The - Victorian Naturalist

Val. | XLVI-No. 1. May 7, 1930. ‘No. No. 557.

THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ <cLUB OF VICTORIA,
The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the
Royal Society's Hall. on Monday, Apal 14, 1930- Mr.
Geo. Coghill (vice-president) occupied the -chair, and there were
about 110 members and visitors present.

» The chairman referred to the recent death of Mrs. St. John,
the wife of the president, and members stood ix: silence as a mark
of respect. It was resolved that a letter of condolence be written
to Mr, St. John and dis family,

CORRESPONDENCE.

' From the Hon, the Premier of Victoria re the proposed issue
of Jicenses to trap opossums.

From the Tasmanian Field Naturalists’ Club inviting mem-.
bers to attend their Easter Camp Excursion.

From the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau drawing al-
tention to a conducted “ Trail Ride across the Australian Alps
during the Easter ‘holidays. -

From the Premier's Ofice, Habart, Tasmania, notifying that
the Thylacine or’ Marsupial Wolf had been placed on the list
of partly protected animals.

From the Australian Association for the Advancement of
Science enclosing particulais and circulars re the forthcaming Bris-

bane meeting.
REPORTS.

Mr. A, L. Scott reported that a pleasant trip with
Geology as special object was enjoyed by members and friends
on March 29, when the objects of interest so well described by
My. A. V. G, James (Proc, Rey, Soc. Vic., Vol. 32, 1920) and
by. Mr. C. M. Tattam (Proc. Roy. Soc., Vic, Vol. 37, 1925)
were visited. The beauty of ‘the ‘Deen Creek Valley in. the
vicinity of Bulla impressed the visitors and opinions were expressed
that a motor trip to thar place for birds and flowers might prove
prohtable.

- Mr. A. E. Redda reported,-in the absence of Mr. P. R, H. .
St. Join owing ta bereavement. He led a patty of 35 members
and visitors round the Botanic Gardens in search of birds. Aparl
from the common introduced kinds only 16 species were noted,
two-thirds of which were water birds on the lake. The conser-
nie were visited and afforded much delight to members and
others ;

' Other reports of excursions were given as fallow:—Botanic
Gardens, Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S.; Mt, William Aboriginal

2 Field Naturalists’ Club—Praceedings. Va Rauee

‘Quarnes, Mr, S. R. Mitchell; Clematis Gully, Belgrave, Mr. F.

Pitcher.
: WELCOME,
The chairman ¢xtended a cordial welcome to Miss F. Smith
on her return from a trip abroad; also to Mr. Musgrave, of the
Australian Museum, Sydney, as a visitor.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.
The following were duly elected on a show of hands:—As
otdinaty members: Miss M. Hodgson, Parkdale, and Miss M.
Ritchie, South Yarra, and as associate member; Mr. L. Stach,

Albert Park,
; GENERAL.

Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., mentioned that a piece of land at
Camberwell known, as the Maling Reserve had been presented to
the municipality some years ago. The site contained interesting
geological features and a permanent spring of water, and was very
suitable for a pond and rock garden, but nothing had been done
with*it. It was resolved that the Club should make representa-
tions to the Camberwell City Council and urge the beautification
of this reserve. ay

Miss J, W, Raff, M.Sc., and Mr. E, E. Pescott, F.L.S., were
appointed to represent the Club at the Brisbane meeting of Aus-
tralasian Association for the Advancement of Science to be held
in June next, .

The honorary. secretary drew attention to Mr. J. Séarle’s gift
of four stereoscopes which had been received by the Club.

LECTURE.

Mr. S, Butler gave a lecturette on “* Victorian Spiders. and
Scorpions " (Arachnida), and by means of living specimens and a
series of excellent lantern slides dealt in an inleresting way with
their anatomy and habits. He showed that the group so often
despised and even feared was a useful one and well worthy of
observation and study. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to
Mr. Butler. Mr. Musgrave, of the Australian Museum, Sydney.
himself an authority on Spiders, congratulated Mr. Butler, who, he
said, was one of the few students of Arachnids in Australia. He

-made some interesting comments on the recent scare in Sydney,
caused by Trapdoor Spiders. He also said that the illness caused
by the bite of the red-backed spider very rarely had proved fatal.

EXHIBITS.
By Mr. A. C. Nilson——Living and preserved spiders and
doors of trap-door spiders, , ;
Mr. A. E. Rodda,—Living Death's Head Spider and co-
coons; also nest of a mud building wasp,
By Mr. Stach.—Fossils from city excavations.

Mey. a 4 Field Naturalists’ Clab——Proceedings, f 3

.. By Mr. F. Pitcher.—Fer fronds collected at the Belgrave
excursion. a

By National Museum (per Mr. J, A. Kershaw),—A case
each of foreign spiders and scorpions, »

Master P. Flecker.Care Moth larvae.

By Mr. 8. Butler—Living spiders in ‘illustration af his lec-
ure.

By Miss A. F. Smith—(a) Black and white Ringed Snake,
Furina occipitalis; (b} mud wasps’ nests, Odynerus sp. Sceliphron
laetus; {c) Fruit of Jacaranda mimosifolta; (d) Nest of trap-
deor spider. All collected by the exhibitor in Mildura district.

By Mr. 8. R. Mitchell—(a) Australites from Malka, east
side of Lake Eyre, South Australia, collected by Mr. :G. Alston}
{b) Red Pigment and two stone pencils for its application, Rigo,
New Guinea; (c) Stone adze heads, Rigo, New Guinea,

By Mr. H. B. Williamson—(a) Specimens of Compositac
discussed by exhibitor in April Naturalist: Leptorrhynchus panac-
ticides, Ixiolaena leptolepis and 7. tomentosa; (b) Specimen of
Boronia hispida Cheel, Rough Boronia, collected by exhibitor at
vise Ranges, Novernber, 1903, to be added to the Victorian

ensus.

-* By Mr. J. C. Goudie—(a) African Tenebrionid beetle,
Blaps sulcata, Fabr., recently taken in nombere at Walleroo, South
Australia; (b) 21] insects bred from portion of branch of Black
Wattle from Berwick, 10 genera, 10 species,

By Mr, A. L. Scott—Specimens of bee -and spider from
a flower taken when the spidey was grasping the bee by the head.

By Mr. A. M, Wade-~—Specimens of processionary cater-
pillar, collected near Swan Hill.

By Miss J. Maclean.--(a) Miscellaneous collection of local
spiders (dried specimens); (b) Living Death's Head Spider, with
eight cocoons; (c)} cocoon and young of same. .

By Mr, A, J. Swaby——Cosmos, ‘double * and “single”
flowers to show the variation in the dise florets, also stages in
pollination; (b) Death's Head Spider with ege cocouns; (c) moth
Pinara sp. cocoon being spun; (d) Ophtéglossum coriaceum,
sterile frond (pot grown); {e} Maize; abnormal! growth of female
flowers on male inflorescence; (f) Miola hederacea and Glyeme
clandestina, garden grown.

By Mr. C. J. Gabriel,—Manne shells from West Australia:
Cardium lyratum, Sby.; C. unedo, Linn; Birostra volpa, Linn,

By Mr. Tarlton Rayment.—Drawing of a remarkable bee
from West Australia, with exceptionally long maxillary palpi, and
Very curious processes on the ventral segments of the abdomen.

Other interesiing exhibits were on view, notes of which were
not received by the honorary secretary.

4 Wiatamsox, Some Plants of the Noritern Malloo- ie at

SOME PLANTS OF THE NORTHERN. MALLEE.
Part II. we

Br H, B, WiLttamsan, F.L-S.

Herniaria hirsuta (Tournef.), L. Ruptureworl.

‘This little prostrate greyish-green annua] of the family Caryo-
phyllaceae somewhat resembling Chenopodium carinaium, ‘has ap-
parently spread into Victoria from Murray Lands, South Austra-
lia, where it has become naturalized, Mildura, October, 1928.
Tt is a native of the Mediterranean region: —Its name Herntaria has
reference to alleged curative properties of some of the genus

Mesembrianthemum bicorne, Fam. Aizoaceae, Slender Pig-
face, Cowra Station, West of Mildura, October, 1928.
Apparently. established for some years near the homestead. A

prostrale‘plant with slender branches.

Nicotiana glauca, Graham, Tree Tobaccu, native to
America and naturalized im Victoria in 1869,

This tall shrub with glaucous branches and leaves. and long,
tubular yellow flowers, has become a pest in the Northern Mallee
and the Riverina, where sometimes hundreds of acres are en-
cumbered with ‘it, to the exclusion of much useful vegetation. It
however does not appear to persist indefinitely in a given area,
About 10 miles north: of Nowing: I passed over an extensive plain
which some years before had been thickly covered with the plant,
but which was now fittered with ihe dead stems. It was rather
interesting to note that these were lying mostly in the same direc-
tion, The scene reminded one of patches of rolled-down mallee:
which. had been Jeft for some years without being stacked and
burned, and evidently indicated the direction of the strongest
winds, No young plants, and in fact no green plants of any
kind, wete visble among the debris, though here and there on the
plain were immense patches—almost pure—of the Bladder Salt-
bush, Atriplex vesicartum. ‘The intruder had probably succumbed
to drought conditions, and one could almost imagine the hardy
native scornfully gloating over the fate of the daring immigrant.

Nitrarta Scheberi, L. Nitre Bush, Fam. Zygophyllaceae,

At the locality mentioned above an immense bush of this
native plant was seen. { was very dense and measured about 30 feet
in diameter and about 10 feet in height at the centre. The plant
is usually seen in scattered bushes three or four feet across, and
has a local name. “ Dillon Bush,’ which I suspect may include
other similar shrubs, e.g, Chenopodium nitrariaceum, Branching
Goosefoot, and Lyctum australe, Austral Boxthorn. It bears an

mv 7 . Wirrtamson, Sone Plants of the Norther Mallee 5

edible drupe, golden when ripe, enclosing a pear-shaped, furrowed
seed indemted at the larger end. . The name Niiraria has refer-
ence to nitre (saltpetre), because it was frst known on saline plains
in Siberia; = It occurs also in Mongolia, Russia and Mesopotamia,

Psoralea eriantha, Bth., Woolly Scurf-pea, Fam. Leguminosae,
This plant, hitherto recorded from “‘ Marray,"” and there-
fore doubiful for our State, I found im flower growmg in pro-
fusion on the sandy ground near the river at Mildura. It is an
attractive plant, prostrate, softly white-tomentoae all aver, with
purplish Howers crowded in rather short spikes.

‘Helipterum Strtartianum, Sond. (H. floribundum, DC
var. Stuartionum, Bth.), Flowery Sunray,

_ Specimens collected at Mildura and Murrayville proved, on
examination, to be this species, which Bentham had reduced to a
variety of H. floribundum. In Black's Flora of South Australia
itis, tightly, T think, restored to-specific rank. H. floriburdum, DC,
has all 4nvolucral bracts snow-white, and is a woolly plant; while H,
: Stuartianum, Sond., has the outer bracts golden brown, and ts
an almost glabrous plani. Other differences, «.g., greater length
of the inner bracts and fewer pappus bristles in of the former,
make them. quite distinct and easily distinguished from one another.
As all the Victorian specimens in the National Herbarium are
certainly H. Stuartianum, the former name must now be replaced
by the latter in our Census.

Pimelea Williamsanii, J. M. Black, Silky Ricerflower,
Fam. Thymeleaceae,

On visiting the spot where this plant was discovered in 1917,
]) found that the’ place had been cleared and cultivated, and was
now a sheep run. = It hae also been found in South Australia at
Parilla. 7

Crinum pedunculatum, R,Br.. Murray Lily, Fam.
A maryllidaceae.

Doubt as to the occurrence of either of the Crinums on
ithe Victorian side of the Murray River was cleared up by the
mspection of -a patch of this plant at Horseshoe Lagoon, about
20. miles. west of Mildura, in October, $928, Bath this species
and C, flaccidum (Darling Lily), have been listed on our Census
owing perhaps to their frequent appearance in the adjacent Riverina
district, and to the fact that they have been in cultivation at Mil-
dura. The plant grows from a bulb and has thick, broad leaves,
Tt flowers in February and March, and produces a cluster ol
from 5 to 15 Jarge while flowers, larger than those of any other
Victorian plant. The bulhs were 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and
were difficult to reach in the hard, dry clay a foot or more below

& — Wititantsow, Soma Planta of the Northern Mallee. [ait sty ivry,

the surface, Seeds like small potatoes were numerous on the
surface, and many were germinating, seme sending the root-tip
from the upper surface to curve over and reach the ground into
which it was forcing its way. It would be of interest to learn
whether any success was attained by members of the club, to whom
seeds wete distributed in Octaber, 1928, :

Beyeria, spp., Fam, Euphorbiaceae.

At Murrayville I found the two species B. opacu, F. v. M.
and &. Leschenaultt, DC, Baill., growing in assoctation. Both
afe viscid shrubs a few feet high and wero included by Bentham
(FL, Aust, VJ., 65), under B. opaca, but they are quite distinct.
B. Leschenauliti has leaves 1% to | in. ‘tong, often
truncate at the summit, whitishtomentose below, revolute at
the margin, the under surface in var. rosmarinoides being almost
hidden. In the Southern Wimmera and along the coast the
variety latifolia is found with leaves ovate to oblanceolate 14-1] in,
long. 8. opaca has leaves quite glabrous below, flat, 34-14 in.
long, obcuneate, pale green or yellowish below. and olive green
above, Both species are inclyded under the local name “ Tur-
pentine Bush,’ a name also applied in the Mallee to Dedanneo
shrubs. As B. opava hag no white at all about it, and thas a
darker general aspect, the vernacular "Dark Turpentine-bush " is
suitable. . ;

OF the two other species recorded for Victoria, B. lasio-
carpa, F. v. M., Wallaby-bush. a tall shrub with leaves. up to
2 inches in length, and capsule densely hirsute is found only in
Eastern Victoria.

B. viscosa was recorded from all districts (Census 1923 ed.)
on the strength of specimens which must now he placed under B
Leschenquiltix, and of the specimens from Mt. Mueller, in the
North-East, which latter are the trie B. viscosa, a tree or tall
shrub with broad broad-lanceslate to oblanceolate leaves very’
shining and viscid above. and scarcely recurved: at the margin.
Tt ts not rare in Tasmania and New South Wales, and grows also
in West Australia and Queensland.

Casuarina Muclfcriana, Mig., Slatey Sheoke.

On the sand hills 7 miles south ef Cowangie on the Murray-
ville railway, I collected specimens of this sheoke, In Miss
Macklin's research on-certain Casuarinas (Trans. Rov. Soc. vf
S.A.. Vol. 51), she discussed the “ distyla complex” and showed
that this was oné which had been included under C, distyla. ft
is quite easily distinguished even by a small portion of a branchlet,
these being rather angular, of a slatey tint, and with the nrdimen-
tary leaves closely appressed. In Miss Mackhin's paper she
dealt with the anatomy of the branchlets as shown by the cross

bre Wiiclamson, Some Plants of the Northern ‘“Matlee. ;

section, and she took C. Muelleriana as one type as opposed to the
* stricta” type, t¢ which latter all of the other Victorian species
belong except C, nana and C, suberosa. The arrangement of the
sclerenchyma tissue an these sections indicates the group to which
the species can be referred, and in the many sections [ have
‘made, the diagnosis seems quite reliable. Two other Casuarinas, C,
nane, Sieb., and C. pusilla, Macklin, are of a dwarf, almost pros-
trate habit, and are very similar outwardly; but the former must
according lo the above, be referred to the Muelleriana type, and
the latter to the stricta type. I have found both among my Vic-
torlan specimens. :

C, pusilla, Macklin, Little Sheoke-

A low. cushion-like shrub’ with thin branchlets resembling
those of C. nana, Sicb., but, according to the anatomical structure.
referable to the ‘ siricia” type. It occurs in the N.W. district.

