C^i FORTHE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Bound St A.M.N.H. ,^L' TPXE Victorian Naturalist : THE JOURNAL & MAGAZINE "^^ ^ OF THE 'TOIL.. ^^TIII. MAY, 1911, TO APRIL, 1912. Ibon. BDitOr : MR. F. O. A. BARNARD. The Author of each Article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. /iRelbournc: WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, MAOKILLOP STREET (off 390 LITTLE COLLINS STREET). 1912. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, MAY, 191 1, to APRIL, 1912. CONTENTS. Field Nattjhalists' Club of Victorla.: — paqk Annual Report __--_- 42 Conversazione - - - - - -124 Proceedings 1, 21, 41, 65, 85, 101, 121, 145, 169, 185, 201, 213 Reports of Excursions - 1, 28, 41, 51, 89, 101, 145, 171, 185» 190, 203. ORIGINAL PAPERS. AuDAS, J. "W., F.L.S. — Botanical Gleanings on a Trip to tlie Omeo District - - - - - 172 Barnard, F. G. A. — In the "Western Lake District - - 158 Campbell, A. G. — A Census of Grampian Plants - - 105 DoDD, F. P. — A Collecting Trip to Herberton District, North Queensland - - - - -131 Gabriel, C. J. — Notes on Exotic Mollusca found at Coode Island ------ 96 Gabriel, Joseph — Further Notes on the Mutton-birds of Bass Strait - - - - - 206 GoUDiE, J. C. — Notes on the Coleoptera of North-Western Victoria (part iii.) - - - -117 Hardy, A. D., F.L.S.— The Stinging of Oryllotalpa coardata by Diamma hicolor - - - - 33 Keartland, G. a. — The Alteration of the Quail Season and its Effects ----- 90 Kelly, R. — From Healesville to Mt. Donna Buang - - 112 Kershaw, J. A., F.E.S. — Additions to the Fish Fauna of Victoria (No. 3) - - - - - 93 NiCHOLLS, E. Brooee. — A Trip to the Bass VaUey - - 149 EOBlisrsoN, G. W., C.E. — In the Dandenong Ranges Sixty Years Ago - - - - - 30 Searle, J. — Some New Victorian Copepoda (with three plates) 196 CONTENTS. St. John, P. R. H. — Notes on tte River White Gum, Eucalyptus radiata - - - - 78 Sutton, C. S. , M.B. — Notes on the Sandringham Flora - 5 ToVEY, J. R. — Some Notes on Coode Island and its Flora - 57 Thomas, F. J.— Bird-Life on the Upper Mitchell - - 199 Waterhouse, G. a., B.Sc, F.E.S., and Lyell, G., F.E.S.— Descriptions of and Notes on Some Australian Hesperidae 223 Weindorfer, G. — Two Botanists at the Cradle Mts., Tasmania 216 Williamson, H. B. — A Cycle Trip through East Gippsland (with one plate) ----- 69 INDEX. Aboriginal Quarries, Lance- field - - - - 21 Altona, Excursion to - 41 " An Australian Bird Book " 62 " Aquarium in Australia, The" - - - - 167 Audas, J. W., Botany of Omeo District - 146, 172 Austral Avian Record, The - 212 Australites, Bodies Resem- bling - - - 3, 24 " Australia in its Physio- graphic and Economic Aspects " - - - 99 Australian Birds, Nomencla- • tureof- - - - 77 Balwyn, Excursion to - - 28 Barnard, F. G. A., In Western Lake District - 122, 158 Barnea australusica - - 1 Bass Strait, Mutton-Birds of 1 87 Bass Valley, A Trip to 122, 149 Battaria phalloides - - 87 Bayswater, Excursion to - 101 Bee-eater or Rainbow-bird - 182 Birds in Mallee, Unusual - 111 Birds of Australia - - 125 " Birds of Australia, The " - 61 Birds of Bass Valley - - 156 Birds of Healesville Excur- sion - - _ - 193 Beetles of North- Western Victoria - - - 117 Beetles, A Plague of - - 215 Bell-Miners - - - 23 Bird-Life on Upper Mitchell 186, 199 PAGE Blackfish, Large - - 104 Boechella nyoraensis, n. sp. - 197 Boeckella pseudochele, n. sp. '- 198 Botanical Photography - 84 Botany of Cradle Mountains, Tasmania - - - 216 Botany of Bass Valley - 157 Bower-bird, Tooth-billed 135,139 Brisbane Ranges, Plants from - - - - Brunella longicornis, n. sp. - Bulla, Excursion to - Bustard, Australian Butterfly, A Rare Victorian Butterfles, New Skipper " By Flood and Field " Cabbage-tree Creek Callitris propinqua Campbell, A. G., Census of Grampian Plants 102, 105 Candalides ahsimilis Chcetodon sexfasciatus - CHfton Hill Quarry - Coleoptera of North-Western Victoria _ - - Colour Effects - - - Common Names for Victorian Plants - - - 64, 66 Coode Island and its Flora 23, 57 Coode Island, Exotic Mollusca of . - - - 96 Cooke, Dr. M. C. - - 130 Copepoda, New Victorian 169, 196 Cradle Mountains, Tasmania, Botany of - - 202, 216 Crake, Little - - - 215 Crake, Spotless - - - 189 124 196 51 188 294 223 100 49 203 194 95 68 117 40 INDEX. Croajingolong, A Trip Through - - - 170 Cultivation of Trees, Flowers, &c. - - - - 56 Cut-worm Moths - - 68 Dandenong Eanges, In 2, 30 Daphnia carinata - - 188 Diwrnma Mcolor - - - 2 Dodd, F. P. , Collecting Trip to Herberton District, North Queensland 86, 131 Donna Buang, Excursion to Mount - - 185, 203 Dragon-flies of Australia - 167 Dune-Areas of New Zea- land - - - - 183 Entomological Appliance - 157 Euphorbia Juice as a Caustic 20, 39 Euphorbia peplus - 20, 39 Eucalyptus globulus - - 103 Eucalyphis goniocalyx - - 103 Eucalyptus radiata - 66, 78 Eucalyptus r eg nans - 2, 27 Eiipodotis austraUs - - 188 Exchange — Fossils - - 157 Exotic MoUusca - - - 96 Fairfield, Excursion to - 171 Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria — Annual Report - - 42 Conversazione - - 124 Excursions — Altona - - - 41 Balwyn - - - 28 Bayswater - - - 101 Bulla - - - - 51 Fairfield - - - 171 Ferntree Gully - - 148 Hampton - - - 1 Healesville - - - - 190 Mont Albert - - 28 Eingwood - - - 101 Sandringham - - 148 Sydenham - - - 51 Warburton - - - 293 Warrandyte - - - 89 Werribee _ _ _ 145 Exhibition of Wild Flowers 128 Financial Statement - 47 Office-bearers, 1911-12 - 49 Proceedings, 1, 21, 41, 65, 85, 101, 121, 145, 169, 185, '201, 213 Finch, A Hybrid - - 87 " Fisheries of New South Wales, A Brief Eeview of the" - - - - 88 Fish Fauna of Victoria 86, 95 Flood in Yarra - - - 64 Flora of Coode Island - 23, 57 Flora, Notes on Sandring- ham - - - - 5 Flying Foxes - - - 100 Forest Reserves of Australia 40 Forests, The Neerim - - 32 Forests, Victorian State - 195 Fossils, Exchange - - 157 French, Mr. C, F.L.S. - 29 Gabriel, C. J., Exotic Mol- lusca found at Coode Island 96 Gabriel, J., Mutton-birds of Bass Strait - - 187, 206 Gudopsis marmoratus - - 104 Game, Sanctuaries for - 100 Geology in Relation to Scenery . - _ 126 Gippsland, Cycle Trip through East - 49, 69 Goudie, J. C, Coleoptera of North- Western Victoria 103, 117 Government Botanist - - 22 Grampians, Plants of - 102, 105 Grampians, Tourist Map - 200 Gryllotalpa coarctata - - 2 Guide, A Handy Victorian - 88 Haliotis conicopura - - 171 Hampton, Excursion to - 1 " Handbook of Destructive Insects of Victoria " - 63 Hardy, A. D., Contest between Diamma and Gryllotalpa - - - 233 Healesville, Excursion to - 190 Healesville to Donna Buang 112 Herberton, Queensland, Col- lecting Trip to - 86, 131 Hesperidae, Australian 214, 223 Heytesbury Forest, In the - 184 Hooker, Sir Joseph - - 130 Keartland, G. A., Alteration of Quail Season 67, 90, 120 Kelly, R. , From Healesville to Mt. Donna Buang 103, 112 Kershaw, J. A,, Additions to Fish Fauna of Victoria 86, 93 Land Shell, New Victorian 215 Lake Bullen-Merri - - 1 63 Lake Gnotuk - - - 163 INDEX. Laverton, White-lieaded Stilt at . - - - 182 Leptospermum scoparium - 39 Lichens - - - - 161 Livistona austraUs - - 73 Long-finned Boar Fisli - 93 Lowan or Mallee-Hen - 99 Lyre-bird as a Mimic - - 153 Mallee, Unusual birds in - 1 1 1 Mallee Hen _ - - 99 Manorhina melanophrys - 23 Mathews, G. M., and Iredale, T., " Perry's Arcana " - 187 Mathews, Mr. G. M., on Nomenclature - - - 77 Manuka Flowering in April 39 Mawson Antarctic Expedi- tion - - - - 121 Melbourne Botanic Gardens 183 Microscopical Society of Vic- toria - - - - 104 Mimicry by Lyre-birds - 153 Mineral Springs of Victoria 181 Mitchell, Bird-life on Eiver 186, 199 Mollusca, African - - 98 Mollusca, Exotic - - 96 Mollusca, North American - 97 Mont Albert, Excursion to - 28 Mount Donna Buang 103, 112,203 Mount St. Leonard - - 194 Moth Attracted by Jam - 67 Mouse, Yellow-footed Pouched 49 Mutton-birds - - 187, 206 National Park, Wilson's Promontory - - - 168 " Nests and Eggs of Birds Found Breeding in Aus- tralia" - - - - 40 New Zealand, Dune-Areas of - - - - 183 NichoUs, E. B., A Trip to Bass Valley - - 122, 149 Nucrates ductor - - - 94 Obsidianites - - 3, 24 Omeo Botanical Notes 146, 172 Owl and Bright Light - 68 Paryphanta compada - - 215 " Perry's Arcana " - - 187 Petrel, Short-tailed - - 187 Phascogale flavipes - - 49 Phillip Island, Mutton-birds at - - - - - 203 Pholas - - - - 1 Photography, Botanical - 84 " Photography for Bird- Lovers " - - - 83 " Physiography of Eastern Australia " - - - 95 Pigeon, The Passenger - 38 Pilot Fish - - - - 94 Pisidium - ' - - - 188 Plea for "Notes and Queries" 82 Plants of Bass Valley - - 157 Plants of Grampians - 102, 105 Pomaderris elachophylla - 123 Pond-life at Fairfield - - 171 Porzana tabuensis - - 189 Prosfanfhera melissifolia - 169 Pseudaphritis bassii - - 92 Pterostylis longifolia - - 123 Puffmus brevicaudus - - 187 Quail Season, Alteration of 67, 90, 120, 143, 202 Eainbow-bird or Bee-eater - 182 Eelaxing Tin, A New - - 157 Ringwood, Excursion to - 101 Eiver White Gum, The 66, 78 Robinson, G. W., In Dande- nong Ranges Sixty Years Ago - - - 2, 30 Sanctuaries for Birds and Animals - - 38, 100 Sandringham Flora, Notes on - - - 5, 214 Sayce, The late O. A. 20, 21, 25, 102 Sccevola cemula - - - 206 Scaraphites lenceus - - 123 Searle, J., Some New Vic- torian Copepoda - 169, 196 Specimens, Preservation of - 167 Staphylinid Beetles - - 117 Stilt, Notes on White-headed 182 St. John, P. R. H. , Notes on River White Gum 66, 78 Trip Through Croajingo- long - - - - 170 Sutton, Dr. C. S., Notes on Sandringham Flora 5, 214 Swallows, Young - - 202 Sydenham, Excursion to - 51 Telopea oreades . - - 124 Thomas, F. J., Bird-Life on Upper Mitchell - 186, 199 Tourist Map, Grampians - 200 Tourist Map, Healesville District - - - 184 Tovey, J. R., Notes onCoode Island and its Flora 23, 57 INDEX. PAGE Trees, Large - - - 95 Trees, Tall - - - - 2 Trout, Distribution of - 95 Tupong - - - 87, 92 Victoria, Coleoptera of North- western - - - 117 Victoria, Additions to Fish Fauna - - - - 93 Victorian Copepoda, New - 169 Victorian Mineral Springs - 181 Viola hederacea - - 185, 205 Warburton, Excursion to - 203 Warrandyte, Excursion to - 89 Waratah, The Victorian - 124 Waratahs, Australian - - 168 Waterhouse, G. A., and Lyell, G. , Descriptions of Aus- tralian Hesperidae 214, 223 Wattle Day - - - 120 Weindorfer, G. , Two Botan- ists at Cradle Mts., Tas- mania - - - 202, 216 Werribee, Excursion to - 145 Western Lake District, In - 158 Wild Flowers, Exhibition of - - - - 128 Williamson, H. B., Cycle Trip through East Gipps- land - - - 49, 69 Wilson's Promontory Na- tional Park - - - 168 Wood-Fibre, Natural - - 3 Woolamai, Mutton-birds at Cape - - - - 208 Zanclistius elevatus - - 93 ILLUSTRATIONS. Basalt Columns, Sydenham Copepoda, New Victorian Palms at Cabbage-tree Creek PAGE 56 196, 197, 198 73 ERRATA. Page 2, line 4 from bottom — For " coarda " read " coardata.^^ Page 3, lines 4 and 3 from bottom — For "are generally conceded to be of volcanic origin " read " are by some supposed to be of volcanic origin." Page 67, line 9 — For " Eocene " read " Miocene." Page 90, line 21— For " 14th " read " 15th." Page 91, Hne 1— For " 14th" read " 15th." Page 94, line 16— For " Caranoid^ " read " Caranged^." Page 135, line 1 — For " Damara australis " read " Dammara robtista.''^ Page 160, line 23— After "top," insert "920 feet above sea-level." Page 189, line 12 — Omit "the previous season's." Page 203, line 14 — For " hngesetosa" read " longicornis." Page 203, line 15 — Omit "Procession" and add "one of the pro- cession caterpillars." Cbe Uktonan naturalisi Vol. XXVIII.— No. 1. MAY 4, 1911. No. 329. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTOR] A. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, loth April, igii. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 50 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDEN'CE. From His Excellency Sir Thomas Gibson-Carmichael, . K.C.M.G.. thanking the Club for its expression of regret at his departure from the State, and signifying his pleasure at the existence in Victoria of so many organizations for stimulating an interest in the study of nature. From Mr. C. Waters, resigning his office as assistant secretary, owing to pressure of other work. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Hampton on Saturday, 25th March, was given by the leader, Mr. C.J. Gabriel, who reported that, favoured by a beautiful afternoon and a very low tide, an interesting time had been spent by a fairly numerous party. A large number of starfish, worms, molluscs, &c., were secured under the shingle, which was uncovered for several hundred yards from the shore-line. A notable observation made was the fact of the gradual disappearance of the rock-boring molluscs of the genus Barnea, formerly known as Pholas, from the northern parts of Port Phillip Bay. This has been caused probably by the discharge of deleterious drainage and silt into the Bay, and has affected both species, Barnea aiistralastca, Sow., and B. ohtur amentum, Hed., of which living specimens are now difficult to obtain north of Beaumaris. A report of the excursion to Mont Albert, on Saturday, 8th April, was given by the leader, Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., who reported a good atten.dance of members. The afternoon had been devoted to the geology and physiography of the district, and considerable interest -had been evinced in the subject by the members of the party. A report of the junior excursion to Clifton Hill Quarry on Saturday, ist April, was given by the leader, Mr. J. S. Kitson, who stated that about twelve juniors attended. It was found that the quarry was being opened up in a new direction, but the stone excavated contained very few specimens of Zeolites and other minerals for which the quarry is famous. On the 2 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [^'""ili-.^'^'' southern side a cut was being made, in which the old river bank, consisting of black loamy soil, was exposed. This was found to contain quantities of charred sticks and roots, as well as a trunk of a tree, which was also completely charred. ELECTION OF MEMBER. On a ballot being taken, Mr. S. B. Abbot, Mines Department, Bendigo, was duly elected a country member of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. The president referred to the advancement of Messrs. D. McAlpine and O. A. Sayce, A.L.S., in their respective positions, and to the death of Mr. F. M. Reader, a well-known botanical worker. Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M-.Z.S., said that he had received a letter from Mr. J. Buckland, of London, with reference to the efforts being made to secure the passage of the Plumage Bill, and soliciting subscriptions towards propaganda work. PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr. G. W. Robinson, C.E. (communicated bj^ Mr. C. French, F.E.S.). entitled "In -the Dandenong Ranges Sixty Years Ago." The author briefly described the conditions under which enormously tall specimens of Eticalyptus regnans had flourished in the Dandenong Ranges in the early sixties, and gave the measurement of the tallest which had come under his notice. This was a felled tree, and measured 342 feet to where the top was broken off, which, judging by the diameter of the stem there, must have been from 15 to 20 feet in length, giving a probable total of 360 feet. From what he had heard and seen, he believed that it was quite possible trees of 400 feet in height had existed when splitting commenced, but that they were soon picked out and utilized for commercial purposes. In reply to Mr. Barnard, the author said that the figures often quoted as his for trees on Mount Baw Baw were estimated, not actual, measurements. Dr. Hall expressed the hope that the author would be able to place further records before the Society. Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., said that the official records of the Forest Department showed no authentic records of over 326 feet, and though years ago the Government had offered rewards for trees of 400 feet, none were ever reported. 2. By Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., entitled, " Notes of a Contest between Diamnia bicolor and Gryllotalpa coarcta." The author drew attention to the great economic value of the Hymenoptera to orchardists, graziers, &c., and gave an account of the stinging of a mole cricket by the apterous female Vol. XXVIII. igii J Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. of a fossorial wasp, Diamtna bicolor, often called the " blue ant " or " black ant ; " the behaviour of the wasp during the stinging process, and the subsequent condition of the cricket, which, after a month in a tin box, without food, was lively and apparently well. Some discussion ensued, in which Dr. Hall and Messrs. Sayce, Best, and Spry took part. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Natural Wood-Fibre. — Mr. D. J. Mahony, M.Sc, con- tributed a note descriptive of some wood-fibre exhibited by him. This had been found near Stony Creek, between the M'Kenzie and Bemm Rivers, East Gippsland. The finder, Mr. E. Manton, noticed a stringybark tree. Eucalyptus, sp., about four feet in diameter, which appeared to have been struck by lightning, a deep furrow having been gouged in it from top to bottom, the tree remaining standing. The wood from this furrow, instead of being merely splintered, was reduced to fibre, as exhibited, and scattered about near the tree, while the bark was reduced to pulp. Some of the strands were i8 inches long. For a week before the fibre was found, storms, accompanied by unusually violent thunder and lightning, had raged in the locality, culminating on Wednesday, 8th March, when, ac- cording to newspaper reports, many square miles of forest near Mount Taylor were destroyed. Mr. Manton considered that the tree had been struck by lightning during this disturbance. In view of the high price of vegetable fibres for commercial purposes, it is possible that it might pay to produce similar material from certain eucalypts by artificial means. Mr. F. Pitcher said that similar fibre had been found some years ago, and inquiry had been made at the time as to the practicability of growing stringybark trees for fibre production. Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., said that Mr. A. W. Crooke, Chief Clerk of the Forest Department, had told him of similar fibre having been found in the Creswick State Forest after a cyclonic storm had swept through a portion of it. Many trees had been twisted between crown and buttj and the fibre ravelled out and blown about in the forest. Bodies Resembling Australites (Obsidianites). — Mr. D. J. Mahony, M.Sc, also contributed a note on the occurrence of certain microscopic bodies in locomotive smoke, glass-wool, and " Pele's hair " (a volcanic product from Krakatoa), which much resemble Australites in shape. Australites, or obsidian- ites, appear to be found only in Australia, and are generally conceded to be of volcanic origin. They are remarkable chiefly on account of their symmetrical forms, which are due to some cause other than that which explains the regular shapes of Vict. Nat. 4 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [^'"^Ma^ crystals. The little bodies which he had found seemed to be almost certainly formed from minute pieces of molten slag, which have been whirled into the air and solidified during their flight. Among them are several shapes closely approxi- mating the hypothetical shapes which mathematicians have assigned to liquids rotating freely in space. He announced his intention of preparing a paper in which he hoped to deal thoroughly with the resemblances in shape existing between these bodies, Australites, volcanic bombs, and a hypothetical freely-revolving liquid. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Wild-flowers from Plenty Ranges, including Epacris impressa, Styphelia scoparia, Tetratheca ericinum, Bceckea diffusa, and Grevillea alpina. By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. — Crystalline quartz from the Templestowe anticlinal ; Tertiary sandstone (in section), with angular sand grains and concretion of Tertiary sand, from Balwyn Hill. By Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S. — Fossorial wasp, Diamma hicolor (female), " black ant " or " blue ant " ; also an Australian mole cricket, Gryllotalpa coarcta, alive, in illustration of paper. By Mr. D. J. Mahony, M.Sc. — Wood-fibre from East Gipps- land, in illustration of note. By Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S. — A >oung Dor- mouse Phalanger, Dromicia nana (i*), from the Mallee at Underbool, North- West Victoria. New for the Mallee. By Mr. A. L. Scott. — Magnesite and ropy basalt, from Clifton Hill Quarry ; granites from Station Peak, You Yangs, and from Buffalo Mountains. By Mr. J. Searle. — Lizard, Lygosoma, sp., from Plenty Ranges. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Specimens of Dampiera stricta, R. Brown, white-flowered form, not previously recorded for Victoria, collected by exhibitor, Nyora, ist November, 1910 ; EucalypU'is amygdalina, Labillardiere, with variegated leaves, not previously recorded for Victoria, collected by exhibitor, Research district, 8th April, igii ; Prostantheva lasianthos, Labillardiere, with variegated leaves, not previously recorded for Victoria, collected by J. G. O'Donoghue, Research district, 8th April, igii ; Erica arbor ea, Linnaeus, Tree Heath, order Ericaceae, Mediterranean regions, not previously recorded as introduced for Victoria, collected by exhibitor, Research dis- trict, 8th April, 191 1. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Vol. XXVIII. J SuTTOX, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. NOTES ON THE SANDRINGHAM FLORA. By C. S. Sutton, M.B. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, loth Oct., 1910.) The species composing the native vegetation now covering the area lying between Sandringham and Mordialloc, and ex- tending back from the sea a varying distance, as far as the neighbourhood of Oakleigh and Spring Vale, are collectively known to us as the " Sandringham flora." Although the present limits of the " formation " cannot now be exactly defined, it may be said, speaking roughly, that originally it ranged to St. Kilda, Sandridge, and Emerald Hill, and covered a great part of what is now Prahran, Malvern, and Caulfield, and a perhaps smaller portion of Hawthorn and Camberwell. Bunce, in his " Australasiatic Reminiscences " (1857), says : — " After crossing Gardiner's Creek, leaving the river on our left, we travelled over a piece of rising, sandy ground, which formed a belt between the Yarra Yarra and the sandy heath which we found in the neighbourhood of Brighton. This place was richly covered with low shrubs and plants of a heathy nature. Leucopogon (several species), Astroloma (or native cranberry), Epacris (white and red), a dwarf species of Casuarina, Tetratheca, Eriostemon, several species of dwarf integral-leaved Acacia or wattles, Leptospermum, Hippuris (or Mare's Tail), Daviesia, Pultenaea, and Pleurandria, were among the most prominent." Further evidence of the close approach of the heath " formation " to Melbourne is to be found in Hannaford's " Jottings in Australia " (1856), where such important con- stituents of the flora as Epacris impressa, Labill., Leucopogon Richei, Br., Correa virens, Sm. (C. speciosa, Andr.), Aotus villosa, Sm., Cassyiha puhescens, Br., Rhagodia Billardieri, Br., Senecio rupicola, Lesson and Richard (Senecio lautus, Forst.), Trachymene diversijolia, F. v. M. [T. heterophylla, F. v. M.), and Erythrcpa australis, Br., are noted as occurring at St. Kilda, and Pleurandria sericea, Br. {Hihhertia densiflora, F. v. M.), Hibhertia prostrata, Hook. {H. jasciculata, Br.), Ricinocarpus sidceformis, Ferd. v. Mueller {R. pinifolius, Desf.), Bossicea cinerea, Br., Leucopogon virgatus, Br., and Didiscus pilosus, Benth., at or near Liardet's Beach, or Sandridge, now Port Melbourne. The Sandringham flora has thus, in the first place, a senti- mental interest to us, in having at one time occurred over nearly the whole area now covered by the southern suburbs of Melbourne. The flora is practically interesting in being the richest and most convenient to us for purposes of collection and study, affording, as it does, seashore, land, and (to a lesser degree) ict. Nat. 6 Sutton, Noles on the Sandringham Flora. [^"^Lin^' water plants, and containing a comparatively large number of species representing the most important and characteristic orders of Victorian plants ; hence, a knowledge of its members means a good insight into the larger Victorian flora. To many of us living in the metropolis, indeed, it serves as the principal standard by which we measure the floras of other more distant localities. Unfortunately, what remains of it is so rapidly passing away with the extension of the city southward that in another ten years, perhaps, ' fragments alone will be left of it. For this reason alone, if for no other, it seems worth while to attempt its description in terms of the oecologists, and to put on record, as completely as possible, a census of its species. As far as can be found the only efforts that have been made to more or less systematically describe this flora are those of Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A., F.L.S., in "The Handbook of Melbourne," for the use of the members of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, Melbourne meeting, iqoo, and that of Mr. G. Weindorfer in his short but interesting description of an excursion to Sandringham in December, IQ03, contained in vol. XX. of the Victorian Naturalist. The type of vegetation covering the district mentioned, excepting certain small areas within it, the foreshore, and the cliffs and their vicinity, is one which, according to Schimper, is common to mild temperate regions, where the bulk of the rainfall happens in winter, the summers are dry, and where the substratum is a sandy soil liable to become parched in the dry season. Although its general character is due to these factors, which are all present, and to some others of lesser importance, the fact that the formation corresponds more or less closely with the low, undulating geologic area known as the ' red beds,' the upper part of which has been leached of its iron, leaving a surface of loose sand, makes it an ' edaphic ' rather than a ' climatic ' formation. A varying significance has been attached to the term ' formation ' by oecologists, but Warming defines it as a com- munity of species which have become associated together by definite edaphic or climatic conditions, and which has a certain fixed appearance, or ' physiognomy,' dependent on the dominant growth forms, the density, height, and colour of the vegetation, the number and duration of life of the species, and their seasonal relationships. The one under consideration at first seems referable to his ' dwarf shrub formation,' and, from the continual occurrence of several species of Epacrids, might in that case be described as a dwarf shrub ' heath ' : but the thick layer of raw humus, the most characteristic feature of heath grounds, is not apparent here, and the forma- tion is both taller and more complex than in European ' heaths.' Vol. XXVIII. IQII ] SuTTOX, Noles on the Sandringham Flora. Rather, it would appear to have much closer affinities to the maqtd (sclerophyllous scrub-land) of parts of the Medi- terranean coast (I to 3 metres), and particularly to the maqui of South Africa, this, according to the authority above- mentioned, representing ' a transition from the low, dwarf, shrub heath of the north to the xerophytic bush-land of the tropics.' The Sandringham maqui, then, consists of a dominant xerophytic vegetation of clull greyish, evergreen, woody plants, close set, of an average height of little more than a metre, and contains a rich admixture of species (' compound ' formation), the frequent occurrence of several Epacrids being a marked feature. The leaves are such as are found in plants growing under conditions where excessive transpiration is to be guarded against. Many of the plants are aphyllous, or nearly so — Cassythas, Amperea, Casuarinas, Exocarpus, Sphserolobium, Viminaria. With few exceptions, the leaves are small, thick, simple, entire, very frequently linear, and often with rolled edges, as in Ricinocarpus, Pultencea paleacea, Dillwynias. Sclerophylly is more particularly seen in Hakeas, Epacrids, Daviesia iilicina, Platylohmm oblusanguluin— ail of which, in addition to many others, are armed with pungent points. Filling the gaps between the taller hard plants is a subordinate lower stratum of softer herbs (in which segmented leaves are frequent), grasses, and tuberous plants. The vegetation of the main portion of the area having thus been briefly sketched, its individual species will be referred to later. In considering the Sandringham plants with some detail, they may be naturally divided into four zones. The first is sub- marine, covering the ground below low water mark, and, apart from the algae and lower vegetable forms (plankton and benthos formations), possibly includes among spermophytes the Sea-tassel, Ruppia ; Grass-wrack, Zostera ; and Sea-nymph, Cymodocea (enhalid formation). It need not be further con- sidered here. The second zone, occurring between low water mark and the cliff base, is subject to periodical or intermittent inundation, and mostly comprises species of very wide, even world-wide, distribution, with representatives of families well known ^o be partial to saline situations or capable of growing in these as well as in other places (halophyte formation). These plants present certain peculiarities, such as reduction of surface, succulence, lignification, and a prostrate habit, among others, which have been found protective against excessive transpira- tion, and are probably required, according to Schimper, owing to the difficulty the plants find in absorbing water containing Nat. 8 Sutton, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. [^"^M;,y too great a proportion of salt. It is interesting to note that these pecuHarities are not found in halophytes only, but are also present in plants growing in very different situations and under widely different conditions, where, owing to acidity (in peat bogs), extreme coldness (in arctic and alpine places), or aridity (in deserts, on rocks, or the bark of trees), the same difficulty of absorption exists and the same necessity for con- servation of absorbed water obtains. The soil or substratum being in all these cases either actually (physically) or physio- logically dry. Of the families usually described as markedly halophilous, nearly all are represented. The few exceptions are the Tamarinaceae, Rhizophoraceae, and Asparageae, which would not be looked for ; Plumbaginaceas, of which the world-wide " Sea Lavender," Statice taxanthcma, is found elsewhere on the shores of Port Phillip ; and the Zygophyllaceae, the Victorian members of which are confined, with two exceptions, to the north-west of the State. Perhaps the most interesting of the foreshore plants are those found about Picnic and Rickett's Points and other places towards Beaumaris, growing in the cracks and crevices of the flat reefs periodically covered by the tides. They may be said to constitute an ' association ' of lithophilous halophytes — chasmophytes — and, save in the salt marshes near the Yarra mouth, where some of them are abundant, and near the Albert Park Lagoon, where a couple of them are still existent, they hardly occur elsewhere. At a little distance they show, in size, succulence, and habit, a strong family likeness, although widely separated systematically. They have, in fact, in adapting themselves to the surroundings, come to possess similar ' growth forms ' (epharmonic convergence). Two of them belong to the Salsolace?e, most halophilous of all plant families — the " Sea Crab-grass," Salicornia australis, occurring abun- dantly, and that veritable cosmopolite, the " Sea-blite," Suceda maritima, only infrequently. Every here and there the " Smooth Sea-heath," Frankenia IcBvis, almost as widespread a plant as the last, is found. No other is so venturesome, and in December its pretty pinkish-white flowers were seen blossoming even under the wave. Another wide ranger, the " Creeping Brookweed," Samoliis repens, of the Primulacese, is closely associated with WUsonia rotundifolia, of the Con- volvulaceae, and the Amaranth. Hemichroa {Polycnemon) pentandra. About Ricketts Point these three seem to be equally prevalent, and the two latter are notable as having a more restricted endemismus than any of the others, not ex- tending beyond Australia. Of the rest, Mesemhryanthemum austraie, the " Austral Pig-face," strays here from the cliff, and Vol. XXVIII. 1911 ] Sutton ; Notes on the Sandringhani Flora. the tiny little " Sand Club-rush," Scirpus arenarini^, of the Cyperaces, occasionally makes its appearance. Turning now from the rocks, we find in the loose sand another association — psammophilous halophytes — in which the Sal- solaceae is again well represented by the " Grey Saltbush," Atriplcx cinereum, with glaucous foliage and purplish flower masses ; the " Prickly Glasswort," Salsola kali, another real cosmopolite ; the " Saloop Saltbush," Rhagodia hastata ; the " Fat Hen." Cheno podium album ; and the " Oak-leaved Goose- foot," C. glaucum. With these is frequently found a crucifer, the " Sand Rocket," Cakile maritima. again of world-wide range. The most striking grass is the curious sprawling Spinifcx hirsiUus, the " Hairy Spinifex," patches of which, bearing flowers of different sex, may be founcl widely separated. It is, however, much more abundant in the sand hummocks near Brighton Beach. Two noticeable introduced plants are just here making themselves very much' at home — the " Horned Poppy," Glaucium litteum, in particular, with its handsome hoary foliage, bright yellow flowers, and inordinately long fruits, is spreading widely, while the other, Nolana prostrata, a succulent prostrate plant of the Campanulacea, with bluish bell-shaped flowers, is more slowly extending its influence. Many other plants venture from the cliff base a little distance, where the sand has been bound by material washed from the cliffs above, and more widely where the " Salt-grass," Distichlis maritima, the " Couch-grass," Cynodon dactylon, the " Spinifex," the " Curved Snake-tail Grass," Lepturus incurvatus, and especially the introduced " Sea-lime Grass," Elymiis arenarius, have reduced the shifting grains to stability, and so paved the way for their coming. Of the species found in this debatable ground, which is only rarely flooded, may be first mentioned the umbelliferous, lush green " Sea Celery," Apiiim prostratum, corresponding to the garden celery, A. graveolens, wild on old- world coasts. It is the first halophil, except the Glaucium, met with, having divided leaves. The " Coast White-bush," Calocephalus Brownii, is often noticed here, less often the grey " Coast Aster," Aster axillaris, not infrequently the little " Grass Daisy," Brachycome graminea ; Stuartiana Muelleri ; the " Jersey Cudweed," Gnaphalium Inteoalbum ; the coast form of the " Sow Thistle," Sonchiis oleraceiis, coarser and more succulent than in the inland form, and several other introduced composites. Lobelia anceps is also here, and the " Swampweed," Selliera radians, the " Rayed Carrot," Dauciis brachiatus, the " Kidney Weed," Dichondra repens, and even the " Water Dock," Rumex bidens, and the " Spreading Flax-lily," Dianella re- valuta. Now and again, too, the big brother of the " Austral Pigface," M ese mbryanthemum aqiiilateyale, " the Angled Pig- lo ^vTTon, Notes on Ihe Sandringham Flora. [^"^May"'' face," comes down, and the " Warrigal Cabbage," Tetragona implexicoma, and the " Sea Berry," Rhagodia Billardieri, which vie with one another in forming dense screens and en- tanglements among the shrubs on the cHff above, hang down and venture in the sand. Others which may be mentioned as occurring here, not naming many ahens, are the " Knotted Club-rush," Scirpus nodosiis ; the " Spreading Sedge," Carex pumila ; the " Hairy Centrolepis, "C strigosa ; and the grasses Stipa semiharhata, the " Fibrous Spear-grass," Dichelacne crinita, the " Long-hair Plume-grass," Poa Labillardiere, the " Blue Meadow-grass," and Stipa terdifolia, the dense, tussocky " Round-leaved Spear-grass." Having dealt with the foreshore plants, we now arrive at the consideration of the third zone — the belt of vegetation densely covering the cliff slopes (where they are not too steep), from base to crest, and extending inland, more or less, into the scrub-land. Here we find trees of low growth, shrubs, and smaller plants, and in it the grey " Coast Tea-tree," Lepto- spermum IcBvigatum, is so dominant that it impresses its name on the formation as a ' leptospermetum.' Very frequently it grows so thickly, and without admixture of other species, as to make absolutely ' closed communities ' within the forma- tion, not even a Pterostylis finding it possible to exist in the dense shade caused by the matted foliage. The other tree forms, usually more robust and rather taller, are the " White " or " Coast Banksia," B. integri folia ; the " Drooping Sheoak," Casuarina qiiadrivalvis, perhaps the most graceful of the Vic- torian species ; the " Cypress Ballart," Exocarpus cupressi- formis, rather infrequently ; and the " Manna Gum," Eucalyptus viminalis, which far outnumbers the two other eucalypts occasionally noticed further inland ; E. Giinnii, var. acervula, and E. amygdalina. Of lower growth, constituting a second stratum are the " Boobialla," Myoporum insnlare, which, with its fellow, M. viscoswn, sometimes overhangs the sand ; the sprawling "Coast Acacia," .4. longifolia, var. sophom ; two Styphelias, 5. Richei and 5. ausiralis ; the " Tonga-bean wood," or " Sea Box," Alyxia buxi folia ; the shrubby Goodenia ovata, sometimes called the " Pipeclay Bush " ; only rarely the " White Correa," C. alba, and a couple of grey shrubby composites, the " Twiggy Aster," Aster ramiilosiis, and the " Coast Aster," A. axillaris. Though not taking any part in giving character to the ' leptospermetum,' the " White Velvet-bush," Lasiopetalum Baueri, may be mentioned as growing only in the vicinity of the Red Bluff, just below the brow of the cliff, and a clump of Oxylobiiim ellipticum, the " Golden Shaggy Pea," at the back of the Ebden estate. In addition to the Tetragona and Vol. xxvm. igii J Sutton, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. ii Rhagodia already mentioned as finding support among the plants of the " leptospermetum," and rising to the height of a few feet only (" semi-lianes " or " scramblers "), three other lianes are often seen mixed with the foliage of the highest shrubs. 'The "Large" or "Black Dodder laurel," Cassytha melantha, and the " Climbing Lignum " or " Macquarie Harbour Vine," Muehlenheckia adprcssa, are ' twiners,' and the " Coast Clematis," C. microphylla, a ' leaf climber.' Thickly covering the ground where the larger ' sclerophyllous ' plants are not too densely set and the sun can freely penetrate, is a third story or stratum of, mostly, softer herbs, among which are many orchids. Some of these have been referrecl to as encroaching on the beach below, but, among many others, perhaps the most j^revalent are the " Hairy Crane's-bill," Geranium pilosum ; the " Nodding Saltbush," Rhagodia nutans ; the " Ground " or " Cranberry," Styphelia humiiusa ; the " Common Pennywort," Hydrocotyle vtilgaris ; the " Rayed Carrot," Daucus hrachiatus ; the " Tall Daisy." Brachycome diver sifolia ; Millotia tenuifolia ; the " Kidney Weed," Dichondra repens ; the " Pellitory," Parietaria debilis ; and the " Common Green Buttons," Cotula australis. Of a still lower growth are such minute plants as Hydrocotyle callicarpa, the Leeuwenhoekias, and Mitrasacme paradoxa. Not the least charm about the Sand- ringham flora lies in the profusion of orchids contained in it, and probably no other locality in the State presents such a variety and abundance of species. Over 63 per cent, of the terrestrial species have been reported, and 17 genera out of 21 are represented. Among 20 species of Pterostylis, only two are absent, and, with one or two exceptions, all of these prefer the shelter of the " leptospermetum," where the milder temper- ature, still air, and soft, moist sand seem to provide conditions peculiarly favourable to the growth of these tender herbs. Even when no orchids are in flower the eye cannot fail to be attracted by the hosts of heart-shaped leaves close pressed to the ground, those with purple underpage indicating the " Mosquito Orchid," Cyrtostylis reniformis ; others, smaller and equally green on both sides," the "Gnat Orchid," Acianthus exsertus ; larger still, and coarser, the " Flower of Sadness," Lyperanthus nigricans ; and again, in deep shade, the green shields of the " Red Helmet," Corysanthes pvuinosa. Number- less rosettes show the presence of the various species of Pter- ostylis, and single long hairy leaves mark the spots where the tubers of the Caladenias are gathering their forces so as to be able to send up their delightful blossoms at the fitting time. Returning now to the consideration of what is popularly known as the heath country, already referred to as " scler- ophyllous scrub," or maqui, it will be appropriate to mention Nat. 12 Sutton, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. [ "^Vj^j./ first, among the dominant plants, responsible for the general physiognomy of the formation, those which are also most characteristic of this and of similar formations. They are the " Stunted Sheoak," Casuarina distyla ; the " Pink Tea-tree," Leptospermum myrsinoides : the " Wedding Bush," Ricino- carpiis pinifolius ; the " Common Correa," C. speciosa ; a stunted form of Banksia marginata ; several of the Leguminosae, the absence of which is so noticeable in the " leptospermetum," except where it commences to merge into the wider formation, the "Hairy Aotus," A. villosa : the "Grey Bossiaea," B. cinerea ; three of the handsome Dillwynias — the " Heathy Parrot-pea," D. ericiiolia, " Crowded Parrot-pea," D. flori- bunda, and " Grey Parrot-pea," D. cinerascens ; three Acacias — the "Juniper Wattle," A. jimiperina, the pale, early-flowering "Sweet Wattle," A. suaveolens, and the "Spike Acacia," A. oxycedriis ; the lovely white " Common Heath," Epacris iin- pressa ; the " Prickly Geebung," Persoonia juniperina ; the " Furze Hakea," H. iilicina ; and the " Common Bracken," Pteris aquilina. Others frequently met are the " Manuka," Leptospermum scoparium ; the " Honey-bags," Styphelia scoparia ; where the ground is more continuously moist, Sprengelia incarnata ; the " Swamp Paper-bark," Melaleuca ericiiolia : and the " Scented Paper- bark," M. squarrosa, all growing in close communities ; and the " Gorse Bitter-pea," Daviesia ulicina. Among the plants of lower growth, and hence sub-dominant, the charming little " Twiggy Heath." Styphelia virgata ; the three Hibbertias — the " Silky Guinea-flower," H. densiflora, the " Rigid," H. stricla, and the " Bundled Guinea-flower." H. fasciculata : the two Pimelea'- — the " Downy Rice-flower," P. octophylla and P. phylicoides ; the " Broom Spurge," Amperea spartioides : the " Horny Cone-bush." Isopogon ceralophyllus ; the " Short Purple-flag," Pater sonia glauca ; and the " Faded Rope-rush," Calostrophus {Hypolcena) jastigiatus, from their very frequency, play no small part in building up the character of the vegetation Of the subordinate second story, softer plants, the most common, perhaps, are the lilies — the " Blue Squill," Chamce- scilla corymbosa : the " Milkmaids," Burchardia umbellata, and the " Nodding Silverweed," Bartlingia sessiliflora. Most frequent among others are the " Yam," or " Murrnong," Microseris Forsteri; the "Running Postman," Kennedya prosfrata : the " Bending Golden-hands," Goodenia geniculata ; the " Billy Buttons," Craspedia Richea : Helichrysum scorpioides, Leptor- rhynchos squameus, and the " Blue-bell," Wahlenbergia gracilis. Climbers are not many, and two Cassythas, the " Tangled " and the " Downy Dodder-laurels," C. glabella and C pubescens ; Vol. xxviii. igii 1 Sutton, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. 13 the " Climbing Sundew," Drosera Menziesii ; the " Love Creeper," Comesperma volnhile; and the "Twining Fringe-lily," Thysanokts Patersoni, are those most often noticed. The orchids found here are mostly of genera not represented in the ' leptospermetum ' — Thelymitra, Diuris, Prasophyllum, Eriochilus, Microtis, &c. The " Spider Orchid," Caladenia Patersoni, is equally at home in both places. The "Tiny " and the " Bearded Helmet-orchid," Pterostylis parviflora and P. barbata, are seeemingly the only ones of the genus preferring the scrub-land. The " Yellow Hood-orchid," Thelymitra antennijera ; the " Larger Glossodia," G. major ; the " Flower of Sadness," Lyperanthus nigricans : the " Tall Leek-orchid," Prasophyllum elatnm ; and a couple of the Diuris, are the most abundant. The only grass conspicuous is the " Fibrous Spear-grass," Stipa semiharbata, which may be seen waving its plumes well above the shrubs. The formation is too close for grasses, but the " Kangaroo Grass," Anthistiria ciliaia, and others, occur here and there in favourable situations. Ferns, too, apart from the bracken, are rarely met with, the " Screw Fern," Lindsaya linearis, alone prevailing widely. On account of the sandy, porous nature of the substratum, there are few places where permanent water is found. Still, there are many localities where it persists during a great portion of the year, and where the soil never becomes quite dry Here may be studied examples incompletely representing the various formations cf water-loving plants — ' hydrophytes ' and ' helophytes,' or marsh plants, and many of their adaptations, such as creeping axes, slenderness of stem, lengthening of inter- nodes, deficiency of root formation, and peculiarity of leaf shape and structure, can be noted. Of the true aquatic plants, the free-floating " Lesser Duckweed," Lemna minor and the 'Red Azolla/ A. rubra, alone represent the Pleuston (hydrocharid formation). The fixed water plants (Benthos), constituting what is termed the " Limnaea formation," with leaves submerged or floating, are the " Floating " and " Curly Pond-weed," Potamogeton natans and P. crispus ; Ottelia ovalijolia ; the yellow-flowered Gentian, Limnanthemum. exaltatum, oftener seen in blossom after the water has dried up ; the " Giant Arrow-grass," Ttiglochin procera, with long, ribbon-like leaves, partly sub- merged and part floating ; the " Water Starwort," Calli- triche verna ; the " Water Milfoil," Myriophyllum variifolimn, forming "social" growths, often completely filling up a pond, and showing a difference in submerged and emerged leaves ; and the beautiful little " Branching Bladderwort," Utricular ia dichotoma, oftener noticed growing in wet ground. The plants normally rooting in water or wet soil, but without f4 Sutton, Notes on the Sandnngliani Flora. [^"^M.iy"'^' submerged leaves — ' helophytes,' or marsh plants — are a much larger company. Many of these possess horizontal rhizomes, as in the little blue-flowered Isotoma fluviatilis ; the " Brooklime," Gratiola Peruviana ; the " Swampweed," Selliera radicans ; the "Small Loose Strife" Lythnim hyssopifolia ; the common yellow-flowered " Water Buttons," Cotiila cor ono pi- folia ; Maziis pumilio ; the " Creeping Monkey-flower," Mimultis repens (rare) ; the " White Purslane," Claytonia australasica ; and the " Joyweed," AUernanthera triandra. The " Common Reed," Arimdo phragmites, and the " Slender Knotweed," Polygonum minus, grow in water. The " River Buttercgap," Ranunculus rivularis ; the " Willow Herb," Epi- lobium glabellum; the tall, leafless "Golden Spray," Viminaria denudata ; several of the rushes, Junceae ; and even the com- posites, the " Swamp Daisy," Br achy come cardiocarpa, and " Billy Buttons," Craspedia Richea, are often seen in flooded ground. The " Dwarf Arrow-grass," Triglochin centrocarpa, and the centrolepids, C. aristata and C. strigosa, the Sundews (Droseras), the " Tender Bubble-plant," Polypompholyx tenella, and other minute plants, as the Leeuwenhoekias, " Drummond's Club Moss," Phylloglossum Drummondi, the " Curious Mitre- wort," Mitrasacme paradoxa, and the " Tiny Trigger-plant," Candollca perpusilla, are oftenest seen in moist ground. It is difficult, or impossible, to exactly define the formations or associations. There is almost always overlapping between them. Always there are members capable of growing under different conditions, and hence halophytes mix with non- halophytes, the ' leptospermetum ' merges into the scrub-land, and the water plants, by way of the marsh plants, into those of the dry land. In attempting to deal with the subject of this paper in an oecological way, it is felt that, in translating the vegetation into modern terms, only a very moderate success could have been expected. But the effort was certainly worth making. So far, we have almost entirely contented ourselves with the mere enumeration of species noticed, and it would seem to be better if, in future Club excursions, a particular attention were de- voted to them in regard to their associations. A remark by Clements, an American writer quoted by Warming in his " CEcology of Plants," shows that we have not been alone in our neglect of this matter. He says " that vague- ness of grouping is due to the fact that oecology is only in its infancy, and that very few detailed investigations of plant communities have been conducted, the published descriptions of vegetation being nearly always one-sided and floristic, as well as very incomplete and unsatisfactory from an oecological standpoint." Vol. XXVIII iqil •] Sutton, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. 15 An analysis of the 387 plants in the census will show that the numbers contained in the zones described, more or less correspond with their comparative wideness, and that about 6 per cent, belong to the foreshore, 27 per cent, to the leptospermetum, and 67 per cent, to the scrub-land. Further, according to Baron von Mueller's " Second Census," it is found that a great majority of the Sandringham plants have a very wide range, only three — Leeuwenhoekia Sonderi, Thelymitra epipactoides, and Pterostylis Mackibhinii — being endemic to the State ; that 112 species extend beyond Australasia (88 of these also to New Zealand), and that about 69 of these, being described from at least two other continents, may fairly be termed " ubiquists." Of those .endemic to Australasia, only 45 are set down as occurring in fewer than four States. It is interesting to note that while 15 per cent, of Austral- asian plants extend to other countries, and a little more than 3 per cent, only to New Zealand, the proportions in the case of the Sandringham plants are respectively more than 28 per cent, and 22 per cent. In the compilation of the census the first name is always that occurring in the late Baron Von Mueller's " Key to the System of Victorian Plants," and as there is likelihood of many of the synonyms in " The Flora Australiensis " being adopted subsequently, these have also been added in parentheses. The list is as far as possible complete, names having been taken from several sources, and grateful acknowledgment for suggestions and revision of the lists is here made to several members of the Club, and more particularly to Messrs. P. R. H. St. John and C. French, jun., whose familiarity with the district is so well known. Census of Sandringham Flora. /i indicates plants found on the foreshore; /, those of the "leptosper- metum;" s, of the scrub-land; a, aquatic plants and those in wet ground ; *, plants rarely met with. Dilleniace;e— h Cakile maritima, Scop. s Hibbertia densiflora, F. v. M. Violace/E (H. sericea, Benth.) 5 viola hederacea. Labill. s „ stncta, R. Br. s ,. „ var. Sieberiana 5 „ acicularis, F. v. M. ^ s ,. fasciculata, R. Br. PrTTOSPORE^— Ranunculace^— ^ Bursaria spinosa, Cav. / Clematis microphylla, D.C. ^ Billardiera scandens, Sm. a Ranunculus rivularis, B. & S. Droserace^ — lappaceus, Sm. 5 Drosera glanduligera, Lehm. Laurace^— 5 Cassytha glabella, R. Br. s ,, pubescens, R. Br. 5/ ,, melantha, R.Br. Crucifer^ — / Stenopetalum lineare, R. Br s Lepidium ruderale, L. pygmsea, D. C. spathulata, Labill. binata, Labill. Whittakeri, Planch, auriculata, Back, peltata, Sm. Menziesii, R. Br. i6 Sutton, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. [ Vict. Nat. May HVPERICINE.^ — 5 Hypericum japonicum, Thiinb. POLYGALEiE s Comesperma volubile, Labill. 5 ,, ericinuni, D. C. s ,, calymega, Lab. Tremandre^e — s Tetratheca ciliata, Lindl. RUTACEiS; — *5Boronia parviflora, Sm. */Correa alba, Andr. s ,, speciosa, Andr. Linages — 5 Linum marginale, Cunn. Geraniace^e — / Geranium Carolinianum, L. (G. dissectum, L.) s Erodium cygnorum, Nees. s Pelargonium australe, Willd. sZOxalis corniculata, L. Sterculiace^ — */Lasiopetalum Baueri, Steetz. EuPHORBIACEiE 5*/Poranthera ericoides, Klotzsch. si ,, microphylla, Brong. s Ricinocarpus pinifolius, Desf. s Amperea spartioides, Brong. Urticace^ — I Parietaria debilis, G. Forst. Casuarine^e — s/Casuarina quadrivalvis, Lab. (C. stricta, Ait.) s ,, suberosa, O. & D. s ,, distyla, Vent. SXACKHOUSIEiE 5 Stackhousia linarifolia, Cunn. (monogyna, Lab.) *h ,, spathulata, Sieb. Frankeniace.^ — h Frankenia Isevis, L. (F. pauci- fiora, D. C.) PORTULACE^ h Portulaca oleracea, L. ^sClaytonia calyptrata, F. v. M. (Calandrinia calyp- trata, Hook.) a ,, australasica, Hook. f. Caryophylle^ — / Stellaria pungens, Brong. / Spergularia rubra, Presl. / Polycarpon tetraphyllum, Loef. Amarantace,?. — a Alternanthera triandra, Lam. (A. nodiflora, R. Br.) h Polycnemum (Hemichroa) pent- andrum, F. v. M. Salsolace^ — h Atriplex crystallinum. Hook. f. /} ,, cinereum, Poiret. / Rhagodia Billardieri, R. Br. h ,, hastata, R. Br. / ,, nutans, R. Br. A /Chenopodium album, L. / ,, murale, L. hi ,, glaucum, L. / Enchylaena tomentosa, R. Br. h Salicornia australis, Sol. hs ,, arbuscula, R. Br. h Suseda maritima, Dumort. h Salsola kali, L. FiCOIDE/E — / Mesembryanthemum aequilat- erale, Haworth, and var. album / h Mesembryanthemum australe, Sol. h Tetragona expansa, Murray. / ,, implexicoma. Hook. f. POLYGONACE^ a Polygonum minus, Hudson. / Muehlenbeckia adpressa, Meissn. Thymele^ — s Pimelea glauca, R. Br. s ,, humilis, R. Br. s ,, octophylla, R. Br. s ,, phylicoides, Meiss. Leguminos^ — * Oxylobium ellipticum, R. Br. s Gompholobium Huegelii,Benth. 5 Sphaerolobium vimineum, Sm. a Viminaria denudata, Sm. s Daviesia ulicina, Sm. s Aotus villosa, Sm. s Pultena?a paleacea, Willd. s ,, dentata, Lab. *s ,, tenuifolia, R.Br. s Dillwynia ericifolia, Sm. s ,, floribunda, Sm. s ,, cinerascens, R. Br. s Platylobium obtusangulum, H. s Bossisea cinerea, R. Br. s ,, prostrata, R. Br. s Hovea heterophylla, Cunn. s Indigofera australis, Willd. s Kennedya prostrata, R. Br. s ,, monophylla. Vent. (Hardenbergia mon- ophylla, Benth.) s Acacia juniperina, Willd. s ,, armata, R. Br. s ,, acinacea, Lindl. *s ,, retinodes, Schlech. s ,, suaveolens, Willd. s ,, melanoxylon, R. Br. 5 ,, oxycedrus, Sieb. s ,, verticillata, Willd. si ,, longifolia, Willd., var. sophorse VoLXXVIIir ign Sutton, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. 17 / Acacia decurrens ,Willd si ,, moUissima, Willd. ROSACE>E — 5 Rubus parvifolius, L. s/Acaena ovina, Cunu. si ,, sanguisorbae, Vahl. CrASSULACEvE — / Tillsea macrantha, Hook. f. * ,, purpurata, Hook. Onagre^ — a Epilobium tetragonum, L. (E. glabelliim, Forst.) SaLICARIEvE — 5flLythrum hyssopifolia, L. Halorage^ — 5 Haloragis micrantha, R. Br. s ,, tetragyna, R. Br. a Myriophyllum variifolium, H. Callitrichin.^ — a Callitriche verna, L. MyrtacE/E — / Leptospermum laevigatum, F. v. M. s ,, scoparium, R. and G. Forster. s ,, myrsinoides, Sch. *s Kunzea peduncularis, F. v. M. 5rt Melaleuca squarrosa, Donn. sa ,, ericifolia, Sm. 5 /Eucalyptus pauciflora, Sieber (coriacea, A. Cunn. ) si ,, amygdalina, Lab. si ,, viminalis, Lab. si ,, Gunnii, var. acer- vula, Hook. Umbellifer^ — .T / Hydrocotyle vulgaris, L. 5 ,, laxiflora, D. C. Is ,, callicarpa, Bunge. s Didiscus pilosus,Benth.(Trachy- mene australis, Benth.) s Trachymene heterophylla, F. v. M. (Siebera heterophylla, Benth.) s Xanthosia pusilla, Bunge. a Eryngium vesiculosum. Lab. h Apium prostratum, Lab. (A. australe, Thou.) / Daucus brachiatus, Sieb. Santalace^ — - 5/Exocarpus cupressiformis, Lab. 5/ ,, stricta, R. Br. Loranthace^ — s/Loranthus celastroides, Sieb. I ,, pendulus, Sieber Proteace.i; — s Isopogon ceratophyllus, R. Br. s Persoonia juniperina. Lab. s Hakea nodosa, R. Br. 5 ,, ulicina, R. Br. s Banksia marginata, Cav. sl ,, integrifolia, L. RUBIACE.^; — s Opercularia varia. Hook. f. *s ,, ovata, Hook f. /sAsperula oligantha, F. v. M. COMPOSIT.^ — /sLagenophora Billardieri, Cass. /sBrachycome diversifolia, Fisch. sl ,, graminea, F. V. iVL s ,, decipiens, Hook, f . a ,, cardiocarpa, F. v. M. / Aster axillaris, F. v. M. (Olearia axillaris, F. v. j\L) sl ,, ramulosus, Lab. (Olearia ramulosa, Benth.) s Vittadinia australis, A. Rich. /sStuartina INIuelleri, Bond. /sGnaphalium luteo-album, L. Is ,, japonicum, Thun. * ,, indutum, Hook. f. s Podolepis acuminata, R. Br. s Lepto.rrhynchos squamatus, Less. 5 ,, tenuifolius, F. V. M. s Helipterum dimorpholepis, Benth. 5 Helichrysum scorpioides, Lab. 5 ,, lucidum, Henck. (H. bracteatum, Willd.) s ,, apiculatum, D. C. ■5 ,, semipapposum, D.C. / ,, cinereum, F. v. M. / Cassinia aculeata, R. Br. s/Rutidosis Pumilo, Benth. / Millotia tenuifolia, Cass. * Angianthus Preissianus, Benth. (A. eriocephalus, Benth.) h Calocephalus Brownii, F. v. M. s Craspedia Richea, Cass. * Cotula filifolia, Thunb. la ,, coronopifolia, L. / ,, australis, Hook. f. I ,, reptans, Benth. a Centipeda Cunninghami, F. v. M. / Senecio lautus, Soland. s Erechtites arguta, D. C. s ,, quadridentata, D. C. s Cymbonotus Lawsonianus, Gaud. s Microseris Forsteri, Hook. f. CaMPANULACE/E — s/ Lobelia anceps, Thunb. Sutton, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. [ Vict. Nat. Mav s Lobelia pratioides, Benth. a Isotoma fluviatilis, F. v. M. s Wahlenbergia gracilis, D. C. Candolleace/t; — s CandoUea serrulata, Lab. (Sty- lidium gra mini- folium, Swartz) a ,, perpusilla, F. v. M. (Stylidum perpus- sillum. Hook, f.) /sLeeuwenhoekia dubia. Sender. Is ,, Sonderi, F. v. M. GoODENIACEyE 5 Brunonia australis, Sm. a Selliera radicans, Cav. / Goodenia ovata, Sm. s ,, geniculata, R. Br. *s ,, elongata, Lab s ,, pinnatifida, Sch. s ,, humilis, R. Br. Gentiane^ — a Limnanthemum exaltatum, F. V. M. (Villarsia reniformis, R. Br.) *5Sebaea albidifiora, F. v. M. *5 ,, ovata, R. Br. s Erythraea australis, R. Br. Loganiace^ — /sMitrasacme paradoxa, R. Br. Plantagine^e — s Plantago varia, R. Br. Primulace^ — aASamolus repens, Pers. Apocyne^ — / Alyxia buxifolia, R. Br. ConvolvulacEjE — 5 Convolvulus erubescens, Sims. s^Dichondra repens, R. and G. Forster. fl/AVilsonia rotundifolia. Hook. a ,, Backhousii, Hook. Solanace^ — s/Solanum nigrum, L. si ,, aviculare, Forst. SCROPHULARINE^ *flMimulus repens, R. Br. *aMazus pumilio, R. Br. a Gratiola Peruviana, L. s Veronica gracilis, R. Br. s Euphrasia Brownii, F. v. M. (coUina, R. Br.) LENTIBULARINiE *a Utricularia lateriflora, R. Br. a ,, dichotoma, Lab. a Polypompholyx tenella, Lehm. Labiate — s Brunella vulgaris, L. (Prunella vulgaris, D. C.) s Ajuga australis, R. Br. Myoporine;e — / Myoporum insulare, R. Br. (M. serratum, R. Br.) I ,, viscosum, R. Br. (M. serratum, var. glandulosum, Benth.) *a ,, humile, R. Br. (M. parvifolium, R. Br.) ASPERIFOLI^ — s/Cynoglossum suaveolens, R. Br. s/Myosotis australis, R. Br. Epacride.^ — s/Styphelia humifusa, Pers. (As- troloma humifu- sum, R. Br.) / ,, Richei, Lab. (Leuco- pogon Richei, R. Br.) / ,, australis, F. v. M. (Leucopogon aus- tralis, R. Br.) s ,, virgata, Lab. (Leuco- pogon virgatus, R. Br.) Is ,, serrulata, Lab. (Acro- triche serrulata, R. Br.) s ,, scoparia, Sm. (Mono- toca scoparia, R. Br.) *s Brachyloma ciliatum, Benth. s Epacris impressa, Lab. as ,, obtusifolia, Sm. asSprengelia incarnata, Sm. Orchide^ — / Dipodium punctatum, R. Br. * Spiranthes australis, Lindl. *5Thelymitra ixioides, Swartz *s ,, aristata, Lindl. *s ,, epipactoides, F. v. M. s ,, longifolia, R. and G. Forster. / ,, carnea, R. Br. 5 ,, flexuosa, Endl. s ,, antennifera, Hook.f . s Diuris maculata, Sm. s ,, pedunculata, R. Br. s ,, sulphurea, R. Br. 5 ,, longifolia, R. Br. s*Orthoceras strictum, R.Br. s Cryptostylis longifolia, R. Br. s Prasophyllum elatum, R. Br. s ,, patens, R. Br. s ,, fuscum, R. Br. *s ,, nigricans, R. Br. *s ,, Archeri, Hook. f. * ,, intricatum, C. Stuart Vol. XXVIII. 191 1 j Sutton, Notes on (he Sandrin'^/iam Flora. 19 5 Microtis porrifolia, R. Br. s ,, atrata, Lindl. * /Corysanthes unguiculata, R. Br. / ,, pruinosa, R. Cunn. (C fimbriata, R. Br.) *5Caleya (Caleyana) major, R. Br. / Acianthus exsertus, R. Br. / Cyrtostylis reniformis, R. Br. / Pterostylis concinna, R. Br. I curta, R. Br. * Mackibbinii, F.v. M I acuminata, R. Br. I nutans, R. Br. I pedaloglossa, Fitz. I pedunculata, R. Br. I nana, R. Br. I cucuUata, R. Br. I grandiflora, R. Br. * refiexa, R. Br. I I pra;cox, Lindl. obtusa, R. Br. s *s parviflora, R. Br. barbata, Lindl. *s mutica, R. Brown I longifolia. R. Br. I vittata, Lindl. /sLyperanthus nigricans, R. Br. s Eriochilus autumnalis, R. Br. s ,, fimbriatus, F. v. M. (Caladenia fimbri- ata, Reich.) s Caladenia Menziesii, R. Br. Is ,, Patersoni, R. Br. / ,, latifolia, R. Br. 5 suaveolens, Reich. Is carnea, R. Br. *s coerulea, R. Br. s deformis, R. Br. /sGlossodia major, R. Br. Iride.^i — s Patersonia glauca, R. Br. s ,, longiscapa. Sweet. HYDROCHARIDEiE a Ottelia ovalifolia, Ricli. AMARYLLIDEiE s Hypoxis glabella, R. Br. a ,, hygrometrica, Lab. LiLIACE.E — / Dianella revoluta, R. Br. s Wurmbea dioica, F. v. M. (An- guillaria dioica, R. Br.) 5 Burchardia umbellata, R. Br. s Bulbine bulbosa, Haworth. 5 Thysanotus Patersoni, R. Br. 5 Caesia vittata, R. Br. 5 ,, parviflora, R. Br. 5 Chamaescilla corymbosa, F.v. M. 5 Trico ryne elatior, R. Br. s Stypandra ca'spitosa, R. Br. s Arthropodium strictum, R. Br. (Dichopogon strictus, Baker) 5 Bartlingia sessiliflora, F. v. M. (Laxmannia sessiliflora, Dene.) s Xerotes longifolia, R. Br. s ,, Brownii, F. v. ]\L (X. mnltiflora, R. Br.) s ,, Thunbergii, F. v. M. (X. filiformis, R. Br.) s Xanthorrhoea minor, R. Br. Lemnace^ — a Lemna minor, L. Naiadace/E — a Potamogeton natans, L. *a ,, crispus, L. a ,, pectinatus, L. a Triglochin striata, R. and P. a. ,, procera, R. Br. *a ,, centrocarpa, Hook. Philhydre.e — *«Philhydrum lanuginosum. Banks Xyride^ — *aXyris gracilis, R. Br. Junce^ — 5 Luzula campestris, D. C. s Juncus planifolius, R. Br. a ,, bufonius, L. a ,, communis, E. Meyer a ,, pauciflorus, R. Br. a ,, prismatocarpus, R. Br. 5 ,, capitatus, Weigel. Centrolepide^ — s Aphelia gracilis, Sonder. a Centrolepis aristata, R. and S. a ,, strigosa, R. and S. *a ,, polygyna, Hieron Restiace.^ — s Calostrophus fastigiatus, F. v. M. (H^'polsena fastigiata, R. Br.) lateriflorus, F. v. M. (Hypolaena lateriflora, Benth.) Cyperace;e — s Cyperus tenellus, L. a Scirpus arenarius, Benth. si ,, nodosus, Rottb. a Schoenus nitens, Poiret 5 ,, brevifolius, R. Br. s ,, apogon, R. and S. s Lepidosperma longitudinale, Lab. s „ gladiatum. Lab. Sutton, Notes on the Sandrim'liam Flora. F^'^V^ '^^^' ' ^ L May s Cladium schoenoides. R. Br. h Carex pumila, Thunb. Gramine^ — s Panicum crusgalli, L. h Spinifex hirsutus, Lab. h Lepturus incurvatus, Trin. h ,, cylindricus, Trin. s Anthistiria ciliata. L. 5/Dichelachne crinita, Hook. f. / Stipa teretifolia, Steud. 5 ,, semibarbata, R. Br. s Sporobolus indicus, R. Br. I Agrostis solandri, F. v. M. (Deyeuxia Forsteri, Kuiith.) s ,, (Deyeuxia) quad- riseta, R. Br. s Deyeuxia minor, Benth. 5 Danthonia penicillata, F. v. M. / Cynodon dactylon, L. C Rich. (Pers.) h Chloris truncata, R. Br. / Poa billardieri, Steud. h Festuca littoralis. Lab. (Sclied- onorus littoralis, Beauv.) h Distichlis maritima, Ralin. h Bromus arenarius, Lab. s Agropyrum scabrum, Pal. a Arundophragmites, Do. (Phrag- mites communis, Trin.) Rhizosperm.e — a AzoUa filiculoides, Lamarck (A. rubra, R. Br.) Lycopodine-?; — *sLycopodium laterale, R. Br. Selaginella uliginosa, Spring. a Phylloglossum Drummondii, Kunz. FiLICES — sZOphioglossum vulgatum, L. *sBotrychium lunaria, Swartz. *5Schiza>a fistulosa. Lab. 5 ,, dichotoma, Sw. (S. bi- fida, Willd.) *5 Gleichenia circinata, Swartz s Lindsaya linearis, Swartz. 5 Adiantum a;thiopicum, L. s Pteris aquilina, L. The late Mr. O. A. Sayce, A.L.S. — Just as we are going to press the sad announcement has been made of the death, after only a few days' illness, of Mr. O. A. Sayce, who was present at the last meeting of the Club, and received the congratulations of his fellow-members on his new appointment, mentioned in the April Naturalist. Time has not allowed for an adequate record in this issue of Mr. Sayce's work on behalf of natural science — this will appear next month. Euphorbia Juice as a Caustic. — Mr. M'Fadzean, dairy supervisor, Department of Agriculture, recently forwarded to the Herbarium a specimen of a plant. Euphorbia pephis, L., with the statement that a resident of Hawthorn had a small growth on his cheek below the eye, which, under medical advice, he was about to have removed by operation. He was, however, advised to try the effects of a daily application of the milky juice of this weed. Under this treatment the surface of the growth gradually peeled off, and in some three weeks the sore was healed, leaving only a slight and barely perceptible scar. There seems to be no reason to doubt this observation, which is well authenticated, and the milky juice of many species of Euphorbia has a strong action on the skin when applied to it one or more times. Hence, this matter seems worthy of further investigation, preferably by a medical man, to definitely determine its accuracy, and also to what extent so simple a treatment is applicable in similar cases. — Alfred J. Ewart, National Herbarium. Cbe Uictoriatt naturalist Vol. XXVITI— No 2. JUNE 8, 1911. No. 330. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Chib was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, 8th May, igii. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 50 members and visitors were present. THE LATE MR. O. A. SAYCE, A.L.S. The president said that, before proceeding to the business on the notice paper, it became his sad duty to refer to the un- expected death of Mr. O. A. Sayce, A.L.S., who had been present at the last monthly meeting and responded -so feelingly to the congratulations of the Club on his promotion to an advanced position in scientific work in Adelaide. He said that, by the death of Mr. Sayce. the scientific community had suffered a severe loss, and, deploring the sudden removal of a friend and comrade, and an original member of the Club, he invited members to assent to his motion that a letter of sympathy and condolence be forwarded to Mrs. Sayce and family. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, as one of Mr. Sayce's oldest friends, briefly supported the motion, and all present rose silently in their ]ilaces and thus signified their approval of the resolution. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Historical Society of Victoria, stating that the sub-committee representing the Historical, Field Naturalists', Royal, and Geographical Societies had reported, with regard to the aboriginal quarries near Lancefield, that at present there was no hope of obtaining the requisite land to secure the permanent preservation of the site at a price within reason. From the Royal Colonial Institute, London, asking for the Victorian Naturalist in exchange for the Institute's publication, The United Empire. To be considered by the committee. REPORTS. A report of the excursion from Sydenham to Bulla and Diggers' Rest on Eight Hours Day, Monday, 24th April, was given by the leader, Mr. R. W. Armitage, B.Sc, who re- ported a good attendance of members and a most enjoyable outing. The excursion had been arranged for geology, and in a walk of some twelve miles or so three distinct geological formations — volcanic, granitic, and Ordovician — had been traversed, and a number of interesting observations made. 2 2 Field Naturalists' Club -Proceedings. P'""];,,!!"'" He also read an interesting botanical rei)ort furnished by Dr. Sutton and Mr. P. R. H. St. John. A report of the junior excursion to the Zoological Gardens on Saturday, 6th May, was, in the absence of the leader, Mr. ]. A. Leach, M.Sc, given by Mr. C. Stout, the hon. secretary for juniors, who said that there had been a good attendance of members. The afternoon had been set apart for the study of birds, and the leader had, by means of the numerous kinds on exhibition, been able to point out the chief characteristics of different groups of birds and their systematic arrangement, which had resulted in a very pleasant and instructive after- noon being spent, election of member. On a ballot being taken, Mr. J. Firth, Briagolong. was duly elected a country member of the C'lub. CENEKAL BUSINESS. Noniinations for ottice-bearers for the year iqii-12 were then made, with the exception of the othce of hon. assistant secretary and librarian, for which no nomination was received. Messrs. D. Best and J. Stickland were elected to audit the accoinits for 1910-11. ]\Ir. (ieo. C'oghill drew attention to the newsi>aper rejiort of the proposal, as the result of a report of a sub-committee of the Cabinet, that the position of Government Botanist be abolished, and thus the salary of its occupant would be saved. He said that to take such a step on the score of economy was absurd, and that, in his opinion. Professor Ewart was being }ienalized for not seeing eye to eye with the Minister for Agri- culture on all points. He moved — " That the Field Xaturahsts' Club of Victoria regrets to hear of the rumoured retirement of Professor Ewart from the {position of Government Botanist, and, trusting that the rumour is founded on a misunderstanding, hopes that the present high status of the ofhce will be preserved, and that Professor Ewart may be enabled to continue his work of guidance and instruction in the Department of Agri- culture, to the benefit of the various botanical interests of the community, and that the hon. secretary forward copies of this resolution to the Acting Premier and the Minister for Agriculture." Mr. J. Shephard, in seconciing the resolution, said that the Chib was well within its rights in commenting on a matter that concerned it so much, and in taking any step which might be necessary to try and prevent any set-back to natural science, such as would result from the retirement of an officer with the qualifications Professor Ewart undoubtedly had. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. J. Shephard referred to the services of Mr. J. Searle Vol-^>^viii.-j Field Natuvalists' C/uh — Proceedings. 23 as kinternisL on many occasions, and moved a vote ol" thanks to him. This was supported by Mr. Best, and carried by acclamation. paper read. By Mr. J. R. Tovey, entitled '" Notes on the Flora of Coode Island." The author briefly related the history of the island, which was created in 1886 by the cutting of the Coode Canal in order to shorten the distance between the Melbourne wharves and the mouth of the River Yarra. Originally forming i^art of the area known as the Sandridge Bend, it was covered with tea-tree and other indigenous vegetation, but in course of time this had almost entirely disappeared. Of late years portion of the island had been used as a dumping-ground for ships' ballast brought from foreign ports, and as a consequence the flora was now almost entirely exotic, and it was interesting to note that many of the plants were natives of South Africa. Some discussion ensued, during which Mr. C. J. Gabriel remarked that a Torres Strait shell had recently been found in Victorian waters, and asked whether the liallast area con- tained any shells. Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., said the paper was very interesting, and, considered with Mr. Gabriel's remark, threw some light on the distrilmtion of strange rock material found in various places along our shores. Some stone from Sweden had recently been reported, and it would be interesting to see if any species of the Swedish flora would appear. Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., said that he remembered examining some ballast near the Yarra, which, he found, had come from Santos, in Brazil, having l)ecn brought from that port by a vessel which had called there, but. owing to the prevalence of fever, had received no cargo. Mr. C. French, jim., remarked that Coode Island offered plenty of opportunities to the pond-life hunter. Mr. Tovey, in replying to the various speakers, said that the ballast locality contained many shells, probably of foreign origin. Owing to the lateness of the hour, Mr. Williamson's paj^er on a visit to East Gippsland was postponed until the next meetmg. natural history notes. Mr. R. W. Armitage, B.Sc, said that while at the Gippsland Lakes at Easter his attention had been attracted by the number of the Coast i^ell-birds, or Bell-Miners, M anorhina melanophrys, in the scrub near Kalimna, which were particularly har- monious for the time of year, and appeared to be feeding almost exclusively u):»on mosquitoes. The birds were also very numerous about the mouth of the Latrobe. 24 Field Naluralists' Club—Proceedinos. [^""jui!^"'' Mr. Annitage also drew attention to the " silt-jetties " rapidly forming at the mouth of the Avon River, and ex- tending some distance into Lake Wellington, indicating that considerable erosion is going on in the valley of the Avon. Mr. P. R. H. St. John remarked that the Kookaburra, or Laughing Jackass, Da eel o gigas, was creating great destruction among the nestling birds in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, and was not deserving of any protection. The chairman related an instance of a Magpie-Lark, or Pied Grallina, Grallina pieata, fighting a supposed rival, being its own image reflected by the window of a cottage. EXHIBITS. By Miss Bury. — Thirty species of shells collected at Hampton excursion. By Miss Cochrane. — The rare orchid PrasophyUum Areheri, collected at Mitcham on Easter Monday. By Mr. J. Cronin, from Botanical Gardens, Melbourne. — Specimens of three May-flowering Australian acacias — viz.. A. discolor, Willd. ; .4. Maidenii, F. v. ]\L ; and A. iteaphvlla, F. V. M. ; also flowering stems of the " Anchor " plant. Colletia cniciata. Gill and Hook., from South America. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells from Victorian waters belonging to genus Myodora — viz., M. ovata, Rve., M. hrevis. Sow., M. pandoriforuiis, Stutch, and M. alhida, T.-Wds. By Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue. — Fossil shell, Haliotis ncevosoidcs, from Barwonian limestone beds, Maude. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Specimens of the Gipsy Fern, Poly- podium grammitidis, R. Br., collected at Lome, Easter, iqii. By Mr. J. Stickland. — Specimens of fern, Aspleninm flahelli- foliiim, from Myers Creek, Healesville, some fronds ex- ceeding two feet in length. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Dried specimens of Eucalyptus Bridgesiana, R. T. Baker, collected by exhibitor near Orbost. December, 1910. By Mr. J. R. Tovey. — Dried plants from Coode Island, October, igo8 : — Berkhcya [Stobcea) rigida. Thunb. (Compositae), Tetragona frutieosa, L. (Ficoideae), Ursinia chrysanthemoides, Harv. (Compositae), and Zygophyllum sessilijolium, L. (Zygo- phyllaceae) : all introduced from South Africa. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Corrections. — In the report of the April meeting, on page 2, " Gryllotalpa coarcta" should read '' Gryllotalpa coarctata." In the note on " Bodies Resembling Australites," the words '• are generally conceded to be of volcanic origin " should read " are by some supposed to be of volcanic origin." Vol. xxviii.n jj^^ j^i^ j^^^ Q J ^^^^^^ ^ ^^ ^^ 1911 THE LATE MR. O. A. SAYCE, A.L.S. OcTAVius Albert Sayce, whose death was announced in the last Naturalist, was educated at the Scotch College, Melbourne. On leaving school he entered a softgoods warehouse, where in due course he was entrusted with some of the town travelling. About this time he became interested in the application of the microscope, with the result that this instrument hence- forth became his hobby. Evidently of a scientific turn of mind, he entered on a course of practical chemistry, devoting special attention to ferments, and later set up as a manu- facturer on a small scale ; but his efforts did not bring sufficient reward, and he became country traveller for Rocke, Tompsitt and Co., wholesale chemists, with whom he remained many years, becoming town traveller, and making many friends among the pharmaceutical chemists of the metropolis. Though offered inside work of a more responsible kind, his somewhat delicate health compelled him to live an outdoor life as much as possible. While in this employ he applied his knowledge of microscopy to the examination of various pathological speci- mens for medical men, which led him to the study of bacteria and other allied forms. In this, as in other branches of science, he became an adept, and as a result obtained a position on the University staff. He was an original member of the Field Naturalists' Club, having been elected in May, 1880. He was a member of com- mittee in 1886-7, and librarian in 1887-8. His frequent absence from town prevented him from taking an active part in Club affairs for some years, but in 1895 he was again elected librarian, and held that office for six years. In the years 1901-2 and IQ02-3 he was one of the vice-presidents, and during 1903-5 held the position of president. As a field naturalist he took up entomology, and was first attracted by the Coleoptera. He was, however, a keen ex- perimenter, and, recognizing that microscopy (which he had studied some years before) was his forte, became a remarkably expert manipulator. His knowledge of chemistry gave him a great advantage in the use of stains, and he attained a thorough knowledge of these, both theoretical and practical — a knowledge that afterwards stood him in good stead. A course of practical biology, under the Rev. W. Fielder, opened a new world to him, and he soon rivalled his master in technique. Then followed several years of steady work with the scalpel and microtome. A pleasing incident may be re- lated. He sent a copy of his first important histological paper, on Gryllotalpa, to a well-known English biologist, who at once recognized the ability of the author. The acknowledgment 26 The late Mr. O. A. Sayce, A.L.S. [%,n'^'"- (conveyed on a post-card) was curt but inspiring — " (iood. (io on. — G. B. H." Sayce never forgot these words. Some ten years ago he turned his attention to the Crustacea, and became a recognized authority on the smaller forms, and published a number of papers, especially in the " Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria." He took an active part in the formation of the Hawthorn and Camberwell Microscopical Society, and appears to have been permanent president. Here, as in every other sphere in which he was engaged, his wide knowledge was freely placed at the disposal of any who wanted it. In 1906 Mr. Sayce was apj:)ointed Demonstrator and Assistant Lecturer in Bacteriology in the University, and, though he found time to publish his important papers on Koonunga, which represented a new family of Anaspidse, the heavy calls of his new work turned his thoughts into other channels, and led to the publication of a few brief papers on bacteriological questions in the Austfalian Medical Journal, and he is understood to have recently sent an important paper on an obscure disease of children to an English journal, but at the time of writing nothing further is known of the article. Last year the Linnean Society of London elected him as one of its associates, in recognition of his valuable research work. This distinction, it may be remarked, is limited in the number of holders, and was entirely unsought. Early in April Mr. Sayce was appointed first Director of the Bacteriological Institute of South Australia, just established, but did not live to take up his new duties. After only a few- days' illness he died of pneumonia, at the age of 49, on the 29th April, the very day he had intended being in Adelaide, and was laid to rest on ist May, the day he was to have taken up his fresh responsibilities. He has left a wife and three children to battle with the world bereft of a father's help. The outstanding feature of Mr. Sayce' s character was his unfaltering honesty. He never posed. He worked hard and continuously, as his list of papers will in part show : but, besides publishing, he spent a large amount of time and energy in guiding the scientific work of others, and many of those interested in microscopic work in Melbourne owe a great deal to his voluntary aid. All who knew him were his friends, and they will miss his ready jests and his resourceful help, while the Field Naturalists' Club has lost one of its ablest supporters, always ready to smooth away difficulties, to adjust mutual misunderstandings, or to suggest fresh fields of work. Few men pass away so sincerely loved, so deeply mourned. H. ^'''' fgM^"^"] 2"'''^' ^"'^ ^^>'- ^- -^- Sayce, A.L.S. 27 LIST OF PAPERS, &c., by Mr. O. A. SAYCE, A.L.S. In the " Victorian Naturalist." " Kemarks on Gall-making Coccida;," vol. ii. (1885), p. 99. Lecturette — " The Fertilization of Flowers " (abstract), iv. (1887), p. 28. " Formalin as a General Preservative for Animal and Vegetable Structures," xii. (1895), p. loi. Lecturette — " How an Insect Lives " (abstract), xvi. (1899), p. 20. "Notes on an Exhibit of Living Stages of a Mycetozoa," xvi. (1889), p. 80. "Some Peculiar Habits of Crabs," xvii. (1900), p. 74. " A Method of Preserving Crustacea," xvii. (1900), p. 75. "On the Crustacean, Phrcaioicus australis, Chilton, from Tasmania," .xvii. (1900), p. 108. "Report on Freshwater Crustaceans from Buffalo ^fountains Camp- out," XX. (1904),' p. 146. Presidential address—" The Collecting of Natural History Specimens," xxi. (1904), p. 35. " Description of a Common Shore Crustacean" (abstract), xxi. (1905), 146. " Report of Demonstration on Shore-life at Mornington Camp-out," xxiii. (1907), 219. Lecture — "Port Phillip Invertebrates and their Inland Relations" (abstract), (delivered at Mornington Camp-out), xxiii. (1907), 220. "Description of a New Remarkable Crustacean with Primitive r^lalacostracian Characters," xxiv. (1907), 117. (Reprinted in Annals and Magazine of Natural History, series 8, vol. i., 1908.) In the " Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria." 1. " On the Structure of the Alimentary System of Gryllotalpa attstralis (Ericks.), with Some Physiological Notes," vol. ii., 1899. 2. " Phreatoicoides : a New Genus of Freshwater Isopoda," vol. xii., 1900. 3. " Niphargus pulchcllits : a New Victorian Blind Amphipod," ib. 4. " Phreatoicus shephardi : a New Genus of Freshwater Isopoda from Victoria," vol. xiii., 1900. 5. " Janirella : a New Genus of Isopoda from Fresh Water, Victoria," ib. 6. " Description of Some New Victorian Freshwater Amphipoda," ib. 7. " A New Genus of Phreatoicidic," vol. xiv., 1902. 8. " Description of Some New Victorian Freshwater Amphipoda," vol. XV., 1902. 9. " The Phyllopoda of Australia, including Descriptions of New Genera and Species," vol. xv., 1903. 10. " Description of two Terrestrial Species of TalitridcC from \'ictoria," vol. xxii., 1909. In " Tr.\ns.\ctions of the Linnean Society of London." "On Koonunga cursor, a Remarkable New Type of Malacostracous Crustaceans," vol. xi., 1908. Mr. Sayce also published several bacteriological papers in the Australian Medical Journal. Fixe Yield of Palings.— At Barramunga, in the Otway Forest, a splitter recently obtained 7,600 6-feet palings from a single Mountain Ash, Eucalyptus regnans. From one length 700 palings were split. 28 Excursion to Mont Albert and Balwyn. [^'"'u,,^'''^' EXCURSION TO MONT ALBERT AND BALWYN. The assemblage at Mont Albert station on Saturr^ay afternoon, 8th April, consisted of 17 members and visitors, and we were favoured by an especially line afternoon and a clear atmosphere — the latter a desirable condition where scenery is the objective. For a demonstration in physiography and general geology, the facilities afforded in this district from the various view-points can scarcely be surpassed. From the Reservoir Hill (420 feet) a magnificent panorama is displayed, and it was here that the first halt was made. To the south-east and south the lower slopes of the great Yarra or Nillumbik pene-plain were seen, merging into the coastal plain beyond Oakleigh to Brighton and Cheltenham. To the east, the almost level country of the same pene-plain was noticed, looking as if sharply cut oft by the Brushy Creek scarp and backed by the prominent Dandenong Ranges, whilst a few points to the north the rising ground of the Mitcham axis could be discerned, forming a parallel tract north of the railway line nearly to Croydon. The monadnocks (residual hillocks) of Pine-Mont, north-west of Ringwood, and Croydon Hill, beyond Ringwood to the east, are prominent features in the middle distance. These features were the more easily under- stood in the light of the recent work of one of our members, Mr. J. T. Jutson, described in papers read before the Royal Society. A short sketch of the volcanic history of this part of Victoria was included in the demonstration at this part of the pro- ceedings. At this elevation of 420 feet the highest part of the pene-plain is reached, with the exception of Mitcham, at about 500 feet. The Reservoir Hill is covered with the Tertiary sand-cap of Kalimnan age, and represents a remnant of the once widely spread cover of the pene-plain extended to our view. In places the Tertiary sand has formed small, hard con- cretions, probably through partial solution of the sand grains by alkaline water and acids derived from decaying organisms at the surface, the cementing substances being both limonitic and siliceous. The arenaceous character of the soil on this hill is readily remarked from the abundance of English Broom, Cytisus scoparius, and the sand-loving tea-tree. Lcptospcrwurn scoparium. Turning down Elgar-road to the north, we passed into the reserve of the Surrey Dive. Originally a brick-pit, this splendid diving reserve has been filled with water, and is now apparently supplied from springs arising between the Tertiary sand-cap and the bed-rock (Silurian), the junction of which we noticed near the gate of the reserve. The springs are partly under- ground, and run through a series of " crab-holes," and the open runnels are marked by a growth of rushes. One face of the Dive shows a surface parallel to a leg of an anticline, whilst Vol. XXVIII. IQII ] Excursion io Muiit Albert and Balwyn. 29 another section at right angles shows the sharply-bent, V-shaped structure in the rock. Passing into White Horse-road towards Balwyn, a road-cutting showed, in a remarkably clear manner, the numerous cross-jointings of the bed-rock, which has been seamed with thin limonite veins, the veins themselves often projecting from the softer bed-rock, which has been readily worn away. It was here pointed out, as the party crossed the Templestowe anticlinal axis, lately described by Mr. Jutson, that this area can be traced by a line of " red gum- tree land " as far as the west of Doncaster. One of our members, Mr. A. O. Thiele, directed the leader's attention to this fact with regard to Templestowe, and the latter has been able to continue it southwai-ds towards Mont Albert. The reason for this preference of the particular species of gum-tree, Eucalyptus rostrata, for this land is evidently afforded in its being a fracture zone seamed with quartz, giving the subsoil a rubbly texture, and thus suited for deep rooting. Sur- mounting the hill beyond Mont Albert, and turning to the north along the Union-road, a fine view of the Koonung Koonung Creek basin was seen and admired — one of the most striking areas in the landscapes around Melbourne. From this com- paratively small basin-shaped hollow, somewhere about a million cubic yards of solid rock material must have been re- moved by this creek, which, by the way, flows into the Yarra at Bulleen, between Kew and Heidelberg. The junction of the bed-rock and Tertiary sand was here noted on the Union-road, by the moisture on the footpath, and the quartz reefs cutting through the latter showed up distinctly against the brightly- coloured ochreous and pink mudstone. The hill here close at hand is 380 feet, and, like its opposite point, th«^ Reservoir Hill, is capped with Tertiary sand, although this fact is not noted on the old quarter-sheet geological map. This hill has no dis- tinctive name, and it is here suggested that it should be called the " Balwyn Hill." The leader then took the party into his garden, where the junction of the Tertiary sand and the clay bed-rock is marked by a small spring, which runs after heavy showers. The excursion terminated by a walk to the top of Balwyn Hill, where, by aid of the increased refraction due to the setting sun and moistened atmosphere, the Divide stood out very sharp and clear, and even the chief volcanic points of eruption in the middle distance in the neighbourhood of Beveridge and Sunbury were plainly visible. — F. Ch.\pm.\n. In accordance with the regulations, Mr. C. French, F.E.S., Government Entomologist, will be retired on 30th June next. This is greatly to be regretted, as Mr. French is mentally as well fitted as ever to continue his important duties. 30 Robinson, In the Dandenong Ranges 60 Years Ago. [^"^ju„^''^' IN THE DANDENONG RANGES SIXTY YEARS AGO. By G. W. Robinson, C.E. (Communicated by C. French, F.E.S.) {dead before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, loth April, 191 1.) During the early years of this State — say, from 1854 to 1862, the period I was best acquainted with the Dandenong Ranges — pahngs and shingles were in great demand for building and roofing purposes, galvanized iron being at that time almost unknown. The Dandenong Ranges, being within compara- tively easy distance of Melbourne, soon became one of the principal sources of supply. The paling-splitter invariably chose the tallest and straightest trees for his purposes ; but to get at them in the recesses of the ranges meant cutting tracks through scrub often sixty feet in height. When staying in 1854 ^^ ^ farm-house about seven or eight miles from the locality since known as Emerald, I well re- member a paling-splitter coming to the farm and giving an account of some immensely tall trees, which, he said, were over one hundred yards in length when felled, and describing the staging which it was necessary to erect before they could be cut down. I was greatly interested in his story, and wanted there and then to go and see them, but was informed that the place was so inaccessible and remote from any habitation that it would not be safe for me to make the attempt alone. How- ever, three years later I had an opportunity of visiting the spot, and, from what I could see then, the paling-splitter had not exaggerated in the least. The difficulty was to get a good view of the full height of the remaining trees, owing to the density of the surrounding vegetation. If the butts could be seen the tops were invisible, and vice versa ; hence the im- possibility of measuring their height accurately. It was seldom that a tree had a well-defined head ; most of them seemed to suffer in the topmost branches from a sort of " die-back," such as may sometimes be noticed in fruit trees. On fallen trees this "die-back" often measured thirty feet or more, emd affected stems up to nine inches in diameter, while in many trees the tops had been so long dead that, when felled, they crumbled into pieces, and so rendered accurate measurement impossible. In the neighbourhood was a thick forest of young trees,, about 60 feet high, growing so close together that, when waving to and fro in the wind, they looked like a gigantic crop of corn. I could see it would onl}' be a matter of a few years before most of the best trees would be cut out, so I arranged with the splitters to let me know whenever they felled an extra big tree, so that I could go and measure it when cut down. It was Vol. XXVII J. igii ] Robinson, In {he Dandenong Ranges 60 Years Ago. 31 some time before I could make them understand that it was only the longest or tallest trees I wanted to measure ; con- sequently, they would often send me word that a very large tree had been felled, but which, on comparison, with those growing around, was found to be shorter. Referring back to my note-book for the measurements made by me at the time on the ground, I find that all those measured were over 300 feet in length. The longest that I met with was 342 feet to the commencement of the " die-back " portion of the tree, and as the stem there was from six to seven inches in diameter, I estimated the " die-back " portion to have been from 15 to 25 feet in length, thus giving an approximate length of 360 feet. Mentioning these facts one day to the late Baron von Mueller, he arranged that, if I could find a tree approaching 400 feet, he would come and inspect and measure it ; but the opportunity never came. About five years later a tree, which had just been felled, was pointed out to me by a splitter as being the longest he had met with. It was situated on the southern slope of a hill near a gully, about three-quarters of a mile north of the present Belgrave railway station. The tree measured 316 feet to the " die-back " portion of the stem. This amounted to 8 feet, and it is quite probable some 8 or' 10 feet were missing owing to decay, which would give a total length of about 333 feet. This ti'ee was one of a clump of about ten growing by them- selves, as was the case with the other trees mentioned. The last of the big trees in that district were cut down about 1862, and from an examination of them and their surroundings, I do not think they had experienced, at any period of their growth, any check from fires, such as has happened in later years. They were generally found at the foot of a steep hill- side, sheltered from the sun and north wind. Their roots were constantly moist, owing to the mulch of decayed leaves, bark, &c., fully thirty inches thick, constantly decaying and as con- stantly being replenished. The rainfall was about 60 inches per annum, and at that time the splitters said that it rained more or less every day in .the year. From an examination of the number of annular rings of the stumps, it would appear that these trees were quick-growing and comparatively short- lived, few of the stumps indicating more than 300 years. White ants early attacked the roots and butts, while the " die-back " of the extreme tops added rotten wood at the other extremity. A gale of wind sweeping down on to the tall trees would snap them off by the roots, often bringing down two or three others in their fall. The buttresses of roots around each tree seemed out of all proportion to the tree. At about two or three feet from the ground they would often measure 3 J Robinson, In the Dandenong Ranges 60 Years Ago. \^'^]\^J^ from 60 to 80 feet in circumference, while 30 or 40 feet up the circumference would be reduced to about 20 feet. The trees had brown-coloured bark on the lower portions of the trunk, the upper jwrtions being white, the bark being very thin. Baron von Mueller identified them as the mountain variety of Eiaahptus amygJalimi. afterwards separated as a distinct species under the name of E. regnans. Often, when scrambling about over logs and fallen branches to measme a fallen giant, the sphtters seemed to regard me with pitw as being a Uttle daft ; and when I said a gentleman in Melbourne was anxious to get the measurements, it only increased their pity, and they regarded us both as daft. As the pahng-sphtters invariably cut down the longest- barrelled trees first, in order to get the easiest-spUtting timber. I have no doubt but that some of the earher cut down trees would have measured quite 400 feet. It is reported that the late Mr. He\Tie. secretary- to Baron von Mueller, measured a tree as 365 feet to where the top was broken oft. It is more than probable this was the tree I mentioned as measuring 342 feet. It is greatlv to be regretted that an endeavour was not made to preser\e some of these e.xtraordinarily tall trees from the timber-cutters. It was only after settlement had commenced, and roads were opened through the then State forest, that bush-fires appeared, and began to encroach on the ranges from all sides. The scrub would be burned a Uttle further into the forest each year, so that the present appearance of the ranges is altogether dift'erent to what it was sixty years ago. No one who had not seen the district before these encroachments took place could conceive such an altered appearance, or ever believe that perhaps the tallest trees in the world grew there up to a comparatively recent date. The Xeerim Forests. — A contributor to the Argus cf 28th March states that towards the head of the Latrobe River a splendid forest covering about 96,000 acre^ exists, the timber of which he values as being worth nearly nine and a half millions of pounds ! The trees on several measured acres have been counted, and. whUe their height averages 300 feet, their contents, allowing the low estimate of 4,000 feet per tree, give the splendid Weld of 160.000 feet of sawn timber per acre. One blackbutt yielded sixteen 6-feet lengths, from which 9.950 palings were split. These, at the rate of i8s. 6d. per 100. give a value of £94 los. for the tree. From another tree the whole of the timber required for a cottage of five rooms was obtained. Vol. XXVIII. igii 1 Hardy, The Stinging of G. coarciata by D. hicolor. THE STIXGING OF GRYLLOTALPA COARCTATA BY DIAMMA BICOLOR. By a. D. Hardy, F.L.S. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, loth Apn7, 191 1.) Venturing out of my selected sphere of study, I ask for the indulgence of entomological members, on whose field I am trespassing, in order that I may offer some notes that seem to me to be of interest to students of the Hymenoptera and (though to a less extent) of the Orthoptera. Of the great amount of literature dealing with bees, ants, and wasps, &c., we have on our own shelves the " Cambridge Natural History — Insects," parts i. and ii., by Sharpe, in which, in addition to the original matter, there are interesting quotations from Fabre, the French savant, with reference to the fossorial wasps ; and to this and the work charmingly written by Dr. and Mrs. Peckham * T beg to refer you for both instruction and entertainment. Foresters, graziers, market gardeners, orchardists, and horticulturists are for the most part unaware of their great indebtedness to the hymenopterous insects, and to the wasps (with which are included those known as "hornets") in par- ticular. The mature and generally winged insects usually feed on nectar and fruit pulp ; but for the larvae, for the greater part of their existence, a carnivorous diet is required. For this supply there is a heavy tax on various insects, many of which are inimical to the welfare of mankind. Locusts, crickets, grylluses, grasshoppers, butterflies, moths, caterpillars, grubs, and beetles, and their larvae, &c., are destroyed in great numbers We do not overwhelm the wasp with our friendship, because of her well-known assertiveness and propensity to go more than half-way to meet a quarrel, while re- garding our unintentional interference \\ith her domestic arrangements as obvious provocation ; but, if somewhat re- served in our affections, we may at least be unstinting of our respect. There appears to be less known of the " solitary," fossorial or " burrowing," wasps than of the " social " forms. The following is a quotation from Sharpe's reference to the Scolidae : — " The members of this family, as far as is known, display less perfect instincts than the Sphegidse and Pompelida:^, but do not construct cells or form burrows. Information as to their habits is confined to European forms. | Again, under sub-family 3 — Thynnides : — " Very little is really known as to their habits, though it has been stated that they * " Wasps, Social and Solitary," G. W. and E. G. Peckham (1905). t " Cambridge Nat. Hist. — Insects," part ii. 34 Hardy, The Stinging of G. coarctata by D. hicolor. [^"^jui^^'' are parasitic on Lepidoptera, Bakewell having obtained specimens from subterranean cocoons." Subsequently, how- ever, Froggatt pubhshed his Austrahan work, and, amongst other information as to formation of cocoons, &c , suggests that " the females lay their eggs in Lamellicorn larvae living in loose soil."* Davis says :— " But, except as regards the kind of prey, there is a sufficient amount of adjustment to varying circum- stances to warrant the conclusion that intelligence also plays a part in the complex series of operations.' f The present is an example of the association of a "solitary" wasp, Diamma hicolor, Westwood,J the " black ant," sometimes called the " blue ant," and Gryllotalpa coarctata, Walker,§ the Australian Mole Cricket. About a month ago, on a sandy grass-plot at Kew, Victoria, I noticed this apterous, ant-like, female wasp, conspicuous because of her dark purplish metallic sheen of body and brown legs and antennae, dragging an apparently dead male " Mole Cricket." She did not use her legs except for locomotion, but grasped with her powerful jaws sometimes one, sometimes another, of the palpi, or at times an antenna of her prey ; only occasionally a fore leg, which was always quickly aban- doned for a head grip. The wasp struggled backwards with her captive, which she trailed along the ground or over the tangled grass shoots, experiencing much difficulty, especially on this occasion, as a recent cutting of the grass had left many loose pieces, that gave her an insecure foothold. Never once did she, by design or accident, attemj^t to bestride the cricket, for the very good reason that the latter was several times larger than herself, and besides, it is, I believe, the winged wasps which carry food in that manner, and countless generations of wasps of this species had probably worked in precisely this way. Now and again she left it to reconnoitre, always in one general direction, but with many little deviations, and on returning would renew hauling with greater vigour and seeming impatience, which was most evident when a blade of grass made further direct progress impossible. Then she would relinquish her tenacious hold of an appendage that one had expected to snap under the tensile strain long before, and would quickly bite away and clear the obstructions from the immediate vicinity until fairway had been obtained. Search in the direction indicated failed to reveal her objective, even * Mr. F. Spry has informed me that at the National Museum, Mel- bourne, some of the life stages of Diamma hicolor, including the cocoon, may be seen. t "Nat. Hist. Animals," Prof. Ainsworth Davis (1905). I Identification confirmed by Mr. Chas. French, jun. § " Australian Insects," Froggatt (1907). [Mr Froggatt has since seen a specimen and confirmed the identification. — A. D. H.] Vol. XXVIII. 1911 ] Harov, The S/m£;inf; of G. coarctata by D. hicolor. though the locaHty was appro.ximateiy shown. When on one oi these excursions, then about 12 inches away, she disappeared among the grass, I found her in a httle bare patch busily re- moving, by means of her head and fore legs, some loose soil and small drhris, until she exposed the entrance to a burrow, which had been cleverly concealed. A few experiments were then made to test her sense of locality and instinct or intelligence. First, the cricket was quickly lifted and placed six inches away from the route. The wasp, on returning to the spot, was much agitated, and made a search that seemed to be quite lacking in method. Dr. and Mrs. Peckham (whose work I had not then read) have shown, notwithstanding Fabre's view^that the actions of wasps might almost be foretold under given circumstances, so certain are most of them to obey certain instincts — that many of the species are very variable in their habits The diagrams of locality study given by the Peckhams show a rough geometrical regularity in the case of careful study, but an erratic line of inspection when only a hasty survey was desired or possible. In the case under notice Diamma hicolor went over the same ground many times, leaving new ground quite unexplored. The first survey covered only a quadrant of a 9 -inch radius circle of which the cricket was near the centre. Lying on damp grass, and with much else to do that day, 1 found that my patience would not last long enough, in view of the wasp's want of originality, so I restored the cricket to its old position, where eventually she found him. During her search for the lost quarry she behaved in a peculiar manner, frequently stopping, curving the abdomen downwards, and rapidly stroking it with her hind legs. On recovering the cricket (which was showing signs of returning animation^ she dragged it only a little wav, and then, mounting upon it (head to tail), seized a portion of an abdominal segment in a power- ful grip of the jaws, and, curving her abdomen downwards, moved the end about until a suitable spot was found at the junction of the thoracic segments, inserted her sting and held !t there for about three seconds. The sting was not exposed at time of insertion, the extremity of the abdomen touching the cricket all the time ; but, on withdrawal, the abdomen was raised and the sting drawn after it, until its length of about 2 mm. was visible. Grvllotalpa at once relapsed into his former limp condition, and the victor descended and resumed transport work. Again I took advantage of a temporary absence of Diamma, and removed her victim, this time to a new locality, six inches or so away, and she re-explored the quadrant traversed in the previous search in the same unmethodical way as before. In 2,6 Hardy, The Stinging of G. coarctata by D. hicolor. [^'"i;,,^^*- traversing the same ground many times during one survey both instinct and intelligence seemed lacking, unless it is to be admitted that the searching over ground already traversed was justified in view of the fact that after a similar unmethodical search of a quadrant only she had succeeded, and was now- repeating the process ; the two instances, therefore, being some- what differently conditioned. The cricket was then restored to her. Having allowed the pair to reach the burrow, which was of diameter large enough to permit the passage of the cricket's body, but larger than was necessary for the owner, and when they had almost disappeared (the wasp backing down first), I retrieved the cricket with my forceps and placed it nine inches away, near the old track. Diamma worked back to the scene of her last two searchings, frequently returning to the burrow, entering and re-appearing almost immediately. Next I stopped up the entrance to the burrow, and scattered a little loose soil about. When the owner returned she experienced some difftculty in locating the spot, but at last succeeding, quickly re-excavated, and, after a rapid examination of the surrounding space within a radius of a few inches, resumed the search. The cricket was now placed close to the burrow, where she soon found it, and, seizing first a palpus and next an antenna, renewed hauling operations. This time I inter- fered by holding with forceps a hind leg of the captive, and resisted the wasp's efforts, and then gently drew her prize away. Diamma redoubled her efforts for a few seconds, then, hastily climbing on to the body, took up a position as before, and, obtaining a good grip with her jaws, searched with the tip of her abdomen and stung as before in the same place. This time she seemed really angry, and inserted her sting in two other places, a little to one side, the first insertion of this series being like that which I first saw administered — in the median longi- tudinal line. The points appeared to be carefully selected, the insertions lasting about three and the intervals about two seconds. Gryllotalpa had been still and limp, but this violent attack set up a rapid trembling, of short duration, of the middle leg on the side remote from that recently stung, and the antennae were still, which agrees partly with the Peckhams' account oi a grasshopper stung by another species of wasp. During her last search, and previous to this stinging, the wasp had behaved as before in frequently stopping to stroke towards its extremity her down-curved abdomen. Alternative suggestions are here offered to account for this — (i) During her activities the wasp had a secretion of poison continuing, perhaps to be in readiness for a new victim, and this was acceler- ated by anger, and caused irritation which she endeavoured Vol. XXVII . iqii j Hardy, The Sfini^ing of G. coarctata by D. hicolor. ij to allay by friction ; or (2) the wasp, disappointed and angry at the loss of the prey, was deliberately stimulating poison secretion, with the intention of taking severe measures to pre- vent another escaj^c, thinking that her victim had been under- stung. The question naturally presents itself, then, as to whether, deceived into excessive stinging, there would be any effect in the cricket worth noting. At this stage Diamma was transferred to a jar, where she died in convulsions, owing to an unavoidable inspiration of cyanide of potassium fumes. The cricket may now have our undivided attention. He was placed in a small tin box of about three cubic inches capacity, with some damp earth — almost pure sand. In an hour he was moving his antennse and palpi ; a quarter of an hour later some of his legs were moving. At the end of two hours he had sufticiently recovered to shrink from a touch, and on the following morning seemed little the worse for his recent experiences. On being touched the cricket discharged from the posterior gland the malodorous defensive fluid which the species is known to secrete. Here I may note that on the day following the stinging I examined the insect with an inch objective and lieberkuhn, but could not find the slightest trace of punctures in the intersclerital membranes. A week later the soil in the box — too shallow to give shelter —had become dry, but, on my adding water, the cricket at once commenced digging, and chirped a few times. On adding more sand he began burrowing, thrusting the loose soil on cither side and upwards with powerful outward strokes of the flattened fore legs, and using his head also, but showed a tendency to progress spirally, so he invariably would reach a position in which he lay in the half-made burrow, and remained venter uppermost until set right again. Even when not burrowing he would fall on his back and become inert. This continued until a few days ago, when the peculiarity disai)peared, and with it — excepting a weak- ness in the hind pair of legs — the last evidence of the stinging.* Functional activity appeared to be quite restored, as the defensive fluid was now secreted and ejected. These few gleanings from the entomological harvest-field by a non-expert may suggest to some young members of the Club a sphere of observation where some useful work may be done. The grasshopper, locust, and mole cricket are all enemies of the sheep and cattle which depend on mankind for protection of their grazing rights. While noting the habits of the wasps, which destroy these and other pests, it would be interesting to record what enemies there are for these agile and formidable destroyers. Certainly, if any member had the least inclination * After two months the cricket, without food, was alert and apparently in good health, then died suddenly. x8 Hardy, Thf Stinsin" of G. coarciata bv D. bicnlor. r^'"^i* Nat. to such a study, on ])erusal of Lubliock's (Avebury's) " Bees, Ants, and Wasi)s " and Peckhams' " Wasps, Social and Solitarv," the desire would become irresistible. A Warning ! — The Passing of the Passenger Pigeon. — The American publication, Bird Lore, in its record for 1910, says : — " The year may be fairly regarded as marking the passing of the Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistina migratoria. Not a single nest has been found nor a wild bird seen ; and a solitary female, already eighteen years old, is said to be the sole sur- vivor of the species in captivity. And this of a bird which many men still living can remember in flocks of millions, which darkened the day to dusk as they passed overhead ! Only about thirty years ago, one of the places where they nested in Wisconsin was a strip of wooded country twenty-eight miles in length, in which there was not a single tree that had not several nests, while many trees were crammed with them. It was, of course, the greediness of man which has robbed the world of this unique type of long-tailed pigeon, with narrow, pointed tail-feathers like a parrakeet. Owing to their gre- garious and confiding habits the birds were easily netted at their crowded nesting-places. In the ' Royal Natural History ' published in 1895, this sentence occurs : — ' There can be little doubt that the vast numbers of this pigeon have greatly diminished during recent years, and, though at present by no means on the verge of extinction, it seems certain that, unless laws are made for its protection, its extermination is only a matter of time.' Apparently it has been only a matter of sixteen years." The foregoing paragraph, taken from the Country-side Monthly (England) for April, 191 1, shows how great is the risk we in Australia are running of having some of our birds and mammals recorded as extinct even during the lives of the present generation. It is to be hoped that the numerous sanctuaries which have been proclaimed in \'ic- toria will be real sanctuaries, and not merely so by proclamation. The latest additions to our list comprise the ai^ea included in the shires of Ballan, Glenlyon, Mount Franklin, and Kyneton as a sanctuary for the Black-tailed Wallaby, where it is to be protected for the whole year, while for the rest of the State the period of protection will be from ist May to 31st October : and an area in the vicinity of the Whittlesea railway station as a sanctuary for native game. It is hoped some supervision will be accorded to this latter area, especially on holidays. The Porcupine Ant-eater and the Satin Bower-bird have been added to the list of species protected for the whole year through- out Victoria. Vol. xx\ lil."j Correspondence. 39 CORRESPOXDENXE. EUPHORBIA JUICE AS A CAUSTIC. To the Editor of the ]'icforia!i Naturalist. Dear Sir, — With reference to Professor Ewart's note on Euphorbia juice as a caustic, in the Victorian Naturalist for May (page 20), experiments have been going forward with the juice of Euphorbia peplus in the Sydney district to my know- ledge for at least five years. In 1908 I forwarded specimens to the Director of the British Cancer Commission in London at the request of a medical man, but I did not hear with what result. Indeed, I did not write the explanatory letter, which was written by the medical man referred to. From the Botanic Gardens I have supplied the plant to at least one hundred applicants for treatment of rodent ulcer, chiefly in the face. Several of our medical men recommend it, and in most cases these people say that they come here at the request of their medical adviser. I have no doubt in some cases people come on their own responsibility, having heard of cures from their friends. As a rule, I do not hear of the patients again, since they are quite satisfied to recognize the plant to enable them to obtain supplies from rubbish heaps and other places in the Sydney district and elsewhere. I have heard of a few instances in which the application of the juice has undoubtedly given relief, not merely from patients themselves, but from medical men. As we have a number of Euphorbias under cultivation, some of which produce large quantities of milk, I suggested to at least two medical men that e.xperiments with them might be tried, but have not heard whether my suggestion was carried out.— Yours faithfully, J. H. MAIDEN. Botanic Gardens, Sydney, 15th May, igii. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. Sir, — Permit me to use your columns to ask the member of the Field Naturalists' Club from whom I recently received an anonymous" letter to furnish me with his name and address, so that I may return the subscription he then enclosed. D. BEST. The Manuka ix Flower ix April. — Whilst walking near Box Hill on the i6th April I noticed a fine healthy plant of Leptospermuin scoparium in splendid flower. Should this be considered late or early flowering ? In either case, is it not rather an uncommon occurrence ? It is almost needless to say no insect life was on the flowers. — D. Best. 40 Notes. [^■-\;„^-- "Nests and Eggs of Birds Found Breeding in Australia AND Tasmania." — The first part of the third volume of this special catalogue, published by the Australian Museum, Sydney, has been issued. Tn it the author, Mr. A. J. North, C.M.Z.S., Ornithologist to the Museum, deals with the nests and eggs of the remaining species of the order Picaria, comprising the Cuculidffi (cuckoos), of which many interesting notes are given. A commencement is made with that typical Australian order, the Psittaci. of which the Loridie (lorikeets) and some of the CacatuidcE (cockatoos) are dealt with. The illustrations are, as usual, excellent, and the plate of an aboriginal taking the nest of a Blue-bellied Lorikeet strikingly illustrates the diffi- culties met with by the student of oology. Colour Effects. — " A favourite food of the great green gold, and black butterfly, Ornithoptera cassandra, is the nectar of the hard, dull-red flowers of the Umbrella-tree, and this fact assisted in an observation which seems to prove that plants play tricks on insects. Amongst the introduced plants of Dunk Island is one of the Acalyphas. Butterflies which have feasted among the Umbrella-trees on the beach and on the edge of the jungle flit about the garden, and almost in- variably visit the red but nectarless Acalypha. One began at the encl of the row, examined the topmost leaves, flitted to the next, and so on, lured by the colour and disappointed by the absence of nectar, twenty-five times in succession, until it blundered on the red Hibiscus bushes and began to feed. — From "Confessions of a Beachcomber" — a delightful record of a nature-lover's life in tropical Queensland. The National Parks and Forest Reserves of Australia. — ^Two addresses by Mr. W. H. Selway, as chairman of the Field Naturalists' section of the Royal Society of South Aus- tralia, given at the two last annual meetings, have been issued in pamphlet form, and present in clear and concise terms what has been done in Australasia up to the present time in setting aside land for national parks — that is, reserves where the native fauna and flora may flourish unmolested — and as reserves for forest purposes. For the former purpose he credits New South Wales as having 69,000 acres ; Victoria, 169,000 ; Queensland, 26,500 ; South Australia, 95,000 ; Western Aus- tralia, 210,000 ; and Tasmania, 16,000. On the question of forestry he is very emphatic as to the indifference the Aus- tralian States are displaying with regard to future demands for timber, and urges immediate attention to the question. He gives the area of land in the Commonwealth specially reserved for timber as 1.36 per cent., and the total forest araa as 5.29 per cent. Cbc Uictorian naturalisi Vol. XXVIII.— No. 3. JULY 6, 1911. No. 331. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The thirty-first annual meeting was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, I2th June, igii. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 45 members and visitors were present. REPORTS. In the absence of the leader. Dr. Pritchard, F.G.S., a brief report of the excursion to Altona Bay on Saturday, 13th May, was given by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who said that, favoured by a beautiful autumn afternoon, a party of about fifteen members, with a number of students from the Working Men's College, had walked from North Wihiamstown to the recent shell-beds near the racecourse, so fully described in the Naturalist for June, 1909, then to the sea-shore, and finally on to the brown coal mine at Altona — a distance of over four miles. At each place the leader had fully explained the features of the locality. Though so late in the season, a few wild flowers were noted, such as Pimelea serpillifolia and Brachyconie calocarpa. On a pond near Williamstown both Azolla and Lemna were growing abundantly. When returning, about a dozen Black Swans were seen on a large swamp near Altona. A report of the visit to the National Museum on Saturday, loth June, was, in the absence of the leader, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., given by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who said that a party of about twenty members spent a wet afternoon very pleasantly in studying under Mr. Kershaw's guidance the collection of Australian birds in the museum. Portion of the reference collection was also inspected and explained. A report of the junior excursion to East Coburg on Saturday, 3rd June, was given by Mr. Chas. Stout, the hon. secretary to the juniors, who said that, as the leader, Mr. C. Waters, had been unable to attend, Mr. A. James, a non-member of the Club, had kindly acted as leader. The party was small, doubt- less owing to the unpropitious weather, but an interesting and instructive afternoon had been spent in examining the basaltic formation on the west side of the Merri Creek, and contrasting it with the sandstones and shales of the eastern side. Some attention was also given to the evidences of river action and canyon formation, which are so well shown on a miniature scale in the locality. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. C. C. Brittlebank, Government Vegetable Pathologist's office, Melbourne ; Mr. W. G. MTntosh. 42 Field Naturalists' Cliih ^Proceedings. \^'^^\\^w^^' 191 Brighton-road, St. Kilda ; and Mr. R. Mitchell, 151 Manning-street, North Melbourne, were duly elected as ordinary members, and Master Noel W. M'Haihe, Church of England Grammar School, South Yarra, as a junior member of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. The president referred to the retirement of Mr. Chas. French, F.E.S., from the position of Government Entomologist. This, for many reasons, was to be regretted. Mr. French was one of the founders of the Club, and had always taken a great interest in its progress, that would not cease with his cessation of public duties, and his official work was well known and appreciated. It was gratifying to note that his son, Mr. C. French, jun., also an energetic and valued member of the society, was now Acting Government Entomologist. Mr. French, jun., had done good work, and his appointment would give room for expansion of his work. He trusted that the position would improve with it. The hon. treasurer asked the chairman whether it was necessary for a junior to be re-nominated as an associate, or an associate as an ordinary member, on reaching the qualifying age for the advanced membership. Hitherto he had accepted the increased subscription and transferred the individual to the other list. The president said the rules were indefinite on the point, but he considered that re-nomination and election was the correct way. It was decided to adopt this course in future. ANNUAL REPORT. The hon. secretary, Mr. A. D. Hardy, F,L.S., read the thirty-first annual report for the year 1910-11, which was as follows : — " To THE Members of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. " Ladies and Gentlemen, — Your committee have the honour to present for consideration the thirty-first annual report of the Club, being for the year ended 30th April, 191 1. " The year has, in several respects, been an uneventful one ; but good progress has been made in many directions, and, on the whole, we may review the past twelve months with satis- faction, even in the face of a reduced credit balance. Accession to membership was slightly less than during the preceding year. In all, 64 new members were elected, comprising 16 ordinary, 8 country, 7 associate, and 26 junior members. The total membership now amounts to 282, being made up as follows : — 7 honorary, 2 life, 142 ordinary, 60 country, 20 associate, and 51 junior members. When compared with the year 1909-10, thi? about equals the difference in numbers of juniors, due, perhaps, to the stronger attraction of the military movement and the corresponding Vol. XXVIII. ■] Field'''Na[iiralisl. ... 37 2 5 Library and Furniture (Insurance Value) ... ... 150 o o Liabilities. Subscriptions to Club and Naturalist, paid in advance ... ^3 o 6 The report was received, on the motion of Dr. Hall, M.A., seconded by Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., and in the discussion which followed, Mr. D. Best, one of the auditors, said that there was one point only to which he thought it his duty to draw attention, and. that was the loss on the year's transactions of about £50. ■- Without feeling alarmed, he desired to caution the incoming committee to exercise economy in order to keep the credit balance uppeimost, and suggested that less money be spent on the library. Mr. Mattingley re- marked that the Club had over £100 to its credit in the Savings Bank, which, he thought, should be fixed as a permanent deposit bearing interest. Dr. Hall disagreed with the last speakers, if their idea of economy meant impoverishing the Club's literature. No better way of using the money within reason could be found than to procure the necessary reading matter and to bind it. Much useful literature remained unread in many libraries for want of convenience in handling in its unbound condition. Mr. Barnard said that, as editor, he felt himself somewhat responsible for some of the increased expenditure, as the journal this year had cost more to produce, owing to the increased number of pages and illustrations ; but, on the other hand, it was an improved journal, and was worth the expense. Mr. Coghill claimed that his policy as treasurer was to be as liberal with money required for the improvement of the Club as he could consistently with the desire to improve the credit balance. The increased expenditure would be justified by a better library attracting members. He had not, owing to pressure of private business, been so energetic in getting in arrears of subscriptions, but this would be remedied during the ensuing year. The hon. secretary said that if the treasurer had been less energetic in the preceding years the drop in the amount of subscriptions received during the past twelve months would have been less noticeable, if at all. The present case only drew Vol.xxviil.j Field Nafiiralisls' Cluh—PyocecdiuiiS. 49 attention to the past and probable future activities ol the treasurer. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Mattingley, the report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS FOR I9II-I2. The following office-bearers, being the only nominations r^^'^eived, were declared duly elected : — President, Mr. F. Wise- would ; vice-presidents, Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, and Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S. ; hon. treasurer, Mr. G. Coghill ; hon. librarian, Mr. J. T. Hamilton, F.L.S. ; hon. editor, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard ; hon. secretary, Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S. No nomina- tion was received for the position of hon. assistant secretary and librarian. On a ballot being taken for five members of committee, Messrs. R. W. Armitage, B.Sc, J. Gabriel, G. A. Keartland, F. Pitcher, and Dr. C. S. Sutton were duly elected. PAPER READ. I. By Mr. H. B. Williamson, entitled " A Cycle Trip tiirough Eastern Gippsland." In the absence of the author, the paper was read by Dr. Sutton. The author described the principal botanical features of the Orbost district, referring especially to the palm grove at Cabbage-tree Creek, which, so far as Victoria is concerned, is unique. He exhibited photographs of some of the palms, which, he said, numbered about forty, and remarked on the absence of young plants to replace those which might be destroyed either intentionally or by accident. In the discussion which followed, the question of better ])rotection for the palms, Livistona ansiralis, at Cabbage-tree Creek was raised, Mr. St. John having, during a recent walking tour, seen that some persons had cut out the tender, growing heart of the crown of leaves, presumably for food. Dr. Hall questioned the advisability of too hurriedly claiming isolation for the group of palms referred to, there being portions of Gippsland not yet fully explored, and other groups or in- dividuals might be discovered. Protection, however, was very necessary, and the amount at present afforded should be inquired into. Messrs. Barnard, Hardy, Gates, and Pitcher also spoke. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. Yellow-footed Pouched Mouse. — Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., said that he had recently taken specimens of the Yellow-footed Pouched Mouse, Phascofi^ale flavipes, Waterhouse, in the Bacchus Marsh district, near Parwan. These little animals may be easily mistaken for rats, as they measure about 8| inches in length, and are therefore very large for mice. They 50 Field Naturalists Cluh — Proceedings. [^"^ji,i^^'* frequent the hollows of logs and tree-trunks, or in open country the crevices of rocks. Stone walls are favourite hiding-places, no doubt on account of the secure shelter they afford. They are easily distinguished from the ordinary house-rat when running about on account of their rufous-grey colour, sometimes of a yellowish tint. The limbs and feet especially being of a dull yellowish shade, there is no difficulty in identifying the animal. It has a wide distribution, and is exceedingly active, ruHning very quickly for short distances, and it is remarkable how easily they can hide in a small crack or fissure in a tree, which apparently seemed too small to accommodate them. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Zeolites, &c.. from Clifton Hill Quarry excursion. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells found on south-west corner of Coode Island, viz. : — Cytherea kingii, Gray, Chione nitida, 0. and G., C. sirigosa. Lam., Spisula parva. Petit, Area trapezia, Desh., Nassa lahecula, A. Ad., and Natica conica, Lam. ; also the following shells from an excavation on the island : — Tellina deltoidalis. Lam., Pectcn medius. Lam., Mytilus planulatiis, Lam., Solen vaginoides, Lam.; Trophon paivce, Crosse, and Diloma odontis. Wood. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Remarkable growth of Bathurst Burr, Xanthosium spinosum, L., from basalt near Melbourne ; also fresh specimens of the introduced weed Euphorbia pephis, L., the Petty Spurge, a native of Europe, Western Asia, and Africa, referred to in the current Naturalist. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Specimens of " Blue Peppermint Gum," Eucalyptus dives, Schauer. collected about three miles west of Mount Blackwood, 2gth May, igii. By Mr. J. R. Tovey. — Specimens of Globe Chamomile, Matri- caria globifera, Fen^l., Mesembryanthemum angidatum, Thunb., and Tetragona decumbens, Mill., all natives of South Africa, collected at Coode Island : also of Solanum elceagnifolium, Cav., from tropical America, collected in railway reserve. North Melbourne. By Mr. H. B. Williamson. — Photographs of palms at Cabbage- tree Creek in illustration of paper. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. The many friends of the late Mr. 0. A. Sayce will' regret to learn that his widow passed away on the 24th June, just eight weeks after her husband's death. Her death was to a great extent due to the shock occasioned by the loss of her husband. Vul. XXVI 1 1. ] Excursion to Sydenham, Bulla, and Diggers Rest. 5 i EXCURSION TO SYDENHAM, BULLA, AND DIGGERS REST. Fourteen members of the Club and half-a-dozen geological students from the Continuation School caught the 6.42 a.m. train for Sydenham on Monday, the 24th April (Eight Hours Day), to take part in a geological trip in the neighbourhood of Bulla. The party was increased in number at Bulla by three other members, one of whom had missed the early train and had walked out from Essendon, while the other two had motored out from Brighton. The features examined during the day are to be found on Quarter Sheet No. 7, S.E., of the Geological Survey of Victoria, and some notes as to the geo- graphy of the district will be found in the report of an excursion made by the Club some years ago {Vict. NaL, vol. xvii., p. 120). From Sydenham railway station we walked across to the Saltwater River, taking a course north-westerly along the railway line at first for about a mile, and then almost north across the paddocks for another mile and a half. We first noticed the deeply-sunk valley of the Saltwater River, about 230 feet below the level of the basalt plain. On the out- pouring of the basalt sheets the pre-basaltic drainage system was obliterated. The new rivers wandered about on the fairly level basalt plains as they made their way to the sea. This meanderine course, once attained, was to a great extent per- sisted in, the rivers gradually trenching their channels deeper and deeper, until now they flow in a sinuous course at the bottom of very young valleys, which they are still actively corrading as well as laterally eroding. The basalt of the plains near here is very vesicular, one vesicle we measured being over 15 inches in length. About 400 yards west of the famous " Organ Pipes," which have been so admirably described by Dr. T. S. Hall in the excursion report previously mentioned, were to be seen the tops of partly denuded basaltic columns, showing, by the angles they made with the horizontal, that just at this locality a pre-basaltic river channel must once have existed. The sides of this ancient river-channel were mantled with argillaceous sand overlying shales, probably Ordovician in age, having a general northerly strike and a high angle of dip. After viewing the " Organ Pipes," a mass of basalt columns forming a river-cliff on a concave bend of the Saltwater River, we climbed out of the valley and passed over the basalt plain to the north-east for a distance of slightly less than two miles. Here we met with the entrenched meander on Deep Creek figured in Professor Gregory's " Geography of Victoria," on p. 152. This feature is about a mile and a half south of Bulla. Usually, entrenched meanders are due to the revivification of a stream causing a new young channel to be cut down in the 5 2 Excursion to Sydenham , Bulla , and Diggers Rest V" "'\'^^^^^^' old flood-plains laid down at an earlier stage in its history when it was a more mature stream. But in this case it seems that the river has cut down through a thin capping of basalt on to the Tertiary sands and clays. Through these the stream has corraded its channel into the underlying Pakeozoic strata, and not into a previously deposited alluvium. The variation in slope of the valley sides at different heights is noticeable. The highest parts of the valley walls are very precipitous where they consist of basalt, but the lower parts have a gentle slope where they consist of the softer Tertiary sediments. At the north of this meander a tributary valley running along the junction between granitic rock and metamorphosed Pala;ozoic strata mouthed at a height of about 80 feet above the level of Deep Creek, giving a good example of a hanging valley. The cause of the presence of this valley, as at Werribee Gorge, where a fine example in a syncline is to be seen, is that the tributary rarely has very much water flowing down it, and so cannot corrade its valley at anything like the rate the main stream does. The main stream continues to flow at lower and still lower levels, leaving the tributary to debouch over a ledge as a waterfall at a more and more badly adjusted level. This goes on until the main stream becomes mature, and almost ceases further corrading its valley. The tributary continues gradually corrading its valley until it enters at main stream level, the river system then becoming mature. A hanging valley is always an indication of immature physiographic conditions and of bad adjustment of the various parts of the drainage system. This hanging valley practically marked the boundary between basalt on the upper part, with Palaeozoic strata on the lower part of the west side, and granite on the east. The Palaeozoic strata consisted mainly of hornfels— a rock the product of intense metamorphism caused by the intrusion of the granite— a plutonic igneous rock. Into these strata had been intruded many small acid igneous tongues and veins from the main plutonic mass. In one case a compact fine-grained granitic apophysis, about 20 feet wide, was examined. This had been squeezed in between the strata along the bedding planes. In the creek-section the amount of dip of the strata is 65°, with a direction E. 20° S., the strike being N. 20° E. The strike of the strata continued, with no deflection whatever, right up to the granite. This seems to point to the conclusion that the plutonic rock, as it came up, quietly ingested and altered the sediments that overlay it, instead of pushing them up into an arch or dome. Daly calls this " magmatic stoping." These highly metamorphosed strata consist mainly of hornfels, a very fine-grained rock consisting of cordierite, secondar\' brown mica, secondary white mica (sericite), secondary quartz. Vol. XXVIU lull ] Excui'sioii to Sydenham , Bulla, and Diggers Rest. 5 3 tourmaline, and andalusite. On passing west down Deep Creek the hornlels beds gave place to beds of a very tough conglomerate, very much like the Kerrie conglomerate near Riddell. The pebbles were dented in such a way as to show the immense pressures to which these conglomerates had been subjected in consequence of protracted earth movements. From lithological comparisons with similar conglomerates, these are probably of Uj^per Ordovician age, although they may be basal Silurian. On leaving this spot a traverse was made north for a mile and a half over the granite, whose highest portion stood about no feet above the basalt plain around. This granite outcrop must once have been at a much higher level, as evidenced by the huge tors or monoliths left out- standing on the topmost portions. On arrival at the Bulla school-house. Master Moore, son of a local resident, had pro- vided milk and hot water for the party. These were very acceptable, and enabled us to enjoy a cup of tea with the lunches we had brought. After lunch we inspected sections of great masses of kaolinized granite near Bulla. This shows itself to be a much decomposed granite, in which the biotite has completely chloritized, or even become quite bleached, while the quartz remains loosely embedded in a mass of kaolin from the complete hydration and carbonation of the felspars. This kaolinization may be due to the gradual attack of surface waters bearing carbon dioxide, in which case an analysis of tlie material should reveal the presence of carbonates. On the other hand, the decomposition of the granite in this area may be due to the operation of vapours containing fluorine, boron, and, perhaps, to a less degree, chlorine, which attack the granite during the latest stages of its intrusion. This process of alteration by hot vapours is known as pneumatolysis, the results being well shown in the carclazyte or kaolin deposits of Cornwall. A recent paper by Mr. J. H. Collins (Q.J.G.S., vol. Ixv., No. 258, p. 155) records an interesting example of pneumatolytic action on a granite. With regard to the Bulla area, the kaolinized granite is distinctly local, and seems to have some connection with the fact that it occurs in that portion of the granite which is, or has been, covered by the basalt flows, while the higher portions of the granitic mass, which have presumably never been covered by the basalt, have escaped kaolinization. The process may have begun by carbonated water soaking in along that portion of the granite just overlapped by the basalt, and may have extended down- wards, and in under the basalt, from the junction. The apparent absence of fluorite and tourmaline from the kaolinized granite does not favour the pneumatolytic theory, as one would expect to get these minerals formed where hot fluorine, boron, and 54 Excursion to Sydenham , Bulla, and Diggets Rest. P'^^juiv^'' chlorine vapours had been acting- on the granite. This matter, of course, requires working out carefully before a definite cause for the kaolinization can be assigned. From Bulla we walked almost west for about four miles to the graptolite beds on a natural section formed by a river-cliff on the Saltwater River, about a mile and three-quarters north of Diggers Rest. Here we were successful in procuring great numbers of easily- identifiable graptolites, which showed the rocks to be Upper Ordovician in age. Amongst others, good specimens of the following were obtained : — Dicranograptns ramosus, Dicello- grapius elegans, Nemagraptiis gracilis, Diplograpiiis, sp., Climacograptits bicornis, Lasiograptus, sp., Cryptograptiis, sp., and Glossograpius, sp. The beds in which these were obtained consist of dark blue slates striking a little E. of N. and dipping westerly at high angles, varying from 65° to 80°. After spending about an hour at these fossil beds we arrived at the Diggers Rest station in ample time to return in the train that left at 6.37 p.m. for town. Dr. C. S. Sutton has kindly handed me the following notes on the botany of the outing : — " The members more j)articularly interested in plant life had good reason to be pleased with their botanical findings during the excursion. The late season had been so favourable that, out of over 100 s])ecies noted, quite 40 (most of which, in other years, would not have been so con- spicuous) were now in flower : and although by one of us with an experience of 20 years in the locality nothing new was discovered, the occurrrence of some species was a pleasant surprise to the others. The plants met with roughly fell into two categories — those on the exposed basalt plains and those in the river gorges. On the basalt the vegetation, which it is safe to say has presented much the same appearance ever since its first establishment, is a grass formation containing also a fair variety of other plants not exceeding it in height, and with a marked absence of tree growth. Similar vegetation, with little variation, also covers the greater part of the other basalt plains extending nearly to the western border of the State. The principal grasses were the ' Wallaby Grass,' Danthonia penicillata, and the ' Kangaroo Grass.' Anthistiria ciliata, with sparsely-scattered saltbushes, such as the ' Hairy Blue-bush,' Kochia villosa, the * Berry Saltbush.' A triplex semibaccala, the ' Barrier Saltbush,' Enchylcvna tomentosa, and the ' Nodding Saltbush,' Rhagodia nutans. Of the other small plants, the ' Yellow Wood-Sorrel,' Oxalis corniculata, whose capsules were continuously in evidence, the ' Maiden's Blush,' Convolvulus eriihescens, the ' Common Rib-weed,' Plantago varia, the ' Common Woodruff,' Asperula oligantha ; and, among a goodly number of Composites, ]'ittadinia australis Vol. XXVIII. IQl 1 1 Excursion to Sydenhani , Bulla , and Diggers Rest. 5 5 Brachycome calocarpa, the ' Desert Daisy ' (both in Howei), and Lagenophora emphysopns, the ' Short-scaped Bottle Daisy,' were those most frequently recurring. Of the less common species, Rntidosis. leptorhynchoides, Helichrysum niiidolcpis, Brachycome radicans, the ' Rooting Marsh-daisy,' Ptilotus macrocephaliis, the ' Foxtail,' and Pimelea scrpillifolia, the ' Coast Rice-flower,' were also flowering. The common rock- fern, Cheilanthes tennijolia, was the only one met with here, in the driest places, and far from any rocks. A much more inter- esting collection of plants was found in the deep, sheltered river gorges. Fringing the waterside at Saltwater River were Hymenanthera Banksii, Callistemon salignus, the ' River Bottle- brush,' and Leptospermum lanigeriim, the ' Woolly Tea- tree,' all of which also occurred in the Deep Creek. Among the rocks the little ' Creeping Spurge,' Euphorbia Drummondi, and the Sickle Fern, Pteris falcata, were collected. The Hoi)-bush, Dodonaa viscosa, the Elder, Sainbuciis Gaudichandiana, the ' Sea Celery,' Apium prostratuin, the ' Sweet Tobacco,' Nicotiana stiaveolens, tlie ' Indian Weed,' Sicgesheckia orientalis, were, except the first, all blossoming. Two alien plants, Salvia vevbenacea, and the ' Thorn Apple,' Datura stramonium, were freely growing near the ' Organ Pipes.' Trees occurring here were the Red Gum, E. rostrata. Yellow Box, E. melliodora, Ironbark, E. leucoxylon, and the Black- wood, Acacia melanoxylon. In the Deep Creek the plants were still more varied and interesting. The ' Mutton-wood,' Myrsine variabilis, raised itself above the edge of the cliff. Trees, in the shape of those already mentioned and the ' Drooping Sheoak,' Casuarina qiiadrivalvis, were more numerous. The ' Rue Fern,' Grammitis rutifolia, was growing robustly and profusely in situations moister than usual. The ' Coast Clematis,' C. tnicrophylla, Bursaria spinosa, and Cassinia aculeata, were also present, and the ' Rosy Storksbill,' Pelargonium Rodneyanum, the Verbena, F. officinalis, the ' Austral Indigo,' Indigofera australis (all three flowering), and the ' Dwarf Skullcap,' Scutellaria humilis, were collected. Crossing the granite country to Bulla, the ' Light wood,' Acacia implexa, was dominant. The little Rat-tail F"ern, Asplenium flab elli folium, was found in large masses at the bases of the boulders, and the trailing Latrobe Glycine was added to our list. From Bulla to the graptolite beds nothing of special interest was seen, but here again in the Deep Creek our interest was quickened by the appearance of well-grown examples of the ' Murray Pine,' Callitris verrucosa, the two Myoporums — the ' Boobialla,' Myoporum insulare, and the ' Turkey- bush,' M. deserti; the Acacias — the 'Gold-dust,' A. acinacea, and the 'Hedge' or 'Kangaroo Acacia,' A. armata ; the Via. Nai. 56 Excursion to Sydenham , Bulla , and Diggers Resl. [^ "^ j,,,^ ' Hop-bush,' Dodonaa viscosa, the Grej' Box. /:. /iciniphloia- and last, but by no means least, the charming ' Desert Cassia,' C. eremophila. This plant, which, is said to ha\-e occurred freely along the creek just here, is now only to be seen in situations where it is out of the reach of stock. The ' Coast Twinleaf,' Zygophylliim Billardicri, Eutaxia empetrijolia, and Calycothrix tetragona, mentioned by Mr. C. French, jun., in an account of a previous Club excursion (]'ict. Nat., xvii., p. 122) to this creek, were not noticed by us. — C. S. Sutton and P. R. H. St. John." I am indebted to !Mr. J. Twyford for the excellent photo- graphs of the " Organ Pipes " and other features of the ex- cursion exhibited to-night. If the picture of the basalt columns be compared with the plate published in the Naturalist of November, 1900 (vol. xvii., p. 120), it will be seen that some alteration has taken place in their appearance during the interval of ten and a half years. The flood waters of the Salt- water River have undermined the bases of several of the columns in the centre of the picture, with the result that the whole columns have slipped down at least thirty feet along the vertical joint planes. This picture should be worth re- producing in the Naturalist for the sake of comparison and reference. The weather was perfect for such an outing, and altogether I think that, although the walk amounted to nearly fifteen miles, we had a thoroughly enjoyable and profitable day. The botanical members of the party were delighted to find that the season, although autumn, had caused wild flowers to bloom as if it were spring. — R. W. Armitage. [At the request of Mr. Armitage, the committee decided to reproduce the picture mentioned above, and also a nearer view of some of the columns shown in the lower right-hand corner of the same picture, which clearly illustrates the regular character of the vertical and cross joints, and which eventually become weathered surfaces like piles of cheeses. — Ed. T7t7. Nat.] Ax interesting supplement, entitled " Hints on the Cultivation of Trees, Flowers, and Vegetables, and on the General Improve- ment of School Grounds," was issued by the Education Department with the May Education Gazette and Teachers' Aid. It consists of articles by different teachers on the several sections of the subject, prepared under the direction of Mr. J. P. M'Lennan. Supervisor of Agriculture. Education Department. j\Iuch of the information given will be found useful by the average amateur gardener. THE VICTORIAN iYATUKALIS'r.