. ait enh oni Sh Ate A) ‘ a R tat aah VE Bh Mes a G Rite tae a iain A Wasnt wh Be Sig's NI ct WAGES comet) ratte ae a 3 i Aa a n> AP i eh ge BM Pot degtit hint Tah ORY wa By 5 iy LIND ech ta fiibts ay a] f Hes OLA VE A Me a vee lid No pang ithe wingatt ae (Cet A iPeRLODS yet) tee vm rhe aM eH! sas ‘ aM Vo Swell iv | baci y wilh preye watt ee Bem SEE bhp Pah iene: eas cone BOL vet Cooulaheic inky aie} " haok Ste ee tt i pith xl % ee iD a nn Hh lite hy tae tek _ PROCEEDINGS | Bopal Sariety of Victoria. VOL. XXXV. (New SeErtzs). PART I. Edited under the Authority of the Council. ISSUED 7th DECEMBER, 1022. e (Containing Papers read before the Society during the months of April to Fuly, 1922). THE AUTHORS OF THE SEVERAL PAPERS ARE INDIVIDUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THR SOUNDNESS OF THE OPINIONS GIVEN AND FOR THE ACCURACY OF THR ” STATEMENTS MADE THEREIN. MELBOURNE: FORD & SON, PRINTERS, DRUMMOND STREET, CARLTON. 1922. Pi OO Eb De Ropul Society of Victoriw. VOL. XXXV. (New SeEntzs). PART I. Edited under the Authority of the Councetl. ISSUED 7th DECEMBER, 1922. (Containing Papers read before the Society during the months of April to Fuly, 1922). THK AUTHORS OF THE SEVERAL PAPERS ARE INDIVIDUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THR: SOUNDNESS OF THE OPINIONS GIVEN AND FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE STATEMENTS MADE THEREIN, MELBOURNE: FORD & SON, PRINTERS, DRUMMOND STREET, CARLTON. 1922. s eS cs) #HT 40 denna wah) VREE TOV So fia ae Bronws’d shi Yo Givodwek aft shes ovina nig) WBAMADE Ary GAUZE 5 a 7 1 tn nah hint tw an aviniaansd) | | Astes bai, wh i a oe 74 : Fal . 4 Ke ‘. F vi = ' S . uA ? aisy nod Soamiorwnn raivarrians Sak SOYeA Ahenven, Kiet Wi asoutUe BAY YO TOAAIIOA AUT HO amy wattle BOK aUe WO eMeeut OR. mamenie MEK BYES AIR % » - ae A / be f - j f ee LCT IRE RSE Ie Tae ERA ’ = s > S4AU OKIE | MOTINAD ,THANTS QUOMMUSG 2ASTKULT 402 & GACY - 4 : tT eg of r Cts Ps OT igh ed ord: Jae “ldaa008 ie E CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXXV., PART I. PAGE ART. I.—New or Little-known Fossils in the National Museum. By Frepk. CHapMan, A.L.S. (With Plates I-III.) ie 1 II].—On Coprosma Baueri, Endlicher. By JoHn Suirury, D.Sc., and C. A. LamBerr. (With Plate IV.) sie san eee IlI.— Description of a New Victorian Helichrysum. By H. B. Wiuuramson, F.L.S. (With Plate V.) ite sock th lee IV.—Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. By A. JEFFERIS TURNER, M.D., F.E.S.
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[Proc. Roy. Soc. Vicrorta 35 (N.S.), Py. I., 1922].
Arr. 1—New or Little-known Fossils in the National
Museum.
XX VIJI.—Some Tertiary MOo.uuusca.
By FREDK. CHAPMAN, A.L.S.
(Palaeontologist to the National Museum: Lecturer in Palaeontology,
Melbourne University).
(With Plates I-III.)
[Read 20th April, 1922.]
Introductory Note.
The following paper deals with fourteen new species, and also
discusses points of distribution in regard to eight other forms.
A large portion of this collection has been donated to the National
Museum of late years by several indefatigable collectors, to whom.
the authorities are much indebted. Groups other than mollusca have
been equally augmented, and they will be worked out as opportunity
permits.
It will be seen by the present work that even as far back as.
Oligocene and Miocene times there existed many species of mollusca.
which are so closely related to living forms as to leave no doubt that.
they were the direct ancestors of our present molluscan types. Others.
have migrated from the Bassian area, and are now only found as
varietal offshoots in warmer Australian waters.
List of Species Described :-—
Pelecypoda.
Pteria (Meleagrina) crassicardia, Tate sp.
Ostrea ingens, Zittel.
Neotrigonia bednalli, Verco var.
Hinnites mulderi, sp. nov.
Plicatula youngi, sp. nov.
e dennanti, sp. nov.
3 brevispina, sp. nov.
Spondylus baileyana, sp. nov.
Modiolus mooraboolensis, sp. nov.
Lucina (Codakia) planatella, Tate.
Diplodonta harrisi, sp. nov.
Gasteropoda.
Astralium (Imperator) hudsonianum, Johnston
Turbo grangensis, Pritchard.
bo
Frederick Chapman:
Xenophora (Tugarium) tatei, Harris.
Cypraea siphonata, sp. nov.
Erato obesula, sp. nov.
Murex (Muricidea) gatliffi, sp. nov.
Fusinus youngi, sp. nov.
Solutofusus curlewisensis, sp. nov.
Lyria acuticostata, Chapman.
Voluta sexuaplicata, sp. nov.
Cancellaria torquayensis, sp. nov.
Description of the Species.
Phylum MOLLUSCA.
Class PELECYPODA.
Order PRIONODESMACEA (Schizodonta).
Fam. PTERIIDAE.
Genus Pteria, Scopoli.
Subgenus MELEAGRINA, Lamarck.
PTERIA (MELEAGRINA) CRASSICARDIA, Tate sp.
Meleagrina crassicardia, Tate, 1886. Trans. R. Soc. S. Austr.,
Tol) Vit, Dp. 14, pl. &x., figs." 9; "TO!
Observations.—In Dennant and Kitson’s List we find the following
localities mentioned for this species: Muddy Creek (lower); Lower
Moorabool; and Murray River Cliffs, Oyster bed. These localities
indicate respectively, Oligocene (Balcombian), Miocene (Janjukian),
and Lower Pliocene (Kalimnan). The present record, from the
Beaumaris Cliffs, is new for the locality, and so links on to that of
the oyster beds of the Murray River Cliffs, South Australia, in point
of age. This species, therefore, has a remarkably extended range.
The Beaumaris specimens are the umbonal parts of very heavy shells,
whilst the Balcombian examples are generally much thinner and
lighter.
In the Dennant collection there is also a juvenile shell of the
Same species from the Muddy Creek beds,(upper or Kalimnan).
Additional Occurrence.—Beaumaris Cliffs, Port Phillip. Also upper
beds at Muddy Creek. Age—Kalimnan (L. Pliocene).
Fam, OSTREIDAE.
Genus Ostrea, Linné.
OSTREA INGENS, Zittel. (Plate I., Figs. 1, 2.)
Ostrea ingens, Zittel, 1864, Novara Exped., Geol. Theil,
vol. i, p. 54, pl. xiii., fig. 3.
Ostrea nelsoniana, Zittel, 1864. Ibid., p. 55, pl. xi., fig. 7.
————
Victorian Fossils. 3
Ostrea hatcheri, Ortmann, 1897. Amer. Journ. Sci., vol. iv.,
px. 305, pl. 1, Ne. 1. ‘
Ostrea philippi, Ortmann, 1897. Ibid., p. 356, pl. xi., fig. 2.
Ostrea patagonica, von Ihering (non d’Orbigny), 1897. Rev.
Mus. Paul., vol. ‘ii., p. 221, pl. ix., fig. 2.
Ostrea hatcheri, von Ihering, 1899. Neues Jahrb., fiir Min.,
Vu. ¥., D0. so.
Ostrea ingens, Zittel, Ortmann, 1900. Amer. Journ. Sci., vol.
x., p. 379. Ortmann, 1902, Rep. Princetown Exped.,
Patagonia, 1896-99, vol. iv., pt. 2, p. 99, pl. xv., XVi.,
XVil., KViil., 315., HES d-=c.
Observations.—The fauna of the Miocene or Middle Tertiary beds
eof Victoria and Scuth Australia contains a large form of oyster which
has never been assigned to a definite species. Many examples of
these large bivalves are represented in the National Museum fossil
collection, but have not been specified up to the present. I am now
satisfied, however, that they are identical with the New Zealand and
Patagonian species, Ostrea ingens.
Professor Tate’s useful ‘‘ Census of the Older Tertiary Fauna of
Australia ’’1 mentions on page 249 five species of Ostrea from the
‘older Tertiary (that is, Balcombian to Kalimnan), as understood by
Tate. But only four are listed in Dennant and Kitson’s ‘‘ Catalogue
-of the Cainozoic Fauna,” etc.,2 so that in all probability the fifth in
‘Tate’s estimate is that now referred to O. ingens, Zittel.
Characters of O. ingens—The chief specific distinctions given by
vOrtmann, and now by the writer, are:—
1. Large size and extremely thick shell.
2. Situation of muscular scar. Muscle impression large,
generally situated a little below the middle of the shell,
and a little posteriorly.
3. Smooth margins of the inner side of the valves, except
close to the area.
4. Slight development of the radial folds. In some there is
a tendency for the lamellae to develop undulae or frills,
but with no marked radial disposition.
This species of Ostrea has been referred by H. Suter to the sub-
genus Anodontostrea (Suter),? the distinctive characters being the
smooth inner margin. It seems, however, to belong to Hostrea
(Ihering), for the dorsal region of the shell is often distinctly crenate.
Measurements.—Ortmann gives the length of the largest specimen
as 255 mm. and the width as 162 mm.
The largest specimen in the National Museum collection appears
to be an example from the Janjukian of Bairnsdale, having a length
of 218 mm., and a width of 157 mm. Another specimen, from Cape
‘Otway, also from Janjukian beds, measures 180 mm., by 135 mm.; this
‘approaches O. sturtiana, Tate,4 in its oblong shape, but is very much
1. Journ. and Proc. Roy. Soc.. N.S. Wales, vol. xxii., pt. ii., 1888, p. 240.
2. Rec. Geol. Surv. Vict., vol. i., pt. 2, 1903.
3. Descriptions of New Tertiary Mollusca, Part I. New Zealand Geol.
Surv. Palaeontological Bulletin, No. 5, 1917, p. 86.
4. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Austr., vol. viii., p. 97.
2a
4 Frederick Chapman -
larger and heavier, and is no doubt referable to O. ingens. Ortmann
has already drawn attention to O. sturtiana as being closely allied to
O. ingens.5 The specimen here figured is from Waurn Ponds (Janju-
kian), and measures 137 mm. by 112 mm.
A smaller but still heavy shell of great thickness is found in the
Bailey collection from Beaumaris. It measures 120 mm. by 83 mm.,
and the principal lamellae numtker about 34. This is of Lower
Pliocene age.
Distribution.—Victoria and South Australia: The Janjukian or
Miocene of Bairnsdale, Cape Otway, Murray River Cliffs. Also in the
Kalimnan or Lower Pliocene of Beaumaris, Port Phillip.
Elsewhere.—New Zealand: Oamaru and Pareora beds (Oligocene
to Upper Miocene).
Patagonia: Upper part of Patagonian Formation and Suprapata-
gonian, Miocene.
Chile: Coquimbo Beds. Pliocene.
Fam. TRIGONIIDAE.
Genus Neotrigonia; Cossman.
NEOTRIGONIA BEDNALLI, Verco var. (Plate I., Fig. 3.)
Trigonia margaritacea, Lam., var. bednalli. Verco, 1907,.
Trans. Roy. Soc., S. Australia, vol. xxxi., p. 224, pl.
XXvVili., figs. 1-3.
Observations.—Dr. Verco regarded this form as a variety of the
living N. margaritacea. From its occurrence in fossiliferous beds of
Lower Pliocene age it can no longer be logically regarded as a variety
of a recent type, and therefore it appears to be more consistent to
give it specific rank.
This form has been taken in some abundance in the living state
by Dr. Verco, who dredged it from St. Vincent’s Gulf. A solitary
specimen was previously found by Mr. W. T. Bednall in 1865, between.
the Semaphore and Glenelg.
This appears to be its first occurrence in the fossil state, and adds.
to the increasing list of species from the Kalimnan whose descriptions.
were originally based on living examples found round the Australian
coast. WN. bednalli has been dredged from 10 down to 200 fathoms.
Dr. Verco’s description runs as follows:
‘‘This variety is characterised by its very compressed shape, its
narrow ribs, its large, oblong, plate-like spines, broader at their
free than at their attached ends, features which are exceedingly con-
stant in the very large series obtained.”’
Occurrence.—In shelly sand of Kalimnan age (Lower Pliocene),
MacDonald’s, Muddy Creek, near Hamilton, Victoria. Discovered and
presented by Mr. James Hay Young.6
5. Princetown Univ. Exped., vol. iv., pt. ii, 1902, p, 105. .
6. Mr. Young died on Feb. 10th, 1922. The Museum has been enriched
on many occasions by his valuable discoveries.
Victorian Fossils. 5
Order PRIONODESMACEA (Isodonta).
Fam. PECTINIDAE.
Genus Hinnites, Defrance.
HINNITES MULDERI, sp. nov. (Plate II., Figs. 9, 10.)
Description.—Valves very inaequilateral, oblique, depressed. An-
terior margin gently rounded near the umbo, truncately rounded to-
wards the ventral, the posterior region is well-rounded, the margin
sweeping forward and upward in an almost straight line to the um-
bonal angle made with the anterior. The neanic part of the shell is
pectinoid, and feebly radiately striate, there being about sixteen fine
costae. The ephebic and possibly gerontic stages show the charac-
teristic irregularly undulose surface caused by the alternately con-
cave and convex condition of the ventral edge; shell surface of later
stages with a similarly striate and radiate ornament. Muscle im-
pression large. Resilium small, acutely triangular.
Dimensions.—Left valve, length, 57 mm.; height, 59 mm. Height
of pectinoid stage, 16.5 mm.
Observations.—The following characters distinguish this species
from the allied Hinnites corioensis, McCoy7:—
1. Shell narrower or higher and more oblique.
2. Radial striae of pectinoid stage more numerous and finer.
3. Radial striae on ostreiform area not so strongly frilled
by the crossing of the growth lines, the surface being
sinuously striate, and not verriculate.
Occurrence.—In the white polyzoal limestone of Batesford, near
Geelong. Janjukian (Miocene).
Two valves presented by the late J. F. Mulder, Esq. The species
is named after its discoverer in recognition of his assiduous and
successful work in bringing to light many interesting Cainozoic forms.
Fam. SPONDYLIDAE.
Genus Plicatula, Lamarck.
PLICATULA YOUNGI, sp. nov. (Plate I., Figs. 4, 5.)
Description.—Shell moderately thin, subtrigonal, high, oblique;
left valve strongly arched. With about 20 low, rounded plaits, only
conspicuous towards the ventral margin, and apparently once divided
from their base near the medium area. Umbonal area rugose with
irregular folds. Growth-lines more strongly marked towards the ven-
tral border and imbricated. The pair of strong teeth in the right
valve are fused to a fairly large triangular area, which is transversely
striate.
Dimensions.—Height of shell (right valve), 26 mm.; length, 17
mm.; depth of valve, 7 mm.
7. Prodomus Palaeont., Dec., vi., 1879, p, 31, pl. lviii,
6 Frederick Chapman :
Observations.—The long, triangular shape of the shell reminds:
one of P. australis, Lamarck,’ of the Philippines, but does not show
the dominant sharp median ribs of that species, which extend from.
umbo to margin.
Occurrence.—In the Lower beds at Muddy Creek, near Hamilton,.
Victoria. Of Balcombian (Oligocene) age. Found by the late Mr. J..
H. Young.
PLICATULA DENNANTI, sp. nov. (Plate I., Figs. 6, 7.)
Description.—Shell roundly trigonal, distinctly oblique. Right:
valve depressed, with more or less inflated umbo and marginal area;
left valve depressed. Plicae few, about 7, bifurcating and rather
acutely ridged. Teeth situated on a small, triangular hinge-plate.
Dimensions.—Right valve (cotype); height, 22 mm.; length, 18.5:
mm. Left valve (cotype); height, 19 mm.; length, 15.5 mm.
Observations.—There are three examples of this species in the
Dennant collection at the National Museum—two right valves and one
left. A note by the late Mr. Dennant which accompanies this form.
says, ‘‘ allied to P. essingtonensis.”” That species, however, differs from:
P. dennanti in the more numerous plicae, which are quite sharp; and
in the nearly equilateral form of the shell. P. essingtonensis,.
Sowerby,? is a Northern Australian shell.
Occurrence.—Lower beds at Muddy Creek, near Hamilton. Dennant.
collection. Of Balcombian (Oligocene) age.
PLICATULA BREVISPINA, Sp. nov. (Plate I., Fig. 8.)
Description.—Shell subtriangular, moderately stout, slightly
oblique. With about eighteen plicae, rarely bifurcated, slightly ridged
and crossed by undulating growth-lines, which develop into nodose:
spines at their intersection near the ventral margin. The attached.
umbonal area flat, from which the shell slopes away at a steep angle.
Teeth attached to a short dental plate, which is obliquely striated.
Dimensions.—Height of right valve, 25 mm. Length, 22.5 mm.
Depth of valve, 7 mm.
Observations.—This species differs from P. youngi in the rounder
outline, the sharp nodose ribs, and the smaller dental plate.
It is a very ornate form compared with other species, and the
fossil example is well preserved. In the style of ornament it is not
unlike P. novae-zelandiae,1° but that species is more depressed.
Occurrence.—Lower beds Muddy Creek, near Hamilton. Of Bal-
combian (Oligocene) age. Dennant Collection.
8. Anim. sans Vert., vol. vi., p. 85. Reeve, Conch. Icon., vol. xix., 1873,
pl, iii., figs. 10a, c, d
Reeve, Conch. Icon., vol. xix., 1873, pl, iii. fig. 8.
10. Sowerby in Reeve, Conch. Icon., vol. xix., 1873, pl. i, fig. 1.
Victorian Fossils. 7
Fam. SPONDYLIDAE.
Genus Spondylus, Linné.
SPONDYLUS BAILEYANA, sp. nov. (Plate II., Fig. 11.)
Description.—Valves roundly to obliquely ovate; left valve de-
pressed, right valve moderately convex. Shell thinner than in S.
gaederopoides, McCoy. Hinge-line moderately long for the genus. An-
terior margin of the shell widely rounded, curving obliquely to the
ventral margin, and broadly rounded at the posterior angle. Surface
of shell ornamented with about 6 principal radii, which are more
than usually adpressed to the shell, but at intervals projecting into
sharp spines, more strongly developed towards the posterior extremity.
Smaller and almost obsolete radii between the stronger ones. Growth-
lines faint except towards the ventral margin of full-grown specimens;
never developing further than as a series of depressed lamellae. Inner
surface with the margin finely toothed. Muscle impression large,
situated close to the umbo.
Dimensions.—Type specimen, left valve. Length, 74 mm.; height,
82 mm.
Observations.—This species is clearly the ancestral form of the
living S. teneilus, Reeve,11 which is found off New South Wales and
Victoria (Western Port, Phillip Island and Portland). The fossil
specimen is fully twice the height, with more widely spaced radii
and stronger and more adpressed spines. The Kalimnan Spondylus
spondyliolcides (or arenicoia), Tate sp.,12 from the Upper beds at the
Murray Cliffs is distinguished by the more triangular shape and more
spinous character, with obliteration of the concentric lamellae.
Occurrence.—In calcareous shelly marl, Beaumaris, Port Phillip.
Collected by the late J. A. Bailey, after whom the species is named.
Also in the Dennant collection, from Rose Hill, near Bairnsdale,
and from McDonald’s, Muddy Creek (F.C.).
Age.—Kalimnan (Lower Pliocene).
Order PRIONODESMACEA (Dysodonta).
Fam. MYTILIDAE.
Genus Modiolus, Lamarck.
MopIoLUS MOORABOOLENSIS, sp., nov. (Plate III., Fig. 17.)
Description.—Shell ovate, oblique, very tumid. Umbo small, incurved;
a comparatively sharp umbonal ridge extending from beak to near the
ventral margin, where it forms a broadly convex arch at the posterior
11. Reeve, Conch. Icon., vol. ix., pl. xviii., fig 67.
12. Trans Roy. Soc., S. Australia,. vol. viii., 1886, p. 19, pl. iv., fig. 6, as
Pecten spondylioides. Renamed by Tate, 1896, in Rep. Australasian Asso--
ciation for the Advancement of Science, vol. vi., p. 318 as Spondylus areni-
cola. Although inappropriate, this earlier trivial name must stand, accord-
ing to the rules of nomenclature.
8 Frederick Chapman :
angle. Ventral flexure or sinus well-marked, thus distinguishing it
from M. adelaidensis, Tate, to which it bears some resemblance. The
posteror margin is widely rounded, and meets the ventral margin at
an obtuse angle. Surface finely wrinkled with growth striae.
Dimensions.—Height (circ.), 35 mm.; width (cire.), 29 mm.;
depth of valve, 12 mm.
Observations.—This specimen from the Moorabool Valley was at
first thought to be a mere variety of M. pueblensis, Pritchard,13 but
finding other examples in the Dennant collection from Brown’s Creek,
Otway, showing the’ same strong umbonal angulation, there is no
doubt that it is distinct. M. adelaidensis, Tate,14 also resembles this
form in some particulars, but differs in having no conspicuous sinus
on the ventral border. All the species here mentioned are confined
to the Janjukian (Miocene).
Occurrence.—Type; in hard, yellow limestone, from the Moorabool
River, near Maude. Geod. Surv. coll., W.T.M.4. Other specimens occur
at Brown’s Creek, Cape Otway (Dennant coll.).
Order TELEODESMACEA (Diogenodonta).
Fam. LUCINIDAE.
Geuus Lucina. Bruguiere.
Subgenus Copakia, Scopoli.
LucINA (CODAKIA) PLANATELLA, Tate.
Lucina planatella, Tate, 1886, Trans. R.S., South Australia,.
vol. viii., pl. xii. fig. 11 (fig. only). Iden., 1887, ibid.,
vol. ix., p. 146 (description).
Observations.—This species has hitherto been recorded only from
Table Cape. Its occurrence in the hard, yellow limestone of the
Moorabool Valley at Maude is additional evidence in favour of the
correlation of these two beds. The shell is preserved in places, show-
ing the typical ornament.
Dimensions of the present specimen.—Height, 50 mm.; width
(cire.), 48 mm. The Table Cape specimen is much smaller, measuring
33 mm. by 31 mm.
Occurrence.—Moorabool River at Maude (Geol. Surv. Vict. coll.
W.T.M.4).
Age.—Janjukian (Miocene).
Fam. DIPLODONTIDAE.
Genus Diplodonta, Bronn.
DIPLODONTA HARRISI, sp. nev. (Plate II., Fig. 12.)
Description.—Shell moderately large, subquadrate, tumid, with well-
rounded beaks, and a well-marked umbonal ridge. Anterior margin
13. Proc. R. Soc. Vict., vol. xiv., pt, i., 1901, p. 26, pl. iii, fig. XM.
14. Trans. R.S. South Australia, vol. viii. 1886, p, 123, pl. xi., fig. 3.
Victorian Fossils. 9
-jneurved beneath the beaks and transversely rounded to meet the
nearly straight ventral margin. Posterior margin subangular, meet-
ing the hinge-line in a straight upward slope. Surface with concen-
tric grooves and finer. striae between.
Dimensions.—Height, 28 mm.; width, 28 mm.; thickness of the
‘two valves, 16.5 mm.
Observations.—To some extent this species resembles the com-
‘moner and more widely distributed Diplodonta balcombensis,15 but
‘the large umbones and the strong umbonal ridge, the squarer contour
and the greater convexity all separate it from the other species.
I have much pleasure in naming this species after Mr. W. J. Harris,
-B.A., who discovered the shell,
Occurrence.—Bird Rock Cliffs, Torquay.
Age.—Janjukian (Miocene).
Class GASTEROPODA.
Order ASPIDOBRANCHIA,
Sub-order RHIPIDOGLOSSA.
Fam. TURBINIDAE.
Genus Astralium, Link.
Sub-genus IMPERATOR, Montfort.
- ASTRALIUM (IMPERATOR) HUDSONIANUM, Johnston. (Plate II., Fig. 15.)
Imperator (Astralium) imperiale (?) Johnston, 1876. Proc.
Roy. Soc., Tasmania, p. 90c.
Imperator hudsoniana, Johnston, 1888. Geol. Tasmania, pl.
xxix., figs. 12, 12a.
(?)Imperator tasmanica, Johnston, 1888. Ibid., p. 239.
Astralium (Imperator), johnstoni, Pritchard, 1896. Proc.
Roy. Soc. Vict., vol. viii. (N.S.), pp. 116-118.
Astralium (I.) hudsonianum, Johnston, sp., Chapman, 1912.
Proc.. Roy. Soc.,. Viet. vol... xxv.+(N.S;)., Bt. .odiyip. 188
and footnote 2.
Observations.—The figure given by Johnston in his Geology of
‘Tasmania, although unaccompanied by any description, renders this
form a valid species. In re-naming this form as Astralium (Imperator)
johnstoni, Dr. Pritchard gives a very full description, and adds fur-
ther Victorian localities.
The specimen before us, which we have taken the opportunity
-to figure, is from Rose Hill, Bairnsdale. It is a large and fairly well-
preserved shell, having a maximum diameter of 72 mm., with a height
of 35 mm. The characters agree almost exactly with those men-
‘tioned by Pritchard. The spiral threads are often coarse and broken
f 15. Diplodonta subquadrata, Tate. Trans. R. Soc., S. Australia, vol.
-ix., 1887, p, 147, pl. xiv., figs. 10a, b. D. balcombensis (nom. mut.), Pritchard,
Victorian Naturalist, 1906, vol. xxiii., p, 117.
10 Frederick Chapman :
up, becoming erect and bluntly spinose. These spiral threads on the:
outer, peripheral side are radiately curved, and pass into the calcarate-
portion of the shell.
An example from Table Cape, in the Dennant Collection, measuring”
24 mm. in diameter, shows a very coarse spiral ornament on the
earlier whorls of the shell. A
Occurrence.—Here noted for the first time from Rose Hill, near-
Bairnsdale (donated by F. A. Cudmore to the National Museum).
Other localities, mentioned by Dr. Pritchard are Keilor, Flemington,
and the Moorabocl Valley. Also found at Table Cape (Johnston, Den--
nant and Pritchard).
Age.—Janjukian (Miocene) :
Genus Turbo, Linné.
TURBO GRANGENSIS, Pritchard. Plate II., Figs. 13, 14.
Turbo paucigranosa, Tate, MS. in Dennant, 1888. Trans..
Roy. Soc. South Australia, vol. xi., p. 48.
Turbo hamiltonensis, Pritchard (non Harris, 1897), 1904..
Proc. Roy, Soc. , Vict., vol. xyli. (N.S.), pt. i) Bi oeee
pl. xix., fig. 4.
Turbo grangensis, Pritchard (nom, mut.), 1906. Victorian.
Naturalist, vol. xxiii., No. 6, p. 117.
Observations.—As the nomenclature of this species is rather in--
volved, it may help future workers by recording the synonymy as above.
In the Dennant Collection this particular species was labelled with
Tate’s MS. name. The most typical form there found is rather’
more depressed than Dr. Pritchard’s type, probably owing to its being”
a more youthful shell. The measurements cf this specimen are:—
Height, 24.5 mm.; greatest diameter, 30 mm. Height of mouth, 15.5-
mm. Diameter of umbilicus, 4 mm.
From the living perforated Turbos, 7. undulatus, Martyn sp.,16
and TJ. stamineus, Martyn sp.,17 it differs both in ornament and con-
tour, although distantly related. JT. wndulatus bears spiral ridges but
they are not so pronounced, and the growth striae are not so-
conspicuously developed, whilst the beaded ornament is wanting.
T. stamineus has the spiral ridges more pronounced, and the concen--
tric growth-lines are developed as strong threads.
- Occurrence.—Upper Beds at Muddy Creek and Grange Burn.
Holotype from the Dennant Collection (Upper Beds, Muddy Creek)..
Another specimen, presented by Mr. F. P. Spry, from the Grange
Burn, near Hamilton.
Kalimnan, Lower Pliocene.
16. Linvax wndulatus, Martyn, Univ. Conch, 1784, vol. i, fig. 29.
17. Limax stamineus, Martyn, ibid. 1784, vol. ii. fig. 71.
- e
Victorian Fossils. 1lF
Order CTENOBRANCHIATA.