PLANTS iN THE Vicinity oF Cyesum Sipinc,

Here there ts an extensive gypsum deposit, and the siding
mineral. is being taken out to a depth of abour 8 feet. The
site is near some sand hills, which are probably the eastem con-
tinuation of the line of sand hills which one strikes at a distance
of from 7 ta 10 miles south of and parallel to the Quyen to Mur-
rayville railway. .

Callitris verrucosa, R.Br., Mallee Cypress-p:ne.

This plant, the-‘ Scrub-pine "” of the settlers, is very abundant
all along these sand hills. It differs from the plant known as
Murray Pine (C. robusta or C. glauca) in habit, branching trom
the ground, forming a shapely bushy shrub rarely more than 10
feet m iheight. ‘Its cones are globular and evenly covered with
round tubercles. When in the hills to the south of Cowangie.
I was struck with the remarkable growth of thousands of young
plants of this pine a foot or two in height. The majority of
them bore cones. I pulled up several which were only 10 inches
in height, and had each a mipe cone or two, the roat bemg thicker
and much Jonger than the stem. - At Gypsum there is a similar
juvenile forest, bit apparently somewhat alder.

Acacia acanthoclada, F, v. M,, Harrow Acacia.

Having, only once before (at Hattah, 1913) seen this rare
Acacia, I was pleased to find it near the pits and also at Berook,
40 miles north-west of Murrayville. i somewhat resembles A.
vemeriformus in ‘habit and foliage, and is prickly; but that pature 25
uue to the presence of spmy branchlets instead of pungent phyllodia.
~ Tk blooms fram [uly and September. oe

3 Wiaiamson, Some Planis af the Northern Matlee. [vie fae

Pultenaea densifolia, F. v M., Dense-leaf Bush-pea.

Rather frequent around the pits, a low straggling bush with
very smali- recurved leaves set very closely, especially towards the
ends of the branchlets near the flower clusters. No more definite
locality record fer Victoria than “* Murray Desert thas hitherto
heen made: It is now deleted from the list of doubtful plants
for Victoria. It occurs also in South Avustrahta,

Calochilus cupreus, Rogers, Copper-beards, Fam.
Orchidaceae.

Fine specimens of this orchid _were gathered where some
cultivated land adjoined the gypsum ground. Not previously
recorded for the North-West.

Among the rarer plants collected ‘here were Minuria suaedi-
folia, F. vy. M., a little bushy composrte 3 to 10 inches in height.
with yellaw Rowers; Dampiera marifolia, Bth., with blue flowers
and broadish Jeaves; Logania linifalia, Schlech, with smal] white
flowers, and Kunzea pomifera, F_ v. M. in bud: a prestrate plant
with Euealypt-like flowers and bearing berries (Muntnes) “ yield-
ing excellent jam ar preserves (Mueller),

EXCURSION TO CLEMATIS GULLY.

Members iand friends to the number of about twenty took part on March
24 in the excursion to Clematis Gully, about two miles from Belgrave. The
walk in the cool, tlear morning’ to the gully slong the road, with its fine forest
yegelation on our jeft all the way, was greatly enjeyed, notwithstanding the
necessity for aleviness in ayoiding the frequent motoc trafic. Crowds of
people were picnicking in the reserve adjacent te the gully, which to some of
us had not been improved by the merease of trafhe since oue fast Cluh
excursion in 1927. We looked in vain for the Lilly Pilly tree (Eugenia),
which was planted to commemorate our previous visit, and then tock one of
the tracks leading into the gully. After a chat about tems, the object of
tke excursion, a list of the twenty-two species collected on the last visit was
handed to each of the party, so that a companson could be made, and the
list checked by the specimens obtained. These were collected by the party
under a permit from the Forests Department, and were examined and explained.
After lunch, and a further search, it was decided to accep the offer of Dr.
Clendinnen, and visit his country home garden, which almost adjoins Clematis
Gully. Here the member walked round the grounds, and nected many Aus-
tralian. and exotic trees and shrubs growing most luxuriously. “The Silver
Tree of South Africa, Leucadendron, ergentexm, seen here and elsewhert on
aur journey, were very much admired. The party then proceeded to Sher-
brooke Cully, and thence back to Belgrave, and a. few more-ferns were
added to the collection. Altogether nineteen species were collected, all of
which were on the 1927 Jia. :

- F. PITCHER.

JUNF. MEETING OF THE CLUB.
‘hes will be held on the 2nd instead of the 9th of the
month, ;

aoe Raymer, Studies in Ausiraoban Rees. 3

STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN BEES.
By Tareron RayMENT,

THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES.

HisTory.—Since the year 1853, naturalists in Australia,
and specialists overseas, have been seeking vainly for the large male
bees of the genus Stenotritus, which was erected by Smith (1)
when he was working om some honey-gatherers, from the antipodes,
in' the collection of the British Museum. He named the genotype
S. elegans.

In (868, this London entomologists (2) described a fne.
large green female, S. smaragdinus, and in 1873 Brenchly (3)
published a coloured figure of this handsome bee. That is the
last record of the British workers, and it left the position “of these
insects in anything but a satisfactory state, Smith's specimens
were in bad condition, and the tongues were missing; he had no
details of their biology, but he included them in the Fanly of the
short pointed-tongue ANDRENIDAE. He did, however, nate
the extraordinary spurs of the middle and hind legs, but 1 shal) refer
to these later, .

Nothing more was heard of these bees until the fateful war
year, 1914, when Professor Cockerel]l (4), of the University,
Boulder, Colorado, U.S. America, published a descripton of 3S:
elegans, var A, The American aystematist contimied to receive
large numbers of bees from Australia, and in 1920 (5) he de-
scribed yet another female, S. elegantior.

Henry Hacker (6), in his “ Catalogue of Australian Bees,”
listed this genus under the Sub-family HALICTINAE, but this
author could not be held accountable for this erroneous inclusion of
the bees, because Smith himself did nat classify them correctly. ow-
ing, no doubt, to his not having both sexes, neither did he possess a
perfect specimen for critical examination,

The murky clouds thai partially obscured the yenera re-
yiewed in this paper proved an intriguing atmosphere, for I was
not content to accept this foggy state for an indefnite period, 1
earried the problem about with me; my sub-conseious mind was
quietly marshalling the facts into logical sequences, until, at the
conclusion, I had a clear mental picture of what the males should
be. "Phis subtle process of mental digestion and elimination. fre-

quently evalyes a sudden and stnking solution that is often times
ascribed to intuition,

But I shall have to leave, for a moment, these -fine large
honey-gatherers, to direct your attention to another genus parallel
with the one under revision. -Aestropisis, or Castropsis, as it now
is, was erected by Smith (2) in 1868, and it is analogous to-
Stenatritus in vo far as it, too, was based on one sex: this time

“0 Rayment, Sludres in Australian Bees. wie evan

the male. Hacker's catalogue, then, contained these two genera,
‘one exclusively female, the other limited to males. Hacker's
inclusion of Gastropsis in. the Family ANTHOPHORIDAE was
probably due to a superficial resemblance to bees of the genus An-
thophora.
Once again, I say, Smith found ‘himself with only one sex-
but this time he wrote in greater detail. This author's descrip-
tions are frequently far ton meagre, and he often omitted charac-
ters that are invaluable when one is making a critical examination,
so that several species will be found to conform to ane account.
Whatever criticism can be levelled against Smith's usual
paucity of words, will have no application to ‘his generic diagnosis
of Gastropsis; it i¢ both clear and concise. Permit me to
quote the portions necessary for the present purpose, <The an-
tennae clavate, with the scape short and stout, one-third shorter than
the third joint, which ts much attenuated. The paraglossae are
somewhat pear-shaped and pubescent. The recurrent nervures
are received in the middle of the second and third submarginal
cells, (The systematist of to-day prefers cubital cells.)

Let us leave the “dry bones” to return to our history, and
sooner or later we shall veach a more interesting period, when
things Jong established will be swept aside that a more stable
state prevail. The climax, I promise you, will be well worth
your plodding on a little further. ;

The genotype of Smith (2) was G, pubescens, a hawy male
af ne mean beauty. Professor Cockerell (7), for the second time.
followed on, atid described CG. victarive, and m 1912 (8) variety
A. Later, in 1921, he again worked on this genus, and gave
us C. victoriae rufecollaris (9}- So you see, we then had two
genera, each containing three species and a variety.

Professor Friese (10) published in 1924 a description of
a new variety G. pubescens. var. nigrescens, and he also mentions
another variety, from Adelaide, with a shimmering blue abdomen.
This entomologist says these bees resemble the European honey-
harvesters, Meliturga clavicornis, Latr., but does not specify the
points of likeness.

Professor Cockerell {7 and 14) ‘had already . stated that
these bees had some resemblance, to Melifurga, but the felt some
difidence about erecting a new genus with C. vicloriae for the geno-
type. “Tt is much to be desired, he said, ‘that we learn.
something about the habits of Gastropsis.” | However, he affirmed
that the positron of the genus has been in doubt, “but a cer
tainly belong: to the Sub-famly DIPHAGLOSSINAE:,"’ |

- "THe Proetem—You will now observe that in thee two
genera we had a fine problem bequeathed to us by workers oVer-
istas,-'' Any puzzle in nature-must always prove an enticing sub-

id Raymrxt, Studies in, Austrelian Beos. 11
ject for the naturalist, and when one is spurred forward by a
friendly challenge, why, the solution becomes one of intensely
absorbing interest. 2,

Professor Cockerell (11), my esteemed mentor in the science
of taxonomy, voices his desires thiis:—'' If I may express a personal
wish in relation to Australian bees, iL is that 1 may live to see
‘some young student, man or woman, take up the study in Australia,
and have sufficient perseverance and skill to carry it beyond the
present stage. Indeed, why should there not be half a dozen such
students? Ip that case it would no longer be necessary to send
collections across the ocean for determination, and Australia would
have the satisfaction of mastering her own problems in this field,
ax she has done in so many others,”

THe Sorw'rion.—Very well, i am no longer young, alas,
hut' I take up that gage in the spirit that prompted it, and solve
at least one problem, an entomological legacy from abroad, The
females of Gastropsis will never he described as such, neither will
the males of Stenofritus, for they ate merely the sexes of one
genuy. All the species mentioned are merged in the genus Mell-
dribass,

. When your fellow-clubinan, Tom Greaves, returned from a
visit to. the great western State, ‘he brought back a fine collec-
tion of bees, among which was a laree black male of striking
stature. At a glance | know it is a suilable mate for the bees
so long condemned to taxonomic celibacy. I am determined to
direct some light into a dark place. I erected the genus Meli-.
tribus (12) because the other two genera were so ill-founded, and
further material from the Perth Museum, the West Australian
Agricultura) Department, and my own ebservations in the field.
prove my action to he the correct one.

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY.—These bees are most certainly
within the Family Colletidae, the tongue being skort and wide, and.
therefore, typical of all bees that construct thin, silvery shins as
cradle-gowns for their young. The wide ‘heady of the females
are characteristic, but the ocelli are low down on the face, and

anterior edge of the clypeus is knife-like, and tides the lip or
labrum; all these being features of the Meliturga, Which has a very
short third sezment in the antenna. There the bikeness ta fhe
Jong-tongued European bee ceases. ‘The tibjae’of Metiturga are
spinose like those of Megachile and Eurvslessa- if,

Melitvibus has the digging spurs of ‘the queen of excavators,
not only is the huge hind calcay strongly toothed, but the median
one also exhibits her unique ability to delve deeply in mother
earth. In the fleece of M. glauerti I find innumerable small
pebbles, remnants of the sandy Yorkrakine soil; ‘her native ‘heath.
On her’ belly are dense bands of harvesting chairs. and the

yA Rayment, Studios i Agsratian Bees, Teg er:

apical segment of her abdomen has the bare naked area which,
Smith (1) says, is a character of Lempracolletes.

The males have the face constricted, and an abnormal develop-
- ment of the compound eyes. Cheshire (13) says that the holop
tic eyes of the hive-drone have forced the small eyes down the
face, but the acelli of Melifribus females are low, yet the verlex is
not narrowed in any way. The male's spurs are’ finely serrated
like those of Meliturgza, but bees having this type of calcar are
like tradesmen with combs and, therefore, are not equipped for.
delving, whereas rea] excavators have strong picks and shovels. The
tarsal joints of Meliturga and Melttrtbus are not unlike, but the
former bee has only nine wing-hooklets, and radius is extended to a
short. appendicnlate nervure. The second recurrent nervure of
Melitribus bas a sharp wave-like bend. The eyes of Apis, the
hive-bee, ‘have Ionz sensory hairs between the cornules, a feature
found also in Trickocolleies and Meliturga; Melitribus has only
short, stout pegs. The hairs from the leg of the Jast named bee
are of the forked type of all Colletid bees. whereas. the pubescence
of Meliturga is finely plumose, like that of the hive-bee, Apis.

Biorocy.. ~The life history is not unlike that of many other
Calletid bees; the females being diggers par excellence. The
shafts are several feet deep, in light, sandy, flat ground, and the
walls do not appear to have received the slightest treatment, so
that one wonders why the loose soil does not collapse. The large
ovate chambers at the bottom have the thin skin lining of Col-
letes, and the stores are a soft batter of honey and pollen. The .
males and females issue’ m early summer, and they are reported
to frequent Tea-tree, -Leplospermum, and Battle-brush, Calfi-
slemon. In West Australia they have been taken at the end of
October on the small yellow blossoms af the ‘ Morrison-flower,"’
Verticordia nttens.

The following synopsis, tagether with the illustration, wall
enable students to separate easily the species that have long been
an enigma to all lovers of the honey-tnbes,

Kev To Species. >

Female, length 18,5 mm—Bnight green, not shining; antennae
black; sterna with white hair; a fringe of white haw on apical
margins of abdominal segments. .

Hab: Champion Bay, W.A. M. smoragdinus (SMITH)

Female, length: 21 mm.—Peacock-green, with peacock-blue
about the head, shining iridescence; antennae with thick basal joiht

jogo.) Rayment, Studies in Australian Bees. 43
royal-blue; sterna with grey hair; no fringe on abdominal dorsal
segments.

Hab: -Yorkrakine, W. A. M. glauerti, new species.

Female, length [6 tm.—Purple and green tints on head;
scape of antennae bright ferruginous; abdomen steel-blue, with white
hair-bands; fifth segment with a patch of red hair in a dark fringe.

Hab: Queensland. ‘ M.. elegantior (COCKERELL)

Female, length 13 inm.—Head and thorax black; face and
cheeks with ochreous hair; abdomen dark olive-green, the apical
segment with a fimbria of bright fulyous hair,

Hab: Sydney, N.S.W. M, elegans (SMITH)

Female, length 13 mm.—Mesothorax with dolive-gréen tints
anteriorly; to fuscous hair on disc; abdomen with black ‘hair.

Hab: Sydney, NSW. = M. elegans, var. A. (COCKERELL)

Male, length 16 mm.—Black, shining, face with orange-cal-
cured ‘hair; legs al] black; abdomen with hind margins of segments
narrowly lighter; the first and second segments covered with much
while hair.

Hab; Bungulla. WA. M, greavesit, RAYMENT,

Male, length 1514 mm,—Face with Jong yellow hair; thorax
with yellowish-white hair; abdomen with hind margins of segments
not lighter, and no narrow hair-bands; some reddish colour on
anterior tibjae,

Hab: W.A. M. victoriae, var. A. (CockeRELL)

Male. length 14 mm.—Abdomen and anterior part of meso-
thorax with a greenish lustre; mesothorax with yellowish hair on
anterior third; abdominal segments 3-5 with narrow ‘hair-bands.

