The Victorian naturalist

THE

Victorian Naturalist
THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE |
of the

FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA

VOL. 61

MAY, 1944, TO APRIL, 1945

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

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

MELBOURNE:
Brown, Prior, ANDERSoN Pry. Ltp., 430 Littte Bourke STREET
1945

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The Victorian Naturalist

Vol, 6r.—No. 1 _ May 4. 1944 No, 925
PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Club was held on Monday,
Apri 10, 1944, at the Royal Society's Hath. Mr, Ive C.
Tlammet, vice-president, presided in the absence of the president,
and some 80 members ‘and friends attended.

Reports of excursions were given a® follows; Queen's Park,
Miss Wigan (who reported noting five species of ducks, including
the Musk Duck, as well as Moor Hens, Grebes, Coots, etc.) ;
Seaholine, Mr, J, H. Willis,

The following were elected as ordinary members: Mr. and
Mrs. Burgess, Mrs. C. W. Connery, Miss Neilie Stewart, Mr.
Albert P. Dunn; as country members: Mr. A. Teese and Mr-
S. C. Nicol; and as associate member: Miss Valda Baley,

NATURE PROBLEMS

The subject for the evening was “Quest Night,” wherein
members were invited to submit queries that were passed by the
Chair for discussion and reply by other members. Following
are the items {with replies) that came before the meeting —

BOTANICAL QUESTIONS

1. Have any subterranean, orchids like the West Australian
Ritzanthella Gardueri been discovered in Victoria, or, if tiot, are
they likely to occur here?—Answrer (Mr. W. H. Nicholls):
None has been found to date, but it is quite likely that the New
South Wales Crypianthemis Slater: (first unearthed in 1930 at
Bulladelah, £50 miles N. of Sydney) may occur in soils favoured
by the Hyacinth Orchid, Dipodium punctaluin.

2. Friends fram England state that the Australian Acacias
seem to resémble yery closely the Mimosas that they know in
Europe, What is the difference, if any, between an Acacia and
a Mimosa?—~Answer (Mr. J. A. Willis): Acacia and Mimosa
are two Superficially very similar genera of pod-bearing plants
belonging to the Mimusoideae section of the family Leguinsrosae,
Linnwus called them both “Mimosa,” but modern betanists
distinguish the former by its auriverqus stamcas (in each minute
floret), and by the almost invariable occurrence of glands on the
leaf-stalle or midrih; a true Advmosa has 10 ar less stamens, and
rarely shows any leaf glands. Early colonists called many of our
Acacta species “wimase”’ trom their resemblance to that tropical
genus, one of which has hecome naturalised in Queensland (14

ae

2 Field Nataralists’ Club Proceedings “Peart

pudica, the “sensitive plant’), and “Prickly Moses" for the
common icaeta verticilata is said to be a corruption of Prickly
Mf inesa

3. The New Zealand Looking-Glass Plant (Coprosma repens)
has small pils in the undersurface of its leaves, at the junction
of mid-rib amd Jatecal merves. What ts the explanation ?—
Answer (Mr, ). H, Willis): Apparently no one can explain
the nature of the litile “pockets” or domatia which occur in several
species of Coprosma. The late Professor A. T. Ewart frankly
admitted that he did not know, and W. R. B. Oliver, tn his
exhatslive monograph of the genus (1935) made no attempt to
account for the leaf pits. Even the much larger and commoner
glands in deacia ave still very imperfectly understood, Mr, Ivo
Hammet reported having noticed ants about the glands of Acacias,
where they were apparently feeding on some sugary excretion.

4. The family Caprifoliaceae mcludes élder-berries, guetder
roses, honey-suckles, cinchona-bark, etc,, and 3s derived from the
Latin caper, 2"he-goat,” and folium, a “leaf” What ts the origin
of the name “goat-leaf’?—Anewer (Mr, J. H, Willis): The
family name has been adopted from Tournetort's old pre-Linnazan
gentis Ce¢rifolivm, which Linieus (1753) and others after him
included in Lenicera —the large assemblage of “honeysuckles,"
now numbering nearly 200 species, Tournefort’s name (published
in £700) is a straight-out translation into Latin of the vulgar
French chevre-feille, by which “heneysuckles” had been known
mw? France for centuries, the German equivalent being geiss-dlatt,
with precisely the same meaning. Strangely enough, no available
French dictionary, encyclopedia, or botanical text-book attempts
to explait the term, but Leudon's English £xcyclopacdia of
Plants, 1855, says, “poetical name, signifying-. . . a leaf which
climbs ike a goat." Nevertheless, Tournefort’s diagnosis contains
the Latin equivaient of “with stinking seers,” thus alluding to a
had odour in some parts of the honeysuckle plant, and as dried
foliage of the related Viburnum species is truly offensive (even in
old herbarium specimens), it is more than possible that “goat-
leaf" was originally associated with an objectionable goat-like
odour,

5. Schomburgk, a prominent naturalist-explorer in South
Ainerica during the earlier part of last century, was afterwards
director of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Wid he accomplish
any outstancling work in Australia?—Awswer (Mr. J. H. Willis) -
Dr. Richard Schomburgk held the directorship of the Adelatde
Gardens for 25 years until his death in 1890, and was therefore
contemporary with Guilfoyle of Melbourne; the present Ane
lay-out owes much to his energy and foresight. He did not
concern himself with pure botany, and the only noteworthy

cree i Field. Natavalists’ Club Pracecdigs 3

contribution im that direction was a Flora of South Australia,
1875, being .a 64-page essay with list of species ‘known to inhabit
the Colony. In the 1870's he wrote many smaller papers on
tobacco cylture, grasses, fodder plants, and sich-like economic
subjects, but nune of them can be compared with the voluminous
writings af the colonial botanists (Mueller, Maiden and Bailey).

ORNITHOLOGICAL QUESTIONS

6. What are the latest theories regarding bird mugration—-
Mr, A. H. Chisholm summarised the various types of movements
among Australian birds, including overseas, interstate, inier-—
tropical, altitudinal, and gipsy nugiants, and gave brief details
regarding each uf the sections. .'Yhe subject was also discussed by
Messts, Hammet, Mattingley, Colliver, Miller, and Miss Watson,

7, What peculiarities has the Lyre-bind that it should have
a Natural Family almost to jitself?—Mr. Chisholm said that
osteglogical stitdy of the Lyre-bird liad been interrupted by the
wir, and so it was not yet possible to “place” the group on a
structural basis, However; sufficient regarding the nature of the
bird’s “make-up” was learned Jong ago to make clear that it had
very distinctive characteristics.

&. What are the differences in the tree habits of Tree-runners
aml Tree-creepers, and how can they be récugmised ?—Mr
Chisholm replied that the clearest superticial point of difference
was that Tree-creepers worked upward oi the trunks of trees,
and ‘Tree-runners worked downward. The Tree-creepers were
good deal larger than ihe other group, Mr, A, H, Mattingley
remarked that there were alse differences jn vorce and nesting
habits.

; GENERAL ZOOLOGY

9, What are the reptiian characteristics which link the
Platypus with the Jawer arders from an anatomical point of
view?—Mr. Colliver stated that as far as he knew, the egg-
laying habit would be the only trait. Mr Chisholm stated that -
Prof, 5. Sunderland, worlting on the brains of monotremes and
marsupials, found that the impression previously held that both
these Iorms were somewhat allied to the reptiles is now incorrect,
and that the Monotremes are much more closely related to the
Eutherta, I has thus been shown that the concept of marsupials
being on advanced stage of the monotremes js wrong, and
actually there is no direct connection between them. A further
question regarding ¢iftereyces between the Platypus and the
Echidna was answered by Mr, Colliver, and a question whether
both these animals hibernated was answered by Mr, Chisholrn,
who stated that a short period of hibernafion was common to
bolh forms,

4 Field Naturalists’ Club Proceedings Wer Me

1), We are told that the Koala has au appendm some 6 feet
in length. Secing that the appendix in man, a very much larger
animal, ts only an inch or two long and can very well be done
wilhoul, what js the function of such a long one in the Koala?—
Mrs. Pinches suggested that it was probably due to the small
amount of néurishment m the Jarge amount of food taken,
stating further that Ambrose Pratt gaye this as a reason in his
book on the Koala. Mr. Chisholu said that Sir Colin MacKenzie
was so engrossed by this appendix problem that he studied the
Koala to apply the lessons learnt to humanity, but up until the
time he left for Canberra he had not reached any definite
conclusions, Mr, Colliver understoad that Sir Colin had at Icast
proved the organ to be functional.

11. Miss Watson stated she had been told uf a large turtle
being seen close intto the shore at Portland, and asked whaf sert
it would be?—Mr, Mattingley stated 1t was the sort that was
ooeitsionally found in Bass Strait. Mr. Colliver stated that several
records of the large leather-back turtle eccurring im Victorian
waters were known, and that just prior to the war he had seen
a very large specimen that had landed alive on the beach near
the mouth of the Glenelg River at Nelson, Victoria. This one
had apparently trayelled from ihe Indian Ocean,

12, We are tokd that the common Earth-worm aerales the soi
and benefits it, How is such a soft-bodied creature able to
burrow into hard ground? What particular mechanism does it
emplay?—Mr. Coltiver stated that worms generally had
masticatory jaws, and were not fourd, as the question seemed to
Sugeest, im perticulatly hard ground, but tather tn damper
pertions of soil, ‘The soil was passed through the body, and
food particles extracted in the process. Slime (as well as
salivary secretion) was no doubt used to help seften the ground.
Mr, Matlingley remarked that worms fed on decaying vegetation,
which separated the earth as eaten, and that the worms were
helped in their travels by bristles, which made sulhcient noise
lo attract the attention of birds hunting fer food, Me Colhver
stated that ihe giant worms of the Hass Walley had their
burrows nearly filled with liquid nud, and the gurgling sound
they madé was easily heard by the human ear. Mr. H, V. Miller
reported that hme-water poured over the ‘soil would bring out
wonns very guickly. ;

GEGLOGICAL QUESTION

13. A few years ago a resident in one of the Melbourne
suburbs put up a wall in which a large number of “Dendrites”
were visible. These lave now almost entirely disappeared,
Where have they pone?—ANswer (Mr. A. C. Frostick) : Most
likely weathering of the rock surface caused the disappearance

ates The Channel-tilled Cuehkow be feictors

wn

of jhe dendrites; as they had heen formed from solutions there
wis ne reason that he could see to prevent their being removed
hy solution. Miss Wigan stated that the dendrites at one line a
feature on the fence around the property of the late Sidney Myer
in Toorak had disappeared, _ = . mat

REMARKS TY EXHIBITORS

Mr. ©, J. Gabviel remarked on the living species of Victorian Teredo,
and also: species new to him that oiuy he Victorian or ai introduced
farm

Mr. Mattingley exhibued some seeds of the sweet Quandong, and
asked. if they had ever been propagated in Victoria. Mr Willis stated
that the seeds were olten germimated but their future hte was 2 prablam
ewike to parasitic Nabets: the roots developed suckers which entered
ether roots. Mr, Hammet stated he had a plant growing, now steven
years old, and he attributed his success to ihe undisturbed growth of
grass and weeds around the tree .Mr Mattlagley said that people! in
Central Australia believed the seeds «onkd not grow until they were
eaten and yoided by an etd.
; Mr, Colliver displayed a serie: cf the Jarger forms of Victorian fossil
sharks’ veeth, ard mentioned n theory that was recently pnt forward
that these tecth were not shed but were permanent and had & certain
amount of movement duc to conscitus muscular action. Slides of a
restoration of fhe jaw of a giant shark (fossil) Curehoradow meqotod ont;
displayed in the American Museum of Nutural History, and several
showing views of the recently discovercd Coclacanthid fish fram the
African Coast were also shown, and with this last the importance of
the discovery was emphasized and the extension of the evolutionary
scale imeutianed :

THR CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO IN VICTORTA

To the discussion which resolved around the question of the oecurrence
im Victoria al the Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scplhrops novdeshollautiar) at
a reeent FIN COV. meeting may be added John Gould’s quotation of a
description of its habits by De Bennett, of Sydney, in IS858: “When the
young Sevthrops (Channel-bill} was introduced into Mr. Denison's aviary
it was plated in a compartment already occupied hy a Dacela gigas (Koola-
burra), and doubtless feeling hungry, immediately opened its mouth) ta be
fed, ani its wants were readily attended ta by the Kooleaburra, who, with
great kindness, took a piece of meat and, after sufficiently preparing it by
beating it about until jt was in a tender and pappy state, placed it carefully
in the gaping mouth of the young Scytlirogs; this feeding process continued
until te bird was capable of attending to its own wants, which it now
does, feeding in company with the Kooleaburra in the usual niatner. When
I saw it in the morning jt was perched upon the most elevated resting-place
in the aviary, occasionally craising itself, Mappitig its wings, ane thon
quietly settling down again after the manner of Hawks in confinement,
and presenting much the appearance of a member of that. tribe of birds."
This account indtrates an extraordinary instinctive dependence on an equally
instinctive response of anothér hird not famed as a friend in adversity,
Ts there any record of the Channe-bill's eee having heen found in a
Kookaburra’s nest?

~ [No—Ed.]

HGES.

rye Now

6 Martinctiiy, Plea for a'ttall of ‘Science Vo}. 61 |

FLEA FOR A HALL OF SCLENCE
By A. H. E. Marrivoney, Melbourne

.More than 40 years ago, on 26th August 1911, I advocated
in the Melbourne Argus the institution of a Hall of Science as
part of the Melbourne Public Library biulding. Subsequently
a meeting was held-at-the home of Mr. R, D. Elliott, when two
of the Public Library trustees (the chairman, Dr. Leeper, and
Mr. Eflictt) commended the scheme, and Dr. Leeper indicated
that the time for establishing such a hall would be when the
presenL Public Library block ef buildings became overtaxed Lor
suitable space—-probably aiter a lapse of 20 te 30 yeurs.

‘The time has now arrived for reconstruction on more spacious
lines, and, since the site for a cultural centre for Melbourne has
been selected near Prince's Bridge and approved, it behoves the
Vielorian Field Naturalists’ Club, tn conjunction with kindred
scientific societies, ta approach the Minister of Public Works
before plans of the prospective buildings are drawn up, The
desirability of incorporating a wing specially designed to house
in separate rooms all the small libraries, belonging to struggling
sciéntific societies and scattered throughout the city and suburbs,
is apparent,

The propused wing should also have a central hall, open to the

use of each society and for the purpose of giving educational
lectures to the public and students, Above all, the librarics would
be centrally accessible and, if the biilding were fire-proofed, the
valuable collections of reference books and documents
(unproctirable elsewhere, but at present exposed io the risk of
fire) would be safegnarded for the nation.
’ Most of the natural history sovielics, owing to their slender
finances, are now oeciipying wunstitable sooms, whilst others
cannot properly utilize their Jiterature for want of shelf-
accomunodation. In several instances valuable and irreplaceable
papers are deteriorating for-want of binding and shelf-space.
The moncy at present dissipated in tugh rentals could be saved
and utilized in publishing the results of research by the societies
—results which for want of sufficient funds now gn unrecorded.
The labours of skitted naturalists are of a national character, and
the community cannot afford to lose them.

Great credit is due to the Council of Education, heretofore +
engaged in the national work of broadening the channels through
whith seattered and discunnected rivulets of the mabon's education
flows, Why not, then, give the societies engaged in other
branches of education (which for abvious reasons are outside the
jurisdiction of the Council), the opportunity to organise them-
selyes for the public weal? The facilities afforded by such a .

brovil i Matrincity, Plec fur'a Hall of Science 7,

scheme of centralization are mamfold, Scientific attainment would
became mare popular by a reduction in expense to club members,
whilst the membership itself would increase by virtue of the
greater comforts and facilities provided for study and research.

Compared with many countries, Australia is deplorably lacking
in scienific outlook, as witness lhe researches into our unique
fauna and flora whith are avidly taken from us and dealt with by
Government-aided foreign scientists and investigators—a galling
fact to those worthy Australians who could accomplish such work
admirably but for financial disabilities.

In this manner Australia loses her prestige, and other nations,
far better organized scientifically in their arts and crafts, outstrip
her. The national importance of the arts and sciences to our
country cannot be over-estimated. If these languish, so does the
country also, as history bears ample testimony.

Our American cousins, with clear perception and true patrivtic
imity, have established such useful State-subsidized departments
as the Smithsonian Institute, a society that has materially helped
her citizens to develop the arts and crafts of their mighty
confederation, and 7§ still enabling them sa to de, by equipping
them menially in their struggle for international supremacy,
The comparatively small amount spent in maintaining this
institute has returned untold wealth to the coffers of the United
States. ;

As our Victorian associations, without ‘any thought of fee or
reward, and at considerable pecumiary sacrifice, are rendering
public service and making for national prosperity by the
researches of thetr members, is tt tov much to expect from the
Government a building for such work?

The time has surely arrived when it behoves our State
administration to help build up that portion of her national
edifice which, at present, is being tediously erected by devoted,
but unorganized, bands of enthusiasts, .

The Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, as an old and strong
body, 18 the logical canvenor of all Societies with this laudable
object. Let us seize the opportunity now offered to mitigate those
difficulties so. long suffered by the champions of natural science in
our State, ree ° : C

" SPIDERS STOP TELEGRAMS -

On the Nullarbor Plain there was a telegraph line where spiders at times
made webs which connected From the wite to the-pole. When -the webs
fot wet they “earthed” the electric current until there was noi enough to
operate the telegrams.—ALFX McKenzie, Glenhuntly.

& Peay, Breeding of tre Platypus ot Cnptnaty <a

ORSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF TIIE
PLATYPUS JN CAPTIVITY
By Dayo Freay, BSc, Die,Ep.,
Director, Badger Creek Sanctuary, Healesville

For nine years—three in the Melbourne Zoological Gardens
and six at the Badger Creek Sanctuary—I have striven to
bring about conditions corulucive to the laying of eggs and
successful rearing ef young by our shy and temperamental
duck-billed platypus. It was obvious that many interesting
little details of intimate habits denied to Mr. Harry Burrell
during his very thorough compilation of platypus lore could
only be revealed when a truly domesticated "duektill’* consented
to perform her duties as 2 mother,

“In this 1943-44 season, after years of trial and ‘error, high
hopes and grear disappointments, Fortune really smiled, and
Til,” mate of “Jack,” made history by hatching and rearing
a splendid young female platypus.

Before proceeding [ would like to acknowledge the debt owed

in these investigations to Mr, Karl Byron Moore, of Melbourne:
a member of the enthusiastic Sanctuary Commitee, who, know-
ing the tremendous expense involved in procuring the necessary
quantity and variety of food for the pair of platypusés, has
assisted financially cach month throughout the difficult years of
this war, In days when even ottr butcher’s order, had to be
dropped in favour of using up anctent horses, it is doubtful
whether the platypus experiment could have heen carried on
but for Mr, Byron Moore’s very practical help.
_- There must also be remembered the steady conscientious
assistance of my deputy, Mr, Cecil Milne, who has never spared
himself in the many and varied duties involved in caring for
the welfare of our Ornithorhynchus family, Mrs. Jemima
Dunolly, too, last of the old aboriginal people at Coranderrlk,
supplied us consistently in all weathers for years. with the
important platypus food items until practically the day of her
death in early January 1944, at the reputed age of 102,

In the Victorian Neturolist for March 1943, the ways of
“Jack” and “Jill,” their places of capture and many vicissitudes
were described. On this day ‘of commencing my further record
(February 19, 1944), “Jill has completed six years in captivity,
and as she began her life in the Sanctuary af the nest-leaving
stage, her age on this date is roughly, but fairly accurately, six
years, three and a hall months. This fact, plus her bright alert
ways and excellent health despite the constant demands of her

er Pinay, Breeding of the Plaivpus in Caprivity o

youngster, are clear indications -that the life of a platypus is a
lengthy one. ;
“Tack,” whom we captured ‘as’ a ‘hali=grown youngster in
Badger Creek a year Tater than "'Jill,” is approximately the same
age as his mate, and this big, richly-codted animal, 20}4in. in
Jength and weighing 334 Ibs., now has more than five years in
a platypusary to his credit. ' -

: With the object of providing a suitable small-scale “river
bank" wherein “Jill,” at her chosen time, could excavate a;
breeding burrow, hard-packed earth and logs had been arranged
in.an enclosed area at the western end of our Badger Creek’
platypusary since early 1939, Variations in the mode of entry:
te this section from wooden “tunnels” running to the swimming
tank had to’be devised from time to time; the excavated earth
had to be carefully removed as '‘Jill” brought it out, and the:
relations between the lady and her mate-(who was almost double
her weight) had to be most carefully watched.

With all our well-intentioned architecture and experimentation
with the all-important balanced diet, it seemed that only during
the winter of 1943 were conditions brought to such a state that
they met with “ Jill's’ unqualified approval.

Small even for a female platypus, “Jill” measures 1674
inches (average, 18 inches) and weighs a bare 2 Ibs. in het
fattest condition. Her extraordinary tameness is largely due
to the fact that, for some unknown reason, she left the nesting
burrow at avery immature stage, being then no more than
10 inches long—the smallest young platypus in the free state that
J have ever seen. (Compare this with her own youngster, which
at the length of 1354 inches was still in the nesting burrow.)
Thus “Jill's” early impressionable weeks and months were ow
own to instil into her the necessary trust and confidence. Little

-did Mr, Vince McCrohan of Healesville think, when he picked
up the tiny and very weary “Jill ambling down. a hard mountain
road three-quarters of a mile from water, that she would later
create a stir even in wartime London! i
' The happy result of “Jill's” early “education” is that she has
absolutely no fear of human beings even when they crowd
about her tn hundreds, and, unlike the genera] nin of platypuses;
she is little. inhibited by the traditional temperament. In fact.
when I recently tied her up in a bag to ascertain her weight, she
resumed feeding immediately afterwards as if nothing had
happened,

“Jack,” the male platypus, who was captured afler months
of free life, became very quiet. and accepts food by hand, but

10 Fiuay, Breeding of the Platypas in Captivity Viet, Heat

i on neyer been the friendly and frolicsome little pet that
‘ H > is. . .
' In the cases of both animals the success in breeding was not
brought about by shutting then) away and leaving them strictly
alone, The daily exhibition, with a general alternate day appear-
ance of each (unless Jill” happened to be hibernating) went
en much as usual right until the famous October day, when “Jill”.
actually gathered nesting material under the eyes of spectators
and began to construct her nursery. Naturally thereafter “Jack”
had to represent the family at 3.30 p.m. each day, but even so
“Jill” appeared on many occasions im succeeding weeks on
daylight’ foraging excursions, and “Jack’''was able to enjoy
periods of well-earned rest, i

Normally crepuscular and nocturnal, platypyses in Victorian
streams are rarely seen during daytime unless flood-waters aré
high, food is scarce or females are engaged in caring for infant
families. The usual thing is to find the animals slipping out
into ‘the streams during the cyening light and swimming
Cone atsly ‘up and down stream practically the whole night
through: ) f

Three years ago, while I was engaged in procuring five pairs '
of platypuses for Jiberation-in the streams of Kangaroo Island
by the South Avstralian Government, it was particularly instruc
tive at night 1o illuminate by means of a powerful spotlight the
shallow rapids of such Healesyille streams as the Watts River
and Chum Creek, and observe the underwater “‘swim past’ of
a number of otherwise unseen duckbills on their various lawful
occasions.

The most usual indication of their presence when one is quietly
sitting on a river bank at night is the sudden “splash dive’—
an almost double sound characteristic of the platypus alone:
This alarm signal, like that of a rabbit's op wallaby’s “thump,” ,
conveys ils meaning almost simultaneously to any other platypus
in the vicisity, © | . ‘

In view of the typical. nocturnal habits of the speciés, the
behaviour of “Till,” which has been most consistent over the past
two seasons, is of exceptional interest, “Jacl,” not being
concerned with procuring food or preparing himself for
incubatory duties, broke his nocturnal emergences on but 4
single occasion during the pairing month of October 1943. ~
- Skipping then the notes made over several past years, I-shalt
describe “Jill's movements from the day they departed from
normal in 1943 just as they did in the preceding year of 1942.
In the ‘winters of these two years, and in fact at’odd times even
before that, "Jill had disappeared for periods of several days

‘

_ Freay, Breeding of the Plaiypus.in Caprinity U

at a time deep in her burrows. There is little doubt that these
absences were stretches of hibernation or sleep during the coldest
and bleakest periods of the year, and they may be.in the case
of the female animal part of the preparation far the incubation
period to come.: At sucha time.:she plugged up ar blocked. off
her camping chainber from its connection with the water, “Fale”
is.not the only platypus I have‘ktiowti to hibernate. ©

Harry ‘Burrell’ (The. Platypus, - Page 164) says: “Although,
Bennett has made the suggestion that Ornithorhynchus hibernates,
My -investigations do not bear him out. In the New England
district of New South Wales, the pairing season commences in
July, which is the mid-winter month an’ those cold highlands.
The platypus lives an active life the whole year through.’
Bennett's statement read: “These creatures are scen in the
Australian rivers at all seasons of the year, but are most abundant
during the spring and summer months, and I think, a- question
may arise whether they do not hibernate.”
_ Robert Eadie (The Life and Habits of the Platypus) recorded.
periods of hibernatfon during the months of June and July for
his famous pet platypus, “Splash,” a male animal. There is
bo doubt whatever that in Victoria platypuses do hibernate for
greater or lesser periods, and my field obseryations agree exactly
with those of Bennett. Unless a platypus in captivity has access
to earthen burrows of its own construction, it will not always
hihernate, Since it is possible that such periods of retirement plus
ensuing stretches of ravenous eating, in the case of the female,
are correlated (as suggested} with the’ nesting period, I have
tabulated the following account of “Jill’s” winter behaviour in,
1943, The summary indicates the dates and periods of time,
apart from ordinary nocturnal emergences, spent inside the
Vurrawing bank with the animal’ “pugging” or sealing herself in
—to usc the mining term so. appropriately adopted by Mr-
Burrell.
| Another interesting thing was the fact that from this period
on for the first time ia 1943, the end of her tail tonk an the
bare and patchy appearance that so commosily develops each
year. This, of course, was a direct result of using the tail in
i:ack-pushing soil to close off unwanted passages and working
tip blocks of pugs. On emerging from her various abserices,
“Till” became definitely diurnal and could usiially be seen feding
ravenously all day Jong, It was a common sight on such
occasions to watch her working away in patches of mid below
water with her’ ever-questing bill, and when on a good praspect
flailing hard with both “fore paddles” inn unison to stir up pall
delicacies from ‘obscure crannies, _ - h .

wi-

ve

42 F DAY, Breeding af the Platypus far Capiiaity

Viet. Nate
Vol. él

“Tr will be noticéd that the hibernation péridds began towards
the end of May and ended just before mid September -—-

ah

Intervals
May 28 :
May 31 June l !
June4 '
June 7

Tune 12-June 19

June 24-June 26

June 28-July 3°

July 6=Tuty 12
Tuly 17-Tuly 21

Fuly 28-Aug, 2

'

Aug. S-Ang. 13.

Aug: 25
Aug. 29

‘Sept. 1-Sept. 3

Sept. i0.

Froni September 15, onward “Jill”

Approximate Time

_ Spent in Retirement

One night and day—
24 jhowrs..

Two nights and a day
—36 hours.

One day and night- ,

24 hours.
Two nights and a day
. —36 hours.
156 hours.

36 hours.
120 hours.

132 hours,

12 haurs.

“120 hours.

120° hours.

24 -hovts; away dur-
ing a day and night.

One night and day—
24 fiours..

92. hours,

‘to Sept. 15

Ensving Feeding Pertod.
Ont at night.

Ont two sticcecding days all
day and sleepy at night,
Out all day,

Ont iwo succeeding days alf
day and sleeping at night,
Ernerged for half a day—12.30
p.m. until dark. Fed all next
day and fpr several days
with: nights in retirement.
Fed all day for two days—

away at night.

Out all dav for four days.
Nights in retirement.

Feeds all day for five days.
Away at wyeht, Extra hun-
gr,

Emerged in early afternoon.
Fed 64 days consecutively,
and away each tight,

Einerged 4.30 p.m., Fed until
well into night. Out in after-
noons for seyetal days and
for several other whole days
—away at night ~

Appeared 3° p.m. Fed into
bixbt, Out with little varia-
Hon for seven days. running,
Away at night. Threc' more
half days staving in to night-

Our all day three days ron-
ning, Away at night.

Fed 3, daylight twe following
days. Away at_night, cmerg-
ing after mid-day ‘in cach
case.

' Emerged 4 pam. Out mast of

day for three following days.
Away at night. Foutth and
fifth days out from 3.30 p.m.
Away at. night.

“Till” ont each day all day and
away sleeping at night.

gave no further indicatior

of-any periods of hibernation, but -her appearances .in_ day-

time continued. more regularly: than . preyiously. .

With few

exceptions, she now appeared im the afternoon. (from 3 p.m,

otwards) and

fed into the night.

ay Fieay, Breeding of the Platypus in Cipiivity ; \r

‘In the 1942.season, when no pairing was observed and evidently
none took place, “Jill's” habits returned to normal in late October;
and from the 23rd of that month onwards (the end of the
mating. season), she became once more a nocturnal creature,
slecping by day and appearing at dusk to feed through the night.

The most interesting observations in this 1943 season, as in
the preceding year at a corresponding time, lay in the prodigious
spring appetite displayed by the vigorous creature. Following
her three months of on-and-off hibernation, during the intervals
of which she ate very heartily indeed, she now (from early
September on) devoted herself to banqueting of a-much more
intense nature. From the time of her afternoon bow to the
public (coming out of her own accord) until far into the night
she devoured grubs, yabbies, beetle larvae, worms, and tadpoles
with little pause, coming out each and every day. In view of
the story yet ‘to be told, it will be seen that this performance
was a preliminary storing-up in preparation for the domestic
activities so close at hand. “.

Throughout all these months, “Jack” had inhabited the same
home and swimming pool as “Jill,” but he had not been permitted
to-enter her bank of earth. He showed no inclination to hiber-
nate, did not come out to feed during daylight, and fed as usiml
throughout the nights. I am not inferring that the male platypus
docs not indulge in periods of winter hibernation, “Jack” has
never done so, but it must be remembered that he has not been
perinitted to extavate. his own burrows. ‘he adult male platypus
is also far more difficult to observe in the wild state than the
female, for these big “old men” are far more suspicious and
retiring than the females,

In a2 long period of observing and capturing platypuses in —
various Victorian streams ranging from the Western District
to Gippsland, I have only once managed to hoodwink a fine big
fcllow -like “Jack,” whereas young males and immature and.
fully-grown females are fairly easy game.

Returning, then, to the mid-September period of 1943 (by
which time “Jill” had ceased her boults of hibernation but still
continued tn feed by day), it happened on the 14th of that
month, during an afternoon show featuring ‘Jack’ (who had
been brought from his “burrow" for display) that “Jill” slipped
forth fromn.her tunnels and began begging for special items of
food, This she'does by waving her beak jerkily above the water .
surface and repeatedly emerging from underwater dives in the
corner nearest the hand holding the food. Accordingly some
beetle larvae were profféred to “Jrll," who re-acted eagerly by
clinging to the hand that approached her and levering its+fingers
apart with her bill yo 6-7: 0%

14 Furay, Breeding of ihe Platypus mm Captimly ae

Aftér a few minutes it was noticed that -"Jack"-seized “Jill's”
tail in a firm grip with his bill and the two animals swam slowly
in a processional circle. The period between mid-September and
mid-October was evidently the pairing season, and several
instances of courting actions with the two animals swimming
im a processional circle were noted during that time, “Jill” (as
previously méentoned) continued her daylight feeding sessions—
occasionally vitrying the procedure by appearances. at night.
Apart, however, from the rather interesting evidence of this
play at courting, the first true act of malig was observed on
October 11.

During the afternoon fairly heavy rain Feil, and at 3.30 p.m.
both animals were in the water of their-own accord— “Jack” of
his own volition in broad daylight for the only time noted in his,
five years at the Sanctuary. In view of Mr. Harry Burrell’s
notes and. theories on one use of the platypus spur as a means
of holding. the female during. copulation -( Burrell, Chapter 7), it
is worth recording that during this act when the animals were
fast for nearly 10 minutes no spur grip was noted. A good deal
cf splashing and floundering about occurred, and in the first
place the maie animal doubled his body under while maintaining
his grip on the female's tail with his: bill.

"jill" fed on ravenously each day—if anything coming outeven
earlier (about 1 pan.). On October 18 it was decided to remove
“Jack” and give him the run of a new ccastern section or wing
of the platypussary, which.was shut off trom “Jill's: western
quarters. “Jill” became more and.more hungry. She was often
seen mow at 9 aim., feeding continuously right through ta 9 p.m.
and for hours after that. Down she would dive time after time
to weave her blind way about, on the bottom seeking palatable
items, rising then to the surface: for a iestinbly chewmg and
continual buiging of her cheek-pouches. I supplied her with
aquatic plants, thinking that green yegetation might be in demand
at this particular time, but all to no purpose.

On October 22 her actions were decidedly restless. She had
for a week or more beforehand changed her entrance-hole from
the water to one leading out on the northers side of the platy-
pussary, and had excavated a fresh entrance-burrow high up ite
her burrowing. bank. On this day she emerged at mid-day,
disappeared again at 3 p.m., re-appeared at 4 pyn., and again

-fetired at 6 pm. Possibly, in view of her further activities
and the amount of earth thrown out, she was working on the
nesting chamber at the burrow terminus. md

Weighty support for this theory developed on, ihe following

day (October 23), “Jill” was ready to build a nest? |
(To be continued.) 9 SFsf vue

= mat "r
ee eee |

yl tae CRISHOLM, Birds of the’ Mistivtoe 1s,

BIRDS OF THE MISTLETOE ads
- a By A. H, Catssoum. | a

Members of the large family of Australia’s Honeyealers (some
70 in number) manifest among them considerable variely in size,
voice, and general behaviour. Some are distinctly “unorthodox,”
| But the most singular species of them all, perhaps, is the one
known loosely as the Painted Honeyeater, Grantiella picta, the
sole member of its genus. It is curious-in its distribution, its
‘movements, its voice, its general conduct, arid above all m the fact
that it has forsaken nectar as food—if indeed it ever wos a
honeyeater—in favour of mistletoe berries. — ’

I discusseil this singular little bird—it is rather less than six
iiches long—in the Vic. Nat. for December: 1940. In that
article it was shown ‘that john Gould encountered the ‘species
testing in the interior of NiS.W. in September 1839; that
Kendall Broadbent shot-a specimen near Melbourne in the 1850's;
and that a break of many years’ duration occurred before the bird
was again recorded, Eyes were-taken at Bathurst in N,S.W,
ou December 23, 1899, and near Sydney in‘January 190], and
in later years the species was reported spasmodically from some
few parts of thé imverior of N.S.W., Queensland, Victoria, and
the Northern Territory... Ir-thus becanie clear that the bird was
distributed; but only sparsely, aver a: wide area of the sub-interior
oi the eastern portion of the continent, ' ~

The points in-Victoria where the: species’ has been Seen, either
in small flocks or pairs, are Carinya (far notth-west),’ Parwan
(28 miles north-west of Melbourne}, Elthani: (15 milés north-
east of Melbourne}, Bendigo and Marybovough. At Eltham
Mr. W, C, Tonge first’ saw a pair and found a nest in” 1923;
an after'that there were two breaks of six years each (to 1929
and 1935) before he again saw the birds, At Bendigo the species
appears to have been -first seen in 1925, and since then it has
been voted in vartous springtimes, ‘though not consistently, At
Maryboruugh the bird has been seen in several years since 1937;
not 1939 as stated in my previous article. k'20 a!

The date of the first Maryborough record was October 25,
Two birds were noted and both were very restless, as though
in strange country; moreover they were chased by other birds.
Whether any members of the species returnéd to Maryborough
i. 1938 [ cannot say {1f was abroad then), but two pairs. were
seen there, about two miles apart, in November of 1940.

In the following spring (1941), as early as September 2]; I
again heard ihe Painted Honeyeater at Maryborough, by which
time: Ibegarits regard ‘it as a-cotifrmed,, if-inconstant, ' visitor

16 CHisueam, Hrds-of the Mistletoe ee

to the district. , But. the visitations clearly wére only of recent
occurrence, for certainly the species was not in the district when
I lived there years ago. Probably, indeed, the restless pair of
1937 ‘were pioneers in the area, and possibly they were an
extension of the little colony that had discovered and adopted’
the Bendigo district im the 1920's
. Curiously, however, during ten days spent in the Maryborough
regton jin October of “42 1 neither saw nor heard a Painted:
Honeyeater, and this despite the fact that the season was good.
and many birds {notably the erratic migratory Wood-swallows)-
were breeding. : -
A very different story 45 to be told in relation to the spring of
‘43. In that period a remarkable irruption of Painted Honey-
eaters occurred near Maryborough. Within a week I located at’
least six pairs of the birds at various points close to the town,
and in the same period I found no fewer than six nests af that
other lover of the mistletoe, the brilliant little red-and-blue
Mistletoe-bird, Diceeuw hirundinaceum. (Incidentally, in the
same period and the same area I inspected about 30 other
nests representing 18 species, and saw im al) some 80 species.
of hirds.} ; '
To begin with, on October 31 1 wandered on to a hillside near’
* the East Maryborough State School. Many years previously,,
when the Mistletoe-bird was uncominon in the district, 1 had!
found my first nest of the species being built in this spot, but
had been denied knowledge of the complete nest (after having:
sought an example for several years) through removal from
the district. Other nests of the species had been found in.
Queensland and N.S.W. in the intervening years, but it was
at least refreshing, after a lapse of about a. quarter-century, to:
find my first completed nest of the Maryborough district on the
site of the original discovery. The nest was situated at a height
of about Sit, in an ironbark sapling. It was found through the
activities of the. female, who when J sat down to watch her
soon made it clear that T was “parked” fairly alongside the:
nestmg bush. ; ; : ,
Presently, from a spot perhaps 300 yards away there floated
through the morning air the yoice of a Painted Honeyeater;
and soon afterwards | tound the bird upon a hillside that carried
only goats, jam-tins, and ironbarks festooned wtth mistletoe
“Georg-EEE, Georg-EEE, Georg-EEE,” the Painted Honeyeater
called, and then it brake inte a rapid “Kow-kow-kow-kow” and
notes suggesting the prattling of the Brown Flycatcher.
. Aiter feasting for.a Hime in a mistletoe cluster the bird spraner
into the air, shot upward, and began its.wavy, erratic, inconse-

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Von, ol May, 1944

Prare I

rey Crisuorm, Birds of the Mistletac 47
quential flight; and as it did so I imitated the “Georg-EEE"
wiristle. npon which it turned quickly and flew to a tree near by,
where the morning sun played upon its clean black-and-white
body, the gold bars of the wings, and the pinkish-red bill. Each
time the bird lauached itself into space, or even after it had
alighred in a tree some distance away, it came at once in response
to an imitation of its call. Evidently it was a solitary specimen
and was seeking a mate. :

When -about ta leave the spot | heard again “the call of 4
Mistletoe-bird, and, following the flight a1 the female, found
another nest situated at a height of Sft in a small ironbark
bush, The pretty little purse-like structure contained three, eggs,

On the following day (Nov. L) I went to the western fringe:

of the town and immediately found a third Mistletoe-bird’s nest,
this time a half-buill example placed about (0ft. up in an
ironbark sapling, Here, as in the earlier instances, the tell-
tale factors were the high-pitched chatter of the brilliant Ittle
male bird and a sighl of the female going to the nest. Jn this
spot, two, | heard and saw angthtr Painted Honcyeater, but one
lacking the enthusiasm of the bird of the morning—it only
occasionally cricd “Georg-EEE" and it refused to acknowledge
‘imitations of the call. .
» Later in the day three local residents accompanied me on a
visit to the first “Georgie.” and when the bird appeared in
respotise to a whistle they greatly enjoyed seeing, with ihe atd
-of field-glasses, the dainty little form and the pretty plumage
iit by the evening sun. Subsequently we went on half a mile
‘or so to the Maryborough cemetery and there (through following
the distinctive. deliberate call) saw another “Geergie’—two im
fact, for the first bird was soon joined by a second one “and
ihey disappeared in company,

Bere w may be said that the season was very dry, so much
so that agriculture was suffering ("as badly as 1914," said one
farmer) and not a single orchid could he found flewering in
the district. As for birds, a fair number of sedentary species
and Some few visttors were nesting, but the twa Wood-swallows
that had been abundant m the previous spring--the White-
browed and Masked spectes—were conspicuous by their absence,
‘To what extent these conditions affected the Mistletoe-birds and
Painted Honeyeaters is problematical. ‘The fact ts,, however,
‘that either in spite or because of the prevailing dryness there
was an abundant crop of berries on the many examples of
mistletoe, and the herry-loving birds had rallied to the feast:

During the next few days (Nov. 2-6) 1 encountered at least
three fnore pairs af Painted Honeyeaters atid.found three more

18 Cursnnen, Birds,of the Mistletoe Mae

nests of the Mistletoe-bird. All of the nests were placed in
ironbark saplings at from 5ft, to i5ft. Jn one instance the
building material was mainly wool, but for the most part it was
soft vegetable fibre. In all instances the nests were ornamented
externally (either for camouflage or decoration) wilh the brown
castings of wood-boring caterpillars or the brownish dried frag-
ments of dry heads of flowers. The colour-fancy of little
Dicaeum, it would appear, tends strongly to brown, since
decorations of the kind are freely used by the species.

A question that puzzled me was this: Why were the Mistletoe-
birds nesting in advance of the Painted Honeyvaters? Was it
hecause the bull of the beeries were not yet ripe and the supply
was not sufficient to satisfy the needs of the larger birds? On
the other hand, it is possible that some at least of the Painted
Honeyeaters were breeding. Close searching, it is truc, failed
to reveal a nest, but discovery is much more difficult in this
cast than that of the Mistletoe-bird.

‘In any event the failure ‘did not trouble me unduly; there
was sufficient recompense in watching the beautiful With
‘Honeyeaters” feasting and preening and flying, and in listening
fo the “Georg-EEE” and other curious calls. Almost every
example located was right on the fringe of the town {in one
instance the bird flew over houses in West Maryborough to reach
a: cluster of inistletoe in an ironbark growing in a back yard),
and so the making of visits was an easy matter. Indeed, when
news of the birds’ presence was circulated quite a number of
Maryborough citizens ——olherwise more or less normal—
discovered themselves to be potential ornitholozisis. So did
certain visitors from Me)bourne, meliding three resolute women
wito serve as Manpower officials. In these excursions it was
the “Georgie” first found—the bird that always responded to a
calttogether with the pretty Mtsiletoe-bird’s nest near by, that
provided most entertainment. The Manpower ladies offered am
assurance that the sight and sound of “Georgie” afferded a
pleasant and novel contrast to their usual experiences!

The first definite indication of breeding on the part of the
Painted Honcyeaters was gained on Noy, 6& We {a few local
residents had joined in the hunt) inspected two Mistletoe-birds”
nests on the south-eastern edge of the town and heard Painted
Honeyeaters in the same paddock; and then we went on a mile
or so to a spot where I had heard “Georgie” in November of
1940. Sure enough, the familiar cry arose again and two birds
were seen Aying to a iarge Yellow Box in which they (or others
of their kind) had been seen disporting four years previously.
‘Although very restless they returned to the. tree again and

aa Cursio.m, Birds of the Mistletoe 19

again, and each time the female entered a cluster of pendulous
Jeaves at a height of about 30ft. and squatted there for a while,
When the birds were at a distance the “Georg-EER” cry and
the “Kow-kow-kow-kaw" were freely uttered (I catinot say
whether both birds or only the males use these calls), but when
the big tree was approached a strange purring note was added
to the repertoire. -

- Using two pairs of strong field-glasses, we peered up at that
leafy cluster until our necks ached, But we did not see a mest.
Tt seerced clear that the little cradle was not yet built or was
so flimsy as to be indiscernible from the ground. At this stage
1 had to return to Melbourne, so 1 asked Mr. 8. C. Nicol, town
clerk af Maryborough, to watch developments. .

‘Two months later (Jan. 5) Mr. Nicol came to Melbourne with
a report that in the intervening period the nurnbers of Painted
Honeyeaters in the district had increased, possibly through the
emergence of young ones, “Georg-EER,” he said, was the
dominant note in bush areas on the outskirts of the town, He
said, too, that Mistletoe-birds were still abundant, but of the six
nesis we had found only one survived—one or two apparently
were wrecked by boys and the others had been torn open at the
back, presumably by bird-raiders of some kind, a fate that often
overtakes the builders of small suspended nests,

Moreover Mr. Nicol brought with him a nest of the Painted
Honeveater, the first example found in the district. It was
recovered from the spot an the Majorca Road where we had
acquired neck-aches ‘on Noy. 6, The birds had been seen at
the site frequently in following days, and, after allowing’ ample
time for the young to he reared, Messrs. Nicol and Pheian had
climbed the tree, cut the nesting branch, and lowered it -with
a rope, z

The nest surprised me. John Gould, who found an example
containing young in September, 1839, had deseribed jt as “'the
frailest structure possible"; later observers had made similar
comments, and a nest. which I saw near Sydney in 1932 had
seemed véry flimsy. ‘This Maryborough example, too, was
very sketchy—a remarkable contrast to the closely-woven purse-
like nest of the Mistletoe-hird—but it was by na means frail.
Suggesting lace or net-work in general appearance, it was a fine
little cup consisting of numerous Abrous threads attached to no
fewer than: 22 branchlets. The binding material wag mainly
spider-webbing, but here and there a glutinous sput suggested
ihat, either deliberately or fortuitously, the jelly from mistletoe
berries had also’ been used. in all instances the supporting’
threads-were firmly attached and at the base of the nesi fibre

: Vict, Niet
a Crursiotm, Birds. of the Mistletne betcha

had been woven into # solid foundation for the eggs and young.
» Possibly this nest improved on the average (Mr. Tonge says
that his specimen of 1983 consisted merely of a few dry grass-
stems and two or three small dead leaves), but certainly tt was,
In syté of its “‘open-work” nature, 4 strongly-buile little cradle.
{neidentally, a glance at this nest showed clearly the reason
why Paintel Honeyeaters always build among pendulous
branchlets and slender leaves, such'as the “needles” of Casuarinas,
the fine leaves of- Melalettcas. and the slender leaves and twigs
of Eucalypts of the type of the Yellow Box, Situations of this
kind are necessary far the weaving of the delicate nest.

This histary of the Maryborough irruption of 1943-4 ends
with summer. Mr. Nicol tells me that he examined the environs
ef (he lawn thoroughly at the end of February, but, although
Mistletae-birds were still to be heard, he could neither see nor
hear a single Painted Honeyeater.

"Where have they gone?” Mr. Nicol asked: and I could only
veply, in the modern phrase, “Search me!" [ assume, however,
that all those “Georgies" of the Maryborough district reared
at least one brood to cack pair, and that when the supply oi
berries became exhausted they collected their young and made
eff towards some indefinite point in the northerw interior.

That aside, there are other questions relating to the Painted
Honeyeatér that I cannot answer. Here are some of them:

Assuming thal the species was once a true honeyeater, what
caused it to turn to mistletoe berries? Bearing in mind thal
Gould saw specimens catching insects on the wing, and that this
practice has not since been reported, is it to be supposed that
the mistletoe-eating habit has developed, or at least become more
confirmed, during the fast century? Where does the species
spend its time when not visiting southern N.S.W- and/or Victoria?
What causes-it to be so. erratic in its movements and how are
those movements regulated? Assuming that the fruiting of
nustletoe is the decisive factor, how do the birds “‘know" trom
a distance whether ‘the season is or is not favourable?

Additional questions arise fram reflecting, upon the behaviour
of the other eater of mistletoe-berries, little Dicaewm, Firstly.
in view Of the fact that this species may be seen in Victoria
during winter, should ii be regarded as more adaptable in its
food-tastes than ‘Georgie’? | Secondly, recalling . that the
Mistletoc-bird'’s nest is the more accessible and open to danger,
why is the tiny bird the better stabilised and more widespread,
of the two species? Should we assume, that the ‘sem+-migratory
movements of the “Painteds’ affect their chances. of survival?
Thirdly, what significance, if. any, is to be, attached-to, the fact

ial Crisnotm, Rivds of the Mistletoe , 2k

that both these eaters of mistletoe berries are amongst the most
heautiful of all our birds? ;

Other questions again arise from recent events. Since the
“Pamteds” were not in the Maryborough district until about
1937, and then only scantily, what factor or factors caused them
to discover the district as a good feeding-ground in 1943, and
what factor or factors caused mistletoe: to flourish to a degree
sufficient Lo warrant a company visit af the kind? Further to the
same point (and possibly botanists can answer this question), tn
view of thé fact that Painieds” were not at Maryborough in the -
lysh springtime of “42, but were in record abundance in the dry
sprmytime of “43, are we to assume that mistleloes fruit best in
{iry seasons?

Finally, there is the question of a name. John Gould called
the bird “Painted Honeyeater” because of its pretty colouring
and becatse its general characters (noted in skins seen before
he left England} showed it to be related to the Honeyeater
family. But Gould did not know—althongh he suspected the
species to differ in some respects from true Honeyeaters—that
the bird was an eater of mistletoe berries; and now that the
point is well established the term “Honeyeater” becomes
anomalous, What then should the species he called? “Mistletoe
Moneyeater” will not do. “Misfletoe-bird”’ is preoccupied. In
fact, if the word '‘Mistletce” is to be used in the title of the
“painted” bird, it will probably be necessary to find a “‘Christian”’
name for the present Mistlctoe-bird,

Are there any suggestions to be offered? For iis own part,
the gay little Grantiella icta, like the bird that “tells its name
jo all the hills,” is quite assured on the point—it calls itself
“Geargie.”

JOHN GOULD TO AUSTRALIANS

"Now a word to the Australians, particularly to those whe are interesting
themselves about acclimatizing animals from other countnes—wishing for
things they have not and nevlecting those they possess, At what cross
purpases are we playing both in Europe and Australia?—in Eveland a
price is put upon the head of the Sparrow, while in Australia rewards are
oftered tor its introduction; but on this subject I must content myself hy
prayite that protection may be afforded to that noble bird, the Emu, in
order that it may oot be extirpated from the contment, as it neaTly has
been from Tasmania, where, I hear, it would require a month's search, in
the most remote ‘parts of the island, betore one could sce any of the few
that are still living thereon. How inch wall the loss of this fine bird be
regretted by every righi-minded person who claims Tasmania as his father-
land ?"..-Handbook ta the Birds of Axstealia, Vol, Il, p. 202, published 1865,

ox “The Orchids of New South Wales’ - EV ict Nas

"THE ORCHIDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES”

The Rev. H. M, R Rupp has eclipsed his handy Guide to the Orchits of
New Souwh Wales (1930) by a much more pretentious work bearing the
abowe title and the date December, 1943. As an lionorary member of the
Syduey. National Herbarium staff, to Mr. Rupp bas been entrusted the
honour “af producing this first patt of the projected Flora of New South
Miatcs. We warmly congratulate both the author and the Herbarium on
what is probably the finest piece of monographical botany to issue from
an ftustralian press this century.

The bonk is a 168-page octavo volume in red cloth, abtainable from the
Chief Betanist, National Herbarium, Botanic Gardens, Sydney, for 9/6.
Trs-set-up is excellant, the intraduction being informative but not unwieldy,
the headings of genera and species in bald, heavy type, the keys simple,
well spaced. and, above all, workable, Full citation and synonymies accom-
pany every species described, and there is data on the known distribution
within New South Wales, with Aowering times indicated against cach
locality collection Qccasional notes as to pollination are given, and
intricate protiens in nomenclature are discussed throughout. The final
section of the book is devoled to a dichonary of impersonal specific and
varictal epithets, a glossary of botanical terms as affecling the Orrhidacece,
and-a complete index embracing synonyens,

The systematic arrangement follows that of Pftzer in the main, which
iy a reversal of the order usually adopted im Australian Aoras (with
epiphytes at the beginning atid the tribe Meorttiine last). Most of the 24
full-page line drawings are the work of Mr, G. V. Scarome)! and attain a
very high order of merit, recalling those lithographic masterpieces of
Blume and contemporary Dutch artists. ;

Out of a total of 253 species (25 in excess af what Bentham described
for the whole of Avstralie in 1873). there are only two at which we feel
inclined to Jeyel criticism, viz, Plerastolis sananuate and P. Boormanii
sp. nov. The desenption under the former name applies to what we regard
as typical P, rufa, whereas the latter is surely a re-description of true
P, squamaie. Specific rank has been given to certam entities which Vic-
torian orchidetogitts would merge with older species ag imere variants, but
that is where the individual tastes of specialists will slways deviate, and so
lat as a2 group of plants can be recognized as different, even under
varying edaphic conditions, we shall not object to their haying a disfinctive
name, particularly if so designated by ane of such long field experience
and qguistanding ability as Mr. Rupp,

The Oychids of New South Hales is likely to be a scientific reference
work for generations to come and at indispensable asset to ithe serious
student of Orrhidertrae anvwhere in Australasia.

W.H. Nienotts and J, H. Wrents,

HAWK AND STARLINGS

Twice while staying at Sorrento we saw a Jarre number of starlings
fying high over the duncs, with a hawk in pursuit, Massed into a
living balloon they flaw as one bird, Occasionaily the hawk dived Into
and svattered the cluster, which re-formed again and again. Eventually,
his object probably achieved, he was shaken off and we lost them in the
blue distance. Ts it possible that tte starlings first united 14 attack
the hawk? In the gerden one often sees small birds in force attacking the
frogmouth or the kookaburra and even the magpi¢—Enrre CoLeMAn.

eee! _ensitaw, Join Eradbeotye, of he National Museu 2

TOHN LEADBEATER, OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM

T read with much interest the atcount of John Lendbeater's early history
as Sivencby .H. M, Whittell in the March issue of -the Mictorog Nateralivr,
and as I was associated with him for a few years priop do: his. dearh in
1888, the following facts may be of additional interest,

Just when Leadbeater arrived in MeSbourne is uncertain, but in a
Melbourne: Directory. for 1856-7 appears the firm ‘of Williams. & Ibead-
heater, Naturalists, 107 Queen Street. The firm was apparently sshort-
lived as it did not appear in later issues. ]

Jolin Leadbeater was appointed taxidcrmist io the Museum.in 1858 and
held that position for about 3) years. He awas recegnized as ast excellent
taxidermist and keenly interested in bes work, the results of whith were
to be seen it the fine collections of mousted taginials,, bitds, fishes: etec.,
then on public exhibition. Many examples of his skill may still. be seen
in the galleries and cabinet skin collections. Although jrany Major
Whittell’s account he collected “for the Londaa House" in all branches at
aalural d3story, he did not appear to have uudertakes much, rf any, active
field work during Wis association with the Muscum, He was, however,
instrumental in acquiring for the Museum numerous specimens, many of
which at that time were little known or new to the collections

[think [ am correct in stating that he married a Miss Peters, whose
father lived for may, years ut Western Port, and ix was through the latter
that he obtained from time to time many of the smaller mannnals, and
particularly birds, fram that locality, including the hitherte wiknown ‘and
4ull very rate marsupial Gymnobeliders leadbeatert. His chief hobhy was
birds, a inunber of which he kept im his aviary, and among these he
succeeded in breeding the king and swamp quail.

My recollection of John Leadbeater is of one of good appearance and
ot a genial and kindly disposition.

Thomes, Leadbeater, a rélative, was appointed assistant taxidermist in
1882, His health was very unsatisfactory and he died on 22nd September,
1884.—Jas. A. Kersnaw.

Aiter reading the artrle about John Leadbeater -in the Mir. Net, for
March, [ examitied a case nt birds we have had in our possession for
some years, On the back is a emall advertisement measuring’ 3 x 4 inches,
stating under the Royal Coat of Arms; “John Leadbeater, Ornithologist
to Her Majesty and the Royal Family," followed hy his address, 19
Brewster St, Goklen Square, London. On the left are the words: “Birds
preserved, collectivus artanyed’’; on the right: “Manufacturer of orna-
mental cases and cabinets.” Across the tap is written in neat Jiandwriting:
“Tohn Leadheater, Melb. Australia,” and “con of” is written between the
Royal Coat of Arms and the name John Leadbeater, The case, which
is' very licavy, measures about 4 feet high—20 x 38 inches wide, and
veomtains 22 birds, 2 nests and eggs—M. £. B. Veeame, Glenferrie.

VISITORS TO THE SOUTH

While on 2 visit to Portland recently = friend of mine was fishing
of the pier when a large turtle swam inta yiew. It was accompariled
hy several black-and-white stoped Ash, which kent the vatne telative
positions wheneyér the turtle altered its cotitse, ia, bo é¢arh side and
just below Jr dts width was estimated at at least 4 fect, Surely this
isan unusual meand for so far south? —Ix4 Warsan.

eat Setence Conference or Fane Iter ata

SCIFNCE CONFERENCE IN JUNE

The FNC, ju conjunction with fifteen ather representative scientific
sacieties, hat participated im organizing a four-day conference om the
"Planning of Science.” te he held at the University Union Thealte on
June 6, 8, 10, and 11, Admittance to one of all sessions is 2/- and
altentlance is open to the general public.

The alms of the confercmce deserve your warmest support and are
briefly ;—
Critical examination of science in Australia,
Policy for orgatiiziig science to meet nmediate and post-war necds.
Ways and means for implomenting the scientific utilization of all
out atural resources,
. Promotion ‘of applied science for the common jgood,
Provision of a inificd yoice to express conclusions and ati
organization to achieve the above airns,

Some 36 addresses and Incturettes will be given by scientific specialists,
follawed by discussion periods, and will embrace such topics at the
structure of science in Austrulia, the making of a scientist, the planning
of research, post-war reconstruction, and the applicalion of science to
primary and segondary industries. Sumultancous conferences are to be
held in New South Wales and South Australia.

Further detaits may be cbiaited from the secretary or assistant editor
of the FLN.C,

ak wee

EXHIBITS AT APRIL MEETING OF FNC

Mc. © J. Gabriel —All the Teredo species of Victoria,

_Mr. A. H. Mattingley—Bruit o7 the Ovandeng, Sentalum acumiatim,
Miss Lyndon—Skull of the hawkshill turtle from Whitsunday Is.
Mr, A, N. Carrer—Specimens of molluscs iram Western Port showing

Various Parasitic marine growths; also specimens of the cow fish,

{Aracana flawigasivay from Flinders, Vic., similar to tliose featured in

Wild Life for April, 1944, - Me

_ Miss G_ Anchterlonie—A number of garden-grown native plants,

including Sitlardiera longiflara (purple apple-berry), Solanum aviculare,

Apacris longflora and Melaleuca. nesephita,

Mr. B.S. Colhyet—Specimens of the larger Victorian fossil sharks’
teeth, including Carcharadon megalodom, Isurus hastatis, Lamnd aptcalata,
fsurus retroflexa, ete. (AN Tertiary in age.)

Messrs. H.C, 6, Stewart, J,.H, Wulis, Mrs. M. E. Freatne and others,
~Objects from the Easter Saturday excursion to Seaholme, including
live spiders and crahs, shells, and plants of the salt-roarstr; with flowers,
hreuthing roots, and a seedling ot White Mangroye CAvicennia murina).

Mr.. Owen Singleton—Fronds of Victoria's latest fern record,
oy penis pemnigera, from Sherbrooke River, west of the Otways (Jan,

Mr; Frank Kitchen, a Boyanup farmer, reports that-iwo large Wedge~
tailed Eagles {evidently from a distant disitict) some two or threc
weeks ago visited his farm and carried off one af his sucking pigs. The
meat was evidently acceptable to the birds’ palates for despite Mr.
Kitehen's constant vigilance they returned from time to time and carried
off seven more af his young pigs—H/es!t Australian, Perth, 29/3/44,

The Victorian. Naturalist

Vol. -63—No, 2 June 8, 1944 No. 726

PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Club was held on Monday, May 8,
1944, at the Royal Society’s Hall, where the President (Mr.
DB Morris) and aliout 100 members and friends attended.
Among other visitors, Mr, Hanson,” oF New South Wales, and
Staff Sgt. Reynolds (US. Forces) were made welcome.

Excursion reports were given as follow: Frankston, Mr. P.
Bibby and Mr..A. C. Frostick; Balwyn Wild Life Sanctuary, Mr.
A, S. Chalk,

The following were elected as ordinary members: Mrs. Pratt,
Mrs. A. E. Holland, Miss Violet Fletcher; as country iiember:
Mr. G, Ashmore; and as associate members: Me. H. R- Shaddock
and Mr. Bruce Salau.

Wontinations for office-bearers, 1944-45, were received as here-
inder :—President: Mr. Ivo C, Haminet. Vice-Presidents:
Messrs. H. C. B. Stewart, J. H. Willis. Hon. Editor: Mm A. H.
Chisholm, Hou. Secretary; Mr. F. §.-Colliver. Ton. Asst.
Seererary> Miss Nanee Fletcher. Hon. Treasurer; Mr. E. E.
Lord, How, Librarian: Mr. 13. Greenwood, Hon. Asst,
Libravian: Mr, A. Burke. Members of Committee; Messrs. A. S.
Chalk, H. P. Diekins, P. Crosbie Morrison, R..G. Painter, G, N,
Hyam, H. T. Reeves. Hon. Auditors: Messrs. A. S. Chalk and
A. G. Hooke.

THE MYRTLE FAMILY

An illtistrated lective was given by Mr. P. Bibby, who dealt
with the ancestry, distribution, classification, habits, and econanitc
impartance of this large sonthern group of plants, ‘Typical repre-
sentatives of the various tribes and sub-tribes were portrayed by
a fine series of coloured slides, and many instructive and interest-
ing facts imparted to the audience. Following are some questions
ait at the conchision of Mr, Bibby’s address:

_iMr. H.C. FE, Stewart.) What are the largest and smallest members
a Mawtaccne i Australia 2 Answer: Eucalypins veynans in the larwzest
sntd probably a species of Reeckva would be ihe smaflest. (8. ericaoe af
a Victorian Mallee is a midget plant, often only 4 inches high)

2 (Mr. Gates.) What is the oldest type of Euralypt still living
Auswer: Possibly gne of clavigero-setosa Broeup, uccurrimge i North Aus-
tralia, but confrmatory fossil evidence is_ required,

3. (Mr. C. J. Gabriel.) What is the difference between Calitstontran and
Metatencn? Answer; Both genera often exhibit the “hotude-brush” type of

%6 Notes on Seruleterens Ve aah

mifvrescence, but in the farmer the very long stamens are always free,
hag ah Melatenca they are shorter and united in five bundles opposite
the petals.

4. Would hot some species of Knuzea be hetter classed under Leplo-
Spermian? Answer: Kantsee is distinguished from Leptosperitaine by its
exsgrted stamens and closely sessile Aowel's, but certain species have
intermediate characteristics and botanists are yet by Wo means in, serecinent
ws to thei systematic status. (As late as December Jayt. Mr, Edwin Cheed,
former Government Barayist of New South Wales, transferred the common
“Burgan’ from Kuuzea to the genus Lepltospermuds)

EXHIBITS

Mrs. E. £. Freane: Young stages of Goby, Cobbler, Gammarus and
Shrimp from Altona,

Mr. Owen Singicton: Fossil fruits from the open cat at Yallouri,

Mr, tric Muir: @learie vanndosa, QO. flaridanda and a Leek Orchic
(Prasaphytion fesco-wrde) trom Dimboola, Vie.

Mr, V. 1. Miller) Magnificent specimen of Cyibidiion Traceganuit with
three flowering spilecs.

Mr. Alan Carter: Specimens of Victorian marine shells of the Jamily
Trochidae.

Mr, C. J. Gabriel: Marine shells (Cardivn costatun, Linn) from Chivas,

Mr. Tom Griffiths: Wateru Fern, solla filtentotdes, vay eubea, fron
Victoria. (Syecies afso found in all eastern States and New Zealand.) _

Mr. A. H. Mattingley; Edible fungus, “Inky Cap" (Coprinns atrment-
arts).

Me P. Fiscii; So-called “Petrified Tea-tree” from Black Reach at Rye =
shells (ing’s Macrocallista, Circular Dosinia, Frilled Venend) from
Rosebud; variations of common mushrooms, and a small Garhe fungus
(Marasmins alhalus) from Koontitig Creek, Doncaster.

Mr. J. H. Wills: (1) Coral Lichen (Cladonra retipora) and late anjunin
wildflowers from Coimadaj district, inchuding the five orchids Plerostytes
parviflora, P. revolyda, P. tendcata, Aefantlins oxsertus and Eviachilus
cueniiains. (2) Norocifa, 3 parasitic fish Jonse, common ou ihe gills of
flathead.

NOTES ON SCRUB-WRENS

It is wsually supposed that the main matérial of the nest of the “Devil-
bird” {Vellow-throated Scrub-wren) 4s black roollets, but it is really the
hosseliarr fungus. I mentioned one day to my sou that J did not know
what the sactlets Lelonyed to because on many kinds of plants these
black horschau-like growths could te found A few days later he came
home from whe jrugh: and said the material was a fungus, and he
brouglt some minute mushroom-like heads on the black roots. Under
the microscope they were perfect litte mushroom heads with gills, but
about the size of an ordinary pin’s head atid brown in colour, 1 took
a nest and some of the rootlets growing on twigs Wiig Jown to the
Natukalists: Clyb meeting, and was vold that the material was horschair

wags. ;

The other day [ found in the jungle three nests of the 'Devil-bird”
and iwo were oceupied by Large-billed Serubewrens, Sericornis
magmrositts, ‘One was cherishing Whree pretty grey egas and the other
was feeding three babits. ‘These ladies certainly are getting worse in
their lazy housekeeping ways. But why waste a good Jigme? Shouwld they
build homes of their own when ready-made ones were available ?—Ha.na
Curis, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland.

aun Coreman, The Mountain Grasshopper 27

THE MOUNTAIN GRASSHOPPER: A STUDY IN
PROTECTIVE COLORATION AND MIMICRY

By Epitn Coteman, Blackburn, Victoria

During the past few years it has not been possible for me to
visit the haunts of the Mountain-grasshopper (Acridopesa reticu-
lata), whose hile history 1 have previously descnbed (f’.N., June
and Nov., 1938}. Having recently spent three weeks at Sorrento
in close proximity to large numbers, I am able to confirm my
suggestion that they feed on ragwort, which is all too abundant
in the locality.

One finds isolated specimens in other parts of Sorrento, but
they are numerous only where the ragwort abounds, and here
one may see them actually eating out little bights and bays along
_ the margins of the leaves.

Indeed the ragged appearance
of the ragwort betrays their
presence. In a natural state 1
have seen them eating no

other plant.
Although late in the season,
—__| there were many males—once

. : thought to be rare. I counted

Adult female, resting on the ground, 35 one evening. I saw only
elytra closely folded over her body, | | lay “
resembles a clod of earth, or crumpled one nymph, and no larvae,
leaves. {Protective coloration.) Most of the females appeared

heavy with eggs. I watched
closely, but saw none deposited. Only two adult females were
seen on tea-tree stems, where one might expect to find eggs, and
these appeared to be merely sleeping. Scores were basking, or
roaming on the ground. It seems probable that eggs may be
dropped at random among leaves and twigs.

On the other hand, they are covered with viscid matter which
suggests that they should be found glued to stems or twigs, just
as they adhere to the cage of domesticated specimens.

The ragwort had fruited, its hairy achenes had all dispersed,
leaving great masses of straw-coloured corymbs of empty disks,
on stems up to + feet in height. Here early one morning were found
many females, at an hour when bird appetites are sharp. I found
a few specimens with the fleshy abdomen missing. Yellow robins,
grey thrushes and other insect-eating birds frequented the spot.
At a footfall, or the gentlest touch on the ragwort, the insects
dropped to the ground. This beetle-like dropping must be of
great survival value. One touch by an investigating bill and the
insect is lost among the debris below. Unless the bill is open

LJ
28 Coceman, The Mountain Grasshopper porttt

widely enough to get a good grip, I think few birds would succeed
in taking them. Doubtless some are caught when moving slowly
over the ground. If motionless they are almost invisible. The
males were usually low down on the stems where leaves were dead
or dying, and harmonized perfectly with their colours.

Tt was interesting to note in the fenvales great variation in
colour, some being green with grey, others grey with green
markings. It seems possible that the insect is able tu change
her colour to fit changing environment.

Among the females were five without any trace of elytra, the
wasp-like colours being fully exposed. They seemed just as
comfortable as the others, merely dropping when alarmed in the
manner of the rest. There is
mever any hopping or leaping
at umy stage of their develop-
ent

Lime is impressed by the
jwrlection of the yarious pro-
teciive adaptations in this
insect, perhaps one © e
mitest remarkable in the world.
Motienless on the ground,
with elytra closed over her
terrifying colours, the female
is ywactically invisible. 41 a
touch, up go the elyiva 2
touch - me - now - if - you - dare
- eallenge, which of course is

Elytra raised to show wasplike pure bluff—no more harmless

colours, threatening to use a sting creature exists.

which she does not possess. (Mimicry.) JT saw some straw-coloured

{eek ong (Wl Wer ears just bell “5° stick-insects so perfectly

? camouflaged on the corymbs

of empty ragwort disks that

they were only betrayed by movement. I brought some of the

scapes to Blackburn and placed them im the cage with my stick-

insects. Next day every “stick” resting on the ragwort disks had
changed its colour to harmonize with its new surroundings.

From Cassells Illustrated Family Paper, {5th October, 1859:—

Three hundred sparrows, carefully sclected from the best hedgerows
in Engtand, have been lately sent to New Zealand. The food alone put
on board for them cost £18. The necessity of small birds to keep down
the grubs that devastate the crops in that colony has long been felt
The farmer is beset by myriads of caterpillars, Should the sparrows
become acclimatized and multiply, the greatest benefit will have been
conferred on the country.

dune Frinay, Breeding of the Platypus in Capripity 2

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF THE
PLATYPUS IN CAPTIVITY
By Davin Fieay, B.Sc., Dre,Ev.,
Director, Badger Creek Sanctuary, Healesville

Part 2

That day of October, when “Jill” showed so clearly that she
was intent on nesting, was a memorable ocoasion. A considerable
number of visitors was present at the tine, and what a treat was
afforded them! However, probably not one spectator realized the
unique nature of the proceedings,

“Jill,” clearly, was not inclined to feed. She appeared to be more
interested in making repeated snatches at a leaf fragment in
the water, I gathered a handful of dry eucalypt leaves and
dropped them in the water. Immediately the lively little animat
seized upon them with her bill. With feverish energy she ducked
her beak below and under her body, at the same time bending
- and tucking her tall forward so that the leaf became held in a
neat tail-grip almost identical with the mode employed by both
nestibuilding ting-lailed possums and possum-gliders of the
penus Pelawrus. |

Again and again Jeaves were transferred below water to the
grip of the tail, and as the bulk grew the platypus’s hind feet
were used ta kick the bundle back into a more compact roll, Ta
was a mast amazing sight, and I have often, figuratively speaking;
kicked myself since for not taking photographs. All thought of
food forgotten (which, in a platypus of “Jill's” calibre, was
unprecedented), the little nest-builder swam towards her northern
burrow entrance again and again with her tightly-held leaf
bundle, anc scuttled inside, There was no hesitation. She had
a ‘job to do and she went straight to it. Through the wooden
burrows and then up the burrowitg bank she could be heard
rustling along with her loads, and then in a few minites out she
came for more. From 3.30 p.m. until goodness knows what
hour she worked a continuous “shuttle service”’ Food was
disregarded entirely, We had provided a veritable floating raft
af leaves.

I saw her a nurtber of tines during the evening, and when
jast imspected at haif an hour past midnight she was still test
making! Leaf material was her object, but wisps of prass in the
water also were gathered. A second important habit revealed
at this time, apart from the actual method of gathering and
carrying material, was the fact that all of if was taken from the
water.. Wooden burrows through which “Jill” travelled con-
lained leaves and grass, but this was entirely by-passed. Even

n Heeay, Brecding of the Platypus in Captivity iS ig

leaves dropped from her tail-bundles in the hurraws were not
picked up. All nesting material was chosen thoroughly wet
wt the water. This fact has definite significance. Burrell (Page
180) quotes Kershaw as saying that mere exposure of platypus
eggs to dry air produces denting in a few minutes. Mr. Burrelj
also suggests that it is the necessity for a moist atmosphere
over the incubation period that is part of the reason for the
pugging of the burrow.