Sub-order PLATYPODA.
Genus Xenophora, Fischer.
Fam. XENOPHORIDAE.
Sub-genus TuGuriuM, Fischer.
XENOPHORA (TUGURIUM) TATEI, Harris.
Xenophora (Tugurium) tatei, Harris, 1897. Cat. Tert. Mol-
lusea. Brit. Mus., pt. i., Australasian Tertiary Mol-
lusca, p. 254, pl. vii. figs. Ta, b.
Xenophora tatei, Harris, Hedley, 1903. Mem. Aust. Mus.,.
Mem. iv., pt. 6, p. 357.
Observations.—This species is very remarkable for its great per-
sistence in time. It first appears in the Oligocene of Muddy Creek,.
where it is of moderate dimensions. In the Janjukian, of the Murray
River Cliffs and elsewhere, it attains an enormous size. It has not
been found in the Kalimnan or Werrikooian to my knowledge, but
reappears in recent dredgings, as recorded by Hedley.
The Oligocene Specimens.—-In the Dennant Collection at the:
National Museum is a fair series of specimens from the lower beds.
at Muddy Creek. The smallest example has a diameter of 15 mm.,
whilst the largest measures 45 mm. The attached fragments on the
surface of the shell are chiefly polyzoa and Siliquariae, but the latter
may be idioparasitic; that is, growing upon the adventitious frag-
ments. Newport, Altona and Mornington are also mentioned as locali-
ties by Dennant and Kitson.18 In the National Museum collection there:
are also examples from Grice’s Creek, which have Limopsis and Dimya@
Shells attached.
Janjukian Examples.—Dennant and Kitson’s List19 includes the
following localities: Camperdown, Shelford, Lower Moorabool.
A fine example of X. tatei in the National Museum from Bird.
Rock Cliffs, presented by Mr. F. A. Cudmore, is almost entirely cov-
ered by fragments of bivalves. The same donor presented an enor-
mous specimen from the Murray River Cliffs, a quarter of a mile above
Morgan (lowest bed).—See wall-case, Australian Fossil Gallery, Nat.
Mus. This megalomorph shows that the Janjukian fauna was at its acme
of development at this phase, and dwindled down in size to the present
day to the same extent as when it existed in Oligocene times. The Murray
River specimen, which is a cast and mould with fragmental covering,
measures 115 mm. in diameter between the extreme surfaces of the
mould. The internal cast is 98 mm. in diameter. The height of the
shell was approximately 70 mm. The entire shell with encrusting
fragments (small oysters) measures 22 cm.
18, Rec. Geol. Surv. Vict., vol. i., pt. ii., 1903, p. 113.
227. Op: cit., p. 113,
12 Frederick Chapman :
Recent Example.—The recent record of dredged specimens from
New South Wales by Hedley2° is of great interest to the student of
persistent types. The localities given are: 63-75 fathoms off Port
Kembla; 54-59 fathoms off Wata Mooli; 100 fathoms, 16 miles E. of
‘Wollongong.
Hedley states that it ‘‘ corresponds with actual fossil shells from
Muddy Creek, with which I have compared it.’’ One example was 30
mm. in diameter, and apparently half-grown.
Fam. CYPRAEIDAE.
Genus Cypraea, Linné.
CYPRAEA SIPHONATA, sp. nov. (Plate III., Fig. 16.)
Description.—Based on cast of shell. Body whorl inflated, sub-
globular pyriform; spire not exsert, rather depressed. Anterior pro-
longation of aperture very extended, nearly as long as the body whorl,
produced in a straight line in the plane of the shell base (apertural
surface); posterior canal produced as in Cypraea sphaerodoma, Tate.
Dimensions.—Length of body whorl without prolongations, 61
mm.; width of body whorl, 61 mm.; height, 50 mm.; length of anterior
prolongation, 56 mm.
Observations.—This shell, here represented by a _ well-preserved
and complete cast, is of the type of Tate’s C. sphaerodoma.21 The
remarkable and extensive anterior channel merits specific distinction.
The longest anterior extension in C. sphaerodoma is, so far as I have
seen, never more than one-fourth the length of the body whorl, and
is always obtorted, never in a plane with the base.
Occurrence.—Tertiary (Janjukian). Below Overland Corner (left
bank), and second cliff showing strata, below Waikerie, Murray River,
South Australia. From the upper part of the cliff below the Kalimnan
beds. Pres. and collected by Mr. F. A. Cudmore.
Genus Erato, Risso.
ERATO OBESULA, Sp. nov. (Plate III., Fig. 18.)
Description.—Shell rather small, subrotund, spire small and de-
pressed. Body whorl inflated. Outer lip thick, smooth, inner lip with
one strong, curved plait. Aperture subcrescentic, moderately wide,
canaliculate anteriorly. Surface polished, with faint folds in the line
of growth.
Dimensions.—Length, 4.8 mm. Width, 4.25 mm.
Observations.—This species is by far the broadest shelled Hrato
from the Victorian Tertiaries. Its striking shape and smooth outer
lip separate it from all previously described Eratos from this part
20. Mem. Austr. Mus.,~Mem. iv., pt. 6, 1903, p. 357.
21. Trans. R. Soc. S. Australia, vol. xiii, 1890, p. 209. Also vol. xiii.
supplement, 1892, pl. viii. fig 5.
Victorian Fossils. 13:
of the world. From £E. morningtonensis, Tate,22 it differs in its greater
width and depressed spire, whilst the outer lip is smooth, unlike
that of EZ. morningtonensis, which is crenulated, and with the inner
lip plaited. In its tumid form, E£. pyrulata, Tate, approaches the
present species, but differs in having a crenulated lip, and more
exsert spire.
Occurrence.—In the blue clay of Balcombe Bay, Mornington.
Found and presented by Mr. J. H. Gatliff. Baicombian (Oligocene).
Fam. MURICIDAE.
Genus Murex, Linné.
Sub-genus Mouricimrea, Swainson,
Murex (MURICIDEA) GATLIFFI, sp. nov. (Plate III., Fig. 19.)
Description.—Shell of medium size, turrited, and with a short canal.
Spire elevated, apical angle 36°, longer than the body whorl, con-.
sisting of six turns besides the protoconch. Suture deeply impressed,
whorls rounded, subangulate below the middle, with costate varices.
often becoming lamellose or scaly, about 10 on body whorl. Costae
crossed by fine rounded spiral threads, about 10 on the penultimate.
whorl, and 26 on the body whorl with even finer intermediate ones;
one on the angulation much thicker and prominent. The entire sur-
face crossed with fine varicial lines passing over the spiral and coarser’
threads. Aperture roundly pyriform, with a nearly straight canal.
Inner lip having a thin callus and a single columellar fold about
midway in the aperture; outer lip thin, smooth. Protoconch small,
consisting of one and a half turns, the initial portion obtuse.
Dimensions.—Height, 26 mm.; length of body whorl, to end of.
canal, 16 mm.; width of body whorl, 14 mm.; greatest width of aper--
ture from inner lip, 7 mm.
Observations.—The above species is not unlike some living
Trophons in general outline,24 but the tendency to form lamellose:
varices and its decided affinity both to Murex asperulus, Tate,25-
and M. camplytropis, Tate,26 makes its generic position clear. From
both the forms mentioned, M. gatliffi differs in the greater number of
costae and in the shape of the protoconch; whilst M. asperulus has 2@.
larger and more twisted canal and less extended spire. M. camply-
tropis differs in having a heavier shell, denticulate outer lip and.
pseudo-umbilicus.
Occurrence.—In the blue clay of Balcombe Bay, Mornington. Bal--
22. Ibid., wol xiii., 1890, p. 217.
sa. id. vol. xiii:, p. 216, pl. xiili., fig d2;
24. In making comparisons with living genera and species, I have-
been materially assisted by Mr. C. J. Gabriel, to whom by best thanks are-
due.
Zo Trans. R. Soc. S.. Australia, vol. x.:, 1888, p. 106, pl, fil, fig. 1.
ieaevia «=p. 105, pli, fig 2:
14 Frederick Chapman:
combian (Oligocene). Collected and presented by Mr. J. H. Gatliff;
named in recognition cf his valuable work in Victorian conchology.
Fam. FUSIDAE.
Genus Fusinus, Rafinesque.
FUSINUS YOUNGI, sp. nov. (Plate III., Fig. 20.)
Description.—Shell long, fusiform. Spire turrited; apical angle
17°. Protcconch smooth, globular at apex, of two turns. Whorls
angulate, upper and lower faces flat or slightly concave; shoulders
‘carinate, with about 10 sharp almost spinose and flattened tubercles
on each whorl. Ornamented with numerous, closely set, spiral lirae,
‘interrupted on the siphonate part of the body whorl. Lirae crossed by
numerous fine vertical threads, forming a delicate mesh-ornament.
Aperture narrowly ovate. Canal long, inner lip smooth, outer thin.
Dimensions.—Length, 27 mm; greatest width of body whorl, 7
mm.; length of spire, above body whorl, 12.5 mm.; width of aper-
‘ture, 2 mm.
Observations.—The original specimen (holotype) was found at
Curlewis, and in the Dennant Collection there is a specimen from the
‘same locality, and also others from Shelford and Belmont not quite
‘so elevated in the spire, but clearly referable to the same species.
There is no other form quite related to this in the Victorian Ter-
‘tiaries. From the New Zealand Tertiary, Suter has described27 a
Fusinus (F. climacotus) from the Oamaru Series of Enfield, which ap-
proaches the above species, but differs in the more numerous shoulder
tubercles and coarser vertical growth-lines.
Occurrence.—Janjukian (Miocene), Curlewis. Collected and pre-
sented by the late Mr. J. Hay Young of Meredith. Also found at Bel-
‘mont, Curlewis and Shelford by J. Dennant (Dennant coll.).
Genus Solutofusus, Pritchard.
SoLUTOFUSUS CURLEWISENSIS, sp. nov. (Plate III., Fig. 21.)
Description.—Shell turrited, very attenuate. Whorls convex,
slightly fluted vertically. Sutures deeply incised or canaliculate, par-
tially separating the whorls. Aperture elongate, pyriform, with a long,
slightly twisted canal, rather less than one third the length of the
shell; inner lip thinly callused, outer lip fairly thick and transversely
‘costate on the inside. Ornament of sharp lirae, with grooved inter-
spaces, and a median thread; crossed by numerous vertical threads.
Protoconch finely scaly, cylindrical, apically flattened of two and a
half whorls. Neanic stage of shell with nearly obsolete costae, later
whorls becoming evenly convex.
Dimensions.—Length, 56 mm.; width of body whorl, 13 mm.;
height of protoconch, 2.5 mm.
27. Palaeontological Bulletin, No. 5, New Zealand Geological Survey,
19t7.. Dp; 2k, Dis I, fie 22.
a
Victorian Fossils. 15
Observations.—The separation of the whorls in this species is
‘not so pronounced as in the genotype, Solutofusus carinatus,
Pritchard,28 but this character is too decided in the present form for
its inclusion in Fusinus (formerly Fusus, pars). The slightly tuber-
culate costae of the earlier stage of the shell is suggestive of Tate’s
Fusus hexagonalis,29 but the rounded later whorls and their canalicu-
lation easily separates the two forms. It is worth noting that Soluto-
fusus carinatus and Fusus (Fusinus) hexagonalis, Tate, agree in hav-
ing an exsert protoconch, whilst the present species has the apex
flattened; so that that feature does not seem to be constant in Soluto-
jusus.
Occurrence.—Janjukian (Miocene). Curlewis, near Geelong. Col-
lected and presented by the late Mr. J. H. Young. There is a related
specimen with ornament closer to Fusinus hexagonalis, but with
canaliculate sutures, in the Dennant collection, from Shelford.
Fam. VOLUTIDAE.
Genus Lyria, Gray.
LyRIA ACUTICOSTATA, Chapman. (Plate III, Figs. 22, 23.)
Lyria acuticostata, Chapman, 1920. Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict.,
vo... xxi (N.S:y. pt it, p. 241,
Observations._-Since the above-mentioned description was
‘written, I have been able to identify some smaller and rather rare
shells of the genus from the Balcombian, with the larger and better
developed Miccene forms. These smaller forms have all the essen-
tial characters of the Ooldea and Torquay fossils, but are thinner in
build, though otherwise typical; they are therefore included here
under the same trivial name, and may be regarded as ancestral and
deep water forms (of Balcombian age), of the Ooldea shells (of the
Janjukian).
Dimensions.—Length of a full-grown Balcombian shell (from
Balcombe Bay), 23 mm. Length of a shell from Torquay, 42 mm.
Length of a Janjukian shell from Ooldea, circ. 60 mm.
Occurrence.—Balcombian (Oligocene). Balcombe Bay and Grice’s
Creek, Port Phillip. Janjukian (Miocene), Bird Rock Cliffs, Torquay,
Victoria; and Ooldea, South Austrilia.
Genus Voluta, Linné.
Sub-genus AULICA, Gray.
VoLUTA (AULICA) SEXUAPLICATA, Sp. nov. (Plate III., Fig. 24.)
Description.—Shell long-ovate with hemispherical protoconch of
two and a half turns, moderately large and turbinoid. Apical angle
of shell 33°; consisting of four depressed convex whorls, with im-
28. Proc. Roy, Soc. Vict., vol. xi., pt. i., 1898, p. 102, pl. vii. figs. 1, la, 2.
29. Trans. Roy, Soc. S. Australia. vol. x., 1888, p. 139, pl. iii., figs. 15a, b.
16 Frederick Chapman :
pressed sutures. Outer lip not so extensive as in V. ellipsoidea, with.
a straight margin rather than convex; inner lip with a thin callus-
and six plaits, of which the anterior is oblique, and just within the:
entrance to the canal, the second, third and fourth slightly oblique:
and evenly spaced, the fifth and sixth smaller and close together
beyond the second third of the inner lip margin. Surface nearly
smooth, covered with fine indistinct striae, both spiral and vertical.
Dimensions.—Length, 72 mm. (body whorl, 46 mm.; spire, 26:
mm.). Width of body whorl, 23.5 mm. Height of protoconch, 4 mm.
Relationships.—The nearest species to which the above form is-
related is V. ellipsoidea, Tate.30 It differs, however, in the depressed
convexity of the whorls, the compression of the outer lip, the nar-
rower protoconch, the more oblique sutures, and the absence of
lirae. Besides these differences, V. sexuaplicata has the two extra.
plicae on the inner columellar lip.
Occurence.—Voluta (Aulica) sexuaplicata is represented by a.
well-preserved example from the Balcombian (Oligocene) of Clifton.
Bank, Muddy Creek, presented by Mr. G. P. Tait.
Fam. CANCELLARIIDAE.
Genus Cancellaria, Lamarck.
CANCELLARIA TORQUAYENSIS, sp. nov. (Plate III., Fig. 25.)
Description.—Shell bucciniform, stout, with a small roumded
protoconch of two turns, and five moderately convex whorls. The:
ephebic and neanic stages have rather flattened whorls, ornamented
with well marked spiral striae, vertically lineated. Penultimate and
body whorl inflated, with about 15 rounded costae; both these and
the interspaces transversely grooved with deeply incised lines.
Dimensions.—Height, 23 mm.; width of body whorl, 15 mm.;
height of body whorl, 14.5 mm.
Observations.—This shell is of the type of Cancellaria australis3t
in the costate and spirally grooved ornament. The spire in C. tor-
quayensis is more elongated and the costation is not seen until the
fourth whorl.
Occurrence.—Janjukian (Miocene). Bird Rock Cliffs, Torquay.
Collected and presented by Mr. F. A. Cudmore.
CORRIGENDA.
New or Little-known Victorian Fossils, part xxv., Proc. Roy. Soc.
Vict., vol. xxiii. (N.S.), 1921.
P. 224, eighth line from the bottom—for ‘ Aveolites” read
** Alveolites.”’
30. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Australia, vol, x., 1888, p. 176, pl. xiii. fig. 4%
anda.vol. xi., 1889, p. 127.
31. Cancellaria australis, Sowerby. Conch. Illustr., 1841, fig. 23.
Thesaurus Conch., vol. ii., p. 442, pl. xcv., figs. 72, 73.
Victorian Fossils. 17
Also plate ix. title—for ‘‘ Michelina’’ read ‘‘ Michelinia.’’
Plate x. title—for ‘‘ Michelina,’’ read ‘‘ Michelinia,’’ and for
‘“‘Romingera,” read ‘‘ Romingeria.”’
EXPLANATION OF PLATES.
Prater. 1.
Fig. 1—Ostrea ingens, Zittel. Interior of left or lower valve. Miocene
(Janjukian), Waurn Ponds, Geelong, Mulder coll., cire.
two-thirds natural size.
2.—O. ingens, Zittel. Exterior of same specimen. Circ. two-thirds
natural size.
3.—Neotrigonia bednalli, Verco var. Left valve. Lower Plio-
cene (Kalimnan). Macdonald’s, Muddy Creek, Pres. J. H.
Young. Slightly enlarged.
» 4—Plicatula youngi, sp. nov. Exterior of right valve. Oligo-
cene (Balcombian). Clifton Bank, Muddy Creek. Coll. J.
H. Young. Slightly enlarged.
» 5b—P. youngi, sp. nov. Interior of right valve of same speci-
men. Slightly enlarged.
» 6—Plicatula dennanti, sp. nov. Exterior of right valve. Oli-
gocene (Balcombian), Lower Beds, Muddy Creek. Coll. by
J. Dennant. Slightly enlarged.
» t—P. dennanti, sp. nov. Interior of a left valve. Oligocene
(Balcombian), Lower Beds, Muddy Creek. Coll. J. Dennant.
Slightly enlarged. -
» 8—Plicatula brevispina, sp. nov. Exterior of right valve, Oligo-
cene (Balcombian), Lower Beds, Muddy Creek. Coll. J.
Dennant. Slightly enlarged.
PLATE II.
Fig. 9—Hinnites mulderi, sp. nov. Left valve. Miocene (Jan-
jukian). Batesford, near Geelong. Pres. J. F. Mulder.
Nat. size.
10.—H. mulderi, sp. nov. Interior of left valve of same specimen.
Nat. size.
» 11—Spondyius baileyana, sp. nov. Left valve. Lower Pliocene
(Kalimnan), Beaumaris, Port Phillip. J. F. Bailley coll.
Nine-elevenths nat. size.
» 12.—Diplodonta harrisi, sp. nov. Left valve. Miocene (Jan-
jukian), Torquay, near Geelong. Pres. by W. J. Harris. Nat.
size.
» 13—Turbo grangensis, Pritchard. Umbilical aspect. Lower
Pliocene (Kalimnan). Grange Burn, near Hamilton. Den-
nant coll. Slightly enlarged.
» 14—T. grangensis, Pritchard. Same specimen, lateral view.
Dennant coll. Slightly enlarged.
» 15.—Astralium (Imperator) hudsonianum, Johnston. Miocene
(Janjukian). Mose Hill, near Bairnsdale. Pres. F. A. Cud-
more. Slightly enlarged.
18
Fig.
93
39
3?
9?
99
33
2)
Frederick Chapman: Victorian Fossils.
PLATE III.
16.—Cypraea siphonata, sp. nov. Cast of shell in matrix. Mio-
cene (Janjukian). Murray River Cliffs, South Australia.
Presented by F. A. Cudmore. Circ..nine-tenths nat. size.
17.—Modiolus mooraboolensis, sp. nov. Right valve. Miocene
(Janjukian), Mooraboo] River, near Maude. Coll. Geol. Surv.
Vict. Five-eighths nat. size.
18.—Erato ovesula, sp. nov. Oligocene (Balcombian). Balcombe
Bay, Port Phillip. Pres. by J. H. Gatliff. Enlarged slightly
more than four-thirds.
19—Murex (Muricidea) gatlifi, sp. nov. Oligocene (Balcom-
bian), Balcombe Bay. Pres. J. H. Gatliff. Slightly en-
larged.
20.—Fusinus youngi, sp. nov. Miocene (Janjukian). Curlewis,
near Geelong. Pres. J. H. Young. Enlarged nearly twice
nat. size.
21.—Solutofusus curlewisensis, sp. nov. Miocene (Janjukian).
Curlewis. Pres. J. H. Young. Enlarged seven-sixths nat. size.
22.—-Lyria acuticostata, Chapman. Megamorphic example. Mio-
cene (Janjukian). Torquay, near Geelong. Dennant coll.
Nat. size.
23—L. acuticostata, Chapman. Micromorphic example. Oligo-
cene (Baicombian). Balcombe Bay. Nat. size.
24.—Voluta sexuaplicata, sp. nov. ‘Oligocene (Balcombian).
Clifton Bank, Muddy Creek. Pres. G. P. Tait. Nat. size.
25.—Cancellaria torquayensis, sp. nov. Miccene (Janjukian).
Bird Rock Cliffs, Torquay. Pres. F. A. Cudmore. Slightly
enlarged.
}
:
Proc. R.S. Victoria, 1922. Plate TI.
F.C. ad nat. del.
Ostrea, Neotrigonia, Plicatula: Tertiary.
4
i
.
ee ee
“fy ‘
ad nat. del.
F.C.
iary,
, Turbo: Terti
um
Astral
oc
Pe)
=
oO
mo}
(2)
(om
Spondylus, D
innites,
H
de ae pet a Bie Ba ha Fn hk Se Peeling 5 emt hacen mm ta ne Seb ce en at te
Proc. R.S. Victoria. Plate III,
F.C, ad nat. del.
Cyprza, Modiolus, Erato, Murex, Fusinus, Solutofusus, Lyria, Voluta,
Cancellaria: Tertiary.
Proc. Ror. Soc. Vicroria 35 (N.S.), Pr. I., 1922.]
Arr. Il.—On Coprosma Buaueri, E'ndlicher.
By JOHN SHIRLEY, D.Sc., and C. A. LAMBERT.
(With Plate IV.)
[Read 20th April, 1922.]
1. The Genus.
Coprosma is a genus of Rubiacez, comprising some 60 species,
whose headquarters are in New Zealand. The Dominion and its de-
pendencies possess 39 of these species(1), Australia five(2), and the re-
maining units extend northward to New Guinea and Borneo, and
westward to the Sandwich Islands and Juan Fernandez, near the
Pacific coast of South America. The New Zealand species form dense
thickets, both in lowland forests and in woods to heights of 6000
feet. They vary very much in mode of growth and foliage at dif-
ferent periods of their life history. Many Coprosmas have the aspect
of desert plants, as have also New Zealand species of Pennantia,
Hoheria and Plagianthus, and are consequently termed xerophytes.
These show great range of variability in their leaves; the seedling
and mature stages possessing larger leaves than the intermediate
one. This xerophytic habit, so strongly represented in the flora
of a temperate, well watered group. of islands, has been a fertile source
of discussion by biologists and geologists. Hutton(3) asserts that
during the Pliocene period the Southern Alps were much higher than
now, and that such groups as the Chatham and Auckland Islands
were part of the New Zealand mainland. The plains east of the
main ridge were arid and wind-swept, with warm summers, and very
_ cold winters. Dr. L. Cockayne(4) explains that the seedling stage of
these plants of xerophytic aspect, and with an alternation of leaf
forms, represents the ancestral plant before the Pliocene desiccation;
the intermediate foliage represents the plant of Pliocene New Zea-
land; and the larger leaves of the mature form are the response to
present conditions. Two erect species with large coriaceous shining
leaves are commonly cultivated in public and private gardens through-
out Australia—C. Baueri, Endl., and C. lucida, Forst.
2. Previous workers.
Cheeseman(5), in an article on ‘‘New Zealand Species of
Coprosma,”’ refers to the curious little pits that exist on the under
surface of the leaves of these plants, states that they are often in-
habited by a tiny yellow acarid, but confesses that he is unable to
‘guess as to their function.
Dr. A. N. Lundstrom (6) applied to the pits the name domatia,
and decided that they were of use to the plant as the home of com-
mensals, living in symbiosis with it. Mr. Alexander Hamilton (7)
1 The numbers refer to works consulted, shown in the Bibliography at the end of the paper
3A
20 Shirley and Lambert :
gave a general review of these curious leaf organs, dealing especi-
ally with the histology of the leaf of Pennantia Cunninghamii,
Miers, and figuring a hair from the pit of Coprosma lucida, Forst.
Both of these writers(6, 7) lay much stress-on the use of the pits
as a habitation for Acarina, though Hamilton acknowledges that as
often as not the pits were found without guests. Where mites were
numerous he found the walls of the cavities damaged, showing brown-
ish patches and bright crimson cells. It is remarkable that the
kaikomako or New Zealand Pennantia is in its young state a shrub,
whose flexuous interlacing branches and small distant sessile leaves.
give it the aspect of a xerophyte; while in its mature stage it is a
tree, 20 to 30 feet high, with stalked glossy leaves two inches in
length. A very important paper on the Coprosma leaf pits is that by
Miss N. A. R. Greensill(&8), dealing with the minute structure of the
leaves of ten New Zealand species, and reviewing all work on the
subject to date. Miss Greensill utterly failed to find insect guests
in the so-called domatia, either in species cultivated in gardens and.
public parks, or in those growing under natural conditions; she found
some pits in an unhealthy state with brown patches and crimson-
coloured cells, but traced these changes to attacks of fungi. Miss
Greensill favours the view that the pits absorb moisture. Mr. Nathan
Banks(9) figures three structures in leaves caused by Acarina, which
he terms dimple gall, capsule gall, and pouch gall respectively, caused
by mites Hriophyes pyri. The pear-leaf blister mite is found in Aus--
tralia.
3. Histology.
I. Leaf Structure of C. Baueri.
The pits lie on each side of the midvein, at junctions with
primary veins, and vary in number from four to nine; those in the
lower part of the leaf are often immature and closed, when the upper
ones are Mature and open. Very rarely are they found on the prim--
ary veins; and in each case noted this abnormal position was limited
to a single pit. In transverse section, (fig. 1), the leaf shows am
upper epidermis of three layers. The first is constructed of small
ovate cells, with their longitudinal axis parallel to the surface, ir-
regular in size, the longest about 31 pe This layer is clothed ex-
ternally by cutin measuring one-half to one-third the transverse:
diameter of a cell. The units of the second layer show no cell con-
tents, and are polygonal in outline; their greatest diameter is 65,,
The third layer is composed of cells (fig. 2) showing transition
forms between those of the second layer and palisade cells, the:
shape is rhomboidal or rhombo-polygonal, and the long axis is at
right angles to the surface, the greatest length is 33,,. Palisade cells.
proper are in three rows, slender in outline, 54 long, three or four
abutting on each pair of third rank epidermal cells. The spongy
parenchyma (fig. 1), shows cells of various outlines—oval, globu-
lar, dumb-bell shaped, etc., seldom exceeding 35, in diameter. The
intercellular spaces between them are very small; with the excep--
tion of those near a pit they communicate by numerous small stomata:
Coprosma Baueri. 21
with the outer air. Stomata are of usual type, surrounded by the
ordinary epidermal cells, which have not the wavy outline common
to their class. The lower epidermis is of a single layer of minute
rounded-oval cells, raised into short bluntly conical points on their
free surfaces (fig. 3). Numerous unicellular hairs coat this lower
leaf surface, most of which spring from an inflated base (fig. 3), and
sometimes from a pear-shaped cell, larger than the epidermal cells
among which it is inserted.
IP’ Tre Leas Pitse (Pig?
In transverse section the pits present various irregular shapes,
and widen rapidly from their openings. In common with other por-
tions of the lower epidermis, these pits are beset with numerous
unicellular nucleated and non-nucleated hairs. Each pit is lined
with epidermal cells, clothed outwardly with cutin, and set with
the longitudinal axis at right angles to the surface. Though the
spaces in the spongy parenchyma may only be separated from the
outer air by two layers of cells, no stomata have been found in these
depressions.
WIL, Phe- Veings., (Hig.4:)
In transverse section the midrib presents an upper epidermis of
a single layer of cells, resembling those of the outer layer in the
blade. Beneath this is a mass of cortical cells, most thickly de-
veloped on the lower surface, and enclosing a vascular bundle, of
which the xylem elements form the upper, and the phloem elements
the lower, portion of the bundle, as is usual in dicotyledonous leaves.
A well marked pericycle surrounds the whole, its cells blending into
the mass of cortical cells on the upper margin. In smaller veins
the bundle sheath is formed of large cells, whose outer walls are
considerably thickened, and when the vein is cut at right angles the
sheath resembles a minute necklace. The vessels of the xylem are
mainly spirally strengthened, and those of the protoxylem are ex-
ceedingly slender and delicate.
