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The 
South Australian Naturalist. 


Vol. X. NOVEMBER, 1928. ti Naat. 


THE ORIGINAL FLORA OF THE ADELAIDE PLAINS 
PART I. 
By J. B. Cleland, M.D. 


The native plants still to be found in the neighbourhood of 
Adelaide have not escaped the notice of recent botanists. Mr. 
J. M. Black, in an early number of this journal (Vol. I, No. 3, 
1918), under the title of “Vhe Primitive Flora of Adelaide”, not- 
ed 27 species at that date. Later Mr. EF. H. Ising, under the 
heading “List of Native Plants growing in. the Railway Reserve 
at Mile End” (Vol. V.. No. 2, Feb. 1924), added 13 more and 
supplemented this in November of the same year (Vol. VI., No. 1) 
with 6 further species, bringing the total to 46. In the present 
communication (Part I) a few generaf observations will be made 
with indications of wiere some species of native plants may still 
be found and this will be followed by two lengthy excerpts des- 
criptive of the botanical features of the area in the early days of 
the Province. In the second part, a more systematic attempt 
will be made to record where native plants may still be found, 
supplementing the information already known. 


The original flora has disappeared for the most part over the 
area bounded on the one hand by the Gulf from Brighton to 
Outer Harbour and on the other by the foothills of the Mt. Lofty 
Range. On the fertile plains cultivation first destroyed the ori- 
inal plants and now houses are replacing the fields of-corn, orch- 
ards and vineyards. ‘The primeval flora remains almost undis- 
turbed only in and behind the sandhills by the coast, on the 
salt-marshes and along the estuarine creeks with their paper- 
bark tea-tree and mangroves. More or less extensive relics are 
to be seen in the Reedbeds, in the Pinery on the eastern side of 
the Port River between Alberton and the Grange, in a small 
area of scrub with mallee near Enfield, in private properties abut- 
ting the foothills and slightly along the River Torrens and the 
Torrens Lake. A few Red Gums (Eucalyptus rostrata) stil re- 


Soa NAT... VOL. 


> aus : . ; 4 % 
Seen ae el fhe Originat Flora of the Adelaide Plains wev., 1928. 


main near watercourses as at the Reedbeds, at Fullarton and 
Burnside. Some Peppermint Gums (£. odorata) still survive at 
the Black Forest, Fullarton and Beaumont and occasional Yellow 
Gums (f. leucoxylon) at the latter place. Wallaby Grass (Dan- 
thonia penicillata) may be found in the newer eastern suburbs. 
‘two species of Stipa, Kangaroo Grass, Lomandra glauca and 
Acacia obligua occur on Beaumont Common. Vittadinia austra- 
vis (in two forms) and Ovxalis corniculata are still met with ik 
fields near Beaumont 


On the footpath of Fullarton road, beside the galvanized fence 
of the Fullarton laundry, is still to be seen a small patch of the 
sedge, Cyperus vaginatus. From this we can reconstruct to 
some extent the appearance of this spot when Adelaide was found- 
ed. The sedge shows that there is still some moisture present 
Evidently originally it was semi-swampy, probably with some 
tea-tree (Leptospermum) beside the shallow water. In the 
southern part of Knoxville there still remains a small area which 
becomes boggy in wet weather, Draining from this, till recently. 
was a watercourse that had become very deep from erosion into 
the clay soil. As shown by some saline incrustation, the water 
contains salts of some kind which account for the rather bare 
aspect around. ‘Being useless for building purposes this area has 
been made into a reserve. 7 riglochin striaia is sull found growing 
here as well as the common Spergularia rubra.  ‘Vhe 
grass Glyceria, stricta is also quite abundant. ‘Vhere ts a small 
area of swampy soil from a spring just north of St. Saviour’s 
Church, at Glen Osmond. Cyperus vaginatus flourished here till 
recently trampled out. The soil below this, west of the Portrush 
road, as shown by recent sewerage excavations, is black and 
peaty-looking through several feer of thickness. Water from a 
spring finds its way into the gutter on the north-east side of the 
Glen Osmond road. This year, bulrushes (Typha angustifolia) 
came up inthe gutter. The sweet-scented liliaceous Dichopogon 
was common thifty years ago in the Park Lands near the Adelaide 
Race-course, but seems to have disappeared. Boerhavia diffusa 
has turned up in a garden at Beaumont, probably a rare example 
of a native plant becoming a weed and extending its habitat 
Doubtless a few further examples of survivors, apart from the 
localities already specially mentioned, will be found on searching 
but they must be few. 


What records exist as to the plant covering of the extensive 
plains between the Reedbeds and the Mt. Lofty Range when 
Adelaide was chosen as the site of the capital citv? Were the 
plains chiefly grassy or shrubby, heavily timbered or lightly cov- 


ic 


S.A. NAT, VOL. xX. 


nov., 1928. f. B. Cleland, MD. 3 


ered with trees or with trees only near water-courses? It is 
difficult to find any full description but we catch a glimpse in 
James Backhouse’s “A Narrative of a Visit to the Australian 
Colonies” (1843). Backhouse was a Quaker, a keen and accur- 
ate observer and a good botanist. He landed at Glenelg on Nov- 
ember 28th, 1837, when the Province was not yet a year old. In 
a light chaise cart he drove with his captain to Adelaide “over a 
flat country, covered with grass, and scattered trees of Hucalyptus, 
Acacia and Banksia” and received a kind welcome from John 
Barton Hack and his wife. On November 30th, he walked seven 
miles to Port Adelaide. “The way was over two level plains, 
separated by a slight sandy rise, covered with wood. ‘The soil 
of the plains was a reddish loam, having a slight admixture of 
sand and calcareous matter. ‘They were covered with tufted 
grass and small herbs. Among the latter was a species of Hryn- 
gium, a foot high, the leaves of which are eaten with avidity by 
cattle, and some small, yellow-flowered Everlastings (Helichrys- 
um apiculatum?). Near Port Adelaide, the land becomes saline, 
and preduces crimson Mesembrianthemum, of three species 
(only two species, M. aequilaterale and M. australe, have been 
recorded as indigenous in South Australia—what was the third? 
Perkaps a more succulent form of the last named), along with 
numerous maritime shrubs. On a sandbank separating the plain 
from the salt marsh, which borders the creek or inlet that forms 
the harbour, there are trees of a species of Callitris, resembling 
Cypress. hese are here called Pines, and have trunks 40 feet 
high, which are used for piles. Casuarina quadrivalvis (C. stricta 
now), and Banksia australis (i.e. B. marginata), likewise grow 
here. On this bank there was an Orobanche, very like Orobanche 
minor of England...... The salt marsh was covered with two 
species of Salicornia, one of which was shrubby; interspersed 
among these, were two species of Frankenia, one of which was 


bushy, about a foot high, and besprinkled with rosy, pink blos- 


soms, the size of a silver penny. (Only F. pauciflora is now 
known from this locality. Was there another species?). The 
creck was margined with Mangrove, Avicennia tomentosa (A. 
officinalis) .” 

On December Ist, Backhouse visited the Torrens, a stream 
about a foot deep and four feet wide, though with numerous. pools 
in its course. “In some places there are reedy flats below the 
banks of the river, which are of red loam, and are ornamented 
by a variety of shrubs and flowers; among which are Lavatera 
plebeja, Verbena officinalis and two species of Goodenia (one 
would be G. ovata). 


S.A, NAT, NOL. xX, 
4 Phe Original Flora of the Adelaide Plains. nov., 1928. 


The same day, he walked a few miles towards the Mr. Lofty 
Range “on a plain which is several miles wide and extends from 
Cape Jarvis (sic) to the head of St. Vincent’s Gulf. It is covered 
with grass, and intersected with belts of Gum-trees, and a sickle- 
leaved Acacia (probably 4. pycnaniha). Some of the Kangaroo- 
grass was up to our elbows, and resembled two years’ seed mead- 
ows, in England, in thickness; in many places, three tons of hay 
per acre, might be mown off it. I had not seen anything to 
equal it, in this part of the world, except in some of the places 
that had not been browzed (stc), about Wellington Valley. Sev- 
eral small groups of honest-lcoking, Knglish labourers were mow- 
ing; but their work was only to be seen as little patches, on com- 
ing upon them.” On this walk Backhouse probably reached 
somewhere about the position of the present Portrush Road at 
Toorak or Knoxville. Contrast the growth of Kangaroo-grass 
(Themeda triandra) that he saw with the houses now occupying 
this area, preceded by fields of corn and dairy pastures. 


On December 6th, Backhouse walked with two of Jf. B. 
Hlack’s sons to a place called The Pines, about five miles from 
Adelaide. I think there is litthe doubt. fom the plants he 
noted there and the distance, that this is the place just beyond 
Infield visited in 1927 by the Field Naturalists’ Section. ‘The 
plants he records are all! still to be found, even to the “Gum-tree 
of low growth with vellowish-white blossoms” which aptly des- 
cribes the mallee, Hucalypius oleosa. Moreover, | know of no 
other likely situation that could be suggested as an alternative 
in which these plants might have been. ‘Vo continue with Back- 
house’s description: “This is a sandy tract, of limited extent and 
slight elevation, differing considerably in its vegetation from the 
ceneral features of this district. Among the trees, is the species 
of Callitris, here called Pine: the timber it affords is satd soon to 
decay: the tree is of- pyramidal figure, and seems distinct from 
any we have before seen. We also met with a Gum-tree of low 
erowth, with yellowish-white blossoms (evidently  /tucalyptus 
oleosa), an Exocarpus (1). spartea is found at Enfield), a ALyo- 
porum (M. deserti is still there), a Cassia, and several other trees 
and shrubs that were new to us.” 


On December 12th “we visited a sawyer’s station, among the 
hills, in the direction of Mount Lofty. After crossing the grassy 
plains of Adelaide, the first hills, which are nearly at a right- 
angle with the Mount Lofty range, are of limestone, with here 
and there, argillaceous rocks. ‘These hills are grassy, with a 


Ut 


5.A. NAT., VOL. X. 


nov., 192», J. B. Cleland, M.D. 


wn 


few trees, and a variety of plants. The next hills are more 
purely argillaceous, and have trees scattered upon them, like 
the last, they run rather steeply, into valleys, which are well shel- 


tered, and some of them have small streams at the bottom. 


Adjoining, there are slate hills, which have less abundant vegeta- 
tion, and more scrub. The next hills are of old red-sandstone, 
with poor, sandy soil, but qoqunding. in gay, vegetable produc- 
tions, in forest, of various species of f cucaly ptus; among these is 
the useful Stringy-bark, which some parties are sawing for boards 
and splitting for fencing. The carriage from this place to Adelaide 
is easy, being all the way downhill. Beyond this point, the 
mountain range exhibits white quartz; and persons who have 
passed Mount. Lofty, which may be 1,500 to 2,000 feet above the 
level of the sea, say that between it and Mount Barker, the 


country is fine and woody, and that it also looks well toward 


liake Alexandrina. On returning, we descended into a deep val- 
iey, at the junction of one of the slate hills, with one of the argil- 
laceous ones, of less slaty character, and found a waterfall of about 
160 feet, on a stream, called the White Hill Creek. (This must 
be the Waterfall Gully). Some of the hills, like the plains below, 
are covered with red loam, in which there is fine Kangaroo-grass 
(all now gone), that is green, notwithstanding the thermometer 
has, several times lately, risen to 107° in the shade. 


“A white-flowered Morna (I cannot suggest what this was) 
a downy, drooping flowered Pimelea (probably P. octophylla), 
a broad and a narrow-leaved Xanthorrhoea (X. semiplana and X. 
quadrangulata), and several other striking plants, were growing 
in the forest on the red sandstone. On the argillaceous hills, 
there was a shrub belonging (to) the Gentianae, with leaves re- 
sembling those of the Greater Periwinkle (possibly Logania vag- 
imalis), and a Pomaderris (Stylidium parvifolium, probably), with 
pale leaves next to the heads of flowers. Yodea africana (T. bar- 
bara), Grammitis rutaefolius (Ple AES rutifolius), and some 
other ferns were also here. Upon the limestone hills, were a 
broad-leaved Goodenia (GC. albii Ae still grows on this limestone), 
an Orobanche, and Lobelia gibbosa, this last is a singular annual, 
flowering after its leaves have fade.” 


Another glimpse of the covering of the Adelaide plains may 
be gained from J. W. Bull’s, “Karly Experiences of Col onial Life 
in South Australia” which, isn published in 1878, describes 
events in the early days, the author having arrived in the second 
year after the proclamation of the province. It appears there was 


S.A. NAT, VOL. x. 


0 Vivien Cleland, MOD, nov., 1928. 


a considerable amount of cattle-stealing not many years after 
the foundation of Adelaide, and Sergeant-Major Alford and 
another officer were detailed to make a thorough search dis- 
guised as bushmen. After visiting the gullies north of Adelaide 
and going south as far as the Sturt River and finding nothing, the 
Sergeant-Major decided to make a cast of the plains round Adel- 
aide. On passing Dr. Everard near his home at the Black I’orest, 
Alford was told that cattle had been seen being driven down 
the Forest track. Bull here mentions that, at the time he wrote 
(about 1878) on the opposite side of the road to the Ashford 
Estate there were still a number of trees (of Aucalyptus odorata 
chiefly), formerly part of the Black Forest, which, with the ex- 
ception of this, patch, has vanished, and they are now the only 
remains of that ancient and dense wood which extended from 
South-terrace towards Holdfast Bay, in many places having a 
thick undergrowth of scrub. The Sergeant-Major at this time 
decided to make a search and proceeding down a slight track 
for a mile and a half came to a fallen tree across the track. 
Creeping through the thick bush for a mile or so, he came sud- 
denly on a stockyard with cattle and men. Pretending to have 
observed nothing and to be searching for cattle, Alford gradually 
retreated and finally rode away for help. He returned with one 
man late in the night to make a further inspection but their 
presence being detected by the men who were at work and who 
could be heard steeling their knives, the two had to make an 
assault and captured one man, the other three escaping. It 
will be evident from this account what a thick forest of peppermint 
gums and undergrowth must have existed then to enable this 
“cattle-duffing” to be carried on for so long in a place so near 
the infant capital. The meat thus obtained was apparently sold 
to ships in port. Alas, hardly a vestige now remains of these 


old trees. 


F.N.S. LIBRARY, 


Please Note: The Librarian requests members to return all 
books as soon as possible before the end of the year. Books may 
be left with Mr. Beck, Cole’s Book Arcade, or at the Rooms, with 
slip enclosed showing name of member returning them. 


te 


c 


S.4, NAD, VOL. X. 
1928. South dustratian Shell Collectors Cli, 7. 


SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SHELL COLLECTORS’ CLUB. 

The following shell families, among others, were recently 
studied by this Club, and quite a large number of specimens 
were exhibited at various meetings :— 


Family LATERNULIDAE. 

Geological records state that shells (dnatinidae) belonging 
to this Family attained thereir maximum tages oy in the 
Jurassic period, and, of the many genera living in that age, only 
a few survived to the present day. Casual observation soon de- 
termines that these bivalves are to be placed in sathetdir category 
from those usually met with. ‘heir thin, translucent, white valves 
vape widely at one end, allowing the siphons free exit. These brown 
tubes—which cannot be completely withdrawn into the shell—are 
14 inches in length, eject a stream of water on being disturbed. 
A small cartilage socket is situated immediately under the beaks, 
supported by an oblique rib. Another distinctive feature is the 
right-angled groove or fissure extending from the beaks. 

Laternula creccina, Reeve, 1s plentiful in the Port Adelaide 
River, at a bp known as Snowdon Beach. Low tide discloses 
only a few loose dead valves lying about, but, on removing a 
layer of sand and mud, large numbers of living specimens may 
be collected. ‘rin siphons, which are partly clothed with an 
extension of the periostracum, reach to the surface of the mud. 
When cleaned, these delicately fashioned pearly shells, taken 
from such an uninviting habitat, present somewhat of a contrast 
to the usual order of things, 

Cochlodesma angasi, Crosse and Fischer, another member 
co, tue Family, is occasionally collected on eastern Yorke Pen- 
insula beaches measuring up to 3 inches in length. The valves 
of this fine shell show concentric growth lines, and generally have 
most of the Mearacteentles of the former specimen, eels ng that 
the right valve is comparatively flat, while the left side decidely 
bulged. 


Family CRASSATELLITIDAE. 

Several Crassatella ave recorded from South Australian wat- 
ers, including a large specimen of particular note—C. kingicola, 
Lamarck (1801). A typical shell from Port Lincoln harbor shows 
it to measure roughly 4 inches in length, 3 inches deep, and 2 
inches in width. As its name implies, it is heavy and_ solid, 
weighing 115 ozs. This shell is considerably attenuated poster- 


jorly—a line drawn through the umbo shows this to be as 3 to 1. 
f 


The concentrically striated valves—characteristic of the family— 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 
Native Flower Show. nov., 1928 


oo] 


are covered with a thick brown periostracum, eroded at the umbo, 


‘The muscle scars are deeply pitted, the anterior oval shaped, and 
the posterior—? inch in diameter—rounded. ‘These are joined 
by a fate pallial line. A deep cartilage pit exists in both valves. 
This shell occupies a premier position among local bivalves in 
point of size, excepting Pinna and Ostrea. ‘Though chiefly taken 
from waters in the vicinity of Port Lincoin, it has been dredged 
from several other places. Old, worn valves are occasionally 
found at the Outer Harbor, showing at no distant date, this speci- 
men was living at this place. An excellent description of C 
kingicola appears in Royal Soc. Trans. of S.A.. Vol. 29. (Sir 
J.C. Verco). 
Famtly CHAMIDAL., 


‘These bivalves usually cement their lower valves firmly to: 


! 

some loose stone or ledge of rock, and limy encrustations soon 
give them an irregular, shapless appearance. ‘lwo solid teeth 
in the right convex valve are opposed by one in the Jeft valve, 
which is comparatively small and flat. This method of attach- 
ment may be reversed, tn which case the teeth are also inter- 
changeable. ‘The elongated muscle scars, which show up prom- 
inently on the white interior, are joined by a simple, non-sinuated 
rallial line. Chama fibula, Reeve, represents this family in our 
waters, and examples measuring two inches across have beer 
collected in a perfect state on the beaches. 


VF. TRIGG, 
Hon. Secretary, S.A. Shell Collectors’ Club. 


October, 1928. 


ee | ed 


NATIVE FLOWER SHOW, OCTOBER. 12 AND 13, 1928. 

The official opening by the Lord Mayor (Mr. Lavington 
Bonython) took place on the Friday, the Lord Mayor being intro- 
‘duced by Mr. i 7 Hale, the Chaininats of the Section. 

The display was a very varied and beautiful one, though less 
in point of quantity than in some former shows. | Members 
worked energetically to make the Show a success. Unfortunately 
space will not allow the publication of the long list of helpers. 

One of the chief items was the pyramid pehibicing the massed 
flowers. The Schools display, the tables of named flowers, and 
the interstate displays (including as they did flowers from Wes- 
tern Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, with a special 


display from the Grampians) were especially attractive. Mr. 


iC 


$.A. NAT., VOL. x. 


_NOV., "1928. Nato Flower Show. 9 


Biter: of Basket Range, made a splendid display with flowers 
trom his garden of native plants. hese included Leschenaultias, 
Kangaroo Paws, Boronias and many other unique ‘specimens of 
Australia’s native flora. Mr. Edwin Ashby, of “Wittunga,” 
Blackwood, showed a fine exhibit of cultivated native flowers. 
ine native peaches, grown in Rose Park, were shown by Mr. 
W. Hill. 

Flowers were also received from bbercetngs > each of the 
interstate exhibits were sent by the Field Naturalists’ Clubs in 
the respective States, 

Many other branches of natural history were well represent- 
ed, insects from the Museum, minerals from the Department of 
Mines, the University, and from Mr. Thomas, birds shown by 
Cc ate White, Coastal Plants and Common Weeds shown by 
Mr. Lewis were on exhibition. Microscopic exhibits shown and 
explained by a band of enthusiasts under the direction of Mr. W. 
A. Harding. shells shown and describg1 by Mr. Kimber 
and his helpers, and woods from the S.A. Woods and Forests 
Dept. all added to the attractiveness of the Show, 

Tbe South Australian Aquarium Society made a fine exhibit 
of fishes and aquatic plants. 

