits during a period of one and a half hours (from 2.30 to + p.m.), Often staying in the spout for several minutes at a time, It was obvious that both parents were busily concerned with the feeding of the young, for on two occasions they were at the nest together. The time spent in the spout on each occasion varied from one to twelve minutes. This indicated that the food often consisted of a great number of small insects which were fed to the youngsters a little at a time. Finally, one bird stayed in the nest, apparently to keep the young ones warm as the afternoon became cooler. On March 1, 1955, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Wheeler of Ballarat found a Brown Warbler's nest by Cabbagetree Creek, 19 miles east of Orbost. It was situated about nine feet from the ground and was empty. This nest was collected, and the present writer was able to examine it before it was placed in the museum of the Ballarat Field Naturalists’ Club. On December 21, 1955, an excursion was made to the Mitchell River area to determine whether the Brown Warbler extended west- ward to the jungles of the sandstone gorges there. They were found to be quite plentiful, and some very interesting observations resulted. . In a small, very short gully, lateral to the river, about a mile upstream from the Gienaladale bridge, a pair of birds were seen and an old nest located hanging from a clump of Clematis. Of much greater interest however was a more recent nest, in a rather open situation, hanging from a strand of creeper (Siulav australis, the Austral Sarsaparilla) which was scrambling about in a Silver Wattle tree. Ihr this case, the spout and tail had been torn off and a sinall hole pierced through the deme: it contained one egg, and no adult bird was seen nearby. A little further on, a medium-sized creek came down to the Mitchell, and along it was a dense jungly growth of Kanooka, Lilly-pilly, Sweet Pittosporum (P. undulatuim), Blackwood, ete. and numerous large hanas. Again the Brown Warbler was much in evidence. There was a nest about fifteen feet from the ground, hanging from a strand of the liana known as Stalked Doubah (Marsdenia rostrata). A nearby tree was climbed, and the nest investigated. It contained an egg, and a pair of the birds were in evidence, but brooding had not commenced. Though it was not tested thoroughly, an impression was gained that it is not possible to roll the eggs from a Brown Warbler’s nest by tipping it horizon- THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. 72 PLate VIII Habitat of the Brown Warbler. Lilly-pilly and liana jungle at Mount Drummer. Western Limit of the Brown Warbler. Tributary of the Mitchell River above Glenaladale. [184] April pone Warerikin, Brosur (Marble m Bustern Michorir 185 tally; they are evidently constructed 56 for safety whe high winds toss (hen about, Then a second torn nes, was lpcated, attached 19 a twig of Lally pilly several feet from the ground, It had a lanve hole ripped one helow the spout, and the predator cemcerned vad perched above it, for it had been Wftedl from rhe usual purilant povivian avi der Iving horizoually above the layer of follage. It was enipty. Some miles to the north, excursion was made to che well-known “Den of the Naxgan” at Deadcock Creek Down in the gorge, the Brown Warbler was again in evidence though no nests were found, The next day there was a second ege in the undamaged nest, and while in its vicmity, the pair of birds gave yotce Lo four quite distinct calls. There was the usual “What is 2" (with variations) and the soft “cheep” noted previously; a soft, throary “‘ehe-qua" was heard several times—somewhat bke a call af che Buff-taled Thornhill; and once the wale uttered ar alarm eall—a harsher, conyparatively loud nate, rapidly repeated about a dozen times. The two torn nests were collected later: the little pink-speckled epg ineasured § of an inch in length and 4 in width. Tn che neighbourhoud af cle Warblers’ nests at the Mitchell River, there were other jungle bieds—many Rufous Mantails, 2 few Black-faced Flyeatchers, Rase Rohins, and several Lewin Honey- eaters, a5 Well as a number of rhe mare widely distributed Wietorian species. Though associated thusi suuinier with species chat njigrate to Victoria trom the north, it shoukl be muted thet the Brown Warbler is quite srationary- A lietle over twenty years ago, New South Wales ornithulogisty gave Gerygoue richimoud: cousiderable prominence in the pages of Tite Evra, The fullest report was ly A. J. Elliott of Camhewarra, under the title “Nesting Notes on the Brown Warhler" (Vol, 31, p. 237). A. J. Marshalt contributed an article “A Problem in’ Nest Destruction” (Val. 31, p. 237), and both IL Weolstenhnlme and N. Chaffer published notes on the bird (Vol. 27, p. 2135, and Vol. 30. p. 58 respectively ). Marshall described cases of nests which had heen tern upen by some unknown predator, and both Wulstenholne and Efliott dis- cussed similar occurrences; bat nene could do mare rhan guess ay to the identities of the raiders. Wolstenholme described the nest- huiding activities of the female bird, while the male accompanied her, singing and Auttering his wings Chaffer and Elliott made like