Hab: W.A. . ‘' M. vidtoriae (COCKERELL)

Male. length 14 mm.—Face with much dull white hair, a
narrow band of dull white hair on anterior of mesothorax, disc
with much black hair; abdominal segments | and 2 with scanty
white hair; four narrow white hair-bands on abdomen; anterior
legs ved in front; general aspect that of a small M. greavesi, but
tegument not so intensely black.

Hab: Swan River, W.A., L. 1, NEWMAN,

M. victoriae, var B, var, nov.

, Male, length 14 mm.—Face with bright ferruginous hair; eyes
greenish; first three segments of flagellum clear ferruginous; meso-

14 Rayment, Sludies in Austrahan' Bees. ene XEVIT.

thorax metallic, with bright red hair on anterior third; abdominal
segments ‘2-3 with hair-bands failing in the middle. ;

Hab: Mallee. Vic. M. victoriae rufocollaris (CocKERELL)

Male, length #3.5 mm,—Antennae pale ferruginous beneath,
black above; legs pale ferruginous; abdomen nigro-aeneous, all seg-
ments densely fringed with pale pubescence.

Hab: W.A., V.. Q. M. pubescens (SMITH)

. Male. length 14,5 mm—Black, antennae entirely pale fer-
ruginous; abdomen broader; abdominal’ segments and thorax com-
pletely hidden under an excessively dense covering of pale green-
ish-buff hair; legs brown.

Hab: Geralton, W.A. M. pubescens, var, splendida, var, nov-

Male. length (5 mm—Thorax with large black disc; ab-
dominal segments 2-5 with blackish-brown: bands; legs all one col-
our, blackish-brown.

Hab: Central hisialix.
M. pubescens, var. nigrescens (FRIESE)

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES (Page 15).

Adult female Melitribus glauerli, sp. nov.

Front view of head-capsule; note position of the orelli.

Tarsal segments with bifid claws aad empodium,

Calear ot digging spur of pastéricr leg.

Calcar of median leg ts strongly toothed; few bees have this,

Naked area of the sixth abdominal. segment.

Strigil, or antenna-cleaner. of , the anterior leg, has an cxtvemely tong
malus and short velum.

The compound eye hay a number of short peg-like “hairs projecting From
between the cornules.

The antenna has the slender third segment of ihe male.

Front view of head-capsule of male Melilribus greavesi, RavMEnt, --

Front view of head-capsule of hive-drone, Apis mellifera, Linn.

12, Enlarged view of eye-facets.

13, Strigil of the Ewropean bse, Meliturga elavicornis, Lata.

14, Calcar of female Melilurga,

15. Front view of head-capsule of M. clavicornis.,

16. Enlarged view of eye-Facets,

17, A plumose hair from the leg of Maliturga.

18 A forked hair from the leg of Melitribus.

19. Portion of the tegument af the thorax of M, glauerts,

20. Portion of the wing-surface showing the stout ‘hairs.

NIS0 2 NoOWsen

ry

” REFERENCES.

Fred Smith, Catalogue of Hymenoptera in the British Museum, 1853
Fred Smith, Trans. Ent. Soc, Lond., 1868. -

— Brenchly; Cruise of the Curacoa, 1873, ,

T. D. A. Cockerell, Ann. Mag. Nat His, $974,

~ 4-

beh

Rayment; Siudies in Australian Bees.

i900.)

‘he
iz
Fol

W_Rovm

Tago

(

Vic. Nat.

16 Ravment, A New Callelid Bee. Vol. XEVU
5. ‘T.D. A. Cockerell, Mem. Queens! Mus. 1920.

6 Henry Harcker, Mem. Queens]. Mus. 1921.

F TAD. A, Cockerell, The Entomologist, (906.

8, T. D. A. Cockercll, Ann, Mag. Nat. His. (912,

9 T, D. A, Cockerell, Mem. Queens, Mus, (921

10. Hy, Friese, Arlav. for Zoologe v,, 1924.

fl. T. D. A Coackerell, Australian Zoologist, 1990.

12. Tarltow Rayment, Proc, Roy. Soc. Victoria, March, 1930.
13, Frank R, Cheshire, “ Bees and Bee-keeping,” Wol. 1. 1886,
tT. D. AL Cockevell, The Canad, Ent, 1904,

A NEW COLLETID BEE.
Division Colletiformes.
Family Colletidae.

| Melitribus glawerti, new species.

Female, length 2! mm. approx.—Head bnihantly iridescent
peacock-green, with blue along the orbital margins; face-marks nil;
a cluster of white hairs surrounding the mechan ocellus, and the
bases of the antennae; frons with numerous shallow punctures and
a delicate sculpture; clypeus large, coarsely punctured, the anterior
produced ta a fine knife-like edge that projects over the labrum,
a median transverse band of rich purple; supraclypeal area rising
to a nodule with a short carina reaching to the median ocellus;
vertex sharply developed, with a few fuscous ‘hairs, the ocelli low
down: compound eyes claret-brown, the anterior margins parallel,
a large dark-purple macula between the lateral ocelli and the an-
terior margin; short peg-like hairs between the facets; genae with
shallow punctures, a delicate sculpture. and numerous long white
hairs; labrum blackish, sub-oval; mandibulae strong, with a small
immer tooth, a triangular, green, prismatic area at bases, otherwise
black, a strong nodule at base; antennae with large blue scapes,
the second segment of the-Hagellum lone and slender, the flagellim
black above, obscurely lighter beneath.

; Protharax not visible from above: sterna iridescent green with
long greyish hair; tubercles prismatic green, with a dense fringe
of Jong, dull-white plumose hairs, a few fuscaus ones immediately
behind; mesothorax duller but still very iridescent, a minute sha-
green, scattered large shallow punctures, a few fuscous hairs among
the white ones; sculellum similar io mesothorax; postscutellum
.similar to scutellum; metathorax similar in celour and sculpture to
mesothorax, but much longer white plumose ‘hair, no enclosed area,
but a median longitudinal line of copper; abdominal dersal seg-
menté iridescent peacock-green, the hind margins narrowly, suffused
with copper. impunctate, a delicate transverse station, two with a

may, Rayment, A New Colleud Bee, 7

large datk-purple macula laterally, six soya] blue, with an anal
fmbria of black plumose hair, and a dark-brown naked area; ven-
tral surface simitar to dorsal, but each segment has a thick fringe
of white hair,

Legs dark brown, extenorly prismatic green, lind tibiae wath
much while hatr above, and mich brown hair beneath, tbiae and
basitarsi of equal ‘breadth; tarsi with first segment broad, the others
short; claws reddish, deeply bifid, the empodium small; hind <al-
cariae reddish, with eight long strong teeth; the malus of the strigil .
exceedingly long, the velum small; tegulae rough, prismatic green
anteriorly, dark-brown posteriorly; wings slightly iridescent, faintly
yellowish, anterior 12 mm., nervures dark brown, the recurrent
received at the middle of the cubital cells, the basal straight, and
just short of the neryulus; second recurrent much bent; -cells: the
radial rounded at apex, the second and third cubitals contracted a!
apex; pterostigma inconspicuous, dark-brown; hamuli nineteen wn
number, strongly developed. ‘

Locality— Yorknakine, Western Australia, 1919, Type
in the collection of the Museum, Perth, West Australia.

Allies: M. smaragdimmas (SmttH), which is smaller, and has
segments of abdomen frmged ‘with white hair-

The species is dedicated to the Curator of the Museum, Mr. L.
G\auert.

oe

JUBILEE EXHIBITION,

Owing to the absence of members at Brisbane in May and
June next it thas been thought desirable to alter the dates of me
Jubilee Exhibition, The dates now decided on are July 16, 17
and 18, 1930. The proposals of the committee include a dinner
at the St, Kilda Town Hall on July 16, to which origina) mem-
bers and their wives, representatives of kindred societies in Vic-
toria and other States, and distinguished citizens will be the
guests, Tickets wil] be available to members, at 7/6 each., The
first evening will be a free might to Club members to inspeed the
exhibits, to which every member will receive two tickets. The
Exhibition will be officially opened on the afternoon of the second
day and the public admitted on this and the following days.

' A good series of exhibits has been promised, but there is room
for much more, and members are asked to assist in this direction,
particularly countsy members, who may be able to obtain living
specimers of insects, reptiles, etc,, of which a feature will be made,
“more easily than city members. A few wild Mowers will also
be acceptable. [i is requested that all prepared to exhibu should
write to the honorary secretary for particulars and to enable ar-
rangements to be made,

ty Ciaarecer, The Opossum Mauiu, ic Sain

THE OPOSSUM MOUSE.
| By Norman CHAFFER,

Ohte of the most charming of the smaller animals of Austealia
is the rare fittle Opossum Mouse, Dromicin mana. Last year
1 had the good fortune to find ane while roaming around in-an-
area of heath country near Sydney, It had made its home in.a
disused nest of the Yellow-winged Honeyeater. Jt had burrowed
beneath, and was completely cavered by the lnm of the nest, the
ant. velvety ynaterial from Banksia cones. Ordinarily a nest of
sof| bask 15 constructed in a hollew limb ov crevice in a tree. -

In general appearance the Opotsum Monse is very similar’
te a Ringtailed Opossum in miniature, having the long, prehensile

r at

ee

cs

Phete by N. Chaffer
AO Perfect Pose —Dramicia nam

tail bare of hair on the tinder surface, prominent eyes and rounded
ears. The fur ic fine and fluffy and of a soft grey colour,

19a Citarernr, The Opossum Mouse. 14

lighter on the under surface of the body. Often the tail is
coiled in a spiral against the body in exactly the same manner as
that of the Ringtail. The length of the body is about thyee
inches, the tail being slightly longer.

The Opossum Mouse is a marsupial, is range extends along
the east coast of Australia, southwards into Tasmania. Like
the Ringtailed Opossum, it is nocturnal in ‘habit, sleeping during
the day. At night it becomes active, running about the branclies
with agility, assisted’ considerably by its prehensile tail. Tt
hibernates during portion of the winter, a habit which is con-
sidered to be unique among Australian mammals. Durmg the
spring and summer it is of rather slender build, but towards winter
becomes much fatter, the tail im particular becoming greatly en- .
larged, During the dormant peziod it lives on the fat stored up
in the tail, '

EXCURSION TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS.

A genial owtunm afteragon drew aboul thirty members and friends th
these sheantiful gardens on March 15 in search of knowledge about the ancestry
of certain of some of our native and imvoduced Irees and plants. The success
af this visit was largely due to the helpful foresight of our president, Mr. St
Joba, who pointed the way to specimen trees, [nterpolated with the remarks
of the leader, we would now and apain hear the interesting reminiscent and
Hialorival facto. from the president. Wo first weiled the Seed Museum, o
place well worth furthor study, for it is a magnificent collection, and the work
of long collecting, Here the leader pointed out how «the palaeobotanist
relied fo 3 great extent an seeds for his evidence of geological antiquity of
planta, for thane were capable of being transported for long distances by water,
surviving the changes of heat and cold that would annihilate the plant itsell;
these could also be buried with fers: chance of decay than other paris of
plants. Here we saw the large, strong areda of the Nipa Palm. now Irving
under sub-tropical condifiens on the bauke of the Ganges, but which once
flourished under @ similar climate in fhe London Basin. Coniferads seedz
ul the Areuceria «claimed attention, since they are Frequent tossils in the
Wonthaggi coal measures. = This ancient coal bed as made up of the fallen
trunks and the massed foliage of this kind of conifer. ‘Casuarita cones once
lef, their impress on the molten Jaya of Victoria; ‘whilst the wood of the
Tertiary lignites, an at Yallourn, belonging to the Murray Pine, show how old
is Our indigenes Mara. More interesting still are the leaves of the Waratah
af New South Wales, fallen from trees thal once lived on the old land
tartace anderlying the Mailec; this land later on sank beneath the sea (more
than three million years aga), lo be again upraited nearly 200 feet above sea
level, Attention was also directed to the remarkable piece of fossil Red
Gun, found by the engineers of the Rathways Construction Department at a4
depth of sixty-six feet below water level at Spencer Street Bridge, and veferred
ta the Pleistocene age. [is wood is practically unaltered, through jts being
preserved in wet clay, .

Continuing our walk around the gardens, we saw the magnificent Cinhzo,
now extinct in the wild state jn Victoria, though in Jurassic and Terlary
(Miocene) times forming one of the most beautiful kinds of trees of tho ancient
Victorian forest. The-cycads were also pointed out a» geological anachranisis,
differing from most living plants whilst showmg relation to the early seed-
bearing plants of the coal period, ‘The Redwoods and the Taxodium or
Swamp Cypress of Dismal Swamp in North Amevica had been judiciously
planted together in the gardens, for curiously their fossil remains are now
Found side by side in the Oligocene fussil beds of Hovey Tracey in Englend.
though extinct in Europe, ~ Fc

20 Pitcaer, Remarks on Hill's Elb-Horn Fern. [wile EN L.

SOME REMARKS ON HILL'S ELK-HORN FERN.
PLATYCERIUM HILL. ' |

, When on a trip to Queensland in June, 1921, and spending
a few days at Kuranda, near the Great Barron Falls, 1 observed
beside a road we were travelling a fallen Eucalypt having a stem
about 125 feet long, and at about 70 feet from the base a large
clump of native Elk-horn ferns resting in a fork where branches
had developed from the stem. I secured a few plants, one of
which I gaye to the Botanic Gardens, When I frst examined
it, it appeared to be quite distinct from the well-known Platycerium
bifurcatum (Cav.), C. Chr., (P. alcicorne, Desv.). 1 found out
later in Brisbane that such a distinction had been made by the
late Mr. F. M. Bailey, Colonial Botanist, whd had named it var,
Hillii. of P. bifurcatum. 1 subsequently learned, however, that
in Christensen's Index Filtcum it was listed as a distinct species.
Having been sent by its discoverer, Mr. Walter Hill, a former
Director of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. to Veitch and Sons,
Royal Nurserymen, of London, in 1878, it was described by the
preat Fern authority, T. Moore, under the name of P, Aillii,
and recorded in the Gerdeners’ Chronicle of October, 1878. To
aid fern students in distinguishing the plant from the better known
P.. bifurcatum, the following notes may be found useful,
(1) Whole plant green, not of a greyash colour as in bifur-
calum. .
(2) More rebust plant, with stouter, broader and more erect
fertile fronds.

(3) Ramification confined to the upper one-third of the ‘rond.
15-18. inches across, and three-parted.

(4) Sori-formed in small roundish patches near the base of
the ultimate segments, not in the sinas.

(3) Mature fronds green and nearly glabrous,

Specimens of this fern were exhibited at the March meeting
. F. PitcHer.

THE BUSH COMES BACK.

To a former resident of Walhalla iy was interesting fo note, on jhe recent
excursion. how, on the deeay of the village. the bush ic veasserting itself. On
many of the hill slopes which, sixteen years ago, grew nothing fJarger’ than
Bracken, there are now young cucalypts up to twenty feet in height, and once
fayourite fern gullies. are inaccessible for an all-embyacing tangle of thorn
brambles. The tramway tracks winding round the hills are encumbered with
growths of Cassinjas and saplings of various eucalypts and acacias. There
are traces of Wallabies on these tracks just above the tevel of some of the
houses in the township, Once one had to go out a mile or so to see a
Lyre-bird, bat on this occasion two were seen to glide across the gorge of
Stringers Creck within sight of the Railway Siation. ER

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. XLVIE.- No. 2. June 2, 1930, No. 558.

THE FIKRLD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
The ordinary monthly meeting of the Cluh was held in the
Royal Society's Hall on Monday, May 12, 1930. The pre
sident, Mr. P. R. H. St. John, oceupied the chair, and there
were about [00 members and visitors present
Mr. St. John expressed hus thanks for the condolence extended
to fim by the Club in his recent bereavement.

