1 FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY THE VICTORIAN NATUEALIST. VOL. XXXI., 1914-15. THE Victorian Naturalist: THE JOURNAL & MAGAZINE 'i OP THE MAY, 1914, TO APRIL, 1915. lbon. EOttor : MR. F. Q. A. Barnard. The Author of each Article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. /iftelbourne: WALKER, MAY t CO., PRINTERS, MAOKILLOP STREET (off 390 LITTLE COLLINS STREET). 1915. ■/s.h^^i^^)^^^] THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. MAY, 191 4» to APRIL, 1915. CONTENTS. Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria : — page Annual Eeport ------ 39 Exhibition of Wild-Flowers - - - - 99 Proceedings 1, 21, 37, 49, (59, 85, 97, 109, 125, 141, 153, 173 Reports of Excursions - 1, 21,49,69, 85, 87, 97, 101, 111, 120, 131, 143, 15() ORIGINAL PAPERS. AuDAS, J. W., F.L.S.— The Grampians Revisited - - 24 Bastow, R. a. — Victorian Hepaticre (with plate) - - 74 Chapman, F. , A.L.S. — On an Impression of the Fruit of Casuarina or Sheoak in the Newer Basalt of Victoria (with plate) - - _ - S9 Davey, H. W., F.E.S. — Notes on English and Japanese Newts 135 Gatliff, J. H. , and Gabriel, C. J. — Alterations in the Nomen- clature of Some Victorian Marine Mollusca - 82 Goudie, J. C. — Notes on the Coleoptera of North-Western Victoria - - - - - -138 Hall, T. 8., M.A., B.Sc. — Some Notes on the Gippsland Lakes (with map) - - - - - 31 Kelly, Reginald. — Plant Distribution in the Healesville District ------ 54 Keartland, G. a. — On the Specific Name of the Blood- stained Cockatoo, Cacatiut sanguinea, Gld. - 158 Kershaw, J. A., F.E.S. — A Naturalist in Northern Queens- land - - - - - 113, 161, 179 Lees, E. H., C.E., F.R.A.S.— What is Nardoo r - - 133 O'DoNOGHUE, J. G. — Notes on the Victorian Lyre-bird, Menura victorke, Gld. - - - - - -11 Shaw, Eland, M.R.C.S. — Australian Blattidte — Parti. : Notes and Preliminary Descriptions of New Species - 103 St. John, P. R. H. — On the Similarity of Banksia sjnniilosa and B, collinu - - - - - 91 INDEX. INDEX. PAGK Acacias, Notes on - - 141 Acantliwliites - - - .'i Africa, Portuguese East - 170 Alphington, Excursion to - S7 Arrow Worms - - - ol Audas, J. W. , Grampians Revisited - - - 24 Australasian Association for Advancement of Science, Proceedings of - - 3o Australian Forest League - 73 Bunksiu sjjinulusa - - 91 Bastovv, R. A., Victorian Hepaticse - - o2, 74 Beaumaris, Excursion to - 4 Beechworth, Woolslied Valley 20 Beetle, Notonomus chalyheus. Notes on - - - 45 Beetles of North-Western Victoria - - 128, 13S Belgrave and Narre Warren, Excursion to - - 125 Beveridge, Excursion to - 21 Bird Notes . - - 96 Bird Sanctuaries - 125, 153 Birds Killed by Rabbit Poison 1, 3.S Botanical Garden, Visit to - 173 British Association Handbook 6.S Bunco's " Hortus Victoriensis " ION Cacatua gymnopsis - 127,158 Cacatua saiiginea - - 126 Casuarina Fruit Impressions 8f» Caterpillars, Procession - 3 Chapman, F., A.L.S., Im- pression of Fruit of a Casuarina in Newer Basalt of Victoria 86, 89 Chitons at Portsea, Rare* - 3 Cockatoo, Bare-eyed - 127, 158 Cockatoo, Blood-stained, 126, 127, 158 Cockroaches, Australian 98, 103 Coleoptera of North-Western Victoria - - 128, 138 Concretions - - - 126 Coturnir jx'rtordlis, G\(\. - 53 Crocidolitc - - - 71 Croydon, Excursion to - 173 Cup Moth - - - - 96 iJujihiiiu carinatu - - 157 lAOK Diirwinisui, Anticipation of 47 Davey, H. W., English and Japanese Newts - 128, 135 Dormouse Phalangfu- - - 52 JJroiniria cuminiia - - 52 Eels ----- 36 English Newts - - - 135 J'Jpucris iiapressa - - 53 Eucalypts, Various - - 21 Eucalyptus nitrtis - - 4 Eucalyptus siaithii - - 174 Eitzosteria mdallica - - 104 Evelyn, Excursion to - - 49 Fantail, White-shafted - 142 Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria — Annual Report - - 39 Excursions - Alphington - - - 87 Beaumaris - - - 4 Belgrave - - - 131 Beveridge - - - 21 Croydon - - - 173 Evelyn - - - 50 Lilydale - - - 101 Macedon Nursery - 1 Mentone - - - 97 Mont Park, Bundoora - 5 Narro Warren - - 131 Pakcnham - - - 11 1 Phillip Island - - 7 South Morang - - 85 Warburton - - - 156 Wilson's Promontory - 143 Yering Gorge - - 120 Financial Statement - 43 Office-bearers, 1914-15 - 45 Proceedings, 1, 21, 37, 49, 69, 85,97, 109, 125, 141, 153, 173 Rule, Alteration of - - 38 Flinders Island, Reptiles of 36, 47 Frogs - - - - 172 Gatliflf, J. H., and Gabriel, C. J., Alterations in No- monclatin-e of Victorian Marine Mollusca - - 82 Geological Museum, Visit to 21 Geological Survey of Victoria 20, 102 Gippslfiiul T.iikcs. Nofi'son --. 31 INDEX. ■AUR PAGK Goudie, J. C, Coleoptera of Notonomus chalybeus - 45 North- Western Victoria O'Donoghue, J. G., The Vic- 128, 13S torian Lyre-Bird - 11 Grampians Kevisited, The - 24 O'Donoghue, J. G. , Wander- Hall, Dr. T. S., Notes on the ings on the Murray Gippsland Lakes - 22 , 31 Flood-plain - - - 155 Healesville, Plant Distri- Oolitic Limestone 70 bution at - - 2, 54 Ostracoda - - - - 124 Hepaticse, Victorian - 52 74 Pakenham, Excursion to 111 Honey-eaters . - - 96 Parap/iantd atramentaria 142 Hydroida of Australian Bight 84 Phillip Island, Excursion to 7 Hymenosoma lar.ustrrs - 109 Pipit in Mid- Ocean 132 Impression of Fruit of Cas- Plant Distribution at Heales- uarina in Basalt - 89 ville - - - 2 , 54 Japanese Newts - - - 135 Platyzosteria brigitoi 105 Kangaroo, Tibia of 126 Platyzosteria pidlatu 105 Keartland, G. A., Specific Polyzoa, Pedicellinopsisfrati- Name of Blood-stained cosa - - - _ 86 Cockatoo - - - 158 Polyzostcria magna 104 Kelly, R. , Plant Distribution Portsea, Moilusca at - 3 in Healesville District 2 , 54 Portuguese East Africa 176 Kershaw, J. A., Naturalist Procession Caterpillars 3 in North Queensland Quail, Stubble - - - 53 113, ICl, 179 Queensland, Naturalist in North Lees, E. H. , What is Nardoo ? 113, 161, 179 127, 133 Keptiles of Flinders Island 36 ,47 Lilydale, Excursion to 101 Sagitta or Arrow Worms 51 Liver-worts, Victorian - .52 , 74 Sanctuaries for Birds - 125, 153 Loranthus - - - - 154 Shaw, E., Australian BLittidfc 103 Lyre-bird, Notes on Vic- Similarity of Banksia spinu- torian - - - - 11 losa and B. collinu 91 Lyre-birds at Zoological Skylark, English, a Garden Gardens - _ _ 46 Pest - - - - 48 Magpie, White-backed 112 Soldanella, The Alpine 10 , 35 Alursilea qnudrifu/ia - 113, 127 Some Victorian Wild- Mentone, Excursion to 97 Flowers - - _ 98 Menura suptrhn - - - 46 South Morang, Excursion to 85 Menuru vidorke, Gld. - 11 State Nursery, Macedon, Ex- Mice, A Use for - 68 cursion to- 1 Mistletoe - - - _ 154 st. John, P. R, H., Similarity Molije cristutm - - \'1H, 135 of BaiiJcsia colh'im and B. Moilusca at Portsea - 3 spiiudosa - - 86 91 Monstrillidaj in Victoria 160 Stubble Quail - - . 53 Mont Park, Bimdoora, Ex- Swans, Black, near Sale 38 50 cursion to - 5 The Australia 71 Zooloyid 68 Mount Dandcnong, Map of 172 " The Butterflies of Aus- Museum of Economic Ento- tralia " - - 70 94 mology, Visit to - 37 The OeeloiKj Naturalist 73 Nardoo ? What is - 127, 133 "The Native Flowers of National Herbarium, Visit to 69 Victoria " - - 88 94 " National Museum, Memoirs Thicle, Mr. E. 0., D.Sc. 175 of the " - - - 184 Tibia of Kangaroo 126 Newts, English and Japanese 135 Timber, The Decay of - 67 New Zealand, Scenery Pre- Victoria, Coleoptera of North- servation in 102 western - - 128, 138 VUl INDBX. Victoria, Mineral Resources of ... - 102 Victorian Hepatica? - '52, 74 Volvox - - - - 71 Warburton, Excursion to - lo(i Worribcc! Gorge, Geological .Sketch Map- - - 102 Wild- Flowers, Exhibition of 99 Wilson's Promontory, Ex- cursion to - - - 143 Woolshed Valley, Boechworth 20 Yering Gorge, Excursion to - - - - 12I» Zonioploca JiavocincUi - - 107 ILLUSTRATIONS. Basalt-liiva Impression of Fruit of Casuarina - Gippsland Lakes, Map of - Hepatic.e, Typical Victorian - - - Rockintr Stone at Narre Warren 'AUK 89 ■•30 80 132 ERRATA. Page 103, linos 23, 24 — For "specimens" read "specimen." Line 25— For " Cotype" read "Cotypes." Page 124, line 19 from bottom — For " Mdcrocrypus'' read " Mucro- cy2>ris." Page 135, line 4 from bottom — For " Urodda " read " Urodelu." Page 13(), line 8 — For " spermatozea " read " spermatozoa." Page 140, line 17 — Insert "and" before "with close." Lme 19 — For " c(2ualia" read " ceijuulia.^' Che Uktorian naturalisi Vol. XXXI. —No. 1. MAY 7, 1914. No. 365. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 2oth April, IQ14. The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the chair, and about 50 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Professor Spencer, thanking the Club for its congratula- tions on the conferring upon him of the degree of Doctor of Science. From the secretary of the Girls' Realm Guild of Service and Good Fellowship, Sydney, stating that the society intends to hold its second Australian wild-flower show in September next, and inviting the Club to take part in the exhibition. On the motion of Mr. G. Coghill, second by Dr. C. S. Sutton, it was decided to refer the letter to the committee for consideration. From Mr. Cornthwaite, Thorpdale, South Gippsland, with reference to the destruction of native birds by poison laid for rabbits, and desiring the Club to take the matter up. Mr. C. L. Barrett said that he would like the Club to take some action in the matter. Mr. O. Rosenhain said that when the department was approached on a previous occasion it asked for definite evidence of the destruction. If the writer could send down some of the dead birds so that they might be analyzed, the Club might have something definite to go upon. Mr. A. D. Hardy said that the department wanted evidence and not mere statements. Detailed reports from many rabbit inspectors were furnished to Mr. F. Allan, the chief inspector, which disproved the statements made of the destruction of native birds by poison laid for rabbits, The president said he had been in the district referred to by the writer, but did not notice any great destruction of birds. He would, however, like something definite to be done. Mr. J. Gab iel moved that the writer be asked to forward a dozen or so of the dead birds, of various species, to the Veterinary College for examination. Mr. Rosenhain seconded the motion, which was carried. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to the State Nursery at Macedon, on Saturday, 14th March, was given by the leader, Mr. A. D. Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [^,^[ Vict. Nat. XXXI. Hardy, F.L.S., who said that only four members availed them- selves of the opportunity of visiting the nursery, which was found to contain a most interesting collection of exotic trees, &c. , all splendidly grown. The forenoon passed all too quickly in inspecting the general collection and the methods of raising trees for distribution to State departments, &c. In the after- noon a visit was made to Messrs. Taylor and Sangstcr's nursery, at Upper Macedon, where a specialty is made of trees and shrubs, &c., suitable for higher elevations. A report of the excursion to Sugarloaf Hill, Mont Park, on Saturday, 2Sth March, was given by the leader, Mr. F. Chap- man, A.L.S., who said that, perhaps owing to threatening weather, the attendance was small. However, the afternoon turned out very fine, and, in addition to inspecting the interest- ing felsitic dyke which is exposed on the hill, the party had a very fine \iew of the physiography of the surrounding country. A report of the excursion to £ltham on Saturday, 4th April, was given by the leader, Mr. P. R. H. St. John, who said that the party crossed Diamond Creek and proceeded in a northerly direction. A very enjoyable and profitable afternoon was spent among the eucaly})ts. A report of the Easter excursion to Phillip Island. Thursday, 9th, to Tuesday, 14th April, was given by the leader, Mi . E. C. Joshua, who said that twelve members ])articipated, and though the excursion was somewhat marred by the inclemency of the weather, nevertheless they got a fair amount of enjoyment out of the trip. The rough, squally weather made dredging operati(ms, for which the excursion had been arranged, impossible. On Easter Monday ( vening (13th April) they had a magnificent view of that imusual phenomenon a lunar rainbow. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a biillot being taken, Mr. Robert Stephenson Sherlock, Wolseley-grove, Brighton Beach, and Mr. T. E. Turner, Burwood- road. Auburn, were duly elected ordinary membeis, and Mr. Frank S. Smith, Noorat, as a country member ol the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. The ]ires'dent said that Mr. F. G. A. Barnard had presented to the Club a mounted copy of Broadbent's map, " Fifty Miles Round Melbourne," which would be of great service to members at the monthly meetings. PAPER READ. By Mr. Reginald Kelly, entitled " Plant Distribution in the Heaksville District." ^^^'1 Field Naturalists' Cliih — Proceediniis. ■? The author considered that the site of Healesvihe had once been covered by an extensive lake. He traced the occurrence of many of the larger forms of vegetation through the different parts of the district, some species occurring in quite isolated positions, while others seemed to be influenced by the direction of the minor ranges. Dr. Sutton said the paper was most interesting, and could not have been written except as the result of many years' observa- tions. He desired to know if there was any marked difference between the vegetation growing on the Silurian and on the Volcanic. Mr. Hardy said he desired to add his tribute of appreciation. He considered that the Field Naturalists' Club had done good work in mapping out the floras of various districts in Victoria. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard also congratulated the author on his paper, which showed a good acquaintance with the district. The author, in reply, said that in the Healesville district there was no marked difference in the vegetation on the two geological formations. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. C. J. Gabriel referred to his exhibit of mollusca from Portsea. During a recent holiday he was spencUng at Portsea the jetty happened to be under repair, a number of the piles being withdrawn and replaced by new ones. The old piles were found to be teeming with marine life, and many crustaceans, isopods, bryozoa, mollusca, and these numerous creatures which are so frequently relegated to the scientific rubbish-heap — the worms — were collected, and have been handed over to specialists for examination. The mollusca were particularly interesting and numerous. Three of our rarest chitons, Acan- thochites maiighani, Torr and Ashby, A. speciosus, Adams, and A. kimberi, Torr, may be mentioned. The Victorian cowries were well represented, but as the contractor and his men were equally keen in the search for them, they were difficult to obtain. All of the piles showed the destructive work of the ship-worms ; one burrow, having a diameter of an inch, measured two feet in length, and the animal is exhibited on the table to-night. Mr. J. Booth forwarded a note stating that recently, when driving between Omeo and Glen Wills he noticed a " procession " of caterpillars crossing the road. It was injured by a wheel of the vehicle crushing some of them. The procession only recommenced to progress when the hindmost caterpillars, which had been cut off, were placed in contact with the foremost ones. Moving the leader to the hindmost position also stopped progress, and the " procession " made no attempt to move until the leader was replaced, when movement was resumed. Field Naturalisls' Club — Proceedings. [y'^ Vict. Nat. XXXI. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Section ol kelp i8 inches in width, marine alga;, sponges, &c., from Cat Bay, PhiUip Island ; Older Basalt, from Point Grant, Phillip Island. By Mr. J. Booth. — A caterpillar, in illustration of his natural history note. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells from the Porlsea jetty, including rare chitons, Acanlhochiles maughani, Torr and Ashby, A . speciostis, Adams, and A . kimheri, Torr. By Mr. J. Gabriel. — Eggs of Mutton-birds and other Petrels. By Mr, J. Searle. — Fresh-water crustacean, Anaspidcs tas- manica, from Mt. Wellington, Tasmania. By Mr. J. Stickland. — Larva of the water- beetle, Dytiscus, almost covered with masses of protozoa, probably of the genus Epistylis, together with a considerable growth of alga.'. These specimens grew upon the larva while it was alive. From Alexandra-avenue, IMelbourne. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Herbarium specimens of Eucalyptus niiens. Maiden, collected by Dr. Heber Green at the head of the Acheron valley, nth April, 1914. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. EXCURSION TO BEAUMARIS. With a Melbourne temperature of 97", a small party of Field Naturalists, together with representatives from the Micro- scopical Society of Victoria, left Flinders-street at 2 p.m. on Saturday, 14th February. On arriving at Sandringham the party was found to have increased to twenty, and this, con- sidering the unusually trying weather circumstances, speaks well of the interest shown in the objects of the excursion, which were two-fold. We seem, however, not yet to have profited by previous experience in obtaining information as to suit- ability ol tides when drawing uj) the excursion progrannne, for when, after the usual eighteenth century jog-trot journey, Beaumaris was reached, the tide was full high. Not being ])rovided with water-boots, water-tclescojies, or even biplanes, we were debarred from studying marine life to any extent, and so faced our alternative subject — fossils. During the afternoon, however, many common but nevertheless inter- esting objects were picked u}) at the highest tide limit, amongst which were the screw-like egg-cases of the " Gummy " or Port Jackson shark, Ccslracion, and a jaw of the Porcu|)ine-fish, Diodon. the latter serving as a peg on which to hang some remarks on ]ierhaj>s one of tlie most interesting finds of the afternoon — namely, a fossil palatal tooth of the same libh-genus. ^^'''^''1 Excursion to Beaitniai'is. e. 1914 J •' and named Diodon foniiosus. A tooth of a fossil shark, belonging to the living genus Odontaspis, or " Grey Nurse," was also found in the shingle. Amongst the common muddy and rocky shore species of shell-fish the following were noticed : — Risclla )nclanostoma, Monodonta {Austrocochlca) constricta, Astraliinn aureum, Cotninella lineolaia, Bittium cerithiiiiii, Vermctiis novce-JwUaiidice, Tellina deUoidalis, T. decussata, Venerupis crenata, and Venus strigosa. Several si)ecimens of the beautiful reef-forming coral, Plesiastrcea nrviUci, were picked up during the search amongst the shingle. At the high cliff-section near the baths some remarks were given in ex- planation of what was to be seen in the successive bands of the rocks in this series, as well as on the concretionary layers of calcareous and ferruginous natures. The basal remanie bed with fish remains, the yellow marls with Trigonia and Limopsis, and the upper beds with Imnds of ironstone, in places full of casts of small gasteropods and larger bivalves, were briefly noted. One lady member of the party was so fortunate as to crack open a very rich block of this last-named material containing casts of Macira howchiniana, Dosinca, Zenatiopsis, and many other genera. Although no collecting of micro- scopic shore-life was possible, owing to the tide, the interest of our microscopical members was retained by the examination of a sample of the Trigonia bed of this Kalimnan cliff ; first washing the material through a sieve and then spreading the residue on a slide under a microscope which had been brought along for the purpose. Amongst the minute objects washed out of this marl were examples of the millet-seed-like Miliolina and the beautiful nautilus-like PolystomeUa crispa ; whilst numerous delicately-sculptured spines of a fossil spatangoid sea-urchin were noticed in the washings. These latter probably belong to the common Lovcnia forbcsi, numerous tests of which were ]:)icked up from fallen l)locks and from amongst the shingle during the afternoon. The l)otanical side of our outing was well looked after by Mr. F. Pitcher, who pointed out several interesting plants growing on this part of the coast-line, amongst which was the brightly-coloured, fresh green foliage of the clumps of Boobialla, Myoporuin insulare, making a pleasing contrast on such a warm and dusty afternoon with the dull foliage of the Coast Tea-tree, Lcptospermum lavigatum. — F. ChaPxMAN. EXCURSION TO MONT PARK, BUNDOORA. Only two members of the Club and the leader joined in this excursion on Saturday, 28th March. The afternoon was fine and cool, and the air bracing and thoroughly enjoyable. The Excursion to Mout Park, Bundoora. [v^^' Nat. XXXI. uncertainly of the weather in the morning iirobahly accounts for the paucity of attendance. Ahghting at Macleod station, on the Ehhani Hne, we made our way u]) the hill through the belt of Golden Wattles to the toji, where a reservoir supplying the adjacent asylum is situated. The object of the excursion was to see the unique dyke cutting through the hill, and to gain an idea of the physiography of the surrounding country. Sugarloaf Hill, as it is known, is a splendid view-point, and is about four miles north of Heidelberg. It is 440 ieet above sea- level, and is an outstanding monadnock or residual hill left by the erosive action on the surrouncUng country by the river system, on account of the comparative hardness of the rock. In all probability this hardness is due to the induration of the sandy shales of the Silurian bed-rock (Melbournian) by the intrusion of the felsitic dyke, and, indeed, fragments of very hard country rock are seen lying about, mixed with pieces of the dyke rock, scattered over the hill, and especially near the excavations made for the reservoir on the summit. The nature of the dyke and the general trend across the hill was noticed. In structure this dyke is a tine-grained felsite. and has burst through the bed-rock across the line of strike. What seems to have subsequently takrn place is the reopening on one side of the dyke, resulting in a mass of fragments torn from the dyke and its brecciated face, including as well sandstone, shale, and milky quartz from the bed-rock itself. I.astly, after a j^eriod of rest, another fault-line was developed midway, and the sides of tlie fissure shaken horizontally, which resulted in giving a " slickensided " or striated enamel face to the adjacent rocks. Specimens of the interesting kinds of rocks were secured, including some nicely jointed masses of sandy clay, in which the structure had probably been produced by the heated intrusive rock forming the dyke. The freshness of the dyke, and the complicated structures shown to be associated with it, make this occurrence one of unicpie interest. One of our members had provided himself with tield-glasses. anfl by its helj) we were enabled to i^ick (ut many distant places of interest along the Plenty Ranges, as well as the distant monadnocks of Kangaroo Ground, and Pine Mont, at Kingwood. The recent removal of the Doncaster Tower was felt to be a decided loss, as it was so useful as a landmark in examining the surrounding country. Finding it would be a rather long wait for the next train at Macleod, we turned our faces to Heidelberg, and caught the 5. 50 train to town, well satisfied with the healthy and enjoyable afternoon's outing, the only regret being that there were so few members participating in it.— F. ClIM'M.VN. *^^^''l Excursion In Pliillip Island. 7 EXCURSION TO PHILLIP ISLAND. The Easter excursion to Phillij-) Island, loth to 14th April, 1914, was somewhat marred by the inclemency of the weather, nevertheless the dozen members who participated in the trip managed to get a fair amount of enjoyment out of the outing. The rough, squally weather made dredging operations impossible ; we were therefore thrown back upon collecting along the shore, bark-stripping for insects, and making excursions to such locaHties as Cape Woolamai and M'Haftie's Reef. The rough weather was rather an advantage in viewing these latter places, emphasizing as it did the rugged grandeur of the rocky coast. This was not all that we had to thank the bad weather for, as on the evening of Easter Monday (13th April) we had a magnificent view of that unusual phenomenon a lunar rainbow. So far as practical results are concerned, I am not in a position to give specific names to many of the marine animals collected. I noted, however, that of the material cast up upon the beaches sponges and tunicates were very much in evidence, and several species of Hydrozoa and Polyzoa were abundant. Amongst the sponges is to be included a species which I believe to be close to if not identical with Euspongia oificinalis, a valuable commercial variety. The tunicates comprised a very large number of species, and Phillij^ Island after a storm should be noted as a prolific collecting ground by anyone intending to work this group. At M'Haffie's Reef we noticed at extreme low water mark what we thought at first to be a stationary flock of birds. On coming up to them, however, they proved to be numbers of a large species of growing tunicate. The individuals were about a foot in height ; there were some hundreds of these, and the spectacle was peculiar. Another curious ascidian was picked up — viz., ColleUa pedunculata, Quoy and Gaimard. The Challenger specimens of this species were collected at Kerguelen Island and at stations in the neighbourhood of 50'^ S. Only one holothurian was found — viz., Colochinis doliolum, Pallas. I am indebted to Messrs. Wilson, Spry, and Barnard for notes and lists in connection with the ornithology, entomology, and botany of the outing. A number of spiders were collected, including a specimen of that extraordinary form Salena cxcavata ; the others are at present unidentified. Mr. Wilson reports seeing a Koala or Native Bear between Cowes and Pyramid Rock. Ornithology. — Mr. H. W. Wilson writes : — " Fifty species of birds, with two introduced species, the House Sparrow and the Starling, were identified by Mr. L. G. Chandler, of the Bird Observers' Club, and myself during the five days' outing at Phillip Island. The species are arranged and numbered as in Dr. Leach's ' Australian Bird Book.' 8 Excursion to Phillip Island. [v.j'xxxi 17. Brush Bronzewiiifi; Pigeon, P/iaps elegatis (two pairs). 33. Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor. 34. Fairy Penguin. E. undi)ia. 42. Short-tailed Petrel, Glutton-bird, Puffinus brevicaudus {tcnuirostris). 67. Crested Tern, Sterna hergii. 72. Silver Gull. Lams nova-hollandice. 73. Pacific Gull, Gahianus pacificiis. 75. Richardson Skua, Stercorarius crepidatus. 80. Spurwing Plover, Lobivanellus lobatiis. 81. Black-lircasted Plover, Zonifer tricolor. 8(). Red-cai:)pcd Dottrel, Mgialitis ritficapiUa. 102. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Hetcropygia auriia. 119. White-fronted Heron. Nolophoy.x novce-hollandia. 141. Musk Duck, Biziura lobata. 143. Little Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo. 144. White-breasted Cormorant, P. gouldi. 148. Australian (iannet, Siila serrntor. 152. AUied Harrier, Circus gouldi. 170. Little Falcon, Falco lunulatus. 172. Brown Hawk, Hicracidea oricntalis. 173. Nankeen Kestrel, Cerchneis ccnchroides. 187. Little Lorikeet, Glossopsittacus pusillus. 202. Rosella, Platycercns eximius. 220. Blue Kingfisher, Alcyone azurca. 221. Laughing Kingfisher, Dacdo gigas. 228. Whitc-rumped Swift, Cypselus paci/icus. 238. Welcome Swallow, Chclidon neoxena. 242. Australian Brown Flycatcher, Micrnra fascinans. 245. Flame-breasted Robin, Pctroica pluvnicea. 246. Pink-breasted Robin, P. rhodinogaster. 254. White-shafted Fantail, Rhipidura albiscapa. 256. Black and White P^antail, R. moiacilloides. 281. White-fronted Chat, Ephthianura albifrons. 285. (iolden-headed Fantail- Warbler, Cisticola exilis. 289. Brown Tit- Warbler. Acanthiza pusilla. 291. Striated Tit-Warliler, A. lineata. 293. Yellow-tailed Tit-Warbler, A. chrysorrhoa. 297. White-browed Scrub-Wren, Scricornis frontalis. 300. Superb Warbler, Malurus cyanochlamys. 313. Wood-Swallow, Artamus tenebrosns. 314. Magpie-Lark, (irallina picata. 315. Grey Shrike -Thrush, Colluricincla harmonica. 317. White-backed Magpie, Gymnorhina Icnconota. 319. Australian Butcher-bird, Cracticus destructor. 323. Rufous-breasted Whistler, }\ichyccphala pcctoralis (un- certain). ^^J''! Excursion to Phillip Island. g 1914 J 334. White-eye, Zosterops ccerulescens. 370. Wattle-bird, Acanthochcera carunculata. ^yi. Brush Wattle-bird, AncUobia chrysoptera. 376. Australian Pipit, Antkus australis. 394. Grey Bell-Magpie, Strepera versicolor." Entomology. — ^The following species have been identified by Mr. F. Spry, of the National Museum, among the specimens • collected at PhiUip Island : — Orthoptera : Dermaptera, Nesogasler ruficcps, Er. (young form), Blattida?, Onicosoma granicollis, Sauss. Neuroptera : Osmylus sirigaliis, Burm. Coleoptera : Scaraphiles rotundipennis, Dej.; Sarothrocrepis corticallis, Fab. (2 specimens) ; Lacon caliginosiis, Cand. ; Copidita piinchim, Macl. (3 specimens) ; Promethis angiilatus, Er. ; Chalcopterus variabilis, Bless. (2 specimens) ; Prypnus canaliculatus, Gyll. ; Paropsis polyglypta. Germ. Hymenoptera : Myrmecia forficulata. Fab. ; Camponotiis claripes, Mayr. ; Thynnoides gracilis, Westw. Hemiptera : Pirates (? sp.) (immature) ; Nofins depressus, Dall. ; Ptilocnemiis lemur. Homoptera : Fam. Coccidce, sub-fam. Monophlebiiuce, Monophlebus crawfordi, Mask. Botany. — Mr. F. G. A. Barnard writes: — "The report of the excursion to Phillip Island at Easter of last year {Vict. Nat., XXX., p. 29) contained no mention of the trees or plants met with, and seemingly for a very good reason, for in the limited opportunities I had of investigating the flora during the recent excursion, nothing of particular interest was noted. Certainly Easter is not the time of year to see many of our flowering trees or plants at their best, and the present year has so far been exceptionally dry on the island. Perhaps the most noticeable vegetation seen by the visitor on first landing are the fine Banksias, which, along with the Coast Tea-trees, form a splendid breakwind along the northern shore. The former trees were in full bloom, their singular spikes of flowers being in various stages, and the honey contained therein affording a great attraction to many honey-loving birds. Several trees were noticed with stems fully 30 inches in diameter. The road from Cowes to the ocean beach divides the island into two fairly equal parts. The western half, with the exception of the racecourse paddock, is, except the coastal belt, almost devoid of native vegetation of any size, having been cleared many years ago to make room for the chicory farms, which at one time formed the principal industry of the island. However, in parts the swamp paper-bark is encroaching rapidly on the one time cultivated paddocks. In the eastern half of the to Fxrnrsio)! to Phillip fshmd. [voi^xxxi. island there are many small patches of native timber, &c., still left. The prevailing eucalypt seems to be the Narrowed-leaved Pepi)crmint, /:. amygdalina, of only moderate size. Here and there the Yellow Box-gum, /: mclliodora, occurs, and just about the centre of the island a limited numl)er of Blue Gums, E. globulus, of various ages, may be seen. During a visit to Pyramid Rock we found quantities of Acacia verticillata, but very stunted in growth ; Goodenia ovata occurred there also, but a stouter form than usually met with. TliC common heath {Epacris) seemed scarce, and where the orchids are found, which many years ago formed such a feature at our wild-Hower exhibitions, seemed to me a puzzle ; l)ut then, of course, it was too early even for their foliage to betray their presence. I was told that sheokes once covered large portions of the western side of tlie island, but the only specimens we saw were in the corner of a jxiddock near Rhyll. The only shrub in bloom on the Woolamai Peninsula was a composite, Olearia {Aster) axilldfis, which has a very aromatic odour. Here the Coast White-bush, Caloccphalus Brownii, formed large cushion-like masses. The I\Iutton-l)irds have had additional cover provided for ^ leni by the planting of marram grass, which is doing -■<^e iingly well along the sand-ridges. Of neither the tussock g. nor the cladium, among which most of the burrows are situ .'d. was I able to get flowering specimens, so cannot identify the species. The sweet Bursaria was in many places in a ]iicturesquc stage, its purse-like seed-vessels being of a rich sienna ( our, and quickly attracting notice. Along the ocean coast-line, opposed to strong winds, the vegetation is, as might be expected, very scanty. It was sad to see how the European gorse or furze is taking possession of the roadsides, and, along with the sweet- briar, it will soon become a formidable pest to the land-owners." The party regretted that, owing to unforeseen circumstances, Mr. J. Gabriel, whose name appeared in the excursion list as co-leader, was unable to take part in the outing, more especially as he is so thoroughly acquainted with all parts of the island and its surroundings. — E. C. Joshua. Flowers in the Snow. — The Coiinlry-Sidc (London) for April has a short illustrated article on the Alpine Soldanella, a composite plant which thrusts its flowers up through the snow (»f the Swiss snowfields during the early spring. If the snow is not too thick the flowers are very numerous, and apjiear like vi(jlet daisies stuck into the snow. The plant has tliick ever- green leaves, and the respiration from the flower buds i)roduces sufficient heat to melt the snow surrounding the flower-stalk, thus enabling it to reach the light and air. ^^j'^ O'DoNor.TiuK, Nnfr.'; nil Vir/orian lA't'c-liird. ii NOTES ON THE VICTORIAN LYRE-BIRD, MENURA VICTORIM, Old. By J. G. O'DoNOGHUE. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, gth March, 1914.) The colonization of Victoria, in common with the other territorial divisions of the Commonwealth, has been fraught with far-reaching and serious consequences to its fauna and flora. Wherever the white man established a settlement he at once began to effect radical changes in his surroundings and to gather about him, either from essential or sentimental motives, the animals and vegetation common to the country whence he came. By drainage and tillage, and by extensive clearing and ring-barking, numbers of indigenous plants and trees were destroyed, the source of sustenance and of shelter of an equally large and varied number of indigenous insects and animals. In the struggle for existence that of necessity ensued, by reason of the restriction of their area of active operations, those of either class that survived were later brought into competition with the alien plants and animals he directly or indirectly introduced, with unfavourable results. Possibly the practical annihilation of many of our fauna is in a great measure due more directly to man than to the animals he naturalized. Directly, he is responsible for the rapid disappearance of the Bustard and Wedge-tailed Eagle by means of poison he largely uses to suppress, in some measure, the rabbit, which, here freed from the restrictions imposed upon its increase by those predaceous animals with which it was associated in the Old World, multiplies to such, an extent as to become a menace to successful farming and grazing. Indirectly, he is responsible for the sad havoc now being wrought amongst our indigenous birds by the fox he introduced to chase, red-coated and horsed, across country with a pack of hounds. One, the Lyre-bird, the subject of this paper, will soon be, principally owing to this scourge, a thing of the past. Already authentic information records its total disappearance from some favourable localities and its rapidly decreasing numbers in others. It behoves us, then, when afforded opportunities, to study the habits and peculiarities of this unique bird whilst its epitaph remains unwritten. The following brief notes are contri])uted to that end. They merely constitute, in part, what came under my daily notice during a residence of twelve months, or thereabouts, in the Crooked River district. North Gippsland, where the birds were as numerous as sparrows or starlings in the suburbs of Mel- bourne, and deal with some of the contentious points that 12 O'DoNOGHUE, Notes 0)1 Victorian Lyre-liird. [vor'xxxi engaged the attention ol bird-observers some time ago in " Nature Notes," edited by Donald Macdonald, in the Ar^us. In many cases the views and conclusions embodied in the article may be erroneous, though based on observed facts. If, however, they serve to stimulate closer observation of the hal)its of the bird under review, and such investigation leads up to the discovery of one or more interesting facts respecting it that may have hitherto escaped notice, the purpose of the })aper and the aims of the Club will be alike achieved. The shyness of the Lyre-bird has now become as j^roverbial as the cunning of the fox, and one is at times entertained by the efforts of some well-meaning individual to advance a reasonable supposition for the acquirement by the bird of this trait, in surroundings wild in the extreme, but devoid to all intents of any predatory animal whose attacks it might apprehend. Favoming as it does the almost inaccessible fern- gullies of the heavily-timliered ranges of Ciijipsland, the bird is more often heard than seen, and jjossibly from this circum- stance it has been credited with the possession of a faculty which is neither essential for its protection nor necessary for the procuration of its means of subsistence. The bird, so far as my observations are concerned, is not so excessively shy as is generally supposed. In common with most wild creatures, it is possessed of an instinctive dread of man, but not to such an extent as to warrant the contention that to effect its destruction the sjiortsman must leave his watch behind during his mission and endeavour to still the beating of his heart, lest the ticking of the former and the throbbing of the latter reach the acute-eared bird. In North Gip])sland, when desirous of stalking a cock bird. I found that, by imitating the call of the Wonga Pigeon. I had absolutely no difficulty in approaching within fatal range without the exercise of any great degree of caution. I can never recall without feelings of amusement the many encounters I had w^ith a pair of Lyre-birds on the eastern slope of a small valley between two narrow s]-)urs that extended in a more or less southerly direction froni a main axis of elevation. On the margin of a diminutive glade, amid a dense investment of vegetation in which the Blanketwood, Scuecio Bedfordi, pre- dominated, the female had constructed her nest in a hollow stump about six feet from the ground. From her coign of vantage she commanded an excellent view of the crest of the tip of an old inclining shaft and of the dancing mound whereon her ]-)artncr exercised his powers of mimicry and complicated movement, and postured and flaunted his tail feathers for her edification as well as for his own delectation. The shaft had been sunk with the dip of the Silurian strata on what had May-"] O'DoNOGHUE, Nn/esses in eggs and chicks before it would become obvious to her that high nesting was the only exi:)edient by which she could rear her young. This deviation from a long-continued habit of ground-nesting would probably influence her olfsjiring to a greater or less extent. In any case, however, it would require the lapse of a greater period of time to bring about the more or less common condition of nest-selection now prevailing than the fox has been at large in Victoria. The birds }ii(|iiiiilin,i4 the Njcality under consideration had certainly no cause to fear the fox, since it was neither seen nor heard nearer than 150 miles of their habitat. One bushman, with whom I held brief converse on the subject of the Lyre- bird nesting in hollow stumps, contended — and the contention lias a greater merit of probability than the fox theory — that the habit was acquired to escape the pressing attentions of the carnivorous brush-tailed bush rat, an animal well known from its depredations on the housewife's poultry. A sly (piery, however. relati\r to the arboreal qualifications of this nocti\agant induced the Inishman to discreetly c\-idence a keen interest in the ])r()bal)lc source whence the rich " runs " of alknial gokl formerly obtained in the creeks and gullies of the ("rooked Ri\er district originated. Wishing to dis]iose of the subject as exjHditiously as i)ossil)le and revert to the Lyre-bird and its habits before we reached the parting of the ways, I made a significant motion of the hand u[)wards to indicate the thousands of feet of vSilurian rock \vhich. arguing from existing e\idence, the auriferous quartz-veins had permeated, and which had been removed liy a long and con- tinuous ])rocess of disintegration and transj)ort. The bushman regarded me with unwinking scrutiny for a few moments and then spmred away, with the brief parting ex]>ression, " Be good." I ha\e since concluded that he nuist haw interpreted May,! O'DoNOGHUic, No/es OH Victovian Lyre-bird. 19 my gesture to mean a celestial rather than a sub-aerial process of waste and accumulation for the presence of gold in the creeks and gullies of the district. The cock Lyre-bird is generally conceded to be a monogamist. If, however, he is subjected to close observation in his native \\dlds, one begins to doubt the justice of this conclusion and to entertain the belief that, like the cock Malurus, he has a leaven of Mormonism in his composition, or, in other words, he is a polygamist. My conviction on this point is by no means firm. 1 may be grossly maligning our feathered prince of mimicry by even hinting at such a possibility. At all events, if, among other indiscretions that would seem to warrant the assumption of polygamy, he will persist in the nesting season in wandering o'er hill and dale, as I have often noted, in company with several of the weaker sex, he has only himself to blame if the "lord of creation" endows him with a greater bump of amative ness than he really possesses. To the con- tention that he might be exercising the part of a guardian in these rambles, I would reply that the male birds I encountered were all first-class exponents of the truism " Self-preservation is the first law of nature." On damp, foggy mornings I have often encountered the male bird, in company with two and sometimes three hens, on the crests of the ranges. During these rambles I have not heard the bird mimic the call of any member of the feathered tribe in the neighbourhood. He invariably gave utterance to his peculiar note, " Tchoo, tchoo, tchoo," from some log or fallen tree. The remembrance of many pleasant days spent amid the Silurian hills of North Gippsland often reverts to mind as in the country I pass, at dawn or dusk, some unkept box- thorn hedge, wherein have congregated hundreds of noisy sparrows and starlings. All are cheerful and content, and are chirping away in various keys, and the air seems to throb with the sound they occasion. My memory then recalls a narrow Y-shaped valley filled with a luxuriant and varied growth of vegetation. Steep, heavily-timbered slopes encompass it. Two purling brooks cascade from lateral valleys to combine and flow south along the main syncline to the river some miles distant. As the twilight deepens the Lyre-birds, amid the umbrageous coverts of the valley and those on the encompassing slopes, loudly herald the approach of night. Bird answers bird till the volume of sound their cries occcasion surpasses description. Night falls apace, and silence broods over the scene, broken occasionally by the pleasing call of the Boobook Owl and the harsh, nasal cry of the Great Flying Phalang.er, but more often by the Lyre-birds. The first faint flush in the heavens heralding the advent of day is the signal for vocal effort. Gradually the chorus swells in intensity till, as at O'DoNOGHUE, No/es oil Victoria)! Lyre-bird. [y^\'^ Vict. Nal. XXXI. nightfall, the volume of sound arising from the valley would seem to fill the universe. As the birds quit their roosts and begin to forage for food the sound becomes less localized and * more intermittent, and finally degenerates into a series of vocal contests from the various whistling-beds on the slopes of the valley. Under the conditions that then obtained, the pleasurable feature of this valley and many other similar valleys of North Gippsland might have prevailed for many human generations. Then, fifteen years ago, neither the rabbit nor the fox was known in the locality ; to-day the valley teems with both. And the Lyre-birds ? Well, shortly prior to the death of the energetic and observant secretary of the junior section of the Club, Mr. C. Stout, who was conversant with the neighbour- hood under review and with the large number of birds which domiciled in the valley, I put the query — " Are the Lyre-birds as numerous as formerly in the neighbourhood ? " His reply, based upon the observations of a then recent visit to the spot, was, " You would not hear or see one a now in week's ramble." The Geological Survey of Victoria. — Bulletin No. 25 is devoted to an account of the Woolshed Valley, Becchworth, by Mr. E. J. Dunn, F.G.S., late Director of the Geological Survey of Victoria, with petrographical notes on the Beechworth granites by Mr. D. J. Mahony, M.Sc, F.G.S. The author's description of the tremendous amount of denudation represented by the Woolshed Valley is extremely interesting. Cubic miles, he says, of granite rock have been removed grain by grain, and the whole is so rounded off that the vast period of time required for such action cannot even be estimated. Beechw* rth has long been celebrated for the variety of its minerals. Twenty-six are listed, in which, besides the more useful metals, such as gold, tin, and bismuth, are included gems such as diamond, carnelian, topaz, sapphire, and garnet, but those found have all been of small size. Enhydros or water-stones form one of the most remark- able of the Beechworth minerals. They consist of many-sided shells of brownish-yellow chalcedony, which in some cases are lined with quartz crystals. Some of them, however, contain a fluid and an air bubble, and their supposed method of forma- tion is another int M"esling story. Wild-flower Show. — The Girls' Realm Guild of New South Wales intends holding a wild-flower show in the Sydney Town Hall on 3rd, 4th, and 5th of September next. Prizes are offered for pot-grown native plants, also dried collections, as well as photographs and artistic work based on the native flora. Full particulars are given in the prize schedule, which may be obtained from Miss G. E. Burrows, Vickery's Chambers, Pitt- street, Sydney, CDe Uictorlait namralisi Vol. XXXL— No. 2. JUNE 11, 1914. No. 366. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth May, 1914. The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the chair, and about 100 members and visitors were present. REPORTS. A report of the whole-day excursion to Beveridge on Satur- day, 25th April, was given by the leader, Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue, who said that only four members besides himself took part in the outing. On arrival at Beveridge the party proceeded to Mount Bland, distant about half a mile to the west of the station, and thoroughly examined the mount, which is a fine example of a breached volcanic crater, and of which a short description appeared in the Naturalist of May, 1909, in the report of a former visit. After lunch it was decided to take the ten-mile walk across the country to Whittlesea, and so save the long wait for the evening train at Wallan, as had been first intended. A few chains after crossing the Merri Creek timbered country was entered, in which several eucalypts were noted, such as Blue Peppermint, E. dives, Snow Gum, E. pauciflora, Candle-bark, E. nibida. Yellow Box, E. melliodora, and Narrow-leaved Peppermint, E. amygdalina. The Snow Gums were well laden with fruit capsules, as many as fifteen being counted in one umbel. From some of the hilltops interesting views were obtained towards Mount Disappointment, Glenvale, and the Toorourrong Reservoir. Whittlesea was reached about dusk, where late tea was obtained before taking the evening train for town. The day proved an ideal one for walking, and the members of the party were greatly pleased with the outing, even though it was not productive of many specimens for the collector. A report of the visit to the Geological Museum on Saturday, 9th May, was given by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who said that the party had been met at the Museum by Mr. D. J. Mahony, M.Sc, of the Mines Department, the leader for the day. The plan of the arrangement of the Museum was first pointed out, then the various exhibits were examined more closely, the leader calling attention to the economic value of a great many of the specimens, such as the sludge from the mines at Ballarat, from which excellent roofing tiles and pottery is being made. Mr. Hardy, F.L.S., reported that two members besides himself took part in the junior excursion to Studley Park on 2 2 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vorxxxi. Saturday, 2nd May. The various trees were brought under leview, and an instructive afternoon was spent. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. John R. Mann, Mines Depart- ment, Melbourne, and Mr. Walter Webb, 430 Little Collins- street, Melbourne, were duly elected ordinary members, and Mr. David John Paton, " Glenlee," 80 Anderson-street, Bendigo, as a country member of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. Messrs. D. Best and J. Stickland were elected to audit the accounts for 1913-14. Nominations for office-bearers for 1914-15 were duly made. Mr. J. R. Tovey gave notice of his intention to propose, at the annual meeting in June, the following alteration to rule 4, clause d : — " That the words ' and over the age of sixteen years' be deleted." Mr. Rosenhain said he wished to draw the attention of the Club to the fact that the South Melbourne City Council were about to plant trees along St. Kilda-road, and moved that the committee write and endeavour to get some native trees and shrubs planted. This was seconded by Mr. Keartland. Messrs. Wisewould and J. Gabriel supportecl the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. St. John drew attention to the presence of Mr. R. T. Baker, F.L.S., Curator of the Technological Museum, Sydney. The president cordially welcomed Mr. Baker to the meeting. In responding, Mr. Baker said it gave him great pleasure to be among the members of the Club, and he was very thankful for their kindly welcome, and mentioned that he looked forward every month with interest to the receipt of the Club's journal, the Viclorian Naturalist. PAPER READ. By Dr. T. S. Hall. M.A., D.Sc. entitled " Notes on the Gippsland Lakes." The author, in the course of an interesting pajier. illustrated by lantern slides, traced the extent of the Gippsland Lakes, which were formerly estuaries of rivers, but had become lakes by the action of sand-dunes, which still continue to form along their seaward margins. The jiosition of portion of the old coast-line was still marked by cliffs of marine Tertiaries in several jilaces. He said that it seemed probable that the altered conditions which now exist could be traced to the breaking-down of the land-bridge wliich once existed between Australia and Tasmania and the piobal^le change in the ocean currents which followed the formation of Bass Strait. The chairman said the thanks of the Club were due to the author for his very interesting and instructive paper. ■'""'^'1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. ' 23 Messrs. A. D. Hardy, G. A. Keartland, and A. H. E. Mattingley took part in a short discussion which followed. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. Mr. J. Searle forwarded the following note : — Amongst the material collected by Master Karl Glance on Phillip Island during the Easter excursion of the Club was a fresh-water Copepod, not previously described, and which may prove to be the type of a new genus. Unfortunately, from want of ex- perience, the young collector included a large quantity of mud and di'bris in the bottle with his captures, which made the task of isolating the smaller specimens very difficult. However, at my request, he had also brought back with him samples of mud from dried-up pools on the island, and from one of these I have succeeded in rearing quite a number of Copepoda. These hav^e now reached maturity. Several of the females are this morning (nth May) bearing egg-sacs, so I hope at a future meeting to be able to describe this new species. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Stone from Old St. James's Cathedral, Melbourne, quarried near Moonee Ponds Creek, about Kensington, in 1840. By Mr. F. Cudmore. — Aboriginal axe from Diamond Creek, Victoria ; clay wasp's nest used instead of stone in aboriginal's fireplace (stone scarce in the locality). Lower Darling River, New South Wales ; specimen of clay usually used as above. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Shells from beach and dredged off Portsea, including Ancilla petterdi, Tate, A. edithce, Pritchard and Gatliff, and A. marginata. Lam. By Mr. A. L. Scott. — SiUceous sinter from North Island, New Zealand. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John.— Young plant of Eucalyptus Perriniana (showing connate leaves), raised from seed collected by Dr. Heber Green at Dargo, 3rd January, 1914. By Mr. H. Whitmore. — A specimen of the Gastropod, Scutus anatinus, Don., commonly called Elephant-fish, collected at Phillip Island during the Easter excursion. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Australian Butterflies. — We learn that the long-promised work on the butterflies of Australia, by two of our members, Messrs. G. A. Waterhouse, B.Sc, F.E.S., and G. Lyell, F.E.S., is at last in the press. It will be available in August. There are to be over 900 figures, and a glance at some of the plates afforded us great satisfaction on that essential point. The pubUshed price of the work will be two guineas. 24 AuuAs, The Grampians Revisited. [vVi"^xxxi THE GRAMPIANS REVISITED. By J. W. AuDAS, F.L.S., National Herbarium, Melbourne. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, gth March, 1914.) Rather more than twelve months ago I had the pleasure of reading before the Club a paper descriptive of a visit to the Grampians {Vict. Nat., February, 1913, vol. xxix., p. 146), and, though it might seem that the subject had then been dealt with in an exhaustive manner, those who know the Grampians will remember that there were still many parts left unvisited. In order to make further acquaintance with these mountains and their charming flora I paid another visit to Hall's Gap in October last, when I was fortunate in sharing the company of eight other excursionists, each an enthusiast in his own Une, and the records of our outings were preserved in ways which, to one who collects specimens in the ordinary manner, seemed delightful. One member (Mr. Relph) secured photographs of many beautiful plants in their natural surroundings, while another (Mr. Dickins) recorded their beauties of colour with his facile brush. Of the many expeditions, perhaps the most interesting was that to Mount Difficult, portion of the northernmost range of the Grampians system, and an eminence which adequately bears out its name. I was, however, aware that the locality had not been botanically examined, and did not allow myself to entertain any qualms regarding the difficulties to be sui- mounted in ascending it. Starting out in a south-westerly direction from Hall's Gap, and working round Quarry Hill for a distance of about six miles, we passed on to a number of gullies whose unexplored condition aroused a sort of pro- prietary interest among us, which we exercised by bestowing upon them names we considered ai)propriate. For instance, one delightful valley through which rippled one of the many streams characteristic of the Grampians we called " Caladenia Creek," because on its slopes we found the orchid, Caladenia congesta, in two strange forms. The first was a clump of bright bronze colouring, so unlike the ordinary forms that for a moment we fancied ourselves the fortunate finders of a new species. The other consisted of fine spikes of ordinary colouring, but each bearing the unusual number of four flower- heads. Hereabouts also flourished Humea elcgans, a plant which, from its general appearance, would undoubtedly be taken to be one of the Amarantaceje, but which is really a composite. It is, when blooming, a very fine sight, its large bractlets hanging in graceful showers, coloured generally pink, but sometimes seen in white or crimson. The large, soft- textured leaves exude a gummy substance which causes them J""*^'"! AuDAS, The Grampians Revisited. 25 to adhere most tenaciously to clothing, and sets up an irritation of the skin if allowed to come in contact with it. Continuing our way to the mount, but before undertaking the serious business of the ascent, we roamed over a small eminence, literally gleaming gold and white in the sunlight, beneath its flowering cover of Brachycome diversifolia, com- monly known as Tall Daisy, suggesting to us the name " Daisy Hill," which we hope it will bear in future. A series of perpendicular cliffs with alternating ledges comprise the natural features of Mount DiiBcult, and while forcing our way upwards we were not rewarded by the sight of anything sufficiently out of the ordinary to raise our enthusiasm, the only brightening feature of the ascent being the vivid green of great moss-covered boulders, further beautified by multi- tudinous blossoms of that pretty little plant, the Purple Bladderwort, Utricularia dichotoma, often called " Rock Pansy," and by some known as the " Shellflower." Quite a forest of young Hickory Wattles, Acacia penninervis, was in existence here, though no older trees were observed. This wattle might easily be mistaken for the Golden Wattle, Acacia pycnantha, to which it bears a strong resemblance both in bloom and foliage. A distressing feature to note was the destruction of practically all the Varnish Wattles, Acacia vernicifltta, by an insect, whose ravages were similar to those of Paropsis orphana (the fire bUght), but whose depredations seemed, fortunately, limited to this particular species. On reaching the summit, a height of 2,300 feet above sea- level, we were amply rewarded for our arduous climb by finding that interesting composite Olearia {Aster) speciosa, which was first discovered by Mr. W. R. A. Baker, of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, in 1888. It was at that time supposed to be 0. myrsinoides, and it remained to Hutchinson to discover twenty years later that it was an unknown species ; seeds were raised in 1907 at the Royal Kew Gardens, London, and sub- sequently plants grown from cuttings. It develops into a rather straggling shrub, about three feet high, bearing flowers which differ from the better-known species by having fewer ray-florets, and the densely tomentose leaves are also very distinct. We also noted specimens of 0. ramulosa, new var. intermedia, 0. asterotricha, 0. myrsinoides, and 0. lepidophylla. The first-named presented a striking difference in the flower- head, being of pale blue colouring and much smaller than the normal form, in leaf resembling the type, and in flower-head 0. microphylla. Senecio odoratiis bore clusters of yellow flower- heads, and its variety hypoleuca, also in bloom, could be easily distinguished by the soft, downy under-surface of the foliage. Two Pultenasas, P. styphelioides and P. villosa. 26 AuDAS, The Grampians Revisited. [y^' Vict. Nat. XXXI. grew near together, the latter bearing large quantities of flowers, but the former was just coming into bloom. Restio complanatiis was very abundant in this vicinity, and one of the tea-trees, Leptospermnm lanigerwn, var. grandiflonim, grew well ; its large white flowers are very handsome, and it should do well under cultivation, as it is of rapid growth. I was very pleased to find here all four of the Brachylomas which are indigenous to Victoria ; they were B. daphnoides, B. ericoides, B. depressum, and B. cUiahiin. The only member of the genus Astrotricha, A. ledifolia, known to our State was fairly abundant. It is often called " jNIountain Star Hair." The view from the mountain top also recompensed us for the climb. Lake Lonsdale stretched like a gleaming sheet of silver on the plain, with Glenorchy and Kupanyup (of which towns it forms the water supply) in the distance. Being about half way between the Grampian quarries and Hall's Gap, and rising rather abruptly from the plain. Mount Difficult seems to dwarf Mount Dryden into a mere hillock. The latter is somewhat of a curiosity, being of basaltic formation, while the greater portion of the Grampians is sandstone. Far away across the plains in. an easterly direction could be seen Stawell and Great Western, and nearer at hand the beautiful farming centre of Fyans Creek. Along the table-land we wandered for three miles through an area of gorgeous beauty, showing some of the finest heath, Epacris impressa, I have ever seen. It was, indeed, remark- able to find this plant blooming so beautifully at this late period (23rd October) of the year, for it had quite ceased on the lower altitudes. Some extra fine flower spikes were photo- graphed by Mr. Relph. This table-land also revealed a fine crop of timber, mostly Messmate, Eucalyptus ohliqua, and Stringy-bark, E. macrorrJiyncha, as yet unsamplcd by the saw- miller, whose trail is amply apparent on most of the Grampian peaks. Seen in lesser quantity, but of particularly fine development, were the Narrow-leaved Peppermint, E. amygdalina, and Grey Gum, E. goniocalyx. Continuing in a southerly direction towards Hall's Gap, we found large quantities of six Pimeleas — P. linifolia, P. axiflora, P. flava, P. phylicoidcs, P. curviflora, var. micrantha, and P. spathulata. The beautiful blooms of the latter, drooping from shrubs of sometimes five feet in height, were a sight of more than usual interest, while the variety dichotoma of P. flava displayed many forked branches of unique appearance. The Fringe Wattle, Acacia MitcheUi, one of the earliest bloomers of the genus, was laden with pods, and (due, doubtless, to the splendid rains of September) had industriously started upon another flowering period. A. armata and A. vcrticillata seemed to have adopted •^""'='1 AuDAS, The Grampians Revisited. 27 1914 J '^ a dwarf habit of growth in this part, but we noticed a few genuine dwarfs, among which were A. juniperina, A. vomeri- formis, and A. tenuifolia. After encountering some difficulty in forcing our way through the thick spiny growth of Acacia oxycednis, we emerged upon a ledge clothed with the shrub, Calytrix Sullivani, which is t5'pical of the district, and was first discovered by the late Mr. D. Sulli- van, a school teacher of Moyston, who did much to elucidate the botany of the Grampians, and whose name is now perpetuated in this beautiful plant. Everywhere among the rocks, in luxuriant clumps, scenting the atmosphere with their delicious perfume, grew the boronias, B. pinnata and B. pilosa. Blooms of the former are largely sold in Sydney, where it grows exceptionally well, but it is not so often seen in our Melbourne streets, perhaps because it is not generally known that this lovely plant can be grown with ease in our own gardens. Reflecting the colour of the boronias, and also vying with them in luxuriance of growth, was Tetratheca ciliata. This little plant, although it bears a strong resemblance to the boronias, and is often called " Wild Boronia," belongs to quite a different order — viz., Tremandreae. One of the shorter trips close to Hall's Gap, which can be accomphshed in a half-day. though perhaps a little barren in botany, is the route to Bulliss Glen, along Indigo Creek, and thence to Chatauqua Peak. On first setting out, the tourist in the spring months will be attracted by the beautiful blooms of Acacia longifolia, var. nmcronata, making a truly gorgeous spectacle. Its lovely golden blooms are borne in seemingly burdensome quantities, and in this respect it proves more fruitful in pollen for the bees than most other acacias. The great feature at the Glen is a high chff overhanging a deep valley, all down the sides of which grow ferns in great luxuri- ance and variety. Near the base was noted the King Fern, Todea [Osmiinda) barbara. Common Tree Fern, Dicksonia antarctica. Common Shield Fern, Aspidiiim aciileatum. Fishbone Fern, Lomaria discolor. Soft Water Fern, L. capensis, Coral Fern, Gleichenia circinata. Umbrella Fern, G. flabellata, and Wire Fern, G. dicarpa. On the shelving rocks we obtained in abundance the Common Maidenhair, Adiantum Mthiopicwn, with the violets, Viola betonicifolia and T'. hederacea, var. Sieberiana. The sloping hillsides showed a variety of daisies, including Brachycome scapiforniis and B. multifida, and near the top we noted the Rat-tail Fern, Asplenvum flabellifoliitm. with the Common Rock Fern. Cheilanthes tenuifolia. Indigo Creek, named from the shrub Indigofera australis, which grows there plentifully and was blooming nicely, is another branch of this glen, and furnishes many pretty falls, which are of unique formation, the water often descending in curves and 28 AuDAS, The Grampians Revisited. [vorxxxi double curves, due to the varying resistance of the sandstone over which they flow. From this point Chatauqua Peak can be ascended with ease, although it would prove a tough under- taking if attempted on the other side. When the summit is reached, a view rich in many respects is enhanced by the beautiful Clematis Fall, which has a drop of 200 feet, and, during the winter months, when the volume of water is greatest, is a fine sight. An area which proves intensely fascinating to plant-lovers is undoubtedly the " Wild Flower Garden," or what is much more generally known as the " Devil's Garden." Why such an unattractive name should be applied to this delightful part is a puzzle which remains to be solved. It may be reached by striking out in an easterly direction from Hail's Gap, and contains probably more species of plants than any similar area in Victoria, the one to force itself most prominently upon one's notice being the beautiful White Everlasting, Hclichrysum Blandowskianum, with clusters of flower-heads borne on stalks of almost equal whiteness, which make it valued for wedding bouquets and wreaths. If the flowers are gathered before they are fully open, and dried in a cool atmosphere with their heads downward, they will last for many years. All these decorative qualities, however, are not sufficient to overcome the dislike in which it is held by pastoralists. They complain that it is injurious to stock, and it is considered cattle would be killed by impaction caused by its felty texture. Another everlasting flower, the Blue Tinsel Lily, Calectasia cyanea, locally called the " Satin Flower," is also seen among the smaller shrubs. Its blue flowers are delightfully glossy, and will last for some years. Two of the Melaleucas, M. gibbosa and M. decussata, were only approaching flower, but one of the Grevilleas, G. parvifiora, was laden with snowy blossoms. Further along, on the sloping ridges, were noticed the two colours of Gompho- lobhwi Huegelii (yellow and red), while Pultencta humilis formed dense matty patches. We seemed here to find a surfeit of red-flowering blooms, for, besides the two last mentioned, we found the dainty little shrub Dilhvynia patiila. This plant bears a strong resemblance to the Eutaxias, and was described by Baron von Mueller as Etttaxia patula. We found here also some specimens of the curious Flying Duck Orchid, Calcana major, and the " Old Man or Bearded Orchid," Calochiliis Robertsoni. Alternating patches of white and yellow were caused by the presence of Dillwynia fJoribuuda and D. erici- folia (in various shades of yellow), with Cono$permum Mitchelli and Leptospermum myrsinoides (in white) ; while further on a greater variety was added to the colouring, where all forms of these species seemed abundant, more particularly the red Dillwynia floribunda and the ]>ink Leptospermum myrsinoides. J""^'] AuDAS, The Grampians Revisited. 29 Everyone has heard of the grass-trees of the Grampians, and all through this area we found Xanthorrhoea anstralis and X. minor in great numbers. They belong to the Liliaceje, and generally flower profusely after bush fires, which circumstance will cause apiarists to quickly vacate the district, as the honey garnered from grass-tree flowers is of dark colour and inferior quality. This ill wind may be said to blow good for the bush bees, which reap a rich harvest, and the decaying trunks befriend them in yet another way by supplying a gummy exudation useful for filling cracks and holes in the hives. Following the track of a bush-fire with great rapidity, we noticed two invaders, Phyllanthus thymoides and Haloragis Meziana, and the progress of flames seemed also to create a condition favourable to the growth of fungi, Lycoperdon ccelatum (one of the puff-balls), which, when broken, sends off a cloud of umber-coloured powder, which is alleged to cause blindness in sheep. Whether this fungus is such an evil-doer has not been proved, but, like the proverbial dog, its bad name will stick. While speaking of fungi I might mention the phosphor- escent fungus, Agaricus (Pleurotus) illuminans, which we found near the decayed Red Gum timber further down. At night these plants show up like lights, and are used by bushmen as signals on the track. The lower flats yield good quantities of fine Red Gum. a timber which is unfortunately becoming scarce, and the higher flats are wooded by Messmate and Stringy-bark, both localities being used by saw-millers, providing a good source of local employment. Another source of income is the cultivation of the Black Wattle, Acacia mollissima, which yields a most profitable return as tanning bark, but the industry is being retarded by the depredations of rabbits. These pests eat up the young plants as soon as they appear above ground, and growers are therefore compelled to enclose their paddocks with wire netting. Most of the sixty-five species of Victorian acacias have but a very short blooming period, and it was interesting, therefore, to make the acquaint- ance of one which flowers throughout the year ; this was A . retinodes, which we observed along the banks of the Fyans Creek. The richness of these flats has been proved by the fine crops they yield of potatoes and maize, and their fame is now enhanced by the knowledge that they are equally suitable for tobacco. The leaf raised on an experimental area of one acre yielded a net profit of £^0, and was pronounced by Mr. Temple Smith to equal the best our State can produce. Other trips were taken during my holiday, which, in such delightful surroundings ended far too quickly, but the notes already given must suffice for the present regarding that veritable botanist's paradise — the Victorian Grampians. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. — Vol. XXXI. Plate i. June, 1914. If -^ F^:?:^ .i \^&^ ^71^ «.y\ 77 \,^/ ^ f w^ ^ r^S [m^ ^ 00 -co 1 5 •-■ /^ ) ^wh 1 Z3 '^-^ / ^/ — ^ [ ^Wl ■ ■*- -1 ? ! 0 1— V ■=/ ' -^yivk >- 3 £ s ^ 1 21 ;/ 9=-^D-^ ^^ ^r .^ \^. 00 ^ E S '■^/V^' ^/'^ ^* C ' ' ) t*2^^ 1 ^^^ Q- S * * ^~'\^^ /-^ 4l| ^ vk Ql. a f-U. J^-A-r-^ ►-''''^''a ^» • • • •Ji ^^ ivVI ^ *- 0 « * »- i ; .'' fC^^ y WA 0 0 1 1 ■*. 1 ; V t^C<^ > V\k^ * X • r 0 ** • 1 / ^ w >^ m rv*; ^'^ c\.i^ *^ k; , "co it • 1 1 /^ "^^1 /-vr-\r^'^ -^^ J ^ K ' c3i^* ^y lA l^^^ K •-J Ii t™— ^^~'* r^ \ ^^vv^. ** — ' *( l\ "' '^ ^ 'vnAX -^ f • n^^S^^ •t * / ' *. \^.!\V -t ; «U / '* f'^^* \ > JOl X /-4 ' \ fS /' I X.'^VV I (^ / *: \^ \ ^V>v^ V ** J / r \ Ju^i > V^ * 5 r~\ y ^''^ I? \NS. 1 r^^' \^ n r A \ r-/ "^ — -> Lr~-\ ^ x^-^ I 1 1 4^ / C ■* \/ I ^ V. i*^ } •> Y ^ ^ V<* ^^ \ K \ 1 ^D \»i /y \ ; \ . ^ i * V n If / / " J ^ _/\^\-Itit M2£^ '^ it: If / i \ CJ ll ** \ : M / \ t«r " S ' • \ • 0 ) » -^ NX )- l] . I ' « *\ y , LlJ l^ : d > V »-- /"^ ,—1 M Vn / < • 4 r^ V) r-i a • » % l-v. -Jhf, :?v. : j^ ■^"W r v' - v » Jl f -' (r^" "'• r ■ < ( [ » ■1 I 1 (" June.j Hall, Some Notes on the Gippsland Lakes. 31 SOME NOTES ON THE GIPPSLAND LAKES. (With Map.) By T. S. Hall, M.A., D.Sc. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, qth Feb., 1914.) Early in January of the present year I paid a long-promised visit to the Gippsland Lakes. The outward trip was made via Bairnsdale, whence a small steamer runs down the Mitchell and so to Cunninghame, which is close to the new, or artificial, entrance to the lakes from the sea. The length of the steamer route is 25 miles. On the return journey I went by another steamer along the whole length of the lakes and up the Latrobe and Thomson Rivers to Sale, a distance of 75 miles. A week was spent at Cunninghame, and from here a few short ex- cursions were made. Some six years ago I went to Buchan by coach from Bairnsdale, passing through Bruthen, and some of the observations made on that trip are referred to. The mode of formation of the lakes appears to be quite generally recognized, although nothing much seems to have been written on the subject till Professor J. W. Gregory pub- lished his " Geography of Victoria" in 1903. To this reference will be made later. Lakes King and Wellington are the remains of the estuaries of the Rivers Tambo, Mitchell, and Latrobe, and a few other smaller streams. The estuaries, which formed considerable indentations in the coast-hne, have been cut off from the sea by a long and comparatively narrow rampart of sand, which forms the Ninety-mile Beach. This appears to have no definite topographical beginning or end, but a con- tinuous sandy beach, with dunes and impounded swamps and lakes, stretches from Corner Inlet (where it begins with Snake Island) as far as Lake Tyers. Eastward of this there are many isolated similar tracts where swamps and lakes have been cut off from the sea by dunes, the most easterly of all being Malla- coota Inlet, near Cape Howe. Similar conditions occur on the western end of our State coast-line. The mouth of the Glenelg is closed, as a rule, and a long line of swamps runs inside the dunes as far, I believe, as Cape Bridgewater. East of Portland the Narrawong Beach is of a similar character, and the same conditions prevail as far as Warrnambool, with the intermission of the basalt outcrop at Port Fairy. East of Warrnambool the same features are repeated, but on a small scale, where the mouths of the rivers are blocked and the estuaries are either lagoons or swamps, as at Curdie's Inlet, the rivers Gellibrand, Aire, Burrum, Airey's Creek, and the Barwon, where the Connewarre Lakes are fairly large (3,800 acres). Port Philhp has had its opening con- stricted by similar causes, and Anderson's Inlet and Shallow Inlet have arisen from the same drifting of sand in an easterly direction. 32 Hall, Some Notes on the Gippsland Lakes. [vol"xxxi All these lakes and swamps are due to causes still in action, and are among the most recent of the geological features of our coast-line. The dunes that form their seaward margin are still being added to along almost the whole of their course. Behind the dunes the swamps and lagoons are gradually filling, partly by sand blowing in from seaward, but chiefly by the material washed down from the land. The old shore-line behind the swamps can generally be readily traced, and especially so when it was marked by cliffs. In the Gippsland Lakes, differing entirely in character from the larger lakes, are three at the eastern end of the area — namely, the North Arm at Cunninghame, Lake Bunga, and Lake Tyers. These are narrow, winding sheets of water, and are the drowned ends of river valleys which are deeply trenched in the Tertiary plateau. They point to a subsidence of the coast-line. The great depth of silt in the Mitchell River at Bairnsdale, and at the crossing over the Nicholson, has given much trouble to the engineers on the new Bairnsdale-Orbost railway, and the long piles of the bridges have not found bottom. This also points to recent subsidence. The Gippsland Lakes are bounded on their landward side by a gravel-capped plateau of marine Tertiary rocks ; on the eastern side of the lakes the plateau ends in cliffs, now partly smoothed down by weathering, which are well marked from Tambo Bluff to Red Bluff, near Lake Tyers. Westward from Eagle Point, near the mouth of the ^litchell, the plateau slopes down to sea-level more gradually, and without going over the ground it is not always possible to mark the line on the map, though the high land is always visible from the steamer. Sale stands near the old shore, and from Paynesville to Sale the former coast appears to run almost straight. There is, however, some high land to the south of Lake King, from Sperm Whale Head to slightly west of Red Bluff, which is about a mile from the entrance of M'Lennan's Strait. This Red Bluff must not be confused with the similarly named one near the entrance to Lake Tyers. This high land I saw only from the steamer, and am not sure of its character. At first I felt sure it was part of the Tertiary plateau, but later, when we were abreast of Red Bluff, it was clear that the cliif there was dune. So I wrote " (?) Dune " along Sperm Whale Head on my map. Since my return I mentioned the matter to Mr. H. W. Wilson, who knows the lakes well, and he tells me that, though he has not landed on Sperm Whale Head, he thinks that red sands occur. This point needs looking into. On the east side of Lake Wellington Mount Cunningham is marked on the map, but none of the ground rises much more than twenty feet, if as much, so that this has probably the distinction of being the lowest " mount " in Victoria. Iune,"j Hall, Some Notes on the Gippsland Lakes. ■^^ As a correction in nomenclature, it may be mentioned that there are two small lakes between Sale and Lake Wellington called Kakydra and Melanydra. These are Greek words meaning "bad water" and "black water," and the names were probably given by some humorous Greek scholar. By dropping the tail of the " d " in both cases they have been transformed into " Kakyora " and " Melanyora," and in this guise masquerade on many of the maps. The coast-line mentioned above is quite distinct from the much older coast-line which bounds the marine Tertiaries on the north, and forms what Professor Gregory marks on a map in his " Geography of Victoria " as the former shore of the Gippsland estuary. The marine Tertiaries consist of Barwonian overlain by Kalimnan. Along the course of the Lower Mitchell and on the eastern side of Lake King they have been described by Messrs. Dennant and Clark. They are far antecedent to the age of formation of the lakes, and have nothing to do with it. While we are considering the question of geological boundaries, it may be pointed out that the marine Tertiaries extend further inland than is shown on the geological map of the State. The boundary appears to have been copied from Mr. Dennant's map showing the area of the " Miocene " {i.e., Kahmnan). He never attempted to mark the Barwonian area, and it is a very difficult thing to do, as exposures are absent over a large part of the district. A striking feature of the Tertiary plateau to the north of the lakes is the presence of a great sheet of gravel and sand, which covers the district, as seen on the railway line, from Flynn's Creek to Bairnsdale. West of Sale sands pre- dominate, but from Sale to Stratford coarse gravels are common, and the same may be said of the country from there to Bairnsdale. The same gravel plateau, deeply trenched by streams, extends along the Buchan road, with but a shght intermission, as far as Stony Creek. The rocks composing the deposit vary considerably ; in places rounded quartz pre- dominates, but in others quartzites and ferruginous hardened sandstones are very common. They evidently represent a waste-sheet from the mountains to the north. Spread over such a wide extent of country, the exact limits of which I am unable to define even approximately, the amount of material is enormous. The thickness in places is great. Thus, at Fernbank, between Stratford and Bairnsdale, gravels were bored into to a depth of 400 feet. At Paynesville water was struck at 520 feet in terrestrial gravels, and at Sale they have been pierced for 300 feet.* Clear evidence of the age of * "Rep. Inter-State Conference on Artesian Water," Sydney, Govern- ment Printer, 191 3, at p. 7. 34 Hall, Some Notes on the Gippsland Lakes. [v^l xxxi the gravels is shown at Red Bluff, near the mouth ot Lake Tyers. The cHffs here consist of yellow and gray sands crowded with Araclmoidcs incisa, Tate, and are of Kalimnan (? Miocene) age. The sandstones contain a few quartz pebbles, which form intercalated sheets in the upper part of the cliff. The cUffs at Jemmy's Point show similar features, but, as they are over- grown by vegetation, they are not so convincing. The gravels are doubtless redistributed in places, but the age of the sheet capping the plateau appears clear, and they afford an inter- esting parallel to the gravels and sands of similar age which form a great part of the red beds near Melbourne. The Bairnsdale gravels are not ferruginous, as Tertiary basalts are practically absent from the district, and to these basalts is probably due the iron of the red beds of central and western Victoria. The entrance to the lakes from the sea has varied consider- ably in position since it was first used by vessels. I was told by an old settler at Lake Bunga that not fifty years ago the entrance was bounded on its eastern side by the cliffs actually at Red Bluff. The Lands Department map of the lakes published in October, 1864, shows the opening close to Lake Bunga, about half a mile from the Bluff. The map pubhshed with Sir John Coode's report in December, 1879, shows the entrance about one and a half miles east of the Lakes Entrance Hotel, while the Admiralty chart (? iqoO) shows the entrance at Lake Bunga. The long, narrow channel from near Metung, past Cunning- hame, and so to Lake Bunga, is marked on the older maps as Reeves River ; but with the artificial opening at Cunning- hame this name has been restricted, and the eastern sweejD is now known as the Cunninghame Arm. There is now no trace of a channel eastward from the Lakes Entrance Hotel, the sand having drifted in and completely obliterated it. The history of this eastern end of the lakes is of interest, as we have historical evidence to confirm the interpretation that a geologist would put upon the features of the country. I am not prepared to discuss the origin of the gulf in which the Balcombian and Kalimnan deposits were laid down, nor of the later gulf liounded by these deposits which now forms the lakes. It is quite clear that the drifting sand which has cut off the gulf from the sea and so formed the lakes is geologically a recent deposit. The Ninety-Mile Beach is the straightest and most featureless coast-line that we have, whereas the older rocks which it has cut off from the sea formed a very irregular coast. It is clear from this that some remark- able change must have taken place in the action of the sea in the neighbourhood. Instead of cutting back into the land, it is heaping up deposits of sand along the shore, and the land June,"! Hall, Some Notes on the Gippsland Lakes. 35 is encroaching on the sea. This imphes a great recent change in the marine currents. The only recent change of any importance that we are aware of in the disposition of land in the neighbourhood is the formation of Bass Strait. That the breaking-down of the isthmus is comparatively recent is amply proved by the almost complete agreement of the fauna of Tasmania and Southern Victoria. While the land connection between Tasmania and the mainland persisted the south-westerly oceanic drift was practically shut off from the great gulf on the east, and the New South Wales southerly current would persist further south than it does at present. The formation of the strait altered the conditions, and, as it is some 200 miles wide, the south-westerly drift would be felt far to the eastward through its opening. It is, then, I think, justifiable to ascribe the formation of the Ninety-mile Beach and the impounding of the Gippsland Lakes to the breaking-down of the connection of Tasmania with Austraha. The amount of detailed physiographic work that has been done on the lakes themselves is very small, and a large field of research is open to those who have opportunities for working in this interesting district. I wish to thank Mr. H. W. Wilson for the loan of most of the lantern slides which were used in illustration of this paper, and also Mr. R. L. Miller for specially preparing some for the occasion. Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. — The volume recording the 1913 (Melbourne) meeting of this association has been issued with greater promptitude than characterized some of its predecessors. It is the fourteenth of the series, and, like the previous volumes, contains a mass of valuable information, extending to more than 700 pages. Professor David's inaugural address deals with a variety of matters of interest, while the addresses of the presidents of sections are. each of them, valuable contributions to science. Unfortunately, want of funds again necessitates numbers of titles only of papers being printed, some of which are sure to cause longings for the full paper when perusing the volume. The Soldanella.— Our fellow-member, Mr. G. Weindorfer, Kindred, Tasmania, writes correcting a misstatement regarding the Soldanella which occurred in the last Naturalist (May, 1914), the plant being attributed to the Compositse, whereas it is a member of the Primulaceae. He says that the flowering of the S jldanella amidst snow and ice takes place, not in early spring, but in late summer, and remarks that the faculty of removing a thin layer of snow or ice in order to lengthen its 3° lyoies. [Vol. XXXI. vegetative period is not confined to species of the European alpine flora, for he has observed that Ranunculus Gunnianus, H., flowers under similar conditions in the Cradle Mountains of Tasmania, about 5,000 feet above sea-level. Eels. — "Physicus," in the Australasian of 30th May, calls attention to a review of recent publications regarding eels, which appeared in Nature of i6th April. The principal work is that by Dr. Grassi, in which hi points out that the mystery of eel reproduction has existed for many centuries, for Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, writing in 350 B.C., inchned to the belief that eels sprang from earthworms, and much the same ideas obtain to-day. Notwithstanding the investigations carried on for many years, it can still be said that no one has ever yet found an eel with its reproductive organs fully developed. Seeing that eels are so plentiful in the southern portions of Victoria, here is a chance for someone to solve the mystery, and in so doing achieve world-wide fame. The Reptiles of Flinders Island, Bass Strait. — During the visit of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union party to Flinders Island in November, 1912, three snakes and four lizards were collected by Captain S. A. White, and presented by him to the South AustraUan ^Museum, Adelaide. It may be of interest to make a brief record of the species. The snakes, as well as the lizards, are represented by two species which occur both in Tasmania and Australia. Denisonia superba. — Large-scaled Snake or Copper-head, also known as the Diamond Snake of Tasmania. Two specimens, measuring 33 and 48 inches in length respectively^. Previously recorded from New South Wales, South Australia, and Tas- mania. (Venomous.) Notechis scidatus. — Tiger Snake of South Australia and Victoria, also known as the Brown-banded Snake of New South Wales. One specimen, measuring 50 inches in length. Pre- viously recorded from Australia and Tasmania. (Venomous.) This is a specimen of the melanotic variety, which has also been found at tlie southern extremity of Yorke's Peninsula, South Australia, and from some of the islands of Spencer Gulf. N.B. — The above measurements were taken after the speci- mens had been ])reserved in spirit ; these are, therefore, less than they would have been in life, on account of shrinkage. Tiliqua nigrolutea. — Black and Yellow Blue-tongued Lizard. One specimen. Previously recorded from South Australia and Tasmania. Amphibolurus angulifer. — Three specimens. Previously re- corded from south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. — F. R. ZiETZ, Adelaide, S.A. ^bc Jllcforian naturalist Vol. XXXI.— No. 3. JULY 9, 1914. No. 367. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The thirty-fourth annual meeting of the Club was held in the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 15th June, 1914. The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the chair, but, owing to unfavourable weather conditions, the meeting was poorly attended, only 24 members being present. CORRESPONDENCE . From Railway Department, in reply to a communication from the Club, intimating that no planting had been done on the slopes of the railway cuttings at Footscray, Royal Park, Flemington Bridge, Heidelberg, Windsor, Burnley, Hawthorn, and East Camberwell, whilst at other places specified planting had only been carried out in such a way as to leave sufficient spaces on the slopes to enable the strata to be clearly seen. For reasons cited in memo, of 11/5/08 to the Club, the Com- missioners could not sanction the erection of notice boards at the cuttings. On the motion of Messrs. Barnard and Searle, the matter was referred to the committee for consideration. From South Melbourne Council, acknowledging receipt of the Club's request re planting of native trees and shrubs in the plantations along St. Kilda-road, and intimating that it had been referred to the public works committee. From Victorian Executive for approaching visit of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, intimating that Tuesday, i8th August, had been reserved for a reception, by the members of the various scientific societies in Victoria, to be held in the Botanic Gardens, and requesting to be informed of the amount the Club, or its members, would contribute, a donation of 2S. 6d. entitling the donor to one invitation card. The president briefly referred to the announcement on the subject in the Naturalist, and requested those who purposed attending the function to furnish the secretary with their names, and the number of invitation cards required, as early as possible. REPORTS. In the absence of Mr. A. James, Mr. A. L. Scott reported on the excursion to Maribyrnong on Saturday, 23rd May, having for its object physiography. The attendance was meagre, owing perhaps to threatening weather, but the after- noon proved fine, and a pleasant ramble was enjoyed. Mr. C. French furnished a report of the visit of about twelve members of the Club to the Museum of Economic Entomology 38 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. fvol'^xxxi and Vegetable Pathology on Saturday, 13th June. Two hours or so^were spent in examining the various collections of insect pests of Victoria, including those of forest trees, samples of various fruits showing insect pests, insectivorous birds and their nests, and samples of foodstuffs showing damage caused by insects, &c. In the Pathologist's Branch attention was directed to specimens of diseased fruits, &c., preserved in formalin. The mycological collection and the herbarium were also inspected with interest. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. L. G. Chandler, 56 Dixon-street, Malvern ; Mr. L. P. Winchcombe, 466 Little Colhns-street, Melbourne ; and Miss O. B. Davies, Trinity College Hostel, Sydney-road, Parkville, were duly elected ordinary members ; and Mr. T. Alexander, Grange School, Domain-road, South Yarra, and Mr. D. Mitchell, Cave Hill, Lilydale, as associates. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. J. R. Tovey, in accordance \vith notice previously given, moved the omission of the words "and over the age of sixteen " in clause [d), rule 4, and briefly outlined the reasons that necessitated the deleting of the words specified. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Gabriel and carried. Mr. O. Rosenhain referred to a recent paragraph in the Argus respecting the alleged damage to grass by large numbers of Black Swans at The Heart, near Sale, and to the subsequent announcement in the same paper that the Chief Inspector of Game had granted permission to the owner of the property to which the birds resorted to destroy them up to the end of July. In his opinion, the Club should take immediate action to prevent the destruction of these beautiful birds. Mr. D. Best said that a deputation should wait on the Chief Inspector of Game and obtain the actual facts of the case. After some discussion, in which Messrs. Searle, Gabriel, Hardy, St. John, and Rosenhain took part, Mr. A. D. Hardy moved, and Mr J Searle seconded — " That the president and Mr. Rosenhain wait upon Major Semmens and ascertain the facts of the case." The motion was carried. Mr. C. L. Barrett said he would like to see something done towards suppressing the laying of poison for rabbits, whereby immense numbers of our insectivorous birds were destroyed, and suggested that the Club join with other kindred societies in a deputation to wait on the Chief Inspector, Mr. F. Allan, and discuss the matter with him. In the discussion which ensued, Messrs. Rosenhain, St. John, Gabriel, Scott, and the President took part. Mr. A. D. Hardy read extracts from a lengthy memorandum by Mr. F. Allan, J"'y' 1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 3c) wherein he ridiculed the contention that the native birds were being destroyed in any number by the departmental system of laying poison for the destruction of rabbits, and on behalf of Mr. Allan invited any person to be present at a poisoning and see for himself if any destruction of birds took place. Messrs. C. L. Barrett and J. Gabriel offered to under- take the duty. ANNUAL REPORT. The hon. secretary, Mr J. R. Tovey, read the thirty-fourth annual report for the year ended 30th April, 1914, which was as follows : — " To THE Members of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. " Ladies and Gentlemen, — Your committee have the honour to submit for your consideration the thirty-fourth annual report, in which are shown the operations of the Club during the year ending 30th April, 1914. " The year has been an uneventful one, but a considerable amount of useful work has been done. " During the year 34 new members were elected, consisting of 18 ordinary, 8 country, 2 associate, and 6 junior members. At the September meeting of the Club it was decided to repeal clause {e) of rule 4, relating to junior membership, and no further nominations for junior members have been made. However, an amendment of rule 4, by the repealing of a portion of clause {d), has been proposed, and should thus provide for those promising juniors who might come in as associates, the maximum age of admission as associates being limited only. The total membership of the Club amounts to 236, and the following is the detailed list : — 6 honorary, 2 life, 143 ordinary, 64 country, 5 asociate, and 16 junior members (for this year only). The total membership thus shows a decrease of 67 when compared with last year, but the reduction has been caused principally by the falling-off in the number of junior members. The new members elected exceeded the resignations. " We regret having to record the loss by death of three members, to whom reference has already been made in the Naturalist. Mr. Charles Stout, who died on the i8th of May, 1913, was a promising young member, who, in addition to taking an active interest in the Club's affairs, for some years acted as honorary secretary for juniors, and was largely responsible for the holding together of that group. Dr. Alexander ^lorrison, who was a member from 1884 until his death in December, 1913, was for some years Government Botanist for the State of Western Australia, his death occurring in Mctoria while engaged on botanical work for the Common- 40 Field Natmalists' Club — Proceedings. [voTxxxi wealth Government at the National Herbarium, Melbourne. Mr. Charles Maplestone died in January, 1914. He was a well- known worker in polyzoa and bryozoa, and the results of his researches will endure in the ' Records of the Australian Museum,' the ' Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria,' and the Victorian Naturalist. " The attendance at the ordinary meetings has been main- tained, and averaged about 50. " During the year 18 papers were read, 10 of which were devoted to botany, 7 to zoology, and one to palaeontology. Most of these have been published in the Victorian Naturalist. The authors were: — Messrs. J. W. Audas, F.L.S., R. T. Baker, F.L.S., R. A. Bastow, F. Chapman, A.L.S., G. B. Doyle, J. Gabriel. J. H. Gatliff and C. J. Gabriel, J. C. Goudie, A. D. Hardy, F.L.S. (two), T. S. Hart, M.A., R. Kelly (two), J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., J. G. O'Donoghue, O. Sargent, J. Searle, and H. B. Wilhamson. " Two illustrated lecturettes were also given — the first by Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., at the September meeting, entitled ' Victorian Fossiliferous Limestones and their Correlatives in Other Lands,' and the second, at the December meeting, by Professor A. J. Ewart, D.Sc, entitled ' The Senses of Plants.' " Illustrated reports of excursions were given by Mr. J. Gabriel and Dr. E. B. Nicholls, Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., and Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. •' Your committee considers that there is room for expansion in the way of natural history notes and in the variety and quantity of exhibits at the ordinary monthly meetings, these being of great interest to members, more especially to those to whom the special and often technical papers do not appeal. " The annual exhibition of wild-flowers was held at the October meeting in connection with the Victorian Forest League's exhibit of timbers, &c., as a section of the Austrahan Manufactures Exhiljition, but it was found that neither the attendance at the ordinary meeting nor the flower show patronage was of a nature to justify a repetition of this ex- periment. "At the last annual meeting Dr. J. A. Leach, D.Sc, was elected president of the Club. However, in August he found that his official duties would prevent him giving that time to the affairs of the Club which he considered necessary. He therefore forwarded his resignation of the ottice, trusting to be able at some future time to resume liis position as an oflice- bearer. Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.JC.S., one of the vice-j)residents, was then elected ])r('sident, .Mr. F. Pitcher tilling the vacant vice-prcsidentshi}), and .Mr. P. R. H. St. John succeeding Mr. Pitcher as a member of the committee ■'^"'_^'' 1 Field Nafitralisis' Club —Pyoceedtn^s. 41 " A report of the Plant Names Sub-committee has l^een forwarded by the honorary secretary, Dr. C. S. Sutton, and is as follows : — Six meetings of the Plant Names Sub-committee were held during the year. After completing the provisional naming of the plants of our census, the sub-committee occupied itself in the revision of the third and last section for the printer. At the instance of the Curator of the Industrial and Technological Museum, Mr. R. H. Walcott, the ' Catalogue of the Economic Woods of Victoria ' was also revised, in view of its re-issue as a new edition. The balance of the second section of the flora — Chenopodiaceae to Haloragaceae — was printed in the Journal of the Department of Agricultiire for February, 1914, and reprints of the whole of the section as it appeared in the issues of July and September, 1912, and February, 1914, became available for distribution last month. It is hoped that members and others will apply for copies of the reprints and favour the sub-committee with their criticism as soon as possible. " The excursions were rather poorly attended during the year, the increased demand on the youth of the State for military drill being to some extent the cause. However, several interesting outings took place, when members had oppor- tunities of becoming acquainted with objects which, without capable leaders, might easily be overlooked. It is gratifying to record that the Club excursion to the Baw Baw plateau in January last had, among its results, the addition of two species to the list of Victorian orchids. "The visit to the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, 8th November, took the form of a social afternoon, in which over fifty members and friends participated, and, after a ramble through the gardens, the whole party sat down to afternoon tea as the guests of the committee. The outing was such an enjoyable one that it was suggested that the method of spending the afternoon was one which might be tried again. " The thirtieth volume of the Victorian Naturalist, containing several illustrations and maps, has been published, and duly issued to members, &c. For reasons of economy the usual list of members has been omitted, but the names of those elected during the year will be found in the monthly proceedings. " Again the Club's thanks are due to those executive officers who have devoted so much time to the Club's welfare, and particularly to Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, the honorary editor of the Victorian Naturalist. " The Club has been actively engaged in the protection of bird-life where rare species were in danger of extermination in the search for plumes, skins, &c., for millinery purposes, and where the Hves of insectivorous birds were endangered by 42 Field Naturalists' Cluh — Pyoceedinf^s. \v!-\"x\\\. the laying oi poison tor the deslruction of vermin. In the first case one notable event of the year has been the organizing, through the instrumentality of a number of bird-lovers, of a monster jietition to the British Ciovernment, containing 17,000 signatures, protesting against the traffic in ornamental bird- skins and feathers, and in the case of insectivorous l)irds much has been done to minimize the evil, but the work is not yet complete. " The Railway Commissioners have been reminded of their promise to keep certain stratigraphical exposures free from decorative vegetation for the purposes of instruction in geo- logical formations, &c. " The hon. tieasurer's report will show that the balance in hand, £78 iis. 8d., at the ist of May, 1913, has been reduced to £36 14s. iid. at 30th April, 1914. This has been principally caused by the purchase of a bookcase and the increased cost of printing the Club's journal, owing to higher charges in the printing trade. The net receipts have been ;^i66 2s. 3d., and expenditure £207 19s — net shortage, £41 i6s. 9d., of which the bookcase accounts for £25 los. " The hon. librarian reports : — ' During the past year 192 parts of the various journals to which the Club subscribes or receives in exchange were added to the library, in addition to various publications, proceedings, &c., from the Royal Societies of Australasia and the numerous publications of American museums and universities. Very little has been spent during the year on the purchase of new books, on account of the heavy expenditure incurred in purchasing the new bookcase. The number of borrowers is rather below the average, and special announcements should be made from time to time to induce members to make greater use of their library. About 30 com^Dlete volumes are ready for binding as soon as the Club's finances will permit of same. In addition to various maps received fiom the Mines Department during the year, Mr. A. D. Hardy, on behalf of the Forests Depart- ment, presented to the Club a map of Victoria showing forest reserves, fkc, and Mr. Barnard a map of Melbourne and sur- rounding country within 50 miles radius. A donation to the Club's permanent exhibits was an enlarged photograph of young Blue Cranes in the nest, presented by Mr. M'Callum, of Colac. As it is impossible for every member to read each journal as it comes to hand, it might be to the Club's advantage and of assistance to the hon. editor if a sub-committee were appointed to review the monthly publications and pubhsh in the Naturalist items and references of interest to members. Before closing, I must acknowledge the great assistance given on meeting nights by the hon. assistant librarian, Mr. J. G. O'Donoghuc, who attended to the issue of books to members.' '"''•'■ 1 Field Naturalists' Club — Pvoceedins's. 4^ " Authors of papers, several of which were well illustrated with lantern views, leaders of excursions, exhibitors of speci- mens, and contributors of natural history notes are assured of the Club's gratitude for the trouble taken by them, and to Messrs. Coghill and Haughton your committee has again to express its indebtedness for the use of their offices at 79 Swanston- street for committee meetings. " Your committee concludes this report with an appeal to members to sustain and even increase that energetic prosecution of the Club's interests which has gained for our society the reputation that has been ours through the many years 01 the Club's existence, and thus help forward the good work in natural science generally and field observations in particular. " On behalf of the committee, " J AS. A. Kershaw, President. "J. R. TovEY, Hon. Secretary. " Melbourne, 2yth May, 1914." FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The hon. treasurer, Mr. G. Coghill, read the financial state- ment for 1913-14, which was as follows : — Receipts. To Balance, 30th April, 19 13 ... ... ... /^yS 11 8 ,, Subscriptions — Ordinary Members ... ;^io6 12 6 Country Members ... 