“jill” has shown that the nest itself is made originally entirely
of thoroughly wet stuff, and it can be.imagined that leaves and
other materia! collected by wild female platypuses would be in
an even more thoroughly soaked state than those we threw in
for “Jill” on the afternoon of October 23. The thickness of
the mest in a platypus nesting chamber, plus its damp nature
and the pugging habit, would undoubtedly provide, for same
little time, the moist atmosphere mentioned by Mr. Burrell,

The afternoon and night of October 23 saw the beginning and
the completion of ‘Jill's’ nest-buildmg—~a typical exainple of
the restless nervous energy afl our duckbilled oddity. On the
following day she emerged at 3 p.m. with no further feaf-
gathering ambitions, and chewed away continuously far into the
night, This and the following day were the last two days before
retirement. It should be understood that a very special diet had
been accorded her for some time, consisting of prodigious
guantities of beetle larvae, tadpoles, young. yabbies (fresh-water
crayfish) and earthworms of several species,

Again on October 25 “Jill” appeared—on this occasion at
10.30 aim.—to feed ravenously and contimuously, On both these
days she appeared shy and disinelined for any form of frolicking,
which was so frequently her custom when I paid her a visif.
At dark on the 25th,. after an all-day feeding session, she
retired. That was her final disappearance for the incubation
period, and it seems reasonable to assume that the first at least
of her eggs (ane or more in number) was laid during that night
—for her period of preparation and feeding had ended and
now she was really down to business. It should be recalled at
this point that just a fortnight had elapsed since the only ohseryed
instance of mating had occurred,

At the time of her withdrawal from public affairs “Jill” was
both fat and well, The number of pugs placed in the burrow,
thus blocking the brooding animal in her nesting chamber, could
not of course be ascertained, but that she was in the habit of
carrying out these activities was revealed later when futely-
worked dry earth (which, as Mr. Burrell remarks, slips through
the fingers like flour) came to light along the course of the
opened burrow,

dune

1944 Firay, Breeding of the Platypus mt Captiznty 3t

Day after day passed by and night succeeded night. with ~ no
sign of “Jill!"—nou food was “touched and the water of her long
swimmmg pool remained as clear as crystal. Imagine out
excitement! | could feel it im my bones that at long last, after
all the years of endeavour, luck bad turned and “Jill” was curled
up below ground in the pecuhar upnght ball so typical of her
kind, while reposing in her lap were the precious eggs (one, two
or three) comparable in size with whose of a sparrow. |

The earliest sign of a re-appearance by “Jill” was evidence
that during the carly morning hours of October 31 she had
pushed away grass arranged im the testing burrow “doorway.”
She had defaecated in the water, bul no inod had been touched,
nor was the water stirred up. -The unimal was not seen, and
evidently she had simply come in and cut for the purpose of
wetting her fur and defaecation. This emérgence was on the
sixth night following five full days and nearly six nights of
absence,

- On the next oceasion “Jill” appeared—November 1, at 2
p.m—she stayed out for just half an hour. She appeared
unusually timid: For the whole of this ime she rolled and swam
about in the water, making no definite attempt to feed, bat con-
centrating strongly on toilet-seratching of her fur with her hind
Feet, and combing her flanks and lower back; and four the first
accasion im Uke maiiy (iies she had been watched al this. process
her combing extended into the abdominal region in what might
be termed the pouch or mammary area. Perhaps this region
was matted owing to the stickmess of the eggs whem first laid;
or, again, perhaps the stimulus of developimgz mill glands caused
“nine ta scratch so continuously-at this spot.

During the brief half hour of her outing, she kept her beak
pointing anxiously towards her burrow entrance and was never
far from it Her outing abyiously had 2 Sout-fold purpose!
(a} a_weting, (b) exercise, (c) a cleansing of her fur, {qd} defae-

‘cation,

Following her return she could platy be heard scratching
through and replacing pugs in her hierraw. Her third outing
took place during the early tmoming hours of November 3,
sometime between 1 a.m. and dawn. There was little, 1f any,
evidence of -feedig—and again the excursion was almost
éertainly a matter of defaccation, fur-wetting. and brief exercise.

Gn’ account of the considerable loss ef condition noticed in
the animal over this period, as distinct fram her appearance
following winter absences, added to the forerunnimg preparatory
period when she built wo her reserves, I think it mpst unlikely
that she passed into any state of torpidity or low body-fémperature

32 Fieav, Breeding of the Platypus in Capiiutty bind aai

peculiar to periods of hibernation, On the other hand, Rurrell
(The Platypus, page 182) writes: “J am conyinced that duting
the three weeks or more which clapsed between the laying of
the eggs and the onset of lactation the female not only does not
leave the nest but also passes into a condition of partial
zestivation,”

In order ta convey some idea of the period of inctibation,
which must necessarily be somewhat uncertain but is definitely
much shorter than was supposed, the following tabulated obser-
vations are set out —

No. and Date Time Duration from Time Spent Out and Notes
of emergence Date of Retirement on Behaviour
(7 pam., 25/10/43))

1, 31/10/43 Five complete days Out during early morning
and nearly six hours: for extremely brief
nights. wetting of fur and defaeca-

tion. No food eaten. Ani-
mal not seen,

1/11/43 Six and a half days Observed 2 pnu-2.30 pm. Fur-

; and seven nights, preening and considerable

scratching at mamthaty ares.

Animal raising her hody side

on to reach this abdominal.

region. Exercise and fur-

wetting “pointing” anxiously

with heak at burrow en-
trance.

3. 3/12/43, Fight days and nine Not scen. Out between times

nights. of 1 atm. and dawn. Evi-
dently same as before —

simply a wetting, preening

and defaecation. Extremely

small evidence of feeding.

4. 6/11/43. 1) days and 12 nights. Secn 11 am-ll45 am

Looked rather miserable.
Feeding; ate a few small
yabbies and earthworms.
Exercising a Jct. Up on
landing board, concentrating |
on turning side on and con-
tinnnusly scratching “mam-
maty area” with hind feet.
5. 7/11/43 12 days and 13 nights. Seen 5 p.m-5.45 pm. Swim-
ming actively, fecding, and
apain scratching “mammary”
aren while on tanding
board: “Waving” her bill
anxiously at entrance of bur-
row’ as seen om previous
occasions, Once she made
up her mind there was ne
hesitation about returning.
6. 9/11/43 14 days and 15 nights, Seetr 12.30 p.m-1.30 p.m. Same

w

OM ‘ hehayiour.

Jine

14d Tiray, Breeding of the Platypus m Captivily aM

7. 10/17/43, Sdaysand (A dighis, Seen 3.30 pims6.30 p.m. Very
; little for-preening. Feeding
very vigorously.
R W/11/435 16 days and 17 mtgtts Seen 3.30 pm~i.30 pm. Feed-
ihe hunevily whole time.
Looked well thou usually
thick tail had now became
: strap-like.
9. 12/14/43 17 ¢teally 18) days Seen 7 p.m-10 pan, Very

and 18 nights, hungry and lively. Feeding
walks vigorously. .
0. 13/81/44 Actually 19 days and Seen 4 jnims8 pam, Behaviour
19 neglits. similar to last.
VW. 4/11/43 Nearly 20 days and 20) Seon 3 pm-6.30 pam, Feed-
nights. ing vigorously. Much food

consumed jaw.

In arriving at a fairly reliable, though naturally somewhat
approximate, estimate of the incubation period (which is my
main purpose in giving the above table), it is as well to bear in
mind Mr. Burrell's chapter on “Nursing habits of the Platypus.”
On page 184 he says: “The most remarkable -and mysterious
feature about the baby platypus is ihat it js not suckled at all
by the mother for some days after hatching, for the very goad
reason that the maternal mammary glands are tot yet actively
functioual. Investigations of this extraordinary phenomenon
have advanced far enough to place the matter beyond doubt - -.
The delayed lactation which I have observed may be due to the
incomplete development of the necessary stimulus in the early
young. How the young platypus is nourished in the meantime
I do not know,”

From the notes in the table it will be observed that “Jill”
concentrated in each of her early outings on at oft-repeated
and entirely new habit of scratching vigorously af the area of
the mainmary glands, It was no mere preening, and probably
may have been brought on by stimulus from within requiring
a type-of external massage. In other words, it is possible that
the mother animal may stimulate herself in order tu bring about
the supply needed by the very tiny helpless babes. Rearing this
in mind, and the fact that the mammary pelands are not
functional for several days after hatching, and the important
vabstrvation by Caldwelt that the egg of Ornithorhynchus when
teady to be laid contains an embryo already in approximately
the same stage of development as a thirty-six-hour chick, {t
seems that “Jill's” activities indicate a very short meubation
period.

The. mere fact of a three-quarter hour absence from the nest
en 6/11/43 (her fourth outing), her feeding on that date, and

ty . ‘ ‘ bos ink. ft,
Futky, Breedity of He Platypus in Caplivity ea a

va)
a

practically daily appearances for increasingly long periods there-
aiter, are strong evidence that hatching had occurred at least
several days previously. In view of the evidence set out it is
ttot unreasonable lo suggest that the Jongest possible period for
eqg hatching was ten days and the shortest perhaps shghtly less
than a week. Tt is, of course, quite possible that her first and
even second excursions, brief as they were, took place before
the hatching point had arrived, and had as their aim the bringing-
in of additional moisture.

Definite evidence of demands upon the mother’s resources
appeared from 6/11/43 onward. when her mammary glands were
evidently functioning. She began to feed vigorously and appear
regularly for longer periods. An interesting observation was the
fact that the times between her outings became progressively
shorter, No further scratching of the mammary area was noted
afier 7/11/43, when the busy little animal spent her whole water
periods in continuous feeding. :

Carrying on with the tabulated. and systematic summary of
“Jill's” activities from the last listed date, 14/11/43, we have
the following —

Date Time Spent in Water. Behaviour,
15/11/43 11,30 asn.—3.15 pam. Fed vigoronsly.
16/11/43 12.30 p.m—4.30 p.m. ' Feeding very keonly on yali-
. ; ines, worms, grubs,
17/14/43° 11.40 a.n'i.—4 pm, Same as above,

18/11/43 10.30 9 1.—4.30 pom, “TH now Jeft baby ar babies
. ’ : in west for six-hour stretches
and was with them for ap-

TO/11 /43: 8.30 a.m—2?.30 p.m. proximately #8 hours.
20/11/43 Out early mutning hours Honrs an nursery steadily de-
—11.30 am. creasing.

Zl /4a “TH ont during night. First time out; twice jin 24
Out again 5 pm. ott- hours.
wards, '
22/18/43 Ont 2 am. vntil dark, Her appetite greater than ever.
23/11/43: Ont carly morning and
wil day until dark.
24/11/43 11 a.m —evening. :
25/14 /as 12 noon—still ont at t0 Had been out £6 hours con-
Tem. ; tinuously feeding and stil
= . going strong when last seen,
26/11/43 Ll poe until far into Condition of “Jill? herself
: night. “ vastly impreyed. No longer

at ail worried about tresiing
hiitrew. Resuming her old
playful ways and Icisurely
‘preening of her fife on lasd-
> Sgg-board at night.

Jone

inaa Firay, Breeding of the Platypus i Caplrory RN
27/11/43 Gut 3 pm — most of Exhibited each day.

night
28/11/43 Out 4 gam. — onwards: Exhibited each ilay-

strc night. : -
29/91/43 Ovt 230 pam. onwards = Exhibited each day,

4 through night. :

30/11/43 348 y:m.—through great-

er part of sight.

“Jill” now had reached her peak as far as maximum foraging
periods were concerned—spending as long as fourteen consecutive
hours in the water, feeding with very occasional visits to landing’
platforms for a little fur-preening-—while her baby (a single one
as we discovered later) was safely tucked away in its nesting
chamber behind safety puys in the passage-way, However, itt
this process, largely perfor med by the mother’s tail, no further
abrading of the stiff hair on its extremity—apart from that Jost
in the winter period—oceurred,

With the coming of Deceinber, “‘Jill’s” exctirsians took more -
of a nocturnal turn, She appeared round about 7 p.m and
stayed out all might. There was alsa evidence on December 2
that she had pulled grass from her wooden “burrows” into the
water and then probably transferred it as fresh material up the
burruw {0 the nesting chamber. Wisps' of wet grass were strewn
aver the water-surface in all directions, and also about -the
entrance to her burrow.

According to calewations about the incubation. period, the
single youngster was now (2/12/43) aged four weeks. “Te
was very consistent in her outings, appearing cach evening
between 7 and 8 pm (E.S.T.), and leaving the youngster
to its own devices in the nest all night. She was quite bacle
to her normal auttook on Jife--way and carefree in behaviour.
Naturally, however, any shortage of food supply on @ particular
evening would cause her to emerge hours earlier on the
succeeding day to make up the leeway.

On the mght of December 7 J caught her for! an inspection,
noting that her condition was comparatively fat, while the
abderninal mammary ares showed the typicit slight indentation
with a median-growth of rusty-red fur differentiating it front
the rest of the ventral surface. Domesticated and trusting us
“Jill ts, she objected most strenudusly to such indignities as this,
so, allbaaigh I made an attempt to express mille by squeezing
,the mammary area, [ had to desist almost at once,

On December 13 a test feed was given to ascertain the quantity
and weight of Ube assoriment of items the little animal was now
i the habit of devouring during her nightly banqtiets. The
list included the wireworm larvae of dick-heetles, chafergruhs,
stag-beetle larvee, earthworms, and jand yabbies (Yurrowifge

Kb Pinay, Srocding of the Platypus mt Capttuity eaten

crayfish). ‘lhe youngster at this date was néarly five and a
half weeks old

Tt was found that “Jill” in this one night consumed a Lypical
meal of the following items:—

Worms (Native species, larger uhan Ettropean carthworm) 400
Grubs (mainly chafers) : ae anit Cl 438
Yabbies fo fh on etE-- » 38

The total weight of all these items. (without soil of any icnd}
was 2814 oz. or 134 tb.! Considering “Jill's” mere 1624 inches
lengih and her awn body-weight of 2 tbs. wien im her fattest
condition, this test gives some idea of the amazing appetite of
Ornithorhynchus-—particularly during some phases of the nursing
period. What a terrific time of it mother plafypuses must have in
their wild state! Little wonder (see*liter) thal some baby
‘animals leave the nesting burrow too soon. Naturally, an anima!
weighing 2 Ib. could not hold a meal of another 134 Ib., and it
follows that the nursing platypus mother must assimilate the
food as she swims and build up her milk supply to tuil capacily
over the extremely long hours (up to 14) of continual foraging,

Energetic “Jill” actually found time away from her hours of
busy mastication to drive into her nesting chamber from an old
side-burrow which she cleaned out—this was now used as an
entrance-passage while the original doorway high wp on the north
‘side of the platypusary was abandoned. From December 19
onward, with the youngster then approximately 6% weeks old,
there was a noticeable falling off in “Jill's” appetite. She ate
few earthworms and concentrated mainly on grubs and yabbies.

This, fogether with the abandonment of her former mode of
entrance to the nesting burrow, plus the fact that now for the
first frme since the pre-nesting period she had commenced
working soil ont of the old lrying burrows on the satth side of
the platypusary, seemed to me a very omitious state of affairs,
“To make my worries worse a family of Swainson's phascogales
{large pouchedl “mice” of insectivorous and occasionally
carnivorous tastes) had taken to living in and about the platy-
pusary, and naturally I imagined that perhaps they had even
tasted tender young platypus.

Beyond a good appetite “Jill” gave few signs that she had any
family responsibilities. She was to all intents and purposes an
ordinary platypus “citizen.” As we discovered jater, her labours
on the southern side of the plalypusary, where soil would
oecasianally be pushed back for 18in, by 6in. by Gin, into wooden
“burrows” connecting with the water, were devoted solely ta
the purpose of making pugs for yet a third route of daily egress
from, and entrance to, the nesting chamber,

a Fitay, Breeding of the Platypus tn Coptivity qv

f could sometimes watch her at work blocking up the passages
—a small creature of marvellous strength and industry. In view
of later knowledge, the comperative falling-off in “Jill's” appetite
was probably connected with the stage of growth attained by the
youngster, Burrell (page 189) remarks: “A rapid rate of growth
in the early stages, but such rapidity is explained by the fact
that when once the young commence to suc, their appetites
increase rapidly. The quantities of food found in their stomachs
on dissection are surprising.”

It is indeed very probable that once having attained a certaia
size, with fur beginning to make an appearance, the youngster
enters a quiescent phase, requirmg fess nourishment than
previously, In any event, it was true that leading up to the
stage of 5-fi weeks, “Jill's” baby required a phenomenal amourit
oi nourishment, However, in our general ignorance at the
time of “Jill's” late December activities—or shall I say lack of
extra activities?—time dragged and I became an impatient and
badly disappointed observer, .

The days went by until the calendar registered January 3,
which would make the inmate or inmates of the nursery at least
8! weeks to 9 weeks of age It seemed that “Jill” must have
failed, particularly in view of Burrell’s statement (page 188):
“About 6 weeks after hatching the young will have reached a
length of twelve inches, By this time their eyes are open,
their fur is a quarter of an inch in length, and they are able
to erawl frecly about the burrow.” =

(In any case it now seemed that, in the interests of finding
some record of “Jill's” underground activities; the nesting burrow
should be opened, With great care, then, we began this delicate
operation on January 3, carefully removing the firm ground
from the extreme back of the platypusary so as to avoid as far
as possible interference with any tunnels leading to the nesting
chamber.

Ruther high up near the passage-way used during and after
the incubation period, we found a deserted composite nest of
prass and leaves. Possibly this was a nest from the previous
year, though we had not seen her carrymyg im the matetial, At all
events it did not improve our prospects. We dug on—not so
carefully now—and found we were following a burrow that ran
well below the surface on the southern side of the burrowing
hark. On its floor was a good deal of the well-worked bone-dry
doury earth that tells of frequent working and pugging.

Then ihings began to happen.

(To be continued.)

38 Massmer. Four New Species of Diwris Ve Net

FOUR NEW SPECIES OF MWURIS FROM MOUNT VICTORIA,
NEW SOUTIT WALES

By Veart BR. Messmer. Lindfield, N.S.W-. .

Que day's work does wot often yield from a locality seme two hundred
yards long and cho-widlth of a road eieht species of a genus, four of which
are New to science. Such was my guod fortine on October 1%, 1943, wher
{ went to Mount Victoma jn the Blue Mauntains to procure more material
of what appeared to be two new species of Dreis. 1 Wad received dried
plants from my son Bruce the previous spring.”

Upon investivation of the locality last year, Diuris wacnlata Si., including’
the dark southern forn was lound to be very plentiful, DB. peduncnfate
R.Br, DO. patechile Rogers and DB, plotickilns Fite. moderately sn Nat
only the two species haped for, but also two additianal mew species, were
plewtiful enough to establish their just claims to suche-rank. 1 have called
them Dats vieforicusis, D. flavopurfricca, D, polymorpha and D, Tmeata,
and haye published my original deseriprions in Die Orchids of Now Sanit
“Wales, by Rev. H. M. R: Rupp, Dec., 143. i

Between these. four outstanding species, thete ate, 40 many variants,
‘imtermediates and indeterminate forms, that one is forced ta come to the
conclusion that, in this lacality, hybridization has taken place to an waysual
extent, which, when the confined area of the locality aud the close
proximity of the various species is taken into ronsideration, may not be:
sm remarkable. Some intermediate forms show s6 many constant charac-
teristics, namely, labellum markings, shape, etc., thal, upon turther jvesti-
gation mext year, they may merit specific er at least varictal rank,

The scason being almost at an end, on the date of my visit, further work
fast year was unlorlunately impossible.

In addition to the four species from Mount Victoria, 1 have | also
described a new species af Davris which [ coilected in. smal] aumbers an
the slopes of Mount Jerrabomberra at Queanbeyan, N.SW., in October.
1042. - This was submitted to Mr. WH. Nicholls for examination and he:
suggested that [ should call it DO. siwilia on account of its affinities with
PD. maculato, but the half-moon shape ef lhe large sidelobes of the Jabellum
‘und the dorsal sepal are so distinctive that T considered D. scimilnnuiata
more desemptive Tn may respects this species approaches D. inaculate
Sm. but differs in the shape-and preportions. of the Jahcllum, in ihe Iength
of the column wings and the anther and an the general aspeet of the more
robust and waxy flowers }

In the private herbarium: of the Rev. A M, RL Rapp are two specihens
which I would refer ta D. wictariensis; one collected by -himself near
Launceston, ‘Tasmania, Sept, 1922, and. labelled “doubtinl D. polarhila,
but, probally a hybrid between D. aeacnlata and D. pedungylate.” and the
ather collected by Mrs, I Persin in the Victortan Grampians, Oct., 1922,
and labelled “possible hybrid.” A specimen in the N.S\AV, National
Herhatium was collected by W > F Blakely, Sept., 1932, ail tahulled
“Gndeterminate,”” but tt seems to tally with some of my intermediates ar
hybrids between DL flara-pirpurea and J? lencata

Would orchid enthusiasts keep a close watch in the Grampians arent aso
the north-east of Victoria for specimens whith accord woth any of these
five new Species (ay deseribed in detail in Mr. Rupp's recent worle) *

The accompanving plate has been prepared from line-drawings by, the
Rey, H, M, R, Rapp and will serve as 4 useful guide fu recognition of the
four Mount Victoria Dinris’ Spp. -

Messmer, Four New Species of Diuris 39

NA TuaA mre)

Fig. A: Diuris victoriensis (1, dorsal sepal; 2, labellum; 3, column
from rear; 4, column from front; 5, column wing; 6, crenate ridge on
labellum). Fig. B: D. Hneata (1, labellum; 2, crenulate margin of
dorsal sepal). Fig. C: D. polymorpha (1, labellum; 2, column from
rear; 3, column from front). Fig. D: D. fluvopurpurea (1, 2, and 3 as
in preceding).

40 Wis, Excursion to Seahalme Yee Ree

EXCURSION TO SEAHOLME
SALT-MARSH FLORA AND MANGROVES

A fine burst of summer weather added much to the enjoyment of forty
excursionists who visited Seaholme on Easter Saturday (April 8th), and
it was encouraging to number in the party half a dozen children of club
members whose keen interest in wild life and alertness throughout the
afternoon is surely a happy augury for the future F.N.C.V. The previous.
part-botanical outing held here fourteen years ago registered an attendance
of only fourteen (for report by the late A. E. Radda, see Vict. Nat., Vol.
46, p. 220, March, 1930).

The sandy cliffs and heathland scrub, so familiar on the opposite eastern
sea-board of Port Phillip, are here replaced by a seemingly bare and
monotonous lava plain which meets the sea at dead-level, Evidence of a
recent slight uplift, with recession of the shore line, is provided in the
raised shell beds and ridges of sand that overlie newer basalt immediately
west of the railway; otherwise the local geology is not particularly
interesting.

Between railway and beach is a tidal flat, subject to frequent inundation
by high seas, and on this saline swampy area is developed a luxuriant
salt-marsh flora. Right at the Seaholme station one steps out among
halophytes (salt-loving plants), both native and introduced, ‘and these
extend in a more or less continuous belt to the mouth of Kororoit Creek
(1} miles north-east) where they attain their best development. Including
the few sand-loving plants of the narrow elevated zone between marsh and
sea (eg., Stipa elatior, *Lagutus ovatus, *Agropyren junceum, Atriplex
cinereum, Salsola Kali, Cakile edentula, *Mellotus indica, *Lycium fera-
ctssimum, and *Solanum sodomaeum, which are only margiual to the marsh
proper, the indigenous and alien species total about 50 species each and
blend agreeably in a fairly stable population—no aggressive weeds are
conspicuous. It is thus apparent that, although the salt-marsh is densely
populated with individual plants, the number of species is not large when
compared with a heathland association or even that of the adjacent but
sharply differentiated basalt plains.

The leader briefly explained the peculiarities of halophilous vegetation:
haw it exhibits much the same physiognomy with the same contributing
genera the world over, for only a few groups of plants have become
adaptable to high salinity in the soil (sea water is about 34% salt). As in
other coastal marshes, as well as inland salt-pans, dwarf shrubs of the
“Goosefoot" family (Chenopodiaceae) were found to predominate at Sea-
holme (viz., Arthrocnemwum arbusculum, A. halocnemoides, Saltcornia
australis, S. Blackiana, Suaeda maritima, and Hemichroa pentandra of
doubtful affinity). ‘Physiological drought”? dte to the difficulty of
moisture absorption from salt water, is overcome by a rising saline con-
centration in the cell sap itself; this attains an osmotic pressure of more
than 50 atmospheres in the two Saticornia species ("glassworts’).

The late season precluded any chance of viewing those tiny ephemeral
plants which flower im the marsh during spring (7riglochin minutissina,
T. mucronata, Sagina apetale, Hydrocotyle capillaris. Sebaca albidtflora,
Angianthis Preissianus, Cotula filtfolia, etc.) and only occasional blooms
were noticed on the Sea-heath (Frankenia pauciflora) and Rounded Noon-
flower (Disphyma australe), which are such a riot of colour in earty
summer. However, the exquisite green to rosy-amethyst transitions in the
foliage of Sea-blite (Suaeda maritima) were some compensation for floral
inactivity.

aber Wits, Excursion to Seakolme al

Holding close to the shore, members were afforded a variety of attrac-
tions in the arthroped, mollusc, and bird life to be found hereabouts:
excellent examples of the “bird-dropping” spider (Celaenita) and spiny
spider (Gastercantha) were examined; the Port Phillip coral (Plese-
astraga) and numerous shells were collected, notably Phasianella australis
(“Pheasant Shell” or “Painted Lady’) and a sample of Afurex ¢rifermis
with colour beautifully preserved; gulls and black swans (several hundred
on off-shore sandy shallows) were plentiful, while a flock of the Little
Stint or Red-necked Sandpiper defied custom by remaining there when all
such birds should haye migrated northward,

The culminating interest of the excursion was an unbroken line of healthy
White Mangroves (Avicennia marina), stretching along the southern bank
of Kororoit Creek for a quarter of a mile from its mouth, Strange indeed
it was to gaze upon a strip of distinctly tropical vegetation, so far removed
from. its usual ‘association with palins, epiphytes and the like and so near
the heart of Melbourne (64 miles away), A. E, Rudda said, These small
trees were once abundant around the mouth of the Yarra.” Baron vou
Mueller frequented the Yarra mouth in the 1850's, but if he ever collected
mangreye, it is not now represented amohg his specimens al the National
Herbarium.

Just as the term “mallee” is used to denote a certain habit of growth
among eucalypts of diverse affinities in arid parts of -southern Australia,
so “mangrove” is applied to an assembly of smalt trees favouring tidal
mud flats throughout the torrid regions. Mixed mangrove forest is a
feature of North Australian coasts, eight species in four different families
occurring near Darwin; as one comes south along the Queensland and
New South Wales coastline, the components of mangrove torest gradually’
decrease until Avicennia marina alone enters Victoria, penetrating as far
as South Australia but not crossing Bass Strait; records for Chatham
Island (on latitude 44”, 400 miles east of New Zealand) are quite erroneous.

White Mangrove (family Verbenaceac) always occupies water-logged'
soil which is inundated by every high tide, but it will not endure exposure:
to the wind or ocean breakers. The roots are aerated by singular vertical
branches or “pnetimatophores” which project several inches above the mud,.
like a crop of asparagus shoots; these structures are brittle. with spongy
texture and ahundant stomata. (The northern Black Mangrove, Rhizo-
phora mucronata, bears large aerial “stilt-roots” on its trunk, but these are
never developed in Avicennia.) Another noteworthy feature is the
viviparous habit, secds germinating on the parent plant and the young
embryos dropping off mto the mud or sea water for dispersal.

The timber is bad-smelling, coarse-grained and difficult to dress, but has
been used for mallets, boat-knees and bullock-yokes; it yields an ash that.
will cleanse cloth and has been used in soap manufacture.

At the time of our visit, most trees were in full bloom (though no fruits:
were observed) and the small golden four-lobed flowers emitted a sweet
perfume, suggesting pollitiation by insects. Several specimens of the agile
mangrove crah (Graphisura sp.) were taken alive frotn burrows among
the “jmeumatophores.” So ended this very pleasant afternoan, and all
participants were back at Seaholme station in time for a 6 p.m. train.

By virtue of the great scientific interest attaching to the mangrove
survival along Kororoit Creek, it is desirable that negotiations for a
guarantee of adequate protection be made with trustees of the Williamstoww
Racing Club, which leases from the Crown that triangular flat of some 30
acres between the eastern fence of the course and the creek mouth,

J. H. Wits.

AZ Sketch of Basalt Cave at Panmure a

QUARRY ~

7O PANMURE i TO MELBOURNE.

Figure .1.
Sketch plan of tcranty néar PANMURE
Showing position of quarry from which the
basalt cave is entered.

QUARRY.

Figure _¢.
Sketch plan of BASALT CAVE af Panmure.

Basalt Cave at Panmure. The illustration above is supplementary to
an article by the Rev. Edmund D. Gill in this journal, Vol. 60, p. 167
ie: (March, 1944).

pot Radial Reys and Bid Behkavione — ~ 43

RADIAL RAYS AND BIRD BEHAYLIOLK
(To The Editor)

Sip —Two letters appear in your issue of March, 1944, trom Messrs,
A. A. Gook and A. HL E, Mattingley, respectively.

With regard to the term “radial ray” thus appears to be just as
intelligible ag “Laminous Jight,” “musical music.” “paidiul paint" etc. 1
2m uniuivaré that any physicist has ever ased such a tenn, Who coined in?

As a specialist in roentgendlegy I ain, of course, well conversant witli
‘ie various electromagnetic waves from the longese wireless right down
to the cosmic revs of Millikin, 1 am also aware that a satisfactary cause
for alte disenyery of beetles and warms by certain wasps, as beautifully
ilustrated by Fahre, has not vet heen obtancd, Moreover many zoaloyisis
regard the antennae of certain insects, ctc., as sense organs, perhaps for
the reception of electromagnetic waves of certain quality, and they Lave
good reason in doing so; but, as far as 2 am aware, such waves although
suspected have never been actually demonstrated. But even 1£ ilese
were actually demonstrated, it is surcly not logical or reasonable to
attribute numerous other eperations such as the Hight of birds to tiese
without jurther proof. The Spanish experiment quoied is surely vague
aud ghsolutely anvonclisive! ‘

The remarks qnoted about the impulse to seck for food depending on
environment 18 not supported by preol and is absolinely unconvincing,
and yagne. The fact remains that the newly-hatched spider can spit
# miniature wel) just tike its parents withonwt any previous experience.
No other explastation than instinct—of this. phenomenon, at present very
littl. understood—can apply unlil siutisdactory proaf of the aclial cause,
based upon experiment, can We adduced and zoologists wall continue to
Use the tery “onstined’ antl futher informyalion is available toa justify
the application af a more satisfactory cause.

The brain is not peculiar in providing electronic impulses, for sich are
preset i many other vssucs, notably miusele, heart, gland, ete, and is
inerely a function of the activity of these These facts are Hot al ull
relevant to the question at issuc.

Re directional guidance. Although this thay be suspected for anseers
with speelal organga, there 18 no evidence of the ¢xistence of amy sucle
guidance in-birds, nor is there amy indicution of the presence of any
such sente organ.

The dogmatic statement “what is ceriain is that some form of ray
in the environment surrounding the hird acts upon it in directing: its
course and must motivate its action,” is absolutely unjustified by (he
‘facts. The behaviour of the reef beron can be casily oxplained by
simple means well known—Yowrs, ete,

M. Fheckkhk, Caitns, Queensland,

“Many begumers sweat nmutdlessly after wie rare, Common objects
have the widest and deepest significance, and there is never any end
to wlhiat vou can Jearn about them. Instead of the rare, go after whal
is new to you; yow get the same thrill.”

“Some people think of nature only as something io collect. Alas for
the butlerflies, birds’ exgs, ferns and orchids. A collection, of course.
cau be scientifically valuable, but the collecting mania ts nat redated 16
science oF to the ebjoymen|) of tative; the urge to Iraye something
apa aise has Isreake the first rile of honest science."—Dowais ©

ATTIE. ‘

44 Chistesing of Mfood-Siwallaws Me He

‘CLUSTERING OF WOOD-SWALLOWS

On 26th Pebruary 1944. at & pm. my daughtér called me to see a
cluster of wood-swillows im one of our, gum-trees at Blackburn. Like a
swarm of great bees they clung, altnost encircling the stem, where three
forks meet at about 15 fect from the ground There must have been &) ar
more in the awarm judging by the number of bills or tails 1 managed
to count.

They suggested a. pill-box bristling with guns or a pight-mare chister of
saw-fly larve. Sonre were head up, others head down, while the rest
chine horizontally or at varving angles, so that tails and bills protruded
like spmes of an echidna. When motionless they resembled a dense
mass of mustels clinging to the pile of a pier, For a time there was
much “talking” and fidgeting as they pushed in and out of the cluster,
each seeming to seck a cosy spot, althourh the evering was watm and
Sultry. When one fell out of the swarm it morcly clutched the bark
2 oc F fect belaw and clambercd back instead. of Aying, while ail tlre rest
made encourspeng lithe sounds, At about 8.30 p.m. a magpie flew into
and dispersed the cluster, We did not sce them re-assemble again that
evening, .

Next evening they clustered again in the same place at tle same
time, and remained all night, As there were no droppings on the ground
it was obvious that faeces were retained during the period of clustering.
We left for Sorrento an February 28, hut my husband siaticed the swarm
in the same tre¢ for atlother week.—Emra Corman,

BOWER-BIRDS "THEATRES"

On the edge of a palls througls tse jungle I found a very pretty bower
qiite unike anv T bad ever seen. Jt was small and very neat and the
depression inside was complercly covered with the lavender Aowers from
the kangaroo-apple bush, There were na otnaments at all outside the
bower, I did mot see any bird. This was not a Satin Rower-bird’s
Lower (it was toa small), dnt |b have never sen a Regent Bower-bird's
bower decked With duc or lavender. 1 think if mnst have been 4
Regent's bower {wliac else could it be?) but it-alters: all my records of
bowers of the species.

A. Regeutchirds’ picnic was held in an mkweed just outside aur flower-
Nanuse one morning. There wert three fully-plumaged males at the
party, and they made a very lovely sight with their rich colours of
hack and gold —-Hinns Curtis, Tamborine Mountait, Queensland. :

TASMANTAN TIGER REAPPEARS

Mr. Charles Spencer, of Fitzgerald, reports having seen a ‘tine specimen
of the Tasmanian tiger in the Styx River Valley about five mules from
Kalists, at the terniinus of the Derwent Valley time, Mr. Spencer says
ihe tiger was beautifully marked and would measure at least 6 ft, from
tip to tip, Mr, Spencer, wha is an experienced bushman, was engaged
cutting a track from the Styx to the Franklin’ range, and had a good
opportunity of seeing the animal, Jt was not aware of his presence umil
he spoke, and then it only went Icisurely away. Mr. Spicer also states
that he saw the Lracks of a female tiger with cubs af Adamsfield fast
March. Tn the days when there was a price on the head of the tiger.
Mr. Spencer had eausiderable experience in hunting {t in the Swansea
district, I is now very searce—( Hobart Mercury.) A

'

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol, 61-—No. 3 July 6, Io44 No, 727

PROCEEDINGS

The annual meeting of the Club was held on June 12, 1944, at
the Roval Society's Hall, where the President (Mr. P. F. Morris)
and about 100 members and friends attended.

The Hon. Secretary announced the recent death of two Club
Members, Miss E. L. Keartland and Mr. A. Underwood, and a
tribute was paid to their memory.

The following matters were reported on by the Hon. Secretary :
Conlerence of scientists at the Melbourne University with an
attendance of over 1,000; a mecting of combined socictses in the
matter of the proposed Cultural Centre; receipt of a letter froni
Prof. W. E. Agar thanking the Club for congratulations on, his
being presented with the Clarke Medal; receipt of letters from
Liew. Noel Lothian (past Assisi. Secretary), now in charge of
the 3rd Army Farms Coy.; and Capt. Lee Burchan, of the U.S.
Marines, sending good wishes to the Club... -

An excursion to Mooroolbark was reported on by Mr. R. G.
Painter. Mr. H. C, E, Stewart reported that the Kalorama
excursion was cancelled owing to train restrictions.

: The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club:

Mr, and Mrs, Savage, Mrs. Robertson, Miss Latham, Miss C.

Clark. as Country Members: Miss Lorna Hansson, Mr. R. A.

Hansen; as Associate Member: Miss E, Hill -

é Mr. H. W. Davey was electéd as an Honorary Member of the
lub.

The Annual Report was read hy the Hon, Secretary and its
_ adoption was agreed to on the motion of Messrs. V. H. Miller
and E.S. Hanks. Mr. Gates spoke on the work the Club had done
over Many years.

The Balance Sheet was read and explained by Mr_ A. G. Hooke,
who proposed its adoption. ‘This was seconded by. Mr. A. 5
Chalk and carried.

. - ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS

- Mr. P. F, Morris, as retiring President, called on Mr. Ivo C.
Hammet to take the presidential chair. Mr. Hammet thanked
members for the honour done hin.

1

ty ; Vics,
46 Sonth Australian Cork Yeh al

Other officers elected were: Vice-Presidents, Messrs, H, C E.
Stewart and J. H. Willts; Hon. Editor, Mr. A. BH. Chisholm;
Hon, Secretary; MreF. S, Colliyer; Hon, Assist. Seeretary; Miss
Nance Fletcher; Hon, Treasurer, Mr, E, E. Lords Hon. Librarian,
Mr. D. Greenwood: Von. Assist. Librarian, Mr A Burke A
haifot for Committee returned the following; Messrs. A, 5, Chalk,
H. P_ Dickins, P. Crosbie Morrison, G. N. Hyam, H, T. Reeves.

NATURE QUESTIONS

Mt. R. G Painter asked why Honeyeaters (“Greenies”) chat-
tered and attacked a Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Mr, Miller
suggested if was rmistaken for a Pallid Cuckoo or a Hawk.
Mr. Chisholm said that small hirds often attacked large birds that
were strange to an area, and that Greenies were naturaily aggres-
sive.

Mr. V. H. Miller asked whether the Blackbird or the Thrush
was the first to begin singing. Mr. Chisholm replied that the
Thrash was usually about two months ahead of the Blackbird.
Miss. Wigan stated she had heard odd Thrushes in April, and
that Blackhirds were now beginning to sing.

EXITIBITS

Mr. Ivo C. Hammet: Gardeusgrown native pals (Diplolaena granadsflora,
Hakeo petiolovis, Fl. sulcata, Correa reflexa, Miola, hederacea).

Mr. Tom Griffiths: The Tree Cricket (Poragryllagris combusia) -

Mr. P. Crosbie Morrison: Egg of the giant Gippsland Earthworm (Afege-
scoltes gippslondicus showing the unhatched yourlg, Specimen from
Korumburra, Victoria.

Mr. J, H. Willis: “Red Stink-horn” fungus (/thuphalius rubicundus), an
Sachauaon and remarkable species, occasionally appearing on Buffala-grass
awis.

Mr. C. French: Correu cefleta, var. rubra, from Anglesea,

Mr, KR. G, Painter: Fight species of garden-grown native plants. |

Mr, F. §, Golliver: ‘Three skulls of Kodlas and a skull of a domestic goat
fram Quail Island,

SQUTH AUSTRALIAN CORK

We have been shown (reports the 5.4, Register) by Mr. A- Hardy, M.P.,
3 sample of cork, nearly an inch thick, stripped from a cork tree xrown by
lim near Mount Lolty, at an elevation of about 230 feet ahove the sew
level, In 1864 the then Government obtained from Spain a number of acorns |
of the genuine cork tree of conimerce, Many of these were distributed
through Dr. Schomburgk, and Mr, Hardy obtained 25 plants, of which 20
are now in 4 Adurishing state, The tree from which the bark referred 10
was taken is over 12 fuet high, and iy 18 inches in cirewnference at one foot
above the ground. ‘The sample will be sent to Philadelphia, and will no
doubt form a noticeable addition to the list of our products, It 1s. evident,
too, that the carlt tree could be profitably cultivated here ote a larger scale
(From a Sydney newspaper of January, 1876), :

ps7 Anaual Report 47

SIXTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT

The Membership is as follows: Hon. Members, 15; Ordinary
Members, 253: Country Members, 94; Associate Members, 18.
Total Membership 380, being an imcrease of 41 on figures for the
last report. t

Still more of our miembers are on service with the Forces and
we note the following: Messrs, K. E. Ash, E. V. Barton, R. S.
Bellinger, J, L, Bignell, J. A, (W/O) Blackbur, T, H, (Major)
Brinn, C, A. Burley, A, Carter, A. Coulson, W, R. Cover, G, J.
Dungas, J. Firth, H, Fulton, M. Furze, D.C. Geddes, W. (Dri)
Geroe, D. EL Greenwood, Keith V. Hately, R. D, Kent, M. F,
Leask, N. (Lient.) Lothian, R. G, Matthews, CC. Ralph, B. M.
Slogpett, N. A. Wakefield, and J. Waterhouse. Possibly there
are others and' the committee would be glad to have their nares.

We record with sorrow the death of the following members:
Mr. A. F. Fullard (1901-1943), Mr. F. Chapman (1902-1944),
Miss Ethel Bage (1921-1943), Mr. George Aiston (1927-1943),
Mr. A. B. PL Underwood (1935-1944), Mr. Lance Le Souet
{1943-1943}.

_ Attendances at meetings have averaged about 90 and a series
of interesting lecturettes and symposiums was held during the
year. The displays of exhibits have been well maintained,

Excursions this year were subject to minor alterations only,
and the several close-hy localities gave outings of good general
interest.

Volume 60 of the Victorian Naturalist has’ beet completed, and,
flatwithstanding paper rationing, the standard of publication has
been maintained.

War conditions have again prevented matters affecting the
protection of fauna and flora irom recetving the attention that is
their due, but we haye considered many items and contacted the
relevant authorities. Matters in which the Club was called to
coliaborate included: Investigation into the high price of scientific
books; Provision of accommodation for Alhed Societies in the
proposed new Cultural Centre or vacated National Museum build-
inz; Control of Sherbrooke Forest; Save the Forests campaign:
Proposed Memorial to the late Mr, EF. Chapman at Maranoa
- Gardens, and the Conference of Scientists convened by the Aus-
tralian. Association of Scientific Workers,

_ A sub-committee for the Cultural Centre project arranged a
meeting of interested kindred societies and further joint meetings
are anticipated. _

Owing to the fact that many of our kindred societies are in
recess, we were not asked to assist so much at displays, hut on
the other hand several of our members have been prominent in
lecturing to the Forces and other organizations,

4a Awnivat Report Tc

The Junior Club at Hawthom was successfully inaugurated this
year and we hope this will prove the forerunner of other such
clubs and feedér societies in the suburbs. To stimulate interest
among the juniors a small show was staged at the Hawthorn, Free
Library from October 4-9, 1943, and proved very popular.

The Australian Natural History Medallion was awarded this
year to our fellow-member Major H, W. Wilson, recently of the
Teachers’ College, and the presentation was made by the Director
of Education, Mr, J. A. Seitz. }

No Wild Nature Show was held this year, mor does it seem
possible to stage one for the duration of the war, but we look
forward to days when the Club can again bring Natural History
before the general public in this popular way.

The Plant Names Sub-committee has made show but definite
progress with its revision of the Census and findings have been
published in the Neteralist with a note asking for comments by
interested people; these are mm turn carefully considered and desir-
able alterations made to vertiacular natnes,

The successful breeding of the Platypus at Badger Creek
prompted one member to offer the sum of £25 toward a fund
for Mr. David Fleay, if the Club could raise a similar amount.
Mr. Fleay would not accept the'money for himself, but agreed to
tise it in, the best interests of the Healesville Sanctuary,

An Author Index for the first 60 volumes of the Naturalist has

been commenced and the work is progressing favourably, although
more slowly than at first anticipated, This will be a useful piece
of work and the Committee is hoping to make arrangements for
pnnting it in due course.
_ The appeal for old pamphlets, members’ lists, newspaper cut-
tings, etc., made some time ago his yielded a few tteins, but the
material to hand is not vety represeritative. Members are asked
to keep this matter in mind, since the Committee desires as complete
a collection as possible of these interesting relics.

We have welcomed to our various meetings visitng naturalists
and members of the Allied Forces stationed here, and from Hime to
time it has been a pleasure to sec some of our own country
members.

Toa Mr. MacCrae Howitt we tender our sincere-thanks for con-
tinticd use of his rooms as a Commiltee meeting place; to Mr.
Cooper for his onerous work in addressing wrappers for the
Naturalist; to-Mr. F, A. Cudmore for completing our set of [7sld
Life; and to Mr. J. A. Kershaw for a good series of early Club
meeting notices. A comprehensive expression of thanks is ex~
tended to all who have given-of their time and energy toward the
advancement of the Club and its idesis. re

FIELD ‘NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA .
-. .-STATEMENT..OF RECEIPTS . ‘AND EXPENDITURE FOR 12 MONTHS ENDED 0th APRIL, 1944,

R&ceirts Co EXPENDITURE
Balance at Banks on Ist May, 1943— . ; Fiétorian Naturalist— ;
ES. & A. Bank ,. .. £23 8 10 ol Printing .. -. 5. +) -. 2) ++ €18815 0
State Savings Bank 57 16 6 Illustrating ce oee te ey ee ee)60 BOD
Ne 15 4 Index .. 00. -} sy ee ae ys ve) 3 18 6
Subscriptions— Despatching .. .. 2. 22 64 ee es 712 °5
Arvears ,, -, -. ., £3217 0 ———— £24013)
Current .. .. .. ,. 20211 6 Reprints... bien a: 1 2 6
In Advance .. .. .. 31 2 7 Wrappers for ‘despatching Naturalist |... -. 1218 9
ae £265 11 1 Postage and Freight .. .. so oe 63 0
Cash Sales of— Genéral Printing and ‘Stationery 6 Se 514 3
Victorian Naturalist < £2 10 6 Library .. .. sar ALE 1z
Publications ,. .. -. 408 Rent and Caretaking . Sg een tes eta sail 17 10 6
Badges .. 6. 4. 6. 3.5 0 Affiliation Fees .. 6. 2. 60 ck we ee ee en 10 6
916 2 General Expenses 0. 6.06. cue ee ee te ve 5 310
Interest Beeeiyet— ; ———
“Best Fund” . .- #1 i 9 - #290 8 9
Fixed Deposits Ly 3 : Invested in Cospmcnrealth Loan—
Commonwealth Loans. 25 ‘ s: . “Best Fund” ., .. :. .: .. .. £50 0 0
Savings Bank ,, .. (1 General .. .. .. ww. .. 2 100 0 0
——— 2 9 0 , 150 0 0
——— 304 16 3 —_—
Kixed Deposits Matured— ; : £440 8 9
“Best sical opadi« tee os §6©£50 0 °0 Balance at Banks on 30th April, 1944—
General. uc os ue ty ee ce ee «650 000 EBE.S. & A. Bank .. .. 1... -, £7010 5
: —— 10 6 0 State Savings Bank: joy sey ae 3.2 5
“Dayid Fleay"” Testimonial .. ., .. .. .. .. 28 0 0 —— ._ 73 12 10
#514 3.7 £514 1 7

[a

saays sug

TIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA
BALANCE SHEET ON 30th APRIL, 1944,

LIABILITIES ASSETS

Late Dudley Best Fund .. .. 2. i. -- 4 £0 0 0 Arrears of Subscriptions—
Subscriptions paid in advante .. 6... ek es 3ko2 7 Estimated to realize... 6. 4) ey cp ae #40 0 0
Special Trust Account .. -. <2 ue ye ey ee 1215 3 Advertising charges due ,. -- -. -. wun ee 10 0 0
—_—- State Savings Bank—
£93 17 10 General Account .. ,. .. .. ,. #3 2 §
“David Fleay” Testimonial ., .: Fla! 28 0 0 Special Trust Account .. .. .. 1215 3,
Balance, being sttping fe Assets “over Lia . a 1517 8
bilities .. ., ; é . «1,553.10 30 | ES. & A, Bank— -
’ j General Account .. 2. 60006 2) ee ee ce 70.10 3
Investmetits— 3H
. Coramonwealth Bonds: : >
: Late nad Best sind ,. £50 0 0
General .. .. . « .. 750 Bb 0
_ 800 0 0
» Library, Furniture and Epidiascope— ; :
At insurance value .’. eefes 680 0 0
Stock on hand of Books and ‘Badges—
At valuation;
Fern Book .. .. 1... -- .- £9 0 0
Fungus Book .. ..°i:. .. . 19,0 0
Club Badges ..'.. .. 6... 100
——_ 59 0 0
£1,675 8 1 : £1,675 8 1

Audited and found correct on 25th Maye cee
CHALK

xe FeGik } Hon. Auditors, «BLE, LORD, Hon. Treasurer,

yaoyS aounjoy

TD TPA ]
“WN PEA

rad | . Méarts, Value of Valure Sacioties to the State 51

THE VALUE OF NATURE SOCIETIES
TO THE STATE
Summary of Presidential Address to the F.N.C, by P. F. Moms

Tt was a momentous day for Australians when the ship
Endeavour hove-ta in Botany Bay on April 28th, 1770, Accom-
panying Captain Cook was a party of skilled naturalists headed
by Mr. (later Sir) Joseph Banks, who had personally subscribed
£10,000 towards the scientific work of the expedition. A duplicate
set of the specimens collected by Banks and Sojander is now
housed in the Melbourne Elerbarium, '

As the first settlers arrived native pastures werd located and a
rapid development m the pastoral mdustry followed, Wheat
breeders and plant hybridists gave ta the new Austrahans suitable
plants for their country, whilst the merino sheep breeder founded
studs which produced the finest wool an the world's market to-day,
The pastoral pioneers were sound practical men, thinkers in ther
own Jine of research, and to-day we must realize the value of their
endeavours. These men and women may be styled our first
naturalists., r

Jt niust be borne in mind, when reviewing social progress m a
new country like Australia, that any comparison with the tnore
settled European communities, living and working uncer different
conditions of climnte, geography, geology and ethnology is entirely
futile, The tsolated position of Australia, the sparseness of its
population, the forhidding character of its forests and deserts,
seenverL to conspire against even the most strenuous efforts to
extend to the pioneer the benefits of modern social institutions,
It was just here that the early scientists were able to help, by the
establishment of natural history societies and the publication of
suitable literature. :

Natural history societies contributed to the welfare of the
community by bringing members regulacly together to share
observations and express opinions: excursions were held to. the
seaside or country for studying the fauna, flora and geology of.
each State. Such contact with nature span develops a lively
interest outside the ordinary routine of city living, These interests
we know to he worth while; they are educative, curative and
stimulating.

Vducation is fundamental to social progress. Nature is a great
teacher when she comes it contact with a kee and receptive mind.
True knowledge does not come from books, but from practice; one
gives us information, ihe other familiarity -with an object, which
is permanently imprinted on the mind. Our conversazioges,
exhibit nights and field excursions enable us to practice what we
choose and knowledge so gained is passed.on from member to
member- “_ ie .

$2 Mauris,’ Malne of Nature Soeitis to the State Vast, wraty

The successful Iwsiness swan is very often self-made. His know-
ledge and suecess have beet gleaned along the hard road of expen-
ence, He has learned his work by applicd science. The, fact that
man’s very existence upon earth is duc to yegetuble matter is often
disregarded by the multitude,

Students of nature are lovers of the earth, the skies, and their
products, and join together to protect the natural features of their
native or adopted countries. The earth is a loving rnother to all
plants, amimals and men. She gives us the cheniicals necessary
to build our skeletons. our bodies and brains; the sun aud at
provide the rest. Our chief aim is to preserve a balance of nature,
knowing well its significance to the present and fnture generayions.

The present world condition of war places upon us all the
necessity for special care of our collections. Destruction to scientific
institutrons abroad js constantly enhancing the yaltte of our own
collections; nulitary occupation and despohation of wide natural
breas makes replacement of scientific material in many cases
impossible. “he material we have, boih Jiving and preserved,
must not be neelected; it ts a trust whieh we must bear for our
fighting men and women and for the culture and lite of future
generations in our Commonwealth,

Natural laws euide the earth kindly, but mati tears and burns-
Tle over-crops the urable laud, over-prazes the pastures, destroys
the forests, antl erosion takes place; the birds disappear and insect
and mice plagues harass agricultural communities, which trek to
the cities. The knowledge of, or ignorance of, a few facts of
nature may meat the difference of millions of pounds to us. The
recently introduced cabbage or white butterfly has laid waste our
cruciferous crops; & [ingus disease recently introduced may prob-
ably wipe our the daphne growers, while St. John’s Wort is still
costing Australia many thousands of pounds yeatly. It is useless
to expect the trained orchardist to keep his land clean when every
cottage garden in his vicinity is a breeding-ground for the pests
against which he is battling in fear of the law,

* ‘There is a notion that a waturailist should be a rechise, one
unfit for hard work. This could apply to so-called highly educated
classes, but it is net my judgment of fellow-members, who seem
to be drawa from all ranks of society. Many of the leading
scientific workers in Australia are self-taughir.

There sre at least two types of study in natural history:
(1) original research or the thorough study of # branch of natural’
science in detail, with all necessary chservations, experiments and’
calculations; (2) the study of scientific facts wilhout a mastery of
the methods or processes by which they have been ascer(ained—a
form of stady which may be compared ta wandering on pleasant

1 Monets, Valve of Nature Societi¢s to the Stato SF

by-paths beside the regular roadway, The latter methods generally
lead fo the former inore important phase.

Of all the attractions of rurad life, probably none is more
interesting and profitable than the study of the periodic phenomena
associated with plants and animals, and to persons engaged in rural
pursuits they wre a concern of great moment, (The germination
of seeds; the blossoming of flowers; insects and their larvae; the
migration, song and nesting of birds; the habits anc instincts of
animals: all are phenomena largely dependent on seasonal and
meteorological conditions, and therefore correlated.)

During the present century, study of naturat history has altered
much, both in methods and in character. It no longer consists of
merely collecting, preserving, classifying and naming plants, insects.
or animals; bul embodies the development, life history and periodic
phenomena of such objects and the relation they bear to each
other and ta the pleasures and wants of man. What a wonder(ul
change has been Peon during our lifetime by the discovery of
radio, radium and the germ origin of disease. ft should be clear,.
too, that the life histery of stock diseases must be given most
serious consideration, a8 matry ate translerable to man and are
probably the cause of high infant mortality.

Educationists realize that impressions gained in childhood are
the most vivid and lasting and that knowledge must be flavoured
with something different from the daily class-roont routine, Let
our children acquire the habits of close observation and the added
power of reflection upon the facts observed, so that what is studied
becomes theirs in very truth and must out in character and deed.

“Nature study is learning those things in Nature that are best
worth knowing, to the end of doing those things that make life
most worth living.’ This statement by Professor J. Hodge
expresses admirably the whole purpose of nature study and the
value of tatural history sacieties to the State. The association of
workers in natural history is, in fact, no longer a matter of choice,
but of necessity. Collection, classification, and publication by the-
various societies throughout Australia is an essential element in
modern progress.

SPECIMENS WANTED

Mr. Melbourne Watd, well-known as a naturalist, who has recently opened:
a “Gallery of Natural History and Native Art” at Medlow Bath in the
Blue Mountains of New South Wales, is anxious to secure specimens of
insects, preserved lizards amd snakes, shells and similar objects of interest.
He 3 prepared to buy or exchange and will be glad to hear from collecaors.
The address is Gallery of Natoral History, Medlow. Baths, N\S.W.

The Editor acknowledges receipt of several papets that have had ta be-
held over, together with two letters oi the interesting siibject of radial rays.,

5 Fleay,. Breeding of the Piatyprs in Copticaty ee

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF THE '
PLATYPUS IN CAPTIVITY

By Davin Freav, B.Sc., Dre.Eo,,
Director, Badger Creek Sanctuary, Healesville
Part 3

Suddenly, in a bend of the burrow dry leaves showed up—
there was a shrill sustained growl of annoyance (like that of a
broody hen) and “Jill's beak and head poked out, To our
delight, and horror also, there bulged: out and was pushed out
—as “Jill” in her rage turned her back and began to throw out
nesting material and earth to block opt the daylight—a blind, fat,
wrinkled babe with satmy short fur forming a very thin coat.

The baby creature had a tiny stubby “milk bill,” aptly Jikened
by my assistant (Cecil Milne) to the beak of a Cape Barren
goose. Here at last was actual proof that we had really bred
the platypus. It seemed also that we had wrecked all our chances
of complete success by unwiltingly breaking in too soon! At
cight and a half weeks this youngster was only nine inches long
and entirely helpless, its only utterance a kiss-hke sucking sound,
and its only movement that instinctive lifting of a hind foot to
po through the characteristic motions of scratching the fur on tts
fianks. On jhe ankles of its hind feet tiny spurs were visible.

A frantic few moments followed with the camera recording
half a dozen hasty pictures. What would “Jill” do? She haa
already thrown out part of her nest and blocked the way by
which we had disturbed her. We thought at the time that in
with her was another infant, or perhaps two, but later observa-
tions proved the baby we photographed to be the only one IT
scraped away her hastily-constritcted “pug” and endeavoured to
replace the bahy, However, she persisted in her “back-shoving”
and buried the baby with earth. I repeated the performance, got
the baby fairly well tn, and then built a “pug” of my own, so
as to block it in. Then we fitted a hollow log over the spot
and filled up with an overburden of earth and ald bags. ‘

It can well be imagined that our feelnigs were very dubious,
What goad all the notes so far if “Jill” did not rear this little
fellow? I called back that night after dark to see if “TN” had
pushed the baby out into the loose soil in the hollow log, and it
was slightly ré-assuring to find that she kad not done so,
Evidently, however, she wasn a considerable turmoil over the
event, for an haur after we had replaced the youngster inthe
burrow at mid-day “Jill” appeared in the waler in abvious
agitation. And hers was not the only disturbance of mind! We
had staked everything on a successful isstie with the platypus

ik Fieay, Breeding of the Platypus in. Captivity $5

—tven io almost rvinows expenditure from slender Sanctuary
financial resources—in purchasing food that cost at least £1
per day, and in dry summer months 22/- to 25/-, It seemed
jhat if was this season or never, and, in spite of all, this season
it was!

Following several weeks of doubt and worry, subsequent to
January 3, it was found that “Jill” had re-established her quarters
and maintained her youngstér in spite of the general upheaval,
Considering that this small mother animal is a member of such
-an exceptionally nervous species, with probably no temperamental
equal among the world's furred animals, no tnbute to her
mothercraft can be too high in view of her actions following
the breaking-up of her home. Here, in the survival of her
helpless youngster, is noteworthy evidence of a strong maternal
instinct in the platypus—one reason, perhaps, why this ancient
species has managed to survive and,even thrive in modern days,
Why, cven a tarne doe rabbit would probably have deserted
her brood had the nest been interfered with as had "Jill's.”

For séveral days after the disturbance I could hear her towards
evening, through the walls of the dwelling, excavating passeges
and also pugging up the outlet near her entrance to the water
as she prepared tor the night's feeding activities. Actually, it
was not for two days after the imspection of January 3 that
“Till? got back into her-normal habits of feeding. The night
following the excavation af her nesting tunnel she spent within
the burrows, evidently keeping the youngster warm, for later
inspections revealed that in thoroughly pugging up the original
entrance that [ had ruined she pushed out her whole nest and
much soil beside. Then she dug a new entrance and exit burrow
to the nesting chamber on the opposite side irom the original
one which we had unwittingly destroyed. Tor weeks, thea,
the youngster was entirely without “bedding” of any kind
until on the next inspection I provided a new collection of
leaves, which “Jill” accepted quite gratefully,

On January 3, then, it was found that the youngster, whose
sex at that time could not be determined, but we now know by
the disappearance of its spurs to be a female, had attained a
length of nine inches and was blind and entirely helpless, with a
very short growth of satiny fur, at the age of eight and a
half weeks.

Such observations, and others to follow, do not agreé entirely
with Burrell's notes on incubation and adotescence, but, as I
meritioned previously, this is not surprising, for throughout his
long and careful work resulting in the classic book on the
platypus, Mr, Burrell did not have the good fortune ta keep a

y Vist: Nat-
Val. 6t

% Firay, Breeding af the Plaryprs in Captivity
breeding platypus where he could watch il. He had to make
his estimates irom jaborious field-study over long years, for
which valuable work naturalists the world over, and I particularly,
are grateful. to him.

From mid-January onward “Jill's” furry coat took on a very
sorry appearance. ‘This was partly due to the arrival of the
moulting period. Each year in southern Victoria towards the
end of January and beginning of Fchruary platypuses lose their
old. coats and rapidly grow new ones, Worn patches on tails:
are covered by a fresh growth of hair in a very short period,
and il is a0 time before a platypus is clad m a new and glossy
coat of superb fur.

“Jil” with her domestic. cares, was terribly “moth-eaten” ant
ragged, but extremely cheerful, with a streaky worn patch front
shoulder to hip along the left side of her body. This was:
evidently duc to some position adopted in the burrow or to
some activity on the part of the baby. Abont the middle of
February her new coat began t cover these marks of wear
and tear.

Evening afier evening, when I arrived at the swimming tank
betore her advent int the water, her progress along burrows could
be anarkeil by careful listening. ‘The digging and scrambling
noises as “Jill” dug through earth-blocks in the burrows and
pushed them hack again after her, were unmistakable. ‘Che
fairly frequent dog-like shakings of her body ta rid herself of
loose earth dosing these operations sounded at close quarters
like distant thunder.

The second inspection vf the youngster (when all doubts as te
ts safety were dispelled} took place on the evening of January
26. Tt was obvious that by now the youngster should have made
considerable progress, and since mid-January the mother’s
appetite had increased until she was demanding almost as muclr ~
as she did tm late December 1943. On the evening of the
second parade of the youngster; “Jill” had already journeyed into:
the water, where she was “‘splash-diving” in mock alarm and
rolling and twisting between submerging for food items.

Now aged eleven and three-quarter weeks, the youngster
meéasured eleven inches in length; its fur had grown longer ou
the body regions but not on the tail. Little development of the
short stubby beak had occurred, Its eyes had not been long
open, probably. not more than four or fiye days, so that it could
be reasonably assumed that the young creatures spend at Irast
eleven weeks in a state of blindness. The-striking thing in the
absence of the mother on this occasion was the almost reptiliar:
coldness of the baby, . ,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vat. él July, 1944

Pare 1

Baby Platypus when first seen, Jan. 3, 1944. Blind, wrinkled with fat, and
having a scant growth of satiny fur, she measured Y in, in length aud was
aged 84 weeks. Note the short “milk bili.”

Baby Platypus on Feb. {8 Age now 15 weeks and length 134 in. Note long
glossy fur. She did vet make her first exit until a fortnight later.

Photas.: David Fleay

yy) Fixay, Rieeding of the Platypus it Captivity W

Generally speaking, the little creature was much less fat than
when first seen, its tail now being more flat and platypus-like
‘than the roly-poly. sausage-like appendage noted on January 3.
Also, thongh no longer blind the young animal possessed no
power of locomotion and again went through the curious
qustinctive action af scratching at its flanks with its hind fect.
When my wife nursed it, it pushed its short stubby beak down
-on the skin of her arm. Its only reaction to, the disturbance
was to growl shrilly when first touched in the burrow. In the

absence of a nest, a position that was soon remedied, dry earth
from the floor of the chamber had caked into hard mud over
the doubtless oft-wetted bill and nostrils of the baby. This
was removed, . j
- “fill's” feeding periods were regularly from ten to twelve
hours in extent, commencing towards evening and extending
through the night. “The evidence of various faecal deposits in
the water (the pools being cleaned daily) indicated that, as
usual, she masticated and assimilated food continuously through-
-out the nights in order to build up the all-important milk supply,

The third inspection of the baby was made easy by- the fact
that I had a bag “plug’’ in the back of the nesting chamber,
this in turn being buried under a weight of soil; for it is very
-obvieus that in some inysierious way a platypus senses the
‘thickness of sail between itself and the surface. “Jill” evidently
became more or less reconciled to these visits, for beyond a
little shyill growling, she was not unduly upset. The date of
the third visit was February 8; the baby now was 15 inches long,
iis eyes were quite bright and alert, and its age was 1334 weeks,
~or slightly more than three months, The youngster was three
inches longer than “Jill” herself had been when picked up—
six years ago, on February 19, 1938. ;

On scraping away the soil immediately adjoining the leaves of
‘the nesting-chamber “hedding” when opening up for each, of
these inspections, it was extraordinary to feel the intense wannth
that had emanated from the closely-curled mother and baby.
‘This im itself, even before sighting the animals, proved a certain
indication that they were at home. .

The baby was now a young platypus with a fairly straight!
‘though short bill and long and very handsome fur, It was
«lefinitely a female, for the srnall spurs on the ankles of its hind
feet had shrunk -away to mere hard stubs, Remarkable to
welate, the anima! still did not show any sign of activity,
remaining curled up in the typical platypus ball in the nest.

(Ts be concluded)

nant

; Viet. Nat.
54 Frexcu, Litsects Attaching Introduced Plants ue :

RECORDS OF NATIVE INSECTS ATTACKING INTRODUCED:
PLANTS 1

Ry C. Fresca, Retired Government Biologist, Melbourne

It is remarkable how many of the native insects are changing over from:
their natural food to that offered by cultivated alicn plants which they
find to be as pelatable, or more so. The familiar “Emperor Gum Moth."
whose natural diet is eucalypt foliage, turned first to the Pernvian pepner-
tree (Sedimus snolle) with a very different sap; jt has since gone on to
roses, apple, plum, apricot, and many kinds of street trees (Tristanis,
Eugetia, Birch, Plane, Elm, etc.J—a highly varied ment.

All of the following records haye come wnder my personal observation,
and some have not heen previously published. No doubt members of tht
Field Naturalists’ Club could augment this list of insects and/or hosts, and’
T would suggest that they register their observations m this journal, as 4
matter of economic interest.

I have adopted a systematic arrangement (based on the work of R, J.
Tillyard) and am indebted to Mr. John Clark, entornologist at the National
Museum, Melbourne, for kindly checking the scientific nomenclature, whicli:
hes been subject to much recent alteration,

Order ORTHOPTERA—
Locusts and Grasshoppers +
: cereals, vegetables, flowers, fruit trces,
Order JSQPTERA—~
Calolermes lacteus (“White Ant’’):
from diet of native timber trees ta wood of vines, apple, apricot,.
peach, also potato,

Order FTE MIPTERA—
Nysins vinttor ("Rutherglen Bug") =
vegetables, cereal crops, Front trees of all kinds.
Dindynms versicolor (“Harlequin Bug’) *
fruits (jomes, dmmes, berrics of all kinds}, greens, potato, tomato
flowers (esp. dahiia mid bollykock).
Mictts profana {"“Holy ot Crusader Bus”):
froin eucalypts and wattles to lemon, orange.
Icerya purchast (“Cottony Cushion or Fluted Scale") :
from wattles ta cypress, pine, pittosporum, lemon, orange, rose,
gorse, grasses.
Grioesccus coriacers ("Eucalypt: Scale”);
froth eucalypts fo pear twigs

Order COLEOPTERA—

Bostrychapsis jesuiia (“Anger Beetle”):
silky oak, tamarisk, elm, fig, ofange, lemon, apricot.

Xylion nollarts (“Apple-tree Beetle”) -
apple, ;

Lagela orondis ("Bronze Apple Beetle”):
ripe fraits of apple, pear, apricot, strawberry, etc.

Lamprima retiats ("Golden Stag Beetle’) :
i rom decayed eucalypt wood and leaves to apple, cherry, and other’
ruit trees,

Dipkucephala colaspdordes (“Cherry Green Beetle") :
from tea-trees and wattles to cherry, plum, death, ‘apple, haw--
thor; quinge, rose,

Aulacophora oliveri Chilerisy (“Pumpkin Beetle") =
all members of the pumpkin-mielon family, also vines, cherry,

ory Prexcu, Insects Attacking Jutroditced Plants sr

plum, peach. !

Haltica pogana (“Metallic Flee Beetle’) ;
from Sheep’s Burr (deena) to root crops (carran, heet, ¢te.),
also parsley; strawberry,

Leptops squatidus (hapet) (“Apple Root Borer”) :
from wattles to vines, cilrus. trees, appte, pear, peach, plum, apricot,-
rose (buds}.

Othorkines esindlirostr’ is (“Elephant Beetle of Orange") :
from eucalypts and vanttted to orange, lemon, apricot, apple, quince,
plum, vines, tamarisk, elm, pine trees.

Orthoriinus blugi (“Vine Weevil”) ;
from wattles to. vine ‘stems.

Belus bidentates (Apricot Beetle”) -
irom wattles to apricot, apple.

Order LEPIDOPTERA—
CBrietus (Charagia) lignivera (“Smaller Green Waod or Apple Hang
inz Moth’) |
fram tea-trees, wattles, young eucalypts, ctc., to apple, pear, citrus
trees.
Xyleutes (Zeusera). encalypiy (Wattle Goat Math”) ;
from wattle; to apple, peach, plum
Maroga unipunctata. ("Cherry Borer Moth’) : '
. from Acacia, Banksia, Cassia spp. ete. to brambles, étuit trees,
‘and many dcinds af street trees (oak, elm, plane, willow, etc,)
Tortrix postuttiana {“Light-brown Apple Moth’) :
from wattles to. fruit trees, street trees (pita, cypress, oak, silky
' oak), vegetables, and garden flowers.
, Meeyna polygonelts (“Treé-hucerne Moth") :
7 ‘tree-fucerne (Tagasaste), cape broom, weeping willow,
Greticus (Metwra) clangates (“Saunders' Case Moth") -
- orange, lemon, and other fruit trees’ (young foliage and bark).
Hyalarcta hubnert ("Leaf Bag Moth” or ““Hubner’s Case Moth"):
from. eucalypts and tea-trecs to pines, oak, quince, vines {leaves and
grapes), rhubarb, chrysanthemums,
Clana (Entometa) tgnobiis ("Raggot Case Moth” or “Stick Math
of Orange”) :
pines, cypress hedges, vines, cherry, plum, apple, quince, orange,
Temon—young foliage and fruit spurs.
Thyridopiesrys Aerrichit (“Ribbed Bag Moth"):
from ¢eucalypts to apple, cherry, quince.
Doratifera spp- ("Cup Moths”) :
from cucalypts to apple, pear, cherry, apricot.
Pinare cane (“Pinara Grub of Apple’) :
from wattles to apple, pear,
Nyctemerta amica (“Ivy Moth”):
aster, cineraria, carnation, Begonia Rox.
Orgyta (Teia) anertoides (“Painted Apple Moth");
from wattles and eucalypts to ierns, fruit trees, street Lrees, gardest
flowers, cabbage, cauliflower.
Phataenatdes glycine {Vine Moth") ;
vines, virginia creeper, fuchsia, apple (leaves).
Agrotis spp. Heliothis spp. ete- (*Cutwarms”) |
' ceréal and vegetable crops, garden flowers, apple, strawberry.
' Diacvisia canescens (“Tiger Moth’) :
cereal: Crops and’ garden, flowers esp. violet, pansy, caraalhony
pelargonium).

a Crour, Sasi the Purests Pe ne

Hippotion ceterio ("Silver-siriged Vine Hawk-moth—may be an early
introduction) : '
Fines, mormitig wire
Lophodes sintstraria (“White-shouldered Looper”) =
from wattles to apple, pear, apricot.
’ Phrissogonus spp, ctc, (“Laopers”) = ;
pities, cypresses, fruit trees, rose, iuchsia, pelargonium, etc
Autheraa cualyptt ("Emperor Gum Moth") :
from eucalypts to pepper-trees, frit trees (apricot, plum, anple),
and many street trees (elm, plane, birch, etc.),
Angpheots java-teutonia (“Caper Butterfly”) =
from Capparis app, ta citrus trees, fuchsia, virginia creeper,
Ztzina labradus (“Bean Butterfly’) :
from tative and introduced Jerumes to garden beans

SAVE THE FORESTS
Ry R. H. Cros

" It looks as if the Age of Destruction of our mast valuable asset, the
forests, were really passing. The present Save the Forests Campaign is sa
wide and so definite in its appeal, it is so richly backed by earnest people
and powcriul organizations, it is broadcasting so many reasons, both logical
and sentimental, for better treatment of our timbered areas, that one fecls
that this effort, of all the many that have been tried, cannot possibly fail.
“There are some forty societies and institutions, government departinents
and municipal bodies, united in the campaign. Together they represent, it
is Ciewated, over 200,000 citizens. The objects of the movement are easily
Stated:

To arouse piblic interest im forestry; to enlist public assistance tn pre-
-vewming ond fighting bush fires; to take action to ensure that the tunber,
maeey and soil resources of the State are conserved; to build up am organi=
Salton: to ensire contiuarce of active publtc interest in owr forests.