The competition in paintings brought many fine examples 
of flower painting. 

The prizes for schools were awarded as follows:—Basket 
Range, Myponga, Monarto South, Crafers, Hermitage, Mylor. 

During the evening sessions illustrated lecturettes were given 
by Mr. Bellchambers, Mr. M. H. Hale, Dr. Basedow and Mr. 
1. F. Bailey and Mr. A. M,. Lea. 

Messrs. J. M. Black and J. F. Bailey judged flower exhibits 
and Miss M. Grigg the paintings. Space will not permit of men- 
tion of the many members who worked with such splendid spirit 
on the various committees. 


ANNUAL MEETING, AUGUST 21, 1928. 


The forty-fifth annual meeting of the Society was held at the 
society’s rooms on August 21st, under the presidency of Mr. W. 
Champion hoe: Te annual report, Bz by the honorary 
secretary (Mr. E. H. Ising), showed 188 members, new members 
totalling fe) soe members had been removed by death—Mr. 
Edgar R. Waite, the highly esteemed and distinguished Director 
of the S.A. Museum; Mr. W. J. Webb, an enthusiastic worker of 
the microscopical section, and an energetic worker at the annual 


wove, 1928: 


10 Annual S.A. NAT., VOL 


Wild Flower Show; dant Mrs, E. Drumniond, who was popular 
among the members. During ye year 27 excursions by tram, 
train, launch and charabanc had been undertaken for the study 
of native flora, aquatic life, i i Va geology, bird life, mol- 
lusca and crustaceans, physiography, orchids, wattles. fruit cul- 
ture, cultivated native plants, and Australian trees. Lectures 
(some with lantern slides) had been given by Mr. ‘T. P. Bell- 
chambers (“The Life History of the Mallee Fowl”), Dr. Fenner 
(“Petrology” and “Chick Develop ment”), Mr. W. A. Harding 
(“Floral Organs’), Mr. H. M. Ha le (“Crustaceans”), Rev. H. A. 
Gunter (“Foraminifera”), Mr. F. B. Collins ( ‘Histology’ Aye NATE 
J. W. Hosking (“Aquatic Plant) Mr. Wilson (°T he Water 
Flea”), Mr. C.'T. White, F.L.S., Government Botanist, Brisbane 
(on “Rain forests of Queensland a New Guinea”), Sir bees, 
Sowden (“Penclogy’”), Professor J. B. Cleland and Mr. E. H, 
Ising (“Botany”), Mr. W. Ham ( Asi uioptapisy of Meee oe ae 
Mr. W. J. Kimber (“Life on a Gun | Island”), Mr. P. H. Williams 
(Peeps into Other Lands”), and Mr. A. G. Edquist (“Our 
Birds”). ‘The S.A. Naturalist, the journal of the section, during 
the year had contained contributed articles by Professor Cleland, 
Messrs. H. M. Hale, P. S. Hossfeld, B.Sc., W. J. Kimber, N. B. 
Tindale, J. Sutton, and J. ‘VT. Cunningham, and Dr. C. Fenner, 
and reports of lectures and excursions. ‘The editor is Mr. W. 
Flam, F.R.ELS., Adelaide University. The ninth annual wild 
flower show in the Adelaide Town Hall, last September, had 
yielded a net profit of £45. ‘The work in the herbarium, under 
Professor J. B. Cleland, had made substantial progress. A new 
species of Olearia, with other specimens, had been sent from 
Burrungul School. Many specimens from the flower show, sent 
ee other schools, were named and bl gah ‘Two new species, 
Sitpa nitida (a spear grass), and Swainsona adenophylle, were 
received from Mr. F. D. Warren, of Finnis Springs. The herbar- 
ium had been used by Mr. J. M. Black in compiling his “Flora of 
South Australia.” Miss I. Roberts, librarian, had resigned, and 
Miss M. Roeger had been appointed to the position. The annual 
Tere of the fauna and flora protection committee was presented 

Mr. J. E. Lewis Machell. It referred to measures taken by 
the Government to preserve the native currant (4crotriche 
depressa) and to the question of saving the grey kangaroos at 
present found in certain part of the Adelaide hills. Mr. Harding 


tead the report of the faves opical Section, alluding to the revival 


of this section for the study of minute life. ‘The subj ects tbpepad 
ranged from foraminifera to histology. Several clave rs_ of 


—s 


~~. — 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 
nov., 1928. Lxeur TONS, ll 


technical ability promised lectures alin the ensuing year. ‘The 
meetings are held in the Royal Society’s rooms on the last ‘Tues- 
day evening of every month. ‘The third annual report of the shell 
collectors’ committee was read by Mr. F. Trigg. The committee 
had had a successful year, and numbered 25 members. A prelim- 
inary survey had been made of the molluscan class of Gasteropoda 
and Scaphoda (tooth shells), Polyplacophora, Cephalopoda (cut- 
tle fish), and Brachiopoda (lamp shells), and surveys were in pro- 
gress in the class Pelecypoda. ‘The treasurer (Mr, F. Trigg) 
showed a credit balance of £23. ‘The chairman (Mr. W. C. 
Hackett) read an instructive address covering most of the phases 
of the sections’ activities. In the election of officers, Mr. H. M. 
Hale was chosen as chairman, and with few exceptions, the old 
committee were re-elected. 


=  O 


EXCURSION TO WATTLE GROVE, SOUTH PARK LANDS, 
AUGUST 18, 1928. 


Members of the Section met Sir William Sowden at the 
Wattle Grove. Sir William conducted the party through the 
plantation, and im an interesting chat explained the twofold pur- 
pose of the ppende Dav League—the aims being to keep green 
the memory of the heroic men who gave their lives in the war, 
the intention being that each of those who fell should be repres- 
ented by a tree planted by a near relative, and the second aim 
to inculate in the rising generation a love of Nature, and particu- 
larly of our indigenous flora—so unique and quaintly beautiful. 
It was the purpose to have an acacia in bloom during every 
month of the year, so that the cycle of seasons might always have 
a representative in the dainty and exquisite wattle blossom. The 
movement had had its origin in South Australia, but had spread 
to every State of the Commonwealth and to New Zealand. It 
owed its inception to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Torode. Starting from 
the granite monument erected in memory of the landing on Galli- 
poli, the plantation extends from South terrace to Park terrace, 
Wayville, and comprises a broad avenue of acacias and other 
Australian trees, with several irregular areas similarly planted. 
Among the wattles were noted 4. pycnantha, A. cultriformts, 
d. longiformis, A. armata, A. decurrens, and several other var- 
ieties. Unfortunately, vandalism has not spared this valuable 
reserve. Fresh trees have been planted in place of these, and 
some have flourished and attained considerable dimensions. The 


be $.\. NAT., VOL. X. 
ae S Excursions. wov., 1928. 


soil is not altogether suitable, and in the lower parts needs drain- 
ing. Fwery visiting Governor, the Governor-General and their 
ladies have planted a tree in this historic grove. An interesting 
memorial is a tree that was wee ped from his aeroplane by the 
jate Capt. H. Butler on Wattle Dav, 1919, and was planted by 
His Honor the Chief Justice (Sir George Murray). In this ex- 
ploit Capt. Butler nearly came to grief, as the tree got entangled 
in the cordage of his machine. 
EXCURSION TO WARPOO, NEAR LYNDOCH, 
SEPTEMBER 8, 1928. 

A small party under the leadship of Mr. I.. H. Ising, travelled 
by rail motor to Warpoo and spent a delightlul day among ie 
native flowers near the Warpoo siding. Several varieties of t 
carnivorous Drosera (Sundew) included D. elanduligera ae ‘h 
differed from the ordinary kind in bearing red instead of the usual 
white flowers also D. Whittakert and D, Menztesu, Dianella (little 
Diana), Bulbine bulbosa, Grevillea lavandulacea (sometimes 
known as cat’s claws) with its long red protruding styles, Hel- 
chrysum (golden sun), a composite everlasting, Kennedya prosta- 
ia (red or scarlet runner), Dillwynia and the golden-brown 
blossoms of Pultenaea laxiflora, also Swainsona lessertifolia, 
tnchylaena (succulent cloak) tomentosa (covered with hairs), 
Calotis hispida, Schoenus, Leucopogon, (white beard), Myoporum 
viscosum, a species of speargrass (Stipa), Pimelea, known as rice 
grass, buttercups aie Bre lappaceaus) nee interest and 
colour to the pleasant ramble.. Microseris (little lettuce) the 
native yam, Astrofoma conostephioides and A, humifusa (spread 
on the ground), Velleya paradoxa (kuown as the native pansy), 
the white flowering Stylidium despecta, Hydrocotyle (small water 
cup), Poly pompholyse (many bubbles), Chthonocephalus (grand 
head with silvery leav es), Calotis (lovely ear), Helipierum (wing- 
ed sun), the “wild hop” (Doedonea viscosa), several species of 
Crassula with thick succulent leaves only 1 inch high, some with 
stalks and little red scale at the base of the petals. The snake 
tongued fern (Ophioglossum) was widely distributed. The shrubs 
Daviesia and Dillwynia were also in flower. Orchids were rep- 
resented by the dainty Diuris (two tailed) maculata (spotted) 
with its brown and yellow spots, Caladenia reticulata (the spider 
orchid). The trees included acacias (wattles), native pines 
(Gallitris). and eucalypts. Acacias included 4. armata (prickly), 
4, calamifolia (reed leaved), A. continua, A. spinescens. The 
Portulacca (milk carrier), Caladrinia is distributed through the 
greater part of South Australia. The fleshy leaves contain abun- 
dant moisture. In the sandhill pastoral country large areas 


a 


Excurs ons. 13 


covered with its beautiful purple flowers form a pleasing picture 
and moreover it has valuable fodder qualities. It is known as 
“parakylia,’ and cattle remote from any water can live for 
weeks on this succulent herbage. 


EXCURSION TO PORT WILLUNGA, SEPTEMBER 29,1928. 

A small party journeyed to Port Willunga per charabanc but 
the exceptionally stormy weather drove them to take refuge in 
the vehicle and return to the city. 


EXCURSION TO MYPONGA, GCTOBER 10, 1928, 

On Wednesday, October 10, under the leadership of Dr. J. 
4. Cleland, members of the Field Naturalists’ Society visited 
Myponga on botanical investigation. The bush proved very rich 
in native flora, but the season was rather early for blossoming. 
Hibbertia (Guinea flower) decked the hills with their golden 
bloom. The deep azure of Chetranthera, with five yellow 
stamens, was significant of its scientific name meaning “hand- 
flower.” ‘The white left-handed Scaevola owes its romantic name 
to an ancient legend. Orchids included Caladenia carnea (Mesh 
coloured), C. dilatata (spiders). Glossodia major (the tongue or- 
chid), Thelymitra ixioides, T. rubra (lady’s red headdress), 
antenntfera, and Diuris. ‘The carnivorous Drosera (sundew 
were in great numbers, including D. glanduligera and D. auricu- 
lata. Other blooms collected were Chamaescilla corymbosa, Caesia 
zittata (blue lily), Hydrocotyle (wild carrot), Viola Sieberiana, 
lsopogon ceratophyllus (horny leaf), Leptospermum, Platylob- 
ium obtusangulum (wild ivy, one of the most beautiful of native 
flora), Helichrysum (golden sun, a gorgeous everlasting), Dill- 
veyinia hispida (hairy), Microserts (little. lettuce). 


EXCURSION TO ALDGATE, NOVEMBER 10th, 1928. 


Under the guidance of Dr. C. Fenner,a party of members 
oi the Field Naturalists’ Section spent the afternoon. of the 10th 
of November in the study of the physiography of the Adelaide 
Plains and of the Mount Lofty hills, A first stop was made at 
the Glen Osmond quarries. In the steep scarp the bedding of 
the blue slates and the quartzites was clearly observed. These 
rocks had been deposited in successive horizontal strata in shal- 
low water millions of years ago, and the layers had been slowly 
uplifted during the ancient mountain building period to an angle 
of 45 dee. A broad vein of quartz, brown and weathered, could be 
clearly traced about midway in the cliff. This well-defined mass 
had found its way through cracks in the sedimentary rocks while 
the quartz was in solution. The joint planes, at right angles to 


S.AD‘NAT., VOL. X. 
14 Excursions. wove, 19285" 


ene another were of great service to the quarrymen, enabling 
them, with comparative ease, to dislodge large blocks of stone. 
At the Fagle-on-the-Hill the party left the charabane and from a 
favorable vantage point obtained an extensive and magnificent 
view of the city and its environs from the gulf to the foothills, 
and north in the direction of Gawler. From this spot it was 
easy to follow Dr. Fenner’s account of the many gradual but 
stupendous geological changes that had prepared this great fertile 
tract for the abode of man, and to conjure up pictures of the 
landscape in those remote ages. First, a wast ocean rolled over 
the plains from the Great Australian Bight eastwards 
to the Victorian Grampians, and north almost to Broken Hill. 
During that submergence millions of marine creatures lived and 
died in the waters, and their skeletons, sinking in the ooze, had 
in the course of countless milleniums, formed vast beds of lime- 
stone. ‘Then followed a period of very slow but continuous uplift, 
amd the limestone layers rose above the retreating waves. The 
Mount Lofty Ranges were uplifed and the two gulfs were lowered. 
Torrential rains scored channels to the soft rock, rivers and 
creeks began to flow, carrying in their streams fragments of rock, 
gravel, sand, and mud, and spreading them down to the shallow 
waters near the present coastline. The same irresistible process 
was going on to-day before our eyes, and the Torrens was laying 
down its load of silt and detritus behind the sandhills of Henley 
and Grange; and nothing that they could do would arrest this 
upbuilding of the great delta plain. 


Dr. Fenner pointed out the succession of shelves or platforms 
that form a step-like front to the Mount Lofty Ranges. At the 
Croydon bore ts an ancient block 1,000 feet below the surface 
covered with marine and river deposits. At Kent Town there 
had been found another block 400 feet down, similarly capped 
with limestones and muds. ‘The Burnside block was 500 feet 
above sea level. The Belair block stood at 1,000 feet; the Sturt 
block at 1.600 feet, and above that rose the dominant Mount 
Lofty block. A short pause was made at a quarry between 
Glen Osmond and Eagle- on-the- Fill, where Professor Sir Edge- 
worth David claimed to have found the most ancient fossils yet 
discovered, 


“arther on the road to Mount Lofty Mr. E. H. [sing called 
attention to the marked distinction in the vegetation of the round- 
ed grassy hills formed by layers of slate and clay, and sombre 
forests of the Stringy-bark growing on beds of hard quartzites. 


hy 


Ee ASNATL YY VOL, &. 


1928. Excursions. 15 


COMBINED EXCURSION WITH CAMERA CLUB, 
OCTOBER 27, 1928. 

On October 27, the Camera Club joined with the Field 
Naturalists’ section of the Royal Society in an excursion to 
the National Park. Many wiid flowers were in bloom, and 
the party followed the path that Jed through the tunnel 
under the railway and up the rocky gorge to beetling 
recks, which might have provided a stupendous  water- 
fall if the water had not been practically non-existant. From a 
rocky ledge Mr. W. Ham discoursed on the way in which those 
mighty cascades had been formed, and stretched the imagination 
to breaking point by comparisons with Niagara and with the 
Victoria Falls on the Zambesi. He pointed out that the tower- 
ing rock faces consisted of materials differing greatly in hardness 
and in resistance to the action of the acids found in falling and 
running water. The softer rocks in the course of the stream, 
such as lime, sandstone, and iron, were decomposed by carbonic 
acid or rusted by oxygen, and the refuse had been carried away 
by running water. Even in dry countries like our own there 
was a “skin” of moisture deposited on the rocks which acted as a 
solvent; and wind, grit, and water removed this, exposing fresh 
surfaces to repeated attacks. The harder quartzites, of which 
the bulk of the strata consisted, resisted these agents of disintegra- 
tion and formed a barrier over which the angry water had tumb- 
led in surging foam, thus forming one of the most beautiful sights 
in Nature. As the softer material was swept away, great gorges 
shut in with sheer precipitous rock faces were gradually scooped 
out. By that unintermittent but almost imperceptible action, 
hese rocky sides had been gradually rounded off and valleys shap- 
ed like the letter U were formed in the lower reaches, known as 
“Old Valleys;” while in the upper course of the stream the steep 
V-shaped channel betokened a “Young Valley.” ‘The rate at 
which the waterfall had retreated up the valley had depended 
on the character of the rock, the quantity of the rainfall and 
the steepness of the descent. 


20; 


THE MICROSCOPIC COMMITTEE. 


‘The past year as seen an effort to re-establish the Micros- 
copic Committee of the Field Naturalists’ Section of the Royal 


Saciety. 


; ; S.A. NAT. VOL, x. 
16 The Microscopic Committee. nov., 1928. 


The Committee which functioned so successfully for many 
years under the inspiration of the late Mr. Bradley had unfor- 
tunately been allowed to lapse, and it was felt by several mem- 
bers of the Section that members should have the opportunity & 
to demonstrate the microscopic sections of their various subjects, 
and incidentally gain an insight into the field of other workers. 

Ienergetic efforts have therefore been made to encourage v 
the work of the Committee, and the membership in active at- 
tendance is steadily growing. Subjects considered have ranged 
from Histology to Foraminifera and studies in Pond Life. All 
subjcets have been amply ilustrated with suitable slides, speci- i 
mens, etc., and have proved extremely interesting to all present. 

For members who have not the advantage of seated tech- 
nique with the Microscope here is an opportunity to gain ex- 
perience from others and use instruments that may be beyond 
their individual possession. In addition to the use of the excel- 
lent microscopes kindly lent by the Royal Socitey, a number 
of useful and unusual instruments have been demonstrated by 
some of the members. * 

In addition to the instruments mentioned, the Committee 
is indebted to the Royal Society for the use of the Room of meet- 
ing, and, also, it is hoped that in the near future the excellent 
library (on matters microscopic) will be placed at the Committee’s 
disposal. 

An appeal is made to all interested to link up with the pres- 
ent members of the Committee, as it is felt that much mutual 
benefit can be so gained. Further information can be obtained 
from the President (Mr. A. W. Harding) or the Secretary (Mr. 
Collins, c/o Customs House, Port Adelaide). 


THE PLANTS OF THE ENCOUNTER BAY DISTRICT 
NOTES ON THE ECOLOGY (Concluded). 


By J. B. Cleland, M.D. a 
Continued from Vol. IX., No. 4, August, 1928, p.p. 57-60. 


