FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Sound at A.M.N.H. THE *i, Victorian Naturalist: THE JOURNAL & MAGAZINE OF THE jfhfhl Jatutjalbls' ^hb of Interna, VOX. XXXII. MAY. 1915, TO APRIL, 1916. Ibcn EOltor MR. F. Ci. A. BARNARD. The Author of each Article is responsible for the facte and opinions recorded. Melbourne WALKER, MAY a CO., PRINTERS, MAOKILLOP 8TREET "IK 390 LITTLE COLLINS 9TRE1 1 . 1910. > to - n o <\ o i 'V-^n ■*-<» THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. VOL. 2£2£2£II. MAY, 1915, to APRIL, 1916. CONTENTS. Field Naturalists' Club or Victoria: — page Annual Report -._-__ 38 Exhibition of Wild-Flowers - 97, 109 Proceedings 1, 21, 37, 53, tio, 81, 93, 10."), 121. 137, 153, 173 Reports of Excursions - I, 23, 24, 37, ."»3, 65, 81, 93, 105, 121, 126, 138, 142, 153, 173 ORIGINAL PAPERS. AtrDAS, J. W., F.L.S. — Glimpses en passant on a Trip to Mount Bcenak ------ iijj Chapman, P., A.L.S., F.R.M.S.— Notes on Foraminifera and Ostracoda found in a Sample of Sand at Willianistown - - - - - 2, -lit Chapman, P.. A.L.S., P.R.M.S.— Notes on a Large Specimen of 1 'nuns dennanti, Tate (with figure) o Chapman. F., A.L.S., F.R.M.S.— On Some Smaller Fossils from the Red Limestone at Grange Burn, near Eamilton, with a Note on a New Species of Bolivina (with figure) - - - 111 FULLER, Amy V. — Some South African Scenes ami Flowers - ij~ Gatlitf, J. H. — Descriptions of New Australian Varieties of Cowries (with figures) - - - - 1 17 II.uuiv, A. D., F.L.S.— Note on the Contractile Vacuole of a Protozoon - Hardy, A. 1)., F.L.S.— The Forests of Victoria Kkaici i.A.Mi. G. A. — A Study of Birds at Breeding Time BJBBLE, P. A.— Picric Acid and Grass-tree Gum O'DONOGHUE, J. G.— Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain Pescott, E. E., F.L.S., and French, C, jun. — A Year Among the Orchids : a Reminiscence - - 7."> Rosen hain, O. W.— A Naturalist in Java ... 15!) Si wu.E, J., and ShePHABD, J.— A Visit to the Lakes neat Colac and Oamperdown - - - S7 Witty, IP -A Naturalist on flu- Yorkshire Moors « - 177 '; 17 <;<». 110 133 101 1 . 26 INDEX. Acacia fimbriate, A. Cunn. - 67 Acacia implexa - - - 155 Acacia myrtifolia - - 84 African Scenes and Flowers 15, 57 Amoeba 2, 17 Andrews, The late H. - - 136 Antigont 6 Audits. .7. VY. Trip to -Alt. Beenak - - 139, 164 Austral Avian Record - ■'> Blackfisk - - - -20 Jjci'l.,//'i nrijiir - - -84 Boeckella nyoraemis - - 10G Boeclella symmetrica - - (JG Bolivina hentyana - 108, 1 15 Boobook Owl, Call of - 55, 56 Botanic Gardens, Visit to - 65 Botanist, A Blind - - 104 Botrychium tematum - - >'~t Bower-bird, Spotted - -18 Brachionua - - - 90, 91 Burnley Gardens, Visit to - 1 5 1 ( './/<( nnonti - 5 PAGE L22 88 89 Ghiloglottia frapeziformt Cladocera - ( 'ociella striatula Conua dennanti, A Large Oopepod, A New ('npepnd, Abnormal Linili in Copepods 88 Cordylophora - - 88, Cowries, Two New Varieties of 123, Crayfish, The Sydney - Cryptostylis longifolia - < 'ypra a m Maris, var. gabrieli Cypraa venvsta, var. bakeri Dandenong Ranges, Excur- sion tn Daphnia lumholtzi Dee Valley and Ben Cairn, Excursion to Diuris palachila - Echidna - Economic Museum, Botani- cal Gardens, Visit to Eucalypts, Oils from - 141,155 Eucalypts, Victorian Species of - Eucalyptus Risdoni Exchange I )ffer - Exocarpos cupressiformis Pantail, Blaok-and-White - Pern, Botrychium Pern, < )phioglossum - field Naturalists' Clubof Vie toria- Annual Reporl Excursions Beaumaris - Biological School, Qni rersity Bulla - Burnley < tardena - Dandenong Banges Dee Valley and 1 drn Eoonomic Museum, tanioal I lardenu I I.I Ilk lull - SI GO 90 154 147 156 12 '-' 148 1 17 !»:; 153 157 96 71 65 11!) 84 5:5 L39 3fi 67 S) 38 - IKS 24 1 54 93 Ben I!,, - 157 Gembrool ( rreenvale wood Lilydale Mitcham and 105, Wild- 66 94 126 94 142 81 PAG E Narre Warren - - 23 National Museum - - 87 Nyora - IOC Pakenhain - - 93 Richmond Quarries - 150 Springvale - - -81 Sydenham - - -24 Upper Beaconsfield - 12] Warrandyte - - si Wildwood - - - "i Williamstown - - I You Yangs - 105 Zoological Gardens - IT;! Exhibition of Wild-Flowers 86, 97, 109, 1127 Financial Statement - 44 ( office-bearers, 1915-16 - 45 Proceedings, 1, 21. 07, 53, 05, si, 93, 10.0,121, 107, 153, 173 Fishing Note, A - - 74 Flowers, South African 45, 57 Foraminifera - - 2, 49 Forests, Victorian 22, 69, 107 Fossils from Grange Burn 10>S, 141 Fossils from Lilydale - - 142 Fossils, Opalized, from New South Wales - 92 Franks ton, Excursion to - lJ4 Frer/ctta 0 French, C, jun., and Pescott, E. E., A fear Anions Orchids - - - .VI Frost, The late Charles - 86 Fuller, Miss A., South Afri- can Scenes and Flowers 45, 57 Fulton, The late S. W. - 130 Gatliff, J. H., Two New Var- ieties of Australian Cow- ries - 123, 147 Gembrook, Excursion to - 120 Geology of Mallee - -180 Grange Burn, Fossils from 108, 144 Gmss-Pai rakeet, Warbling, Breeding of- - - 36 Grass-trees and Picric Acid 6(5, 101 Greenvale and Wildwood, Excursion to 94 Hall, Dr. T. S., M.A. 83, 128, 137, 153, 176 Manly, A. D., F.L.S.— Con- tractile Vacuole of Pro- tozoon 2, 47 PAGE Hardy, A. D., F.L.S.— Victorian Forests 22. 09, 107 Hawks and Ducks - - Hi Herring, The Yarra - - 125 Hill. Gerald F., F.E.S. - 136 If. ney-eater, White-plumed 56 .lava. A Naturalist in 123, 159 kangaroos- ... 158 Kangaroos and Voung - 15 Kaufmann. The late Lance - Corpora] - 38 Keai'tland, G. A.. A. Study of Birds at Breeding Time :>,:;, 83 Keble. P. A., Picric Acid and Grass-tree Gum - fid. 10] Kookaburra Note. A. - - 25 Koonwiga cursor - - 138 Koo-weo-rup Swamp - - 164 Lake Bullen-Merri - 65, 89 Lake Colac - - 65, S7 Lake Corangamite - 66, 91 Lake Gnotuk - - 65, 89 Lake Mournpoul - 19, 20 Laughing Jackass - - 25 Lilydale, Excursion to - 142 Lilydale Fossils - 142 Limnias ceratophyllas - - 155 Loranthus Hnophyllus - - 21 Magpie's Nest - - 22, 30 Mallee, Geology of - - 180 Mathewsena - o M'ttheivsia t; Meadow Moonwort - - 67 Microscopical Society of Vic- toria - - - - 85 Mistletoe, The Slender - 21 Mitcham, Excursion to - 81 Mochlonyx ... 120 Molge pyrrhogcuter - - 90 Monnstroma expanst - - 154 Moth and Myna - - 20 Mount Beenak, Trip to 139, loi .Mournpoul Lake - 19, 20 Murray Cod - - . 20 Murray Flood-Plain, The 7, 20 Myna and Moth - - - 20 Narre Warren, Excursion to 20 National Museum, Notes from - 149 National Museum, Visit to - 37 Newt, Skin of - 96 Nyora, Excursion to - - 106 NyriUS rinitnr - - 151 IN/»K\. PAGE ( Ictopua and Schnspper - 74 O'Donoghue" J. G.. Rambles in Raak - - 1 0<> O'Donoghue, J. G. , Wander bigs mi the Murray Flood- PL. in 7, 26 Oils from Eucalypts 111, 155 Okapi, The - - 150 Orchids, A Fear Among 54, 7a i Irchids, New Victorian 16,96,122 Ostracoda - - 249 Pakenham, Excui sion to - 93 Palinurua Siigeli - 1-3'j Parartt mia zietziann - - ill r.n rakeet, Grass - - 'Mi Parrakeetj Rosella Bee Ei rata; - - - - 83 Parrot, Green Leek - - 83 Penguin, Little - 83 Pennatulidaa - 67 Pi scott, E. E., F.L.S., and French, C, jun., A Year Among Orchids - 54, 75 Picric Acid from Grass- trees - - - 66, 101 riant s. Vernacular Names for Victorian - - - so Podargus, ( 'all of - 55, 56 Prasophyllum album - - 122 Protozoon, ' Jontractile Vacu- ole of - - - --',17 l'i, rosi ylis, New Species ,,i ' - - - id. 53 Pterostylis Ttsueyana - - 54 Pterostylis vittata - oo, 75 Quail, Californian - - 83 Raak, Rambles in - 156 Records of Geological Sur- ji v. Victoria ' - - 180 Reindeer and 81edg< - 149 Robertson, The late A .J.. M.Sc. - - 95 Robin, The Velio* - - •'»:> Ri h king Stone at Narre W rai ren - - - - '-' I Rool Attachments 139 ohain, Mr. 0. W. - 38 Row ohain, < ' W., .\ Natui ili-t m Java 123, I 59 PA.GB " Rutherglen Fly." The - 151 Samoyede Sledge, A - - L49 Scale Insects, New Victorian los, 176 Schnapper and Octopus - 71 Sea-pens - - - - G7 Searle, .J., and Shephard, J., Trip to Colac and Cam- peraown Lakes - 65, 8" Shephard, J., ami Senile, J., Trip to Colac and Cam perdown Lakes - 65, 87 Springvale, Excursion to - si " Stories from Nature " - 10 1 study of Birds at Breeding Tune - - - 83, 133 Sydenham, Excursion to - 24 Sydney Botanic Gardens - 172 Tortoise, River - - - 29 "The Australian Flora in Applied Art" - -152 Tupong, The - - -125 Dpper Beaconslield, Excur- sion to - - - 121 Vacuole, The Contractile 2, 17 Victorian Beetles, New 84, 96 Victorian Eucalypts - -119 Victorian Forests 22, 69, K>7 Victorian Orchids, New 16,96, L22 Victorian Plant Nanus - 80 Victorian Scale Insects, New 108, Waratah in Art - Warrandyte, Excursion to - Wild Ducks, Disease in 140, 151, 163 W ild -Flower Exhibitions — Ballaral - - 92, Kew - - - 92, Williamstown, Excursion to Witty, II.. A Naturalist on the Vorksbire Moors Vorkshire Mi ■ »n V Na< ural ist on - You Fangs, Excursion to - Zoological Gardens, Notes from - Zoological < hardens, \'isit to 17(1 152 81 101) 100 I 105 17'.' 17:; IM)KV. ILLUSTRATIONS. PARK Bolivina kentyana - 145 Conus (Lithoconus) dennanJti - 5 Cyprcea venuata, var. bakeri - 148 Cyprcea vermstn, var. gabrieli 149 Hall. Thomas Sergeant - - 128 ERRATA. Page 83, line 11 from bottom- For " Grass-Parrakeet, Neophema 'Irqu ns" read " Rosella Parrakeet, Platycerdte eximius, Page 94. line 3— For "Woodlands" read " Wildwood." Page 99, line 28 — For " retinoides " read " rrtinodes." Page 137. line 26— For "Mr. II. B. Williamson" read "Mr. A. Vroland. " ClK Uictorian natgrajjii Vol. XXXII.— No. I. MAY 6, 1915. No. 377. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, 12th April, 1915. ^ In the absence of the president, Dr. C. S. Sutton, one of the vice-presidents, occupied the chair, and about 30 members and visitors were present. REPORT. A report of the excursion to Williamstown Back Beach on Saturday, 13th March, was given by the acting leader, Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., who reported a good attendance and a beautiful afternoon. A large variety of objects of interest were met with, particularly of minute life, such as Foraminifera and Ostracoda. These, he remarked, were so interesting that he had prepared some detailed notes concerning the different forms, which he would submit later. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., drew attention to the confusion and interruption at the Club meetings since the inception of the system of adjourning for ten minutes for the purpose of making an examination of the exhibits. Some time ago it had been decided to give this method of procedure a trial. During the period of its continuance his own feeling, and that of many others, was that the system should be discontinued, or modified, as, in addition to its other disadvantages, the break tended to unduly prolong the evening. He would therefore move that the ten minutes adjournment at present in vogue be dis- continued. Mr. P. R. H. St. John seconded the resolution. Mr. A. L. Scott expressed himself in favour of the system. The sole reason the alteration was made was to allow of persons examining the exhibits, which were always valuable and interesting. Mr. D. Best said the interval was a great acquisition, and he was strongly in favour of its continuance. Mr. J. Gabriel moved, as an amendment — " That the system be given a further trial of six months "; and pointed out that the adjournment could be suspended in the event of a lengthy paper, or on lantern nights. The chairman concurred with Mr. J. Gabriel's remarks, con- sidering the objections against the break were not serious. Messrs. J. Searle and F. Pitcher also spoke. Mr. A. L. Scott seconded the amendment, which was put to the meeting, and carried. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. J. Searle, in calling attention to his exhibit of Ibla quadrivalvis, one of the cirripedes or barnacles, collected during 2 Field Xatitralists' Club — Proceedings. [vohXXXH. the Williamstown excursion, said that the genus Ibla contained only two species, both of which had been recorded from New South Wales and South Australia, as well as Victoria. The Life-history of the barnacles was very interesting from the fact that from the egg is hatched a larval free-swimming form, termed a nauplius, a small triangular body bearing three pairs of limbs, thus showing its crustacean origin. This, on moulting, assumes a cyprid form, afterwards attaching itself by the head to a stone or fixed object and developing into a barnacle. It lives a sedentary life, catching its food with its feet, which are the beautiful plumed cirri seen waving from the shell of the barnacle when living. Mr. F. Pitcher drew attention to his exhibit of three species of Acacia at present displaying bloom in the Botanic Garden ; these were tin- Narrow-leaved Acacia. Acacia linearis, Sims, thr Sunshine Wattle, Acacia discolor, Willd., and the Itea-leaved Acacia. Acacia iteaphylla, F. v. M. Also, portion of a flowering branchlet ol the Queensland Fire-wheel Tree, Stenocarpus sinuatus, Endl., which would serve to indicate the gorgeous appearance the tree at present presented : and in reply to a query said the Stenocarpus usually did well in cultivation. PAPERS READ. i. By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S.. " Notes on Foraminifera and Ostracoda Found in a Sample of Sand at Williamstown Beach." The author referred to the special interest attaching to this small collection of microzoa from some Williamstown sand collected during tin' recenl Club excursion, and pointed out the greal variety "I forms from so small a sample. They had a wide distribution, both geographical and geological. The shells were, generally speaking, rather starved or otherwise diminutive, presumably because ol the ma^nesic-bearinfj; rocks in the vicinity. From the ostracodal shells much useful dis- tributional data could be gathered, and. although the deter- minations had to be made on the empty valves, vet sumcienl characters existed to enable one to recognize the various ies, and by means ol blackboard sketches the principal forms were demonsti ated. Mr. |. Gabriel said he would like to know whether the large I Foraminifera found during the process ol boring for coal at Altona Bay some years ago were still extanl in the neighbourhood. Mr. I hapman replied in the affirmative. By Mi. A. I). Hardy, F.L.S., " Note on th i Contra tile Vat uole oi a Protozoon." The authoi said that, while examinin mi material col- lected during the visil ol the ( lul> party to Mounl Baw-Baw year, he came across an organism which, a1 firsl unlike an amoeba, afterwards exhibited a characterise amoeboid move- ment. I he main point ot interesl lay in the observation ol the ^5] Field Naturalists' Club Proceedings. 5 vacuole, which, in behaviour, differed in nunc than one respect, with regard to the cell, from such previous records as he had read. The organism may have been a young amoeba, or a testaceous rhizopod escaped from its test. His remarks were illustrated by blackboard sketches, and coloured draw- ings were used to illustrate a preliminary description of the structure and classification of the Rhizopoda, during which he referred to the idea held by some that continued division of simple forms by fission was suggestive of immor- tality ; despite which instances of the death of the cell were known. Mr. J. Searle remarked that from Mr. Hardy's statements it seemed difficult to decide whether the object under notice was an amoeba or an amoeboid form of some other protozoon. He thought that the vacuole was more probably a food vacuole than a contractile vacuole, as suggested. With regard to the statement that amoeba divided into two, and these again sub- divided, and so on indefinitely, he had found that protozoa, which multiplied by fission, if isolated in a small vessel, after several divisions became enfeebled, and soon degenerated and died : but by introducing fresh individuals into the vessel conjugation between two individuals took place, the proto- plasm of each blending together, and the nuclei fusing into one. Then, after a period of quiescence, subdivision takes place, to be again followed by conjugation. He suggested that it was probably the conjugation of two amoeba? which Mr. Hardy had taken for an instance of cannibalism. In reply. Mr. Hardy quoted Prof. Leidy's description of the seizing and assimilation of Amoeba verrucosis by A. Umax, an undoubted and not lonely case of cannibalism. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. Myna and Moth.— Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., contributed a short note regarding the attempt of an Indian Myna to catch a small moth, which he had witnessed recently. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Growing specimen of Wire Fern, Gleichenia dicarfia, R. Br. By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. — Slide of microzoa, obtained from a pinch of sand collected at Williamstown, 1 ; ; 15. By Miss Amy Fuller. Seeds of the Silver Tree of South Africa, Leucodendron argenteum. By Mr. F. Pitcher. Flowering specimens of the Narrow- leaved Acacia, Acacia linearis, Sims. Sunshine Wattle. Acacia discolor, Willd., [tea-leaved Acacia, Acacia iteaphylla, F. v. M.. and Queensland Fire Tree, Stenocarfius sinuatus, Endl. By Mr. J. Searle.— Spei Lmens of Ibla quadrivalvis, one of the cirripedes, or barnacles, collected a1 Williamstown, £3/3/15, and also a mounted slide of the developing ova. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Excursion to Williamstown Beach. [voi°xxxi XII EXCURSION TO WILLIAMSTOWN BEACH. In the unavoidable absence of the appointed loader, the guidance oi the party of aboul sixteen members and visitors taking part in the excursion to the Williamstown Back Beach on Saturday. 13th March, appeared to devolve upon Mr. J. Searle and myself. The cool weather helped to make the afternoon thoroughly enjoyable. The curved sweep of the foreshore at Williamstown admirably shows, at either end. the extremes of wave-action, in regard to their force and sorting power on the rocks and sand. To the west we have the bare rocks of bluestone, with their accompanying shell- fish faunas, as Cominella, Risella, and Patella ; whilst to the easl the sand forms a wide stretch, amongsl which may he picked out the more delicate forms of shell, chiefly bivalves, as the thinner-shelled species of Venus and Meretrix. From this sandy surface fairly good foraminiferous and ostracodaJ material could he gathered by scraping up the tide-streaks. The fate-, were kinder than usual, as the tide was going out during the afternoon, but it was still scarcely low enough to allow oi searching amongsl the rock-pools. Amongst other objects of flotsam examined, fish-jaws and vertebral bones afforded text-, for interesting discussions, during which the comments oi Dr. J. L. Blakie, a visitor, wen greatly appreciated. Several specimen^ of a reef-forming coral (Plesiastreea) were noticed. A sample ot seaweed examined under the microscope showed numerous kinds of diatoms, as Grammatophora, whose brown riband- were very abundant : many attached clusters of a stalked Gomphonema ; fragments of Lichmophpra fans; and a few stately Gyrosigma. Species of nematode worms were also very common in the water, which denoted the presence of a fair quantity ot decaying matter present, probably derived to some extenl from 'he outflow ot several innocent-looking village drains. An examination oi a pinch oi the shore-sand from a tidal streak showed numerous coralline-, and othei cal- ous alga : fragments oi polyzoa [Caberea) ; by oi molluscs, as Mytilus, Meretrix. Liotia, and Assiminea. Also the fol- lowing: Foraminifera Nubecularia bradyi, Millett, M Molina circular is, Born., -p.. Miliolina polygona, D'Orb., sp.. Dis- corbina dimidiata, Parkei and Jones, Polystomella crispa, I... -p.. Polystomella macella, I and M.. sp. ; Osti icoda Aglaia (?). cf. meridionalis, < ■ S Brady, Macrocypris maculata, G. S. I'... Bairdia amy , *■ S B., Cythere ilemissa. G. S. lb. Cyth ita, G 5 B., /■ oncha alata, G. S. I'-.. Xesto- , G 0. Sars. ; Cirripede Ibla quadrivalvis (col. 1 Searle). - F. Chapman. •V1,y'l Chapman, Note on a Large Specimen ol ('onus dennanti. 5 1915 j 01 j j NOTE ON A LARGE SPECIMEN OF CONUS DENNANTI, Tate. (With Figure.) By F. Chapman, A.L.S., Palaeontologist, National Museum, Melbourne. (Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, Sth Feb., 191 5. J During the transgression of the Miocene sea upon the Aus- tralian continent, great thicknesses of sediments, as clays and shell-marls, with occasional greensands, were laid down, particularly along the coast-line of that period. Both on sea l V. ('.. photo. 1. CONUS (LITHOCONUS) DENNANTI, in Megalomorphic Shell. Janjukian. Bird Rock Cliffs, Torquay, Vi< toria. 2. DITTO, normal type. Balcombian. Muddy Creek, near Hamilton, Vii and land the Miocene fauna and flora were then very abundant and varied in character. It was during these flourishing times that the earlier and often smaller types of shell-fish, as well as , i hai'MAN, No n i Large Specimen of Conus dennanti.[^cxxxi\ of scu-urchins and othei animal forms, reached in many cases their maximum stage oi development. Australia shared in this feast "I fat things, which was spread .it the time over many parts ol the world, and her Miocene marine fauna consequently yields an occasional specimen of gigantic proportions com- pared with similar forms and species from the older and younger rooks of the Tertiary series. One such greatly developed lorm. which seems worthy <>| notice, is the shell of a (onus found by Mr. \Y. J. Parr in the Bird Rock Cliffs, Torquay, and lately presented by him to the National Museum. It belongs to Tate's species. Conns dennanti,* a form which shows certain affinities to ('. pullu- It^cc'iis. T. -Woods. It differs from that species in the fiat or even concave spire, a character which remains pretty constant. as well as in the non-angulate or turbinate protoconch, as pointed out by G. F. Harris.t who. by the way. furnishes a good description of this shell. The length of the large specimen from the Bird Rock Cliffs is 88 mm., with a width, at the apical end, of 60 mm. rhe largesl specimen oi C. dennanti in the Dennanl collection at the National Museum is from the Balcombian of Clifton Bank, Muddy Creek, near Hamilton. Victoria, and measures only 52.5 mm., whilst its greatesl apical width is 35.5 mm. There is a tendency in this cone for the form of the shell to become irregular or even elliptical in cross section, whilst C. pullulescens remains fairly constant in its spiral growth. •■ I'm Austral Avian Record." — Three numbers (vol. ii.. No-. 5, 6, and 7) of this journal are before us. As usual, the principal contents are additions and corrections to the editor's check-lisl ol Australian birds. With the frequenl use of the prefix "Alpha" or the termination "ornis," the editor will -till be able to provide for a few hundred new genera, while the minor differences requiring recognition as sub-species remind one of the results ol a philatelist's perforation gauge. We note that Mathewsia, introduced by Mr. I. fredale foi Antigone, lias been altered to Mathewsena, owing to priority oi somewhal similar names. In a shorl article on the genus Fregata, oi which only two species are admitted in tin- "British Museum ilogue ol Birds," vol. xxvi., Mr. Mathews has managed to name one new spe< ies and about hall a dozen sub-species, besides altering the spe< ific name of /•". aquila to /\ minor. •Tate, K., Trans. W. Soc. S. Vustr. ' vol. xiii. on pi. xi., bu1 apparently issued with vol. xv., 1892), pi. xi.. fig. 7 (name, withoul description). 1 < l1 I'M: 'i- Molhi 1 ' Bril Mus. pari 1. Vustrala ia, [897, p. 53, pl. 11.. figs, Ai!'?-'l O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. y WANDERINGS ON THE MURRAY FLOOD-PLAIN. By J. G. O'Donohue. (Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria ,Slh Feb., 191 5.) At ruATED by the belief that many of the birds and animals of the Mallee, that had not as yet adapted themselves to life in an arid region, would he compelled, by reason of the abnormally dry season, to resort to the Murray, or to those lakes on its flood-plain affording a permanent water supply, Mr. A. \V. Milligan, Mr. (). Rosenhain, and myself determined to visit Mildura and make inquiries there relative to the conditions prevailing at two places we had selected, in its neighbourhood, as being the most likely, from their situation, to contribute to the assemblage of faunal and avi-faunal types under stress of an unfavourable season in their usual habitat. These were Taupalin. on the New South Wales side of the Murray, and Lake Mournpoul, on the Victorian side. Accordingly, we left Melbourne by the 4.15 express on Friday evening, 4th September, and, after a long and tiresome journey of 351 miles, reached Mildura the following morning at 7.20. We were soon apprised that Lake Mournpoul, about 60 miles due south of Mildura, and situate on the flood-plain of the Murray, was deemed the most likely to possess the essentials we sought — viz.. a large area of permanent water bordering an extensive tract of arid country, and affording in its vicinity sustenance lor bird and animal. Proceedings were at once instituted to effect an early start lor the lake on Monday, 7th September, and these being ex- peditiously and satisfactorily completed, the remainder of the forenoon was spent visiting the principal places of interest in tbc town, under the guidance of the ex-presiden1 of the shire, Mr. Whitford, and the local stock inspector, Mi-. M'Leod. Ann lunch Mr. Rosenhain elected to accompany the latter on a sixteen-mile drive he purposed making before supper, whilst Mr. Milligan and 1 wandered off along unknown streets and avenues noting the birds and flowers. The principal and unquestionably the finesl flowering shrub met with in our iambic was Cassia S/i/rtii. It occurred in more or less abundance on many of the thoroughfares we traversed, .md was invariably found in the height of perfection. Several ol the fruit-growers with whom we conversed respecting it maintained that the Dense Cassia flowers best after a drought, but in only one instance was an attempl made to assign the reason why. The cause is undoubtedly due to the fad that during a dry season, when grass is scarce, stink eat the plant almost to the roots, .md when a favourable spring ensues, with 8 O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. [voLXXXii its accompanying abundance of herbage, the plant is untouched, and is consequently afforded an opportunity to promote a growth of twigs, and, at a Later stage, to display its floral beauty to the wayfarer. The Spike Acacia. .1. oxycedrus, the Furze Acacia. A. colletioides, and the Willow Acacia. .1. salicina, were noted bearing flowers in more or less profusion. Kochia villosa, Silky Blue-bush, Kochia pyramidata, Shrubby Blue-bush, and Kochia sedifolia, Dense Blue-bush, were the most conspicuous <»t the ( henopodiaceae, and evidenced a surprising degree of Luxuriance, despite the inhospitable situations in which they were invariably found. Among the many familial' types of birds noted were the Black-backed Magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen, and the Singing Honey-eater, Ptilotis sonora. The former was frequently observed in large numbers on the cultivated areas, and the latter amid the foliage of the Flame Trees, Sterculia acerifolia. Sunday forenoon was devoted to a ramble along the river beneath the giant red gums, in whose leafy crowns numerous varieties of birds had sheltered. The only flowers seen were those borne by sickly plants of the Smooth Minuria, Minuria iniegerrima, Australian Centaury, Centaurea australis, and the Small-leaved Swainsona, Swainsona microphylla. Whilst resting in the --hade ot the gums we were afforded a striking illustration ol the courage and insouciance of the average country child. An undersized, short-frocked girl, whose age was probably no1 more than ten years, pedalled rapidly to the water's edge, near where we were seated, tossed her bike into a row-boat, and. casting loose the painter, seized a paii ol heavy oars and pulled out into the current, which, at this point, was running very strong. Slowly but with grim deter- mination she forced the boal to the opposite hank. and. aftei securing it to a convenient peg, mounted her hike and rode away along a dusty road as if the feal she had jusl a< complished was one that required neither the possession of nerve or skill. Immediately aftei Lunch Mr. Whitford and Mr. Partridge, era! manage] ol the Mildura Irrigation r rust, called with a motor-cai and drove us to Irymple. We were back in time for tea, and parted from oui friends with many good wishes foi the uco "i oui trip, and promises ol a better time on oui retui n. In passing, we cannol refrain from adverting to the kindness and consideration shown us by the secretarj and assistanl etary oi the shirr, by Messrs. Whitford and M'Leod, and by Councilloi and Mi^. Gordon, all ol whom wiic only too willing to imparl any information that mighl l» "i ervice to us mi oui projei ted 1 1 ip. ^o?-'] O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Manny Flood-Plain. 9 Monday, 7th September, found us early astir, and in a short time ready and eager to commence the initial stage of our journey ; but, despite our best efforts, it was not until Q.45 that our unicorn team was headed due south along a thorough- fare lined on either side by comfortable dwellings, whose investure of vines evidenced, by their tender green appearance, the advent of spring. The road being good, and the horses fresh and willing, we made rapid progress, and soon reached the settlement's southern cultivation limit, in the neighbour- hood of a large " billabong." Descending a short, steep slope, we found ourselves on the flood-plain of the Murray, a dreary, sun-parched, mud-coated area dotted with innumerable stumps, and strewn with the litter of a once dense box forest. With the exception of a few sparse growths of Tangled Lignum, M uehlenbeckia Cunninghami, no living bush or plant was to be seen. In this inhospitable area scores of miserable sheep tottered aimlessly about in single file, nibbling at each other's wool, or chewing twigs and dry gum leaves in vain effort to assuage the pangs of hunger and to stave off approaching dissolution. From such a scene as this the eye insensibly turned for relief to the serried ranks of the luxuriant and giant Red Gums, Eucalyptus rostrata, that margined the river on our immediate left, or to the long, irregular line of mucronated pine-tops that stood out sharply against the sky line, some miles distant, on our right. As we progressed the lignum bushes increased in number, and among them occurred gnarled specimens of the Eumong Acacia, Acacia stenophylla. These, as the stiff clay was succeeded by a more arenaceous formation, were supplanted by the Murray Pine, Callitris robusta, and the Ming Quandong. Fusanus (Saula/iuii) persicarius, and by dense thickets of the sea-green Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca. Amid the growths of this naturalized alien (rested Pigeons, Ocyphaps lophotes, were to be counted in scores, and it would seem that they contribute largely to its spread by consuming and subsequently dissemin- ating its seeds. At noon we reached a temporarily deserted wood-getters' camp, situated on the Murray. Here we decided to rest ami feed the horses and to partake of some refreshment. Whilst lunching we woe entertained by (iilbeit's Thickhead, Pachy- cephala gilberti, and by the Brown Fly-catcher, Micrceca fascinans, the lattei repeatedly favouring us with its rapid series oi pleasing notes from the Limb of a low tree close to the lamp. The Spotted Bower-bird, Chlamydodera maculata, and the Peaceful Dove, Geopelia tranquilla, were noted hereabouts, and also a large specimen of the I. ace Lizard, Varanus varius. Alter an hour's rest we resumed our journey, and diverged lo O'Donohi i II meterings on the Murray Flood^Plain. [vdfxxxii somewhat from the river, which had hitherto flowed in close proximity to our course. Ascending a sand-ridge, we found the track margined for the most part with the Needle Hakea. Hakea leucoptera, and the Ming Quandong, Fusanus persicarius, both of which were in profuse bloom. IThe Murray Pine soon became common, and at a later stage tin- Giant Malice. Eucalyptus incrassata, the Slender Malice. /■.'. calycogona, tin Blue Malice. /. . fruticetorum, and the Hooked Malice. /•.'. uncinata. The Coast Twinleaf, Zygophyllum Billardieri, grew luxuriantly among the dwarf eucalypts, and, though the sheep ami rabbits were dying of starvation beside large, succulent growths ot it, we did not observe any bush evidencing the slightest indication of having been tou< lied by one or the other. I'.Y reason, probably, of some bitter principle it contains, the plant seems to be a- obnoxious to sheep and rabbits as the Pimpernel, Anagailis arvensis, and the Small St. John's Wort, Hypericum japonicum. Descending to the Hood-plain once more, we found it in a stage of transition that would ultimately leave it in a con- dition similar to that portion we first encountered - -a barren, treeless waste, dotted with innumerable stumps, and littered with the waste oi a formei forest. The timber-getters were busy. On eithei side ol the track lay piles of weathered tops and disordered heaps of trunks and limbs the former awaiting the fire-stick, and the latter removal to the river's bank, there to remain till the winter floods permitted oi the steamboats ascending the river and conveying them to the pumping station- in the neighbourhood oi Mildura. The chief, it not the sole, cause oi the large quantities ol i finding their way into the Murray and rendering its navigation more difficult '.eh year i- undoubted^ due to the reckl( - d< struction ot the timber growing on the Victorian flood-plain, thereby affording tip I i and flood wal power to increase and to carry theii load ol iispended material mto t he rivei unche< led. Swinging in towards the Murray again, in th< neighbourhood oi adot Station, we noticed its high bank-, in the vicinity ol M'Grath's Island, margined foi chain- by the old kitchen middens ot th< aborigines. From now on till nightfall birds became exceptionally numerous and varied, Flocks oi ted and Bronze-wing Pi i wen flushed ■ *! every few ( hains, and • >1 Maned Gei e, Bla< I. I >u< k, I eal, and various varieties oi Cormorants were noted on the rivei and on the " billabongs." rh< Whiti Egret, // rodiai timoriensis, and the White-necl I Heron, Notophoyx /'milieu, were almost as common as the familial Blue < rane, NolophoyA tu h'llltiiiiii May.j O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. i i Ascending what proved to be the last sand-dune on this stage of the journey, we found it thickly overgrown with the introduced Stinkwort, Inula graveolens, and Crownbeard, Verbesina encelioides. Here the second pair of Emu noted on the trip were descried on the side of a hill, leisurely plucking the Tall Thickheads, Myriocephalus Stuartii. At dusk the roof of the Kulkyne Station homestead was detected above the tops of the Old Man Saltbush, Atriplex nummularia, that here, strangely enough, forms large growths, and occupies, with other salsolaceous plants, a somewhat restricted area. Having presented our letter of introduction to the manager of the station, Mr. Thompson, and reluctantly declined his invitation to spend the night at the homestead, we drove off, and proceeded some distance up the Murray. As the supply of daylight showed unmistakable signs of giving out, we decided to construct our camp near the river, and close to a pile of firewood estimated to contain over 500 tons. The timber-getter, who was camped in the vicinity of this bulky and weighty evidence of his months of strenuous labour, accorded us the usual hearty bush welcome, and at once placed his fire and cooking utensils at our disposal. When all had been made snug for the night, we gathered around the wood-getter's camp fire, and were regaled with many interesting incidents of the once large, but now extinct, tribe of tall, muscular blacks that ranged the countryside some sixty years ago. To the north, we were informed, was a large sand-dune wherein, it was computed, thousands of blacks had been interred, most of whom, it was believed, had died of small-pox. Speaking in reference to the matter subsequently, Mr. Thompson, the manager of Kulkyne Station, ■-aid that when a lad he had been informed by a very aged blackfellow, who was fright lull v scarred with pockmarks, that all his tribe — a very numerous one — were buried in the sand- dune. The old man graphically related to him how a strange black came to the camp one day with the disconcerting information that the " devil-devil " was coming down the river and was killing all the blacks on either bank ; how a dozen members of the tribe sickened that evening, and on the following day died ; how he contracted the disease, and on his recovery found that all, or nearly all. his tribe had perished : how he tied into the remote recesses of the Mallee. where he remained for two years, ami how. on returning to the site ol the old (amp, he discovered the bleached remains »>t his former comrades scattered aboul in the positions they had been overtaken by death; how he remained there alone for many months 1ill joined by other blacks, and how a I resh tribe was gradually built up, to be in turn exterminated, but t2 O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain, [vlhxxxii less suddenly, by the vices and diseases of civilization. The old native's account supports the generally accepted belief that the disease came down the Murray, or from the direction of Svdnev. where it was introduced in January, 1788, at Botany Bay, hy the first convict Meet, and subsequently spread prac- tically throughout the whole of the continent, destroying, it is computed, at least a third of the Australian aborigines. Incidentally, we were also informed by the wood-getter that a sand-hill to the south of our camp had been a burial-ground o! the Kulkyne tribe, and contained hundreds of perfed skeletons, many o1 which had been exposed during recent years by wind erosion. Conversation was continued far into the night, and before retiring to our not too comfortable resting-place Mr. Kosenhain and I determined to pay the necropolis an early visit on the morrow. I was astir before 5 a.m.. ami wandered some distance into tin- still dark vistas of the bush to hearken to the calls ot the birds, which were then beginning to herald the advent of dawn with more or less vehemence. The most persistent calls were those originating from the Curlew, the Boobook, the Spotted Bower-bird, the Laughing Jackass, the Brown Flycatcher, the Black-and-White Fantail, and the White- plumed Honey-eater. The White-fronted Heron, the Black Duck, and the Spur-winged Plover frequently contributed to the medley. Breakfast was well on the way towards completion before the sun had risen, and. aftet rendering Mr. Milligan some little assistance in packing the camp impedimenta, Mr. Rosenhain and I set ou1 with our cameras for the sand-dune. Striking due south at a rapid rate, through rank growths oi Tangled urn. thickets "l the Eumong Acacia, and (lie Black Box, Eucalyptus bicolor, all of which were inundated when the rivei overflowed its banks, we soon discerned a long, irregular hill, trending east and west, and rising omewhat abruptly bom the level ground. So fai as our investigations extended, we found this to be thickly invested with the I all Thickhead. Myriocefhalus Stuartii, and the Small-leaved Swainsona, tinsona microphylla. The introduced yellow-flowered com- posite, Verbesina encelioides, 01 < rownbeard, was also abundant. and is reputed locally to have occasioned the death oi many head oi stock which had browsed upon it. This, however, is .in erroneous opinion, sinc< Professoi Ewart, to whom the plant, with others, was submitted foi identification, points (,nt thai no species oi the genus to which the ' rownbeard belongs is known to be poi onous, and any injurious action it may have is a me< hani< al one. Proceeding to those parts oi the dune where the north wind May,"! o'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. 13 had scoured out deep and extensive holes, we searched vainly for the numerous skeletons alleged to be had for the trouble of picking up ; but, beyond small particles of bone, derived for the most part from the disintegration of the parietal and those of the tibia and femur, we saw nothing worthy of the exposure of a plate. Trending west along the dune, the loose sand, evenly and regularly rippled by the wind, and fretted with the tracks of the emu, the fox, the rabbit, the pigeon, the opossum, and other creatures, proved heavy going. Leaving Mr. Rosen- hain the task of securing a snapshot at a pair of nimble-footed emu, I pushed on along the crest of the dune for fully a mile, searching, but without success, for the objects of our quest. Hereabouts the Native Tobacco, Nicotiana suaveolens, and the introduced Sea-green Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca, grew ex- tensively, and the Ice Plant, Mesembrydnthemum crystallinum, was plentiful and exceptionally luxuriant. I was about to retrace my steps when I noticed a large Wedge-tailed Eagle, TJroa'&us audax, quit a stunted pine on my left and come directly towards me. I at once crouched down beside a bush of Leptospermum flavescens and awaited developments. The bird passed over my head so close that I could have struck it with the barrel of my rifle, and, wheeling immediately, circled the bush a few feet above me with down- stretched neck and inquiring eyes. Extracting my camera from its case, I strove to get it in working order, but, between undue haste and fine sand, my progress was so slow that when I was in a position to make an exposure the eagle, with its curiosity somewhat satisfied, was circling some fifteen yards from me at no great height, but with sufficient speed to nullify all my efforts to get its image on the finder. Rejoining my companion, we struck north-east across the flood-plain in the direction of our camp. The ground over which we passed was parched and fissured by the protracted drought, and only a lew sparse growths of Bamboo Grass, Glyceria ramigera, Woolly- fruited Saltbush, Bassia sclero- lanoides, Spear-fruited Saltbush, Bassia quinquecuspis, Wing- less Blue-bush, Kochia brachyptera, and the Smooth Minuria, Miliaria integerrima, were to be seen. The Black Box, Eucalyptas bicolor, and the Umbrella Acacia, Acacia Osswaldi, abounded, and from every tree of the latter one or more shelter- bags constructed by the larv;e of the Processionary Moth, Teara contraria, was suspended. In no instance, however, was the larva' found within them, nor did any shelter-bag approach in size or perfection that exhibited by the president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, at the Club meeting on Mb Augusl last. The bags noted weir invariably hung on the south side oi the tr< possibly to shelter them from the north wind, which, we were i i O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. [V!V x\\Vi informed, was the prevailing one, but it would seem that most of the strong winds blow from the west, since we subsequently noted, in the neighbourhood of Mournpoul, that all, or nearly all, tlir pines prostrated by the wind had fallen with their tops to the east. On reaching our temporary camp, at 8.30, we found that arrangements had been made by tin- manager of the Kulkyne Station for us to spend the day at the homestead, and proceed on the morrow to Mournpoul. Learning ol our lack of success on the sand-dune, Mr. rhompson proposed a second visit after lunch. On this occasion, under his guidance, we had no difficulty in finding the principal burial-ground, which was situated on the tern slope ol the dune, in close proximity to the river, so that the body of the deceased mighl be more easily conveyed to it- last resting-place in the frail bark canoe that must have i 1 xtensively used by the Kulkyne tribe, since scores of trees were noticed from which the bark had been stripped for their construction. In nearly every instance the decorticated tree had a more or less pronounced bulge in its trunk at the spot from which the bark had been removed. The necropolis was evidently oi considerable antiquity, for many robust trees of the humour Acacia flourished on and among the graves, and the Logs that had been placed upon the then newly-made mound to protect the body from the depredations ol the dingo wen- rendered by the weather as light as cork. Sinking down several feel into the loose sand, the remains of a sheet ol red gum bark was encountered, and beneath it, in a reclining position, rested the skeleton, the feel being towards the east. From the slender nature ol the bones, which were in an excellent State o| preservation, and the fact that the jaws did not contain the lull complement ol teeth, it was assumed that the remains were those ol an immature female. The mode of burial was consistent with the blacks' custom oi the disposal ol deceased females. In disposing ol the corpse oi a male the knees were fastened to tin- neck, the amis to the body, and the legs were firmly secured. The wrists were bound to the ankles, the thumb- wen tied tightly t" and the nails burnt, all these precautions having for theii objeel the prevention ol the deceased's ghost from reaching 1 he surface aftei interment, ami injuring or frightening In- formei friend and relatives. Such elaborate precautions were no! taken with the corpse oi .1 female, since women were a- little feared by men during life as their spirits were after death. \ 1 general rule, the body was placed between two sheets ol bark ami laid in the grave at lull length. I he remaindei ol the day was ipeni in the vicinity ol the Kulkyne home tead collecting botanical specimens and tiol May,! O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Fioail-I'hiiu . \z, 1915 1 the abundance and variety of bird-life. In the horse paddoi I the Old Man Saltbush, Atriplex nummularia, formed dense masses of great extent, and often exceeded a height of ten feet, whilst elsewhere it and the Grey Saltbush, Atriplex cinerea, were eaten l>v stock close to the ground. Anion- these growths Eremophila maculata was often found in profuse bloom, and with the previous season's fruits scattered thickly at its base. The Nardoo, Marsilea quadrifolia, and the Spoon Mudwort, Limosella Curdiana, grew luxuriantly on the moist bottoms of the billabongs. At dusk, whilst taking a well-earned rest on the station verandah, and viewing the parrots, pigeons, doves, bower- birds. &c, as they came to roost in the pepper-trees, Johnny, a full-blooded aborigine, arrived with a young " roo " (kangaroo) — the folk at Kulkyne have no time for the first two syllables. The event proved a very fortunate one, since it led up to a statement by Messrs. Thompson and Briggs totally at variance with the accepted belief that the doe kangaroo voluntarily abandons her young one to ensure its safety when she is in danger of being overtaken by her pur- suers. The general opinion entertained by naturalists, and certainly expressed by all writers of natural history, is that the doe, when hard pressed by the dogs, draws the young one from her pouch and tosses it into a convenient bush for safety. and returns for her offspring if she succeeds in evading her pursuers. In common with many others. I accepted this as the true interpretation of what might be deemed an un- paralleled maternal trait, but was always sceptical that the slender Eorearms of the doe possessed the strength, or the paws the grasping power, to draw a vigorous and weighty "joey" from her pouch and to cast it to a distance whilst she was careering over rough country, possibly at the rait1 of forty miles an hour. Our bushmen, who had spent their lives amid the animals of the wilds, and. who were as keen in observing the ways of Nature as the greatest enthusiast of the Club, were surprised at the view generally entertained on the subject. Briefly, their opinion, based on hundreds of cases that had come under their notice, was that the young one. by its weight, gradually and greatly enlarged the pouch, as the mother, by her enormous Leaps, imparted to it a more or less vertical motion, and at the same time injured it by the action of her hips, this con- tinued till the young one, coming fairly in contact with the mother's hip, was sent spinning from the pouch, high in the air, to fall bruised and breathless on the ground. "I have picked up scores of 'joeys' dropped thus," said Mr. Briggs. All were injured across the loins, and all I carried home died \6 O'DonohuEj Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. [vokxxxh within twenty-four hours. I will undertake to kill and skin the young ' roo ' which Johnny has just brought in to demon- strate the correctness of my statement." When we declined to agree to the poor creature being sacrificed, even in the interests of science, our friend offered to bet us that the young "roo" would be found dead in the morning, despite the care the children would lavish upon it. The following morning, whilst viewing the colour scheme of early dawn, one of the children approached us. and in an awed way intimated thai the young " roo " had died during the night. Here, then, is the bald fact, that the young kangaroo's vacation of the pouch during the mother's wild career from her pursuers is not broughl about by an act of maternal solicitude, as is alleged. but by an accident which is beyond the mother's power to avert or control. Among the many highly interesting facts respecting the habits of birds and animals that were elicited during our but too brief association with Messrs. Thompson and Briggs was the mode of procedure adopted by the Duck-Hawk in attacking and killing it> prey. In a few briei sentences the two divergent views held by ornithologists were placed before our hosts. Though both were in accord that the hawk attacked from above, it was maintained, firstly, that the death-Stroke was administered with the wing, and secondly, thai it was with the talon, the fleeting victim was killed. One oi the few pastimes indulged in by the Kulkyne naturalists during their leisure hours was "hawking." When the dams were full, and they desired to vary the monotony of sail meal by a fal duck, it was their custom to proceed on horseback to a water-hole, in the vicinity of which a Duck- Hawk was invariably to be found, and induce the ducks to take flight. "This was always a tough proposition, lei me assure you," said Mr. Briggs, in a reminiscenl tone, "more particularly il the hawk was cruising around. However, when the ducks decided to quit, they simply cul streaks in the air for the nearesl pari ol the river. No soonei had they attained some little distance from the dam than the hawk was to be erved approaching .it express speed, and close to the ind. The instanl it attained a position immediately beneath its quarry it rose up like a flash, and. striking the fleeting duck .it the base oi the tail with its brea t, enl it somersaulting to earth. When neai al hand the impacl sounds like a pistol shot, and may be heard three hundred yards off. \\v have robbed the hawk oi its prey hundreds oi tune., and often, when galloping beneath the pursuei and the pursued, have been alrnosl struck by the falling duck; bul we have never picked up a bird minus it- head or mutilated in any way, May,i O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain \~ 1915 J and have invariably found, on cleaning a duck freshly killed, that the abdomen was extensively bruised. The hawk, 1 am assured," said Mr. Briggs, in conclusion, " kills for the greater part in a spirit of mere wantonness, for I have often seen it pursue and kill a duck and then fly off in quest of other game." Early Wednesday morning we bade a temporary adieu to Kulkyne, and, with Johnny in the dual capacity of driver and guide, started for Mournpoul, distant about eleven miles due south. The wind blew strongly from the north-west, and there were indications that the long-expected break in the weather was not very remote. Our route for the first few miles lay through a large area of flood-plain country that at one time nourished a dense forest of sturdy Black Box, and, from indications elsewhere noted, presumably a fair sward of native grass. Twenty years previous to our visit these trees had been ringed, and the resulting consequences were acres of bare, wind-swept earth, destitute of aught green, and a bewildering interlacement of fallen trunks and limbs that would appal even an old-time South Gippsland pioneer. On reaching Chalka Creek we found its bed dry, narrow, of no great depth, and lined on either side by large and vigorous specimens of Eucalyptus rostrata. As we progressed along the creek beneath these trees we were incessantly assailed by the plaintive calls of the Minahs concealed amid their foliage, and by the harsh cries of the numerous Sulphur-crested Cockatoos nesting in the hollow spouts. Here, as elsewhere, we noted the tree-trunks were deeply mud-stained to the height of eight feet as the result of repeated overflows of the Murray. The introduced Stinkwort and the Sea-green Tobacco occur along the creek to a surprising extent. The aspect of the country underwent a complete trans- formation when the stiff clay flats were succeeded, by the sand- dunes. The creek's bed at once became wider and deeper. and at every bend contained reaches of still water, whereon aquatic birds of many varieties disported. The Murray Pine and the Buloak, Casuarina Luehmanni, grew tall and dense on the dunes, and between them the Tall Thickheads, Myrio- cephalus Stuartii, the Small-leaved Swainsona. Swainsona microphylla, the Musk Sunray, Helipterwm moschatum, the Blue Didiscus, Didiscus cyanopetalus, the Prickly Starwort, Stellaria pungens, the Flannel Cudweed, Gnaphalodes uliginosa, and other plants. Extensive growths of the Narrow-leaved Guinea-Flower, Hibbertia angustifolia, were noted, and occasional sturdy specimens of the Bignonia Emu-bush, Eremophila bignoniflora. In the vicinity of a bridge spanning < halka Creek the remains of a Murray Cod, Oligorus mac- quariensis, was pointed out, where ii hung suspended by a t8 O'Donohi i . Wanderingson the Murray Flood-Plain, [vouxxxii. piece oi fencing wire from the limb oi a tree. The fish, when killed sev< n years previously, was estimated to weigh i cwt. The passage "I the sand-dunes proved hard and tiresome travelling, and we were pleased when we again found ourselves on the flood-plain, with its more uniform grade and firmer though barer ground. Here, as the going proved good, the horses were livened up, and living vistas oi Grey and Black Box live-, with the Buloak interspersed, opened oul on either side in quick and varied succession. Our rapid progress was at length staved by a long, low, limestone ridge that ushered in a new type of vegetation. Upon this elevation we observed for the first time the Leafless Ballart, Exocarpos aphylla, the Broad-fruited Myoporum, Myoporum platycarpunr, the Needle Grevillea, Grevillea triternata, the Southern Cassia, Cassia austral is. the Giant Hopbush, Dodonea viscosa, var. spathulata, and the Berrigan, Heterodendron oleeefolium, with the Purple Pentratrope, Pentratropis quinquepartita, sprawling over it. The Umbrella Acacia, Acacia Osswaldi, and the Needle Hakea, Hakea leucoptera, grew profusely on the eminence, to which we subsequently applied the name " Aster Ridge," on finding, when endeavouring to obtain a snapshol at a Black-faced Kangaroo, thai its western extremity was thickly overgrown with Olearia (Aster) pimelioides. Descending the southern slope oi " Aster Ridge," we emerged on to the dry bed of Lake Yelwell, and had not pro- ceeded far when Johnny pointed out the playing-ground <>i the spotted Bower-Bird. The bower was so constructed that its longer axis trended north and south, and was protected from wandering stock by the drooping limbs oi a Black Box tree. At the northern exit the birds had placed a number of pieces oi blue and white -lass, a [2-gauge cartridge shell. numerous limestone pebbles, the bleached excreta of a dingo, a large assortment oi mussel shells, and the ribs and vertebra oi -keep and rabbits. Two other bowers weir subsequently found similarly furnished. One was noted, in the vicinity oi Kulkyne Station, surrounded by nearly a bushel oi broken china oi infinite variety. Proceeding onward, between alter- nating belts oi I tox and Red Gum timber, we al length found ourselves amid towering growths of Tangled Lignum, mosl oi which was invested by large, nebulous webs con tructed by a spider belonging to the genus Araneus. The bickering oi the Spur-winged Plover, the hoarse calls oi the Herons, and the not unmusical note oi the Black Swans, that came floating t,, ,,in ears, proclaimed that oui destination was near at hand, and on a cending a slight sandy eminence the broad expanse oi ■ Mournpoul, with it- wealth oi bird-life, lay before us. \ ye rattled merrily along the northern shore, creating, as roT'l O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain-. 