— Vol. XXVIII. Plate i. July, 19U. BASALT COLUMNS, SYDENHAM. Vol. XXVIII J TovEV, Noies on Coode Island and its Flora. c,y SOME NOTES ON COODE ISLAND AND ITS FLORA. By T. R. Tovey, Senior Assistant, National Herbarium, Melbourne. (Read before the Field Naturalists' Cluh of Victoria, Sth May, 191 1.) Towards the end of the year 1908, and again in 1909, I made several visits to Coode Island, and collected a number of specimens of plants, several of which, on examination, proved to be exotics, and had not been previously recorded for Vic- toria. I was accompanied on some of these trips by Mr. C. French, jun., Assistant Government Entomologist, who had informed me that, whilst roaming over the island in search of entomological specimens, he had noticed a number of plants growing there which he thought might be worthy of further investigation. Before enumerating the different species noted, it may be of interest to give a short history of Coode Island, which was originally a portion of that low-lying, sandy tract along the south bank of the Yarra, towards its mouth, known as Fishermen's or Sandridge Bend. In 1886, by the cutting of a ship-canal from one portion of the Yarra to another (by which the distance by water from the city to the sea was lessened by nearly two miles), the area was bisected, the northern portion becoming a somewhat triangular-shaped island of about 240 acres in extent, and having that part of the old course of the Yai'ra, known as "'Humbug Reach," for its northern and western boundaries. The canal, which is 100 yards wide, and of sufBcient depth for vessels of about 10.000 tons, forms a considerable barrier to animal or vegetable life. The water was allowed to pass through the canal on the nth of September, 1886. Through the kindness of Mr. J. Saxton, of the Lands Depart- ment, in allowing me access to some survey maps of that part of the metropolis in which Coode Island is situated, I was able to glean some interesting information about the original con- dition of the area now forming the island, and of the adjacent land. A survey plan made about 1840 shows " Tea-tree scrub " on both banks of the river, and the major portion as " swamp land." At this time that part of the Yarra below its junction with the Saltwater River was known as " Hobson's River." In a later map (1841) the river now known as the Saltwater was given as the " Macedon River." The traffic along the road from Geelong to Melbourne at this time crossed the Macedon River (now Saltwater River) by means of a punt, about a quarter of a mile above its junction with the Yarra. A few years later a survey plan shows three formations — ■ namely, tea-tree scrub, sandy waste, and a fringe of forest. The canal afterwards cut off the tree-clad portion. 58 TovEY, Notes on Coode Island and its Flora. \^^%^^.^^' The appearance of the island since its formation has under- gone a complete change. The tea-tree scrub has disappeared, the swamp has been practically filled up, and the greater part covered by members of the Ficoideae (Mesembryanthemum, &c.), whilst another area is laid down in grass. The island is chiefly used as a quarantine station for stock ; but several buildings have been erected there, which, however, are not very artistic, having been constructed mainly of galvanized iron. These buildings are intended to be used as a sanatorium for bubonic plague patients when necessity arises. This fact might deter members of the Club from paying a visit to the island. Never- theless, a trip to the locality would well repay the trouble taken, not only to the botanist, but also to the entomologist, and probably to the conchologist and geologist as well. The numerous salt-marshes are swarming with pond-life, and are worthy of a thorough search by those of our members who are interested in the study of that department of science. Mr, French, jun., informs me that he collected here some specimens of mosquito larvse (millions of which are to be found in these salt-marshes), which he reared, and forwarded to Dr. L. 0. Howard, Chief Entomologist of the United States of America, for naming. These were described as a new species, under the name of Culex Inbecitlosiis, the Salt-marsh Mosquito. I am also indebted to Mr. French, jun., for the following entomological notes : — An interesting scale insect was found on the Salicornia, which also proved new to science, and has been named by Mr. E. E. Green, of Ceylon, Pulvinaria salicorncp,, the Salicorria Scale. On the Coast Acacia, Acacia longi- folia, the common black fiat scale, Aspidiotus rossi, is very plentiful, and on the Black Wattle the wattle scales, Prosophora acacice and Lecanium baccatum, are fairly numerous. In and on the dead acacias the following longicorn beetles were found : — Hebecenis marginicollis and H. australis, Adrium artinx, Pempsamacra pygmaa and P. dispersa, Pachydisstts sericeus, and several other small species of longicorns, also the common Wattle Goat Moth, Zeuzera eucalypti. In the south-west corner adjoining the canal the land is somewhat higher than the surrounding portion. This is apparently caused by the deposition of ships' ballast, which has evidently been brought from other countries — certainly, to some extent, from South Africa, for many of the exotic plants found on this portion of the island were natives of that part of the world. This gives an idea of the way in which some of our alien plants may have reached our shores. The portion of land before mentioned is about 250 or 300 yards long and approximately 30 yards broad at its northern end. becoming narrower towards the south. This was covered Vol. XXVIII."] fovp:v, Notes on Coode Island and its Flora. t;Q with a mass of foreign vegetation, thus giving it a unique appearance. Two introduced members of the Cruciferae found growing there are worthy of mention — Brassica campestris, L., the Rape or Wild Turnip, and Diplotaxis tennijolia, D. C, Sand Mustard or Rocket. The latter is a native of Europe. This w^as the second locality recorded in this State for the Sand Mustard. Some of the roots of D. tenuijolia were found to have penetrated the loose ballast to a depth of at least three feet. Among the Compositae may be mentioned Ursinia chrys- anthemoides, Harv., a native of South Africa, which is only known in this State from this locality. It was growing in great profusion, and when seen from a distance whilst in flower it reminded one of a field covered with Cape-weed, Cryptostemma calendulacemn. It has somewhat the habit and appearance of some of the chrysanthemums, and hence arises the specific name. I brought away some of the young plants of the Ursinia, and planted them in my garden ; but they seeded so freely and spread so rapidly that I had to pull them up, or they would have taken possession of the garden. Another immigrant from South Africa, Dimorphotheca plnvialis, Moench., like the preceding one known only from Coode Island, was fairly plentiful, as was likewise Matricaria globifera, Fenzl., the Globe Chamomile. This South African composite has since been found near Geelong, and is there- fore apparently establishing itself as a naturalized alien around Port Phillip. Another South African plant, Bcrkheya [Stohcea) i^igida, Thunb., African Thistle, noted from this locality, like the preceding one, has since been received from Geelong district, and is now classed as a naturalized alien in this State (see " Weeds, Poison Plants, and Naturalized Aliens of Vic- toria," page 73). Two other composites — Matricaria inodora, L., Scentless Chamomile, and Senecio nehrodensis, L., var. glabrattis, D. C, natives of Europe and Asia — were also noted for the first time in Victoria. Three members of the Ficoidese indigenous to South Africa were noted — Tetragona fruticosa, L., Tetragona decumhens. Mill., and Mesemhryanthcmmn angidatum, Thunb. These covered the ground in a thick mass, the branching stems trailing out in all directions. A member of the Zygophyllea; endemic to South Africa was Zygophyllum sessifolimn, L. This plant, with its yellow flowers, looked rather pretty, and I took some of the young plants to grow them in my garden ; but, like the Ursinia, I had to pull it up, for it soon began to spread all over the garden, and, as it seeded freely, it would probably have eventually spread outside if unchecked. One of the Rock Roses, Cist us salvifoliiis, L., a stranger 6o TovEY, Notes on Coode Island and Us Flora. [ "^j'j,]^"'' from the Mediterranean region, was also growing on the island, which is, up to the present, its only known locality in Vic- toria. The following plants, which are recognized as naturalized aliens in other parts of Victoria, were also found growing pro- fusely • — The Sun Spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia, L., the Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplits, L, — both are introductions from Europe, and are weeds of waste places ; the Bermuda Pig-root, Sisyrinchimn Berinudiana, L., a native of America — a weed injurious to stock if eaten in quantity ; the Weld or Wild Mignonette, Reseda luteola, L., a dye plant, but a weed when wild; the Salsify, Tragopogon porrifoliiis, L., a native of Europe, Asia, and Africa — a weed when wild ; and the Stinking May Weed, Anthemis cotula, L., a noxious weed. The following plants, proclaimed thistles under the Thistle Act for the whole State, were found to be flourishing there : — The Shore Thistle, Car dims pycnocephalus, L., Carduus {Silybiim) Mariamis, L., Spotted Thistle — both are sometimes considered to be useful fodder plants in some districts, but their evil effects far outweigh their usefulness ; the Spear Thistle, Carduus lanceolatus. L. — this species is sometimes wrongly called " Scotch Thistle," the true Scotch Thistle being Onopordon acanthium, L., which has not as yet made its appearance on the island ; the Malta Thistle, Centaurea melitensis, L., one of the Star Thistles : and the Bind- weed, Convolvulus arvensis, L. The last-named plant is a perennial, with annual twining stems. It is a troublesome weed in cultivated ground, gardens, and crops ; its seeds are poisonous. Among the introduced grasses noted the following may be mentioned : — Bromus mollis. Soft Brome Grass,^ and Bromus maximus, L., Great Brome Grass — both have slight fodder value when young ; Phalaris canaricnsis, L., Canary Grass, which also has slight fodder value, but cage-birds are very fond of its seed ; Dactylis glomerata, L., Cocksfoot Grass, a native of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and one of our best introduced pasture grasses ; and Setaria nigrirostris, Durand and Schinz., Black- beaked Setaria, a native of Africa, a useful perennial pasture grass, especially on poor sandy or calcareous soils. The foregoing grasses are all recognized naturalized aliens in other localities in Victoria. Of the native plants noted the following are worthy of mention : — Acacia longijolia, Willd., Coast Acacia ; Muehlen- beckia adpressa, Meiss., Climbing Lignum ; Vittadinia australis, A. Rich., the New Holland Daisy ; Frankenia pauciflora, D. C, the Smooth Sea-heath ; Suceda maritima, L., The Sea-blite ; Myoporum viscosiim, R. Br., and both the Angular and Rounded Pigfaces, Mesembryanthemum (vquilaterale, Harv., and M. Vol. XXVIII. 1911 1 TovEV, Noies on Coode tsland and its Flora. 61 anstnile, Soland. These last-named plants had evidently been planted. The native plants were found scattered over the island. The Small Pigface, Mesembryanthemum tegens, F. v. M., was also growing on the island, but it was observed to be more abundant on the area on the northern side of the Yarra, known as the West Melbourne Swamp. This plant was for some reason omitted by Baron von Mueller from the " Key to Victorian Plants," published in 1885, though known many years before However, Professor Ewart referred it to the Kew Herbarium in 1908, and had it returned as a good species not known from anywhere else. A full list of the new introductions mentioned herein is given in Professor Ewart's " Contributions to the Flora of Aus- tralia," No. II, in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, vol. xxii. (igio), p. 6. Probably later investigations will reveal still further additions to the introduced flora of the State. In placing these few brief notes before the members of the Club, I have endeavoured to show that the botany, as also the entomology and pond-life, are both varied and interesting, and I would suggest that a Club excursion be arranged to visit this locality, when I have no doubt members will find much to attract their attention. In conclusion, I desire to express my thanks to Mr. C. French, jun., for his interesting entomological notes, to Mr. Saxton, of the Lands Department, for the trouble he took in searching for the early survey maps, &c., and to Mr. Geo. Kermode, M.C.E., of the Public Works Department, who kindly obtained for me some records relating to the construc- tion of the Coode Canal. BOOK NOTICES. The Birds of Australia. By A. H. S. Lucas, M.A., B.Sc, and W. H. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 498 + xii. pp. (8^ X 5|), with 6 coloured plates and about 200 illustrations. Melbourne : Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. 21S. This handsome book has been issued as a companion volume to the same authors' •' Animals of Australia," noticed in these columns nearly two years ago, and fully maintains the high character of that work. The volume has been written more for the naturalist than for the general reader ; but, as it is so fully illustrated, the latter cannot help being interested. There is hardly a page without an illustration of some kind — either a bird (from life or from a museum specimen), a nest, or a full-page scene showing the birds in their natural habitat. The coloured 62 Book Notices. f^'^jui?^'" plates are dainty specimens of Mrs. Ellis Rowan's work, and arc devoted to some of our gayer-plumaged birds, such as the r;arrots, finches, honey-eaters, warblers, and bower-birds. The systematic arrangement adopted is that of Sharpe's " Hand-list of Birds," adapted to Australian birds by Mr. Gregory Mathews {Emu, 1908). When necessary, other publications have been levied on for information and illustrations, among them the Victorian Naturalist. Unfortunately, to bring the work within a reasonable compass, as every Australian bird is recorded, only a limited amount of space could be given to popular remarks about some of the more remarkable species. The general plan of the work is to take each order in succession, give a key to the different genera; take each genus, and give a key to the various species, then add any additional description necessary under each bird, such as its range, the prominent features in its plumage, its measurements, and, in some cases, a description of the nest and size of the eggs. The volume is well indexed, in various ways. The table of contents lists the birds under their ordinary group names, the vernacular index extends to ten pages (double columns), an index of scientific names fourteen pages (also double column), and a systematic table of twenty- three pages, which again includes the vernacular names, and is itself indexed, so that the student should have no difficulty in turning to any species required. A useful chapter on the birds which have been introduced and liberated in Australia is included. The volume has been splendidly produced on heavy paper, well calendered, and weighs 2| lbs. The work is one that Australians should be proud of, and those who cannot afford tlie magnificent work now being issued by Mr. Gregory Mathews will find in it an efficient substitute. No fault can be found with the printing, and we trust the enterprise of the publishers will have its due reward. The volume should find a place on every naturalist's bookshelf and in every public library through- out the Commonwealth. An Australian Bird Book. By J. A. Leach, M.Sc, Organizing Inspector of Nature Study, Education Department, Victoria. With map and 93 plates (20 in colours). 204 pp. (7^ x 5). Melbourne : Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. Price, 3s. 6d. The author of this little volume, designed specially as " a pocket book for field use," has succeeded in producing probably the most unique bird book yet published. The success of the author's " Descriptive List of the Birds Native to Victoria," published by the Education Department about two years ago, led to a series of illustrated articles in the Education Gazette and Teachers' Aid (Education Department, Victoria), which were also greatly appreciated. In his latest effort Mr. Leach, while ^^'■•';^^^7"l] Book Notices. ' 63 dealing mainly with the birds of Victoria, has by various refer- ences so enlarged his subject that the volume may almost be called a condensed catalogue of the world's birds. At any rate it is easy to trace, by the method adopted, the systematic position of any Australian bird among the birds of the world, and the proportionate number of species of any family occurring in Australia. Side by side with the systematic matter runs what the author terms a lecture, which contains an immense amount of information so clearly and pleasantly put that it cannot fail to interest and instruct. The unique feature of the book, however, are the coloured plates. These contain figures of 175 birds, so accurately coloured that no detail seems to have escaped the eye of the artist. Miss Ethel M. Paterson, while the printing is a splendid example of three-colour work. When it is borne in mind that the largest figure, that of the Wedge-tailed Eagle, is little over three inches in length, while the Pardalote is just over an inch, and that all will bear the closest scrutiny, the prominence of this feature cannot be denied. In addition, there are 73 plates in black and white, containing about 400 figures ; thus a figure is given, either coloured or plain, of every bird, while sometimes both sexes are given. Full details as to 395 Victorian birds are given, also of a few introduced species which have become fairly common. These details consist of vernacular names, scientific name, range, brief general description, rarity or otherwise, habitat, food, size, &c. The author appeals to Australians to protect their bird fauna, the most interesting in the world, and far from being songless, as often asserted. The Director of Education, Mr. F. Tate, M.A., I.S.O., has written a sympathetic and appreciative introduction, and it is gratifying to learn that large orders for the work have been received from the Education authorities of the other States, where, as well as in Victoria, a copy is to be supplied to every State school. No Victorian nature student can afford to be without this handy volume, which we hope is only the first of a series badly needed in the interests of our plants, insects, shells, &c. Handbook of Destructive Insects of Victoria, Part V. By C. French, F.E.S., Government Entomologist. Mel- bourne : J. Kemp, Government Printer. 2s. 6d. We are glad to welcome another part of Mr. French's useful work on the destructive insects of Victoria, which is quite up to the high character of the earlier parts of the publication. i\s in parts 3 and 4, the author includes descriptions of several of our larger birds which make insects the principal article of their diet. Among these are the White Ibis, White-fronted Heron, Australian Bustard or Wild Turkey, and the Giant 64 Book Notices. [^''^y,, Nat. ly Kingfisher— more familiar under the name of Laughing Jackass, which is happily being gradually supplanted by Kookaburra, presumably a native name. The insects dealt with include twenty-seven species, ranging through the various orders. Of beetles, several of the longicorns, so destructive to timber, are described, and plates given of their life-histories, but perhaps the most remarkable insect figured is a scale found on the She- oak, which was named by Maskell after the author some years ago. Its life-history, which is too long to reprint here, has been recently worked out, and reads like a fairy tale, fully entitling it to be regarded as perhaps the most wonderful insect in the world. As usual, hints on means of destruction, &c., are in- cluded in each chapter. One of the insects described, the Greater Vine Scale, bids fair to become the scourge of suburban gardens, having greatly extended its sphere of operations during recent years. We are glad to learn that though ^Ir. French has now ceased to be attached to the Department of Agriculture, having exceeded the age limit, the Minister has acceded to his request to be allowed to finish the work as originally planned, and that the final part will be issued in the course of a month or two. With this part the author will have described about 130 insects and 40 birds, and the work will remain for all time as a monument of Mr. French's enthusiasm, the only regret being that owing to lack of funds it has taken rather more than twenty years to accomplish. The illustrations have been beautifully printed in colours by Osboldstone and Co., the Government Printer being responsible for the complete work. The month of June, 191 1, will long be remembered by residents in the Yarra valley on account of the long-continued flood, which in many places lasted for more than a fortnight. The lagoons at Willsmere, well known to the pond-life hunters of the Field Naturalists' Club, were covered by at least ten feet of water during the whole of the time. According to an article in the Argus of Saturday, ist July, the great influx of fresh water into Port Phillip Bay has had the effect of killing quantities of the smaller forms of Crustacea, &c., along the eastern shore of the bay, particularly at that usually prolific collecting ground, near Black Rock, known as " Quiet Corner." It will be interesting to note what effect the flood will have on the pond -life of the coming season. The first portion of the provisional list of common names for Victorian plants was published in the Journal of the Department of Agriculture for June. The committee will be pleased to receive critical remarks and suggestions from persons who consider that improvements can be made in any of the names. Correspondence should be forwaided to the hon. sec. Dr. C. S. Sutton, Rathdown-street, North Carlton. Che Uictorian naturalist Vol. XXVIIL— No. 4. AUGUST 10. 1911. No. 332. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, loth July, igii. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 50 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game, Depart- ment of Agriculture, notifying that the southern extremity of Dandenong State Forest, from Monbulk Creek (east branch) to the Forest Falls, on its tributarj^ Hardy's Creek, together with the Crown lands frontage to the southern side of the creek, and also the water reserve, has been proclaimed a sanctuary for native game by an order of the Governor-in- Council. The letter was received with applause. REPORTS. A brief interim report of the excursion to Keilor on Saturday, 8th July, was given by the leader. Prof. E. W. Skeats, D.Sc, who promised a more detailed account at a later date. The party, which comprised about seven members of the Club and eighteen University students, had spent an interesting day studying the various geological features of the district. A report of the excursion from Fairfield to East Camberwell, on Saturday, 24th June, was, in the absence of the leader, Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, given by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who said that an unpropitious afternoon had been responsible for a small attendance of members. However, they had noted the junction of the basaltic and silurian formations near the Fair- field railway bridge, and the indications of an old river-bed shown in the cutting in the Asylum grounds. The extent of the Yarra flood, which was then showing signs of falling, astonished some of the party, and photographs of it were secured. Owing to heavy rain the walk had to be abandoned before reaching East Kew, and shelter sought. A report of the junior excursion to the Government Ento- mologist's Department on Saturday, ist July, was forwarded by Mr. C. French, jun.. Acting Government Entomologist, who had spent about a couple of hours in explaining the various objects of interest to the fifteen juniors who attended. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. R. A. Keble, " Bonnie Brae," Alma-road, Camberwell, Mr. Leopold D. Meyer, " Heim [Vict Nat August Ruhe," Milroy-street, North Brighton, Mr. Wm. M'Gowan, Enid Nursery, Ivanhoe, and Mr. Chas. Stout, GilHes-street, Fairfield, were duly elected members ; and Miss Marjorie Hooper, Footscray, Miss Grace Turner, Yarraville, and Miss Amy Thomas, Droop-street, Footscray, as junior members of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. Dr. T. S. Hall, M.A.. inquired as to the constitution of the Plant Records Committee. He understood it was a sub- committee of the Field Naturalists' Club, and, if so, the recently published first instalment of the provisional plant names in the Journal oj the Department of Agriculture, Victoria, for June, should have been accompanied by some reference to the work as having been initiated by the Club. Professor Ewart, as chairman of the Records Committee, explained that, in the introduction to the list published, the names of the individual members were given. The secretary said that this was so, and was, so far satisfactory to the individuals ; but there was nothing to show the general public that the work was prac- tically the work of t^e Field Naturalists' Club, assisted by the Department of Agriculture. Further discussion was post- poned. PAPERS READ. I. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John, entitled " Notes on the ' River White Gum,' Eticalyptits radiata, Sieber." The author drew attention to the confusion existing in the references to this tree and E. amygdalina. He claimed that it was distinct in leaves, sucker leaves, umbr^ls, &c., and should have specific rank, and exhibited specimens of E. amygdalina, E. dives, and E. radiata in order to support his contention, the difference between E. amygdalina and E. dives being less marked than that between the former and the species under discussion. Professor Ewart, D.Sc, Ph.D., F.L.S., remarked that, while Mr. St. John's energy and earnestness in this inquiry were fully appreciated as evidence of the kind of work that was much needed, still he would urge caution before accepting the conclusions put forward, and reminded members that Bentham, who had relegated this tree to varietal rank as E. amygdalina, var. radiata, was a botanist whose decisions should be chal- lenged only after the greatest care and deliberation. He added that, after Bentham had gone through the whole genus Eucalyptus, he set aside his results and began de novo in order to have a thorough check on his work. The individual inter- pretation of what constituted a species would always be a stumbhng-block. He thought that, though the author had VoI.XXVIIl. iqii 1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 67 raised some interesting points, the question should still remain open. Mr. F. Pitcher congratulated the author on his having noted the varying conditions, which hitherto had been recognized only in New South Wales. Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., said that the present discussion reminded him of some leaf-casts of a Eucalypt which had been found in ironstone at Stawell, Victoria, and dated back to Eocene times. These leaves, he had found, compared well with E. ainygdalina, but Mr. R. T. Baker, F.L.S., thought they approached nerdrer to E. dives. Mr. St. John briefly replied. 2. By Mr. G. A. Keartland, entitled " The Alteration of the Quail Season and its Effects." The author showed how the Fisheries and Game Branch had from time to time been transferred from department to depart- ment, with little rest ; but now it had acquired a new status under the Department of Agriculture. He referred particularly, as a naturalist and a sportsman, to the many alterations of the quail season. On the opening day of the present season he had gone out with his gun, and had come home ashamed of what had happened in the sporting field that day. The opening day was too early in the year, and, in view of the history of the struggle that had extended over about twenty years, which he had in memory, he urged that the old date of opening be re-adopted. Professor Ewart and Mr. A. D. Hardy spoke, and in reply Mr. Keartland stated that quail, in captivity, were almost omnivorous ; but that, though their food in the fields varied, their principal diet was grass-seeds and insects. The meeting resolved, on the motion of Messrs Pitcher and M'Lennan — " That, when published, copies of the Victorian Naturalist containing Mr. Keartland's paper be forwarded to the Department of Agriculture, with a letter urging further consideration of the question." NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Moth attracted by Jam. — Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., read a short note on a Bogong Moth, A gratis spina, which, so late in the season as the ist of June, had fluttered about his dining- room, first attracted by the incandescent gas-light, next by the white table-cloth, and finally found its way to an open glass dish of plum jam, of dark red colour and rather syrupy consistency. Here it stayed fully twenty minutes, on the edge of the dish, its long tongue inserted in the syrup, and was so voracious that it did not seem to mind being touched. During the period it several times left the jam, and walked about on the edge of the dish, but in less than a minute renewed feasting. 68 Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings . [^Aug^t'' Owl and Bright Light. — Mr. F. Wisewould told of an owl which had flown with considerable force against a mosquito- netted window at his country house, and remained fluttering there for some time, and asked whether it was not an unusual occurrence. Mr. G. A. Keartland said that the bird was probably a Podargus or a White-throated Nightjar in pursuit of moths, and had thus been led to the light, which it would otherwise have avoided. He had often seen these birds pursue moths close to a camp-fire in the bush. Mr. J. S. Kitson, by way of recording the recent excursion to the Clifton Hill Quarry, drew attention to his exhibit of a large series of specimens collected in the quarry at various times. He said that on the recent visit the members had been particularly interested in the bed of water-worn sand and gravel exposed under a thickness of some ninety feet of basalt, in- dicating that the molten material had filled up the bed of an ancient river, and also in the pieces of charred wood found, showing that trees had been growing on the river-banks at the time. The quarry had been so fully described in other excursion reports that it was not necessary to enter into further details. The President called the attention of members to the forth- coming conversazione and exhibition of wild flowers, fixed for 26th and 27th September, and said that, to make the display a success, members should give early notice to the secretary of what they proposed to exhibit, and commence at once on the preparation of their exhibits. EXHIBITS. By Mr. R. W. Armitage, M.Sc. — Specimen of the twisted- box; shell. Area tortuosa, from Townsville, North Queensland. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells, Voluta ftdgetrum, from South Australia, and V. rossiniana, from New Caledonia. By Mr. J. S. Kitson. — Minerals, &c., from Clifton Hill Quarry, in illustration of excursion report. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Dried specimens of Eucalyptus amvgdalina, E. dives, and E. radia'a, in various stages, in illustration of paper. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. CuT-woRM Moths. — In the Journal of Agriculture of Victoria for July Mr. C. French, jun.. Acting Government Entomologist, has an interesting article, entitled, " Insects Destructive to Crops — Cut-worms," illustrated by coloured figures of seven species, including the Bogong Moth, Agrotis spina, which in some seasons appears in countless numbers. The life-histories are traced, and remedies given for the destruction of the caterpillars. Vol. XXVIII 191 '•] Williamson, A Cycle Trip through East Gippsland. 69 A CYCLE TRIP THROUGH EAST GIPPSLAND. By H. B. Williamson. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 12th June, 191 1.) During the recent Christmas hohdays I took the opportunity of visiting East Gippsland, the Lakes district, and the vicinity of the Snowy River. I wanted to see, in their native habitat, the plants I had become familiar with by means of either dried or freshly-picked specimens sent to me by collectors at Orbost — Messrs. J. Rowe, E. Pescott, and C. H. Grove. I also wished to get a knowledge of the birds of Gippsland. Leaving Melbourne by early train on Thursday, 29th Decem- ber last, I arrived at Bairnsdale early in the afternoon. Cycling to Swan Reach, on the Tambo River, 13 miles distant, I found the road good, but uninteresting from a botanist's point of view. On the roadside near Bairnsdale I gathered the Crab- grass, Eleusine cruciata, and, in a flooded depression, Damasonium australe. Just as I arrived at Swan Reach a little river steamer was coming down from Mossiface. The bridge was " up," and I was just in time to get a picture showing the steamer passing under the bridge, which had been lifted in two parts by hydraulic pressure. I have seen no prettier river than the Tambo, and I advise anyone who has time when at Bairnsdale to make the trip up to Mossiface. I made Nowa Nowa for breakfast next morning, getting a lift in a waggonette whose driver wanted company. I could have driven all the way to Orbost with him, but preferred staying to look around till dinner-time. A stream, misnamed Boggy Creek, here flows into an arm of Lake Tyers, which winds up from the beach near Cunninghame. The hotel here is the " half-way house " for Cunninghame to Buchan passengers, the coach from Buchan and the motor launch from Cunninghame meeting here at dinner-time. About the time of my visit it was a busy time for the hotelkeeper and his wife and daughters — especially the latter. Twenty people sat down to dinner on the day I was there, and I must say the meal was a credit to the management, though some of us did not get the courses in rapid succession. I spent the morning noting the vegetation. It was too late for many of the plants, but nice blooms of Tristania laurina and Trachymene Billardieri were obtained. Prostanthera hirtula also was common, but going off bloom. I collected on the high banks the Oat-grass, Anisopogon avenaceus — a tall, coarse species that I had not met with before. The specimens of Kangaroo-grass, Anthistiria ciliata, and Agrostis rudis, associated with the Oat-grass, were very fine. Some tall shrubs of Leptospermum attenuatum grow just behind the hotel, but fruit only was to be found on them. I ■JO Williamson, A Cycle Trip through East Gippsland . [^'^'ugi^f'' feel sure the vicinity of this creek during the month of Novem- ber would yield a fine " bag " to the collector. In the afternoon I cycled to Orbost, passing twt> houses of accommodation on the way — and I may here mention that these places, from what I saw and what I was told, are fairly plentiful in East Gippsland, so that tourists need not fear having to camp out when not prepared for it. At intervals, " patches " of Bell-birds or Bell Miners, Manorhina melanophrys, occur, the fascinating notes — not unlike those obtained by striking a glass tumbler — coming with incessant tinkling from creek bottoms and swamp margins. The note of this bird is not so full and liquid as that of the Crested Bell-bird, Orsoica cristata, of Northern Victoria, which displays, in addition, a wonderful ventriloquial power. A new acquaintance I also made in the Spotted Ground-bird — suitably named, for it rarely leaves the ground and logs. When it does fly, it rises with a noise like that of a quail's flight, hence one of its local names — " Quail Thrush." At Hospital Creek I came across large specimens of Alisma plantago. Water Plantain, associated with Water- Ribbon, Triglochin procera, and Floating Pond-weed. Pota- mogeton nutans. The approach to Orbost is down a steep road cut round a limestone bluff. The view of the Snowy valley from this bluft is very fine. One sees miles of level alluvial flats covered with a staple product — maize — 7,000 acres being under that crop this season. About 300 acres of beans, chiefly Canadian Wonder, were also coming on. Dairying is an important industry of the district, 300,000 lbs. of butter fat having been sent to Orbost factory, and ;^i3,ooo distributed to suppliers, during 1910. Since my visit, however, I have heard that much destruction has been wrought by the floods, many acres of the maize and beans being rendered valueless. The first thing that impressed me as I rode along the tracks on the flats was the luxuriance of the introduced alien plants. The land not actually under cultivation is a forest of thistles (chiefly Spotted Thistle, Carduus marianus), nettles, docks, horehound, and numerous pests that are found in all well- watered places. Thorn Apple, Datura stramonium, is very abundant, and in the low parts near the junction of the Brodribb and Snowy Rivers, where the influence of the tide is in evidence. Celery-leaved Crowfoot, Ranunculus sceleratus, is spreading. Up the river from the bridge I saw, for the first time, the Great Mullein, Verbascum Thapsus, a plant 6 feet high, with leaves 18 inches by 7 inches. For miles along the river, towards the mouth, the track, just wide enough for a cart, runs between a forest of thistles and blackberries, and, where one can see over and through Vol. XXVIII. iqii I WiLLi.AMsoN, A Cycle Trip through East Gippsland. j\ these, there are the maize fields on one side and on the other side the river, hned with its tangle of A.cacia melanoxylon, Eugenia Smithii, Samhucns xanthocarpa, Myrsine variabilis, and now and then Eucalyptus boiryoides, with their attendant para- sites and climbers, Lyonsia, Vitis, Smilax, and Clematis, Along the river banks tall willows, Salix alba, give the river an additional beauty. In many places these quite hide from view the water of the river. A steamer was manoeuvring just below the bridge, and I could not get a sight of it till I went down the bank to the water's edge. The planting of these trees is a good idea, both for the sake of ornament and from an economic point of view. The roots must aid materially in resisting erosion of the banks. I was interested in the maize cribs — open structures of wood and wire-netting, in which last season's cobs are stored pending a higher price. In almost every paddock one of the buildings was to be seen, and in many cases they were nearly full of cobs. One, which Mr. Rowe informed me was considered the largest in the Commonwealth, measured 450 feet long, 7 feet wide inside, and was filled to the height of 10 feet with cobs. The value of the whole Mr. Rowe worked out as £1,300, at the present low price of maize. On Saturday, the 31st, I cycled to Mario, at the mouth of the river. This is a watering-place on the fern-covered sand hummocks, and has a hotel and a couple of boarding-houses. I was two days too soon to see all Orbost, or a great part of it, disporting itself on the beach and holding regatta and sports on New Year's Day. One cannot reach the sea-beach without a boat, for the ocean has thrown up a sand ridge which stretches for miles along parallel to the coast, and shuts out the ocean beach even from view, though, of course, one can hear the roar of the waves. Round Mario, Mahogany Gum, Eucalyptus boiryoides, is the prevailing timber tree. Stunted Messmate, E. obliqua, and Banksia serrata form a dense forest on the fern-clad hummocks. From Mahogany Gum good crops of honey are obtained, as I learned from a young beekeeper whom I interviewed. His apiary of standard hives, nicely painted and arranged, his tidily kept bee-yard, and well-filled though small honey-house, showed him to be an up-to-date apiarist. Several other apiaries are to be seen at Orbost. The local chemist is an enthusiastic beekeeper, but I had not the good fortune to find him at home when I called. I was aware that about 10 miles east of Mario, on the Cabbage-tree Creek, was to be seen a unique patch of vegeta- tion known as " The Palms," so I made inquiries. I met with little encouragement from those from whom I inquired until I interviewed the landlord of the hotel. I started off under his 72 Williamson, A Cycle Trip through East Gippsland. [^Aug^sf directions, but rode on past the spot, and, as it was too late to do any exploring, I turned back. Being very keen on reaching the place that has attracted so many botanists since Baron von Mueller's first trip there, I rode out again on New Year's morning, starting at 5 o'clock, and taking more explicit instructions from my host. In case anyone interested may have a chance to visit the locality, I may as well go into details with regard to the track to be followed. From Mario the Bemm River road has to be followed for about 3 miles. This is a well-beaten track, in part sandy, within a few hundred yards of the edge of the coast cliffs, running now and then through forests of Banksia serrata, messmate, and mahogany. Occasionally the forest gives place to open plains with low scrub, which, at an earlier season, must be a lovely sight with Hibbertias, Styphelias, Patersonias, Scaevolas, and other plants peculiar to the elevated coast plains. The Banksias were alive with Blue Mountain Parrots, Trichoglossus novcB- hollandicB, and Brush Wattle-birds, Anellobia chrysoptera — both honey-eating birds, the latter one of the noisiest of honey- eaters. Looking down from the cliff, one sees the sandy ridge thrown up by the south-west current, and forming a lagoon, along the coast about 20 chains wide. Probably in time this sand ridge will be really the true coast-line, and will be a high ridge of scrub-covered hummocks. At present the Snowy River has to run along this lagoon to reach the opening in the bar through which it can empty into the sea. The same process is going on here that, in Western Victoria, diverted the Eumerella River, which now flows into the sea near Yambuk, g miles further east than it once flowed out. The Merri River, near Warrnambool, is another similar example. After going down a sandy hill three miles from Mario, a white, sandy track — the Club Terrace road — is seen running off to the north. This turns east directly, and is followed for about four miles through a forest of tall eucalypts, among which Gang-gang Cockatoos, Callocephalum galeatiim, appear rather numerous. After crossing three culverts, an unobtrusive notice, " To the Palms," is seen on a tree about 30 yards up from the third culvert. The track then leads to the left over a rise, and then down through a depression till a piece of corduroy, crossing a creek, is reached. After passing this, the track winds round to the right, and about a quarter of a mile on a small open plain is seen to the right. Before this plain is reached we must strike off to the left (no track visible). When a hundred yards are traversed the dark foliage of the lilli- pillies and blackwoods can be seen in Cabbage-tree Creek, which here runs parallel to the track. The road, on the whole, is fair for cycling. There is scarcely a mile that cannot be THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. — Vol. XXVIII. Plate ii August, 191 1. Vol. XXVIII. 1911 1 Williamson, A Cycle Trip through East Gippsland. ji ridden over. I looked particularly for side tracks that might lead one astray, but saw none. I am pleased now that I failed to find the place the evening before, because, owing to the fine, bright weather, I was able to get what I could not have got with my hand camera on the previous dull evening — good photographs of the palms. These specimens of Livistona australis, and three on the Brodribb River, a few miles further north, are the only known plants of the N.O. Palmae growing wild in Victoria, and are unique in that they exist so far south and in such an isolated position. They were discovered over 60 years ago by Baron von Mueller under circumstances that remind us that that world-famed botanist was, in the vigour of his manhood, an intrepid explorer, fit to rank with Sturt and Franklin. His solitary rambles through the unexplored wilds of Victoria must have been attended with hardships and privations which we, who follow beaten tracks, can scarcely realize ; but some of us, especially those of us who were personally acquainted with him, can realize the delight with which he would greet a plant new to science, and the interest he would evince on the dis- covery such as this was. These discoveries were to Mueller a sufficient reward' in themselves for all his hard work. I must say that I felt, when standing among those plants, and thinking of the enthusiast who first saw them, that I was standing on an historic spot. The thought also came to me that it would be no more than was due to the discoverer if the place were securely fenced and marked with a tablet as " Mueller's Park," the palms being henceforth known as '' Mueller's Palms." I am sorry now that I did not spend more time, and thoroughly explore the place, so as to be able to state with reasonable accuracy the number of palms flourishing there. My im- pression is that the number was limited to perhaps 40 specimens within a space of 8 or 10 acres. They vary in height from 10 to 90 feet. Those about 20 feet high, one of which I photo- graphed, are the most beautiful, while the tall ones shown in the other photograph are brown and withered at the top, probably owing to the absence of the shade enjoyed by the smaller specimens. I looked for seeds and seedlings, but found neither. Under the palms and tree-ferns, blackwoods and lilli-pillies, the pretty little creek seemed to offer a delightful retreat where one could recline and enjoy the cool shade, and wait quietly for the birds to come about for identification. How sadly was I disappointed, for I had scarcely unwrapped my lunch when I was assailed by thousands of mosquitoes, and was con- strained to bolt my food and get on the move to escape the bloodthirsty females. 74 Williamson, A Cycle Trip through East Gippsland. [^Aug^r' On one side of the creek there was a real jungle of tangled vegetation, in which native nettles seemed to predominate. Among this I gathered fine specimens in flower of Harvey's Vine, Sarcopetalum Harvey anurn, with its large, dark, cordate leaves. Near the water's edge I got Mueller's Starwort, Callitriche Muelleri. Smilax, Vitis, and Lyonsia were well in evidence. Two theories have been advanced to account for the occur- rence of the palms so far south of a region to which these plants are usually confined. One is that they are relics of a flora once spread over the southern parts of Victoria when the climate was warmer than it is now. This is a difficult theory to accept, for all the conditions present about the spot seem also present in many other parts of southern Victoria. Another theory is that seeds have been carried to this spot from those parts where palms abound. Birds, water, and aborigines have been men- tioned as probable agencies in their distribution, but it seems difficult to believe that this is the only favourable spot where the seeds have been dropped. Probably the plants introduced by the agencies mentioned once covered a larger area, and now these are the few survivors, which have withstood the severity of the southern climate, owing to special conditions — aspect, shelter, &c. Perhaps it may be deemed advisable that the Field Naturalists' Club should make inquiries to ascertain whether everything possible is being done to save the Victorian palms. The next day I cycled to the Brodribb River, about 8 miles east of Orbost, and close to the bridge explored a patch of native vegetation left in the corner of a cultivation paddock. I came across the ferns Polypodium scandens and P. serpens growing together on a tree trunk. I was also pleased to find some shrubs of the Gippsland Orange, Acronychia IcBvis, though neither flowers nor fruit were obtainable. The leaves have an essential oil with the odour of true orange leaves, and the Httle fruit (the size of small marbles) are like miniature oranges, with their segments and all. The plant belongs to the Rutaceae, the same natural order as the orange. Among this scrub I was pleased to make the acquaintance of the Coachwhip-bird, Psophodes crepitans, after some futile efforts to locate it and view it. In a road-men's camp near by, while eating my lunch alone at the rude camp table, I had an experience I shall not readily forget. Two White-shafted Fan- tails flew round me, and now and again perched first on my shoulder and then on my feet below the table. I would like to have met those road- men. I had quite a brotherly feeling towards them through our mutual friends the fantails. The next day I rode — or, at least, walked and rode — up to Mt. Buck, on the Bendoc road, but saw nothing of interest till ^°''^g^7^^''] Williamson, A Cycle Trip through East Gippsland. 75 up on the cutting which winds round the side of the steep hill. Across the road, at intervals, run several watercourses, which flow down into steep, scrub-filled gullies Clambering down one which seemed from the road a typical Otway Forest musk gully, I found a marked difference. The gullies of Otway Forest have not the number and variety of climbing plants which we fimd in East Gippsland. The appearance of the place, lit up by the summer sun almost overhead, reminded me of pictures I have seen of Brazilian forests, and I thought at once of monkeys and jaguars, and almost found myself ex- pecting to see those animals come climbing along the vegetable cables to look at the intruder in their domain. Plants of the Victorian Passion-flower, Passiflora cinnabarina, were here, but none with flowers or fruit. My next trip was up the Snowy River, about two miles, to an interesting limestone bluff, on the summit of which was an apiary, and from which a lovely view of the Snowy valley could be got. Near its base plants of the rare Adriana touientosa occur, from which I gathered a good supply. Some time ago a land-slip occurred here, part of the bluff being precipitated into the river, blocking the road which runs between it and the river. In company with Mr. Rowe, Young's Creek was visited, with the result that one flowering plant of the epiphytal orchid Sarcochiliis parvi floras was secured.* My next move was on to Buchan. I found the road good for cycling except that I had to walk a mile or so up a steep hill. By striking off before I came to Nowa Nowa on to a new track which trends north-west and picks up the Nowa to Buchan road, I saved a few miles and a bad hill. The road then led up-hill for 8 miles through a forest of tall eucalypts. I saw no water, no scrub, and consequently very few birds — Magpies, Gang-gangs, and a Pallid Cuckoo or two. Then along the dusty coach-road (Bruthen to Buchan), near Half-way House, a roadside cottage where tea and soft drinks are dispensed, I came to a patch of Red Bottle-brush scrub, Callistemon lanceolatus, and a forest of Mealy Stringybark trees. Eucalyptus pulvernlenta — the former with a few lingering blooms, and the latter with its young leaves quite white, as if dusted with flour. The mealy bloom on these leaves contrasts in a remarkable way with the very dark foliage of the tree generally. It is one of the few eucalypts with opposite leaves on the full-grown tree. From the train, passing near Morwell, the same eucalypt can be observed. The approach to Buchan is like that to Orbost — down a steep hill, only that the hill is much longer at the former place. The Buchan valley is wide, and flanked by bare hills. The pretty little river, the Buchan, winds through the valley, and 76 Williamson, A Cycle Trip ihroit^h East Gippsland [^Aug.^If " is bordered with tea-tree and willows, while maize fields occupy a limited margin on each side. In botanical work there is nothing of interest to be done at Buchan. but it is really worth visiting for the sake of its beautiful " Fairy Cave." After visiting the cave I felt well rewarded for the long ride. Next morning I rode to Nowa Nowa, arriving there at noon. While indulging in a swim in Lake Tyers the New Zealand Spinach, Tetragona expansa, caught my eye. Large plants of it were growng at the water's edge. The afternoon was very pleasantly spent on the motor launch from Nowa to the south- west end of the lake. The Nowa Nowa Arm, as it is called, winds about for i8 miles, in parts only a hundred yards wide, and its banks, in some parts quite steep, are covered with trees and scrub to the water's edg^. I was charmed with the trip, although the shrubs on the banks did not adorn the scenery as they would when flowering a month or two previously. We were allowed half an hour at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station, where, to me, the most interesting sight was the group of black children, and the piccaninnies, whom the young ladies of the party delighted to nurse. Between Lake Tyers and Cunninghame — 7 miles — a terrifying thunderstorm broke over me, and thoroughly soaked me, driving me to the shelter of a hotel awhile before reaching the wharf. Next morning I identified, among the Banksias (serrata), the honey-eaters — Yellow-faced, Ptilotis chrysops, White-naped, Melithreptus atricapillus, and Yellow-tufted, Ptilotis melanops. After gathering a good supply of the Coast-grass, Zoysia piingens, I boarded the steamer Gippsland for Bairnsdale. The day was perfect.^as regards weather. Having read of the silt jetties of the Mitchell River, I was now able to see them and realize more fully the action of a rapid, silt-laden river when flowing into a shallow lagoon. In the afternoon I cycled to Paynesville, 10 miles, and the next day took the steamer for Sale, falling in with Mr. St. John, who was returning from a walking tour to the Mueller River. I then spent three days with Mr. T. A. Robinson, of Dutson, o miles from Sale. Dutson is a splendid field for a botanist, and years ago I became familiar with the local plants through the favour of Mr. Robinson and his daughters. I found a few to add to the census of that part, notably Drosera spathidata and Scleranthus biflorus — the latter probably not recorded for so far south. Mr. Robinson is an enthusiastic orchardist and gardener, and has a number of novelties under cultivation, among which are the tea plant, guava, and persimmon. He is an expert irrigationist, and on his land is a splendid spring capable of supplying about a million gallons of water a day. This, however, it seems probable, will be taken out of his con- Vol. XXVIIl. iqii 1 Williamson, A Cycle Trip through East Gippsland. 77 trol and used to give Sale the first-class water supply which is so much needed there. I reached home on the loth January, very thankful that the weather had been so agreeable, and that my bicycle had stood the journey so well. I had ridden about 240 miles, and my only tyre puncture was on the last day's ride — to the Ninety-Mile Beach. I can commend East Gippsland to the naturalist who cycles ; but my ideal of a trip to those parts can be summed up thus : a strong, staunch horse, a covered waggonette, food supplies and blankets, and a congenial mate or two. In conclusion, I may say that, for the sake of brevity, I have omitted to mention a number of plants noted which had already been recorded by Dr. Sutton in his interesting and ably written paper in the Victorian Naturalist for February, 1909 (vol. XXV., p. 155), on the botany of the Snowy River district. The Nomenclature of Australian Birds. — The July Enm contains a long letter from Mr. Gregory M. Mathews, author of the great work on Australian birds now going through the press, on the subject of the systematic names of Australian birds, in which he virtually says that the time has come when the trinomial system of naming must be adapted for scientific purposes. He quotes different authorities, among them Mr. A. J . North, of the Australian Museum, as to the use of the term " sub-species," which has of late years become exceedingly common. Mr. Mathews argues that trinomials are distinctly better than such binomials as — Oreocichla cuneata, De Vis ,, heinei, Cabanis ,, lunulata, Latham ,. macrorhyncha, Gould, which he would render thus (Oreocichla having been replaced by Turdus) — Turdtis hmulatus cuneatus, De Vis „ ,, heinei, Cabanis „ „ lunulatus, Latham „ ,, macrorhynchus, Gould, showing at once that only one distinct species of Thrush is recognizable, the others being races or varieties inhabiting different areas. Mr. Mathews' suggestion seems reasonable, and saves the use of " var." and "sub-species"; and may even prevent the founding of new species on mere minor details. 78 St. John, Notes on the " River White Gum." f^";'' ''^f ' ' J ' L August NOTES ON THE " RIVER WHITE GUM," EUCALYPTUS RADIATA, SiEBER. By p. R. H. St. John. (Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, loih July, 191 1.) For many years I have had this species under observation, and, although some authorities have included it with Eucalyptus amygdalina, Labillardiere, I consider it quite distinct. During the last Christmas holidays I had many oppor- tunities for closely examining it in all stages of growth, and, fortified by the following extracts from well-known authorities, I think I can clearly prove that the " River White Gum," Eucalyptus radiata, Sieber, should be raised to specific rank. Sieber's description is as follows : — " Eiicalyptits radiata, Sieber.* — Leaves linear-lanceolate, 4 inches long, 6-7 lines broad ; veins very fine, confluent at apex, forming a nerve, which is parallel with the margin. Pedicels short. Buds — lid hemispherical, mucronate. Fruit globose, 3 lines in dia- meter." In dealing with the eucalypts of Gippsland, A. W. Howitt t refers to varieties a, b, c, d, e, and / of E. amygdalina, Labill. Variety e is figured, and is described as follows : — " This is the ' Wang-gnara ' of the Gippsland blacks. It is found in the eastern part of Gippsland, but, according to my observations, not so commonly as the other varieties of the type. It grows along the rivers and streams, and in moist valleys. It has a smooth, tall, but comparatively slender bole, with a scanty, often rather spreading, head, in which there is frequently a marked absence of foliage. The bark is persistent, and wrinkled only on the lower part of the bole, above which it becomes smooth and almost white. It is of extreme toughness, hence the aboriginal name, ' Wang-gnara.' The seedlings and young saplings have sessile, rather long lanceolar opposed leaves, resembling those of the normal amy^dalina, but which, in the older trees, become narrow-lanceolar-falcate, attenuated at the stalk, and pointed. The venation is rather indistinct, the marginal vein considerably removed, and the lateral veins very longitudinal. The umbels are on stalks as long or longer than the bud, the lid small and depressed, with a slight point. Buds numerous — 3-20. Flowers normal. Fruit ovate- truncate, with a slightly contracted orifice, compressed, rather narrow rim, and small, weak valves. Compared with samples (for which I am indebted to Dr. Woolls, of Sydney), this appears * " Observations on the Eucalypts of New South Wales," by H. Deane, F.L.S., and J. H. Maiden, F.L.S. (Proc. Linn. Sac, 1895, vol. x., p. 606). ■]■ Transactions of the Royal Society of Victoria, vol. ii., part i, 1890. Vol. XXVlll."! c^^ ToHX, Notes on the " River White Gum." 70 to be the ' River White Gum ' of New South Wales — E. radiate, Sieber This seems to be one of those eastern forms of vegetation which are not found further to the westward than the Mitchell River, though this tree individually does not ex- tend beyond the Tambo River. I have observed it at an elevation of 50 feet at Jimmie's Point backwater, 200 feet at the Tambo Crossing, 300 feet at the Murrendel River and at Wangrabell, on the Genoa." Howitt now goes on to discuss variety / — a form which has since been raised to specific rank, and is now known as E. regnans. He says : — " This eucalypt, though possessing a specific title, belongs to E. amygdalina, and is less removed from the typical form than the varieties which I have desig- nated d and e.'' R. T. Baker and H. G. Smith * describe the " River White Gum," E. radiata, Sieber, as follows ; — " A fairly tall tree. It has a hard, black bark on the lower part of the trunk, but smooth in the upper portion of the tree. Sucker leaves thin, sessile, or almost perfoliate, much resembling those of amygdalina, opposite, narrow, about 3 to 4 inches long, mar- ginal vein slightly removed from the edges. Mature leaves lanceolate, narrow, generally about 6 inches long ; venation not prominent ; intramarginal vein removed from the edge, lateral veins oblique, spreading. Oil glands more numerous than in that of any other species. Flowers very numerous — up to 30 on axillary peduncles. Calyx turbinate, small, tapering to a long filiform pedicel ; operculum obtuse ; ovary flat-topped. Fruit small, pilular, 2 (rarely 3) lines in diameter, rim thin, contracted. " Habitat. — New South Wales, on river- banks and mountain ranges of the coast district, but preferring banks of creeks." They also make the following remarks : — " We are quite in accord with Sieber, the author o' the species, that this eucalypt is worthy of specific rank. He was familiar with the tree in the field, and so did not confound it with amygdalina, as has been done by recent botanists. Dr. Woolls, who also studied these two trees in nature, remarks (' Flora of Aust.,' p. 239) • — ' No one who has had an opportunity of examining both trees in a living state would suppose them to be allied, as they vary so much from each other in bark and habit.' To this we should like to add also that they differ in timber, number of flowers in the umbels, shape of leaves, shape of fruits, and constituents of the oil. On these grounds we differ from those authors who synonymize the species with E. amygdalina." J. H. Maiden f discusses the synonyms of E. amygdalina, * " Research on the Eucalypts," p. 185. ■)• " Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus," vol. i., part 6, p. 153. 8o St. John, Notes on the " River White Gum." [^ Aug^sf ' and says : — " E. radiata, Sieber, appears to be nothing more or less than a form of E. amygdalina, Labill., very common in New South Wales, and I see nothing distinctive enough to warrant its being called a variety. The typical amygdalina from Tasmania, with its linear-lanceolate, often thickish, leaves, with hemispherical opercula and hemispherical, usually broad-rimmed fruit, doubtless appeared to Sieber to be sufficiently different from the New South Wales form. Sieber's type probably came from the higher parts of the Blue Mountains (I have matched it completely from the Wentworth Falls to Mount Victoria). The specimens distributed by Sieber have fruits not dead ripe. When they are quite ripe the tips of the valves are slightly exserted." On page 155, in dealing with variety numerosa {E. amygdalina, Labill., var. radiata, Benth.), he states: — "The Rev. Dr. WooUs * (and on other occasions) protested against E. radiata, Sieb. (as he understood the species), being merged in with E. amygdalina. It will, however, remain an open question with some botanists as to whether this form is looked upon as a variety or as an independent species. It certainlj^ is closely related to E. amygdalina, and different authors hold different views as to the amount of variation necessary to constitute a species ; so that, as far as aboriginal and vernacular names are concerned, it is the ' Kayer-ro ' of Sir Wm. Macarthur, the ' White Gum ' of Bent's Basin and the Nepean (Woolls, Benth. " Fl.," iii., 203), and the ' Wang-gnara ' of Mr. Howitt. It goes under the names of ' River White Gum,' ' Ribbon Gum,' and also ' Narrow-leaved Peppermint.' " It will be observed that, although Maiden says on one page that he sees nothing distinctive enough to warrant its being called a variety, yet later on he admits that it will remain an open question with some botanists, and merely contends that it certainly is closely related to E. amygdalina. Already varieties d and / — namely, E. dives, Schauer, and E. regnans, F. v. M., respectively, as mentioned by Howitt, are now adopted as distinct species. In my opinion, there is at least equal reason for raising E. radiata, Sieber, to specific rank, and the main differences between it and E. amygdalina, Labill., may be briefly summarized as follows : — Bark. — E. amygdalina has a " box-like " E. radiata has a rough base, then bark, fibrous and persistent, not a smooth, white bark. " Leio- so fibrous as a " stringybark." phloiae " section. " Hemiphloise " section. * Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., v., 448. Vol. XXVIII 1911 ] St. John, Notes on the " River White Guy 81 Leaves, mature. — E. amy^dalina. — Linear to broadly- lanceolar straight or falcate, 2 to 4 inches long. E. radiata. — Thin, narrow to broad- lanceolar, grey-green in the young trees. "Juvenile" or "Slicker" Leaves.