IV. The Stem. .(Figs. 5 and 6.)
In transverse section, fig. 5, the stem is peculiar for the depth
of the bast layer, and for the way in which it gradually merges into
the phelloderm of the cortex. The only difference in transverse sec-
tion between phloem and phelloderm is the direction of the longi-
tudinal axis in their cells, in the former running radially, in the
latter circumferentially. The phellogen shows clearly, and there is
a layer of empty cells below the dead cork.
In longitudinal section, (fig. 6),the elements of bast and wood are
particularly interesting, especially in reference to the xylem and phloem
parenchyma, which are very well represented. The wood parenchyma is
exactly of the type illustrated by Strasburger(11), as are also the
tracheides, with narrow oblique bordered pits, figured by that author
under the term fibre tracheides. In tangential section the medullary rays
22 Shirley and Lambert -
are three to four cells thick, the elements unequal in size, and arranged
in oblique series. The cells are evidently of two types, the outer ones
showing circular bordered pits, which in the inner cells are absent.
4. The Functions of the Pits.
My colleague, C.A.L., examined a large number of leaves in Mel-
bourne gardens, and in no case found insect guests inhabiting the
pits; an examination of plants in the Sydney Botanic Gardens in
January, 1921, and in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens in October, 1921,
also gave negative results. Miss Greensill reports similarly of her
experience of New Zealand species of Coprosma. This seems to dis-
pose of Lundstriém’s theory that the pits are the homes of commensals.
To test whether these pores are sources of a supply of moisture to
the leaf, similar to those figured by Kerner and Oliver(12) the pits
on healthy leaves, still attached to the plant, were filled by C.A.L.
‘with a quickly drying varnish, and flourished as well as ever, prov-
ing that absorption through the pores is no necessary function. It
has already been stated that the pits do not contain stomata, and
that these organs are minute in size, and numerously spread over the
surface of the lower epidermis. After exhausting the aids of the
microscope and of experiment, our conclusion is that the pores were
formerly of assistance to the plant when under xerophytic conditions,
and that in the Miocene age of continental New Zealand, the stomata
were confined to them, as in the leaves of many of our Hakeas, but
that with modern and more humid conditions, the leaves have
developed stomata on their lower epidermis, and the pits are now
useless to the plant, having only an interest to the teleologist.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV.
Fig. 1—Transverse section of leaf.
e. Pit.
f. Midrib.
Fig. 2—a. Epidermis and cutin.
b. Epidermal cells of second layer.
c. Palisade cells.
Fig. 3—Epidermis, underside of leaf.
Fig. 4—Upper epidermis, surface.
Fig. 5—Transverse section of young twig.
Fig. 6—Tangential section.
a. Medullary rays.
b. Fibre tracheids.
c. Trachea.
Fig. 7—Basal membrane of pit.
Fig. 8—Nucleated hair from base of pit.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
i Cheeseman, T. F.—Manual of the New Zealand Flora, 1906, p. 243.
2. Bentham—Flora Australiensis, Vol. III., pp. 429-30.
Proce. R.S. Victoria, 1922. Plate IV.
11.
12.
Coprosma Bauert. 23
. Hutton, Captain—Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, Vol.
XXXITI., p. 182.
. Cockayne, Dr. L.—Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,
Vol. XXXII. p. 277:
Cheeseman, T. F.—Loc. cit., Vol., XIX., 1886, p. 221.
Lundstisém, Dr. A. N.—On Domatia, Nov. Arch. R. Soc. Scient.
Upsala., XIII., 1887, pp. 1-72, 4 plates.
Hamilton, Alexander—Cn Domatia in certain Australian and
other plants, Proc. Lin. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. 21, 1896, pp. 758-792,
Pi. T.¥5L.
Greensill, Miss N. A. R.—Trans. N.Z. Inst., XXXV., 1902, pp. 342-
355. Plates 41-44.
Banks, Nathan—Report No. 108, United States Department of
Agriculture, p. 135.
Trimen, H.—Handbook of the Flora of Ceylon, pp. 328, 336, 354,
357, 359, 360, 362 and, 369.
Strasburger, Ed.—Handbook of Botany, 1908, p. 137.
Kerner and Cliver-—Natural History of Plants, Vol. I., p. 231.
[Proc. Roy. Soc. Vicroria, 35 (N.S.), Pr. I., 1922.]
Art. III.—Description of a New Victorian Helichrysum.
By H. B. WILLIAMSON, F.L.S.
(With Plate V.)
[Read 20th April, 1922.]
Helichrysum Gatesii, n-sp.
Fruticulus humilis circiter 15 cm. altus, caulibus saepe occum-
bentibus rarius ramosis adpresse albolanatis, foliis alternis,
subamplexicaulibus oblanceolatis vel linearibus subtus dense supra
sparse albo-lanatis margine paulo recurvatis undulatisque 2-4 cm.
longis 0.5-1 cm. latis, capitulis solitariis caules superne dissite foliatos
terminantibus campanulatis circiter 1 cm. longis latisque, involucri
bracteis numerosis plerumque longo-linearibus scariosis stramineis
rugulosis ad apicem tenuibus ciliolatis aureis ruginosis subpatentibus,
exterioribus brevioribus omnibus praeter intimas longe lanatis in-
volucram vix superantibus, pappi setis circiter 20 inferne sparse bar-
bellatis superne breviter plumosis, floribus foemineis paucis peri-
phericis circiter 12 pappi setis instructis, acheniis glabris erostribus
1.5 mm. longis, pappi setis 6 mm. longis.
On hard dry ground on hillsides, Lorne, Vic. Rev: A. C. F.
Gates, Dec. 7th, 1921. Flowering December to April.
A plant about 15 cm. high, with the habit and general aspect of
Leptorrhynchus Waitzia or L. pulchellus, with alternate leaves, and
with stems and the under side of the leaves woolly white. Flower
heads solitary on rather long stems, with distant leafy bracts towards
the flower heads. Involucral bracts not expanding into a ray, the
outer ones shorter, and all embedded in cottony wool growing from
their edges, wrinkled, and with light golden ciliate tips. Florets
scarcely exceeding the involucre, with about 20 pappus bristlets ex-
cepting the few female florets which have about 12. All pappus
bristlets sparsely barbellate below, shortly plumose at the summit.
Achenes glabrous, not beaked.
Reference to page 612, vol. iii, Fl. Aust., will indicate the diffi-
culty encountered in assigning a place to this plant. The bracts,
consisting of woolly-edged linear claws point to Ixiolaena, but the
numerous pappus bristlets plumose at the summit keep it out of that
genus. It is here placed out of Leptorrhynchus on account of the
shortness of the florets, and the absence of distinct upward narrowing
of the achenes. It approaches near to Helichrysum ambiguum, Turcz.
(Leptorrhynchus, Bth.), but that species has female florets with
few or no pappus bristlets, and a very different involucre. From
H. rutidolepis it.is distinguished by having all flowers provided with
at least 12 pappus bristlets, and by the short ciliate wrinkled laminae
of the bracts.
Proc. R.S. Victoria, 1922. Plate V.
Yi}
/
WZ
= ~
Description of a New Victorian Helichrysum. 25
It may be considered as forming a link between sections Oxylepis
and Chrysocephalum, and is placed next to H. podolepideum, its near-
est affinity. That species (from Central Australia), has rather
larger flower heads, with longer, and almost entire scarious tips to
the bracts, stouter, shorter and almost bractless peduncles, leaves
obovate and thick, which are densely clothed on both sides with a
cottony wool, and resemble one of the forms of H. apiculatum,
It is rather strange that this plant has apparently never been
sent to the National Herbarium, for it is not rare in the locality
from which it is received. T am indebted to the Government Botanist,
and to the officers of the Herbarium for the privilege of searching
for and comparing material.
EXPLANA'TION OF PLATE YV.
Fig. a—Bisexual floret.
» b—Female floret flower.
eC; @, 6 f— bracts.
[Proc. Roy. Soc. Vicrorra, 35 (N.S.), Pr. L, 1922. ]
Arr. 1V.—Studies in Australian Lepidoptera.
By A. JEFFERIS TURNER, M.D., F.ES.
[Read 20th April, 1922.]
In this paper I have described a number of species from three
localities, omitting the Geometrites, which are included in another
publication.
(1) From a collection made by Mr. J. A. Kershaw on the Claudie
River, in the Cape York Peninsula. This river, which is not marked
in most maps, flows into Lloyd Bay to the north of Cape Direction,
at about latitude 13°S. The area chiefly collected over was situated.
from seven to ten miles inland, and consisted of both open forest.
and dense tropical rainforest.
(2) A collection made in Tasmania by Mr. G. H. Hardy.
(3) Species captured by myself in the luxuriant rainforest and
ferntree gullies of the Queensland National Park in the MacIntyre
Range, at an altitude of 2000 to 4000 feet.
I have also taken this opportunity of completing and correct-
ing my former revisions of five of the smaller families, the
Syntomidae, Uraniadae, Epiplemidae, Thyrididae, and Aegeriadae,
and have added a revision of the Tineodidae. A few new forms, of
which it appears desirable to publish the descriptions, belonging to
other groups, have been also included.
Fam. SYNTOMIDAE.
Since the publication of my revision (Proc. Lin. Soc., 1904,
N.S.W., p. 834), I have described one new species (Syntomis
phaeochyta, ib. 1906, p. 678), and I have now several more.
CERYX AFFINIS.
Ceryx affinis, Roths., Nov. Zool., 1910, p. 429, and 1911, pl.
iii., fig. 15. Hmps., Cat. Lep. Phal. Suppl. i., p. 4.
I have not seen this species. It should be recognisable by the
orange abdominal rings being interrupted on dorsum except on pen-
ultimate segment.
N.Q., Kuranda, near Cairns (Dodd). Also from New Guinea.
CERYX RHYSOPTILA, N. SD.
g 25-30 mm. Head blackish; face and back of crown orange-
yellow. Palpi yellow. Antennae blackish; in g simple, minutely
ciliated. Thorax black; tegulae and patagia orange-yellow. Ab-
domen black with six orange-yellow rings; tuft black. Legs blackish;
femora and tibiae suffused with yellowish on inner surface; anterior
tibiae and tarsi thickened with rough scales, yellow on inner sur-
Studies in Austrulian Lepidoptera. 27
face. Forewings narrow; black with hyaline colourless spots; am
elongate-triangular spot in cell; a larger spot between this and
dorsum, extended towards base and tornus; an elongate-oval, un-:
divided subapical spot; a circular supratornal spot, nearly equally
divided; cilia black. Hindwings small, somewhat shrivelled, termen.
indented above tornus; black, an irregular orange-yellow basal spot,,.
with a rounded median projection, cilia black.
N.Q., Evelyn Scrub, near Herberton, in November and December;.
two specimens received from Mr. F. P. Dodd.
SYNTOMIS XANTHOSOMA.
Amata tunneyi, Roths., Nov. Zool., 1910, p. 431, and 1911,
Pl. iii., fig. 44. Hmps., Cat. Lep. Phal. Suppl. i., p. 14,.
is a synonym.
N.W.A., Derby; two examples taken by Mr. W. D. Dodd received.
from the South Australian Museum.
SYNTOMIS PACTOLINA.
Q., Brisbane, in October; one specimen differing from the type
in the distal spot of the hindwing being smaller and separated for
the most part from proximal spot, confluent only beneath costa.
SYNTOMIS AMOENARIA.
Syntomis amoenaria, Swin., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), ix.,
p. 418 (1902). Hmps., 1.¢., p. 20.
I have not seen this species.
N.W.A., Roeburne.
SYNTOMIS PYROCOMA.
Hampson records this as cingulata, Butl., but that name is pre—
| occupied in the genus (Weber, 1801). I am not sure that melitospila,
Turn., is more than a local race of this species.
SYNTOMIS MICROSPILA, N. Sp.
3 2? 29-30 mm. Head orange, with some fuscous scales between
antennae. Palpi dark fuscous. Antennae dark fuscous; apices white;
in ¢ slightly serrate. Thorax dark fuscous, tegulae orange; some-
times with a few orange scales at posterior apex. Abdomen dark
fuscous, with 7 orange rings in #, 6 in ?; tuft dark fuscous, in ?
whitish at apex. Legs dark fuscous; anterior tibiae with an orange
tuft on under-side. Forewings elongate; dark fuscous, with small
dull orange spots tending towards obsolescence; basal and sub-dorsal
spots more or less quadrangular; spot in cell subtriangular; sub-
apical spot nearly or wholly obsolete; supratornal very small, nearly
equally divided; cilia dark fuscous. Hindwings dark fuscous; a
moderate or small basal spot, nearly or quite obsolete on costal side
of median; a very small undivided distal spot sometimes nearly ob-
solete; cilia dark fuscous.
‘28 Jefferis Turner :
Allied to S. insularis, but differing in the great reduction or ob-
‘solescence of the distal spots in both wings, and with intermediate
spot wholly absent.
N.Q., Cooktown, in December; Kuranda, near Cairns, in Janu-
-ary; three specimens.
SYNTOMIS OCHROSPILA, N.sp.
3d 2 25-30 mm. Head dark fuscous; face, back of crown, and
behind eyes yellow. Palpi dark fuscous. Antennae dark fuscous;
in g shortly bipectinate.(1) Thorax dark fuscous; tegulae and a
posterior spot yellow. Abdomen dark fuscous with 7 orange-yellow
rings in d, 6 in 9; tuft dark fuscous, with an orange-yellow spot
on dorsum, larger in @. Legs dark fuscous. Forewings moderately
‘broad; dark fuscous; spots moderate, whitish-ochreous; basal spot
small; dorsal spot elongate, oblique, often with a small spot or dot
‘above it; spot in cell subtriangular; subapical spot elongate, rarely
with a dot above it at apex; supratornal spot moderate, equally
divided; cilia dark fuscous. Hindwings dark fuscous; basal spot
moderate or rather small; distal spot moderate, unequally divided,
‘the upper segment very small; cilia dark fuscous.
Easily distinguished by the pale-spotted wings, dark fuscous
‘patagia, and abdominal tuft, and pectinate ¢ antennae.
N.Q., Ingham, in April and May; four specimens received from
Mr. G. N. Goldfinch.
ERESSA MEGALOSPILIA, Nom. nov.
Eressa strepsimeris, Hmps., Cat. Lep. Phal. Suppl. i., p. 47,
pl. fil, fig. 13, nec. Meyr.
This is the North Australian representative of the North Queens-
land strepsimeris, Meyr. (xanthostacta, Hmps.). It is larger than that
‘species, the spots are much larger and more transparent, and the basal
spots of hindwings are largely developed. Meyrick’s type was from
‘Bowen, and his description is of the small-spotted species.
N.A., Darwin, Daly River.
ERESSA PAUROSPILA, Nl. Sp.
d 26-30 mm. Head blackish; face and an anterior spot on crown
‘ochreous. Palpi blackish. Antennae blackish; in ¢ shortly bipecti-
nate.(1) Thorax blackish with a posterior orange spot. Abdomen
blackish, with six ochreous rings; first ring interrupted on both sides
on dorsum; tuft blackish, at apex ochreous. Legs blackish. Fore-
wings blackish, with five pale-ochreous, semi-translucent spots; first
between basal part of cell and dorsum; second in cell; third very
small beneath 3 costa; fourth and fifth small, separated by vein 4,
‘before middle of termen. Hindwings blackish; two ochreous spots;
first basal, moderate, bisected by a blackish line on cubital vein;
second minute, subapical.
Nearest E. geographica, but with fewer and smaller spots on
‘wings, and only one spot on thorax.
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 29»
N.S.W., Bulli, in March; three specimens received from Mr, G..
H. Hardy, who has presented the type to the Queensland Museum.
EUCHROMIA POLYMENA.
N.W.A., Wyndham; two specimens received from Mr. L. J. New--
man. Previously the only Australian record for this wide-ranging:
species was a single specimen in the Macleay Museum, said to be from.
North Australia.
Fam. ARCTIADAE.
HESTIARCHA ATALA, Il. Sp.
do 30 mm. Head ochreous. Palpi short (about 1), porrect or
somewhat drooping; ochreous, slightly fuscous-tinged. Antennae
(broken short) ochreous; in ¢ simple, shortly ciliated (1). Thorax.
brownish-ochreous. Abdomen with apical half densely hairy on dor-
sum and sides; brownish-ochreous; beneath ochreous. Legs ochreous;
anterior pair suffused with fuscous. Forewings elongate, posteriorly
dilated, costa very slightly arched, apex rounded, termen scarcely
oblique, rounded towards tornus; brownish-ochreous; cilia brownish--
ochreous. Hindwings twice as broad as forewings, termen rounded;
pale-ochreous; cilia pale-ochreous.
2 Wings small, aborted, forewings when closed reaching nearly”
or quite as far as apex of abdomen.
In the ¢ the tongue is present but weakly developed. It differs.
from Hestiarcha pyrrhopa, Meyr., in the antennae not being pectinate,
and vein 6 of forewings arising separately, not stalked with 7, 8;
for I agree with Hampson that vein 9 is absent, not 6 as in Meyrick’s.
diagnosis. Otherwise the peculiar neuration of both species is iden-
tical, except that in atala, the discocellulars of the hindwing, though
weak are traceable, the cell being very short (about 4). As these-
two forms agree in so many features, and must be allied, it would.
be unwise to separate them into two genera. The 2 of pyrrhopa is
unknown. as
T., Mt. Wellington, in January and February; four examples
(1,3 3 2), all found at rest under stones by Mr. G. H. Hardy. One:
9 had emerged from a slight cocoon of silk and hairs. The types.
have been presented to the Queensland Museum.
HELIOSIA AEDUMENA, Nl. SDP.
3 16-20 mm. Head brown-whitish; face and palpi ochreous--
whitish. Antennae brown-whitish; in ¢@ serrate, shortly ciliated
(1/3), with longer bristles (1). Thorax and abdomen brown-whitish.
Legs ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, costa rather strongly”
arched, apex round-pointed, termen obliquely rounded; brown--
whitish; markings fuscous; median discal dots at 1/3 and 2/3; some-
times a suffused dorsal spot at 1/3; a faint outwardly-curved line:
from % costa to 2/3 dorsum; some suffusion on tornus and _ before:
———— —_—
30 Jeffleris Turner :
mid-termen; cilia ochreous-whitish. Hindwings with termen sinuate;
-ochreous-whitish; at apex sometimes fuscous-tinged.
N.Q., Kuranda, near Cairns, in July, August and October; four
specimens received from Mr. F. P. Dodd.
Gen. Panachranta, nov.
Tongue present. Palpi slender, porrect, short, not reaching be-
yond frons. Antennae of ¢ shortly ciliated, with longer bristles.
Tibial spurs moderate. Forewings with 2 from middle of cell, 3
from shortly before angle, 5 from slightly above angle, 6, 7, 8
‘stalked, 9 absent, 10 and 11 free, oblique. Hindwing with 2 from
2/3, 3, 4 from angle of cell stalked nearly to termen, 5 from well
above angle, 6, 7 stalkéd, 8 from middle of cell ; cell about 2/3.
Allied to Brachiosia, Hmps.
PANACHRANTA LIRIOLEUCA, DN. SD.
3 f 22-25. Head white; face sometimes ochreous-tinged. Palpi
-pale-fuscous. Antennae white; in g ochreous-tinged except towards
‘base, ciliations 3, bristles 1. Thorax white; patagia ochreous-tinged.
Abdomen white. Legs white; anterior pair more or less suffused
‘with pale-fuscous; middle pair ochreous-tinged in #. ‘Forewings
moderately elongate, costa gently arched, apex round-pointed; termen
‘slightly bowed, slightly oblique; white; costal edge sometimes
ochreous; cilia white. Hindwings with termen rounded; white; cilia
“white.
N.Q., Cairns and Karanda, in September and October; four speci-
mens.
MACADUMA STRONGYLA, Nl. Sp.
&o 2? 16-19 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax in ¢& grey, ind ochreous-
‘tinged. Antennae grey; in gg ochreous-grey, shortly ciliated (4).
Abdomen grey; in ¢g ochreous-grey with ochreous tuft. Legs grey;
in § whitish-ochreous. Forewings short and broad, costa angled
beyond middle, with a slight tuft at angle, slightly arched before
-angle, thence straight, apex and termen obtusely rounded; grey, in
6 darker towards base and costa; costal edge ochreous in 4g,
‘sometimes in 9 ; a whitish discal dot at 3/5, absent in 9? ; two finely
lentate fuscous transverse lines; first at 2/5, very faint towards
costa, in g thickened towards dorsum; second from costal angle
obliquely outwards, bent inwards in disc, and continued to dorsum
at 4/5; cilia grey, on costa ochreous. Hindwings with termen
‘rounded; grey; cilia grey. :
N.Q., Kurunda, near Cairns, in September, October, March, April
cand May; six specimens received from Mr. F. P. Dodd.
Gen. Eurypepla, nov.
Palpi moderate, upturned, appressed to frons; second joint slen-
der; terminal joint short, acute. Antennae in g moderately ciliated.
"Tibial spurs long. Forewings rather broad; 2 from 2/3, 3 from well
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 31
before angle, 4 from angle, 5 from well above angle, 7, 8, 9 stalked,
7 arising after 9, 11 free. Hindwings broad, nearly circular, 2 from
3/4, 3 and 4 coincident, 5 from middle of cell, 6 and 7 long-stalked,
8 anastomosing with cell to 1/3.
EURYPEPLA PTERIDAULA, Nl. sp.
¢ 15-20 mm. Head ochreous-whitish. Palpi about 1; fuscous. An-
tennae fuscous; ciliatious in fg 1. Thorax fuscous. Abdomen grey. Legs
pale-ochreous; anterior pair fuscous anteriorly; middle pair with some
fuscous suffusion. Forewings broadly triangular, costa moderately
arched, apex round-pointed, termen slightly bowed, oblique; fuscous;
a pale-ochreous transverse fascia near base, constricted or inter-
rupted in middle; a large whitish spot on 2/3 costa, giving rise to
a slender dentate line, bent outwards in middle, and again inwards
to end on 2/3 dorsum; sometimes a whitish dot on costa before apex,
and several similar dots on termen; cilia pale-ochreous. Hindwings
nearly circular, termen strongly rounded; a dense patch of audro-
conia in cell on upper surface; pale-ochreous, with some grey suf-
fusion towards costa and termen; cilia ochreous-whitish.
Q., National Park (2000 to 4000 ft.) in December and January;
nine specimens beaten from dead fronds of tree-ferns.
PHILENORA PTERIDOPOLA, Nl. SDP.
of 17-18 mm. Head pale-yellow, lower edge of face fuscous.
Palpi 1, obliquely porrect; dark-fuscous. Antennae fuscous; ciliations
in gf very short (4). Thorax fuscous. Abdomen paie-ochreous. Legs
pale-ochreous; antericr and middle pairs suffused with fuscous. Fore-
wings elongate-triangular, costa slightly arched, apex round-pointed,
termen nearly straight, oblique; fuscous; markings pale-yellow; a
basal patch on dorsum to 1/3, reaching about half across disc; a
-suffused inwardly oblique line from mid costa to end of dorsal basal
patch; a triangular patch on dorsum beyond middle, extending nearly
to tornus, joined by a fine dentate line from # costa, at first parallel
to termen, then bent inwards; two dark-fuscous discal dots beyond 1/3
and before 2/3; a subterminal suffusion; cilia pale-ochreous, bases
broadly barred with fuscous. Hindwings with termen gently rounded;
pale-ochreous; apical and costal area pale fuscous, joined by a suf-
fused transverse median line from dorsum; cilia fuscous, on veins,
tornus, and dorsum pale-ochreous.
N.Q., Evelyn Scrub, near Herberton (F. P. Dodd), in January and
February; three specimens, which appear to belong to a local race,
the forewings being yellower, and the basal patch larger, and ex-
tending nearly to costa.
Q., National Park (2500 to 4000 ft.), in December and January;
ten specimens beaten from dead fronds of three-ferns.
THALLARACHA EPILEUCA, Nl. SDP.
& 2 15-16 mm. Head white; face and palpi pale-grey. Antennae
fuscous; in g with short pectinations, each terminating in a tuft of
32 . Jefferis Turner :
cilia and a longer bristle. Thorax white; bases of patagia sometimes
fuscous. Abdomen grey; tuft ochreous-whitish. Legs grey; posterior
pair paler. Forewings subtriangular, costa gently arched; apex toler-
ably pointed, termen obliquely rounded; fuscous; a broad white streak
on dorsum from base to middle, its outline wavy; a large white cir-
cular spot on }? costa, nearly or quite confluent with a small sub-
apical spot, the former with lower margin sometimes irregularly in-
vaded by fuscous; sometimes a short white erect streak from tornus
towards costal spot; cilia fuscous, on subapical spot white. Hind-
wings with termen rounded; pale-grey; cilia pale-grey.
N:Q., Herberton; two @ in January and February (F. P. Dodd).
Q., Mt. Tambourine, g type in October. There are slight differences
which may be sexual or varietal.
THALLARCHA EPICELA, N. SD.
@ 18-19 mm. Head white; face grey. Palpi fuscous or grey.
Antennae pale-grey; bases white. Thorax white, with a fuscous spot
before middle. Abdomen whitish-ochreous; bases of segments grey to-
wards middle. Legs whitish-ochreous; anterior pair grey in front.
Forewings subtriangular, costa gently arched, apex tolerably pointed,
termen slightly bowed, - oblique; fuscous with indications of pale
waved transverse lines; a white spot on base of dorsum, reaching
to + dorsal edge, but forming a rounded or pointed process above
dorsum beyond this; a large circular whitish spot on 2/3 costa, and
a fine sinuate whitish transverse line beyond this, more or less dis-
tinct; a variably developed apical white spot; sometimes confluent
white terminal spots above tornus; cilia fuscous, on apical spot
whitish. Hindwings with termen rounded; ochreous-whitish; a grey
discal spot on end of cell; a slight greyish apical suffusion; cilia
ochreous-whitish.
Variable, and nearly allied to the preceding species; best dis-
tinguished by the differently shaped white dorsal mark, and the
discal dot on hindwings.
Q., National Park (3000 ft.) in December and January; two speci-
mens.
TERMESSA ORTHOCROSSA, Nl. Sp.
&o 2 30-32 mm. Head, palpi, thorax and abdomen yellow. Thorax
with a blackish dot on anterior margin of each patagium. Antennae
fuscous; in ¢ slightly laminate, ciliatious 14. Legs yellow; tarsi
dorsally barred with fuscous. Forewings broadly triangular, costa
straight almost to apex, apex subrectangular, termen straight to near
tornus, scarcely oblique; rather pale yellow; a slender blackish costal
streak from base to 4/5, thickened into spots at base, 2/5, and 4/5;
cilia blackish, interrupted by very narrow yellow bars opposite veins,
on costa and tornus yellow. Hindwings with termen rounded,
slightly bowed on vein 3; pale-yellow; a circular blackish submarginal
spot below middle; cilia pale-yellow.
Q., Toowoomba, in October; four specimens received from Mr.
W. B. Barnard.
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 33
Fam. NOCTUIDAE.
Subfam. AGARISTINAE.
Gen. Prostheta, nov.
Frons with a truncate conical prominence, at its apex a large cir-
cular depression with raised edge. Antennae dilated before apex.
Palpi moderate, porrect; second joint covered with long, rough hairs;
terminal joint short, hairy. Thorax and abdomen(?) not crested.
Posterior tibiae with long rough hairs on dorsum. Neuration normal.
Intermediate in structure between Periscepta, Turn., and
Phalaenoides, Lew., agreeing with the former in the palpi, with the
latter in the antennae. I will not be sure of the absence of abdominal
crests, as the type is not in the best condition. Specifically it is
very different from species of both these genera.
PROSTHETA ACRYPTA, N. SDP.
3d 22 mm. Head blackish with lateral whitish streaks. Palpi
blackish, towards base whitish; apex of second joint whitish. Thorax
[abraded] blackish with whitish spots. Abdomen blackish with some
whitish scales; a basal dorsal spot and tuft pale-ochreous. Legs
blackish; tibiae and tarsi with whitish annulations; hairs on posterior
tibiae ochreous. Forewings triangular, costa gently arched, apex
round-pointed, termen bowed, slightly oblique; blackish with some
whitish irroration and whitish-ochreous spots; a minute subcostal
basal spot; a subcostal spot near base with another obliquely beyond
it in disc; a spot beneath 1/3 costa, with another obliquely beyond it
in disc; a spot beneath 2/3 costa, with another close beneath it;
a series of subterminal spots, those in middle smaller; cilia blackish,
on tornus white. Hindwings with termen rounded; orange-ochreous;
-_ a blackish discal spot on costal side of middle; a broad blackish ter-
minal band containing a series of subterminal whitish spots; cilia
blackish, mixed with whitish.
Type in South Australian Museum.
S.A., Tumby ; one specimen.