VIL. Hill-slopes and Gravelly Sandy Loam and Clay Subsoi' 
with widely dispersed eae fasciculosa, etc. 


The type of vegetation presented by this area is an oper 
forest, usually of Eucalyptus ph iene (Pink Gum) with some 
f5e leucoxylon (Yellow Gum), the trees being widely separated 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 
nov., 1928. The Plants of E neounter Bay District. 17 


so as to leave plenty of exposure to sunlight. ~ Between and under 
the trees are various shrubs and under-shrubs. ‘The soil varies 
somewhat with corresponding slight Vente Hous in the plants, 
either as regards species or as regards relative prevalence. A 
good example, now however being cleared for sowing subterran- 
ean clover, may be seen on the south side of the Inman Vallev 
road, opposite the turn-off to the Hindmarsh ‘Tiers and the 
residence formerly of Mr. and Mrs. Moulden. This hill is a 
sandy loam with small glacial erratics and some gravel-with a 
more clayey soil below. In addition to the two [ucalypts men- 
tioned, E. viminalis (Manna Gum) grows near small creeks des- 
cending from the area, and there are a few She-oaks (Casuarina 
stricta) and occasional Native harrs (Exocarpus cupressi- 
formis). As regards the taller shrubs, there are thickets of 
Casuarina striata, the plants as usual being upright and twiggy. 
‘These were in flower in September, 1928—female plants with 
cones were most abundant, the “male” plants with their yellow- 
ih stamens showing usually also a few cones. A few plants of 

Muclleriana, forming more rounded bushes, were iene the 
vite in flower with stamens redder than those of the previous 
species. One plant of C. pusilla, in this case growing to a height 
of three and a half feet. was noted. Other tall shrubs i irregularly 
scattered comprise Golden Wattle (4ceacia pycnantha), Kangaroo 
Bush (4. armata). Pultenaca daphnoides in moister parts, Yanth- 
erthoea semiplana-Tatcana, and in wetter parts Leptospermium 
scoparium. Of lower shrubs passing into under-shrubs, [/ibbertia 
stricta was dominant in places as small separate bushes and 
there were scattered examples of Leptospermum myrsinoides, 
Acacia myrtifolia, A. verticillata, Hakea rugosa and less frequent 
i. rostrata, H. ulicina, Isopogon ceratophyllus, Pultenaea larg- 
florens var. latifolia, Platylobium obtusangulum and Oleayia 
ramulosa var, microphylla. A small yer of Melaleuca decus- 
suta was composed of low plants. - \ still more lowly level in 
plant height, somewhere about a foot, was represented by the 
sedge Le »pidos pe rma concavum which in places had nearly taken 
complete possession, ‘Tufts of L. earphoides were numerous. 
Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) was common. Other 
vrasses were Pui § only and comprised Neurachne alopecur- 
rie Sttpa, Banipones, Briza maxima and Agropyrum scabrum, 
"The Wood-rush Lusala c campestris comes up i the spring but 
is not common. funcus pallidus was in water-courses. ‘The 
Carrot Fern (Cheilanthes tenuifolia) was frequent. ‘There were 
a few Liliaceous plants such as Dianella a revoluta, Lomandra dura, 
L. elauca and Dichopogon (in spring). There were also a few 


nov., 1928. 
18 The Plants of Encounter Bay District. S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 


Elants of Cladium Pine Hypolaena pave Mad Rumex 
Brownu, Ranunculus lappaceus, Dillwynia hispida, Pelargonium 
australe var. erodioides, Stackhousia monogyna, Leucopogon con- 
curvus, Halorrhagis tetragyna, Helichrysum apiculatum, Erech- 
tates and Craspedia Richea. ‘The spring orchids may be men- 
tioned here, of which a Thelymitra, Lyperanthus mgricans in 
leaf, a Diuris, Caladenia deformis and Glossodia major were not- 
ed. Prostrate spreading plants consisted of Kennedya prostrata 
(Scarlet Runner), Bossiaea prostraia, Astroloma  humifusum 
(Native Cranberry) and Dichondra repens. Of about the same 
height were small tulted plants such as Schoenus apogon and 
S. Teppe rt, small grasses as for example Aira caryophyllea, Briza 
minor, Poa annua ad Festuca myosuros, and small dicotyledons 
as Rusex acetosella (Sorrel), Cerastium glomeratum (Mouse-ear 
Chickweed), Drosera auriculata and probably D. peltata, Oxalis 
corniculata, Hypericum gramineum and Mucroseris  scapigera, 
most of which were in few numbers. 

The minute spring ephemeral plants are an interesting feature 
of the lowest level of vascular plants. They flourish for a few 
weeks in the moist, sandy soil of this and many other areas 
in the district. Amongst these were noted Tvriglochin centro- 
carpa, the small neat tufts of Scirpus antarcticus, Centrolepis aris- 
tata and (, strigosa, Anguillaria dioica, Hypoxis glabella, Calan- 
drinia?, Drosera Whittakeri, D. pygmaea, Crassula Sieberiana, C. 
macrantha, Hydrocotyle callicarpa, Mullotia tenutfolia and Ruti- 
dosis pumilo. 

Of parasitic plants, Loranthus Miguel occurred on Lucalyp- 
tus rae a and he two False Dodders, Cassytha melantha 
and C. glabella, climbed round various plants. 

Occasional examples of the following plants were also noted: 
Chamaescilla corymbosa, Bartlingia sessiliflora, Grevillea lavan- 
dulacea, Rosa rubiginosa Gmcetbiiar), Acaena, Acacia spines- 
céns, Trifolium procumbens, Viola Sieberiana and Hypochaeris 
radicata. 


— Miscellanea — 
Bay of Biscay Semi-swamp. Lepidosperma concavum-C horizan- 
dra enodis-Callistemon rugulosus Association. 

In places on the landward side of the scrub stretching towards 
Newland’s Head are areas of Bay of Biscay ground, consisting 
of circular ge presgians a foot or so deep and several yards across, 
separated from each other by round ridges. This country is 
dry in summer but the depressions, naving clay bottoms, hold 

water or are moist in winter. One such area, about a mile and a 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X, > 


nov. 1928, By f. B. Cleland, M.D. 19 


half from the Bluff, occupies several acres and as the veyetation 


presents some peculiarities, it seems worth describing. "Whe pre- 
dominant plants are L. coucavum, occupying the ridges and com- 
peting with the less abundant C. enodis for the drier hollows. 
©. enodis ic abundant and often alone in the deeper depressions, 
a type of situation—partly submerged or damp in winter—ap- 
parently always taken by this sedge. The plants give a distinct 
colour-tone to the areas on which they occur. Next to these two, 
Callistemon rugulosus is abundant on many ridges and is very 
beautiful, with its crimson stamens, when in flower, though the 
shrubs are low and rather spread out. Hardly noticeable but 
eften producing a considerable harsh sward on the ridges is 
Schoenus Teppert. ‘ow shrubs of Eucalyptus cosmophylla and 
small plants of Welaleuca decussata are not uncommon. Hakea 
rugosa also favours this yellow clavey soil, the shrubs being num- 
erous in parts. dcacia ‘farinosa is met with here but not else- 
where in this district, Not uncommon and found as vet 
nowhere else in the district is the pretty, low Rhamnaceous plant 
Pomaderriz: obcordata with bifid ends to the leaves. Autania 
microphylla is scattered throughout and a colony of Styphelia 
exarrhena was found. Near this were two plants of the rare 
Leucopogon Cleland, flowering in May, in which month at Coon- 
alpyn it was first found about 16 years ago and has only been 
found once since at Kangaroo Island. "There were a consid- 
erable number of plants of derotriche aes with their prickly 
leaves. The following additional plants were few in nando and 
did not participate appreciably in making i the facies: —A few 
scattered grasses, Juncus pauciflorus, Dianella revoluta, Loman- 
dra dura, the orchid Orthoceras stricltum, Grevillea ilictfolia (near 
the edge), Cassytha clabella, Drosera Whittakeri, D. sp. (upright 
stem). Daviesia uhcina, Oxalis corniculata, Phyllanthus australis, 
Hibbertia (fairly common), Pimelea, Eucalyptus -leucoxylon 
Vow). Halorrhagis teucrioides, H. sp.. Astroloma harmifusum, 
Dampiera, Goodenia ovata, Cassinia aculeata and Calocephalus 
cutreus. 


New Vegveration on Shifting Stran Sand blocks more or 
jess the exits of the Hindmarsh and Inman Rivers. Floodwaters 
on the one hand and exceptionally high tides on the other tend 
to break down and shift the accumulation of sand. In summer, 
often neither stream has any escape for its water. During 1927 
some alterations occurred at the mouth of the Inman gua a por- 
tion of the exit. previously bare sand, had more sand, probably 
with some silt as well, superadded so as to give harbourage to 


plants. Of this, advantage was soon taken so that a number of 


STA. NAT; VOU. 


20 ith Lhe Plants of Encounter Bax Distriet 


young plants were noted in January, 1928, and these had con- 
siderably increased in size by May. ‘The plants were scattered 
over the area and the following were noted as having been able 
to establish themselves in this newlv-made bed:—The grasses 
Spinifex hirsutus, Sporobolus virginicus, Polypogon mons pieliensis, 
Lagurus ovatus, Phragmites communis (died out by May), Fes- 
tuca rigida, Bromus probably B. madritensts, Lepturus incurvatus 
and Hordeum, the sedge Scirpus nodosus, Rumex sp. Lmenx 
australis, Polygonum aviculare, Rhagodia baccata, Chenopodium 
murale, Ch. glaucum, Atriplex ctnereum, Salsola kali, Suacda 
australis, Enchylaena tomentosa, Lythrum hyssopifolia? (one 
plant), Oenothera edoreta (one), Lycium ferocissimum (Box- 
thorn, one), Datura stramonium, Plantago lanceolatus (ew). P. 
coronopus (abundant), Olearia axillatis (one), Cryptostemma 
calendulaceum, Cirstum lanceolatum, Sonchus oleraceus and 
Ty pochaeris radicata. 


10: 

Owing to pressure on our space an interesting 

article on aboriginal carvings has been held 
over to the next issue. 


(Oy 
ADDITIONS TO OUR LIBRARY. 

tL. The Australian Museum Magazine, Vol. IL. No. 8. Articles on the 
Sicentenary of the birth of Captain James Cook and on “New Guinea: 
Land of the Devil Devil” are particularly interesting. 

2. Journal of the Amold Arboretum, July, 1928. 

3. The Queensland Naturatist, July, 1928. 

4. The Victorian Naturalist. August, September and October Numbers. 

5. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. XII. 1926-1927. 
The first paper contains the names of Witty New Species and Six New 
Varieties of Western and Northern Australian Acacias. ‘The Voleamic 
History of Western Australia by, A. Gibb Maitland is another notabk 
contribution. 

1. On the Barrier Reef. 

2. Report of the Victorian Naturalists’ Expedition through the Western Dis- 


trict of Victoria in October, 1927. The tour was organised by Mr. F. 
EF. Pescott. F.L.S., to visit part of the Grampians in Western Victoria. 
The report, which is well illustrated. gives a fall account. of the botany 
and physiography of this region with notes on the insect life etc. 

3, The Peopling of Australia, Issued for the Institute of Pacific Relations 
Edited by P. D. Phillips and G. L. Wood. The Essays deal with great 
Australian Problems of Population, Immigration, Eugenics, Industries. 
Climates. White Settlement of Australia. etc 


The South Australian Naturalist 


4. Yhe Journal of the Field Naturalists’ Section of the Royal 
2 Society of South Australia and of the South Australian 
Aquarium Society. 


sc gD AREA 


yO Mee 


“Feb, 1929 


Adelaide © 


VOL X., 3 No. 2 . 
~~ CONTENTS. : 
Habits of Sore Australian Freshwater Fishes, By Clarence Blewett 21-29 
Further Notes on Aboriginal Rock Carving in South Australia, 
Bye Prerbert vic bighe ae ccc snap end emul eatery 30-34 | 
sg igen ie) nace lag On.qclteoisiat pty ePecy sea erea eat emer reer mn Pree Aa Neer ey 34-36 
Tie -“Sandalwood of SAA. and = Watye rr squcene all cording imap oer et 36 
—0:—— 
The authors of papers are responsible for the facts 
recorded and opinions expressed. 
Address of the Section: C/o Royal Soeiety’s Booms, Institute 
. Building, North Terrace, Adelaide. 
a 


Published Quarterly Single Copy—NINEPENCE 


Obtainable from Cole’s Book Arcade, No. 14 Rundle Street, 
Adelaide. 


Felatead & Omsby, Print, Gilbert Place, Adelaide, "Phone C. 1584 


te 


The 
South Australian Naturalist. 


Vol. X. FEBRUARY, 1929. No. 2. 


HABITS OF SOME AUSTRALIAN FRESHWATER FISHES, 


By Clarence F. Blewett, South Australian Aquarium Society. 


‘The following notes are the result of observations of some 
of our small freshwater fishes, carried out during the last two 
years. Breeding behaviour was observed in large rectangular 
aquaria, 24 inches in length, 11 inches in width and 12 inches in 
depth. ‘These contained about 12 gallons of water each, and 
were well aerated with growing aquatic plants. 

I consider that care of the fish prior to the breeding season 
has a marked effect on the results obtained. Fishes which | 
hope to induce to spawn in my tanks are installed in 12 gallon 
aquaria throughout the winter and the temperature is maintained 
in the vicinity of 70°F. so that with the advent of spring the 
fish are in excellent condition. This ts particularly necessary in 
the case of those which exercise parental care of the eggs. 


MOGURNDA ADSPERSA (Castelnau), 

This fish, popularly known in South Australia as the Chequ- 
ered Gudgeon or “Krefftius”, is moderately common in the River 
Murray system, and according to Hale (1) was, at one time plen- 
tiful in the River Torrens, where it was used by anglers as live 
bait for the introduced European Perch, 

It is weit known, to those who search for Mogurnda, that 
repeated visits to pools and lagoons which the fish is known 
to inhabit mav be without result in the winter, but that in the 
spring and summer numerous examples are found in these situa- 
tions. It therefore seems probable that the fishes migrate from 
deeper water or the main body of the streams in the summer 
time and spend the winter in sheltered situations in the last- 
named. Gently running or almost stagnant, clear waters are pre- 
ferred to any other: secluded situations on weedy ground are 
selected as a rule, but the fish spends part of its time poised in 


(1) Hale, Aquatic Life, iv, 1919, p. 148. 


ay By 


eshevater Fishes 


open ne between vegetation, resting motionless on weeds near 
the warmer surface water, or resting on the bottom. The species 
tarely swims continuo susly for long distances, but prog is 
accomplished in a series of jerky darts. The caudal fin is often 
used to propel the fish, but the pectorals are used to a much 
greater extent when it is moving about quietly. Although num- 
bers of the species may be present in one pool, they do not con- 
eregate in schaols : 

A good method of capturing the fish is by using a handnet, 
preferably rectangular in shape, with a bag of about 18 inches in 
length attached at right angeles to a stick some 8 to 10 feet in 
length. The net is thrust out amongst the water-weeds and 
quickly drawn in towards the bank with a downward swoop. 
The net need not be entirely immersed for, as previously men- 
tioned, the Mogurnda likes to bask in the sun, resting on the 
weeds near the surface. 

The natural food consists of young yabbies, shrimps and 
insects. In peters the fish readily accepts living earthworms, 
while scraped beef is taken by ex amples accustomed to life in 
tanks. Food is taken voraciously, the fish making a determined 
drive to secure it, turning almost on one side. Feeding takes 
place at any time during the day and in summer food is accepted 
every day, although in winter comparatively little 1s eaten. 


The rate of respiration varies very greatly with ae le 
excitement, etc., but the gill movements of a quiet fish, at 80° F. 
are about 108 per minute. 


Like most of our native fishes, Mfogurnda adspersa is very 
subject to attacks of Saprolegnia in aquaria if the temperature of 
the water drops below 60°F. 


The sexual differences are not very pronounced, the male 
usually having a slightly blunter head than the female. The sur- 
est way to distinguish the sexes is of course in the breeding season, 
when the ripe female has a swollen abdomen, and the milt in the 
male shows much more inner white than formerly. Some aquarists 
maintain that the males have the posterior ends of the dorsal 
and anal fins more produced than those of the females, but as 
T have a ripe female whose fins are more pointed at the tips than 
are those of her mate, this difference can hardly be considered 
of much value, 


Although no special seasonal characters are developed both 
sexes become deeper in colour during the breeding season, which 
commences in the spring and, under good conditions, continuce: 


VOL. X. By C.F. Blewett 23 


during the whole of the summer when the temperature of the 


water rises to between 65° and 80°F. My breeding fish are about 
3 inches in length, but a few larger examples have been taken. 


The late Albert Gale successfully bred the species in aquaria 
sixteen years ago and briefly described its breeding habits (2). 
American aquarists* became interested in Gale’s account and in 
1918 one enthusiast, Erwin O. Freund, with the assistance of the 
late H. G. Finck of Sydney, transperted a number of living 
Australian freshwater fishes to America, including 11 specimens 
of our Gudgeon. ‘These spawned in August, three months after’ 
their arrival (3). 

My first effort to breed this fish was made in 1927. About 
August Il was practically certain of the sexes I had, three pairs, 
as three fish were obviously heavy in spawn. On November 17th 
I selected a well-matched pair and provided them with two stones 
placed together to form a small cave. The male soon found his 
way into, and inspected the retreat, which was so arranged that 
the spawn might be easily viewed. 

‘he love-making was very pretty. ‘The color of the male 
leepened to a rich sky-blue and as he swam around his mate 
he erected every fin to the fullest extent, and also Shape the 
eill covers, reminding me of a peacock showing off his plumage. 
This courting went on for some days, until at last ee coaxed 
his consort into the little cave. The following morning (Nov. 


22nd) the female spawned on the stone and all the ova were in 
plain view. There were about one to two hundred elongate 


eges, arranged very closely together. The male continuously fan- 
ned the eggs with the pectoral and anal fins, with his-body in 
various positions; at times he was head-downwards, and oc- 
casionally his fanning was so vigorous that I was afraid he might 
cause the eges to become detached from the stone. He was very 
jealous of his charge; on several occasions the female approached 
the eges but each time this resulted in a victous attack by the 
tale, and the Joss of some part of a fin of the female; at times 
the male left the eggs and drove his mate about, so that she soon 
became a very dejected looking fish and was removed. No ova 
were infertile: they developed fairly quickly, then owing to a cold 
snap the temperature dropped, the young took 14 days to hatch, 
and were weakly and died. 


(2) Gale, Aust. Zool., i, 1924, p. 25, and Aquarian niabaie 
Studies, 1915, p. 18 and Aquatic Life, iii, 1918, p. 146. 


(3) Aquatic Life iti, 1918, p. 164 and iv, 1919, p. 33. 


S.A. NAT. 
VOL. ok: 


24 ; Freshwater Fishes” 


Subsequent spawnings turned out quite satisfactory; one 
which I witnessed, occurred at 6.30 a.m., the water temperature 
being about 82°F. and the same stone as before being used. 1 
arranged the aquarium so that if the temperature dropped it 
could be heated. he female deposited about 30 eggs then waited 
for the male to do his part. ‘Vhat having been done she deposited 
a further batch. This went on until eventually the male seemed 
not so anxious to fertilize the eggs as before and remained on 
the bottom of the aquartum. The female then pushed him with 
her snout and he again attended to his duties until the spawning 
was completed, After the deposition and fertilization, the 7emale 
showed no interest in the welfare of the spawn, excepting when, 
as previously noted, she approached the nest after the male had 
taken charge, and then possibly the ova would have been eaten 
by her but for the intervention of the male. A few infertile eges 
were present but these were brushed off by the male while aerat- 
‘ing the batch. The remaining eggs hatched in three days, when 
the male was removed. ‘The young fry, as in other broods 
observed by me, seemed quite incapable of swimming properly ; 
they lay about the bottom seemingly dead, then, with great effort, 
attempted to get to the surface. ‘This went on for about 36 hours 
and only about one-half of the fry succeeded in becoming balan- 
ced, the rest dving at the end of this period when the ege-sac 
was absorbed. 


In the case of the first batch of spawn I attributed this 
preliminary helplessness and high mortality of the young to the 
too-prolonged period of incubation, and in the case of the sec- 
ond, to the fact that the temperature was too high during incuba- 
tion, but later the same thing happened to fry that were hatched 
in a tub in the open, from different parents; these experiences 
may be merely coincidences, for Gale’s description of the breed- 
ing habits of these fish does not mention any difficulty with the 
fry getting their equilibrium, and IT am at a loss to say what 
the cause might be. 


During the incubation pericd the male ate very little; he 
would eat two or three worms at infrequent intervals but would 
touch no small live food. It is significant and, to me at least, 
of great interest as exhibiting a natural tendency to protect the 
fry, that during the breeding season both Mogurnda adspersa 
and Melanotaenia nigrans refused to eat mosquito larvae, which 
to some extent superficially resemble the young fishes. 


2 


VOL. X. By _ Blewet! 25 


MEL. INOT. 4E! NIA NICR. ANS (Ricl iliac 


This species ranges from New Guinea to the eastern and 
southern rivers of Australia, and is common in the Murray 
River and its tributaries. The spot which has led to the popular 
appellation “Pink-ear” is not apparent in South Australia ex- 
amples, in fact southern specimens differ considerably tn color 


from those occurring in tropical Australia. Although perhaps less 
pigmented, these southern eee lose nothing in beauty, for 
the tridescent reflections of the fish render it one of the most 


beautiful of the inmates of aquaria. ‘he species apparently 
prefers clear, still pools with muddy bottoms and weed, but also 
occurs in the cloudy water of the main stream of the Murray 
River. 

In aquaria at night the fish can be seen apparently sleep- 
ing (@f the light be switched on), resting on the bottom (on the 
abdomen), or on the weeds, in most quaint positions, sometime 
head downwards. In the day it is rarely on the bottom but 
remains poised in midwater. In swimming it makes swilt darts 


jorward for a few inches then remains poised, but it is capable of 
darting about very quickly if alarmed. The pectoral fins are 


used for poising and are vibrated about 70 times per minute; 


between each vibration the fins are brought back close to the 


body and there is a distinct pause. ‘Vhe caudal is used for all 
forward movements, except for travelling very short distances 
when only’ the pfectorals are utilised. The dorsal in the female 
is abwavs erect; in the male (that fin being longer) it is erected 
at the fullest only at times of excitement, such as during feed- 
ing or when frightened. At 80° F. the gill movements are about 
220 per minute. 