A club such as outs needs no reininder, or should need none, that forest
predicts enter into practically every domain of human life, especially the life
which we call civilized, From the cradle to the coffin we use timber in
multitude of ways. lt may ‘astonish some to Jearn that i takes ten million
super fect of timber every year, i Victoria alone, to produce the matches
we use here, And we carry our dead to the grave (or the crematonum)
in another tmilfiott super feet annually, j

Apart from such utilities how could animal life exist in the world without
the necessary vegetation? That point is toa obvious to need dwelling upon,
Our water supply, evetr the retention of our food-producing soils, largely
depends upon our care of the forest cover,

Those are general statements—what about our special mterests as natura-
tists? Again it is stating the obvious to point out that the green covering
of the earth {all af it so readily 3 victim to fire), from the tiniest growth
that scarcely casts a shadow to the tall tree that avertops alf living things,
that covering is our happy hunting ground, in itself a study and at the same
time the home of the creatures in whose lives we are interested. Even the
geologist’s needs ara met, for the dead forests of the past live for him.

This campaign deserves the full support of every Australian, for both
fatianal and personal rezsons. An informative booklet entitled Forest Facts
has bees issued by the Campaign Council. This may be obtained free of
ost iron Mr. J. S. Owens, Town Hal!, Melbourne. : :

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. 61.—No. 4 August 10, 1944 No. 728 723

ae PROCEEDINGS -

T ‘he monthly meeting of the Club was held on July 10, 1944,
at the Royal Society's Hall, where the, President (Mr. Ivo C.
Hammet) and about 120 members ‘and friends attended.

The Hon. Secretary announced the death of Miss. Ewings, a
Chub member of some years’ standing, and a tribute was paid to
her memory,

The President welcomed to the sina Lieut, A, G, Young
(on leave from New Guinea), a member, of the Queensland
Naturalists’ -Club,

Excursion reports were given as follows: " National Herbarium,
Mr, P. F. Morris (for Mr. Jessep) ;- Botanic Gardens, Mr,
HC, BE. Stewart.

The following were elected as Ordinary “Members: Mr. and
Mrs, D, K. Hill, Mts. M. Murphy, Miss Eileen McGlynn, Mr. P.
Wyatt; and as Associate Member, Master R. Barron. ° ae

NATURE QUESTIONS AND NOTES . ..' ™

1, What are Greywackes? Answer (Mr. F, S. Collivet) +The
term is rather loosely used according to the country and the
author, (a) A sedimentary rock of a particular kind ‘altered by
pressure (dynamiometamorphism) has been termed a, Greywacke,
(b) A slightly felspathic sandstone slightly altered. has” heefi
referred to as a Greywacke, (c) The term has been revived for
a complex rock with grains of quartz felspar, and other iinstals
and rocks united by a cement nsually siliceous,- -- -

2. What is Oolitic Limestone? Answer (Mr, Colliver) : Mant
shallow-water limestones, of all geological ages, contain spheroidal
grains built up of successive coats otf caleareouis material; and
these may'be so numerous as to make up the-chief bulk vf the
rock. Such rocks are called Oolitic Limrestants, Oolites, or
Roestone,

3, What are Permian Sequences, and are there any in Aws-
tralia? Answer (Mr, Colliver): The term Permian is applied
ta one of the ages of the geological Time Chart, and Permian
Sequences would refer to a series of rocks somewhat’ different
from each other but of thé same age, e.g, Pertnian.. The order 1 in
which these rocks are to each other would rnake up the sequetce,

a aR

62 Nolnre Gwestions ond Nales ya ete

Such rocks dv oceur in Australia, as at the coalfields of N.S.W.
and the ‘Bacchus Marsh area in Victoria, but they have not been
zoned to the extent similar sequences in America have.

Mr, R. G, Painter stated that he had noticed Swallows in Box
Hill on July 2. (Mr. A. H. Mattingley commented that some
Swallows remained in Victoria all the year round.)

Miss Wigan reported! having seen two Picd Currawongs near
the Alfred IIospital, Melbourne). (Remark by Mr. A, B. Chis-
hohe: This ts chiefly a bird of the mountains, but it is usually
_ wandering at this. tine of the year.) « ee :

_ Mr. H. C, E. Stewart commented upon the early flowering
of almond trees, and stated that a very dry summer, then rain and
absence of frosts, explained it. He had noted some trees fawering
in June. ~ {ty ;

Mr, V. H. Miller said he had observed a Black-faced Cuckoo-
Shrike eating cheese and fat from his bird-tray at St. Kolda.

Mrs. Pinches: reported that the Zoa's colony of Koulas had four
females each with young! .

Mr, Ros Garnet stated that a Grevillea hal seeded anc young
plants had appeared for the first tune, probably due to climatic
conditions.

Mr, Hammet drew attention to the fact that a new hee had heen
named by Mr. ‘Tarlton Rayment after Miss Lynette Yonng, who
found the specimen in a post close to her home.

Mr, F, G, Elford reported having received a cnuntry paper con-
taining an accoust of the capture of a Wedge-tailed Eagle in a
rabbit trap baired with a rabbit, The article stated that the bird
was available for exhibition. Mr. Elford aid he had written to
the paper concerned, and he suggested that the committee disciiss
the matter with a view te cdueating the people of the district
concerned as to the economic value of Eagles.

FORESTRY AND NATIONAL WELFARE

Slides and a motion picture with a commentary given by Mr.
C. M,. Ewart, of the Fotests Commission, afforded insight into
problems of erosion, soil conservation, proper care of watersheds,
ete., besides the varied aspects of forestry and the use of timber
in industry. Stress was laid on protection of forests from fire, and
‘safeguarding measures were shown. Ahove all it was urged that
forests were an invaluable national heritage, and not something to
he erased as soon as possible,

A wote of thanks to Mr. Ewart and'to Mr, Thompson {lan-
ternist) was expressed by the’President and‘ carried by acclamation.

Aunsst . Extubits OS

EXHIBITS

My. V.H, Miller; Seven exaniples of native’ Queensland titthers, also
red gum from Kenny's baths at St. Kilda: (portion. of a pile that had heen
immersed in seacwater for upwards of 70 years) and Banksia wood beme
used ag {uel by the é6ok on the Western Australian Railwaya. Specimens
were all hand-polished by Mr, Miller.

Mr, T- Griffiths; Pressed ferns, inchuling twelve species of Maiden Hair
(native and exotic), Cyrtominm. fateatuns 3 iroin Japan, and Bicchanm penso-
jitavina Trom the Victorian Alps-

Mrs. M. E. Freame: Termites and wood bored by ee wood bored hy
Teredo; large burrows containing Crustacer, and also ant mounds.

Mr C French} Parked Comb Vern (Selnseva adperse) collected at
Anglesea.

Mr. R. G. Painter: Six species of garden-grown native plants:

Mr. C. J. Gabriel: Marine shells, including Chlowys patitwm, Maldair
Is; C. osperrinins, View C. leofardus; Peeter yappersalaidene; Vices FP.
maxvniues, Britain; J?. heppetliasa, Cape Verde Is; ;_P. sicsac, W. Indies,

Mr. Hatomet: Wrappings from. a AY at one time on show at the
Exhibition Building,

Mr. 5. R. Mitel ell: Eeaihples of aboriginal atone deives; some specifrens
lieing hafted.

Miss Wigan Albino form of Flame-Robin (Petroica seeillesa) collected
w the Mansfield district over- fifty years age by Mr. J. O, Edwards; also
Hares Owl (Tyto aloe) collected by Sergi- Major Toone at Cape Otway,

f44

“Me, F, G, Elford: Ganoderma applitealum (Giant Lacquer Pengus), a
polyporaid fungus fomid growing on the trunks of Eucalypts and other
trees, specimen fram Sherbrooke Forest; Crested Grasshopper (Alectariu
superba) from Lake Meran, Eastern Mallee, and also the Smaller King
aaa (Anostostoind. erinacevs) from Red Hill South, -Moshington

ctrinsia.

Master A. B. Court:. (Omitted from fine list) —A. collection ot nendngers
fer) specimens recently gathered m the Mt, Dandenong district.

1 ran

a

- ’
= - Tu. 4 oe Sea

DEATH OF MRS,-W HW, NICHOLLS — - ~--

Members. of the FNC. will jom in sympathizing warmly with ‘My.
WH, Nicholls, Victoria’s chief stinient of Australian orchids, whose wife
died suddenly on July 29, Mrs. Nicholiy was 4 womatt of competence and
sunay nature, and gave her husband considerable help in his.work,_ Several
officers and members of the Club attended the ftineral at the Footscray.
Cemetery on August 1. Native flowers were a feature of the floral tributes.

— ee

eV ate, + ens ‘ ~

_ ae PERSONAL, soe & eat

“Master Arthue 6. Court, of Child's Road, Ralorarra, Vic.. “Tnsiste ui
make pen-inends who. are Thterested in ‘botany, preferably ashong ‘residents
ii .ihe Grampians af, north-eastern Victoria. - - - o

b4 Beck, Non-Migiation of Welcome Stvallodes ie a

NON-MIGRATION OF WELCOME SWALLOWS

By H. N. Becx, Hon. Secretary Gould League of Bird-tovers,
: Victorta.

The seasonal movement of animafs from one ‘region to another
is a matter of cammon interest to all students of nature, bur it is
the migration of birds that, makes the strongest appeal, because
so much is hidden from us that we can only theorize on the
motives or principles guiding these movements,

Of course, one can-hardly doubt that it is mainly a matter of
food that drives ihe creatures irom a region oi lessening supply
to one where the requisite food is increasing in quantity, ur, i.
any rate, where it is juore abundant. ‘Lins woud adequately
account for much of the limited migration or seasonal wanderings
of‘many birds that we might class as nomads rather than as
migrants—for example, Robins (Peélroica) and Thrushes (Col-
luricinela harmonica), which during the cold~ season leave the
shady forest and mountains for the more open fields, and Lori-
keets, which follow the blossoming of the eucalypts.

Probably, ioo, many of the birds that have spent the warm
months in the district moye away with, the sun, while their place
is taken by others of the same kind that have spent their summer
further south. ‘Yhere may be muclimore of this sort of nugration
than utost of ts suspect, Two species L have in mind that probably
do-this are the Black-faced Cuckdo-Shnke and the Bronze Cuckov.
Observations of many persons remove any doubt that these birds
move to the norih in winter; yet every year during the coldest
months they are reported to be seen around Melbourne.

A most remarkable feature of the true migratory birds ‘is ‘that

J tae =

habits? One can assume the habits to have been gradually
evolved. If such is the case, mightmot the evolution be reversed—
ang the ouce-migratory bird become one of stationary hab? This
thought is occasioned by the fact, that of the birds credited with
fligration to distant lands the -Welcome Swallows (Hirundo
weavena) are bringing ‘themselves to the notice of obscrvers
by remaining in their summer habiiat throughout the year in
imcreasing numbers, m4 ,

How wonderful it would be jf we were being privileged to
aCjually ohserve a step in evolution!

The thought that this might possibly be, so stirred the imagina-
tion of Bruce Fleer and other members of the Gould League of
Bird-lovers of State School No, 160), Oakleigh, that fram-ecarly
April, 194], they made regulary counts: and kept records ‘of the

Agent Rieck, None Migration of Welcome Szwallows 6s

number of Welcame Swallows found perching at night on ‘wires
stre(ching under a shop verandah—“like ‘clothes-pegs on a line"

This record, in the form of monthly graphs, shows a maximum
of 260 birds early in April with a sudden drop to 80'on the last
day, ‘The count rose to 150 for May 1, and next evening again
dropped, this time to 50, A steep rise is shown for the second
week, and the Jast record for May was’ 228 birds. Fer June the
count fluctuated between 160 and 220, and for July between 188
and 236. August shows 236 as the highest count. This was in
the middle of the month. Then there was a gradual fall to 160
on the last day. On the 6th of September 176 was the score,
then the number decreased ti] the count was 108 on the 30th,

From this on we have a declining chart right through October,
when the last week shaw’ counts. down to 30. This was 2 Steady
month and gave the lowést average record. November was also
a steady low month with gradual rises ta 80. From then on the
birds came along in increasing numbers, 210 being reached in
the Jast weck in December.

January shows a limit of 308 on the 25th, and the maximum
far the.first twelve months: was reached on February 4th with a
count of 316, January and February were months of greatest
variation, March also showed considerable fluctuation between
I80.and 300. The graphs for, the remainder of 1942 mark suntlar
conditions, with somewhat.higher numbers for most months,

Records. for 1943 are not available; and now has! come ms-
fortune—the perching wires have been removed. ‘The Gould

~Leaguers are keeping a'lookeut, hoping to find that the Swallows
have Iocated such another convenient roosting place. Finat records
were taken last May. ‘Uhe count was about 200,

A remarkable feature is that such a very sinall percentage of
the birds Jrequenting this particular Jocality moved away, for the
wititer, that one would prangey.s imggine them te be o migrating
species,

Othe notes do not give! any “Feasotts (perhaps they were not
known). for the extra low ‘counts on two or three dates in April
ant May but possibly, as many people pass that way, the birds
may have bee disturbed’ on these occasions. Howeyer, Bruce
records: “Qn stormy nights they sometimes amount to 200 or
aver, Towards nesting-time they gradually decrease; and in
spr ime there are hatdly any.. In summer when breeding -has
they begin’ to inerease pradually to their riormal.” » -

Adult also reported the occurrence of these Swallows—"about
400," one man reckoned’; but na doubt. the boys panne was
more ‘accurate. They - had: set out to daa definite job. , ;

At. the foot of Mt. Arapiles in western Victoria, where the

4 Beck, Nou-Migration of Weteome Swallows ae

writer spent the winter of 1942, Welcome Swallows were so
plentiful that “familiarity bred contempt,” or af any rate led to
the following instance of careless and therefore worse than wseless
observation ; 7

Qn August 2! the children of the Grass Plat School cauve wil)
we fo a nearby little freshwater Jake mainly ta study Little Grebes,
“Swallows” were hawking over the water as we had secn them
on other days throughout the winter, {It was a bright day and
we casually remarted that there was a good number of Swallows
and that insects were fairly plentiful. The children had just left
fur schoo} when a flash of white caught my eve as a “Swallow”
skimmed the water; and to my surprise, and disgust at my lack of
cart, T found that more than half the birds were Fairy Martins-—
prohahly 40 or 50 were in sight. We had witnessed the return
ol the Martins from their worthern Aight. The incident “pointes
a moral and adorned a Lale’ when next L met the children. .
_ Regarding the graphs. The beys were very interested in the
task and T have confidence that they carvied it out with commesdd-
able care and that the many counts were substantially correct. It
would give me pleasure to submit the graphs for inspection at any
of the Club meetings. ,

So many observers have noted the rapidly incteasing wimber
of Swallows to be seen in winler during the past decade or so
that the pussibility of the movement being a stage in evolution is
worthy of serious consideration; and for the guidance of future
students definite data of the incidents originating the idea should
be secorded in official publications, then. later generations anght
he able to prove or disprove the suggestion.

fete a at

GERALDTON WAX-FLOWER IS A CHAMELAUCIUM °

Desfontaines’ original description of ahis genus (Mom.Mdus.D'Hist Nat,
Vol, V, p- 39, IBI9) plainly sets. out the spelling as CHAMELAUCIUM.
The error in writing CHAM AELAUCIOM appears to be have bren. made
by Sprengel in his Systema Megetabilinnt (No, 1622, 1825) and has been

(dwari} faxcihis (poplar) i. hamelaucium from: Chamelaia, moaning a smail

fog" Padees ET eg tl / = PL Btedy.

-- : ‘

cern Dowsiiy, Cell-tadlding by 9 Mason Wasp 67

CELL-BUILDING BY A MASON WASP
By F.'O, Donyet., Newbridge; Victoria,

Most of us are usually glad io. receive visitors, but it is doub!
interesting When the visitor is a “lady"’ and is dressed in shining
orange and black. Such a one—of the wasp fatnily—arrived at
the school, Poowong North, Gippsland, on April 15, 1943,

She examtined walls, posts and other objects, with the idea, I
hoped, of building. Later I was able to watch the whole procedure
of cell-construction afd note every action that, she made.
first thought was to capture her and mount her beauty, but the
urge to know more about her actions led me to act as an observer.
Jn size, fornt, and colour, she answered the description. of Ewinenes
latveitli, a Queensland wasp. Gippsland seenied a long way from
Qucensland and the climate perhaps is not so inviting 0 3 sut-
loving imséet.. : ; ’

A start was made on the side of an old desk, but this did not
seem to be satisfactory, Another cell was begun on the north side
of a verandah post and it was completed. As it was placed about
five feet from the ground, J -was able to watch every movement
from a distance of six inches. She flew within an inch or so of
my-face but did not seem to-resent my presence. With long legs
folded close tothe body, ‘she hung poised in front of her work,
her wings seer: only as a thickening of the air on each side, her
sensitive antenna touching all work with a touch so light that it
seemed a caress, :

The first cell-foundation began as a crescent and gradually
grew into an oval. The walls began to rise, taking the form of
adome. I’ could not but admire the dexterity with which the clay
pellet was manipulated,. It was spread evenly, but thickly, on the
top of the growing wall, and then with the underside of her head
against the inside of the cell wall, and the tarsus of both fore-legs
on the outside and opposite, she began to draw the-clay up to an
even thickness, This was dotie in the same manner as the potter
who draws the spinning clay into shape with. one hand onthe
inside, and-one on the outside of the growing vessel.- Work was .
‘carried out on a different section each visit, thus aJowing all work
to dry thoroyghly before being added to” | * Ss a

The dome’ rose slowly until only a narrow apetture remained
at its apex, and ‘this was finished off with an outward curling Jip.
‘T thought at first-that she had sertowsly miscalculated the size of
the aperture, but she soon disproved this-idea by inserting her
-abdomen through, anti] at its thickest it was a neat fit. She
remained in this positiots for about- two minutes; and later. by
flashing a mirror and lighting up the inside of the cell, I could
see a white sausage-shaped egg suspended from the-top -by ‘a short

68 Donmect, Celfbuilding by » Masot. H/ast ere

sitken thread. Hér next task wasito carry three paralysed smonth-
skinned caterpillars, and stuff them into the cell, laying them
horizontally. After this operation the apening was closed and
another cell was begun at the side of the first
During the building process she made occasional visits tu a
‘nearby gutter, resting at the water’s edge, apparently drinking.
Then she would disappear for a time, returning later with a ball
of clay. Enlisting the aid of the children, a line of observers was
formed in the direction of her flight from the site of work, It-was
‘found that she alighted on a path of hard-packed, clayey gravel
“She set to wark, tearing at it with powerful mandibles, kneading
the clay intu a moist ball, disearding the satid grains and’ thakiny
‘a smooth mixture, So engrossed was she'in her task, or so antiable
“was het disposition, that I was ablé to kneel ‘and approach my head
within about 18 inches of ber. The moisture that she used to work
up the clay was supplied from the mouth, and perhaps had some
cadhesive quality. One pellet that I saw her make up came from
‘a patch of white gravel. It was difficult to understand why she
should change her place of gathering material, especially as this
was her only lapse for the whole of the time,
’ When the second cell was finished, an egg was suspended fron!
the top as. before, but.a period of bad weather kept the builder
‘away for two" days. When she returned she seemed to have lost
‘interest in her work amd we did ot see'her again

oo) ) EMUS AND “INDUSTRY” | $=

QAr an-emu drive in-this ‘district last, Sunday over 400} ers were shot,
representing about twa tons af good meat which, if prepared ti the’ correct
sway, catinot, be- distinguished from, wild turkey,” writes D. J. O'Leary. of
Walgoolan, in the West Australia Perth) for July tO, 1944,

“During 4 short visit to the city this week; everywhere L went people
‘were complaining of the' very inferior meat supplied ta city consymers and
it dctutred to mc that perhaps something could be done to serut “supplies
oF emu_meat-to the meat hungry poople of Perth.

“[ believe that a very lucrative industry ger be established not only
ih’ the miarkeling of emu nieat but by the sale of emu eggs and feathers.
“Offers have been received from Pert Dryers for blown ¢mu eges at 10/-
-each, for sale a’ souvenirs to Allied servicemen; and the Walpooclan Emu
Destruction Committee has already sold £26 worth of emu -feathers to-ap
eastern States buyer at 10/- per Ib. An average. size emu yields aluitat 4 ib,
weight of feathers,
= "Bis olf Js considered hy ald? bushmen as an. infallible remedy, for
wtheumatisin and no better dressing could ‘be used for the etescryation of
harness and other, leather proods.

ht want to make it perfectly clear, however; that farmers’ ha

to lake advantage of the opportunities outlined above. They’ are Kes
in a fight against the enwus'for survival and havc to neglect important jobs
‘just. to shoat dawn as many 2 us possible on God ci the ey te bring
Isft'torot.. Solan Cage! RRS

ai ' Srewalit, Bard Life on Mownl Buffalo Oo

‘BIRD LIFE ON MOUNT BUFFALO
Ry A.C. E. Stewart, Melbourne

Apart frorn the Lyre-hirds, the Buffalo Platean is pot renowner!
For its avifauna. One reason may he that the native hirds found
there, almost without exception, can be observed close to
Melbourne Stil, in the words of Viscoynt Grey of Falloden,
we feel a ‘sense of privilege? to;observe « wild thing free ofall
restraint, Common birds can be an, attraction when we are in
heliday mood, amid magnificent scenery, and breathing the
rarefied atmosphere of over 4,000 feet!

The most pleasant feature of a stay by a regular Buffalo visitor,
from ath to 19th January last, was evidence that the birds.seem
to be “staging a comeback” after the Ates of 1939. This was
‘particularly noticeable with the. Lyre-birds, The former well-
known domain from the Chalet to the Haunted Gorge is arain
tenanted by Mentra after a vacancy of some years. On one
occasion at dusk a family party of male..femele and heir. was
seen and followed for some distance. At other. times the female
cand chick were watched as they scratched for provender jin the
forest debris. Both fed with an air of proprietorship, disdainfal
of prying eves, Lyrebirds were also’ to be seen and heard in
other areas, and Lyre-bird Hill once again enjoys the reputation
implied by the name. The Lyre-bird commensal, -the Pilot-bird.’
too, has returned, Right in front of the Chalet, hy the Guinea-pig
Rock, one was momentarily seen. A little tater. his presence was
confirmed by his distinctive call. :

“Some seventy species of birds have been reliably recorded on
the Platean, at varying altitudes of 4,000 ta 5,600 feet. These
may be broadly grouped as {ay permanent residents known to
‘nést in the vicinity; (b) regtilar spring. and summer visitors
occasionally nesting on the mountain; and (c) birds observed as
accidental ot transitory. The last group contains the largest
number of species. The Victorian treedine limit, approximately
5,000 feet, determines the bird population. Therefore the Jaw of
representation among Austrahan birds laid down by John Gould
<an_bhe properly applied only to species iu. the first group.

This year the commonest hirds were the Rahins— Flame Robins
predominant tiear the Gorve.:and Scariet) Robins at the more
exposed elevations towards .the! Hortic.: Both kinds had. ‘bred
‘freely, manifested ly many nests:located by. members; of.:stafé and
by the prevalence of young birds. “Tha Rise and -Tooded: Rabins
inclided:in Mr, P. R. H. St: John’ 5. list vat the -Chatet, must be
stourded as rart-,visitars..: Orne gmate; “Robin; : ‘either’ a , Flame,,or
Scarlet, was. witnessed ‘hattered: ito death yhy; a. ‘Kookaburra: ite

eigeqae. TTS ea

70 Seewany, Bird Life-on Mount Buffatn Yee ah
Black-backed-Magpies-have multiplied- In-Frank Wdliamson's
phrase, their “wind-blown music came ringing down the mountain”
frequently. On the wooded eminence of Lake View a pair brad
bred, and the fledglings had but recently vacated the empty jest
scen near by. The \White-backed species that had paired during
ti, previous season had vanished. More of a feature are the Grey
Currawongs, often erroneously referred to as Jays. These are
generally secn in small groups of at least three, with a minimuin
of one young bird. They possess a strong territorial sense, and
jealously preserve their selected area from encroachments by other
pairs, Of large size, nei querulous notes when questing for
insects on the trees or ground, but tuneful note on the wing and
when alarmed, also their approachability, make them the subject
of ‘most ‘bird inquiries by Chalet guests. At odd times a Pied
Currawong may be sighted, but no evidence of’ local nesting of
the species is saconled: , ,
~ In the Alps, Rora and fauna associations are conditioned by the
snows and low temperatures of winter. Yet, consistent with the
Australian scene, the Buffalo preserves with eucalypt, wattle and
tea-tree an appropriate bird representation of Parrots and Honey-
eaters. Among the Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, Gang Gangs, and
Yellow-tailed Black ‘Cockstoos appear fegularly each’ summer.
The dominant species, the Crimson Rosellas (Platycereus elegans)
femain on ar contiguous to the Plateau throughout the year.
Common in many’ parts of the State, familiarity tends to make
their delightful attributes pass without comment. John Gould
remarks of them: “When six or eight rose together with outspread
tails of heautiiul pale blue,' offering a decided contrast to ‘the rich
seatlet livery of the body, I never failed to pause and admire:the
splendour of their appearance, of ‘whicli no description can give
an adequate idea; the Platycerci must, in fact, be seen in their
native wilds before their beautiful appearance can be appreciated,
or the interesting nature of their habits. at all understood.'? ©
” The “joy-fights” of Crimson Rosellas appeal to both cye and
‘ear. "They pass thfough the air in & succession of undulations
close to the ground, with accompaniment of gay conversational
chatter, As they feed or move in company among the trees, their
deportment suggests for ‘them ‘the title of playboys of the avian
world. Sometimes down the precipitous gullies they rest and
‘sofély whistle one to another. In the clear distances the tinkling
“sounds are often mistaken for Bell-ntiners. John Gould presum-
‘ably had no opportunily to observe Rosellas in Aight formation
over snow-covered ¢courtiy. Many Buffalo visitors do. In the
sunlight their brilliant plunvege flashes dazzlingly by, ‘and vies
with the colourful: movement of the gaily-clad skiers over the
snow-draped slopes.

Asavst) - Srewant, Bitd Life-on Mount Buffalo 71

Of the lovely Rose-breasted Cockatoo, Captain Sturt, the
explorer, Writes: ‘It is a bird of low country entirely and Jivited
in extent of its habitat, never being found in any great number
on the banks of ihe Darling, or rising higher than 600 fect above
the Jeyel of the sea.”* Sturt’s observation is generally true, for,
unlike the Crimson Rosellas, the Rose-breasted Cockatons do! not
seem to visit the higher ranges in company. However, the Rose-
breasted was noted on tite Plateau by Mr. ‘St. John in 1989, and
this sumer a solitary specimen was sighted at rest on a dead
iree close to Pulpit Roele.

Gang-Gangs can be readily located hy their raucous eres as
they congregate in favoured meeting-places along the forest fringes
of the Long Plain above the Lake, or of the Crystal Brook areas.
Eastern Rosellas abound in the Buckland and Ovens River valleys,
but apparently avoid the heights. Very rarely, when the snow and
other gums are in Hower, the social Lorikeets: (Purple-crowned,
Little and Musk) come to banquet oit tectar and strew the ground
white after orgy with: the blossoms. Other occasional parrot
records are White Cockatoos and the Superb Riverina Paryot
(Palytelis swoinsont) 3

Honeyeaters vary with the season of flowers, Fruits, and insects,
Wattle-birds and Noisy Miners are among the larger species that
are re-established to a limited degree. --Spinebills and White-
plumed Honeyeaters have always heen common, and ‘with the
nubsGcommon White-eared, Lewin, White-naped and Crescent
Honeyeaters, are fairly constant denizens, All breed on. the
mountain, Tn a bush of feacia pllebophylla-on Reed's Lookout, @
Yellow-faced Honey-vater’s nest showed by constant observation
that the female was solely responsible for brooding and feeding
the three callaw young. The pensile nest, was composed of soft
grasses woven with green moss, the latter of a species that must
have been carried by the hird from a considerable distance down
the mountain’ In fact, the vivid colour of this moss, which does:
not occur on the Plateau high-level, attracted the botanist’s eye
in the search for seeds of the acacia, and led to discovery of the
nest.

Those distinctively Australian small birds of the tree-tops, the
Pardalotes, are permanent residents, and their monotonous double
call-notes, ire @ characteristic Buffalo sound on warm still days.
Until recently no indication was given in records of the particular
species in residence. The Chalet list includes ‘the ‘Spotted, Yellow-
tailed; and Striated varieties.’ The hard granitic formation -is
generally linsuitable for nidification of the Spotted, Pardalote; who
must needs fly to (he lower silurian levels to burrow the nesting

92 ‘Stewart, Aird Life vn» Mow Buffalo Mn

tune]. A record of the Spotted species nesting on the Plateau,
however, was made early in December last by Mr. E. Swarbreck.
a Club member, who watched a pair utilizing a burrow in excavated
side of the Lake road. The Yellow-tailed Pardalote is more readily
seen because of the habii'of intermittently descending io the lower
branches of trees after insects. Observations by the stad? show
that this and the Striated Pardaiote nest in the hollows of trees
close by. The discovery of a dead bird on the tennts court by
Miss. N, Taylor of the Chalet office, on January 12th, establishes
ihe Red-tipped Pardulote as an addition to the list, ;

Rather sparsely represented on the Plateau, but particularly
weleome for their calls, are the Harmonious and Mountain
Thrushes, with the Whjte-throated and Brown Tree-creepers. Is
there any other Australian bird that surpasses the Harmonious
Thrush in the exquisite timbre of its voice? If the musircal bird-
lover is. fortunate ‘to hear hoo birds of this species phrasing
simultaneously in proximity to each other, he would detect thar
not only the principles of harmony but also of counterpoint are
beg demonstrated..

Among the small fry inhabiting the Leptosperimean and other
undergrowth, mention may be made of the Thorululls, chiefly the
Yellow-tailed, Striated, Little and Brown species, all purely
insectivorous. The Grey Fantail can be relied upon to give
animation to the thickets that skirt the mummning streams, shaved
at infrequent intervals with the Rufous Fantail, White-brawed
Serub-wrens make rather erratic appearances, and Silvereyes
visit the Gorge environs; but both suddenly flit away without
rhyme or reason... In the summer of 1942 an interesting first
oliservation was of, Satin Plycatchers. These engaging littic
ereatures tcturned this season and showed a preference for
eucalypts on the edges of Lake Catani. ;

Tn a printitive, rugged setting of granite mountains, birds of
prey naturally come into. the line of vision. The many kinds of
lizards. large insects, and smal] defenceless feathered folk attract
even the largest of Raptores; The most majestic of all this ilk,
the Wedgetai] Fagle, is invariably at home. A report of a:pair
that roosted near Dingo: Bel) caused a, wisit -to the spot. Sure
enough, the Eagles soared averhead; also a Swamp-harrier was
‘disturbed, recognized through field-glasses by its imanner -of
fying low over the boggy ground, Other: diurnals to be seen
are, Brown Hawks, Nankeen Kestréls and Peregrine - Falcons.
' ihe only defnite nocturnal, located by. its calls, is the Roobaok

wi, Ra + ete OF wah rly

The more or less level and open tundra expanses on the Buffalp
‘Plateav are thickly clothed with ‘low-growing xérophilous alptne

re
1944.

Stewart, Bird Life on Mau, Buffale a
plants, grasses ‘and sedges, with splagnum bogs intersected with
tortuous watércourses, in winter ‘heavily mantled with snow and
icc. In the summer, despite the wealth .of insect and reptilian
fauna, the seeds and fruit of the luxuriant flora, no distinct types
of bird, migrant or stay-at-home, have evolved iu association.
Consequently the arrival this year, for the first time in twenty-five
years, of a pair of Spur-winged Plovers was an event. The pair
made their abode adjacent to the ranget’s cottage, and their
strident alarm notes fill a gap in the “strange stillness of the
tundra expanses,

Disappointing, too, are the aquatic birds, The fine stretches
of water in the artificial Lake Catani and the Reservoir, with the
‘many gatural pools along the strearhs, carry practically no endemic
water-bird population. The almost sole exception is the Black
‘Duck, which undoubtedly ‘breeds locally, but judged by the
‘continual diminution of numbers, absconds freely, A Little Cor-
morart may be sighted, sometimes a lone Coot, and two years
a White-necked Heton waded along the- margin of the Lake. |
‘Mr. Fred. Chalwell, a trustworthy informant, cites the unusual
‘spectacle of a Little Grebe (Dubchick) on the water: How this
third, with its limited powers of flight, overcame the difficuities of
altitude and distance is an unsolved mystery.- ‘Upor the construc-
tion of the Lake over 30 years ago, Black Swans were liberated.
‘One eked out a Solitary existerlce for a season ar two, and then
‘the rarg avis im terris became a legend.

_ The! complete. absence of foreign birds is noteworthy. The
Plateau is now one of the few Jovalities the overseas visitor ean
he- asstired ety bird he sees is a dinkum Australian. |
Rrvaiercne i
4, Vic, Not) Vol. LVUL, No. 12, April, 1942, i ra = =
‘2. Handbook to the Birds of Aijstrakia, ‘Vol. :

‘3. Handbook to He Birds of Australia, Vol, Il, p 7.
Vic. Neat. Vul. XX, No. MM, March, 1904, f. 150.

’ an ne =

‘i

FEDERAL PROTECTION OF NATURE '

Mr. E- Le G. Troughton's recent’ presidential + address to the Tinnacan
‘Baciety of New South Wales covers ‘fifteen pages in the May issue of ihat
Soricty’s Proceerkbigy and comniends itself to the attention of all who have
tie fate of our Austratian fauna and flora at heart. In an efféclive way,
‘the case is ‘surnenarised ‘tor “Federal control of wild ‘life conservation
~and -the. inimediate institution. of Cominonweaith-wide biological surveys.
Staggering statistics are_quoted of marsupial slaiwhter in The several States
cand it fs. patent, how the lack of trifarm: State laws encourages the (illicit
“trapper, Government ignorance,. apathy, ald muddling, while rare- plants
ann animals vattist) for ever from Australia, are shown fit stark contrast
tothe wise conservation measures adopted in ‘the- bith States. * ad,
cgte a ary \ a Fo J (SP PS o. 3 = ny CELA

74 Tisay, Breeding of the Platypis in Captivity tne rp

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF THE
Ve “* PLATYPUS IN CAPTIVITY

: By Davin Fredy, B.Sc., Die.Eo., .
Director, Badger Creek Sanctuary, Healesville.
Part 4 ~—

' Friday, February 18, was the date of a fourth visit to the
baby Ornithorhynchus. “Jill’’ was now showing definite evidence
of her new coat. ‘The bare patch on her-tail had grown over
and her general appearance was much more neat and tidy. The
youngster now measured 1354 inches at 15 weeks of age. Its fur
was long and glossy and its beak better developed; arid now its
powers of movement were much more pronounced. “Jill” seemed
fonder than ever of her almost adolescent child and refused to
.move out of the nesting chamber at all. Her mammary glands
were, obviously: still- functioning quite well,for she ‘still stayed
out all night consuming quantities of food as Huge as the tested
meal of Deceinber 13,. Once again ‘the baby’s nostrils and upper
beak were caked with hard mud. Attempts to express milk
from “Jill's” mammary avea were unavailing, as, quite rightly,
-she abjected most strenuously, and it would have “done harm
to have held her by force. - . :

The fifth appearance of the young Onithorhynchus was 4
notable one and tock place on February: 22, when it'was aged
just over 16 weeks. On this distinctive occasion, Herald-Cine-
sound News-Reel photographers came by arrangetnent and: filmed
the baby (not in the water, of course)- and both its parents.
“Jill” rose to-the occasion in a most spectacular fashion.- The
youngster was noticeably active on this date, and when placed
temporarily in a large tm filled with dry grass, it tried repeatedly
to crawl out over the top.. When replaced in the nest it crawled
out of sight into the burrow, but a further peep that night
revealed that the comfort-loving little creature had returned to
curl up on its bed of dry leaves, while poor “Jill” was out as
usual hunting. fon its nourishment-in the water, ~

On .this occasion (February 22) when I was feeling for the
baby in. the nesting chamber, it had grown to such a bulk that
TF almost confused it with its mother_ -“‘Jijl’ by the way, gave
in this instance a remarkable display_of mock ferocity. Backs
time my questing- fingers entered -the burrow she seized them
in her cubbery beak-and endeavoured to remove them from the
nesting chamber. Indeed, she “ran” mé out ‘of the burrow to
the accdmpaniment of shrill growling! ..- -- :

There was now: little-doubt that the young platypus could,
if it wished, enter the water and eat adult food. Its weight was

tae _—- Fieav, Breeding of the Platypus in Captitnity 75

just 34 oz. off 1 Ib, and.ils length 13§. inches, For the past
dortilight “Jill! had made no attempts to Pay or block off the
burrows,

There is apparenily a definite relationship ‘bebwedn the amount

of food that it is possible for the mather animal to procure and
the particular time at which: the young ones depart to make
their own way in the world. Over the past six years I have
noticed thai a number of very undersized and miserable baby
platypuses ( “yur” among them), have been discovered in all sorts
of odd places in the Healesville district during the weeks of
fate January and mid-February. Some have been th a dying
condition when caught, Two that we found in Lake Yurmbunga,
Chun ‘Creck, Healesville, were so weal that they were picked
out of the water by hand.
- Evidently then, unless something tringens to the mother, or for
réasons of a dimimishing food supply, when the young platypuses
are foreed te move out prematurely, they stay im the nursery
for a long period (in this case 17 weeks), and when finally
taking to the water at 13-14 inches in length they are thoroughly
well grown and able to care for themselves. In the case of
“Jill's” baby the mother herself lacked for very little in the
way of food, and she had no distance lo go and gather it, 50
that the young onc, itself the sole member of 4 family which
in the wild state usually numbers two, enjoyed conditions of the
very best kind.

It left the tunnels for ifs first observed outimg in the water
at 5.15 pm, (E.S.T.) om February 26, unattended by the,
mather, and .immediately commenced feeding sparingly upon
anual yabbies, beetle larve, und other items of alult food. Its
length was still 13/4 inches, its weight 1 tb., and’ its age,
corresponding - to the lengtly. of time it had spent tn the nest, was
i7 weeks,

In fact, the date of its:debur was just a day over four complete
months since the notahle October 25 when “Jill” retired to fay’
and conimence her period of incubation’ “There is“little doubt
that for at least 16 weeks the young-animal remained itrnabile
in the nesting chamber, feeding from its ‘mother during Her
presence at home, but otherwise curling up and: spending” its
entire time asleep in the nesting chamber.

The excursions of the little animal inte the water, beginning
in the Jate afternoon of February 26, by no’ineans ushered ‘in a
new phase of independence, though doubtless many ‘Young
platypuses—particularly those found wandering. sormé ‘distance
from water—lose contact with their mothers at ~this~ stage,
especially when the nesting-burrow entrance is many feet irom

Vict. Nat,
Vol. 62

76 Fitay, Brecdiig of the, Platypys in Capitvity
the water's edge wp a’ steeply ‘sloping bank, I recall that all the
well-grown young platypuses Ihave captured in Healesville
streamts during the month of March have Teen on the thin side,
with strap-like tails, which seems to indicate that the good
condition of norntal nest-leaving young is an important prerequisite
towards the difficult early stages of enforced independence.

. The young animal's activities over succeeding days to date
af having these notes typed may be summarized as follows :—

Date
Fel. 26, 1944

Time Spent in, Water. Activities of young animal
and mother,

First outing 5.15 p.m. ia On each dale the mother ani-

hefore 845 p.m.

mal appeared in the vicinity

Feb. 27. Out 7.15 pan, In before of 7 pm, eating all night
° 10 p.m. through as she had done ore-

Feb, 28 Out 7.15 pan, In hefore viously. During daylight,
fiws 4 9 pm, . she and the baby were curled
Feb. 29 , Out approx. 7,30 p.m, fn up together as usual in the
} 10.15 p.m, nesting chambsr, As usual,
Mar, | Brought out for first “Jil" seized. my fingers when

ublic switn, 3.30 pan

1 opened the bag plug in

Not seen in evening nest and ‘endcayoured to
: “tan” me out This matermal
solicitude, her contimucd

enormous appeute and, the

fact that the youngster ate

only a small amount during

tts two ‘or three hours

abroad at might indicated

| that she was still novrishing

it,on milk, The weaning

neriod had evidently begun. *

hiv the syaler at night ‘Jill!’ played with her baby, swimming
about it and nuzzling. it with her bill,-and-once or twice she
playfully pulled it off. Janding-stages.. There was no evidence
that she masticated food for it or foraged for it in any way;
Hoth animals -frequently splesh-dived—"‘Jil!" in meck alarm but
the youngster quite frightened on occasions, It was clear that
the fat,-healthy little creature became both fatigued and very
cold after a three-hour swim in the evenings of those early days,

Sure signs were a hymping of her back and repeated attempts
to. scratch her flanks and back with the claws of her back feet,
These symptoms foretold an early departure into the burrow;
“Sill” was rather an unsympathetic mother on various occasions,
she levered her tired offspring back into the water once or twice
before it was able to-retire—and then pushed her head after
it into-the tunnel as much as to. say, “What! So soon?" It
will .be interesting to fnd out how lang her maternal -solicitude

continues. - ' beth 28

‘Mia | | Fekay, Breeding of the Pldtypus in Captivity iF

Apropos of this, 1 happened that on March 6, 1937, I dug
outa platypus burrow in the banks of the Barwon River, south
of Winchelsea, Victoria, and found in @ nest a fine female with
@ young male duckbill practically the same size as herself. What
he was tong in the nursery at that advanced stage has often
frizzled trie, It seems, however, that he was still ted to his
mother’s “apron strings.” curve

Now that “Jill's” baby has ventured imio the world, she
hecomes a personality, She is to be known as Corrie, an
abbreviation of “Coranderrk,” aboriginal term for the Creek of.
the Christmas Bush (Prostanthera), which is actually the name
of beth the Sanctuary and adjoining forest lands through whick
Tuns sylvan Badger Creek, y .

‘Sad to say, “Corrie’s” advertised debnt before the public on the
Sunday afternoon following her baptism. proved a total fiasco..
“Hl took the stage in her usual self-contained fashion. “Corrie
however, became coy for the first time and scuttled deep down
into “hasement™ burrows below the nursery. Instead of a 3.30 p.m
“Grand Show,” “Corrie” was tiot uneatthed until 5.30 p.m. after a
Sunday afternoon's heavy shovel work. Most of our visitors hed
then gone home--but still we kept our word and showed “Corrie,”
“Jack” and “Jill” to the handful of reimaining enthusiasts.

At this time, w fortnight alter her first aquatic éxcurston, “Corrie”
had become rather furtive and wild and now stayed out practically
ihe whole night tong with “Jill,’ in the water. Lfowever, the fairly
frequent eatly handling and “Jill’s” example of fearless feeding at
afternoon show periods (at which both baby and mother were
now made to appear) soon bore excellent. results.

“Corrie” continued to sleep in the sanin.tiest with her mother
and possibly was still suckled to a small extent until approoimately
March 25, follawing which date mother and baby “camped” during
daylight in separate burrows. “'Corvie’s” appetite was now the
giuttonous one of an adult. - Her length at this mdepemlent aga:
of practically five months—that-is, a month following her first
visit te the water—was 142 inches. and so excellent was her
condition that at first glance mother and youngster in the water
appeared alinost as twins, '!Corrie’s’ beak, however, was definitely
smaller than “Jill's.” Ho

Feeding vigorously wherever the occasion preseuts itself, yolling
an ber back and playLully scratching herself, clinging with all four
feet to any hand that approaches her, nv playing. “chasie" by holding
on to her mother’s tail with her beak, “Corrie” at the end of
March, 1944, had become the most frolicsonic, fat and engaging
little duckbill one could imagine. I am airaid that “Jill's” star
that has been in the asvetdent for so long wilt be eclipsed, for in

78. Frray, Breeding of the Platypus in Captints “ee ie

addition.to her personality “Corrie” should grow to be a much
bigger animtal.

“Jill” is already adopting stern measures for-the suppresston of
precocious daughters and i the rivalry for possession of food
items she clantbers firmly upon “Corrie's” backs seeing to it that
her offspring's head is pushed well below the wafer |

SUMMARY OF FACTS NOTED DURING THE BREEDING OF
THE PLATYPUS

44) The mother gathers all her nesting materral soaking wet from the
water and carries it in the prehensile grip of leer tail,

{2) Her incubation period when dhe remains in her nest is probably as
short a& one week and no more than ten days,

(3) The maternal instinct is very well developed. ;

(4) The mother’s appetite in the early life of naked rapidly growing soung
up to roughly six weeks of age develops enormously, Jill {2 Ibe
weight) ate om Deceinber 13 12 Ibs. food in ane night,

45) The youngster js totally blind till approximately eleven weeks of age.
It is imaetive in the nest for a further six weeks. _

46) Jt ventured out for its first swim at the ave of 17 weeks, or four
months, -
(7) Early aquatie excursions coinciding with the ansct of the weaning

phase were of very brief duration, and little food was eater,

(8) The young animal developed the typical gluttonows appetite of an adult
within three weeks of first nest-leaving, though matermal solicitude
continued for aesrly a month after the first water excursion, Weanmig
period is evidently some three weeks in extent.

From March 25, 1944, onwards with the youngster's age almast five
months, the two animals no longer inhabited the same daytime nest.
Length at totally independent stage on this date 144 inches.

(Coneluded.)

CLUSTERING OF WOOD-SWALLOWS :

This is just a sort of answer to a question that was asked some weeks
agdé at the F.N, meeting regarding the swarming of the Dusky Wood-
Swallow (Artamus sardidus), As a mutter of fact it is the usual habit
ol -these birds ta mass together at night instead af perching as most birds
alo. They will clyg toa tree trunk, in a crevice or any suitable place where
they can dluster. I kept and bred these birds years avo in my aviaries at
Ciiftos Hill and IT know that they always chustered at night, sometimes
clinging to a rafter of the aviary, During the breeding season the bird
that was not silting on the eggs usually clutg to the side of the est or
nearby, The White-browed Wood-Swallows are not so gregayious but
they cling to the branch of a tree or on the trunk in preference to perching.
Wood-Swallows are interesting birds to keep as they are most friendly,
but they need 2 large flight aviary, as I believe most hirds do.

: : Heren Bowtr.

Sy tthe STARLING AND: CENTIPEDE i,
_ ‘A petuliac occurrence is mentioned by a contemporary: ~ <j

A starhng fiew into the garden with something on its Jeg, und when-we
canght the bird we folnd St to be a centpede about 4 in, long. It had
erawled ‘up the bird's Teg and had it nearly eaten off. We took the
centipede of and let the bird go, and hope it will live.

‘cu Martineier, Radial Rays and. “Tustiact™™ 9

RADIAL RAYS AND “INSTLNCT"
(To the Editor)

” Sip —The origmal discussion ow the subject of radial rays and instinct
arose througt a habit altributed ta the Ree? Heron in which EF iwaintaiined
that tts belsaviour in timing the chang¢.of the tide was due ta the influence
of some form of tay directing it, such as those which radiate or? are
enlitted as distince from otler forms af ray. Also, that “instinct” could. ant
be applied since it was "an indefinite and redandant wart Dr. Flecker has
been unable to controvert either pf my postulates. He assumed that the
sight of the bird enabled it te proceed tu sea at the precise -momeit,
Jorgeuing that, im many mstances, the curvature of the earth preventerl this..
Te further casts dottbts on rays affecting the uction of birds,

When both my original paints had been shown by me to he. fundamentally
correct, supported as they were by facts of experiments in.Spain, he says
that these facts arc “yague and absolutely incanclusive,” thus making a
dagniatic, unsupported statement, ‘
> For the orderly arrangement of Nature's manifestations nomenclatural
refinement cannot remain static, and the type af ray must be defined when
dealing with it since there are numerous rays associated with mapgneto-
clectnc infiaences dn the environinent. All persons have the night to express
themselves, For instance; the word “Radar was employed to distinguish
this ray from others such as for instance the rebounding say used in
navigation, Cowrented with -cstablished facts cated by me, Dr, Flecker
has the temerity to state that the Spanish experiments are ‘vague and
absolutely ineouclasive.” By so doing he denies facts unjistifiably since
many tests were made by the Spamish authorities and afterwards more
exacting oles by Germans, all of which established the effect of rarliating
rays an the oricwtation of carrier pigeons. Thus it has been ‘conelusively
established that the rays of the environment do affect birds. That which
has been proven cannot be stigmalised as a “dogmatic statement,” but is
wicceptable evidence, ' .

Regarding the use of the ward "anstinel,” no proper reply has been niade
wherein [ ttemized two well-known factors operating in conjunction, namely,
that pf the organic structure of animals and the stimuli of the environment,
both known. factors of the cyolutionary processes subscribed to by most
ecientists. ‘lo tery to offset a bad position. Or. Flecker has used some
inappropriate similies, Tor instance, he stated that-the «use of the term
“raduil rays" spears to be just as intelligible as “musical music’ and
“painiul pein’ The average-cidizen knows dhat there is harmonious music
and discordant music and excruciating pain’and feeble nerve disturbance,
However, the similics ate not felevant tu the issue. ' \

Lei me quote what Professor C J. Patten says; "I cannot subscribe ta
fhe idea that the desired goal reached hy the migrating bird, andthe home-
coming of the trained pigeot, are due tone other than ‘unqonscious unerriug
instinct’ The speed of Aight, the keenness of visual -observation, and the
endowmet of a refentive memory jorm the'chief bul net the whole equip-
ment through which birds have acyuired "place memory'” T might add
oes ie ofer missing factor directing the Right of migrating birds is that
of radial rays. .

Professor Planck formulated the theory that the enetiey (vibrations or
radiations} given off by any living maller, whether it a live cell ov
living animal, once: started, never ceases to vibrate, even after death of ihe
cell or animal, This is in conformity with the ceaseless anrl perpetual
mation of raya of the environment as postulated by me, i

‘ _ Yours, etc, T ; _
Melbourne, —- AstHum H. E. Marrnaren

a?

80 Cook, Radial Rays and Rind Bekaviony vee om

RADIAL RAYS AND. BIRD BEHAVIOUR
(‘To the Editar)

Sir—I note Dr. Flecker's remarks re “ltadial Rays and Bind Behayiour.”
Gratmnatucally T agree with his cruticism of “radial rays," but 99 our of
100 people will understand what is.meant by the tean—ie., Yays expanding
in all directions trom a centre, as against beam of directional rays,
“Musical music” may be tautology, but the man in the street would under-
stand its meaning, unless he be like -the individial who recognizes but one
air by rrame and that only jor the reason that people stand with bare heads
when it is played.

However, with dug respect, this all is beside the mark, The fact remains
that sufficient evidence is commie forward to enable us to believe that the
actions of birds, animals, ere, are actuated! to a very gveat) extent hy radial
waves. The Spanish experiment with pigeons, backed up as it was b
experiments in Germany, was either, “vague? not “absolutely inconclusive.”
These tested experiments are very much, the reversé, The radio-location
and other instruments being- used in’ the present war—which we will hear
abayt in more detail after the struggle-is over—will be practical evidence
of how radial waves can be uel in this direction. This evidence will assist
us to understand—hacked up as it is by many natural cxamples—what is
behind the behaviour of our feathered friends which we Jaliel “invstinet/*

- ; ; ' Yours, etc.)
Walkerstan, ' A. A. Cook.
Mackay, Queenslaid. i :

A GALAH THAT ESCAPED

Reports of Galahs and other Cockaloos encountering electric wires are
fot uncommon, What is probably mare unusual, is for an observer to see
all stages of the encaunter {rdin stare ta fitasll, and alse to see a hird
survive the ordeal of electrification, This was my experience an a recent
Saturday afternoon st Brighton. :

This particular Galah was seén lo fiy overhead and alight, aleit.iwo
fect from a pole, om one of two high-tension wires, These wires were
supported by a Cross-bar at the tap ofthe pole. With a few steps alon
the wire, tie dtd was soon testing the top of the pole with its beak, an
then commenced to explore the cross-bar, Finally, it reached one end of
He bar and, ‘inturning,. appeared to'lose-halance. Stretching ott its sects,
it graspeil the tearrst wire in is Weak and immediately became fixed. It
was to remain jn that position for the next iwenly minutes.

The instant the hird grasped ithe wire its wings commenced to droop and
the tail feathers lowly spread out. A very slight, regular vibration of the
extended wings and tail was hoticedble during the period of capture, At
one stage the bird emitted a number of deep guttural crics, which gradually
died away. within a few minutes. - . Des Y

Within a few ‘minutes. of the Galah's capture a neighbour had telephoned
the Efectricity Commission, and about a quarter af an hour Jater linesmen
appeared om the scene, Just as theie car was pulling inter the kerb, the birel
fell to the #round. . ; : :

The bird wis scon on. its feet and, alter staggering around for a-iew
aminutes, quickly regained its.sense of balance—nat to mention. its ability to
draw blood from the hand of-ane of the linesinen., A slightly burnt toe
svemed to be the only damage, jt suffered from its expericnce with, a" wire
carrying 400%) volts of slectricity. Apparently its escape fram inciteration
was due to the Jact that it; had reeeived only a few-volts off the current,
and.,(he, pole, -bhemng dry, made a poor conductor with the earth. | ;

red " ie Re of A. / - F, G. Erroro.

’

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. 61—No. 5 September 8, B 1944 > Ne, 729

PROCEEDINGS

Vhe monthly meeting of the Club was held on Auvust 14. 1944,
at the Roval Society’s Hall, where the President (Mr. Ivo C.
Hammiet) and about 100 members and friends atlendect.

The President announced the death of Mrs. W. H. Wicholls,

-and Mr. P. R. St. John, two very good [riends of the Cla, Mr,
St. John being a past President although not a inember at the
time of his death, A tribute to the memory of these friends was
paid by those present_ oe

Excursion reports were given as follows; National Museum,
M+, Tyoa-C, Hammer (for. Mr. Maclk) ; Melbourne Streets, Mr.
F. 5. Colliver (for Mr. A. C. Frostick).

The following were elected as Ordinary Manbers; VX82270
Gr.-f. 1S, Slatter, Mr, E. J. Cope, My, Keith Winsor: as Country
Member: Mr- Geoff. Huston: as Associate Member: Master B,
Grant, - -

NATURE NOTES

Mr. V. HW. Miller reported on a Blackbird feeding young at (he
beginning of August ; locality, Brighton district,

Mr. A. A, Brunton reported seeing a Platypus m the Maribyr-
nong River, near Keilor.
_ Mr. H. ‘T, Reeves remarked that Platypnses were often seen
near the Footscray Gardens, and Mr, F..S. Colliver siated he
had a record of one heing seen near Princes Bridge just priot 1
the war.

SHARKS. FISH AND CRUSTACEANS

An illustrated lecture was given by Mr. P. FL Morris, who
mentioned a sinple-classification of the fish, differences bet\veen
these arid sharks, and also some interesting items on both marme
and fresh-water crustacea. Mention was made alsa of life
histories and, the lack of knowledge of some of the Victorian forms,
problems die to introduction of foreigiy sporting fish, problems
due to erosion and its effect.on the fish fauna of our streams, the
necessity ol proper fisheries: yesearch, etc, Altogether a very
interesting. lecture. was given hy My, Morris, and uch infor wia-
tion waa afforded those present:

2 Jyavey. Sas Lizards | Hao Kept one

SOME: LIZARDS L WAVE KEPT
By 17. W. Davey, Melbourne

VE tiga ds, or indeed any of our Australian reptiles and auiphibia,
ule given suitable fiving conditions, they can afford great pleasure
ios naturalist. fn this paper a stlection is made from the numerous
lizards T haye kept iy captivity, and is dealt with under five family
headings.

1. GECKONIDA

The geckos are well represented in Australia, and diligent sesrels
would probably increase the present number of species recorded
jor Victoria. Several years. ago the writer discovered a pretty
lithe gecko (Heteronvta Inystoek) al Mildura and supplied the
Melhourne Museum with specimens, but only recently has it again
heen talen it, our State, This gecko apparently does not leave
the ground, but prefers to shelter under logs, etc, Other genera
(eg. G qannadact yes. which 1 have taken only [rom beneath
inoken stabs of gyanite) favour stony country, while others agsin,
such as Phyllodactyher, are mostly found under the loose hark of
trees, usually high up From the ground.

Geckos are harcly little fellows. and succeed. in captivity; the
writer still possesses, sbve and well.a spectinen of Gymurodactylus
watinsn that has lived m a small glass-sided case (2 ft. x 10 ins.
x Sins) for over seven years, in company with two other geckos—
G. ntlins for hve and a Phytladactylus aavmoralus tor over four
years. ‘hese hizards are extreinely fond of spiders, which are not
always plentifnl, but they do equally well on the mealworm larvae
on Tenebria nwlitor, a beetle which may be bred easily and in
ereat quantity :

The mose remarkable thing about Gymnadactwas onilivsit is the
number of ties it sheds its skin—never less than four per year,
lui some years ag many as six times. After the skin is shed this
species displays a pretty pattern, but just prior to moulting all
geckos become quite grey in colour, dug to a separation of the old
fram the new skin heneath,

J have reared Phylodactytus marmoratnus Tron ees lanl in
captivity (hard-shelled, unlike most other lizard cegs)}, and it is
interesting to note (he length of time it takes for the eggs te
batch, viz. 207 days, Each year the female of P s»armorates
lays only ‘two eggs. which can easily he seeg inside her body
as she crawls up the glass of her cage.

Jn the Mallee, 1 have also collected a specimen nt Diploductylus
spinigeras, of whieh another was later given me by My, Erasmus
Wilson. While in the Winimera district it was my good forfine
to obtain D. vittates and ID. straphiures.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vow. ol September, 1944

Prare il

A Northern Geeko,

Rearded Dragon ¢.farplaboduris barbatus.

be eerie Davey, Some diewede f Moar Kept 9

Geckos fese their’ tails very readily, but it takes them a lony
lime «© grow new anes. Most writers on this subject advance the
theary that the involuntary movements in the dropped tail se
attract.a potential encmy’s notice that the taj-less owner is enabled
ta make good his escape; this, in the writer's. opinion, does not
appear fo be a satisfactory conclusion, for he can see no resson
why the predator Utat broke off the tail shotld lose sight of its
late owner --by far the larger object. Then again, a gecko. withont
us tart would have little chance of escape next tine, im having no
means wherehy to intrigue its enemy, Many lizards of the
Scinctde part with their tails like geckos, yet other' genera in the
same fannly do not; thus, if losing the tait cam save the life of
one species, why should not similay species in the same family
he. likewise fayoured? The little swale-like lizards (in the family
Pygopodide:) are “nearly all tail” anc are very helpless creatures
indeed 3f they Jose ar, which ean aceur readily enough. |

2. ACGAMIDE

This is a-large family. wnany of which thrive in captinily Most
of the Aganude are very active and their enclosure must be
covered] willl wire-setting to preven{ escapes, The Bearded
Lizards Amphibolurus barbotis-and 4_ musicals, commonly but
ioulishly named “Blood-suckers,” are well known but require
reasonable space in captivity. A smaller species is the pretiy
J pictus, which 15 highly coloured, is fairly common in “hlie-
bush” country around Mildura, and makes a delightfol pet. A
small agamid (Tyimponocrpptis lineate) thay was once so plentiful
on the plains toward the You Yangs, never did well with a»e—
probably due to the lack of a balanced spider and caterpillar cliet.
also to the fact thar these lizards naturally inhabit holes in the
ground, and it is diffierlt to imitate the right sot! condition so as
to prevent their burrows Tron collapsing.

The so-called “Gippsland Crocodile’ (Physignathus -lesueurtt)
is quite at home near a small pond in which it cun disappear when
alarmed. Tt appears to sulk awhile after capture, hut at the end
rf eight or nme days will eat insects, as well as sinall pieces of raw
meat. | am not likely to forget my first.encounter with this lizard
at Dargo River, where it is very numerous; as soon as I realized
their presence | was anxious to, procure a specimen, but the
problem was how to capture one alive,

Physignathns does not travel far from water, usually keeping
the tip of its tail therein and plunging al the slightesi sign of
impending danger. The banks of the river near Dargo township
are so high and steep that it weuld le quite useless attempting
to get hear these lizards from the water's edge, Lut by means of a

bo] Davey, Same Lisards | live Kept Meet. BS .

Jong sGck-and a much Jonger piece of strmg I was able to snare
cone; “and. very ‘shortly afterwards sccared another -fine specimen.
‘To hold the ‘first- reptile and take the second out of the string
noose, without one or ather escaping, was a problem, since these
Neards can scratch like any cat;,-my wrists told a sorry story
when I eventually: got back to the Dargo Hotel, a wriggling.
‘scratching lizard in each hand, JF subsequently gaye ove off them
‘to the late Sir-Baldwim Spencer,

The prickly ““Mountam Devil” (Moloch horridnus) from the
‘Inland is far-from being horrid, either in appearance or behaviour,
and is. rather- prettily coloured,, I have kept at different times
several vf these quaint liltke.creatures, The first specitnens | ever
received were kindly presented hy, Mr. John Clark (Entomologist
‘at the National Museum, Melbourne); Mr. Clark was then living
4n Perth, W.A, With the arrival of these ant-eating lizards, I
was perplexed to discover the insect species upon which they
would feed; many different ants were callécted in the “bush” and
tried out, notably Jridomyrimex detectus, T, nitidns, Ectatommne
metallica; Monomorium, Camponotus, and Pheidole- species.
Moloch simply ignored -them ajl. At fast I proffered the small
evil-smelhing ant Iridomyrmex rufoniger var. domesticus and then
ihe fizards’ troubles—and mine—were over-

The average number of ants-eaten per lizard per minute is 45,
providing the day be warm and ants plentiful, so that for two
meals a day of about 15 minutes’ duration each Moloch. will
consume approximately 1,350 ants daily! These animals are of
absorbing interest and, for a more detailed account than js possible
here, TE would refer readers to my speci article in this journal
(Vol. 40, page 58) wherein are discussed their drinking and sleep-
ing habits, the hygraseopic nature of their skins, ete, ;
_ Some years ago Mr. Norman,McCance sent me-a very fine
example of the North Australian “Frill-neck” (Cifamydosaurus
hingn) which, tike the “Gippsland Crocodile,”, refused food for
several days alter arrival. To entice a sulky lizard, it is best io
keep, the food moving, su J used a sliver of beef on the end af a
stick and, by moving this in frant. of my “Frill-neck,” it began ta
take notice and Jater. snapped the meat off the stick; after that,
it took to mealworms and would eat many in succession.

_ + (To he cantinued.4

peek PERSONAL 7

_ Two leading Australian" zoological scientists ‘liave terminated employment
in which they fave rendered sownl service during many ycars—Mr. John
Clark has fesigned fram. his position as Entamologist. at the National
Mascnm, Melbourne, ané Mr. Tom Lredale has retired fronrthe office of
Concholoyist at the Australian Museum, Sydney. vo eg

Beier Canes as. cbonaite Plants ag Autiseplics 83:

AROMATIC PLANTS AS ANTISEPTICS
By Eorri Connman, Blackharn, Vietdiria. —

"Pwo interesting reports of-the vse of aromatic herbs for nesling
material partly confirm my Sugyestion that they are user as insect
repellanis,

As related in the #N. (Jan. 1944), in October, 1942. and
October, 1943, leaves were stripped from a rate Pyrethrum, the
only plant of the kind in the garden. A goldfinch's nest was foune
to be almost entirely constructed with’ the silvery leayes. Au
interesting note in Wild Life (March, 1944) relates-to' a gold-
finch’s nest in a Northcote garden constructed with sprigs of
‘Thyme, again taken from the only plant of the kind in that garded,

The antiseptic theory was carried a step further when, recently,
Dr, O'Shaughnessy told me of.a spartow's nest built- with sprigs
of Rue (Ruta graveolens). Some hirds, the yellow robin’. for
instance, aften place green leaves flat on-the Hoor of the nest. |
had assumed that it was done as a hygienic precaution, -Such.
Icaves, if soiled, would be easily removed; yet, except when parents
{and young) are perturbed by the proximity, of observers, the
nests vf most birds are rarely soiled,

The use of Pyrethrums as mseect sprays aud powders i is well,
known. Tt is significant that Thyme contains thymol, a powerful.
antiseptic, which is official in pharmacy. From very early times”
dried Thyme has been used as an insect-bane and the preen juice
as a powerful deodvraut. Both Virgil and Pliny refer to its use
as 2 fomigator, The use by the birds of Rue is even more
signiheant.- This is one of the oldest and most interesting” ot
garden plants. Hs grey-green, or silver, foliage’ is powertuliy
scented. ““Kank-smedhng” "Rue, : Spenser calls it, ,with some justice.
Freshly rubbed on the bands, the smelt is most ta a but
it dries with a pleasant, gorse-like fragrance.

From Saxon limes until.the nineteenth century Rue was regarded
ag an antiseptic with almost magical powers to ward off contagious
diseases. and to banish insects. Rue-water was sprinkied in_
houses as a flea-bane. Gerard, the Elizabethan, quoting botlt
Dioscondes and Pliny, tells us that wasps, bees. hornets, elc,, will.
nut- han a man who anoints himself: with the juice of Rue, Its.
very smell drives away the serpent; so ‘when a weasel is to fight
the serpent she.armeth herself by eating Rue” He adds: “The
luaves. aré good against all evil_airs, the. plague or pestilence, and
vesist all. poisons.” :

Pliny, whe lists,84 ills for which Rue-was a remedy, writes” of
it as one ofthe most active of medicinal planls. He ts right when-
he says that large doses are harmful-—they may ever cause vertigo

: P re Viet. Nat.
5) Careman, Aremabc Plants os Aitlisepiies h Vasa

—hut his statement that the juice of Hemlock acts as an antidote
minst be accepted with caution,

It it fascinating ta look back ta those days when even physicians
had such simple, unquestioning faith in the powers of these charm-
ing old herbs.

Rie maketh chaste; and che preserveth sight;
Tafteseth wit, and putteth fleas to flight,

So runs an old rhyme attributed to the School of Salerno, the
oldest school of medicine iii Europe, which has been described as
“uncontaminated by superstitious medicines.”

Rue (Shakespeare's herb of grace) was given by Ophelia lo
Hamlet's mother, as a preserver af chastity, If we may believe
the old writers, Rue banished insects more loathsome than the
flea. Long before gaol fever (typhus) was known to be carried
by the body louse, Rue was scattered in courts of justice ta protect
officials from the terrible disease. A bunch of it was placed on
the. bench near the dock as a defensive against any infection
hrought by prisoners from the gaol, Says Dr. Thornton (1810) :
“Ruc is supposed to be anti-pestilential, hence aur judges have
their noses tegaled with this most foetid plant.”

It world be mteresting to learr whether Rue, natural oy syn-
thetic, has any part in the new antiseptic used to treat garments
issued to soldiers in the present war.

There would seem, then, to be little question as to the antisepti¢
properties of the three herhs used as nesting maternal,

Accepting the suggestion that birds employ them as insect
repellants, how do they recognize their antiseptic properties if Uhey
have so litte sense.of smell? When watching birds closely [t is
almost impossible ta keep them unuwaré of our proximity. Na
matter how carefully hidden, how quiet and motionless we may be,
something apprises them of otir preseuce, Stricture of the brain
would seem to preclude smell as the explanation; but does it?

A tame Frogmouth which relished mice refused a baby rat
which ID could scarcely distinguish from a mouse. Jt was’ held
above his bill where he could not possibly see it without moving
his head, and this he refused to du. We tried for a long-while to
induce him to take it, yet. a moment later when a mouse was held
in exactly the same position he gulped it down at once. He cotild
nol have seen it until he raised his bill to snateh. :

Many instances are recorded of the fondness of animals, includ-
ing fish, for herbs. “The hidden virtues of herbs is such that the
very brute beasts have fownd it out,” says Pliny, and from
Theophrastus we learn that the sheep of one place will not est
bitter wormwood, hut the sheep of Pontus fall on it—‘consequently
they have no hile” Tzaak Waltun's friend Oliver Henly caught

TILE VICTORIAN NATORALIST Vor. ol Sepleimber, 1944

Phare I

Vellow Robin at Nest.
Phato.: A. Hl Coishalm.

Wedge-tailed Hagle bringing green branch te nest, probably as disinfectant.
Photo,: D. W. Gaukredger.

Sentomeecer )

yod4 Cunssers, elvomatic Plants as Aatise plies x7

more salmon and trout than anyhody else, This was very puezling

lo Jzaak and the rest, nnlit it was revealed that, befare baiting his” '

took, Oliver's worms were put ints a box whieh had heen, anonited
with a few drops of ail of ivy berries. ‘Ihe worms, ahsarbing the
odour, were, irresistible, to the fslt. ,

Birds love the purple-black ivy berries. The leaves were ance
warn a5 wreaths to prevent intoxication during Bacehanalian
orgies, and a bush of ivy advertised good. wine, until some ann:
keeper discovered that goad wine needs 110 bush.

The fondness of dogs and other anjmals for anise is well known.
and anise is suid to he the rat-cateher’s second-best hat,

Bees love many herbs, which is why, from the time of Virgil, it
was customary lo rub a new hive with Balm, Savay, Melilot, etc,
On the uther hand. a sting was the direct result of rubbing a leaf
al Bergamot (Morerde) ton near my bees! Many animals are
attracted by Musk (natural and wsynthetic) und. the oils of,
Lavender, Catnip and Rhodiuny. The latter, a kind i Con-
volvulus, is said to be the finest of all war baits. ,

A few drops of oil of Bergamot {Bergamot-orange, - not
Monatda) rubbed on the bill is said to tame the wildest of birds.
First catch your bird!

The passion of cuts [or Valerian. Catnip and Cat-thyme amounts
to intoxication, The latter was once known 4s Herba-catti. My
own plants were clestroyed by cats until a fellow-enthusiast told
me that his planis were enclosed with wire netting. Each morning
E had found them broken down, and the ground about then rolled

smooth. Many members will remember a story told by Mr
Charles Oke, for many years secretary of this club, He convulsed
as with laughter while describing the antics of a nunther of cats,
as they rolled im contortions of ecstasy (or intoxication) over his
rublush-heap on which he had emptied dust and ant-debris from
his collecting case.

Some research ints ihe stent of those anes and a vowparison
with the aifs of Cat-thyme and other cat-favoured herbs might
disclase a link connecting “anting’ hy hirds and the use of
arowatic herbs as nesting: inaterial.

Catnip, when chewed, is said to make the most gentle animal or
person trerce and guarrelsome—which is why a certain hangman
could never work himself up to perform his office until he had
eaten some |

Numerous plants are repellant to insects. One need only cite
the ails of Citronella, Lavender, and Cloves. Although anany
plants are called “fiea-hane," onion juice is said tu be the Lest bane
of all, Are onion leaves ever seen in birds’ nests?’ I find that
Penty royal: believed to banish fleas from a dog's kennel, banishes
the dog too!

BB Cunmaran, eeamiatic Phuts as Antiscplics Wet ae

Camphoryood and Sandalwood are two other well-known
insect repellants. Are cheir leaves noticed by birds? Jlow many
birdsjline their nests with gin leaves?

Birds are said never to touch Fennel, yet this herly shaves: at
least one of the virtues of Rue; bat unlike Fennel, Rie would wit
no canmendation Irom Falstaff as an accompaniment of conger
cel. , .

In this garden birds have shown a fondness for leaves and seeds
of way plants, such as ‘Marigold, Elecanpane, Helenium, Dan-
delion, Récket, Spoonwort, and even.such narcotic herbs as Deadly-
nightshade an! Henbane. Ji is possible thar whet exploiting the-
plants tor food they discoverer their antiseptic properties.

‘For a further note on the rare Pyrethram whieh started chis
discussion I ant again indebted to Mr, Willis, Jt as referred to in
Flore and Sifve (April, 1937) as endemic bo the Canary Islands.
Although discovered berween 1836 and 1850. ir was not found
again until rediseoveerd by Dr. O. Burchard {wha published an
account of the flora.of the Canary Islands} growing among rocks
at an altitude of 1,400. to 1,500 metres. on the island of Gran
Canaria, ;

[A question mark muir he placed agaist Mrs. Columan’s statement that!
“some birds, the yellow robin for ‘instance, often place green Jeayes an the
floar of the vest." The leaves used by tte yellow robin, sind by the pale-
yellaw robins of the north'as well, are always dzy, and they appear to serve
onlv:as carpets. No other-lieds that [ can recall tnake a practice of placing
green leaves oi, the floor of the nest, but same of the birds of prey, and:
it particular the wedge-tailed cagle, often bring green brancliicts tothe nest
when young: are present, and apparently this i5 either te serve ae an
antiseptic or to cover ‘the portions soiled by the youny. That paint aside,
a good deal of-suggestive matenal is contained in the wbove article. and jt
ix hoped-that readers will endeavour to follow it up, At present cng of the
diffecinties ts te reconcile the useof aromatic plants with the apparent fact
{hat mast birds are-poorly endowed with a sense of smell—A. ILC)

BIRNS AND ELUCTRIC WIRES

"Can you explain,” asks “R.W.L." (Geelong) how it is that birt ‘curt
nefech without harm upon high tension electric wires, while camact with.
these wires’ would be fatal to human beings?”