10 we progressed, great consternation among the feathered tribes sunning themselves thereon, and scaring an emu and her four young ones into more than usual activity, we noted numerous large, circular holes, about eighteen inches in diameter, at varying distances from the water's edge. These at first proved a puzzle to us ; but, on being informed that the lake contained Catfish, Gleichthys australis, it was assumed that these ex- cavations were the sites of their nests, since the Salmon Cat- fish makes a basin-like excavation, about twenty inches in diameter, at the bottom of which the eggs are laid and covered with a layer of pebbles. The site for the camp was soon chosen, the tent erected, and lunch prepared, after which we wished Johnny a pleasant return journey, and started on a voyage of discovery around the lake. Lake Mournpoul is one of a series of comparatively shallow lake basins, some of which are of considerable area, situated in that portion of the Murray flood-plain between Hattah railway station and Chalka Creek. This creek issues from the river near the north-east corner of the parish of Gayfield, and runs, in a more or less westerly direction, through Gayfield, Cantala, and Brockie. About the north-western boundary of the last- mentioned parish it turns north through Cantala, Yelwell, and Kulkyne, and discharges into the Murray at the south-east corner of Colignan. Before the Murray had entrenched itself to its present depth, Chalka Creek was undoubtedly instru- mental in diverting an enormous body of water from it to the remotest limits of the flood-plain. Now, however, it is a factor of little importance save in flood time, as it has cut its channel almost, if not quite, to the river's lowest level, and tends to drain the lake basins, previously referred to, almost as quickly as it fills them. Some of these lake basins, as Mournpoul and Hattah, being situated in depressions of greater depth than the majority, retain water permanently, whereas Lakes Konardin, Yelwell, Yerang, Lockie, Brockie, and Little Hattah seldom withstand the evaporation induced by a moderately severe summer, and had been dry for many months prior to our visit. In making our first inspection of Mournpoul, we noted that, though its area had been reduced to a considerable extent by the abnormal spell of dry weather then prevailing, there were still between 500 and 600 acres covered with water, which in some parts of the lake was estimated to have a depth of twelve feet. The lake is practically encircled by sand-dunes of varying elevations, and overflows to the north-east and south-east. Its shores are flat, and sandy in the vicinity of the dense growth of Red Gum and box timber growing on and at the base of the sand-dunes, but are extremely muddy near the water's 20 O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain, [voi'xxxii edge. The introduced tobacco flourishes in places, and, from the appearance of many upright, decayed stems of the plant far out in the water, seems to have had a more extensive range on the lake bed than at present. The only other plant noted on the shores was the Small Knotweed, Polygonum plebejum. This forms, in favourable situations, a dense sward, which is kept closely cropped by the cattle, sheep, and emus. When returning to our camp a large Lace Lizard was seen to quit the shelter of the timber on the northern shore and to proceed in a somewhat furtive manner towards the water. Before it reached its objective, however, it was espied by several Grallinas and Minahs, which at once attacked it. Swelling itself up to nearly twice its normal dimensions, and menacing its assailants with its snout, the lizard persisted, for a little time, to pursue its course, but was eventually obliged to turn tail and skurry towards the timber, where in a few moments it was a dozen feet above the ground on the side of a large Red Gum tree. Our hurried approach with a camera induced a further increase of elevation, and finally a leisurely retire- ment into a hollow spout. Early the following morning the loud cries and the erratic flight of a Mallee Parrakeet, Bamardius barnardi, which had a nest in a hole situated in the lowest fork of the gum ascended by the lizard, led us to infer that our friend had discovered the whereabouts of the nest and was regaling itself on the contents. [To be continued.) Blackfish. — Anglers should note that it is now illegal to capture Blackfish under 8| inches in length. The minimum length for Murra\ Cod has been fixed at 15 inches. Mvna and MOTH. — I was much amused the other day in watching the efforts of an Indian Nfyna to catch a crambite moth Oil the wing. It proved how effective was the short. jerky flight of the moth in enabling the insect to bailie the pursuit ot a powerful and mobile bird like the Myna. The din < t and resilient or bouncing-rubber-ball type oi progression was, however, unequal to the short, W-like movements ol its intended prey, and alter several futile attempts the bird dropped the pursuit. This group of moths, the Crambinae, is doubly protected, £01 these inserts closely resemble the glumes oi grasses when at resl on the green or brown tufts, mimicry of insects in particulai is 50 marked a feature as to suggesl thai few other animal groups have to face so many mobile and fa I dei ies, thus accounting for this domin- ant character being developed to so remarkable a degree. — F. I II \I\MAN. CIk Uictoriatt naturalist Vol. XXXII. —No. 2. JUNE 10, 1915. No. 378. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, ioth May, 1915. The president, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., occupied the chair, and about 35 visitors and members were present. REPORTS. A report of the excursion from Upwey to Narre Warren on Monday, 26th April, was made by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who intimated that a party of twenty-two members and friends had taken part in the outing. The Rocking Stone, near North Narre Warren, which was figured and described in the January Naturalist, was visited, and most of the party tested the ease with which a more or less vertical motion could be imparted to the poised mass of granite, which is computed to weigh about 8 tons. Narre Warren was reached about 5 o'clock, and the 5.30 train taken to the city. A report of the Sydenham-Bulla excursion, on Saturday, 8th May, was made by the leader, Mr. A. L. Scott, who stated that twenty-five members and friends proceeded to Sydenham by motor. The whole of the party inspected the basaltic columns, and whilst the majority returned to the car and went round in it to an appointed rendezvous at Bulla, eight, in- cluding a lady, ascended to the basalt plain above the columns, and. inspecting several natural features on the way, walked across to Bulla, where the motor party was met, and all joined in afternoon tea. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Miss W. F. Eggleston, " Brown- more," Balaclava- road, East St. Kilda, and Mr. C. A. Nethercote, Callantina-road, Hawthorn, were duly elected as ordinary members of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. Messrs. J. Stickland and J. Wilcox were elected to audit the accounts of the Club for the year 1914-15, and nominations for office-bearers for the year 1915-16 were made. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. In a note referring to his exhibit of a fruiting specimen of the Slender Mistletoe, Loranthus linopliyllus, Fenzl., collected in the cemetery. North Creswick, Mr. T. S. Hart, M.A., stated that eight out of fifteen blackwood trees were noticed to be 22 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voKXXXli. affected, hut the mistletoe was not noticed on any other plant, nor on the smaller second-growth hlackwoods. The other native trees present in the cemetery are second-growth Acacia dealbata and second-growth Eucalyptus rubida, but neither of these is large. The situation is the edge of a basaltic plateau extending to the north and west, on which the blackwood occurs sparingly, but he had not noticed the mistletoe else- where as yet. The elevation is about 1,430 feet. Mr. F. Pitcher drew attention to his exhibit of blooms of Acacia Maideni, F. v. M.. Maiden's Acacia, and Acacia salicina, Lindley, var. variant. Weeping Cooba, or Willow Wattle, at present flowering in the Botanic Garden, and to a fruiting branchlet of the Oueensland Beech, Gmelina Leichhardtii, F. v. M. Mr. J. Gabriel read a note explaining his expibit of a photo- graph of the nest of a White-backed Magpie, Gynuwrhina leuconota, constructed on a table in a room in daily use. PAPER READ. By Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., entitled " Notes on Victorian Forests." By the aid of a series of lantern slides the author described the different types of forests comprised in the forest reserves of Victoria, dealing with those of the humid south as welkas the arid north-west. He dwelt upon the destruction wrought' by the early settlers in the timbered areas by the universal system of " ring-harking." which was then fostered by the Government, and on the inlluence this reckless and senseless destruction had upon rainfall and upon the flow of streams. There seemed, he said, to be a lamentable lack of forethought among the pioneers of new countries; all timber was doomed to destruc- tion irrespective of the requirements for shelter and [or fuel. In the Mallee the same system was being pursued, and it remained to be seen whether the scanty sward attendant on cultivation would resist wind erosion as well as the natural vegetation. Professor A. J. Ewart, D.Sc, in complimenting the author on the admirable series Ol slides shown, suggested that a similar series be obtained and stored in the archives of the Club, so that our successors would recognize thai we once had trees. The average countryman regarded trees as enemies, and if the present policy was continued the time was not fai distant when Victoria would have pra< tically none. He pointed out that the real action of forests is in acting like a sponge, thus retaining the moisture for ;i time, and allowing it to gel away gradually, and, whilst they have no direel effed on rainfall, their influence indirectly on a country is incalculable, and this j-, now beginning to he recognized all the world over, •{q"? ] Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings. 23 Mr. J. Gabriel said that many years ago the settlers in the Otway Forest felled and destroyed the blackwoods without stint or scruple. After a period of twenty-five or thirty years those portions that had been used in fencing and in the con- struction of buildings were now being eagerly sought after, and sent to England to be worked into veneers. In reply to a query by Mr. Barnard relative to the size attained by the pines in the Mallee, Mr. Hardy said the average diameter was about nine inches, and in reply to Mr. Pitcher's question, " Is there any particular area in Victoria where blackwoods exist in large quantities ? " he was compelled to answer in the negative. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Natural history notes were contributed by Miss Amy Fuller, describing a fight between two Great Brown Kingfishers for a snake ; and by Mr. G. A. Keartland, regarding the breeding in captivity of the Warbling Grass-Parrakeet. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard.— Specimen of Common Mistletoe, Loranthus celastroides, Sieber, with thickened leaves, collected at Greenvale, 9/5/15 ; also a specimen of basalt from the " Organ Pipes," Sydenham. By Mr. T. S. Hart. — Specimen of Slender Mistletoe, Loranthus linophyllus, Fenzl., in fruit, and parasitic on Acacia melanoxylon, from cemetery, North Creswick. By Mr. J. Gabriel. — Photograph of nest of the White-backed Magpie, Gymnorhina leuconota, constructed on a table in a dwelling. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Blooms of Acacia Maideni, F. v. M., Maiden's Acacia, and Acacia salicina, Lindley, var. varians, Weeping Cooba, or Willow Wattle, at present flowering in the Botanic Garden ; and also a fruiting branchlet of the Queens- land Beech, Gmelina Leichhardtii. By Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue. — Spiny Emex, Emex australis, Steinh. (N.O. Polygonaceae), collected at the " Organ Pipes," 8/5/15- After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. EXCURSION TO NARRE WARREN. The holiday on Eight Hours Day, Monday, 26th April, was utilized for another visit to the Logan or Rocking Stone, near North Narre Warren, as the ladies of the party had not been able to reach it in November, when the previous attempt was made. This time it was decided to make Upwey the starting place instead of Belgrave, as being slightly nearer. After the 24 Excursion to Narre Warren. [vdxxxi] usual delays which seem to be inseparable from holiday trains. Upwey was duly reached, when it was found that members and friends had mustered in good force (ladies formed aboul half the party), and, as the day was everything that could be wished, a pleasant ten-mile walk was anticipated. Striking out in a south-easterly direction, the Ferny Creek was soon crossed, then a somewhat steep ridge had to he climbed before we could look down on the broad, cultivated valley of the Monbulk (reek. On the banks of the creek a halt was made for lunch ; then, continuing our walk over some granite hills, the Lysterfield road was reached and traversed for a short distance before paddocks were again entered. Flowers were scarce, but several specimens of the sweetly-scented orchid. Eriochilus autumnalis, were met with. A solitary plant of the composite Cassinia spectabilis was seen, which, though not in (lower, was noted as a novelty. We had now reached the rather steep hill on the side of which the Rocking Stone is situated, and were soon alongside that unique feature, of which the dimensions and a photograph were given in the January Naturalist. Most of the party had the satisfaction of making it move, and an hour sped quickly by as members sat and rested, wondering how long had elapsed since the stones were weathered into their present shapes, or admiring the charming view of the surrounding country. As there was a five-mile walk ahead we could not stay too long, so the road to Narre Warren station was taken, and the hall-past five train duly hoarded. Mr. P. K. H. St. John tells me that nine species oi eucalypts were seen during the day viz.. the Manna Gum, Narrow-leaved Peppermint, Silver-leaved Stringybark, \i evaporation it induced, the lake's area sensibly diminished day by daw As the receding waters Laid bare the Vallisneria, and the foetid mud upon which it flourished hardened beneath the sun's rays, flocks oi the 1'ink, Cacatua leadbeateri, the Rose-breasted, I roseicapilla, the White. ( galerita, and the Blood-stained, ('. sanguinea, 1 ockatoo descended upon it like locusts on a wheat-field, and, tearing it up by the roots, greedily devoured the sui < ub nt poi tion. that still remained. Those parts ol the lake giving direel access to cleai water, June,"| o'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. 27 or where a fence entered it, or a dry stem of a fallen bush of the introduced tobacco afforded a dry resting-place, were besieged, particularly in the early morning and towards sun- down, by flocks of the Crested, Ocyphaps lophotes, and Bronze- winged Pigeons, Phaps chalcoptera, and numerous other birds, among which Barnard's, Bamardius barnardi, the Black-tailed, Polytelis melanura, and the Yellow-rumped, Platycercus flaveolus, Parrakeets were the most conspicuous. Small parties of Grallinas, Grallina picata, and White-winged Choughs, Corcorax melanorhamphus, were to be noted here and there, as well as the White, Ibis molucca, and Straw-necked Ibis, Carphibis spinicollis. For the most part the birds on the lake and beside its margin foraged in silence, but from the lake's selvedge of Red Gum and box timber a continuous clamour arose. In the hollow spouts of these trees Cockatoos, Parrots, Swallows, and Pardalotes were nesting, and amid their branches the Minahs, Pigeons, Wood-Swallows, Grallinas, Choughs, &c, were either building or incubating their eggs. The peaceful conditions outlined did not always prevail. There was a time when the canoe-shaped boat that rested on the mud of the southern shore glided out into the lake's broad expanse under the impetus imparted by a pair of stout arms. Hither and thither it progressed, working the duck to a common centre, till all were congregated in a limited area. It was then the punt gun in the bow belched forth its heavy charge into the midst of the bewildered and suspicious birds, leaving them dead and dying on the surface of the water, and waking in a calm evening the echoes of the lake's surroundings for a radius, so we were informed, of ten miles. Seventy-two brace of birds is alleged to have been secured after a single discharge into a flock of wild-fowl on this lake. The extreme shyness of the water-fowl, particularly the Hoary-headed Grebe, which may be counted in scores, and which, on one coming within three hundred yards of the shore near where they happen to be, will immediately take wing to the centre of the lake, is sufficient ground on which to base the assumption that illegal shooting is consistently practised. One can conjure up the daily scenes enacted in the now distant past, when the dark-skinned natives lined the shores of Mournpoul and the adjacent lakes ; when the lubras and children waded in the shallows for mussels, or searched the lignum bushes for the eggs of the wild-fowl, or the sandy shore for those of the river tortoise ; when the lake was dotted with their frail bark canoes and the smoke of the camp-fires arose through the trees, and troops of piccaninnies and dogs sported on the sand-dunes. Now all is changed. The natives have passed away, leaving little to the casual observer to indicate 28 O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain, [ V.M Vict. Nat. XXXII. their former presence. The trees whence they stripped the bark for their canoes and wurleys have grown taller and bulkier, and have done much to erase the scars inflicted by the rude stone axes of those to whom their leafy crowns afforded shelter and their piped stems retreats for the phalangers upon which they preyed. As the wind sweeps the material of the dunes before it in long, irregular ripples, and erodes deeper and more extensively into that which years ago it had accumulated, it discloses mute evidence of the former dusky inhabitants of the lakeside. Here and there one finds the site of their camp-fire, the charcoal mingled with the shells and bones of the creatures upon which they subsisted, and among these are to be found rude stone axe-heads, skinning flints, and pounding and sharpening stones. But more often it is a little pile of human bones that is encountered- all that remains, probably, of a warrior once proud of his skill in the chase, feared by his foes and respected by his associates. If the eye during the day fails to realize the importance of Mournpoul as a factor in the welfare of our fauna and avi- fauna, particularly during a dry season, such as is now being experienced there, as in other parts of the State, the ear, aftei nightfall, is certainly impressed with the volume oi sound arising from the many varieties of birds that have been com- pelled to resort to the lake for sustenance As the mirrored shadows of the trees on the distanl southern shore gradually merge into indistinctness, the calls oi the waterfowl increase in volume. The musical note of the Black Swan, Chenopis atrata, resounds from every pari '.I the lake, and, as large flocks of these birds are then continually changing their feeding- grounds, the beal oi then broad-webbed feel on the surface of the water as they take wing resembles nothing so much .is a numbei oi motor-bikes a1 lull speed. The harsh call oi the Heron, the wailing cry oi the Curlew, the bickering call oi the Plover, the low and modulated note oi the Black Duck, the rollicking, laugh-like note oi the Teal. Nettion castaneum, and the plaintive peep oi the Dabchicks as they pass in scattered but unseen procession through the Vallisneria and Curly Pond Weed nol many yards distant from one's place oi vantage, all croud on the ear in a bewildering medlej "l sound. Over- head th< whistle of the pniion. oi unseen flights oi Black Duck. . and Widgeon, Nyroca australis, arriving from the billa- bongs '-'in- like a gale oi wind among the toes, and as these birds pitch in singles, in pairs, and in companies amid the be watei foams and pul lati as ii undei the influence oi a gentle breeze. Bui when darkness has completely shrouded the scene, and the birds have resorted to their usual feeding-grounds, the lake becomes comparatively fiq"*'l O'DoNOHUEj Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. 29 quiet. It is then when one makes a motion to withdraw from the water's edge that a startled movement by his side pro- claims the presence of some unsuspected rabbit, 'possum, or emu. Before dawn the exodus of birds began, and, as our tent was pitched directly in a course favoured by most of the waterfowl proceeding northwards, we often lay in our bunks and listened to the whistle of pinions and startled cries as the birds passed overhead on their way to some muddy puddle in Chalka Creek, where that safety denied them on the lake was assured. A noticeable feature of the flood-plain of the Murray — at least, in that portion adjacent to Mournpoul — is the large number of bleached carapaces of the River Tortoise, Chelodina longicollis, that are to be discerned on the sand-dunes and in the dry lake-beds and billabongs. They present every graduation in size, and are found in every stage of decay. One is at first disposed to connect their presence with the inundation of the areas on which their remains are most extensively found, and their demise to the sudden recession of the water. The facts, however, would seem to be as follow : — When the river rises and floods the low- lying country along its course, the turtles quit the main channel, range far inland, and remain behind, after the recession of the flood, in the billabongs and lake areas. These, in the course of time, gradually become desiccated, thereby necessitating the turtles seeking more advantageous environment. Selecting an occasion when a breeze blows off the river, or off any large area of water, they instinctively set out in its direction. Provided the breeze maintains its permanence, they experience no difficulty in shaping a more or less direct course, and ultimately reaching their objective. But if, as occasionally happens, the breeze fails, or veers around, they wander about in acute distress till overtaken by death. On such occasions they may be seen moving slowly and aimlessly along amid the timber or across the sand-dunes with blood oozing from the carapace and trickling down their legs, which have been worn raw by friction against the sides ol the shell. In this helpless condition they are often attacked by crows and hawks. Shortly after our arrival at Mournpoul we visited an area of Red Gum timber margining the north-western extension of Lake Yerang. In every tree Pardalotes, Pardalotus affinis, and Tree-Martins, Petrockelidon nigricans, were contending for the possession oi some fancied hollow in a limb for nesting purposes, whilst Wood-Swallows, A flaunts sordidus, were in- vestigating the larger forks, presumably for a similar purpose. Here our attention was early attracted by the actions of a pair ot Restless Flycatchers, Seisura inquieta, which, whilst 3o O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. [volxxxh. they ignored the presence of the Martins and Pardalotes in one particular tree, had a decided objection to a Wood-Swallow coming near it. Time after time, when A . sordid us had been escorted over the neutral line with more vigour than decorum, the Flycatchers would resort to a limb on their tree whereon the mud nest of a Grallina rested. Their behaviour roused our belief that the pair had taken possession of the nest, and we subsequently saw and photographed the birds arranging materials therein. Quitting the lake-bed, after discovering the nest and four eggs of the Spur-winged Plover, we ascended a sand-ridge, and were surprised to find two graves beneath a spreading Umbrella Acacia. A little to the left we noticed the site of three dwellings that had been destroyed by fire at a not very remote date. From the presence amid the ruins of the remains of two double-barrelled breech-loading guns, a rifle, clock, watch, bedsteads, and innumerable domestic articles, it seemed at first to us that the fire must necessarily have occurred very suddenly, and, as the graves indicated, with fatal results. But the most disconcerting facts that militated against the acceptance of the assumption of an accidental outbreak of fire was that the dwellings had been situated at some distance from each other, and that it was very im- probable that a tire originating in any one of them would occasion the destruction of the other two. Our individual imaginations were allowed to conjure up visions of a tragedy enacted a1 this spot till Monday. 14th September, when Mr. MiUigan and 1 journeyed to Kulkyne Station, and, on men- tioning our discovery, were informed that the last oi the Kulkyne blacks rested beneath the acacia in the newei of the two graves. He had been a boundary rider on the station, and on his death his wife made a large excavation, lowered a bed completely dressed therein, and thereon placed the corpse. Alt-i filling up the grave she applied lire to the houses, thereby destroying all the belongings <>t the deceased, in accordance with ■* tribal custom, and quitted the district. As we stood near the grave subsequently and glanced around the narrow ridge, selvedged on all sides with giant Red Gums, between which, to the south-east and to the north, glimpses . , 1 dry and extensive Lake-beds were to be had. and to the west the placid surface ol Mournpoul, we could readily understand the dead man'-, wish to lie near those spots endeared to him from infant v by hundreds <>i little incidents. I,, accordance with a determination arrived at the previous evening, we quitted camp foi Lake Hattah early on Wednesday morning, toth September. Pausing a shori time beside the margin oi Mournpoul t<> note the contrasl presented by a I""*'] O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. 51 dozen Pelicans among a flock of Black Swan, we bore away south along the dry bed of Chalka Creek, whose banks were heavily timbered with Red Box and Red Gum. As we progressed Crested Pigeons were flushed in scores from the bare and fissured flood-plain, and many Emu were descried at a distance. In due course the dry and extensive bed of Lake Lockie was reached. Here, as on other lake-beds traversed, the abundance of mussel shells, and the bleached integuments of crustaceans, were noticeable. By the side of every stick that projected from the bed of the lake a small pile of broken shells was to be discerned, where, as the water shallowed under the influence of evaporation, the Cormorants, and possibly other birds — for we noted a Collared Crow-Shrike with a shell in its beak — resorted, and, fracturing one or both valves of the mussel, devoured the contents. Numerous plano-concave lime concretions, of sizes ranging from a threepenny piece to a halfpenny, were to be found at such spots. According to the belief entertained by some, these are contained in the crustaceans consumed by the Cormorants, which subsequently pass them unaltered ; by others they are believed to be the result of a physiological process in the birds' intestines. If the former theory be correct, one should expect to find the concretions amid the broken chitinous integuments that are scattered thickly over the lake-beds, as well as at the places resorted to by the Cormorants. At times on the journey we quitted the flood-plain, with its monotonous tangle of lignum bushes, and ascended the sand- dunes on our right to more closely examine the old kitchen middens of the aborigines. On the crests and sides of the dunes vast numbers of aged, weathered, and prostrate trees of Acacia salicina were to be discerned. All bore the appear- ance of a contemporaneous cessation of vitality that had ensued many years ago, and was not occasioned by fire. No seedlings were seen, and none were noted in any of our many .Mid extensive rambles in the neighbourhood of Lake Mournpoul. Of the half-score, or thereabouts, of living trees met with during our peregrinations, to only two could the terms healthy ;md vigorous be justly applied. It would seem, in the locality under review, at all events, that the Willow Acacia, either from some natural cause or lack of adaptability, is doomed to extinction at a not very remote date. Lake Hattah was reached about 11 o'clock. Owing to the want o| lain, to extensive evaporation induced by months of torrid beat, and to the continuous pumping operations of the Railway Departmenl — the engines at Hattah railway station, about four miles distant, are supplied with water from the lake we found the lake-bid comparatively dry. On the small 32 O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. [voMcxxii area oi -hallow water that still existed, at least 3,000 Black Duck. Teal, and Widgeon were assembled, in company with innumerable Black Swans, Pelicans. Ihises. Herons. Maned Geese, Grebes, Cormorants, &c. When this concourse of wild- fowl was induced to take wing the roar of their pinions and kaleidoscopic movement may be better imagined than described. Here, as elsewhere, it was noted that the stately Pelican was deemed to be the [shmael of the aquatic tribe, to be shot at and destroyed by the sportsmen of the district when an oppor- tunity presented. Alter spending half an hour beside the lake-bed, in con- templation of the birds on the water, or in viewing the evolution of the Herons. Ibises, and Pelicans in the bine vault above us, we made a traverse of about a mile due west, and then bore northwards towards our cam]). This procedure brought us into a different class of country than any we had previously encountered. The monotonous, dry, and fissured lake-beds, destitute <>t aughl green (if we omit occasional meagre spe< imens >t the Small-leaved Swainsona, S. microphylla, and the Mallow ot Nice, Malva niccensis), gave place to a dense growth ot Swamp Saw-Sedge, Lepidosperma lorigitudinale, .inn >ng which vast numbers of sturdy Red ( ium and Red Pox trees tlourished. Between these grew the Narrow-leaved Bottle- brush, Callistemon linearis, the Prickly Bottle-brush, Cailistemon brachyandrus, and the Showy Honey Myrtle. Melaleuca acuminata, ofttimes with the Small-leaved Clematis. ('. micro- phylla, sprawling over them. Birds of many varieties, the Nankeen Night-Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus, among others, were noted hereabout s. and also a number ol kangaroos. On emerging from the timber on to the sand-dunes we beheld the unusual sighl oi a Hock ot forty Emus. The birds, however, were exceedingly timid, and raced off long before we were within photo, range oi them. (lose to Moiunpoul a splendid and shapely tree of the Weeping Pittosporum, Pittosporum phillyrceoides, and two sturdy specimens "I Acacia salicina, jusl bursting into bloom, were met with. Beneath the larger ol the two Willow Acacias the presence ol a Sleeping 01 Rugged Stump-tailed Lizard, /, ichysaurus rugosus, was revealed to us by the behaviour and incessanl scolding ot a Black-and-White Fantail. Another of these sluggish creatures was encountered subsequently among ,1 growth oi False Spinifex, Triodia irritans, amid the mallee. I'll,, it- were made to ion-.- it in some semblance ol vitality, Put without success, 'ill. in a tiled wa\. n took Hie proffered cork oi a bottle oi diluted formalin in it-, mouth. The amount oi energy 'In- simple device generated in the lizard was a revelation. We hail pitched our tent beneath the spreading branches ol a Black Box growing on the margin ot a Lake-bed. Juno.n O'Doxohuk, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. 33 This area had undoubtedly once formed part of Lake Mournpoul. but had been cut off from the main depression by a low ridge, composed chiefly of sand. The two factors instrumental in its formation were wind transport of sand during periods of drought, when the area was rendered amenable to aeolian forces, and water transport of debris during periods of flood. The dense growth of Red Gums that flourished on this narrow ridge, and at a distance of 150 yards, or thereabouts, from the waters of Mournpoul, afforded some measure of protection from any southerly gales that might arise during our sojourn. To the west and north we were well sheltered by a sand-dune, whereon the ubiquitous Thickheads formed a dense sward, and effectively checked wind erosion, which was only too evident in those portions of the neighbouring dunes where this viscid composite had failed to establish itself. To the east the level expanse of lake-bed, invested in places by large growths of the Tangled Lignum, with acacias, eucalypts, and casuarinas interspersed, though it gave no protection from the elements, afforded us a splendid vantage- ground for observation. Here the Black-faced Kangaroos were noted on their way to the lakeside, and, among the more familiar types of birds, the Black-tailed Native-Hen, Micro- tribonyx ventralis. Crested Pigeons were exceedingly numerous on and in the neighbourhood of the bed of Lake Konardin, a short distance to the north of the camp. On one occasion a flock of not less than 100 individuals was flushed by Mr. Milligan and myself. Towards sundown, and shortly after sunrise, they were to be seen in large and small companies, winging their way towards Mournpoul to quench their thirst. Emus were practically never absent from the vicinity of our cam]). Whilst clearing up after lunch on Wednesday, 10th September, a party of nine ventured to within thirty yards. and, after intently regarding us for a short time, wandered off across the dunes in their usual aimless manner. One bird in particular was repeatedly encountered at the lakeside. Old age seemed to have rendered it incapable of keeping up with the members of any one of the many small flocks that ranged the adjacent countryside, and thus doomed it to a solitary existence — an associate of rat tit' and of sheep. Strange to relate, these birds are regarded with more aversion by station hands than kangaroos. This arises from their habil of damaging, so it i> alleged, the wire netting attached to fences, thereby allowing rabbits free ingress to enclosures from which they had been previously expelled after the expenditure of much time and labour. Shortly after our arrival at Mournpoul we set out early one morning to explore the rentes ,,| the Mailer, aboul a mile distant to the north of our tamp. Sand-dunes, ol considerable 34 O'Donohue, Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. [v^ ict. Nat. XXXII. elevation, and having a more or less east and west extension, intervened. Among some of the many robust pines by which they were clothed, a number of Pink Cockatoos (Major Mitchell). Cacatua leadbeateri, were noticed, and on reaching these trees we found the ground beneath them littered with cones that had been frayed and torn by the birds in their quest of the seeds they contained. Ascending a stiff slope, we found ourselves on the fringe of a vast expanse of tender green foliage that extended in front and on either hand to the sky- line. Along the crest of this ridge Eucalyptus incrassata, Giant Mallee, was flowering freely, but not elsewhere. This long, narrow selvedge of flowering gums proved to be the rendezvous of many varieties of honey-eaters. Thither we resorted almost every day, at various hours, and invariably found something new in bird-life to reward us. Here Ajuga austral is. Australian Bugle, and Microseris Foster i were to be seen growing luxuri- antly among the branches of the fallen timber, and in less favourable situations Blennodia lasiocarpa. Hairy Blennodia, Calotis hispidula, Hairy Burr-Daisy. Alyssum minimum. Desert Alyssum, and Clematis microphylla, Smaller Clematis. Several robust growths of the Twining Fringe Lily, Thysanotus Patersoni, were met with, and one ragged specimen of the Native Poplar, or Bell-Fruit, Codonocarpus cotinifolius. Although we ranged extensively over the flood-plain and amid the adjacent Mallee areas during our sojourn al Mfournpoul, we met with but one tree of the Sweet Ouandong. Fusanus (Santalum) acuminatus. This was found on the ridge previously referred to. and was heavily burdened with fruit. The Large Dodder Laurel was much in evidence, particularly on the out- skirts oi the Malice. One large tree of Eucalyptus incrassata, Gianl Mallee, was noted bearing an enormous mass of this parasitica] growth, (dose at hand another was observed <<> have been uprooted by wind pressure on the balloon-like inter- lacement oi stems it had for many years nourished and supported. Whilst ranging through the Mallee we realized, at a very early staf honorary, 145 ordinary, 5 ; country, and 4 associates. " That the loss disclosed by the foregoing analysis is a serious one cannot be denied, but, in view of the palpable effects of the two adverse factors previously adverted to, our position might be infinitely worse. As times mend, the Club can confidently look forward to fresh accessions to its ranks from the large rising generation of naturalists, among whom will be found man}' eager and willing to promote and carry on the good work so well and faithfully conducted for many years by the majority of those present. " In conformity with the custom of their predecessors, the committee arranged a varied programme of excursions for the year 1914-15. That their efforts were duly appreciated by members was evidenced by the large attendance at the various outings. By reason of closer settlement and consequent cultivation, each succeeding committee experiences increasing difficulty in selecting suitable localities for the Club's Saturday afternoon excursions. This difficulty is becoming more accen- tuated each year, and it would seem that the time is not far distant when these will be the exception rather than the rule. In the April and May issues of the Naturalist an appeal was made to members for suggestions respecting new and suitable locali- ties for excursions ; but the response was so meagre as to hardly compensate for the time expended in inditing it. " Of the four extended excursions arranged, two — Baw Baw (28th November to 3rd December) and French Island (1st to 5th April) — had to be abandoned owing to insufficient response on the part of members. The National Park, Wilson's Promon- tory, was again selected for the Christmas camp-out (26th December to 2nd January). Under the able leadership of Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., who considered neither time nor in- convenience when the comfort or the enjoyment of those par- ticipating was concerned, the outing proved as interesting and instructive as the previous ones. From a permanent camp on the Tidal River, the party of twelve visited many of the most accessible beauty spots in the neighbourhood. A report of the trip, illustrated by a number of lantern slides, was given by the leader at the January meeting, and was highly appreci- ated. To mark their recognition of the efforts of the Com- mittee of Management of the National Park to cater for the convenience and comforl of visitors out of the small sum oi money at their command, the visiting naturalists contributed five shillings each towards the better domestic e<|uipmen1 of the rest houses, and it is pleasing to record thai the example thus set has been productive of similar donations from other sources. 4o Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings. [vdfxSii " The thanks of the Club arc due to the leaders of excursions during the year, not only for their sacrifice oi time, but also foi the interesting reports furnished, and to Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Tovey, Mr. and Mrs. F. Pitcher, Mr. and Mrs. F. Wisewould, Misses Kehle and Major, and Mr. R. A. Keble, for the kindness and consideration extended to members on the occasion of the Mentone, Botanic Garden, and Pakenham outings. "The thirty-first volume of the Club's journal and magazine, The Victorian Naturalist, has been published, and. under the able editorship of Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, has once more attained the high standard of excellence that has been for many years past its characteristic feature, and that has resulted in establishing an increasing demand for it by scientific societies throughout the world, by reason of the unique and reliable information it contains respecting Victorian natural history. The Club has, therefore, to again record its thanks to Mr. Barnard for the able manner in which he discharged the duties of his honorary position, and to those members who, by then- contributions, papers, and notes, render the journal of such interest and importance. " In addition to a number of interesting natural history notes, fourteen papers, dealing with a variety of subjects, were read at the Club's meetings during the year. Of these, two were illustrated by lantern slides, as was Mr. J. A. Kershaw's report of the Wilson's Promontory excursion. Mr. E. E. Pescott's lecturette on 'Some Victorian Wild-Flo were,' and Mr. E. 0. Thiele's lecturette on ' Portuguese East Africa.' The fol- lowing is the list of authors and papers:- Mr. K. A. l'.astow, 'Victorian Hepaticae (Liverworts)'; Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., (a) ' Note on a Large Specimen of Conns Dennanti,' (6) ' On an Impression of the Fruit of Casuarina or Sheoak in the Newer Basall ot Victoria' : Mr. YV. Davey, F.E.S.. ' Nobs on English and fapanese Newts in Victoria'-. Mr. J. C. Goudie, 'Notes on the Coleoptera oi North-Western Victoria,' Pari VI.; M.-ssrs. J. H. (bitliiT and C. J. Gabriel, 'Alterations in the Nomenclature of Some Victorian Mollusca'; Dr. T. S. Hall, M..\ . D.Sc, 'Notes on the Gippsland Lakes' (illustrated); Mi. Reginald Kelly, 'Plant Distribution in the Eiealesville Dishii i ' ; Mi . L A. Kershaw, F.E.S., ' A Naturalisl in Northern Queensland'; Mr. G. A. Keartland, 'On the Specific Name ,',\ the Blood-stained Cockatoo, Cacatua sanguinea, Gld.' ; Mr. ' . H. bees, C.E., F.R.A.S.. ' What is Nardoo ? ' ; Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue, 'Wanderings on the Murray Rood-Plain'; Mr. P. K. H. St. John. 'On the Smilarity oi two Species oi Banksia, Banksia collina and Banksia spinulosa ' ; Mr. E. Shaw, 'Australian Blattida," : I.— Preliminary Description oi New Spe> 1 9, 5* J Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 41 " In compliance with a request made that the members of the Club interested in microscopical research might be afforded an opportunity of displaying some of the wonders and beauties of the microscopical world at one of the ordinary meetings, the committee arranged that the evening of the 10th August be devoted to this purpose, and, though the resulting display did not represent the best efforts of those concerned, it was interesting and instructive to many, and could well bear repetition at an early date. " Last year the British Association for the Advancement of Science held its meetings in various State capitals of the Commonwealth. The inauguration of the president-elect, Professor William Bateson, held in the Auditorium, Collins- street, on Friday, 14th August, was witnessed by a large and distinguished concourse of people, who subsequently listened with interest to his able and exhaustive address on ' Heredity.' On Tuesday afternoon, the 18th August, the visiting scientists were welcomed by the Victorian Executive for the B.A.A.S. and various scientific societies of the metropolis at a garden party in the Botanic Gardens. The Club was well represented at this function, as well as at other meetings of the Association. " The usual annual exhibition of wild-flowers was held in the Royal Society's Hall at the October meeting, but, owing to the abnormally dry season, the display was very meagre, and inferior to those of previous years. Nevertheless, an interesting exhibit of many of our common native plants resulted from the praiseworthy efforts of a small and enthusi- astic band of collectors. On this occasion, as on the occasions of many similar exhibitions, Mr. J. Gabriel devoted much time and labour in making provision for the various collections forwarded. The thanks of the Club are due to this veteran naturalist for his services, to the collectors and exhibitors of flowers and specimens, and to those assisting in the arrange- ment and identification of exhibits, and to the Age proprietary for the supply of paper for covering the tables on this and many similar occasions. " At the July meeting, the innovation of requesting exhibitors to make some brief comment on their exhibits was initiated. By this means the committee believed a far greater amount of interesting and instructive information would be forth- coming than under the system heretofore prevailing. So far the results accruing have not been as good as was anticipated, but, as members become more familiar with the system and realize its possibilities, better consequences may be confidently expe< ted. Whilst a general consensus of opinion exists re- garding the latent advantages of the innovation mentioned, members are more or less divided on the advisability of con- 4 z Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vdXXXli tinuing or eliminating the ten minutes' adjournment for the examination of exhibits that ensues immediately after the termination of the remarks thereon. A three months' trial was given this mode of procedure, and at the expiration of the term its continuance was re-affirmed by a large majority at the September meeting. A reversion to the old system was advocated at the April meeting, and. after some little discussion, the continuance of the interval for a further period of six months was agreed to, subject to the proviso that the applica- tion of the principle would be suspended on lantern nights, or when a lengthy paper was to be read. "Acting on the representations made by two members at the December meeting, the Club interested itself in advocating the reservation of a sanctuary for native game on the flood- plain of the Murray in the parishes oi (iayfield, Cantala, Brockie, Yelwell, and Kulkyne. Partially due to the Club's efforts, to those of the Acting Chid Inspector of Fisheries and Game. Mr. F. Lewis, and others, an extensive area, embra ing a portion of Chalka Creek, Lakes Hattah, Little Hattah, Lockie, Brockie, Mournpoul, Yelwell, and Konardin, in the parishes mentioned, together with all land within hall a mile of such creek ami lakes, was proclaimed a sanctuary for native game. "The ('lull'.- meetings, whilst being well attended, averaging over fifty members and visitors during the year, show a re- ttable falling-ofl in the number <>l exhibits and natural history notes. As these two factors materially assist in enhani ing the attractiveness ol the meetings, and in widening the scope oi members' information generally, it behoves all interested in tin- Club's welfare to assist, by precept ami placi those two important items on a better plane than they now occupy. "The IM.int Names Committee is still devoting its energies to the task ol furnishing our native plants, shrubs, and i. with provisional vernaculars, and confidently hop.- to bring ]!- lengthy and arduous task to a successful lei iniii.it ion ;it an early date. " h i 5. Sutton, hon. secretary Planl Names Sub-committee, reports as follows: 'During tin- pasl yeai the Planl N.nnes Sub-committee held &v< meetings and completed the revision ol tin provisionally adopted vernaculars hitherto unpublished. It will be remembered thai those ol the Monocotyledons and < i yptogams appeared in the Jburnal <>/ the Department of {culture oj Victoria ol fune and Vugu i. ioii. and those oi the firsl portion ol the Dicotyledons, from Dilleniacea? to Haloragaceae, in the Journal ol [ulj and September, [912, and February, 1914. Thi remaining section, now having been • I' .ilt with, is in the hands oi the editor, and will no doubt juJy'] Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings . 43 appear in sections as space becomes available. Concurrently with the work of the sub-committee, the Government Botanist, Dr. Ewart, has been revising the " Recording Census " ; and when it is stated that many more than four hundred alterations have been made in it, it will be realized that the revised list of our plants will present a quite strange appearance to those who only know that of the second volume of Mueller's " Key to the System of Victorian Plants." Eight ordinal names will have their endings changed to ' aceae ' instead of ' eae ; ' twenty-nine generic names and more than two hundred specific names have been altered, most of the latter as regards their endings and the authorities. Forty-four genera have been added and eighty species admitted, and thirty-four species and a few genera deleted. Whilst awaiting publication of the last section of vernaculars, the sub-committee will devote its attention to the further revision of those already printed, in the light of the all too few suggestions sent in by those to whom copies of the reprints have been forwarded.' " The Club's library has received a number of valuable additions during the year, principally by way of exchange with scientific societies in the other States, and other parts of the world. Members still fail to make the use of it which its value deserves. " The Club is again under a great obligation to Messrs. Coghill and Haughton for their generosity in placing their office at 79 Swanston-street at the disposal of the committee for the holding of meetings. " In conclusion, whilst congratulating members on the prosperity enjoyed by the Club, the committee urge upon them the necessity of energetic individual effort to secure fresh acquisitions to their ranks and to promote and maintain the present position of the Club in the domain of science by com- municating the result of their researches and observations at the meetings. " On behalf of the committee, "J. A. Kershaw, President. " J. G. O'Donoghue, Hon. Secretary. " 26th May, 1915." In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard urged upon members the necessity of studying more closely the natural economy of plant, insect, and animal life, and to submit their investigations or observations in the form of ;i paper ;it ;i meeting of the Club. Whilst interesting ami in- structive matter was contributed to the Naturalist, practically no short notes dealing with original investigations amongst the groups mentioned were tendered. The motion for the adoption was seconded by Mr. F. Pitcher. and carried. 44 Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings. [voKXXXH. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The hon. treasurer, Mr. G. Coghill, read the financial state- ment for 1914-15, which was as follows : — Receipts. To Balance, 30th April, 1914 ... ■•• ■■■ £36 M " Subscriptions — Ordinary Members ... ^"3 '9 6 Country Members ... 23 19 11 Associates ... ... 2 14 6 £140 13 11* Victorian Naturalist — Subscriptions and Sales 726 Subscriptions in advance 066 Advertisements ... 6 15 o Reprints ... ••• 2 13 3 Sales of Badges ... ■ •• ...046 Interest, Savings Bank .. ••■ 1 15 7 Sale of Tickets, British Association Garden Party ... ••• ••• ... 4 7 6 16 17 3 163 18 9 ,£200 13 8 •Subscriptions -.—Arrears, £26 2s. 6d. ; 1914-IS. £lo7 4S- 5^5 1915-16, £7 7s.— total £140 13s. lid. EXPEN DITURE. By Victorian Naturalist — Printing ... ••• Z'75 >° " Illustrating ... ... 683 Free Reprints ... ... 5 15 3 Reprints ... ... 3 19 9 /69I 14 2 ,, Victorian Naturalist — Wrapping and Posting ... 14 !9 n ,, Rooms Rent and Attendance ... ... 13 IO ° ,, Librarj Periodicals ... 5 '5 ° Binding ... 4 9 6 Insurance and Postage 1 1 8 3 12 20 ., Hire ol Lanfc ... ■•• •■• 420 M Pi inting and Stationery ... •■■ » 12 o ,, Postages, cVc. ... ■ •■ •• s "' ' J ,, Wild-flower Exhibition— Carriage 026 ,, Briti h A- oi iatio Party 476 ,■ I,, Saving Bank ••• 32 8 5 London Bank ... ... 10 17 6 hand ... ••• ■•■ o 17 o £156 io 9 44 2 11 £200 13 8 I 1 m ,1111.1.. Hon. Treasurer. 2S//1 May, 1 'J I 5 . Aurliied and found correct. <)th futu, 1915. J- WIL< ,,x> |. STICKLAND.l 4uditori .WILCOX, t J »•"<•» ■ JuJy>1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 45 The following statement of assets and liabilities was also read : — Assets. Balance — Savings Banks, London Bank, &c ... ^44 2 II Arrears of Subscriptions (,£49), say... ... ... 35 ° ° Arrears for Reprints ... ... ... ... 150 Badges on hand ... ... ... ... ... o 19 3 Library and Furniture (Insurance Value) ... ... 