CORRESPONDENCE.

From the honorary secretary of the Bird Observers’ Club,
inviting members to a lecture entitled “* On the Grampians With
a Camera,” by Pastor C. L. Lang, at the Independent Hall, on
May 13, also to a series of demonstrations at the Bid Room,
National Museum, on the afternoons of May |7 and 31, June
14 and 28, July 19, and August 2, 1930,

From the senior activities’ secretary of the Young ‘Wemen’s
Christian Association, Melbourne, requesting talks on Nature Study
by Club members, for four dates in May and June.

REPORTS.
Reports of excursions were given as follow:—Walhalla, My.
A. E. Rodda (im the absence of Mr. F. E. Wilson); St, Kilda
Gardens, Mr. V. H. Miller; Edgar Creek, Coburg, Mr, W.

Hanks.
; _ ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The following were duly elected on a show of hands:—Miss
L. Naylor, B.Sc., Canterbury; Miss I. Edwards, Surrey Hulls:
Mr L. A. Thomas, B.Se., University; Miss D. Coleman, Black-
burn; Mrs. E, Harrison, Jolimant; Mr. B. Ff, Grieve, M.Sc., Uni-
versity, as ordinary members, and Mr. D. Orchard, Kinglake, as a
country member. -_

ELECTION OF AUDITORS.

Messrs. A. S. Blake and A. G. Hooke were elected as

auditors for the year.
NOMINATION OF OFFICF- BEARERS, 1930-31.

Nominations were received as~ follow:—President; Mr. C.
Barrett, C.M.Z.S.; vice-presidents; Messrs. V. H. Miller, G. Cog-
hill, and A, E. Keep; honorary treasurers Mr. J. Ingram; honorary
Jibrarian: Dr. C. S. Sutton; honorary editor; Mr. C, Barrett,
C.M.Z.S.; honorary secretary; Mr. A. E, Rodda; honorary assist-
ant secretary and hibrarias: Mr, H. B. Williamson, F.L.5.; com-
mittee: Miss J. W. Rafl, M.Sc., F.E.S., Rev. W. Viopett, FL...
Messrs. E, E. Pescott, F.L,&., C. Daley, BA, F.LS, F. F-
Wilson, F.E.S., 1 L. Hodgson, and Tarlion Rayment.

22 Field Naturalists’ Cluh-—Praceedings.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

Mr. E. E.. Peseott briefly outlined the proposals far the
Jubilee Exbibition, and appealed to members. generally to aasist
with exhibits.

Mr. A. J. Swaby, as organiser of the Microscope Section at
the Jubilee Exhibition, asked members to assist by the loan of inviru- -
ments and slides.

Brief nature nates were contributed by Mr, W. S. brane,
on the prevalence of Platypi in the Goulburn River; and by
Mr. A. E. Rodda, on native parrots in the Fitzroy Gardens.

LECTURE,

‘Mr. L. L. Hodgson read a very interesting paper describing
the scenery and giving nature notes made by him on a journey Io
Sydney, via the Prince's Highway. The paper was illusirated
by numerous photographs projected on the screen by the epidio-
scope, and also by herbarium specimens of plants collected en

route,
EXHIBITS.

By Mr. B. Blackbourn—Lave female Sawfly and cluster
al larvae on eutalyptus leaf, species Perga lewist (2),

By Miss G. E. Neighbour-—Small specimen Mippocampus
(seahorse).

By Mr C, J. Gabriel—Marine shells: Murex triformis,
Reeve, Vic.; Murex denudatus, Perry, Vie.; Murex cervicosnis,
Lam., N, Aust.; Murex stainfortht, Reeve, W. Aust.

By Mr. S. R. Mitchell —(1) Set of small stone arttfacts,
consisting of “crescents,” ““ points,” faked knives. and scrapers,
from an old lake-side camp near Cape Liptrap, (2) Set of the
most ‘highly specialised Tasmanian smal] stone implements (duck
bill proovers and “ scrapers "}, showing the great difference in the
lithic cultures of the Australian and Tasmanian races. (3) Tour
hafted stone axes. Melville Island, North Australia.

By Mr. A. E. Rodda.—Leaf of Eucalypius polyanthemas
(sucker foliage), size & in. by 51% in., from Chiltern,

y Mr, L. L. Hodgson.- -Herbarium specimens of New
South Wales flora, illustrating paper read.

By Mr, H. B. Willtamson—Dned specimens of plants from
the Northern Mallee, illustrating exbibitor’s article in May Natural-
ists Helipierum Stuartiana, Sond.: Beyeria opaca, F. v. . B.
Leschenaulfi (DC), Baill: Caiuarina Muelleriana. Miq., Slatey
Sheoke; C. pusilla, Macklin, Little Sheeke: Pullenaca densifalia,
F. v. M.; Herniaria hirsuta (Tourn.), L.: and Mesembrianthemum
bitorne. '
Ry Mr, ¥F, S. Hart.—(a) Desmodium brachypodum, A.
Gray, Large Tic-trefoil, collected ia Bulumwaal district by Miss A.
‘Birch, and previously considered as doubtfully recorded for Victoria.
(b) Spergularia media {L), S$, marginata (DC), F. v. M., coast
sand-spurrey, hitherto included under 3. rabra,

[yee 2 xT ayrt.

ret WieiiamMson, Some Plarts af the Narthern Malin 23

SOME PLANTS OF THE NORTHERN MALLEE.
(Part 111.)
By H, B. Wriniamson, F.LS.
Stipa platychaela, Hughes, Flat-awned Spear-grass.

A iall, hard grass with ngid, branching slems, often to a
height of three feet, resembling 5. acrociliata, Reader, but easily
“recognised by its curved awns, nearly three inches long, the lower
part being twisted and slender, and the upper part flatiened and
one-nerved on each side. Thirty miles west of Mildura in salt-
bush country, October, 1928, not previously recorded for Victoria.

Stipa Drummondi, Steud., Cotton Spear-grass.

At Murrayville and near Mildura 1 collected specimens of
this tall, eoarse grass. It may be easily distinguished from other.
species by the soft vesliture of the Jeaves and sheaths, which gives
the plant a greyish appearance somewhat like S. semibarbata, var.
mollis, but with a Jess dense panicle and emailer glumes. The
grass described by Reader (Mictorian Naturalist, Vol. XVI, p-
158) under the name 5. Luchmannit, and the grass described by
Black (Proc. Roy, Soc., Tas. Vol. 44) as S. horrifolia, are
shown by Hughes to be not sufficiently distinct as ta warrant their
separation from S. Drummondii, Steudel, 1855.

FLora OF THE PINK LakEs,

These saline depressions between the sandhills about 14 miles
north of Underboo) are the source of large quantities of salt, At
the Lime of my visit over twenty tons daily were being brought to
Underboo! Railway Station by a threeton motor lorry, besides a
large quantity being carried there on the backs of cainels. Some
of this was for use in treating St. John’s Wort in the Bright dis-
trict, Some hundreds of tons were seen in stacks awaiting trans-
port. Although called the Pink Lakes, I saw no indication of
colour, cither in the salt or in the water, but the name is by no
means a misnomer, as many can testify, the salt often displaying
a bright pink tint, due either io chemical impurities or to an organ-
ism such as a microscopic alga. ‘There are four of these lakes,
two being very small. 1 made the circuit of the largest in about
four hours, collecting on my way, and saving time in places where
I could use my bicycle. Huge tussocks of Poycupmne-grass, Triodia
irritans, covered the sandhills, and presented a fine sight, as they
were in full flower. Among these, both Nicotiana glauca, the
introduced weed, and A. suaveolens, were growing, and on the
Western side the rarer plants typical of the Mallee, Pimelea triches-
tachya, Helipterum hyalespermum, H. Stuartiana, and the slender,
wiry Podalepis capillaris. Three Everlastings, Helychrysum brac-
taatum, H.apiculatum, and H, leucopsidium, the last named tangled

a4 ‘Wittaamson, Some Plants of the Nosthem Afulles wr eee.

among the Triodia, were quite common, and amongst bushes of
Eucalyptus incrassata, the only Euealypt I saw there in flower, were
sn twins Thysanotus Patersonii, and the yellow Bulbine semi-
barbata,

The talleat plant quite near the lake was Melaleuca halmatur-
orum, Blistered Paper-bark, clumps of which grew to the height
of about 20 feet, wiih stems nearly a foot through and their roots
in the densely salty earth. The bark stnpped off in thin flakes,
resembling the soft, creamy coloured Ieather much used for binding
aceount books. This plant, and another shrub with rough, not
papery bark, was formerly included under the name M, pustulate.
Hook. f., but it has been shown to agree with Mueller’s M. hal-
moturorum, the earlier name for a plant, the type of which came
from Kangaroo Island, while in 1910, the other A which is quite
‘distinct ta bark, petals and calyx lobes, was described by Fiwart
and Wood under the name M. neglecta (Proc, Row. Soc., Wie.
August, 1910). The vernaculay name, Blistered, 1s deyived from
the apecies name " pustelata.’ As “ halmaturorum " means “ of
the Kangaroos.” referring to the locality of the type, a better ver-
nacular would be Kangaroo Paper-bark Camels are apparently
fond of the :tender shoots, for T saw many upper branches broken
off, and was told that those animals had pulled them down.

On the saline fats at the margin of the lake, presumably
liable ta inundation, there is a most interesting and showy plant
association, On one spot, an area of about fifty yards square,
may be seen the white foliage of Atriplex vesicarmam and Bassia
unifera, which are growing right on the edge of the briny waler,
Salicornia australis, forming dense patches of dayk green, bushes
of Arthrocnemum halocnemeides, with their-varying tints of red and
brown, Plagtanthus glomeratus, with yellow foliage. and, towards
the sandy ground, patches of Mesembrianthemum australe, its
leaves showing a wonderful fange of colour from red to dark
green, where they are not hidden by the masses of brilliant pink
flowers, and the introduced ‘lee Plant, M. crustallinum, rivaling
its native cogener in the beauty of glistening foliage, and ils large,
creamy flowers. The Ham-and-Eggs Daisy, Myriocephalus
Stwartit, growing about two feet ‘high, with flowers having white
rays round a large yellow centre, giving a fanciful resemblance
to a fried ege, adds to the beauty of the wildAower garden. Even
blue is not entizely absent, for this is furnished by small bushes of
Bugle, Ajga australis, growing on the outer edge. Other plants
appearing among this wonderful floral display are Frankenia foliosa,
Salsola Kali, Enchylaena tomentosa, Atriplex prostratum, and Stipa
scabra, a grass Very common in the Mallee, growing often two
feet in height and remarkable for the beauty of its prafuse Rower-
‘meg and fruiting ‘panicles,’ with long, curved, capillary awns, *

?
pane. Wittianson, Some Plants of the Northern Mallee. 2}

~

It was in this area also that E collected Aochia oppastifolia,
previvusly yecorded for “Murray Desert.’ and, therefore, doubtful
for Victoria. It has small opposite leaves, thick and trigonous,
and jts fru calyx is provided with five pink, unequal membrane-
ous lobes.

Here, also, | came across a plant which, in general appear-
ance, tallied with Threlheldia salsuginosa, F, v. M., the recemblance
being remarkable until the ‘hardened perianth tube ip examined. It
is Babbogia acroptera, F. v. M., and Tate var. dentinuta, J. M.
Black, one of the Squash-bushes of the interior of the continent,
The perianth tube, about 2 mm, tong, is, in the normal plant, pro-
vided with two small, unequal, vertical membranous wings. In
this variety only one wing is apparem, and this is a thick, reddish
projection without a membrane, thus approaching closely the fruit
of Threlleeldia salsuginose, The enclosed seed, however, is hhori-
zontal, while in Threlkeldia it ie vertical, or nearly so. In the
National Herbarium I found specimens from the Mallee mixed
up with those of TArelbeldia.

SAWFLY GUARDS EGGS AND LARVAE.

Mr, B. Blackbourw, exhibited at the May meeting of the Club a female
Sawfly and o éluster of larvae, with the follawmg note:— ‘

The species is beleved to be erga Jewisi, which is jniéresting on account
of the fact that, after the female has deposited her eggs in the Uscue of whe
leaf, che wlands over them until they hatch, and remains with the larvae for
some time. [fF disturbed, she raises her body. and opens her jaws in 6
threatening manner. ‘The specimen exhibited was found on some guin-
lips in a vase on April 23, the eggs having evidently only recently hatched.
Since then. as the Inrvae consumed one leaf and moved fo another, the
“fy haa cetnained with them and followed them from leaf to leaf.

When il ia remembered tha} the gum-tips were cut somewhere in the
countey, cent down Ip a Moxist in Melbourne, and carried from the shop
to my house atid arranged in a vase, it is eather wonderful that the ingmect
was not only willing, but able. to ching to her leaf in spite of the rough
treatment,

EXCURSION TO EDGAR CREEK,

A party of 14, including members of the Mornington F.N.C,, attended this
ouling on May 10. The afternoon was fine, and the country traversed rather
picturesque. The leader showed the focation of a deposit of Dialemacious
earth, and made » Few remarky on ils composition and quality. We then
proceeded to the junction of Deshery and Merri Creeks, where we examined
a How of basalt of fine texture, overlying a soi! thal is partly composed of
quartz 4and, the whole of which overlies a course-grained basalt, with large
crystals of oljvene scattered through it. The lower Row is very much
eroded, — From this point we protecded to a fault in Newlands Read that
crosses Coburg from the south-east to the north-West, and 30 on to the
City Council quarry, where there. are two flows of basalt, The lower flew is
not being worked, The total depth of stone is over BD feet. We mex! went
to Edgar Creck, and spent the remainder of the afternoon in examining the
secimentary rock of Silurian age, passing on our way along a deposit
similay to the Bad Lands, W. Hanes.

26 Mitcuert, Zeativs from Flinders. Peeks

ZEOLITES FROM FLINDERS.,
By 5, R. MiTcHece,

Minerals of the Zeohte group are represented in Victoria by
many interesting and beautiful species, and are found principally
in the Basalts belonging ta both the ofder and younger volcanic
series. The same species, however, are ot common to the two:
formations, each possessing a different and characteristic suite of
minerals. These minerals. are of secondary origin, and ‘have been
formed by the solution of part of the more soluble mineral con-
stituents of the Basalt, with subsequent crystallisation in the cavities
of the rock, durmg the slow cooling from ils once molten condition.
This slow cooling seems to bave been an important factor in their
formation, as it is only in the thicker flows and masses, where the
cooling would naturally be most prolonged, that these minerals
usually occur, | \

The best collecting ground for Zeolites in Victoria is the
stretch of coast extending from Flinders to Cape Schanck, where
the older volcanic rocks are exposed in high cliffs and wide rock
platforms. This locality is part of a very extensive occurrence
af the older volcanic series, embracing the south-eastern portion of
the Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island, and parts of French
Island, The coastal sections show the formation to have been
made up of a number of distinct lava flows, some of which are
of considerable thickness, together with much vesicular and scori-
aceous material. The total thickness must have been. very great.
A bore that was put down at Flinders in 1911], by the Victorian
Mines Department, passed through some 900 feet of these rocks.
Some of the cliffs also rise to a great height, up to 270 ft. above
sea level, Further evidence, obtained by boring in other places,
indicate that volcanic activity in Miocene times was very greéal
and widespread.

These rocks can be described generally as Olivene Basalts,
varying greatly in character, They range from a dense. black,
fine-grained magmati¢ form, passing through all stages to the
most vesicular of voleamic products. In places the more vesicular
portions, and possibly volcante ash, have decomposed conipletely
into clays of quite a large range of colours, Jt is in the debris
from the cliffs and rocks on the foreshore that the Zeolites can be
collected, together with several other secondary minerals. A large
proportion of the steam cavities contain mineraj matter, and groups
of crystals frequeritly line the larger vughs. An amygdaloidal
structure is common through the complete filling of the steam cavi-
ties by mineral matter, When decomposition has taken place, the
amygdules-are readily separated owing to their greater resistance to
destructive agencies,

?