Subfam. AGROTINAE.
AGROTIS POLIOTIS, Hmps.
Agrotis bromeana, Auriv., Arkiv. f. Zool., Stockholm. Band
xiii, p. 16, T. i, f. 6. N.W.A., Broome.
A 2 example admirably figured.
Subfam. MELANCHRINAE.
DASYGASTER PAMMACHA, DN. SDP.
@ 23-24 mm. Head brownish with a few blackish scales; face
paler with a pair of blackish spots above middle. Palpi slightly over
1; brownish with some dark-fuscous irroration. Thorax brownish-
grey with a few blackish scales. Abdomen grey-brownish; densely
4
34 Jefferis Turner :
hairy on dorsum. Legs grey-brownish. Forewings elongate-triangular,
costa almost straight, apex rectangular, termen straight, rounded
beneath; whitish with a few scattered reddish-brown scales; a broad,
somewhat irregular, dark-fuscous and reddish-brown median band
from base to termen, irregularly expanded in middle, constricted be
fore termen, triangularly expanded on termen; two similar terminal
spots between this and tornus, the lower larger; similar dots on costa
near base, at 4, and middle; cilia reddish-brown mixed with fuscous
and a few whitish scales. Hindwings with termen wavy, more deeply
so beneath apex; fuscous; cilia pinkish-tinged, with median fuscous
line and whitish apices. Underside fuscous with blackish discal mark
at end of cell on hindwings.
T., Cradle Mountain, in December and January; two specimens
from Mr. G. H. Hardy, the type presented to the Queensland Museum.
Subfam. ACRONYCTINAE.
EUPLEXIA PAMPREPTA, DN. SD.
do 40 mm. Head white; centre of crown and lateral spots on
face blackish. Palpi blackish; apices of three joints and inner surface
of basal joint white. Antennae blackish; in g¢ minutely and evenly
ciliated. Thorax blackish; tegulae brownish; posterior crest and
bases of patagia white. Abdomen dark-fuscous, with dense whitish
irroration except on penultimate segment. Legs blackish; tibiae and
tarsi with white annulations; dorsum of posterior tibiae and tarsi
with white annulations; dorsum of posterior tibiae whitish. Fore-
wings elongate-triangular, costa slightly arched, apex round-pointed,
termen bowed, moderately oblique, wavy; marked with white, black-
ish, and grey, with a few ochreous points; base white; a sub-basal
blackish line angled outwards; triangular costal blotches at 1/5, 2/5,
and 4/5, partly blackish, partly grey, and a smaller similar spot at
3/5; a sub-basal grey dorsal blotch; a dentate blackish line from
i costa to 1/3 dorsum; an irregular, central, partly grey, partly black-
ish, discal blotch beyond this line, surmounted by an ochreous dot
on its posterior costal angle; followed by an angular white fascia;
reniform broadly oval, outlined first with blackish, then with white,
its centre grey above, ochreous beneath; a fine grey line traversing
a white area from reniform to mid-dorsum; a grey postmedian fascia
containing one or two ochreous dots, traversed by a dentate, black-
ish line, posteriorly edged with white, from { costa, at first bent out-
wards, then strongly sinuate inwards to 2/3 dorsum; a strong
white subterminal line, angled outwards, and touching termen in
middle, angled inwards above dorsum; triangular blackish blotches
on termen above middle and above tornus; cilia white, barred with
blackish. Hindwings with termen gently rounded, wavy; grey-whitish
with fuscous discal dot, postmedian line, and broad terminal fascia;
cilia fuscous with white bars.
Q., National Park (3000 ft.), in December; one example in per-
fect condition at light.
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 35
Gen. Syntheta.
Syntheta Turn., P.L.S., N.S.W., 1902, p. 85.
Phaeopyra Hmps., Cat. Lep. Phal. vii., p, 19 (1908).
Phaeomorpha Turn., Tr. R.S., S.A., 1920, p. 149.
There is quite a tangle to be unravelled in the history of this
genus. In describing it I made vylitis the type, but remarked that
I referred nigerrima Gn. to the same genus, which I, placed in Hamp-
son’s sub-family Acronyctinae. Hampson has adopted my genus for
both species, but referred it to his Noctuinae, evidently on account
of the origin of vein 5 of hindwings from near the lower angle of the
cell. But this vein is only weakly developed, and in some Acronyc-
tinae, for instance, Euplexia dolorosa, W1k., vein 5 is quite as nearly
approximated to 4 at its origin; and I now refer nigerrima, which has
a well-developed series of abdominal crests to the genus HLuplezia.
It is a common species, and I venture to predict that the larvae,
which should not remain long undiscovered, will prove to have all the
prolegs fully developed.
Phaeopyra Hmps. is a synonym of Syntheta, and so is Phaeomor-
pha Turn. I distinguished the latter by the absence of a basal abdom-
inal crest, but I find the crest is really present though small and
often concealed by hairs. It will be as well to give a fresh diagnosis
of the genus.
Frons not projecting. Palpi moderately long, ascending, ap-
pressed to frons; second joint thickened with loosely appressed scales;
terminal joint moderate. Thorax with rounded anterior, and rather
small, rough posterior crests. Abdomen with a small crest on dorsum
of basal segment. Posterior tibiae hairy on dorsum. Forewings with
neuration normal. Hindwings with 5 weakly developed, from much
below middle of discocellulars (4 to }).
Antennae of ¢ in sylitis serrate, with tufts of cilia, and longer
bristles; in smaragditis simple, evenly ciliated.
SYNTHETA XYLITIS.
Syntheta rylitis Turn., P.L.S., N.S.W., 1902, p. 85.
Euplexia chloeropis Turn., Tr. R.S., S.A., 1904, p. 213.
Phaeomorpha acineta Turn., Tr. R.S., S.A., 1920, p. 149.
The three forms I have described differ in coloration, but after
careful comparison I have come to the conclusion that these differ-
ences are varietal only.
N.Q., Cairns, Townsville; Q., Biggenden, Nambour.
SYNTHETA SMARAGDISTIS.
Euplexia smaragdina B. Bak., Nov. Zool., 1906, p. 195,
praeoce.
Trachea smaragdistis Hmps., Cat. Lep. Phal. vii., p. 137.
N.Q., Cairns, Innisfail; Q., National Park (3000 ft.); N.S.W.,
Richmond River. Also from New Guinea.
4A
36 Jefferis Turner :
EUPLEXIA NIGERRIMA.
Mamestra nigerrima Gn., Noct. i., 200.
Q., Gympie, Brisbane, Mt. Tambourine, National Park (2000 ft.),
Toowoomba, Killarney; N.S.W., Ebor, Sydney, Brewarrina; V., Mel-
bourne, Moe, Gisborne, Birchip. T., Launceston. Hobart, W.A.,
Albany, Perth, Bridgetown, Narrogin.
Gen. Thalatha.
I find that the distinction given in my key (Tr. R.S., S.A., 1920,
p. 140), between this genus and Molvena is untenable; I propose,
therefore, to merge these two genera.
THALATHA MELANOPHRICA, Nl. SDP.
9 34 mm. Head white, with a few blackish scales; face with
central and lateral blackish dots. Palpi white; second joint blackish,
except at base and apex. Antennae ochreous-grey, towards base
whitish. Thorax ochreous-white, with some fuscous scales posteriorly.
Abdomen ochreous-white, with some fuscous scales; apical segment
except tuft mostly dark-fuscous. Legs whitish; tibiae and tarsi annu-
lated with blackish. Forewings triangular, costa slightly arched,
apex rounded-rectangular, termen bowed, slightly oblique; white,
slightly ochreous-tinged; markings blackish; a basal spot; two
costal dots near base; sub-basal dots in disc and on dorsum, two fine,
parallel, interrupted, crenulate lines from costa before + to dorsum
beyond 4+; a dentate line from costa before middle to dorsum beyond
middle, followed by some blackish suffusion; reniform indistinct,
partly outlined by blackish marks, broadly oval; a longitudinal
streak above dorsum towards tornus, crossed by a short transverse
streak; four dots on apical third of costa; a fine, interrupted, irre-
gularly dentate line from 2 costa twice bent outwards and crossing
subdorsal streak; beyond this some blackish suffusion; a terminal
series of dots, that above middle and that above tornus enlarged;
cilia white barred with blackish. Hindwings with termen rounded,
slightly wavy; white; towards termen suffused with grey; an inter-
rupted fuscous terminal line; cilia white with some obscure fuscous
dots.
Q., Clermont, in November; one specimen received from Mr. E.
J. Dumigan.
Subfam. EUTELIANAE.
PHLEGETONIA PANTARCHA, Nl. SD.
d 38-40 mm. Head, brownish-grey. Palpi, 2, terminal joint 4;
fuscous with whitish irroration, basal half of second joint fuscous
externally. Antennae fuscous. Thorax grey, with a few fuscous
scales. Abdomen grey, sometimes suffused with fuscous on dorsum.
Legs fuscous, mixed with whitish. Forewings with costa straight, apex
obtuse, termen crenulate, obtusely angled on vein 4; basal area dark-
grey, with fuscous irroration, sharply defined by a nearly straight.
line from mid-costa to mid-dorsum; beyond this pale-grey, but suf-
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 37
fusedly darker towards termen; costa fuscous interrupted by whitish
dots; reniform long, narrow, obliquely curved, upper end pointed;
lower end broader, rectangular, the whole being shaped like an
inverted comma, whitish, centre brownish narrowly outlined with
fuscous; a triangular fuscous patch outside reniform, sharply pro-
duced to a point posteriorly, not always well defined; a fine fuscous
line from upper end of reniform, describing a roughly circular line
as far as vein 5, and then produced towards dorsum; a triangular
fuscous costal patch before apex traversed by three or four pale
streaks parallel to veins; two short parallel dark-fuscous streaks from
% dorsum, separated by a pale streak; a fine fuscous terminal line
thickened on indentations; cilia dark-grey, apices reddish. Hind-
wings with termen rounded, crenulate; fuscous tinged with reddish,
dorsal edge whitish with three dark-reddish dots before tornus; a
dark-fuscous streak on vein 2, interrupted by two whitish dots; an
ill-defined whitish tornal mark giving rise to a short whitish terminal
line; terminal line and cilia as forewings, but bases of cilia whitish.
Underside whitish, with numerous fuscous transverse lines and suf-
fusion, and antemedian discal dot on hindwings.
Near P. delatriz, but larger, more distinctly marked, reniform
differently shaped, not constricted, streak from 2 dorsum double,
posterior fuscous patch sharply pointed posteriorly, etc.
N.Q., Kuranda, near Cairns, in April; Q., National Park (3000 ft.),
in March; two specimens.
Subfam. CATOCALINAHE.
PARALLELIA ARCTOTAENIA.
Ophinsa arctotaenia, Gn., Noct., iii. p. 272.
Parallelia arctotaenia, Hmps., Cat. Lep., Phal. xii, p. 594,
594, Pl. 221, f. 7.
N.Q., Claudie River, in February; one specimen taken by Mr. J. A.
Kershaw. Also from China, Japan, Ceylon, and India. Not previously
recorded from Australia.
Subfam. NOCTUINAE.
RAPARNA LUGUBRIS, Nl. SDP.
3 2? 24-28 mm. Head fuscous or grey. Palpi moderate; terminal
joint 4 of second, rather stout, acute; fuscous. Antennae fuscous; in
g@ with moderate ciliations (1) and longer bristles, (2) Thorax grey.
Abdomen grey, irrorated with dark-fuscous. Legs dark-fuscous.
Forewings triangular, costa slightly sinuate, apex rounded-rectangular,
termen bowed, scarcely oblique; fuscous; four blackish costal dots
at 4, 4, 3, and 2, of these all but the first give rise to extremely
fine dentate blackish transverse lines to dorsum; postmedian line
with minute whitish dots at apices of external dentations; subter-
minal represented by some whitish dots, with a larger costal dot
before apex; cilia fuscous, apices partly whitish. Hindwings like fore-
wings, but without costal markings and subterminal line; post-
38 Jefferis Turner:
median line ochreous. Underside with bases of wings more or less
suffused with ochreous in ¢
Near R. horcialis (horcinsalis), W1k.
N.A., Port Darwin, in January; four specimens received from Mr.
G. F. Hill and Mr. F. P. Dodd.
RAPARNA CROCOPHARA, N. Sp.
@ 18 mm. Head yellow. Palpi long, recurved; second joint
stout, smooth-scalea; terminal joint as long as second, slender, acute;
yellow with a few purplish scales. Antennae fuscous, towards base
ochreous-tinged. Thorax yellow. Abdomen and legs ochreous-grey.
Forewings triangular, costa nearly straight, apex round-pointed,
termen very slightly bowed, scarcely oblique, crenulate; orange-
yellow, with reddish or purplish markings; a broad transverse line, its
centre leaden-fuscous, at }, with a slight outward tooth below
middle; a similar costal line from base to first line; a sub-basal spot;
a leaden-fuscous dot surrounded by reddish scales on mid-costa; a
minute, fuscous median discal dot; second line at 3, similar to first,
wavy; some reddish irroration between second line and termen; cilia
purple-grey, at apex yellow. Hindwings like forewings, but without
first line; second line not reaching costa.
Near R. transversa, Moore.
N.A., Port Darwin, in January. N.Q., Chillagoe, in March. Two
specimens received from Mr. F. P. Dodd.
ANOMIS DEFINATA.
Anomis definata, Luc., P.L.S., N.S.W., 1893, p. 146.
Cosmophila psamathodes, Turn., P.L.S., N.S.W., 1902, p. 108.
N.Q., Cairns, Innisfail, Q., Nambour, Stradbroke I.
Fam. SPHINGIDAE.
_-HOPLIOCNEME MARMORATA.
Sphinx marmorata, Luc., ‘‘ Queenslander,’’ May, 1891, and
P.L.S.; NeBIW:, 4891, p.,.278:
2 50-60 mm. Head and palpi fuscous, mixed with whitish, appear-
ing grey. Antennae whitish. Thorax fuscous, mixed with whitish,
appearing grey; apices of tegulae sometimes whitish-ochreous. Abdo-
men blackish on dorsum, with lateral series of large oblong whitish-
ochreous spots, and a central series of narrow whitish marks on apices
of segments; two apical segments fuscous irrorated with whitish;
underside mostly whitish. Legs fuscous, with whitish irroation.
Forewings narrowly triangular, costa straight to 4%, thence arched,
apex pointed, termen slightly bowed, oblique; fuscous densely irro-
rated, with whitish, appearing grey; an ill-defined, dark-fuscous mark
on costa at 4; an ill-defined, oblique, whitish shade from apex to-
wards mid-dorsum, but lost in disc; beyond this a series of dark-
fuscous, longitudinal, interneural streaks; veins towards termen nar-
rowly fuscous; cilia whitish, interrupted with fuscous on veins.
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 39
Hindwings with termen slightly rounded; grey, towards base whitish,
peripheral veins outlined with fuscous; cilia as forewings.
Agrees in structure with H. brachycera, Low, which I took at the
same time and place, but that species has the forewings darker, with
discal spot and transverse lines, and the abdomen has not a central
series of whitish marks.
Q., Duaringa, Emerald, in March; one g§ from Mr. W. B. Barnard,
Clermont, in April; one ? from Mr. E. Q. J. Donnigan, Charleville,
in September; six specimens at light, all of the same 9? sex. N.S.W.,
Brewarrina, one specimen received from Mr. W. W. Froggatt.
do 54 mm. Differs from 2 in lateral and posterior mar-
gins of thorax being suffused with whitish; a whitish suffusion
from base of forewing along dorsum, meeting a _ broadly suffused
whitish post-median fascia, acutely angled in middle posteriorly,
containing a fuscous discal dot near its anterior margin; terminal
areas, with some whitish suffusion.
Fam. URANIADAE.
A few additions and corrections have to be made in my former
revision of this and the following families (Ann. Queensland Mus.,
1911; 77. 70). ;
ALCIDIS ZODIACA.
Alcidis zodiaca, Butl., Ent. Mo. Mag., 1869, p. 273.
Also from New Guinea.
Gen. STROPHIDIA.
Strophidia, Hb., Verz., p. 290, Hmps., Moths, Ind. iii. p. 113-
Palpi moderately long, smooth, slender; terminal joint longer than.
second. Antennae slender; in g minutely ciliated. Forewings with
cell about 4; 3 and 4 connate, 6 and 7 stalked, 8 and 9 stalked, 10
and 11 separate frcem cell. Hindwings with a short acute projection on
vein 4; cell about 3}; middle, 6 and 38 and 4 connate, 5 from above
middle, 6 and 7 separate.
Type, S. fasciata, Cram.
STROPHIDIA FASCIATA.
Geometra fasciata Cram., Pap. Exot. ii., p. 12, pl. 104, f. D-
Phaiaena candata, Fab., Ent. Syst. iii. (2), p. 1638.
Micronia obtusata, Gn, Lep. x., p. 25, Pl. v. f.6.
Strophidia fasciata, Hmps., Moths, Ind., iii. p. 114.
3 60 mm., Head and thorax white. Palpi blackish above, white
beneath. Antennae grey, becoming white towards base; in ¢ filiform,
minutely ciliated. Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs whitish; internal
surface of anterior pair grey. Forewings broadly triangular, costa
strongly arched, apex acutely rectangular, termen straight, slightly
oblique; white; numerous black costal strigulae; nine straight fasciae,
consisting of two or more series of fine grey strigulae, except the ninth,
which is single; first four fasciae outwardly oblique, fifth transverse,
sixth and seventh convergent and fused before dorsum; eighth and
40 Jefferis Turner :
ninth convergent; a pronounced blackish terminal line; cilia white,
apices grey. Hindwings with termen straight, angled and with a strong
acute projection on vein 4; with 5 fasciae similar to those on forewing,
outwardly oblique, not reaching termen; a subterminal, angled fascia
of grey strigulae; terminal line as forewing, but widely interrupted
at base of projection; projection with three blackish dots, one on each
side of base, the third on inner margin before apex.
N.Q., Claudie River, in December; one specimen taken by Mr. J.
A. Kershaw. Also from the Archipelago, Ceylon, and India.
Fam. EPIPLEMIDAE.
An examination of the types in the British Museum shows that I
was mistaken in some of my identifications.
BALANTIUCHA LEUCOCEPHALA.
Erosia leucocephala, W1k., Cat. Brit. Mus., xxvi., p. 1758.
Dirades platyphylla, Turn., Tr. R.S., S.A., 1903, p. 21.
BaLANTIUCHA LEUCOCERA.
Dirades leucocera, Hmps., Ill. Het., viii., p. 102, pl. 150, fig.
13, Moths Ind. iii. p. 133.
BALANTIUCHA MUTANS.
Erosia mutans, Butl., A.M.N.H. (5), xix., p. 434 (1887).
Dirades seminigra, Warr., Nov. Zool., 1896, p. 346.
DIRADES LUGENS.
Epiplema lugens, Warr., Nov. Zool., 1897, p. 202.
CHAETOPYGA HORRIDA.
There is a doubt as to the true locality for this species. In the
British Museum there are specimens labelled as from British Guiana.
Should this be correct the species must be removed from the Aus-
tralian fauna.
EPIPLEMA CONFLICTARIA,
Epiplema lacteata, Warr., Nov. Zool., 1896, p. 276.
Epiplema perpolita, Warr., ib. 1896, p. 349.
EPIPLEMA ANGULATA.
Epiplema angulata, Warr., Nov. Zool., 1896, p. 275.
Epiplema schematica, Turn., Ann, Q. Mus., 1911, p. 83.
Also from New Guinea and Amboyna.
Fam. THYRIDIDAE.
Some additions and corrections to my revision were published in
the Proc. Roy. Soc., Q., 1915, p. 26, and to these I shall not further
refer.
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. Al
OXYCOPHINA THEORINA.
Siculodes fenestrata, Pagen., Nass., Jahr, f. Nat., 1888, p.
183.
Also from Amboyna.
Gen. Trophoessa.
I based this genus on the stalking of veins 9 and 10 in the fore-
wings, but examination of a series shows that this is inconstant; 9
and 10 may arise separately. The genus must therefore be dropped,
and probably the type species must be merged with the following.
STRIGLINA MYRTAEA.
Phalaena (Noctua), myrtaea Drury Ins, Exot. ii., p. 4, pl.
ti, f. SaskbT Ray:
Thermesia fenestrina, Feld, Reise, Nov., pl. 117, f. 2.
Striglina clathrula, Gn., Ann. Soc., Ent., Fr., 1877, p. 285.
Durdara fenestrata, Moore, P.Z.S., 1883, p. 27, pl. vi., f. 6.
Microsca plagifera, Butl., Tr. E.S., 1886, p. 420.
Durdara ovifera, Butl., P.Z.S., 1892, p. 129, pl. vi., f. 7.
Letchena satelles, Warr., Nov., Zool., 1906, p. 64.
Trophoessa daphoena, Turn., Ann., Q. Mus., 1911, p. 99.
N.Q., Cairns. Also from the Archipelago, India, and Mauritius.
STRIGLINA CITRODES, Nn. sp.
do 24 mm. Head, palpi, and antennae pale-brownish. Thorax
pale-yellow; tegulae pale-brownish. Abdomen pale-brownish; basal
and apical segments pale-yellow. Legs brownish; posterior pair and
apical half of middle tibiae pale-yellow. Forewings triangular, costa
nearly straight, apex acute, termen slighly bowed, slightly oblique; 7
and 8 short-stalked; very pale yellow, with faintly darker strigulae
forming indistinct transverse lines; costal edge and strigulae brown,
with four elongate brown spots beyond middle, the last apical; a
fine brown line from second costal spot, at 3 to 2 dorsum; cilia
pale-yellow. Hindwings with termen very slightly rounded; colour,
irregular lines of strigulae and cilia as forewings. Underside similar,
but strigulae brown and more distinct, post-median line of forewings
‘broadened into an irregular fascia.
The stalking of 7 and 8 of forewings would put this in Hampson’s
genus, Plagiosella, but the stalking is very short on one side, and may
not be constant. Taking the neurational variation of the preceding
species into consideration, it appears safer to regard this as a Strig-
dina.
Q., Mount Tambourine, in November; one specimen.
STRIGLINA MYRSALIS.
Pyralis myrsusalis, W1k., Cat. Brit. Mus., xix. p. 892.
Letchena elaralis, W1k., ib. xix., p. 901.
Pyralis idalialis, W1k., ib. xix., p. 903.
Siculodes cinereola, Feld., Reise, Nov., pl. 134, fig. 8.
42 Jefferis Turner -
Striglina scallula, Gn., Ann. Soc., Ent., Fr., 1877, p. 287.
Durdara: pyraliata, Moore, Lep., Atk., p. 177.
Durdara lobata, Moore, Lep. Atk., p. 177.
Durdara zonula, Swin., P.Z.S., 1885, p. 469, Pl. 28, f. 12.
Striglina radiata, Pagent., Iris, v., p. 41.
STRIGLINA LOCEALIS.
Pyralis loceusalis, Wlk., Cat. Brit. Mus., xix., p. 903.
Pyralis thyralis, W1k., ib., xxxiv., p. 1234.
N.Q., Kuranda, near Cairns, in October; one specimen received.
from Mr. F. P. Dodd. Also from Ceylon.
STRIGLINA CENTIGINOSA.
Morova ? innotata, Warr., Nov. Zool., 1904, p. 483.
STRIGLINA SCITARIA.
Drepanodes scitaria, W1k., Cat. Brit. Mus., xxvi., p. 1488.
Anisodes pyriniata, W1lk., ib. xxvi., p. 1582.
Thermesia reticulata, W1k., ib. xxxiii., p. 1062.
Laginia reticulata, W1k., ib. xxxv., p. 1560.
Striglina lineola, Gn., Ann. Soc., Ent., Fr. 1877, p. 284.
Homodes thermesioides, Suel., Tijd. v. Ent., 1877, p. 28.
Sonagara strigosa, Moore, Lep. Atk., p. 180.
Sonagara strigipennis, Moore, Lep. Atk., p. 180.
Azazia navigatorum, Feld., Reise, Nov., pl. 117, fig. 4.
Sonagara superior, Butl., A.M.N.H. (5), xx., 4338.
Sonagara vialis, Moore, P.Z.S., 1883, p. 27, Pl. vi. f. 9.
Timandra cancellata, Christ., Neue Lep., Amur., p 23.
Striglina curvilinea, Warr., Nov., Zool., 1905, p. 411.
“RHODONEURA ALBIFERALIS.
Pyralis albiferalis, W1k., Cat. Brit. Mus., xxxiv., p. 1524.
Banisia elongata, Warr., Nov., Zool., 1896, p. 340.
Also from New Guinea and Moluccas.
RHODONEURA ATRIPUNCTALIS.
Pyralis atripunctalis, Wik., Cat. Brit. Mus., xxxiv., p. 1523.
Briza australiae, Warr., Nov. Zool., 1908, p. 329.
Also from Java and India.
RHOVONEURA DISSIMULANS.
This occurs in Borneo and India, but appears to be distinct from
tetragonata, Warr., to which I referred it. The latter is not known
from Australia, but ordinaria, Warr., is a synonym of dissimulans.
Studies in Australian Lepzdoptera. AS.
RHODONEURA BASTIALIS.
Rhodoneura melilialis, Swin., A.M.N.H. (7), vi. p. 312,
(1900).
Also from N.Q., Cooktown; Q., Duaringa.
RHODONEURA POLYGRAPHAILIS.
Rhodoneura marmoredalis, Moore, P.Z.S., 1877, p. 617.
Rhodoneura denticulosa, Moore, Lep. Ceyl., iii., p. 267.
Also from N Q., Cooktown.
ADDAEA PUSILLA.
Microsca pusilla, Butl., A.M.N.H. (5), xx. p. 116.
This is the species I cited as polyphoralis, Wlk., in my former
paper, but that name rightly belongs to the following species. The
two have been mixed in the British Museum, and during my first
examination of the series in that collection I must have made some
mistake as to the type.
ADDAEA POLYPHORALIS.
This I identified by the description as castaneata, Warr., but
wrongly. That species is not known from Australia.
ADDAEA FRAGILIS.
Addaea fragilis, Warr., Nov. Zocl., 1899, p. 314.
N.Q., Cooktown. Also from Dammer Island.
Fam. PHYCITIDAE.
CEROPREPES MNIAROPIS.
Ceroprepes mniaropis, Turn., P.R.S.Q., 1903, p. 151.
&o 2 22-26 mm. Antennae of ¢ unipectinate, pectinations 5, apical
% simple; basal joint large, with a short process directly backwards.
over vertex. Thorax with two pairs of long hair tufts on under sur-
face, near anterior and posterior extremities. Posterior tibiae with a
short dorsal tuft of hair scales from base.
_ The discovery of the g confirms the position of this species in the
genus Ceroprepes, though the cell of the hindwings is about 4; vein 7
of hindwings, though closely applied to 8, does not actually anastomose.
N.Q., Kuranda, near Cairns, in October; Q., Mt. Tambourine, in
February; National Park (3000 ft.), in March. Three specimens.
Gen. Ammatucha, nov.
Frons flat. Tongue strong. Palpi moderately long (14), curved
upwards, slightly rough anteriorly; terminal joint 4, stout. An-
tennae of dg shortly serrate, towards apex simple, with minute cilia
tions; above basal joint flattened and elongated anteroposteriorly, with
Ad. Jefferis Turner :
an excavation on inner side containing a tuft of dense hairs. Thorax
with anterior and posterior tufts of hair in g on undersurface. Fore-
‘wings, with a transverse ridge of raised scales before middle; 2, 3, 4,
5 approximated at origin, 8 and 9 stalked, 10 closely approximated
‘to 8, 9, for some distance. Hindwings with cell less than 4, 2 from
3, 3 from angle nearly connate with 4, 5, which are closely approxi-
mated for some distance, 6 and 7 connate, 7 closely applied to 8 for
‘some distance, not actually anastomosing.
Nearly allied to Ceroprepes, but with very different gf antennae.
AMMATUCHA LATHRIA, Nn. Sp.
3d 20 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, and thorax fuscous-grey. Abdo-
‘men fuscous-grey; apices of segments and under surface whitish-
ochreous; tuft fuscous-grey. Legs fuscous irrorated, and tarsi annu-
lated, with ochreous-whitish. Forewings narrow, posteriorly dilated,
apex rounded-rectangular; fuscous-grey, suffused with whitish, the ab-
sence of which leaves dark markings; a dark straight ridge of raised
‘scales from 2 dorsum transversely nearly to costa; a suffused line
from 3 costa, opposite this ridge, to about mid-dorsum; a pair of
dots in disc at 3, arranged transversely; a suffused line from apex,
inwardly oblique, soon diverging, anterior limb to mid-dorsum, pos-
terior to near end of dcrsum; a suffused subterminal line; cilia grey.