When in clear water, especially on a sunny day, the species 
nearly always congregates, in schools of 20 or more, swimming 
close to the warmer surface layer of water. 

Almost any small living aquatic animals are eaten; food such 
as mosquito lavae, Daphnia, or small chopped worms (if seen 
while sinking to the pay is taken with a swift dash. Anyone: 
who has fished in the Murray knows how one gets moderate 
tugs at the line ich result in the loss of the wriggling ends of 
the worms. This is in many cases due to these fish dashing past 
and biting at the struggling bait. Food is taken at any time in 
the day if the temperature is 65°F. or over; in the winter the: 
fishes eat little. 

Six of these fish were kept heated throughout the winter in 

12 gallon aquarium and fed on chopped worms and live food 
such as mosquito larvae and Daphmia, the swimming live foac 


|e rr cre ee 


Sore CSTR et ee 


A NAT, 
26 Freshwater Fishes VO, x 


being taken more readily, as when the worms sank to the bottom 
it was only the exceptionally Tix examples which attracted 
their attention. ‘The fish is not a “bottom feeder’ normally, 
‘but in an aquarium it soon learns to feed off the bottom after 
a few days of hunger, and looks rather quaint swimming head 
downwards after the fashion of our carp when ground feeding, 
enly in an even more vertical position. 


Tor aquarium purposes the fish may be captured with a 
net similar to that described under the account of Mogurada, 
but without the long handle, a short stick, 8 inches to a foot in 
length being sufficient. ‘The end of the net ts folded and placed 
on top of the frame furthest away from the handle. A bait 
consisting of a lively earthworm is then tied to a ae of string 
about a foot long, which is attached to the top end of the net. 
ae eat is oe immersed in the water (which must not be too 

lear), a shady spot, just deep enough to see it, and presently 
a flash of a fish will ie seen and a slight tug will be felt. Then coax 
the Pink-ear nearer to the surface and when it gets a little more 
confident it will remain by the bait for a seca.!, when a quick 
downward sweep will in nearly every case secure the fish, the 
bag of the net unfolding whilst entering the water. 


The transportation of the Pink-ear is fairly difficult owing to 
its habit of dashing wildly about when caught, and also of jump- 
ing up out of the water and injuring itself on the top of the 
can or other receptacle; this usually results in Saprolegnia, to 
attacks of which the species is apparently very susceptible. ‘his 
can be overcome to a great extent by placing the freshly caught 
example in a screw-top mineral-water Bees quickly laying the 
latter on its side so that the fish cannor jump, and also cover- 
ing the bottle so that the fish is in the dark. Care must be 
taken that the bottle is not filled with water, (about 3 square 
inches air space being left for aeration), and that the storpe 
is tight. This applies generally to the transportation of any 
fish. Two fish which will just pass through the neck of our 
screw top bottle will safely survive a 3 hour journey providing 
they are kept cool and get a good deal of shaking to keep the 
water aerated. No more should be put in the bottle, which can 
be kept cool by wrapping in a wet bag or cloth, evaporation 
keeping the temperature down. Never force the fish in the 
bottle neck, as this 1s sure to result in swim-bladder trouble. 
If, however. the fish become damaged or bruised in transit, a 
white spot of the fungus Saprofegnta will appear in a few days, 
usually on the snout. ‘This can be easily cured, if attended to 


oh 


WOR. ax¢ By € FP. Blewe 


immediately, by placing the fish in an aquarium and adding two 

heaped teas poonsful of common salt per gallon of water; if 

the weather is cold keer the temperature at about 70°F. A 

daily change of the whe solution is helpful but not essential: 
a few days of this treatment will usually effect a cure. 


There are no special seasonal characters, but the sexes are 
easily determined at any time. The male is half as deep again 
as the female, with long, speckled, orange-tinted dorsal and anal 
fins, extending to and touching the tail, and with a shot-silk 
color effect of blue, green and bronze on the body. ‘The female 
has comparatively short, colorless fins and the body not nearly 
as brilliant, although her silvery blue coloration is quite striking. 


A pair was selected from a number in an aquarium and 
placed in an outside pond, which contained about 400 gallons, in 
September. About the beginning of November it was found 
necessary to empty this and the female Pink-ear was caught. As 
her abdomen was swollen and the former dark inner color had 
been replaced by white, | concluded that her ovaries were ripen- 
ing. She was placed again with the others in the tank and another 
female put in the pond in her place. With the advent of warm 
weather the ripe female was placed in another freshly planted 
aquarium in company with a male, new water was ‘added and 
a quantity of Foutinalis gracilis was dropyed in for them to spawn 
on. I might say that as the MWelanotaenia nigrans are very rarely 
on the bottom, I considered that they spawned in mid-water, 
so gave them dense weed accordingly. In four days small whitish 
elobules were seen adhering to the plate but the appearance 
of a shoal of fry was the first knowelge [ had that the fish had 
spawned; the whitish globules were unfertilized e; a) 


Phe 
examples in the pond also enorme and as some hundreds of the 
eggs hatched there, and the young thrived well, Y took little or 
no trouble with those hatched in the aquarium, When very 
young, dozens of the Pink-ear were seen swimming very close 
to the surface; they were about 3/16 inch tn length, greenish- 
black in color, and remarkably active for so small a creature. 
As they became older and bigger they went into deeper water 
and were only seen when near the warm surface water. ‘There 
were several spawnings and I found some of the spawn attached 
to the roots of the water hyacinth. ‘Vhe eggs are about 1/16 inch 
in diameter. 


When placed in the pond the brilliance of the adults 1s not 
apparent, excepting when one of them darts to the surface to 
secure an insect that has fallen in or alighted for a second; with 


S.A, NAT. 
28 Freshwater Fishes VOL. X. 


their speed and alertness they are adepts at obtaining food in this 
manner, It is very interesting to note that before any fry were 
about I often heard them splashing as they dashed to the surface 

to procure a dainty morsel, but when the young ones were present 
I pone not coax them to take a struggling fly from the surface. 
Even a worm was gently tasted before being eaten, which further 
goes to show that the adults instinctively refrain from devouring 
the young, 


r 


in mating, the male swims around the female with al! 

his fins expanded making repeated sideways motions or “nods” in 

the direction of the female. The species spawns in spring and 
i 5 

at any time during the summer months. ‘There is no parental 


ayy Rept! mil - 1 te eee ee 2 rae ay 
care ot either eggs or young and the fry feed upon tmlusoria. 


GCARASSIOPS KLUNZINGERT (Ogilby). 

This little Gudgeon occurs in the western streams of New 
South Wales and in the River Murray itetg In New South 
Wales it is known as the “Western Carp Gudgeon.” The species 
is exceedingly common near the b beies of the River Murray in 
South Australia, and is‘ found in numbers amongst the densely 
crowing Podsinspetod crispus. Swimming actions, method of 
feeding and character of water preferred, are much as in Mogurn- 
da adspersa, although the species is common in the cloudy 
waters of the main stream of the River Murray. Individuals in- 
fested with parasitic worms, which form tiny cysts under the 
skin, are not uncommon, the affected fish appearing as if dotted 
with small bubbles. 


In aquaria the fish cannot stand the water below 55°F, 
especially for prolonged periods, the cold causing them to act 
temporarily as if they had some respiratory trouble, or suddenly 
become partially suffocated. The attacks last only a few sec- 
onds, but nevertheless cause consternation to the aquarist; artific 
ial heating will overcome the trouble. 

Although susceptible to cold, it is not usual for the fish to 
contract Saprolegnia as do other of cur native fishes when con- 
fined to aquaria in winter; still it is not immune from this fungus, 
which sometimes appears on the fins, especially the caudal, after 
transportation of the fish. No doubt the temperature of the 
water in our rivers drops to the vicinity of 50° F. in winter 
but the fish probably lies more or less dormant in the mud during 
this period. This little gudgeon is, in some respects, a more suit- 
able inmate for aquaria than either Mogurnda adspersa or Phil- 
ipnodon grandiceps, being much smaller than the first-named, and 
not so sluggish in movements as the last. It is almost always 


2 


S.A, NAT. 

VoL. x. By C.F. Blewett 29 
on the move searching for food, while the males struggle tor 
supremacy or skirmish tbr a secluded place, and endeavour to en- 
tice every passing female inside their selected nooks. 

The food consists mainly of any small live aquatic animal 
such as Dapinia, mosquito larvae, or small chopped earthworms, 
which are taken cagerly at any time. I have not as yet succeeded 
in persuading the species to acquire a taste for scraped meat, it 
being tasted and then rejected 

‘The species varies in size, shape and colour; with two adult 
females one may have a greenish yellow body, and another of 
the same size (about 14 inch.), taken from a different locality, 
a beautiful iridescent colouration. ‘The mature males ae have 
pink dorsal and oy fins, which deepen to red towards the breed- 
ing season, and also faintly defined vertical black markings on the 
body, most Soe in the immature specimens. One adult 
male in my collection has neither of these distinctions, only the 
blunt head and male-like actions making the sex apparent. 

During a trip to Mannum on 13th November, 1927, I col- 
lected about 20 examples from amongst Potamogeton. hey 
were fed on mosquito larvae and on this diet grew and fattened 
wonderfully well, several of the females becoming ripe early in 
February, 1928. At this time 1 noticed a male trying to entice a 
female to a secluded corner of the aquarium. On February 24th 
| transferred a pair to a freshly planted 8 gallon tank containing 
new water. Three days later the female spawned, this pair did 
not make use of the stones which were arranged for them, but 
chose a side of the tank about 2 inches from the surface of the 
water. The ova are only about half the size of those of 
Mogurida adspersa, but otherwise are very similar, being elon- 
eate and arranged closely together. ‘The male guarded and aera- 
ted the eggs in the same manner as described for Mogurnda ad- 
spersa. On the third day after spawning the eggs disappeared, 
apparently eaten by the parents. he tank in which these fish 
were installed was in such a position that I had to reach over it 
to feed fish in tanks higher up, and on each occasion the male 
would leave the eggs, returning again after a while. Probably he 
considered the site he had chosen not private enough, and relin- 
quished his charge. Further attempts to induce them to spawn 
during the late summer were futile. 

Gale (4) records the breeding habits of the Fire-tailed Gud- 
geon (Carassiops gall, Ogilby), a southern Queensland species 
which became introduced into the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, and 
in this form also the male cares for the eggs in the same way. 


(4) Gale, Aquarian hitwe Seudides 1915, p. 20. 


SS ee 


weyevuss 


SA. AWN: 
30 Aboriginal Rock Carvings Os. oes 


FURTHER NOTES ON ABORIGIN AL ROCK CARVING: 
IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 
(Contribution from the South Australian Museum). 
By Herbert M. Hale, Curator, and Norman B. Tindale, 
Ethnologist. 
(Plate 1, and text fig. 1.) 

During the. last few years a number of papers have beer 
published deéscribing aboriginal rock carvings In South Australia. 
{ncised patterns or “intaglios” in the. Flinders Ranges and th: 
vicinity have in particular attracted considerable attention. We 
therefore deem it advisable to furnish a few further notes and 
records which have lately come to our notice in the hope that 
further research in the areas mentioned will be stimulated. There 
is evidence -to show that aboriginal carvings are quite numerous in 
South Australia, and it is desirable to have complete records and 
descriptions of all sertes. 

PANARAMITEE, 

Basedow (1) figures a design from Deception Creek which 
is strongly suggestive of a platypus; it seems that this animal docs 
not now occur.in the Interior, or at most, is exceedingly rare'there, 
We have now to record a somewhat analogous example, namely 
a carving a yard or more in length, which appears to be a rep- 
resentation of the head of a crocodile. The intaglios amongst 
which this design occurs are situated about 200 vards from Panara 
muitee Creek, on a saltbush plain some three miles north of Panar- 
amitee station. We are indebted to Mr. C. A. Bartlett for the 
gra eos photograph of this figure (pl. 1, fig. 1.) he 
locality is approximately 175 miles south-east from Wilpena 
Pound and: is on the range of the Maraura tribe; it is perhaps 
significant that a fabled creature likened to a serpent or crocodile 
features in.an old native 1egend which is quoted by ‘C. H. Harris 
(2) in an. account of. Wilpena.. He writes:— 

“The. following story, gleaned long ago from some members 
of the Woolundunga «and Kokatha tribes,. is su pposad to have 
reference. to.this locality. It must be understood by the: reader 
that both sun and. moon are believed to return from west to 
east by vartous underground passages, sleeping as they go; but 
the moon takes shorter .journeys than the sun, setting 
wherever it can find a convenient place for the purpose, and is 
suspected:of a good deal of ‘artful dodging.” For-instance, when 
too near‘the sun to be comfortable it makes a short journey a 


(f) Basedow, Journ, Roy. othe 4 Inst., xliv 
pl. V,b. 
(2) ane Public Service Review, x, 1903, p.p. 21-22. 


? 


i 


* 


Sites Be 


he South Australian Naturalist. GIS aNOnRe: 


Plate 1. 


Aboriginal rock carvings of kangaroo tracks, near Leigh 
Creek. 


S.A, NAT. 


LOM ie By HAL. Hale and N. B. Tindale pede 


gets up in front of the sun next day, or a good way behind, as 
the case may be. 

“One night the moon (Mickacacka) stopped to rest on a 

@xgh hill (yoontitchie), and being a thirsty soul was attracted by 
some water near, so slid down the hill to get a drink, thereby 
scraping off a good deal of kori | pipeclay | and mica, which with 
loose stones filled up the water-hole. A fabled creature (serpent 
or crocodile) panied Kaddi-kra, probably one of the Kaddi-murka 
from Cooper’s Creek, tried to seize it, but Mickacacka avoided 
capture a ee under then and there, and was seen no more 
that night. 

“Vhis Kaddi-kra had ravaged the country for several genera- 
tions, during which he had devoured every living thing that came 
his way, and had now secured the aid of the great sorcerer 
Kuditva and other bad spirits (Pokerbie, Koochie, Dlarbie, and 
Mooljewank) to entice the moon down to him; but Muldarbie, 
the strongest of the many evil powers that molest a harmless 
people, came upon the scene with boomerangs of fire, and ‘big 


Done grumble, grumble’. He forced Kaddi-kra to go underground 


as the moon had done,.and piled earth and rocks over him. ‘The 
site of this occurrence is alleged to be Wilpena (the place of 
bent fingers) and the circumstance explains why the aborigines 
from the Murray to Fowler’s Bay fear Muldarbie more than any 
other spirit. Kaddi-kra, however, is still alive, burrowing his 
way westward in hope of finding the moon.” 

“Nany a dusky warrior now departed chanted with the 
ereatest glee the following ekultant stanza: 


“Gar, gardi, gundigar, 
Kaddi-kra koodigar kuntigar 
Garoane - 
which he repeated to his admiring audience over and over again, 
with changing inflection and varying rapidity of utterance. ‘The 
sentiment expressed had reference to Kaddi-kra’s progress and 
unfortunate prospects, somewhat as follows 


é “Aha! on the track is Kaddikra. 


Aha! he comes not back our lives to mar, 
Aha!’ 


Many times since the occupation of the country by white men 
rumbling sounds have been heard between Lake ‘Torrens and 
Flinders Range. ‘These are really earth tremors, but give sup- 
port in the aboriginal mind to the superstition that some power- 
ful monster is burrowing underground.” 

[f we accept the large carving at Panaramitee as being a 


S.A, NAT, 


Aboriginal Rock Carvings Vo rors. 


37 

representation of a crocodile head (and it certainly appears to be 

sich) some interesting questions are involved; as abovementioned 

the statement that the legendary Kaddi-kra was said to resemble 

a serpent or crocodile is also suggestive. It is difficult to under- gp 
i and characteristics of the 


‘stand. now knowledge of the form 
crocodile could permeate to the Interior, and one is led to the 


assumption that these Flinders Range natives were at some fast 


period familiar with the reptile. 


o? 
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fs 7, og if 
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bas om 0 \ 
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A Os th 
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f he wie at oye \ } 
2 4p 3 boy 
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a * ats | f 
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v se rape 
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nad ‘ 
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in fe 
3 ae? se 
' hr ey 
\ oo ea, 
\ F L 
\ > ~ 
. _ \ 
aa Brit 
\ roy & 
2 Weta 
\ . my 
Popa ne ‘ 
\ ag eer He + 
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\ . x ! ae: Seas Sy 
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Fig, 1. 
Rough Sketch of Aboriginal work on Rocks near Mannahill. 


~ (3) Hale and Tindale, Rec. S. Aust. Mus., iii, 1925, p. 52. 


wey 
ea 


VOL, X. elit delet Hale and N. B, Tindale 
MANNAHILL. 
Previously we noted (3) that Mr. FE. G. Waterhouse sent a 
description and specimen of intaglios from Mannahill to the 
Museum in Pos We have now seen a letter written by his 
brother, Mr. S. A. Waterhouse, dated June 5th, 1903, and en- 
Welosing a fee of some carvings in this locality. (text fig. 1.). 
Mr. S. A. Waterhouse writes “I enclose a small sketch showing 
aboriginal tattoo work, or in other words a native map. . We 
[E. G. and S. A. Waterhouse] have recently discovered quite an 
Art Gallery of this work and by all appearance same of the tattoos 
must be of very ancient d: ate, ‘and there are many other symbols 
and characters ssiapneaned in the stone including men and animals; 
the carvings only occur on rocks of very smooth and folished 
surlace, ... The scene of operations is on the side of a low hill 
within 3 miles from Mannahill Railway station, 
LEIGH CREEK. 
es, us 1914 paper, quoted above, Basedow states that Mr. 
J. R. B. Love informed him that he esate of two or three groups 
of carvings in the vicinity of Leigh Creek, now known as Corley. 
» In 1911 Mr. Love, at the request of the late Sir Edward Stirling, 
cut out a small portion of one of these groups and sent it to the 
Museum, with the following note “I have examined these carv- 
ings and am sorry ta say that as the best executed specimens are 
on the sides of huge masses of rock which will not split, and which 
I could not cut with a hack-saw, I know of no way in which they 
could be removed. I have secured, however, a small piece bear- 
ing two dingo tracks and two kangaroo tracks. Though not 
nearly as well carved as some the specimens—the best groups 
(three places) are on North Moolooloo—this piece may _ still 
rove interesting as an example, perhars, of prehistoric wor Ke 
he present blacks disclaim any knowledge of nas carvings. 
This piece of clay-slate, which is about a foot in length, is 
shown in pl. 1, fig. 2: the patterns represent tracks of the hind 
feet of a kangaroo and, apparently, those of the fore feet of the 
same animal; it will be noted that each of the two last-named 
tracks (which Mr. Waterhouse considered are dingo tracks) has 
six digits. Portion of a further carving, forwarded from the same 
« neighbourhood by Mr. Love a vear later consists of the hinder 
half of a lizard. 4 
YANKANINA, DULKANINNA AND BALCANOONA. 
Mr. G. B. J. Roper, who is now living at Second Valley, in- 
forms us that there are aboriginal rock carvings of lizards, snakes, 
emu-tracks, etc., on Yankanina station, 15 miles from Angepina, 
and also a further series at Dulkaninna, 50-60 miles north-east 


{ Marree. 


1 
J 
* 
¢ 


S.A, NAT. 
34 Excursions VOL. X. 


Mr. Waterhouse recently gave us the additional information that 
on the open plain at Balcanoona Station, 40 miles or so west of 
Lake Frome, there are artificial mounds of stones, which, accord- 9; 
ing to the aborigines of the district, were placed there by their 
people to act as hiding places or screens when kangaroo-hunting. 
LECTURES AND EXCURSIONS. 
NOVEMBER 24th, 1928—BRIDGEWATER. 

‘The leader, Mr. IX. H. Ising, explained the character of the 
flora growing in the quartzite soil of this district and pointed 
out various species of plants of interest. 

DREDGING TRIP ON DECEMBER 16, 1928. 

A large party ventured aboard the launch but the weather 
conditions prevented going beyond the breakwater, so that opera- 
tions were confined to the Harbour and Light’s Pass. Interesting 
hauls were made but no novel forms were secured. 

