Full text of "The Victorian naturalist"

See other formats

THE

Victorian Naturalist
THE JOURNAL, AND MAGAZINE
of the )
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA

VOL, 60°

MAY, 1943, To APRIL, 1944

Hon. Editor: A. H. CHISHOLM, F.R.Z.5.

The Author of each Article is responsible for
- the facts and opinions recorded

MELBOURNE:
Brown, Prior, ANDERSON Pry. Lrp., 430 LITTLE Bourke STREET
1944

THE CLUB’S PUBLICATIONS

VICTORIAN FERNS, by Richard W. Boud, slioull be iy
the tunds of all fern-lovers, as it contains descriptions of every
fern known to occur maturally in our State, fells where to lintel
them, how to identify them, and how to grow them, Price, 2/-,

FPICTORIAN FUNGI, by J. IL Willis, a beautifully iMystrated
and highly Tnfontative a¢count af the Mushrooms and Toadstools
of the State. Price, 2/6,

A CENSUS OF VICTORIAN PLANTS, by the Plant-names
Coniuittee of the Club, contains the vernaculars of all our plantas,

Unliouad copies only from the Hou. Librarian, price 1/6, posted
del. extra.

ENTOMOLOGICAL APPARATUS

CHERRY & SONS PTY. LTD.

GISNORNE (Vie,}, nud 231 SUSSEX STREET, SYDNEY.

Lvtiunalagien) Pins—Curred Forceps—Cabinete—Store Boxes
Poelect Bixes—Post Boxes—Glossfrent Wall Cases—Lahels, ote.

Write for onr Price Card.

BOOK LIST FOR APRIL

THE ART OF ALBERT NAMATIIRAS-A member of the Arunta Trite— contain-
ing water-coiour repredietions and black and white drawings: the Jobter-ninet
by C. PL Moontford: foreword by RK. 1, Cro. 13/0, port. od,

INSERT PESTS AND THEIR CONTROL {Fruns). a/-, pot 4a.

THE DISCOVERY OF DINORNIS (Buick). 8/6, post. dd,

SYSTEMATICS AND THE GRIGIN OF SPECTRS (Meyrl. 34/-, powt ad.

BIOLOGY OF WLOWERING TLANTS ({Skeneb. 38/9. post, Sd.

TRE ORICIN OF METEGRITES (Paneth) 4/9, pos’. 24, .

THE THEORY YF TRE LIVING ORGANISM (Prof, Agarh 17% pest fd

WATER DIVINING (Testerman). 12/6 reduced ts 10/6, post, fa.

NOTES 7 THE ORDER PROCFLULARITFORMES (Mathews & Bulleyrom}>, I2B/6.
post, fi,

PRUNING (Asric. Dept). 3f-— nest. ad.

POLLEN ANALYSIS (Brdtmap). 17/6, past. Bd.

ROCK GARDEN AND ALPINE PLANTS {Gorrevon|!. Sl/§, peek Of,

ESSAYS IN BIOLOGY—in honour of Herbert Pvane, 96/- pont 1/>

ANALYTICAL HXPERIVENTAL PHYSICS {Lemon & Feronee), 46/-, nost 1/9.

SCIENCE FOR THE CITIZEN {Hogben). 25/4 post. Od.

RIOLOGY OF FISHES (Kyle). 28/0, post. nd_

IN THE WAKE (Capt. Dourly)—Explaration, Adventure, Antaretic A/t, peat. ht

PITYSIGGRAPHY OF VICTORIA (Hille). 4/6, post, 6d. :

CONQUEST OF THE SOUTH POLE [|Hayes). 12/6, peat 64

_RARLY TASMANTA (Walkerl. 7/- post, 64.

THE UNiviRSe OW LIGHT (Beaez). S0/A, woan. ed.

TAR COLT OF THE AUDGERIGAR (Watmonch). 14/-. mest. 6d.

SPIDERS ANDO SCORPIONY (Doncai, 2/5, post. el.

BRUFTIVE ROCKS ¢Shand), 33/+, post. Gd,

THE DINOSAUR TN WAST ATRICA ¢Perkimson). 9/6, post. fd. '

THE MYSTERY OF THE MOA [Bulek), 18/-. post. Sd.

WONDERS OF THE EARTH'S CRUST ¢'Taytor). 4/6, pest, ad

LET'S VALK (Moher & Barrinon)—letighttul bao of Innowaze for chilitren,
D/H. port, Od.

CONAN DOYLE (Peureon). 20/6, poot, 6d.

Cateloguen of 6,900 New and Senondhond Notural Wistory Books eelit trte ox
apnlination. '

N. H. SEWARD PTY. LTD.
457 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE, C.r .. . . MU 6229

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX.—No, i May 6, 1943 No. 71

PROCEEDINGS
The ordinary meeting of the Club was held at the Roval Society's
Hall on Monday, April 12, 1943. The President (Mr. DP. Crosbie
Morrisou) presided and about 80 members and Inends attended.

WELCOME TO VISITORS
The President welcomed to the meeting. Lieut. Lee Burchant,
of the US. Marines and a forestry graduate from the University
of California, Other visitors inchided Miss Leumann from S.A.,
Mr_ Rieschisk from Doncaster, Mr. \V. Burrows, several members
In uniform and Mr, Ludowici, a member from Sydiey. Mr,
Ludowier brought ¢reetings from the N.S.W- Naturalists’ Club.

SUBJECT FOR THE EVENING

This took the forni of a symposium on the subject of “Soil

Conservation’ and was dealt with under the following heads:
“ (a) General Introductian.— Mr, Mortisou, m his remarks
sander this heading, pomtecd out what crosion has rlone in the more
ancient cowutries, as China and India, and drew a parallel between
them and Australia.

(b} Botanseal side of erosion—Mr, P. F. Morris pointed out
that 1t was removal of vegetational cover that caused crosion, and
said that in many cases it was pioneering and advancing civiliza-
tion that lad starfed it all Forests were cut or burned down for
crop Jands, often ian the most unsuitable areas; stock was intro-
duced and greed caused over-stocking and siibsequent cating gut
of the flora, Besides these factors, rabbits played a large part in
land gespoiling, due to their habit of eating roots.

(c) Erosion Results—Mr. I, S. Colliver spoke on some out-
standmg geographical featnres clue to erosion, mentioning and
showing illustrations of moving sand dines in Egypt, desert
country in Peru, great chasms im the locss formatiois of China,
bad lavids if parts of America, effect of wind on the slime dumps of
the Rand, etc. Ile pointed out that similar features could and
would eventuate in Australia, Wind influence was miesitinned as
the wnat insidtous and therefore ost dangerous form of erosion.

(d) Small-Seale Remedial Measures——Mr. iyo Hammett, tak-
ing his own garden as an example, spoke of the dangers of wind

A oe en iel. Nat,
? The Fitvqetald “Syunpasian beg a

ernsian, aud descitbhed how he had overcome the effects by a.cappinig
of gravel. He also remarked that since the gravel was spread mast
of the native plants had produced an abundance of seedlings. A
series of slides showing native planis tmder cultivation, in the
Mallee and at Ivanhoe, and sections showing how the beds were
built up, illustrated Mr. Hanimeti’s remarks.

(©) Large-Scale Remedial Measures——Mi, P, Bibby showed
Wustrations of contour ploughing and terracing for hiil slopes,
planting of willow and ather trees for river banks, various nieans
of diverting river flow front erosion areas, brush layityy anc subse-
quent planting for wind-swept areas, and the various means ior
reclaniation of eraded gullies.

In the remarks that followed, Mr. A.D. Tardy and Lieut. Lee
Burchain spoke ont thei experiences in conservatiow matters nyer-
seas; and Messrs. Lidowict, Gates, Hyaa and Jenkins contributed
ta the discussion,

REPORTS OF EXCURSIONS
Ryports of Tixenrsions were given as follows: Botanical Gardens,
Mr. H. CLE. Stewart; Studley Park. Mr. P. Bibby.

ELECTION OF MIEEMBERS

The following were daly elected as ordinary meinbers of the
Clu; Mrs. E, BE. Lord, and Mr. R. Whitworth; as Country
Member, Miss Ruth Bennier; as Associate Member, Miss Colleen
Chuge.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Plant Names Subl-Committee—A recommendation from the
Committee was as follows: “That the Plant Names Sub-Committee
be re-constituted with the follawing personel: Messrs, P_ FP.
Morris. J. H. Willis, P. Bibby, E. I. Peseott, Noel Lothian aud
Dr. CS. Sutten, and that three be.a quorum for meetings.”

This recommendation was adopter,

THE FITZGERALD "S¥MPOSIUM" °

Since coutribetors began te express their views (in the January nambler
of this journal), neither Mvs. Messmer, Mrs. Maller, nor Mr Rupp has
made any reference to the great Australian orchidologist's ows bandwriline.
Several o€ his letters to Baran yon Mucller are preserved at the Melbourtie
Flerbariam, ate in these he unqbestienably sions his-name with a capital “O"
Echoing Mr. Rupp’s sentiment. if an edocated man eannet write his owl
name correctly, thea who can? Mrs, Meéssmer’s precedenr in restoring: the
capital "G" is entirely justified and there shoukl be no two ways shone any
future citation al “FitzGerald” wn hotanieal literature,

James fl. Wiis.

ae Emin Corewan, The Story of My Honay-sers 3

TIE STORY OF MY HONEY-BEES
By Enirn Coreman, Blackbum, Vic.

For several reasons it scemed ne more than poetic justice that a
swarm of bees should settle in this garden. As the daughter of my
father 1 could aot fail to be interested in them, for there had
always been a hive, sometimes two, in his garden. Moreover for
years J had been filling the garden with Vnglish heths and cottage
flowers which for centuries have been regarded as “bec-flowers,”

The bees came in late October, 1041, to & garden full of blossam-
When discovered, the fabric of their waxen city had already taken
shape. lt was about as large as u child’s football, somewhat flat-
tened—three collateral Jeaves of pure white coml with several
others staried. It hung from ithe top of an apple-tree, and as it
widened and lengthened it suggested a waxen cave-shawl, or a
shaw] such as a sculptor might chisel.

The hees were not molested for if seemed a golden chance tu
note their behaviour when free to follow natural instincts, to
work: without restcaint or supervision. Tlere was living proof that
the honey-bee (Apis melfifier) after centuries of exploitation, is
not yet fully domesticated, and in this reversion we were privileged
to read something of its ancestral ways.

The swarm had. come to rest like the Assyrian bees of Isatah.
They had settled as the Jurge prmvitive bee (4 pis dorsafe) settles
to-day in Eastern lands where forests literally flow with honey,
as it flawed in those far-hack days for the men of Israel, when
Jonathan reached up his rod “and dipped i. into an honey-coinb,””

There were minty cold days in December, 1941, and January,
1942, with aweh rain, and hoisterous winds that littered the gar-
den with broken boughs. The hees in their naked nest crowded
between the leaves of comb, wings extended otttward and down-
ward, so that water ran off the tps. One could sce the inner hees
move out, as if to give the outer ones a chance of some warmth,
It seemed that they must perish iv their unprotected slate. Later,
on Mr. Hatmnett’s suggestion, they were covered with a water-
proof ground-shect, and soon it was evident that ali was well
with them. The combs inercased; their amber colonr and honey
scent Lore witness to goad work among the flowers.

The apple-trees were humming with bees and every flowering
plant was a tavern to scores of unresting Deborahs, “victints of a
tyrannical jnstinet for labour,” inheritors of a long pedigree of
toil. Ceaselessly they foraged, and laboured on the combs, to die
oulworn at six weeks or less, As Bridges laments; “Forty days;
six unsabbath'l wecks of fever’d tol wasteth and wearicth out
their little frames.”

The nest was freily open to the East and West. H seentect

4 Enrrit Coceatan, Tho Stery ef Aly Money Hees bag te

strange that bees which, under doniestication, had loved to work
in almost total darkness, should carry on in full sunlight,

At no time did I see any fanning; but this is not surprising, for,
as Professor Romanes points out, fanning is not an inborn
tendency, but is evoked by discomforts imposed upon the bees by
the hee-keeper. Fanning almost ceased when Huber housed his
bees in a large hive 5 ft. high.

The smell of the honey was delicious. ‘To take it Srony a naked
hive. however. reyuired more enurage than I possess—hue TP did
study. ways and means!

ROBBING THE BEES

it seemed one had only to so alarm the bees with a puff of smake
and, in their eagerness to save their stores, they would fill them-
stlyves.too full of honey to curve the body to sting. That process
sounls easy, but tey it on an un-walled host free to rush to the
attack from four directions! An old way was to suffocate the
bees in a sulphur pit. Hardy, who had made a study of the
manners and customs of rural “Wessex, describes this cruel
method of rebbing the bees. When Fanny (U/nder the Grecnmood
Tree), protests agamst the cruelty of it, her father says: “JF you
suffocate them they only die once, Tf you Fumigate them in the
new way they come to life and die of starvation, so the pangs of
death be twice upon them."

Loudon, in his mammoth compendium of facts tor gardeners
and hushandmien. states that La Grence “has the merit” of having
shown that there is neither proht nor humanity in saving bees
after honey-taking. Mercifully bees are no longer allowed fo starve
after honey-taking.

In his Malay Archtpeluga, published 74 years ago, A, R, Wallace
describes the large natural nests built by of pis dorsate on branches
70 or 80 feet from the ground. These nests, 3 of 4 together, were
built on the underside of a horizontal branch and were often 4 ft.
in diameter. He fells how the nalives robbed the nests at night with
the aid only of torches. Enraged bees chased the sparks instead of
the robbers; hut the men did not gn unscathed, nor did Wallace,

Professor Romanes quote; a significant statement (Nature,
Vol, xvi p. 373) that European bees when transported to
Australia retain their industrious fubits only for the first 2 or 3
years. After that they gradually cease to collect honey until they
become quite idle, anid the same: fact is observable with bees trans-
ported to California. Tt is obviated by abstracting the honey as it
is collected, There is a similar statement by Dy, Erasmus Darwin
that bees transported ta the Barbadoes, where there is io winter,
cease to lay up honey So it appeared that T must take the honey
or entertain idle bees! Perhaps they would reyert to nomadic
habits and follow the flowering of Eucalypts,

ae suerte Coneman, The Stange of My Hantey- Bees

‘1 had always been interested in the work of bees in pollination,
bur this was a new experience full of promise to a novice, full of
Surprises, tou! As inight he expected, the bee: presented maty

problems,
TITIE SWARMING

As the combs increased emerging young filled them to. overflow-
ing, taxing all the energics of the comb-builders, it seemed.
Swarming appeared-in be imminent. It hecame advisable io take
some steps to persuade my swarms to settle in other parts of the
garden. I looked up authorities on “casting,” including the quamt
classics af ancient bee Uteralare which ior sume years f had been
“collecting” as small heys collect tiatch-box tops. with nothing
define im view, but for pure delight in them. I learned that,
within certain limits, one was allowed to follow one’s bees even to
a aeighbour's land, as one drummed with key on pan! Must I
really drum them? What would the neighhours think ?

“Bees,” says Burton, discussing the response ta music of man
and the lower animals (4natomy af Melanchaly, the only book
that had power lo keep Dr. Johnson awake all might), “bees
wher they hear any tingling sound, will tucry behind?’ On the
other hand, Lawson, the Isaac Walton of gardening and bee-
hushindry, insists that “ringing in the tune of casting is pure
fancte,”

Modern writers have suggested that drumming, or ringing,
drawns the slnill piping of the guteen, and so prevents the swarur
from following her too tar, This might necessitate some steps to
secure another queen, Tt seemed tmperatrye that J must drum my
swarms 1 gathered from Blackmore (Springhawen) that when a
man is touting for his neighbour's bees the pau must be struck
sottly at first to tone with the murmuring mob, | need not have
anticipated. “he bees knew better than J] what they would do.
This “sipping-garden” apparently suited then and they meant to
stay,

Twice the commmity appeared ta break up a little, but in a
week, by so cmerging young again filled the contbs,

Av night could be heard an elfin buzz as typical of bees as the
perfume abour the nest. Macterlinck and others have stated that
bees renonnce sleep; but. do they? Taking a torch | several times
surprised my bees perfectly motionless, due perhaps to the new,
or rather old, conditions uncer which they were living

WINTER BEHAVIOUR
‘During the witiler the bees were covered with niure sacks, On
very cold days they appeared not ta move: then, when the weather
was kinder, they indulged in short flights near the combs. ly was
presently obvious that these were cleansing flights, serving two
wonderful purposes, Excremerit 3s never, except in very rare

4 Busan Coneman, The Story of My Honey- Race Lara ae

instances due to iness, voided on to the combs. After centunes
of necessary suppression im tnseasonable weather, evacuation is
now stimulated only in Aight. “ES

It was noted that the bees returned to a fresh fold af the comb
where cells had net been tapped, doubtless having exhausted the
honey in those over which they had previously been clustered,
Even tm sunty Ausuaha Winter is a sad time for bees that are ~
not protected, and many perished daily, leaving just enough to
feed the larvae that were to augment the community in the Spring.

On very cold days the bees clung topether im strings: not the
living ladders which are sometimes formed, on which they ascend
or descend {o reach inaccessible parts of a hive ; but almost lifeless
strings froin which they dropped and disappeared. It was then
that one understood the poetic references of ancient authurs to
“garfands of bees.” Later J was able to accept Southey's mare
fantastic iimagery—''a bow string with bees.””

Not untl now had I been apprehensive of stmgs. While the
hive was populous and prosperans [ might safely stand within a
ivat of the cambs, although the bees always seemed “edgy” doring
windy or thundery conditions.

Om June Sth, 1941 (a windy day) 1 tnak my frst photo, of the
impoverished hive, for which, unfortimately, it was necessary to
harumer stakes into the sloping grind to support my camera.
Very soon, then, | was stung on a hand, Haltan hotir later another
sting was lett hehind an car, and next day one caught the hand
that snapped off a tiny twig which inpeded my wew—three brave
lives lost in guarding that wonderful city. IT have never grudged
them those stings. Jn cach itistauce I saw the bee speed straight
as a dart—a bee-torpedo—to my flesl. felt that T had discovered
a better explanation of the ternt “bee-line” than the aecepted one
af homing-fight. Quitby disagrees with those who say ther a
warning is always given before attack, and Tam meclined to agree
with him, After this the bees seemed ts blame me Jor any untoward
llappenings—unscasonable elements or wind-tossed sacks. Lt must
be confessed that there was some change in my own attitude and
for a few days “all: the world went softly” about their domain. T
had discovered that lees tre captions folk, “quick to turn against
the lubber’s. touch.”

TAMING VICIOUS BEES

Tt looked as if the bees would rule the garden. Could T time
them? Pettigrew (1875) tells how to tame and domesticate vicious
bees by getting: then used te the human form. He placed a Scotch
bogte (scarecrow) in front of a hive which he dared not approach.
Although they at first attacked it his bees soon grew quiet But
then my hees might grow fond of their bogle and blame me when

4 Faith Cormaran, The Story of Ay Flouey-Bers 7

it was removed! Tf read of other methods, buc thoughi it saler nal
to test them; and so perhaps I missed the chance of going down
1a. posterity as a woman bee-tamer.

According to Professor Romanes. (1883) who sifted records
from imany sources, bees do recugnize people. [Te quotes Bingley’s
stalement that they even send themselves to tuition, and ihat
Willman contd cause a swarth to settle oh Tis face without sting-
ing him. He could marshal them into companies and battalions
waiting for his order towarch! He even trained them not to sting
admiring onloukers !

H. A. Page, in his life oy Thoreau. tells of a clergyman named
Cotton, sa of a gavernor of the Bank of England, who togk bees
to Australia and tu the islands of tke Pacific. ‘fo the wonder of all
in the ship the bees would enme when he called them and covered
hin) as he Jay. After fondling then he would gather them
lagcther, as one would gather a mass of loose worsted. into. a hall,
take (hem close to the hive and give the signal for them. to retire,

Remarkable ay it se¢ents, there must be some truth in these
glories if we way trust another clergyman, White of Selhorne.
Writing in 1788 he tells of a Hoy whom he knew who would fill
his shire with bees. He weuld rap ona hive, as birds are sail to
do, ant take the bees as they energed, fo remove theiv srings ind
suck the linney, Mipling's hee-boy who could pick up ewaris. in
lis naked hands was probably based on White's hee-sucker

Marv Mitford, too. nvust Nave had “a way” with bees. "Yo’se
ne of ‘they as the bees love” said the bee-master who Inoked after
Dr. Mitford's bees, “and that’s a ducky thing to be.” This man
could foretelt changes in the weather fran the behaviour of his bees.
Certainly the temper of the bees inay be gauged from the state of
the weather.

They are said to attack thase who go to them in anger, or in
a state af nervous excitement, One thing stands aul in the litera-
tre of the bee—they love qtiet. In primitive times a personality
was ascribed to them. They nist never be angered or grieved or
Wl would hefall those responsible, They must be treater! with
affection and vespect. Old hee-masters demonstrated this hy taking
off their hats to the hive

Even to-day bees are-said to be as itch influenced by the bearing
al the bee-keeper as by the weather:

"Nan dow von await wherc bees ale
When the Hohkbangs play;
~ Nor dawt san hate zohore bers nie,
Ov alse tury'lt pine acciays,!
Waplng, who rook great interest in bees, knew this, When Tom
Shoesmith (Puch of Pook's Ail) tells the children how the
frightened fairies of England crawelect into the marshes during

B Longevity af Leguaniiincs Serids OL oe

the turmoils of the Reformation, he adds: “Goodwill among flesh
and blood is meat and drink.to fairies and ill-will ts poagon.” "Same
as bees,” said the bee-boy. “Bees wan'l stay by a house where
there's hating.”

Not so fantastic as tt sounds, perhaps. Harmony among humans
as well. as their animals was once regarded as essential to success
on the land. A man who il-treated his wife would influence both
animals and bees. Again, not ga fantastic as it sounds perhaps,
for bittemess and bickering affect humans physically as well as
mentally and, doubtless, react on any animals under their control.
This theary of health and harmony in the farmer's family as well
as among the farm aninials is ove of the planks ow which Dr.
Rudolf Steiner based his system of agriculture which is practised
m many parts of the world to-day.

(To be cavtinned.)

LONGEVITY OF LEGUMINOUS SEEDS

For fuse over a rear a considerable acea of the Kings Damam. north
from the Shrine of Remembrance (Melbourne) Jias been diszected) by a
complicated slit-trench: system: of afr-raid shelters, aud as these ara tow
heing filled in it is opportune to sav something abaar the plant-lfe which
had so quickly colonised the freshly-turned mounds of yellaw clay subsoil,

A wholesale invasion of erasses from the siersuuding areas of rndis-
tarted law was the most prominent feature, Indian Couch, Creepme Bent,
Pigeon aiid Rye Grasses being the principal competitors.

But mast interesting of all was the appearance of healthe plants (same
nowy a foot hich} of the four native Jegumes, Acacia tallest,
4. pucnentha. AL longifolia, aud Kennedya prostrate: it ie highly
inlikely that the heavy sced of (bese was deposited by: wind and, as it is
ten years sinte the Shrine approaches were fevelled off and planted with
tawn grass mixtare, the leguminous seeds have apparently remaited deep
ii the ground and viable for at least a decade, probabiy muvty donger, The
longevity of wattle seed is well attested, Mr, P. F, Morris recalls a fine
crop of Acacia mollissime whielt follawed the demoliuew af a house wearly
90 vears olin Park Street, South Varra, Juans H. Warnes,

DEATH OF MB, THOMAS R.A. ROBINSON

Menibers of the LN.C. will jom im paying tribnte i the memory of
Thamas Alfred Robinsan, who died ar “Chorizema,” Dutsow (Vic.) on April
23. He would Wave been 91 vears.of age on May 1. Born at Colfineweod an
(as his age tudlieates) the days when that now-populous area was a paradise
af wild fowers, Mr, Robinson (a Melbourne Grammar Sehoul hay) became
a texeher mw the Education Department and_afterwards a former “‘Whrourh-
out his lite he retained the keen interest in native plants acquired pi youth
and at “Chorizema’ tie had remarkable success as a grower and propagator.
Tiere are, perhaps, SN species of native plants growing freely on the
property.

Mer, Robinson bad fone been a meiner of the FNC. and continued to
the gual bis aterest m the Club's activites. Pe Teaves one san and four
daughters, to when the svepatis of all Victonon satarnalists ix tendered.

bs ‘ Warren 5. Caarprntn, Gaglinh Spareac in elusteralia 9

THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AUSTRALIA
By (the late) Wavrer S, Campssu., Sydney*

It 1s not possible, FE think, to determine how or when the sparrow
was introduced into Australia, He anust have been brought out
intentionally ; not Jike rats and mice which are volyntary intruders.

Some sixty years ago sparrows abounded in parts of the colony
—now State—of Victoria, more particularly about the City of
Melhourne and suburbs, where I saw a sparrow for the first time
in my life, These hte migrants were quite at home in the city
Streets, enjoying to the full the streams of water which at that
time were kept coristantly flowing in the wide stone gutters at the
street sides, to carry to the river Yarra a considerable proportion
of the city sewage matter. Doubtless the sparrows found in the
perennial streams abundant varied morsels of choice food on
which to regale themselves with ease” There, chattering, hopping
about, quarrelling, and with a general tone of impudence, were
hundreds and hundreds which greatly interested me, for [ had
never seen anything hike it before m bird hic m Australia

At the time to which J refer there were 110 Sparrows ahout
Sydney or suburhs. nor I think about any towns or settlements it
N.5.W_; hut before very long they appeared, became quite at home
at once, and increased ramidly. This invasion was regretted by
tatty persons mtecested in our ative birds, because 1 was ¢ot-
sidered that the whiquitous and protific sparrow would onst or
thin ont many of the beautiful, smaller, iudigenous species beloved
bv Australians.

50 greatly have sperrows mcreased that same are to be met with
in all the ihahited extra-tropical parts of Australia, if not within
the tropics also, In the great wheat-growing districts they have
become deslructive pests, consuniiy considerable quantities of
grain, and spoiling a great deal; particularly amongst varieties of
wheat the grain of which “shakes out’ casily. thus causing con-
stderable losses to wheat-zrowers.

At railway stations to which wheat is umiveyed in bags for
transmission to markets, large open sheds have heen erected for
the storage of this wheat, These are covered wath galvanized
coreugated iron enpposed by strangers to Australia to be tin In
these sheds the wheat is stacked and frequently remains there for
some time, The sides and ends of the sheds bemg open, sparraws
in hundreds, if not in thousands, hive free access to the wheat-bags
at which they peck and peck until large holes are made through
which wheat pours to the ground. Many times 1 have seen con-
siderable losses caused in that manner hy sparrows

“Mr Campbell, sometime Director of Apriculwure in NWS W.. who died a frw
YeaTe sco wt the see of paol-00 years, mive me those notes in Syducy about ORO.
Ho had intunded to reviso them. Tater. but thy apportunity did wot ocene —Editor

‘ ane ree IN : Vogt, Naot
10 Warrae S Casvnsun, Siylish Sparrow me lastealio Wel: Lx

During his remarkable anc successful cxperanents i the taking
of high quality wheats for Australian conditions, my friend the late
William Farrer was considerably impeded and annoyed Ixy the
attacks of sparrows au yalualile varieties of growing hybrids, some
of which have iurned out to be worth hundreds of thousands, if sot
millions, of pounds sterling ta the various wheat-growing Siaces
of Anstralia. Prison was of little or no avail, and resort was
necessary to powder and shot, but even then it was difficult to
‘keep the Jittle pests away. They are becoming rémarkably cunning
and ever aii the watch to destroy {le Weasures so (ediously created
by Mr, Farrer:

Abou the city of Sydeey and suburbs at the present time
sparrows abound in thousends, They seem to be ever breeding:
if one nest is destroyed they set to and build another, Whether
they are more prolific here thay in England—as seems prohable—I
sun OL Aware,

The habits of this hird seenr to be just the sume as they are m
England, notwithstancing the change fo a more genial climate.
where throughot the vear pletitiful supplies of seme kinds of
grain, as well as of insect, foods are abundant and easily available.
No doubt some kinds of grain are preferred to others such as
wheat to various grass-sceds. ‘They are remarkably fond of
sunflawerseeds, and also of seedlings of andialsesirange to say
Only those jlanted out, self-sown seedlings being seldom attacked,
J anv obliged to protect any seedlings of poppies | may plant in
the garden. oy sparrows will speedily make short work of then,
whereas lhundreds of plants close by, self-sown, remain witouched.

The birds know the time to a minute—tour o'clock mo the afler-
noon—when I feed my poultry with wheat. There are dogets of
then: siting on the fence or amongst the trees, on the Jook-ont to
ghtaim ther share, (I say, perhaps, interpolate here that a
number of pold-fish which (hyive remarkably well 7 a waterhole
in my garden, are just as well aware of the time of feeding as the
sparrows ;-Chey are waiting for me with opening jaws, and some
will lel ine rub their hacks),

One day I heard ir ny yard a great noise aimongsy seme spar-
vows. 7 Jooked is and witnesses a curious sight. On a patch of
a fei square yards of grass (which T put dawn for my dogs to roll
un and where they may enjay meat bones) was a rather large
rib-lone and ahaut six feet away was a young sparrow with its
father standing close by. Peeking away at the bore was the
mnther. whe, as soon as she had detached u small piece of meat.
Hopped up with il yo the youngster, who, atter calling out ag loud
as it cold, opened ws heal wide and ito its throat the mether
popped in the meat. She kept up this performance for several
iniiyles, hopping frit bone to offspring and from offspring to

May
14k

Warren & Campuens, Jingliah Spaeran 2 elustralia i
bone all the time, T have pttazled myself to know why at was the
farher and child did not stand «lose to the hone!

Sparrows are exceedingly useful as scavangers about cities and
towns clearing away adds and ends of bread, meat and other
fubbish from yards and streets. 7 frequently see them carrying
away from garden plants, caterpillars of various kinds, They also
attick green aphis on rese bushes and insect scales on tees and
shrubs. During the ttmes when white-ants swarm and those fur-
mished with wings Ay about, sparrows iuvariably attack and make
use of them for food, Moths andl hutterfies of various species art
nsed frequently, Occasionally, at Jong intervals, we are visited by
thousands of butterflies, flying from a south-westerly direction te
the north. They remain about the suburbs for a Tew days, resting
amohgst the native shrubs aud fying about here anc there.
During that period the sparrows are remarkably active m pursuit
of this new game, which when caught is made nse of as food I
have watched a sparrow chasing one of these whitislygrey butter-
flies fav more than a quarter of an heer. The speed kept ap was
remarkable. Tn such hunts the sparrow was semetinies sntcessfnl
jn catching thé butterfly, but at other times the butterfly escaped;
probably the sparrow was exhaysted.

But the most remarkable subjects of atlack by sparrows, during
spring and summer. are species or varieties of cicadas which aboune
and keep tip a continuous chorus of sheild) music during the period
they remain with ts, It seems remarkable to me that sparraws
should select such Jarge and pgugh creatures for their tood,

The male sparrows in my yard frequently have severe fights
amongst themselves, pecking and clawme at each other auc rolhng
over and ower ia the dustiest place they can selecr. 1 douht
whether any are killed in these cneoutters; occasionally T find a
dead one on the ground, but those may dre from old age. The
aged anes become very feeble and unable tu obtain a sufficiency of
food. One poor old creature used ta come (to me, when | was
cracking up biscuits for my gold-fAsh. appealing for a cnunb or
two. Tt was guile pathetic to yee Ing ineffectual efforts to hop fo
the top of the box on which I cracked up the biscuit,

GOATS AND GUM LEAVES

Was anyone heard of the Ieaves of the supar-gamr being injurious tn joats ¢
A country teader says that a jew leaves were pivels Lo each. ol iotiy BORLA
tied in a yard and hevmg access to nothing else injurious. In less that
two haurs after one died in great ayony, another was almost dead, faut
recovered, and the other two were not affected. These Jasi two had eaten
the lady vartow Jeaves of the @um, white the goals poisoned had talken
the round leaves, Qn examination the one thal died shawed no trace of
ircitativn of the stumach, but the luses and heart were alinost ‘black. and
fill of cangealed bloc.

j2 F, S& Cocesver, Plant Restuins from Mansfield ped ~~

ON SOME PLANT REMAINS FROM MANSFIELD,
VICTORIA -

By F. §. Coutiver, Methourne

The impressions herewith figured and described, and apparently
of 4 difterent type from any previously recorded from Mansfield,
were collected during a short visit made with Mr. F. H. Salaun to
the districe at Easter, 1942, They were not. found in situ. but were
taken from a pile of large stones al thie side of the road ta the
Broke River just past the Barwite Road turn-off, At this spot
the road is cut through a small hillside and doubticss these rocks
“came trom road repairs that appear to fave been made fairly
recently

On the law side of the yoad a sectivn across the beds enabled
jraspectiug to be done, and although no similar specimens were
fond, small pieces carrying the enamelled scales, ete.. similay to
those obtained at Fish Mill overlooking the homestead, were
collected. Time and position did not permit a thorough investie
gution into the conterts of the rocks exposed.

The specimen figured is without doubt of vegetable origin and
the general habit first seemed to indicate one of the marine algae
generally referred to as Bythotrephis or Chondrites,

Unfortunately the preservation of the specimen is not good and
ali important details are not shawing; thus determimation must he
doubtful. Of these two genera, Bythotre plity is fatind in Ordovician
and Silurian deposits, and Chandrites ranges from Palaezoie to
Meésozoic at Jeast, and thus the age docs not adit intich toward
the determination of the specimens.

The beds from whicl these vocks were taken are certainly of the
same age as the red sandstones of Fish Hill, and indeed appear ta
be portion of the same series '

‘These beds, on thei fassil content, uaitly fish and Lepidoden-
dron, have been referred to as of Lower Carhoniferous age, aud
the genera of the fish, lovether with the association of lancl plant
remains, scems to sugpest al leasr estuarine conditions when the
deposits were Jaid down. Myron this it is thus quite possible for
marine algae to be found in association with these other fossils.

However, looking further into fossi} plant forms for compansons,
the genus. Sphenapteris in some of its fornis (eg., S. afiurs,
L. et H.) seems to approach closely to the specimen under ciscus-
sion. This genus, according to Seward, is “one of those extremely
useful pravisional generic terms where we have no satisiactory
proof of precise botanical affinity,” add as such may he used to
desipnate the specimen until some better preservedt ciaterial is
obtained,

THE

Victorian Naturalist
THE JOURNAL, AND MAGAZINE
of the )
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA

VOL, 60°

MAY, 1943, To APRIL, 1944

Hon. Editor: A. H. CHISHOLM, F.R.Z.5.

The Author of each Article is responsible for
- the facts and opinions recorded

MELBOURNE:
Brown, Prior, ANDERSON Pry. Lrp., 430 LITTLE Bourke STREET
1944

THE CLUB’S PUBLICATIONS

FPICTORIAN FUNGI, by J. IL Willis, a beautifully iMystrated
and highly Tnfontative a¢count af the Mushrooms and Toadstools
of the State. Price, 2/6,

A CENSUS OF VICTORIAN PLANTS, by the Plant-names
Coniuittee of the Club, contains the vernaculars of all our plantas,

Unliouad copies only from the Hou. Librarian, price 1/6, posted
del. extra.

ENTOMOLOGICAL APPARATUS

CHERRY & SONS PTY. LTD.

GISNORNE (Vie,}, nud 231 SUSSEX STREET, SYDNEY.

Lvtiunalagien) Pins—Curred Forceps—Cabinete—Store Boxes
Poelect Bixes—Post Boxes—Glossfrent Wall Cases—Lahels, ote.

Write for onr Price Card.

BOOK LIST FOR APRIL

INSERT PESTS AND THEIR CONTROL {Fruns). a/-, pot 4a.

THE DISCOVERY OF DINORNIS (Buick). 8/6, post. dd,

SYSTEMATICS AND THE GRIGIN OF SPECTRS (Meyrl. 34/-, powt ad.

BIOLOGY OF WLOWERING TLANTS ({Skeneb. 38/9. post, Sd.

TRE ORICIN OF METEGRITES (Paneth) 4/9, pos’. 24, .

THE THEORY YF TRE LIVING ORGANISM (Prof, Agarh 17% pest fd

WATER DIVINING (Testerman). 12/6 reduced ts 10/6, post, fa.

NOTES 7 THE ORDER PROCFLULARITFORMES (Mathews & Bulleyrom}>, I2B/6.
post, fi,

PRUNING (Asric. Dept). 3f-— nest. ad.

POLLEN ANALYSIS (Brdtmap). 17/6, past. Bd.

ROCK GARDEN AND ALPINE PLANTS {Gorrevon|!. Sl/§, peek Of,

ESSAYS IN BIOLOGY—in honour of Herbert Pvane, 96/- pont 1/>

ANALYTICAL HXPERIVENTAL PHYSICS {Lemon & Feronee), 46/-, nost 1/9.

SCIENCE FOR THE CITIZEN {Hogben). 25/4 post. Od.

RIOLOGY OF FISHES (Kyle). 28/0, post. nd_

IN THE WAKE (Capt. Dourly)—Explaration, Adventure, Antaretic A/t, peat. ht

PITYSIGGRAPHY OF VICTORIA (Hille). 4/6, post, 6d. :

CONQUEST OF THE SOUTH POLE [|Hayes). 12/6, peat 64

_RARLY TASMANTA (Walkerl. 7/- post, 64.

THE UNiviRSe OW LIGHT (Beaez). S0/A, woan. ed.

TAR COLT OF THE AUDGERIGAR (Watmonch). 14/-. mest. 6d.

SPIDERS ANDO SCORPIONY (Doncai, 2/5, post. el.

BRUFTIVE ROCKS ¢Shand), 33/+, post. Gd,

THE DINOSAUR TN WAST ATRICA ¢Perkimson). 9/6, post. fd. '

THE MYSTERY OF THE MOA [Bulek), 18/-. post. Sd.

WONDERS OF THE EARTH'S CRUST ¢'Taytor). 4/6, pest, ad

LET'S VALK (Moher & Barrinon)—letighttul bao of Innowaze for chilitren,
D/H. port, Od.

CONAN DOYLE (Peureon). 20/6, poot, 6d.

Cateloguen of 6,900 New and Senondhond Notural Wistory Books eelit trte ox
apnlination. '

N. H. SEWARD PTY. LTD.
457 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE, C.r .. . . MU 6229

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX.—No, i May 6, 1943 No. 71

SUBJECT FOR THE EVENING

This took the forni of a symposium on the subject of “Soil

(d) Small-Seale Remedial Measures——Mr. iyo Hammett, tak-
ing his own garden as an example, spoke of the dangers of wind

A oe en iel. Nat,
? The Fitvqetald “Syunpasian beg a

REPORTS OF EXCURSIONS
Ryports of Tixenrsions were given as follows: Botanical Gardens,
Mr. H. CLE. Stewart; Studley Park. Mr. P. Bibby.

ELECTION OF MIEEMBERS

The following were daly elected as ordinary meinbers of the
Clu; Mrs. E, BE. Lord, and Mr. R. Whitworth; as Country
Member, Miss Ruth Bennier; as Associate Member, Miss Colleen
Chuge.

GENERAL BUSINESS

This recommendation was adopter,

THE FITZGERALD "S¥MPOSIUM" °

James fl. Wiis.

ae Emin Corewan, The Story of My Honay-sers 3

TIE STORY OF MY HONEY-BEES
By Enirn Coreman, Blackbum, Vic.

The nest was freily open to the East and West. H seentect

4 Enrrit Coceatan, Tho Stery ef Aly Money Hees bag te

strange that bees which, under doniestication, had loved to work
in almost total darkness, should carry on in full sunlight,

The smell of the honey was delicious. ‘To take it Srony a naked
hive. however. reyuired more enurage than I possess—hue TP did
study. ways and means!

ROBBING THE BEES

ae suerte Coneman, The Stange of My Hantey- Bees

‘1 had always been interested in the work of bees in pollination,
bur this was a new experience full of promise to a novice, full of
Surprises, tou! As inight he expected, the bee: presented maty

problems,
TITIE SWARMING

Twice the commmity appeared ta break up a little, but in a
week, by so cmerging young again filled the contbs,

4 Busan Coneman, The Story of My Honey- Race Lara ae

instances due to iness, voided on to the combs. After centunes
of necessary suppression im tnseasonable weather, evacuation is
now stimulated only in Aight. “ES

TAMING VICIOUS BEES

4 Faith Cormaran, The Story of Ay Flouey-Bers 7

it was removed! Tf read of other methods, buc thoughi it saler nal
to test them; and so perhaps I missed the chance of going down
1a. posterity as a woman bee-tamer.

Even to-day bees are-said to be as itch influenced by the bearing
al the bee-keeper as by the weather:

B Longevity af Leguaniiincs Serids OL oe

(To be cavtinned.)

LONGEVITY OF LEGUMINOUS SEEDS

A wholesale invasion of erasses from the siersuuding areas of rndis-
tarted law was the most prominent feature, Indian Couch, Creepme Bent,
Pigeon aiid Rye Grasses being the principal competitors.

DEATH OF MB, THOMAS R.A. ROBINSON

bs ‘ Warren 5. Caarprntn, Gaglinh Spareac in elusteralia 9

THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AUSTRALIA
By (the late) Wavrer S, Campssu., Sydney*

It 1s not possible, FE think, to determine how or when the sparrow
was introduced into Australia, He anust have been brought out
intentionally ; not Jike rats and mice which are volyntary intruders.

‘ ane ree IN : Vogt, Naot
10 Warrae S Casvnsun, Siylish Sparrow me lastealio Wel: Lx

May
14k

Warren & Campuens, Jingliah Spaeran 2 elustralia i
bone all the time, T have pttazled myself to know why at was the
farher and child did not stand «lose to the hone!

GOATS AND GUM LEAVES

j2 F, S& Cocesver, Plant Restuins from Mansfield ped ~~

ON SOME PLANT REMAINS FROM MANSFIELD,
VICTORIA -

By F. §. Coutiver, Methourne

The specimen figured is without doubt of vegetable origin and
the general habit first seemed to indicate one of the marine algae
generally referred to as Bythotrephis or Chondrites,

The beds from whicl these vocks were taken are certainly of the
same age as the red sandstones of Fish Hill, and indeed appear ta
be portion of the same series '

Photo.: H. T. Reeves

Sphenopteris sp.. fram Alans ficid,

ALV Id

HHL

LSVIVYALVN NVIBOLIOB

toy]

trol

wy FOS. Contaven, Plant Roveins tram Mansfeld 13

Thus J stiggest the speeinen be known as Sphenopterts sp.

This genus is common in the Carboniferous, and forms closely
allied to the figured specimen occur in England and Europe.

As a further indication oi the estuarine and tidal conditinns
Jusiny Use laying down of these sediments may be mentioned the
smalt Britde-Star described as cf. 4ganaster gregmins (Meek and
Worthen) (Proc. WS. Vie. Vol. 47, Pt Lp. 207), wich was
found at Maindawiple Park, Mansfield.

The photograph here reproduced was taken hy Mr, Jt. T.
Reeves, using 3 very low angle and inereury vapor as the mliumistat,
The detail of the photo. actually appears better than that shown on
the specimen,

To Mr. I. Chapman, AVS. ete.. for reading aver the above and
suggesting beiter terimimology, and to the staff of the National
Herbarium for faolities in checking references and examining
specimens of alaae, the wiiter extends his cordial thanks.

FURTHER NOTES ON PHALANGERS
By B. Carrarw, Portland

In a recent issue of the iietonan Naturalist there appeared a yshotograph
of a Phalanger being hell hy its owner, Josie Aldridge of Heywood, This
week (April) Josie and her sister Syivia came along tu see me and had a
surprise to tinfold, The fact is, “fermyn’ has had another set of twins.
They were but » few days ald and, after! vigorously partaking of a drink
trom their unother, tiey tueled themmélves away iu her pouch with astonish-
ing speed, .

Here are some of Josie’s notes on her pets:

“We lave given ther practdally everything to cat and the only retusals
arc: frogs, earthworms, and siugs. They love almost any kind af mot, bit
do not take to the white cabbage mot, They were very fond of the black
grubs which were so plentiful about Christmas time. Qf fruits, perhaps
the teisata takes first preference, especially the seeds, Tt is veally marvellous
how they can detect by smell the things they like; they come out very quickly
fur, s2y, a tomatu, whereas if the offerimg’ 1s nat their favourite Eoad they
wont hurry in the slightest. The white grubs, so plentiful in our forest,
ate Tivst davourite of any of their Inods. ‘Vhey drink plenty af colt water
Ther also had a helping of Christmas pudding, but did not get 3d)
“Jermy ia a cunning litle scamp and if flies are plenuful ste will nor worry
to iave off inv shoulder, for she knaws full well that we will catch then for
er. “Lhe frst lot of twins arc now very beautiful and the fur really lovely.
but they have become a little wild, no dawht on account of my being away on
a holiday, Up to this they were very taine.

“Flere is, the list of things they have ‘sampled’: cherry-plums, greengage
Phinws, Slackberries, mulberries, cooked meat, raw ment, covked or raw fish,
apples, grapes, carrots, cakes, jam, honey, milk, heeiles, black grubs, white
ground grubs, fies, moths, and white wood-grubs,

“Termyn' will be five vears old next month and alrhougl the babies are
Jovely she still takes pride of place as our favourite,”

44 Remy asn Wittis, ¥eree Bend Pate Birk aa se

TAT ¥ARRA BEND PUBLIC PARK
Ry MON. Brrey ano J. H- Won, Natianal Herbarium, Melbouric

The 20. ojenibers and freends who assenthled at Johnston Street Bridge
an Satureay, 10th April, were favoured with ideal escursian weather, Mr.
FS. Colbver, io giving 2 prelinnitary explanutian ai the peolapical history
of Studley Park region, led our party up the left bank of tbe river co Dight’s
Balls. lxcellent clitf-face profiles ol the Silurian serlamentary hevrock
(upon which Melbourne largely stands) were briefly examined and rhe
intricate folding, faulting, displacement and pinching of strata, the effects
at billside cree aud other interesung features were noted.

Botanica) observations occupied the remainder of a pleasant sfiernoan, Im
aceardatice with the Cluh's projece to male hotanical surveys of the turested
country sul) remaining withy greater Methourne district Ca Inudadte
aac iow that dransport ta more distant Inmting-grounds is sa restricted),

Farr Pend was chosen os the fret reserve to have a series of quarterly
Visits.

The pame Studley Park ccased ta have offieasi status ap 145 when the
Lands Department icorporaced that area so atesignated in a larger reserve
af SR? acres (excluding over S42 acres pecuped by the Yarra Boulevard},
which flow cmbraces. the coubtry araund Fairfield Hospital—between Merri
Creek oan the west and Mew Mental Asylum to the east, Pac convenience
iit compiling Botanical starigties, the whole Yarta Bend Public Park is best
divided ate thrée distinct sections, viz, “Studley Park" as previously
undyrstead, “North Rast’ section between Kew Asylum and the river,
and "Central" section belween tae Yerra, Heidelberg Road, aud Merri
Creck—this Iast and largest division is the Jewst interesting’ Aoristically,
ince it cuver? newer basalt prassiand north of che Yarra whick has beer
manifestly altered thraugh grazing aud consequent reptacemnent of the
original vegetation by alien weeds,

Neomore than three traverses were undertaken i tho couple of hours of
daylight available; these embodied the slopes and river frontages irony
Toluaton Street Bridge ta Dight’s Falls, fruin the Falls past the Grimes
memerint io steep cliffs near the Ferry stage, fram the Boulevarel alnve
the Ferry past tbe Reservoir ant aloug the river escarpiemt again to Gipps
Strect foothridee,

Notwithstanding wus anusualiy dry aucumn 3seasay whieh had withered
the leaves of tlany shrubs Cnatahly Myoporun wiseosim and Cassima
acivesio, grownlg on exfoscd stony preund), no fewer than 140 higher
plants (88 yatives and 32 ustablished aliens) were listed during. the atter-
noon, aid of the (4aore than a <murter were observer in flower

Since FM, Reader began a Census of Studley Park yewetstion in [885
only two of our Club excussions (i 1910 and 1919) haye been concerned
with hetany and the published results of hath were very meayre. Of
Reader's species catalogued in 1885, 36 have wot heen re-discovered and
at least same af these must he presumed extinct in the area, e.g, the
“Meadow Moowort" GFotrvchnan susteafe) which Mr. C. Freach senior
collected here in 1858. and possibly Yibhertie stricta, but in compensation
we have heat able to add 67 plants, apparently recorded for the first’ Linwe,
thus dringing the all-time total for Studley Park Section gn [22 indigenaus
and 77 itmroduced species. ‘This does not include half a dozen spasmodic
aliens which were noted bot can hartlly yet be regarded as naturalized
{''Tree-of-Heaven,” ‘“Pepper-tree.” “Cmmnon ivy," “Japanese Honey-
suckle,” ete.), rior does it touch the lower ¢ryptogams (bosses, lichens,
fungi, algqe, etc}, The figures are impressive cuaugh for a reserve within
three niles of Melhowne G.B.O., but it is hoped to augment the lise during
spring, when stall scasanal plsiits appear and the ather two seenans of the
new Public Park are botanized as well and te publish af the eml of the
yeae d Conaprechiensive checle-list of tle whove flora,

bed Finny ann Wanirs, Korra Burd Public Pork I

Ecologically Studley Patt: 1s complicated and onc hesitates to tefte its
natural plant communitics as a distinct association: Encalypirs lencorvlon,
Eo incthadora, and LE. vbnmelis appear as the dominant trees Cwith 7
jastrata dominating the riparian element and ascending ball slopes for short
distances), while eieacia pycnautia, A, onjlexa, A, weinacea, Dodonnon
aaeeto, A yoporum wviscosum, M. insnloare and Goodenia ovata, singly or i
varus mixtures, form a shrub stratuin on am) around cliff faces, Perhaps
the <losest affinity is with Dr. R. Ty Patturs concept of the “Red Hux—
Ret Stringybark” association found higher up the Yarra at Warrandyte.
bet the component species there are so different: uo member of Cheno-
podiacee nor of Pieaidacrar is mentioned in the composition but at Studley
Park Atriploe somibaccatum, Khegodia nutans, KR. hastata, Enchyloenn
lomtentos anl Mesembriotthentnm acgilaterae are consprcvous, Again. the
R.B--RS.B. association clains ad least 33 different orchids, whereas ho
species of this fumily has heen so far reparted from Yarra Ten.

A, similar altiance of Myopornin viscosum with Chenopodiaver bas been
observed on the stony walls of Morang, Anakie, Werribee, and Lerderderg
gories, but ito allempt hag been made in Victorig to classify the yeretation
of cliff vaces. “This cliff clynent along the lower Yarra grades into a
type of savannah woodland at Studley Park an? the latter formerly passert
over jlo almost a heathlant community where the hard Silurian beds are
capped with Tertiary sands and gravels toward Kew—sutch heathland
élonent Jas suffered considerable destruction since f. M. Reader's day and
is hy now almost narecagnizable, The North East Section exhibits ail
analogous succession from river chffs to Tertiary sands near the old Quter
Circle railwayr \

Tt was regrettable to mote the many Amatl shiubs (echiety “Hop
Ceodenia") cate althest fo proond level, presumably by rabbits; other
recent damage to the Paste liad bee caused by small bushfires. in the
vieitities of Pight’s Falls aod Gipps St. Bridge, and at will be interesting
here to see how winter rains affect the natural regencratian af plant cover—
Feniel weed was much in prominence near the Falls and seems to Hourish
with successive burnings along whe river bank. “Improvements” to the
Boulevard include extensive planting of exatic shrubs and earths bindings
creepers, and it is duly to fic anbcpated that some of these will eventualby
escape into and mingle with the, andishurbed native vegeratiun.

Ts conjanction with botameal recordings it is expected that patrons of
zovloxy will give some atteitivu to the animal fife of the region. Quite #
noteworthy Giel o this frst oleting was that af a dead wative cat
(Daspures vinerroues}, a creature rare wear Melbourme; Mr. David Fleay
lei g Family of dasyores under ohservatian at Studley Park, while My.
C. 1. Barrett reported them as not uncommon there in 1925 (Fa. Nar,
vol. 42. p, 1); see also #ie. Nat., vol. 49, p. 63). The present syecimen
war a full-grown male and we trust that he has left a mate and progeny
soinewhere in the reserve!

CARRYING THE BABY

A country Datinahst, whe bot long ‘siece watched a wood duck bringing
down # brovd of ten from the nest in a high irce-spout, was lucky enough
to be so clase to them ubat tie could make no inistake about it. Ty; every
‘ Gnsiatice the mather, using her beak, caught the duckie ly the down on ifs
back and flew with at lo the foot of the tree, Each duckling as it was
placed on Ihe ground crouched Flat god motionless in the grass until the
whole brood’ had been brought in quick succession, Then, on a signal note
fram the duck, which, heaving perhaps for the frst time, they appeared to
fidly understand, they trailed away with her to the nearest water,

16 Bayal Botente Gardens, See. ra Wes Mouie Wee eR

ROVAT. BOTAN GARDENS, KEW, IN WAR TIME

The following notes, based of information comained m the latest nuuber
of te journal af the Kew Guild (1941) slow haw Kew, despite setbacks,
js carryiug on,

Early wn the war it was tleealed that Kew Gardens should remain aprn
tu the public heeayse of the recreational facilities it offered. Smee that
time, although the face of Kew has chanwed, thig object has been mai-
tained. By Aumust, 1940, nearly all the male scudents had gone ity the
Services, aul in thei place wornen paydeners were employed. Despite
evacuations From London, attendances in 1041 reached 825,000, some 2,000
more than in 1940

Over five acres of the -Gardens are tow uuder verctables. The main
ctop being potatoes, of which two acres were planted. Other crops grown
were kohl rahi, carrot, leeks, beet, awedes, Jiaricot bexns, onions, sequasles
aud imattows, So ¢uecesefiul was the carrot crop that many Of the hese
foots were kept for seed, prohably the first rine that such an activity has
take place at Kew, In addition (a the acreage in the Gardens ilsell, there
are further allotments behind the Herbasum aud also ov Kew Green,

Considering us size Kew has bath remarkably gew beanbs, but during the
"Brive? a received ito full share, Eighteen tigh explosive dombs Feld in
many different Jocwiities, damaging amanest other things the Qnpecn’s
Cottage, Palni Howe, Rhododendron ell and the Pinewwm, Orhers cansedd
damage to lawns, trees. and gardensheds. Oil hombs fell car the “Malus
Mound," causing damage to sone ne specnneus of the Deodar Ceclar,
Another fallug near the Teniperate Mouse fhlew out ever 7.00) panes of
glass. Many plants were damaged by flying giass and as whiter cane on
the plants were exposed to frost and cold winds. Due to feplacements of
plants and glass, the damage pow is hardly noteeahle, The Palm Wonse
also suffered severely, but less glass was broken, Ag ‘this house contains
auly trapica? species these had to be inwaedliately accoramedated elsewhere.
Baimb biast affected trees, riot only Ay ebecking their tonal erowth. but
hy forcing many dorsnant huds into grawth Bath trunks and mag tens
lave been afferted in this manner.

A fragment of an oi) bomb was fodlil embedded in lhe triuok of che
Teodars an the Broad Walk, about 120 yares fren the explosinn, So
firmly was it embedded Ut it could vot be removesl without cousing
egriqus damage to the sree, and s@ it “remains as a momenta of the time
ju which we live" Nogi) Galicry and one of the Museuns were damaged
hy last fram bewbs falling neay hy, Fortunately che prevless Nevth
<allecton af paintings bad been removerL

Becanse of the Centenary held during 1941, Kew received a proat deal uf
attention. A tational breadeasi was piven and a beautiiil eslour Alm
(of which « pre-vicw has already heen civen in Melbourne) was made

the Herbarium also duis stiered, although no niaterial damage has as
yet een sustained Just after the outbreale of war aiid because of their
scientific valuu, over two-thirds of the spccimens, (approx. 34 million sheets)
ameb over 20 tons of hooks Were evacuated with parl of ihe Herbarium staff
This party split ap wie two “etions, one setthuge at Oxtord aad the ather
int the Midlanrls ' .

Work in these sections tins continued, aithoupgt: Wiere is a marked licte of
nverseak correspondence but this is made uy by the numerous inquiries for
informetion corceming the local Aras. Compilation ef the supplements to
the Indes Keswusty and fades J omdondnsis ave benig centusued

Exhibits in the mustuins bave been reurgadized and now represents topical
imerests, lictucding wile plants for hind and paultry seeds. medicinas and
drug plants whiel) can be collected lie thy held, ete. —Now. Loriucact.

‘ ‘

‘

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol, LX.—No. 2 June 9, 1943 No. 714

PROCEEDINGS

The ordmary miecting of the Club was held at the Royal
Societv’s Hall on Monday, May 10, 1943. The President (Mr.
P. Croshie Morrison) presided, and about 80 members and friends
attended.

The President welcomed several visitors to the meeting. and
also expressed pleasure at seeing Mrs. V. H. Miller back after
illness, ;

PLANT NAMES SUB-COMMITTEE

Mr. J. BH. Wilks reported that the previous sub-committee not
having been officially disbanded, the appointment of a new sub-
committee at the Jast general meeting now meant that two
comunittees existed, and to simplify the matter he proposed to
move the following addition to the motion passed at the last
general meeting :;—That the Plant Names Sub-Committee he
reconstituted to function as a permanent standing sub-committee
of the Club with a minimum. personnel of five; that three members
shall always constitute a quorum; and that the inaugural personne)
be Dr. C. §. Sutton, Dr. R. T. Patton, Messrs, P. F. Morris,
J. He Willis, P. Bibby, J. W. Audas, T. S. Hart, E. E. Pescott
and N. Lothian,”

Mr, P, F. Morris seconded this motioi, which was carried.

SUBJECT FOR THE EVENING

This was an illustrated lecture entitled “The Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew,” given by Mr. Noel Lothian. The lecturer, using
a good series of illtistrations, traced the development of the gar-
dens and showed some of the outstanding features of the present
time. The effect of the war on the gardens and the part played in
training students for administrative positions were emphasized.

Several questions were asked, after- which the President
expressed the thanks of the Club to the lecturer and pointed out
that Mr, Lothian was a gracttate of the Gardens. who returned
to ‘Australia about two years ago.

18 Vicld Naturalists’ Club Pracecdinys ey oe

PERSONAL

Letters fram Mrs. Blanche FE. Miller, Messrs, J. Searle, J. A.
Ross, J, Wilcox, and Geo. Lyell expressing thanks for Ion.
Membership Certificates recently received.

The following were clected as Ordinary Members of the Cluh:
Messrs, J, E, Marshall, N. Stuart, and Joha Calaby,

NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICE-BEARERS

. The iollowing nominations were received for 1943-44 —

President, Mr. P. F. Morris; Vice-Presidents. Mr. HL C. E-
Stewart, Mr. Iva Hammictt, Mr. J. H. Willig; Hon. Editor, Mr.
A. H- Chisholm, F.R.Z.S.: Hon. Secretary, Mr. F. S. Coiliver:
Hon, Assistant Secretary, Mr. Noel Lothian; Hot. Treasurer,
Mr. EF. E. Lord: Hon. Librarian, Dr. C. 5. Sutton: Hon. Assistant
Librarian, Mr. P. Bibby; Committee. Messrs. A. 5. Chalk, 1. P.
Dickins, H. T, Reeves. G, N. Hyam, J. H. Wallis, A. Grassick.

Myr. A, §. Chalk and Mr. A. G, Hooke were re-elected as
auditors,

FORESTRY PROBLEMS

Mr, A. A. Baker moved: —"That this Club bring before the
Government the injury done to the country by deforestation and
soil erosion which may be caused hy a policy of settling ex-soldiers
of this war on the land, as was done alter the last war, notably in
Sourli Gippsland, the Mallee and Beech Forest, where in many
instances the land was vacated after clearing and is now overrut
with bracken and rabbits, thus preventing the regeneration of the
nattiral forest.”

Tr was agreed to refer the matter to the Committee for further
consideration,

NATURE NOTES
_ Mr. Ivo Hammett reported seeing a Wattle-hird clearing scale
off Acacia trees.

My, V. H. Miller stated that a lack of bird nests on the trees of
St. Kilda was noticeable this year.

Mr. P. Crosbie Morrison reported that a large greeiy vegetable
bug had crossed the Dividing Range this year, and that it had
been proved hy stomach exanunation that Mud-larks ate large
numbers. of these pests.

Meimbers are’ reminded thar Armizal Subscriptions’ are now due. Prompt
attention to this obligation would spare the Hon. Treasurer anuch work.

tet Epra Conmman, The Story of May Moneeftecs 9)

THE STORY OF MY HONE Y-BEIS
Ry Eprtu Cozumax, Blackburn, Vie.
(Continued from May issue)

Te was an old belief, most common in mediveval days, but dating
fron) Greek and Roman waitings of the Ist century, possibly
earlier, and persisling to the end Of the 19th in rural Europe, that
bees must he told of the death of their owner, otherwise they would
“mne and cdwine away,” Camerarius writes: “Who woukt be-
lieve, if experience did not make it credible, that most commonly
all the bees die in their ives if the master or nistress of the house
chanee tu dic, except they be presently removed to another place?
And yet I know that this hath happened to folk in no way stained
with superstition’! (Historical Meditations, Molle’s translation_)

“Telling the bees” was practised in England less than 5D years
ago. In Precious Bane, Mary Webb, who knew so well the tra-
ditions of Shropshire, makes use of this old custam, (As soon as
his father had died, Gideon Sarn said in an every day voice “T'll
go ans tell the bees, nother, or we met lose 'em,” and he told every
skep. )

BEE ISHMAELS

When L was a child my father sometimes took certain “bees”
from the flowers, ericlosing them in tis hand, He tenspted me
to emulate lim by pointing aut the ones I might safely handle, but
always my courage failed at the critical moment. I have assumed
thaf these were dranes although I do not remember nty father’s
telling me so. Edwards (1908) states that “no one has ever seen
a drone anioug the insects that haunt the Howers. or ever seen Jum
basking on a simht wall or tree-trank, like almost every other
winged atom. Onee gone from the hive, he seems to keep in-
cessantly on the wing until hunger prowpts him hame agam,” Yer
Maeterlinck (1901) writes of drones “caressing their idleness in
the midst of the Howers.” and again, “making for the nearest
flowers where they sleep until the afteriooiy freshness awakes
ther,”

Acearding 10 Quinhy (1884) drones may be taken in the fingers
with impunity, bet he does nor say whether from flowers or the
cambs, From Mr. Jarlton Rayment | Jearned that drones rarely
vasit flowers, and when thev do ‘alight it is nccidental,

Virgil sally of his drones * “sitting, without sharing in the labour,
at another's food’: and wnother old writer has summed hin np
“He Aieth abroad, aloft, and about; and that with no small noise
as thongh he would do some great act; but it is only for bis own
pleasure, to get hina stomach ; and then returns he to his cheer ;"
and I feat this is the picture that most of us have formed: of the
lazy drone,

za) Epird Cortatan, Lhe Story of My Hone y-Lees Mery yas

In November, 1942, when galden Aconiums were in flower, 1
partly solved the problem, For three weeks the huge inflorescences
weré haunted by bees which must have found them easy foraging.
Now and again. a larger, brighter “bee” alighted which suggested—
the wish no doubt being father to the thought—my father's
“drones.” But these were too swiit for me to capture, even im a
liddudl hox They were golten and gleaming, withour the hairy,
velvety loak of the hive bee. Like Michelet I thought thein too
radiant iy their luntinated wings for totlers of the hive. Whe at
last 1 did capture several 1 found that they were without the
married wiigs of hymenoptera, quite obviously fies.

Later I was able to see them depositing eggs on the walls of a
harrel which copfained liquid tiature, and to wateh the rat-
tailed maggots that emerged from them propelling themselves as
swiltly about the unpleasant fluid as their beautiful parents lad
navigated the air, Some were sent to Mr. Rayment who con-
firmed my assumption that they were drone-flies (Eristalis tenes)
and described them as flower-lovers, . . He added: “The trans-
parent structures vou mention between abdomen and thorax ate
actually the vestigial second pair of wing's.”

I <till carmol associate these swift radiant creaturés with the
“bees” my father eaplured so unhurviedly, but memory js some-
times treacherous.

SPRING-SUMMER BEHAVIOUR

With the passing of wiiter it was evident’ that sufficient bees
had survived to tend the developing Jarvae. When the weather
was fine one saw many young bees leave the combs for short fights
close by, returning almost at once to take up theit duties in the
nest. They were much too crowded for a novice to follow their
doings.

According to Rosch bees are educated through a succession of
duties, cach bee being able to perform all the work of the hive
when, her period for thar work arrives. He has. divided the Sife
of the worker-bee into three periods, For two days the newly-
hatched hee prepares cells for more eggs, and asstsis with the
fanning. Then, until 6) days old, she feeds the oldev larvae. For
9 days she may then feed the younger larvae. The second period,
of about 10 days, is devoted to receiving and storing nectar and
pollen brought in by foraging bees; comb-building and, at the end
of the period, guarding the entrance, Only during the third period,
of front 20 to 30 days, does she herself go afeld to forage for
nectar; pollen, propolis and water, and this brings her short life
to a close, _ The sequence of duties may vary; special circin-
stances tay demand same change in thetr order, ; .