32 1 1 6 Associates ... ... 176 Juniors ... ... i i o ;^I4I 12 6* Victoriati Naturalist — Subscriptions and Sales 6 13 3 Advertisements ... 6 15 o Reprints ... ... 7 12 3 21 o 6 Sales of Badges ... ... ...063 Interest, Savings Bank ... ...330 166 £^44- "3 "I •Subscriptions : — Arrears, £2<) i8s. 6d. ; 1913-14, ;^103 3s. : 1914-15, ^8 us. — total ;i^i4i I2s. 6d. Expenditure. By Victoriati Naturalist — Printing Illustrating Free Reprints Reprints ,, Victorian Naturalist — Wrapping and Posting ,, Rooms — Rent and Attendance Carried forward ;^98 15 7 4 13 9 4 14 5 9 3 3 ^ — £\2.(i I 8 14 18 13 10 2 0 •• ;^I54 9 10 44 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [^ Vict. Nat. I. XXXI. I!ioui;lil forward ...^1 '.S4 9 lo \'>y Library — Bookcase 2S lO o Books o 19 S Periodicals .S '.S o Insurance and I'oslagc I 5 fa .53 9 II ,, Hire of Lanlcrn, &c. ... ?> 17 6 ,, Printing and Stationery 8 5 6 ,, Postages, &c. 4 12 2 ,, Advertising, Bank Charge, &c. .. o i8 3 ,, Expenses Wild-flower Exhibition 2 5 lo £2o^ 19 Balance in Savings Bank ... ... 30 12 10 London Bank ... ... 621 36 14 II ;^244 13 II G. COGHILL, Hon. Treasurer. i=^^=- 2\si May, 1914. Audited and found correct. JOHN STICKLAND,) . ... 28//J yl/a[y, 1914. JOHN WILCOX, j^»a>io>s. The following statement of assets and liabilities was also read : — Assets. Balance — Savings Bank ... ... ... ;^30 12 10 ,, London Bank ... ... ... 621 £z(> 14 II Arrears of Subscriptions (;^40), say... ... ... 33 o Badfjes on hand ... ... ... ... ... 129 Library and Furniture (Insurance Value) ... ... 150 o o ;i^220 17 8 Liabilities. Subscriptions paid in advance ... ... ... £% 11 o In the discussion which followed the reading of the report Mr. Best said the Club's finances showed a loss of £17 for the year. Various causes were assigned for the loss, the chief being the extra cost of printing the Club's journal. He thought that if tenders were invited a saving in the cost of printing would result. He was opposed to the procedure of supplying associates with the journal for the sum of 2s. 6d. per annum. Mr. Hardy signified himself as in accord with the Club's procedure in regard to the associates, and thought it advisable to increase the yearly subscription for ordinary members from 15s. to 20S. Dr. Sutton said that in his opinion the journal should be made more attractive to outsiders. By this means a better circula- tion, with its accruing advantages, would be gained. He suggested that a sub-committee be formed to go into the matter. On the motion of Messrs. O. Rosenhain and F. Pitcher, the report and statement were adopted. J^'j^' 1 Field Naturalists' Cluh — Proceedings. 45 ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. There being no other nominations, the following office- bearers were duly elected : — President, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S. ; vice-presidents, Dr. C. S. Sutton and Mr. F. Pitcher ; hon. treasurer, Mr. G. Coghill ; hon. librarian, Mr. W. G. Mackintosh ; hon. editor, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard ; hon. secretary, Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue ; hon. assistant secretary and librarian, Mr. H. Whitty. On a ballot being taken for five members of the committee, the following were duly elected :— Messrs. F. Chapman, A.L.S., J. Gabriel, A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., J. Searle, and P. R. H. St. John. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard moved a vote of thanks to Mr. J. R. Tovey for his services to the Club during his term of office as hon. secretary. The president said that Mr. Tovey had performed his duties conscientiously, and during the past year had devoted a great deal of time to the Club's interests. The motion was carried by acclamation. On the motion of Mr. D. Best, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring office-bearers and auditors. PAPER. Owing to the lateness of the hour, Mr. R. A. Bastow's paper on Victorian Hepaticge was held over till the next ordinary meeting of the Club. SPECIAL APPEAL FOR EXHIBITS. Mr. C. J. Gabriel drew attention to the paucity of the e.xhibits at the meetings, and expressed an opinion that an effort should be made to induce the members to take more interest in the monthly exhibitions of specimens. The President expressed himself in accord with Mr. Gabriel's views, and urged members to say something relative to their exhibits, and thereby cause members to examine them after the adjournment. Mr. F Pitcher suggested that, instead of the secretary, each exhibitor should read out the particulars of his or her exhibit. Mr. Barrett said he was in favour of a special appeal being made to members to exhibit specimens. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. H. W. Davey, F.E.S. , forwarded a note regarding maternal instinct exhibited by a beetle, Notonomus chalyheus (Carabidffi). He said it seems strange to find evidence of the maternal instinct to protect its young among such predatory creatures as centipedes, scorpions, and some carab beetles. In the first and second groups the maternal instinct is well shown, but not nearly so frequently with beetles. In May last, when in the Apollo Bay and Beech Forest district, he was turning over old rails and logs, under which it was almost certain to find a female Notonomus chalybeiis, Dej., sitting over a small hollow dug out of the ground, and in which about 46 Field Naturalists' Chih—Pfoceediv^s. [voi^xxxi twenty small, greyish eggs had been deposited. Later on these hatch into curious parti-coloured larva, which are clustered together in the same manner as young scorpions, but unUke in the respect that they do not cling to their mother's body. If the beetle be removed the larvae at once separate and seek other shelter. The reason for this atten- tion may be to protect the eggs or young from the male beetle, which is generally present under the same log. Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., forwarded a note stating that a pair of Lyre-birds, Memira superba, caught in the neigh- bourhood of Sydney, N.S.W., are doing very well at the Mel- bourne Zoological Gardens. They are last year's birds, and therefore the male has not yet got the adult tail, but some of the feathers are showing. They have become very tame, and will feed out of one's hands. Mr. C. French contributed a note with reference to the English Skylark, which in some districts is becoming a nuisance to the market gardeners by destroying young plants of cabbages, &c. Mr. H. Whitmore read a newspaper paragraph recording the finding of the remains of an opossum completely enclosed in wax, in a hive of wild bees. Mr. A. D. Hardy said that he had heard of a similar case. EXHIBITS. By Mr. K. A. Bastow. — Victorian Hepaticae (Liverworts), in illustration of his postponed paper. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Blooms of Buckinghamia celsissima, F. V. M., Ivory Curl-flower, Queensland ; Hakea verrucosa, F. v. M., Warty-fruited Hakea, and H. cristata, R. Br., Crested Hakea, both from Western Australia ; also berried specimens of Eugenia Smithii, Poiret, " Lilly-pilly," Victoria, New South Wales, &c., and E. cyanocarpa, F. v, M., " Blue-fruited Myrtle," New South Wales — all grown in Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. By ]\lr. P. K. H. St. John.— Herbarium specimens in various stages of Eucalyplus cinerea, F. v. M., var. mullifiora. J. H. Maiden, collected by exhibitor in Bayswater district, 6th June, 1914. By Dr. C. S. Sutton. — Orchid, Pteroslylis reflexa, K. Br., collected by exhibitor on the Silurian formation west of Whittlesea, 25th April, 1914. By Mr. J Searle. — A rare Entomostracan, Daphnia lumhollzi, Sars., only taken two or three times in V'ictoria, recorded also from Queensland, Central Africa, and Western Asia. Exhibited by exhibitor some two years ago. but then unnamed. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. J"'y'l Correspondence. 47 REPTILES OF FLINDERS ISLAND. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. Sir, — In the June number of the Victorian Naturalist Mr, F. R. Zietz, of the South Austrahan Museum, discusses the distribution of the four species he records, and says of Tiliqua nigrolutea that it has been " previously recorded from South AustraHa and Tasmania." If he means southern Austraha he is correct, for it is well known in Victoria, and passes up for some distance into New South Wales. The record was made by M'Coy, Lucas and Frost, and Lucas and Le Souef. As there are some peculiar relationships between the faunas of Kangaroo Island and the islands of Bass Strait, the record as given by Mr. Zietz needs amplifying, or it may give rise to a mistaken idea. Exact records made by a competent zoologist like Mr. Zietz are, I need hardly say, of value, and we welcome his appear- ance in our journal, and will look for many more notes from him — I am, &c., T. S. HALL. University, 21/6/14. . G. W. SLEEPER'S ANTICIPATION OF DARWINISM. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. Sir, — In the Victorian Naturalist of March last (page 193) there appeared a reference, which I made at the February meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club, to the presidential address liy Professor Poulton to the members of the Linnean Society of London, in which he dealt with the discovery of a pamphlet, dated 1849, containing alleged lectures by George W. Sleeper, of Boston, and containing ideas which, if the pamphlet proved to be genuine, anticipated Darwinism in many respects. The print was subjected to much close scrutiny, and both Dr. A. Russel Wallace, who sent it to the Linnean Society, and Professor Poulton, with other experts in typography and paper manufacture, &c., appeared to think that it was genuine. In his search for biographical details. Professor Poulton had established communication with Sleeper's son, and in concluding he promised a further reference to this remarkable publication after he had made fuller inquiries. According to the Times of 29th May, 1914 (weekly edition) just to hand, the matter has again formed the subject of the presidential address. It seems that inquiries made during the interval have resulted in evidence that has caused Professor Poulton at the last annual meeting to express his disbelief in its authenticity. He said : — " The evidence now brought forward would prol)ably lead the scientific and literary world to an undisputed conclusion — that the work was a fraud .... that Sleeper probably quite honestly believed that the vague ideas that occurred to him were of momentous importance in the history of science, and that when he had put the results of his reading in his own words he was announcing original 48 Correspondence. [vo^'jcxxi. discoveries. . . . Self-deceived as to the importance of his own ideas, he would certainly honestly believe that he had been, and still was, the victim of bitter injustice, and he might defend the falsification of evidence on the fjround that only in this way could justice be done, not only to himself, but to the history of thought. The forgeries were either Sleeper's or by someone who shared his feelings." For further information as to this remarkable addition to the history of the idea of evolution, &c., members should consult the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London, presidential addresses for the last and present years. — A. D. Hardy. Kew, 2/7/14- The English Skylark as a Garden Pest. — It will be news to many to learn that the English Skylark, /l/a?i^aari;g«sw, is in some districts becoming a serious menace to market gardeners. This bird was introduced into AustraUa by the Royal Zoological and Acchmatization Society of Victoria in 1863, when a number were hberated in the vicinity of oMelbourne. In 1867 eighty birds were liberated, further numbers in 1870 and 1872, and about one hundred in 1873-4. In 1870 a number were liberated near Sydney. About Melbourne they have increased considerably, and ma\^ usually be heard aliout Fisher- man's Bend, the heath grounds of Brighton, &c. During the last few months the Skylarks have been greatly in evidence, especially in the Carrum, Mentone, and Cheltenham districts. There these birds have been causing considerable annoyance and loss to market gardeners and others by the manner in which they have been destroying the young seedlings and plants of cabbages, cauhflowers, turnips, and lettuces. Recently I \isited the garden of a well-known market gardener residing near Mentone, and was surprised to see numbers of these birds busily engaged among the vegetable seed-beds. On examining these beds I found that row after row of seeds and seedling vegetable plants, also young cabbage plants that had been })lanted out, had been eaten. I requested the owners to shoot a few of the birds for examination purposes. Three birds were shot, and on examination their crops were found to contain cabbage and turnip seeds, young cabbage and radish leaves, gravel, but no insects whatever. The owners of the garden informed me that numbers of the birds had been destroyed by means of poisoned wheat. I also examined the crops of several of these, and the result was the same in every instance. Their crops were full of vegetable seeds and vegetable matter, not a solitary insect being found in any of tliem. If food was scarce, I could understand these birds attacking vegetable crops, but at the i^resent time insects are plentiful, this being an unusually favourable season for them.— C. French, jun., Government Entomologist. 4th June, 1914. Che Uictorian naturalist Vol. XXXI.— No. 4. AUGUST 6, 1914. No. 368. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 13th July, 1914. The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the chair, and about 35 members were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., Director of Zoological Gardens, Melbourne, in reply to the hon. secretary's inquiry, stating that he was pleased the Tasmanian people intended making an effort to introduce the Lyre-bird into their State, and expressing an opinion that the probable cost of trapping birds would be about £5 per pair. The necessary food the birds would need before being set at liberty could be supplied from the Gardens. The transportation charges, he thought, would be nominal. For the information of those present, the hon. secretary explained that at the last meeting of the committee a com- munication was read from Mr. H. Stuart Dove, West Devonport, Tasmania, soliciting the co-operation of the Club in securing several pairs of the Victoria Lyre-bird for liberating in the reserves adjacent to Mount Wellington, Tasmania. Before taking definite action in the matter the committee had thought it advisable to solicit Mr. Le Souef's opinion respecting the probable cost of trapping and transporting the birds. It was resolved that the hon. seci'etary write to Mr. Dove, furnish him with the information obtained from Mr. Le Souef, and ascertain the number of birds required, and the probable amount of money that would be subscribed to defray expenses. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Evelyn on Saturday, nth July, was given by the leader, Mr. F. Pitcher. Contrary to expecta- tions, the excursion was well attended, a party of eleven members (including four ladies) taking part. On arriving at Evelyn at 2 p.m. a start was at once made for the Olinda Creek, where lunch was partaken. Prior to quitting the creek for collecting purposes, a few remarks were made on the character- istics that differentiated our so-called " native heaths," which belong to the natural order Epacrideae, from the true heaths. N.O. Ericaceae, of the Old World. Though too early for wild-flowers, the pink and white Epacris impressa abounded, and large bunches were gathered. Along the Lilydale water- supply channel various ferns were noted, chief being Lomaria 50 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vor'xxxi discolor and L. capcnsis and Davallia duhia. The interesting locality to the south of Evelyn will soon cease to be possessed of attraction for those botanically inclined, as large areas have been cut up for building sites, and numbers of " week-end " dwellings are being erected to the usual accompaniment — the destruction of native trees, shrubs, and other vegetation. A special feature of interest in the journey to Evelyn was the number of trees of Acacia Bailcyana, in profuse bloom, that were to be seen in private gardens on either side of the railwa y line. Though mid-winter, the afternoon proved a pleasant one, resulting in a very enjoyable outing. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, ^liss Dorothy Coleman, " Walsham," Blackburn, was duly elected as an associate. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. O. Rosenhain said that, in accordance with the resolution passed at the annual meeting of the Club on 15th June, he had interviewed Major Semmens respecting the granting of permits to destroy Black Swans on The Heart estate, near Sale. The inspector stated the birds had increased to an enormous extent during the past few years, and were to be seen at the locality mentioned in thousands. Letters had been received by him from settlers in the district complaining of the damage done to their grass by large flocks of these birds. The police had made inquiries, and their reports fully confirmed the genuine- ness of the land-owners' complaints. He had intimated that he would, on application being made, grant a permit to any aggrieved settler to destroy swans on his property. So far no permits had been applied for. In the event of permits being granted the police would l)e instructed to prevent wanton destruction. Mr. Rosenhain expressed himself as being satisfied that The Heart settlers had a just complaint, and were entitled to some measure of protection from the depredations of the Black Swans. Mr. G. A. Keartland said that he had noted large flocks, comprising thousands of birds, in The Heart district in March last. Mr. J. Gabriel expressed the opinion that the dry season, by drying up the lagoons and swamps and so reducing the area of those sheets of water frequented by the swans, had con- tributed, to a great extent, to the congregation of the birds in the Sale district. REMARKS BY EXHIBITORS OF SPECIMENS. Arising out of some remarks by Mr. C. J. Gabriel at the thirty-fourth annual meeting of the Club on 15th June respecting ^"'^■•] Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings-. 51 the lack of information furnished by exhibitors relative to their specimens, the committee decided to adopt the procedure outlined in the July issue of the journal, and made a special appeal to members both for exhibits and remarks. Mr. J. Searle, referring to his exhibit of Sagitta, or " arrow worms," said : — " The Sagitta, or ' arrow worms,' as they are called in Europe, are famihar objects to our local fishermen, who call them ' needles ' when they find them in abundance in the meshes of their nets. They are spindle-shaped, elon- gated, and extremely transparent animals, and measure up to an inch in length. Though they have fins on the upper and lower edges of the body, and also possess a tail, these are not used for the purpose of locomotion, serving perhaps as balancers or rudders, or, maybe, to help to keep the little animals from sinking ; they swim by muscular movements of the whole body. The Sagitta are hermaphrodite, the female organs being situated in the trunk of the body, the male in the tail part. The eggs, laid in the water, are pelagic, and float near the surface of the sea. The young, when hatched from the egg, already resemble the adult in shape, though they are, of course, extremely small ; there is no larval stage in their development. Their food consists of diatoms, infusoria, and other small pelagic creatures. They are found in the seas of the world. Their place in the scheme of classification is among the Annelida, and they, with the allied genus Spadella, form the class Choetog- natha, so called from the hair-like bristles that surround the mouth parts. The specmiens exhibited were taken at night in a tow net off St. Kilda pier." Mr. A. L. Scott drew attention to his exhibit of New Zealand kauri gum, three kinds — clear, cloudy, and sugary. This gum, he said, may be termed a sub-fossil product, for it is dug out of the ground. It is supposed to have originated through forests in the past ages having been destroyed by fire, the gum melting and flowing into the porous soil. It is a near relative to amber. The basalt specimen with the crystal-lined cavity, so suggestive of a fairy cave, was obtained from the Brunswick municipal quarries. Mr. F. Chapman, speaking in reference to his exhibit of a vertical section of the cutting tooth of Chrysophrys, or Sea Bream, shown under the microscope, said : — " As here shown under a moderate power magnification, the base of the tooth consists of coarsely tabulated dentine, although not sufficiently vascular to merit the name vaso-dentine. This is sur- mounted by a true dental layer filled with very fine branching tubules, whilst covering the outer surface is a thin, but hard and brilliant, layer of enamel. A curious feature of this tooth is the continuity of the dentinal tubules into the enamel, entering as simple or unbranched tubes. A similar structure 52 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [\\)Txxxi. is seen in the teeth ol most marsupials, and in a few higher mammals, as the Hyrax, the Jerboa, and some shrews." Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., referring to the exhibit, on behalf of the National Museum, of specimens of the Dormouse Phalanger, Dromicia concinna, from Ouyen, X.W. Victoria, and Purnong, South Australia, said that the species is a Western Australian one, and had not, so far as he knew, been recorded for Victoria before. He also drew attention to a very large and complete example of the silken shelter-bag constructed by the larvc'e of the Processionary Moth, Teara contraria. This had been found on a gum-tree at Bolga, near Tallangatta, Victoria. Mr. H. Witty called attention to a fine range of varieties of the British land-shells Helix nemoralis and Helix hortensis, many of which were entirely devoid of markings, whilst others were strongly marked. These snails are quite common in many parts of the British Isles, and very few species vary so much as these particular ones. He also drew attention to a fine series of Lumiere autochrome lantern slides in natural colours taken by Dr. H.G. Drake-Brockman, F.R.P.S., of Middlesborough, Eng- land, one of the leading photographers in colour process. The slide's included Narcissus, Red Admiral Butterfly, Spurge Hawk Moth American lo Moth, Camellias (red and white), larv.x of Oak Eggar Moth, Emperor Moth, and a photograph of a lady, all true to life. He mentioned the enormous possil^ilitics of colour photography for commercial purposes, and stated that in his opinion no process could be compared to the Lumiere. PAPERS. 1. By Mr. R. A. Bastow, entitled " Victorian Hepaticae (Liverworts)." The author, in a very interesting and instructive manner, dealt with this beautiful natural order of cryptogamic plants, and by means of a well-executed series of blackboard drawings, illustrating the various types referred to in his paper, pointed out the chief distinguishing characteristic feature of each. He said that the literature on Hepaticae is neither voluminous nor very accessible, and those desirous of pursuing the study of this group in Victoria have to depend on British and Continental writers for information. Mr. G. Coghill, in complimenting the author on his paper, which, when pubhshed, will be an excellent guide for students of these lowly plants, read a note from Mr. T. S. Hart, B.Sc, Forests School, Creswick, wherein he mentioned the circum- stance of a Riccia, probably R. naians, being very abundant last year on the surface of the back-waters of Lake Wendouree, Ballarat. 2. By Messrs. J. H. Gatliff and C. J. Gabriel, entitled " Alterations in the Nomenclature of Some Victorian Marine Mollusca." ^"^•'1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. K ^ The paper, being purely of a technical nature, was not pro- ductive of discussion. Whilst expressing their regret at the combination of circumstances necessitating an alteration in the names of nine species of shells found on our coast, the authors intimated their willingness to bow to the law of priority. natural history notes. Mr. G. A. Keartland stated that, at the inception of the quail season, he succeeded in securing unhurt a specimen of the ordinary Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis, Gld., which he placed in a cage tenanted by a male and female finch. The former died, and the female immediately chummed up with the quail. After some time he found a mate for both, but the female finch still cherishes her attachment for her former chum. It appeared strange to him that a perching bird, such as the finch, should adapt itself, in so short a time, to the ground habit of the quail. The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, instanced a parallel case. Mr. T. S. Hart, writing from Creswick, stated that the " heath," Epacris impressa, in that locality seemed poor and late, and that plants occupying a south-westerly aspect appeared to present a far better appearance than on other situations. Many plants were to be noted with dead tips, as if growth had been promoted by conditions which, though favourable, were not of long duration. EXHIBITS. By Mr. R. A. Bastow. — A collection of Victorian Liverworts, in illustration of his paper. By Mr. F. Chapman. — A vertical section of the conical cutting tooth of Chrysophrys, or Sea Bream, shown under the microscope. By Mr. C. French, jun. — An abnormal flower of the Arum Lily, Richardia Africana. By Messrs. J. H. Gatliff and C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells in illustration of their paper. By Mr. J. A. Kershaw. — Dormouse phalanger, Dromicia concinna, in spirit ; also a shelter bag of the larvae of the Processionary Moth, from Bolga. By Mr. A. L. Scott. — Specimen of basalt with crystal-lined cavity, from municipal quarries, Brunswick ; also three varieties of New Zealand kauri gum. By Mr. J. Searle. — Sagitta, or" arrow worms," taken at night in a tow net off St. Kilda pier. By Mr. H. Witty. — Specimens of varieties of the British land snail. Helix nemoralis and Helix hortensis ; also several Lumiere autochromes in natural colours, by Dr. H. G. Drake Brockman, F.R.P.S., Eng. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 54 Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District. [ vor'xxxi PLANT DISTRIBUTION IN THE HEALESVILLE DISTRICT. By Reginald Kelly. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 20th April, 1914.) The Healesville district is so well known as a tourist resort to the majority of the members of this Club that httle need be said as to its position or characteristics ; but, as the Naturalist has readers outside the limits of this State, it will be necessary to briefly refer to the main features of the district. The area to which I propose to refer covers al)out 150 square miles, and may be roughly defined as bounded by a line drawn from Toolangi (about 10 miles north- west of the township of Healesville) to the Blacks' Spur, thence to Mount Donna Buang, west to the Yarra, along that stream to the railway tunnel, then north to Toolangi. The details of this area can be readily seen on a large scale map, such as that recently issued by the Lands Department for the use of tourists. Healesville, about 40 miles almost due east of Melbourne, is surrounded on its northern, eastern, and southern sides by ranges of hills varying from 700 to 4,000 feet above sea-level, the township itself being situated on the banks of the Watts River, about 270 feet above sea-level. To the west are the extensive fiats stretching towards Yarra Glen, through which the Yarra meanders, and which in winter are often submerged and appear like a huge lake. The district is a well- watered one, permanent streams occurring in every direction. The lower part of the area was apparently at one time under land- locked water, which was banked back into the present mountain gullies, and formed arms or inlets like those of Lake Tyers, or, in miniature, Sydney Harbour. The water was supplied by the heavy rainfall in the mountains now included in the water reserve under the control of the Metropolitan Board of Works, and which formed the watershed of the Yarra and Watts rivers. These rivers, instead of having an outlet from the Healesville basin, close to their confluence near the railway tunnel, were probably there l^locked by a range of hills, and, indeed, did not exist nearer than those points where they fed the lake at a level corresponding to the lowest point on the confining range of hills. In course of time the lake dis- appeared, from two causes — erosion at the present outlet and silt deposit in the lake itself. On the high banks of the gap through which the Yarra now flows, on the west side of the town, can still be seen wave marks, and similar signs are observable also on the sides of many of the promontories. Rock formations are exposed on both north and south banks at this sjx)t, though not directly opposite. It is conceivable Aug.,"! Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District. 55 1914 J » that the point of issue was hke the Hp of a basin, at which the lake, when in flood, overflowed — probably into another lake covering the Yarra flats below. The wearing away of the soft rock was inevitable, and left a depression like the waist of an hour-glass, through which the Yarra now flows. As this opening was wearing the bed of the lake was filling up, until the water was so shallow that, seeking levels, it cut channels in the mud, forming river-beds which changed from time to time as various obstacles blocked the course, or the level varied. The lake is now often partly reproduced at time of flood. The old river-beds, still plainly observable on the flats in the form of depressions and billabongs, are first filled up ; then the waters, spreading, often reach the old shores and there lap and recede as they did of yore on a much greater scale. As the waters receded vegetation appeared. The course of vegetative progress may be roughly recast by examining the growths in the present streams and the various billabongs and branches in ascending order from those with permanent water to practically dry beds, proceeding from plankton to benthos. Series after series of unicellular and unattached multicellular plants, fresh-water algae, and mosses which grow on stones in the running water in the upper feeders, such as Fissidens rigidulus and the wet-ground moss, Rynchostegium muriculatum, were probably among the first forms. In the side washes of the lake, that at low water were still, grew Potamogeton, Lemna (Duckweed), and in the shallower moving water the long trails of Triglochin procera, with Ottelia and Valhsneria, which adjust themselves to varying depths. As the water found an outlet and gradually subsided, associa- tions of Myriophyllum variifolium and various Ranunculi appeared, with Typheta of Typha angustifolia and the pan- phyton Arundo phragmites — forms, some of them wide apart in evolution, but the ready representatives of an existent flora. The habit of the yellow-flowered gentian, Limnanthemum cxaltaium, is peculiar, in that it does not form a part of, but has risen superior to, the Limnea formation, and occupies — sometimes almost entirely by itself — isolated small indentations, which may be permanent pools or merely moist saucers. As the waters still further receded, raised portions of the old bed became comparatively dry land, and were strewn by seeds from all sides, many of which found suitable soil and environ- ment. Thus were formed, in addition to the Typheta, Junceta and Scirpeta in the remaining swamps, whilst the drier parts selected such portions of the invading flora as were adaptable. All these portions have since received into their formations and associations a large number of acclimatized and naturalized aliens. Some small swamps along the railway line are almost wholly tenanted by exotic mint, Mentha pulegium. Pennyroyal. 56 Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District. \y^^ Vict. Nat. XXXI. The upper story of vegetation is entirely eucalyptian, and the first sub-story is, in the main, the same, but in association at various points with the tallest acacias, Atherosperma, and Fagus. Most of the high land is covered with a series of open associations, except in such spots as have been cleared or cultivated, and there with close associations of the lowest stories only. In other words, it is heavily timbered, with thick undergrowth, and known as bushland and forest forma- tion, with its usual complementaries — moss and lichen, tundra, and dwarf shrub heath. Distribution of Encalypts. — Eucalyptus coriacea is found out- side the area under review, its range being limited to the undulating ground between Yering and the Tarrawarra station. The trees are much scattered, evidently many having been destroyed in clearing. They favour the Silurian knolls surmounting the Yarra flats, and avoiding the alluvial deposit. These knolls were possibly islands in, or banks of, a lower lake formed when the Yarra waters were dammed back. Under present conditions the trees grow above flood-level. They do not extend as far back as the railway tunnel, and do not appear at all beyond it. The accompanying allies of the lower country, E. rubida, E. viminalis, and E. Gnnnii, persist beyond this point. The first-named seeks the higher level of the foot- hills and spreads out on the rises to about 300 feet above sea-level, and ends beyond the town at this height, and gives place then in the Leiophloia to E. goniocalyx. E. viminalis, superficially so like E. rubida, but so different in timber and the later juvenile, adolescent, and recurrent foliage, follows the river banks, keeping mostly to the alluvial flats and valleys, grows to a great height, and shows but little of the rugged bark and stunted conformation of its seaboard variety. E. Gunnii has much the same distribution, but usually grows away from the main stream and spreads farther aiield, but always keeps to lower ground than E. rubida, choosing the more acid and slightly higher flats. A corresponding difference of dis- tribution is found in the three acacias, dealbata, mollissima, and melanoxylon. The first-named follows the rivers, the second is distributed similarly to E. rubida, whilst A. melan- oxylon follows the lines of both E. Gunnii and E. viminalis, but continues to greater altitudes. As with the three eucalyi)ts, these three acacias are in association at the Melbourne end of the tunnel, but all diverge to their various altitudes from that point. The distribution and form of the Ai)i)le Cium, Eucalyptus Stuariiana, is most interesting. Taking as the type those trees that grow near Ringwood and Croydon, with large juvenile leaves, and similar ones covered with a glaucous bloom that Aug.,"! Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District. <;7 igi4 J ' J/ spring from suckers and fractures — trees that, when older, are umbrageous, whose mature leaves are leathery, somewhat lanceolar, and whose branches put out at the tips new leaves, soft, narrow, and beautifully coloured with tints of blue and purple — Eucalyptus Stuartiana of that type gradually dis- appears and is lost at Christmas Hills and at Lilydale, where the railway turns to the Yarra flats ; the species is picked up again, not recognizable at a glance, on the rising ground near Healesville. Only an occasional glaucous leaf or bunch of leaves betrays it. The foliage is more of the viminalis type, the seed-cases fewer, the bark cleaner, the wood softer, and cutting (in the saphng stage) hke cheese. A connecting hnk is found in the elfin forms on the Chum Creek slopes. Here dwarf, gnarled, crooked trees show the external features of bark, leaves, and fruit, and the gradual variation can be traced in from the foot of Toolangi Hill, where it may be confused with E. dives, to similar heights around Healesville, branching out to Myers' Creek and over to the Coranderrk and Don roads, and penetrating in wedge-shaped distribution to the foot of Mount Riddell, but never ascending to greater heights than about 600 feet. If you take a branch of one of the trees in the Healesville area and place it alongside one taken at Croydon, it is hard to believe they belong to the one species ; but, by placing side by side pieces gathered over the tract described, the links are obvious and the identity undoubted. This varia- tion all occurs within a direct line of 20 miles. The Croydon type is thickly fruited even on small bushes. On the Heales- ville form it is sometimes difficult to find one fruit except on old trees. The Chum Creek link is fruited and leaved midway between the two descriptions. The narrow-leaved Peppermint Gum, Eucalyptus amygdalina, is plentiful and evenly distributed within and without the area ; within it varies considerably — from the broad-leaved type to the " variety niicrophylla." In the former the leaves are broad, the fruits sparsely clustered, and the bark cleaner in colour. In the latter the bark is dark, the leaves very narrow, and the fruit in thick, fan-like clusters. These two forms are shrubby, and locally known as white and black peppermint. The latter features are those of the intermediate or normal type — a compromise between the two extremes. This median form ascends to the highest ranges, and grows there as a very tall timber tree side by side with E. regnans, another species from which it is so distinct that one cannot conceive that the late Baron von Mueller, when he called both of them E. amygdalina, could ever have seen them growing in company, but identified them by herbarium specimens only. He must have got a shock when he saw what he had done, both with his 58 Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District, [vor'xxxi black and white amygdalinas and his ])lack and white leucoxylons. " By their fruits ye shall know them " — and sometimes be misled. The best contrasts between the tall amygdalina and regnans are to be observed near Narbethong. Eucalyptus ohliqua is veritably a messmate to all those mentioned, being found in association with them, and usually the dominant partner, from the lowest to the highest ground. It is found on the river banks, sometimes hanging over the water in almost willow-like form, and at the tops of the mountains as a straight-trunked, magnificent timl)er tree. It is most luxuriant at mid-distances on the mountain slopes, its height being practically in proportion to altitude of situa- tion, its straightness, as would be expected, in just ratio to closeness of growth and advantage of moisture and soil. E. macrorrhyncha, the true stringybark, is found in the clay-stone lower hillsides in company with the mid-forms of messmate and peppermint. It is fast disappearing, as, growing in unreserved country, it has been ruthlessly cut down for its general utility, and is a shy reproducer, though it seeds plenti- fully. Eucalyptus eleophora, or E. Cambagei, D. and M., the local " bastard box " of the bushmen, is found usually in association with E. Stuartiana, and is the lowland variation of the highland E. goniocalyx, which is here called " blue gum," and sold for timber under that name. The upper branches of this first story form the first break or resistance to the rainfall so necessary in the watershed of the territory reserved for conservation of the water supply for the city of Melbourne. It is well understood that if this story were destroyed, or even reduced, the reserve, as a collecting area for water, would be proportionately less valuable. At this upper plane of the vegetation the force of downpour is partially broken. The shorter trees of this story receive in many of the gaps their share, both stages steadying the fall on the denser leaf-surface of the second story. This, in the water reserve, consists of smaller trees and shrubs of a considerable number of genera and species. Some of these genera are botanically far apart but close in associa- tion. In parts, particularly the gullies and their slopes, the roof of this story is mainly formed of the large fronds of the tree-ferns Dicksonia Billardieri and Alsophila australis. It is an uneven and sloping roof, for not only do these tree-ferns vary much in height, but so also do the other components of the story — not only between the species, but amongst them- selves. The advantage of this variety of growth is manifold. It is of incalculable advantage on steej) liillsides, where the trees of the lower parts, nourished by moisture, grow higher, and form a series of compact surfaces or corymbs springing from Aug.,] 1914 J Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District. 59 the earth, meeting side-blown rains with an almost unbroken front and a vertical downpour with a fully graduated series of steps from which the heaviest storm-waters can only drip to the lowest stratum. The trees forming the lower division of the upper story and graduating to the second story consist mainly of Sassafras, Atherospermum moschatum. Myrtle Beech, Fagus Cunninghami, and the rarer Native Olive, Notelcea ligustrina, which are restricted to the highest gullies and sources of streams. The Blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon, and Silver Wattle, A. dealbata, are found in company with the former three, but are not similarly restricted. They descend to the lowest flats of the area and beyond it, as also does the Sweet Bursaria, Bursaria spinosa. Hedycarya Cunninghami, Pomaderris apetala, Senecio Bedfordii, Prostanthera lasiantha, and Coprosma Billardieri occupy both the high position and follow the rivers to lower levels. Coprosma hirtella favours higher gullies and rocky hillsides. The Lomatias, L. Fraseri and L. longifolia, are denizens of the highest gullies, but the former disperses laterally to the hillsides ; the latter goes downward with the streams. L. ilici- folia occupies drier sites on the hillside, and is more shrubby and prostrate. Myrsine variabilis is an occasional shrub, almost solitary as a species, but associated with other genera in its incidental occurrence from the heights down the river bank. Banksia Collina is endemic on low ranges towards the head of the Chum Creek and on the stony ranges near the Yarra towards Lauching Place, the extreme north and south of the area. In the Chum Creek habitat it is associated with the endemic Grevillea repens and Oxylobium procumbens — plants of the ground floor. Pittosponim bicolor is an occasional shrub found mainly on Myers Creek, Condon's Gully, Mathinna Falls, and upper gullies and stream sources of the water reserve. In these ranges are several kinds of acacias. On the highest tops, notably Mount St. Leonard and Mount Juliet, is the distinct Acacia penninervis — never found on the lower levels, and rarely on the lesser heights. As a genus Acacia is ubiquitous, its species varying from the highest mountain tops to the plains beyond. The principal mountain gully kinds are A . melanoxylon, A . dealbata, trees ; A . leprosa, A . stricta, A . verticillata, A . linearis, and A . oxycedrus, shrubs ; but these, with many other species, are found also at lower levels. One isolated patch of A. vomeriformis appears on the hillside at the south of the town, but this is fast disappearing, and the individual plants degenerating. Acacia juniperina grows in two places — along Chum Creek road and on the upper road- 6o Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District, [voi'^'xxxi side just beyond the cemetery ; but the allied species, Acacia diffusa, flourishes in several places, particularly in patches scattered on the lower clay hills, and openly distributed on the rises between the Chum and Myers Creeks before they junction. Singularly, the only proclaimed acacia, A. armata, is very rare, though hedges of it thrive on the Yarra flats ; there is only one bush near the railway tunnel and a couple together in the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works channel reserve, just where the aqueduct crosses the Long Gully road. The two occurrences are over two miles apart, on practically the same range, on the west side of the area, and both where earthworks have been carried out. Of the other acacias, it is noted that A. stricta is found in several patches at about the same height, particularly at the railway tunnel, where it takes duty as a chasmophyte and luxuriates as a secondary rock covering. When with Acacia leprosa it is the dominant partner. Of A. verniciflua there was only one bush seen, in a paddock off the Chum Creek road, near the Board of Works tunnel. This has been destroyed by fire. A specimen of A. retinodes was brought to me from near the Badger Creek State school, and said to be from a solitary plant, which I have not been able to find there, nor any other in the district, and presume that one has been destroyed. A. penninervis grows freely on Blacks' Spur, Mount Juhet, Mount St. Leonard, and from Toolangi down to the Grevillea repens patch, where it is stunted. A. pravissima is said to grow out of the area, beyond the Spur. A. myrti folia does not approach nearer than the Lilydale-Wandin district. A. melanoxylon, Blackwood, flourishes all over the locality as a tall tree on the highest mountains and deep gullies, but smaller on the lower ones. A particularly fine group may be seen near the crossing of the Badger, on the Don road. A. oxycedrus forms a belt from the Graceburn Creek following the pijx; track to the Maroondah Weir, and is also part of the dense undergrowth skirting the Fernshaw road. A. linearis forms the dense scrub on the lesser hillsides and gullies, and is usually predominant. It sends forth plentiful suckers and adventitious shoots, often forming a tangle with Erharta juncea, Comespcrma volnbile, and the dodders. After the most severe fire it springs up green from the roots as quickly and freely as bracken. Acacia verticillata is a part of the general formation, mountain, hill, and gully, but rarely on the flat. Leptospermum lanigerum associates with Kunzea pediinciilaris on the Yarra, and con- tinues to fringe the banks of the Watts and the mountain streams, where it is first associated with the Tree V'iolet, Hyntenanthera Banksii, and grows along with many riverside shrubs and trees, but no Kunzea, which, at the junction of the Aug.,"! Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District. 6i 1914 J Watts and the Yarra, has taken the place of Melaleuca erici- folia, a species that does not come within the area. Dwarf forms of L. lanigerum are also found on the Chum road in dry ground, not far, however, from the luxuriant front of the creek. In this place, and in company with these, are L. myrsinoides and a few stray bushes of L. attenuatum. L. scoparium usually keeps away from the main streams and favours rising ground. The piebald paper-bark, Melaleuca, is represented just outside the area by M. ericifolia, where its distribution ends on the Yarra and its flats near Tarrawarra. Inside the area the only species is M. sqiiarrosa, in patches, of which the principal is at the back of Gracedale House, in the gully through which the Badger aqueduct pipe is laid to syphon under the Fern- shaw road, and by this pipe-track it may be easily reached. In close association with it is Acacia oxycedrus, and, less thickly. Acacia verticillata, Baiieri rubioides, and occasional clumps of the tall Coral Fern, Gleichenia circinata. It is interesting to review and follow the association and diversions of the various tea-trees (including paper-barks). Following that somewhat artificial course, the railway line, the Woolly Tea-tree, L. lanigerum, persists, sometimes as a dominant and at others as a subordinate, all the way. Allowing for clearing, it is now patchy up to Mooroolbark, where M. ericifolia predominates. This relationship continues across the Yarra flats right to the junction of the Yarra with the Watts, and there, on the course of the former, Kunzea 'peduncularis takes the place of the Melaleuca, which drops out. Kunzea does not, however, go up the Watts at all, and L. lanigerum has no tea-tree associate, except in occasional patches of marsh, where M. squarrosa is met with. Along the flank of this line of march on the higher ground, and descending to the banks of streams at intervals, L. scoparium is constant. These plants, and those midway between the second story and the ground floor, lead us to consider plants more or less isolated. ISOLATED PLANTS. Although Prostanthera melissifolia is found in abundance at the head of Myers Creek and on the slopes of Mount St. Leonard, only one solitary specimen grows on quite low-lying ground a short distance from the junction of the Chum and Yarra Glen roads. Near this spot, too, is one plant of Viminaria denudata, which otherwise approaches no nearer than Coldstream. Casuarina suberosa, Sheoke, grows close to the tunnel, mostly on the Melbourne side, and there in open association with Banksia marginata. It is only found within the Healesville area on a small clay hill near the foot of Mount Riddell, where there is no Banksia. The principal habitat of Hibbertia 62 Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District, [voi^^'xxxi fasciculata is the neighbourhood of Chum road, where it associates with Eriostemon corrcsfolius, which also grows along the Fernshaw road. E. myoporoides favours the heights near Mount Donna Buang. Comesperma cricinum is a sparsely scattered plant found at long distances apart, and usually on the dry, lesser liills, as also the green variety of Correa speciosa ; the red is rarely found here. C. Lawrenciana, a large shrub of the second story, frequents streams of the upper mountain gullies, but is most plentiful on the Graceburn, near the weir. The only plant of Kennedya rubicunda found in the district was a young one growing in a ploughed paddock near the town. It was removed to the owner's house, and has grown to a great size over a trellis. PuUencBa Gunnii is very generally dis- tributed, but more freely at the mid-elevations, favouring the poorer hillsides. P. scabra is mainly confined to the western slope of the Myers Creek gully (facing east). P. Muelleri favours south-east slopes, and is there usually dominant. Daviesia latifolia grows at the tunnel cutting, and stray plants are found along the west edge of the bank, but it scarcely encroaches upon the area proper. D. corymbosa is found side by side with D. latifolia, but individual plants are scattered sparsely through the area. Both are secondary chasmophytes. Gompholobium peduncnlare is found on the east slopes of the north-west boundary. Facing west, on the eastern bank of the Myers, is the only place that I have found Hovea longifolia. H. heterophylla is fairly common on some of the lowest hills. In the Platylobium association outside the area, on and near the railway enclosure through Ringwood, the dominant species is P. obiusangiihwi, and within it P. formosum. This last- named species, like the former, is a prostrate form. It is plentiful on the sides of the road as far as Fernshaw, and on a slope from that road to the Watts Weir, where the growth is slightly more upright on a north-east aspect. After Blacks' Spur is crossed, and beyond the Hermitage to Narbethong, there is an extensive association of P. formosum in ])artially shrubby form, growing on a north-east aspect. The plants grow to over three feet in height, with perhaps an average of two and a half feet. I had the })leasure of seeing this patch, which extends quite a mile or more with little interrui)tion, in copious bloom in November, iqii. It extends inwards from the road some distance, for I walked through it a mile or so from the road in a semicircular route from Narbethong to the Hermitage a few years before, about the same month. Bossicea cordigcra is principally found on both sides of the pipe track leading from Echo Tunnel to Watts Weir, and on the road below and in a patch on the Mount Riddell road between the Don road and the Badger aqueduct. It flowers between October Aug.,1 Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District. 