DREDGING TRIP ON FEBRUARY 16, 1929. 

A fine number turned out and the weather proved most 

suitable. The launch went out some distance beyond the spot 


where the “Norma” wreck still makes a centre for snapper 
enthusiasts. Many hauls of most interesting material were 


obtained including varieties of sponge crabs, hermit crabs, and 
seaweed crabs, sponges of many types. various crustaceans and 
echinoderms. 

The shells of Zima, a little bivavle that gets alone by vigor- 
ously flapping its two shells were found most abundantly as were 
many forms of tunicates and holothurians. 

Mr. W. J. Kimber spoke on the wonderful life histories of 
many of the forms of life collected making special use of the 
material to illustrate the many ways in which the various living 
creatures manage to elude their rapacious enemies. 

Mr. E. C. Cole spoke on the preparation and management 
of aquaria both marine and freshwater. In response to requests 
the editor promised that some articles dealing with the South 
Australian forms of Echinoderms would appear in the Naturalist 
at an early date. 

LECTURE BY Dr. A. E. V. RICHARDSON—“NATURE 
NOTES FROM ABROAD”, ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1928. 

The lecturer gave a most informative talk on the methods 
adopted in growing rice and other crops in Japan, Java, and 
other countries which he had personally investigated. A large 
number of excellent views including garden scenes and tropical 
scenery, contributed to the interest of the lecture. 


S.A. NAT. 
VOL. X. Lectures i 3500 


LECTURE BY PROF. J. B. CLELAND, M.D—“THE 
ORIGINAL FLORA OF THE ADELAIDED PLAINS,” 
ON OCTOBER 16, 1928. 

‘he substance of this lecture has already appeared in the 
pages of “Naturalist.” On the same evening Mr. Ising spoke 
on some native plants found by him in the railway reserve at 
Mile Ind, 

Dr. Cleland and Mr. Ising gave a brief account of the work 
of the Herbarium Committee and Mr. Ising read a paper on the 
work of the Committee and its use in regard to the Botanical 
study of this State. 

Exhibits were tabled by several members. Dr. Cleland 
showed a specimen of the Water Mallee (Lucalyptus oleosa), 
Caustic Bush (Sarcostemma australe) and Sea-grass (Cymodocea 
antarctica) together with examples of the fibres obt ained from 
Posidonia australis of the Gulfs. Mr. A, J. Wiley showed sam- 
ples of his expert work in turning various native ee showing 
to great adv oniage the wonderful variety of colour and grain. 


The Rev. H. A. Gunter showed an albino form of the reddish 
orchid ee i nigricans from Highbury. 
LECTURES. 


NOVEMBER 20th, 1928. 

(he evening was taken up by a series of nature notes by 
Prof. J. B. Cleland, Messrs. B. B. Beck and IX. H. Ising. Prof. 
Cleland referred to the rare shrub, Hymenanthera angustifolha 
in the Violet family, which he collected on Met. Remarkable in 
September, 1927. The Pe ae record of this plant was 45 
years earlier in the gorge of the Onkaparinga; Mr. ]. M. Black 
also collected it near the Torrens Valley Road in 1927 and Mr. 
I. H. Ising collected it in the Alligator Creek, near Wilmington 
in October, 1928. Prf. Cleland BiG, referred to several species 
of native pine, Callitris, and suggested that C. glauca, (a conical 
shaped tree) grows at Wilpena and Alligator Creek, C. propinqua 
at the Pinery near Grange, and that C. robusta is a West Austra- 
lian plant. 

Prof. Cleland visited Whyalla, Euro Bluff, lower end of 
Lake Torrens, thence eastwards across the railway line and then 
to Port Augusta, and during the trip made a special study of the 
trees being pulled for sandalwood which is being sent to China. 
He found that the fragrant sandalwood, Fusanus Spicatus, is 
the tree used commercially and it was observed at Whyalla, Iron 
Knob, Nonning, Hawker, Kingoonya and Tarcoola. It is a 
straggly tree of about 10 feet in height and is root parasitic on 
cther plants. From Nonning a specimen of the wood fruits and 
leaves was shown; the nut is slightly pitted, almost smooth. 


36 “Sandalwood” of S.A. and WA. * VoL. X. 


For comparison the two other S. A. species were mentioned as 
follows:—The bitter quandong (F. persicarius) the nuts of which 
are distinctly pitted but not nearly so deeply as those of the 
native peach; sweet quandong or native peach, (/. acuminatus) 
the nuts of which are deeply pitted and the fruit is edible. 
In the field these three species are easily distinguishable. Anoth- 
er tree growing in the same class of country as the above is also 
called sandalwood but belongs to a very different family (Myop- 
oraceae) and is named Mvyoporum platycarpum; this ts not used 
for joss sticks. Prof. Cleland also exhibited some rare sea urchins 
he collected on the beach at Aldinga Bay; these had short spines 
and appeared to be a different species to the one usually found 
on our beaches having long spines. Mr. B. B. Beck gave an 
interesting description, aided by a number of photos, of the 
Alligator Creek, near Wilmington. ‘The creek formed a deep 
gorge which, for its height, sheer precipices hundreds of feet down, 
its rugged grandeur and altogether unique scenery, is unsurpas- 
sed in South Australia. Its difficulty of access and long walk 
to reach it has prevented it from being oe n except to a few 
venturesome naturalists and others. Mr. H. Ising spoke on 
the botany of this creek and the Sot country, including 
Mt. Remarkable. Mr. W. Ham exhibited a number of mineral 
specimens from near Kingscote, K.I., including archaeocyathinae, 
blue slates with fossils, basalt, fossil echinoides and barytes. 


THE “SANDALWOOD” OF S.A, AND W.A. 
Note on the Genus Hucarya (Fu ABs s), Nat. Ord. Santalaceae. 
In the Kew Bulletin, 1927 (p. 195) Messrs. Sprague and 
Summerhayes discuss the naming of the genus Fusanus and, 
after sifting a lot of evidence, come to the conclusion that this 
name cannot stand and substitute ‘I. L. Mitchell’s name of 
Kucarye in its place. Bentham (1) treated the latter name as 
a synonym of Fusanus. Our species therefore are now as fol- 
Nears: 
The Native Peach or Quandong with edible fruit (4 uCaUIVa 
acuminata (R.Br.), Sprag. et Summ.),. 
The bitter Quandong (E. Murravana, Mitchell). 
The fragrant Sandalwood which is used commercially in 
this State and also in West Australia (2. spicata (R.Br.), 
Sprag. et Summ.) 


(1.) Flora Austral, 


Mw bo 


[Relea 
PLEASE NOTE. 
A member of the Section is desirous of disposing of a col- 
lection of minerals (including rare Broken Hill specimens) and 
case. Particulars from Mr. B. B. Beck or Mr. W. Ham. 


«) 


ORNITHOLOGICAL 


Naturalis 


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The Journal of the Field Naturalists’ Section of the Royal 
Society of South Australia and of the South Australian 
Aquarium Society. 


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+ VOL. X. 


Plants of the Encounter Bay District. By J. B. Cleland, M.D. .... .... 37-40 
South Australian Trees, No. 7 (Eucalyptus cosmophylla, F.v.M.). By 

PESCUISIOMS occ, cee sees vases cove near pnd cnsnes aaany) cose ante’) cute tnee, epee uses seen coer 88 50 
Am ettbrel erallect@rs Carts: Bye Be LEB ccs 535-5 cooe Spans tose annonce engi! OAD 
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—:0:—— 


The authors of papers are responsible for the facts 
recorded and opinions expressed. 


~ Address of the Section: C/o Royal Society’s Rooms, Institute 
Building, North Terrace, Adelaide. 


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SsociaTiOC ew — 


PLANTS OF THE ENCOUNTER BAY DISTRICT. 
Second List of Additional Records. 
By J. B. Cleland and J. M. Black. 


We published our first list of the vascular plants of the 
Encounter Bay district in the “South Australian Naturalist” for 
February—May, 1925, and a list of additions in May, 1927. Since 
then further search and revision have enabled us to add 55 more 
species and 1 variety, 42 of the species and the 1 variety being 
native plants, and 16 introduced. One variety in the old list 
has been raised to specific rank. The total number of vascular 
plants now known for the district is approximately 732 (excluding 
12 varieties) of which 588 are native and 144 are introduced 
species. In our last paper we suggested that fifty or more, 
chiefly introduced or ephemeral spring species, doubtless re- 


mained to be recorded. The number in this paper is 
58, and we must expect 20 or so more still awaiting dis- 
covery. It is interesting to note that this close survey has re- 


sulted in discovering two species (in Cyperaceae and Rest eae 
respectively) new to science; in finding Zostera Muellert in jower 
in the Hindmarsh River, the first time we believe that a Zostera 
has been found flowering in this State; in discovering on the 
Waitpinga road, just before the house of Mr. Dennis is reached, a 
patch of Gahnia ancistrophylla, a Western Australian Cype 
plant; and in finding the rare Leucopogon Clelandti in this district, 
enly the third occasion on which it has been seen. In addition, we 
include in the paper certain corrections, some alterations in 
nomenclature, some additional localities for rare species, and 
a few notes. 

FILICALES.—Ophioglossum coriaceum, A. Cunn., Adder’s 
‘Tongue, flats at Encounter Bay. 

LYCOPODIACEAE —Phylloglossum Drummondii, Kunze, 
additional locality, near Hall’s Creek, Sep. 

POTAMOGETONACEAE —Zostera Muelieri Irmisch, in 
flower, Hindmarsh R. estuary, Jan., 1928; Potamogeton pectinatus, 
L., Waitpinga Creek, Jan. i 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X 
38 The Plants of Encounter Bay District, _ May, 1929, _ 


SCHE UCHZE RIACEAE —Triglochin centrocarpa, Hook., 
flats and hills at Encounter Bay, Aug., Sep. 

HY DROCHARITACEAE —-Halophila ovalis (R. Br.) Hook. 
f., one leaf washed ashore at Encounter Bay, May. 

GRAMINEAE —*Ehrharta  longiflora, Sm., Hindmarsh 
Valley (ome plant). <A series of specimens of Stipa from En- 
counter Bay and other $. Australian localities was recently sub- 
niitted by one of us to Kew. he Director, in reporting on these, 
‘has furnished the following identifications of species from this 
district:—Stipa tenuiglumis, Hughes, Jan.; S. eremophila. 
Reader—rather young, it has the floret of S. eremophila rather 
than of S. fusca; S. variabilis, Hughes, Encounter Bay, Ser., also 
on limestone, Pt. Elliot, Jan., with the added*note, “the leaves 
are rather more rigid and rougher than usual;” S. falcata, Hughes, 
Aug., Sep. *dira minuta, L., seems to flower earlier than 4. 
caryophyllea; *Hordeum maritimum, With. 

CYPERACEAE —Schoenus Tepper, F.v.M., common as a 
dense sward on stony hills, ete.; S. MONoCcar Pus, |. M. Black ate 
Roy. Socy., $.A., LIL, 1928), a new species found at Back Valley; 
Gahnia lanigera (R.Br.), Benth., in low patches, smaller than 
G. deusta; Cladium Mariscus (L.) Pohl., already recorded, has 
been found also on a branch of Waitpinga Creek; Gahnia ancis- 
trophylla, F.v.M., hitherto only known from West Australia. 

RESTIONACEAE —Lepyrodia valliculae, |. M. Black 
(Trs. Roy. Soc., S.A. LIT, 1928), a new species found at Back 
Valley. 

LILIACE *4/hum? sp., a small onion or leek has estab- 
lished itself as a small colony of a dozen or so individuals on the 
banks of the Inman, near the bridge. These have been present 
now for several years. A single plant of *4sparagus asparagoides, 
Wight, the ‘Smilax’ of florists, a garden escape, was found in the 
scrub 8 miles along the Inman Road, far from habitations. 

ORCHIDACEAE. Cryptostylis longifolia, R.Br., already 
recorded, has been found in a swamp at Back Valley, Jan. 

‘ASUARINACEAE.—In the old cemetery on the ridge 
road, Bald Hills. are several very large She-oaks. (Casuarina 
stricta, Ait.). Though forking near the base, the larger of the 
two stems of one was about 34 inches in diameter at breast height. 
Miss Macklin (‘Trs. Roy. Soc., S.A., LI., 1927), has identified 
four species of the dwarf ‘C. distyla’ complex in the Encounter 
Bay district, viz., C. striata, Macklin, upright, twiggy, with cones 
ees the ends of the branches, 2 to 15 it. high; C. Muelleriana, 
Miq., more rounded, often with a reddish tinge, cones rather 
large, greenish brown; C. paludosa, Sieb., var. robusta, Macklin, 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 
: May, 1929. ke B. Cleland, M.D., and f. M. Black. mes 39 


lower plant, anthers rusty; and C. pusilla, Macklin, low cushion- 
lik plant in sand, anthers rusty. 

LOR ANTHACEAE.—Loranthus Preissti, Miq., previously 
recorded for just outside the district (Hay’s Flat) has been seen 
on a planted Acacia (probably A. dodonaeifola) in the Inman 
Valley. near Bald Hills: L. pendulus, Sieb., two to four flowers in 
the umbel, sometimes two sessile, grows on stringy bark (Eucaly p- 
tus Baxteri) on the ridge road at Bald Hills. 

4AIZOACEAR.—*Mesembrianthemum aurantiacum, Haw., 
a garden escape, has formed a colony near the Public Hospital site. 

PORTULACACEAE—Calandrinia pygmaea, F.v.M., Sep. 

CARYOPHYLLACEAE .—*Moenchia erecta (L.) Gaertn.— 
Mey-et Scherb., on hills, Sep.; *Minuartia tenuifolia (L.) Hiern., 
on hills, Sep.: *Silene nocturna, L., sandhills. 

RANUNCULACEAE —Ranunculus parviflorus, L., hills, 
Aug. 

~ CRUCIFERAE.—Cardamine hirsuta, L., Sep.; *Draba 
verna, L., Sep. ‘ 

CRASSULACEAE —Crassula  colorata (Nees), Ostenf. 
Sep.; C. macrantha (Hook. f.), Diels et Pritzel, Sep.; C. pedicel- 
tosa (F.v.M.), Ostenf., Bluff. 

ROSACEAE —*Alchemilla arvensis, Scop., hills, Sep. 

LEGUMIN ia farinosa, Lindl., semi-swamp 
ceround north-west of the Bluff; 4. calamifolia, Sweet, in the 
cemetery at Encounter Bay; a blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon, 
R. Br...) at Hall’s Creek has a trunk 27 ins. in diameter; Daviesia 
sp. (not in flower) near D. divaricata, Benth., Newlands Head; 
*Trifolium arvense, L.;* Melilotus alba, Destr., Bokhara Clover, 

RHAMNACEAE.—_Cryptandra tomentosa, Lindl. 

DILLENIACE sericea (R. Br.) should be 
var, scabrifolia, J. M. Black; H. stricta, R. Br. (var. glabriuscula, 
Benth., already recorded), Taeat Valley hills. 

GUTTIFERAE.—Hypericum gramineum, Forst, f., instead 
of H. japonicum, Thunb., already rceorded. 

VIOL: reng., near Hall’s Creek, 
DeE: 

THY MELAEACEAE —Pimelea spathulata, Labill., near 
Hindmarsh Tiers. 

MY RTACE. uca pubescens, Schau., replaces M. 
parviflora, Lindli., already recorded; M. fasciculif{lora, Benth., in 
scrub round the edge of swampy land towards Newland’s Head 
(recorded for the district in Black’s Flora). 

UMBELLIFERAE. pilijera, Turez., near 


Hall’s Creek, Sep., previously recorded in this State from between 


40 The Plants of Encounter Bay District. 
Marree and Strangways Springs, and from Muloowurtie, Y.P.; 
Eryngium vesiculosum, Labill., previously recorded by us for 
Hindmarsh Tiers, is common on the ridge road, Bald Hills. The 
plants cannot stand grazing; and so have only survived on the 
roadside, not in the fields. ‘Though prickly and very like a star- 
thistle, Hs vesiculosum forms a very pretty table decoration with 
its deep blue globular heads of flowers. 

kPACRIDACEAE.—Leucopogon Clelandii, Cheel, in flower 
in a dry swamp north-west of the Bluff, May (previously only 
known from Coonalpyn and Kangaroo Island); Acrotriche affints 
DC., in the same locality (previously known in this State only 
from Coonalpyn and Beachport). 

LOGANIACEAE.—Logania recurva, J. M. Black, on the 
Waitpinga-Bald Hills Road; ZL. crassifolia, R. Br., var. for, - 
M. Black, Pt. Elliot, previously recorded as a form of L. ovata, 

LABIATAE—Prostanthera aspalathoides, A, Cunn., is te- 
corded in Black’s Flora for Encounter Bay; P. serpyllifolia (R. 


Br.) Brig. replaces P. microphylla; P. chlorantha, F.v.M., New- 


1 
ft 
land’s Head scrub. 


SCROPHULARIACEAE.—Verontca — Derwentia, Andr., 


for Encounter Bay; Galium ciliare, Hook, f., on cliffs 
land’s Head; Opercularia ovata, Hook, f., already reco 
in the old cemetery at Bald Hills. 

CUCURBITACEAE —*Citrullus vulgaris, Schrad., wild 
pie-melon, 

GOODENIACEAE —Goodenia primulacea, Sch., instead of 
G. geniculata, R. Br.; Scaevola calendulacea (Andr.), Druce 1 
stead of S, suaveolens, R. Br.; S. linearis, R. Br. is var. c 
folia, J. M. Black; Dampiera lavandulacea, Lindl., is prese 
probably it is to this species that the record of D, rosmari 
Schl.. applies. 

STYLIDIACE AE —Levenhookia dubia, Sond., replaces L. 
Sondert, F.v.M.; L. pusilla, R. Br. ; 

COMPOSITAE —Olearia  grandijlora, Hook., hills near 

Hindmarsh Tiers; O. revoluta, F.v.M. var. minor, Benth., ‘Tunka- 
lilla, Jan.; Brachycome lssocarpa, Black; Cassinia complanata, 
Black; Isoetopsis graminifolia, Turez., hills; Podosperma angus- 
ti} olium, Lab.; Carduus tenutflorus, Curtis, slender thistle, off 
Inman \ alley; *Corsiu HI Acarna (L.), Moench, Soldier Thistle, re- 
corres ty Black’s Flora for “towards Pt. Elliot;” Pittadinia 
tenutssima (Benth.) Black replaces V. australis var. tenuissima 
already recorded 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 


May, 1929. South Australian Trees. P Sete 41 


SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TREES. 
No. 7. Cabbage or Scrub Gum (Eucalyptus cosmophylla, ¥.v.M.) 


Iernest H. Ising. 


L. GENERAL. 

‘This species has, so far, only been found in South Australia 
and it was Mueller who discovered it (1) in 1855 somewhere in 
the Mount Lofty Range. Unfortunately Mueller did not give 
any precise locality, which is so desirous in a type specimen. 
‘The name “Scrub Gum” has no doubt originated from the shrub- 
by nature of the plant as it is usually seen as a small, crooked 
tree or shrub, In this it approaches the mallee type and there 
are often several stems growing together, although it is not known 
if they arise from the same root-stock, Occasionally specimens: 
have been recorded growing into fair size trees and Maiden 4) 
mentions one of 50 feet in height seen at Kuitpo by Mr. Walte 
Gill. 


Il. BOTANICAL. 

Eucalyptus cosmophylla, F.v.M. The name “cosmophylla” 
means regular-leaved and refers to the two equal halves of the 
base of the leaf. 

Hasir,—Usually shrubby, often a small crooked tree of 12 
to 15 feet in height, sometimes higher. 

E ie Ene trunk has a smooth bark which is of a flaky 
pature, i.e. it decorticates in small flakes or patches about the size 
of one’s hand. This species falls into the bark group “Leioph- 
loiae”’ (smooth barks or gums) of Maiden who describes the 
bark (3) as follows:—‘A smooth-barked tree, the exfoliating 
bark coming off in irregular patches, never hanging in strips.” 
The bark is of a pale grey colour, and is perhaps coarser at 
the base, the higher part of the stem and branches are smoother 
and whiter. 