IT could, of course, read little of this on my crowded combs, hut

ine Eur Corman, The Stary of My Monee Beer it

it, was pleasant to veflect that my thrce valiant attackers were no
more than ten days old,

The hive was photographed on October 7th, 1942. At the be-
ginning of December the “federation” had so increased thai ne comb
was visible. At night when the bees were all home they must have
been several inches deep, so that we became apprehensive that the
points of anchorage might give way under the great weight of
bees and honey, When Mr, A, G. Campbell saw them he sug-
gested that there might be danger irom enraged hees sliould the
nest fall. The weather was very warm. One could discern
nothing to denote softening of the wax, which: occurs even in or-
dinary hives under high temperatures, and affects the temper of
the bees.

However, as they had passed safely through the previous sum-
mer, and were fairly well shaded with apple and gum trees, nothing
was done, although the bees were closely watched with a view
fo warning our neighbours should the nest fall.

- DISASTER

Every evening I said “They will swarm to-morrow,” On the
eve of January 26th, 1943, atter a very hot day, it seemed certain
that something must happen. With such, an incredible number of
bees on the combs and more hees emerging daily, the comb-area:
metst surely be trehted if they were to carry on. At Z pau. next
day {a hot north wind) I found the nest on the ground while hosts
of hees were flying under and above the poof as if they knew not
where to take their loads, Sorne would fly to the fallen nest.and
then off as ii to forage again, or perhaps scout for a new site;

_ The strangest thing was that the bees did not appear to blame
me, although T stood by for long periods. As they lay motiontess
on a fallen sack, they resembled the skin of an animal, Instead
of falling on its apex the nest Jay flat on one side. It must, T think,
have slid very gradually and gently, so that many bees on the
under side had not been crushed. These had crawled on to the
upper surface where they formed part of a dense blanket of bees,
apparently protecting the larve from the great heat.

’ At Spm, when, normaily, on such a hot day the bees would still

be-active in the garden or on the combs, they were perfectly still-

At 8 p.m, the under surface of the roof and the & or 10 inches
of comb still attached to it were covered with bees. and on the
sack below they were ‘deeper than ever.

- Next day (January 28th} at 7 am. there was still little move-
ment and no hees were seen among the usually bee-haunted flowers
in a bed of bergamot close by. No i]l-temper was shown although
{ visited them many times during the morning, always a little

. 7 t, ]
22 Emry Coneman, Tha Stary of My Houny- Ares yu Nat

apprehensive, and keeping at a. reasonably safe distance: but «hs-
tance, of course, is nothing to a wrathtul bee.

T was at the must at 2 p.nv, Fifteen minutes later the bees bad
completely vanished—and I had missed one of the most moving
spectactes in. nature. Tt-seemed remarkable that they should desert
combs in which there was still so much honey, and hundreds of
larva: in all stages of development, For several days the comb
was visited by many bees, whether the lawful owners or robbers
J had no means of discovenng,

Wishing to examine the cuml [ accepted Kirby's asanrance that
bees may be safely inimersed in water for 4 hours, and will revive
with warmth. I had scen many revive when accidentally washed
into the Inrd pools. So talang a hose I made it rain gently—on
the just and the unjust alike, I was able to examine the illysive
drones a8 well as a living queen, and larve m niany stages, Alter
cutting off about 3 tbs. in order to test honey from my own
herbs, the nest was given up to marauders, It weighed (12/2/43)
with dead bees. larve and the little honey that was left, 104 lbs.

The part of the comb still attached ta the roof revealed the
beauty of waxen architecture. The leaves had heen strengthened
and conjoined hy means of small flying buttresses. Had it been
possible to roorthe nest more securely the combs would probably
have inceeased until too close to the ground; bul from the ingenuity
of the hees and the skill they bring to hear on an Unanticipated
problem, it is certain that they would have met the danger by
building in safer directions before this stage was reached.

It 3s known that hees fly long distances in search of pasture,
‘Fhese bees gave convincing proof that they are glad to forage
near home if the nght nectar be available. Water is necessary to
them at all stages, in rearing broods and in liquefying honey in very
cold weather, and they came sight ta the hose for it, weiling
hird-pools: and the dogs’ drinking bowls. I have counted 9 bees
sipping Jrom a tiny rack pool.

We had hoped that they might return to the remaining comb,
for bees do exhihit attachment to a favoured situation. In this
district for four suctessive years a large nest occupied the’ roof
of a shop, entering by a small perforated ventilator in the wall.
Kipiing’s becs of Litile Lindens, probably based on fact, had ved
under the tiles of the old farmhouse ever since it was built, There
is a recon] of 150 years for bees in an Oxford home.

The garden had lost a living charm, The hees had brushed jnto
it the finishing touches. They had conjured up pictures of those
old’ “sipping gardens’ of England, of my own county, Surrey; of
Mary Webb’s Shropshire: of ITardy's “Wessex;” of Kipling’s
Sussex, and Hudson’s Wiltshire. where cottages were “wrapped
in flowers as in a garment,” and rounded off with hee-skeps. Lastly.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Von, Lx June, 1943

Piatp I

rf vel Beaucesore, Creldds of the Portland Distitel 23

the bees enalecl ine to settle, to my own satisfaction at least, several
doubtfil poitits O71 the pollination of certain flowers: but this must
he another story.

le seems surprising that more Aower-lovers do not. employ the
bee. In cider daya every Aowery garden had its bees, until bee-
farming on a large scale made it easier to buy honey than to hire
the bee Certamly Eucalypt honey ts delicious, perhaps second
only to the thyme-boney of flowery Hytiettus, or the heather-
honey of Scotland;.but is there any finer honey than that gleaned
fram English cottage flowers?
: It ts a fascinating subject on which one is tenipted to dwell.
Lawson's words came to mind: “[ will not account her any of
my good housewifes that wanteth either bees or skilfulmess about
then.”

(Conchideel )

ORCHIDS OF THE PORTLAND DISTRICT
By Currv. Beauclenotr, Gorae West, via Portland

The following list of orchids is mare available chiefly by the
efforts of Mrs. KX. Mellblom, of Portland, Mr, Murray Holmes,
of Gorae, and myself, plus the great help we have received from
Mr W.H, Nicholls, of Melbourne. ,

J ani mentioning mainly seven localities, viz.—Gorae and Gorae
West (forest country), Cashmore, Teathmere [iwet heath
country), South Portland Bridgewater and Mount Richmond
(dricr areas, sandy nature, alse limestone ridges—all three adjoin-
ing sea coast), The Portland district is by no means @ large area,
but is noted for the vaned nature of its soils, and this 1s the main
reason why J, have divided it into different sections.

This list excludes al) doubtful finds; that is. no orchid is inched
unless determined by our authority, Mr. Nicholls. In some: cases
of the rarer orchids I am including the date on which we first
discovered them. Orchids that have heen found throughout are
Indicated by the word “ATI,” otherwise the locality or localities. in
initials, will be stated, The total of valid species is 81.

The key is: *, Orchids peculiar to Portland :.nos., approximate
number of different plants seer; v.r., under 25 plants: 7., appearing
in dozens (under favourable conditions) ; c., appearing in hundreds
(under favourable conditions) ; v.c., appearing in thousands (under
favourable conditions). ’

BIPODIUM

paintchalatns Hyaciuth Orchid . Alls cw
GASTRODIA

sesamoides- » Potata Orchid AM ge

24 Beauoninorr, Orelids of the Portland District
PRASOPHYLLUM

ousivale Austral Leck-orchid

Beaviyleholei Peat Leek-orchid

despectans Tiny Leek-orchid
“diverstfiarnm Variable Leek-archid

‘ plata Tall Leek-orchid

"Artem Yellow Leek-orchid

Fryoughis Graceful Leek-orchid

fiusca-vivide Dusky Green leek-orehid

gracile Elegant Leek-crchid

Hart Maroon Leek-orchid
“nIgYIGGNS Dark Leck-orchid

olay ator Sweet Leck-orchid

var. album White Leek-orchil

paruiflornm Simal)-Alowered Leek-orchid
CALOCHILUS

coonpestris Copper Beards

falidosus Red Beards

Rabertsonit Brown Beards

soprophyticts Leafless Beard-orchiid
THELY MITRA

antensifera Rabbit-Ears Orchil
aristata Scented Sun-orchid
rubra Pink Sun-orchid

fiscn-Intca Blotched Sun-Orchid

Pexuasa Twisted Sau-orchid

grandiflora Great Sun-orchid

imrordes Dotted Sun-orchid

var, Merranae’
Pyar, sids-
diffornits
media
pauciflora
"var. Holmesit
MICROTIS
dtrata
' pblonga
orbicularis
porvifiora
wfolia
CORFBAS
dicmenices -

dilatatus
SE
ACIANTAUS
caudalns
exsertis
reniferinis

Purple Son-orchid

Green Sun-orchid
Tall Sun-orchid
Slender Sun-orchid
Blue Star Suh-orchid

Yellow Onion-orchiel
Scented Otion-orchid
Swamp Onion-orchid
Small-tongved Onion-orchid
Common Onijon-orehid

P urple Helmet-orchid

Statel ly Helmet-orchid
Small Helmet-orchid

' Mayfly Orchid —

Mosquito Orchid .
Gnat Orchid

LYPERANTHUS

wgvicans

BURNETTIA |

. ouucata
ERIOCHILUS
cocullatis

LEPTOCERAS
fistbriatums

Red Beaks
Lizard Orchid

“Parsons” Bands

Fringed Hare-orchid

1953

7 Gar:

-, AMS

Vint, Nuts
Vol. L¥

Gy GW, Hie Cy

b.;
Gorae Wests 24,
G., G.W.,, SP; 5 .
Gorac West: 160.

All; «.

SP. H. ver
Gorae West: 3.
Bridgewater: vf,
Gorae West; 140.
Goraec West; 100.
Gorae; wir. '
All: ¢,
wit,
yt.

Gorat West:
Gorae West;

Cashmores 1.
S.P., B.;

All wort B.:
G.W.. 250: C,, "R.,

SP, ‘GW;

South) Portland; tr.
South Portland; 4.
All: we
Gorae: r.

l ea

Gorae; wr.

G, GW, B.; ve.
Gorae West; «.
vc.

All; vc

G., S.P., GW. B
MR.; vc,

All; vec.

G.. SB. G.W.,
MLR. wee

Mt. Clay. M-R.; ¢.

All: vic. -

. ATS ve

1930

All except G,; ¢.
G.W., Cc; SP,

ee,
CAG a

1934

S.P.. North Port-
Vand; c.

dune

1943 BEAucLEnNOLE, Orchids of the Portland District 25
CALADENIA
arrgmustate Musky Caladenia

caried

var. pyguiaca
cardiockila
congesta

clawigera
dcformts
aitatata
filastentosa
Hrasiata

latifolia

Mensiesu
putlida
Palersonii
var. avenarta

Svar, syaucolens
rétioulata

tvar valida
Patersouit *

Pink Fingers
Pygmy Caladema

Fleshy-hpped Spider-orchid
Black-tongued Cajadenia -

Clubbed Spider-orchid

Blue Fairies

Fringed Spider -orchid.

Tailed Spider-orchid

Meliblows’ Spider-archid

Pink Fairies
Hare Orchid

Golden-hued Spider-orchid
Common Spider-orchid
Tooth-lipped Spider-orchid

Scented Spider-orchid

Veined Spider-orchid

Portland's Spider-orchid

dtlatate Hybrid. Spider-orchid

CHILOGLOTTIS

refiexa Awtunn Bird-orchid
GLOSSODI 4

major Large Waxlip Orchid
DIURIS

longifolia Wallflower Diuris

palustris Swamp Diuris

peauncilata Snake Diuris

sul phurca Tiger Diuris
ORTHOCERAS

shvictnan ‘Horned Orchid
CRVPTOSTYLIS

subulaia _Large-tongue Orchid
SPIRANTHES

simensis Lady's Tresses
PTEROSTYLIS

achHeunata - Pointed Greenhood
— glota Striated Greenhood

barbata Bearded Greenhood

cucullata Leafy Greenhood

curla Blunt Greenhadd

ewrnocephala Swan Greenhood

falcata Sickle

foliata Slender Greenhaod

longifolia Tall Greenhood

nate ~ Dwarf Greenhood

matlans Nodding Greenhoad

parviflora Tiny Greenhood .

peduncilate Maroon Hood

villata Banded Greenhood

Gi, SP Ws Ci
H.;

All; ve

All;

C., My wr.

G. Hy, Cc, GW;
Gs

Allr or.

ALL: v.c.

All; ¢,

| SP. B

i owar.

SP, B,C, G.W.;
vec.

SP. B.C, MR

vt.

All;

Gorse. “West; 200.
All; vic.

SP. G.W.. Cy Bur

all SP. GW, C,
SP. Bs ve
SB. GW, G, C,
G., G.W.; vc
All; vc

ah vc

e a“ SP. GW.;
Heathimeze: ver.
All except G.; r.
All; ¢

G, SP. GW. c.

H,, Narrawang ;

HH, C, By re
Mt, Richmond; r,
Bridgewater; ¢.
All; vc

All: r. .
All;

All: u

All: vc.

Alli c

Ail: a.
All except C.; 1.

FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA

_ Less E,S.&:A. Bank Overdraft 29

- Recriers
Subscriptions—
Arrears -. 4. (2 5, ee ae ee en «£59 2 6
-~>*-Ciirrent 2.°., .. 05 2 ts 202 14 6
In Adyance .. 2. 62 we ee ee 2410 4
Cash Sales of—
Victorian Naturalist -.. 4 6 8 3
Publications .. 6. 6. 2. we ee 416 11
Badges .. ., 4. 213 2
Crockery ,- 5 5.4
Advertisements in Victorian Naturalist . .- .
Interest Received—
“Best Fund,” Fixed Denese, £50
@ 24% 1... z] 2 64
Fixed Deposits .. .. wa eh ie egy dy oe Be
Commonwealth.Loans ., .. .. 20 3 @
Balance at Banks on 30th April, 1942—
State Savings Bank credit .. .. £260 7 9
0 6

Py
~
fo
foxy
~
=

22:10 0
£332 4 8

231.7 3

£563 IL I

EXPENDITURE
Fidtortan Naturvatist—

Printmg .,' £173 5 4
‘Tilustrating 2... 0... 4218 9
Despatching sat 1 be beet te § 71l 7
Resting Jt Jap ordep dooap fete seep end
Postage and Freight . ef tiopront
General Printing and Stationery fig tt cy By
Library .. .. . Acewe ee “BE ee cee we BD
Rent and Caretaking - tL Le
Affilation Fees .2 6. 1. ek ee ee ee
General Expenses .. .
Invested in Commonwealth Loan .. .. .- ..
Balance at Banks on 30th fist 1943—

E.S.& A, Bank - .. .. £23 8 10

- State Savings Bank veal . 47 16 6

ah]

f ST ATEMENT OF: RECEIPTS © AND EXPENDITURE FOR 12 MONTHS ENDED: 30th APRIL, 1943.

s
te
.

_
OF ee SE se

ot
bho
oo
MN

200

NOS

~w onr

PAN DOL

danpipuaday jn sjfioay fo pants!

XT vA]

‘UN 3ILA

FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA
BALANCE SHEET ON 30th APRIL, 1943. :

LIABILITIES ASSETS
Late Dudley Best Fumd ,. .. -. 2. 2. 6, 4: £50 O @ | Arrears of Babs fide 2007 48/
Subscriptions paid in advance .. .. . 2410 4 Estimated to realize .. 1... sides aces 440 0 0
Special Trust Account (in Savings Bank) . 1215 3 State Savings Bank—
, -——_— General Account .. .. .. .. .. £57 15 6
£87 5 7 ‘Special Trust. Account ba er 12:15 3
Balance, being surplus of Assets over Lia- ~f i 70 11 9
bilities 2. 1. ue ne ce ee ee ae ee ve eels) «E840 15 0 ES. & A, Bank— : :
General Account .. 4-0-1 ce op eee a ee 23° 8 ‘10
Investitents—
ES. & A. Bank Fixed PRPORRY
“Best Fund’... £50 0 0
General .. 1 aber 3020+ «0
Commonwealth, Bonds ~_ Face
: yalue .. .- . 650 6 6
(Market value. ‘at "this “date
£691) ‘
. 750 0 0.
Library, Furniture and Epidiascope—
At Insurance Value .. .. Wea 680 0 0
- Stock on hand of Books and Badges— ;
At Valuation—
Feyn Book .. .. .. .. .. .. #46 0 9
; Fungus Book .. .. .. ,. ., 20 0 0
Club Badges An oS EES Se 40 0
64 0 0
£1,628 0 s? £1,628 0 7
Audited and found correct on 14th Ie a 1943, ¥!
; a BE baie «=| RE ED Hon, Auditors. E, E. LORD, Hon, Treasurer.

[ae

Jeppuod ery pid sygraiay fo juaueajoys

ZB Kure a New Sprcieg 0) Caloehilny (Ordadeccar) Va te

A NEW SPECIES OF CALOCHILUS (ORCHIDACEAE)
(C. gramllinms, sp. nav.)
By the Rev. H, MR Rype, Northbridge, N-S,W,

Planta gracilis, 20-35 om alto, fotio eangusta canelwulate. Canis
diacleae 2 Flores 2.8, aliquanta porci, Sepalwmn dorsate late fancedlatiu,
encullotiun, cirettcr 1 cen. fongum: sepata lateralia lanceolata, vix 1 cm,
tange. Petala anulta brevicra, Jere rhombordalia, fusca cen fineig viebras
purpereis, Lobelluns gracilltmuns et longissiimiem, tilts logis riebyo-purpureis
dense fimbrintunt: lamina ad basem omning papillose, ad opicem flamentcsa,
_ pilose, Columma brevis, ad base cin glandibus saporaiys parrvis duodus ;
antiera mfons. Ouariuny magni consplene costatun, ;

A slender plant from 20 to 35 cm. high, with a narrow
channeiled leaf sometimes hardly reaching the inflorescence, and’
twu sheathing slem-bracts, Fluwers 2-8, rather small, Dorsal
sepal hhyroadly Janceolate, cucillate, about 1 ecm. long. Lateral
sepals rather narrowly lanceolate, scarcely 1 ¢in. long. Petals very
much shorter, almost rhomboid, after expansion soon turning
inwards in front of the colunm, brownish with deep reddish-purple
striae. Labellum very slender and vecy long, densely fimbriate
with long reddish-purple hairs; lamina at the hase wholly papillose,
the papillae gradually lengthening till they blend with the hairs;
apical portion not a bare sibbon, but the lamina gradually becoming
finely filiform, and beset with hairs almast to the ti Cohlimnn
short, with two small very dark unoomected glands at the base.
Each gland has a very short vein entering if from above and front
below, and about midway between the glands is a dark-colowred
swelling, Anther much bent forward. oftet emalginate, Lower
margin of stigma conspicuous, dark; upper margin obscure, Ovary
large, conspicuously ribbed,

Blackwall Mountain, Woy Woy, Christmas Day, 1933, H. MM. R-
Rupp. Motnt irvine, Blue Mountains, January, 1934, Mrs. C. A.
Messmer; January, 1943, Misses J. P. and G, J. Scrivener

As will be gathered from the above data, the new species has
heen actually known for over ten years; but from various causes
iis deseription hag heen delayed. Morphologically the flower is
most nearly related to Bentham's C. Robertsond, but it could nor
be included in that species. Its outstanding ‘charactéristics, dis-
tinguishing it from all other species yet discovered, are: {1)
Flowering season—tmidsummer. (2) Extreine slenderness and
great length of the labellum. (3) Anterior portion of labellum not
contracting into a bare ribbon, but gradually: becoming filiform,
and clothed with hairs practically to the bp,

The specific namie is in particular allusion to the Jabellum, hur
is almust équally applicable ta the whole flower, The isolated dark
swelling between the basal glands of the calunw: is interesting, and
may passibly represent a third gland; but at is ill-defined,

atm Baney Meat of We at. F Kenyon Fa

DEATH OF MK. A, S. KENYON

Acustraha lost a notable and highly uselul cituzen When Mr. A. S, Kenyon
itd, jure a jengrhy ilness, at ts home at Heidelberg, Melbourne. on May

Alired Stephen Kenvon was bari on Deeember 7, 18467, at Homebush,
near Maryborough (Vic 5, where his father. Alired Hendersou (Kenyon,
had for some lime a general store. Afterwards (in 1869) the father
established chain stores at Beauter?, Avarat, Stawell and Horsham In
187$ he weit. ise farming at Bulgana for several years, until the oxceps
tional drought which culannatedein 1883, and the educational needs of his
family directed fir to Melhourte, where he started in business as book-
Seller, Stationer, ote at Bridge Read, Richmond.

A. S. Kenyou attended St. Stephen’s Grammar School, Richmond, and
alter wiatriculatioe conumenced the course for civil enpineeriue at the
Melheurne University; but, accepting the opportuniiv of obtaining practical
experience, in [S87 he entered the Public Works Department wader Messes.
Cheeehi and Catani. Next year he transferred as draftsman to the Victorian
Water Supply Department, and in 1898 was Assistant Engineer and in 1901.
Engineer-ia-Chatge of Towa Supplies and New Proposals. Lu 1906
Dr Cherry, Director of Agnculiure, induced him to join Ins Department
as Enginesr of Agriculture. in which acuve capactly he wat employed im
the important task of developing the Central Mallee district, wath its
difficult prablems of water supply and recfamation, clearing and cultivation

e by traction power. In addition, lectures were giyeu in all the agricultural
districts, and informative articles published in the Journal of Aericultuce.

At the re-orpanization of the Department in J91], Mr. Kenyon was
appointed as senior engineer to the State Rivers and Water Conimissian,
for which his varied experience was invaluable. In 1932 followed appoint—
mebt as Acting Conimissioner, and shortly after as Conkmissioner,

Retirement from the Public Service (in 1933} direrta) bit sbundand
energy elsewhere. Having for some years been Jronorary Nonitsroatist at
the Pubhe Library. he was appointed to take chayge of the collection
permanently and later to be Keeper of Antiquities. The present excellent
candition of these departments shows his thorough knowledge af the
subjects. painstaking ability, and capacity for organization. His secios of
lectures on both sebjecte were appreciated for their lucidity and \vealth
of information

In the subject of Ethnology Mr. Kenyon was an undoubted expert,
having through his outdoor work over so exterstve au area ili forese, plain,
and d¢cert, niet und studied the aborigines and. the reniains of dhe Stone
Age in Australia closely and intelligently, avd with an jotultion that was
remarkable, In the comparison and relation of stone artefacts from all
parts of the world, and in all ages to the prezent, his arrangement js most
iluminating. In this subject also he gave many striking lectures and
wrote informative articles.

His kiowledee of the pkysiography, geography and natural features of
Victoria was comprehensive, especially so in regard to the Mallee and
the Murray River and its affluenis, his keen observation being shown in
his knowledge of the weology, Aora and fauna of the country, on which he
sould always vive first-hand information as a feld naturalist.

As a tenibey of 4he Histofical Society of Victoria for tore than 30
years, he devated much time to the study and conpilation of the history
of Vietoriz, more particularly of the pastoral period froin [834 to 1860, of
Which he made a comprehensive survey. With Mr. R, V, Billis he published
Pastirce New (1930) and Postorat Pioneer's of Part Phillip (1932), whilst

. . - oe Viet. Mat
x Dianey, Death of My, A, &. Reagan Vol. LX

Phe Story of the Mallee (1014-15) vividly and conipletely presents tal
remarkable area. In these warka a3 @ feliable and enduring record of rhe
jastoral pioleers, For some years My, Kenyan, altervatively with Mr. C.
Daiey, gave monthly lectures of) Australian history at the Melboume Police
Library.

Mr. Kerryon also published short histories or analy of places, euch as
The Story of Meibnurne, The Story af Austrate, Merdelharg, the City of
Shes. also of Swan Mill. Kowree, et), He alsa, as me of the Histarical
Sub-committee for the Centenary Celebrations, collaborated with Messrs.
A, W. Greig, C. Ro Lone and C. Daley in writing Mtetorie, the First
Cenxlury, the official history in 1934. Mr, Kenyon was on the Connnittc.
af the Histories) Society for many years, and aceupied for two yours each
Ue positions respectively of President, Hon. Socrerary, and Editer.

Besieles the wovks above mentianed he contributed many articles, historical,
éciettific, edgidecring and sereral, to the Press and magazines, arm) lectured.
to societies and clubs on vatigus subjects.

Mr. Kenyon wat a member ef siany societies and clubs of cnitural
character, in all of whieh he gaye some official service and hely, OF these
Tay be menthianed tke Field Naturaliers' Clo of Virtorta, the Antoropolagical
Sociely, the Institute of Engineers (Aust, of each of which he was
ex-Presidemt. Other societies in which he tavk part were the Avstraban
and New Zealand Association dor the Adwancetnent of Seivime, the Society
ot Geneulopivis, the Royal Society of Victoria. Wie Auberalasial) [petctirte
of Mining and Metallurgy, wilh many kindred societies in ihe other Srates
and in Ameérica—a widespread connection .

Mr. Keayent inp 1895 married Miss Alexandrina Leontine Deéléyine. who
died in 1905, Their daughter, Justine (Mrs. O. C. 'Vyrer). the devoted
help-mate of her fsther, avrvives the double boss.

In Mr, Kenyon’s nutable career’ in the Public Service of Victoria 4s
welas in his honerury assocvation with useful jogjetles ang institatians, his
work. official or otherwise, waa invariably churacterized hy full knowledge,
Muture judemicnt, ptirpase, niethad, precision, alkl effeiency, ensuring its
success, Wersatle and resourceful, he was dismayed by ne dificult:
Giitedl with a very retentive memory, tinged witha keen sense of humour,
from 3 wisely garnered store of varied knowledge. alrost encyclopertic i
character. Mr. Kenyon always derived pleasure in supplying with facility
and readiness useful and accurate tifernialon t cuqmirers over 4 wile
range of thought, A clear aid lagical thinker. it considered opynons on
matrers of moment always carried grest weight,

Genial and open-hearted in neture, casily approachable and respanstye,
4 gond raconteur, with 2 hraad, tolerant, and uintlerstaniimy outlook on.
wen and manners, Mr. Kettyon retaiied a wide circle pi friends who
appreciated his distinct ond aitroctive personality, valued is acyuauuanee,
and new sincerely mourn his loss te the community,

The funeral took place on May 15, to the Weietelhorg Cemetery, where a
service Was conducted by the Rev. ( Larlaned (Presiyterian) in the
presence of a large number o} mourners, Represatadves of the PN.
included the Premident, Wiee-Presidents. Secretary, Eeitot, and other
meinbers,

Metbers al the FIN LC. will sympathize warmly wih Mr and Mrs. WL Ae
Nicholls, whose daughter Doris (Mrs, Panlet}) died on May 19, after an
Wess of several months, at the age of 21 years. Mrs Paulet (whose
hshand ts in the ALLE.) had been miartied less than oye vear

ery Mors axn Pescotr, Poisoning ly Encalypts 51

POISONING BY EUCALYPTS

ConsHlerable attention js now being directed to the presente ot Inydrocyatlic
acid (HCN) in poisonous amounts in-various plants. Many species of both
wikl and cultivated plants in Australia are capable in certain urcuntslances
of developing hydrocyame acid, also called prussie acid, whiel is highly
puisutienis.

The gugutity of poison that ca be formed in plauts anay vary considerably
with th: stage of growth, climauc conditions, and soil, In general, mature
plants contain a much smaller percentage of potenual acd than do young
plants, James TF, Couch, an American chemist, bas shown that sorghums
grown in the warmer Souchern States ot America have nat poisoned Jive
stocle so much as thase grown farther north, The reason, far the differcnes,
he states, is probublly climatic; bet litdle is known about the exact causes of
the tormauen of tue poisonous acid in this ise.

Futcalvptns cladovalyx, Fiv.M. (Sugar Gum) hias: often been the cause
of many deatha in gli classes of staule, especially whey Lhe Lrees are lopped
for windbreaks, Both juvenile and mature leaves have been found w be
toxic. As iu most cyauogenetic plants, the young Jeaves contain the highest
percentage of ACN, The Poison Plants Committee of M.S.W~ wives the
results of extensive expernmental and practical work) on the subject.
Finnemore, Reichard snd Large have isolated a glucoside which they
identified as a pranasin previously found an other platy. Fresh suckers
vieldedl 0-599 TON ,

Euvcalypius vianinatis, Lab, (Manna Crum), has been suspected by me as
the cause of deaths in Koalas, especially aiter fre and other penads of
quick growth when HCN is likeiy to develop. Fiunenore, Reichard and
Lange tested Jeaves collected trom Braidwood, .S.W., amid Bot & begative
reachion. Other samples _of adule and juvem'e leaves {rom wie different
localities gaye positive reaetivit and yielded O 09% TC.

Tr nev opinion the chief causes and pernads of devclopiient of ACN are:
(1) after fire, (2) after drought foilowel by cain, (3) after a very cold
snap. (4) worked-ont soil, (5) soils deficieut in dime, (6) plants that have
heer injured, ye i

The timber of Evecalypins leutpivaia (Grey Bax) and Jb. maculata
(Ssoued Gum) are susyected of censing skin irritation in busiwarkeyrs
and salwinillers, i

PL F. Monnts. National Herbariunr.

Vhe note in Jast month's yesuv enquiring avliether the foliage al (ny
Suvar Gum is injurious to goals reminds me that this gum, Eucalypias
clodocalys, is definitely classed a5 a poison tree—younp and old foliage
alike carnmving TICN, Jfataliticy are more covrnon among stock during
draught : -

‘The earliest record goes back to 1908. Tr 1929 at Alleena, in Now South
Wales, a horse and a cow were poisoned. Tn Deniliquin in (935 sheep and
cattle were killed after eating the lopped foliage. In 1936 a flock of sheep
suffered severely at Narriudera aid 30 of the avimals died,

Reeards of the Poison Planis Convnince of New Sout Wales show
poisoning of sheep, cattle and herses, but goats are nat nientioned, Fran
May to July seems to be the danger period,

Osier Eucatypts ace known at tives to contain poiton fh the Tha.
Tor jiatance, the aborigines (would throw branches of the Conlaball
(Eucalvplas wicrofhece) into water in arier to poison ssl. os
, EF, E. Pesewrr.

Cuarwan, The bate T. A. Rediison Sie

THE LATE T. A. ROBINSON

A note in the ie. Nat. of last month rclates to the passing of that reat
Jover of our native flora, Thomas Alfred Robinson, in his 91st year J
remember meeting hint by appaitnent, on the top of One Tree Hill, Balwyn,
about four years ago, to show him something of our natwe garden
{Maranoa) adjoinme Beckett Park. I was astonished ta find him keeping
his promise mm a blinding sheet of tain. He must ten have reached the
age of 8&7, His knowledge of the socrets of native plant propagation was
most impressive, Nothing seemed beyond his. skill in the making of twa or
more plants grow where only one grew before, When he retired trom
school-teaching Ic purchased an inferior plot of land (according to his
friends) at Dutson, near Sale. Having faith and "green fingers” he
succeeded even btyond his own expectations. He rightly named lie
praperty “Chorizenza,” for le cvidently made it sing for joy.

For my own part 1 have to ery peccew. for when some years ago in
company of the Director of the Geological Survey (Mr. Baragwanath} 4
visited the limestone quarry at Duison. I referred to the owner as Mr.
Rohertson, and 40 the spot passed! down to posterity in my geologi¢al report
as “Robertson’s quarry.” At the time my eyes were Alled with the tiny
shells. called forams, with which the quarry 2hounds, and Tf failed ta visit
the Owner's. wonderful garden, ta my everlasting regrct. Some years later,
Towevet, 1 had the chance of offering my apologies for the ereor to this
grand old @ardéner. F. Crararar.

APHIDS WANTED

A note from Mr. Hubert Jarvis, the Queensland entomologist. tells an
interesting story hased on a paragraph in the {/fc, Nat. by Mr. W. Hunter
on the pine Podocarpus alpina. As a special aphid occurs on a species of
Podocarpus in Brishane. Mr. Jarvis asked My, Hunter to send aphids front
P. alpina, and these whet received were found to include a winged aphid
af an entirely new species, Probably this is the first purely Australian aphid
yet discovered, al] the others {more than G0 species) having been introduced.
Now Mr. Jarvis suggests that possibly members of the F.N.C. would he
good enough to send hint more aphids from any species of Podocarpus. and
neare particularly PF. alpraa. This merely means plicking a leal or twig
carrying the apliids, enclosing it in a tin. and posting the package in Mr,
Jarvis at the Department of Agriculture, Brishane—A H.C,

HAVE YOU ANY QUESTIONS?

Arrangements have hect nade to constitute something in the nature of
a Natural History “Brains Trust” at the July mecting, That is to say.
questions are invited—preferably to be handed in at the June mecting—ani
these will be discussed by members of the panel. The subjects and speaktrs
atu: Insects, Miss Janet Raff; Shelis, Mr. C. J. Gabriel; Rocks. Mr. 4. C.
Frostick; Fossils, Mr. F. S. Cofliver.

MOSQUITO BITES

A correspondent in N.S.W. says that mosquite bites affect him painfully,
heing irritable for days, and he found that a piece of washing-soda. abont
the size of 3 hazel nut, dissolved in an egezcupiul of water, made a very
food lotion. The poisan of most insects 1s, uo doubt, an acid similar to
the frrmic acid of ant bites, so any alkali neutealizes at.

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX.—No. 3 _ * July 7, 1943 No. 715
> PROCEEDINGS

. The Annual Meenng of the Club was held on Monday, June 14,
1943. The President (Mr. P. Crosbie Morrison, M.Sc.) presided
and about 80 members and friends attended.

BEREAVEMEN TS

The President announced the recent death of Mr. A. 5S. Kenyon.
an ex-president and a member of many, years’ standing, and also
that Mr. W. H. Nicholls had recently Jost’ a daughter. Members

stood in silence as a mark of respect. :
ee ¢

GENERAL BUSINESS

The President announced that a Rural Reconstruction Com- -
mission. had been formed and is meeting in Melbourne, and that
the committee would watch the evidence given before it.

Mr. F. Lewis, .Chict Inspector of Fisheries and Game, wrote
stating that a proclamation would shortly be issued giving full
protection ‘to the Grey Butcher-bird.

REPORTS OF EXCURSIONS

Excursions’ were reported on as follows:—Ferntree Gully
National Park, Mr. J. H. Willis; Royal Park Cutting, Mr. F. 5.
Colliver; National Herbarium, Mr. P. F. Morris; Botanic Gar-
dens, Mr. H. C. E. Stewart.

‘ELECTION OF MEMBERS

The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club:
Mr. and Mrs. &, R. Stewart, Messrs. J. Ferguson, C. F. Hulett,
E. W. Rieschieck; and as Country Member, Mr. M. M. Furze.

J ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Report was received and adopted.
_ The Balance Sheet was explained by Mr. A. G. Hooke, who
paid a tribute to the Hon. Treasurer (Mr. E. E. Lord) for the

34 Field Naturalists’ Chab Procerdings ar ‘ ee

work he had done during his first year in office. Mr. Hooke
moved and Mr, Chalk seconded the adoption of the Balance Sheet,
and the motion was catried. The President returned thanks to
the auditors for theic work.

The retiring President installed Mr. P. F. Morris as President,
and mentioned that it was just 25 years since Mr. Morris joined
the Club.

Other officers were elected as follows: Vice-Presidents, Mr.
H. C, E. Stewart and Mr. Ivo Hammictt; Hon, Editor, Mr, A. H.
Chisholm; Hon. Secretary, Mr. F. S. Colliver: Hon. Assistant
Secretary, Mr. Noel Lothian; Hon. Treasurer, Mr, E, E. Lord:
Hon. Librarian, Mr, P. Bibby; Committee, Messrs. A. S. Chalk,
G.N. Hyam, H. P, Dickins, J. H- Willis, H. T. Reeves.

' NATURE NOTES
Question by Member

Question: The innermost claw of the Cassowary, unusually long
and straight, is said to have been used by certain aborigines in one
of their implements. Does anyone know in what implement the
claw was placed and if its use was limited to tribes in those regions
in which the Cassowary is found? | Discussion: Mr. Chisholm
stated that the claw was quite possibly used as an implement by
the natives, and mentionéd that proof of the strength in the claw
artd foot of the bird was a record of a Cassowary kicking’ a boy
and severing the jugular vem, Mr. Colliver suggested that the
claw could he a highly specialized tool, and added that in certain
districts the churingas were carved with a fool consisting of a
possum’s skull with one incisor left in.

Mr. V. H. Miller, correcting a published note, stated that St.
Kilda Road should have been given, instead of St. Kilda, in the
reference to the lack of birds’ nests.

RETIRING OFFICERS

The President expressed the thanks of the Club lo the retiring
committee, and paid tribute to Dr. C. S. Sutton, who felt unabie
to carry on as Librarien, after 19 years in that office. In thanking
the retiring President, Mr. Morris stated that Mr. Morrison had
set a tagh standard to follow.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

Mr. Morrison spoke on the subject “The All-Round Man.”
The address was thought-provoking, and a fitting finale to the
programme of lectures given during the year. A natural colour
fil: of the gleanings oJ an all-round man illustrated Mr, Morrison's
yemarks. i

on ; ‘Ananal Repors 35

SIXTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT.

The Commitice of the F.N.C. has pleasure in stubmitting the
63rd Annual Report.

Membership is as follows: Honorary Members, 16; Ordinary
Members, 230; Country Members, 79; Associate Members, 14;
total members, 339. This represents a decrease of two on the
figures of the last year.

Many of our members are with the services and the following
we know to be in uniform: K. Ash, E. V. Barton, T. H. Brunn;
C. A. Burley, W. R. Cover, G, I. Dundas, J. Firth, D. C. Geddies,
D, E. Greenwood, Keith A, Hateley, M. F’ Leask, N. Lothian,
R. G. Matthews, F. N. Morley, C. C. Ralph, B, M.' Sloggett,
N. A. Wakefield, J. Waterhouse. Possibly there are others, and
we would be glad to have their names.

We record with sorrow the death of the following members:
Miss E. L. Keartland (1926-1943), Mr. A. S. Kenyon, M.J.E.
(Aust.) (1927-1943), Mr. Chas. Fletcher (1935-1943),° Mr.
Fletcher Jost his life with the Air Force ‘somewhere in Australia.
An old friend and past member, Mr. T. Robinson, of Dutson, near
Sale, passed away recently at the age of ‘almost 92. ~

All things considered, the attendances at the Club meetings are
well sustained and interest’ has been maintained with a worthy
series of lectures during the year, Exhibits have fallen off son‘e-
what, but this can be ascribed to the time of our members being
taken up with various home defence activities and long hours in
work, '

‘The Air Force has taken over both the lecture room and library
room as class rooms and a certain amount of inconvenience to
members has tesulted; but as this is the only upset we have had
so far, we can be thankiul that we still have the use of the rooms.

The Excursion List had to be curtailed somewhat ‘this year;
and alterations and cancellations were necessary; nevertheless 2
good programme was arranged and many of the excursions were
well-attended.

Vol. 39 of the Fictorian Naturalist has been completed, and
again the war-time paper restrictions have operated. However, a
good series of scientific and popular papers has been published
and our journai’s place in scientific literature has been maintained.
Additional overseas and local institutions have been added to ovr
exchange list, and many haye been the calls for back numbers.
Tn this matter it is of interest to note that a series of articles
by Mr. G, N, Hyam on “Vegetable Foods of the Australian
Aborigine” have been sought by the Navy and the Commando
headquarters, , ;

War conditions have prevented matters pertaining to protection

46 Aitnual Repor! Wet. ie f

of flora and fauna from receiving full ‘attention,’ tui im many
matters recommendations and reports have beer passed on to the
proper authorities. ; , oP

* We are still m association with the Department of Information
and expect so to continue;for the duration, Business relating ta
the Australian Natural History Medallion is still'in. the hands of
the Club, and we record with great pleasure that the last reciptent
was Mr. David Fleay, B.A,; Dip.Ed., of the Sir Colin MacKenzie
Sanctuary, Healesville,. The presentation of the medallion took
place at a function arratged by the Bird Observers’ Club and the
Leach Memorial Club. . ; zo LG

No Wild Flower Show was held this year, due to Jack of halls
and manpower, hut we look forward tothe time when this ‘part
of the Club’s activities can be re-instituted.

‘This year the Plant Names Sub-Committee has been re-institubed
and many problerns of plant nomenclature are now receiving
attention. a

The Junioy Branch of the Club at Hawthorn is in process of
formation. To illustrate the working of the Club a display «was
staged at the Hawthorn Library rooms and this created consider
able interest in the district. p }

During the year honorary membership certiicates were printed
and sent to the members so designated. The simple yet dignified
certificate received general approval,

At the Jast annual meeting Mr. Geo. Coghill retired from
active membership atter some 48 years of service in vanous offices,
and Messrs. J. and W. H. Ingram retired from the offices of
Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Assistant Lihrarian, positions they had
held for many years. At the last committee meeting Dr. C. S:
Sutton tendered his resignatioi as Hon. Librarian, a position he
has uccupicd for nineteen years. To these grand old members we
éxtend the thanks of the Club for fine service, —

During the year we have welcomed to our’ meetings visiting
natiiralisis and members, of the American Forces, stationed here.
From time to time, too, we have been pleased to seé some of our
country members,

To Mr. McCrae Howett we give our best thanks for the
continued use of his rooms as a committee mecting place, A
comprehensive expression of thanks is extended to all who lave
givet’ of their time and energies (oward the advancement of the
Club and its ideals. ;

Mr, Charles Daley writes that on p. 30, Tine 27, mi the Pie. Not, tor Jane
"1903" should be replaced by ‘3940.

rhe | ' Morason, The All-round Man av

THE ALL-ROUND MAN
. Portion of Presidential Address to the P.N,C., June, 1943.
By P. Creossre Morrison, M.Sc,

People in the old days made jokes about the all-round man [
recall one of them. “Drs So-and-So... Oh, he’s a good all-round
man. The doctors say he’s a gaod golfer and the golfers say he's
‘a good doctor!” TL is only more recently that the specialist has
come itt jor his share of the bantering, as the man who knows
more and more about less and less until he knows everything
about nothing; while, of course, the all-round mas is oné who
knows less and less about more and more, until he knows nothing
about cverything- y

There is. indeed, much to be said for the al-round man. After
all, he is the une who sees most of the game, ‘To take an
analogy from some of the homely trades, a new house to the
plumber provides examples of something new, or somethitig to
be criticised, in (he arrangement of the sewerage and the water
supply, The bricklayer's eye is alert for the courses that are not
‘quite true, or delights in a periect job. The eye of the carpenter
‘and of the plasterer cannot fail to be held by the work that pertains
to his own speciality. The architect may criticise the general
‘planning., But it is the man who is louking for a hame—the
all-round man, the man with an unjuiudiced eye and an unbiased
mind—who sees the house as a home, to be lived in and loved.
True, he may have to call in all the specialists, one after another,
to advise him un special points that might escaje his inexpert eye,
but the fall enjoyment of the house is kis, and his alone. ° :

‘We may apply the analogy fairly completely to our work as
naturalists. We cannot do without ovr specialists, and 1 would
he the last to disparage one of thei; hil in their own, specialities
they have their reward, and it is the all-ruund man wha bas the
‘fullest, most complete enjoyment of nature as « culrural environ
ment. :

_ But to-day the matter goes deeper, far deeper, than that. We
have ail been’ living very close to our Work, So much is being
learned day by day that one human mind cannot compass it all.
It is only comparatively recently that a choice few of the world’s
great scientific minds have laken time to deliberately stand off
and view the whole edifice. and what they have seen has made them
inarvel, **.

We have become accustomed to regard evolution in terms of
“Satural celection”"—in other words, “‘the survival of the fittest,”
Every living thing, plant or animal, is born with slight differences
‘(or. im some cases. marked differences) from its parents and its

38 Morrison, The All-round Maw bs a

fellows, while retaining a strong family resemblance. It these
differences are favourable to its mode of living, says Darwin, they
are perpetuated. The most efficient antmal has first choice of a
mate, and first pick of the food, while the least efficient goes
urider, and may never perpetuate its kind. So evolution goes on
toward a grand climax yet to be seen. _

There have been difficulties, though not insuperable dificalties,
in applying this [heory to our known experiences in the held. No
one has felt quite happy about them, though all have hoped to
clear up the fast little discrepancies.

But the arrangement of our SO-odd elements is no less logical
and orderly, yet they are not endowed with life; they are not
subject to the processes of natural selection, or of survival or
echpse. Professor Lawrence Henderson, of Harvard University,
pointed this out some twelve or mare years ago. As a biological
chemist—and a self-declared materialist, therefore unbiased by
relizian—fie remarked how uniquely the elements carbon, Syston
and oxygen were suited to the creation and maintenance of fife
in animals and plants—three elements out of nearly 100, with
properties incapable of heing provided by other eclemerits on other
planets, Henderson remarked further how the unique suitability
of carhon dioxide as a starting-point in the building up of plant
tissues depended upon the action of chlorophyll and upon the
alternation of light and darkness, and that, of course, brings the
astronomical sciences into the picture—the strangely purposive
arrangement of the Solar System.

Now, receritly, aur own Professor Wood Jones—we like fo call
him “outs” because of the stimulus he gave to the scientific cotn-
munity during his professorship in Melbourne—has carried the
matter a step further still, In brief, he says if we can only stand
far enough off to see Nature as a whole, in the light of all that
modetn science and specialization has taught us of its component
parts, we cannot fail to be impressed with the design and purpose
behind it all. Jt is not a religious view; on the contrary, it is a
strictly scientific view, which provides immediately a clearer sight
through difficulties which. have puzzled scientists since Darwin's
day, and chemists since the announcement by Mendeljeef last
century of the periodic classification of the chemical elements.

But though it has been reached in distinction to the views of
religious writers and thinkers, it brings our science of to-day
almost within reach of the jundamental ideas behind practically all
‘religions, whether Christian ar Mahommedan, Taoist or Buddhist.

Wood Jones comes down ta this in his Purser Lecture delivered
at Trinity College, Dublin,.in December, 1941, published under
the title nf “Design and Purpose.” ‘The conflict between religion
and science, of which we have heard so much, especially in the

re 1 Morrison, The All-round Man 39

biological sciences where the wame of Darwin Js used, becomes
now, according. to Wood jones, an attempt “toe reconcile the
findings of an imperfectly understood science with dita of at
impertectly understood religion.”

This is the problem that assails the modern youth, who finds
religion being reduced ta an absurdity in times of war when (again
to quote Wood Jones) “every belligerent country held days of
prayer in which they dictated to the Akmighity the justness of “their
eange, and demanded His support in order ta supplement the
Jethal effects of their weapons of destruction.”

He quotes the Bishop of Bradford (Dr. A. W. #. Blunt) telling
a’ Youth Rally that “God was not just a referee watching and
controlling the game from aloof, but rather was He the centre-
forward of the home team, helping to shape its course.”’ “It
would,” Wood Jones adds, “be difficult to frame a conception of
deity more stultifying to the aspirations of youth ¢ m its search for,
some grander realization of the ordering of “things.” }

And that is why [ say that the present and the futuce are with
the all-round man. The specialist 19 needed more thatr ever he
was, but the study of nature to-day, guided hy such great thinkers
as those I haye quoted this evening, holds the greatest rewards
of happittess and hope in store for the man who can see nature not
most minytely, butt most. widely,

'- EXCURSION TO FERNTREE GULLY NATIONAL PARK

The party af Club members who entrained fur a funeus and lichen foray
an Saturday afternoon, May J5th, was increased toa nearly 7 by the
presence of first-year trainees rout the Teachers’ Training College and

representatives of the Workers’ Educational Association. Such a large
nanber of excursionssts prevented the digression from suai tracks to follaw
the quest after smaller cryptogaing; but, in spite of prevailing grey skies,
much mod, and” the impossibility of keeping everyone to a team witht
earshot, we believe that the outing was generally appreciated. ‘The long dry
autumn was reflected in a paucity of fungi, usually so abtinidane ay wis
season, and out of the total uf 230 spectes collected hereabauts during past
excursions tio more than 44 were observed on this accasioh. A curious
stalked pufball, Mitremtaices fused, and velvety brawn rosettes of Sterenm
alegans were, however, listed for the first.time. Among lichens, the mast
attractive species observed were the pink terrestrial Roconvyecs fungories
and Sticto fessnlata, a wood-inhabiting species with Rattened fronds of
emerald green

it was with great satisfaction that we noted four Lyre-birds, lusty
scratching beside the track and quite imperturbed by human canypany ; none
exhibited the plurnage of an adult male, and it is presumed they awvere
either fernales of young birds—J. HOW. and P.NUS.B.

‘

Viet, Wet,

40 Was, Trackin and Peiisnce Veto LX

TRACHYMENE AND PLATYSACE
(With particular relérence to gmembers of the former Genus)

By James BH. Wiiits, National Herbarium, Melbourne

Rudge! vstablished the genus Trochymene in 381), selecting T. wcise as
his type from specimens collected around Port Jackson by Kabert Brown,
1902-05, De Candotle? (1828) substituted his nen generic Warne of Didisces
for the same growp as Rudge's plant, in the mistaken belief that the latter
was referable to Labillardiére’s Azorelle, whereas Turczaninow (1849) and
later Mueller used the genus Dietopta for several mew congeners of
T. ¢ncisa, Rudge.

Although Hentham recognized the just chiims of Trachynene and
correctly applied at in fs treatment of the Australian Umbdellfere tor
“Blora Australiensis” (1856), Vol. 3, followed by Bailey* and Rodway,
viher recent botanists have Favoured tbe laler Candolleaw name of Didiscus,
eg, Mueller® iin fis later works, Domin,® Maiden and Betcle,? Black?
Gardner,? and Ewart,19

Within the last decade C. Norman, F1.,5,,7) has again opened up the
involved) question of correct nomenclature for this group, finely sifting the
interpretations of previous authors and emphasizing the undeniable priority,
claim of Jrechyretc as described and figured by Rudge. P. Buwaldal®
and B, L. Burtt? have since come forward to endorse Norman's opinion
and to make the necessary new combinations for all speciey described under
Didiscus since Bentham's day, This.is very briefly the history of genuine
Trachymenes. _

Meavwhile the name “Trachymeus"” had been wrongly applied - in
Australia to another group of Umbellilerae generically distinct from Rudge’s
tyme. Normanl! shows clearly that the oldest valid epithet far this secand
group is PLATYSACE (syn. Siehbera, Reichenbach), based] on the West
Australian P. cirrhosa of Runge, 1845. He consequently conibines the 22
appropraate species under this correctly restored genus; Wiree species only
are present in Victoria, so in liew of "“Trachymene" these now beoome
Platysace heteraphytia (Benth) C. Norman, P evenides (Sieh. ex D.C
© Norma, and P. Jauccofata {Labill) Druce, Trachkymene Rillardies,
Fiy.M., being a synonym of the last-named.

As properly understood, Trachymewe uow consists of 40 species, ranging
aver the whole Australian continent (two-thirds of the total spccics), New
Guinea, and the more casterby spiee islands, with one representative as far
north as Borneo and azother in New Caledonia, New Hebrides and Fiji,
the twelve oceerring in New Guinea and/or Celebes mountain stations are
of comparatively vecent discovery, and without doubt still other undescribed
entitles await the more imtensive exploration of that region, Following is
2 complete Uist of species as combined by Bentham, Buwalda, and Burtt,
with the ottes that alfect Vietoria designated by the svinbol ft:

AUSTRALIA TFunisvoarpa ('Turez,) marraphytta
Burtt, (syns. Ber. (Bomin) Burtt

bare? ae a thai, australis, (ayn. onstrats, in

Sty anopetate “ an. ast} Hos (® M.}
montat Torn vM enillasir MM,
(P.yM 4) Renth. ; evga (F via) Benth

qiaced, S. More,

orpatis (Endl) Drace-

(syn. erincorpa,).
Crowntana, Fie.
elachoearpa CP .e.M.)

Poirte.

‘enernles (Hooker)
‘ Grahaia.

*compasita (Domi)
Bortt (= optsv-
varpa, av).

Glanecifolia (TE .vM.y
Henth, :

Fhiciaia (Dorin)
Burtt. ‘

aleracce (Domiin)
Burtt

duly

1843. Wires, Trectymene and Platysace 4h
inctsa, Rudge TYPE sciosa (0. Sclrwarz) MOVO@Guineeears
procumbens (Fv.M.) Burtt. Damin (Buwalda}.
Benth. Puseri (Demin) kocbrensis (Gibbs)
wuicraceplrala Burtt, Buwalda. _
(Domin) Burtt. yeramiioio, Fo M. tigida, Buwalda.
ennifotia (Domin) ~ Bailey, ucrolriche, Buwalda,,
Pruitt, erodioides, Buyalda
pimapinedtiota celebica, Hemsley.
(Demin) Burtt. “ POLENESTA Sarasinorunt 7
ttaunilis (Fools f.) Crssonw (Montrau- CWolff) Buwalda-
Benth. zier) Burtt. ; déertfola, Norman.
scafigera (Domin) (sys. Hones, arfahensis (Gibbs)
Bortt. ausire-caledanica), Buwalda.
Gillewnae (Tate ex adenndes, Buwalda,
Donin} Burtt. NEW GUINEA- papillosa, Buwatda,

didiseotdes (Fv.M.) we
Bureet “Crte ‘pan CELEBES
carpfa). saniculifotio, Stank.

“Benthan bestowed the new namo “australts” on the Trachymené slready”
described by Turczaninow (1849) as “Dimetopia anisocarpa’ and gave as
its chstmbution Queensland, New South Wales, Vistoria, Tasmauia and.
West Australia. In 1906 came Damin®, who added to the confusion bw
splitting Bentham’s gustvolis inta three species, each with a new epithet,
viz.—Didisers Bentham, fram West Australia, D. macrophylius and
D, compositus, irom the eastern States: Bewthanni is keyed out (in Latin)
as having "simple umbels, not disposed in inflorescences {ike cotnpound
umbels,” whereas ¢omtposilius is stated to have “umbels disposed in info.
rescences which are like very compound umbels.”

After examining considerahle material from West Australia and campar--
ing it with coastal Wictoriin and Tasmanian samples, f cannot agree with.
Domin’s separation; tn both eastern and western collections the inflorescence
varies markedly—sometimes iambels are quite simple, sometimes slightly
branched, and at other times highly compounds the fruits and foliage
apptar indistinguishable. Mr. C, A, Gardner, Government Botanist of
Western Australia, fends support to my contention that Senthemit and.
compositus are cne and the same species, but the corfect mame for our
common “Wild Parsnip’ muse henceforth be Trechament antsacerpar
(Turez.) Burtt

I have gathered (1937, 1940) Traciyyntenc bialata (Domin) Burtt. an
Mallee sandhills stongst Porcupine Grass at Red Clifts (a new record
for Victoria) and also in similar country just over the Murray (near
Burtundy, N.S.W.), This species is recognized by the double, very narrow,
serrated wing edging the ripe mericarps, otherwise there is a close affinity
with 7. glancifotia (F.¥,M.) Bemth Since the latter is represented in
Melbourne Nations! Herbarium from nearby Wentworth, doubt arises as-
to the specifiy merit of T. bialata,; it may be merely 2 form with aberrant:
fruits, and field research over a wide area is necessary to prove the
constancy (in association with other characters) of the mericarp wings.

REFERENCES

‘|, Prams, Linn. Soe, 10 (1814), 300. 2. Bot, May, (1828), T. 276. Also Pradr..-
4 (sasay, 7 & Qiland Flora. pt. 2 (1900), Nt 4, Tas, Plora (£908), 68. 6. Kem
to Syst, Vie. Planta (1857), R68. 8. "“Mondgr- of the Gants Didweur (1406)~
9. Ceneun N.S.Wi Planta (1918), 160. §. Mora South Aust. (126), 487, 9. Bide.
Plant, Avnet. Ore. (1930), 100) 10, Flora of Wie. (1980), 897. Ah. foyrn. Rotanye
9 (19S), 28%: olyo 77 (193A), QO, 12. Blidmed, Vol B (1930), WB, 13, Journ
Botany, 74 (1941), 44, 2

42 Waxerrato, Veuw Spectes af Hypolepts Hate

A NEW SPECIES OF HYPOLEPIS
By N. A. Waxerrreto, Genoa, Victoria

HYPOLEPIS MUBLLERI sf. nov. Rhisomale fate repextes frondilmes
asterulis, triffinmatic, rachktbns et stipitigus aliidis vel eureis, sublaewibns,
falyentrbns, ferentibus selas parvas sparsos albidas rigidas } pinnwlis poltasiz
vel adnatis, lobatis, ferensibi setar alias «atringury lobis sualté-veniolosis,
pleramqne integris, cache soros phuves forentibus; sorts permadiiz, parvts,
suche nom marginatibis, plorwnrgre sine spurtts indwsins.

The type description is taketh from a Victorian specmien CMount
Drummer, East Gippsland, in a shaded hillside brush: 6/7/)941; NAW.)
Inu the Melbotrne National Herbarinm, there are specimens fram “Rocking-
ham Bay"—F. Mueller (Queensland); “Waratah, near Newcastle—W.
Woulls,” “Botany Bay—tulliver," “Mount Dromedary---Reader” (New
South Wales); “Forests of Dandenongs—Feb. 1875+ F_ Muvlter, “Near
Moe—1884—D, Spener,” “South Gippsland—1293—A. F. Stivting,"” “Genoa
Rivér—Rearder," "Near Arthur’s Seat—20/1/1942—0, Sineleton" and
“Shady wet banks of Latrobe River—May 1853" —F Mueller (Victoria).
Mueller labelled the last-mentioned specimen as Palypoduan Keppitrianun,
bul this manne was never publavhed; so tt fas heen deemed smtable that the

Jat should have is specific epithet. derived from the name of the great
notanist whe, a1 Jeast once, consedered it la be @ distiict specife forn.

The present gens Mypolepis was umversally adopted only after Hooker's
Aipecies Hilicnm (1862), in which many species were transferred ta it irom
the old gene Cheilanthes. These were the true Fivpolepts species, with
conspicuous scale-like indusig, or well developed spurious indusia consisting
at refiexed and slightly altered lobes of the inargins df the pinnules. Other
Shectes, with the sort nat so conspicuously protected, remained for the time
in the genus Polypadinur together with some ex-indusiate species maw
placed in the genus LDryotterss. The species cancerned, which have no
indusia, can be placed generically by reference to their vestiture, which
tt the case Of MW ypolepir is a pubescence of jointed hairs ar setae, whereas
species of Dryapterts bear flat scales or paleae Christensen's Dryopterty
punctala (the present Hypolepis punctate) incladed numerous forms irom
many countries, OF these, there are three in, Victoria which have provetl
to be speciGcally distiact—one is almost typreal Df. putefota, the second 3
A. sugesido, and the fast is the newly deseribed A, MutHeri- ee

_ Throughout their ranges, ench species showy considerable varjalion wn
size of ironed. degree of serration af pinnules and lobes. devclopmient of
the spurious Indusia and di) vestituré. However, the three Victorian species
can always be distinguished by the combination of most of the characteristics
givers bere for each.

Fiypolcpis punctate (Thunb) Mett. Kuhn, Fil, Afr $20 (868);
Palypodium Thunberg. Fl. Jap. 337 (1784). Rhizome very robust widely
ereeping; stipes and tachises thick, sticky-pubescent, fronds 2 ta 9 (1, high,
deltaid, 3- to 4-pinnaie, green when fresh, brawn when. dry. dull. weak,
viscid on bot! sides} ultimate lobes almost entire bul distinety serrulate.
mary-vetnel; sori marginal and generally subtended by small pointed
spurious indusia, Abendant ot Vieturia, New South Wales and Quvens-
land, and extending to the Hienalayas and Japan. Iw the easter) brishes, in
hut shaded concitions, the speries is hest developed: and yeey pubescent;
but in more open southern parts (Dandenongs, ote) if is smaller and loses
much af its puhescence,

Hypolems Mvyollert, sp nov. Rhizome extensively creeping, branched;
fronds deltoid, | to 2% fr, high, tripinnate, slightly harsh and stiff: stipes
and rachises whitish on pollen, rather smooth but often slightly tuberculate,

ian Waxertetp, New Species of Hypolepis =

shining, bearing a few scattered stiff whitish hairs; pinnules stalked to
adnate, lobed, bearing tiny white setae on both sides; lobes many-veined,
entire or almost so, often soriferous on both sides of the costule; sori
numerous, small, often away from the margin and generally absolutely
unprotected. In eastern districts of Queensland, New South Wales and
Victoria; generally in rather dry shaded brushes, but often in open swampy
places where plants are sometimes in dense clumps and with fronds stiffer,
rusty-coloured and much reduced in size of frond and sori.

Hypolepis rugosuta (Lab.) J.Sm., Bot. Mag. 72 Comp. 8 (1846),
as "rugulosa” (from Polypodium, Pt. N. Holl. II 92 Tab. 241, 1806),
Rhizome thin and shortly creeping; stipes and rachises reddish, tuberculate
and sparsely reddish-hairy; fronds small, rather narrow-triangular, 2- to
3-pinnate, 1 to 2 ft. high, dull, light-green, weak, pubescent but not sticky;
ultimate pinnules with a few one-veined lobes; spurious indusia well
developed. Plentiful in Tasmania, Victoria and eastern New South Wales,
but also in South Australia (Mount Lofty Ranges); generally in very wet
soil. Small plants in dricr brushes are very pubescent, but in Tasmania and
the Dandenongs the common form is rather attenuated, stronger and almost
glabrous.

Figure 1—/7. rugosula. a, b, c and d: Variously shaped pinnules showing
the constant features (X 2). e: rachises showing setae, etc. (X 2). f:
Setae (much enlarged).

Figure 2.—H. Muelleri, a, b, c and d: Various pinnules showing the
almost entire, matty-veined lobes, etc, (% 2). e: rachises showing stiff setae
(% 2). f: Setae (much enlarged).

Figure 3.—H. punctata. a, b, c, and d: Pinnules, note serration ( 2).
¢: rachises with dense pubescence (X 2). £: Setae (much enlarged).

(Sporangia removed in some cases to show venation, position of sori, etc.)

44 Buack, An Aboriginal Ceremonial Ground thos We;

AN ABORIGINAL CEREMONIAL GROUND
By Linpsay Biack, Leeton, N.S.W.

On 25th April, 1943, Mr. Forster, Inspector for the Milparinka
Pastures Protection Hoard, stationed at Tibooburra, took the
writer toa large aboriginal ceremonial ground on Tuerikia Station.
This property is owned by Mrs. Davies, and once formed part of
Connulpie Downs Station, at that time a very large property
joining the Queensland border north-east of Tibooburra,

This ceremonial ground is situated about one mile north-west
of Tester’s Tank, close to the Bulloo River floodwaters, and about
eight miles south-east of the Adelaide gate on the Queensland
border fence. The Adelaide gate is really an historical place,
being one of the recognized official places of entry for stock
between N.S.W. and Queensland.

This very extensive ceremonial ground consists of a series of
stone arrangements situated on flat ground between two low hills
which are covered with small stones, commonly known as gibbers.
From the top of the hill on the eastern side, which at no place
would be more than 100 ft. high, one can look over the flat grey
flooded country of the Bulloo River. It is, however, only after
very heavy Queensland rains that the floodwaters come through
and spread over this flat country, and at this point it is about
30 miles wide. The ceremonial ground extends for about 40
chains and contains ten separate stone arrangements. About 70
yards distant on the south side of some of the formations is a small
round lake, 100 yards in diameter, which would hold 6 feet of
water. When full this lake would provide water for those camp-
ing here for a cofsiderable time, and it probably affords one of
the reason for the position of this ceremonial ground, as sites of
this kind are always close to a good watering place. The Bulloo
floodwater country being so close would also mean a good food
supply, as there would be plenty of game.

One hundred yards west of the northern portions of the
formations are a number of old fire-places, and around these and
the small lake we found a number of grinders, hammers, and flaked
implements.

Arrangement No. 6 appeared to be the main centre; it is most
extensive and was made from stones up to 12 inches in diameter.
Arrangement No, 7 is also very extensive, and there are many
of the small heaps of stones always found at these areas. Amongst
some of the formations we found well-fimshed flaked implements,
some made from flint and others from quartzite. Tlus is the
first time T have found so many white quartzite implements, as.
generally material of a more suitable nature was used,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vou, Ls Jyiy, 1943

PLate III

Stone Arrangement No. 6. Circle at left base is partly cavered by sane.

Central partion af the Circles, looking tram suuth ta marth,

Photos. by Lindsay Black.

ord . . Alevoren, Goonoe Forest—Floral Wanderlond 45

Some of the seclionis-had their cireles, yards, races-and arrange-
ments made from smali stones not more than about 5S inches in
diameter, but others had stenes up-éo 12 inches in diameter.’ The
surrounding hills must liave been picked ever for these large
stones, as on the Slopes around this areca the slones-are generally
only 3 to 6 inches in diameter.

It is hard to say how far these stone arrangements extended;
as some have been partially covered with blown sand. Many of
the larger stones are practically buried in the sill washed down
from the hills, which accounts for the formations being so well
presetved, Sorae stone arrangements are found in South Australias
and have heen described by Mountfart and others.

The only part of New South Wales in which these Jarge ‘atone
ceremanial grounds are found is west of the Warrega River and
north of a line drawn west from Bourke. The sriter inspected
another large stone arrangement of the same type as the above on
Duolop Station, near Louth, and E. B. Dow has deserihed others
mm Monkind (Vol. 2, No. 5).

GOONOO FOREST—FLORAL WONDERLAND
By Geo. W. Auruorrr, Dripstone, N.S.W.