6 3 and December, and seeds are found ripe on it in the end of the latter month and in January. Many of the pods are covered by a pretty, cup-shaped yellow fungus, which prevents the formation of the seed, and identified by Mr. C. C. Brittlebank as Accidium eburnum, M'Alp. Dillwynia floribtmda is plentiful in the Chum Creek and Grevillea repens formation, whilst D. cinerascens and D. ericifolia are plentifully distributed on the lower hillsides. Indigofera australis, in its normal colour, is scattered throughout the district. Here and there is seen a white variety, but very rarely. On the west bank of the Myers Creek road, between M'Donald's and the falls, it is very plentiful, and, growing close together, are the white, pink, and dark blue varieties, the last predominating. Intermediate shades are to be seen there, forming complete colouration links from the purest white to deep indigo. In view of the fact that colour, which was at one time thought to play an unimportant part in the character of flowers from a botanical standpoint, has now attained greater significance as indicating distinct constitutional changes, it may be well here to mention that white varieties are also seen here of blue or pink flowers, such as Wahlenhergia gracilis. Prunella vulgaris, Glossodia major, Erythrcea australis, Viola hederacea (the white is not quite pure), Tetratheca ciliata, Kennedya (Hardenbergia) monophylla (with an intermediate pinkish colour), several of the Brachy- comes (but not to pure white), Isotoma fluviatilis, and a strong tendency to white is noticeable in some of the Lobehas. Cryptandra Hookeri, the only one of the genus here, is in company with Pomaderris apetala, a denizen of the higher gullies and streams, and is very plentiful, and in that sense scarcely an isolated plant. Astrotricha ledifolia is found on the sides of the Fernshaw road and stony hillsides above the town in similar situation to the Yellow Waxflower, Eriostemon corrcefolius. Panax, in the upper and some of the lower gullies, grows in its two forms, P. sambucifolius and P. dendroides, and on the Toolangi side of Mount St. Leonard are a few specimens of P. Murrayi. Most of the plants representing the UmbelHferge, as Hydrocotyle and Xanthosia dissecta, belong to the carpet vegetation. H. geranifolia frequents the banks of small watercourses in the upper ranges ; H. hirta and H. laxiflora the banks of lower streams. Exocarpus cupressiformis is a member of the associa- tion on lower hills of eucalyptus and the scrubby acacias, A. linearis and A. striata, and is probably semi-parasitic on their roots. The beautiful flowering Lythrum salicaria grows in or near the water of swamps, generally amongst reeds, L. hyssopifolia on the moist grass flats ; but as these plants are also well known in European floras there is more than a sus- picion that they have been introduced. 64 Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District. [voi?xxxi The Chum Creek flora is different in many respects from the rest of the area. The banks bear different jihints from those on streams running from east to west. Of these, the most noteworthy are Pomaderris pntnifolia and P. vaccinifolia, whilst it has also /-*. apetala, wliich is common to all the streams. P. subrepanda occurs on the Yarra near the confluence of that river with the Watts. Several of the orchids found along this road are rare or unknown in other parts, particularly the long- leaved Duck Orchid, Cryptostylis longifolia. The arboretum is elfin, and the carpet is in places lycopo- dinous. It is worthy of separate investigation and description. At the time of writing large fires are destroying the flora, and there is every reason to suppose that in the near future it will be almost entirely destroyed. Some plants have already been burnt and dug out altogether, the most to be regretted being Clematis aristata, var. Denisii, of the adjacent Long Gully. Lianes. — CUmbing up the trunks and massing on the lower limbs of the higher trees, and sometimes covering those of the lesser ones, the mountain streams produce Teconia attsiralis, beautiful both in foliage and flower. Of more extended range, and more delicate of habit, is Clematis aristata, to a less extent a moisture lover, whilst frequently on river banks and moist places, from the lowest flats to the highest gullies, Lyonsia straminea is seen, the older plants having, for a height of 20 feet or more, scarcely a leaf, whilst the foliage forms a nest- like top amongst the boughs of its supporting tree. The flowers of the Lyonsia are somewhat insignificant, the remark- able feature of the plant being the long pod-like fruits which, when ripe, open and expose their white papjms-covered seeds. The tangle further consists of several Cassythas and the grass Ehrharta juncea, Hardenhergia monophylla. Glycine clandestina, and the Love Creeper, Comesperma volnbile. Another form of association is that which might be termed after-fire societies. These are composed of thickets which spring up after bush-fires, and are composed of quite different units, which undoubtedly obtain their position from o}-)]wr- tunity. It is difficult at first to reconcile the facts that the same actuating cause results in one place in a thick growth of Cassinia, which springs from light and flimsy seed such as fire would easily destroy, and in another a thicket of acacia, whose seeds may have long lain in the ground awaiting fierce heat to scarify their tough integuments. In both cases fire is a distributing and collecting agent ; but in the case of Cassinia it is a destructive agent also. The interesting feature is that, whereas the action of fire destroys seed and roots of many grasses, and by the annihilation of humus prevents their Aug.,"! Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District. 65 1914 J -' repatriation for a long period, yet the same burnt soil is sanctuary for Cassinia, Acacia, Eucalyptus, and the harder- seeded leguminous and myrtaceous plants, as also for the extremes — mosses, ferns, fungi, and Marchantia — particularly the latter. Fire thus accounts for the total or partial elimina- tion of some species and the predominance of others. It has also another mode of causing a change in the relative pro- portion of trees by its effect on mature forms, for, whilst it destroys absolutely most other individuals that it attacks at all badly, of the eucalypts the smooth and finer-barked ones rarely recover ; those with fibrous barks, such as E. ohliqua and E. Stiiartiana, not only recover but send out strong side shoots, which, though spoiling the trees for timber purposes, produce abundant fruit. The protective feature of the smooth, white-barked eucalypts is that they do not readily catch fire, and in a swift blaze escape altogether. On the southern face of Mount Monda is a patch of some acres in extent which has been completely divested of the upper story of vegetation (eucalyptian) and of the lower stratum (sclerophyllous bush). The soil was apparently shallow, and rain falling and running down the steep hillside exposed the rock, which subsequently gradually became covered with lithophytes ; these, supplemented by soil washed from higher parts, the growth of moss, and banking on lower edges by talus, have formed a distinct field of special vegetation selected from the environs — a pteridetum interspersed with xerophytes, mostly of leguminous genera. Ground not rid of soil, often, after fire, rehabilitates itself — first by fungus and soon after by strong growths of Marchantia, both the common M. polymorphia and the rarer M. tahularis. In close associa- tion with these follows Polytricha commune, and they are the forerunners of a new but long-deferred vegetation, often heralded by introduced weeds. The associations of Pteris aquilina are noteworthy. Sometimes they are spread in open formation right through an extensive area of timber country, at others scattered individuals only are found ; but the usual habit is in large clumps. These last close formations are to be attributed to drifts of wind-blown spores rather than any congenial character of soil, feature of situation, or light. This is exemplified by patches in older cleared paddocks, which have been more or less cultivated and generally used for grazing. Clumps of bracken may be seen growing against fallen logs and around trunks or stumps of trees — not that there is any virtue in these to attract the plant, but they have formed breaks against which the spores have piled, and, retaining moisture, have sheltered growing young and formed at each spot a pteridetum. These features are not peculiar to this 66 Kelly, Plant Distribution in the Healesville District, [v^'k xxxi. particular district, but more or less to the class of country of which it forms a part. Rock Covering. — The railway line has been opened about twenty-seven years, and the cutting has looked much the same during the last ten years, at the least. The hard face of almost vertical rock is patched over with flat lichens, mostly round, from little more than apparent stains to those considerably raised, just as one sees them on a neglected slate roof, and it is understandable why the symbiotic habit of this plant, with its humble allies, is necessary to sustain life in such conditions, on the sharing principle of Jack Sprat and his wife. Here Nature leaves her finger-prints upon the wall that she may be identified. Mosses, next in vegetative progression, fill little nooks and crannies and cling to the softer portions of the wall. On the banks where the surface has been removed are large patches of moss, chiefly Polytrichum, and these, drying in midsummer, afford fine colour protection for the grasshopper, Exarna australis. In places where there is a little more soil are many kinds of the herbaceous Xerophytes, such as Erythrea australis, Hypericum japonicum, and the Willow Herb, Epilobium glahelluni, and, in stunted forms, the neighbouring shrubs and trees, Kunzea peduncularis, Leptospermum scopariiim, Pultcncca Gunnii, Daviesia latifolia, D. corymbosa, Goodia lotifolia, Cassinia aculeata, Exocarpus cupressiformis, Casuarina suberosa, and three eucalypts, E. obliqua, E. rubida, and E. amygdalina, with the welcome variation of trails of Harden- bergia monophylla. The Whiptail Fern, Asplenium flabelli- Jolimn, is almost a lithophyte, fastening into rocks which have scarcely any covering but moss or lichen. Having so clung, it hides, however, in a shady crevice or beneath a shelf. This habit is noticeable, too, in the common maiden-hair fern, which, however, can adapt itself to many situations, from barren rocks to the wet loam of a stream bank. Somewhat different are the species that adapt themselves to hard road- sides, as the Knotweed, Polygonum aviculare, white clover, and Lythrum hyssopifolia, defying the traffic to a considerable extent. Those that favour the less-used roadside might be justly classed with the chersophytes (waste land j)lants) found mostly in back yards and rubbish tips, and between the two, and including most of their components, is the more modern sodality, the vegetation of railway lines, the cradle of exotic weeds. Of the carpet vegetation of the flats, except such as consists of grasses, the dominant features have been fairly indicated. The lowest hill-covering differs considerably. It is an associa- tion of most of the lithophytes, dwarf forms of many of the 1Q14 J Kelly, Plant Disiribuiion in ilie Healesville District. 6j herbaceous plants, the lesser ferns, moss, Marchantia, and fungi, the humble associates of after-fire societies. Gratiola Peruviana in the lower hills takes on a similar habit to that of Limnanthemum cxaltatitm in the flats. It favours damp miniature gullies and water-holes, or any spot where moisture collects. In the hills there are many spots distinctly favoured by special vegetations, as sandy washes, which are sought by such plants as Centipeda Cunninghamii, Lythrum hyssopifolia, and Veronica gracilis. Similarly, in soakages at various altitudes are Sphagneta, which are bogs in wet weather and in summer desiccated patches. Each formation is worthy of separate treatment — at least, those that together form a stratum. Treatment as a whole leads to almost unavoidable digression, and away from that definite and informative description so desirable. On the other hand, it leaves the field more open for observation by indicating the scope it affords. Lists have been prepared of the native plants and mosses, with some indication of their part in the oecological scheme, and also of the naturalized aliens, and exhibited on the table is a sketch showing the district as it would have appeared with the water-courses dammed back. The Decay of Timber. — At the May and June meetings of the Microscopical Society of Victoria, Mr. C. F. Linblade, Mains Superintendent of the Melbourne City Council Electric Su])ply, gave an interesting lecture on "The Decay of Wood," referring principally to the deterioration and destruction of wooden structures in connection with electric current distribution. It had been found that a slight leakage of current from an under- ground electric cable helped to destroy the wooden cable troughs. In one instance the trough was found to be rotting on one side. Inspection revealed that a leakage of current was occurring there, which promoted a vigorous growth of certain destructive fungi and bacteria, the woodwork being in a state of fer- mentation, and a fragment treated in a test-tube gave off carbonic acid gas. The fact that electric cables keep the ground in their neighbourhood at a certain fairly even temperature seemed to be responsible for the flourish- ing growths of fungi often found in their vicinity. The toadstools often found growing at the bottoms of telegraph poles were very destructive. Their roots penetrated into the wood, producing ferments which destroyed all but the threads of cellulose, and so weakened the pole. Other fungi gained access to the poles above ground through cracks, and caused the interior to crumble. One particular fungus turned the wood to a beautiful deep rose colour, and was one of the most harmful known in Melbourne. 68 Notes. l^- Nat. XXXI. A New Use for Mice. — I was rather interested recently in watching a mouse in a furniture shop window at Collingwood. It was running up and down without any apparent motive, when I noticed it stand on its hind lei,'S and catch a fly. I saw it catch several, and in some instances the little animal jumped up the window and caught the flies. The shopkee)")er told me this mouse was busy catching flies nearly all day. I asked him if he were going to set a trap. He said, "Oh, no, it keejjs the windows clean, and in winter I feed it." Would that every shop window had a mouse in it ! Many of them would be much cleaner than they are at present. — Harry Witty, Box Hill. " The Australi.^n Zoologist." — Under the title of The Australian Zoologist the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales has issued the first part, dated 13th June, 1914, of a new serial. It is somewhat unusual in shape, the letter-press being 5| X 7I, with wide margins, a size which, howe\er, wiU afford ample room for good-sized plates, of which there are four in the present number. The part opens with the annual report of the society for 1913, it having been established in 1879. Among the scientific articles are a monograph of the genus Tisi phone, Hubner, in which is now included the butterfly formerly known to Victorian collectors as Epinephile abeona, and to distinguish its several varieties the author, Mr. G. A. Waterhouse, B.Sc, has introduced the trinomial system, at present so disturbing the thoughts of Australian ornithologists. Mr. W. J . Rainbow, F.E.S., describes a new Victorian spider, Neostorena venatoria, from Ferntree Gully, and Mr. A. R. M'Culloch communicates an article by Rev. T. R. Stebbing, M.A., F.R.S., describing a new Victorian marine crustacean, Parapato gabrieli, collected by Mr. J. Gabriel at Western Port. A very fine plate is given of the male Chimpanzee at the society's gardens in Moore Park, and Mr. A. S. Le Souef. the director, gives a few notes as to the animal, which now fully grown, and about seven years old. He weighs 158 lbs., and in the slightly stooping position often assumed measures 4 feet 2 inches in height. B.A A.S. — If for nothing else, the visit of the British Associa- tion to Australia will be marked by the excellent handbook it has been the means of having produced. Its 600 pages form a very valuable and concise description of Australian features, and is alone almost worth the whole of the subscription charged for the privilege of joining the meeting. The Victorian hand- book is also a valuable compendium of information more or less familiar to local residents. Cbc Ulctorian naturalist. Vol. XXXI. —No. 5. SEPTEMBER 10, 1914. No. 369. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, loth August, 1914. The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the chair, and about 45 members and visitors were present. REPORT. A report of the visit to the National Herbarium on Saturday, 8th August, was made by Mr. J. R. Tovey, who intimated that, owing to the unavoidable absence of Professor A. J. Ewart, the duty of conducting the visitors over the Herbarium de- volved upon him. The weather being more appropriate for an outdoor excursion no doubt contributed somewhat to a small attendance, only ten members taking part. A com- plete set of the plants proclaimed under the Thistle Act for Victoria was shown, as well as a set of poisonous or injurious plants. A number of specimens collected in Australia by Robert Brown during the years 1802 to 1805 proved of great interest, as did also a set of specimens from Petiver's collections made over 200 years ago, principally from India ; both these collections are still in a good state of preservation. After having examined the various items of interest in the Herbarium the visitors were shown through the library, and were greatly interested in the many valuable volumes, but regretted that the time at their disposal was not long enough to study them in detail. It may be useful to members to give a short resume of the uses and objects of the Herbarium. The National Herbarium, which is situated in the Domain, in close proximity to the Botanical Gardens, was established by the late Baron von Mueller in 1857. It now contains fully one and a quarter million sheets of herbarium specimens from all parts of the world. The great value of this may be estimated when it is known that the Herbarium possesses 12,000 type-specimens of plants. A type-specimen is the original one from which the plant was first described, and which, like a physical standard, serves for future comparison. It differs from a physical standard in this respect — a type-specimen, when lost or destroyed, cannot be replaced. No other herbarium in the world is as rich in type-specimens of Austrahan vegetation as is our National Herbarium. In addition, the Herbarium possesses a fine reference library of over g,ooo books, journals, &c. Many of these are of great value, among them lieing 70 Field Naturalist d light ; also jialates of molluscs. By Mr. A. L. Scott. — Marine alg.-e. with diatoms, from Sorrento ; cat's-eye crocidolite ; dacite from Marysville ; basalt from Tasmania ; oblique section of h(un of rhinoceros ; section of stem of nettle ; also viewing screen used in Paget colour process, also literature dealing with same. By Mr. J. Wilcox. — Tube-building rotifer. Melicer/a rinf^ens. The following exhibits were also made : — By Mr. G. Coghill. — Flowering specimens of Acacia linearis. ^gP^'l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 73 Sims, A. diffusa, Edwards, A. myrtifolia, Willd., A. Icprosa, Sieber, A. dealbata. Link., Epacris impressa, Labiil., Huvea hcterophylla, Cunn., collected at Mooroolbark. By Mr. J. E. Dixon.— Two species of Amycterides (Curculi- onid.e) — Talaurinus carinatiis, Ferg., Scleroriniis amy der aides, Ferg., new to science, taken at Portland, December, 1912, and recently described by Dr. E. W. Ferguson, M.B., Ch.M., of Sydney. By Mr. H. Witty. — Photographs of Emperor Moth, Salnrnia carpini, emerging from cocoon ; and stick insect. Bacillus yossi. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. EucALYPTS. — A series of six University Extension lectures on eucalyi)ts has been arranged to be given by Mr. P. R. H. St. John, at the Royal Society's Hall, on Wednesday evenings, commencing on i6th September. There will also be three field lectures, at Evelyn, Eltham, and the Botanical Gardens respectively. The price of the course is los., and intending members should communicate at once with Mr. P. D. Flower, 352 Collins-street, Melbourne. The " Geelong Naturalist." — Among other interesting articles in the Gcclong Naturalist for May last will be found an illustrated paper by Messrs. J. F. Mulder and R. E. Trebilcock, entitled "■ Victorian Hydroida, with Descriptions of New Species." Mr. Mulder in a separate article gives some notes on the Waurn Ponds limestone fossil beds ; while Dr. Hall gives some account of a little book i)rinted in Geelong more than fifty years ago, called "Sea and Riverside Rambles in Victoria." Though published anonymously, it was, no doubt, written by Samuel Hannaford, an enthusiastic field naturalist of the fifties. Australian Forest League. — The annual meeting of the Victorian branch of the Australian Forest League was held at the Melbourne Town Hall on 25th August, when His Excellency Sir Arthur Stanley presided. In supporting the adoption of the re])ort, which outlined the work of the League to the present date, the chairman took the opportunity of urging much greater attention to forestry and the conservation of timber, in view of the very great shortage which is looming not far ahead. The support of all interested will be greatly appreciated by the council. Copies of the report and particulars of membership can be obtained from Dr. C. S. Sutton, Carlton, hon. sec. pro tern. The subscription, 2s. 6d., being a nominal one, we trust there will be a good response in the way of new members. 74 Bastow, Victurian Hcpaticcc. [vur'xxxi VICTORIAN HEPATIC^. By R. a. Bastow. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 13/// July, 191 4.) I DO not think tliat there has been any paper for ehicidating the study of the Hei)aticce of Victoria either in the Proceedings of the Royal Society or in the Victorian Naturalist ; therefore 1 have very sUght hesitation in bringing forward the accom- panying key to genera of that beautiful and interesting natural order of cryptogamic plants. The literature on Hepatica; is neither voluminous nor is it very accessible ; we have, con- sequently, to depend on British and Continental writers for our information. Hooker's " Flora Tasmanica," " Flora Novse-Zealandiai," and " Flora Antarctica," with " Muscologia Exotica " and Cook's " British Hepaticce," with latterly Engler and Prantl's beautifully illustrated and magnificent work — these are simply indispensable to pursue the study of Hepaticae with any success. Fortunately, the above-mentioned books can now be consulted in our Public Library or in the library of the National Herbarium, South Yarra. Nearly thirty years ago I resided in Hobart, and had free access to the Royal Society's library there and to Mount Wellington and its spurs. Whilst in Hobart I submitted a paper to the Tasmanian Royal Society for the year 1887. This was printed in their " Proceedings," with forty-three plates, and containing the descriptions of all the then known Hepatictne, each genus being illustrated. I do not know of any other than the before-mentioned works, to which I refer the student for more extended information than the limits of the Field Naturalists' proceedings will allow on that subject. The question has often been i)ut to me. What is a hepatic or liverwort ? When we are in the gullies it is very easy to reply to that question. Take a handful of Lepidozia ulothryx and submit it to the inquirer, and his exclamation will l)e, " How soft it is, and how spongy ! " They are water-loving plants ; by the edge of the creek and around the scattered rocks in the stream they flourish and reach perfection. They were formerly known as Jungermannia), named in honour of Louis Jungermann, a (ierman botanist : but in later years they have all been known under the one common name, Hepaticie. The texture of the Hepatica- is soft and with lax areolation. The leaves of the plants, unlike the mosses, have no nerves. Some hardy sj)ecies favour the summits of the highest moun- tains, and, with their faces to the south, they meet the storm and revel in it. Some are six inches high, and some are small and capillary and almost indistinguishable on the fallen tree- ferns. The forms of the leaves are exquisite : they are often ^j^P'-'l Bastovv, Victorian HepaticcB. 75 serrated, or divided, or margined, or entire, and are of various colours. A fruiting specimen is not very easy to be obtained. The fruit-stalks are like silver threads, almost transparent, and generally very lax, and not erect unless they are in a crowded tuft. The fruit cannot well be mistaken, for it usually opens in a cruciate form with four valves. Sometimes the elaters will be found adhering to the opened valves ; the latter are like microscopic springs, and in freshly-opened capsules they writhe about, apparently spreading the spores right and left. I shall never forget my first introduction to a creeping hepatic called Polyotiis magellanicus. It is shown at Fig. 18 in the page of illustrations. We were slowly climbing up the Mount Wellington track when I observed a small plant with lobules on the bases of the leaves resembling clubs, and very different to any that I had seen before. The colours were rich brown, and quite new to me, and I felt much the same as Linnaeus felt when he beheld the golden crop of furze in full bloom on the moors in the North of England. I was glad, and rejoiced to see this tiny plant, so beautiful in structure and yet so tiny, so adapted to its purpose — it clothed the old tree like a mantle, " so that none might mock the dead." Few people deign to notice these small forms of vegetable life — they are too small. When the student has collected the ferns and lycopods, he usually draws the hue. I recollect well about 40 years ago that I was in a railway cutting, and at the sides of the cutting I drew out some calamites two feet long, but crushed If at ; they were the remains of a large forest of gigantic Equiseta^, or " horse-tails," and coal-pits close at hand — that was cryptogamic growth of former ages, to which we owe so many comforts in the cold winters of Britain. It was easy then, with the surrounding conditions, to picture the country crowded with equisetum 40 or 50 feet in height, and the diptera buzzing about one in whole brigades. These plants (the equiseta were like umbrella skeletons turned upside down and socketed into each other) and flies and hzards were at home in those moist levels, as they are still at home in this country. In Macedon and in Ferntree Gully the decaying logs are crowded with Hepaticge, lowly plants, growing to six inches in height. Gottschea Lehmanniana has its leaves very much laminated, so that it is a difficult matter sometimes to separate them for the determination of the species. The cavities of the fallen logs are all occupied with mosses and Hepaticae, and some are very minute ; some are covered with Polyotus magellanicus. In the velvety masses of Lajeunia each leaf has a sack ; the water found in these sacks is full of life. These plants, with proper leaves, are known as the Foliosae in the accompanying key, with distinct leaves and stems. Other 76 Bastow, Victorian Hepatic^. [vok'x Vict. Nat. XXI. Hcpatice have no distinct stem or leaf ; these are fused into one large leaf-like frond, and are named the Frondosse. To this section the Metzgeria belongs ; it will be found forming a perfectly fiat network around the Imrk of living trees. It is well to take the bark of the tree, and the student will be amply repaid when he is settled down to examination with tht; microscoj^e. Another section of this order is called Carnos;e. Here the fronds are fieshy, broad, and of a vivid green colour, with many scales on the under side. They cover moist rocks and stumps, and sometimes grow on earth. By the aid of a pocket lens the gemma cups will be observed, surrounded with a beautiful pelhicid fringe ; they will remind the ol^server of a miniature bird's nest with eggs in it. In the Marchanlia polymorphiis these cups are all round ; in Lunularia they (the cups) are lunate or crescent-shaped, and are common in Fitzroy Gardens. The remaining section — the AnthoceratcC — have also fleshy fronds, but are without scales underneath. The plants of this natural order are nearly always j^ro- cumbent. The dorsal side is the upper side as it grows ; the ventral side is next to the ground. The reproduction processes are similar to those of the mosses. The antheridea (the male organs) and the archegonia (female organs) are shown on the illustration at Fig. 42. The latter — the archegonia — are slender, flagon-shaped liodies, with a central cavity communicating with the atmosphere by a tui)ular neck ; in the cavity there are loose, solitary cells, and the anthropoids gain access thereto and fertilize the same. The antheridia are small round bodies, usually solitary, in the axils of the leaves ; these antheridia contain cells with si)ira] filaments — the antherozoids. The stipules are a third rank of leaves, and afford a siiecilic character to the plant when they are present. Sometimes they are much divided, and sometimes entire. The stem is fre- quently beset with numerous ladicles, which materially assist in maintaining the j)lant. Other Hepatica; have no distinct stem nor leaves, these organs being fused into one flat leaf-like frond, and named in the key the ('.arnosje. To this section of Hei)atic;e the Marchantia belongs. It usually grows in salubrious situations or near water, and sometimes it finds a home in the hot-house. It is a uniform dull green colour, usually once or twice dichotomous {i.e., forked), and is covered below with numerous silken radicles. The receptacle of the antheridia of Marchantia is on a short stalk near the end of a frond, and on the top side of the stalked receptacle the antheridia are immersed. The female receptacle is also {pedunculated, and is divided into eight or ten decurved rays, covering as many ^jgP'"'] Bastow, Victorian Hepaticcv. jj involucres, along with minute chaffy scales. The elaters of this plant are bi-spiral. The gemmiferous cups are full of gemma; or buds ; these are scattered by the breezes and are another form of reproduction, corresponding to the buds or bulbils in liliaceous plants. In Zoopsis argentea we see a most singular plant, without leaves, discovered by Dr. Hooker. Its fronds are very minute, about a (juarter of an inch long by a twentieth in breadth. It sometimes fruits, hence we know what it is. I was somewhat excited when I found this, and, keeping a wary look-out in quest of other j)lants, espied a lovely Hypneum chrysogaster, a mass of a bright golden colour, around one of the branches. It did not take me long to scramble up the tree over the stream ; but in that fatal act the catch of my vasculum was caught, and I had the mortifying spectacle of seeing my carefully wrapped specimen sailing merrily down the stream, waterfalls and everything. One grain of comfort I had, however, when I found Zoopsis argentea — one silvery specimen — yet in the vasculum. You may depend I had that catch made stronger, and another lesson I received was to wear a cap, so that the branches could not pull my hat off. In the gullies a hint to the wise is sufficient. The Anthoceros is another strange plant ; it is shown at Fig. 8. The fruit arises from conical tubercles, and resembles a blade of grass ; but when ripe each blade sjrlits into two halves, and the spores are resting inside, with the elaters writhing about with the moisture imparted to them by the breath. Fimbriaria is another peculiar form of the genera in the Carnosas section, and under the microscope, with a i^" objective, it resembles a couple of nets full of oranges : the latter are the spores. Metzgeria furcata is a pale and pleasant green ; it creeps over the bark of trees, and has a singular fruit. When once collected, it will never be forgotten. With the aid of a microscope the calyptra appears beset on every .side with whitish hairs. It is a very beautiful plant, but very minute, and some are beautiful microscopical objects. A great number of the Hepaticae are very small, and must be examined rather closely in order to determine the genus. ist. — Determine if the plant possesses distinct leaves. If it does, its genus must be looked for in the section Foliosa. If the plant has not leaves, but is simply a long or short thin frond, it belongs to section Frondosse. If the frond is fleshy, with scales on its under side, it will be amongst one of the six genera in the Carnosae. If the frond is fleshy, but without scales beneath, it then comes under the section Anthocerat;e. Assuming that the plant to be identified has distinct leaves, it is foliaceous, and the manner in which the base of the leaf 78 Bastow, Victorian llepalicw. [voi'^xxxi is set on the stem must be accurately determined. It may be succubous, or vertical, or incubous ; it will come under one of these three headings. If succubous it will belong to one of the genera distinguished by a star (fig. 37). If the leaves are vertical it will belong to one of the genera distinguished by two stars (fig. 28) ; and if incubous, it will be distinguished by three stars (tig. 24). jrd. — Note the perianth, whether it be leafy, or whether it is a iieshy bag ; or it may not have a perianth. Assuming that the leaves are succubous, and that the perianth is leafy, 4th. — Ascertain whether the fruit is lateral or terminal. Make a note of the particulars ascertained by observation, then read the short descriptions of the genera in the key. We may find that one genus has stipules, another without stipules, or another one with the leaves deeply cleft, &c. The differ- ences are sufficient to determine the genus. In the following Key to the (ienera of Hepaticie I have found great assistance from the volumes by Engler and Prantl, and especially in the illustrations on the HepatiCcC in i Tell., Abt. 3, of that monumental work. I am quite conscious that the key is not perfect — it has been atcomplished as well as my abihty will permit ; but, as a rule, I have preserved the old generic names by which the plants are best known in Austraha. In my " Key to the Genera of Tasmanian Hepatic^e " the division Foliosas is i)]aced first ; in the accompanying key I have placed the Carnosae first, then the Frondosct, and lastly the Foliosa. I don't know that it makes any great difference, l)ut I bow to Engler's arrangement. It may possibly make the study of the Hepaticae easier to beginners, and it may be on more scientific lines. CARNOSAi). — Fronds fleshy, with obUque scales on the under side. (a) Fruit embedded in the substance of the frond. RicciA. — Figs. I and 2. (6) Fruit terminal on the under side of frond. Targionia. — Involucre two-valved. Fig. 3. (c) Fruits many, on the under side of a stalked fyeltate receptacle. HvPENANTRON (Fimbriaria). — Perianth split into l^ands, cohering at their apices ; opening downwards. Fig. 4. LuNULARiA. — Fruit stalked ; opening with four valves. Fig. 5. Rkboulia. — Perianth none ; involucres opening by two valves. Fig. 6. Makchantia. — Perianth opening downwards. Mg. 7. Anthoceros. — Frond fleshy, without scales beneath. Fig. 8. ^j'^P'-'l Bastow, Victorian Hepaticcv. 79 FRONDOSiE.— Without distinct leaves. {a) Perianth none. Metzgeria. — Fruit on under side of frond ; nerve narrow. Fig. 9. Aneura (Sarcamitrium). — Swollen, but nerveless ; simple, or with one or two lobes. Fig. 10. Blasia. — As Aneura, but more dichotomously divided ; thinnest at margins ; small scales on under side ; unequally dentate ; lobes often incurved. Fig. 11. Hymenophyton (Symphyogyna). — Fruit on upper side of stipitate, orbicular frond ; nerve narrow. Fig. 12. Symphyogyna. — Frond obtruncate, dark green, serrate. Fig. 14. {h) Perianth complete. PoDOMiTRiUM. — Perianth from the under side of a continuous frond. Fig. 13. Blyttia (Steetzia, Syn. Hep., 475). — Perianth from upper side of a continuous frond. Fig. 15. Noteroclada. — Involucre confluent with perianth, erect, on the upper side ; no stipules ; lobes entire, soft. Fig. 16. Zoopsis. — Perianth lateral ; frond continuous, with alternate lateral projections tipped with cilia. Fig. 38. FOLIOS^. — Leaves distinct. * Leaves succubous ; base with lowest angle on the upper side of the stem. See fig. 37. {a) perianth leafy. I. Fruit terminal. Plagiochila. — Perianth compressed ; stems erect or ascending ; no stipules. Fig. 37. Leioscyphus. — Perianth compressed ; stems procumbent, stipulate. Fig. 36. Temnoma. — Perianth above trigonous, truncate. Fig. 39. Lophocolea. — Perianth triquetrous ; angles often alate ; mouth three-hpped, closed ; stems procumbent, stipulate. Fig. 35- Trigonanthus. — Perianth trigonous ; mouth contracted ; stems procumbent, stipulate near the fruit. Fig. 21. Jungermannia. — Perianth tubular ; mouth contracted, den- tate ; stipules none, or present on the stem. Fig. 20. SoLENOSTOMA. — Perianth obovate, five-phcate above, with a tubular beak. Fig. 43. 2. Fruit lateral. Adelanthus. — Stems erect, nodding ; no stipules. Fig. 40. Chiloscyphus. — Stems procumbent, stipulate. Fig. 34. So Bastow, Victorian Hepalica;. [vorxxxi PsiLOCLADA. — Stems procumbent ; leaves and stipules deeply cleft. Fig. yy {b) PERIANTH A DESCENDING FLESHY BAG. Fruit terminal. Tylimanthus. — Stems erect or ascending ; leaves nearly entire ; no stipules. Fig. 32. AcKOBOLBUS. — Stems procumbent ; leaves bifid, stipules small or none. Fig. 31. Lethocolia. — Stems procumbent ; leaves entire ; no stipules. Fig. 44. Ballantioi'SIS. — Stems procumbent, stipulate. Fig. 27. ** Leaves vertical, l)ase crossing the stem transversely. See fig. 28. perianth leafy. Fruit terminal. 1sot.\chis. — Leaves and stipules nearly equal ; perianth tubular ; mouth connivent. Fig. 28. ScAPANi.\. — Leaves complicate ; no stipules ; perianth com- pressed in plane witli leaves ; mouth truncate. Fig. 22. GoTTSCHEA. — Leaves with adherent lobes ; perianth overlaid by involucral leaves. Fig. 41. *** Leaves incubous, base with the lowest angle on the unde'' side ol the stem. I Without an inferior lesser lobe. {a) PERIANTH leafy. I. Fruit lateral. Leperoma. — Leaves and stipules deei)ly cleft ; calyptra adnate with the involucral leaves ; fruit near the toj) of stem. Fig. 26. LiiPlDOZiA. — Leaves and stipules usually deeply cleft ; perianth near the base of the stem, trigonous. Fig. 30. Mastigobryum. — Leaves and stipules entire, or with their ajiices truncate, dentate ; perianth in the lower part of the stem, trigonous. Fig. 29. If With an inferior lesser lobe. (fl) LOBULE PLAIN. I. Fruit terminal. Kadlla. — Perianth compressed, in plane with leaves, mouth truncate ; no stipules. Fig. 29. Lejeunia. — Perianth obovate, 3-6 plicate ; mouth a tubular beak. Fig. 23. Trichocolea. — Calyptra antl in\'olucral leaves coml)ined ; leaves capillary, multilid. Fig. 19. THE VICTORIAN NATUBALIST.— Vol. XXXI. Plate ii. r. A. BiSTOW, iW. TYPICAL VICTORIAN HEPATlC/E. •^*P'-'l Bastow, Victorian Hepaticcs. 8i 1914 J ' ' {h) LOBULE INFLATED, GALEATE. Fruit lateral. Frullania. — Perianth 3-6 plicate or terete, with a tubular beak. Fig. 24. PoLYOTUS. — Involucral leaves overlying each other, adnate below. Fig. 18. LIST OF HEPATIC.*; ILLUSTRATED AT CORRESPONDING NUMBERS. 1. Riccia fluttans, Linn. Blacks' Spur. Hook., Muse. Britt., 213. 2. Riccia natans, Corda. Engler, p. 10. 3. Targionia hypophylla, Linn. Cook, p. 27S ; Engler, p. 27. 4. Hypenantron tencllmn, Corda. (Fimbriaria). Engler, p. 33. 5. Lunularia cruciata, Dum. Engler, fig. 19, p. 34. 6. Reboulia hemispherica, Raddi. Engler, p. 31. 7. Marchantia polymorpha, Linn. Engler, p. ^y. 8. Anthoceros longispirns, Carr. et Pears. Bastow's Tas. Hep., pi. 43. 9. Metzgeria fttycata, Ness. Engler, p. 53. 10. Aneura pinguis, Linn. (Riccardia). Carr. et Pears. Engler, p. 52. 11. Blasia piisilla, L. Hook., Br. Jung., t. 82, 84. 12. Hynic>iophytonfiabcllatum,Wodk. (Symphyogyna, Mont.) Engler, p. t;4. 13. Podomitrium phyllanthus. Hook. Engler, p. 54. 14. Symphyogyna liymcnophylluni. Hook. Engler, p. 55. 15. Steetzia Lyallii. Wilson, in Hook., t. 68, F.N.Z.. ii., 540. 16. Noteroclada porpliyorhiza, Mitt. Engler, p. 58. 17. Fossombronia piisilla. L. F.N.Z., ii., 163. 18. Polyotus magellauicits. Gottsche. (Lepidolaena). Engler, p. 109. 19. Trichocolca tomoitclla, Lindh. Engler, p. iio. 20. JjiJigermaiinia colorata, Lehmann. (Syn. Hep., 36. 673, Janiiesoniella). Engler, p. 83. 21. Trigonauthns deniata. Raddi. (Ccphaloziella). Engler, p. 98. 22. Scapania densifolia, Nees. Hook., Muse. Exot., t. 36. 23. Lejeunia serpyllifolia Sibert. Syn. Hep. 374. 24. Fndlania proboscidiphorci, Tayl. Lond. Journ. Bot., 1846. p. 402. 25. h'adula aqttilcgia. Tayl. Syn. Hep., p. 2rx). 2(). Lcpcroma scoloprndra. Hook., Muse. Exot., t. 40 (Lejiicolea) Engler. p. 108. 27. Balantiopsis diphtphylla, Tayl. Engler, p. mi. 28. Isotachis Giinniana, Mitt. F. Tas.. t. 179. 29. Bazzaiiia nnvce-hollanditB, Gottsehe. Syn. Hep., p. 221. 30. I.cpidozia pcndiiliva, Hook. Muse. Exot., p. 60. 31. Acyoholhus cinerascens. Mitt. Lindl., Syn. Hep., 78 (Podanthe). Engler, p. 86. 32. Tylimanthiis tcnclla, Hook. f. et Tayl. Lond. Journ. Bot., 1844, p. 377. Engler, p. 87. ^^. Psiloclada clandcstiua, Mitt. F.N.Z., ii., t. 99. Engler, p. 102. 34. CJiiloscypJius coujiigatits. Mitt. Flor. Tas., ii.. p. 228. 3v Lophocolea Tasmanica, Mitt. Bastow's Tas. Hep., p. 228, pi. 7. 36. Lcioscyphus rcpens, Mitt. F.N.Z., ii., t. 97. 37. Plat^iochila strombi folia, Tayl. Lond. Journ. Bot., 1844, p. 578. 38. Znopsis argentea. Hook. f. et Tayl. F.N.Z., ii., p. 164. 39. Tcmnoma qiiadrifida. Hook. Muse. Exot., t. 94. 40. Adelanthiis falcatiis. Mitt., in Journ. Linn. Soe.. v. vii., p. 243. Hook., Muse. Exot.. p. 89. 41. Gottschca cilii^cra. Hook. f. et Tayl. Lond. Journ. Bot., iii., p. 376. 42. Antheridium and Archegonium, Nardia hcemoiosticta , Engler, p. 79, and elater. 43. Soh'vnstoma rotata, Mitt. Hook., Handbk., P^.N.Z., p. 753. 44. I.etlinsolra Dnimmondi, Mitt. F.N.Z., p. 99, fig. 8. 82 Gati.iff and Garriel, Victnyian Marine Mnl/usca. [vo^'jcxxi ALTERATIONS IN THE NOMENCLATURE OF SOME VICTORIAN MARINE MOLLUSCA. By J. H. Gatliff and C. J. Gabriel. (Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, i^th July, 1914) Some conlusion having arisen through the alteration, during recent years, of the names of several of our Victorian shells, we desire to submit the last accepted names and those previously >ised, together with explanatory notes on the changes. Parviterebra harrisoni, T. -Woods. 1877. — Mangelia harrisoni, T. -Woods. P.R.S. Vic, p. 56. 1900. — Raphitoma harrisoni, T. -Woods. Pritchard and Gatliff, id., vol. xii., U.S., for 1899, p. 179. Ohs. — This species has caused much diversity of ojiinion amongst authors as to its generic position. It has been classed in the following genera : — Euryta, Mangelia, Daphnella, Terebra, and Cithara ; but the difficulty has now been over- come by the erection of the genus Parviterebra by Pilsbry in 1904 for the reception of it and other similar shells. Phasianella perdix. Wood. 1828. — Phasianella perdix. Wood. Index Testaccologicus, Suppl., p. 48, pi. 6, f. 46. 1834. — Phasianella ventricosa, Quoy and Gaimard. Astrolabe, Zool., vol. iii., p. 237, pi. 59, f. 8, 9. 1902. — Phasianella ventricosa, Quoy and Gaimard. Pritchard and Gatliff, P.R.S. Vic, vol. xiv., n.s., p. 112. Ohs. — Wood's species appears to have been ignored by most writers, but his figure above cited, although small, depicts our species admirably ; we also have a large series of it from the adjoining States, also Western Australia and Tasmania. Megatebennus javanicensis, Lamarck. 1822. — Fissiirella javanicensis, Lamarck. Anim. S. Vert., vol. vi., part 2, p. 14. 1834. — Fissurella trapezina, Sowerby. P.Z.S. Lond., p. 126. 1841. — Fissurella javaniensis, Lamarck. Delessert, Recueil Coquilles, pi. 24, f. 8 (a) {b) (c). 1903. — Megatebennus trapezina, Sowerby. Pritchard and (iat- Hff, P.R.S. Vic, vol. XV., n.s., p. 182. Obs. — This is our commonest species of the key-hole limjicts. The specimen figured by Delessert appears to be somewhat deformed. Anapella triquetra, Hanlcy. 1843. — Mesodesma triquetra, Hanley. P.Z.S. Lond.. p. loi. Sept.n Gatliff and Gabriel, Virforinn Marine Mollitsca. St, 1914 J ' 1856. — Mesodesnia triquctrum, Hanley. Cat. Rec. Biv. Shells, p. 341, pi. 12, f. 20. 1857. — Anapa triquetra, Hanley. H. and A. Adams, Genera, vol. ii., p. 415, pi. 106, f. 5, 5«. Obs. — This shell has been identified by many Australian writers as a synonym of Crassatella cuneata, Lamarck, a figure of the type of which is given by M. E. Lamy in Bulletin No. 4 of the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, igi2, p. 5 : it is there classed as a Mesodesma, and is altogether different from A. triquetra. It shows a pallial sinus; A. triquetra has none. Hemidonax australiense, Reeve. 1844. — Cardium australiense. Reeve. Conch. Icon., vol. ii., pi. 5, f. 24. 1903. — Donax cardioides, Lamarck. Pritchard and Gatliff (not of Lamarck), P.R.S. Vic, vol. xvi., n.s., p. 119. Obs. — This is a distinct species from H. donaciforme, Schro., of which Donax cardioides. Lam., is considered to be a synonym. We have a typical specimen of the latter species, received from Mr. G. B. Sowerby, London. It has stronger radial sculpture, the umbos are more central, and the colouration is different. We have not found it on our shores, our species being H. australiense, although it is much smaller, and might be con- sidered distinct. Tellina (Arcopagia) victoriae, nom. mut. 1818. — Tellina decussata, Lamarck. Anim. S. Vert., vol. v., p. 352, not of Wood, 1815. 1846. — Tellina decussata, Lamarck (not of Wood). Sowerby, Thes. Conch., vol. i., p. 262, pi. 60 in text, pi. 62 on plate, f. 184. IQ03. — Tellina decussata. Wood. Pritchard and Gatliff (not of Wood), P.R.S. Vic, vol. xvi., n.s., p. 117. Obs. — The shell found on our coast is not the Tellina decussata of Wood, described and figured in his •' General Conchology," p. 190, pi. 43, f. 2 and 3, pubhshed in 1815, but it is Lamarck's species of the same name published in 1818. We therefore re-name it as above. GoMPHiNA UNDULOSA, Lamarck. 1818. — Venus undulosa, Lamarck. Anim. S. Vert., vol. v., p. 606, No. 85. 1903. — Chione undulosa, Lamarck. Pritchard and Gatliff, P.R.S. Vic, vol. xvi., n.s., p. 128. 1909. — Gomphina undulosa, Lamarck. Jukes-Browne, P. Mai. Soc Lond., vol. viii., pp. 233-237 and 244. 84 Gatliff and Gabriel, Victorian Marine Mnllusca [y^^',*; Vict. Nal. XXXI. Lasaea scalaris, Philippi. 1847. — Poronia scalaris, Philippi. Zeit. f. Malak., vol. iv., p. 72. ICS47. — Poronia parreysi, PhilipjM. Id., p. J^. 1847. — Poronia piirpurata, PhilipiM. /tx. C St-^cT-ti C ^>cy<^U C. ^■C^^^-'J***^^ BASALT-LAVA IMPRESSION OF FRUIT OF CASUARINA. Lower Figures — Impressions ol Fruits of living Casuarinas in plasticine. *^'^''' 1 Chapma'! 9 compressed in the middle, not emarginate. Cerci broad, flattened, acuminate, of a rich peacock-green above and on the outer margins ; below brownish ; extreme apices tipped with ochreous, considerably longer than the lamina in o, but of the same length in ?. Sub-genital lamina — S, sub-quadrate posterior margin rounded, styles lateral, long, and incurved ; $, sub-genital valves concolorous. Tibial spines rufous tipped with castaneous, bi-seriately arranged. Tibiae on the inner aspect furnished with a thick fringe of rufo-testaceous hairs. Length. — ^, 22.5 mm. ; ?, 23 mm. Types. — S and 9> National Museum, Melbourne. Habitat. — Mount Erica, Baw Baw, Victoria, Austraha (Mr. E. O. Armytage). Platyzosteria pullata, sp. nov. Allied to P. analis, Sauss., but differing in the abdomen being convex, not depressed, and being narrower in proportion to the thorax than in that species. In P. analis, Sauss., the fourth abdominal tergite is the broadest portion of the insect, and is broader than the metanotum, whilst in this species this relation is reversed. The yellow margins of the coxae are narrower than in P. analis, Sauss. The sub-genital lamina is much more deeply emarginate. Length. — ^, 27 mm. Type of ^ in my collection. Habitat. — -Mount Baw Baw, Victoria, Australia. Platyzosteria brigit.e, sp. nov. Piceous, nitid. Thoracic tergites with some impressed dots, somewhat scabrous laterally, most marked at the posterior angles of the metanotum. Rudiments of the elytra separated from the mesonotum for rather more than one-third of their length on the inner side, sub-acuminate. AntenncC brown, except the basal joints, which are piceous. Abdominal tergites I to 5 scabrous laterally ; 6 and 7 with the posterior two-thirds scabrous. Lateral margins of the 7th abdominal tergite serrate. Supra-anal lamina, cJ and ?, emarginate and denticulate. Cerci longer than the lamina in S, of about the same length in? ; tipped with rufo-fuscous. Legs piceous, extreme margins of the posterior coxse edged with rufo-fuscous. Tarsi with the distal joint and ungues rufo-fuscous. Length. — $, 16 mm. ; $, 19 mm. Types. — S and ? in my collection. Habitat. — Victoria, Australia. This species I found very abundant in the Healesville district. It varies considerably in size, many adult examples being smaller than the types, and a few larger. It is near to P. higluuiis, Sauss., but is consistently piceous, without yellow io6 Shaw, Australian Blattidce. [yj Vict. Nat. XXXI cf)xal borders, and more scabrous. The faint brownish edge of the coxae can only be seen in a good Hght, and is indistinguish- able in many examples. The denticulations of the supra-anal lamina vary in number from 5 to 10 in different specimens. They also usually vary in number on opposite sides of the same specimen. A long series was examined. Platyzosteria castanea, Bruuner. This species, which is common in the Healesville district of Victoria, assumes a characteristic attitude when disturbed, and this attitude is, as far as I know, peculiar to itself. When found on the ground under loose wood or bark the insect runs quickly under leaves or twigs, or other small cover which may be adjacent ; but if the ground is bare of such cover it tilts forward on the vertex, and straddles out the posterior legs, supporting itself in a vertical position on the head and posterior tarsi, and showing the ventral surfaces of the coxae, which are also margined with ochreous. In this position it remains rigid for some time, and does not move if touched by the hand or by a twig. In assuming this attitude it will squirt a foetid fluid at the approaching hand, and this may be felt as a fine spray at a distance of 6 or 7 inches. Cutilia subbifasciata, Tepper. Drymaplaneta subbifasciata, Tepp., Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Aust., xvii., p. 112 (1893). Platyzosteria subbifasciata, Shelf., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1909, p. 286. Mr. Tei)per, as Mr. Shelford points out, founded his genus Drymaplaucta on an immature condition of the sub-genital lamina: and a " cot\^pe " of this species, which the South Australian Museum kindly presented to me recently, is un- doulitcdly an immature. As adult examples in good condition arc now available, it seems advisable to select types of the <^ and 9. This 1 have done, and add a note of differences i)etween the adult insect and Mr. Tepper's description, viz. : — The broad lateral yellow margin, which in the immature extends to the abdominal tergites, is in the adult confined to the thoracic tergites, although in some specimens it may in part persist as a series of spots. Rutliments of elytra present, and entirely separated from the mesonotum, usually piceous, but in some examples with the disc ochreous, or with ochreous spots. Yellow ])order also extending along the posterior border of the mesonotimi, interrupted in the middle. Posterior metatarsus long, biseriately spined beneath, its pulvillus occupying about one-third of the joint. Sub-genital lamina of the 9 of the usual bivalvular Blattine form. Lciwlh.