- E. amygdaliiia. — They are oppo- site, narrow-lanceolar, sessile, of a light ereen colour. Venation. — E. amygdalina, venation prom- inent ; lateral veins very ob- lique, long spreading ; intra- marginal veins removed from the edges. E. radiata are opposite, often whorled, narrow-lanceolar, ses- sile, and in seedlings the under surface is coloured purple (E. purpurascens. Link.) ; the young stems have a rusty-glandular appearance. E. radiata indistinct ; lateral veins longitudinal ; intramarginal vein considerably removed from the outer margin. Flowers. — Small in both species ; stamens under 2 lines long, inflected in bud, with small anthers. Operculum. — Hemispherical, shorter than the calyx-tube, very obtuse in E. amygdalina. Buds. — E. amygdalina are clavate or club- shaped, sometimes glandular. Fruits. — E. amygdalina are sub-globose- truncate, under 3 lines in dia- meter, contracted at the orifice ; rim flat or slightly concave, shortly pedunculate and pedi- cellate to nearly sessile. E. radiata Hemispherical, pointed, shorter than the calyx-tube. E. radiata are pointed and more numerous, up to 40 or more being present in the umbels. E. radiata, ovate-truncate on a long peduncle, with filiform pedicels, uniform in size, 2 to 2y lines in diameter, pilular or pear-shaped. Oils. — The oil obtained from E. radiata bears a greater re- semblance to that obtained from E. dives than it does to the oil from E. amygdalina. the only difference between the two former being that the oil of E. radiata contains the greater amount of pinene. The oil of E. amygdalina differs from both the others in containing less phellandrene, pinene, and peppermint constituent, but more cineol (eucalyptol). The properties of all these oils have been examined by Baker and Smith,* and may be tabulated as follows : — * " Research on the Eucalypts." i St. John, Notes on the " River White Gum." [^^'^ ict. Nat. August Species. Yield per cent. Specific Gravity. Specific Solubility Rotation. in 70 or 80% la] Alcohol. Eucalyptol Content. Saponifica- tion Number. E. amygdalina E. dives E. radiata 3-4 2-3 li-2 .90 .8710.89 .87 —10° to— 15° —60° to —75° —75° to —90° i^ vols, of 70% ale. Variable, sometimes sol. in 80% ale. Insol. 20 to 30% Absent Trace ' 3-76 2.9 2.8 104.4 The specimens exhibited were obtained from near the Bemm and Cann Rivers, also at Hospital and Euchre Creeks, East Gippsland. CORRESPONDENCE. A PLEA FOR "NOTES AND QUERIES" IN THE NATURALIST. To the Editor, Victorian Naturalist. Sir, — I would like to bring under the notice of your readers the following passage from Montaigne's " Essays " : — " I would have everyone write what he knows, and as much as he knows, but no more ; and that not in this only, but in all other subjects. For such a person may have some particular knowledge and experience of the nature of such a fountain, or such a person, that as to other things knows no more than what everybody does, and yet to keep a clutter with this little pittance of his will undertake to write the whole body of physicks ; a vice from whence great inconveniences derive their original." From time to time members of the F.N.C. are rebuked for not bringing forward observed facts in natural history, par- ticularly by Dr. T. S. Hall, who, in a paper some time ago, pointed out a number of instances where information was wanted by scientists. Now, it appears to me that a vast amount of that " un- garnered grain " would be husbanded if there was a suitable storehouse for its reception in the pages of the Naturalist, under such a heading as "Notes and Queries." Many of our members must have observed some trait or habit of some particular plant or animal which, though inter- esting, or may be valuable, is not sufficient of itself to form the matter for a paper, nor yet suitable for contribution as a " natural history note " at the Club meetings ; but, put into a paragraph or two in the "Notes and Queries" column, the information would be on record and available to everyone. Vol. XXVIII 1911 1 A Plea for " Notes and Queries " in the Naturalist. 8; The v/ant of such a means of recording facts impressed itself on me at the April meeting of the Club, during the discussion following Mr. Hardy's paper on the mole cricket and wasp, when a number of unrecorded observations were voiced by members, and this is only one instance of man}/ that could be mentioned. By way of a start for the " Query " column, I w^ould like to ask : — (i) How are pools that generally dry up during summer re-stocked with the fish known to boys as " silver-fish " (a species of carp, I beheve) ? Can the ova resist drought ^ I don't think the theory that the ova are brought to the pools by water-fowl will hold good, as fish are found in ponds that are too small to tempt water-fowl to visit them, and the newly- hatched fish may be found in the ponds a very short time after water has again accumulated in them. (2) Why some orchids, such as Lyperanthus nigricans, are found abundantly in places where scrub has been burnt off, and where they were only occasionally met with previous to the burning- off ? Trusting the suggestion will meet with your approval, I am, Yours, &c., POND HUNTER. [The suggestion of "Pond Hunter" is a good one. Queries and observations are invited from other contributors, which will be dealt with as fully as possible. — Ed. Vict. Nat.] " Photography for Bird-Lovers." — This is the title of an eminently useful book of 125 pages, forwarded to us by the publishers, Witherby and Co., Holborn, London. In it the author, Mr. Bentley Beetham, F.Z.S., deals in a practical manner with bird photography in its various branches. Separate chapters are devoted to Apparatus, Nest Photography, Photo- graphing Young Birds, Birds in Flight, Photographing in Colour, and in Cinematography, &c. In connection with photo- graphing birds in captivity, he says: — "The great value of pictures of specimens in confinement lies in the accurate repre- sentation of the bird as a creature, of its markings, and its form. . . . We want a large, bold picture of a bird for reference, one giving at a glance the general appearance of its species, and on a more careful examination the most minute detail of its plumage." He remarks that all such photographs should be distinctly marked as from captive birds, for not only have such photographs been passed off as studies of wild-life, but what is a thousand times worse pictures of stuffed birds have been made to serve the same purpose, and in the interests of the hobby of bird photography all such impositions should be exposed. The volume is splendidly illustrated with sixteen full-page plates, examples of work done by the methods recommended. The work is published at five shillings, and should be of great value to the photographer of nature subjects, even if not birds. AT t rVict. Nat. S4 iVo/^5. [ August Botanical Photography.— Mr. P. F. Visick, of the Catford and Forest Hill Photographic Society, in the Selborne Maga- zine for March, 191 1, contributes an article on the photography of Botanical Objects, a branch of photographic work in which we are somewhat deficient in workers in this State. He says that almost any camera will do. if one purchases certain extra appliances which aie necessary, but as an all-round instru- ment well suited for the purpose he recommends the " Klimax," by W. Butcher and Sons. London. Unless otherwise ordered, the cameras are fitted with an " Aldis " anastigmat working at F yy. The shutter is a Lukos Sector, for time, bulb, and automatic exposures from i second to a hundredth part. The cameras are made in the usual various sizes, with single or double extension, the latter being preferable. An excellent handbook explaining the working of the cameras can be ob- tained from the makers. A brass telescopic tripod, which can be used at any distance, say from one to four feet, from the ground, is indispensable. He then goes on to give hints as to securing the pictures. Choose a day with little or no wind, and get your object focussed to the requisite size with the lens at full aperture. It is then stopped down until the rear pro- portions are in focus. Unless your plant is totally diff'erent to its neighbours, it is well to remove some of these, if possible, so as to prevent confusion on the finished photograph. In all cases use the backed ortho-chromatic plates by standard makers. These give approximately proportional colour values to visual observation. Whether the whole or a portion of a plant is photographed use a paper or cardboard measure, either in inches or centimetres for purpose of conveying an idea of the size of the plant or flower. Further details are given as to methods for good results, such as cardboard backgrounds, also printing and developing. There is an opportunity for some member of the Field Naturalists' Club to do good work in this direction, as illustrations of our Victorian flora are badly wanted, and a handy botany of the State cannot be long post- poned. The success of the method of illustrating Mr. Leach's bird book should be of help with regard to the plants. The " Plants of New Zealand," issued some time ago, was a good instance of the value of illustrations of fiowers from photographs, but the latest development may be seen in the recently published " Wild Flowers as they Grow " (Cassell and Co.), in which twenty- five plates are given of English wild flowers, photographed in colour direct from nature, by Mr. H. E. Corke, F.R.P.S., and charming pictures they make, the dog-rose, foxglove, hare- bell, and musk-mallow being particularly good. The descriptive text by Mr. G. C. Nutall, B.Sc, is very pleasantly written, and greatly adds to the interest of the work. Cbc Uictorlan naturalfsi Vol. XXVIII.— No. 5. SEPTEMBER 7, 1911. No. 333. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Chib was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 14th August, 191 1. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 55 members and visitors were present. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Warrandyte on Saturday, 12th August, was given by the leader, Mr. G. Coghill, who said that the outing had been arranged for the purpose of seeing the Silver Wattles, Acacia dealhata, which grow along the river near that township, in full bloom, and, though the day was some- what unpropitious, the party had a very enjoyable trip, and caught the wattles in their prime. A report of the visit by the juniors to the National Museum on Saturday, 5th August, was given by the juniors' secretary, Mr. C. Stout, who acted as leader in the absence through illness of Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., Curator of Zoology, who had intended to point out the distinguishing features of the larger mammals. He said that attention had been given to the various forms of feet possessed by animals, and an instructive afternoon had resulted. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. A. James, Continuation School, Melbourne, Mr. J. R. Murdock, 142 Park-street, Parkville, and Mr. F. Watson, 482 Madeline-street, Carlton, were duly elected as members ; and Mr. A. J. Gill, State School, Cockatoo Creek, and Mr. F. P. Dodd, Kuranda, North Queensland, as country members of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. J. R. Tovey called the attention of the meeting to the great destruction of native vegetation which is taking place in Cheltenham Park in order to form golf links, and urged that a protest be made to the authorities against the clearing away of so much of the indigenous vegetation. Mr. J. Shephard supported the remarks, and said that the Cheltenham Park had been for many years an ideal collecting ground for all branches of natural history. Mr. F. Pitcher said that he understood it was intended to plant a number of eucalypts and other trees in the park. On the motion of Messrs. Pitcher and Coghill, the matter was referred to the com- mittee, with power to act. Dr. T. S. HaU, M.A., said that some four years ago the Rail- 86 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [septem^/er' way Department had, at the instance of the Chib, agreed to leave certain portions of the railway cuttings {Vict. Nat., vol. xxiv., p. 158) near Melbourne, where interesting geological features occurred, in their natural state, but recently he had noticed that three of these places were being improved by the planting of creeping and other plants. He thought that another effort should be made to have boards erected indicating the particular features of each place, and moved that the Railway Commissioners be asked to receive a deputation with regard to the matter. This was seconded by Mr. G. A. Keart- land, with the addition that the committee communicate with kindred societies, and arrange a strong deputation. PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., entitled " Additions to the Fish Fauna of Victoria, No. III." The author recorded the occurrence in Victorian waters of the Long-finned Boar Fish, ZancHstius elevatus. Rams, and Ogil., the Pilot Fish, Naucrates ductor, L., and one of the coral fishes, Chcetodon sexfasciatiis. Rich., and gave some description of each species, and exhibited specimens of them. 2. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel, entitled " Notes on Some Exotic Mollusca Found at Coode Island." The author stated that, attracted by the remark in l\Ir. Tovey's recent paper on the flora, that he considered a conch- ologist would probably do well there, he had visited the island, and examined some of the ballast heaps, with the result that he had collected about one hundred and twenty species of shells, ninety of which were in sufficiently good condition to be identified as having come from South Africa or the Pacific Coast of North America. He considered this fact of sufficient importance to be worth recording, in order to save confusion at some future time. Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., suggested that some action should be taken to prevent ships' ballast being deposited on the island, but it was generally thought that some definite place for its deposition was better than allowing shipmasters to lighten their vessels anywhere, and so cause further con- fusion of species. 3. By Mr. F. P. Dodd (communicated by Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S.). entitled " A Collecting Trip to the Herberton District, North Queensland." The paper was read by Mr. Kershaw, and, though dealing principally with insect life, incidentally mentioned a variety of subjects, and particularly drew attention to the tendency of collectors to exaggerate their experiences. He alluded to the remarkable appearance of the large day-flying moth, Nydalemon orontes, in countless numbers. Its flights did not Vol. XXVI II igii 1 Field Natitralisis' Club — Proceedings. 87 seem to be lessened by a phenomenal rainfall experienced, probably because the moths had come from beyond the path of the storm. Birds were not very numerous, but he had been able to make several interesting observations with regard to the Tooth-billed Bower-bird. Mr. R. W. Armitage, B.Sc, congratulated the author on his interesting paper, which he hoped would be followed by others of a similar character. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard said that the terms " forest " and " scrub," as used in North Queensland, have totally opposite meanings to that given them in Victoria, scrub there indicating the densest country, containing the largest trees. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. G. A. Keartland said that he had recently seen in a friend's aviary a hybrid finch which exhibited all the charac- teristic markings of both the Spotted-sided Finch and the Chestnut-eared Finch, though not in the usual colouration. Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., said that a specimen of the Tupong, or so-called Freshwater Flathead, had recently been taken in the River Murray, near Mildura. This seemed to be its most westerly occurrence for Victoria, as Werribee and Lancefield had hitherto been its limits in that direction. The chairman drew attention to the leaflet issued by the Wattle Day League, explaining its objects, and circulated, at the League's request, in the current Naturalist. EXHIBITS. By Miss Davis. — Fine specimens of the limpet. Patella limhata, also sea-horse. Hippocampus, sp., from Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania. By Miss Douglas. — Fossilized wood from Tasmania. By Messrs. C. French, jun., and J. E. Dixon. — Specimen of the remarkable fungus, Battavia phalloides, found on sand hummocks at North Brighton on 6th August. This fungus is rare and has only been recorded from North West Victoria. South Australia, and Western Australia. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — One hundred and twenty-one species of exotic mollusca found at Coode Island, in illustration of paper : also specimens in better condition, for comparison. By Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S.. National Museum. — Mounted specimens of fish new for Victoria — viz.. Long-finned Boar Fish, Zanclistiiis devatiis. Rams, and Ogil., Pilot Fish, Naiicrates ductor, L., and Coral Fish, Chcetodon sexfasciatus. Rich., in illustration of paper. By Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S.— Egg of Australian Gannet, or Booby, Sula serrator, from Lawrence Rock, near Portland, Victoria. By Mr. F. Pitcher, for Curator of Botanic Gardens, Mel- 88 Field Natnralists Club— Proceedings. [septen?ber' bourne. — Flowers of six species of early flowering acacias — viz., A. alata, R. Br., Western Australia; A. cardiophylla, A. Cunn., New South Wales; A. elongata, Sieber, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland ; A. Jonesii, F. v. M. and Maiden, New South Wales : A. leprosa, Sieber, Victoria and New South Wales; and A. speciahilis, A. Cunn., New South Wales and Queensland. '" By Mr. J. Stickland. — Old leaves covered with pine pollen, carried by wind and deposited in garden at Hawthorn (under microscope). ■ By Mr. J. R. Tovey. — A seedling plant of Blue Gum, Eucalyptus globulus. Lab., found growing in a small crack, about half an inch wide, between the asphalted footpath and the foundation of a building in Park-street, South Yarra. The only blue-gum tree growing near the spot is fully forty yards away, on lower ground, consequently the seed was probably trans- ported by wind, or the agency of birds. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Note. — In last month's " Proceedings " the word " Eocene," in line 9, p. 67, was misreported, and should read " Miccene." A Handy Victorian Guide. — A useful, well illustrated booklet of 260 pages (oblong), under the title of " The Country Hotel and Boarding-house Guide and Tourists' Handbook,'' has recently been published by Lake and Sons, Melbourne. It contains full information as to the principal hotels and boarding-houses, and the cost of living at the various tourist resorts of the State. Copies can be olitained free on applica- tion at the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau, Collins- street. " A Brief Review of the Fisheries of New South Wales." — The presidential address to the New South Wales Naturalists' Club of Mr. D. G. Stead, who is naturalist to the Board of Fisheries of New South Wales, has been issued as a useful booklet of 30 pages, with 17 plates, by the Department of Fisheries of that State. The author deals with fishes, crustaceans (giving useful notes about crayfish, crabs, and prawns), molluscs (the oyster harvest amounts to 20,000,000 annually, a great part of which is due to artificial cultivation), cetaceans (dolphin-fishing is carried on for the sake of the teeth, which are sold to firms trading with the Solomon and other Pacific islands to be used as currency), sponges, and sea- weeds. Regarding the two last groups, the author considers that, following the lines of other countries, great advance must shortly take place in their economic development. The seven- teen plates contain about double that number of figures, and are exceedingly good. ^"'''^^iT^^^'J CoGHiLL, Excursion lo Warrandyle. 89 EXCURSION TO WARRANDYTE. The excursion to Warrandyte on Saturday, 12th August, was arranged mainly to see the Silver Wattles, Acacia dealbata, in full bloom, and the outing, like that of two years ago, took the form of a motor drive, two large motor coaches being filled with a party of forty-two members and friends. Owing to the threatening state of the weather it was decided to go via Heidelberg and Templestowe instead of Box Hill and Ringwood, as had been intended. Wattle time and showery weather are often concurrent, and this year was no exception. Rain had fallen in the morning, and again during the drive, consequently the roads were slippery, and the drivers had to proceed some- what slowly, and exercise considerable care to prevent their vehicles skidding. On account of the rain the distant views (for which the road is so famous) were quite lost, and, from the lack of sunshine, the gold of the wattles was not brought out in that glorious contrast with the foliage of the trees which makes them such objects of beauty in the flowering season. However, the wattles were at their very best — no trees half or nearly over ; those that were not in full bloom were just ready to burst into all their glory. Our first glimpse of the golden blossoms was secured as we crossed the Yarra at Heidelberg, and here and there through Temi)lestowe further glimpses were obtained. An occasional tree of the Golden Wattle, Acacia pyciianf/ia, laden with its large golden balls of flowers, was seen as we passed through the park-like country about Temple- stowe. At the Mullum Mullum or Deep Creek the Silver Wattles again made a fine show. Further on a smaller acacia, A. diffusa, with rigid, thorny leaves (or phyllodes), brightened the countryside with its yellow flowers. A. acinacea was also seen in considerable quantity, but few of itS' flowers were showing colour. The heliotrope flowers of the climbing Hovca hcterophylla were conspicuous among the shrubs on the road- side. The view of Warrandyte from the old road over Mel- bourne Hill at this time of year, with the river outlined in yellow, is charming in the extreme, but unfortunately the new road, cut round the hillside at an easier grade, avoids that vantage point, consequently visitors would do well to seek out this spot for themselves. We proceeded through the township to about a quarter of a mfle beyond the bridge, where there were some splendid trees in full bloom. Having feasted our eyes sufficiently on the glorious scene, we returned to the Grand Hotel, and, on the spacious balcony overlooking the river, did ample justice to the good things provided by the president and others. It was almost dark before we were ready to start for home, which was reached via East Doncaster, Blackburn, and Kew. The outing was a delighftul one, and had the day been brighter would have been all the more enjoyable. — G. Coghill. 90 Keartland, The AUeraiion of the Quail Season. W^^\^,i^^\' THE ALTERATION OF THE QUAIL SEASON, AND ITS EFFECT. By G. a. Keaetland. {Read before tlie Field Naluralisls' Club of Victoria, lotli July, 191 1 .) Almost from the inception of tire Game Act, fifty years ago, there has been agitation regarding the time for opening the shooting season. At first it was argued that quail should be protected during the same period as ducks — from ist August to 20th December ; but I believe one season was enough to satisfy all parties interested that an extension of the close season was necessary, as shooting started soon after the first broods of young ones were hatched. During the years that have intervened since that period the administration of the Act has not only changed hands with each change of Ministry, but it has passed from one Govern- ment department to another ; but with each change the agita- tion for an alteration of the close season for quail has invariably cropped up. It has been altered from ist February to ist March, then to ist April, then to different dates on each side of the Dividing Range, then back to ist March ; but this year the 14th February was the date fixed upon for commencing shooting. It is nearly twenty years since I first brought the matter of the protection of quail under the notice of this Club, advocating an extension of the close season until ist Aj^-il In doing so I was actuated by two motives — a wish to increase the number of birds by allowing the old ones to finish breeding and giving the young ones time to mature. It also delayed shooting until the weather was cooler, and enabled the sportsman to arrive home with his game in good condition. A further reason is that the best dogs will often pass birds in the hot days of February and March which they would be certain to find in cooler weather. An alteration was tried, but there is a class of quail shooters who delight to boast of the number of brace they kill in a season. They like to get to work early, and, as the quail with young ones lies close and flies slowly when flushed, it is easily bagged, whilst the full-grown young ones and those free from parental cares are more alert, and dash away when disturbed, often flying out of sight before they alight again. When on deputations to the Government on this subject the statement is often made that no sportsman will shoot a " squeaker " — that is, a young bird not fully grown, which always utters a squeaking note when flushed. Well, if such be the case, I can only say that the majority of quail- shooters are not sportsmen. This season (1911) it was ilotified a few days before that the Vol. XXVIII. igii 1 Keartl.\nd, The Alteration of the Quail Season. 91 opening day would l^e the 14th February. I visited several paddocks on the previous Saturday to try and locate a few birds, but nearly every adult quail found was accompanied by a brood of little ones. I then received an invitation to a farm, where, I was assured, there were some good birds. I went there on the opening day, and found some three-parts-grown chickens, probably a month old, scattered about the stubble, but nearly every adult bird had its brood of little ones or was sitting on eggs. I saw about a dozen broods with only wing feathers, all the rest of the body and head being covered with down. When flushed they all went in one direction — towards the top of the hill. Passing on to a grass flat some distance off, I shot a few brace of birds, which went off wildly when disturbed, showing by their mode of flight that they had nothing to detain them. On my return in the evening I was disgusted to see four shooters, with their dogs, beating just where the young ones had gone in the morning. They must have fired over one hundred cartridges in a very short time, six or seven shots being fired as fast as they could load. One of the sportsmen could not find his bird, and, as I was going to pass near where it fell, I set my dog to work, and she soon pointed the victim. It proved to be a chicken, not larger than the end of my thumb, and was lying in a hole made by a cow's hoof. As its leg and wing were broken, I killed it. On showing it to some shooters they assured me "There were plenty like that shot to-day. They all count." They explained that the craze for big scores was responsible for their conduct. All the adult hen birds I shot were full of eggs. On i8th Feliruary I went with a friend to another farm, where I found three clutches of eggs, from which the birds had been shot earlier in the morning. There were eleven, nine, and seven eggs respectively in the nests. In another paddock my dog " ])ointed " at a tussock, which I kicked, thinking it con- cealed a rabbit. As the dog would not leave the spot, I laid down my gun and parted the grass, and soon captured a female quail, uninjured. My friend took it home alive, and placed it in an aviary by itself. Next morning he found that it had laid an egg. I have not been out since, as the few old birds have been shot, and there are no young ones coming on. The best proof of the absurdity of the last alteration of the opening day of the season is to be gained by a perusal of the Fish Market reports in the daily press. During May, quail realized up to 2s. per brace by auction. What the consumers had to pay my hearers may be able to. guess. On inquiry at our leading game-sellers' shop I was informed that " quail are very scarce — in fact, there are none coming into the market.'' Is it any wonder that quail are scarce when they have only been 92 Keartland, The Alteration of the Quail Season. [sepVenVber' allowed to rear one brood instead of three or four, which they would do if permitted ? As the Stubble Quail, Cotiirnix pedoralis, usually lays about forty eggs in a season — i.e., between September and April— the scarcity of birds is easily accounted for. This is emphasized by the fact that all the indications pointed to a good season. If some means could be devised for limiting the number of cartridges to be used or shaming quail-shooters into moderation in the extent of their bag, something good might result. At present our principal quail-shooters are simply slaughterers, gloating over the number they can kill ; but a sportsman derives his pleasure from seeing his dogs work and testing his skill on strong, fast birds, which, being fully grown and in prime condition, are worth taking home at the close of a pleasant day with dog and gun. My experience this season is corroborated by the press reports from Ballarat and many other districts. [Since reading my paper the following telegram appeared in the Age of 19th July, thus proving that all quail do not migrate and leave the State before the ist of April : — " The Quail Season. — Good bags at Berrybank. Ballarat, Monday. — Quail are numerous in the neighborhood of Berry- bank. They abound in particular in a 400-acre paddock belong- ing to Mr. J. Dixon, where on Saturday two sportsmen obtained no brace. It is Mr. Dixon's intention to reserve this paddock for special occasions." It is also reported that young birds were found at Ballarat on the opening day, but where they were not disturbed they matured, and furnished good sport later on. — G. A. K.] The Tupong. — In the " Records of the Australian Museum," vi. (1905), p. 38, Mr. E. R. Waite recorded a specimen of the Tupong, Pseitdaphriiis hassii, Cuv. and Val., from the Murray River, near its junction with the Darling, this being, he stated, a new record for Western New South Wales. Recently an example was captured in the Murray at Mildura, a few miles up stream from the locality of Mr. Waite's specimen, and for- warded to the National Museum for identification. The specimen is the first I have seen from the northern parts of this State, though it is common in many of our southern streams, ranging as far east as the Gippsland Lakes. In a note published in the Naturalist for June, 1899 (vol. xvi., p. 31), Dr. T. S. Hall, M.A., drew attention to a specimen then living in the saltwater tanks at the Melbourne Aquarium. — J. A. Kershaw. Vol. XXVIII. 1911 J Kershaw. Additions to the Fish Fauna of Victoria. 93 ADDITIONS TO THE FISH FAUNA OF VICTORIA. No. III. By J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., Curator Zoological Department, National Museum, Melbourne. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, \^th Augi, 191 1.) The following species in the collection of the National Museum, although already known from other parts of the Australian coast, have not previously been recorded from Victorian waters : — Family HISTIOPTERID.F:. Zanclistius elevatus, Ramsay and Ogilby. Histiopteriis elevatus. Rams, and Ogil., Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. (2), iii., 1888, p. 1,311 ; Waite, Mem. Aust. Mus., iv. (1899), p. 114, pi. xxvi. Zanclistius elevatus, Jordon, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxii. (1907), p. 236 ; Waite, Rec. Canterb. Mus., i. (1911), p. 216. Long-finned Boar Fish. D. VL26, A. III. 15, V. 1.5, P. 16, C. 17. L. lat. 70, L. tr. |f. Length of head, 3 ; height of body, 1.3 in length (without caudal) ; length of snout, 2.1 ; interorbital space, 3.2 ; diameter of eye, 3.1 in length of head. The third dorsal ray is the longest, being i^ in the length of the head and body, and slightly less than the height of the body. The first anal spine is short, rather less than the first dorsal ; the second is the longest, about equal to the third dorsal spine, and three times the length of the head. The pectorals equal the length of the head. The ventral spine is broad, flattened, and curved, with longitudinal striae. The third, fourth, and fifth rays equal, and as long as the head. In colour the specimen agrees with the description given by Waite, but all the fin rays are more or less pale yellow, the ventral spine and membrane blackish, and the caudal shows three indistinct transverse dark bands. The large oval black blotch on the dorsal extends from the thirteeenth to the eighteenth rays, and is margined with creamy white, this colour continuing along several of the rays in two broken lines. The cheeks, opercula, and base of pectoi'al silvery ; eye yellow, blotched above and below with black. A single example of this fish was taken oft" Queenscliff in May last and forwarded, among others, to the Melbourne Fish Market. It is in good condition, and measures eleven inches in length. A second, though somewhat damaged, specimen was found among an old collection of stuffed fishes in the Museum. Unfortunately, no particulars are known con- cerning it, though, as all the species in this collection occur in 94 Kershaw, Additions to the Fish Fauna of Victoria. [septen^ber' Victoria, there is good reason to assume it was taken in Victorian waters. The species was founded on an imperfect specimen ii^ inches long, obtained in the Sydney Fish Market, and taken by tlie trawl net in 70 fathoms of water off Port Jackson. A good series was subsequently obtained by the Thetis trawling expedition off the New South Wales coast, from which the species was re-described, and an excellent figure given by Mr. E. R. Waite,* then Zoologist of the Australian Museum, Sydney. In his " Edible Fishes of New South Wales " (1908), Stead also figures a specimen of this fish under the vernacular name of the Short Boar Fish. Still more recently Waite f has been able to extend the range of the species to New Zealand waters, a single example being taken in the Bay of Plenty during the New Zealand Government trawling expedition in 1907. Family CARANOID^. Naucrates ductor, Linn. Pilot Fish. Linn., Syst. Nat. (loth ed.), 1758, p. 295. Day, Fish. India, p. 229 (1878-88), pi. li. {a), fig. 2. This well-known and widely distributed fish has apparently not been previously recorded from the Victorian coast, though from its peculiar habit of accompanying large sharks, and even ships, it is probably a fairly frequent visitor. It is distributed throughout the temperate and tropical regions, and has been recorded from several parts of Australia, as well as Tasmania. The usual length is from nine to twelve inches, and it is said to attain a length of two feet. In 1901 a large specimen of the Leathery Turtle, Sphargis coriacca, entered Corio Bay, at Geelong, and was accompanied by numbers of Pilot Pish. The turtle was captured by some local fishermen, together with over a dozen of the fish, and afterwards exhibited in that city, where I had an opportunity of examining them. Again, in May, 1902, the large Basking Shark, Ceiorhinus maximiis, which was captured in Hobson's Bay, and is now in the Museum collection, was noticed to be accompanied by a number of these interesting fishes. In March of last year a specimen, measuring nine inches in length, was caught by an angler at Frankston, and forwarded to the Museum for identification, and a few days later another was captured at the same spot. When fresh the fish was of a beautiful dark blue colour, paler below, the lower half of the body tinged with golden. * Mem. Aust. Mas., iv. (1859), p. 114, pi. xxvi. ■j- Rec. Canterb. Mus., i., No. 3 (191 1), p. 216. Vol. XXVIII. igi I 1 Kershaw, Additions to the Fish Fauna of Victovia. 95 Top of head and snout, inchiding the region of the eye, nearly black, with bluish reflections. A short, dark streak along the edge of the pre-operculum. Body with five well-defined, dark, transverse bands, extending on to the fins. Base of caudal and lobes blackish, the latter tipped with white, as is also the most anterior and posterior rays of the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins. Pectoral whitish at base, with black tip, corresponding to the body bands, while on the under side, the upper half, embracing the whole length of the longest rays, is black, and the lower half white. Family CH^TODONTID^. Ch.etodon sexfasciatus. Rich. Richardson, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., x. (1842), p. 26. Giinther, Cat. Fish., ii., p. 35 (i860). Three specimens of this fish have been received from Victorian waters — namely, from Mordialloc (Port Phillip Bay), Western Port Bay, and Split Point. The latter was forwarded by Mr. G. T. W. Stevens, then lightkeeper at Split Point lighthouse, from whom I had previously received a sketch of another specimen taken at the same place. The original specimen described by Richardson was collected by Gould in Western Australia. The species is also recorded from New South Wales. Distribution of Trout. — During the winter over 33,000 yearling trout have been distributed by the Agricultural Depart- ment, under the superintendence of Major Semmens, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, in various Victorian streams and reser- voirs. Many places were far distant from the hatcheries, and it speaks well for the skill of all concerned that only 89 deaths occurred. " Physiography of Eastern Australia." — This publica- tion forms Bulletin No. 8 of the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne, and is from the pen of Griffith Taylor, B.Sc, F.G.S., Physiographer to the Bureau. It consists of 18 folio pages, with 28 figures, many of which are whole-page maps The author traces the changes which have taken place in the mountains and rivers of eastern Australia since Cretaceous times, and considers the effect of these changes on the positions of the railway systems of the different States, and the relations between contour and rainfall, &c. A previous Bulletin (No. 6) by the same author deals with the physiography of the proposed federal capital at Canberra, and, being well illustrated with maps and diagrams, enables the reader to easily grasp the salient features of the district, which has an elevation of about 2,000 feet above sea-level. 96 Gabriel, Exotic Mollusca found at Coode Island. [sepVember' NOTES ON EXOTIC MOLLUSCA FOUND AT COODE ISLAND, WITH LISTS OF SPECIES. By C. J. Gabriel. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 14th August, 191 1 .) In May last a most interesting paper was read before this Club by Mr. J. R. Tovey, of the National Herbarium. ^Melbourne, entitled 'Notes on Coode Island and its Flora" {Vict. Nat., xxviii., p. 56), in which he gave a general description of the locality, dealing with the early history of the site and the formation of the island in September, 1886. This description is so accurate that there is no need for me to add any further particulars. While commenting on the occurrence of so many foreign plants, Mr. Tovey stated that ships' ballast had been deposited there, and might be responsible for the introduction of these aliens, adding that a visit to Coode Island would probably repay the conchologist. His remark recalled to my mind the fact that, in 1900, a vessel from Durban, South Africa, deposited some ballast shells on our shores — first at Geelong, again coming up the bay, and finally on the roadway adjacent to the Alfred Graving Dock, Wifliamstown. This action has caused, and may continue to cause, trouble in the matter of these shells being regarded as belonging to our local fauna. Hence, I con- sidered the statement significant, and of sufficient importance to warrant a careful examination of the locahty. In company with a fellow-member the spot was duly visited, but the only "ballast" noticed contained representatives of our Victorian shells, which I have recorded in the July Naturalist (vol. xxviii., p. 50). These shells were i^robably contained in material carted there from the neighbourhood of St. Kilda or South Melbourne when filling in the island. On communicating this fact to Mr. Tovey, he suggested that possibly we had hunted the wrong ground — a contention which eventually proved correct, as, when a second visit was made along with him, a collection of some sixty species of foreign mollusca was obtained. The spot in question is situated about two hundred yards from the south-west corner of the island, and nearly opposite Cuming, Smith's chemical works ; but Mr. Tovey found the surroundings entirely changed since his last visit, a few months before, inasmuch as the ballast heaps observed on that occasion had been spread, and were now overgrown with the introduced South African Spinach, Tetragona procumbens. Still another trip was made, when the number of foreign species was aug- mented to 121. Here and there patches of ballast remained un- covered—these were thoroughly searched, and yielded an interesting collection of two distinct faunas. The quaint little Nassa kraitssiana, Dunker, found in numbers, and Patella Vol. XXVIII. 1911 ] Gabriel, Exotic Mollusca found at Coode Island. C)j riisHca, Linn., suggested South African material, while North America was denoted by the finding of the large Nassa fossata, Gould, and Crncibuhtju sbinositm, Sow., which appeared in great quantity. Possibly with further search more species could be obtained. Since two faunas widely separated are represented at this locality, it is, I think, of paramount importance that a list be made and recorded. Of the total, go species have been identified, the remaining being in too indifferent a condition for certain identification. However, where possible the genus is given. It is interesting to observe that the South African representatives on this occasion are in many instances identical with specimens obtained in the Durban ballast of 1900, a dray- load of which was carefully worked over by our fellow-member, Mr. J. H. Gatliff. The identification of material such as this, and especially when in bad condition, is no easy task, and I have to acknow- ledge great assistance from Mr. Gatlii^'s labours. The North American species were identified by comparison with specimens received from a Calif ornian correspondent. With this evidence I venture to suggest , that these are the localities for our Coode Island foreigners. My note is somewhat brief, its object being merely to place on record the existence of these exotic shells on the island. As a Club we have to thank Mr. Tovey for bringing this matter under our notice, and I think some satisfaction is gained in the fact that by so doing we bequeath a help to subsequent workers, in whatever branch of natural history they may be concerned. The following is the list of mollusca found : — North America. Gastropoda. Nassa fossata, Gould. perpinguis, Hinds. Phasianella compta, Gould. Scala hindsi, Carp. Columbella gausapata, Carp. Conus californicus, Hinds. Olivella biplicata, Sby. semistriata, Gray. Littorina littorea, Linn. Calliostoma gemmulatuni. Carp. Omphalius fuscescens, Phil. Crucibiilum spinosum, Sby. Crepidula fornicata. Linn. adunca, Sby. dorsata. Born. Natica triseriata, Say. Nacella incessa. Hinds. Dentalium hexagonum, Sby. Lamellibranchiata. Ostrea lurida, Carp. Chlamys sequisulcatus. Carp. monotimeris, Conrad. Mytilus calif ornianus, Conrad. Cardium mortoni, Conrad. edule, Linn. Chione similliraa, Sby. Glycimeris septentrionalis, Midd. Area transversa. Say. Donax culter, Hanley. Siliqua bidentata. Spongier. 98 rVict. Nat. Gabriel, Exotic Mollusca found at Qoode Island. [sept'eiiiber South Africa. Gastropoda. Nassa kraussiana, Dunker. producta, Sby. Sistrum undatum, Chem. Purpura squamosa, Lam. Cominella lagenaria, Desh. ,, puncturata, Sby. Melongena paradisiaca, Mart. Marginella dunkeri, Krauss. Conus tessellatus, Born. Columbella turturina, Lam. Mitra capensis, Dunker. Buccinanops digitale, Meusch. tenui, Gray, diluta, Krauss. Turritella carinifera. Lam. Pyramidella terebellum, Lam. Cerithium morus, Lam. Calliostoma farquhari, Sby. Priotrochus obscurus, Wood. Rissoa nigra, Wood. Rissoina crassa, Ang. Phasianella kochii, Phil. Natica imperforata, Sby. mamilla, Lam. marochiensis. Gmcl. queketti, Sby. clavata, Sby. Calyptrzea chinensis, Linn. Fissurella incarnata, Krauss. Glyphis crucifera, Pilsbry. Patella rustica, Linn. granularis, Linn. Siphonaria concinna, Sby. aspera, Krauss. albo-fasciata, Krauss. Cyclostoma lineatus, Pfeiffer. Lamellibranchiata. Chlamys fultoni, Sby. pusio, Linn. Pecten sulcicostatus, Sby. Sunetta ovalis, Sby. Dosinia lincta, Pulteney. Chione verrucosa, Linn. arakenensis, Nevill. Meretrix manilhe, Sby. sowerbyi, Rve. Tapes kochii, Phil. quadriradiata, Desh. Circe divaricata, Chem. Felania subradiata, Sby. Diplodonta rotundata, Mont. Tellina dubia, Desh. crawfordi, Sby. Donax faba, Chem. sordidus, Rve. ,, elongatus. Lam. simplex, Sby. Mactra adansoni, Phil. I'argillierti, Phil. Area obliquata, Sby. lactea, Linn. navicularis, Brug. Unidentified Species, Locality Unknown — presumably South Africa or North America. Gastropoda. Nassa, sp. (?) Ancilla, sp. (?) (three species). Calliostoma, sp. (?) Gibbula, sp. (?) Minolia, sp. (?) Crepidula, sp. (?) Vermicularia, sp. (?) Patella, sp. (?) Tornatina, sp. (?) Turbo, sp. (?) (operculum), (two species). Genus (?) sp. (?) Bothriembryon, sp. (?) Lamellibranchiata. Lucina, sp. (?) (five species). Semele, sp. (?) Tellina, sp. (?) (four species). Psammobia, sp. (?) Donax, sp. (?) (two species). Area, sp. (?) Unio, sp. (?) Genus (?), sp. (?) vol.xxviii.j Covyespondence. 99 CORRESPONDENCE. THE LOWAN, OR MALLEE-HEN. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. Sir, — In reading the extremely interesting lecture by Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, on " The Birds of Victoria " in the Decem- ber number of your journal, I was somewhat surprised to learn that the young Lowan chick never knows its jiarents. Although I have never seen the small, young chickens and the old Lowans in company, my many years' rambling in the haunts of these remarkable birds has quite satisiied me that the young chick does know its parents. In the first place, after the young chicks have made their escape from the nesting mound they do not wander far, as their fresh little footprints may be plainly seen around the nesting mound and in the vicinity for many weeks afterwards. Now, as the parent birds keep in the neighbourhood of their nesting mound throughout the nesting season, the young Lowans must necessarily often meet their parents. If Mr. Leach can explain to me how it is that the young Lowan cannot recognize or know its parents he will greatly enlighten me on the matter. According to my obser- vations, when once the young chicks are out of the mound the old birds do not assist them to seek their daily food, as the young ones are quite capable of looking after themselves. I have known a young chick to pick up bread crumbs that were thrown upon the ground within two hours after I had taken it out of the nesting mound. — I am, yours, &c., C. M'LENNAN. BOOK NOTICE. Australia in its Physiographic and Economic Aspects By Griffith Taylor, B.A., B.Sc, B.E., F.G.S. 263 pp. (7i X 5), with 60 figures in the text. Oxford : The Clarendon Press. 191 1. 3s. 6d. The author, who was formerly Lecturer in Economic Geography in the University of Sydney, and is now Physiographer to the Commonwealth Meteorological Bureau (though at present acting as geologist to Captain Scott's Antarctic Expedition), has succeeded in producing a highly interesting account of Australia from a physiographic and economic point of view. The volume forms one of a series of Oxford geographies, edited by Dr. A. J. Herbertson. In his introduction the author rightly complains of the small space usually given to Aus- tralia in leading geographies and atlases as compared with countries which, as regards the British Empire, at any rate. TOO Book Notices. \V.tJ^:^\■ are of far less importance. Under physiographic aspects chapters are devoted to the exploration and exploitation, physical conditions, natural regions (vegetation, geology, &c.), with a special study of New South Wales. Under economic aspects the author deals with stock-raising, agriculture, mining, minor industries, and transport, finally giving a forecast of the future close settlement of our continent, regarding which his conclusions are that, as the suitability of the continent for settlement depends upon rainfall and position, 24^ per cent, must be considered as useless, to which ig| per cent., with a rainfall of less than 10 inches, must be added if the risks of bad seasons are to be allowed for, making a total of 44 per cent, which he classes as arid ; 17^ per cent, (ten times the area of Java) is suitable for tropical agriculture : while 39 J per cent, is suitable for profitable white settlement Of this latter, 28 per cent, is good pastoral country, and 11 per cent, (three times the area of Great Britain") good temperate farming country. The writer's comments are well illustrated through- out by maps and diagrams, and we trust the volume will show other geographers the importance of Australia as a contributor to the world's needs, even though, compared with its size, it is thinly populated. It should also help to clear up many of the inaccuracies regarding Australia which continually crop up in contemporary literature. Though the writer has traversed a large portion of the continent himself, naturally the writings of many other authors are quoted, but to each due reference is given. Sanctuaries for Game. — Nearly thirty Crown reserves, amounting to 234 square miles, and twenty-three private estates, covering about 25 square miles, have been proclaimed as sanctuaries for native game in Victoria. These are situated in all parts of the State, and, if the regulations are respected, should in a few years become real homes for our feathered friends. Flying Foxes. — " Near some of the creeks the clusters met with must have represented tens of thousands of this combi- nation of bird and animal ; and as they measured some four or five feet from wing- tip to wing-tip, you can understand what sort of commotion they produced, and the shadow they cast." From " By Flood and Field," a new volume by Mr. Alfred Searcy, of Adelaide, author of " In Australian Tropics," which was so favourably received some months ago. From its pages many interesting particulars about the natural history of the Northern Territory may b'e gleaned, as well as information regarding the aboriginal inhabitants of that part of Aus- tralia. Cl)e Uictorian naturalist. Vol. XXVIII. —No. 6. OCTOBER 5. 1911. No. 334. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth September, iqii. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 50 meml:)ers and \'isitors were present. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Bayswater on Saturday, 26th August, was forwarded by the leader, Mr. C. F. Cole, who re- ported an attendance of about fifteen members. The afternoon was devoted to ornithology, and several interesting species were met with, such as a flock of Flame-breasted Robins, among which there were several of the Scarlet-breasted species of both sexes ; opportunity was therefore taken to point out the differences between the two species. A pair of Yellow-tailed Tits was noticed seeking for insects on the ground, and, on a search being made, a nest was found among the branches of a native cherry close by. A beautiful specimen of the Golden- breasted Whistler (formerly known as the White-throated Thickhead), Pachycephala pectoralis, was seen devouring the larvae of some leaf-eating insect. A flock of the Red Wattle- bird (Wattled Honey-eater), Acanthochcera cayuncnlata, was seen flying overhead. Altogether, some seventeen species of birds were noted during the short time available for the ramble. A I'eport of the excursion to Ringwood on Saturday, 9th September, was given by the leaders, Messrs. A. H. E. Matting- ley, C.M.Z.S., and J. W'. Audas. The former, dealing with the birds, said that, the locality being so close to that of the previous excursion, the ornithology was practically the same, no remarkable species being noted. Mr. J. W. Audas, dealing with the plants, stated that about forty species were met with in bloom. A north-westerly direction was taken from the station over the prevailing grey loamy sofl of the district. The Native Heath, Epacris impressa, was everywhere, while a number of the smaller spring flowers carpeted the ground. A particularly fine specimen of the Kangaroo Acacia, .4. armata, in full bloom, was a pretty sight, but too prickly to handle. The white variety of Comesperma ericinitm was met with. A hillside studded with PuUenaa stricta, var. Gunnii, covered with its orange flowers, had a charming effect. In the shade of some eucalyptus saplings 102 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [^Octob^r'' a specimen of the orchid Ptcrostylis longijolia was gathered, with a stem measuring thirty-three inches. Near by live other orchids, P. peditncidata, P. nutans, Dinris macnlata, D. longi- jolia, and Caladenia carnea, were found in bloom. Some fine specimens of Exocarpits ctipressiformis, generally known as the Native Cherry, well laden with its so-called fruits, were seen. Six species of climbers were noted — viz., Glycine clandeslina, Billardiera scandens. Clematis aristata, Comesperma volubile, Thysanotiis Pateysoni. and Hardenbergia {Kennedya) mono- phylla — the latter a glorious sight with its masses of purple . flowers entwining the stems of the gum saplings. Of ferns, only three species were noted — the Maiden-hair, Adiantum Mthiopicum, the Screw Fern, Lindsaya linearis, and the bracken, Pteris aqiiilina. The afternoon's ramble was brought to a pleasant conclusion by partaking of "billy" tea, kindly pro- vided by one of the ladies. ELECTION' OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. R. E. Summers, Commonwealth Laboratory, ^lelbourne. was duly elected as a member ; and Miss Annie ]\Iommsen, Ivanhoe, Master Willie Brunet, St. Kilda. Master George Glannon, Middle Park, and Master Robert Oxley, Middle Park, as junior members of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. G. Coghill said that the subscriptions through the Club to the Sayce Fund had amounted to £53, which had been handed over for the benefit of the children. Dr. Hall said that he still had Mr. Sayce's microscope and a large number of microscopical slides to dispose of. These could be seen at Mr. J..Searle's, 274 ColHns-street. PAPERS READ. I. By Mr. A. G. Campbell, entitled " A Census of the Grampian Plants." The author referred to previous records of Grampian plants, and said that, as the flora of the Grampians was so interesting and distinct, and as so many additions had been made since the publication by the late Mr. D. Sullivan of his census in 1890, he thought it would be of value to botanists to have the list brought up to date. Mr. Sullivan had recorded 550 species. His investigations had added 76 names to the list, which, with other records, brought the total up to 686, and it was possible a few other species might yet be added. Prof. A. J. Ewart, D.Sc, said the Club was indebted to Mr. Campbell for his interesting paper, but he regretted the author had not treated the matter of plant associations more fully ; Vol. XXVI ir. igii "I Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 103 however, that could be dealt with later, when more data as to the prevalence of certain species was available. Mr. G. Coghill drew attention to the singular beauty of the Grampian flora, and urged members to visit the mountains in spring, when they were decked with flowers unequalled in any other part of the State. Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, considered that the scenery and floral wealth of the Grampians were more attractive than those of the Buffalo Mountains, and said that the causes which pro- duced such an attractive landscape had not yet been satis- factorily accounted for. He remarked that residents of the plains surrounding the mountains greatly exaggerated the difficulties of exploring their fastnesses, which, however, would not be thought much of by visitors used to hilly country. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard said that the peculiar name. Mount Zero, given to the most northerly peak of the mountains, recorded the fact that when Major Mitchell spent a night on Mount William in July, 1836, the thermometer fell below freezing point, in consequence of which one of his party suffered severely from frost-bite. 2. By Mr. J. C. Goudie, entitled " Notes on the Coleoptera of North-Western Victoria, Part III." The author dealt with the beetles belonging to the family StaphylinidcE, of which he recorded twenty-six species. The members of the group are generally of an unattractive character, and little is known of their life-histories. He gave, however, some account of the habitats of the different species. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard congratulated the author on the useful work he is doing, and wished that similar observations for other portions of the State would be undertaken. 3. By Mr. Reginald Kelly, entitled " From Healesville to Mount Donna-Buang." The author described a ride taken in midwinter along the range from the Badger River to Mount Donna-Buang (4,080 feet), when, owing to the amount of snow on the ground, only shrubs and trees could be noted with any degree of certainty. He remarked on the great resemblance between the young forms of E. globulus and E. goniocalyx, the latter being easily mistaken for the former — the common blue gum. From his observations he considered the district would provide ample work for investigation at a more propitious time of year. The author also gave some account of the origin and meaning of the name Donna-Buang, about which there is some uncertainty. Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., remarked that in the Otway Forest E. goniocalyx was often sold as blue gum by the sawmillers, who maintained that it was an equally good timber. I04 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [^October*' NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Birds in the Mallee. — Mr. J. C. Goudie forwarded some interesting notes of unusual bird visitors to the Sea Lake district, North- Western Victoria. These consisted of the Black Cockatoo, the Kookaburra, the Black-cheeked Falcon, and the Silver Gull. With regard to the latter, it might be remarked that Sea Lake is over 200 miles from the nearest portion of the coast. EXHIBITS. By Mr. J. W. Audas. — Specimen of orchid Pterostylis longi- folia, the " Tall Green-hood," with flower stem thirty- three inches long, found during Ringwood excursion, 9th September. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells, Akera soluta, Chem., from Mauritius, also a South Australian specimen ; and Halia pfkimiis, Meusch, from Spain. By Mr. W. G. Mackintosh. — Three specimens of wood opal from Tasmania. By Mr. J. R. Tovey. — Fruit of the Papaw-tree, Carica papaya, L., a native of tropical America. This tree is cul- tivated in Queensland and elsewhere for the sake of its fruit, which is edible, and has many useful properties. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Conversazione and Exhibition of Wild Flowers, 26th and 27th September. — The full report will appear in the Novem- ber Naturalist. Microscopical Society of Victoria. — The third annual meeting was held on 24th September, when an encouraging report was presented. The new president is Mr. J. Shephard, with the Rev. W. Fielder and Mr. J. Searle as vice-presidents. Dr. J. C. Kaufmann was re-elected hon. secretary. Large Blackfish. — An angler who takes a 2-lb. Blackfish, Gadopsis marmoratus, considers himself lucky ; but on 30th August a party of anglers secured 50 lbs. weight of this fish from the Bunyip River. Among them were fish weighing 6 lbs. 3 ozs., 5| lbs., 4^ lbs., and 4 lbs. The heaviest fish, measuring 24^ inches in length, 13I in girth, and 5| in depth, was forwarded to the Victorian Anglers' Club, to be stuffed and mounted as a trophy for the club rooms. It is gratifying to know that at Geelong an attempt is being made to rear Blackfish artificially, and thus re-stock our streams with one of the most toothsome of fishes, and one which takes no little art to catch, owing to its retiring habits. ^°'- ^^/^'^'j Campbell, A Census of Grampian Plants. 105 A CENSUS OF GRAMPIAN PLANTS. By a. G. Campbell. {Read before the Field Naturalisfs' Club of Victoria, lltli, Sejjt., 1911.) It was in 1836 that the first botanical specimens were collected from the Victorian Grampians. Major (afterwards Sir Thomas) Mitchell, the soldier-explorer, in the overlanding journey that made him famous, ascended and named Mount William in the month of July of that year. It would be interesting to know the discoverer's personal impressions of the flora, but he leaves none in his diary. The time of year, it is true, was not the most favourable, but his imagination was already fully occupied with the marvellous agricultural possibilities of the Loddon and Wimmera plains, through which he had just passed. The famous cognomen, " Australia Felix," first came from his pen, an inspiration from these plains ; and Mitchell was the first man to prophesy the teeming population of rural workers this country would one day carry. Compared with this, the moun- tains, to his mind, would be a wild waste of rock. Nevertheless, he was practical enough to carry away some specimens of the common plants of Mount William. These passed into the hands of Lindley, and received their scientific names. Some of these were Tetratheca ciliata, Daviesia hrevifolia, Pultencea )iiollis, Dillwynia hispida. Eucalyptus alpina, Cryptandra tomentosa, and Grevillea aquijolia. Then came Dr. (afterwards Baron von) Mueller in 1853,* when the secrets of the mountain's flora were exhaustively laid bare. What few species that illustrious botanist failed to enumerate were brought subsequently before him by his dis- ciples and able assistants, Mr. John Dallachy and Mr. Daniel Sullivan, of Moyston. The lists published by the latter gentle- man appeared in the Southern Science Record, vols. ii. (1882) and in. (1883), and in the " Proceedings of the Australasian iVssociation for the Advancement of Science," Melbourne meeting, 1890. The second list will be taken as the basis of all future compilations of Grampian flora. Further small additions were made in the report of the Field Naturalists' Club visit to the Grampians in 1891 (Vict. Nat., viii., p. 181), and in a paper by Mr. G. Weindorfer which appeared in the Victorian Naturalist, vol. xxii., p. 48. That Sullivan's list (erroneously called a complete census) has been added to by some 136 species is sufficient excuse for this present attempt to bring the census up to date. The total now of 686 species of flowering plants and ferns is no mean one, and it places the Grampians in a proud position among plant areas of this State. * See Vict. Nat., xxi., p. 19. io6 Campbell, A Census of Grampian Plants. [ q| Vict. Nat. ctober The time is not far distant when more attention wiU be paid to geological considerations in connection with plant lists. The association of native plant life with soil, and therefore with the mother rock that produced it, is not yet recognized in its full importance. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that a definite rock, producing a definite set of soil conditions, in turn ex- presses itself in a definite type of plant-life, patent to all observers. Therefore, associated with the publication of any plant list there should be an introductory statement of the features, both geological and geographical, of the area under notice. The Grampian formation * lies in Western Victoria, about meridian 142° 30', and between the 37th and 38th parallels, in general shape much like that of a giant boomerang. Mount William, the culminating point, rising 3,830 feet above sea level, is on the bend, while one terminating point, Mount Zero, is 32 miles N.N.W., and the other. Mount Sturgeon, is 28 miles S.S.W. The formation embraces several series of ranges. The northern half is the Difficult Range, the Grampians proper lie much about the central position, while the Serra Range — perhaps the most remarkable of all the series — runs from Mount Rosea, behind Mount William, including ]\Iiddleton, D' Alton, Lubra, and Frederick Peaks, to Mounts Abrupt and Sturgeon, near Dunkeld. A score or more of unnamed peaks in this chain rise 2,000 feet above the plains. West of the Serra is a parallel range called the Victoria Range, while west of Mount Difficult is the Black Range. Two separate outliers of the same rock are Mount Dundas (west of Victoria Range) and Mount Arapiles (near Natimuk). They are both about 20 miles distant from the main mass. A tourist map at present in course of compilation by the Lands Department will do much to open up the district, and enable visitors to understand the topography, which cannot be gained from the usual maps. The whole of this mountain system consists of sedimentary rock of a sandstone nature. There may be much variety in texture, from fine-grained freestone to coarse and rough sandstone (sometimes with included lumps of quartz) ; but there is no shale or slate. Bands of hardened quartzite are found in places. The Grampian sandstones are thought to be of Devonian age, but lithological nature and stratigraphical position are the only grounds upon which this classification is based. The nature of the deposits is such that fossil evidence has not been preserved to us. The colouration of the rock is from yellowish-white to rich reddish-brown ; but the prevailing soil is loose and sandy, from whitish to nearly black in colour, according to the quantity of * See " Rambles Round the Grampians," Vict. Nat., xxvii. (1910), p. 31. Vol. XXVIII. igii 1 Campbell, A Census of Grampian Plants. 107 included humic matters. The whole formation of these old red sandstones has a dip in a westerly direction at a low angle, with the exception of Mount Dundas and the Black Range, which dip approximately eastward, thereby indicating a synclinal axis between them and the rest of the formation. The re- markable and regular dip gives rise to scenery at once striking and characteristic. There is a gentle westward slope to all the hills, while to the east the beds of rock break off abruptly in bold escarpments and almost vertical cliffs. How much plant-life is governed by these conditions may easily be imagined. With a good rainfall (Pomonal has aver- aged 32 inches for the past 11 years), the mountains give shelter to plants of many genera that otherwise would not find foothold. With varying site and shelter, plants found in a Mallee census obtain the conditions they love in warm and dry quarters ; while not far away, in some shaded glen, representatives of the Gippsland flora flourish. But, apart from this, the character- istically Grampian conditions are expressed in plants of much botanical interest. A score or more, most prominent among which are Eucalyptus alpina, Thryptomene Mitchelliana, Calv- cothrix Sullivani, Grevillea oleoides, Baiiera sessiliflora, Prostan- thera debilis, Pultencea mollis, P. rosea, Candollea sohoUfera, and Stypandra glauca, are widespread in, yet restricted to, the old red sandstones. For reasons indicated above, it is to be regretted that the census of the Grampian flora published by the late Mr. Sullivan was in association with a plant-list of the Pyrenees. The very position of the Grampian mountains, lying approxi- mately north and south, in antithesis to the general direction of the Pyrenees, broad valleys and open country separating them as well, indicates an essential difference in the character of the country. The Pyrenees are as different to the Grampians as are the Australian Alps. They mark the western limit of a flora which obtains throughout the central Ordovician high- lands of Victoria, while the Grampian flora is distinctly associated with that of north-western Victoria and adjacent portions of South Australia. Baron von Mueller, in the " Key to the System of Victorian Plants," includes the Grampians in the south-western portion of the State ; but this must be taken as a matter of convenience, and is far from arbitrary, for the opening page of Part IT of the " Key " gives the explanation of the geographic indications to be " S.W.. the region from the sources of the watercourses in the south-west to the coast west of Cape Otway." A large portion of the Grampians is therefore included, since the sources of the Wannon River are in the vicinity of Mount William ; but a still larger portion must also be included in io8 Campbell, A Census of Grampian Plants. [^ octobl^' the " N.W. region, from the sources of the watercourses in the north-west to the Murray," for about Mount Wihiam streams which eventuahy empty into the Wimmera take their rise. The plan adopted by Mr. SuUivan in the Southern Science Record, of stating the general conditions under which each species grew, was both interesting and educational. In the A.A.A.S. 1890 list there is a total of 550 species of Phanerogams and Acotyledoneae for the Grampians. Forty- five of these were recorded for the first time lor the south- western region of Victoria.* No less than eight common plants, however, are overlooked, though they are recorded as Pyrenees only. I venture to suggest that this is due to clerical error, which might not have occurred had the Pyrenees plants not been associated with the Grampians list. Some species, like Drimys aromatica, appear to be doubtful, for in the " Census " the bare name appears without any reference whatever to locality. I wish to point out, further, that I think Mr. Sullivan overstepped the geographical margin of the Grampians in certain instances. I find such species as Myosiirus minimus, Samoliis repens, Polygonum minus, and Selliera radicans referred to in the marginal notes of Southern Science Record list as per- taining to saline flats, brackish creeks, and clay banks of creeks. Now, such localities do not occur in the Grampians, but possibly refer to the vicinity of Moyston, 8 miles aw^ay, the village where Mr. Sullivan lived. Styphelia strigosa, I have little hesitation in saying, belongs properly to the low, gold-bearing, Ordo- vician ridges near the Grampians, and not to the Grampians themselves. The genera Eryngium, Velleya, Lepidium, Calo- cephalus, and Swainsona savour of the rich plains adiacent, and not of the old red sandstones. I contend that a plant census of the Grampians should confine itself to those plants actually growing upon the mountains' sandy strata. The direct influence of the rock peculiar to the Grampians ceases when the step is taken on to the clay or loam of the Tertiary plains about their base. The Field Naturalists' Club added sixteen species to the list of the Grampian flora {Vict. Nat., viii.. p. 181), as the result of its excursion to the mountains in November, 1891. Three of these — namely. Glycine tahacina, Styphelia australis, and Caleya minor — were new records for the south-western region. Not till 1905 were any further additions made, when Mr. G. Weindorfer published a list in Vict. Nat., vol. xxii., p. 48, which added no less than forty-four species,| four of which, again — Comesperma * In Vict. Nat., x., p. 159, and xix., p. 104, appear many additions to geographic distributions of the " Key." f Note. — One of these, Prostartthera denticulata, was probably col- lected on the hills near Stawell en route to the Grampians. It is not found on the mountains. — A. G. C. VoI.XXVIIl. 1911 ] Campbell, A Census of Grampian Plants. 