wentien af the warsiness of the male cdurme nest construction; in all cases, the song was the much-publicized “What is it?” Chaffer commented that the female “can be identified by lier duller plumage”; and a reference by Elliott ta. a Brown Warbler’s nese “placed at a distance of about three feet from the mossy home ot a pair of Black-fteced Flycatchers” could alinost have been written af the association noted by the present writer at Double Creek, Viet. Nat, Vol. 72 186 Woarkerreco. Broan Warbler we Eontern Firtorin Consideration of the two torn nests at the Mitchell River throws some light on questions raised by the above writers. [t was thought that the Pied Currawong was a likely offender, and in this con- nection Elliort contended that the bird might Hy to andl fro past a nest in an open place and tear at it, but that it could pierce it with 4 small hole only if it were attached to a twig stout enough to afford a firm perch, The first Mitchell River nest was in the open, it had the tail and spout torn Tight off, and it was pierced with a small hole high up, hut it was suspended from a single slender liana stem. The agent was a long-beaked bird which cond cling to the lana, though nat securely enough to extract the last egg. It is possible that a Currawong conld do that; they sometimes cling, flapping thetr wings, to a rough-harked eucalypt while pecking at something in a crack in the bark, Could a Butcher-bird or Kookaburra manage the same thitig ? The second storm nest was io a deeply shaded situation, it had heen lifted badily {rem its hanging position, was torn wide open, anil was left lying on top of the light foliage. Consideration of these four pots suggests that a small owl was the culprit. In any case, it is quite certain thal these two vests, within a few hundred yarels of each other, were damaged by quite different kinds of individuals. Karly in February this year, Brown Warblers were noted in two additional localities. There was a group of four birds im the Lilly-pilly scrub on the shore of North Arm at Lakes Entrance, and birds were seen in the Kanooka and Lilly-pilly by the bridge that takes the Princes Highway over the Bemm River. So it is apparent that our hittle brown birds and their lovely pendant nests are quite plentiful in the far east of Victoria, They are restricted to the Cilly-pilly and liana jungles that occur in pockets from the Mitchell River sorges eastward to the border, a distance of about 140 miles. Were they an Lilly-Pilly Gully on Wilsons Promontory before the bushfires cevastatel the area recently; and if so, cla they still setrvive there? Notes: David Morgan's comment about Mathews is somewhat misleadine The latter fitst published the name richmonda for what he cansidered to he a northern sub-species of the Brown Waprhler of central-eastern New Sauth Wales (Gosford, ete.). Then when he transferred the name fresca to the western species, he cstablished richimonudi as the specific name of the eastern bied, Thus the aturto-castern New South Wales birds hecame the typical G, richmondi, 20d Mathews designated the near-Sydaey ones. which he said wore paler sit colouration, as subspecies gould. As regards sperimems of Gervgone vichmandt in the National Museum vf Victoria, exammation of qaterial in the H. L, White collection there has hrovght to light five such, all from Ourimbah in New South Wales (H.LW. Nos. 1546 to 1350 inclusive). However. these were in with specimens ot the Western Warbler, for theie original naming, as CG, fusca, bad not been amended to conform) to the present revised classification. i fhe Wistorian Naturals IRF A BILL FOR VICTORIAN NATIOWAL PARKS Hew Soon Now? By J. Ros. Garnér On Seprember 27 of tast year, a conference, convoked jointly by the Victorian National Parks Association and the Australian Primacy Producees® Union, was held to discuss a number of matters relating to nature preserva- won in Australia. ‘hose who tuok part in the diseussian meluded Mr. Dewer Goode, Chairman of the State and Federal Land Usage Committees of the ALP.P.U., whe acted a5, Charman of tte Conference, Mr. lan McCann (A,P.P.U.), Messrs. Croshie Morrison and Ros, Garnet (V.N.P.A.¥, Mr. Fred Lewis (FN C.V.>, Messrs. Hugh Wilson arid Ray Littteyohms {RAG.UL.), Mr S. Carpenter (RA-GV.), Messrs. C E. Isaac axl A. Wilkie (Natoral Resources. Conservation League), Mrs, Chas. Bote (Country Women's Association), Mr. Tom Kilburn (Youth Hostel Asso- ciation), Messrs. Rk. Oldham and 5S. G. Skewes (M, & M B.W,), Messrs. M. C Downes and J. MeNally (Fisheries and Game Dept}, Mr. R. G. Downes (Sok Conservation Authority), Mr, M. J, Harkins (Governmenes Tourist Kureau) and Mr, T. Lingtord-Smith (Commonwealth Department of Natiunal Develapnieut). As an vnteame af the meeting, at which partiular attention was given ia Victorian National Parks, a deputation waited ov the Prenver (Mr H Bolte) on November 1? last to urge the early introduction of legislation for the control and development of the Srate’s national parks aud other nature preservation reserves and to seck a supplementary grant of £20,000 fur jhe Tourists Resorts Comunitee to permit a to carry aut ammedite works on the State's pre-eminent scenic places