It.would surprise me to learn that birds are in any way twunuue., A faird
might, of course, perch -uoharnied pow a single wire. but af at tonched
shother wire in thé vicinity, at the same time completing the circuit, there
would be sudden trouble, Opossums, especially ringtails, often use a single
Wire as a right-of-way, but a aged many have heen electrocuted in getting
in touch with a stund wire, “RAWLL. has evidently not heard the stucy
af the old tady, who, seeing.an clectric Lramewire on tho ground,.asked the
repairer whet anything would hayipen toe ler it she put her foot on it.
“Oly! to, ma’ati." be esid, “not unless vou reached up with your other faot
and, pucit on the overliead wire-of the other cram fine.” (Phe nons.)

Perlestry

DSA Srovaiy, Vip ty Adela Matonie Gyeylete RD

VISIT 70 JHE MELBOURNE BOTANIC GARDENS
. By H), C. E. Srewanr, Melbourne?

‘he value of our Botame Gardens can perhaps be assessed by City
exebrsions such as took place on Ist July last. About fifty members and!
visitors attended, amid geimal yinter susie, bo stale tropical ani sub»
trapical arboreal vegeration, types thar nur Lroops would inevilably encounters
on service in the iortl, The Gardena are notably rich m Queenslaid tree
flara, and contat many species not ordinarily found among the Queensland:
trees cultivated elsewhere in Melbourne. The thirty species chosen for
imspectian may scem a formidable list to adequately discuss in & brief space~
if two hours, ut this was rendered possible by the convenient groupings
on the Queensland Jawa near Park Street entrance, by the Queestsland bers,
thes adjcaming southern triuge° of the Eastern lawn, and acfew sthyects.
selecred front the -genera] Australian section. Farther, the system of
labelling in the Gardene is a valuable time-saver in identification and.
localization.

The anajer tropical rain-forest vegetation, comprising ecucalypts, watiles,
tea-trees, protcads, peauins and pines, was perforce set aside and conceit-
tration imsde on four kinds of Evgenia, five of Freus, three ot Flindersie,
a qumber of wut aod fruii-bearing trees. tivo of the stusging wants (Nos.
2) and. 23), the curious bird-catching Prisottia €No. 21), and scone punts
with toxic qualities (Nos. 9 and 17), with several species having a tober
or uselul ecarimnic attmbute. In addifion, attention was directed to ote
or Wo exainplées od historic iterest, No. 14, and No, 26, "White Beech,”
ane of the last-nantel being heavily Jaden with fruit clusters, Comment
was mace upon the timber worth of “White Beech” (or “Grey Teak,” as
iermed hy millers), on accomt of ant resistancy, difficulty ta fre, and
suitabitity for furniture, floors and fittings, towether with a imodera tse zi
hull plankings and floats of sea-plaucs. Indeed, the wood hay been
favourably tested by Major Wackett, R.A.A.B., suggesting post-war
possibilities in aircrait constriction, :

No. 22 is another important tiwher tree. kitawn as “Australian Teak,”
or rere correctly “Crow's Ash.” which in-a iwatural habitat attains a
height of TAt feet, with straight clean bales of 80 fect. The borer-proof
wood is admirable for boat decks, floors, skating cinks, and as a substitute
for Indian Teak. Aboriginals made use of the rongh pods of the tree as
rasps for surfacing weapons and scraping roots, hettee the frequent allusion
to “Rasp-pad trees,"" Another of the same distinguished yronuds uf Pryedes it
(No, BH, the “Northern Silver Ash’ or "DBowny-leaf Rasp-pod") was
admired for its singular beauty. No, 2, a deciduows softwood, the noted
“Red Cedar” of Australia was discussed at Jength in the tour examples
stern; 2 hafhly prized dark rel timber, ftely grained, durable, unequallect-
for laitse fittings and furoiture; it is iow scarce and cxpensive. The aew
American legation building at Canberra is fitted with this “cedar” At
Windsor, an the Iawkestury, 2 house was constructed in 1796 almost
entirely of the wood, and stil] stands to-day, Among many notable examples
oj. use: for intctior woodwork, the seats and’ organ case of the historic St.
James’ “Church, Sydney, can be mentioned.” The shelter-seeking “Queens--
iand Tronwood,” No. 8, 1s one of our finest hardwaols, called hy the timbers
getters "Bullet Wood" becatse of its toughness; it is much in deniand for
farquetry Hoors, and particularly machine bearings, as it polishes well.

Nird and (ree associations Were discussed with Nos. LO, 11, 14, 15, 19, $9
amt 24. In Australia the Pigeons reach’ ther highest devclopment, and the
tropical Queensland region is generously supplied with firshy frunts tu
formthe staple dietary for « large population of Prilisoprs and other Fruit

. Vier, H
4) Sap wakil fag fie Medboiie Ravan Cardenas wat

Pyros, as distinct Fram the Squattec, the Phoned and de block Pageons
al the North—sved-eaters und pround-frequenters, Cussowariesy, Wompoo
and Topknot Piteons, Fig and Cat Birds here among the larger species
to need uw sizeable Jrmt. No. 16, the "Silver Quandong,” or "Brisbane
Quandlong; is not to be confused with the Virtoriqn Quandongs, which
are species, of Santatwan: it is also styled “lo: Pig’ or “Blucherry Ash,”
duc to the metallic blue fruits. Quite commonly it the satural bush, the
ground araend this tree. is liberally strewn with the while stones after the
fleshy part has heen devoured by birds. The predilection of twany Australian
Uirds for the colour blue is confirmed by their attentions in trees heariag
Khae (rnits. '

The most reniarkable wee ofthe afternoon (No, @) was the "Queensland
Dottle-tree” she first viewed a graceful sapling, and the secon] a matnres
specimen somewhat encroached,.on one side hy a neaghbouring. if sot
neighbourly, Moreton Ray Fig. Semn-deciduous, the “Bottle-free”™ grows
sthundanth in the dry serns of North Australia—the specihe same
rupestres sipmfhes “found in rocky situations.” Tmipervious to. drought, the
tree reaches a licight of 30 to SO feet, whilst the peciline hottle-shaped
trunk may attain s diameter up tw a feet. The leaves and pithy interior
cau be eaten hy stock, Retween the pith and the inner bark drinking water
ws extracted, also a sweet edible jelly, wholesome and nutritious. The
hatives were well acqtiainted with the provisioning qualities of this tree.

Three exampics together, coustituie -No. 7, the euphorhiaceous “Rivulet
Tree,” Glochidjon Ferdijgndt (named after Ferdinahd von Mueller), These
fine shady evergreens act as host for species of Cercopidae. or "“frog-
fioppers.!' The hoppers subsist on ‘the young sappy growth of the leaves
and stems. Ants m search of moisture prey on the frog-happers, which
thvew cut wb mass.of froth or “cuckeo-spit.” The exudation falling Trem a
tree, when tenanted by snany insects, gives rise ta the vernacular “Rain”
or “Rivulet Tree” .

Common to the Rockhampton district, the Queensland "Suowdeop rec,”
No, 27, has flowers an panicles and egg-shaped iruits hal! am iuely fang.
‘The “snowdraps,” jeruptiois on the- trunk and branches, are a unique
feature, accounting for the <dmmon nitme, The genus Lraciera, called
after G, Linocier, should nat be mistaken for Conicera falter A. Lovitzer).
the Qeoup of honeysuchbes from Asia

OF the more decurative trees, No. 12, the “Smeoth (ie. found mure
woften inthe islands. north of Australin, attracted notice. one specimen was
4 -conspienens picture em the Queensland lawn, with light-bued branches
of coppice-like habit, aud owistect buttress routs resembling octopus teatachey.
No. 28, the “Rose Apple,” 35 one of the finest native evergreens gracing
the Gardens. ‘Thick shady deep-pteen foliage, svasmetrical growth, clusters
mf smali flowers succeeded by rase-scented berrivs, should induce mere
widespread jisé af -this Exgesie in parks and strecis.

A company of black swans fn Aight farmatinn overhead cavised a pleasans
liversion, and some members later took delivhy in interviewing three Cape
Barret Geese quite ai home by the l2keside. ‘

Beginners may wish to study in more detail at flowering ‘atid other seasons
the trees which are enurieraterd in the order of the tour. Books of reference
are:

A Synopsis of dhe Onecnsland Flora, PM. Bailey

Austration Ram Forest Trees, WD, Francis. ;

The Cabinet Timbers of Australia, R. T, Baleer. a
Native Trees wf Austratiq, I. W. Audas,

‘Fn the Botanic Gardens, Frank Clarke, ‘ i,

awe as Srewart, ict ln Mealboine Botrnne Gardens a

NAMeX Ante Locations oF Tress Tesvxcren
(From the "DBD" Gate entrance)

Luchmans's Brush Cherry, Eugenia Leehinannti, Aust., borler. wo teft.)
Variegated Tawarra Fig, Ficus rubiginesa var. wariegata.,. (Aust.
border to right.)
Bennett's Ash, Mhadersia Bensettiony. (Aust. ‘vorder to riyhl, off
eucalypt lawn.) . . sae
leur Fig, Fiews oraciliqes. (Aust. border to right, of etcalyypt

lawn. )

White "Wealiut, Cry ptacar ya abodate. (Aust, border to right, off
eucalypt lawn, )

Queensland Bottle-tree, Stercnlia rypestris. (Sapling on Aust, border:
mature tree, Queensland lawn_)

Rivufet or Rain Tree; Glachidian Ferdinandi. (Queensland Jawn—three
Specimens.) ;

Queensland Tronwood, Sideraxyion ausivule, (Queensland tawny, ete.

“Papajarin” or Vitzalan'’s Gardenia, Rendia Fitgalant. (Queenslend
Jawn—dwarted example.)

Red Apple Myrde, Zngenia brachyandra. (Queensland Sawn, by path.)

Byush Cherry, Brgeda panterleta. (Queensiatd law, etc.)

Smooth Fig, Frees glabella. {Quneensland tawi)

. Cluster Fig, Ficus glomerata. (Queensland Jawn,)

a Hrnat Plum, Pleiagyniwnt cerasiferus. (CQucenstand lawo and
eds
Brown Ping (Pium, She Pine, ete.), Podocerpus elata. ((Quvenslamd
lawn, Prince’s Jawn,- Aust. border, ' etc.)
Silver or Brishane Otiandong, Eleeocarpus grandis, (Queensland Tawi }
Nutmeg Laurel, Cryptocarya. triplinerwis, (Queensland hed.)
Queensland Sout Plum, Oseenta vwenosa (Queenslaiid bed—three apeci-
mens.)
Grey Caraheen, Elacocarpus obawatus. {Queensland hed.)
Giant Nettle-tree, Laportea wigs, ( Queensiand bed, also Aust, horder.)
Bird-catching Tree, Pisoni inermis. (Queensland bed, also Aust.
botder. )
Grow's Ash ("Aust, Teak"), Fimdoysia australis, (Queensfand bed.)
Siuall-leayed-or Shiny-leat Nette-tree, Laportca phatiniphylia.
(Queensland bed.)
Australian Searlet Ohve, Cassuw austrate. (Queetisland bed
Sand-paper Fig, Ficus stephanocerpt. (Easter lawn.)
White Beech, Guelina Leichhardtit (Enstern lawn—two trees.)

. Queensland Suowdrop Tree, Linectera vamiflora (Kastern lawn; Aust

border. }

Rose Apple, Eugenia Mooret. (Eastern lawn, near path.)

Red Cedar, Cedvele-toona var. australis, (Austtalian horder- -four
exaniples, also’ Prince's lawn.)

Northern Silver Ash (“Downy-leaf Rasp-pod"). Flindersix prubexcers.
(Aust, border.)

"SAVE THE FORESTS”

At tha August meeting of the F.N.C, the following motion was carried:
“Thal the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria expresses itself -as being in

ful

! accord with the aims and objccts of the Save tlie Forests Campaign in

Victoria, and pledges itself ta support that movement by all means. within

its

pawer,”

of Crrssan, Meuvlontds af Sule a

FAIRYLANDS OF SILK

Travellers to Healesville by the early awramg uain of May 27th. 1944,
enjoyed a beautiful sight From Liledate to the railway yard at Healesville
the country from within a dew feet of the railway bre to a mile distant was
plurified with drifts of splder-silk. River-Alats locked as if fanuily washing
hud Ween spreat out ta dry, :

Th jas not the lacy network of spiderlings so often scem iu the aututint,
when, tangled flying-cables form silky meshes ot grass aud bush. Tr
appeared to he densely woven sheets of silk—raps and tawn handkeechicis
as it were, caught between, aud on, dussocks aud Iushes. Oue streteh abour
half a mile away shimmered like a frozen Jake.’ - - ,

The denseness of the silk suggested the close-woyen fabric seen in the
lining and doors of tunnels made by earth-dwelling spiders, One assumed
that flood conditions, present and impending, had driven countless earth
dwellers to seck safer homes. Many of these “tags” had been carried hy the
previous hich winds and had caught on high bushes and trees. One nught
have pathered up great masses of silk of almost commercial possibilities.

A similar spectacle was seen in many garts of Gippsland, especially at
Sale and along the banks of the Thomson River.

Gilbert White records # sinitar autttinn story from Selbarne on Sept.
21st, 1741, when, at daybreak, stubbles and clover-grounds weve imattod,
with a thick coat af cohweh, so plentiful that the whole coultry seened to;
be covered with two ar three setting-nets drawn one over the other, Dogs
attenypting to hunt were so blinded and hoodwinked that they could net
tune, and were forced’to lie down and scrape the web from their faces, At
about 9 am. a slower of cobwebs fell ceaselessly until close of the day. It
fell fronr elevated regions—not single filmy threads floating on the air iu
all directions, but perfect Bakes aud rags, some nearly an inch broad and.
five ar six inches long, "They fell with a degree of velocity which showed
that they were heavier than air.” '

According to’ White, Dr. Lester has atated that spiders lave’ a power
of coiling and tckeup their webs in the air. =

Other English writers have described masses of silk on bushes aril-
hedges so dense and white that horses sh at then. ; .

Our Australian “fall” was certainly unusually dense, and suggests that
comditions which brought it to pass were similar to these in northern lands.
it cerlainly gave a touch of fairyland atmost equal ta an English snay-
scene, ;

Enity Coneaax.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ORCHIDS \

In the Sow australian Neatwalist ior June, 1944, Mc H. Goldsack has
given a very excellent popular revicw of inost of the South Aastratian-
orchids; omitting those that are comparatively rare and such as: require
roore technical descriptions for identification. The text is accompanied by
jour iull-page plates, containing’ accurate Jine-diawings of about 3) species,
and Mr, Goldsack,is to be-congratulated on making auch a valuabte contri--
halion to the jiterature of Australian orchids, for his illustrations will be
warmly appreciated by al! serious students of the Orchidacenc, no less that
ly those ior whom they are primarily intended. In the same istue Mr..
Galdsack’ gives definite records of the occurrence ‘ity ‘South Austraha of,
Thelvudten’ caren R.Br. and Caladewia Fitsqevaldit Rupp.

HMR.

Eortemt . . . ‘t i
; rhe Pracniw, Nadiad Baga anid inser 93

i044
ve
“RADIAL RAYS" AND “INSTINCT
- (To the Extitor)

Sik—Iv is exceedingly- unlikely diat many, if any, sciendéc people will
he jnipressed by Mr. Mattingley’s inconclusive and quite eascientific dexluc-
tions; nor are they Hkely to use the “wordy” words “radial rays.’ as
‘comed by hint, None -is likely to abandon the word "instinct" twhich
expresses the very ipperiectly knowl hereditary chardcters détérmining the’
hohayiour of all species) until more—isuch niore—s known af this.

I am reported to forged that the curvature of the earth prevents a xiew
of the tide 30 miles away. It does not do so—a bird can easily secure a
view at such a distastcg by rising ta 4 uot-very great height, But, even sq,
‘such a yiew is aunecessary, for the bird—perhaps by olserving the stute of
the tide .at its feet—imight surely: estinuite the state of the tide some 30
miles away!’ What-is- to prevent this?

What single fact 15 Chere-in sapport of Mr. Mattingtley's view ?

The term “radar” is used hy specialists for a particular purpose, But
deve is no usetul use for the wards: "radial ray.” Mv, A. A, Cook should
know that directional rays do not-differ essentially froam- other electyos
magnetic waves (Mr. Mattingley ¢alls them magnetorelectric), They are
directed tn onc particular dircetion by physical’ weans:

Re the Right of pigeous, Mr. Mattingley omits the most importint
physiological basis for their homing instinct—the semi-circular canals, well
‘understood by physiologists ‘for # century past, in ivhich these urgans are
particularly. well developed, ; ‘ ; i

The brief account of the Spanish exporhuent quoted is, T again repeat.
vague and absolutely inconclusive, I kuow toting of the original cxper-
ments except what Mr. Mattiigley quotes. If, as alleged, the Spanish sud
Germans established the: effect of radiating rays on the ‘orientation of
earrier jugeous, the evidence on which sich is based shonld certainly he
Published, if it is at ali convincing. ~—

oa apply to birds whe vations applications 6f wireless—as used Ju the
war, and still dn the secret-list—is absurd until such as available for general
information, which mformation- Mr A. A. Conk does not possess. ft is
absolutely sinscientsfic. j

Yours, ofc. ‘
Cairns. vos ray . Te Purciur.
Tlucenvstaive| : ath ‘ 7;
LOSS OF BERLIN HERBARIUM a”

In No. 953 of the Jourtat of Botuny, published fast April, attention is
druwnh to a Swedish newspaper which reports the total desuruction of the
fainous Botanical Muscum at Paplom, Berlin, during an Altied bombing
raid on March 3rd, 1943. Apparently all that escaped were the feria and
fungus collections and a very few valvable specimeus stored in cellars.

Australian botanists will fold with their fellow-scientists throughout the
world tp mourn this iragic and ivrcparable damage, in which we also share
by virtue of the many Australian type specimens housed wat. Berlw.
Baeckler’s sedge type: were there, and, ariong recent collections, L. Dicls’
4650 Wesierts Australian sheets, Pritzcl’s atid Meebold’s spenimens, and
the many hundreds of Northere Territory plants gathered by A, Bleeser,
of Darwin | - A = :

Comparatively few duplicates exist in local herburta, amd the task of
sclecting hea-lwpes to" replace those Lloat Will be long, diffieutt, and, iy many
instances @mpassible To the Average. man such a loss is ivivial, if met
tTeaningless, but it is such as te impose a Brave handicap on critical. hota
resostrh for decailes to come. "2. |

1 : wpeMice 4 _ 3. BR. Wosats.

on oa

4 aver. Porest Hires Prablem db val g:

FOREST FIRES PROBLEM
(To the Editor ‘

Sin—l read with much mterest Me; R. H, Croll's article ‘m = recent
issuc of this jourval, and commend him for the aptinisiic views expressed;
one i$ impressed ‘Jby,.the fine. record of activities being carried out by, the
"Save the Forests’ Campaign Council. - However, I regret that T am

-wnable fully to shard in these sanguine expectations cegarding the future.

The destruction of WVictoria—timber, .soil, scenery, and wild life—
accelerates at-an alarrmng pate, and more devastation has occurred in the
last two decades than in all preceding history, Who can stop it wow, and
what wall posterity think of us?) Many of the.cattlemen. (our chiel offenders,
who-draw revenue as.a result af the fires) are apparently inne from
correction, Utterly- disregardiul of the present ac future national value of
forests, they think only in terms of personal. gain. Contacting one of these
men in East Gippstand recently,-] was able to sum up his attitude when he
‘said, “Those blokes who are Kicling up so much dust down a the city
have got hold of the wrong end of the slick, the only way. to avoid big
fires4s to have. sinall creeping fires early a the seasou."

We have “creeping” fires indeed! JT had an opportunity last seasoy of
judging what they will do when grown wp—the innocent little soddlerst

Just before the close of 1938 I had oceasion to visit Warragol, and
counted about’a dozen scparate Ares on the distant fonthills as [ drove
aloug the highway. With temperatures soaring inte the sineties, the
prospect ahead was inenacing, to say the least: IT spoke’ ta two sariners
about these fires. The first man said, "Oh, they're quite a common thing
down here at this-time of year; it wouldn't scem like Christmas without
them." The second man remarked in similar vera and secmed quite uncan-
cerned. My bitter retort wis 2 warmng against the holocaust that msust
tevitably come, and almost the whole world knows the sequel to that
flialogne, ;

Some country, newspaper reporters aggravate the problem hy haying
inserted in their columns such deplorable palliatives as, “The fires are now
confined to the hills and timbered country where they tan do no harm” A
statement like this is distinctly harmful, implying a resignation to bush fires
tnless they happen to come out of the forest. ‘

2 am convinced that so long as we allow grazxevs and cattlemen 49 remade
jungle-minded, just so long will the law af the jungle prevail iv and blast
er once glorious Jand.

Yours, etc.,
Toolern Vale. V_R. Davey

RAVAGES IN THE FORESTS

We have before us (says the Meltan EZafress of July 22) the origmal of
a letter written by an apiarist of Taoborac, Central Victoria, who has. given
up bee-keeping for reasois, combined with drought, which he sets aut thus:

"Tnsect pesis have compictely ruined the forest arcas round this district.
Green trees on the roads and in private paddocks are sinnilarly affected.
The cup-moth caterpillar will be here agam next spring, causing further
riifous destruction. Eggs of the cup-moth are already hatching aud there
are cowttless millions. more to hatch out, as well as millions of ‘the meths
fying about at present, Mind you, this will he the third visitation of the
cap-moth caterpillars in three sutcesstye years.

“Added to the destruction of eucalypts by the caterpillars and borers is
the damage caused by bush: fires and soil erosion which, in- certain forest
gullies, has to be seen to he helicyed The prevalence of-insect pests is
explained by the destruction of our birdlife during the past &) years

_

—-

Hepteteher’]

“Wada Moeneess. Ve hale Perciond No oof at fof 94

JHE LATE PERCIVAL &. HH. ST. JOHN:

Perey St. John, wha died o August 12, waa born in Melbourne on May
}}, 1872. Tis father .was -a-taxidermist in Rourke: Street and supplied
gnolagical specimens to-the-amuiseums of Europe..

Incredible az it now seems to tne, iL was from ty im a tree i the Botauic.
Gardens that L first faced him. I was the culprit i searclt of the' eggs af
the tree ‘sparrow. st) nncontnon bird forty years ago, when To owas a
fledgiiig-of @ghi vears. As the years drew on there has heen a, cértait
ywirallclism tn our careers and T have lmows him wi play and warts, aad
deeply regret iis death. \ -

ft is recorded in. the Victorian Government Gazette that P.R, H. St. Joho
commenced duties in the Botanic Gardens at the tender age of eleven years-—
July, 1883. He was apprenticud to sign- and label-writing, ay which Jue
bevkme famous. Eyen as a child his love of natural history made itself
apparent, and his parentage and position tn the Gardens tended to foster
this taste. Fle grew up in ai atmosphere charged with the vory scicnee
he was toto $0 much to advance.

Few Victoriatls ever laye know, or ever will know, the names of plat?
as he cic. Side by side with his self-education du botany, he became at
artist skilled in hjack-and-white and water-colour, He was expert in the
deterniiation of birds and a skilled mimic of theiy walls, He lad
Mevelaped a uncanny sense of direction aud was expert im busheraft. As
a youth be supplomented his meagre salary by collecting for the beuevalent
Baran von Mueller, who paid hin for dried specimens and seads callected
nn his various botanical explorations, With the Melbourne Watkers® Clair
he travelled thousands of miles, even as far as Cape Everard

He specialized in horticulture, native plants, and their ecowemic value’
ta the public. ‘With the Jate Dr. Heber Green he did valuable researches
on Eucalyptus auel olbier essential oily; with Mr. Russell Grimwade he
studied the species inast suitable for garden plauting, Tn 1919. 1 company’
with J. W. Audas. he made a botanical survey af Wilson's Promontory,
Ariicles appearing in this journal during the years 1910 and 1917 were the
outcome of Fis researches, whilst the material is sect aside in the National
Pethbarium as a special collection

He jointed the Field Naturalis’ Club a 1908 and became President itv
1929-1930, Here be will be remembered for his artistic arrangement of the
special native collections staged by the Botanic Gardens ut our flower
shows, Under the direction of the Jate J, Cron, be greatly increased the
extent of the Australian border at dhe Hotanic Gardens He was promoted
to the position af Mead Gardenet m July, 1917, and later became Classifier
and was it charge of the Economic Museum. Aiter an extension of weryice
he vesred in 1938, thus concluding a faithfinl public carecr of 55 years.

The cumulative result of hes kuowledge, which he waa evet teady Ur
pass ait, thowel qunel, was far-reaching and deep, pT T Moarerrs,

EXHIBITS AT AUGUST MERTING

Mrs, C Keeneh> Bunch of native flowers (R spp.) gardeneprown al
Canterbury.

Mrs. J. J. Feeanie. Marine specituens, and ebm wing sloveang the claw,

Mr. ‘Tom Griffiths: Books of pressed ferns, including Dryoptcris
shepherdt’, Polystichum adiannferime, Doodia candata, D. zedia, Asploninne
einsatant antl many others, _

Mr. Ivo C, Hammet: Gatden-grown native Mowers,

Mr Tl. T. Reeves: Colnared photographs of native flowers.

a Exrennstans,

LIST OF EXCURSIONS, SEPTEMBER, 1944-AUGUST,

* 7944
Sept.

“Legality ' f
9—Hursthridge

» 16—Doncaster

Sep.

Subject
Wattles and Birels

General

» 2s~—East Oakicigh (B.0,C.) Heathland Flava

Yet. 7 —Montmoreney-leitham
21-—Ringwood-Heathmont
(B.0.C.)
. 29%—TLilytale-M1. Evelwu- '
_ Lilydale
Nov. 11—Botanic Gardens

» 25~—Beaumaris-Fire area
(B.OW.)

Dec. . 9—Cohure” Gardens

1945", .

Jim. 13—Rickeit’s Point
4 27--East Kew (B.0.C.)
Feb.

. 24 Heidelherg, Swamps
(B.0,C.)
d+Varra River Trip
4 LO—Upper Terntree Gully

24—Croydow (3.0.C.)
Apr. 7-—~Zoological Gardens
+» 2)]—Muoroojhark (B.0.C.)

May 13*—Kalorama-Mt. Dande-
‘nong-Olinda. :

Birds and General

Botany
General

Fanily Myrtaceae

Rehabilitation of arcaMr.

Geolory

Marine Bialogy

. Birds
W- Badger Creek SanctuarvAustratian Runa

Pond Life -

Ferns

General

. Australian Fama

Auton Foliage

. General

» 2%6—Queen's Park (B.0.C.) Birds.

June. T*—Kalista
25—Rotanic Gardens

Os tBO.C):
t= Zooloey School
July = 7—Museum’

n 21-—Mouiseum {B.0.C)
Aug, Wattle Park

ry

58 iehaun- Greeerborortgh
“hf RLO.C)-

. +Sunday--all-day excursion.

Cryptagains

Atboreal Vegetition

FFassils, Rocks and
Minerals

Birds
Mares and Birds

General ,

1 wets
wy

_7Date to he Axed.

[O4¢-Tayy:, 1945

“Messrs...

Vict. Nat.
Vol. 61

1945

Leader

Messrs. Ivo C, Ham-
met & A. 5. Chall

Me, PL Fisch
Mt, F, Salan

Messrs. oA. 3S. Challe
SoG. N, Hyam

Mr, A. J. Swaby

Messrs. R. G. Patnter
& A. C. PFrosticl

Mr. P. Bibby

J. HL Wilks

Messrs. A. C, Iros-
tick & W. Hanks

Mr. P. GC. Morrison

“Miss T. Watson

Mr,
Mr,

D, Fleay
A. J Swaby

HP, Dickins

Messrs, A. J. Swaby
_& To Griffiths

Mr. 'T. 5. Hart

Mr, & Mrs. Pinches

Mr. R. G" Painter

Mr.

Mr, H.C. i: $tewart
Miss 1. Wigan
Mr. P_ Bibby

Mr, H. C. E, Stewart

Prot. W. Agar

Messrs. FL S, Colli-
ver, A. C, Frostick
and S$, BR, Mitchell

Mr, G Mack

A, He Chis-
holm, &, A. S. Chalk

Messrs, A. S. Chalk
& GN, Byam

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. 61.—No. 6 October 5, 1944 __N®, 730

PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Club was held on September i1,
1944, at the Royal Soctety’s TTall, where the President (Mr. Ivo
C. Hammet) and about 100 members and friends attendéd.

The President announced the death of Mr. J. Wilcox, an
Honorary Member of the Club, and Mr. G, Coghill announced
the death of Miss Amy Fuller, stating that she was well known
for her wild flower paintings and suggesting tt might be possible
for the Club to purchase some of these. As an indication of their
value, Mr. Coghill stated that the set of paintings of South African
flora had been purchased by the Kew Herbarium, England.

Excursion reports were given as follows: Black Rock, Mr, T, S-
Hart; Heidelberg, Miss Fletcher (for Mr. and Mrs. E. 5S.
Hanks); Hursthrdge, Mr. lvo C. Hammet.

The following were elected as ordinary members: Miss T. Scott,
Messrs. R. T. M. Pescott, N, A. Hansen, G. Grant; as Country
Members: Miss A. L. Laycock, Messrs. A. W. Cleaves and B.
McKinnon ; as Associate Member: Miss Ruth Hart.

NATURE NOTES

Mr. and Mrs, Savage reported that the Boronia at Bendigo is
doing very well this season,

Mr. V. H, Miller reported having noted a Black-faced Cuckoo-
Shrike feedimg on the ground at St. Kilda,

Mr. P. C. Morrison reported that Bandicoots were plentiful in
the Clarinda-Clayton area,

Mrs. Freame reported on and exhibited a starfish that had
qaturally broken into halves,

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A Wilt Nature Show will be held at the Hawthorn Town Hall
ou Octoher 23 and 24. Proceeds will go to Jocal charities, and
hele are required for setting up and watching the exhibits.

A “Save the Forests” Exhibition will. be held on November
27-29 at the Melbourne Town Hall. fhe Club will participate in
this exhibition. —

a4 a, Naty
ok Lorhehits Vet. m

Mr. S. BR Mitchell reported (hat the Mawithorn Jumaer
Naturalists’ Chuh recently celebrated its first birthday Pins elnls
ineets at the Hawthorn Free Library on the last Friday in cach
month,

THE ABORIGINES

Aw address on Kunmunya.. (WAL) and Musgrave Ranges
(C.A.) aborigines and their crafts took the form of a series of
motion pictures taken and commented’on by Me. -R_ 17. Balfour,
Special attention was paid to the manufacture. of weapans, making
af fire, spinning, food-gatherng, ete, and sa fine. sertes of action
qretures of the childven at play was shown., These aborigines
are pracneally untouched by white-contaet, and the Alms wete a
valuablé addition’ to knowledge of. our native. rice .Of special
ittevest, was the short film in-watural colowr as iL portrayed the
wonderful tints of the Central Australian -area- Ac the conclusion
of fhe films a vale of thanks was, carried ‘by acclamation,
ow EXHIMITS
“Mrs. J. J. Froame; Starfish that broke’ iy half ~f 5

Mr. VT. Griffiths: Pressed. forns-—Shining Filiny Form (J fyamernephy linn
flabellata), Austral Filmy, Pern CH. misteale) | 7
‘Mr. Vo H. Miller; Three’ native-opehide in bloom—Pendrobinn fateo-
rostennt, D, gracilhnnean, and D. letraganun

Mr. C. J. Gabriel: Marine Molluse. (.Siigqneria australis, QO. and G.) ma
large clunp. Specimen from Bass Strait. Sa > a Date .

Mr. H. P. iekind: Twelve paintings of Atstrahay will flawers, parden-
grown. . i 3 Bi

Mr. C. Brench: Puflenaca HW’ cindarfévi (Swamp Bush-Pea), Axtoralasta
Muelleri (Lemon Star-Bhish), both from near Mt. Evelyn; &riostemon
oboualis: (double fore), from Harcourt. Prostmithera aspalatlnrites 4 Sear-
Ict Mint-Bush) and Thryptomene celyctia. (Bushy Heath-Myrtle) wiih
pink: flowers, from Grampians ; all garden-grown at Canterbury.

“Mr, F: G- Biford> Australite of the Core type (weight approximately a5
arms.), found at Myamyh, Westetn- District (scentific valve: spoilt by
beng flaked by. the finder) ; pebbles from‘ fuvatile gravels ino New Guinea;
ant Long-tailed Wasp (Mrgalyra. sp.). May boa aco oll
- Miss. E. Colline Chogg. Watercolour. drawings of. (1), Drooping .Mistle-
tne Aniyenta pendula), shoyane seeds; pollen grains ¢ shaped! Tike ‘caltrops)
and Rewers in. groups of three with the central ones typically sessile; (2)
“Pink Fingers” Orchid (Caladenioa cosa). wilh evlargements of the hairy
vestiture and labelluin glands; (3)-larva- of a frog-hopper (enlarged); (4)
gall-thakite seale msect (Ascehs) found on evcalypt foliage.

7+: PERSONAL ~ Sa

1 ~The nares of Messrs; 1), Dickison'ahd R.A Dur (ordinary mamhers}

and Sper H. A. Nixon (country member) were omitted from ‘the lists of

glecled members in the Nateralist Proceedings for June and September
respectively. The oversight is regretted,

October, 1944

ol

Vor.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST

Pilate IV

erty Bal Lovittax, foltmus drow New Gunen Note-fbeob 99

JOTTINGS FROM MY NEW GUINEA NOTEBOOK
By Noe, Lorusran (on Service)

Boranica.—Leaving fhe coast and tidal mud-Hats with their
depressing mangrove vegetation, one finds on Ingher flats (te
conmtion Molasses Grass and after the sun has heen shining a while
its ndour i very pronounced, Kangaroo Grass is also in plenty
aid many other grasses that 1 do not know, Cyces is often
preseit in great numbers; along the north coast there are seem-
ingly endless acres of this fern-palm. Odd specimens of Bankes
occur, and much of a Crotalaria, which J think was used in the
past as green manure, but is naw gone “wild,” Quite a oumber of
plants had escaped from cultivation in pre-war days and it 1s often
difficult to decide just whether a tree is native or naturalized in
any area.

Hill spurs are ofte’ grasstand, but, om the moister lee sides,
thickets of semi-xerophytic character spring up. Bamboos antl
bavanas are frequently present. depending on the degree of top
shade. Six species of bamboo have been noted and they are most
attractive m their huge clumps; a black-stemmed and very flexnose
kind is to he seen at and above 6,500 feet,

Once in the mountains, extensive jungle vegetation 1s encoun-
tered. J.iawes make their appearance, and a scrambhnog kind of
grass. Jampatrens is ote of the outstanding ground plants, which
alsa include ferns, clubmosses, orchids and types of Afciasta-
maceac. The overhead vegetation is even more luxuriant but
difficult to examine for purposes of identification. Farther up the
mountains pine forests abound and ate almost homogeneous ia
places, with the ¢xceptinn of a few lanes, bamboos, tree-terns,
staghorn ferns and lichens. I notice that these conifers (rax-
caria) carry very little epiphytic growth, so difficrent trom the
rough-barked trees at lower levels which are smothered with
nmumerable lichens, mosses, climbing ferns, orchids and at least
two species af the extraordinary “ant-house” plants. Cassanina
3s to be seen, but not in great quantity, and then mainly along
river courses. A tather interesting find, and quite unexpected,
was a “horse-tail’” (Equiselums sp.) which thrives in great pro-
fusion along the stony banks of creeks; I also observed it ascending
to heyond 4,500 feet.

Above 5,000 feet rhododendrons appear and are still found av
7,000 feet. An arborescent species (10-14 feet high) has small
dark red Rowers of no particular horticultural merit, but there are
two epiphytic: kinds of intriguing beauty—one has large pink and
white flower bells in clusters of Jour te six, it is not unlike onr
single Australian species (Rhododendron Lochite from Nosth
Cteensland) and would be an acquisition worthy of any garden.

100 Lariian, Jottings from New Guineas Notc-book eae

Ornitifococicai.—I have ‘experienced the thrill of seeing a
Bird-of-Paradise—a gold and vermillion creature with 1$-inch
plunies; it was indeed 2 glorious and unforgettable glimpse, and
I longed to have been closer, A general favourite is the noisy
Black Wren, about the same size as our southern Blue Wren, but
he is black with white on the wings. The ubiquitous Willy
Wagtail is here and as cheeky as ever; he appears a little bigger
than our southern bird.

The very common Kunai Sparrow (so-called locally) is about
the size of a small Blackbird—orange-brown with a white chest,
hack wings, and a long tail of the same colour It builds a nest of
imterwoven grass strands, not unlike certain possum nests, but only
about six inches in diameter.

The New Guinea Magpic is common and about the same size
as a Mudlark, but with much more white than black and a less
pleasing note than its namesake of the mainland. Azure King-
fishers are very tame, and there appears to be a black species.
There are Kookabutras at Port Moresby, but they are very
interior to our popular “Jack.”

The Swallow and Spine-tailed Swift seem to be identical with
the species inhabiting southern Australia, Wood-Swallows—
present in great numbers—are grey and white birds about six
inches long, with very characteristic notes. Then there are Chats,
Dotterels, Ground-Larks, Pigeons, many Parrots, several Hawks,
and at least one type of Cockatoo.

FUNGUS LIGHTS IN THE NEW GUINEA JUNGLE

Captain L. T. Burcham (an American visitor to our club last year)
writes With feeling about the nauiral beatities that lurk néar jungle path-
ways “somewhere in the islands." Here is his appreciative description of
Hiatula Wynne, a luminous agaric that immediately captivates the interest
of anyone visiting its habitat in North Queensland or the New Guinea area—
‘strangely enough, the species was frst tnade known'to stienoe in 2872
from specimens appearing amongst Australasian vegetation in the hot-
houses at Kew, England,

"J must tell you of ane of the most intriguing sights I've seen in many
’ » day—truly something you'd nevet expect to see outside fairyland. There
is here a smal] white mushroom, commonly found on pieces of very wet,
partially decayed wood. It is = tiny, delicate thing, seldom more than balf
an inch across the cap, the slender stem no longer, Its chalky whiteness
strengthens the impression of fragility.

“Beautiiul as it is hy day, it is infinitely enchanting by mght, for then
it becomes luminous with a pale ‘Breet phosphorescence, so strong that a
watth can be read by its glow. As youngsters we were told much about
fairies, and how the toadstools spring up as tiny seats wherever they wish
w sit. Having seen these, I wander if there mighta't be just a little truth
in that, and wish so nmcli that every child could, at least onec, walk {in
darkness along 2 path bordered with these tiny, glowing, fairy jewels.”

.

versber] Davnry, Some Lizards | Mave Kept 101

SOME LIZARDS T HAVE KEPT
By H. W, Davey, Melbourne,
(Continued from Scptember issue)
3, SCINCID

Australia ts rich in members of this family, which is quite our
largest In genera and species; the Bluetongue and Stump-tail
lizards are the commonest of- the larger species, although our
Rock Skink (Agernia cunningham j)—so plentiful in the You
Yangs, Mt. Alexander, and other granitic outcrops—comes a
good third. These afl do well in captivity, especially the blue-
tongued, Tiltgua nigrolutea, which breeds freely, almost embar-
rassingly when it comes to disposal of the young ones! I have
turned numerous young loose in suitable localities as soon as they
were old enough, but always far enough from the haunts of boys
and motorists.

Waite, in his Reptiles and Ampiubians vf South Australia
(p. 144) says in regard to the common Blue-tongue (Tiliqua
scinceides) that the young number usually about 10 in a single
clutch, though as many as 15 have heen produced. This is an
astonishing number compared with the very closely related
T. ntigrolutea, which never produces more than five at a birth and
mare often only three or four. My Bhue-tongues became extremely
tame, and the only occasion on which [I obseryed anything
approaching maternal instinct was when | essayed to lift a newly-
born from 2 tussock of srass where its large yolk sac had become
caught. ‘She mother immediately swung round and would have
bitten my hand had 7 not moved it quickly away. At birth, the
large and stil] attached yolk sac is eaten by the young one almost
immediately.

Another viviparous skink is that delightful, agile little Hinulia
guoyi, so plentiful ncar water in southern Victoria; only recently
1 saw a very fine specimen at Gardiner’s Creek, Glen Iris, where
this lizard would still be abundant were it not for predatory cats
in the neighbourhood. Hinulia ts a bald little lizard and very
numerous in the Cape Otway forests, Lasking in the sun an logs;
it scurries into crevices When approached too closely, but wil] soon
reappear if one remains still.

1 recall an occasion when I was seated on a Ing angling for
black-fish in the Gellibrand River; a sudden noise at my tin of
worms suggested the unwelcome company of a snake, bit my
quick glance around revealed the culprit—a splendid specimen
- of Hinuiie was struggling to lift a large worm out of the tin
which, had I not grabbed it, was in danger of being upset into
the river, This engaging sprite was determined to have his dinner

102 Travey. Sour Lizards Flav Kepi Vick Bate

at my expense and soon carne hack, so 1 threw him his worm
and, although promptly ducking out of sight at first, he presently
emerged from a crack in the log and ate the juicy mersel_

I have bred H. quoyi over a number of years Tdeal conditions
were provided, with a pond in the enclosure wherein lived also
several species of European newt. The lizards would often take
swim to floating leaves ‘of aquatic plants, and would bask on
smali lows during daytime, sleeping in these at night. As far as
1 am aware, they have only four young at birth, but, where there
are several adult females mn the one enclosure, these may produce
young at or about the same time and segregation would be
necessary in orler to determine the avetage family.

Another fine skink is the West Australian Egernia stekesit, with
habits much the same as /. ci¢tninghamii ; it favours stony. country
and is chiefly remarkable for ifs fattened tail. This lizard did well
with me during the summer months, but failed to survive a
Melbourne winter.

The stump-tailed Trachysaurus rugosus gives birth to only two
young ata time and -succeeds in captivity. Unlike the geckos,
which shed their skins several times during a year, this skink
contents itself with an annual moult. One would-not expect a
skin to be shed almost perfectly from a lizard hawng such large
scales, but successful skin-casting in any reptile depends primanly
on its condition of health,

Rabhit-proaf fencing causes the death of many Stump-tailed
lizards which push their heads through the wire meshes and,
unable ta draw bach again, die.a miserable death. That times are
often hard for them was brought to my notice on one: occasion
while driving in the yvivinity of Horsham. Close to the: road, in
a paddack of stooked hay, was a Trachyraurus busily eating some-
thing; curious, I stopped the car and.went to investigate, To my
great surprise, T found that the lizard was devouring heads of
wheaten hay, and, allhough not wanting one of this species, 1
brought it back to Melhourne to ensure a more satisfying diet
than Wimmera hay-

These lizards frequently suffer ternbly (rom ticks in ther ears.
I well remember a trip to Mt. Arapdes, when Stump-tails scemed
to be unusually numerous. Upon picking one up for examination,
1 found its ears absolutely cramaned wilh ticks and many more of
its brethren were in the same pitiable cotdition. In those days
1 always carried forceps, so spent a considerable time that after-
noon “de-ti¢king' lizards. whose: abundance I now attribute to
desfness on account of the tightly packed ticks - which blocked
their ear passages—the basking reptiles were unaware of my
approach until they aciually saw me.

Catobet Davniy, Some Lisards 7 Mave Kop 103

4, PYGOPODIDE

Some of the snake-like lizards-comprising tis family make
interesting pets, but as a rule they do not take kindly to captivioy
and keep out of sight as much as possible. Unforttinately for these
Nzards, they are ‘oitent mistaken for snakes and killed at once.
but the differences between the two are easily discernible. Serpents
have neither the eyelids nor ear-openings which are commen to
lizards: they have forkerd tongues and helly scales stretching
right across the ventral surface, but these lizards possess Mat
torigues and. several rows of small helly scales. Nearly all suakes,
excepling the tree dwellers, have very shozt tails, whereas legless
lizards have exceedingly long, fragile tails, calling for the preatest
care in handling them—when bereft of his tail, one of these lizards
ig a paor-looking abject indeed. Moreover. without a tail (having
no legs} he has little chance of escaping his enemies at all.

5. FARANTDA

Tn Victoria we have only two species, but several other niernbers
of the genus Maraniws occur in Australia These big lizards are
most commonly called “goannas,” a name probably bestowed on
them hy miners arriving fram America. in the early gold- digging
days, o account of a fancied resemblance to the large iguanas of
their homeland. :

The Lace Monitor, 7. varius, 1s widely ‘distributed throughout
Australia and was at one time very plentiful.in Victoria, but the
fiant specimens are now more commonly found in East Gippsland,
the writer having seen some splendid examples about Nowa Nowa
They do well in captiviry if taken small, the younger the better

The second Victorian species 1s J”. gouldit. smaller and more
vividly edlaured than its congener. I can not recommend it as a
$itisfactory pet, and it does not take as kindly to captivity as daes
V, varius,

it is a great pity that such fine Nzards as these are often killed
hy ilLinformed or stupid people and so-called “sports.” ‘Both
species do far more good than harm, and, having a sensible regard
to {he economy of Nature, no person is justified in destroying
that of which he is ignorant. I once went to Port Faity to watch
the arrival of murton-birds, and a local, overhearing my clated
description to-a friend at the hotel, came to the door of the
‘Commercial Room and said, “What a pity you didn’t take a stick
with you; it’s great fur knocking them over.” When T told hitn
I could see a6 fim in knocking over a bird that had come to feed
its young. the local replied, “They ain*t no good. are they?”

104 Coren yn, de Gintevor Gain Moll Mastesy Rei honed

AN EMPEROR GUM. MOTH “MYSTERY
by Eorra Coreman, Blackburn, Vie

On the evening of October 15, 1943, T tiberated an Emperor.
Gum Moth which had apparently emerged from an tnnoticed
cocoon among guin-iwigs on a wired-im verandaln On March 18,
1944, twenty-five -nearly half-grown larvae were discovered on the
stump-sprouts of a Sugar-gtim, On oe leaf nearby were twenty-
five eggs from each of which a larva had emerged—surely a high
percentage, ' '

As the sprouting’ stump was only about fiveryards distant from
where the moth was released, I'assume that; even in the dark, she
had found the night iood-plant on which to deposit her eggs. I
found no more eggs, although there were two. other sprouting
Sugsr-gum stumps in the garden. .

I had often watched isolated captive specimens, but this was far
more fascinating. The gum-shoats, with. theit Aatrened-spherical
juvenile leaves, reddish twigs and petioles, were at their loveliest
stage. One could not fail to note how well the handsome green
larvae, with their red, blue and yellow spines, hatmonized with
them, Most striking was their habit of élinging upside down
under the twigs and petioles, clasping them with their fleshy,
clinging feet, so thal. tu a bird's eye, “they miust have appeared
jike narrow green leaves with a reddish mid-rib. The yellow line
along the sides of thé body (the “sunshine line” we have always
called it) appeared like streaks of sunlight, serving to break up
the outline, and completing the ihision of leafiness.

The larvae were practically invisible at a short distance and
always had to be sought. Daily 1 visited them, watching much
skin-shedding ; never marvelling at their escape, even in a garden
full of birds, for they seemed so wonderfully camouflaged. =~

The larvae ate only the more mature leaves, never touching the
tender reddish leaves at the tips of the branches. Voracious
feeders, they soon became more expused on denuded branches and
moved along to lealy ones. ;

On April 26, even after two days of heavy rain, there were
still twenty-five larvae, now almost fully fed. Next day two were
missing, Had they pupated? On April 28 there were only eleven
left, and these were ir the leafy shoots, as if they sought shelter
as well as fresh food. As I found no cocouns, nur dead bodies on)
the ground, [ assumed that birds had discovered them,

* On May 7 there were still eleven fine, far larvae. I seemed
surprising that even eleyen could have survived after such heavy
rain and intense cold. I watched the rain. dripping off the tips of

|
1944

CoLeMAN, An Emperor Gun Moth Mystery 105
limp, reflected bodies. When it ceased they commenced to feed
again.

eon May 8 they had disappeared. I found no dead bodies on
the ground, so they had not been washed off by heavy rains.
it seemed that they must have been taken by birds, tinless the
eleven had crawled away in a company to pupate elsewhere.

The larvae of some moths and butterflies always leave the
food-plant to pupate—a wise procedure when they pupate singly,
leaving others still feeding, for these would doubtless sever many
leaves to which they had anchored themselves. But in this
instance there was not the same necessity for such precaution, as
the cocoons are usually fastened to the bark of a trunk, branch or
twig. If the eleven larvae left the food-plant in a body to pupate,
it suggests that the Emperor Gum Moth is gregarious to a greater
degree than we have thought.

An entomologist who visited the garden at once searched the
bark of the stump and other trees, but we found no cocoons, and
I have searched many times since. The chance of survival, there-
fore, seems a very slender one. Of course it is possible that the
moth had not put all of her eggs in one basket, and had deposited
others which I missed, and that some of these survived.

The name Emperor Gum Moth seems now a misnomer, seeing
that the larvae are more ftequently found in numbers on the
introduced pepper-tree (Schinus molle), and even on fruit trees,
Why not Emperor Moth? As the moth existed in Australia
many centuries before the white man introduced the alien trees,
she has evidently evolved means of determining the edibility of
alien leaves for larvae which she will never see. She herself has
never eaten leaves, yet she deposits her eggs on only those suitable
as food for her offspring, even on alien leaves. How does she
recognize them? Inherited memory is out of the question. It
is one more of Nature’s inscrutable mysteries.

We have deeply regretted the cutting of our Sugar-gum. With its
slender 200-ft. shaft and shining crown it was beautiful at all times, but
never more so than when “flowering” with king parrots, gang-gang
cockatoos or lorikeets, which foraged for unripe seeds, littering the ground
with rifled calyces, even dropping them on our heads. The tree had pruned
itself of lower branches, rising above all the other trees; but it swayed so
alarmingly in a high wind that it threatened the house.

Two other Sugar-gumts treated in the same way haye sprouted into such
beautiful branches that one wonders why they are not more often lopped
to provide closer shelter than those seen round Western District home-
steads, although a smafler variety is sometimes used for the wind-breaks.

Apart from other considerations, these lopped trees have shed new light
on their power of regeneration—such a great asset to Australian forest
trees in admittedly difficult conditions —Epita CoLeman.

i Rurv, 4 New Spectes of Plerostylts from Portland ok

A NEW SPECIES OF PTEROSTYLIS FROM PORTLAND
By the Rev. H,. M. R. Rupr, Northbridge, N.S.W.
P. celans, nsp.

Ploata parva gracdisque, circiler 9 cm alta, cum faltis basalibus 3-6,
pettolatis, arbicularibus vel ovatis, circiter 15-20 mm longts, Caulis bracicac
latae, 2, superior florem subtendcns sed distans. Flos solitarius, viridis, in
ovarium. altquanto robusium. Scpalum dorsale circiter 15 mm tongiwm,
wrectum per 4 lonyitudinis, tum flexrum ad apicem ucntum et paulluly
decurvum. Sepala lateralia erecta, ad petalorum bases adnate, et connata
per 3 omom, tom divergentia ct Aliformia, neper galeam extendentia, porroe
curvaia: sins ad suncttonem
angustissimus. Petala non ad
sepatum dorsale adnata, latissima,
circiter 12 mm longa, dimidium
iiterius wnflexion. Labellum fere
lanceolatum, sed ci apice trun.
cato inter rugas duas, circiter
71 mm longum, 2 mm = latum,
floris mteriorem celans: lamina
longitudinalis alba cum nervo
ntedio viridi: appendix fere obso-
Ietus, @ base 3 am. Columna 7
mm longa, fere directa: alarum
fobi superiores tereti, glandulosi,
lobi inferiores aliquanto diver-
gentes, 2 mm longs, mfram cum
marguttbus brewiter ctltatts.
Stigma ovatum, magnum, lalins
steam: columma.

A diminutive, slender — plant
apparently seldom exceeding 9 cm
in height, with a basal cluster of
3-6 stoutly petiolate leaves, orbi-
cular to vvate, up: to 15 mm long
including the petioles. Stem-bracts
2, leafy, the upper one subtending
the flower but distant from it.
Flower solitary on a relatively
robust ovary, green. Dorsal! sepal
ahout 15 mm Jong, erect for 4
of its length, then bent forward to
form a galea with an acute and

Picrosiylis celans, n.sp. slightly decurved point, Lateral

I. Labellum, upper surface. 2. Column, — sepals erect, adnate to the base of
side view, 3. Column, front view. the petals for 3 mm, and connate
4. A petal. 5. Labellum from the side, with each other for 5 mm, the
to show appendage. ap. appendage. sinus at their junction extremely
s, stigma, narrow; their basal halves broad,

then suddenly contracting to fili-

form caudae extending above the galea and curved or hooked forward.
Petals in all my specimens entirely free from the dorsal sepal for their
whole length, about 12 mm long, nearly 4 mm wide at their broadest part.
with a conspicuous median longitudinal nerve, on the inner side of which
the petals are inflexed. Labellum ajlmost lanceolate, but with a truncated
apex between two minute marginal folds, about 11 mm long and 3 mm

KEY TO PLATE.

Orcnber] Rum, 2 Mou Sovcied ef Plerostylir from, Periland In?
wide at the broadest part: with the itturned ‘petals completely congeotinag
tha taterior of the flaiwer, thin and membranous, Longitudinal Iabellar
plate white on bath sides with a green median nerve; appendage almost
obsolete, unbraiched, about 3 mm above the base of the labellam, Coluin
7 min Jong, nearly straight, upper wing-lobes terete, glandular-transparent
tear the tps, the Jowet Johes broad, scatcely metting in front, shortly
ciliate on the lower margins only, Stignva large and conspicuous, ovate,
wider than the column,

Portland, Victoria, 10.1943 and 10.1944. G. Bermett and Mrs IC Metiblon,
' Specimens of this cunous little Greenhood orchid, discovered by
G. Bennett in 1943, were sent to me by Mrs. Mellblont [ts most obvious
affinity 14 with J? naxe@ R.Br, of which 1 was at frst mclined to think jt
a teratological form; this was alsu the opinion at che time of Mr. W. H.
Nicholls. Bat turther examination, and the fact that |S specimens were
found, all agreeing: precisely im the peculiar character wf the ‘flower,
éutivinced me that it cold not be meludedsia J. nan, 7 =

1 ain now glad that circumstances prevented its publicaou as a chew
species in 1943, because specimens of the 1944 season have been received
fram. Mes. Mellblom, and they are identical in all respects with those of
the previous yeur, thus endorsing the right of the plant, in my opinion,
‘to specific rank, The area upon which plants were discovered is utitor-
tunately now being cleared for agricultural purposes, hut Mr. Bennett
has transplanted as many as possible to safer ground

The outstanding peculiarity of the flower is provided by its remarkable
ameémbranous Tabellum, which might almost be described as petaloid ft does
not appear to he trritablé, and the appendage so characteristic oJ species
of Prerastutis at the base of the labellum is almost obsolete, being repre-
sented by a single shart “hair of about 3 mm above the base. In
P. wona the labellum ts very much shorter than the column; tt is thick and
firm in texture. and has a branched apuendave at the base. In the new
species the Sabellum is at Jeast 4 mm lonecr thao the column, ‘The
fetalg also are remarkable, In sll my specimens -they are completely
free from the dorsal sepal for their whole length. They are very broad,
with a proitiinent median nerve, on ihe inner or anterior side ai which
the petal is inflexed These inflexerd halves of the petals, together with
the long, wide, membranous labelluni, completely condda) the whole ‘interior
of the flower. thus suggesting the name F, celens. - .

T coniess thet I cannot even hazard a guess at the purpose of thts
concealment, In every flower I examined, pollen was freely scattered on
the stigiwa, proving that some pollinating agent had heen at work. | do
not think at péssible for a Pterostyis flower to be self-fertidizing.

What 4s the agent in this case, and how does it yn about its jab?
Here is a fine field for qhservation by our Porthind friends, who are to be
congratulated an the discovery of such an tirteresting Spetics.

.

SCAVENGING BIRDS NEEDED

Corporal R. D. Kent writes irom New Guineas "There is 2 very notice:
able lack of sea-birds and in consequence the beathes here are very ilirty
and ‘high!

“My, D. J, Matwny, who retired recently from the position of Director of
the National Museum, Melbourne, died on September Z7, An obituary
notice will appear later.

108 WaKnrikkn, Feen Lave af Bust Cippstare via ate

FERN FLORA OF EAST GIPPSLAND
By WN. A, Waxurinly, ALF, (formerly of Genoa, Vie.)

The district referred tw here as ‘East Gippsland’ is that seenon of
Victoria east of ihe western watershed of the Snowy River—a roughly
triangular tract of Yand with atr-area of about 4.00 square miles,

Mast of the country is very rough and mountainous, and the main fern
flora type is of Antarctic origin, fer the district, this forms a group of
about two-thirds of the Jocal speties. Nearly all of these are common in
New Zealand, and extend through Tasmania, Victoria and New Sauth
Wales into the highlands af southern Queensland.

In the drier western parts of the district there appear same inland
species; and on the higher land io the north chere are some which are
typical of the Alps. [np the ¢estern part there is an interesting extension
of sub-tropical specics winch are common to the lowland brushes of eastern
New South Wales and Queensland, a group comprrsing abaut one-fifth. of
the total for the dastrict. In the southern cowsral belt are a number of
littoral species, most af which range from Queensland to Western Australia,
Of all Victorian vascular cryptogams, BD per cent, occur in East Gippstand-

Tue Coastat Bret will be considered first, tor the sake of convenience.
is the southern tract of low country, in some places extending well inland,
aud ig characterized by sandy soil with a covering of Eucalypts and Banksia,
extensive patches of Spear Grasstree forming plains devoid of trees, coastal
heats, peaty swamps, and in some places low granite outcrops covered
with tea-tree.

All the fat moist parts show ai abundance of Swamp Sclaginella
(Selaginetle utiginesa), Bushy Clabmass (Lycopudiem. desnins) and Screw
Fern (Lindsaye iiyeraris], all three of whick may be found, too, in hollaws:
amid the mountains, toe an elevation of abaut 1,000 fect.

In the patches of Grasstree, where the soil is slightly peaty, Rough
Comb Fern (Schtsaea asperula), Forked Comb Fern (8. bifida} and Pigmy
Clubmoss CPhaylloglosttin Drumenjndit) ate plentiful in places. The two
Comb Ferns grou to a lesser extent in the more undulating sandy pacts,
and Common Hracken (Preridinwt aguilinnm) graws extensively heneath
the jarest covering. ‘

Alang many of the creeks, in the geaty bogs, Wiry Coral Fern (Gloichenia
circinmgta) forms extensive thickets; and on their borders, and in the
black-soil soak are Comb Fern (Schifsaco fistslosa) and Slender Clubmoss
(Lycopodinm laterale), On the river-Hate, where there is stagnant water,
Ferny Azoll2 (Acoila pinnata) forms extensive floating patches} alld it Is
worth recording that the commoner species of other parts of the State (4.
rubra} bas not dcett found in this district, -

About the mouth of the: Snowy River, tear Ewing's Morass and Marto,
on open grassy flats, Tiny Selaginelta (S, Pretssiana) grows; Adder’s-
tongue (Ophioglassunt coriacetum) is pisntisal and there is a little Meadow
Moonwort (Botrychim ousirale) to 6¢ found. The two last are scattered
in mossy granite country of the aouthern parts, and have both been found
m. sub-alpitic lacslities.

Where the creeks have rexched rock, they are bordered by Coral Fenr
(Glewhenta micropliytia), and King Fern (Tedca barbora}, exch ol which
extends inland to the lower mountain valleys; and Fishbone Fern (Blech-
wun mudwn} and Soft Water-fern (Bt cepense} which are plentiful along
open streains right up to sub-alpine parts Om rock-cliffs overlooking the
sea a few miles south) of Mallacoota are isolated patches of the Blunt Shore
Spleetiwart (Asplentum obtusatum)}, whith has uot becn found elsewhere
on the Victorian mainland.

oe Woaxermen, Ferm Flora of East Gippstand 719

Tre Ipcanp Spectres art Bristl Cloak Fern (Notfalaena aastans) and
Blanket Fern (Ptewrosorus rultfoltess, both of which ace turamon on the
drier himestones of the Ruchan distinct, and on the granite of the lower
Suggan Bhegan wid Deddick River Valleys. Rock Fern (Chetlaosthes
teswifelia) is abundant here tov, tot, unleke the other two species, it ts
Pentifnl also on rock outcrops throughout Croajingolong.

Sun-ateins Sencirs.—These are mainly in the moth, Tw the Inpec-
waodbee, Bonang aud Bendoc districts, Alpine Water-fern (Biechhain
penne wiariea is very abundant alang the open streams, amd it descends to
as low as 2,500 feet in places’ Mountain Clubmoss (Lycopodrem fastigia-
fum) frows on geassy flats by the Upper Delegete River, and the
Meonwort GBatrychtin teuriod has been found on grassy slopes at
Ingeegoodbec by Mr. W. Hunter.

In a stagnant pool among granite rocks ef the Genoa River, near
Wanerabelic, « single wilt of the Quillwort €fsoctes hatmatior) has beer
found; and (hough this plant belongs to 2 typically alpine genus, this
habitat is al an elevation of only a few hundred feet

On the tops and slopes of the Coast Range, Goonmirle Ratige, and neat
mountains, is a belt of country which. is focally known as the “Big Jungl ae
and which has @ dense cnvering of Eucalypts and Bedfordiz, beneath w
Soft Treeferti (Dicksomiq antarchce), Hard Water-Fetn (Blechnwn pers
corkm) and Mother Shield Fern (Polystichaun froliferim} ace extremely
abundant. These three extend, too, in fess abumdance, to the Sower mountain
valleys farther south.

Conimon Spleenwott { Aaplentuen trichosumes), usually found on gratute
rocks in sub-alpime parts. is, in East Gippsland, confined to the Buchan
and Gelantipy districts, where it is often Plentiful on mestone, A simular
case is provided by the Variable Clubmoss (Lycopoditon vortum), which
is usually alpine, but which grows on mossy cliffs at 1,500 feet elevation
neat Genoa Peak. In both cases the particular racks seem to suit the
propauation of ile plants despite their low altitudes,

Ratn-poresr Bett—-Where the predominant plants are Acacias ard
Eucalypts, on the slapes of the lower mountains, there rows an abundance
of Roweth Tree-fern (Cyatheo austratss), False Bracken (Culette dubio},
Gristle Fern (Blechnum cartilayinesat) aod the ubiquitous Bracken. As
well as these, there are Common Maidenhair Fern (Adiantsem acthiopficum),
Sticky Hypulepis (JV ypelepis pancreas and Common Rasp Fern (Deodie
medi) in the open gullies, and on, Enll slopes.

Commoi Filmy Fera (Humenophullim cxpressiforine), Kangaroa Fern
(Polypodnime diverstfolum), Sickle Fern (Pellaze falente) and Necklace
Fern (Aspleninnr fisheltifoliwan) grow plentifully on moist rocks. m mst
parts of the district, both im the gullies and an shaded cliffs on the mountaite
spurs, Narrow Vilmy Fern (M4ecodinm rarnet), Weeping Spleonwort
(Asbleninn Raccidenr) and Leathery Shield Fern: (Polystichasy adémnti-
forme) xre plentifol on mossy tock faces andoin granite creviees al Genoa
Peak.

Tn the noist soil in the deeper gullies af the lower mountains are Bat's-
wing Ferm Aichopleris rcisa), Strap Fern (Blechnuim Paterson), Mother
Spleenwort (Asplentuns Indinfermm), Shining ‘Wool Fern (Dryopterts
Shephordit), Teuder Bracken (Pteris trenna) and Rufous Hypoleps (A,
rugosa), By the larger streams, Gipsy Fern (Potupodivane grasumnlidis)
grows both as an epiphyte and as a lithophyte; and on the ground we frid
Hypolepis (A. Mueller), Shade Spleenwort (Deplosium axstrale ), Sulky
Fan Fern (Stic keris tenex) and Creening Lace Tern (Déonstaddita danal-
fioides), all in fair abundance.

110 Warerrin, Fern Flora of Mast Cijpoluyet tira baa

ln the gullies of the higher mountain country, mainly wi the many hears
nf the Berm Raver (Arte, Combienbar, Errinundra, ctc.), the Antarctic
type is. well developed and is almost identical with that of the Dandenong
Ranges, though still Jacking th) same of the species of southern Victorsa
(Preris comans, Polpstinlunn hispiduny cic.) The additiénal species. to be
found freee are the Austral Filmy Feen (Mecoditon eiustrate), Shining
Filiny Fern (17.. flabeliati), Veined Bristle Fern (Poalyphlaluae vena-
zum}, Long Fern Clubmoss (Fimestpteris Aillerdiart) and Finger Fern
Le otypodnan ausiralc), all abundant .26 epiphytes at trunks of Soft Tree-
erie,

The Stender Tree-fern (Cyathier Cioringlemel) and Skirted Tree-fern
{{. marcescens) ave scattered through this part-tao; bur, like many of the
ather species alteady menticticd io this section, they are more plentiful in
the Mount Draimer “jungles.’ Where the 4treams are more rocky, Lauet
Rein (8lechunm lanceelatun) and Ray VWiaer-lern (8. Revintile) are nat
uncdinmon; but, excepr that the latter extends, to néactiy suh-alping streams,
neither af these two is found in any othes.part of the district, ;

Sup-taorrcar. Freon —This is in’ the east of the districL, and along the
gtecams, and an same of the shaded hollows of the lower mnountams, there
arc patches oi yegetation often referred to as “jungles,” with few or nv
Ruealypts, but with w forest of Kanooka, Blackwood, Lilly-Pilly, Waratah,
etc. Téestooned with laancs and other <¢recpers, so as to exclude direct
sunshine, though at 1s quite open underneath. Jn such places, Giaic Maiden-
hair (ddianlaart formosnim) grows by the Cana and Spoawy Rivers; and m
wo localities the Small Shade Spleenwort (Diplacsiuwe japontemm) her
heen recently found. The “jungles” are typified hy the ocemrrence of the
terrestrial Jungle Brake (Pterts moshrosap, and by Fragrant Polypody
(Polypodinan pusiatatumy oo the trunks af Soft Tree-ferit

Prickly Rasp Fern (Doodioa aspera) and Spreading Fan Fern (Sireliceys
lubetas} grow an the hillsides mand near the jungles. Here the Felt Fern
(Cyclopharus rupestyis) is abundant as an emphyte on Kanuoka; and the
species is frequently found 100 On rock outcrops int other parts of the
distract, even as far nomh as Suggan Biggan, The Small Rasy Fern
(Doadia condate)! is scattered from Genoa to Buchan, generally in moist
Eranite crevices along watercourses, :
_tn the Mount Drummer area, in the heads of Karlo Creck and of other
tribularies of the Wingan River and of the Howe Ranges. the fori) Mate
of East Gippsland (and indced of. Victoria) reaches its peak, both in the
vember of species present and im the extent of their growth. fn these
isolated islands of flora, almost all the Species of the last two sections
grow proluscly, mainly in the moister parts, and right among them, but
extending up the hillsides, are. large.patches of sub-tropical specios. The
lithophytic species mentioned in the previous two sections grow here a9
epiphytes on the Kanookas.

Prickly Tree-feria (Cyathea Leichhardtiangy ia very plentiful, aiid the
fround js covered with Jungle Wood Fern (Qryopterius tenera) Even
Rough Tree-fern here supports the growth of numerous epiphytes, inclad-
inE quantittes of Jungle Bristle Fem (Macraglens condala); Soft Tree;
fern is hast to many Species, among which are Blot Fern Clubmoss
(Twrenpteris ovetc) and Small Fern. Clubmoss (T_ porvw). Near Karlo
Creek is the only known Victorian patch of Lace Fern (Lingsoyo wrero-
Hiwla),: - .

In the far east, abut Genoa, atc great granite outeraps, and by one of
jhe watercourses through them are patches of Rough Manknhair Fern
(Adiautian hispidulent) and Fan Fern (Sticherns flabellstes), Whe former

org Hawitiom dimior Fiold Naiweatisis Chit iit

occurring also in the Thawe Ranges; while near Mallacoota Inlet. upposie
Gipsy Paint, is an isolated patch of Trim Wood Fern (Dsyapteris decetie
posita), another rarity of Ue extreme ¢asl,

The Chinese Brake (Prariz gittaio) seems to favour porous. rocks, for
theuih tts a sub-tropical speries, one ihust go as far west as (he Buchan
limestones before it is Found, On the walls of one deep pranite erevine near
Genoa there are a few jilants of the Willow Splecnwort) ( dapleniunt
adimdtones}, almost the rarest Victorian fern,

ft ts remarkeble that the stb-iruopcal species, Drpopteris agmphalis and
- Davalite pyridata, baye pot heen found an East Gippsiand, lor they extend.
through eastere New South Wales mlo other parts of Vivtoria, appurently
missing this district, although many localities here would adiurably swt
their arowth.

Mueller had Jéeranopieris fitearis and Asplewisin ids on Victorian
lists; but thoueh the Jatcer, at least, occurs within 3 aniles of the Victorals
border, there 1 no real Victorian record of either, In addition to these,
there are two other species Crthropteris tenglia and Platycerium bifur=
Heder which come as far south as Mount Dromedary, &0 miles- from. the
border. :

So, althongh East Gippsland bas been fairly well explored durivg the
past few years, it is quite likely that still further discoveries will be made.
possibly in the Howe Ranges, which have not yet heen thorowelle searched.

—_— ~~ —_

HAWTHORN JUNIOR FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUR

After causiderable prelimuary work, and interviews with members of
Hue Hawthorn Council and the committee of the Hawthorn Ice Libvary-

consent of the Council to the formation of a Natdral History Cloh was.

obtained. An orgamemg committec was thereupon formed, with Mr, and

Mrs. J. 3, Freame. Mre Carbines, Messrs. P. F_. Marris, H, T. Reeves,

1. W. Cooper, H. P. Dickmy and S, R. Mitchell as personne], and at a

meeting held in the Free Library it was resolved to establish such a club

under the name Janzor Naturalists’ Chib (Hawthorn Branch)

The madgural meeting tovk place on August 6, 1943, and since then nine
iectures Have been given, two excursions condactedy and a “demonstration
evening” arranged. The Iectures, usually illustrated by lantern slides or
nuwtion pictures, have bern highly educative and preatly appreciated, From
October 4th to 9th, 1943, an exhibition of varied mterest was staged, the
Mayer, Councillors and Town Clerk attending, The club is indebted ‘to
the Hawthorn Council for the continued use of a yer fine decture rou,
and bas received much help and encouragement from the efforts of Cr. J.
Fowler on particular,

T wish to register my appreciation of the work so effectively carried out
by Mr. and Mrs, Preame, the secretary (Miss L. Edgelcey}, Mr -P. BF,
Marris, and other members af the committee. To celebrate jhe first anni-
versary, Mr, and Mrs. Freame arranged a birthday party aud generously
pravided all the refreshments, the tectwve on this occasion bemgy dehyvecred
by Mrs. Freame herself. Local support afforded the new clay is so far
rather disappointing, -but we hope to augmeut-the present membership of 35
when the elub's activities ‘become, more Widely known, However, the
results te date surely justify this venture and emphasize the desirahifity of
forming jucior naturalist societies in other suburbs. Any assistance in the |
way of addresses by senior membors will be gladly welcomed,

S. R. Mererieté

112 Favincre’ Meothoved Friends "Ae

THE FARMERS’ FEATHERED FRIENDS

To anyone doubting the ammense value to Australia of carrion-teeding
autd insectiyoraes birds, or ta those who never think about the question at
all, the South Australian Jowell of Agriculture for Aujust offers- at
- ilininating aetiele by Mr. Po J. Carnow, under the above utle. The fact
that many landowners are utterly oblivious of the jgood services. rendered
dhem by native birds is deplored, while a credit halance is made out even
far the much-maligned white cockatoo and wedje-taifed eagle, Mr. Cur-
vow's, plea for better bird protection must appeal to all nature-lovers. He
says, iter alia: “The greatest vandal in the world is the white inan. He
comes into a new country clothed with valuable forests, strange forms o€
hird aml animal life, and often aboriginal life of a lower type than his own.
The first thing he thinks of is to kill off any living thing he can rat, or,
thraugt the sale of furs or feathers, he can turn imo cash: Before seizing
& gun to shoot any Hird that may be strange to you, allempt to And out if
it be a useful species before you take iis life. The greater number af our
birds are useful, fram the tiny wrens that eat up aphis on aur roses to the
larger kinds that help to control blowfly strike by eating up fly larvae m
dead carcases AlN have a place in our economy and are worthy af
preservation.”