The Goonee forest area, which is situated between Dubbo and
Mendooran, central western N.S.W., is a treasure-geqund for
nature-lovers. A bewildering variety of wild flowers—mosily ot
shrubby type~-paints the Jand with beauty during the spring and
early suriner, The gently undulating country is mostly sandy,
with here and there low. ridges of ironstone and sandstone
conglomerate, and is covered with a fairly thick growth of Ironbark
{Zuc. sderoxylon) interspersed with patches of a tall Mailec (Buc.
viridis) and of Casuarina and Acacia species.

My brother Peter and I spent an all-too-short day there in early
Seprember of lasr year, and many were ihe rarities we noted, Tt
may be snentioned in passing that each tidge usually had one
species ‘in abundance, and in many cases that species would he
confined to its particular ridge.

The Acacia group was well represented, though we were tco
Jate for, the Howering of many species. The first one noted was
A, doratoxylon, here 25 to 30 ft. high and Iquded down with
golden fingers of fragrant bloom. ‘Then came a small tree, past
the flowering stage; it is of upright habit and 12 to 15 ft. in
height. Sydney Herbarium places this as'a form of A. acinaced,
but when it is possible to olitain a flowering specimen I’ feel
confident it will prove to be something quite different, Not
flowering, but very lovely with its smooth stems and very narrow

Vict, Nag,
a6 Autores, Goons Forest—Florat Wonderland ras

phyliodia, was 4. subelata, This plant, very rare here, has
previously been recorded only from the Upper Bunter valley on
the eastern fall of the Dividing Range. Another extremely rare
Acacia seen was 4, Havilandit, a lovely low-spreading bush very
much Jike A, ealamifoha. One of the feather-leaved types, A.
cardiophylla, was toted, and theugh usually a tall shrub, it was
almost prostrate here. The gem ef all the low-growing kinds,
however, is 4 BSrawms, an inland adaptation of 4, juniperina,
forming shapely hittle bushes 2 to 4 ft. high, with pungent dark-
green phyllodia and extra large, deep golden flower balls, 4,
lineata, a low bush: A, conferto (Golden Top), in dense-thickets ;
A. flegifaie; A, iriptera, with its recurved “wait-a-while” phyl-
lodia; and A, wadudifolia, iot unlike a dwarf A. podalyriaefotia,
were all more or less common.

Grevilleas were represented by G. floribunda (everywhere
abundant), with its strange, goblin-like fowers, and G. obtustjlara,
a rather straggling shrub with green and red flowers. The Blue
Pincushion, Brunomia gustralis, carpeted the ground in many
places with colour, As far as the eye could see were undershrubs
in profusion, amongst those cbserved being Calytrix tetragone
(up to 6 ft., and always attractive with its wealth of starry pink
or white blossoms), [tbbertia stricta, Dampicra lanceolata in huge
clumps of violet-bluc, Baeckea densiflora, Westringia rigida (the
most profuse flowering member of the genus I have yet seen),
Leptospermum trivalvum, Melaleuca glomerata, M. uncinata, M-
pubescens, Myoporwm desertt, Dodonea peduncularis (an ex-
tremely dwarf form), Pretenca microphylla and Daviesia acicu-
lorts. The rare Mirbelia Jeane, recorded previously only front
Penrose (near Goulburn) and the Nepean River, was located alsa:

In a number of places that lovely plant Piitlotheca anstralts was
prolife, Individual plants showed flowers much deeper im colour
than the average, and they ranged from nearly pure white, through
pinks to lilac, purple and blue.

Phehalism stenophylla, covering hundreds of acres, was a very
striking plant. Many mdges were a sea of yellow where this
species With its masses of star-shaped flowers grew in rank
profusion. The Boronias were hereabouts represented by .8.
rasmannifolia, a straggling undershrub, though 30 miles away,
on the other side of Dubbo, we found B, ledifota var. glare, surely
the most striking of all Boronia’ ; its drawback is the strong “foxy"’
odour given off by the Ieaves when touched. .Shapely bushes 5 ft.
through and about the same in height were seen, literally covered
with deep rose-red blooms. We estimated that the larger plants
carried up to twelve thousand open blooms.

A lovely Prostonthera was P. empetrifolia, plentiful and gay

pin 4 Pzscort, The English Sparrow in Austratia 47

with violet flowers, On one ridge we came across a strange
Prostanthera in fair quantity. Smali shrubs of no more than 3 it.
had flowers of a pale bluish-green, looking for all the world like
resting moths with folded wings. This species'is hke P. Leich-
hardtu, but differs slightly in the formation of the leaves. It may
possibly be distinct, since P. Leichhardin is a very tare plant and
bas previously heen recorded once only in N.S-W.——from Cobar—
and from another Jocality in Queensiand* -

Many other species were seen and the end of the day came all
tov soon. A thorough exploration of this huge areca would doubtless
yield many more. wonderful .plants and some rarities.

The description tallies with Prostinthera chlorantha (Green Mint-bush}
which is not tmcommon in parts of the South Australian and Victorian
Mallee, notably Mildura district —Editor.

EXCURSION TO NATIONAL HERBARIUM

Mr. P. F, Morris reported that the visit to the National Herbarium on
June S was well atténded, a party of abowt forty members and friends
availing themselves of the opportunity of seeing the collection and library.
The Director and Goverinment Botanist (Mr. A. W. Jessep) gave a lecture
on the drying of botanical specimens and the methods of keeping “and
working the collections. Visitors interested themselves in the rubber plants
amd sujber substitutes, quinine and Australian barks which are now bcing
used in malaria and fevers. The interesting exhibits were mostly of an
econoimc naiure and reminded members that there is a luture for Australian
plants in commerce, - - oe +

Specimens callected hy Banks and Solander during Captain Cook's voyage
it 1776 and Petiver’s Indian and American plants of 1696 astonished members
by their excellent state of preservation.

The Herbariune was established by Baron Ferdinand von Mueller in 1857
and ranks amongst the larger herbaria of the world. n

THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AUSTRALIA

Referring to the notes of ihe late WS: Campbell as published io the

Vic. Nat. for May,-the writer stated that he saw his fiest sparrow at
Melbourne about 1870, when they were present in “hundreds and hundreds."
He remarked that he did not think it possible ta determine how ar when
the sparrow was introduced into Australia.
_ The sparrow was definitely introduced into Victoria in the early ‘fifties,
by the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, when AQ birds
were released at the Eoyal Park and five at Ballarat. It is generally
considered that an error was ‘mate in introducing the English house
Sparrow and net the field sparrow. a: .

About the year 1856 two boys found a sparrows’ nest in a street tree at
Warriainbool, and they were Aned £5 for destroying the eggs! Many of
us would Jike to collect a similar sum for cach pf the sparrow nests and
eges we have destroyed —E_ E. Prscorr.

4s Supplement toa Index. bite. Natunriish Mol. LIX $4 wa

SUPPLEMENT TO INDEX, VIC. NATURALIST, VOL. LIX
The fotlowing alterations and additions are nécessary in the Botuncal
Section:
For “Cyathea acerosa”’ read Cyathnrles. acerosa: Pack
For “Cyathea mortscus” read Cyathea marcescons

Add iscavia anstralis, Distribution of—J. H eh willis a
Add Domestic Botany—J. FH. Willis ., .. -. .- . wey = te 212
Add Manna. Value ofA. H. E. Mattingley Ot dee ie 1 oR 8 SO
For “Orywnoanthus” read “Drynioantites, .
Add Plants of the Bayside—H. C. E. Stewart - \ 4 t44
Add Plants of the Marshes—]. H, Willis -. .. 44
A nenminela var. robust comb. nay “Aline Podolepis—
WUhS .. se ee ee a. 9

Add Pomadcrvis uchitina—J, H, Willis. ae tae) oot
After “Prasaphallum™ insert in brackets, thus ¢ Section G cnoplesten).
Add Prasophylhon diversifiorwn and P. Beaugleholed Spp. Hey, (ill)

—W.H. Nicholls .. .. a nee:
Add Rhannacee, Notes on Victorian, Pt ‘Ey. H, Willis - ret 67

EXHIBITS AT JUNE MEETING

Mrs. M, E, Freame—A_ series of marine biological sperimens, including
sundry polyzoa, Hydvactinia, Sortularia, C FPG, Aste, Pannettila, ete

Mrs. C.. French—Garden-grawn vative plants, including Correa re flog
var. rubya, Olearia (Aster) ramnilosa, Leptosbermaom scoporiton Welkert.
L. scoparienn Sandoret,. 2. scopantin Keatlevi, Bucalyptes tovanaty,

Mr. H, P. Dickins—Water-colour of the Australian water-lly.

Mr, J. 4, Willis—Living soaciinene of the threes King William pines of
Tasmania (4thromsvis sclaginaides, A. cupressordes, A, Invifolia), together
with samples of the timber shawitg the exceedingly close annual rings.

Mr. R. G. Pamter—Garden-grown native flowers, including Correa
Lawrencions, C. veflexa, C. refleva Nae rubra, C. raflexa var. pufchotte,
Grevillea rosmarinif{olie, G. olcaides, G, olcaides var, dimar ‘pha.

Mr. Iyo Hammett—Garden-grown native flowers. including Carre
puicheila, Cassia artemesoides, Pacchea crassifolia, Dompiera. faneceulata,
S reetles linifolia, Greaitles stenomera, Banksia colli, Corren eflaxa var,
rubra
gts F. 3S. Colliver-—Sinall series af terttury fossils frony Royal Park

uttin
Mies Janet W- Raff—Samples of autunin-swarming fies {Semtopse sp.)
found elustering im rag masses on. Acocia vertictlata and other tative
plants; collected by Mr. T. S. Hart at Croydon, Vie-

BOTANICAL COLLECTIONS AS PRESENTS TO SEND HOME

Parties desirous of transinitting to their iriends collections of the Howers
of this district, but more especially those collected during his late excursion
to Adelaide via the Murray River, and retuent froin there by Lake Alfexan-
dfina, and the coast line, among which will be found many borh new and
interesting. The undersigned will be happy ta supply cases at prices to
suit the cotvenience of purchasers.- The collections are botanically arranged
and named. and the parcels of Seed accompanied with a corresponding
specimen of the plant in blossom. Apply to dhe undersigned personally, at
the house lately occupied by Messrs, W. Hull and Sons, Flinders Lane,
Melhourne, or to Mr. Danicl Harrison, Stationer, Geelong,

DANIEL BUNCE.
Flinders Lane, Sept ‘5, 1356,
|The above advertisement is extracted from the Melbourne Argus of
September 18, 1850.]

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX—No. 4 August 5, 1943 "No. 716

PROCEEDINGS

The ordinary meéting of the-Club was held at the Ciub Rooms.
Royal Society’s Hall, on Monday,. July 12, 1943. The President,
Mr, P. F.. Morris, presided and cheat 80 members.and friends
attended.

APOLOGIES

Apologies for non-attendance were received from My, E, E.
Lord and Mr, }. H. Withs.

SUBJECT FOR THE EVENING
This took the form of a. Natural Histery “Brains Trust,” the
panel of experts and their subjects bemg; Miss |. Raff, Insects ;
Mr. C. J. Gabriel, Shells; Mr. A- C. Frostick, General Geology
and Rocks; Mr. F. S. Colliver, Fossils. The President invited
Mr. P. Crosbie Morrison to conduct the session.

Question 1. To Mr, A. C. Frostick: “Could gold be found
along Domain Road, South Yarra?’ Answer: This. is debatable,
as the western end is in the tertiary. sands and the eastern end in
the silurian sediments. The nearest Jocality where gold has heen
recorded is Dights Falls, ‘Studley Park, an assay of the small
quartz leaders in the locality giving a result of approximately
2 dwt. per ton. There is a possibility of fmding gold in crush
zones that are possibly hidden under the tertiary beds of the area,
Conunents: The President stated that small quantities. of gold had
heen found in a shaft some 80 feet deep at the eastern end of
Domain Road in the early days.

Question 2. To Mr. C, J. Gabriel: “Are there any poisonous
Victorian shell fish? This question to be answered in two parts!

(a) Have we any shell fish which have a venomous Inte or
sting like the textile cone of the North Australian waters?

(b) Have we any shell fish that are normally poisonous to eat?

Answer: (a) As far as is known, no Victorian shell fish is
eapable of giving a bite or stig with injection of poison, but as
«ertain cone shells of northern waters are known to be capable of
so acting, it would be imadvisable to eat or even handle the
Victorian members of this genus, ©

St Field Naturalists’ Club Prococdings ie

* (b} Various shell Gish are credited with the property of affecting
the digestive organs, ele, but it can be stated that this is not due
to any active poison poncipal. Comments: Mr. F. S. Colliver
stated that at certain tunes in certain parts of America clams and
oysters were a means of transmitting typhoid fever, Miss Raff
stated that rhe idea that mussels collected off pier piles were mht
to eal probably arose at the Gime when drains were carried
along the pier piles. The President stated that he had been stung
on the lip when eating a limpet.

Qnestion 3. To Miss Raff: “Are bees colour blind, and if sa,
to what extent? Do they have favourite colours among the flowers
they visit?” Answer: Bees are sensitive to colour, the range
extending from between the red and orange to the ultra-vinles,
and apparently they cannot distinguish between red and black.
Regarding the favourite colour of bees, experiments seemed to
indicate blue as favourite. Conunents; Mr. Sherwin stated he
had read of bees responding to colour training.

Question 4. To Mr, F, S, Colliver: “Have fossil cyeads been
found in Tasmania?” dnswer: Yes, at least four species belong-
ing to the cyeads properly are known—Cycadites dowliwngi, from
the Launceston tertiary beds, but thought to have been derived
from beds of Mesoznic Age; Cycedites mecrophylia. described from
the tertiary of Mr. Bischoff by Johnston; an undescribed species
noted from the Mesozoic of Lards Hill by Walkom; and another
specimen from the same tJecality referred to the genus “Pado-
zamites.””

Question 8. To My. C. J. Gabriel: “Haw is the shell secreted
by the female paper Nautilus? Is the shell present in all adult
female Nautili, or 15 it merely produced ar and discarded after
the breeding season? Do Nautili breed regularly?” Answer:
The shell is secreted from glands in the inner side of the large
expanded webbed extremities of the two dorsal arms, the so-called
shell serving as an ege-cradle and as a temporary retreat for the
female,:and is discarded after the breeding season. The shell is
present im all adult female Nautili, and once the female provides
ova she dies. Conunents; Mr. Colliver mentioned that fossil sepia
hays were nal uncommon at Lyme Regis, Dorsetshire, and that
the Batish Museum possesses several sepia prints that used this
fossil material as the colour medium. Miss Raff mentioned that
carefully turning the slicll with the animal in upside down, then
waiting a few minutes, and a sudden jerk would dislodge the
animal from the shell,

Question 6. To Miss Raff: “Why is the Emperor Guin Moth
called the Australian silkworm? . Has any use been made of the

Fen | Field Naturalists’ Club Proceedings 51

silk of any Australian moth?’ Answer: The genus of the
Emperor Gum Moth is one of two thai are well known as silk
producers, but in this case, owing to the amount of gum in the
cocoon, the silk is of little use. Further, as the caterpillars are
winiercrs in habit, they would be difficult to breed to compete
with the commercial siikworm. Comments: Mr. A. H. Chisholm
stated that he understood that woven silk samples from Emperor
Gum Moth cocoons had been exhibited at the Crystal Palace,,
London.

The sesstun then closed deft, and will “nities next manth
with the following subjects and leaders : Rotany, Mr. J. H. Willis;
Ornithology, Mr. A, TI. Chisholm; and General ea. 3 Mr.
P. Crosbie Morrison.

REPORTS OF EXCURSIONS

Reports of excursions were given as follows: Zoological Gar-
dens, Mr. F. Crosbie Marrison; Sherbrooke, Mr. A. TI. Chisholm.

ELECTION- OF MEMBERS
On a show of hands the following were duly elected as ordinary
members of the Club: Mrs, D. W. Lyndon, Mrs. R, A. Lewis,
‘Miss V. Wheeler, Dr. William Gerce, Mr. Peter Gamer; and as
Country Members, Sgt. M. F. Leske and Mr. Eric Muir.

GENERAL BUSINESS
Australian Natural History Medallion—Mr. P. Crosbie Mor-
rison reported on the committee’s discussions on this matter, and
Stated that Major Wilsén, recently of the Teachers’ Training
College, had been suggested as the Club’s nomination.

NATURE NOTES

Mr. ivo Hammet drew members’ attention to examples of the
Queensland Bean recently sent down by Dr. FPlecker for distrt-
breton to members.

Me. R, G. Painter reported on flocks of the White-pluined
Horiey-eater, and stated he had not scen them in such numbers
previously. Mr. Chisholm, commenting, stated that such flocks
were of common occurrence, ,

Mr. H. Jenkins asked if the drab birds seen with Blue Wrens
were females or immature males.- Mr. A. H. Chisholm stated they
were probably immature males. Such birds lose their blue colour
each winter for at Icast four years.

Mr. H, C. E. Stewart asked regarding the calls of the Lyre-
birds, Were they all imitative, and did some at least belong to
now extinct birds? Mr. A. H. Chisholm stated it was possible

2 hold Naturalists’ Club Proceedings bate ui)

that many of the calls were copied direct from their authnes, hut
witit respeet to the hirds of the Sherbrooke Forest he thought that
they learnt the calls from one another, and thus all the birds of
the district had similar calls, He further stated that some-of the
calls heard in Sherbrooke are not heard in New South Wales,

i Mr, L. W, Cooper reported that recently thirteen Lyre-hirds
were seen along the track from Cement Creek to the top of Mut,
Donna Buang,

EXHIBITS

> Mr. Owen Suigleton: A comprehensive sevies: of the [ossil
Australian Cowries. ‘Che exhibit included most of the deseribed
species, a series of the largest cowry known (C. gigas, McCoy)
and the largest example of the three perfect specimens Itnown of
the flanged cowry (C, gastroplar).

Mr. C. French: Bead or Tassel Flower { Carmya, elliphica) frum
Califoruia.

Mr. €. J. Gabriel: Marine shells “Cones” from Vietoria,
Canus anemone, Lam., C, rntilus, Menke, C. segrawet, Gatlift;
frau) various localities, C, aulicus, Linn, C. geographus, Linn,
C. fineafis, Chem., C- marmoreus, Linn, C. textile, Linn, C. tubipa,
Lam, Also Argonareta, nodosa, Sol., fron. Victoria, ‘and Nantilus
pomtpilsycs, rep from North Australia.

Mr. R. Painter: Garden-grown native flab including
Epacris sibreed Banksia colina, Correa reflexa, Correa. raflexa
var, radra, Grevilea Dallachyant, G. oleoides var, dimorpha, G.
rasmarintfolia, Pamela sp, Thryptomene calycing, Leplaspermeam
scoparium, var, grandiflorwm roscurn

Mr. P. Fisch: Winter-flowering Greenhoods, Pterosiyhs nutans
aud P. concinna,

Mr. P. Crosbie Mornson: “Vegetable caterpillars"—caterpillars
of Ghost Moths (Hepialidae)—affected by the parasitic fungus
Cordyceps sp. The spores are‘picked up in the soi) by burrowing
larvae, whose Lissies are gradually absorbed and replaced by
fungal tissue without altering the general contours of the victim.
Finally the fungus sends up a fruiting body which projects above
ground and spreads spores to infect the next generation of
caterpillars, The fruiting bodres are specially prevalent just now
in thany paris of the Dandenongs, and recently I saw many
thousands under pine trees at |Kalorama, but there were only
two pupa-cases on the ground to show thal the owners had
escaped the plague. “To the Hepialid population, ft must bave
bee a greater scourge than the Great Plague was to Londoners
of the 17th century, ; 2 7 lL. i

ert Jeaw Gatornivi, 4° New" Bird Finds Ow Valiey 54

A “NEW” BIRD FINDS:OUR VALLEY. ° +
“By Jean GarsrattH, Tyers (via Traralgon}. Victoria ~

After many years oi hird watching in-one valley, the years still
bring delights; but it is: rarely now that we sec a new bird, so
the visit of a flock of White- backed Swallows lase spring was
memorable. .

I knew (and know). very . ‘little about the spécies, heytnd the
notes tn reference books. They do not come into any bird
hiterature with which [ am familar, and we are wondering rather
interestedly whether they ‘are-rare or merely unnoticed. -

On the ‘Dh. of October -last year I spent a day at the Tyers
River, with a companion equally interested in birds. It was a

mild day, with intermittent showers, and the riverside was alive
with sounds and songs. But though all-delighted ws; none of the
birds we saw was the least bit unusual, Our chicl entertainers
were White-browed Scrub-Wrens and Yellow-faced Honey-
eaters.

When it was almost time to return home I heard a strange nate,
a single indescribable call which might have been iigde by a frog
or a bird. At the same moment my companion saw the hirds.
She thrust the field glasses int my Hands.

“Look quickly,” she said. “They're swallows of some kind, but
they're not ordinary swailows.”’

She saw them hetter than 1 did; bur for so long as we dared
stay we watched the small flock of swallow-hke birds hawking
up and down the river, ‘apparently dipping in the water now and
then as they skimmed over it.

>They were swallow-winged, fork-tailed, dark, with tonspicuaus
white backs, That, afier long watching, was. all we could say,
for a dense tangle of blackbérries kept us from drawing nearer,
‘and the birds passed so’ swiftly that it was hardly possible to focus
the glasses upon them. We could not name them, but when we
reached home the reference books: left us in tg: doubt.

The opposité (eastern) bank of the river was vertical and
gravelly, the water shallow etiough for wading; and we had learned
that White-backed Swallows nested in tunnels in:such banks, so
I eas high hopes of finding nests and watching the birds go in
and out. .

A week later I visited the eastern bank and hid imnder a’ bush.
watching for the swallows. J saw dramas and comedies: a-Fan-
‘tailed Cuckoo two yards away seemed to be calling from half a
dozen ‘different places, while ‘T: ‘watched his throat shiver at every
trill; a Whipbird ‘in the thicket opposite-called intermittently; &
flock of Beautiful Firetails retreated before a ‘charm’ of Gold-

S4 Jean Garararma, 4 “New” Bird Pinds Our Valley Ce x

finches; and a pair of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters wert disturhed
by a confident fertiim quid. Welcome Swallows skimmed the
river up and down, but not one White-hacked Swallow did I see,
not ome nesting tunnel did T find.

At last, with eyes blurred with watching the moving water and
the hirds, I turned homeward. The swallows mst have been a
flock out hunting, not a nesting colony as we had hoped. That
“seemed, for the time being, to be the end of the story,

It wasn’t—quite. On November 10th 1 was cycling through
‘open country, about four miles éast of the Tyers River, when
several White-hacked Swallows skimmed over the road in front
of me—flymg so low and so close that I looked down on their
white backs—disappearing toward a creelc half a mile away.

There seems no doubt of the species, though I am disinclined
to be positive when I have never seen a named specimen for
compatison, We have not seen another one. Perhaps we never
“will, But that discovery last spring remains a pleasant memory
and an encouragement still to expect unfamiliar visitors to our
familiar valley.

SPIDERS ASSIST BOTANISTS

Normally I do not tike spiders, althowrh 4 admire ther handiwork of
-web weaving, At the Whipstick near Kamatooka in mid-May, Mr, Perry
and I set out to find an elusive botanical speciinen whose name we wished
to confirm. Mr, Perry was cager to show me Nephila of the golden web.
TF did not like the jook of hor, less still after running into her net or parlour.
We found Nephila on the alert but not: spiteful; one thing we noted was her
Cleanliness about her house, for all the refuse of disused or unwanted food
was gathered into a long waste bag and fastened on top of the web. welt
aut of the way—quickness of movement was so necessary for catching her
prey.

There were other spiders. with grass-like webs sometimes nearly a foot
lang, the interwoven pieces of grass looking like nests in the shrubs, and on
ont of the lower shrubby plants we made our find, The plant we had
searched for as “Dadenara procumbens,” although sticky and extraordinarily

‘hike it in foliage and general appearance, had stall “nests”? in which were
tangled the unmistakable achenes of a composite. Our “Dddanaea" had cast
fits flowers except the six involucral bracts, but affixed to the web-grass
"nest"? was the cast material which identified onr plant as Olraria decureces,
rather uncommon about here, for although we had walked a mile in a circle
we saw only a few plants, ?

* Without the aid of the spider, its nest and the bristles of the achenes
-hotding firm to nests within the bushes, we should not have had our reward.

Deletion of Dadonaga proctimbens will be necessary and Qlearia decurrens
aubesiisted in my note, Mictorian Nafuralts!, Vol. LIV, No & December,

A.J, Tancetr.

Ase, W. H. NieneLes, Gur Perplesing Sun-Oveluts SS

OUR PERPLEXING. SUN-ORCHIDS

A New Variety; Two Reductions in Status; the Evolution of a
Thelywitra Column; and other Notes,

By W. H. Nreports, Melhoutne,

I. THELYMITRA TRUNCATA, Rogers and THELY-
MITRA MERRAN&, Nicholls,

According to my own investigations over a number of séasans
(since the spring of 1930) these are but forms of the well-known
Thclymitra txioides, Swartz.)

Th. truncata was first found in South Australia (at Myponga)
in October, 1917, Rogers reports it as very rare, Th. Merrane
was recorded from Aivey’s Inlet, in Victoria (October, 1927-28).
In a large collection of Thalywitra specimens collected in the hill
country encircling Mount Cobbler (5,340 ft.) in Victoria during
January, 1936, and brought home for stiidy, quite an array of
<oliumnar forms were in evidence. All of these specimens had
heen tentatively labelled —after 2 cursory examination —‘Th.
ixiordes, Sw. typical.”

The ahove hypothesis, formed after careful <xamination of
humerous specitnens from other Victorian habitats, was therehy
fully supported.

A. representative set of column-forms, drawn mainly from
Cobbler maierial, is shown here (see Figures G. to R.-U-V.W_).
These show the gradual evohition of the two forms referred to
above. The perianrh-segments (upper) of both are usually dotted
in ihe typical ixteide-fashion. In the case of Th. Merrane this
-form {which is rare) should be regarded 2s transitional, and mot
as a fixed form or variety. It is unquestionably an intermediate
betweet Th, ixtotdes, Sw., and Th, truneata, Rogers. Tt is not.
confined to the one locality, thus is not, as mentioned by Ewart'4!
a “local form.” It is now recorded from a number of habitats far
removed one from the other.

But with Th, truncata the case js different; this form is more
widely distributed (in some districts an abundant plant), con-
sistent in the size of the plant, length of leaf, likewise in the size
of the flowers. Th. truncata is: also consistently few-flowered,
though, like many other 7 ehyensitag, variable in the colour of the
-blooms :

- Thelymitra ivtoides, Sw., variety treqcata, conth. nov. (Th.
truncata, Rogers),"!—I consider that Th, truncata, Rogers, should
be stabilized as a variety. Though usually associated with Th.
ixioides, the variety triencata ts trot (as is the case with the form
Merrane) restricted to these ateas.- Many colonies of truncate

Sti W, A, Nreveu.s, Om Perplering SuneOrehtds bay ey

may be scen in habitats remote fram the haunts af typical I hy
TaTOIdes,

ll, THELYMITRA PAUCIFLORA, R.Br.

Tins is one of our polymorphic species. ‘One is sure to contract
headache if persistent in the close examination of a large Watch
of flowers culled from selected districts. No wonder botanists
have heStawed other specific (now synonymots) titles to one ov
other of its variations!

One farm, remarkable for the dilated apex to the column middie
Jobe, has been collected in three iireas, n2., Hurst's Bridge, Port-
land, Wonthaggi. How our orchids vary! But this strange
feature ig an inconsistent one, apparent only in approximately 30
per cent. of the plants examined, (Figures X.¥,)

Thelymutra Pauciflora, R.Br., variety Holmesn, comb. now, (Th.
Holatesii, Nichalis), ‘This is a Portland form, bearing 1-9
rich violet flowers. Here the column mid-Iobe ts somewhat large,
cuneate and prominently cleft, and the hair-tufts of the penicillate
Iohes are usually yellow, sometimes streaked with red.

A solitary specimen—undoubtedly the above lorty—was for-
warded to me hy Mrs. FL. Mellblom; it suggested a closer affinity
with R, D. FiteGerald’s West Australian Th. mcida!” than
hitherto suspected. In this particiar instance fhe column mid-
tobe was very small, the yellow and red. hair-tufts in less definite
tujis, the pentcillate lobes short and stout. More material, how-
ever, is necessary for a conclusive diaptiosis, for the specimen was
hot it a first-rate condition. Only a solitary specimen of Tir.
weetda has been collected—apparently at Wilson’s Inlet, Athany,
hy FitzGerald.

» Are these two orchids also transitory forms, in thik instance of
Th. poucifiera, R.Br?

lil. THELYMITRA MEDIA, R.Br.) variety: cavuen-liten,
TaN". WOW.

"Planta gracilts conformans crm typo (ade RL OD. BilsGevald
in "“Austrahan Orchids"); omnino (floribus exceptis), pallide
oytdis. Flores panci, 2-5, circa 1-5-2:5 cm, in diametro, Perianth-
scogmenta caruca supra infra lutea Colvwmna carmen, labt inter-
-nudia magni. stigma promuions.

A slender plant 23-40 cm. high, Leaf. steni and bracts a soit
shade of ¢laucous green. Leaf linear, channelled, erect, 10-23 cm,
Inng. Stem-bracts 1-2, Flowers 2-5, about 1°5-2'5 am. in
diametér. * "Perianth-segments pale’ flesh-pink, reverse surface of
‘sepals yellaw. Cohimn pink, intermediate lobes’ very prominent,

948 W.H. Ntcuotys, Our Perplering Sun-Orchids 57

Thelymitra. For Key, see page 58.

58 W.H. Nicuotes, Otr Perplexing San-Orchids Ten Sg

Stigma prominent. The soft glaucous shade of green which
pervades almost the whole plant, combined with the dainty
bi-coloured fluwers (pale pink and yellow) form a neat com-
bination of colour tones not previously recorded iu the genus
Thelymitra.

The habitat of this newly-found variety is “swampy land at
Tynong North,” in Victoria. (October-November, 1941; collector,
Mr. J. Leppitt.) Mr. Leppitt is a member of the club and an
enthusiastic collector and student of our orchidaceous plants. He
reports this variety as numerous.

Th. media, in Victoria, is more commonly a robust, large-
flowered plant. Occasionally it rivals Th. grandiffore, FitzG., the
“Great Sun-orchid,” in height, robustness, and beauty. The larger
forms, in my experience, are often more abundant than the small
slender forms, though these oftimes are plentiful also, arid well
distributed throughout snedia’s range (in Victoria).

The finest examples of Th. media I have examined were col-
lected near Wandin (C. Barrett) and from Yarra Junction (J. W.
Audas), From these two localities the specimens possess, often,
remarkably thick, leathery, somewhat rugose leaves, the plants
attaining a height of well over 90 cm.

REFERENCES

Trons.Roy.Soc.4. Aust. xii, 343° (1917)—-referred to by A. J. Ewart in
FIV ie. (1930) as a variety of Th. pauctfora, R.Br.

ViceNat,, xlvi (nov., 1929), 139,

Kong. Svensk. Acad Hand! 228 (1800).

Filtc, CA. J. Ewart), 329 (1930).

Prodr., 314 (1810).

Vic.Nat., xlix (1933), 263,

Gard.Chron., xvii (1822), 433; fig. in Aust.Orch. ii (FitzG.),

Prodr., 314 (1810).

Orch. Zel., ti, 156.

0.90 SEEN 7 te too NY

KEY TO PLATE

THELYMITRA, Forst.

Fig. A—Th. media, R.Br. var. carnea-Iniea, var. nev.; B—--Coluinn from
side; C-—Column from rear; D.--Column from front. E.—Th. ixlordes,
Sw. Column from side; F—Same from above; G.—Four variations of
column mid-lobe from side; H.—Middle lobe of column from side (upper),
and from above. Column mid-lobes, form Merranée—I, (from side), J.
(from rear), K. (from above). L.. M—Column mid-lobes of var.
truncala from side; N., O.—Same as L., M. (but from rear; P.. Q.—2
column mid-lobes from above. R.—ThA. ctrietdes, Sw., var. subdiffarmis,
Nich.; (g) Column from side. S.—Flower TA, ivioides, var. trntivata.
T—Flower Ih. ixtotdes, form Merrane, U. Vu W—Th. irteides. Heads
of columns from above; 3 variations of intermediate furms. X.—Th.
paucifiora, R.Br. 2 column mid-lobes from side. Y.—7'h. pauctfora, R.Br.
Abnormal form of column mid-lobe.

(Note: In the majority of the figures the hair-tufts are tet shown.)

rd | SR. Mitcrrnc, Geology end Etfmology of Korgorong Hills 39

GEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY OF THE KONGORONG
- HILLS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Ry S. R, Mircaert, Melbourne.

The coastal belt lying between the Glenelg River im Victoria
and Kingston in South Australia is portion of au extensive plain
that forms much of the south-eastern part of the State of South
Australia. Its chief physiographic features are several volcanic
¢raters, among them being Mt. Gambier and Mt. Schank, standing
some five ot six hiindred icet above the plain, and a series of dune
ranges that run parallel to each other and to the coast, particularly
pronounced to the north of Millicent. They are seldom more
than one hundred feet above the general level and are frequently
indurated.

_ “The ranges are generally recognized,” states R. L. Crocker,
“as representing old coestal dunes or dune remnants connected
with successive stages in the retreat of the sea in late Pleistocene
or recent geological times.” The Rev. J. E. Woods (1862)
described the district as remarkally level and only slightly raised
above sea level, much of it occupied by extensive swamps and
morasses, with grassy plains and heath cowntry, also immense
sandy tracts supporting no grass, with belts of short and crooked
stringy bark and some minor elevations. Ridges or low ranges
of hills with limestone cropping out {indurated dunes) and ridges
of sand, the former always well grassed and not thickly timbered.

_ The vegetalion, he states, comprised Casuarina, Bursaria, Bank-
sia, Eucalypius and Acacia, and much Pteris (bracken). The
sandy ridges were generally thickly timbered,

‘The abundance of surface water is accounted for hy the flatness
of the low-lying parts and the absence of watercourses. Much
of this water could only find its way underground by slow
infiltration through the soft rock beneath. Lake Bonney and the
Dismal Swamp are two of these large swamps, the former extend-
ing some 3 miles to the north-west, with an outlet fo the sea at
Carpenters Rocks. :

‘The observations of Woods are interesting and indicate very
favourable conditions for a former aboriginal population. This is
borne out by the profusion of the stone relics found on their ofd
camping places, usually situated on the crests and Hanks of dune
ridges, from which the sandy capping has been removed hy wind
action (and locally known as. “drifts”). These sites were then
dry, sheltered spots, with abundant water and food supplies in the
vicinity. Settlement has since greatly changed the appearance of
the country, whieh is now carrying prosperous farming com-
munities, !

60) SR. Merete, Geology aid Btimalagt of Konganangy Mills voto aa

“Much ‘of this coastal helt is underlain by a white Timestone of
Miocene Age, consisting mainly of fragmetital inaterial derived
from bryozoa, corals, foramunfera ancl other marine organisms. It
is usec! locally as a building stone, and being comparatively soft.
can’ be sawn nto blocks, which on exposure hayeien into durable
constructional niaterial,

The-ridges af consolidates dune sand are highiy calcareous andl
are now quite hard. The sandy cappings result from the leaching
out of the caletum carhonate, leaving the quartz grains as [oos¢
sand” Freshly exposed surfaces of these ridges show a renarkalle
serics of pulars and pinnacles that vary in height from 6 inches
to 2 feet or more and from 4 inches to 15 inches in dhameter,
These pillars are very characteristic of the older and harder line-
stones Im this case sand has protected the limestone+from the
denuding agencies without retatding the salvent effect of the
rain water which has carned away the Limestone between the
pillats.

Associated, with the tertiary Limesttine is a somewhat poor
quality flint in masses of irregular shape, tabular sheets twer
or three inches in thickness, and -nodules, usually occurring
imunediately above more or Jess impervious heds, and on different
harizons, This flint is black, or of various shades pf grey,
huff, or brown. It breaks with w well-marked conchoidal fracture,
but the fresh surfaces are usually dull, unlike whe better quality
flint. of the Old. World. ,

The presence of remnants of marine organisms indicates -its
origin 48 a.moleciilar replacement of portions of the limesiane by
solutions, whereby the calcium carbonale has heen dissolved,
simultaneously with the precipitation of silica in 2 erypto-er ystalline
»state, Tt is known that some sponges, foraminifera and diatone are
composed largely of silica which is readily soluble im alkaline
water. Whether this chemical reaction look place during ithe
formation of the limestone, where it would he subjected to pressure
and possibly a rise in temperature, “or subsequent to its elevation,
is an interesting: speculation,

The denudation of the limestone has freed’ some of the int
which now lies on the surface wherever its not masked bby later
deposits. Wide marine platforms that are exposed at low tide and
the large quantities of flint im the coastal 'shingles piled up by wave.
-aclion indicate the seaward extension of this forination. Some ald
shingles alse extend inland, providing further evidence of a com-
paratively. recent change’ of sea level Both the surface Aint and
~that fron, the shingles show ‘much surface alteration in the forns
af i, brownish-grey or white crust or cortex.

A visit ta the Kongerong Hills. south-west of Mt- Gambier, was

~
THI VICTORIAN NATORALEIST Von ux figatst, 1048

Prave IV

Blhavn surface of ao abortinal camping sic
shuwing linestone pillors.

ta Nangorong hillrop.

Typical Aint artifacts irom the Kongorune aren.

Phetor.: 8. R. Mitchell,

Aug
02

S. R. Mircaen., Geolagy and Fitimology af Kongovong Hills Gl
made for the purpose of investigating some of the camping places
and artifacts of the aboriginals. Seven sites were examined and a
large mumber of implements collected. Theie abundance in this
district may be accounted for by the Jarge quantities af flint
available, and the ease with which suitable fakes could be produced:
The outstanding cliaracteristics of the arlifacts is the absence of.
any conventionalized types. No attempt had been made to produce:
any particular form of flake, the principal objective bemg a flat,
or slightly concave, or ever a convex surface on which a cutting,
scrapug or sawing edge could be formed by percussion or pressure
flaking. The shape, thickness or size of the fake or piece of Aint
Selected was imjnaterial, some well-worked or used impiements
being made from very rough or even cavernous flint, others from
‘thick, massive pieces giving rise to high-keeled or horse-hoot types.

Of 240 specimens examined, 55% retained more or less of the
«ariginal brownish crust similar to that on the flint lying about in
the vicinity and were the first flakes struck from the core.
Apparently littl or no flint was obtatned from the coastal
shingles, which invariably has a white cortex. Al-of these camps
aré at least five miles inland, The small amount of debris, small
flakes and chips, and the few hammerstones and cores present
‘would imdicate that onfy usable fakes were taken to the canips,

Almost every conceivable shape of implement is to he found.
Same show liitle use: others have working edge ou much of
the margin. Implements approximately circular, semi-circular .or
aval are common; others have the effective edge on one or both
sides, one end, or on the sidys and end; some have concave notches
(78%) suitable for scraping round objects and some have
Projectiug points, together with a Jarge proportion of crude
asymmetrical types. It would appear that in most cases the final
shape largely depended on the original shape of the flake or limp,
and the amount of re-edging given it during use.

One interesting find consisted of 15 pieces lying within a radius
of 2 feet, five ofthese having been struck from one banded type
of flint and six from another, Might were flakes only, showing no
signs of usage and are obviously blanks, the Jargest measuring
32% 3-2 inches. The others show more or less use as scrapers

Another set consisted of 11 artifacts, found within a radins of
4 feet, seven having one or more well-delined cotteave or hollow
notches for scraping round objects. From their proximity ta
¢ach other and the similarity in material, it can be assumert in
each case {hat the one artisan made an used them for a similar,
purpose, -
~The majority of the artifacts found in this locality shaw more
or less alteration in the form of a fnable crust which may extenel

«2 AH. Cunstroum, Owen Stanley in Australia eee 7g

nearly or quite into the centre. They are usually buff in colour
through staining by iron oxide, and have a pronounced plossy.
surface, Chemical analysis proves this crust to he largely silica.
Long exposure to weather and water contaming solvents fas
caused the removal of varying amounts of silica, which may be as:
much as 40% of the orijrinal crust. This chemical chan e has been
accelerated by the slightly porous nature of the flint, and is probably
much more rapid than is generally considered.

Only two of the larger implements of Aint Aaked on two sides
wert found, and one badly-weathered ground-edged axe of basalt.
The former type is very common on some of the coastal dunes in
Victoria, together with a coug de potng type and il ts possible that
many of those described as choppers should be classed as blanks
Or cores, the purpose of the flaking being to ascertain whether the
internal flint was suitable, and reserved for Iuture use.

REFERENCES
Rev, eter Famuyndt Woods: Geological Observations in South Australia,

R, I. Crocker: “Notes on the Geology and Physiography of South-east
af Sauth Australia,” Trans. Royal Society of S. Aust, Vol. 65, Pt. 1

OWEN STANLEY IN AUSTRALIA
By A, . CrHisHoem

The most important mountains in the Pacific Way at present
are the towering heights of the Owei Stanley Rauge, our main
defence line in Papua. Yet few people know anything of the
man after whom they were named—a distinguished figure in the
Australia of his day, whose grave is in this country.

Owen Stanley was a bright youngster in England m the carly
part of last century. Eldest son of the Right Rev. Edward
Stanley, Bishop of Norwich, and Catherine. daughter of the Rev..
Oswald Leycester, he might easily have hecote a country parson-
But the sea was in the boy’s blood and at the age of 13 he entered
a naval college. At 18 he was a midshipman yoyaping to Soutly
America, and at 19 he was with Captam P. P. King (afterwards
famous in Australia) surveying the Straits of Magellan. What
better beginning than that could any sea-minded Jad have desired?

During the early 1830's Stanley served on a number of ships,
mainly in the Mediterranean, and notably with a man who after-
wards became Lieutenant- Governor of Fasinania and a famous
Arctic explorer, namely, Sir Johan Franklin. Stanley, too, had’
a taste of the Arctic; he was there in 1836-7 as lieutenant in
charge of astranontical and magnetical observations aboard H.M,S.
Terror, That experience was to bave a cutious repercussion im
Australia years Jater,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Von. Lx wtuyust, 1943

PLatr V

~ ASCH SE OM

iz 'es8o

= AH. Ciunsaotm, Oren Stanley ma Atestralic 63

Australia first knew Owen Stanley in 1838, when, as com-
mander of H,M.S, Britomert (and aged only 27) he assisted to
establish at Port Essington, north-east of Darwin, the settlement
of Victoria, which afterwards became known as the capital of
North Australia. That visit was the beginning of a long associa-
tron of Stanley with this country. In various vessels, particularly
H.M.S. stattlesnoke, be did a considerable amount of valuable
work in surveying the waters of North Australia and New Guinea.

During his northem wanderings Stanley frequently returned to
the -little settlement on Port Essington, He was there, for
example, in August, 1839—just 103 years ago—and showed his
resource by organizing and stage-mavaging the first performance
of the drama in North Austvalia, with hardy marines in the female
parts. The name of the play is not recorded, but the performance
was based upon a book that had “already performed a voyage to
the North Pole” (presumably with Stanley), and the scenery was
painted by Stanley himself with what a chronicler of the day.
termed “earths of the country.”

The versatile young officer had, in fact, distinct ability as an
artist, Between intervals of marine surveying he painted many
scenic pictures, and a considerable number of these are now in the
Mitchell Library, Sydney. Showing as they do aspects of early
Australia, they are a record of historical features.

Meanwhile, too, Captain Stanley became well-known as av
astronomer and genera] screntist, and he rendered inast valuable
service to John Gould and John Gilbert in their work on the
birds of Australia. Stanley and Gilbert met at Sydney in 1840,
when the captain offered ta take the bird-man to New Zealand on
the Brilomar?.

This, then, was the accomplished Englishman in whose honour
the great bastion of Papua (and [ater also a mountain in North
Queensland) received the name of Owen Stanley,

In December of 1849 the officers of the Rattlesnake examined
the Owen Stanley Range. They found the highest peak, Mount
Owen Stanley, to be 15,205 feet.

Tragedy developed a few months later. The Rattlesnake
returned to Sydney and there, on March 13, 1850, Owen Stanley
died on board his vessel. He was only 38 years of age, but he
was worn aut by the effects of tropical fevers and hy the heavy
work and responsibility he had shouldered ss a track-blazer in
northern waters, Also, he had been stricken bythe news of the
death of his father and his brother.

Captain Stanley was buried by the Rev. W. B. Clarke, in the
presence of 400 sailors and a large number of civilians, at old
St. Thomas’s Cemetery, North Sydney. [bs grave has long been
neglected. it should be a public possession,

¥ . Vict. Nat.
64 Evra Couemas, Phe Ssoarming of the Siatlacs he ay Pent

THE SWARMING OF THE SWALLOWS

For iwany years a reed-fringed Jake ac Blackburn las aflarded- an
exceptional chance to wateh the autumn flocking ‘of swallows For sane
weeks Wefore theit northern Sight ticy gather at (he Jake in late aiternann,
hawk over the water fer abont 20 minutes, aril eviter the réed-heds at
sundown - ;

To witness their first morning fight, onc must reach the take before
dawn, [np typical autumn weather one can just discern the trees, all motion:
Jess, darkly mirrarod in still, brown water. Although we know that the
swallows arc among them, not «a reed stirs until dawn, when the whole
flavk streams aut and up, to where the sky & just growing light, They are
out of sight for five minutes or so, when they become visible again, then
descend a little, before Ayine off in a south-westerly directinn—returning

te the reeds just before sundawn. It sewns very wonderful that entering
the reeds und thei? wreeting tu the sut ate so accurately timed. although rot
more so than other deeds in their chequered lives.

For ter years a -stnall band bas roosted, from early in March, on six
insulated wires tnder the verandah of a Blackburw shop, They are still
there (35), and will probably remain through the wimter, Tt has liecn
interesting to note how accuralely they are spaced, like vertical lines in a
piece ot brickwork, one line facing east and one west, se that ue droppings
fall on the lower birds, Dy. O'Shaughnessy told ane to-day (June 15) of a
band of 175 which have ronsted ander a Jilydale werandal: for three years,
probably longer. The Olinda Creek is near, and there ts,.a5 one so cfton,
notes, an area of Jow-lying, treetess, sedgy fant! which offers unimpeded
hawking space.
~ Duding the frst twa weeks mm December, 1942. a flock of about 50
swallows yisited my garden, They Rew in ani out of the tops of some
ailverleal stringyhark irees which grow in the fowlyard. Te was beautiful
to watch their aerial manoeuyres as dhey probably disturbed good inseel-food
in fying through pendent branches, We were puzzled to kuow why, for
two weeks, the Jowlt would suddenly rum from the sunny end of their
enclosure to the shady etd, which they had never favoured except im
extremely hot weathey, They would retam there for hours as if greatly
alarmed. Ege-laying dropped off sadly. We could not trace the cause
until 7 stood dnietly im the yard and woticed the beautiful pattorn of .
swift-darting shadows the swallows were weaving on the ground
only these shadows stiggesied bawks. The swallows left us oj Desembel!
Recently T cante upon the following nore an swallows and poultry in
Michelet: The Bird, published in [8562 “They have less cause than ony

others to dread the beasts of prey, from theis. lightness of wing; and they
are the first to warn pouliry-coops of their appearance Hen and pigeon
cower and sock an asyluin as soon as they hear the swallows’ signal notes."
ts it the shadow or the signal note that frightens the fowls?
. Eira Copeman:
A SPIDER'S TRICK : ‘
(G3, TT, Easton, of ‘Joorak, says that, while in the warden a few evenings
since, he moticed 4 large black spider lowering itself from a high branch by
a single thread. Aiter droppiiye thus sume distance it cast off a second
thread to a side branch, and thea remained suspended and perfectly still.
When a small moth came Fitting rear. the spider either cat or cast awsy
the side stay and swing over just in time to intercept and catch the moth,
which it ate. This was repeated and never failed ta catch the-moth or fly,—
(The Arcus, Melbourne.)

‘
’

you iio.

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX.—No, = September 8, 1943 No. 717
- PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Clnb was held at the Royel
Society’s Hall on August 9, 1943. The President (Mr. P. F.
Morris) presided and about 90 members and friends attended

Tt was amiounced that. Mr. A, F. Pullard, a member of avér 40
years’ standing, had passed away, and members stood in silence
as a mark of respect.

“BRAINS TRUST,” No. 2

The subject for the evening was “The Brams Trust,' Pact 2,
with leaders and subjects as follaws: General Zoology, Mr. P,
Crosbie Morrison; Ornithology, Mr. A. H. Chisholm; Botany,
Mr. P, F. Morris,

Question 1. To Mr. Morrison; “What is Anaspides tasmani-
enses? Is it am insect, an animal or a crustacean, and why all the
fuss about it anyway?” Answer! A freshwater crustacean of
unique character, and the only living form of permo-carboniferous
fossil types. Habitat: The mountain pools of Mt. Wellington,
Tasmania, with a decided preference for the ice-water pools.
Conunent: Mr, F. §. Colliver stated that a fossil of the same
genus is recorded from the Triassic deposits of Brookvale, N,S.W,

Question 2, To Mr. Chisholm: “How many kinds of Bower-
birds are there in New Guinea, and are they in general the same
as those of Australia?” Answer: New Guinea is now. known to
have nine -species of Bower-birds, as against eight in Australia,
Only one species is shared by the two countries. Some of the
New Guinea species, such as the Gardener Bower-bird (4Ant-
biyorms) build very distinctive bowers, but the habits of some
others are not yet known. .Comment: Mr. P, F. Morris stated
that a Satin Bower-bird had on one occasion built a bower in

66 Field Noturalists’ Club Proceediigs Rg ee

is from, cuncifolia’ of France to B. Winkleri of Africa: the first
being a delicate little herb of about 1 inch high and the other a
huge cactus-like growth of 90 feet, The reasons for the lumping
together of such apparently diverse platits is that their respective
fruits and flowers are yery closely related in structure. Comment:
Miss J. W. Raff asked if the Poincettia was a Euphorina, Answer:
Yes. Mr. Fisch askecl if the family were represented in Australia.
Answers Yes, by many species.

Question 4 To Mr. Chisholm: “Could we have a fist of birds
that are named after human occupations, together with notes on
why they bear such names?” Answer: Such a list would include
the Miner (Soldier-bird), Scissors-Grinder, Tailor-Bird, Police-
marn-bird (Jabiry), Auctioneer-hird (Logruriner), Carpenter-lird
(Nightjar), Burtelier-bird, etc. (Reasons behind the names were
also given.)

Question 5. To Mr. Morrison: “Why are the Australian
animals regarded as being primitive?” daswer: Because in ‘the
Case of the Monotremes there is the reptilian character of taying
eggs, and in the case of the Marsupials the production of very
immature young that are suckled in a pouch for sone months
before they are able to fend for themselves.

Question 6. To Mr. Morrison: “Have kangaroos ever given
birth to more than one young at a time?” Answer: No recard of
this, but if it ever did happen only one could live, as there is only
one functional teat within the pouch,

’ Question 7,.To Mr. Chisholm: “How many finds of Aus-
frahan bitds are known to nest ih assoctalion with éach other,
and is it for mutual protection?” Answer: The following can be
listed: Wagtails and Mudlarks; Manucodes and’ Black Butchers
birds, Mopokes and Grey Barcher-birds, Yellow-tailed Tits and
Magpies. In some cases (as of the Manucode seeking the
Butcher-bird’s company) it is for protection; in ‘other cases the
reason is doubtful,

GENERAL BUSINESS .

Mr, P. F_ Morris reported on-the excursions to the National
Museum for the subjects Anthropology, Conchology and Orni-
thology. . . ao cs Oi

The:dollowing were duly elected:as Ordinary Members of ‘the
Clab: Mr. and Mrs. J, Pinches, Miss J. R. Cummin, Messrs.
LP. Richardson, F, J. Sullivan, R. Mew, J. E. Jewell; and ag
Country Member, Mr. R. 5. Bellinger- ot eek Eee

ri _ Janet W) Rare, On the Swarming of Seatépse Tp. “7

ON THE SWARMING OF SCATOPSE SP. CETERA)
By Janet W. Rare, Melbourne nt

The purpose of this paper is to fecord the occurrence of swarms
of blackish midges (Scatopse sp.) found clustering on trees and
shruhs at Croydon, Victoria, in the autumn of 1942-and 4s on
almost coincident, dates.

On 24th April, 1942, Mr, T. 5S. Hart observed at Croydon
swatms that had settled on branches of Acucia verticiilata in a
grassy paddock. He did not know how long they had been there.
Fe forwarded specimens to me, together with some field notes,
from which I have copiéd ‘the following: “Thin branches were
bending down ‘under. their weight, and about 10 feet in total
length of several twigs was occupied, clusters of Hies frequently
falling off."

7 have to thank Mr. Hart for drawing my attention to these
swarms—a really remarkable sight as I saw them a few days
later. The tips ‘of the bratiches were still bearing champs of
flies, giving the appearance of small blackish mops.

It may be of interest to quote Mr. Hart's description of the
situation of the swarming: “a grassy -paddock lightly tumbered in
parts with various Eucalypts, and some Casnaring and Exocdrpus;
remaining’ shrubs mainly Bursavia aud Acacia verticillate, One
Acacia verticillata Keavily loaded with insects, another ‘more
moderately, others in the same patch apparently free from these
insects,” The. paddock is moderately grazed by a few dairy
cattle

Swarms were noted also‘at anothen spot in the vicinity, naihely,

“on the edge of open grassland and near cultivation (oats, maize
and potatoes).. The flies had settled on branches of a Peppermint
(Bucalyplus aivsiraliand), ‘and also on tea-tree {Leptospermauynt
scoparium).”' The swarms were still to ‘be seen some ten days
later, though, owing to heavy rains, they had apparently been
broker up to some extent and had reassembled in smaller masses. ?

This year swarming has again occurred at approxitnately -the
same time, Mr. Hart informing me in a fetter dated 21st April,
1943, that he had: seert clusters a few days previously in the same
two places as the 1942 swarma, on Acacia verticillata, an soine
rushes nearby, and:on other plants.. re i. -4 TYR

The family Sratopsidde'is a.small group of minute blackish flies;
included by some workers in the family: Bébiontdae,.: , Although
they are classed along with midges, their ‘bodies are. more thick-set
than the better-known ‘of the midges.” Their larvae ‘are isaid<t0
live in damp soil_- feeding: and’ jbeeedine in “great numbers itl
decaying organic matter. <!,5 02! ePyte Woy kl debe Fa. RE

GH Janet Wo Rare, On the Swarming of Scatopse So, bho x .

( The Croydon swarms had probably developed in manure and
general decaying matter in or near the paddock cited ,

Further instances of this autumn swarming of midges in Victoria
are suggested by the following’:

. (3) A report of warms seen in Croydan in 1940, similar to those of
1942 and 1943.

(b) A large mass of Ycatopse sp. (about a cupful), was forwarded ta
the University on 3lst March, 1928, from Montrose, where swarming was
seen}, the specimens were taken’ by Mrs. Donald Thomson from a large
cluster on “Tree Lucerne.”
- (c) Ina report of a Field Naturalists’ Club excursion to the Bass Vatley
during Easter, 1911 (about April 16th), Mr, TI. Brooke Nirholls(1? notes
that “ati interesting feature. ... was the finding of an ‘ivy’ bush, in flower,
swarming in parts with small flying insects (milges). So thick were
these ihat at a short distance parts of the grcen ivy appeared hiwe-black im
colour. A leaf twa or three square inches in area accommodated hundreds
of the insects. When disturbed by throwing a stick into the busli, they
fell off in a clond as thick as smoke.” (The blue-black colour of the
midges suggests Scotapse.)
| Numerous references to My swarms are to be found in literature,
and althouch those dealing with the Scatopsid-like mredges refer
mostly ta spring {not autumn) swarming, it may be of interest
to quéte some of these cases.

Foster®! records swarms of Scatapse atrata occurring in the
spring of 1932 in Georgia, U.S.A. These lasted for several days,
the insects issuing in countless numbers from between corner
hoards of a dwelling house, and were pairing during fight. This
species is oné commonly fotind im Georgia, on the inside of
windows, especially in basements,

_ In the spring of 1901 swarms of Bibio fraternus on pastures at
Lake Forest, Mhnois, U.S.A., were described by Needhum.t*
Countless numbers were flying in sheltered places in the woods,
or chmbing on blue grass panicles, or resting in pairs on leaves.

; Professor Herbert Osborn‘) wrote that in the spring of
1891 the white-winged Bibio (Sitio albipenmis) was present in
phenomenal numbers in Jowa, U.S.A., and. was attracting atten-
tron far and wide.

_ Barnes"! refers to an autumn swarm reported. by Douglas as
an “all female swarm of Dilophus vulgaris (spinatus Wik.), 2
Bibionid, on the schooner Topsy on 2nd September, 1880, about
a cable's length from the Norfolk coast. He reported that they
were thrown overboard by the shovelfel.”

The phenomenon of swarming is indced a remarkable one, and
in the case of our local autumn swarms, one wonders whether
the flies will be capable of hibernating over the winter in sheltered
places, to emerge for egg-laying in the spring. In this regard tt
is of interest to note that Skuse,"*! referring to the species

Set] |” Jawer W. Karr, On the Swarming of Seatopse Sip 6,

Seatapse fenestralis i in New South Wales, says that it is very
abundant in September and October, and that “in the spring
months it js scar ecly possible te find a window without one or
two specimens.” He had frequently seen hundreds swarming on_
the inside cf shop windows in Sydney.

I'am indebted to Mr T. G, Campbell, ‘of the Division ‘of
‘Economic Entomology, Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research, Canberra, tor examining ‘the Croydon specimens. He*
notes that though they resemble Scatopse fenestralis Skuse, they,
differ an some characteristics.

ap . Reurochcns:

}. Nicholls, E. B., Victodion Naturalist, vol, 28, 1911, p15), '
2 Fosse J. Gy Eutomulogical News (Philadelphia), yal, 44, No, 5, 1933,

3. F athad, J. Gy, American Notwais, vol. 36, 1902, p 181. . iro

4. Osborn, H., Jnsert Life, val. 3, 1894, p. 470, :

S: Barnes, H. F., Entomalogists’ Monthly Magasine (London), wal: 69,
1933, p. 230,

é. Skuse, FA, A, Praceedinas Linnean Society, N.S... and Ser, vol. 3,

' $888,-p, 1385.

EXHIBITS AT AUGUST MEETING

Mrs. J. } Freame: A small series of bird .skins.

Mr. H. P, Dickins: Yellow form of Ratksia collina fron Gembrook,

Mr Ivo C Hammet: Garden- -grown native plants, including (rveviliea:
lavandulaceae, G. nearis, G, alpma, G, oleaides Shaltcia oltgandva, Erias-
temon gracilts, .E, obotalis, Diploloens grandiflors, Howa lanceolate,
Templetonta retusa, Micramyrtis ciliate, ' ;

Mr T. S. Hart; Eucalyptus yangoora (Melbourne form of E. cugeni
cides}, the white stringy-barl; part (as labelled) from a tree identified by
Blackely; loc., Croydon. Vie, 8. hicterorhyrchad. (Red Strigy-bark) old
and young fruits: ioc, Croydon, Mushlenbeckia Cumninghandit (Tangled
Lignum) grown from 2 pigce rooted in water; collected at Kororgit Creek,
Sunshine. 4

-Mr. G. P. Singleton toil behalf of ‘the Geological Museum, “Melbourne:
University): : Genteuthis Hollensis, a cephalopod from the Tower Jurassic.
of Metzingen, Wurtemburg, Germany, showimg the ink-hag in position.

Mr.-F, S.. Colliver and Mr, O. P. Singleton: A series of Australian
Tertiary Cephalopeds, including ew species from the Eocene of Pebble
Point, near Princetown, Victoria, A series of Aluria usts/ralis, two speci-
mens of which show colour banding, 1 rare feature in fossils: ‘Nant has
Species from the Kocelie and other: Victorian Tertiary deposits; aad, two
specimens. of the rare Cuttle-fish, Henne chiftoncnsis,

a .
'

NATURAL HISTORY MEDALLION val
-Major 0, W,-Wilson, for many years lecturer in nabure stady at the
Teachers’ Training College. Melbourne, a founder of the Gould League
ol Bird Lovers, and a former chemical, adviser on ‘gas to the A.LF,. has
heen awarded the Australian Natural History Medallion for 1942 The
presentation: will be made at & meeting of the Field Naturalists’ Club. on
Seplember 13, - \

70 ‘ELM. Weas, The Little Mountains penne

, THE LITTLE MOUNTAINS a
; By E. M: Weos, Melbourne - ‘..

,. 1 suppose psychologists would find it easy to diagnose a man
with a passion for climbing hills. Anyway, 1 make no apology
for the habit, although I have not'heen able. to induige it lately.

The snowclad mountain leaves me. cold, It is too high and
aloof, and when you get to the top all you can see usually is the
tops of a lot of other hills. The little mountains are different.
They are close and intimate and friendly, From .their summits
you can see life going on all round you—the little farms, the
patches of crop, the courses of rivers, the bits of forest, and the
winding roads. You are still in the world of man although not
oi it. ; a?

Tt 4s possible to feel friendly towards mountains, and the first
friend I made was Mount Korong, He stands nobly near the
readside between Inglewood and- Wedderhurn—not very high
(about 1,400 feet), but truly massive, dignified and old.
~ Lhave climbed hin twice and passed him dozens of times. Eyen
when I am past, } must turn for one more look. He ts an old
gTanitic tor, worn down by milhons of years of buffeting by wind
and rain. From his top you can see the remains of the friends of
his youth, little stumps of granite hills like the worn-down teeth
of an ancient animal. They, teo, were mountains in the dim past.

There is something thrilling about the huge granite boulders
that stand on the top and sides of old Korong. They are immense,
imperturbable and time-defying, ‘They inspire the thought that
man is little and the universe great.

Once, in the early afternoon, I drove past old Korong. There
had been a shower of rain, followed by bright sunshme. The
rocks on the mountain were wet and they reflected back the
sunshine from a thousand places. It was a beautiful and dazzling
sight, like reflections from the windows of a great city built on
the hill.

Major Mitchell, in his explorations of 1836, turned his
theadolite on Mount Korong fron Pyramid Hill and subsequently
steered in that direction. When he reached the base he climbed
it. ¢Mitchell, coo, was fond of climbing hills.)

Pyramid Hill, in the Loddon Valley, is another fascinating
old tor, Travelling up from Bridgewater to Kerang you see it
rising out of the great plain like a veritable tomb of Cheops It
stands practically alane and if you are alletgic to hills you cannot
take your eyes from it. I took the first opportunity to inspect
and climb it and have since scaled its pointed top a second time.

To my amateurish eye the granite looks very old and wom, and
the geologists agree that it is very, very old, Mitchel) stood on

— EM, Weran, The Latle Movtlamr 71
the top of it ike a Moses surveying the Promised Land and waxed
lyrical on the beauty of the seene belaw. t. ;

The most beautiful mountain’ of all, when seen from the proper
angle, is Mount Napier, abont eight miles south of Hamilton. It
is an old volcano with a deep crater and alternating steep ancl
sloping sides, I had seen its top often, but it was not until 1 came
on it irom the south that 1 realized how truly lovely 1t was,

Coming up from Portland towards Haniultow, you strike east
at Myamyn to pick up the Macarthuy-Hamilton road. On the
way Mount Napier presents itself, a periect thing of misty blue,
rising symmetrically out of the bluestone plain with gently sloping
sides leading up to the concave top which indicates the crater,

As you draw nearer the blue changes to a vivid green, for the
slopes are studded with trees. I made a detour te reach it and
presently, after a fairly easy climb, was on the top. Indications
of its last lava flow can be picked out along one of the creeks.

One anoming early 1 packed a friend in the car and ‘drove up
to Castlemaine for brealefzst, Alterwards we wert on t Maldon
and drove to the top of Mount Tarrangower, Old poppet legs
provide a lookout up there and the sight is more than worth the
effort. The rocks are metamorphic (hornfels) and much more’
resistant than the surrounding granite,

Then the car took us to Smeaton on the Ballarat plaicau
and presently we were climbing up the steep slopes of Mount
Koornocheang, a massive laya heap overlooking the ancient home
of Captain John Hepburn, who settled in its shadow in the Jate
thirties or early forties. There is a monument to Captain John
at the top anda grand view of the fertile plateau. ;

Down helow we could see Captain John’s fine old bluestone
house and near it his private cemetery, where his bones and those
of some of his family are laid. On Kooroocheang I picked up a
pretty sample of a volcanic bomb.

Just across the way from Kooroocheang, so to speak, is Mount
Beckwith, a handsome hill from a distance but obviously not
volcanic. -Beckwith is just outside Clunes and T had heen wiutting
to chmb it for some time, but getting to the base by car was not
easy. Finally we Jefe the bus at a farmhouse and walked what
seemed to be miles.
| It was a steep climb and the day was hot, We scrambled up
mostly on hands and knees and walked along the ridge to the
top, where my companion took off his clothes and wrung the
perspiration from them, Wiidity was safe enough there, but }
don't want to put- ideas into anyhody'’s head about starting a
nudist club on old Beckwith!