109 ericinmn, Callitris veryuco^a., Pimelea axiflora, and Sagina pro- cumbens — were new to the south-west. This makes the number of plants enumerated in pubHshed Hsts to date 610 species. The remainder, some 76 species, now recorded by the present writer (twelve of which are new to the south-west) Ijrings the Grampian census to the number of 686 species. Before concluding, I desire to acknowledge the assistance received from the National Herbarium, through the kindness of Prof. Ewart, in identifying many of the difficult or doubtful specimens, which proved to be new to the district, and are recorded in the list herewith. In the following list are given the names of those plants added to the Grampian flora since the publication of Sullivan's census of i8go. Those marked with an asterisk only were, however, included in Sullivan's list, but were not recorded from the south-west in the " Key to the System of Victorian Plants," 1885. Reference Marks. * Not recorded S.W. in " Key to Victorian Plants," 1885. t Field Naturalists' Club additions, 1891. I Additions by Weindorfer, 1905. § Recorded by A. G. Campbell, 191 1. Hibbertia diffusa, R. Br. Drimys aromatica, F. v. M. Papaver aculeatum, Thunb. Hybanthus fioribundus, F. v. M. Billardiera cymosa, F. v. M. Comesperma ericinum, Cand. defoliatum, F. v. M. Eriostemon Hillebrandi, F. v. M. Geranium sessiliflorum, Cav. Pelarjjonium Rodneyanum, Mite. Casuarina quadrivalvis, Lab. suberosa. Otto and Diet. Dodona?a bursarifolia, Behr. and F. V. M. Claytonia volubilis, F. v. M. Sagina procumbens, Linne. apetala, Linne. Ptilotus spathulatus, Poiret alopecuroides, F. v. M. Mesembryanthemum sequilat- erale. Haw. Rumex bidens, R. Br. Polygonum strigosum, R. Br. Gompholobium minus, Sm. Sphnerolobium daviesioides, Turcz. Daviesia corymbosa, var. mimos-' oides. I ,, ulicina, var. ruscifolia. Pultenaea Benthami, F. v. M. * Pultenaea subumbellata. Hook. § ,, humilis, Benth. * ,, villifera. Sieb. * Dillwynia hispida, Lind. "§ Templetonia sulcata, Benth. § Lotus corniculatus, Linne. § ,, Australis, Andr. "t Glycine tabacina, Benth. § Acacia diffusa, Edw. § ,, acinacea, Lind. § ,, stricta, Willd. "§ ,, penninervis, Sieb. § ,, implexa, Benth. •=§ ,, longifolia, var. mucro- nata. I ,, mollissima. § ,, dealbata, Link. * Alchemilla vulgaris, Bau. t Leptospermum myrtifolium. f Kunzea parvifolia. * Callistemon coccineus, F. v. M. § ,, salignus, Cand. t Melaleuca ericifolia, Sm. * Eucalyptus pauciflora, Sieb. * ,. amygdalina. Lab. * ,, macrorrhyncha, F. v. M. * Pomaderris vaccinifolia, Reis. and F. v. M. t .,, subrepanda, Reis. and F. v. M. no Campbell, A Census of Grampian Plants. [^ Octob + Cryptandra D'Altoni, F. v. M. + ,, tomentosa, Liiidl. f ,, Hookeri, F. v. M. J Hydrocotyle hirta, R. Br. * Didiscus pusillus, F. v. M. X Trachymene Billardieri, F. v. M § Loranthus linophyllus, Fenzl. § ,, quandang, Lindl. § Persoonia, sp. X Grevillea oleoides, Sieb. *§ ,, oleoides, var. angusti folia. * ,, Australis, R. Br. X Hakea pugioniformis, Cav. * ,. acicularis, R. Br. * (?) ,, dactyloides, Cav. X Banksia integrifolia, Linne ftls. *X Pimelea axiflora, F. v. M. X ,. octophylla. R. Br. X Sambucus Gaudichaudiana, Cand. § Brachycome cardiocarpa, F.v. M. § ,. ciliaris. Less. X Minuria leptophylla, Cand. § Aster pannosus, F. v. M. X ,, ramulosus, Lab. § ,, microphyllus, Pers. * (?) ,, aculeatus. X Helichrj'sum lucidum, Henck, X ,, leucopsidium, Cand. * (?) ,, bracteolatum, Benth. X Craspedia Richea, Cass. * Senecio vagus, F. v. M. X ,, dryadeus, Sieb. X Erechtites prenanthoides, Cand. X ,, arguta, Cand. § ,, quadridentata, Cand. § Cymbonotus Lawsonianus, Gaud. * Lobelia concolor, R. Br. X ,, pedunculata, R. Br. X Candollea serrulata, Lab. § ,, perpusilla, F. v. M. X Limnanthemixm exaltatum, F. V. M. § ,, crenatum, F. v. M. ^ Mitrasacme pilosa, Lab. § Dichondra repens, Forst. § Solanum vescum, F. v. M. § ,, aviculare, Forst. f Mazus piimilo, R. Br. X Cynoglossum latifolium, R. Br. X Prostanthera denticulata, R. Br. f Styphelia lanceolata, Sm. *t ,, Australis, F. v. M. § ,, virgata, Lab. t I * Styphelia serrulata, Lab. ,, costata. Brachyloma ericoides, Sond. Epacris obtusifolia, Sm. Sprengelia incarnata, Sm. Callitris verrucosa, R. Br. Spiranthes Australis, Lindl. Thelymitra aristata, Lindl. fusco-lutea, R. Br. Diuris punctata, Sm. maculata, Sm. Orthoceras strictum, R. Br. Calochilus Robertsoni, Benth. campestris. Prasophyllum fuscum, R. Br. fimbriatum, R. Br. Pterostylis concinna, R. Br. Caleya minor. Acianthus caudatus, R. Br. Caladenia Patersoni, R. Br. lilamentosa, R. Br. congesta, R. Br. coerulea, R. Br. Dianella Tasmanica, Hook. Arthropodium paniculatum, R. Br. laxum, Sieb. Bartlingia sessiliflora, F. v. M. (?) Triglochin nana. Potamogeton obtusifolius, Mert. and Koch. Xyris operculata. Lab. Centrolepis fascicularis. Lab. Lepyrodia Muelleri, Benth. Tasmanica, Hook. Leptocarpus tenax, R. Br. Cyperus difformis, Linne. Scirpus setaceus, Linne. inundatus, Spreng. ,, prolifer, Rottb. Schoenus imberbis. Hook. ,, apogon, Roem. and Schul. sphaerocephalus, Poir. Lepidosperma elatius, Lab. exaltatum, R. Br. concavum, R. Br. laterale, R. Br. carphoides, F. v. M. Cladium tetraquetrum. Hook. radula, R. Br. Caustis flexuosa, R. Br. ,, restiacea, F. v. M. pentandra, R. Br. Carex inversa, R. Br. Gaudichaudiana, Kunth. pseudocyperus, Linne. Vol. XXVIII. igii ] Campbell, A Census of Grampian Plants. * (?) Carex adpressa. * Lepturus incurvatus, Trin. § Hemarthria compressa, R. Br. * Stipa scabra, Lindl. X Echinopogon ovatus, Pal. X Agrostis quadriseta, R. Br. *§ Cynodon dactylon, L. Rich. § Chloris truncata, R. Br. * (?) Festuca distichophylla. * Triodia irritans, R. Br. § Distichlis maritimus, Rafin § Bromus arenarius, Lab. * Schizaea dichotoma, Sm. § Hymenophyllum nitens, R. Br. * Dicksonia davallioides, R. Br. § Lomaria discolor, var. bipin- natae. * (?) ,, procera. § Woodwardia aspera, Mett. § ,, caudata, Cav. "§ Aspidium Capense, Willd. * Polypodium grammitidis, R. Br. * ,, scandens, Forst. Plant Names. — The second instalment of the provisional list of common names for indigenous plants appeared in the Journal of Agriculture for August. The committee will be pleased to have any criticism as early as possible. Some Unusual Bird Visitors in the Mallee. — The sight of a strange bird occasionally is to the ornithologist like a new lease of life. It affords material for speculation as to the probable reason for such unexpected appearance, and, in the case of birds that are " old friends," revives pleasant memories of old associations. Thus, the advent, a few days since, of a flock of about twenty Black Cockatoos, Calyptorhynchus funereus, and especially the sound of their strange cries as they flew leisurely overhead, reminded the writer forcibly of the days when, as a lad, he roamed the bush near Langi- Ghiran, in the Pyrenees, " the home of the Black Cockatoo." A short time before this, about the beginning of August, a solitary specimen of the Kookaburra, Dacelo gigas, suddenly appeared one day in the farm-yard, and from a point of vantage kept swooping down on the mice infesting the haystack. When successful in his raid the Kookaburra would return to his perch, and swallow the unfortunate victim whole. A pair of Nankeen Kestrels, Cerchneis cenchroides, which for a long time past have regarded this particular farm-yard as their special preserve, were much incensed at this invasion of their precincts, darting incessantly at the intruder, exhibiting many pretty turns and surprising evolutions of flight meanwhile. The Kookaburra, however, took no notice of these assaults beyond presenting his great beak towards the enemy. He stayed about for a day or two, and then vanished as suddenly as he came. The third visitor was a specimen of the Black- cheeked Falcon, Falco melanogenys, a bird which I have not previously seen in the Mallee ; and, lastly, the Silver Gull, Larus novcB-hoUandicB, flocks of which have regularly appeared for some seasons past, frequenting the various water-holes and swamps in the Sea Lake and Ultima districts. — J. C. Goudie. Sea Lake, 15/8/11. 112 Kelly, From Healesville to Mount Donna-Buang. [^Ociob^r*' FROM HEALESVILLE TO MOL'NT DOXXA-BUAXG. By Reginald Kelly. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, \ith Sept., 191 1.) On hearing of the proposed ^■isit of the ^Ministerial party to Mount Donna Buang on 26th June last, a horseback party was hurriedly arranged in Healesville to ride through from that to^^^l to meet the ^isitors on the snow-laden summit. The official party went from Warburton — a stiff chmb of about four miles : the Heale5\-ille trip, by present route, though less steep, is about fourteen miles. About 8.30 a.m. I left Heales- \Tlle ^^^th the first troop of 42 horsemen, led by Assistant Forest-Ranger Bums. It was a cold, sharp morning, with every promise of a bright day. Each man carried his o\\-n pro\'isions and a pannikin. The Don road, which we traversed as far as the Badger River, is well known to many of the members of this Club, and those naturalists whom I had the pleasure of accompanying to the Badger Weir on the 31st January. 1909, will remember where we crossed the stream half way up from the road. Here the river was a raging torrent after the recent floods. The sloping banks were laid with corduroy, but it was loose and sUpper}-. Manv of the horses baulked, plunged, and caused confusion, but all crossed. The track from this point went up the Badger vaUey for a short distance, bearing away graduallv to the right till out of the characteristic gums and wattles of the flats. These principally consisted of Eucalyptus vvninalis, E. gunnii. with a few E. ohliqua and E. amygdalina. and of Acacia melanoxylon and A. dealhata, \vith here and there a Hedvcarya Cunninghami and Pomaderris apetala. Lea\"ing behiud the vegetation of the river flat, a bridle path goes east by south along the lower undulating slopes on the east side of the hiUs, over which goes the road to Malleson's Look-out. To the casual obser\-er these slopes were simply waA-ing fields of bracken, Pferis aquilina ; but that it was once densely timbered is soon learned by one who leaves the track, for this bracken is a tangle of dead boughs and tree-tnmis. These, too, at times stretch across the path, and imfortunate is it for him whose horse cannot negotiate them, for so full of obstacles and pitfalls is the way that he must go over or go back. Towards the end of the fields of bracken, and through the last mile of it, the track ascends, slightly ^^inding. up a stiff pinch, difficult to negotiate, as one must keep on the track to lead one's horse, the sides being too tangled for walking ; the horse naturally rushing, and the leader naturally pufl&ng. the animal runs him down. Fortimately, my Ught weight and my horse's strength saved me from this dilemma, for. after a Vol. XXVIII 1911 ] Kelly, From Healesville to Mount Donna-Buang. 11; short struggle, I remounted and finished the chmb with more comfort to us both. After this toilsome part of the journey we encountered a more gradual but rougher way. Loose stones and slippery outcrops of dacite, with logs, from saplings to trunks of the largest trees, strewed the way. Here, as we rode, still in Indian file, along the backbone of the ridge running westerly from the Dividing Range, which separates the head waters of the Graceburn and Watts from the Badger, and in which the high peak called Donna-Buang occurs, the flora and the scenery began to change. Looking away westerly towards Yarra Glen, large sheets of flood waters, lake-like on the flats, could be seen, whilst across them the morning train was steaming along the viaduct. On our left front, whilst looking towards Yarra Glen, was Launching Place, plainly visible ; and to the right, the highest houses of Healesville, appearing as outposts at the foot of Mount St. Leonard. Thus, Eucalyptus amygdalina gave way to E. regnans, while E. ohliqua took on the mountain form that bushmen call " Menindie," and which, in my opinion, is E. hcemasfoma. Riding in close quarters, back and front, with no chance to go aside, note could be taken of nothing smaller than medium- sized shrubs. Among these were Olearia {Aster) argophylla, stunted, and with many stems, and what was apparently 0. [Aster) stelhtlatus in alpine form ; Acacia dealhata, whose foliage was so like that of A. mollissima as almost to convert one to Maiden's grouping of these two as varieties of A. deciirrens ; but, as there was neither blossom nor bud, it is safer with such casual observation to reserve identification. At this stage, which was about half way, someone ahead had halted the troop — a fallen tree was being negotiated. Suddenly a voice at the back called out, " Look at those holly berries ! Get some." One of the party moved into the scrub. I guessed what the hollies were, and had some passed along ; they were the fruit of Coprosma hirtella, and magnificent specimens, too — luscious, and about twice the usual size Many a stunted bush of this plant had been passed recently. The next plant to attract my attention was an Eriostemon in bud. Scattered along the way, high up on the ridge, were several bushes. I could reach them from the saddle, but they were too tough to pick. Several stems sprang from each root. The leaves were very large and thick, emitting a foetid smell when crushed. My nearest companion secured two pieces for me (I had but one when I returned, and that I take to be E. myoporoides). A little further on we came to the first snow — light flakes sparsely scattered. The aneroid showed 2,000 feet above Healesville (267 ft.), and we had come but little more than half way. It was not the first snow that we had seen, for on peaks ahead, and 114 Kelly, From Healesville to Mount Donna-Buang. [^October' to our left front, where the Divide lay behind Mount Riddell, it was massed in dazzling whiteness in the sun, which, about II o'clock, shone brightly. Each step the white carpet became thicker, and covered the horses' hoofs, but those ahead had trampled a trail for us. Here we came to a magnificent grove of the Mountain Wattle, or Hickory, as it is sometimes called. Acacia penninervis, somewhat resembling, and taken by many to be an alpine form of, A. pycnantha. To our left, which would be about east by north, ran a deep valley running almost east and west, and, strange as it seemed to me, the bottom of it was filled with snow like a frozen river, whilst on the lower hillsides beyond there was none. The snow on our track soon became much deeper — almost to the horses' knees. The lesser logs were covered save where the foremost horses had bared them. The larger ones were banked up ; sometimes two lying parallel made jumping a care. There was little opportunity for botanical observation, save of the larger objects, and none for examination. Fine old beeches, Fagiis Cunninghami, hoar-tipped and festooned with moss, the dark green of the leaves brightened with weepers of the moss Hypnum denticulatum and blue with lichens, now came in view. The eucalypts were tall, white- stemmed, and staggy-topped, many of them E. regnans It mattered little, however, whether it was the fallen trunk of this forest giant that threatened to bring one's mount a cropper or the standing one of the E. goniocalyx that almost brushed him from the saddle ; both gums are there in abundance. I have forgiven the timber cutter for calling the last-named tree " blue gum.'" We passed many saplings of this species, and I have seen nothing so like the juvenile forms of E. globulus as these, save E. globulus itself. The stems were squared, the angles flanged with rims of decurrent bark — the boughs and branchlets too. The rounded young leaves, the long, broad, sickle-like adolescent foliage, completed the resemblance to the true blue gum, a darker green replacing the glaucous colouring. Taking these young trees individually, lacking fruits or flowers, one might be excused for saying that E. globulus flourishes on the flanks of Donna-Buang. It is worth the journey to see these saplings only. Near to the track as it passes through the clumps of beeches are a few other trees, which, if they be a species of Notelsea, are the largest I have seen ; but at this part the exigencies of this journey gave no chance of making sure of their identity, and I would not like to say they were not Persoonia arbor ea. After passing these, and we had seen Warburton lying in the Yarra valley on our right, lit by the lamps of Phoebus's chariot, snow from two to three feet deep lay ahead, and on either side. Vol. XXVIII. ign 1 Kelly, From Healesville to Mount Donna-Buang. 115 as far as we could see. I was told that on the plateau there was little else but dwarf snow-gums. Hence I expected to find Eucalyptus coriacea ; but if these dwarf gums are not stunted forms of E. ohliqua I am mistaken. Soon I hope to have an opportunity to examine them more closely. At stages on the way a lax form of Stellaria hung gracefully from decaying tree- limbs, but now the smaller plants were hidden. Overhanging boughs and tangles of prostrate trees and projecting limbs covered with snow impeded our progress at times, occasioning sometimes a delay in crossing, sometimes an ugly flounder as we crossed, and once, at least, a dismount. An occasional patch of treacherous mire changed the colour of things. One in particular was blackness itself. It was a slough, but not of despond. We and our hopes were getting higher. At noon we reached the summit, 4,080 feet above sea level — a fitting hour for the achievement. The snow at the top, after being trodden hard, was about three and a half feet deep, while the drifts were very much — perhaps in places two feet — deeper. At the place where we met the Warburton party a large space had been cleared, and we were enclosed by a ring of timber, so that no views were obtainable. The opening up of vistas, however, is fast being proceeded with. Within this circle we tethered our horses to trees and fallen boughs, and lunched. A fire was roaring in a snow-pit formed by a hole recently occupied by the roots of a large eucalypt, and a plentiful supply of tea and hot water was available. After remaining on the summit a couple of hours and listening (or not listening) to speeches typical of such occasions, we sought our mounts, many of which had sunk to their girths in the snow. The return journey was not facilis decensus, but it took rather less time than the ascent. On the way up we had seen tracks of wallabies in the snow, and fresh tracks were noticed on our return. In the neighbourhood of Ben Cairn Rock, which lay at some distance to the south of the track, a small party detached themselves from the main body and made a detour to see if a road could be found viii that interesting object. I believe their expedition promises a successful issue. This plateau (3,350 ft. above sea-level), it will be remembered, was visited by a Club party from West Warburton in January, 1910 {Vict. Nat., XX vi., p. 185). About this point we passed through a thick mist, which hung only to the higher levels. The down grade riding at the stony patches and the steep pinch I mentioned before required considerable care, but, with no mishaps of any consequence, we reached home about 5 o'clock. As I write this a party of ornithologists is visiting the mount from the Warburton side. It is hoped they will be rewarded with a sight of something in their own particular line. 1 16 Kelly, From Healesville to Mount Donna-Buang. [^October'' for neither going nor returning did I see a feather. This trip, as you will see, was not- one that could by ordinary canons be called a naturalists' excursion, but was undertaken by a party who were otherwise not naturalists, with the object of getting there to meet political visitors and point out the claims of the Healesville route. Whilst on this subject it may not be out of place to discuss the name of the mountain peak. I have used the name Donna- Buang, as that is the one now adopted, but in my opinion carelessly. In the first place, there is no " d " in the aboriginal language. That the word " Donna " is, as one of our daily journals says, the same in the language of our natives as in the Spanish, is ridiculous. That the name in any form applies to this peak is more than doubtful. The nearest approach to " d " is " th." The range just above Malleson's, and between that and Woori Yallock, is " Toole-be-wong." I have made careful investigations, and find that the last name is a nearer interpretation of the word, and Donna-Buang is a corruption. Toole-be-wong faces towards the aboriginal station at Coran- derrk. It and the ranges behind are the homes of the floating mist. The old Yarra tribes included this part of the horizon in one sweep with an expression which is nearly interpreted as " Thuonna-be-wong," meaning " the place of the mist." Aboriginals, like many coloured races, have a weakness for acquiescence to suggestion. For instance, the nearer range is pointed out and the question is asked, " What name that ? " " Thuonna-be-wong," or the ear may catch it as " Toole- be-wong." The peaks beyond are pointed to ; the same answer is given in slightly different inflection of voice, and perhaps by another individual. It is all the land of the mists. Bearing out this view, it is significant that in Brough Smyth's " Aborigines of Victoria," vol. ii., p. i8S, Mount Riddell (which is in that sweep of hills which, as viewed from Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, extends from Mount St. Leonard to Toole- be-wong) is called "' Koranderrk " or " Turnim-be-wong." On page 162 of the same work the word " boo-rong " means mist. The same word on page 135 is given as " the firmament." The late Mr. Joseph Shaw, for many years superintendent of Coranderrk, always considered that the natives applied the name "Thuonna-be-wong" to the eastward extension over Malleson's Look-out of the part now called Toole-be-wong. Some say that the name Donna-be-wong or Donna-buang means "Queen of the Waters"; others that it means "the place of rotten wood " : but in favour of these definitions no evidence has been adduced. Vol. XXVIII. iqii ] GovniK, Coleoptera of North-Western Victoria. 117 NOTES ON THE COLEOPTERA OF NORTH-WESTERN VICTORIA. Part III. — Staphylinid^. By J. C. GouDiE. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, nth Sept., 191 1.) (The previous parts of this paper {Vict. Nat., xxvi., p. 39, and xxvii., p. 153) dealt mainly with the Carabidae and the water-beetles.) The beetles belonging to the family Staphylinidae are, as a rule, easily recognized, being quite dissimilar in general appear- ance from most other coleopterous forms. On a casual inspec- tion they appear to have more affinity to the Forficulidae, or earwigs, though the body does not terminate, as does that of the earwigs, in a forceps. The very short elytra, and the long, slender abdomen, which is freely movable, being the chief distinguishing characters. Most of the species are met with on the ground under debris of any kind, and specimens of some kinds may be seen in the streets of the city, as well as in the remotest parts of the bush. The members of one genus pass their time amongst the blossoms of trees, whilst others are found exclusively in the nests of ants, being there probably in the capacity of scavengers, though some, as Mr. Lea has remarked, are hostile to the ants. In the drier portions of the country many species frequent the margins of water-holes, and may be swamped out of their hiding- places by throwing a few buckets of water on the caked mud. Mr. Froggatt says they are carnivorous, devouring other small creatures, and several species are carrion feeders. Considering their somewhat unattractive appearance (compared with other coleoptera), the Staphylinida; have been well investigated, the researches of Messrs. Fauvel, Macleay, Blackburn, Lea, Ohiff, and others having made known upwards of 400 Australian species. There appears to be but little known of the early stages of these insects. I have not seen the larvae or pupae of any species to my knowledge, though they must be numerous ; but the beetles themselves may be taken all the year round. STAPHYLINID^. 1164. Aleochara hrachialis, Jekel. 7655. A. ptiberula, Klug. These two species are carrion feeders. I have not met with them except near the bodies of dead animals or birds. A. hrachialis is black, with a red-tipped body, and measures a quarter of an inch in length. A. piiberula is smaller, with reddish-brown elytra. ii8 GovDi^, Coleop/era of North-Western Vicloria. [^octoblr'' 7682. Homalota sordida, Marsham. A small black species {| of an inch), with brownish or piceus elytra. The measurements given in these notes are those of dried specimens. When alive, the dimensions would be some- what larger, as the soft integument of such insects as Staphy- linidae, Malacodermidae, and others shrink considerably after death. 7684. Dahra myrmecophila. Oil. D. nitida. Lea, Proc. Roy. Soc. Vic. (new series), xxiii., P- 133- D. termitophila, Lea, var. victoriensis, Lea, loc. cit., p. 134, The species of this genus have only been found, so far as I know, in the nests of ants and termites. They closely re- semble each other in appearance, requiring a critical examina- tion to separate them. Brown in colour, and about 3^ mm. in length. They run freely about in the nests of the ants, who seem to regard them with friendly tolerance. D. termitophila, as its name implies, has been taken in the galleries of " white ants." In two papers communicated to the Royal Society of Victoria (1904 and 1910), Mr. Lea has dealt very fully with all the species of Australian beetles known to inhabit the nests of ants, bees, and termites, describing several new genera and a large number of new species, with finely-drawn figures of many curious forms. Glyptoma kingi. Lea, loc. cit., p. 142. A rare species, also associating with ants {Iridomyrmex nitidis). It is smaller than the species of Dabra (2^ mm.), and is of a bright chestnut colour, with strong costae near outer margins of prothorax and elytra. 121Q. Conosoma elongaiulitm, Macl. This is a wedge-shaped insect, broad in front and tapering behind, dark brown or piceus in colour, and about {'^ of an inch long. One of my specimens was taken in an ants' nest {Ponera lutea), but it is doubtful whether it is a regular in- habitant, though several other species of the genus are known to be myrmecophilous. 1236. Heterothops picipennis, Fvl. Occurs rather frequently, like many other species, in the vicinity of sheep-yards, stables, &c. It is ^ of an inch in length, and is black, or nearly so, with piceus elytra. 7700. Qiiedius andersoni, Blackb. A distinct species, not uncommon, measuring ^ of an inch. The head is black, round, and shining, and both prothorax and elytra are bright red, the latter thickly beset with yellowish setae. 7708. Q. ruficollis, Grav. Rather larger than Q. andersoni, and differs in having the Vol. XXVlll igi I ■] GovDiK, Coleoptera of North-Western Victoria. 119 strongly punctate elytra black, and with the caudal appendages more developed. 1262. Creophiliis erythrocephaliis. Fab. The largest of the :\Iallee Staphylinidae. It is a well-known species, being widely distributed over Australia. It measures from I to I of an inch in length, and is of robust build. The head is red. with a round black spot between the eyes. The antennse are distinctly thickened to the tips. Body and legs black, and elytra of a metallic blue. It is often seen running about in stables with the hinder end of body curled up over its back. A defunct sheep or kangaroo is a strong attraction to this insect. An allied European species is known by the rather absurd popular name of " Devil's Coach-horse." 7719. Philonthiis nigritulus, Grav. 7721. P. sordidits, Grav. These are shining black, with elytra and appendages paler, the former -/^ and the latter \ of an inch long. 1255. P. subcingidatus, Macl. This species has a wide range, being recorded from all the States, including Central Australia. It is \ of an inch long, with a black head, brown elytra and body, and bright red prothorax. 1296. Leptacinus socius, Fvl. 1299. L. luridipennis, Macl. These are narrow, elongate insects, slightly over \ of an inch in length. The former is uniformly black, and the latter brown, with pale appendages. 1319. Scyuibaliiun arciiatiim. Fvl. Of the same narrow form as the last-mentioned. The head and prothorax are black, and the disc of elytra suffused with red. Dicax aiistralic'iim.. Sol. This species is not recorded by Masters, unless included in another genus. It measures J inch in length, and is jet black, with the head strongly punctate and armed with powerful jaws. The prothorax also is deeply punctured, and the elytra striate. Rare in this district. 1338- Cryptohium fractum, Fvl. A narrow, shining black insect, not unlike Leptacinus socius in general appearance. 1354. Pcederiis cingulaius, Macl. This is a rather gaily coloured species, measuring I inch long. The head is black, prothorax red, elytra blue, and the body yellow, with a blue tip. It is generally found near water. 7767. Siiniiis cequalis, Blackb. Usually met with amongst the stems or roots of grass tussocks ; also recorded by Mr. Lea as being " an occasional visitor to ants' nests under stones." It is about fV inch in I20 GouDiE, Coleoptera of North-Western Victoria. [^October' length, of a pale brown or testaceus colour, and is very narrow and fragile in build. Pinophilus. Bledius. An unnamed specimen of each of these genera is in my collection. 7784. Oxytelus scidphis. Grav. 1418. 0. sparsns, Fvl. 1420. 0. siibceneus, Fvl. Small, obscure species, occurring in damp situations. 1427. Amphicroum aiistrale, Fvl. Frequents the blossoms of eucalypts. whether in search of nectar or minute insects is not clear. Unlike typical examples of the family in being short and comparatively broad in form. It is \ inch in length, and testaceus in colour. This concludes the list of Staphylinidae, with 26 species and one variety. There are a few not identified, which may be in- cluded in a future supplement. The next paper in this series will deal with the Pselaphidge, Paussidae. and Scydmsenidse. CORRESPONDENCE. THE QUAIL SEASON.— A CORRECTION. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. Sir, — In my paper on the alterations in the Game Act an error inadvertently occurs in two places. Instead of " 14th February." it should read " Wednesday, 15th February." By inserting the above coiTection you mil greatly oblige yours, ^'^■' G. A. KEARTLAND. Wattle Day. — The first Melbourne celebration of Wattle Day was held on ist September, when signs of the national Hower were in evidence in many places. On Tuesdaj-, 5th September, the Wattle Day League was formally inaugurated at the Town Hall, when, in connection with the Royal Horticul- tural Society's daffodil show, there was a display of blooms of various species of Acacia, thanks principally to the energy of the promoter, Mr. A. J. Campbell, and his son, Mr. A. G. Campbell, of Pomonal. The}^ suffered, however, from juxta- position to the more brilliant garden flowers, such as daffodils, heaths, cinerarias, &c., and, to enable the public to judge of their merits, will have to be displayed by themselves, or with the more delicate native flowers then blooming. Cbc Uictorian naturalist Vol. XXVIII.— No. 7. NOVEMBER 9, 1911. No. 335. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 9th October, 1911. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 60 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mrs. Edw. Bage, a life member of the Club, suggesting that the Club should subscribe to the Mawson Antarctic Ex- ploration Fund, and enclosing a cheque for one pound as the nucleus of a contribution. The hon. secretary said that the matter had been discussed by the committee, who considered it a matter for the general meeting to deal with. The object was a laudable one, but, in view of the diminished bank balance, whether the Club should contribute out of its funds or the members as separate in- dividuals seemed to be the real question. Mr. D. Best thought that a contribution might be made from the Club funds, and, after some further discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Messrs. Keartland and Barnard, that Mrs. Bage's donation be accepted with thanks, also any other donations offered, and that such an amount be added as would make the total ^^5, to be handed to the fund as a donation from the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. Reports of excursions to Sandringham and Fern-tree Gully were presented by the respective leaders. Details will appear in next Naturalist. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. David Davis, Weston-street, Brunswick, and Mr. E. C. Joshua, Bruce-street, Toorak, were duly elected as ordinary members ; Mr. C. A. Robinson, Lands Office, Bairnsdale, as a country member ; and Miss G. Nether- cote, Callantina-road, Glenferrie, Miss E. Hosking, 83 Park- street, St. Kilda, Miss G. Love, 12 Albert-street, Windsor, Master E. Jones, 181 Fitzroy-street, St. Kilda, Master L. Brettschneider, 82 Patterson-street, Middle Park, Master P. Prosser, 396 Richardson-street, Middle Park, and Master John Vial, Rathmines-road, Fairfield, as junior members of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. The chairman said the members were to be congratulated on the success of the recent conversazione and exhibition of wild 122 Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings. [^"^No^^' flowers. The financial result was not yet known, but it was anticipated that there would be a small credit balance. Mr. Barnard said he would like to move that a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr. J. Gabriel and Mr. C. J. Gabriel for their very valuable services in connection with the conversazione. The motion was seconded by Mr. A. D. Hardy, and carried unanimously. The chairman, in conveying the expression of the meeting to Mr. Gabriel, said that the resolution did not mean that others of the committee had not worked hard, but that the Messrs. Gabriel had undertaken the arduous part of the arrangement of the hall, on which the success of the meeting so much depended, and had done it well. Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, drew attention to " Bird Day," which would be celebrated in the schools on the following Friday, and invited the co-operation of any members willing to address the children of any of the metropolitan schools on that day. PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr. E. B. Nicholls, entitled " A Trip up the Bass Valley." The author recounted the experiences of a four-days' outing in the Bass Valley last Easter, for which he made Nyora his headquarters. The district was found to have been almost denuded of large timber, but a fair number of birds was seen, and some interesting observations on the powers of mimicry possessed by Lyre-birds were made in a patch of scrub at the head of the valley towards Poowong. He also mentioned that he believed examples of the rare Leadbeater's Phalanger had been destroyed at recent dates by timber-getters in the dis- trict, and that the Mutton-bird rookery at Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island, was in danger of destruction owing to the visits of " week-enders " from Wonthaggi, &c. Mr. J. Gabriel said he feared the rare marsupial referred to by the author was now extinct. He had offered handsome rewards for specimens without response. Mr. G. Coghill com- plimented the author on his observations about the Lyre-birds, and said that he had noted the presence of Lyre-birds in the country back from Benalla. The chairman deplored the clearing of the Gippsland country, and Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., said the Lyre-bird must be considered the premier mimic among the birds of the world. 2. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, entitled " In the Western Lake District." The author said that, up to the present, no notes about the Colac and Camperdown districts had been given before the Club, and, though perhaps the botany and entomology of the district were somewhat uninteresting, the geology and physi- Vol. XX VI I J igii 1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 123 ography were well worth investigating, while the scenery is in many respects unique. His trip, taken at Easter, embraced visits to Colac and its lake ; the Warrion Hills ; Terang ; the wonder lakes of the west, Gnotuk and Bullen-Merri ; and, lastly, the Stony Rises, the peculiar charm of which it was hard to convey to others. Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, said that an interesting feature of the district was the structure of the lava flows, which had cooled into cubical masses heaped on top of one another. Red Rock, near Alvie, somewhat resembled Tower Hill, at Koroit, and afforded one of the finest views in Victoria. Dr. T. S. Hall, M.A., said it was difficult to describe the Stony Rises, and advised members to take advantage of any opportunity to visit the district. In many places the ridges of stone were so steep that they were utilized as fences, and were quite stock-proof. He also stated that, though Lake Corangamite is salt, in parts the influx of fresh water was sufficient to enable the little mountain trout, Galaxias, sp., to live at some distance from the shore. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Flowering branches of Poma- derris elachophylla, F. v. M., from Plenty Ranges ; Styphelia ericoides, from Kinglake ; also lichens, basalt, and marine lime- stone, in illustration of paper. By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. — Microscopic mount (in balsam) of a washing of clay forming a thin bed in Janjukian strata at Zeally Bay, Torquay, Vic, consisting almost entirely of the tests of Foraminifera and the valves of Ostracoda, the fol- lowing genera being represented : — Bolivina, Lagena, Nodosaria, Marginulina, Cristellaria, Polymorphina, Sagraina, Globigerina, Planorbulina, Discorbina, Truncatulina, Anomalina, Nonionina, Cythera, and Loxoconcha. A species of Bolivina shows in an interesting manner the replacement of the sarcode by Glauconite (a hydrous silicate of potash and ferrous oxide). By Mr. C. French, jun. — Flowers of PultencBa Weindorferi, Reader, from Dandenong Ranges (new locality). By Mr. J. C. Goudie. — Beetles from the Mallee — eight species of Carabidae — Carenum interniptum, Macl. ; C. imitator, Sloane ; C. elegans, Macl. ; Neocarenum elongatum, Macl. ; Carenidium superbiim. Cast. ; Euryscaphus dilatatus, Macl. ; Scaraphites lencBus, West, (new for Victoria) ; and Parroa apicalis, SI. By Mr. E. H. Lees, C.E. — Coral, Flahelhtm australe (?), dredged in Bass Strait from 60 fathoms. By Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S. — Photographs of Rufous Bristle-bird, Sphenura broadbenti, M'Coy, taken a.t Lome (nest placed in wire-grass). 124 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. \ Vict. Nat. Nov. By Mr. A. L. Scott. — Dacite from Ferntree Gully, with basalt for comparison. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Flower-spike of Victorian Waratah, Telopea oreades, F. v. M., from Bell-bird Creek, East Gippsland ; dried specimens of Eticalyptus camphor a, R. T. Baker, from Sutherland's Creek, south of Brisbane Ranges ; Aster pannosiis, F. v. M. {Olearia pannosa. Hook.), south end of Brisbane Ranges, not previously recorded as collected within 50 miles of Melbourne ; Pomaderris ferruginea, Sieber, south end of Brisbane Ranges, not previously recorded for the south of Victoria ; Bossicea microphylla. Smith, eastern slope of Bris- bane Ranges, not previously recorded for south of Victoria ; Casuarina luehmanni, R. T. Baker, between Brisbane Ranges and Parwan, not previously recorded for south of Victoria. These plants were collected in company with Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue during a two-days' walk through the Brisbane Ranges, i6th and 17th September, 1911. Gladiolus grandis, Thunberg (N.O. Irideae), South Africa — a garden escape not previously recorded for Victoria, collected at Eltham, 30th September, 1911. Each of these specimens and records has been verified at the National Herbarium. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB CONVERSAZIONE. The seventeenth conversazione of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria was held at the Masonic Hall, Collins-street, Mel- bourne, on Tuesday and Wednesday, 26th and 27th September, 1911. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, in declaring the con- versazione open, said that the Club was now in its thirty- second year, which in itself was some guarantee of its usefulness. He claimed that it was greatly through its influence that nature study had become such a marked feature in our school courses, and that the great efficiency of many of the teachers was due to the opportunities and advantages offered by the Club. That the Club had some standing was evidenced by the fact that questions relating to the provisions of the Game Act were fre- quently submitted to it by the authorities. The Club had ever been foremost in advocating and helping to secure the preser- vation of the indigenous fauna and flora. For twenty-seven years it had maintained at considerable expense a magazine, which was sought for all over the world, and which contained most valuable records relating to the natural history of Vic- toria. He desired to thank those members of the Bird Observers' Club and the Microscopical Society who were helping to contribute to the entertainment of the visitors, whom Vol. XXVIII. IQII ] Field Naturalists' Club — Conversazione. 125 he trusted would be interested in the various objects displayed, and that some of them at least would show their appreciation of the objects and aims of the Club by becoming members, and as members he could assure them a very hearty welcome. Notwithstanding heavy showers on each evening, there was a very good attendance of the general public, while for the afternoon opening on Wednesday the attendance was considered a record. Just three years had elapsed since the last conversazione, and it was gratifying to find that most of the former exhibitors were again represented by exhibits of various kinds, and that some new names appeared on the programme to fill the place of those who, from various reasons, were unable to contribute. The display of wild-flowers was a leading feature in the ex- hibition, and was by many considered the best which has yet been made. All parts of the State were represented, and, among others, the Club is greatly indebted to a number of teachers of country schools who were good enough to forward flowers from their respective districts. Several members had gone to considerable trouble in visiting distant localities likely to be productive of attractive results, and, owing to a favour- able spring and good weather, their efforts were well rewarded. As usual, those members who set themselves to display the wonders of nature by means of the microscope had a busy time in answering the numerous questions put to them, and in showing the various objects which they had brought for the instruction and amusement of the visitors. A very fine display of Australian plants and cut flowers grown at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens was made by the director, Mr. J. Cronin, and contained some noteworthy specimens. Among the pot-plants were Cabbage-Palms, Livistona ans- tralis (with spikes of bloom attached), Queen Alexandra's Palm, Archontophcenix Alexandra, and the Giant Fern-Palm, or Burrawong, Macrozamia Perowskiana. Growing specimens of twenty-seven species of Victorian ferns, including fine plants of the Slender Tree-Fern, Cyathea Cunninghami, Black Tree- Fern, C. medullaris. King Fern, Todea barbara. Prickly Tree- Fern, Alsophila australis, and Common Tree-Fern, Dicksonia antarctica. The collection of cut flowers numbered about forty species, among which were the Waratah, Telopea speciosissima (N.S.W.), Rock-lily Orchid, Dendrobium speciosum (N.S.W.), Clematis aristata, var. Dennises (Vict.), Bauera ruhioides, var. alba (Vict.), Chorizema cordahmi (W.A.), Ani- gozanthus Manglesii (W.A.), and Epacris longiflora (N.S.W.) On Tuesday evening a lecturette, entitled " The Birds of Australia," illustrated by lantern views, was given by Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, who called attention to the many dis- 126 Field Naturalists' Club — Conversazione. [ "^nov. ^' tinctive characters in the bird-hfe of AustraHa, which, he said, is in many ways more interesting than that of any other quarter of the globe, and remarked that, while only two widely- distributed families of birds are missing in its list, there are several which do not extend beyond its boundaries. While Europe has but one family of birds restricted to it, the Aus- tralian region has no less than eighteen families of birds peculiar to it. It is the stronghold of such groups as the honey- eaters, the mound-builders, the parrots and cockatoos, the bower-birds, the birds-of-paradise, and the bell-magpies. That its birds are songless is quite a mistake, for, as songsters, many of its birds compare more than favourably with those of other countries, while in the Lyre-bird it possesses the finest orni- thological mimic known. The song-birds are more varied than those of any other region, for Australia has members of twenty- nine families of song-birds, while North America has but twenty-three and Britain nineteen families. Many British birds are much more strongly represented in Australia than in Britain, for, while the latter has but one kingfisher, one cuckoo, one tree-creeper, and one nuthatch, Australia has respectively fourteen, fourteen, eight, and eight members of these groups. Again, Australia has two of the six families that make up the primitive sub-class of birds ; these are the Emu and Cassowary. This sub-class is not represented at all in northern lands. Southern lands are much richer in bird-life than northern lands, so that, while Australia has eighty families of birds, Europe, Western Asia, and North-west Africa together have but seventy-three, while North America, excluding Mexico, has but sixty-nine families of birds. Too long have Australian birds been belittled. The Australian eagle is the largest eagle known ; the Kookaburra is the giant of the kingfisher family : while Alfred Russel Wallace said " the wonderful modulated whistle of the Australian magpie is unequalled among European birds." By way of further illustrating the lecturette, the series of diagrams used to illustrate the recently published volume, " An Australian Bird Book," was kindly lent by the Education Department ; and Mr. L. E. Chandler, of the Bird Observers' Club, assisted Mr. G. A. Keartland to make up a representative series of bird skins, numbering about ninety specimens, illus- trating every family of the birds of Victoria. The lecturette on Wednesday evening was given by Professor E. W. Skeats, D.Sc, who took as his subject " Geology in Relation to Scenery," and, by means of a fine series of lantern slides, pointed out to an appreciative audience the character- istics of the principal land forms, such as mountains, plains, lakes, rivers, valleys, &c. He then referred to the structural Vol. XXVIII. igi r J Field Naturalists' Club — Conversazione. 127 features of rocks, such as bedding planes, joint planes, folding, &c., and showed by a series of slides how the forces of erosion are concentrated along these planes of weakness, and largely determine the details of land, forms developed under erosion. In this way the characteristic sculpturing of sedimentary and of igneous rocks was illustrated, and it was shown that the sea, running water, wind blast, and chemical erosion each develop distinct types of weathering. The effect of moving ice as an agent of transport, deposition, and erosion was dis- cussed and illustrated by views of districts now or formerly glaciated. In conclusion, some reference was made to the effect of the scenery of England on its literature. EXHIBITS. The following is a list of the exhibitors, with particulars of their exhibits as furnished by them : — Baker, H. H., Melbourne — Microscopes by Watson and Sons, showing selected slides of various objects. Barnard, F. G. A., Kew — Case of Australian Bird Skins, including Regent-bird (male and female). King Lory, Green-Leek Parrot, Cat-bird, Great Fruit-Pigeon,' &c. Growing Victorian Plants : — Austral Beech, Fagus Cunninghami ; Sassafras, Atherospernia moschatum ; Orchids in bloom — Sarcochilus parviflortis (epiphytal), and Caladenia Patersoni, Spider Orchid ; Ferns — Botrychium ternatum, Lomaria alpina, and Asplenium flacctdum, &c. Cochrane, Miss S. W., Hawthorn — Paintings of Victorian Orchids and Wild-flowers. Department of Agriculture, Entomological Branch — Cabinet drawers of Life Histories of Insects, &c. ; case of Insectivorous Birds (over 100 species) ; coloured plates from recent publications. Dunn, E. J., F.G.S., Kew — Recently-published volume, " Pebbles " ; series of stones showing the formation of a pebble. Education Department, Melbourne — Coloured plates, blocks, &c., of Australian Birds. Ewart, Prof. A. J., University — Enlarged models of Flowers, Leaves, Seeds, Roots, &c., used for teaching purposes ; sections of Fossil Plants (for microscope). Gabrtel, C. J., Abbotsford — Twenty cabinet drawers of Marine Shells — Cyprsea, Trivia, Chlamys, Pecten, Spondylus (20 species), and Zenophora (10 species) ; largest and smallest Victorian univalves — Voluta mammilla. Gray, and Cyclostemma Bastowi, Gatliff; case containing genera of family Gastroch?enida= in situ. Hall, Dr. T. S., M.A., Camberwell — Fossil Echinoids from Older Tertiary of South Australia ; Photographs of Graptolites from Upper and Lower Ordovician, Victoria. Hamilton, J. T., F.L.S., Ivanhoe — Aboriginal Weapons and Specimens of Native Workmanship, String Bags, &c. ; Stone Tomahawks, showing various stages in production. Hardy, A. D., F.L.S., Kew — Skin of Dingo, from Wilson's Promontory ; Vegetable Caterpillar, from Otway Forest. Harvey, J. H., A.R.I.V.A., East Melbourne — Cabinet Stereoscopes, with views of Buchan Caves, &c. Horner, H. E., Toorak — Quartz Crystals, &c. Keartland, G. a., Preston — Australian Bird Skins. Keble, R. a., Camberwell — Fossils, &c. 128 Field Naturalists' Club — Conversazione. [^^"^No\ Kershaw, J. A., F.E.S., Windsor — Twelve cabinet drawers of Aus- tralian Lepidoptera ; two cases of Australian Bird Skins. KiTSON, J. S., Continuation School, Melbourne — Collection of Rocks, Minerals, &c., from Clifton Hill Quarry. NiCHOLLS, E. B., North Melbourne — Teeth of Australian Mammals, Fish, &c. Roger, W. H. A., Armadale — Case of House-building Moths, showing life-histories. RosENHAiN, O. W., St. Kilda — Three cases Australian Birds (mounted), including the rare Ground Parrakeet, Stormy Petrel, &c. Scott, A. L., Toorak — Pebbles, &c. Searle, J., Carlton — Novel Form of Aquarium, with Fresh-water Crustaceans, &c. Skeats, Prof. E. W., D.Sc, University — Rock-section Cutting Machine at work ; case of rare Minerals ; Geological Models, &c. Spry, F. S., South Melbourne — Four cases of Australian Lepidoptera. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., Melbourne — Australian Natural History Publications. WiSEWouLD, F., Elsternwick — Victorian Snakes (in spirits). Wild-Flowers. The following were the principal exhibitors, with some of the more notable species shown, grouped by their localities into the districts of the " Key to the System of Victorian Plants " : — North-West. By Mr. St. Eloy D'Alton — About 50 species from Dimboola, including Acacia trinerva, A. farinosa, A. rigens, Prostanthera chlorantha, Eriostemon difformis, E. sedifloriis, E. stenophyllus, Eucalyptus unciata, Dampiera rosmarini folium, &c. By Mr. J. C. Goudie — About 25 species from Sea Lake, including Cryptandra subochreata, Prostanthera coccinea, Loitdonia Behrii, Boronia coerulescens , Acacia Sentis, &c. By Mr. E. Pearce — Bunch of Swainsona procnmbens, from Jeparit. By Head-master, State School, Berriwillock (near Sea Lake) — About 25 species, including Cassia eremophila, C. australis, Prostanthera chlorantha, Halgania cyanea, H. lavandulacea, Lavatera plebeja, Aster Muelleri, Loudonta Behrii, Acacia brachybotvya, Westringia rigida, &c. By Head-master, State School, Lascelles (Mildura line) — About 15 species, including Westringia rigida, Prostanthera coccinea. Acacia Sentis, Halgania cyanea, Dampiera marifolia, Lasiopetalum Behrii, &c. South-West. By Mr. A. G. Campbell — About 40 species from Pomoiral (Grampians), including Styphelia Sonderi, Dillwynia hispida, Prostanthera denticulata, Boronia pilosa, B. pinnata (two varieties), Templetonia sulcata, Correa csmula. Acacia retinodes, &c. By Mr. G. E. F. Hill — About 25 species (some cultivated) from Mooney's Gap, near Ararat, including Grevillea aqiiifolium, G. lavandulacea, Stypandra glauca, Thryptomene Mitchelliana, Correa speciosa, also pink variety, &c. By Mr. C. Overman — About 40 varieties from Dunkeld, including Correa speciosa (red variety), Boronia pilosa, Grevillea oleoides, Cono- spermum Mitchelli, Pultenesa canaliculata, Lhotzkya genetylloides, Astro- tricha ledifolia, &c. By Mrs. Wettenhall — 9 species (cultivated) from Glen Holford, Pomonal, including Grevillea oleoides, G. ilicifolia, Prostanthera rotundi- folia, Lhotzkya genetylloides, Thryptomene Mitchelliana, Calycothrix Sullivani, Lasiopetalum dasyphyllum, Marianthus bignoniaceus. Vol. XXVIII. J Field Naturalists' Club — Conversazione. 129 South. By Mr. J. W. Audas — About 60 species from Beaconsfield and Cockatoo, including Acacia diffusa, A. juniperina, Bceckea diffusa, Styphelia ericoides, Epacris obtusifolia, Plagianthus pulchellus, Chilo- glottis Gunnii, Tecoma australis, var. Latrobei, &c. By Miss Cochrane — About 60 species from Healesville, including Hakea nodosa, Pterostylis pedunculata, P. curta, P. longifolia, &c. By Mr. A. Hocking — About 12 species from Ringwood, including Caladenia suaveolens, Tetratheca ciliata (fine), &c. By Mr. R. Kelly — About 90 species from Healesville, including Drimys aromatica, Coprosma Billardieri, Pittosporum bicolor, Pomaderris vaccini- folia, Plagianthus pulchellus, Grevillea alpina, Chiloglottis Gunnii. By Mr. J. P. M'Lennan — About 30 species from Ferntree Gully, in- cluding Acacia leprosa, Goodia lotifolia, Indigo/era australis, &c. By Mrs. E. B. Nicholls — About 12 species from Black Rock, including Diuris maculata, &c. By Messrs. F. Pitcher, P. R. H. St. John, and J. Gabriel— About 60 species from Frankston, including Acacia armata, A. verticillata, Aotus villosa, Comesperma ericinum, C.volubile, Isopogon ceratophyllus, Melaleuca squarrosa, Pimelea humilis, Sprengelia incarnata, (Sec. By Miss Rollo — About 20 species collected by children of Wonga Park State School, near Ringwood, including Epacris impressa, Tetratheca ciliata, &c. By Dr. Sutton and Mr. F. G. A. Barnard — About 50 species from Brisbane Ranges, near Bacchus Marsh, including Acacia aspera, A. tenui- folia, Pultencsa daphnoides, Bossieea niicrophylla (new record for S.), Boronia polygalifolia, var. anemonifolia, Grevillea aquifolium, Prostanthera hirtula, Aster teretifolia, A. pimeleoides, &c. By Mr. E. F. Thiele — About 50 species from Doncaster, including Kennedy a prostrata, Thelymitra antennifera, Pterostylis curta, P. pedun- culata, &c., all in very good condition. By Mr. J. R. Tovey — About 25 species from Mentone, including Aotus villosa, Hibbertia fasciculata, Glossodia major, Thelymitra antennifera, &c. By Mr. J. Vial. — About 12 species from Oakleigh, including Ricinocarpus pinifolius, &c. By Mr. H. B. Williamson — About 12 species from Linton, including Pultenesa Gunnii, Acacia Whanii, &c. By Messrs. F. Wisewould and G. Coghill— About 50 species from South Gembrook, including Banksia collina, Dampiera stricta, Sprengelia in- carnata, Epacris niicrophylla, Spheerolobium vimineum, &c. By Head-master, State School, Grantville — About 30 species, including Pultenesa daphnoides, Styphelia richea, &c. North Central. By Mr. C. H. Derrick — About 20 species from Campbell's Creek, near Castlemaine, including Grevillea rosmarinifolia, G. alpina, Tetratheca ciliata (fine), Swainsona procumbens, S. lessertifolia, Eriostemon obovalis, &c. By Mr. H. Dettman - — About 20 species from Kyneton, including Acacia pycnantha, Tetratheca ciliata, &c. By Master Marshall — About 10 species from Chewton, including Eriostemon obovalis, Grevillea rosmarinifolia, &c. By Mr. F. Rich — About 30 species from Rushworth. North-East. By Mr. T. Godden — About 25 species from Balmattum, near Violet Town, including Dillwynia floribunda, Podolepis acuminata, &c. By Master R. Goodyear — About 30 species from Beechworth, in- cluding Diuris maculata, Pterostylis nutans, Thryptomene ericcea, Stypandra viatica, &c. By Dr. J. R. Thomson — About 35 species from Violet Town, including 130 Field Naturalists' Club — Conversazione. [^"^Nov^^'" PuUencBa humilis, Eriostemon obovalis, Diiiris punctata, Swainsona pro- cumbens, Utricularia dichotoma, &c. East. By Mr. A. W. Crow — About 2 5 species from Moe, including Pomaderris elliptica, Boronia pinnata (pink and white, fine). By Mr. C. Daley — About 30 species from Sale, including Plagianthus pulchellus, Banksia serrata (fruit), Helichrysuni obtusifolium, &c. By Mr. W. Moncur — About 1 2 species from Ten-Mile Creek, near Narracan, including Pinielea axiflora, Clematis aristata, Tecoma australis (fine), &c. By Mr. E. H. Small — About 10 species from Coalville (Moe), including Tecoma australis, &c. By Mr. F. Thomas — About 20 species from Lindenow, near Bairns- dale, including Stypandra glauca, Hibbertta obtusifolia, Diuris sidphurea, &c. Cultivated Australian Flowers. By Mr. A. Rutter Clarke, Toorak. — About 30 species, including Kennedya rubicunda, K. nigricans, Boronia pinnata, B. alata, Prostan- thera Sieberi, Chamcslavcium uncinata, &c. By Mr. H. Anderson, Tooronga.— About 12 species, including Grevillea alpina, Acacia linifolia, &c. Microscopical Section. Microscopical exhibits were made by members and friends as under : — Mr. F. H. Baker — Polyzoa. Diatoms, and Radula. Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., F.R.M.S. — Spore Coal (Tasmanite), from Railton, Tasmania ; Foraminifera and Ostracoda, dredged up round Funafuti from a depth of 3 miles ; Antarctic Foraminifera. Mr. J. Gabriel — Circulation of bloocl in Tadpole. Mr. J. T. Hamilton, F.L.S. — Botanical and Rock Sections, Polyzoa. Dr. J. C. Kaufmann — Parasit.es and Crystals. Mr. W. MTntosh — Botanical Sections. Mr. J. Searle — Freshwater Entomostraca — Brunella virides, Bceckella (three species), Cyclops (four species); Daphnia carinata, with Brachionns, sp., attached. Mr. A. L. Scott — Rock Sections. Messrs. W. and J. Stickland — Ostracoda ; Vorticella. University Biological Department (Miss Davies and Miss J. Raff, M.Sc.) — Section Cutting. University Botanical Department (Mr. J. D. Jennings) — Carbon Assimilation by Leaves. University Geological Department (Messrs. F. Stillwell and M. Morris) — Rock Sections and Rock-sectioning Apparatus. Veteran Naturalists. — On 30th June last Sir Joseph Hooker, the famous botanist (abbreviated as Hook fils) cele- brated his 94th birthday. He is known to Australians as the botanist to the South Polar expedition under Sir James Ross in the Erebus and Terror over 70 years ago, and as the author of two standard volumes on the botany of Tasmania and New Zealand. At the meeting of the Quekett Microscopical Club (London) on 27th June a vote of thanks was passed to Dr. M. C. Cooke, now in his 87th year, for a valuable gift of Foram- inifera and diatomaceous earth. Dr. Cooke is well known as the author of many works dealing with fungi, freshwater algae, microscopy, &c. Vol. XXVIII. 1911 ] ^^DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herberton District, N.Q. 131 A COLLECTING TRIP TO THE HERBERTON DISTRICT, NORTH QUEENSLAND. By F. p. Dodd, Kuranda. (Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 14th August, 191 1.) For several years I had desired to undertake a collecting trip to the Herberton district and the great Evelyn Scrub, but the difficulties and inconveniences of travelling by coach, or other vehicle, over part of the way, with my necessarily large number of boxes and entomological requisites, prevented the carrying out of my desire. However, in January, igio, I sent my son, who has been assisting me in the field for several years, to examine the country and report upon its possibilities, in con- sequence of which, and the recent completion of the railway to Herberton, I determined to spend several months in the vicinity of the scrub, some 12 miles south from Herberton. Accordingly, late in November last I left Kuranda, fully pre- pared for the work, my son preceding me by several weeks. From Kuranda the line runs south-westerly for about 20 miles, and then turns due south, Atherton (2,466 feet) being reached at 47 miles from Kuranda. The line continues south for several miles further before the foot of the Herberton Range is reached. As the train ascends the granite hills, a pretty view opens out across a wide and deep valley to the right, some of the hills opposite being densely clothed with scrub. At the bottom of the valley the old coach road may be perceived. The hills, up which the train slowly climbs, are fairly thickly covered with tall forest trees, generally Stringy and Iron-barks, Bloodwood, and Scented Gum, Eucalyptus citriodora. A cascade waterfall, known as the Carrington Falls, is passed close by the line on the left, one tunnel is negotiated, and soon after we are on top of the range, perhaps not quite 4,000 feet anywhere, then a downward run of a few miles brings us to Herberton (2,800 feet), 13 miles from Atherton. The township is spread along the slopes of the hills, with the here unimposing Wild River cutting it in two, the greater and business portion being on the eastern side. The river, a little further down, after junctioning with several important water- courses, becomes the Herbert, which drains all the country about here. A mile or two westward across the hills the waters run to tributaries of the great Mitchell River, flowing to the Gulf of Carpentaria, which must become a mighty stream during the phenomenal rainfalls of the North Queensland wet season. I had left Kuranda at 9 a.m., and arrived at Herberton at 1.40. The day was hot, but pleasant to a dweller of the lower districts. Though wearing a warm tweed suit, I experienced 132 DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herberton District, N.Q. [^%ov.^ not the least discomfort. Often, when hearing Herberton or Evelyn residents complain of the heat, I would wonder how they would relish living in Cairns or Townsville, if suddenly transported there. One can quickly get used to any warm climate if much out of doors. I dwelt for years at Townsville, and preferred the summer to the cool season ; the same at Kuranda, where I have resided for the past seven years, less a year at Port Darwin. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon I started for the Evelyn Scrub in a buggy drawn by tw'o smart ponies, driven by Mrs. Hull, who has a knowledge of horses and driving any man could well be proud of. After passing along and down a ridge, we crossed Nigger Creek, two miles out, over which the railway passes on its way to the scrub lands, but is not yet open for traffic. Beyond, for several miles, the large and tall trees showed we were passing through good agricultural country. Leaving this, we commenced to ascend a range of hills — avoided by the railway — one of which, with a precipitous face, is known as " The Blul^." and is discernible for some distance. In places mountain vegetation became apparent, such as stunted trees of Bloodwood, Ironbark, librous-barked Casuarina, Tea-tree (not Melaleuca), and heathy shrubs, a dwarf Acacia, leguminous and other plants, and a few flowers. In some places Tristania confcrta becomes a shrub, and forms almost impenetrable thickets, acres in extent. Some of the flowering shrubs, such as Hovea, I have seen near Brisbane ; others, again, in the vicinity of Stawell, Victoria, taking me back to days of long ago — rabbit-hunting, cranberry-picking, and wild-flower gathering. The love of natural history had not taken strong hold of me in those early days (though I knew the bush and the birds well), which I regret, for the Stawell district is both pretty and interesting, with great variety of trees and shrubs, and doubtless producing many species of insects. The highest point our road passed over was scarcely 3,600 feet, the " Bluff " probably being 250 feet higher. We took measure- ments by aneroid later of road and other hills, but not of " The Bluff." Descending the hills, and crossing Mill Creek, which possesses several fair waterfalls, and is the same upon which Mrs. Hull lives higher up, our road for over a mile took an easterly trend to her selection, known as " Cressbrook," still close to the hills, where I had arranged to stay, the scrubs being adjacent. Another road from Herberton runs much more to the left, until it touches the scrub, finally junctioning with the southern one I had travelled by. and, entering the scrub, becomes the Geraldton road, which, lower down the range, can only be negotiated on foot. For the last mile or so of Vol. XX VI II 1911 1 DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herherton District, N.Q. 133 our journey the country was well timbered with tall White Gums, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Bloodwoods, E. corymbosa, and two species of Casuarina, one having long, slender, drooping branches. This and the small mountain species was new to me. " Cressbrook " is a dairy, worked by Mrs. Hull and several grown-up daughters — young \Yomen stout and strong, equally at home in the saddle or house, and quite unconcerned if out in pelting rain all day long. Mill Creek, which runs close to the house, is an ever-flowing and watercress- fringed stream of cool and pure water — except in times of heavy rain. Here my son and I spent three very busy months. To be exact, our location was about forty-five miles due west of Mourilyan Harbour, but with many impenetrable ranges between. All new localities have an extraordinary charm for the naturalist. At first, as the many new species came to light, our interest was unbounded ; but as time wore on, and nothing unusually remarkable was discovered, we experienced a slight feeling of disappointment. Were it not that we col- lected specimens of most of the orders, more particularly of Lepidoptera, our trip would have been a somewhat unsatis- factory one. However, we specially desired Micro-lepidoptera, and of these were successful in making a very fine collection. Perhaps I had better refer to each order separately, touching briefly upon the larger or more curious species collected or noted. When I arrived the country was brown and dry, the coastal rains of the early summer not having extended to the district, though several drizzly periods had kept the scrub damp. These drizzles favour the growth of moss on nearly all the scrub trees : even on quite small ones great bunches of moss, a foot in length, or as large as a dinner plate, may often be seen hanging on twigs no thicker than a lead pencil. One of these bunches, 15 inches by 10, I brought away with me. Thunderstorms had floated past us on both sides for some time — the direction generally from the west — until we were favoured with a good shower ; then, early in January, our first continuous rain, of three or four days, set in, and a little later it was too frequent to be pleasant. The thunderstorms here are more dangerous than near the coast (or at Port Darwin, where they are of almost daily occurrence for four months, and frequently are extremely violent), and we often heard of trees that had been struck by lightning. My son came across one where the lightning, after tearing off a topmost branch, ran down the trunk, causing a groove half an inch deep and a little wider, and stripping away the bark on each side of the groove, the strip of bark removed having a regular width 134 DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herberton District, N.O. [ Vict. Nat. Nov. of about 7 inches all the way down. This tree died. We brought away a section showing the electric track through the bark and wood, and another from a larger tree with a wider lightning groove in the wood, the tree having been killed at least a year before. Mrs. Hull and daughters told me of a hollow tree near_ Evelyn cattle station, a few miles away, where lightning had entered above and burst splintery holes through the trunk in several places. Close by Mr. Stone's residence, in the scrub, a large tree was shattered by lightning, which con- tinued along a large horizontal root, tearing a trench in the ground for some yards. The climate is a mild, pleasant, and extremely healthy one — maybe at times too chilly for some, for in winter the tempera- ture is often much below freezing-point, and frost and ice are common. Ice has no attractions for a coastal man — unless in a summer drink. Nearly all the fruits, vegetables, and flowers of the south thrive in the district. Anywhere peaches and dahlias do splendidly. An old, neglected orchard at " Cressbrook " con- tained fairly well-laden apple, peach, plum, and pear trees ; strawberries and grapes also take kindly to the district. In the flower garden there were petunias, marigolds, violets, dahlias, stocks, honeysuckle, &c. Citrus trees, too, were present, but the winter is, at times, somewhat severe for them. In the scrub, at Mr. Stonc^'s residence, a pale heliotrope plant deserves notice ; it was fastened on to the side of the house, and was about II feet high, and as wide, with a depth of about 3 feet. It was loaded with blossoms, and doubtless could have been trained much higher ; but, reaching the spouting, it was kept clipped there. Always living in the coastal districts, I have never seen a plague of caterpillars, but I was informed of one which occurred m the district a few years ago. The insects came along in a rolling, tumbling mass, and could distinctly be heard advancing. Everything green was attacked. The creatures swarmed into and crawled over the house, fell into and polluted the water in tanks and creek, climbed up the legs of fowls, cows, and other animals, and they and human beings too were depressed and sick for several days from the pollution of the water and a most unpleasant odour that arose from the myriads of crawling things. Strange to say, as has before been noticed in cases such as this, no extraordinary number of moths followed the caterpillar visitation. In and adjacent to the scrub, the largest and highest trees I have yet seen in Queensland came under my notice. Gigantic White Gums fringe the scrub, and continue a little way along the watercourses which start from it ; mighty Kauri Pines, Vol. XXVIII. igii ] DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herberton District, N.Q. 135 Damara australis, perhaps 8 feet through and 120 feet high, are plentiful in the scrub ; but, not having actually measured them, I must be careful, for, not long ago, wonderful stories were told and published about North Queensland and its scrubs, its wild blacks, fearful storms, wonderful birds, &c. These notes are absolute facts, and I have no desire to pose as a hero, or marvellous climber, and discoverer of what does not exist. For instance, the remarkable Tooth-billed Bower-bird, which is rarely found below 1,500 feet, has been recorded as an eater of snails, cracking the shells on a stone regularly visited for the purpose. Along with Mr. Sharpe and others, I have ex- amined hundreds of play-grounds of this bird, and have failed to find a shell, or even a fragment, on or near any of them. Nor have we found a stone, or log, or anything else with signs of shells having been cracked thereon. A person may travel through the scrubs, particularly the higher ones, for a whole day at any season of the year and not see a single live snail, because they are by no means plentiful, and, again, they are strictly nocturnal, while the bird is not. Even if one of the birds differed so much from its kindred as to find the snails and crack them on a stone near its play-ground, it would not be likely to again differ and allow the fragments to remain scattered therein, as has been represented in a recent photo- graph. Neither does the Grey Bower-bird, Chlamydodera orientalis, ornament the inside of its bower with pieces of coloured glass. Those pieces which were reported to have been seen artistically arranged amongst the erect twigs had doubtless been placed there by the hands of the school children of the district, who often visited that particular bower, which was close to a township, and, in fact, occupied the site of a hotel of the earlier coaching days. Nor did we observe Cassowaries bumping the trees to shake down their fruits, or come across wondrous vines which covered many acres of scrub, nor even one which covered one acre. Such a vine would be a wonder ; but one covering many acres would truly be the marvel of the vegetable kingdom. Those, therefore, who look for marvels in these notes will be disappointed. It is regrettable that the truth is often commonplace and dull, and it seems that there are several persons writing on Australian natural history matters who recognize this, and are enterprising enough to have set them- selves to rectify such a state of things. The same writer recorded fearful storms in the Atherton district towards the end of igo8, which produced sudden and alarming floods in the Barron River ; but the remarkable feature of the record is that only this one person seems to have seen the havoc wrought by these dreadful storms or the terrible floods. He states that great trees were snapped off in a wholesale manner. My experience of several 136 DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herberton District^ N.Q. [ Vict. Nat. Nov. cyclones is that the trees are generally torn up by the roots. Fortunately, Atherton was not in the track of these storms, or it would have been swept off the face of the earth. Curiously enough, the othcially recorded rainfall for Atherton for October, November, and December, 1908, is 141 points on 10 wet days, 81 points on 7 wet days, and 81 points on 3 wet days respectively, or a total of 3 inches for 20 days' rain spread over three months. Even if the whole three inches had fallen in one day, unless preceded by much heavier rain to saturate the ground and fill up all low'-lying places, it would not have affected the Barron to the extent of si.x inches. Further comment on such reports is needless. Butterflies. — Lepidoptera being the principal objects of our search, I will deal with that group first. Butterflies were very disappointing. Within the scrub Ornithoptera cassandra, Papilio joesa, Euschemon rafflesia, Ccthosia cydippe, and other handsome and well-known species occurred. I was greatly surprised at finding the last-named species at the altitude of 3,500 to 3,600 feet. The pretty and active Pyramcis ilea, which I had not seen further north than Brisbane, was taken occasionally, both within and without the scrub. The new skipper, named by Lower Hcspcrilla malindcva, which my son took last year, proved to be both rare and local, and a dozen examples were all we could secure. The blues (Lycsenidae) were all of common species, and not numerous. The taking of a male of HypolyccBua phorbas probably indicates that the Green Tree-Ant is in the scrubs here, though we did not notice it anywhere. jMoths. — Hawk-moths (Sphingida?) generally were scarce ; however, a freshly-emerged specimen of Cequosa aiistralasice was picked off a twig. Several species of Zeuzerida?, some of them found near Brisbane, were bred out. One of them proved to be new, and has been named Xyleiiies methychroa by Dr. Turner. Several Hepialidae were taken. Hcpialus daphrandrcs was as fine as those found near Brisbane. Along the northern coast it is generally small. The males of H. cyanochloi'a. which wc had bred at Port Darwin and frequently in North Queensland, were the handsomest 1 had yet seen. The smaller species. H. Leiciiiii, which I had not previously met with in the north, was larger than usual. Several tine species of Darala and Teara were bred or captured, one fine Darala being rather handsome, and new to me ; another, Eupterode doddi. Turner, varied in a remarkable degree, much more so than the widely distributed D. acuta. Some common " procession caterpillars," including Teara contraria, were in hundreds just before our departure. The pretty T. variegata was often taken at I'est on the trunks of Casuarinas (its food plant), and young larva were noticed in numbers at the end of Februarv- A handsome Vol. xxviir. igii ] DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herberton District, N.Q. 137 new Xyloryctid was bred from the gummy bark of the Scented Gum, Eucalyptus citriodora. Micro-lepidoptera were in great force just before the wet weather set in. and I was able to make a fine collection of them. That common but large and showy day-flying moth, Nyctlemon orontes, was in thousands in the hills, and was re- ported from several localities At the same time (January and February) it abounded in the Kuranda district, and almost every day since I came home it has been passing over in great numbers. I • hope some day to prepare some notes on this interesting moth, which, by non-entomological observers, is generally spoken of as a butterfly. The great flights of butter- flies frequently recorded in North Queensland are merely every- day flights of this moth. The following paragraph appeared in the Cairns Post of 5th June : — " Picnickers to Second Beach yesterday witnessed a rather pretty sight in the shape of a thick flock of butterflies, which settled on the vegetation along the banks of the creek which runs towards the Gorge. The place was thick with butterflies, which remained there all day. These have been seen in the locality on previous occasions, but never in such numbers as witnessed yesterday." The so-called butterflies were all specimens of Nyctlemon orontes. A somewhat similar paragraph was published in April, just after the great rains, but it has been mislaid. At this time we had just experienced the five days' rain which had had such disastrous effects upon the Cairns railway (Kuranda recorded 85 inches for the five days). After the deluge butter- flies were conspicuous by their absence ; not so A^". orontes. It was passing over as freely as ever, doubtless coming from a locality beyond the influence of the cyclone, and the accom- panying phenomenal rainfall. Remarkable butterflies do not occur in great numbers any- where in the north, and especially in the Atherton district, notwithstanding the report of a southern egg-collector that they were of extraordinary brilliance, and occurred in vast numbers. They cannot compare in numbers with those of an ordinary coastal district in tropical Queensland. No fine species occur there that are not represented on the coast, and the butterflies he saw passing over one day were merely flights of the Nyctlemon. Lepidopterists should know this, and oologists should know that nests and eggs are no more plentiful or more difficult to find there than in any other tropical scrub. CoLEOPTERA. — Beetles were by no means plentiful in scrub or forest. Of course, we secured some fine species, but at the expense of much wandering, searching, and a little climbing. What few flowering trees there were were too tall, thin, or straggling to be profitably climbed and worked, and one of Vict. Nat. 138 DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herberton District, N.Q. [^'% the best beetle trees in the north, the Bloodwood, Eucalyptus corymbosa, flowered too late. The magnificent Phalacrognathus Muelleri, the pretty Neolamprima mandihularis, and the several fine Buprestids and Cetonids we obtained were well worth the hunting and scrambhng for. Longicorns were disappointing. A fine streaked Elater and a fair number of Tenebrionidae were taken, a dozen or so of the latter being strangers to Mr. Carter, who is so interested in this family. Other novelties included a small coppery Carenum, a handsome Pamborus, three Amycteridae, various Carabidse, &c. Odonata. — Among dragon-flies, a superb specimen of Petalura gigantea, the only one seen, and two examples of a large species with brown shaded wings, which Mr. Tillyard informs me is " Plancsschna costalis, a fine and rare insect," were taken. We sent him about nine or ten species, all of which he states " occur around Sydney, and right down into Victoria, and even Tasmania." Rhynchota. — Cicadas, leaf-hoppers, and bugs were but poorly represented, nor was anything remarkable noted in any group or family. DiPTERA. — Flies were in great variety, many being large and handsome. A gigantic Asilid, black, with yellow body, which occurs in the Brisbane district, was captured. At flowering shrubs we took both curious and handsome species, and at over-ripe fruit a short, stalk-eyed species {Zygotrichia, sp. ?) was netted. At Kuranda there are three species of these queer flies, odd examples of one species having eyes three-fourths of an inch apart. Orthoptera. — Mantids, locusts, crickets, and cockroaches were few in species and numbers, and of quite ordinary appear- ance. One of the Locustidse calls for special mention — perhaps a different species from the southern Acridopeza reticulata, for the male is black and the female has not the blue, white, and red tints of this species on her body, but blue and orange. A pink- winged Phasma was taken now and then, and several other medium-sized species were observed. A grey insect, flattened underneath, and splendidly hidden on rough-barked trees, was the best we saw. Two slender, wingless species, one in the scrub and the other in the grass of the forest, were occasionally met with. Hymenoptera. — Wasps and bees were rather scarce, and so were conspicuous Ichneumonidae, but we took examples of one fine species, a Megalyra, with ovipositor over two inches in length. The ants, teo, were fewer in species than nearer the coast. The absence of the Green Tree-Ant, Gicophylla virescens, the Mound Ant, Iridomyrmex purpurea, and other well-known species was at once noticeable. There was a fine reddish Vol. XXVIII. igii ] DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herberion District, N.O. 139 " bulldog," with black abdomen, and a " jumper," both of the genus Myrmecia. That wretched little pest, the Brown House- Ant, so common in Queensland, which infests our gardens and houses, and is such a protector and undoubtedly farmer of scales and aphides, was happily absent — at least, wherever we were — but, like the sparrow, it is bound to spread. Birds. — My son is interested in these, but I gave him little time to observe or collect same. He obtained less than a dozen skins, and found a few clutches of eggs, most of which he did not interfere with. Nests found included Satin Bower- bird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceiis, containing one egg (height from ground, 8 feet), a Scrub Thrush [Collyriocichla, sp.), the Ashy- fronted Robin, Heteromyias cinereijrons, Yellow-rumped Robin, Eopsaltria magnirostris, and a few others. The last-named nests out in the forest, and never by any chance builds in or very close to the scrub. Forest birds do not build in the scrub, nor do the scrub birds build in the forest, therefore when one reads of a Yellow-rumped Robin and a Rifle-bird, Ptilorhis victories, nesting in the same tree, strangely at the same time, and within 6 feet of each other, he smiles — very broadly, too ! The Yellow-rumped Robin is a dear little bird, and its. notes are wonderfully like some of those of the Ashy-fronted. We found it up to 4,000 feet. It is the only yellow-rumped species in the north, but attempts were made (happily upset by North and Mathews) to pass off a variety as a new species. Not only that, but the habitat of the bird was said to be only high country of 3,000 to 5,000 feet — strange, indeed, when we reflect that the highest points in North Queensland, with the ex- ception of the scrub-clad and rarely ascended mountains, Bellenden-Ker and Bartle-Frere, fall short of the greater height by nearly 1,000 feet ! This Robin, like some other birds, at times varies a little in colour and size ; so do the eggs, which may be found in clutches of two, three, and four. We have seen the bird on a forest patch two miles from Kuranda, at about 1,100 feet, and, out in the open forest, five miles from Kuranda, at about 1,300 feet, it is not rare. The Tooth-billed Bower-birds', Scenopceetes dentirostris, play- grounds received much attention from us, for we were very interested in the alleged snail-shell cracking (on stones) pro- pensities of the birds, as reported by an individual who paid a hurried visit in igo8 to this fearful Queensland. Of course, we failed to discover any evidence in support of his statements, and knew full well that we should not. It is quite likely this bird often builds fairly high, perhaps 30 to 50 feet, but Mr. Sharp found the first nest and eggs * ever discovered, at only 17 feet, and he informed me that he never found any so high * Victorian Naturalist, February, 1909, xxv., p. 160. I40 DoDD, A CollecHns, Trip to Herberfon District, N.Q. \^'^%^^^' as 80 or 90 feet. Without blacks to help search and to climb for us it was waste of valuable time to attempt to find the nests in these great scrubs, where the timber is loftier than in the Atherton district. Our hands were too full of entomo- logical work. Out from early morning until dark, in the scrub on windy and moonlight nights, and on the hills on dark and occasional wet ones— with the right conditions a wet night is quite a productive one. Often my son was out at night, far from any habitation, either in scrub or forest, for my work seldom left me free to accompany him then, the preparation and setting of specimens keeping me in. The fact of him. quite alone, collecting at night, far from any house, without even a dog, and as easy in his mind as if in the company of others, speaks volumes of the deadly fear we entertained of the " evil-looking " blacks. The few blacks in the district are just the same good-humoured, ragged, smoking, and often decrepit-looking creatures one sees in the Atherton. Kuranda. and other well-settled districts, who hang about hoping for odd pieces of bread, meat, and tobacco, and willing to do a little work to get their stomachs filled, then go to sleep or loaf around until hungry again, but as harmless as our wives' pet fowls. This being a truthful and unembellished narrative, I must admit that we did fear these awful blacks at times, more particularly one old chap, who undoubtedly stole one of our largest Zeuzerid chrysalides — to eat ! Once or twice the chills of fear crept over me when I came across a band of black youngsters — the leader armed with a murderous-looking toma- hawk— at the thought of them discovering and eating, not me or my son, but some of the Zeuzeridas caterpillars we had located in the bush — fine fat specimens of which they were searching for. For some days, when collecting in a particular spot, we noticed that two Curlews, Burhinus graUarius, were frequently near and greatly interested in our movements. One day I attempted to find the eggs, which I supposed were not far away, but without success, so turned off in another direction, but had not gone man\' yards when a slight noise behind caused me to turn, and there were the birds, not more than six feet off, with wings extended, hissing and showing great anger. Whether they would have actually struck at me I cannot say. They both stood, so, supposing the young or eggs were close by, I looked a little longer, one bird keeping very close and bouncing me, moving forward or backward as I moved. Next day, having a few minutes to spare, I again went to the spot, and up came the birds, one keeping close to me as before, and angrily disputing my advance, nor was she alarmed when I pushed m}' net stick close to her, but just gingerly stepped a ^"'"'^^iT"^'] I^ODi). -^ Collecting Trip to Herberfon District, N.Q. 141 little aside. Finally, I saw the eggs, and walked towards them, the bird slowly retreating as I advanced, yet always within six or seven feet of me ; but directly I reached the eggs she, with head bent down, ran quickly away, her mate, who kept further off. joining and running with her : nor would they return, though I stooped over and touched the eggs, they quietly watching me from under a tree some fifty yards away. Next day one egg was chipped, both birds coming close up as usual, and the day after the first chick was out and the other egg chipped ; then I left the devoted birds in peace. We had no trouble with snakes, but killed a few. A large black species with greenish abdomen was the only poisonous one we met with, unless we except a seven-inch specimen of the Brown Snake found under a log in grassy country. The slender greenish or yellowish species which frequent shrubs and trees are not worth the trouble of killing. Perhaps they should be destroyed, as they are egg-robbers and bird- murderers. No death-adders were observed, though doubtless they are present in rocky localities. A large grey iguana was seen occasionally, but lizards were generally rare. Centipedes were plentiful ; not so tarantulas and other spiders. Altogether, the trip was an interesting and successful one, but I regretted that I was unable to spend six months there instead of three. There are drawbacks, of course : January and February are too rainy to be pleasant, and this year March must have been an unusually wet month ; it is generally referred to by residents as the worst. Mosquitoes were almost entirely absent, and for the first three surnmer months for years I slept without a mosquito-net. No worrying bush-flies in the daytime, but leeches, ticks, and scrub-itch are in strong force, and are ex- cessively annoying. One big striped leech, frequenting the grass near the scrubs and along the watercourses, is extremely active and unusually gluttonous ; its bite often bleeds very freely. One quickly gets to know the nip or feel the crawl of the creature, and it can be removed before operations are properly under way. We were often surprised, after quick walks through the grass, to find how many of these disgusting things could attach them- selves to our boots and clothing. Scrub-leeches were not numerous, and gave us little trouble, nor did the scrub-ticks, but a diminutive one, in places here and there in the grass of the forest, is a great nuisance. Frequently, after a few hours' collecting, we would have fifty or more attached to us, and, I must admit, the itching bites had to be violently rubbed or scratched until the pestiferous little wretches were dis- lodged ; off would come a fragment of cuticle too, but what matter, so long as we obtained relief ? We learnt in time where these ticks were particularly bad, and avoided such 142 DoDD, A Collecting Trip to Herberton District, N.O. [ Vict. Nat. Nov. spots with the utmost care. I have, comparatively recently, read of a nervous oologist from the south, posing as a hardened and experienced bushman, who stayed in camp for a whole day, for fear of blood-poisoning setting in from the bites of leeches and scrub-itch. The latter is annoying enough, but not so bad by far as these tiny ticks, nor does the scrub-itch cause, as reported, " torturing sores " on man, beast, or bird. No man has ever yet shot a bird (especially a Tooth-bill) suffering from scrub-itch sores. To pretend that one endures " absolute torture '' from the bites of the tiny Acarid, after being in the scrub a lew hours, is most amusing. However, the long bow must be frequently drawn to make up pretty stories and show what heroes have to endure. Sores, if developed through scrub- itch bites, are brought on by the person himself. Most fortunate it is that these several pests of the forest and scrub do not poison our blood, such as splinters and other foreign objects are apt to do ; but a scrub-tick will kill the largest dog, or bring on strange and almost alarming symptoms in a child, as we know by actual experience. A few plain facts, such as are given in the above fifteen or twenty lines, and in other portions of these notes, are very necessary, for innocent and untravelled southerners might come to look upon our wonderful scrubs as awful places, frequented only by horrific snakes and fierce cannibalistic btlcks, and therefore places to be very carefully avoided if they desire to live to a good ripe age. Again, I must not omit to mention that the Fever Fiend does not stalk through these scrubs — i.e., those of Atherton, Evelyn, and other elevated parts ; even down on the coast malarial fever is now- adays very rare. To get my collections safely to Herberton, it was necessary to carry them by hand, the jolting of a buggy, no matter how carefully driven, being much too risky. We had taken in a portion previously and sent it on to Kuranda, and that re- maining my son and I carried in on the morning of my departure. We left at 6 o'clock, to catch the train leaving at 9.35. The walk over the twelve miles (surveyed) was generally pleasant and interesting. The country was dry and brown when I passed through in November, but now it was covered with fresh green grass, with flowers here and there, and the notes and songs of birds added to the pleasure of the walk. The morning was bright and dewy, tall box-trees were in flower, providing various birds with their breakfast. To my surprise and delight I heard, the first time for very many years, the clear, unmistakable notes of the Bell-bird, Oreoica cristata, but the last note seemed slightly different from that of the bird as I have heard it in Victoria. Vol. XXVIII. 1911 Correspondence. 143 CORRESPONDENCE. THE ALTERATION OF THE QUAIL SEASON. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. Sir, — The paper entitled " The Alteration of the Quail Season and its Effect," by Mr. G. A. Keartland, printed in your Sep- tember number, has been brought under my notice. The writer's statements could be criticised very forcibly ; but, in my opinion, any man who bases his arguments on the igii season, when the breeding was admittedly quite " out of gear," owing to abnormal climatic conditions, &c., cannot be taken seriously. By the way, however, Mr. Keartland twice mentions the 14th February as the opening day for quail for this year, and shows that he " shot a few brace " on that day. If he did so, and will admit it in court, I shall be glad to ask the bench to make the cost of the few brace somewhat higher than he in- tended. Probably, however, Mr. Keartland's two references to the 14th February were errors, and rather simple ones at that. If so, are there any other errors among his statements ? His remark that he has not been out since i8th February, " as the few old birds have been shot, and there are no young ones coming on," is possibly a sample, and I shall leave it in the hands of a large number of sportsmen who had excellent quail- shooting in June and July. The matter of the close season for quail is a very difficult one, and the alteration was not decided upon without a good deal of investigation. Criticism is welcomed, also the ex- perience and opinion of careful observers ; but ridiculous state- ments, such as — " The best proof of the absurdity of the last alteration of the opening day of the season is to be gained by a perusal of the Fish Market reports in the daily press. During May quail realized up to 2s. per brace by auction," will certainly not assist the matter, especially when they refer to one season only, and that an abnormal one. — I am, yours, &c., J. M. SEMMENS, Chief Inspector of Game and Fisheries. Melbom^ne, 2gth September, igii. [The error in the date was observed and corrected by Mr. Keartland in the October Naturalist. — Ed. Vict. Nat.] To the Editor, Victorian Nattcralist. Sir, — I must thank you for your courtesy in submitting Mr. Semmens's letter to me for early reply. The error in date I freely admit, and have already corrected ; but Mr. Semmens is also in error in supposing that my arguments are based on this " abnormal season." I was in hopes that the abnormal season 144 Correspondence. [^"^No^^' theory was entitled to a rest, as I have heard it quoted on every deputation on the quail question which I have attended. It may interest Mr. Semmens to know that I speak from fifty years' experience as a sportsman and over forty years as a careful observer, during which time I have not only bred quail in my aviary, but in 1909 had the pleasure of watching marked birds breeding in a paddock adjoining my property. I have studied the birds in the Ballarat, Maryborough, Nhill, ^lelton, Heidelberg, and Preston districts of Victoria ; in Riverina, N.S.W. ; in Central and North-West Australia ; and on that experience base my arguments. That sportsmen may get good quail-shooting in June and July I can freely endorse, as I have frequently stated in press correspondence and on deputations ; but it has always been on property where the birds have been allowed to finish breeding and the young ones have matured. It would, perhaps, interest the readers of the Naturalist to hear why the late Sir Thomas Bent, after gazetting an early opening of the shooting season, which I, with others, opposed, cancelled his order after about a fortnight's trial. Rumour states that he was inundated with parcels of little, half-fledged, young quail. He certainly had some sent him, and, like a gentleman, admitted his mistake. Quail breed from October to the end of ^larch if undisturbed, but where they are harassed they soon shift to other quarters. This is illustrated in the fact that they soon leave sheep country, but remain in agricultural or cattle country. When I stated that " the old birds had been shot, and there were no young ones coming on," I was alluding to the places with which I am familiar. I can find quail now in places where they are protected, but in open country, to which the general public had access, very few birds were found after ist March. I regret that Mr. Semmens did not consult the advisory committee or some of the ornithological societies, or, better still, some of the correspondence in the possession of the Government, before rushing into print. I have spared neither time nor money in my endeavours to increase the supply of quail. Ten years ago I issued 347 circulars, containing a series of questions, to all the sportsmen whose addresses I could ascertain, and in nearly every case they endorsed my view — that the end of March is soon enough to start shooting. I have distributed nearh^ all the reprints of my paper amongst land- owners and sportsmen, without receiving a single contradiction. It would have been more satisfactory to have had a few argu- ments in support of the alteration in the Game Act instead of a general contradiction and copious quotations. To get at the best way of increasing the number of birds is my object. Apologizing for thus trespassing on your space, I am, &c., Preston, 30th October. G. A. KEARTLAND. Cbe Uktorian naturalist. Vol. XXVIII.— No. 8. DECEMBER 7, 1911. No. 336. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 13th November, 1911. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 40 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Dr. Douglas Mawson, leader of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, thanking the Club for its donation of £5 towards the funds of the expedition, which, he said, was especially welcome, coming as it did from fellow-scientists. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Sandringham on Saturday, 14th October, was given by the leader, Mr. C. A. Topp, LL.B., who said that there had been a good attendance of members, and an enjoyable afternoon had been spent, but no novelties had been reported, the usual spring flowers being fairly plentiful. A report of the excursion to the Metropolitan Farm at Werribee on Saturday, 21st October, was given by the leader, Mr. G. A Keartland, who said that there had been a good attendance of members, who. besides studying the natural history of the farm, had the opportunity of seeing how the sewage of Melbourne was disposed of. The bird-life, though numerous, was not very varied, and he had been somewhat disappointed in the results of the afternoon. It was interesting to find the little Grass-bird, Megalurus gramineus, nesting quite close to the shore-line. Regarding the botanical aspects of the excursion. Dr. Sutton reported that the flora was very similar to that on the eastern side of Port Phillip. The principal plants noted were : — Atri-plex cinereum (tree form), Salicoinia arbuscula, S. Australis, Snceda maritima, Afuim -prostratum. Mesembry- anthemum australe, Frankenia IcBvis, Samolus repens, Wilsonia "' rotundifolia, W. hiimilis, and Cotula filifolia. A report of the excursion on the Upper Yarra on Saturday, 4th November, was given by the leader, Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., who said that, favoured by splendid weather, a most enjoyable outing had resulted, but the date was found to be rather late for the flowering of the majority of the shrubs, &c., along the river banks. A report of the excursion to Nyora on Cup Day, Tuesday, 7th November, was given by Mr. J. Searle, who said that. 146 Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings. [^"^jjec^'^' though the party had consisted of himself and liis son only, he had been thoroughly satisfied with the outing. He had devoted himself to the pond-life of the district, and had secured some new records, also an unrecorded species of Brunella, of which he purposed giving some account at a future meeting. A report of the excursion to Mooroolbark on Saturday, nth November, was given by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who acted as leader in the unavoidable absence of Mr. C. French, jun. He said that there had been a good attendance of members, who were greatly interested in the various specimens met with, and, though nothing of particular interest was collected, still a useful and instructive afternoon had been spent. A report of the junior excursion from Croydon to Moorool- bark on Saturday, 4th November, was forwarded by the leader, Mr. C. French, jun., who reported a fair attendance of juniors. The afternoon had been spent in a search for insects, of which a fair number of the commoner kinds was found, and about which information was given to the members of the party. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. E. J. Dunn, F.G.S., Mines Department, Melbourne, Mr. M. G. Mackenzie, Lands Depart- ment, Melbourne, Mr. L. B. Stanton, Princess-street, Kew, and Mr. H. B. Wright, 172 William-street, Melbourne, were duly elected as ordinary members ; Miss Omi Dines, Dumma- gudem. South India, as a country member ; and Master Cecil Whight, Park-street, South Yarra, as a junior member of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. On the motion of Messrs. Barnard and Wisewould. a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. F. J. Cayley, of Werribee. for his assistance in carrying out the recent excursion to the Metro- politan Farm. Mr. R. A. Keble referred to the trouble that was arising along the banks of the Yarra from the use of motor boats of certain types on the river. The banks were being undermined, and large trees which are growing near the water's edge will, unless some definite action is early taken, fall into the stream, and add further to the dangers of navigating the river, besides* being a considerable loss to the river from a scenic point of view. Mr. Hardy endorsed the remarks, and promised to consult the officers of the Public Works Department in order to see what steps can be taken. PAPER READ. I. By Mr. J. W. Audas, entitled " Botanical Gleanings of a Trip to the Omeo District." Vol.XXVIll, 1911 1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 147 The author described in an interesting way the many botanical specimens met with during a trip from Bairnsdale up the Tambo Valley and over the Alps to Omeo. The latter district, though at an elevation of about 2,200 feet, did not provide such interesting botanical material as might have been expected. Messrs. Topp, M'Lennan, Pitcher, and Barnard took part in a short discussion which followed. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. Dr. T. S. Hall, M.A., called attention to his exhibit of " pineapple " opal, a rather rare occurrence, and gave some explanation of its composition and probable formation. EXHIBITS. By Mr. J. W. Audas. — Dried specimens of the following plants in illustration of his paper : — Adriana tomentosa. Gaud., Woolly Bitter-bush ; PuUencBa strida, var. Gunnii, Golden Bush-Pea, with Witches' Broom ; Dodoncea viscosa, var. attenimta, Hop-bush ; Plectanthrus parviflorus, Henck., Cockspur flower : Eriostemon myoporoides, D.C., Long-leaved Wax-fiower ; Cassia Australis, Sims, Spice-bush ; Acacia oxycedrus, Sieb., Spike Acacia ; Calythrix tetragona. Lab., Four-cornered Buttercup, and Ramalina Eckloni, Spreng., on twigof Melaleuca; petrified wood from Oriental Sluicing Claim, Omeo. By Mr. F. Cayley. — Flowers of Bladderwort, Utriciilaria dicliotoma, and leaves of Nardoo, Marsilea Dvummondi, from Werribee . By Dr. T. S. Hall, M.A. — Pineapple opal, from White Cliffs, New South Wales. By Mr. A. L. Scott. — Specimen of the Sow Thistle, Sonchus oleraceiis, L., an introduced weed, which was breaking down a sound wall. By Mr. J. Searle. — New species of Copepoda, of the genera Bceckella and Brunella, collected at Nyora, South- West Gipps- land, 7th November. By Mr. F. Spry. — A bred specimen of the beetle, Sclerocyphon maculatus, Blkb.; Eucharis, sp. (order Hymenoptera), found in nest of ant, Ectatomma, sp. ; a bred specimen of moth, Asura lydia, Don., larvae found under a stone with ant, Iridomyrmex, sp. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. OCTOBER MEETING. The following abstracts of excursion reports read at the October meeting of the Club could not be published last month on account of pressure on our space : — 148 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [ Vict. Nat. Dec. A report of the excursion from Sandringham to Cheltenham on Saturday, 23rd September, was given by the leader, Mr. J. R. Tovey, who said that, doubtless owing to the showery morning, the attendance had not been as large as was expected. However, about a dozen members took part in the outing, and were favoured with a delightful afternoon. The spring flowers were in evidence everywhere, and at least fifty species were met with during the four-mile walk. Six species of orchids — viz., Diuris maculata. Leopard Orchid, D. siilphiirea, Tiger Orchid, Thelymitra antennifera. Yellow-hood Orchid, Caladenia Patersoni, Spider Orchid, C. carnea. Pink Fairies, and Glossodia major, the Larger Glossodia, were collected. On the roadside near Cheltenham a white-flowered form of the introduced plant, Bartsia latifolia, Sibth. and Sm., was found, apparently the first record of this plant with white flowers. A report of the excursion to Ferntree Gully on Saturday, 30th September, was given by the leader, Mr. J. P. M'Lennan, who reported a good attendance of members. Attention was first directed to the flora of the flat country at the foot of the range, the latter being afterwards explored to a slight extent. Between 80 and 90 plants were noted, of which more than 60 were in bloom. The order Leguminosse furnished seventeen species, Piiltencea pednnciilata, the Trailing Bush-Pea, being the most uncommon. Other plants which were at their best were Acacia myrtifolia. Myrtle-leaved Acacia, Aster {Olearia) stellulatus, var. lyrata. Snow-bush Aster, Comesperma voliihile. Love Creeper, Daviesia latifolia. Broad-leaved Bitter-Pea, D. corymbosa, Narrow-leaved Bitter-Pea, Goodia lotifolia, Tretal, Glycine clandestina. Delicate Glycine, PultencBa Gunnii, Golden Bush-Pea, Pimelea axiflora. Tough Rice-flower, Tetra- theca ciliata. Pink Eyes, and Hibbertia stricta, Rigid Guinea- flower. A report of the junior excursion to Sandringham on Saturday, 7th October, was given by the leader, Mr. J. P. M'Lennan, who said that there had been a good attendance of juniors. Atten- tion was first of all directed to the different characters of the plants, beginning at high-water mark and continuing up the cliffs, through the tea-tree belt, to the scrub-land beyond. LTnfortunately, after about an hour had been pleasantly spent heavy rain came on, necessitating the abandonment of the excursion. CONVERSAZIONE. The list of exhibitors of microscopical specimens on page 130 of the November Naturalist should have included : — Mr. J. Shephard. — Mounted Rotifera Vol.xxviii.j NiCHOLLS, y4 Trip to the Bass Valley. 149 A TRIP TO THE BASS VALLEY. By E. Brooke Nicholls. (^Reacl before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, gth October, 191 1 .) Having heard the Bass Valley often spoken of as the habitat of one of the rarest of our native animals, and also as the southern limit of certain northern bird forms, such as the Sanguineous Honey-eater, the Carinated or Black-faced Fly- catcher, and the Long-billed Scrub-Wren, it seemed likely that a visit to its vales and hills would prove of interest. With the object of spending a pleasant holiday and making a record of birds seen and heard, our party of three spent last Easter in and around the valley, and, on the advice of Mr. W. Chapman, of the Powlett River railway construction camp, made Nyora, on the South-Eastern railway, 55 miles from town, our headquarters. This township is distant some two and a half miles from the valley, but, being the junction for the Bass Valley and Powlett River railways, we found it a convenient centre from which to work. A train leaves Nyora about g in the morning, and, after traversing almost the whole length of the valley, cuts through the Bass Ranges close to the sea and continues on to Kilcunda and Wonthaggi. It returns again at five in the evening, thus leaving ample time for an excursion from any of the intervening stations. Roughly estimated, the Bass V^alley is about 20 miles in length. Woodleigh, the first station, some six miles from Nyora, is situated about the middle of the valley, which is there about two miles wide. Ranges of hills, several hundred feet in height, enclose it on either side, and the Bass River, a swollen, muddy stream, a few yards in width, runs at the foot of the western range. We were surprised to find this part of the valley practically denuded of timber, the hills cleared right to their tops and covered with bracken only. On the flats the well-grassed paddocks, blooming with dandelion and red clover, told of many years of occupation. The river is fringed with Silver Wattles, with an occasional blackwood here and there. A few tree-ferns rising some 20 to 25 feet above the grass and clover at their base attest the former luxuriance of the vege- tation. A short distance from the station one or two belts of timber have been left. The trees consist mainly of Messmate and Blue Gum, with Swamp Tea-tree and Bayonet-grass (in seed) in the marshy parts. The timber is being cut for the Powlett mines, and in a few years the Bass Valley will be stripped to the last tree. From the station yard at Woodleigh a short I50 NiCHOLLS, A Trip io the Bass Valley. [^'^De^'^''^'' tram track runs to a timber-cutters' camp, three-quarters of a mile distant. Here a belt of original scrub looked a promising hunting-ground, but a close search revealed nothing of interest ornithologically. The ground was swampy, with isolated patches of dry land, and the moister parts were riddled with the tussock- hidden tunnels of land-crabs and the large earthworms. At every footstep weird subterranean gurglings attracted attention, and it was some time before we found out that the swishing, sucking noises were due to the sudden retreat of the gigantic earthworms into their burrows. On the drier parts one of the so-called native hops, Goodenia ovata, with a few late blooms, was growing to a height of five to six feet. The shrubs emitted a most fragrant perfume as we pushed through them. We were much disappointed in the character of the country. For years past the timber has been cut out for the mines at Korumburra, and latterly for those of the Powlett. Bush-fires have also devastated a great part of the Bass Valley, and we were informed that, after the great fire of i8g8, the bodies of dozens of Lyre-birds were found along the banks of the river. No doubt the destruction of marsupial life was equally severe. In the undergrowth we had disturbed one wallaby for the day. A small orchid and a few plants were collected, and have been identified by Mr. C. French, jun. Only twenty-one species of birds were seen, the most uncommon being the Gang-Gang Cockatoo. Earlier in the day we had come across the wood- cutters' camp. All around lay the fallen timber. A few in- quiries called forth the remark that many Flying Phalangers were destroyed during the progress of the work, and the presence of the dead animals lying round the camp bore out the state- ment. On several occasions phalangers, probably specimens of Petauriis australis, had been captured and set free again by the timber-cutters. The description of one of their captures, a small animal no larger than a rat, convinced me that it was a specimen of that rare mammal, Leadbeater's Opossum, Gymnobelideiis leadheaieri, M'Coy, figured in the " Prodromus of Zoology of Victoria," decade x., pi. 91. The remaining clumps of timber in this valley are the last of the sanctuaries of this exceedingly rare little creature. A description, accompanied by a drawing of the animal, if forwarded through the proper channels to the contractors working in this valley, might result in the securing of specimens either for the Museum or the National Park. On Sunday morning we left our residence, the Grand Central Coffee Palace — Nyora consists of two stores, one hotel, and several houses — and. taking a local track, strolled a mile or Vol. XXVIII 191. ] NicHOLLs, A Trip to the Bass Valley. 151 two into the scrub. Passing several neglected orchards, we saw vast quantities of apples on the ground. These provided a feast for numerous parrots, starlings, and wattle-birds. An interesting feature of this walk was the finding of an " ivy " bush in flower, swarming in parts with small flying insects (midges). So thick were these that at a short distance parts of the green ivy appeared blue-black in colour. A leaf two or three square inches in area accommodated hundreds of the insects. When disturbed by throwing a stick into the bush they fell off in a cloud as thick as smoke. Again birds were few in number, and a solitary Yellow Robin was added to the list. In the afternoon we followed the railway line for some two miles back to town. Another native hop, Daviesia latijolia, grows in profusion along the track, and, though not in flower, emitted a sweet perfume during a slight shower of rain. Stepping off the line into a foot-track, we climbed Gardiner's Hill, our destination, It was whilst walking up the hill that we found how numerous and ferocious the mosquitoes were this season. The late rains had caused a plague of these pests all over the State, but at no place were they worse than here. They accompanied us in thousands, and the torture they in- flicted will be remembered for a long time. The hillside we climbed was very damp, and in a little dell at the foot a species of hakea and the coral fern grow profusely. The soil is light and sandy, like that of a typical sand-dune, and at the summit pink, red, and white heath flourished. From here a splendid view was obtained of Phillip and French Islands and the Mornington Peninsula, with the waters of Western Port gleaming in between. On the downward slope of the hill we found the soil red, rich, and volcanic, and the owner of the land showed us a wonderful bed of gladioli of all shapes and of the most vivid colouring. The latter he attributed partly to the sea breeze, which blows freely across the hill-tops, and partly to the red soil. He asked for an explanation of this outcrop of volcanic soil amidst the sand, but we could not explain it. The presence in the house of two paintings by Neville Cayley, one of a Blue Wren and the other of a Striated Pardalote, P. ornatus, elicited the fact that they had been purchased at a recent local sale for 5s. 6d. the two ! We congratulated the owner upon the possession of the paintings, whose value must be at least twenty guineas. He was surprised at his good fortune, and grateful for the information. On Easter Monday we left Nyora to visit a piece of virgin country four and a half miles distant, on the road to Poowong. The valle}^ having proved a failure, we decided to try its ex- Vict. Nat. 152 NicHOLLS, A Trip to the Bass Valley. [^"^d treme head, at a place known as " Dunlop's Patch," a remnant of the original scrub. On the road out we halted to investigate a piece of likely-looking ground for Emu-Wrens. After half an hour's search we put up a few field-wrens, Calamanthus, and that was all. We had a good opportunity of observing the way in which these tiny ground-lDirds stick close to cover. They were very difficult to flush, flew just on a level with the Swamp Tea-tree, and only betrayed their position by their sharp, short call notes. The day was warm and the road up hill, winding, and muddy. One honey-eater, the White-eared, was seen, also several hunting parties of Acanthizas. All throughout the trip we came across the winter bands of these tits, or thornbills, consisting of several species — the Yellow-tailed, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa, Buft'-tailed, A. reguloides, and the Striated, A. lineata. Every band was accompanied by a pair of White-shafted Fantails. Magpies and Butcher-Birds were plentiful along the road, and the rich, flute-like notes of the latter sounded clear and sharp in the vales between the hills. At a bend in the road the distant Baw Baws stood out away to the north, distinct against the sky-line, with Mount Baw Baw raising its head above the rest of the range. It was probably seventy miles away, and all the country in between seemed bare of green timber, even to the crests of the hill-tops. The one fact that impressed us right throughout the trip was the disappearance of the forest and undergrowth. Another twenty years, and there will hardly be a tree standing in the district. The National Park at Wilson's Promontory has not been acquired a bit too soon. Arriving at Dunlop's, we ascertained that the 200 acres of timbered country before us was not original scrub. Twenty years ago the proprietor cut it out, and the present growth is a secondary one. In this patch the trees, chiefly messmate, are slender spars for the most part, 80 to 100 feet high, with a few of the monarchs of the virgin timber still standing. The long hill slope from the farm leads down to a small creek, in which tree-ferns, dogwood, musk, hazel, clematis, and all the tangle of a Gipsland gully undergrowth, still remains. Half- way down the hill we boiled the billy. Birds were very scarce, a few Thornbills, Rosellas, Butcher-birds, Scrub-Wrens, with an occasional Tree-creeper and Scarlet-breasted Robin being noted. The call notes of the Butcher-birds in this gully were wonder- ful, both in number and variety. The whole valley seemed to resound with them, and we heard the calls of many other birds we did not see. They followed one another in quick succession Vol. XXVIII. igi ] NiCHOLLs, A Trip to the Bass Valley. 153 — the Harmonious Thrush, Wattle-birds, Pennant's Parrakeet, Grey Magpies, and others. We were on the look-out for the Lyre-bird, but had not seen it or heard its call. Then, in a flash, we realized we had been listening to the bird for some minutes. The rapid succession of different calls from unseen birds forced the truth upon us. We concluded the Lyre-birds were not more than 200 yards from us, and started to locate them. Stepping, slipping, and falling quietly down hill through the dense undergrowth, we got to within thirty yards of them. Then we seated ourselves and listened to the most wonderful and beautiful series of bird notes it has been our good fortune to hear. For several minutes we sat in a spell of delight, and then, recovering, copied down on the spot the calls as they were imitated. And when we say imitated we mean more than the word conveys, for every note and sound was a perfect reproduction of the call of the bird mimicked, and, as Mr.' Milligan declared, was rendered with more grace and finish than it would be by the original itself. The following is the list of calls, taken down at the time : — I. — Native Bear. 2. — Young Magpie being fed. J. — Boobook Owl (deep, guttural, and a perfect imitation). 4. — White-throated Thickhead. 5, 6, and 7. — Three calls of the Harmonious Thrush — first, the single high-pitched alarm note ; second, the " Choked, choked with a cherry " call ; third, a second alarm call, consisting of several notes pitched in the same key. cS. — Starling. " The indrawn whistle," likened by Mr. Milligan to the swish of a rocket. g. — The Satin Bower-bird. 10. — Butcher-bird. II.— Wattle-bird. 12. — Whistling Eagle. ij. — Black Cockatoo. 14. — Alarm notes of a flock of startled parrots. In mimicking these notes the fluttering and winnowing sounds of the wings of the rising birds were accurately represented. 15. — Pennant's Parrakeet. 16. — Magpie's alarm note. , 17. — Scrub- Wren. 18. — Acanthiza ptisiUa (scolding note.). 19. — Laughing Jackass (the gurgling notes at the beginning of the laugh only). 20. — Strepera. 21. — Creaking of tree limbs moved by the wind. 154 NiCHOLLs, A Trip to the Bass Valley. [ Vict. Nat. Dec. 22 and 23. — Mechanical sounds. The first, repeated rapidly, sounded like " Choo, choo, choo, choo." This we after- wards recognized as the sound made by the engines of the heavy coal-laden trains as they puffed up a sharp incline just outside the Nyora railway yard, some four and a half miles distant from this valley. The other was a soft note slowly repeated, and might have repre- sented the sound of a broad axe at work on a log. 24. — ^Two Magpies meeting in the air. This was a reproduction of loud notes uttered when two Magpies meet in col- lision in mid-air. 25. — Coachwhip-bird. Whilst listening to this wonderful performance we caught sight of one of the birds. From the rapidity with which the calls were uttered, and the different directions in which they were coming, we concluded that there were two birds engaged in a rivalry of song. The bird we had seen discovered us, and, crossing the creek, it climbed the slope we were on and came round the back of us to within ten yards. It was a female. This bird uttered not a note whilst we watched it, and all the time it was on the move the mimicry continued. We then walked forward to catch a sight of the singer, and got to within twenty yards of the male bird when it broke cover. For a moment we saw the bird, and then it disappeared, and we had heard the last of the performance. We had been listening for forty minutes, and for half an hour of that time had been within 25 to 30 yards of the Lyre-bird. Examining the ground, we found it scratched and turned in all directions. No dancing-mound was to be seen, so the enter- tainment was gone through whilst the birds, or at least the female, was feeding. Just as we were preparing to leave the spot, a series of shrill cries attracted us, and in a few seconds the male and female Lyre-birds dashed past into the scrub. They were the pair we had been watching, and passed so near that we stretched out our hands to capture them. We searched carefully for a nest, but without success. There are one or two points of interest in connection with the behaviour of the birds and the order in which the call notes of the various birds followed one another. The female undoubtedly saw us, but apparently gave no warning or alarm note of any kind ; and she took no part whatever in the vocal performance. The imitations were not always rendered in the full sequence given in the list. Whilst both birds were undisturbed it was adhered to, call following call in unbroken succession. But when the female came over to us the song was interru]:)ted b}' pauses Vol. XXVIII. ] NicHOLLS, A Trip to tJie Bass Valley. 155 and single imitations, those of the Butcher-bird and the rising of the parrot-flocks being often repeated. A new series always commenced with the second note of the Harmonious Thrush. The call of the Mopoke was given only twice. Sounds that were similar and bird calls pitched in the same key, or that har- monized, always followed one another. The two mechanical sounds were always kept together, as were the cries of the Whistling Eagle and Black Cockatoo. The notes of the smaller birds, the Thornbills and Scrub-Wrens, always followed in sequence, and when these calls were uttered the whole volume of the Lyre-bird's voice was modulated and toned down to low, whispering notes. On the Tuesday we visited Woolamai, the sea end of the valley, some seventeen miles from Nyora. The railway station is about ten miles from the cape of the same name, which forms the eastern extremity of Phillip Island. Leaving the valley, we followed a road two and a half miles to a local eminence known as Finney's Hill. From here we had a splendid view of the surrounding Bass Ranges. On one side we caught glimpses through the trees of the distant township of Wonthaggi and the white-capped waves of Bass Strait ; whilst on the other hand, nine miles away, were the waters of Western Port, with Phillip, French, Pelican, and Elizabeth Islands standing out clear and distinct. The estuary of the Bass spread out before us, and we could see where the main stream entered Western Port, some four miles above San Remo. These distances were given me by a resident. The Spotted Ground-bird was added to the list, and we also saw, in one company, two male Flame-breasted Robins in full plumage and six young male birds without any colouring. We also came across a large hunting band of Acanthizas, and with them were Blue Wrens, Scrub- Wrens, a female Whistler (Thick- head), and a pair of Harmonious Thrushes, together with the ubiquitous White-shafted Fantails. We disturbed a few wallaby in the hill-tops. On our return to the station we incidentally heard that last Christmas thirty Koalas, or Native Bears, had been sold on the platform to travellers at half-a-crown a head. Ant-eaters are fairly common about Wonthaggi, which is only some two miles from the sea. At the Woolamai station we were much interested in three bags of oysters, each weighing about 150 lbs., and consigned to Melbourne. Later on we sampled some of them at a Swanston-street fish shop, and found them decidedly muddy in colour and flavour. Another day we visited Wonthaggi and descended one of the mine shafts. There were then twenty-one miles of coal drives, 156 NiCHOLLS, A THp to the Bass Valley. rvict. L De opened up after twelve months' work. 1 believe this con- stitutes a record. It was whilst journeying in the train to this town that we overheard an interesting conversation. It appears that during the summer season the week-end trip which the resident of Wonthaggi most favours is one to the Mutton-bird rookery at Cape Woolamai. Every Saturday and Sunday motor boats constantly ply between San Remo and the Cape. One man has three large launches, and these are going all day long. Last Christmas hundreds of people visited the rookery, disturbing and destroying the birds and their young. Our travelling companion was looking forward to a sporting time next season ; hence the last mainland stronghold of the Mutton-bird is doomed. In the appended list of the principal birds seen I have adopted the latest names, as used in Leach's " An Australian Bird Book " ; and in that of the plants I have added the popular names provisionally adopted by the Plant Names Committee, in order that readers may become familiar with them. Birds of Bass Valley — Easter, 191 i. Synoecus australis Cerchneis cenchroides Callocephalum galeatum . . Platycercus elegans P. eximius Dacelo gigas Menura victorite Chelidon (Hirundo) neoxeiia Microeca fascinans Petroica leggii . . P. phoenicea Rhipidura albiscapa R. motacilloides (tricolor) Coracina robusta (Grauculus melan ops) Cinclosoma punctatum Calamanthus albilorus Ephthianura albifrons Acanthiza lineata A. uropygialis A. chrysorrhoa . . A. reguloides Sericornis frontalis Malurus cyanochlamys Artamus tenebrosus (A. sordidus) Grallina picata . . CoUuricincla harmonica Gymnorhina leuconota Cracticus destructor Pachycephala pectoralis Eopsaltria australis Brown Quail Nankeen Kestrel Gang-Gang Cockatoo Crimson Parrot Rosella Parrot Laughing Kingiisher (Kookaburra) Lyre-bird Welcome Swallow Brown Flycatcher Scarlet-breasted Robin Flame-breasted Robin White-shafted Fantail Black and White Fantail Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike Spotted Ground-bird White-browed Field- Wren White-fronted Chat Striated Tit- Warbler Chestnut-rumped Tit- Warbler Yellow-tailed Tit-Warbler Buft-tailed Tit-Warbler White-browed Scrub-Wren Superb Warbler (in full plumage) Wood-Swallow (clustering) Magpie-Lark Grey Shrike-Thrush White-backed IVIagpie Australian Butcher-Bird Golden-breasted Whistler (White- throated Thickhead ) Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin Vol. XXVIII. ] NicHOLLS, A Trip to the Bass Valley. 157 Neositta (Sittella) chrj-.soptera Climacteris scandens Pardalotus ornatus P. punctatus Anthus australis Ptilotis leucotis Acanthochaera carunculata Orange-winged Nuthatch Brown Tree-creeper Red-tipped Diamond-bird Spotted Diamond-bird Australian Pipit White-eared Honey-eater Wattle-bird Plants of Bass Valley — Easter 191 i. Hypericum japonicum Geranium dissectum Pultenaea daphnoides P. scabra Daviesia latifolia Platylobium obtusangulum Bauera rubioides Melaleuca ericifolia M. squarrosa Leptospermum myrsinoides L. scoparium Persoonia juniperina Banksia collina . . Gnaphalium japonicum Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Wahlenbergia gracilis Goodenia ovata . . Dampiera stricta Styphelia scoparia, S. australis Epacris impressa Eriochilus autumnalis Hypoxis glabella Selaginella uliginosum Gleichenia circinata Blechnum cartilagineum . . Small St. John's Wort Cut-leaved Geranium Large-leaved Bush-Pea Rough Bush-Pea Broad-leaved Bitter-Pea Burrumbeet Flat-Pea Wiry Eurella Swamp Paper-bark Scented Paper-bark Pink Tea-tree Manuka Prickly Geebung Hill Banksia Japanese Cudweed Austral Bluebell Shrubby Goldenhands Honeybags Common Heath Autumn Orchid Yellow Stars Swamp Club-Moss Coral Fern Gristle Fern Exchange. — Mons. L. Vignal, 28 Avenue Duquesne, Paris (Treasurer Societe Zoologique de France), is anxious to exchange Paris Eocene and Bordeaux and Dux Miocene fossils for Aus- tralian Tertiary fossils. A New Relaxing Tin. — The Newman relaxing tins, which have been mentioned in English publications lately, are now available in Victoria. These tins are ready charged, and require no addition of moisture. Insects placed in them can be left for weeks without the slightest danger of mould, In March last half a dozen specimens of the common skipper butterfly, H. compacia, one of the most difficult of our butterflies to set, were placed in one of these tins, and left through the winter. When taken out a few weeks ago they were readily set without any trouble. This plan will be appreciated by those who have tried to set skipper butterflies which are just a little too stiff. Particulars will be found in the advertisement of Messrs. Cherry and Sons, of Gis- borne. 158 Barnard, In Ihe Weslern Lake District. [^"^[3, Nat. IN THE WESTERN LAKE DISTRICT. By F. G. a. Barnard. (Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, gth October, 191 1.) Although during the thirty years this Club has been in exist- ence papers deahng with various parts of Victoria have been read from time to time, that interesting portion of the State around Camperdown has been left severely alone. Possibly this neglect has been from the reason of the rich pasture-land of the district being non-productive of many novelties in botany or entomology ; but there are other features which should prove attractive to the naturalist, and, with the view of calling atten- tion to the possibilities of the locality, I purpose giving some account of a four days' trip taken last Easter. Easter, if preceded a few weeks before by a genial rainfall, is often a very pleasant time of year for a ramble in the country, though not at all promising to the botanist or entomologist. The geologist and physiographist, however, can find some- thing interesting at any time of year, and it is mainly with the geology and physiography I purpose dealing this evening. The district was entirely new to me, as Geelong had, up to then, been my farthest point in that direction. I had long wanted to see those remarkable lakes, Gnotuk and Bullen- Merri ; so, putting Professor Gregory's " Geography of Vic- toria " in my pocket to serve as a guide-book, I took the train for Colac on Good Friday morning. The crush at the ticket- office was something to be remembered, and proved fatal to some collecting tubes in my breast pocket. Geelong was reached nearly an hour late, which did not- augur well for the rest of the journey. A distant glimpse of the position of Lake Connewarre is obtained as the Barwon is crossed, and then the Barrabool Hills (limestone) come in sight on the right. At Buckley the expanse of Lake Modewarre is seen not far from the line. The Barwon is again crossed soon after leaving Winchelsea, this time flowing north. We are travelling almost on the boundary of the volcanic and the recent formations, the former being on our right, or northern, side, and presently marked by two conspicuous hills. Mounts Gelli- brand and Hesse, named after the first white men to sacrifice their lives in the interests of the exploration of the district, some seventy years ago. Away to the south can be seen the outliers of the Otway Ranges, amongst the guUies of which they are supposed to have become entangled, leaving no trace behind. Soon after passing Irrewarra the line skirts the southern shore of Lake Colac, a fine sheet of water about twenty miles in circumference, across which there is a lovely view of the Vol. XXVIII. igii ] Barnard, In the Western Lake District. 159 Warrion Hills, of which more anon. At Colac, 95 miles Irom town, we were still an hour late. The narrow-gauge line to Beech Forest commences here, and, as a train was waiting our arrival, I took a ticket for Coram, live miles out, 400 feet above Colac, on the summit of the divide between the Gellibrand River, flowing into the ocean, and the Barongarook Creek, flowing into Lake Colac. The line winds up the hills, some- what after the manner of the Gembrook line, crossing on the way the pipe-track of the new water supply for Colac. At Coram I left the train, and found myself in country very similar to that about Evelyn. Spikes of epacris, red and white, were showing here and there. Rambling along the road towards Colac, I soon came to a turn from which I had a fine view not only of Lake Colac, but the huge expanse of Corangamite and many other smaller lakes. Numerous volcanic hills dominated the landscape, the grandest of them being Mount Elephant, rising abruptly from the plain some thirty miles away on the other side of Corangamite. The road gradually descended till I reached the slightly undulating area in which the town is situated. Quickly finding a place in which to stay the night, I made my way towards the lake. By this time some sharp squalls had come up, and considerable waves were rolling on the shore, and, rain coming on, I had to make for shelter, so that I was unable to note the vegetation near the water ; however, the view of the Warrions in the setting sun was some com- pensation. Next morning I was up betimes, and went for a walk along the road through East Colac to Cameron's Hill, from which I had a fine view of the Warrions, gradually opening up under the light of the rising sun. I was advised to go out to the Red Rock at Alvie, really the southernmost hill of the Warrions, for the sake of the great view to be obtained there, so started off after breakfast for the eleven-mile walk, intending to return by the afternoon coach ; but I had not gone far before a resident driving in the same direction offered me a lift, which, as time was precious, I did not decline. Our road lay through some of the famous squatting stations of bygone days — the Robertsons' and others, whose Colac shorthorns were champions at many Victorian shows. Now all is changed. Dairying occupies the land, and marvellous tales are told of the monthly cheques paid for milk by the Cororooke Butter Factory. And no wonder. The soil is magnificent — volcanic, red and black — with water at no great depth, which, with a good rainfall, keeps the paddocks green almost all the year round. The road hereabouts was rather peculiar — a regular switch- back— up and down, with apparently no means of drainage ; i6o Barnard, In the Western Lake District. [^"^De^^'" but doubtless the porous soil absorbed the water in the hollows, and so gave no trouble to the shire engineer. Some of the finest country mansions in Victoria are just about here, and, like nearly everyone else in the district, connected by telephone with the town. At a turn in the road Lake Coragulac is passed ; but, being probably an extinct crater, situated in a deep hollow, the water is invisible from the road. A little farther on Alvie Church comes in view, and the hill behind is that known as the " Red Rock." As it was yet early, I decided to go on another mile with my friend and climb the highest hill of the Warrions and return to the Red Rock, and pick him up in the afternoon for the return drive to Colac. The road turned due north, and soon I seemed to be able to make a good approach to Mount Warrion, indicated by a pole on the summit of the ridge. I was approaching it from the western side, and by a little dodging about from ridge to ridge reached the top with very little exertion. Several basaltic outcrops were visited on the way, but nothing of note seen. The Tree-Violet, Hymenanthera Banksii, was common, but in a very stunted form, and literally covered with lichens — in fact, I have never seen a place where lichens are more numerous than on the stones of the Warrion Hills. Reaching the top just at noon, I spent an hour admiring perhaps the greatest extent of landscape I had ever seen. No less than twenty-seven lakes were in view at one time, of varying sizes and forms, from the huge Corangamite, covering 57,700 acres, or about go square miles, of which I could see the whole extent, down to sheets of water only a few acres in extent. Several townships, such as Colac, Warrion, Beeac, and Ondit, lay at my feet, and, with almost the whole country in a high state of cultivation, the scene was one to be remembered. To the east my view extended to the You Yangs (55 miles), round to Buninyong, the Ballarat plateau, and Mount Cole, at Beaufort, on the north. Another volcanic peak stood up a little to the right of Buninyong, which most people say is Warrenheip ; but, according to the maps, this cannot be, for Warrenheip should be in a direct line behind Buninyong from the Warrions. I take the mount to be Mount Egerton, near Ballan, or perhaps the Blue Mountain, near Trentham. Un- fortunately, a rain squall was working up from the south-west, so that L could only just make out Mount Leura at Camper- down ; but, had that side of the panorama been as clear as the eastern, I would doubtless have seen Mount Noorat, near Terang. The south-eastern face of the range is rather steep, but I managed to work down through the bracken to the lower levels, and then made my way towards the Little Warrion, Vol. XXVIII. 1 Barx.\rd, In the Western Lake Disirict. i6i IQII J ' passing one or two hollows, very significant of volcanic action. From the Little Warrion I could look clown into Lake Corag- ulac, which was invisible from the other hill, and, as I men- tioned before, from the road. Rain was now fast approaching, and as it approached my intention of visiting '' Red Rock " became more hopeless. By the time I reached the little town- ship— one store and the post-office — a regular deluge was fall- ing. Fortunately, the store had a good verandah, which proved my shelter for over an hour, till, just as the rain had almost ceased, my friend of the morning came by again, and I accepted his offer to drive me back to Colac ; so the claim.s of Red Rock as a vantage-point still remain to me unknown. Before dark set in I ran up to the Gardens again to view once more, across the lake, the hills on which I had spent such a j-jleasant hour, and later caught the evening train for Terang, 42 miles further west, intending to walk back to Camperdown on the Sunday. Nothing could be seen on the journey. Terang was reached about 11 p.m., and lodging secured for the night. I was out betimes in the morning, but a heavy fog prevented anything more than one's immediate surroundings being seen. However, the position of the lake and public gardens, occupying one side of the main street, was located. After breakfast I started off along a road leading southwards, to visit the cemetery. Cemeteries in country places are generally good places for botany, as usually no grazing takes place in them. The cemetery is situated on the opposite side of the lake to the town, and has a gentle slope to the south, wdth an abrupt slope northwards to the lake. The fog was now lifting, and when I reached the highest part of the cemetery I received a great surprise, for I had quite forgotten about Mount Noorat being in the vicinity, as, owing to the fog, I had not seen the slightest indication of it ; but as I reached the higher ground the view of it came upon me quite suddenly, and seemingly close at hand, though four miles away. Mount Noorat has one of the most perfect craters of the Western District, and rises some 500 feet above the plain. I found the lake to be losing much of its character as a lake, and becoming a mere weedy swamp — a good place for the pond-hunter, perhaps, but both dangerous and difficult to work. The residents say it has been gradually drying up for years, and is not the result of artificial drainage. I was pleased that I had visited the cemetery, for here I saw, besides the tomb of the late Hon Neil Black, the pioneer of the district, the grandest display of lichens I have ever seen. Here they were — green, grey, yellow, orange — in the greatest pro- fusion, and, judging by the dates on one of the tombstones, it had been fairly covered in less than seventeen years. The 1 62 Barnard, Iii ike Weslern Lake District. [^''^De,^^'' kind of stone seemed to make no difference. They grew alike on basalt, granite, marble, and sandstone, both polished and unpolished. There must be some atmospheric influence from the lake which is favourable to their growth, just as at the Warrion, overlooking Lake Colac. Mount Shadwell, at Mort- lake, Mount Warrnambool, and other hills were also visible from the cemeter3\ It was now time to get back to the town and make a start on my thirteen-mile walk to Camperdown, before reaching which I hoped to visit Lakes Gnotuk and Bullen-Merri, which lie to the west of the town. Again I was lucky in getting a lift for a few miles, and had some of the local history told to me. Noorat House, surrounded by pine trees, could be seen sheltering under the shadow of the mount. Our road was a fine sample of the celebrated Western District roads — good, because they have such an abundance of road-making material. Presently we came to the Mount Emu Creek, which, having such a long course of 120 miles from near Burrumbeet. and a fair volume of water, is quite worthy of the term of river. Crossing this, we were passing through the famous Marida Yallock station, and saw some of the black Angus cattle which are Mr. Mackinnon's pride. Here, along the boundary of the estate, were seen signs of that tree-planting which is helping to re-clothe the western plains. It will hardly be credited that, when the first store was built in Terang, some fifty years ago, the trees were so close together between it and Camperdown that the enterprising storekeeper marked his road from Camper- down by pieces of red material attached to the trees ! Now the paddocks are almost treeless. How many thousands of tons of timber must have been burned as a useless encumbrance of the ground to make room for the squatter's flocks and herds I The situation of Lakes Gnotuk and Bullen-Merri is unique. Soon after crossing the Mount Emu Creek my friend pointed out some pine trees along a ridge, and said, " Make for them ; the lakes are. just below." The road was fairly level for several miles — here and there a slight rise, and a corresponding de- pression. Presently I saw the track of the Timboon railway along the hillside, and, inquiring again as to the direction, was told to make for a bridge under the line, over a road leading up the hill. This I followed, and soon reached the summit of the ridge, which is probably some four or five hundred feet above the general level of the country. The road, I found, led directly to the isthmus (if it may be so called) between the two lakes. What a scene presented itself to me ! I had been misled Vol. XXVIII. ] B.