LIEUT.-COLONEL SIR DAVID PRAIN

The Biddesi of the Imperial Jstite announces the death of this veteran
botanist on March LO, at his home in Whyteleate, Surrey, England. Sir
David Prain, who attained the age of 86, was formerly divectar of thie
Botanical Survey of Initia. Returning to England, he assumed the director-
ship of the Royal Batanic Gardens, Kew (1905), 2 post that he held wirh
conspicuous ability for 1? years. In 1926 he was appointed first chairmart
of the Advisory Connci| on Plant and Animal, Products al the Lmpersal
Anstitute, retiring therefrom in J936 at the age of 79, Sir David presided
over the Botany Section vi the British Association, for the Adyangemant
of Science at Winnipes (Caiada) m 1909, and visited Australia with
British delegates during 1914. Conipared with those of Sis predecessors at
Kew, Sir David's botanical writings ate meagre, but he was a world-
renowned and excellent administraror-scientist, and one of the most likeable
men it has been oy baceur to meet—P_ FL Mouiss.

EACURSLON TO BLACK ROCK

A large Wumber attended the outing on August 19, the locality visaled
being on the vicinity of Balcombe Road, from half to one inile east of the
fram terminus. ‘The castern slope of the bill was first tried, but abundant
#rowth of Coast Tes-tree bushes mate location of other plants difficult.
Rarmt-over areas on the other side of the road were in various stages of
recovery al gave better results. Mary small plants were seen here, tne)ud-
a= Ule contmor Cros species and Scented Sundew (fowering vlentifully
in places}. A low prowth of Runkste was sill flowering, and four speces
af Acacta displayed attractive Wassoms. One of the abnormal folinge
forms of the Acacia Tongifolia geoup (smalf phyliodes, and possibly 2
hybrid) was noted and it would be jiitteresting to test the sced later on,
whee add if dbtainalile. Tew orchids were observed) an flower, fet The
feathery plumes af Blady Grass ied to an cxamination of Ws underground
method of spreading —T_ 5S. Hau.

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. 61—No. 7 November 8, 1944 No. 735
PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Club was held on October 9, 1944,
at the Royal Society's Hall, where the President (Mr, Ivo C.
Hatmimet} presided aud about 120 members and friends attended.

Excursion reports were given as follaws; Doncaster, My. P,
Fisch; East Oakleigh, Mr, F. Hy Salau; Montmoreney to
Eltham, Mr, A, S. Chalk and Mr. Hammiet.

The following were clected as Ordinary Members of the Chub:
Misses C, Q, Palmer, J, C. Burnett, Greta Scott, 1.. Matthews,
Messrs. G. Fraser, 7. HW. Laver; as Country members: Cpl, R. D
Clarke, Messrs. G. H. Jennings and Edwin D, JHateh.

-NATURE NOTES

Mr, Chisholm was asked why black and white birds of different
species often nested close together, He said in reply that black
and white birds (e.g¢., Magpies, Wagtail, Mid-lark, etc.) appeared
te be protected by their very prominence, and there seemed ta be
some protective value attached to the fact that the Mud-lark and
Wagtail frequently nested in the one tree. It would he interesting
to know from observation which was the first species in possession
in such cases.

Mr, Gates nientioned having seen in Canterbury a black and
yellow bird which he had never noted in the district before. Ma
Chisholttt said that the species was the Regent Honeyeater, and
the birds were possibly the same pair that had recently been
seen at Wattle Park. 9

Mr. A. J. Swaby reported that two Spur-winged Plovers had
selected a nesting site on a football ground, where three school
ganies were played each week. The eggs were laid among Cape
weed, and were soon taken. A second site was selected, this time
alongside a concrete cricket-pitch, and the young were successfully
hatched, fending for themselves at a very tender age, The old
birds are again nesting in the same locality.

A note on a habit of the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike was also
given. it way stated that as soon as the young birds had left Lhe
test the parents had destroyed ut. and had tot attempted to use
the material again. Mr. Chalk stated that these birds often used
ald nests of the Mud-lark, atid these were never destroyed,

. Vict. Nat
114 Mountain dnd Busts Vol. 61

GENERAL BUSINESS \

The forthcoming Nature Show m the Hawtharn Town Hall
Was mentioned and an appeal made for ladies to assist a the
seiling up, j

Mr. V. H, Miller reported that Mr, C. French had been
appointed to thé curatorship of Maranoa Gardens, and said he
Jooked forward to a continuation of the good work started by the
late F. Chapman. Mr. Miller further stated there were some
maguificent displays in the gardens at the present time. Mr. H. T.
Reeves supported these remarks and congratulated Mr, Bury on
having such a fine display.

Mr. G. Coghill stated thar the collection af wild flower paintings
of the late Miss Fuller had been left to the Club, and he pointed
out the value of them for the Club's purposes.

The President remarked that the Barrier Field Naturalists”
Club at Broken Hill had issued an admirable booklet on Charles
Sturt, and he exhibited a presentation copy sent to the Club.

MOUNTAIN AND BUSH

An illustrated lecture was given by Mr. Paul Fisch, who dealt
with alpine scenes in Switzerland, sundry places en route to
Australia, and Australian localities. A feature was the fine series
of nature studies taken near his home at Doncaster. Giant fungi,
new and rare forms of Cordyceps, orchids, etc., were among the
illustrations.

Mr. Colliver asked if the Jecturer could explain why many of
the Swiss alpme plants were common garden plants over here
now, and yet alpine plants of New Zealand, in some cases at
least, would not grow below the snow-line. Mr, Fisch suggested
it was possibly due to the plants nor being so forceful in growth
4s the European forms. Mz. Hammet stated that he had grown
the Alpine Lily (Katwunetlas Lyatli) for one year but it did not
flower. Mr, Hyam suggested that the plant needed a long resting
period, as in jts natural habitat it is covered by snow for seven or
cight months, Mir Morrison suggested that the isolated posinorr
ot New Zealand did not make the plants’ struggle for existence
as severe as in the case in Europe, where aggressive types are hred-

Mr, Gabriel asked what was the plant mentioned as having
medicinal properties. Answer: Arnica, and a tincture for wounds
was commonly made from it, ,

Mr. A. D. Hardy asked if hush-tires in Swiss forests were ever
caused by lightning. Mr, Fisch replied that fires were not commor
—about two a year in the north—and after a thunder-storm such
4 quantity of rain jell that any fire would soon be extinguished.

SE pel Exhibits HS

EXHIBITS

Mr, and Mrs. Paul Fisch: Roots of Exocerpus cupresafornms, enveloping
bot not penetrating those of a eutalypt; garden-yrawn specimen of Olearie
Urata; series of water-cotour and crayon drawings of Victorian urehids and
fungi.
i L. Dyall: Large radish, weight when dug 34 Jb, grown in Glen

ris.

Mr. T, Griffiths; Collection of pressed Selaginellas ard other mosses
in book.

Mr.-V. H. Millet Cultivated orchids—Dendrobinm. praciitimum, D, terete-
jolium, Cymbidium Beryl, ©. Lowianwm, and Cymbidiuwn sp.> pot-grown
specimen af Disris punctate; also pot-grown specimen of Drasera benata.

W/O, ), A, Blackborn (peg O. Singleton): A perfect specimen of the
gtant Jossil cowric Giganlocypreea gigas (McCoy) From Balcomhe Bay;
maximum dimensiets of sample are 7 in. long and 54 in. broad. Collected
hy exbibitor-

Mr. J. H. Willis: A rare puffball (Phellortaa strobitima) from near
Talla Station, Wakool Shire, Western Riverina, N.S..W, (toll. Major F, S.
Wright, 3/10/44). This is probably the dargest example on record: height
above ground 28 em.: girth of peridium 17 cm, (Dr. G, H, Cunningham's
corresponding measurements for ihe jargest specimens he had scen, up to
1942 was 18% 11 cm.) The speries is listed for Victoria, South Australia.
Queensland, and India,

Mr. T. 5S. Hart: Lepidosperma congesiium, lately added to the lists of
Victorian plants; examples from Highett, Black Rock and Mornington.
Pomaderris subvepanda, a shrubby “Hazel” (so called) from North Croy-
dons Levenhookia Sondert, a Trigger-plant from North Croydon.

EXCURSION TO DONCASTER

About 45 metnbers and Iriends avlended the outing on September 1h
Along Blackburn Road, Cottony Cushion scales were observed on wattle
and flowering specimens of Wibbertia and Daviesia latifalia. In a cutting
af the road, where roots of Exrocarprs cupressiformis and those of a gum-
ttee were exposed, we searched for evidence of the former's parasitical
habit, but could not find any roots actually joined, although they were
growing very closely together, suggesting rather a symbiotic relationship.
Along Koontny Creek, where old Paperbarks (Melatevce erictfolio) and
the Mantua Gums provide sotne very picturesque settings, several flowering
plants were found: about three kinds of wattles, two species at Greenhoods,
a Dird-orchid and Diwets longifolia, also Olearia livata. The laggest speci-
met or Yellow Box tree an the district was also admired, A good yiew of
a pair of Frogmouths was obtained, and later one of these birds waa
abserved sitting on its nest—very well camouflagéed.—Paur. Frsci.

PERSONAL.

The Club's congratulations are extended to Mr, C, French upon lis recent
appomiment by the Camberwell Council as curator of the Maranoa Gardens,
in succession to the late Frerterick Chapman. Mr. Frenth, who has beet
a energetic member of the F.N.C, for 62 years od was an assistant of
Baron you Muctler daring the last decade of the areal scientist's life, Is
sterped in botanical tradition anf brings a wealth of plant Ipre. gardening
experience, and enthusiasm. into this responsible position.

116 Fosen, Natire Picteres Here and Alvoad gots

NATURE PICTURES HERE AND ABROAD
By Pau Frscx, Doncaster, Vic,
(An address to the FLN.C. on Oct, 9}

Under this tithe I shall relate somte of the rambles and observa-
tions that ny wite and J have made, both in our home country,
Switzerland, and in this equally lovely Iand uf Victoria where we
settled down,

Needless to say, I am very interested im everything that Nature
has ta reveal to man. Donbtless the fact thal we grew up in x
most picturesque mountain valley, with plenty of unspoilt natural
life around us, aroused an eatly interest in Nature, and both our
parents and school feachers encouraged nature study. In our
secondary school we kept a hook where we had to enter each day
an observation relating to natural histary with sketch or diagram
atid text, and most pupils were very proud of those books. One
of the most interesting observations was how the flora changecl
on differing geological formations, eg., the saxifrages, certain
primulas and clovers, favouring hmestone country, would not
invade the plant life of sandstone and conglomerate.

A unigue flora is that of the bigh moors at an altitude of aboni
1,200 metres. The peat-forming Sphagnum moss covers the whole
level area and seems to thrive in a water-logged, sour terrain.
Minerals are abouf non-existent, a fact that causes the extremely
sttinted growth of the few forest trees that germinate on this Jand.
About three different dwarf berry-beating shrubs, including the
Blue-herry, or Bilberry (Vaccinisen mnyrtilies), da very well, alsn
two insect-catching plants, one of them a sundew. All the shrubs
and erass aré continuotisly threatened by the ever growing and
rising carpet of Sphagnum moss. Some of the grasses overcome
this threat of being smothered by the formation of a new set of
raots Ingher up along the stem every year, and one ss able to
trace many akandoned root sections right down into the snb-suil
where the old vegetable matter is turning into peat. This same
Tundra-like country T have later encountered in the Victorian
Alps.

Although the rainfall of Switzerland is very substantial and
agricultural lands are tnore than adequately watered, forests which
cover ahout one quarter of the country are very well protected
and attended, What enormous assets these forest lands are to
a country !—they shelter agricultural lands, homes and towns froin
storms. avalanches and hail; they provide [he indispensable fuel
for houschold and industries, the timber for building; they are a
natural water-reservnir, regulating the flow of springs: and, last

evant Pisen, Mavire Micters Were and Abroad liz

lut not least, are an everlasting beauty to the country. The
indiscriminate slaughter of forests in the mountains has been the
cause ol disastrous Jandstides, with the formation of these uneon-
trollable torrents whose yellow, or almost black, waters tear roclcs
and valuable sail downstream, wreaking great damage.

The Swiss Forest Law of 1876 declared jovests in the moun-
tains, that is those im the catchment areas of the rivers, per-
sanently protected and by 1902 ali forest Jands (privately owned
as well) were cuvered by the Federal Forest Laws, which are
carefully worked out, hased on experience, observation and experi-
ment, Ti a farmer makes a mistake in a seasana) operation it is
avenged in a short ome and the following season it will he
eliminated, But in forestry suecess or failure is usually manifest
only decades afterwards, when it may be too late to adjust the
tatler, [t has heen found that the healthiest and most. profitable
type of forest is the one with a mixed population of conifers and
deciduous trees, from which always the mature trees are thinned
out, so that no jorest soil is exposed: a kind 65f self-regeneratiny,
perpetual forest, Yes, the forests: are worth protecting, 1 Tact i.
is our duty to pusterity.

The forests of Gurope ohee cut down ate very dithcult to
replatil, as (he soil seems to change or Jose irs hicterial and Jungus
life so heneferal und essestml] to the trees. After hearing the
remarkable lecture in this Club, ‘Making the Desert Bloum,” T
am imelincd to think that Australian species of trees may be
aestined to reafforestate man-made deserts throughont the world-

Iv is believed that the ¢reeline lint, which is at about the
1,800 metre marl, used io be about 250 metres higher up. In
those regions, where now only the dwarf conifers and the glorious.
“Alpine Roses” (Rhododendron tivsutum and R. ferruginewm)
grow, the remains of tall forest trees, canes and seeds have been
found in the peaty soil, indicating, of course, that forests once
flourished there. Actually, jt is believed now that the helt of
Rhododendrons once coincided with the treeline limit,

And now a few words about the alpine flora in general, Le..
plant life between 1,000 and 4,000 metre altitudes approximately :
Yes, Rutmaculws glactalis is found as high up as that.

The temperatuce of the air in those regions is redticed, the sun’s
vays are inteuser, the period of vegetation is shorter, the rainfall
greater, the change of temperature ts severe and ait currents more
pronounced, All these factors mfluence the specie character of
alpine plants, With the increasing alatude the Number of species
leereases and (he jndividuals grow smaller and hup the ground
for protection,

sts Fascn, Noture Pictnees Hore and Tbeaad Yaa

Most plants are perennials, a5 the short summers very often
prevent the maturing of seeds of annuals. Owing to short seasons
the flowers appear early, blooms of the Soldanella often grow-
ing through a thin layer of melting snow. Of interest are the
felt coats of the Edelweiss and its relatives to hinder loss of
moisture. Some of the mountain flowers have been successfully
cultivated in the Jowlands, such as a few gentians, primulas, saxi-
fragés, ranunculi, campanulas, ctc., but generally tt must be said
that they thrive only on the high mountains where conditions
created their very specific character and beauty.

And now let us turn to Australia, It ts rather significant
that as a nature-lover I really made my first friendship here by
the meditm of a tree. On my search for a job, I passed by a
garden where an old man attended his trees. One of these T
recognized as Abies pectinata, the very extensively represented
member of the Swiss forests. This I told the gentleman and,
appreciating my interest in trees, he showed us over his whole
garden and helped me to obtain employment. He thought it quite
natural that I wanted to work on the land, in contrast to the
young farm-worker I met (just disembarking at the port) who,
wheh -I revealed my intentions to go on the land, looked at me
very critically and asked, “Can y’ milk a cow, ¢an y’ plough and
with ‘ow many ‘orses?"

A few years later, when it came to choosing a place of our
own, we were again looking at the problem as naturelovers, and
never regretted having acquired a terribly dilapidated property
with the bad name of being “played out,” and overgrown with
couchgrass. We saw that the neglected building could be
straightened up, and the walis (built of Silurian bedrock) looked
quite dignified; the couch-grass also was a blessing in disguise,
as it held the soil, preventing tt from washing away during the
years nobody looked after the place. And then there were the
few lovely old trees, planted perhaps fifty or more years ago, that
now provide us with shady nooks around the house and are a
feature of the landscape,

Fram this home of ours at Doncaster we have made innintierable
rambles close by and farther afield, first alone and later with our
children, to explore the bird, insect, orchid and fungus worlds.
and whenever anything new to us is found the delight ts great.
I suppose Australians find our ataazement hard to understand at
the first meeting with Pedargus, for instance, or the extraordinary
plant family of Proteacee, the quaint orchids, grass-trees and
fern-trees, the Cordyceps or a fiimgus like Boletus portentosus
weighing 12 lbs. or more, to name but a very few of the amazing
objects of this land.

November ~ mt
ou Witetans. Some Bolamcal Curientio: 119

SOME BOTANICAL CURIOSITIES
By W_L. Wt.trams, Melbourne.

A chance reference to ctielation in native plants led me recently
to look back over a set of notes made from time to time between
1930 and 1935 on the subject of outstanding colour variation,
apparent hybridizstion, and teratological formations in wild flowers
of the Grampians district. J fear that the notes are not very
scientific; they merely record curiosities that appeared to be
worthy of notice, and some of the observations, a mixed bunch,
are offered as a matter of intercst and for the sake of recording,

In the neighbourhood of the Terraces on a north-eastern slope
of the range there is, or was, a large patch of the “nodding blue
ily” (Stypendra glauca), which straggled over rocky ribs and
spread in some proftsion on every terrace of soil that lay between.
The mass of blue colour in the flowering season was a delight
that I have never forgotteri; nor have I forgotten the shock of
finding in the midst of if a splash of pure white—the flowers af
one plant or clump af Stypandra which so far as could be seen
were im every other way quite normal. Three or four of these
white spikes stood side by side among hundreds of blue examples.

A white flower that ought to be blue, hawever, is not so
startling as one that ought to be red, and my notes record the
same peculiarity in two of the reddest Mowers in the whole bush—
“flame heath” (Astroloma conostephivides) and the “scarlet coral
pea” (Kennedya prostratd), A plant of the former hearing while
flowers was found among acres of the usual seacfet-flowered heath
in open country close to Stawell, while a runner of what mist be
incongruously deseribed as “white scarlet coral pea” crept among
the brush on the flat below Red Man’s Bluff,

Two orchids appear in the list too, though in neither case was
colour entirely absent, ‘Beside the Western Highway. a few
miles beyond Ararat, there used to grow a small colony of the
“tall diuris” (Divris longsfolia) of which every Mower, instead of
being orange splashed with brown, was of a uniform pale vellow
without darker markings of any kind. In colour they resembled
very pale forms of Diuris pedwnculota, though the form of the
orchids, even from a distance, shouted aloud Diuvis longifolia.
Their constant pallor, however, was so remarkuble that specimens
were sent to Dr. Rogers in Adelaide, who was good enough to
check the identification. The second orchid noticed was a fine
specimen of the “fringed spider orchid” (Caladenta difatata)
which was morphologically normal, but, lacking any touch of colour
ever! on the labellum, usually so brilliant, was of a uniform pale

120 Woawtams, Sune Betanival Curtositics rich Sai

cream, ‘This spequnen was net observed in six, unfortunately,
but was being carned in a bunch of orchicis suid to have been
withered at Pomonal. Whether the paleness was a permanent
characteristic in the Howe of that particular tuber and its descend-
ants was therefore never established. In none of the cises men-
tioned did lack of sunlight appear to have anything to do with the
inatter,

No special reference is of course made to the more conimorly
known colour variations, such as the pele and dark forms of the
“horned orchid” (Ortheceras strictenr), the stout sun orchid
(Thelymttra epipactordes}, the “common spider orchid” (Cala-
dema Patersowt), or such leck orthids as Prasophylhim French
and P. Brainet, of which extraordinary extremes were occasionally
found,

At least ive examples of hybridisin, both iq orchids, are noted.
One of these was a fine double-lawered spider orchid enliceted by
the Rey, Clarence Lang, Jt had the size and general appear-
ance of Caladenia Paterson, but the pale. labellum had mingled
characteristics of both C. Patersonii and C. dilatate, including 2
short but characteristically ‘“dilatata” fringe. The other record
involves two or three specimens of an orchid lying apparently
somewhere between Dirris wnaculata and 1. petachila, in ail of
which a broad but not entirely characteristic “palachila’ tongue
seemed to have become accidentally attached to an otherwise
iypical specimen of the former orchid. This form, which tor want
of a better explanation was written down as a hybrid, appeared
occasionally in the same locality (near the, tirn-off from the
Pornonal road to the Terraces) over Iwo or three seasons. .

But the prize cutiosity of. all was a tevatological form of
“blotched sun orchid,” Thelyrtrtre fusce-intca, ane of the most
beautiful kinds, and one which gives me always a slight feeling of
incredulity. That the broad feaf and the succulent stem and the
delicate bloom should belong to a genus that prefers its sunshine
oven-hot seems on the face of it ridiculous. Tlowever, so it is-
The specimen in question had a spike of three flowers, in each of
which a toothed excrescetice, originating at the base of the label-
lum, rese in front of the column, practically concealing it front
view, This example was the first of the species that I had seen,
and.I collected and pressed it without recognizing its teratological
condition. Fortunately in a letter to Dr. Rogers concerning
anuther orchid I described my specitnen in some detail, Never, |
think, was a letter answered more speedily. The Doctor's anxious
inguiry as to the fate of the etitiosity caused me to remove it front
the press and send it at once to Adelaide, where lhe employed

lo Woon, Hild Life in the West 12k

methods of his own to restore, Mount, and examine the parts of
the flower.

The plant, whose pusition 1 had noted, bloomed again during
the two next succeeding seasons, and each time the flowers had the
same curious. structure—a partial survival of the missing authers
that, thousands or millions of years ago, onve graced orchids
generally. Then one season no grecn leaf appeared and there was
no strange bloom in the spring. Perhaps it Howered again after
T left the district; perhaps it is about to bloom at dns very
moment,

WILD LIFE IN THE WEST
By LE. M. Wees, Melbourne.

During half a dozen years in the outback of Western Australia,
some torty years aza, I was in daily Louch with wild nature. The
country was primitive and largely imfenced. My‘one regret is
that 1 did not “take in” more of it.

This was land thrown open to selectors at the begmming of the
century, The best of it grew raspberry jam trees, york gum and
salmon guin, with occasional poots or morrels. The worst of it
was sand-plain and stony rubble that grew blackhoys, a stunted
sort of useless herbage and potsonweed. ‘The proportions af good
and bad were about 50-50,

The poison weed killed stock that ate it. It was easy enough
to gruly and it would not grow agai unless a fire passed over the
area,

This was. waterless country with the exception of a few soaks
_ and tanks sumk by sandalwood gatherers of a previous age. No
water was accessible to the bush animals, which seemed ta get on
very well without it.

The region was well endowed with possums, kangaroos, tammnya
{wallaby), boodie rats (kangaroo-rats of some kind) and warunes,
Thrushes, crested bell-birds, parrakee(s, ring-neck parrots and
brown magpies (‘ ‘squeakers" ) were the most noticeable birds.
The handed anteater was quite common.

Bell-birds had the loveliest song—three or four beautiful pipes
finishing with a deep chime an octave lower. [ have followed
them matty a lime thinking their notes came from horse-bells.
The similarity was apparent only at a distance, I never heard a
horse-bell close up that could compare with the bell-bird. Ale was
the last singer at night.

The ning-neck parrots ate the wheat-crop as fast as we sowed

42a Wren, Hild Life in the Weg veer

il, They came in great flocks and we had to poisan them or go
without wheal. They and the “squeakers” died by hundreds.

One ividday 1 had been working out in the open bush alone
and was seated having lunch when a banded anteater came into *
yiew, The place was a sandy rise growing white gunis and there
was x lot of dead white gum sticks rotting on the ground. I kept
very still because, although anteaters were fairly plentiful, they
were desperately shy and would go for their lives if they saw a
man.

T suppose 1 watched this chap for half an hour and this is the
way he went about things. Having nosed into a small piece of
rotting wood. he would burrow underneath it. Then by means
of the burrow he would get his forepaws under the stick, raise it
underneath his chin, riseé on his bind legs and let the stick fall.
Tt always seemed to fall bottom up. Then out would go his long
red tongue along the stick and in would go the white ants.

This litéle chap was having a great teed when a gust of wind
disturbed the paper in which my lunch had been wrapped, He
gave one look in my direction and promptly disappeared. ;

The kangarons were light brown creatures that made very good
eating if they were young. I have always regretted shooting
them because they were lovely, harmless things; but when your
daily meat comes out of 2 tin the chance of a little fresh kangaroo
3s too good to be missed. I salve my conscience these days by
reflecting that I shot them only for food. Cooked in a camp oven
with a bit of bacon, kangaroo steaks were very appetising.

As far as I know, these kangaroos, in common with the rest
af the fauna, never drank. The soaks had all fallen in long since
and the tanks were inaccessible. In summer the only source of
moisture was a species of corkscrew-grass, the roots of which .
were always green.

The possums, of the ordinary grey variety, had voices that J
have not heard in other States. One used to sit in a jam bree
(raspberry jam) above my tent and wait for niy light-to go out.
He watld give me about half an hour to get to slecp and then
come down into the tent and steal my jam. I would wake up to
see a little round ball of fur an the table by my bunk, Hs nose
would be deep in the jam, The voice was a sort of “chut-chut.”
That and a kind of wheeze which T have heard elsewhere made up
the pnssum’s conversation.

Speaking of yoices, the Western Australian crow has one all
his own. It is the usual “Caw-+aw” followed by a horrible.
ghoulish chuckle. Crows were very scarce in those parts. J
suppose I saw no more than six in as many years.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol, 61 November, 1944

Piatt ¥

Large clutch ef Eni eggs at the Wild Nature Park at Ararat.
They took eight weeks to hatch.

Five days after hatching the young Emus still remained at the nest.
On the sixth day they walked off, led by the male parent, whe had
brooded the eggs.

Photos. by Set. T.. Blackie.

Mogenier Wron Wild Life in the West 123

One nf them gave us an insight into the crow’s uncanny instinel
<oncerning a possible meal, We had a chestnut mare that went
sick one day. We put her in a loose box and gave her various
vemerlies, In that loose box she was out of sight of everything.
Later in the day we went to the box to give her one more remedy.
Having dane sa we went back to the hut. As we left the box a
<row came flying slowly over an adjacent hill and perched on a
ry tree close to the loose box. Half an hour later one of us
went back ta the box and found the mare dead. If the place had
had plenty of erows one would have taken little notice of this
incident, but we hadn't sett a crow for a year and J am convinced
that this one knew in some way that the mare was going to die
and came over for the feast.

The tamma (wallabies) were tound only in sheoak. thickets.
These were clusters of sheoak saplings never more than 10 or 12
feet high and packed clasely together, The tamma were good
eating. To get them a man with a gun stationed himself in the
middle of a thicket while another beat the bounds and drove the
animals toward the centre.

I mentioned the warung because, although in the small kangaroo

lass (he was smaller than a tamma) he always ensconced himself
in a squat like a hare and was always seen alone, His meat was
white, something like chicken, although more like rabbit to the
taste,

There were no rabbits then. The last erected Government
rabbit-proof fence ran along our boundary and bunny had not
got pase it.

At intervals along the fence were traps of wire-netting built on
the principle of heing easy to enter and impossible to vacate. We
thought we had found a rabbit once in one of these but it turned
out to be a dalgite, a noctumal animal which we never saw jn
‘daylight,

The hoodie rats haunted stables and haystacks at night. They
were a kangaroo-rat a little smaller than the warung and they
attacked the haystacks for the grain in the wheat-cars. In one
place, I remember, they goat to the settler’s self-raising flour.
They were ail found tn the moming dead and considerably blown
up with gas, :

There were no kookaburras then but I believe they bave been
imported since. Emus were very few in those parts, but there were
plenty of dingoes, These were mostly the pure ginger type buf
some of them showed evidence of being crossed with other dongs.
I laid hundreds of haits for them but never saw a dead one
although the haits would always be taken. These animals had

[yes Net
Vol. Gl

124 Weaa, Weld Ltfe mm tee ost
the real dingo howl, It used to make my blood curdle at first.
vel it is a strangely appealing although inelaacholy sound.

Once while driving through the bush, on a-moonlit Christmas
IEve, E saw a diriga come out-of the scrub and rus along the track
atiead of me. He kept this up for several miles before disappear-
ing in the scrub again. IJ rather apprectated lis attention ‘and
would not have shor at lim even if T had carried a rifle,

On another momilit night {i was mormng actually) I heard.
a dingo patter up the track by my tent and Jap at the niuddy soak-
1 could not have brought myself to shoot that felluw, either,
because [ was living alone aud fell very lonely.

There were large granite outcrops all over this country and
some of them contained what we called night wells. These were
hales in the rock into which waler began to flow soon after sun-
dewn and stopped flowy at sunrise The explanation 1s that
there was some aggregation of water around the rock which seeped
in through a crack, As soon as the sun got pp the rock expanded
and the crack closed. Whole teams of horses could be watered
from a night well at night, for the hele always kept full until
mornivg. These night wells are somewhat rate, The nearest to
ws would have been aliout 30 miles.

Earlier I mentioned sandalwood, This tree must have grow
prolifically i southern Western Australia at one-titne, Horse:
teams used ta come ap fron Albany in the very early days and
take away great loads of the timber. First they went through:
and took the trunks of the trees. leaving the stump and the little
branches. Then, when the trees were cut out, they came through
again and took out the stumps. All over the country L saw the
holes where the trees hadi been once.

T was over many hundreds ei square miles oi bush in those
days but im all that wrea T saw only one sandalwood tree growing.
T don’t know whether it Stas re-established jtself. hut it did not
stem to be doing’ se in my tine.

NATURAL HISTORY MEPALLION, 1944

The fifth recipient af the Australian Natural History Medallion wall -be
Mr. John McConnell Black, our. F.-N\C. nominee, Born in Seotland, Mr.
Black migrated to South Australia iu (877. He left the Press in 1902 and
turned his attention to boanical research, contributing over forty papers
to the 5.4. Royal Society, of which he was President, 1933-4. As a Veren
(£930) and Mueller (1932) medallist, with honorary lectureship in Sys-
temati Botany at Adelaide University, Mr. Black's greatest triutmph was
the modern, well illlustrated Flora of Sonth Avstrofie. Ww four patter
(1922-29), At present he j& writing a second edition and, while con-
gratulatmyg him pn the present award, FONwCV. expresses the hope that his.
ninetietsh birthday on April 28 next wil! see completion of the new Pan TL
(Cosnarinacer to Buplorbiecow),

aaah yi r Rope, The Orchid Acionthus fornicatis 325

THE ORCHID ACIANTHUS FORNICATUS
By the Rey. H. M, R. Rupp, Northbridge, N.S.W,

This little orchid has not yet been recorded in Victoria, but J
shall be surprised if it is not discovered before long in eastern
Gippsland, for it is very common in New South Wales, where it
is known to extend well down the South Coast. The vernacular
name “Pixie Caps," for which we are indebted ta Mrs. Hilda
Curtis, of Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, suits it admirably,
the broad “cap” of the dorsal sepal readily distinguishing it from
1s hear relative, 4, exsertys,

Its affinities are chiefly with the species just named and with
the rare A. Ledwerdi of southern Queensland, and it is also very
close indeed to the smaller 4. Sineleivi: of New Zealand. Bur it
is, I think, a more vartable species than any of these, and some
account of its habits and characteristics may he of interest to
orchid-loving readers,

It is very often found im association with A. cxscrtus, and as the
two have exactly the same kind of leaf and stem, they cannot be
distinguished until ihe budding racemes appear, except that the
leaf of A. exsertus is green on both sides and that of A. fornicatus
is usually (bot not invariably) reddish underneath. It also appears
im company with 4, candatys, Its range of habitat as known at
present reaches from solithern Queensland along ihe New South
Wales coastal belt at least as far south as the Moruya River ; while
inland it bas been recorded as far west as Molong on the Central
Western Slopes, aud Barraba on the western fall from New
England, In the cuastal area between the Manning and Shoal-
haven Rivers—a stretch of country about 200 niles long—it is
‘ probably by far the commonest orchid of the open forests and
scrub-lands, often literally carpeting the ground.

An.excellent illastration of what may be called the typical form
is giver: by Mr, G. V. Scammell’s plate on p. 47 of the present
writer's Orchids of New Sout Wales, But variations from the
type are abundant. In Mr. Scammell’s enlarged flower the petals
are scarcely one-fourth as long as the lateral sepals. In the text
T have described them as “half as long’; perhaps it would be more
accurate to say that they vary from half to less than a qarter
As a matter of fact, all the floral segments vary it their relative
iengths. The dorsal sepal, though typically slightly shorter than
the laterals, frequently equals them. The labellum. instead of
being shortly acute as shown hy Mr, Scammell. may be definitely
acuminate. Jts marging are mosi commonly entire, but sometimes
they are irregularly serrate for the anterior half of theil length;
1 fave observed this chiefly in flowers with ap acuminate labellum.

4

126 Rupp, The Orchid Aciantlins forngcotus ah ty ee

The papillose area of the upper surface of the labelluin, too, is
fiable to variation. Typically, in front of the two blunt basal calli
there ave two broad longitudinal pupillose ridges; but these are
frequently ill-defined, the papillae being scattered rather densely
on both sides of the median line.

The lateral sepals are pecuhar, From u filiform poimt they are
suddenly broadened, at a variable distace from the apex Just
where this broadening occurs there is usually a notch in the outer
margin, ar nat infrequently a notch in bath margins. In 4,
Ledwardii, these notches are extended mto filiform lobes, so that
the sepal becomes a sort of 3-pronged fork.

The colour ot the flowers of A. fornicatus ranges from deep
red-brown (rare) through duller shades of brown to a sort of
translucent pale green. In most areas the Howering period extends
trom May to August; as @ general rule 4, fornicains may be
expected when A. ea'sertns, decidedly an autumn flower, is going
aff. But orchids, like humans, are apt.to break rules. In the
Mount Irvine area of the Blue Mountains, 4. fornicatus comes
along early in March, and is followed, not preceded, by A.
exsertus! I could scarcely credit this reversal of procedure until
jt was demonstrated to me an site by the Misses Scrivener of
Mount Irvine,

The dimensions of plants and flowers, and the wumber of the
latter, are also subject to much variation. In my herbarium there
are speciniens fram Bullahdeiah. Paterson, and Woy Woy, which
meastite almost exactly 30 cm, {1 ft.) in height; and such “giants”
are by no means rare in those localities. On the other hand, ia
most districts the average height would probably be less than
15 cm., and many plants do not exceed 6 em, The Aowers of tall
and robust plants are correspondingly large. Inland plants are
usually small. At Woy Woy, 50 miles north of Sydney, T some-
times found plants with a solitary flower, which was always-
accompanied by a rudimentary bud that never developed. The
average number of Howers to a plant would probably be about
five, but I have seen as many 2s twelve.

The solitary leaf of 4. fornicatus may be either close to the
hase of the stem or as much as 9 em. above it in tall plants. Leaf
dimensions are vanable, but the cordiform shape—with occasional’
minor modifications—is fairly constant. There is frequently a
tendency to lobation. Now and then one may find a leaf green on
both sides ; but the general rule is green above and red below.

These observations may, I hope, serve to stimulate search in the
forests and scrubs of at, least eastern Vietoria for ovidence of the:
presence of the dainty little “Pixie Caps.”

Pere Plant Noniecs Suli-Contiiittee 1e7

PLANT NAMES SUB-COMMITTEE
Second Fist of Recommended New and Changed Fornecntars

Since the previous report on its activitics which appeared in the Naturalio
for December last year, the Plant Names Sub-committee has. cantinacd to
meet every mont, ‘he present your has beett whally, occupird with a
careful revision of the latgc family Gronunew—surely the most difheult in
gur flora. Sp extensive are the homenclaturc chatiges (still being effected}
in this group, and so numerous the introduced jgrass species, that the
committee has liad te adopt a “global strategy," as it were, and virtually
camb the current literature of botl hemisphcres in order to keep pace with
authoritative work oyerseas—several enquiries have heen addressed to grass
speciafists ml other States and even to Kew (England) concerning involyed
issues on identity and nomenclature. A few species (unsubstantiated by
actual Victorian material) have been struck out of the Consus.

Adherence to the principle of retaining oversea names for naturalized
plants las fed to some regrettable, but inevitable, changes; fox instance, the
attractive, familiar and very apt names of “Shell Grass" and “Shivery
Grass" for Hvisa meaima and 8. minor must give place respectively te
“Quaking" wit “lesser Qualiny Grass,” because these are the pamed
by which the species are keown in theit native lands. With a feeling of
relicf the sub-committee views the carly completian of Graminee as this
Scognd Lisi yoes to print! No other group af plants is likely, to entail
such a tedious or longedrawtt-out revision.

It is desirable that a time himit be fixed, up to when (after publication
of the sub-cormmittee’s proposals) chub members ray consider the names
put forward, criticizing any that they deem unsuitable and suggesting better
omnes for substitution. Accordingly, i na comments are received within
three months, thes the sub-coromittee wili interpret ‘their abscnce. as an
expression of approval, atid adopt the new of atended vernacalar names
that it has agreed to recommend,

Lt, Noel Lothian was obliged to relinquish his position on the committee
early this year, and though fellow-members regret the loss of his helpful
collaboration and balanced judgment, they wish bim well in other avenues
of usefy) scientific endeavour. -

After, publication of the First List (Dee, 1943), a letter was received
fram Mr, N, A. Wakefield, with suggestions for niore appropriate namin
of certain ferns. These were reconsidered by comunittee arid the following
alteratians recommended in the vernacular mames of six species, viz:

In Mecodivns australe, restore “Austral Filmy Fern.”

» Macraglena caudate, replace “Natrow-lobe Bristle . . -
Bristle Vern.”

" Cyathea murcescens, replace “Gianl-frond , . .” with "Skirted | ree-
ern.

» AHypolepis Muelleri, replace “Pale...” with “Swamp Hypolepis.”

. Lindsuye microphylla, replace "Lacy Wedge Fern” with ‘Lace Fern.”

. Dryopteris texera, replace “Broad Wood Fern” with "Jungle Woad
Fern,”

co

with "Jungle

The Secand List of recommendations is submitted as hereunder, all
additians and alterations heing those that are desirable in the Flora of
Vectors by A. J, Ewari (1930),

128 Plant Nantes Sab-Canmittee page Feats

PTERIDOPHYTA (Ferns).
Add Dryopterts pennigeva, “Naked Wood. Fern.”
For Polystichum prokferuur (not P, aculcatum), change “Common Shield
..-" to “Mother Shield Fern.”

GYMNOSPERMEZ (Conifers).
For Cal ss Pee change “Red Cypress - - .7 to “Black Cypress
ine”
Cathtris glauca (not GC. vabusie), change “Murray Cypress... ." to
“White Cypress Pine.”
Callitris tasmanica (not C. cupresstformis), changes “Cypress Pine"
to “Oyster Bay Pine.”
NAIADACE 2
For Neias téntifolie. charge "Water Nymph" to “Thin-leaved Naiad,.”

SCHEUCHZERIACE
Add Triolachin hexagona, “Six-point Arrow-grass,”

HYDROCHARITACEER
For Vallisnevia spivalis, change “Eel-grass” lo “Rel-weed,"
GRAMINEAE

For Envlalia fidva (formerly under Polluiga), change “Sagar Grass’ to
“Silky Brown-top.”
Add Sorghian letocladien, Wild Sorghum."
» Cymbopogon obiectus, “Bent Sitky-heads."
For Bothyriocthloa anbigua (not Andrapogon pertusix), chauge “Pitted
Beard-grass” to “Red-lee Grass.”
For Zoisia Mnatrella {syn Zoysia fiegens), change "Prickly Couch-
grass” to ‘Manila Grass.”
Add 4oisin inacrantha, “Prickly Couch."
For Paspalwi. distichuns, change “Silt Grass" ta “Water Couch."
» “Paspalum dilatetum, change “Golden Crown Grass’ to “Dailas
Tass.”
» Entolasia marginate (syu. Digitaria margmata), change “Rordered
., + to “Marginate Panic-grass.”

» Digitaria Brownii, change “Cottony . . ." to “Cotton Panic-grass.”

» DPkgttaria divaricatissing, change ‘Spider Pante-grass” ta "Umbrella
Grass.”

> Paspatidiwn gracile, change “Graceful Panic-yraas" to “Slender
Panic” :

« Fanicrt decompositum, change “Umbrella Grass" to “Native
Millet.”

» _Papeedin prolitunr, change “Pallid Panic-grass” to “Coolah Grass,”
» *Setaria geniculate, change “Bent Pigeon-erass’ to “Knot-rooet
Pigeon Grass,” : ,
y» SCenchens tribufotdes, change “Burr Grass” to “Dayne Sand Burr,”
» Psexdoraphis paradexa (formerly under Chamaerapisy, change
“Thomy Mud-grass"” to “Mud Grass,’
«» ‘*Bhrhorte longifiera, change “Veldt Grass” to “Annual Veldt Grass.”
Add "&hrharta colyeina, “Perennial Veldt Grass."
WN.B.—Species marked with an asterisk (*) are naturalized aliens.

J. 1. Woxers, Secretary, PLN. Suh-cominitted.

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. 61—No.8 December 7, 1944 No. 732
PROCEEDINGS .

The monthly meetng of the Club was held on ‘Monday,
November 13, 1944, at the Royal Society’s Hall, where the
President (Mr. Ivo ©. Hammet) and ahout 100 trembers and
friends .attended.

A letter was received from Mr. J. M. Black,..of Adelaide,
thanking the Club for nominating tim. for the Australian Natural
History Medallion, and thanking the Selection Committee for
awarding him the medallion.

Excursion reports were given as follows: Ringwood-Ileath+
mont, Mr. A. J, Swaby; Lilydale-Mt. Evelyn, Mr. R. G. Painter ;
Botanic Gardens, Mr. P, Bibby,

The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club:
Mrs. G. McGlynn, Misses F, Smyth, V. Andrews, MH, Bishop,
M. Green; as Country Members: Messrs. P. Richardson, A, C.
Ebdon, K. Simpfendorfer, G. W. Althofer; and as Assoctate
Members: Misses Janice McMahen and Betty McKenzie; Masters
John Court and Tan Wallace,

GENERAL BUSINESS

A report’on the Wild Flower Show recently held in the Haw-
thorn Town Hall was given by the President, who thanked
meinbers for the support piven, and especially thanked Mr. and
Mrs. Freame, Mr. A. D. Hardy and Mr. H. P. Dickins for the
work of organization, Mr. Dickins in turn gave a report on the
show and the results expected financially.

Mr. A. H. Chisholm reported on the recent formation of a
Field Naturalists’ Club at Portland.

PERSONAL

"The Secretary announced that Mr. Noel Lothian, recently
Assistant Secretary, and more recently im charge of the 3rd. Army
Farm in New Guinea, bad been released to take: up duty as
Senior Lecturet in Horticulture at Lincoln College, Christchurch
University. On behalf of members, Mr. Colliver expressed good
wishes for the future of Mr. Lothian, and stated he would he
looked upon now as a valued country member. Mr. Lothian
suitably replied.

a . ram Vier, Nat
130 Blower Perfumes Vol. 6

QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS
Mr G. N_ Hyam asked if flies were repelled by light blue
colours, stating that recently in the Riverina disteict seation hands
“were all wearing pale-blue shirts for this teason. Mr. Painter
mentioned having noticed that fies were rarely seen on light
materials of blue colour, and further said he had read that some
hospital walls in America were painted light blue for this reason.

FLOWER PERFUMES
. Avery interesting lecture on this subject, illustrated by a large
variety of flowers, was given by Mr J. H. Willis (see summary
in this issue).

Following are some questions (and discussions) raised at the
conclusion of Mr, Willis’s address -

Mr. P. ©. Morrison stated (a) that the purple colour of the
Indoloid group closely approximates decayed flesh; (b) red flowers
were never found with heavy scents; such scented fluwers were
either yellow or white to attract night-flying moths, (c} insignifi-
cant Aowers have strong scents in order to survive; (d) red roses
have the best scent because they rely upon it tu attract bees, which
are colour-blind to the red part of the spectrum. Question: Why
was it that the Musk (Mtmulus smosehatus) suddenly lost its
perfume all over, the world? Mr, Willis replied that it was a fact
that by 1909 Misnittits nooschaties had lost its perfume, but it was
still not known why- .

Mr. R. G. Painter: Acacia pendula has a violet-scented timber,
not evanescent; how do you account for this? Mr. Willis replied
that this was purely imitative of the true violet odour in Aowers.

Mr. Ros. Garnet asked why the Geraldton waxflower was
infested with blowflies, Mr, Willis replied that he was unable
to trace any perfume, but Erica canalewata, a South African
plant of similar colour-type, had a rather mdoloid smell. In this
matter it was of interest to note that A/lewua articulate, better
knowt as “Candle Plant,” had the mdoloid srnetl, yet the flowers
were a dirty white, whilst K, araulis, from a locality only a Tew
miles away, had a definite rosy perfume, Mr. Hammet stated
that the Geraldton Waxflower has aromatic leaves.

Mr. Morrison suggested that some of the so-called blow#ies
noted as infesung plants without apparent smell, night be fies
of some other type, e.g., hover-flies.

Mr. H. C. E. Stewart asked how to classify wattle-trees as
regards sperfume, Mr, Willis replied that wattles varied con-
stdérably, and there were several groups of smells: Acacia montana
suggested caramel, Cootamundra Wattle was heavy-scented,
A, Farnesiana violet-scented, ete, IL was not known-in what
part of wattle blossom the essential oils were secreted.

anal |

ea Warts, Flower Perfumes and their Classification 13]

FLOWER PERFUMES AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION
By James H, Wits ;
(Abstract from an address to the F_N.C.; Nov, 13)
“And Quoodle here discloses all things that Qroadle can,
They haven't got. 10 moses, they havent got no noses,
And goodness only knowses the noselessness of ntan!”

G. K. Chesterton’s Seg of Quoodie expresses a camne contempt
for the human olfactory apparatus. Sense of smell may be very
unequally developed among higher animals and, although man is
perhaps unresponsive to parts of the “odour spectrum,” he can
at least detect the presence of 1/120,000th of a grain of rose oil
essence, wherenf the dog fraternity seems oblivious, The faculty
for detecting odours is said to be more delicate among males than
in females of the human species. Insects are particularly acute,
and bees will smeli out a flowering bush from a distance ot a
quarter of a mile. :

Writing in New Flora and Silva (Vol. 12, Na. 3, p. 198, 1940),
Mr. F, Gallard describes an interesting expermment carried our
on 15 people who were asked to clase their eyes, sniell a flower
of the Narcissus poelicus, and then describe its perfume. Here
are some of the comments: “Delightiul, something like jasmine”;
"qa pleasant narcissus smell”; “slight vanilla smell”; ‘slight lily-of-
the-valley’: “hke a Jily, but with an unpleasant background” ;
“sweet, but unpleasant.” Two of the number detected an un-
mistakable odour of rice-pudding in the flower, while two others
could find no smell at all!

Two facts emerge from this experjment—the widely divergent
interpretations of individuals in regard to odours, and the difficulty
of descriling thent m any precise language. If a blindfofd person
be asked to smell an unknown blossom and name its odour, as
often as not he will be unable ta do so until his eyes act as a
guide to its identity. Just as high-pitched notes are beyond the
audibility of certain people, so can some orlours be outside the
range of one's olfactory sense; a British ornithologist could ‘dis-
tinguish species of birds hy their characteristic smells and yet fail
to notice the bitter-almond tang in crushed peach and cherry
shoots. Most people find the scent of tansy, fennel, African
marigold, sassafras, and mint-bush quite pleasant and evén refresh-
ing, but to some individuals vhese are repugnant in the extreme.

A few people ave unconsciously deficient in sense of smell) and
im sense of flavour which depends on it, in the same way as others
are colour blind or tone blind. Usually flavour is similar to sreell,
but not invanahly so—the tropical Durie (durian) possesses 2
stench like had flesh or rotting onions, yet, if eater, this fruit
has all the qualities of whipped crearn and hlanc-mange !

No external sense can receive such delicate, enduring impres-

132 Weis, Flower Perfumes and their Clasmfication id dara

sions @s that of smell. Musical sounds will conjure up visions
of the past, but » stray whiff of wood-smoke, flower, or moss can
tiafisport us ta scenes long since forgotten. The stbtle, warm,
friendly exhalation of leaf-mould and moist earth is due to minute
traces of a highly odorous compound—one trillionth of a milligram
will afford a percepttble smell.

Leaves, timbers, resins, and roots may secrete certain essential
oils and often pive out a strong perfurne that is mot duplicated im
any flower. Among such scents are: tansy, lavender, rosemary,
eucalyptus, winter-green and sassafras im foliage and hark; the
characteristic smells af camphor, teak, cedar, rosewood and Lawson
Cypress timbers; myrrh, sandarach, and grass-tree among frag-
rant resins; and the odours of ginger, antse, spikenard and orris
root. Some.af these have been sought and highly prized since
the dawn of history, The grass genus Cymbopogon embraces
several ginger, or lemonssctnted species, collectively known as
“Indian Oi] Grasses,” which haye been used in drugs and per-
fumery for several millenniunis; C,. Schaenanthus bas particularly
fragrant roots and stems, reminiscent of rose, geranium, and mint
when fresh, and Schweinturth found pieces of it in a tomb at
‘Thebes (about 1100 B.C.), which were still odorous after 3,000
years |

Unlike most leaf scents which are compsratively durable, the
pettumes of flowers (our immediate concern) are evanescent and
emerge only during a stage of development—very few (¢.9., rose)
outlast the fading of the petals. It is generally conceded that the
pleasant aromas of blossoms are there for one purpose: to altract
the attention of insect visitors in order to ensure effective pollina-
tion, Some flowers rely vpon their bright colouring as a hait,
and in these the scent factor is either absent or fecbly developed.

It ig natural that we should attempt to classify in some way
the innumerable floral perfumes that exist. A colour may be
defined with scientific exactness, its wave length indicated, and
& visual comparison made against some standard, Odours, on the
other hand, are extraordinarily difficult to express and there art
no constant standards available for comparison, Any perfume
is usually the sum-total effect of a whole suite of complex organic
compounds, some of which may not be identifiable. Again, the
quality of an odour will change remarkably with dilution; the
substance tndoi is an important constituent of putrilying orgame
matter and has a most revolting smell, but when rartfed it is
sweetly fragrant and contributes to the agreeable scent of jasmine
and many other flowers,

A efitical analysis of the essential cil is unt of much use in
specifying a perfume, since the distinctive quality of a mixture
cannot be gauged from the odours of its component parts—what

December
THas

Wits, Flower Perfumes and their Clasnftcation 133
would be the use of describing Jasminum grandiflorum scent as
the sum of the smells of methy! anthranilate, indol, benzyl alcohol,
benzyl acetale, linalol, and linalyl acetate?

Several classifications have becn propounded in the past, some-
-by chemists, using the principal constituent of the essential oil
as a esiterion, and others hy perfumers who were guided more
by aesthetic considerations. It fas even been attempted to arrange
perfumes in a series ike the notes of a macsical scnle, dull indefinite
odours corresponding to Jow notes, and sharp keen smells to
those of high pitch; such schemes, however, aré in thé nature of
curiosities rather than useful contributions to scientific thought.

Rimmel'’s classical Book of Perjwmes divides pleasant odours
into 18 classes, including scents not found in flowers; hig “mint'"
group embraces such differing entities 25 halm, sage, and ruc,
Kerner has said that at least 500 distinct foral scents have heca
distinguished and these he would apportion in five main groups
based on the type of essential oil, viz., fndaloid, Asnsnotd.
Benzeloid, Paraffmoid and Tuypenoid. Hampton improved on
the work of Kerner and proposed an amended system with ten
principal classes, but even this is unsatisfactory, especially lo an
Anstraliatt who will find few, if any, of otir familar bush aromas
exernplified.

Having given some attention to the scents of both native and
exotic (garden) flowers, I venture ta submit a new tabulation
which will include about 100 conspicuous representatives of hoth.
Hampton's divisions, with some minur rearrangement, form the
basis of the following scheme Lo which are subjoined explanatory
notes on the primary groupings employed. Eight major classes
are here recognized and there are five minor classes, to which one
could add almost imdefinitely, for the musnber of delicate floral
scents which dety accurate grouping are legior-—where are we to
pa the subtle fragrance of the Freesia, Solomor’s Seal, Wild

aspberry and many of our terrestrial orchids? Plants ‘which
are permeated throughout by a strongly odorous principle, as im
many Loebite (eg, Salina, Prestonthera, Menthe), are de-
liberately exclucled from the present compilation,

Where the concrete ottos are too difficult or expensive to
extract, chemists have aimed at copying natural flower perfumes
by meang of synthetic mixtures. {t has been found, for instance,
that the odour of Hawthorn blossont ts fatcly well reproduced by
anisic aldehyde—the foundation of all hawthurn perfumes and
faticy preparations, Styryl (or cinnanryl) alcohol has a powerful
odour resembling Hyacinth, while terpineol is the base of Like
periutues, usually modified by the addition of other fragrant oils
according to taste, In 1893, after years of patient research,
Tiemann and Kriiger succeeded in preparing a good artificial

.

,

1m” Wiis, Flower Perfumes and their Classification Wich. Nat.
, Vol. 62

Violet perfume which they termed ionoac, Most artificial pro-
ducts of this kind, however, are poor substitutes for the subtle
aromas of Mother Nature.

{ tsegard fragrance as of equal importance with colour and
form in the Hower gatden; the pity ts thal intensive breeding
and selection toward bigger. brighter blooms so. often means a
progressive degeneration of the scent factor. What satisfaction
1s there in a perfectly shaped rose of gorgeous colour, if it has
no trace of perfume?

Odour {aml taste) often furnishes the botanist with a useful
clue to the identity of a plant, but. to anyone with a flair for
classifying things, it is quite a pleasant exerctse to try and arrange
the myriad floral scents experienced into some kind of orderly
scheme: you will probably differ as much from your neighbour's
opinion as the betanists differ about the affinities of the very
plants themselves !

A CLASSIFICATION OF FLORAL SCENTS

(Australian examples indicated thus +)
MAJOR GROLNS

Invo.oiw: Certain Aros (Amorphophatius, Deacuncalus) 5. Stapetia;

Stercntia fecttla: Kletnia articulate; Erica canalienlata (2):

tH ydrocolyle laxiflora, ret

Aminow: Crotequs, Pyrarantia, Photina, Sorbus, Spirwa and many

other Rasacee. :

Freavy:

Gardenia type: Gerdama; Datura arborca; Nyctocorenus, Epiphyt-
ftom crenatim, and many other cacti; Gladiolus trisits (not-
turnal) ; Atiharylits, Lili spp., Narcissus spp.) tCrinne flac
cidum; tStackhousia imonogyna (nocturnal),

Bowvardia type; Rouvardia langifora, Lucuia, and Viburnum spp.

Nerole type: Citrus spp_; tttherasperma moschaturn,

Champaca type: Michela Champora; Pondanus oduratissincns
("Keora’) : fPittospormm tunudwaten (7),

Jasmine type: Jasunnni spp.

Privet typo: Ligustewm spp. Adonthns,

4 Aronartic: :

' Spicy type: Dianthus (Pinks), Matihiola (Stocles}, and tHelichry«
sum ferruginenm var. Gravesn (claves) + Evpatorhon app.
{cinnamon}; Rhodadendron fragrantissinnun (nutwneg) ;
tPimelea actophulla; }Lomandra spp.; Muscari botryoides;
Tika ¢ordata; Catwha bignmtoides.

Vanijla-Chocolate type: Manilla SPP. j Orchis fragrans, O. odaratis-
soma, and Nigritela angustifolia (Swiss alps); }4/e/sonts spp.)
Asara nicrophylla, Heltatrapiunt perunicamn; Patasites frag-
rans; Cheivanthys Chetri, Choisva ternata (7); Eriobotrya
japonica: Tris germanica (?) + tDichapogan sirictus, Solanum
esurinie, tPimelea curviflova, FAcacta Montana, .

Nutty-Clover type: Ulex, Trifaliwm spp. Spartin, Genista spp.,
Viet Fabe (Broad Bean—ecstatic to some people), Lethyrtes
adovatus and L, pubescens, Laburiupt; Trachelospermum
Fe estingistesy Salandva onitida; Leucacoryne txioides var.
odorata.

’

Ww

ba

a

Pyrenter

3944 Writs, Plewer Perfumes oud theiy Classification 135

Rose type: Rosa, Prunus mumc; Mohonia Bealei; Kicinta acautis;
Cenrallaria murjalis, Cupripedium Calccolus. a
Lilac type; Syntitga welgeris; TMfelia Asedorach.
Mignonette type, Reseda odorata; Vitis amurensis,
5. ALocowmutc-Fuyity; Michelia figo and Antirrhinuen majus (wine);'
Halts raprea (brandy); Nuphar tiefea (pawepaw); Philadelphur
microphalius, Cytisns flipes and C. Battandicri (quince); Cuil-
| tlardia scobiospides, Iris grogtinea, and Tilbaghia olliacea (apricot) .
tHymenosporums fluwwn, Olearia fragrantissuna (peach); Pirila-
delphus coronarius; Lonicera spp.; tCynoglosswm suaveolens 2).
6 Honey: tEncotvpius, tielaleuce, and tKunsea 'spp.; THdkea sericea,
TH, suaveolens, and tH, pugioniformis; tBanksia spp.; tLexcn-
pogan spp; FTetragonia tuplestcoma; FDiplarrhena Moreay
FAnguillarta diotta ("Early Nancy”); Buddleja spp.; Sunccto syn.
7. Mousky: Resa omoschala, Achillea moschata; Hermintum Monorehis
(or as of ants); FColadenin angustata; t{Melalerco. pungens var-
nbtusifalia and tM, nodosa; Centaurca gyimndcarpa (?),
&.-Awimau: Codonopsis: Cimictfuga;, Orchis Airetta and tCalticome
serretifoha (goats); PMetalewca exerata (sheep); tAucolyptus
. tereticonds ear, latifolia (bugs); Chery sontkemum lacuste and
C. frutescens (sweaty feet); ;hrachkvloma dapknoidey.:

; miNon GHOourS

9. Sra-weep: tHakea nodosa; Thiparts seflrxu (7).

1 Poppy: Pofazer widicawte and athér apps Bschachottsta.

Ll) Vrorer’ Viola odorata; dlocasia odora; fAcegia Fornesiana) Malus
tocusis; Iris spp, (some,odour also present in rhizome, dc, “Orris.
root"). , .

12, Boronta; tBoronta megastigma and FB. heteraphytta.

12 Lemowr (of foliage) Mayrelia grandiflora (slight 2); Daphwe wore
(slight ?); Brasseo-Cattleya spp.

EXPLANATORY: NOTES

In the foregoing. classification, where nearly all members of a gens have,
like odours, that genus is cited without incation of any. particular species :
where several representatives. have a distinctive perfume, the letters “spp.!”
are written after the generic tiame. The interrogation nzark, fallowing
certain species, indicates cioubt as to their correct placing, ;

1, -The Jndoleid graop includes flowers, which, an account af thel)
poliination by ¢arrion fies. give out an evil stench: some of ther (chiefly
tropicat) even rival the animal putrescence that they seck to imitate, and
they commonly hav deep, purphsh-red flower parts resembling the colour
of deesyed flesh Jadu! is the determining substance of tha bad -odeur
which is well exemplified hy giant ¥-2. asiatic members of the Arum farmiiy.

2 In the Aminoid group-belony flowers which, though sweet cnough,
have an -unpleasant, disturbing background~ammoniacal or distinctly-
“fishy.” The principal constituent is an amine, related to ammonia, and
arboreal members olf «the Rose family (hawthorn, rowan, .frethori, ete.)
ate conspicuous in this categars, . .

3. The Neary class is an enorniouy assemblage of species, having blooms
with intense -‘heady” perfumes of often almost ayerpowering sweets.
They are sometimes described as, “tropical,” and indeed many tropic
Rowers belong here—frequenily with thiek white or yellawish petals which.
vemiit their strangest fragrance at-night time, obviously with a view to

116 Watts, Flower Perfurns. ad ikeir Clarsifirgtion Lie

pollination by nocturnal moths, The Keora (Partdattns mdoratissrmer) beat
been claimed as "the most delightful, rich, and powerful of Aoral perfumes.”
For convenience, the graup has heen divided into odours of six types, but
others are recognizable’ and; even among the Mili many distinct
nisafitics are found, a4 for instance the scent of “Maduuna Lily,’ “Christenas
Lily,” “Regal Lily” and the various kinds of Narcissus, fridol, but in very
dilute quantity, is an important factor.

4. The preceding group passes almest imperceptibly inta, amd is often
difftcult to separste from, the Aromatic. Here, however, are blossoms that
are sweet-smelling, and sometimes strang, bat refreshing and exhilarating
rather than “heady.” The sectian is also a large one and at least six types
of odour have been listed, all being most agrecable—epicy, tutte and
caramel scents come into this group. Broad Bean is particularly uplifting.

5. Alcoholic and Fruity odours are discernible in some. blesscims, but are
usagity masked by other more aperessive ‘smells; they ‘generally depend
upon organic esters (c.g, amyl acclate, which is present in sipe bananas),
Two oustanding exainples of the class are Port-wine Magnolia (Michelia
fioo) and Giant Atlas Broom (Cytisns Boattandiert), which ts a striking
simulation af quinces. Again, the group grades almost ansensibly inta
aromatic scents on the one hand and thase of honey on she other,

6 Austral is unusually rich in Honcy scented flowers, some of our
eucalypts, honey-myriles, heaths, and hakeas smelling deliciously sand
exactly of “honey-imthe-comb."

7, There is no yeeetable facsimile of animal Musk (fram the Thibetan
Musle deer), but many Gowers have a. Musky quality, described as a
“ntixture of beeswax and honey?’ In some orchids (ee. Calodenta
asgusicta and Herniniue Monorckis) the musky odour has 4 tendency
to unpleasantrcss, like that of ants, while in Centaurea gynmnocarpa there
is a tang of curry alse present.

& A few flowers emit unmistakable Animal smetls, which may be quite
disgisting—Orchis Jursina reeks of “billy-woat,”” whereas the Shasta Daisy
clan smell ike “uiwashed or sweaty feet’? Other plants change to animal
edours only in wilting, ¢.g., the Early Porple Orchis begins with a sweet
vanilla fragrance, but at length dévelops a cat-like efflirvium ,

9, Rarely, there is a Spo-qeed ot “kelpy” exhalation from small greenish
flowers and one could cite the swamp-laving Hekra naduse (which Apwers
in May or June). The orchid Ltdarts veffera T would also place here,
though some regard ifs odour as anionad-like.

10. Poppy or opioid smells are most distinctive, bizt seem to be restricted
to the family Papaseracea: they are excellently rendered lw the familiar
Iceland Poppy,

It. Pore Fiolet perfume (as found in Piel odorata) is comparatively
rare and shared by few other Flowers; it induces olfactory fatigue, so that
a hearty and repeated sniffing af a bunch of violets appears to rob their
fragrance, whereas the fault is with our nasal nerve endings. The aroud
Alorasia odora has greenish, cowl-like spathes with a violet scent Certain
irises have a trace of it, but it is more strongly developed in their rhizomes
(whence "Orris root’). The violet-scented blooms of Acucis Farretiane
inflixt a garlic breath on whoryer cssays te chew them, and this curions
teansformation of a violet into an onion odour is by to means isolated. -

12, Boretia is 2 glorious, fresh perfume of unique quality: it was
esteemed by the aborigines of Western Australia who, tovk little notice
of other Aoral scents, , ov

13, The Lomo scent of foliage is attributable to the share-stnetling,
aldehynes ctlral am’ crfronel/at, but is pot paralleled among flowers, The
larve and cream-flowered Magnolic grandiffore and, perhaps, Daphne ofora
have a frazranee that could be described as “Icmony,”

Renter Coheman, Lizards under [Jomestication 137

LIZARDS UNDER DOMESTICATION
By Eortit Cotemay, Blackburn, Vic,

Mr. Davey's articles on lizards (V.N., Sept. and Oct,, 1944}
were especially interesting to me. His reference to the tail-
shedding habit of Geckos recalls:an incident whick bas some
bearing on the habit m other fizards,

When weeding the garden at Healesville (30/5/43) my daughter
unearthed a “nest” of four or five small lizards. Keeping their
bodies perfectly motionless they all raised their tails and waved
them to and fro for a moment or two, disappearing when the
“danger” was averted, We assumed that this was a protective
measure of great survival value, developed along evolutionary
Jines. A bird might sight and seize a wriggling tail which, in the
circumstances, its owner would be happy to leave behind, The
early bird is bluffed into capturing a “worm” instead of a lizard!

Returning from Marlo (Feb, 1933) we saw a large Blue-!
tongue on the road near Orbost. As it appeared to have been
hurt, we brought it home and proffered hospitality, Next morning:
she rewarded us with 13 small replicas of herseif, seven of which”
were stil!-born. Two days later the mother disappeared, leaving
six very lively babies on our doorstep, so to say. They fed and
lived lnstily for some months, bute died during some cold days in
August, A surprising feature of those lizards, when newly born,
was a great show of feracity. With gaping mouths they “charged”
us in a most alarming manner, a ferocity which was soon dropped.
While yet only a few hours old they were running up ahd down
our bare arms, “all passion sperit.”

Here, indeed, was a wonderful protective measure, Few birds
would care to invade the arena in face of a dozen gaping and
charging mouths. Under natural conditions, in a few hours they
would have developed their trump protective cards, a flattened
body and swift disappearing trick, Although Blue-tongues are
rather sluggish in their movements, it is surprising how quickly
they can get out of sight when the need arises. With body
flattened to the ground they move off with an almost sliding action,
The menacing attitude appears to be a useful piece of “bluff”
which safeguards them while getting their first wind in the very
dangerous world they have entered. The blue tongue, too, is a
furprisingly startling piece of “bluff,” when displayed by older
jzards. :

Having entertained some of the larger lizards I know a litt
af their fascinating ways. They make charming and mostly
harmless pets, splendid subjects for budding naturalists. The
Shingle-back and Blue-tongue, being fess exacting in the matter
of diet than the Jew, or Bearded Dragon, were more readily
domesticated,

198 Cortaan, Lizards nuder Domestication (rl, Bee

The lew (dtphibolurns barbais) lived with me For 14 months.
It was an object lesson to see lnm stalk and Seize an insect, with
alinost iperceplible movement.

His threatessing colours, open mouth, distended throat, and
Fashing (ail, até not all bluff, for his leeth are sharp enough to
demand respect He would make a startling leap at any object
of his distrust or swing round, with a lashing tail, that should be
most terrifying to a timid enemy. At one+thirtieth pf a second
my photographs of this “attack” were always blurred,

The “double-headed” Shinglebacks, or Stumptails (Trachy
satus rugosus) were gentle pets. They walked backward or
forward with equal facility, which made the stump ends of rheir
hodies seen ¢ven more head-like, as puzzling as the old “fore
and aft” caps! The feet, too, bemg often turned “every which”
way, did not help one to anticipate the direction of their move-
ments.

Soft fruits, dandelions and other Howers, as well as Snails,
eges (first broken) and milk, were relished ley both species, It
was pretty to see a blue tongue sliding through the milk, then
the raised head, as if an owner were enjoying the taste, as it ran
down his throat. Bananas were swallowed in goodly nwuthiuls
as well as raw heef; hut if too-large pieces of heef were given
they were first well licked, as if to facilitate swallowing. Is this
the origin of an ofd helief that snakes slime their prey?

My hzards loved a bath and on hot days would lie m the water
for long periods, Skin-sherlding was a fascinating thing to see.
T watched it many times, making notes on Januaty 7th, 1941,
January 24th and December 9th, 1942, and January Mth, 1943.
Here are those of 27/1/42: “At 1.30 p.m, skin loose and ragged
about the ears; a few flakes on head. Fragmentary shedding
from right leg and alniost free from left forcley. By 3.30 p.m.
the lizard was free of the body-skin, which Jay in a small moist
heap. The new skin was stuch darker, the palrerning very bright
and clear. Like Pliny’s sloughed snake, the owner appeared sleek
and young again, but crept off into a dark corner.”

The skin of the bady is shed in one piece, like a waistenat, or
sleeveless cardigan, with pathetic little “arntholes” through which
the litihs have been drawn.

The soft hollow body is’ alternately humped and flatrened in
the centre to achieve the first sht, when the now loose coat is
easily shed: but from the solid tail it is “peeled” off in a tubular
piece, leaving a few cuncertinaclke wrinkles at the extreme tip
(such as One ‘nay see in the finger-tips of a Idd glove when
“peeled” off inside aut), the “toneycanrbed” jonec surface beng
now outside. H. was scraped off by being pushed into and with-
drawn from the straw of his bed—a modified forin of snake
sloughing,

Dest Waxrric.p, A Renmant of the Snocey River fungle 139

A REMNANT OF THE SNOWY RIVER JUNGLE
By N. A. Waxeriero, A.1.F.

On the west bank of the lower Brudribh River, between Lake
Curlip and the Snowy, i$ to be iotind the last remnant of the Jane
jungte which fonnerly covered practically all the present Snowy
River flats.

The patch is roughly triangular in shape and necuptes only
about filty acres, hut, by good fortune, it is completely isolated
with teatree swamp on all sides, lhe Brodribb River to the south
and east, a flawieg creek to the west (Mille Inlet) and Lake Curhp
to the north. sAcecss to the pung!e can be gained either by boat
irom the Brodribbh River or from the cleared fats to the west; the
latter course, however, entails a search threugly the swampy scrub
to find one of the only two crassings over Mille Inlet,

The tea-tree swamp is covered by a dense stund of Swamp
Paperbark, sheltering a [ew small seri-aquatic plants such as
Water Buttons, Water Buttercxp and Swarnp Weed, with the
Common Reed in dense stretches in the wetter parts.

The jungle itself consists of great spreading *Mahogany Gams
(L£ucalyptus botryordes) and a dense stand of Lilly-Pilly
(Acmene Snuthit}, Blackwood and Sweet Pitrosporum (P.
undelete), supporting tangled masses of a dozen species of
hanes and climbers, and sheltering numerous ferns on the ground
beneath.

The *Staff-Climber (Celastrus australis), *Stalked Doubah
(Marsdenut rostrata), and *Jasmine Morinda (Mf. jasnnnoides)
are very plentiful, ascending the Jarger trees to a height of fifty
ora hundred jeet, The four climbers of the Lily family—*Wombat
Berry (Enstrephus latifolius), *Scrambling Lily (Geitonoplesium
cymosum), tAustral Sarsaparilla (Swnlex australis) and *White
Supplejack (Rktpagonum albiwinw)—are all very aboudant on ihe
smaller trees, their rough wiry stenis forming such a tangle as to
defy intrusion in many places. The White Supplejack is very
rare elsewhere jn the district, but has been noted also at Lockend,
a few miles further west,

The large creepers in less abundance are: *Water Vine (Cissus
kivpogluncus), Twining Silk-Pod (Parsonsia Browrti—sys,
Lyonsia straminea), treet Clematis (C, glycinoides) and *Big-
Leaf Vine (Sarvapetalint Hareeyanum)., The dustered pink
pear-shaped berries of the Jast were in evidence in one place—an
occurrence tarely, if ever, noted before in Victoria. Wonga Vine
(Pandares pondarava—syn. Tecoma axstratis) and Common
Apple-Berry (8illardiera scandens), though plentiful in . the
Grchost district, are rare here, occurring on the marginal parts of
the main jungle patch, Smaller fwiners are represented by the
*Bearded Warl-flower (Tylophora barbata) in great abuudatice,

40 Wanerry, Rewmuant of tho Snowy River Hiagle rit

Forest Bindweed (Calystegia morginafa) in more open places, and
a iew seedlings of Clematis (C. aristata},

Epiphytic on the trunks of trees, and on fallen logs, is an
abundance of Fragrant Polypody (Polypodium pustulatwnr),
Common Filmy Fern (Hymenophylnm cupressiforme) and Neck-
lace Fern (Astleatwn flabellifolinw), with also a few small
patches of Kangaroo Fern (Polypodium diecvsffolium). On the
jungle Aner are masses of Creeping Lace Fem (Dennstacdtia
dawailioides), Shining Wood-Fern (Dryapteris Shepherdit), Com-
mon Rasp-Fern (Deedia media}, and Swamp Hypolepis (#2.
Mieilers). The Solt Tree-fetn (Dicksonia oanluretica) and
Gristle Fern ( Blecknium cartilagineum) are appareritly each repre-
sented by a single plant on the butt of a fallen iree. In some of
the marginal parts the Sickle Fern (Pellaea falcata’) and Common
Maidenhairfern (Adiantum esthiopicwm) are also to be found.

The dense serub gives way in places to shaded depressinns
where there are thickets of Tall Sedge, Tall Sword-sedee and
Common Leaf-rush. Here, on the edges of the denser scrub, are
patches of Prickly Currant-bush (Cofronua guadrifida), which
together with many trecs is beautifully hung with Festoon Mass
(Weymonthia mofle) and covered with lichens. These mossy
trees are hosts to the Butterfly Orchid (Sercachilus austratis),
and the Lilly-Pilly harbours the quaint little *Jointed Mistietoe
(Korthalsella opuntia}, which was first recorded tor Victoria
by Mr. Frank Robbins from Pipeclay Creel, 1 dozen miles to the
west,

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the jungle patch is the
occurrence of *Cabbage-tree Palms (/ittstona australis) west of
the Brodribb. There are three fine specimens growing in the
dense thickets, and probably a further search wou)d reveal more.
The other recorded locality for the palms is on Cabbage-tree
Creek, where, happily to relate, nutnerous seedlings have appeared
beneath the old ones in the past few years.