72 E. M, Weos, The Little Moustoins ven _

The rocks are granitic, with pink felspar in them—at least those
of the trigonometrical station Were—atid J brought away a sample.
There must be «in easier approach to Beckwith; I will find it some
day,
Then on to Ballarat ta drive to the top of volcanic Mount
Buninyong, the highest above ihe sea of all these hills. The.
lookout there is necessary to gét you above the treetops. After.
that—home in the dark. —

T must not omit referring to what 1 call the smallest mountain
i. the world. Mount Wycheproof is the Mallee's one mountain,
althoiuh it only stands about 300 feet albove sea-level and is hard
to sce fram anywhere, It also is granitic. On its top is a tall
pole carrying an electric light, put there as a beacon to travellers
by a kindly shire council. There are no problems in climbing
Mount Wycheproai. You just stroll along and are there.

Mounts. Noorat and Leura in the Western District are worth
a look. The former has a road to the top. When I clinthed
Noorat a bull cyed me contemplatively as I crossed a paddock, so
T climbed quickly.

F mustn't miss out the You Yangs, These, too, are noble old
hills. On the top of Flinders Peak (originally called Station
Peak) you stand alongside the ghost of that great litthe man
Captain Matthew Flinders, who was up there in 1802 having a
look round. He hiricd there a cylinder containing a record of
his visit, but I never heard of anybody finding it The You Yangs
are granitic and are reminiscent of Mount Korong in shape,

Grasiite always confers nobility. A favourite exit. of mine
from Melbourne is aver the Lancefield Pass ta Toohorac (the
old-timers wrote it Toobouric), The way hes high up over a
vast granitic plateau that I have christened “The Grey Country.”
Tt is windswept, and even in spring has always a touch of greyish
sadness conferred hy great. houlders and little rocks. To me it
is exquisitely beautiful and I never tire of passing through it.

] nearly mussed Mount Arapiles, that whale-like outlier of the
Grahipians, which lumbers out of the Wimmera plang and is a
sight to make you gasp when you first see it, You can drive
up to the top,

Outside the northern face of the Grampians are the remnants
of what appears ta me to he a very much older range, Chief of
these old hills is Mount Dryden, which I have climbed, although
that is 1a feat because itis worn down by the strife of many
millions of years. Tts rocks (diorite) are so tongh that no
stonecrusher will look at them. These old hills seen io me to be
far more interesting {han the Grampians themselves

There are many more little mountains i western Victona that
I hope to climth same day when this pestilential war is aver,

— P CC, Towne, Quarries Used by Aborigines 33

QUARRIES USED BY THE ABORIGINES OFTHE | |
PAROO RIVER,NS.W. |

By C.C, Towte, Eastwood. NSW. °C

During the month of May, 1933, I spent several days on
Tillenbury Station, which is situated on the channel of the Paroo
River, about 25 miles north of Wilcannia. I had already done’
considerable collecting of stone artifacts im the vicinity of Wil-
cannia, including Lake Waytehigga, and had also been-about 35
miles nerch of Eillenbury in the vicinity of Lake Peery.

At Tillenbury the stone artifacts were generally similar to
those found in the areas to te north and to the south. Some
slight but significant variations in the flakework were due to
certain local conditiotis, which will be mentioned in this paper.:
After traversing a great part of Tillenbury, especially that part
enear the channel of the Paron, | noted that flakes, core-like:
implements, cores, and mill stones were lying everjwhere in
abundance. It was evident that the aborigines had had ready
access to plentiful supplies of materials.

Ouarisite Quarry for Flakes, etr,

For making flaked stone implements, quartzite was used by
the aborigines in every part of north-westeyn New South Wales-
In texture it varied from fine-grained to coarse-grained. The
fine-grained maternal, which was found in many aréas, was
sufficiently homogeneous to enable the aborigines to produce a
proportion of finely chipped implements, including the niare con-
yentionalized types, such as the pirries, the crescents and the
adzes (a hafted type). The coarse-grained materials were much
more widespread, OF them, some of the coarser-grained and less
homogeneous varicties were not generally suitable for the maling:
of implements belonging te the conventionalized types, but they
provided the aborigines with a plentiful supply of flakes for
knives and scrapers of ail kinds. -

On nearly all of the camping grounds I fotind a mixture of
the coarse-grained and the fine-grained materials. In the ateas
around Wilcannia the coarser-grained niaterials preclominated.
Near Lake Peery a much greater proportion of fine-grained
material had been used by the aborigines, At Tillenbury the.
courset-grained varieties were so predominant that after several
days' search only a few implements made from fine-grained
matenal were collected.

During my visit I examined the areas on both sides of the
channel. At Tillenbury the channel of the Paroo, which is
normally dry, is more than a milé in width, The low banks on

' * Pe let,
aH CC. Towle, Ouarries Used by Aborigines VoL ix

both sides are marked by lines of sandhills which continue to the
horizon. At several places along the banks there are outcrops
of quartzite, On the eastern side of the channel, not far from the
southern boundary of Tillenbury, I located along the top of the
bank a well-exposed outcrop which had heen used extensively as
a quarry by the aborigines. (Plate 1, No. 1.) Many thousands
wf flakes, reughly shaped cores, and shattered stone covered the
surface of the ground for a considerable distance. In every
<lireetion T found flakes lying undisturbed in small clusters where
cores had been broken up by the aborigines. The amount of
flaking which had been done was far in excess of actual require-
ments. _. ——— ;

At quarry sites in some other parts of Australia, according 16
Spencer and Gillen,? Roth,(® and others, the aborigines produced
large numbers of flakes from which they selected only those which
suited their requirements or their tastes, The residue was Icét
on the site for subsequent use if the need arose. Apparently the
aborigines at Tillenbury also followed the same practice.

The flakes obtained hy the aborigines from the material at the
quarry were on the average large im size. tn proportion to the
number of fakes on the camping grounds in the vicinity, the
number of implements showing marginal retouch was unusually
small. Very few of them belonged to any of the conventionabzed
types, The material generally did tot appear to be suitable for
fine marginal tetouch.

The aborigines required large quantities of stone for making
flaked inmiplements, Where local supplies were obtainable, as they
were at [illenbury, the aborigines made the widest use of them,
evett if the matenal was not so tractable as that obtainable
lsewhere, Scraping and cutting implements of all kinds could be,
and. were, fashioned from a great variety of rock material. If in
any locality smtable material was not found for such conven-
tianalized types as the adzes, it was obtamed from elsewhere,
usually by barter. At Tillenbury, as I have slated, a few flakes
of fine-grained material were found, but apparently for nearly
every purpose the local material adegnately met the requirements
of the aborigines. The paucity of conventionalized types may not
have been a matter of prime importarice to the aborigines. ;

With such an abundance of flakes. at hand, the aborigines at
Tillenbury had small need to spend their time resharpening used
flakes by marginal retouch. [rom the evidence which has been
collected by investigators in contact with the aborigines, there
cannot be any doubt that flakes with sharp edges wumiodified by
retouch were efficient implements in the hands of the aborigines.
Mountford! and Tindale) have each given descriptions of the

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vou. 1X September, 1943

Pratt VI

No. 1. Site of quartzite quarry showing outcrop and) stone-strewn
surface.

No. 2. Site of sandstone quarry showing stone-strewn surface, The
outcrop is behind the trees.
No. 3. Large roughly-shaped stone, in situ, in course of preparation
as mill stone, 30 ins. & 17 ins, X 3 ins.
Photos.: C. C. Tewle.

oe : C, C. Towrn, Quarrtes Used by dboriyiter 75

work done by the: Central Australian aborigines with crudely
prepared pieces of stone,

At Tillenbury there were also large numbers of core-like
implements made from the same material as the flakes. Implements
of this type have been found widespread in western New South
Wales, ~ | ;

Quarry for Mill Stones

It was not until six years after the discovery of the quartzite
quarry thar the large number of mill stones which I had found
in the vicinity of Tillenbury had been satisfactorily accounted for,
In Apnil, 1939, I was. searching for: specimens, inthe Pondie
Ranges on the western side of Tillenbury, not far ‘from its southern
boundary, In that part there aré many "low ridges where a
compact sandstone outcrops in relatively thin Jayers.

On one of these ridges I located a quarry which extended for
a considerable distance along both sides of the ridge. (Plate 1,
No. 2.) From it matertal for large mill-stones and for upper
grinding stones hac been obtained by the aborigines.

The evidence at the site indicated that the aborigines had been
able to break off from the mass slabs of standstene sufficiently
large to be suitable, after preparation, for tse’ as, mill stones.
Many large flat stones were lying an the sandy slopes in ‘all stages
of preparation, Many had already been shaped into the usual
oval type of mill stone. (Plate 1, No. 3.) Parts of the surface
of some of the stones had also been shaped by hammer dressing.
In every direction small flat pieces of sandstone were strewn on
the ground. Most of them, after slight preparation, would have
been suitable for use as upper grinding stones.

Other Quarry Sites

Tn the course of my travels in far-western New South Wales |
have seen (wo other places where the aborigines obtained material
for implements—une near Lake Peery and the other hetween
Wanaaring and Milparinka, I did tot have an opportunity of
examining either of them closely.

T{ should be mentioned that my nephew, Geoffrey A. Williams,
participated with me in the finding of both quarries at Tillenbury
and that ke worked with me in the collection of specimens and
data,

‘

ReEreeeNncns
1. Spencer and Gillen, Across Anstrahia (1912), vol, IT, p 374.
2 Roth, W. E, Bult. 7 N.Q.8thnog, (1904), pp. 16-17, ;
43. Mountford, C. P., Trans Roy Sac.S Aust, vol, 65 (2), (1941), pp, 312-16,
4, Tindate, N. 8, Mankind, val, 3, No. 2 (Ovt, 1941), pp. 37-41.

F 5 . . ‘ Vict. Nav
76 Frepk. CuarpmMan, 4 Modern Linnaeus Vol. LX

A MODERN LINNAEUS: CHARLES DAVIES SHERBORN
By Frepk. CyapmMan, Assoc.Linn.Soc.Lond.

The passing of my life-long friend, Dr. C. D. Sherborn, in London on
June 22nd of last year, in his 8lst year, came as a great shack to his many
friends not only there but in all parts of the scientific world, for his
reputation as the author of the Index Animaliwn alone has firmly estab-
lished him as a great bibliographer on the names of animals, second to
none since Linnaeus wrote his Systema Naturae of 1758,

Nearly two years after I had entered Professor Judd's geological
laboratory at South Kensington, a small body of local naturalists at Fulham,
with whom I was then associated, deputed
me to advertise for new members. The
result was a solitary letter from a Charles
Sherborn, dated 4th September, 1883. This
I still have, Unfortunately for our little
club, but not for myself, Sherborn, a little
later on, had other plans betore him, owing
to his reaction ta being eternally a scrivenor
to a Bond Street tailor, About ten months
after my first meeting, on the advice of our
mutual friend, Prof. T. Rupert Jones,
Sherborn started an his continental wan-
derings. He had already saved about £100
and decided thereby to visit one or two
continental centres of scientific learning, and
to do some intensive study and also brush
: up his French and German.

The late Charles Davies After Sherborn’s return, at Easter, 1885,
Sherborn mainly enthused by his studies at Strashourg
University, we joined in researches on our
favourite subjects of Ostracoda and Foraminifera at his private room—over
an undertaker’s shop, which bore the Dickensian name of Bultitude, and
which was opposite his father’s residence in the King’s Road, Chelsea
(No. 540). Here Sherborn was compiling his fine work, the Bibliouraphy
of the Foraminifera. At that time we conjointly wrote for the Royal
Microscopical Society's Journal, the “Foraminifera of the London Clay,”
which was thrown fortuitously, so toe speak, into our lap. For, privr te
Sherborn's return from the Continent, the drainage works at Piccadilly had
been started, the waste clay being carted six miles away, to be thoughtfully
dumped at the back of my father’s house at Fulham, Laboratory experience
at South Kensington had just taught me that interesting results might be
obtained from the most refractory clays by drying and washing down, so
that by Sherborn’s return I was able to gladden his eves by an unusually
large display of minute and elegant shells as had never before heen found
in such numbers in the London clay.

It was during the preparation of the Bibliography of the Forammifera
in 1888 that Sherborn conceived the idea of a comprehensive Index ta the
genera and species of animals, fossil and recent, a work that had already
been supplied for the plants. Already there was in existence the Inder
Kewensis, which we owe to the foresight of Charles Darwin, who, in 1881,
made arrangements to meet its expenses out of his own private estate.

At the base of all scientific naming of animals and plants there lies the
principle of the law of priority; and since present nomenclature under the

pene Frank Crrapwan, a Modern: Lrnnaens 79

binonvinal system of Linnaeus: hegins with the names of animals that were
described on atid aller January Ist, 1758 the date of the tenth edition of
his Systenra Naturae, it ip also necessary to ascertain the earliest valid
sae foy thase species, as well as the exact date of publication.

The first volume of the Index by Sherborn brings the references Lo 1800;
and in this there are. 41,118 dicect entries. There are eleven subsequent
volumes, the fast of Which brings the pames up te IRS Altogether these
volumes, including cross references and classifications, musi contain well
‘aver one million entries. The ‘first volume appeared in 1902 and the last
jn 1932, 43 years alter the inception of the scheme in 1890,

Dr. Sherborn was evete able to indulge his passion for eollecting: stamps
(restricted to South American States up to a certain date), antiquities, rare
Mss., and old books, A recent post-card from him said, “Don’t leave your
Gesner (1565) in Australia.” fis memory had pane back nearly 60° years
to the time when I picked up from a Londen bookseller, lor a féeiv*vhillings,
one of the oldest and rarest books on natural history. , =a

Tt was a great privilege to know and work with so genial a resrarchér,
and the inspiratiow 1 gained from his friendship, both in London and
Melbourne, is beyoud my power to express. [ny my’ work at the National
Museum here, T often had occasion: to test fis profound imowledge of
palacontology an the normeénclatural site, and’ T was never disappointed,

As a later cowfrére says: "Of many qualities that endeared him to all,
his kitudness, tolerstion, ready wit and equable temper, and above all his
abundant generosity, stand out, and few who were admitted to fricndship
with ‘The Squire? can haye failed to benefit by the asgociation.”: > 4.

- “ANTING" WITH APPLE-PEEL ree cia

Some time ago, when the problem of birds’ “anting” themselves was
being discussed, a vorrespondent told of a cotkatoo that rubbed apple-peed
on itself, and the question was raised as to whether this would have a
cleansing effect, Information an the point is-given by Dr. Charles MeLaran,
a Presbyterian otedical missionary, who has just published in Melhourme
a booklet entitled Eleven Weeks ma Japanese Prisow Coil, Dr, McLaren
zays that in the absence of any water for washing in his prison he touk to
rubbing himself with apple peelings, and he found that they were very
cleansing and alsa “an excelent and very arreenble dentifrice” He suggests,
therefore, that in addition ta keeping the clortor away an apple may also
enable one to dispense with the dentist and the wash-basinI—A.H.C.

POISON OF THE STONE-FISH

This interesting note has con fromm a Cloh member, Pilot-oficer C. €.
Ralph, Somewhere in New Guinea;

“One of the fellows in the camp here trod an a stote-fish a week or £0
back. Ac first there was little pain—so little that le was persuaded hy his
companions that he hael merely scratched himself on the coral, But-in-a
‘short time pain developed and the lez swelled up, and although he ts &
very tough Individual he was screuming and half mad with agony, It -was
twe hours befare he could be got to 2 doctor anc he was treated by placing
the feat in water sa hot that the skin ultimately peeled of The actite pain
lasted for siv hours in spite of heavy injections of morphia and the -lee
was in some degree of pain fur about 36 hours. Incidentally he was walking
on 2 sandy bottom with just-an odd- piece af coral here and there" ~~ ~

; > U n Viet,
8 CHawars Baranry, “The Certitorens Phreta’ a bi-vs

“THE GARNIVOROLS PLANTS"; A NOTABLE BOOK

_ The Club's Library has been enriched by 3 review copy of The Carnivorous
Pienis, by Dr. Francis Ernest Lloyd, Emeritus Professor of Botany, MoGill
University. This avtable work jorms volume atine of “A New Series of
Plant Soeice Books,” edited by Dr, Fraus Verdoorn and ‘published by lhe
Cronica. Botanica Company, Waltham, Mass, U.S.A. The author yesited
Australia im 1936, when he delivered a memotabie lecture on the subject
which he has made his awn-the carniverous or insectiverout plaints
Learniig Was lightened by humour, while Dr, Lloyd's sketches, moving
pictures and Tantern slides were of che same quality as hi, vivid descriptions
of the mechanism of Viricn/uria traps and other macvelé in a Plant World
province known to'very few of our botanists. . .

Tr was my privilege tu see much of Professor Lioyd during has stay 4
Vietoria} and he readily acceded w a request that We should write for the
Club's journal a paper on Ltriewlarca, with special reference to Australia
{See iictorian Naturalist, Vol LITT, Ne. 6.) Besides giving a general
atcount of the Bladderworts, of which. in certain directions, Australia
possesses a larger and more varied assortinent than any other gedgraphical
‘regial), Or, Lloyd described four new species, one heing wamed LU tricwWaric
Dunston, in honaur of Mrs. William Dunstan, wofe af the General Manager
of the Herald & Weekly Times Ltd) One may search throngh fifty valtmes
ot the Naturalist without findmr a more interesting and amiporlant botariwal
article than this hy the author of dhe book now being reviewed

The Cantivorors Plants.15 a finety-printed, well-lilustrated volume (there
are 36 plates on srt paper), priced ar B35, an expensive book in Australia
qwing to foreign exchange, Jt is essential tn any s€nous student of Biadder-
werts, Droseras, Cophototus, Syblis, and other "insect-eatiug” plants, melud-
ing Funed (Cordyerps, Zoophirgus, ete.).

“An hrstolica) Teview and simintacy of -ouF present knowledge about
canmivprons plants, of whieh there are some 450 of more species, represent=
ing 19 geners, is given by Dr, Lloyd in a work that’ is Wot only an
outstanding contribution to scientife botanical literature, but alse possesses
great interest for the field ssruvalist. ‘ i y “aa

Australia has a prominent place ai The ‘Carnivorous Ploits. oA whole
chapter is devoted to the Western Australian Pitcber Plant {Cupholotns
fofiteulares)+ another to Bybhs', of ahich ailly two Species‘are know? B,
Bizantea, of Western Atstralia, and- 8. Hnifelia, native to Arnlem Lani, in
the: Northern Territory: ‘Our Sundewe, of coursd, receive full attention,
jor the genus Prosera, with more than 90 species, reaches ils greatest
development in this coutttry.

For more than a decade before he commenced work ot his great hook,
Dr, Lloyd Imd been studying the carnivorous plants af the world Iw 1929
he made an observation of importance in understanding the mechanism, of
tie Uirretaria t#ap, when examiiting a species related to Lf) gitbo, ‘This
created a desire to siudy other species of the genus. primarily ta determine
the Validity of his conclusions; and’ the professor's feeling thal research 21}
this field appeared promising was strengthened’ hy the discovery that :the
pertinent literature was singularly barten lof the infotimation. mast weeded!
that is to say, precise’ accounts of the sttucturerof thre entrance mechanisms
‘of the traps. Hevbarium material, meagre in, the underground parts. of
terrestrial forms, was of ‘slight value fot Wis purpose} go Dr. Lloyd songht,
{roi al] parts’ ot the world, adequately preserved specimens. Ther: he foiind
it necessary td 'travelin order to study carnivorous plants as“they grew:
His travels jncluded a journey to’ Africa, and ont to Afriga and Australia!
The yint to. Albany was in) the nature’ of 3 pilgrimage te the home of =
world-iamous itsectivoraus plant—Cepiatattis.

‘Best.

1943 Cranes Baprert, “The Curnivarons Plants” 79°

Byblis gigantea was the ather lure to the West: this insect-catcher' with
lovely Aowers, called “rainbow plant" by children, grows freely in a swampy
place not many miles to the south of Perth, The other knowis species of
Byblis has been recorded only from North-castern Arnhem Land, and the
professor, m this case, must ileeds be content with dred material, Few
specimens of BH. hinifolig have heen collected since its discovery’ many years
ago. When exploning, with the Rev, T. T. Webb, H. Shepherdsan and
three aborigmes, an unknown river of the Aboriginal Reserve. Arnhem”
Land, I found B. vintfolia “growing abundantly around’ rocky pools. The
specimens callected were sent to Professor Lloyd long afterwards, and
reached him in peor condition. However, he was able clearly to see in
ther how the Jeayes an this species are outwardly civcinaté- "a somewhat
surprising fact,” :

Swampy country round p~bout Darwin, and farther afield, is rich in

‘ species of {(/tricwlaria with traps of various structure. Some of them are
searcely known outside Australia, and had but recently been described when -
Professor Lloyd caine here to prosecute his studies. How the mechanism oft
the Bladderworr trap works was for many years a puzzle, The key to
explanatign was found when Dr, Llovd discussed how the door was rendered
watertight, The door is latched and waterproofed around, When the latch
1s disturbéd ‘by a Very small agiatic animal, such as 3 water-flea (Daphnta),
the sides of the teap caty spring out (like the sides of a rubber ball) and pull
in the door and a stream ot water in which the srumal is carried. Ther
the door closes. the walle pump out the water, and the trap is fe-sed
within kaif an hour. Dr. Lloyd has made moving pictures of Uivieniarin
traps <atehing water-fleas and other victims. This is 2 very notahle achieve-
ment for the largest traps meagre only 5 mm. in Tength, the smallest

5 mm, ' "

; i. , CHARLES BARRETT.

725,000 “PESTS” KILLED IN 1] YEARS

Under this heading the Brisbane Courier-Mail ot May 20, 1943, has—-,
the following nate: .

“State Government, through the Lands Department, has paid £43,212 to
local authoritics as subsidy tor combating animal and bird pests in the Tast
1] years, In thee period more than 725,000 anna! and birt pests. have heer...
destroyed. Annatncing this yesterday, the Lands Minister (xfer. Walsh)
sard.that the total included 237,554 nvarsupials, 209,257 dingoes, 142,606 pigs,
71,515 ‘foxes, 43,550 eaglehawks, and 1,145 eaglehawk eggs, 17,043 crows
and 9,587 hares. Total cost‘of baits for the poisoning of dingocs, provided
free, was £5,000, exclusive of fee railage,”

Tr should be added that “Eaglehawks" ate the regal Wedge-tailed Fagles,
which include among their activities the destruction of rabbits. Iniagior
the kilting of 43,550 of these birds in IT years in one State alone'—A,H.C,

Mr. RM. Trudinger, who is due to address the September meeting of
the F/N,C, has been for about three years teacher at the Presbyténay
“School for Aborigines at Ernabella, in the north-west of South Atistralia,
Within a motith of his arrival at Ernabella he was teaching the children

in their own language, and sinee then he has devoted himself in a
peperiabie manner to the study of the languagé and the instruction of the
children. + iad

20_° Excursion List

EXCURSION LIST. FOR F.N.CY.
AUGUST, 1944

1943 Locality |
Sept. 4--Maranoa Gardens

5 East Oakleigh. .
» 25—Wattle Park

Oct. 9—Melbourse Botanic
Gardens '
vy —-17—Lilydate-Mt. Evelyn-
Lilydale
» 23—Elthan-Monitimorency
Nov. 6G —Bayswater-Ringwood

wt -Flemington Racecourse

Dec, W—Moelhourme Botanic
‘ Gardens
» 18—Blackburn Lake
1944
Jan. &—Seaford

» t—Altona 20

Feb. 12-~Upper Ferntree Gully
, *27—Rickett’s Point .

Mar. 11—Beaummaris
» 1e—River Yarra
» 25—Queen’s Park, Moonee
Ponds

8—Seahoim
» 22—Frankston

May 6—Wild Lite Sanctuary

” 20—Mooroolharkc
*June -4—Kalorama

» I7—H erbariam

July’ 1-—-Botanic: Gardens ;
» 22—Museum

Aug. 5—Melbourne

é, 19—Black Rock
», 26—Heideiberg

Subject

Cultivated Native
Plants
~ Heathland Flora
Birds (B.0.C.)
“Medicinal Plants

General

Birds and Flora
(BOC)

Orchids

Genera) (B-0.C.)

Cycads and
Prateads
Birds (B.0.C,)

Entomology and
General
Marine Biology

Ferns

General (B.0.C.)

Getteral Geology

Social Aiternoon

Wading-and Aquatic
Birds (B.0.C.) |

Salt Marsh

Birds and Flora,
General (B.0.C.)

Australian Fauna

Autumn Foliage
_ Lyre Birds, Fungi,
General
Preservation of
' Botanical Material
_Arboreal Vegetation
Feathers (B,0.C.}
Building Stones

Winter Botany-
Birds’ ‘Nests and
' Wattles (B.0.C.}

tee A | *Sunday—all-day. excursion.
+Date to be arranged.

FROM SEPTEMBER,

Messrs. A. 5S,

- Mr;
Mr. H.C.

and F.

fVict. Nat.
Nol. LX

1943, TO

Leader
Mr, F. Chapman

Mr. F. Salan
Mr. A, H. Chisholm

Mrs, E. Coleman
Mr. j. H. Willis
Chalk

and P, F. Morris

Mr. C. French

Messrs, Hill, J. Jones,
A. M. Steinfort

Mr. H. C. E. Stewart

Mr, P. C. Morrison

Mr, C. French ;

Mr. and Mrs. J. J.
Freame

Mr. A. J. Swaby

Mr. P. C, Morrison

Mr, F, S, Colliver

Mr. H. P. Dickens

Miss M. L, Wigan

Mr. Jl. Willis

Messrs. E, S. Hanks,
A.C. Frostick, P.
Bibby

Messrs, W. R. Mau

: ghan, AW S, Chalk

,B. G, Baintes

H. C. E. Stewart

A.W. J essop

FE. Stewart

Mr. G. Mack

Messrs. A. C. Frostick

'S. Colliver

Mr. T. S. Hart

Mr. and Mrs. E, &,
Hanks ;

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX.~—No. 6 October 7, 1943 No. 718

PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal
Society's Hall on September 13, 1943, The President (Mr. P. F
Morris) presided and about 120 members and friends attended.

Tk was announced that Mrs. Frank Sides (nee Norothy
Satoyich) had Jost her husband recently: in New Guinea. and the
Hon. Secretary was instructed to write a lelter of sympathy to
out fellow-merober,

The President welcomed to the meeting delegates fron kindred
sncieties who were attending for the presentation of the Australian
Natural History Medallion; and also the Rev. TH. C. Matthew,.
Secretary, Presbyterian Board of Missions Comtnittee, who was
responsible for the lecturer being available for this meeting,

NATURAL HISTORY MEDALLION

The President introduced Major H. W, Wilson, O.R.E., M.C,,
cte., the recipient of the 1942 Award, and also Mr. J. A. Seitz,
Director of /iducation, who was to make the presentation,

Mr, Seitz outlined the career of Major Wilson as a soldier.
teacher and naturaiist, and stated that as Director of Nature Study
at the Teachers ‘I'raining College he was so highly regarded tliat
his tern of office wag extended—that after he had 34 years of
service to his credit, Mr. Seitz further stated that the winning
af the medallion was a tribute to the work Major Wilson had done
in bringiig Natural Ilistory before school children and the general
public, as well as to the sound sctentific work he had-done.

Major Walson, in reply, thanked the Medallion Committee for
the honour accorded him, and Mr, Seitz for making the presen-
tation. He gave an insight into his early years as a teacher and
deserted the origin of Nature Study im the schools.

The present Nature Study Direetor at the Teachers Training
College (Mr. F. G. Elford) also spoke, stating how pleased
members of the staff of the Teachers Tranmug College were that
such an honour should go to their former lecturer,

82 Field Naturalists’ Clnb Proceedings bo neg

TEACHING ABORIGINES

A. lecture entitled “Teaching Aborigines im the North-west of
South Australia” was myen by Mr, R. M, Tridinger, and as
Wustrations natural-colour motion pictures were shown. The
lecturer, @ missionary and teacher at Ernabella (Musgrave
Ranges) told of the methods used and described how he had also
been educated by the children whom he taught, Te emphasized
that the ahorigines were not being civilized, but rather were bemg
taught to live their awn lives on an improved pattern. They were
not taught to speak Enylish, nor were they made to wear clothes,
of which they had no need, A special feature of the lecture was the
singing of corroboree songs hy Mr, Trudinger and the exhibition
of writing and drawings made by aboriginal boys and girls.

Mr. S. R. Mitchell, moving a vote of thanks, suggested! that
the Presbyterian Church was to be commended on the choice of
such a versatile and capable teacher as Mr. Truditiger, Fle empha-
sized the need for broad-minded and sympathetic education of
aborigines, the extermination of which always followed on the old
method of contact with white people. Mr. Mitchell added that
Mr. Tridinger had educated and inipressed the audience by his
aceon? af a people who are our immediate responsibility.

Mr. R.H, Croll, seconding the vate of thanks, stated this seemed |
an exemplification of the most successfu) method of dealing with
our dark-skinned brethren. Mr. Trudinger's work was admirabte,
and it merited support in a practical fashion.

The vote of thanks was carried by hearty applause,

GENERAL BUSINESS

Reports of excursions were given as follows Frankston, Mr.
TL. EH. Willis; Maranoa Gardens, Mr, C. Fresich.

Prof. J. B. Cleland, of Adelaide University, was elected as a
country member of the Chab,

The President stated that the Jumor Branch at Hawthorn had
heen successfully started, and announced the staging of 2 Natural
History Exlnbition carly in October.

Miss Nance Fletcher conveyed greetings fram the \Weatern
Australian Club, members of which would gladly contact kindred
spints trom Victoria.

Mv. P. Croshte Morrison (for Mr. Mare Cohn, Bendigo) gave
sone notes on twa rare Bendigg wildflowers: the White Hovea
(H. hetorophvla), and the durble form of the Fairy Wax-flower
(Eviostemon obgunhs),

Mr. Iva Hammett remarked on Grewilea lavandulacca from the
Grampians,

Ost
43

Leask. 4 Camping Spol of the “Emu Meu" 53
A CAMPING SPOT OF THE “EMU MEN"

By Maurrce F. Lease, AF

This paper describes aboriginal rack carvings which are found |

on an apparently unnamed creek on Upalinna sheep station, eleven
niles east of Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges, South Australia.

The carvings are for the most part ina compact group on both
banks of the creek, ‘The exanples of art present many character-
istics typical of the Flinders Ranges series of carvings, thus being
warthy of comparison. Moreover, a few of their features are
Almost wique and niay form useful links in the chain story whiclt
explains the motive for the extensive tarvings about the natives’
frequented spots,

The site is at a dry hote in the creek-bed approximately three
miles ease of Upalinua head station, This is eight miles east-south-
eastof Wilpena Pound and Wilpena Homestead, Upaliina is owned
hy S&S. A. VT. P. and [. F. Reynolds, aad is not to be confused
with Appealimma Hill. which is gutside the holding in question.
‘The new mai) route from Hawker, 40 mules southward, to Blinnan,
44 imles. northward, passes close by Upalinna Homestead.

Early iu January [940 che author was accompanied by Mr, G, C.
Netherway of Ballarat. Victorja, on a visit to Wilpena Homestead.
The purpose was to obtain clirections to the site of aboriginal
carvings believed to exist on Wilpena property. “These dirertions
were follawed iamtil Upalinna Hamestead was reached. As this
had not been mentioned previously, fresh inquiries were made,

and they led to the examination of the carvings dealt with herein. .

This site is definitely on Upalinna ground and imust be disonet
from the ane that was originally intended ta be visited.

From the homestead a bridle path was followed for the whole
distance, about three miles, first im an easterly and then in a
northerly direction. At two anda half miles the Gum Creel was
ernssed, and the track wound on to the old chinmey which is the
landmark on the next créek, known locally, for Jack of a better
maine, a5 Pine and Gum Creek, A ‘quarter of a mile downstreaun
from the old chinmey the carvings were located.

At Pine and-Gum Creek the essential factor in the choice of
the spot has beea the occurrence of rockholes in (he creek hed.
One of these is farmed against a Jow cliff on ihe left side of the
stream. The other is below a waterfall five feet in height. Tt is
worlity of nate that a waterfall ts not a common feature of the
sites of native art, bul this has no other significance, probably.
than the couservation of water. Here, as in any typical case,
three walls have teen formed in rhe shape of a U, andl all three
have been utilized hy the artists,

The figures depicted at this spot include footprints of the

a4 Leask, 4 Camping Spot of the “Emu Men” a, a

turkey and the emu, the latter being the predominant type, though
even Jt is not numerous when compared with some other localities.
The figure most characteristic of this site is the U, with its embel-
Hishmeuts, called the camp symbol. By far the greater number of
the designs consist of circles, with thetr additions, Concentric
circles are used very sparingly. There is a great deaj of work
after the “road map” or “locality plan’ type; in ane of these the
circles ave enclosed by a pear-shaped Jine; in another numerous
circles, touching or joined by a Ene, follow in succession. In: all
of the composite designs it is difficult to determine where “one
ends and the next begins, —

In approaching the classification of the designs fownd jn the
carvings we enter, lo a large extent, the reafm of theory, Haw-
ever, it is now widely recognized that aboriginal art was used
chiefly to illustrate the ceremonial life of the natives. The whole
of the Rgures seen at Upalinna may well fall within this category.
As the present-day blacks draw incidents from their daily life, it
is possible that seme forms discussed here were carved for that
purpose. The apparently meaningless shapes can be explained
only by the tatéuic ancestor theory.

DESCRIPTION OF CARVINGS

One of the best and plainmest of the carvings is the crescent
with bar sliown in the text figure herewith. Itas situated below
the waterfall on the yertical wali on the right bank, The bar is
cylindro-comeal in shape and does not touch the crescent. No. 2.
close to No. |, has a pointed bar which is joined to the crescent.
The bac in No 3, adjacent to No. 2, differs from the twe former.
it projects beyond the extremities of the crescent and has the
addition of a “V" and dot. Closer to high water level is No. 4. in
which the axis is at right angles to dhe axes of the previous three,
and in which the bar extends right throngh the crescent.

On the creck-washed stones in a horizontal plane occur Nos. 5.
6 aml 7, No, 5 has an extended har. hut im other respects
resembles No. 6 The latter fyure may represent an -emu's
tracks, although yhe two feet do nat match, one having a rounded
crescent and the other an almost straight bar. This straight bar
is Seen asa periect English “T” enclosed by a circle on the vertical
wall. Again on a horizontal surface occurs No. 7, a very large
cami track of the stereotyped broad arrow shape and of symmetrical
construction.

No, § is found on the left bank, The arrows are tre synibolical
ému tracks, ohe of which does not touch the crescent, The
crescents themselves, in contrast with some former ones, are
asymmetrical

Among the circles No. 9 is quite plain, although the thin lines
(shown as dotted lines) may be associated with it. These markings
are found on the left bank near the upper rockhole. Below the
fall, on the right bank. are the concentric circles, two im number,
shown in No, 10. They are somewhat elliptical, while those in
No. 11. four in number, are more perfect in shape. In No, 12,
on creek-washed stones, one circle merely touches another, but the
third is truncated.

Vict. Nat.

4 Leask, A Camping Spot af the “Finn Men ides

Vhe tt cipcles prese evetal o tstanehias features here is
no true barred circle, No. 13 heinw an arced circle exactly smilar
to those seen in the Pekiy a Creek at Orroroo (S.A). fa N +

the short arm of the cross does not bisect the eile and is not in
the same straight line at its intersection of the long arm, both
these characteristics. crlfer thise otherwise similar
figure at near ararer en, S.A. The EAST of
arcs in No. 15, only one of which is continuous frou Cyn inferenre
to circumference, ‘form a figure which has not been noticed at
any other Twealitys. Typical of che proved 1 Yun tie
simple enclosing uf obvious en tracks in a cirele: No. 16. How-

ever, it should he nbd that among the Salt Creek si

Panaramittee th e kangaroo t s within two concentric
a | Ss
No. 7, phigh mista he a “evihinagsn of the elements in 1
four Srst-rmenhone!, The work in No. 18. a complex design on
the left vertical bank, 1s fairly open, anes ihe irethod at pois
No ares ‘eyes ay which ei 5
different direction Froth those in No. 15, and to which Barrie
firire has been joined.

On the nptgghly horizontal, Tati surface towards the left

fiank of the ) 4 | iit \
vi le aekest line at the leit af the illustration is
part that appears ta have been renewed. Renewal is possibly seen

in a second figure where recent shallow work hes old deep
work, and in a thirck where ancient grooves are covered with dark
cok in hile 1 T1E grin «~ leave the Viele cul wires Oe
exposed.

A reat work follows the p: ior No
muicliicy a group of carvings which probably have a

At Upalnma then, is to he seen quite a pei array of
ahorigin yy : af the Agu { i. 7, 9, 10, 14,
a 1 | FLU WIt, ‘TENTS cb furias. {ther (i j

and 14) occur in restricted food ies: No, 15, notably, is an
common design, while many of the variations are not seen

elsewhere.

The workmanship is characterized by some deep grooving and
hy some open pitting, There is strong evidence in favour of the
helief that certain parts of the designs have been renewed.

Te is at onee recognized that the crescent with |) woos
representation of the camp symbol, as described thy C. P. Mount-

ae Leask, & Cautping Spot of the "Buin Men" s7

ford, That figured (No. 1) is more perfect than any seen
elsewhere by the writer. The crescent is the camp and the bar
the natives. But it was stated by the ethnologist at the South
Australian Museum (Mr. N. B. Tindale) that this very symbol
is usect to Whustyate the marks made by a native sitting on the
ground. When we try to apply both theories to No. 2 we want
to know why. in either case, the bar is pointed and why it joins
the crescent. No. 3 contains the dot well reconciled to the fire
al the camp as figured by Mountford, he bar extending right
through the crescent in No, 4, however, does not appear to be
true of either a camp or a sittmg mmprint.

Ti the artist who carved No. 7, or an artist of equal ability, also
carved Nos. 5 and 6, there must be some significance in the
departure from the orthodox broad arrow of the emu syinbal 1
No. 7, In fact, we are forced to waver in placing those inter-
mediate forms im either the camp or the emu group.

The emu track combined with the camp in No. 8 appears to be
the symbolic use of these in myth. Perhaps, in one, the emt is
leaving the camp.

ln the iMustretion of their daily life the aharigines drew hills,
“some a5 cureles, some as ovals.” A waterhole was portrayed ‘hy
conceutrie cirelés, The combination in No. 12 could be a group
of hills.

The simple barred circle, nut scen heve, in other areas represents
a head-dress, a totem pole or a wanigi; that is, it may have widely
different meanings. It is possible thut the dissected circles, Nos.
13, 14 and 15, have some ohsenre meaning also, and it would be
wmwise to elucidate further without definite comparisons.

Some of the remaining figures contain units already described,
“In No. 20 occur two circles similar to No. 13. The complicated
result achieved im such as No. 20 1s generally recognized to he
the rrack of the wanderings of an ancestor.

In an examination of these heures we may be confranted with
the problem of the different aspect given by a different artist to
the same figure. This would account for the merging of the emu
tracks into the camp symbol,

It is necessary to distinguish between the figures which are
isolated, or units. aud those which tornya continuous mass of work,
The logical course is ta regard the designs as heing somewhat
simular to others placed adjacent to them. Thus the whole layout
effects interpretation, although it does not too strictly determing
sieniheaice.

When the whole scene js examined, the clements (for some
of the units serve as elements) may be seen in their correct
perspective, Although, in general, the idea of the aboriginal

&& : Leasx, 4 Camping Spot of the “Emu Aten” isons Mate

artists practising should be discounted, it must be that these
elements were used in some way for illustration or emphasis.
From these discussions we may assume :

(a) There is an artist discrepancy, or

(b) There is a distinction between the element as a uni and
as part of a combination, of

(c} There is an increased range in the universality of symbols,
ar, if these are not valid,

(d) There is a significance in cach of the details of variation,

Finally, at Upalinna there is a total absence, as far as was
noticed, of carvings of kangaroo tracks. The predomimant track
is that of the emu, Hence we conclude that this was one of the
camping spots of the Emu Men.

EXHIBITS AT SEPTEMBER MEETING

Mrs, C. French: Rouquet of hative Howers (12 species), all gardeu-
row. ~
. Mr. M. Cohn: Fairy Wax-flower (double form} and white form of the
common Hovea trom Bendigo.
My. A. H. Mattingley: Live red-back spider (J.atrodectrs fragseltiz).
Mr. V. H. Miller: Dendrobtow falcorosirian (Orange-blossom Orchid),
Mr §. R Mitchell: Large ground-edve axe with hafting groove, shape
by hammer dressing; also ground-edge and grooved axes fram Cape Otway.
Flaked-edge axes with halting notches; sandstone axe (edec produced by
hammer dressing and grinding) fram near Woort Yallock, Vic.
Messrs. Ivo Hammett and R. G. Painter: Garden-prown native flowers.

CAPTAIN QWEN STANLEY

An article published in the August issue of the ict. Nat. dealt with the
career of Captain Owen Stanicy, of H.M.S, Rattlesnabe. and drew attention
to the need for preserying his graye, which is in St, Thomas’s Cemetery.
Worth Sydney. Apparently this article attracted the attention of the
North Sydney Council, for it wrote for copies of the journal and later
tAugust 27) Sydney newspapers reported that the Council had written the
trustecs of St. Thomas’s Cemetery, drawing attention to the desirability
of proper care bemg given wational memorials. After the chairman of
thy: trustees had replied as well as possible, the Council apponiled a com-
tmiltee to confer with the trustees an the preservation af the cemetery's
mianuments of national interest—A.H.C.

A Natural History Exlubition under the auspices of the F.NLC, was
opened at the Hawthorn Lihrary (near the Fown Hall} on Monday last,
Tt will continue until the Oth inst.

nn Actxanpna, Crane-fly from WMactoria ay

A NEW CRANE-FLY FROM VICTORIA =
(Tipulidae, Diptera)

By Cuagius P, Arexanner, Amberst, Massachusetts,
US.A.

During the past sixteen years I have received Jor study and
haming many striking and beautiful crane-flies from my goad
friend. F. Erasmus Wilson. “These were taken by him in South
Australia, Vierorta, Tasmania, New South Walesa and Gheensiand,
and included many scores of new and rare forms, the types and
uniques of which are preserved in the Wilson Collection,
undoubtedly the largest and most valuable series of these’ flies in
Australia, Very recently J reecived a further shipment chat
included, among others, three specimens of a crane-Ay that proved
to be new to science and very distinct from all known alli¢d
forms. I consider it to be one of the most attractive species of
these flies thar J have ever seen.

Before describing this striking novelty T woeld like to issue an
appeal to the younger members ot the Field Naturalists’ Club
who are interested in insect collecting to save any specimens of
these fragile, Joug-legged flies that they mity find, particularly it
they are favoured hy opportunity to collect in ort-of-the-way spots
or in hitherto littie-worked areas. It seems certain that further
collecug on the Bogong High Plains wilt yield many additions to
the Victoria list, since a conmderable number of species have been
taken in the mountains of southern New South Wales that have
net yet been diseovered in Victoria. If such specimens could be
turned over ta Mr. Wilson, they would be sent to me for stirly
and would possibly add to our still icouplete knowledge of the
Tipulidae of the State,

GYNOPLISTIA (PARALIMNOPBILA) WILSONIANA SP.NOY,

Sive large (wing, male, 17 mm. or more); antennae with unbranched
segments; colour af ntesonotum grey, mare yellowish om the praeseutal
interspaces ; praescutum with four conspicuous dark brown stripes; pleura
light grey with Go. conspicuous, dark brown, longitudmal stripes, the mone
dorsal ending at posteriny portion of the rmediotergites halteres yellow ;
femora wath a yellow subterminal ring; rihine with a yellowish white
subbasal annulus; tarsi brownish black; wings vellow, handsomely patterned
with dark rows, including larger cosiat areas, the one in the region of the
sizihg V-shaped; anale hypopygiunr with the gonapaphyses appearive ns
slender painted burns.

Mule: Length about 18-20 mm.; wing 17-19 mm.: antenna aboul 7: 4~
3:6 nim

Rostrum dart brown, sparsely pruinose, palpi black. Autennae with
stape dark brown, pedicel slightly more reddish brown; basal flageltar
sepinents ullifurinly light vellow, the outer ones more infuscuteds flyelfar
sopmemns simple, unbranched, elongate-oval to subevindeical, wath the lower
face # triffe mare bulging than the upper) yerticils conspicuous, mucu

eas, re aes Vict. Nat.
90 Avexanper, Crane-fly from Victoria Vol. LX

exceeding the segments in length. Head dark grey, the anterior vertex
slightly more yellowish; anterior vertex elevated into a small conical] point;
setae of posterior yertex black, praclinate.

Pronotum dark grey, restrictedly imfuscated medially. Mesonotal prae-
scutum with the humeral region silvery grey pruinose, the interspaces more
golden-yellow; disk with four conspicuous dark brown to blackish stripes,
the intermediate pair separated only by a capillary ground vitta except at
suture, where they are more widely separated; pseudosutural foveae large,
circular in outline, reddish brown: scutum grey, the lobes conspicuously
patterned with dark brown, the median region less conspicuously darkened ;
posterior sclerites of mesonctum grey, oarrowly darkened medially to
produce a vague stripe; posterior aud lateral portions of mediotergite and
dorsal margin of pleurotergite blackened, being a direct prolongation of
the dorsal pleural stripe. Pleura light grey, with two conspicuous dark
brawn longitudinal stripes, the more dorsal one involving the ventral
propleura, anepisternum and dorsal pteropleurite on to the postnotum,
as described; the lower stripe is chiefly restricted to the ventral sterno-
pleurite; dorsopleural region light vellow. Hlalteres yellow. Legs long
and slender; coxae light grey pruinose, yaguely patterned with dusky,
especially the fore pair; trochanters reddish brown, sparsely pruinose;
femora black, with a conspicuous vellow ring more than its own length
from the blackened apex; tibiae brownish black, with a slightly more
yellowish white ring less than its own length beyond the base; remainder

of legs brownish black to black. Wings (Figure) clear yellow, heavily
and conspicuously patterned with dark brown; prearcular and costal felds
more saturated yellow; dark areas distributed as follows: Cell C except
at base with its central portion blackened; a major area in radial field
at near midway between arculus and origin of Rs; origin of Is; a V-shaped
area with the basal arm extending from Sc» caudad across the fork of R's
to r-m, the outer arm irom the stigma candad to r-m; other areas along
posterior cord, outer end of cell Jy! Ms, tips af longitudinal yems, especially
vein As and a long continuous streak along outer half af vein AW’, widened
outwardly; still further seams and clouds at fork af J/)+2; alone most ot
veins IW and Cu, except on their basal partious, these latter areas tending
to be broken into individual spots; cluuds at near midlength of cells Cu and
Ist A, about in transverse alignment with the origin ot As; a conspicuous
cloud near outer end of cell 2nd 21, opposite the narrowest part of the cell;
veins yellow, scarcely evident in the more saturated ground areas, darker
brown in the patterned fields, Venation: /’st+.+, longer than basal section
of As: cell Af, from 2:5 to 3 times tts petiole; a-cr more than one-third
its length beyond the fork of AT; vein 2nd 4 sinuous.

Abdomen with tergites reddish brown to dark brown, still darker on
lateral and posterior portions; sternites brownish black, more reddish om
central portion; hypopygium brownish black. Male hypopygium with the
caudal border of tergite strongly emarginate or concave, forming two
rounded dusky lateral lobes, Outer dististyle as in other members of the

Det.

1943 ALEN ANDER, Crone-fly from | tetorts 31

subacius, Toner dististyle with the basal fobe uunsually large, rounded,
conspicnously setiferous. Gonapaphyses appearmg as slender, gently
curved horus that narrow to acute lips. Aédeagus a ttle longer than the
fronapophyées.
Talatipe, 4 Mount penny Tuang, ahove Warburton, altitude 4,0tK) fect,
Jamuary, 21, 1943 Cf. B. Wilson) 5 in the Wilson Colluction. Paralopa.
apes, 2 2d, one preserved in ile writer's collection, cone returned ta
Ni gan

I take unusual pleasure in dedicatiug this beautiful fly in honour
oi Brasmns Wilson. Yo hiyn, more than to any other individual,
ig due our great increase in knowledge of the Australian, and
particularly che Victorian, Tipulidae This is one of the mst
striking and distinct erane-flies known ta me. Tt belongs to the
group ot the subgenus having the antennae simple, without
branches of any sort. Among the approximately 35 species of
Paralinnophile now tknown irom Australia and Tasmania, the
only species having similarly simple antennac are Gynoplislia

Pavalininophila) widecora Alexander and G. (P.) weadhilli

lexander (and possilily G. (P.) tacampta Alexander, the latter
still lenown only from the unique type that hacl lost the antennae).
Elsewhere within the range of the subgenus, all of the known
species have the Antennae simple, these ‘including two species in
New Zealand, and rather numerous forms ih southern Chile and
south-eastern Brazil.

The present Ay superficially resenibles certiun large and showy
local wwethbers of she genera Austvolinmophila Alexander,
Epithvagma Osten Sacken. and Linwophila Macquart, but is
readily told by the diagnostic features indicated above, The
Australian species of Paralannopldla Alexander with siniple
antennae, as listed above, are much smeller than the present Sy
and have entirely different patterns of the wings and legs.

Wifson’s nares on the occurrence of this fly are of interest and
1 quote this pari of his letter: “Spent a week-end on Monnet
Donna Buang in the Warburton district where I took Eutanvderns
witsem. Alexander some years ago. We went up to callect a
series of two alpine butterlies (hal occur there. I got 4 very
fine Tip new vo ine from 4a damp spot uadet Natholager tree
I took several specimens of Alwstrolimnoplila pristina Alexander
in association with this species. The altituce of 4,000 feet 1
mic) higher than Helgrave where 7 formerly took the fatter,”

OBITUARY

Members of the F.NwC.V. areally regret We doss of Miss thel Bage, M.A,,
who died in August at her home in Melbourne, Ter sister, Miss Mrects
Bage, rg Brishane naturalist and educationist, was preset during her
illness. Miss Ethel Bage joined the FNC. in 1921 and liad always been
a keen i quiet, worker, Her father was ouc of the ios accomplished
naturalists in the early days of the Club,

92 Suggestions 19 Contributors of Articles on Texonomiy Botany [Sch Sat

SUGGESTIONS TO CONTRIBUTORS OF ARTICLES ON
TAXONOMIC BOTANY

Ay Jovcey W, Viexkxy, Msc, Sydney

Writers of articles un taxonomic butany in the Fictorian Matmra/ps? usitaley
desire to present nol only the technical part of their work but other
information about the plait and its history of general interest, They do not
desire lo gtisp the technical details to the bare bones, as is done in many
journals devoted exclusively to this science. On the other hand, they aim at
sound work which will help and not confuse other workers in the same field.
Confusion can be caused so inadvertently, however, that | have ventured
to make d lew suggestions, adheretice to which should lend to make same
faxononic papers clearer

Taxonomic botany is full of jnnomerable pitfalls fue the unwary, so the
first requitemont for anyone aspiring to take up this science is a thorongh
study of the internaticnal Rules af Botanical Nomenclature, and much
practice int Lheir interpretation and apalication. Without such study 16 one
should venture to publish anything involving the nomenclature of plants ov
further confusion is inevitable, Thos is a dact imsnfivaicetly realized by
hnon-taxonomic workers ity ather branches of fotamical pcience. Th is nat
propased to comment. here on qvatters iaid down in the international rules
which can be consulted directly, except to refer to a Jew points which have
nol been given suficient attention im this journal in the past. .

Articles should sct out very clearly. and with a suitable usc of headsigs,
the actual pomts they caver, For insfanec, the name of a new species,
variely or Combination, cle. should be used as a defimte heading eather shove
or at the commencement of dhe paragraph dealing walle it, ond ihe nam
should he followed by the symbols for the appropriate categories. ec. new
species, Mew variety, new combination, new name, new status, etc., ay the
ease may be Whe sivumficanee is then quickly appreciated by the reader.
A hew combrnation should never be hidden away i 4 pabagraph of diseus-
sion. Ter the discussion follow the clear statcinent, preferably m & paragraph
separate [roi that giving the technical dara. Do not be over-modest and
seek ta modify your work by merely “proposing” or “suggesting” new
naines By publishing at all you are introducing these names intu hotanical
literature, and mo modesty can magnify your glory af your suggestion is a
sound one or Jessete your gait if it is ned; Wt ocan merely serve te conceit
your neal work jy useless verbiage

Tn the case of new cambinations, etc., the taxonomic histary (ar synanyeny>
_ of the species should then be set out with the authors and preferahly

their plage and date of pubhcation alse shown afler each namo When a
new combination is diseuisect in a paragraph of discussion i may be difficult
to determine precisely on what the author has based it. There is also the
chance thal tl may be entirely misyecl.

When x species is descnbed which has previously been known under a
varietal name, the author should make iy ahsolarely clear whether he ts
basing his species on the variety fin which case the type specimen of the
variety autamatically hecomes the Lype of the spectts) or whether he is
flescribing the specice from another specimen (which he should then
designate the type) ad is merely linking up the varictal mame as a sywonyut
Ti much Australia literature this has not heen made clear 4) the fast, aid
mucly further unnecessary work has been stored up tor the jebure.

Wher new spectes and varieties are deseribed, the actual type specimen
should be clearly Quoted as such; only one Specumen can We the holatype,
even though Several specinieus nvay be cited. Te is far better dar the autho

a Bowrr, Js "BMnew’ @ Polygamist? 93

to select the type than fora later worker io be forced to do so, Lf is alsa
yery desirable ta stale yn which herbarium che wpe specimen is lovared,

AJ mew species and varietice must he accompanied by a Latin description,
atherwise they wil] not now be accorded any standing.

In discussing variation in a species, the words “type form” should he
avojded onless refereitee in being made to a form actually known ta Te
identioal with the type specimen. Often, however, those words have Iver
used when “typléal form," “horma! form,” “usual fori)’ oF “Common form!’
would haye heeuw more apprapriate,

Ambiguity should be avaided. Dor jnstance, “a new Victorian jcenus”
auggests that a new genus is being descrihed, hut has been used in
cases which meant a pends newly recorded for Victoria. Caretul considera-
tio of the meaniig of the words and phrases used will enable future
taxonomists to avoid mrisinterpretation of the author's intentions, and will
cerlainiy sharten their work

The ahove suggestions, of course, are. in no way exhaustive, bot are
merely a few pomts noted by the writer in the course of some worl
involving the abstracting of batanical literature.

IS “BLUEY" A POLYGAMIST?

According to a note in 2 recent issue of the Jie. Mat, there seems to be
a adloube Whether the fangliar Blue Wren is a polyyamast. Fram a stady
of the speciesi in the Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens sae ydare ago, over
a petiod of three years, J] can sav for certain that he is not guilty.

My uncle, the Jate Dr. Horne, and I made friends with two jairs of
Blue Wrens and regafarly évery morning fed them, especially during the
breeding season, The pair in the Treasury Gardens became so tame that
when I called to them ther came to ene and fearlessly alighted ou my hand
and took food from me ta their young, When the young left the nest
they also became our friends and we were able to note that, they stayed
with their parents until the following season; then some of them, apparently
the young females, disappeared, presumably having mated up. Bat the
young males stayed with their parents and fielped in the deeding of the
voung, At the ead af the breeding season the adit young disappeared,
leaving their paren(s with the Tater young family, This kind of thing
took sace wack year.

We met one of the first faintly, a@ helv bird, in the Carlton Gardens one
day. She recognized us and cane to us for food, but as we hed vane with
us she was disappointed. 1 kept up these observations for three years,
when, owe 1o my uncle's Wnese, T was obliged to give up my frlendstip
with these interesting Jittle birds, Some years tater, whew T sought them
out again, £ fowid the male alone with his family (minus his wife) and
bit he gave Up his allotinent. They had nested each year in the same
place

The other pair were in the Fitzroy Gardens, and all this family showed
white feathers somewhere in their plumage. This pair myer became so
Searless. as the first ove and had to be coaxed lo come for tilbils

T hope rhat these nates will serve to remove any doubts in the minds oF
ornithologists about the matrimantial habjts of the dainty Blue Wrens.

(Miss) Heiter Bowie,

Od Cursnoim, Birds os Explovers’ “Messeegers” Nfl et

BIRDS AS EXPLORERS "MESSENGERS"

When recently looking through thé Melbuurne Serald of 1858 L came
an several references, ta the exploratory journey of B. H. Babbage, who
was then ahovt te work up the western side of: Lake Toryens ii an attempr
to round its parthem side and link up with Evre's track, Although Babbage
had heai out previously (in 1856) testing Gregory's report regarding the
Supposed “duserl” natura ai the interior, oi thts occasion be made somes
what slow progress (largely duc to dry conditions), with the result that
the South Australian Goverient heeanie dissatisfied and replaced hint by
Cofonel P, G. Warburton, then Commissioner of Police.

At the beginning of the expedition, however, as 78 clear frean the Herald
roports. Babhage was in strong popular favour and was given considerable
attention by the newspapers, One of the newspaper reports is especially
teresting, an that i represents the explorer as putting forward the navel
plan of attempting ta catch wild ‘birds and use them as messengers, ‘That
plan, we may be sure, came Ww nothing. but it makes engagig reading.
Here is the Herald report of Babhage's remarks on the subject, dated 2h
Febrnan J858

“Among the different plaus he had thosglit of for uie contingengies which
might 2rise was one which might afford a shght charce of enabling the
public of South Austraha to be toforined of the whereabouts, and. Tie
iristed, of the well-daing of the expedition, The plan he referred to was
that, whenevor they were not pressed by hanger, they should Tet loose any
birds that they otight chance to take uninjured, especially sueh ay were
known 16 dregdebt the settled, ligtrieta.. aid to Attach to helt legs slips
af parchment with iuseriptions im indelible ants, setting forth the Jatrtuce
aud Tongitlide, together with a fgw words respecting the condition of the
rary. Perbaps, out of every twelve or twenty suely winged messengers,
ont might be shot, and thus perhaps. after ranking hirn and bis companions
with the gallant but unfertadate Leichhardt, they might gather the news
that. at a vertain date, they were alive and ino ceria locahty,

"He wished this to be Known as geverally ws possible, so: that, if anyanc
chanced to see a bird with anything peculiar about it, he should by all
ineans try and shoot it He had made his intentions known in W.S.Wo aid
Victoria through his correspondents there, for he was quite ignorant as to
which way the hirds migrated; and sare nf his little aeria) balloons might
chanve to drop down in the other colonies. Ti might happen, of course.
that gone of his messages would be received; but, in such cases, no shadaw
of a chance should be left untrigd.”

AH. Cinsrroin.

REQUEST FOR SEED OR SEEDTINGS

The Botanier, Techvologival Musewn, Sydney, is desirous of obtaining
frésk seed, or preferally voune plats, of Australian myrtaceous shrubs
ine mportance cytological reseacch, and wishes to contact atv moniber of
the Ciub who wavld Is willing ta usstst [im The Jess comnion Victorian
apecies of Leplospermun, Mefoteuca, Kuneca, Callister, Baechan, Calv-
‘iv, ote, are desired, hut Western Austratian mentbors of the geneva
Verttrardia, Darginio, Alertvoddm, Piloanthes, Chomgetancian (excepime
Co intematnum), Lhotrkya, Catviria, Theyptomene and Aypacolywnne woutel
bg. Raritoutariy welcome in that order and the freight thereupon gladly
refunded.

Ort

{ost Garner, Sirnaig of “Midges’ 95

SWARMING OF *“MIDGES™

In the Pict Nat. of September, 1944, Miss Janet Ratt wrate an interesting
pager on the swarming of midges on shrubs at Croydon, Victeria. Avart
from the phamuncnon of swarming, it wus pomted ant that there was araud
iiterest iri the fact that the occurrence was Observed m autonii—evidently
an infrequently ohserved abit.

The penultimate paragraph, with its remark concerning the possibility
of these diptera “hibernatiug’ over the winter iv sheltered plaues” caused
me ro recollect my having observed what must have been an event worthy
of putting on record, On August 7th of this vear (in mid-winter) T had
occasion to visit the Beyside vWlage of Molcrae, and as T walked along in
the Laexpected warmth of that afternowl aid im the company oi mye little
daughter, air altenuion was caught by what looked like a new occurrence
in nature, Several branchlets of a stnrdy speclinen of Casuarina smhpororee,
Erowing amone its land clase cb Pedant Nepean road ard vat 100 yards
roi, the leach and the veatree scrub, lime henvy with what looked like
cathins of black Aowers. As the tree had Boished fimwering only a tew
wecks previously, il was; oF cducse alsurd to imaging that = new set ol
Howers (and black anes at theby had accurred, se C ovached wp and pulled
the bough down to have a closer lock

When we bad lirashed the “Howers” fram vor faces andl rentinved a few
from: nor eyes, we were able to see that we had disturbed a partion af one
of a nbmber of swarins of ting black diptera, No-specimens were collected —
cousciously at any cale—or was any niinute ohservation imade, so, for Jacl
ol an accurate classification, L label ther “midges” Prem nwmory I
would judga them to be no more thay 2 ot 3 mnt, long, and eact af the
burdened branchlets held a swarm that would fill.a teaspoon The swarnis
extended trom 6 to 12 inches along dhe wispy branchlets and the individuals
comprising tt appeared to distribute themselves evenly over that length.

The sipall elnal that expanded and cantructed sbeve dur Acads eventually
settled on another branchlet and all was calm agami ip thal <amniunity af
midges. As we passed those trees next morning on our way ta explore
the heach the black “flowers” were still there. Ti the flies aleo Swarmed
on gums, waltles, honeysuckles, tea-tteeS of cherry buallarts, all of whieh
were ittermingied with the she-oaks, we did not notice them, But, of
equrse, they may lave been there, tuo: :

T, Ros Garnry,

SMALL TRIGGER-PLANTS NEEDED FOR EXAMINATION

The Grass Trigger-plant (Stylin graminfolien) with tall pinkish ta
violet spikes ts a handsarme wildflower, Pandtiar te omost Victurans—it 34
giant amany tte kind--hur we huve at least four other Seyjidiyine whieh
in consequence of their dimivative size. usually escape observation and are
still tinperfeetiy understood. During the current spring season the help of
interesten readers Wou'd he much appreciated, tn collecting fresh iaterial
(in Hower, and in fruit af possible) of Y calraratun and S) perpirsitin awd
sending same to the address below: beth are toy annuals with rosulate
leaves, flowering stenis under 4 jnches- high, and a peeference for dvi,
sancy soils; localities on cecord faclude Grampians, Portlarat district
Heathcote, Black Rock. Franksten and- Lanewarrin.

The Heatheote district fora of &. perprsiizon differs aiarkedly tram the
very delirate plant inhabiting heathiands east of Port Phillis sud may
represent a distinct species.

T. S. Harr (reydon},

96 Crsabman, The Maranon Gardens ne Ling

THE MARANOA GARDENS

Tlic excursion to the Maranoa Gardens which took place on Suturtuy,
September 4, was tayvoured with a delightful and sunny aiternuon, Tt was
% typical early spring day, too carly, perhaps, for the Gardens to exlibil
their best ¢ffarts an Wattle display; yet, of the 58 species. Included in the
mapuiacent collection, (here were at feast 20 species in flawer Some of the
outstanding kinds were the Gold-dust, Wyalotg, Queen, Irringed, White
Sallow, S. Australian Willow, Juniper, Buffalo, Hickory, Saljow, Mount
Morgan, Alpine, Golden-rain, Downy, Golden or Gold-Piclds, Rock, Golden
Wreath, Coast, River and Varnish Watrlos.

The Grevilleas were nspecially showy, whilst of other Proteaceous shrubs,
the Gippsland Waratah (/'elepea arcades), was bravely break into
rfilnson flowers Amongst other carly spring-Aowenng shrubs we noted
some fAingly-developerl masses of the Grampians Heath-Myrtie (I Tiyptoe
mene colpeina), and the Small-leaved Heath-Myrtle (ivtcromeartie amera-
paylia), the latter making great promise for the weuks ta come In the
course Gf a week or so the three species of Clematis (C2 aristadu, C.
givcinoides and C. mterophylia) will show @ prodigiout display af white or
treamy star-like blossoms. Tie several plants ui the Bendigo Wax-flowers
t(Levostewturt) were very attractive agd werth while in small gardens, ay
well ao the Jovely Chortséme fron the West

Here ant there strong plants of the False Sarsapariila were crowded
‘with Uleir white and deep purple flawers, almost dauazling i their offeect
whon allowed to ramble at will amougst a heap of gravelly stones,

Treve. CHsPMan,

INTRODUCTION OF SPARROWS

‘The following lvteresting paragraphs, clipped from the London JHiestimed
News of 84 vears ug, bave been forwarded by Mr. Arthur Hargreaves, of
Ararat.

Aucust 13, 1859.—It appears from the papers that in New Zealand the
country, al particular seasons, is invaded by armies of caterpillars, which
clear off the grain crops as completely as af mowed down by a seythe.
With the view of counferacting this plague a fiovel inportation Ina beer
inade, dt is thus roticed by the Southern Cross ——"Mr. Brodie has shipped
three hundred sparrows on board the Stordfxh, curctully selected from the
best hedgerows in Evgland. The food alone, be inforias us, pul of board
for then cost #18, This sparrow quéstioty has been a long-standing joke in
Auckland; bet the necessity te farmers of small birds to keep down the
grubs is admitted on aj! sides. There is no security mm New Zealand
agapost the invasion of niytiads of caterpillars whicn devastate the erie
Mr. Brodie bas alreatly acclumatised the pheasant, which 15 alundant iv the
north. The descent from the pheasant to sparrows is somewhat of an
fuiti-chmax; but, shoulfL the Jatter multiply, the prealest benrAt will have
been conferred on the country.”