15° ° ° ,£231 7 2 Liabilities. Subscriptions paid in advance ... ... ... £7 13 ° One of the auditors, Mr. J. Wilcox, appointed to audit the accounts of the Club for the year 1914-15, complimented the hon. treasurer on the excellent manner in which he had presented his books and vouchers. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1915-16. The following office-bearers, being the only nominations received, were declared duly elected : — President, Dr. C. S. Sutton ; vice-presidents, Mr. F. Pitcher and Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S. ; hon. treasurer, Mr. G. Coghill ; hon. librarian, Mr. P. R. H. St. John ; hon. editor, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard ; hon. secretary, Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue ; hon. assistant secretary and librarian, Mr. W. Glance. On a ballot being taken for five members of committee, Messrs. F. Chapman, A.L.S., J. Gabriel, J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., O. Rosenhain, and J. Searle were duly elected. PAPER READ. By Miss Amy Fuller, entitled " Some South African Scenes and Flowers." The author pleasantly described the different zones of country passed through during the train journey of 1,660 miles from Cape Town to the Victoria Falls, on the Zambesi River, Rhodesia, and the type of vegetation nourished by each. The high esteem in which many of our despised trees and plants are held in South Africa was evidenced hy groves of Blue Gums and luxuriant hedges of the Coast Tea-tree at most of the farms throughout the colony and in Rhodesia. The visit made to the falls, which are one of the natural wonders of the world, was vividly described, and the feeling of awe which is experienced on beholding the broad Zambesi suddenly plunging into a chasm ranging from 250 u> 350 feet in depth was vividrj portrayed. The paper was rendered doubly interesting by tin- ex- hibition Hi ovei 200 water-coloui drawings of flowers gathered around Cape Town or during the trip mentioned. In complimenting the author on her excellent paper, Mr. 46 Field Naturalists'' Club — Proceedings. [vo|1Cxxx!i E. E. Pescott said it was a pity thai our native shrubs were not utilized more for hedges. They were infinitely superior in every respect to privet and other such introductions which most people fancied. The president, Dr. C. S. Sutton. Mr. F. Pitcher. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, and Mr. A. J). Hardy also spoke. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. Mr. J. Gabriel said that he had recently exhibited a photo- graph of the nest of a magpie constructed on a diningroom table. A few days ago he received a photograph of the nest of a robin built on a mantelpiece. BOTANICAL NOTE. Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., drew attention to a paper con- tributed to the Royal Society of Victoria by Dr. R. S. Rogers, M.A.. "t south Australia, entitled "Notes on Certain Species of Pterostylis." On examination of specimens and drawings from Kew. England, Dr. Rogers determines that Pterostylis Mackibbini, Mueller, is identical with P. cucullata, Brown, and that the former name must be considered as a synonym of the latter plant. The plant that has been lout; known in Victoria .1- /'. cucullata has been named P. falcata by Dr. Rogers, while it> alpine variety now becomes P. alpina. Thus, two new species of Pterostylis are to be added to the Victorian lisl oi orchids. EXHIBITS. By Mi>-> Amy Fuller.- 200 coloured drawings oi South African wild-flowers, in illustration oi hei paper. P>\ Mr. F. Ci. A. Barnard. Penholders made from various Malice woods By Mi. J. Booth. Leptospermum scoparium, R. and (1. Forster, Broom Tea-tree, showing exudation oi manna. I'.\ Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S. Herbarium specimens oi two new spe< ies oi Pterostylis- /'. falcata, R. S. Rogers, and /'. alpina, R. S. Rogers; also P. cucullata, R. Brown, syn. /'. Mackibbini, F. v. M. I',' Mi I Pitcher. Blooms oi four species oi acacias now flowering in the Melbourne Botanii Gardens \ i/.. . 1 . Bailey ana, F. v. M.. Cootamundra Wattle, .1. juniperina, Willd., Prickly Wattle, . I. myrtifolia, Willd.. Myrtle-leaved Acacia, I. /><>< m <■ oi the vacuole, now minute, was betrayed by its movements. As it moved along the cell its progress was ;it .1 rate distinctly less than that of the proto- plasmic stream. It has been suggested by one writer that as the vacuole fills il becomes heavier than the endoplasm sur- rounding it and so lags behind, the observation being made in connection with Amoeba. Constantly increasing, it paused momentarily near the cells anterior, and then began its retro- grade course, during which it apparently increased in size, 48 Hardy, Note on the Contractile Vacuole. Vict. Nat. Vol. XXXII. until, near the acute extremity, it was too large to pass further into the angle formed by the converging limits of the cell. This extremity, however, accommodated itself to the size of the vacuole, and distended to allow of its passage, such granular matter as would have been otherwise imprisoned having, as it were, in anticipation, moved round to the other side. During the fraction of a second there seemed to be a limiting hyaline film common to cell and vacuole. Then the funnel- like distension collapsed, and either the water from the vacuole escaped and the latter began invisibly its diastole, or else the globule of water was ejected and a new vacuole formed, the movement being too sudden to allow of certainty of observ- ation. It would have been difficult — perhaps impossible — to fix the point of origin of the succeeding vacuole. I used an Abbe" condenser, and with magnification of 500 diameters its appear- ance was first noticed, at about io/t from the apex, its diameter being then about 2^, and the length of the cell about 100^. Meanwhile, there was a steady Eorward streaming oi the protoplasm, but I failed to notice any return current, and there was no contraction of any part of the cell visible to cause the stream. [Wallich suggested that the Eorward How of the plasm in Amoeba was due to the contraction of the after pari oi the cell.] The subsequent behaviour ol the organism may have been due to the fact that the drop of water on the slide was evapor- ating and desiccation approaching. Soon after the collapse of the sixth vacuole, and just when anothei was expected to come into view, a pseudopodium was near that spot laterally produced; the forward movement of the cell ceased, the protoplasmic stream slowed down and seemed troubled, and the pseudopodium, with its own stream accelerating, developed rapidly into a broad, blunl lobe. Next, from a form roughly bilobed, the cell became approximately stellate, with blunt rays; and after a tew minutes, during which there was no nucleus 01 vacuole visible, the organism encysted, the cell being then spherical, with the granulai mattei concentrated and with hyaline endoplasm peripheral, rhe vacuole was nol seen aftei the cell abandoned its symmetrical form and straight- forward limacoid progression for the evolutions which preceded its i.ipid encystment. This non-production by an active amoeboid eel] of a vacuole for excretory purposes was probablj due to cessation ol metabolism and the approaching disin- ation "i the cell, the encystmenl 01 partial encystmenl oi •. hi'li is in many cases .1 premonitory symptom. Juiy,"j Chapman, Notes on Foraminifera and Ostvacoda. 49 NOTES <)N FORAMINIFERA AND OSTRACODA FOUND IN A SAMPLE OF SAND AT WILLI AMSTOWN BEACH. (With Figures.) By F. CHAPMAN, A.L.S., Palaeontologist, National Museum, Melbourne. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 12th April, 191 5.) A small quantity of sand, about a quarter of an ounce, was taken from tide-streaks on the occasion of the Club's excursion to Williamstown. The following notes were made on the material, and appear of sufficient interest, in view of future work in the groups of the microzoa. Foraminifera. These are chiefly shells of diminutive size, probably on account of the proximity of magnesic-bearing rocks, the blue- stone lava. Nubecularia bradyi, Millett. — This form usually occurs in much lower latitudes, generally in the neighbourhood of coral reefs. It is interesting to note in connection with this, however, that specimens of a reef- forming coral, Plesiastrcea, can be frequently picked up on this beach. Miliolina circularis, Bornemann, sp. — A common form in nearly all shore sands, as at Altona Bay, Western Port, and Torquay. The present examples are quite small, as were those obtained from material dredged by the Endeavour off Cape Wiles, South Australia, at 100 fathoms. It is found fossil in the Victorian Tertiary strata. Miliolina polygona, D'Orbigny, sp. — One example. It is generally regarded as of fairly deep- water habit, as in the subantarctic dredgings off New Zealand, and from the east of Tasmania at 777 fathoms (Endeavour). It occurs as a Tertiary fossil at Grice's Creek. Discorbina dimidiata, Parker and Jones. — This little Discorbine is interesting from the fact that it seems practically restricted to the Australian seas. It is easily distinguished from the other forms of the genus by its prominent apical spire and the overlaps of the sutures with interspaces on the concave side of the test. It also occurred in Janjukian strata in the Mallee bores. Polystomella crispa, Linne, sp. — The tests of this species are very minute, quite the contrary to what one sees in examples gathered from a limestone-bound shore. It is a well-known component of shallow-water sands, and is occasionally found in deep water. 50 Chapman, Notes on Foraminifera and Oslracoda. r Vict. Nat. 1 Vol. XXXII. Polystomella macella, Fichtel and Moll, sp. One example. This form, and the preceding the fossiliferous Malice rocks. range throutjh Kig. Foraminifera from Shori Sand, Wili.iamstown. -Nubecularia bradyi, Millett. 2. — Miliolina circidaris, Borneman, sp. 3. — Miliolina polygona, D'Orbigny, sp. 4. — Discorbina dimidiata, Parker and Jones (superior aspect), 5. — Discorbina dimidiata, Parker and Jon-'-, (inferior aspect oi another spe< imen). 6. — Polystomella macella, Fichtel and Moll, »p. 7. — Polystomella crispa, Linne, ->]>■ 1 I l R A< ODA. The sand from Williamstown, so Eai as the ostracodaJ fauna i-, concerned, greal promise oi interesting material to the svorkei in this group. Hie following notes will prove this. since they were based on the examination "l a very small quantity oi sand. ' (?), cf. meridionalis, G. S. Brady. — This species was firsi described from the Falkland Islands, where it was found in anchor-mud from 6 fathoms. All other records are from tolerably d6ep water, down to 1,215 fathoms inafuti. July.] Chapman, Notes on Foraminifera and Ostracoda. ^i MacrocypHs metadata, G. S. Brady- — This species has a wide distribution, occurring in Bass Strait, round the Southern Ocean at Kerguelen Island, off South Africa, and in the West Indies. It is typical of moderately shallow water. M. maculata is distinguished from the common Australian form of the genus, M. decora, by its less arcuate carapace as seen from the side, and less pointed extremities. Ostracoda from Shore-Sand, Williamstown. Fig. i. — (?) Aglaia, cf. meridonalis, G. S. Brady, 2.—M acrocypris maculata, G. S. B. 3. — Bairdia amygdaloides, G. S. B. 4. — Cythere demissa, G. S. B. 5. — Cythere foveolata, G. S. B. 6. — Loxoconcha alata, G. S. B. y.—Xestoleberis depressa, G. O. Sars. Bairdia amygdaloides, G. S. Brady. — This specimen is a young form, and is less regularly ovate than in the adult. The Challenger examples came from Bass Strait (East Moncceur Island) and Port Jackson, amongst other localities. This species seems confined to the South Pacific and the Southern Ocean. It is a remarkable fact that B. amygdaloides was well established in the Southern Hemi- sphere in Miocene times, being Found in the Janjukian of the Malice, and there ranging into beds of later age. Chapman, Notes on Foraminifera and Ostracoda. [v"| ict. Nat. Cythere demissa, G. S. Brady. — A i Lean and typical carapace occurs in the Williamstown sand. It is found in the fossil state in the Lower Pliocene (Kalimnan) of the Mallee, and in recent dredgings is known from Now Caledonia, the South Seas, and Port Jackson. Cythere foveolata, G. S. Brady. — The present example has very delicate foveolations. whilst in the typical form the pittings are strong. The present variety, therefore, agrees with one which was dredged lately hy the Endeavour off Tasmania at 777 fathoms. The species has also been found in a raised beach in the Antarctic, where the examples represent an intermediate form. Loxoconcha alata, G. S. Brady. — A beautifully ornamented left valve occurred in the sand. It differs from all the figured specimens of this species by having the surface-pittings directed towards the apex of the ventral beak. The previous localities for this species are Honolulu and Mauritius. Xestoleberis depressa, G. O. Sars. — This species is quite a common form in these sands. It is smaller and perhaps slightly more depressed than typical examples. It was previously obtained from Kerguelen Island by Dr. G. S. Brady (Challenger), and is a well-known form in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring round Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Spitzbergen, and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is also found in Post-Tertiary deposits in Scotland, Ireland, Norway, and Canada. A Veteran Botanist. — It is with regrel thai we record the death, on the 25th June, of Mr. F. Manson Bailey, F.L.S., <>l Brisbane, .it the advanced age of 88 years. Mr. Bailey had filled the posl ot Colonial Botanisl foi Queensland from [881 towithin a short time ol bis death. His knowledge of the Bora ol Queensland was very wide, and this is well shown in the numerous works issued from time to time by the Queensland Government. His name will be commemorated foi all time by the beautiful Cootamundra Wattle. Acacia Baileyana, now brightening oui parks and gardens. Sagacity in a Cat.- " I noticed an interesting instance ot maternal affection the other day. Oui cat, whose home i> in the stable, some distance away from the house, came to the kitchen door carrying its kitten, which had its head fixed in a tin. The mothei mewed and laid il down, and waited patiently until it was released, a work of time and difficulty." (Ml 1 1 [] l [ood, South Bi isbane CIk Uictorian naturalist Vol. XXXII.— No. 4. AUGUST 5, 1915. No. 380. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, 12th July, 1915. The president. Dr. C. S. Sutton, occupied the chair, and about 60 members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr. B. H. Whittle, Launceston, Tasmania, offering to exchange the chipped stones of the Tasmanian aborigines, native birds, animals, botanical specimens, &c, &c, for the polished stones of the mainland aboriginals. A paragraph relative to Mr. Whittle's offer having appeared in the July issue of the Naturalist, no action was taken in the matter beyond drawing the attention of members to the proposal. REPORT. In the absence of the leader, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., D.Sc, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard made a brief report of the visit to the University Biological School on Saturday, 10th July. He said that there had been a good attendance, and though Dr. Hall had scarcely recovered from his recent severe illness, he had devoted the afternoon to an explanation of the methods adopted in training the students in biology, and had called attention to some of the more important specimens used as types or for demonstration purposes. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Remarks on exhibits were made by Messrs. Pitcher, Pescott, Gabriel, and Searle. NEW SPECIES OF PTEROSTYLIS. On behalf of the National Herbarium, Mr. P. Charman, lecturer on natural history at the Training College, made refer- ence to a new species of orchid, of the " Greenhood " type, which was first found growing at Mentone in July, IQ07, by Mi . J. R. Tovey, of the National Herbarium. Professor A. ]. Ewart, at the time, suggested that it was probably a hybrid between Pterostylis concinna and Pterostylis reflexa, but asked Mr. Tovey to keep it under observation. It had appeared every year since then, and had kept true to its main characteristics. There were no orchids in the locality that had any inter- mediate stages between this species and either of the two mentioned. Its main distinction as a new species rested upon 54 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voLXXXII. the following chief characteristics : — (i) The labellum — longer than in either P. concinim or P. reflexa ; and differing from P. concinna in being more pointed, and from P. reflexa in being bifid ; (2) the arrangement of leaves on the stem — when first flowering the stem is short and the nodes show that the arrange- ment of leaves appears somewhat similar to that of a rosette, but the stem quickly elongates and the leaves are arranged alternately along the stem. He said work is still being done on this orchid, but, as it seems evident that it is undoubtedly a new species, Professor Ewart has decided to call it Pterostvlis Toveyana, in honour of the finder. A full description of this species will be given in Professor Ewart's next " Contribution to the Flora of Australia," which will appear shortly in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. PAPERS READ. i. By Messrs. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., and C. French, jun., entitled " A Year Among the Orchids : a Reminiscence." In a short, but interesting paper, the authors made reference to the fact that the season 1914-15, being an unusual one, owing to the drought, orchid life presented several interesting phases. Orchids were absent that were common in ordinary years, whilst certain hot and dry season orchids, notably Lyperanthus nigricans, were absent from certain localities. The outstanding feature of their observations on this inter- esting family (hiring the season was the undoubted fact that, owing to the inevitable spread of cultivation, many of the species were doomed to extinction in the metropolitan area at no very distant date. The extension of fruit-growing in the country districts was likewise responsible for the disappearance of many species. Unlike other classes of plants, orchids do not 1 • Tidily lend themselves to cultivation, nor do they survive foi any length of time on settled lands. The authors thus considered it a duty to study and record the result of their observations ol a slowly buf surely disappearing race of plants. The drought, contrary to the belief entertained by many, had no adversi effect on the abundance of orchids. Between Ringwood and Bayswater, during the month of < October, twenty- two species and varieties were noted. whil< twelve were collei ted ;it Oakleigh, and eleven a1 Cheltenham. Ou1 oi 07 species recorded for Victoria, 62 or nearly two-thirds wen observed by them during the \ The paper was illustrated by a series ol lantern slides. In complimenting the authors on theii interesting paper, the piesid.-nt said thai he had 1 olle< ted nearly all the Vv torian specH 3 oi on hid-, and thai foi many ■.■ at pasl it was obvious to him the chai I collecting many of the species deall with thai evening were becoming smaller and smallei every season. *uf'l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 55 Mr. G. Coghill said that the statement that he had exhibited Pterostylis vittata in May, 1884, as collected at Hawthorn must have been a slip, as Sandringham is the only locality in which he had collected it near Melbourne. Several species of orchids used to grow at Hawthorn, but they had long since disappeared. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard referred to finding splendid specimens of Gastrodia sesamoides in a dark fern gully at Wilson's Promontory on the occasion of the Christmas, 1914, camp-out. 2. By Mr. L. G. Chandler, entitled " Some Victorian Birds and Their Haunts." In explanation of a very interesting series of slides depicting the nests, eggs, and young of some of our native birds in their haunts, the author detailed the patience and tact that had to be displayed and the difficulties that had to be overcome before many of the views shown were secured. Many inter- esting narratives demonstrating the confiding nature of our birds when treated with kindness were narrated, and views expressed on several points whereon diversity of opinion among ornithologists exists. He mentioned that the Coach- whip-Bird, under certain conditions, will give utterance to the bi-syllabic call — which is usually given as an answering call by the female — in conjunction with his own whip-crack notes, and expressed the opinion that this is probably a ruse to protect the female from detection when danger threatens. Referring to the call of the Podargus, he stated that on one occasion he had heard this bird give a call which might easily be interpreted as " Mo-poke." At the same time the call could not be mistaken for that of the Boobook Owl, being uttered in a lower key, and much more rapidly. His conclusion was that neither bird said " Mo-poke." The call of the Boobook Owl resembled " More-pork," whilst that of the Podargus was more like " Rope-rope." Both species had a number of other distinct calls. An interesting point in con- nection with the Yellow Robin was mentioned — namely, that when the bird was perched on a gently swaying spray the body swayed in unison, but the head did not move. This enabled the bird to focus its eyes accurately on any particular spot. The author concluded his lecturette by reading some notes entitled " The Birds' Drinking Tin," in order to show the possibilities of bird photography out of the nesting season. The president, in congratulating Mr. Chandler on the excellent serii s of views shown, intimated to the meeting that the lecturer was about to proceed to the front. He felt sure that all present would sincerely wish him a safe and speedy return, and that he might favour them on some future occasion with his other lantern slides, for the display of which there was not sufficient time thai evening. 56 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [volICXXXli Mr. G. A. Keartland, in remarking on the excellence of the lantern slides shown and the interesting paper read, said he was in accord with the statement that the White-plumed Honey- eater was of a very pugnacious disposition, and instanced having seen these birds attack and follow a Winking Owl. He did not agree with the lecturer that the call of the Boobook Owl and that of the Podargus were similar. The Boobook, and the Boobook only, emitted the call " Mo-poke." He had seen the bird called up and shot whilst calling. The call of the Podargus was low, and might be likened to " Hoo-hoo." Mr. Chandler, in reply, thanked the president and members of the Club for their expressions of appreciation at his efforts to interest them that evening, and for their hearty good wishes for his safe and speedy return from the front. EXHIBITS. By Miss Dines. — Various species of insects collected at Dummagudem, Upper Godaveri Valley, India. By Professor Ewart. — New species of orchid, Pterostylis Toveyana, Ewart, from Mentone, Victoria. By Mr. J. Gabriel. — Stem of Tecoma M'Kenni, 28 feet long, showing fasciation. By Messrs. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., and C. French, jun. — Growing specimens of orchids, Pterostylis >iitt(t)is, R. Br.. /' nutans, R. Br. (albino form), Cyrtostylis reniformis, R. Br. : also flowers of Pterostylis vittata, Lind., P. obtusa, R. Br., and Corysanthes pruinosa, A. Cunn ; and twenty-three lantern slides in illustration of their paper. By Mr. F. Pitcher, on behalf of the Curator of the Botanic Gardens. — Flowering specimens of Acacia aspera, Lind.. Rough- leaved Acacia, Acacia cardiophylla, A. Cunn., Wyalong Wattle. Acacia decurrens, var. normalis, Benth., Sydney Black Wattle, and Acacia spectabilis, A. Cunn., Showy or Mudgee Acacia. By Mr. J. Wisewould. — Flowering plant of Epacris itnpressa, Labill., 6 feet 0 inches in height, from the Pakenham district . By Mr. J. Searle. — Living Hydroid, CordylophoraWhiteleggii, from lake, Botanir Gardens, Melbourne. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Australian Wild-Flowers. — Messrs. W. and IL Will.. tobacco manufacturers, of Sydney, have issued a series of fifty cigarette cards, bearing coloured illustrations, with names and descriptions, of Australian wild-flowers, many <>f which are excellent, considering the small scale on which they are executed. ^qf '] Fuller, Some South African Scenes and Flowers. 57 SOME SOUTH AFRICAN SCENES AND FLOWERS. By (Miss) Amy V. Fuller. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 14th June, 191 5.) To attempt to interest a company so much more learned than myself seems great presumption on my part, for I know but little of the science of botany. It was only my love of flowers that prompted me to find a way to preserve the memory of the thousands of native flowers that came under my notice whilst I was living in Cape Town with my relatives. For the first few weeks I tried to press all the different varieties I came across, but this was not at all satisfactory, as so many of them were succulent, such as the Mesembry- anthemums, Lachenalias, Rocheas, water-lilies, &c, and others were too solid, such as the Proteas. Leucospermums, Leuca- dendrons, &c, so that I determined to try and paint them. I had had a few drawing lessons at school, which now stood me in good stead. Of course, I began by attempting only the easiest flowers, but became so enthusiastic that before long I tried anything and everything. Some are, of course, not as successful as others, but I will show them to you, just as I sketched them originally. I have painted about 325 South African specimens, which the late Prof. MacOwen named for me, also 165 Western Aus- tralian flowers, which were named by the late Dr. Morrison, and have recently started on some Victorian and New South Wales varieties, which my friends at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens and Mr. J. H. Maiden, of Sydney, respectively, have kindly identified for me. During a recent visit to London, the authorities at the Royal Gardens at Kew wished to purchase part of my collection for their herbarium, choosing the flowers that were most un- common, and of which they had no representations other than pressed specimens, and it was with a heavy heart that I parted with the 102 sheets which they selected, as my flowers have always been very dear to me. Among those that I still retain you will probably find only a few that are not more or less familiar in a cultivated state, for naturally those purchased by Kew were the most rare — chiefly Rhodesian, together with some of my Western Australian specimens. What struck me so much in South Africa was that there was scarcely any time of the year when I could find no flowers to paint, so to-night I purpose showing the flowers according to their flowering month, instead of arranging them in their orders and species. I dated most of my specimens at the time of putting them on paper, so will start with January, as being the first month in the year, and show you what I have to 58 Fuller, Some South African Scenes and Flowers. [voLXXXli. represent each month as it comes. Naturally, in the spring and early summer the flowers were most numerous, and some- times it meant starting work at 6 a.m. and continuing at high pressure as long as the specimens lasted fresh enough. Table Mountain is a wonderful field for naturalists, but on my first visit to South Africa, in 1893, which lasted about eighteen months, the flowers were much more plentiful than when on my fourth visit, which was last year; in fact, the Government has found it necessary to protect the Table Mountain flora for some years to come — a proof that they were being by degrees destroyed. The coloured people still sell the wild-flowers in the streets on Saturdays and Wednesdays in Cape Town, and take up their stand in Adderley-street for a stretch of about two hundred yards : but they have to go some distance to gather the flowers, now that there are restrictions and so many varieties and localities preserved. There is no doubt that the Cape peninsula is a rich hunting- ground for the botanist, for there are endless hills and moun- tains wherever one travels, and each spot seems to possess its own special varieties. Such as Caledon heaths arc found no- where else, Riversdale heaths are again distinct, and so on. Fransch Hoek has a variety of Serruria {florida) and Ericas that grow on one special hill, and only the experienced botanist has any hope of finding them. One ought to he very grateful to the early Dutch settlers, who planted avenues of oak trees in and around (ape Town, lor they are now quite a feature of the town, and form welcome shade with their beautiful spreading branches. Unfortunately, thi late (Ceil Rhodes introduced the little grey squirrel from England into his own grounds, and they have now become so numerous around ("ape I'own that in the early Spring the avenues are carpeted with the young green leaves nibbled off by the squirrels. The forests <»! pine trees make a happy home foi them when the oak trees are hare. The ( ape Forestry Depart- ment is planting pine forests on the slopes oi rable Mountain, which form dark patches when seen from a distance, bu1 there ms to be rather a difference oi opinion as to the wisdom of tin- extensive planting, as it is destroying so much ol the undergrowth and natural beauty ol the grand old mountain. On my recent visit 1 was amazed t< see how very general was the use ol the Coast Tea-tree, Leptospermutn lavigatum, foi garden hedges, and how beautiful was the result, even up to six and eighl feel high straight, square walls. An Aus- tralian wattle I think the Golden Wattle, [cacia pyenantha, though commonly Known in South Africa as Port Jackson Willow and the Leptospermum I have just mentioned have becom* so abundanl round about the ' ape Town Hats (having ^Uf-' 1 Fuller, Some South African Scenes and Flowers. 59 been used freely as breakwinds), that one would scarcely believe that they were not indigenous to that country. From Table Mountain slopes the flats below appear one yellow mass in wattle time, and may be seen extending for several miles. The private gardens around Cape Town are, on the whole, very poor, as everyone seems to prefer the native flowers ; and when they are so plentiful for sale in the streets, and women frequently going from house to house with a tub of flowers on their heads selling bunches at a " ticky " (3d.) apiece, you have no diffi- culty in obtaining as many as you want. Even along the coast one finds flowers almost to the water's edge. It would take a lifetime to try and paint all the varieties. There are about 450 varieties of Ericas alone, and unless one can see them for oneself it is impossible to imagine the profusion. Western Australia is rich in flowers, but to my mind has nothing like the wealth of the Cape peninsula. After leaving Cape Town for the north you pass through miles and miles of flowers. Vlejs or swamps of blue Nympheas, and pink and white water-reeds, Proteas, Ixias, Gladiolus, Watsonias, &c. ; and the familiar Arum Lily is constantly in evidence, commonly known by the Cape people as the pig lily — I suppose because the pigs grub the roots. For many miles the colours are constantly changing, and one longs to get out of the train to gather specimens. But after the Hex River Mountains are passed the country changes into something of a desert — well known as the Karroo ; but even here, in the spring, there is a carpet of flowers of the Mesembryanthemum type, with salt-bush, &c. For many weary miles there is very little change after this, and only an occasional tree, chiefly a willow or blue gum that some enterprising farmer has planted on his farm, is the only growth more than a foot or so high. The kopjes are nearly all stony and barren looking for the greater part of the year, though at times in some places everything is fairly green. The Cape Mimosa, with its long, thorny spines, is one of the brightest bushes in its season, with its large, yellow, wattle-like balls, especially round about Kimberley, where there is so little growth of any kind. From Kimberley to Mafeking the country gets more inter- esting again. At every stop there are many natives to greet the train, offering their curious wares for sale to the passengers ; they are picturesque figures, with little more covering than a skimpy waist garment made of native muslin, called limbo, and not infrequently a turban of the same material on their heads — originally, probably, in bright colours, but mellowed and rendered far more artistic by the prevailing reddish dust. Men, women, and children greet the passengers with a volley of chatter, all speaking at once and offering their goods in 60 FULLER, Soma South African Scenes and Flowers. [voMCXXli broken English — karosses, skins, and, what fascinated me more than anything, their queer animals carved out of wood. They are so clever in getting the form and general character of the animals that one can at once recognize the buffalo, the baboon, tiger, elephant, giraffe, guinea-fowl, ibis, and bison, each out of a single piece of wood, stained or burnt : but the most clever part of it is that they do it all with their hatchets, I am told, and have no knives or finer tools to make the details. Tortoise- shells, wire-work baskets, bangles, and ornaments, and even bundles of orchid roots, are also among their wares, most articles ranging from a " ticky " to a " shelling," as they call a shilling. After three nights and as many days in the train, and skirting the Kallihare Desert, the country changes consider- ably, and one passes through miles of mopani or fever trees — a species of Bauhinia, I think. The first time I went to Rhodesia it was in August, and I stayed in Bulawayo for nine months, and as we passed through the mopani forest it looked like a large orchard in full autumn tints, the trees being just about the size of a well-grown apricot tree ; but last time I passed through it was in January, and the trees were a vivid green and fresh looking, in spite of the great heat. After leaving Buluwayo, which is now a township of 7,000 white inhabitants, one changes into a smaller but distinctly comfortable train, well fitted up to suit the conditions of the country — gauze netting over windows and ventilators, to make the compartments as mosquito-proof as possible, as it is, I believe, an acknowledged fact that the black and white striped mosquito is the instrument that spreads malarial fever by its bite. Quinine tablets are administered free of charge by the railway company to any visitors desiring them as a preventive. I might add that the Cape Town train has a shower bath at each end of a first saloon car, as well as a nickel wash-basin and plentiful supply <>f water in each compartment — greatly appreciated luxuries on that long, hot, and exceedingly dusty journey. About 8.30 p.m. we reached Melindi, a little wayside station where the engine takes water, and we were able to visit the spot, ' lose alongside the line, where the skull "I an elephant is mounted on a pedestal, and were told thai it was here thai the huge beasl crossed the railway just three years before, and came in contact with the mail train, derailing the engine and causing its own death. The head was thai o1 an enormous animal. We were told that w< might see a giraffe 01 zebra from the train as we passed through thai locality, hut we were not fortunate enough, although we scanned the forest growth on either side until it became too dark. The vegetation began to get more tropica] as darkness came on, and the morning Aug.."i Fuller, Some South African Scenes and Flowers. 61 1 9 ' 5 J showed us masses of white, sweet-scented bauhinias, all wet with rain that had fallen in the night, as well as many other less striking flowers, all along the railway. The joy of being in a new country, with surprises in the way of flowers at every turn, can never be described or imagined ; everyone has their own sensations in such experiences. It was shortly after 7 a.m. when we reached the Victoria Falls station, but long before that the white spray of the falls could be seen in the distance, looking like white smoke of some huge bush-fire ; and we knew then that we had really arrived at the wonderful and majestic falls of Zambesi that Livingstone had discovered about 50 years before. When you see their grandeur you can in a measure realize the feelings of the great explorer when they first burst on his view and he heard the roar of their mighty waters. There is no town of Victoria Falls, the nearest village being that of Livingstone, seven miles further up the line ; but behind the station there is the hotel, run by the Railway Department, and a few thatched kraals belonging to the curio traders, and. scattered about, one comes upon a few native huts from time to time. Instead of leaving the train at the Falls station, we handed our baggage over to the hotel servants and went on to the next station, which is Palm Grove, crossing the wonderful bridge, on which there is a toll of one shilling. Early morning, everything wet with night showers, and a tropical feeling in the air, was what greeted us when we left the railway siding, and we wandered beside the mighty Zambesi simply entranced. It seemed like fairyland, so fresh and green, palms and tropical trees and flowers, papyrus, &c, on all sides. With the first view of the falls and their surroundings our hearts were too full for comment. We could simply gaze in speechless amazement. The first few moments of that sight can never be imagined. We stood breathless and speechless, overawed by its marvellous greatness — rainbows here and there in the foaming mist as it rose from the mighty abyss. It was a revelation to me. We wandered along the banks of the river above the falls, on and on, in the early morning, before the sun had gained its full power. The ibis and dicas were having their morning plunge and searching for food. We kept our eyes open for hippopotami and crocodiles, but were not fortunate enough to see any that morning. We crept along what is called the " Knife Edge " — a narrow, scimitar-shaped tongue of land jutting out into the tremendous chasm, so that as we got to the point, knee-deep in wet grass, we had the tearing torrent on either side, and, far below us, the boiling pot, where the river in its deadly haste whirls itself round and round, as if it were boiling furiously, and sending its steam- 62 Fin 1 BR, Some South African Scenes iind Flowers. [voi'C\xxii like spray hundreds of feet into the air. One could spend many days, always seeing fresh sights, in that wonderful world of water, and each day we set off in another direction to see what further charms still lay before us. A walk to Danger Point in the moonlight, to see the lunar rainbow — unpaintable, in- describable in its mysterious beauty — was not easily forgotten. The next day we were to visit Livingstone Island, named, of course, after the great explorer, David Livingstone, who carved his initials, " D.L.," in deep-cut letters on a large tree on the island. We were paddled across the river in and out of quite a fairyland of islands, where gorgeous butterflies flitted about in great numbers, the Canadian canoe and native oarsmen adding to the charm and novelty of it all. The vegetation on the island is very dense, and the Jequiritz, or Prayer-bead Climber, Abrus precatorius, is climbing over many of the trees, so that the fierce rays of the sun never reached us as we wandered from one view of the falls to another. My enthusiasm was unbounded when I came across a patch of buttercup- yellow gladiolus, growing about four feet high, and quantities of crimson and gold tiger-lilies — Gloriosa speciosa I think they are called — supporting themselves up the trees with their tendrilled leaves, and many other flowers that were quite new to me. I was very loth to leave that lovely island, and should have been quite happy to have wandered about it in solitude, taking in all the details, that to me mean so much. I did long for someone who could tell me something about the interesting things around, but we had to return to the canoe and make for the mainland once more, where the natives were to meet us with the luncheon hampers. Back again on the banks <>l the river, we found our way down and down along a winding path among the palms and tropical creepers to the water's edge below the tails— on to the rocks beside the boiling pot, which we had seen not long before from Livingstone Island. man\- hundreds oi feel above. It is wonderful how the little fresh-water crabs <>t three or four inches across manage to scramble over the rocks at the edge of the river in spite o\ 'he rushing water. The next day we found our way to the w it was by far the coolesl place, ami one could almost forget the day was so hot beside that expanse "I water. 'Ibis time we wi lit to the opposite bank, above the falls, and there found we could walk along the water's edge, among the palms and tret >, foi several miles in the -hade, and there, in a cool spot, we had om Lunch, which the natives had again broughl as. Along here we saw one of the largesl oi the baobab trees in the district, with its large hibiscus-shaped (lowers, now almost over, and the lon| cucumber-like fruits forming instead: wme Aug.,"] Fuller, Some South African Scenes and Flowers. 6t. 1915 j j j of these must have been quite i£ feet long, fleshy and green, and seeded very like a marrow or cucumber. I have never seen so many varieties of beautiful trees before, mostly com- pound leaves, after the style of an acacia or rose, varying in form and size. My want of botanical knowledge was a con- tinuous regret to me, for there was no one with me in the least interested in the flora. The next day we made an early start for Kandahar Island, so called after Lord Roberts by Lord Kitchener. The island is very like the others that are studded about that part of the river, but the delight was the getting there, which meant about eight or ten miles, reclining at the bottom of a canoe, and being paddled up-stream by four natives. The regular swing of their stroke as they prodded the water quite harmonized with the dreamy atmosphere, gorgeous butterflies still hovering over us even in mid- stream. After lunching on Kandahar Island we again boarded our canoe, and later on landed on a charming little island called Kyli Island. Here the vegetable ivory palm grows in abund- ance, and I also saw a very pretty pale salmon-pink hibiscus. As I had expressed a wish for some of the ivory palm fruit, 1 was soon quite inundated with them from all the four natives, who knock them down very cleverly from the high palms by throwing old fruits or sticks at them, bringing down one or two with each throw. The fruit is rather like a miniature cocoanut, only they grow like giant bunches of grapes, and inside several coverings of each fruit is the ivory ball, about half the size of a billiard ball. It was on this island, while I was making an attempt to capture some of the lovely butterflies with an improvised net, that I was startled by a huge iguana, about five feet long, coming down a tree close in front of me. It had a bright yellow waistcoat, and looked really formidable as it came scurrying towards me, more terrified, no doubt, than I, as it scrambled down the slope at the root of the tree and away to my left. It was certainly the largest I had ever seen, though they told me at the hotel that five feet was quite the average size ; but for the moment my mind flew to the crocodiles that I knew were so numerous in the river close by. It took me some moments to recover from its sudden intrusion. Once more in our canoe, after the natives had again regaled us with afternoon tea, we glided down-stream with the tide, and made for the boat-shed. It was much cooler, and we were thoroughly enjoying the lazy motion of the boat, when I noticed that the two front Zambesi boys were excited about something, and I caught the word " Hippos," and there, to our right, not far ahead, were three huge hippopotami disporting them- selves in the river, opening their enormous, ugly mouths, and 64 Fuller, Some South African Scenes and Flowers. f,, Vict. Nat. XXXII. seeming to spout the water through their nostrils, snorting and splashing in the water. They were uncomfortably close, and our oarsmen paddled vigorously to get out of their way, as there have been some serious accidents through these beasts upsetting the boats on the river. There are too many crocodiles to make a ducking pleasant. As soon as we landed we made haste to tell our friends, who, we knew, were anxious to see them too. We met them at the entrance of the " rain forest " for which we were bound, and they hurried along the way we had come. When the sun is getting low, the rain forest is unique, for it is then that there are three rainbows to be seen, the minor two being complete circles. One must be suitably clad for the rain forest, as a drenching rain blows at all angles and soon saturates you through and through. It is always wet there, tor it is in reality the spray scattered by the falling torrents ; and, although everywhere else the heat may be very great, in the rain forest it is always cooler, though wet and steamy. On the edge of the forest, overlooking the abyss, it is very rocky, like a sea-coast at low tide, the rocks being covered with what looks like very soft bronze moss : but I found to my cost that it was too slippery to walk on. There, too, the little crabs scrambled about in great numbers. From the edge of that precipice — which I did not reach, however — one can be encircled by the rainbows. The undergrowth in the forest is rank and green, maiden-hair and other ferns carpeting the ground, with lovely moss coveiing the stones and fallen trees. The various buck and other animals are more plentiful here than in other parts. From the inner edge of the rain forest the best general view of the main falls is to be seen, as well as < atarad Island, where fishing is a favourite as well as profit- able pastime for those who like it. The days simply flew past — there seemed so much still to see ; but it was a week <>t pellet i en j( lyinen t . except for the gnat heat, the entrance hall and rooms at the hotel registering iob° mosl "l the time; nevertheless, it was with greal reluctance that we again took our places in the train on our return journey to I ape Town. I might say here that a young puff addei was caughl in the ball at the hotel, and one "i the men killed it and was able to show and explain to us its interesting methods of using its poison, &< We lefl Vi< toria Falls station one Saturday morning at 12.15, and arrived at I ape Town on Thursday at 11 a.m., in time to enjoy our lunch on terra firma instead oi in a train rocking and swaying from side to side as i1 hurried over the 1,662 miles ol country thai stretch between (ape Town and the greal Zambesi Falls. CIk Uictorian naturalist. Vol. XXXTI.— No. 5. SEPTEMBER 9, 1915. No. 381. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 9th August, 1915. The president, Dr. C. S. Sutton, occupied the chair, and about 40 members and visitors were present. REPORT. A report of the visit to the Economic Museum, Melbourne Botanic Gardens, on Saturday, 24th July, was given by the leader. Mr. F. Pitcher, who stated that about a dozen members were present. Considerable interest was evidenced in the examination of the fine specimens of Australian and exotic timbers, carpological collection, gums, resins, fruits, &c. Interesting particulars respecting some of the more noteworthy exhibits were given, and the methods adopted in preserving, pressing, and mounting specimens were briefly outlined. A ramble along the Australian border was then taken, and half an hour or so devoted to the classification shed, thus making a profitable and enjoyable afternoon. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken. Mr. Charles Daley, Clarinda-street, Caulfield, and Mr. John Dow, 9 Ford-street, Brunswick, were duly elected as ordinary members of the Club. PAPERS READ. i. By Messrs. J. Shephard and J. Searle, entitled " A Trip to the Colac and Camperdown Lakes." The authors pleasantly described the incidents of a brief collecting trip in June last to the lakes in the neighbourhood (it Camperdown and Colac, made for the sake of investigating their microscopic fauna and flora. A striking illustration oi the severity of the drought just terminated, and through which the State has passed with such disastrous consequences to the pastoralist and his flocks, was evidenced by the condition of Lake Colac (which has an area oi aboul ten square miles), and which was more than six feet below its normal level. The use of a tow net revealed the fact that the waters of the lake teemed with various species of Cladocera. Ostracoda. Copepoda, Rotifera, and other small forms of life. Lakes Gnotuk and Bullen-Merri, near Camperdown, were next visited. The shores of the former were found to be covered in parts with the small shells oi Cociella striatula, bu1 its waters were not very prolific in microfauna. From Bullen-Merri large numbers oi two speci,^ oi rotifers bi the genus Brachionus and a copepod 66 Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings. [\\,l xxxfi. of the genus Eurytemora were secured. Operations at Lake Corangamite, though conducted under adverse weather con- ditions, resulted in the discovery of a copepod which may prove to be the type of a new genus. The Brine Shrimp, Paratemia zietziana, was noted in immense numbers in parts of the lake. The authors advocated a systematic investiga- tion of the microfauna of the lakes of the Western District. and expressed the belief thai such would reveal many rare and interesting tonus of life. Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S.. favoured the suggestion of Messrs. Shephard and Searle. and suggested that the Club should arrange a " camp-out " near the lakes lor those interested in the class of study under discussion. The president, Dr. ('. S. Sutton, and Mr. F. (i. A. Barnard took part in the discussion, the latter referring to the weirdness of the adjacent Stony Rises, adding that, in a favourable season, their botany would doubtless prove interesting. j. By Mi. K. A. Keble. entitled " Picric Acid and Grass-tree Gum." In a short and somewhat technical paper the author pointed out that in the gummy exudation of the Xanthorrhceas, or grass-trees. Australia possesses a large and practically untouched reserve ol a commodity which, with a little scientific treatment. yields picric a< id. one ol the principal ingredients employed in the manufacture ol the various high explosive compounds so extensively used with such appalling effecl by the European power, in' the presenl war. The fairly high percentage ol picric acid yielded by the gum, ot resin, ol the grass-tree was apparently known to the scientific and commercial men ol othei nations. >ince a number oi companies had been formed prior to the war to gathei and export the resin, but whether it was utilized foi industrial purposes, or devoted to less peaceful ones, appeared problematical. M,, presidenl said that ovei eighl years ago Robeii Kaleski fully described the Xanthorrhoea and it.s products in the Bookfellow. Tin resin was then worth £l0 per ton. and in collecting it a man could readily earn ios. or r.2s. per day without much exei tion. Messrs Pitcher, Hardy, Searle, and Barnard contributed to a short discussion whi< h followed. \ vi i RA1 HISTORY NOTE. \ taNORMAi Limb in \ I opepod. Mr. J. Searle said that the finding ol abnormal structures in species ol the fresh-watei Copepoda is »o extremely tare thai such an occurrence is worthy (,i note. Just now the copepod Boeckella symmetrica, <». 0. tremely abundant in the Botani* Gardens lake. It is a Strouidv-maiked species, and easy of identification. S'pIt.''l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 67 Recently, while examining some material collected from the lake, he found a male specimen of the species referred to which, in addition to the spine always found on the outside of the apical claw of the left leg, near its base, had another spine on the inside of the same claw, and nearer the base than the normal outside one. This was only the second occasion on which he had found an abnormal structure in a fresh-water cope pod . The specimen was exhibited under the microscope, a drawing ol ;i normal limb being shown for comparison. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. F. (i. A. Barnard, referring to his exhibit of a growing plant of the fern Botrychium tematum, Swartz, Meadow Moon- wort, said that the plant was collected during a Club excursion some twenty-five years ago. It was an annual plant, which usually sent up but two fronds each season — a fertile and an infertile one — and if either of these happened to be destroyed it was not replaced. This year the two fronds were eaten off by slugs soon after they appeared, and he naturally expected that the plant would remain frondless till next spring, as had happened before, but this year it had produced a third (infertile) frond. He considered the species an interesting one, and worthy of cultivation. Though distributed all over the world, it seemed to be nowhere plentiful. The specimen under notice was collected in the Oakleigh district. Mr. F. Pitcher, in drawing attention to the exhibit of acacia blooms from the Botanic Gardens, mentioned that the speci- men shown that evening as Acacia fimbriata, A. ('mm., had been for many years wrongly labelled in the Gardens as .1. protninens. Mr. J. Searle, in referring to his exhibit of specimens of sea- pens, collected at Western Port, gave some account of the life- history and method of growth of this group of animal life. He said that the family Pennatulidae contains some of the most beautiful of fixed marine animals. The sea-pens are colonies of little polyps, differing from the coral polyps, to which they are related, in that, instead of secreting calcareous tubes in which to dwell, they are supported by a limy central rod, which is covered with a fleshy ccenosarc : this branches nut in a numbei of pinnae, along which the polyps grow. They are brilliantly coloured, and some are very luminescent. They live fixed on the bed of the sea. the stalk-shaped portion lifting the polyp- bearing part above the sea hot torn. The primary polyp is developed from a fertilized egg, and forms the main axis on which the secondary polyps are carried : these, in turn, by means of stolans, give rise to tertiary polyps, and so the colony grows. 68 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voLXXXH. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Pot-grown specimen of fern, Botrychium ternatum, Swart/. Meadow Moonwort, collected at Oakleigh some twenty-five years ago. By Mr. J. Gabriel. — Polyzoa from Western Port Bay, in- cluding Amphiblestrum cervicomis, Aetea dilatata, Cryptozoon wilsoni. Densipora corrugata, Dimetopia spicata, Euthyris episcopalis, Hornera foliacea, Lichenopora wilsoni, and Mem- branipora serrata. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells from Western Port Bay, including Chlamys acklinos. Petterd, Cyclosprcta favus, Hedley, Thracia modesta, Angas, Dosinia victoria-, Gatliff and Gabriel, Lutraria rhynchana, Rve., Eugyrina subdistortum, Lam. (with egg capsules). A canthochites exilis, Torr and Asbby. Ischnochiton falcabus, Hull. /. gabrieli, Hull, and Loricella angasi, Ad. and Ang. By Mr. R. A. Keble. — Gum or resin from the Southern Grass- tree, Xanthorrhcea australis, R. Br. By Mr. F. Pitcher, on behalf of the Curator of the Botanic Gardens. — Blooms oi twelve species oi Australian acacia viz.. .1. acinacea, Lindley, Gold-dust Acacia, V., X.S.W.. S.A. ; . I. armata, R. Br., Kangaroo Thorn, V., N.S.W.. (.).. S.A., W.A. : .1. cultriformis. A. Cunn., Knife-leaved Acacia. N.S.W.. Q. ; .1. decora, Rich, Graceful Wattle. X.S.W.. (.). ; .1. fimbriata, A. Cunn.. Fringed Acacia, X.S.W.. Q. ; .1. longifolia, var. sophora, F. v. M.. Spreading Coasl Wattle. V., X.S.W.. Q., S.A.. las.: A. montana, Benth., Mountain Wattle. V., X.S.W.. S.A. : .1. neriifolia, A. Cunn., Oleander-leaved Acacia, X.S.W.. Q. ; A. pravissinta, F. v. M.. Ovens Wattle. X.S.W. ; .1. strigosa, Link., Hairy Acacia, W.A. : .1. verniciflua, A. Cunn.. Varnish Wattle, V., N.S.W., S.A., Tas. ; and A. vestita, Edwards, Clothed Acacia. V.. X.S.W. By Mr. I). J- Paton.— Collection ol wild-flowers from Bendigo, including Boronia polygalifolia, Eriostemon obovalis, Acacia aspera, .1. calamifolia, A. diffusa, .1. pyenantha, A. sclerophylla, Marianthus procumbens, Hakea acicularis, Grevillea i/ici folia. Hovea heterophylla, and Diuris maculata. I,-, Mi. ( . L. Plumridge. Pot-grown specimen ol Epacris longiflora, in bloom, from Blue Mountains, New South Wales. By Mr. L Searle. Collection oi marine objects from Western Port Bay, including polyzoa, gorgonia, pennatulidae, sponges, ascidians, itar-fish, mollusca, Crustacea, pipe-fish, calcareous algae, 8 By Mr. F. Wisewould. Blooms of six species oi acacias from Upper Pakenham viz., A. dealbata, A. diffusa. A linearis. A. melanoxylon, 1. myrtifolia, and A. pyenantha. Aftei the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. SeP1-.' "I Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. 69 THE FORESTS OF VICTORIA. Part 1. By A. D. Hardy, F.L.S. (Read befoyc the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 10th May, 1915.) I. — Historical Reference. Before proceeding to discuss the existing forests, let us briefly review the history of Victoria in so far as it bears on our present subject. Although the geographical history of this part of Australia may be said to have begun after coastal voyages by Commander Grant and by Dr. Bass, and the discovery of Port Phillip Bay by Lieut. Murray in 1801, an increase of population such as promised exploitation of the natural resources of the new land did not begin until the discovery of gold, in 1851. With this increase there grew a demand for timber for dwellings to replace the " canvas town " settlements of Ballarat, Bendigo, &c, and a further demand for the construction of fences, culverts, bridges, jetties, wharves, and telegraph lines — a demand that persisted and increased. The earlier settlers destroyed valuable timber much in excess of their actual requirements for direct economic use ; but, however deplorable that fact may be, it is none the less true that much of the wholesale slaughter was inevitable, and even necessary if the pioneers were to successfully combat the allied forces of nature, and master the wilderness. At the outset they had the materials for their primitive dwellings ready to hand. Arboreous vegetation there was of a sort, but of poor timber value, the dearth ef timber trees being a recurring note in the diaries of the surveyors of Port Phillip Bay and environment of the new settlement. For their " wattle- and-daub " huts there was an abundance of lithe, tough stems and branches of acacias and other shrubs* — Acacia pyenantha on the higher Silurian and its sandy, gravelly capping, which bore also much .1. mollissima ; and along the streams grew .1. dealbata, of which hardly a representative vestige remains close to Melbourne. These were in those days known better as Mimosa (whence the corruption Prickly Moses" for .1. verticittata). The Red Stringy^bark Gum, Eucalyptus macrorrhyncha, furnished the slabs of bark which roofed and walled and even chimneyed their bark huts. a type oi dwelling which persists in wayback parts remote from railways and wheel-tracks. In [853 the Castlemaine Mechanics' Institute was in a bark hut. For their post and * " Wattle"' is not a term oi Austral origin, and applies to any flexible stems or twigs capable oi being woven or Laced together, as in the mud bouses ot Anglo-Saxons, Wesi Africans, and others; and many acaci bet ause of this early use, have been called wattle. yo Hardy, The Forests of Viotoria. [vol^xxxii rail fences and slab huts the fissile wood oi the same species, and the tougher wood of the lowland form oi E. viminalis, and probably that of E. rubida, supplied abundant material. The colloquial " logs " is a term almost forgotten, but was appropriate in the days when the prisons were made of young tree-trunks laid horizontally. The ever-increasing demand for firewood soon made itself evident in the disappearance of the stunted forest oi eucalyptus close at hand, chiefly E. viminalis, E. rostrata, E. paludosa, and E. melliodora, and. later, those further afield, such as /:. elceophora, E. obliqua, Banksia marginata, B. integrifolia, Exocarfius cupressiformis, Casuarina stricta, and ('. suberosa. Long before the clay beds were opened up, the lava which tilled the old Yarra Valley was drawn upon for the easily-obtained basalt (bluestone) for more substantial dwellings, and examples oi this type are still to be found about Melbourne. Bui wattle-and-daub. slabs and bark, and bluestone were only oi temporary efficiency, so the exploitation oi the clay beds and of the highland forests almost simultaneously began to cope with the growth oi a city which, in half a century or there- about, re&ched a population of half a million, and an area oi about 145 square miles, to say nothing of the growth oi su< h provincial cities as Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo. The firsl pier (at Williamstown) was a rough stone structure, boulders from the decomposing lava surface being used, as more readilj obtained than timber. The mention oi piers leads us to remembet the speculation as to the identity oi old wrecks scattered along the Victorian coasl and the Strait islands, which gave rise to the idea that richly-freighted vessels from the Spanish main were still awaiting salvage. The timbei oi such as I have examined. however, looked suspiciously like Australian hardwood, and compared mosl nearrj with Eucalyptus obliqua and Eucalyptus globulus. < M the 40 ships trading between New Zealand ami America in 1853, in sealing and whaling products, &c, and comprising French, British, and American, 20 were <>i New World origin, and averaged ;.: ; tons: and so various male ash, &c, may have been found about the coast. Small vessels were buill in Tasmania, probably oi Hluon pine, Dacrydium Franklinii, 01 Blue Gum, Eucalyptus globulus, foi i-Strail trade, and il ecordi d thai prioi to [846 a small vessel named thi Tea •< was buill on the Yarra. She was ;i {o-ton ■. • 1 I. and was made oi the Rivei Red Gum, Eucalyptus With the extension oi railways, the building "i piers and bridges, the growth oi tl tern, and the need oi abundant prop timbei foi th< min< and dabs foi retaining sIegpIt'l Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. 71 walls, the demand for some kind of forest control became more insistent : but nearly half a century of devastation passed before the people placed this priceless heritage in the keeping of a department — a department whose undivided' attention was to be devoted to the conservation of the forest wealth. Prior to 1907 forest control was thought to be sufficiently assured by administration by one of many branches of a department, and, like a shuttlecock, it was tossed about — from Lands to Mines, from Mines to Agriculture — each of these having had a turn as foster-mother. The expert officers had limited control and restricted initiative. The following refer- ence to the usages of the Lands Department of many years ago will suffice to show how black was the outlook for the future of forestry, in view of the antagonistic interests existing within a department administering both forestry and land settle- ment : — Settlers were required to effect, in the first stage of their tenures, improvements to the value of ten shillings per acre before acquiring better tenures and finally the Crown grant. " Improvements " frequently comprised the fol- lowing : — Dwelling (often a log and bark or slab and bark hut), a little cultivation, fencing, ringbarking. and clearing. The chock-and-log fences were composed of some of the finest prop and pole and spar timber, and when axe and fire had played their part some of the finest milling timber was in places hauled into line by bullock teams to form log fences, and. later, magnificent cover for rabbits. The ringing of the timber was not only allowed, but was at times necessary to obtain grazing. In recent years the Lands Department made provision for the planting of trees by new selectors in the north-west part of the State. In iSqy a Royal Commission was appointed, and. after much travel in this and other countries, presented a comprehensive fourteenth report in 1901. But it was not till 1907 that a Forests Act was passed and a Department of State Forests created, with a Minister and Conservator, with greal powers of control and initiative. Consequently, in January, 1908, there began a new era in the history of Victorian forestry. [I.— Area and Nature of Reserves. The more or less permanently reserved forest area is about 4,000,000 acres — a fourteenth part, or 7 per cent, of the total area of the State. The remaining woodland area is alienable, and amounts to nearly twice as much as the lands reserved under the Forests Act. But the total woodland area oi timber value is. perhaps, not much more than -.000.000 acres. The following are the various kinds of reserve: 1. Forest 7 j Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. [vui^xxxii Act reservations, winch cannot be reduced in area excepting l>v consent of both Houses of the Legislature ; these reserves include forests which produce the best milling timber, in localities. Mich as haw Baw, Dandenong, Otway, Yarra, Rubicon, Tambo, .Mount Cole, Gunbower, and comprising species including Eucalyptus globulus. E. regnans, E. gonio- calyx, E. obliqua, E. Muelleriana, E. rostrata, E. tereticornis, E. Sieberiana, and E. Delegatensis, and also the box and iron- bark areas of the Northern districts. 2. Land Act reservations* of diminishing area, and revocable by order of the Governor in Council. 3. Areas departmentally withheld limn settle- ment pending the removal of the standing timber. In addition to the specific reservations, the whole of the unoccupied Crown lands throughout the State, with a few exceptions, and including those areas held under annual grazing licence, and the remnants ol grazing leases from which selec- tions have been made, have been proclaimed by Gazette notice as "protected forest," and as such, as tai as control ol the timber is concerned, are under the care of the state Forests Department. Field naturalists will gladly learn that the removal ol ferns and other interesting stream-side flora is punishable iindei the Act. 111. I ypES oi \i< torian Forest. Pure Forest. Of the whole timbered area there is com- paratively little thai can be regarded as pure or one-species forest. Two species lay claim individually to certain anas. and these, in appearance, grain, and coloui oi wood, othei economii uses, and ecology, vary widely. They are Eucalyptus rostrata, the Rivei Red Gum, and /•.. regnans, the Gianl Gum. Along the Murraj and Goulbjim Rivers chiefly, and the low- land portions ol theii tributaries, but also spreading ovei Hat lands ol the south-wesl and fringing such watei spaces as Lonsdale, and, by means ol water-courses, even pene- trating the Mallee, the Rivei Red Gum flourishes, requiring much moisture a1 foot, bul capable ol bearing high atmos- phere temperatures. In quantit) and ,w<-.\ entitling ii to the dignity ol forest, our must seek it in Gunbowei and Barmah districts, 01 along the Ovens River, between Yarrawonga and Wangaratta. Such f( e broken into al places and almosl traversed at others by highei ground bearing trees ol the box type e.g., I hemiphloia, Grej Box, and E. bicolor, Black Box. ilyptus regnans, Gianl Gum, is to be found at i1 bi si on the southern slopes ol the sub-alpine regions ol Eastern Victoria and the Otwaj R nd may bi found exclusively occupying comparatively larg( areas in such situations as Mount Bau Haw, Mounl Dandenong, Beenak Rangi , Cerberean R • • .while y^'.''] HARDY, The Forests of Victoria. j$ at times it freely mixes with a tew other highland species. A few species monopolize smaller areas — e.g., E. paludosa, a swamp gum which delights in damp Hats, and there resembles E. rostrata in general appearance, and. like it, may be found on slightly higher ground : /:. Delegatensis, Victorian Woolly-butf or Red Ash. another sub-alpine tree, but confined to North- Eastern Victoria : /:'. obliqua, as its vernacular, " Messmate," suggests, is less exclusive, but in some highland areas, and in the Wombat and other forests, enjoys a monopoly of fairly ex- tensive tracts. Elsewhere we have, in different classes of country, smaller areas in which the dominant species form groves. Thus, in the midst of other timbers, or alternating with belts of other species, may be found Eucalyptus amygdalina, I:, sideroxylon, E. hemiphloia, Sec. Groves of Fagus Cunninghami, the Myrtle Beech, in the highland glens of Otway and Gippsland, are miniature pure forests. Similarly, in the North-West (the Mallee), dwarf eucalypts of a single species form small pure forests topographically limited, while exclusive groves of arboreous — and therefore in that locality conspicuous — trees are composed of Callitris or Casuarina. If a line be drawn from Woodend, on the northern plain, to the summit of Mount Macedon, a distribution in vertical zones may be noted. On the flat. Eucalyptus paludosa, a swamp gum, is in possession ; at the base of the mount a belt of mixed forest consists of /:. amygdalina, E. viminalis (stunted), /:. elceoplwra, &c, which, as we ascend, gives way to a pre- dominance of /:'. obliqua, and through a pure belt of the last- named species we suddenly reach a summit-capping, shrubby eucalypt. E. coriacea, which marks the region of occasional snows at J, 500 feet. This is the northern aspect. Continuing the line over the summit and down the southern slopes, and neglecting, lor the moment, the exotic pines, we have, before reaching the Messmate, a belt of " Gum-top Messmate," possibly a form of E. pilularis, which in general aspect suggests affinity with the Messmate and the Giant Gum. and luxuriates on the shady side ol the mount. Lower, it mingles with E. obliqua and tall, straight trees of /•. . viminalis, which become stunted as we descend to the altitude attained on this .side by E. paludosa and E. amygdalina. Here we have in the whole a mixed forest with pure forest patches. the result ol topographical conditions and aspect. In the Won Wron forest, in Gippsland. comparatively low. undulating country carries valuable timber in considerable areas, con- sisting of a single species. This is the Yellow Stringy-bark. Eucalyptus Muelleriana. It may be found, in the same reserve, in isolated patches and belts, or associated with other spe< i' ol eucalyptus, such as /•;. hemiphloia and E. Eugenoides, and 74 Hardy, The Forests oj Victoria. [vol-XXXli with Casuarina and Banksia. A lew Banksias and Casuarinas form groves oi notable area at low altitudes, the aggregation depending largely on soil and aspect — e.g.. the Banksia grove at the northern extremity oi Mount Vereker, fairly low and sheltered, and the Casuarina grove on the higher, wind-blown, seaward slopes of the wesl coast oi Wilson's Promontory. In swampy regions great thickets oi the tea-trees Melaleuca ericifolia and M. squarrosa may be seen at Wilson's Promontory and elsewhere. Mixed Forests. These are the rule rather than the excep- tion. An example foi study is 'lose at hand in Stndlcy Park and the Asylum Reserve at Kew. On the low Silurian hills between which and the basalt plain the Yarra River Hows tortuously from Fairfield to Hawthorn, there is an inter- mingling oi species that may be found in many other parts oi the State. Here we have Eucalyptus rostrata, E. viminalis, E. melliodora, E. paludosa, and /-.'. leucoxylon, sometimes ascending approximately in horizontal belts in the order as written, but at others with E. viminalis at the stream side, and. again, with E. paludosa reaching the crest oi the spur nearly; but, where the soil is hungriest and the hill-tops most stony, there E. leucoxylon is almost without rival, bu1 stunted and wind-blown. In othei Silurian country, such as near Tooborac, in the Heathcote district, the mixture comprises the following encalypts : E. mcl/ioitora, E. hetniphloia, E. polyanthema, E. macrorrhyncha, E. elaophora, and E. sider- oxylon, with E. viminalis and E. rostrata on the Hats, but with no species monopolizing extensive areas. [To be i ontinued.) A Fishing Note. "Not long ago,' while fishing foi schnappei with my son, on hauling up a fish, which seemed unusuallj heavy, and bringingii to the surf ace, we found it enwrappedin the tentacles oi an octopus oi a lair size. The conjoinl weight ,,t the two broke the hook. We then shifted our ground about ,i quarter oi a mile away, when an exactlj similai accidenl occurred. Although we have fished a good deal before, it is the first timi such a thing has evet happened to us. We have often hadsharks take our fish when being drawn to the surf ace, bu1 not .11, 0( topus. I ils,, noticed lately, when sitting on the hank ,,i ,, a I'oo upine Ant-eatei oi E< hidna come down the hank on the othei side, but apparently slip into the water. He u,,l rathei to enjoy it than otherwise, and swam freel} foi ,. (distance. I hi-, was the first time I had observed one oi these animals swimmin \ Rutter Clarke, foorak. ^oi' J Pescott and FRENCH j A Tear Among the Orchids. 75 A YEAR AMONG THE ORCHIDS. A REMINISCENCE. By E. E. Pescott. F.L.S.. and C. French, Jun. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 12th July, 1915. The prosecution of one's nature hobby under natural con- ditions is always pleasant, and as the scenes are revisited each season to obtain fresh specimens and to conduct newer observations a naturalist cannot Ik- other than reminiscent. In fact, reminiscences " crowd thick and fast," till one is apt to forget the present amidst the memories of the past. The orchid season of 1914-15 has been somewhat out of the ordinary run of seasons, in that it presented many features of interest, and. owing to the climatic vagaries consequent upon the drought, many unusual developments were noticed. It has been suggested, owing to the drought, that orchids were far less prevalent during the past summer than in the normal seasons. That was not the case, however. For instance, between Ringwood and Bayswater — a famous orchid district — in October, a total of twenty species was collected, with two white varieties, making twenty-two species and varieties in all. Again, at Cheltenham, eleven species were collected, and twelve at Oakleigh. It is noted with great regret, horn a naturalist's standpoint, that the rich locality of Ringwood and its environs is fast becoming settled, the soil and aspect having been found most suitable for apple-growing ; and it is to he feared that, ere long, our orchid paddocks will be no more, having succumbed to the axe and the plough, and so to provide apples for the world's markets. Hence it will not he long before we shall have to go further afield for wild-flowers. Thirty years ago .Mr. George Coghill exhibited at the Club in May. 18S4 — five species of orchids which hi' had collected at Hawthorn. These included Pterostylis vittata* P. pracox, P. nutans. P. concinna. One would look there in vain for such orchids now. and. indeed, he would be laughed ou1 of court were he to SUggesI an 01 chid hunt al Hawthorn nowadays. Apparently the same will be said oi Ringwood in a few yen-' tunc One ot the nearest spots to Melbourne where orchids ma) \ei be seen is ;it Ashburton. Here is now the terminal limit "l the coastal flora, which once extended Erom Sandringham and Cheltenham through Oakleigh and Ashburton to Canter- bury. Any remnants have long since gone from Canterbury, and probably Ashburton will soon be civilized, foi the paddock in which the orchids were noted has now been fenced, and Mi. Coghill informs us tin- is an error, .is lie never > . .! l< t 1 <■■ 1 /' vittata at Hawthorn. The Locality should have been Sandringham. II' it is plentiful .11 Point Lonsdale. I . E. P. and C. F. j6 Pescott and French, A Yen Among the Orchids, [volxxxh. the fence is always the precursor oi the flora] loss. Here were noted Pterostylis nutans, P. concinna, Acianthus exsertus, and Corysanthes pruinosa. To collect Pterostylis vittata .\ visil would need to Ik- made to Sandringham ; and even here this orchid is fast becoming rare This year, among the coastal tea-tree, where we previously collected dozens oi plains, only a fair number were found, and these aftei a close hunt among the hushes. Also. at Ebden Park, where this orchid and others were formerly abundant, the advance and increase oi seaside residences are fast destroying this erstwhile famous collecting ground. Pterostylis concinna is still exceedingly plentiful under the tea-tree at Sandringham and Beaumaris, and. both last season and this, it has been a charming early winter visitant. Cyr- tostylis reniformis and Caladenia Patersoni are also in evidence along the coast. Here. also, a lew plants of Corysanthes pruinosa were found; previously, too, these were plentiful along the beach hills. Bui on the sandy hills near Cheltenham, and in the open scrub beyond Oakleigh, this species is still to be found in abundance. This season one colony was found which must have contained many thousands oi individual plants so closely set in an irregular area of about eight yards .11 ross as to almosl overlap each other, and exclude every othei plant. The mate to this species, Corysanthes unguiculata, which was tn -i found at Oakleigh by Mr. C. French, jun., in June. [890, will soon be extincl in its original locality. The paddock where it grows is now used as a pasture ft ws, which are 1 ating up and tramping down the clumps oi Melaleuca squarrosa, which is the natural covet foi the orchids. Rabbits, too, have discovered thai orchid tubers are edible, and this war it was noted thai these rodents were scratching up the young plants oi Pterostylis pedaloglossa, and eating both plants and tubers. In anothei instant e, a < olony oi ants had excavated undei and complete^ covered up a growing patch oi this orchid. Last year only hall .1 dozen plant- oi Corysanthes unguiculata were found ; bu1 this season several dozen were observed. Surely this would lead one to considei thai in an unfavourable season tin tubers remain dormanl in the soil. Pterostylis pedaloglossa, too, presented an unusual problem. Foi the last two seasons, although hundreds oi plants were noted, only one flowei was seen, and thai was in ioip In the same paddock it was previously possible to colled flowers oi Pterostylis nutans by the thousand ; but, now thai cows and rabbits have found these plants palatable, this species, while common and yel interesting, 1- here fasl disappearing. Auothei toi connected with the disappearance oi this orchid is thi increase in the spread oi ''Main weeds In one cornet oi thi Sept,,"i Pescott and French, A Year Among the Orchids. 77 1Q15 j a / / tea-tree, a colony of this orchid, which was abundantly present in 1914, was almost smothered in 1915 by the luxuriant growth of the English Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, and the Sorrel, Ritmex acetosella, the seeds of these introduced weeds having been spread by the agency of stork manure. In this locality this season a small albino or variegated form of Pterostylis nutans was found. The plant had three leaves, and, under cultivation, has since developed a fourth. This interesting break of albinism is not common among the orchids. In the heath lands last year it was quite impossible to collect a single flowering specimen of Lyperanthus nigricans. Frankston, Sandringham, Black Rock. Beaumaris, Cheltenham. and Oakleigh were all searched over, hut they refused to yield up even one flower. Thousands of plants were found dead everywhere, and this quite early in Septemher. This was probably owing to the dryness of the winter and the heat of early spring. The check to the flowering of the plant, and the death of the foliage, did not interfere with the life of the tubers. Many of these were dug up. and they appeared quite normal, though rather small. This year the foliage is as plentiful and as vigorous as ever. Two other species which are usually plentiful were not found by us in the metropolitan area last season, although diligent search was made in their usual localities. These were Gastrodia sesamoides and Orthoceras strictum. The same localities will be searched again this season to see if they have survived the drought. The former, however, was found at Yering Gorge by Dr. ('. S. Sutton in November, and by Mr. C. French, jun., at Korumburra during the first week in December. In the latter case the tubers were exceedingly large. It is strange that this orchid should have been so scarce last year, for its congener, Dipodium punctatum, was plentiful in all of its usual haunts at Healesville, Ringwood, Croydon. Bayswater, Tyabb, &c. One plant was noticed at Ringwood 37 inches in height, with fifty-three individual flowers on the spike: a plant was also collected at Black Rock as late as 17th March, and this only had one flower expanded. Thirty years ago Dipodium punctatum was very common in the river paddocks at Richmond and Burnley, but here it has long been extinct. These two hot-season orchids are usually credited with being parasitic upon gum-tree and other roots. At Ringwood this season one plant was carefully dug from the soil, and no roots or tree Stumps were in close proximity to the tuberous roots, h has recently been ascertained that Gastrodia elata, a Japanese species, only flowers when attacked by the root-rot fungus. Armillaria mellea, which lives in symbiotic relationship on the orchid tubers. II this be so. it mav be found that the same jS Pescott and French, A Yeai Among the Orchids. [voMcxxii biological condition is responsible for the flowering of our own local species. This fungus is common in the soils everywhere in the Victorian bush, and it does not favourably develop in hot, dry weather. So it may be suggested, presuming the fungus operates on our own species, that the hot, dry season prevented the fungus developing ami growing, ami. .1- .1 result, the tubers did not receive the force necessary to stimulate flowering. The genus Prasophyllum was also somewhat scarce last year. With the exception of three species which were found abundantly at Healesville, only a single specimen each of Prasophyllum Archeri, at Emerald, and /;. despectans, at Bayswater, were collected. Prasophyllum fuscum, P. brevilabre, and P. australe were growing intermingled at Healesville, and. casually, it would be very easy to confuse the species, except for the dainty fragrance of P. fuscum. Om- fasciated spike of this species was collected, having fifty-one flowers. Prasophyllum datum, which is plentiful enough in mosl seasons, was not found at all. A genus which might be expected to suffer considerably, or even to be markedly absent, owing to the dry. hot season, is Pterostylis ; but thai was not the case. for. in all. fourteen species were collected, according to theii season, ami. with tlie exception ol P. pedaloglossa, which has been previously referred to. .ill were flowering well. P. parviflora, which flowers 111 the autumn, and which might reasonably have been expected to -utter, was well in evidence in several collecting-grounds. It wa> noticeable of this species thai the tallei ami more robust specimens were found on the stiff, dry. clay soils, while the small plant-. Ire(|uently with only a single flower, were mostly growing in the humid and peat} soils of the tea-tree area. The queer, hairy-tongued species, /'. barbata, too. was fairly abundant. The naming ol Pterostylis falcata, which has been confused with P. cucullata; the raising to specific rank ol its variety as /'. al/pina\ and the placing oi P. Mackibbini as a synonym ol P. cucullata, all by Dr. R. S. Rogers, M.A.. the well-known Australian orchidologist, has previously been rred to ,it the club. Both P. falcata ami /'. alpina were collected along the Waits Rivei in October, where they grow fairly profusely. The three genera which delighl in the summer sun, Thely- mitra, Diuris, ami Caladenia, were all very plentiful, the "ii apparently not having affected them .it all, unless to cause them to blossom profusely. Diuris alba flowered beauti- fully, both naturally ami undei 1 ultivation, while i>. longijolia and D. pedunculata wen- very abundant at Ringwood. P>- punctata is becoming tare within fair range of the metropolis, but one occasionally hears "i good numbers ol blooms in Sept.,! Pescott and French, A Year Among the Orchids. 79 1915 J y t> / v distant country localities. Many of the Thelymitras were abundant. Ringvvood was gay with T. aristata and T. ixioides, while Frankston and elsewhere were fragrant with dainty T. antennifera. With the exception of the beautiful T. epipactoides, the genus seems to be as prevalent as ever in the various localities, hut this one species is last becoming very rare. It was not found even after much hunting during the past two seasons. With the exception of Caladenia filamentosa, every Victorian species was observed, C. Cairnsiana being excep- tionally fine. C. discoidea is still retained on the Victorian lists, although it is purely a Western Australian species. It is very probable that this species has crept into Victorian records by accident or by error. The long-petalled form of ('. Patersoni was not very frequent, but the variety known as ('. dilatata was much more prevalent. On the whole, the Caladenias and the Thelymitras, with Glossodia major, seem to be among the hardiest of our orchids and to resist most the advances of civilization. One orchid that is fast disappearing from its usual resorts is Spiranthes australis. This plant was formerly common. growing in the moist tlats along the various upper reaches of tin' Yarra in the Warburton district. In a few 3'ears past it was easily possible to collect over one hundred flower-spikes in one particular paddock; but this year— January — we considered Ourselves fortunate in rinding only a dozen flower-spikes. The paddocks have all been sown down with pasture grasses. and sheep and cattle have been turned in to feed on the grass. and incidentally on the orchids. Other areas, too. are being drained and planted with fruit trees, so that here, soon, Spiranthes australis will cease to exist. It would not have been possible for us to collect even these dozen flower-heads only that they were growing in Cyperus tussocks, in very wet and swampy parts of tin- paddock. Several remains of plants were found, the top-, of which had been eaten by the stock. In the tussocks the plants were often three feet in height. Lyperanthus (Caladenia) suaveolens was missing from its home in Croydon, apple and pear trees having taken its place; but at Bayswater it is -till fairly frequent, and. notwithstanding the dry season, some oi the spikes were very fine. An interesting reminiscence is the fact that Calochilus campestre, in years gone by, was very prevalent, and was frequently exhibited at the Club, while its mate. C Robertsoni, was considered as uncommon. In 1884 Mr. f. French, sen.. writing on our orchids, records C. campestre as becoming scarce, while he had never collected C. Robertsoni. Nowadays we frequently find C. Robertsoni, but very rarely ('. campestre. Probably the former is the hardier ol the two. and so has been less affected by the modern civilizing influences. So Pescott and French, A Year Among the Orchids. [voMcxxii Among the less numbered genera several species were collected. Chiloglottis Gunnii was very plentiful at Wandin, growing in the dry soils. One plant was found growing in tin- moss on a low island in the Watts River at Healesville. The two Acianthns. . I. caudatus and .1. exsertus, are still with us in fair numbers, the latter being the more common. Cryp- tostylis longifolia is also well represented, although at Ringwood and at Oakleigh live stock are beginning to eat it up. LTndei cultivation, this orchid flowered bountifully this season. Its mate. C. leptochila, was fairly abundant at Gembrook, but, while very many plants were noted. no1 one flower-head was seen. The dry season, again, was possibly responsible for this. The two species of Eriochilus- E. {Caladenia) fimbriate and /■. . autumnalis—diXe yet abundant, and it was pleasant to note how sweetly fragrant E. autumnalis was. in the warm, dry weather of April and May. Microtis porrifolia was abundant in old creek beds at Ringwood, and elsewhere in moist localities. M. atrata was very common at Coldstream. Glossodia major, a warm weather and hardy orchid, was this year very variable. At Ringwood, Oakleigh, and at many Other places, it was fairly common. In normal seasons, in the State Forest at Chiltern, this lovely and yet common orchid usually carpets the ground in great profusion; but this year a drive through hundreds ol acres "I the foresl revealed only live individual flowers. Probably, as in the case of Lyperanthus nigricans, the foliage developed, bu1 shrivelled on account of the dry weather. And so, ou1 "i the ninety-six species recorded for Victoria in the past year, we have observed a total ol sixty-two, oi nearly two-thirds of all the species. The outstanding feature ol our observations is the undoubted fad that, owing to the inevitable spread oi cultivation and settlement, the family <>t on bids, which is so wonderfully interesting, is fasl passing away from out midst. Unlike other classes ol plants, this one doe- not readily lend itseli to cultivation, noi dues it survive lot any time on settled lands, and it is thus impressed upon ns that, while they are ye1 with ns. we should study them, and m, record foi future generations tales ol the plants which will then, no doubt, be extincl . Vernacular Names for Victorian Plants. I he Augusi number of the Journal oj Agriculture of Victoria contains a further instalment ol the provisional list ol vernaculai names. comprising the orders from Callitrichiaceas to Umbelliferse, This part includes the Myrtaceae. among which are many beautiful shrubs worthy ol garden cultivation, also the different species of eucalypts, foi which the selection ot suitable ver- naculai names proved a very difncull task Che Uictoriati naturalist. Vol. XXXII.— No. 6. OCTOBER 7, 1915. No. 382. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 13th September, I9I5- The president, Dr. C. S. Sutton, occupied the chair, and about forty members and visitors were present. REPORTS. A brief report of the excursion to Mitcham on Saturday, 14th August, was made by the leader, Mr. G. Coghill, who said that about twenty members and visitors attended the outing. The course taken was along the Quarry-road to the Mullum -Mullum or Deep Creek, and thence via Park-road to the starting-point. The wattle bloom, to view which was the main object of the trip, was not so fine as was expected, and only about thirty species of wild-flowers were collected, .none being of any especial note. Dr. C. S. Sutton reported that, despite the unfavourable nature of the afternoon, thirty-eight members and friends journeyed by motor-bus to Warrandyte on Saturday, 28th August. The object of the trip was to view the Silver Wattles growing on the banks of the Yarra. The trees, when in full bloom (as the party confidently expected to find them), are a beautiful sight, but unfortunately only one tree seemed to have bloomed well this season, and that was past its highest stage of perfection. However, the fruit-trees in the numerous < >r< bards along the route afforded some solace by a lavish display of blossom. On the outward journey a stop of short duration was made to afford the party an opportunity of collecting Acacia acinacca and other flowers on the roadside and in the adjacent paddocks. After tea the return journey was begun, and the city reached shortly after 7 p.m. The leader, Mr. J . \V. Audas, F.L.S., reported that the ex- cursion to Springvale on Saturday, nth September, was well attended, the party numbering forty-six. including several students from the Training College. The weather was all that could be desired, being delightfully fine and cool. Soon after leaving Oakleigh some of the earliest of our wild-flowers were observed growing in the railway enclosure, the more noticeable being Anguillaria (Wurtnbea) dioica, Hypoxis glabella, and ChanicBScilla corymbosa. On leaving the station the party followed the railway line, in the direction of Clayton, for a short distance. Here many plants were noticed in flower, the 82 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voLXXxil most prominent being Dillwynia cinerascens, Hibbertia stricta, Bossicea cinerea, and Platylobiutn obtusangulum. Growing abundantly near the edges ot swampy ground, tine tall speci- mens of Craspedia Richea and Brachycome cardiocarpa, Swamp Daisy, were noticed, forming an attractive combination of yellow and white. In very moist or half-submerged places the flowering stems of Villarsia reniformis, Yellow Marsh-flower, were observed just coming into bloom. Several naturalized aliens were seen, including the Vetch, or Tare. Vicia saliva, Stagger-Weed. Stachys arvensis, Corn-Spurry, Spcr^nla arvensis, and Fumitory. Funtaria officinalis. These were growing ad- jacent to the railway line, and bad probably germinated from seed dropped from fodder during transit. Leaving the railway enclosure, we proceeded in a southerly direction, passing en route a hedge of Acacia armata, well out in flower, and further on we viewed a plantation of Boron in ntegastignta, which thrives well in this district, and is cultivated extensively for market purposes. We also noticed a fine clump of Black Sheoke. Casuarina suberosa, evidently reserved for shelter purposes. As w.e wended our way through the heath country quite a large number of wild flowers were found in bloom, fully titty species being noted. Of these the following might be mentioned :— Aotus villosa, Pultenaa Gunnii, Ricinocarpus pinifolius, Pinielea phylicoides, Daviesia ulicina, Stackhousia spathulata, Tetratheca ciliata, and Acacia oxycedrus, the most prominent and prevailing species encountered being Hibbertia fasciculata (yellow) and Leucopogon [Styphelia) virgatus (white). The Sundews, Drosera Whittakeri and D. glanduligera, were very abundant, and in places could be counted by the hundred, while the Swamp Club-Moss, Selagxnclla uliginosa, was very plentiful. It was noticed that where the ground bad been cleaied ot scrub the heath and other small plant- grew more luxuriantly. Four specie- of orchids were found in flower namely, Diuris longi- folia, I), sidphurea, Glossodia major, and Pterostylis nutans, the latter being the mosl plentiful. It was noticed with regret that the fine collecting ground to the south ot Springvale railway station, though fourteen milts from the metropolis, was being rapidly enclosed foi cultivation ; consequently, lovers of wild-flowers will soon have to go furthei afield. ',l \IK \I BUSINl The president, l>i I S. Sutton, said members were already aware that the Club purposed holding a wild-flowei show in the Athenaeum Hall on the afternoon and evening oi 28th inst., and presenting the profit arising from a charge ot 1-,. for admission to the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' bund. [*h< ob|e< t was a Laudable one. and, be fell assured, would command a willing and whole-hearted response from alb Oct.,] i9'5 J Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings . 83 Mr. F. G. A. Barnard said that, in common with other members of the Club, he regretted the continued absence through ill health of Dr. T. S. Hall from the meetings. It was well known that our past president took a keen interest in the welfare of the Club. At the recent Club visit to the University Biological School, Dr. Hall, acting in the capacity of leader, had, he was afraid, overtaxed his strength. No doubt it would be cheering to him to receive some communication, written or oral, from the Club, assuring him of the members' hearty wishes for a speedy return to good health. He would move a resolution to that effect. Messrs. Wisewould, Pitcher, Chapman, and the chairman spoke in favour of the resolution, which was carried un. animously. paper read. By Mr. G. A. Keartland, entitled " A Study of Birds at Nesting Time." In detailing a number of interesting observations arising out of a long study of birds at the nesting time, the author expressed as his opinion that the same set of rules which influenced the nidification of our domestic breeds also operated in the case of wild birds. The dominant factor was the desire of per- petuating the species, and this was as strong in the wild as in the domestic stock. The cause actuating the male bird in many species of the feathered tribe to destroy the eggs of the female needed elucidating. The male Green Leek Parrot, Polytelis barrabandi, was a pronounced malefactor in this respect. The eggs he exhibited that evening comprised one of several clutches destroyed by the male of a pair he had had in captivity. The female, when in the wild state, circum- vented this inexplicable behaviour of her mate by selecting a hole wherein to rear her young which, whilst it afforded sufficient room for him to descend and feed her, prevented him reaching the eggs save by a frontal attempt, that she readily and easily repulsed. Mr. J. Gabriel, in discussing the subject, stated that he had known a female Grass-Parrakeet, Neophcnia elegans, to lay thirty-four eggs (many more were broken) in a season whilst in captivity, and a ("alifornian Quail to lay sixty-two eggs. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. The president, Dr. C. S. Sutton, said that whilst standing at a break in the mangroves bordering Kororoit Creek on Satur- day, nth September, watching the movements of a beaver rat, he noticed a Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor, in pursuit of a shoal of minnows. The bird did not evidence the slightest fear of him, and on several occasions followed its quarry almost to his feet. 84 Pield Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voLXXXli. Mr. |. Gabriel remarked that the Little Penguin was a voracious feeder, and instanced a case wherein seventeen large- sized pilchards were taken from the body of one bird. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. In referring to his exhibit of herbarium specimens <>l Eucalyptus Risdoni, Mr. P. K. H. St. John said the Blue Pepper- mint was a native of Tasmania, but the trees whence the specimens shown were obtained are growing at Titanga Station, Lismore, Victoria. This species of eucalypt was unique by reason of bearing sessile and petiolate leaves on its branches at the same time. The other exhibit, the little Adder's Tongue Fern, Ophioglossum vulgatuni, though widely distributed, was seldom collected, and its life-history was not very well known. Thousand.-, of specimens of this minute fern might have been collected in quite a limited area at Altona on nth September. Mr. (i. Coghill, in the course of his remarks on the six- varieties of acacias he exhibited from Mooroolbark. said that in the locality mentioned the Myrtle Acacia, which was un- doubtedly one of our best from a florist's point of view, was considered a nuisance by the land-holders their. Adverting to the specimen of Acacia pyenantha exhibited by Miss Amy Fuller, showing gall growth, Mr. A. D. Hardy said the whole of the raceme of ilower-headlets was involved, and these had been converted into large, solid, circular growths. It appeared to him that the amount of nutriment that was necessary to bring about this abnormal condition of the inflorescence must be quite equal to that essential to the production and maturing of the fruit. Mr. ). Searle drew attention to his exhibit ol an undescribed Copepod. It was the Largest of the genus yet found, and occurred in the Yarra Valley. He purposed naming i1 Boeckella major. Remarks were made by Mi. F. Pitchei on Acacia Uprosa, var. tenuifolia, and by Mr. <■■ A. Keartland on the eggs ol Polytelis barrabandi. EXHIBl i By Mr. G. Coghill. Blooms oi Acacia myrtifolia, .1. stricta, .1. dealbata, .1. longifolia, var. mucronata, .1. leprosa, .1. verti- cillata, .1. myrtifolia (cultivated), Pultenaa Gunnii, Kennedya ntonophylla, Comespernta volubile, Hakea ulicina, Eruil ol lf<>,T<7, from VY.n bm ton Bj M: I v.. Dixon. Five 3pecies ol Beetles, Amycterides (( ur< nlionida ). from Portland and Ouyen, recently described new by Dr. I'.. W. Ferguson, of Sydney. Bj Mi G \. Keartland. Eggs ol the Green Leek Parrot, Oct.,1 ■9'5 J Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings . 85 Polytelis barrabandi, after being sucked by the. male bird ; these eggs were laid in an aviary. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Blooms of Acacia brachybotrya, Silver- leaved Mulga, Acacia cyanophylla, Blue-leaved Acacia, Acacia crassiuscula, Thicket Acacia, Acacia leprosa, Australian Hickory, and var. tenuifolia, Slender-leaved Australian Hickory, Acacia saligna, Golden Wreath Wattle, grown at Melbourne Botanic Gardens. By Mr. D. J. Paton. — Blooms of Eriostemon obovalis, E. sediflorns, Grevillea lanigera, Bceckea diffusa, Aster ramttlosus, Acacia sclerophylla, A. acinacea, and A. montana, from Bendigo district. By Mr. J. Searle. — An undescribed Copepod, to be known when described as Boeckella major. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Herbarium specimens of Eucalyptus Risdoni, Hooker fils., Blue Peppermint, Tasmania, from a cultivated tree on Titanga Station, Lismore district, Vic. ; dried specimens of Ophioglossum vulgatum, Linn., Adder's Tongue Fern, collected by Dr. C. S. Sutton and Mr. P. R. H. St. John on 11/9/ 15 in Altona district, found also in New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. By Mr. E. E. Pescott. — Blooms of twenty-one^ species of orchids — viz., Acianthus caudatus, Glossodia major, Caladenia dilatata, C. ccerulea, C. camea, C. suaveolens, C. latifolia, C. Patersoni, C. caimsiana, Diuris longifolia, D. maculata, D. pedunculata, Pterostylis longifolia, P. nana, P. ntutica, P. nutans, I', barbata, P. carta (twin flowers), and P. concinna ; these were mostly from the Ringwood district. Also a Caladenia and a Diuris which did not agree with any recognized species or variety. By Miss Amy Fuller. — Twig of Acacia pycnanlha, showing inflorescence converted into large, solid, circular galls. By Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue. — Photograph of motor party, Warrandyte excursion, 28/8/15. The meeting terminated after the usual conversazione. Microscopical Society of Victoria. — The seventh annual meeting of this society was held on 27th September, when a very satisfactory report of the year's work was presented. Mr. J. Searle, a well-known member of the F.N.C.. was elected president for the ensuing year. The last monthly leaflel oi the society shows that the work of investigating the micro-fauna oi the Botanic Gardens lake i> steadily progressing, and some interesting results may be expected when a larger numbei of visits to the lake have been made. 86 The late Mr. Charles Frost, F.L.S. [voLXXXIL THE LATE MR. CHARLES FROST, F.L.S. Elected thirty years ago, the late Mr. Charles Frost may be considered to have been one of the pioneer members of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. Though latterly he had taken little part in the activities of the Club, and consequently was almost unknown to a large number of the present members, for many years he was an active worker on its behalf. He served as a member of committee in 1889-90 and 1890-91, as vice-president in 1891-2 and 1892-3, and as hon. treasurer in 1894-5, 1895-6, and 1896-7. Besides taking this share in the official work of the Club, he took part in three of its most arduous exploring trips — viz., to King Island in November, 1887 ; the wilds of Croajingolong in December, 1888 ; and the visit to the Yarra Falls in November, 1890. During these trips he proved himself a hard worker and enthusiastic naturalist, making many friends among his companions, and it came as a great shock to them to hear of his almost sudden death, at the age of 62, on Saturday, 18th September, for, only a few days before, he had been present, apparently in the best of health, at a little reunion of kindred spirits held to celebrate the birthday of Mr. Chas. French, sen., to whom belongs the title of "father" of the Club. Mr. Frost was stricken witli apoplexy on the previous Wednesday, and, as he did not regain consciousness, his passing away was accompanied by par- ticularly sad circumstances. He was a good all-round naturalist, and had given considerable attention to lizards and snakes. In conjunction with Mr. A. H. S. Lucas, M.A.. fust editor of the Naturalist, now of Sydney, he published a com- prehensive paper on the lizards of Victoria in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. The same writers dealt with the lizards and snakes of the Home Exploring Expedition to Central Australia. He also did some work on spiders, and contributed a couple of papers to the Naturalist, besides giving a lecturette on these interesting creatures at a Club con- versazione. His spirit collection of lizards and snakes is to be handed over to the National Museum. Melbourne. Exhibition of Wild-Fi.owers. — The exhibition of wild- flowers held by the Field Naturalists' Club at the Athenaeum, Melbourne, on Tuesday, 2 our hotel with an appropriate appetite for the evening meal. Later, we retired to a room, and, as we each had a travelling microscope and a dissecting stand, we were able to examine our captures alive. We hold strongly that a zoologisl does not know aquatic microfauna unless he can see the living specimens. One great advantage of microscopic examination on the spot is that if a new animal is observed a further supply can be looked for before leaving. Our examination showed that tin- most plentiful of the Cladocera was a variety oi tin' widely-spread and variable species, Daphnia carinata, the carapace being spineless, or at most pos 1 very short projection at the posterior end. Pseudomoina lentna was also fairly numerous, and there was a good numbei ol Moina australiensis. Among the ( opepoda, Boeckella <>hh>>ii;5 J Skarlh and Shephard, Visit to Lakes. 89 the locomotive power for itself and guests. Probably the only detriment suffered by the Daphnia was some retardation of its movements due to the scores of rotifers which, in many instances, adhered to a single host, but placed on the carapace nut of reach of movable appendages. Treatment with nar- cotizing agents caused the rotifers to leave their host. This rotifer was a species of the variable genus Brachionus, and may prove new. Caution is requisite in identifying species of this genus, in view of a recent worker on Rotifera having claimed forty-six descriptions as synonymous. Next morning was cold and wet, but, as our programme for the day was to visit Lakes Gnotuk and Bullen-Merri, near Camperdown, twenty miles distant, we were not deterred by the weather. The road from Colac to Camperdown passes through a very interesting piece of country — the Stony Rises. For some miles the road takes a sinuous track, with numerous short ascents and descents, over and around numberless mounds of loosely-packed blocks of basalt. Possibly an observer familiar with the features of active vulcanicity may read the story with certainty : but without that advantage it is difficult to receive the explanation that the surface features are due to the irregularities of the forward edge of a high basalt flow. The numerous separate depressions appear to be left un- explained. A pleasant description of this part of the road will be found in an interesting paper, " In the Western Lake District." by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, in the Naturalist for December, 1911 (vol. xxviii., p. 158). As we approached Camperdown the weather improved, the rain stopping on reaching the lakes. The road we took leads somewhat to the south-west of the town and on to the tongue of land between the two lakes, it being possible to drive to the edge of Bullen-Merri. On the hill overlooking the lakes is a nicely-kept public park, provided with well-equipped rest- houses. These are extremely creditable to the providers, and a good example to other public bodies. No boat being available, we had devised a method of using the tow-net. This was to draw it across bays, controlling it by lines from either side. This scheme proved a failure. The water had receded through evaporation, and on the south- eastern bank, where we commenced operations, there was from fifteen to twenty feel <>t beach, covered with small shell-., ( 0i iella striatula, under which the ground was so soft that it was impossible to walk on it. Further, stumps of trees which had evidently grown when the lake was permanently at a lower level and then been killed by the water rising, now again high and dry, encumbered the ground. These trees, it may be remarked, were hoary with a thick limy covering, deposited by the highly mineralized water of the lake. go Skarle and Shf.phard, Visit to Lakes. [vqKXXXH. After great difficulty, increased by the strong wind blowing and lapping the water into wavelets capped with a soapy spume or foam, some casts were made, with very poor results, and we had to be content with the use of the hand-nets from any stump jutting into the water. Lake Gnotuk was not very prolific. An amphipod, probably a species of the genus Chiltonia, was fairly numerous. The only rotifer found was Brachionus Mulleri, a brackish water form, the specimens agreeing closely with the type. Three species of I ope pods not yet described, and probably new, were taken. One of these is interesting from the fact that speci- mens of the same genus, Marsenbiotus, have been raised from dried mud received by one of ns from Labrador, Newfoundland. Experiments were made in iqii, when it was first obtained from hake Gnotuk. A jar of the lake water containing the animals was brought to Melbourne, and evaporation allowed to take place slowly, the object being to see how the animals behaved owing to the increasing salinity. Maraenbiotus con- tinued to live and reproduce until two-thirds of the water had evaporated. At this stage the water was so dense that the animals swam through it with great difficulty, and soon after disappeared altogether. This experiment lasted over five months. We next tried Bullen-Merri, which is separated from Gnotuk by a strip of land some 700 or prung, and the watei entered freely in miniature fountains. Being determined aol to 1"-'' the oppor- tunity, so hard to get, oi using the tow-net. he persuaded his ?