Leaves, Sucker*. In shape they vary from almost circular, 
SOR GTS s broader than long, to oval and in size they also vary 
conside aks From about half an inch they obtain a length of 
over r 25 inches by 2 inches in width. A few of the first leaves are 
opposite but they soon become alternate, they are dull green 
with the lower surface paler; the intramarginal vein is situated 
from one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch from the edge. The 
point is always blunt, in the lower leaves it is apiculate and 
then gradually becomes less obtuse as the later leaves develop. 

* The leaves described here are those growing from the lower 
branches after the plant died off at the top. 


S.A. NAT., VOL 
42 South Australian Trees. May, 1929. 


Mature LEAS Ovate to Janceolate, falcate, and 4 to 7 
inches in length, the longer ones acuminate and often hooked. 
Surfaces equally green and somewhat shiny. Intramarginal vein 
hardly one- eighth of an inch from the edge and the bases of the 
leaf usually very regular. Texture leathery and therefore stiff. 

Yur Bups. The buds are large being 4 of an inch long and 
three-eighths of an inch wide, the tube somewhat longer than 
the cap which is produced into a short blunt point; they are almost 
top-shaped except that the lid is more pointed. ‘T hey are usually 
arranged in threes, the centre one only with a very short stalk and 
have hardly any common stalk to the umbel. 

Tue Frowers. The flowers are large, white with anthers 
oblong, opening in parallel slits. When fully expanded the flow- 
ers exceed an inch in diameter. 

Tue Frurr. Hemispherical in shape with a nee base and 
truncate at top. The valves (4 to 5) are somewhat sunk below 
the raised rim. Occasionally there are one or two ridges down 
the side but thev are not prominent. ‘The fruits range from half 
to three quarters of an inch long and the same in width. 

Il. GEOLOGICAL 

The trees growing at Waterfall Gully are situated on 
steep sides of the eullies chiefly in the higher situations where the 
sandstone comes to the surface and lies about in broken fragments. 
Yhis habitat would be a dry one as the sandstone is of a porous 
nature and the rainfall would quickly disappear in the rocky sail. 
The Mount Lofty Range habitat is referred to by J. IE. Brown 
(5) who mentions this species as growing on coarse-gral sili- 
ceous grits. At Victor Harbour he quotes it growing in lov 
noist situations, sandy soil, and on Kangaroo Island in hollows 
and round edges of lagoons and claypans. 

The type of soil as observed by Teale (6) at Kuitpo is 
raven as “yellowish, gravelly, clay loam found on table top areas 

mM age derived from quartz schists, quartz mica and chloritic 
ists, felspathic schists of Pre Cambrian Age.” 

fa aa to Adamson and Osborn (7) this species is best 
developed on fine ironstone soils derived from a solid, rather 
fine-grained ironstone rock and it occurs for the most part on 
the relatively level ground on the tops of ridges but can also 
maintain itself on steep slopes; on some of the lower flat-topped 
tidzes and watersheds the solid ironstone may be some distance 
below the surface and be overlain by 2-3 feet of a soil of a loamy 
consistency which is very retentive of water in winter but becomes 
baked very hard and dry in the summer. Further this species 
is not confined to these hard ironstones but also occurs on por- 


the 


oO 
b 
ge 

mle 


S.A. NAT., VOL. 3, 


May, 1929. EY H. Tsing. 43 


tions of ridges where the rock is a hard crystalline quartzite 
which weathers slowly to a shallow, rather compact soil; it is 
also occasionally found on the quartzitic ironstone gravels where 
the rock itself is impregnated with iron and hase the soil is 
shallow and sandy. 

Near Aldgate this species occurs in a small “Ses where 
the soil is deeper and of a loamy character although in the higher 
parts it is of a more sandy nature derived from the fairly abun- 
dant sandstone rocks. ‘To the south-west of Aldgate it is also 
found in lowlying ground where the soil is deep and of a sandy- 
loam which would retain moisture even during the summer. 
This species appears to thrive on soils whose surfaces are totally 
different in appearance but whose composition or texture appears 
to be the same 

IV. ASSOCIATIONS. 

This species is chiefly found as an associate of the stringy- 
bark dine which inhabit the higher parts of the Mount Lolty 
Range. It forms communities which can be traced to a definite 


soil type. 

No. 1. Stirling East to Aldgate. Between Stirling East and 
Aldgate there is some flat ground at the foot of a steer hill 
where the scrub gum pare somewhat plentifully. ‘The soil is 
fine-grained sandy Joam and there would be a fair amount of 
moisture in the soil at the end of the winter. ‘The specimens 
growing here are small trees of about 12 feet in height and of 
crooked, stunted growth generally. Associated here with 
the scrub gum was the winte strineybark (Hue. obliqua) which 
was almost as abundant cs the former, there were also several 
small trees of the yellow gum (2. leucoxyion). The largest 
shrubs here were Makea ulicina and the teatree (Leptospermum 
Scopartum) growing as high as eight feet and others somewhat 
smaller were blunt-leaved tea-tree (1. myrsingides) and fringe 
myrtle (Calythrin tetragona). ‘The vegetation type here is of 
a sclerophyllous nature, the larger plants not mentioned above 


a 
are mostly included in the families Proteaceae, Leguminosae, 
Epacridaceae, and Dilleniaceae. ees plants consist of legumes, 
compesites, rushes, lilies, goodenias and orchids. "Phe plants in 
flower (30/1/28) were Lobelia gibbosa, Trachymene heteraphylla, 
Ixodia achilleoides, Wahle nbergia aracilis, Dichopogon  strictus 
and Helichrysum scorpioides. 

No. 2. Aldgate to Bridgewater. About half a mile from 
Aldgate on the road to Bridgewater on a slope facing sout! 
scrub gum is again associated with the white stringyb 
dense scrub. ‘This slope extends for several hundred ya 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 


44 South Australian Trees May, 1929. 


depression in the centre of it with a small creekway-. 
eper slopes the most abundant shrubs are the two 


a 
ste 

ea-trees (L. scopartum and L. se sinoides), the large leaf bush- 

pea (Putte enaea SLM thay and the beaked Hakea CH. rostrata) ; 

se s wete 5 to 8 feet in height and covered much of the 


space between tne trees. Other prominent shrubs of smaller size 
were the scrub wattle (Acacia myrtifolia), heath (i pacris im- 
pressa), | Txodia iia and a rush, Lepidosperma semiteres. 
Towards the eu the narrow-leaf bitter-pea (Daviesia 


Z 


corymbosa) and the furze Hakea (H. ulicina) appear in numbers 
and in the lowest see Leptospermum scoparium is most abundant 
to the extent of almost excluding every other species. Swame 
plants such as Patersonta longiscapa, Gahnia psittacorum, Acacia 
verticillata and Villarsia exaltata were noted in the lowest por- 
tion. Only a few specimens of the cabbage gum were growing in 
the wetter situation, and thev did not extend far up the westerly 
slope of the depression which supports a vegetation similar to the 
opposite slope. L. cosmophylla approaches the ridge on the top 
of which are only a small number of this species, and associated 
with it in this habitat is an abundance of Pultenaea involucrata, 
a spreading undershrub with a dense mass of small hairy leaves. 
The crass tree (Nanthorrhoea semiplana)and a rush (Lepidos- 
perma semiteres) grow in a fair quantity in this habitat. Aspect, 
habitat and soil play an Ses part in plant distribution as 
on the northerly slope of the ridge under review the chief tree 
is Lh, Be mere the brown stringy bark and here the soil is thickl We 
strewn over with all sizes of sandstone rock. Proceeding in a 
westerly direction the cabbage gum was noticed on little ridges 
and at the head of gullies and on slopes and growing in serub 
similar to that already described. 


No. 3. Waterfall Gully, near Eagle-on-Hill. The steep slope 
near and ue the main road just beyond the [agle-on-Hill (at 
St miles “yom Adelaide) has been investigated and a fair amount 
or cosmophylla is found growing there. A very deep and 
steep gully leads from Mount Lofty summit in a westerly direc- 
tion and when Waterfall Gully is approached the northen slope 
develops a precipitous character, at this point also the gully 
bends south-west and a good view is obtained of the lower por- 
tion of Waterfall Gully. Tt is at this bend where the cabbage 
gum has been noted in its ecological relationships. On the 
rortherly slope the cabbage gum is associated with the white 
and brown stringv-bark and with isolated trees of yellow gum; 
if is a small tree and often shrubby in habit. The chief 


2 


ah ce ecinaetiete SR) Sind : Pam ip pre prea 


The South Australian Naturalist, Vol. X., No. 3. 


Plate 2. 


The habitat of Lucalyptus cosmophylla, with associated plants 
(on the steeper slopes) as described in No. 2 par. p. 43. 


} 


Te 


The South Australian Naturalist, Vol. X., No. 3. 


Plate 3. 


Drawing showing botanical characters of Lucalyptus cosmo- 
phylla, 1, Mature fruits. 2. Branch with buds and leaves. 3. 
Fruit showing the short pedicel. 4 and 5, Mature leaves. 6 and 7. 
Juvenile leaves. 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X, 7 
45 


May, 1929, E. H. Ising. 


an 


hrubs here are Leptospermum myrstnoides and Acacia pycnan- 
tha, A. myrtifolia and Ixodia achilleoides while Hibbertia sericea 
(silky cuinea-flower) is an abundant undershrub. Where a bend 
in the slope faces east the cabbage gum has Pultenaea daphnoides, 
Exocarpus cupressijormis and Hakéa rostrata associated with it. 
A group of this gum was surrounded by the white stringybark, 
a yellow gum and shrubs as mentioned above in this location 
with also Acrotriche serrulata, Astroloma humifusa, Nanthorr- 
hoea semiplana and Halorrhagis teucriotdes. Lower down the 
slope facing north-east, where ££. cosmophylla still grew plenti- 
. plants of Calythrix tetragona, Pultenaea involucrata, Hakea 
l rand Lucalyptus Baxtert were numerous, the yellow gum 
was also seen here. The soil of this habitat is coarse and sandy 
with a large quantity of broken sandstone fragments on the sur- 
face and just below. ‘This is a cabbage gum-tea-tree association 
the dominants being E. cosmophylla and Leptospermum myrsin- 
oides with Hibbertia sericea sub-dominant. Still farther down this 
slope the cabbage gum becomes a small tree. On the southern 
slope of this ridge at the head of a small gully shrubby specimens 
of this gum are growing in the shelter of the brown and white 
strinevbark with plants of Hakea rostrata, Xanthorrhoca semi- 
plana, Mibbertia sericea and Dianella revoluta intermixed with it. 
On the western slope overlcoking Waterfall Gully the cabbage 
gum is again associated with the brown stringybark and less of 
the yellow gum, with the usual shrubs of Leptospermum myrsin- 
otdes in abundance and Hakea rostrata and Calythrix tetragona in 
fair quantities. 

No. 4. Longwood. At Longwood the cabbage gum is found 
(in one location) on a western slope near the top of a ridge assoc- 
iated with /, Baxteri which is the chief tree. The tea tree (Lep- 
tospermum myrstnoides) is again the dominant shrub while other 
kkss abundant shrubs are Banksia marginata, Casuarina sp. 
a shrub of 6 to 7 feet in height (probably C. Muelleriana, Miq.), 
Hakea rostrata, Pultenaea acerosa, var. acicularis and smaller 
plants of Isopogon ceratophyllus, Pimelea octophylla, Platylobium 
obtusanculum, Hibbertia spp., Olearia Huegelii and Helichrysum 
Baxi This habitat had no surface stones but it was a dry 
situation, the soil was whitish to yellowish and of a sandy nature. 
Some distance from the above locality £. cosmophylla was found 
in a small swampy depression growing as a shrub of about 5 feet 
in height. Here the tea-tree (Leptospermum scoparium) was 
the dominating shrub of a uniform growth of about three feet 
in height. Hakea rugosa and Melaleuca gibbosa were represent- 
d by a few shrubs, Burchardia umbellata and several rushes were 
present also two swamp plants of very small size, viz., the ereen 
orchid Microtis atrata and the minute Mitrasacme distvliy. 


ee ee 


en EE 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 
46 South Australian Trees. May, 1929, 


No. 5. West of Crafers. About half a mile west of 
Crafers a ridge runs in a westerly direction parallel to and on 
the south side of the main road. The cabbage gum occurs on 
the higher part (the lower part is still to be investigated) and 
where it was observed on a slope facing west the soil was of a 
quartzite character with some surface stone. Here it was assoc- 
iated with trees of Eucalyptus obliqua, E. leucoxylon and the 
native cherry, (Exocarpus cupressiformis) and shrubs of Ixodia 
achileoides were the dominant factor in this stratum and less 
individual plants of Pultenaea daphnoides, Hakea rostrata, Acacta 
mrtifola, and a fair quantity of Wibbertia stricta (a diffuse 
undershrub,) while Lepidosperma semiteres, Tetratheca pilosa, 
Acrotriche serrulata andDianella revoluta were the chief plants. 
although not abundant, of the smaller vegetation. ‘The above 
habitat led into a small gully with a westerly course and was dom- 
inated by &. obliqua chiefly and by &. leucoxylon. fh. cosma- 
piylla occurred amongst these trees as scattered, shrubby indiv- 
iduals and where the gully flattened out in one place the cab- 
bage gum and tea-tree (Leptospermum myrsintodes) took charge. 
A little higher up the gully investigation showed that besides the 
species mentioned above the followin ig also occurred as infrequent 
units of the vegetation: — 

Bursaria spinosa, Hakea ulicina, Grevillea lavandulacea, Pim- 
clea spathulata and Leptospermum scoparium as shrubs and 
Lomandra dura, Hibbertia stricta as host to Cassytha glabella 
and Juncus pauciflorus as smaller plants. 


V. DISTRIBUTION. 

In writing of this species |. Ik. Brown (l.c.) gives a genera! 
distribution “in the Mount Lofty Ranges from Waterfall Gully 
to the Onkaparinga River, in gullies and foothills of ridges. 
Always in cool parts—not inland. Between Yankalilla and 
Victor Harbor, Square Waterhole, Meningie and Coorong, South 
coast of Kangaroo Island, Marble Range and Port Lincoln.” 

It is one of the very few species which South Australi 
claim as its own ag it is confined to this State. It is found in 

the Mount Lofty Range (in the higher parts chiefly), near Port 
Lincoln and on Kangaroo Island. 

On various excursions by members of our be ction the occur- 
rence of £. cos panne has been recorded in “The South Austra- 
lian Naturalist” the re rarehe! are as follows:— 

Vol. II, No. 1, p. 8 (1920); at Kuitpo. 

Vol. III, No. 4, p. 58 (1922); at Myponga with &. fasciculosa 

(pink gum). 


la Can 


a 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 


May, 1929. LR LE Tsing. we 47 


Vol. IV, No. 1, p. 96 ( gi Mt. Bold on t cidize tops. 

Bol: Te Nes, 2, p. UL (1923); MacGillwray, ee 

Vol. V, No. 2, p. 100 (1924); Mt. Loft ty with mallee habit; 
lass pe 104; Mt Lofty Range. 

Vol. V, No. 4, p. 136 (1924); Gandy’s Gully (Mt. Lofty 
Range) in flower.—24.5.24. 
Lic, p. 139; Waterfall Gully—in higher part as a stunted 
crooked, small tree. 12 to 20 feet in height, in flower.— 
19.7.24, 

’ol. VI, No. 3, p. 48 (1925); very common in Encounter Bay 
wile ( (J. B. Cleland), mallee-like to small trees, capsules 
often very es in sand or sandy loam. 

Vol. VII, No. 1, p. 22 (1925); at Finniss. 

This species is ica from Prosyect Hill (9) near Mylor 


VI. FORESTRY AND TIMBER. 

As £. cosmophylla is not a large tree generally the question 
of forestry and timber hardly need enter the discussion. Never- 
theless Mr. Walter Gill, late Conservator of Forests, supplied 
the late Mr. J. H. Maiden with the following note in this con- 
nection (8):—“I took the opportunity of working some of it 
at Kuitpo, and on morticing the holes for slip-panel rails, found 
the timber to be quite the easiest cutting gum I have yet come 
across, as the.chisel cuts it readily and the auger bores it with 
equal facility. So easy does it seem after working other gums 
such as L. leucoxylon, i. obliqua and E. fasciculosa, that one 
almost begins to doubt its value for lasting. And yet I fog that 
people in the districts where it does not grow are in the habit of 
retting it if they can for stockyard posts, as, combined with its 
easy working nature, it posses a character for lasting well in the 
ground.” 

The timber is red in colour. ‘There is an excellent photo- 
graph of a large tree (for this species) taken by Mr. Walter Gill, 
in the Report of the Woods and Forest Department (11). The 
tree stands about 40 feet jn height and is about 3 feet in diameter 
at the base. ‘This must be the largest of its kind ever recorded. 
Mr. Gill also records (12) that the legs of a table exhibited at the 
Government Tourist Bureau Kiosk at the Outer Harbor were 
made from this species. 


VII. FLORISTIC COMPOSITION. 

The 5 columns represent the districts as mentioned under IV, 
and the letters refer to the occurrence of a species in that district: 
the references are:—a - abundant; fa - fairly abundant; 0 - occas- 
ional; r - rare. 


a 


pee ee 


en 


PE rea wr mr 


Lrechthites quadridentata .. ro) 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 
48 South Australian Trees. May, 1929. 
FLORISTIC COMPOSITION. 
Species _ 1 2 3 Ao. 3 
Tree stratum. 
Liucalyptus obliqua a fa o-, Pada, 
£. leucoxylon r 8) fa 
Li, Baxteri fa a 
Exocarpus cupressiformis ro) re) 
Shrub stratum. 

Banksia marginata 6) ) fa 
Acacia pyenantha fa 
Casuarina sp. fa 
Bursaria spinosa a) 
Pultenaea daphnoides fa fa O fa 
Leptospermum myrsinoides fa a a a a 
LL. scoparium fa a ans He 
Acacia myrtifolia fa fa Oo oe 
Nanthorrhoea semiplana fa ia Oo 
Daviesia corymbosa fa fa G 
Ixodia achilleoides fa fa fa fa 
flakea rostrata fa fa re) fa O 
Hf. ultcina fa Oo oO a 
H. rugosa © 
Pultenaea acerosa, var. acicularts oO 
P. involucrata fa co) 
Isopogon ceratophyllus o 
Daviesia ulicina re) 
D, brevifolia Oo 
Acacia verticillata o o 
A. vomeriformis r 
Calythrix tetragona fa fa 
Epacris impressa toate oO 
PI atylobtum obtusangulum oO co) 
Grevillea lavandulacea e) o 
Pimelea spathulata oO o 
Hibbertia sericea fa a a 
Hf, stricta fa fa sy 
Gahmia psittacorum Oo 
Pimelea octophylla fe) 
Melaleuca gibbosa 0 
Tetratheca pilosa Oo o 
Persoonta juniperina .. fe) ) 
Dillzeyinia haigeds fa 
Eutaxia microphylla Oo 


~p- 


& 


Ld 


Parasites: 


Cassytha glabella 


ay, 1929, eee A 

~~ Species 4 Per et 5 
Undershrubs and Ground Flora. 

Bossiaea prostrata 6) e) 

Viola Sieberiana fe) 

Opercularia varia a) 

Halorrhagis tetragyna Oo O 

H. teucrioides G 

Trachymene heterophylla Oo 0 

Patersowia longiscapa ) oO 

Juncus pallidus Oo 

f. bufonius fa 

IT. pauciflorus O 

Lepidos perma semiteres O47 ha A 

L. laterale oO 

Graphalium Japonicum r 

Acrotriche serrulata ieee Te u 

Kennedya prostrata Oo 

Goadenia primulacea fa ) 

G. affinis fa 

Scaevola microcarpa fa fs) 

Dianelia revoluta Oo ) u 

Lomandra dura re) oO 0 

Astroloma humifusa ro) ) 

Gompholobium minus Oo 

Olearia Huevelti ta 

Villarsia exaltata Oo 

Burchardia umbellata ta oO a 

Themeda australis oO 

Dichopogon strictus ra) 

Helichrysum scorpioides ta 

Evythraea spicata ) 

Lobelia gibbosa o 

Wahlenbergia gracilis oO 

Hypericum Japonicum r 

Bartlingia sessiliflora r 

AMicrotis porrifolia o 

AM. atrata v 

Thelymitra pauciflora 0 

Helichrysum Baxteri a 

Mitrasacme distylis ta 


§.A. NAT. VOL. x. 
50 South Australian Trees. May, 1929, 


VILL. ESSENTIAL OILS. 

The essential oils of this species have been investigated by 
Baker and Smith (10) who state that “the average yield of oil was 
0.62 per cent. Vhe crude oil was light orange-brown in colour, 
with an odour indicative of an oil belonging to the cineol-pinene 
group, with a secondary odour suggestive of the aldehyde aroma- 
dendral, The presence of volatile aldehydes was particularly 
marked. The slight laevorotation of the grude oil is largely 
due to the aromadendral, although the pinene is also laevorota- 
tory to a small extent. Phellandrene was absent. The left 
rotation is unusual with oils of this class, as in most cases the 
pinene shows a predominant dextrorotation. The cineol con- 
tent is only fair, and the oil does not contain constituents having 
special characters. The species has, therefore, little value as an 
oil-producing tree... . . Chief constituents: pinene, cineol, aro- 
madendral, sesquiterpines.” 