September 24, 1859.—We learn that the 300 sparraws nmported into New
Zealand al the Suggestion of Mr Brodie bave already done ihe farmers
inumense service by deyauring the caterpillars, which have been Hil recently
most destructive in thst country. The arrival of the birds, in the first
instance, was treated with universal derision,

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX—Na. 7 7 November, 4 1943 Wo. 319
PROCELDINGS

The monthly mecting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's
Hall on October 11, 1913. The President (Mr. P. F. Morris)
presided and about 70 members and fricnds attended.

“BRAINS TRUST”

Questions held over [rom previous sessions were answered.

Question 1. To Miss J. W, Raft; “What is Heterodoxus
Shiniger? Is ita fossil, a plant ar a louse!’ Answer: A biting
Jouse, often Sound on dogs, but whose natural host is the wallaby.
IL has transferred from the nalural host to a secondary host and
ranges from 40 degrees North to 40 degrees South, chmate playing
a large part in its distrtbution. Comments: Mr, P. Croshie
Morrison asked whether the foot-grips differ on the sucking and
hiting lice. Answer: In this case Miss Raff was not able to answer
with accuracy, but possibly differences did exist.

Question 2, To Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley (taking the place of
Mr. A. I. Chisholm) : “How does the Reef Heron know when to
fly out to the islands off the mainland to feed at the turn of the
lide, seeing that the tides differ fram day to day?” Ausder: Me.
Matingley suggested that sone radial rays at present unknown.
hut due to the tides, affected the birds im such a way that they knew
when to leave the mainland and reach the islands at the proper
time. Mr. Mattingley further suggested that the word “instinct,”
used to explam such happenings, should be dropped from use, as
it rather prevented any explanation béing piven. Conuwnents: Mr.
E. S. Hanks doubted that such an explanation could he accepted,
and in any case he questioned whether the birds did fly from the
‘mainland as suggested by the question. Mir. H. P. Dickins asked
if the birds were only affected by one tide, or did they realize that
there were two tides each day. Mr. Mattingley thought that the
birds would know of the two tides. Mr. F, S. Colliver suggested
thar until some definite proof could be liad that such rays existed
and affected the birds in any way at ail, it would be better to call
the reason for the flight “instinct and be done with it, Mr. Scott
gaye, as a possibly better explanation, the theory that the birds
were able to appreciate the slight changes that take place on the
surface of the earth die to the added or subtracted weight of the
water along the shore-line at the tidal changes.

98 Field Noturalists’ Club Proceedings Mets Bs

Question 3, To Mr. C. J, Gabriel; "Do you believe that the
most satisfactory classification of the moltusca has heey arrived
at, and if not where would yor inake alteratians?” Ausear:
Classification of the motlusca has beet) made on such items as the
radula, anatomical characters af the soft parts, and the shells
themselves, to dnention only three of many. The personal feelings
af the worker concerned play a large part in such a matter as 4
classification, eg., the fossil forms usually are found leeking
characters to be seen in the living shell, and thus a classification
based of soft parts would he uselese in dealing with fossil forms,
Me. Gabriel alsa remarked that rf it can be said the best eclassifica- -
tion had been arrived at, then we have stopped progress im this
particular branch of study. Comments: My, Colliver suggested
that the best classification would he one based on the shell itseli,
as by this both recent and fossil forms were comparable with each
other. Mr. Morrison subenitted that anaromical characters af the
seit parts wauld possibly he the hest grounds fur classification, and
even if the work of the palaeontologist were made more difficult, the
main item of relationship between forms would have been deter-
mined, Mr. Gates remarked that the line of descent was certainly
the most important matter to be considered, no matter what the
classification was hased upor,

Question 4. Yo Mr. J, KH. Wills: “Name sis different Victorian
native plats which are poisonous to aminals ard give the toxic
principles in eachl' Answer! Although stock-poisoning by certain
indigenous plants is well attested, the most recent available work
on the subject (Porson Plants of NS H?., 1942) inchicates that very
little 1 known about the actual poisonous principles invalved
We may conveniently group our chief poisoiwt plants under three
brotd headings, wiz. thase coitaining cyanogenertic glucosides,
thereby yielding prussic acid upon ingestion, those secreting
alkaloids. anel those that poison insidiously by cunmiative effect.
To the first category belong the great majority of toxic species
and three of (he worst offenders are: (1) Flal Spurge or Caustic
Weed: (2) Austral Trejo, and (3) Spotted Emu-hush or Native
Fuchsia. These conmmonly give mse to trembling, shivering,
frothing ar the mouth and rapid mortality, The Emu-bush tas a
higher percentage of prussie acid rhan any other Australian plant,
Astounding variability with local soil eanditions, climatic changes
and stage of growth obtains in mast cvanogenetic vegetation, so
that a plant of bad reputation in one diserict may be quite harmless
elsewhere, or later in the season, Among alkaloi! poison platts
may be instanced the Yellow Rice-flawer (che toxicity, due to
daphnin or a related substance, causes severe gastreentertris) aud
poisonous toadstools, of which the musearine-yrelding "Ay agaric”’
is a good type, Intoxication, with strange hallucinatinys, is a

thet Field Naturalists’ Cink Proceedings 99

frequent effect, but over-doses end in a lingering, agonising death.
The Purple Swainson Pea (a coastal trailer) well exemplifies
cumulative poisoning; indeed, the whole genus Ssensona, when
persistently browsed, causés ainmals to become “pea-struck”| they
wander about in a dazed condition inti] too exhausted to stand.
Converts; Mr. A, C. E. Stewart mentioned the apparent immunity
of our-native marsupials and many birds to plants which would
kill the introduced domestic animals. Mr. Ros Garnet drew atten-
tion to the avoidance of certain cucalypt leaves ly koalas, prestum-
ably because of toxic properties, wheiher cyanogenetic or due to
Nigh phellandrene content,

Question §. To Mr, A. C. Frosticl: “What evidence is there
that Tektites are of meteoric origin, and what 3s the weight of
the largest?" Answer: Smee there appears to be na accepted
record of’ the observed fal] of tektites, direct evidence of their
extra-terrestrial origin is admittedly Jacking. Tlowever, their
almost unique compostlion, peciilanties of distribution, and the
uyiusual form of some Australian examples, while strongly support-
ing the meteoric theory, at the same time rules out most of those
remaining. Furthermore, the recent réseacch of Mr. G Baker
and Mr, H. C. Forster injto the specific gravity relationships of
the widespread Australian tektites (Australites), clearly demott-
strates the existence of the chemical gradient long ago predicted
by stipporters of the meteoric theary. The unique form of
Australite “buttons,” so admirably explained as due ta ablation
resulting from atmospheric friction, also remains an enigma if the
meteoric theary be refuted, Lastly. the one serious ohjection
advanced ayainst the aceeprance of tektites as acid meteorites is
the wide divergence of Weir composition from that of both the
stony and metallic meteorites. in cstimating the value of this.
ohjection, it should be remembered that cighteenth-cenlury scien-
tists believed the “fall of stones from the sky” to he a physical
impossibility, so that at that time the true origin of even meteorites
was as obscure as that of tektites to-day. In reply to the second
part of the question. The largest Australite recorded weighs 218
grams, though Indo-Chinites may weigh several kilograms, Cor
mens: Mr, JH. Willis tiquirecdl about the age of Austratites, and
whether the abarigines made use of them. Answer: li the absence
of any precise age derermmation the occurrence of /ustralites,
both on the surface and im the Quaternary gold dnfts, would
indicate that they are geologically recent yet listorically remote,
The aborigines apparently did make use of them, but not to any
extent.

Question 6 To Mr. Colliver; "Ts there any fossil proof showing
ancestry of the highly evolved Casuarina trom ancient Gymno-
sperms. Fathing geologival evidence, on what is the implication

100 Field Natavalists’ Chib Proceedings enue

of the relationship by systematic botanists hased. Or can the Brains
Trust briefly outline the probable development (palaeontological )
of che Australian Casuarina?” Annver: Engler aud Prany)'s
Phlanzenfomlien (1889), the naw widely-accepted standard for
plant classification. gives: "The resemblance of Cesarma to
Equisctaceae is purely superficial, and a derivation of Casnarina
direct fram the £guesetaccae cannot be considered seriously. Some-
whal greater is the coniormity with Lphedra, at least in the course
at the vascular fibres: in floral structure, however, Casuarinas
show themselves as undoubted angiosperms (plants with ovaries)
and a comparison with the floral conditious of Ephedra wall again
not permit the thought to he entertaimed of any closer relationship:
it may be mentored at the same time that in the nyale flowers of
Pphedra 2 synandrium replaces the single stamen found in
Casuarmas.” Notes to above translation hy Mr. J, H. Willis: ft
is important to remember that present-day vegetattve structure
in many plants tells us very little of the true evolutionary affinities,
Because Eguisetynt, Ephedra and Casuarina display a common
reduction of leaves and a verticillate or whoried, “whip-cord”
habit of growth, this aicans really no more than the development
of succulence, for instance. among desert plants of such diverse
and unrelated familics as Cuctaceac, Euphorbiaceae, Compositas,
“iselepiadasege. etc, Here the swollen, water-holding and photo-
synthetic stems are termarkably siuilar and, in the absence of leaves
and flowers, one farnily might well be mistaken for another. Then
again, Casnariia is usually reckoned a primitive type and relegated
to the lowest rank af flowering plants, Int is there a valid reason
far thts view? Mere sinvplification of the Boral parts (absence of
penanth, reduction in vumber and size of stamens, ete.) is no
criterion for an ancient type; Lhe grasses, willows. and other
wind-pollinated plants were ouce called “primitive,” buy are now
ture oiten regarded as highly evolved, There js absolutely no
fossil evidence Yo link up the “sheokes’ with any other plant
family. past av present, and to maintain thar they are related to
Gynnasperms seems to me quire wnwarrantable,

Question 7 Toa Mr. Collier: ''Has any fern of fassi) ever
been found in Igneous rock?" dpswer: Wes, many casts, impres-
sions and enclosed wood have been recorded from basalt deposits.
To itention some of the ayure mnapartant ones: In 1892 sortion
of a Lycopod stem in basalt was recorded front Bo'vess Coal Field,
Scotland, ly Cadell. (Trans. Fdian-Geol,Sec., Vol. 6, Pe, 3); in
1900 a unigue cast of a tree-trunt in basalt from Footseray was
deseribed by Waleott. (Prac RS, ice, Vol. VIL; ns. pt. 27 p. 140);
in 1907 Solorzano and Hobset revorded numerous and distinct
external impressions of female ears af maize, entire grams, and
carbonjsed remains of the axis of the ear, preserverl in scoria from
Mexico, (GealMag,, Vol. 4, No 5); m [914 Chapinon recorded

- — ~ i -

Hy Field Naturalists’ Club Proceedings 191

the impression of the fruit of a Casuerina in a basalt black:
(WieNat., Yo), 3t, No. 6.) 1 : .

Question 8, To Mr. Colliyer: “Which of the rival views con-
cerning the origin of the “Devil's Corkscrews’ (Daemohelix) do
you favour?" Answer: The Daemohelixes, as now known, are
giant spiral structures found im widely dispersed areas and
deposits of various ages: eg., they have been recarded from the
Miocene of Nebraska, Pleistocene of America, Oligocene of
Bavaria, and Jurassic af Queensland. Allied forms are known
irom the Wealdian of England. (Dinocochlea) and have been
dredged from the North Sea. These last two, from their general
appearance, could possibly be giant mollusea, but for the Queens-
land form, to which the question apparently refers, this view does
not s%¢m possible. Possible explanations are= (a) infilled potholes
(impossible owing ta these structures occurring both horizontally
and vertically; (b) concretions (no metheds known whereby a
spiral structure can he formed): (c) infilled animat burrows (no
spirally-formed burrow known): (d) infilled holes caused by
decayed roots (nd such roots known); (e) coprolites. Personally,
whilst 1 agree that infilled burrows and root-hales could cause
such structires, I favour the coprolitic origin; but one ntust admut
that no proof has been found. That they are large for coprolites
is also admitted, hut the same deposits contain remains of two
Dinosaurs of approximately 50 feet long, and these animals could
have produced a coprolite of 7 Jeet, which 15 approximately the
length uf the Queensland spiral.

Question 9. To Mr. Colliver: “What is the Fossil Eucaiyptus
Record?” Answer: For Australia, 19 species name:l, and of these
I8are accepted by Maiden in his Critical Revision. Besidles these,
four living species are listed as suh-fossil, eg. £. obiigna, ex
Haddon, Malmsbury and Daylesford; E. amygdatina, ex Redruth,
near Casterton; E. melliodova, ex Bruthen (fossil wood), and
E. piperita, ex Mallacoota Inlet (fossil wood). A comprehensive
survey of the above will be found in a paper on the “Fossil
Eucalyptus Record,” by Chapman, (ite Nat, Vol. 42, No. 9, p.
229.) Of extra-Australian described species, some 21 have been
recorded trom such diverse localities as Tirol, Moravia, Siberia,
Poland, Portugal, and) America, All of these are doubtful de-
terminations, Cretaceous iruits, supposedly of Eucalyptus, trom
marvin have been proved ta be cone scales of a conifer, Dammara
IOV EARS,

This final question hreught the “Brains Trust’ to a close,
Several members spoke congratulatmg those who had taken part
in the series, on the amount of information they liad given to the
meetings, ad suggested that a similar series should be arranged
in the near future.

[02 Ficld Naturatists’ Clib Proceedings ster zen

REPORTS OF EXCURSIONS
Reports of excursions were given as follows; East Oakleigh,
Mr, P. F. Mortis (for Mr. and Mrs, Salan) ; Wattle Park, Mr.
E.:5. Hanks (Mr, Chalk reported per Mr. Cooper that a visit to
the park the following Saturday showed that most of the nests
noted at our excursion had been destroyed by boys); Botanic
Gardens. Mr. P. I. Morris.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS
The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club:
Miss H. Parry, Messrs. A. Bates, John Swanston, WN. Kewley;
as Country Member: Mr. B. E. Carthew; as Associates: Miss
Patricia Ilatris ancl Master A- N. Carter,

GENERAL BUSINESS

Mr. P. F. Morvis reported on the Natural History exhibition
held last week at the Hawtharn Pree Library, and thanked all who
had contributed im making the show so successful; he further
stated that Mr. S. R. Mitchell and Mr. and Mrs, Freanse deserved
a special vote of thaiks.

EXHIBITS

Mr. P. Fisch; Greenhoods (Pterostylis enrta, P. longifolia,
P. nitans), found along Koonung Creek at Doncaster, Also the
Bird Orchid (Chiloglotlis Guan), Wallflower Orchid (Diuris
longifoka) and garden-erown Hrostanthera ovalifalia.

Mr. J. H. Willis; Curious insect galls on “Sugarwaod"
(Myoporum platycarpun) trom the Mailec; also lustrous iroustone
pebbles from Sandringham beach.

Mr. J. Ross Garmet: Yernale hermit crab from a whelk shell.
(The relatively few eggs attached to the hody of the animal are
but.a small portion of the total number produced.) Specimen
collected at McCrae, 19/9/45,

Mr, H. P. Dickins: Four studies of Australian flowers.

PLUCKY BUTCHER BIRD

“The butcher bird,” says an experienced bushman, “is a tyrant, bur I
admire the pluck with which he fights for his own if the female is sitting, or
there are youn iu the test, He never whistles 10 his mate, as most other
birds do when. nesting, his tuneful whistle being heard later in the séason,
Tle will tackle a brawn hawk or a crow ju defence of his family, and drive
them off.

“And thourh he destroys so many small birds, it is a curious fact that 1
have found the nest of the black aud white robin and the black-cared miner
on the same shrub with the butcher bird’s uest, and only a few fect from it,
yet all living liarmmomousty together. That 15 aot an uncommon occurrence,
Many birds which are antagonistic scem to fraternise of at any rate call a
truce when nesting close together”

ae Brack, 4 New Aboriginal Art Gallery 103

A NEW ABORIGINAL ART GALLERY
By Linpsay Brack, Leeton, N.5.W.

Some months ago Mr. A. R. Camphell, of Broken Hill, told me
he knew of a cave containing engravings and paintings on Glenlyon
Station, western N.S.W. As [ knew this was a Gallery which
had never been recorded, [ arranged with him to guide a party
to ifivestigate.

The posttion described was in the Scope Range and not a great
distance from Burke's Cave where there are engravings, paintings,
and stencilled hands which have been described by Dow in Mankind
(Vol. 2, No. 5, p. 117).

The chief cave ot the Glenlyan painting.

The party visited the Gallery early in August (1943) and was
well rewarded. At this Gallery there are a number of rock-
shelters and one cave. ‘The site is near the Gum or Sixty-Mile
Creek and is ahout 60 miles N.E. from Broken Hill, close to the
main read to Wileanmia. ;

There are many aboriginal Art Galleries in this district, which
was the home of the Bullalli tribe, and they are all close to large
water-courses. The aboriginals must have selected these places
on account of the water supply, both for domestic use and because
there would be plenty of game in the vicinity of the water.

The unusual items at this Gallery were illustrations of two ducks

104 Biack, dA Netwe Aboriginal Art Gallery st a met

and a large egg. One duck painting, measuring thirteen inches
long and seven inches high, was painted white, but had to be
chalked over in order to obtain a clear photograph, The other
duck was engraved, but it was weathered and indistinct and a
photograph could not be obtained. Close to these two birds was a
large egg and 24 hands, all painted white. These hands were very
clear, as they were well sheltered in the cave. On the wall of the
cave there were also some stencilled hands. Stencilled hands are
very common, as there are numbers at every Gallery where paint-
ings are found, and sometimes they are in shelters or caves where
This Gallery has never previously been recorded.

SOLDIERS COLLECT BUTTERFLIES IN NEW GUINEA

The main trial of a soldier’s life in New Gaines is his constantly waged
War against monotony, Many have sought respite from this danger by
taking an active interest in the study and collecting of tocal butterflies, which
tust surely rank among the most colourful in the world.

I am afraid this practice was originally looked upon by many as the first
signs af the victory of monotony over the average brain. Those who w:
:a weakened were termed “Troppe,” and looked upon pityingly by the others,

But time passed, and the students of nature's collection increased to
become gradually the show piece of the camp. Slowly but surcly the interest
in New Guinea's butterflies became more apparent among the ranks until
to-day we find quite an army of collectors out each day searchin jiunwle
trails and beside jungle streams for new specimens,

Rank amateurs having little knowledge of the habits and the entomological
names of the butterflies, they svon developed a Janguage of their own.
When, ior instance, they refer to an RAAF, you know they mean a black
and white variety with an Air Force circle on its wings. It is only caught

t fest ava bk The “Tiger’® has Richmond Foothall Club's colours—
tellow and black. I¢ is the most elusive of its kind, and has to be caught
in, flight. The Blues are ranked among the most colourful, being a broad
V-shaped, fantailed variety, with a beautiful blue silky wing and are caught
only by decoy.

Those types so far mentioned are the size of a man’s palm when extended.

The collectors found that many of the species move unceasingly along the
same jungle trail back and forth over a humdred yards er so. Blues remain
high among the jungle foliage, but are attracted down by a decoy of their
own kind placed in a leafy, sumny spot. Most brown varieties seem (u
move among the kunai grass, and are beautifully marked in brown and white,

The butterflies play a most important part in the life of New Guinea flora,
as their main work is pollination, taking the place of our Australian bee.
The study of their habits by observation has developed, as did the formation
of a local nomenclature for them.

The students are as keen as the most seasoned collector, and one can but
marvel now at the knowledge they have of the butterfly and its habits.
Not only that, but, more important, it seems to have improved their general
knowledge of the tropics and the jungle and shown to them in a more
practical way all those rules and tactics on bushcraft and law we were
taught from jungle training manuals,

Se this developed oa ~) Nas served a dual purpose, and from the apprecia-
tion of aig butterfly has come a more intimate and general kmowledye of

pe of cowiry we alt must fight in, and, oF Paramount importance, has

helped lift the local, sicamy, ved ol m
Lie Argus (Melb.), 23/10/43.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Voi. Lx Neventber, 1943

Pirate VII

This illustration of a wild duck is a painting: it was chalked over jor the
purpose of photography.

Various bands painted in the Glenlyon Cave.
Photas. by Lindsay Blaet:.

Nov.

19 Coveman, Further Notes on tho Great Broa Sttek-insect OS

FURTHER NOTES ON ‘THE CREAT BROWN
STICK-INSECT

By Evitn Coveman, Blackburn, Vic.

The first female Stick-insect which developed from eggs de-
posited by my captive had herself dropped 33 eggs on July 16,
194? (YN... Aug., 1942). This insect was kept alone in order
to count her eggs. She died on January 8, 1943, during a very
hot spell. In bess than seven minths she dropped 452 eggs. She
herself hatched from one of 394 eggs deposited by her mother in
less than a year. :

It will be semembered that five adult females of this batching
were isolated to decide the question of parthenogenesis (I7,N.,
Aug, 1942). Later. two more adult females were placed with
them, A large cage gave ample room for movement, and for
flenty of gum-tips, In this cage egg-tlepasit commenced on July 2,
1942, increasing until, at a conservative estimate, some 2,400 eggs
had been dropped.

In the mixed cage, pairing, which was continuous for from 24
to 36 hours, commenced on October 4, 1942, lasting unti] March
5, 1943, and here egg-laymg did not start until October 31. 1942.
All these adult males had died by March 10, 1943. Most of them
had lost a ley or two, even three. The last of the feniles in this
cage died on August 28, 1943. Some of these, too, had lost a leg.
Three of the seven rsolated females are sujl alive, sound in wind
and limb. Indeed, none of these was niutilated m any way.

Some of the eges fram each cage were removed to labelled boxes
cantamning hucius. The rest were left on the floors of the cages.
All were sprinkled with water from time to fime. Although some
_ of the parents of these eggs hatched in four months trom the time
of deposit, there is at present no sign of hatching, vet the eggs are
from 12 tn 15 months old,

This long hibernation ts not tintisual. Professor G, D. Tall
Carpenter (Oxford) has told me of sueh am instance. In October,
LU4T, he received a large’ (dead) South African Phasimid with her
eges, presumably deposited in 1940. The eggs were mounted on
a card and pot away, On September 18, 1942, he found that two
eges had hatched, but the larvae had not been able to free thein-
selves from the membranes. The card of eggs was transferred to
a damp chamber, and after four days a living larva emerged, but
died, probably owing to the lack of ils proper food-plant.

Seceud Hatching

‘To return to my awn experiments. Ln the meantime, a second
large family of Stick-insects emerged from the first 594 eggs.
On May 24, 1942, one ege hatched—eleyen months after the last
of the first hatching. Not wali] October 2, 1942, did another larva

Vict. Nat.
Vol. LX

106 Coteman, Further Notes on the Great Brown Stick-insect
emerge, the early, or tardy, comer of May 24 being then about
three inches long.

Two more hatched on October 18 and two on October 24. One
of these fell into a dish of warm milk set on the floor for a dog,
It appeared to be quite dead when I lifted it out, although a
moment before it had been struggling in the milk; but, although
only a few hours old, the tiny creature was shamming. Still stiff,
it was placed on a piece of clean linen, and in a few minutes was
quite lively again, When lifted to
the gum-twigs, it again “iroze’—
but it ran under a leaf of its own
colour when I moved away.

Hatching continued until Novem-
her 27, 1942, when I had a second
family larger than the first. One
wondered how many of the delicate
creatures that emerged during the
torrential rains of November +
would have survived in natural con-
ditions. At the present time (Sep-
tember 30) two females and one
male of this second hatching have
passed their final moult, but egg-
laying has not started. Just before
this takes place the insect rests with
heavy abdomen reflexed backward,
a position retained throughout the
egg-laying period, except when mov-
ing to feed on fresh leaves.

It is interesting to note that hatch-
ing of the first lot of eggs, assumed

Stick-insect

showing a re-

generating foreleg at the pen-

ultimate moult. At the fnal

moult this lez will be normal,

except that it may be slightly

shorter than the opposed leg.

Only half the head can be hid-

den in the hollow of the one
toreleg.

to have commenced in November,
1941, lasted until February, 1942.
In the second batch it began on
October 14, 1942, and ended on
November 27, 1942, a much shorter
period for the older eggs.

Regeneration of Last Limbs

Occasionally during ecdysis a limb is lost. In two instances I
saw this happen, a bead of green Auid appearing on the newly
emerged body at the point where a leg had been torn off. The
insect appears to suffer no discomfort, although when a foreleg
is lost half of its head, only, can be hidden in the hollow inner side
of the remaining foreleg.

At the next moult a minute protuberance indicates a coming leg.
With another moult it is a little longer and slightly thickened at

Nav,
195s

Coneacan, Further Notes ot the Great Brown Stiek-insect 107
the tp. At the next moult the thirkening has curled, like a ltitle
pig's tail, and act the penultimate moult the curl is twice revolute,

At this stage a slight wriggling movement is noticed in the curl,
especially when the opposed Jeg is moved, but the regenerating
leg is not yet usecl in walking or clinging. With the final ioult
the new leg is alinost normal, although it is usually slightly shorter
than the oppasite leg.

Growth of the regenerated leg is apparent only after a moult.
Whent a leg is lost after the fital moult, regeneration does not take
place.

The insect tllustrated “A,” one of the second batch, is 74 mehes
from tip of the extended Joreleg to end of the "tail'-appendages.
Final moult should svon take place. She is still green. A striking
feature of the second family has’ been the retaining of their green
colour until the penultimate moult.

On November 3, 1942. 1 watched a tiny creature lose a middle
leg during ite first moult. On January 26, 1943, this insect was
S inches long and had yrown a “leg” 4 an inch mm length, On
January 30, 1942, it again moulted, jhe new Jeg measuring 4 an
inch lo the curl, The opposite (normal) leg was 2 inches long.
On Marek 15, 1943, after Aina) moult, the regenerated Jeg was
23 inches long, the opposed one being 2 11-12ths inches,

During the winter little movement was seen in the cages, although
food was eaten in June and July.

The insect illustrated (““A’") was photographed twice: the second
photograph, although taken 24 hours later, shows no change of
position, An exposure of 34 minutes was necessary. yet little,
il any movement 1s shown, 50 ngid 1s the ‘'Trvezing”’ attitude.

POISON OF THE PLATYPUS

The following nats has bean written ina Victorian peper by 2 resident
oi Devonport (Tas.):

A boy engaged in trapping rabbits on a farm in northern Tasmania one
marning found a large platypus caught by one of its forefect in a trap, and
brought jt, still attached to the trap, to our house, [ impulsively took it by
the neck, as, one would a duck, and it immediately curled i1§ body round and
drove two sharp spurs into my left hand on either side. The agony was so
intense that I fell to the ground, and the treatute then shipped away, In a
short time my hand was swollen to three times its normal size, and my arn
was itkewise affected, A foment, in which permanganate of povash was
dissolved, having been tried without reducing the pain or swelling, 1 was
taken 19 a doctor. He ordered my hand aod arm to be kepr in water {to
which antiseptics were added) as wear to boiling point as could be borne
I was in bed for nearly a fortnight, and my hand was lanced four times,
The dactar declared that if I had not been in perfect health I would
rertainly have lost my arm and probably my life, As it was J suffered for
many months fro the effect. of the poison in my system and froin luss of
power in my left hand, the finger-nails of which turned black, while those
ed my right hand became brown,

108 Wantriteo, Revision of the Victorian Glei¢hensarsve re eg

REVISION OF THE VICTORIAN GLEICHENIACEAE
By N, A, Waweriery, Genoa, Victoria.

Tw the latest compretieonsive Victorian Flora,! the family Gleicheniaceac
48 represented by the genus Gleichenia and four af its species. In 1938,
however, Christensen? broke the family up into five genera, which arrange-
ment Copeland? has adopted, though the latter revives au additional genus.

The first Austialian species to be described was G, ciycinnata of Swartr!
but in 1810 Robert Brown’ discarded this name on the grounds that the
species was. insufficiently described, and he applied specific names to several
plants, any one of which might have been Swariz’s species, Subsequent
writers* regarded Brown's G. microphylla as a synonym of G. civcitnata,
and tr. dicarpa of Brown was listed as a valid species. But Christensen,
who recently examined Swartz's original material, found that the reverse
was the case, and that m 23 Brown's G. dicarfa whith cdrresponds to
Swartz's species; so, for our Victorian material, the name G. mtcropivtla
Toust replace our G. citeinvata, and the latier name must be anphed to our
G. dicarpa, which hecomes a synonym.

Our other Victorian species now belong to the germs Siicherus. Rabert
Brown? described two of them as Gleichontia tenere and G. flabellata, but
Bentham® and subsequent Australian hatanists reduce the formier to a
variety of the latter, though Christensen® rightly regards bath as distinct
species. The third Victorian specics of Stieherws has, wotil the present,
remained undescribed; for at has beén wrongly identified as G_ faocvigata,)
a species ranging from Malaya to New Guinea,

Gur local species of Gleicheniaceac are distinguished by their tiered
fronds which consist of apposite pairs of apparently dichotomous pinnae,
This pattern’ of growth is called pseude-dithotomous, and ts brought about
by the primary pinnae producing enly ole pair of oppasite secondary
pinnae, the apical part being represented hy an undevcloped circenmate “bud.”
The secondary and the tiertiary pinnac and the apex of the frond behave
m the sime manner; though in Cleicheyia many of these buds alten develop
into frond parts to produce a more complicated patrert.

The Victorian genera and species ace aq follow’

Pinnules deeply cut into rounded segments .. .. ., Gletthenia
Segments flat. 2 22 2 nk ee ee oy we Gy microphylla
Segments forming pouches 1. 0. 1.0 22 0. 0. 2.) GL rirciinata

Pinnules entire or almost so .- vue Shcherns

Pinnnles entire, widely spreading; rachises bear-

_ ime broad scales 2. ww. ee ee. 5 Inbatng
Pinnules entire, acutely angled; rachises scaly-
hirsute .. -. ,. . tener

Pirnwules denticulate, acutely angled; rachises
glabrous or almost $0 -. 1. -- 16 ee ue ue SD flabetlatns

"Genns Gletchenia Smith—Fronds hipinnate ar niaré compound; seg-
ments Taanuic, rownd or ovate; suri usually composed of 3 or 4 sporangia.
A small group of the oriental tropics <nd further south.’

G. crretunata Swartz. (Syn GC. dicarpa R.Brown‘). Stipes and rachises
wiry, ted-hrown, scaly-villose; Johes of pinnules very concave beneath,
their ancurved margins forming pouches in which the sori are situated;
sporangia 2 Distribution; N, Austr, Q'lasd, N.S.W., Vie, Tas, N. Zeal,
N. Caledonia and N, Guinea,

G. microphylin R Brown (Syn. G. crretnuata® of many writers but not
of Swartz). Similar in most featiges to the preceding species, but the
lobes of the pinnies larger and Aai: sporangia 3-4. Distribution: Q'tand.,
W.S,W., Vic, Tas., S. Ausir., N. Zeal. and N_Caledonia.

“Genus Sticherus Presl—Rhizome and frond paleaceaus or glabrescent:
frond in typical development puinale ar bipmnate, its subsequent division

Nor. Wakertetp, Revision of the Victorian Gleicheniaceae 109

AN i iy vt ii 3
\\\\

of Af

Ah fy
fy if

EVM ea
f) a eo KX \ So as
Wy ANN! ." aK

AAS AN) ~, .

ie ee SST? Pr,
wR! Be EES

pseudo-dichotomous, the growth of the terminal bud being suppressed ahove
each node; foliar segments borne on ultimate axes and usually on one to
three preceding internodes, nodes without stipular appendages; veins once
forked; sori of 1-6 (most commonly 4) sporangia. A large genus, through-
out the Oriental and American tropics. Presl's diagnostic character,
reticulate venation, is imaginary.”

116 WAKEFIELD, Revision of the Victorian Gleichemaccac are

STICHERUS LOBATUS spnov. Frondes alte vel breves; pinne
primarte 2-4 oppositis paribus dtchotom@e rants divaricatts ferentibus
basibus confitsionem meagnarwn pinnidarun lobataryin; rachises squame
late acute desidua; pinnule tuteyre glabra basibus latis concurrentiblts ;
Sporangta 3-3,

Synonyms: Gleichenia flagellaris of Bailey? and others, not of Bory. and
Spreng.; Gleichenia laevigata of Domin,8 Ewart! and. others, not of Willd.
and Hook.

Fronds of the typical plant are up to 6 ft. high, arising from a widely
creeping rhizome and each bearing 1-4 pairs of primary pinnae, the bases
of which are surrounded by clusters of large lobed pinnules. The primary
pinnae are forked twice or thrice with widely divergent branches and at
first the rachises bear Jarge broadly-triangular scales but become glabrous
later. The pinnules are widely spreading (about 80° to the rachises) and
are long, tapering, entire, light-green and glabrous above and below, with
broad concurrent basis. Sori are nume:ous and consist of 3-5 sporangia.
A vommon species ranging from south-cast Queensland through eastern
New South Wales to eastern Victoria. .S. febatus is figured hy Bailey? (as
G. flagellaris), and in the F.N.C.V. book -on Victorian Ferns (as G.
laeviyata). Material collected by the author during the past few years
from east Gippsland has been placed in the Melbourne Nationat Herbarium
to typify the species. Fiys, I (a. to d.).

HOLO-TYPE from Mt. Drummer, Vic.,, N.A.W. 6/7/1941.

S. tencr (R.Brown) Ching. in Sunyatsenia, Vi (1940) 283, Synonyms:
Gleichenia tenera R.Brown; 4 G. flabellata var. terera Bentham;5 and G.
flabellata (partim) of Brown,4 Bentham and subsequent writers.) Primary
pinnae 1-3 pairs, each branched acutely twice or thrice fairly close to the
main rachis; raclises densely scaly-hirsute or rarely almost glabrous;
pinnnles acutely angled, dark green, rather dull, finely silky-pubescent
beneath, obscurely Jobed or nearly entire. The few scattered pinnules on
the primary rachises are often somewhat lobed, but are longer than in the
preceding species and distant from each other. Distribution: Widespread
in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. Jigs. 2 (a. and h.),

For this plant Bentham’ remarked: “var. fenera, a small alpine form,
Mount Wellmgton, Tasmania,” while both he and Robert Brown‘ listed
the following species for Tasmania; so it is evident that Brown himself
failed to delimitate correctly between two of his own species.

SS. flabellaius (R.Brown) xovcomb, (Syn. Gleichenia flabellata
R.Brown.4) Primary pinnae 1 or 2 pairs, each branched acutely ance or
twice very close fo the main rachis; rachises glabrous or rarely slightly
scaly-hirsute; pinnules acutely angled, distinctly toothed, dark-green, shiny,
glabrous above and below. There are no lobed pinnules, nor du the
primary rachises bear pinnules, Distribution: Abundant in, Queensland and
New South Wales; also in eastern Victoria, and extending ta New
Caledonia and New Zealand. Figs. 3 (a. and b,).

The only known Victorian locatity for this species is Roggy Creek, near
Genoa, where a large patch was found in a rocky gorge towards Genoa
Peak by the writer in September, 1939—a new Victorian record.

REFERENCES
Flora of Victoria, by A. J. Ewart.
“Filicinae,” by C. Christensen, in Verdoon's Marual of Pleridology.

“Gleicheniaceae of New Guinea,” by E. B. Copeland, in Pail, Journ. Sci,
Val. 75, No. 4.

Prodromus of the Flora of New Holland, by Robert Brown.
Flova Australiensis (Vol, vit), by George Bentham,
Index Filicum, by Carl Christensen.

Lithograms of Queensland Ferns, by F. M. Bailey.
Fernflora of Queensiand, by C. Domin.

PNA wl

Na “Early” Black Swwons iv Eugtard ill

"BARLY” BLACK SWANS TN ENGLAND

The follawine extract (sent by Mrs. A, Hargreaves, oi Ararat) is
from the Minstrated Londen Newy of Avtiwat, 26, 1859,

“Everyore cow Knows that the Latin proveeb which speaks of the rarity
pt Bluck Swans bas ceased to canvey aq truth. Texcepting that, oi thit whole,
a while swan isa pretriey qhject, there is no reasoi why (he black tow! of
that species should not be us common as the white one At any rate, the
breed wtnch is in. existence at Cylyers, tear Carshalton, the seat’ at
Mr. Samuel Gurney, MP for Penrva, is prolife enough to warrant an
asaerriog that there is no chance nf the proverb being reinstated in its
trith aud integrity, In justification, however, of the ancrents, st ray be
stated that, according to Mr. Gould, om tis work on Australian Birds, the
first Holjee a record retpecting the <caistenee of the Black Swan occurs
ina ietler writen by Mr. Witseit to Docter M_ Lister abot the year 1698,
iti which he gays ‘Here is verurned a shiv which Wy our East ada
Compaty was sent to the seth land, allel Wpllandia Nava’; and he adds
that Black Swans were found there. In 17dG two were broug'at ative to
Batavia, having heen orocuied on ibe west coast of Australia, near Dirk
Hartog’¢ Bay, Caprant Conk observed the bird on several parts af the
soast, Wad fram that time. it has attracted the attenlion. of every traveller in
Austrulia. [% has uot deen dou in a state of ualure out of Ausiraiia, awl
it has nor ver been seen on the north coast; while, on the uther )yand, st 15
as penétally distribeted aver the whole of the santhern portion of thay vast
continent, the islands in Bass’s Straits, and the still more southern country
af Var Diewen’s Land, wherever there are rivers. estuarics of the sea,
lggu0dns, and pools of water of any extent In some msraacts uw oceurs ty
sucit mmnhers that flocks of inany hundreds may be sten twtelmer. These
birds have heew an different parts of Australia much sought after and
destroved by the settlers, one mode pursucd heing to chase them in a lost
athe lime wen they shed their primary quillfeathers, when. beiyg nbable
to fly, thew ave easily caprived. In disposition, unless seriotisiy molested,
the Black Swan is tame, gerute, and harmless: and, as it readilyt hecemes
durtuesticated, there are few of the aviaries of Turope which ado not contain
some speciniens of the dtr. ‘The breeding season, in ils stile of nature,
commences Tn Oetpher and cenrignes to the middle wo) fannary, and the eexs
laid are from Fee te eight th number; they are of a pale areen colour,
stained all over with bafhy brown, tour and a ball inches long by two
iehes and Uiree-yuarters brow The whole of the plumage ss browmnsh
black, the under surface saler them the upper. the deathers of vhe back
lipped with greyish drown; primary and secondary feathers pure white,
bill seautii\ pinky séarlet, erossed near the thy with = broad bane of white,
evélishes pinky goarlet, and Feet biack. “The specimens of the Blacks Swau
possessed by Mr. Gurney, and of which we give an Jihusteation, have proved
singulatly prolife. he parent-hird has laid no less than ninetv-two eggs
afd hatehed seventy-three cygnets between January 1854, und July 1859."

TIGER SNAKIMS CAT LS

A correspaivlent ttates that ou a ivan evenipe be heard dogs bandas in
lis garden, and on going down found that they were interesterl jn a tiger
shake which was on guard with te head and aeck raed about 4 inches off
te evound, “LT stopped within about 5 feet of the suake and distinetly beard
it call six times, and could not be mistaken about the source uf ilie calls,
Tr seseribe it, take the ward ‘sit, put in frost mf it the letter T, with a
farely pereeptidile palise between the twa, Otherwise i amgbl be descrihes!
as the gscupe of a gery sma'l jet of steam. After aig such calls in tried 1.
escape. ad flied £ intervened. This snake had evidently just shed its skin
aml the comp bars were mast distiaer,"

12 The Domestic Cat os a Hunter wit ube

THE DOMESTIC CAT AS A HUNTER

Most folk are aware of the fact that the domesticated cat is Not iecessatily
in wed of fnod when pursuing rat, mouse or bird; love of Ure chase being
extited in it by a rolling tems ball or a trailed fcather Tn my youth 1
vad = tabbed cat which habitually retmeved wonder parrots and leathers
Vueads which hal fallen to mty gun, but beyond the orchard icnce, He always
Syought the birds to nie, but would eat one gived to tan and later repurg.-
tate the feathers, The rinsing qeise pf the cainrend when loading would
rouse hem from sleep and send him muinning to reconnaissance which often
scared the bards,

Near Alexaulea there dwelt a donely widew known ty the youths as
Mother de Vries, She was a farmer and was bothered by bares faoding
on her young oat crop. Fler cat hanted in the ¢arly morning and added
to the widew's Food supply by draguing home—alwout 1 yards—the hares
whiely he caught, Tn semmer, faihug a hare he would hing a shuke—
black, hrown or tiger-and octasionally a blne-tangyed Hara

dn some districts house cats “pone ahve are nuurerous and prey ou
rabbits and birds, Some years ago a farmer near Narbethong told me
that ahout every [8th rabbit caught in his traps was a cat!

Tt was not until reccot years that possum-veating cals came to iy Notice.
Ou several vccasions Po had been shown a eat in the couldsy which was 3
reputed posstan latter, but TE had not seen the hunt ov the kilk At Kew
a few years ago we had two white cats of different size and temperament.
Both had excellent hearing, The larger animal rarely left the premises
about which be caught amnece, somelimes a bid, oceasionally a rat. OF
these he ate only the mice, The other and smaller cat, dodging street
traffic, woold crost into a neighbour's paddock, where, tmotwothstauding
the neighbour's Uurce dogs, he successfully hinted rabbits, bringing home
his quarry over a wire-netted gate, On two occasiwis he brought a ringtarl
possum which apparently was not so taothzome, as he ate only portian mf it.

At Mit. Ehea, Mes. V. Tremayne bas a cat which catches possums. This
anual, which she described as “a generally wood and respectable cat, bur
sometimes disgusting.” deyours ald but the jaw bares of the possum (mostly
ringtail, but sometimes silver-grey), including the fur, which she las not
see dum repurgitate. After such an orgy he (swollen like a melon) ges
intn Tetroat for a time and misses tnany meal-times. On one occasion, when
Mrs Tremaynt visited i nest to note the progress of a ringtall twins’
development. she fowid the baby possunis “missmg” aud the cat comfort
ably resting on the nest—thus adding insult to impure. : ADL.

HAWK AND MUTTON-BIRD

An unusual incident is mentioned by Mr, J. F. Bourchier, of Kangaroo
Ground: “On April 22, my attention was attracted by tle peculiar Aight of,
to mt, a strange bird. and@ on looking a little more closely, T war surprised
to see that, instead of one bird only, there were two, The second bird was
clinging upon the frst one’s back. Alter flying some twu or three hundred
yards the birds fell to the ground. 1 ran to where they felt, and found a
Spartowhawk with what was afterwards idendifed as a mottombird, The
mutton-bird was just dead, the hawk having torn the skin on the hack ad
the neck and injured the back ae neck Lanes. On the night previous there
wat a heavy south wind, and the mutten-bird may lave been Wlown inland.
When first seen the Birds were about 200 feet in amiair, and Aew for
approximately 250 yards. The descent was geadual, wat, when abou
50 feet up, they fell heavily. The hawk was making. fo attempt whatever
to ise its wings, the mutlon-bird flying frantically, The weight of the
iutlon-bird was 1 1b. 72 oz. The air-line distance from Phatlip Island to
Kangaroo (round would be about 60 miles."—(The Arous, Melbourne.)

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX.—No-. § December, Q 1943 No. 720
PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal
Society's Hall on November 8, 1943. The President (Mr. FP. F.
Motes) presided ai! about 100 members and friends attended,

BEREAVEMENTS

It was announced that a country member of many years’
standing, Mr. George Aiston, of Maree, CA.; a recently joined
ordinary member, Mr. Lance Le Souef; and a very good friend
of the Club, the Rev. C, C. Woolf, had.recently passed away.
Regret of members was suitably expressed.

SIR JOSEPH BANKS

The subject for the evening was a sympasium an the subject
“Sir Joseph Banks, Father of Australia,” in commemoration of
the bicentenary of his birth, Mr, Ivo Hammet spoke on “Banks,
the Man”; Mr. Noel Lothian, “Voyages and Discoveries,” and
Mr. J. ‘Willis, “Banks as a Botanist.” The information given
in these lecturettes made the evening one of oulstanding interest,
not only to the F.N.C. but to a number of members of the
Historical Society who were present by invitation, .

Mr. C. Daley added to the notes given by pomting ‘out that
Banks had suggested the use of Port Jackson as a penal colony,
and that Macarthur had sent sheepskins, emus and black swans
back to England. He also mentioned that some 40 years ago a
memoftial to Banks in Sydney was suggested and certain subserip-
tion lists were arranged for and a considerable sum of money
collected, but as yet nothing had been. done.

Mr, H, C. £. Stewart stated that Dr, Johnson was a friend
of Banks and apparently nearly came out to Australia at ane
time, and he speculated on how the carly history of Australia
wotld have heen affected if this visit had taken place.

Mr. A. Wolskel stated that Johnson respected Banks and
proposed him as a member of a hterary club; that Banks was one
of the pall-bearers at Johnson’s fimeral, and that it was on record
that at Banks's request Johnson had commenced a poein on a pet
goat that helonged to Banks.

114 Field Natwralists’ Club Procecdings oe <

REPORTS OF EXCURSIONS

Reports of excursions were given as iollows: Mt. Evelyn-
Lilydale, Mr. R. G. Painter; Montmorency, Mr. A. 5. Chalk;
Bayswater-Ringwood, Mr. C. French.

ELECTION. OF MEMBERS

The following weré elected as ordinary members of the Clubs—
Misses J, 5. Stevenson, D, L, Haywood, Margaret Fowler, Helen
Alexander, Violet E. Baleem: Messrs. P. R. McFarlane, T.
Byrne and F. Hallgarten.

PLEA FOR KOALAS

Plight of the Koalas at Quail Island. Mr. R. K. Monro
stated that conditions as he found them on the island were very
bad and that in a matter of weeks the animals would be without
food. He suggested that with the offers of help he had received
from the general public it would not be difficult for a properly
organized party to take the animals off the island and crate them
for transport to other localities.

Mr, Colliver moved that a sub-committee to inquire into the
matter be selected frorm the general committee. This was seconded
by Mr. Noel Lothian and carried. It was announced that Mr.
5. R. Mitchell had offered the use of his truck as a means of
transport,

NATURE NOTES

(a) Mr. A. S. Chalk reported on a Sparrow nesting on the
ground under a piece of corrugated iron, and also stated that a
Mud-Lark had nested in a tree at the corner of Exhibition and
Bourke Streets,

(b) Mr. C. French teposted . on.a Brown Thornbill testing in
a pot of Cineraria, in the Botanical Gardens glasshouse: it was
also stated that the young birds had left the nest on 8/11/43.

(d) Mr. R. G. Pamter mentioned in particular among his
exhibits a garden-grown example of the Blue Leschenaultia,
native to W.A.; and also an example af Grevillea Borklyana.

1848 Mield Naturalists’ Cluo Proceedings 15

EXHIBITS —

Miss G, Auchterlonie: Dryandva formosa and Telopea spect:
sissoma, both garden-grown at Narracan,
| Mrs. C. French: Vase containing seven varictivs of Leptosper-
mum. scopaviwm, all garden-grown at Canterbury, comprising
Keatleyi, Walkeri, grandifiorum, album, rubrum, Sandersi and
Nicholtsir,

Mrs, M. E, Freame: Marine shells (Risella mclonostome),
gathered at Altona 8/10/43; eggs were laid under water at top
of jar at 2 pam. é¢ach day LOth, 11th and t2th October; hatched
5th November.

Mrs. F. H. Salau: Garden-grown specimens bE Banksia erict-
folta,

Master Robért Gwynne: Specimen of the Victorian: thomy
oyster, found in an aboriginal midden at Sorrento.

Mr. C. J. Gabriel: Thorny oysters (Spondylus teneils, Bass
Strait; S. aperialis, China Seas; 5 uurantins. Philippines; 9.
gacderopus, Meiliterranean );,

Mr. Ivo Hammet: Garden-grown native flowers -

_ Mr. J. H. Willis (on behalf of the National Herharium}:
Specimens collected by Banks.
‘Mr. R. G. Painter: 25 species of garden-grown native plants.

KOALAS ON QUAIL ISLAND

~ Statements haying been made that some of the Koalas on Quail Island
were in a bad way, several members oi the Committee. of the F.N.C., on
various occasions, have patd visits to the area. Some. of the testilts of
their investifations haye appeared an the Press, and have been the subject
of comment by the, Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game (Mr, F, Lewis),
wha also tdsited. the stand. The matter of the removal of the animals from
the island remains in abeyance at present. Tt. will be discussed later. At
present it seems certain that there are about on¢ thousand Koalas-on the
island—a vemarkable increase on the number (165) released between
1929 and 1933—and that there is now not sufficient food to maintain such a
large colony. (Sec plate in this issue.)

PERSONAL NOTES

Mr, J. HW. Wills, of the National Werbarium, has been appointed Assistant
Editor of the Ficterian Naturattst.

Members-af-the F.N-C. have sympathized with Dr. C. S. Sutton, aa old
member of the Club and former Librarian, who met with an accident and
has since beer faid aside, Dr, Sutton is now recovering.

Bombhardict N, A. Wakefield, author of many papers on ferns i tlie
Fic. Not., sends greetings to members from Somewhere in New Guinea.

116 " Kensnaw, Looking ‘Backward pi ibe

LOOKING BACKWARD
By J. A. Kersuaw, C.M.Z.S., Melbourne

Looking back over the vears to the opportunities available to
the naturalist m the ‘eighties for pursuing his hobbies within casy
reach of the metropolis, oie misses the wide stretches of heath-
lands with their yums, acacias, banksias and tea-trees through
which one used to ramble in quest of birds, insects and plants.

Practically all those favoured haunts have long since gonc—
have been replaced by innumerable houses, attractive gardens and
well-made streets, Looking at these places to-day it is difficult
tu realize that one used to wander here for half a day without
seeing another human being, where nature was in undisturbed
possession and where one could find so much of interest.

In those days, when entomology and birds and their eggs were
ty chief hobbies and the enthusiasm of the beginner in search of
new discoveries took one into out-of-the-way. places, the extensive
areas of heath and scrol around Caulfield, Oakleigh, Brighton
atid Sandringham, still im their native state, had their special
attractions. Similarly, Gardimer’s Creck, Heyington, Glen Iris
isi the banks of the Yarra around Kew appealed to the mature-
over,

Studley Park. so well ktiawi to our early collectors, with its
gums, acacias, casuarinas and abundant flowering shrubs, was a
convenient and favourite resort. _It-was here that my father, in
company with Henry Edwards, a distinguished actor of those days
and a keen entamologist, did much of his collecting, dating: back
‘to the late ‘fifties, the results of which, with material from other
Jocalities, formed the nucletis of the entomological collection in
the National Museum. Jt was here, too, that other well-known
collectors—Charles French, Senr,, Dudley Best, F, DwBoulay,
FF. EK. Dixon and others—all ardent coleopterists, found a profit-
able hunting-ground. Few localities so conveniently situated could
yield such good results.

The extensive heath paddocks around Caulfield, long since taken
over by the builder, but then densely massed with Leptospermum,
Epacris and Wedding-bush ( icinacerprs), and in places by old
gums and acacias, was one of my early collecting-grouwnds, This
class of country was particularly suitable for lepidoptera and it
was. surprising ‘the variety of species one could ohtain during the
long summer evenings. Micro-lepidoptera~-Tortricidae, Oece-
phoridas, Tineidoe and Gelechidae, ete-—were very plentiful and
matiy of the larger groups such as the Geometrins, Noctnina,
Liparids, ete,, were by no means uncommon.

ve Keaseraw, Looking Backward 1t?

The Caulfield Park, then known as Paddy's Swamp, extending
{rom Hawthorn Road towards the Caulfield railway, now laid
ouf in lawns, orhamental trees and attractive flawer-beds, was
then in its wild state of trees aud shrubs. The reedy swamp then
occupying its centre, now an excellent sports oval, was frequented
by wild ducks, coots aiid am occasional white-faced heron. Blue
wrens, white-fronted chats, yellow tailed -tharnbills and black-aud-
white fantails nested in the low shrubs and gums, and magpies,
mud-larks, scarlet rubins and honeyeaters were numerous. One
could spend hours there with profitable - results,

A lite further to the south, in Kooyong Road, were open
paddocks “tintbered with stretches of heathy scrub. well worth
exptoiting, Dr. Godfrey Howitt, one of our earliest coleopterists,
whose collection (still as he left it} is in the National Museum,
lived close by and no doubt obtained auch of his material there,

But of all the localities within casy reach of the metropolis none
could compare in abundance of animal and plant life with the wide
stretches of heathlands which then extended from Brighton -to
Hampton and on to Sandringham and beyond. Now -densely
populated, the area was then in its primitive state. In parts
fimbered with old gums and acacias, the greater part was thickly
avergrown with the usual tea-tree, young gums, banksias, lepto-
spermums and other shrubs characteristic of that area, affording
ample scope for investigation by the caturalist, be tis subject birds,
insects of plants,

Within a few munutes’ walk from the Brighton railway station,
Smith's paddock, the property of the late Mathew Srnith, a keen
bird-lover, extended from:South Road ta the railway at Hampton
and hack towards the Bluft Hotel. This was an excellent collect-
ing-ground and my favourite resori, where I spent many enjoyable
rambles, often in company with the late Frank Spry and W_H .A,
Rogers, and, during his frequent visits from Sydney, with the late
A. J. North, From there one. could wander through open heath-
Jands to Sandringham and right on to Mentone and Cheltenham.

Bieds were qumerous. They included the bronze-wing pigeon,
scarlet robin, black-and-white fantail, black-faced - cuckoo-shrike,
huteher-tbied, shrike-tit, and various honeyeaters. On two
occasions I saw the sacred kingfisher and on another ‘found the
nest of Lhe ground-theush with three eggs, placed in a sheltered
potion on the ground within a few yards of South Ruad, Painted
quail were often flushed from among the low shrubs and, many
birds nested in the dense scrub, including the white-fronted chat,
white-browed scrub-wren, blue wren, yellow-tailed thorpbill, cres-
cent, white-plumed and white-bearded honeyeaters, silver-eyes,
"ete. hs BP ee ea

118 Kexstraw, Lookmg Backward We Aine

For the entomologist a more enticing collecting-ground could
hardly be found. The abundance of Leptosperinum and other
flowering shrubs were a never-failing attraction for insects of all
kinds, and lepidapterous larvae in great variety could be obtained
on the young gums, acacias, baniksias, native cherries and smaller
shrubs, the rearing of which added considerably to one’s interest
and knowledge of their life-histories.

Among the larger butterflies, apart from the more common and
widely-spread painted lady (Pyramens cardui kershawi), the
Australian admiral (P, ffee) and the common brown (Hetero-
nynpha merope), one would be fortunate te find the handsomely-
caloured imperial white (Delias harpelyee} iti this {ocality,
though fairly common in eastern districts, The blackish larvac
are gregarious and feed exclusively on the mistletoe (Loranthus},
and before pupating spin a broad expanse of silken web extended
between the stems of their food-plant, ta which they altach them-
selyes In groups of thirty to fifty nr even more. A fine example
af the web with thirty-three pupae attached was taken in Smith’s
paddock at Brighton, The woud white (Delias agamippe) was
more common, its dark-brown, white-spotted larvae feeding
gregartously on the native cherry {fxocarpus). The smaller
browns, Xenica acantha and X, kiuggi, were plentiful, and the
small grass yellow (Terias' sniler) was nocasiotally taken.
‘Several species of the blues (Lycaenidae) flitted among the smaller
shrubs, including the attractive imperial blue (/almenus evagoras),
the larvae of which feed gregariously on the wattle and are
invariably attended by ants, Nacaduber btocellaia, Neolucta agricola,
N. serpentate, and Candulides acasia. At Black Rock Mr. Rogers
and T were lucky enough to find several pupae of the rather rare
mistletoe blac (Ogvris abrota), whose larvae. like alt the Ogyris,
feed only om the mistletoe.

_The skippers (Hesperidae) were restricted in species, the
smallest (Taractrocera papyria) being the most plentiful from
December to March among patches of sword-grass (Cladinum).
Resperilla doanysa, Dispar compacta, Amtsyita. lagnanica and
Padracna lasctvia also occurred in this locality,
~ Moths, as one might expect, were abtundatit and m great variety,
so much so that il would be out of place to give more than a
glimpse of the spectes. Among the larger kinds was’ the heavy-
bodied, night-flying goat-moth (7rictéena argentata), dark greyish-
hrown with broad sifvery-white bands on the fore-wings artd
measuring about five inches in expanse. It could frequently be
found by day at rest on the larger tree-trunks, though more often
attracted ta the light of street lamps. The larvae are subterranean
in habit, baring deeply into the soil and feeding on the roots of

raed Keasnaw, Looting Backward 119

the cucalypts. They are often attacked by a species of Cordiceps,
@ curious fungus which transforms them into the Sv-called
“vegetable caterpillars.” Other species of this family (Hepiatidce)
are often similarly attacked, as well as the larvae of some beetles,

The wattle goat-moth (Endoxyla eucalypli), measuring some
five inches across the expanded wings, could occasionally be taken
at test on trunks of the larger wattles, in the wood of which its
larvae feed. The largest and one of the most handsome species
(Chelepteryx collesi) measures up to six inches across the wings.
It is of a beautiful chestnut-brown with greyish-brown base and
towards the outer edge of the upper wings. The lower wings are
chocolate-brown with brownish-yellow outer borders. The bulky,
hairy larvae, which feed om the eucalypts and pupate under loose
hark, are nearly five inches fong and covered with fine blackish
hairs with several rows of conspicuous yellow spiny tubercules.

The so-called cherny-borer (Cryptaphasa wnipuncta), a hand-
some sality-white moth with a small black spot on eacl upper
wing, feeds in the stems of the common honeysuckle, but has also
adapted itself to fruit trees of various kinds. The Bantsia-moth
(Darina banksut), whose prettily-marked brownish larvae, spotted
with black-margined ‘white spots, feed on young banksias and
hakeas, was cotimon, When disturbed the larva raises both head
and tail over its back, at the same time protruding a red, fleshy,
forked protruberance from under the first segment and ejecting
a sticky fluid from the mouth, o9 douht a5 a means of defence. It
pupates btder the soi. Another striking species, not often taken
on (he wing though casily reared from the larva, is Hyleora snclyta.
The larva, abaut three inches long, is green, the dorsal area flat-
tened and finely serrated along the margin. It feeds on the leaves
ol the young gums. :

The large group of the Geometers, represented by numerous
genera—Crypsiphona, Selidosema, Chlewias, Hydromena, Xan-
thoriee, and many others—are characteristic of these heathlands.
Many of the larger species are usually to be-found resting on
tree-trunks or old fences, their expanded Rattened wings so closely
assimilating their immediate surroundings that they are casily
overlooked. Others, such as the smaller “Carpets” (Xanthorhoe.
Hydriomeng, Taxeots, ete,), camouflage themselves on the ground
among low-growing shrubs. Their slender naked larvae, the
well-known “loopers.” feed on a variety of trees and shrubs.
When resfing they remain perfectly rigid at an acute angle sup-
ported hy a fine silken thread from the spinneret beneath the
mouth, and so clasely resemble a twig or leaf as to deceive the
muse careful observer.

Pal Kensttaw, Looking Bachiward re ee

. Mievo-lepidoptera, including, the Pyrafidina, the . Tortricidae,
Oscophorutac, Gelechidae, Tinéidae. ete.” most of which are.
heattifully marked ane brilliantly coloured, were well represented
and well repaid the efforts of the onllector.

Ammig the Coleoptera one could always rely of “ood results.
Buprestidls, particularly the smaller species, longieorns, weevils,
click-beetles (Llatwridac), Clortdae, Mordellidae, Chrysomelidac,
and other families, were abundant. Hymenoptera, Diptera and
the smaller groups, attracted by the ahindance of Aowering trees
and shribs, were in great variety.

Although those delightful hunting-grounds have Jong since had
lo make way for the ever-erowing demands of settlement, it is
good to look back to those carlier days and te live over again in
retruspect the enjoyment and experiences of those quiet and
profitable ranibles.

A NEW CAPSID ON BYBLIS GIGANTEA

Prolessor F. E. Lioyd’s new book, The Carmivorans Plants, reviewed in
the Fie, Nat. for September, 1943, has an appeal alike to entomologist and
botanist, OF particular interest is the chapter on two species of Ayblts,
the genus of insect-catchnig plants confined to Western atd North Australia.
Byliis gigantea barbours a bux, which Professor Tloyd states is a capsid
{wingiess). This capsid turns out to be a mew genus, and as to be described
by Dr. W. RB. China, of the British Museum. a task doubtless delayed by
the exigencies of war. The extraordinary feature of the new insect is
that it has 4 commetsal relation to lhe plant, actually Eveding on other insect
victims imprisoned by Ue sticky secretion, but itself imniune to imprisonment.
To quote the book: “While smoll imsects in general are.caught by the
niucilage secreted by the stalked lands, this capsid moves about freely
without difficulty, just as do simular insects, also capsids, over the surface
of Lrosera leaves io Austratia, and of the African genus FRoaridnfa, once
thought to be carnivorous. Mow the insect manages tis is a bit puzzhng.
It is noticeable’ that It prefers to walk on-the upper leak surface where
there -are a very few and. uswally smaller glands, bul when alarmed it
progresses rapidly in any direction withnut becoming entangled with the
mucilage.” With characteristic thoroughness, Professor Lloyd enhances
the chapter by phutographs on the plant with disect met. eCES

MOVEMENTS LN MASS

Referring ta a report about great numbers of frogs crossing the road
one night between Dandenong and Caulfield, Mr. R. E. Baker (Larpert}
says that a driend tald him. of a similar occurrence it the Stony Kises on
the Prince’s” Highway, between Pirvon Yalloak and Pomborneit, The
reason for such migrations, he suggests; may be that the season having’ itt
many localities been a very moist one, a greater miumber vl, [rods than tisual
reached maturity, and running: short of food weresnovine out on the-first
cotivement wet mght. As such movements always occur at night, they may,
except on 3 road or in some bare spot, easily escape notice.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Van. nx December, W44
Prare VILL

Section of western side of Quail Island (Nov, 143s. showing dead and
dying trees and a Koala. Note thick undergrowth.
Photo. by A. H. Chisholm.

a! a _
= a
'¥ _—
i *
_ E
i
i
a
. =
i* ) os a 7
a a ch
il 7
+ :
5 = F. ;
i
* |
' el Fi

fue.
ie

RECOLLECTIONS OF RAMBILES AROUND PORTLAND

Gaewer, Rambles Aronnd Portland 12f

By J. Ros. Garwet, Melbourne

Th the spring of 1936 my wife and T journeyed to Portland to
spend a holiday with our two friends, Mr. and Mrs, Mellblom.
Now, readers of the /iclorian Naturoftst who interest themselves
in botany and more especially in our native orchids will readily
guess that with such a host and hostess our time would not be
devoted entirely to examining the relics of eayly settlement at
Portland, interesting as they undoubtedly are. In fact our
holiday was crammed with excursions to spots where wild flowers
flourished and orchids abounded—sametimes in startling profusion.

In the preceding summer many parts of the district had been
swept by fire of unknown (but by our hosts not entirely
unsuspected) origin and the heathlands had responded to the
treatment by providing a wild flower show far more pleasing and
instructive than many we had seen previously, Portland. one need
scarcely say, has far more’to offer the botanist than rare archids,
hut as our interests were restricted by both inclination and limited
time, we almost ignored the Portland Boronias, Correas and ferns
and stuck to our orchids,

Our recollections of this very pleasant series of trips by foot,
by horse, bicycle and car have been stirred by reading Mr, C.
Beauglehole's list of the orchids of the Pertland district (Mic. Net.,
1943,-Ix, 23), and rather to our satisfaction we noted that we
had, in aur short sojourn there, come across almost 60 per cent.
of the species recorded in that list. In only two other localities
had we anearthed a greater number of species—58 from the
Beaconsfield area, a tally resulting from several rambles covering
all four seasons, and 69 from the Grampians, in a crowded fort-
night in the spring of the previous year (1935).

Scanning Mr, Beauglehole’s list the first interesting item to
catch our eye is “Thelynutra pauctRora var. Halmesii,” marked as
being peculiar to the Portland district, Two years previously Mrs.
Meliblom had geen good enough to obtain for us, from Murray
Holmes, a plant of this orchid described in 1933 as a distinct
species (te. Net,, 1933, xlix, 263), and the plant was kept in
cultivation for some years, during which time it Rowered at the
appropriate season on several occasions. We were thus able to
examine it carefully and at leisure and familiarize ourselves with
its -characteristices, which, we agreed, were not very peculiarly
different from those of some forms of Th, paucifiora. This
conviction was brought home to us very strikingly during the last
week in October of last year (1942).

4 1, Mat.
122 Garner, Remhles Arounit Portland as it

We were holidaying at McCrae at the time and through 2 grassy
slope hard by Point Nepean road we often trod our way through
dozens of small sun orchids” The 28th of the monih was one of
those muggy days presaging rail) and the Thelymitraé of the
district responded in their peculiar way by expanding their flowers
for all to see.

Among the hosts-of Th. paucifiors in this spot were the com-
monly seen pale-mauve, lilac- or blue-petalled star-like forms, with
one, two or three flowers and slender sterns atu! leayes, together
with a number of striking variants with richly coloured sepals and
petals—violet, heliatrope, purple, and with columns: also deeply
coloured, hooded and cleft to various degrees. Several of these
variants fitted perfectly to the original description of Thelymitra
Halmesti, while others varied even more strikingly from the little
star-like type fori of Th, paxcifiora.