Hindwings dark-grey; cilia grey; with a darker sub-basal line.
Q., National Park (3000 ft.), in March; one specimen.
Fam. GALLERIADAE.
LAMORIA IDIOLEPIDA
of 28 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax and abdomen grey-
whitish, antennal ciliations in @ imperceptible. Legs grey-whitish,
‘finely irrorated, except posterior pair, with fuscous. Forewings elon-
gate, posteriorly moderately dilated, apex rounded, termen obliquely
rounded; grey-whitish, costal margin and terminal area suffused with
pale-fuscous; dark-fuscous dots in disc beneath costa shortly before
and after middle; dark-fuscous pcints sparsely scattered, more
numerous in terminal area, where they are arranged longitudinally
‘between veins; cilia pale-fuscous. Hindwings with termen sinuate;
whitish, suffused with greyish towards apex; cilia greyish; on tornus
‘and dorsum whitish.
The dark points on forewings depend on large scales, which,
viewed at one angle, appear whitish, with dark bases, at another
‘angle the apices are dark and bases pale.
Q., Brisbane, in December; National Park (2500-3000 ft.), in
January; two specimens.
LAMORIA PERIDIOTA, N. SD.
3 30-31 mm. Head and palpi ochreous-grey-whitish. Antennae
ochreous-whitish, annulated with dark-fuscous; ciliations in gf 1/3
‘Thorax grey-whitish, tinged with green; bases of patagia brownish-
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 45,
fuscous. Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs ochreous-whitish; middle
tarsi annulated with fuscous; anterior pair mostly fuscous. Forewings
with basal ,; of costa folded on lower surface to form a pouch, in-
cluding a large tuft of scent-scales; costa bisinuate, apex acute, termen
sinuate, scarcely oblique; pale-green; a brownish-fuscous patch on
base of costa; a suffused, bisinuate, fuscous line from j costa to 2
dorsum, preceded by some fuscous irroration above dorsum; an out--
wardly-oblique, oval, discal spot beneath mid-costa, brownish outlined
with fuscous, a short dark-fuscous longitudinal mark beneath this,.
and a broad bar of brownish-fuscous suffusion extending to termen.
immediately beneath apex; a finely dentate, fuscous line from % costa
to # dorsum, curved outwards in middle; an interrupted dark-fuscous:
terminal line, enlarged to fcrm elongate marks beneath apex; cilia
greenish, apices grey. Hindwings with termen sinuate; ochreous-grey-:
whitish; cilia concolorous.
Q., National Park (2500 to 3000 ft.), in December and January; two:
specimens.
Fam. CRAMBIDAE.
CRAMBUS AMMOPLOCEUS, N. SD.
‘““A spinner of sand.’’
od 24-27 mm. Head ochreous-whitish. Palpi 2; pale-grey; basal.
joint ochreous-whitish. Antennae grey, towards apex darker, towards:
base whitish. Thorax pale-grey. Abdomen ochreous-grey. Legs whit-
ish grey. Forewings somewhat dilated posteriorly, costa straight,.
slightly arched before apex, apex rounded-rectangular, termen slightly
bowed, scarcely oblique; whitish-grey more or less irrorated with
darker-grey; an ill-defined whitish streak on basal half of fold; some:
fuscous terminal dots; cilia whitish with a pale-grey ante-median line..
Hindwings whitish-grey, cilia whitish.
{ N.Q., Dunk Island; two specimens received from Mr. E. J. Ban-
field, who has also sent larval galleries and cocoons with pupae, which
unfortunately did not survive. From these and from information
received from Mr. Banfield, I gather that the larvae inhabit galleries.
several inches in length in the sand under Casuarina trees. The gallery
is lined with grains in the sand fastened together with silk; the larva.
emerges from the gallery, seizes the end of a piece of casuarina stem
that lies on the surface, and, biting off a convenient length, backs:
down to the bottom of the gallery, carrying the fragment with it. In
captivity the pupae are found in egg-shaped cocoons of sand and.
silk.
Gen. Notocrambus, nov.
Frons flat. Tongue present. Labial palpi moderately long,.
broadly dilated with rough scales, not hairy; terminal joint moderate;
antennae short (about 4); ciliations in g imperceptible. Thorax and.
abdomen stoutly built; thorax hairy beneath. Posterior tibiae, with
two pairs of spurs. Forewings with 2 from 3, 3 from before angle,
7 from upper angle, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with 2 from 3, 3,.
46 Jefferts Turner :
4, 5 approximated at base from lower angle, 6 and 7 connate from
upper angle, 7 approximated to or anastomosing with 12 for a short
‘distance.
Allied to Crambus, differing in the comparatively short, broadly
dilated, rough-scaled palpi, and hairy underside of thorax. Related also
to the New Zealand Orocrambus, Meyr., but has not the hairy palpi
and coxae of that genus.
NOTOCRAMBUS HOLOMELAS, Nn. sp.
3o0?20 mm. Head, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs blackish,
Palpi, 24; blackish mixed with a few white scales. Forewings mode-
rately broad, posteriorly dilated, costa straight, apex obtusely pointed,
termen bowed, moderately oblique; blackish, sometimes with a few
whitish scales in disc towards tornus; cilia fuscous. Hindwings with
termen rounded; dark-fuscous, cilia fuscous.
T., Cradle Mountain (3000 to 3500 ft.), in January; three speci-
mens received from Dr. R. J. Tillyard. Type in Coll. Lyell; two
examples in poor condition in my own collection.
UBIDA HOLOMOCHLA.
Ubida holomochla, Turn., P.R.S.Q., 1904, p. 165.
I have received an example from Pt. Darwin (F. P. Dodd), very
like type, and four from Claudie River (J. A. Kershaw), which show
‘considerable variation. Three of the latter differ from type by having
a dark streak along dorsum of forewing, and some fuscous suffusion
on apex of hindwing, while in the fourth the dark markings are re-
duced to a minimum, being represented only by a slender median
‘streak, and a fine post-median subcostal streak with two short streaks
‘before termen between it and apex.
UBIDA HETAERICA.
Ubida hetaerica, Turn., Ann. Q. Mus., 1911, p. 112.
A 3 example from Claudie River (J. A. Kershaw) is probably
referable to this species. The costal edge of forewings, median
streak, and a short streak running into termen above it, are white;
‘there is also a white posterior spot on thorax.
UBbIDA AMOCHLA, N. Sp.
3 26 mm. ? 40 mm. Head and thorax whitish. Palpi in # 23,
in 9? 4; whitish. Antennae whitish; pectinations in gf 1. Abdomen
whitish; bases of segments on dorsum grey. Legs whitish; anterior
pair grey. Forewings elcngate-oblong, costa gently arched, apex
rounded-rectangular, termen rounded, slightly oblique; whitish; in Jf
a very faint pale-grey subcostal streak from base to termen, and a
short longitudinal streak in disc beneath cell; in 9 a terminal series
of blackish dots; cilia whitish. Hindwings with termen very slightly
sinuate; whitish; in g some grey suffusion towards apex; cilia
whitish.
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 47
Type in National Museum, Melbourne.
N.Q., Claudie River and Lloyd Island, in January; two specimens
taken by Mr. J. A. Kershaw.
Fam. SCHOENOBIADAE.
SCHOENOBIUS MELANOSTIGMUS, Nl. Sp.
od 20-23 mm. Head and thorax white. Palpi extremely long (7);
second joint with long rough hairs; terminal joint long, smooth;
ochreous-whitish; antennae whitish. Abdomen whitish; tuft whitish.
Legs whitish; anterior and middle pairs suffused with pale-fuscous.
Forewings elongate, costa gently arched, apex round-pointed, termen
slightly bowed, slightly oblique; 1i running into 12; white, sometimes
faintly ochreous-tinged; a rather irregular black median spot at 2
over lower angle of cell; cilia whitish or ochreous-white. Hind-
Wings and cilia white. Underside whitish.
Type in National Museum, Melbourne.
N.Q., Claudie River in January and February; three specimens
taken by Mr. J. A. Kershaw.
SCHOENOBIUS CROSSOSTICHUS, Nl. Sp.
odo 2 22-24 mm. Head and thorax ochreous-whitish. Palpi very
long (6); second joint with a few long hairs; whitish with a few grey
seales. Antennae whitish. Abdomen ochreous-whitish. Legs ochreous-
whitish, tarsi tinged with grey. Forewings elongate, apex acute, ter-
man straight, oblique, 11 running into 12, the latter separating close
to costal edge; ochreous-whitish sparely irrorated with fuscous in
dorsal half; a terminal series of blackish dots between veins; cilia
ochreous-whitish. Hindwings and cilia white; underside whitish.
Tyne in National Museum, Melbourne.
N.Q., Claudie River in February; two specimens take by Mr. J. A.
Kershaw.
Gen. Styphlolepis.
Styphlolepis, Hmps., P.Z.S., 1895, p. 912.
An Australian genus allied to Cirrhochrista, from which it may
be distinguished by vein 7 of the hindwings being approximated to 12,
or anastomosing at a point only, whereas in Cirrhochrista these veins
anastomose for a considerable distance. The stalking of 6 and 7 of
the forewings is an exceptional character in the genus, and is not
constant in those species in which it occurs. The larvae are internal
feeders, occurring often in dry districts. The perfect insects attain a
large size, and, owing to their retired habits, are very seldom seen.
The largest species hitherto discovered was bred from larvae found
in a Brisbane suburban garden, in which the owner, a zealous ento-
mologist, had worked and collected for thirty years, but had never
previously seen the moth. Five species are at present known, of
which two are here described; the other three are:—
48 Jefferis Turner -
squamosalis, Hmps., P.Z.S., 1895, p. 912, from N.Q., Towns-
ville.
agenor, Turn., P.R.S.Q., 1915, p. 31, from Western N.S.W.,
Brewarrina, Gunnedah.
leucosticta, Hmps., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), iv., p. 318,
(1919), from N.W.A., Sherlock River.
Styphlolepis raaua, Swin., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), vi. p. 313
(1900), from N.Q., Townsville; Q., Bundaberg, Brisbane; N.S.W., Lis-
more, does not belong to the genus. It is a true Cirrhochrista.
STYPHLOLEPIS PERIBARYS, DN. Sp.
3o 48 mm., 2 55 mm. MHead and thorax reddish-brown, mixed
with white. Palpi and antennae reddish-brown. Abdomen white.
Legs white; anterior pair reddish-brown. Forewings triangular, costa
straight, arched towards apex, apex pointed, termen doubly sinuate,
oblique; white copiously irrorated with reddish-brown, which tends
to form transverse strigulae; two, slender, transverse, reddish-brown
lines; first from 4}costa to 4 dorsum, beneath costa outwardly-
curved, thence straight; second similar from # costa to # dorsum;
cilia reddish-brown, with a whitish subapical line and apices pale-
fuscous. Hindwings with termen gently rounded, slightly wavy;
white; a reddish-brown terminal line not reaching tornus; cilia
white, bases tinged with reddish-brown.
Veins 6 and 7 of forewings are connate, or closely approximated
at origin in both sexes.
Q., Emerald, in May; two specimens received from Mr. W. B.
Barnard.
STYPHLOLEPIS HYPERMEGAS, Nl. SDP.
do 46 mm., 2 66 mm. Head pale red. Palpi 3; fuscous brown;
lower edge white nearly to apex. Antennae grey; in ¢ thickened,
simple. Thorax ochreous-brown, with a central pale red spot. Abdo-
men brown; sides and under-surface whitish. Legs white; anterior
tarsi and inner surface of anterior femora and tibiae fuscous-brown.
Forewings triangular, costa, strongly arched, apex rounded, termen
sinuate towards apex and tornus, strongly bowed in middle, brown
inclining towards grey in costal area, with sparsely scattered, large,
dark-fuscous scales; a large subdorsal suffusion from near base, where
it is broadest, nearly to termen, whitish mostly suffused with pale-red
and containing also some dark-fuscous scales; a fuscous line from
2 costa to 1 dorsum; a_ suffused discal fuscous mark beyond
3 3
middle; a second fuscous line from # costa, bent slightly outwards
beneath costa, thence nearly straight to’ 3 dorsum; cilia dark-fuscous
with a white spot in sinuation above tornus. Hindwings with termen
rounded; brownish-ochreous becoming paler towards base; a narrow-
grey terminal suffusion produced inwards on veins; a wavy curved
transverse line at about 3. becoming obsolete towards dorsum; cilia
fuscous more or less mixed with white, wholly white on tornus and
dorsum.
Q., Brisbane in October; two specimens received from Mr. R.
Illidge, bred from larvae.
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 49
Fam. PYRALIDAE.
Gen. LARODRYAS, NOV.
Frons flat. Tongue well-developed, thickly scaled towards base.
Labial palpi moderate, straight, drooping, smooth-scaled; terminal
joint obtuse with some rough scales at apex. Maxillary palpi obtuse
and rough-scaled at apex. Antennae of ¢ slightly laminate, with
moderately long ciliations. Forewings with 2 from #, 3 from well
before angle, 4 and 5 connate from angle, which is acutely produced,
diverging, 7, 8, 9 stalked, 10 and 11 from cell, free. Hindwings with 2
from 2, 3 from well before angle, 4 and 5 connate from angle, 6 and
7 connate, 7 anastomosing strongly with 8.
Nearest Oenogenes, Meyr., but the palpi are very different.
LARODRYAS HAPLOCALA, Nl. SD.
oo 18 mm. Head ochreous-whitish; face fuscous. Palpi dark-
fuscous. Antennae grey, towards base ochreous-whitish; ciliations in
&@ 14. Thorax cchreous-whitish, mixed with fuscous-green. Abdomen
dark-fuscous, beneath whitish-ochreous. Legs dark-fuscous; tibiae and
tarsi annulated with ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate-triangular,
costa sinuate, apex rounded, termen bowed, oblique; purple-grey; base
fuscous-green, continuous with a broad fuscous-green costal streak to
apex; a whitish transverse line from 4 costa to mid-dorsum, strongly
curved outwards in middle, edged anteriorly by a fuscous-green fascia
containing some dark-fuscous scales, posteriorly by a dark-fuscous
line; a second whitish line from # costa to tornus, bent outwards above
middle, thence strongly inwards, edged anteriorly by a dark-fuscous
line, posteriorly by a fuscous-green and dark-fuscous fascia; four
whitish costal dots between lines; a dark-fuscous discal spot beneath
mid-costa; a terminal series of dark-fuscous dots edge with fuscous-
green; cilia purple-grey, with four large whitish bars. Hindwings with
termen gently rounded; grey, towards base, and tornus suffused with
whitish; two fine grey transverse lines, first from mid-dorsum strongly
curved towards base of costa; second from above tornus to costa be-
yond middle, wavy; a terminal series of fuscous dots; cilia grey with
basal and median whitish lines.
Q., National Park (3000 ft.), in March; one specimen.
Fam. PYRAUSTIDAE.
MUSOTIMA CALLIDRYAS, N. SD.
30? 11-12 mm. Head, thorax, and abdomen fuscous. Palpi
whitish; second joint with apical, third joint with subapical dark-
fuscous ring. Antennae with joints dilated at apices; grey-whitish, on
dorsum barred with dark-fuscous. Legs fuscous; tarsi broadly annu-
lated with whitish. Forewings strongly dilated posteriorly, costa
gently arched, apex rounded, termen deeply incised beneath apex, and
above tornus, oblique; whitish densely suffused with fuscous; a small
- darker basal patch outlined with whitish; an outwardly-curved fuscous
5
50 Jefferis Turner :
line from 3 costa to 3 dorsum, edged anteriorly with whitish;
median area in g )|rondly whitish; a second, less distinct line from
2 costa, at first curved strongly outwards, then sinuate and inwardly-
oblique to 3 dorsum; a short, white, outwardly-oblique, subapical
streak, a similar streak paralle] to termen between incisions, and a
third streak below lower incision; a brownish terminal line interrupted
by incisions, cilia fuscous with a dark-fuscous basal line, on apex and
incisions whitish. Hindwings with termen nearly straight and deeply
incised beneath apex; fuscous; basal part of costal area whitish; a
fine, dentate, whitish, transverse line at about 1; a large, median, sub-
dorsal, white spot, suffusedly connected with costal area; replaced in g
by a broad whitish fascia; a second whitish line at about $; bent in-
wards beneath middle; four blackish terminal spots preceded by fine
whitish lunules; cilia fuscous, apices whitish.
Q., National Park (2500-3500 ft.), in December and January; four
specimens.
SYLEPTA PHAEOPLEURA, Nl. SP.
odo 20 mm. Head ochreous-whitish; face dark-fuscous. Palpi dark-
fuscous, with a sharply defined, oblique, whitisi, basal patch. Anten-
nae and thorax ochreous-whitish. Abdomen ochreous-whitish; dorsum
with two dark-fuscous dots on third segment, and median fuscous spots
on three last segments. Legs ochreous-whitish; antericr tarsi white
broadly annulated, with dark-fuscous. Forewings triangular, costa
straight to 3, thence arched, apex round-pointed, termen slightly
bowed, oblique; brown-whitish; markings dark-fuscous; a costal streak
throughout, interrupted by four pale dots in terminal j, with a slight
discal projection at +, and a larger acute blackish projection in
middie; an incomplete fine curved line at i; a finely dentate line
from # costa, bent inwards between veins 2 and 3, and again at right
angles to end on 2 dorsum; a terminal series cf blackish dots on
veins; cilia brown-wnhitish. Hindwings as forewings, but without
costal streak and first line; second line not dentate, and succeeded by
some fuscous suffusion.
Type in National Museum, Melbourne.
N.Q., Claudie River, in January; one specimen taken by Mr. J. A.
Kershaw.
MARGARONIA APIOSPILA, N. Sp.
3? 21-25 mm. Head ochreous-whitish, centre of crown and face
fuscous. Palpi, 14; ochreous-whitish; a narrow median bar, apex of
second joint, and terminal joint blackish. Antennae whitish-ochreous.
‘Thorax white, with a broad median fuscous line. Abdomen white; a
median dorsal fuscous-line on first four segments; a blackish dot on
dorsum of terminal segment. Legs ochreous-whitish; anterior pair
fuscous. Forewings rather narrowly triangular, costa straight to },
thence arched, apex pointed, termen sinuate oblique; fuscous; mark-
ings white; a line from beneath } costa to } dorsum; a large sub-
quadrate spot shortly beyond this extending from nearly beneath costa
% across disc; a large subovate (pear-shaped) spot with larger end
dorsal at 2; a curved subterminal line, expanded on margins; cilia
Studzes in Australian Lepidoptera. 51
-whitish with an interrupted fuscous sub-basal line. Hindwings with
apex pointed, termen sinuate; white; a transverse oval discal spot
before middle, and a moderate terminal band; fuscous; cilia white,
bases fuscous.
Near microta, Meyr., and flavizonalis, Hmps.; distinguished from
the first by the white thorax and abdomen; from the second by the
~ fuscous colouring without yellowish tinge, differently shaped posterior
spot, and terminal band on hindwings.
N.Q., Cooktown in April; Cairns in October; Q., Coolangatta (and
‘Cudgen, N.S.W.), in January and May; seven specimens.
PYRAUSTA HYALISTIS.
Pyrausta hyalistis, Low., P.L.S., N.S.W., 1901, p. 669.
Pyrausta diplosticta, Turn., Tr. R.S.S., S.A., 1908, p. 100.
‘Y., Melbourne, Sale, Lorne, Upper Macedon, near Gisborne.
ECLIPSIODES SEMIGILVA, Nn. SD.
Semigilvus, half-yellowish.
do 22 mm. Head pale-ochreous mixed with fuscoms. Palpi 23;
ark-fuscous; base and internal surface, except apex, whitish. An-
tennae grey annulated with dark-fuscous, in ¢ slightly dentate with
very short ciliations (4). Thorax whitish, mixed with dark-fuscous;
a posterior spot whitish. Abdomen pale-ochreous. Legs fuscous; tibiae
and tarsi annulated with whitish; posterior pair, pale-ochreous, with
fuscous annulations on tarsi. Forewings moderately narrow, costa
slightly arched, apex tolerably pointed, termen nearly straight, mode-
rately oblique; white, with fairly uniform dark-fuscous irroration;
markings dark-fuscous; a suffused basal patch; a line from 4 costa
to i dorsum; orbicular minutely outlined; reniform 8-shaped, out-
lined in fuscous, connected by a line with % dorsum, and by a large
‘suffused spot with tornus; a finely dentate line from # costa to tornal
spot; a subapical costal spot; cilia whitish mixed with grey, bases
‘barred with dark-fuscous. Hindwings with termen slightly sinuate;
pale-ochreous; a rather narrow fuscous terminal band not reaching
‘tcrnus; cilia whitish, bases pale fuscous.
Type in Coll. Lyell. :
V., Daytrap, in October; one specimen.
ScOPARIA ISCHNOPTERA, Nl. SD.
3o 20 mm. Head grey. Palpi 4; fuscous; extreme base white.
Antennae fuscous. Thorax fuscous-grey; pectus white. Abdomen pale-
grey; base of dorsum ochreous-tinged. Legs grey. Forewings very
narrow, slightly dilated posteriorly, apex round-pointed, termen bowed,
oblique; dark-grey, inclining to fuscous; a blackish streak from base
to middle along fold; a similar streak in cell from middle to #; some
‘blackish subapical and subtornal suffusion; cilia whitish with two
grey lines, basal line darker. Hindwings three times as broad as fore-
5A
52 Jefferis Turner :
wings, termen gently rounded; whitish; slight grey-whitish suffusion
towards apex; cilia whitish.
This species and the following are remarkable for :their long palpi
and narrow forewings. Type in Coll. Lyell.
V., Ringwood in April, one specimen.
ScOPARIA ITHYNTIS, 0. sp.
&o 2 14-16 mm. Head whitish. Palpi 4; fuscous, upper edge, and
base of lower edge whitish. Antennae grey; ciliations in ¢. 4. Thorax
fuscous. Abdomen pale-grey. Legs fuscous; posterior pair whitish.
Forewings narrow, posteriorly dilated, apex acute, termen sinuate,
oblique; whitish, irrorated with fuscous, more densely in 92; an indis-
tinct fuscous line from i costa to 4 dorsum, inner edge suffusedly
whitish, orbicular and claviform obsolete; reniform represented by
a brownish-ferruginous spot; a whitish transverse line from 3% costa
to } dorsum, angled outwardly, better defined in 2; a whitish streak
from apex towards or meeting second line at angle; cilia whitish, an
interrupted sub-basal fuscous line, apices partly greyish. Hindwings
23 times as broad as forewings, termen slightly sinuate; whitish, to-
wards termen greyish-tinged; cilia whitish, usually with a fuscous sub-
basal line
Type in Coll. Lyell.
N.S.W., Adaminaby, in October; V., Gisborne, in September and
October; fifteen specimens.
, SCOPARIA MELANOXANTHA, Nl. Sp.
2 18-19 mm. Head yellow, with a few blackish scales. Palpi
2; yellowish, with a few blackish scales. Antennae pale-ochreous, on
dorsum barred with blackish. Thorax yellow; bases of patagia, a
pair of posterior dots, and some scattered scales blackish. Abdomen
pale-grey. Legs yellowish, tibiae and tarsi with obscure fuscous
annulations. Forewings narrowly triangular, costa nearly straight,
apex pointed, termen-—nearly straight, moderately oblique; yellow;
markings blackish; a dot on costa near base; a short basal dorsal
streak; a broad incomplete fascia from costa near base, outwardly-
oblique, not reaching dorsum; a dot on fold beyond this; a second
similar mark from costa reaching half across disc, and connected
with a narrow suffusion on central half of costa; reniform 8 shaped,
its upper half very thickly outlined, its lower very slenderly and in-
completely; some blackish dorsal irroration; a triangular costal sub-
apical spot; a large tornal spot, acutely produced halfway across disc,
containing a yellow dot near tornus; a triangular spot on mid-termen;
cilia yellowish with an interrupted fuscous basal line, and a grey sub-
apical line. Hindwings with termen sinuate; ochreous-whitish, suf-
fused with grey towards termen; cilia ochreous-whitish with a grey
sub-basal line.
This and the following species are specifically very unlike any-
thing else found in Australia.
Q., National Park (3000 ft.), in December; two specimens taken
at light.
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera 53
SCOPARIA GETHOSYNA, Nn. Sp.
2 20 mm. Head brownish-orange. Palpi 3; ochreous-whitish
with two broad oblique fuscous bars on external surface. Antennae
grey. Thorax grey; patagia whitish-ochreous, bases orange. Abdo-
men pale ocheous-grey. Legs ochreous-whitish; tibiae and tarsi
annulated, with fuscous. Forewings narrowly triangular, costa
slightly arched, apex obtusely pointed, termen nearly straight, slightly
oblique; brownish-orange; a large basal dark-fuscous spot, angled
outwards, not reaching dorsum; an obscure, whitish, slightly out-
wardly curved line from 4 costa to 31 dorsum; a squarish dark-
fuscous blotch extending on costa from { to middle, sharply limited
beneath by fold; a whitish fascia beyond this, broad on costa and
in disc, narrow near dorsum, containing some fuscous scales, and
a dark fuscous line near, and parallel to its posterior edge; a large
subapical, a supratornal, and a series of small terminal spots, dark-
fuscous; cilia whitish, with a central grey line. Hindwings with
termen slightly sinuate. ochreous-whitish; cilia ochreous-whitish.
Q., National Park (3000 ft.), in December; one specimen at light.
SCOPARIA CROCOSPILA, n. SD.
@ 18 mm. Head blackish; face mixed with whitish. Palpi 23;
blackish; lower edge whitish towards base. Antennae whitish, finely
barred with blackish. Thorax blackish, with a few whitish scales;
apices of patagia whitish; a large posterior spot whitish suffused
with orange. Abdomen fuscous; apices of segments narrowly whitish;
underside whitish. Legs whitish with some blackish scales; tibiae
and tarsi broadly annulated with blackish. Forewings moderate,
costa gently arched, apex round-pointed, termen slightly rounded,
slightly oblique; blackish; markings whitish; a suffused transverse
sub-basal line; a more distinct slightly outwardly-curved line at
4; orbicular and claviform obsolete; reniform represented by two
blackish spots separated by a whitish spot, and situated in a post-
median whitish suffusion; a fine doubly-sinuate line from 2 costa
to # dorsum; a broader, irregularly crenated subterminal line;
cilia ochreous-whitish, with sub-basal and apical series of dark-
fuscous dots, the latter incompletely developed. Hindwings with
termen slightly sinuate; grey; cilia ochreous whitish, with an in-
complete series of grey median dots.
Type in Coll. Lyell. The orange thoracic spot, if constant,
should make this species easily recognised.
V., Gisborne, in November; one specimen.
ScOPARIA AXIOLECTA, N. SD.
9 18 mm. Head white, between antennae blackish. Palpi 3;
white mixed with fuscous. Antennae white, with blackish annula-
tions. Thorax white, mixed with blackish and fuscous. Abdomen
pale-grey. Legs whitish; anterior and middle tibiae irrorated with
blackish; tarsi with blackish annulations, those on posterior pair
only slightly developed. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa gently
54 Jefferis Turner :
arched, apex round-pointed, termen nearly straight, moderately
oblique; white with well-defined blackish markings, and slight black-
ish irroration; a sub-basal fascia, expanded on dorsum, and contain-
ing a whitish dot; a line from { costa to 4 dorsum; an irregular
discal mark beyond this, representing orbicular and claviform; reni-
form strongly marked, X shaped; indications of a curved line from.
% costa to 2 dorsum; rather large angular spots on costa before
apex, on termen above middle, and on dorsum before tornus; an in--
terrupted submaginal line; cilia white, bases obscurely barred with
blackish. Hindwings with termen sinuate; whitish-grey; cilia.
whitish.
T., Cradle Mountain, in January; one specimen received from
Dr. R. J. Tillyard. A second 92 example from Mt. Macedon, Victoria.
(Coll. Lyell), appears to be the same species.
ScoPAaRIA TRISTICTA, N. Sp.
&f21 mm. Head grey. Palpi 24; grey. Antennae grey; ciliations:
in #@ minute. Thorax grey. Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs whitish ;
anterior and middle tibiae and tarsi annulated with dark-fuscous.