About the rather intlefinite eastern and southern margins of the
jungle, in the sormewhat open parts towards the river bank, *Blue
Olive-berry (Llaeocarpus cyanexs), Mutton Wood { Rapance
Howithana), Hazel Pomaderris (PF, apetale), and an imteresting
shrub form of the Staff Climber begin io appear, The Tree
Violet (Hymenanthern angustifolia) and Eoobialla (M-yoporuis
insxlare) with the Spiked Dodder Laurel (Cassyfa phacolasia)
sre quite plentiful, and Common Bracken and Hop Goodenia (C.
ovete) jorm dense patches. The Scrub Nettle (U/rtica trcisa) 1s
abundant and there are a few plants of both the Kangaroo Apple
(Solanum aviculare) and Toothed Nightshade (5 xanthocarpum),
the Jatter rather dawnier and less prickly than wsnal, recalling thal
rare and beautiful species, *Y, wiolacewm, which is recorded for

Deeoee Woanrrrrp, A Remsast of the Snowy River Fungle 141

Victoria only from Mount Drummer, where, the plants have
presinmably suffered extermination by bush fires, The Legu-
minosag are represented only by Blackwood in this particular
jungle patch, while the only grass is *Bordered Panic Grass
(Entotosia suarginata), and there is very little of that.

‘The rare *Yellow Doubah (Marsdenia flavescens) evidently
does not occur here but favours rather steeper gully-scrubs as at
Lakes Entrance and Pipeclay Creek; and other eastern jungle
creepers which have not been noted are *Tape Vine (Stephama
hernandiaefolia) and *Gum Vine (Aphanapetalum resinosum)—
they évidently reach Victoria only im the extreme east, about
Mallacoota Inlet.

There is plenty of evidence to show that numerous wallabies,
bandicoots and pessyms make this jungle their homes, and the
waterways found about shelter black duck, teal and other water-
birds. The whip-bird can be heard now atid again in the thickets,
but there is no evidence of the lyre-bird being present. Many
other birds would doubtless come for the seasonal harvest of
jungle berries.

This jungle patch is, remarkably enough, still unalienated
Crown land, and its swampy surroundings wotld render it safe
from fire were it not for the hand of mau, There has been at
least one attempt at burning, hut it is to be hoped that none will
ever be successful, and that destruction will never find the last
stand of the Snowy River’ jungle as it has tragically overtaken
Sperm Whale Head National Park.

Note,—The species bearing an asterisk (*) are exclusively East Gippsland
plants of the sub-tropic extension trom New South Wales Lilly-Pilly

and Sweet Pittosporum extend ¢in isolated pockets) as far west as Wilson's
Promontory and Western Port Bay, respectively.

EXHIBITS AT NOVEMBER MEETING

Mrs. Fenton Woodburn; Marine shell (Cerithum sp.) from Geelvinck
Ray, Dutch New Gitinea.

Mrs. C. French: Vase of seven species of Leptospermims (Tea-trees},
garden-grown at Canterbury.

Mrs, 44, E. Freame: Seaweeds, mounted and wrapped in the 2frgus of
November 1D, 1879, Flustrvated Australian News, March 10, 1881; and
World, September 29, 1882. ‘

Miss ©. Raff: Abnormal flowers of Cream Marguerites, garden-grown
ta Hawthocn East, The bush has only a few normal Anwers,

Mr. E, Muir; Native Aowers, including Pimelea octophylla, Callistemon
rugutotns, Melaleuca ocumnata, Billardéera eymota, Eremophile lonpi-
folio, Nicctiona glauca, Stylidium oraméinifelivin, Bursaria spinosa, Euce
iyptus fexcoxylon, Myoporum piatycarpum,

Mr. T. Griffiths: Adder's Tongue (Ophtoglostum coriacewm) from
Sandringham, (This is not O. vnigatam'of Europe.)

Mr, ©, J. Gabricl; Marine shell (Magtlas antiques, Mant—from Mauri-
tius) found li¢ing in coral.

Me. J. GH. Willis: Lange Sclerote of the subterranean “Blackfellows
Bread” fungus {Polyporus wylitiae Cooke et Masee) from Sassafras,

Viel. Nat.

142 Hirst, Colour Preferences of the Satin Bower-bire Vote 81

COLOUR PREFERENCES OF THE SATIN BOWER-BIRD
* By ARNoww Hurst, Sydney.

Having forthe past ten years given constderable time to. the eas of
the Satin Bower-bird in captivity, and in the process achieved the distinction
of heing the first to have bred and brought to maturity a splendid male
specimen, ot this remarkable bird* I fecl that my observations on tnany
biological and other matters relating to this species may be taken ‘as
authoritative. It therefore o¢curred to me that it may be helpful to give
the result of a seties of tests that I made im 1941 at the request of
Mr. A, J, Marshall, who was enqniring at the time into: several aspects of
the birds’ economy.

There were six tests in all carried out with the young bird, which bein
then only in his fowtth year had not andergone his colour change, beng
occurred some eight months Jater.

For the ghuirpase the following catds were, used, each being 3 im in

4 boot

length by 3 in, wide and divided into the follawing colour groups.
Gard’ No. 1 # Blue 4 Red
» No. 2 4 Blue & Red
- ~, No. 3 2 Red > & Blue
,- No. 4 2 Grey 3 Red
» No 5 4 Grey 4 Red, ‘
» No 6 + Green + Red
» No. 7 4+ Yellow + Red ;
, No. & 4+Blue + Yellaw
. : » No. 9 + Blue 3 Green ‘
Tt should be omentionel that in. cartying out these tests I varied the
flacement of the cards in the following order: , :
Ie. Test Order of Selection
No ! Scattered o 1, 2 8 Oo |
, 2°In” row not’ in numerical * ,
sequence re? AD : ,
. 3 In raw in numencal sequence \, J, 2, &
» 4 Reversed in numerical sequertce ow wha &
» § In form of square » | i % 8
» © In form of square, but with , |, 8 &

numerical
varied

In collecting the cards it was observed that, although no single card was
taken and al] were collected and carried together to the bower, No, 1 was:
foind in every instance to be the bird’s first choice, It may be of further
interest to add that although the hen bird revealed a definite interest In
the cards and also collected several im each test, they were invariably
carried only a short distance away and dropped. .

* Stimmarizing these tests on a percentage hasis iv will be seen, therefore,
that the scord of each card. was as follows:

arrangement

Card No. 1 3 Blue i:Red was 100%

> “No 2 4 Blue 4+ Red (80%

» No, 3 4 Red 2? Blue » 16:6%
- » No, 4 2 Groy' 2 Red nil ‘

~. No. 5 4 Grey 4 Red , oni :
> w No. 6 '+ Green £ Red « . nil

» Not 7 ¥° Yellove 4 Red * oni

» No, 8 4 Blue 4 Yellow 4 - 666%

» No. 9 4+ Bluc + Green ,, 83-3% ‘

* See, ict, Nat,, Nov, 1940,

Dezember ]

isa Hinsr, Colour Preferences of the Satin Bower-bird 143

Having completed this series of tests with the immature male it was a
matter of considerable interest to me to observe the reaction of the adult
male to.the same stimulus, and on comparison with that cf the young bird
it wat found to be remarkable, as the following extract [ram my records
discloses :

Time, (0am. Weather, calm and sunny. For each of the tests the cards
were placed some distance irom the bower, but where the actians of the
hirds could be ¢learly observed. In the first test (fe cards were stattered
within the compass of a couple of square feet. Inmediately following my
withdrawal, Cards. Nos. 1, 8 and 9 were picked up by the male and carried
together ty the bower.

Fer the second test 1 placed the cards in this arrangement:

6

4
35127

8

o

On this occasion two. visits were pald, the first resutling in Nos. 1, 2, 8
anil 9 heing carried together to the bower,

On the second visit, followimg a short display before the female in the
adjoining aviary while holding Card & in his beak (Ue bower being so
situated that this was possible}; Cards Nus. 3 5 and 6 were carrred and
deposited with the others, .

a the third test the cards were placed numerically in line resulting in
Nos, 1, 2, & and 9/beine again taken. The old hen now appeared for the
first time and collected Nos. 3 and 4, which she carried g Jittle distance
away and deposited on the ground.

Tw the fourth test the cards wete placed ih a citcle; again the blue bird
made two visits; collecting Nos, I, 2, 3 and 9 on the first, and Nos, 3, 5
and 7 on the secomd oecasion-

Te wag rere noted that while making brs first selection, which on every
occasion was with greater deliberation than in the case of the young bird,
the female aga visited the cards, bul. apart Irom causing the male to
stare a short display before taking off with the cards, nothing was observed
in her actions to Suggest more than a mild mterest in the cards that
remained,

In test five the cards were again scattered, and being called to Iunch T
Jeit therm until 3 o'clock in the altermiwon when on my return it was fold
that all the cards had been removed; Nos. J, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 2 being placed
ahout the bower, and 4, ‘5 and 6 together some little distance away.

Rodced also 1 a percentage has the result of these tests works out
as follows =

Cards Nos. 1, 8 and 9... Lew 8. 1M
rt " 2 wea we «meee - -- '- + 7 80%
" ap Hew ETS a EL LS a ORG
e ea TE tly ete ope ee ee te ee aT

pS: and Hh, bse er eee cop epg we te A a 8
6. 20%

There can, L think, be little doubt from the foresing that these birds
have a definite preference for blue in their decorative schemes, hut whether
yhis colour attraction is indicative only of their artisti¢ weniuc or Is assa-
crated also with their breeding habits, I am unable tm say. 1 would appear
{eau my experience, however, that there is othe ta aunport the theory
which has been advanced that the exteroceptiye stimuli provided by cither
blue of blue-green has some. influence on the notmal breeding af the birds
as T have never until the occasion. af the test referred to provided my birds
with any coloured ornaments, yet without them the hen has each year
reularly laid and hatched her eggs.

4 Story wf Eltsabeth Gould ese he Ha

THE SfORY OF ELIZABETH GOULD .

For somethwie approarhing a cendury, the mane ot John Gould- shwne
almost m solitary glory as the father of Australian ornithology, Otlice
workers before him—Latham, Lewin, Viellot, and Vigors and Hors&eld,
to maint the most importamt—hud shown the world somethmg of the
wonders of the birds of Australia, bist it remamed for John Gould to
make the detailed study which stands to this day as wit classical foundation
for all trodern work.

Until the centenary of Gould's visit to Austrailia iii the fate eightecn-
thirties, htthe was krpwn of his faithful and talented helpmeet, Elizabeth
Gould {nee Coxen}. Yet Mrs. John Gould was in wsany ways as remark-
able as her Kushand. Imagine, if you will, a yourg wonag still in her
aiddle thirties, the mother of a young family, anchured by sirong tamily
tics ta the sai of Engtand—a woman of homely instincts, married to a
ina fived with almest Janatical eithesiasm for hy life's work, the stuty of
birds of Far lands,

Imagine her; filled with 2 deep and abiding love for hee man, struggling
to And Lime adequately ta mother her children arid at the same time to
help her hwshand by the cxercise of her artistic dalenis. Imagine her,
tor belween coriflicting calls of duty, reluctantly leaving part of her
young family in the care of others, leaying the soil she loved, setting out
far high adventur: in a land acecoss the world, patiently working im the
background while the more mercurial John was charging rotind the
Australmin countryside collecting mew birds and bringing them home to
her to paint.

Imagine her, fiirther, wearing herself oyt in her double task untit she
finally wears herself to death at the early age of 37 years, , . . Such, yery
much in brrel, was the ile af Elizabeth Gould.

Reyond the facr that she had painted many of the plates for Gould's
Birds of Anstratic, and transierred them to the stone for lithographiug,
litte wae known of her untit Mr. Alec H. Chisholin, visiting England in
1938 (the centenary of the Goulds’ coming m Australia) discovered 2
wealth of unpublished (and Jargely unread) Gould material in the
possession of tlre few descentlants of the jamily. This was gencrously
2iveti to hint to be eeturned to Ausiralia The story of theGilbert Diary
has alreatly been told in these pages and, more fully, in Strange New
Hforld. The maternal also included a timber of Mrs. Gatld'’s letters
written from Australia, the originals ot which are now liy the Mitchell
Library, Sydney. The letters are published for the fret time in The Story
of Elizabeth Gould, by- Alec I, Chisholm, together with a complete account
of the members of her family, hoth antecedent and subsequent,

Born at Raresgate in July 1804, Elisabeth Coxen was married to Joho
Gould (who was two months younger) at the sge vi 24. Gould at this
timte was alrendy launthed on his Iife’s work, and soon his wife's aid in
figvritig and Hihographing his birds became indispetisable, IE John were
to go fas he felt he must}-to Anstralia to covec worthily the field of
Australian ornithology, they both realized that Elizaleth must make the
visit too.

sailed, in the litle vessel Parsee, of 348 tans, in May, $838, taking
their eldest boy, John Henry, with thent and leaving rhe three younger
children with Mrs. Coxen, senior, They reached Hobart in September
af that year, and were the cuests of the Governor, Sir John Frankijn, and
tits Jadvi Lady Franklin became very attached la Mrs: Gott, as the
letters show, and after the BHfth (Gould child was barn, in Hohast, Lady
Franklin wanted to adopt him, but Mrs. Gould would not consider the
proposal, Inmileed, her letters show im crery page that her scientific
keenness and zeal never abated ote whit her motherly love and care for hee

rn a oe -

Srgeine Story of Ehzaheth Gould 145

children, Her constant yearnings for a sight of the little ones left at
home; her concern for their welfare in spite of her confidence im their
grandmother's care for them; and her pride in them all, would do justice
to a mother to whom motherhood was the anly care in the world.

But she worked by day and far into the mght on her beloved Joha's
plates, and in addisios found time to develop a very penetrating interest
im the country and people around her, [{ appears, too, that she attended
to some of hier heloved John's duties in the mutter of correspondence. .- . “In
the first place he has desired me to say he would waite but for bis constant
decupation” ,., “He wished me to say ter him everything that was. Itiod
to all, especially to his mother, sisters, and Mra. Cleave and Mrs. Stuart,
also Mr, and Mrs, Mitchell. He is extremely occupied. His not writing
more frequently is really excusable, as you would acknowledge could you
follow his movements as he slaves all day with untiring perseverance . - .”

And of her sketching; “Just now duriag John's absence I find amusement
and employment in drawing some of the plants of the colony, which will
help to render the work on Birds of Australia more interesting. All our
skelches ate inuch approved of and highly complimented by our friends.
T wish you could hear some of the magnificent speeches that are frequently
made us, because f know you like dearly to hear your daughter praised
But at the end of it all [ sigh and think of I could bute see ald England
agaia, and the dear, dear treasures jt contains, [ would contentedly sit down
at my working table and stroke, stroke away to the end of the chapter . - .”

Yhe Goulds retnfned to England in 1840, and the sixth child was born
shonly afterwards, Then, at the carly age of 37 years, Elizabeth Gould
died (in August 1841) before her eldest child had reached his J1th
birthday.

Such was the life of a noble, zealous, remarkable woman to whom
Australian bird-lavers owe so much. Wiscly, Mr, Chishoim has leit her
letters to speak Tor themselves. They are published complete, the only
annotations being in the form of brief remarks preceding each totter.
The introduction, however, is a masterpiece of biographical research, of
which the autltor may well feel proud-

The Story of Elisabeth Gould, wih a portrait and two small wood+cuts,
is only a slender volume of 74 pages. It is published in a limited edition
af 350 copies, of which only 300 are for sale, at £1/1/-. The production,
by tha Hawthorn Press, is in keepittg with its status ae a collector's piece.
li one were disposed to search for 4 point to criticize, it would be thar
the edition should have been limited so strictly as to place the book, Mi
reason of its cast, beyond the reach of sp many who would enjoy it—-C.M.

AN ORCHIDOLOGIST'S LUCK

Requiring a few specimens of Ptevoxtylis mawtica foy exchange, last
August, 1 went to a Sydney western suburban areca where I had seen this
species previously. Grecnhood rosettes were nemeraus, and I dug up six
which looked promising, and put them all into one pot. Two developed
inte fine specimens of P. mefice. Three proved to be P. pusilla var.
prominess, which T trad not seen for same years, and which CT was anxious
to study critically hecause opinion: have been expressed as to its meriting
full specific rabk. The sixth plant has row come to maturity, and revealed
itselE as a tall, well-developed P. Mitchelh€) Can anyone better this lucky
performance?—H. M. R. Rure. '

146 Sanial Rave Mee

RADIAL RAYS AND BIRD BEHAVIOLIR a
(To the Editor)

Sir—lv is noe my desire to try and impress “scientific” people with the
ijheary of electro-magnetic waves contrallmg the actions of birds and
animals, bul to give the ordinary Jayman a line at thought—whirh can be
supported by many natural cxamples--along whith to chserve and study,
willt the object of getting a clearer Imowledge of what is the base of the
jaculty possessed by birds and animals which we designate “instinct a
word which explains qoulidg, We know the reception usually meted ant
ty any new theory, by “absolutely sejentifie’ circles, thrangh examples
recorded in the past. The names of Robert Koch and Louis Pastesr—
Among many others will bring te mind how their, at that time, unorthodox
thearies Were received by tte “ultra scientific.” li nothing is known hy
Dr, Flecker, as he states, of the Spanish and German experiments with
electro-magnetic waves and pigeans—the accounts of these have been pub-
lished—-how can he justify his asronishing statement that fhey were “vague
aud absolutely inconclusive’?

Yours, etc,
Atrrrt A. Coon,
Walkerstan,
Mackay, Queensland.

(Toe the Editor)

Sir—tn desling with the effect uf the acuon, of radiating ravy iu so far as
they affect certain hieds, Dr. Plecker has, in his replies, drilled mmlo mere
irrelevant quibbles regarding nomenclature. Tle has produced no evidence
of the researches of physicists or of his own to refute my thesis wherein 1
pustalated the effect of rays in their action in the orientation of birds,

He iow cites the well known structure of the eats of the carricr pigoan,
thereby suggesting that this ia the ¢attse of the onentaton of birds. Were
this a fact, then the question of the orjeutation of birds would have been
settled years ayo instead of bein still ondecided. Having failed to'advance
any aclentific cause Jor the ortentatian proto add one more. lick to the
housd of knowledge, he now asks for amy authority for the proven effect
of rays in-such orientation, Georwes Lakousky, at eminent French physics,
who 1s engaged in scientific research with rays, records the following in
his bank engitled The Sereret of Life. This book, on accowit of its great
scientific value, has heen translate:! imto several Jangiiges. ‘Lo end this
discussion T herewith quote what Lakovsky reeords amongst other things;

"A. most interesting obseryation made July 2, 1924, at the radiq station
at Paterna, near Valencia, came ta my notice. A flack of pigoans had just
heen, released near an aerial of this “lation at the time af trantinission. 1t
was Observed that these birds eould not manage to find their bearings and
kept on Ayina ma circular fashian as if completely disorientated, This
experiment was repeated several times and alwayy produced the same
tesuit, that is ta say the. disappearance, af rather a very marked perturbation,
aj the sense of ditection in carrier pigeons wider the infinence of clectro-
niagnet. waves.

"The expenmenis were taken up again at Paterna at the radio station
of Valencia, under the contral of the Spanish military aathorities, aid also
at Kreuznach (Germany). These fresh experiments folly canfirtied mv
views concernmy the influence of Hertzian waves on the instincd of prienta-
tion, A Spanish scientist, M J. Casumajor, wrote a detailed repart on the
Vatterna experiments. The Spanish carrier-pigeon «service installed 4

aero Radial Rays 147

,

military carrier-pigeon station at Valencia at a distance of aboni 8 ktlu-
metres from the radig station of Paterna. A the time of the experiment
in question pigeons were released ute by one at regular intervals oi three
niittutes near the station while iansntission was taking place continuously.

“It was observed that all the pigeons hegan to By by circling round for
some cine, but without sacceeding im finding their bearings as they usually
do after having flown round a few times, In spite af a change of waye-
length in the course ol cransmission pe retata to the rornnal condition was
observed, aiid so long a5 transmission acturred, and it lasted more than
half an hour, ai pigeons succeeded in Aying ip a definite direction.

“It is impertant to nate that barely a few minutes after the transimission
was over the réleased pigeans few towards their dovecat without the least
hesitation, ever thase which had taken part m the frst experiment.

“Anathicr series ot experiments which Took place alt November 7ih, 1926,
m the same locality, produced the same result, The original experiments
at Paterna put investigators on thejr mettle, for they could nat understand
the relation existing between the instinet of pigeons and the transmissioit
of eleciro- -magnetic waves, Lhe German lechniciais hastened to verily:
and, canirel Casamajor's observations In March, 1926, they initiated a
series af experiments similar te those carried out at Rrenanath. The cote
ditions, hawever, were different and more rigorous. A site was ‘chosen 50
that the dove-cot and radio station were diametrically opposed. Consequently
this station waz situated exactly as Ue crow fics on he course Lat the
peons were bowl ta teke, On arriving acar Ite radia station it was
noticed that the pigeans chatiged their fligtit, were losing their bearings,
and appeared to he definitely disorientated, They did not sticeeed iv
resumunge their course towards the dove-cot until their Aying had brought
thent outside ile littense eclectro-masnetic held surrounding the aerial of the
radio station”

Ficether qn Lakovsky states: “The observations made on carrier-pigeons
appear tu hold’ good far nnctural birds also. [¢ acerms ohvious, a priors, that
the sensibility af these birds to electro-magnetic waves in general is different
from that of ditirnal birds by virjue of their special adaptation to Hight or
darkuess. These two species of birds, hawever, shaw a common feature:
they tecd ott the sanve insects. We are led to believe, as we shall see later,
that they are attracted to their prey bt radiations.”

This should be conclusive evidence of my thesis, quite apart fram other
records of the effect of rays on animal life by other physicists.

Yours, cle,
Articr H,'E. Martino.ey.

Melbourne.

A NEW COMBINATION OF HELICHRYSUM
Ry ‘P, F. Momws and J. H. Writs

Behchrysim thyrsadenne (DC) comb, wav, (Osothomues thyrsordess
A. P. De Candolle ia Prodronms Syst.Nat. VT, x 165, 1837),

When discussing ihe just claims to specific rank of HH, hpraoidewin
iMict Net, LIX, p 86, Sept. 1942) and using this binary nme for the
frst time, we unfortmately neglected 10 comply wlth <frticte 37 of the
International Rules of botanical nomesiclature, which states, ater alte, that

uname is not validly published unless it is “accompanied hy . . a reference
+0 a previously and effectively published descriptiqn of at."
In order va validify our new combination, we give ative the reference

td De Candolle's original diagnesis, which concludes with the remark (in
Latin) £ "a most ornamental species, differing from all of this section an its
glahraws character.”

148 Orchid Metorial Wanted tr Exchisee er

MUSEUM EX-DIRECTORS DIE

Mr. Daniel James Mahony died in Melbourne an Septemher 27, soon
after reuring fram the position of Director of the National Museum. He
was 66. Born wi Melbourne, he graduated in science at the University of
Melbourne, became leciurer there is geology, mineralogy and paleontology
1902-4, and at the age of 28 hecame Victorian Govcrament petrologist at
the Mines Departrnent im Melbourne, As an author of many sciemific
treatises, he enjoyed respect in many research centres abroad, Adelaide
knew him, too, both ax University examiner and as focum fenens for Sir
Douglas Mawson zt the Adelaide University dumng the first Mawson
expedition ta the Antarctic in 1932. Tr is, however, for his work at the
Melbaurme-National Museum that he will be most reniembered. He wisely
built on the Sure fountlations established by bis -Samous predecessors,
Sir Frederick McCay and Sir Baldwin Spencer, carrying on in that respect
the policy of Mr. J. A, Kershaw, whom he succeeded Tut he was
coutageout enough to break from Uraditian whenever he considered the
change te be in the interests of the institution. Mr Mahony served with
the British Expeditionary Forces in the last war with the cank of Captain
of Royal Artillery. He was 2 member of the Council of the Royal Society
of Victoria and of the Zoological Board His most recently published
work, which aroused grest interest abroad, was a survey of the antruity
af man based on the discovery af an aboriginal skull in a.sandpit at Keilor.

Dr. Charles Anderson, who retired fromm the position of Director of the
Australian Museum (Sydney) a few years ago, and who has latterly been
employed in censorship, died in Sydney on October 25. He was 67. Born
in the Orkney Islands, Dy. Anderson brought to Avstraha 2 keen interest
im science and, a strong senst of humour that made him a good conspanion
Like Mahony, he was a geolomst and paleontologist, and he carried out
much useful research work im the fossil beds jn various parts of N.S.W-
He had heen an officer of several scientific societies, and in general had
given much effective strvite to matiiral history in this country. His
dsugier married Harry C Raven, the distinginshed American zoologist
wha did good work in Australiz some years ago, and who, we regret to
learn, died in April fast.

ORCHID MATERIAL WANTER IN EXCHANGE

In an endeavour to revist the New Zealand erchidaceous flora (75
species), Mr. E. D. Hatch, of Laingholm P.0., via New Lynn, Anckland,

-W.4, NZ, would be glad to receive Australian specimens af any of the
following 29 “trans-Tasman” species (common to New Zealand and south-
eastern Australia). Tn geturn, he would be happy ta supply workers here
with orchid infarmatian or material fronts tis Dominion: Thelymitra
izioidey Sw, T. longifolia RetG.Forst., T. aristats Lind], T. parciffora
R-Br., T. carnea R Er, T. Matthewsis Cheesom. (sy, 7°. d' Alton Nicholls),
T. venora R.Br. Orthocerar sirictcm R.Br, Micrates naifatia (Forstd.)}.
Reichb.f,, M. parvifora R.Br. Prosophyllum patews R.Br, P. Regersit

upp, P. nudune Hook. (= P. rifim R-Br. 2), Coleana minor R.Br.
Chiloglotts formicifera FitzG., Acionthus reniformis (R.Br.) ‘Schlechter,
Caloshilus Robertsonii Benth; C. palvdosus RAr, Cefadenia mines
( Hook.f.) Rupr (syn. ©. carnes var. pyonue Rogers}, Toansouta vrais
(Hooki,) Schlechter, Corybos” aconitifiorus Salish, Pterostylis furcot:
Lindl, P, #utauy R.Br, P. foltata: Hook.f, P. sane R.Br, P. niutica R.Br,
in harbata Lindl, Geastrodia sesamones R.Br., Spiranthes sinensis (Pers,>

mes,

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. 61—No. January 5 1995 No, 733
PROCEEDINGS

The monthly mecting of the Club. was beld vo Deceinher 1),
1944, at the Royal- Society's Hall, the President (Mr, Tva C,
Hammet) presiding over a large attendance.

A letter was received from the Forests C onnnission of Victoria
notifying that Messrs. H. W. Beck, A. G. Campbell, A. D, Hardy,
kK. ‘Tl. Littlejohns and A. J. Swaby had been accepted as an
Advisory Committee, for Sherbrooke: Forest.

F.xcursion.reports were given by Mr, J, A Willis. (Beaumaris

burnt area) and F. §. Colliver (Coburg Lake),
. The following were, elected as Ordinary: Members : Mrs. W, G,
Beavis, Miss M. Owen, Mrs. H. Oaks, Messrs, J, C. Le Souef,
A. 5. Brown, and E. M. Fyson; as Country Members: Messrs.
Sheldon (Lilydate), B, Tindale (Yarra Junction), J. J. Johnston
CRackdale, N.S.W.), and A. G. Hately: (Stawell),

BEES AND FORESTS

Mr. Turlton Rayment gave: an illustrated lecture on this subject.
He held the aticdience closely interested by a general discussion
at the importance of bees in fertilizing forests,\in producing honey
fespecially valuable at present) and in promoting bees-wax, which
was now used in munitions. What first attracted him: to the
study of bees, Mr. Rayment said, was the constructive ability of
the insects, combined with their strong social sense. The beautiful
social systetn of the bees was evolved by Nature long before man
came with his stupidity to upset it.

Me. Raytnent, who was cordially thanked on the motion of
Messrs. ‘Hyam and Chalk, gave further information in reply
to questions. Ge said that the first honey-bees were brought to
Australia in the convict ship Isabella in 1822. There is at least
one mative species of honey-hee (Apis), a rare inhabitant of the
east Vicrortan highlands. !

Tn reply to other questions the lecturer said that bees w-
doubtedly were attracted by the odour-cnianation frorn some
ammals (including man) and repelled hy others; in one instance
hees flew 200 yards to attack a‘man—why, no one cond say,
Odour, Mr. Rayment thought, was a stronger factor with bees
than sight.

150) Nature Querics beer it

NATURE QUERIES

Question; The Plain Turkey (Australian Bustard) lays ane

and sOmefimes two eggs to a clutch. Bushmen in North Aus-
tralia State that wher two eggs are laid one is infertile and never
hatehes, consequently the parent bird is seen with one chick only.
When sevéra! adult birds are together, no one bird has two chicks
of its own. Are there any accredited instances of two chicks in
a clutch?
- Reply (by Mr. A. H. Chisholm): It is an odd thing that
althoweh the Bustard when inhabiting Victoria was found usually
to lay only one ege to a clutch, in Queensland the clutch is
ustially two and sometimes three. There may be something in
the statement regarding the infertility of one egg, but certamly
two chicks to the one mother have been recorded—and photo-
graphed. A singular consideration is that whereas the Bustard
is so restricted in its breeding, the Emu, which lives in the same
type of country and has similar habits, has as many as eight and
ten eges to a clutch. The Bustard is now protected throughout
the whole of Australia and strong efforts are being made to
safeguard it. Jn this servicemen, who formerly killed the bird,
are co-operating,

Question: My, J, A. Willis reported having observed a wingless
female of the Sydney “Blue Ant” (Dianna bieclor} on one
flower spike of the Crimson Botdebrush for two hours, apparently
busily engaged in seclang nectar. Was this usual for a wasp that
is habitually an carth dweller?

Answer (Mr. “f. Rayment): Diamine helongs to the Tiym-
wide family of “flower wasps" and, although, wingless, it is only
to be expected that females of the species should visit native
blossoms for their nectar. As a predator, this handsome metallic-
purple insect has been known to attack mole crickets and partially
paralyse them as food for the young wasps, which hatch out in
about a week,

EXCURSION TO RINGWOOD

The large party of excursionists on October 2lst included anembcrs of
the Bird Observers’ Club. It was intended to study insect visitors. to
flowers, Trigger-plants in particular. Sultry morning weather «was folluwed
hy a enld change, and very few insects were moving in the afternoon, A
few small bees were found huddled in bluebells; two flies, one in Manuka,
the other in a buttercup, constituted the only other records) Members
dispersed in smal! groups and followed their particular interests,

At the Hawthom Nature Show, a few days later, Mr. Fultou menticmed
having Found three stmell grey wasps in Trigger-plants—one even held
down by the bent column. He did not know of our quest and had not
captured a specimen. As far as I know, the actual springing of the column
by an insect remams to be observed.

A. J. Swany.

ae Nictoonts, A New Queensland Phreatic ISL

A NEW QUEENSLAND PHREATIA (ORCHIDACEAE)
By W, H. Nicuotts, Melbourne

PRREATIA CRASSIUSCULA, sp. now,

Plontic ehiphytica tnemila, circa t-5-6 em. alta. Foltis crussitsenla, glabris,
ervctes vet sub-patentdits Uneurits, canaligniatis, circa 2:S-5°S ons, longts,
Inflorescentia erecta, 2-5 con longa. Flores minuti atin. Bractee onguste-
lanccolate aruninate, circa 1+5-2 mun loitgae, vmrditibus serrulatis,
Poviunlhit-scamenta patenies, marginibus iniegris. Sepatunt-dorsale erectum,
ovation, obtusim, circa I ym, Jongum, Sepala-lateralia sepalo-dorsali
equalia sed paulo latiora, Peiala oblonga abtusa, circa 4 min, fonga.
Labellum bast concavum, ‘rhontboide-ovatum; margimibus integris, apiece
recurvata, Colunvia brevissima ot lata, calcar obiusum. Pollinra 8.

A dwarf plant, epiphytic on the stems of forest trees, also ou
palms. The very short stem covered at the base with the persistent
bases of fallen leaves. Leaves several, fleshy, erassula-lrke, glab-
rous, stmi-terete, equitant, erect or somewhat spreading, chan-
nelléd on the upper side, 2-5-5°5 cm. long. Inflorescence erect, in
axillary racemes, shorter than the leaves, 2-5 cm. long. Flowers
minute, white or cream (Bailey describes the flowers as yellow—
as in Ph, timenophylas), rather crowded, almost sessile. Bracts
longes than ovary, the margins briefly and somewhat irregularly
serrate. Perianth-segments spreading with entire margins; dorsal
sepal erect, ovale, obtuse, about 1 mm. long; lateral sepals free,
about same length as dorsal sepal and wider at base, Petals oblong
obtuse, shorter that sepals; labellum nearly as long as sepals, very
concave at base, the lamina spreading avate-rhombeidal, ettire ;
disk with a longitudinal raised line not extending along the Janina.
Pollen-masses 8, minute. Column short and broad, produced for-
ward into a mentum. Capsule shortly pedicellate or nearly sessile;
avate-cblong.

Obsronia crasstuscula, EF. Muell. Herb’m, Flowering during
January, February. ' ‘

Haintat: Rockingham Bay (Dallachy}; Mount Bartle Frere
(via Inghatn) (A, Glindeman) ; Root's Creek (Carr),

The TYPE material (fram Mount Bartle Frere) is jn the

Present writer’s herbarium,

The first description of this misinterpreted Australian nrchid
(under Phreatia Antenephylas Reichb.{.) appears inv Bentham's
Flora Austratierss, Vol. v1 (1873), p. 290, and is transenbed in
F. M, Bailey's Queensland Flora, Vol. v (1902), p. 1542.

‘Ferd, Bauwer’s original Plexaure limenoplylax fran Norfolk
Island, though agreeime as to genus, is. very distinct specifically,

Dr, R, 8, Rogers gives some most interesting and informative
fata on both plants in Trensactions Royol Society Sunth Aus-
tralia, Vol, riv (1930), p, 40. He writes of Phv'eatia (Plexoure)
Hymenophylax - ‘

2 Nicworrs, 4 New Qryeensland Phreviia Nolet

"Tt Was originally discovered by Ferdinand Bauer om, Narfnlk Tslaod,
ant] was carefully illustrated by him: in a plate now in possession nf the
Vienna Herbarium. Tt was described by Endlicher under ahe name of
Prexaure Simenophylae, Subsequently, when writing the sixth volume of
the Flora stustrattensis, Beatham became the innocent victim of a discredit-
able deception by H. G. Reichenbach which led bim to publish his belief
“that the mainland plant Pious by Dallachy at Rockingham Bay, Queensland,
-was weitical with Bauer's Norfolk Island plant This belief was founded
upo evror, an error which was accepted and followed by Pfitzer and many
eminent batanists until the true tacts at the case were: published by F-
“Kranzlin in 191i, mm his prefatory remarks to the Dendrobime, Part LY
p. 12, atid again in his Monograph on the genus Phreatia, in the sane work
- (pp. "20-2 1), where he also published Bauer's original iNustratjioas.”

Dallachy’s specimens in the National Herbarium, Melbourne,
were collecied in the year 1870; they were in a state of bad
preservation. It was on this material Beatham based his descrip-
tion in the Flora Austroliensis, He was unable to define the
particulars of the column, including ihe pollinacium.

Rogers further states ;

“Krnzlin is of Gpinion that this plant wat an Cberonia. Tit the most
prouising of the three Howees slill intact, the upper portion of the column,
and of course the pallinariam, were absenn There is no milication of a
caluim-loot of of a mentum. This lends colour to Krinzlin’s suggestion,*
which he reached tor other reasons, Taking all the circumstances into
ronstcration, it is at Iewst a very doubtful member of the genus to which
i bss been ascribed anil shoald be deleted from our census,”

_ The present writer has in his possession a copy of Bauer's plate
of the true Phreetia imenophylax Reichb.f., and it is thus abun-
dantly cleat the Otecrisland plant is an untamed species.

The exhaustive examination of fresh flowers—from fhree
racernes—produced on three plants from the Mount Bartle Frere
district in Novth Queensland (via Ingham) showed definitely
the presence of (contrary to Regers’ conclusion) a well-formed
ehin (mentum) or column-foot. Tt may be of interest to mention
here that ameng the material of the Queensland plant in the
National Her barium, Melbourne, there are the rematns of several
racemes of flowers (only the ‘bracts and uppermost buds are
infact) Among the few expanded blooms still remaming wm the
same folder, the mentum is clearly visible, more so when the,
flower is softened. [n the undeveloped buds on the racemes (his
feature is difficult to define. ‘Bailey was tight in estimating the
timber of pollen-masses as eight.

Even with the aid of a powerful magnifier the sacrifice of many
resh flowers was necessary to define every character correctly,
as they are so very minute. “The blooms of this new species, also
those of Phreatia Barleyana Schlechter (Botfahrb, 111), are
excellent representative types of the world's tiniest,urchid Mowers.

*Kranzlin writes, “Now est P Hinerca phylas nosira, sea cerlizsime

Oherowia jnimiata, Lindl," which i¢ no “suggestion, hut” ani unequivocal
statement of his belief,

| NicHoits, A New Queensiand Phreatia 188

SEES

KEY TO PLATE

ede: > Tsqwitt Phreatia crassiuscula, sp. nov. ATES
Fig. A.-—Typical plant. B.—Flpra] bract. C.—Flowet from above, D.—
FloWer and ovdry ‘fréni front. o+Capsule. F.—Transverse section of

leaf. G.—Pallen masses. H.—Labellum from side. I—Labellum from
above. J.—An undeveloped flower. K.—Flower from side. L.—Column
from front.

154 Nicnotis, A New Queensland Phreatia be ae .

The Mount Bartle Frere specimens were collected by Mr, A.
Glindeman, the well-known collector of tropical orchids. These
plants readily responded to hot-house treatment in Melbourne,
producing the three racemes of flowers already mentioned. A
colour plate executed by the writer, with full dissections of the
floral characters, etc., was subsequently loaned to Dr. Rogers, who
agteed that the species there depicted represented the same orchid
which was collected by Dallachy at Rockingham Bay, and so long
misrepresented as Reichenbach’s plant. Dr. Rogers expressed a
wish to put matters aright but unfortunately died before doing so.

Identical specimens in the Herbarium of F. v. Mueller are
labelled “Oberonta crassiuscula,” but this Queensland plant is
definitely a species of Phreatia Lindl.!

I have adopted Mueller’s Herbarium name crassiuscula for this
plant. It is, I consider, an eminently fitting one, referring as it
does to its salient characteristic, namely, the thick fleshy -Crassula-
like foliage.

It is difficult to understand why Phreatia crassinscula (sp.nov.)
should have been identified so definitely by certain botanists with
Oberonia miniata Lindl. (Edwards, Bot. Reg., 1843, Vol. xx1x,
p. 6), which is described as a “singular epiphyte with the hahit of
Aporum anceps; its flowers are extremely small, very brittle,
vermilion-red and loosely arranged in a nodding spike, sometimes
as much as eight inches long (approx. 20 cm,)” 4H, N, Ridley,
in Flora Malay Penins., Vol. 4, p. 16 (1924), describes O. miniata
as having “sepals ovate, ciliate.”

A SPARROW-HAWK INCIDENT

About mid-morning on the 26th September last, the pupils of S.S, No, 3792,
Kilmany South (Mr. A. A. Lind, Head Teacher), had a Nature-study
Jesson that had not heen planned for them. The normal routine was
suddenly disturbed by the entrance, through one of the windows, of a
sparrow pursued by a hawk. After wheeling round the room for a few
minutes, the hawk perched on a bar across the room and the sparrow
hid beneath a desk.

Suddenly the sparrow made a dash for one of the windows, but crashed
into a pane and fell dead. Shortly afterwards the hawk also flew at a
window and was stunned by its impact with the pane.

A very good description of this bird identified it as the Collared
Sparrowhawk. It is probable that the commoner hawks in the district
are Nankeen Kestrels, often erroneously known as Sparrawhawks, After
completing their observations, and after the bird had recovered, the pupils,
to their credit, liberated it.

F. G. Exrorp (Teachers College)

January} Coteman, Remarks on Hesbs and Birds 15s

FURTHER REMARKS ON HERBS AND BIRDS
“Part T—Medicinal Use nf J_eaves.
By, Eorrn Corkman, Blackbur, Vic.

Got ask now the fowls of the air, and Utey shall teach thee.
{Job 12: 7).

For the third year in succession, on October 22, 1944, I found
my Canary Islands Pyrethrum greatly mutilated, I watched the
plant and saw, not goldfinches this time, but sparrows, pulimg
off leaves, carrying them into two of a little colony of nests in an
old rose climbing ten to fifteen feet high an a dead gum tree. I
also saw them take leaves away to nests in other parts of the
garden, Few birds would cave to push their way in and out of
the tangle of dead, thorny qwigs beneath the crown of this old
rose,

Some of the twigs were cut away to enable me to put a hand
into one of the nests. I withdrew leaves and Jeaf-stems of the
Pyrethrimn, They appeared to be lying among the eight or ten
egys I could feel.

The choice of this herb is puzzling, Why did the birds not
’ take the downy leaves of the far more aromatic Peppermint-
pélargonium, which grows abundantly at the base of the gum tree?
I scattered some of these leaves on the ground under the
Pyrethrum. - They were not touched, although I saw sparrows
pick up fallen Pyrethrum leaves, ;

Says Topsell (1658-81), writing of cats and Valerian: “Cats
dig it tp ior love thereof, as I myself have seen m my own
garden, for it smelleth moscaver like a cat.” Does (his explain
the passion of sparrows for Pyrethrum? Has it the odour of
their kind?

A beautiful Blue Petrel washed up on {he ocean beach at
Sorrento in March had the smelt of OQak-leaved pelargonium, even
after hanging in the breeze for three weeks. It has since been
hanging out of doors at Blackburn, and still has the same odour.

The use of Jeaves and flowers to adorn nests has been recorded;
$0 tno has their use by hirds as food and medicine. ‘In this garden
large preces are torn from the leaves of such narcotic plants as
Belladonna and Uenbane. I found it difficult to ¢stablish the
tabacco plant. (Nicotiana tobacue} owing to depredations in the
carly staze of growth,

Since watching the sparrows my thoughts have run back to the
many old writers who recorded the use by-birds of aromatic or
acrid herbs, eiiher as medicine or for some supposed magical
property. Some of these records are fantastic: in the extreme,
for dew of the ancients appeat to have been accurate observers.

18d Conedhtt) Remarks og Herbs ant Riel by sci

Many of then ‘held ansttang belief that birds mre gifted with a
knowledge of the virtues of herbs. Recalling the names, of men,
régarded as great scholars in their day, wha have handed on these
beliels, one “feels that they cannot have been without some
folindation.

Was the Seriptural association of the dove with the olive purely
fortuitous, or were doves kriown to seek its leaves?

Although the story of the Babes in the Wond is an ancient one,
an even older story records the good work of loth robin and wren
in covering with leaves “the Enendless bodies of unburied ren,”
Many_writers refer to this. Herrick, Pope ancl Shakespeare make:
use of it. In Cymbehne the niddock (redbreast) is to cover the
supposed dead body of Imogen with pale primroses, harebells, teal
of eglantine, as well as fur and moss, Does the redbreasé seek
Eglantitte (Sweet-briar). to-day? Old authors state that pigeons
and doves use the herh Vervain for ditiness of vision.

“Stockdaves, jays, merles, and blackbirds use Laurel (Sweet-
bay) fo recover their appetite to meste and tn sharpen their
vision.”

In Italy doves are said to seck the herh Cumin. whieh prohably
explains why the Java doves haunted imme. In common with
other birds, they love asaioetida (Ferula foenda) and are destric-
live to crops in the seedling slage. Worlidge (Systema Agricul:
twrae, 1681} alludes to the custom of exploiting this passion by
washing the dove-cotes with asafoetida water; “Thetr feathers will
bear, the scent thereof about them, so that whatsoever conrpany
they, light into ‘will be pleased to ‘bear them company hoe, to
the great increase of your stock.” Asafoetida contains a volarile
oil, resi atl gum, Tt is still afficial-in pharmacy, Because of
its disagreeable odour it is usually administered in pill form. Yer.
despite the ndour, whieh out-onions the whole of the onion clan,
it is much relished i in eastern countries.

Tow Kipling’s Kim and hid lama enjoyed their meal of warm
calves well scented with hing (asatoetida)! Planta (Waybread:
or Cuckuo's-bread} is both bread and medicine ta the cuckoo, as-
is Cuckoo's-sorrel. In my childhood I knew no other name for
this: will sortel. - It gave me pleastire to learn that’ it is: socalled
it other Countries.

The list of authors who refer to the use by birds of herbs 10
vestoie ‘sight isa long one: “'Goldfnches,’ finnets,’ eagles and
swallaws are said to use Eyebright, Rue, Fennel and Cefandine,

TA thelief ‘that’ the eagle's. power of vision ‘is so’ great that he-is
able'tovlook at! the sun windazzled is of greal antiquity | $0 too is!
the legend: that he “shaipénd his sight and that of' his. nestlings:
with- wild slettuces \Thie-hawk uses Hawhkshit | (:Hieraciwais) for’
the-sarse ptirpoge.’ “Thé péiveric tame, tas: well -as,'(he! popular?

Sweet-Bas (Lanes aelidis)

Photos. bs Edith (olemun.

q
; 7

wet Courman, Kemarks on Herbs and Rirdr 157

names used in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, all
have reference to the belief.‘that birds of prey made use of this
herb to sbarpen their vision.

Turberville recummends “the juice of Swallowes-hearbe (Celan-

dine) couveyed to the eyes of hawkes if they be hurte by some
mishappe.” (Book of Falconry, 1611.) The raven uses Sweet-
bay: the stork and ring-doves use “organ” (Wild Marjoran or
Origanum), It is remarkable that in widely separated countries,
long before travel facilities hrought them into easy communication,
Celandine (Chelidoniun. meajus) was believed to be employed hy
swallows to restore their sight and that of their nestlings—a
belief that dates hack to the first century, probably earlier.

‘The generic name Chelidoninin is derived from the Greek for
swallow, and the names Swallow-wort atid Swallow-herb are’
common in many Enropean countries.

In an original treatise on herbs, Bartholomew (thirteenth cen-
tury) wrote: “Celidone is an herbe with yellowe floures; the fruit
smorcheth’ them that toucheth ib: it helpeth swallowes" birdes
(nestlings) if their eyen be hurt.” In another rare old herbal
{Lyte’s tanslation of Dadoens, 1578) we read; “Chelidoniwun,:
that is to say Swallaw-herbe ; becanse it was first fod ont by
swallows and hath healed ihe eyes and restored sight to their
young ones.” Gerard, 1597, reporting earlier writers, says: ‘EL
will restore the eies of divers young birds and snanest of all, the
swallows."" The great herbalist Parkinson (1643) alludes to ils
use hy pitrtridges, doves atid swallows. '

Tt seems strange that so many bird-favoured herbs possess
aromatic ils, acrid juices or narcotic properties, and are still
employed by herbalists, or in domestic practice, for the very ills:
ta which birds were believed ta apply them.

Rue, Eyebright and Fennel have a centuries-old reputation for
helping the eyes. With the two latter Milton's Michael purged
Adam's sight, Fennel was even believed to restore lost sight, as,

Langiellow sings in the Goblet of Life:
Above thé lowly plants. 11 towers,
The fennel, with its yellow flawers,
Aud in an earlier age than ours

te Was gilted ‘with the wandroits powers. )
oe Lost vision to restore. ‘

Many of the buttercups (Ranunculaceae) ‘contain actid: juices?
which inflame and blister, and these are still used for that purpose.
in treating «gout, rheumatism, and ‘even shingles” Cuckoo-buds,’
Crowfuot, the Lessdr” Celaitdine (all “butterciips’’) and the’
Grédter Gelaridine {a “poppy’) are all called Tetterworts and:
their acrid juices were once employed by beggars to raise tetters*
(sores) on. their faces, to. excite pity and pain alms!

158 Cocewan, Romarks on Herbs and Birds Vee Bee

Tr seems incredible to us that Ue unopened eyes of nesilings
should have been regarded as an ill, The fact that they were
upen soon alter parent birds were seen to carry herbs into the
nests was sufficient fo invest these herhs with metlicmeal and even
magical powers; and man, who learned the wse of herbs from
watching birds and animals, applied bird-chosen leaves to his owl

needs, sometimes with suecess, As Kapling sings;

Nothing in life has been made by man for man's using

But it was shown lang since to san in ages

Lost ag the name oi the maker of it.
_ To this day Celandine is employed in treating cye trouble. Ths
yellow juice, on the Doctrine of Signatures, is good for jaundice!
Dropped into green wounds it effects a rapid cure! It is used in
milk asa lotion and, as the names Pilewort and Itchwort imply,
for other troubles. In Russia it is said to have heen effective in-
treating cance. Why did the birds choose it? Did they test it,
with success?

With Celandine swallows were said to unlock their nests, if
they were plastered up, or to remove obstructions. Hence its use
by man to remove obstructions of the liver. It was preseribed for
Tudor Queen Elizabeth, who was reluctant to have a tooth drawn,
Tt was to be seated up in the tooth with wax. This would loosen
the tooth, which might then he pulled out with the fingers!
Larkspur or Larksheels, another “buttercup,” probably so called
fron? a fancied resemblance of the flower-spur to the Jong nail on)
a lark's “heel,” has a long medical reputation of some significance
in the present. discussion. It was used by ancient Greeks, in the
form of an ointment, to destroy body vermin, and to heal wounds.
A tincture, said to be a fine insevt-bane, was used with success in
the trenches during the Jast war.

Laurel (Ziturus mobilis) (Sweet-bay), another “bird-herb,”
yields an aromatic oil which is still employed in veterinary prac-
tice. The leaves, familiar ta us in curry powder, are packed
between layers of dried figs and liquorice sticks, probably to
unpart flavour and scent, perhaps also as an insect repellant.

Alter all, these strange beliefs regarding the use of herbs were
not more curiqus than many others which persisted to the nine
teenth century. Tor my part, as I dip into the vast literature
of legend and myth that has gathered round the association of
herbs and birds I feel that they were not without some foundation.
T am wholly with Baring Gould, who traced many myths of fhe
Middle Ages, when he states that there must be some verity upon
which so vast a superstructure of legend has been raised, and
hefore closing I should like to suggest one for our herb and. bird
myths, - -

Kipling (Eye of Allah) puts his pen on the spot, He’ is

Ler i Courman, Remarks on Herbs and Birds 189

referring to an old belief handed down from Apuleius in the fifth
century. In his Herberium, a little Latin treatise mainly derived
from Dioscorides, Apuleitis says; “If a man eat fasting the juice
of the cut-leaved buttercup (FR, selerotas) his soul will leave his
body laughing.” “This,” says Kipling’s Roger of Salerno, “‘is
a lie more dangerous thatt the Truth, smee truth of a sort it is:
for the juice of this herb burns, blisters and wries the mouth—
the rictus or pseudo-laughter on the face of such as haye died of
poison by herbs of the Rantnculaceae,” To this John of Burgos,
who admits that, when @ boy in ¢ottvent, he made tetters round
his mouth and on his neck with the juice of this buttercup, to save
going to prayers on cold nights, makes reply: “I’m no doctor,
but I'd say that in all these years Apuleius ight have been
betrayed by his copyisis, If Apuleius wrote ‘the soul seems to
leave the body laughing’ there’s not three copyists in five would
not leave out the ‘seems to,’ ”

Probably many of the old authors: have been betrayed by their
copyists, Birds were seen to carry leaves. Being inedible they
were assumed to be medicinal or magical, and as the eyes of
nestlings were open soon alter they were placed in the nest, they
“seemed” to restore sight, As the legend travelled down the
eenturies the “seemed” wes omitted,

EXHIBITS AT DECEMBER MEETING

Mrs, M. E. Freame: Examples of the various tropical sea-shells
illustrated in December (tld. Life, also a living specimen of the fragile
“Lantern Shell" (Leterme ereccina} from Part Phillip.

Mrs, D, W, Lyndon: Representation of the Altona salt-marshes, by tse
of actual glass-worts, caloured sea-blite foliage, sea-heath in flower, shells.
and sparkling salt-encrusted sponges.

Miss Colleen Chuggz: Nylosiroma of mycelial pad of te, “White Punk"
(Polyporus cucalyptorant}, forming white and felt- or chamois-Jike sheets
in the cracked wood of old trees, logs, etc.

Miss M. L. Wigat: Unusually tong, thick aboriginal axe-head from
McKenzie Creek, lower Bemm River, East Gippstand,

W/O J. A. Blackburn (per J. H, Willis}: Mounted collection of nine
common but colourful “bracket fungi," taken from a North Queensland
rain-forest last winter, ~

-Mr, C. French: Specimens of Eucalyptus qividis (Green Mallee) and
Acacia Mitchetlit (Mitchell Wattle—smallest pinnate specics in Victoria), »
cultivated at East Cantborwell and Canterbury respectively.

“Mr, T. Griffiths: Ferm prothalli, two months old.

“Mr. A, H, E. Mattingley: Male of the Golden Beetle (Lamprima
fatredli}.

Mr. Ive Hatrnet: Gatden-grown natlyve flowers (Hibiscus Hucgetir,
Melaleuca pulchella, etc.).

160 Wacericoen, -Moartue Life at Part Moreshy Vfeechiats

4

MARINE LIFE AT PORT MORESBY
By N. A- WAKEFIELD, ALF.

Except for a few conservative. individuals wh stick to the:
use of theer multi-pointed, spears in the shallows, natives of the
Motesby area do their fishing by talang partics of army personnel.
to the outer reefs, where they drop “depth charges’ of usually a
couple of six-ounce plugs of “jelly,” and then dive for the dead or?
stunned fish. The outrigger-canots* used are very manoeuvrable.
being ahle to beat out to sea against a suff wind, and the divers:
have closely-fitting goggles with which they can see clearly underi
the water. The mam types of fish so caught are sthnapper and
2 weed-caling species resembling the ludericl.

The shallow waters of the coral reefs teem with innumerable.
kinds of small but exqyunsitely beautiful tropical fish, which one
can observe easily by standing still ‘ina few fect of water on a.
calm day: the fish swim quite close, attracted by the whrteness
of one’s feet, The Banded Sea-Snake (Platywrus) is common,,
ao there is a large kind of starish—rather solidly buill, with big.
blunt spikes above, and in colour from darle brown bo iglune. :

Sea-slugs (Béche-de-mer) are very plentiful, one kind exuding:
long while streamers of a very adhesive material if disturbed, and ,
marine worms attain a. length of several feet The stasurching
are represented by at least three species, the commonest being
quite safe to handle, but the other two are armed with sharp,
finely barhed spines over six inches long which will. penetrate
one's Alesh at the slightest touch.

The broad wavy blue, green, or brown lines make clams the,
most conspiettous shell in the coral masses; and the crevices con-:
tain Jatge Trochus shells (7°. nilaticws) and Far sheils (Aatiates
asinnins), adhering to the rocks, The Cone-Shells ave repre-
sented by several species—Conus texrtic, C. miarmoreis, ete, and>
one is reputed to have the ability of inflicting a poisonous sting,
dangerous to man.

Under every rock at low tide Jevel are hundreds of tiny narrowly” y"
conical shells inhabited hy small dark Hermit Crabs, antl there is:
a larger. forin which-carries roundish shells wp into Ue scrulyof
the dry cliffs overlooking the beach, A third kind is a great tect
and hairy species which occasionally brings larger shells front!
the outer reefs; one brought in a good example of the Egg! Shell
‘(Oaudum évunt), and another a perfect exampte of the beautifully:
sibbed Touma fiombriata: “The large green crab, common in wel

"The focal canoe, With its double-ended narrow hull -arid square “sail
rigeed away from the single outrigger, is a canagi, though it is generally’
réferre’ toby ‘sdldiers,as alakatn, which uae really applies ta’ larger
douhfe-decked craft with crab-claw sails, caries A gy

met y id Wanerizip, Marine Life at Port Moresby 16!

rock crevices, is often overtaken seeking tefuge in shallow pools
at daylight and is cooked. by (he heat of the sun. Beneath small
boulders are little jewel-like maroon-coloured erabs, smooth and
round, and another spiky, light grey species which camouflages
‘itself with an accumulation of rubbish. On the mud flats, toa, is
a medium-sized species, with one large bright-red nipper held
aloft as it moves about-

The. Jumping or Climbing Fish is a feature of tock pools and

marigrove swamps, where it perches on tree roots or rocks, and
goes skipping over the surface of the water when disturbed, The
smaller green crayfish, with long white antennae, which inhabits
weedy shallows, is regarded as 4 very toothsome morsel by the
natives, who will spend hours patiently hunting and stalkmg one
from point te point. :
\ Most interesting perhaps are the Cowries,* which range in
size from a fraction of an inch to several inches long, and in
coloti from white to blue, brown oF orange. Cysrea annulus, 2
small ~white specres with a pink ring-like mark, is the most
plentiful; and next comes C. arabica, much larger and darker,
with intricate markings forcibly resembling Avabic script. The
large and popular C. figris is very plentiful on the outer reefs; it
is commonly known as “Tiger Cowrie,"' though “Leopard” would
be & more appropriate epithet. Both the “Tiger” and C. arabica
are to be found in the juvenile form, when they are very fragile
and beautiiully painted in shades of soft greyish-bjue.

_C. errvenes, a small arey-blue species with dark dorsal patch, is
common on the underneaths of small rocks; C. erosa, with its
white-dotted surtace and two lateral dark patches, is not uncom-
mon either, C. wiieller, brown with large lighf-blue spots, and.
C. varnelli, mottled tan with darker spots, are two medium-sized
and very attvactive species. The small finely mottled C. sopita
and the pinkish-tan €. carneola are rather uncommon, while the
beautiful, irregular, cream or orange Money-Cowrie (C. s#oneta)
is perhaps the rarest'near Port Moresby. C_ staphylea, a very
small species, blue with raised white spots and brown marginal
ribs. has, in this area, jet black feeding mantles which distinguish
it from the Queensland form, One of the tiny Ribbed Cowries
(Trivia edgert) was found several times washed up on ihe beach,
but it was not seen in the living state. It is interesting to note
thal the same species of cowries at Kila Beach, just east of Port
Moresby. are invariably deeper in colour than those towards
Tdlers Bay, across Halifax Harbour to the west.

*The gents Cypreee is used here in the old, wider sense, hetause opines
at present differ considerably as to the generie status of the various groups
oF cowries. ‘ ‘

162 Excursion to Beaumaris iene

EXCURSION TO BEAUMARIS
(Regeneration of plants on fire area.)

On Saturday afternoon, November 25, some forty excursionists (includ-
ing members of the Bird Observers’ Club) visited thé scené of last
January's disastrous scrub-fire at Beaumaris—the worst ever experienced
there, A sandy rise of uncleared tea-tree scrub, less than half a mile along
Cromer Road from the beach, was selected for observation, and here the
party split into several groups, each with 3 botanist ta identify all seedling
plants. Such seedjings, as had appeared since the burn, were listed by
each group under two categories, viz, regrowth from seed of permanent
iocal plants, and inquiline species (carried from neighbouring areas by
wind or birds).

A hatt-hour's scouting was sufficient time for the several groups to
note down almost eyery kind of seedling present within about an acre of
sctubland; the lists were then correlated and gave the following total
resuli of 53 different seedlings :—

~ INQUILINES PERMANENT LOCAL: FLORA
{mostly wind-blown annuals) ha ‘
Climbing Lignum

Grasses— . +*Red-ink Plant .
*Annual Meldt Grass Angular Noon-fewer (“pigface”)
*Hare’s-toib Grass
*Stluery Hair Grass Legumes—
*Yorkshire Fog Grass Spike Acacia
*Quaking Grass (“Shell Grass”) Late Black Waitle
*Lesser Ouaking Grass Pale Wedge-pea
*Aunual Poa . Showy Bossca
“Brome Peseug Creeping Bossea
*Rat-tail Pescue *Tagasaste
*Gorse (“furze’)
Coarse Club-tush *Clustered_ Clover
*Mouse-car Clickweed Scarlet Caral-pea
“French Catchfly *Dolichos
*Fumitory . .
‘Indian Hedge-mustard Creep mag Wood-sorrel
Austral Stonecrop Wedding-bush
Rufous Stonecrop #Carolina Mallow
aoe Pai Bundled Guinco-flower
Ryn N ignite Silky Guinea—-fower
rican Box-thora
*Buck’s-horn Plantain Manna Gam.
Tiny Biue-bell (not in Census) Coast Tea-irce
1 ; Common Beard-heath
Composites— Ridneyeweed :
Common Cotula Ruakeihid
*White Cudweed Kangaroo Apple
Catton Fireweed Stinkweed
*Groundsel ; .
*Cape-cuced

*Spear Thistle
*Sow Thistle
*Cat's-dor ("flatweed")}

In the foregoing table, the predominant seedlings. are indicated by italic
type and naturalized aliens by means of an asterisk. Seedlings only are

ae Wiis, General Notes on Port-Fire Pioneers 163

Ewen, not shoot regrowth From perenrin) root-stocks, rhizomes, or tubers
which outlived the fire. ft is to be noted that, among the inquilines, annual
grasses and composites ntcupy a prominerit positian (1h species, or mare
than half}; members of these lwo large farnilies are always ‘among the
first platits to populate a sterilized region—hy virttle of Umit very sual,
light seeds, so readily carcicd away in ait cureents, OF the permanent
laval flora, the comtparatively heavy seeds of Iegunics (i the genninatinn
of which dire is even bencficial) account for nearly half the species recorded,
viz,, 10 out of 24; these vecre dauhtless alreary in the soil before destruction
o€ the averhead cover

SOME GENERAL NOTES ON POST-FIRE PIONEERS

Writing in the Naturalist, June, 1940, Mr. W. L. Williams reports on
ihe regrowth at Dromana throughout '16 months following the holocaust
of January, 1939. He, tuo, divided the young plants into two classes and
found both introduced and ative grasses. to be early colonizers amony
wind-blawn aunuals; there were later abundant seedlings of Coast Tea-tree
and Swamp Paper-fark, with 4ome Drooping Sheoke, hut no sprouts. were
discernible on any of the damaged, bla¢kened spars—rather a helpful factor, ,
as they afforded considerable protection to the seedlings during tender
infancy. Mr. Noel Lothian (also in 1940) discussed the astonishing spread
of Quionmgrass and Cape-weed withm six manths of the bushfire which
wrought such havoc in Torquay.

Recolgnization by plants of ateas from which the natural vegetation has
been completely erased by intense heat (fires, volcanic action, ctc.) has
always been a subject of great interest to the ecological botanist. It is
only at such 4 time that questions as, to the vitality of seeds, speed of
dispersal, survival’ power, aggressiveness or competitivenes of differen
species can be studied in detail.

A classical opportunity was pravided on a grand scale between May and
August, 1883; the worst series of volcanic eruptions within humen know-
ledge then visited the denscly-foregted trapic island of Krakatoa (between
Java and Sumatra) and completely obliterated every vestige of plant life.
Jiess than a year afterwards the Fretch scientist Cotteau latided on the
island, but he failed to find & Single ving plant, Treth, however, whe
made a close survey iwo years later (1886), discovered not anly lower
cryntigams but 26 different vascular plants, meluding eleven ferns, dour -
composites and ane grass (all wind-borne), and several trees of the strand
(fram spongy, sea-horne fruits),

Victorians allawéd a galdem opportunity for carrying ont similar detailed
Surveys tq slip away alter the unprecedented bughfires of Jantrary, 1939:
But our British friends. have been husy since 1940 listing, plants rhay have
come up din bombed-aut areas in the heart of Condon. Cammongat among
the bomb-crater pioneers are Annual Poa, Willow-herb, Fléea-bane, Ground
sel and Colt’s-fooi—again a high percentage of wind-borne cotmposites.

TOW Wraas-

——_ -—— + —-

‘ERRATA

fy “Sloger Perfumes and their Classification” (fick Not, Dee 1944}
the follawing typographical errors: call for correction, viz —
Page 1.4, filth fine from hottoin, for Sporttinm read Spartiian,
Page 136, first jine, for adaratisstmas read odoratisnyumns
Pace 136, note 8, second line, for Aivsina read hircina. rinw

'
_J 4 McFavnawr, Mature Votes fram Magga bs

NATURE NOTES FROM WAGGA
By Sarren P. BR. McPartann

For ine months J have been a sajaurmer at Wagga, N.S.W., the
surronndings f which, at Grst glance, appcar monotonous to the nature-
lover from southern Victoria; yet this district hat a charm) all its own.
True, there is little to offer the geolovist beyond a prevailing country
rock of what seem to be Silurian shales and occasional hills of granite
rock which in places yields orthoclase crystals an inch of more fong;
schists and cherts appear so close presimity to the granite, bat nothing
further enlivens one's interest.

The most striking feature is the almost complote absence of shrub growth
and small plants, due, no doubt, to the close-erazing habit of sheap which
are masters af all they survey, Only m a few isolated and accidental
sanctuaries cam ane visuahze the appearance of the original landscape.
Arboreal vewetatio consists almost entirely of she Grey Box (Enealyptes
hasniphlaia), White Cypress Pine (Callitris glatica), Kurrajong (Stercatia
dimersifolia), Casuarinc, and a smal) white gum restricted to the rocky
knollss—probably “Turmble-down Gun" (i. dealbatad, The Cypress Pine
acteurs: frequently ju sinall almost pure stands; Kurrajong and Casuarina
favour. rocky positions, but their present disposition may be artificial, as the
land was settled sol long ago.

Red Ginn (Bncatyptis ceomoldnlonsigy and River Sheoke (Ceasnarina
Crmainghamiana) hold dominion along the Murrumbidgee and attain
enormous size. In a few spots, inaccessible to sheep, Flax-lilies, Purple
Coral Pea. Parrot Pea, various everlastings. auimerous acacias, and two
shrubby species of Grevillea Cane with red and the other with woolly
brown flowers) may still he found.

To atone for the lack of variety amone native plants, there is quite a
large bird population; along the river, and gamang the red gums fringing
it, TI have seen White-diced Tlerons, White-necked Herons, Egrets, Black
and Pied Cormorants. Black Duck and other water-fowl, and large flocks
of White Cockatoos. which do not cange far [rom the river trees, Back
toward the hills are Noisy Miners, Galahs, Butcher-birds, Magpies. Carra-
worgs and numbers of different parrots. The two-chambered nests
Vetluw-tailed Thorwbills and large unshapely structures of the Zebra Finch
are fairly abuttdant in patches of pine serub. Rerd-capped Robins, Bluc
Wrens, Tree-creepers and Choughs also Javour the quad, Welcome
Swallows, Fairy Martins,“ and both White-browed and Dusky Waod-
swallaws, represent the swallow and swallow-slrtke families. Lhe curious
yetort-shaped mid oests af the Martins being frequent in suitable locations.

FOOD URGENTLY NEEDED AT SANCTUARY

Owing te exceptianally dry cosditions in the Tofests surrounding Badeer
Creck Sanctuary, Healesville, the small staff is extremely hard pressed to
obtain sufheiemt earthworms for its platypus charges or enough insects
and erustacca for the Iyre-bird counntunity—slaters or any other “crawlies"
of the forest Aoar would be most welcome Members of the F.NLC., if
pot able to help a0 thiy direction Wermselyes, may fe able ta contacr
friends whe can Mr, David Fleay, Director of the sanctuary. would
gladly receive such’ contributions and suitably remuneraie anyone willing
Lo assist. :

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. 61.—No. 1c February 8, 1945 No. 734
—————— oo ESSEEE—EyUEEyUyILlEE——LE> _ E> _—y———— as
PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Club was held on January 9,
1945, at the Royal Society’s Hall, the President (Mr. Ivo C,
Hammet) presiding over an attendance of about 100 Mernbers
and friends.

Letters were received from Mr, Noel Lothian, now in New
Zealand, conveying New Year greetings to Members; from the
Secretary of the Sir Colin Mackenzie’ Sanctuary, at Badger
Creek, returning thanks for a donation, and stating that the
money Woitld be used as the Club had suggested; and from the
Town Clerk at Hawthorn, thanking the Club for a donation
received from the Exhibition recently held in the Hawthorn
‘Town Hall.

The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club:
Mrs, G. Fraser and Miss Chisholni; and as Country Member:
Mc. H. L, Tucker,

SYMPOSIUM ON “RED RAIN"

This was given under three headings:—“Geological Aspects
of Red Rain,” spoken to by Mr. F. S, Colliver; “Organic
Contents of Red Rain,” spoken to by Mr. A. D. Hardy; and
“The National Significance of Red Rain," spoken to by Mr. P.
C. Morrison. ‘

Mr. Colliver stated that his remarks were mainly based ou
an article by Chapman and Grayson on “Red Rain,” published
in the Victonan Naturalist, volume 20, He emphasized that
dust, as represented by “Red Rain,” constituted an erosion
factor very much wnder-estimated by the man in the street.
Calculations made by W. H. Ferguson, then of the Mines Dept.,
of the dust brought dawn by a rain storm toward the end of
1902 gave a figure of 50 tons per square mile, based on samples
taken in South Gippsland. A similar Fall on March 28, 1903,
from samples collected by Chapman and Grayson, gave 35%
tons per square mile; and another fall on December 31, 1927,
was calculated by Chapman to have left 513 tons per square
mifé in the Balwyn district; and hy Hunt to have left same
24 tons per square mile in the Elsternwick district. A_ fall
on November 3, 1920, was caleulated to have left something
like six million tons over Victoria. In giving these figures. Mr,
Colliver suggested that “Red Rain” was-shown to be an erosion
factor of considerable inyportance,

166 Field Nuturatists’ Club Proceedings Vist Bs

Mr. Hardy. stated that a considerable change in the organic
contents of “Red Rain’ could be noticed from the 1903 fall,
so well worked out by Chapman and Grayson. The 1903 fall
had a very large amount of diatomic material mixed with the
dust, and the recent fall of red rain (1944) showed very little
in the way of diatoms; these by the way, were the empty
skeletons only, The 1903 rain showed protozoa and bacteria,
and the diatoms, in many cases, were complete enough to list
the genera. In the recent rain (1944), the diatoms were so
badly damaged that determination even of genera was difficult,
if not impossible, Mr. Hardy showed that in many cases the
good soil had gone completely and the dust samples now showed
only sand. Of particular interest, however, was the fact that
collected samples of the 1944 red rain developed an interesting
little microscopic object known as the “Water Bear.”

Mr. Morrison, discussing the national significance of the
problem, suggested that we must follow the course of red rain
back and find where it originated. This was either the Mallee
or one of seven or eight places in Australia. Dust would not
drift ii adequate vegetational cover and wind-breaks were on
the area. In Central Australia, no doubt, large areas were
sterile even before white men came on the scene, bit overstacking
and rabbits tow had produced even larger areas where the
wind had free play. In the Mallee dry fallawing was one factor
that produced dust, and the removal of all vegetable cover was
a common’ feature of farming in that area. With the removal
of the good soil, the subsoil remaining was of nile use for
crops, and practically all that could be dont was to plant the
area with some hardy cover such as trefoil burr, and thus prevent
further sail driit. The Soil Conservation Board had calculated ,
that from the Mallee area some 11 million tons of soil were lost
in one dust stonm of average intensity, At Tocumwal, recently,
the R.AA.F, tested the height of dust during a storm, and the
xeroplane had to rise 10,000 ft before the dust thinned out.
A west wind prevailed the whole time, and there were no reports
of qust.in South Australia or Central Australia then, so it was
prattically certain that this dust had originated in our Victorian

alee,
DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS

Mr. Collrver, replying to a question as to how sainples were
taken, stated; The first sample was taken 20 minutes after
the rain had started, thus allowing normal dusi fo be washed
away, and five fluld ozs. of sample gave 17 grains of dried
residue. The time then was 4.30 pn. Sample 2 was collected
at 6.30 pm; sample 3 at 7.30 pm.; sample 4 at 7.45 p.m.>
sample 5 at 830 p.m. A further sample collected after 9 p.m.

Pesiiee Field Natwalists’ Club Proceedings 107
contained no appreciable sediment, The sample was not examined
for bacteria straight away and if is quite possible that only
the more resistant types were developed during the tests.

Mr. Morrison, in reply to a question concerning the different
colours of dust at various places, stated that the wind was
a winnowing agent; the lightest matenals went the greatest
distances, and certainly differing mineral content was sufficient
to justify colour differences.

Question: Has a sample of dust from the last storm been
analysed? Mr, Morrison suggested that probably the Weather
Bureau would do this. Mr. Colliver said he had collected a
sample but could not be sure of its being a pure rain déposit.