Next on the Portland list comes “Mtcrotiy atratna—Govae, very
rare.” We had journeyed out to the distriel near Mt, C lay and
ona bright humid day Caladenta Patersonii. vay. suaveolens was
seen in yreat abundanec, its rather olive-green flowers enutting a
slightly musky and faintly lemon-scented “odor, Picking a bunch
of a hundred flowers would have made little difference to the
display in those sodden turfy paddocks, The plants averaged
about 12 inches in height and 2- and 3-flowered specimens were
not unusual. This variety is not peculiar te Portland, as is
generally believed, since three or four years ago Miss E. Rossiter
(now Mrs, Koss), of Hedley, South Gippsland, sent us a
collection of “spiders” [rot her South Gippsland haunts and
wares} them were several good specimens of this scented spider
orchid,

Further ranbles on the gentle and very moist slopes approaching
Mt. Clay brought us upon colonies of M. afrata not yet in flower
but distinguishable from M, orbicularis by its yellowish colour and
the lack of that peculiar angular kink at the point of emergence
of the flower stem, In this spot there were hundreds of plants
to be seen that Octoher. Near Heathmere we hoped co see the
regal specimens of Thelynitra, grandiflora that are common in that
area Although Mrs. Mellblom had seen them but a short tine
previously, all had vanished, we guessed, into the hands of the
school children who roam the area. However, we did have the
satisfaction. of discovering a large colony of what would almost
certainly be Chilaglottis reflexa in a stretch of heath and Hibbertia
just beside the Heathmere railway station, and then. further along
the road a sinall clump of Gastrodta sesamwides, 13 of then in
bud at the foot of an old tree-stump.

a) Gaenny, Rosibles Araund Portland 123
Another excursion in the direction of Cashmore rewarded us
with by far the best display of Burnettia cuncata we had ever seen.
| Ina paddock at that time in process of, being converted into a
tomato garden, were several small lagoons fringed with burnt
sticks commemorating the grass trees arid other tea-treea and
heathy ‘vegetation that grew there in the previous. spring, Among
the sticks gleamed the waxy-white flowers of plants of the Lizard
Orchid, some with stems hardly an inch high carrying but one or
two flowers, others with sturdy five-inch stems and four. five or
six flowers, One specimen from this area, now treasured in my
own herbarium, has seven flowers, but this unusual floral
exuberance is ternarkable in that five of these flowers arise from
the main rachis while the other two avise from a subsidiary stem
which emerges from the subterranean portion of the main rachis.
Tt may be of interest to record, in passing, a similar phenomenon
occurring in Calochilus campestris (the plant which we in Victoria
have, for so long, labelled C. cupreus}, We collected two of
several such curigsities in the swamp to the north of the recreation
reserve at Upper Beaconsfield in November, 1936,

Although in our pursuit of orchids we have:roamed many mules
and explored many districts. we have yet to find a district where
“spider” orchids thrive so well and ‘in'such variety as at Portland.

At what Mrs, Mellblom identified as the “Hard-up Hills” we
found the South Australian form of C. retieulata—practically the
typical form—a small, predominantly red-flowered plant. growing
on the gravelly slopes in great profusion. At the opposite end of
the district, out towards Cape ‘Nelson, we rode one fine day and
while sitting in the saddle’ we spotted what, to Mrs. Mellblom,
was a néw record for Portland—a solitary specimen of the dark
crimson flower of C. filamentosa. We quickly tethered our horses
and searched the sandy coastal slopes for more and were soon
rewarded by finding dozens of Rowering plants, all under six
inches high and generally with one or two flowers. One plant had
three flawers and another twa, one of which consisted of only two
pevianth segments, without even the vestige of a column. labellum
Or ovary.

Tn this samme direction, but nearer the town, we came upon the
robust form of C. reticulata, which at the time puzzled us as to
just where it should fit in the taxoriomie scherne. Mr. Nicholls
has since settled that pomt, and rightly so, by classing it as variety
walida (Vic, Nat,, 1943, lix, 189). Near the ofd racecourse we
saw another type so far only known from Portland. In my
herbarium specimens of this piant, received from Portland in
previous years, had been kept apart as a probably new and
unnamed species and when we finally saw it in its habitat, growing

j24 Ganaur, Raybics Around Poriivud ae Bate

abundantly and not noticeably intermingled with irs congeners, we
were Quite Convinced that the plant merited specific rank, Happily
Mr MNichulls lias also heen impressed with jts distinetiveness and
Mellblom’s spider orchid now carries the labe) Caladenia hestala,

It was during one of our excersions around Portland that young
George Rennett—a very enthusiastic wild-flower hunter—found a
Caladenia with two leaves! As it was a non-Howering plant we
were unable to learn to just what species it belonged. Anyhow,
George's “And” is worthy of note as being quite biusual m plants
nf this genus.

Turning to the Portland) greenlioods, we récollecc noticing
numbers, of Prerasiylis cyanocephale out at the “Llard-p Hills"
{in the ‘direction ot Cashmore and fully six miles from Brilge-
water), lence Mr. Beauglehole's record of “Bridgewater aly?”
for this species could be amended by this addition, as could alse
that of Diuris palustris, which” grew on the same sandy hillside
as the greenlioad. , , or.

Out towardsbHeywoodnwe saw aynumber of Pt, folate and
ariong théein were sevetal doidhle-flower ed specimens, These Port-
land greetthaods” were, of nich” nore solid coustruction than are
thase found on the. Dandenong, Ranges and its foothills. The stems
were sturdy, the leaves of ratherstougher texture; and the whole
plant was rather scabrous—featiires- generally absent from the
near-MeJbourne “gracilis” varicty. om or

At the Bridzewater lakes weawere shown Pt, tucullate. Browmng
im crowded colonies on the steeprtrassy slopes above the lakes and
atnong then was one double-floWéied plant which was: ‘sacrificed
to the ardor of the collector af ‘the party.

It is, in passing, interesting’ to recall that #/. concimna las
not been recorded froin the Portland district, although the _plant
is so widespread in Victoria and, in fact, known {rom al) States
except Western Australia. My own vecords indicate that ic
extends from Cape Howe, in far eastern Victoria, right along the
coastal strip ta Port Philip. Further west it is found in sundry
areas From Cotmadai through to the Grampians. This apparent
inconsequent distribution is, of course, common enowzh in botanical
records and one readily realizes that it would be far more
astonishing if it did not exist.

Such are the recollections, and the digressinns, they have ‘evoked,
that were aroused simply by a hist of plants,’ There were many
“yoore that are hardly pertinent to the pursuit or hobby of orchid-
hunting ; they are the subject of other, interests not worth record-
_ing. When, more peaceful days come upon us we may hope to
revisit Portland and see for ourselves some of those treasures we
missed in 1936.

Dee
1944

Winsss, Plat Names Sub-comruttice

PLANT NAMES SUB-COMMITTEE
First Last of Recommended New and Changed Vernaculars

Silce its re-Constitutiot: Jagt May, the Plant Natnes. Sub-committee of
our Club has met regularly once a month at the National Herbarium, ‘Ly
kind permission of Wie Director and Government Botaiiist, Mr A. W.
Jessep, It has been agreed that any matter affecting the nomenclasure of
Victoria vegetation shall come within the scone of this sub-commvitten’s
activity, but the primary aim will be production and maintenance fat Inast
in manuscript form, available for publication) of a completely up-to-date
Census, paying due attention to the scientific and vernacular vaiwes of all
vascular plants, both indigenes and naturalized.

Many additional species have been recorded ior the State since. the
appearance of our 1928 Census, and where good common names are uot

ealy employed elsewhere, it has been necessary to invent appropriate
ones in such instances. Then, it is considered that a number of existing
vernaculars Jeave much to be desired —some were ill-chosen, others faulty
translations of the Greek or Latin epithets, and still others in disagreement
with names already standardized outside Victoria. The CS. and LR.
(Bulfetia 156) bas recently established standard common names for most
Australian pasture plants and weeds, thix admirable work representing. the
Beneral opinions cf many experts throughout the Commonwealth. Where
vernacular names in aur Census differ, we wonld do well to replace them
by the standards which the CS. and-LR, has now‘ adopterl

Tt will thus be appreciated that a systematic fevisian of the State's
vasenlar flora fembracing probably,2500 pecies) is no sal! undertaking,
inasmuch ay the Plant-Names Sub-committee must consider each proposed
nomenclature change in the Night of the six principles prefacing the 1928
Census and reach unanimity in every ‘instance.

From time to time, ag successive groups of names are revised, the sub-
cammittee intends ta publish its recommendations in the Naturalist, This
will apprise alt Clab members of, what Is being done and at the same time
afford them the apportunity to a ter ‘or jimprove any suggested yernaculars
which they deem stil] unsuitables'the absence of such criticism will be
interpreted as un oxpression of general approval by the Club

Revision of the 106 Victorian ferns and Fern allies being now conmlete,
all new and/or changed common names are submitted as hereunder; Those
bearing an asterisk (*) are not regarded as wholly satisfactory, and
speramens of the plants concerned yall he exhibited at a monthly general
meeting so that members may offer helpful suggestions for more appropriate
naming.

PTERIDOPHYTA

Far Todva barberce, change “Ging Fern" to “Austral Mine Fern’ ,
Add Schisava asperula, “Raugh Comb Fern."

. Mersilia angustifolia, “Narrow-leaf Nardoo,”

~ Shckerus tener, “Silky Fan Fern’? (Confused with Gloichenda

flabellata.)
For i ne raryen, Change “Rare Filmy Fern” ito “Warrew Filmy
ery,
afecatuns australe, change “Austral Filmy Feen" to “Winged Filmy
‘orn

Add Mecodiwn ditulahem, “Handsome Filiny Pern.”
» Pypenoshyllam peltatan, “Alpine Filmy For,"
For Humenophylhun cupressiforme (not T7, hundridgense}, change "Tun

: ' A Viet, Nat,
Winters, Plot Names Sreb-conniert ec Vol. LX

bridge —” to “Cotamon Filmy Fern.”

Macraglena caudate, change “Large Bristle Fern” to “Narrow-lobe
Bristle Fern.”

a a wenoswnn, change “Bristle Fern’ ta “Veined Bristle

ern

Cyathea Leichhardiany, “Prickly Tree-fern,"'

Cyathow marccacens, “Giant-frond Tree-iern,"

Culerta dubia (formerly Dawallia), change “Rainbow Fern” to
“Palee Bracken.”

Aypalepis punctate, change “Groutid Polypody” to *Sticke
Hypolepis.” ;

Hypolopis rugosa, "Rufous Hypolepis.”

Hivpolepis Mueller, “Pile Tiypolepis.”

findyaya macrophylla, * ‘Lacy Wedge Fern.”

Preris witteta (not P. lonrgifohe}, change "Long Sickle Tern’ to
“Chinese Bralec.”

Pieris tanbroso, change “Shade Brake Fern" to "Jungle Brake.”

Pteris comans. change “Hairy Bracken” ta “Netted Brake.”

Blechnum penna-marina, change "Alpine Fern” to ‘Alpine Water-
iern.”

; Blech, pr ocermm,. “Hard Water-tern,"

Biechmepe ‘Rlijorme, ‘Climbing Water-fern.”

Doadta wiedia, * ‘Comino rRasp Fert,”

Doodia aspera, change “Rasp Fern” ‘to “Prickly Rasp Fern.’

Asplenives obtesatumi, change “Shore Spleenwér't” ta rar Shore -
Spleenwort.”

Asplemum seleraprini, «Large Shore Spleenwort.”

Asplenivm adiantoides, “Willow Splecnwort.”

Diplognem japomcwmn, “Small Shade’ Splecnwor't.”

Dryaptens Shephardii {coniused ‘with D. detomposita qv.), change
"Shiny Shield Fern” to-“Shiny Wood Fern,"

Dryopieris decomposita, “Trim*Wood Fern.”

Dryopteris tenera, “Broad -Woddt Fern,”

r Dryopteris naumphalis {not D- manlliey; chaige “Soft Shield Fern'’ to

“Soit Wood Fern.” art

Cyclophorus ripestris (not © * seyerath change “Creeping Polypouly”
to "Felt Fern?’

Polypodium pustHotie, change “Scetited Polypody” ta “Fragratit
Polypody."

Lycapodhos | fastigitine (not L. clavate), change "Common
Clubmass” to’ Mountain Clubinoss.”

Lycopodinn: varie, change “Tall Clubmoss” ta "Variable Club-
moss,

Selaginella Preisstana, change “Tiny Clubmoss" - to "Tiny
Selaginelia.”

Selaqginelia culiyinasa, change “Swamp Clabross” to “Swann
Selaginella,”

‘Selegmeila Krowssiana, “Krauys Setagimelle” _Gintroduced—sot Ss.
stolonsferc),

Ispétes humilior, “Cavered Quillwort.’ uid

Tsaétes Drwaunonedit, change “Quillwort" to “Naked Quillwort,”

Tmearpterts Bdlardiert, “Longe bern Clubmoss.” All previously

Tmesileris vvala, “Blunt Fert Clabrnoss.’’ included im

Tmesipteris pares, “Small Fern Chubmoss,” T. dannernsis

J. A. Wiowts, Secretary, Plant Naines Sub-cominittee.

vn The Gracefxl Mudloyvk \27

THE GRACEFUL MUDLARK

Dr. Jackson (Brisbane) has been impressed by the qualities in the
grallina or peewit {more frequently called the, mudlark m Victoria}. “kt
wonder whether vou would agree with me that it holds at least two records
amongst birds? In the Australian Bird Book there is some brief acknow-
ledgment of tz dainty, cleanly appearance, but no suggestion {hat it holds
the record in this respect, i have been watching it jor half 2 century almasi
daily, and for some years I have been on the fook out for a dirty peewit.
I have aever seen sich a thing. This strikes me as bemme all the more
Temarkable because the bird seems to frequent the muddy banks of rivers
and swarnps, etc. and it even builds its nest of mud. Yet 1 cam almost he
sure that I have never ¢¢en a specimen of this httle bird with its feathers
even ruffed. One would think that somehow or another it would get some
of its feathers smeated with mud, or dirt of some kind

"The second record which I think this bird holds is that it has more
éalis, cach different from the other, than any other bird, The sall from
which it deraves its name of ‘Peewee’ is perhaps the most common of these,
but I am sure I have counted between 20 and 30 different calls from this
bird at various times, Indeed, even mow I frequently lwar someting that
Strikes me as different, though my ear has been listening to it, as 1 say, for
half a century. Among: its frequerit calls it One that sounds like ‘Spill pis
tea—Spill his tea,’ and another one like "Who’took it? Who took it?! the
last being quite metallic im its character."“"(From Nature Notes in the
Melbourne Argxs some years ago.) ie bo v

en) ‘

‘ = PH
MID-VICTORIANS, VANDALISM

Field naturalists iw common -with,decent-minded citizens everywhare are
often. augered at the defacement+of natiqnal and uatural monuments by
what someone has aptly termed the y'tuasest form of autography,” Scratchiny
and carving of mames on public property is 2 senseless babit which woul
seem to reflect the only bid fortfame+(gr infamy) of which a certain
element im gur community is capable. 11

The F.NLC.W. has more than once aired is views on such wilful damage _
to qwoitsual geological features, as york outcrops near Scawell, and to pare
survivals ot aboriginal art, and it is not long since the authorities were
obliged to put a metal casing round the wooden tmast-head ov the observation
tower at Ferntree Gully National Park (One-tree Hill) ii order to prevent
a collapse through continued whittling with pocket-knives, But are we
any worse than our grandparents in this regard? Am interesting negation
is implied by the following extcact from Baifliere's Sowh Anstrahor
Gazetteer of 1866;

“There is a gored carriage road to the very summit (of Mt. Lofty), where
a roofed shed, with tsble and seats, has been erected for the convenience:
of picnic and pleasure paruies, and whence a most magnificent view over
the fertile Adelaide flat, the intervening ranges, and far out into the guli
-of St Vincent, may be bad on a clear day, A cairn of stones supporting
& Hagstalf has also been erected, and the table and seats in the arbour are
literally covered with the names of persons who have visited the place,”

J, BH. Wiutts

Mr. H, J, Blackie, of Ararat, reports having found recently a Red
Rasella’s nest containing ning cggs. Eight yaung ones were hatched. It is
a rare evettt for a parrot to have so many epgs in the one clutch.

128 “Radial Rays" ov “Instore? Val i

DEATH OF MR. HENRY TRYON

The death of Ma, Henry Tryon, former Government Entomologist of
Queensland, which occurred mm Berishane on November 15, severs one of
our Jast links with the qionecring period of natural history in Australia.
Aged 87 years at death, Mr, Trycm was an accomplished -scientific “all-
rounder,” atid in darher years he enjoyed the friendship of Dr. George
Bennett, Sir A. C. Gregory, and tnaby other men rotable im the amals of
scicnee in this country,

Me. ‘Tryem was born in Lngland and came toa Australia at an early age.
Tr 1884 he asststed to found the Royal Saciety of Queensland, of which he
became first hom. secretary, with A. C. Gregory as president. Ln 1885 he
organized stibscriptions mj) Queensland for H. O: Forbes to resume and
complete explovations in New Guinea (Baron yom Mueller did the same in
Victoria), and in 1886 he delivered an’ inaugural address to the wewly-
formed Field Naturalists’ Section of the Rayal Society pf Queensland, Jn
later years Tryon took a leading part in sll scientific and natural history
Movements in Queensland, and his versatility became apparent in the
wriling of papers on subjects ranging from rock-paintings to ornithology.
His chicf interest, however, was economic aitomdlugy; im this he did
valuahle work over many years, Moreover, be was a member of a
Comtission to inquire ints!the extermination of rabbits by disease, and a
wmeniber of the Commission which .as a result of a world tour introduced
the cochineal insect to Queensland for the destruction of pricily pear.
When he retired from the Depiartnient of Agriculture, if 1929, he had
completed nearly 50 years in the service of the State Government,

Personally Tryon was a quaint mingling of staid scietitist and practical
joker, He loved to indulge in’ég-pulling” on accasion, and his solemn
demeanour vitally enabled him to get away with it. Sometimes, too, he
could be a bit “difichtr,” but his*tantrianis never lasted Ioug. All im all, he
was a very distinctive figure and onegwhose mentory, will ever be recalled
by these who knew him,

AN0L 3° ~ AH, Cirsnatm,
st het

"RADIAL RAYS" OK “INSTINCT"?

‘To the Ediior.

Sin— All scientists no doubt will agree with Mr, Colliver (1 fe. Nat.
Nav., 1949) “that uitil some definite proof could he had that sach rays
{radial ravs at present unknewn] existed and affected the birds in, any
way at all, it would he hetter ta call the reason for the flight ‘instinct.’ ”
The Hereditary impulse for all anirnals to seck for Juod and tw vumplete
the sexual act, and the migration of certain birds such a5 Swallows, can
best be described ar insuuct; and if, at any Suture period, it may he
possible 1a give some defmite reason of haw this instinct ts camserl, hased
on definite experimental evidence, then it might be known by some other
name Tf the Reef Meron dwells on the mainiand, tg he sot able ro sce the
slate of the bile irom bié perch bélore fying to his feeding greupd? The
islands are wewally not far fram the mainland shore,

. BH, Prrewre
Crirtis,
Worth Qaeensfand,

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol, LX.—No. 9 _ January 7, 1944 No, 721

PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's
Hall on December 13, 1943. The President (Mr. P. F. Morris)
presided and about 80 members. and friends attended,

BEREAVEMENT
Mr. F. S. Colliver announced the death of Mr. I. Chapman,
ALS. FRMLS., F.G.S,, etc. a Clib member of over 40 years’
atandmny, and mentbers paid a tribute of respect to his memory.
(Aw obituary notice will appear in the February issue ol this
journal.)
“CONTINENTAL DRIFT*

The subject for the evening was a lecture on ‘The Theory of
Continental Drift,” and was given by Mr. A. C. Frostick. Mr.
F. S. Colliver and Mr. J. H. Willis spoke, on the subject from
the zoological and botanical points of view. All speakers were
cordially thanked. for an interesting discussion. ;

KOALAS AT QUAIL ISLAND

Mr. A. H. Chisholm gave a summary of the controversy that
had continued upon this matter during the past month, with
naturalists holding that the Koalas were in danger of starvation
in some parts of the island and officials claiming that the situation
was satisfactory. At least four parties of naturalists, including
several officers of the F.N.C., had visited the island, and all had
agreed that many of the Koalas—the total was estimated to be
nearly 1,000—showld be moved to suitable areas on the mainland.
Mr, Chisholm added that, in order “ta attempt to reach some
finality in the matter, he had- interviewed the Chief Secretary
(Mr. Hyland), and, after considerable discussion, the Minister
stated that he was having a careful watch kept, upon the island,
with a view to removing some of the Koalas if developments
proved them to be in danger. ;

The matter was referred back to the Committee, it being agreed
that, as responsibility rested with the Minister. we must accept
his pledge that the ISoalas would not be allowed to die

130 Viptd Natyvalists’ Chub Procevdinys fiat Blake

EXCURSIONS

The President asked members to bear in mid that the conduct
of any excursion was entirely in the hands of the leader of that
outing. Members should never go ahead of the main body of
the party and collect items of interest before others had seen
them.

Excursions were reported on as foltows:—Flemington Race-
course, Mr. A. M, Steinfort; Botanic Gardens, Mr. H. C. EB.
Stewart.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS

‘Lhe following were elected as ofdinary members of the Club |—
Mrs. Paul Fisch, Miss Isla Goedwin. Miss Vera Rasmussea,
Mr. Alex. W. Mckenzie and Mr. Hugh McKnight: and as country
members Mrs. Seccombe. Miss Lorna H, Davies, and Messrs.
W. E. Richards, William Ricketts and Albert A. Cook.

EXHIBITS

Mr. H. P. Dickins: Three water-colour drawings of wildflowers
and a model of the Eideavour, the ship mentioned frequently
during the Banksian discussion at last meeting.

Mr. T. S. Hart: Hakea seedlings, collected near Croydon, Vic.

Mr. V. H. Miller: Two stems of Cymbidiua fowrannm, one
4 ft. long with 19 blooms, the other 4 ft. 6 in. long also with 19
blooms ; also a Aowering plant of Dendrobium chrysotorum.

Mr. vo C. Hammet: Garden-grown. specimens of Kysnzea
sericea, Halgania cyanea, Melaleuca pulchilla, Verticordia
plinmoasa,

Mr. C. f. Gabriel: Marine shells, Livonia mointlla, Gray: front
Bass Strait. (This is the largest living Victorian gasteropod.)

Mr, H. T. Reeves: Hand-coloured photographs of native
flowers.

Mr. A. A Brunton: Concretion collected near the level at
which the Keilor skull occurred at the type locality,

Mr A, D. Hardy: Phebalium squamenm (Satinwoord) fruiting
twig from tree 25 ft. high at Kew); grown from a seedling collected
in the Otway Forest, 1905.

Just as this issue was going to press Mr. David Fleay, Divector of the
Healesville Sanctuary, telephoned to report that he had succeeded in breed~
ing ihe Platypus Al naturalists will cordially congratulate Mr. Fleay oo
this, fine achievement, which is a matter of world-witke interest.

apr Coremas, Herbs ont Borie 131

HERBS AND BIRDS
By Eoira Coteman, Blackburn, Victoria

A handsome herb with fragrant silvery iohage, 4 slip of which
was given to me three years ago by Mrs. Woodburn (Black
Rock) has proved of extraordinary interest. The exquisite daisy-
like flowers, with prominent white ray-florets, are honey-scented.

The hitterness af leaves atid stems suggested an Arteinisia, and
because of the colour and large size of the flowers I hoped the
plant would prove to be A, laettforw, which I had vainly tried to
obtain. This, according to the late Sir A, Hort, is the only
species of Artemisia with notable Aowers, and the only one which
tikes moisture. - (Hybridists are siow offering large-flowered
“varieties.”) Specimens were sent to the National Herbarium
but could not be traced, and so were sent on to Kew. The
authorities at Kew were pugzicd and asked for more material,

In the meantime I came tipon an ilhustration {leaves only) in
the London journal Gardening (Peb., 1939), labelled Pyrethriamn
plormicacflorum. As the silvery leaves fitted the imystermous
plant periectly it was sent to the Herbarium. With this illiistration
Mr. Willis was able to “verify” our plant as Chrysamthemune
plarmucacforuim, originally desertbed by Webb and Berthalet,
between 1836 ancl 1850, in an uncommon French publication, Mr,
Willis wrote- “Unjortunately there is neither description nor figure
among the thousands af tomes at the Herbariunt, and al) J can
discover is that the species is a native of Canary Islands, where
it was very rare in 1908 aud may now even he extinct.” There
the matter rested. ,

A further reference (Afy Garden, 1942) by Professor J. S.
Lyttel to C. ftdrmicaeflorwm as “perhaps the most beaunful of all
silver plants, with elegant white, ferny foliage,” confirmed the
name determined by Mr. Willis, I tried in vain to trace the
source of the plant. It had been given to Mrs. Woodburt by
Mrs. T. Imrie af Ivanhoe, who thought it could only have come
to her through a Melbourne nurseryman-

This season my daughter saw a very Jarge plant of jt, in falk
flower, at a Bayswater nursery m which we have discovered olner
very rare herbs—an example of traditional interest in these fascina-
ting plants, since it seems that the father of the Bayswater
nurseryman had published a book on the subject, The flowers
of the Bayswater plant are larger than mine, with several wore
ray-floreis—probably due to better cultivation.

The long-sought Arienusa lactifora, too, is now firmly estal-
lished in sry garelen, and has fully justified all that Sir A, Hort
claimed for it. The small white flowers, borne in incredible

. u Viet. Mi
1a? Coreman, Merbs aud Bias Va sie

numbers on long, graceiu] stems, are indeed “notable,' but the
plants need shelter from hot winds and plenty of water, This and
the silvery Pyrethrum are certalily two of the most heautifol
herls known to me.

The prettiest part of the story follows.

At the end of October, 1942, T found every leat stripped from
my small Canary Islands Pyrethrtim, Many lay beneath the plant
as though they had been cut off by hail, Only the flowers
were left. Fortunately new shoots soon appeared, Late in
Oectoher the same thing happened to this plant, tow very much
larger, and to another smaller one. Fallen leaves with pieces of
stem-bark attached showed that they had been torn off hy
force.

My daughtey, who saw poldfineches close to the plant, stood
quietly and watched the leaves being carried away. She tracked
the culprits to a nest in a tall pittosporum tree some’ 40 feet
distant. ,It was being woven with the silver leaves, The nest
was examined later and found to be constructed almost entirely
of the rare Pyrethrum, with a few wiry stems which proved to be
fallen, infertile flower-stems of Cootamundra wattles. An attempt
to pull out the knotted flower-stems showed how wonderfully they
keyed-in, short as rhey are. The nest was lined with horsehair
and thistledown,

Why was the Pyrethrum chosen? The silvery colour could
hardly have heen the sole attractian, since many other silver plats
grew near, one of them (the Ghost-bush) almost touching the
Pyrethrum. The fact that the leaves were worked into the founda-
tion of the nest seemed to preclude their selection for decoration.
Their feathery shape would certainly lend them to lacing and
entangling in the fabric, keying-in almost as securely as the
knotted wattle-stems.

Was it perfume? It is an interesting fact that all the Pyre-
thrums are regarded as “insect fowers.” Both leaves and flawers
are used to protect beds, wardrobes and upholstered furniture -
from msects, Insect powders are made from the dried flowers
oi several species, and oils extracted from them are made into
toxic fiy-sprays, chiefly from those of the Dalmatian species.

Did the gokdfinches know that these leaves are repellent to
msects? If hirds are clever enough to employ ants to combat
body verniin. why not repellent leaves for their nests?

An-atd circumstance in bird-life ia the report that a pair of Mutl-larks
iGratliia} have nested recently in an elm at the intersection of Bourke and
Exhibition Streets, Melbourne, practically in tha centre of the city. Mud
jar the nest appears to have been obtained from watered grasg-plots in the
strect. Where the birds get food is best known to theiisetves.

dan.

nda Cijesnoim, Sofequarduay w Rasy Seated 133

SAFEGUARDING A RARE SEABIRN
yu. H. CursnoLm

Representations wade recently to the Minister for the Army
hy the ornithologists of New South Wales and Vietoysa have saved
a colony of rare scabirils—the only group of its kind known to
breed in s\ustralian waters—which for many years have had
their headquarters on Cabbage Tree Island, Port Stephens, N.S.W.
Vhe plain fact 1s that the island was being uscd by military forces
us a bombardment area, and when this came to the notice of
hird-students they called the Minister's attention to the danger
thus canstituted—the extermination of a colony of birds which
Australia could not afford to lose, The Minister acted promptly—
he directed the bombarding forces at once to turn their attention
lo some other island,

The species in question is the White-wmged Petrel (Pterodrama
leucoptera), sometimes known also as the Gould Petrel. Dark
above and white below, with a freckled face, this bird is one of
the most charming of Australia’s seabirds. Petrels in general are
bulky and aggressive; the whitc-winged species is smallish and
zentle—its actions are coy and its voite resolves into a pretty
parrot-like piping, Moreover, ils appeal is increased by its rapity,
since ic is not knawn to breed anywhere in Australian waters
other than on Cabbage Tree Island.

The species was first made knowtl by Joba Gould, who, soon

after his return from Australia to England in 1840, received a
speciinett said to have heen taken on Cabbage Tree Island, There
is no record of any naturalists visiting the island for seventy years
after that date, so that A, J. Campbell presumed that the species
no longer bred there, However, certain Sydney ornithologists
strayed on to the island in 1910-11 and found the birds breeding,
and in November of 1928 various members of the Royal Austra-
Jasian Omithologsts’ Union, when camped on the maintand near
by, made a point of visiting the spot.
. We found Wedge-tailed Petrels and Fairy Penguins abundant
on the islands, but neither of those birds held for us the appeal
exercised by the quaint little petrels. The colony was found to
be in possession of a rocky gully on the hillside of the island.
Many pairs were nesting, each breeding bird being tucked away
ul a crevice or beneath a rock, and in each instance the sitting
bird uttered only a soit “Tee-tee-tee” on being disturhed.

Ali of us became very attached to those pretty sea-wanderers.
That was why we acted promptly, when apprised of the recent
situation, in appealing to the Minister to save the birds from the
war-time menace that threatened to exterminate them,

e : Vier Not,
134 Minven, A Passing Record Vol LX

A PUZZLING RECORD
By Brawcne E. Mitrer, Melbourne

A recent paragraph in the newspapers intimating that action had
heen taken fo ensure the safety of the nesting caloties of the
White-winged Petrel on Cabbage Tree Island, N.S.W., reminded
me of a record that has caused me, from time to time, considerable
thawte.

A memorable visit to the island in question, in 1925, was
followed closely hy the acquisition of ¢he early volumes of our
journal. The intrigninig story of “White-wings” was still fresh

“in iw tind when T read the “Descriptions of some Australian
Birds' Eggs not previously described,” amongst them being that of
the White-winged Petrel. The eges had been exhibited at the
Club (October 13, 1884) by Dr. T. P. Lucas. brother of A. TL 5.
Lucas, the first Editor of the Victorian Naturalist, The list, as
printed, is remarkable for its inconsistencies, in that some of the
specific names are spelled with capitals, For the information of
those readers not having ready access to Vol, T it may not be
amiss ta re-publish the description:

Clistvellata Lewcoptira, White-winged Petrel. Enrly last seaso a friend
hrought me the uggs of this species from some of the small istands off
Easi Gippsland. 1 lays one egg at the end of a hole, about one foot
in depth, The ees vary considerably. Some are rounded, others rowided
avate, creamy white, slightly chalky appearance, amd with the reculivee
musty, fishy smeli. 1 inch 6 lines ¥% 1 inch 3 lines. to 1 inch 7 lines *
T inch f lines. Breeding season, Aucast and September

At Cabbage Tree Island no nesting burrow was made, the single
egg being laid on the fallen debris. sometimes under it. and even
in crevices between socks and stanes,

Whatever dloubts.tnay have obtained concerning the authenticity
nf the egg exhihitet by Dr. TLaccas. the record appears ta have
passed unchallengerl, so far as the journal can show, yet A J.
Camphell, in his Nests and Eyas. writes of the White-winged
Petrel: “Nest and eggs undescribed.”

Of the other six “new” descriptions by Dr. Luras, Camphelt
gives full credit for four, but is discreetly silent regarding the
Temaining two. I have bern told that some authoribes considered
that the egg exhihiled and described by Dr. Liicas was referable
to the Cook FPetrel, which was given full specific rank in the
Official Checklist, 1913. but placed with “White-wings" in the
second edition, 1926. Sa, the question still arises: Was Dr. Lucas’s
description of the egg actually the first?

We are now assured that Cabhage Tree Istand ts the sole habitat
of this chaste Petrel, but there used to be mo hesitation about
placing it on the varicny lists of ictorian birds. Previous to the

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vou, Lx January, 1944
Pirate IX

Canary Islands Pyrethrum, the leaves of which were used by Galdfnches
fur nesting purposes.

Photo.: Edith Coleman.

Jon Kure, Mat Constitutes a Nese Botanical Spectos? 135

publication of the new descriptions, a list of Victorian birds,
compiled by T. A. Forbes Leith and A, J, Campbell, was printed
in the Mic. Nat. and included therem: “No, 359. Plerodroma
(#strelata) feucaptera Glad, White-winged Petrel.” A revised
edition, edited by A, J. Campbell for the Geelong Naturalist anil
published assy June, 1894, deleted some names and added others, so
that although the number differs we again find the Petrel exacely
as above. [t was also placed on the Victornan list, same years
later, hy J. A, Leach, whe net only employed the opinions of
leading ornithologists and oologists, but had the advantage of
the advice of the authorities at the National Museum, Even more
* surprising was the distribution given to the species by Dv. Ramsay
in bis Tabular List, and by Robert Hall in his Key to the Birds
of Australia, 1906.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A NEW BOTANICAL SPECIES?
By the Rey. H. M. R, Ruer, Northbridge, N.S.W

The quesbon i5 undoubtedly an portant one, but ihe person
who attempts to answer it may perhaps be reminded of the old
proverb concerning the venture of fouls on growid where angels
hesitate. Nevertheless 1 propose to take the risk, at least by
discussing the matter; but I preface my remarks by maling it
clear that what J have to say is based upon my experience with
the Orchidaceae alone, that beme the anly farrily of plants within
which I have ventured the establishnient uf new species.

Criticisms of the work of bath professional and amateur
taxonanvc botanists most frequently come from ote or the other
ot two opposite schools of thought On the one hand are those
who seem to view with grave suspicion every publication of a
new species, and who are ever ready with the charge of hair-
splitting. On the other hand are those to whom every variation
from a type. or at least from a typical form, appears to mdieate
the necessity for a new species. Between these extremes are the
mnre eapen-sminded folk, who endeavour to form an impactial
jadement upon the questions whether a plant is sufficiently
distinctive in its characteristics to merit specific rank, or whether
it should be included withm the limitations of a species already
described and recognized.

j. & Willis, in bis Dictionary of Flowering Plants and Ferns
(Sth“ed., pp, 451-2), remarks that exactly to define 2 species is
impossible. A species is an artificiat unit of classification invented
by man: Nature pays no heed to specifie rank. As Willis poes on
to say. ‘Each wan m practice arrives at his own conception some-

' f ‘ . Vict, Nate
136 Retbe, Weta Corrstitutes a Noto Botanical Npecing? Val TeX

where between (ur al) the extvemes usually called Lijmeal acd
Jordanian species.” Jordan might he termed the protagonist of
“hair-spliilers,” for he gave specfic rank to forms exinbiing
only Winer and insignificant divergences fran: a given type,
provided such divergences were ennslant. and reappeared in
successive: gene¢rations. The Linnean system, on the other aad,
makes allowance for swull variations within one species, snd
smiietimes retains even more considerable variations hy creatine
garhspectes, varieties, subvarieties, and fornes.

Ti should be fairly ahivious that a too rigid adherence to either
ni these systems may give risc t irritating confusions; on the one
hand ly multiplying species on very trivial geounds, on the other
hand hy “dumping” inta one species several forins exhibiting
characters guile guiside the bounds of the original description.
On the whole, if ere | must. 1 should prefer io ert by an excess
of Jordanian rather than of Linmaean method, Tor if 1s annoying
to have to deal with what one considers a superfuity of species,
it 18 [ar more annoying to be unable to discover the Mentity of a
plint which has been duinped into # species in spite of outstanding
dhstinetions. It is sometimes argtied that original deseriptions
tan always be amended to cover variations which were pol conten-
plated by the atithor; hut sich a conrse is open tu most serious
objection, aid is highly utdesirable unless it is unavoidable. What
vight have you or J to alter another man’s description? Generally
speaking, none whatever,

As usual, however, the rule has exceptions, and cases do occur
where amendment is inevitable. For example, Robert Brow»
{Prodr. 331) described the labellum: of Cymbidiune snave as entire,
that bemg the only fonu he had seen, Bul since flowers of this
species are known to have Jahella varying from entire, through
several obscurely-lobed forms, to one which ts definitely trilobate,
ether Brown's description: must be amended. or else ane or more
new speries must be created solely based upon the degree of
Inhation of the Jabellunt; which is absurd. Similarly, some of
Beutham’s, descriptions are unsatisfactory because he warked
pan herbariam specimens only, and sometimes missed features
‘whielt are obscured or obtiterated & in the dryiug process.

Nevertheless it remains trué that we should avoid as far as
possible any alterations im an original description which is not our
awn. In most cases it is better te give a new descr diy mM oUt
own terms, Indicating whereiat the original description has proved
lo be defective.

~ The difficulties confronting any attempt ta decide whether a
particular plant is merely a variant fyon> the typieal form of an
older species, or i8 sa distinetive in its important features that it

Jur
yaet

Ruep What Coustinves a New Botaniral Sperirsh Va?
should he giver specific rank, are much greater in same genera
than in others. Among Australian orchids, such difficulties are
notorious in the following genera; Habenarin, Derris, Mterotis,
Prasophyllum, Caledenia, and Dendrobium, They are most acutely
felt 1n connection with species which by commen conseat are
recociuzed as variable; and in all probability they are accentuated
by the existence of natural lyybrids-

Strictly speaking, however, we are not warranted in assuming
that a flower which exhibits a combination of important character-
istics of two known species is 1pro farta a natural hybrid between
them. The circumstantial evidence in that direction nwy be strong,
and should certainly he mentioned, but it is not conclisive, Clear
proat of hybridization could only be secured hy crossing the
suspected parents; and-even that might fail. since the dominant
influence of one parent might produce an artificially raised hybrid
differing considerably from the supposed natural hybrid.

Occasionally the Gretunsiantial evidence for natural hybrdiza-
tion 18 sa overwhelnting that we may teasonably aceept it, as in
the case at the so-called hybrid letween Glossodia tajor and
G. miner, not micomimon in sowe areas of New South Wales.
Bere we have a fower exhibiting features of both supposed
parerits, and it only ovcurs where both are present in considerable
numbers. It docs not appear to reproduce itself; and there is
no other epecies of Glossodia. known within 2,000 miles (approxi-
nately}.

One or two features may be mentioned which, though con-
spicuous, shoul? be given httle weight in cetermining the status
ofa plant. The cefowr of the flower is an unreliable criterion, In
many species it 1s so nearly constant that it is usually included iy
the description: but even among these the unexpected imay occur,
and flowers supposed to be consistently mauve or blue may appear
in sone Jocality clad in white or yellow. Dimensions, whether of
the plant or its flower, are by no means unimportant, and should
never be ignored in descriptions; bur their value may be discounted
by the strange occurrence of giants and dwarfs, and by differences
dae to climatic ov soil conditions.

Morphology is the factor whieh imust weigh moat with us
when determming the stitus of a plant; and in particdlar the
marphology of the flawer, ‘That of the plabt, of course, is
important, independently of its Aower, but generally speaking it
is more obvious, and calls for Jess study. You would not waste
lime debating whether a Prerostvits habitually bearing basal teaves
ou rhe stem and an inflorescence of several very small flowers,
could be identical with one devoid of basal leaves on the stent
and having one large Hower,

‘ ag ' ; Viot, Nat,
138 = Rupp, Hehot Coustitter a New Botaiieal Speciee? Ved rat

But when you come to the morphalogy of the flower, things are
not so easy, It is impossible ta formulate rules defining what
shall constitute a variety and what shall eanstitute a new species,
because it would first of all be necessary to have an exact definition
of a species to base the rules on. Common sense, arid the desire
ta avoid causing confusion either by the unnecessary multiplication
of species or by including too many different forms im one
species, must guide our treatment of the plants we are dealing
with In a discussion in this journal (Vol, LIX. Dec., 1942, pp.
137-140) on the section Gexoplesium of the genus Prasaplyllin,
i have pointed out the fallacy of ignoring morphological distine-
tions hetween small fowers because they cannot be detectecd wilh-
out the aid of a magnifier. Tf such distinctions would constitute
specific difference between flowers as large as a dinner-plate,
them they constitute specific difference between flowers no Iigger
than a pit's head. Size simply has na bearing an the matter at
all.

HiT aw doubtful of the identity or status of a particular Aower,
T must begin iny investigations by comparing it with what seem to
be its nearest relatives. For example, let us suppose someone has
sent ine flawers which, as I can tell at a glance, belong to the
genus Diuris, They bear considerable resemblance to those of
more than one species of Diurls known to me; let us say D. stl
phured, D. palachile, and D, brevifolia. By studying! the published
descriptions of these, attd by comparing the strangers with acti]
specimens ar drawings if that be possible, L am to rule ont
D. sulpliaervea and D, breuifolta. My flowers are so like those of
D. patachale thay the non-botanist would probably calh thein identi-
cal, and accuse me of hair-splitting if I demuyred. Bul I observe
. that, apart from minor differences, the stranger has a rhomboid
Jabellum with very small lateral lohes, whereas that of D. palacitaler
is spatulate ov shovel-shaped, with large and prominent lateral
lobes. If this distinction is consistently maintained ty all the
available specimens, it is of teo much importance in the morpho-
logy of the Aawer to be dismissed as a mere yariation: I am
justified in giving the new flower specific rank. If, on the other
hand, same of the labella are almost spatulate, and some have
large lateral lobes like those of D. palachala, Y should probably only
cause confusion hy creating a new species, and it would be far
hetter to recognise that 9. palachtlm sometimes varies from the
typical fornt. 3

Mistakes, of course, will sometimes be made: even the great
ones of the botanical world are not infallible, so we need not worry
if occasionally we find ourselves wrong, To make mistakes js not
fatal: to refuse to admit oir mistakes is! 9

“

aa l.orn, Extra-ierrestrial Lite 139

EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL LITE
By E, E, Lorv, Melbourne

Is life, as we know it here, or indeed any ather sart af hfe,
possible or probable on other worlds but our owi? What is the
present state of knowledge on this subject? .

The question as to what life really is, naturally presents itself
at this stage, and is extremely difficult to answer. The living cell
feeds, grows, responds ta environment and reproduces its kind.
The force hehind this process we call life. Certain conditions
have been ahserved and found egsental to the maintenance ol
such life,

Professor Hartung (Melbourne University) has summarised
‘these essential requirements under five headings :—

1, SUITABLE CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT, The protoplasin ot
the living cell is built af carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, witrogen, sulphur,

phosphorus, and other elements. Tl is practically certain that all of these
are present on neighbeuring: worlds,

2 LIQUID WATER, That is, neither frozen nor vaporous, Water is
the one liquid in which nature performs all her work on carth. Tr as
alifficult ta concetye of any suitable substitute for water.

3. SUITABLE TEMPERATURE, Tn spite of the yas range of
lermperatiives prevailing in the universe, known bife can only exist wathin
a very Tatrow margin.

4 FREE. OXYGEN.
§. LIGHT, In the laboratory of a plant’s teal, Jight, by the pravess of
phots-synthesis, (ogether with chlorophyll, water and cavhan dioxide, plays

-ait essentias part in the production of starch and sugars far the nointenance
rot all forms of lite.

With our present Imowledge of the Solat System and the
Uyiverse, can we find, then, these five basic conditions obtaining
.on another world; and if so, have we any further indicationg that
life is probahly existing there? The temperature margin Seems at
-onte to rule out all members of our system excepting the Moon,
Venus and Mars, It climinates also all other hot stars-in the
utiverse with the exception of possible distant planetary systems,
and the cool datk partnets of binary or double stars, Of such
systems or pariters our knowledge is hopelessly inadequate on
‘account of their vast distances. We are left therefore to consider
the Moon, Venus and Mars.

The Moon. A reference to I]. G Wells’ delightful fiction,

>“First Men in the Moon" is justified here, because the scientist-

‘author’s description of lunar surface conditions are very true to
ascertained facts—his principal error being his allowance, at Innar
sunrise, of a very slight atmosphere. Careful observations have
since disproved this. With neither air nor water, anc alternations

of severe heat and cold, the nioon's surface is most tUnfavodrahle
to life; hut it might conceivably exist in the deep cavernous:
interior where remaining supplics of air and water wnghi be
retaméd sicar the ventral core.

ienus, Being closer to the sun than the earth—67 compared.
with 93 millions of miles—the surface of Venus would be mucls
hotter but for one factor: it is completely slifouded in dense
cloud, which ts all that. we sec when observing. The composition
oi the cloud was thought to be water-vapour, but Drs. Adams
and Dunham (Kaempftert. 1940) claun to have proved it to be
largely carbon divxide, Seventy per cent. of the stn’s light is
reflected. and much of the remainder js probably absarbed, hy the:
cloud material. ‘he atmosphere is rarer Lhan of earth, Water,
oxygen and light therefore are all in short supply on Vers, and
conditions tor life are probably hazardous, though not impossible.
Carbon dioxide is certainly favourable to vegetation. Se much
for our nearest planetary ucighbour until, perhaps, advanced
photography using ultva-viele. rays cam penetrate the chose.
envelope,

Mars. Here fiction has surely had free play since, in TS77,.
Schiaparelli declared he saw the famous “canal” (Mahan. chan-
nels) on the surface of this planet. Wut Jet us Jace. the facts im
avder :

Martian atmosphere is rare, resembling the npper Jevels of Mt,
Everest, Temperature is necessarily low on account of distance
from dhe sun (140 millron miles}, But not so low as was thought.
Littest ined slate uit according to Kacmpftert pscmee To-day aug
Lo-morrot. 1940) give a mimimum of 13° F. at south pole in
summer, ‘ptt 3° F. south temperate zone. Nights would be cold,
hut nor more than New York in winter. Chemical environment
woul be favourable to vell structure as found in earth life, The
water coslent is low, and certainly the areas once cafled ‘seas
ae not water. Dr. Wright has photographed Mars at Mt Walsery
with hght of different colours and discovered yellow watery
clouds floating at a height of 15.000 feet, while Dr. V. M. Slipher
at Flagstaff claims to have conclusive evidence of water vapour,
Oxygen on Mars is searce—between one hundredth and one
thousandth of a given. area on earth, Waterfield. (Hundred ¥ ears
of Astronomy, 1938) states: “The spectroscopic evidence thay
Osygen exists, if at all, only in the smallest amounts, seeins -
indisputable, and practically “excludes . the possilnlity of animal
life”; also, “it is extremely prolahte that there is some form of
vegetation on Mars." Bernhard, Bennett and Rice (New Hani-
book of the Heavens, 1941) state: ‘Many reputalile astronomers—

vi J Win Ferd eiieteo vente Fedbe 141

probably a majority of them—hbelieve there is at least plant hfe on
the planet. And the existence of vegetation presupposes con-
ditions which might possibly support some kind of animal life.”
‘The positive argument for vegetation is based on seasonal colour
changes trom greenish to brown, observed over much of Mars’
surface by M. Antomiacdi and others.

We have vet to consider the so-called ‘‘canals.” From 1894, at
the famous Flagstaff Observatory in Arizona, Professor Percival
Lowell, with his assistants, using a splendid 24-inch telescope,
made prolonged observations of Mars. Maps were ultimately
produced showing a network of straight lut very fine lines,
radiating from “centres,” and Jinked in an amazing design over
the whole of the planet. But trouble was pending, Other famous
astronomers, particularly at Mount Wilson, where larger tele-
scopes had heen installed, became openly critical of Lowell’s
claims, affirming that mo such “canals” were visible through their
instruments, nor would the camera record any such network.
Lowell's reply was that Flagstaff was better placed atmospherically
and that due to air currents and slight earth tremors photography
of such delicate lines was not possible. It is interesting to note
what Sir James Jeans wrote in 1934 (Through Space and Time):
“Photography is for technical reasons unsuited to the recording
of yery fine markings and it is quite possible, as the canal observers
«claim, that these are hest seen by the eye.”

Should the existence of “canals” be established, the following
hypothesis may be horne in mind: The Martian water supply
to-day is utterly inadequate to fill a vast network of waterways;
but Mars is a far older planet than the Earth, and if, long ages
ago when both water and oxygen were plentiful, intelligent beings
took action to conserve the planet's dwindling water content, what
we view to-day might be the monuments of their ancient work,
lower forms of life only now persisting.

One may yet ask: Cannot life elsewhere be of a basically
different kind to that found here? Consider this for a moment,
‘The substance of earth-life is built around carbon. with which
no other element can compare for its ability to form countless
compounds, Sherwood Taylor (World of Science, 1938), states
that “chains of more than three or four atoms cannot be made by
any other element except carbon.”

There we must leave our inquiry for to-day. Science of
to-morrow may blaze new trails. Perhaps improved photographic
technique, coupled with the great 200-inch telescope heing erected
on Mount Palomar, may yield further knowledge. Who can tell?

142 WAKEFIELD, Tivo New Species of Tmesipteris Rue Nae

TWO NEW SPECIES OF FMESIPTERIS
By N. A. WAKEFIELD, ex-Genoa, Victoria, now on Active Service

The genus Tmesipteris was first discovered in New Zealand and other
Pacific Islands (R. G. Forster), and the original species (T. tannensis)
was described by Sprengel! in 1799 under the genus Lycopodium. In 1800,
Bernhardi? originated the genus T’mcsipteris, typified by Sprengel's species.
Labillardiere,? in 1806, referred a Tasmanian plant to 7. fannensis; but this

T. parva and T. ovata, new species,

\] \ reotlina f ' owt , r Py Ader 143

was described by Endlicher4 in 1833 as Tonesipteris Billardiert: though
Robert Brown® had, in 1810, included it in his Psiletwu fratcatau from
the Port Jackson area. Endhicher® had previously described Psilotiit
Forsteri—a form found in New Zealand and Nurtolk Island.

Subsequent botanists included all the above, and several other forms,
under the original species {see discussion by George Bentham™): P, A,
Dasgard® attempted to set up several forms as species, le originated the
names 7. fancealata and T. elongata; but, unfortunately, he disregarded the
work done by earlier botanists whose names have priority.

This is unsatisfactory; for investigation has prove that there is a
number of well-defined species, with coustant differences in habit, size and
shape Uf leaves and fruits, and in geographical rahge. The purpose of
this paper is ta deal with the four Australian species, which are as follow:

Tmesipteris Billardiert EndlA “foltis apice truacetis mucrone selaceo,
T. tannense Lab.” Stems 4 to 2 feet long; leaves large, } to 14 inches long,
sparse, 4 to @ to the inch, very broad especialy at the upper base, tins
truncate and then with mucronate points; capsules very large, pointed. The
form iJustrated by Labillardiere is plentiful m Tasmania and Victoria,
and extends ints New Suuth Wiles (Mount Dromedary, Blue Mountains).
Psilotum truncation, which Endlicher theluded as a synonym, is a distinct
species, (See below.)

TMESIPTERIS PART A sp. nav, Plantis purcvis; foltis parcis,
nimerosis, angustis, sub-falcatis, ucnimiutrtis, fan setacco-meucronatis |
capsulis parvis ratundis,

Stems short, 3 tu 5 ineches Jona; leaves numerous, about 15 per inch,
narrow, sub-faleate, hardly mucronate at the tips, about 4 meh lone,
capsule very smali and rounded,

Habitats: Katto Creek, 1/3/1941 (type); Mount Drummer, 14/6/1941;
Harrison’s Creek (Mallacuota Inlet), 7/2/1943; all in East Victoria and
collected by the author. Also, “Terra Gippsland.” Dallachy; Waratah
Bay (South Gipps.}, Rossiter and Heathcote, 1939; Dandenong Ranges,
Chas. Walter, 1883; Mount Dromedary (N.S.W.), Reader, 3/8/1880.

TUMESIPTERIS OV ATA sp. nov. Plantis parets; faltis parvts, ovatis,
monerosts, aptcibus carunt obtusis setacea-mneronatis; capsulis parots
rolundis.

Plants small, up to 6 inches long; leaves small, up to 4 inch long,
crawded, numerous, about 15 per inch, ovate, tips rounded and mucronate;
capsules small, rounded.

Habitats: Mount Drummer, 1/6/1941 (type); Howe Ranges, 8/2/1943
(both in East Victoria); N. A. Wakefield. Also, Dandenotgs, Dallachy,
Jan., 1850; and probably South-east New South Wales,

In the accompanying plate, the two new species are shown, about natural
size.

Both fT. parva and T. ovata are very abundant in the East Gippsland
“juugles’’ on trunks of treeferns.

Tinesipteris truncata (R. Br.) Desv.2 (Psilotum truncatum R, Brown,
excluding the synonym J, fannense Lab. and the Tasinanian locality, )
Stems up to 9 inches loug; leaves up to an inch long, narrow-linear, tips
very truncate or bilobed, and with mucronate points; capsule usually
routided, rarely pointed. Typified by Brown's Port Jackson specimens,
wad extending from Mount Dromedary, N.S.W., to Cairns. Queensland.

REFERENCES

1. Sehrad. Journ. (1799), £ 267. 2, Schrad. Journ. (1800), ii. 131, #2. f, be
3. Pl. Now, Holl., ii, 105, t, 252, 4. Prad. Fl. Norf., 6 6. Prod. Fi. Nov. Hall., 162.
6! feonogr., t. 45. 7. Flora Arstraliensis, Vol. VII, p. 681-2 (1878). & Le
Kotontate UT, 18, 213 (1891). 9. Ann. Soc, Linn. Par,, vi, 192 (1827).

o , Sala, Viet. Nat,
144 (COLEMAN 1 Nowe (2?) Fictortan Crivke eae

A NEW (?} VICTORIAN CRICKET

The following notes, with sketch, were sent to me by Mr. F. O'Donnell,
of Newbridge, Victoria. They relate to what appears to be a cricket hitherto
unrecorded for Victoria.

In a period of 15 years Mr. O'Donnell has found specimens only three
times, at various localities about Pooyang, where he was stationed until
recently. They were found in rabbit burrows, some ten feet from the
entrance. There were adult male and female and newly emerged young,
From Mr. O’Donneil's sketch the insects seem identical with, or closely
related to, a cricket jitlustrated in Froggatt’s cfustralian Insects as
Pachychanuna sp.

THE NEW (¢?) CRICKET. i. Male without hind leg (actual size). Body,

1] mm.; hind leg, 62 mm.; overall, 125 mm, (5 ins.}. 2. Hind jeg of male

(62 mm.). 3, Female without second leg. Body and ovipositer, 19 mm.:

hind leg, 43 mm.; overall, 83 mm. (34 ins.). Found with young (2 mm.}
10 feet in rabbit burrow, April, 1942, No sign of wings or elytra.

Tillyard records Pachyehamma fascifer, the weta of New Zealand, as
occurring abundantly in old tunnels near Wellington. In this species both
sexes measure 8 ta 9 inches from tip of the antennae to end of hind leg.
The absence of wings or clytra in Mr. O’Donnell’s insects points to an
entirely subterranean existence.

From the absence of descriptive matter in both Froggatt and Tillyard,
little or nothing seems to be known of the life-history of this interesting
cricket, Mr. O’Donnell was digging for ferrets in the burrows. Country
members may find this a clue—Epitu Co.eman, Blackburn, Vic.

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX.—No. 10 . February 10, 1944 No. 722

PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the F.N.C. was held on January 10,
1944. Mr. tvo Hanmet, Vice-President, presided in the absence
throvgh illness of the President, and about 100 members and
friends attended.

A welcome was extended to several new members and couritry
miefaers and to Flying-Officer C. C. Ralph, on Jeaye from New

uinea,

“VARIOUS BIRD PROBLEMS"

Lecturing on this subject, Mr. A. H. Chisholm disctissed. briefly
certain remarkable developments among birds generally and
Australian species in patticular. He dealt with the curious habit
of certam Wood-swallows of sleeping in swarms like bees; the
striking nesting habits of the Mistletoe-bird, Painted Honeyeater,
and Shrike-tit, inter-tropical, migration; the problems created by
the extraordinaty play-habits and vocal mimicty of Bower-birds;
the practice of “‘anting” by certain birds; the nesting association
of certain tards with other living things, notably wasps; the puzzle
caused by birds which decorate their nests with snake-skin, and
the problem of infuryfeigning by various birds. Several decora-
tive nests were exhibited as illustrations of one portion of the
lectiire. i

Mr. A. S. Chalk followed with an address on “Some Aspects
of Melbourne Bird-life.” He made general remarks on vative
birds seer in the city and suburbs and suggested that these could
he increased considerably in mumbers if more native trees were
cultivated, Attention was given also to introduced Jards, and it
was stated that Melbourne carried 11 species in varying strength,
a greater number than any other city in. Australia.

Mr. Fulton inquired regarding the tange of the Spotted and
Northern Bower-hrds. Mr. Chisholm replied that the break
hetween the two species was at a pointéslightly north of Central
Queensland, .

Miss N. Fletcher reported having seen a White-throated Tree-
creeper near Sydney apparently “anting™ itself, She asted if this
had heen observed previously and also what Australian species

146 Fisid Naturalists’ Club Proccedings Wits Bat,

had been seen to “ant.” Mr. Chisholm replied that this was the
first record of the practice with the Treecreeper, and that the
species known to have applied ants to their bodies in Australia
were the following: Starling, Thrush, Blackbird, Minah (intro-
ductions), Grey Jumper, Magpie-lark, Rufous Whistler, Satin
Rower-bird, and Lewin Honeyeater (natives). Much the most
consistent follower of the practice was the Starling, and the best
time to watch for exhibitions was at present or in early autumn.

Mr. V. H. Miller mentioned that when lime wag placed in a
Bird-bath more Starlings and Doves than usual seemed to be
attracted, and he asked sf this might be regarded as a variant of

“snting.” Mr. Chisholm replied that this was possible, adding that
some years ago.a discussion arose on the practice of certain birds
dropping pepperina ber Ties in baths, apparently to “strengthen”
the water,

Mr. F, S. Colliver suggested (and Mr. Chisholm agreed) that
live shells found on birds could not reasonably be ascriled to the
birds arranging food supplies, but rather could be taken to mean
that the shells attached themselves to the birds when disturbed.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Mr. Chisholm reported that the platypus had been bred, for the
first time in captivity, at the Healesvilie Sanctuary, and showed
photographs of the baby platypus taken by Mr, David Fleay,
together with other interesting pictures of immature platypuses
and echidnas. In this matter the meeting agreed unanimously to
accord a hearty vote of congratulation to the Sanctuary Director,
Mr, Fleay.

Mr, P. Crosbie Morrison showed films of wild life on Lake
Corangamite, of the breeding of a Brown Thornbill in a flowering
shrib, and of the plight of the koalas on Quail Island. This fast
film aroused much sympathy in the audience, and the committee
was urged to continue to watch the sittiation closely,

Reports of excursions were given by Messrs. A. §. Chalk
(Blackburn Lake} and C. French (Seaford),

The following were elected as Ordinary Members: Miss V.
Ctawtord, Mr. Philip Greenway, Mr, Raleigh Black, W/O. J. A.
Blackburn; and as Country Member, Mrs, V, Tremayne.

barvy Wenn, Wid Life in the Murray Forests 147

WILD LIFE IN THE MURRAY FORESTS
By E. M. Wess, Meltourne,

The Murray River, {tony Echuca upstream, runs mostly through
a huge forest of swamp redgumm. Where the forest ends I do
not know, but recently T travelled 85 miles upstream from Echuca
in the lugging steamer Adelaide and we were still in the redgunt
repion,

‘The rvermen have two names for this area, namely, the Barmal:
Forest and the Yeilima Forest. The Barmah Forest begins at the
township of Barmah, some 30 river miles from Echuca and about
halt the distance by road, I take it that the Yeilima Forest starts at
Yeilima, which is represented by a very attractive farmhouse
surrounded hy green lawns and paddocks of rich soil, After that
one break same 65 miles from Echuca, the forest closes in again
om both sides of the river. ;

This is a most attractive trip not available to the many. The
Addaide is no pleasure steamer, She hauls empty barges upstream
and brings them down loaded with something like 200 tons of
logs chained te the outriggers of each. They could dispense with
the barges if redgum would Hoat, bat it won't.

These forests are all in country subject to inundation, The
swamp redgum must have access to the Murray water or it will
die. Also, af it is inundated all the time it will die, and the same
thing happens if it is never inundated, On the banks, of course,
where the river never overflows, the tree roots strike down below
water-level and the redgum lives until erosion clears away the
soil from the roots, when the tree fails inta the river and becomes
a snag.

Smnce the forest is all in swantp country, it is likely to remain
a iorest for all time. T hope it does anyway. There is nothing
more alluring or stimulating than the primitive wilderness of this
country, It is timeless and ageless. It was there thousands—
possibly millions—of years before the white man came here, and
I trust it will be there thousands of years hence—even though I
won't be here to.enjoy it,

These swamp redgums are the “Yarra” trees mentioned many
times by Major Mitchell in his books of exploration. They are on
the Murray and all its tributaries. Mitchcll found them on the
Dasling, the Lachlan and the Murrumbidgee. They sit around
the billabangs of these streams,:and they are beautiful trees.
Stand in a Murray forest when the sun shines atid look up, Above
in the foliage you will find a jewel house.

‘The rivermen tel] me that if a sapling is completely covered by
_ flood waters jt will die, but if one leaf is showing above the water

'
‘et

ve '
A ees " Vier,
148 Weep, Wild Life in the Murray Forests Arian

it will live, They should know, for they live with the forest atid
it is an opes book to thenr.

I wade two trips upstream. The first wags in the Hero, which
hauls a frewood barge and is skippered by Captain Hilary Hogg,
the youngest skipper on the Murray, Half way to Barmah and
just after rounding Cape Horn, we ran into a Mallee duststorin.
T had made the remark that there were no storms at this Cape
Horn, but I was wrong.

This storm was a magnificent sight. It rose before us in great

grey cumulus ¢louds, like the smoke fram a bushfire. Up and up
it piled in the sky until it blotted out the sun, The air wyis
deathly still:
_ A sort of dim yellow light was about us, in which the trunks
of the redgums turned a ghastly white and the leaves paled as if
with fear. Suddenly we were in the thick of blinding red dust
and then rain began to pour down. A great wind arose and bent
the trees in gale fury, stripping some of them of branches and
sending a few of the giants crashing. Jt was an awesome time.

Cape Horn is a peninsula jutting out into a sharp river-bend,
but there are many worse bends farther up. Nine Panel Bend
and Green Engine Bend are real hairpins where steamers going
upstream on the one side and downstream on the other side are
travelling in the same direction,

On this trip you pass the entrance of the Goulburn River and
the Broken Creek and the offshoot of the Edward River and
Gulpa Creek which latter runs into the Edward farther along.

As soon as you pass Barmah you are in the forest proper and
the lake country, with Lake Moira om your lett and Lake Victoria
on, your right. Here is where a crowded bird-life begins, White
egrets flew before us, alighted on trees, waited for us to catch up
and went on again. The steamet’s speed is 35 to 4 mrles an hour
upstream, which was a bit slow for these graceful] fiers

Here we were in the country of the nankeen heron, with its
copper-coloured wings and back, White ibis floated among the
trees, but the straw-necked ibis was absent—there was a prass-
hopper plague iurther north and the straw-necks were up there
having a feast.

Black duck and teal winged swiftly past and thousands of wood-
duck fled before us. Many small families of duck could be seen
scurrying away into the bush. The swans and pelicans are few
this year but I was told they were absent resting.

The sky was sometimes black with cormorants. Flights of
screeching white cockatoos went on all day long. Once at a
landing-stage, while taking on firewood, I saw blue wrens.

Past Barmah and the lakes the Murray viarrows to what the

abs Weim. Wald Life os the Murray Mnecsis 149°

7044
vivermen call the Little River. Here there js barely raom fur two
steamers ‘ta pass and to male matlérs worst sonjeoné years ago
pisnted a few willows’ on the bank. These make ihe river narrower
‘stall

Up hy Tony's Bend there is & reach of osiers and weeping
willaws that achieves a rare beauty. The willows are increasing
because every lime a log barge hits the willows--and it does that
often—the broken bits of hranch float downstream until they are
held up by a snag. These bits then take root in the bank and
more willows are born. _

Tony's Rend, by the way, has a. history, Ic is named after an
Italian who many years ago built hiself a house tight on the
bend. An empty outrigger barge {ook the corner too clase ane
day and the outriggers ripped the side out of Vony’s house, Tony
cate aut, wrung his hands.and screamed; “Yay pulla my house
down! Oh, you pulla my house down!” So it is always Tony's
Rend now, and a nasty corner it ts, Coming downstream in the
Adetstile the skipper and anate fling themselves frantically an the
wheel to. put it hard over. The Hero can get round i one try,
but generally has two stabs at i.