Forewings elongate-trianguiar, cosfa gently arched, apex rounded-
rectangular, termen slightly bowed, scarcely oblique; grey with
slight dark-fuscous irroration; markings dark-fuscous; a small suf-
fused spot on base of costa; a moderately broad line, slightly dentate
in middle, from { costa to } dorsum, followed by some dark-
fuscous suffusion; orbicular and claviform distinct, edged with dark-
fuscous, pale in centre, well separated from each other, and first
line; reniform broadly oval, indented posteriorly, outline and centre
dark-fuscous, connected with a suffused spot on mid costa; second line
from # costa to # dorsum, indented beneath costa, outwardly
bowed in middle, thence inwardly oblique and wavy, edged posteriorly
by a pale line; suffused spots in terminal area, first subapical, second
on mid-termen, third supratornal; a subterminal] dot above second
spot; cilia whitish with a subapical series of fuscous dots. Hind-
wings with termen sinuate; whitish; cilia whitish.
N.S.W., Ebor (4000 ft.), in January; one specimen.
Fam. TINEODIDAE.
A small family of the group Pyralites characterised by the wide
separation of vein 5 of the hindwings from 4; only in the new genus
Tanycnema are these two veins somewhat approximate, but separate
at origin. From it have arisen probably the two small families
Oxychirotidae and Coenolobidae, each consisting of a single genus.
More remotely related are the Pterophoridae, which may be distin-
guished from all genera of these three families, except Tanycnema,
by the absence of maxillary palpi. As at present known the family
consists of a few small Australian genera and the Indian genus
Simaethistis (which, however, I have not seen). The family, as
Meyrick has pointed out, is a primitive one, which was probably
formerly much more largely developed. I imagine that it arose in
ap
———————S C UL e rlhlh ee
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 55
Southern Asia, and that in the remote past a few genera reached
the Eastern Cordillera of this continent, when that consisted of a
chain cf islands surrcunded by the ocean, and the old Australia
lay many hundred miles to the west. Almcst destroyed in its original
habitat after the appearance of the dominant family Pyraustidae, a
few genera have survived in these mountain-tops, or in the rain-
forests at their bases, one genus, Tineodes, having become adapted
to life on the coastal plains. I should expect that further represen-
tatives of the family will be found in the mountains of New Guinea.
The family may ke divided into two grcups; a more primitive,
in which 6 of the hindwings is widely separate from 7; and a less
primitive, in which these veins are connate from the upper angle
of the cell. The latter group includes the exotic genus Simaethistis.
It happens that the latter group also exhibits some primitive features;
for instance, in Simaethistis and Paiaeodes, all veins in the fore-
wings are separate; and in the new genus Anomina 7 of the hind-
‘wings does net anastomose with 12, a structure which is shared only
by the genus Tanycnema.
Pema wines with G6 ands-d},@oumate «.:. .... . . Z
emcees Witt G Tretriote oo 7... 6 kw tte kl me 3
Boat wines with 7 not anastomosing .°.°. ... .-.. Anomima
Panawines With { anastomosing ... °.. '. ..'. « .raieoudes
a. indwings with 4 and 5 somewhat approximate at
origin NMR OMBA ver datas SMe? ay “soe . Tanycnema
Hindwings with 4 and 5 widely separate ..... 4
4. Hindwings with a strong costal tuft... .. . . . Huthesaura
Pimowinegs Without costal tuft .~. 9 .°. 33 3. « « « 5
5. Labial palpi extremely long (8), maxiliary palpi
meet. CMe Ebaeetie. . oS So ete Sema a Tineodes
Labial palpi moderately long (4), maxillary palpi
manors. Gis see 2 OOS LTS ee” een
Gen. Anomima, nov.
Palpi long (about 4), porrect; terminal joint short, acute.
Maxillary palpi moderately long. Antennae in g serrate and shortly
ciliated. Thorax and abdomen mecderately stout. Legs moderately
long; tibial spurs nearly equal. Forewings with 2 and 3 long-stalked
from angle, 4, 5 separate, 6 widely separate, 7 connate with 8, 9,
10, which are stalked, § arising shortly before 10, 11 from #. Hind-
wings with 2, 3, 4, 5 remote, equidistant, parallel, 2 arising from
before angle, 6 and 7 connate from upper angle, 7 approximated to
8 for a short distance, but not anastomesing.
The solitary example on which this genus is based was captured
some thirty years ago, and is in bad condition, the head somewhat.
mutilated, so that I am not able to give the characters fully, but
sufficiently so to indicate that it is a very distinct genus. The ab-
sence of any anastomosis of 7 of the hindwings and the generally
stout build are primitive characters, but the neuration of the fore-
wings is specialised, and the origin of 6 of hindwings is a later
56 Jefferis Turner:
character than its separate origin. It is probably derived from the
Indian genus Simaethistis.
ANOMIMA PHAEOCHROA, N.Sp.
go 18 mm. Head, thorax, and abdomen fuscous. Palpi 4, fuscous.
Antennae fuscous. Legs pale-fuscous with darker irroration. Fore-
wings elongate-triangular, costa nearly straight, apex round-pointed,
termen concave, slightly oblique; pale-fuscous irrorated throughout
with darker scales;.a small, round, dark-fuscous, discal spot at end
of cell beneath midcosta; a subterminal series of dark-fuscous dots;
cilia fuscous. Hindwings narrow, subtriangular, apex round-pointed,
termen sinuate; as forewings, but without markings.
The type is in poor condition, but amply distinguished by the
generic characters. At best this must be a dull-coloured inconspicuous
insect.
Q., Brisbane; one specimen.
Gen. Palaeodes.
Palaeodes, Hmps., A.M.N.H. (8), xii., p. 318 (1913).
Frons flat. Tongue present. Palpi long (4), porrect; second
joint thickened with short rough hairs above and beneath, with a
slight apical inferior tuft; terminal joint short, slender, acute, Maxil-
lary palpi rather large, rough-scaled, strongly dilated. Antennae
simple except towards apex, where apices of joints are slightly
dilated by whorls of scales; in g shortly ciliated throughout. Thorax
and abdomen rather slender, smocth. Postericr tibiae with spurs
nearly equal. Forewings with 2 from shortly before angle, 3, 4, 5
approximated from about angle, 6 separate, 7, 8, 9, 10 approxi-
mated, 11 from #. MHindwings with 2 from 4%, 3, 4 connate from
angle, 5 widely separate from middle of cell, 6, 7 connate, 7 ana-
stomosing with 8. Retinaculum in ¢ not bar-shaped.
The absence of stalking of 8 and 9 of forewings distinguséshes
this genus.
PALAEODES SAMEAL‘S.
Palaeodes samealis, Hmps., A.M.N.H. (8), xii., p. 318 (1913).
N.Q., Herberton, Townsville. Q., Coolangatta, Toowoomba.
Gen. Tanycnema, nov.
Frons with a strong anterior tuft of hairs. ‘Tongue present.
Palpi rather long, porrect. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Antennae short.
Legs long, slender; outer tibial spurs about # length of inner spurs.
Forewings narrow, elongate; 2 from well before angle, 3 from angle,
4 and 5 somewhat approximate at origin, 6 from upper angle, 7, 8,
9, 10 stalked, 7 arising slightly before 10, 11 free. Hindwings twice
as broad as forewings; 2 from 3, 3 from angle, 4 and 5 somewhat
approximate at origin, 6 well separated at origin from 5, still more
widely from 7, 7 from upper angle, closely approximated to 12 for
some distance, but not anastomosing.
lord
Studies in Australian Lepidoptera. 57
A peculiar, isolated, and primitive genus. The wide separation
of 6 from 7 of the hindwings, and the absence of any anastomosis
of 7 with 12 are primitive characters; on the other hand the relative
approximation of 5 to 4 in the hindwings, and the stalking of 7 and
10 of the forewings are specialised characters, the former being unique
in this family, to which the genus must, I think, be referred, though
tthe absence of maxillary palpi (if confirmed), suggests some relation-
ship to the Pterophoridae, but this may be more apparent than real.
TANYCNEMA ANOMALA, N. SD.
do 34 mm. Head and thorax brownish-grey. Palpi 34; brownish.
Antennae about 4; fuscous. Abdomen grey; dorsum of basal seg-
ment whitish-grey. Legs brownish-grey. Forewings narrow, elon-
gate, gradually dilating posteriorly, but only to a moderate extent,
costa straight to middle, thence sinuate, apex pointed, termen slightly
sinuate, slightly oblique; brownish-grey; costa broadly suffused with
ochreous-whitish throughout; an ochreous-whitish dot at 3 on end
of cell; a suffused inwardly-oblique, fuscous streak from before apex,
cutting acruss pale costal area, then slightly dentate to about half-
‘way across disc; a whitish subterminal line from apical pale area
to vein 3; a similar line precedes terminal edge, which is fuscous,
and is itself preceded by an obscure series of fuscous dots; cilia
whitish-brown. Hindwings with apex tolerably pointed, termen gently
rounded, wavy; grey; cilia grey.
Q., National Park (3000 ft.), in December; one specimen.
Gen. Euthesaura, nov.
Frons flat. Tongue present. Palpi moderate (not exceeding 2),
porrect; second joint thickened with rough hairs; terminal joint very
short. Maxillary palpi short, filiform. Antennae over 1, slender,
’ joints dilated by whorls cf short scales at apices; in g without
ciliations. Thorax and abdomen slender; inner tibial spurs twice as
long as outer. Forewings with 2 from well before angle, 3 from angle,
4 from shortly above, 5 and 6 widely separate, 7 approximated to 8,
9, which are stalked from angle, 10 approximated to them at origin,
11 from middle of cell. Hindwings with a strong tuft of scales on
costa beyond middle; 2 from ;, 3 and 4 approximated from angle,
5 parallel from middle of cell, 6 widely separate, 7 from angle
anastomosing shortly with 8. Retinaculum in ¢ bar-shaped.
Distinguished by the comparatively shert labial palpi, and short
filiform maxillary palpi, costal tuft of hindwings, and very unequal
tibial spurs. Type E. glycina.
EUTHESAURA GLYCINA, N. Sp.
do 18-20 mm. Head and thorax fuscous. Palpi about 2; fuscous,
lower edge ochreous. Antennae grey. Abdomen whitish; two basal
segments and some median dorsal dots dark-fuscous. Legs ochreous-
whitish; anterior pair mostly fuscous. Forewings elongate-triangu-
lar; costa bisinuate, apex acute, termen nearly straight, oblique;
58 Jefferis Turner :
white with patchy dark-fuscous suffusion in parts; a large basal
patch prelonged along costa to beyond middle; a spot on mid-dorsum
tending to be connected with costa by scattered dark scales; another
dorsal spot at {; a large tcrnal spot suffusedly connected with another
before termen above middle, and this with costa; a large, transversely-
elongate, ochreous, fuscous-edged mark in disc beneath 2 costa; an
interrupted, dark-fuscous line on upper half of termen; cilia whitish.
Hindwings with costa slightly concave, with strong tufts of scales
before and after excavation, apex rounded-rectangular, termen sinuate;
white, an elongate biackish spot on base of dorsum; a broadly suffused
ante-median, transverse, fuscous fascia, broader towards costa, where
it contains an ochreous black-edged spot; a second fuscous fascia from
tuft on 2 costa to tornus; terminal dots and cilia as forewings.
Q., National Park (3000 ft.), in December and January; twelve
specimens, all of the same sex.
EUTHESAURA CARBONARIA, Nl. SD.
&o ¢ 19-21 mm. Head blackish. Palpi 1; blackish. Antennae
about 1; grey, towards base blackish. Thorax and abdomen blackish.
Legs dark fuscous; tarsi barred with whitish on upper surface, wholly
whitish beneath. Forewings narrow to beyond middle, very strongly
dilated towards termen, costa bisinuate, apex pointed, termen scarcely
bowed, oblique, dark-fuscous; markings blackish; an outwardly bent,
sub-basal, transverse line; a broad line from 4 costa, strongly angled
outwards, not reaching dorsum; a suffused whitish subcostal streak,
broadening posteriorly, from second line to discal spot; discal spot at
2 narrowly oval, transverse brownish-tinged in centre, posteriorly
narrowly edged with whitish; connected by a sinuate line with 3
dorsum; four, minute, whitish, nearly equidistant dots on apical third
of costa; from beneath the first of these is a third transverse line to
dorsum before tornus; from the second a fourth curved subterminal line
to tornus; cilia dark-fuscous, with a narrow whitish basal line from
apex to midtermen. Hindwings very strongly dilated beyond middle,
with a strong tuft of scales on a - costa, apex rounded, termen sinuate;
as forewings but without discal ‘spot: one or two variable whitish dots.
on or near second line.
Q., National Park (3000 ft.), in December and January; seven
specimens, 5 gf 29.
Gen. Tineodes.
Tineodes Gn., Lep. viii., p. 236, Meyr., Tr. E.S., 1884, p. 291.
Hmps., P.Z.S., 1899, p. 284.
Frons flat. Tongue present. Palpi extremely elongate (about 8),
porrect; second joint thickened with short rough hairs above and be-
neath; with a slight apical inferior tuft; terminal joint short, smooth,
pointed. Maxillary palpi rather large, rough-scaled, strongly dilated.
Antennae 1, slender, joints dilated by whorls of raised scales at apices..
Thorax and abdomen slender, smooth. Legs very long and slender,
inner spurs slightly longer than outer. Forewings with 2 from well.
eee ee
Studies in Austrulian Lepidoptera. 59
before angle, 3 from angle, 4 from shortly above, 5 and 6 widely
separate, 7 closely approximated at origin to 8, 9, which are stalked,
10 closely approximated, 11 from %. Hindwings with 2 to 7 equidis-
stant and parallel, 2 arising from before angle, 7 anastomosing’
shortly with 8 soon after origin.
Specially characterised by the extremely long palpi. Sir George
‘Hampson (loc. cit.) has incorrectly described the neuration of the
hindwings.
TINEODES ADACTYLALIS.
Tineodes adactylalis Gn., Lep. viii., p. 237, Pl. 9, f. 7., Meyr.
TT. Ei boot, De 20 La
Carcantia pterophoralis, W1k., Cat. Brit. Mus., xvii., 425.
Q., Coolangatta; N.S.W., Sydney; V., Gisborne; W.A., Waroona.
Gen. Euthrausta, nov.
Frons with anterior tuft of hairs. Tongue present. Palpi
moderately long (3 to 4), porrect or slightly depressed; second joint
dilated with rough scales above and beneath; terminal joint minute,
almost concealed. Maxillary palpi moderate, filiform. Antennae over
1, slender, joints dilated by whorls of raised scales at apices; in ¢
with long ciliations on basal part, apical part not ciliated. Thorax
and abdomen slender, not crested. Legs very long and slender, inner
spurs slightly longer than outer. Forewings with 2 from 3, 3 from
before angle, 3, 4, 5, 6 equidistant and parallel, 7 approximated at
origin to 8, 9, which are stalked, 10 approximated, 11 from middle.
Hindwings with 2 from middle, 3 from before angle, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 equi-
distant and parallel, 7 anastomosing with 8. Rectinaculum of ¢
short, bar-shaped. Type, HE. oxyprora.
HUTHRAUSTA PHOENICEA. :
Tineodes phoenicea Turn., Tr. R.S., S.A., 1908, p. 107.
N.Q., Herberton; Q., Brisbane.
EUTHRAUSTA OXYPRORA.
Tineodes oxyprora Turn., Tr. R.S., S.A. 1908, p. 108.
N.Q., Cairns; Q., Brisbane.
EUTHRAUSTA HOLOPHAEA.
Tineodes holophaea Turn., Tr. R.S., S.A., 1908, p. 108.
That this is not an aberration of the preceding is shown by the
much shorter antennae ciliations of the ¢.
N.Q., Cairns.
Fam. AEGERIADAE.
In the Proc. Roy. Soc. Q., 1917, p. 78, I attempted a revision of
the few known Australian species of this family, not knowing that Le
Cerf was publishing at the same time an important paper on this
family in Oberthur’s Etudes de Lepidopterologie Comparee, xiv., p.
127. Since then Sir Geo. Hampson has completed a revision of the
‘60 Jefferis Turner :
‘Oriental species in the Novitates Zool., 1919, p. 46, which contains
several species not known to me. It seems advisable, therefore, to
give a fresh synopsis of the known Australian species,* of which there
are now fifteen, all (except one introduced form) from Queensland
and North Australia, and to give a tabulation of the genera.
1. Antennae dilated towards apex and ending in a minute
tuft:of heats’ suds aes Tn % erly sae oe ’ 2
Antennae not so formed .... . 5
‘2. Hindwings with 3 from angle of eid erinieastes or ciliiteod
Wie ab Eee Bot er See oF age Th. Oech eae 3
Hindwings with 3 separate from Ketone apeis Wee. OH 4
‘3. Posterior tarsi with first joint fringed with scales above Lepidopoda
Posterior tarsi without fringe of scales above ... . Trochilium
‘4. Hindwings with 3 arising from as near or nearer 2
than ‘8 3.44). $6.0" te ane Melittia
Hindwings with 3 arising res nearer 5 ro 2 . . . Paranthrene
5... ind wings. with \3) and ’.5 stalleed:s.:° i.) 2. sAeyedp © the 6
Hindwings with 3 arising remote from 5...... Tinthia
6. gg without tongue, and with dense tufts of hair on
middle and posterior tibiae. .ialen> «yal lirnit « ia Lophocnema
é& with tongue, and without tibial tufts ........ Diapyra
Gen. Lepidopoda,
Lepidopoda, Hmps., J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., 1900, p. 43,
Type, L. heterogyna Hmps., from India.
LEPIDOPODA XANTHOGYNA.
Lepidopoda xanthogyna, Hmps., Nov. Zool., 1919, p. 54.
N.Q., Cairns.
Gen. Trochilium.
Trochilium, Scop., Int. Nat. Hist., p. 414 (1777).
'TROCHILIUM CHRYSOPHANES.
Sesia chrysophanes, Meyr., P.L.S., N.S.W., 1886, p. 689.
3 Aegeria panyasis, Druce, A.M.N.H., (7), p. 201 (1899).
@ Aegeria caieta, Druce, ibid, p. 202.
The latter is the southern form; it differs only in the orange
markings of the ? being replaced by yellow; the g differs much
less. I cannot regard it as more than a local race. Mr. Dodd has bred
the species from Alphitonia excelsa.
N.Q., Townsville, Bowen; Q., Brisbane, Mt. Tambourine, Too-
-woomba.
TROCHILIUM MELANOCERUM.
Conopia melanocera, Hmps., Nov. Zool., 1919, p. 71.
N.Q., Cairns, Innisfail.
TROCHILIUM TIPULIFORME.
Sesia tipuliformis, Clerck, Icones, Pl. 4, f. 1 (1759).
Tasmania; two specimens received from Mr. G. H. Hardy. This
is an introduced species feeding on the currant (especially Ribes
Studies of Australian Lepidoptera. 6}
nigrum), which has been introduced from Europe to America, New
Zealand and Australia.
TROCHILIUM CORACODES, N. sp.
do 2 28-30 mm. Head black; sides of face white. Palpi 3,.
upturned, second joint rough-scaled, terminal joint 4, smooth; black,,.
in second joint mixed with white scales anteriorly. Antennae black;
basal joint, with an anterior white spot; in ¢g slightly serrate with.
tufts of cilia, cilia 3, Thorax, abdomen and tuft black, with bluish
reflections, abdomen with a few whitish scales. Forewings spathulate;
black with lustrous bluish scales in disc; a narrow hyaline streak in.
cell, and another beneath cell towards base; cilia blackish. Hind--
wings with termen gently rounded; 3 and 5 connate; hyaline; all.
veins, a spot on end of cell, and a narrow marginal line on termen
and dorsum, black; cilia blackish. Underside similar.
Q., Toowoomba, in February; two specimens taken together by
Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has kindly given me the type.
Gen. Melittia.
Melittia, Hb., Verz., p. 128.
Type, M. bombyliformis, Cram., from India.
MELITTIA AMBOINENSIS.
Melittia amboinensis, Feld., Sitz. Akad. Wiess. Wien, 1861,-.
p. 28.
Melittia amboinensis, var. doddi, Le Cerf, Obert. Et. Lep.
Comp. x1i..15 Pl. 373, f. 3118-3120 (19l6), ibid. xiv.
p.. 1916.
Melittia thaumasia, Turn., P.R.S.Q., 1917, p. 81.
N.Q., Claudie River, Cairns. Also from the Archipelago and.
India.
MELITTIA CHALYBESCENS.
Melittia chalybescens, Misk., P.R.S., Q., 1892, p. 59.
N.Q.,
MELITTIA PROSERPINA.
Melittia proserpina, Hmps., Nov. Zool., 1919, p. 92.
N.Q., Claudie River, Cairns.
Gen. Paranthrene.
Paranthrene, Hb., Verz., p. 128.
Type, P. tabaniformis, Rott., from Europe.
PARANTHRENE OBERTHURI.
Phlogothauma oberthuri, Le Cerf, Oberth. Et. Lep. Comp..
xii. i. Pl. 376, f. 3141-3142 (1916), ibid. xiv. p. 251.
Sciapteron terribile, Turn., P.R.S., Q., 1917, p. 81.
N.A., Port Darwin, Melville Island.
*Balataea homotona, Swin., Cat. Oxf. Mus., p. 36, belongs to the genus Miscera
(Glyphipterygidae).
62 Jefferis Turner: Studies in Australian Lepidoptera.
PARANTHRENE ISOZONA.
Sesia isozona, Meyr., P.L.S., N.S.W., 1886, p. 689.
Q., Maryborough.
PARANTHRENE CAERULIFERA,
Paranthrene carulifera (misprint), Hmps., Nov. Zool., 1919,
p. 108.
N.Q., Cairns.
PARANTHRENE ZONIOTA, N. Sp.
3d 24 mm. ‘Head with crown blackish; face whitish. Palpi
-whitish; extreme base and terminal joint dark-fuscous. Antennae
‘fuscous, towards base brownish; in @ simple. Thorax blackish;
patagia dark-grey. Abdomen blackish; a white ring on apex of fifth
segment; apices of following segments whitish on under-surface; tuft
‘blackish. Legs fuscous; anterior coxae whitish. Forewings narrow,
posteriorly dilated, costa straight to near apex, apex round-pointed,
‘termen obliquely rounded; hyaline; veins, a broad transverse bar at
end of cell, and a terminal band dark-fuscous with purple reflections;
-Cilia dark-fuscous. Hindwings over 2; hyaline; veins, a broad trans-
verse bar at end of cell, and a narrow terminal band lessening
towards tornus dark-fuscous.
Type in National Museum, Melbourne.
N.Q., Claudie River, in January; one specimen taken by Mr. J.
A. Kershaw.
Gen. Lophocnema.
LOBRhOCKREM0, TUIN., ck, OQ. 1917, DP. 1S.
Type, L. eusphyra, Turn.
LOPHOCNEMA EUSPHYRA.
Lophocnema eusphyra, Turn., P.R.S., Q., 1917, p. 79.
N.Q., Cairns.
Gen. Diapyra.
Diapyra, Furn., P.R.S., Q.,. 1917, p.. 79,
Glossecia, Hmps., Nov. Zool., 1919, p. 118.
Type, D. igniflua, Luc.
DIAPYRA IGNIFLUA.
Sesia igniflua Luc., P.L.S., N.S.W., 1893, p. 133.
Diapyra ignifiua, Turn., P-R.S., Q., 1917, p. 79.
4Q., Brisbane.
Gen. Tinthia.
Tinthia, W1k., Cat. Brit. Mus., xxxi., p. 23.
Type, 7. varipes, W1k., from Celebes.
TINTHIA XANTHOSPILA.
Tinthia xcanthospila, Hmps., Nov. Zool., 1919, p. 115.
N.Q., Cooktown.
[Proc. Roy. Soc. Vicroria, 35 (N.S.), Pr. I., 1922].
Arr. V.—On the Drying of Timber.
By REUBEN T. PATTON, B.Sc., M.F.
(With 9 Text Figures.)
[Read 8th June, 1922.]
he drying of timber is governed by six factors, namely, Moisture
Content, Diffusion cf Moisture, Evaporating Surface, Thickness, Hum-
idity and Temperature. The first two may be conveniently referred
to as the biolcgical factors since they are due to the plant’s activity,
and are quite beyond our control. ‘The last two may be referred to as
the mechanical factors, since we can vary them at will. The two inter-
medgiate factors, Evaporating Suriace and Thickness, belcng partly to
both. We may cut a piece of timber to any thickness, cr so as to
expose more cr less of one face than another, but having so cut it, its
drying will be governed by the organization of the wood substance.
The work contained herein was commenced at Melbourne (Vic-
toria) and was subsequently carried on at London. The work had its
origin in the difference of opinion which exists as to the relative
merits of air and kiln-drying of timber. The research had for its
object a study of ‘all the factors influencing the drying of timber, in
order to ascertain what is involved in the phenomenon of seasoning.
It may be here remarked that the term kiln seasoning involves widely
different ideas and practices. In some kilns, wholly artificial condi-
tions are used, the temperatures used, for instance, being far in excess
cf any found in nature. On the other hand, some kiln drying is
carried on at about the maximum atmospheric temperatures. In this
latter case, it is the continuance of the temperature, not the tem-
perature itself, that is artificial. Timber in our State may be subject
to a temperature of 123.5F, and at Melbourne itself to a temperature
of 111°F.
There is no doubt in the mind of the wood worker as to the value
of air-seasoned timber. Up to the present generation, all the finest
wood work of the world has been carried out with air-seasoned timber.
That is, in itself, quite a sufficient answer to the statements some-
times made that air-dried timber is inferior to kiln dried. However,
modern civilisation demands a greater supply of seasoned timber than
can be met by the old practice of air drying. The first aim, therefore,
was a study of drying under conditions which have preduced such sat-
isfactory results in the past. The work, therefore, was carried on at
such temperatures and humidities which, with slight exceptions, are
found in nature.
Moisture Content.—In the seasoning of timber we are concerned
not only with how much moisture there may be in the wood of a tree
when it is felled, but also how that moisture is distributed in the
tree, and also whether the moisture content is a constant all through
64. Reuben T. Patton:
the year. In other words, we are concerned with the quantity of
moisture and its distribution both in space and time.
If the sapwood be the means by which water is transported in a
living tree, then it should not matter at what time of the year a tree
is felled, and if the heartwood be inactive, then we should expect the
heartwood content to be a constant. It is obvious, however, that if
the heartwood content does undergo a seasonal change, then there
is a favourable period for felling. Ordinarily, however, when we speak
of the sap as rising, we are considering only the sapwood, and not the
heartwood.
It has recently been suggested(1) that the heartwood may play
an important part in the moisture needs of the plant. It is suggested
that the heartwood acts as a reservoir for the sapwood. This may be
true for some trees, but it cannot hold for all. The giant eucalypt
of Victoria, H. regnans, may have practically no heartwood at all, as
it may have all rotted away, yet the tree may live for centuries.
The trunk is a mere shell, yet the needs of the tree are met. It was
quite a well-known belief among the tree-fellers in the Victorian
forests that the central portion of the heartwood of our big trees con-
tained more moisture than the outer portion of the heartwood. In
many cases it was found that this central portion contained more
moisture than the sapwood. This central portion is very prone to
decay, and is rejected in timber milling. An examination of it micro-
scopicaily shows that the fibres have comparatively thin walls. The
percentages of moisture for one tree were as follow:—
Central .portions. az easiness 150 per cent.
Outer. heartweod ossoj ais tc 77 per cent.
SApweets 2 ali axes. il. ¢ 110 per cent.
The percentages are calculated to the dry weight of the wood.
The differential distribution of moisture in Acer pseudoplatanus
was fully investigated at Edinburgh(1). The investigation was car-
ried on during the dormant period of the tree, i.e., from October to
March. The matter was further studied at London during 1920,
and the results are given herein. The period of investigation was from
February to September, that is, from the end of the winter to the
beginning of the autumn. The trees selected for the main investiga-
tion were oaks (Quercus robur). In every case they were felled im
the morning and cross sections, two inches thick, were taken every
10 feet. These sections were at once wrapped in grease paper and
taken to the laboratory, where a strip one and a-half inches wide was
cut from the centre to the bark. These strips were then split into
half-inch pieces, commencing at the centre. If there was an odd width
left at the sapwood end, this was considered as a half-inch, and is’
graphed accordingly. The small pieces were at once weighed and then
dried. The percentage of moisture is calculated to the dry weight of
wood. In some cases two strips were taken from the section, and
these are given on the graphs. In Fig. 1 is given a typical moisture
distribution in oak. The first tree was felled on March 2nd, 1920,
and the last tree on September ist. All the trees were taken from
the same area and soil which was heavy clay.
Percentage o moisture.
00
40
20 “at
©
207%
i0®
|
| |
Drying of Timber. 65
gut
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a
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.
PP oad abrazo |
aa
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,
,
5
ee ‘ que ae
ee at ae 8
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Distance from centre in inches.
DisTrisurTION or Moisture IN THE TRUNK OF OAK.