June MircHent, Zooltles trom Plinders. 27

Minerals of the Zeolite group have chemical resemblances
in that they are all hydrous silicates of alumimium with calcium and
sodium, or both, rarely with potassium. barium or strontium. [hey
behave similarly before the blowpipe, fusing with intumescence. '
They have low refraction, but difler widely in double refraction,
and crystailise in different sysiems. Tihey are almost wholly
secondary minerals, formed by hydration and alteration of alkalic
aluminous silicates, chiefly felspars, leucite, nephelite, and the soda-
lites; occurring in rocks, mostly igneous, containing the nunerals
named. ‘The Zeolites that are found near Flinders are Analcite,
Natrolite, Phillipsite, Gmelanite, Stilbite, Sphaerostilbite, and Cha-
bazite, and the following particulars should assist one in their
identification. “Uhere are also other minerals to be found there,
among them beng Okvene, Awgite, and Plagioclase Felspar.
Arragonite, Calcite, Vivianite, Halloyste, and Magnetite. The
fast named is of particular interest, as it occurs: near Cape Schanck
in small, angular pieces up to large lumps, evidently derived [rom
jarge segregations of this mineral in the Basalt.

ANALCITE ts a hydrous slicate of alumina and soda, crys
tallising in the cubic system. It occurs in this locality as (2)
partially detached brilliant, limpid crystals, im the cavities of the
Basalt; (b) milky white, opaque detached crystals and groups;
(c} indistinct crystal linings to the cavities, each crystal having
few faces developed, The detached crystals have the form of
the trapezohedron, a regular symmeirical figure bounded by twenty-
four trapezium faces. Usually these four-sided faces have perfect
surfaces free from twinmng, and are a ready means of identifying
the mineral. Same specimens show minute colourless crystals on
a deep red background, and have a beautiful ich red colour,
When developed on the black Basall, they appear black, and
similarly, when on grey or white decomposed rock, they are white
and wnilky. Crystals range from microscopic in size to quile large
ones up to 20 mm. in diameter, Analcite is one of the most
plentifill species to be Found in the locality.

NaTROLITE 1s a hydrous silicate of alumina and soda and
crystallises in the Rthombic system. ‘[t is found as (a) excead-
ingly slender crystals, often found singly in the smaller cavities of
the Basal}, and much too fine ta distinguish the characteristic
rhombic prisms except by the ad of the microscope; (b) compact
masses of acidular crystals forming a fibrous lining to the larger
cavities, ‘This lining may be 10 mm. in thickness, and milky
white in colour. The Jarger projecting crystals show under the
microscope thombic prisms with pyramidal terminations; (c) while
compact matter material, completely filling the original vesicules
in the Basalt. It ts commonly associated with Analcile, Calcite,
and Gmelanite.

28 Mirciseur, Zeolites from Flinders. ee ite.

PHILLIPSITE is a hydrous silicate of alumna, Jime, and
potash, a crystallising in the rhombic system. It occurs as (a)
detached composite twins, resulting in nearly square prisms ter-
‘minated by what appears to be pyramidal faces, each with a
double series of striations running from a medial line; (b) as detached
twins and groups clustering on the wall of the cavities of the
Basah. The mineral is usually of pinkish or light flesh colour,
‘occasionally colourless or white. This species is rare in this
locality.

GMELANITE is a hydrous silicate of alumina, soda and lime.
and crystallises in the hexagonal (rhombohedral) system. It
occurs (a) as detached characteristic six-sided twins, which approxi-
mate short hexagonal prisms with pyramidal faces, top and bottom,
and sometimes with basal planes. Polysynthetic twinning gives
rise to lines parallel to the edges of the pyramid, showing skeleton
faces of a triangular outhne. The colour is usually a deep Aesh
colour, often white to colourless, ‘The crystals are found up te
25 mm, in diameter; (b) as a reddish and crystallme mass, often
hiling the smaller cavities; (c) as indistinct crystal lings te cavities,
but with characteristic colour, This mineral 1 also very plentiful
in the locality.

STILBITE is 4 hydrous silicate of alumina, lime and soda, and
crystallises in the monoclinic system. It occurs as (a) minute
crystals of a distinctly tabular habit; (b) small sheaf-like groups
or confused masses lining cavities of the Basalt, or covering other
minerals. The crystals are clear and opaque, and of a somewhat
pearly lustre. This species is quite different in appearance to all
the other Zeolites in the locality, with the exception of Natrolite,
but it can be readily distinguished from it by its habit.

SPHAEROSTILBITE is a very interesting variety of Snlbite.’
and occurs sparingly as smooth white spheres, often mounted on
the tips of slender Nitrolite crystals. Usually it is scattered over
Analecite, or as a translucent coating on Calcite or other mineral.
It is characterised by a decided waxy lustre. *

CHaszire, is a hydrous silicate of alumina, with lime and
soda, and _crystallises in the hexagonal (rhombohedral) system. It
occurs usually as, well-defined, simple rhombohedrons, from 2 to
25 mms. across, and also as indistinct coating to walls of cavities,
and is readily identified by the rhomboid faces. It may have a
deep Aesh red, colourléss, or white and opaqque colour, The crys-
tal faces often show polysynthetic twinning parallel to the sides of
the rhomb.

cal fa Ruer, The Orchid Prosophylum nigricans, 29

THE ORCHID PRASOPHYLLUM NIGRICANS, R.Bz.
By The Rey. H. M. R, Ruep, Weston, N.S.W.

Fitzgerald remarks of this species: “* Prasophyllum nigricans &
one of the forms that are_ever puzales lo the botanist, So close
does it come to some others that no description can separate them
without the aid of drawings or specimens. _ . . The deseriptions
do not agree, as given by different authors, and even the specimens
ean hardly be said to be consistent with themselyes.”

Notwithstanding all the additional knowledge gained through
the observations of many botanists. since these words were written,
I think most orehid students will endorse Fitzgerald's comments
to-day. During the present autumn I have had exceptional
apportunities of studying this curious little orchid. ‘The town
of Weston, which Jiex in the heart of the South Maitland cral-
fields, between Kuz: Kurri and Cessnock, is surrounded by some
miles of sandy scrub, composed largely of paper-bark Melaleucas,
Callistemons, dwarf Banksias, and Grass-trees,

This is ideal country for the “ pygmy" Prasophylls, but up
to. the present, [ have found them only represented by P. nigricans,
whieh occurs literally im millions. On my first excursion into the
scrub, within an hour FE liad see more of these orchids than [ had
ever been able to find in thirty years previously. Jt seems
impossible to get away from them antl the character of the scrub
changes, They were flowering at the beginning of March, and
were still “* going strong" in the middle of April.

The New South Wales forms of this plant are, I think
(generally speaking), taller than those in the Southern States. Mr.
Pescott says: ‘ Two 4o five inches high.” Five inches would
be a very dwarf plant here. I have frequently taken specimens
over 12 inches, and the average would be eight or nme, The
spike of flowers is often over an inch in length; I have one
_neasly lwo inches, with 35 flowers. On the other hand, it is
not uncommon to find plants with only two or three flowers, = In
the Weston scrub, where such innumerable plants are growing,
variability is great, It is, mm fact, most difficult to define the
features which convince one of the identity of many forms. Super-
ficially, some of them ate 30 extraordjnarily like /. Ruppii in
appearance, that ] was quite sure | had found that species until
the magnificr dispelled the belief. Others approach yery closely
the Northern form of 2?, tirtcutum.

As P. Ruppti and P. intricatum beth have the Jabellum and
other segments beset with bairlets. # may he asked how they re-
semble P. nigricans, which is hairless) The answer is that several
forms of the last-named here, apparently, are beset with ‘hairs
towards the apex of the labellum. Careful examination, how-
¢ver, suggests that these are not lrue hairs, but are due to very

30 Notes from Tyers. | BR ko tts,

fine and narrow indentations of the lamina of the labellam itself,
Comparatively few Jabella are quite entire, The commonest
form has irregular indentations near the apex, which is sometimes
acuminate and recurved, sometimes broad and mucronate. In
some, these indentations are more regular, forming “' teeth,” and
pecasionally they are so numerous, and the teeth are so narrow.
as to give the impression of hairs.

The paired sepals are, in some cases, vivid green, in others
purplith-black, like the rest of the Hower. In the great majority
of cases they are gland-tipped. The most constant feature of the
flower. among all other variations, is the column, with its large
and prominent, deeply bifid wings. The inner arm of the bifid
wing is almost invariably green, the outer dark purple. Occasion-
ally the latter is very defimtely notched at the tip,

NOTES FROM TYERS.

Usually there are many pairs of Welcome Swallows (Hirundo
neoxena) about the Tyers district dung the spring, and at the
end of the summer hundreds gather, preparing for fight, but during
the past Spring | did not once see more than four birds, and
since then have never seen more than twelve, and even that number
only once. I know of no reason for this unexpected rarity, and
have wondered whether observers in other districts noticed a similar
decrease, or whether the swallows in some other place appeared
moré numerous, as ‘here they became rare.

Though a common plant, and very well known, our Neck-
lace Fern (Asplenium flabellifaliam) has one interesting habit un-
familiar to many who gather it, | The rhachis, or stalk, of the
frond, as we know usually extends, threadlike and bare of pinnae
an inch or more beyond the remainder of the frond, suggesting
the common local name, ‘‘ Rat'setail."” The reason for this rarely
appears. Tt is to help in the increase of the plant. Under
some conditions the tip of this stalk hardens and produces a shoot.
Where it is in contact with the ground it takes root and sending
up new fronds forms a second plant, Thus one may find a
long frond with a plant at each end. Sometimes fronds from
the second plant also root, and in time a chain of plantlets is
formed, each one linked to the next by a long curved frond.

The flowering season of Correa rubra, the badge of our Club,
is very long, usually at least six months, and I have known a
plant to bloom continuously from March to November, but a plant
of Correa aemala, obtained from the Grampians, which I have in
a pot appears to ‘have an even longer Aowering period. It has
not been without flowers since last September, and is now filled
with buds which promise unbroken flowering tll next Spring.

dune ] Excursion la Aboriginal Stone Axe Quarries, 3 |

EXCURSION TO THE ABORIGINAL STONE AXE
QUARRIES, MT. WILLIAM, LANCEFIELD.

Thirty members and friends, conveyed in six moter cars, met at Seymour
an March 23, and then proceeded to Mt. Wilkam, near Lancefeld, This
is wot the first time dhe Club has visited thin remarkably interesting place,
combing as it does in high degree anthropological and geological mtcrest,
as well as scenic beauty, Mr. A, S. Kenyon gave a short talk on the reasons
for Ihe aboriginals resorting to thix and ailier quarries, and exptained the
evolution of stone implement culture.

Mr, S, R. Mitchell read a most instructive paper, of which an abridgement
follows, on. the geology and mineralogy of the Mount:—

“Mt. William i» the northern extremity of an outstanding ridge of
resistant rucks that exlends in a southerly direction ‘foe abo! twelve miles.
The ridge consists of diabase, cherts, and shales of Cambrian age, belong-
ing lo the Heathcotian series of Victoria.

~Drabase outcrops iv many places on the mount, and from a number
ot these the aborigines formerly obtained suntable stone for axe making.
Prof. Skests has shown that these rocks represent a submarine series of Javas
aad tulls anterstrahhed with sediments now mainly cherts. Jo the west they
change mto fine bedded black shaley and cherts containing bower ordevicsan
fossils (Lanceheldion), Sull further west these give place to the upper
Ordovician (Bendigoman} sérics. The strike and dip of the three forma-
tions agree fairly closely, and indicates a regular deposition of sediments
continuing from Cambrian to upper Ordovician times, After the elevation
of these Cambrian and Ordovician rocks, enbrely differen! types of marine
sediments were deposited during Silurian times, giving mse to shales, sand-
stones and mudslones, now represenled by the rocks forming the low wooded
hills to the east of Mt. Witham. = An extensive intrusion of gramitie rocks
on the north separates the Mt. William range from another imporlant devol-
opment of the -Heathcotian, the Colbimnabbin Range, which cxteuds some
thirty miles north from blenthcot. Mt Camel, near Heathcote, is another
site from whence axe itones was obtained.

_"“Diabase is a somewhat vague term, and includes many varieties of
rocks, and probably some of the altered fragmental ashes im this area. Tt
consisted of Augite, Plaginclase, Felspar ond {Ilmenite, all much altered,
Sume of the diabuse of Mt. William hos a tore ur Jess platy of foliated
structure, and much of the orginal augite has been converted into secondary
Auyite and fibrouy actinolite, umparting to the rock a special ieughnoss com-
bined with a decided tendency to split into suitable shape, accounting fod ity
wide use by the aberigings. “These chanpes have probably been produced
by the metamorphic effect of the granitic intrusion to the north. Axe stone
has also been quarried by the natives in otany other parts of Victoria. as al
Mt. Stavely, Chatsworth, on the Hoplans River, near Stawell, the Howqua
River, Deokie, and the Dog Rocks near Geelong” =~

_—

PARROTS IN THE FITZROY GARDENS.

The rarest bird 1 have seen in the Fitzroy Gardens was obseryed on May
12. It was a male Cockatoo-Parret, evidently an escapee from aa aviary,
as it was easily approached. Seeing it ut first from a distance, it grey
colour and peculiar flight made me think thar a was either, a Pallid or a
Fantail] Cuckoo, Two White-plumed Floney-eaters were evidently
under the same delusion, as they pursned it vigorously, Two male Crimson
Rosellas, in adult plumage, have been almost daily in evidence since January,

—A.E.R.

32 The Club's Jubilee: Pech arr

THE CLUB'S JUBILEE.

The fiftieth year of continuous and progressive existence of
the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria will be celebrated on July
16, |7 and 18, 1930,

A dinner will be held at the St. Kilda Town Hall, at 7
p.m., on Wednesday, July 16. Original members and their wives.
and ‘ropresentatives of kindred societies, will be guests. Tickets
will be available to members and others at 7/6 each.

Members are invited to view the exhibits at 8 p.m. on July
16, and each member will receive two tickets for this evening.
Exhibitors’ tickets will be available for members and others super-
vising and assisting in the various sections.

The Exhibition will be officially opened on the afternoon of
July 17, and remain open on that evening, and the alternoon and
evening of July 18. The prices of admission will be | /-.

Mr, E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., has been appointed Ditactbe of
the Fxhibition. The organisers of the various sechons will be
as follow:— ,

ALGAE (Seaweeds) —Mr. W. H. Ingram.

AQUARIA,— My, V,. de Norville.

BOTANY... Mr, E. E. Peseott, F.LS.

BOTANICAL NOVELTIES.Mr. P. R. H. 5t. John.

CONCHOLOGY.—Mr. C, J. Gabriel,

ENTOMOLOGY .—Mr. F. E. Wilson, F.E.S.,

ETHNOLOGY.—Mr. A. 5. Kenyon, M.LE., Aust.

GEOLOGY AND PALAEONTOLOGY —M:. W.
S. Abraham. .

MARINE. ZOOLOGY, —Rev. Geo. Cox.

MICROSCOPY .—Mr. A. J. Swaby.

MARSUPIALS (Living).--Mr. D, H. Fleay-

¢( SEP HLES AND AMPHIBLANS.—Mr. H. W. Davey.
F.

ORNITHOLOGY —Mr. C. Barrett, C.M.Z.S.

POND LIFE.—Mr. W. Ramm.

WILDFLOWERS.—Mr, H. B. Wilhamson, F.L.S.

ZOOLOGY —Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S.