Gaing up in the Hero we saw a platypus swimming and on
another seeasion, from the deck of the Adeloide, T saw a fox
paddling across from Victoria ta New South Wales,

Somewhere above Tony's Rend a white kangaroo used te be
geen hopping alsout- Many a riverman or a tinber-cutter tried
to shoot it but it seerned to have a charined bfe. Then a sleeper-
cutter wrote to the Zoa to ask what it would pay hint to capture
the white kangaroo alive. “He had visions of £20 or £30 for such
4 prize, but he was offered ouly £2 so he never tried.

Far up in the forest we saw kangaroos—two inobs of them—
with half-grown jocys speeding away with mother and father.
About the same place on the New South Wales side Captain
Barney Binks, of the Adelaide, drew my attention te a couple of
emus with their half-grown flock of little ones. ‘The emts were
quite unnioved by the presence of the vessel so we had a good louk
at’thens,

From the deck of the Adelaide T saw at different times two
snakes swimming across the river—both black as far as T could
see. Up at Black Engine, beyond Yeilima, where the 4delaide’y
crew was loading logs. a foolish suake swam across iron. New
South Wales past the nose of the barge. As soon as it landed it
died. It too was black but not very hig.

The tiveritien tell me that all animals in the forest have béen
seen swimming across the river. These include kangaroos and
emus. I can’t say that I ever heard af these twa swimming, but

1X) Wears, Wild Life in the Murray Forests ag oe,

Barney assures me that they do. Barney has heen on the nver
ail his young life and knows it thoroughly,

These men of the river are keen observers. I sat in the wheel-
house of the Here with “Tiny” Tuck, the long and strong mate,
and whenever a bird flew by Tiny named it for me. Ile too has
spent long years on the river.

One morning there was Murray cod for breakfast, caught the
night before. 1t came from a L2-pounder and it was delicious.
Alt. Maslon, ihe engineer of the Adelaide, cooked it, and he is a
pretty good coal,

T have been dreaming of the Murray forests ever since.

EMERGENCE OF ADULT SAWFLIES
By Maurice F, Leask, A.LF,

Adult sawflies observed in the Ballarat (Vic.) distinct émenged
chiefly in the month of March,- There were some few emergences
in early and late summer, but a large number appeared in March,
beginning on the 17th, when no fewer than twelve cages yielded ©
adults on the same day.

This prompted me to compile a separate list for one day, The
counting’ on the 27th showed a total number of sixteen cages
producing a total of seventy-three adults, These results are from
some 160 experiments cunducted during four years. However,
the larvae concerned here were all captured in the spring af 1939,

As the method of -collecting larvae determined that several
bunches were taken in the same area, the coincidence of species
over a restricted series is readily understood. The identifications
are based on samples sent to Mr. H. Hacker, af the Queensland
Muscum, who determined Experiment Number 108 as Perga ,
dorsalis, Experiment Number 118 as a species of Pseudoperga,
and Experiment Number 121 as a species of Pergagrapta, The
other identifications are my own-

Detailed weather reports from official charts were kept in ant
attempt to trace the control of weather factors over emergences,
and the influence of the periodical droughts.

A table 1s appended to show in conyenient form the nmmbers
af individuals concerned in the emergences. This table has been
isolated from the gencral record of the numbered experiments.
It will he seen that the females far outownber the males, though
a glance at further totals reveals-that there is Apparently no fixed
proportion. However, it is as yet too eatly in the investigations
to make dogmatic assertions on this or any other point.

If a slight compromise may be ‘made in the way uf a summary,

Feb.
ead

Leask, Emergence of Adult Sarwflies 151
it has been found that Perga dorsals from Ballarat previously
had emerged in December, and again in February; now the same
species. (which is from Carapook in the Western district of
Victoria) emetges in March.

At least the results indicate that the adults can be bred in large
number's. In the case of these in particular, too, it 1s proved that
some of the many species remain underground only from spring
till the following autumn, and from autumn till the following
spring:

Perhaps the most decisive assertion, if the only definite one, is
that Perga dorsalis and an unidentified species of the genus Perge-
gropia emerge on the same day. By further comparison it is hoped
that a more complete list may be made of the adults which emerge
at the same time.

With final conclusions sti!) far in the future, these results at
Teast form a useful addition to the series of investigations mto the
months of emergence, the influence of weather and the food-plants
favoured by the larvac; in turn, this study will aid the systematic
classification of the adults of the various species,

RESULT OF EMERGENCES ON ONE DAY (27/3/40) PROM
CAGED SPECIMENS

Experiment No. of | No, of No. of
Number Females Males Artults Identification

95 2 2 Pergagrapta

97 4 4 Pergograpta

98 4 4 Pergagrapta

191 1 1 Pergagrapta
105 6 6 Perga dorsalis
107 19 1 20 Perga dorsalis
109 5 1 6 Perga dorsalis
110 2 2 Perga dorsalis
e 113 Tt 1 Perga dorsalis
116 6 6 Perga dorsahs
117 5 5 Perga dorsalis

419 3 3 Pergagrapia

120 2 2 Pergagrapia

121 7 7 Pergugrapia

123 2 a Pergagrapta

124 2 2 Pergugvapta

Totals 16 71 2 73

Weather: Bar., 30 in.; Temp., 81-5; Rain, nil; for mth. to date, 40 pts.;
sunny conditions controlled by high pressure belt.

132 The Late Frederich Cheprion oe

THE LATE FREDERICK CHAPMAN

Dy the desth of Frederick Chapman, ATS. F-RMS, ete, which took
place suddan)y al his home at Kew om December 19, 1943, in, is 80th year,
we have Jost one whi, during a period of scientific work extending over
more than sixty years, contributed greatly ro the development of a popular
interest jm Lhe wonders of Natural science, - _

He otice described himself as a broad naturalist rather than a geologist
and his remarkable rane of kudwledge justified this view. for, i addition
to that assoviated with Ins profession of palaecontologist, he was a fine
entomologist, a good botanist,and could speak with author#ty on almost
every phase pf natural history. Apart from this, he had the persanality
winch anspired others with.some of his own enthusiasm dor the things
which, throughout his long Hfle, were such a joy to lim,

My. Chapman was born in London on Tebroary 13, 1864, Tt is moe
surprisibg that he becante @ scientist, for his father was techniral assistant,
first ta the famous Michzel Faraday, and then ta Professor Joha Tyndall,
and took part it many of their epoch-making experiments, The mast
pewerlul influence in Mt. Chapman's carly life, however, was bis elder
brother, Robert, who was a physicist but had inare microscopy, phorayraply
and botany his extra hobies’ OF him, Mr. Chapman has written: “In
many «ways he imparted: to me, .especially an my. early boyhood, a great
fove of nature, both artistic and technical. 4n particular, 1 owe to him a
debt beyond words for so early cnthusingy in me the study of that must
beautiful and imriguing group of qacive orvansms, foraminafera.”

Tn 1881 Frederick Chapinan was selected by Professor J. Wo Judd as
laboratory assistant in the geology department of the Royal Callege of
Mines. Then t& years of age, he remained in the department until he
came to Mellinurne in 1902, twenty years Jater. While there, he qualifekl
as a teacher of geology and phwsiograpby and nade a number of friemdships
with men who did much to direct the course of his hife.

Mr. Chapman's encryy during that periad, asx later, was apparently
inexhaustible, and a constant sireain of papers ou palacautalugy, seology
and zoplogy flowed from His pen, Probably the best-known of these, id
view of the subsequent application of micro-palacontology tw oil seared,
js his “Foraminifera of the Gault af Folkestone,” a work which was
prictically the first piece of stratigraphical’ zoning by means af the
foraminifera, This waa greatly valued by lum and one of the last acte
ot his life was lo give wne of the writers of this notice his bownd copy of
the work—an act which led the recipient to feel that the end of his old
iriend was menr.

His first paper on the toraminfersa, written with Sherborn and published
in 1886. way ou the London Clay of Ficeadilly, ‘This was followed by
tiany others, and in 1902 he published the pioheer text-book om the
foraminifera, which amtil 1928 remained the unly work of its kind,

The second period of Chapman's life began. in 1902, when be was
selected jor the post of palacanimingist fo fhe National Museum, Melbourne,
on the recommendation of Professor Judd. Price ta this, Professor McCoy
had’ acted as State Palaeontologist in addition to his duties as Professor
of Zooluey at the University of Melbourne, where the fassil collections
were then locatel Mr. Chapanan’s first daly on-his arrival it Melbourne
was to arrange and name the collections of fogsils, both Austealian and
foreign, in the National Museum, a very lange task which le carned out
With conspicuous suncess. = oe c te

He then began the publication of tle lohe series of works on Australian
fossils, gentral pcology, and natural -histury, for which he will best be
remeénibered here ‘These include “New or Litthe-kuown’ Fessils in the

Feb,

au The bate fredevich Chapman 153

Naronal Musenm," the reports on the Mallee and Sorrento Hores, tris
text-book Ansirdtwd Fossils, and many others, He also wrate reports on
callectians of fossils sent to him' from: New Zealand, South Africa, and
elsewhere, as well as co thy recent foraminifera dredged by the Shackleron
‘and Mawsort expeditions to the Antarctic.

Regarding Chapman's work published in the Victarias Nalurativt, whe
first was ml the Shoreham’ Campout in 102, very shortly afrer he joined
the society, Since then approximately 100 papers and notes By him have
been published m this journal Of these, ioraminitera took the greater
pat, but some unportant papers on Fossil plants were uieluded.

Mr. Chapman continued his work as Palacuntulogist th the Natinnal
Museum until 1927, when the beginning of serious cif senrcly ii Australia
led to his appoiitment by the Commonwealth Government os first Cant
monwealth Palacontologist. He held this position until bis retirement tn
1936 at the age of 72, During unis period Ne was assisted by Miss Irene
Crespin, B.A. who-succecded him as Commonwealth Palacontologist. Frortt
1902 onward he also served as Palacantologise ta the Goological Survey of
Victoria, atid fram 1920 to 1932 was parifime Lecturer in Palacantology
at the University of Melbourne, - t

tx addition to his professional work, Mr, Chapnan, [rom the nie of

his arrival in Victoria until two ar three years agu, tok an active part itt
the life of the scientific bodies of the Commonwealth aid of Virtoria,
where be held office for many years in the. Royal Society, the Pielt
Natnrahsts’ Club, and dhe Microsvayieat Society, bemg for a time President
af each, He alsa served ns Australian representative ot the Fatertatio;c]
Commission ot Zoological Nomenclature, .
‘With the limited space at our disposal, mention enn only he made of
Mr, Chapman's work, apart from his lectures, itl payalarisiny an interest
in natural science through bis many mcwspaper aflicles aml broadcast talks
on scientific subjects and jersunalitics, and his books such as Opele Air
Studies a5 Austroliq and The Book of Hossils.

Apart from his scientifie activities, Mr. Chapman was keenly interested
in gardetiing and lis garden at Balwyn attd later at Ine son's tome in Kew
was a Mecea for all those whe shared with him & love of our native plants.
For many yeurs and up to the time of his death he was Honnrary Curator
of the Maranoa Native Plant Gardeq in Beckett Park, Balwyn, where he
was particularly proud of the tuber of rare native shrits and trees whic
were being successfully cultivated, D v ®. '

‘Those whe (ook part in the Wield Naturalists’? Club's excursions when
‘he acted as leader will always remember his small, active figure and. the
futed of nilurmeétiol, which he trade so freely avaiable to hig listeners. To
all be was the same—a simple, unassuming scicotisi, He had an old-world
eourtesy—anfortaunately rarely met with to-day—which never deserted him,

To his scientific work Chapman brought an achvye, alert, well-furnished
mind and 2 great determination, the presence af which was not- always
Suspected because of his quict, almast gentle demeariour. As a writer he
possessed a gift of papules exposition of lis subject, and was also interest-
ang as a speaker, although he was at times inclined, when before an
audicnoe, to epealc too quietly. Like every true scientist, he was always
ready to adunt wher be had-been in error, far he frequently said that the
‘only maa. who Never made a mistake was the-man who never attempted
anything. During his lifetime his work was recogmesxl by many scientific
societies. The list of honours he received is too long to be given here,
and tie reader is referred to the 1938 edition of Whos Bio in Anstralte
for particulars. Jt can, however, be noted that in 194] he was awarded
‘tie: |Australian Natural ‘History Medallion One atthe most eloquent
iributes to his work came From the tate St Edgewortly David: who sald)

154 The Late Frederick Chapman eyes

“No one since the time of Robert Etheridge, Jun, has mure enriched our
knowledge of the past forms of life im Australia and adjacent regions than
bas this worker, whose ability ig matched to a marvellous industry. He
has heen long and favourably known as a writer of popular scientific
articles in the Australian press, and deseryes the gratitude of the public
for the happy interest he has added ta human life.”

In his private life Mr. Chapman was more fortunate than. most, for
uot only did he have work which he loved, but he enjoyed good health
up to his death, and in his wife, who will be remembered with affection
by all who knew her, he had a wonderful companion and help to him in
his work, He leaves a son, Brigadier W, D. Chapman of the ALF. and
a daughter, Miss W. M. Chapman, to whom our warm sympathy is
extended.

W. J. Parr,

F. 5S. Cos.rver,

I would like to add my token of esteem to my Friend the late Frederick
Chapman, Honorary Curator of Maranoa Gardens. While I have been
in charge over several years, Mr, Chapman's frequent visits’ were always
a delight to me. Full of enthusiasm, he would roam around the grounds
keeping an cye on thé labels and admiring the flowefa or pruning some
out-of-hand shrub. Only a few days before his death he told of is plans
for a glass-house so that he could raise some of our native plants for the
gardens, I shall miss him keenly, for his kindly advice will always be
valued by me, and one can only hope tris successor will carry on the work
planned by this jeammed and foved man. ,

W. G. Busy,
Marattox Gardens. ~

EXHIBITS AT JANUARY MEETING

Master Lestie Waolcock: Scale insect on tea-tree from Seaford (Nated
by Mr. French as probably a new species.)

Mr, C. C. Griffiths: Laryae of Banksia Moth (Danima banksise), taken
at Seaford. ;

Mr. R, G. Painter: Seven species of native fowers, garden-grown,

Mr. T. K, Griffiths: Native fern, Adiantwn cuneatum, yar, grandiceps.

Mr. C. G, Gabriel! Australian marinc shells,

Mr, J.. H. Willis: Deeply-pigmented egg of a domestic duck, which had
previously laid only white eggs, and which died upon passing the blue-green
sample, (Cloata also heavily stained with blue-green.)

Mr. R. D. Lee: Leayes of Eucalyptus fictfolic, showing peculiat markings
and colours. Specimens from a tree in the Brighton Grammar School
grounds,

Mr. F. S. Colliver: Sitver Bream skeleton and skis, all that was left
after sea-lice had attacked the fish.

Mr,’ F. Hallgarten: Specimens of the Banksia Borer taken during the
Seaford excursion, F

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST VoL. Lx February, 1944

Plate

PPR iy

Last photograph of Frederick Chapman {right}, with Mr, F. S. Colliver
(Hon. Sec, F.N.C.}, taken at Maranoa Gardens an September 4, 1943.

es Curistensen, Netw Combination in Dryopteris t55

A NEW COMBINATION IN DRYOPTERIS
By Cari Curistensen, Copenhagen.

Dryopieris Shepherdt (Kunze) C.Chr. comb. nov.

Syn. Aspidium Shepherdt Kunze, Linnaea 23: 230, 1853 (nomen). Met-
tentus, Fil. Hort Lips, 94, 1856, with descr., Aspid.wPheg. no. 163.

Nephrodium Shepherdi Fée, Gen.Fil, 305, 1852 (?, nomen purwn).
Lastrea atrovirens J. Smith, Cat.cult.Fernts, 59, 1857 (not Drvopteris
atrovirens C.Chr, 1907}.

Asia acuminatum Lowe, Ferns, 6 pl. 11, 1857 (not Wiltdenow,
1810).

Lastrea acuminata Moore, Index Fil. 84, 1858.

Dryopteris acuminata Watts, Proc.Linn.Soc.N.S.Wales 41: 380, 392,
1916, C.Chr, Index Fil. Supp. TIT, 80, 1934.

The three specific epithets were all applied to plants cultivated in
European gardens, and supposed to have originated from Australia; first
in England (1822), and later in Germany by Kunze; and it seems probable
that the species might have been raised from spores from Sieber’s Australian
collection.

The best description was given by Mettenius in Fil.Hort.Lips., p. 94,
1856, which is here copied:

“Rhizoma obliqmun; folia 1 (foot) longa, membranacea, rigida, in
utrague pagina, in costis costulisque, una cum petiole, pubcscentilosa, paleis
senuibus mtermixtis, deltotdeo-ovata, acuminata, basi tripinnatisecta vel
omnina bipinnatisecta, segnenta primaria petiolate, ovata, acuminata;
secundaria infima breviter petiolata, superiora adnata et ala decurrente
juncta, ¢ basi cuncata vel inferne cuneate, superne truncata, avato-oblonga,
obtusa; inferiora inaequaliler serrata; laciniae basales, subsalutae, oblonqae
wel semtoblongae, obtusac, antice acute serratae, nervum ramis indivisis;
varius furcatis, pitnatum, superiores nervum furcatum in rama antico
fertilem excipientes. Sori dorsales, majusculi, utringue ad costam seg-
mentorwm vel laciniarum basalium sniseriati; indusium reniforme, mem-
branaceum, qlabrum, cum sori maturitate deciduum.

Patria?’

I possess two leaves of a cultivated plant (Hort. Berol.) named A.
Shepherdi Kunze and probably originating from the original stock. They
‘match perfectly a specimen from Bulga Creek, N.S.W.. coll, W. W. Watts,
1915, and kindly sent to me by Miss Alma Melvaine. It was named
D. ccuminata; and it is quite certain that the N.S.W, plant, in later years
known under that name, is D. Shepherd?. The name acuminata is a year
younger than Shepherdt and, moreover, invalid in the genus.

The species is very closely related to D. decomposita but clearly different
‘by the oblique, thick rhizome and shape of the lamina, etc. The systematic
position of D. decomposita and its allies is not quite certain, but I thine it
should be placed in the subgenus Poltstichopis.

(The manuscript of the above was recetved by the Sydney National
‘Herbarium through correspondence with C. Christensen in a letter dated
August 22nd, 1938. It was held, however, until the completion of an
investigation of several allied species, the results of which are embodied
Zn the following paper—N. A. Wakefield.)

te ne ; Viet. Nat.
156 WakeEFIELp, Revision and Additions to Dryopterts ade ae

REVISION AND ADDITIONS TO DRYOPTERIS
By N. A. WaKerFIEtp, A.LF.

In 1810 Robert Brown! described two species of the present genus
Dryopteris, namely, Nephrodium tenerum from the tropics, and NV.
decompositum from the Port Jackson area. George Bentham,2 working
in England with herbarium specimens and not having access to Brown's
types, failed to distinguish between many closely allied species, so that his
description of Aspidium decompositumt embraces four species which are
now rightly recognized as distinct. Strangely enough, one of these is
D. tenera, while that specific name was applied to a different species native
of north-eastern Australia.

F. M. Bailey? began the splitting up of Bentham's A. decompositum
when he described an ex-indusiate form from Queensland as Polypodinm
aspidiotdes, which is now a synonym of Dryopteris queensiandica of Domin.4

Then in 1916 W. W. Watts® recognized the tufted form of south-eastern
Australia as Lowe's Aspidtuwm acuminatum, but, as has been seen in the
accompanying paper by Christensen, the specific name Shepherdt has
priority, so that the species is Dryopterts Shepherd.

[

Key To ILLustrations

Fig. 1—Dryopieris decomposita, a secondary pinna (X 1); a, a pinnule
(tertiary pinna) (X 2); b, a typical rhizome (much reduced).

Figs. 2 a, b, c—Corresponding parts of D. tenera.

Figs. 3 a, b, c—Corresponding parts of D. Shepherdi.

D. decomposita has been correctly recognized in New South Wales and
in Queensland?; but in the former State the true D. tenera was lumped
with it, while in Queensland the latter was given the name D. afbe-villosa

Pr WAKEPIFLD, Revigion and Additinus to Deyapteris 1s”

by Watts$ J. Shepherd tas love brew known in Victoria’ (as D. decam=
pasita). hut it was only very recently that D. teaera and 1. decontposita
were discovered in this State Our local species are as follow:,

OD. Shepherdi CRB) C.Chr, (Synonyms. Nephradivm decumpasitum
of Rodway,T but noc af R. Brown, Drvapterts deconrpastta af Black® and.
Ewart®). Rhizome erect; fronds tufted, 1-2 ft. high, marrow-toangular,
light-green, shiny, ylabroas but wilh pubescent stipes aud rachjses, twice
or thrice pisiate with large lobed pinnules: lobes alsscurely toothed and
bearing a Tew Jargé sori. The “Shiny Shicld Gem" of Victarra. Tis-
tribution, Tasmania, Sonth Australia (Mt. Lofty Range), Wictaria, New
Somh Wales, and south-eastern Queensland, iy wet mountam gullies.

D. tenere CRBrown) C.Chr. (Svnanyms; Nephyodivin tener Re
Browi!: Asmaium fener Spreng, Muctler,<d bur oor ef Bailey? Ren-
tham? nor CDiyapterts) of Domins ew; Dryopteriy alboritiasa WW?
Watts). Rhizome long, this) aud.creeping, uot scaly; fronds distant, 1-5
ft, high, Weltvid, light green, shiny, glabrous, Hut wittr pubescent atipes and
raclises. twice or thrice plonate with long,.rather narrow, lobed pianiiles;
lobes somewhat toothed wid bearing sumerous large sein. Tistedbution,
Queensland, New South Wales and eastern Victoria. This species: is a
new Victorian record, first noted by Mr. Prank Rebbins, who collected.
specrmens fram “The Spring" at Mount Dremmer in 1936. Tt has since
been found to grow abundantly in other parts of the Drummer area (Karle
Creek, 1940, NAW.) and about Mallacocta Inlet, forming very extensive
patches on “jungle” floors. ;

D. decomposita (R.Brown) Kze. (Synonyms: Nephradum decomposition
KBrown; Aapidnon decompostin Spreng, Bailey and partly of Ben-
tham?; Mephrodsi laneitiobivin Baker; Ureopterts foncfebo Domim’).
Rhizame short, thick, scaly, slightly crecping; jronds close together, 1-3-
it. Jugh, deltoid, greyish-reen, rather dull, finely pubescent throughout,
thrice fo 4-pinnate with deeply dentate pimules; sori small and very
numeraus, Distribution, Queenslands New South Wales and * easter
Victoria. This js anather new Viotovian record, the alily known ‘halatat
for the State bemtg a gully beside Mallacaota Inle1, opposite Gipsy Pome
(20/9/41, N.AW.)- - . \

‘The toucth Victorian specics belongs to a different section of the genus;
x is recognized by tts onee-pinnate ironds with lans dentate ponies, the
Jobes of which cach) hear several sori in two rows, Bs nace 15 D. ajeurphially
(Foret.) Copeland. {Synonyms: Folypodivin. suphala Forstér; Poly=
fodtron malle Jacq ; Nephrodwm. molle R.Brown!; atspidins, molla Swartz,
Bemtham®; Levoptoy'is paresittcd Domi Black® and others, wot of Tamn,
and O.1Gze,> Pryepterts dentata Ewart? nor of Porsk and Chrisienten.)
27 wompholis bas bees recorded lor Victoria only -from the western district
(e@,, Curdie’s River), adit is otherwise, found-in the warmer parts af aif
the imaniand Srates, and from New Zealand to Malays. |

Devopteris glabefla (A.Cunn): CChr. is a New Zealand species, nev
recorded from Australia. for which it has at times been reported duc 1m
errors i detersiivatiantS - --

References:

J, Prodromis of the Plo of New Holland, by Robert Brown; 2, fora
nestealiedsts, by George Bentham (Vol. VIL); 4, Lithegianis of Cheorstand
Veens, by VM. Bailey: 4. FoenBera of Queensland, by ‘Co Damin; 3,
Prac. Lint. Sat. NSW, Vol. 41, pp. 380-2, 1916; 6, ditta, Vol, 39, p. 773,
14; 7, Tas, Flora, hy L, Radney; & Flora Sots Aust, by 1M. Black;
% Elova Vie by A. J, Ewart; i, Mey Saat fie. Plonis, by F.-Muelber;
11. Tides Pitic., by Christensen. ; '

458 Baby Plalypus Interests the World. - ase

BABY PLATYYVUS INTERESTS THE WORTD

The birth of a baby platyyus in captivity at the Healesville Sanctuary,
us briefly recorded in ihe last isaue of the Vichorian Naturalist, ts a enatter
-of very cotsiderable zoalogical importance. Tt will be reparted upon in
detail [ater, i this journal, by the Directar of the Sanctuary (Mr, David
Tiezy), Meanwhile, it may he noted that the event aroused keet interest
among the public as well as mi natural history circles, a point that was
weatly expressed by the Gossip writer of the Melhourne Sax-Pirtortal in
the following verse: .

Jack and Jilt

Haaic filled the dill,

And cleared wp lots of anystery,
And now can clrim

Undying fae

By making natural history,

The interest was not restricted to Australia. Newspapers in, both
“Britain and the Uniter| States featured the novel event, and on: the following
day the London Times cabled for a photograph of the strange babe, which
was sent immediately by beam wireless,

A cucigus development was that in their haste to feature the young
Platypus some Londort papers overlooked the war in New Guinea! ‘This
odd fact is mentioned in the following cable message to the Melbourne
Sn-Pictorial, which appeared on January 7:

London, Thursday—The birth of a baby platypus to Jack and iN at
-the Healesville “platypussary” was. widely featured in the London press,
Australia gained some of the liveliest publicity since the battle of El
Alamein. Londoners who turned their eyes from adjacent headlines
-announding the (nonototous Russian victoriés and the more monotonous
Italian stalemate found Australia put back on the map with a vengeance.
One business man on. his way to London after a meagre wartime breakfast
was heard to inquire tf platypuses were edible, Australia’s zoological
sensation coincided with the omussion by most morning papers. of a single
disnatch from the New Guinea and other Pacific fronts. Australians can
be proud of their platypus,

Australia's platvpus romance to-day inspired the Pasty Mail thymster to
contribute the following two verses, headed “Lullaby for Platypus” -

Hushea-bye, Platypus, Pride of tke Zoo,
Baby shail figure in Nature's Who's Who,
Mummy will fondle and Daddy will brag,
While all the soologists’ tongues are wud.

Stash, ttle mammal, you're not all that simart,
This. ts 10 time to expect a star part.
Steep—and remove that sonivk off your rill,

We are making snore history Man ear sen will,

When this issue of the Fic, Nat. went ta press the haby platypus had not
emerged from the nesting burrow—it had previously heen gcen hy Mr, Fleay
only through opening the burrow, after which 1t was ‘hastily returned.
However, the mother has been eating ravenously of fate, and it is supposed
that this is due ta demands made upon fer by either one or two young,
which may be expected to appear very soan——A_ ALC. .

fen Bunksian Bicentenary 159:

BANKSIAN BICENTENARY

Sir Joseph Banks was born on Bebruary 13th, 1743, and the occasion.
was commemoraicd by 2 symposium on his life and work at the P.N-C.V-
November meeting, a verital date having been fixed i consideration of
the flowering plants den available to exemplify some of the actual
Australian species discovered by the great explorer-sciemtist himself, WA
panel of three speakers gave 20-minute discaurses, of which the following
is @ précis:

l, Baugs, THE Man

Mr- Ivo Hanmet spoke of the family background and of Bauks’ insatiable
thirst after wiatural bistry, even as a young Etonlah when orthodox
knowledge of the classics left him cold Though born s child of fortune, -
with a handsome iwheritance upon attaining his majority, he never véed-
his wealth for seli-aggrandisernent, but spent it ircely in the promotion.
of scientific knowledge for the benefit of hurhanity; he was maguatimonus-
and democratically-minded in spiie of all inducements ta a life of easy
luxury. He became suvotssively president of the Royal Sortety, first and.
honorary director of Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Baronet, Knight of the
Bath, and Privy Councillor, yet withal remained humble and ever sought
to avoid personal acclaam—his will expressly desired that there be ne
elaborate funeral rites and no monument to his memory,

Ranks maintained a beautilul charity toward the investigations and,
opinions of fellow-ecientists at Hite Of abroad, those an erry countries
not excepted. So far did ine sterling reputstion extend that impecanions
coulltrymen, stranded in distant parts of Germany and Ruésia, were able
to raise loans through his good name’ and secure the wherewithal nr their
return to Britain,

During 42 years’ continuous presidency of the Royal Society, {he-
eatholicity of his achievements is astounding—matters of moment from the
coinage of the realm ta town water supplies, from botanic gardens and.
crop diseases to navigation and exploration, all received the pronquuce-
ments of Lis wisdom. Besides bis invaluable scientific work on the fantous
Endeovow Expedition (1768-71), he enoguraged the colonization) of Port.
Jackson and retained a lively interest in lhe welfare of the infant settlement,
correspanding at great length with the various colonial governors up to the’
time of bis death in L820, More than all else it is his identificatian with the
eatly chatting and development of our continent Hiat has earned for Ranks-
the affectionate and well-deserved title “Father of Agstralia”

IL. ¥Vovaces awn Discoyrrres

Mr. Noel Lothian made use of and also quoted fregly from ihe
Banksian Jourtials +0 emphasize the characteristic thorougluiess, keeil
observation, linguistic pawers, wit, tact, and strong personality af the
diarist, Banks loved travel and did not shirk uscomfurtable experi¢nces
in qut-cf-the-way or unknown places. His first and last big journeys were
ta cold, inhospitable regions of the North Atlantic: he wag the first man,
to study fhe flora of Newfoundland und Labrador, whither lie went ni 1766,

Banke’ golden opportunity came with dhat momentous three-year expedi-
tion culminating im the discovery of caster Australia Highlights of the:
Exdewiany voyage were dealt with in humorous vem by the lecturer,
Encounters betweeh Banks and the officialdom of both Madeira and Brazil
ate worth imentioning, The crew was forced to remain oi boind for one

i of five precious day's spent at Madeira in deference to a courtesy call -
from the governor, and Banks writes; "We contrived to avenge ourselyce
upon His Excellency by meats of an atesteical machine which, tpom
expressing his desire to see, We shocked him fully as smuch as he chase”

payee Vent, Paty
‘ ef + we *
nn Boaukstnet Herewlenery Vel LX

‘The Brazilian authorities further siled him by tarhidding anyane ta laud
withoot Partiguese credentials; itevertheless Batiks smtigeled Inimself
aishare, saw all Te could of the natives and vegetation, ak upon suffwriye
further hostile delays in sarling from the harhowr, wrote that "a more
insolent people gotld aut be fmnd, many curses were this day expended
‘apon' His Excellency.”

' Glimpses of Tigera def Fycgo and Tahiti are accompaiied in the jnurnal
by faithiul portrayals of, the inhabitants, their maoners and culture; New
Zealand is circonmavigated and cantact made with the warlike Maori,
whose food is stated to consist of “fish, dogs, and enemirs’ |

The coasting along Australia fram Capes Howe tn York revealed, among
ether wonders, those of ott Great Barrier Reef, which Banks discovered
to have “a size totally unleard of in the South Sess or elsewhere.” Having
touched southern New Guinea and Timor, the Endeavour berthed at Batavia
far much-needed repairs, but her ocewpants setfered acutely from the
unhealthy malarial surroundings. Despite a severe attack of fever, Banks
never neglected to write up his impressions of the country and its imhabhitants
@= accurately as possible,

Batk in England, be isontediately set about to describe and publish his
scientific Andings, bul first essayed tu sceoinpany Cook again on a second
voyage to the South Pacific This project was defeated by a pettyfoeeing
Admiralty, but Banks” annoyance was offset to some txtent by his own
specially cammnssioned excursion to Iscland—here he was among the first
party of men to ascetid the active yolcann, Mt. Mecla. Thereafter Bantes
gested down in London, though continuing by every means to yromete
further global cxplarations, So, he has Jeft a mark ou Australian geography
thrat few indeed have excelled,

IHW. Banks’ Borastoa Grreivs

Mr. J. H. Willis, who coucluded the symsposium, expressed astemishment
that such scant refetence should be made to Banks 11 the standard histories
ol botany and botaniste—Cambridge and Oxford University publications
-dismniss him with an occasional sentence ar a mere Footnate

Banks really witnessed the emergence of Botany as a noble science fram
tle mythical trappings of medieval obscurantism. While a boy at Eton,
he manifested stranir botanical leanings, paying certain women stspcnce
per plant (presumably of diferent species) tu scour the countryside in
search of herharium material for study, At dsis tine his anly text-hadk
evas Gerarde's old Herball—probhably the 1633 editiow—and when 74 he
wrett in retrospect: “How jmtnetise bras beer the improvement of botany
-sirice I attached myself to the study, and what imtnense facilities are sow
offered students that had mot an existence till fatefy |"

The painstaking methods of a good cullector are well exemplified in his
journal references to Australian vegetation: 800 oew plants, all with
4leseriptions in five folin volumes, were brauglit home to England as a
-result of the Endeavour expedition, but through qiressure of official duties
and subsequent departmental red tape they did not see the press for 1
years—alas, poor Linnacus! Some idea of the intensive collecting done
at Botaiyy Bay durimg the week's sojderi may be gauged fram tHe Sact that
it teak Banks a whole day ta carry ashore the 200 quires of pressing paper
and dry tt off in the sun. thereby safeguaring his valuable specimens from
destruction by mould.

Summing up his impressions of New Holland, which was viewed after
a considerable drought and Sound to be sadly deficient in water. fruits and
native regelables, our greal scientist describes the land as “in every respect
the most barren country I have seen. — the sail conld rot be suppysed
to yield much to the suppovt of ton," The naive deseription of a banana—

’
ar

‘ i? |
Ty Renksian Bicentenary 161

' “ 4 42 ' 7 sees
first encauntered at Rin de Janciro—would evoke merriment nowadays,
while thé eulogics upon Bérasrns flabellifer (the wonderful Palmyra Palm)
fill-three pages of Banks’ journal, - . .. oh
, As inilial director at Kew, Banks laid an excellence doundation, employing
experts in every department—the brilliant Austrian artist ,Francis Bauer
completed 1484 plates of new plants, under the able supervision of Sir
Joseph. fer more than 30 years. He. was instrumental in the esteblishinent
of botanic gardens at Jamaica, St. Vincent,,and Ceylou, where experimental
plantings -of tea and rubber were advocated, with what success we can
now apprecate, The application-of knowledge to men's needs was-ever a
primary concern, and all but one of Banks'. nine known. scientific writings
are on agricultural subjects (blight, mildew, rust, apple aphis, potste
culture, etc.), ‘ tS ot

Ata pertod when France and. England were.more or, less continually at
wat, Bailks rose thigh above inflamed nationalism, and on no fewer thai
eleven oocasions he had restored intact fo foreign naturalists the collections
that hie awn countrymen had seized as legitimate prizes of war; thus,
Labillardiére'’s extensive herbarium was returned to France unopened with
‘the assurance that he would “not steal a. single Botanical idea from those
who had gone in peril of their lives to get them." ,

Ni is trwe Banks did not publish much; nor can he be reckoned as a
taxonoraic tdastee in the sense nf Linnaeus, de Jussies aor Robert Brawn}
“but he eevoy great in discovering, encouraging, inspizing atid matervally
assisting a battalion of younger men who soon outshone hin in the written
-word, ag. Dryander, Brown, Hooker, Cunningham, etc. They made use
-of his funds, brs manuscripts, his collections, his anvazing Jirary, his ideas
cand suggestions—all through hfe he gave things away and took no credit;
who would say this was anything but the quintessence of a great ‘botanrst?

The Lirmaean Society sprang directly from a recommendation made te
‘the ardent young botanist, Dr, (afterwards Sir James} Smith (hat Linnacus!
celobrated herbarium and hibrary be acquired for tbe British oscian, Tt was
dane. Some years later, when writing a panegyric on his oid iriend, Smith
coupled his name with that of the immortal Isaac Newton. C

NEW GUINEA SCENARIO

Scene: A jungle. Various case-hardened Diggers, carrying a variety of
camouflaged weapons, alternately creeping and charging wildly arqund trees
and through thick serb, Cries of “There he gees; look out, look out, the
little Sa-and-so is right on you!’ “By jove, I'd like to get this bloke.” A
soldier Junges and curses a¢aim. There is moverent on the right flank;
‘the men silently take up concealed positions and wait breathlessly. A tense
stillness supervenet. Then hell breaks loose again. In their eagerness
‘to jain the fray aid help iheir mates, men, caught i Jnteriminable creepers,
fall io the ground, their clothes torn and faces and hands bleeding, Then
a prisoner comes in} then another. Their captors, proud and smiling,
guard them closely and refuse to hand them over. For a quarter of an
hour the battle rolls on with grim ferocity. Away to the left, Diggers,
veterans of desert and jungle, are crawling on hands and neces to make
a wide éncirclernent, Cunning, resolute chaps these, Suddenty they charge
‘again. They join forces with the men on the ritht. The battle ts over
and the party retires after carefully posting sertries, The prisoners sre
put to desth, There is no quarter in this ruthtess campaign. Australia
must pay the cost, but, im the loug run; many an Australian home will be
deighter. Australians chasing Japs? No—Australians chazing butterfhes.

—From the Sydney Bulletin.

163 The Theory of Contien(al Diifl apttere

THE THEORY OF CONTINENTAL DRIFT
(Précis of lecture by A. C. Prastick ta the FLN.C, December, 1943.)

Even 2 cursory exabiination of the facts bearing upon the sontinental,
distribution of plants and animals is sethcient to disclose many anomalies
it being otten difficult to account for deduced migratians of bath Living and
fossil arganisms, amd to explain the clnmatic changes 50 Irequently pusti-
lated by the pulaeunivienist, in dlustrauen of the former problem, tbe
occurrence of We Aretic beech in Australia, While jt nearest living relatives
appear in such widely separated arens as New Zeland and Somh America,
is typical Of innumerable similar exuinples.

in explanation of the hrst of the two problems. meéthbored, land-bridges
Woking the differeat continents, at various tins, were long aga invoked.
These land-bridges, of bridging continents as saine geologists seeny to
rsyquire, having permitted the mecessary cxchange of life forms,
were jacsuimed ta have Sowudered beneath the waters of the oceans
they tormerly bridged. It Geqnently happens, however, that the depth
of water standing above the site of these suppecedly vanished bridge? is
fot merely Moderate, hut aol ifrentently achieves some tholisands of
fathoms. Consegnently the disciples of ie rival conception of the per-
mniinence of the ocean basins, Invoking a doctriijc which 55 now conceded
ta have amply demonstrated that the comtinents are fsostacically balanced,
claitt that wt ts not pessible ior continental areas to be elevated as & whole
above sea Jevals or, Conversely, 1s it pussible for an unloaded continental.
area to sink to the level of the deep sea floor. “Stall changes of level,
amoanting to perhaps several hundred metres, do occur durmg marine
transgressions at the margin of a continent, but it is mot to be conceded
that the driferenve between these and the abyssal submergencé of a continent
is mérely one of degree,

The theary of contiaental. displacemeny ot continental drifl, implies a
possibility that, in the past, certain of the continental blocks adjoined ane
another, and that (hey have subsequently drifted ta their present position.
Tre is thus in accord with the couception of the perimanence of the ocean
hasing fn se far as ihe latter capils at Jand-bridges, At the same time, it
goes far toward explaining the bulk of the anomalies connected wilh plant
and atiimal distrihution, without requiying large-scale vertical moyements
of fand mosses in defiance of isostasy. Moreover, it tends to reconcile these
two rival doctrines. in ane case by supplying land-bridges by direct
continedtial coftact, and in the other by pestulating, not permanéuce of the
continents and ocean basins as separate entities, but by relative permanence:
af continental and occame aureus as a whale.

Of the many diverse attenipts to explain ¢lonatic chatiges, that claimme,
migration of the poles appears to be the most [eastble. However, since
astranomers 4toutly deny the possibility af a shitt of the earth's axis of
Tevulution, relative moyement of the crustal layers alone in relationship
to the poles has been invoked.

Indeed, it has been claimed by the protagonists of the theary of cantinental
drift that it is highly improbable that this very difficult problem will ever
be satisfactorily solved onal the principics.of orthodox geology are modified
in tecogmtion of the theory they uphold. This same theory, first giver =
practical form by Professar Alfred Wegener, is capable of assembling an
immense number of otherwise isolated facts, chiefly menlagical end biolagical,
into an intelligible whole, if the primary azsumption ot a reletive change
in position of the continents be conceded. Hence it 15 lo be regretted that,
so far, no force capable of bringing gbout suct) a change of position Was
bern discovered, and attempts to obtain istrumental proof of at remain
lncouchusive.

«ey Bed Notes from New Giinea 163

BIRD NOTES FROM NEW GULNEA

L am wrling maitly te yend the description of the playground of one
of the New Guinea Bower-birds. JY found it during November its the serub
alang a dry creek on a coastal plain, about a ine fron) thé coast. It was
sitpated above the creck bed under a canopy of twigs and creepers, about
eight feet from the, edge of the scrub, The particular area is inhabited by
a smail ceddish wallaby and by wild pigs, im faci thy fatter had been
rooting enly a few feet from the actual bower.

The playground itself consisted af a raised platform of sticks on which
the two walls and passage-way of Ute bowel were built, the whole stritcture
being about three fect in diapheter and eighteen inthes hoeh, The foundation
was nf large and small stinks, with the suariace irregular, being bile op
very neatly, however, about six inches above the ground, and Alisher of
level with small twigs for several inches from ench end of the passage-way,
The upper part of the playground consisted of two walis, of thin iwigs,
the length bemg mute imches and the width about fye mches. The general
height of the walls was about nine inches, bul many of the louger Sticks
reached well over a foot above the platiorm, The passage-way had very
rempach and straight inney walls and floor, and was only ahont three inches
wide—which is rather marrow in enmparison with the size ot the bird.

The decoration pl the bower cotisistedl wholly mi bunuhes of small green
and preyish berries. Some were scattered about the platforms at egch end
of the passage, and some were on the sticks of che inaer walls of the
passage-way, All told, thers were about a score of bunches of berries,
representutg three diferent kinds.

When L first came to New Guinea I had visians oly of dense jungle,
birds of paradis#, hornbills, etc. Jt was quite a thrill to fud that my
first acquaintance was our old friend the Jacky Witter. A pair oi them
had their “nest a few feet ahowe the Ay that we erected over our rations,
and were worricd tleither by our presence mor by the constant roar of
fighter planes passing low overhead as they rose fram, a nearby acrodraine.

Tr was not Jong before I renewed several mote of my Victorian
acquaintances—the s¢reech and Mashing eelours of the rainbow-lorikeet,
the friendly "Chirca-ohirea of the Willic Wagtail, and the mavy-hned
beadty of the rainbow-bird. The Australian taven is quite common, and
doliar-hirds have passed over wath their tolling Might once or twice The
white cackutou seems quite out of place in the jungle when pre has been
used (601 of} the plains of Gippsland ard northern Victoria; and the harsh
tackling of the blus-winged kookaburra i3 2 poor recompense [or the loss
nf rollicking notes of ous own laughing jack.

Another old friend is the peacesal dove, which made its nest about three
feet from the ground on the edge of a truck track in our present camp aren
It took no natice of the constant passing ot men and trucks within two
feet nf the nest, and eventually beoame so tame that it world not leave the
nest wlhien handled. One of the two eggs failed, bul the olher produced 2
chick so healthy thal its weight eventually broke the frail nest down, su
the family shifted do a nearby stump. The mother presented 2 rather
ludicrous figure, straddling the full-grown youngster, and raising her
wings threatingly if it were interfered with.

Norman A. Waxerteco, New Guinea,

[The bird chiefly referred to above is probably the Fawn-breastesd
Bower-bird (Chlamydera cevntuentets), which accors in the Cape York
region a9 well as in New Guinea and the Luuisiade Archipelaga. It is
strongly given to the use of preen berries for decorative purpases.—Editor, |

164 Help for Healesatlle Sonctwary poy ve

HELP FOR THE HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY

A Jady member of the Field Naturalists’ Clob bas written to the com-
mittce ofiermg to donate £25 to Mr. Dayid Fleay, in recognitian of his
admiralle work at the Healesville Sanctum, She suggests that other
members of the Club may be willing to increase the amount to £50 oF mare
The comnnttee approves of this suggestion and invites members to show
their appreeation of Mr. Fleay's valuable work by subscribing to the
testimonial. Mv, Fleay has agreed to accent the money, but not tor personal
use; it wall be devoted, at lng discretion, te improvements in the Sanctuary.
Donations should he sent either to the Treasurer or Sectetary of the Club,

— — ~er eee +

WHEN SPIDERS “BLUSH”

Reoently. while attempting to draw a large wall-spier (probably Locosa
ranose) fram its pit, I noticed that the twn chelicerae were a brilliant
red in colour, a feajure which T had not previously observed, Upon
capturing this sider and impriscuying her in a glass tube, L saw that this
colouration was merely transilory, and was caused by some interual—rather
than external—change of pigmentation, Further experiments revealed that
these changes were due to physical reactions related to the spider's senses,
Le, to changes of surroundings, pain, excitement, cte. A fly placed in the
observation box caused thy spider to “blusht red, until some time after it
was impaled upon her fangs, the colour fading gradually until it finally Jaded
at the. point that the chelicerae form a junction with the carapace, I have
not scen notes relating to these phenomena at any book on spiders, and would
be glad of any information from observations,—Brtan M-. Suoacerr (Cpl,
Ist Aust. B.O.D.), Bandiana, via Wodonga,

4& PLEASANT HOBBY

You knaw, of course, that many of our lads in New Guinea have
adopted hobbies of various kinds, the most popular, perhaps, being the
catching and preserying of the beautiful butterflies of the remon. Now T
learn from a naturalist Sriend Urat Bombardier Nonna Wakefeld, an
ex-schoclicacher from Enst Gippsland, has gone one better! An authority
on ferns (of which he has found maty new Jands in Victoria), Walkefeld
spends most of Iris leisure an the North in collecting fertus on the muuntais,
and he has now gathered no fewer than 180 species. How, you may ask,
does he preserve Ins specimens? The explanation is simple: ke dries them
it gnagezines over the conkhouse fire, cus preventing mould atid blackening,
and J gather that results are entively satisfactary, What ihe cook has to
say on the paint is not recorded,—"The Rouseahout” in Melbourne JJerntid.

An add circunmtance ii bird-Gle is the report, that a pair of Mud-larks
(Gralting) have nested recently in an elm at the itersection of Bourke and
Exhihition Streets, Melbourne, practically in the centre of the erty. Mud
for the nest appears ta have been obtamed frorm watered erasy-plots in the
street, Where the birds get food 1s best known to themselves.

The Cieb Rooms were étitered Fecently by a thief or imeves who
destroyed some correspondence. Will anyone who Has sent money to the
hall and has oat recerved an acknowledgement please write ta the TTan
‘Treasurer. ~ =

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX.—No. 11 March 9s. 1944 No. 723
PROCEEDINGS |

The monthly meeting of the F.N.C. was held on February 14,
1944, The President, Mr, P. F, Morris, presided and about 80
members and friends attended,

“INTRODUCING THE STARS”

Mr. P. Croshie Morrison gave 2 short account of astronomy ane.
notes on the various items ta be seen in the heavens. He followed
with « practical demonstration with the aid of a 31-inch tele.
scope, A very interesting evening was spent by all concerned.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Mr, David Fleay wrote thanking the Club for congratulations

received on the birth of the baby platypus. The President men-
‘ tioned the appeal launched to enable a worth-while donation to

be given Mr. Fleay for use im the Sanctuary.

Reports of Excursions were given as follows; Altona, Mr, P. F,
Morris (for Mrs. Freame) ; Ferntree Gully, Mr. Swaby.
. The foltowing were elected as ordinary members: Mrs. M- Kath-
leen Woodburn, Miss A. M. Burton, Mr, H. Fulton; and as
country member, Mr, James Leverett.

Mr. A. D. ITardy reported on a fire at Sperm Whale Head, and
stated that practically the whole of the reserve was buritt over.

The meeting endorsed the announcement by Mr. A. 1D). Hardy
that Mr. R. H. Croll had consented fo act as the Club’s repre-
sentative on the Bush Fire Prevetition Committee, recently formed.
Mr. Croll had been appoimted chairman of the publiatinns sub-
committee + of the new organization.

NATURE OUESTIONS

Question: What is the origin of the name “aquiliaiam” in Bracken
Fern? Answer; Mr. A. D, Hardy sugyested that the specific:
epithet was in allusion to the stelar outhne of a “spread-eagle”
plainly visible when a leaf-stalk is cross-sectioned near its attach-
ment to the rhizome. Mr, J. H. Wilks supported this explanation,

> which had been pat forward by the English botanists Sowerby

166 Iield Naturalists’ Club Proceedings Wat =

and Smith in L807. Miss Raff mentwnéd the similar case of
"Satonon's’ Seal," in which slices of the tubers beav a fancidul
resemblance to that wise ruler’s amperial seal

Question: Whar is the life-history of the lern Agolla? Answer |
Mr. J. H. Willis explained that, unlike ordinary ferns, each fertile,
floating Azolla frond bears two distinct kinds of sporangia—oneé
with ntiimerous microspores, the ather with solitary nracrospores ;
these spores ave never shed from their respective sporangia, but
germinate inside them. The resulting prothalh are very small,
lack chlorophyll, and ure wholly dependent on Ue parent sparo-
phyte (i.e, the Azolla frond) ; they break through theit containing
sporangial walls inte the surrounding water, and antherozoids
from male prothalli on the mierasporangia swim towards the macro-
-sporangial female prothalli, The resulting zygote is apparently
able ta over-winter and then rapidly develop inta a new Agolla
plant when Jayourable conditions arrive.

Question (by Sir Frederick Mann) : Is the Musk Duck decreas-
ing in numbers, and why? Answer: Mt, V. H, Miller suggested
that the decrease might le due to the bird being “goad eating,”
Mr. FE. S. Hanks said he thonghe the numbers were about sta-
tionary. Miss N. Fletcher stated that the bird is not secu on the
saltpans at Altona now, and suggested ihat it is definitely decreas-
ing wear Melbourne.

EXHIBITS

Mr, C, C Griffiths: Pupa of Ranksia Moth (Dania Banksige) from
larva taken at Seaford, 8/1/44. ,

Mr. N. Lothian: Herbarium specimens of Mallonbergia. ‘

Mr_O. P Singleton; Herbarium specimen of the newly-described tree-
fern Cyathea morcescens Wakeheld, fram a tributary of the Parker River,
smuthen! Oppays, 3 miles east of Horderm Vale; alya a series af Australian
Tertiary and Recent Trigonias, inchwling a new species from the Eocene
of Pebble Point, near Princetown. (Two Jurassic species included for
compatisan.)

Mr. H. © E. Stewart: Adult moth, cncaon and exes of ehithela nenta;
also female short-horned grasshopper. Montstria conspersa (wingless) 5
both collected at Mount Bultalo; altitude 4,500-5.600 feet,

Mr_ A. WN. Carter: A qollectian of recent and fossil Cowrles. including
the Victorian form Cyeraca anynsteta, Gmelin, aud its varieties piperita,
Gray } comptant, Gray ; bicolor, Gaskin; and deciivis. Sowerby, All collected
ai Flindecs, Vie.

Mr. C.J, Gabriel: Marine inteenal shells: Dofubella scapula, Mart,
NS.W,, BD. otgas, Rane, Mauritius; D. remphs, Cuvier, Mauritius,

Miss Ina Watson; Nest of the Black Huteyeater.

Mr. R. G, Painter: Fourteen spocies of garden-grown. native plants.

Mr, TL. Griffiths: “Devil’s Coach-horse” {(Creaphitlus crytheocephalys) 3
alsa Pelloea (Ptevis) foleula, sickle fern. showing bipinmate fronds (found
at National Park, Ierntrer Gully).

Mr, E. Neuman: Fossil wood from Open Cut, Yalloura,

Mr, F. Hallwarten- A series uf «ase-moth voroons.

Mr. F. S. Colliver: Large land Mollusc found on the banks of the Nile
after Hoods,

ae Grit, Basal! Cave ot Pormure 167

BASALT CAVE AT PANMURE, WESTERN VICTORIA
By the Rev. Epwunp D, Girt, b,a, &.p., Melbourne

The large cave in basaltic rock at Panmure, which ts the subject
al this paper, is situated between the township of Panmure and _
Mount Warrnambool, a few hundred yards north-west of Princes
Highway and south-west of the road to Framlingham.

T was taken to thiseave by Mr, Alex, Wilkins of Warrnantbool,
whe tells me that the cave used to be entered by a small hole at
ground-level which led down steeply, into the southern end of the
cave. A couple of years agn the cave was partially opened during
quarryimg, operations. The cave is now entered through a alit in
the rock at the north end of the floor of a small quarry. The
narrow opening admits one toa steep ramp 33 feet Jong, with a
drop nf 25 feet, The ramp consists o7 soil and smal) stones which
have filtered through the entrance. As the quarry is about 15 feer
deep, this aneaiis that the Hoor of the eave at the southern end is
40) feet belaw ground-level. However, the cave is not so far from
the surface at the northern end, as the floor of the cave rises in
that direction, ’

The cave was exploted by means of corchlight, but even powerful
torches seem to give very little light in such caves. I presume
that this is due to the dark walls absorbing the light rays, and to—
the fact that the air is very pure in the sense that it is noe full of
light-refractiny particles like the atmosphere outside.

By means of a half-chain tape it was determined that the southern
arm of the eave is about 114 feet long. the western arm 230 feet,
and the eastern arma 147 feet. The greatest Jength of the cave is
thereiore 344 feet,

A feature of interest jg that the two northern arms of the cave
are more or less parallel to one another. This is taken to be due
to their following majar joint-planes developing im the cooling
lava. It is considered that the cave owes its origin to the draining
of liquid tava from the solidified or seini-solidified lava round
about it. The evidence in support of this origin may be summarized
thus;

1, The cave throughout 7s roughly semi-circular in cross-section,
i.¢., there is a flat floor andl an arching roof. The Aoor is strewn
in places with large pieces of rock which have fallen from the
roof, which is this also mice irregular. Nevertheless, the flat
Aloor is characteristee of the whole cave. The two northern arms
terminate by the floor meeting the roof rather tham by the sides
coming together, or a general attermation in all planes, This is
particularly noticeable tn the north-western att of the cave where
the termination is quite wide, and is farmed by the floor nosing
to meet the voof, These facts are consonant with the theory of

2 Viet, Nut,
wh Grup, Basalt Cave at Parnimure Vol LX

lava drainage. By the action of gravity, the flowing lava would
form a flat surface which would become the floor of the cave upon
cooling. Caves formed by gas in the lava do not have flat floors
because the gas pressure is more of less’ equal in all directions.

2. There is a general drop in the level of the floor of the cave
from north to south. Such a drop of level would be necessary for
drainage, particularly if the lava were viscous. The main vestibule
of the cave is practically meridional in direction, indicating that
the drainage was from north to south, and this corresponds with
the general slupe of the sub-basaltic terrain (Miocene limestone).
Both in pre-basaltic times and in post-basaltic times the general
drainage of the Western District has been from north to south.

A lava drainage cave } mile long and 20 to 5G feet high has
been described from Arizona (Emmons, Thiel, Stauffer and
Allisan, 1939, p. 300). Skeats and James (1937) have brought
to notice a number of lava caves at Porndon and Byarluk.

The floor of the Panmure cave is covered with chocolate soil
and the rock debris to which reference has already been made.
The cave is fairly dry, thete being dripping water in but few
places. The decomposition along the joint planes, the depth of
soil on top of the basalt, and the physiography of the present
terrain, suggest that the lava flow in which the cave occurs is nol
& recent one geologically. Some Western District flows have been
shown to be probably as old as Pliacéne in age (Hills, 1938; Gill,
1943),

REFERENCE LITERATURE

Emmons, W, A, Thiel, G A. Stavffer, C F., and Allison, 1. S, 19:
Geolagy=-Principles and Process, New-York and Tandon,

Gil, E, D., 1943: “The Geology of Warrnambuol." Prev. av. Soc. Pic.,
Vol. $5 (ns.), Pt. 2) pp. 133-194,

Hills, E S. 1938: "The Age and Physiograplic Relationshijs of the
Cainozoic Valeame Rocks of Victoria.” Proc. Roy. Sec Fie. Vol. $l
tns.), Pt. 1, pp, 112-139,

Skeats, E. W., and James, A. V. G, 1937, “Basaluc Barriers anc her
Surface Features of the Newer Basalts of Western Victoria.” Pine,
Rov, Soc. Vie. Vol. 49 (u.s.), Pt. 2, pp. 245-292,

THE NATURE OF FIRE-BAL.LS

Replying to a question at the last meeting of the F.N.C. Mr. P_C. Morris
said that the nature of fird-balls was sali aaperfectly understood, hut they
were generally regarded as electrical and in the same group as the various
types of lightning. Some fire-halls, however, were almost certainly masses
of ineandescent gas caused by the passive of a meteor that had burnt itself
out. Messrs, Swaby, Hardy, Jenking and McKenzie added to the: discussion,
whick created a good deal of interest.

vay Morrison, fifrodmaing Mie Stats 169

INTRODUCING THE STARS

SUBSTANCE OF AN ADDRESS DELIVERED To THE F.N-C.Y,,
Fesruary 14, 1944, sy P. Crospie Morrison

“LE the stars would appear one night in a thousand years, how would
men believe and adore, and preserve for many geuerafions the remembrance
af the City of Gad which kad beew shown, But every myght come out
these eyvoys of beauty, and light ibe universe with their smile.”

—Ratph Walda Bsmerson,

Astronomy is Ue oldest of Lhe sciences, anel for thousands uf
years it was the peaple’s seienee, requiring only simply-constructed
instruments or none at all for its study. Only since the discovery
of the telescope has it pushed its way beyond the reach of ordinary
people. Yet thete is much in the sky to delight the eye of rhe
casual observer who has no instrumental aid.

In the early days the stars were the study of the shepherds who
watched their flocks by mght; they were the people who, thousands
of years before Christ. recognized the difference het ween the fixed
stars, which retaned the same relatrve positions year in snd yeai
out andl formed recognizahle patterns or constellations in the sky,
and the slellae planetee, or “wandering stars,” of which they recog-
nized five which continually changed their motions against the
starry. background, They also saw occasionally a third kind of

‘star’ which they called stellae comatae, or “hairy stars"—the
«comets

The names of the stars and of the principal constellations have
come down from those misty corridors of history: they were
associated with early mythology or with the seasons of the farmer's
year in Bahylon and Egypt. The progress made hy early observers
without optical instruntents is aniazing—for cvample, Eratosthencs
ot Alexandria, a Greek astronomer who flourished around 276-104.
BC, calculated the circumference of Uhe earth from astronomical
considerations. His answer was 25,000 niles, while the actual
figure is 24,899 miles—an error of only 0-4 per cent.! And that
was 1} 4 day when there was no agreement even that the earth
was a spliere.

Now we recognize the earth as merely one of the planets, and
fot by any means the largest of them. We krow that the planets
are'niuch closer {o us than rhe fixed stars are—ithey are mevely
nonuminous satellites of our own sun, which ys itself a starz.all
the planets shine Ly hght reflected trum the sun, If the stin were
suddenly extinguished. the moon and ail the planets would’; céase
ta sline, but the stars would not be affected.

The sun, the planets, anil the moons which acconrpany many
of the planets, are known collectively as the solar system, Tv

Viet.
17) Moxatson, Jasrodnemg the Stars bring oly

give an approximate idea of their relative sizes and their distri-
bution in space, we may take the head of an ordinary pin to repre-
sent the earth, The slightly blunt pomt of a second pin $ inch
away would represent the moon on the same seale, and the sun
then would he represented hy a 3-nch orange at a distance of
25 feet, Stil on the sane scale the nearest of the Axed stars
would be somewhere about Eucla, on the Great Australian Bight,
1000 miles away, The nearest star visible ta the naked eye is
Alpha Centauri, the brighter of the two Pomilers Lo the
Southern Cross, distant 44 light years: or about 25 million million
€25,000,000,000,000) miles.

To recognize Use stars tr js necessary to know the patterns of
ihe more iImportaut constellations, aid the easiest way to begin
is with the twelve constellations ot the Zodiae—the band in the
sky stretching from cast through a potut somewhat north of the
zenith and down to the west. This js easily recognizeel as the
zemieral path of the sun, the moon, and all the planets—none of
the planets is ever found outside this band,

The Egyptians divided it into twelve “houses” or “signs'” af
equal size, and the sun traversed the whole band in the course af
the year, moving from “sign’’ to “sign” month by month. Their
order is remembered easily from the old mnemonic rhyme:

The Ram, the Bull, the ITeayenly Twit
And next the Crab the Lion shines,

The Virgur and the Seales,

the Scorpion, Archer, and TTe-Goat;
The Man who holds the watering-pot,
And Fish with ghiteraiy tails.

Thesé twelve constellations are to he followed from west to
east, through north. The Ram (Aries) is faint and difficult to
pick ont. The Bull, on (he other hand, ts easy; its major parts are
a V inverted or lying on its side, formed of five niin stars, and
a Jittle distance away the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, a tiny well-
known group. The Twins (Gemin?) are recognized by the hwo
first-magnitude stars Caster and Pollux, looking mach like our
southern Pointers, but in the path uf the Zodiac instead of in the
southern sky. The Crab (Cancer) js also faint and fairly difficult
to recotnize, but Leo, the Lion, shows very plainly as the form
of a sickle, with the bright star Regulus in the handle, followed
by a triangle. The very brilliant star Spica marks the centre of
Virgo, the Virgin; the Scules (Libra) are indistinct; but the
Scorpion is ore of the wost easily recognized of the constellations,
like an enermous question-mark on tts side, berally marked out
in stars, and with the curl of the tail lying i the Milky Way. The

Niste Coreman, Strange Root Formation in Cherry-ballart kal

remainder are less distinct, but with these as a start, they may
he followed from any star chart.

Now, using these constellations as landmarks (or better, perhaps,
as “skymarks”), the others may be followed step by step. A
puzzling stranger in an otherwise recognizable constellation near
the Zodiac wall prove to be a planet.

(At the conclusion of the brief address, members were invited to examine
Jupiter, showing the for most brilkant of his 1] mons, and Saturn, with
its remarkable system of rings, theough a 34-inch Tefracter set up in the
frrounds, Conditions were far from perfect, but these objects, and the
Great Nebula in Onion, were well seen by most members.)

STRANGE ROOT FORMATION IN CHERRY-BALLART
By Ente Coreman, Blackburn, Vic.

In July, 1943, it was necessary to have cut down a large Cherry-
hallart. (livecarpus cupressiforats) which grew on our land at
Healesville. It was a beautiful, three-pronged tree, almost as high
as the house, which we had enjoyed for 25 years. Decay was
evident at the base of one fork, anrd this had been cut down
previously. The others, although apparently sound, were leaning
over the house, and it was thought that they, too, might be unsound.
We had been told by the woodcutter that these trees are apt to
“snap off like 2 carrot.”

When the tree was cut down it was seen that each of the stems
contained within it @ living root. ‘he roots had started in a sound
part of each stem, growing downward to feed an decayed mutter
beneath The one illustrated’ commenced at 84 feet from the
yround, Tt was measured hy the woodcutter, an experienced man,
who drew my attention to the soundness of the wood it which the
root had started, and to the distance it had travelled before reach-
ing decay, and branching. Here more roots were produced, which
spread out, forming @ bed for theniselves in tle cormparatively soft
matter of what had seemed a perfectly sound stem. The freshly
exposed roots were soft, moist and of a reddich colour,

When the photograph was taken, nearly six imonths later
(12/1/44), they had dried and contracted, The thong-like part
then measured 24 inches in circumference. Tt had dried with a
hatk-like formation tesembling that of the stem of the tree, For
the purpose of the photograph, flie root was pinned toa white
door. The. left-hand picture shows ihe wedge-shaped section and
the soundness of the wood in which the ract was formed, also the
distance it travelled before hranching.

It seems surprising’ that the whole of this root formation, which

{72 Coreman, Strange Root Formation ix Chorry-ballart [ td i

is 33 inches tn tength, was acl 5 feet & inches frbm the grcoumd,
and was completely enclosed within an apparently sound stem.
The right-hand picture shows the outside of the wedge in which
development commenced.

‘fhe root in the second stem started ac 3} feet fron) the greund-
The circuntference of the stem which contained it wis 25 mmches.

Although I can suggest o certain reagon for these strange
interior coot growihs in Exocarpes they offer naturalists a fas-
Guating study, They raise, too, an interesting question, Many
leaning trees and shrubs send out new branches which secure
balance, One niay sce this in the garden. Some trees, when erosion
threatens their hold on the earth, send out fresh roots from the
stern, oftess many feet irom the grotnd, These, growing outside
the stem, nat inside as in the case of the Cherry-ballart, sonictinies
shuot outward at first, then downward, eventually reaching ground
in which they become securely anchered-

Gertvude Jekyll (Home and Garden, 1901) gives a remarkable
phate. of a Scotch Fir. It is growing near the top of 4 steep
bank. The soii has been almost washed from its roots, which
appear to have scatcely any hold on the bank. The situation has
heen saved by the lransfannation of its tap-root into a stem, with
a root-system of its own. This tap-root stem is even thicker than
the true stem above the normal roots. The new roots are securely
anchored in the earth at the bottom of the steep bank. The trans-
formation from tap-root to stem seems all the more complete
because it ig covered with what appears to be a true bark, like that
of the upper stem, separating into seale-like plates.

lt seems prohable that the Exocarpus was sending down, from
within, new; roots the upper part uf which would later be trans-
formed into stem, These roots would serve, either to anchor the
sourid parts of (he tree or, more probably, to take their place mm
the earth as new trees, when wind or decay should complete the
destruction of the parent tree. This theory is strengtheneri by the
hark-like covermg of the thong-like roots which resembles that
on the adult stem, ;

Root-parasitism in Eyacarpus has been fully demonstrated by
Dr Margaret Benson and Dr, T. A. Herbert, and probably accounts
for the grove-like growth of these trees. Such interior roots as
the ones just described may also account for grove growth—more
convincingly, J think, than seedlings, which are tare.