REFERENCES. 
J. Trans, Vict. Inst. 32 (1855). 
2. Crit. Rev. Gen. Eucalyptus, Part XXJ, 16 (1914). 
32 Lice Part EL 28"(1922). 
4, Trans. Roy, Soc. S.A. Vol. XL., 487 (1916). 

§. Forest Flora S.A. Vol. II. (1882). 

6. Soil Survey and Forest Physiography of Kuitpo, S.A. Dept. 

For. Adel. Univ., Bull. 6, 1918. 

7. Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., Vol. XLVIIT, 103 (1924). 

On Wrewibarcecle D417, , 

9. Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., Vol. XL, 497 (1916). 

10. Lic. 487. 

11. Rep. Woods and Forest Dept., S.A. 1915, p. 4 and Fig. 3. 
12. Lic. 1910, p.5. 


EXCURSIONS. 

EXCURSION TO HALULETT’S COVE, April 16, 1929:—Dr. Fenner 
led a large party to the historic “Tate's Rock,” the scene of the first discovery 
of glacial markings in this locality. The leader gave a most interesting address 
on the Permo Carboniferous glaciation and its resultant markings on the rocks 
of Hallett’s Cove, and dealt very fully with the changes of level in ‘Tertiary 
times and the occurrence of fossils in the strata laid down. The party spent 
a most enjoyable afternoon. 

EXCURSION TO MONTACUTE, April 25, 1929:—Owing t 0 the 
threatening weather only a small number of members ventured to join the 
excursion. Under the leadership of Mr. W. Ham the party rambled up to 
the beginning of the Corkscrew Road and enjoyed the fine view of the hills 
scenery, from that point of vantage, 

EXCURSION TO THE OUTER HARBOUR, May 4, 1929:—The 
Shell Club took charge of a well-attended outing. with Mr. W. J. Kimber as 
leader. The Outer Harbour is famous for the variety of its shells, and the 
party were successful in securing a number of species, which were named and 
described by the leader, who awarded prizes for the members obtaining the 
most rare species and the greater number of species respectively. A profitable 
afternoon was spent. 


eo j 


S.A, NAT., VOL. X. 


May, 1929. The Shell Club, $1 


SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SHELL COLLECTORS’ CLUB. 


The fortnightly meetings of this Club have been regularly 
attended, and a large number of specimens were reviewed. A 
progressive study of Bivalve mollusca inhabiting our local waters 
has occupied most evenings since July, 1928, with further work 
remaining for future discussion. 

FAMILY VENERIDAE. 

The oblong shells of this family have generally solid, equally- 
shaped valves, with three divergent teeth, and an external liga- 
ment. Certain representatives are plentiful at the Outer Harbour, 
and collectors in this region soon discover that three can be 
grouped fairly closely together. The Club has provisionally de- 
cided to know these as— ‘ 

Marcia corrugata—Lamarck. 
Marcia scalarina—Lamarck. 
Marcia aphrodinoides—Lamarck. 

M. corrugata is elongate oval, attaining a length of 24 inches, 
with blunt, well defined concentric ridges, running into each other, 
and crossed by radial striae, colour white. 

M. scalarina, which is predominant at the Outer Harbour, has 
sharp, well-defined, regularly-spaced, continuous concentric ridges, 
with no radial striae, colour varies from white to violet. Juvenile 
examples show chevron markings. 

M. aphrodinoides favour the mud flats that appear at low 
tide in front of the mangroves around the river; much more in- 
flated than the previous specimens—the low concentric ridges 
barely rise above the shell’s surface. No radial striae. ‘The 
valves show little colour, except as juveniles, interior dark violet 
or black. 

Marcia nitida is uncommon in this region, but is plentiful in 
the salt or brackish water at Onkaparinga mouth. This shell is 
somewhat inflated, and accuminate posteriorly. Colour brown, 
with broad rays. 

The Venerupidae, unlike the Marcia (which revel in the soft 
muddy sands), favour a rougher environment, such as_ rock 
crevices, and hard mud banks, in which they burrow. The valves 
of some species are rough and shaped to suit their habitat, with 
sometimes overlapping valves. More or less frilled, and some- 
times with crenated edges. 

Venerupis diemenensis, Q. and G., is probably the commonest 
species in South Australia, and may be found in quantities among 
the shell debris cast up in such places as Middleton. A small, 
white specimen, with few concentric ridges, but with strong radial 
striations. 


52 1 Exchanges. / yi ; _ May, 1929, 


V. cumingit, Des! ayes, lives in rock crevices along our coast- 
line. The left valve is generally included in the right. The con- 
centric ridges are closely spaced, with irregular radial striae. | 

V. exotica, Lamarck, is a handsome specimen, moderately 
rare, about 14 inches in length. The dorsal margin is almost 
straight. re valves are concentrically ribbed, with well marked 
radial striation, evenly distributed, also with distinct frilling. 
White with brown markings. Sometimes found embedded in 
sponges. 

V. galactites, Lamarck, is common. Found living in the sand 
around seaweed roots, and similar environment. Its white valves 
are smooth, with very fine, closely spaced radial striations. Attains 


a length of 1} inches. 
V. crenata, Lamarck, is a fairly large inflated shell of irregular 


growth. It is commonly found in nests or burrows formed in hard 
clay banks, such as exist at the mouth of the Onkaparinga River. 
F. TRIGG, 
Hon. Secretary, ¥ 
April, 1929. S.A. Shell Club. 


OUR EXCHANGES. 

The Smithsonian Reports for 1927, including papers 
a the following subjects -— 

“Soaring Flight.” 

“Pa'acontology and Human Relations.” 

“Accomplishments of Modern Astronomy.” 

“Charles Doolittle Walcott.” 

“William Healey Dall.” 

“Friedrich Kurz, Artist-Explorer.” 

“Indian Villages of § Alaska.” 

“Archaeo ogy in Chi 

“The Origins cf the Chinese Civilization.” 

“The Tvidence Bearing on Man’s Evolution.” 

“The Mind of an Insect,” 

“The Distribution of Fres 

“At the North Pole.” 

“Bird Branding in America.” 

“Recent Developments in Cosmical Physics.” 

“The Evolution of Twentieth Century Physics.” w 

“Tsaac Newton.” 

“The Centenary of Augustin Fresnel,” 

4 The Nucleus of the Atom.” 

“The Coming of the New Co 

“fs the Earth Growing Colder?” 

“Geological Climates.” 

“Geologic Romance of the Finger Lakes.” 

“Fossil Marine Faunas as Indications of Climatic Conditions.” 

“Notes on the Principles and Process of X-1 ray [examination | of Paintings ” 

“Lengthening of Human Life in Retrospect and Prospect. ‘ 


h-Water Fishes.” 


\ee.” 


“The Australian Forestry Journal,’ * December and March numbers. 
‘The Queensland Naturalist.” March Number. 
“Papers and Proceedings of the Raval Society of Tasmania fer 19287 


‘£ 


Cas 


South Australian Naturalist. 


Ol. x AUGUST, 1929. No. 4. 


GEOLOGY OF THE ENCOUNTER BAY DISTRICT. 
By W. HOWCHIN, F.G.S. 
(IXmeritus Professor of Geology, University of Adelaide: author 
of “Geology of South Australia,” “Vhe Building of 
Australia,” etc., etc.) 


‘Lhe Inman Valley is the type district in South Aust 
the glacial phenomena of the Permo-Carbonijerous « 
valley forms a part of an extinct glacial field of much g 
tent, having its known limits from Victor Harbour in 


insula on the west, to the Murray flats on the east. ‘The Inman 
and Hindmarsh Valleys were originally one and of pre-glacial 
origin. In consequence of the great depth of the original Inman 
Valley, which has been proved to have been at least 1500 feet, 
with ragged scarps on either side, the glacial features are of a 
unique kind, equalling, 1f not exceeding, the glacial remains of 
this age in any other part of the world, 


The Inman Valley, which crosses the Fleurieu Peninsula 
almost from sea to sea, has an average width of five miles, and 
with the exception of its termini at the respective sea coasts, is 
almost enclosed by rocks of greater age. Those on the northern 
side form the elevated plateau of the Hindmarsh Tiers in a height 
of over 1200 feet above sea level. Towards the north-western 
side of the valley, the rocks are of a granitic type of the Pre- 
Cambrian age, while the rest belong to the Adelaide Series which 
rests unconformably on the former. A junction of the two series 
is well exposed at the Grey Spur, on Crossman’s property, reached 
by the road that crosses the river a little to the westward of the 
8 mile-post from Victor Harbour. 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X. 
54 Geology of the Encounter Bay District. _ Avecusr, 1929. 


‘The snow-field that was the gathering ground of the great 
ice-sheets, lay to the southward of the present continent, where 
there is now deep water. This sunken land-mass was probably 
in the form of an upland plateau consisting mainly of granite and 
other igneous and metamorphic rocks that formed the core of a 
mountain range of which only the roots remain. In its passage 
northwards, the ice-sheet rounded off all the prominences in its 
vay, scraped off the summits of Granite Island, Rosetta Head, 
West Island and King’s Point, flooded the Inman Valley, and 
flowed over the adjoining heights. 


Yhe thickness of the ice-sheets is indicated by a bore put 
down in the Back Valley Creek, which after passing through glac- 
ial moraine material, struck bed-rock at a depth of 964 feet, prov- 
ing that the ancient valley floor was at least at such a depth. The 
ice reached a level that covered the Inman Hill which is nearly 
900 feet above sea-level, and Strangways Hill, which is still higher, 
so that the thickness of the ice could not be less than 1,500 feet. 
The floor over which the ice moved consisted of a very hard 
siliceous quartzite, which has been deeply grooved, scratched and 
polished. under the grinding action of the glacier. In every 
instance where the floor and sides of the valley have been re- 
cently exposed, these effects can be seen. 


Some very fine ice-smoothed hummocks (roches moutonzee) 
can be seen near the residence of the late Mr. D. H. Cudmore, 
at the beginning of the Hindmarsh Valley, also the conspicuously 
isolated Crozier’s Hill, on the north side of the main road, soon 
after entering the valley. This hill is a beautiful illustration of 
ice-action on a gradual slore, ploughed by the ice on its advancing 
side, and ‘ ‘plucked” in a broken face on the lee. 


The lower reaches of the Inman are choked with moraine 
sand transported by the river, but higher up, numerous examples 
of the glaciated rock floor can be seen in the bed and sides of the 
stream. At the road crossing the river, already referred to, a 
fine exposure can be seen at an acute bend of the stream. This is, 
pierce the ice-polished rock seen by Selwyn in 1859, the 
first example of a glaciated rock recognised i in Australia, 

‘The erratics are a remarkable feature throughout the valley, 
both for numbers and ereat size. They form an interesting 
group in the shallow water at Fncounter Bay, including one on 
the shore that is 23 feet in length. They show in great Bes, 
in the moraine trail from Rosetta Head to Claaeonun Hill 2 
the entrance to the Inman Valley. They are particularly num- 
erous along the northern side of the valley where the ice ploughed 
into and over the scarps of the Hindmarsh Tiers, and can be 


‘f 


S.dOONAD VOL. X. 


_ Aucusr, 1929. By W. Howchin, FLR.GS, 55 


traced over the watershed of the Bald Hills into the valley on the: 
other side. he moraines of Mount Brecken, near Victor Har- 
bour, and King’s Point facing West Island, with their large er- 
ratics showing in the till, are as typical as could be seen anywhere. 


It is remarkable that in these low latitudes there should be: 
remains of two of the most intense Ice Ages that the world can 
show. Although separated by many millions of years, the newer 
(Inmanian) tillite rests directly on the older (Sturtian) tillite: 
which it has ploughed up and carried forward in large masses as 
erratics—a unique feature nowhere else seen in the world. 


The ice having travelled over a region largely composed’ 
of granite rocks, the moraine material transported by the glacier 
consisted largely of triturated quartz and other crystalline 
minerals. Where a granite subsoil has been long exposed to the 
chemical action of atmospheric gases and surface organisms it 
passes up into a fairly productive light soil, but if the surface soil 
consists of fresh and little altered crystalline fragments it is 
particularly sterile. The moraine material, as laid down, was 
freshly ploughed up from the unaltered rock and laid down in: 
creat thickness, and for ages has been protected from atmos- 
pheric influences and without contact with vegetable and other 
organic material, so that in its natural condition it is partly 
supplied with plant food. ‘The valley that was once choked to 
the brim with this material is now being slowly re-excavated by 
rain and river, and in exposed situations the soil gets little chance: 
of enrichment. This is seen in the sandy hillocks and com- 
paratively bare slopes so characteristic of the district. The pre- 
ronderance of quartz sand leaves the soil open to a full circulation 
of water and, thereby, becomes leached of organic and soluble 
ingredients, leaving the soil poor. Where the soil is in contact 
with older and more diversified rocks, the weathering of the latter 
feeds the soil which gathers richness from the blend. So, again. 
the rivers and creek flats subject to floods, are similarly enriched 
and made productive. he lower members of the moraine are of 
a more argillaceous kind and form a stiff soil characteristic of a 
typical “till,” which when mixed with the overlying sandy material 
makes a good soil, while the clay in its natural condition, by its 
retentive qualities, causes swamps in places. These contrasted 
conditions of habitat have led to local segregations in the flora 
and the formation of plant communities clearly referable to the: 
kind of soil in which they grow. 


56 Eucalyptus. 


EUCALYPTUS. 
THE ESSENCE OF AUSTRALIA. 


The eucalypts of Australia are generally regarded as forming 

about three-quarters of the veg etation of our Continent, s ays the 
Fcondn nic Chemist of the Technical Museum, Sydney, Mr. A. R. 
Penfold, F.A.C.1., F.C.S., in an article in the June Number of 
“The Australian Forestry Journal,” from which the following 
article is extracted. he writer goes on to say that, though known 
as “gum-trees” they give out no gum, the exudation being in the 
nature of an astringent tannin, properly termed “kino.” [Endemic 
enly to the mainland and ‘Tasmania, and not occurring naturally 
even as far afield as New Zealand, they are grown in millions in 
New Zealand, South America, South Africa, India, and especially 
in California, U.S.A. One of the first natural products exported 
from Australia was eucalyptus oil, ‘This was in 1798, 


The name “eucalyptus” is derived from the two Greek words, 
“eu” meaning ‘well,’ and “kalypto” meaning “I cover,” the 
reference being to the lid (operculum) which seals the flower until 
it is thrown off during the process of opening, and it is this 
characteristic feature which distinguishes the genus eucalyptus. 
‘There are over 300 species known, 180 species have been examined 
for essential oils, but only 20 yield oils of commercial value. Of 
these Eucalyptus cneorifolia (the narrow leaf mallee of Kangaroo 
Island is one of the best). It is said that 1,000 Ibs. leaves 
yield about 20 Ibs. of oil, containing nearly 60 per cent. of cineo! 
sx eucalyptol, the principal constituent of the medicinal oils. In- 
dustrial oils used in the flotation processes for the separation of 
minerals contain another constituent, phellandren. These in- 
dustrial oils also find an extensive use in the ae al of dis- 
infectants, boot polishes, ete. Other eucalypts yield oils largely 
used in perfumery. From Eu. citriodora, of which there are some 
specimens growing in our Botanic Gardens, citronella and rose 


oils are produced, 


A recent development ts the production of very effective 
disinfectants possessing very pronounced germicidal »perties 
as well as a more pleasant odour. Thy mol, a very powerful 
antiseptic, and Menthol are being produced from various 
eucalyptus oils. Menthol is used in Peachey, and very ex- 
tensively in confectionery. 


. 


we 


¥ 


+ 


 s 


S.A) NA. VOR. x, “3 
Aucusr, 1929. _Trees of the Adelaide Streets. 57 


THE TREES OF THE ADELAIDE STREETS. 
———:0: 


Our readers may be interested to read the ail extracts 


from a report by the City Gardener, Mr. A. W. Pelzer, F.R.H.S 


STREET PLANTING. 


In considering the trees growing in the City streets it is to 
be remembered that they are growing under unnatural conditions. 
To assist them they are specially prepared when in the nursery 
by being frequently pruned in order to induce the growth of 
fibrous roots, so that they may be the better able to ‘withstand 
drought and similar unfavourable conditions. 


As the result of experience it has been found that the follow- 
ing trees are the most suitable for flanting in City streets :— 

English Ash Tree (Fraxinus); Nettle Tree (Celtis); Plane 
Tree (Platanus); Honey Locust ‘Tree (Gladitschia); and 
Varnish Tree (Kolreuteria). 

Of the foregoing, the three first named have the advantage 
of a very long leaf period. Vhe English Ash is an excellent tree 
in this respect, as it is in leaf more or less during some nine 
months out of the twelve. ‘The Pagoda (Sophora) and Nettle 
(Celtis) trees also have long leaf periods, that of the remaining 
three being somewhat shorter. 

The White Cedar (Melia) in some respects is suited to street 
planting, but the berries which fall from it are an objection as 
they are a source of danger on paved walks, 

The Robinia inermis, with the globe shaped crown, which 
may be seen growing in the playgrounds, would be a suitable tree 
for plant ing in narrow streets but for its unfortunate tendency to 
send up suckers, aie six kinds which I have referred to as 
suitable for street work have not this tendency. 


PLANTING IN PARKS AND GARDENS, AND RESERVES. 


‘The following trees have proved themselves adapted to local 
conditions :— : 

Decwvous.—In addition to those already mentioned for 
street planting, the Elm ‘Tree (U/imus), Tree of Heaven (4ilan- 
ihus), Acacia Tree (Robinia), and White Poplar Tree (Populus) 
give satisfactory results in park lands. 


$.A. NAT,, VOL, X. 
58 Trees of the Adelaide Streets. Aucust, 1929, 


zranda 


Of the ever-greens, the Carob Tree (Ceratonia), |: 
“Tree (Jacaranda), Camphor ‘Tree (Camphora), Wurrajong ‘Tree 
(Sterculta), Flame ‘Vree (Brachychiton), Coral Tree (Lry! thrina), 
Moreton Bay-fig ‘Trees, both large and small Jeaf, have proved to 
be well adapted to local conditions; of Sheoak ‘I'rees, the species 
Casuarina glauca succeeds weil on limestone and brackish soils. 
The Conifers are of value from an ornamental standpoint for 
planting in round spaces, particularly in view of their symm Gace, 
form, and the following species have been found to do well on 


the park lands:— 


Norfolk Island Pine, dusirian Pine, Stone Pine, Aleppo Pine, 
Canary Island Pine, Cedrus, and Cypress. Vhe species Cedrus 
also grows well on selected sites. 


Of gum trees the Lemon scented gum (EK. citriodora) when 
planted in good deep soil, the Yate gum (4. cornuta), Sugar gum 
(E, cladocalyx), and Yuart gum (fucalyptus gomphocephala) 
all grow well in suitable localities on the Adelaide Plains. The 
Searlet flowering gum can be grown successfully, but only in 
certain localities. The same applies to the Red gum (4. rostrata), 
which se i a deep rich soil, while the ‘Tuart gum, which is 
a very hardy species » will grow on Itmestone soil. 


Regarding the [ig ' Ted e (Ficus nitida) crowing in the grounds 
at the Terminus Hotel, North Terrace, and the evergreen Oak 
(Quercus [lex) in Government House Domain, spectmens of both 
these trees may be seen growing in the City gardens, the former 
in Elder Garden, Victoria Square, and the West Park Lands, and 
the Ivergreen Oak in Osmond, Angas, and East Terrace Gardens, 
both species are hardy and give very good results. 