Members (especially country members) who can obtain speci-
mens, preferably living. or loan instruments, are asked to com-
municate with the honorary secrélary, so that arrangements may
be made for transport. etc. A good response from members
is réquested in order to ensure success of this unique exhibition.

It is hoped to make a display of winter wild flowers, Mem-
hers able te contribute should communicate with Mr. H. R. W)l-
hiamson, 231 Waverley Road, East Malvern, 5 E 5, a5 early as
nossible, regarding what they can contribute. Fxhibits of uncom-
mon Victorian plants, grewing in pots, are desired.

All exhibits must be at the hall not later than 3 p.m. on
Wednesday, July 16. -—A.E.R.

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. XLVI, —No. 3. July 9, 1930. _ No. 559,

THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA,

The Aniual Meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society's Hall on Monday, June 2, 1930. The president, Mr.
P. R. H. St. John, occupied the chair, and about 80 members

and mentors were present.

REPORTS.
Reports of excursions wére given as fallow:—Austin Ione
tal, shrub planting: Dr, H. Flecker; National. Peete Mr. J,
W, Audas, F.LS. ;

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.
The following were duly elected, as ordinary members, on a
show of hands:—Mr. and Mrs. R. Smart, Black Rock; Mr, F.
Ford, Ivanhoe; Mr. J. A. Fowler, Tooronga.

ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS AND
COMMITTEE.

The following were declared duly elected:—President, Mr, -
C. Barrett, C.M.Z.S.; vice-presidents, Mr. Geo, Coghill and. Mr.
V.H. Miller; honorary treasurer, Mr. J. Ingram; honorary lib- -
“yarian} Dr. C. S. Sutton; honorary editor of the. Victorian Ne- .
turalist, Mr. C. Barrett, C.M.Z.S.; honorary secretary, Mr. A
E. Rodda: honorary assistant secretary and hbrarian, Mr. H. B,
Williamson, F.L.S.--committee, Miss J. W. Raff, M.Sc, F.E.S., |
Messrs. C. Daley, B.A., F.LS. L, L. Hodgson, F. E. Wilson,
F.E.S.,.and E. E, ‘Pescott,, Pisa a

‘ ANNUAL REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET.

The annual report was read by the honorary assistant secre-

tary, and was approved on the motion of Mr. F. iE. Wilson, Ye

seconded by Dr. H. Flecker.

The honorary treasurer submitted the financial statement for.
the year, which was outlined on the blackboard by Mr. A. G-
Hooke (honorary auditor), who mentioned that the assets of the
Club had now reached the total af £1000. “On the motion of’
Mr. Hooke, ‘seconded by Mr. J. W. Audas, the balance’ ‘sheet .
was taken as read and adopted.

PRESIDENT.

' The newly elected president’ (Mr, C.- Barreit)- thes took: the
chair,;and was welcomed by the retiring ‘president (Mr. St. John).

44 Field Naluralisls’ Club,—Proceedings, Rig rats
PAPER. |
Mr. F. G. A. Barnard (foundation member) read a paper
of great interest to members, giving briefly the history of the Club
during the years 1920 to 1930.

-EXHIBITS.
By Miss G. F.. Neighbour—Paintings of Butterflies, Moths
and Wildflowers.
By’ the Honorary Secretary:— Designs for bookplate by My.
Qtientin Sutton:
By Master Pat, Flecker—Live Tadpoles.
- By Mr. A. j. Swaby.—Plants of ‘Wild Violet for distri-
JuUbON,
| By Mr. H. B. Williamson— Dried plants illustrative of the
exhibiter’s article in ithe June Naturalist: —Stipa platychagic.
Hughes; 5. Drammondit, Stend.: Melaleuca nalmaturorum, F. v.
M.; M. neglecta, Ewart, and some interesting species from the Pink
Lakes and Murrayville.

ANNUAL REPORT,
To the Members of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria.
Ladies and Gentlemen, — : :

Your committee has mich pleasure in presenting the Fiftieth
Annual! Report, for the year ending April 30, 1930, and desires
fo express its gratihcation that the contmued success of the Club
has been maintained, and that this,.the year of our Jubilee, con-
tinues to show am-increased record of membership,

Our membership rol! now stands at | honorary, 9 life, 278
ordinary, 79 country, and 19 associate members, making a total
of 386, which is an increase: of 7 members above the total of
last year. Fifty-two new members have been elected, of whom
38 were ordinary, | honosary, 6 country, and 8 associates,

Tt ts with deep regret that we have to record the deaths of
three members during the year. Of these, Siy Baldwin Spencer,
F.R.S., and Dr. J, A, Leach were eminent in the held of natural
science, and the Club is greatly indebted to them for the invaluable
assistance they freely gave, both on the scientific and executive
-sides. The news of the death of Sir Baldwin Spencer was
received within a few days of the date om which he was un-
animously appointed an honorary life member of the Club, at its
July meeting, Dr J. A. Leach has left an enduring memorial
in his books, An Australian Bird Boof, and Australian Nature
Studies, both of which will lone be yalued for their concise and
accurate information. Mr.. H. 1. Torpy, who died in September
last, was a member of the Club from September, 1926.

Tt is fitting that the Chib should record with regret the death
of Mys. St. John, the wife of our president, who, on several occa-

.
.

futy te ime r e's
i930, Fiéld Naturatiyts! Club-=Procecdinys, cE

sions, identified herself with the activities of the Club, and hos-
pitably entertained members when excursions were held at the
Botanic Gardens.

The sympathy of the Club was also extended to the family
of the Jate Mr. A. J. Campbell, who, though not a member at
the time of his death, in past years spared no effort to further
its interests. Mr. Campbell's work as a distinguished Awstra-
lian ornithologist js of world-wide reputation,

Attendances at our monthly meetings have been well main:
tained, the average for the year being 1U8. During the year it
was found necessary to remove ‘the exhibits not required for the
lectures, to the lower hall, in order to provide mare room upstairs.
Papers and lectures were contributed by Miss I. Cookson, B.Sc,
Messrs. A. D. Hardy, Tom Tregellas, P. R. H. St. John, F.
Chapman, A.L.S.. F.G.S.; J. A. Kershaw, FLE.S.; PL F.
Morns; A. S. Kenyon, M.LE., Aust.; R. H, Croli; C, Barrete,
C.M,Z.S.; F. E. Wilson, F.E.S.; C. J. Gabriel} H. B. Wil-
liamson, F.L.S.; and S. Butler. The subjects were varied,
dealing with many phases of natural history, including fossils, geo-
logy. birds, botany, marsupials, fish, insects, marine shells, native
tribes, the Mallee, spiders and scorpions, ferns, and the Australian
flora, The subjects were illustrated by specimens, drawings, lan-
tern slides, and epidioscope . projections.

The excursions during the year have been well attended, end
the programme fully carried out, Forty excursions have been
heid, of which 25 were on Saturday afternoons, 12 on whole days
or holidays, and three,, extending over three days or more, to distant
localities, such as Mallacoota Inlet, Flinders, and Walhalla, For
the néxt syllabus af exeursiona, which dates fram September 6,
the committee will be pleased to receive suggestions regarding lorali-
Aies, and offers of leadership, ~

With this year our journal, The Victorian Naturalist, com>
pletes its forty-sixth volume. Difficulties in publication have been
ynet and overcome, and under the able, editorship of Mr. C. Bar-
rett, €.M.Z.5,, the customary high standard has been maintained.
Articles on nearly all branches of natural history, many of them
illustrated by excellent photographs and drawings, have been con-
tributed by members and others. Members are again reminded
that the honorary editor will always be pleased to receive suitable
articles, natuye Totes, and paragraphs far publication.

The annual Wildflower Show was held in the St, Kilda
Town Hall on Octoher 2, and repeated the successes of former years.
The show was opened by the Hon. A, E. Chandler, M.L.C.,
who is a noted cultivator of Australian wildflowers. © Exhibits
were staged from Queensland, South Australia, and Western Aus-
tralia, From the latter State a particularly fine selection was

ify Piel! Natutativts Club Precedings, lv" Ser art:
collected and presented by the Shell Company of Avustralia, and
was carried part of the way by aeroplane, arriving in excellent con-

‘dition. The microscope section, under the direction of -Miss J.

W. Raff, M.Se., was again a,.centte of attraction, as was alsa
the yoom devoted to a collection .of rare minerals, lent from the
Geological Survey Museum, and. marine specimens from the. Morn
ington Field Naturalists” Society, under the direction of the Rev,
Geo. Cox. Paintings of wildflowers by Miss A. Fullev, Miss
G. Neighbour, and Mr H. P. Dickens were also displayed here,
The attendance at the shew was estimated at about 1700, and
the, net profits were £71,. ‘

,During the year the Club has initiated, or been represented
on, several deputations to members. of the Governmegt on matters
which: came within its scope, and were also of interest and beneht
to the public generally. A request to place, on- the estimates a sum
of money for the improvement of the reservation at Sperm Whale
Head was sympathetically teceived, hut owing to the prevailing
financia! stringency, no money was available. Favourable con-
sidgration was also promised to a’ request for the preservation of
trees in the Cumberland Valley... A. protest'to the Government!
against the declaring of an open season for trapping opossums wae
unaVailing., , At the yequest' of the Wild Life Preservation Society
of Australia, the Club joined with it in approaching the Tasmanian

Government to urge protection: for the Thylacine or Marsupial

Wolf, which was threatened with early extinction. As a resull,
this animal is now placed on the partly-protected |ist,

© The committee thankfully acknowledges gifts of money for
special purposes ‘from Messrs. Miller Bros., “A, E. Keep, W. M.
Bale, and A, J, Tadgell. The thanks of the Club have also been’
edtended to Mr. J. Searle for four stereoscopes, Mr. H. P, Dickens
for a copy of -his book on Victorian Orchids, the Hon. A. E-
Chandler’ for two boxes of Boronia for sale at the Wildflower:
Show, and Mrs, V. H. Miller for providing refreshments. for
workers at the show. An artistic beok-plate, embodying the
Clubs badge, Corrua rabra, was chosen Irom designs drawn and
presented by Mr. Quentin Sutton, the cost of printing being defrayed
by Mr, A. E. Keep:

- The’ committee again acknowledges with thanks the kindness. of
Messrs. Coghill and Haughton in placing their office at its disposal
for ‘holding meetings.- Meetings have been held monthly, the at-
tendances of members being as follow:—Messrs. J. Ingram, V. H.
Miller; and A. Ex Rodda, 12; P..R. H. St. John and H. B.
Williamson, 11; Miss J. W- Raff, Messrs, G, Coghill and L, L.
Hodgson. 9: Dr, C.5. Sutton. 8; C, Barrett, F. E, Wilson and C.
Daley; 7; A. E. Keep, 6. Three meetings of the Jubilee Com-
mittee and three of the advisory sub-committee for the Jubilee have
been held, and much preliminary work has been done.

Meg Field Naturalsis Club—Praceedings. 37

In conclusion, your commitlee desires ta express its thanks to
members generally and all others who have contributed to the
furtherance of the aims of the Club and the accomphshment of a
Successful year. It is confidently hoped that the incoming com-
mittee will have the benefit of the same loyalty and co-operatiion

during the ensuing year.
P. R.:H. ST. JOHN, President.
A. E. RODDA, Han. Secretary.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Twelve Months
: Ended April 30, 1930,

RECEIPTS,
To Balance at Bank on May t. 1929 .. 0. 2. 0. 22 ss Yul 5
vw Subscriptions—
Arrears ., ., -- .. -. .. £1630 0
Current ee OC? -ere <=" 238 12 tt]
In Advance .. -, 2. w, oe 19 7 0
———_—_-- §274 9 0
1 Wild Flower Show Receipts .2 .. ...., 57 4 F
«» Plant Census Sales .. 1. 2. aN wer 9 4 3
» Reprints from Victorian Naturalis AS ie et 0 8 6
Pt Cash Sales of Mietorian Naturalist .. 2... 1617 7
» Advertisements in Fictorian Naturalist ., 25 0
Sale of Badges -. 0. 2. 2) 2. ee ee es 429
vw Donations... 6 oh ce = ce ee ed a ate =e 615 0
3 I nlerast—
Best Fund _. .. .. £210 0
Savings Bank Debentures: . 6 00
» Savings Bank current a/e. .. 6 10 01
—__+—--- 22 01
493 9 3
: EXPENDITURE. £495 0. 8
By Victorian Neaturaltsi—
Printing .. 1. 2. 1... £208 6 6
lustrating teat . 31 8 0
Wrapping and Despaiching _- 25 {4 10
— £265 9 4
» Wildfower Show Expenditure .. 2. 2. .. 68 0 0
» Plant Censas Expenses ., .- 50 se ue ae 115 0
» Library -a/e, Subscriptions -. .. -. .. y- 410 4
. General Printing .. 0. 0. .. .. -. -- 10 5 6
st Donations cf ey ite bm am tle fet toy 5 5 0
.. Postage, Petty Cash, and General Expenses 17 (9 6
2392 18 4
» Amount transferred to Savings Banks from
proceeds of Wildflower Show .. .. .. 35 13-7
Balance at Banks on Ane} 30, 1930—
English. Scottish and Anstralion v Bas .. 46 17 10
State Savings Bank .. . ; 1910 11
———— 66 8 9
£495 0 8

———

38 ; Field Naturalists) Club—Praceedings.

Special Trust Account, -
To Balance in Bank and Cash in Hand on May |, 1929 ..

By Expenditure in Year ..
» Balance in Bank and Cach is o Hand | on : April 30, 1930 .

Vic. Nat.

Vol. XLVIE
£20 1 3
£20 1 3
«0 10 0
1911 3
£20 1 3

Statement cf Assets and Liabilities on April 30, 1930.

ASSETS.
Anions of ‘Subscriptions, Sin ihall edtimated to
realise, say... ;
Bank Current Accounts—
S. and A, Bank, general account £46 17 10

State Savings Bank, general accoums .. 19 10 11
E, S. and A. Bank, Special Trust Account 13 0 3
Cash ia Hand, Special Trust Account .. 611 0
Tavestments—
Best Fund—E. S, and A, Bash fixed
deposit ot, 4% . lw ose 50 0 0
State Savings Bank Debentures .. ..... 200 0 0

Stale Savings Rank, Current Account ., (37 13 7

Library and Furniture, insurance value ., --

Plant Census Account, being difference between
cost and sales of books -. ..°., .. -,

Club Badges on hand, cost less sales .. -. -. ..

Accounts owing to Club, Advertiseinents and
Subscriptions .,

LIABILITIES.
Subscriptions paid in advance ,. -. .. .. -. --
Late Mr. Dudley Best Fund .. ,. .. -. .. £50 0
eer “ wooo” Interest in hand 2 10 O
Balance of Char-a-banc Fund .. 2
Spectal Trust Account .. an j é
Outstanding Accounts-—
RReRE cig) tey ery ok ev te ee na sipgees) “TRE
Caretaker 2.06. 0. ee eee eee 110 @
Printing—April Pest ap oe ute A TIOL F

Examined and found correct on May 30, 1930.
: A. 8. BLAKE,
A. G, HOOKE, Hon.
JOHN INGRAM, Hon. Treasurer,

30 0 0

91) 3

387 13
AW 0

7
0
tl417 5
515 5
106 0 0
£1034 6 5

£19 7 Q

"52 10
117
cma

woo

4107
£134 5 10

Auditors.

jy] Barnann, Field Notwralists’ Club, 1920-1930. 9

THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA,
1920-1934).