in pieparation for the expecred influx of overseas and muerstate visuors during the Olympic Games season. Addresses were given by Messrs, Morrison, Rayment (who, on this aeea- sion, Was able to be present to represent the FIN C.V.), Isuac, Mrs. Bott and Messrs. McCann, Wilsav, Kilburn ant Garnet. Mr, Rayinent, in his brief speech, brought to the Premier's attention an aspect which is all too often neglected 11 discussions of this kimi—the economic advaidages of preserving the habitat of Certum insect fauna such as the sericaphorine wasps and species of native bees as a device For ensuring a beneficial biological balance in a country already overloaded with miroduced pest specics, The Premier, in his reply, indicated that he wa4 greatly impressed with the case put by the several speakers, the remarks of our Clul’s Président heme especially interesting lo him. He assured those present that he was keenly interested in the welfare of ihe national parky and the problems of nature preservation, so much so that he would urtroduce a Bull to deal with the matter in the nexe sessioy of Parlianicut which would meet in April 1956, Se that he might have before him a camplete picture of the requirements for such legistation he intended to seek the views of the various Government dowirtments likely to he affected by it and he invited the organizations repre- sented by the depvtation to prepare for him a draft Bill in which could be iweluded provisions which were considered as Leme essential to such a measure, He made it clear that he was not quclined to take thé Ril) muvoduced hy a previous Government in 1952 az a model. He had in mind something which would better express his Gaverument’s attitude to land utization in this State—somethnig which would take into account the conservation of natural assets in balance with both present and fulure economic developnient, Refernhg to the request for the supplementary grant the Premier was less encouraging. However, he promised ta examine the matter although the State’s current Guancal, commitments made it very doubtial whether such 2 sum could be allecsted during the present financial wear. 188 The Mileturian Natyratist Val. 72 NATURALISTS’ NOTEBOOK (Reserved for your Notes, Observations and Queries) NATIVE CYMBIDIUM AT MERIMBULA Readers may he interested to know of the occurrence of the epiphytic Cwabidhivit siave sane filty road miles beyond the eastern border of Victoria. The writer first fotind it growing just éutude the boundary of the camping pack at Merimbula in early January 1939, atid spevimeris were sent to the late W. H. Nicholls. During the last four summers, flowering plants have heen observed again in the same place, in all cases growing on eucalypts. They perched at heights varying from a few to perhaps. thirty feet, looking like clumps of wice-leaved rushes with fragrant, yellowish-green fowers in racemes several iowhes lone. Unfertanately, na plants were observed within the carnping reserve, and the surroundings are gradully being alienated for building purposes, It may be that the spewies extends into eastern Vieteria. —Erstst H, Homann, (In Januaey 1954, Mr. W. Ilunter af Mallacoota found a plant of this orchid growing in a stuinp by the okl Tathra Road jour miles sath we Merimbula: and more recently, Mr. Paul Fisch saw some a little to the north of Tathra —Eprtox,] IN THE GIPPSLAND BUSH r "Caw, taw, caw," twa grows called as they saw me clint the lithe hill it) a secladed part of the Gippsland bush. Then there was gilence, broker suddenly by the raucous laugh of our friend the Kookaburra, then all was quiet again. 1 stopped walking. and sat dow Lo fully appreciate the wonders about me. Towering, almost struygling to reach the pate cobalt-blue sky, the various eycalypts fornied a Hatural fence cutting ithe of froth Truman associations, Ferns, heath, tea-tree, Black Wattle and beautiful delicate terrestrial archids, all grew together to form the hommes 7 six-logend creatures of all shapes, sizes and colours. [ looked up, just for a minute, ta nee several Jittle black and yeliow Strioed insects havering, almost motinniess, their transparent wings oserllating brigkly, when, with several sudden forward movements, the native bees were gone. Several conmmon forms of butterflies fluttered past in the naw cool breeze, and [ arose quietly and slowly, and waiked revercntly from the virgin unspoilt bush, to the old) tumbling farni- house, a ign o€ the bohucried, peaceful and harmonigus past, —Micirars. B. Moras, WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN F.N.C.V. Excursions: Saturday, April 28—Botany Group excursion to Botanic Gardens. Subject: North American trecs. Meet 2 p.m. at gate near Herbarium. Sufday, May 13—Parlour coach excursion to Morrondindi and Wilhelmina Falls, Leader Mr. R. Hemmy. Coach leaves Batman Avenue 9 am, returns approximately 8 pm. Fare 41, Bring twa meals, Group Meetings: (8 p.m. at National Herbariun) Weenesdav, April 18=Microscopical Group. Monday, April 23—Botany Group, Botany in colour. A series.of Kodachrome slides to he shown by Mr, Ko Arkits. Wednesday, May 2eaGeology Group. Crystallography, Speaker: Mr, Dayidsur Mane Ancexpen, Excursions Secretary.