Miss Ina Watson mentioned that, in November, 1944, a plane
from Broken Hill reported that Mildura and Kerang were
invisible from the air.

Mr. Morrison stated that 2 Broken Hill storm recently
¢oincided with the Canberra dust storm.

Another member remarked that recently a sandhill or dune
at Lake Hindmarsh, some 50-60 feet high, had been shifted
300 yds, by the wind.

Mr. Owen Singleton asked Mr, Colliver where he thought the
rocks occurred that gave rise to the dust—did he not think ihe
Broken Hill area was move likely than Victoria? Mr. Colliver,
in reply, satd that apparently he had wrongly quoted Chapman
and Grayson, who stated, “The mineral fragments from the
Victoria red rain sediment have undoubtedly been derived from
the disintegration of the rocks ordinanly met with m_ the
Victorian area, in the country to the north and west, The
accessory silicates and the other rarer and heavier minerals
were most likely derived Irom granitic and gneissic rocks, and
from the disintegration of todes and veins.”

Mr, Singleton asked Mr. Hardy if he had ever found sponge
spicules and Foraminifera in rain samples?

Answer: Spicules of the fresh water sponge “spongilla” were
very common, but Foraminifera were very uncertain.

Miss Wigan remarked that in N.S.W, dust storms continue
day after day.

Miss Raff asked: Should not regular tests be made to determine
surface, otherwise, how can you achieve finality by weighing
samples?

Mr, Morrison, in reply, said it was not possible to prove the
origin of a dust storm by a stain on a Jeaf, but such a stain
backed by meteorological evidence can make a near scientific
certainty; (he rain washes the dust-laden atmosphere clean, ancl
from the precipitated mud the proportions of organic and mineral
materials can be calculated.

16R Hicld Naturalisis’ Club Proceedings votae

Mrs. Colliver stated that, with respect to the 1903. sample
previously mentioned, the successive samples taken showed a
dimimution of soltd material.

A member remarked on the recent method of erosion control
as tried oul in Russia, where a thin sheet of bitumen and grass-
seeds is sprayed out from an aeroplane, and suggested it would
be worthy of trial in Australia. Mr. Morrison, in comment,
said that the Soil Conservation Board suggests wind-breaks,
planting of burr clover, etc,, and deep furrowing at right angles
to the prevailing winds, a method used in Kansas in 1935, as
well as contour ploughing of deep furrows if the land has slopes,

Mr. A. A. Brunton suggested the time would undoubtedly
come when methods for bringing dowa the rain-clouds that
now often pass over the dry areas would be devised, and he
Further suggested that this was a matter worthy of experiment
by scientists.

Speakers in the symposium were accorded the thanks of the
Club for their informative and interesting addresses.

EXHIBITS

Miss M. L, Wigan; “Witches Broom,” from Heathmount,

Miss LE. Raff; Flower of Tropacolum peniaphylinm, from South
Amerita; also Qenothera (Evening primrose), which opens parc white
und changes to pink next day,

Mrs: Fetitton Woodburn: “Hands of copra, dark (native cured) and
light (plantation cored).

Mrs, J. J. Freame: Marine specimens,

W/O J, A. Blackbur {per J. H, Willis): Collection of native stone
implements from South-eastern Papua, including a “Didiwau” or cere-
monial adze head anda holed. club head resentbling a giant bead,

Mr. J. H. Willis: A genus of lilics new to Victoria, represented by
Chlorophytum alfimum, from Dandongadale Falls, on the Mt, Cobbler
Plateau (3/1/45).

Mr. A. D. Mardy: Samples of sand fram the Mallee drift areas and
hammocks.

Mr. C. J. Gabricl: Rare Australian marine shell, Péeraspira soad-
hnightee, McCoy, from the Great Australian Bight.

Mr. T. Griffiths: Box of beetles and other insects from Walhalla and
Abeefeldy Reyer district.

Mr. H. P. Dickins: Four studies im colour of Brachycliton, from
Geelong Botanic Gardens.

Mr, H. T. Reeves: Coloured phatographs of Australian natiye flowers.

SAWFLIES: INFORMATION WANTED

Sgt. M. F. Leask, a Club member on service, is anxious to hear of
anyone investigating Phylacteaphagm cucalypii, he leaf-biister sawfy, or
breeding any to match the larva with the imago, Would readers who can
offer information please communicate with Mr. F. G. Eiford, Teachers
College, Carlton, N.3?

ead Covesias, Remarks an Herter and ‘Birds 169

FURTHER REMARKS ON HERBS AND BIRDS
Part 11—Magical Use of Leaves.
By Eorrs Coreman, Blackburn, Vic.

There are many curious legends regarding the magical use
of herbs, not arly by swallows but by many other birds, chiefly
to remove obstructions from their nests or to unlock them if
they have been closed up by human agency.

The woodpecker uses Springwort, which Grimm identifies
with Caper-spurge, but other authors with a fern, It is known
in Germany as the Blasting-root, and has power to force the
strongest lock! Unfortunately, it is very rare. One must seek
it in the woodpecker’s nest. If a nail be driven into her nest
(so runs the tale), she fltes off for a piece of Springwort. This
she places in the bottom of her nest, and soon both leaf and
nail drap on the red cloth which must be spread below it! She
also uses Herhameropsis, which js called woodpecker plant, or
woodpecker herb,

The hoopoe uses Sainfoin and the lark, Larkspur, Albertus
Magnus (13th Century), says that the magpie brings a herb
to release her nestlings if her nest be tied up with new cords,
but does not specify the herb,

Nat to labour the point, I think we must accept some of the
statements regarding the placing of herbs in the nests, but not
the curious explanabons that accompanied them. 1 think we
can presently offer a twentieth century solution — without
stretching imagination.

Yet, after all, those curious beliefs were not more fantastic
than matiy other long-accepted bird legends, such as that of the
raven which leaves her nestlings to starve. According to Izaak
Walton, they are kept alive and fed by dew, and worms that
breed in the nest, “or some other ways that we mortals know
not.”

Then there is the story of the pelican which feeds its young
on its own blood: “The pelican turneth her beak against her
body and therewith pierceth it till the biood gushes out, wherewith
she nouwrishcth her young.” (Brand's Antiquities). ‘Vhree
times Shakespeare alludes to this old belief: in King Lear
(“whose flesh begot those pelican daughters’); Richerd JI,
Act, IL Sc, |; and MNamle?, Act. IV, Sc. 5.

Strangest of all was the story of the barnacle-geese, those
“birds without father or mother,” This legend, first promulgated
in the 12th Century by Gyraidus Cambyensis, travelled strongly
down the centuries until 1783, when it was once again published
as a fact, reported in all good faith by scholars renowned in
their day: Sebastian Munster (who gives a sketch of the

170 Corman, Remarks on Herbs and Buds oe

bird-tree, with water-birds escaping from its fruits, or trying
their newly-Lorn switaming powers on the water below;
Aldrovandus (1599) most learned ornithologist of the
Renaissance; Gesner, renowned zoologist of the same period;
Williany Turner (1544), Dean of Wells, who aceepts tke story
“on good authority,’ sad wha stiggests that the geese were
generated from a sort of fungi, which broke out on masts and
planks of ships that had rotted in the sea, “in which one may
discern evident forms of birds which afterwards are clothed
with feathers, and at Jast become alive and fly!”

Gerard (1597), who first wins our confidence by stating that
“what our eyes have seen and our hands have touched we shall
declare,” describes how the goose ‘cometh to maturitie and falleth
into the sea, where it gathereth feather and proweth to a
fowle bigger than 2 mallard and lesser [han a goose. For the
truth thereof, if any doubt, may it please them to repaire unto
me and J shall satishe them by the tesimanie of good witnesses,”

And we have the first-hand testimony of Sir Robert Murray
(Philosophical Transactions): “In every shell 1 opened I found
a perfect sea-bird; the bill like that of a goose; the eyes marked,
the head, neck, breast, wings, tail and feet formed; the feathers
Svereaere perfectly shaped and the feet like those of water.

ow ig

Long after the legend was refuted by Willoughby (1678), and
Thompson (1835), and Darwin had published his researches
om the barnacle, there were still people who adhered to the old
belict.

It is not easy to discern a verity as foundation for the
barnacle-gonse and pelican legends. ‘They were probably flights
of wiagination of simple folk who had witnessed the feathery
“feet” of bamacles kicking food inte their mouths”, and the
feeding of young birds on regurgitated food. I think we may
offer a more convincing verity as foundation for the herb-and-
bird associations. One thing siands out. The leaves were not
used us nesting material. When 30° ft, of one of our cum
trees at Blackburn crashed in a storm, 15 ft. of the hollow
fallen limb was found to be closely packed with nesting muterial,
the accumulation of many years, ft included many chocolate
and cigarette cartons as well as cards of a brand long since
disconttuucd—surely uncomfortable bedding for baby birds. Did
the parents choose them for their scent (nicotine and vanilla)—
as insect repellants? While the old saying “No bird fouls its
own nest'' cannot be applied to all species, it is strictly true
of a large number, in whiuch spectes the parent birds anticipate,
even encourage, the vuidance of excrement which they carry
away from the nest.

sien rmaiel Cxneman, Agmarks on Serbs and Birds 171

1 have done little bird photography, and most of my pictures
are af gurden birds; but, taken at close quarters, they represené
fairly complete stories of Blackbird, British Song-thrush,
Yellow Robin, Iarmoniwus Thrush, White-shafted and Black-
and-White Fantails, White-plumed and Regent Honeyeaters.
Many of my negatives; quite unintentionally on my part, show
the removal of excrement, a maller of wonder and adiniration
to every bird-student, demonstrating clearly that birds realise
the importance of nest hygiene. Although the capsules wiich
enclose excrement must be of greater strength than ts apparent,
doubtless a few are broken on the floor of the nest.

Still keeping an open mind, | suggest that in these somewhat
Tare instances leaves are placed on the soiled floor for comfort
of the nestlings, and as some precaution against flies: I suggest
that this procedure, witnessed in a more unsophisticated age
than ours, elucidated those more attractive, but less convincing
explanations of the use of teaves.

I have seen both green and dry tea-tree leayes in the nest
ai ‘ee Yellow Robiu, while occupied by eggs only. Ten years.
ago (16/6/34), 4 related in a Melbourne newspaper the story
of a Lritish Song-thrush which carpeted its nest wilh three
broad Jasiandra leaves. FT mentioned that if is unusual for
the thrush to use other than a mivd lining, Tn that mstance
there was an easy explanation. Doubtless the click of my
camera-shatter caused a parent bird to hesitate at the critical
moment, and excrement was voided into the nest. The complete
removal of a broken capsule ss difhcult. 1 have seen it attempted.
I think the Lasiandra leaves were placed in the nest after the
event,

I have a photograph of a White-plumed Honeyeater upside
down, spearing the floor of the basket-nest in endeavouring to
remove a capsule which: she failed to receive when voided,
for which the camera must again be blamed. One wonders
what explanation would have been offered in Pliny's day. I
offer it now as the “verity” upon which those fantastic legends
were built. The herbs were employed as removable bedding, or
insect repellants. Tmagimation supphed a more attractive
explanation.

After wribng at such great jength, I feel I have touched
only on the fringes of a fascinating subject. Dipping only into
authors at my hand, the list of birds believed to emplay herbs
is a long one. More thorough research should reveal matter
of more than ordinary interest to us at the present day, when plant
drugs haye an imeréased importance,

(Concluded. )

172 Bryant, Noles an the Olive-backed Ortale vee

NOTES ON THE OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE
By C. E. Bryant, Melbourne.

In that class of local migrants, as distinct from visitors from
overseas, that come to Victoria cach spring, the Olive-backed
Oriole (Oriahes sagittates) is prominent. The numbers of the
birds yary from season to season, so that in some years the gullies
and hillsides rmg ali day with their notes, but during others
only occasional pairs call. In Southern Victoria the birds arrive,
as a rule, about the end of September or beginning of October,
but, as they do not always call frequently at first, many may
be unobserved for a time after reaching us, This season (1944),
the birds arrived early and the first Oriole 1 beard was cailing
on September 24,

Mathews and Nerth both state that the sexes are similar. As
a general] statement that may be substantially correct, for, seen
in the tree-tops, the sexes appear alike, oted tog@ther, or
at close quarters, however, the female will be observed to
differ in the very much duller green of the back and wings:
“Olive” scarcely appears to be the most apt description, the
back of the male, at Icast, being of a vivid green, Gould
remarks on the plumage distinction in his reference to the
“yellowish-olive of the upper surface of the maje of a deeper
tint than the female,” } .

Nest-building is commenced with little delay. The nests are
pendent structures slung from slender twigs and are invariably
constructed of coarse reddish-brown bark, with a lining of
grass. A little wool or the cotton-like “dewn” that envelops the
reeds of creepers, such as the clematis, may be added. Taken
over a number of years I have noted 4 decided pactiality” for
lightwoods as nesting trees. There is, howeyer, much variation
fram year to year, and according to the particular habitat and
the trees available, although the type oz country frequented
by the Oriole is always more or less the same, that is, iightly-
timbered undulating areas, Last summer (1943) at Mitcham,
Vic, all of several nests which I found, or of which I had
knowledge, were built in lightwoods, but this season I have
noted ane only in a hghtwood, with others m eucalypis (most),
wild-cherry and sweet bursaria. Few nests that are built in
gum trees are readily accessible, but the first nest of the species
I ever encountered was built in a drooping gum at a height
af only four feet from the ground.

Nest completed and eggs laid (three normally, but often two
—and this year nearly all pairs have only a brace), the female
settles down to brood anr thereupon practically ceases to call.
Ber quietness serves little purpose, however, for the male usually
discloses the nest site by his continued calling nearby,

dr ry Bravarr, Vetes on the Olise-backed Oriole 173

The “song” of the species most ustialiy heard is the rolling,
meliow and far-sounding call that indicates the bird's own
nanve — “oree-oree-ole"—in which there may be some slight
variation .in different districts. The resonance of this call has
given rise to the name “Echoing bird” for the species among
bush boys, There are additional calls, usually given in alarm or
when the nest is approached, and a purring succession of squeaks
that advises the young of the approach of the adults with food.

Ail accounts of substance refer to the bird as a mimic,
but this aspect, with nearly all birds, is subject to a certain
amount of conjecture. Personally, I have usually demanded
more convincing proof than a resemblance of one bird’s notes
to those of another to establish that there is actual rmimicry,
conscious or unconscious, The Criole occasionally utters, for
example, a series of chuckling notes that suggest the laugh
(in a minor form}, of the Kookaburra, Maybe others have
heard such notes under other circumstances, but I have heard
them only in the nature of alarm calls or notes of apprehension
at the proximity of a human to the nest, and I think it may be
doubted that the mere resemblance necessarily connotes mumicry.

Gould refers to the Oriole’s imifating of other species, "includ-
ing the Zasteraps,” Whilst the bird-observer will readily recognize
the notes of the Silvereye, those same notes given by (he Orioje,
possibly in a medley of calls, are surely somewhat mconsequential
sounds upon which ta found a definite assertion of méintcry-

These statements do not amount to an avowed disbelief in the
Oriole’s ability to imitate, but suggest caution in assuming all
urtisual notes to be proof of such ability. Notes rendered in
more normal and unemotional circumstances than in association
with alarm or concern might better serve to establish ummetic
effect, especially if given as a “series,” though there are definite
records of birds mimicking vociferously under emotional stress.

Perhaps one of the most apt of colloquial names for the
Oriole is that of “Green Thrush,” used by Wheelwright ("Old
Bushinan”) in his Bush Wanderings of a Naturalist.
Incidentally, he cansidered the Oriole’s notes as amongst the
liveliest of bush sounds and instanced the species as an example
to disprove the calumny of Australie’s “songless bright birds”
and “scentless bright blossoms.” It is interesting to note that
Wheelwright's comment on the misconception pre-dates Gordon’s

*This suggestion is timely. Tt is true that a relatively large number af
Australian birds (more than 30 species) are tore or less competent vocal
mimics, but listeners frequently tend to mistake casual resemblances for
imitations, Vocal mimicry should mot be aseribed ta a bird unless the

oint in taken on something more than, say, a “Pretty Joey" note, The

riole is in fact a borrower of other birds’ notes, but apparently mot with
cansistency— Editar. ion

\7e Hew any, Mente ae tte Oftoeebachedt Create 1p a

refereive Lo it by ten years or sa, though. most people-ascribe
the libel to Gordon.

Once established, Orioles are very local, They build in
close proximity lo their nests of previous years and will pull
former nests ta pieces and use the materia! to fashion new homes,
If the eggs or young are lost and a second nest is, built, the
same season’s earlier nest yay be dismantled for re-building.
The young birds remain in the nest for nearly three weeks,
that-is, tf they reach the fiedgeling stage. Tino often the
Kookabtuira snaps them tp shortly after their appearance. The
nestlings are clothed, at first, with a fine soft down of a vivid
carrer colour, Is there any connection between this hue and
the reddish-brown bark used in mest construction? Before the
young leave the nest they assume the black flecks on the breast
of the adult hivery.

With seme Oriole pairs, the male shares im feeding the young,
but with others the hen appears to carry out all such duties,
Insects comprise the bullc of the diet of young birds. I have
seen adults feeding them on cicadas and, as the insects were
not always completely battered to death before presentation, the
young sometimes had quite a struggle before they could consume
them: A photographic negative in my possession, ustless as a
picture of the bird, on account of general movement, shows
clearly 4 stall frog in the bill of a parent Oriole at ils nest
with young, and oné wonders just how the capture was made
and how the young were expected to cope with the amphibian.

The Mitcham district, where [| have concentrated on the
species, is largely planted with orchards, and cherry-growers
tell me that the Oriole makes itself a nuisance when. cherries
are ripening. Keartland (as recorded in North's Nests and EBges)
was told of an uniisual bird frequenting the Clayton district, near
Oakleigh, Vie, It was deserthed as being “all crimson and very
wary,” After a cauple of hours spent chasing the bird from
tree ta tree, Keartland secured it and found it to be an Oriole
Stained from bill to tai] with mulberry juice, an indication of its
late activities.

Photographing Orioles may well entail a considerable ammount
of labour, for often the construction of a substantial staging
is necessary in order to obtain the requisite height. From my
experience, however, results justify the trouble, for the birds
are usually excellent subjects for photography and mostly retura
readily to the nest. Some birdmen have not had this experience,
but I consider their birds exceptional. The willingness. to face
the camera applies almost as readily when eggs are in the nest
as when the young have hatched, though personally I do not
worry birds sitting on eggs i] the opportunity to picture them
with young is likely to occur later,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Val. ol February, 1045

Piate VIL

Oricle (female) approaching nest.
Phote.: C. KE. Bryant.

“Vilac Berries” (Trechocarpa Clarket), from sources of the Yarva,
Toorongo Forest. (See p. 178.)
Photo.: H. T. Reeves.

Pun More Sotaneal! “Bulls” 195

Orioles have a great hazard to contend with in the shape
of high winds that toas their nests around on the awaying
branches, and seemingly a nurober of them do blow down and
become destroyed when storms and strong winds combine.

The eastern mainland States constitute the principal habitat
of the Orjole, thence extending across northern Australia to
the north-west. ‘fhe species does not occur in ‘Tasmania, and
South Australian records arc few, chiefly in the South-eastern
commer, Some years ago | considered I heard an Oriole calling
on Mt, Remarkable, near Melrose, but, not realizing at the
time the significance of the record, I did not follow up the call,
I may have been mistaken, of course, although one accustamed
to the notes of the species comes to know them well, but I
have never really recovered from the accusation of a South
Australian birdman that the bird [ heard calling was “probably
a Peaceful Dove,” ——

MORE BOTANICAL “RULLS"

ta volume 59, page 72, of this journal (1942), [ pointed out that three
ostensibly new gertera published by Alfred J. Ewart in Flont of te
Northern Territory C1917) were quite untenable; Tt now appears that a
fourth Tiwartian “new” jenus must fall.

Nomourng Bertha Rees, one-time Botany lecturer at the University of
Melbourtie, there was described and figured in 1913 (yt. rec. Royal Soc.
tic, Vol 26 New Series, p, 9) 4 monotypic genus Kecsig, based on material
collected at Pine Creek, NUL, im 1904. Lovart placed it m the Amaorantiacee,
between Aulermanthcra awl Gomphrena > but Dr, Hans Schinz, when mono-
gfaphing the family in 1934 (Pfoisenfanitiet Band 16c,), relegated Reesta
toa “genus of doubrful position,” emphasizing its departure fram all other
Avwaranthacem in the possession of stipules and a many-secded, three-
valved capsule=he could do na more, with only the fragmentary material
that Ewart had sent to Zurich. “

Revsie ereeig has everything in common with members, of Polycarpea—
a tropical genus of Caryophyllacea with about a dozcn representatives in
Australia, some having attractiye papery purplish flowers—und itiderd the
type accords perfectly with that of Mueller’s Polycarpera longifiora
described in 1858,

‘In 1926 LEwart once more ventured to publish: “new” genera, az.
H’yelifea (said to be in the Carvepiytlacce) and Scorpia (suppasedly a
unique member of Leguininosee with bicarpellary ovaries) —see Proc, Royal
Soc. Vie, Vol. 38 New Series, pp. 167-171. Apparently someone apprised
him of the fawe pas, for within the next bwa years beth gencra were
synonymused wader Glinus Speranla (Aisoacee@) and Corckorns vervicilarts
(Tiliacee) respectively—te. Vol. 39, p, 57, and Vol. 40, p. 85. After this
debacle he was prident enough to desist from further new .genera, since
note: are put forward in later writinygs.

: Ty. H. Wits.

CORRECTION

Ii was stated in this jonmal for December, m an obituary notice of
Charles Anderson and H. C Raven, that Raven marrjed Anierson's
daughter. Actually he married her friend, a dauebter af GH. Auroussesia
Miss Anderson martied E. C, Ballek, who was a member of the Czechslovak
Consular Service,

16 Witnts, Toorongo Sub.alpine Flova Viet, Mate

TOORONGO SUB-ALPINE FLORA
By J.-H. Wins

Tn bts address ta Melbourne Club Rotary on July 7, 1943, Sir Herbert
Gepp made reference to the virgin forest of titanic Monntain Ash which
covered the Tworongo River catchment, north-east of Noojee, until the
fateful month of Jamiary, 1939, His plowing description, coupled with
the fact that Baron von Mueller had loug aga delighted in this botanic
paradise, led me to hope that some remnant of its grandeur might still
exist; 50, [ welcomed a recent opportunity to visit the regton, The
experience, thourh inexpressibly sad, has enabled me to take stock of
what yegelation still persists there, and to place on record w list of the
lugher plants at Octaber 1, 1944,

THE S(ITE—Faor purpetes of recording, I have taken into account the
whole State Forest Reserve in Toorongo Parish, including an area af
just less than 20 square miles. Happily, ue southern forest boundary
approxintates. Fatrly well to the 2,500 ft, contour, so that all parts of tbe
area lie between tis altitude and the culminating beight of 3.850 ft. on
Mt. Toorongo—a definitely sub-alpine tract. Northward, the parish
boundary embraces headwaters of the Yarra.

This Yarra-Toorongo Watershed is really & westemm cxtonsion of the
Baw Baw chain, farming a lower narrow plaicau of some 3,000-3,500
feet elevation; Mts. Toeronco and Horsfall stand up as slightly higher
points, the former on a spur that terminates abruptly toward the south=
east. The country rock is granitic, hut Jess exposed than on the
loftier, boulder-strewn Baw Baws; metamorphosed silurian strata outerop
in places and are quisrried for road metal, Rainfall and humidity are
hich for a great part of the year, and snow falls frequently during the
winter and early spring.

AS IT WAS BEFORE 1939—The Tourongo Ash was a sawmiller's
dream, towering skywards for 300 feet in clase stands—many of the
now fallen giants stretch for mare than 280 feet, and ane was recertly
Measured ta G30. teet, where a substantial top had been Broken off, I
counted 230 annual rings on one sturnp; without doubt, most of the larger
trees were alive im the reign of Queen Anne!

Lucalypins reqnons was the dominant tree and it mingled with Shining
Cum (C/E. ssitens}— ‘ting gum,” as known to the locals—in a truly
magnificent’ sul-alptne forest, extending eastward ta tke heads of the
Tanji! River over thousands of acres. Messmate (8. oblignho), Silvertop
(EF, Steberiona) and Mountain Grey Gum (£. goriecalys) intruded from
the lower country ere and there. Myrtle Beech (Nothofaous Cunning:
Aamui) was not anly present in all the gullies, but occurred as an under-
slorey on wany parts af the platean, and was draped from erpwn to butt
in deficate epinitytic mosses and huge clumps of Kangirau Fem (Poly-
podinne diversfolned—errpneously called “'steg-horn,""

Fragrant Sassafras sand Austral Mulberry trees, arboreal species of
Acacia (including ouch. Blackwood), Correa, Persoonia, Prostantiere
and Oleurte species, with an abundatice everywiierer of Soit Tree ferns,
"“erowded inte a shade,” auite inimical to rhe growth of scrub, Through
this cool green realm of lyre-hied© one could walk with ease, footfalls
silenced by the age-old carpet of decp, rich, leafy mould.

"D" DAY —IL dhe letter stands for iestruction, death, and desolation,
then we may apply it to January 13, 1939. The Grst Toorongo sawmill
had commicuced operations only the mormng before, and by aflernoon its
amall community wisely removed south to safety, s0 ominously grew the
Wid velocity and heat. Next day, all fears were turned to fact: lardly

er Wiis, Toorongo Sub-alpine Flora 137

a section of the Upper Yarra-Latrobe watershed remained green, and the
fast patches of unspoilt Ash. miracuiously spared by the terrible fires
of 1926 and 1932, were blasted out of existence. An almost continuous
wall of flame roarcd the 60 miles between Tagegerty and Erica, enveloping
the whole of the Baw Baws and its network of river-heads. What had
been virgin forest, glorious beech groves, or mossy alpine gardens of
surpassing beauty, were transformed th a matter of minutes into a
hellish inferno, then left a hideous dreary waste that cat never hope
to recapture the pristine charm, -

ee ee ee

i
H
!
!
{
i
i
!
i

Je Ae te peg et 1 Ne

NOW, AND FOR THE FUTURE.—Heavy eucalypt seedling growth
and/or’ wattles now form a dense scrub ten or more feet high over
most of the Toorongo reserve, while previously burnt-over areas (a5
along the Mt. Toorongo spur} carry practically nothing but bracken or
“wild oats" (Glyceria dives). Should another conflagration overwhelm
this re-growth—and conditions are ripe for it—then the final daom of our
natural Ash stands wilf have been pronounced. Silyer Wattle and
Blackwood have shown amazing regenctation, but not a single Beech
seedling was observed—certainly, cvery butt has a vigorous crop of
sucker shoots, hut it is extremely doubtfol. whether these have the
necessary stamina. to thin themselves and develop into new trees. Tree-

if Totus Jick. Nat,
178 Wants. Paereunyo Sub-alpine Flor ete) at

ferns (Dicksowia antarctica) have all but vanished, though spores are
sure to blow in and give rise to new plants) Mother Shield-fern
(Polystichum proliferton) is now most plentiful and seems ta be thriving.

Cascade Everlasting (Helichrysum thyrsoidetm) is very tall and prolife
in places, exhaling a spicy perfume; other odorous “comie-backs” are
Otway Daisy-bush (a poot name for the widespread Olearia Gunniana),
Fireweed. Groundsel (Senecio ansivalts), Christmas-bush and Balm Mant-
bush (Préstanthera losianthar and P. wmelersifola), Trancate Pacbalium
{P. bilabum' and Mountain Correa (C, Lowrenczana). Tie Elderberry
Ash (Tatalense pant sambuctfohns — both broad and natrow-leaved
forms) is conspicuous almost everywhere:

I felt a thnll of pleastite upon reaching one of the sowrees of the
Yerra—an open, bogey Aai at about 3,200 fect, wear the timber stacks of
AP.M’s No 2 mill. Here, there were still examples of the snow-
loving Blechanin, penna-marine, Detmys tanceolais (small-leaved condi-
tion) Scacvola Hookert in wide mats, Coprosma satida, Riches contineniis,
Lewcopogon Macraet, and, loveliest of all, the dwari lilac-herried endemic
heath, Trochocarpa Clarket—it was in Eull fruit and strikingly recalled
(as Muoller remarked in 1855) the European bilberry (Meccuium
Myytillus). The Hair-moss (Polyirichwm cominwie) provides a deep
carpet over the whole area of sozkage, but little true Sphagntin was in
evidence. A big saw-sedie, Galina t2tragonocar pa, is plentiful throughout
wet depressions, and its tussocky ¢lumps do mot seem to have suffered
unduly from the fire.

Nearby giles afford both Victorian Ericaceae (Witlsteinia and CGanl-
thera) and in one soak [ found Oralis magellanica, a rare waod-sorrct
with pure snowdrap-like Aowers. Persoonta arborea {uecominan) and
Lomatia Fraseri alone represent the Jarge family Proteaceas; Orites
tancifotia, the splendid lustrous Greviliea Fi¢toriag and its close congener,
G. Miqueliana, apparently did not descend so far below cheir accustomed
habitat on and north of the Baw Baws, The Compositac, at in most

laces, has more species here than any other family, Not more than

4 native vascular plants and 12 aliens were noted, sorrel and dandelion
among the latter being widespread, but this tally is not by any means
considered exhaustive.

Good. forest roads bave been constructed by “bulldozer” tractor,
primarily ta salvage the fire-killed Toorongo cucalypts, and cach week
sees neatly two million sixpec feer of lumber.and pulpwood rémoved for
utilization—mostly in the round. The present demand for this wood is
keen, but it is 2 fase diminishing asset and, when exhausted, will call
for the large-scale importation of building timbers into Victoria, once the
best forested part of ovr continent. Ste transit copial

LIST OF VASCULAR PLANTS
{Alien species indicated by an asterisk *}

DICKSONIACE nhdunt (marginal)
Dirksonia antorctica brocerum

CYATHEACEE pape ;
Cyathea australis (merginal) na of Crate

POLY PODIACER: Huaiopeoris twelve
Polyittchume prolifersm (very Pleridiuin. aywitinune

common) Polupodinia diversifofinne

Blechmuem (once abundant, now al-

cortiogtewm (marginal) most extinct)

February

1946 Wirtts, Toordnga Sub-alpine Flore 179

GRAMINEZ .
Tetrarvhexa juncea (marginal)
Echinepogos ovatus
. Agrastis htemalis
Poa :
carspilosa var. latifolia
Fannie
Glyceria dives (v.common)
*Dactyhs glomerata
*Holcus lonatus
*Lolinem perenne
CYPERACEZ
Scwrpus
cernuns
inundatis
Schoenus foliatus
Galinia
tetragonecaypu {v- common
~ in bogs)
“Lepidosperma elatins
Carex
appressa (very common in
~ bors)
Gaudichaudiana (?)
JUNCACEZ
Luzula campestris
Junctes
polyanthéemos
pauciflorus
LILIACER
Dianella tasmanica
IRIDACEZ i
Libertia pulchella
FAGACEZE
Nothofagus Cunningham
(vy. common, stump re-
growth)
URTICACE
Uriica incisa
Aistralina Mueller;
PROTEACEE |
Persoonia arborea
Lomatia Fraseyri
SANTALACE
Exocarpus
cupressiformis (marginal)
POLYGONACE#
"Rance Acetosclla
CARYOPHYLLACEZ
Stellavia
flaccida
"media |
*Cerastium glomeratun
RANUNCULACEZ=
Clematis -aristata
Rantatulus hirtns

WINTERACEZ
Drimys . lanceolate
(small-leayed form, at Yar-
ra heads)
MONIMIACEZ
Atherosperma moschatum
ROSACEZE
Acaenn Songnisorba
LEGUMINOSZE
Actcia
dealbatu (v. common—S yr,
secdlings)
falciformis
melanoxylon (v. common—5
yt, seedlings)
nermiciflua (marginal)
verticillaia (marginal)
GERANIACEZE
Gertnium pilosiwm
OX ALIDACEA
Oxalis wagetlanica
{néar Yatra heads)
RUTACEA
Zieria Suithti (marginal)
Phebshum bilobum
Correa Lowrenciana
CALLITRICHACEH
Callilsiche -werna
RHAMNACEZ®
Pomadervis apetala { marginal)
VIOLACE#
Piola hederacea
TAYMELZACEZ
Pinclea axtflora
MYRTACEZ
Excalyptus
gomocalyx (marginal)
RLICRS
obkiqua
Sicbertana
vegnans (dominant tree, now
represented by 5 yr. seed-
ling growth).
Leptospermusn
pubuseens var, grandtfolinm
ONAGRACEZ:
Epilobiinn label.
ARALIACE FE
Tieghemopanaxr
sambucifolius (v. comman)
UMBELLIFERE
Hydrocotyle hirta
ERICACEE
Ganltheria appressa
(rare—Yarra heads)
Witisteinia vacctniacca
(rare—near Yarra heads)

Vict. Nat.

180 Parthenagenesis 14 Phasmds Yai BF
EPACRIDACEZ STYLIDIACEZ
Trochocarpa Clarkes Siylidiam graminifolium
Leutopogon Moarcracé COMPOSITE
(near Yasra heads) Olearia
Richea continentis orqaphylla
{bogs at Yarra heads) Guuniana

Leneapogon Macract Lagenophora stipttata

SL ha ee ie Catula filieula
04 by Te 1UStYsaG Cassinia aculeata

Helichrysum

Mentha taxifle
witha lasiflors Hookert (rare—near Yarra

Prusela untgaris

Prostanthera heads)
lasinthos thyrsaideum
wrelissifolia Grephalium
PLANTAGINACE cotlintim
*Plantago major involucratum
RUBIACEZ Erechthites
Coprosma quadridentata var. Gunwii
hirtelle Senecta

nitida (Yarra beads)

Asperyla conferia_(?) australis
CAMPANULACE AL wellitoides

Pratia eer Redfordia sahcina
GOODENIACEZX *Cirsium lanceotatum

“*Hypochaeris radicate
*feraxacum officinale
*Sonchus oleraceus

Goodenta ovata (marginal)
Seaevola Hookert
(bops at Yarra heads)

PARTHENOGENESIS IN PHASMIDS

Through the kindness of Professor Hale Carpenter, Oxford, 1L have
reccived a copy of “‘Parthenogenetic Breeding of Exryerntenta herculastea,
Charpentier,” by R. Hanitsch, PhD, Curator of the Raffles Museum,
Singapore, July, 1902,

The museum received a female of this rreat Phasmid about January,
1897. It was kept alive on guava leaves, and in February, commenced to
lay eggs, most of which hatched during April and May of that year,
one being hatched in August, and the last In September. All were
females, and these commenced to lay cggs in September. These wnfertilised
cges again produced all fermalys, the first of which reached maturity in
August, 1898, and commenced to lay eges m September, 1898. Her cegs
did wot develop. Notie of her sisters Jaid any veges. Dr. Manitsch
suggests artificial surroundings ag the cause of the lalter failure.

The foregoing suggests that I gave up my experiment on our Great-
brown Stick insects too soon, and that a partlienogenetic generation
may have appeared later, The cage will be thoroughly scarificd and
more immature females will ‘be isolated,

Enrrh COLEMAN,

PERSONAL
Mr. K. Fairey, of “The Manse,” Yass, N.S.W., wishes to correspond
with a Victorian naturalist who would be willing to exchange specimens
of and information on insects in the groups Coleoptera, Hymenoptera,
Lepidoptera,- Diptera. Details would be supplied of the species that are
particularly desired.

Ceevern the Sumvy Niver Jwngle 181

THE SNOWY RIVER JUNGLE
(To the Editor)

Sir—I was greatly interested in the article by Norman A, Wakefield,
“A Remnant of the Snowy River Jungle,” in the December issue.
think I was the first botantst to visit this area.. Mucller seems to haye
passed it am 1853-4; Messes. Spencer, French and party missed it in
1890. My visit took place in 1901, The jungle was not to be reached
by Jand, so Mr. kt. PL Cameron tock me down in his river steamer. It
was, and according to Wakeheld still is, a wonderfully interesting place,
the only survival of the rich Snowy River jungle.

Referetice is made ta the fruit of the “big leat vine” Sarcopetalem
Harveyonum, with the suggestion that these were in eyidemce im one
place, “an occurrence rarély, if evet, noted before in Victona&” Mueller
must have collected these, for cbere ts a feure in his Key to the System
of Victorian Plants, sill a asefal book. Mueller first fyured it in his
Plants Tndigenons to the Colony of Vicleria (1860), as coming from
“near the mouth of the Snowy River’ I cullected it in abundance from
1899-1902, The little pink berries are very lovely, and well merit the focal
name of “pink pearls,”

Mr, Wakeficld saw three large palias: I saw five, with many smal)
seedlings. L£ hope that ‘the number bas increased. Mention is trade of
he abundance of the “Seruib mettle.” Usdica imcisa. L woted ane slem
thirty feet in length climbmg up a tall tree.

Then, as to the “gunt wine”! Aphanopeltalinye resirosun, the article
suggests thet this docs not occur here—"“they evidently reach Victoria
only in the extreme east, about Mallacoota Inlet." In my day, this
vine was fairly cammon ahout Orbost, and abundant in. the old Brodribb
River jungle, now destrovod, as well as in Curlip jungle.

Bat 1 regret to miss from the list that delightful trec, the "Yellow-
wood,” Agronvelio loevis. It was Sairly common m beth jungles, aud
when the clusters of very small “oranges? were abundant on the
Irees, with a background of the so-called “Spanish moxs," to which
the article refers, it was 4 Amc sight. As Rotaceous trees am yety
subject tu Tungous troubles, it is possible Lhat they have all been killed
our

Mr. Wakefield has done.a good service in directing attention to this
itleresting corner of fifty acres. Owing to periodic flooding, it could
tever be of much value either for grazing or cultivation, and I suggest
that the ume is now stipe for the E.N. Club to take action through the
Minister of Lands, to have this most valuable botanic area preserved for
the public for all time—Yours, etc,

En, E, Pescorr,
Camberwell.

LINK WITH JOHN GOULD

A link with Australia has been severed by the death, reported in the
cables on January 10, of the 89-year-old Lord Desborough. He was
probably, the last man living who bad been acyuninted with John Gould,
the “father” of bird-study in Austraba. Gould died in (883, whieh
means that Desborough was moderately young when fie knew him, In
fact, he used to relate that “the Bivdman” lifted him np to his frst
bird's nest. Lord Desborough, incidentally, was a sturdy sportsman in
hig day. He powed for Oxford, shot in wild places, swam Niagara twice,
won a punting championship three times, and between whiles indulged in
farliatweniary, wiltary and a host of other activities —A,H.C,

7 ot Wy.
1K? Birds v, Avrcraft ie) .

BIRNS y, AIRCRAFT

The following informative azticle appeared in’ the issue of Tiie
(American newemagazine) fur November 6, 1944:—

Collisions between planes and birds are reported by U.S. airline pilots
about twice a week. They can disable wing lps, dent the fuselage, foul
the mator—but the chief danger ts a windshield break, Last ihonth a
DC-3 abnost crashed in Towa when a duck came through the windshield
jit ab explosion of glass and knocked out the pilot.

Reth aimmen and ornithologists think that bird collisions may lave
been responsible for some unsolved air disasters. The bird-bumpmg
problem is becoming so treublesome that airlines rate the Civil Acro-
rautics Admmistration’s windshield-strengthening expermments as ihe
most urgent present research praject.

In the October tir Transport, a veteran wirlings pilot. Pat Curtin,
tells some wf the airmen’s strange stories about mixrating birds. Most
collisions gecur at night or im clouds, when both planes and birds ace
Aying bind. Migrating birds usuully Ay at night, stopping to feed mn
dayhzht. Ornithologists agree that they scem to haye a sixth sense
wlniél: enables them to fly cven in “instrument weathes.”

Another Curtin stery suggests that birds may be downed by wing-icemg:
a pilot reported that one night, alter he trad been forced dow, tiundreds
of sialiard dicks alse landed, their wings heavily iec-coated,

The chief U.S. expert on migratory birds, Frederick C, Lincoln of the
Fish and Wildlife Service, doubts avich stories; he admits tbat birds
are sometimes foreed down by snowstorms, bur thinks confusion and
fright haye as much to do with jt as anything. Mimetheless, airmen's
reports have greatly extended ornithology. Airmen, far cxample, have
found old notions about the speed of birds mnch exaggerated: the Lop
speed of ducks seems to be abont 55 atpeh,; of the fastest known birds,
swiits, ad duck fiawks, not more than 150 to 200 mph.

Mierating birds generally Ay at less than 3.000 ft. above ground level,
bur in gufling over mountains ducks have been known to reach 7,500 ft,
above sea level, cranes and condors, 20,000 &. Highest. recorded bird
altitude (reached by wu Hock of geese photographed in India) : 29,00H) Ft.

ANOTHER CUCKOO FALLACY

Many queer belicfs developed im ather years from. the parasitic habits
of cuckoos, lai tt is surely remarkable thal a journal of to-day (the
Svdney Halletin, of November 11) should allow jtsclf to be the victim
of such slatements as are contained m the following patagraph, which 1%
erraneuuy i tvery sentence and in places rises to dazzling heights
of fallitey +

“Moyhu’s It was once thought that the bronze citkoo scoffed the cag
of the host-bird remoyed to make riom for her awn. Rerent. researches,
however, have shown that after she has accumulated ning or ton. eres
the cuckoo batches them herself and feeds the young like any normal
bird-mother. Tt isn't clear just why she prefers to incubate other birds!
eges rather than her own, but it may be that she caw comfortably cover
10 eggs such as those of the wihute-checked honeyeater, 2 favourite
hast-bird, whereas she would be hard put to it to cover more than three
of her own, gaining m the process two more clutches in the same
period. Ormthologists gentrally acc of opinion that the cuckoo, im
hatching out host-birds’ eggs, is merely completing # eycle without which
both parasite and hust-lirds would perish, Others are convinced that the
phenomenun if an example ef avian good nature

Saineary Herat Croat: Blafl | 183

HERMIT .CRAB BLUFF

At Sorremy dariy this year We came Upon another instance of the
usefulness of “bluff,” On the front heart s2nds many Great Hermit Crabs
are left stranded at low tide. Left alone, they have plenty of water in
their borrawed homes to ide them over the danger hours until next fiow.
Mass ugwary ones fall victims to sea-gidls. but blutt must save scores of
others. ; '

One may see a circle of gulls, like crows round a stilleliving sleep,
keeping a sate distance from the crab, who has made himselt into a
terrifying object. Exnerging from the shell, until only the soft, utarmoured
end of his body is within, he raises his claws and waves thera in a most
menacing manner, his complicated mouth parts making what seem very Jilce
grimaces. As a gull méives forward, the crah pops hack into his shell with
a loud click, snd the gulls pop back too! A eirele of foot-prints, 18 inches
or 50 from the crab, shows clearly that the gulls are taking no chances
with this fearsume jack-in-the-box. Tlonours are with the crab wha has
sa cleverly blulfed his tarmentars.

The noisy plops and clicks are certainly atartling, One involuntarily
moves back, even thouch one knows the trick, and hag handird many of
his clever brothers. Our dogs, ane of them a large deerhound whose very
size keeps many people at a distance, jumped baci as swiftly as the gulls,
although both were ali a-tiptac ta tackle this strange new “rut”

oe SS aes Eotra Coveman,

RAIDERS OF POULTRY FARMS —

Recently poultry farmers around the North Croydon district (and
probably other districts) have been suffering the loss of young chickens
and ducklings, the offenders being lange birds with a raveaus note similar
to ihat of 4 crow, but deeper and more profonged, These birds are jarger
and more streamlined than 2 crow, with dark navy-blue shining plnmage
and howked beak; they Ay high and swiftly until over their prey and
descend m a circling rhayement etiding im a swoop. From my nlservatians
their numbers in flight vary from six to a single bird, They are very
amid and will uot approach while humans are arcumti, but when no
lmaman is in sight they appear almost magically. On my own farm ter
ducklings, nine weeks old, were attacked ar the first visit from these birds.
All the bodies were left, but in every cose a hole was torm ip the side and
the head was torn off, All but two of the heads were carried off by the
birds, They appear ¢o be no réspectors of poultry, as Ineunds af mine have
lost turkey chicks in the same manner. Turing my nine years’ residence
in thé district I have not previously secu these particular birds. The same
view is expressed by older residents whom T have interviewed. Irnumediately
iny ducklings were attacked 1 erected a scarecrow, which had the desired
effect of preventing further losses, the raiders muw Aying a straight course
and not attempting to alght

Ceartes Faencn, Jun. (North Croydon)-

SCENT OF THE MUSK
The English jourisl, My Garden, for August, 1944, reports that Alice
Jordan, writing from New Zealand. states that she, husband and frend,
prsacd a patch of flowenng Musk and, as usual, tried for scent. TY was
faintly sweet, Later they passed amother patch and it was the scent
that first attracted their attetttinon. The following week they réteived
their copy of the previous issue of My Gorden, telling of the scented
nlint which bad been removed to Kew (Oct, 1948), So it looks as

if the little musk may regain its Jost fragrance,

Enrrn Covesran

184 The Keilor Skull Vola

THE KEILOR SKULL

The English magazine Nature for February 19, 1944 (Vol. 153, No.
3877) publishes aty interesting short articic by Professor F. Wood Jones
F.RS., of Manchester University, Comment is made un the “Memoir of
the Melbourne National Museum (No. 13, 143)," relative wo the Keilor
skull, The Professor regards the skull as a “wentine human document of
first-class importance,” and accepts the geological authenticity of the And-
ing of the skull in situ. Te docs not consider, however, that the account
of the skull and that of the palate and maxillary teeth, as set out in the
Memoir, shows canelusively “Australoid and Tasmanotd characters im about
equal proportions," The hypothesis that the Tasmanian and Australian
had inhebited continenta] Australia side by side end had fused their races
in Pleistocene times is therefore questioned. The cultural development of
the iwo races, as for instance the use of the boomurang, throwang stick, and
shield by the one, but complete ignorance by the other, and the presence
both diving and fossil of the dingo on the mainland, but not in Tasmania,
would have to be hartnonized with such hypotheses. He advises "the actept-
ance of the Keilor remains as permanent documents rather than to assume
mat the conclusions drawn from their first examination are necessarily the
Taal anes,’

FROM AN ARMY POST “UP NORTH"

Last night I captured ati interesting nocturnal lizard, highly camouflaged
wid possessing a most ouriously-shaped shovel-like fail, apparently as part
af the general disguise. J got him in the dark—in the light of the tarch
his eyes shone like rubies. Also present in the jungle was a possum, pre-
sumably the Cuppery Brush-tatl, a local race of the common EBrush-teil of
the southern States. One of the chaps in 3 Div, has a ringtail, which T
take to he the Herbert River Ringtail, so that possums ate definitey present,
though apparently not particularly common. Incidentally, 1 saw a specimen
of the tare black-and-white Striped Possum, which had been killed on the
Toad, #0 they are present also, it seents. .

In the yumgle over the creek I have located several disused mounds of
Scrub-iowl, There must he a good mound not very far away, however, as
recently I saw and chased a chick only a few days old—not that T caught
it; the wretched thing conld run like & champion sprinter, Ti wasn't
particularly shy: while | watched it, it scratched about jn the leaves
littering the ground just Jike any full-grown fawl, but made off at speed
whenever 1 approached tov elosely.

L stil have our bad-tempered Carpet Snake, Yesterday 1 gave him 2
rat which IT had trapped m the bush; he killed mt after T had stirred hin
up a bit, but more a bad tenwer than in hunger, I think; anyway he
refused to eat it afterwards, Sareen I. Givens.

ORCHIDS ALONG THE ROADSIDE

Besides the Sun Orchid Phelymitra pauctfora and two dsfferemt Onion
Orchids, Microtis waifolia and M. purinflorcs, our children found for the
first time the Ruddy-bood. Pterostylis pusilla, along Leeds Street, exactly
oppoaite or gate, They found four flowering specunens (the bigest having
twelve flowers, ine)nding buds, the smallest Aye} well on the roadside in
the grass. Two years ago we found two flowering plants af the sanw
specits in & paddock which formerly had been archard land, and several
Snake Orchids, Dtwis pediuncrlata, in « trecless grazing paddock. It would
be interesting to hear about other arcliids which can reé-éstablish them-

selves after cultivation.
M. Fisem (Doncaster).

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. ér- S1—No. 11 March & 1945 No. 735

PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the Club was held on February 12,
1945, at the Royal Society’s Hall, the President (Mr Iva C:
Haumiel} and about 120 inembers and friends attending,

Miss Ina Watson reported on the recent excursion to East Kew,
and Miss Natice Fletcher ot) that to Badger Creek Sanctuary,

The following were elected as ordinary members of the Club:
Miss J. Trebileo, Miss A, Quinsey and Mr. W. N. Douglas.

Twa motions came before the meeting and were carried inani-
matey, viz.

(A. H. ChisholnfA. 1, Hardy). “Yhat the Field Natur-
atisis' Club of Victoria expresses satisfaction at the assurance that
the Aboriginal Cemetery at Coranderrk will be preserved, and
urges that the cemetery be renovated and held as a Natiotial
Memorial, and that the remainder of the reservation be added to
the Mackenzie Sanctuary.” Mr, H. C. E, Stewart asked if’ any
outstanding characters were interred in the cemetery, and Mr.
Chisholm replied that Barak and some of Batman's Friends were
certainly there

2. (A. D. Hardy/A. § . Chalk), “Whereas the destruction of
useful plant ever and soil by continued firing of mountain forests
will have a calamitous and irreparable effect: upon the future
ecowony of Victoria; and whereas it is the solemn duty of those
eitraisted with the government of our country te eliminate every
probable factor contnbuting to forest fires; and whicreas Sires
deliberately lit during the past year in the watershed of the Qvens
and Buckland Rivers and along the Barry Range can only be
altributed to grazing interests in these high areas; and whereas
‘the total value of stock depastured om Victorian mountains, and
the State revenue. derived therefrom are only a preposterously
sual! fraction of the incalculable permanent damage to soil, timber,
wild life, and. natural scenery resulting from such grazing, this
Cjab can do no other than request in the public weal that the’
presence of cattle on Crown Lands above 2,000 feet in elevation
be declared a nutional menace and prohibited by law.”

Mr. Frazer reported that the Otways were burnt im recent
years by graziers. _

Mr, H.C. E. Stewart, in speaking of Mount Buffalo, stated
that conditions are somewhat improved, as the lessee has been
forced to keep to the conditions of the lease.

186 Field Naturalists’ Clb Praceenings Tae

Mr. A. H. E, Mattingley stated that a clause in the leases piven
jor Wyperfeld Park provides that the first fire on the property
eancels the lease, and that there had been no fires asa result of
this clause. It was also suggested that interested bodies arrange
a meeting in the Melbourne Town IIall, and by means of American
natjcnal park films show the general public what should gbtain in
our own tational parks.

Mr, ©. C, Ralph suggested that petitions be circulated to gain
interest in the national parks with their lack of proper upkeep.

NATURE NOTES

Mr. R. G. Painter reported having seen on November & signs
of emerging cieadas; also, on February 8 he heard the cicadas
again. ‘Was this nota long season?" “A reply was promised for
the hext meeting-

Miss Edmondson reported there were many earwigs.in her
garderi, and asked how to get rid of them. (Answer promised for
the next meeting.) ;

Mr, A. H, Chisholm introduced a novel visitor in the form of
a living specimen of the Varied Lorikeet (Psiiteutelos versicolor),
4 species restricted to the far North and rarely seen in aviaries in
Victoria, The specimen had beer taken’ from a nest near Darwin
by an English airman, and had been fed at the outsét through an
eye-dropper. It had become accustomed to riding on the shoulders
oi pilots and bad actually been brought down in that manner on a
Douglas air-liner., A honey-feeder, haying a very small stornach,
the Varied Lerikeet ts a tropical nomad, and one that does not
take kindly to the southern winter.*

LECTURE ON ALPINE FLORA

“From St. Bernard to Buller in Search af Plants.” Under this
heading, Mr. J. H. Willis, of the Melbourne Herbariun staff,
gave an illustrated account of an eight-day trip he had recently
made across 38 miles of rough alpine country, embracing several
little-visited peaks of more than 5,000 feet altitude, Nearly 300
different plants were listed in this area, and Mt. Cnbbler (3,300
fect) proved particularly interesting, its ultimate peak being one
~of the mast spectacular in our highlands and almost immune from
both cattle and fires. (A summary of Mr. Willis's address will
he published ina later issue.) -

' *The bird exhibited died a fortnight later, “Although feeding well it bad
hecome subject. to fits—a, common trouble with captive lorikects—and
athough it rallied. from the first few bouts nothing could be done to save
it. Past mortem #xamination at the National Museum revealed that it was
wet nourished. Apparently the nervous,"system bad become affected.—

_— Wiis, Chlorophvtum—a Cenus New to Uietoria 187

CHLOROPHYTUM—A GENUS OF LILIES NEW TO
VICTORIA (AND NEW SOUTH WALES)

Ry J. Hl. Wiczrs, National Herbarium, Melbourne,

Just below its source on Mt. Cobbler Plateau, the Dandongadale
River emerges from a circular sub-alpme swamp (“The Lake’)
to plunge over the precipitous northern escarpment of the plateau
in a series of very heautiful falls. During a botanical excursion
there on January 3, 1945, I was rewarded by the discovery of
Chloraplytium alpraan (Hook. f.)+ Benth. ¢x Baker?—previously
on record only from its type locality in the ‘western mountains,”
Tasmania (most probably the watershed of Meander River, south
of Deloraine, whence it was collected by William Archer some
time prior to 1857, the year he visited England with his orchid
paintings and copious botanical notes for inclusion in J. D.
Hooker's monumental Flora Tasmanie),

This humble plant grew rather plentifully in mossy soaks and
dripping rock ledges at the head of the Dandongadale Falls (about
4,000 feet altitude), and I saw a few plants also on Mt. Specu-
lation, some five or six miles to the south—-at 5,300 feet where
the Catherine River begins.

Our “Alpine Green-lily” (for this would be an apt name) has
much the size and appearance of the Onion-grass weed (Homulea),
but with lax and rather fleshy leaves as in Streaked Arrow-grass
(Triglechin striafa) to which its resemblance is further heightened
by the clusters of deeply lobed green fruiting capsules. Flowers
are small, greenish, in groups of one to four, but, although the
day was warm, none were expanded on any of the specimens I
examined—since fruit and seed were abundant, it seems likely
that cleistogamy may obtain. The floral racemes were, as
described by Baker? “lavtssimus,” lying along the ground and
often hidden by mountain mat plants, eg., Haloragis micrantha
and Nertera depressa.

Chlorophytum (established by John Bellenden Ker in Botanical
Magazine t. 1071, 1808) is one of the largest genera in Liltacee;
half of the 150 or more species now recognized occur in tropical
Africa, while there is a good representation in the Cape region
and southern Asia, with a few species in South America and but
two widely separated ones in Australia (C. farunt R.Br. of the
far north, and C. alpinum, subject of this paper). Buker®§
(celebrated monographer of the Lilvflore) described the seeds of
all Chlorophytum spp. as discoid and thin—a generic criterion.

C, alpinum is discussed by only four botanists, viz., Hooker f.,!
Baker? Bentham® and Rodway,§ who all doubtless based their
opinions on the dried type material in which ripe fruits appear to

188 Wits, Chlorophatum—a Genus New to Fictoria ae

Weed with arf

Chfo rophy lum alpini oor (HA f ) Benth ex Baker

/
/ y
f from VieLorion rraberraf )

be lacking—they are certainly absent from the duplicate types
fortunately preserved at the Melbourne Herbarium—and it is
therefore not surprising that some uncertainty should exist as to
the exact status of the plant, Hooker,! in his original diagnosis,
tentatively refers it to Cesia and states:

“T am doubtful about the genus of this curious but insignificant little

plant, which appears to differ from Cesta in the perianth not being
twisted after flowering.”

Sarelr] Wiss, Chiprephyivum—a Geans Nese to Pictoria 189

1pah

He describes the pedicels as extremely short (though they cai
be appreciably long and quite slender, as evedericed in the suite of
specimens now at the Melhourne Herbarium), and goes on to
say: “Ovary of three unequal rounded lobes, each with two
collateral ovules.” No mention is made of seeds, Neither Baker*
nor Radway® mention the seeds, but Bentham® remarks; “Seeds
flat, disk-shaped.” 1 have examined ovules from ane of the type
ovaties and found them indeed very flat, so Bentham probably
jumped to a conclusion thal C_ alpinun would be sure to follow
the genera) Chlorophytum rule in this regard, (Incidentally, the
speling “Chlorophyton” as adopted by Bentham, and Ister by
Rodway, also calls for correction—we are bound to follaw Ker’s
original artd deliberate use of the "UM" suffix.)

The seeds of Chioraphytum alpinum are a. striking anomaly in
the genus: spherical, black, shining, papillate, 14-2 mm, diameter,
with white and papery arils adhering as a prominent volva al the
base—precisely the kind found in Cesta. Our species this com-

_ bines the characters of bath Chlorophytum and Cesia, having the
persistent, non-coiling {or ouly very slightly twisted) perianth of
the former, but seeds of ihe Jatler, albeit the capsule opens up
more widely and readily than is usual ina Caria, Perhaps it 1s
as much entitled to distinet generic tak as Chamesettia, which
occupies just such an intermedtate position (though with a reversal
of the C. afprimeme characters) and of which Bentham’ wrote;
“The genus is limited ta Australia, showing the perianth of Cesta
with the fruit and seeds of Chlorophylon.”

A search through Cesia exsiceatae at the National Herbarinm,
Melbourne, brought to hght two collections of our “Alpine Green-
lily’ that Mueller hac labelled “Casta pormiffora’: a good one
from the “table-land,"’ Apsley River district, eastern Tasmania
(presumably the Fingal Tiers. whence it was taken by A. R.
Crawford in 1887). extends the known distribution there by at
least 80 imiles; the other is irom Braidwood district, N.S.W.
(W, Bauerlen’s Na, 164, Nov,, 1886, probably obtained i nearby
tountains, rising to 4,000 feet) which definitely establishes
Chlorophytum. alptnunt for that State and extends the range to
nearly 5UQ mites. Probably the species has been overlooked on
account of its grass-like appearance and small stature.

Victorian specimens were exhibited at the January meeting
of the F_N.C, and are now jn the Melbourne Herbarium,

REPENENCES

; } D. Hooker, Flora Tasmanie, IT (1860), p. 373.
, G. Baker, Journ, Linn, Soc, (Bo), XV (1876), p 38

1

2,

3% J, G, Baker, /lora Capensis, V1T es 397,

4. G. Bentham, Flora Adstratiensis, VIL (1898), p. 48.
5. G. Bentham, Flora Astralignsty, VII C1BF&), p. 0,
6, L. Rodway, Tasmanian Flora (1903), p. 2b9,

19) Datex, History of the Geelong FNC, ee

HISTORY OF THE GEELONG FIELD NATURALISTS’
CLUB

Ry Cuas. Darey, B.A.. F.L-5., Melbourne.

OF the numerous Clubs, suburban and provincial, ¢stablished
for the study of Natural History since the formation of the
Victorian Field Naturalists’ Club, the only one which seemed
to have the quality of permanence and which has left a fine
record of accomplishment and useful systematic work was the
Geelong Field Naturalists’ Club.

Ji was formed in 1880 by some naturalists, the isost prominent
of whoni Were Messrs, J. FP, Mulden and W. Shaw. For the
first ten vears there is no published record of its activities,
but at made good progress, its membership including Messrs.
W.H. Renton, A. B. F. Wilson, A. Purnell, M. G. Roebuck,
J. Hammerton, H. E. Hill, W. Errey, J. Goodlet, H, L. Grieve,
E. Patterson, B.A., W. A. Hargreaves, MA, B.C.E., J. B.
Leitch, and others. The Rev. J. S. H. Royce, F.RGS,, was
one of the earliest Presidents, and Mr. Bracebridge Wilson,
M.A., FLS., Principal of the Geelong CE, Grammar School,
4 keen botanist, was elected as Patron of the club. Mr, A. B. F.
Wilson was the Hon, Secretary.

Fortnightly meetings were held at the Gordon Technical College,
where specimens of natural history were shown and described.
Papers were read, lecurettes given and field excursions arranged.
In addition a library and a museum were formed. An Annual
Conversazione was fixed, with exhibits amd pertinent addresses
thereon, From time to time public Jectures by qualified men
were provided, The Cluh maintained close contact with the
College Students’ Science Club and the Amateur Photographic
Club of the Technical College.

The first issue of the Geelong Naturelist appeared in July, 189].
The Rev, Royce was then President, the supplementary subject
te his Presgidentig] address being “Sea Urchins.’ At the
exhibition in 1893, Professor Baldwin Spencer gave an illustrated
lecture upon “How Animals See.”

The Geelong environment is specially suitable tor Nature
study with iis varved features by mountain, Jake, stream and
sea, forest and plain, At different times members had coastal
excursions from Queenscliff to Apollo Bay, and Otway forest,
also to the Barrabool Hills, the Lorne district, You Yangs and
Anakie Gorge, the Barwon and Moorabool rivers, the lime-stones
of Fyansford and Batesford, the Dog Rocks, overtying basalts,
Eocene formations at Shelford, fern glades and forests beyond
Anglesea, the middens and chipping grounds of Torquay and
Bream Creek. Easter and Xmas Camps were held at Angelsea,
Point Addis, Bream Creek, Erskine River and Otway forest.

meet Tare, Mistery of the Geelong FNC 191

Dredging was undertaken in Corto Bay, so that an extensive
aad fraitfal district was well traversed, and ils natural features
observed, studied and recorded.

The Journal was published quarterly. Mr, H, E. Hill was
editor in- 1894, at which time Me. J. Dennant, I.GS., the
distinguished geologist, was President. The membership then
approximated 80.

Among Corresponding Members were Messrs. W. A. Har-
greaves, M.A., of Brisbane Grammar School; W. E. Matthews,
Stawell Technical School; G, Sweet, F.R.GS., H, J. Tisdall,
TLS, T. S$, Hall, M.A., Rev. W. T, Whan, M.A, J. H.
Retheras, M.A., Rev. J, C, Love, Lorne; A, J. Woodward,
Sale, cic. Mr. A. J. Campbell, F.L.S., contributed many articles,
including “A Bird-list of 393 Species, Nests and Eggs," “Nests
and Egps of Pardalotes," ete. Myr, W. A. Guilfoyle contributed
a paper with a list of the “Flora of the Hellarine Penimsula,”
Mr, Le Souef, one on “Victorian Mammais,” and Mr. Dennant set
down the “Fossils from Shelford.” In 1895, Mr. G. H. Adcaels
gave a list of “Plants from Cape Ouway Forest,” to be followed
two years later by a “Census of the Plants of the Geclong
District." Mr. H. Kingsbury with his paper supplied a list
of “Victorian edible salt and freshwater fish,” also later a
paper on “Oyster Culture,’ The editor of the Journal at this
time was Mr. Elartley TE. Williams. On the death of Mr.
Bracebridge Wilson, Professor Ralph ‘Tate, F.G.S., F.L.S., was
élected Patron of the Club.

In 1896, Mr. Dennant was still President. Life Members
at this time were: Baron von Mueller, Messrs. C. French, P.L.5.,,
J. F, Riley, J. R. Remfrey, and A J. Campbell, Mr, Adcock
became editor, Mr, H, T. ‘Visdale, F-L.S., gave a paper, the
first of many, on Edible Fungi of Victoria,” and Mr, T, 8. Hall,
M.A, a paper on “Tupong or Marble Fish."

A. member who by his wide knowledge, enthusiasm, and
practical experience ity Nature’s ways, was outstanding, was
Mr. G. F. Mulder. Well versed in every branch, a keen and
intelligent observer, his advice, ready help, and special knowledge
were of the utmost value to the Club for about forty years.
His numerous notes, papers, and lectures aptly epitemise the
natura] history of the Geelong district, dealing with Geology,
Palaeontology, Ornithology, Entomology, Conchology, Zoology,
and Ethnology, a valuable work. Many geological papers were,
through the offices of his fellow geologists, Dr, T. S, Hall,
Dr. G. B. Pritchard, and Mr. Dennant, who valued his research,
submitted to the Royal Society, A few of his papers may be
mentioned: “Tast of Fossils from Corian Bay,” "Eocene
Deposits and List of Fossils, Corio Bay,” “Terrestrial

152 Darey, History of the Geelong FiN.C. [vain

Fresh, and Brackish Water Mollusca of Geelong and neighbouring
Districts," “Catalogue of Fossils from Birregarra,"' “Birds of
Cape Otway Forest,” (225 species being noted out of Campbell's
hist of 393), “Victorran Hydrozoa,” “Geology of Cape Otway
Forest,” “Waurn Ponds Fossils,” “Cleoptera of the Geelong
District,” etc.

In [896 Mr. Adeock became editor. Te continued his
botanical work, supplementing the list of Cape Otway forest
flora, and giving a paper on “Insect Traps.” Mr. Tisdall
also contributed “Survival of Water Plants During Drought,”
and Mr. C, French, F.L.S., dealt with “Economic Entomology.”
In the following year it was decided to hold the Club mectings
at the Mechanics’ Institute.

In 1898 an official branch for meteorological observations
was registered, such being regularly noted in the Journal.

In the year 1895, owing to some slight disagreement between
the Field Naturalists’ Club and the Science and Photographic
Clubs, the latter pubhshed, im August, a Journal of theic own,
the Wombal. In 1895 it was recognized as the official
publication of the Gordon Technical College, Mr. H. E, Hil
being edjtor. Among occasional Nature Study papers in the
MW’ ombat was Mr, C, 8, Belcher'’s “Notes on the Birds of the
Geelong district.” In July, 1899, the Wombat suspended
publication. Meanwhile the Science Club connected therewith
had proposed amalgamation to the Field Naturalists" Club,
and this was agreed to. Mr, G. H. Adcock was elected President,
the veterans, Messrs. W. Shaw and J. F. Mulder, Vice-Presidents,
Mr, J. F. Dentry, Hon. Treasurer, Mr, H. E, Hill, Editor,
and Mr. J, B. Leitch, Secretary, In 1902 the Wowidat was
issued for the combined incorporated Clubs, but in March, 1904,
the name Geelong Naturalist was reverted to. The new editor,
for a brief period, was Mr. C. FP. Belcher, M.A., LL.B.

Professor Baldwin Spencer now became Patron on the death
of Professor N. Tate. Myr. J. F. Cary was the next editor,

About 1403 Mr. R. E. Trebilcock, an active member, in
company with Mr. Robert Hall, F.L.S, C.M.ZS, the
ornithologist, made an unusual trip ta follow the course of
some of our migratory birds to Siberia, 2 journey to the nesting
places at the Tundras within the Arctic Circle, full of incident
and fruitiul of knowledge.

During the early years of the century, the subject of nature
study had assumed importance in the State schools, under Mr.
J. A, Leach's skilful guidance. The Club decided to hold a
Nature Study exhibition at Geelong, as a timely means of
furthering natural science. A strong executive Committee, of
which Mr. G. H. Adcock, F.L.S. and Mr, W. Shaw were

— Datey, History of ite Geelong FNC, 193

chairmen, was formed, comprising Club members, prominent
citizens, and Education Department representatives. ~ The
exhibition fund was freely subscribed, ful) publicity given, and
on Monday, April 24th, the Hon. Thomas Beat, M.L.A,, State
Premier, opened the first exhibition, which in al! sections of
natural history was a gratifying success, the numernis exhibets
from State schools and scholars, as well a3 from others interested,
showing how popular nature study was becoming in the
commurnty. In addition to the genetal public, between two
and three thousand children attended the exhibition. Mr, F-
Tate, M.A., L§.0., Director of Education, an ardent supporter
of the project, gave an address on “Why Nattire Study Should
Have a Place in Primary Schools." Other lectures were giver
by Dr. Gavin McCallum, Rey. W. Williams, F.L.S.; Messrs.
J. A. Leach, BSe.; J. H. Betheras, M.A.; C, R, Long, MLA,;
ae Trebilcock graphically described “A Trip through Nonhern
iberia,””

Another Nature Study Exhibition was held in 1906, with
equal success. A branch Club was started at Mortlake. Dr.
Gavin McCallum succeeded Mr. Adcock as president, worthily
holding the office for many years. Mr. Trebilcock edited the
Journal, In 1906 Mr, H. BG, Wilhamson, on ardent botanist,
on appointment to Geelong, continued Mr. Adcoclk’s. botanical
researches on the flora of Geelong district. Messrs, C, F.
Belcher, KH. E. Hill, and BH. A, Purneli did valuable work in
observation of bird life over a wide area. Mr. G. C. Bartlett
specialised in microscopical rock sections and Hydroid Zoophytes.
A special lecture on “Central Australia’ was delivered by Sir
W. Baldwin Spencer.

In 1907 I joined the Geelong Club. Dr. McCallum was
president andl Mr. A. B. F. Wilson hou. secretary. This year
the membership was at its highest, provision having been made
in the previous year for including junjor menibers and members
of the Mortlake bractch, My first contiibutions were reports
on attendance at the Victorian Field Naturalists’ Camp at
Mornington, and on the Science Congress at Brishane as
representative of the Geelong club. During four years! residence
there | was busily occupied in the activities of the Geelong F-
N, Club. Dr. Gavin McCallum was a popular president. He
gave armual addresses on subjects such as “Instincts and Reason,”
“X-ray and High Frequency,” “Low Forms of Liie at the
Saltpans,” ete. Mr. J. M. Murdoch treated of “Moss Hunting” and
“The History of a Moss; the Rev, W. Williams, I-L.S,, of
insects generally; Mr. A. J, Campbell, jun., gave papers on *' Mud
Island,” “About Torquay,” “Point Addis 19 Anglesea," “A
Mountain Gully,’ and “After Lyrebirds in August,” Messrs.

194 Dasuy, History of the Geelong PAC. rea

W, Shaw aid J. F. Mulder, the ty foundation members, were
made life members for thew long and faithful services,

At a visit to Geelong of Hts Excellency Sir Thomas
Gibson Carmichael, K.C.M.G., on December 18th, 1908,
the president, on behalf of the club, presented him with an
address, his interest i entomology being so well known.

The ex-president, Mr. G. H. Adcock, F.L5., then Super-
intendent of the Viticultaral College, contributed an article, “A
Field Naturalist in Papua,” and Mr. W. W. Froggatt, F.LS.,
Government Entomologist, N.S.W., “A Naturalist’s Notes in the
Solomon Islands," both excellent articles, A welcome lecture
was Mr. J, A. Leach's “Birds of Victoria.” The departure
of Mr. R. E. Trebilcock was a distinct loss ta the Club. Besides
being an ornithologist of note he had closely studied crustacea,
diatoms, and lepidoptera, and with Mr. Mulder had described
and figured many species of the Hydroida, Among papers
contributed were: “Protective Colouring in Animals,” “Variation
of Domestic Atimals,’ “A Cruise in Bass Strait," “The
Butterfies of Geelong District,” "An Expedition Down the
Lena River,” etc. He had heen librarian, secretary, and editor,
respectively,

Another useful member was Mr. H. W. Davey, F_E.S., who
fusnished papers on entomology, reptilia, and amphibia, eg.
“Insect Control in Victoria,” “Life Histories of Insects and of
Coccids,” “Insects in Relation te Plant Life,” “Ants' Nests
and Visitors,” “Insect Pests,” etc,

Mr. H. B. Williamson's series of articles on “The Flora of
Geelong” was also supplemented by papers and lecturettes,
eg. “How to Collect, Press, and Preserve Plants,'' and by
diligent feld work on introduced plants, habits of bees, ete.
Mr. Mulder described "The Formation of the Highton Valley,”
and “The Eocene Deposit of Limeburner’s Point?’ Mr. R, T-
McKay, C.E., wrote on “The Great Australian Basin," and
also on “The Murray." The Rev, Robert Kelly dealt with
“The Flora of Yorke Pemnsula.”

On Myr. Trebileock’s departure the writer became editor of the
Journal, continuing for six years, Personal contributions were:
“Casuarinas and Mistletoes,” “Afforestation, a National Duty,”
“By the River,” “Origin of the Australian Aborigines,”
“Instinct in Plant Life,” “Around Cunninghame,” “The Relation
of Geological Structure to the Character of Indigenous Flora,”
“Mt. Wellington and Tali Karng,” etc.