Percentage Of moisture.
66
0
3 100
Reuben T. Patton:
1$0 |
Distance from centre in inches.
Drying of Timber. 67
Owing to financial considerations, it has been found impossible
to publish all the graphs, but Fig. 1 is typical of the series. In the
graphs for the first trees felled there was a tendency for the curves to
sink downwards in the sapwood area, but there was nothing definite,
however. When the first tree was felled, there was no sign of the burst-
ing of the buds. On the 23rd March, when the second tree was felled
some of the buds appeared as if they were commencing to swell, but
there was no further indication of bursting when the third tree was
felled on April 22nd. In the graphs for these three trees, the curves
rise steadily from the centre of the tree to the outer portion of the
heartwood, just as is the case in Fig. 1.
The fourth tree was felled on June 2nd and the fifth on July 27th.
Both these trees were in full leaf, and transpiration was greatest. The
last tree was felled on September ist. The oaks were still green, but
some of the other trees were showing signs of autumn. The lime
(Tilia Europoea) was well advanced with its autumn tints. The
graph for the last tree did not differ materially from that given.
Taking the graphs as a whole, it would appear that the moisture con-
tent of the heartwood is constant. There is, however, a well marked
rise from the centre to the sapwood.
In Fig. 2 is given the moisture distribution of Scots Pine (Pinus
sylvestris). The tree was a very fine specimen, and was growing in a
pure stand of pine. It was felled on February 25th. It will be seen
that the moisture content of the heartwood is very low as compared
with that of the sapwood. The difference between the moisture con-
tent of heartwood and sapwood cf oak is small. In pine, the mois-
ture content of the heartwood is very low as compared with that of
oak, while the content of the sapwood of the pine is much higher
than that of oak. A low moisture content of the heartwood appears
to be characteristic of conifers generally. The moisture distribution
is not only very low in the heartwood, but it is very evenly distri-
buted. There is no steady rise from the centre to the sapwood. The
' vertical distribution is also very uniform. From the practical stand-
point, the heartwood of pine is easy to dry owing to the small
and even distribution of the moisture.
In Fig. 3 are given the graphs of the moisture distribution of
several trees. With the exception of spruce, the sections were taken
at breast high. All these trees were growing in the same forest from
which the oaks were obtained. The spruce (Picea excelsa) was a
very fine specimen. It was felled on April 22nd, and the section was
taken just above ground level. The graph conforms to those of the
pine. There is the same low heartwood content and extremely high
sapwood content. The poplar (Populus nigra) was a fine tree, and
was felled on April 22nd. The distribution of the moisture was extra-
ordinary.
The birch (Betula alba) was felled on March 25th. It also has a
peculiar moisture distribution. The holly (Ilex aquifolium) was felled
on August 5th. The graphs in Fig. 3 show that the lateral moisture
distributon in trees requires investigation. Such varying distribu-
tions of moisture may very seriously affect the drying of lumber,
6A
68 Reuben T. Pation:
especially if the drying is uneven, due to circulation of the air being
bad.
So far as the graphs for oak and pine are concerned, it would
appear that it does not matter when the trees are felled. There does
not appear to be any movement of the moisture in the heartwood of
oak, and it is inconceivable that the heartwood of pine can ever con-
tain a great amount of moisture to meet the needs of the tree.
Et lg guile coal fl atl ak
So A un oe aes ae ts
ddl athe ol |
Percentage of moisture.
Distance from centre in inches.
LATERAL. DISTRIBUTION OF MOISTURE IN
Various TREES.
As already mentioned, the big trees of Victoria frequently have
very little heartwood, as it has rotted away.
Diffusion.—The second biological factor is that of the power of
any particular timber to lose its moisture. When it is said that a.
wood is difficult to season, all that is meant is that the wood loses .
its moisture either too slowly or too quickly. If it loses the moisture:
Drying of Timber. 69
too rapidly, then the wood is very apt to warp, especially if the drying
be at all uneven. This appears to be the case with elm (Ulmus cam-
pestris). On the other hand, if the moisture be lost very slowly, any
attempt to hurry up the drying will lead either to warping or cracking,
as in the case of oak, where the medullary rays tend to open out.
Wood that contains a low percentage of moisture is not difficult to
season.
We have already seen that different species contain different
amounts of moisture. Hence we cannot compare their rates of drying.
However, moisture is lost by diffusion, and we know from the laws
of diffusion that the amount of moisture lost is proportional to the
gradient of the concentration, and the area of the evaporating surface.
It is expressed mathematically as—
dxz/dt—Dd C.A/dl.
Where for timber zx is amount of moisture lost in grams, ¢t is time in
days, c is concentration of the moisture, 7 is length in inches, A is
area of diffusing surface in sq. inches, and D is the diffusion constant.
The amount of moisture diffused will also be affected by Tempera-
ture and Humidity, but these may be omitted if the conditions are
kept constant. ,
If this formula can be applied to the drying of wood, then the
value of D will give us a measure of the ease or difficulty with which
any particular timber parts with its moisture. Owing to the many
difficulties in applying such a formula to timber drying, it was not
expected to obtain any very accurate results. In fact, accuracy is
impossible. But what might be expected is that values would be
obtained which would give an indication of the relative powers of
diffusion of the various timbers. For the experimental work, blocks
of straight grained, freshly felled timber were cut into sizes approxi-
mately 2x2x3 inches. The 2x2 face was tangential and the length, 3
‘inches, was in a radial direction. The four 2/7x 3” sides were coated
with the mixture recommended by Tiemann(2). The blocks were placed
in an oven at 40°C. and at a 50 per cent. humidity. They were weighed
at the same time every day, and the loss of weight plotted so that
any irregularity of loss might be noticed. While the blocks were
still actively drying, the sides were cut off and the blocks split up into
one quarter of an inch sections. These sections were at once weighed
and then dried, and the moisture percentage calculated to the dry
weight. These percentages were plotted as in fig. 4, and the moisture
gradient was obtained by drawing a tangent at the extremity of the
curve. The value of the gradient was substituted in the equation for
aC/dl. Half of the amount lost in the previous 24 hours was taken
as the value of dz/dt.
The value of D obtained from the formula is by no means
accurate, as the values obtained are somewhat wide. This was
expected for various reasons. The width of ring varies greatly, even
in the same specimen, and may even vary widely in two adjacent
rings. In a pile of Red Oak (Quercus rubra) which was ready to go into
a kiln the width of ring varied from one-half to one-tenth of an inch.
70 Reuben T. Patton:
The material was inch timber, and quite a number of the boards had
only two rings of growth. It may reasonably be expected that there
would be, in such timber, a great variation in the rate of diffusion.
No material could be obtained, however, to investigate this matter.
In Table I. are given the results of the calculations for D. for
various timbers at 40°C. and 50 per cent. humidity.
TABLE I
Timber Botaniga? Name Values of D Average
Oak Quercus
robur .0012 .0026 .0032 .0048 .0056 .0057 .0038
Birch Betulaalta .0049 .0067 — — — — .0058
Beech Fagus
sylvatica .0061 .0072 .0092 .0113 .0142 .0169 .0108
Elm Ulmus
campestris .0084 .0102 .0169 — — — 0118
Scots Pinus
Pine’ sylvestris .0051 .0115 .0195 .0240 .0266 — _ .0173
The average values of Oak, Beech and Pine generally indicate the
positions of these timbers as regards drying in practice. Both Elm
and Beech are said to be difficult to dry, as they warp badly while
drying. Both Beech and Elm have a high moisture content, and
as we have found a high diffusion constant. These timbers lose
moisture rapidly, and unless the drying be uniform warping will
result. The cause of the warping of Elm is said to be due to its
twisted grain, but an examination of a large amount of elm lumber
does not bear this out. It is true that twisted grain will produce
warping, and this is freely borne out by such a timber as River Red
Gum (L£ucalyptus rostrata). It is doubtful if any other timber even
approaches this for irregularity of grain. A twisted grain, however,
does not appear to bea character of the elms. The warping of elm is
most likely to be due to uneven drying.
In Victoria our timbers warp a great amount due to bad aiaelien
The green sawn timber is frequently stacked in a mass, and no pro-
vision is made for circulation of air thrcugh the pile. The stack is
exposed to the fierce rays of the summer sun, and the top timber
warps badly in consequence. The pieces of timber in the interior of
the stack can only dry by their exposed ends, and these crack badly.
All kinds of timber are stacked out in the open in Eastern U.S.A., but
the stack is properly ventilated. There is a space between each board
laterally and vertically. The top of the stack is roofed with off cuts
from the logs. The timber comes out of these stacks in perfect con-
dition.
Oak is difficult to dry because it has a high moisture content and
a low power of diffusion. Pine, on the other hand, has a low moisture
content, but a high power of diffusion, hence drying is rapid.
If we knew the moisture content of a species of timber and its
diffusion constant, we might then be able to predict the time necessary
Drying of Timber. 74
for drying, and we could, if kiln drying, prescribe the necessary treat-
ment. Until we know more about the diffusion of moisture in woed,
formulas for drying are more or less guesswork.
In general the diffusion constant will vary with the specific
gravity of timber. Dense heavy timbers are generally slow in dry-
ing, and therefore we may expect a low diffusion constant. The cell
walls in conifers are on the whole much thinner than the wails of
the fibres of hardwoods. The walls of the tracheides are comparabie
to the walls of the vessels.
Tissues, engaged in water conduction, must have relatively thin
walls. Water conducting elements have their walis freely pitted,
while strength elements such as the libriform fibres are sparsely
pitted. Coniferous timber has a higher power of diffusion than most
dicctyledoncus timbers, because the elements concerned in drying, the
tracheides, are the water conducting elements, while in the hardwoods
the elements concerned in drying are the fibres or strength elements.
The movement of water in a tree is, in some intimate way, closely
associated with the cell walls, and if a hardwood consisted cf vessels
only, we should find this timber drying as quickly as coniferous.
It is of interest to know how the moisture diffuses through the
wood. Moisture in wood has been classified into free water and water
of saturation. All water in the timber over or above what is known
as the fibre saturation point, is called free water. The fibre satura-
tion point is defined as the concentration of water necessary to satu-
rate the walls of the cells without there being any water in the
cavities of the cells. The term free water is used because it Is
assumed that this so-called free water passes out cf the wood first
when timber is drying. When it has all béen lost the timber is then
at the fibre saturation point. When the water of saturation begins
to be lost, shrinkage tegins.
This theory of the loss of moisture from wood is against the facts.
The word ‘‘free”’ is unfortunate, as the term implies that the
water is free to move. Now if a block of wood containing this
so-called water be placed in a saturated atmosphere, the block remains
constant in- weight. In soils we get free water, which is the water in
excess of saturation. The water is truly free, because it moves under
the force of gravity. The water in the cells of the wood is not free to
move under the force of gravity. Instead of calling this cell water
free, we may call it Contained Water. There is, however, actual free
water in a tree. When a giant eucalypt is felled, water pours from
the cut end of the bole. This may be observed even in mid-summer.
This water is truly free, for we cannot prevent its loss by merely
altering the humidity of the atmosphere.
Free water occurs in birch, and the phenomenon of weeping is
well known. This free water has all been lost by the time the logs
get to the mill. We may define Free Water as the water which
escapes from the lumber nct as vapor, but as a liquid. The loss is
due to the force of gravity. Free water, as here defined, must
readily escape from the cut ends of the vessels, when full, of such
timbers as Eucalptus, for in these the vessels are very large.
72 Reuben T. Patton:
As will be seen from Fig 4, as soon as drying commences a
gradient is established. It does not matter at what temperature or at
what humidity the wood be dried, a gradient is established. Gradients
at] comuencd ai ig Cs ee BS Sed — cared anE*
ECPEEEAEEE
&0
jo
it ero
er rr eee
Case A
SIZES
St /SSSReN ee
EA
AT ENN
7/2 oS
xo
2G LM I ep oie
1 2 3
Thickness in inches.
La
Percentage of moisture.
GRAPHS [LLUSTKATING THE PROGRESSIVE DRYING OF
3 1N. Timper aT 40°c anp 50% Humipiry.
have been found in all timbers examined. A series of birch blocks
were dried at room temperature, and room humidity, and after 55
days they gave the following gradient from the evaporating surface
to the centre of the block:—
Percentage of moisture in each } inch.
16 23 29 34 a 39
Drying was very slow, nevertheless a graidient was formed.
If a graident be formed, then there can be no such condition as fibre
saturation. It is believed that no shrinkage takes place until this so-
called fibre saturation point is reached. As a matter of fact, in all
Drying of Timber. (a
timbers examined shrinkage follows the gradient. This can be
readily seen if blocks of timber be coated on four sides so that the
moisture can only escape in one direction, preferably the radial.
Shrinkage can be measured under such conditions. A block of beech
27 x 2" x 3/7, drying at 40°C., gave the following amounts of shrink-
age at the times and positions given. The 2 x 2 face was tangential,
and the shrinkage occurred in the tangential direction.
TABLE II.
Shrinkage at each distance from end.
Days } in. 4 in. 2 in. 1 in. 13 in.
2 .02-ems,~-02;ems. :01 cms. — —
3 .05 .03 OL — —
7 08 .06 02 U1 —
11 at -08 05 04 03
19 13 ikl 10 10 10
Amount of shrinkage in a beech block when drying.
In Fig. 4 are given the results of drying a series of similar oak
blocks under the same conditions—40°C. and 50 per cent. humidity.
The blocks were approximately 2’ x 2”” x 38’”, and the longest side was
in the radial direction. The four long faces were sealed, and the two
2’’x2/’ faces were exposed. Blocks were cut up at the times shown on
the graphs. The distribution of the moisture was obtained as before.
It will be seen that the gradient was steep at the commencement. It
may be argued that such a condition indicates case hardening, but as
a matter of fact no such condition existed. It will be shown later
that the conditions of drying were very favourable, and that these
same conditions permit of a greater amount of shrinkage than lower
. temperatures and higher humidities. The graphs indicate that drying
is accompanied by a moisture gradient, and that no such condition
as fibre saturation is reached.
Instead of a piece of timber losing its contained water until fibre
saturation is reached, we may say that as soon as a surface of green
timber is exposed to the air, it immediately tries to come into equili-
brium with the air moisture. The vapour tension of the moisture in
the wood is greater than the vapour pressure of the air, and moisture
is lost. This loss is made good from the contained water of the cells
immediately next to the surface. This water passes out through
‘the outer cell wall. As soon as this water is lost a gradient begins to
be established. The walls begin then to lose moisture, and as wood
is hygroscopic the cell walls draw moisture from the next layer of
cells. The contained water in the cells passes to the outside by means
of the cell walls, not through the cavities of the empty cells. This
process .goes on from cell to cell. The steepness of the gradient
depends partly on the rate at which the moisture is being lost, and
partly on the rate at which moisture can move through the wood
to the evaporating face.
74 Reuben 17'. Patton :
If the contained water passed from cell to cell as is necessitated
by the fibre saturation theory, then there would have to be csmotic
substances present in the cavities of the cells, and these do not exist.
There is only one path for the moisture to reach the exterior, and that
path is along the cell walls. This loss continues until the vapour
pressure on the outside of the face is equal to the vapour tension of
the face.
In other words, when the moisture in the wood and the moisture
of the air are in equilibrium, the wood is seasoned. When exposed to
the air, the weight of a piece of seasoned timber is not a constant,
however, as it varies with the humidity of the atmosphere.
Evaporating Surface——The third factor influencing the drying of.
timber is the face or surface exposed. There are three faces in
timber—the transverse, the tangential, and the radial; and it is well
known that these have different rates of drying. Wagner(3) says:
‘““A very moist piece of pine or oak will, during one hour, lose more
than four times as much water per square inch from the cross section,
but only one half as much from the tangential as from the radial
section.”’ Tiemann(2) says: ‘‘ The transfusion endwise of the grain is
very much greater, probably ten or twenty times as rapid as it is
across the grain.’’ Again, Tiemann says: ‘‘ Quarter sawed lumber
will generally require 25 to 50 per cent longer to dry than plain
sawed.’ These two authors differ widely in their opinions.
In order to ascertain what were the actual rates of loss from each
face, cubes were used, and for these freshly felled timber was
obtained. The timber was cut square, usually 2’ x 2’", two faces being
parallel to the annual rings, and two parallel to the medullary rays.
This can be done if timber from large trees be used. The length was
cut transversely into cubes. Thus each cube had the same annual
rings. Each cube had four faces sealed, and two corresponding faces.
exposed. For sealing, paraffin is undoubtedly the best material to
use. The paraffin was heated to a temperature just above the boiling
point of water, and the face of the cube brought into contact with it.
for a moment. The surface layer of moisture was evaporated, and
the paraffin then came into intimate contact with the wocd. All four
faces of the cube were sealed in this way. After the paraffin set, the
cubes were given a second coating. By this means a perfect seal was.
secured. For higher temperatures, the seal recommended by Tie-
mann(2) was used. This mixture is unsatisfactory for the first few
days, when high humidities are used, as it sticks to the supports. It
has this advantage, however, in that it readily indicates the shrinkage
of wood, for as the wood shrinks the seal forms very fine wrinkles.
When the cubes were coated they were placed in a saturated atmos-
phere for 24 hours at the temperature at which they were to dry sub-
sequently. When the cubes were dried it was found in all cases that
the transverse face lost the most moisture in a given unit of time. A
large number of timbers, both European and Australian, have been.
tried, and they all give the same type of drying curves as shown in
Fig. 5. A study of these curves of loss shows that the curve of
loss for the transverse face always rises very sharply, and turns over
eS Se er, OO TOO UO
Drying of Timber. 75
rather abruptly into a straight line. The curve for the radial face is
always the lowest, but the tangential curve of loss is always close to
it. The tangential curve is above the radial, not below, as indicated
by the statement of Wagner. The general equation to the curves is
OAK.
3
&
#5
FS
ee
Pg
¥
Fe
#
eles | NAGS
&
des
re
Agel
Hb
ae |
PAA
SENSE
CoCe se
Time in days
Curves oF Loss or Moisture FROM THE ''RANSVERSE 'l'ANGENTIAL AND RADIAL
Faces oF CuspEes or Woop.
Jlatb where 1 is the loss in weight in grams in time, ‘‘t,’’ ‘a’ is the
loss for the first day, ‘‘t’’ the time in days, and ‘‘b’’ the index varies
in value from unity to 5, but is constant for any one curve, provided
the conditions of drying are kept constant. The transverse curve has
the greatest ‘‘a”’ value, and the greatest value for ‘‘b.’””. When “bd”
is unity, the curve is a straight line, and when °5 it is a parabola.
The radial curve approaches a parabola, while the transverse curve
approaches a straight line. The curves of loss for both softwood and
- hardwood cubes are similar. The transverse face of pine, as stated
by Wagner, loses moisture, relatively just as readily, when com-
pared with the radial, as does that of a hardwocd. Hence, we are
compelled to assume that the cause cf this differential loss from the three
faces is due to the structure of the wood itself. Water is lost most
readily in the direction in which water moves in the living tree.
Again the tangential face loses more moisture in a given time than
the radial face. Abutting on the tangential face are the transverse
sections of the medullary rays. Hence a tangential face is a complex
of longitudinal sections of fibres and of transverse sections of medul-
lary rays. If an isolated fibre of wood be examined in polarised light
it will be found to give straight extinction. Transverse sections of
fibres, however, do not give straight extinction. If an isolated medul-
lary ray cell be examined in polarised light, it will be found that its
length in the radial direction gives straight extinction. This leads
us to conclude that the micellae of the fibres and of the medullary ray
cells are arranged parallel to the length of the cell.
Now moisture finds its readiest movement, when the tree is living,
along the cell walls in the direction in which the micellae are
arranged. Were it not for the medullary rays, the tangential face
Percentage of moisture lost.
76 Reuben T. Patton:
would lose moisture at the same rate as, or even less than, the radial.
The micellae of the walls of the medullary rays are arranged in a
radial direction, and it is in this direction that the water moves in
them when the tree is alive. The movement of water in the plant is
in some way closely associated with the structure of the cell wall, and
we find in the drying of timber that the greatest losses in unit time are
in the direction of greatest water movement in the living plant.
Since the organisation of the cell walls of the woods of all timbers
is the same, it is not surprising that the ratios of losses from the
three faces are approximately the same for all timbers. While these
ratios of loss may be the same, the rates of loss are not the same, All
three faces have different rates of drying, and the equations to the
curves are different.
As will be shown later, the curve of loss for any one face is a
composite curve, and is made up of two types of curves. It is only
the first type of curve that we are here considering. This curve
varies, according to the drying conditions, from a straight line to a
parabola. The slower the drying the nearer the curve approaches a
straight line, and the faster the drying, up to a certain point, the
nearer the curve approaches a parabola.
Not only does each face lose moisture at a different rate, but each
rate of loss decreases differently. The face with the greatest initial
loss, the transverse, has also the slowest rate of decrease. Hence we
cannot cut a piece of timber so that all three faces will have the
same rate of loss. Of course they could be cut so that all faces would
have the same initial loss, but the losses on the subsequent days would
be different. However, it is possible so to cut a piece of timber that
all the curves of loss shall meet, or just cross each other, towards
the end of the drying period. The curves of loss for White Birch
were studied, and it was considered that if a piece of this wood was
cut so that the dimensions in the tangential radial and vertical direc-
tions were as 5:6: 30, the curves of loss would meet. towards the end
4 p 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 Ci
Time in days.
Curves or Loss ror Biocgs or Brrcw 13” x 1" x 0”
Drying of Timber. ra
of the drying period. A length of straight grained, freshly-felled birch.
was cut 1%’ thick radially and 1” tangentially. This was then cut.
into three 5 inch pieces. One length had the two transverse faces
exposed, and the sides sealed, in the second the tangential faces were
exposed, and in the third .the radial faces were exposed. The.
blocks were dried at 25°C. Fig. 6 gives the result of the.
experiment. The percentage of moisture lost is calculated to the
total amount of moisture present at the commencement of drying. The.
moisture percentages of the three blocks at the conclusion of the ex-
periment were as follow:—Radial, 10.7 per cent.; Tangential, 11.4.
per cent.; Transverse, 11.1 per cent. These percentages are calculated.
to the dry weight of the wood.
From a study of the curves of loss for oak, it was calculated that.
if it were cut so that the dimensions in the tangential radial and.
vertical directions were as 4:5: 20, the curves of loss would meet.
towards the end of the drying period. Two sets of blocks were cut,
one to a size 1” x 14” x 4”, and the other 1” x 14” x 6”. The calcu--
lated length lay between the limits, 4””" and 6”. The blocks were dried.
at 25°C. The radial curve of loss was above the tangential until the:
50th day, when they met. The differences thereafter were very small.
The curve for the transverse face, in the case of the 4’ set, crossed.
the other curves on the 92nd day. In the 6” set the curve for the:
transverse loss was still below the other curves on the 104th day,
when the experiment finished. In the 4” set, at the close of the ex-
periment, the percentages of moisture, calculated to the dry weight of"
wood, of the radial, tangential and transverse specimens, were respec-
tively 11°8 per cent., 11°5 per cent., and 11°4 per cent. In the case-
of oak it appears that the ratio of the radial dimension to that of
length should have been only about 1:4. In the case of birch the ratio-
could have been increased a little. The true ratio for inch material
probably is about 1:5. This ratio of dimensions for inch material
would not hold for larger material, since the decrease in the rate of
loss is faster for the radial than for the tangential, and faster for the:
tangential than for the transverse. This is because in the expres-
sion for the curve of loss for the radial surface, the value of the:
index of “‘t’’ is lower than in the curve for the transverse. As thick--
nesses increase the ratios would also increase, but by what amount.
remains to be determined. We cannot say that the transverse face-
dries at a definite rate as compared with the radial, for the rate of°
loss is constantly changing. If a rate of loss be specified, it must be-
in relation either to time or moisture content. While we cannot say~
how much faster one surface dries than another, we may say that as:
far as inch material goes, quarter sawn boards, one inch in thickness,
will take as long to season as tangentially cut beards about 13” in
thickness. Normaliy, most timber seasons by lateral drying, but, at-
times end drying is important, as for instance, when large dimension
material is to be used in short lengths. As an example, a kiln was:
being charged with long lengths of 9’ x 9’ lumber. This was to be:
used subsequently in 34 ft. lengths. In this case if the timber had’
been cut into short lengths first, time would have been saved, as the:
manufacturing length was less than five times the width.
78 Reuben 7’. Patton :
End drying is important in this state owing to the lcss which is
caused, both in stacks of sawn timber, and in logs, through the large
.cracks occurring in the ends. Much of our tall, straight-grained timber
is very fissile, and, therefore, splits much more easily than most
timbers. The cause of the cracks at the ends of both logs and stacked
timber is mainly the prevention of lateral drying. In the log, lateral
drying is prevented either by the bark or by the thickness of the log,
or by both. In stacked timber lateral drying is prevented, if no ven-
-tilation is provided for. Only the outside pieces can dry laterally,
_and then only from one side. As we have already seen, shrinkage
-commences aS soon as a gradient is formed. Shrinkage, however,
is prevented from taking place where only end drying is occuring,
-Owing to the rigidity of the adjacent portions of the timber. End
drying affects only a few inches, and the timber in this short length is
held in position by the remainder of the length. As the wood is dry-
ing, it tends to occupy a smaller vclume, but if it cannot do so as a
whole it must do in parts, and it therefore splits. That some of our
timber will split even when correctly stacked is true, and this can
cnly be overcome by sealing the ends with paint, or with Tiemann’s
-mixture. In usual commercial sizes this does not affect time taken in
-drying, as the length is generally very many times greater than
“the thickness. In commercial sizes lateral drying is almost always
the means by which timber is dried.
Thickness.—The fourth factor concerned in seasoning is that of
‘thickness. For the study of the effect of thickness on time taken in
drying, lengths of straight grained, freshly felled timber were used.
Thicknesses up to five inches have been used. The timber was cut as
in the diagram :—
The sides were coated as in the previous experiments. Where
-possible, three of each thickness were used, and the average loss of
the three taken as the loss for that thickness. Each thickness had
the same evaporating surface, and the various blocks differed only in
- thickness.
Drying of Timber. yee.
In Table III. are given the results of the first experiment. The
timber was messmate (Hucalyptus obliqua), and the evaporating faces
were four inches square. The thicknesses ranged from half an inch
by half inches to three and a-half inches. The blocks were left to
dry on the laboratory table. The experiment commenced in the
middle of summer, and the effect of winter is seen by the decrease in
TABLE III.
Total losses of each thickness.
Time in 3,in. Bin. 9h in. 2 in. 1} in. Lin. sin.
Days
gis, gus. gus. gms, gms. guns. gms,
1 9 12 11 {1 il 10 tt
2 15 19 7 17 18 16 17
3 22 25 23 2t 23 ae ae
5 29 33 31 31 30 28 24
‘| 35 39 38 37 36 34 26
11 45 47 47 47 45 42 26
18 61 62 61 63 60 53 28
25 72 73 72 74 69 59 27
32 81 82 81 Hn nD 2 anes) 27
39 87 89 87 89 81 61 26
46 93 94 92 94 84 61 26
53 99 100 98 99 89 psa. oes
69 112 113 112 111 96 Pea see
87 123 124 122 120 98 asta thant
TY5 142 142 139 134 102
141 148 149 145 137 101 ele, phe 24
195 168 168 | 161 145 102 a sates
Each thickness loses approximately the same amount of moisture in a given time,
‘loss of some of the blocks and a subsequent increase in weight. This
occurred in the inch and half inch specimens..
The total losses on the left of the heavy line for any particular
day are approximately equal. The table shows that up to a certain
point, the amount lost in a given time is quite independent of the
thickness. Each thickness loses the same amount until the reservoir
of moisture begins to be exhausted, and after that there is a different
type of curve for the loss of moisture. Experiments with Oak, Elm,
and Chestnut all gave similar results. In Fig. 7 is given a typical
family of curves of loss for a series of blocks, having 2/7 x 2’ faces,
and ranging from half an inch by half inches to two and a-half inches.
The outer curve or envelope is the curve of loss for the thickest speci-
men. The equation to this curve is approximately, l_—6°75t/554,
where 7 is the total loss of weight in grams in time “ t,’’ 6°75 is loss
in weight in grams for the first day, and ‘‘t’’ is time in days. The
irregularities of the secondary curves at the point of junction with
the main curve have been smoothed out. In this series only one
specimen was used for each thickness. The differences between the
Loss in grammes.
80 Reuben T. Patton -
values of the calculated losses and those actually obtained by weigh-
ing are given in the following table:—
TABLE IV.
a
Time in Calculated Loss Actual ;
Days, 1=6,75t,"554 Loss. Deere:
5 16.46 gms. 16.35 gms. +.11 gms.