-\RXARD, 111 the Western Lake District. 163 by the wretched picture in Gregory's "Geography" to expect two ordinary sheets of water in fairly level country ; but here I was looking down into what might be termed an immense quarry-hole full of water. This was Bullen-Merri. I did not even comprehend its size until I returned home and looked up the records in the " Victorian Year-Book." Suffice it to say the lake covers 1,330 acres — almost as large as the Yan Yean — with sides varying from fifty to four hundred feet high, con- sequently the limited expanse which it seems to cover. Gnotuk lies directly to the north, and is much smaller, and with banks not quite so precipitous. Both lakes are within the same encircling ridge, being separated from one another by the very much lower isthmus. Fortunately I met, on the bank on which I was sitting, perhaps 150 feet above the level of the water, a local resident, who came to my aid, and pointed out the surrounding squatting stations, lakes, &c., for the outlook here was grand in the extreme. The afternoon was as fine as one could wish for, and I fairly revelled in the sight presented all round. Mounts Noorat, Shadwell, Elephant, the Cloven Hills, with Lake Colongulac (a large, shallow depression, where, years ago, remains of the marsupial lion were found) in the foreground, were readily distinguished, as also Mount Fyans, with its pine plantations ; but, besides these, I could easily make out Mounts Sturgeon and Abrupt, at Dunkeld, some 75 miles away. Mount William (the highest peak of the Grampians), Mount Cole, Buninyong, and the mount I mentioned before, which I take to be the Blue Mountain at Trentham. Leura, though close at hand, was hidden by the hill forming the opposite side of the chasm. These lakes and the district around were recently fully dealt with in a geological survey report — " The Geology of the Camper- down and Mount Elephant Districts," by H. J. Grayson and D. J. Mahony, M.Sc, F.G.S., which is extremely interesting and exhaustive. Their conclusions are different to the generally accepted reasons for the existence of the lakes. The popular idea is that they are craters of extinct volcanoes, and the late Dr. J. E. Taylor, the well-known science lecturer, who visited Australia in 1885, and published, as the result of his travels, that interesting little book, " Our Island Continent," says : — " I did not meet with anything more scientifically interesting in Australia than the crater-lakes of \^''estern Vic- toria. . . . Let us first take the two crater-lakes of Bullen- Merri and Gnotuk." Some years ago Mr. T. S. Hart, M.A., in a paper read before this Club on Tower Hill and Lake, near Koroit {Vict. Nat., xvii., 1901, p. 159), advanced the theory 1 64 Barnard, In the Western Lake District. \^'%^^''' that it had been caused by an explosion, and not a subsidence of the floor, as others had considered. Now Messrs. Grayson and Mahony have come to the same conclusion as regards Gnotuk and BuUen-Merri ; but, whatever the cause, the result is most interesting, and well worth making an effort to see, and I trust these notes will induce others to try Western Vic- toria for a holiday. But I have not told you all the curious features of these two lakes. Time was getting on, so, under the guidance of my friend, I descended the hillside to the place where there is an outcrop of fossiliferous material, consisting of marine shells. This has been fully dealt with in the report mentioned. In doing so I missed the exposure of volcanic tuffs in the road- cutting near b\'. This formation underlies a great extent of country hereabouts, comprised in the county of Hampden, and has, in consequence, been named the Hampden tuffs. Con- tinuing on to the edge of the lake, I tasted the water, and found it fairly fresh, with no sign of algae on the stones near the water-line. These have a whitened appearance, but from what cause I am unable to say. The surface of the lake is lower than formerly, and, like Terang, is said to be gradually drying up ; but it will take many years to make any appreci- able difference, as it is upwards of 250 feet deep. I then crossed the neck of land separating the two lakes, which, from my previous observation spot, seemed only a couple of hundred yards or so across. I found it nearer half a mile, with a fall of about 200 feet in that distance to Gnotuk. Professor Gregory speaks of Bullen-Merri ha\ang an outlet : but it is not an outlet in the ordinary sense of the word, as the lowest portion of the isthmus is nearly fifty feet above the level of the water in the lake. There is, however, a certain amount of soakage through to Gnotuk. Gnotuk is weird in the extreme, surrounded by steep banks and fringed with dead or dying trees. It is much smaller than Bullen-Merri, its area being only 600 acres, while it is nearly circular, having a diameter of about a mile, with a depth of about no feet. The greater part of the shore-Une of both lakes is, unfortunately, private property. The water of Gnotuk was not nearly so clear as that of Bullen-Merri, and. though quite salt, supported a con- siderable growth of algfe, which washed up on to the stones along the shore, and then, dr\ing, gave them a very dirty, unsightly appearance. A small flat exists on portion of the shore which is cultivated, and there are a number of wind- miUs distributed round, w^hich, strange as it may appear, raise fresh or comparatively fresh water, suitable for watering stock, irrigating, &c. The difference in the water-level of the two ^"'■■'^fiT'"'] Barnard, In the Western Lake District. 165 lakes is 163 feet, the level ot BuUen-Merri being iS feet below Camperdown railway station. It was now time to make for Camperdown, and 1 ascended the steep roadway from the isthmus to the public gardens. A squall arose on Bullen-^Ierri, and soon waves were beating on the shore, creating quite a surf. In the road-cutting may be seen further exposures of the Hampden tuffs. A neat shelter for picnickers is placed in a good position on the isthmus, and there is another in the recreation reserve, while from a pavilion and look-out in the gardens proper a good idea of the whole scene can be obtained, though to some extent marred by the growth of the Californian pines growing around. I think the approach from the western side — the one I had fortunately adopted — gives by far the most imposing view of this remark- able scene. From the eastern slope of the hill the town of Camperdown lay several hundred feet below me, with ]Mount Leura (1,030 feet) and its crater guarding it on the south-east. It was quite dark b}^ the time I reached the hotel, so nothing more could be done that evening but make inquiries and fix up a plan for the morrow (Easter Monday), my intention being to walk through a portion, at least, of the Stony Rises — another remarkable feature of this portion of Victoria. As it was necessary to get the early train towards town, I had only time to do a rapid survey round the base of Mount Leura before breakfast, leaving the investigation of that curious landmark for some future time. Soon after leaving Camperdown stone walls begin to ap]:)ear, and at Weerite (6 miles) the fringe of the stony country is touched. At the next station, Pomborneit, some huge masses of piled-up basalt occur close to the railway station, while Lake Purrumbete, a beautiful sheet of fresh water, lies a few miles to the south. Presently Mount Porndon comes into view on the same side — a high cone, apparently, of loose blocks of porous lava, rising, perhaps, 500 feet above the plain, and dotted with trees of various kinds. I had been advised to alight at Stonylord, the next station, and commence my walk through the Rises, which extend as far as the Pirron Yallock Creek, a distance of about seven miles. I was soon charmed with the picturesqueness of the scene, but find it difficult to put on paper an adequate description of this peculiar tract of country One of the first writers to put into print his impressions of the Stony Rises was James Bonwick, who, in 1858, under the title of " Western Victoria : its Geography, (icology, and Social Condition," published an account of a tour made through 1 66 Barnard, In the Western Lake District. [^''^Dec^'^'' Western Victoria in 1857 as an Inspector of Schools. Though containing several inaccuracies, it is worth reading, and from it one can learn the progress made by. the various townships in the fifty years' interval. He was no mean geologist, a keen observer of Nature, and remarks on the Rises as follows : — " The Rises are a remarkable geological feature. The basalt, instead of being spread out, as on the plains, or massive, as in mountains, is here reared up as waves petrified in their rise. Huge barriers meet the eye on all sides, of heights from ten to sixty feet, and the traveller has to thread his way between them or over them as best he can. Dieffenbach rightly de- scribes a similar place in New Zealand as ' a sea of rocks.' . Darwin compares a similar scene he beheld to a sea petrified in a storm ; but he adds, ' No sea could present such irregular undulations, or could be traversed by such deep chasms.' " It was Dr. J. G. Taylor's remarks in " Our Island Continent " which had set me longing to traverse the Rises. He says • — " The Stony Rises are remarkably picturesque, and furnish bits for a genuine artistic study of Nature. The huge stones are covered with a rich upholstering of lichens — grey, }-ellow, and red. The miniature swamps and hollows are margined by borders of emerald-green mosses. The grey stony places are frequently masked with the abundant growth of bracken ferns, from amid which the weird white trunks of slender gum-trees rise, drooping over them their characteristic thin foliage.' This description might still be amplified. I imagined I could see in the grey piles of stones, and the pools at their bases, the walls of some medifeval castle and its surrounding moat, and expected to meet a party of mail -coated knights round the next turn ; for, except one stretch of about a quarter of a mile, the whole seven miles of the road between Ston^Tord and Pirron Yallock was a real " switchback " — up and down, turning first one way, then the other, so that one's interest was main- tained to the last, and I felt quite sorry when I came to the Pirron Yallock Creek, a stream of brown, peaty water, flowing north from some marshy country into Corangamite, and found that I had left the basalt behind. Traversing the road in the autumn, wild flowers were few, but the varying tints of the bracken — green, brown, and golden — made up for their absence. In spring several Senecios and other composites would enliven the scene. A casual glance among the stones revealed plants of the Maiden-hair, Sickle, and Rat-tailed Ferns, while, doubtless, the little pools would have afforded many captures to a pond- hunter. Even though the Rises are now fairly occupied by small dairy farmers, and much of the larger timber has been Vol. XXVIII. 1 Barnard, In the Western Lake Dis/ricf. 167 cut down, they must retain their principal characteristics for many a day, and I can thoroughly recommend anyone wanting an outing of a totally different character to anything about Melbourne to walk through from Pirron Yallock to Pom- borneit, or vice versa, either in spring or autumn, and by all means to take a camera with them. My tour was finished by walking on to Colac, about g miles further, and having another look at the Warrions across the lake before catching the evening train for Melbourne. The holiday was one containing so much novelty, and sights so different from what I expected, that I hope at no distant date to renew my acquaintance with this interesting district . The Preservation of Specimens. — How to save one"s col- lections from the depredations of insect foes is alike the worry of the entomologist and the botanist, &c. In a lecture given at the February meeting of the New South Wales Naturalists' Club, and recorded in the Australian Naturalist for April, Mr. T. Steel, F.L.S., relates his experiences in attempting to keep natural history specimens unharmed. He states that naphtha- line and corrosive sublimate dissolved in spirits are both unsatis- factory, and that he finds, after many trials, that a saturated solution of white arsenic in methylated spirits gives the best results. Specimens in cabinet drawers may be poisoned by means of a drop tube. Care should be taken of the solution, and articles used for its manipulation, as it is highly poisonous. Collectors adopting this suggestion might report results in the course of a few months. "The Aquarium in Australia." — The first number (July, 1911) has reached us of The Aquarium in Australia. It is published by the Aquarium Society of New South Wales, and edited by Mr. D. G. Stead, Naturahst to the Board of Fisheries of New South Wales. The Aquarium Society has now been in existence for some four years, and naturally desires to record its doings and experiences. The society is not confined to the study of fish, as might at first be supposed, but interests itself in all forms of aquatic life belonging to either fresh or salt water. The number under notice contains an interesting article by Mr. R. J. Tillyard, M.A., F.E.S., on "The Dragon-Flies of Aus- tralia." i6S The Na/ional Park, Wilson's Promontory. [^'"^riei^'"^'' THE NATIONAL PARK, WILSON'S PROMONTORY. The second annual report of the committee of management of the National Park, Wilson's Promontory, recently issued, shows that, notwithstanding the limited funds at its disposal, a fair amount of progress has been made during the year. It is gratifying to know that the vermin-proof fence across the isthmus has. after many delays, been at length completed, and the danger of the ingress of rabbits, foxes, or other pests has thus been greatly minimized, while at the same time the animals, &c., introduced into the park will be prevented from escaping. The Emus were a considerable source of trouble, as, the Darby River proving no obstacle to them, they would swim across as easily as ducks, so as to be in the company of horses grazing outside the park. The following birds and animals have been introduced into the park : — Emus, 6 ; Lyre- birds, 3 ; Satin Bower-birds, 5 ; Grey Kangaroos, 2 ; Red-necked Wallabies, 2, and Rufous-bellied Wallabies, 19 (from Flinders Island, Bass Strait) ; Wombats, 5 ; Opossums, 26 ; and Gunn's Bandicoots, 2. Very many more varieties are desired, and the committee will be glad of further donations. Seeds of several species of native trees have been sown, and the Forests Depart- ment has planted a large number of native and exotic trees on the portion reserved for it. New bridle tracks are being made, which will open up inaccessible portions of the park, which has an area of about 101,000 acres, or nearly 160 square miles. The Field Naturalists' Club, it will be remembered, took an active part in securing the reservation of Wilson's Promontory as a National Park, and it may not be out of place to record some of the principal references to it occurring in the Victorian Naturalist. The history of the movement was dealt with by Dr. Hall in January, 1905 (vol. xxi., p. 128), and the report of the F.N.C. camp-out at Christmas, 1905, was published, with a map, in vol. xxii., p. 191. Three botanical surveys have been made by the National Herbarium, which have resulted in the compilation of a flora of 600 species of native flowering plants and ferns, with about 50 naturalized aliens. These will also be found in the Naturalist, vol. xxv., p. 142 (with revised map) ; xxvi., p. 129 ; and xxvii., pp. 178 and 208. The Australian Waratahs. — In the Australasian of Saturday, 2nd December, Prof. Stirling, of Adelaide, relates his experiences of growing the New South Wales, Victorian, and Tasmanian species of Telopea in his garden near the Mt. Lofty Station, where they are all doing well and flowering. Cbc Uictorian naturalisi Vol. XXVIII. -No. 9. JANUARY IL 1912. No. 337 FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth December, iqii. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 50 members and visitors were present. REPORTS. A report ol the whole-day excursion to Healesville on Saturday, 25th November, was forwarded by Mr. R. Kelly, one of the leaders, who said that eight members had gone from town, and had been joined at Healesville by the leaders and two or three friends. It was decided to visit the Myers Creek and Falls, which proved an excellent botanical collecting-ground, but the entomologists were very poorly rewarded. The feature of the outing was the floral display made by Prostanthera melissifolia, which, though a little past its best, was good enough to excite the admiration of the whole party. Some notes were added of an extension of the excursion to Mount St. Leonard on the following day. and !\Ir. E. B. Nicholls contributed a list of the birds seen. A report of the excursion to Fairfield on Saturday, 9th December, was given by the leader, Mr. J. Searle, who reported a rather small attendance of members. The pools visited were found to be in good condition, and a number of interesting specimens of pond-life were taken. A report of the junior excursion to Hampton on Saturday. 2nd December, was forwarded by the leader, Miss J. Raff, M.Sc. who reported an interesting afternoon spent in the study of shore-life. ELECTION' OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. C. E. Isaac, State school, Coburg, and Mr. Atherstone O. Archer, Trinity College Hostel, Park- ville. were duly elected members of the Club. P.\PERS RE.'\D. I. By Mr. J. Searle, entitled " Some New \^ictorian Copepoda." The author briefly referred to the mode of occurrence and the distinguishing characters of three undescribed species of fresh-water crustaceans belonging to the order Copepoda. These he named BritncUa hingicornis, BoeckcUa nvoraensis, and 170 Field Naiuvalists' Club — Proceedings. [^"^lan^'" B. pseudocheUe. The last-named species has been taken in several localities, but the others are at present known only from the Nyora district. The paper was illustrated by specimens and enlarged drawings. Dr. T. S. Hall, M.A., said that the author should be congratu- lated on the work he is doing in this group, and referred specially to the value of the detailed drawings exhibited. 2. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John, entitled, " A Trij) through Croajingolong." The author described a series of lantern slides taken by members of the Melbourne Amateur Walking and Touring Club during a visit to East Gippsland in the Christmas vacation of 1910, when he formed one of the party. The route taken was pointed out on the map by Mr. W. E. Briggs, president of the club, and may be briefly summarized as starting from Orbost, on the Snowy River, following the Genoa road as far as the Thurra River, then southwards to Cape Everard, a visit to the Mueller River (a few miles to the east), then the return journey along the coast to Mario, at the mouth of the Snowy River. The author pointed out the characteristic trees and shrubs occurring in the pictures, and gave considerable in- formation as to the vegetation of the district, which is very different to that of Central and Western Gippsland. The district was remarkable for the variety and value of the eucalypts. In reply to a question, by Mr. Hardy, he said that in speaking of the Mountain Ash and Blackbutt he referred to EucaJypUis Sieheriana and /:. pilularis respectively. Mr. J. Searle said that, notwithstanding the difficulties mentioned by the author, they were light compared with those experienced by the excursion party from the Club when it traversed portion of the same route at Christmas, 1888. Then few tracks existed, and the country was practically uninhabited. Mr. J. Shephard and Mr. J. Gabriel remarked on the inter- esting nature of the author's descriptions. Mr. A. D. Hardy gave some information as to the operations of the present Forests Act, which should result in much greater care being taken of the forests, and their general improvement from an economic point of view. The chairman said that it was gratifying to learn that steps were being taken to check the appalling waste of valuable timber which had been going on for so many years. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Dacite from summit of Mount St. Leonard, 3,304 feet above sea level ; abnormal form (growing) of Sickle Fern, Pteris falcata, from Stony Rises, near Pirron Yallock. Vol. XXVTII. 1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 171 By Mr. C. J. (ial)riel. — Rare Victorian mutton-fish shell- Haliotis conicopora. Pcron, from Flinders, with the commoner species, H. ncBvosa, Martyn. for comparison. By Dr. T. S. Hall. M.A. — A gigantic fossil echinoid, Liutlna moorahoolensis, Pritchard, from Batesford, near Geelong. By Mr. J. Searle. — Drawings of new species of Copepoda. in illustration of paper : also living specimens of Boeckella, Daphnia, &c. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. EXCURSION TO FAIRFIELD. The selection of Fairfield for a pond-life excursion for Saturday, 9th December, was evidently not popular with the dozen or so enthusiasts who usually attend such excursions, for only three members accompanied the leader on that day. We had, however, a very pleasant afternoon, and succeeded in recording a very fair variety of pond-dwellers. Taking train to Alphing- ton, we proceeded along Yarra-street towards the river, visiting several ponds on that side of the stream, and then, crossing by the Outer Circle railway bridge, continued our investigations on the Kew side. The ponds were found to be in good con- dition, and aquatic life (including insect larvae) very plentiful. Entomostraca were very numerous, while some fine clusters of the rotifer Megalotrochus were taken from the branches of Nitella and other pond weeds. Colonies of Vorticella, of enormous size, were common, and a few specimens of the blind isopod, Janirella piisilla, and the amphipod, Chiltonia, were taken. In addition, the following species have been identified : — Crustacea. — Daphnia carinaia (very numerous), Seinocephalns gibhosits, Monia, sp., Cypridopsis, sp., Boeckella symmetrica, B. mimita, B. ohlonga, Cyclops leiickarli. C. albidus, and Attheyella australica. Rotifera. — Megalotrochus albo-flavicans, Hydratina senla, Brachionifi, sp., and what was thought to be Pedalion niiriim, owing to its erratic mode of progressing through the water ; but on reaching home the specimen could not be found, so its identification is doubtful. Hydra were not numerous, but two species of Hydrachnia were noted. Planarians were very numerous, and a few Mollusca were also secured. — J. Searle. Nature Notes. — The weekly page of " Nature Notes " in Every Saturday (Melbourne) appears to maintain its popularity. The information is nearly always of a useful character, and, being illustrated, though sometimes rather roughly, is all the more valuable and easily understood. Those lovely native shrubs, the prostantheras. or mint-bushes, were dealt with last week, and their cultivation in our gardens urged. \j2 A I' DAS, Botanical Gleanings on 'Vict. Nat. Jan. HOTANKAL (iLEANINGS ON A TRIP TO THE OMEO DISTRICT. By J. \^^ Ai'DAS. FT..S., Assistant. National Herbarium, Melbourne. {Read befoye the Field Xatitralisis' Club of Victoria, iT,th Nov., 191 1.~ About twelve months ago I spent a delightful holiday in East Gippsland {]'ict. Nat., xxvii.. igii, p. 164), and was so enamoured of the country for botanical research that I decided to seek among its beauties for further specimens, and started from Melbourne by an early train on Monday, the gth of October last. The season was well advanced, and familiar floral friends greeted my view from the carriage window as we sped along. The Blue-bell, Wahlcnbcrgia gracilis, seemed to reflect and intensify the glorious coerulean of the October sky. while the Buttercup, Raminoidus lappaceiis, and Erect Marsh- flower, Villarsia reniformis, gleamed golden from the swamps. Everywhere Bulbine biilbosa, Craspedia Richea. Bnrcliardia mnbellata, Pimelea humilis. Dillwynia cinerascens, Arthro podium striclum. and the orchid Diuvis pidunculata. were blooming profusely. Between Fulham and Sale a delightful surprise was in store for me, the whole surface of the ground for long distances being completely covered by an exceptional and almost exclusive growth of two plants — Ajiiga aitstralis (commonly called Bugle) and the everlasting Helichrysiim apiculatiim — whose complementary colours, deep violet and pale canary, were beautifully intermixed. A few hours' delay at Sale gave me an opportunity of makmg some observations. I found that the town boasts an artesian spring, round which a beautiful fountain has been built, and its waters (whose medicinal properties are claimed to be equal tb those of any imported mineral waters) are used in the thoroughly up-to-date public baths, while the overflow has been used to transfer an unsightly swamp into a large and beautiful lake, on which pelicans, swans, and other birds live in unmolested content. The river banks near the junction of the Glengarry and Thomson Rivers are lined by Red Gums, Eucalyptus rostrata. and Black Wattles. Acacia decurrens. Many of the latter attain a height of go feet, being the tallest of this species that I have ever noted, and they were badly infested, and many destroyed, by the mistletoe Loranthits pcndulns, and also the lichen Ramalina Eckloni. var. memhranacea, which encircled the trunks and limbs to the tops of the branches. It is a matter of varied opinion among botanists whether ^"'•^^/"'•J a Trip to the Omeo District. 173 the lichen should he classilied as a parasite, its effect ujwn the host being of such an injurious nature as to give weight to the theory that it is parasitical ; but, on the other hand, it is possible that the acids which are known to be present in the thallus of most species of lichens may have the injurious effect usually noted on the bark of plants, and, moreover, the fungus Penio- phora albo-niarginata. which was intermixed with the lichen, may have hastened the j^lants' death, as several of the Thele- phoracece are known to have caused that effect : but these theories would require further investigation before any definite decision could be arrived at. The Swamp Paper-bark. MeUilciica cncifolia, was blooming profusely all along the banks, and I was somewhat surprised to see the mistletoe Loranthiis pendiihis flourishing on many of these shrubs. The latter parasite I have seen during my wanderings uj)on many varieties of plants, but it was the first occasion u))on which 1 had seen it on this species. Many other pretty shrubs were in bloom, including Hem})-l)ush, Plagianthus pidchcUus, Blueberry-tree, Myoporitm uisiilarc. Prickly Box. Bursaria spiiiosa, Blackwood. Acacia melanoxylon, Christmas- bush, Prostanthera lasianthos, and the air was rendered fragrant by the perfume of the Tree Violet, Hymenanthera Banksii. The inspector of nojtious weeds for the district might well direct some attention to this part, for the pests Blackberry, Ruhus fntlicosiis. and Spotted Thistle. Cardiius (Silybum) Marianus, were l>oth flourishing profusely in the rich black soil, the latter being in flower. Its large ])ink heads, held on stalks some six feet in height, were propagating a great quantity of seeds for the future spread of this alien. Between Munro and Fernbank wild-flowers in countless varieties flourished in the sandy soil. Every shade ever mixed upon the palette of an artist was repeated in some beauteous floral form, among which were Ricinocarpus piiiifolius (white). Tetratheca ciliata (pink), rndigofera aiislyalis (purple), Chamcescilla corymhosa (sky-blue), and Hibbertia diffusa (golden). The flowers of the latter were abnormally large, and the petals took a peculiar curling form, which made the blooms appear double. As I had spent some time botani/nig round Bunnsdale at the same period of the year twelve months before. I decided to push on, and started by coach for Bruthen at 4 \).m.. the following day. I might mention, in passing, that all the coaches on this line are built locally to a minimum weight of one ton, and on the pattern used in America 75 years ago. than which nothing better is known for use on rough roads. The route was familiar to me, and I found mysell looking 174 AuDAS, Botanical Gleanings on. [^"^r'an^*' eagerly ahead to greet some well-known plants. At Sarsfield the Prostanthera, which last year had covered acres of ground in vivid purple, had passed its first glory, and there were now only a few browning branches ; but further on the Red Box, Eucalyptus polyanthemos, and Peppermint, E. amygdalina, were covered with blooms, on which hundreds of Musky Parrakeets, Trichoglossus concinnus, were feeding greedily. In a shady glen wooded by Acacia discolor, Leptospermmn scoparium, and Cassinia aculeata, the musical note of the Bell-birds or Bell- miners, Manorhina melanophrys, rang out with remarkable clearness, and was inexpressibly sweet to hear. These birds are met with only in certain parts, as they seem to select a locality, generally secluded, and take up their abode, never to move away, so that one may always know where they will be heard cooing their sweet notes. I observed in many places on the hills that Acacia oxycedrus reached a height of some 15 feet. This is sufficiently unusual to be remarkable, as this shrub, seen in its native element upon the sea-coasts, rarely attains a height of more than two to three feet, and is of somewhat procumbent habit, whereas the specimens growing among these hills shot up erectly and were of tree-like growth. Davicsia corymbosa grew gregariously and to the unusual height of eight to ten feet, extending in orange- yellow patches to the tops of the hills. Pultencea stricta, var. Gunnii, was here (as often noted in other parts) infested by the mite, whose depredations restrict the growth of the foliage so that it frequently forms into a ball, from which the young shoots branch forth whenever they remain sufficiently long unmolested by the mite, and form the peculiar growth known as the " witch's broom." This insect, which is a pest recently intruding in Victoria, has not yet been named by the Govern- ment Entomologist, and seems to be identical with one which I observed particularly destructive to all the eucalypts in the district round Dandenong and Beaconsfield when passing through ther:=^ m September last. Near Bruthen, where the land had been recently cleared or had been swept by a bush fire, the Black Wattle, Acacia decurrens, had sprung up thickly, taking complete possession of the ground, which here, as throughout the Tambo valley, is of remarkable richness, and I have been informed that pear and apple trees grown on it have attained a circumference of over seven feet, while all citrus fruits thrive wonderfully. The Spreading Acacia, Acacia diffusa, was blooming on the hills, and its flowers were of such al:)undant richness as to almost obscure the phyllodes ; but, although it excited admiration on the bush, one would find it rather prickly to handle. Xanthorrha'a ^°'"^g^,^'"'] ■ ^ '^>'^P f^' "f'^ Omeo District. 175 australis, known as Bayonet-grass or Grass-tree, but which is not a true grass, as it belongs to the Lihaceae, was very abundant. The base of the leaves of this plant are very succulent, and formed the sole nourishment of a little girl who was recently lost in the bush for several days. Of the Panax samhucifolius there were many specimens, but they varied greatly in foliage, although all belonged to the one species. Some were handsome shrubs of fifteen feet in height, whose wood (called Mountain Ash), is highly esteemed by bushmen, who use it for axe handles. It is prettily marked, sound, and pliable. From Bruthen to Omeo is a distance of about 70 miles, and we started for the first coach stage at Double Bridges at 4 a.m. There had been a heavy fall of rain overnight, which made the generally bad road very much worse, so that the four stalwart horses had all their work to do in pulling the coach up the steep road, which for about 40 miles is hewn out of the rocky cliffs rising sheer from the river, so that it appeared like a narrow ribbon winding ever upwards on the hillsides, with a sheer drop of many hundreds of feet into the river, whose waters, swollen by the recent rains, raged their torrentous course over large granite and limestone boulders below. The ordinary tourist is wont to gasp with horror on being told that this is the road he must travel, but after a few miles the terrifying thought wears off, and he can look downwards without feeling dizzy. The first few miles were wooded by Gum-topped Box, Eucalyptus heiniphloia, var. albens. Red Ironbark, Eucalyptus sideroxylon. White Stringybark, E. eugenioidcs, Yellow Box, E. melliodora, Mountain Gum, E. goniocalyx. Red Box. E. polyanthemos, Peppermint, E. amygdalina. Grey Box, E. elceophora, Mountain Ash, E. regnans, Messmate, E. ohliqua, Stringybark, E. macrorrhyncha, which latter species grew thickly and in an almost uniform circum- ference of about five feet, shooting up their sheer perpendicular trunks to a height of 50 feet before branching. A very gorgeous effect was produced by the scarlet flowers of the Red Climber, Kennedya ruhicunda, clambering thickly over all the vegetation, entwining the lower branches of Eucalypt saplings and almost completely covering them with racemes of bright red flowers. It was exceptionally prolific, and, although keenly alert, I was not fortunate enough to find a white -flowering specimen of this plant ; but I have been in- formed that it is occasionally met with there, and is fairly common around Dargo. Growing upon the sidings were many shrubs of Doduncea viscosa, var. attenuala, which might be mistaken for Acacia retinodes. to which it bears a striking resemblance in bark and leaf ; but it can easilj^ be distinguished I 76 AuDAs, Botanical Gleanings on [ "^y'an^ ^'' by examining the foliage, which are true leaves, while those ot the acacia mentioned are phyllodes. Casuarina suberosa, Eriostemon trachyphyllus, Leptospernium pnbescens, Melaleuca sqitarrosa, Hakea eriantha, Lomatia longijolia, and Kanuka, Tristania laitrina, are found along the whole course of the river, growing close to the water's edge. The timber of the latter is sometimes called " Australian fiddleback." It is very beautifully marked, and can be highly polished. At Double Bridges, Snow-bush, Olcaria {Aster) stellulatu, and Sandliy-bush, Zieria Smithii, were in full bloom and lined the watercourses, accompanied by Hazel, Pomaderris apetala, and also its relatives, P. elli plica and P. vaccinijolia. Two pretty fiow'ering shrubs, Christmas-bush, Prostanthera lasianthos, and Four-cornered Haircup, Calythrix tetragona, were observed near the water's edge. The former has sweetly-scented leaves, and blooms profusely for fully three months of the year. It should, if cultivated, soon become a great favourite in gardens as an ornamental tree, for it here attains a height of fifteen feet, and should do so elsewhere in favourably situated localities. I once observed it forming a beautiful hedge covered in snowy blooms at Sassafras. The latter, though a much smaller shrub, also deserves to take a high place among ornamental plants. The most interesting portion of the route, from a botanical point of view, lies between Double Bridges and Tambo Crossing. Along here, due to the courtesy of an obliging coach-driver, I was able to descend and gather many specimens on the pre- cipitous banks descending to the river. The principal of these were the Juniper Wattle, Acacia juniperina. Mountain Pepper, Drimys aromatica. Nodding Blue Lily, Stypandra glaiica, Austral Myosotis, Mvosolis anstralis. Large-leaved Coprosma, Coprosma hirtella. Slender Tea-tree. Leptospernium attenuatum. Tough Rice-fiower. Pimelea axiflora. Crimson Bottle-brush, Callistemon lanccolatus. and Cockspur-flower. Pleclranthus parviflorus. The latter is largely cultivated as a pot plant and in gardens, but is rarely met with in its nativ'e state, and was here growing in abundant masses. The Alpine Grevillea, Grevillea alpina, and Golden Grevillea G. florihunda, were both covered with their curling clusters of crimson and yellow flowers, while a sombre note was added by the rusty tomemtum of the young foliage of the Scrubby Velvet-bush, Lasiopelalum dasyphvlluin. On the whole length of the journey I only noted one shrub of the Spice-bush. Cassia australis, which was blooming beautifully right on the edge of the river, and I had a rather difficult climb over loose granite boulders down the steep bank to secure it. This is another of our native plants deserving cultivation, for one could not wish for a prettier sight than is presented by the Vol. xxvni. 1 a Trip to the Omeo District. 177 luxuriance of its golden ilovvers, held on peduncles slightly shorter than the leaves, when in full bloom. Climbers and twiners ran riot, vying with each other for pride of jilace. The long, glossy leaves of the Beaked Marsdenia, Marsdcnia rostrata, Tecoma ausiralis, var. Latrohei, and the cord-like growth of the Woml:>at Berry, Enstrephus Brownii, Appleberry, Billaydiera scandens, two specfies of clematis — C. microphylla and C". aristata — and the parasite, Cassytha melantha. almost smothered the other vegetation. Among the smaller plants nestling on the banks were Stellaria iiiiiltiflora, S. pungens. Oxalis corniciihita, Bauera rubioides, Helichrysum lucidum, H. semipapposinii, P/atylobimn formosum, Siegesheckia orientalis. Brachycomc diversijolia, Viola hederacea, Veronica Derwentia. Opercidaria varia, Galimn australe, Cygnoglossum australc, Poranthera- uiicrophylla, Stackhousia linarijolia. Pelargonium australe, and all the hollows and crevices of the rocks were occupied by the Rock Fern, Notholcena {Cheilanthes) tenui folia. The shrubs comprised the Round-leaved Lilac. Prostanthera rotundijolia, ^lyrtle-leaved Acacia, Acacia myrti folia, Prickly Geebung, Persoonia jnniperina, Gorse Bitter-Pea. Daviesia ulicina, Prickly Bush-Pea, Pitltenas Tierreich — Gymnoplea," Geisbrecht und Schmei!). igS Searle, Some New Victorian Copepoda. [^'"^r'eif ^'' BoECKELi.A PSEUDOCHEL.E, J. Searle, n. sp. Specific Characters. — Body of female robust, oblong, rounded off in front, head and segment fused with it longer than the two following segments. Lateral projections on fifth thorocic segment scarcely diver- gent— triangular ; the inner ones, when viewed from the dorsal side, appear nearly equal in length to the outer ones, but distinctly hooked outwards at the tip. Seen from the side they are broad triangular plates, extending downwards considerably, and apparently shielding the genital segment. First antennae twenty-five joints, when reflexed reaching to the end of the first abdominal segment. Genital segment broad, slightly asymmetrical, protuberant on ventral side. Abdomen consists of three segments, and is about one-third the length of the body. Fifth pair of legs in female resemble B. triarticulata, but are more slender. Fifth pair of legs in male are very remarkable, and are powerfully developed. Right leg — exopodite two- jointed, ending in a stout claw, which has a chela-like append- age at the tip, hence its specific name. Endopodite one-jointed, shaped at the base somewhat like B. oblonga, but is bluntly notched at the distal end, and is much swollen in the middle ; it extends beyond the two joints of the exopodite. Left leg — exopodite two- jointed, the last joint being very slender and fused to the terminal claw ; second basal joint ends in a rounded lobe inside, which is a triangular plate. Attached to this joint, and extending nearly to the end of the first joint of the exopo- dite is a thin, flat, hyaline plate, not easily seen unless the limb is moved about. Right antennae of male geniculated ; the peculiar projection on the second last joint forms a marked feature, closely resembling that of B. rubra. Colour. — Reddish-brown. Length. — 2.50 mm. Occurrence. — Yarra Glen, West \\'arburton, Mansfield, Fair- field. Explanation of Plates. Plate iil, Brunella longicornis,^. Searle, n. sp. — Fig. i, adult female, x 29. Fig. 2, last thoracic segment and abdomen, female, side view. Fig. 3. fifth thoracic leg of female. Fig. 4, first antenna of male. Fig. 5, fifth pair of legs of male. Plate iv., Boeckella jiyoraensis, J. Searle, n. sp. — Fig. i, adult female, x 29. Fig. 2, fifth pair of legs, male. Fig. 3, fifth pair of legs, female. Fig. 4, first antenna of male, showing cesthetasks. Plate v., Boeckella psetidochela, J. Searle, n. sp. — Fig. i, adult female, x 23. Fig. 2, side view of last thoi^acic segment and abdomen, with spermatophore attached near genital aperture. Fig. 3, mandible and palp, male. Fig. 4, .second maxilliped, male. Fig. 5, maxilla, male. Fig. 6, last thoracic leg, female. Fig. 7, first antenna of male. Fig. 8, fifth pair of legs, male. Fig. 9, detail of end of claw. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol. XXVIII. February, igi2. Plate v. BOECKELLA PSEUDOCHEL/E, J. Searlb, N. Sp. Vol. XXVIII. igi2 ] Thomas, Bird-Life on the Upper Mitchell. 199 BIRD-LIFE ON THE UPPER MITCHELL. Bv F. J. Thomas. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, i^th Jan., 191 2.) The River Mitchell, which is formed by the union of several fair-sized streams rising in the southern slopes of the Australian Alps, passes through some rugged country as it approaches the lowlands in the neighbourhood of Lindenow and Bairnsdale. I had often heard of the beauty of the gorges of several of the creeks entering the stream in the rugged portion of its course — notably two with the somewhat unpoetical names of Deadcock and Bull, so, when the opportunity occurred in November last of visiting them in company with Mr. S. Porteous, who was well acquainted with the locality, I gladly accepted it. A ride of about twelve miles from Lindenow brought us to the junctions of the creeks with the Mitcheh, which are not more than two hundred yards apart. We found them both to issue from wonderful gorges, somewhat similar in character to that of the Iguana Creek, some miles further south. Both creeks are shut in by almost vertical sandstone cliffs about two hundred feet in height, while along the creek-beds are to be seen many small limestone caves. The gorges, being so well sheltered, are full of the most luxuriant vegetation, and looked at from above appear to be one dense mass of pittos- porums, lillypillies, and supplejack. On entering them, how- ever, one finds fairly easy walking over the stony creek-beds, and the beauties of the spot can be enjoyed with comparative comfort. Our attention being mainly given to the birds, and our time being short, we had not much opportunity of searching closely for plants. Just at the mouth of the gorge there is a very numerous colony of Bell Miners. The birds were very noisy, and loudly assured us that they have many notes not nearly so beautiful as the one that has made them famous. Many of the old birds were busily engaged feeding young almost full grown. The limited range of each colony of these birds is very noticeable. The one I mention seems confined to a space of a few acres, and Mr. Porteous, who has known the district intimately for years, tells me that it is the only spot at which he has seen them. Just here we were fortunate enough to see a fine Wonga Pigeon. It flew from the ground into a large tree close by, and might have been difficult to locate only that two Bell-birds soon showed that they resented its intrusion. Good fortune followed us, and the best was to come. Turning up the Dead- cock, we had gone a very little way when one of the rare and beautiful Sanguineous Honey-eaters flew down almost at our 200 Thomas, Bird-Life on the Upper Mitchell. Vict. Nat. Fel). feet, and for some time flitted about unconcernedly within a few yards of us, when it was joined by its mate. They were perfect httle gems, and amply repaid us for our journey. A little later on we saw what we took to be another pair. The next bird of note was a Rufous Fantail which, like the family in general, had no fear of observers. Altogether we saw and heard forty-seven varieties that we knew, besides several others that we could not definitely identify. The locality is one that should be very interesting alike to the geologist, the botanist, or the ornithologist ; and as it is also fairly easy of access, I thought that these few notes might be of interest, and should any of the club members be in the district they would find it well worth a visit. The following were the birds identified during our visit : — Black Duck White-fronted Heron Black-backed Magpie Magpie-Lark Rosella Parrot Crimson Lory Fairy Martin Black Cormorant White-fronted Chat Stubble Quail Australian Pipit Brown Hawk Allied Harrier White-shafted Fantail Black and White Fantail Rufous Fantail Brown Flyeater Yellow-tailed Tit Bell Miner Sanguineous Honey-eater Spinebill Honey-eater Friar-bird Wattle-bird Yellow-faced Honey-eater Scarlet-breasted Robin Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike Brown Tree-creeper White-throated Tree-creeper Noisy Miner Red-browed Finch (Waxbill) Spotted-sided Finch Olive-backed Oriole White-winged Chough Grey Bell- Magpie Spotted Diamond-bird White-eye Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin Golden-breasted Whistler Wonga Pigeon Sordid Wood-Swallow Superb Warbler Bronze Cuckoo Giant Kingfisher Halcyon Kingfisher Gang- Gang Cockatoo Sulphur-breasted Cockatoo Little Lorikeet Tourist Map of the Grampians. — This recently issued map covers an area of about g miles by 14. detailing that portion of the Grampians between Hall's Gap and Mt. Wilham. The scale being fairly large (| of a mile to an inch), and the map full of detail, visitors should have no difficulty in finding the various points of interest. The cliff -face of the Serra Range is well shown, with its more prominent features distinctly marked and named. Half-a-dozen illustrations, with descriptive letter-press and lists of outings, make up a very handy guide to one of Victoria's grandest show places, more especially in the months of September and October, the wild-flower season. Cbc Utctorian naturalist Vol. XXVIII.— No. 11. MARCH 7, 1912. No. 339. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, I2th February, 1912. The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and about 50 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Secretary for Lands, stating that the Department encourages in every reasonable way the effective control of and the preservation of the tea-tree on the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay. From the Microscopical Society of Victoria, inviting the members of the Club to attend the next meeting of the Society on the 26th February, which would take the form of a " send-off " to their hon. secretary. Dr. J. C. Kaufmann, who is about to visit Europe. On the motion of Messrs. Best and W. Stickland, it was resolved to thank the Microscopical Society for the invitation, and to join in the farewell. REPORTS. A report of the visit to the Botanic Gardens on Saturday, loth February, was given by the leader, Mr. F. Pitcher, who said that there had been a fair attendance of members, who had spent a very pleasant afternoon. Attention had been given to the Australian trees and shrubs, and, among others, the Queensland Bean-tree had been seen in bloom, also Eucalyptus tetragona. A fair number of South African species were also in bloom, and proved of considerable interest. The Nymphsas and the Sacred Lotus also claimed attention, being in full bloom. The hon. secretary reported that, owing to the extremely hot weather prevailing on Saturday, 3rd February, the meeting for juniors for the study of microscopic objects had been postponed. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard reported that a meeting of the delegates to the National Parks Association had been held last week, when it had been decided to forward a memorial to Parliament protesting against proposed encroachments on park lands, and urging better care of the present reserves. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken. Mr. Frederick E. Gladman, Point Nepean-road. Elsternwick. and Mr. James Lambie, Glenferrie House, Glenferrie, were duly elected as ordinary members ; Vicl. Nal. 202 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [^'March and Mr. Fredk. Parsons, State School, Lara, as a country member of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. G. A. Keartland said that the Ornithological Union and the Bird Observers' Club had issued a circular asking for in- formation on the question of the most suitable date for the opening of the quail season, and asked members who had the opportunity to make a note of the state of the birds on the opening day, the 15th inst. Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, said when taking part in a deputation to the Minister of Agriculture recently it had been admitted that opening the season on 15th February last year had been a mistake, and that the date would be revised if sufficient evidence could be brought forward to warrant a change. Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., said he believed the agitation for the early opening of the quail season was chiefly promoted by country shooters, who, to save themselves the trouble of travelling to any distance, desired to shoot the birds before they followed up the food supplies. HON. ASSISTANT SECRETARY. On the motion of Messrs. J. T. Hamilton, F.L.S.. and A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., ^Ir. W. G. Macintosh was nominated for the vacant position of hon. assistant secretary and librarian. PAPER READ. I. By Mr. G. Weindorfer, entitled " Two Botanists in the Cradle Mountains, Tasmania." The author described a trip taken by himself and his wife, with Mr. Ronald Smith, to the Cradle Mountain, Tasmania's highest peak, in January, 1910, when, though experiencing unfavourable weather, they were able to make an extensive collection of plants, many of which were of a very alpine character and extremely local in their occurrence. Many of the specimens collected were of great beauty, and he recom- mended the locality to anyone in search of new scenes and flowers. Dr. C. S. Sutton, who read the paper in the absence of the author, gave further details regarding some of the plants and shrubs met with, and expressed his pleasure at having visited the mountains. Mr. G. Coghill said he had been partly over the same ground a few weeks ago, and, though his visit had also been spoiled by wet weather, he had had a great treat from a botanical point of view. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. Mr. F. Wisewould stated that during the recent hot weather a nest containing young swallows at South Gembrook proved too small for their comfort, for several times the birds got on Vol. XXVIII. 1912 J Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 203 to the edge of the nest and then fell on to the ground, when they were replaced by the householder. After being thus replaced two or three times it was noticed that the old birds, when they saw the young ones on the edge of the nest, flew against them and knocked them back into the nest, thus saving them from falling on the ground. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Copies of tourist maps of Grampians and Healesville districts. By Mr. J. Searle. — Under microscope, mounted specimens of Copepoda — viz., Boeckella robusta, B. oblonga, B. minuta, B. symmetrica, B. rubra, B. insignis, B. nyoraensis, B. saycei, and B. pseiidochelce ; also BriiiieUa tasmanica, B. anstralis, B. viridis, B. ampulla, and B. longesetosa, and other species. By Master W. Searle. — Larvae of Procession Moth, Teara, sp. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Dried specimens, in flower and fruit, of Calliiris propinqua, R. Br., N.O. Coniferae, collected at Werribee Gorge, 29th January, 191 2, not previously recorded for Victoria ; Atriplex sHpitahim, Bentham, N.O. Cheno- podiaceae, same locality and date, not previously recorded for south of Victoria ; also Ranunculus aqnatilis, Linn. By Dr. C. S. Sutton. — Dried specimens, photographs, &c., in illustration of paper by Mr. G. Weindorfer. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. EXCURSION TO WARBURTON. The main object of this excursion being the ascent of the newly opened up Mount Donna Buang, and the railway time- table not allowing sufficient time for that to be accomplished in the interval between the arrival and departure of the daily trains, it was necessary to take the evening train to Warburton on Friday, 15th December. Our party consisted of seven members and friends, to several of whom the adjacent country \vas already familiar. The Friday was rather warm and close, with every ap]x^arance of a thunderstorm, but we reached Warburton (48 miles) about 8.45 p.m., before the threatened change. However, during the night we were awakened by thunder, presently followed by rain. Some were up early to reconnoitre and discuss the weather. A three-mile walk before breakfast up the Yarra valley served to show that since the last Club excursion to these parts civilization had made great inroads on the primitive bush, though, as a compensation, the numerous timber tramways enable one to penetrate to considerable distances into the forest with less trouble than formerly. After breakfast, just as we were setting out, a smart shower of fine rain came up from the south-west. and. 204 Excursion to Wavburton. f^'Mardf' as there was every appearance of others to follow, we made a descent on the local store, and each secured a yard and a half of American cloth, which, with the aid of a safety-pin, formed a very serviceable " poncho," and, if it did not shield us entirely from the rain, it at least had the merit of keeping our shoulders dry, and was found to be considerably lighter and easier to carry than an overcoat. After making inquiries as to tracks, we decided to follow the tram line leading to Richards's mill, distant about a mile, but situated at least a thousand feet above the township, on the northern side of the Yarra. Several smart showers occurred before the mill was reached, and we were glad of an excuse to watch the huge logs being cut up into various-sized planks and boards. From the mill two or three tracks lead higher up, but we decided to keep to the tram-line, which presently became still steeper. The views down into the Yarra valley were very line, but partly spoiled by the mist of passing showers. Presently we found ourselves among the clouds, cut off from all below. Onwards and upwards, in about another mile we reached the terminus of the tram-line, close to the new bridle-track in course of formation by the Public Works Department for the convenience of tourists, at a point about six and a half miles from its commencement, and three and a half from the summit of Mount Donna Buang. This track, it may be mentioned, starts from the bridge over the Yarra at the Adventists' printing works, near Four-Mile Creek, and, to gain the summit on an easy grade, has to make a considerable detour — first to the east, then north to Cement Creek, where the four-mile mark is situated ; it then turns due south again, gaining almost the crest of the range, just where we struck it, at six and a half miles. The position of this track is marked on the new tourist map of the Healesville district. When this fine piece of work is completed the ascent of the mount will be an easy matter, though occupying perhaps a little more time. The vegetation on the way up had been of the usual type to be found in the forest country along the Yarra valley — hazel, musk, mulberry, blanket-wood, Christmas-tree, &c., among the remains of an old eucalyptus forest long since vanquished by fire and axe ; but, owing to the wet state of everything, we had to be content with observing it from the tram. Just where we left the tramway were two or three beeches, Fagus Ctinninghami, popularly known as myrtles. Other and extensive myrtle groves are in gullies of this mountain, but our way did not bring us near them. The track now turned to the west, compelling us to face the showers. Winding along the face of the range, in about a mile we struck the old Marys- ville mining track, and found that the construction of the new ^"'■'^^il'"'] Excursion to Warburton. 205 track ended there for the present. In a few yards we crossed a small stream, one of the heads of the Yithan, which a little higher up emerged from a grove of beeches, where, on our return, a number of seedlings were secured for home cultivation. We were now fairly on the crest of the range, which apparently forms a considerable plateau, with an average height little less than that of Donna Buang itself (4,080 feet). On this plateau was the sight of the day — one worth all the trouble of getting there, notwithstanding the wet. The little Ivy-leaved Violet, Viola hederacea, was flowering in millions, and monopolizing acres of ground. It at first glance appeared like masses of snow drifted against the stones or fallen trees, &c. The flower- stems were longer than usual, and so closely crowded together that a score of flowers might be gathered in one handful. At about a mile from the little creek the track led us up a stony hill, which turned out to be the vantage spot we had come so far to seek — about 3,500 feet above our starting-point, War- burton. Just then occurred the only break in our misty surroundings which happened during the day. We ascended the look-out, which, utilizing the standing trunks of four tall trees, enables one to get another thirty or forty feet above sea-level On a fine day the view would doubtless be very extensive, but on this occasion few of the mountain peaks could be recognized with absolute certainty. Juliet, four or five miles away to the north-west, was the most prominent. To the north-east was our clearest outlook, where what we took to be Mount Arnold, near Marysville, appeared as a prominent peak. As it was past mid-day, the shelter of some felled timber was sought, so that we might dispose of our luncheons in comparative comfort. This being accomplished, mementos in the shape of specimens of the dacite outcrop were secured by those who think nothing of adding a few pounds weight to their burdens. We retraced our steps more rapidly than we had made the ascent, for the rain still persisted, noting but little in the way of unfamiliar vegetation, except a solitary specimen of an Eriostemon, which could not be found when sought afterwards for identification. Near the junction with the mining track the party became separated — two returned the way they had come ; the others got on to an old timber track, which brought them out at the mill. It proved a sloppy walk, but led them through some good vegetation, which they greatly regretted could not be explored on that occasion. At the mill we re-united, and our troubles were over, for the weather cleared, and, taking a shorter track down the mountain, we were soon back at the hotel having afternoon tea before starting on the return journey for town. At Yarra Junction Messrs. Barnard and Kershaw left us, as they wished 2o6 Excursion to Warburton. [^"MarctT' to try the possibilities of the valley of the Little Yarra and of the Mount Beenak district from a natural history point of view. They tell me the next day turned out beautifully fine, and they had a very interesting ramble. Taking the Gilderoy road as far as Slaty Creek junction, they followed the latter road through a rugged gorge as far as Hazeldene, when they followed the Beenak Company's timber tram for some miles through well-timbered, hilly country to Mount Beenak, just before reaching which the tram passed through a patch of hazel scrub right on the summit of the range, at an altitude of fully 2.000 feet. On emerging from the scrub a pretty scene of tall trees and tree-ferns presented itself in probably the head of M'Crae's Creek. An interesting plant in bloom was Sccevola cemula, one of the Goodeniaceae, with pale blue and yellow flowers. Returning by a different tram down the mountain- side, they crossed one or two pretty creeks and passed through a thicket of Banksia collina. eventually reaching the Gilderoy road at Hackett's Creek, about two miles from where they had left it in the morning. They regard the district as well worth the attention of botanical collectors, and. from the wealth of silver wattles along the Little Yarra, consider it should repay a visit towards the end of August, if only to see that tree in bloom. The leader took his leave of the remainder of the party at Warburton, and crossed country northerly to Healesville, there to join a geological member of the Club in a canoe trip down the Yarra to study its botany and physiography, and on these points should have something to say at a later date. — A. D. Hardy. FURTHER NOTES ON THE MUTTON-BIRDS OF BASS STRAIT. By Joseph G.\briel. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, i^th Jan., 191 2.) The untold numbers of Short-tailed Petrels, Puffin us brcvi- catidus, Temm., popularly known as " Mutton-birds," frequenting the islands of Bass Strait and the adjacent shores, towards the end of each year, for breeding purposes, is one of the most inter- esting ornithological features in the Southern Hemisphere. Before commenting on the reports which have lately ap- peared in the newspapers about the alleged cruelty to these birds during the laying season, I will briefly refer to a few- facts which have been previously mentioned before this Club. Firstly, the enormous flight noticed by Flinders on gth December, 1798, while sailing near the Three Hummock Island, at the western entrance to the strait — which, by approximate measurement, he computed to number not less than one Vol. XXVIII. igi2 1 Gabriel, Notes on the Mutton-birds of Bass Strait. 207 hundred million birds. If, however, we work out his calculated measurements, we find his estimate too low, and that it will bear the addition of an extra thirty-two million birds ! So he was well within the mark. Secondly, we have the fact of the inhabitants of the Furneaux Group of islands, at the eastern end of the Strait, annually killing no less than 800,000 of these birds for food and sale, this harvest being practically their principal means of livelihood. Then, again, the islands of the Hunter Group, though in a lesser degree, yearly supply a large number of young birds for food. And, lastly, the rookeries on Phillip Island provide a large number of eggs and birds — fortunately not many of the latter — to the residents and fishermen of Western Port. , Now, I have repeatedly been asked the question — With all this drain, are the birds getting less ? After an experience and close observation of nearly thirty years, I must emphatically say — " No." And my reasons for saying so are, shortly, as follows : — The residents of the Furneaux Group gather annually no less than 200,000 birds from Humpy or Chappel Island alone. They gather very few eggs there, iDut take some of the old birds during the egging time instead ; yet, in spite of this seemingly suicidal policy, every year the birds appear as numerous as ever. The same can be said of the Hunter Group, where there are several rookeries. When representatives of our Club visited the Kent Group in November, 1890, we landed on North-East Island on the 23rd of that month, and found all the available nesting sites occupied by these birds. They were so thickly placed that when in one instance I lifted up a bush I found three birds on eggs within a space of less than a square yard. And yet on 25th November, only two days after, three fishermen — Mr. Carstairs and his two sons — landed on that little island and gathered no less than ninety-three dozen eggs. These eggs Mr. Carstairs assured me were found on the surface of the ground, and were, of course, deserted. They had no need to molest the birds in the burrows or under the bushes in any way ; and in all probability many more eggs might have been found for several days after. Now, it stands to reason that the natural instinct of these excess-laying birds would lead them to hunt for fresh grounds. North-East Island is very small, and has but a limited space suitable for these birds. At the most one thousand birds would more than crowd the available ground ; yet we find that over eleven hundred have had to part with their eggs on account of being unable to find nesting-places. Let us come nearer home, to the Phillip Island rookeries. Year after year, for over thirty years, to my knowledge, the 2o8 Gabriel, Notes on the Mutton-birds of Bass Strait. [^' Gt. Nat. March fishermen and a few residents of Western Port have taken an annual gathering of Mutton-bird eggs. They also take a few birds— I advisedly say a few birds, for our people do not take to the flesh like the people of the Strait, who can get little else. During recent years many visitors have gone to Cape Woolamai during the laying season to see the wonderful sight of the incoming and outgoing of the birds. On 23rd November last no less than one thousand people were said to be there, principally for that purpose. The bulk of these people went away disappointed, for the birds, as in the previous season, were two days late. Nevertheless, the rookeries were duly robbed and the usual large number of eggs taken. Fortunately, 30th November is the last day, as after that date egg-gathering is tabooed by the eggers. The fact, however, remains that in a few days you will find an egg in nearly every hole. Some years ago I was on Cape Woolamai on loth December, and picked up over three dozen eggs which were lying outside the holes ; there were also a number lying about half-eaten by lizards, &c. On 5th December last, while at Murray's Rookery, I picked up ten loose eggs, and this in spite of the fact that Mr. Dixon's children were daily gathering the loose eggs. I have written to Mr. Dixon since then, and in reply he says that " his youngsters gathered three dozen eggs." Now, this rookery had been well robbed of its eggs up to 30th November. I tried a number of holes, and found them all occupied, the petrel smell being very pronounced. " Nature does not make mistakes " is the old-time saying. If you dissect one of the birds which has been robbed of its egg, you will find one or more following eggs. This sufficiently accounts for eggs in every hole. I have watched the flights at night on Chappel Island, on the Stacks, and on Phillip Island, and the story is alway the same — excess of birds and extreme quarrelling for the pos- session of the holes. About twelve years ago, while steaming along the East Coast of Tasmania, we passed enormous numbers of these birds, together with a fair sprinkling of Stormy Petrels. If we take Flinders' estimate of one hundred million birds, and, dividing it by four, reduce it to twenty-five millions, then say 1,500,000 are destroyed every year, we cannot but con- clude that the overplus over and over again makes up for the birds and eggs taken. Once again, when our late enthusiastic member, Mr. H. P. C. Ashworth, and myself were on the Stacks in October, 1905, the Mutton-birds were clearing out their holes — this was unusual, as September is the regular month for this work. Later on I heard from Mr. North and others that enormous numbers of dead birds had been seen on the New South Wales beaches XXVIII. IQ12 ] Gabriel, Notes on the Mutton-birds of Bass Strait. 209 nearly as far north as Sydney, and I found upon inquiry that there was a great scarcity of " whale-food " (small molluscs belonging to the class Pteropoda) about that year. As this is the birds' principal food, it sufficiently accounts for this great mortality. Yet, in spite of this, in two seasons after- wards we found the birds on the rookeries as numerous as ever. This was the only year I recollect the birds being reported as short, which, as starvation was the sole cause, cannot be wondered at. Coming now to the more controversial part of my paper — ■ the paragraphs which recently appeared in the newspapers : — AIUTTON-iiiRDS.— Disappointed Collectors. Wonthaygi, Monday. — The Mutton-birds can usually be expected to come into Phillip Island about the same day every year, as Cape Woolamai is the hatchery they have always frequented. The birds were expected on about 23rd or 24th November, and several parties proceeded from Wonthaggi on Saturday in order to collect the eggs. There was a large crowd on the island from other parts of the .State. The majority, however, were doomed to disappointment, as up to the present very few birds have arrived, and very few eggs were gathered. This is said to be due to the fact that the wind has not been favourable to bring in the birds. Some people hold the opinion that last vear the eggs were collected in such numbers anil the birds slaughtered to such an extent that if the same thing continued for a year or two the birds would become extinct. A great many favour a proposal to make Cape Woolamai, the Mutton-birds' home, a sanctuary for them — Herald., 27th November, 1911. Inquiries are being made by the Came and Fisheries Department into the destruction of .Mutton-birds at Cape Woolamai. and it will submit a report to the Covernment on the matter. The Department had its representative at Woolamai during the time in which the wanton destruction of birds was complained of, and the police should have been present also. From 1902 to 1906 a proclamation was in force protecting Mutton-birds at the two principal nesting-places at Phillip Island, but they are not now protected at all. The Department considers that as Cape Woolamai is the principal nesting-place, it might well be closed, and if the birds are protected in this place it is likely that a similar step will be taken in regard to Phillip Island. Recommendations are shortly to be submitted for the protection of the birds. — Age, 30th November, 191 1. Mutton-birds at Woolamai. The proposal to proclaim Cape Woolamai a sanctuary for bird life is regarded with great favour by field naturalists. Cape W^oolamai is one of the last strongholds of the Short-tailed Petrel, or Mutton-bird, on the mainland, and the rookery, it is considered, should be protected before it is too late. At a recent meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, Mr. E 13. Nicholls read a paper describing a trip to the Bass Valley, in which he referred to the Mutton-birds on Woolamai, and advised that some measures be taken for their protection. Mr. Nicholls states that many residents of Wonthaggi are in the habit of visiting the rookery, and do much damage. Young birds are taken from the burrows and roughly handled, while others are carelessly trampled upon. A man at Wonthaggi was overheard saying that he was " looking for- ward to good sport on Cape Woolamai.'' One reason for the reservation 2IO Gabriel, Notes on the Mutton-hirds of Bass Strait. [^'Mardf' of the rookery is that it is a remarkable sight. The Mutton-birds of Bass Strait, hke the Gannets of Cat Island, are famous among natu- ralists in all parts of the world. The question of Cape Woolamai and its bird inhabitants will be considered by the Bird Observers' C\uh.