£''] Searle and Shephard, Visit to Lakes. 01 assistant, now none too willing, that the leaks would probably stop as the wood swelled with the wet, and, taking a life-buoy that was available, he pushed out from the shore. Two hundred feet of tow-line failed to reach the bottom. Mean- while, despite constant use of a Mason's jar as a bailer, the water in the boat rose ankle-deep, and hurriedly a number of casts with the net were made at different depths and on the surface. The catch consisted entirely of two species of Rotifera, Brachionus ha ken (var. brevispiims) and B. mulleri, regarded as a salt-water form, though known to occur in very slightly brackish water. These were in immense numbers, together with the nauplius of a copepod. As there seemed a strong probability of the boat foundering, it was with difficulty pulled to the shore in a water-logged condition. Subsequently he learned from the Geological Survey Report that the depth of water was over 270 feet where he tried to effect a sounding. On the present occasion the short day was ending when we left the lake and commenced to climb up the incline to the crest of the hill, where we had left the car. The necessarv inflation of a cover which had flattened during our absence delayed us. so that darkness overtook us long before we traversed the Stony Rises on the return journey to Colac, and the scenery that was so strangely fantastic when we passed through in daylight became weirdly so as the piles of loose stones caught the glare of the headlights and stood out in relief from the black background of shadow ; they resembled ruined castles, and brought to mind the uncanny pictures of Dore. Rain came on again in heavy showers, and added to the fantasy by blurring the outlines of the rugged scene. After a dinner much better than we expected, considering the hour of our arrival, we set to work with our microscopes. The yield of the (inotuk material has already been mentioned : that from Bullen-Merri was found to consist of large numbers of two spe< :ies of rotifers, Brachionus bakeri (var. brevispinus), and another of the same genus, probably B. urceolaris : there was also a copepod of the genus Eurytemora. This copepod was taken on a previous visit also, and, we believe, is the first record of the genus in Australia. Rain continued to fall all night, and was still falling in the morning when we set out for a hurried visit to Lake Coranga- mite. Local information promised a good metal road, but facts revealed differently, and so much time went in working through the greasy mud of decomposed basalt that there was only time to hurriedly fill a few bottles and turn reluctantly for home. The end of the lake where our sample dips were taken was swarming with the pretty little Brine Shrimp, Parartemia zietziana, Sayce, and a copepod entirely new to us, 02 Searle and Shepharp, Visit to Lakes. [voi°x Vict. Nai. XXII which may prove to be the type of a new genus. Near 1 In- shore was a flock of Pelicans, and the remains of a nesting-place was noted. Tims ended our collecting trip, and. though time was short and the weather bad, we succeeded in securing several new species as* well as other interesting and rare forms. The fact that so much exists in the odd places we touched on induces the belief that a systematic search of any of the lakes we tried will reveal many more new forms of life. Many of the numerous lakes in this district dry completely at times : some have done so permanently ; others may do so as agricultural develop- ments go on : and this must result in the loss of aquatic inhabitants, which will thus remain for ever unknown. Wild-Flowers. — Further stimulus to the increasing interest in our native flora will be given by an exhibition at Ballarat on Saturday, 16th October. This will be held at the School oi Mines, and Mr. H. B. Williamson, Mair-street, Ballarat. will be glad of offers of assistance from town or country friends. The Kew Horticultural Society is also offering liberal prizes for exhibits of limited collections of wild-flowers at its show on Thursday, 21st October. Though rather late in the season. it is hoped that several entries will be received. Particulars may be obtained from the hon. sec. Mr. R. Hodge-. Mercury office, Kew. Opalized Fossils of New South Wales. A descriptive paper on "Mollusca from the I retaceous Opal Deposits of New South Wales," by Mr. R. Bullen Newton, of the British Museum, appears in the Proceedings of the Malacological Society, vol. xi.. 1915, and should be of especial interest to students of Aus- tralian fossils. The collection on which the paper is based was obtained during the recent visit of the British Association to Australia. A complete list oi opalized fossils from the Aus- tralian I retaceous is included, and foui nev\ species are added to those already known. There is a slight eiTOl in the locality of the Ceratodus tooth lately described by the presenl writer, which should be Walgett, county Baradine, New South Wales, ind not Baradine. A furthei corroboration oi the age oi the opal deposits is afforded l>v the evidence oi the belemnites, H. diptycha, M'Coy, generally known as B. canhami, rate, Mr. G I . Crick, an authority on the cephalopods, refei them to the ■ tin ictinocamax, stating " thai without question they denote a ( retaceous age." F ( h u-m v.. National Museum, Melbourne. CIk Uictorian naturalist Vol. XXXII.— No. 7. NOVEMBER 4, 1915. No. 383. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth October, 1915. The president, Dr. C. S. Sutton, occupied the chair, and about 60 members and visitors were present. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Pakenham on Saturday, 18th September, was made by the leaders, Messrs. F. Wisewould and R. A. Keble, who stated that the day turned out very fine, but the country was in some parts rather wet under foot. The attendance of members was. however, not so large as had been anticipated. The direction taken was easterly along the old Gippsland mad for about a couple of miles, then turning north, near Mount Ararat, for another two miles. At this point a start was made through the bush towards Pakenham Upper, and during this walk of about four miles a fair number of wild- flowers was collected ; these included seven or eight species of orchids. From a hill on the route a fine view of the sur- rounding country, extending from Arthur's Seat at Dromana to tlu: Warburton Ranges, was obtained. After luncheon, Mr. Keble, from the saddle at the head of Gordon's Gully, gave a short account of the physiography of the district, calling attention to the sunken estuary of Western Port and the earth movements which had taken place, and so caused the present appearance of the landscape. From this point at least 1,200 square miles of country were visible. Before starting for the station a visil was paid to the fern gully below. During the clay about thirty species of birds were identified. A report of the excursion to the Dandenong Ranges, from Croydon to Belgrave, on Saturday, 25th September, was given by the Leader, Mr. F. Pitcher, who said that the walk of about nine miles was essayed by ten members. The day proved very enjoyable, and fine views were obtained from many points along the route. A large number of Mowers were collected for the wild-flowei exhibition the following week. Near "The Observatory" some fine Blackwoods, Acacia melanoxylon, were seen in hill bloom. The orchids Pterostylis cucullata and P. pedinnuliiUi were noted. Near Sassafras Creek fine bushes of Pittosporum tricolor and Zieria Smithii were in full bloom. At least .1 dozen ferns could easily be collected there within a radius oi a few yards. It was noticed that most of the speci- mens of Pittosporum bicolor had started as seedlings on the <>4 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vo|ICxxxii trunks of tree-ferns, and had eventually sent their stems down to the soil, a distance of several feet. A report of the excursion to Green vale and Woodlands on Saturday, 2nd October, was given by the leader, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who said that thirty members and friends made this trip by char-a-banc. The first halt was made at Gellibrand's Hill, about a mile north of Broadmeadows township, from whence a fine view of the city and northern suburbs was obtained. In the immediate vicinity arc some fine specimens oi Red Gums, Eucalyptus rostrata, while the flowers of numerous small plants, such as the Blue Squill, Chamcescilla corymbosa, Hairy Stylewort, Levenhookia dubia, Plain Bindweed, Con- volvulus erubescens, Slender Speedwell. Veronica gracilis, and the yellow amaryllid, Hypoxis glabella, decked the ground round about. Gellibrand's Hill is the nearest outcrop of granite to Melbourne and from it the stone for the original Prince's Bridge was obtained nearly seventy years ago. From the hill the party walked through the grounds of the Greenvale Sanatorium into the Woodlands Estate, where a singular granite tor was pointed out. The fine gums with which the estate is splendidly wooded were greatly admired ; these include the Yellow Box. Eucalyptus melliodora, Manna Gum. E. viminalis, and Narrow-leaved Peppermint. E. amygdalina. On resuming the journey in the ear a run of about two miles broughl us to the basalt plain through which the Deep Creek has cut its way, and, descending into the valley by a steep, picturesque gorge, we were soon a1 Wildwood Bridge. Here, milk and hoi watei having been obtained a1 .1 neighbouring farm-house, afternoon tea was taken. The scene a1 the bridge was ratlin pretty, owing to the masses of the Smaller Clematis, C. microphylla, entwined aboul the othei shrubs, it1- feathery-appendaged seeds being nearly ripe. This spot, if it were nol so far from town (iS miles), and so difficult to gel a1 excepl by motor, would be a suitable Locality Eoi Club outings, the geological features being so differenl to thosw the eastern side oi Melbourne. [hiring the afternoon Mi. P. R. H. St. John identified a numbei of interesting birds, including three cuckoos. A rapid run home was made, the city being reached aboul a quartet past en. A report oi the excursion to Frankston on Saturday, 9th October, was given l>y the Leader, Mr. J. R. Tovey, who said thai the party of sixteen members and friends were favoured by ,-i fine afternoon, and a very pleasanl ramble had resulted Ovei forty specie oi (lowering plants wen noted, the most picuous being the Wedding-bush, Ricinocarpus pinifolius, Pink Swamp-heath, Sprengelia incarnata, Blunt-leaved Heath, Epacrii obtusifolia, Myrrh Tea-tree, Leptospermum myrsinoides, N ■ ,"| t9'S J Fitlil Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 95 Heath Milkwort, Comesfterma eric in it m. Crowded Parrot-Pea, Dillwynia floribunda, and the three orchids, Glossodia major, Thelymitra antennifera, and T. longifolia. GENERAL BUSINESS. The chairman stated that Mr. J. L. Robertson. M.A., had suffered a serious bereavement in the loss of his son, Mr. A. J. Robertson, M.Sc, who had lost his life while fighting at the Dardanelles. Mr. A. J. Robertson was a member of the Wilson's Promontory excursion party in December, K)i2, and he moved that a letter of condolence be forwarded to bis father. This was carried in silence. The lion, treasurer, Mr. G. Coghill, reported that there would be a balance of more than £50 to hand over to Lady Stanley's Fund for Wounded Soldiers as the profit on the recent ex- bibition of wild-flowers, which he considered very satisfactory. Mr. F. Wisewould and Mr. J. Shephard congratulated the Club on the splendid display and the excellent result. The chair- man moved a vote of thanks to Mr. J. Gabriel for his efforts in connection with the show, which was seconded by Mr. A. D. Hardy. F.L.S.. and carried unanimously. PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr. C. L. Barrett. C.M.Z.S.. entitled " Bird Studies with the Camera." This took the form of an illustrated lecturette, in which the author, by means of a series of lantern slides from photographs he had taken in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland, described the nesting habits and other characteristics of several of the rarer Australian birds. Rookeries on islands off the coast of Queensland and in Bass Strait were also described, and some account was given of bird- life in Riverina and other places. The need for greater pro- tection for certain species was emphasized. Some of the slides shown were from negatives by Messrs. R. T. Littlejohns and S. A. Lawrence, of the Bird Observers' Club, who have for >e\eral seasons been photographing birds at Ferntree Gully and other localities around Melbourne. 2. By Mr. A. D. Hardy. F.L.S.. entitled "Our Victorian Forests." Owing to the lateness of the hour, this paper was held oxer. N.VITRAI HISTORY NOTES. Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., said that at the previous meeting he had exhibited two orchids which did not seem to agree with any recognized Victorian species or variety. These he had forwarded to Dr. Rogers, of Adelaide, a well-known authority on this group of plants, with the result that Dr. Rogers had identified them a> species already recorded for South Australia. 96 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. \_\'0\ ict. Nat. X X X 1 1 but new for Victoria. The one, Caladenia leptochila, was described by Fitzgerald in 1882. It is a slender species, growing about twelve inches high, the flowers being yellowish and brown, and possessing probably the flattest labellum of the genus. The other. Diwris palachila, was described by Dr. Rogers in 1907. It seems to be an intermediate form between D. maculata and D. pedunculate, while its nearest ally is J). setacea, of Western Australia. The labellum is spade-shaped. Mr. H. W. Davey, F.E.S., called attention to exhibit of a east skin of a young newt. Molge Pyrrhogaster, He remarked that the skin was of interest as showing how they are shed entire, and also that when these newts are juvenile they do nut eat their cast skins, but allow them to float away in the water, or, if shed on land, to remain as a small ball of skin. The adult newts of this species always eat their cast skins. whether shed on land or in the water, pulling it off and devouring it in much the same way as the European toads do theirs. The skin exhibited was floated on to cardboard, and allowed to dry, in a similar way to the mounting ol seaweeds. EXHIBITS. By Mr. H. \Y. Davey, F.E.S. — Cast skin oi young newt. Molge pyrrhogaster (10 months old). By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Blooms of five species of Acacia now [lowering in Melbourne Botanic Gardens viz., Acacia dentifera, Benth., Toothed Acacia, W.A. : . 1. farnesiana, Willd., Sponge-tree or Cassia, X.S.W., Qld., N.W. and S. Australia. Asia, and Europe; .1. juncifolia, Benth., Rush-leaved Acacia, N.S.W., Qld., X. and S. Australia: .1. Macradenia, Benth., Port Mackay Myall or Toney, Qld.; and .1. salicina, var. II' i Chrysanthemum, grown in exhibitor's garden al Mentone ; an example of precocious flowering. Note, rhe following names oi beetles should have appeared on page H4 of Octobei Naturalist to complete the record ol Mr. |. F. Dixon's exhibit : Talaurinus perflexus, i. hystrix, Sclerorinus Dixoni, Acantholophus Dixoni, and .1. brevicornis, all new to -1 iein <■ Aftei the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. ^°v;-] Exhibition of Wild- flowers. 97 EXHIBITION OF WILD-FLOWERS. The 1915 exhibition of wild-flowers held by the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria in the Athenaeum Hall, Collins- street, on Tuesday, 28th September, will be long remembered, for two reasons. Firstly, on account of being the first occasion on which the Melbourne public were asked to pay for admission to see wild-flowers only ; and. secondly, the reason for holding the display — that by the proceeds the Club might be able to do something towards providing comforts for the Victorian soldiers invalided home from the greatest war in the annals of history. As is well known, the exhibits for a wild-flower show are far more uncertain up to the last moment than for an ordinary horticultural show, and it was gratifying to the committee to find such a ready response by friends in the country to their appeal for boxes of flowers. Members of the Club also travelled to distant places, such as Gellibrand (Otway Forest), Bendigo, the Brisbane Range, &c, in order that they might secure suitable specimens for exhibition in the best possible condition. The platform was decorated with some fine fan leaves of our only Victorian Palm, Livistona australis, and branches of Lilly-pillies, Eugenia Smithii, from the Botanic Gardens, kindly sent by the Director, Mr. J. Cronin, who also forwarded a fine display of blooms of Australian shrubs, &c, as well as with a number of well-furnished eucalyptus saplings and foliage and large bunches of the red and white Native Heath (Epacris), collected at Pakenham and supplied by Mr. F. Wise- would. Some fine masses of bright-tinted young foliage of various eucalypts from Mr. Biggs, and Victorian Beech foliage from Mr. A. D. Hardy, also materially assisted in forming the picturesque appearance which the platform presented from the body of the hall. The exhibition was opened in the afternoon by His Excellency the Governor, Sir A. Stanley, who congratulated the Club on the interesting display and the amount of enthusiasm aroused in the general public, as indicated by the splendid attendance. During bis visits to different parts of Victoria he had obtained much pleasure in exploring its wilder parts and observing its natural beauties. He thought that no person could but admire the wonderful variety of flowers exhibited that after- noon, and he would carry away from the exhibition pleasant recollections, supplanting, for the time, the anxieties of the war. In the rush ol opening the packages and setting out the flowers in the limited time available it was quite impossible to keep a complete record of the collectors and all the Localities where 98 Exhibition of Wild-flowers. [vohkxxii. gathered, but the following list will give some idea of the wide range from which exhibits were received: — Stawell (Mis> E. rhomas), Deep Lead (S. Uren), Jeparif (D' Alton), Kiata (Misses Brooks), Diapur (J. H. Fenton), Goldsborough, Dunkeld (C. E. Overman), Portland (W. H. Dillon). Heywood, Maryborough ( — Garf), Dunolly, Bealiba, Kurting, Wedderburn (Miss E. Gray), Bendigo (Mrs. W. Eskdale), Barfold (Miss E. Romanis), Harconrt (J. Stewart). Elmore (A. Vroland), Prairie (W. H. rhomas), Ballendella (Miss L. Rake), Shepparton (E. Adams, K. Christie), Arcadia. Numurkah, Waaia, Katunga, Wunghnu (Miss Evans, Miss Yeo), Yielima (D. Campbell), Strathmerton (F. Patterson). Longwood (H. C. Hare. T. Lewis), Ben alia (Misses Stewart), Glenrowan (M. P. Brennan), Tatong (D. Coghill), Miepoll (Miss 0. Farrell), Baulkamaugh North, Cos- grove South (Miss Berry). Healesville. Grantville (W. P. Thomas), Bunyip (Mrs. A'Beckett), Mot- (C. J. Baker), and Sale (Miss M'Kennon). Many of the contributions mentioned weir forwarded 1>\ teachers or pupils of State schools through the instrumentality of Dr. Leach, organizing inspector of nature study, who specially !< <|u<--4rd exhibits lioiu likely localities. The more noteworthy and attractive specimens in a collection of about 45 blooms of Australian plants from the Melbourne Botani< Gardens were : Acacia saligna, Golden Wreath Wattle. Bauera rubioides and its white variety, Wire Bauera, Brachy- setna lanceolatum, Red Pea-flower Bush, Calythrix Sullivam, Grampian Fringe Myrtle, Clematis aristata, var. Dennisa, Pink- flowered Virgin's Bower, Chorizema cordatum, Heart-leaved Flame Pea-bush, Chorizema ilicifolium, Holly-leaved Flame Pea-bush, Doryanthes Palmeri, Palmer's Spear Lily, Elaocarpus cyaneus, Blue Olive Berry-tree, Erythrina indica, Coral-tree. Eriostemon myoporoides, Long-leaved Wax Flower, Epacris longiflora, Long-flowered Australian Heath, alcana stellulata, var. lirata, Ridge Snow-Bush, Prostantkera Sieberi, Sieber's Mint-bush, Telopea speciosissima, New South Wales Waratah, Verticordia Fontanesii, Junipei Myrtle, Epacris pulchella, Pretty-flowered Australian Heath, Tetratheca ciliata, Pink Eyes, Brachysema lanceolata, Red Pea-flower Bush; also the orchid Cymbidium albuciflorum, Albuca-flowered < ymbidium, and Dendrobium teretifolium, Pencil ( >rchid. A supplj oi Waratahs and othei local flowers wa kindlj -cut by Mr. R. T. Baker, F L.S., oi the reel logical Museum, Sydney, which proved a valuable assel foi the auction sale with which th< »hou terminated ial members of the Club, among whom were Mi I Raff, M.Sc., Miss Crooke, Dr. Kauffman, Mi A D Hardy, F.L.S., Mi- F. Chapman, A.L.S., and Mi. J Searle, exhibited Nov.,1 iQ>5 J Exhibition of Wild -flowers-. 99 botanical preparations under microscopes, which proved of great interest. Other ladies, under Mrs. Coghill and Mrs. Edmondson, made up button-holes and bouquets of surplus (lowers, which found a ready sale among the visitors. During the evening two lecturettes, illustrated by lantern slides, were given in the upper hall — the first by Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., on " The Wild-Flowers of Victoria," and the second by Mr. J. A. Kershaw. F.E.S., on "The Scenery of the National Park. Wilson's Promontory." Each proved of great interest, and was the means of exciting further wonder at the richness of our Victorian flora. Though rather late for acacias, still some twenty species of this genus were exhibited, and made a fine group in the centre of the hall. The beautiful Swainsona procumbens was prominent among many collections from the Northern plains, and excited general admiration, also inquiries as to whether it could be cultivated, but at present it seems to be intractable. The following are some of the exhibits made by members : — By Messrs. J. W. Audas. F.L.S., and K. Glance. — About 35 species from Mount Dandenong and Olinda. including Grevillea alpina, Pultencea scabra, Pittosporum bicolor, Zieria Smithii, Tndigofera australis, Acacia stricta, Goodia lotifolia, Stackhousia linarifolia, and Pimelea axifiora. By Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard and D. J. Paton. — About 20 -|>tcies from Bendigo, including Boronia polygalifolia, Eriostemon obovalis, Prostanthera hirtula, Loudonia Behrii, Bceckea diffusa, I: ataxia enipetrifolia, Pultencea pedunculata, Thryptomene ciliata. Sphcerolobium Daviesioides, Acacia retinoides, A. montana, and Mallee. Eucalyptus uncinata (in bud). By Mr. G. Coghill. — About 40 species from Gellibrand (Otway Forest), including Epacris lanuginosa, Melaleuca squamea, Plagianthus pulchellus, and the orchid Acianthus caudatus. By Messrs. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S.. and C. French, jun. — Collection ot 14 species of Victorian orchids from various parts of the State, including nine species of Caladenia, C. leptochila being new tor Victoria ; six species of Thelymitra : five species oi Diuris, I), palachila being new for Victoriaj and ten spe< ;ies ot Pterostylis, among which were P. cygnocephala, P. alpina, and I', barbata. The following species were exhibited growing in pots : Thelymitra carnea, Diuris pcdunculata. Prasophyllum datum. Acianthus caudatus', PtcrostvHs curia, P. barbata, Caladenia dilatata, C. Caimsiana, and <'. Patersoni. By Dr. Sutton and Mr. P. k. H. St. John. -About 30 species 1 loin the Brisbane Range, Bacchus Marsh district, including Boronia anemonifoHa, Bossiaa microphylla, Acacia asfcra. A. acinacea, Prostanthera denticulata, Grevillea aquifolium, G. ioo Exhibition of Wild- flowers. [v&xxxii florihumla. Lysanthe (Stxphdia) strigosa, Pseudanthus divaricatis- simus, Olearia (Aster) pitfteleoides, Bceckca diffusa. Tetrathcca ciliata, and '/'. ericinum. By Mr. J. R. Tovey. — About 45 species from Cheltenham and Men tone, including Leptospermum myrsinoides, Burchardia utnbellata, DiUwynia cinerascens, Ricinocarpus pinifolius, Correa speciosa, and Pimelea curviflora. At the (lo>r of the exhibition many of the flowers were sold by auction by Mr. A. E. Haughton, of Coghill and Haughton, thus adding about £) to the net profit, which will probably amount to {"55 when the account is finally closed. Wild-flowers. The Kew Horticultural Society, at its recenl show, offered special prizes for exhibits of wild-flowers. Three members of the F.N . Club Miss Nethercote, Mr. C. French, and Mr. F. G. A. Barnard — were among the exhibitors, but were not successful in obtaining a place on the prize list. The prizes were taken by collections from the Doncaster district. which, though attractive, lacked the completeness of two of t he ot her exhibits. Unite a number oi specimens of the Bearded Orchid, Calochilus Robertsoni, were included in the collections. A representative collection of Grampian flowers was also on exhibition. These were obtained from Mr. J. D' Alton, of Hall's Gap, and were greatly admired. Ballarat Wild-flower Snow. An exhibition ot wild- flowers was held at the School of Mines. Ballarat. on Saturday, [6th October. It was organized to help the Red Cross bund. and succeeded in creating a considerable amount ot interest. Mi. 11. B. Williamson, who was the prime mover in the affair, ->•< ured some very fine exhibits Mom bis teachei friends in various part- ot the State, and the report o! the show in the Ballarat Star records a large number ot our most interesting flowers a- having been on exhibition. There, as in Melbourne. 1 be Trailing Swainsona, S. procumbens, from the Northern plains, with its large lavender-coloured, pea-shaped flowers, attracted mini: attention, it resembling so much the favourite tlowci ot our gardens, 'he suet pea ; but unfortunately its is a garden flowei cannot be guaranteed. More must i» learned ot its requirements a- \<> soil and treatment. "Another day Rosie heard ;> slipping along the outside ot the limb, as it something were coming very slyly along. "It must (,.• the old goanna,' she said. 'The tree-swallow called in yesterday, and 'old me lie was about and would be after eggs. I'll catch him.' She lefl the ee^s and quietly edged neai the hole. Soon the ownei ot a flat head and two bead) eyes peered m.' From •• Stories from Nature." Nov "I K?:blk, Picric Acid and Grass-tree Gum. 101 PICRIC ACID AND GRASS-TREE GUM. By R. A. Keble. [Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, qth Aug., 1915.^ Anything that connects Australian natural products with tin- war must be a subject of active interest to naturalists. The scientific committee recently formed in England, with repre- sentatives in every part of the Empire, brings home to us the stern reality that this is a scientific war ; tbat everything relating to the problems awaiting solution has to be passed through the melting-pot of criticism and investigated, lest something of vital consequence may have been missed or dis- regarded in the commonplace of routine. A commodity that has been the object of no little inquiry is picric acid. At one time essentially a dye, its output and value were almost entirely regulated by the demands of the dye industry. Its adoption by the French as a basis of melenite (Eugene Turpin). and at a later date by Great Britain, Germany. Austria, Italy, Spain, and other nations as lyddite, ecrasite, thorite, &c, &c, has enhanced its importance. Picric acid — trinitrophenol. C6H2 (N02)3 OH. is the final product of the action of nitric acid on a large number of substances containing a benzene nucleus. It was formerly prepared by the direct action of nitric acid on phenol, but it is now made by dissolving the phenol in strong sulphuric acid and then acting on the resulting phenol-sulphonic acid with excess of nitric acid. Picric acid separates from the acid mixture as an oily liquid, which solidifies on cooling. It is purified by recrystallization from water.* This process is carried out on a large scale in the coal-tar dye industry, from whence comes the bulk of our supplies.* It is. however, also obtainable from indigo, aloes, and gum resins, and it is the last-named source that has occasioned these and other inquiries. The resin of the liliaceous tree, Xanthorrhcea, lias long been known as acaroid resin — a yellow, fragrant, organic compound, soluble in alcohol, ether, and caustic potash. The potash solution, heated with HC1. deposits benzoic acid and cinnamic acid ; nitric acid oxidizes it to picric acid : it yields, on distillation, small quantities ol benzene and styrene, and by potash fusion it gives />. oxy-benzoic acid, resorcin, and pyro- catechin.t In a note on the genus Xanthorrhcea, Baron von Mueller. % writing on X. Tatei, states that the resin " is in demand for incense, for particular sorts of varnishes, for the manufacture of sealing wax .... and for picric acid. * See Appendix, No. 1, p. 573. t See Appendix, No. 2. J Sic Appendix, No. 3, p. 580. 102 Kkri.f, Picric Acid and Grass-tree Gum. [vIilcxxxVi which it yields in large percentage." Maiden* states that grass-tree gum has a very small demand — at most 4d. or 6d. a pound retail, and wholesale much less. " It is chiefly used," he writes, "as a colouring for varnishes. ... It has heen observed that there is an abundance of picric acid — a very powerful yellow dye : but this substance can be so cheaply made from coal tar that the resin is not now thought of for the purpose. It is somewhat curious, however, that this commodity should have been the subject of inquiry foi some time previous to the inception of the war. Companies have been formed to gather it. and it is reputed to have been the source of considerable income to the inhabitants of Kangaroo Island and elsewhere. The demand for it. too. seems to have arisen in the enemy's country. We are. perhaps, right in assuming that the German buyers had an entirely peaceable purpose in view; for though some of its uses have been given, main' others have been omitted. Germans have made the. investigation of such products peculiarly their own, a consequence, no doubt, of their specialization in aniline dyes. The wide range of their research, coupled with our knowledge of their long preparation for war. should, however, cause us to pause before relegating to obscurity such a seemingly unimportant commodity. Many of the operations in the manufacture of explosives for war purposes are more or less enveloped in secrecy — a fact that militates against our obtaining a certain knowledge ol its processes and purposes. Moreover, there is as little desire on our part to know the secrets of our own explosive factories as there is a keen desire to know those of the enemy. Acaroid resin may possibly have passed from the category of useful explosive products, but the facts remain that it is a source ol picric acid; another of its products, pyrocatechin, reacts violently with nitric acid.f and it has been the subjeel oi German inquiry. In view, therefore, of this hypothetical value, it may not be ou1 "I place to summarize our knowledge oi the i-tree, more particularly as regards Victoria. [*he better known Victorian species are Xanthorrhaea hast alts, R. Brown, X. minor. R. Brown, and A', australis, \< Brown. All tlr- species appear to prefei ■> sand} -oil. and an- found in profusion on tin coastal plains almost anywhere between the South Australian border and ( ape Howe. A lew isolated patches occur inland, such .1- those between Nhill and Apsley, and "ii the Strathbogie Range The better-known Australian 1 . with their local names and distribution, are given below. The list has been compiled from various sources J : — ipendix, No. 4, p. 2^2. t See Appendix, No. 2. pendis No 5 and <>, Species. Local Name. Distribution. Xanthorrhara arbor ea, R. Brown . . Mountain 1 rrass-tree N.S.W. \caroid Resin Plant Qld. Great Resin Grass-tree I (ackowar X. australis, R. Brown .. Victorian Grass-tree Tasmanian Yellow Resin \ i< . 1 ree Tas. Southern Grass-tree A". Fraseri, R. Brown Fraser's Grass-tree W.A. X. hastalis, R. Brown . . Spear Grass-tree Vic. Australian Grass-tree N.S.W. Australian Resin-tree Qld. tioona-n^ulla X. minor, R. Brown . . . . Dwarf Grass-tree Vic, N.S.W. Bayonet Grass S.A., Pas. Small (irass-tree A'. Tateana, F '. v. Mueller .. Tate's (rrass-tree .. .. S.A. There is little information to be obtained as to the amount, quality, or individual advantages of the gum from the various species. Very little analytical work seems to have been done either in Australia or in Germany. The usual method of collecting gum is as follows : — The articles required are an axe, sieve, flail, and sheet. The stems of the grass-trees are hacked down, broken into convenient pieces, and allowed to fall on to the sheet. A stout stick or flail completes the work of disintegration. The substance is then passed through a sieve, the ligneous portions failing to pass through the meshes. A gentle breeze is sufficient to winnow- that which has passed through the sieve.* The Legislative Assembly of Western Australia lias recently passed a bill authorizing an agreement whereby the Black-boy or Zamia Palm, Macrozamia Fraseri, Miquelli, may be removed from Crown lands f for its gum and other products. If picric acid is still of primary importance (there is a general statement that trinitrotoluene is replacing it), it seems incon- ceivable that any inconvenience thai may have been caused in the first days of the war by the shutting out of supplies from Germany would not have been speedily remedied. I oal tar is distilled in considerable quantity from plants in all the larger towns throughout the Empire, and the supple should be adequate for all requirements. The development of the coal tar industry, with that mighty adjunct, the extraction of its by-products, is. however, a sad chapter in the history of British enterprise — one that must brtore long be reviewed, disagreeable as that task may be. Until this has been done, and the industry (irmly re-established, grass-tree gum may * See Appendix, No. l. t See Appendix, N<>. 7. io4 KeblEj Picric Acid md Grass-tree Gum Vict. Nat. Vol. XXXII serve as a temporary expedient one that is easily obtained, though perhaps expensive, and readily treated. The purpose of this note will have been achieved if it gives a terse but complete summary of the facts relating to grass-tree gum, for the information of those whose onerous duties are to provide munitions tor the successful prosecution of the war. APPENDIX. i. Marshall. Arthur Explosives: then Manufacture, Properties Tests, and History, iqis. 2. Morley and Muir — Watt's Dictionary of Chemistrj vol. i. 3. Von Mueller, F. — Select Extra-Tropical Plants. [895. 4. Maiden, J. H. — Useful Native Plants ol Australia. 5. Plant Names Committee. — Vernacular Names of Victorian Plants Journal of Agriculture, Victoria, vol. i\.. tqii. 6. Guilfovi i W. Australian Plants. 7. Chemist and Druggist Supplement, roth April, 1915. A Bli.ni> Botanist.- Mr. J. R. Murdoch, oi Parkville, for- wards a cutting from the Leeds (Eng.) Mercury for _'ist May, announcing that the Leeds University is about to confer the honorary degree of Master of Science on Mr. J. G. Wilkinson. of Leeds, familiarly known as the blind botanist. Mr. Wilkin- son, who is now in his sixtieth year, lost bis sighl as the result of a severe illness nearly forty years ago ; but, inheriting a love of plants from his mother, he has 1 1 iumphed over his niislort une. and ha- 1 ome to be recognized as a leading authority on plants and trees. He lias learned by touch oi taste to distinguish all the plants of the neighbourhood, and even with foreign species, if unknown to nun, can generally give some idea of then tematii position, and when given the name is ready with many details .1- to habits, uses, &c. Both Mr. Wilkinson and his mothei were personally known to Mr. Murdoch when living in 1 .. ed s some yeai - "Si"iii prom Nature.' An excellenl little volume, vei \ suitable as .1 readei foi schools, has been recentlj published l>\ Macmillan and Co., London, undei the title oi "Stories from Nature." Its author (Miss) I \ Fletcher, oi Tasmania, is to atulated on the happy way in which she has introdui < d natural history facts into hei tales, and created an interesi in her stories. The volume contains some thirt) illustrations, which have the merit oi being photographs from nature, man} of them oi nests and egg oi familial birds. It is cloth bound. and tb. price is one shilling and ninepence. Che Uictorian naturalist Vol. XXXII.— No. 8. DECEMBER 9, 1915. No. 384. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 8th November, 1915. The president. Dr. C. S. Sutton, occupied the chair, and about thirty-six members and visitors were present. REPORTS. In the absence of the leader (Mr. H. Witty), Mr. F. G. A. Barnard made a brief report of the excursion to Gembrook on ibth-ijth. October, which, he said, had proved very enjoyable, though slightly marred by showery weather. The party was greatly indebted to Mr. and Mrs. MTnnes, who placed a cottage at their disposal during the stay. Wild-flowers were fairly plentiful, but the striking feature of the trip was the splendid tints displayed by the young growth of the various gum saplings, which in themselves were worth the journey from town. The district is a good one from both the botanist's and ornithologist's point of view, and, he hoped, would be visited by a larger party at no distant date. In conclusion, he moved that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr. and Mrs. MTnnes for their hospitality on the occasion. The motion was seconded by Mr. F. Wisewould and carried. A report of the excursion to the You Yangs on Saturday, 30th October, was made by the leader, Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., who stated that eight members participated in the outing. The journey from the Little River railway station to the hills, a distance of about four miles, was negotiated against a very strong and variable wind. The wattle plantation to the south-east of the mount was first inspected, and then the ascent made to Flinders Peak, 1,154 ^eet above sea-level. Here some little time was spent resting and viewing the sur- rounding landscape. On descending, the party bore westerly, and entered the eucalyptus plantation, where they had an opportunity of contrasting the long, straight, robust bole of the Blue Gums planted by the Forest Department with the Low and gnarled trunk of the species as growing endemic on the peak. The flora of the reserve is not extensive, the Snowy Mint-bush, Prostanthera nivea, being the most attractive species. The Sweet Tobacco, Nicotiana suaveolens, was well in bloom, as well as numerous species of everlastings. The party returned from Lara station, the distance travelled being about ten miles, io6 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voi^xxxi A report ot the excursion to Nyora on Cup Day. Tuesday, 2nd November, was made by the leader. Mr. I'. R. H. St. John. wlu> said that the outing was poorly attended. The weather was all that could be desired, and the flora of the locality was at the height of perfection. During the day [67 species ol wild-flowers, &c, were noted, and. with the expenditure oi a little more time and care, this total could easily have been increased. The most conspicuous and brilliant of the flowering plants met with was Dampiera stricta. Mr. J. Searle, who formed one of the party, devoted his attention to an investiga- tion of the micro-fauna of the various water-holes that were met with in the railway reserve and adjacent properties. In detailing the results of his investigations, Mr. J. Searle said that, owing to the recent rains, water was lying in every depression, so that at times it was difficult to determine whether one was investigating permanent swamps or merely surface waterthat had not yet had time to get away. In some of the permanent pools, notwithstanding the recent dilution of their contents, life was very plentiful, whilst many of the newly- filled depressions contained the nauplius and larval forms of many species of pond animals. The most numerous species of copepod taken was Brunella longicomis, Searle, which appeared to be the sole inhabitant ol several pools, and was present in nearly every pool tried. Search was made for that very striking species, Boeckella nyoraensis, originally described from this district, and not since found elsewhere, but only six oi' seven specimens were secured. It was described and figured in the Naturalist for February, 1912 (xxviii., p. im<>) and seems to be a rare and very local species. In addition to these, Brunella australis, Searle. Hemiboeckella searli, (.. 0. Sais. and Cyclops albidus were taken. Mosquito larvae were numerous in all the pools, and swarms ol the mature insets, t nle\ and Stegomyia, took trom our party a heav\ toll in blood and left our hands, necks, and laces covered with red and white swellings. Anothei larva belonging to the Culicidae, probably that ot the little-known genus Mochlonyx, was very plentiful. They have a pair of air sac at eithei end oi the body, which enable them to remain undei water in a horizontal position foi ;, very greal length oi time. Live specimens ol all species mentioned were on exhibition. II h 1 [( >\ 1 ,\ mi- WBE RS. (in .i ballol being taken. Miss Howard, Methodisl Ladies' College, Hawthorn Mi Myrtle T. Johnson. [16 Bridge-road, Richmond; Miss Aldyth P>. Longmore, 184 Bourke-street, Mel- bourne; Miss ' ). Wolfe, Bruce-street, Toorak ; Mrs. M. C. Miller. " Moyston," Burke-road, Melbourne; Mrs. Winspur, 14 ( ambridge-street, Camberwell ; Mr. Francis Keep, " Mount- ^Jf''"l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 107 field," Canterbury : Dr. F. Hamilton Kenny, Naval Depot, Williamstown ; Mr. K. E. Luher, 63 Patterson-street, Princes' Hill, North Carlton ; and Mr. Otto Romcke, " Norway," Woodstock-street, Canterbury, were duly elected as ordinary members of the Club. PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., entitled "The Forests of Victoria," Part II. The author gave a considerable amount of interesting and instructive information bearing on the principal industries connected with the forests, and by means of a large series of lantern slides showed the many phases undergone by the giant gum, from the first stroke of the feller's axe at its base till it was converted into marketable and portable products by the circular saw, broad axe, paling knife, or retort. The saw- milling, splitting, and hewing industries were dealt with, and the quantity and value of the timber cut in several of our State forests furnished. The oil production, chemical ex- traction, wood-seasoning, bark, and apiculture, &c, were in turn considered, and views of each portrayed. The president, in complimenting Mr. Hardv on the educa- tional value of his paper, asked if it were the custom of paling splitters to go into a forest and sample a number of trees before selecting one ? What was their mode of procedure in deter- mining whether a tree was suitable for their purpose or other- wise, and did the trees they tried sustain any injury ? Mr. J. Gabriel explained the mode adopted by splitters in making a selection of a tree, and said he agreed with the lecturer that a lack of firewood would be a serious matter in the near future. No adequate provision was being made for future generations. Replanting should be more extensively carried on by the Government. Mr. F. Wisewould remarked that in his opinion the present scarcity of firewood was induced by the public demand for two classes of timber — Red Gum and Box. Much of the valuable timber now being burnt in large quantities by the land- owners of the State would be split and made available for domestic use but for this preference. The president said he concurred with Mr. Gabriel respecting the afforestation of denuded areas, and reminded him that there was a Foresl League in existence whose main object was to induce the Governmenl of the day to reafforesl extensively. and thereby make provision for future needs. The League could undoubtedly do more with a greater membership. Mr. Hardy, in reply, detailed the conditions under which splitters were permitted to select growing timber [or splitting. !o8 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vol?XXXl'l The Forest Department were seized with the necessity of making provision for the future, and. so far as funds would permit, were doing what they could. Some idea might be gleaned oi the work being done to reafforesi and preserve the timber in the reserves when it was stated that nearly 500.000 seedlings were planted in one year, and that gangs oi men were at work in various parts of the State making fire-breaks. The policy oi the Department was : the more funds the greater the planting, and the greatei the provision lor the preservation of trees already in existence. 2. By Mr. F. Chapman. A.I..S.. entitled "On Some Smallei Fossils from the Red Limestone at Grange Burn, near Hamilton, with a Note on a New Species ot Bolivina." The author illustrated his remarks by a series of lantern slides showing the scenery of the locality, sections of the prin- cipal cliff exposures, and photographs and sketches ot tin io^ils constituting this special limestone fauna, and stated that the limestone was proved to occupy an intermediate position between the upper and lower Muddj Creek beds, and. by containing restricted Batesfordian fossils, naturally fell into the [anjukian series oi the phase shown in the hard polyzoal rock oi the Geelong area. Reference was made to the useful aid given to the author by the late I. lent. E. E. Heuty. of '"The Caves," who had lost his lite in the present war. and after whom he had named the new species oi Bolivina as B. hentyana. 1 XHIBITS. By Mr F. Chapman, A.I..S. New species of Bolivina, Bolivina hentyana, Chapman, from Tertiary (Janjukian), Grange Bun!. Hamilton. By Mi. |. E. Dixon. Scale insects Eriococpus serratilobis, n. -p.. ( hionaspis frenchi, n. sp., Aspidiotus tasntania, n. sp., Aspidiolus bidens, n. sp., Pulvinaria maskelli, n. var., articulata, from the Malice. By Mr. ( . French, jun. Scale insects Mytilaspis beyeriee, n. sp., Aspidiotus victoria, n. sp., from the Mailer; Eriococcus lidus, n. sp.. from Dandenong Ranges ; Rhizococcus lecanoides, 11. sp., from < heltenham. By Mi. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S. Spider's web, showing about 200 small insects meshed during one night. By Miss G. Nethercote. Flowering specimens oi Prostanthera nivea, Cunn., Snowy Mint-bush, collected \o [0 [5, You Yangs ; also Hibbertia procumbens, Myosotis australis, Stackhousia linari- folia, Utricularia dichototna, Microtis borrifolia, Wahlenbergia 1 icilis, .n\<\ Leptorrkynchos sqttamatus, from various locality Dec,l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. ioo 1915 J By Mr. D. J. Paton. — Flowering specimens of Eriostenton (Phebaliuin) pungens, Bent., Prickly Phebalium, Loudonia Bchrii, Sch., Golden Pennants, Cheir anther a linearis, Cunn., Finger Flower, Melaleuca decussata, R. Br., Melaleuca Wilsoni, R. Brown, Goodenia amplcxans, F. v. M., Aslrotricha ledifolia, ("and., &c, from the Whipstick Forest, Bendigo. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Acacia penninervis, Sieb., Hickory Wattle, now flowering in the Botanic Gardens ; Tetratheca ciliata, Variable Pinkeyes, from Marysville. By Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Herbarium specimens of Aphelia gracilis, Sond., and Aphelia pumilio, F. v. M., collected 2/10/15, Doreen district ; Hibbertia procumbens, Bennett, Spreading Guinea-Flower, Myosotis australis, R. Brown, Pomaderris vaccinifolia, Reiss., Stylidium despectum, R. Brown, Small Stylewort, Utricularia lateriflora, R. Brown, Small Bladderwort, collected 2/11/15, at Nyora. By Dr. C. S. Sutton and Mr. P. R. H. St. John. — Geococcus pusillus, Drmd., Earth Cress, collected 25/9/15, between Melton and Parwan ; Levcnhookia dubia, Sond., Hairy Stylewort, Levenhookia Sonderi, F. v. M., Slender Stylewort, collected 9/10/15, Doreen district. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Exhibition of Wild-flowers. — The accounts of the recent exhibition of wild-flowers have now been finally closed, and members of the Field Naturalists' Club will be pleased to learn that by their efforts the sum of £"54 4s. nd. has been added to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. As the total receipts were £yz 8s. 6d., and the expenses £18 3s. yd., the resulting profit was just three times the expenditure. There are still some correc- tions and acknowledgments to make in connection with the report of the exhibition in the last Naturalist. The flowers received from Sydney were inadvertently credited to Mr. R. T. linker. F.L.S.. instead of Mr. J. H. Maiden. F.L.S., Government Botanist, and Mrs. D' Alton, Hall's Gap, should have been mentioned as a sender of Grampian flowers. Thanks are due also to Mrs. A. D. Hardy. wh<> undertook the supplying oi refreshments during tbe afternoon, to the ladies and others help- ing in various ways, and to the Misses M. Muntz. E. M'Adam, F. Bainbridge, H. Ball, A. Sutton, and S. Sutton for their kind- 111 acting as flower-sellers, by which the receipts were materially assisted. • no Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. [vohXXXli THE FORESTS OF VICTORIA. Part II.* By A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., Forests Department. (Read lie/ore the Field Naturalists' Chtb of Victoria, Bth Nov., 1915.) IV. — Destructive Agencies. Of the animals that menace the forest, the following come readily to mind :— Man, cattle, sheep, rabbits, hares, birds, insects, termites, and scale insects, while the vegetable section includes the parasites Loranthus and Cassytha, respectively known as Mistletoe and Dodder-Laurel ; the weeds St. John's Wort, thistles, &c, bracken, and fungi ; and also the lower story scrub plants, such as Cassinia, Helichrysum, and the Blackberry (Rubus). The meteorological contribution includes electrical storms, violent winds, and drought. Of the animals — man, legitimately in economic exploitation, and wrongfully with fire and ringbarking axe ; cattle, in interference with stream sources, the treading of seedlings, and introduction of alien plants ; sheep, in eating of seedlings and distribution of weeds; rabbits, and probably hares, in destruction of seedlings and barking of saplings in drought time : birds (several species), as carriers of mistletoe seeds, destruction of insectivorous birds (by hawks, Butcher-birds. &c), destruction of eucalypt seeds, and destruction of useful insects such as the bee (by Bee-eater and Wood-Swallow) ; and insects, in over-consumption of pollen, gall-forming, timber-boring, and defoliation. Wallabies and kangaroos have been accused of eating seedlings and gnawing bark of young saplings, but the damage is comparatively insignificant, and is mostly during drought ; yet they are to be reckoned with when deeding with forest grasses. The pro- tected Koala and 'Possum do little harm, bu1 the former, always plentiful in the National Park at Wilson's Promontory, and there doubly protected, is, I am told, so stripping th< eucalypts a1 their favourite haunt (Fraser's Creek) thai the} may kill their soun e ol nuti imenl , Among insects, beetles chiefly ol the longicorn family — are the worst, the larvae ol the lattei riddling the tree-trunks 1 greal height, the mosl destructive being the triangular- marked Banksia Beetle, the Banksia Borer, the Steel-blue oak Borer, Masters's Gum Borer, the Apple Gum Bimia, and the Yellow Box Borer. Add to these various weevils, 1 o< kchafers, &c, and there is a formidable lisl <>i destroyers, presenting a problem foi theforesl entomologi 1 oi the future. One ol these tli . 