The Flame ‘Tree is thriving well in Whitmore, Weilington 
and Victoria Squares, Osmond and North ‘Terrace Gardens. 


FIRST PUBLICATION BY THE F.N‘S. 


“The Flora of Encounter ae * by Professor Cleland, which 
has been Punnees serially in the S.4. Naturalist, is to be issued 
by the Section. In addition to Ne articles by Professor Cleland, 
there will be an account of the geology of the district near Victor 
Harbour, written by Professor Howchin, and illustrated with 
plates. ‘Che pamphlet will be on sale shortly. 


= 


i 


‘A 


M 


Fs 


S.A. NAT. VOL, X. 
Aueusr, 1929. Review. se) 


REVIEW: FLORA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, PART IV. 


Bignoniaceae-Compositae. 
J. M. Buacx, Lecturer in Botany at the University of Adelaide. 
1929. 

Chis is the concluding part of the flora, and Mr. Black is to 
heartily congratulated on its successful completio n. ‘The Flora 
as been eight years in preparation and must have entailed an 
enormous amount of work in the examination of specimens and in 
locating some of the types. A large number of new specie 
varieties and new combinations have been created by Mr. | 
and excellent descriptions have been drawn up for each. 
task of delving into the extensive botanical literature and deciding 
which was the earliest name given to our plants places Mr. Black 
as the leading authority in Australia on Australian botanical 
nomenclature. To show what difficulties the systematic botanist 
meets reference may be made to Melothria micrantha (p. 543). 
This plant was first named by Mueller in 1855 as Cucurbita 
micrantha, in 1859 Naudin created the name Cucumis 
for it and Bentham referred to it as Melothria Muelleri. ’ 
genera are thus used in which to place this species and the author 
had to decide which was the correct one (as each has cetinite 
limits) and deciding on the latter one the specific name to accom- 
pany tt must be that first used no matter what generic name was 
attached to it. A similar procedure had to be adopted with 
Rutidosis multiflora (see p. 639). ‘The completed work contains 
almost 700 pages of plant descriptions, with indexes of scientif 
and neues names, so that the Flora is of practical use not oniy 
to the botanist but to gardeners, students and others as 
Following the custom in all recent floras the weeds and foreign 
introduced plants are delineated, and exceptionally large num- 
bers of drawings of these are given. Gardeners, orchardists. 
nurserymen, ete., should find the book valuable on this account. 
Not every plant has been given a popular name, but where one 
has A established through general use it has been given. 
his part is well illustrated. and the keys to the genera and species 
are most helpful. 

Plates Nos. 4 and 5 are reproduced here as samples of 
the illustrations used, and the whole of the 54 | slaeee and the 
338 figures were drawn by the author himself. The value and 
practical use of the Flora is wonderfully enhanced by these, and 
they reveal Mr. Black as an artist of extremely high attai nments. 
The practice of illustrating the generic differences in the 
has again been utilised in this part, and they immediately 
the description of the family itself, 


1 
be 
} 
n 


X., No. 4. 


Vol. 


The South 


Australian Naturalist, 


Plate 4. 


J. M. Brack. 


‘Block lent by courtesy of Royal Society of S.A.) 


Eremophila neglecta, 


The South Australian Naturalist, Vol. X., No. 4. 
_ ee 


Plate 4. 
From “The Flora of South Australia.’ Part IV. 


I. M. Black. 


~. 


Compositae. Upper part of styles (all much enlarged). 


(Block kindly lent by courtesy of Government Printer} 


From “The Flora of South Australia’? Part IV. 
/. M. Black. 


Sav NAA, 
62 Review. Avucusr. 


The treatment of Lremophila in Myoporaceae is satislacto: 
as it is better to place all the species under that genus, where 
they have been for so long, than to place some under Pholidia 
and others under Stenochilus; a certain amount of confusion js 
thus obviated. Mr. Black has created four new species in this <# 
genus. 

In the family Campanulaceae Pratia has been separated from 
Lobelia to fall into line with the great majority of botanists. In 
Goodeniaceae the species of Goodenta are accompanied by ex- 
cellent descriptions and G. geniculata has now been satisfactorily 
divided into several distinct species, viz., G. primulacea, G. affinis 
and G. robusta, 

The extensive and somewhat difficult order Compositae has 
been thoroughly revised and well illustrated. Drawings of the 
most difficult parts of the Mower to examine, the style and anthers, 
have been given in many of the genera, ‘he excellent keys to 
the tribes and genera, as well as a fine series of drawings, will be 
of great assistance to the systematic botanist. Brachycome is 
well illustrated by drawings of ripe fruits, and five species are 


o) ES & 
1929. 


named by the author. Calotis is illustrated in a similar manner. sf 
as in the former, the remarkable barbed awns or pappus of this 
genus is well shown. ‘Twenty-seven species of Ofearia have been 
listed and have been transferred from <4ster, which is not con- 
sidered an Australian genus. ‘Vhe everlastings (27 in /lelipterum 
and 23 in Helichrysum) torm a large section, of which Mr. Bl 
has described a number of new species. Quite a number 
alterations in the names of various species had to be made in th 
family, and among the introduced genera illustrations are more 
numerous. ‘Uhrough recent work of specialists in Ingland on the 
grasses, Mr. Black has added eleven pages of new arrangements 
and notes in this family. Altogether 34 pages of additions and 
corrections have been added, the Flora now comprises ; 
species of which 2,064 are indigenous, and 730 genera ol 
580 genera are native plants. A map of the State, showing 
ways, rivers and the principal towns, concludes the work. 
1Or- Uplishs' ts 
FLINDERS CHASE: € 


Kangaroo Island. 
Dr. J. B. Cleland and Mr. J. F. Bailey (members of th 


oO 


Fauna and Flora Board), reporting to the Chairman (Dr. E. 
Angas Johnson) on an official visit to Flinders Chase, Kangaroo 
Island, say that kangaroos and wallabies seem to be flourishing 
in the enclosure, and are abundant outside. A native bear was 
seen some months ago. Cape Barren geese and emus seem to 
be doing well. ‘The visitors saw where the platypuses had 
liberated, but failed to locate them. 


ef 


“£ 


S.A. NAT., VOL. X, 
Aucusr, 1929. Excursions. 6 


Gs 


EXCURSION TO WATERFALL GULLY. 
May 18, 1929. 


A party of field naturalists visited Waterfall Gully to study 
zorge fide a, under the guidance of the Secretary (Mr. If. YW. Ising). 
During the walk from “the terminus of the Burnside tram. Mr. W. 
Ham drew attention to the geological features of the narrow 
ravine, pointing out the bedding planes, the joint planes, the dip 
and the contortions of the strata, the uplift or sinking of the 

avers, faults and the character of the rocks. He also explained 
how the fall had regressed up the valley as the softer rock decayed 
and was carried down by the stream and new faces were exposed 
to the action of weather and running water. In the upper reaches 
the rocky faces were precipitous and a cross section would show 
a V-shaped cleft, due to the grinding action of fragments carried 
by the rapid waters, but lower down the gentle lapping of the 
water had rounded the banks into a wide trough, which finally 
subsided into the plain. 


la 


The road was lined with English hawthorn, and in one place 
Prey the native raspberry (Rubus parvifolius). Weeping 
willows (Salix babylonica), were much in evidence, and a garden 
of magnificent chrysanthemums was admired. <A feature that 
ised some comment was the diversity of vegetation on the slopes 
and on the ridge. While tall gums were conspicuous on the heights, 
the rounded sides of the gorge were clad with sheoak (Casuarina), 
On the eastern slopes banksia and eucalypts flourished. Between 
he first and second falls a species of wattle (4cacia rhetinodes), 
known as “bald” or “Warilda,’? was beginning to put forth tts 
blossoms. “The wo olly tea-tree (Leplospermum) was also ob- 
served, ‘he stringybark, with its rugged covering, was growing 
here at an elevation of about 800 feet or less, though seldom seen 
at a lower level than 1,300 feet. This tree, named by PHeutier, 
a French botanist (Eucalyptus obliqua), from its unsymmetric al 
leaves, was first observed on Captain Cook’s voyage. The 
peculiarities of the gorge flora are due to the abundance of 
moisture and the shelter of the steep-sided gully, 


Other plants observed included Solanum, of the same family 
as the deadly night-shade, Siegesbeckia, and Leptospermum 
bubescens, with grayish leaves and downy seedpods; the Austra- 
lian “blue bell.” which flowers all over the State; the coarse 
RS grass, a valuable fodder that in early days extended over 


the greater part of South Australia, and still flourishes along the 


hills bie line, eG the ground has been undisturbed, also 
pidosperma (scaly seed), a species of sedee. 


Soa GAT. VOL. ee 
64 Excursions. Aucusr, 1929. 


EXCURSION TO WARPOO. 
June 3, 1929. 


On the holiday Mr. Suttton, ornithologist of the Museum, 


conducted a party over the scrub near Warpoo, between Lyndoch 


and Sandy Creek, where they examined the rich and varied bird 


life of that picturesque locality. An enjoyable and profitable ime 


was spent, and 25 different species were observed. 


VISIT TO THE MUSEUM. 
June 15, 1929. 


A large party spent some pleasant hours at the Museum, 
under the guidance of Mr. H. M. Hale, the assistant director, 
and his colleagues, Messrs. A. M. Lea and N. B. Vindale. Near 
eather’ 


the entrance Mr. Hale called attention to some coils of “EF 
Money.” from Mexico and Santa Cruz, in beautiful colours, and 
valued at £80. A mummitied baby from the River Murray was 


pointed out. “Ginseng,” a plant highly esteemed by the Chinese 


for its medicinal properties, was represented by some dried 
specimens. A substance believed to be ambergris, with the charac- 
teristic black nodules, might be worth anything from £4 an ounce. 
The witch plant mentioned in Genesis, “mandrake” (so named 
from its quaint resemblance to a human embryo) is used as a 
base for various perfumes. Mr, LH. M. Hale next illustrated from 
a number of specimens the evolution of the backbone from the 
first rudiments of a notochord. Mr. A. M. Lea, the Museuny 
I'ntomologist, showed a very varied and comprehensive collection 
of insects, both Australian and foreign. 


EXCURSION TO MORIALTA. 
June 29, 1929. 
A party of field naturalists proceeded to Morialta on a 
botanical excursion, conducted by Dr. J. B. Cleland. he intro- 


duced plants, including sugar gums (/. cladocalyx), Acacia 


Baileyana, A. podalyrifolia, and many others were making great 
headway, the latter species of wattle being in full bloom. Differ- 
ing species of vegetation marked varying heights and situations. 
Down near the running stream the stately forms of the red gum 
(i. rostrata) were conspicuous (the specific term is an allusion 
to the seed capsules, shaped like a beak or rostrum). ‘These fine 
trees usually favour a moist situation, and often outline the course 
of a creek. Higher up the so-called blue gum (or yellow gum), 
f., leucoxylon, lifted up his leafy crown with £. odorata (pepper- 
mint) intermingled. &. fasciculosa (with its seed pods im bundles 


on 


a 


VOU. a 
, 129. Ivcursions. 


nN 
un 


fasces), and #. viminalis (manna gum, with short, conical seed 
pods), were also observed. Leptospermum lanigerum (woolly 
tea-tree) grew on the bank lining the road. Among wattles of 
indigenous growth, 4eacia rhetinodes and 4. continua flourished, 
but not yet in flower; also 4. rupicola. ‘Towards the summit 
gentle breeze sighed among the cones and branches of 
Casuarina stricta (sheaoak). ‘lwo species of Xanthorrhoea, or 
erass tree or yacca, A. quadrangulata and X. semiplana, were 
noted. ‘he wild hop, Deda @ viscosa, had grown into a large 
shrub, A plant rarely found in the foothills, FHalorrhagts 
Brocsenti, rewarded the researchers of the party. The Spyridium 
has small whitish floral leaves, which resemble the petals 
of a flower. dnthocercis (vay flower) has a white wheel- 
shaped corolla, the lobes giving it the generic name, and the 
narrow leaves give the specific description (angustifolia), ‘The 
wild cotton bush ts an importation from America, and was accom- 
panied by a peculiar species of moth. /imperata cylindrica was 
once considered capable of producing paper pulp. Banksia 
marginata grew at a low elevation. A bearded grass, dudropogon 
(manly beard) is common in the foothills. Correa rubra (popu- 
larly known as native fuchsia) and Hardenbergia or wild lilac, 
were in flower. Among orchids were observed the dainty green- 
hood, Pterostylis, with Glossodia and Acianthus. Vhe scarlet 
runner (Kennedya prostrata) was not yet decked with its bright 
red blossoms. Another remarkable plant is the flame heath (dstro- 
loma conostephioides), Nany other species of native plants were 
observed. 

The party greatly admired the striking regularity of the huge 
lavers of Cyclopean masonry that bound the vy alley near the first 
fall, and the spark ine erace of the aptly-named bridal veil water- 
fall. An account of this romantic glen would not be complete 
without some slight tribute to the engineering skill and good taste 


paths and the rustic bridges and 


tl 
the 


with which the steep and windin 
hillside chalets have been con 
the picturesque surroundings, and consult the convenience of 
visitors without being cae obtruded on the view, 


ucted, so as to harmontse with 


EXCURSION TO SEMAPHORE. 
July 13, 1929, 

Meld aoa led by Mr. W. J. Kimber, explored the 
beach north of the Semaphore Jetty. Some strange zig-zag, well- 
defined tracks were noticed near the water. On following these 
up the party discovered a remarkable mollusc, known to science 


as a Pollinices contca. ‘These ingenious creatures very cleverly con- 


S.A. WAT, VOL. KE. 
66 Excursions. Avucusr, 1929. 


struct worm-shaped tubes of minute grains of sand, in which the 
female deposits thousands of eggs. Several specimens of Halioiis 
lid or cover, which closes the mouth of the valves, also affords 
evidence of wonderful adaptation. Several specimens of Haliotas 
evclobates, or mutton fish, were found. These molluscs were a 
favourite dish with the aborigines, and the sites of their camps, 
especially in ‘Tasmania, are marked by great heaps of the empty 
shells. Both the interior and exterior are nacreous. ‘The Sigaretus 
ronals has a large foot, so large that it cannot, like some other 
gasteropods, withdraw wholly into its shell, which covers only the 
vital parts. Nerita melanotragus is an edible molluse known as 
the black winkle, and is a palatable morsel. Its operculum, or 
lid, is worth observation. Bankivia is a small molluse usually 
found in populous communities on beaches such as the Outer 
Harbour. ve remains form peculiar pink ridges. Mactra pura, 
the largest S.A. mactra species is a beautiful white shell, and is 
prized by anglers for bait. MM. dustralis, a smaller blue variety, 
is good food. A so-called gastropod, the Vermetus, is a worm-like 
molluse; which does not move about on a “stomach foot,” but 
attaches itself to other shells or rocks. A tube-building worm had 
left some of its handiwork on the beach in the shape of a tube 
about two inches long, constructed of microscopic sand grains, 
cemented by a sticky secretion. Vhrough an ordinary magnifying 
glass the glittering grains could be clearly seen. oe australis 
has a strange slit through its entire length, serving the purposes 
cl respiration and execretion. Thalotia conica is a ve ory pretty 
brown shell, belonging to the trochidae, or top shells, all noted 
for their beauty. Another of the same family is Phastanotrochus 
bellulus, possessing also brilliant colouring and exquisite markings. 
An Avicula or butterfly shell, is the only representative in South 
Australia of the pearl! shell mollusc. The Murex is a relative of 
the shell from which the ancients obtained the famous “l'yrian 
purple.’ The Solemya australis, peculiar to the continent, has 
a wemarkable periostracum, or covering, not wholly composed of 
et eg of lime. An interesting find was a cluster of ege 
capsules of Sepla apama, a decapod, or ten-footed cephalopod, 
commonly He as the cuttlefish. This creature is a favourite 
food of the predatory sharks, and for that reason would soon be 
exterminated but for its marvellous fertility, a striking instance 
of how a persecuted organism (plant as well as animal) manages 
‘to survive and propagate its kind by the abundance of its offspring, 
although millions die. 
Mr. Harding showed a perfect specimen of a large sponge 
formation, usually called from its shape “Neptune’s cup. ” "This 
consists of the skeletons of countless numbers of polyps, which 


wy 


Excursions, 67 


live together in common. These polyps are lined with cilia, or 

ine hairs, whose constant oscillation sets up a current in ‘the 
water. With tiny inhalant syphons they bring food to the com- 
munity and eject the indigestible matter with another set, the 
sxhalant syphons. 


ey eee ae 
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SHELL COLLECTORS’ CLUB. 

The following members would like to arrange excha®e of 
local shells it foreign correspondents :— 

Mr. F. L. Saunders, Arthur Street, Unley. 

Miss Kentish, Riverside School, Fitzroy. 

Mr. Harding, c/o Barlow’s, Port Adelaide. 

Miss Wayne, Port Road, Hindmarsh. 

Mrs. Pearce, Capper Street, Kent Town. 

Miss ee Gaza. 

Miss V. 7 Faylor, 95 Grenfell Street, Adelaide. 

Mr. Godfrey, Robert Street, South Payneham. 

Mr. Broadbent, Epworth Building, Pirie Street, Adelaide. 

Rey. H. Gunter, Payneham. 
40k 

LECTURE. 
“OXFORD UNIVERSITY TRIP TO SPITZBERGEN.” 
May 21, 1929. 
By Mr. R. W. SEGNIT, B.Sc. 

The lecture was illustrated by lantern slides, depicting the 
configuration of the lands visited and their fauna and flora. 

Mr, Segnit gave a general outline of the geographical position 

the Spitzbergen Islands and their relation to the mainland of 
Europe, the track followed by the warm Gulf Stream from the 
equator to the Arctic, its influence on the temperature and climate 
ot Spitzbergn, and a brief summary of the history and scientific 
results of previous expeditions. ‘The composition and objects of 
the ex} Seine were dealt with, and a description was given of the 
jonas north, which was started in 1921, and included a forced 
stay of ten days on Bear Island, situated approximately 200 miles 
from Spitzbergen. The lecturer dealt ath Spitzbergen topo- 

rap: te giving an explanation of its geological features, its tectonic 

folie fjords, glaciers, and the various stages in the general 
retreat of the ice. The expedition had been particularly educative 
from a botanical standpoint, there being no less than 196 species 
of mosses and 68 species of lichen existing in the islands. The 
flora included a great number of Arctic species. Sixty-five species 
of birds were known to inhabit Spitzbergen, and interesting results 
to the zoologist in the study of mating, nesting, and breeding 
habits of some of the birds, particularly the red-throated diver 
purple sandpirer, had been obtained. 


; $.A. NAT., VOL. x. 
68 


WILD FLOWER SHOW. 


The Show will be held in the Town Hall as usual on October (& 
10th and I1th. Members are asked to make preparations and to e 
bring such natural history exhibits, etc., as they can secure, and 
are invited to help in the work of preparation on the Thursday 
evening, October 10th, 


The prizes for painting are arranged as follows: 
A—For Central Schools only: 
(1) Water Colour Painting; prizes of 7/6 and 5/-. 
(2) Art Designs; prizes of 7/6 and 5/. 
B—Open to all Amateurs: 
for Water Colour paintings only; 10/6 and _ 
“o 
The subjects are to be native flowers er designs based upon ~ 
native flowers, etc. 


OUR EXCHANGES. 


=: 


“The Australian Naturalist.” March, 1929, 

2. “The Victorian Naturalist.” May and June, 1929. 
“Notes on Certain Species of Thelymitra.” by W. H. Nichoils. is 

interesting discussion of the various species of this beautiful f 

of orchids. 


3. “Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.” Wol. NIV. 1927-1928. 

4, “Journal of the Arno!d Arboretum of Havard.” January and April Numbers. 

5. “The South Australian Ornithologist.” July, 1929, 

6. “Annals of the Polish Zoological Museum.” 7 
7. “The John Crerar Library Annual Report for the Year 1928,” 

8, “Sturt Centenary, 1829-1929.” Issued by the Dept. of Lands and Survey. 


On 


ADDITIONS TO OUR LIBRARY. 


J. “The Australian Forestry Journal.” June, 1929. 


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