—o, 24 mm. ; v, 27 nun. ^°''^-] Shaw, Australian Blallidce. 103 AUSTRALIAN BLATTIDJi. Part I. — Notes and Preliminary Descriptions of New Species. By Eland Shaw, M.R.C.S. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 12th Oct., 1914.) The National Museum, Melbourne, recently placed in my hands for determination a number of Australian Blattid.e, and amongst them are some new species. In my own collection there are also several species which I consider to be new, and it had been my intention to have included them all in a more extended paper which has been in preparation for some time. Circumstances, however, prevent my going on with this for the moment, and, as it is advisable that the publication of the descriptions of some of the new species should not be delayed, the present paper is written ; and, the work being done hurriedly, I crave indulgence for the many faults which it contains. I wish to express my thanks to my friend Mr. F. P. Spry for kindly reading the proof for me in my absence, and I hope to deal with the rest of the material under considera- tion on my return from Papua. The word "Type" is used to signify only the actual speci- mens from which a description is written, and its use prohibits the use of the word '' cotype " in respect of the same species. By " Cotype " I mean the actual specimens from which a description is written, where more than one specimen has been used to describe from ; and the use of the word " cotype " prohibits the use of the word " type " in respect of the same species. The expression " an immature " applied to Orthoptera I use to signify the insect in any stage after emergence from the egg up to its last moult. Escala circumducta, Walker. Blatta circumducta. Walk., Cat. Blatt. B. M., Suppl., p 142 (1869). hscala circumdttcta, Shell., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1906, p. 239, pi. XV., hg. 4. Lohu'ptera circumcincta, Tepper, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Aust., 1893, P- 37- Mr. Shelford, in Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1906, p. 240, writing of the genus Escala, says : — " I have seen no female examples of the genus " ; and in Faun. Sud-West Austr., Band. II., Lief 9, p. 133 (1909), writing of Loboptera circumcincta, Tepper, and L. diiodecemsignata, Tepper, he says : — " The males of these two species must be extremely rare, as they have never been discovered, though the females are common enough." I04 Shaw, Aitstralian BlattidiP. [voPjcxxi Observation^^ in the field clearly point to tlie fact that L. circiimcincta. Tapper, is the $ of E. circumdiicla, Wlk. Mr. Tepper certainly describes ^ and $ of L. circumcincta, the former of which only, he says, has lobiform elytra, the latter being wholly wingless ; but I am informed by the South Aus- tralian Museum that the $ type of L. circumcincta, Tepp., has the elytra torn off, a fragment being left on one side. Probably Mr. Tepper overlooked this. My field observations are : — From 22nd to 27th March, 1914, I took a cockroach in great abundance near Healesville, under the bark of Eucalyptus viminalis ; J and ? closely associated, and no other cockroach in their company. I also took some S on the wing at night. All the o were E. circumducta, Wlk., all the $ L. circumcincta, Tepp., and no ? was taken with the ootheca attached. On nth April following, Mr. Reginald Kelly and I, collecting from the same trees, found but one ^, whilst the $ were very abundant, many of them carrying oothecae partly extruded. POLYZOSTERIA MAGNA, Sp. nOV. Above dull piceous, smooth, with a faint shagreening towards the margins. Stigmata well marked ; below rufo-stramineous ; ocelliform spots present. AntenncC ochreous. Thoracic tergites above with margins not reflected ; beneath rufo- stramineous, deepening in colour towards the margins, and furnished with numerous small fuscous macula;. Legs rufo- fuscous. Spines of the tibiae bi-seriately arranged. Supra- anal lamina — S quadrate, slightly emarginate, posterior third brownish ; ^ compressed, deeply emarginate. Cerci short, flattened, blunt at the apex, ochreous with brownish margins. Subgenital lamina — ""i- ' '- -7 '"'"• ZM Ulctorian Ddturalist Vol. XXXI.— No. 8. DECEMBEE 10, 1914. No. 372. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, 9th November, 1914. The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the chair, and about 50 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr. P. R. H. St. John, thanking members of the Club for their kindness to him during his indisposition on the occasion of the excursion to Yering Gorge on Cup Day. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Pakenham on Saturday, 17th October, was made by one of the leaders, Mr. F. Wisewould, who stated that an enjoyable day had been spent, and the visitors were greatly impressed with the scenery of the locality. In the absence of the leader, Mr. P. R. H. St. John, Dr. C. S. Sutton made a brief report on the excursion to Yering Gorge on Cup Day. The excursion was largely attended, and those participating spent an enjoyable outing. The locality, by reason of the lateness of the season and the dry weather, proved uninteresting to those botanically inclined. At the instigation of Mr. F. Pitcher, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs. Wisewould and Keble for their kindness in providing vehicles and refreshments for those taking part in the excursion to Pakenham on 17th October. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Miss M. Bryant, 12 Tooronga-road, East Malvern, and Miss Olive Holttum, 225 Glenferrie-road, Malvern, were duly elected as ordinary members of the Club, and Mr. F. Beuhne, Tooborac, as a country member. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. E. E. Pescott drew attention to the presence of Miss F. Sulman, a member of the New South Wales Field Naturalists' Club, and one who had done good work in the botanical world. The president, on behalf of the Club, extended Miss Sulman a hearty welcome to the meeting. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. J. Searle called attention to a rather uncommon fresh- water crab, Hymenosoma lacustris, taken by Mr. F. Dawson, a new member of the Club, who made his first acquaintance with " pond-hunting " at the Club excursion to Alphington in Sep- tember last. The specimens were taken in a pond at Glenferrie I lo Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voi'.'^'xxxi • towards the end of September, and, though diligent search had since been made, no further specimens had been found. He stated that the species had been recorded from Lake Puperta, N.Z., and Norfolk Island, and, as regards Victoria, he had found it in Lake Colac, Mr. J. A. Kershaw had obtained two specimens at Wilson's Promontory, while Dr. Hall informed him that it had been recorded from the Moorabool River. Mr. F. Pitcher, referring to his exhibit of Marchantia poly- morpha, in fruit, collected during the excursion to Yering Gorge on Cup Day, 3rd November, said the specimen was taken from a luxuriant patch, about a square yard in extent, which formed a striking contrast in colour to that of the surrounding vegetation. Dr. C. S. Sutton directed attention to an abnormal growth in a spike of Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, L., the arrangement of the flowers in the upper part of which showed some evidence of fasciation. The plant from which the spike was culled was collected at Ben Cairn some years ago, and, though it has been under cultivation since then, has reproduced, each season, the characteristic feature that had first claimed his attention. PAPER READ. By Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., entitled "A Naturalist in Northern Queensland." The author gave an interesting account of a collecting trip in the tropical scrubs north of Cooktown, and of a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. The paper was illustrated by a fine series of lantern slides. LIST OF EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Pot-grown specimen, Drimys aromatica, F. v. M., Native Pepper-tree, grown by the exhibitor. By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. — Ostracoda from the Yarra fiats near Yering, collected on the Club's excursion to Yering Gorge, 3rd November. By Messrs. J. H. Gathff and J. Stickland. — Specimen of Pteris incisa, Batswing Fern, 7 feet 6 inches in height, from Crowley's Creek, Healesville. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Marchantia polymorpha, collected on Yering Gorge excursion. By Dr. C. S. Sutton. — Flowering spike of Digitalis purpurea, showing evidence of fasciation in the upper portion. By Mr. A. L. Scott. — Blood of the Black Snake, Pseudechis porphyriaceus, under microscope. By Mr. J. Searle.— A freshwater crab, Hymcnosoma lacustris, and specimens of the handsome ostracod, Cypris mytiloides, obtained on the Yering Gorge excursion. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. ^"^•'"1 Excursion to Pakenham. 1 1 1 1914 J EXCURSION TO PAKENHAM. The excursion to Pakenham on Saturday, 17th October, was well attended, fifteen members and friends, including several ladies, meeting the leaders at Pakenham (35 miles) on the arrival of the morning train. The morning was fine and cool, and the drive northwards was very enjoyable. At the Deep Creek, about three miles from the station, Mrs. Wisewould and the Misses Keble and Major provided bush tea before starting on the walk over the hills. During the walk a number of interesting flowering plants were met with, and Mr. F. Pitcher has kindly made a list of those found in flower, which contains the names of about 70 species. Doubtless in an ordinary season the list would have been much longer, but the exceedingly dry spring had greatly reduced the flowering period of a number of species. He mentions as the most noteworthy Olearia {Aster) stellulata, var. lirata, Spiridium parvifolium, PuUencea scahra, P. Gtmnii, Daviesia latifolia, Dillwynia floribunda, and Dumpier a stricta. The orchids, Pterostylis nutans, Prasophyllum patens, Thelymitra longifolia, Caladenia carnea, and C. Patersoni, were also collected. Some seven or eight of the commoner ferns were also seen. The summit of the hills to the east of Upper Pakenham was reached about 2 p.m., when the grand panorama spread out before the party greatly surprised those who had not been in the district before. A halt was here made for lunch, after which one of the leaders gave some account of the geology and physiography of the neighbourhood. Kelly's Hill, as our vantage spot is locally known, is situated in allotment 77, parish of Nar Nar Goon, and may be regarded as the most southern part of the central highlands of Victoria. It is about 790 feet above sea- level, and owes its prominence to a capping of basalt which has filled an old stream valley, now, through the cutting back of flanking streams in the softer Silurian shales and mudstones, many hundreds of feet above them. Looking from the hill across the south-western and south-eastern quadrants, several outstanding physiographical features present themselves. Cappings of basalt on conspicuous elevations at Beaconsfield, Mount Ararat, near the Tarago, and elsewhere preserve the remnants of an old system that drained an area much more extensive than that served by the streams now falling into the same basin. There can be little doubt, from the contours of the area, that this drainage system found an outlet through the western channel of Western Port Bay. That the catch- ment included what is now part of the floor of Port Phillip Bay is evident from the truncated ridges terminating in Mounts Eliza and Martha and Arthur's Seat, here seen from the east. It is not difficult to picture the great early Tertiary valley 112 Excursion to Pakenham. [v^orxxxi that extended as far as the eye can see to the south, to the east where it is now flanked by the Jurassic highlands, and to the west beyond the granodiorite hills on the east side of Port Phillip Bay. The north-west quadrant terminates with the Mount Dandenong dacite area, and the north-east with Mounts Arnold, Donna Buang, and Lookout, over 40 miles away. The Beenak Gap is represented by a great notch in the otherwise fairly regular skyline. The near distance is characterized by basalt-capped hills, under which occur similar high-level river gravels to that at Kelly's Hill. A good example of the resistance to erosion by the altered sediments along the Silurian-granodiorite contact was pointed out, as well as the soil derived and transported from the several geo- logical formations and their incidental flora. Later in the day, Prof. D. Hutchens, late Professor of Forestry at the Cape Town (South Africa) College of Forestry, became an interested member of the party. Several wishing to catch the early train to town, there was not time to visit the heathy country further east, where a large variety of native flowers may usually be found. — F. WisEwouLD, K. A. Keble. Magpie, &c. — During a recent visit to Bacchus Marsh I observed a young White-backed Magpie perched on one of the topmost limbs of a fallen grey box. The view from the bird's station was an extensive one, and no doubt Mag would have found it interesting but for the persistent attacks of a pair of Sordid Wood-Swallows and a pair of Black-and- White Fantails. The former contented themselves bj^ diving from the branches of the adjacent trees at the object of their wrath, whose equil- ibrium on the limb they repeatedly upset. The fantails, on the other hand, perched in turn on the back of the magpie, and by the vigorous use of bill and \vings endeavoured to induce it to take flight. Mag, with a "Here I am and here I stop " sort of demeanour, took the buffeting in good part, till my near approach necessitated a compulsory retirement from the scene of hostilities. During its protracted flight the magpie was vigorously assailed by one fantail and by the pair of wood- swallows. Whilst the encounter on the limb was in progress a pair of Blue Wrens were perched within a few feet of the mag- pie, but did not attempt to molest it. On the same day I noted a Yellow-tipped Pardalote enter the nest of a Fairy Martin that had been constructed beneath a flume on the irrigation channel. 1 he bird did not stay long in the nest, and on issuing perched on the wire of an adjacent fence. Lack of time pre- vented me from keeping the bird under observation in order to determine the object of its visit. — J. G. O'Donoghue. Dec.,"! K'BRSH AW, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 113 A NATURALIST IN NORTHERN QUEENSLAND. By J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., Curator of the National Museum, Melbourne. [Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, gth Nov., 191 4.) In October of last year Dr. W. Macgillivray, of Broken Hill, and his son Ian proposed to undertake an extended collecting trip to the Claudie River district, in the northern portion of Cape York Peninsula, North Queensland, and kindly invited me to join them. This, with the consent of the Trustees of the Museum, I was only too pleased to do. It was arranged that we should proceed by rail to Brisbane, thence by boat as far north as the Claremont Island lightship, situated about midway between Cape Melville and Cape Grenville. Here we would transfer into a lugger owned by a heche-de-nier trader (Mr. H. Giblett) and go on to Lloyd Island, in the bay of that name just north of Cape Direction and close to the mainland. At Lloyd Island we expected to meet our friend Mr. W.M'Lennan, an enthusiastic ornithologist, and would then leave for the Claudie River, which empties itself into Lloyd Bay some miles to the south of the island. Leaving Melbourne on the evening of the 24th October, we travelled direct to Brisbane, which we reached late in the evening of the 26th. The next three days were busily occupied in purchasing and packing the greater part of the collecting material, stores, &c., required for our lengthened visit, and on the evening of the 29th we left Brisbane on our journey north. We were favoured with exceptionally fine weather and a perfectly calm sea, and, although the heat gradually became more and more intense, it did not in any way interfere with the enjoyment of the trip. On the second day we found ourselves inside the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, and from now on were continually passing the numerous islands, large and small, scattered over the sea between the Barrier and the mainland. Many are high and rugged, rising steeply from the water, others rounded and covered with vegetation, or mere sand-banks. Very few birds were noticed about the islands, but several butterflies were seen flying past the ship. In places the suiface of the sea was covered for many miles with a greenish, slimy-looking substance, which gave the water an oily appearance. Numbers of porpoises were seen, while the sea was teeming with enormous shoals of large silvery fishes said to be " Kingfish." On either side of the boat these could be seen swimming close to the surface, and frequently springing high out of the water as they were pur- sued by the porpoises, while at a distance the shoals were indicated by the broken surface of the smooth sea. Occasion. 1 14 Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland, [vor'xxxi all}' a great black mass was seen on the water, which proved to be a Killer Whale, or " Black-tish," Orca gladiator, one of the large-toothed whales, which frequently attains a length of over 30 feet. About 5 o'clock on the 31st we passed through Whitsunday Passage, which is regarded as one of the most picturesque portions of the scenery along the coast. The numerous thickly- timbered islands make a beautifid picture in the soft evening light. Between tliis group of islands and the Barrier Reef is a labyrinth of coral reefs and shoals, covered at high water, but showing an endless variety of marine life when exposed. Pentecost or Lion Island, so called from its remarkable resem- blance to a crouching lion with its head raised, is one of the chief features here. On Dent Island is erected a lighthouse, prettily situated, and surrounded by a number of large cocoa- nut palms. Townsville was reached early in the morning of the ist November, and, having some hours available, we visited the Botanic Gardens, this being thought the nearest available collecting-ground. Here we spent some time collecting several species of butterflies, among which were Hypolimnas (Diadema) nerina, Papilio cegetis, P. sarpedon, Danaida affinis, CaUidryas pomona, Euploea Sylvester, Eurycus cressida, and the skippers Telicota kre-ffti and Padraona siinias. The gardens contained several very fine mango trees, among the branches of which many birds sheltered. These included Blue Mountain and Scaly-breasted Parrots, Orioles, Fig-birds, Dollar-birds, Drongos, Mud-Larks, and the Yellow-spotted Honey-eater, Ptilotis notaia. Flying Foxes were said to be very destructive to the mangoes, quantities of the fruit strewn under the trees showing the result of their visit of the previous night. Before leaving Townsville we visited the Tropical Diseases Institute, and were courteously shown over the building by Dr. Brcnil. We left Townsville about 4 o'clock, and three hours later passed the Palm Islands, a group of some half-dozen granite islets, from 10 to 20 miles off the mainland. These are fringed with beautiful coral reefs, exposed at low tide. On the way several Great Crested Terns and a number of Lesser Crested Terns were seen, the latter repeatecfly diving into the sea among the shoals of fishes. Our first sight of the Torres Strait or Nutmeg Pigeons, Myristicivora spilorrhoa, was obtained when near Low Woody Island early the following morning. These were flying towards the mainland from the island, where they camp, and probably nest. Brown-winged Terns, Sterna ancBstheta, were frequently noticed diving into shoals of fish. Skimming along the surface of the water was seen a fish locally known as the " Skipper." Dec.n Kershaw, /i Naturalist in IS! orthern Queensland. us 1Q14J ' ^ -" It is long and narrow, apparently about 15 to 18 inches in length, and has ^ habit of swiftly skimming along the surface for a distance of about 20 or 30 yards in an almost vertical position, only its tail touching the water. I saw several of these fish acting in a similar manner during my trip, but was unable to obtain one for closer examination. All the morning we were passing close to the mainland, which is here margined with high, rugged, thickly- timbered hills, rising steeply from the water's edge, with here and there a short, narrow, sandy beach. A good view of Mount Peter Botte was obtained, and shortly after we reached Cooktown, our last touch with civilization for some time. The few hours at our disposal were spent in some open forest about a mile from the town, where we obtained a number of butterflies, among them being the large Troides pronomus, Danaida affinis, D. archipptts, Melanitis bankia, Junonia alhicincta, Euploea Sylvester, Hypolimnas (Diadema) nerina, Papilio cegeus, &c. Callidryas pomona were flying commonly about the streets. Cicadas were very numerous, and filled the air with their shrill song. There seemed to be but one species — M acrotristria intersecta. Insects generally, however, were scarce, and, beyond the butterflies mentioned, little else was seen, probably owing to the exceedingly dry state of the country. The shore of the harbour is margined with mangrove, among the roots of which the fish known as the " Mud Skipper," Periophthalmtts, could be seen skipping rapidly over the muddy surface. Among birds we saw several Whistling-Eagles, Yellow Orioles, 0. flavicinctus. Fig-birds, Sphecotheres flaviventris, Quoy's Butcher-bird, Cracticus qiioyi. Friar-bird, Philemon sordidus. Yellow-spotted Honey-eater, Ptilotis notata, Bichenov's Finch, Sun-birds, and Leach's Kingfisher, Dacelo leachi. One of the latter was seen to enter the spout of a gum-tree from which Dr. Macgillivray obtained two eggs on a previous visit. Our boat was timed to leave at 8 o'clock the same evening, but, owing to the tide failing to rise sufficiently high, we were compelled to remain until nearly 10 o'clock the following morning. From Cape Bedford, immediately north of Cook- town, there is a long stretch of rather low, barren, sand-hill country, more or less covered with low scrub, behind which, in the far distance, is a range of high hills. The sand-hills along the shore are deeply furrowed and cut into by wind action, and in places seem to rise abruptly from the shore. This long stretch of barren country suggests a natural barrier to the fauna inhabiting the dense forest and scrubs to the north and south. Proceeding north, still within the Barrier, numbers of small, low-lying islands were passed, around which, at low ii6 Kbrsh AW, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland, [voi.'^'xxxi. tide, extensive coral reefs are exposed to view, and it was here that Saville Kent obtained many beautiful d^camples of corals, together with some excellent photographs. Passing the bold headland of Cape Flattery, Lizard Island (where, many years ago, Mrs. Watson was attacked by the blacks, and, after much suffering and privation, perished with 'her child) stood out clearly on our right. Here Captain Cook landed and dis- covered the passage through the Barrier Reef known as Cook's Passage. A Httle further north were seen the Howick Group, situated about 20 miles south of Cape Melville, beyond which the line of the great reef could be seen. Numbers of birds were flying about these islands, chiefly Noddies, Anous stolidus. Lesser-crested Terns, Sterna media, and Brown-winged Terns, Sterna ancestheta, which were repeatedly diving among the shoals of fish. Darkness came on before we reached the Pigeon Island hghthouse, a mile or so off Cape Melville, and, crossing Bathurst Bay, we passed close to the Flinders Group, high rocky islands clothed with tall trees, palms, and shrubs. Crossing Princess Charlotte Bay, our course was directed for the Claremont lightship, stationed among the group of small islands of that name, rather less than 10 miles off the main- land, and about half-way between Cape Melville and Cape Grenville. We reached the lightship about i o'clock a.m., and were pleased and also relieved to find our lugger, the Keats, awaiting us, with Mr. Giblett in charge. The stores for the lightship w^ere soon transferred, after which our own more bulky belongings were stored away in the lugger. Bidding good-bye to the captain and pilot and a few friends who had turned out to see us off, we left the Suva at 2 o'clock a.m. and started on our twenty-four hours' sail to Lloyd Island, some 80 miles north, and about midway between Cape Direction and Cape Weymouth. We soon found a great difference between steaming along in a large steamer with a roomy deck cabin and comfortable surroundings and sailing in a 30-ton heche-de-mer lugger. Here we were restricted to a portion of the narrow deck where we slept, ate our meals, and passed our time generally. There was certainly a small cabin below the deck, but we infinitely preferred the scorching sun by day and the hard boards of the deck by night to the smell of stale smoked beche-de-mer, burning mangrove logs, niggers, cockroaches, &c. We stretched ourselves on the hatchway and managed to secure a couple of hours' sleep before the sun became too hot. Our crew consisted of half a dozen blacks, quiet and retiring but very willing fellows, who thoroughly understood the management of the boat. One of these, a rather good-looking boy named " Cocoanut," boiled our billy and prepared our ^gf J Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 117 rough and ready meals. Following along the coast until mid- day, we anchored of! the shore for the purpose of landing some stores on the beach for some blacks employed by Giblett to gather sandalwood in the back country. We spent an hour or so on the broad sandy beach, but, beyond numbers of the small, coiled, chambered shells of the well-known cephalopod, Spirula peronii, and some broken nautilus shells, there was little of interest to be found. The country was flat and marshy, and covered with dense mangroves, among the branches of which were suspended dozens of nests, large and small, of the green ant, (Ecophylla smaragdina. The ants themselves were everywhere — on leaves and trunks, logs, and on the ground. One could not rest in peace, and more than once we had to hurriedly discard portions of our clothing to rid our- selves of them. Among the mangroves we saw Leach's King- fisher, the Sun-bird, and a Robin which we could not identify. In some shallow brackish water among the trees were numbers of fish, including very large examples of the Barramundi, while the small mud-skipper, Periophthalmus, were darting about among the mangrove roots. Here, also, I saw our first specimens of the beautiful mangrove blue butterfly, Arhopala amytis, but, as our collecting material was packed away on the boat, we had to content ourselves with admiring them at a distance. The day was intensely hot, especially so in the mangrove swamp, and we were glad when we resumed our voyage. As evening came on hundreds of the White Torres Strait Pigeons were seen fljnng from the mainland in small groups towards the various small islands, where they camp and breed. Lloyd Island was reached a little after midnight, where we were welcomed by Mr. W. M'Lennan, who had come across from the mainland to meet us, and it was not long before we were enjoying a few hours' sleep on the open beach. Soon after daylight we started off to explore the island. Lloyd Island is about a mile long and half a mile wide, situated about a mile from- the mainland, from which it is separated by very shallow water. The sheltered side is bordered with a thick, dense - belt of mangrove, Rhizophora mucronata, growing luxuriantly in the shallow water, behind which the island rises steeply to a height of 200 feet. Parts of the hills are well timbered, the remainder being bare, but fairly well grassed. On the exposed ocean sides the shores are very rocky and broken, the only small sandy beach on the eastern side being thickly strewn with pumice, broken shells, and coral. Like several of the other islands visited later, the rocks along the shore are thickly covered with very fine oysters, Ostrea nigro- marginata, to which we did ample justice. About the centre ii8 Kersha-W, A Naturalist in Northern Queenslaftd. \yo\^^xi of the island, opposite the mainland, is a short beach of pure white sand, on which, in a well-sheltered position, is Mr. Giblett's home. This consists of a two-roomed galvanized building, behind which, at some little distance, are the numerous mia-mias of the blacks employed on the beche-de-mer boats. These mia-mias are the usual low, dome-shaped structures, consisting of a framework of long twigs stuck into the ground, the tops bent over and tied together, and the whole covered with broad sheets of paper-bark. Many, however, consist simply of a rough lean-to, with two or three sheets of paper- bark, in the shelter of which lounge the gins and their picca- ninnies. The mangrove forms the roosting-place of countless numbers of the Nutmeg or Torres Strait Pigeons, Blue Mountain Parrots, and the Shining Starling, which depart for their feeding grounds on the mainland in the early dawn, returning again late in the evening to roost. The cooing of the pigeons is heard on every side, making a continuous and very montonous murmur, which continues all day long and far into the night. As the birds arrive in the evening or depart in the early morning in an incessant stream, this noise is increased until the whole air is filled with it, and when combined with the shrill screeching of the mja-iads of Blue Mountain Parrots and the loud and sharp chirps of the Starhngs which pour into the mangrove in incredible swarms, it is indescribable. Dr. Macgillivray's description is worth quoting. He says : — " This large stream of screeching and cooing creatures continues to pour into the mangrove patch until it can hold no more, and the noise is almost deafening. The overflow occupies the trees on the side of the island, until not every tree, but every limb, has its quota of either pigeons or lorikeets, the pigeons making the dark mass of the mangroves to appear as if covered with great white blossoms. The lorikeets take longer to settle, rising ■ again and again in vast flocks, whirling and screeching over the trees ; but when they are all settled their \'oices are the first to quieten, the cooing of the pigeons lasting about an hour longer. Then, with darkness, all is quiet till the moon rises, when a few pigeons can be heard until dawn. ... At earliest dawn, when the mangrove belt is still a dark mass, the lorikeets bestir themselves and begin their screeching again. With a very little more light they are all astir, and, rising in a dense, wheeling, whirling, and screaming host, soon head off to the mainland. As the last lorikeets are leaving, the advance guard of the pigeons begins to move off in small flocks — threes, pairs, or singly at first, and then in larger numbers." The pigeons nest here in the mangrove, their shallow nests of small sticks and twigs, containing a single Dec.,"! Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 119 white egg, occupying almost every tree. Later on, when the young are able to fly, they leave for the far north, but during their long stay a great many are shot for food, without any apparent diminution in their numbers. Among other birds noticed during this visit were the Varied Honey-eater, Ptilotis versicolor, which were plentiful among the mangrove, where they breed, the Mangrove Kingfisher, Barred-shouldered Dove, White-rumped Wood-Swallow, and Sun-birds, the latter being observed gatheiing kapok, the seed-pods of which were scattered about, with which to line their nests. A Black- cheeked Falcon was seen flying overhead, while on the beach were seen the Little Mangrove Bittern, Btitorides stagnatilis, and the Reef Heron, Demiegretta sacra. Getting our stores and baggage together, we left the island during the morning in a small cutter manned by a couple of natives, and steered for the Claudie River, some distance down the coast. This is a fair-sized stream, about three chains wide at its mouth, and is affected by the tide for some 10 miles inland. Our permanent camp was situated about 8 miles from the entrance, and, as the tide was flowing in, we were able to sail up stream for some 5 or 6 miles, after which we landed and walked the last few miles, leaving the natives to bring up our most necessary baggage in the dingey. For the first two or three miles the view from the river is rather monotonous, the muddy banks being chiefly lined with two or three species of mangrove, the fruit of one of which some- what resembles an enormous orange. The country here is flat and swampy, and subject to inundation at high water. Further on, however, the river scenery becomes more and more beautiful, the banks being lined in places with great palms growing in the mud at the water's edge, their enormous fronds, growing from a small root, being from 40 to 50 feet long. Another smaller palm, with a long, slender trunk, resembled the Cabbage-tree Palm. Great, spreading, large-leaved trees drooped over the banks until their branches dipped into the water, while creepers and vines of various kinds hung in great festoons from the tree-tops. Suspended from the shrubs overhanging the water were seen many of the ragged, bulky nests of Gerygone Icevigaster, about a couple of feet long, resembling flood debris. The nest proper is towards the bottom, and the small entrance at the side. A sohtary Jabiru was seen soaring gracefully overhead, its long legs stretched out behind and its white flight-feathers showing conspicuously. A White-headed Fish-Eagle, Haliastur indus, was noticed perched on a high tree near by, while several Yellow-legged Spoonbills, Kingfishers, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, and Rifle-birds were either seen or heard. We reached our I20 Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. [voL xxxi. camp just before dark, where we found Mr. Alf. Mohr, a friend of Mr. M'Lennan's, expecting us, and, as we had fasted since early morning, we were soon enjoying a hearty meal. The next morning, the remainder of our baggage having been brought up the river from the cutter, we soon had our ad- ditional tents erected, and everything put in order for our lengthened stay. We had now an opportunity to examine our surroundings. Our camp was pitched on a .low hill adjacent to and overlooking the river. The surrounding country consisted of open forest, with numerous small hills, extensive open, grassy fiats, and great tea-tree swamps. Bordering the river and the numerous gullies and streams running into it are extensive tropical scrubs, extending for many miles in all directions. These consist of dense masses of vegetation and enormous trees, so intermixed with lawyer and other vines and creepers as to make it very difficult to travel through them. The open flats are covered with a thick growth of coarse grass, often up to four feet high, among which are scattered groups of Screw Palms, Pandamts, and in many places termites' mounds. Our camp consisted of a large tent, 10 feet by 14 feet, two smaller ones (one of which was used for storing some of our collecting material), and a large rooniy fly, raised well off the ground and open at either end, in which our mosquito-proof camp beds were placed. Close by was erected a good-sized dining and cooking place, which consisted simply of a roof of saplings thickly covered with great palm leaves gathered on the river, with fixed table and seats, making a cool and very comfortable shelter. Here we had our meals, and at the end of each day's work wrote up our notes and sorted and attended to our specimens, surrounded with several smoke fires to keep off the mosquitos. As the river was subject to tidal influence for some distance above our camp, it was necessary to obtain our fresh water about two miles 'further up stream. We had as a camp pet a very young Cassowary, nicknamed " Casey," which Mr. M'Lennan found just recently hatched from the egg, and which was reared for some time on bread, meat, and native fruits. It became exceeding tame and playful, and we often had much difficulty in preventing it from following us on our excursions. After rearing it for five or six weeks, however, it was, much to our sorrow, accidentally killed. The practical work of our Uip now began. Mr. Mohr, who had accompanied Mr. M'Lennan from the north with the object of prospecting the country, undertook the management of the camp, so that we were able to devote the whole of our time to collecting and exploring the country and attending to our specimens. Every hour of the day was fully occupied. We '^^^•'l Kershaw,^ Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 121 rose at dawn and went to the river for a bathe, had breakfast, then away exploring the scrubs on either side of the river, or the more open forest. As often as not we did not return until dusk, and, after another bathe, donned our pyjamas, had tea, and settled down to attend to our specimens and write up our notes, which, as a rule, kept us occupied until about midnight. The river was infested with crocodiles, rendering it dangerous to enter the water, though on more than one occasion we were compelled to take the risk. Their tracks were frequently seen along the banks, and their loud barking cries often heard at night. Numbers of birds frequented the vicinity of our camp, many of which I now saw for the first time in their wild state. Among these were Friar-birds, Orioles, Leach's Kingfisher, Drongo Shrikes, Quoy's Butcher-bird, several species of Honey- eaters, and the Striated Pardalote. The Great Palm Cockatoo, which nests in the hollows of the larger tuees of the open forest, and the Sulphr-crested Cockatoo were generally about the river, while every morning great flocks of the Torres Strait or Nutmeg Pigeons, Blue Mountain Parrots, and Glossy Starlings arrived from the islands, and departed again in the evening. The Pheasant Coucal, one of the largest of our cuckoos, and the only Australian cuckoo which builds its own nest and rears its young, could be seen and heard every day, while in a large eucalypt close by our camp a Podargus, P. marmoratus, had its nest and young. Flying foxes, Pteropus sp., could be heard squealing at night, or flying low down over our tents. Along the margin of the scrub, and in the adjacent open country, insects of various kinds were obtained. Until the rainy season started, however, these were not plentiful, but after the first rains had set in they became more numerous, although insects generally were not nearly so plentiful as I expected to find them. The commonest of the butterflies taken here were Terias sulphurata, Yphthima arctous, Mycalesis sirius, Hypo- cysta adiante, and Papilio fuscus capaneus. The great bird- winged butterfly, Troides pronomus, the female of which measures up to 7 inches across the wings, was often seen on the edge of the scrub, but usually flew high about the tops of the trees. The most gorgeously coloured of all, however, was the brilliantly blue Papilio joesa, the first specimens seen creating great excitement as they flew along the river just over our heads. These seem to prefer the open space along the river to the more open country. My first visits into the dense scrubs will be long remembered. Forcing our way through the tangled undergrowth skirting the edge, we pass out of the fierce, hot glare of the sun into the cool and rather gloomy recesses of the scrub. The closely- 122 Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland, [v^i'^xxxi growing trees tower up above us, and, with the various creepers and vines, form a canopy through which the sun only pene- trates here and there. The rather uncanny stillness is intensified by the thick carpeting of leaves and decaying vegetation which silences our footsteps, and is only broken by the occasional calls of the birds overhead, or the monotonous, shrill song of the cicada. Broad gutters, which drain the scrub in the wet season, but are now dry and covered with decaying leaves, &c., wind about through the trees, eventually finding their way to the river. Great lawyer vines, armed with their strong, curved thorns, hang in wonderful festoons from the trees, and, with various other vines, continually -bar our way. One of our greatest troubles for the first few days, however, was the green ants. These creatures are to be found on almost every tree, shrub, palm, log, or piece of grass, as well as on the ground, both in and out of the scrub. Their nests are formed of leaves, the edges of which ar^ drawn together and fastened with silk, and one has only to brush against one of these to be im- mediately covered with dozens of the ants. Time after time we had to hurriedly drop everything and strip off our coats and hats and help one another to get rid of them. Their bite, however, is not severe, and does not last long, so that after a time we did not worry about them. Experience also taught us to keep a keen look-out for these and other pests, and so evade them to some extent. A small black ant, which forms its nests on the leaves of a palm, was much more annoying, as, although not so numerous, its sting was very severe and lasting. Another insect to be avoided is a small wasp, Polistes sp., which attaches its small papery comb to the under side of the palm fronds, or a small branch, always low enough for one to brush against. The Scrub-Fowl, Megapodius tumulus, is common here, and their enormous conical mounds of earth, leaves, and sticks are frequently met with. One of the largest of these was fully 15 feet high and 25 to 30 feet in diameter at the base. The Bi"ush-Turkey, Talegallus purpureicollis, also frequents the scrubs. Its nesting-mound is, however, much smaller than that of the Scrub-Fowl. The beautiful Rifle-bird, Ptilorhis alherti, was frequently seen fl3nng rapidly through the scrub, and its loud call could be readily distinguished. Several nests were found, some of which contained two beauti- fully-streaked eggs. The nest is an open, loosely-built structure, composed of the broad leaves of a tree common to these scrubs, and lined with long, slender leaf midribs. They were found in slender shrubs or among the lawyer vines, usually from 8 to 10 feet from the ground. One of the most interesting birds was the large Red-sided Parrot, Eclectus ^"^•'1 Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 12^ ■pectoralis macgillivrayi, a new sub-species, only recently recorded from Australia by Dr. Macgillivray. It seems to be very local, as, although fairly plentiful here, it has not been found elsewhere on the mainland. It nests in a hole in the limb of a very large fig-tree, frequently in company with the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Grey Goshawk, and colonies of Glossy Starlings. To reach the nests it was necessary to use a long rope-ladder, as the lowest limb was usually from 60 to 70 feet from the ground, and the nest considerably higher. Mr. M'Lennan undertook the rather dangerous work of climbing these trees, frequently adopting the method followed by some of the blacks of chopping steps in the smooth trunk about three feet apart, and only sufficiently large to provide a hold for his big toe. Several nests were investigated in this way. The Glossy Starlings are gregarious, breeding in large companies, their large, bulky nests of tendrils and fine fibres hanging close together from the ends of the boughs. These birds are exceedingly noisy, and their cries when disturbed almost deafening, so that one can always tell when approaching their nesting-places. Under their nesting-trees the ground is usually littered with seeds of various kinds. The Grey Goshawk is said to select a tree for its nest occupied by the Starlings, so that it has a ready supply of young chicks for its young. The small, frail, cup-shaped nest of the Frill-necked Flycatcher, Arses lorealis, was found attached to long, thin vines suspended from a high tree. It was composed of fine fibres and rootlets, ornamented with pieces of lichen and spiders' web, and con- tained two eggs. The bird remained on her nest, which was about 20 feet from the ground, until it was almost touched. Other rare nests found in the scrub were those of the White- faced Robin, Pcecilodryas albifascies, built in a small sapling about five feet from the ground, and composed of leaves with pieces of bark attached to the outside, lined with fine fibres, and contained two eggs ; the Scrub-Robin, Drymodes brunneo- pygius, a cup-shaped, compactly built nest lined with fine fibres, the base formed of small sticks, containing two eggs ; and the White-browed Robin, Pcecilodryas siiperciliosa, a frail, shallow structure of small twigs and rootlets suspended in some leafless creepers about five feet from the ground, and containing two eggs. Among the trees, and especially in any small open space, flitted butterflies of several kinds. The most common was the small black and white Tellervo zoilus, Melanitis hankia, and Doleschallia australis, the two latter of which closely resemble the dead leaves on the ground, among which they always settle. Two new species, Hypocysta angustata. and Pepli- ophorus Claudia, were found here, as well as several examples of Delias cestiva and the rare Terias virgo, but probably the 124 Kkrshav/, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. [v!^,'i*^'xxxi. most exciting capture was the beautiful orange butterfly, Delias inferna, not previously found south of Cape York. Beetles were scarce, although no opportunity was lost of searching under the rapidly-decaying logs and other likely places. Several species of large land-shells were, however, obtained, especially after the rainy season commenced, while along the banks of the shallow water-courses were often seen heaps of a large bivalve, indicating a recent feast by the blacks. Collecting in the scrub had to be relinquished in time to reach camp at sunset, as it was impossible to travel in such country after dark. (To be continued.) OsTRACODA. — Several interesting species of Ostracoda, collected near Yering, were exhibited by Mr. J. Searle at the November meeting of the Club. These little bivalved Crustacea are very interesting to the student of minute animal life. Their distribution in Victoria is as yet only slightly known, and when this group is fully worked out it will show that we possess a very rich ostracodal fauna. At present we owe our knowledge of the Victorian species of ostracoda to the work of the Rev. R. L. King, Dr. G. S. Brady, and Dr. G. 0. Sars. These workers, however, examined material which came from other parts of AustraUa. The commonest form represented in the present gathering is Cypris mytiloides, G. S. Brady, a widely distributed species, and also a very variable one. It differs from other known species of the genus in its peculiar caudate extremity, in which it seems to resemble Macrocrypus. Dr. G. S. Brady, however, is convinced of its relationship to the genus Cypris, as seen in the structure of the animal. Another common species found in this sample is the cheerful little Cypridopsis minna, King, sp., which, in its rather vivid green carapace with lighter bands of variegation, is seen spinning and paddling at a great rate through the water. A larger species of ostracod is also present in some numbers, probably allied to Cypridopsis, and apparently new, but may, perhaps, be eventually identified with King's " Cypris " carinata, although his figures and description, being not too satisfactory, will render the comparison rather difficult. A fourth species occurring here is a form of Notodromas. It agrees somewhat closely with Brady's N. fuscatus, from the Tweed River, New South Wales. N. fuscatus is of a brownish colour, whilst ours is green, but what is a more important difference is that the carapace in our form is more angulate, seen from the side, than in N. fuscatus. In the latter respect it shows some affinity with N. fenestratus, of King. — F. Chapman. tbe Utctorian naturdllsi Vol. XXXI.— No. 9. JANUARY 7, 1915. No. 373. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting' of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, 14th December, 1914. The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the chair, and about 30 members were present, the night being very wet. REPORTS. A report of the Belgrave-Narre Warren excursion on Saturday, 21st November, was made by the leader, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who stated that eight members and visitors attended. The main object of the excursion was to visit a large granite rocking stone, situated about midway between Belgrave and Narre Warren. The stone, which was estimated to weigh about eight tons, could be rocked with very slight exertion. Measurements and photographs of this unique natural object were taken. A special feature of the trip was the abundance of the Pale Wedge-Pea, Gompho- lobium Huegelii, Benth., in bloom along the route. A report of the excursion to Beaumaris, on Saturday, I2th December, was made by Mr. J. Stickland, who intimated that, owing to the dry season, no ponds were avail- able for the members of the party, twelve in number. The seaside was accordingly sought, where the party divided, some electing to confine their investigations to the shore-line, whilst others ventured on the water. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. E. W. Mylrea, 141 Cotham- road, Kew, and Mr. C. L. Plumridge, Brougham-street, Kew, were duly elected as ordinary members of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. O. Rosenhain said that, in company with Mr. A. W. Milligan and Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue, he had visited Mourn Pool in September last. The lake was one of several large areas of water situated on the flood plain of the Murray, about eight miles north of Hattah, on the Mildura line, and was the resort of numerous species of native birds and animals. The Acting Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game, Mr. F. Lewis, proposed to have this lake, and the neighbouring lakes and " billabongs," proclaimed as a sanctuary for native game. As he apprehended a deal of 126 Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings. [vou'xxx'i. opposition, the Club, by advocating the reservation, would materially strengthen his case. He would therefore move — " That the Fisheries and Game Department be written to and asked to proclaim that part of the country a sanctuary for native game." In seconding the resolution, Mr. O'Donoghue said the Chief Inspector of Fisheries and (iame was aware of, and had repeatedly tried to prevent, punt-gun shooting on Mourn Pool. He had been informed that, after a single discharge of the gun used by one individual, as many as 72 pairs of ducks *had been picked up. Some idea of the number of water- fowl congregated in the locality might be realized when, in one small area of water, it was' estimated that there were at least three thousand black duck and teal, besides other aquatic birds. The motion, on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. G. A. Keartland drew attention to his exhibit of a caged Blood-stained Cockatoo, Cacatua sanguinea, Gld., from Broken Hill. When he purchased the bird, which was now 15 years old, it was quite young, and the naked skin round the eyes was white. Since then the skin has changed to a blue colour, which is the chief characteristic feature that differentiates C. gymnopis from C. sanguinea. If both species were good ones, to which did the bird ex- hibited belong? Dr. T. S. Hall, in referring to his exhibit of a tibia of the Great Red Kangaroo, Macropus rufus. said the specimen was 22f inches long, and that there was a specimen in the National Museum about half an inch shorter. These, he con- sidered, mu.st almost be record lengths. The specimen under notice in all probability came from Western Australia. Mr. A. L. Scott handed in a note referring to his exhibit of iron and lime concretions, collected during the excursion to Beaumaris on Saturday, T2th December, stating that the formation of these concretions is not altogether understood. In a genera] way it is known that water percolating through soil and surface rock is practically always a carrier of organic acids. These acids may attack both the iron and lime con- tents of the rock. Changes in temperature, pressure, and contents of the water act and react on each other. Thus we find minerals being dissolved out in one place only to be carried away for re-deposition in another, usually in a dif- ferent form. The lime in the shells lliroughout the Beau- maris cliflfs has been, and is still being, dissolved out, only to be re-deposited as nodules, which in turn are waslied out J^"' 1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 127 of the cliffs to become shore shingle. The iron distributed throughout the cliffs is by a similar process being dissolved and re-deposited. But in this instance the concretions are characterized by a great diversity of shape. PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr. G. A. Keartland, entitled " On the Blood-stained Cockatoo, Cacatua sanguinea, GId." The author said the object of his paper was to protest against the undue multiplication of species by present-day ornithologists on insufficient data and study of the bird dealt with. Cacatua sanguinea had been named and described by Gould. In a flock of these birds individuals were to be found having the naked skin round the eye of a white colour and others having it of a blue tint. On this variation alone a new species, Cacatua gymnopis, had been founded. The bird he exhibited when young had the skin round the eyes of a white colour, but now, when fifteen years old, the skin, as all could see, was blue He would like to be informed whether the bird was the Blood-stained or the Bare-eyed Cockatoo. So far as he was concerned, C. sanguinea and C. gymnopis were one and the same bird. 'Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., said the club was in- debted to Mr. Keartland for bringing the matter before the meeting. Mr. Keartland had the widest field knowledge of any ornithologist in Australia, and he was in accord with the opinion he had expressed. The president said the matter was settled some time ago by Mr. A. J. North, C.M.Z.S., who gave as his opinion that Cacatua gymnopis is undoubtedly Cacatua sanguinea. 2. By Mr. E. H. Lees, C.E.. F.R.A.S., entitled " What is Nardoo?" In a very interesting paper, the author adduced reasons for concluding that the name " Nardoo," commonly applied to Marsilca quadrifolia, L., a plant widely known by repute by reason of its association with the ill-fated explorers, Burke and Wills, is not the name of a plant, but refers to a food made by the Australian aborigines from seeds of several plants. Mr. G. A. Keartland said that during his exploring trips in North- West Australia he often saw the aborigines cook- ing many kinds of seeds, but he had never noticed them pre- paring any seeds of the plant we know as " Nardoo." In reply to Dr. Hall's inquiry if any swampy ground existed in the neighbourhood of the spots at which he had seen the natives preparing food, Mr. Keartland answered in the affirmative. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard considered the author's conclusions reasonable, and that the name " Nardoo " was applied by the natives to a food and not to the plant Marsilea quadrifolia. 128 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedi}ig system gave rise to the ' flat-land,' a true paradise for the ' jiond-lifer.' Striking the river valley, we met the head of the Gorge, which here is one-sided, or bounded on the. north- west by elevated river-cliffs and on the south-east or le'ft bank by the flat-land. Proceeding down the river, the cliffs on the opposite or Christmas Hills side became at times precipitous, and often of great elevation, probably as much as 250 feet above the river. This part of the Yarra has been namdd the Yering Gorge by Mr. J. T. Jutson, and those interested in the physiography of these parts would do well to consult his description of it in the Proc. Roy. Society Vict. (vol. xxiii., n.s., part 2, 191 1, p. 484 et seq.) A curious feature of the Gorge has been pointed out by Mr. Jutson — namely, the bold turns which it makes, which one would hardly expect if the stream were rejuvenated, or increased in erosive power, by a com- paratively sudden uplift. Jutson's explanation of this is that ' the elevation was fast enough to allow continuous vertical erosion, but at the same time slow enough to permit the river to curve extensively.' The course of the Yarra in this part has undoubtedly been determined by a fault or crustal move- ment in a vertical direction and following the line of strike. Hence we have on the right bank a precipitous cliff of hard sandstone rocks of the Warrandyte series, and on the left bank in some places flats with little swampy gardens of mosses and liverworts, in others a comparatively low river cliff of hard rock, although not so steep as on the opposite side of the river. According to Mr. Jutson, the hard rocks on the right bank of the river appear to belong to an older series, probably of the Melbournian grouj). This difference of geological horiz(jns on the oi)posite banks can be easily explained l)y the evidence of great vertical upthrow of the rocks forming the Yering Gorge. Had there been no uplift at all on the ' down- throw ' side of parts of the Gorge bounded by flats and ridges, the district from Yering to Croydon would have become, as pointed out by Jutson, a great lake, until drained through at the lowest ])oint of the basin. In this neiglil)ourlu)0(.] is the valley of the Brushy Creek, with its tortuous course over the flat-land, and this, together with the fossiliferous and other quarries, would be well worth visiting on a future occasion." After gutting through the hilly country, we rested for a while at a shady spot on the river, and had afternoon tea. A turn was then made southwards towards Lilydale, some six miles J*^"'! Excursion to Yering Gorge. 131 distant, and it had been intended to visit a quarry where fossils are abundant, but it was found that time would not allow the detour. On the way to Lilydale, which was reached about 7 p.m., specimens of Eucalyptus camphor a were added to the collections of the day. Few insects of any rarity were taken. Several specimens of the white butterfly, Anaphceis Java (Pieris) teutonia, were seen earlier in the day near Yering. — P. R. H. St. John. EXCURSION TO BELGRAVE. Perhaps owing to an early shower on the morning of Saturday, 2ist November, the party was smaller than it might have been ; still, eight members and friends reached Belgrave (26 miles), after a somewhat tedious journey, at about 11.30 a.m. Our way led along the Emerald road for a short distance, then we branched off along a track marked " To Lockwood," which took us past the Dandenong Reservoir, formed by a weir across the Monbulk Creek. A little beyond the reservoir we halted alongside the creek to have lunch, and so lighten our loads. A fire was lighted, and tea, provided by the ladies, soon made. Half an hour or so was pleasantly spent in lunching, exploring the creek banks, and photographing the surroundings ; then we crossed the creek and wound our way up a fairly steep track which leads on to the road to Narre Warren. Along this track it was a delightful surprise to see numbers of flowers of the beautiful yellow Wedge-Pea, Gompholobium Huegelii, a flower which is usually seen only as solitary specimens. This hillside earlier in the season must have afforded a pretty sight, for Epacris impressa and other spring-flowering plants were abundant. On reaching the main road our way led downhill into the watershed of the Cardinia Creek, and about three miles away we could see the sugarloaf hill we desired to reach. Turning into the Lysterfield road, we had a sharp rise to surmount, then another turn, and we were abreast of our object ; but time had been passing, and the ladies found it would be impossible to visit the rocking stone and get the 4.30 p.m. train at Narre Warren, about five miles away, so they reluctantly left the honours of the day to the gentlemen, and wended their way stationwards. As the gentlemen thought they could both climb the hill and catch the train, they made a dash up the hillside, and, on reaching the rocking stone, which is on the western face of the hill, spent half an hour in measuring and photographing the unique object. Some photographs exhibited to-night will give some idea of its appear- ance. We found that the foundation or basal stone is about 9 feet high and 6 feet 3 inches in diameter one way by about 4 feet the other. The rocking stone is about 13 feet 3 inches 132 Excursion to Belgrave. [ Vict. Nat. Voi.xxxr long by 4 feet 6 inches high at thickest part, and about 3 feet 6 inches from side to side. From these dimensions and the average weight of granite we have computed its weight to be about 8 tons, and it is so evenly balanced that a very slight effort is sufficient to rock it up and down. About 3 inches is the extent of the movement allowed by the shape of the lower stone. The axis of the stone is north-west and south- east, the smaller end pointing to the north-west. An effort was made to get a photograph of the stone when moving, but the photographer used too quick a shutter, so that has still to be obtained. There was little time to look around, so we hurried after the ladies. The leader having, through the help of Mr. B. L. Stanton, who was more famiUar with the district than himself, put the rest of the party on the road to the station, said good-bye at North Narre Warren, intending to spend another day in the district and visit the leaf beds at Wilson's quarry at Berwick. But fate determined otherwise. Calling to see Mr. G. W. Robinson, a former member of the Club, Mr. Stanton and myself were persuaded to spend the evening with him and talk over old times, &c. In the morning we determined to make back for the hills round the southern edge of the Cardinia basin to Emerald, from whence we took the old road along the summit of the Divide to Belgrave again. The natural history of the trip was not striking. Gompholohium Hiics,cln was the feature everywhere. Many of the Leptospermum Inishes wore bedecked with jewels in the shape of the litllc Emerald Cockchafer Beetle, Diphucephala rugosa. A solitary specimen of an orchid, which may have been PrasophyUmn brevilahre, was collected, but has not been preserved. A number of cases of absence of chlorophyll in the leaves of several different species of plants were noticed, and the thought struck one. Had the dry season anything to do with this ? So far as I can learn, the stone visited is the only rocking stone in Victoria ; if any member knows of another I will be glad to have jjarticulars. — F. G. A. Barnard, An Australian Bird in Mid-Ocean. — In a letter to his father. Private S. B. Abbott, of the 4th Light Horse, in the First Expeditionary Force, and formerly a member of the F.N.C., says : — " A little brown bird like a lark, called a Pi]iit, has been with us since we left Port Melbourne, and is now quite tame. It lives chiefly on flies got in the stables." Corrections. — In November Naturalist, page 103, lines 22, 23, for " specimens " read " specimen " ; line 25, for •' Cotype " read " Cotypes." In December Naturalist, page 124, line K) from bottom, for " Macrocrypus " read " Macrocypris." THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.— Vol. XXXI. January, 1915. Plate iv. Photo, by F. Chapman, A.L.S. ROCKING STONE AT NARRE WARREN NORTH. J^"-'1 Lees, What is Nardoo? fi-i igi5 J » J J WHAT IS NARDOO? By E. H. Lees, C.E., F.R.A.S. (Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 14th Dec, T914.) The recent anniversary of the departure of the Burke and Wills expedition imparts special interest to this question, as Nardoo will ever be associated with its sad fate. In an article in the Atistralasian some little time ago, under the heading of "The Explorer — Dietary Experiences," by Mr. E. J. Welch, the subject is but slightly referred to, and, in view of the uncertainty as to whether the plant Marsilea quadrifolia, Lin., common to swampy places throughout Victoria, is the " Nardoo " used by the Burke and Wills expedition, Mr. Welch, as a member of the Howitt relief party, was com- municated with. In reply he distinctl}^ asserted the identity of this Marsilea with the true Nardoo {Vict. Nat., xxvii., p. 16). From my own experiences with the Central Australian aborigines in Lake Eyre and Cooper's Creek district, I submit that this statement is not wholly accurate. In regard to the Marsilea, it belongs to an order, MarsileacecB, possessing only two genera, Pilularia (Pillworts) and Marsilea. The simplicity in order, however, is not continued in the genus, for Marsilea exhibits unusual variability even for cryptogamic species, and the desirability of uniting these was pointed out long ago by Baron von Mueller. Examination of the plant, in various localities, evidences extraordinary variation. Hence also diversity of synonyms — M. quadrifolia, M. Brownii, M. angustifolia, M. hirsuta, M. Drummondi, M. macropus — different authorities claiming each to be the true Nardoo or clover fern. Without discussing the variations of this very variously named plant, they may be summed up into two kinds — smooth and hairy-leaved. Marsilea quadrifolia belongs to the former ; Marsilea hirsuta, as the name implies, to the latter. And this is Nardoo of the interior. It is a small creeping plant with filiform leaves, bean-shaped fruit (sporocarp) springing from the axils of the leaves. It produces no true seeds, but the fertile fronds (involucres) bear spore cases of two kinds, and these are collected by the natives and crushed between two stones into meal or flour. The lower stone is long and flat, with slight hollow, forming channel to the edge. The smaller stone is held in the right hand, and is used as a pestle, the tap-tap of the operation being audible for some distance. In grinding, water is mixed to provide porridge or paste, according to the desired menu, the former running out by the channel into a piece of bark or wooden bowl. The paste is baked, and the porridge scooped up with crooked fore-finger, used as a spoon. 134 Lees, What is Nardoo? [voKXXxi. By itself, this Nardoo is indigestible and innutritious, and it is no wonder the diet is thus feeUngly referred to by Wills in his journal — '' I cannot understand this Nardoo at all. It certainly will not agree with me in any form ; we are now reduced to it alone ; and we manage to get from 4 lbs. to 5 lbs. a day between us. It seems to give no nutriment . . . Starvation on Nardoo is by no means very unpleasant, but for the weakness one feels, and the utter inability to move oneself ; for, as far as appetite is concerned, it gives me the greatest satisfaction." As Mr. Welch graphically sums it up — " Nardoo alone meant a lingering tight with death." But Marsilea hirsuta is not the only plant that furnishes true Nardoo. Various grass seeds, Portulaca seed, Sesbania aculeata (a leguminous plant with nutritious seeds), all are used. And, in regard to the latter, as long ago as 1880, Mr. F. M. Bailey, in "Proceedings Linnean Society N.S.W.," speaks thus: — "In North Queensland, according to Mr. T. A. Gulliver, the natives make bread of the seeds of the Sesbania aculeata. I am of opinion that this is the true Nardoo of the Cooper's Creek natives. The unfortunate explorers (Burke and Wills) might easily have mistaken the spore cases of a Marsilea for the shelled-out seeds of Sesbania." Here, however, Mr. Bailey is mistaken. I know of no Sesbania where King was stranded, and most certainly the true Nardoo of Cooper's Creek is not confined to this plant. Marsilea, l)ortulaca, and grass seeds all supply Nardoo. Further north edible leguminous seeds are obtained and utilized. When engaged upon the trigonometrical survey of Central Australia my main depot was established for twelve months at Algebuckina water-hole, north of the Peake overland telegraph station. Upon one occasion I was returning, at the end of December, from a western exploration trip in the neighbourhood of Giles's "ever-flowing Ferdinand." Owing to dry stages and camel break-downs the work occupied longer than was antici- pated, and we faced the return journey of six days with barely sufficient stores to last two days. On the second day we struck water, and, notwithstanding the commissariat shortage, we had to spell the camels for a day. During this time our camp black (a Macumba River native) collected a supply of leguminous seeds, from which we made Nardoo. If not appetizing, it assuaged hunger, enabling us to fetch camp without distress, and it is certainly more digestible and sustaining than Marsilea Nardoo. Later on I was camped for twelve months near the Charlotte Waters Overland Telegraph Station. The late Mr. Frank Gillen was then in charge. In the course of survey we pushed into new country, and on one such exi)edition I was accompanied i*"' 1 Lees, What is Nardoo ? 135 1915 J by Mr. Gillen, and we have partaken of leguminous Nardoo in aboriginal restaurants, where at that time EngUsh was unspoken and the white man httie known. Unquestionably, Nardoo niade from leguminous seeds is, as^ Mr. Bailey points out, a far more likely food than the wretched stuff made from Marsilea spore fruits. But the question is not whether Nardoo is nutritious, butj what is it ? According to Mr. Welch, and, in fact, to every writer upon the subject, it is identified with Marsilea, or with some other specific plant. I maintain that this is not so. Nardoo is not a plant at all. It is a food obtained from several plants. NOTES ON ENGLISH AND JAPANESE NEWTS IN VICTORIA. By H. W. Davey, F.E.S. {Read before the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, 14th Dec, I9i4-J In March of last year I had the pleasure of reading before this Club some notes on the breeding of English newts in Victoria (yict. Nat., xxix., p. 190J. Since that time I have added some Japanese newts to my collection, and now offer some further notes concerning both species. The specimens referred to in my previous paper were hatched from eggs laid in November, 1912, and left the water as lung-breathnig animals during February, 1913. At this stage they were merely miniatures of the adults, excepting that there was nothing by which to distinguish the sexes, but during the following April the sexes could easily be determined, as by this time the males had commenced to develop cutaneous crests, and also the pale blue stripe along the tail, which is characteristic of the males of this species. By the end of June some had developed very fine crests, and the blue stripe on the tail was by this time most pronounced. Some of the young newts of both sexes now take to the water. During July the water was intensely cold, and. probably on account of this, the females left the water, but the males continued to live in it, in spite of its low tempera- ture. During August the females returned to the water, but both sexes were in and out of the water during night-time. The parents of these newts did not take to the water until the middle of September. With frogs and toads, with one or two exceptions, impreg- nation of the eggs takes place after they have been extruded by the female, the same as in most of the fishes, but with the tailed Bactrachians as newts (Urodeba) the im- pregnation of the eggs is usually internal. During springtime the female newt is usually accompanied by several males, often as many as six attending a single 1 36 Davey, English and Japanese Newts in Victoria, [vor'xxxi female. The males at this season are exceedingly amorous, and may be seen constantly heading off the female by butting her with their heads, their tails in the meantime being violently lashed and rapidly coiled and uncoiled. These evolutions may continue for several days. The male then emits small packets of spermatozoa ; these are collected by the female, who uses her hind legs for this purpose, in much the same way as in egg-laying. The bunch of spermato/.ea thus finds entry into the oviduct, and fertilization takes place. It has often been stated that newts do not shed their skins during winter or on land, but 1 have frequently observed skin- shedding on land and during the winter months ; but as there is no true hibernation in Victoria for them, this probably accounts for this winter skin-shedding. Once a male newt develops its dorsal crest it never entirely loses it again, but- during the winter spent on land this crest is mostly absorbed, and dwindles down to small proportions. This absorption can be made to take place at any time, for if a male is kept from the water for a few days the crest will dwindle down to the w inter proportions ; the same thing occurs if newts are kept in vessels containing hard water, or even if kept in tish- bowls in soft water. On the other hand, the crest can be again developed by giving perfect conditions in the matter of water, light, and food. The English Newt, Molgc cristatus, takes three years to attain full size, and in Europe, so far as I can learn, it does not breed before reaching that age, but the young of this newt that were bred in Victoria, although not yet two years of age until November, 1914, have already laid eggs that have produced larvae, notwithstanding that it will take another year before the parents reach full size. The newt, M. cristatus, only remains in the water during the spring and summer months, leaving the water in early autumn, and leading a purely terrestrial life, in moist situ- ations. In March, 1913. 1 received direct from Japan several speci- mens of that strikingly beautiful creature the Fire-bellied Newt, Molge pyrrliogastcr. These newts are very different in appearance from the various European and American species. The males of this species never develop the cutaneous crest on the back, and the head is nnich more toad- like, being furnished with large parotid glands; the males also have a wavy crenulation of skin on each side of the body, and also along the ends of the ribs, which remind one of that tine Spanish newt, Molgc z^'oltli : and to the uninitiated the sexes are very much alike in api)earance during the winter months. The males during the breeding season are very prettily adorned. The throat and belly are of a beautiful fiery crimson, with small black, irregular markings; the jaws {^"i ' 1 Davey, English and Japanese Newts in Victoria. 137 and sides of body are of a lovely turquoise-blue; the tail is alternately barred vertically with blue and black, and there are often splashes of crimson on the shoulders of both sexes. These colours are only produced when newts are living under ideal conditions, and are never obtained by newts kept in glass ac[uaria. This newt is decidedly a more voracious feeder than M. cristatus, and much more aggressive, and certainly more aquatic, than most newts. English newts spend fully six months of the year continu- ously on land, whereas the Japanese species will remain in the water the whole year; but during the very cold weather they undergo a partial hibernation, as they seldom rise to the surface for air, whereas during warm weather they rise to the surface at frequent intervals. An interesting instance of limb reproduction came under my notice. A male Japanese newt, M. pyrrhogaster, on arrival, in March, 1913, had a hind leg badly damaged; this later on became very swollen, and finally dropped off close up to the body. After an interval of six weeks a tiny black, pimple-like excrescence appeared at the spot the leg had fallen from. From this point five tiny toes sprouted; these gradually increased in size ; later on a wrist appeared, then a knee-joint, and now (October, 1914) there is little to dis- tinguish it from the leg on the opposite side of its body, excepting that it is slightly smaller and much darker in colour and the toes are much more webbed. Japanese newts have been busily engaged egg-laying from August last until the present time (October). The embryo of the egg is white on one side and brown on the other; in this they differ from those of the English newts, the embryos of which are entirely white. A good number of the larvae have already emerged. The only apparent dif- ference between these and those of M . cristafus at this stage is that the eyes are much more pronounced in M. pyrrhogaster than in the latter. Egg-laying is carried on in much the same manner as with other newts. A female selects some aquatic plant for the purpose — the denser the better — and places a single tgg, in a fold of a leaf, hiding the egg as much as possible from sight. The necessity for all this care is at once apparent, as the males are most assiduous in their search after eggs, of which food they are extremely fond, and once an egg is discovered in a leaf this is torn and dragged at by the male until at last it can reach the egg, when, with one snap of the jaws, the egg disappears. Both sexes will also greedily devour the young larvae, and it is probably this cannibalistic trait that prompts the female to lay her eggs singly, folded in leaves of water- plants, and the denser these are the better suited for her 138 Davey, English and Japanese Neivts in Victoria, [yy.r'xxxi. purpose, as the eggs are better hidden, and greater oppor- tunities for escape are afforded to the newly-hatched larvae. The larva, on breaking loose from the t^^, is rather a help- less creature for some days, and spends most of its time lying on the bottom of the pond, or clinging to some plant or other object in the water. It is at this time that great numbers of them are eaten by the adults of their own and other species, who are most diligent in their search after them. When disturbed the larva makes a dash away for a short distance before settling down again . Aquatic beetles and their larv?e, bugs, and small fish also feed largely upon them at this stage, but the newt larvae soon gain strength and swim- ming powers, and with greater ease escape their enemies, and can more safely emerge from the cover of the water- plants into more open water. Their growth is now rapid. The length of time taken by M . cristatus to mature from hatching to the lung-breathing state in Victoria varies from 03 to 108 days. NOTES ON THE COLEOPTERA OF NORTH-WESTERN VICTORIA. Part VI.* — Nitidulid.e, Trogositid^, Colydid^. By J. C. GouDiE. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 14/A Dec, 1914.) By the end of February the majority of flower-haunting and leaf-eating beetles has ])assed away. However, by searching under the bark of trees, under logs, &c., or in ants' nests, many of the species referred to in this paper may be found throughout the autumn and winter. Some of them, in fact, are not pro- curable at other times, as in the case of myrmecophilous beetles. Good observers have noted that these curious insects appear to be absent from the nests during the summer months. The activity and pugnacity of many kinds of ants on a hot day, however, might result in conclusions being hastily arrived at, so that further investigation on this point is necessary. NITIDULID/E. 1716. Brachypeplus basalts, Erichs. 1728. Carpophilus aterrimiis, Macl. These are small, dull-coloured beetles, usually found under bark or amongst vegetables, &c. They have shortened elytra. ♦ Previous parts of this paper appeared in the Victorian Naturalist, vol. xxvi., p. 39; xxvii., p. 153; xxviii., p. 117; xxix., p. 72 ; and xxx., p. 189. Jan.. 1 GouDiE, Notes on the Coleoptera of N.W. Victoria. 139 B. basalts is nearly black, with the base of elytra infuscate ; C. aterrimus is smaller, with lighter-coloured appendages. 1750. Soronia aniphotiformis, Reitter. This little, flat species is often met with, always under the loose bark of trees. It might be described as a miniature "Tortoise-beetle," the outer margins of prothorax and elytra being strongly explanate or flattened out into a rim. It is light brown, with blackish markings on the elytra, and about \ of an inch long. 1753. Thalycrodes australe. Germ., M. C. Supp., p. 739. A rare species. It is oval, convex, with dilated tibiae and striated elytra. The antennae are short, strongly clubbed. It is dark brown, with the base, along suture, and apical third of elytra infuscate. Habits unknown to me, a single specimen being found in flood waters. Length, 3 mm. 1755. Cychramptodes murrayi, Reitter. A smooth, convex insect, 3I mm. in length, piceous in colour. It may be recognized by the broad explanate prothorax (broader than elytra), which quite conceals the head from above. Two specimens taken under bark. Ips, Fabricius. In the Birchip district there occurs a species, at present unidentified, belonging to this genus. TROGOSITID^. This family is sparingly represented in Australia. The largest genus, Leperina, with 14 species, contains nearly half the described forms. They are met with either under the bark of trees or hiding in the crevices of same, and are carnivorous in habits, according to Mr. Froggatt. 1770. Tenebriodes mauritanica, Linne. This flat, black, Carab-hke beetle, commonly known as the "Cadelle," is too well known to need description. Wherever wheat in bags has been stored a few months it is almost sure to be found, being a cosmopolitan species. 1777. Leperina lacera, Pasc. Is a curious-looking insect, studded over the upper surface with erect fascicles of black scales. The general colour is black, with a patch of white scales along the outer margins of prothorax. A few white scales are also scattered over the elytra and prothorax, causing a mottled appearance. It rheasures | of an inch. 7932. Neaspis pusilla, Blackb. This little greyish beetle, with brown spots or blotches on the elytra, is often taken under the bark of dead trees. 140 GovDlF., Xofes 0)7 file Colenp/nn of \.]V. Victoria. [vT.r'xxxi COLYDID^. The Colydidae are generally small, slender l^eetles with costate elytra, living under the bark of trees or in ants' nests. The legs being short and feeble, they creep about slowly as if crippled. Sparadus productits, Reitter A sooty black species about 3 mm. in length. Elytra strongly costate. The humeral angles of prothorax are produced into a strong conical tooth. 7951. Ditoma parva, Blackb. Similar in appearance and habits to preceding. D. villosa. Lea, Proc. R03'. Soc. Vic, xxiii. (new series), part I, p. 209, plate xxvi., fig. 23. This is a small, reddish-brown beetle, 33 mm. in length, covered with long, stragghng, yellowish hairs. The sides of prothorax are strongly serrated, with the anterior angles decidedly produced. Elytra having the margins finely serrated, with close, regular rows of large punctures. Two specimens taken in nests of Crematogaster Iceviceps, near Birchip. 7955. Meryx equalis, Blackb. A rather uncommon species, found under logs or dry leaves. The head and prothorax are reddish- brown, the elytra mottled chocolate-brown. It is about j- of an inch in length. 1803. Deretaphrus ignarius, Pasc. An elongate, parrallel -sided insect, 0 vam. in length, dark brown or nearly black. Antennre and legs short. The prothorax is narrowed to liase, strongly punctate, with a deep median groove not quite reaching to a])ex. Elytra strongly costate. It occurs under bark, and is often found in the old tunnels of longicorn beetles. 7968. Bothrideres tibialis, Blackb. 7969. B. variabilis, Blackb. These are very like Deretaphrus on a small scale (3.5 mm.), with similar habits, but instead of the median sulcus there is a deep fovea near the base of prothorax. Kershawia rugiceps. Lea, I.e., xxii. (new series), part 2, p. 329, plate xxvii., fig. 6. This is one of the novelties found living in ants' nests, for which a new genus was formed, and which so far contains but the one species. It is of a rusty-brown colour, 3J-4 mm. long. The antenna are short, moniliform. last joint largest and truncate at apex. The head, prothorax, and elytra, in addition to being roughly punctate, are strongly carinate, and the tibiae widely dilated. Taken at Birchip and Sea Lake, in nests of Iridomyrmex nitidus Cbe Uictorian naturalisi Vol. XXXI. —No. 10. FEBRUARY 4, 1915. No. 374. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth January, 1915. The president. Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the chair, and about 40 members and visitors were present. REPORTS. A report of the Christmas-New Year excursion to the National Park, Wilson's Promontory, was made by the leader, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., who stated that a party of twelve left Melbourne on the morning of 26th December, and reached the Park that day. The permanent camp was established near the Tidal River, and from this base excursions were made to the most accessible beauty spots in the vicinity. The outing proved highly interesting and enjoyable to members generally. The report, which was illustrated by lantern slides reproduced from views taken on this and on previous excursions, was productive of some discussion relative to the necessity of inducing the Government to advertise, more extensivel}^ than heretofore, the existence and whereabouts of the National Park, and of affording the general public better facihties than those now existing of reaching the reservation. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard supplemented the report with some notes on the botanical features of those portions of the Park visited by members of the party. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. E. Allman, 143 Lennox-street, West Richmond, was duly elected as an ordinary member, and Mr. J. W. Hosking, 47 Parade, Norwood, South Australia, as a country member of the Club. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. F. Pitcher, m drawing attention to his exhibit of flowering branchlets of Acacia data, A. linearis, and A. pruinosa, said it is worthy of note and record that a large number of native and exotic trees in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, as well as in the public and private gardens around Melbourne, are displaying unusually large masses of bloom this season. These are of a good and specially brilliant character in many instances. One is inclined to attribute the cause to the facts of the last winter and early spring being abnormally dry. It is considered that the usual activity of the plants in 142 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [v^'""xxxi. producing new growths of foliage was retarded and modified by the absence of moisture in winter and early spring, and that the energy of the plants became more fully developed later in the flowering time. The early summer rains, too, may have assisted materially in the present fine results. POSTPONEMENT OF PAPER. Owing to the report on the National Park (Wilson's Prom- ontory) excursion, and the resulting discussion thereon, occupying practically the whole of the evening, Mr. F. Chap- man's paper, " Note on a Large Specimen of Conns dennanti," was held over till the February meeting. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. Mr. F. Wisewould stated that a pair of White-shafted Fan- tails had constructed a nest and reared a brood in the im- mediate vicinity of his residence at Upper Pakenham. The birds were not molested in any way, and were always treated with kindness and consideration. The resulting consequence is that the two generations have now become perfect pests in and about the house. The young are escorted into the kitchen by the parent birds, placed on some convenient perch, and there regaled with flies and other food, collected, very often, at times most inconvenient to the inmates of the house. It is absolutely impossible to read beside an open window, by reason of the habit acquired by the birds of perching on one's head or other convenient portion of the body. A short time ago, whilst giving instructions to one of his employes respectifig repairs to a portion of the front verandah, one of the birds liad the bad taste to perch upon that worthy's ui)turned nose. Recently his daughter, when preparing a pudding in a basin, had to push one of the birds off the rim to prevent it becoming mixed up in the batter. EXHIBITS. By Mr. J. W. Audas, F.L.S. — A hving specimen of the native black snail, Paryphanta atramentaria, collected by the exhibitor at Beenak, 31/12/14. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Specimens of flowers and fruit of Banksia scrrata, L., from Wilson's Promontory. By Mr. F. Pitcher, on behalf of the Curator of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. — Flowering branchlets of A cacia elata, Cunningham, Cedar Acacia, Acacia linearis, Sims, Narrow- leaved Acacia, and Acacia prninosa, Cunningham. Frosty Acacia. By Mr. A. L. Scott. — Specimens of copper ore, &c.. from Mount Lyell, Tasmania. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. '^^''-'l Exctirsion to National Park. 143 1915J ^^ EXCURSION TO NATIONAL PARK, WILSON'S PROMONTORY. On two previous occasions the Club has undertaken extended excursions to the National Park — the first during Christmas, 1905, before the whole of the Promontory had been per- manently reserved, when the western coast as far south as Oberon Bay was visited ; and the second during Christmas, 1912, when the Vereker Range and the adjacent country was explored. On the present occasion, while necessarily covering much of the ground traversed on these earher trips, some new locahties which have been recently opened up by the Committee of Management of the Park were visited. Our party of twelve consisted of the following : — Messrs. E. Allman, F. G. A. Barnard, J. Barr, W. Kernot, L. N. Kershaw, L. K. M'Nab, J. G. O'Donoghue, O. W. Rosenhain, J. Shephard, B. L. Stanton, H. Whitmore, and J. A. Kershaw (leader). Leaving Melbourne by the 6.30 a.m. train on Saturday, 26th December, we reached Foster (no miles), where lunch had been provided, shortly after mid-day. Bennison, three miles further on, completed our railway journey, and here we were joined by some members of the Committee of Management, who were also visiting the Park on their annual inspection. Among the latter were two of our members — viz.. Prof. A. J. Ewart, who represents the Club on the Committee of Management, and Dr. T. S. Hall, representing the Royal Society. Continuing our journey by horse tram for another mile and a half, we reached Port Frankhn, a small fishing village on the Franklin River, where we found our motor-boat awaiting us. Trans- ferring our baggage to the boat, we proceeded down the river. We were fortunately able to leave on a rising tide, the extensive mud -flats bordering the river to its mouth being still uncovered, and, as usual, swarming with countless numbers of the small Mangrove Crab, Helcecuis cordiformis. Here and there groups of birds, including Curlews, Blue Cranes, Hooded Dottrels, together with Pacific and Silver Gulls, wandered over the mud, while on the sand-banks at the mouth of the river were seen numbers of Black Swans, Pelicans, and Cormorants. The river, more especially on the western side, is margined with a thick growth of the Spurious Mangrove, Avicenaria officinalis, whose green foliage is a pleasing contrast to the bare, muddy banks. Leaving the mouth of the river, we steered a course for Doughboy Island, where we landed and spent an hour or so while waiting for the incoming tide to rise sufficiently to enable us to cross the shallow sand-banks between the channels. Our trip across had been a rather wet one, as, besides some slight showers, we had been running against wind and tide, 144 Excursion to National Park. [vor'xxxi causing the spray to occasionally break over our boat. On the island, however, this was soon forgotten, and we spent the time at our disposal on the short, sandy beach, or examining the features of the island. During a previous visit no less than 50 species of plants were noted, and we were unable to add to these on this trip. Among the thick growth of bracken on the sheltered (or eastern) side of the island is a fairly large Mutton-bird rookery, which is now being carefully preserved. Here we saw several of the parent birds running quickly through the ferns or in their burrows. Continuing our journey, we reached the jetty at the south- west corner of the Inlet about 7 o'clock, and were soon busily occupied removing our baggage to the rest-house close by. While some assisted in preparing our evening meal, others erected one of the tents, and, generally, made everything comfortable for the night. On Sunday morning we were early astir, and, while our camp assistant prepared breakfast, we re-packed our belongings for removal to the Darby by pack-horses. One of the first dis- coveries was a Koala perched in a gum-tree in front of the rest-house, close to which a Boobook Owl was observed the previous evening quietly surveying the unusual bustle. Our pack-horses arrived at 8 o'clock, as arranged, and then began the work of loading them with our bulky baggage. It is useless 'for an inexperienced person to attempt to load a pack-horse. If he does he will soon find the packs dropping off one after another, or the saddle working round under the horse. We were, however, very fortunate in having an energetic and experienced worker in our secretary, Mr. O'Donoghue. With the help of our camp assistant, Mr. O'Donoghue superintended the packing, while we all assisted as far as possible. Our third horse had just been packed, and the straps tightened up, when he became restless. All attempts to quieten him proved useless, and he finally brought matters to a head by an ex- hibition of buckjumping that, while being creditable to him, was rather disastrous to us. When he had quite finished there was a circle of swags and packages all round him, while the pack-saddle was where the girth ought to have been. It was finally decided that he was not suitable, and we transferred the packs to a spare riding horse. From the rest-house at the Vereker landing to the Darby [61 miles) is a well-defined track, winding for the first mile or so through the excellent banksia forest already described in the accounts of previous trips. Birds were numerous, among those seen being the Black and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, King Parrot, Crimson Parrot, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Grey Bell-Magpie, Wattle-bird, and Bronzewing Pigeon. The ^^'^•'1 Excursion to National Park* iaz. 1915 J ^j common Black-tailed Wallaby, Macropus ualabatus, is plentiful here, and occasional Koalas are met with in the eucalypts. Passing through the gate in the boundary fence, the track passes outside the Park boundary, and crosses an expansive heathy flat, devoid of timber, but from which excellent views of the ranges to the east and south can usually be obtained. Unfortunately for us, a misty rain had been falling all the morning, and heavy mountain mists obscured the tops of the hills, altogether spoihng oiu" view ; but still we could make out Mount Vereker in the east and Mount Leonard and the Darby Saddle to the south. On our right were seen a row of rather picuresque low sand-hills, once bare, but now covered with grass and short scrub. Earlier in the season this flat is bright with red, pink, and white Epacris and flowering shrubs 01 various kinds. Quail are common, and occasionally the rare Ground-Parrot, Pezoporus formosiis, has been flushed here About three miles from the Darby we entered what was once a thickly-timbered eucalyptus forest, where, only a few years ago, native bears (Koalas), wallaby, and occasional introduced deer might be seen, but which is now only a mass of dead and bleached trees. Passing again into the Park, where the green trees throw a pleasant shade, and traversing the northern edge of the Darby swamp, we were joined by one of the Park emus — a full-grown bird, which, together with its mate and four half-grown young birds, frequent this portion of the Park. This bird came close to our party, occasionally uttering its deep drumming note and spreading out its long neck feathers, and accompanied us towards the Darby. A very fine view of the extensive Darby flat is obtained here, showing the ranger's and committee's cottages and the rest-house, clearly backed by the steep scrub-covered sand-hills which separate the flat from the ocean beach, while the river is seen winding through the impenetrable tea-tree towards the foot of Mount Vereker. The track leading southwards towards the light- house is seen winding round the steep hills on the western slope of Mount Leonard. Crossing the Darby River at its only bridge, which really forms the entrance to the National Park, and from which can be seen Shellback Island standing out clearly opposite the mouth of the river, a well-formed track winds along the southern bank of the river to the Darby flat, where the second rest-house is situated. On the river Black Swans, Black Duck, Water-hens, Grebes, Cormorants, Nankeen Herons, and Blue Cranes make their home. The Black Duck, Water-hen, and Grebe breed here, and in the season may be seen with their young brood on the water, while in the river are numerous eels, Anguilla australis (?), Tupong, Pseudaphritis urvillei, and minnows, or so-called Mountain Trout, Galaxias attenuatus. 