1 1 kchafer, has ground gmbsj though the adull form feeds on the leaves ol the trees. In all the others the larvae attack the timber^living in the tree ometimi > a Mi French has pointed out, foi years. Several moths musl be included • Foj I'.iit I. Victorian Naturalist, September, 1915, p. Dec 1915 ••] Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. amongst the insects destructive to forests. The Wattle Goat- Moth larvae destroy great quantities of the valuable tanning wattles, Acacia mollissima and A. pycnantha ; but in plantations grown for bark the stripping is chiefly done before the trees are attacked. The Gum Emperor Moth, a favourite subject for nature-study in the schools, has a large, brilliantly-coloured caterpillar, which feeds indifferently on the native eucalypts or the introduced Peruvian " Pepper-tree," Schinus niollc. Two moths which, to the " unseeing eye," are so similar, and whose larva? are much alike, while so different from others that one wonders why one genera could not include both, are the Cup-moths. Their pretty little larvae, coloured like small Persian mats, adhere to the leaves by their viscid undersides, without legs or prolegs, and can strip a sapling in very short time. They are known as the Painted Cup-Moth, Lintacodes longcrans, and the Mottled Cup-Moth, Doratifera vulnerans. The larvae are further characterized by " fore and aft " sets of small defensive spines, four rosettes in each set, and which, if touched, impart a smarting pain. But of all the forest pests the most repulsive creatures are the sociable larvae of the Gum Saw-Fly, Perga dorsalis, which has a serrated or notched apparatus wherewith to make cuts in bark for the deposit of eggs. The larvae are often seen massed in bunches on twigs of eucalypt saplings — dark, ugly, and hairy — flicking their " tails," which have no prolegs, and emitting a malodorous liquid when disturbed. A colony of these social larvae can strip a sapling in a few days. In certain localities the depredations of "white ants" are severe, and, like the work of beetles, often concealed, to the chagrin of saw-miller and forester, who then find a fair-looking forest of barely mature timber comparatively worthless, the trees, like medlars, being " fair without and rotten within." So long as the mechanical stress in the tree is not reduced to the breaking-point, the removal of the heart-wood by " ants " and fungi does not imperil the life of the tree or its appearance for some years. " White ants " are not true ants, and are properly known as " termites " (Termes, sp.) Scale insects do considerable damage to twigs and foliage. They form a group known as Coccids, and the Coccidffi form a branch oi study requiring a specialist. Our member, .Mr. Charles French, jun., as Government Entomologist, has devoted considerable attention to this group. Wattles are often attacked by both borers and scale at the same time, and I have seen many tine Black Wattles so destroyed. Then there is a gall-fly that converts the buds of eucalypts especially E. rostrata — into clusters of malformations, swollen as large as small cherries, which, by reason of weight, cause breakage <>| iij Hardy, The Forests of Victoria; [voLXXXii. branchlets. I have seen, in the Northern districts — e.g., Heathcote — the roads littered with the small branches bearing these galls. Although the tree as a whole is not affected seriously, there is caused a considerable shortage in the supply of pollen and honey for the apiaries. Of meteorological agencies, we have wind erosion and dune formation, to the detriment of forest growth along the coast. (Of prospective inland danger from this cause 1 shall have something to say when referring to climate.) Electrical summer storms are the occasional cause of fires, it is almost certain; and we have evidence of the shattering of large timber trees by lightning. There is also the local effect of storms resembling tornadoes, which have at times cleared a path through a dense forest and reduced solid trunks to kindling wood. I recently- exhibited at a F.N.C. meeting a soft mass of tangled wood-fibre which had resulted from the spiral wrenching of a eucalyptus tree from its base near the root. V. — Protection and Improvement. We may take it for granted that before the advent of the white man, agencies of destruction, restoration, and protection were in fair equilibrium. Insect pests and vegetable parasites abounded, the former being held in check by birds. The aboriginals — who kept to the open plateaus, the savannahs, the coastal dunes and river flats for hunting and fishing, and avoided fearfully the mountain forests — were probably instru- mental in causing lowland lorest fires, which incidentally destroyed insects, together with snakes and creatures oi beneficent character, such as insectivorous birds, other reptiles, small marsupials, and bats. Insect eaters, such as the Goanna, the Blue-tongued Lizard, the Frilled, and smaller lizards, suffer greatly in forest fires, while the larval forms oi many species oi insects have subterranean safety. The first-named, though an arrant egg-thiei and eater "I nestling birds, devours much Eoresl vermin, and to-day i-. like the snake, an enemy of the rabbit, which is a desideratum at othei than war times. In tin- humid forests the porcupine, Echidna, is the only animal thai I know which, by burrowing, < an get ;it the. timber-eating termites. I lie insectivorous bandicoot unearths much hidden larvae; the Black Cockatob ii|>s the bark oi thi Messmate and Stringybark trees and destroys countless grubs (.I Masters's Gum Borer; Black Jays discover their lurking in prey under the loose bark oi the decorticating eucalypts and amongsi tin- ground litter oi the forest. Myriads oi smallei birds wrens, robins, tits, honey-eaters, tree-runners, creepers, and the like help in preserving the [on t, inn are diminishing in numbers before the increasing pea-rifle and shot-gun in the hand-, oi boys and " port Dec] Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. 113 Among the larger feathered police of the woods are the Lyre- bird, Crow, Owl, Owlet Nightjar, Mopoke, Magpie, Kookaburra, Grallina, Coachwhip-bird, Harmonious Thrush, Kestrel — often mistaken for the Sparrow-Hawk — and Cuckoo. Before the introduction of European bees, several native species, Nomia nietallica, &c, small beetles, brush-tongued parrots and other honey-eaters, were pollinating agents. These remain, but innumerable swarms of domestic bees, farmed and wild, assist in transferring the pollen of the. forest trees. Other useful insects are the ichneumon flies, dragon-flies, mantis, wasps, hornets — all accounting for much creeping, crawling, and saltatorial vermin. In passing may be mentioned an un- conscious insecticide — the ascomycetous fungus Cordyceps Taylori, known by the vernacular first applied to a New Zealand congener — "Vegetable Caterpillar" — and which parasitical]}' does to slow death many terrestrial grubs. Spiders and carnivorous centipedes are also useful. The stream-side flora is protected, for this, in addition to preventing erosion of the banks, serves the further useful pur- pose of lessening evaporation and giving shade and shelter to aquatic insectivora, such as platypus and fish, of which the former captures larvae, &c, on the mud-banks, and the latter secures forms at the bottom, wind-blown insects at the surface, and makes many an aerial capture. The State Forest Department is, among many other works, busily engaged in improving the North Central forests, which contain principally box and ironbark timber trees. Gangs of men are methodically clearing away debris, forming fire-breaks, fencing areas to regulate, grazing and exclude rabbits, and destroying the parasitic growth of mistletoe (Loranthus, spp.) The Department is also co-ordinating with the Agricultural Department, and through its Fisheries and Game branch is creating forest sanctuaries, where refuge may be taken by insectivorous birds. Improvement of other forests is also in progress, but a much greater population than Victoria at present possesses will be requisite, for the conditions which would make practicable a large scheme of improvement of the virgin forests of the State. The nurseries at Macedon, Creswick, and Broadford provide a steady output of both hardwood and coniferous plants for the plantations in various parts of the State, among which may be mentioned Frankston, Creswick, Maryborough, Dimboola, French Island, You Yangs, and Broadford — altogether, some 10,000 acres being thus occupied. Great areas ol dense and almost impenetrable forest, innocent <>l track that man can follow, defy effective patrol. Some day, perhaps, every taxpayer in the country will realize ii4 Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. [voKXXXii that he has a share in the forest wealth no less than in any dividend-paying company in which he holds scrip, and will know not only his right but also his duty to make the authorities aware of the commission of offences, deliberate or inadvertent, which come to his knowledge, in doing which he would be pro- tecting his own share. VI. — Forest Industries. This is not the place for statistical records, which may be. found in the reports of the Department, available on applica- tion, but members may be surprised at some of the quantities to which I am about to refer. Briefly, the principal industries are as follows : — Sawmilling (exclusively hardwoods). — Red Gum on the river flats and on the Western plains, Mountain Ash, Messmate, Stringybark, and less Spotted Gum and Blue Gum, in the mountain forest reserves. The Red Gum is chiefly in demand for paving-blocks and railway sleepers ; the other hardwoods are used in harbour works, sleepers, house construction, bridge decking, fencing, and furniture. During a recent year 64^ million super, feet were sawn, value about £322,000 ; 3} million super, feet of Red Gum alone was cut by the mills of the Murray and Goulburn River areas. Paling splitting is an industry that goes, preferably (from the State point of view), hand in hand with the sawmilling, in order that trees unfit for the saw through being " pithed " can be used for palings. Paling splitting is almost confined to the south-eastern portion of the State — e.g., Toolangi, Warburton, Xeerim. In one year (1913-14) the total reached 1 \ million broad palings, which, placed end to end, would reach from Melbourne to beyond Brisbane. 1 1 u largest paling tree known was a Xeerim giant, a fine example <>l Eucalyptus regnans, which yielded over 10,000. Forest trees are also split for fencing timber, many species, including such white gum- as the Manna Gum, being suitable for rails but not for posts, while other speeies yielding good post linibei are not so readily available for rails, and are hewn into railway sleep 1 Many damaged trees rejected by the mills are utilized by splitters and hewers. The fence posts and rails cu1 during the past year would, end to end, reach for 150 miles. The raUwa} sleepers hewn amounted to ;vi,ooo, or about 400 miles lineal measurement. One tree, .1 River Red Gum, recorded by Mr. H. Mackay, I onservatoi ol Forests, yielded 161 sleep The chemical industries are principally those oi Messrs. • liming, Smith and I 0., at W'ai bnrlon. and the eucalyptus oil extraction that is scattered ovei several districts. At the Warburton chemical works, timbei (Mountain Ash) rejected by Dec.,1 Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. i i < 1915 J J J the mills is cut and dried in huge sheltered stacks half a mile long, and weighing from 10,000 to 15,000 tons, then turned by means of retorts into charcoal, pyroligneous acid, and gas. The pyroligneous acid is separated into water, acetic acid, wood spirit, tar and creosote oils, &c. Methyl alcohol is pro- duced for the manufacture of formalin, and acetone for cordite. In the oil industry several species of eucalyptus are used, but chiefly the Narrow-leaved Peppermint, the Broad-leaved Peppermint, Red Ironbark, and Blue Mallee, the chief centres being in the Ingle wood, Bendigo, and Trentham districts. Crude eucalyptus oil — which is obtained by steam forced through the leaves in stills — is a complex mixture from which, by further distillation, the chemist extracts the constituents at pleasure, through his knowledge of the various boiling-points. That these constituents have different volatility is easily demon- strated by putting a few drops of an oil on a handkerchief and noticing the pungent, fresh smell and the still strong and aromatic but less pungent stale or after-smell. The species which yields the most does not necessarily yield the best oil. The following and perhaps extreme limits, resulting from many tests, I take from Baker and Smith's work : — Eucalyptus amygdalina, 3.4 per cent., or 33 lbs. per 1,000 lbs. leaves ; E. rubida, .008 per cent., or 1 lb. per 1,000 ; while the Broad- leaved (Blue-leaf) Peppermint, E. dives, reaches 2 per cent., or even 3 per cent., of crude oil. Two typical seasoning works may be mentioned, one being a State enterprise and the other a private concern. The State seasoning works at Newport were started a few years ago by Mr. Mackay, in order that the Forests Department, aware of the excellent timber available, could guarantee, almost un- shrinkable flooring-boards of mountain hardwoods for public buildings, the best raw material only being used. The heal of the drying chambers is supplied by steam radiators. The Victorian Hardwoods and Sawmilling Co. carry on their " powellizing " of timber (taken from the forests of the Upper Latrobe and sources of the Little Yarra) at Powelltmvn, which is reached from Yarra Junction, on the Warburton line, by means of a private narrow-gauge railway of about to miles in length. There the timber is sawn and impregnated with a saccharine liquid in which other chemicals are employed, this scheme being to substitute the artificially prepared substance for the saj) and protoplasm which, decaying in situ, tend to pave the way for bacterial and fungal attacks. The timber treated at the State works is mainly Mountain Ash, Yellow Stringybark. and Blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon ; at the Powelltown works the chief species used is Mountain Ash, E. regnans. ii6 Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. Vol. XX XII. The bark industry is an important one, and destined to expand, since wattle bark is now imported from South Africa from trees grown from Australian seed. There are many State wattle plantations — at Maryborough. Majorca. You Yangs, &c. in Gippsland, in the Portland district, three species— viz., Acacia pycnantha, A. mollissima, and A. dealbata, the Golden. Black, and Silver Wattle respectively — being used. The stripping is done under supervision by tender, and only trees over a certain diameter of stem, varying with the locality, are allowed to be stripped. These wattle plantations are being extended by the Government. Grazing in the forest reserves is of two sorts. There are the grass lands of the savannah country, where the undergrowth and debris has been cleared away or where undergrowth never existed except in negligible quantity, as on the periodically- submerged river flats among the Red Gum timber. Here grazing is regulated with the growth of seedling Red Gums kept in view. The other grazing is that of the hill country and highland forests, where it is advantageous to have cattle tracks and to have the mountain grass, " Wild Oats," Glyceria dives, eaten down, but the coincidence of grazing and bush-fires has led to the closing of some reserves against grazing during the summer months, and other reserves, except for starving stock at drought time and sawmill draught bullocks, are closed completely. Forest pounds, which are increasing in number, tend to make the closing effective against poachers. Last, but not least, among the principal industries is apiculture, and I need only briefly refer to this, as a series of articles appearing in the Agricultural Journal is dealing specially with the trees which yield the honey supply. I he bees, European species, favour lowland country remote from the coast, the principal eucalypts favoured being Box (Yellow, Grey, Red, White, and Long-leaved), [ronbarks (Red and White). Gums (Blue, Yellow, White, and Red), Messmate, and Red and Brown Stringybarks. Species of Acacia, Banksia, and othei but shrubby plants, and even weeds, such as Cape Weed, also supply pollen 01 nectar, or perhaps both. I in honey varies with the species. The coarsei kinds, it gathered early, an r< tored to the bees for theii own feed when the honej more valued foi human consumption is taken away. Thus, much apiculture is carried on with the aid of such eucalypl • nk (Red and Brown) and .Messmate, which yield dark honey. Tea-tree yields honey >o viscid thai il defies the centrifugal extractors Mosl genera of plants are fairlj regular in flowering, but eucalypts an distinctl} uncertain, and. when ilar, have their "on" and "off" years, with resting buds during the latter. The large I honey-producing area is thai Der •] Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. in 191 5 j ' which extends from Stawell to Hamilton, and includes the Grampians, the Victoria Valley, and Black Range, where the bees gather from Box (Yellow and Grey), Red Gum, Manna Gum, Swamp Gum, Apple Box, Long-leaved Box, Yellow Gum, and the Red and Brown Stringybarks and Messmate, the con- tinuity of nectar flow and pollen for bee bread being provided by the great number of plants, varied in colour, habit, and time of bloom, for which that district is famous. Victoria's output of honey for the year 1912-13 was about 1,450 tons (3J million pounds), valued at £45,000, produced by 800 bee farmers with 40,000 productive hives. As a honey-producing State Victoria ranks second only to New South Wales in the Commonwealth. The trees which provide fodder for the. apiaries are often such as are useless for sawmilling or any purpose other than fuel supply, and are too remote for that. The rapidly increasing price of honey is raising the value of forest land for apiculture to as high as that for sawmilling. But it must be remembered that, even so. honey-production is reasonably subordinated to timber-getting, the one product being a luxury for which substitutes can be found, while we are faced with the possibility of a timber famine. As the eucalypts form the greater part of our useful trees, I purpose adding, as an appendix to this paper, a list of the Victorian species, with their vernacular names, as proposed by the Plant Names Committee of this Club. These have already been published in the Journal of Agriculture of Victoria for August last, where the value of each from a timber supply point of view was dealt with. However, as many of the species are exceedingly valuable from their oil-producing and honey- yielding qualities, and others deserve inclusion on account of fencing, firewood. &c, I will add indications which will enable one to see at a glance which are the most valuable species. VII. — Reforestation. Given rest from fires, the native hardwood forests perpetuate and even after fires restore themselves. As matured growths are removed, light penetrates more easily, and in an almost incredibly short space of time several straight saplings shoot up to fill the gap. The old trees, if left to decay, make breeding- grounds for boring and other noxious insects and fungi ; when falling destroy other growths ; and when down litter the ground with debris winch prevents seedling growth for many years, and makes fuel for ground fires. Against these defects there is, <>t course, the benefit derived by the soil from the mouldering tree in course of many years, and the advantages gained in conservation of stream flow by the retarding effect of the ground litter on the get-away of rains. In the Mallei- district, where there are no streams, and where n8 Hardy, The Forests of Victoria. [voM Nat. XXXII. the subterranean supply of water is tapped by an artificial boring system and deep-rooted eucalypts, it may become necessary to plant or allow natural restoration of the eucalyptian cover to prevent wind erosion of the surface, and to make good the inevitable local loss of atmospheric humidity — a loss caused by removal of deep-rooting perennial x'egetation, and the substitution of the more xerophytic cereal crops which draw water from the upper stratum in short circuit during only a third of the year. This applies more or less to other dry lands of the State. In the Mallee wind-breaks transverse to the direction of prevailing winds will be necessary. Reserves <»t somewhat inferior trees are sprinkled about the Northern and Western parts of the State. These are firewood reserves and reservations for the supply of mining props, laths, and firewood. The early colonists' fences have lived their life. and are crumbling into decay. An enormous quantity of timber will be required for the supply of posts alone, allowing that wire will largely be used in the future instead of rails. Within a quarter of a century, which is less than the time required to -row a eucalypt of splitting proportions, there will be need for fence-posts for lines aggregating oxer 200,000 miles. The clash of arms seems remote from Australia, but I may point out that the canopy of a forest of even inferior timber affords conceal- ment of troops against aerial warships and similar attacking forces. Now, where is the timber to come from for our future wants ? The city streets and the railways are eating up our Red Gum forests for paving blocks and sleepers, and a sleeper-producing tree cannot be grown in 100 years.* Harbour works, house construction, bridge-making. &c, and the paling demand are straining the resources of the sawing and splitting timber forests, and the increasing demand for poles for telegraphs, telephones, electric light, &c, and piles tor piers, jetties, and wharves, are required for new constructions and renewals. The reserves we have may prove, when too late, to be insufficient, but we may, collectively and individually, do our utmost to jealously guard from wanton, careless, or deliberate injury such as we have. Many «>t the reserves, at present inaccessible, will be subjected to raids when railways open up the country, and for tlii-, we niu-t he prepared, for if the highland foresl cover is reduced considerably by fire or axe there will he a serious out- look and perhaps ruin for the at present prosperous dwellers «,n the lowlands. The great heart ol Australia the "dead heart," as sometimes called is sterile lor want ol water. II the. living, proline, vegetated parts which produce our timber, wool, cereals, fruit, honey, ami dairy produce deteriorate, it will probably !><■ because, in spite oi warnings both public ■ ,|, pecie 1 ..• . M' mate and YelloM Stringy bark mature earlier, Dec, it...] I Tardy, The Forests of Victoria. 119 and private, official and irresponsible — the people fail to grasp the fact that the inestimable wealth of the forests is as well worth guarding as gold in a strong box, and allow one of the finest State assets to be dissipated. A few officials, however enthusiastic and however well trained and commanded, are of comparatively little avail against the opposing forces unless well backed by a far-seeing and sympathetic public. The great sources of the world's timber supply are ranked as follows : — Northern Europe and Asia (chiefly the great Russian and Siberian areas). United States, and Canada. Russia's supply is far from exhausted, but is chiefly softwoods. The United States appears to be cutting in excess of the annual increments, while Canada, profiting by the experience of other countries, is conserving her forest wealth, especially in British Columbia ; but as much as ten times the amount of the annual increase has been consumed by fire in America in one year, and such wastage must be kept steadily in view as a foe to be provided against and baffled by constant vigilance in Victoria. APPENDIX. Victorian Species ok Eucalyptus, with Principal Uses. Symbols : — T = timber ; W = firewood ; O = oil ; H = honey ■ F — fencing ; S = shade or shelter ; C'h. = chemicals ; C = climatic and scenic ; P = protection of lowland streams by root- binding of soil. Vernacular (Provisional). Botanical Name. Economic Vain River Red ( rum . E. rostrata T, 11. P Forest Red Gum . E. teretii ornis . . . T, H Blue Gum /•;. globulus ■ T, O. 11 Spotted Gum E. maculata T, O Spotted Blue Gum . E. Maideni . T, O Grey (" Spotted ") Gum . E. goniocalyx . . . T, O Mountain Ash . . E. regnans T Hfd Mountain Ash k. Delegatensis . T, 0 Str amp Gum E. paludosa . T, 0, 11, W Manna Gum . E. vitninalis T. 0, II, P Peppermint Gum E. piperita T Sugar Gum E. cladocalyx (coryno- calyx). . T. 11, S Blackbutt . E. pilularis . T, O Ki\ er White Gum . E. radiata O, W. F, P Black Sallee /■:. stellulata < White Sallee E. pauciflora . . 11. F, W Snow Gum .. (var. alpina ) c yellow Gum (White Ironbark) /■:. leucoxylon . . T, U, O, W Pink Gum /:'. fasciculosa . . . T. F, W I andle-bark ( rum E. yubida F White-top Gum E. vitrea 0 Woollybutt /•;. longifolia r, f, o, s White Brittle Gum . . . E. maculosa Sallow Gum /■:. 1 amphora T, O ( billy ( .11111 E. Smithii l.o, w Shining Gum e. nitens 1 . w Neglected Gum 1 itcglecia 120 11 \KI1Y, The Forests of Victoria. r Vict Lvoi.: . Nat. \X\II Vernacular ( Provisional). Botanical Name. Economic \ /alue. 1 >\\art Gum * . . . . /■:. Kitsoni 0. w * Grampians Gum E. alpina t Cider Gum .. E. Gunnii 1 Apple Gum .. E. Stuartiana . . T, 11. W , S Silver-top Ironbark .. E. Sieberiana . . T, F Red Ironbark .. E. sideroxylon T. O, H Grcv Ironbark . . E. paniculata T Black Box .. E. bicolor T. F. H, S Fuzzy Box .. E. lulu* riana . . H Grey Box E. hemiphloia . . T, IP F, w, s White Box (var. albens) T, IP F Long-leaf Box . . .'. E. t /,/ ■ iphora 11 W. 0 Red Box .. E. polyanthemos r. IP w. O. F, S Gippsland Box . . . . E. Bosistoana . . i H, O, s Yellow Box E. melliodora . . T, IP o. s Red Stringybark .. E. mai rorrhyncha T, IP F, w Yellow Stringybark . . E. Mueller iana T, IP F, w White Stringybark /•:. Eugenoides T, O Brown Stringybark /•:. i apitellata T, IP w .Mealy Stringybark . . E. i nit re a W . O. II Yertchuk /■:. ( onsideniana T. 0, F But But . . E. /»'; idgi siana T, w Narrow-leal Peppermint . . E. amygdalina T, oil Blue-leal 1 'epperminl .. E. dives 0, 11 Scented Peppermint . . . . E. odorata o, 11 Mahogany Eucalypt . . E. botryoides T, S Blood wood . . E. i nrymbosa . . T, F Messmate . . E. nbliqtta T, 0, IP w Messmate 1 Brown ) . . E. hcemastoma F. IP 0 Slender Mallee .. E. i dlvt ni;«\y the president, who referred to the keen interest Miss Bage had always evidenced in the Club's welfare, even since her departure from Melbourne, and to the fact that she had recently been ele< ted president of the Brisbane Field Naturalists' Club. Miss Bage, in returning thanks to the meeting lor the welcome accorded her, said the training and experience she had acquired at the Club's meetings and excursions peculiarly fitted her for the position of president of a similai society in Queensland. The practice oi inducing members to make briei rence to their exhibits was ;i good one .ind one that was always in vogue .it the meetings oi the Brisbane society. Kl MAKES ON EXHIBITS. Mi. h. I-.. Pescott, F.L.S., in referring to his and Mr. C. French's exhibit of orchids, drew attention to the unsuitable laculai name given to the orchids Cryptostylis longifolia and Caleya major, the Eormei being failed the Duck, and the lattei the Cockatoo Orchid. In his opinion tin- names should be reversed, for Caleya »ir looked exactly like a dink in (light when the labellum was extended. Reference was also made to the herbarium specimens exhibited oi Prasophyllutn album and Chiloglottis trapeziforme, both new records for Victoria. \™6~\ Field Naturalists* Club — Proceedings. 123 Mr. F. Pitcher said that the only Acacia at present flowering in the Botanic Gardens was the species shown — Acacia Mitchelli, or Mitchell's Acacia. It is also called the Fringe Acacia, and is worthy of cultivation in our gardens. The fasciated speci- men of the Rooted Cat's-ear was collected at Upper Pakenham, and had between sixty and seventy flower-heads dispersed over the stem, which was two feet high and two inches wide. Mr. C. L. Plumridge and Mr. F. Pitcher called attention to their exhibits of flowering branches of the Victorian Blue-berry, Elceocarpus cyanens, which makes an excellent garden shrub. Mr. J. Searle, in referring to his report of the microfauna met with in the various water-holes during the Nyora excursion on Cup Day (2nd November), said that among the mosquito larvae collected on that occasion were some that were supposed to belong to the little-known genus Mochlonyx. If such proves to be the case its discovery at Nyora will constitute the first record of its existence outside of Europe. He requested pond- hunters to keep a look-out for the larvae, which have a pair of air sacs at either end of the body, by which they are enabled to remain under water in a horizontal position for a consider- able length of time. Mr. F. Spry said the genus Mochlonyx was little known in Europe, and no record exists of its discovery elsewhere. PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr. J. H. Gatliff, " Descriptions of two New Varieties of Australian Cowries." The author called attention to two cowries, from Western Australia and the Northern Territory respectively, which seemed to be of sufficient difference from normal type specimens to be worthy of varietal names. The Western Australian specimen was a variety of Cyprcsa venusta, Sowerby, and he had named it var. Baker i, in honour of Mr. F. C. Baker, of Richmond, a well-known collector, while the Northern Territory specimen was a variety of C. miliaris, Gmelin, and had been named var. Gabrieli, in honour of Mr. C. J. Gabriel, a well-known member of the Club and an ardent conchologist. Owing to their highly-polished surfaces considerable difficulty had been experienced in securing photographs of them suitable for reproduction. In reply to a query by the president as to the prevalence or otherwise of albinism among shells, the author stated that it did not seem to be so common as in other divisions of the animal kingdom ; and in reply to Mr. Pitcher said that shells change considerably in character and markings with age, and develop colour rather than lose it. 2. By Mr. 0. W. Rosenhain, entitled " A Naturalist in Java." The author gave a highly interesting paper descriptive of a 124 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voilcxxxii recent visit to Java, which was illustrated by about eighty lantern slides depicting the natural beauties of the island, its vegetation, ruined temples, agriculture, &c. He said that it is almost impossible to convey by word of mouth any conception of the scenic beauty of the island, the luxuriance and variety of its vegetation, or the immensity of its volcanoes. Several questions were asked relative to the paper, and in the course of his reply the author said that, notwithstanding the beauty of the tropical vegetation of the Botanic Gardens in Java and Ceylon, he considered the Melbourne Gardens equal to anything of their kind in the world, and deserved to be more prominently brought before visitors from other lands. CHRISTMAS EXCURSION. The Chairman said that, owing to the difficulty of securing accommodation at Torquay for an excursion at Christmas time, that locality had to be abandoned, and asked foi a resolution relative to an excursion to some other locality. 1 1 seemed to be generally considered that the time was now too short to arrange for an extended excursion anywhere, con- sequently the proposal was dropped. EXHIBITS. By Miss Enid Ballhausen. — Specimens of Christmas Bells, Blandfordia nobilis, Smith. By Mr. F. R. Beuhne. — Flowers of Chieranthera linearis, I uim.. from Tooborac. By Mr. J. H. Gatliff. - Two now Australian varieties oi cowries — viz., Cypraa venusta, Sowerby, var. Bakeri, now ; Cyprwci miliar is, Gmelin, var. Gabrieli, now, in illustration ol his paper; also Cypraa miliar is, Gmelin, Cypraa Thersites, (.raw ( ypraa Friendii, Cray Scottii, Gaskoin, and Cypraa decipiens, Smith. By Miss G. Nethercote. Flowering specimens oi Prostanthera lasiantha, Lab., Christmas Bush, Kunzea peduncularis, F. v. M.. Brunonia australis, Smith. Cassinia longifolia, K. B,, Danthonia penicillata, F. v. M., Poa ccespitosa, '.. Forster, and Leptor- rhynchos tenuifolius, F. v. M , collei ted at Wonga Park, to 12/15. By Mr. I). ). Paton. — Flowering specimens of Eucalyptus gracilis (one of the Mallees), Brachyloma daphnoides, Melaleuca uncinata, Helichrysum apiculatum, 11. semipapposum, Bursaria spinosa, and Cassinia longifolia, from the Whipstick, neai ligo ; and the on hid Pterostylis rufa, var. Mitchelli, from Loi kwood. By Messrs. E. E. Pescott, I- I v. and C. French, inn. Herbarium specimens o\ the orchids Prasophyllum album, R collected at Bayswatei and Croydon, new [01 Victoria; Chilo- glottis trapeziforme, hit/., collected at Tallangatta by \. B. Braine, new for Victoria ; and Caleya minor, K. Brown, collected ^"g'l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 125 at Longlea, near Bendigo. Also fresh specimens of Praso- phyUwnt album, Rog., from Somerville ; Caleya major, R. Brown, from Longlea and Tooborac ; Prasophyllum Frenchii, F. v. M., from Bayswater and Croydon ; and Cryptostylis longifolia, R. Brown, from Ringwood — the first-named being remarkable for its pleasant perfume. Also a potato with a small, perfect potato growing internally. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Acacia Mitchelli, Benth., Mitchell's Acacia, and Elceocarpus cyaneus, Aiton, Victorian Blue-berry, at present flowering in the Melbourne Botanic Garden ; also a fasciated stem of the Rooted Cat's-ear, Hypochceris radicata, Lin., two feet high and two inches wide, with between 60 and 70 flower-heads dispersed over it, collected at Upper Pakenham. A photograph of this plant was also exhibited. By Mr. C. L. Plumridge. — Flowering specimens of Elceocarpus cyaneus, Victorian Blue-berry, grown at Kew. By Mr. J. Searle. — Living specimen of the fresh-water polyp, Fredricella, sp. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. The Yarra Herring and the Tupong. — Dr. T. S. Hall, M.A., has forwarded the following note received from Mr. H. Quiney, of Mortlake, also a member of the F. N. Club, re the above fish. Mr. Oumey says : — " I was passing Hiscock's fish shop, in Moorabool-street, Geelong, one day in 1873 or 1874, when I saw about two dozen fish of a kind which seemed unfamiliar to me, so I went inside to make a closer inspection, when, to my surprise, I found them to be the Fresh-water Herring or Cucumber Fish, and on inquiring where they came from was also surprised to learn that they had been taken in Fenwick's Lake (the northern arm of Lake Connewarre), near the channel to the Barwon. This so-called lake is extremely salt, and is undrinkable. When I lived in Geelong, some years ago, the graylings or herrings could generally be caught with the fly during March, between Queen's Bridge, near Fyansford, and the Breakwater. They were never very plentiful — the biggest basket I remember would be about twenty — but they were all good-sized fisb. Tupongs used to reach Lake Purrum- bete (Manifold's), near Camperdown, when the outlet was open, in thousands, and breed there. In fact, there are plenty tbere now. Some years ago a flood-gate was placed in the outlet, and sometimes they are enclosed for two years or more. I endeavoured, some two years since, to get the Fisheries and Game Department to try them in Lake Wemlouivr. l-lallarat, or some similar lake, but without success." [This paragraph has been held over from previous issues owing to pressure on space. — Ed. Vict, Nat.] 126 Excursion to Gembrook. [voi'Cxxxii EXCURSION TO GEMBROOK. Only a small party of members ventured on the week-end visit to Gembrook on Saturday, 16th October. Leaving town by the early train, Gembrook was reached soon after i p.m., just too late for the members to obtain additional supplies at the local store, owing to the institution of the Saturday half- holiday in the district; however, through the kindness of friends, this disappointment did not prove so serious as was at first anticipated. The journey by the narrow-gauge line from Ferntree Gully was delightful ; the countryside was looking its best — everything bright and green, with fair quantities of flowers still decking the railway enclosures, while the tints displayed by the leaves of the gum saplings were in themselves worth seeing. As usual, the extensive nursery just beyond Emerald was a fine sight, and a noticeable addition to the plants grown there was a large plantation of the New Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax, for the fibre of which there is a great demand at present, and it seemed contrary to what we always understood as to the natural habitat of this plant to find it doing so well in such rich soil and at an elevation of nearly 1,000 feet above sea-level. On leaving the station our route took us through what was formerly the site of the Acclimatiza- tion Society's reserve, one of the party pointing out where the Club members camped in November, 1901, and bad the enjoyable outing which is recorded in the Naturalist for December, 1901 (vol. xviii., p. 116). He said that, notwith- standing the opening-up of the reserve for settlement, it appeared to be little changed in the interval. Numerous plants in flower were noted along the road, such as the white Epacris intpressa, the blue Duvif'icra slrida. tlie beautiful yellow llowvrs of Hihhcrtia serpillifolia, or the paler yellow of Pivtelea /lava. A fine plant of Tccoma australis, in full bloom, was rambling over some saplings near the roadside, forming a pretty object. Aboul two miles from the station we came to the week-end hut which il was at first proposed to make our headquarters for about twenty-four hours ; but, on a neighbour offering the use ol a spare cottage, the first idea was abandoned. However, as a smart shower came on we made use of it as a temporary shelt- r, and then went for a ramble towards the Gembrook !.. and in a tributary gully saw a splendid growth of the Coral Fern, Gleichenia circinata, climbing up the trees to a heighl of at leasl fifteen feet. Here also were many fine in. 11- of the Kin.^ Fern, Osmunda harbor a, noticeable by their dark, glossy fronds. Many fine eucalypts still remained hereabouts, mostly Mountain Ash. Eucalyptus regnans, but no doubl om< day they will shar< the fate of their kindred nearer the railway, and provide material for a sawmill. It was now time to proceed to the cottage we had been invited J^'l Excursion to Gembrook. 127 to occupy. This proved more than a makeshift, for we found everything provided for us — beds, bedding, furniture, cooking utensils, &c, and set in the midst of a fine old garden, full of flowers ; so our lines were indeed cast in pleasant places. We soon had tea ready, and afterwards went for a stroll to Gembrook West, about a couple of miles distant. Along the roadside Stackhousia linarifolia grew in abundance, and a number of spikes of bloom were picked. These flowers keep well when picked, and it was noticed that their pleasant perfume increased perceptibly during the evening. The evening was spent chatting on a variety of subjects with Mr. and Mrs. MTnnes, who had so kindly placed the cottage at our disposal. Then we learned that the property had formerly been the country home of the late Mr. F. R. Godfrey, for many years a member of our Club, which accounted for the large number of fine exotic trees and shrubs round the house. Rain came on during the night, and prevented any early morning rambling. After breakfast a start was made for some well-wooded paddocks not far distant, where numerous birds were in evidence ; but, in the absence of an ornithologist, I am unable to say whether any of the individuals seen belonged to uncommon species. A few butterflies of the commoner species were noted, while the green cicadas made themselves heard all round. A specimen of this insect was rescued from a small bird, which was endeavouring to make a meal of it. Leaving the cottage early in the after- noon, we made our way back to the station by the old road, gathering fine bunches of tinted gum-leaves and wild-flowers as we went along. The pea-flowered shrubs were past their best, but here and there sufficient remained to show that Pultencea scabra, P. Gunnii, P. Muelleri, and P. stricta had been very fine. The white variety of Tetratheca ciliata was plentiful, the normal species not being so dark a pink as often met with. The white flowers of Aster stellulatus were con- spicuous in many places in the scrub, while the deep blue of Damfriera stricta formed a fine contrast. Our trip, though slightly marred by rain, was an enjoyable one, and we regretted that so few members had availed themselves of the oppor- tunity to visit this interesting district, which also has many scenic charms, while the pleasure of it was greatly enhanced by the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. MTnnes. — Harry Witty. Exhibition of Wild-Flowers. — With reference to the flowers received from Sydney, it appears that parcels were sent by both Mr. J. H. Maiden, Government Botanist, and Mr. R. T. Baker, Curator of the Technological Museum, Sydney, but owing to the rush when opening the packages the names of the senders were unfortunately not recorded at the time, 128 Thomas Sergeant Hall. [vKxXML THOMAS SERGEANT HALL. Thomas Sergeant Hall was the son of a well-known Geelong citizen, Thomas March Hall, who, again, was the son of an English nonconformist clergyman. Dr. Hall's father was at first entered at Woodhouse Grove School, but, on account of weak health, was withdrawn, and educated privately. As usual in those days, his education was along classical lines, but he had a keen love of Nature, and when he entered upon a business life at Wakefield, in Yorkshire — a life that meant starting work daily at 7 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. — he used to be up in the still earlier hours of the morning roaming about amongst the English woods. The life was too strenuous, and, after a serious breakdown, he left England in company with a few others, amongst whom were Messrs. George and William Hitchcock — names well known in Geelong, where they landed in 1849. With his travelling companions he went, at a later date, to the goldfields, where, fortunately for himself, he had to live an open-air life that completely established his health. Leaving the goldfields, he entered into business — first in Ballarat, and later on in Geelong, where his son. T. S. Hall, was born, on 23rd December, 1858. It was from his father, who was widely read and had a keen love of Nature, that Hall inherited his tendency towards and his keen interest in scientific work. It is interesting to note, in view of his marked capacity for expressing himself clearly in simple language, that one of his father's sisters married a Mr. R. Sergeant, whose daughter, Emily Frances, was the well-known writer. She was born in 1851 and died in 1004. During her life she wrote no fewer than ninety novels, and it was from his connection with her family that Dr. Hall acquired his second name of Sergeant. In 1867 he entered the Geelong Grammar School, remaining there until the close of 1877, when he was nineteen years old. Mr. Bracebridge Wilson was then head-master, but, possibly because Hall was not a boarder, he does nol seem to have come much into contacf with him, which, in view of the head- master's devotion to scientific work, is a matter of surprise and 1. J. L. Cuthbertson was the man who influenced him most, and Hall entered fully into the life of the school, both in work (such as it then was) and in sports racing, boating, and football. We read in the Quarterly. the school magazine, for 1877, that in the football match againsl Wesley, played on the St. Kilda ground, " Austin, Smith, the two De Littles, and Hall shone brilliantly"; and. in the brief account of player- given at the end o\ the yeai Hall is described as "the fastesl man with the ball in the twenty; can gel his THOMAS SERGEANT HALL Born 23rd December, 1858 Died 21st December. 1915. Jan.,"] igt6 J Thomas Sergeant Hall. 129 kick in the right direction from almost any position." How- ever, as soon as school life was over he had more serious things than sport to think of. During his holidays he had heen wont to spend his time exploring the rocks along the shores of Corio Bay or up the Moorabool valley, laying in a stock of knowledge and experience that stood him, and others also, in good stead in later years. In 1879 he accepted a mastership in Wesley College, which he held for two years, at the same time attending lectures at the University. In 1884 and 1885 he held exhibitions at Ormond College, taking the degree of B.A. in the latter year, with honours in natural science. This was in the days of the late Sir Frederick M'Coy, when the chair of natural science covered a large number of subjects, and amongst them that of Palaeon- tology, in which Hall had been interested from his boyhood. In 1887 he was teaching at Girton College, Bendigo (Sand- hurst, as it was then called), but the three following years found him back in Melbourne once more, working at the University, where the new chemical, physical, and biological laboratories had been equipped since his earlier student days. He devoted himself especially to biology, passing through the complete three years' course. In 1889 he took a prominent part in the foundation of the University Science Club, where he came into contact with his friend. Dr. G. B. Pritchard — in fact, it was due to their meeting on Science Club excursions that they began their joint work on the Tertiary deposits of Victoria. Hall's first paper, however, was on " Two New Species of Fossil Sponges from Sandhurst," published in 1888, the first joint one with Dr. Pritchard. on " The Lower Moorabool," being written in 1891. From 1890 to 1893 he was Director of the Castlemaine School of Mines, where he was most successful as a teacher and organizer, his lectures covering a wide field of science subjects. It was whilst he held this post that he married Miss E. L. Hill, the sister of his life-long friend Dr. Charles Hill, and here his eldest son, March, was born, who is now serving " somewhere " at the front. In 1893 Dr. Dendy was elected to the chair of biology in Canterbury College, New Zealand, and Hall succeeded him as Lecturer on Biology in the Melbourne University — a post that he held until his death. In recognition of his valuable work in natural science he was, in iqo8, honoured with the degree of D.Sc. by his Alma Mater. In 1888 he had joined the Field Naturalists' Club, and in 1890 the Royal Society of Victoria. Into the work of both ol these he entered with enthusiasm on his return to Melbourne. He was now able to devote a large amount of time to research 1 30 Thomas Sergeant Hall. [vli.°xxxii. work, specializing on the paloeontological side of his subject. In 1891 he published his first paper on graptolites, an obscure group in the elucidation of which he did valuable work, and of which he came to be regarded as the one authority in Australia. Though obscure, the group is an important one. because certain species have definite relationships to the gold-bearing rocks of the Bendigo and Castlemaine district, and his most important paper is probably that on " The Geology of Castlemaine, with Subdivisions of Part of the Lower Silurian Rocks of Victoria. &c." published by the Royal Society of Victoria in 1894. The last paper that he published was entitled " Victorian Graptolites, Part IV.." which was read in July, 1014. It was in recognition of his work on graptolites that in 1901 the Geological Society of London honoured him with the award of " The Balance of the Murchison Fund." In the Proceedings of the Society the following appears : — " The balance of the proceeds of the Murchison Geological Fund is awarded to Mr. Thomas Sergeant Hall in recognition of the value of his researches amongst the graptolites and other invertebrate fossils of Australia, and to aid him in the furthei study of the palaeontology of the Southern Hemisphere." In conjunction with Dr. Pritchard, he worked for many '•s on the Tertiary deposits of Victoria. Jointly they published some seven papers in the Royal Society, one of the most important of which, read in October, 1902, is entitled "A Suggested Nomenclature for the Marine Tertiary Deposits of Soul linn Australia," in which they suggested distinctive local names for the various subdivisions names which have been generally adopted. No1 only did Dr. Hall enter with zest into teaching and research work, but he gave of his time ungrudgingly to assisl in the organization of science. He bad joined t he Royal Society in 1890 : in E896 he became a member of the council, and from that day until jusl a year ago he did yeoman service for it. From [897 99 he was librarian : from [899 E914 he was honorary etary, editing admirably the publications, taking, in fact, the leading part in all work connected with it. and contributing to it- Proceedings some twenty-nine papers. In [914 he was elected president, and again in 1915, bu1 in March ol the lattei year he was obliged to -end an apology for non-attendance, and thereafter his failing health prevented him from taking the 1 hair. [0 the work of the Australasian Association for the Advance- n< e he devoted mu< h time and energy. I te edited volume of P I the Melbourne meetings in 1900 and ioi ;. acted as local ecretary foi Victoria from [907 onwards, and wa ill of the geology se< tion at the Hobarl Jan-.T iqi6 J Thomas Sergeant Hall. 131 meeting in 1902, delivering an address on " The Possibility of the Detailed Correlation of Australian Formations with Those of the Northern Hemisphere " — a subject to which he had devoted much attention. During the recent visit of the British Association in 1914 he was local secretary of the zoological section, and his wide general knowledge of Australian zoology and geology enabled him to be of great service to many of the visiting overseas members. Not the least of his services to science in Victoria was the publication in 1899 of the " Catalogue of the Scientific and Technical Periodical Literature in the Libraries of Victoria." It required a man possessed of his general knowledge and capable of his patient, accurate, and methodical work to prepare this. In 191 1, assisted by Mr. E. R. Pitt, of the Public Library, he issued a second and much enlarged edition. To readers of the Argus and Australasian he was well known. Under the name of " Physicus " he contributed the column of " Science Notes " to the latter for many years, and in 1905-6 published a series of popular geological articles in the former. These, which are models of scientifically accurate writing couched in the simplest language, he brought together and published in 1909 under the title of " Victorian Hill and Dale." He was keenly interested in all that referred to the fauna of Australia, and took a leading part in securing the reservation of Wilson's Promontory as a National Park ; in fact, it was towards the end of 1914, during an official visit to the Park of the Committee of Management (of which he was an active member), that the first signs of his serious illness became apparent. In the Field Naturalists' Club his work has been of the greatest service. He joined it in 1888, and when he was appointed to the University post in 1893 began at once to take an active part in the work of the Club. From 1895 onwards he was a member of its committee ; from 1897-1900 he was vice-president, and from 1901-1903 he was president. After retiring from the presidency he still retained his active con- nection with the Club, serving as memb'er of the committee until 10,10, when he withdrew in order to give place to younger men. This did not in the least mean that he had lost interest in the work of the Club, whose meetings he continued to attend. In fact, as recently as July, 1915, when, after some months of illness, he thought that he was on the road to recovery, he undertook to act as leader of a party of members visiting the biological laboratory and museum in the University. This was his last official connection with the Club, and when it was over he realized the fact that he was no longer capable of work of this kind, and he very much appreciated the resolution passed by the Club in September last, at the suggestion of Mr, F. G. A. 132 Thomas Sergeant Hall. [voFxxxH Barnard, expressing the anxiety of the members lest he had overtaxed his strength, and assuring him of their earnest and most hearty wishes for a return to good health. His interests were wide, and the Victorian Naturalist contains manv papers written by him — some on zoological, some on geological subjects ; others (and these are perhaps the best) on subjects of general interest, designed to guide and stimulate younger and less experienced workers. Amongst these we may recall "What's in a Name?" "A Hunt for a Name," and, best of all, " Qngarnered Grain." From the latter, which formed his presidential address in 1909, we extract the fol- lowing, which will serve to show the point of view from which lie regarded the Club and its work : — " We are field naturalists. . . . . Are the cyanide bottle, the collecting-jar, the vasculum, or the geological hammer to be our tyrants and not our slaves ? Worse and worse still, are we bound to describe what we see and tell what we think we know in a hideous jargon • it scientific terms. . . . Technical terms are necessary — sometimes .... but don't mistake the glib use of poly- syllables for knowledge. ... If there are two ways of expressing an idea, take the simpler one. . . . Anyone who has had any teaching experience, or who has tried to explain some scientific fact to his friends, knows well how wonderfully his ideas are clarified by the necessity of translating into simple lish some thought that he thinks he understands when 1 lothed in technical terms. . . . The Club needs the support of all its members, whether they are original investigators or not. All I ask is that a dozen or so will devote some of their spare time seriously to some problem that requires settling, or will do something, however small, to help on the knowledge of natural history in our State. ... If you are puzzled aboul the choice of a subject, let me recommend the lines — ' Do the work that's nearest, Though it'- dull al whiles.' There 1- no need to go to the polar regions for a subject. It lies here, under your hand." [twasevidenl to those oi us who saw him during the last few month-, ol the pasl v ai thai the <\\<\ must come soon. Thi re were times when emed to rally and to be almosl his old sell cheerful and bright, and anxious to gel back to work again ; b Lu illy, week after week, he became feebler, until on 2is1 D mber t he end 1 ;imc. There an amongsl us nol .1 few to whom he was " guide, philosopher, and friend." He was entirely unselfish, always ready to help, and he leaves behind him the record "I a man who not only did good work himself, but helped and inspired others to do the same, W. Ji. S. Jan.,1 Heartland, A Study of Birds at Breeding Time. 133 A STUDY OF BIRDS AT BREEDING TIME. By G. A. Keartland. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, \$th Sept., 191 5.) During the past few years much attention has been paid to bird photography, and by that means we have been familiarized with the forms of the nests which many of our birds construct. Then we have had photographs of the young ones in the various stages of development, thus showing that, whilst some birds undergo scarcely any change in colour or markings between the time they are able to fly and arriving at maturity, others require periods of from six months to four or five years before acquiring mature plumage. Take the well-known Mudlark, Grallina picata, as an instance. Unless taken in the hand and the softness of the feathers noted, it is impossible to distinguish a bird a month old from the parent of the same sex. Others, like the Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis, are six months old before the sexes can be distinguished by the plumage, and at that age the young ones are like their parents. Then we have the Night Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus, the young of which have been mistaken for birds of another species, owing to the great difference in plumage. How long they are before assuming adult livery is doubtful — probably two years. The Pacific Gull, Gabianus fiacificus, takes three or four years in changing from the modest brown of the young to the beautiful white and black of the old ones. This list might be extended, but my main object in writing these lines is to draw the attention of members to the study of the work of incubation, and to try if we can ascertain in what species both sexes share the labour. The same instinct which influences our domestic poultry in laying a greater number of eggs when the nests are cleared every day, and which causes the hen to become broody if the eggs are allowed to accumulate until about a dozen are laid, appears to exist in many of our wild birds. I know of instances in which the nests of both Mud-Larks, Grallina picata, and Black-and- White Fantails, Sauloprocta motacilloides, were robbed or destroyed three times, and then the birds laid a fourth clutch and reared their broods. Whilst at the Fitzroy River, X W.A., I found three nests of the Little Friar-bird, Philemon sordidus, each containing young ones, which the black boy who accompanied me appropriated as a delicacy. On visiting the same trees a fortnight later I found that each pair of birds had built a fresh nest, and had already laid a full clutch of eggs. Of course, it is well known that amongsl the pigeons and doves both sexes take part in the sitting. The female generally does all the night work, but is relieved during the day by her mate, and both parents share the task of feeding the young until 134 Keartland, A Study of Birds at Breeding Time, [voLxxxii. they are able to fly. The female of the Swamp or Brown Quail, Synoicus australis, does all the sitting, and if her mate or any other bird of the same species approaches her nest she raises her feathers like a game-hen and charges the intruder with surprising ferocity. This is continued until the brood are about a week old, when the male joins the family, of which he seems to be intensely proud. In another week the female resigns all interest in the brood, which are reared by her mate until they are about a month old. After that period they have to look out for themselves, as their parents are usually occupied with the care of a fresh clutch of eggs. With regard to the Stubble Quail. Coturnix pectoralis, much may yet be learned, but my opinion is that the female soon tires of the young ones. In many cases where I have flushed a bird with a brood of little ones on the opening day of the shooting season, it has been the male bird that accompanied them. They scatter in all directions, but if left alone the call of the old bird soon attracts the family together. Several of our honey-eaters construct a bag-like nest of grass- stems and spiders' web amongst the swinging foliage on the end of a slender twig, which is frequently swayed violently by the wind, but the eggs are seldom broken unless the nest is brought in contact with something solid. The explanation is that when the bird is sitting she grasps the bottom of the nest with her i laws and holds the eggs in place on each side of her tst by means of the long feathers along her side, supported by her wings. I have seen a Red-throated Honey-eater sitting i almly on hei nest, which was fastened by the rim to the extreme end of a thin branch of a bauhinia tree. The wind was blow in;-; a gale, and the nest was thrown about as if fastened on a whip-lash, and a . i J tim 5 it turned bottom uppermost, but when examined next day the eggs were ;ill safe. Other birds, like the Crows and ("row-Shrikes, use strong sticks for their building material, and construct theii nests in a secure manner in a forked branch strong enough to defy the wind. But probably the most wonderful piece oi bird architecture is to be seen in the nesl oi the Reed-Warbler. How such a frail bird manages to strip the material from the growing reeds is .1 mystery, bul tin' commencement of the structure is a puzzle. In tin- fini>bed nesl we find four or five reed- bound together, with the dee)!, cup-shaped nesl between them, about three feet from the top of the reeds, and no matter how the wind blows the bird and it eggs aw safe. the group which is probably the most interesting to studv i- the Parrot family. Whether all members follow the .niie practice oi not I cannol say, but I have no doubt vera! species. In every case where I have dis- turbed a bird from its nesl it has proved to be the female, and Jan.,1 1916 J Keartland, A Study of Birds at Breeding Time. 135 an examination of the nest and eggs has generally revealed that the hollow selected has been surprisingly small. This puzzled me for some time, but since I have tried to breed them in an aviary I think the problem is solved. Some years ago I had a pair of Cockatoo-Parrots which reared three broods of young ones in the season. Their nesting log was a small one which I had intended to use for Warbling Grass-Parrakeets, Melopsittacus undulatus. Next season I thought I would provide better quarters for them, and changed the log for one much larger. The female laid several clutches of eggs, but reared no young ones, as the eggs were all destroyed before incubation was completed, and each shell found on the floor of the aviary had a large hole broken in its side. I blamed the mice for the mischief. I next tried to breed the Green-Leek, Polytelis barrabandi, and the female laid five eggs in a box nest, but they were soon all destroyed one after another. Again the mice were blamed, as each shell had a hole bitten in the side. My little Warbling Grass-Parrakeets were provided with a small hollow log, and reared sixteen young ones in the season. Last September I built a large aviary and determined to try the Green-Leeks again. The birds mated, and in due time four eggs were laid in a large nest. The female sat from the time the first egg was laid, and the male fed her whilst she was on the nest, but she attacked him viciously whenever he tried to get behind her. Soon afterwards an empty egg-shell was found on the floor of the aviary, and in less than a week all were broken, the male bird being caught in flagrante delicto. This habit of the female sitting from the time the first egg is laid no doubt is responsible for the fact that the brood of young ones vary greatly in size. Whilst some small ones are only clothed in pin feathers, others are fully fledged and able to fly. It also accounts for the error some authors have fallen into in stating that, on attaining full plumage, there is no difference in the appearance of the sexes in the Green-Leek. Another fact came under my notice whilst on a collecting tour some time ago. I saw several flocks of both Green-Leeks and Red-rumped Grass-Parrakeets, consisting of from twenty to thirty birds, without a solitary female amongst them. The conclusion I came to was that all the females were occupied with family cares, and that after the males had fed their mates they had a bachelors' excursion on their own account. Our wild ducks are very interesting to watch. When the female has built her nest amongst the rushes on a swamp or selected the hollow branch of a large tree she lines it with down plucked from her own breast, so that when she feels inclined to stay for a long swim on a pool or stream she can cover up the eggs and keep them warm for a long time. An examination of the down will often determine the species to 136 Kkarti and, A Study of Birds at Breeding Time. [voKXXXli. which the nest belongs. Various opinions have been expressed as to how the ducks transfer their broods from their nest to the water, but I think there is very little doubt that the parent bird either carries them in her bill, one at a time, to the pool, or else conveys them to the ground, and then, when all are down, just calls them after her until they walk to the water. Of course, it is known that birds have many enemies to contend with at breeding time, and so they resort to various methods of guarding their eggs. The Grebes (Podiceps), which make a floating nest amongst the aquatic plants, cover their eggs with a quantity of the vegetable matter in the vicinity, so that the eggs, which are white when first laid, soon become so stained that they are often nearly black before hatching. The little Black-fronted Dottrel. /Egialitis nigrifrons, which lays its eggs on the bare ground near water, generally plasters them over with mud before wandering in search of food. This so successfully disguises them that I have stood for some time within a few feet of a nest before discovering it. There are many birds of whose nesting habits but little has been published, and my chief motive for penning the foregoing lines is to direct some of our members to a field in which much useful work may yet be done. The Late Dr. Hall. — A limited number of copies of the plate in this issue have been printed on large paper suitable foi framing, and can be obtained from Mr. J. A. Kershaw. F.E.S., National Museum, Melbourne, at one shilling each. Recent Losses. — We regret to have to record the death recently of Mr. H. Andrews, of " Grosvenor," Malvern, who, though unknown to the present generation oi members, has n a 1 onsistenl supporter oi the Club for many years, having been elected so long ago as August, [885. There also passed away, on 28th Decembei last, Mr. S. W. Fulton, oi Armadale, who for several years was .1 prominenl membei ol the Club, and from 1902 to [906 held the position oi librarian. His/orfewas marine 1 rusta< ea, - found in the Victorian Naturalist for November, 1907 (vol. xxiv.. |>. 117). Mr. I'. K. II. St. John, in referring to his exhibit oi sample- Ve^~\ Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 139 of crude oil of Melaleuca nesophila, F. v. M., and Eucalyptus macrandra, F. v. M., said that the former was distilled on 19/11/15 and the latter on 12/1/16 from material obtained, through the kindness of the Curator, from cultivated trees in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. Both trees were natives of Western Australia, and, so far as he was aware, this was the first record of the distillation of oil from either. One or both oils might ultimately prove of great commercial value. The specimen of timber of Eucalyptus obliqua, L'Heritier, Messmate, shown was obtained in the Forrest district. Whilst on a visit to that locality during the Christmas holidays he had noticed a pile of sawn timber at least half a mile long and of considerable height. No gum veins were visible in any balk constituting that pile. There was no need for us to send to Tasmania for hardwood when a superior article existed at our doors. Mr. E. R. Webb drew attention to his exhibit of fourteen varieties of freshwater shells obtained from the Upper Rich- mond River, New South Wales. Some of the shells were found on plains rarely covered with water. Mr. T. S. Hart, M.Sc, invited inspection of his exhibit of roots of Exocarpos cuprcssiformis, Native Cherry or Cherry Ballart, showing parasitic and auto-parasitic root attachments, and said that the specimens exhibited showed attachments of the roots of Exocarpos cupressiformis to roots 01 other plants — namely, Acacia arntata, Eucalyptus antygdalina (from Scoresby), and Eucalyptus dives (from Creswick). The ends of some of the rootlets of Exocarpos are expanded, and form closely appressed cushions on the exterior of the other roots. These " cushions " are easily detached, and are very liable to be detached in digging out the roots. Examination of some of them showed a relatively slender outgrowth from the " cushion " through the outer tissues of the root of the other plant. These attach- ments are most readily found by grubbing a small tree near the Exocarpos, and examining its roots dost; to the butt of the tree. Specimens of roots of Exocarpos cuprcssifonuis were also exhibited showing loops and cross connections originating in auto-parasitic attachments. " Cushions " are formed, appressed to other parts of the roots of the same plant, and eventually the union of the two roots becomes wry com- plete, as can be seen in a cross section through the junctions. These loopings can be readily found by tracing the roots of the Exocarpus outwards from its butt. PAPER READ. By Mr. J. W. Audas, F.L.S., entitled " Glimpses en passant on a Trip to Mount Beenak." The author, in an interesting paper, enumerated the prin- 140 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vo'Cxxxii cipal species of flowering plants, shrubs, &c, noted by the way- side on a trip taken in October last from Pakenham to Mount Beenak. By reason of the eminently favourable season the flora of the district was at its best, such species as Piiltctura mollis. Oxylobiutn alpestre, and Tecoma austral is, var. Latrobei, being exceptionally abundant and luxuriant. A visit was made to the Nar-Nar-Goon State school, where, it was pleasing to note the mastei and pupils had many native plants and shrubs under cultivation. Among others. Callistemon lanceolatus seemed to respond well to the care and attention bestowed. two fine bushes being clothed with large brush-like spikes ol rich vermilion colour. Over a hundred miles was covered by the author during his trip, and he advocated the opening up of the district by the Government to tourists and holiday- makers. In the discussion on the paper that ensued, the chairman and Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard. (.. Coghill, P. R. H. St. John. R. W. Armitage, and H. B. Williamson took part. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. K. W. Armitage, M.Sc, said that, according to several report- that recently appeared in the daily papers, the wild fowl, particularly wild ducks, were dying in large numbers in many parts o| the State. Various reasons had been assigned to accounl foi the mortality. One was that the epidemic was induced by the large quantities ol decaying vegetation in the areas they frequented. He would like to heai an expression <>t opinion on the subject from some member present. Mr. G. A. Keartland said he had no doubt that the mortality among the wild ducks was due to poison laid by the farmers to encompass theii destruction. In some parts oi the State the wild fowl had become so numerous as to pollute the water, To prevent this the land-owners had possibly adopted the procedure mentioned. He admitted thai it would be a difficult maiiei to substantiate a charge against them, since they were not in the habit oi parading their intentions to the general public. Any difference oi opinion that exi ted, as to whethei the bird- died bom disease 01 bom poison, could be settled by cursory examination. Il a bird had died Mom disease it would be thin and miserable; whereas it would be in good condition if it-, death had been occa iioned by poison. Mr. G. A. Keartland said thai in his aviary a1 the presenl time mighl be witnessed a remarkable instance ot reversion to original habit , Some time ago he liberated his canaries among the other birds, when one paii built a nesl about one foot from the ground in a tussock o1 prairie grass. As it was close to the wire front, the birds were disturbed by a cat. A week afterwards they built anothei open nesl in a tussock and reared ^e^'l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 141 their brood. They have now built in a branch of a fig-tree, about five feet from the ground, and are sitting on eggs. The nest is an open structure like that of the Goldfinch, and, although exposed to sun and wind, there appears to be every prospect of another brood. The birds are fed on plain canary seed and thistles, besides what they pick up amongst the grass. Mr. H. W. Davey, F.E.S., forwarded an interesting note on the occurrence in immense numbers of the plant bug, Nysius vinitor, known as the Rutherglen Fly, in high alpine regions during the early part of December, and recording the fact that snow seemed to have a fatal attraction for them. EXHIBITS. By Mr. J. W. Audas, F.L.S. — Herbarium specimens of A sterol a si a Muelleri [Eriostemon correifolius, F. v. M.), Benth., Lemon Star Bush ; Oxylobium alpestre, F. v. M., Mountain Shaggy Pea ; Notofagus (Fagus) Cinininghamii, Myrtle Beech, &c, collected at Mount Beenak, October, 1915, in illustration of paper. By Mr. T. S. Hart, M.Sc. — Base and roots of Exocarftos cuprcssiformis, Native Cherry, showing roots parasitic (or partially so) on themselves. By Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue. — Cabinet specimen of schorl, or black tourmaline. By Mr. D. J. Paton, Bendigo. — Flowering specimens of Eucalyptus uncinate/,, Hooked Mallee, Eucalyptus viridis, Green Mallee, Acacia retinodes, and Huiuca squamea, from Whipstick Scrub. Bendigo. By Mr. F. Pitcher. — Specimen of the white-flowering form of Erythrcea australis, R. B., Australian Centaury, from Belgrave district, Christmas, 1915. By Mr. J. Searle. — Interesting and rare crustacean. Koonunga cursor, from North Portland (previously only recorded from Ringwood and Nyora). By Mr. P. R. H. St. John (on behalf of the Curator, Mel- bourne Botanic. Gardens). — Samples of crude oil of Melaleuca nesophila, F. v. Mueller, Western Australia, distilled 19th November, 1915, and Eucalyptus macrandra, V. v. M.. Western Australia, distilled 12th January, 1916 (with fresh specimen in bloom) ; material obtained from cultivated trees in Melbourne Botanic. Gardens, the samples of oil prepared by exhibitor. Also specimen of timber <>l Eucalyptus obliqua, L'Heritier, Messmate, obtained by exhibitor from Forrest district, 20/12/15. By Mr. E. R. Webb. — Fourteen varieties ol freshwater shells from the Upper Richmond River, N.S.W. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 142 Excursion to Lilydale. [voLXXXli. EXCURSION TO LILYDALE. The afternoon of Saturday, 27th November, made a bright and favourable break in a chain of showery Saturdays, when a party of fourteen naturalists, armed with nearly as many different kinds of hammers, walked from Lilydale station to the fossil quarry on the Mooroolbark road. On the way a rumour was circulated to the effect that a native had declared the distance to the quarry to be five miles ; but it was discovered that the native, as usual, is often the last person that should be appealed to for accurate information of his district, the ai tual distance being under three miles. At the quarry we were joined by three lady members who had arrived by an earlier train, and had kindly prepared the way for refreshment, with which the party was regaled after some serious work of stone- breaking had been carried out. By the kind thought of the ladies the menu was agreeably varied by strawberries and cream, and the afternoon tea seemed to have so braced the energies of several devoted collectors that they could only with t difficulty be persuaded to leave the quarry to the gathering darkness and the local kine : " Owre mony a weary ledge they limpit, An' aye the tither stane they thumpit." The quarry has been excavated in a dome-shaped anticline of Yeringian mudstone, and the fad that the rocks are here conspicuously folded accounts for the hardness of the material compared with that in quarries not far distant. Hence the u_.. ,,| the rock as a source of road-metal. After the rock- folding had I n place, there Seellls to liave been Some minor th oscillations, for the jointed and fractured reel, is, in some bands, composed of small blocks tightly wedged againsl and into one anoth gesting horizontal movement and I he < ollei ting oi fossils proceeded apace, whilst our pond-hunters were also busy sampling the fair-sized pond filling the bottom of the quarry-hole. Anon the monotony oi the hammering was relieved by th< appropriate recital, ic poem oi Brei Harte's relative to Brown, the fossil-bone collector. Fossils are plentiful in this quarry, the only fault in the rock being its jointed character] the stone more often breaking fhrough a fossil than otherwise. The leader had a busy time ning ea< h re< ord of the rocks as it turned up, and many interesting finds were made, the mosl notable being a perfect pygidium of Calyrnene, a beautifully preserved tail and cdunter- |,;!,i of the newly-described Goldiui %reeniit and several examples oi the genus Loxonema. Gathering clouds promised very weather, and a southerly chang< of wind was experi- Febg'l Excursion to Lily dale. 143 enced during the walk back over the paddocks to Lilydale, but the rain held off until near the end of the journey to town. The following genera and species of Silurian fossils were found during the afternoon : — Corals. — Rugose, simple forms, allied to Lindstrcemia or Streptelasma, Pleurodictyum mcgastomum, Aulopora, sp. Crinoids. — Numerous stems and impressions of columnars and one calyx, badly preserved. BrachiopodA. — Crania, sp., Orbiculoidea sp., Stropheodonta alata, (?) StrophoneUa sp., Leptcena rhomboidalis, Chonetes sp., Orthis elegantula, 0. cf. testudinaria, Camarotcechia sp., (?) Uncinidus sp., Nucleospira australis, Atrypa reticularis, Spirifer cf. crispus, S. cf. lilydalensis. Bivalves. — Grammysia sp.. Leptodomus sp., Nucitla taylori, Palcsoneilo, 3 spp., Goniophora cf. australis. Gasteropods. — Carinaropsis sp.. Pleurotomaria sp., Mur- chisonia, sp., Loxonema sp. Pteropod. — Coleolus sp. Cephalopod. — Cycloceras capillosum. Trilobites. — Calymene sp.. Goldius greenii. Mr. J. Searle has been good enough to look through his catch of specimens collected in the quarry-hole pond, and to furnish the following list : — Daphnia carinata, vars. gravis and eury- cephala (nearly every specimen carrying ephippial eggs), Boeckella oblonga, Cyclops l&uckarti, Cypridopsis minna. Red Mites (Hydrachnidce), planarian worms. — F. Chapman. The Austral Avian Record. — With the first part of volume iii. (June, 1915) this journal is enlarged, measuring now about 7^ x 10 inches, though the letter-press is almost the same size as previously. The number contains a coloured plate, reproduced from Watling's painting of 1790, of the bird named by Latham Columba pallida, but which Mr, Gregory M. Mathews shows is really a cuckoo, Cuculus pallidas. Considerable space is devoted to the ornithology of the " Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles," published by Levrault, Paris, 1804-30, through which several alterations in the names of Australian birds are made. An extinct pigeon of Lord Howe Island is described from a painting by George Raper as Raperia godmanee. Part 2 (November, 1915) contains a coloured plate of the Brown-headed Honey- eater, also reproduced from the original painting by Watling. Twenty pages are devoted to the birds described in an old Dutch work, "Table des Planches Enlum," of Boddaert (1783), while further additions and corrections to the editor's " Reference-lisl are given. Mention should also be made of the concluding pari of vol. ii. (August, 1915), which consists of an exhaustive index of sixty pages in double column of the scientific names contained in vols. i. and ii. i44 CHAPMAN, Fossils from Grange Burn. [voKXXXII. OX SOME SMALLER FOSSILS FROM THE RED LIME- STONE AT GRANGE BURN, NEAR HAMILTON, WITH A NOTE ON A NEW SPECIES OF BOLIVINA. By Fredk. Chapman, A.L.S., F.R.M.S., Paleontologist, National Museum, Melbourne. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, Sth Nov., 191 5.) In Memoir No. 5 of the Melbourne National Museum f I dis- cussed the stratigraphical relationships of the limestone at Grange Burn and Muddy Creek to the adjacent strata, and also pointed out the significance of the fossil fauna of this lime- stone. It contains, amongst other fossils, such typical Janjukian forms as Linthia of the L. mooraboolensis type and Lepidocxclina tournoueri, which are especially representative of the Batesford and Moorabool Valley Tertiaries. The inter- mediate position of this limestone, between the Balcombian below and the Kalimnan above, was shown in the work mentioned by data from river cliff sections. The object of the present note is to place on record the results of a detailed examination of the finer material of the above-mentioned Lepidocyclina limestone, which lends further support to the view that it belongs to the Batesford horizon and represents a similar phase of marine conditions of the Victorian Tertiaries. This limestone, occurring in the bluff opposite Mr. Henty's homestead of " The Caves," is of an ochreous brown colour, but farther down the Grange Burn, towards its junction with Muddy Creek, it is of a reddish or pink tint. Some of the material obtained opposite Henty's was weathered, and occurred on ledges and in pockets of the limestone, and to obtain the specimens it required no treatment beyond washing, drying, and sifting. The following is a list of the smallei fossils obtained from the weathered limestone. The species previously recorded Erom Batesford, + with which locality the Grange Bum occurrence i> stratigraphically associated, are marked *. FORAMINIFERA. — Bolivuui hoitvana, sp. now. *Nodosaria obliqua, P., sp., Marginulina costata, Bats* h, -p.. *Polymorphina elegantissitna, Parker and Jones, */\ regina, Brady, Parker and 'Did raphanus, P. and J., *Truncattdina ungeriana, d'Orb., sp., *T. refulgens, Montf., sp., *Pulvinulina elegans, d'Orh.. sp.,* Rotalia calcar, d'Orb., sp., *(,ypsiny John Brazier, C.M.Z.S., page 25. i48 Gatliff, Two Neiv Australian Cowries. [Vict. Nat. Vol. XXXII. Figs, i, 2 — Cyprcea venusta, Sowerby, var. bakeri, nov. Observations. — Named in honour of Mr. F. H. Baker, who has rendered much assistance by mounting molluscan odontophores for microscopic examination. Type ot variety in my collection. ( yi'k.i.a MiLiARis, Gmelin, var. gabrieli, nov. Bra/in. in his publication quoted, a1 page -'-'. desnihes an Australian specimen <>t C. miliar is, Gmelin, and ot this well- known species states j " Ii is of an oblong-ovate form, attenuated anteriorly, extremities produced, a little reflexed, sides pitted, back citron-yellow, profuselj sprinkled with eyi dt various sizes, sides and base white." 'Idie variety now named gabrieli is semi-translucent, base and margins white, dorsum uniformly oi a lawn colour, without the slightest trace ot any spol "i othei coloration or marking on any pari ot the died. It is more ventricose than the ordinary form, and the grooves ol the teeth extend on the outer Lip nearly to the outei margin. There are twenty-one t.cth l Type < mm.: breadth, 20 mm. ; height, 20 mm Feb. 19 ?ebgl Gatliff, Two New Australian Cowries. 149 Fig. 3 — Cyprcsa miliaris, Gmelin, var. gabrieli, now Locality. — Northern Territory, Australia. Observations. — Named in honour of my ardent and able collaborator. Mr. Charles J. Gabriel. Type of variety in my collection. The figures are from photographs kindly taken by Mr. R. R. Duncan. NOTES FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. An exhibit thai is attracting a good deal of attention has just been completed and placed on view. It consists of a Samoyede sledge drawn by two reindeer. In the sledge a man is seated, wearing the characteristic outer cloak and close-fitting hood of reindeer fur. In his left hand he holds a single rein, and in his right the long pole, coloured red, white, and blue, like that of a barber, with which the animals are guided. The harnessing dI the animals is absolutely correct, thanks to the assistant!' of Mr. E. Eide, a Norwegian, who has been accustomed to handling reindeer in his native country. A woman, in her picturesque winter costume, stands by the side of the sledge. She wears an outer cloak of light-coloured reindeer Eur, the upper pari of which is decorated with inset lines of darker fur and patches of coloured cloth — material derived from Russian traders with whom the Samoyedes come in contact. The skirt has three flounces of dogs' skin fur, and her head is covered with a dark brown hood of the same material. Both the man and woman wear under-cloaks of reindeer fur, and in the case of these the fur side is worn innermost for the sake of warmth. Each of them wears also long fur stockings encased in decorated fur booK. The scene, including its surroundings oi snow, has been made as true to nature as possible. The Samoyede people are the 1 50 Notes from the National Museum. [voUXXXH. most primitive of the races inhabiting the extreme northern parts of Russia and Siberia within the Arctic Circle. They have no fixed abodes, and wander over the frozen plains, or tundra, that skirt the Arctic Ocean. During the summer they live in little wigwam-like tents, covered with skin or birch bark, that can easily be packed up and carried about. In winter they dwell in huts half-buried in the ground. They support themselves partly by fishing, but mainly by the produce of their herds of reindeer, an animal which may be said to be every- thing to the Samoyede. While alive it carries him about, and he drinks its milk ; when dead he eats its flesh and uses its fur for clothing and for covering his tents. The specimens were secured by the Museum from the Royal Academy of Sciences in Petrograd in exchange for a collection of Central Australian native objects. Another new exhibit of great interest is a specimen of the very rare Okapi, from Central Africa. The first indication of the existence of this animal was afforded by two bandoliers secured by Sir Harry Johnston in 1900 from natives in the forests bordering the Semliki River. The Semliki connects the two lakes, Albert Edward Nyanza and Albert Nyanza. on the north-east boundary "I the Congo Free State. These bandoliers had been made from the skin of the flanks of some animal, the wry characteristic black and white longitudinal striping oi which naturally gave rise to the idea that it was a zebra, so that it was described first of all under the name of Equus johnstoni. In 1901 a complete specimen was secured and sent to London. It showed the animal to be cloven-footed like an antelope or giraffe, and so quite unlike a horse or zebra. The striping is confined to the haunches and upper part oi the fore and hind limb, not extending on to the body. The ears are large, the neck moderately long, and the head and skull distinctly giraffe-like, with a pair oi small horns in the male distim tly suggestive of those oi the giraffe, to which it is 1 losely allied, It has been placed in the family Giraffidae under the name oi okapia johnstoni. Okapia is the native name given to the animal by the Wambutti or Akka, the pigmy race thai inhabits, jusi as the Okapi itself does, the dense equatorial forests that border the Semliki and [turi Rivers in the north- ■ part oi the Congo Stat.-, where man and beasl are safe from the attacks oi light-loving, predatory animals. Natives living in the more open pan- are very reluctani to penetrate these equatorial forests, where heat, moisture, gloom, and silence are perpetual, and heme it was thai the okapi remained so long undiscovered. No other museum in the Empire excepl the British Museum in London possesses a specimen oi this rare and interesting animal. »£] Motes. til The " Rutherglen Fly." — When on the Australian Alps last week I was greatly impressed by the immense numbers of the small plant bug, Nysius vinitor, commonly known as the Rutherglen Fly, when its name was legion, everything being completely smothered with them. Even the leathery-foliaged Snow Gums were not immune from attack, the bugs swarming on their young shoots, while the low alpine shrubs were in many instances almost hidden from view by the clustering bugs, and if you lifted a stone hundreds of these insects would be found beneath it. This makes one realize that later oh, with favouring winds, they may descend to lower levels and attack cultivated fruits and plants. A remarkable fact I noticed was that snow had a great and fatal attraction for them, and, as large quantities of snow still remain on the highest peaks, immense numbers are being destroyed by this means, but their numbers are so great that I doubt if this can make any appreciable difference. Most of the snow patches are quite altered in colour owing to their being covered with the dead bodies of this insect. A large area of snow on the Omeo road over Mount Hotham (6,100 feet, the highest road in Australia) completely blocks it, and the coach has to leave the road here and struggle up the side of the mount above the road and then descend on the other side of the snow to regain the track again. To enable the coach to descend, large chains are wrapped round the hind wheels to assist the brakes : even then it is a nerve-testing experience for both driver and horses, and one feels glad to see them regain the road in safety. As this patch of snow is still fifteen feet deep at the road, it should be the means of destroying an immense number of these insects before it finally melts and disappears. — H. W. Davey, F.E.S. [Numerous newspaper reports from various parts of the State as to the numbers of this insect noticed this season bear out Mr. Davey's apprehension as to their presence in lower country later on. — Ed. Vict. Nat.] Disease among Who Dicks.-- In connection with the question raised at the January meeting of the Club regarding the unusual mortality among water-fowl, the following extract from the Victorian Poultry Journal ol 1st February will be read with interest. The editor, Mr. H. V. Hawkins, says: — "A disease has broken oul amongsi the wild duck at Winton Swamp, near Benalla. Breeders will doubtless remember that thousands died a few years ago. and I was instructed by the Government to make a thorough investigation as to the probable cause. Many old residents thought the mortality was due to phosphorized wheat laid for rabbits, but it appeared to i - } Nnfe<; T Vict- Nat- l52 *\oies. L Vol. XXXII. me that the disease was fowl cholera, due largely to the hot weather then prevailing, with the consequent partial drying-up of the swamp, thus leaving stagnant pools of water, which became partly heated by the sun. resulting in a severe outbreak of cholera. I am of opinion similar conditions prevail now, and it is very probable the disease has again broken out. Not only are water-fowl being affected, but it is attacking domes- ticated hens. The germ of fowl cholera finds great scope for activity in sun-warmed, stagnant water, and the authorities would be well advised to take some steps to clear the swamp nf dead carcasses, and use a few tons of lime around the pools. which possibly may be termed the breeding-ground of this trouble. It would be a thousand pities for the wild duck to be exterminated at Winton, which has been for years past a popular resort. I understand a similar outbreak has occurred at Lake Lalbert, but, as I am not personally acquainted with that lake, I cannot offer an opinion. It is the muddy, half- dried-up pools surrounding these swamps that cause the trouble. and that is where the liming would be the cheapest and possibly the most effective remedy." The Australian Flora in Applied Art. — It is evidently the intention of the Technical Education Branch of the New South Wales Department of Public Instruction to publish a series of volumes under this heading, as a very handsome and useful work is to hand, designated -Part I. : The Waratah. Its author is .Mr. R. T. Baker. F.L.S., Curator of the Techno- logical Museum, Sydney, and the whole get-up oi the work reflects great credit both on him and the Government Printer. Numerous illustrations, both in colour and black and white. testify as to the adaptability oi the Waratah. both flowers and foliage, tor use as ornamenl in architecture, bookbinding, ceramics, ironwork, lace, wall-papers, &c, while in the Literature oi the subject the author nevei loses sight oi his contention thai the Waratah, taking into consideration its many qualifica- tions, should be the national flower oi Australia. Coloured illustration- are given oi the Victorian and Tasmanian species, as well as the more generally known New South Wale- spei and, while the latter is undoubtedly the most showy objeci from a floral point oi view, it is pleasing to note thai the Vic- torian species provides a very handsome wood foi the cabinet- maker. Seeing 'li.it the Victorian tree i- quite unknown to the majority oi Victorian residents owing to the inaccessibility oi it- habitat, we trusi thai its timber will nol be allowed to be exploited without control, and the species exterminated. Che Uictoriatt naturalist Vol. XXXIL— No. 11. MARCH 9, 1916. No. 387. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, 14th February, 1916. The president, Dr. C. S. Sutton, occupied the chair, and about forty members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mrs. E. L. Hall, conveying her appreciation of the Club's expression of sympathy and regret at the death of her husband. Dr. T. S. Hall, and expressing the hope that the deep interest evidenced by him in the Club's welfare would be cultivated by all its members. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to the Richmond quarries on 22nd January was forwarded by the leader, Mr. J. Searle, who stated that about fourteen members took part in the outing. In the quarry nearest the river large numbers of the crab Hymenosoma lacustris were found ; the shrimp-like Xiphocaris was also very plentiful, abounding among the weeds fringing the water, and must afford a considerable amount of food for the perch and bream said to be plentiful in the holes. The water is of great depth — from 50 to 60 feet — the quarries being separated from one another by a narrow ridge of well-formed columnar basalt. In the smaller quarry numerous Copepoda were found, and the rather rare Cladocera, Daphnia lumholtzi. was taken in fair numbers. Many interesting forms of Protozoa, such as Platy- cola. Vaginicola, Thuricola, Stylocola, Falliculina, were secured. Desmids and diatoms were also plentiful, and among the latter was the erratic Basillaria paradoxis, the peculiar movements of which are always attractive when viewed under the micro- scope. The eastern wall of the quarry affords an excellent example of radiating prismatic basalt, and is worth inspection by those interested. Finally, a visit was made to a quarry- hole to the north-west of the present workings. This is being used as a tip for rubbish, but the water in it usually yields good supplies of rotifers, &c. On this occasion we found Brachionus mitlleri and Pedalion in great numbers, while a protozoon, probably a Trichodema, fairly swarmed. Hoping to secure a few more specimens of Daphnia lumholtzi, the quarries were again visited, with two other members of flic (lull, on Saturday last, 12th February. On this occasion a long line with tow net was taken to sample the lower depths, and. though disappointed 154 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voLXXXli. in securing the Daphnia, which had totally disappeared since the previous visit, the net brought up a small fragment of ( Ordylophora, thus adding a new locality for this interesting hydroid. It seems a pity that these holes, which are so inter- esting to the student of pond-life, should be filled up. Could not an effort be made to at least retain some portion as a collecting- ground for the " pond-lifer " ? Mr. A. D. Hardy inquired whether any member of the excursion party present had noticed in the water contained in the excavations the alga Monostroma expansa, which has not been found elsewhere. It is most conspicuous when at maturity, floating and partially buoyed up by gas bubbles, and ballasted with water snails, when it appears like its marine cousin, the Sea Lettuce or Ulva, but unlike it in being of only one cell thickness, and therefore difficult to handle. Mr. J. Stickland said that he had collected Monostroma expansa many years ago in the quarries. Messrs. A. C. Gates and C. A. Nethercote gave some account of the excursion to the Dee Valley and Ben Cairn from 29th to 31st of January which was to a great extent spoiled by unpleasant weather. MissC. Nethercote subsequently furnished a report, which appears on another page. In the absence of Mr. E. E. Pescott. the president gave a brief report of the excursion to the Burnley Horticultural Gardens on Saturday, 12th February, when about fifty members and visitors were present. Owing to the indisposition of Mr. Pescott, the duties appertaining to leadership were ably discharged by Mr. Garside, who gave some account of the various experiments which are being carried out in the orchard. Subsequently, .Mr. F. Beuhne, who has a wide-world reputation as an api- culturist, took the party in hand, and demonstrated the and confidence with which the usually pugnacious bees can be handled by one conversanf with their ways and habits. i ater the party was welcomed by Mr. Pescott, who expressed a wish that the visit mighl b< I nexl yeai a1 a slightly later date. Aftei partaking <>i frail and refreshments, kindly provided by Mr. Pescott, Hi'- party dispersed. Mr. F. Beuhne, in supplementing the president's remarks, said that, owing to tin- many and varied questions put t<> him by the members of tin ex< ursion pai ty, he had nol done justice to hi- subject. Much oi whal he had intended saying had to 1„- lefl unsaid b\ 1 oi lai 1; oJ time. It the I lub fell so disposed, he would l><- pr< pared to give an evening on " Bees.V ELECl ION OF MEMBERS. (in a ballot being taken, Miss Bertha Keartland, Cramer- m, was duly elected as an ordinary member of Mar(;'1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 155 the Club : and Dr. W. Elliot Drake, " Woonda Mia," Upper Beaconsfield, and Mr. Anton Vroland, State school, Elmore, as country members. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. G. Coghill expressed the opinion that the Club should abandon the present system of election by ballot for the inclusion of new members, and elect on a show of hands. The system of election by ballot was cumbersome, and occupied far too much time. On the motion of Mr. Coghill, seconded by Mr. A. D. Hardy, the matter was referred to the committee for consideration. REMARKS BY EXHIBITORS. Mr. F. Pitcher drew attention to a flowering spray of Twisted Acacia, or Lightwood, Acacia implexa, from an aged tree near the Park-street gate of the Botanic Gardens. The tree, which was at present an object of interest to the visitors to the Gardens, had never bloomed so freely as at present. It was simply one mass of trusses of pale lemon flowers, and since the recent rains more foliage and blooms had been put forth. Mr. P. R. H. St. John said he was exhibiting, on behalf of the Curator of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, samples of crude oil derived from cultivated plants in the Gardens. The crude oil of Eucalyptus occidentalis was distilled on 2/2/16, and that from Calythrix Sullivani on 7/2/16. The sample of oil labelled Eucalyptus coriacea, var. alpina, was obtained from material collected by Dr. W. H. Green in the Bright district in December, 1915, and distilled on 3/2/16. In every instance the samples shown constituted a first record of the extraction of oil from the species mentioned. The exhibit by Miss A. Fuller of a variegated form of Eucalyptus coriacea was, he said, unique. Heretofore he had only known this peculiarity to have evidenced itself in Eucalyptus viminalis and Eucalyptus amygdalina. Mr. J. Stickland directed attention to his exhibit, under the microscope, of the rotifer Limnias ceratophylli, which now occurs in extraordinary abundance in the Botanic Gardens lakes. The fan-shaped cluster shown contained forty individuals attached to one original tube. Mr. C. Daley said that among the geological specimens he exhibited were samples, in the rough and polished state, of marble from Buchan and Toongabbie, Gippsland, and Angaston, South Australia. The Angaston marble is being used in the erection ot the Commonwealth offices in the Strand, London. I he rough and polished specimens of serpentine were from Mount Wellington, Gippsland, and (he corundum and slate. showing graptolites, were from 1 he same locality. 156 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vol?XXxil. PAPER READ. By Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue, entitled "Rambles in Raak." The author gave a very interesting description of a fort- night's collecting in the Mallee, about 40 miles south of Mildura, during October last, in the course of which a large variety of natural history objects were met with. Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., said the author had contributed a very useful paper, by reason of the fact that he had touched upon a variety of subjects. Since the plants collected during the trip had been submitted for verification to the National Herbarium, the botanical references would be of considerable value. NATURAL HISTORY NOTE. An interesting natural history note on the Sydney Crayfish, Palinurus Hiigeli, Heller, was contributed by Mr. H. \V. Davey, F.E.S., who said : — Last week I received from Portland a crayfish that was quite unknown to the local fishermen. It was taken in the craypots in the ordinary way. and it was suggested that it was a new species. I found, on examination, that it was the Sydney Crayfish, Palinurus Hugeli, Heller. This is of interest, as I believe this to be a new locality for this species, and it is also. I understand, the farthest west it has yet been recorded from. The late Professor M'Coy. in his " Zoology of Victoria." writes of this species as follows : — "It is so rare south of New South Wales thai I have only seen one (now in Museum here, and figured in the 'Prodromus,' vol. ii., pi. 149) and heard of another caughl on the Victorian coasl near the Porl Phillip Heads." EXHIBITS. By Mr. C. Daley, F.L.S. — Marble from Buchan, Past Gipps- land. and Angaston, South Australia, rough and polished : serpentine and corundum with slate, from Mount Wellington, Central Gippsland ; marble from Toongabbie, Gippsland. I1.- Miss A. Fuller. Variegated form of Eucalyptus coriacea, ( nun. : photograph of Hydrangea, 8| feel in heighl and 15 feet in diameter, growing at Paddington, Sydney, N.SAV. By Mi- P G. O'Donoghue. Arrow-shaped crystals oi gypsum (sulphate ol lime), from Raak, Mildura district. By Mr. I). J. Paton, Bendigo. Flowering specimens of / wcarpos afhytta, Ifunnti ozothamnoides, Brachyloma ciliatum, Acacia implexa, and Eucalyptus leucoxylon, from the Whipstick 1 1. neai Bendi • ■ By Mr. F. Pit* her, on behali ol I iiratoi ol Melbourne Botani< Gardens.- Blooms ol rwisted Acacia or Lightwood, Acacia implexa, from Melbourne Botani< Gardens, 1^Iairg,l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. I 57 By Mr. P. R. H. St. John.— Oils distilled at Melbourne Botanic Gardens, as mentioned in remarks on exhibits. By Mr. J. Stickland. — Under microscope, rotifer, Limnias ceratophylla, from Botanic Gardens lake. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. EXCURSION TO THE DEE VALLEY AND BEN CAIRN. This excursion, arranged so as to include the Foundation Day holiday, was unfortunately marred by inclement weather — an unusual occurrence for the end of January. Another dis- appointing circumstance was that the leader, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, owing to business matters, was unable to take part in the trip, but he made up for his absence by providing us with sketch maps of the district and a suggested programme, and also arranged for accommodation at West Warburton. Steady rain set in on Friday, 28th January, and continued next day, with the result that only three members left town by the early afternoon train. On arrival at West Warburton the few remaining hours of daylight were spent along the banks of the Yarra, where the creamy flowers of the Prickly Box, Bursaria spinosa, provided a pretty sight. Steady rain still continued on Sunday morning, and, though close at hand, Ben Cairn was quite blotted out from view. It was therefore determined to follow up Yankee Jim's Creek towards Old Warburton. Along the road many familiar plants and shrubs were met with, but none of them was in bloom. On the way a Spine-billed Honey- eater, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, was captured, benumbed by the cold and dripping with rain. Following down Backstairs Creek towards Warburton, it was noticeable that, notwith- standing the rain, there was less water in the stream than when visited twelve months before, in the midst of a dry spell. A link along the Yarra was taken for a little way, and then 11k- road through Millgrove was followed to our starting-place, West Warburton. In the afternoon a visit was paid to the Britannia Falls. On the way back Mr. Cuming was kind enough to show us over the wood distillation works, and explain tin methods adopted in obtaining numerous useful products from condemned eucalyptus timber from the clearings on the hill- sides, which would otherwise be wasted. The practice is. instead oi selecting only the trees suitable for saw-milling, to entirely clear the ground of all the timber, the best trees being senl to the sawmill and the rest to the chemical works. By tins plan it has been found that the forest has a better chance of reproducing itself, and there is less litter. On Monday morning (31st) Ben Cairn stood out boldly, and, though rain 158 Excursion lo the Dee Valley and Ben Cairn [vd?xxxii. still fell at intervals, we determined to try and reach the top, 3,400 feet above sea-level, so made an early start. Crossing the Yarra by the bridge near the spot where the Dee adds its contribution to the main stream, we followed up the Dee for a short distance, then, striking westerly, followed a tram track for about two miles, when a marked track was followed to the top. About half a mile up the tram track the new O'Shannassy aqueduct was crossed. From there on we passed through, and sometimes above, magnificent fern gullies. One very fine one contained many splendid specimens of the Myrtle Beech, Notofagus (Fagus) Citnninghami, which alone were worth the climb. The track then became very steep, and before reaching the top half a mile or so of the Christmas-bush, Prostanthe)\i lasianthos, in full bloom, was traversed, which, though slightly past its best, was exceedingly beautiful. Here the rasping cry of the Gang-Gang Cockatoo was heard, and on reaching the top many of the birds were seen, their red heads rendering them conspicuous. By this time the rain had cleared off, and. except towards Donna Buang, the splendid view was unspoiled. lo the east the Baw Baws were sharply defined. Mounts Baw Baw, Mueller, and Erica being easily picked out. with another range showing up behind them. The Yarra valley could be traced for miles, while the townships of Millgrove, Warburton, and Yarra Junction lay spread out below us. Here we missed the topographical knowledge of our intended leader in naming the various ranges in view. It would he a distinct advantage to tourists visiting this rock, which is undoubtedly the finesl view-point in the district, il a direction plate, similar to that on Flinders Peak, at the You Yangs, were provided for their information. Few flowers beyond those mentioned were noticed, the season being well advanced. A number of birds were noted, among which tin- following may he mentioned:— Brown Hawk. Gang-Gang Cockatoo, Sacred Kingfisher, Kooka- burra, Blue Wren, Flame-breasted Robin, Yellow Robin, White- browed Wood-Swallow, Pennant's Parrakeet, Rosella Parrot, Pallid Cuckoo, and Black-and-white Fantail. Gertrude M. T. Nil H I EM OTE. K woakoos. That von ng Victorians have considerable diffi- culty in seeing kangaroos in a wild state seems contrary, at any iate. to the prevailing conclusions of people in the old country, In recenl "Note-, for Boys," in the Argus, a corresponded reports seeing in January hall a dozen full-grown kangaroos aboul z\ mil. '.• I ..! Wall. in Furthei atield correspondents report kangaroos between Outtrimand Inverloch, Upper Maffra, and Yai ram. f^'l Rosenhain, A Naturalist in Java. 159 A NATURALIST IN JAVA. By O. W. Rosenhain. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 13th Dec, 1915.) If I were asked where was the Garden of Eden, I should say in Java — this wonderland region of never-failing delight to the lover of natural beauty. Nature has been so profuse in her gifts in this beauty land that the struggle for existence plays a very unimportant part in the life and cares of the natives ; excess of wealth is of very little benefit, and fashions do not exist. There is almost too much to be admired in Java, and one carries away a realization that he has seen a number of the most beautiful spots on earth, but lacks distinct remembrance of the details of any one of them. Java has an area of about 50,000 square miles calculated on latitude and longitude, but in reality the area is much greater, the mountains being many and steep, the soil rich ; cultivation is carried on almost to the very highest point, which adds many hundreds, if not thousands, of square miles. Roughly, there are 8,000,000 acres under cultivation, of which 3^ millions are rice, 2 millions sugar ; the balance is made up of coffee, tea, tapioca, rubber, &c, &c. The teak forests cover about i\ million acres; cutting is limited, and replanting a condition. The seasons are the west monsoon (this is the wet period), from December to April, and the dry season or south-east monsoon is from May to November, and, I think, is certainly the besl and most comfortable time to travel. In the rainy season the rain comes down in sheets. The one outstanding feature throughout Java to the naturalist and observer is the appreciation of the Dutch authorities to the value of trees. On landing at the Inst port, Soerabaya, the Large tamarind and kanaii trees along the sheets cannot but arrest one's attention. The days are always hot, and driving under these avenues of shade trees (from 50 to 100 feet high, meeting at the top) is most agreeable and delightful, and so it is from one end of the island to the other. In the cities of Soerabaya and Djokja I saw the largesl shade trees I have ever seen. I have never seen a picture oi a tree that could convey to me any idea of the size of those to be seen in these two cities. In Soerabaya, about 200 yards from my hotel were kanari trees, tamarinds, and Ficiis elastica of which I could not gauge or estimate the height ; a large and tall flag-pole at the side of one of the trees in the Governor's residence grounds was barely more than a quarter of the height of the tree (Ficus elastica). Not only were they high, but tin spread was enormous ; a hundred people could easily sit under 160 Rosenhain, A Naturalist in Java. [voixj Nat. XXII. its shade at any time of the day. The post-office is also sur- rounded by immense kanari. Along the streets in this quarter the tamarinds are enormous. The beauty of all these trees is that they arc green all the year. It is almosl impossible to photograph them ; they are too immense. The added beauty of these trees is that they are useful. The kanari has a nut kernel like an almond, just as large, but of a more deli' ate taste, and is much sought by the Javanese ; the tamarind is also an article of commerce, while the Ficus elastica is the native rubber-tree. Besides these shad" t . . js there are the waringin trees, probably belonging to the banyan family, which also grow to an enormous size. In front of our hotel in Weltev-reden is one such tree, which completely shuts out any sighl of the large buildings behind. This tree could certainly shelter the in- habitants of a fair-sized village. In such a wonderland as Java one can only see a few oul oi the hundreds oi places worth visiting. Java is lavishly endowed with every form of luxurious vegetation, and is capable oi cultivation to the highest degree. Two or three crops pei year can be gathered from the fertile soil by employing a system of rotation encouraged by the Dutch. [ava is the home oi tropical vegetation. There are rare specimens of flora and fauna to attraci botanists and zoologists. volcanoes and othei phenomena to interesi geologists, racial Governmental problems for students oi colonial administration, mined temples to occupy the attention of the archaeologist, big game for hunting, novel scenes and objects to busy the sighl seer, i oll< < tor, or photographer. The jungle in Java is intensely beautiful. No photograph, sketch, or description can adequately picture the mysterious nature oi the jungle magnificenl trees, giants oi the forests, creepers which climb from tree to tree with large, variegated leaves, rattans which attain a length oi .1 hundred yards, and probably grow several in< hes in a day, wonderful orchids, palms. tree-ferns, flame-trees, &c, &c. The scene is bewildering. There is an atm oi ind< 1 ribable something in this dense and almosl impenetrable foresi ; the beaut} oi the scene, the marvellous wealth oi nature, absolutely carry one away for the time being. On one occasion, while travelling in the train, ■ oi flame-trees in flower (Flantboyane). \ t.n as one could see there was one mass oi large, brighl red flowers. I In- tn-e- were all about 12 feel high, and this mass .,l red carpel can bettei 1"- Imagined than described. It took the train twenty minutes to pass this beauty spot. Wild- flow* rs, however, are few, hence the absence oi coloui ; in fact, Java is very poorly endowed with flowers "l any kind. Mar . '9 £•] Rosenhain, A Naturalist in Java. 161 The finest railway scenery I have ever seen from a carriage window in any part of the world is the ride from Djokja to Tjibatoe, and I cannot imagine anything finer to be seen any- where. From Tissakmalaya the train commences its run of about ioo miles through the Preanger Ranges ; higher and higher it climbs, over embankments and bridges and viaducts, stretched at a dizzy height, rounding sharp curves, cutting on the edge of mountains, looking down 1,500 feet into rocky ravines, rushing streams, and forests and cultivations in the distance. Everything in the landscape is beautiful, strange, and typical of the wonderland of beauty ; every moment brings some new thrill of pleasure. There are fifteen active and about seventy extinct volcanoes in Java. I visited the active crater Bromo. To see this crater, which is 8,000 feet above sea-level, one leaves Tosari, 6,000 feet above sea-level, a sanatorium about 90 miles from Soerabaya. in the Tengger Mountains, at 4.30 a.m., on ponies, which are sure-footed, but otherwse badly trained, for the natives have no idea of handling horses. As the sun rises at 6 a.m., and there is only ten minutes or so of dawn, we were well on our way of fifteen miles before we could see where we were. The mountains here, as all over Java, are very steep ; it was one continuous up-and-down on corduroy road. From the top of the Moenggal Pass (ten miles from Tosari), 8,200 feet above sea-levei, the most extraordinary panorama probably in the world is unfolded bsfore you, awe-inspiring in its grandeur. A thousand feet below is the Sandsea. probably a sunken crater ; then follows one crater alter another, and in the distance, towering above all others, stands Smero, rising to a height oi 12,000 feet, still smouldering. This is the highest mountain in Java. The grim grandeur and uncanny beauty of tin's strange landscape are bewildering : there is probably no more extraordinary panorama oi volcanic scenery anywhere. There is such a fantastic formation, such weird colouring, such an absence oi what one is accustomed to — a constant reminder of the mysterious working of a tremendous bidden force — that it is difficult to realize where yon arc The day of our visit was perfect. Standing on the edge of the crater, we could see, 800 feet below, the pit from which sulphur and sulphur fumes were bursting forth : the rumbling noise, the loud reports, the shaking of the ground beneath us, were fearsome. The scene is wonderfully impressive, and brings one to a realization of the fact that these monsters are responsible alike' for the extraordinary richness of the soil and lor those eruptions which take place at long intervals, and without warning lay desolate the valleys around them. The temple Boro Boedoer, or the " Shrine ol Many 162 Rosi miain, A Naturalist in Java. [vIlxxxh. Buddhas." is supposed to have been built to shelter some portion of the ashes of Buddha, and was built about 1,100 years ago. To appreciate such a structure one should give days to its study. In a rapid survey much of the very best is certain to be passed unseen. The temple consists of five square terraces enclosing galleries of bas-reliefs. There are niches every lew feet, with life-size images of Buddha: above these are three circular terraces with latticed dagobas, each enclosing an image of Buddha. There are, in all. 72 dagobas; the top or crowning dagoba is 168 I t in circumference. All the stone used in the temple was cul to shape and then placed in position, no binding, such as mortar or cement, being used. The figures portrayed on the walls of galleries are scenes depicting every phase of life and action : similar scenes may still be seen in Java to-day. Kings, nobles, dancing girls, palace women. peasants and fishermen, elephants, horses, deer, sheep, buffaloes, goats, pigs, rats, cats, camels, monkeys, crocodiles, peacocks, doves, swans, ducks, chariots, ploughs, musical instruments, ships, and hundreds of other things are depicted here in a way that is wonderfully lifelike and true. The Javanese were Buddhists, but are now Mohammedans. The temple is 480 feel square and [30 feet high. The view from the top is grand and glorious- almost overwhelming. There is something sad in contemplating all this wealth of art that represents a civilization ol bygone ages. It seems to be the same old story oi the expansion ol one to the detrimenl oi the other, and the inevitable sequel oi defeal and destruction. II these galleries oi reliefs were placed in one line they would reai h about five miles. It is a pity no reliable information can be obtained about the ruins ol the water-castle oi Djokja, an old and interesting palace which mus1 have been luxurious to excess. From the state oi the ruins, one would think it to be a thousand years old. There are extensive grounds enclosed in its walls ol six feel thi( k ; there are subtei ranean p wii h watei v. dungeons, and hiding places, baths, palaces, pavilions, arches, waterfalls, &c. There is an ail oi mystery, a certain fascination, about this old ruined palace thai makes one wish to know its whole history. The only information I could gathei was thai it was destroyed by an earthquake in 18(17. The Buitenzorg gardens have an ana ol about 45 acres, and without doubl contain the finesl collection ol tropical palm-. orchids, &c, to be found anywhere. There are aboul 620 differenl varieties ol palm-, ol which aboul 430 are bom the Dutch Indies, the balance being from othei parts oi the world. There are 26 varieties oi baml -. and aboul 60 varietii banana-. Some oi the bamboos [gigantea) grow to an immense Mar--] Rosenhain, A Naturalist in Java. 163 1916 J J u height and thickness. Water-lilies, nymphaeas, and the Victoria regia can be seen to perfection. The collection of orchids is very large, but at the time of my visit there were not many in flower. One of the sights of the gardens is the wonderful kanari avenue ; these trees are about 100 feet high, giving a refreshing shade the whole day. The stems of these trees are quite overgrown with creepers of a variety of foliage. [The paper was illustrated by a large number of tine lantern slides depicting the various places mentioned. — Ed. Vict. Nat.\ CORRESPONDENCE. DISEASE AMONG WILD DUCKS. To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. Sir, — In the February number of the Victorian Naturalist I read with interest the note, " Disease among Wild Ducks," in which the editor of the Victorian Poultry Journal puts the mortality among the wild ducks down to an outbreak of fowl cholera. I have never heard of tbis disease attacking wild fowl, and would call your attention to the report of the Chief of the Biological Survey, U.S. Dept. Agr., Washington, 1915. There an account is given of the epidemic among the wild fowl in the vicinity of the Great Salt Lake, Utah, for several years. In 1912 nearly 45,000 dead ducks were picked up on one marsh. The birds become more or less paralyzed, lose the power of flight, and gradually weaken until they die. Investigations showed that the ducks frequenting the shallow water were the lust to he affected, and that if given fresh water they recovered ; out of 586 treated with clean water, 426 recovered. He says : " Further experiments and observations seem to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the trouble arises from the presence in the water of an alkali that is absorbed through the alimentary tanal in fatal quantities." Is it not quite probable that similar conditions may exist in your Victorian lakes and swamps, and some mineral in the water causes the mortality ? — Yours truly, WALTER W. FROGGATT. Sydney, 18th February. E916. In the Press.— The announcement is made oi a volume dealing with the lives and habits of Australian insects, entitled " The World of Little Lives." It is from the pen of Gladys H. Froggatt, and is to be well illustrated. We hope to be able to give fuller details next month. i') I Audas, I Trip to Mount Beenak. [voi.xxxi GLIMPSES EN PASSANT ON A TRIP TO MOUNT BEENAK. By J. W. Audas, F.L.S. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 10th Jan., 1916.) With pleasant recollections of a botanizing trip to the Beenak district, and thinking that a second visit to the locality, in the mosl favourable season known for many years for wild-flowers, might be productive oi good results, I took advantage of a few days' leisure last October to again visit that portion of the State. Leaving Melbourne by the morning train on Friday, the 22nd October. Pakenham (35 miles) was made the starting- point oi a ten days' trip. The morning was an ideal one, and as the train steamed along towards my destination the pro- fusion oi wild-flowers in the railway enclosures engendered an expectation oi a generous harvest on the mountains. On leaving Pakenham my route lay over land timbered with the Swamp Gum, Eucalyptus paludosa, Apple Gum, /•. . Stuartiana, and Narrow-leaved Peppermint, E. amygdalina, while here and there isolated trees oi Acacia mollissima were conspicuous by their abundance of golden blossoms. The ground was profusely carpeted with native and exotic plants, owing to the extraordinarily favourable season. Among othei flowers, Helichrysum apiculatum, Hypericum japonicum, W ahlenbergia gracilis, Gnaphalium purpureum, G. luteo-album, Ajuga australis, Mazus Pumilio, Sebaa ovata, Erythrcea auslralis, and Veronica gracilis predominated; mention should also be mad< oi Pelargonium australe, a pretty little plant with a dainty perfume. In cultivated places the familiar Plantago lanceolata, or Rib-grass, was found to be producing its "soldiers" by the thousand, and many "t the flower-stems showed a proliferous growth. Equally abundant was the common wayside weed, Hypocharis radicata, which gave quite a golden colour to the land. Nearing the Koo-wee<-rup Swamp. 1 noticed thai the beds oi om< oi the 1 reeks were literally 1 hoked with the Giani Arrow- grass, Triglochin procera, Streaked Arrow-grass, T. striata, Floating Pond-weed, Potamogeton natans, Watei Buttercup, Ranunculus aquatilis, Stout Water-Milfoil, Myriophyllum variifolium, and Round Water-Starwort, CaUUriche Muelleri, while in partially dried up <>i shallow pooh, often known as "slacks," Mi' vegetation was in profusion, such plants as Villarsia reniformis, Polygonum minus, Lythrum Hyssopifolia, Epilobium pallidiflorum, Hydrocotyle hirta, II. asiatica, Lobelia anceps, and Claytonia australasica abounding. Orchids which delight in moist situations were growing very luxuriantly. These comprised Diuris pedunculata, I), punctata, Microtis f"j*] Audas, A Trip to Mount Beenak. 165 strata, and M. porrifolia, which bears a dense spike of small green flowers : the tubers of the latter species are sweet and edible, and are much sought after by children, who dig them out in a similar manner to the tubers of the Native Yam. Microseris Forsteri. The original settlement of the swamp was confined to the land adjoining the main drain, but it has since extended in every direction, so that there is now very little of the swamp remaining in an unprofitable state. The present satisfactory condition has been achieved by the energy and efforts of the settlers, who have contended against much adversity in the past. Occasionally the fruits of a season's toil have been ruined by floods, but that is now of rare occurrence. The area of the swamp is about 90,000 acres, the soil being of a black peaty quality, very porous, and easily worked, but requiring a large rainfall on account of its friable nature. The bulk of the land is devoted to agriculture, and good crops of potatoes and onions are grown. Rape does wonderfully well ; it enriches the ground and is a splendid fodder for sheep. Mere and there are several sand-ridges, and many of these are uncultivated and left tor shelter belts for stock, as the original vegetation, comprising Eucalyptus paludosa, E. Stuartiana, Acacia melan- oxylon, A. decurrens, Melaleuca squarrosa, M. ericifolia, Leptosperutum scoparium. Viminaria denudata, Olearia [Aster) ramulosa, Lomandra (Xerotes) longifolia, Gahnia psittacorum Pteris aquilina, and Arundo Phragmites, has not been disturbed. Tlie channel is twenty-four miles long, and, traversing ii foi some distance, a number oi comfortable homesteads are passed. Near Cora Lynn two introduced shrubs — the African Boxthorn, Lyciurn horridunt, and Calycotome spino$a, each having Ion:;, formidable -looking spines— are spreading along the banks ol the stream, probably originally planted in the district for hedge purposes. The banks of the channel become gradually steepei from tona onwards, and the vegetation is more varied and plentiful, consisting chiefly "I Pomaderris apetala, Melaleuca ericifolia, Eucalyptus paludosa, E. Stuartiana, Acacia decurrens, A. mollissima, A. verticillata, A. stricta, Spyridium parvifolium, and Restio tetraphyllus. Willows have been planted heir. probably to prevent erosion. A short distance beyond the township o\ Bunyip the waters from the Rivers Tarago and Bunyip join the channel. The soil in this portion is especially rich, and products abundant crops oi cereals. Leaving the swamp and working my way in a north-westerlj direction, the vegetation passed through is mostly represented by Correa, Hakea, Acacia. Melaleuca, Leucopogon, Lepto- spermum, Platylobium, Pultenaea, and shrubby eucalypts. At Garfield the Black Twig-rush, Gahnia Radula, grows plenti- 1 66 A.UDAS, A Trip to Mount Beenak. [voi.xx Vicl . N;it. XII. fully, and is used largely for layering the bricks at Jefferson's brick and agricultural pipe works. The farmers in the district also use it for thatching their haystacks, and it makes excellent brooms. The Small Grass-tree, Xanthorrhcea minor, was in full bloom, and some of the plants bore as many as six and eight spikes of flower-heads. Bees are fond of these flowers, which seem to be of a very melliferous nature. Gnaphalium candidissimunt, an introduction from South Africa, was spreading rapidly, while in the railway enclosure the Kangaroo-grass, Anihistiria imberbis, claimed almost entire monopoly. In the scrub adjoining the road Cassinia aculeata forms almost im- penetrable areas. As you fight your way through, minute hairlets are freed from the bushes, which, on getting into one's throat or nostrils, set up a most unpleasant irritation. Men, when clearing this scrub, have occasionally become covered with a skin rash as a result of close contact, and been compelled to discontinue. It is locally known as "Cauliflower Bush," the flowers being usually white, but sometimes pink flowers are met with. In the open country, herbaceous plants such as Brachycotne graminea, Microseris Forsteri, Helichrysum scorpioides, Bur- chardia umbellata, Podol&pis acuminata, Chameescilla corymbosa, and Ranunculus lappaceus were thriving well. Here the grass land was covered with innumerable little gems, so minute as to be almosl imperceptible. Ol these the mosl interesting were Utricularia lateriflora, Rutidosis Puntilo, PhyUoglossum Drum- mondii, Levenhookia dubia, Mitrasacme paradoxa, Stylidium (Candollea) despectum, S. perpusillum, Aphelia Pumilio, Drosera glanduligera, and I), pygmcea the leaves ol the lattei being bright red in colour. The Nai Nar Goon State school is about ,i mile from the township, and in the school-grounds two fine specimens ol the Crimson Bottle-brush, Callistemon lanceolatus, were in lull bloom, their large, brush-like spikes ol rich crimson flowers showing up prominently. This plant grows abundantly in it- natural habitat, Easl Gippsland, and on the coach drive from Bruthen to Buchan it is a fine sighl during the months <>t Octobei and November. On the north side ol Nai Nai Goon there are several hedges ol the Kangaroo Acacia, Acacia artnata, and. although this is a proclaimed plant, and indigenous to Victoria, our would not wish to see a finei hedge when well trimmed. A' thi Araral < reels great numbers ol Bell-birds or Bell Miners, Manor hina melanophrys, weir sen flitting among the eucalyptus >aplings and enlivening the surroundings with theii musical note-. Here - coloui was given to the scene by the wealth ol the cleai yellow flowers ol Senecio lautus, var. lanceolatus. rhe Native Heath, Epacris impressa, was blooming freely in different shades ol colour pink, white, and •y^'] Audas, A Trip to Mount Beenak. 167 crimson. Lcptospermitm myrsinoides and Pultencea scabra added their colour to the scene, and smaller plants, such as Stylidiitin (Candollca) graminifolium and Brunonia australis, were con- spicuous by their pink and blue flowers, while Correa speciosa, with its long, tubular corolla, was in quantity, an occasional specimen of the variety normalis being met with. About a mile further on the North Nar Nar Goon State school is situated, and in the vicinity of the building wild-flowers grow in great profusion. It gave me pleasure to spend half a day with the children of this school, collecting wild-flowers in the neighbourhood, and upwards of eighty species of plants were gathered during the afternoon, chief of which were the beautiful White Iris, Diplarrhena Morcea, with its large, showy flower-heads. Patersonia longiscapa and P. glauca, with purple and pale indigo flowers respectively, were plentiful, but they wither rapidly after gathering. Stypandra ccespitosa, a densely- tufted plant with pale yellow flowers, was met with, also Utricidaria dichotoma and U. lateriflora ; the latter, with its small pinkish-purple flowers, could be counted by the hundred. Dianella longifolia, with its long, narrow, flax-like leaves and spreading inflorescence, and Sprengelia incarnata, with its pretty racemes of pinkish flowers, abounded everywhere. Comesperma ericinum, a pretty shrub with dark pink flowers. showed up well, while another species of this genus, C. volubile, was climbing over the undergrowth, the flower having three petals of a delicate blue, resembling the keel of a legume. Orchids collected represented twenty-seven species, among them being Thelymitra flexuosa, with its fragrantly-perfumed Mowers, T. longifolia, in colours pink and blue, and in appearance very like a hyacinth ; Caleana major, with rich maroon flowers, resembling a wild duck in flight ; Diuris maculata, with pretty flowers richly marked with dark brown spots : and I), punctata, with its beautiful blue or purplish flowers. On the hills from here onward larger trees are met with, and several sawmills are busily engaged cutting them into fruit cases. One mill had an order from a local orchardist for one hundred thousand cases. Banksia collina, sometimes tailed Native Honeysuckle, grows very plentifully hereabouts, its long black styles forming very conspicuous objects in the flowering stage, and equally plentiful was the pretty shrub Grevillea alpina. Three leguminous shrubs which grow freely in these parts bad just passed their flowering period, and were laden with fruit- pods ; they were Tndigofera australis, a handsome shrub that bears clusters of pretty lilac flowers, A cacia suaveolens, locally known as Wallaby-bush, and Goodia lotifolia, a tall shrub with bright yellow flowers Bauer a rubioides, sometimes called Native Rose, is, as usually met with, a pretty little 1 68 Audas, A Trip io Mount Beenak. [voKXXXli trailing shrub with slender, wiry stems, often supporting itself among the undergrowth ; but here, under favourable conditions, it formed a mass of wiry scrub, which was almost impossible to break through. Three species of Cassytha are prevalent in the scrub, being all leafless, wiry parasites that attach them- selves to living plants, and form string-like tangles on trees and shrubs, having no connection with the ground, but winding themselves over the bushes of their hosts. The larger species is Cassytha pubescens, which is rather coarse, bearing a black berry, and usually spreading over eucalypt saplings, completely tangling them with its cord-like growths. ('. melantha is the commonest, and very often found on Acacia dealbata and other shrubs. It frequently forms a dense mass, covering the bushes with its leafless, thread-like stems ; it has a round, green berry, which is edible. C. glabella is more slender and spreading, growing usually on small shrubs, and bearing quantities ol reddish berries. Where a fire had previously gone through the forest, destroying much valuable timber and many beautiful tree-ferns and silver wattles, the Giani Mountain-grass. Glyceria (Port) dives, had made a prolific growth ; the young shoots of this grass are excellent Iced for stock, but it becomes very rank and harsh when old. Goodenia ovata, Senecio velleyoides, and S. australis had grown robustly, and these conditions seemed favourable to the Hare Orchid. Caladenia Menziesii, and also Stackhousia linarifolia, with its handsome spikes of perfume- spreading flowers. Around Gembrook the timber has been cleared and most of the land cultivated: the soil is of good quality, being of volcanic character. From this township a good road leads right to the top of Mount Beenak, .1 distance of about fourteen miles. /:;; route a pretty sight was presented al M'Crae's * by the line, tall bushes ot the handsome leguminous shrub Oxylobium alpestre, which were a dazzling ma-. -1 orange- yellow flowers. This i~- an erect shrub of bom ten to twenty feel in height, with lanceolate leaves between two and three inches in length, and is well worthy ot garden cultivation. Hen also Zieria Smithii, Kunzea peduncularis, and the scrambling shrub Olearia [Aster) stellulata, var. lira/a, were covered with white flowers. Rambling along the road, a wealth o1 vegetation was revealed, the hillsides presenting a 1 charming scene, being covered with the golden-yellov flowers oi Pultencea mollis, the pinkish-mauve flowers ol Tetratheca ciliata, tin large white flowers ot Olearia (Aster) stellulata, -^\'\ the rose-coloured flowers and also the white variety ot Bauer a rubioides. These wen- blended in perfeel harmony, and formed ontrasl to the dull-coloured granito boulders that wry numerous here. The track wind up through a 1 Mar;>] Audas, A Trip to Mount Beenok. 169 iqi6 j ' ~ * composed of such eucalypts as the Red Stringybark, E. macrorrhyncha, Messmate, E. obliqua, Apple Gum, /:. Stuartiana, Silvertop, E. Sieberiana, Grey Gum, E. goniocalyx, and Narrow- leaved Peppermint, E. amygdalina, while the great variety of shrubby plants met with makes it highly interesting to the collector. These shrubs reach a height of six to eight feet, and are interspersed with taller shrubs of the genera Casuarina, Exocarpus, Panax, Hakea, Persoonia, PimeJea, Pultenaea, Acacia, and Bursaria. On a steep portion of the hillside, at an elevation of about 1,500 feet, some interesting plants, such as Hibbertia Billardieri, Acacia myrtifolia, Dillwynia ftoribunda, D. corymbosa, Daviesia ulicina, Acrotriche serrulata, var. ventricosa, Pultencea vilhsa, P. daphnoides, Astrotricha ledifolia, Platylobium formosum, P. obtusangulum, Pimelea ligustrina, P. jiava, P. linifolia, Brachycomc scapiformis, and Cynoglossum suaveolens arrest attention ; the last-named is a dwarl perennial, with an intensely fragrant perfume. Reaching Basin's — or what is marked on Broadbent's map as Sharp's Corner — the elevation is just about 2,000 feet. Here, on both sides of the hill, the Tomahawk and M'Crae Creeks take their rise, and flow in a westerly direction, eventually forming tributaries of the Yarra. Tin-mining in a desultory manner is carried on along the M'Crae Creek, the fossickers just about making ends meet, although the price of tin has now advanced to £173 per ton. The method of working these tin deposit- is to search the drifts and sluice the soil. The black variety of the mineral tourmaline is frequently found associated with tin deposits, both lode and alluvial, but it is of no commercial value. Crystallized quartz is also found, and I obtained several specimens of these crystals along the stream. Vigilant search ha- been made in this locality lor the metals molybdenite ami wolfram, hut so far without success. Hereabouts grew some particularly well-shaped trees of the Hickory Wattle, Acacia penninervis, which very much resembles it-, congener, the Golden Wattle, A. pyenantha, and is frequently mistaken for it. Continuing in a north-easterly direction for some miles, Gray's Corner is reached, the elevation here being about 2,500 feet. These heights are the source oi several streams: the Latrobe, Tarago, and Bunyip flow southward, while the Little Yarra and other creeks How swiftly down the steep hill- sides in an opposite direction, and are eventually losl in the • aim waters of the Yarra. From here a splendid view oi Longwarry and the surrounding distrij Lomaria discolor made pleasing contrast to the richer tones of L. capensis, which looked very handsome with its dark, glossy green foliage and its young fronds of reddish-bronze colour, while, hanging from the moist rocks, the Wire Fern, Gleichcnia dicarpa, added a very pleasing effect. In very moist and secluded places the brown trunks of Dicksouiti antarctica were covered with the tender green moss, Cyathophorum pennatunt, and masses of the small epiphytal ferns Triclwmancs venosum and Asplenium flaccidwn. Working my way through the dense thickets of Christmas- bush, Prostanthera lasianthos, and Hazel, Pomaderris apetala, towards the head of the Bun yip River, a wealth of vegetation was revealed, and several plants of interest were met with — viz., Phebalium (Eriostemon) bilobum, a rutaceous shrub with white flowers and very strong-smelling leaves ; Coprosma Billardieri, a shrub producing red berries ; Panax sambucifolius, a tree "1 very variable foliage, and, though no1 in flower, nevertheless very ornamental: the Native Musk-tree, Olcaria {Aster) argophylla, one of the few plants of the Composite ordei attaining the dignity of a tree ; Plagianthus pulchellus and Pimelea axiflora. both furnishing useful fibre of great strength and durability; Sambucus Gaudichaudiana, an herbaceous perennial, two to three feet in height, with showy heads of white flowers; and Solatium avictdare, a pretty shrub ol Ave to ten feel in height, bearing an abundance ol large blue flowers; while robust growths oi Tecoma austral is. var. Latrobei, a woody climber with pretty flowers "I a rich cream colour, spotted inside with carmine, were frequently mel with. Near the head ol the 3tream a pretty cascade "l some fifteen to twenty feel in heighl came in view, and righl a1 the water's edge the massive trunks and gigantic fronds ol the King Fern, Todea barbara, attained perfection. Flourishing neai by were the Blanket-wood, Bedfordia salicina [Senecio Bedfordii), Austral Mulberry, Hedycarya Cunninghami, Mountain Pepper, Drimys aromatica, Mutton-wood, Myrsine variabilis, < heesewood, Pittosporutn bicolor, and Rough ( oprosma, ( oprosma hirtella, while Lyonsia straminea entwined the tall Blackwoods, and Mar.,1 Audas, A Trip to Mount Beenak. 171 1916 J ' r Clematis aristata festooned many of the smaller trees with its handsome white flowers. On the summit of the mount a saw- mill is situated, and is working upon the huge forest of Mountain Ash, Eucalyptus regnans, which is the principal timber tree. One particularly fine specimen measured sixty feet in circum- ference at six feet from the ground. A timber tramway, having some steep gradients and passing over the side of Mount Misery, has been constructed from the mill to Yarra Junction railway station for the purpose of conveying the timber to market. It is interesting to note that there are upwards of two hundred trees in Victoria, from twenty to over three hundred feet in height, and with diameters varying from twelve inches to twenty feet, which may be used for sawmill purposes. The eucalypts are, however, the most useful, and of these there are sixty-three species which are recorded as indigenous to Victoria. Lyre-Birds, often called Pheasants. Menura victories, are fairly numerous in this part of the forest, and the bushmen say that towards the end of September — the nesting period — these birds whistle beautifully, and imitate the Derwent Jackass to perfec- tion, also imitating the sounds of the woodcutter's axe, saw, and wedges. At times the bush resounds with the sharp notes of the Coachwhip-bird, Psophodes crepitans. Descending from Mount Misery, cleared country is met with, and the fine country residence of Mr. F. E. Thonemann is seen, beautifully situated on a commanding elevation. It is sur- rounded by a well-laid-out garden of about four acres, and an additional four acres is devoted to the culture of ornamental shrubs. Water is laid on by means of an hydraulic ram from Hoddle's Creek, about a mile distant, and is lifted five hundred feet. Nestling in the valley is the small settlement of Hazeldene. Here the nursery of Messrs. Errey Bros., the well-known iris growers, is situated. The settlers here suffer somewhat from the depredations of opossums, kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats — the latter being so numerous and destructive thai the Upper Yarra Shire Council pays a bonus of two shillings and sixpence for every wombat scalp secured. Leaving Hazeldene, some wealth of colour was given the scene by the porcelain-blue flowers of Dampiera striata, which were exceptionally fine throughout. Some young plants were secured for home cultivation, and I presented them to the curators of the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Burnley Horti- cultural Gardens, and Alexandra-avenue Gardens. On the wayside some nice specimens of the Potato Orchid, Gastrodia sesamoides, with their dull brown head of flowers, were obtained, and the bright Mowers of the showy Lobelia rhombifolia were vyin^ with those of Gontpholobium Huegelii in glowing yellow and red, while Asterolasia Mueller i {Eriostcmon correifolius), 17- Audas. A Trip to Mount Beenak. [vKcxxii a really beautiful Rutaceous shrub, well worthy of garden culture, exhibited a wealth of pale lemon -coloured flowers. At Slaty Creek, Leptospermum lanigerum, Melaleuca sqitarrosa, Goodenia ovata, and Acacia verticillata blended their colours harmoniously along the banks of the stream, and here the fern Gleichenia flabellata was particularly hue. Nearing Yarra Junction, the beautiful tinges of colour in the young leaves of the eucalypt saplings were most noticeable, varying from green to crimson, bronze, and black. Upwards of one hundred miles of country were traversed during the outing, which, on the whole, was most interesting ; but the numerous fern gullies and charming views met with in the vicinity of Mount Beenak ought to warrant the opening up of this portion of Victoria to tourists and holiday-makers, especially as it is only about fifty miles from the metropolis. Sydney Botanic Gardens and Government Domains. — The report of the Director. Mr. J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., on these institutions for 1914 is to hand, and. as usual, contains a deal of information as to the progress and development of the gardens, herbarium. &c, during the year. A number of illus- trations are given of various improvements, among which we notice an insectarium at the Botanic Gardens, some fine avenues in the Domain, and a view of about a dozen grass tennis courts established on top of the reservoir in Centennial Park ; but perhaps the most useful portion to a non-residenl of Sydney is a contribution by Mr. W. J. Rainbow, F.E.S.. Entomologist to the Australian Museum, Sydney, under the heading oi "Notes <>n tin- Fauna oi the Botanic Gardens." In the previous reporl the mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, and mollusc^ were dealt with : we now have the spiders, myriapods, and insects. Of course, such lists are no1 Likely to I"- i omplete, but, as the references and distribution oi each species are given, they will prove useful to a large circle oi collectors. Could no1 tething on the same lines be compiled E01 the Melbourne Gardens? Hie introduction oi "bubble" Irinking fountains to the Inner Domain is a lead which mighi well be followed in the Melbourne Gardens. The notes from the National Herb- arium show thai good work is being done. 2,725 sheets of nnen- weie added during the ye.11. Ml. A. H. S. Lu< M.A., B.Sc, who 1- in honorary charge oi the marine algae, reports a numbei oi addition- to his department, while the colli I lii hens, fungi, ferns, and mosses are all receiving attentii m ai the hand- oi spei ialists. Cbe Uktorian naturalist. Vol. XXXII.— No. 12. APRIL (5, 1916. No. 388. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday, 13th March, 1916. In the absence of the president, Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., one of the vice-presidents, occupied the chair, and about sixty members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr. F. Lewis, Acting Chief Inspector for Fisheries and Game, inquiring if the Club advocated the inclusion of Wattle - birds and Leatherheads in the whole year list of protected birds. In explanation, the vice-president said the communication from Mr. Lewis was in reply to the hon. secretary's memo- randum of the 3rd inst., wherein the committee advocated the inclusion of Honey-eaters on the list of birds protected for the whole year. The protection at present extended to the Honey- eaters was from the 1st July to 14th February next following". Mr. C. Barrett said the matter of the protection of the Honey- eaters for the whole year had been considered and supported by the Bird Observers' Club. In moving the resolution that Honey-eaters, including the Wattle-birds and Leatherheads, be included on the list of birds protected for the whole year, Mr. P. R. H. St. John con- sidered that Honey-eaters were as deserving of protection as Wood-Swallows. The resolution was seconded by Mr. J. Gabriel, and carried. Mr. F. Beuhne, in response to the chairman's request to express an opinion relative to the usefulness of Honey-caters from a pollination point of view, said that he regretted his inability to enlighten the meeting on the point. In his opinion, Honey-eaters, particularly the White-plumed or " Greenie," were very destru* tiw to bees. If one were to take up a position beneath a flowering eucalypt in which bees and Honey-eaters were foraging he would be astonished to see the number of dead and maimed bees falling from the tree or lying on the ground beneath. He was of opinion that the birds (rushed the bees with their mandibles in their greedy quesl <>l nectar. Mr. C. French supported the views expressed by .Mr. Beuhne. Kl PORT. The president, Dr. C. S. Sutton, gave a report of the ex- cursion to the Zoological Gardens on Saturday, tith March. 174 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings-. [vol"xxxil He said that the afternoon had been an ideal one, and about forty members and visitors were present. The Director, Mr. D. Le Souef, had kindly conducted the party round the Gardens, affording much interesting and instructive information relative to the life-histories or habits of the various animals, birds, or reptiles on exhibition. It wa^ noticeable that the vegetation had greatly improved during recent years. All the animals and birds, &c, appeared to be in first-class condition, and the Gardens, as a whole, were a credit to the Zoological Society and to the Director. At the close of the inspection the party was entertained at afternoon tea by the office-bearers of the Club. Mr. J. Stickland said that the members of the Club in attend- ance at the Zoological Gardens on Saturday last were grateful to the president and committee for the pleasant afternoon they had spent and for the acceptable refreshment at its close. A vote of thanks was moved by the speaker, and carried by acclamation. Mr. F. Pitcher said the Club was deeply indebted to the Director of the Gardens for giving up his time to the members of the party, and for the information so willingly given. He moved that a letter of thanks be forwarded to Mr. Le Souef for the kindness and consideration displayed. The motion was seconded by Mr. 0. W. Kosenhain, and carried. ELECTION OF MEMBER. On a ballot being taken, Mr. E. J. Semmens, High School. Ararat, was duly elected as a country member of the Club. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. C. Daley drew attention to his exhibit of a pod of the Queensland Matchbox or Leichhardt's Bean, Entada scandens, Kentham, and to the pods oi the introduced Flower Pence, or Royal Poinciana, Poinciana regia, Bojer. Both belonged to the natural order Leguminosae, the former being a (limber and the latter a tree. The testa ol the eed oi the Entada scandens is fashioned into matchboxes by jewellers. The pods were grown at Townsville, Qu< ensland, Mr. E. !•-■ I' aid lie had on exhibition several flowering sprays oi tin Robin Redbreast-bush, \ltlnln:<f more extensive cultivation. The bush bom which the sprays were cui had be. n in constant and regulai flower foi ten months, and even now showed no indications ol cessation. Mi-- G. Nethercote '-aid the photograph oi the dowering growth ot Convolvulus erubescens she was exhibiting was taken ^p"g'l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 175 on 4th March. The plant, which was growing on the side of the Glenferrie-road, Hawthorn, near Gardiner's Creek, was, as the photograph showed, a mass of bloom. PAPER READ. By Mr. H. Witty, entitled " A Naturalist on the Yorkshire Moors." The author described some of the incidents of a natural history outing of tluee weeks' duration, undertaken by him- self and Dr. Drake Brockman, of Scarborough, among the Yorkshire moors about four years ago. He characterized the moors as being ill adapted for agricultural purposes, consisting principally of a calcareous formation having a low degree of fertility. The arable land that did exist was confined to the valleys, and was devoted to the growth of meadow hay. The moors were overgrown for the most part by a species of heather and whin, or gorse, and when these two plants were at the height of flowering perfection the view over twenty miles of level moorland was an entrancing picture. The vast wind- swept areas were a happy hunting-ground for the naturalist, for they were not only rich in plants, but also in insect and animal life. One of their most interesting features was the large number of tumuli that were to be met with. These were mounds raised by prehistoric moor-dwellers to mark the resting-places of their dead. The tumuli were invariably con- structed at a point overlooking a valley having an eastern aspect. and from this circumstance it was assumed the ancient inhabitants of these wastes were sun-worshippers. Some of the excavations in the tumuli extended to the depth of eighty feet. In the course of his remarks Mr. Witty suggested that the Club should appoint " recorders " for all classes of natural history study, as in the Scarborough Field Naturalists' Club. These would be persons to whom the young naturalist would be able to take his find, or capture, and receive information respecting it. The author's remarks were well illustrated by a large series of lantern slides in black and white and in autochrome. Messrs. F. Barnard and J. Shephard congratulated the author on the interesting nature of his remarks, and on the fine series of plates shown. The chairman, in thanking Mr. Witty for the many interesting slides he had exhibited, said he thought the suggestion for the appointment of "recorders" was worthy of consideration l>y the committee. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Grass-tree gum from Brisbane Range, near Anakie. 176 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [VV,K t. Nat. XXXII. By Mr. C. Daley. — Pod of the Queensland Matchbox or Leichhardt's Bean, Entada scandens, Benth., and pods of the introduced Flower Fence or Royal Poinciana, Poinciana regia, Bojer, both grown at Townsville, Queensland. By Mrs. Ernst. — Eight double petunia blooms raised from the seed" of a single pod collected last season ; a bloom from the parent plant, and one from a single fringed specimen growing close to the latter, which has impressed the whole of the blooms shown with its distinctive colour arrangement. Also the fol- lowing wild-flowers, collected on the banks of the Darebin Creek, Ivanhoe : — Correct speciosa, var. glabra, Rhagodia hastata, Glycine clandestina, Myosotis suaveolens, and Tricoryne elatior. By Mr. C. French, jun. — Two scale insects (coccids) new to science — Mytilaspis subarmatus, Green, and Dactylopius circum- datus, Green — from the Mallee, collected by Mr. J. E. Dixon. By Miss G. Nethercote. — Photograph of flowering growth of Convolvulus erubescens. By Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S. — Flowering sprays of the Robin Redbreast-bush, Melaleuca laterita, Otto, Western Australia. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. The Dr. Hall Memorial Fund. — We desire to enlist the help of all members of the Field Naturalists' Club and readers of the Naturalist in making the Dr. Hall Memorial Fund adequate for the purpose for which it is intended. An influential com- mittee, representing the different institutions and societies in which the late Dr. Hall was interested, has been appointed, and donations may be senl to Dr. J. P. Wilson (hon. treasurer), Melbourne University, Mr. J. II. Maiden, Botanic Gard Sydney, or Professoi Baldwin Spencer, Biological School, Uni- versity. The proposals ol the committee arc sel out in a circular, which may be obtained from eithei ol the gentlemen named, and we trusl there will be a prompl and ready response. A Fr] '.i-: Mushroom. A very singular mushroom was recently forwarded to Mr. 1). Macdonald, ol the Argus, 1>\ ( onstable Brown, ol Rosedale. It consisted ol three mushrooms on top oi one another, and from the illustration in the Aus- tralasian ol nth March put one in mind "l a cottage-loaf. The low< i mushroom wa aboul -i\ in< lies a< ros . rathi 1 thi< L with a thick tern, and growing in the natural position. Reversed on top ol thi 1-. with the gills uppermost, growing from it, was a second mushroom alnvbsl as large, while growing oul ol this, in the natural position, wa a third mush- room, aboul three in* hes in di Apn!,"i Witty, A Naturalist on the Yorkshire Moors. 177 1916 j ' ' A NATURALIST ON THE YORKSHIRE MOORS. By H. Witty. (Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 13//; March, 1916.) [Abstract.] Though the word " moor " is generally taken to imply waste, uninviting land, I think I will be able to dispel that idea in the course of my remarks this evening, aided, as I shall be, by a series of lantern slides, mostly from photographs taken by Dr. H. G. Drake-Brockman, of Scarborough, during a holiday of three weeks' duration, which I had the pleasure of sharing with him some fours years ago. Scarborough is well known as a fashionable watering-place on the north-east coast of Yorkshire, and for the naturalist is fortunate in being within easy distance of some most interesting country. Our holiday was spent in the neighbourhood of Hack- ness and Broxa, about twelve miles distant. In this district evidence of the prehistoric occupation of the soil is very striking, for barrows, or burial mounds, and tumuli abound. Many of these have been opened at different times, and their contents recorded by various writers. The barrows are of two kinds, the long and the round. The former are often 250 to 300 feet in length, by about 70 feet wide, and may originally have been about 20 feet high. In each of these only one person was buried, sometimes only a child. Besides the skeleton, flint implements were often to be found. These barrows were made during the stone age, long before the introduction of iron or bronze implements, hence to us the efforts made in their forma- tion seem almost incredible. Many of the round barrows were opened by Mr. Mortimer, of Driffield, and Canon Greenwell, and were found to contain the remains of from six to ten skeletons. In these barrows were often found indications of civilization, such as brooches, flint awls, axes, and knives, also pottery in the shape of cinerary urns, incense cups, food, and drinking vessels, many of which were quaintly decorated, showing that these barrows were of a later date than the long ones. In the round barrows stone coffins were often found, together with woven fabrics and spindles. Miles of deep entrenchments also exisl upon the moors, made longbefitn- British and Roman times, which are thought to have been intended as places of safety for cattle, for means of communication, and for defence against hostile tribes, and show that in prehistoric times these moorlands were peopled by a strong and hardy race, who often engaged in warfare just as the nations do to-day. The trenches are usually on the highlands and lead down into the valleys, and many are sufficiently deep 1 7 s Witty. . I Naturalist on the Yorkshire Moors, [vomhcxii to allow a person on horseback to traverse them without being seen by persons on the table-land. When it is borne in mind that all these works were executed during the stone age, that probably the tools used were made of reindeer horns, and that all the soil and stones was removed in skins or willow baskets, this work of the ancient inhabitants of Yorkshire stands out as one of the most marvellous known to present-day investigators. Standing stones, singly and in circles, are often met with. The names of places often indicate some great struggle, such as Bloody Beck, which is said to perpetuate a great slaughter either of or by the Danes. On a portion of the ordnance map which covers about a square mile of untouched country over sixty tumuli are shown, while in another district seventy-seven can be counted in a !< \\ hundred square yards. Some hundreds of bodies, presumably of persons of distinction at the time, must have been laid to rest in that neighbourhood. The making of flint implements must have been carried on extensively in some places, such as at Scamridge Dyke, where, during a walk through a ploughed field one can pick up hand- fuls of flint flakes. These were chipped from stones which musl have been brought from the cliffs on the coast, many miles distant. I he late Mr. Joshua Rowntree, M.I)., and Mi. T. Sheppard, of the Hull Museum, devoted a great deal of time to the investiga- tion of the prehistoric remains of Yorkshire, and some of their conclusions had appeared in various scientific publications, while William Smith, the father of geology, and Professor Philips had spent a great deal of time in their early days in investigating the geologv of the north-east coast, and so made that pari i I Yorkshire famous in the world of science. th< prehistoric evidences the moors offer a variety of insed and planl life interesting to the naturalist. Some rare plants grow in the neighbourhood of Scarborough one, the May Lily, ConvaUaria majali . was only to be found wild in the whole oi Great Britain in the woods nol Eat from the town. Several ,,i orchids could be collected aboul Broxa, while the iophorum), a i yperaceous plant, and the heathei were features , butterflies, and moths were taken during the holiday. ( »t the latter, the Emperoi Moth (Saturnia), one of the ! itish ninth-, i fairly i ommon. . ijx r, the only poisom ound in En [land, may ■ mi* be me1 with in the disti i I [A large number of cm (lien! lantern slid i illti trating the many subjects dealt with wen exhibited, including some one April,"] Witty 1 Naturalist on the Yorkshire Moors. 170 1916 j autochromes. giving the Peacock Butterfly, the Puss Moth, Emperor Moth, and others in their natural colours. Another series showed the life-history of the wasp and the bee. — Ed. Vict. Nat,] NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, MELBOURNE. One of the most interesting exhibits in the Zoological Gardens is the large Flight Aviary, and it is gratifying to find that the purpose for which it was originally built has been quite realized, for not only do the native birds thrive in it, but they also nest. Its inhabitants include the Black-breasted Plover. Magpie-Lark or Pied Grallina. White-plumed and Lunulated Honey-eaters, Sericornis, Fantail, &c. The birds live for years, and the death rate is very low. Lunulated, New Holland, White-plumed, and Yellow-faced are the principal Honey-eaters, and they seem to agree well together, and all crowd round their food. The Magpie- Larks do not mix with them, and only take their food when the others have left it. The pair of Yellow Robins are frequently aggressive, and often chive the Honey-eaters away from their food, but they soon return. There is only room for one pair of these Robins in the aviary, for should any others be introduced they are promptly attacked and killed, which shows that these birds, like others of their kind, have their own particular locality, and attack any of their own kind that stray into their precincts. The Sericornis do well, but mostly keep in the thicker bushes near the ground. Not only do the birds eat the food that is supplied to them, but they also catch many flies and other insects. The White-shafted Fantail is especially quick at this, and is rarely still a minute. Sordid Wood-Swallows thrive, but so far have not nested, but there are rather too many birds in the aviary to allow of undisturbed nest-building. Many birds have a weakness lor pulling other birds' nests to pieces, possibly to build their own with. The Honey-eaters have proved charm- ing and beautiful birds in the aviary, and quite as hardy as the seed -eaters. The aviary, it may be mentioned, is fifty feet long by twenty- five feet wide, and has a height of thirty feet. It generally contains about a hundred individuals, and. as may be supposed, is well provided with shelter in the way of large trees, shrubs, &c. Several wild native birds nest in the Gardens every year, despite the large numbers of visitors to disturb them. I'm instance, their are two pairs of magpies, three pairs of Black- and-White Fantails, one pair of Laughing Kingfishers, two pairs of Magpie-Larks, &c. About fifty Nankeen Herons continue i Xo Notes from the Zoological Gardens, Melbourne, [y ixxxii to roost in the Gardens during the day. going over to the low- lying ground near West Melbourne to feed in 1 he evening, and returning just before, or at. daylight ; while at least a hundred Magpie-Larks frequently Hock to the Gardens to roost during the night in winter, when the nesting season is well over ; they also go to the vacant ground near West Melbourne to find their food supply ; they come in just before the Nankeen Herons go out. It is worthy of note that approximately 334,937 people visited these interesting Gardens last year. " Records of the Geological Survey of Victoria." — The recently issued part of this publication (vol. iii., part 4) is entirely devoted to a monograph by Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S.. F.R.M.S., Palaeontologist to the National Museum, Melbourne, entitled " Cainozoic Geology of the Mallee and other Victorian Bores." The extent of the author's investi- gations may be gathered from the fact that he devoted some six or seven years to the work, which needed tremen- dous patience, dealing as he was with such minute organisms. principally foraminifera and ostracoda. The publication ex- tends to over 100 pages, while the index of genera and cies mentioned contains over 200 entries, and there are 15 plates, containing about 140 figures. The Mallee bores examined were eleven in number, situated in the Murray- ville district, and extending to the South Australian border. The general depth reached was 160 to 300 feet, but the last one was < arried down to 600 feet, in order to fully test the thickness ol the lower rocks. Mr. Chapman's conclusions point to the fact ihat there are two layers ol water one held by the Kalimnan blue clay bed, and the other and better supply con- tained in the Janjukian polyzoal rock below. The main features ol bores a1 Portland, Sorrento, and Bairnsdale are also given for comparison. Swans and Young. — Mr. P. L. C. O'Shannessy, of Hastir fell-known bird observer, writing to the Argus lately, says thai h has been remarked thai the young ol the Australian Black Swan have not the habil ol nestling among the feathers ol the moth 1 -wan'- ba floal i on thi the ot tin' European swans, Thi . he ay . i an error, for at breeding time the mother Blacl Swans may often be seen swim- ming with their brood oi tiny young on then backs. Thesame applies to the Black Duck, and it may be this trail in the latter bird's habits which has given ri many extraordinary tboui the birds can ying their young down on 1 heir barks from the nests when they breed 1 inaniBiiiaLnainiiiiBii-aiiiiiKBniaiiiaHiBLiiBina^iiiiiiaiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiauiBiiiBi The Yicforian Naturalist: THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE — OF — Jhe 3Held jfaturaUsts' 6lub of Victoria. Published 6th May, 1915. Hon. Editor : F. G- A. BARNARD, Esq. The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. COITTEITTS : The Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria Excursion to Williamstown Beach Note on a Large Specimen of Conus dennanti, Tate. By Pi Chapman, A.L.S., Palaeontologist, National Museum, Melbourne Wanderings on the Murray Flood-Plain. By J. G. O'Donoghue PAQB 1 «tf PRICE SIXPENCE. *• Obtainable from — Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, or Hon. Editor. (For Addresses see paqe 3 of cover. If by Post {d. extra.) Audita for (fbitvope : DUtAU & CO., 37 Soho Square, Loudon. iHeibournc : WALKER, MAY & CO., Printers, 25 Mackiixop St 1915.