By F, G. A. Baanarp,

(Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria,
June 2, 1930.) ;

Twenty-five years ago, as president of our Club, I chose for
the subject of a presidential address, ‘‘ The First Quarter of a
Century of the’ Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria." This ap-
peared in the Naturalist for July, 1906 (VN. xxii, pi.
63). In that address I gave rather fully the details of the found-
ing and first years Wstory of the Club, 1880-1; but after that
referred only to the more important happenings,

In April, 1920, it was suggested that, as gaps were occursihg
among those who had borne the burden and heat of the day, a
continuation of the history would be acceptable, so in May, 1920,
I continued it as far as the end of-its fortieth year (published in the
Naturalist for Octaber, 1920, vol. xxxvin, p. 71). To
night 1 want you to bear with me for a little while, and allow me
to add the events of the additional ten years to the end of April last,
and so coniplete the story of its half-century.

| take it as somewhat unique that I have personally been
-witness of all I bave told and will tell you, and not as many
historians are, compilers. from other persons records,

When | gave the second part of our history I felt that life
was too uncertain to promise the completion in. ten years’ time, bul
I have been spared, and 7 trust you will accept my remarks in
the spirit in which they are offered to you.

I will continue on the lines of ‘the previous parts, simply re-
cording the names of the president and honorary secretary for each
year, with the principal happenings. ;

1920-21,—Ax the frst meeting of the year (May), the fortieth
anniversary of the Club was celebrated by a special reunion of mem-
bers claiming longest membership of the Club, and it was pleasing
to find that of the “* origina) members," then reduced to eight,
seven. were present; the eighth, Mr. T. G. Sloane, ts a re
sident of Young, New South Wales, The -six present
were Messrs. W. M. Bale, F. G. A, Barnard, D. Best
(since deceased), J. E. Dixon, C. French, senr., F."Pitcher, and

Wisewould (since deceased), Of the 30 members’ then on
the roll, other than the “ original members,” upwards of 20 years’
standing, eleven were present, while apologies were received fram
five others unable to be present for various reasons {V.N. xxxvi..
p. 10). A presentation was made to Mr. G. Coghill in recogni:
tion of his services as honorary treasurer for a period of 15 years.
Mr. F. G. A. Barnard (honorary editor) read a brief sketch of

.

40 Barnanp, Field Naturalists’ Club, 1920-1930, 0, Vie Nat

the Club's activities from 1905 to 1920 (V.N, xxxvii., p, 71)-
For this year Mr, Joseph Gabriel was elected president, with
Mr, R. W, Armitage as honorary secretary (VN, xxxvil.,
p. #8). The report for the year (V.N, xxxviii, p. 18)
gives a total membership of 259. Among the deaths recorded
was that of Mr. R. A. Bastow, Foremost as a worker in mosses.
and lichens. Only 10 papers were read, partly due io the fact that
four monthly meetings had to be abandoned owing ta industrial
troubles causing restriction of lighting and trafhe facilities. The
balance sheet showed a reduction in the credit balance of the Club.
‘The Wildflower Fixhibition was again a great success, and enabled
a further sum of £66 to be set aside towards the publication of
the Census of Victorian Plants, then nearing” completion, An
eXcursioh was agam made to Bendigo, and in January; 1921,
Walhalla was visited, The continued export of natural history
specimens created considerable discussion, and the Club decided
to express ils opposition to the practice to the Fisheries and Gare
Department, and also to thank the same Department for its action
in endeavouring to reduce the number of foxes at Phillip Island.
where the mutton-birds were in danger of destruction, The pre-
sident, Mr. J. Gabriel, made a presentation to the Club of a
reading desk of his own construcion, On his approaching depar-
ture from the Commonwealth, the Governor-General, Sir Ronald
Munro-Ferguson, G-C_M.G., forwarded a letter to the Club ex-~
pressing: ‘his regret a! oot having been, able to be present al more
of its excursions, and wishing the Club every success (VN.
saxvii., p. 98). In the February Noteralit, Siy Buldwin
Spencer, K-C_.M.G., F.R.S,, ete,, contributed an important article
entitled " The Necessity for an Immediate and Co-ordinated In-
vestigation uto the Land and Freshwater Fauna of Auetralia and
Tasmania,” but, unfortunately, the matter has so far pot been taken
up,

1921-22,—The president for this year was Mr. F. Chapman,
A.L.S.. with Mr, C. Oke as honorary secretary, The annual
report {V.N. xxxix. p. 26) recorded a “membership of
282. Fourteen papers had been read, and there was a credit
balance of 4219: A Nature Study Exhibition was held in con-
junction with the Microscopical Society ia June. in the Melbourne
Town Hall (V.N. xxxwii.. po, 28), which was opened by
the State Governor, Lord Stradbroke. The exhibition was well
attended, and each society added £23 to its funds. , At a special
meting, in August, an alteration in the rules was made whereby
the retirmg president in each year became an ex-officio member of
the new committee, Later on, in the same evening, August 8,
1921, a slight earth-tremor was distinctly felt by some of those
present. Bendigo was again Visited in October, The October

dpe Baawanp, Field Noturalists’ Club, (920-1930. 41

meeting was devaled to a memorial of the late Baron Sir F. ven
Mueller, whose death had occurred just 25 years previously
CV.N. xxxviii., p. 58). At this Mr. C. Daley, F.LS., gave
seme biographical notes, Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.5., some account
of his literary work, and My. F. G. A. Barnard described his ex-
piprations in Victaria, etc. The annual Exhibition of Wild-
Bowers was held at the Athenaeum in September, when Lady
Stradbroke performed the opening ceYemony, and the result was
an addition of £150 to the Club funds. An attempt was mace
to obtain, by ballot, the six most popular native flowers (VN.
xxxvili., p, O35}. Among the excursions of the year was
a vety interesting oné to Eltham Heights, where Mr. W. Tonge
dealt with the birds of the district, At the December meeting
Mr, A. J. Vadgell made a valuable contribution to the records
of the flara of the Alps (VN. xxxviii., p. 105). At the January
meeting. Mr. A. H. 3. Lucas, M.A., of Sydney, the firat editor af
the Meturalist and now an honorary member, was present and given
a cardial welcome. An extended excursion to Voolangi was
made at Easter (V.N-. xxxix., p, 45). ,

1922-23.—For this year Mr, ©, Daley, BiA., was elected
president, and Mr. C. Oke as honorary secretary. The annual
report (V.N. xl, p. 37) showed a membership of 303,
with an increased credit balance, “In May an enjoyable excursion
was spent in the Macedon districe (VN. xxxix, p. 13)
At the June meeting the retiring president, Mr. F. Chapman,
A.L.S., gave an interesting address. on the physiography of the
Southern Coast of Vietoria (VW.N. xxxix. p. 31), Later
in the manth the Clubs held a Nature Study Exhibition in the Athen-
aeum ~(V.N. xxxix., p. 47). This was opened by Sir
Baldwin Spencer, K-C.M.G,, and proved very interesting. Por-
tion af the proceeds was handed ta the Children’s Hospital, In
July, Mr. Wm. Stickland, a very ald member of the Club and
an. enthuslastic pond-life man, passed away. He was soon fol-
towed by Mv, F. P. Spry (V.N. xxxix., p. 60), a*great worker
in entomology, as also in palaeontology; unfortunately he could not
be persuaded to put his knowledge into print. The Bendiga ex-
corsion of this year was one of the mast successful of the series.
The Wildflower Exhibition was again held at the Melbourne
Town Hall, and was opened by Sir Robert Best (V_N,
xxxix., p. 80). The public attended in large numbers, with
the result that the Club and the Children’s Hospital shared £150
between. them.

{In November, Mr. J. Gabriel, who for some months had
been in failing health, passed away, the Club losing one of its
greatest workers. He had been a member for nearly forty years.

and had held office for 27 years (VN. xxxix.. p. FOr),

a Barwanp, Field Naturalists’ Club, (920-1930. [Wit 25).

To wew of hie great services to the Club, a. special minute was
inserted in the proceedings (V-N. xxxix.. p. 109). Ia
December the Club sustained another loss by the death of Mr.
J. R. Tovey, who, through his association with the National
Herbatium, had made many friends among the botanists of the
Club, At the January (1923) meeting, on the recommendation
of the committee, Mr. Chas, French, sent,, one of the founders of
the Club, was unanimously elected an honorary life-member in view
of his long membership and services to the Club, In January,
1923, an extended excursion was made to Torquay, abd an inter-
esting lime spent (VN. xxx, p. 153). At the Feb-
ruary meeling the committee recommended that the even other
“onginal’ members of the Club be elected honorary li'e-mem-
hers, in recognition of therr many services to it. In March fur-
ther reference was made to the export of natural history spcimens.
especially birds, from Australia.

1923-24.—Mr. C. Daley, B.A., was again president. while
Mr. C. Oke continued as honorary secretary, The members’ roll
showed a further increase, but.the increased cost of printing the
Naturalist allowed little increase jn the credit balance of the Chub.
With the report 1s given (V.N. xb, p. 43) a summary of
the cash results of the last seven Wildflower Exhibitions, show-
ing that £640 had been given to war and charitable funds, while
£338 was divided between the Club funds and the fund for pub-
lishing the Census of Pictorian Plants. At the May meeting
it was decided to ask the Comptrolter of Customs to consider the
question of the export of Jive birds from Australia, and to frame
regulations to deal with the matter, At the September meeting
gteat regret was expressed at the death of Mr, W. H. Dudley Le
Souef, C.M.Z.S., a well-known naturalist and traveller, and the
Director of the Melbourne Zoological Gardens. He ‘thad been a
member for a long period, and had held office at various times
(VIN. xb, p. 105}. The long-promised Census of Vic-
terian Plants (WN. xi. p..)19), the yesult of many years’
labour by the members of the Plant Names’ Committec, was made
avadable at the Wildflower Exhibition, held at the Melbourne
Town Hall on October 3. 1923 (VIN, xl, p. 127), and
mer with a ready sale, The peoht of the Exhibition amounted
to £107, of which £53 was handed te the Bush Nursing Aszo-
tiation, in recognition of ite help in securing exhibits from country
districts, | Merroce-hound copies of the Census were presented to
each member of the Plant Names’ Committee. in recognition of the
completion of their long and difficult task, The’ constitution of the
Advisary Committee on the Exportation of Australian Mammals
and Birds is given in the November Naturalist (W.N_ xl. p. 139).
Wilson's Promontory was visited at Christmas by a party of 16,

rt} Barnarv, Field Naturalists’ Club, 1930-1930. 43

under the leadership of Mr. C. Daley, BA. (V.N, xi, p. 292).
A list of ie presidents of the Club, 1880-1924, appeared in the Vo-
tuvalist for April (V.N. xh, p. 246). The April meeting was
devoted to a display of microscopical objects,
1924-25.—The presidential chair was occupied by Mr, J-
Searle, with Mr. C. Oke as honorary secretary. The report for
e year gives 244 as the number of members. Thirteen papers
were read, in addition to which three lectures were given. The
income for the year was £399, while the expenditure amounted to
£337, Early in the year, Mr, J. B. Walker, a
member of the club, the remaining partner in the print-
ing firm of Walker, May and Co, the prinlers of
the Naturalist, died, as the result of a motor accident in the
cily. When his executors took over the business they decided
.to offer it for sale. The firm was one of the oldest letterpress
printers in MeSbouyac, having been established in the early fifties.
The Club had dealt most cordially with the firm for more than
35 years. The Naturalist far August (No, 488) was the last
printed by Walker, May and Co. The firm had studied the Club
in every way, and the journal as turned out by it could hold its
own for quality of production in any city of the Commonwealth,
The choice of a new printer fell on the Ramsay Publishing Co.
The cast of printing had increased. At the October meeting
reference was made ta the death, at an eatly age, of Mr. L. B.
Thorn, an enthusiastic lepidopterist, who was doing good work;
also to the passing away of Mr. G. R. Hill, a very old member
of the Club dating from 1884, 7
The Wildflower Exhibition was held late in October, and was
very successful, From it the Bush Nuvsing Association received
£55, and the Club funds were enriched by the same amount
(V.N, xi... p, 149). The seventh annual excursion to Bendigo
took place in October. _ At the November meeting if was decided
to call the attention of the Forests Department to the destructian
af ‘beeches taking place at Loch Valley, while in January it was
decided to communicate with the Fisheries Department re fixed lines
in the Goulbum River (V.N. xh, p. 186). These are
mentioned in order to show that the Club has a watchful eve
regarding natural history in all its aspecis, In January, the
fifth Club yisit to Wilson's Promontory was successfully carried
out (V.N, xii, p. 204). In March a special meeting
was held to consider an incréase of five shillings in the subscrip-
tion for ordinary members, owing to increasing expenditure, prin-
cipally in connection with the production of the Naturalist. The
proposal was adopted without question. At the same meeting Mr.
F. G. A. Barnard tendered his resignation as editor of the Club's
magazine, after a service of over 32 years (V.N,, ali. p.

“4 Barwano, Field Naluralists’ Club, 192041930. [ Vie NOt

217), ‘This the meeting decided it could not do otherwise than
accept, Mr. Barnard offering to carry on to the, end af the current
volumé. At the request of the meeting, Mr, Charles Barrett,

C.M,Z.S,, undertook the editorship, commencing with the first
number (May) of Volume iii,

1925-26.—The president for the year was Mr. G. Coghill,
one of the oldest members of the Club, while Mr, C, Oke con-
tinued the secretarial duties. The report for the year recorded
the membership as 254. Eleven .papers had been read, and in
addition two lectures and an address had been given. The June
Naturalist contained “A Record of Service.” referring to Mr. F.
G. A. Barnard (with portrait), and at the August meeting a
presentation was’ made to him in recognition of his many services
to the Club, At the July meeting a protest was carried with
regard to the remova) of trees in Victoria Parade to provide space
for a tram line. The usual Exhibition of Wildflowers was, owing
to the Melbourne Town Hall being in course of reconstruction, held
in the St, Kilda Town Hall, which was found very suitable for the
purpose, The show attracted a large number of visitors. The
result was that £55 was handed to the Bush Nursing Association,
while the Club benefited to the extent of £57, By the death of
Mr. J, H. Maiden, LS,0., F.L.S., of Sydney, in November, the
Club lost a good friend, who was always ready to send parcels
of New South Wales flowers for the Club's exhibitions (W.N.
sli, p, 192), Another excursion, the sixth, was made to
Wilson's Promontory in January, with much succets (V.N,
xl. p, 256). In April it was decided to take steps to secure
the reservation of 3500 acres of land, at Sperm Whale Head, near
thé. topsiane Lakes entrance, as a National Park (V.N, xliisn,
p- 1)
1926-27,—For this year Mr. E. E, Pescott, F.LS., was
president with Mr. L. L. Hodgson as honorary secretary. The
report shows a membership of 320, and a credit balance of nearly
£200, The Naturalist for the year, Vol. XLIII,, was the larg-

est get issued, numbering 364 pages. For the Easter excursion
a visit wat paid to the Hopkins River, at Warrnambool, with fair
results (V.N. xlii., p. 3). One of our oldest members

passed away in May, after a lengthy illness, in the person of Mr.
G, A, ‘Keartland, who had been a very enthusiastic -member,
always keen on the protection of birds. A splendid portrait ap-
peared in the Naturalist (V.N. xliti., p 48), accompanied
by an appreciative memorial notice’ written by-Sir Baldwin Spen-
cer An Orchid Section of the Club was formed in June, August
saw another change | in the printing of the Naturclis!, the Ramsay
Publishing Co. giving place to the Horticultural Press, The
annual Exhibition of Wildflowers was again held at the St, Kilda

pty Bannano, Field Naturalists’ Club, 1920-1930 6

‘Town Hall. From the proceeds £25 wag handed to the Children’s
Hospital, the Club's share being about £100 (V.N- xliti., p,
198), The announcement at the December meeting of the death
_ of Mr. Frank Wisewould, one of the “ orig-nal “* members, was
received with very great regret. Mr, Wisewould had been ah
office-hearer for many years and Jook a lively interest. in the Club's
activities (V\N. xhii., p. 292), The Chratmas excursion was a
successful exploration of the gorge of the Mitchell River, in the
parish of Glenaladale (V.N_-xlii., p. 297), At the January
meeting a copy of Dr. Tillyard’s Insects of Australia and New
Zealand was received as a present to the Club from Mr, T- G-
‘Sloane, of Young, New South Wales, one of the “original” mem-
bers of the Club. Al the February meeting attention was called to
the increasing use of pea-rifles, and the conzequent destruction af
birds, and an. effort was made to get their use prohibited. The Feb-
ruary meeting was devoted to an exhibition of aquatic life of
yarious descriptions (V.N. xlit., p, 372). A three days” excur-
sion waa held at Warburton in January (V.N. xiii, p. 314).
In February an excursion was made jo Killara, near Woo Yal-
Jock. where a recently discovered fossiliferous mudstone afforded
‘many interesting specimens, while five days were spent al Toolangi

at Easter (WN. xliv.. p. 51),

1927-28.—Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.LS., as president, and Mr.
L. L. Hodgson as honarary secretary, were re-elected to their re-
spective positions, The report for the year gives the membership
at 374, the highest number yet attained, The announcement that
the reserve at Sperm Whale Head had been gazetted as a‘ National
Park was received with satisfaction. At the June meeting it was
atinounced that an anonymous friend had, through Mr, (now Sena-
ter) R. .D, Elliott, placed £200 at the disposal of yrhe Club for
the purpose of making further researches into the fauna and flora
of distant parts of the State (V.N. sliv., p. 54). A
‘Natural History Exhibition was held at the Melbourne Town
Hall in Tune, and was well attended. “The September meeting o/
the Club was held at the Queen's Hall, Collins Street, in order to
receive the report of the committee appointed to consider the ques
lion of the disappearing tea-tree alang the eastery shere of Pest
Philip, and to bring the matter under the notice of the general
public {(V.N. xliv., p. 122). At the November meet-
ing Mr. V. Miller presented a copy of the Australian Encyclo-
pocdia to the Club’s library, while earher in the year lhe had pre-
sented a typewriter for the use of the honorary secretary, In
yecognition of these and other services, Mrs. V. Miller was elected
an honorary life-member at the January meeting. At the Novem-