8 2.1.35 21.45 = ©
16 31.35 31.40 +05
23 38.34 ~ $865 —.31
37 49.87 50.10 233
48 57.62 57.80 woes
69 70.52 69.20 + 1.32
From an examination of Fig. 7 it will be seen that drying com-
mences and continues for a while as if the supply of moisture was in-
exhaustible. However, in a given thickness the amount of moisture
is limited, and therefore the curve cf loss leaves the initial curve, and
finally becomes a straight line. Where the one curve leaves the other
it is difficult to say. In the small thicknesses the change is some-
what abrupt, but as thicknesses increase the change becomes less and
less abrupt. This is because the secondary curve does not leave the
main curve at the same moisture content in each case, In the small
ah =
Z
eo
hoon 8
=
Time in days.
Series oF Curves ILLusrratTina Loss or Moisture FOR VARIOUS ‘I'HICKNESSES
oF 'l'IMBER.
sizes the moisture has only a small distance to diffuse, in order to
reach the surface, and hence the curve of loss for thin sections coin-
cides with the envelope for a relatively longer period than do the
curves of loss for thicker sizes. The rate of loss is greater on the
main curve than on the secondary, and hence these sizes dry rapidly.
This was observed by Tiemann(2), for he says: ‘‘ For one half inch or
Drying of Timber. 81
less the time should be decreased as the square of the fractional part
of an inch.’’ Again, he says, for thickness above an inch, ‘‘ The time
ordinate should be increased in proportion to the thickness up to
three inches, and about one and a-half times the thickness for thick-
nesses over three inches.”’
Humidity and Temperature.—The fifth factor with which drying
is concerned is that of humidity, and with this we may conveniently
consider the sixth factor, temperature. Humidity is not a satisfac-
tory variable to use, since it is only a relative quantity. When we
speak of a humidity we must always specify a temperature. The
same humidity at different temperatures gives very different drying
conditions. Drying depends on the difference between the vapor
pressure of the air surrounding the wood and the vapor pressure at
saturation. At a temperature of 50°C. and a relative humidity of 90
per cent., there is a difference in pressure between that actually exist-
Ing and that at saturation point of 9.25 mm. of mercury. At a tem-
perature of 20°C. and the same humidity, namely, 90 per cent., there
is only a difference of 1°75 mm. Hence there is a very great differ-
ence in the rate of drying of timber, when placed under these two
sets of conditions. A high humidity at a high temperature May cause
timber to dry at a much faster rate than a low humidity at a low
temperature. Thus blocks drying at 80 per cent. humidity at 50°C.
were losing moisture faster than those at 10 per cent. humidity at
20°C. This point is frequently lost sight of in kiln drying, when it
is recommended to commence the seasoning at a high temperature
and a high humidity.
Experiments were carried out at different humidities, at the tem-
peratures 20°, 30°, 40° and 50°C. For the experimental work blocks.
approximately 2/7 x 2/7 x 1’ were used. For any one experiment the
blocks were cut from the same length of timber. Only straight
grained, freshly felled material was used. The sides of the specimens.
‘were sealed, leaving the 2/’x2/’ faces exposed. The exposed faces.
were always radial surfaces. To obtain the various humidities, solu-
tions of sulphuric acid were used. After each weighing, the solution
in each desiccator was brought up to strength by adding the amount.
of acid corresponding to the loss of weight of the specimen. For des-
iccators, tall gas cylinders were used, and the specimens were sup-
ported on glass rods. The humidities used ranged from 95 per cent.
‘down to 2 per cent. There were two humidities below 10 per cent.,
namely 7 per cent. and 2 per cent.
In the experiment at 20°C. losses increased with decreasing
humidity. The greatest loss occurred at the lowest humidity, that is.
at 2 per cent. At the other temperatures, however, the maximum loss.
occurred at 7 per cent., and the curve of loss bent downwards from
the 7 per cent. to the 2 per cent. humidity. This is shown in Fig. 8,.
which gives a typical series of losses. Similar graphs were obtained
with beech, elm, and chestnut. A duplicate experiment with oak at.
50°C. gave precisely the same type of graph. Owing to limitations.
of space and material, only single specimens could be used at each
humidity, but the greatest care was taken in the selection and cutting
7
82 Reuben T. Patton :
of the material. In the case of Fig. 8 the heaviest specimen was 64:5
gms., and the lightest 64:12 gms., so that the differences in the
weight of the specimens were negligible.
Oak 30°C
BAL?! ae
Ui |
ZL VATA
4) HF
a
sy
=
E
a)
cl
on
&
mn
mM
°
ra)
Hf
i
A
“ie
ie
x
vo
i
=
eee ares
AnDA
APARaRATE
Percentage of Humidity. Fic. 8.
TypicaAL SERIES OF LossES IN WEIGHT OF BLockKs, DRYING AT
Various HumMIDITIEs.
Since in all the experiments, except that at 20°C, the graphs bent
downwards between the 7 per cent. and the 2 per cent. humidities,
there does appear to be a limiting humidity below which drying is
retarded. Low humidities rarely occur in nature, though it is be-
lieved as low a humidity as 4 per cent. has been experienced in this
State. As far as air drying in this State is concerned, therefore, we
may say that drying would never be retarded. It has already been
remarked that the curve of loss is a composite curve, and is made up
of two types of curves. The first part of the curve of: loss gives the -
losses when the wood is actively drying. These losses will now be
Drying of Timber. 83
considered. In Table V. are given the ratios of the loss of weight on
the first day to those on subsequent days. In this experiment the blocks
were dried at 90 per cent. humidity.
TABLE V.
Time in Days,
Temp, 4 9 ules 25
20 4 9 16 22
30 oak 6.6, 9.0 11.8
40 2.9 Fe | 516 --
50 3.6 7.0 8.7 —
<> 6 6 7.8 ---
Ratios of loss at 90% Humidity.
It will be seen that in the case of the specimen at 20°C. the ratios
are the same, except the last, as the time in days. In other words,
the curve of loss is a straight line. As will be seen in Fig. 9, when
this happens drying is very slow. It will also be seen that the higher
the temperature the less the ratio, although it may be noted that an
exception occurrs at 40°C. This happened with every specimen at 40°.
There was no material available for a second experiment. The second
experiment at 50°C. gave similar results to the first.
In Table VI. are given the ratios of loss for specimens drying in
a 50 per cent. humidity.
TABLE VI.
Time in Days.
Temp. 4 9 16 25
20 3.6 7.4 12.5 yal
30 2.9 5.1 6.4 Lok
40 2.0 3.0 — —
50 2-8 44 51 —
\ 2.5 3.6 4.5 =
Ratios of loss at 50% Humidity.
The ratios in the case of 20°C. are somewhat removed from the
values of the time in days. There is again a decrease in the ratios
with increasing temperature. In Table VII. are given the ratios of
loss for specimens drying at 10 per cent. humidity.
TABLE VII.
mai Time in Days,
Temp. 4 y 16 25
20 3.5 dol 16,3 12.5
30 2.0 3.9 4.7 5.0
40 2.0 — —_ —
50 2.4 A — —
2. 3.2 — no
Ratios of loss at 10% Humidity.
7A
Loss in grammes.
84 Reuben 7. Patton:
The ratios are only calculated for the period of active drying.
In the last table it will be seen that the values of the ratios approach
the value of the root of the time. In the 40° experiment the ratio is
actually ¢. From all the tables it will be seen that the ratio of the
first day’s loss to any subsequent loss always lies between ‘‘t’’ and
‘“./t.’ It never goes outside these limits. With high humidities
the curve of loss always approaches a straight line. The nearer,
however, that the curve of loss approaches a straight line the slower
SEECER SEER eee
BE ASE me maith
(eile a
2
a pt iti a i a cit it Pert te ml eee hE, Py
—— os.
re Poe
oT al 7 Z 73 0 / a
Time in days. FiG. 9
Two 'I'yrzs or Dryine Curves, THe Upper Hicn TEMPERATURE AND Low Humpty,
THE Lower Low 'l'eMrPERATURE AND Hien Humoipr'ry.
the drying, as is well shown in Fig. 9. In this last figure are shown
two curves of loss, one for drying at 50°C. and 15 per cent. humidity,
the other at 20°C. and 80 per cent. humidity. In both cases the
vapor pressure was 14 mm. Each curve is the average of three
results. The slower the drying the nearer the curve approaches the
time axis. The general formula for this period of drying is l—atb
where b varies from unity to -5. As b increases in value from °5 to
1, the value of ‘‘a”’ decreases. The smaller the value of ‘‘}” within
the limits stated the faster the rate of drying. Rapid drying, how-
ever, although advantageous from the point of view of saving of time
increases the amount of shrinkage. This is not surprising, for it is
quite conceivable that the higher temperatures make the wood some-
what plastic. Increase of shrinkage is very undesirable from a com-
mercial point of view. What has recently been termed collapse in
timber is in many cases undoubtedly due to high temperatures in the
kiln. In Table VIII. are given the amounts of shrinkage for a series
of oak blocks, averaging 2°06 cms. in thickness. Three blocks were
Drying of Timber. 85
dried at each temperature, and at the humidities given in the table.
After the completion of the experiment the blocks were left on the
shelf in the laboratory for twelve months, before the final measure-
ments were made for the amount of shrinkage. The moisture con-
tents of the blocks at the final measuring were very similar.
TABLE VIII.
Temperature, Humidity, Shrinkage,
2) e. 80% .13 cms.
30° 44 2D
40° 25 okt
50° 15 Pe
Amount of shrinkage increases with better drying conditions.
That the greatest amount of shrinkage occurred at the highest
temperature is evidence that there was no case hardening, so-called. It
has been shown (4) that a rapid loss of moisture from the surface
prevents shrinkage to a certain extent. It has also been shown (4)
that steaming timber prior to seasoning induces shrinkage. Both
high temperatures and steaming are recommended in ordinary com-
mercial operations in kiln drying. In Fig. 9 are given the drying
curves of two series of blocks, one drying at 20°C. and other at 50°C.
The drying conditions of the series at 50°C. are representative of the
best drying conditions found in nature in this State during the sum-
mer. The highest temperature recorded in this State is 123°5°F. The
equivalent temperature of this in degrees centrigrade is 51°.
Humidities lower than 15 per cent. are frequently recorded. The
blocks were radially cut, and were ‘81 inches thick. This thickness
- would take about the same time to dry as tangentially cut specimens
one inch thick. The lower curve is representative of drying under
more or less average weather conditions. The upper tends to prove
what has already been pointed out(4) that inch boards can season
in this State in a few weeks.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
1. Regional Spread of Moisture in the Wood of Trees. W. G. Craip.
(Notes Roy. Bot. Garden, Edinburgh, Nov., 1918.)
2. Kiln Drying of Lumber. H. D. Tiemann.
Seasoning of Wood. J. B. Wagner.
4. On the Seasoning of Hardwoods. Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict., 1919, by
me iT. 'Patton.
ai
[Proc. Rory. Soc. Victoria 35 (N.S.), Pr. I., 1922.]
Arr. VI.—Contributions from the National Herbarium of
Victoria, No. 2.
By J. R. TOVEY and P. F. MORRIS.
(With Plate VI.)
[Read 8th June, 1922.]
ARISTIDA BEHRIANA, F.v.M. ‘‘ Brush Spear Grass.’’ (Gramineae).
North Wangaratta, Mrs. A. M. C. Nason, November, 1920, and
September to November, 1921.
An additional locality in Victoria for this native grass. It was
previously recorded from the north-western district of Victoria. It
is found also in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
HELIPTERUM AUSTRALA (A. Gray), Ostenf in Danske Videns Selsk. Biol.
Medd. III., 2, 142 (1921), (Dimorpholepis australis, A. Gray
(1852). (Helipterum dimorpholepis, Benth (1866), (Compositae).
Under the laws of botanical nomenclature Gray’s original specific
name has priority over that of Bentham’s. Druce, in Heyward and
Druce Advent, Fl. Tweedside P., 103 (1919), proposes Helipterum
pygmaeum, Druce, (Triptilodiscus pygmaeus, Turez (1851), for this
species, but we have already a H. pygmaeum, Benth. (Pteropogon
pygmaeus, D.C. (1837). A. Gray’s name must be used, and not Turc-
zaninow’s.
HELIPTERUM ROSEUM, Benth. var. patens (Ewart), Black (Compositae).
In the Trans. Roy. Soc., S.A., XLV., 21 (1921), under the above
heading, J. M. Black has placed H. Troedelii, F.v.M. var. patens, Ewart,
as a synonym. The reasons given evidently justify this course.
The following localities were quoted, i.e., Ooldea, Miss D. Bates,
July, 1920, Mt. Lyndhurst, M. Kock, No. 1644 (1889) and Fraser
Range, W.A., R. Helms (1891). The latter two were also given in
the Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict., XXII., 15 (1909), where the varietal name
was first published. The specimens from Mt. Lyndhurst were inserted
in the variety patens in error. As their stems and branches are beset
with appressed, lanuginous vestiture, as in H. Troedelii, whilst those
of the variety patens are glabrous, the inflorescence of the Mt. Lynd-
hurst specimens are similar to those of H. Troedelii, and hence must
be transferred from the variety, H. roseum, var. patens, to H. Troe-
delii. Mr. Black had not seen Kock’s specimens from Mt. Lyndhurst,
but only quoted from the Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict. Specimens have since
been submitted to him, and he has confirmed our determination.
1 No 1. in Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict. vol. XXXIV., p. 207, 1922.
Contributions fron National Herbariwm 87
MICROSERIS SCAPIGERA, Sch. Bip. in Pollichia XXII.-XXIV., 310 (1866),
(O. Hoffm. in Engiers Pflanzenfamilien Teil IV. Abt. 5, p. 358
(1894), (Scorzonera scapigera, Forst. Prod. 534 (1786), (Micro-
seris Forsteri, Hook, f Fl. Nov. Zel. 1, 151 (1853), (Compositae.)
According to Aiticle 48 of the Vienna Bctanical Congress (1905),
Forster’s original specific name has priority over that of Hooker’s.
OXALIS PURPURATA, Jacq. ‘‘ Purplish Wood-Sorrel’’ (Oxalidaceae).
Kyneton, Victoria, E. J. Semmens.
An additional locality in Victoria for this South African weed.
PAULOWNIA TOMENTOSA, Steud. (Paulownia imperialis, Siebold, and
Zuc.), ‘‘ Downy or Imperial Paulownia” (Scrophulariaceae).
A hardy, deciduous tree, height 20 to 30 ft. Branches horizontal
tortuous; leaves opposite, entire or three-lobed, broad, soft, villous or
pubescent, 6 to 18 inches long; flowers showy; corolla pale violet, with
dark spots on the inside, 14 to 2 inches long, with an elongated tube,
and a five-lobed spreading limb; panicles terminai, with opposite,
many-flowered branches. Capsule usually 1 in. long, ovoid acuminate,
In a rocky gully on the edge of a stream at Wandiligong, Victoria, J.
A. Fraser, March, 1922.
This deciduous tree is a native of Japan, and has not been previ-
ously recorded as growing wild in Victoria. It is sometimes grown
in gardens as an ornamental tree. The seed has probably been carried
down the stream by storm water and lodged in the gully, where it has
propagated and developed into a tree. As it is only recorded from one
locality, it may be classed as an exotic not yet sufficiently established
to be considered naturalised.
PTEROSTYLIS ALATA (Lab.), Reichb, f, var. Ropusta (Ewart), comb. nov.
(P. praecox, Lindl. var. robusta, Ewart, in Proc. Roy. Soc: Vict.
XXVII., 234 (1916).
Herba 10-15 cm. alta; foliis et floribus majoribus quam typi—
P. alata,
The general appearance and habit of the plant is the same as P.
alata, but it is taller and stouter, the hood being 2-3 times as large.
SCORZONERA LACINIATA, L., ‘‘ Torn Vipers Grass’’ (Compositae).
A perennial with long tapering roots; stems sub-erect, naked and
one-headed at the apex; leaves deeply cut (pinnatisect); lobes linear,
entire; flowers yellow, involucral scales slightly hooked at the apex.
Kerang district, E. J. Semmens, Sept., 1921.
It is a native of the Mediterranean regions and the Caucasus. It
has not been previously recorded as growing wild in Victoria. It may
be classed as an exotic not yet sufficiently established to be considered
naturalised. Several species of Scorzonera are cultivated in gardens
for the use of their long, tapering roots, which are cooked in a similar
way to those of the “ Salsify.’’
88 Tovey and Morris:
SoLANUM ROSTRATUM, Dunal. ‘‘ Buffalo Burr,’’ or Pincushion Night-
shade’’ (Solanaceae).
Annual, herbaceous, woody when old; somewhat hoary or yellow-
ish; 8 inches to 2 feet high; covered with copious stellate pubescence;
the branches and stems covered with sharp, yellow prickles; leaves
1-3 times pinnatifid; lobes roundish or obtuse, with uneven margins,
covered with soft putescence, hairs star-shaped; flowers yellow;
corolla gamopetalous, 1 in. in diameter, nearly regular, the sharp lobes
of the corolla broadly ovate; stamens, 5 declined, anthers tapering up-
ward, linear lanceolate, dissimilar, the lowest much larger and longer
with incurved beak, hence the technical name rostratum; style much
declined; fruit a berry, but enclosed by the close fitting and prickly
calyx, fruit erect; seeds thick, irregular, round or somewhat longer
than broad, wrinkled showing numerous small pits; seeds surrounded
by a gelatincus substance.
Echuca, W. W. Cain, March, 1909; Benalla, W. B. Tiernan, Jan.,
1913; Boweya, Vic., Feb., 1915; Neilborough district, Feb., 1921; also
in New South Wales and South Australia.
In the ‘‘ Weeds, Poison Plants and Naturalised Aliens of Victoria,
the foregoing specimens are given under the name of Solanum heter-
andrum, Pursh., but on critical examination the material (in the Her-
barium) from Australian localities proved to be identical with authen-
tic specimens of S. rostratum, Dunal., and agreed with the description
of that species. The North American material (in our Herbarium),
apparently authentically labelled S. heterandrum, Pursh., also agreed
with the specimens and description of S. rostratum, Dunal.; S. heter-
andrum, Pursh. is therefore apparently a synonym to 8S. rostratum,
Dunal., and will have to be deleted from the list of the Introduced
Flora of Victoria, and S. rostratwm substituted for it.
SOLANUM TRIFLORUM, Nutt., ‘‘ Spreading or Three-flowered Nightshade ”’
(Solanaceae).
Annual, low spreading, slightly hairy or nearly glabrous, leaves
acute, pinnatifid 7-9 lobed; peduncles, 5-3 flowered; corolla white;
berries greenish or inclined to blackish, about the size of a small
cherry; pedicles refiexed in fruit.
Black Mountains, 83 miles east of Bairnsdale, Vic., J. Clyde
Rogers, Feb., 1922 (per G. Renner, Botanical Assistant, Department of
Agriculture). Professor Chesnut says experiments on guinea pigs
show that the berries are poisonous. The active constituent is no
doubt solanin. The berry is not attractive to the eye, but has an
agreeable odour and taste. This plant, a native of North-West
America, has not been previously recorded as growing wild in Vic-
toria, but it will probably be found to have a fairly wide range, and
is likely to become a troublesome pest if allowed to spread. This plant
has been brought under the provisions of the Thistle Act for the
whole State.
Victoria, 1922. Plate VI.
Proc. R.S.
+e
A . Y
‘aioe
Teucrium racemosum, R.Br.
var. polymorphom, var. nov.
] An ee,
Ag bes ea:
P ie ; iba
ie CA oe Le
i « Te
Ma i ¥ i
fd Mine oy
i a.
a Ng :
3 i % -
en Oe OE a
‘eee LA ea eT
aa) Pal! re
ei a
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‘
t
.
’
&.
ie
‘
’
. .
<4
Contributions from National Herbarium. 89
‘TEUCRIUM RACEMOSUM, R. Br. var. POLYMORPHUM, var. nov. (Labiatae),
Corona 1-13’ longis, staminis non exertis, stigmatis brevissimis
exertis.
Kerang, Victoria, E. J. Semmens, September, 1920.
The variety somewhat resembles the type 7. racemosum, from
which it differs in having the stamens inserted in the corolla and not
exserted, the stigma only slightly exserted. The ovary has four cells
in most cases, two of the cocci are non-fertile or abortive.
‘TRICHINIUM EXALTATUM, Benth. ‘‘ Lambstails,” (Amarantaceae).
Dookie district, Victoria, D. McLean, November, 1921.
A new locality in Victoria for this native plant; it was previously
recorded in Victoria from the north-western district only; it is also
found in all the other Australian States except Tasmania.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VI.
"TEUCRIUM RACEMOSUM, R. Br. var. POLYMORPHUM, Var. NOV.
Fig. 1—Portion of plant.
» 2—T.S. of ovary, showing variation of cells.
» o&—Flower (magnified).
» 4.— Corolla (magnified), showing length of stamens and stigma.
>» 0-—Flower of JT. racemosum (magnified).
[Proc. Roy. Soc. Vicroria 35 (N.S.), Pr. I., 1922.1
Arr. VII.—Gravity Determinations in Australia.
By E. F. J. LOVE, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.A.S., F. Phys. Soc. Lond.
[Read 13th July, 1922.]
§ 1. Introduction.
The recent appointment, by the National Research Council of
Australia, of a committee to report on the subject of a gravity survey
of the continent, necessitates a critical discussion of the determina-
tions of the gravitational acceleration which are already in existence.
As regards those for Brisbane, Hobart and Perth, little can be said;
each depends on a single set of observations, and, until checked, must
be regarded as provisional. The work of Budik at Brisbane and
Hobart is considered by Helmert! to be affected by a mean error of
+0°010 cm. sec-2; to that of Alessio, at Perth2, the mean error +0°007
may be assigned. We therefore have, as provisional values only—
For Brisbane : g,—.979°14829:°010 cm. sec-2
» Hobart ee a0 hel 2 O°010"=,,* "5
» Perth : 1 2a 918 SIL EO . wae
The case is different as regards the Melbourne and Sydney observa-
tories. For each of these we have a determination by means of Kater
pendulums, and several others by means of half-seconds pendulum,
both of the von Sterneck and Potsdam types. Suitable averaging of
these should therefore furnish definite values of g for both stations;
also of their difference, which has an importance of its own, as it has
already served,’ and may possibly serve again, as a sort of ‘‘ Funda-
mental Interval,’ for the calibration of gravimeters of statical type.
An error pointed out by Helmert (J.c.) necessitates a partial re-
vision of the Kater pendulum reductions; this constitutes §2. §3 con-
tains the evaluation of g for the two observatories, and §4 deals with the
gravitational anomalies. The Appendices contain details which it seemed
advisable to keep apart from the main paper. The notation is that in
general use among geodesists. The methods of the theory of errors are
used in the computing; the small quantities preceded by the sign + are
in all cases mean error.
§ 2. Revision of Results of Observations with
Kater Pendulums.
Helmert (l.c.) has taken exception to the formula employed, both
by Baracchi and myself,4 in the reduction of our observations to the
1. Assoc. Geodes. Int., compt. rend. 13 ieme conf. gen.; II.e vol., 1901.
Frequent reference is made to this paper.
2. His work at Perth and at Melbourne is about on a par; the latter
is discussed in §3.
3. Threlfall and Pollock, Phil. Trans. 198 A, 1900.
4. Proc. Roy. Soc, Vict., 1893, p. 168; do., 1894, p. 8.
Gravity Determinations in Australia. 9T
standard pressure of 26-‘in. of mercury at 32°F. His criticism is sound
as regards the form, but in error as to the numerical coefficient.
The formula employed by previous workers was—
| B
3 eo A ee G4 ‘
0.32 | 1+ 0-0023(F—32) 26 vibration/day,
where B denotes the uncorrected barometer reading and F that of the
Fahrenheit thermometers employed. But according to the data sup-
plied to us by General Walker,5 the coefficient 0°32 should be replaced.
by 0°34. The formula used by us was, however,
B- 26
0°34 I +0-0023("— 32) vibration/day.
where B now denotes the corrected barometer reading; the computed
vibration numbers for the pendulums were accordingly too large-
Now the expression, 1+ 0:0023(F-— 32), is really an approximation to
{+ 0°0022(F—32)] [1+90°0001 (F—32)], the first factor being the
density-temperature reduction for air (containing moisture), the
second the barometer reduction. To correct the eror we must there-
fore add to the mean observed vibration number of each pendulum
at each station the appropriate numerical value of
fa a8) 0°0001(F — 32) 0: 0023 (F - 32)
Dig4 i+ 0-000.(F—32) ~ % WERT E ia fa,
For these values I obtain
Pendulum No. Melbourne. Sydney.
o — 0°438 — 0703
6 — 0°438 — 0-704
11 — 0°438 — 0°708
which give for the corrected vibration numbers and their differences,
in place of those in our previous papers (q.v.)
Pendulum. Melbourne. Sydney. Difference.
a 86098 °83 86086 -° 40 12°43
6 85998-99 85986 -° 42 12°57
i} 86050 °62 86037°69 12°93
Mean difference 12°64%9°15
To obtain the difference, g (Melbourne)—g (Sydney), we have, there-
fore, to a sufficient approximation
[9 (Melbourne)—g (Sydney)]/g (Melbourne)—2°94 10-*; also
g (Melbourne) = 980°0.cm sec-2 — — (q.p.) whence g (Melbourne) —
g (Sydney) = 0°288+0-003.cm sec-2. For reasons given in Appendix 1,
this figure is increased by 0°002, giving
g (Melbourne) —g (Sydney)=0°290.cm sec-2
so far as the Kater pendulumsé are concerned. The Kater pendulum
5. General Walker’s letters and “Instructions to Observers” are pre-
served at the Melbourne Observatory.
6. The differences obtained with half-seconds pendulums range from
0°299 to 0°313.cm sec—2.
92 E...F.. dV. Leves
value of g tor Sydney is 979°687.cm sec-2 on the Potsdam system;
consequently the corresponding value for Melbourne is 979°977.cm
sec-2. This figure replaces both the previous incorrect one, viz.:
979°969, and Borrass’s semi-conjectural emendation of it, 979-993,
which is given in many tables.
§ 3. Gravity at the Melbourne and Sydney Observatories
on the Potsdam System.
This problem has already been discussed in part by Borrass,7
but his discussion requires revision in view of Alessio’s subsequently
published work,’ and of the results in §2 above.
Alessio’s outfit was, in its main features, a replica of Hecker’s;9
their observations are characterised by much the same care and
attention to detail, and each determined the flexure correction at
every station, instead of trusting to its constancy as all previous
experimenters had done. They differ, however, in that Hecker used
live pendulums as against Alessio’s four. They differ also in their
manner of observing, in that Hecker used his own clock, while Alessio
used clocks in regular use at the observatories, in preference to his
own, arguing quite justly that a clock in steady work is less liable
to systematic acceleration of rate than one recently set up;1° on the
whole, Alessio’s procedure seems to be slightly the more advantageous.
Comparison of their work discloses no other material advantage on
either side as regards method. Nevertheless, the mean errors of their
results differ, Hecker’s being decidedly the smaller, especially for
Sydney. Aléssio’s Melbourne determination is therefore assigned
three-fourths, his Sydney determination one-half the weight of
Hecker’s.
For the relative weights, as compared with Hecker’s, of other
determinations in which half-seconds pendulums were used, Borrass’s
(l.c.) estimates are accepted.
As regards the Kater pendulum determinations, Helmert (l.c.)
has assigned to that obtained at Sydney the same mean error, £0°010,
as to those of von Elblein and Budik; the corresponding mean error
for the Melbourne determination—in which twice as many experi-
mental stations are involved—-would be =9°014; but, for reasons given
in Appendix 1, this is increased to +0020; hence the Melbourne deter-
mination is allowed half the weight of the Sydney one.
The data for the evaluation of g for the Melbourne observatory
are given in Table I.
7. Assoc. geodes. int., compt. rend. 16ieme conf. gen., III.e vol., p. 224,
Frequent reference is made to this paper.
8. Osservazioni Gravimetrische, Genova, 1912. I owe my copy of this
paper to Dr. Baldwin’s kindness,
9. Hecker’s masterly pendulum work is detailed in a series of mono-
graphs published by ‘ Zentralbureau der Internationalen Erdmessung,” and
“* Koniglich-preussisches geodatisches Institut.”
10. Further details on this point are given in Appendix 2.
Gravity Determinations in Australia. 93
TABLE I.
Diff. f
Observer. Pi ; — 4 ee a Weight. weighted
Baracchi-Love - Kater - 979°977 - 0:5 - = “ORG
vy. Elblein - v.Sterneck - “991 - i - + *004
Guberth - “ -