—Htra/d, 29th November, 191 1. For purpose of reply, these can be taken together. On 24th November last, accompanied by Mr. A. J. North, of Sydney, I paid a visit to Mm-ray's Rookery, where the first thing we found was a dying bird. Indignantly, we at once made in- quiries, without satisfactory results. Two eggers, Messrs. W. Walton and G. Lock, were at work, and, knowing these men were incapable of such destruction, it remained a puzzle to us for the time. The bird had not been ripped open for its egg, but had a longitudinal tear along its neck. We collected three eggs that day. At night we saw the birds coming in, but they were principally the male birds, to do the final cleaning-out of the burrows. The birds, as in iqio. were two days late. On the following Tuesday I was grieved to read the Age report about the alleged cruelty to the birds. I was up in arms at once, and made it my business to make every inquiry, with the following result : — Mr. M'Phee and party, five in all, who were on Cape Woolamai, saw no cruelty. Mr. W. Walton and party, three in all, indignantly commenting upon the report, said that in the rookery which they were working they saw nothing to object to. Mr. Walton says •— ^" A man is a fool to cut open a bird for its egg. being loss of time. He could gather three or four other eggs while doing it ; besides, if you put the bird back in the hole you get an egg next day." The police constables from San Remo and Cowes were on the rookeries, but in plain clothes and with crooks, so as to allay suspicion. I met the Cowes man going home, and spoke to him afterwards. He said he saw no cruelty. Mr. M'Phee tells me that several others were on the watch at Cape Woolamai, but who they were he did not know. That there are dead birds lying about the rookeries I do not deny ; but there are also barbed-wire fences. To these. I feel sure, can be attributed the death and mutilation of a very large number of the birds thus found. My friend, Mr. J. Walton, told me that " he was on the Cape Rookery at night, gathering stray eggs with the aid of a lantern, and that this year the birds were thicker than ever ; they were running about his feet like rats, and were constantly flying against himself and lantern. When daylight appeared he found seven birds impaled on the barbed-wire." This remark did away with our mystery of Murray's Rookery. Again, on Burton's Beach, while in company with Mr. A. J. North and a resident friend, we picked up two dead birds, Vol.XXVIll. igi2 ] Gabriel, Notes on the Mutton-birds of Bass Strait. 211 which my triend at the time thought had been shot ; but there is not much doubt that the barbed-wire about was the cause of death. This beach is about three miles away from Murray's, the nearest rookery. Formerly there was a small rookery of about a dozen or two holes there, but the ubiquitous rabbit has asserted himself, and the birds have practically deserted the spot. After close hunting, we found three eggs — one in a hole, one outside a rabbit-burrow, and the third was taken from one of the dead birds. Again, on 4th December, while picking up stray eggs on Murray s Rookery, 1 found several dead birds which had un- doubtedly suffered the same fate. Now, I appeal to my fellow-members, is not this a reasonable explanation of the death of these birds ? Some people will say that there are places on Cape Woolamai that are free from these fences, but the birds can mortally hurt themselves and still fly for considerable distances before they succumb. I do not deny there are isolated instances of cruelty, but in all justice to the legitimate eggers I must say that they in- dignantly repudiate having anything to do with it. Woe betide the man who is found by them doing crooked things ! The last two who were caught by them, ten or twelve years ago, had the option of going over the cliff or going home. They were very glad to choose the latter, after paying a fine as well. In the past dogs have been found worrying the birds, but a " police notice " was sufficient to stop that. The fishermen of Western Port during late years have had but a precarious living, and the little harvest of eggs which some of them secure is very acceptable, meaning bread and butter for their little ones. The eggs are sold at gd. per dozen, and a man has to be an expert egger and work very hard to gather sufficient to return him los. per day for the four or five days available for the harvest. I think it behoves us to carefully consider the proposed question of closing the rookery at Cape Woolamai, which is the largest on Phillip Island. Personally, I am not in favour of it, as I consider it is unnecessary. \ think I have shown that the taking of the eggs makes little or no difference ; but I agree that there should be some check as to methods of taking young birds. One Hastings man boasts that he takes 1,500 birds every year, and spreads a net to catch the out- going birds. This, I contend, is not fair. Though I see no necessity for strict measures at present, in view of a possible scarcity in the future I would suggest that there be — 1. Rigid protection for eggs after 30th November. 2. Strict registration of names of eggers and bird-gatherers. 212 Gabriel, Notes on the Miiilon-birds of Bass Strait. [ ct. Nat. March 3. That no nets be allowed to be used for taking young birds. 4. That no dogs be allowed on rookeries. With these simple precautions, I consider the wonderful yearly assembling of the Mutton-birds at their breeding- ground will remain one of the ornithological sights of Southern Australia for manv a year. " The Austral Avian Record." — Such is the title of a new publication, the first number of which, dated 2nd January, igi2, we have just received for review. Its object is more clearly explained by the full wording of the cover — " A scien- tific journal devoted primarily to the study of the Australian avifauna — issued in connection with the Austral Avian Museum, Watford. Herts., England — Editor. Gregory M. Mathews — price is. 6d. net — Witherby and Co.. 326 High Holborn. London, W.C." The number under I'eview consists of 24 pages (5| x 8J), and is devoted principally to a revision of the nomenclature of Australian cuckoos, unsigned, but we presume by the editor, in which many drastic changes are made, and trinomials freely introduced — the latter, perhaps, not without reason. Certainly, Mr. Mathews' words on page 2 — " I could not separate the members of the latter genus (referring to Cacomantis) save by slight difference in size and colouration, which I do not consider to be generic characters " — appear to indicate that he is taking every care to prevent undue multi- plication of genera ; but his attitude towards species and the " priority of naming " fad in its strictest form seems to be in the opposite direction. A marked change in nomenclature is that the Black-eared Cuckoo, originally named by Gould Chalcites oscidans, but latterly known as Misocalhis palliolatns. Lath., now becomes Owenavis oscnlans oscnlans, Gould. L^nfortunately, Gould has gone the way of all flesh, and cannot enter a protest, but we think drastic changes like this should only be undertaken by a council of expert ornithologists. Mr. Mathews does not say how or why he coined the word Owen- rtyt's— probably after some friend or relative ; surely the world- esteemed palaeontologist is not intended to be thus honoured. The cover bears a representation of a bird, presumably a Native Companion, which, by the way, according to Mr. Mathews, is henceforth to be known under the generic name of Mathewsia instead of Antigone. When will this change of name craze cease ? The institution of the Record will, however, be a distinct advantage to ornithologists, as it may be expected to contain the numerous changes foreshadowed by Mr. Mathews, instead of these being scattered through various publications. Cbe Uictorian naturalisi Vol. XXVIII.— No. 12. APEIL 11, 1912. No. 340. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth March, 1912. In the absence of the president and vice-presidents, Mr. G. A. Keartland was voted to the chair, and about 50 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Tasmanian Field Naturalists' Club, enclosing particulars of the club's camp-out to be held at Maria Island at Easter. From the Girls' Realm Guild of New South Wales, forwarding schedules of the Australian Wild Flower Show to be held in Sydney in September next. From the Engineer-in-Charge of Ports and Harbours, stating that the Commissioner of Public Works had granted the use of the motor-boat " Premier " for the Club visit to Coode Island, provided the working expenses are paid by the Club. REPORTS. In the absence of the leader, Mr. F. Wisewould, the report of the excursion to Pakenham on Saturday, 17th February, was read by Mr. J. Searle. Considering the hot, dry weather, the excursion had been fairly attended, and though nothing of particular interest had been noted, the members were pleased with the outing. The party was greatly indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Wisewould for their hospitality, and on the motion of Messrs. Barnard and Searle a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to them for their kindness. A report of the excursion to Kilby Lagoon, East Kew, on Saturday, gth March, was given by the leader, Mr. J. Stickland, who reported a rather small attendance of members, but a fair amount of good material had been collected, which would probably yield some interesting forms of pond life when thoroughly searched. A report of the junior excursion to the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, 2nd March, was given by the leader, Mr. F. Pitcher, who reported only a small attendance of juniors, the day being very warm. Attention had been given to the characters of trees, and a number of the more interesting specimens in the gardens visited. ELECTION OF MEMBER. On a ballot being taken, Mr. C. V. Quinlan, F.R.G.S., State 214 Field Naturalists' Chih— Proceedings. [/'AprU^'' Forests Department, Melbourne, was duly elected an ordinary member, and Master Carl Glance, 72 High-street, St. Kilda, an associate member of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. There being no other nomination, Mr. W. G. Mackintosh was declared elected to the vacant position of assistant secretary and librarian. PAPERS READ. 1. By Messrs. G. A. Waterhouse, B.Sc, F.E.S., and G. Lyell, F.E.S., entitled " Descriptions of and Notes on Some Australian Hesperidse." The authors described as new species, under the names of Anisynta tillyardi and Ocybadistes affinis, two species of " skipper " butterflies recently captured at Ebor, Clarence River district. New South Wales, and Kuranda, Queensland, respectively, and gave some notes on Hesperilla dominula, Ploetz, also from the Clarence River district. Two butterflies which had been described in the Victorian Naturalist for August, 1903 (page 56), as varieties of Trapezites maheta, Hew., were raised to specific rank as T. phigalioides, Waterhouse, and T. iacchoides. Water- house, respectively. 2. By Dr. C. S. Sutton, entitled " Further Notes on the Sandringham Flora." The author said that through the kind assistance of several correspondents he was able to add a few species to his list of the Sandringham flora published in the Victorian Naturalist for May last, and remarked that the area covering a similar flora to that of Sandringham was much larger than he had at first considered. He also gave a resume of the methods proposed by Clements in a recent work, "Research Methods in CEcology," for estimating and recording the plants of a given area. Dr. T. S. Hall, M.A., in congratulating the author on the attention he had given to a very interesting subject, remarked that his former paper was one of the most important read before the Club. He referred to the difficulty of following Schimper and other writers on plant cecology owing to the number of technical words used, and which were often unexplained by the text, and demonstrated by means of a blackboard sketch the reasons for isolated patches of Sandringham plants, showing the relations between plants and geology. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard considered that the Sandringham flora once occupied a small portion of Kew, and mentioned having collected the fern Gleichenia circinata near the Rosstown railway at Glen Huntly. •^ NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. Mr. C. J. Gabriel referred to the fact that Messrs. Cox and ^°'™"^-] Field Naturalists' Cluh— Proceedings. 215 Hedley had recently described a Victorian land-shell from Smythe's Creek, Otway Ranges, as a new species, under the name of Paryphanta compacta, and called attention to his exhibit of specimens of the shell, together with the well-known form P. atramentaria, Shuttleworth, for comparison. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Living specimen of Native Beech, Fagus Cnnninghami, collected on Donna Buang excursion. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — A rare exotic cowry shell, Cyprcea hidalgoi, Shaw = C. leiicostoma, Gask. ; also a new Victorian land- shell, Paryphanta compacta, from Otway Ranges. By Professor Ewart, D.Sc. — Dried specimen of Calycotome spinosa. Link., Spiny Broom, collected by Mr. C. French, jun., on the cliffs at Mornington. A native of Spain, but now apparently establishing itself in Victoria. By Mr. J. Searle. — Insects collected on Pakenham excursion. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Carpological collection of Victorian eucalypts (containing 64 species and varieties). By Mr. J. R. Tovey. — A variegated form of the Dense Rice- flower, Pimelea phylicoides, Meiss., from Cheltenham. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Little Water-Crake. — During the last Christmas holidays numbers of the Little Water-Crake, Porzana palustris, Gld., were breeding on a swamp near Lilydale. Years ago these birds bred in the clumps of rushes at the St. Kilda end of the Albert Park Lake, which was probably their nearest breeding- ground to Melbourne since its occupation by white men. — C. French, Jun. 19th January, 1912. A Plague of Beetles. — While on a visit to Somerville during the recent spell of hot weather, I was surprised to see the beetle Lagra grandis flying about simply in thousands. They caused no end of annoyance by flying on your clothes and crawling down your neck as you walked through the bush. At the bases of the eucalypts there were masses of these beetles. It was certainly the most wonderful sight I have ever seen in the entomological line. My friend, Mr. George Shepherd, the well-known ornithologist of Somerville, writing later, says : — " The insects are always common here, but not in myriads like this season. They were flying before the north wind in swarms like bees, and lodging on the tree-trunks and then clustering on the shady sides of the forest trees, where they could be shovelled up. They have disappeared since the weather changed." — C, French, Jun. 14th February, 1912. 2i6 Weindorfer, The Cradle Mountains, Tasmania. [^"^a rU^' TWO BOTANISTS IN THE CRADLE MOUNTAINS, TASMANIA. By G. Weindorfer. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 12th Feb., 191 2.) In January, 1909, I had the great pleasure to visit, in company with my friend, Dr. C. S. Sutton, for the first time the Cradle Mountains, which appeared to me then a veritable flower garden, a true Eldorado for the botanist, and a magnificent place for the tourist who is content to sleep on the hard ground with canvas over him or in one of the fairly numerous hunters' huts. My vivid description of that trip to my wife, also a botanist, had the effect that both of us, with another admirer of nature, Mr. Ronald Smith, set out on the 28th December, 1909, via Wilmot, on the road to Middlesex, where we arrived the same day at 7.40 p.m., welcomed by the station manager and his wife. The Cradle Mountains, it may be mentioned, are situated in the north-west corner of the central basaltic area of Tas- mania, and lie about 50 miles due south of Burnie, or the same distance south-west of Devonport. Already, on nearing the plains, the " Ahs ! " and " Ohs ! " over the numerous new finds, among which I wish to refer in particular to the Mountain Rocket, Bellendena montana, found no end, and reiterated again and again far up to the snow-fields, their echoes seeming to linger even around the dried specimens. The transition from the lowland to the highland flora is, of course, not abrupt, and both of them seem to fraternize in a most neighbourly fashion all over the wide, grassy plains of Middlesex (about 2,500 feet). There we can see, in the grassy sward composed of Deyeuxia quadriseta and D. forsteri, Poa caspitosa, Agropyrum scabrum and A. pectinatuni, Pentapogon Billardieri, Anthoxanthum odovatum, Deshauyssia ccBspitosa, Echinopogon ovatus, Trisetum subspicatum, Microlana stipoides, and Danthonia pauciflora, the yellow-flowering Craspedia Richea, the everlasting Heli- chrysum bracteatum and H. scorpioides, Helipteriim incanum and H. anthemoides, Brachycome scapiformis, Cehnisia longi- folia, and Ranunculus hirtus. Everywhere show the pink flowers of Trachymene himiilis through the sheltering grass, and the banks of the numerous little streams appear to be mostly favoured by the presence of little bushes of Richea Sprengelioides, Epacris lanuginosa, and Sprengelia incarnata. Patches of Gunnera cordifolia are not advisable to be stepped upon, for their inveterate liking for boggy places, which in most cases are also preferred by Astelia alpina. Numerous blocks of stone, weather-worn and covered with lichens, are at their Vol. XXVIII. 1912 j Weindorfer, The Cradle Mountains, Tasmania. 217 bases overgrown by Muehlenheckia axillaris, and over the drier parts of the plains, where an open gum forest offers shelter to plants which seem to require such, are found clusters of Olearia myrsinoides, Hakea microcarpa, Coprosma Billardieri, and C. nitida, with here and there a specimen of waratah, Telopea truncata, and Pittosporum bicolor — the last-named, strange to say, in lower elevations, as far as I have noticed, preferring swampy ground. Tiny specimens, such as Botrychium lunar ia, Coprosma Moorei, Haloragis depressa and H. micrantha, Colohanthus Billardieri, Actinotus Moorei, Mitrasacme niontana, and Scleranthus biflorus, are occasionally met with. Unpropitious weather conditions setting in with the early morning of the 29th did not invite extensive walks ; a warm fireplace, with now and then a little outing, was more congenial. So it came that our further advance did not take place before the 31st, when we, following an invitation of Mr. W. Black, of Lea River, to stay at his newly-erected hut at the Fiery mine, at the foot of Mount Remus, started in reality amongst the mountains with two pack-horses and a Mr. Perry, whose love for the bush had kept him several years in this locality. The track to this lately-discovered galena mine leads up the plains in sight of the Iris River as far as the western boundary of the V.D.L. Co.'s land, where the newly-blazed track into the Cradle Mountains was followed for about two miles. An undefined track from there to the right — leading over button- grass marshes, with Gleichenia dicarpa and Xyris gracilis, now through bushes of Orites acicularis, waratah, and Leptospermum myrtifolium, now over barren country in which the Bossicea cordigera, PuUencea subumbellata, and Bellendena montana flourish — brings us, all the time gently rising through a cluster of Fagus Cunninghami, on to the northern end of Hounslow Heath, which, absolutely devoid of tree growth, stretches for miles towards the Cradle Mountains, their crags clearly dis- played on the horizon. The Heath, narrowing at that point, was soon traversed, and, enjoying the varied sight of mountains and the sombre shade of their wooded gullies, we descended to the Fiery River, some 200 feet, and reached the hut at 12 noon. The same afternoon was spent botanically exploring the Fiery River as far as the MTntosh Gorge, and on ist January Mounts Romulus and Remus were visited, the flora not differing in detail from that of the Cradle Mountains, with the exception of that of the higher altitudes of the latter, which were our main object. It was soon manifest that the Fiery hut, though very com- fortable, was too far from the Cradles to use the place as an operating basis. To shift camp into the Cradle valley was unanimously decided. The morning of the 2nd saw two men. 2i8 Weindorfer, The Cradle Mountains, Tasmania, [^"^'a ^^'' with some of the camp outfit packed into swags, leaving the Fiery via Hounslow Heath for Crater Lake, from where they returned the same night, agreeably surprised by the appear- ance of the owner of the hut, who, as horses and man had been sent back to the station, was a welcome addition to the party. So, strengthened by one swag-carrying unit, we set out on the morning of the 3rd at 9 a.m., taking with us the most important articles, abruptly rising along the creek until, at the foot of Mount Remus, Hounslow Heath was reached. This heath, about five miles long, and in its widest part three miles wide, is in its greater part covered with button-grass, which, through repeated burning-off by prospectors and hunters, was obliged to abandon its monopoly and to make room for native grasses, among which, here and there, some mountain daisies and Celmisia longijolia struggle for their existence on this desolate, wind-swept, high plateau (3,000 to 3,800 feet). Our direction towards the Dove valley brought us in a south-east course to the cutting of Pencil-pine Creek, which is here and there relieved of the monotonous surroundings by little clusters of the Pencil Pine, Arthrotaxis cupressoides. The day being beautiful, and that glorious mountain air, combined with the fact that every step brought us nearer and nearer to the lofty mountains, was decidedly instrumental in helping us along at a fair pace. So it was that we reached, at I p.m., in the Dove valley, the track leading to the Cradle valley, about two miles from its entrance (2,930 feet). The slope of Dove valley, on which we had to descend, is prettily wooded with an open forest of gum-trees, interrupted here and there by stretches of pine forest, beech, and sassafras — as a rule indicating the course of a little creek — open patches in the valley displaying a luxuriant growth of Diplarrhena morcsa. At our camp, chosen the day before, at Crater Lake (3,470 feet), we arrived at 4 p.m., and soon all hands were busily engaged in pitching the tents and to provide for general comfort in a primeval way. If it had not been for the magnificent sight which the cliffs, towering over the little mountain lake, displayed to us, or the wide view offered in the opposite direc- tion down into the grassy lands of Cradle valley, the place we had selected for a week's stay could hardly be called a good one. Twisted and gnarled gum-trees, their stems and branches seemingly turned round their own axis like the winding stem of some gigantic climber left standing without its support, silently disclosed to us the fact that our place in stormy weather was nothing but a wind-hole, which, luckily for us, preserved its silence during our stay. But two advantages were obvious — the one, that all the surrounding lower scrubs, mostly consisting of Bceckia Gunniana and Epacris lanuginosa, were Vol.XXVIIl, 1912 1 Weindorfer, TJie Cradle Mountains, Tasmania. 219 burned out some time before our arrival ; the other, that the place was admirably centrally situated. With the early morning of the 4th work was begun in earnest, and at 7 a.m. a start made for the roof of Tasmania. Taking the somewhat steep ridge between Dove and Crater Lakes, soon a real alpine flora presented itself on our way to higher elevations. Over stones and rocks trail the graceful branches of Microcachris tetragona, Podocarpiis alpina, and the straggling Exocarpus humijusa, apparently used to any sort of weather and temperature. In the shelter of rocks were sure to be found the white-flowering Ozothamnus ledifolius and 0. Back- housii, Richea acerosa, and everywhere the pink-flowering Boronia rhomhoidea and B. pinnatifida, var. citriodora, and Tetratheca pilosa. With the first steps on to the plateau, ex- tending over to the crags of the mount, a marked change in plant-life occurs, bushes almost entirely disappearing, and what was there of them being rather more a convenient base for mosses and lichens than for the purpose to preserve their own species. Better fare in this locality those true children of our alpine flora, which, on account of their pronounced liking for cold climates, have in a geographical sense received the name of glacial plants. Here, in these weather-worn surroundings, never safe from frost, Ramincnlus Gunniamis displays to us its red and yellow flowers, masses of the white-petalled Anemone crassifolia look down upon their tiny neighbours of the lofty heights, the composites Helichrysiim milligani and H. pumihmi, Erigeron pappachroma, Raonlia planchani and R. Meredithce, Gentiana saxosa, the little white-flowering Pentachandra pumila, and Ahrotanella scapigera. The curious epacrid, Dracophylliim mininmm, forming hard cushions through each individual member closely adpressing to the other, most likely in order to most effectually preserve the scanty supply of warmth, is frequently met with. On we go, here and there halting to impress upon the memory the characters of this new and interesting plant association, or to study the general aspect of the distant wooded sur- roundings or that of the cheerless heath over which we came the day before, or the Dove Lake's shores beneath us, its blue waters pleasantly relieving the sombre shadows of the sur- rounding pine forests. Soon we arrive at the foot of the crags, where, in their shelter, a little cluster of bushlets, so to speak, forms the last outpost of a compound bush vegetation, their wind and weather-defying members composed of Richea scoparia (with their sharp-pointed leaves also man-defying), Orites revoluta and 0. acicularis, Cyathodes straminea, Bceckea Gunniana, our only deciduous beech, Fagus Gunnii, and Tetra- carpcea Tasmamca,th.e whole in places over topped by Richea 220 Weindorfer, The Cradle Mountains, Tasmania. [^'Aprii^^'' pandanifolia. Slowly we ascend, collecting among the masses of stones and boulders the graceful fern Lomaria alpina, Azorella dichopetala, Oreomyrrhis andicola, GaiiUheria antipoda, and Oitrisia integrifolia. Arrived at the top of the crags, a detour was unavoidable in order to find a convenient track to the cairn. The collecting of plants had, on account of the absence of phanerogamic plant-life, from this point to be practically abandoned, only unapproachable places exhibiting the vivid green of the leaves of Milligania densiflora, Blandfordia mar- ginata, and Astelia alpina, or, where the snow-fields had opened to the sun's rays little patches of a minimum of humus soil, tenaciously evolved during many hundreds of years by those pioneers of soil-building, the lichens and mosses, Rubus Gunnianus, Cardamine radicata and C. dictiospetma, and Aciphylla procumbens had taken over their share in that ever- transforming work of nature. Arrived at the cairn (5,o6g feet), almost every sign of vege- tation, with the exception of some small bushes of Orites acicularis, with their branches bleaching in the glaring sun- light, was left behind, and the only new discovery made there was that we had amongst us the first lady who ever ascended these lofty altitudes. After a stay for three hours — far too short to completely realize all those wonderful intricacies of nature's grandest architecture — we turned reluctantly and descended, arriving at sunset at our camp. The following two days of the 4th and 6th were devoted to a visit to two charming mountain tarns and Mount Brown. Setting out from our camp for Lake Lyla and Dove Lake, we sharply descend through a little cluster of Eucalyptus Gunnii and Leptospermnm myrtifolium, stepping out on to the open collecting amongst the button-grass the almost hidden iris, Campynema lineare, and Pterostylis miitica. Wide stretches of ground are covered with small bushes of the cream and pink- coloured Melaleuca squamc&a ; in rocky places Gaultheria hispida surprises us ; and where the waters percolate the gently falling ground on broad stretches towards the shores an in- experienced eye would surely overlook, amongst the sward of Restia complanatus and R. australis, the tiny specimens of Actinotus stiff ocata and A. bellidioides, the pink-flowering Forstera bellidijolia, Mitrasacme montana and M. Archeri, and Abrotanella scapigera. In the rich dark loamy soil, without the protecting presence of rushes and grasses, display Claytonia Aiistralasica, Drosera arcUiri, a,nd Oxalis Magellanica, theiv sno'w- white flowers in uncountable masses, occasionally relieved by the red of Stylidium graminifolium, the pale pink of Boronia polygalifolia, the blue and white star-like flowers of the little Herpolirion novcB-zealandicc growing almost level with the Vol. XXVIII. iqi2 1 Weindorfer, The Cradle Mountains, Tasmania. 221 ground, and making the intruder hesitate to roughly set his loot on them. At the water's edge we find Persoonia Gtmnii, and one bush of Anadopetahini higlandulostim (horizontal), this inhabitant of gloomy mountain gullies apparently here on the open shore quite out of place. The pleasant smell of the flowers of Cenarrhenes nitida is rudely dispelled by the offensive smell of its broken leaves and branches. At the over- flow of Dove Lake, where from its shore the humus had been washed av/ay, leaving nothing but a mass of fine gravel, Planiago Tasmanica and the composite Senecio pectinatus had been noticed. We crossed the Dove River on a fallen log, and turned our steps towards Mount Brown, boldly precipitous towards Dove Lake. Winding our way through low bushes of eucalyptus, we added to our collection Lyssanthe niontana, Epacris im- pressa, var. ntscifolia, Cyathodes acerosa, Leucopogon coUintis, and L. ericoides. The rounded top of the mount, almost, so to speak, in possession of Microcachrys tetragona, is very poor in variety of plant-life, which improves on descending to the shores of Cradle Lake, where a dense forest of Arthrotaxis selaginoides and A. cupressoides overtop an undergrowth of Richea dracophylla, R. scoparia, and R. pandanijolia. The following three days were devoted to collecting in the Cradle valley and its surroundings. The course of the valley lies in the direction from south-west to north-east, receiving in its upper part the snowy waters coming from the drifts on the " plateau." A low divide separates it from a deep gorge, leading to the west into the Brougham Gorge, its northern slope going over into Hounslow Heath, while the beautifully widened eastern part reaches as far as the Dove River, coming from the south, beyond it the slightly undulating plain going over on one side into the slope of Brown Mountain, on the other into that of Mount Brown, the centre forming the entrance to the Campbell Gorge. The upper end of the valley is prettily wooded by a little forest of Fagtis Cunninghami and Arthro- taxis selaginoides, in their shelter growing Richea pandanijolia up to 20 feet, the crimson-flowering Archer ia eriocarpa forming a dense entanglement, which is heightened in places where Richea scoparia took possession of the ground. This forest forms, so to speak, the nucleus of the woods extending down on both sides of the valley. The southern part, which is formed by declivities of the Cradle Mountain, is absolutely devoid of pine trees, the only trees forming an open forest being eucalypts. The northern part, at the top end of the valley, covered with Fagus Gnnnii, goes over into a magnificent forest of beech and pine, the latter, though not developed to considerable heights, displaying at the brim of the forest forms which suggest at 222 Weindorfer, The Cradle Mountains, Tasmania. [^"^a irii^^'" first glance the existence of some park made by human hands. Among these pines, on the bank of a little creek, we found, surrounded by masses of Lycopodium scariosttm, Arthrotaxis laxifolia, which, so far, we had not noticed anywhere else during our stay in the mountains. The bottom of ihe valley, where the rivers meet from the lakes, may be justly called a veritable alpine flower-garden. Grassy plains, gradually merging into button-grass towards the higher elevations, have amongst them specimens of Olearia pinifolia and 0. persoonioides. Soil of a sandy character shows everywhere the white flowers of Bauera rubioides, Euphrasia Brownii, and the gold of Hibhertia angnstifolia. Numerous pools and stagnant swamps, with large sphagnum beds, are luxuriously overgrown with Hypolc&na fastigiata and H. lateri- flora, Myriophyllum peduncnlatum, Restia Juncus, and Carex^ while the river-courses, winding their way along their deep, washed-out beds, are lined by small bushes of Orothamniis obcordata, Olearia lepidophylla, and the gently-rocking inflor- escence of Pimelea li?iifolia, growing in the shade of some trees of Arthrotaxis cupressoides and Fitzroya Archeri. Wherever we look, Boronia pinnatifida, var. citriodora, and B. rhomboidea are in prominence. Further, Epacris microphylla, E. lanuginosa, E. serpillifolia, the snow of their flowers varied by the scarlet of Stylidium graminifolium, the blue of Thelymitra cyanea, or the yellow of Bossic&a cordigera and Pultencea siibninbellata. The morning of the loth beginning misty and showery prompted a hurried retreat with our camp outfit to the Cradle hut in the Dove valley, where we arrived at 12 noon ; received there, on opening the door, by its solitary inhabitant, a youthful tiger-cat, which showed a distinct preference to immediately evacuate the inner part of the hut in favour of the new arrivals, and to watch proceedings, especially during dinner hour, through some flooring cracks. The afternoon of that day turning out fine, the irresistible Cradle valley was once more visited, and the following days, during which our companion, Mr. Smith, left for home, the neighbourhood botanically ex- plored and Gaultheria lanceolata and Libertia pulchella secured for our portfolios. On the 13th pack-horse and man arrived, and at 12 noon we set out on the first stage of our homeward journey, following the track down the Dove valley, halting an hour at Pencil-pine Creek, whose open, grassy slopes displayed a charming variety of plant-life. There, the year before, we found the rare little Oenothera Tasmanica, which on this occasion we could not detect again. Epilobiiim Billardierianum, growing in the tussocks, associates with a species of Linum, hitherto undescribed, Leptorrhynchus squamatus, and Myosotis Australis. Amongst the grass, growing along the banks of little streams, Vol. XXVIII. igi2 ] Weindorfer, The Cradle Mountains, Tasmania. 223 grows Cotula fllicula and C. Yeptans, the dainty white and blue- flowering SccBvola Hooker i, Brachycome scar if or mis, B. cardio- carpa, and B. strida, Gratiola nana, the pink Geranium sessili- florum, Mentha serpillijolia, the white-flowering Claytonia Australasica, the blue-petalled Caladenia angitstata, Cardamine hirsuta, Lagenophora Billardieri, Haloragis depressa, Plantago Brownii, and on rocks the silvery-leaved Gnaphalitim alpigenum. The river is lined with Olearia lepidophylla, now and again by the pink flowers of Comesperma retusnm, Sellendena montana, and Blandfordia marginata, the whole prettily contrasted by bushlets of Drimys aromatica and Telopea truncata, surrounded by masses of Chiloglottis Giinnii and the blue-flowering Lobelia anceps. After again receiving the hospitality of the station people, the day of our ultimate departure arrived with the 14th January, and so ended a botanical tour into the mountains, where every walk appears to be the contents of a book, which stimulates innumerable thoughts and pictures. From the rock, whose weather-worn surface is covered with mosses and lichens ; from the alpine flower-gardens, where the gentle kangaroo grazes with its young, up to the gnarled and stunted pines and gum-trees and the crystal, ghttering snow-fields, over which the stately eagle soars, are the leaves of this writing of Nature to be seen. The one will read out of this book more, the other less ; but all the art of reading rests in this : to analyze and recognize out of the superabundance of appearances and the individual occurrences the eternal law of the whole and the ingenious arrangement of things. This paper, dealing with our botanical observations, may be considered as a supplement to the illustrated general account of the trip given in the Launceston Weekly Courier, 22nd and 29th September, 1910 ; and, in conclusion, I desire to express my thanks to Mr Leonard Rodway, Government Botanist, for his kind help in identifying the collected specimens. DESCRIPTIONS OF AND NOTES ON SOME AUSTRALIAN HESPERIDAE. By G. a. Waterhouse, B.Sc, B.E., F.E.S., and G. Lyell, F.E.S. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, i ith March, 1912.) Anisynta tillyardi, n. sp. Male. Above. Forewing rich dark brown : long hairs of basal third, barely reaching costa, orange-brown : a small sub- quadrate spot in end of cell, dull orange : a subapical transverse series of three minute dots, dull orange : a pair of very small discal spots in interspaces 2 and 3, dull orange : rarely traces 224 Waterhouse and Lyell, Australian Hesperidae. [^"^April^' only of a narrow discal streak in lower edge of interspace i, dull orange : cilia rich black, sometimes very narrowly dull orange between veins. Hindwing rich dark brown : long hairs of central and basal area, reaching dorsum but not reaching costa, orange-brown : cilia rich black, faintly edged dull orange between veins. Beneath. Forewing brown-black : costa and apex orange- brown : cell spot as above but brighter orange : subapical dots as above : rarely a very minute obscure discal dot in interspace 3, dull orange : a series of obscure streaks in apex, cream : cilia cream, at veins black. Hindwing orange-brown : a basal and a discal series of irregular small rings, red-brown : a broad streak in cell, a broader between veins 4 and 6, a broad streak in interspace ih, and a streak in interspace 7, cream : a sub- terminal series of elongate spots, and a terminal series of small spots, cream : cilia cream, at veins black. Female. Above. Forewing as in male : spots and dots much larger, and often paler : always an irregular discal streak in lower edge of interspace i : cilia more clearly chequered. Hindwing as in male : usually an irregular spot in end of cell, orange : cilia more clearly chequered. Beneath. Forewing as in male : cell spot larger and bright orange : subapical dots larger and two nearest costa, cream : discal spots in interspaces 2 and 3 always present, usually slightly larger than above, and bright orange. ' Antennae with clubs brown-black above and orange-brown beneath, bent evenly at the middle, and ending in a blunt point : shafts of antennae brown-black, annulated with cream very narrowly above, and more broadly and irregularly beneath. Palpi with third joint short, slender, horizontal : second and third joints clothed above with brown-black hairs sparsely mixed with cream, and clothed beneath with cream hairs tipped with brown-black. Expanse (one wing). Male, 13-15 mm. Female, 14-16 mm. Locality. Ebor, N.S.W., in January and December, at 4,000 to 4,200 feet. Type series (6ocJ, 25?) in collections Waterhouse and Lyell. The species is fairly constant in its markings, only varying in the diminishing of the pale spots of the forewing above, an occasional male having these almost entirely absent. The orange spots, both above and beneath, especially those nearest the margins, pale to almost dull white in worn specimens. We have dedicated this very distinct and striking species to Mr. R. J. Tillyard, M.A., to whom we are indebted for a fine. Vol. XXVIII. igi2 ] Waterhouse and Lyell, Australian Hesperidae. 225 long series. It was taken at an elevation of 4,000 to 4,200 feet, within a few miles of Ebor (Guy Fawkes), on the Dorrigo Plateau. The creeks flowing along the deep gullies of this plateau eventually reach the Nymboida, a large tributary of the Clarence River. The butterfly kept to the gullies, showed a fondness for exploring the precipitous sides of the gorges, and was not noticed wandering over the hill sides above : it seemed to show a distinct preference for mint. The first examples were taken in the closing days of December, and by the middle of January those still on the wing were no longer in good condition. We place this species in Lower's new genus Anisynta (Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., vol. xxxv., p. 141, 1911) on account of its antennal characters, and the absence of stigma in male. With the exception of the undersurface of the hindwing, it strongly resembles the Western AustraUan A. sphenosema, Meyr. and Lower, to which it is evidently closely allied. The hindwing beneath has a very closely superficial resemblance to the much smaller alpine species Hesperilla monticolae, Olliff. Hesperilla dominula, Ploetz. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung, 1884, p. 379. Mr. Tillyard also sent us a long series of this rare species, and after careful comparison, we are now quite sure that H. drach- mophora, Meyrick, must sink as a synonym. It was taken in the same district as A . tillyardi, but at rather higher elevation (4,500 to 4,800 feet). The specimens are in finer condition and somewhat larger than any of the examples from Mt. Kosciusko and Tasmania. The male varies somewhat in the forewing above : this is sometimes a uniform brown but for the darker stigma and the chequered cilia ; sometimes it has a subapical transverse series of three very minute pale yellow dots ; more rarely a minute discal dot in interspace 3 ; and very rarely a small comma-shaped dot in end of cell. The female varies only slightly, and that but in the size of the pale spots. Trapezites phigalioides, Waterhouse. T. maheta, var. phiga- lioides, Waterhouse, Victorian Naturalist, vol. xx. (1903), p. 56. When describing this species as a variety, it was anticipated that it would prove to be the southern race of T. maheta, as the females resembled each other very closely. This is not so, for a male example of typical T. maheta has since been captured by Mr. Jas. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., at Wilson's Promontory, Victoria. We have now examined the genitalia of T. maheta, T. phigalioides, and T. iacchoides, and we find they show the three to be distinct species. It will be seen from the illustrations herewith that 2 26 Waterhouse and Lyell, Australian Hesperidae. [^'"^a hi^'' T. -phigalioides and T. iacchoides are more closely allied to each other than to T. maheta. We therefore have no hesitation in raising the two supposed varieties to specific rank. Trapezites maheta. Trapezites iacchoides. Trapezites phigalioides. Trapezites iacchoides, Waterhouse. T. maheta, var. iacchoides, Waterhouse, Victorian Naturalist, vol. xx. (1903), p. 56. When describing this species as a variety, it was known by a single male example only. A series of that sex has since been secured, and Mr. G. M. Goldfinch (to whom we are greatly indebted) took a single female at Como (13 miles south of Sydney) in November, 191 1. The silver markings of the under- side of the female hindwing, and the differing genitalia as illustrated, leave no doubt of its claim to specific rank. We now give a description of the female, the type of which is in the Waterhouse collection. Female. Above. Forewing dark brown : a large sub- quadrate spot in end of cell, orange, hyaline, with a small dot above it, orange : a transverse subapical series of three small spots, pale orange, hyaline : a large elongate discal spot in interspace 2, and a much smaller one in base of interspace 3, orange, hyaline : a quadrate spot, before half from base, in interspace i, bright orange, and a narrow streak along dorsum, pale orange : cilia brown, at veins brown black. Hindwing brown-black : a broad central band bright orange : a faint streak in cell orange : cilia grey-white, at veins brown. Beneath. Forewing brown : apex broadly and costa narrowly salmon-grey : basal half of cell narrowly pale orange : spots as above, that of interspace i paler. Hindwing salmon-grey : a spot in cell, another in interspace li, and a discal series of six spots (that in interspace ih much the largest), silvery white margined black : cilia salmon-grey, at veins brown. Expanse (one wing), 19 mm. Vol. XXVIII. IQ12 1 Waterhouse and Lyell, Australian Hesperidae. 227 Except for the somewhat larger orange spots, the somewhat less acute apex, and the more convex termen of forewing, the female differs but slightly from the male. The three allied species T. maheta, T. phigalioides, and T. iacchoides and the less closely related T. phigalia, will be somewhat puzzling to those collectors who possess but few examples, and the following notes should therefore prove useful. T. maheta is sexually dimorphic, the male only having the bright silvery spots on the undersurface of the hindwing. T. iacchoides has small, but more and differently placed (to T. maheta), spots on the hindwing beneath, and they are silvery in both sexes. T. phigalioides and T. phigalia are without any trace of silvery spots. The female of T. phigalioides and in lesser degree that of T. phigalia, closely resembles the female of T. maheta. T. maheta is known from Kuranda, in Northern Queensland, to Jervis Bay, and we have a single record as far south as Wilson's Promontory : it has two broods yearly and is taken (in Sydney) from September to April. T. iacchoides is only known from the Blue Mountains, Como, and Pambula (all in New South Wales), and is single brooded ; September to January. T. phigalioides has been taken at Beaconsfield (1,000 feet) and Gisborne (1,500 feet), Victoria, and at Jenolan Caves (3,000 feet). New South Wales, and is single brooded ; November to January. T. phigalia is taken in Southern Queensland, in the Blue Mountains, and as a semi-alpine species in Victoria, and is single brooded ; September to December. OCYBADISTES AFFINIS, n. Sp. Male. Above. Forewing brown-black : costa powdered orange : an elongate spot in outer half of cell, and a streak along median vein, bright orange : a subapical transverse series of three elongate confluent spots, bright orange : a discal band of spots from vein i to vein 6, those in interspaces 4 and 5 only half the width of the lower ones, bright orange : a faint streak along dorsum, and a faint streak in interspace i orange : cilia brown-black, tips paler, at tornus orange : a discal sexmark from vein i to vein 4 dull black. Hindwing brown-black : a broad straight discal band of confluent spots, bright orange : cilia orange. Beneath. Forewing brown-black : a broad spot in end of cell, and costa to beyond end of cell, orange : subapical spots and discal band as above but pale orange. Hindwing dull brown : costa suffused pale orange : an obscure tornal patch 228 Waterhouse and Lyell, Australian Hesperidae. [^"^a hi^^" brown : a dot in cell, pale orange : discal band as above but pale orange, and irregularly edged brown : termen with a brown line. Female. Above. Forewing as in male : spot of discal band in interspace 2 distinctly larger ; sexmark absent. Hindwing as in male. Beneath. Forewing as in male : second discal spot larger. Hindwing as in male. Antennae above dark brown, beneath orange except tip of club red-brown. Palpi with third joint very slender, short and erect. Expanse (one wing) — male, 12 mm. ; female, 13 mm. Localities. — Kuranda, Queensland, February to June. Cairns, Queensland, June to August. Mackay, Queensland. Types in collection Waterhouse. This species, of which we have 12 males and 9 females, closely resembles 0. mamas, Felder, but is of such smaller average size. It may be recognized from that species by the spot in interspace 5 of fore-wing above being always present, and the three sub- apical spots being much larger and always confluent. The orange band of hindwing is also much straighter, and the streak along vein ib is absent. We have had examples of 0. affinis in our collections for a number of years, but regarded them as small 0. mamas. When, however, we caught it at Cairns last June, its manner of flight and general habit pointed to its being a species distinct from 0. mamas, which we caught at the same time. An examination of the male genitalia has placed this beyond doubt. Our adoption of Lower's genus Anisynta makes a reference to his recent revision of the Australian Hesperidae (Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., 1911, vol. xxxv.) necessary. This provides a con- siderable number of new references, and is a distinct advance upon his previous revision (Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., 1902, vol. xxvi.) But it is unfortunately marred by the same great carelessness in the proof readings and elsewhere. The author swells the number of his recorded Australian species by three forms of Tagiades, though he tells us they are not really distinct, and by the inclusion of foreign descriptions, which need hardly be regarded seriously, as when the types come to be examined they are certain to prove either synonyms or non-Australian. He tells us that the genus Hesperilla " is separated from Mesodina and Trapezites by the absence of the stigma in male " when he means " by the presence." Many such careless errors will need correction before his revision can be accepted as a true guide to the family. Supplement to the " Victorian Naturalist,'' April, 1912 THE Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. FOUNDED MAY, 1880. 31st IVIAReH, 1912 (With Date of Election and particulars of Branch of Study). HONORARY MEMBERS. Oct. 1885 t ATKINSON, E. D., CE., F.R.G.S., Tasmania. July 1883 BROUN, Captain T., Howick, N.Z. Aug. 1884 COX, Dr. J. C, F.L.S., C.M.Z.S., Sydney, N.S.W. Aug. 1884 FINSCH, Dr. Otto, Germany. Sep. 1889 tLEGGE, LiEUT.-CoL. W. V., R.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Melbourne. Feb. 1893 *t LUCAS, A. H. S., M.A., B.Sc, Grammar School, Sydney, N.S.W. Aug. 1882 RAMSAY, Dr. E. P., F.R.S.E., &c., Sydney, N.S.W. LIFE MEMBERS. Sep. 1884 BAGE, Mrs. Edward, " Cranford," Fullon-street, E. St. Kilda. Sep. 1882 PATEY, B. R., Esq., Premier Buildings, Collins-street, M. ORDINARY MEMBERS. April 191 1 Abbott, S. B., Mines Department, Melbourne Dec. 191 1 Archer, A. O., Trinity College Hostel, Parkville Aug. 1885 Andrews, H., 206-208 Flinders-lane, Melbourne Oct. 1909 Anjou, Hy., Neerim-road, Murrumbeena Aug. 1906 Armitage, Jas. A., 510 Station-street, N. Carlton April 1906 *t Armitage, R. W., M.Sc, 441 Canning-street, Carlton ... ... ... ... Biology, Geol. June 1906 tAudas, J. W.,F.L.S., National Herbarium, S.Y. Botany Feb. 1904 t Bage, Miss F., M.Sc, F.L.S., " Cranford," Fulton-st., St. Kilda .. ... ... General Biol. June 1906 Bainbridge, J. W., Crown Lands Dept., M. ... Botany Aug. 1889 t Baker, H. H., 78 Swanston-street, Melbourne Microscopy May 1880 oBale, W. M., F.R.M.S., Walpole-street, Kew Hydroids May 1880 (7 Barnard, F., " Bracondale," Foley-street, Kew May 1880 o*t Barnard, F. G. A., 49 High-street, Kew Ent.,Bot. (Ferns) ii Supplement to the " Victorian Naturalist." Jan. 1906 Barnett, Miss A. M., P.O., Newport Dec. 1909 Barr, Jas., 39 Queen-street, Melbourne Sept. 1899 *t Barrett, C. L., Herald Oihce, Melbourne ... Orn. & Reptilia May 1906 Bennett, W. J., "Riverside," Davidson-st., South Yarra Dec. 1907 Bennetts, W. R., Pakington-street, Kew ... Pond Life May 1880 o*tBest, D., 291 Little Collins-street, M. ... Ent. (Col.) Nov. 1900 t Billinghurst, F. L. , National Bank, Bacchus Marsh... ... ... ... ... Ent. (Col.) Nov. 1904 Booth, J., Yarra-road, Croydon ... ... Amphibia May 1905 Booth, Miss D. E. H., Yarra-road, Croydon May 1905 Booth, Miss E. S., " Oakover," Bell-st., S. Preston June 1911 + Brittlebank, C. C, Government Vegetable Path- ologist's Department, Melbourne ... ... Ent., Botany Dec. 1909 Bury, Miss E., "Verona," Argyle-street, St. Kilda Dec. 1906 + Campbell, A. G., " Fernside Orchard," Pomonal, z'/rt Stawell ... ... ... ... Orn., Oology Mar. 1909 + Carter, T., M.B.O.U., Broome Hill, W. Aust. Ornithology Dec. 1902 Cayley, F. J., Werribee May 1902 tChapman, F., A.L.S., F.R.M.S., Nat. Museum, Melbourne ... ... ... ... Geol., Palgeon. July 1902 Clark, Alister, " Glenara," Bulla ... ... Ornithology Dec. 1908 Clarke, A. Rutter, Orrong-road, Toorak Mar. 1889 Cochrane, Miss S. W. L., 11 Morang-road, Hawthorn ... ... ... ... Botany Feb. 191 1 Code, W. J., Heathcote July 1882 * Coghill, G., 79 Swanston-street, Melbourne ... Botany Nov. 1906 tCole, C. F., 28 Currajong-road, Auburn ... Ornithology Nov. 1902 Cowle, Miss L., c/o Mr. Priest, Devonport W., Tasmania Feb. 1910 Crawford, Miss K., 32 Motherwell-st., Hawksburn Dec. 1910 Cronin, John, Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Aug. 1905 Cudmore, Mrs., " Springfield," Murphy-st., S.Y. Feb. 1901 D'Alton, St. Eloy, C.E., Dimboola ... ... Botany Dec. 1892 Danks, A. T., Bourke-street, Melbourne July 1902 Davey, H. W., Clarence-street, Geelong West June 1909 Davis, Miss M., 337 Weston-street, Brunswick Oct. 191 1 Davis, D., Weston-street, Brunswick May 1910 Deasey, Miss H. , Laluma, Brighton-rd. , Elsternwick Nov. 191 1 Dines, Miss N., Church M, Soc, Dummagudem, S, India Aug. 191 1 t Dodd, F. P., Kuranda, North Queensland .. Entomology Nov. 1910 Douglass, Miss A., Mona-place, South Yarra May 1880 0 * Dixon, J. E., 50 Swan-street, Richmond Ent. (Col. & Lep.) Nov. 191 1 Dunn, E. J., F.G.S., Pakington-street, Kew May 1904 Edmondson, C. H., 75 Riversdale-rd., Hawthorn Dec. 1901 Edmondson, Mrs. C. H., Riversdale-rd., Hawthorn Dec. 1909 Eltis, R. H. M., Livingstone-street, Ivanhoe April 1906 *tEwart, Professor A. J., D.Sc, Ph.D., F.L.S., National Herbarium, South Yarra .. Botany Sept. 1907 Farr, W. H., Flinders May 1890 *tFielder, Rev. W., F.R.M.S., " Croft," Orrong- road, Armadale ... ... ... Micro. Biology May 191 1 Firth, J., Briagolong May 1880 0 * tFrench, C, F.E.S., Anderson-rd., Hawthorn Entomology July 1883 * t French, C, jun.. Department of Agriculture, Entomological Branch, Melbourne ... Entomology Aug. 1885 *•!- Frost, C, F.L.S., Mt. Victor-road, Kew ... Reptilia Mar. 1901 Fullard, A. F., Barker's-road, Hawthorn July 1883 *t Gabriel, J., Walmer-street, Kew ... ... Oology June 1900 t Gabriel, C. J., 293 Victoria-st., Abbotsford .. Marine Cone. Supplement to the " Victorian Naturalist:' 111 July 1908 Gabriel, J. E., Sale Nov. 1889 Gates, W. F., M.A., "Cullymont," Selwyn-rd., Canterbury Oct. 1880 * + Gatliff, J. H., Morrah-street, Parkville ... Marine Cone, Jan. 191 1 Gay, W., Dookie College Aug. 191 1 Gill, A. J., State School, Cockatoo Creek Aug. 1910 Gill, Miss E. C, Bank-street, Box Hill April 1909 Gillbanks, Miss G., Nornianby-st., M. Ponds Aug. 1907 Goodson, W. E., State School, Doncaster Feb. 1912 Gladman, F. E., Pt. Nepean-road, Elsternwick June 1902 tGoudie, D., Poath-road, Murrumbeena ... Ent (Lep ) May 1902 tGoudie, J. C, Sea Lake, Victoria Ornith., Ent. Dec. 1906 Gray, O., Wedderburn, Victoria Dec. 1909 Greenwood, Rev. A. J., Linton Jan. 1901 Greenwood, G. F., " Garrell," Glen Eira-rd., Caul. June 1910 Haig, H. G., Nicholson-street, Fitzroy June 1888 *tHall, T. S., M.A., D.Sc, University, Carlton Gen. Bio., Geo. T-. »Tr (Grapt.) Dec. 1905 *Hamilton,Jas.T.,F.L.S.,HeideIberg-rd.,Ivanhoe Bot., Geok Sept. 1887 Hammet, E. R., State School, Loch Sept. 1909 Handley, Edgar, 74 Park-st., North Fitzroy Nov. 1901 »tHardy, A. D., F.L.S., F.R.M.S., Forests \ Bot. (Freshwtr. Dept., Melbourne ... \ Algse) Aug. 1887 t Hart, T. S., M. A., School of Mines, Ballarat' Geology, Bot. July 1899 Hartnell, W. A., "Irrewarra," Burke-road, Camberwell Dec. 1905 *t Harvey, J. H., A.R.LV.A., 128 Powlett-st., East Melbourne June 1910 Helms, Otto, State School, Laver's Hill Jan. 1884 *Hill, G. R., "Glenrowan," Dandenong-road, Windsor Aug 1909 Hill, G. F., Dandenong-road, Windsor ... Ornithology Apnli9oi +Hill, J. A., Kewell, z//«Murtoa . Ent Orn Mar. 1907 Horner, Miss L., State School, Castlemaine May 1910 Horner, H. E., Tintern-avenue, Toorak Sept. 1910 Ingle, Daniel, Healesville Dec. 191 1 Isaac, C. E., State School, Coburg Aug. 191 1 James, A., Continuation School, Melbourne April 1909 tjarvis, E., Dept. Agriculture, Brisbane ... Entomoloev Jan. 1905 Jeffery, H. W., "Hazeldene," Cochrane-street, N. Brighton June 1910 Johnston, J., State Plantation, Creswick Botany Oct. 1911 Joshua, E. C., Malvern-road, Armadale April 1905 t Jutson, J. T., Geological Department, Perth, April 1904 Kaufmann, J. C, LL.D., aTKooyongkoot-road, ^° °^^ Hawthorn ... ... Pond Life Mic Feb. 1886 *tKeartland, G. A., ^"^ Office, Collins-street, M. Ornith., Oology July 191 1 Keble, R. A., Geological Survey Office, Melb. Feb. 1907 Kellock, C. F., Sloyd Centre, Castlemaine July 1908 t Kelly, Reginald, Healesville ... Botany Nov. 1905 Kendall, H., 14 Rathmines-grove, Auburn Feb. 1906 Keppel, Miss K., Marysville Mar. 1888 *t Kershaw, J. A., F.E.S., National Museum, M. Zoology. July 1893 tKitson, A. E., F.G.S., c/o J. S. Kitson, Con- tinuation School, Melbourne ... Geology June 1903 Kitson, J. S., Continuation School, Melbourne... Geoloev Feb. 1912 Lambie, Jas., Glenferrie House, Glenferrie Dec. 1902 *t Leach, J. A., M.Sc, Education Dept., M. ... Biolo-y, Geol May 1903 Lees,E.H.,C.E.,F.R.A.S.,Fairhaven,Mallacoota "'^^y' '^'°'- iv Supplement to the " Victorian Naturalist." Oct. 1905 *tLe Souef, D., C.M.Z.S., Royal Park, Parkville ... ... ... ... Ornith., Oology Aug. 1907 Lindsay, J., State School, Wannon Feb. 1902 Luly, W. H., Spring-street, Preston April 1888 t Lyell, G., jun., F.E.S., Gisborne ... ... Ent. (Lep.) June 1887 * t Macgillivray, Dr. W., Broken Hill, N.S.W. Ornith., Oology Jan. 1907 Mackeddie, Dr. J. F., Collin.s-street, Melbourne Nov. 191 1 Mackenzie, M. G., Lands Department, Melbourne June 1911 * Mackintosh, W. G., Brighton-road, St. Kilda Dec. 1902 + Madden, Hon. Sir F., M.'^L. A., Studley Park, Kew Jan. 1908 tMahony, D. J., M.Sc, Dept. of Mines, M. ... Geology Nov. 1904 t Maplestone, C. M., Eltham ... ... Polyzoa (recent, fossil) Feb. 1910 Marshall, J. E., State School, Kew Nov. 1895 *tMattingley, A. H. E., C.M.Z.S., Glenferrie- road, Kew ... ... ... ... Ornithology May 1885 tMcAlpine, D., Mathoura-road, Toorak ... Botany July 1894 * McCaw, W. J., 7 Liddiard-street, Glenferrie ... Zoology July 191 1 McGowan, W., City Park, Launceston May 1910 McLennan, C. M., P.O., Bourkestreet East, Melbourne June 1904 *McLennan, J. P., Agric. High School, Warragul Botany Jan. 1904 McMahon, W. Hugh, Liebig-street, Warrnambool Aug. 1899 McNab, L. K., " Braeside," Waiora-rd., Caulfield Dec. 19 10 Mesley, A., Agricultural College, Dookie July 191 1 Meyer, L. D., Milroy-st., North Brighton June 191 1 Mitchell, R. , Manningham-street, Parkville June 1904 Montgomery, Miss M. H., State Schl., Clifton Hill July 1899 Morgan, W. J., 11 Robb-street, Essendon Nov. 1884 Morrison, Dr. A., Rokeby-road, Subiaco, Perth, W.A. ... ... ... ... Botany Oct. 1895 Mowling, G., " Athol," Auburn-road, Hawthorn Aug. 191 1 Murdoch, J. R., Park-street, Parkville Oct. 191 1 Nethercote, Miss G., Callantina-road, Glenferrie April 1903 +Nicholls, E. B., 164 Victoria-st., North M. ... Ornithology Dec. 1908 tO'Donoghue, J. G. , City-road, S. Melbourne ... Ornithology Dec. 1904 Oke, Chas., 56 Chaucer-street, St. Kilda ... Entomology May 1902 O'Neil, W. J., Department of Lands, Melbourne Feb. 191 1 Parsons, Frederick, State School, Lara Mar. 1910 Petherick, E. A., F.L.S., F.R.G.S., 254 Albert- street, East Melbourne May 1880 (?*t Pitcher, F., Botanical Gardens, Melbourne ... Botany Sept. 1901 t Pritchard, G. B., D.Sc, F.G.S., Kooyong Koot-, road. Hawthorn ... ... ... Geology, Cone. May 1892 Quiney, H., Mortlake ... ... ... Ornithology Mar. 1911 Quinlan, C. V., F.R.G.S., Forests Department, M. May 1909 Raff, Miss J., M.Sc, 86 Fitzgibbon-st., Parkville Botany May 1905 Randall, Miss M., "Litchfield," Primrose-street, Essendon April 1909 Ritchie, Miss E. M., Hotham-st., Balaclava Aug. 1908 Robertson, J. L,, M.A., 35 Hutcheson-st., Moonee Ponds Oct. 191 1 Robinson, C. A., Lands Office, Sale Jan. 1903 * Roger, W. H. A., 19 Wattletree-rd., Armadale Ent. (Lep.) May 1904 Rollo, Miss J., 65- Tivoii-road, South Yarra Nov. 1 9 10 Rosenhain, Oscar, 482-484 Collins-street, Melb. Mar. 1899 Ross, J. Andrews, Rochester Nov. 1896 Ryan, Dr. C, 37 Collins-street, Melbourne ... Ornith., Oology Jan. 1910 Ryan, Dr. E., Collins-street, Melbourne Jan. 1910 Ryan, Dr. T. F., Nhill Supplement to the '' Victorian Naturalist." Sept. Jan. Nov. July Oct. Sept. May July July May June May May July Dec. Jan. Aug. Feb. Nov. Nov. Jan. Nov. July July Sept. Nov. May July Jan. July Dec. Oct. Aug. fan. Feb. Sept. April Aug. Sept. April June Jan. Dec. Nov. Jan. June Sept. Aug. Nov. May May Sept. Jan. Sept. gy 908 Sarovich, Mrs, C. J. , Beach-st., Port Melbourne 909 Scott, Alex. L. , 27 Evelina-road, Toorak ... Geolo 885 Scott, W., 54 Fletcher-street, Essendon 885 tSearle, J., 274 Collins-street, Melbourne ... Entomostraca 909 Semple, Dr. W. H., Kilmore 910 Shaw, Dr. A. E., F.E.S., Healesville ... Entomology 889 * tShephard, J., Clarke-st., South Melbourne ... Pond life 884 * Simson, Mrs. J., " Tra walla," Toorak 884 Simson, Miss, " Trawalla," Toorak 905 Skeats, Professor E. VV., I J.Sc, Univ., Carlton ... Geology 906 Slack, T., State .School, Bacchus Marsh 880 ^tSloane, T. G., " Moorilla," Young, N.S.W. Ent. (Col.) 902 Smith, A. J., Port Albert 910 Smith, Sydney, 45 Hoddle-street, Richmond 901 Somers, Dr. J., Edgeworth, Mornington 903 Spark, J. M., Harding-street, Surrey Hills 887 *tSpencer, Professor W. Baldwin, C.M.G., D.Sc, M.A., F.R.S., University, Carlton ... Biol., Zoology 882 + Spry, F., Heather-street, South Melbourne ... Entomology 908 tSt. John, P. R. H., Mason-street, South Yarra Botany 911 Stanton, B. L., Princess-street, Kew 908 Stephen, W. J., 32 Robinson's-road, Hawthorn 880 Stickland, J., Latrobe-street, Melbourne ... Pond life 885 *t Stickland, W., Latrobe-street, Melbourne ... Pond life 911 Stout, C, Gillies-st., Fairfield 911 Summers, R. E. , Were-street, Brighton 900 *t Sutton, Dr. C. S. , Rathdown-street, N. Carlton Botany 910 Sutton, Dr. Harvey, Education Dept., Melbourne 886 *+Sweet, G., F.G.S., "The Close," Wilson-st., Brunswick ... ... ... ... Geology 911 + Sweet, Miss G., D.Sc, Melbourne University 910 Templeton, Mrs. Carrie, George-street, E,M. 892 Thiele, A. F. , Doncaster 909 Thiele, E. F., Doncaster ... ... ... Ornithology 910 Thomas, F. J., Lindenow 908 Thomson, Capt. W. C, Ascot, Brisbane, Qld. 904 Thomson, Dr. J. R. M., Violet Town 900 + Thorn, W., Mines Department, Melbourne 883 *tTopp, C. A., M.A., LL.B., I.S.O., Royal- crescent, Armadale ... ... ... Botany 907 tTovey, J. R., National Herbarium, South Yarra Botany 910 Traill, Mrs. W. J., Beaconsfield-parade, Albert Park Wellington-street, Kerang , " The Grange," Domain-rd. 904 Trebilcock, R. E., 904 Turner, Miss E. J. South Yarra 910 Twyford, J., 9 Villiers-?treet, Elsternwick 908 Walcott, R.H., F.G.S., National Museum, M. ... 891 Walker, J. B., Mackillop-street, Melbourne 908 Wallace, Rev. H., Violet Town 904 + Waterhouse, G. A., B.Sc, F.E.S., Moore-street, Sydney, N.S.W. 908 * Waters, C., Continuation School, Melbourne 911 Watson, F. , Madeline-street, Carlton 901 + Weindorfer, G., " Roland Lea," Kindred, Tas. 906 Wettenhall, Dr. R., Rockley-road, South Yarra 905 White, MissR. E. J., D.Sc, Observatory Quarters, South Yarra 898 'N^'ilcox, J., 4 Loch-street, Hawthorn 901 fWilliamson, H. B. , Linton ... 907 Wilson, H. W., Chelsea-street, Brighton Ent. (Lep.) Microscopy Mineralogy Ent. (Lep.) Botany Botany Botany Pond life, Geol. VI Suppletnent to the " Victorian Naturalist." July 1904 Wilson, J., Moorabbin Pharmacy, Cheltenham May 1880 c*t\Vise would, F., Imperial Chambers, 408 Collins-street, Melbourne July 1902 Wisewould, Miss G. , Seymour-road, Elsternwick Oct. 1898 Wollen, A., c/o Tilloch and Co., Kent-street, Sydney Nov. 191 1 Wright, H. B., 172 William-street, Melbourne Mar. 1908 Wrigley, Miss E., Kent-street, Ascot Vale. Orn., Em. References. 0 Signifies " Original Members," elected May, 1880. * ,, Members who have held office. + ,, Members who have contributed Papers at the meetings. M. ,, Address— Melbourne ; S.M., South Melbourne; E.M., East Melbourne. Ent. ,, Entomology ; Col., Coleoptera ; Lep., Lepidoptera. Orn. ,, Ornithology; Ool., Oology. Geol. ,, Geology. Bot. ,, Botany. Conch. ,, Conchology. ASSOCIATES. Bagot, Claude Collings, John W. Coomer, Frank Cudmore, Frank Dainty, Miss Flora G. Glance, Karl A. Kelso, James Parkinson, Miss L. Selby, Alex. D. Spencer, W. G. Stooke, Robert S. JVNIOR MEMBERS. Miss D. Andrews ,, L. Andrews ,, M. Booth ,, L. Crockett ,, V. Crockett ,, M. Hooper ,, E. Hosking ,, S. Leach ,, H. Le Souef ,, G. Eove ,, S. Mitchell ,, D. Mitchell ,, A. Mommsen ,, A. Sutton ,, S. Sutton Miss A. Thomas ,, G. Turner ,, I. Webb „ J. Webb „ H. Wilson Master G. Berry „ E. Box „ N. Box ,, L. Brettschneider ,, W. Brunet „ E. H. Coghill ,, G. K. Goghill ,, A. Cudmore ,, E, Cudmore ,, J. G. Gillespie Master E. Jones B. Lazarus B. Leach A. W. Le Souef N. W. M'Haffie R. Oxley A. Pitcher E. Pitcher P. Prosser F. S. Searle W. Searle C. Tweddle E. Tweddle J. Vial G. Wilson List of Journals to which the Club Subscribes. Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Entomologists' Monthly Magazine. Geological Magazine. Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society. Zoologist, Supplement to the ''Victorian Naturalist^ vii t/ist of Publications which the Club Receives in Exchange. Victoria — Publications of National Museum, Melbourne. ,, Government Botanist, Melbourne. ,, Department of Mines and Water Supply, Melbourne. ,, ,, Agriculture, Melbourne. Transactions and Proceedings of Royal Society of Victoria, Melbourne. Transactions and Proceedings of Royal Geographical Society (Victorian Branch). The Emu : the Journal of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. The Geelong Naturalist (Geelong Field Naturalists' Club). New South Wales — Publications of the Department of Mines and Agriculture. ,, Department of Fisheries. ,, Government Botanist, Sydney. ,, Australian Museum, Sydney. ,, Australasian Association for Advancement of Science. Journal and Proceedings of Royal Society of New South Wales. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. The Australian Naturalist (New South Wales Naturalists' Club, Sydney). Queensland— Publications of the Department of Agriculture. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland. The Queensland Naturalist (Brisbane Field Naturalists' Club). South Australia — Proceedings of Royal Society of South Australia. Tasmania — Papers and Proceedings of Royal Society of Tasmania. The Tasmanian Naturalist (Tasmanian Field Naturalists' Club, Hobart). Western Australia — Records of the Western Australian Museum, Perth. Journal of the West Australian Natural History Society, Perth. New Zealand — Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, Wellington. Records of the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch. Great Britain — The Selborne Magazine : the organ of the Selborne Society, London. Knowledge (London). Country-side Monthly (London). Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew United Empire : The Journal of the Royal Colonial Institute, London. The Austral Avian Record (London). Journal of the Quekett Microscopical Club, London. Europe — Mitteilungen aus dem Naturhistorischen Museum, Hamburg. Bulletin of the Geological Institute, University of Upsala, Sweden. Asia — Annotationes Zoologicoe Japonensis (Tokyo Zoological Society, Japan), North America — Transactions of the Nova Scotia Institute. United States — Publications of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, U.S.A. Publications of the American Museum of Natural History, New York. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. Proceedings of the Boston Natural History Society. viii Supplement to the " Victorian Naturalist." United States — conthmed. Publications of the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago. Publications of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, St. Louis, Mo. Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy. Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Science. Bulletin of the Wilson Ornithological Club, Oberlin, Ohio, Minnesota Botanical Studies, University, Minnesota. Publications of the University of California, Cal. Pomona Journal of Entomology, Pomona College, Claremont, Cal. Publications of the Lloyd Library, Cincinatti, 6. Proceedings Hawaiian Entomological Society. South America — Revista do Museo Paulista, S. Paulo, Brazil. THE Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. FOUNDED MAY, 1880. OFFICE-BEARERS, 1911-1912. President : Mr. F. Wisewould. Vice-Presidents : Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc. ; Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S. Hon. Treasurer: Mr. G. Coghill, Queen's Walk, 79 Swanston-street (Tel. Cent. 5631). Hon. Librarian: Mr. J. T. Hamilton, F.L.S., Heidelberg-road, Ivanhoe. Hon, Secretary : Mr. a. D. Hardy, F.L.S., Studley-avenue, Kew (Tel. Haw. 728). Hon. Assist. Secretary and Librarian: Mr. W. G. Mackintosh, 191 Brighton-road, St. Kilda. Hon. Editor of the "Victorian Maturaltst": Mr. F. G. a. Barnard, 49 High-street, Kew (Tel., Hawthorn, 443). Committee: Mr. R. W. Armitage, M.Sc, Mr. J. Gabriel, Mr. G A. Keartland, Mr. F. Pitcher, Dr. C. S. Sutton. T HIS Club was founded in j88o for the purpose of affording observers and lovers of Natural History regular and frequent opportunities for discuss- ing those special subjects in which they are mutually interested ; for the Exhibition of Specimens ; and for promoting Observations in the Field by means of Excursions to various collecting grounds around the Metropolis. Vol. XXVIII. —No. i. j. May, 1911, The nctorianKaturalist: ll THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE Hi OF - \ I''! Jhe 5ield Xaturalists' Club of Victoria. Published 4th May, 1911 J4on. Editor : F. G. R. BRHfiRHD, Esq. ; j The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and opinions < recorded. , ) / COIsTTElsj-TS : ) CAGE / The Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria . . . . i I Notes on the Sandringham Flora . . . . . . . . 5 ( 4* I»I?ICE SIXF»EWCE. *«• { Stgettte for (Quvope ; i>U£,A.li7 & CO., 37 ^ohci Square, Xr