In April, 1943, a disastrous fre destroyed or scorched many of
our Cherry-hallzrts, A number of these has produced new growth
showing reversionary leaves, which [ have previously described
(Fiet. Nat., Sept. 1934). Tet has heen interesting to nole a seed-
ling of the Pale-froit Cherry-ballart (E. stricta) which escaped
the fire, Showing these Tarragon-like reversionary leaves.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST VoL. 1X Marek, 1944

Plate NI

Root of Cherry-hallart which developed in an apparently sound stem at
a distance of 8$ feet from the ground. «A weilge-shaped section cnt frou
the stem showing (left) sound wood, (right) outside of the section.

bari Wiis, Drvopteris pennigera 173

DRYOPTERIS PENNIGERA, A NEW FERN RECORD
FOR VICTORIA

By James H. Wittis, National Herbarium, Melbourne

To Mr. Owen Singleton goes the honour of augmenting our
list of Victorian pteridophytes (now 107) by vet another species
and, as this latest discovery is of a Dryopteris, its record in our
journal follows fittingly upon the revision of that genus by N. A.
Wakefield in the February number.

The only once-pinnate species of “wood-fern” hitherto found
in Victoria is Dryopteris nymphalis (syns. mollis, dentata, para-
sitiea), and its occurrence is based on a solitary specimen from
Curdie’s River, 1883—preserved at the National Herbarium—the
nearest other location being cliffs of the lower Murray near
Blanchetown tn South Australia, Late in January, 1943, Mr.
Singleton came across a small clump of simple-pinnate Dryopteris
on calcareous soil along the western branch of Sherbrooke River,
Waarre pine plantation, west Otway region. Since this spot is less
than 20 miles from the original Curdie’s River site (farther west),
it was presumed that he had established the survival of D. nyinphalis
60 years after the first and only collection there. Specimens of
this interesting find were lodged at the National Herbarium, and
there they rested for a year under the name “nymphalis,”

Last December, Miss J. Somerville (of Hobart Museum)
brought to Melboume some specimens from Mole Creek and
Copper Creek (near Smithton}, N.W. Tasmania, which she stated
had been identified as Dryoptcris pennigera by a New Zealand
authority; these also grew on limestone formation and agreed
perfectly with Mr. Singleton’s recent Otway collection!

Thus followed a closer scrutiny of all exsiccate Australian and
New Zealand material in the nymphalis and penmgera groups, and
we were able to confirm both Miss Somerville’s Tasmanian and
Mr. Singleton’s plants as true D. pennigera; the old Curdie’s
River sample and the lower Murray specimens typify D. mynephralis,
This means that we have tevo species of once-pinnate “wood-ferns”
in Victoria and, as both seem to be confined to a small area west
of the Otways, they are among our rarest ferns.

The Sherbrooke River record of D. pennigé€ra is also, apparently,
the first undoubted one for the whole Australian mainland. Domin
(in Prodromuais einer Farnflora Queenslands, p. 46) mentions that
the pecurrence of this species in Queensland is based on a single
frond which Amalie Dietrich gathered long ago at Port Mackay
and which Luerssen provisionally included in penmigera; he knew
of no other Australian collection but, as the species is distributed
from the Philippines to New Zealand (where abundant), Domin
considered its reappearance here very possible.

Viet MNat.

be ; .
174 Wiis, Dryopteris pennigera fata

fibout t/z rat.size

< (Enlarged )
rye -
| 4 2

aoe
——~ }\
(Exforged )
ms om, 1, AAW. del iqag —
(After 1, B.DabBie AZ ferns ti

Dryopteris nymphalis: 1. Half frond (deltoid in shape).
la, Ultimate lobe with indusiate sori.

D, pennigera: 2. Half frond (fusiform). 2a. Ex-indusiate sori.

aie Boack, Deseription of a New Encalypt Aybeid 16

Following are the chiet points of difference between the species
discussed ahovet

D. nyanpiialiy (Foret.) Copeland D, pamvaora (Foret) C.Chr,

1. Fronds narrowly deltoid, broader 1, Fronds fusiform, the pinnae
helow. aradually decreasing m length

- towards the base.
2, Lobes of pinnae it 20 or more 2. Labes of piinae in L2 to 16 pairs,
uirs, almost entire. usually crenate,

3. Maidrib paler than the frond jn 3. Midrih darker in colour thai the
colour. frond,

4, Indusiam presen and conspicue 4. Tndysium lacking, sporangia

ous. tiaked [rom the first,

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW EUCALYFPT HYBRID
By Rateioa A, Bracn, Melbourne
NX EVCALYPTUS radiodies ("BUTTERCUP PEPPERMINT’)
(vadiota x dives) R.A, Black hyhr. nov.

Arber 4-50 pedes alta {circa 72-25 mj, Carticé, aspero, persisteiita
siontti “'Peppermint’-arbort secumiem porlent tvmtenm fuferiorom, deinds
th remnis lew et dealhaty mlque, segonmmtis fongis denorticaite. Jota Juganiha
angusta-lancealata vel (ato-lanceclala, Folia Matra alterna angusto-lonego-
fata wel lanceolata. Infloveseentia, im romdeltis, Umbellas, axillares, 6-12
florac. Gemanae ‘clevatie, pedicellatad, Operculum hemispherionnt, upteratere,
Antherde venriformes, Frucins pediccllata globoso-urcealata, 6 ym, longa.
7 wun, lata, truncate, crassa, ovificio cantractt, 4-locids,

Vicroria—On eastern slopes of Buttercup Creek, Boaroolite, Mansfield,
County of Delatite, in Silurian soi] formation, in tmixed eucalypt forest,
mainly young of about 40-50 years old, interspersed with vestiges of old
forest; ca. 1060 Ft. January 12, 1941, Black, No. 352-006—(1), (Type),

A small to medium-spreading tree, branching freely from about § it!
from the ground. Timber soft and etimniy, of a pale colout. Juvenile
loaves irregularly opposite, shortly stalked, 4-10 om, long, 1-2-5 cm, broad;
intramarginal vein somewhat near edge of leuf; lateral veins obscure,
diverging at an angle of fram 40-46 degrees, mature leaves shortly stalked,
apiculate, dark green, 6-13 om. long, 4-34 cm. broad; lateral veins diverging
from [5-17 deerces, Stalks of umbels angular ito laterally compressed,
f+] cm. tong. Calyx-tube almest as long as operculum. Anthers reniform,
2-celled, but hardly or not at all confluent. Gland minute and terminal.
Disk flush with edge of fruit, thin, 5-6 mm, in diameter, Valves triangular
in shape, small and deeply sunk, Fruit stalked, broadiy urceolate, 6 im.
foug aud 7 mm. broad, truncate, walls rather thickish, otifice contracted,
All fruits examined, +celied.

The rarity af E, rodiedives might be the result of land-clearing hy stack-
tien, there being 2 comperatively large adjacent area of once forest-land.
haw turned ants bush pasthec. \

Before the lamented death of Mr. W, F, Blakely, Eucalyptologist of the
National Herbarium, Sydnvy, £ had closely conferred with hint with respect
to this new hybrsd. - -

‘

One nighi, having disabled @ tiger snake with a blow, © lifted it to a
bare spot alougside a hurricane lamp 7 was carrying. This smake utlered
a shrill call—a succession of high-pitched staccato notes—and was answered
from a point perhaps 20 or 30 rards away. I have several tintes heard the
call, but only this time was sure that it came from a snale.—'BusHman.”

176 Rouen. A Mew Species of Thelwuitro haa da

AN NEW SPECIES OF THELYMITRA
T. RETECTA sp. nov.
By Rey, H, M. R. Rupr, Northbridge, N.S.W

Plante qrucztis. 22-65 em, alta, Folivn crassnin, canalioulatiwm, 9620 em,
fongum, Moret 3-20, ctrea 2-5-3 em. trans diametrian, cacruler vel purpurer.
Sepotun dorsale latins quem seomenta attera, Lobellum patalautes. Columne
gine mitra, od postarioren: akeupiissinse tromeata, scd ofis tateralrbus oblongts
dreabts; lobi penderttati anagni, greeti, flawi: alae ct tobi pentthat altores
quan anthora. .dnthera spnenlo filiformi,’

A slender plant 22-66 cm. high, with a thick
chanelled leaf 920 cm lon; stem bracts 2,
leaf-hke. Flawetrs 3-20, about 25-3 cm. acroge
the diameter, blue, purptish, or pink, or com-
bining these shades. Dorsal sepal broader than
any other segment. Lahellum resembling the
paired petals hut a Ittle shorter. Column with«
aut any hood, very abruptly truncated behind
at or below the base of the anther, but with
an erect eblang lateral wing, oranve-coloured,
on either side, its margins minutely denticulate
or crenulate except om use anterior side; the
hack of the eoltmn with a conspicuous dark
oradge band just onder the summit. Peniciblate
lobes erect, with Jarge dull yellow hairtufts,
Anther with a jong filifonn pot, scarcely as
high as the top of the colnmn wings, and con-
siderahly lower than the hairtults—Gravelle
Beach, on the Tamar River below Launceston,
December, 1943, Neil Barrows,

This interesting species wax found in sub-
stantial numbers by Mr. Burrows, who is tu
be congratulated on his discovery. In addition
to a living specinien, fre sent excellent pencil
¢ketches which were must teful. Morph
logically, the flower is perliaps nearer to 7.
tripeada Rogirs than to any other kown

Thelymitva retecta,

Rope sh sau Ay pant species, but it has very distinctive characters
> af its own, as a study of the deseriptian will

B, column from the i uy tee
fener Mi. hairetuft, Show. The specifte name (“aneovered") is in

w, wing; @, anther; ‘allusion to the complete absence of any pro-
s, stzma. C, column tective hood above the anther,
from the back; 3, Mr, Burrows reperte that the new syiecies
deep ormee band. D. grows ty association with the Veined Sat-
columa from the side, Orchid (7, vennsa R.Br,), with which it his
one wing and hair-tof, little in common morphologically beyoad the
rernoved. B, C.D all generic character, He has also observed that
greatly onfar ged. alihongh the flowers during cool and cloudy
weather do not expand at al), fertilization of
the ovary takes place, and the species is sodsmily self-pollinating, or at
lease capable of self-pallination,

Mr. P. Croshie Morrison left recently for a lecture tour nf North Australia
under the auspices of the Army Education Service.

on Goon, “Dnstinct” py “Radiol Rays"? Vy

"INSTINCT" GR “RADIAL RAYS"?
To the Editor.

Sin—The word “instinct. as applied to the actions: af birds, animals
and insects, bas never professed to explain what thr faculty is, but
designated a sense of which we know wothing, Since we bezin to know
more abuut radiation “und radial waves, the explanation ai this sense
appears ta be clear enough: There does nat sceom to be any doubt that
_ birds, etc. have the faculty of receiving the radial waves, which we How
know are emanated from all things. that are on the earth's surface

There are inuumerable instances of the actions of birds. etc, which could
be given to substantiate that statement, Fabre, the French naturalist,
observed that when a Great Peacock female butterfy emerged ircan the
chrysalis one morning, in his laboratory, a whole swarm of males. invaded
the place that night. It seemed as if the sense af smell had been guiding
the mules. Fabre shattered this hypothesis, although he did not recnpnize
the fact, by placing sulstances of overpowering abnoxious efluyia near the
female, which liad no effect an the collection of males. He placed the
female under 9 glass bell, where the males could see her, and a tray
continu a layer of sand, on whicl. the female -had passed the procediny:
day and night, cavered with a piece of wire gauze, beimg in his way, he
placed it on the floor at the other end of the room, where little light cauld
penetrate, To his surprise na males stopped at the glass bell, were the
female could be plainly seet, but they all flew to the tray and alighted on
the wire dome,

Georges Lakhoysky, another observer, cacried out a similar experiniesit
with the same species of butterfly, with a piece of cotton wool jor her
restnie-place, instead of the saud-tray, and came to the conclusion that it
was not the splendouws of her colourmg, nor was it ary smell given off
hy her, thar attracted the males, but mathe micro-organic ceils, radiating
accorditg ta 2 scale af determined wavelengths from infinitesimal particles
given off by her ovaries. To support the latter contention, when he dipped
the cotton wool into pure alcohol or corrosive sublimate (hath ot which
would heye no effect on odoriierous effluvia) the males stopped coming
ta the wool These solutians would destroy the living cells which. gave
off the radiations that attracted the idles

OF hats, the latter ebserver says: “Tt is commionty believed that it js
lo the acuity of the senses of smell and hearing that the bat owes its
ability of approsching its prey. This may be adimissable under such
conditions as the caim atmesphere of the coustryside, In Paris, I have
often watched bats trom my balcony, on racing days. armmid the uproar of
a great crowd and the noises of teousaneds of cars, scttinge up vibrations in
the nir, saturated with the products of pettol combastion., Amid this
deafening dint and vitiated atmospherc, it fs neither the sense of smoll nor
that of hearing that guides the bats straight towards insects which thy
catch as easily as ii whe undisiutbed silence of the countryside. The bat
is mast pirahably attracted to these insects by the gadiations they emit,
which is not influenced by noise or by petrol fumes.”

Consideration of your space forbids me giving further instances pointing
ma the use af radial wayes by hirds, animals and isests, az an explanation:
of the faculty or sense, which we covoe by the word “instinct.”

Yours,
J Anmmrr A, Coon,
Walkerstun,
Mackay, Queensland

178 Marrinatky, Radial Rays and Bird Rohoviour ‘vet ux”

RADIAL RAYS AND BIRD BEHAVIOUR

Ta the Editar

Sir,—It surprises me¢ to find that Dr, H, Flecker is unaware that racial
rays ave al present unknown to him, Most rays, if not all, are classihed
as radiating in character. There is a multiplicity of radiating rays well
known ta scientists which emit ar radiate energy. For anstanee, the says
al raditut are emitted or xadiatéd, likewise ntany others. There are also
ule tays which have been separated from the parent ray, like the varicus
rays Colmposing light, such as the violet ray and infra-red ray.

By using a comprehensive term embodying all radiating rays ly the
simple word indicative of their natural behaviour ws radial rays T am it
keeping with the strict sense of the classification of and nomenclature of
radiating rays. ‘Uhes, therefare. needs no defetice but the colverse attivade.
Ic is but a broad classificanon of what js al) present known to exist

I micht be permitted to pomt out that the disputed word’ "instinct" has
heen rejected as redundant in the dictionary of basic English. This is
exactly what I claimed for it and stated that it was a reduudant word of
little, if any, yalue as a criterion.

Ta iddicate that radial action is not mere conjecture mm its action on
bind behaviour, lel me cite the result of an experiment made with radial
rays an the 2nd July, 1924, ata radio station near Valencia, Spain, with
a Hock of tarrier pigenms. They were released when the station was
transoiming and it was noted that these birds could not get their hearings
and kept fiving about in circles. When the statin ceased transmission af
was not Jog befnre the birds gor their direction and flew away.

Dr. Flecker further mentions that the hereditary impulse of all animals
19 Secle for fond is instinctive, Naw it is. well kuown that animals respond
ta the stimulus or stimuli of their environment, lf a likewise kulown that
part of the cnviroument is composed of radial rays of some of the many
varieties composinge the group of radial revs, or waves, or beams. or
ehifrents, by whiely some persons designate them. Without their organic
structure plis environmental stimulus operating in conjunction, bereditary
impulses would not arise in animals, hesice since the enviranment is partly
comipodged of tadial currents, heteditary impulses are primarily dne in part
to tadial action.

Telectronic researches have revealed the electric curcents oF the brain add
their meavements threvehout the nervous system, Radial rays are the
subject uf aitewse research at the present time. pirticularly for use in our
War services,

1 have shawi that radial rays of the environment act upon the organi:
structure of animals which respond to it insofar as thely organic miechaiise
permits, Surely this is not to be called “instinct”

The mystery of bird migration, a5 is the mature of electricity, are
problems still unravelled completely, but what is certain 1 that seme form
of ray in the eavironment surrounding the bird acts upon at in directing
its Course and must motivate its action, as with the reef heron or other bird

Rays are at present radiated to airmen. for directional guidance. Why
should mnt nature’s rays act directly on birds and atimals? These creatures
do not require them ta Le harnessed for use a5 in seme instances humans
do for their benefit,

Yours, eic.,
Kew, Vie. Aureak H, E, Marrtnctey.

the Baby Platypus Mokes Deby 179

HARBY PLATYPUS MAKES DEBUT

The first baby platypas to be borm ie captivity, which cunsed world-wide
mderest qwhen its Intl wes announced om Janvory 3. wade tks first public
appedvance ot Healesville on February 22.

Tt is now revealed that the infant is a “girl! and the only one of the
lrood. Hopes that twits, or every triplets, might be found in the Jang
westing-hurrow have not been filolled Nor has the soft eggshell, irom
which the babe emerged, been found,

When the Director of the Sanctuary, Mr. David Fleay, opened the burtmw
an January 3 and discovered the youns platypns, the aucer little aréature,
then about nine weeks old, was sighttess and helpless and waa covered with
shart silky Fur.

Now her eves are open, she i§ able to swim, and the Sar has beeome long
and mich. Her body-leneth, coo, hos greatly increased —by five or six inches
sinde Jaiuaty S—and the shor# beak ot infaney has grown alnsaey Lo maturity,

The mother platypys, Ji) (wha has now passed her sisth year in the
Sanctuary). was only teat inches ti length when she was picked up some
three-quarters of a mile grom water. Her babe is already fourteen inches
long, only two inches shatter (at 34 nionths) than her 64-year-old mother.

Already, tog, the habe has hecaime a film star, She, together with bath
parents, gave an exhibition on February 22 for The Heraid-Cinesound Nevws
Service.

The babe herself offered na objection to this pubheity, other than ta
emit a few quaint grawis, rither bke those of a hroady hen, Jill, lwnvever,
was somewhat ¢oy. She went to the length of seizing Mr. Flesy’s fagers
in her rubbery beak and wyite to pull theta away from her precions intant,
Tack, the father, took a more detached interest in the proceedings.

The bahe emerged from the nest.on February 26—seventeon weeks after
haceliag. 1 is now op public view.

ATT.

NESTING ODDITY

Writtug from Walligobung. J. W. Cunningham says: “While away on a
visit to my nephew's place, Ti-trec, Keveuida, we occupied a room oulside
which a grape vine was growing. In this vine were lwo Wagtatls, who
were building two nesis. within six inches of each other, and about the
same level, We used to watch them every morning, irom 5 to. 7, and they
used to build the two wests alternatively, ‘There were not four Wagtails,
as, Hol having mutch to do, T ased to stand or sit in the garden for hours
watching them, and there were never more than two building. As ibe
Withe Wagtail is sucha pugmacieus and cheeky chap, one would ned expect
ty pitas 1o build close together. Wher we left, the two nests were nearly

nished,”

GENERAL NOTES

A number of members have responded cordially to the invitation to
support the Field Neturalisis' Fund for the use of Mr. David Fleay, of
the Healesville Sabetuary, in recesnition of his sound work. Further con-
tributions will be welcamed.

The date of the death of Mr. Frederick Chapman was December 10, net
Deécembet 19, as misprinted in the tast issue of the Mic. Nat, ‘The photograph
accompanying the obituary notice was taken by Mise M, L, Wigan,

Copies of Dr. F. B. Floyd’s Carmiivorons Plants, reviewed in the Mic. Nat.
jast September, can now be obtained from Angits and Robertson, Sydney.

190 Jobu Lemdienion of the National Adryscany a ein

JOHN LEADBEATER OF FARE NATIONAL MUSELM

Benjamit Leaddeater established a2 natural histery business in Loudon
at the hegimine of the minetconth cemtyry, after him Vigurs, im 183], named
the Pink {Major Mitchell) Cockataa Piystolephus |eodbeatert from 2
specimen suppticd by the firm In 1837 Gould named a parrot supplieel by
the firm Platycercus igniéts, hut the species 1s not foWadays actepted, the
type-specimien being considered ta be 2 hyhrid of an aberration,

Renjaimin's son, John Leadbeater, born about 1800, was first au partiecr-
ship with his Sather in the natural history business, and after the death of
the senior partner, continued 1. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society
and “a man as well known abroad a5 at home, for lis lave of science and
talented productions.” He died on May 28, 1852, at his residence, 19
Brewer Street, Golden Square, London It will be remembered that Jolin
Gould lived in Broad Street, Golden Square.

John Leadbeater had two som, Benjani ard Jolox Benjamin
carried on the Business im London, at least for a few years, und,
in £881, was cleered a Fellow of the Tannean Society af London The
second son, John, came to Melbourne and, with one Wialliatns, established
a wetural history husiuess, “collecting for the London House {sole agents)
all the various branches of the Natura] Histary of Australia on a large
scale, especially Mammalia, etc, for anatomical examination, in spirits.”

It is not known baw long the Melbourne business contmucd—it possbty
came to an end through the failure of the London c#tablishmeni—but Johu
Leadbeater became assistant and taxidernsist at the National Museum. After
him, EB. P. Ramsay named the Pardelotns leudbcotert (the Spotted Parda-
lote) Jo 1867, and, in the same vear, Professor F. McCoy named Pitot
Jradteater: (the Helmeted TToneyester}. In J874, Kendall Broadbent
collected same Fig-Parrots at Cardwell, Queensland, and disposed of them
to several museums in Australia The specimen received at Melhaurne was
aained Cyclopsitta Ieadheataré by Professor F, McCoy, aral the mame nowa-
days hes priorily over names gives ta the bird at the same ume by Gonld
and by Ramsay '

Thus we have Jahn Leadheater commeniorated by the scientific names of
three Australian birds; bur there is little on record about his life. As he
worked in Melbourne at a comparatively recent periad, it should not be
difieuls fur ane on the spot to firid some references an contemporary Lwews-
papers either to the firm of Leadbeater and Williams, or to Leadbeater
alone, Will some mecoher take up the task of placing oa record sume infor-
mation abouwr the Ife af this former daxidermist to the Natonal Museum?

Ff. M. Warirrecn, Bridyénowa, Western Australia.

[To the above bird-ames awarded in honour ut Leadbeater shatild be
added that of a very distinctive mammal, Gyumodelidens leadbeaters, the very
sate Leadbeater's Possum.—Eptime.|

FERNTREE GULLY EXCURSION

The attendance at this outing. on February 12, was ahout 20, The after-
NOW Was syent im gxnnding out species handy to. the track and little real
search was made, Only twenty species were noted. This is definitely not
das to remoyal af ferns, for ihe hillside is well covered, A more diligent
acarch shoald reveal matiy more speces and I sugzest that this Be done
by aamall party of students of ferhs to Gecértain just what as left and
where located. The only discovery of special interest was a large patch of
Pelton falcata (Sickle Fern), with tuauy Iipiunstifill fronds, “This being
the nearest gully ta Melhourne now remands, it might be nf some valve
ig introduce species, which are now qissing, into same suitable sites, Thus,
stidents might have available the majarity of our ferns It should be easy
1a oltain [he ¢o-pperstion of the management.

ALT Swasy.

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. LX—No.12._—_April6, roqq No. 724
: PROCEEDINGS ~

The monthly meeting of.the Club was held at the Royal Society’s
Hall on March 13, 1944. The President (Mr. P. F. Morris)
presided and about 100 members and friends attended.

REPORTS OF EXCURSIONS

_ Reports of excursions were given as follow: Rickett’s Point,
Mr, P_ I. Mortis (for Mr. P. Crosbie Morrison) ; Beaumaris, Mr,
©. P. Singleton, who stated that a good outing was slightly
marred by high, tide; River Yarra trip, Mr. H. P. Dickins, who
praised the descriptive COMMU ATY. ‘rendered throughout the after-
noon by Mr. PF. . Morris. : .

ELECTION OF MEMBERS -

The following were elected as Country Members of the Club:
Messrs. Aldo Massola, H. E. Finlayson, F. O’Donnell; as
Associate Member: Master Arthur Court: as Ordinary Members:
Mrs. C. P. Phillips. Miss H. C. Down.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Mr. T. S. Hart drew attention to-the present flowering in the
Botaitical Gardens of the Tree Geebung (Persoomia arborea), and
Mr, J. H. Willis stated that there was at least one living specimen
in the Dandenong Ranges near Sherbrooke’ Falls—probably the
closest spontaneous example to Melhourne.

Mr. S. R. Mitchell reported on the Junior Branch at Hawthorn
and thanked ‘all who had contributed’ to the success of a plant
demonstration (collection, preservation, photography and analysis
of specimens) held fast month; Mrs. Freame was especially
mentioned for her interesting exhibit of microscope slides.

Messrs. E. E. Pescott and W.H. Ingram, two past officers of
very long standing, were welcomed by the President, who alsa
expressed pleasure at seeing the Mensts. ‘Dunn, senior and junior,
as well as other visitors.

182 Field. Naturalists’ Club Proceedings ‘Va Lx

NATURE QUESTIONS

Question 1: Is it only the female mosquito that bites? Answer:
Mr. V. H. Miller cited an excellent article in the Age of several
days ago which definitely attributed the spread of malaria and
dengue fever to female mosquitocs. Mr. A. D. Hardy made a
correction to the question—the female insect is a vegetarian
except at breeding-time, when she does not bite but becomes 2
blowd-sticker.

- Question 2: Curvier is said to be responsible for naming the
Frogmouth Podargrus (suppasedly derived from “gouty foot’).
What is the explanation of the “gouty foot" as applied to this
genus of birds? Answer; Mr, A. E. Mattingley surmised that
the name would be in allusion to the curious limping gait of 2
fropmouth, which walks as if afflicted with gout in the fect.
Mr. A. H. Chisholm suggested that Mr. H. Wolstenholme was
uncertain of such a derivation, but recalled a humorous writer
who breezily ventured to explain it in terms of “Pod,” a seed-
vessel, and “aArgss,’ a newspaper! Mr. E, E. Pescott challenged
the translation “gouty foot,” and said that the first-named frog-
mouth was in all probability not aw Australian species, thereby
necessitating reference to older ornithological works in other
countries.

Question 3/ Does the Channel-billed Cuckoo visit Victoria and,
if so, are there any recent records of parasitic nidification?
Answer: Mr. Chisholm , stated that although this northern hired
did occasionally appear in East Gippsland (and there is one record
even for Tasmania}, it has never been known fo deposit an egg
in our State. For a cuckoo, it is a large species and has earned
the name “storm bird” in Queensland; several young channel-bills
may be hatched in a single nest and it is not customary for then
to eject their foster-brethren.

Question 4+: Is the Rufous Fantail a frequent suburban visitor
in siitrmer-time? Answer: Mr, Chisholm, supported by Mr.
Mattingley, replied that the hird was more hkely to be seen near
Methourne during spring, in epurse of its migration toward the
mountain gullies where it nests in the summer months. Mr.
Hanks mentioned the appearance of odd birds at Footscray avil
even in Flinders Street.

RETURN OF BOOKS ON LOAN

The Librarian requests that all borrowers of books. from the Club Sibrary
have these returned by the end of the month, for the purpose of a complele
stock-taking.

iy _ Making the Desert Blossom,at Broken TN 183

MAKING THE DESERT BLOSSOM AT BROKEN HILL

Introducing this subject at the March meeting of the F.N.C.,
Mr. Royce H. Mew briefly sketched the physical and climatic
environment of this rich mining centre—altitude about | ,000 feet,
in the Barrier Ranges; rainfall 2 to 16 inches with;an average of
less than 10, but very reliable; temperature varying from winter
frosts to frequent heights of more than 100° F. in summer; soil
type mainly red clay and limestone, with. the top layer badly.
eroded in recent years. H ;

Settlement hegana Jittleamore.than fifty years ago, when Broken
Hill was a mining camp, heavy inroads were soon made upon the
natural timber resources, which gradually receded until al! sound
wood had been removed- for a considerable distance around the
growing town. The sparse undergrowth became trampled and
eaten by droves of wandering stock and the wind had free play
with @ soil now denuded of its original plant cover. c

Something had to he done and quickly, if the mines were ta be
manned for many years longer, Zinc Corporation. invited sirgges-
tions for combatting this ugly problem of wind erosion and was
impressed with one put forward by Albert. Morris, a naturalist
who had devoted his life to the study of inland vegetation. Morris’s
idea. was to make a conveniently-sizéd.area both stock and vermin
proof and to plant it-with trees suited to the district.

' The scheme was adopted and an area of twenty-two acrés
_ was surrounded by a six-foot galvanized iron fence; the first
trees {12-inch seedlings) were planted out in January, 1937, and
waste water pumped into a reticulating system from showers and
septic tanks at the mine. Drift sand which threatened to cover
the fence was held in check by plantations of quick-growing
Myoporum, Old-man Salthush, and various Acacias, As the
scheme evolved, -trees were introduced along every possible road,
unsightly hummocks were covered with rockeries of cacti and
trailmgz native plants; vegetable patches sprang up.in favoured
sites, and special types of trees were found that would thrive an
mineralized. ground. and slime dumps, &z., Tea-trees and, Athols
{Tamorts aplytle).

Farther south than the original Albert Morris Park, plantings
of citrus and nut trees were made and all! seedlings were initially
raised at the residence of Mrs. Morris, now acting as Botanical
Adytser ta Zine Corporation in continuance of her late husband's
magnificent work. Between 1936 and 1943 a total of 34,000
individual plants were transplanted from tins, including sixteen
different kinds of eucalypt and nine wattles.

The speed with which natural. regeneration of indigenous plants

is Making the Desert Blossoin ot Beohen Silt es oe

followed the fencing, even without irrigation, wag amazing, and
the mine directors lost no time in having Jarger tracts fenced in
and léft for the native flora to stage a “comeback.” At present
tet areas, comprising a total of three and a half square miles, have
teen enclosed; these stretch in an are from the south-cast to the
north-western¥ portions ‘of the city, and at the close of 1942 no
less than 208 species of native plants were recorded as occurring
in them. =

* Since the establishment” of this protection belt, the ground
surface has had constant protection and, even ducing drought
seasons, dry herbage has acted as a sand binder. _ The “result. ha
been a marked diminution of local, dust-stormis, useful birds have
followed the flora back again: but not the least benefit is the
dlevelopment’ ‘of a “home consciousness” among district progress
associations. _

During 1938, 4,000 eucalypts | and 500 athols were added to-a

public park. Peéaple liave rebuilt over abandoned xillotnients and
townsfolk are no longer so eager to visit Silverton (eighteen miles
west) for their recreation, With’ changing public outlook ‘has
come a pride in the appearance and beauty of the town; the mine
Tranagements are to be corgratulated on their whole-hearted
efforts to render Broken Hill more pleasing and habitable fo the
people who depend on them, —
_ The full value of the reclaimed areas will not be vealized for
some years yet, but the Albert Motris Park is a striking indication
ot what may be achieved agairist great odds, and an object lesson
indeed for other inland towns.

With the aid of statistics, slides, and two strips of cinematograph
film in colour, Mc. “Mew supplemented his remarks on natural
regeneration as a prime check to soil erosion in and Australia.
At the conclusion of this instructive address, enquiries were made
regarding the source of water supply in such a low rainfall area
and the cost per acre of regeneration. To these questions the
lecturer replied that sufficient natural precipitation was held back
during good rain years in reservoirs near Silverton and some ted
miles ta the north-east, but as to costs he could not divulge mine
secrets; fencing was rather more than £50 per mile, but mainten-
ance of the reserves Was very cheap.

[Due crediz should be given to James’ A. _ Keast, Manager of the Zinc
Corporation, for his yision of the modern pasis at Broken Hill and far his
determupation to canquer writviendly nature by science and to inspire good
tiuzenship—Es }

- . ~
“<1

eee Coreman, A Long-cared Tree-“Grasshopper” 185

A LONG-EARED TREE-“GRASSHOPPER"—
HERMIT OF THE GUM-TREES y

By EoitnH CoLeman, Blackburn, Victoria

After a fire swept through several acres of our forest land at
Healesville early in 1943, it seemed necessary to safeguard the
cottage from further fires in the stmmer by having sapling-growth
and underscrub removed, as well as some of the scorched trees.
This work was commenced in June, 1943. It went to our hearts
to see living trees felled, but there were compensations.

The unrestricted growth of twenty-five years had hidden all
except the tallest of the white-gums, in which we delighted, and
had veiled all hut the summits of the mountains, Monda and
St. Leonards, which had once seemed so near to us. Moreover,

the dense grawth had banished

(>= ™~ many birds that once haunted
ty - 2. Ben 2 .

ee a Mae \ our valley. The woodcutter,

~~ known to everyone as “Bill,”

- * 3% was an artist with the axe. His

/| “a instructions were to thin out only

Ni\ pee sa enough trees to secure safety and

Us ft °° to open up the view, It was some

ye °
X compensation to watch our axe-

Long- -eared Grasshopper (Pachy- artist opening up long-closed
re bin uta Rams ve vistas, and before long we almost
and the side (%6), eggs and Ceased to regret the lost trees.
larva (natural size). Best of all, he brought hack
many birds that had deserted 1-
for more open forest land; and soon the valley was again full of
hird voices. In war time it was not possible to have the trees
grubbed. They were cut a foot or two from the ground. At first
we were greatly troubled over the blackened stumps Bill left, but,
again there were compensations—so many birds seemed to choose
the stumps for their sun-basking, and even, I thought, ate the
charred bark. Does the red breast of a robin ever look more
cheerful than when seen from a blackened stump? Another’
compensation was the chance afforded to study several creatures
which nested within the trunks of trees, quite heyond my reach.
Three times in July, as Bill cut the fallen stems into lengths
for stacking, he almost shced into the nest of a large tree-dwelling.
long-<arec “erasshopper,” which Mr. John Clark identified as
Pachytillus longicornts, but which I cannot match with any
creature described by Tillyard. Certainly the “ears” (antennae):
are long, being 12 cm. in length, greatly Sncepoinl the length of

the hady. _ P 1

196 CoteMaN, A Long-eared Tree-“Grasshopper” ae

In each instance a V cut had exposed a large cavity in which
a mother Long-ear “brooded” a mass of several scores of eggs
which were held together by a little silk. When the cut was made
in a still-standing tree the mother dropped to the ground. One
antenna was cut near the tip, The other two mothers remained
on. guard. A well-directed bite reminded me that He female
of the species is more deadly than the male.

The curious features of this grasshopper were the entire absence
ef wings and the shortness of the ovipositor. The “hopping” legs
did not suggest the ability
ta vault. On January 12,
1944, I watched a female
Tree-hopper (Katydid)
emerge from her nymphal
skin. The most astonishing
stage was the withdrawal
of such a long ovipositor
(21 mm.) from a_ body
only 17 mm. long. It
seemed as if a_ silvery,
almast fluid, organ were
being withdrawn, with great
effort. This soon hardened
into the very — efficient
golden-brown tool with
which we are familiar.
Later I watched her ‘‘sew”
gum-leaves into a little
day-time house, using for
the purpose a fine silk
thread.

Nest and eggs of Long-eared Tree- My grasshopper used
“grasshopper” in stem of Eucalypt (Grey silk too, but her very short
Box). Mother and half-grown specimen af sede
have been placed outside for photograph, OVipositor seemed quite in-
(Healesville: July, 1943.) Note the very adequate for penetrating
broad forepart of the body. Many eggs bark, or even crevices, to
were Sie ae when the tree oradleher eggs. She must,
I think, take advantage of
ena existing holes, although the
sawdust ’ entangled among the silk suggests that her mouth parts
are capable of dealing with wood, as well as fingers.

Sections of the stems containing nests and two of the brooding
mothers were brought to Blackburn. The outsides were sprayed
from time to time to simulate rain and dew. A month later one
mother died. Her eggs appeared to be infertile. In the other.

rr’ Coueman, A Long-eared Tree-“ Grasshopper” 187
nest the eggs gradually became swollen and darker in colour, On
November 21st, 1943, two larvae emerged. Next day there were
four mote.

Soon the cavity was animated by scores of long antennae, which
crossed and recrossed the dark cavity like searchlights in a war-
time sky. It was interesting to watch the tiny creamy-white
grub-like creatures, with great dark eyes, struggling from the egg,
crumpling it back towards the’ end of the body, and making a
tremendous effort to release the'tong antennae (22 mum. in length}.
‘When several were placed in a box for closer observation, the
fine white antennae were scarcely visible agairist the white lining
of the box, In two hours the ‘larvae became pale buff in colour.
Five hours later they were dark, slaty “grey, :

Here was a family 1 was puzzled to, feed. Mr. “Clark tells me
that this grasshopper eats the_ under-bark: of trees; but the bark
covering these sections was-no longer. living and. could afford,
one thinks, litle nourishment. T shirked the problem hy leaving
it ta them. Within a week they had disappeared. Except for a
jew infertile eges and a Jittle silk, the cavity. was empty. “

In several other trees we found many half-grown, Specimens.
These were in stems that were riddled ‘with tunnels, so it scemed
certain that our grasshoppers live; move, and have; their being
entirely within the trees’ The name, Long-eared--"Grasshopper”
seems rather inapt for a creature that :neither hops nor eats
grass. Although the long antennae probably. do:serve as additional
hearing organs, as well as organs: of touch and. smell, a, hearing
organ is situated on the tibiae of the forelegs: .Nor does the family

name Orthgptera (straight-winged) fit.a wingless “creatures: Tt is
possible, of course, that the males are winged. +). 0), -

_ As’ Mr, O'Donnell had recently been interested m-an' insect
which led a somewhat similar buried existence, I sent the speci-
mens to him. In the sketch which he kindly made for me -the
short ovipositor is shown from ihe side and the rear. 1 had
wondered whether it might carry'an extrusible ovipositor and
asked Mr. O'Donnell to decide this ‘point by dissecting the
specimen. He found it’“neatly set into its own muscle system,”
but it did not appear capable of extrusion or- withdrawal.

As Mr. Clark’s species has a long ovipositor, and as I cannot
check’ mine with anything in Tillyard, is it possibly an undescribed
species?

‘1R8 Got eatan, The Ciead enw Stiek-tasie! wi -

FURT HER NOTES ON THE GREAT BROWN
~' * STICK-INSECT

By Eptm Coreman, Blackburn, Victoria

-Latte foul was taken -in June and July, 1943, by my
domesticated Stick-insects, but’ feeding was resumed in August.
At the end of the month the wire roofs were deserted and all
were busy among the gun twigs in the evening. There were
‘twice as many males as females in this second hatching. Mating
commenced on October 15th, 1943. Beiore long there were nyuny
adult females swinging hammock-wise From roof pr twig, the end
of the abdomen reffected over the back in @ half circle, C Ihvionsly
egg laying was imminent,

‘An teresting feature of this brood was the retention of the
green colour right to the final moult and eyen later. Some were
bronzy- “green, others pale buff, and three were quite grey. I
wortdered if this was due to some change in the properties of
the gum-leaves:

On November tith, 1943, one Jarva emerged from an ege
dropped in the mixed cages’ (males ind females) and soon there
were many more (second generation under domestication}. A
Strange feature of this second generation wes the assumption of
brown colouring at a much earlier period, Some were quite hrewn
when only 24 inchesiong (measured from end of abdomen to
tips of outstretched forelegs ).

There’ were now so many in the cage that ii was not easy 10
check’ the ntmber of moults, but the first one certainly takes place
earlier than I had thonght, One which I watched (January 14th,
1944) measured exactly one inch. The small transparent shed
skin, which’ T have heside mme,'is almost invisible lying on deep
gold -paper. At this date there Were ahout an equal number of
browns and greens.

My first Stick-insects scemed to prefer adult foliage of various
Eucalypts, ‘although juvenile foliage’ of Messinate, Blue-gum,
Peppermint and Mealy Stringyshark was eaten.

On February 11th, 1944, I gave them stump sprours Trom three
Sugar-guims which had: been cut down. They iooked so beautiful
and so tempting that I felt sure they couldn't resist‘ them, Next
‘dav scores of small Sticks were dead-in the cages. Only those
which found a little Messmate, or ones that fasted, survived. It
seemed strange that they had become accustomed to the juvenile
ioliage or other species, including Silver-leaf Stringy-bark.
Evidently that of the Sugar-gum contains some principle toxic to
insects.

So far my stiggestion of partheriogenesis appears groundless.

Apr Small Stone Slab showing Grooves made by Aborigines 189

SMALL STONE SLAB SHOWING GROOVES MADE BY
THE ABORIGINES

By C. C. Towre, Eastwood, N.S.W.

During a visit in the year 1940 to the aboriginal middens at
Murramurang on the South Coast of N.S.W., I found the stone
which is illustrated in the accompanying plate. It is a water-worn
slab of fine-grained sandstone, 12 inches in length, 6 inches in
greatest width and 2 inches in thickness.

|
H

Small stone slab showing grooves made by aborigines.
Photo.: C. C. Towle,

The aborigines did not modify its shape, but for some purpose
or other they have made several very shallow longitudinal grooves
on each of the two flat surfaces. The extent of the grooves
actually made by the aborigines cannot now be fully ascertained,
because one surface shows considerable weathering and the
opposite surface was used as a grinding stone after the grooves
had been made. As a consequence, some of the grooves have

1939 Small Stone Slab showing Grooves made by Abariyines Lrg

been partly obliterated. On this surface there are also many
pittings similar to the marks found on anvil stones. I have
marked in pencil the grooves as they now appear on each surface.
Several of them are not less than 74 inches in length. Their
greatest depth is one-sixteenth of an inch. They were made by
an abrading or rubbing process, and not by scratching or scoring
the surface.

_ A few somewhat similar but smaller stones have been found
of late years near Cronulla, a few miles south of Sydney. (Records
Aust. Museum, Vol. XXI, No. 1, 1941, p. 17.) Some of them
have relatively deep grooves. A smal! specimen has recently been
found near Dee Why, a few miles north of Sydney. .

The use to"which such stones were put is conjectural, All of
them have been found on the coastal middens. This seems to
indicate that their purpose was utilitarian.” It has been suggested
that the grooves were made during-the process of sharpening the
points of spears (E, Bramell, of. cit., p, 18). There is no doubt
that by rubbing a harder or more resistant material to and fro
on the surface of the stone the’ grooves would be very rapidly
formed. Because of this, it is not easy to understand why so
few stones of the kind described have: been found along the coast
north and south of Sydney, where there are adequate supplies
of suitable sandstone. -

EXHIBITS AT MARCH MEETING OF F.N.C.

Mr. T. S. Hart: deacia Maidenii, new for Victoria and collected by Mr,
W. Hunter at Newmerella and Corringle near Orbost; flowers in long
spikes (carly winter), but in their absence the tree could be mistaken for
the Lightwood (4. implexa).

Messrs. H, and A. Lindner, of -Vectis South (per Mr. I. Hammet) :
Series of garden-grown native flowers from north-west Victoria.

Mr, Tom Grifhths: Specimen of* Batswing Fern (Histiopteris incisa)
cultivated in a fern-fibre basket. .

Mr. A. A. Brunton: Bones of a blackicllow from the cliffs south of
Red. Blyff, Sandringham, ; ‘

Mr. Fred, Hallgarten: A small but remarkable case-moth cocoon of
uncertain identity; the case composed of varying materials arranged in
distinct segments or “storeys,”

Mr. Owen Singleton: Sharks’ teeth of several species and associated
fossils from Miocene strata at Beaumaris, including a very rare gastropod.

Mr. A. N. Carter: Collection of marine shells made at Rickett's Point
on a recent Club excursion, including Cerithium monachus, Diodara lincata
and Ewmarcta fumigata. Also jaws of the fish Heterodontus phillipi and
Diodon blachii.

Mr. C. J. Gabriel: Introduced land shells (Valtonia putchella. Vitrea
cellaria, Helicella barbara, Helicella caperata, Helix pisana, and Helix
aspersa, the common or garden snail, which found its way te Australia on
A pot-plant shipped from France in 1843). ;

Mrs. M. E. Freame: Gigantic crab from Portland, Victoria.

ane Leask, Association of Ta Types of Sawfly Larvae 191

ASSOCIATION OF TWO TYPES OF SAWFTLY LARVAE IN
_) ‘SINGLE COLONIES
how By Maurice F. Leassx,-A.LF.

In the past it has always been observed, as far as can be ascertained
from the references, thar colonics of sawfly Jaryag were monatyped as far
as sprcles is concerned. - * ’

In recording the habits of larvae, Yuasa (1922, Lthnois Biol. Mow.)
nses such terms as “larvae free Seai-fecders,” “subgregarious,” “sometimes
aeniigrceanious,” “larvae solitary" or “soliiary or gregarious.” These terms
amply that the Jarvae jn a bunth all belong ta the one species. The
compilation of the notes of:experiments in the present serivs was made
with this idea in mind. Although several of the records show whether the
larvae were in @ Compact bunch or scattered. and whether a single bunch
split to ga underground intermittently, no definite conclusions were reached,

The sketches accompanying my records sometimes show omc slight
variation in “colour and size, presumably differentiating between females
(larger) and tmgles {smaller}, 2 variation. which is borne out by the adults.
No definite separation has yet been made in the larvae to follow wp this
Sexual character. , yy one "

Thése remarks apply to all specimens collected in the Ballarat district
(YVictorfa), =e wer C dh

The first hint of some drastic new atrangement was discovered when
<ollectitig at Carapook, near Casterton, in the Westérn District of Victoria,
and i& iniles west of Ballarat. Here,-m Experiment 39, taken on Sept. 2
1948, I collected Jarvae on the same tree and “mixing almast as one brood,"
that showed a great variation im colour. Some were hlack larvac and
some were pinkish, They showed, in addition, a great variation im sie;
there were Jaryae up ta two inches long and “adjacent to them and crawling:
ver them" were tiny brownish larvae emly five-tighths of an inch Inng. -

In the light of the thea known facts, these variations were asstumult’ to
be due ca the presence of males and females or to tmoulting, and ity the
case of tiniér larvae, to young anes mixing. with the ald. Experiment 39
yielded several entergences, beginning on March LY, 1939. The adults were
2pperently all the same species, “with white matkiigs on sidcs of abdomen."
These individuals were identifed by Mr. R. B. Benson of the British
Museum {Natural History) as “very close to Pergagrapia gravenhorst.

To make a special investigation of the problem, a series of thirteen cages,
totalling approximately fiye hundred larvae, were collected at -Carapock
san October 15, 1939, >

The same feature, the “mingling” of luryac at rest on the food-plant,
Was again evident, but on this occasion st was approached more methodically.
Some cages were filled with large black larvae only, some with smal]
pinkish only, and some (as they pccurred) with large black togerher “with
amal! pink larvae, On March 17, 1940, the emergeitces began, and for
approximately one month cares yieldetl Perga dorsalis only. When there
“was 2 lull of approximately one month, Therealter, for approximately one
month, He saine cages yielded “a species of Prrgagrapta.”

This means the association of the two genera, that is, their living together
am the larval stage.
L = y Narurk or THE Assocratron
Sane ‘hunches contained large black larvae only} sone contained small

pink larvae only. Many bunches that wore in 2 compact mass of) the stem
<contaiiied black and pink intermingled, :

192 Leask, efisodialion of Trea Typerog Saal) Larzar s-9 ie

Other bunches of the larvae, in searly-every case, dropped off the stun
when being picked.” Then they' revealed’ a. number of small pink larvae
mside the bunch of large black, When I climbed to the top of tlie tree to
seciire Experiment 107;'leighty-five larvae of- both types threw themachves
off and tumbled pver my head and shouders. . Ope cage rocarded as “large
black~anly". produced the two types of arlults,' showing that the pik
vemaitied hidden within the bunch of black. ~

Om!
: The record shows Pion dorsalis from lhe Ballarat “disteict emerwing itr
December; February and: March, with Pergagrapta- in March: (chiefty).
whereas from Carapook- Perga darsatis emerged dehy in March, with
Pergagrapta ini April and May. '
7 Up to the present :Pergn dorsotis and Per gagrahta are the atly two found
to-merge: into “single colonies. It should be noted, as detailed im the
appended table, that. in emergences Pergagratia all came after Pergu
dorsalis, and not interspersed with them, Yet the date af going under?
gBrouhd was lotermittent,.a5 with-single broods, and, it could” not ‘he said
that Ferongrapla pupated amonth alter Pergo dorgaler... - _ - c
Ft is fortunate that this association is of two inscots 50 distinctly:
differmg in, colour and size in hath the immature and the-waarure stages.
(Perga dorsalis adult is large, greenish blue; Pergayrapte adult is medium
brawn, with sahitcbareed abdomen.) Tt is the assoctalign, not af two
spetiés, bus of two genera,

7. te ow tony» (Conctusions .

Datraies < or Ewnecescrs - -

~~? oy

- L

"Originally, many af ‘the warlier notes were nul compiled detiberately to
prove the fact of association, so that irrelevant observations occurred The
new habit is recorded frofi ane restricted arew.only, namely, Carapook and,
Casterton, The mast dinnsual feature in the case is the’ association of thet
Iwo genera only in “thst district. This habit should be*-constant, and!
further Inveeptiestions are required to find: if it halts! good “in duftoring,

ealities. . rr of ity ' ti

“Te inay be a diaracter with isolated rauge, caving to the special cbndlitiane
which+oceur at Carapaok,, iThe schoolground is well plamed with tréess
forming am “oasis” in ai otherwise treeless neighbourhood. Despite thia,:
it cannot be assumed that association occurred dite to lack of food, for many:
of the Red Gums ‘are full-grown wees, Jt may be that the small larvac
have sougtt. the large, Moor Aw otections, anil rest within the shelter ol the:
fearsome outer layers yew \-*

As the larvae doubtéally seek sheltee From cuenties. and probably do nat!
strive for extra temperature at night ‘as the Pergas scatter atznight te
feed, it is evident wiat the reason for- this living in contpany lies fn sore:
abscure, « yeymniiats relationship; each type of latva tonfers a heneft an the
eee videatly, ene relationship, whatever it be, ends alter, the larval,
stage gue fog rn |

Usually ‘one species’ ‘aft farya-inhabita’ one food plant, At: Cat. aponk Roth
types were fouad ot Buea? y piers rostrala..and on ‘LE. sideroxylom.' There’

yet he found further connection between the: food alesis and the insects:
whielt, tet to, form _ single, wolonies, | 4) ae oe

Errors were climinated m 1999 by placing the Jarvae in« their: Tages aut
also entering the record.ay-the spot. Furthermore, the records caver two
acasols, scvcral cages and several repeats, al! awith egmnciding, results,

A table ‘canprising a SHyTmry tsolated from. the- Nas révords “3s
appended. ' vee Geet

wee De Benton, Lorns af the Portland Distt, 193

on - . Tama oF -EMERGENCES _ ig Pare

-Expertmett:- »,,Punpat ed ; t “Emerges.
2 “Pe vit ES Toe Pergagrapte!
(a, Poi only, Mile 1773/40 a
~ - 4/11/39 Sf, a “98/3740 T § =
L, — > IWF, 1 my 24/3/40 “
; ; ta EN 3/4/40 Ln
We. Poruagrdpt ‘Gait vo ae! 1 df, 29/4/40.
to 19/11/39 ve Vi, 5/5/40
- : ? : y ‘ q o ‘3 ‘fy ” "6/5/40
-- 7. .- Pevgc andy - 4 Sy dem, Ai : i-f,. 28/4/40.
ht Te 40 ' Pergagraptas =. 34, -- 18/3/40 — 1 4, 20/4405
7 29/10/39 cy JO 4. t mh, 27/3/40, i a we laa!
~ 2 ,_- Ley aie sd L-, 7/5/40.,
109, Perga and a mM 17/3/40 1 {28/4/40
Ser Pregagrapta, Vf, fe, 18/8/40 = Def, 29/4/40
te 5/39 3 £m, 24/3/40 O28 9/5/40.
ae tht Sh, Lom, 27/3/40 - 3 f, .7/5/40.
14, Perga aud 16 ¥.,.2 m: 24/3/40 1 £,56/5/40!
_ , _ Pergagrapta,s © 24." _* 27/3/40" ’
‘ ; to Tepe Se a -S_- wy IE 8

- z --* _! - ’ aa

FERNS OF THE PORTLAND DISTRICT: =”
By Cure BEauctenoug, sora West, Victoria’ - 1

Although there is nothing. near Portland to compare with the deep,
shaded mountain: gullies of Gippsland ‘(or even of ‘the Grampians, some, 70
miles north-cast), a casual visitor. to this south-west .corner of the State
would be agrceably surprised if guided to sith a spot as “Jackass,” on the
Fitzroy River, Mt. Deception, Here grow tree-terns by the hundred, some
with fronds af 11. ft. span, and at least nine other fern species - are ta be
muted heréabouts.

Within g radius of approximately 20 miles from Portlind post office
no fewer than 22 different ferns have been collected: af these ‘only. seven
grow abundantly throughout and are indicated’ by’ an asterisk ‘in “the
catalogue which, follows. "The remaming species are restricted ta ‘certain
Rreas; some are rarities, and’two have never ‘been"re-discovered ‘since their
first Jocation in the’ 1860's ‘at Darlot's Creek, dy - Mr, William Allitt (an
early curator bf -Portland’ Gardens). :

My thanks are due to the director_and staff of the National: Hexbariug
for many determinations, notes, and: records oF previous: pallet hére.

: Systestatic. Aniancennive (with notes)” \'

1. | Schizwa fistulosa="G omh Fern, " ' Although known {roi whe" ‘Gram-
plans and “in South : Ausiraliar (ME Compass, "Claretidon, efc.), this
bncamman fern is /apparcntly-a quite recent addition 40. the fora. of
Portland.’ I have docated (Nov.,-1943) numcrous’ plants in heathy country
at. Gorae. West; most.of -thent about 9 inches” high. - 5

22. Gloichenia mtcrophyla—“Coral Fern". (non G- bie beitetatey. Gc.
dicarpa).. For the-four miles along Swan Lake Creek this lacy,<durable
and very popular’ fertt is “most. prolific, . scrambling ‘to heights of a dozeit
feet amongst, ‘the swamp. serub; in, places there are ‘millions of young
plants only a‘ few inches high. "oe aw 5

14 Reaurarnore, Ferns of thin Portland’ District bay oe

2. Hymenoshyllim cnpressiforme—"Common Filmy Fern'* (nan He
tanbridgense), Gathered in Darlot's Crock hy Allitt some 80 years ago.
T have not seen it there, nar anywhere else near Portland.

4, Cyathea — sustralis—"Rough Tree-fern (formerly = Alsaphila).
Extremely rare, for I know of only two specimens in the whole district
these ate both situated in a gorge opening on to the Surrey River at
Gorac, and the larger plant has a trunk of 7 feet with fronds nearly
10 feet Jong. The record is interesting indeed, as it constitutes the
westertt-tnest Jimit for this species in Australia

3 Dicksonia antarctica—‘Soft Tree-ferm” There are only two locations
now: the place called “Jackass” an Fitzroy River at Mt, Deception, where
Specimens range fram tiny sporelings to ones with trunks up to 9 fect
high, and along Surrey River at about 4 miles below the Garge—here are’
the remains of plants with: fairly Jargme tronks, while may young ones
are growing in the shelter afforded by Prickly Currant lashes (Goprosme
quasrifide).

Tree-ferns (presumably of this species) once grew in Swan Lake Creek,
byt what were not “lifted” have been destroyed by fires: W. Allitt also:
callected Dicksomia at Glenele River mouth, just two miles this side of
the South Australian border, and Baron von Mueller in limestone raves:
west of- Mr. Gambier, S.A, a5 early as 1857. .

6, Cileite dubta—"False Bracken” or “Rainbow Fern” (formerly
Devallin). Apparently confined to the same gorge as Cyathea onstralrs,
but extending in large colonies over an area of several acres; the preyarlingr
yellow-green colour contrasis pleassntly with the bracket’s sombre
verdure. Heights vary feom.2 few inches to abour 4 feet, but T have scen
6 ft. specimens. \

?. Aypolepis punclala—"“Siicky Hypolepis.” A puzzling fern to place
on account of its variability—I would say our most variable species, There
are. anly two occurrences to my knowledge, vis: Surrey River. Gorge,
where antsually big colomes occupy many acres, afd Fitzroy River, Mt.
Deception—fne examples here ate more than 4 feet tall_

8, Aypalepts ruvgasnla—“Refous Hypolepis." A tmaller fern than the
preceding, fronds rarcly exceeding 15 inches. J have only one definite
recocd—a drain at Gorae West, but unfortunately some nocturnal anstnal
has made (racks and tunnels through the heart af the stall colony, whieh
is now on the verge of extinction. (Melbourne Herbarium notifies arr
Allitt collection of AH, rxgasila from near Portlancl.)

qchindsayn linearis—"Screw Fern.”, After bracken, the most widely
distributed of all our ferns. It fayours sodden, peaty ground and occurs
in mats offer: under two inches high, as a result of which one may easily
overloak it.

*10. Providiune qquilfiaiun—"Comman Bracken.” Inhabits every type of
soli, (be most luxuriant growth oceurring at the “Jackass,” Mt, Deception,
where 10 feet high fronds haye been measured. Bracken is the only ferit
other than 4spleuing obtusatvwm to be found an Lady Julia Percy Island.

ll. Histepleris méisa—‘Batswing Fern.” Gorae West and Cashmore
are my only records for this elegant plam. In each instance it is limited
to drains: tender, almost translucent uncurling fronds of pale dluc-greer
rise majestically te 5, 6 or even 7 feet and project above the banks, thus
claimmg the interest of any passing enthusiast.

32. Ptevis tremula—‘Tender Brake.” Observed at Mt. Deception, Gorae
West and Swan Lake, laree examples sometimes attaining 6 feet, The
colour yvariauen with development through different shades of green is &
conspicuaus feature, '

iy ; Beauasrrony, Ferns of the Portland District 195

*)3, Adiantum aethiopicum—"'Common Maidenhair." The largest. colony
I have found is along Surrey River, Gorac, clothing lofty banks at: the
deepest part of dhe stream. Though evineing a’ preference jor damp,
shady places, Maidenhair grows alsa on high hills at Heywood. '

14, Cheilanthes tenuifolit"Rack Fern.” Were, 3s elsewhere, a very
hardy species. Acres have been covered on the highest lulls of Oak Bank
(north-west of Heywood), snd the steged sides of Darlot's Creck at
Tyrendarra cxhibit an abundance of Rock Fern; the plarit is a) suspected
stock poison. _

15, Pellaw falcata—"'Sickle Fern.” A small coloy only, comprising a
few dozen plants, has been focated among basaltic rocks alone Darlot's
Creck, Tyrendarra,

"16, Bicchnume snudun—"Fishbane Fern” (non &, giscolor of N,Zi}.
Populér, well-known species with fronds usually 3, but up to > teet long.
I have counted 158 pinniles on out-size fronds. Sometimes the develop-
ment of a little trunk gives the appearance of tree-Terns in miniature; this
is particularly noticeable after bush fires, '

*17. Blechnum capenso—"Soft Water Fern," The best examples are
to be viewed at Gorae (Surrey River) aid Mt. Deception (Fitzroy River).
In the former locality sonie specimens haye grown trunks up to 2 feet
high and fronds af almast incredible size—8 feet* long by 2 [cet wide!
A handsome form (notably at Mt, Deception) has deeply and regularly
serrated leaflets,

18. Blechatnt procerwm—'Hard Water Fern." Practically co-exten-
sive with the preceding and nearfy as tall, but coarser and rhizomic—it does
not tend to develop trunks, I have also observed this species with deep
serrated pinnules at Mt. Deception and Swan Lake Falls,

19. Asploitum fabellifolium—"Necklace Fern." So far my only record
for this hardy but charming little trailer is Tyrendarra,. where the rocky
walls of Darlot’s Creek are inaccessible to rabbits, W. Allitt gathered it
also at Glenelg mouth. Probably the “Blanket Fern" {Plewoasorus),
which favours similar habitats, also awaits discovery here.

20. Asplention: obdttsatem—"“Small Shore Spleenwort." A very rare,
but most interesting Victorian fern, since it Houvishes under the influence
of salt sea spray. The only State records are Mallacoota Inlet, a few
isktis -off Wilson's Promontory, and Lady Juiia Perey Island. The last-
named Jocation 3s actually just beyond owr specified circle of 20 mites, but
could be considered as an gutlicr of the Portland flora; the exact spot is
“Fern Cave, Seal Bay, at south end of island." (Shore Spleenworts are
more plentiful on the rocky cliffs of northern Tasmania and tmost abundant
in New Zealand.)

21. Asplomiun precmorswon—'Forked Spleenwert.” Not collected since
its discovery om Darlot's Creek last century by Allite; incidentally, this is
the sole Victorian record for the fern, which may now be extinet in our
State. Tt is still to be. found. m South and Western Australia,

A. bulbiferwmn was taken by Abitt from the-mouth of Glenelg River and
perhaps may yet be located within the 20-mile are around Portland.

22. Polyshchwn acileatwn——"Common Shield-fern," The vernacular ig
hardly tree of our district, as I have seett only a few plants, viz—at Garae
and Swan Lake Falls. Allitt had it from the latter place too.

ERRATUM

1, In the previous number of this journal (Vol, 60, p. $79) “Ployd'"
should read “Lioyd!? in the seoand last line.

; rae ae’ Viyt. Nat.
196 Curreetions in Recent Victoyian Fern Nomenclature [Yi Ne

CORRECTIONS IN_ RECENT .VICTORIAN FERN
3 NOMENCLATURE .

]. Distribution af Asptlenium praweorsem: In Vol. 57 of this journal
dp. 116, Oct, 1940), N. A, Wakefield reports the rare Forked Splcenwort
from three localities in SW, Victoria, viz.—Darlot's Creek near Portland,
Grampians, and Lady Julia Percy island. Actually, only one collection has
ever been made in this State amd is labelled (Melb. Herb.) : “Dartot's
Creck near the Grampians. ' Allitu.’' This information is no doubt respon-
sible for Wakefield's second record, but the source of Darlot's Creck at
Lake Condah is more than 40 miles south-west of the nearest Grampians
and has no connection, physiographic or botanical, with thet mountain
thain. The third record from Julia Percy Island is obviously a mistake
for the marine fern Asplesiiwe obltasation, which occurs ft sea caves at
the southern extremity of the islet, . :

“2. Spelling of Diplasten [n placing this genus on.our Victorian Census
{Vict. Wat. V. 1. 58, p. 140, Jan., 1942); Wakefield has followed Bentham’s
adoption of the letter “'s" instead af “z" (see FL Aust., Vol. 7, p. 774),

most recent taxonomists are agrced om the use of “z," ac in works by
Demin, Christensen and Holttom, ,

3. Correct Crration vor Sticherus flaboifatus—In establishing this
binary (fied. Nat, Vol. 60, p. 110, 1943) N. A, Wakefield was apparently
imaware that Dr. Harald St. John had already made the sante combdnation
eighteen maths befare (q.v. Gecesional, Papers of Biskap Museum, Hawati,
Vol. 17. p. 81, 1942) ; thus, the name of our rare, cagtern Fan Fern must be
written Sticherns Aatclletes (R.Br), BH, St. John. | ‘

4. Incorrecriy Lapen.en Ficurrs or Tinestpteris parws ano T. ovaia—
The epithets appearing beneath Mr. Wakefield's type illustration of the above
in Pict, Nat, Vol, 60, p. 142, 1944, should he transposed: the left-hand
three frands are of T. oxata, while those on the right represent T. parva.

; :- -—— J. HW. Wrars.
THE MUSK DUCK'1S NOT “GOOD EATING"

Were it not that the Fictorian Neteralist bas such a wide eretilation, the
statement in the March issue (p. 166) thac the Musk Duck 55 “good
eating” might pass as an amusing example of the mistakes that sometimes
appear even in staid, scientific tomes, However, it may prove misleading,
at some future date, to someorle gathering together the published references
to this rather odd species of duck, Most students of bird-life are aware
that, for the pot-hunte?, the overpowering adour ai the Mask Duck is a
more efivctive deterrent than legistation ' Mr. V. H: Miller was not likely
to make the remark altciluted to hifi, As an angler, he is too well aware
of the persistency of ‘the ‘repulsive smell to. take 2 Musk Duck into any
residence. Even the practical joker Ienows better than ta “plant a
“Musky” in another man's ‘boat! Briefly, the facts are In answer to the
Presidents query, I stated that any decrease would certaiuly not be duc to
the fact that they were being eaten! The distortion of that simple reply is
due solely to waretime conditions, .
at fT He Vy = —— Branchr EB. Mritam

PERSONAL NOTE

At the February meeting of the Club, Mr. Noel Lothian inqtinvated his
recent transicr to a northern Army post and the consequent necessity of
his relinquishing the office of assistant secretary. The President spoke
in appreciatioh of Mr. Lothians loyal services and @xtended to Him the
best wisties of the Clnh, expressing hope that he would find imuch beauty
gnd interest in his néw onvironment-

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "The Victorian naturalist"

See other formats