146 Excursion to National Park. [vorxxxi During the process of unpacking, several oi the party refreshed themselves by a swim in the river or the ocean, and, after a good lunch, it was decided to put in the rest of the day here and camp for the night, instead of pushing on to the Tidal River, as originally intended. While some of the party elected to explore the immediate vicinity of the river, the remainder visited Tongue Point, a narrow, scrub-covered point jutting into the sea about three miles below the Darby mouth. A well-defined track leads over the high hill separating the Darby flat from the ocean, and winds in and out among low scrub, stunted eucalypts, and sheltered belts of sheoaks. All along this track were to be seen the recent tracks of emus, kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats — conclusive evidence that these animals, introduced into the Park by the Committee, are well estabHshed. On the journey an occasional wallaby was seen, and many native birds, including the small Emu- wren, were noted. The excellent view usually obtained from Tongue Point, a favourite spot for tourists, was again marred to a great extent by the mists, but still good views of the numerous islands, such as the Glennie and Anser Groups, Norman and Shellback Islands, were obtained. This point is well worth the walk if only to see the enormous weather-worn granite boulders, of all shapes and sizes, which are scattered about in great, confused masses all along the shore-line. Near the end of the point, at the base, as it were, of the tongue, the sea has almost cut its way through and made an island of it. In the great fissure thus formed are stupendous granite l)oulders which have slipped down from the steep sides of the hill opposite, while other similar masses are apparently ready to slip down at any moment. The point itself is thickly covered with short shrubs of various kinds, many of which were in flower, and duly noted by our botanists. The trip was greatly enjoyed, and camp was again reached about 7.30 p.m., where, after a refreshing tea and the usual enjoyable cam}), chat, all turned in to enjoy a well-earned rest. Monday, 28th December. — An early start was made to re-i)ack our horses, which our previous experience enabled us to accomplish more readily, and we were again on the track. Passing through the gate of the Park, we came upon a fine group of five or six emus, so tame that they would hardly move out of our way. The track led through a fine grove of banksias, B. serrata, thence over and around the slopes of some scrub-clad hills to the timbered slopes of Mount Leonard, which towered up on our left to 1,860 feet. Here we met with our second Koala, and from now on these animals, together ^^I'-'l Excursion to National Park. 147 with the Black-tailed Wallaby, were constantly being seen. The track, winding in and out along the hill-sides, was in places so steep as to cause those leading our pack-horses some concern ; but from the tops of these hills extensive and beautiful views of the coast-line and adjacent islands were obtained, and well repaid our exertions. The track crosses here and there small gullies, in some of which are numerous ferns, the King Fern, Todea, being common. After crossing Whisky Creek, a very steep pinch, and an adjacent gully, we ascended a steep hill, from the summit of which was obtained an excellent view of the surrounding country. In front is Mount Oberon (1,968 feet) and the Bad Saddle between it and the high peak overlooking Norman Point. On our left is Bishop Rock, an exceedingly steep granite point overlooking the undulating hummock}' country between it and the sea, while on our right is a pretty view of Leonard and Norman Bays, with Norman Island, the Glennies and Anser Groups standing off the mainland. One track leads off to the right on to the beach at Norman Bay, the other to the left over the undulating; scrub-covered sand-hills to the crossing over the Tidal River at the foothills. We followed the latter, and, crossing the Tidal River, not without occasional stoppages to readjust our packs, we traversed an extensive marsh to the foot of the northern slope of Mount Oberon. Turning eastward we followed the telegraph line into a well- timbered and sheltered valley. Here the telegraph line ascends steeply over another bad saddle on the eastern slope of Mount Oberon and descends into the marshy country behind Oberon Bay. Leaving the telegraph line, we entered the valley between the Wilson and Ramsay Ranges, and reached our camp, situated close by a beautifully clear, fern-bordered creek. The camp consisted of two large sleeping tents and a dining tent large enough to accommodate the whole party. Our surroundings were made as comfortable as many willing hands could make them, and we settled down to enjoy our stay. The clear running stream close by provided us with good water, both for consumption and bathing, the latter being specially enjoyed, notwithstanding the presence of numerous leeches and occasional scrub-ticks. After fixing up the camp, the remainder of the day was devoted to exploring our im- mediate surroundings. Tuesday. — Early rising is the rule with our Club camps, and 5 o'clock a.m. was not considered too early to start our day's operations. A morning dip, then breakfast and away, was our programme. This morning an early start was made for Sealers' Cove, on the eastern coast. The track commenced 148 Excursion to National Park. [ Vict. Nat. Vol. XXXI. not far from our camp, where it followed up the very steep northern slope of the Oberon Range to what is known as the Bad Saddle. It is here that the telegraph hne, which connects Foster on the mainland with the lighthouse on the extreme southernmost point of the Promontory, crosses this range. The Sealers' Cove track proper commences near this saddle, and winds about along and near the top of the Wilson Range to a saddle connecting Mounts Ramsay and Wilson, from where it descends in a gradual and easy grade along the slopes of the hills into Sealers' Cove. This track was formed under the supervision of the Public Works Department for the Committee of Management, and covers a distance of about seven miles. It is about 4 feet broad, and is constructed for riding or walking. It opens up some magnificent fern gullies, both on the western and eastern slopes, some of the large Slender-stemmed Tree-ferns, Cyathea Cunninghami. in the eastern gullies towering fully 50 feet high. The scenery along this track is all that can be desired. On the western side of the saddle it commands extensive views over the Tidal River valley and adjacent hills and the ocean beyond, with the islands standing out clearly, while from the eastern slopes are obtained beautiful views of the Wilson Range opposite, and Sealers' Cove, with the Cliffy Island group, in the distance. Numerous small streamlets cross the track, and well-sheltered camping places have been foimed for those desiring to pass the night among the hills. In places the track passes among and under great tree-ferns, blackwoods, and lilly-pillies, where the Lyre-birds, recently introduced, have already established themselves ; or through dense growths of tall hazel, musk, and blanket-wood scrub, and along the old deserted tramway track, finally oj^ening upon the broad sandy beach, im- mediately opposite a long jetty running into deep water, on the southern side of which the Sealers' Creek empties itself. The jetty, originally erected for the purpose of loading timber cut by a saw-mill then situated near the beach, has long been neglected and fallen into decay, but it is understood this is now to be put into good repair. It will then be possible for j)arties to land here from the small coastal steamers, and walk or ride through the Park to the mainland. Although, as a rule, the dense growth of the timlier and undergrowtji on the steep slo])es of the hills on either side of the track would not permit of any divergence for collecting ]:)urposes, there were opportunities on the track itself for a certain amount of col- lecting and observation. Bird and plant life was observed as we passed along, while fallen timber, &c., was turned over in search of ground-frequenting animals. Birds were fairly numerous, but often difficult to recognize. Among those noted ^^''••I Excursion to National Park. 140 were the Coachwhip-bird, Psophodes crepitans, Thickhead, Pachycephala olivacea, White-eared Honey-eater, Ptilotis leucotis, Rufous Fantail, Rhipidura rn/ifrons, White-shafted Fantail, R. albiscapa. Striated Tit, Acanthiza lineata, Yellow- rumped Tit, A. chrysorrhoa. White-eye, Zosterops cosrulescens. Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus funereus. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacahia galerita, and Gang-Gang Cockatoo, Callo- cephalon galeatum. All along the track the common lizards Hinulia quoyi and H. whitei were exceedingly numerous, and several Blue-tongued Lizards, Cyclodus, were seen. The trip occupied the whole day, and was full of interest, and, notwithstanding the rather long walk, none regretted the undertaking. Wednesday. — It was arranged to devote to-day to a visit to Oberon Bay via the western Bad Saddle. Unfortunately, shortly after our early start a fine rain came on, and continued at intervals throughout the morning. The first part of our journey followed along the northern foot of Mount Oberon, where, at one time, a narrow cattle track could be followed. This had, however, become quite overgrown, and we had to make a track for ourselves, in some places through tangled masses of scrub and sword-grass reaching over our heads. The wet scrub and the falling rain soon saturated our clothes, while the heavy mists quite obscured the mountain tops. We, however, pushed on, and soon found the track leading up the steep mountain side to the Bad Saddle. The long, steep climb was rather trying for some of the party, but, had the day been clear, the fine view to be obtained would have quite repaid the exertion. Descending the mountain on the Oberon Bay side was much more easily accomplished, and we had a good view over the bay and of Mount Norgate (1,390 feet) while winding round the hillsides to the beach. Crossing Growler's Creek at its mouth, we traversed the broad, clean, sandy beach to a small creek at its southern end. Following this up for a short distance, we entered upon the well-known grassy flat behind the sand-hills, the home of scores of Koalas, to Fraser's Creek, where we lunched on the exact spot where the Club's first party camped in December, 1905. A hght lunch and a hot cup of tea soon restored our spirits, notwithstanding the occasional light showers and our wet clothes. Numbers of Koalas were seen, and numerous photographs taken. Attention was drawn to the numbers of dead or dying gum-trees in the flat, nearly all of which had been quite or partially depleted of their foliage within the last few years by the Koalas which frequent this sheltered locality. Owing to the state of the weather, it was decided to make 1 50 Excursion to National Park. [vok'xxxi. an early start back to camp. As we reached the steep slopes of Oberon again the weather cleared considerably, so that a good view of the surrounding country and islands was obtained. Descending the mountain, we varied our course by following along Norman Bay to the Tidal River, thence across country to camp. Thursday. — To-day seven members of the party visited Lilly-pilly Gully, situated among the hills near the head of the Tidal River ; two others explored the Bad Saddle and part of the Sealers' Cove track ; while three elected to return to the Darby, and so save a long walk on the following day. Lilly-pilly Gully, so named from the presence of numerous Lilly-pillies, Eugenia Smithii, was only recently explored by the Committee of Management, with the result that a short bridle-track has been formed into it. This has made accessible what proves to be the most beautiful of the fern-gullies in the National Park. The growth of the ferns of various kinds is wonderful, the Polypodium covering the ground and tree- trunks, while enormous lilly-pillies and blackwoods are plentiful. The Slender-stemmed Tree-fern, Cyathea Ciinning- hami, is common, growing to a height of 20 or 30 feet. The gully should be of particular interest to the botanist, and is deserving of a more careful survey than we were able to give to it. It is in its wild state, and, so far, untouched by bush- fires. An enjoyable and interesting day was spent here, and we returned to camp well satisfied with the trip. Friday. — We broke up camp at an early hour, and, packing our horses, returned to the Darby in time for mid-day lunch. After a rest here we continued our journey to the Vereker rest- house, which was reached about 6 o'clock. Our evening meal, as on a previous visit, was prolonged by a few speeches, in which members took the opportunity to express their apprecia- tion of the valuable work done by the Committee of Manage- ment in opening up and stocking the Park, and the facilities afforded tourists for seeing its beauties. To show their apprecia- tion in a practical manner, the members unanimously decided to subscribe five shillings each towards ])i()viding additional conveniences in the rest-houses. Saturday. — After an early breakfast, our belongings were packed up and taken aboard the motor-boat awaiting us, and a pleasant trip across the inlet terminated an enjoyable eight days' camp in the National Park. From a collector's view, I am afraid that this trip will add little to our knowledge of the fauna and flora of the Park. In zoology, nothing deserving of special mention was obtained beyond what has already been recorded in the Naturalist. '^^'^■'1 Excursioji to National Park. iqi 1915 J -' I am indebted to Mr. Barnard for the following notes on the •botanical features of the trip. He says : — " Entering the Park at the Vereker landing, one could not help being struck by the unique effect created by the numerous fine banksia trees, Banksia serrata, which at a little distance have the appearance of a well-tended orchard. Their flowering spikes in many cases were from nine to twelve inches long and proportion- ately thick. When the seeds are ripe they form a favourite article of diet of the Black Cockatoos. Here and there were fine spikes of the Pink Spotted Orchid, DipoMum punctatum. At the Darby River we found a nice fringe of shrubs and plants along the bank, comprising many species, among which Swainsona lessertifolia was conspicuous by its dark purple flowers. The plants of the Promontory have been so well listed by the two previous Club excursions and the three special collecting trips organized by the National Herbarium, the results of which have appeared in the Naturalist, that there is no necessity to again refer to the several species in detail. During the walk to Tongue Point several novelties to the new-comer were seen, such as Thomasia petalocalyx, a shrub with pretty pink flowers, belonging to the natural order Sterculiaces ; the red-flowered variety of Correa speciosa, Correa alba, and Alyxia huxifolia. Kmizea corifolia had been making a fine show, but was just over. During the walk to Tidal River the Wedding-bush, Ricinocarpus pinifolius, was found in fruit, and the reason for its generic name easily seen, for they resembled in miniature those of the well-known castor-oil tree. Large patches of Coral Fern were seen near the Tidal River, while in the moister parts the delicate purple flowers of the Bladderwort, Utriciilaria dichotoma, were fairly common. It had been anticipated that some plants or shrubs would have occurred in sufficient abundance to have given colour to the landscape, but at the time of our visit half an acre or so of Hakea pugioniformis, with creamy white flowers, was the only decided patch we came across. Earlier in the season PuUencea daphnoides and P. Mnelleri, which occurred in abundance near the site of our camp, must have given a tinge of colour to that locality. During the trip to Sealers' Cove, knowing that the list of ferns recorded could probably be augmented, I devoted some attention to those plants, and added Lomaria fluviatilis to the list. It is quite probable other species will yet be found here, but our time was too limited to allow us to leave the track. Many shady fern-glades were passed which one would have liked to have stopped and explored, but they had to be rapidly passed by. Many of the tree-ferns were clothed with Asplenium flaccidum, a somewhat rare fern in the gullies nearer ^lelbourne. A search was made 152 Excursion to National Park. [vor'xxxi for seedlings of Cyathea Ciinninghami, a tree-fern which most of us saw for the first time in a state of nature ; and, though full-grown specimens twenty to forty feet high were fairly abundant, and thousands of seedlings of Dicksonias and Alsophilas, the other two tree-ferns, could be seen alongside the track, only a solitary specimen which appeared to be a Cyathea was detected. Was it want of experience, or is the Cyathea a relic of past times, for no Cyatheas were seen under fifteen to twenty feet high. The absence of the Silver Wattle along the track, and, in fact, the few acacias recorded for the National Park, is one of its sti iking features to one used to the mountain-sides nearer Melbourne. During the trip to Oberon Bay the Common Heath, Epacris impressa, was flowering freely, but nearly always stunted, and almost smothered by the adjacent vegetation. Trailing on the sand-hills along the coast, Lotus aiistralis, with its pretty pink pea-shaped flowers was conspicuous in several places. The final day of our stay was devoted to the upper Tidal River, where a track had recently been opened into a fern gully, which proved to be one of Nature's fairylands. Though we were unable to get very far up the gully, some five-and-twenty species of ferns were noted, the feature of the gully being the wonderful growth of a Polypodium which seems to agree with P. scandens, but as that species and P. pustulatum are so closely allied, and, in fact, seem to run into one another, it can only be provisionally recorded as new for the Park. However, Aspidiitin decom- positum was found here, which has not yet been recorded for the Park, and another record is the variety bipinnatifida of Lomaria discolor, of which many fine plants were seen. The Polypodium not only grew on the tree-trunks up to twenty feet" above the ground, but covered large areas of the ground to the exclusion of other species. These additions bring the fern flora of the Park up to thirty-six species, or just half the Victorian list : but no doubt other species could I)e added if more time were available." The total cost of our eight days' trip, which includes railway fare, hire of pack horses, tents, provisions, &c., and camp assistant, amounted to £2 i8s. 4d. per member, or at the rate of 7s. 3^d. per day. In conclusion, I desire to express my thanks and those of the party to Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue, whose assistance and advice throughout the trip was greatly appreciated, and to Messrs. J. Shephard, J. Barr, J. G. O'Donoghue, 0. W. Rosen- hain, and B. L. Stanton for the loan of most of the photographs used to illustrate this report. — J as. A. Kershaw. Cbe Uictorian naturalist Vol. XXXI.— No. 11. MAECH 4, 1915. No. 375. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 8th February, 1915- In the absence of the i^resident. Dr. C. S. Sutton, one of the vice-presidents, occupied the chair, and about 35 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr. F. Lewis, Acting Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game, intimating that the following lakes, &c., in the Hattah district had been proclaimed a sanctuary for native game : — " Lakes Hattah, Little Hattah, Brockie, Mournpoul, Yerang, Lockie, Konardin, Yelwell, and all lakes and channels con- nected therewith, together with all lands abutting thereon for a distance of 40 chains from high-water mark of all such lakes or channels, in the parishes of Konardin, Yelwell, Mournpoul, and Brockie." The chairman said the communication received from Mr. F. Lewis was the outcome of the representations made by several members of the Clul^ who, with another well-known ornithologist, had visited the Hattah district in September last. The result achieved, that of securing the reservation of a large area on the Murray flood-plain as a sanctuary for native game, was highly satisfactory, and was largely due to their efforts. Mr. F. Pitcher suggested that a letter be written to Mr. Lewis, thanking him for the interest he had taken in the matter, and expressing satisfaction at the reservation of Mourn- poul and the neighbouring lakes as a sanctuary for native game ; and a resolution to that effect was moved and seconded by Messrs. J. R. Tovey and J. Gabriel, and carried unanimously. REPORT. In the absence of the leader, Mr. R. Kelly. Mr. Geo. Coghill read a report of the Foundation Day excursion to Warburton, which stated that the outing, extending from Saturday, 30th January, to Monday afternoon, ist February, was attended by a small but enthusiastic party. Saturday was devoted to an examination of the shrubs along the Yarra banks in the vicinity of the township and up the valley to Backstairs Creek. On the following day the party journeyed to Cement Creek, where some fine specimens of the Beech, Sassafras, and other denizens of the high mountain ranges were noted. Big Pat's Creek was visited on Monday forenoon, and Scotchman's Creek later in the day. All plants noted on former trips were 154 Field Natitrultsls' Club — Pruceedtn^s. I Vol 'xxxi seen, but, owing to the excursion being held later in the season than formerly, few were found in bloom. Some very fine specimens of Lycopodium densiim, obtained from near the O'Shannassy Weir, were observed in tin- possession of many of tlie residents of the townshij). REMARKS 0\ EXHIBITS. Mr. J. K. Tovej drew attention to his exhibit of the Common Mistletoe, Loranthtts cchistroides, Sieber, growing on the Pepper-tree, Schiniis niullc. This is the first record of the Pepper-tree as the host-plant ol the mistletoe. The branch on which the })arasite flourishes was cut from a tree in thf exhibitor's garden at Mentone. There are no trees affected with the mistletoe within a radius of two or three miles, so that the seed must have been carried some distance by birds. On behalf of Miss O. B. Davis, M.Sc. he desired to bring under notice a specimen of the Common Mistletoe, Loranthus celastroides, Sieber, growing on the Britisii Oak. Qiiercus robiir. This is also probably a new record for a host-plant for this mistletoe. The specimen was obtained at Brighton. Mr. C. J. Gabriel, in referring to his exhibit of marine shells (Victorian representatives of the genus Conus), said that, although these recent forms showed no similarity with the species referred to by Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., it is now l)eing shown bej'ond doubt that many of our recent molluscan forms are represented in the Tertiaries. The percentage of survivors is being considerably increased, and it is very necessary that the fossils should not be overlooked when engaged on the description of new species of any recent forms. Mr. F. Pitcher drew attention to his exhibit of blooms of Acacia Maideni, F. v. M., Maiden's Acacia, and Acacia retinodes, Schlec, Bald Acacia, from trees now flowering in the Melbourne Botanic (iardens. Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S.. asked if any member had heard the name Cashmere Wattle applied to Acacia retinodes. Mr. E. E Pescott said that most people resident in the vicinity of the Grampians recognized two types of Acacia retinodes — one that flowers only in the spring, and the other all the vear round. I'.Vl'ERS RE.AD. I. By Mr. F. Chapman. A.L.S.. entitled " Note on a Large Specimen of Conus dennanti." In the course of some explanatory remarks bearing on his paper, Mr. Chapman said the genus Conus was well rejiresented in the Tertiary beds of Victoria, one of the most common species being Conus dennanti. In common with other organisms, the cone shells evidence responsiveness to climatic change, and striking (limatic changes had evidently occurred even dming M.ii-.,1 '915 J Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 155 the Tertiary period. In illustration of this he referred to the large Conus shells of Mauritius and of the Queensland coast living at the present time, which dwarf the smaller Victorian species ; and the same obtains with the sea-urchins and other animal forms. A fine series of recent Victorian and exotic specimens of the genus Conus were shown by Mr. C. J. Gabriel to illustrate the paper. 2. By Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue, entitled " Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain." The author gave a description of a vehicular journey from Mildura to Lake Mournpoul, a distance of nearly 70 miles along the Murray flood-plain, and particulars of a subsequent sojourn at the lake mentioned. Mr. J. R. Tovey said the author had referred to the intro- duced Vcrhesina encelioides as being credited by station-owners with poisoning stock. As was pointed out, no species of the genus to which the " Crown-beard " belongs is known to be poisonous, but fatal results often attend the consumption of the plant in great quantities by stock. This ill effect was due to impaction induced by the matting of the hairs of the plant in the stomach. LIST OF EXHIBITS. By Miss O. B. Davis, M.Sc. — Specimen of Loranthus celastroides, Sieber, Common Mistletoe, growing on Qiierciis robur, British Oak, collected at Brighton. By Mr. C.J. Gabriel. — Marine shells : Victorian representatives of the genus Conus — C. anemone, Lam., and a series of the white variety ; C. rntilits, Menke ; C. segravei, Gathff ; and Cones from tropical waters, including C. textile, Linn., Queens- land ; C. nussatella, Linn., Queensland ; C. capitaneus, Linn., Queensland ; C. vexilhim. Mart., Mauritius ; C. hetiiliniis, Linn., Mauritius ; and C. generalis, Linn., Mauritius. By Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue. — Photographs of Lake Mournj-joul, in illustration of his paper. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Blooms of Acacia Maideni, F. v. M., Maiden's Acacia, and Acacia retinodes, Schlec, Bald Acacia, now flowering in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. By Mr. J. Searle. — Thrips off geranium flower. By Mr. J. R. Tovey. — Specimen of Common Mistletoe, Loranthus celastroides, Sieber, growing on Schinus molle, Pepper- tree, collected in exhibitor's garden at Mentone, February, 1915. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Omission. — In the report of the January meeting in last Naturalist mention should have been made of the presence at the meeting of Dr. W. Macgillivray, of Broken Hill, a country member of the Club, and a former office-bearer. He was cordially welcomed by the president, and briefly responded. 156 Excursion to Warhurion. [v^r'xxxi- EXCURSION TO WARBURTON. The Foundation Day outing to Warburton was this year under- taken by a small but enthusiastic party. The excursion extended from Saturday morning, 30th January, to Monday afternoon, ist February. All the ]ilants recorded in former trips over the same routes were observed, but, of course, those seen in bloom when the fixture was earlier in the year were seen out of flower only. Saturday morning was spent in walks along the banks of the Yarra River, in close proximity to the townshij), where nearly all the shrubs of the district may be observed. The Mutton-wood, Myrsine variabilis, was well in fruit, in some instances remarkably so, one large shrub being almost covered with the round, bead-like, violet-coloured berries. Lomatia longifolia was covered with its peculiar protean pods, in various degrees of ripeness. The Banyalla. Piltos- porum bicfllor, and Austral Mulberry, Hedycarya Cunninghami. were also in fruit. Growing close to the water's edge are several fine specimens of the Golden Shaggy Pea, Oxylobium ellipticum. In the afternoon we went up Scotchman's and Backstairs Creeks to Old Warburton, an outing whose beauties and flora are so well described in the Victorian Naturalist, vol. xxi., p. 139. Here we saw fine growths of the ferns Poly- podium punctatum, Pteris trcmula, Asplenium umbrosum, tec. The return journey was made along the driving track which leads out at La La. Along this road is very fine scenery, and a fern gully quite equal in beauty to that at the head of Backstairs Creek, near Old Warburton, and close to La La there is a fine patch of the Hickory Wattle, Acacia penninervis. The other acacias seen along the route were A. myrtifolia, A. vcrticillata, A. linearis. A. dealbata, and A. mdanoxylon. The eucalypts met with were E. obliqua, E. goniocalyx. It. viminalis, E. Giinnii, E. amvgdalina, and E. Sicberiana. The outing on Sunday was to Cement Creek, about six miles on the new driving track to Mount Donna Buang. At the creek the road, which has attained an altitude of about 2,200 feet above sea-level, doubles back in seeking an easy gradient, and a wide space is provided for vehicles to turn. Continuing on from here also is the bridle track to Marysville. At Cement Creek and at a creek a mile or so further back are some very fine Myrtle Beeches, Sassafras, and other denizens of the higher mountain gullies. So enamoured were we with the beauty all along the road that we decided to continue further, and eventually to try to reach the summit of Donna Buang. For a considerable distance the forest presents similar delights, and provided ample subjects for observation and discussion during the after-luncheon stroll. We passed through glades of magnificent trees and shrubs, between glorious mossy banks, and in places many bushes of Eriostemon Hildebrandi {Phebalimn bilohum), which ^'•'"'•'1 Excursion to Wathuvton. 157 doubtless made a fine floral display earlier in the season. I have to confess that, owing to the approach of night, we were unable to reach the actual summit of the mount, but went a little beyond the fountain built by the Pubhc Works Depart- ment on the road at a clear space which affords a fine view over the country lying between Donna Buang and the Dandenong Ranges, and over which we a Uttle later saw the sun set. Before reaching this point we had splendid views over War- burton and Big Pat's Creek, and as far as the Baw Baws. The principal plants in flower along the road were the Forest Senecio, Senecio velleyoides, and the River Mint, Mentha aus- tralis, the latter in patches, the former in general abundance. The return journey was made down the steep foot-track, said to be about 2 J miles, but which seemed considerably more to one who had walked all day. The hotel was reached about 9 o'clock. Nothing finer could be desired than the flora and scenery through which we passed that day, and it is perhaps best to refrain from gush, and simply say that it is so good that no nature-lover should miss it. Monday morning was spent in a drive to Big Pat's Creek, and an hour's stroll when there. Leptospcrmum scoparium was in flower, attracting a few beetles and other insects, while the beautiful saphngs of the Silver-top Gum, Eucalyptus Sieheriana, were themselves worthy of the trip. In the afternoon some of the party made a further excursion up Scotchman's Creek before leaving for the city by the 5.30 train. In the township we noticed, grown in pots, some fine specimens of the Mountain Club-Moss, Lycopodium densum, which had been obtained from near the O'Shannassy Weir, about 13 miles distant. During the excursion special attention was paid to thrips, of which several species probably new were collected : but these have to be submitted to an EngUsh authority. — R. Kelly. Daphnl\ carinata. King. — In a reprint of a paper by Prof. G. O. Sars, pubHshed in Archiv for Mathematik os; Natur- videnskah, B. xxiv., nr. i (Kristiania, 1914), the author describes the typical form of Daphnia carinata, first described in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) in 1853, and no less than seven varieties. We notice that the late Mr. O. A. Sayce, A.L.S., and Mr. J. Searle have been responsible for sending several of these interesting forms to Professor Sars. Thus, var. intermedia was obtained by Mr. Sayce at St. Arnaud ; var. gravis by Mr. Searle at Kardinia Creek ; var. eurycepJiala (n.v.) by Mr. Searle at Fairfield ; var. expansa (n.v.) by Mr. Sayce at Cheltenham, and a closely allied form by Mr. Searle at Fairfield ; while vars. cephalata and lamellata were obtained by Mr. Searle in one gathering at Heidelberg. 158 Keartlani), specific Name of Cacattia aavguinea. [vo^'jcxxi. ON THE SPFXIFIC NAME OF THE BLOOD-STAINED COCKATOO, CACATUA SANGUINHA, C,ld. By G. a. Khartland. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 14th Dec, 1914.) Whilst some ornitliolot^ists have spent much time and care in the study of our avifaima in (Jider to avoid the unnecessary and erroneous multipUcation ol' species, others have gone to the opposite extreme, and, where a shght change in plumage has occurred, have at once proclaimed a new species, without ])ausing to see whether the variation was sustained. Take, for instance, Gould's Finch, PoepJiila mirahilis. Some ha\e black heads, whilst in others the head is scarlet or \^ellow. These have been recently separated into three species, although they may all be seen mingled in one flock, and have been bred together in captivity. In one case within my own knowledge a pair of black-headed birds produced four young ones, two of which had scarlet heads when they M'ere about six months old and had acquired their mature plumage, whilst the other pair resembled their parents. It is with a view of checking this confusion that I am writing these lines. In consequence of the division of the Blood-stained Cockatoo, Cacatua sanguinea, (iould, into two species by Dr. Sclater — the second under the name of C. gyimiopis — several orni- thologists have followed suit. This appears to be the result of working from insufficient material, as the main points relied on for the separation are the bare skin round the eye and a slight variation in size. In Hall's " Key to the Birds of Aus- tralia and Tasmania" C. sanguinea is described as having the naked skin round the eye white and nearly circular, whilst C. gymnopis is said to have the bare skin blue and largely extending into an open space below. This species is also said to be slightly larger than the foregoing. The measurements given are : — C. sanguinea — total length 14 inches, wing 10 inches ; C. gymnopis — length 16 inches, wing 11 inches. The vernacular name of " Bare-eyed Cockatoo " is even more confusing, as it applies with equal force to at least four species — viz.. Long-billed Cockatoo (Corella), Licmetis nasica. Western Long-billed Cockatoo, L. paslinator. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galcrita, and the Blood-stained Cockatoo, C. sanguinea, all of which have bare skin round the eye. In " Nests and Eggs of Birds Found Breeding in Australia and Tasmania," Mr. North states that he has examined thousands of living birds and skins of this species from various parts of Australia without finding one with the white skin round the eye, but that in every case it was bluish-grey. However, he quotes a field note from Dr. W. Macgillivray, of Broken Hill, in whicli that gentleman states that he has seen Mar.,"j Keartland, Specific Name ofCacatua sanguinea. 159 a few old birds with the white skin. Gould based his name on a few dried specimens, and, of course, the skin would be dark in that case. Although he is silent on the colour of the skin in his " Handbook," he shows it as white in the coloured plates of his larger work. Dr. Sclater described C. gymnopis from a living bird, giving its habitat as South Australia. He also examined a number of skins of this species obtained by the late Captain Charles Sturt, and refers them to C. gymnopis. In view of these varied opinions, I now place my experience of these birds before the members of the Field Naturalists' Club. Whilst on a visit to Adelaide, in 1892, I purchased a pair of Blood-stained Cockatoos from a dealer, who had over fifty of them in his cages, all of which had the blue skin round the eye. Some of the birds were larger than others. The skin of the largest of those I bought is now in the Melbourne Museum ; the other died whilst I was away from home. In 1900 I saw a bird-catcher at Spencer-street station with about 150 young birds, which he had brought from Broken Hill. I secured four of them — two for myself and two for friends. One of those I kept had white skin on its face, although too young to feed itself. In the others it was blue. I gave the one with the white skin to my daughter on her removal to Beechworth about thirteen years ago, and last October she returned it to me. I am exhibiting it to-night, alive and in good health, and it will be noticed that, instead of the face being white, it has now changed to blue. Another point worthy of note is that the fluff on the base of the feathers of the young birds is red, but becomes paler as the birds get older. During the stay at the junction of the Fitzroy and Margaret Rivers, in North-West Australia, of the Calvert Exploring Expedition (January, 1897), I saw thousands of Blood-stained Cockatoos, many of which were shot for the cook. One evening four large trees near our camp were white with these birds, as if covered with a mantle of snow. When they rose from the trees on my approach I fired two shots into the flock and brought down ten birds, some of which were larger than others, and two had white skin round the eyes, but in all the rest it was blue. Now, if this is not conclusive evidence in support of the one species theory, I will be glad to learn from those who differ from me where the birds with the white skin on their faces may be found in flocks without the intrusion of C. gym-nopis. Of course, it is well known that in some instances birds of one species may be seen mingling in a flock of another, but that is not at breeding time. For instance. I have shot a solitary Black Duck. Anas supercUiosa, out of a flock of Teal, Nettion gibberifrons . For several days a Radjah Shieldrake, Tadorna radjah, remained on a swamp near our camp in a i6o Keartla^d, Sped fie Name of Cacalua sanguinea. [voKxxxi. flock of Black Duck, and, although they were frequently disturbed, the white bird always kept with them. When the cucalypts are in blossom it often occurs that a flock of Musk Lorikeets, Trichoglossiis concinniis, and Little Lorikeets, T pusillits, are seen travelling together or feeding on the same tree. At the Fitzroy "River, North-West Australia, nearly every flock of Red-kneed Dottrel, lirythrogonys cindtis, which I saw running or fl^ang on the swamps had a wader of some other species in its company — sometimes a Greenshank or Little vSandpiper. But we know that all the birds named in this paragraj^h form communities of their own at breeding time. Now, I am in a difflculty to determine which species my bird l:)elongs to — Cacatua sanguinea or C. gymnopis, or whether I shall call it C. gymnopis, late sanguinea. There he is — judge for yourselves. Note on the Ocurrence of Monstrillid.e in Victoria. — In the material collected with the tow-net at Beaumaris excursion, 1 2th December, were found two specimens of a sjiecies of Monstrilla, a semi-parasitic copepod with a remarkable life- history. Hatclicd as an oval nau})lius with three pairs of appendages but no alimentary canal, it soon seeks out a Serpulid worm, and, clinging to it with its hooked mandibles, it pierces the epidermis of the worm by the aid of its antenucTe and works its way into its body. During the bmrowing process the limbs are lost, and the nauplius degenerates into an ovoid mass of cells surrounded by a chitinous enveloi)e. By amceboidal movement it finds its way into the blood-vessels, and finally comes to rest in the ventral blood cavity of the worm. It now begins to grow. At first a pair of fleshy appendages are formed (which are really modified second antennae), by the aid of which the parasite obtains nutriment from its host. From the undifferentiated mass of cells the various appendages of the adult are differentiated inside the chitinous envelope. When fully develoi)ed it ruptiu'es the body wall of its host and cscajies into the sea, leaving behind the second antennae, which have served their purpose. In the adult animal the mouth j^arts are entirely absent, the only cephalic a])pendages being the first antennae. It possesses a tiny mouth opening into a minute stomach, from which there is no other opening, the rest of the body cavity being taken up by the very large ovary. Its thoracic feet are well developed, and it swims about ra))idly while the jirocess of rojiroduction is carried out. The family Monstrillida? contains three genera and some sixteen species. Owing to want of time for examination. I have not yet determined whether my specimens are referable to any known species. I think this is the first record of the family Monstrillid.x- being found in .\ustralia. — J. Searle. ^Ig^'l Kershaw, A Natiiralisl in Norihern Queensland. i6i A NATURALIST IN NORTHERN QUEENSLAND. By J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., Curator of the National Museum, Melbourne. [Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, gth Nov., T914.) {Continued from page 124.) Each day excursions in various directions from the camp were made, involving long and often wearying tramps, but always full of interest. At times our wanderings took us through long stretches of open gum forest to distant patches of scrub, but more often we rowed up or down the river in our dingey, and, selecting a suitable landing-place, would pass the day exploring the jungle or open flats along its borders. The river trips, though usually short, were especially enjoy- able. Winding about through a dense mass of tall trees, shrubs, and palms, their branches dipping into the stream on either side, and frequently thickly covered with creepers of various kinds, we could observe the brightly-coloured butter- flies and birds as they flew over the river and among the trees. The effect of light and shade on the water, the varied tints of the foliage, and the pretty hibiscus-like flowers of an over- hanging tree which, constantly dropping into the stream, drifted with the tide, made a pretty picture, and one could never tire of admiring its ever-changing beauty. Birds were always plentiful here, especially in the early morning and towards sundown. The little Masked Gerygone, G. Icevigasier, was commonly seen adding material to its long, ragged-looking nest suspended just above the water, while an occasional Purple Kingfisher darted silently up or down the river. Orioles, Starlings, Drongo Shrikes, Quoy's Butcher-birds, Flycatchers, Honey-eaters, and many other birds occupied the trees along the river-banks, while now and then the noisy Red-sided Parrots, Great Palm and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos flew screaming overhead. At a sheltered bend of the river, covered with water-hlies in full bloom, a flock of the black and white Pied Geese was discovered perching in the tree-tops, while lower down stream, among the mangrove swamps, large groups of the Yellow-legged Spoonbill were occasionally disturbed. There was always something fresh to be seen on the river, especially when, later on, the rainy season brought the trees and shrubs into flower. On the gth of November we decided to establish a temporary camp some seven or eight miles further up the river, our object being the investigation of the river scrubs and forests further inland, in the hope that new animals might be met with. We left early in the afternoon, and, as we had, of course, to carry our provisions and general cam]) outfit as well as our guns and i62 Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland, [voi'xxxi . collecting lualciiai, we were each well loaded. The day was very hot, and the ground cracked and hard owing to the want of rain, and, though our course was fairly level, we were glad of an occasional spell. We ])assed through open forest, with occasional narrow belts of thick scrub, which border a num])er of small creeks, now dry, but full of water in the rainy season. Enclosed within these belts of scrub are broad flats, usually overgrown with tall, rank grass, in places up to four feet high, with numerous tall termites' mounds scattered about. Small creeks which cross the flats are nearly always indicated by belts of Screw Palms, Pandanus. In the thick scrub were many beautiful fan and other palms, lig-trees, and tall bamboo thickets, forming a dense tangle very difficult to penetrate. On the journey, in a somewhat sheltered part of the forest, we suddenly came upon numbers of butterflies flying about, chiefly Danaida arcJnppus, D. petilia, D. affinis, and the black and white EupUra Sylvester. Our packs were immediately dropped, the heat and weariness forgotten, while we rushed here and there, busy with our butterfly nets. Curiously enough, although these butterflies were so plentiful in this small area, we did not meet with them elsewhere on this journey. About a week later, however, we came upon a similar but much larger flight, some eight or ten miles further south. These consisted chiefly of EitpUva Sylvester, hundreds of which were flying about, while dozens could be seen resting on a single dead tree, several specimens being taken with one sweep of the net. In this case it was thought that their sudden appearance in such large numbers was due to the fact that a few showeis of rain had fallen on the previous day. We reached our destination before dark, and pitched our tent on the bank of the river on the margin of the dense scrub. Here we had a plentiful supply of good water, and could bathe safely in a shallow pool. During the evening we saw a jiair of the Large-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgtis rnacrurus. flying over the camp, and heard its peculiar " Chop cho}> " note, and through tlie night were occasionally startled by the loud, gruff ])ark of the crocodiles close by. There was a good crossing here, as the river was very low, fonning a series of water-holes connected by narrow channels, with here and there broad patches of sand. The whole is covered in by the tall trees, giving a beautiful and very welcome shade. On either side of the river was the usual tangled jungle of tro})ical vegetation, into which, without an experienced guide, one dare not penetrate, and 1 often envied Mr. MT.ennan's ability to guide us safely back to camp. Outside the scrub aie extensive grassy plains, with scattered j)atches of Pandamis and wooded liills. We explori'd these so far as our time jHiniitted. taking '^'Y-'l Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 163 many species of moths, dragon-flies, cicadas, diptera, and other insects along the margin of the scrnbs. On the tree-trunks were captured several species of Cicindelids — remarkably quick- running beetles, which darted round and round the tree-trunks so quickly as to puzzle one. The largest of these was Tricondyla aptera, Oliv., a species not uncommon in New Guinea. The great Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa bryorum, widely dis- tributed throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory, was commonly met with. It is about one inch in length, the thorax clothed with golden-yellow hairs. It breeds both in the trunks of the larger trees in the forest and in small saplings in the scrub. A circular hole is bored into the wood and con- tinued downwards ioc aboiit four inches. This round chamber is divided off into a row of cells, in each of which is deposited a small ball of sweet-tasting bee-bread, together with an egg. The larva, on hatching, feeds on the bee-bread, and finally changes into the pupa and then the perfect insect within the cell. Several which were opened contained not only the perfect insects, but the pupae and larvae. Another bee, a very small species, belonging to the genus Trigona, makes its home in small cavities in the bases of the trunks of large eucalypts or in logs, and the combs are known to the blacks as " honey-bags." The irregular, dark brown combs contain, usually, about a pint of dark-coloured honey, which is greatly relished by the blacks. A hive discovered in a log was opened up, and found to contain a good quantity of honey, which our l)lackboys scooped out in handfuls, filling their mouths with a dirty, sticky mass of comb, honey, and bees. Some of this honey was carefully extracted and taken to our camp. It has a peculiar, rather acid flavour, which, in the absence of nothing better, might be appreciated. The scrub was simply alive with birds, one of the most numerous being the Nutmeg-Pigeon, their continuous, monotonous cooing while feeding high up in the topmost boughs of the great fig-trees being a common feature of the scrub. Other pigeons met with include the Purple-crowned Fruit- Pigeon. Lamprotreron siiperba, the Rose-crowned Fruit-Pigeon, Ptilinopus civingi, the Allied Fruit-Pigeon, Megaloprepia assimilis, the Little Green Pigeon, Chalcophaps chrysochlora, the Barred-shouldered Dove, Geopelia humeralis, the Little Ground-Dove, Geopelia tranquilla, and the Pheasant-tailed Pigeon, Macropygia phasianella. Throughout our stay in this country our meals were, to some extent, composed of these birds, varied with Scrub-fowl, Scrub-Turkey, Cassowary, Pied Goose, &c., all of which proved good eating, and, with our damper, were always relished after our long rambles. Rifle- birds, Ptilorhis alherti, were fairly numerous, but difficult to 104 Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. [voL xxxi. detect in the semi-darkened sciub. We occasionally saw them flying silently through the trees, and more often heard their characteristic call. Several nests were found, sometimes low down in a small sapling or vine, others high up in the branches. Most of these contained two eggs, and one a partly-fledged young one. Starlings and Blue Mountain Parrots were every- where, the Red-sided Parrots, Edeclits pectoralia macgillivrayi, usually frequenting the larger hg-trees in company with Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Starlings. Mr. M'Lennan cUmbed several trees for the eggs of the Red-sided Parrot, and also visited the nests of the Grey Goshawk, built in the same trees, in one of the latter finding eggs. He had perilous climbs — in one instance to 93 feet, the lowest bough being 60 feet from the ground, the last 30 feet being reached by cutting niches in the smooth-barked tree just large enough to obtain a hold for his big toe. The brilliantly-coloured Purple King- fisher, Alcyone pulchra, was often seen along the river, while the Lesser Brown Kingfisher, Dacelo gigas, var. minor, a small variety of our southern Laughing Jackass, as well as Leach's and Macleay's Kingfishers, all breed in termites' nests in the trees of the open country. The rare Rufous Owl, Ninox rufa, was flushed from a clump of bamboos — a favourite cami)ing- place also for the Papuan Podargus. Emerging quietly from the scrub on the ri\-er, we suddenly came on a full-grown Cassowary bathing and ])reening its feathers in the shallow water. We had frequently seen traces of these birds, which are apparently plentiful in the scrubs, and occasionally heard their deep drumming note, but this was the first we had seen. Quite a number of butterflies were taken, including further specimens of the new Lyca;nid, Pepliophorus amphissa claudia, Tellervo zoiliis, Elodina angulipennis, E. perdita, and Mdanitis Icda, the latter being common, but dilficult to capture, owing • to its habit of settling among the dead leaves, which it so closely resembles. Several specimens of the brilliantly blue Papilio joesa were seen flying down the river, and a few rare moths taken, including Tigridoptera mariami, Enschema mars, Hypsa basilissu, H. dama, and others. The Kapok Tree, Bombax malabaricum, grows here, their presence being usually indicated by the numbers of dry, dark brown pods on the ground, where they had burst open, ex- posing the silky-white down. Another tree was remarkable from the fact that its seeds, attached to long, slender stalks in bunches, were covered with a strong, sticky substance resembling Ijird-lime. When ripe they fall to the ground and stick to anything they come in contact with. We often had bunches of them stuck to our boots and clothes, while Dr. Mar.,1 1915 J Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 165 Macgillivray found the tail feathers of a Lovely Wren, Malurus amabilis, adhering to a bunch still attached to the tree. A small dog which occasionally accompanied us had great trouble with them. When they stuck to his feet he sat down and attempted to remove them, only to get more on his head and back, and his excited efforts only made matters worse, until he finally gave up in despair. The well-known Queensland Black Bean, Castanospcrmum australe, grows generally on the out- skirts of the scrub, climbing to the topmost branches of the tall trees. A Fig-tree, Ficits glomerata, was remarkable for its great clusters of fruit attached close to the trunk. Several other trees were also noticed bearing fairly large fruit, which, how- ever, was often very bitter and apparently inedible. On one of these trees was found a quantity of fleshy fruit of a red colour, with the stone outside, reminding me of the Native Cherr^^, Exocarpiis. The fleshy part, which had a fairly pleasant taste, was about ij inches wide, and the stone, of a compi'essed oval shape, about i inch wide. On returning to camp these were submitted to our blackboys, who stated that the fleshy part was " no good," but the kernel, after being baked in the hot ashes of the fire, was " good." This they illustrated by eating the kernel, after being baked, but we found it very tasteless. Dr. Macgillivray was fortunate enough to find a very fine Hoya in flower — the only one seen during our visit. The corolla was saucer-shaped, zh inches in diameter, the segments broad, pale lavender in colour, with the tips and edges darker. The corona is of a beautiful purple. On being submitted to Mr. F. M. Bailey, Government Botanist of Queensland, on our return, it proved to be a new species, which he has since named after its discoverer. Among other plants found and since determined by Mr. Bailey were a spotted orchid, Dipodium pundatum, \^ar. HamiUonianmn, plentiful along the margin of the scrub ; a lily, Crinum, ? sp., probably new, common in swampy situations in open forest ; two species of ferns — viz., Cheilanthes tenuifolia, very plentiful in open country, both on mainland and on Lloyd Island, and Aspidium cordifoliiim, found along the margin of tea-tree swamps ; Gardenia Kershawi, n. sp., common along margin of scrubs ; and Curcuma australasica. The latter was commonly found in sheltered situations along the margins of the scrub and on Lloyd Island. The flower appears first, growing to a height of about nine or ten inches, followed by the broad, green, elongate leaves. Mammals were very scarce. A few kangaroos and wallabies were occasionahy seen, and two of the latter shot. Bandicoots were not uncommon, and we often heard them during the night running among the dead leaves near our camp. The blacks 100 Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland, r,)!'