In 1913, at the President’s (Dr. McCallum) election for the
seventh year, he was presented by the Club committee with a
complete set of the Geelong Natwralist (from 1891), beautifully
hound and inscribed. The Vice-President, Mr. W. Kyle, made

Maron Darev, History of the Geelong FNC, 195

the presentation. In the following year Mr. A. B. F. Wilson,
on the occasion of his twenty-first nomination as hon. secretary,
received @ purse of sovereigns subscribed by members,

Among other papers by members, the Rev. Mack, B.A.
described “How Nature Makes Peat,” Mr. If. A. Purnell gave
notes on “The Pilot Bird,” and “Lorne.” Mr. Mulder, in his
versatility, gave “Aboriginal Stone Implements in Victorta and
Their Age,” his fellow Vice-President, Mr. Kyle, “Reminiscences
of Aboriginal Life in Victoria and N.S.W.,” and Mr. II. If.
Riordan supplied “Bird Notes,” and desenbed "Exploration of
the Cursherland Falls” anc the Lorne District.

Mention must also be made of Mr. C. F. Belcher's contributions
in consistent observation of birds, “Notes on the Rufous Bristle
Bird,” “Birds found Breeding in Eastern Park, “Notes on
Birds of Torquay and Anglesea,” “The! Honey-eaters of the
Geelong District,” ete.

On December 2ist, 1911, at the president’s residence, a
farewell furiclion and presentation ta the editor on his departure
from Geelong was held—a pleasunt. social gathering.

Among the special lectures given over the decade were those
on geology by Drs. T. 5. Hall and G. B. Pritchard, by Mr,
Hardy on “Freshwater Algae,” Professor J. A, Gilruth on
“Microbes, Useful and Injurious,” Mr. J. A, Kershaw on
“Wilson's Promontory,’ Sir W. Baldwin Spencer on “The
Northern Territory aud jis Aborigines,” and Professor Ewart
on “A Dotanist in the Tropiecs,’” These were all illustrated and
open to the public,

I edited the Geelong Neturalis! wp to May, 1914, the year in
which I joined the F.N.C.V. Thes came the Great War with
its widely disruptive effects. The journal ceased publication.
Subsequently, with the departure of such active members as
Messrs. H. B, Williamson, H. W. Davey, C. F. Belcher and
others, later of Dr. G. McCallum, and with the severe loss by
death of Messrs. Wilson and Mulder, interest waned and
membership decreased. Eventualiy the Club ceased operations.
The last secretary was Mr, H, E, Hill,

This inglorious ending, after so Jong and honourable a record
of achevement in studying and festering natural history, was
a calamity that with a little foresight and energy by members
should have been teadily averted. One cannot but think that
if the Club in earlier years had opened its membership to wonien,
its existence would not have so unforiunately terminated.

Tt is hoped that when peace retums, there may be an active
endeavour to resuscitate an institution which wus so educative
and pleasurable a cultural factor in the important city of Geelong.

194 Ronnies, Sone Meats of Past Fietadan Meris Be =

SOME HAUNTS OF EAST VICTORIAN FERNS

By Faanx Roanins, Casilemaiie.

Having spent three years (1995-6-7) in pleasant rambles through gullies
and jungle ceamtry east of the Gippsland Lakes, where the pradigality ot
lovely ferns was a constant absurption. T have follower with much interest
Mr, N. A, Wakefield's splendid atihoritative articles which have appeared
in this Journal since February, (94C--augmenting our Victarian VWst of
yaacular cryptowains by at least a dozen species, and clearing up imany
erroneons ideas surrounding their ideraity and notmenclature, His recent
coritritnation, i which the whole fern flarg of our far wast ts suryeyerl, is a
Welcome consummation of what be has already puhlisled.

Tt tway be considered that the last word on this subject has now been
suid, vet J have a few notes aliout specific areas which are worth placing
or reeord for fhe guidance of fern enthusiasts who have the opportunity
16 pay East Gippsland a visit. Although T have obseryed Jess than 60 of
Mr, Wakefield’s inpressive list of 82 derne and club-mogses for this: region,
I <an claim priority in the discovery of at least Ave and on that accaunt,
perhaps, my prestimption in wratiug about ferns wil) be Torgiven

The Prince's Wighway from Molboume ta Lakes Entrance (200 miles)
follows open, Aut couutey in the main, aud far the 00-itile stretch
between Morwell and the Tambo crossing ore passes throwrh grassland
with Toresc Red Gum asa clominant tree, Prom Lakes Entrance onward
to Orbost (240 niiles}, Cann River (294 m.) and Genoa (325 m.), the
country bedames hilly and supports 2 typical ast Gippsland flora, consisting
of eucalypt forest with abundance of fem, Jianes, and other jungle plants
in most valleys. Between Orbost and Cann Riyer rhe roadside terns are
vety luxuriant, especially at Euchre Creek valley (Lid Park), aud again
teyond Cann River al Mount Drummer. Other beautiful fern drives are
akg Martins Creek (Orbest-Banang-Delegete roadj, the Combienhar
road along the Bemm River, aud, in my opinion the wost beautival of all,
along Glen Arte River, especially at waratah fine (Noy—Decemher) To
teach Glen Arte, a journey of 19 miles is necessary from tlie Murrungowar
turn-off an ihe Prince's Highway (10 miles east of Orlrast), but the
traveller in no hurry will find this fern paraslise well worth the visit.

The climate of East Gipptland approximates closely to the enst coastal
type of New South Wales—copinus rainfall in summer, as well a5 in wilter,
aid few frosts—and wlis javours a luxuriant yeeetalion, ¢o that, wherever
ane Teaves the beaten track to explore a well-marked valley, he is almast
gute to Gud ferns and/or jungle in profusion. Victoria is certainly rich
in fern gullies, for ane may coutinge along the Prince's TTighway as far
as the Queensland border without seeing much evidence of ferns. The
cooler damy conditions seem to fayour tree-ferns. and excellent eullies of
them (now, vlas! Tast disappearing) were a festure of South Gippsland
(along the Grand Ridge read. at Bulga Park, and Tarra Valley), the
Chways and the Dandenongs, Most of ary lime was speit avound Orbost,
Marlo, and the fringe of the Snowy River Hat;—an atea from ten 19
tweilty miles in diameler—and 34 specics were noted hereabouls. By far
the best fern and jungle gullies pear Orbost are Pipeclay Creek, Wibendacle
Creek, aac Cook's Gully, which will now be described in some detail.

PIPECLAY CREEK

This can be reached by car, the fast bal-mile along the Snowy bank
being very rough, Got well werthy jhe trip Te ts comparatively casy to
walk up the stony ercele bed Cusually dry} between walls of jangle fern
growth on either side; To goted 23 species here. The two tree-ferng
Dicksosta ontarctica and Crethee utreles ocewr, the former in abundance,

men Rosstes, Some Haunts of East Vislorion Ferns 197

25 in most Gippsland gullies, Climbing or scrainbling ayer the trec-ierns,
trees, atid rocks are the beautitul Halypodiee pustulatwn (Pragrant
Polypody) and P, dsversifotiviay (Kangaroo Fern), the former very profuse,
As baths have piunate frands anil after grow listermingléd here, they ave
at hyst samewhal difheult to distinguish; however, the chief differences are
that diversifativn bas fewer fronds (frequently simple} which are larger,
firmer, and WWiore Iusttous, whereas. pridtd/afien bas delicate piniate froods
in suflcent number te hide the supporting fern or tree, trunk, spore masses
eluser do the Jeaf wiaryin, and, of course, it exbales a yvamila-lke perfume
when bruised—it is common, too, at Glen Arte and Mount Druniuner.
Another typically eastern fern, Cyclophorns rupesteis (Felt Fern), is related
to Palypodis and Jtterally covers the trunks ot Lilly-pillies (dcmena
Smith) here to & gieat height Its small, roniid, thick leaves are
nunnstakable and it abounds im wost densely canopied golfies, My Gest
introduction to Felt Fern was in Geyser Valley, Wairakei, N.1, New
Zealaud, where it pi'cw in the open on bushes rigtit Withia the steamy
sulphirous vapours of the geysers,

The only Filmy Ferw here was Byainoprylhad cupressifosiie (common
in East Gippsiand), its minutely toothed broadish fronds being easily
recoguized stioug uthers in rns [annly of delirate midgets, In profusion
on the sides of the creek grow: Culeita dubia (False Bracken—formerty
but inappropriately called "Rainbow Fern), Denastiedna davaltioides
(Creeping Lace Fernt—rather fimilar in appearance, bur the former is
of a yellawish colour, and more ofren on the drier Killy slopes, where very
comman), Oryopleris Shapherdit (Shining Wood Fern), Pifactunt australe
(Shade Spleenwart—cominon in very shady gullies throughout Bast Gipps-
land), Poadia raydata (Small Rasp Term), Ploris wabvesa (Jungle Nrake—
uncomman in East Gippstaid, but abundant jo this creek in large clumps;
also at Mt. Drummer), and Blecknwnt cartillaginewn (Gestle Pern—very
common, especially of dry Liisides and roadsides, where it jias a distinotly
yellow caste), The Fishbone Fern (Blerlaunn nndyar), though mot secn an
Pipeclay Creek, (4 comma everywhere else in Hast Vietavia, while a
dipinnate freale form occurs at Marlo, selene flabetlifotinin (Necklace
Fern) is prolific here and in mosr gullies, ut the best growth was found
in the cliff-Fface jurrgle at Lach End dacine Lake War Wat. hte, Wilh
repocts the sate fern with Peiled. falcata as oxtcediagly plenritat en cliffs
carrying fungle floré about Lakes Entrance.) Blechunim Petersoni (Stray
Fern), thaugh usually inclined to lie rare, is Esirly widespread at Pipeclay
Creek, found only in the darkest damp allies; frands sre somerimes
ninnate here, the surnerous anes bets narrow, tau-like and often divided,
NB: The illustration In the Fern Boot dees uot appropriarely eepresesl it,

Ié you travel g hundred yards or so beyond the mouth of Pipeclay Creek,
the Giant Maidenhair (Adtrntens Formonany comes abundaritly into view,
some Trunds stating tree feet un their Shiny black stems. 1 Wave soen
it elsewhere only nt Loch End on the Snowy banks (now probably clearer,
as part of ihe amageing sclieme lor flood pteventian}, but 1 understand
front Orbost people thar it wed to be due up for feraeries at Cann River,
where Mr. Wakefield has lately collected cxainple:. 4, ani hiip piewst
(Common Maidenhaicy is yery common throughout Gippsland, though
alweys as small plants, and often on open land. Jterir trenudo (Tender
Bracken) occurs with the Giant Maidenhair at Pipeclay, Loch End and
Mt Bucle, but T seldom foudd ot. Aspleatam bulbiferwm (Mother Spleen-
wort), so widely known in cultivation, occurs af Pipeclay, Glen Arte,
Met Ruck and Mt Drummer, but the best examples were scen at Cook's
Gully on fem tronks or logs and not im sol, ty additiol to the 23 ferns
fincluding Gammon Bracken) notet above for Pipcelay Creels, four ollver
rare plants may be mentioned io passing: Marsdesiin povdsarns (Yellow
Poubah), Beveria fostocersa (Wallaty-hush), Karthalsella apwitia (vhe

198 Roserns, Some Hails of Bast Mittoren Freus i tatne

rart Jointed Mictletce, on Lilly-pilly trees) and Savcanthye frigdéataius (the
Tangle Orchid, festoohiig trees in abundaice), ;

WIBENDUCK CREEK

Rewtning a few bundred yards aloug the Snowy Gorge, one reaches
this creek which, on account of its pools of water, is more difficult to
traverse, though well worth visiting, At Jeast 158 of the above-mentioned
species grow here, and the following in_ addition: BSlechnwen nudum,
B. capense, Polypodiusn aystrale (Finger Fern), 2. grommatidrs (Gipsy
Fern), and Todeo barbara (Austral King Ferm), The care Gipsy Fern
was also found at Glen Atte and Mt. Drunsmer, usually perched on branches
vf Tristate lonritid (Kanooks), but acver or tree-ferns as depicted m the
Fern Book. I lave found if on practically dry branches at Wibenduck,
its small leathery fronds probably affording resistance to dry period:
The small tufted Finger Fern oteurs also at these other localities.

NEAR THE SNOWY FLATS

Cook's Gully—once popular to fern gatherers—is reached by enterag
a gate fram the Brodribh River hridge on the Prince's Highway and
following the track upsireani past a Jarmhouse for three-quarters of a mile,
Ub a small cottage comes m sight In the Whprepossessing marrow gully
@#bhove the swamp, one encounters a mile or so of really splendid ferns.
Astlenium bulbifenun featuring conspicuously higher up.

bh End is six miles from Orbost, along the right bank of the Snowy
River, Giant Maidenhair and Creeping Lace Fern were once plentiful in
the river jungles {since cleared), but farther on, over and around the
“Devil's Backbone," the red-soil ¢hAs overhangmg Lake Wat Wat still
harbour many ferns, notably Necklace Fern,

At Marlo, and also on the Murrungawer road, there is santly country
affering a similar flora to the swampy heathlands east of Port Philhy.
Lindsqua finearis (Screw Fern) and Selogmelle ntigiaosa (Swamp Selagin-
ella) are both yery common; [ found also Phylloglossum Drammondit
(Pigmy Clubmoss) and ane plant of Schizwa osfda (Forked Comb Fern),
Sut Failed to locate the Meadow Moonwort which, I am assured, te there,

Chetlanthes tenutfolia (Rock Fern) is common on the granitic counwy
around Young's Creek near the Prince's Highway, the limestone rocks of
Buchan, and the arid hills at MecKillop’s Bridge on the Upper Snowy-
Ont one occasion I found Lycopadtwns laterale at the Newt's Creele bridge.
The two Coral Ferns (Gleachema wicrophytls and G. circinmata) are
common in places, such as on the road near Brodeibb bridge and along che
Murrungowar road; swampy valleys like Newton's Creek are more or
less covered with these ferns, while roadsides almost a®ywhere «ast of
Orbost will yield the Fan Ferns (Stichsrus lobates and §, tener}. Stagnant
gulches on the Snowy Flats are often blanketed aver with the red Azolia
priate (Ferny Azotla). but, like Mr, Wakefield, I did not find its con
panion, 4, evbra; theee dozen ferns and clubmosses are on my list for
this grea and its immediate surroundings.

GLEN ARTE

A distance of 29 miles fram Orhast, the drive ‘through Murrangowan is
one of the finest in Victorias, About a mile past the turn-off on the Prince's
Highway, & large patch of LycOpodiion densi (Bushy Chubesoss) and
strongly scented, pink-flowered Hokeo sericea is entered. like 3 minature
pine tree, the former is reputed ta be the fargest clubmioss now hiving; it
grows also on the Privte's Highway past Newton's Creck, and along the
track to the Gabbage-tree Palms (giant specimens here). Alypelepir
funclate occurs at a sharp turn just beyuwd Murrangowar. Good views
ol the Orbost region are afforded as the road ascends, followed by a
down-prade of several miles beside the glorious fertn-Iringed Arte River,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. 61 March, 1945
PLatE VII

JSAareh

was Roppins Saiwe Nous of Bost Mictorion Ferns 19s

set ih a forest of egormous Silver Wattles, This is quite the fhievt
waratah gully FE haye sea,

In addition to previously mentioned ferns, treejerns here are festouned
with the twining Pelysitchum odiwntiforme (Leathery Shield Fern),
Aspleniam tnldiforim, A. flaccdim (Weepmg Spleenwort}, and the two
hymenpphylls, Palyphlehtuin venosyn and Mecodinn anstrale, which are
mare abondant at Mt. Drummer—tI did not observe MW, flatollatwn (Shining
Filmy-fern). The two Aanlestia are somawhal similat, axdept that tlic
Wespine Spleenwart lias narrawer segments to ie gracefully drooping
fronds, but interinediate conditions appear to exist; the latter vis found high
up in the tops of kanookas om Mt, Drummer, as also al Martin's Creck
snd Bemm River jungles on the Combienbar road. The pendent Long Fern
Clubmoss (Tmespterts Billardievi) Wangs fram fern trunks too; |ts fnot~
long Sronds could easily be mistaken for some dicdtyledon, but uf claser
acrutioy vhe little spore capsules in the forked leaves are discernible,
Anather rare fern found at Glen Arto gad Mt, Drammer was Doors
aspera (Prickly Rasp Fern), which 1 at first contused with Blecknum
lanceaclatwm (Lance PeruJ—ferlile fronds ate quite distivet, but in their
absence the venation. affords a key

MOUNT DRUMMER

Tits js the mast notewarthy fern paradise remaining, my list registering
36 species, Which is by 16 meas complete (some common spécies appear
to be lacking), Eighteen miles east of Cann River the Highway passes
through the upper portions of two large, distinct jungles an the mount,
the Jower oe being the mére accessible. Motorists ofién pause hére, 35
a little stream of crystal-clear water is secn falling from a sheet of iron
inserted at the embankment. Beside the majority of mountain and jungle
species I fave already discussed, this rch gully contains all four Victorian
species of Cyathea f{viz., Slender, Rough, Prickly, and the new Skirted
Tree-ferns). Dryofterts tenera, very rare in Victoria, also covers a large
area in this gully, especially on the eastern sida, but [ was unfortunate in
not Anding Macrogleng covdale (Jungle Bristle-fern) at Mu Drummer,

OTHER LOCALITIES

Roads pass through fern gullies at Martin's Creek, Bermm River above
Clab Terrace, and Euchre Creek (32, 40, and 45 miles east of Orbost,
respectively). Oe interesting trip rather devoid of ferns is the highway
from Buchan to the Upptr Snowy bridge and on to Bonang. At Buchan,
Hear the caves, eisplentwne trickomanes (Comman Spleenwart) is fo be
seed im the crevices of the Hmestone. Here, also, are the Blanket Fern
(Plenrosonis vuttfoline) and Eristly Cloak Fern (Notholene distons),
though 1 did not see them myself. Just before Honang is a gully in which
1 found Blechmen Meeiatile, while at Mt Buck (in the headwaters of
Young's Creck) is another on the ald road, but it is difficult ta reach
without a guide,

To the waturalist who can get away from the road, Gippsland is pregnant
with fern gullies, many of them as yet incompletely explored,

{The substance of this article by Mr. Rabbins was wrilten nearly six
years ago, but he deliberately withheld his Mss. chiefly owing ta the
indeianigable researches of N. A. Wakefield. who shortly afterwards
enioarked on the study of Australian feris, bidding well to become a Jeading
authority on this subject. While praising such monumental and enthustasHe
Jsbours by the younger botanist, I recently persuaded Mr. Robbins 10
allow the publication af his article, with nomenclature duty amended, as
I feel it is still a yvalwable contribution to Victorian pteridolazy, Bath
writers awe the kindling of their interest in ferns to R, W, Bond's splendid
little handbook {published by our F.NLC.V., Nov., 1934) and to the earlier
Sun Naotwe Books of Charles Barcett—J.H.W,, Asst, Ed.J

200 Rurr, Pendrobian Gratcilliuenin. stad, aneite, Vinee

DENDROBIUM GRACILEIMUM, stat, nov.

By the Rey, H. M_ R, Rupe, Northbridgs,
“New South Wales.

This plant was deseribed Ly mein Proe Linn, See NSM,
Liv (1929), onder the naine D, speciosuni Sin, vat, graclimnin,
Tr has become rather popular among growers of our mative
orchids, and is invariably advertised as “Dendrobium gracilli-
mum,”

Apart froii growers, however, the generil consensus of opinion
that iL should rank as a species appears to be very strong. There-
fore [ now comply with several requests to raise it to specific
status: and in doing so I wish briefly to review its history.

It was first brought to my notice in 1925 by the late John
Tucker and hrs wife, of Paterson, N.S.W., who had collected
several plants in the neighbouring forests Subsequently T found
it there myself, Its appearavee at once prompted the idea of a
natural hybrid between FF, speciosum Sm. and D. gracilicenle
TMuell., the plant itself siggesting « very stout and robust form
of the latter, although very slender in compacisan with the former.
. The flowers, however, closely resemble those of D. specioswn,
the only outstanding distinction heing that the perianth segments
are never more, and often Jess, than half as long.

Specimens sent ta the late Dr, R. S. Rogers elicited his opinion
that the plant was practically identical with the Lord Howe Isard
D, gracilicavte var, Howeanwm Maidens at in this view 1 could
not concur. Atter flowering a plint sent to him by Mrs. Tucker,
Dr, Rogers wrote agreeing with me that it should be placed in
D, speciosum rather than in D. graciliceule: and ultimately I pub-
lished it under che name cited above. I took this course solely
because of the obviously close relation of the flowers to those of
D. speciosum; ior hetween the plants there is no resemblance
beyond that ansing Irom the fact that both belong to the same
sectian of the genus.

Lest it may be imagined that the Paterson plants were mere]
the resnit of a local “cross,” [ may say here that sinee 1929 D.
grocillhinuca has heen fourd in many widely-separated areas ol
the northern half of N.S,W., and also im southern Oneensland.

There is same uncertainty, however, whether this was the plant
intended ly Bailey in describing 1. spectosnsm Sm. var. sitidum
(Proc, Roy, Sac. Quevnsl.. i; Queens, Fi. v (1902), 1526.) The
description agrees fatrly well except on the following points: (1)
In Dy graciilimmens the flawers are usually cream or deep yellow,
only very rarely white; (2) pitted Icaves, though on record in D.
gracthmui, are as sare as white flowers; (3) old stems of BD.
gracilitmwn have not been observed as conspicuously “shining.”

Med Vesting of Bonded Stlty- Beli |

Moreover, Bailey’s record for his variety is “Tropical Queens-
laud.” Mr, W, H. Nicholls and the wetter have received very
numerous orchids from that atea during the past 14 years, but
have not seen any Dendrobiyin remotely resembling 12, gruciili-
mum. Untortunately Bailey ieft no specimens of var, wifidwrr,
and Mr. C, T. White, the Queensland Government botanist,
informs me he has never seen it. On the whole it would seem
probable that the two plants are not identical,

The future botanical designation of the orchid here disctissed
will he Dendrobium graculinam. (Rupp) Rupp.

NESTING OF BANDED STILTS
{To the Editor)

Sirx—I haye just read un article: the Herald about Banded Stilts
appearing near Metbourne and the mystery of their ucsting places, J}
might be vi interest to record that I saw a smali colony of these birds
nesting here in 1939. That year we had big rains which filled a swamp
on thts and an adjeiuing property. On this swamp there were thousands
of ducks, swans, stilte, avocets, terns, gulls, dotterels, and every type of
water bird. But the stilts did not breed there.

About three miles away there was another lignum swamp and just
Before the rain I had bad a drain cut trom the middle of the swamp inte
an excavated dam, When the swainp filled the tops of the dumps of
excavated dirt just showed gboye water and an each of these, fourteen
in-all, 2 stilt had a nest. The eggs were very similar in size and colour
to those of a smal] ployer, ar lapwing, and I regret now that J did not
Ohatoeraph thetn as the birds were very tame.

i was in the Deniliquin district during the big flood jin 1917, during
which thousands ct acres of country were under water, and water birds,
including: stilts, were there in thousands. 7 spent quite a lor of time riding
through the water but néver saw a2 stile nesting, althovgh there were
thousands of them there. I think they must like to haye a guiet nesting
place where there ate no other birds, and, of course, where they are not
interfered with by mas, f

Yours, etc.,
ALK. McCnan,
Newmarket,
Hay, New South Wales.

VELAON07, Cpl. K, D, Clarke, H.O,'s 3 Aust. Div, Provost Coy, A.LF,,
Australia, would like to correspond with any members of F.N.C, wha
are interested in Australian butterflies. He has a goodly callection of
species from the 3.W.. Pacific area, and, in order to expedite classification,
pein greatly appreciate a copy of H’fat Butterfly fs That? by Dr, Water>

OUtce,

Miss MacPherson, National Museura, Melbourne, ig desigous of obtail-
ing Ave iresh-water snails from as many different localities. as possible, and
the assistance of interested members would he welcome The shells are
being used in Liver Fluke experimental work, and should be addressed to
Miss MacPherson at the National Museum, fi packed in damp grass they
will carry through the post successfully, Be sure that localities are shown,
including the name oi the creek or river if known.

202 Marrineter, Sets aud Mirations Wa ae

BATS AND VIBRATIONS
By A. H. E. Marrinctry, Metbdurne,

OF what use are their eyes bo some species of bats when ofher senses or
meatis of information such as vibrations guide thein in their Aight?

| have frequently noticed that the sudden transition frone ditense darkness
to brilliant light has had no effect on the rapidity of the, fight of small
hats such as the gerius Pesperugo,

The eyes of the smaller insectivorons bats are relatively much smaller
than in mice of abcud the same size. The question arises, how are bats
able to live in daek places and to secure their insect prey by tight without
constamly dashing into ahstacles in their flight, Observations have Dee
made by me of bats in caves im various countries, some of which were
wide open to daylight. Ji some imstautes their sleeping-pla¢¢ys were
sittiated under & ledge of rocks with just sufficient cover two shelter them
from rain, but subject to the direct Nght of day.

As fong ago as 1794, Spallanzani, an Italian, experimented with hats
deprived of their sight. It was demonstrated by the cruel experiment of
amputating their eyes, ard Jater by another method of covering thelr eyes
with wax, Tt was found that these bats in some wmysterious way were
aware of the proximity, of objects. With their eyes entirely covered or
with their eyes amputated, bats whey hberated and atlowed ta fly im roams
across which threads have been stretched with just room between for the
dutstretthed wings 16 pass, im to case were the threads topched, even when

laced s0 close together that the bats were obliged to contract their wings
They also successfully avoided striking each other, as well as walls, ceilings,
furniture, twigs and leaves, and suspended themselves by their Iegs to any
object as cficiently as when potsessing sight,

Rolliat and Tronesart, iv 1900 in France, and Haha, ii 1908 in America,
tied similar experiments with black wires. In over 2,000 trials with small
Myatis 25% hits were recorded. In G00 trials of same animals deprived
of their sight the percentage of hits was less thai if the eyes wore
wieovered, This provides evidence that bats depended little on sight in
avoiding wires. In a second set of experiments the delicate ears and
tragus were amputated and at was found that ihese membrances did not
warn them by reflecting sound waves. No doube it ts ‘the echo of vibrations
or radhations set in mation by aie currents that they really perceive.
Apparently this docs nat apply to all speceis of bals with different speeds
of fight and so far as is known to the larger fruitcating bats. The hits
recorded may have been duc to the tiredness of the bats or weakticss auc
to want af fond,

Acting on the assumption that air vibrations were set up by passing
insects of reflected by nearby objects, scientists invented a device far
detecting obstacles in a ship's path at night or in fog by sending out
vibrations of a Jow iene from ithe ship's prow atid recording the echo by
dejicate membranes on board.

E. Tronghton, zoologist of the Australian Museum, says that on account
of their relatively small eyes some of the iuséctivorols bats must be pro-
vided with sohte special aieans of avoiding objects during their Aight. G-
Lakovsky, tbe cmincnt French physicist, says at scems more asl more
evident that the sense of direction in bats originates from special ratbations
ai ittra-shorl Wavelength, emitted by birds avid insects thenselves, In
dealing with oocturmal and diurnal birds he says that we are led to believe
that they are attracted to their prey by radiatians emitted by these insects.
Wiech bats it is commonly beheved that it is to the acuity of the senses of
hearing and smel] that the bat owes its ability to approach ils prey, whose
least movements it can detect, thanks to the vibrations of the air reaching

; ‘Mol Exhibits 203

its ears. This hypothesis may be admissable under certan: comiitions such
as the calm atmosphere of the countryside

In Paris 1 have often watched bats from) my balcony, on tacing days,
amidst the uproar of a great crowd and the notse of thousands of cars
setting up vibrations lil the air, setrrated with the products of petrol com
bustion, Amidst this deafening din and yitiated atmosphere it is neither
the sense of smell nor that of hearing that guides the bat straight towards
insects which they catch as easily as id undisturbed silence of the couniry-
side. The bat is thus more probably attracted to these insects by the
raaeneens they emit, which are not influenced bw mnolse tior by petrol
Juines.

Since expeniments marle by physicists by amputating the eyes, cars and
tragus oi hats ¢stahlish the fact that none of these otgans side bats jn
their flight, then one might assure that ihe Hight.of bats in yoursuit af their
prey 14 due to the directional guidance of radjations affecting their arianic
steucture which conveys (be requisite vibrations to their senses.

Bats, like birds, migrate over the sea, Both are guided by radiations, as
stated hy me same time aga when dealing with the ovientatian of birds.

EXHIBITS AT FEBRUARY MEETING

Mss. J, J, Freame: Eggs of Sevstug (Doris) under the microscope:
“saws” of Sword Shark and Swordfish: swords or piercing organs of two
species oi Sting-rays; Calappa, a crab from Queensland, and a large
craytish (unidentified) irom Queensland; also cast skin of Diamond

'ython :

Mr. C, French: Specsnens of the Hyacinth Orchid (Dipodtnan functatency
from, Carrum having double labelluens, which fs very uncommon. (Col-
lected by Miss Stanton, of East Camberwell.) ;

Mr. ‘T. Giiffiths: 17 species of marine shells.

Mr. E. Moir: Myaporw platycucpum (Sugar-wood) attacked by rab-
bits. Specimen from the Mallee at Ralnbow

Mr. P. Fisch: Cafadenia poffiida (presse specimens) found near An-
dersan’s Creek, Mitcham, ty Ursula Fisch on November 19, 1944.

Mr. T. S Hart: Muraltta waists (Polygola family), an introduced plant
very uncommon in Victeria; specimen collected south of Moarningtan,
January, 1945.

Mr. tyo -C. Hammet: Encalypius Steedwant, B. Dessioudeass, Myo-
forwmn debile, all garden grown,

BIRDS AND WIRELESS WAVES
(To the Editor}

Sin —Mr, A. A. Cook perhaps desites to asseciate the discovery of the
effect of wireless waves on the flight of pigeons in the sauie category as
the beuutifully romclusive experimental series of Lister and Keech!

The interference of the Aight of pigeons by wireless recorded by
Lakovsky in no way proves the existence of any form of electro-magnetic
waves a5 uccounting for bird behaviour, Over twenty years lave clapeed
since such observations, but despite this Edward A. Armstruny, a
distin@uished ornithologist, and author of Bird ARehavtaur, a comprehensive
introduction to Bird Psychology, writing in The Way Birds Lin, 2nd
Edition (ise Edition, Nov., 1943, published by Lindsay Drummond, Ltd,
Lendon), mentions, on page $0, that all kinds of theories haye been
fropeunded to accownt for bird beliaviour, including that of possessing a
magnetic sense; but he definitely states that there is nothing to praye this.

Cairns, ' Yours, ete,
North Queens)and. H, Fiecner.

24 Excursion to Ricketts Pore Rabon

EXCURSION TO RICKETT’S POINT

More than 100 members acd friends attended the marine biology excursion
to Rickett’s Point on January 13, and a pleasing feature was the nuniber
of younger metwbers present. We were favoured with pleasant beach
weather, and a very low tide which exposed a Jarge area of the rock reefs
af ferragineaus sandstone apposite the Ricket?s Point kiosk.

Aiter a preliminary skirmish among the weed-line along the hah tide
mark, during which sponges, skeletons of rays, eggs of the Port Jackson
shark, shells, and other common objects were noted, the party concen-
trated on the rock pools of the recf, A very wide variety of Jiwing
specimens representing almost every phylam was noted, and the smaller
specimens ivere collected, at least temporarily, for closer exannnition.

Because ¢f the large mumber present it was diffctilt to deinanstrate
the specimens individually, so a demonstration bench was improvised hy
piling rocks into a cairn, and on this a small aquarium tank was placed
behind a Jarge magnifier, "This praved an excellent way to demonstrate
living specimens. to a large party-

The general fauna of this area has been described in previous reports of
exctrsions ta the same spot, se a detailed Hist need not be given here.
Specimens of outstanding interest were a starfish in the act of eating
a piece of mussel hy the process of everting the stumach through the
mouth (the stomach being swallowed again wher the feed was over);
a large and-very lovely tubicolols worm of the Sabells type with a crowt
oi feathery gills almost 3 ins, in diameter; several living’ sea-urelins;
nnd some tiny hrittle-stars.

I wenld like to express special thanks to Mr. and Mrs, Freame, and to
Mr. P. &, Morris, as well as other experienced members. of the party, for
the energetic way in which they ‘helpedh with the hunting ad demonstrating,
for the party was much too largé to permil the leader to caver the whole
ground single-handed.

Cresatk Meorkson-

NATIONAL MESSAGE

Qne of our members, Majer T. H. Brann, who has just returned
fromi active service, and has jriven hia services to help the Third
Victory Loan, has asked that all members be urged tn subscribe to the
limit af their power.

Every additional £10 is required, and when you realize that a £19
Bond wil) purchase one Owen machine gun or ene thousand rounds of
-302 aircraft ammunition, you will understand how necessary! it is to
have this Loan fully subscribed, Besides, there is no better investment
offering to-day,

When making your subscription to the Loan, if a quota form is.
used and returned to mé the total will be credited tu the war effort
of this Club, and at the same time the amount can be credited to your
local quota. .

Major Brum will attend our next meeting, snd wi)) explain all abnot
the Loan and answer any questiuns.

Quota forms will be available at the next meeting.

F. 8. COLLIVER,
Hon. Secretary, F.N.O.

.

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. 6r.-No. | rz _ April 8 1945 No. 736

PROCEEDINGS

The manthly meeting at the Club was held on Mareh 12, 1045,
at the Royal Society's Hall, the President (Mr, Ivo C. Ilammict}
and more than 100 members and friends attending.

The deaths were announced of Col. B. F. Goadby, a member in
Western Australia, and Mrs. Chas, Datey, wife of a very old and
valued member; therr memory was honoured by a call to silence,
and letters of sympathy from ibe Club will be sent lu near
relatives. Reference was also made to the illness of Messrs. J,
and W., H, Ingram—loyal brother members of long standing.

l.eiiers were received from the secretary of the Sir Colin
Mackenzie Sanctuary at Badger Creek, thanking the Cluli for
support given jn connection with the desired additional reservation
of land, and from Capt. Lee Burcham (of the American Marines),
who had attended Club meetings whilst in Melbourne during 1943
and now sends greetings to the Club from U.S.A. Member Dave
(Geddes (in the Navy), through Mr. L. W. Cooper, also conveyed
greetings 10 fellow members,

Reports af excursions were given as follows: Fern Tree Guily
(ferns), Mr. T, Griffiths; Yarra River trip, Mr. H. P. Dickins;
and Heidelherg (entomology of Yarra lagoons), Mr. A. J. Swaby-

The following were elected as Ordinary Members of the Club:
Miss P. Rowe, Miss L. Neil, Mr. J. K. Galbraith, Mr, L. Carritt:
as Country Members: Mrs, Eric Muir, Mr. W. C. Hedditch, Mr.
K. Fairey; and as Junior Member; Master Peter Braham,

The President announced that recently Mr. A. H. Chisholm had
been re-elected as a trustee to the Badger Creek Sanctuary, and
that Mr, P, Crosbie Morrison and Mr. S. R. Mitchell had been
appointed to membership of the newly formed Technological and
Natural History Musetiuy Trust. In proffermg the Club's con-
gratulation, he pointed out that these three members were all Past
‘Presidents. and had no doubts that they would strive to further
the interests of the F.N.C.V, in every way possible.

Major Brunn spoke for 4 few mmutes on the forthcoming
Victory Loan and urged the itniost assistance by Club members,
He emphasized the debt owed to inemhers of our FNC. who are
now serving with the forces “up north”; his own sou never Jost
a chance ta make natural histary observations and even carried
wmisect collecting gear to the very batrle-front in the islands,

= - «ae fe y. ho Vieo.
206 Fiold Noturatisty Clade Froccodings seh. Bia

NATURE NOTES

Mr. V. H. Miller congratulated the editor of Wild Life (Mr-
P. Crosbie Morrison) on his recent hreadeast remarks chawpion-
ing the Black-shouldered Kite, anc poimted out that this splendid
bird was already “protected” by Jaw, but apparently by not much
else. ‘

Me. P Crosbie Morrison brotight up the matter of Tea Tree
destruction at Beaumaris, stating that local residents were chop-
ping up the fire-damaged trees wong unmade roads, which were
appurently still private property, he appealed to members to use
their influence in stopping this destruction, Miss J. Chisholm
suggested that pussibly a Jecture could be arranged at Beaumaris
to arouse local interest. .Mr. A. J. Swaby promised to contact
the Ipcal council in this matter and report results later.

BUTTERFLIES 1

Mr. J. C. Le Souef began an instructive lecture on this subject
by describing the various items in a butterfly collecror’s outfit,
viz., the butterfly net, killing bottle, storage boxes, relaxing tray,
farceps, etc. He went on to enumerate the types of country in
which collecting is worth while, pointing out those particular
plants which are attractive to insects. The collection of cuter-
pillars and pupae, subsequent breeding of the insect, possible
causes of failure to emerge, handling and mounting of specimens,
were all mentioned. Lllustrations from the plates of HM hut Buttor-
fly is Thot? were projected on the screen, and a running cam-
mentary upin these brought the very interesting address ta a
conclusion, :
EXHIBITS

Mrs, M, FE, Freame; Starfish with stomach still everted, (This
specimen was screcned by means of the epidiascope and explained
‘by Mr, Mortison.)

Mr. T. Griffiths: Box.vi butterflies and other insects. Portions
of the harren and fertile fronds of Gristle Fern (Blecher
cortilagineunt) seen by Mr, V. H. Miller on the banks of the
Yarra at Studley Park.

Mr, F, G, Elford: The spiny spider (Costercontha minax).
Two varieties were exemplified, the coloured and, the less common
black variety,

“AUSTRALIAN POISONOUS SNAKES"

Au iflusteated and yery injormative article on this subject has just
appeared in Vol. VIII, No. 10. of The Anstration Musenim Mugasnne. Mr,
J. R Kinghorn, C.MUZA., of the seientite ata at Sydney Museum, has
supplied full data on menns of rtecognition, habitats, and actions of the
different veuoms.

eri Nrewbuts, A Nee Varioyy of SueOrchid a7

A NEW VARIETY OF SUN-ORCHID
With Notes on Other Quaint Orchid Forms. -
By W, H, Nreworns, Melhourne.

(1} FTHELYMITRA INIOIDES. Swe van SUBDIFFORMIS, var. sav.

Plata subushuscuta civerler 25425 cnt, alta, Racemé faxtusenits, Flores
magn. Segmenta-periantht clliptico-iancealata, patentia; sepale ewirilitey
petala lavendilacea maculata.

This interesting variant was described in English in Orchidologia Zep-
lanica, Vol. ti (1935), p, 156. To comply with the international rules it naw
appears in Latin,

(2) Two specimens ef a singular form of Caladenia Mensiesii, R.Br,
were found at Portland by Mre. PF. Mellblom i November, 1943, The
flower is much larger tham in the typical form, the dated petaloic witht
undulate, incurved margins and papillate glands—Figs. If, J, M. -

(3) A curious Aower of (apparently) Chrloglottis reflexa Gaahill,),
Druce, Hab.: Creswick (R. W, Bond, April, 1939) —Figs. O, P, 0

(4) A neat, aud attractive, flower _ Thelyntitra veiordes, Sw, variety
subdifformis, Nich, (Orch, Zal., Vol. 2, p. 156). Habs.; Portland (Mrs.
F. Mellblom, Oct. 1934): Blackburn (Mrs. E Coleman, March, 1940),
—adte here the wusual- month of dlowering. —Fig. N,

(3) Caladenia itsGevalgii, Rupp. The lateral sepals with two feck
fae = “calli alohgy ane. Hab.: Grampians (J, Cosstick,, Oct, 1934).—

1g

(6) A symmetrical twin-Hower of Pterastylis dedunculata, R.Br. Hab,
Portland (Mrs. F. Mellblam, Sept., 1954) —Fig, 5S,

(For other notes on curious fower forms ste this journal, Vols. xIe,
p. AS: xlwi, ps 183+ Iv, p. 135.)

KEY TO FIGURES ON ACCOMPANYING PLATE

Kk, L—Coladenta Mensiesi, R.Br. (Teratelogical form), M—Calurmit
frm front {note sacklike hase). .
: sea Atle avloides, Swi. var. subdiformis, vari noy. (flower trom
iront

O—Chilogloitis +eflexa (Labill.) Druce — Teratological form P.—
babel tnt frem same, from above, Q.—A view of the conjoined tateral
sepals

R—Caladena FitsGeraldti, Rupp. Note calli_on fateral sepa,

S—Twitt flower at Provostyfis peduncxlata, R.Br. e-

(For natural size of flower figures sec their respective descriptions.)

A CURTOUS NEW VICTORIAN GREENHOOD
By W. H, Nicrotus, Melhourne.
PTEROSTYLIS CRYPTA, sp. nov.

Plonta gracilis glabra circiter IIL cm. alle, Folie. radicula absentia.
Cautis bractcae Pt. obtusa. R.Br. similis, 15-25 ave. lounge, Flos solitarius,
vitides cl rtifus. Galea erecta. ancwr'va, acuta, 13 mm. longa; apice paula
surg curva. = Petala acta, goles non-cweedens. Lahnon infers
erectron, tucini filifornmbus ad gateam basi mantfeste admatin, supra
cileetantri}i,

Labeliune gblonga-lanceolatem, medio constriclnit, immobile, Sere
strictim, cirelter ZI 5-2 cm. longum: apice brewt-decurvihent: marqinibys

208 Necwatrs, 4 Cortwons Now Vectorion Greemhovd eg

basi mtcwrvdtus saceus; floras enteriorum celanss Appendice filtforime act
basis lobis obcordatty, Coluntaa erecta robusta, crrciter 8-13 mun tomps;
lobo supéeriore alae acta; lobo tiferiore eblongo-obtuse Stiquin prommnens
covatforme, elevatum.

A slender glabrous plant about 10-1] cm, high, Radical leaves not seen.
Stem-leaves as in Pt. obtusa, R.Br. 15-25 mm. long. Flower énlitary,
green with rufous markings, Gafea erect, incurved, 13-2) mm, hagh, the
tip short and deflexed, Petals acute, not exceeding the tip of galea Lower
lip erect, the conjoined portion conspicuously adnate—for jully half its
lidight—to base of galea; upper part widely dilated from its free hase, the
lobes produced amo fine erect points, only slightly exceeding the galea,
Labellum on a praminent immobile claw, almost straight, its shortly
decucved apex extending to the tip af galea, thus, with the petals completely
sealing the galen entrance; lamina chlong-lanceolate, somewlrat constricted
ahout the middle, about 1-5-2 em. long, the lower marging incurved, forming
a tleep pouch-like cavity belaw the constricted part: median ridge mot
Prominent; the appendage Gliform, curved, arising Srons the base of claw,
with a small cordate apex. Column crect, on a stout base, about 8-13 mim.
long, cach angle of upper lobes producetl into an acute tooth: lower lobes
oblong. Stigma prominent, situated immediately behind the lower lobes,
cordiform. Flowering in May.

TYPE (in writer's possession) - Nas. 1004, 1031; Hoddle Ranges, Toora,
§.-Eact Victoria, May 1941, collected by Miss Ruth Glark of Toora

I am indebted to Mr. A. J. Tadgell of Sandringham (Vic.) for forward-
ing to me the specimens of Pt crypta (sp.nav.), with the collettar's
following note: “Jt was in the sandy, soil along Waratal) Bay that these
specimens were found,"

My spedfc epithet refers both to the habitat {in dense scrul} and to
ihe hood which is perfectly sealed up by the sigid Ld-like labetlum, -

Only three specimens of this remarkable greenhood orchid have so far
been discovered and the foregoing description is based on this material; one
flower bad to be sacrificed for dissection purposes. IT must confess that
the very strange characteristics alone prevented its being described ¢zrlier,
for it was originally cemsidered 2 freak condition of Pt. aftusa—just
another intriguing, tcratological form so difficult to define But, with the
appearance of the recently described Mt. relans, Rupp (Mic, Net, Vol. 61
(1944), pp. 206-107}, it was deemed expedicm to fix this form alsp-

Pt. cofans is, apparently, well established at Portland, for since the
desesiption appeared an additional colony of plants has been located. In
spite of this, however, the writer does not present this analegous form as
« yalrd species (notwithstanding its great interest) without sorte little
irepidation, for almost every season brings forth seme curious “sport”
amang orchid Aowers: several such examples are figured here. Otte oftert
wonders what is the explanation for such abnormalities (Figs, A, B, G,
1., N, 0); és tt to be sumined np by the one word “mutation?

The elose nature of the averhead canopy is possibly a contcibytory factor
here; doubtless it prevented caslier discovery. Through thy altered con-
ditions prevailing in the habitat, the pollinating insect agent may be absent.
Linguestionably conditions are altering in samé areas. Bush fices create
feventyally) a more compact growth in scrub-land areas; this fact was
well demonstrated to our party recently, m the vicimity of Portland, home
of Rupp’s remarkable species. ;

P2, celuas (which closely resembles Pt, nanw, R.Br.) hides itself 1 such
exceptionally dense serub country, while Pt. cryphs is found iw heavy tea-
tree areas, also in association with its congener, Pr. obtusa, Rr Bath

April Tye Pet
nae | Nicuotis, A Curious New Victorian Greenhood 209

210 Save the Wedge-tailed Eagle oie

are, in the writer's opinion, self-pollinated and thereby unique in the genus;
this conclusion was supported by the exatiination of undeveloped flowers
in Pt. celans, for even at a very early stage of development the pollen
masses had dehisced, to some extent, over the surface of the stigmatic-plate.
Both new species have much in common, yet belong to different sections of
the genus (see figures), each, in its turn, intimately related to its ally.

KEY TO FIGURES ON ACCOMPANYING PLATE
A, B.—Pterostylis crypta, sp. nov,, side views, C—A flower from front,
7 taksim from above, E.—Labellun from side. F.—Column from
side,
G—Pterostylis celans, Rupp. H-—Column from front, I—Labellum
from above, J.—Labellum from side,

SAVE THE WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE

“The eagle question continues to agitate birdmen and graziers. Is it a
serious pest? Should it he shot or protected? My own opinion Is definite
on this matter, after many years of observation. No one denies that the
wedge-tailed eagic does occasionally take lambs, but only occasionally. It
does not five on lambs. It is a brutally selfish and ignorant policy to shoot
the fine native bird out mf existence. Some would callausly slaughter
every native bird and animal on their property. On the other hand many
graziers to-day will not allow eagles to be shot, im spite of tales of
occasional lamb losses. The great birds take many rabbits, and also clean
up carcases, thus helping against the blowfly pest. I am convinced that
econumicaly the eagle is a benefit, not a pest. We should be proud to
possess the largest eagle in the world, and not persecute it to extincticn,
even if some small price has to be paid for its presence.”-—James Devanny,
in The North Queensland Reytster. Townsville, p. 24, March 3rd. 1945.

TO COMBAT EARWIGS
According to American entomologists, earwigs are best controlled by the
use of poisoned haits distributed over infested ground. The bait recom-
mended for use against carwigs is made up of the following ingredients:

Bran 12 Ibs.
Molasses... .. 1 quart
Beef scrap 2k Ibs.
Sodium fluoride .. .. .. .- 12 ounces
Water .. 6. 2, -- ee ve ee ee & Quarts

Soak the beef scrap for three hours or more before using. Dissolve
the sodium flucride in the water, add the molasses and mix with the bran,
to make a crumbly mash. Scatter this in the evenings amongst the plants.
Watering the garden should then be delayed for two or three days. Keep
bait away from children and domestic animals.

In small gardens, if crumbled newspapers are scattered about at night,
many earwigs will hide therein and can be gathered in the morning and
burnt. Soil fumigants such as Clift's Manurial Insecticide, Paradichlor-
benzine (“P.D.B.") can also be used with good results, as can preen

poison baits.
C. Frencn.

1 Davey, Suakes in Fact unt Fiction Fab}

SNAKES IN FACT AND FICTION

By II. W. Davey
Iittroduction

Reptiles appeared on this carth long ages before mammals, or
even birds, and in Mesozoic times attained their greatest develop-
ment, some heing titanic ercatures measurable in yards and tons!
The class Heptitia, though still occurring in temperate and tropical
regkims, is best represented by variety and size in the warmest
parts of the world. In this paper I shall deal only with snakes,
concerning: which more tales have been told (mostly untrue) than
about any other group of animals,

Among the many oddities of Australia is the preponderance of
venomous. snakes. over the harmless ones—a reversal of the rule
in other lands. To my knowledge, 108 species of snakes are
known to inhabit our iskind continent, and only 35 of these are
detacanoiag No other country possesses so many venemous Inds
as this.

India is generally regarded as the home par excellence of

aisonous snakes, yet Dr. Gunther, in Reptiles of India, gives
18 species of the Elapidae (the venomous Colabrine snakes) and
19 species of Viperine snakes—a total of only 37 compared with
Australia’s 73 venomous species.

Few peopie trouble to distinguish between snakes and legless
‘lizards, in species of which Austraha is particularly rich, but
unfortunately many of the latter inoffensive creatures are killed
every summer, These lizards do certainly haye a snake-like
appeatance, but their scales are differently arranged; they possess
eyelids and ear apenings, which snakes meyer have, and very long
tails—a feature exhibited only by tree-inhabiting members of the
serpent clan.

Feeding Habits

Your different methods of taking food are recognizable among
snakes : .

1, In one family, including the ‘Rat Snakes” of India and
America, the prey is seized and heaten against the ground until
dead or stunned ; it is then gulped down very rapidly and another
vicim usually sought at once, These snakes are so quick in their
anovements that a rat is very seldom given the chance to bite them,

2, Other snakes, eg., Trepidonaius (the Common Ringed
Snake of Evrape), swallow their prey alive ane otherwise unin-
jured in any way.

3. Venomous species kill theiv food by means of poison fangs
and wait patiently, ag a rule, until the victim is dead hefore

232 Davev, Surtes fo Lace and Fiction be Nuss

attempting to swallow it; Lhe venom must be injected into the
blood stream, and is quite harmless when taken into the stomach,
Small mammals and birds usually die within a few moments,
succumbing more quickly if the bite be inflicted on a fleshy part.

Many poisonous snakes feed on hvards or frogs, especially the
latler, but the venom takes longer to act than in warm-blooded
animals, so that frogs are usually swallowed alive. The Indian
Cobra wil await a mouse’s death, but never waste time waiting
for a frog to die, while that largest of porscnous reptiles, the
great STamadryad, is a snake eater that habitually devours its
prey before death in case the victim should wriggle away and
escape. In the Reptile House of the London Zoological Society
T have seen a Hamadryad swallow a snake 24 feet long and then
fook around for more.

4. Those snakes which kill their food by constriction first seize
the prey (usually by its head) between their jaws and at the satne
time throw a couple of coils around the yictim’s body, Ii the
animal or bird be strong and can struggle, one or mare coils are
rapidly passed round it and the pressure increased until struggling
ceases, by which lime the prey is usually suffocated. The serpent
retains its jaw-hold throughout, and often the strain oh its jaws
ig very severe. 1 have seen a large Malay python (P4thon
reticulatus) relax a coil in order to relieve the pressure on its
awn head. All constrictor snakes would seem capable of exerting
much greater force when anchored by their tails to some con-
venient object.

After a victim ceases all movement, the suake will relax its
mouth grip, then relax the coils a Sittle and survey tts victim
closely, with a simultaneous flicking of the tongue, This behayour
probably pave rise to the absurd tales about serpents coating their
food with saliva before swallowing it. All snakes swallow their
food in the same manner, viz., by an alternate raising and reaching
forward of one half of the upper jaw at a time, the hooked teeth
thus drawing the food inside—actually a “crawling” over and
along their food. Once it has passed the head, nourishment is
worked down into the stomach by lateral bendings and by forward
stretchings of the body; its passage to the stoinmach is indicated by

“the widely separated scales. Finally, the snake usually gives two
ar three big yawns, during which its jaws open beyond the
‘perpendicular, as if to settle hack into a normal position; there-
after it crawls away and coils tp until the meal has digested.

Anyone who has had experience with snakes can usually Torm
a good idea of the real need for food by the position a snake
assumes, but (here is naturally a variation with species.

to seme natural history books, serpents are figured killing their

rity Davey, Snakes ia Fact and Fiction 213

prey against a tree-trunk by wniding themselves around both tree
and victim; such purtrayals, however arhstic, are purely imaginary-

A belief commonly held is that constricting smakes crush their
food to pulp before attempting to swallow rt. The writer had two
opportunities al the London Reptile Tlouse for examining the
bodies of Muscovy ducks that had been killed by very large
pythons (P. reticwlatus), one of which was 21 feet in length, but
there was no evidence of pulping. The ducks had been merely
suffocated by severe squezing and were never allowed a gasp of
air after being seized; the whole scizure was terribly sudden,

In my opinion, pulpmg would be of no great, if any, advantage
to the snake. Non-constricting species have to swallow without
being able to pulp their foud, which is just as large im proportion,
so why should constricting snakes find it necessary to do so?
Moreover, the swallowing of an animal full of broken, splintered
bones might even prove dangerous hefore digestion had proceeded
very far,

Most new snake arrivals (especially large pythons and boas)
‘at the London Zoo had their excreta examined for the purpose of
ascertaining the nature of their last meal before capture. In the
cast of the larger constrictors, this usually consisted of monkeys,
which could he identified from undigested teeth and hair.

Shin-shedding

This is 2 universal habit among snakes, though the frequency
depends upon species, and a well-fed healthy snake will usually
cast its skin more frequently than one in poor condition. In the
London Zoo there was an uncommon species of rattle-snake which
always had to be assisted out of its ald skin; such was a delicate
operation, especially in temoving the skin covering the eyes.

It is often stated in books that, at shedding time, the skin splits
behind the neck and then the snake wriggles out after the manner
of an emerging cicada. ‘his is, of course, quite imcorrect, like
many other nonsensical things written about snakes. What really
happens, when.a snake is ready to cast its skin, is that the ips are
rubbed against a stone or stick until the cuticle ruptures and turns
back a little. This rubbing is continued until the skin of the
whole head is rolled back; then the snake, if in good condition,
crawls through or round grass tussocks, undergrowth, etc., at the
same time pulling away from its old skin, which is turned com-
pletely inside out, everi to the eye scales, The dull opaque
appearance of a snake's eyes prior to skin-casting is due to a
separating of the nid scales covering them, but, as soon as these
are entirely free from the new scales beneath, the eyes again -
resume their brightmess andthe actual shedding «usually begins
soon after.

Zld Javey, Siekes J Fart ied Firtuie ee

Fang-shedding

Venomous snukes shed also their poison fangs, to be replaced
by others held in reserve. This is a wise provision of nature,
because an angry or very hungry snake may strike at a large
animal and lose its fangs, which, if not replaced, could catise death
by starvation. When not lost by violence, these fangs are shed
normally at intervals and replaced by a mew pair.
Asbernation

In countries of severe winter climate, the snake population
hibernates until warm spring days re-awaken them to activity.
Tere in the south-eastern part of Australia, although our winters
are generally mild, snakes de hihernate, while those inhabiting
nver flats are often submerged during periods of flood, yet with-
out suffering mach harm. This is not so surprising as would at
first appear: the writer has had small Japanese Terrapins (hat
always overwintered deep in the mud beneath w small clay pond.
[tis remarkable indeed that an animal, breathing entirely by lungs,
can live under water for months without once coming to the
surface—such would be understandable in amphibia, most of
which can breathe mere or less through their skins.

Reproduction

Every serpent is hatched from an egg. In the oviparous group
of snakes, eggs are Jain and left to hatch by the warmth of their
surroundings, whereas 1 viviparous kinds the young are produced
in a living condition, the mother retaining her eggs in her body
witil they hatch. There appears to be no rule in this matter, as
So many nun-vyenomous snakes produce living young, while others
lay eggs. All vipers produced young alive, but a surprising fact
is that snakes belonging to the genus of the common English
Grass Snake {Trapidenotus) may lay eggs or bring forth living
young according to species. This genus occurs also in Northern
Australia, bot T have no knowledge as to whether its represernta-
tive there be oyiparous or viviparous.

Popular Legends

Snakes are looked upon with revulsion by most peaple, and the
dislike goes so far as to brand them ‘slimy creatures.” But they
are far from being slimy: one could crawl over any cleau object
without leaving a trace of dirt, while a snake can constantly Aicle
the sides of a glass case with its tongue and yet not cause the
slightest smear,

Many are the silly stories iokl about snakes, and onc I well
renember hearmg im England was commonly heliweved, viz, that
a snake cannot die before the sun goes down, Nevertheless, J

rad Davey, Snokes iw Pact ond Fietton 21

™

have had an English snake dic here in Melbourne within two hours
after it had eaten an Australian frog that probably carried in its
skin an excess of poison (for a European snake), This particular
reptile, Tropidonotus natrix, did remarkably well wilh me, especi-
ally during the abundant supply of large tadpoles, which it wand
yery cleverly captur¢ under water, eating severa] at a meal, Later,
when tadpoles were “off the menu” and frogs (A yle aurea) were
plentiful, it also prospered. Later sill, when these frogs were
nol available and my snake was becoming really hungry, 1 hunted
around my newt ponds, but the only frog I could find was the
marbled Linnodynastes lasmasensns. FT am always suspicious
about the edibility of highly coloured frogs and it was not without
some misgivings that I took the risk; sq did my snake, whtch died
al 2.30 p.m., proving ihat a Eutupean species at least does no
have to postpone death until sundown, t

More silly tales are about snakes milking cows, also about the
“Hoop-snake" which allegedly makes a hoop of itself by placing
its tail im its mouth und then trundles dawn hill, much to its
enemy's cansternation—of course it must be down hill! But che
mast persistent fable is that snakes will swallow their young in
time of danger, This old story originated im Europe and was
probably lronght out here by early settlers. [Tn Fngland it is
still believed that vipers swallow their young (it may be noted
that only wirporous snakes are said to indulge in the habit).

Should a female snake near the end of pregnancy be beaten and
broken hy some hush hero, it is feasible that the young could
emerge [rom almast any part (mouth included) of her hattered
hody. If a snake did swallow her young to protect them, the
result would be just the reverse, because her movements would
be sa retarded that an enemy could casily destroy both mother
and progeny. I have seen snakes born, and if tt were instinctivé
for them to swallow the young when danger threatened, surely the
same trait would be exhibited in captivity, even as a “joty”
kangaroo seeks the refuge of its mother’s pouch im a zoo exactly
as if it were in the natural “bush.”

The gastric juices of serpents are very powerful, everything
with the exception of teeth and hair being digested, and their
effect on the delicate, newly born young would be rapidly fatal—
again a very reversal of security. Those snakes that I have seen:
cume into the world were trealed with utter indifference by the
mother and, when 2 purposely frightened them, would merely
scatter for shelter wherever it could be fotind, more often trying
to get beneath the mother whenever she slopped moving alyout,
none showed the slightest incliftation to go near her mouth.

216 Davey, Césaed iietins of a Cayed Gecko Wana

LIZARD VICTIMS OF A CAGED GECKO

Early this summer, Mt, Erasinty Wilsou kindly presented me with three
lizards of the genus Lygosome (sibgenus Liolepsma), which were housed
ina case containing two geckos, viz., Gyinnodactylus widlivsi and Phylly-
dactylis marmorctus, the fortter having occupied the case for over five
years and the latter for more thau four years.

A tragedy decurred at the beginning of January, whoir 1 disecvered iy
smallest specimen gf Ligesoma lying dead and quite Hattened cur from
head to tip of tail, as though 1 had passed throweh rollers. Later, the
lizard next in size was alse found dead, but J could not distern any trace
af injury sufficient to have caused its death, The third surprise came when
it was noticed that the tail of the surviving and largest specimen had been
bitten off during the ight of January 12, and apparently eaten, since there
was 00 sign of it in the case.

The final and greatest suprise of all came at night on January 28, when
I was just m time to see the last of my taillese lizard disappearing down
the throat of Gymnodactyfus miltusd. Osiginally, this hapless reptile was
equal in lengi to that of G. mulined, but. even after its tail was Lost, the
possibility af heing swallowed by such @ small gecko seemed srarcely
credible These attacks were certainly not due te shortage of iood, as two
receptacles containing mealworms a-plenty are slwavs available to the
lizards, while beetles, spiders, and other small game that 1 may cine
acrass often provide them with a change of meu; an earthenware saucer
of water is also kept replenished.

tohad offer: wotwlered why this particular gecko has such a very large
head. compared for inatance with P. warmeratius, but, in yiew nf what
G. ortfinss can uo, it seems probable that it ts more likely to encounter
larger pame as a ground dweller than would a gecke frequenting ifees anly
Te may now appear strange that the other gecko, sharing the same quarters
for over four years, has been able to survive, much fess retaiW its tail.
P, marmorates ts, however, a much more active, quick-moving, aid alse
nocturnal lizard which is not likely to be caught napping, the smaller
lizards, which curl up to sleep and are defenceless at night, stand far less
chance against the predatoty powers of G_ «aliens,

H, W, Dave,

A LARGE FUNGUS

At the head of Myer's crock, Healesvillé, there is an exceptional specimen
of the common large “bracket-fougus.” [¢ grew at frst on a standing
watile tree and attained a width of a fant, Ther the trec fell and at cach
side a further growth produced tabes as large as the origisal. The total
length is new three feet and it is still vigoros. ,

Fram the appearance of the fallen tree 1 would judge that it has lain
aban! five years. {f <0, the age of the bracket must be at least ten years.

A. J. Swany.

(Apparently the “heacket-fuingus” alluded ta was a specimen of Gianr
Punk (Ganoderms applomation) which 3n wel, avountainous country can
attam immense size and form such a strong shelf on the bole of 4 tree as ia
accommodate the weight of several pecple. The Dandenong Ranges has
yielded fine examples, but the rocord for longevity among these large,
woody palypores must ga to Fomes robustes, which has been known to
Persist on a tree for some 8 years.—J,H/W_]

ppt Wreoris, 4 New Alpine Fariery of “Mallee Everlasting’ 27

A NEW ALPINE VARIETY OF THE “MALLEE EVER-
LASTING” (TLELICHRY SUM ADENOPHORUM)
By J). He Waniss
HELICHRYSUM ADENOPHORUM FwM, var WAUDELLAE
var, nov.
Porennis aljinit, codibus wrgatw foliatis glandulosts, we rupestribyes
conglomeratis ant granitic attthudine 1200 mele, fet ultra) crescens.

Differt a forma. typtca faliis bast angustiovibis nom amplexicanlbys, swhtus
albida-lanosie utin A, leucopsidig D.C, ,

LOCI (ut m Herb. Melt. repr.) :

1. Mt. Speculation, Vic. 5000-5400 ft, J. H. Willis, 1/1/1945 (HOs.D-

at PARA-TY¥P),

2. Mt. Buffato, Vic: (P. R13. St. John, March, 1937; Dr, R. T. Patten,

15/3/1933}.

3. Mt. Teathertop, Vic, 6200 it (K. J. Simpfendorfer, Heb, 1945)_

The Mallee Everlasting is described in Ewart's Flora of Vic-
toria (1930) as “confined to N.W. and S.W. Victoria, but rare,
except near the South Australian border,” and indeed there ts
only one collection from this State represented at the National
Herbarium, Melbourne (viz., "S.W. of Murrayville and 4 miles
from S.Aust,” H. BG. Williamson, 29/12/1916) | this accords well
with Muellee’s type specimen from “high barren ground” on
Kangaroo Island, $.A., March, 1851.

While botanising recently on Mt, Speculation, at the western
extremity of the Barry Mountains, I found an elegant, pale pink
everlasting growing plentifully amongst loose conglomerate rock
on steep north-eastern declivities of the mount; it was also present
on Mt. Koonika and Mt: Cobbler, 6 to 8 miles northwards. This
Helichrysum has no rivals to beauty among all the large-headed
kinds, At first I mistook it for a tall, narrow-ieaved condition
of the ubiquitous A, learopsedium which grew sparingly in the
Vicinity, but close scrutiny revealed much stronger affinities with
H. atienophorum—a. desert plant.

Typical H. adexephorum shows broad, stem-clasping bases to
the leaves, which are glandular all over (as are the scapes), with
no cottony vestiture beneath. My Speculation plant has narrow
leaves, tight to the point of attachment, and they bear a dense
web of white’ cottony hairs on the ventral surface (just as in
Satin Everlasting, H, leucopsidinm),

I am now satished that the alpine form is worthy of varietal
vaink, and have pleasure in naming it after Miss Winifred Wad-
deil—a keen advocate for the conservation and cultivation of ous
native flora, and a lover of the high mountain plants in particular.
Miss Waddell was first to observe the slender, pearly-pink ever-
lastings of Mt, Speculation and, insisting on their distinctiveness,
urged ine to collect and examine specimens if fortune should ever
bring me near their rocky fastness,

= ' ‘ . . Viet. is
218 Contaan, Clistéruty of (he Sordid Maod-Nrealarwe +s en

CLUSTERING OF THE SORDID WOOD-SWALLOW
(Artamus denebrosus)

By Evit# Coteman, Blackburn, Victoria.

On February 20, 1945, wood-swallows again clustered in one
of our guim-trees, about ten feet distant from last season's site,
and very much higher on the stem. For some days we had
noticed them hawking at dusk hetween the stems of the trees,

On February 21 they had commenced to cluster at about 7
pm, There were about twenty when [ first saw them, I counted
twenty-three more as they came in. Then a hawk flew through
the tree, and five or six wond-swallows left After the hawk
disappeared there was a long pause; then T counted twerily-hve
more as they alightecl, the last at 7.25 pum.

Feb. 22.—At five past 7 1 saw the first birds settle and watched
them leaping at each other as they clustered, as if playing. I
counted forty-five.’ Tt seemed surprising that they could cling
so surely to such a clean stemi—without fork or twig. With opera
glasses, and the moon nearly full, T had a clear view.

Feb. 23—I rose at ten to 5 am. but the birds had Aown, yet
it was still dusky and foggy below the tree-tops. Higher up it
was tuch lighter for the birds’ “take-off,” and the sky was clear.
There were no droppings on the ground. At 7.20 p.m. on the
same day they clustered in a much taller tree in the garden proper,
I wondered if my attention with the opera glasses had worried
them. They had all clusterect and were quict at 7.30 p.m.

Feb. 24.—I went to Healesville, and although 1 returned at
7.30 it was too dark to find the cluster.

Feb, 25—The birds were hawking very low after a warm,
humid day. J think they did not cluster in our trees.

Teb. 26—There were many on the telegraph lines and a few
skimming among the trees, There was a vivid sunset, I waited
until Sundown but saw no clustering,

Feb. 27.—1 watched the wood-swallows cling to several stems,
including last season’s site, as if they were undecided. Then they
flew in a band to a tall tree in the garden, settling high up on a
very slender branch, It was pretty to watch them clambering in
and out of the cluster, as if playing at pushing each other out of
bed. The branch was no thicker, perhaps, than my wrist. There
seemed to be only about half the usual pumber. I counted thirty-
five, nol very accurately, perhaps, for they were so high and so
animated, and T hari not, heen near enough to count them as they
alighted. There was little foliage on the chosen bratsch so they
were much exposed, and the slender bough was tossing in the
wind. All was quiet at 7.35 p.m,

I did not see them again. The next two evenings were cold

yh "Pinga Pury” 249

Each evening the first-comers had skinned between the tree-
trunks héfore clustering, sometimes leaving the cluster to hayl
again. Late-comers flew direct to the cluster.

It is possible that the wood-swallows have been swarmmg a)
these trees for many seasons, Year after year we have said, “The
wood-swallows. are back,” and have enjoyed watching their
manoeuvres at dusk smong guni-trees on less than an acre of
ground which we call our “paddock'; but, knowing nothing of
their clustering habit, we had not Inoked for it. It is interesting
to reeall that last year's first cluster was noted on Feb. 26.

“PUNGA PUNG"
(Prom Salt, 9/10/44)

Au iterestiu@ Uature uote cones from Pte. Ro Ryan, QO28247: “As 1
was wandering through jungle country one alteripou, my costs were
shockingly assailed ty the most nauseating steavh I have ever encountered.

“Tw rain-forest, dark, wet, cavernous and vine-curtained, abounding in
pinkish, jelly-like, Juminescent ioadstocl growths, giant trees supported by
huge fying buttresses, pulpy svil and rutting bread-Trults, gave no clue te
the origm of the smell, J Jooked into a gloomy recess formed by the
bulthessed base of an Ocfomelcs Swnatrana and saw, for the frst time, the
Rewer of the Ponga Pung Lily.

“The hloom, marbled in reddish magenta, yellow and green, not unlike 2
piece of decomposing liver, both in appearance and odour, gleamed dully
il the halt light. ‘Punga Pung’ is ovly one caf the many New Guinea
native words used to describe this plant. which is helieved to be akin to,
if net the same as, a growth found im the East Indies. An amazing feature
of the fleshy, trbular blossom [which emerges from the ground briore the
tly, hinoms jar some weeks, then dics} is that it makes itself offensive
auly before sundown,

"L brought the flower back ts my hut and planted it in the garden. Jt
Was on exhibitiun for two day’, durmg which twnc it behaved adimirsbly
and caused no chsconfart; its viciousness had disappeared, However, on
the third evening it polluted the pure equatorial air far a distance of 50
vards. Ungentle persuasivoness and Australian adjectives compelled te
Ly aren iny prize to its final resting, place, the roaring: waters of the wild

aloki,

"The Punga Pung is insectivorous, ax flics, heetles, bugs, worms, ete., ot
entering the tube, become entangled im the thick soupy syrups at its base.
Tt is indigenous to both eoastal and mauntsia regions.”

(Ed,; Amerphophatins rex Prain, also known from fndia, Malay, and
Java.)

PERSONAL

Mr. A, H. Chisholm, who for the past five years has been Honorary
Editar of the Mictorian Naturalist, has bad temporarily to relinquish the
position owing to his having been appointed Press Attache to His Royal
Highness the Dake of Gloncester, All material for the Natusaltst should
be addressed. until further notice. ta the Acting Ifon, Eelitor, My. J. Ta.
Willis, National Herbarium, Soith Yarra, SEL

220 Excuvsiott ta Ferntree Gully Bhai

EXCURSION TO FERNTREE GULLY

Light ram greeted the sixteen Club niombers wha attended an all-day
outing (9 the National Park on Marth 0 After assembling to hear a
brief dissertation on the subject of this excursiun, viz, Terns, by Mr, A. J.
Swaby (leader), the party split in two, my section taking a right-hand
track.

We soon encountered a fine patel of Gristle Fern just wif the track and,
a little further on, a very large Wanga Vine {our only native Tecoma)-
Many clumps of the Kangaroo Fern could be seen on mossy trunks and
branches of the Jow gully trees, and fungi were inch in evidence---one of
the gilled type was a delightful little gem af lriiliant ruby-red. At the
large grove of tree-ferns that was to be our principal hunting ground,
many ferns were found in a very short dime and our list rose to 16 species.

Just here the party was intrigued by sight of a powerful owl carrving
aff 2 full-grown possum; it flew about 50 yards in, one stage, then, before
we kest sight of it, at leaxt 71 vards more, still carrying the possum—surely
ay mugual event for mid-day. A heavy shower forced us to take caver
for ahout ten minutes beneath the irce-ferns, and we shortly afterwards
retraced our steps to the public kiosk, where both settions met together
for lunch and were joimed by additional excursionists from the city, More
rain having fallen, Mr, Swaby kept the whole alteracon party ta a main
track and the subject resolved itself into general botany ¢ leader gave
interesting notes on seme 40 different plants that were observed and
identified, including the pest St John’s Wort.

Here is q list of the 23 ferns that were seen durmg the day:

Austral King Fern, Crammon Pilmy-fern, Veined Bristle-fern, Soft Teec-
fers, Rough Tree-fern, Rufous Hypoltepis. Sticky Sypolepis, Common
Bracken, Hat's-wing Fern, Tender Brake, Netted Brake,” Common Maiden-
hair, Sickle Fern, Gristle Fern, Necklace Fern, Mother Spleenwort, Shade
Spleenwore, Shining Wood-fern, Mother Shield-fern, Lesthery Shiekd-fern,
Kangaroo Fern, Pinger Fern, Gipsy Fern.

“The record of Netted Brake (Pteris conwns) is particularly imrerrsting,
as this rare fern was previously known in the Dandenongs from only ane
small area, ¥i2., dq Clematis Gully.

T A, Grirrirns.

EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

About fory members and visitars attended and enjoyed a qniet afrerngoy
in ‘the shade on Pebvruary 24. The lagaon which usually, provides maximum
variety was alinest empty, but among the weeds were fond plenty of
Odonata, Hemiptern and Diptera, The best specimen of the day was as
usual, the fish that got away! This was a very Jarge green ‘‘mudeve,"
vetted in a shallow backwater of the Yarra; it was inadvertently returned
to the water,

The leader finished the day with a short talk on types of breathing
apparatus evolved by! msects which return to the watel, aid of some of the
interesting modifications of their jaws.

A, J. Swasy.

SCARCITY OF TIMBER IN EARLY MELBOURNE
"There is 36 great a Scarcity Of large, sound timber ft fur building, tbat
the greatest part of Melbourne is built with wood from Van Dieinen’s Land.
The want of gaod timber is generally felt theouthout the colony.”"—Letter
from Thomas Winter, Esq.. aboot 1837. }