^ vll'i'; ' ^ L^ ol. XXXI. were remarkably quick to detect their tracks in the thick matted grass, which they would quickly follow up and suddenly jumj) with l)otli feet on to a tussock, rarely failing to secure the animal, although to us there was nothing to indicate its presence. On one occasion one of our blackboys started chopping at the base of a large gum-tree. On inquiring what he was after, he said, " Him feller, nails on him back," which we soon found was not a bad description of the Echidna, or Porcupine Ant-eater. At another camp some pack-saddles were packed close together near our tent. One of the blacks started removing them, but suddenlj' stopped, and, securing a three-pronged spear, thrust it between them. This was followed b}^ a sharp squealing, and we found he had speared a small native cat, Dasyurus. Flying-foxes were ])lentiful in the dense scrub, where they were often seen in great numbers, hanging head downwards from the branches of some tall tree. A small rat, Mus, ? sp., was found in its nest of dry grass in a dead stump about six feet from the ground, and another captured in our tent. The Spotted Cuscus, or Phalanger, Phalanger maculcitus, inhabits the scrubs, but was apparently far from common. We found only two specimens, about half grown, one of which was sleeping, coiled u]:» on a branch in the scrub. The Dingo occurs here, and. according to the blacks, is fairly numerous ; but, though we did not see any. their tracks were occasionally met with. I quite expected we should find snakes very numerous on tlie mainland, but was disappointed. We saw very few, and only about half a dozen species, the Carpet Snake being the most common. The largest of these was eleven feet long, and. when discovered, had just swallowed a half-grown wallaby. Another, about eight feet long, was lying stretched out full length on a fallen log, and was very quiet. It was pulled off the log by its tail, and coiled on to my net handle, but made no attempt to strike. Another species was discovered in our tent. We were busy, late one night, working in the bed of the creek, finishing off some skins, when Mr. M'Lennan decided to turn in. The night was dark, and I was using our only lantern. We were suddenly startled by a shout and excited call for a light, and then a shot, and, hurrying to the tent, we found a snake a little over four feet long, which had coiled itself on his ]iillow. Fortunately, he had struck a match to search for some missing article before lying down. It proved, however, to be a non- poisonous species, but we were more careful to search our grass beds in the future. Although the Death Adder was said to be very numerous, we only secured one specimen, and this on Lloyd Island. A tree snake and two or three other species were also captured. Lace Lizards, ]^aranus, were fairly ^!gj^'] Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 167 common, and were often disturbed while passing through the open forest. A nimiber of smaller lizards, including the Blue- tongue, Cyclodiis, were also secured, while the only Frilled Lizard seen was obtained from a party of blacks who happened to pass our camp. The blacks are very frightened of snakes, and could not be induced to touch even a disabled specimen, but they will not hesitate to spear them. Under logs and debris in the scrub a number of large land snails. Helix, were fovmd, and several species of beetles were obtained by splitting open decaying logs, but these were far from being plentiful. On the I2th November we packed up our swags and returned to the main camp. On our way we took several more butter- flies, and, entering a patch of scrub, discovered another colony of the large Fruit Bats, and in the open forest took three eggs of the Lesser Brown Kingfisher from a white ants' nest. The weather was excessively hot, and the whole country parched, making our seven or eight miles' tramp back to our main camp, with our heavy sv/ags, one of the most trying we ex- perienced during our visit. We visited the same locality about a week later, when we made many interesting additions to our collections. Further nests of the large Red-sided Parrot, Eclectiis, and the Rifle-bird were found. A Long-tailed Nightjar was flushed off its two eggs deposited on the bare ground near the edge of the scrub, and the nest of the Lovely Wren, Malurus amahilis, discovered in the scrub. The King and the Red- backed Quail, Tiirnix melanota, were frequently flushed from the grass flats, and other birds noted inchicle the Spotted Cat-bird, Aihircedus macitlosiis, White-faced Robin, Pacilodryas albifascies, Shining Flycatcher, Piezorhynchus iiitidiis, Grass- Warbler, Cisticola exilis, and many others. Another new ]:)utterfly, Hypocista aroa angustata, brown, with a broad white band across both wings, was taken, also the beautiful white Mynes geoffroyi and Cethosia cydippe, all strictly tropical species. Each day long excursions were taken up or down the river to different parts of the scrubs, or through the open country, and each trip brought new experiences and adventures. At times, when passing quietly through the timber, we would be suddenly startled by a peculiar, plaintive, croaking cry close beside us. This, on investigation, was found to be made by a small Gecko lizard, about 7 or 8 inches long, known as the " Crying Lizard," which occupies narrow hollows in the trunks or branches of the trees, indicated by a small entrance hole. A somewhat similar cry is made by a large green frog, Hyla coernlea, which is also found in similar cavities in the tree- trunks. Occasionally a small iguana, Varanns, was found occupying the same cavity. We had little time for fishing in t6S Kershaw. A Naturalist in Northern Queensland, [vok xxxi. the river, but managed to spear a few mullet and a Spotted Butter-fish, Ephippus argits. Numbers of small garfish and another small species resembling the Rifle-fish frequented the river, while a fair-sized Stingray was seen above our camp. As our stores were running very low, we left on 26th Novem- ber for Lloyd Island, walking across country some eight or nine miles to the coast opposite the island, which is about a mile from the shore. All along the coast here is a thick belt of mangrove and a fairly broad sandy beach, on which, at low tide, are great armies of a small Soldier Crab. There were very few shells, and most of these were bleached and worn, but in the shallow water we found numbers of the flat Sea Urchin, Arachnoides placenta, Linn., which buries itself under a thin layer of sand. In the deeper water were also taken several starfish. The recognized method adopted by the blacks of reaching the island from here is to make a " smoke," when a boat would be sent across. We made a " smoke " and fired our guns, but had to wait for a couple of hours for the boat. We noticed that three or four of the hechc-de-mer boats had recently arrived, and soon learnt that the blacks had been celebrating the event, hence our long delay. Getting our stores aboard a small cutter, we started late in the afternoon for the Claudie River. While passing Lloyd Island we had a splendid opportunity of witnessing the wonderful flights of the Nutmeg-Pigeons, Blue Mountain Parrots, and (ilossy Starlings. Thousands upon thousands of these birds flew across from the mainland in con- tinuous streams, filling the air with their cries. While the Pigeons fly low down, usually close to the water, in twos or threes or in small flocks, the Parrots fly high and very swiftly, uttering their cries continuously. The most interesting sight of all, however, is the extraordinary flights of the Starlings. These could be seen far away over the mainland, rising above the trees in small flocks, which gradually unite, until they form several enormous, compact, black masses. Flying in great circles, they are seen to suddenly dro)) low down, rising again in a long spiral column, in the distance appearing like a column of black smoke. Re-forming into a compact mass, then breaking up and spreading out, only to come together again, they gradually rise higher and higher, ever sweeping and circling, yet always together, sometimes almost invisible in the sky, then, as the light catches their shining black backs, showing out with inky blackness. When they approach the island they suddenly swoop down close to the water, over which they skim with lightning speed, a whirling, noisy mass, into the mangroves. Once seen, this sight is not likely to be forgotten. Mar.,"! Kershaw, A Naiunilisi in Norihevn Queensland. i6o i()i4 J ' X, ^ Soon after entering the river darkness came on, and, as the tide was running out, our progress became so slow that we decided to go on in the cUngey, and land two or three miles below our camp. After a long and weary pull, during which two or three crocodiles splashed close to our boat, we got ashore about midnight, and started at once for our camp. The night was very dark, and, after scrambling about through the scrub and getting a fair supply of green ants over us, and stumbhng over logs for about half an hour, we had to confess that we were hopelessly bushed, and decided to camp where we were until daylight. Lying on the ground and tormented with myriads of starving mosquitos, we waited for daylight, for sleep was out of the question. With the first streak of dawn we were off again, and, after a long tramp, reached camp about 8 o'clock, tired and hungry, having fasted since 3 o'clock on the previous day. A bath and a meal, however, soon freshened us up, and, packing our baggage off down the river, we walked back to where we had left the cutter, and started off again for Lloyd Island, and thence on the lugger Keith for a long trip to Raine Island, situated outside the Barrier Reef, north-east of Cape Grenville. This trip occupied three weeks, during which we visited a number of islands both within and outside the Great Barrier. We reached Lloyd Island again on our return late at night on the 17th December. The next morning we again had an excellent opportunity of witnessing the great flights of Pigeons, Starlings, and Parrots, but this time leaving the island for their feeding-grounds on the mainland. The Parrots are always the first to leave, then the Starlings, followed by the Pigeons. One mass of Starlings must have included some thousands of birds, and their extra- ordinary habit, already described, of bunching up into great black masses and then drawing out into long, sinuous lines and circling to and fro, was again repeated. Transferring our belongings to a cutter, the Leichard, we left again for the Claudie River camp. The cutter could only run up the river a short distance, as the tall mangroves on either bank shut out what httle wind there was, so we had to pack our baggage into two dingeys manned by two blackboys and row all the distance to our camp landing. Among the birds seen while passing up the river were White Ibis, Black-and- White Cormorant, Little Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Red- shouldered Parrot, Scrub-Fowl, Palm Cockatoo, Bee-eaters, &c. We were soon settled down again, and resumed our excursions in the scrub and forest. The rainy season set in just before Christmas, and after the first few days scarcely a day passed without one or more violent tropical downpours, accompanied with deafening thunder and vivid lightning. At times these I/O Kershaw, A Naiuralist in Northern Queensland, [yyr'xxxi storms raged so fiercely that we fully expected to have our tents blown away ; as it was, trees were uprooted and boughs scattered all around us. Great trees in the scrub were blown down, and in their fall tore down great masses of creepers and \ines and several of the adjacent smaller trees, making great gaps in the forest. The whole atmosphere was saturated with moisture day and night, and we had the greatest difficulty in ]M-eserving our specimens from mildew. These, with our other belongings, had to be repeatedly un])acked, and. when the sun appeared, dried and repacked. Thick growths of mildew covered our bags, boots, and clothes stored in a water- tight tent, and our everyday clothes and boots were rarely dry. Myriads of mosquitoes appeared, and these, with three or four species of March flies, Tabmiidce. which accompanied us constantly in hundreds, tormented us night and day. The heavy rains tilled the dry creeks and swamps, and caused the river to rise seven or eight feet, making it impossible to use our dingey for some time. They, however, did not prevent our daily excursions, and we added considerably to our collections. Among the birds which we now saw frequently were the White-tailed Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Syma flavi- roslris. Blue-breasted and f^esser Pittas, Pitta mackloti and P. simillirna. White-browed Robin, Poecilodryas supcrciliosa, White-liellied Flycatcher, Monarcha albiventer. Pearly Fly- catcher, M. canescens, Spotted Cat-bird, Ailinuvdiis maculosus, and many others, the eggs of all of which were found. Every night we heard the calls of the Red-necked Rail, Rallina tricolor, the first of which we noticed on 22nd December, and were probably the earliest arrivals from New (iuinea. Many additional insects were also collected, and it was noticeable that these were becoming much more numerous since the rains had started. Beetles not seen before now a})peared, and, among these, the brilliantly-coloured Cetonids, Loniaptera yorkiana, L. australis, and L. macrostica, which frequented the tops of flowering shrubs and trees, at times in great numbers, their presence usually being detected by the humming of their wings. At the camp we were constantly being annoyed by great numbers of a rather small carrion-feeding beetle, PhcBOchroiis hirtipes, Macl., which were attracted by the light of our camp. Every night hundreds of these beetles flew around, dropping down our necks and into our food, and even our beds were invaded. If a recently emptied jam tin was left abf)ut it would be quite full of the beetles in the morning. Bodies of birds thrown out after skinning would be completely covered by thousands of these beetles in about ten minutes, and within an hour or so bodies the size of a Thrush or Laughing Jackass would be entirely denuded of Mar., 1Q15 1 Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 171 every particle of flesh, leaving the completely cleaned skeleton. In fact, we made use of these scavengers, and secured several perfect skeletons in this manner. It was impossible to leave a bird or mammal exposed even for a few minutes, otherwise it would be rendered useless as a specimen, and even while actually skinning the bird we had to keep removing these creatures. Not far from our camp I found the same species, clustered together in one great mass of some hundreds, sheltering in a slight depression on the trunk of a gum-tree. A burying beetle, Onthophagus laminatiis, Macl., was also very numerous, and was similarly attracted by the light. In a pit we had made for camp refuse they were observed during the daytime forming round balls of earth and decaying matter, about half an inch in diameter, in which they deposit their eggs, and rolling them away for burying in the surrounding soil. Some- times they would push them along by their head or forelegs, at others they rolled them behind them, using their hind feet. The weather was now exceedingly hot and muggy, the perspiration running off us with the least exertion, and keeping our clothes constantly wet through. My body, legs, and feet were covered with a large red rash, making the soles of my feet exceedingly tender and painful, and our shoulders, arms, legs, and ankles were badly blistered, chiefly through the bites of mosquitoes. Although the latter were bad enough, a small biting Tabanus fly had recently appeared which was even more troublesome. No sooner did this fly settle than it began operations. They covered our clothes in dozens, settling on our necks, faces, and hands — even getting under our coats — and it was quite impossible to keep still for a moment. To make matters worse, we had a great swarm of termites, myiiads of these winged creatures entering our tents and covering everything. While engaged in skinning some birds they dropped into the arsenic, plaster of paris, all over the bird, in my hair, and down my back, until they nearly drove me distracted. As they settled they immediately cast their wings, which, on the following morning, covered everything on the table. Almost every day we had a violent thunderstorm, accom- panied by vivid lightning, sometimes up to two inches of rain falling in a short time. To the ist January over ij inches had been registered. During these storms the interior of the scrub became so dark that it was almost impossible to continue our searches. We had arranged to leave here early in January on our homeward trip, but the flooded state of the river, w^hich was now overflowing its banks in many places, rendered it unsafe to launch our boat, while it was impossible for any boat to come up the river. We therefore continued our work on the mainland, and, notwithstanding the heavy rains, made 172 Kkrshaw, J Saturalist in Northern Queensland, [vol'^'xxxi many interesting discoveries. On a hill not far from our camp was observed a round hole about li inches in diameter and lined with web. This we dug out. and, at the end of the burrow, discovered what has since been found to be the largest known Australian spider.* Selenotypus plumipes. Pocock. It measured over 5 inches from tip of forelegs to tip of hind legs, 2i inches from front of head to end of abdomen, and I inch across the thorax. The legs were thickly haired, abdomen smooth and velvety, and of a uniform brown colour. The entrance to the winding burrow sloped down to about six inches below the surface, traversing about six feet, and ended in a larger cavity, in which the spider was discovered. The animal was very fierce, and showed fight at once. Two or three others were afterwards found, the burrows not extending so far — one measuring eighteen inches long and si.x inches below the surface, and another three feet long and eighteen inches below the surface. {To be cotUinued). Frogs. — Recently, while gathering beans (scarlet runners) from the top of a lath shade-house. I came across several well-fed green bull frogs sleeping, evidently after making a good meal of the small insects which abound up there. One opened its eyes at my apjiearance. blinked, then slid through the space between the laths, and a splash followed. Wishing to see what the others would do. 1 prodded one with the end of a ]>ean-}X)d. It went through a similar }^rfonnance. dixnng through the space between the laths into 18 inches of water in a tub sunk in the ground 10 feet below, .\lthough I have observed this several times. I have not seen any miss the water or yet have I seen any injured ones. I have not observed them ascending to the roof of the shade-house, but presume thev climb up the bean plants, which are thickly interwoven. Is it not unusual for this type of frog to climb to such a height ? — G. M. L. N. Tourist M.\p of Mount D.\ndenong. — A greatly improved edition of the Mount Dandenong tourist maj^ has just been issued by the Lands Department. Covering a larger area than the previous map, it includes the district from Emerald to Gembrook and as far north as Woori Yallock. or " Woori." as the Railway Department now knows that old-settled district. The tourist tracks along Sassafras. Monbulk. Menzies. and Cockatoo Creeks, &c., are clearly marked. These offer unending delights, and. maji in hand, tourists should have no difficulty in finding their way about. • Pocock, .\nn. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6). vol. xv.. p. 176, pi. x.. Jigs. 2. 26. 1895. Cbc Uictorian Daturalisi Vol. XXXI.— No. 12. APRIL 8, 1915. No. 376. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF \TCTORL-\. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at tiie Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 8th March. 1915. In the absence of the president. Dr. C. S. Sutton, one of the vice-presidents, occupied the chair, and about qo members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENXE. From Mr. W. S. Bowman, hon. secretary Flinders Statue Committee, intimating that the St. Kilda Foreshore Committee had offered from £700 to ;^8oo towards the erection of the Flinders statue on condition that the site to be chosen shall be one upon the St. Kilda foreshore. As this would entail a departure from the original plan of a national memorial in the city of Melbourne, the Executive Committee did not feel entitled to take such an important step without consulting the whole body of subscribers : a general meeting of subscribers would therefore be held at the Town Hall, Melbourne, on Monday, 15th March, at 4 p.m., to consider the matter. On the motion of Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, seconded by Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., Dr. C. S. Sutton, vice-president, was delegated to represent the Club ; and on the resolution of Mr. F. Wisewould, seconded by Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.R.H.S., he was directed to urge that the statue be erected somewhere in Melbourne, in a more central position than at St. Kilda. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to the Botanic Garden on Saturday, 13th February, was made by the leader, Mr. F. Pitcher. The chief feature of interest noted was the presence of flowers on the Japanese ^Magnolia, M. conspicita, var. SoHlans,eri. whilst the shrub was with leaf. These magnolias usually flower only when in the deciduous state, but, owing to the abnormal season, a departure from the customary habit had taken place. This peculiarity had not been noticed during the thirty years or so the " Tuhp-trees " have been under cultivation in the Botanic Gardens. The reservoir was visited during the course of the afternoon, and the scheme by which the Garden was reticulated explained in detail. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard referred to the hospitality accorded by Mr. and Mrs. F. Pitcher to the twenty members constituting the party, and moved a vote of thanks to them for the kindness and consideration displayed. A report of the excursion to Croydon on Saturday, 27th February, was presented by the leader, Mr. C. French, jun.. t74 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [v'oPxxxi who said that there was a good attendance of members, but, owing to the extremely dry season, objects of interest were extremely scarce. Several species of gall-making coccids (scale-insects) belonging to the genus Brachycelis were found, and their remarkable fonns examined. Several ordinary forms of scale-insects were seen on eucalyptus saplings, while some bushes of Helichrysiim ferriigineum were found to be affected with a yellowish-green scale, a species of Asterleocanium, ])robably new. A beetle, Lagria grandis, was very common about many of the eucalypts. In some districts this beetle has recently attacked ripe fruit and vegetables, becoming quite a pest. Several eucalyptus saplings almost stripped of their leaves were noted, bearing dozens of the leafy homes of the larvae of Hubner's Case-moth, thus presenting a very peculiar appearance. In a sheltered gully some plants of the Rainbow Fern, Davallia dubia, were secured for home cultivation. After a pleasant ramble of about four miles over country which in springtime should yield an abundance of wild-fiowers. the station was reached shortly before 6 p.m. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. p. R. H. St. John, referring to his exhibit of herbarium specimens of Eucalyptus Smithii, R. T. B., 1899, said this par- ticular form of eucalypt was little known in Victoria, but was in great demand in New South Wales for oil, its average yield being 1.35 per cent., containing 75 per cent, of eucaly])tol. The specimens exhibited were collected near Mallacoota Inlet, February, 1915, by Mr. A. T. Burton, of the Victorian Rail- ways. The tree is known as the Ciully Gum, and was found by the late Mr. A. W. Howitt, about 1882. Mr. O. Rosenhain called attention to his exhibit, consisting of damaged bunches of grapes, mostly Waltham Cross, which had been destroyed by blackbirds in his garden at East St. Kilda, where he has about sixty vines, and could pick ten times as many bunches in a similar condition. He considered the blackbirds the most destructive of all introduced birds. Unlike the starling, the myna, and the sparrow, which take flight at the slightest alarm, the blackbird instantly runs to cover, and is lost to sight, thereby making its destruction a difftcult matter. In ten or fifteen minutes it returns and recom- mences its depredations. He therefore strongly recommended that the blackbird be placed on the list of destructive birds. Adverting to his exhibit of the molar tooth of whale, Parasqualodon wilkinsoni, M'Coy, from Crassatella beds. Table Cape, Tasmania, Tertiary (Janjukian), Mr. F. Cudmore said the Parasqualodon belongs to the sub-order Odontoceti, or toothed whales, which is first found in Australia in tlie Janjukian. P. wilkinsoni has been recorded from beds of that age at Waurn Ponds, Torquay, and Cape Otway. in Victoria. ■'^J^"''''l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 175 Mr. J. Gabriel drew attention to the fasciation evidenced in his exhibit of a branch of Tecoma McKenii. The plant from which the si)ecimen was taken was growing in his garden at Kew, and bore other examples of this abnormal feature. Fasciation is a common malformation in jilants, especially in stems, which become enlarged and flattened. It produces the crest-like condition exhibited in the cultivated cockscomb, which is an instance of hereditary fasciation, and is said to be ordinarily caused by gall mites. Mr. F. Pitcher drew attention to his exhibit of blooms of Acacia discolor, Willd., Sunshine Wattle, and Acacia linearis, Sims, Narrow-leaved Acacia, now flowering in the Botanic (iarden, and also to the fruiting branches of the Victorian Mutton wood, Myrsinc variabilis, R. Brown, and to a photo- graph depicting the February flowering of the Japanese Magnolia, Magnolia conspicua, var. Soulangeri. Mr. J. Searle drew attention to several species of thrips exhibited on behalf of Mr. R. Kelly. Thrips are extremely small insects, which can do an immense amount of damage to plant life, and this season have been particularly destructive, especially to orchard crops. Thrips are classed by themselves in the order Thysanoptera, so named on account of their fringed wings. Their feet are peculiar, on account of being bladder shaped. One remarkable Australian genus forms galls on acacia leaves, while another (Idolothrips) is quite a giant in the group, being a quarter of an inch in length. He also called attention to a tube of pond water showing a remarkable development of a species of Vorticella, one of the Bell-animalcules. A colony of these attached to a twig had been placed in a tube 4 inches x |-inch, three-parts filled with watei", and in forty-eight hours had increased to such an extent that the whole of the tube was lined with new colonies of Vorticella. LECTURE. Mr, E. O. Thiele, D.Sc, then delivered an illustrated lecture on " Geological. Exploration in Portuguese East Africa." The lecturer, who for many years was a member of the Club, for the last seven years has been conducting geological explo- ration in tropical Africa, under the direction of the Imperial Institute, London. For two seasons he was associated with Mr. A. E. Kitson in Southern Nigeria, who, it will be remembered, gave an interesting account of his work before the Club some eighteen months ago {Vict. Nat., vol. xxx., p. 37, June, 1913). During the past four years he has had charge of similar work in Portuguese East Africa, where he has had as an assistant Mr. R. C. Wilson, also a Victorian. The lecture was illustrated by a splendid series of lantern slides, those of the physical features being especially fine. 176 Field Naturalists' Cluh—PmccedinRs. [vT,K'xxxi. Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., in moving a liearty vote of thanks to the lecturer, said the series of views lie had displayed were perhai)s the most interesting ever shown at a Chih meeting, and all present had listened to his remarks, with their infinite wealth of detail, with the closest attention. The excellence of the photography, and the jihysical effort Mr. Thiele must have undergone to obtain many of the views, apjiealed to all. The motion was seconded by Mr. F. Wisewould, and carried by acclamation. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. Chapman, F.L.S. — Leaves of Sugar Gum. Eucalyptus cladocalyx. F. v. M., showing helicoid growth. By Mr. F. Cudmorc. — ]\Iolar tooth of whale. Parasqualodou wilkinsoni, M'Coy, from Crassatella beds. Table Cajie, Tasmania, Tertiary (Janjukian). By Mr. J. Gabriel. — Branch of Tecoma McKcnii, from exhibitor's garden, Kew, showing fasciation. By Mr. R. Kelly. — Various species of thrips. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Flowering specimens of the Xarrow- leaved Acacia, Acacia linearis, Sims, and the Sunshine Wattle, Acacia discolor, VVilld., from Botanic Garden ; also fruiting branches of the Victorian Smooth Beech. Myrsinc variabilis. R. Brown, and a photograph dejMcting the February flowering of the Japanese Magnolia, Magnolia conspicua, var. Soulangeri. By Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.R.H.S. — Portion of tomato plant, Solatium lycopersicum, Linn., showing bud and growth develop- ment at each node of the leaflets ; pinnate leaf of Honey Locust Tree, Glcditschia triacanthos, L., showing three pinnate leaflets (the tree naturally possesses pinnate leaves only). By Mr. O. Rosenhain. — Bunches of grapes destroyed by blackbirds, from exhibitor's garden. East St. Kilda. By Mr. J. Searle. — Vorticella, sj)., also several species of thrips collected by Mr. Reginald Kelly. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Herbarium specimens of Eucalyptus Smithii, R. T. B., Gully Gum, collected near Mallacoota Inlet, February. 1915. by Mr. A. T. Burton. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. PORTUGUESE EAST AFRICA. The following is a brief resume of a very interesting and in- structive illustrated lecture given by Mr. E. O. Thiele, D.Sc, at the March meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. The lecturer said that during the past four years he had been engaged in geological investigations in that part of Portuguese East Africa between the Zambesi and Sabi Rivers, an area of about 67,000 square miles. ^,^"^'] Portuguese East Africa. 177 The conditions of work and travel, being off the beaten track of ordinary travellers, are very different from those of bush-life in Austraha, so that there is much of interest to relate with regard to the experiences incidental to the organizing and carrying out of exploration in these parts. Everything has to be carried on the heads of natives, for, after leaving the railway line which leads from Beira to Rhodesia, there are no roads for wheeled vehicles, and the presence of belts of country infested with tsetse fly prevents the use of horses or oxen for extended trekking. The party numbered only two white men ; but, as a supply of food and equipment for at least six months had to be taken, and frequently large supplies of food carried also for the porters, the number of natives in the caravan sometimes amounted to as many as 150. There are many disadvantages attached to having such a large retinue. Transport and food problems and other accompanying worries occupy much attention and thought ; but, on the other hand, there is a great advantage in having a large supply of labour for track and line clearing, the sinking of test holes, the carrying of tools and instruments, and other work associated with exploration in rough or bush-covered country. The foreign language and customs have to be reckoned with by travellers new to these parts. Many of the Portuguese officials speak Enghsh, but in the back country the intercourse with white persons is very occasional. The knowledge of a native language is, however, of more importance and help. The principal native languages are Sena and Shangan ; but, as most of the natives have been across the frontier into Rhodesia or the Transvaal, to work in the mines, they generally understand Kaffir, which is easy to pick up, and this is, in fact, almost a necessary attainment for the white traveller. It is impossible to do entirely without an interpreter, but, even at the best, this method of conversing is slow, and frequently trying and unsatisfactory. The climate shows a wide range — from the hot coastal low- lands to the cooler uplands and frontier heights, where the altitude rises to over 6,000 feet in places. Malaria is present, as it is in most parts of tropical Africa, but nevertheless many districts are tolerably healthy, and during the dry season, for at least six months, the climate is often very agreeable, especially in the highlands. The greater ]'»art of the country is covered with forest, which is very dense in some of the moister parts, but in general is of an open character. Rank grass, from 10 to 12 feet high — the growth of a few months after the rains — is a striking feature, and is often a great hindrance to exploration. The country, on the whole, is well watered by numerous 178 Portuguese East Africa. [v^r'kxxi permanent streams. Many parts arc fertile, and should be productive in the future when suitable communication is established. The district adjoining the railway line is developing rapidly as a maize-producer. A certain amount of gold-mining has l^ecn carried on for some years in the Manico district, near Rhodesia. The most productive mining undertaking at present is a gold-dredging proposition in the Revue Valley. Game is plentiful and of great variety in some districts, especially on the Gorongoza Plains, where countless mobs of animals can be seen. These are the favourite hunting-ground of numerous lions. The journeys of the Survey each season amounted to distances varying from 1,500 to 2,000 miles, and, as the scenery is diversified and often grand and rugged along the frontier, a fine collection of views had been obtained. For the present lecture these were selected and arranged systematically into instructive groups as follows : — 1. Scenes and incidents of travel and camp life. 2. Vegetation. 3. Physiographic studies. 4. Studies of native life and customs. With regard to the physiograj^hic section, the region i)rovides some interesting and striking illustrations of the intimate relation of scenery and surface features generally to geological structures and processes. It is a region of diversified features, ranging from extensive lowland plains to mountainous blocks rising to more than 6,000 feet above sea-level. It lies in an interesting but very imperfectly known portion of the important tectonic zone of Eastern Africa. Its surface features show a marked relation to imi)ortant lines of fracture and dislocation. The most important are those having a north and south trend. They are best developed along the eastern edge of the great plateau of Southern Rhodesia. They coincide closely with the frontier, forming a zone of striking scarps and fault-blocks. Faulting, parallel to this line, but further east, has resulted in the dislocation of an ancient pene-j^lain forming a large shelf or step from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above sea-level, exhibiting interesting examples of differential movement, residual ridges and blocks, insclberg types of scenery, and general rejuvenation of the river systems. The torrential character of the rain in the wet season, fol- lowing a long dry one, renders general eiosional forces very active ; but, jiowerful as they are, it would ai)pcar tliat the major features of the region arc dominated by imjiortant tectonic and structural factors. A more extended description and discussion of these features, by Messrs. Thiele and Wilson, is to be found in the Geographical Journal, January, 1915. April,! Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 179 A NATURALIST IN NORTHERN QUEENSLAND. By J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., Curator of the National Museum, Melbourne. [Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, gth Nov., 1914.) {Continued from page 172.) On the Gth January the weather cleared sufficiently to enable us to remove to a camp a few miles down the river, our object being to work the extensive mangrove and tea-tree swamps.' The country here consisted of fairly open forest, the lower- lying parts forming great swamps, in which grew thick forests of the Paper-bark Tea-tree, Melaleuca leucodendron. Bordering the river for many miles are the mangrove swamps, consisting chiefly of the white mangrove. This species grows to a height of 30 or 40 feet, the rather slender and perfectly straight stems being branched only at their tops, and bearing a large, round, orange-like fruit about four inches in diameter. These swamp areas are inundated with each rise of the tide, and more or less drained again as the tide recedes, leaving the surface covered with a thick, sticky mud, through which protrude the short, pliable pneumatophores or breathing tubes of the mangrove. As we splashed our way through water and mud among the closely-growing trees, the inrushing tide raising the water knee- deep, numbers of large mangrove crabs dropped off the tree- trunks and scrambled into their holes in the slimy mud, while in the more open spaces butterflies of various kinds, including the brilliantly-coloured Mangrove Blue, Arhopala amytis, flitted to and fro. Several species of birds were noted, chief among them being the gorgeously-plumed White-tailed, Yellow-billed, and Mangrove Kingfishers, which frequent these localities, the latter never being found far from their vicinity. Just outside the mangroves, and among a densely-tangled scrub, were some of the finest examples of the Fan Palm yet met with. These were growing in a great mass in swampy ground too difficult to penetrate, and varied in height from 3 to 30 feet. Several species of moths, including Euchromia irius and Tigridoptera mariana, and some unknown species, were taken among the darkened mangroves, but the rising tide and myriads of mosquitos did not permit us to delay. Bordering the edges of these swamps we occasionally came on broad, deep water-holes margined with almost impenetrable scrub, palms, and ferns, in which we disturbed several crocodiles, which, suddenly startled, splashed into the water, leaving a long trail to mark their progress. Along the banks of such holes and near the river these reptiles build up their nest- mounds, in which they deposit their eggs. While wading through the swamps care had to be exercised to avoid these l8o Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queneland . [v^'^xxxi. reptiles, as they were now breeding, and were more tlian usually venturesome. Later on, while rowing down the river, our blacks pointed out one of these nesting-mounds, situated close to the edge of the river. The freshly-scraped earth all around showed that it had just been covered, and on opening it up we found 43 fresh eggs, deposited in a mass about a foot below the surface. The mouncl consisted of a dome-shaped mass of sand, leaves, sticks, and other debris, scraped together from a space of some 10 feet all round, and measured 4 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. Some of the eggs were taken for blowing, and the remainder given to our blackboys, who im- mediately cooked them. Leaving the mangroves and traversing the open forest for some distance, we reached one of the extensive, shallow, tea- tree swamps, margined in places with thick growths of ferns — Aspidium cordifoluim — which grew to a height of about 3 feet, and spread over an area of several chains wide, with here and there fine examples of Screw Palms. Growing in the water was a forest of Paper-bark trees, Melaleuca leiicodendron, whose tall, straight, white trunks stood out prominently against the dark waters of the swamp, in which they were beautifully reflected. Dozens of dragon-flies darted swiftly to and fro among the tree-trunks, the bright sunlight, gleaming through the foliage, catching their gauzy wings, and making them to appear like small birds. Here and there were great Fan Palms, forming small plantations in the deeper parts of the swamp, among which we more than once disturbed a crocodile. The blacks warned us of " plenty alligator " in these swamps, and we kept a sharp look-out for any sign of them while wading through water, usually up to our knees, but often to our waists. The bottom was thick mud, and we had great difficulty in keeping on our feet owing to the great quantity of submerged trees and branches. The water was quite warm, and at times almost hot, while at every step evil-smelling gases arose from the surface from the masses of decaying vegetable matter beneath. In these swamps we took several nests of the Brown- backed Honey-eater, Glyciphila modesta, loosely-built struc- tures of strips of bark, and lined with soft flakes of the same material (three of which contained the egg of the Brush- Cuckoo), and the Buff-breasted Fly-eater, Gerygone Icvvigaslcr ; the nest of the latter was also built of fine strips of bark, inter- woven among the leaves of the tea-tree, and lined with finer bark material and a few feathers. On the edge of the swamji was obtained a White-bn)wed Water-Crake. Poliolininas Icucoplirys, and the White-quilkd Pigmy-^'Oose, Neitapiis albipennis. In the open forest several nests of Cockerell's Honey-eater April,"! Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. i8i were found. These birds, which have a beautiful musical note, build a very neat, open, cup-shaped nest of very hne grass, with at times fine tendrils, usually placed in a small shrub three or four feet from the ground. Otiiers, such as the Shining Flycatcher, Piczorhynchns ■nitidiis, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Machcerirhynchus fiaviventer. Northern Fantail, Rhipidiira isura. Yellow Oriole, Oriohis fiavicinctus, Lovely Wren, Maliirns amahilis, &c., were also taken, while in the open country, on the opposite side of the river, was secured the rare Blue-cheeked Parrot, Platycercus amaihiisicB. Close to our camp was discovered an old and deserted bower of the Fawn-breasted Bower-bird, Chlamydera ccrvini- ventris, and on the following day a fresh one was found, built in the shelter of some thick scrub. The sides of the bower were formed of small twigs, closely and securely packed, about 15 inches long and 12 inches high, separated at the top, the base, of similar material, extending at either end a little distance from the upright sides. Both entrances were decorated with numbers of brightly-coloured berries about half an inch long, some bright green, others dark l)lue, while others were placed here and there among the toj)s of the upright twigs forming the sides of the bower. A couple of feet from either entrance was a small heap of the faded and discarded berries. This bower was carefully removed intact, and is now in the National Museum. The measurements of the old bower were : — Length of walls, 15 inches ; height, 12 inches ; space separating upright walls, 3 inches ; thickness of material forming walls — on one side 6 inches, on the other not more than 3 inches. The platform approach extended at one end 15 inches, at the other 4 inches. The whole structure was so compactly and firmly constructed that, although an old one, and saturated with the recent rains, it could be lifted bodily by the upright walls without injury. Later on we dug out several burrows of the Elephant Beetle, Xylotritpes, numbers of which we found in the vicinity of our camp in the loose, sandy soil. These burrows were easily recognized by the large heap of soil piled up outside the entrance, which measured about two inches in diameter. Many of the burrows opened up were over 18 inches deep, winding somewhat as they went down and ending in a small rounded chamber filled with a good handful of gum-leaves, among which the female deposits her eggs. In several of these chambers we found a single female, and in one three small whitish eggs of a long oval shape, deposited among the vegetable debris. Apparently the burrow is excavated by the female only, as no males were found. The eggs are hatched by the moist heat of the decaying vegetable material, upon which, 1 82 Kershaw, /i Naturalist iv Northern Queensland, [vo'r'xxxi. as well as the roots of the adjacent trees, the larwe apparently feed. Another burrowing insect found here was a large cricket, which makes a small round ])urrow in the open spaces about half an inch in diameter and 15 inches deep. Around the entrance was usually scattered a small quantity of fine sand. Some of these burrows were noticed within our tent, and during the evenings the insects frequently emerged. One of the most interesting sights witnessed during our trip was the occurrence of the fire-flies, small, black beetles about a quarter of an inch long, belonging to the family Lampyridae — Luciola (? sp.) These first appeared on the 14th January, and were seen almost every night until we left at the end of the month. It was a wonderful sight to witness the flight of these small creatures, which appeared as intensely bright floating lights, moving gently to and fro around the tree-tops or from tree to tree, and occasionally descending to the ground. Two or three tall eucalypts near our camp seemed to have a special attraction for them, and in the darkness of the night the dozens of tiny lights floating about their topmost branches presented quite a remarkable spectacle, which could be seen from a considerable distance. Many flew round and even into our tents, where they could be seen drifting to and fro after our lights were extinguished. The light, which is apparently a means of attracting the sexes to each other, is produced from a small whitish patch on the under side of the abdomen. In what is presumed to be the male, this patch is situated on the penultimate segment, while in the female it is larger and extends over the second and third last segments. It has been suggested that the light is produced by the slow oxidation or combustion of a substance supposed to be phosphuretted hydrogen which is formed under the influence of the nervous system, and that the seat of the light is the parenchymatous cells of the superficial layer of the light organs. The light given forth from these abdominal patches is so bright and intense that it produces quite a radiance around the object on which it settles. It pulsates in and out at short intervals, and the insects have the power of extinguishing it at will, but only for very short intervals. The alternate emission and cessation of the phosphorescence is clearly seen as the insects float through the air, and particularly while holding them in the hand. That produced by some placed alive in a small glass tube in the pocket of a white coat could be detected through the material. When left undisturbed it became dull, but directly the tube was shaken it became very brilliant, and even when held near the light of a lamp could be clearly seen. A somewhat similar light was noticed on the ground, which, on investigation, proved to be produced by a small worm-like Apnl.j Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. 183 semi-transparent larva, about half an inch long. The head was furnished with a phosphorescent light, similar to but not so large and bright as that of the beetle, while it was much brighter than that emitted by glow-worms noticed a few weeks earlier in the same locality. Could these be the larvae of the beetle ? •After spending several days among the swamps, we again moved our camp up the river. The heavy rains still continued, and their effect on the growth of the coarse grass was wonderful. In places where we had previously found it easy walking the grass was now three and four feet high, and we were rarely dry. Shrubs and creepers were now coming into flower, some of the latter having a strong, sweet scent. March-flies and mosquitos had increased to such an extent that we were often compelled to light smoke fires in the sciiib in order to get a little relief, while similar fires had to be kept going regularly around and inside our tents. The ordinary domestic fly, which had been practically absent, now made its appearance in increasing numbers every day, and a small blow-fly, which dropped its living larvse over everything, frequented the camp in numbers. Leeches and the scrub-itch were, however, absent. Insects were now becoming more plentiful, and many inter- esting species were taken. Cicadas were numerous, five or six species occurring, chiefly in the open country, while among the butterflies were Papilio polydorus, Rhinopalpa sabina, Diadema alimena, Massaras prosope, Mycalesis terminus, and several species of skippers. Several rare moths, some quite new to me, were also captured. Many of the birds were also nesting more freely. In the scrub the small, open, cup-shaped nests of the White-bellied Flycatcher, Monarcha albiventer, were found, containing two eggs. They were composed of small strips of bark and fine tendrils, bound together with spiders' web, and lined with hair-like fibre and rootlets. In a deep recess between the l)uttressed roots of a large fig-tree was discovered the nest of the Lesser Pitta, P. simillima, containing three eggs. It was a loosely-built, dome-shaped structure, placed on the ground, and built of leaves, small sticks, and fibres, with the entrance at the side. Another nest was found in a' similar situation, but about 8 feet from the ground. The nests of the Blue- breasted Pitta, P. mackloti, were also found. Two of these were built on the ground in a similar situation to those of P. simillima ; another was found among the branches of a recently fallen tree. The White-tailed Kingfisher, Tanysiptera sylvia, and the Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Symci flavirostris, both breed in termites' mounds, in the side of which they excavate a small tunnel. They occupy these mounds whether situated on the l84 Kershaw, A Naturalist in Northern Queensland. [v^'"xxxi. ground or high up in the trees, one of the latter species being found about 30 feet from the ground. Nests of the Rufous- breasted Thrush, Colluricincla ntfigaster, and the Grass-Warbler, Cisticola exilis, were also taken. To give anything like a full account of our varied experiences in this extremely interesting country would occupy much more space than can be spared. A large number of photo- graphs, many of particular interest, were taken during our visit, but, notwithstanding every possible care taken, most of these were more or less ruined by mildew during the wet season. We remained here until the 30th January, when, according to airangement, our boat arrived and took us, with our baggage, down the river, and thence to Lloyd Island. We left the island on the ist February on our 80-mile journey in a lugger to the Claremont Islands, where we again boarded the s.s. Suva, bound for Brisbane. This ended one of the roughest but certainly one of the most interesting of trips it has been my lot to experience, and I was never more sorry than when I bid good- bye to our friends, Messrs. W. M'Lennan and A. Mohr, who had done so much to make our visit an enjoyable and profitable one, and turned my back on the Claudie. To Mr. M'Lennan I am greatly indebted for his continued interest and help in my work. Without his assistance and experience it would have been impossible to have explored so extensively the dense scrubs, and it was due to his ejiergy and enthusiasm that I was able to add many of the rarer specimens to my collection, while to Dr. Macgillivray, who arranged the trip, I owe the opportunity of visiting so remote a part of Northern Queensland, and I am glad to give expression to my heartiest thanks for the corchal and ever-ready assistance accorded me by himself and his son Ian throughout the trip. [The paper was illustrated by a large series of lantern slides. — Ed. Vict. Nat.] " The Memoirs of the National Museum, Melbourne." ^'o- 5 (July, 1914)- — Owing to want of space, notice of this publication has been held over for some time. The number contains an important article by Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., F.R.M.S., Pal?tontologist to the Museinn. entitled. " On the Succession and Homotaxial Relationships of the Australian Cainozoic System." The author has dealt so fully with his subject that, aided by the figures and references, the article might almost be used as a guide to the fossiliferous localities of southern Victoria, and students of Cainozoic fossils will be deeply indebted to the author for clearing uj) so concisely the certain amount of confusion which has resulted from the determinations of various authorities.