% Barwa, Fielt Naturalists’ Chub, 1920-1930, J Vie Je
ber meeting it was decided to make a vigorous protest against
saw-milling in the upper portions of the Yarra Valley (WN.
xlv., p. 206). The December Noturalist stated that the new
hades, an enamel representation of the Red Correa, was ready for
use by members, and on the cover of the Jansary Naturatist it
teplaced the shell so familiar for many years.

The Exhibition of Wildflowers was held at the Si, Kilda
Town Hall on September 27, Lord Somers, the State Gover-
nor, performing the opemng ceremony. At Christmas another
excursion was made to the Nationa) Park, Wilson’s Promontory,
the Sealer's Cove portion being thoroughly explored, with many
gratifying results (V.N. xhv., p. 303). Phillip Island was visited
at the Foundation Day holiday. At the March meeting it waa an-
nounced that an Advisory Council, to act with regard to the pre-
seryation of the native fauna and flora, with Dr. J. A. Leach as
chairman, had been appointed by the Government (V.N. xliv.,
p. 321). A splendid donation was made to the Club's library by
Mr. Wm. Lawford, of Benalla, a non-member, of a set of
12 morocco bound volumes of Mathews’ Birds of Australia (V.N.
sliv., p. 321), An Ethnological Section of the Club was-formed in
December, In February a dredging excursion was tried with fair
success, and in “Apnil the Easter excursion was held at Forrest, Cape
Otway Ranges, for several days (V.N. xlv., p. [1}, under the
leadership of Mr. H. B. Willtamson, FLL.S. 9 At the April meet-
ing a distinguished visitor, Dr, T, D, Cockerell, of the University
of Colorado, U.5S.A., a well-known entomologist, was present, and
heartily welcomed,

1928-29,—-The president for the year was Mr, F. E. Wil-
son, F.E.S. Mr. L. L. Hodgson continued as. honorary secre-
tary, but ‘his heath failing early in 1929, Mr. A. E. Rodda con-
sented to act as secretary until the annual meeting, The report
showed a slightly increased membership. A. new edition of the
Plant Census was announced in May, and Mr. H. B. William-
son, F-.1..S., who had rendered very valuable service in thoroughly
yevising and bringing it up-to-date, was presenied with a specially
morocco-bound copy as a memento of his work. At the same
imeeting Senator R. D. Elliott was elected an honorary
hifermember, in recognition of ‘his services to the Club. Mr. V.
Miiler added to ‘his previous kindnesses by presenting ta the Club
a cabinet constructed of Queensland maple, specially made to
contain the set of Mathews’ Bids of Australia, recently presented by
Mr. Wm. Lawford, of Benalla (V.N. xlv., p. 30). At
the June meeting the death of Mr. Dudley Best was announced
as having occurred suddenly on the previous day, June 10, 1928.

nd Bannann, Field Naturalists” Club, 1920-7939, 4?
Mr. Best was one of the founders of the Club, and is first hon-
orary secretary. He was an ardent coleopterist, and though sighty-
_ Four years of age, had, in recent months, frequently been present
al the monthly meetings (V.N, xlv., p, 104). Myr. Beat
left the sum of £50 to the Club, the first legacy it had received.
This the committee decided to set aside as the “ Best Fund," to -
be invested and the resulting intezest used for library purposes
(V.N. alvin p. 61). The June meeting was devoted to the
report of the special excursion to the Western District, made in the
ptevious October, This was subsequently published as a supple-
ment ta the October Naturalist.

At the Tuly meeting, Mr, Wm. Lawlord, of Benalla, was.
on the recommendation of the committee, unanimously elected an
honorary life-member, in recognition af his valuable donation to
the Club's library. Another excursion was made to Bendigo in
Octeber. The annual Exhibition of Wildfowers was held in
the St. Kilda Town Hall on October 2, with the ueual succese,
OF the proceeds, £17 was forwarded to the Lord Mayor’s Fund,
earmarked for the Austin Haspital (V.N. xlv., p. 182).
At the January meeting, a copy of his latest work, Wanderings in
Wild Australia, was recetved from the author, Sir Baldwin Spen-
cer. K.C_M.G.,., for the Club's library, A very successful ‘“camp-
out’ was held at the end of January at Cape Woolamar
CV.N. xlv., p. 281), A letter of congratulation was sent fo an
absent member, Sir A. E. Kitson, K.B.E., Director af the Geo-
Jagical Suryey of the Gold Coast, Africa, on his election as pre-
ident of the Geological Section of the British Association for the
Advancement of Srience, a very high heneur for a Wictorian-
tramed geologist. In view of his approaching matnage, a pre-
sentation was made to Mr. A. C. Hooke, honorary treasurer for
the past five years, in recognition of his valuable services.

1929-30.—-Mr. P. R. H. St. John was clected president frir
this year, with Mr. A. E. Rodda again as honorary secrelary, At
the annual meeting in June, a presentation of a barometer was
made to Mr. L.. L. Hodgson, 1m recognition of his services as
honorary secretary for two and a half years. he Ethnological
Section reported steady progress for the year. At the July meet-
ing, on the recommendation of the committee, Sir Baldwin Spencer,
K.C.M.G., then making anthropological studies in Patagonia, South,
America, was elected an hon, member in view of hig many services
to the Club. especially in its carly days, but, unfortunately, did not
live to learn of the honour bestowed upon him, for at the August
meeting his sudden death was announced, which had taken place

B Barxanv, Field Naturalists’ Clib, 1920-1530. [ eg ak 17 4

yust six days after bis election as an honorary member. A brie!
sketch of his life, along with a portrait, appeared in the Naturalist
for September (V.N. alvi., p. 102) from the pen of Mt,
J. A. Kershaw, ©.M.Z.8.. At the September meeting it was de-
cided to congratulate Mr. C. French, ithe remaining founder of the
Club, on the attainment of his ninetieth birthday. In September,
Mr. A. J; Campbell, a former member of the Club, well-known
as an Oolasist’ and ornithologist, died after a long illness, Early
tin October, Dr. J. A. Leach, one of the leading ornithologists of
Australia, passed away after Seyetal months” ‘illness. Ag late as
the previous March he had given a most interesting evening an "'Aus-
tralian Swans, Ducks and Geese."” The Wildflower Exhibition was
again held at the St. Kilda Town Hall on October 2, being opened’
by the Hon, A. E. Chandler, M.L.C, The result was a proht of
£71 (VN, xlvi., p. 163), With the November number, the print-
ing of the Naturalist was transferred to Messrs, Mitchell and Casey
Pty, Ltd. The Chinisimas excursion was made to Mallacoota
(Eastern Gippsland}, when interesting work was done, (V.N.

xlvi. op, 209), At the March meeting it was teported that
at was probable that the protest against the opening of the Cumber-
land Valley (Upper Yarra) for saw-milling would be successful,

During the last two years new localities for excursions had been
tried in Kinglake West, and the: country west of Macedon with
gratifying results.

ates

last 10 years is fees but I wish ta make a few Seu
remarks, :

That a great many of the persons elected during the 50 years
have been faithful to the Club may be seen from the followang par-
ticulars obtained From the members’ roll for the last ‘year.
the “ original ™ members elected June, 1880, six are still members;
of those elected between that date and May 1, 1890, there are 11;
of the neat decade, seven remain; of those with over 20 years’
membership. there are 33, while those who can claim between 10
and 20 years’ membership number 52.

To my mind, one of the distinguishing features of the CJub’s
history has been the very great interest its office-bearers have taken
1p its progress right through the half century. Some idea of the
amount of time devated to the Club’s affairs may be gained from
the follawing record of years of service by certain members :—Messss.
F. G. A. Bamard, 42; G. Coghill, 35; J. A, Kershaw, 28: J.
Gabriel, 25; Dr. C. 5. Sutton, 22; Messrs. C. French, senr., 18:
F. Pitcher, 18; D. Best, 16; F: Wisewould, 16; A. D. Hardy,

duty Barward, Field Naturalists’ Club, 1920+1930, 49

6; P. R. H. St. John, 15; Dr. T. S. Hall, 14; Messrs. G, A.
Keartland, 14; F. Chapman, 14; C. Daley, 13; O, A. Saycs,
13; D, Le Souef, 12:30. seatle 12; Cc. kL. Bate, [1; A. H. S.
Lucas, 10; J. Shephard, 10; H. T. Tisdall,

In the previous parts of the 50 years’ history I tried to
present by means of figures the progress of the Club, find, in
the last statement of receipts and expenditure, I did not include the
figures relating to the Wildflower Exhibition, 1965-1919 inclusive.
These are now included, consequently the figures are somewhat
larger than they would have been had the ten years only been added.

A rough balance sheet for the 50 years, giving even pounds
only, reads as follows:—

Receipts.
Subscriptions .. .. .. .- .. +. ©6909
Naturalist, Sales, ete. .. .. 1, -- 944
Interest, etc. 2. 6) ee ee ce ee 266
Conversaziones ., . wie Sd ens 87
Wildflower Exhibitions ye A Scie ols 2669
Natural History Exhibition .. . . 176
Census Sales .. 1. 7. +s as -- 134

Total... -. .. £11,185

Expenditure.
Naturalist, Printing and Illustrating £5528
Rooms and attendance ,, .. .. .. 598
Library 2. 6. cs ce ee ee ee we 484
Management (secretary; expenses,

Fcc) ea Ce 5 1733
Conversaziones ., .. ap 201
Expenses Wildflower Exhibitions wal 829
Expenses Natural History Exhibitions 89
Census, printing «. 63 4. +) ey ee 177
Donations to War. Funds and

Charities ,. 0. es ee ce in 901

Total .. .. ,, £10,540

From the foregoing it will be seen that the Naturalist has cost
just about half the total receipts of the Club, but ‘has it not been

50 Barwaap, Field! Naturalists’ Club, 1920-1930, ope ants

justified? Without a magazine the Club could not have lived for
50 years. The expense is not to be wondered at when you
consider that our journa] now costs almost one pound per page to
print, as againet five shellmgs for many years after it was first
started—so much for Arbitration Court wages:

Had it not been for the fine results obtained from the Wild-
flower Exhibitions since a charge was made for admission, the Club
would have had to cease publishing, For the fifteen years, 1915-29
inclusive, these resulted in a credit balance of £1840, of which
£621 was given to War Funds, £28] to other charities, the Census
absorbed £177, and the balance (£790) helped the Club funds.

Regarding the work accomplished by the Club during the 30
years, it may be mentioned that about 1150 papers ‘have been
placed before the members. Naturally, all have not been of equal
value. Many very informative and useful papers. have been read,
while others describing localities, etc., have proved of use to other
members engaged on various investigations. Turning to the Nafural-
ist, | fnd 556 numbers have been issyed at a cost of £5528, and
this, if it has done nothing else, has certainly assisted to provide
employment in the printing trade. That the Club has filled a
place in the scientific and social activities of the State cannot be
overlooked, Tis aspivations. .such as the projection of
birds, the securtng of reserves, have in many instances been accom-
plished, while not the least of its efforts ‘has been the reservation
of Wilson’s Promontory as a National fauna and flora reserve.
This was essentially a Club project, and is undoubtedly a lasting
metnoria) ta the late Professor Spencer and others, alas! now no
mare.

Before I say my final word, I would like to take advantage
af the occasion to urge the committee to consider the inauguration of
an '' Endowment Fund,’ Glancing at recent financial statements
many entries of “ donations '' are noticed, If these were set aside
and invested, and only the interest obtained used for the necessitres
of the Club, many persons might be induced to: make donations, or
leave bequests, the income from which, in course of time, would help
considerably to provide funds for various activities.

Leng may the Club continue to afford nature-lovers that com-
radeship, which is so necessary in these days of whirl and wary,
and, at the same time, keep a watchful eye on those who desire
too eagerly to exploit our fauna and flora for putposes of gain. .

I trust that some of those present to-night will live to see the
seventy-fifth year of the Club, if not its centenary,

hind Wirtiamson, Some Planis of the Northern Mallen |

SOME PLANTS OF THE NORTHERN MALLEE.
{Part 1V,)

By H. B. Wintiamson, F.L.S.
Stipa sceleraia, Behr. (S. sefacea, R.Br, var. latifolia, Bth.).

=

Ribbed Spear-grass. A coarse, robust grass, Z ta 3
feet high, nearly glabrous, with broad, prominently ribbed Jeaves
finally inrolled. — Ligule like that of setacea, about 2 ines long,
glabrous and jagged at the summit. Outer glumes about 2 lines
long. Awn slender, pubescent, about 2 inches long. Berook,
about 40 miles north-west of Murrayville. H.B.W., October,
1928. Gccurs in South and Central Australia; not previously
Tecorded fer Victoria.

THE GENUS FRANKENIA (SEA-HEATHS).

A group of small, heath-like herbs or shrubs giving the name
to the family Freanbeniaceac, which contains besides F rankenia, 4.
other genera, each with only one or two species, and not répre-
sented in Avustralia,

The Genus is characterised by its opposite leaves, more or
less revolute at the margin, the stipules of each pair being united
into a sheath often fringed. Flowers are sessile and often solitary,
with sepals usually united mto a dube, and petals with a claw
‘enclosed in the tube, and spreading white or pink lamina.

Specimens of F. pauciflora for study may be obtained near
Melbourne in salt marshes among the Glassworts, Selicornia, Ar-
throcnemum, ete., fram Coade Island to Altona and beyond.

In the Flora Ausiralicnsis, 7 species are recognised, 6 af
which are recorded as endemie in West Australia, while all the
other forms occurring in Australia are included’ under F. pauciffora,
DC., with the reservation that its varieties serpyllifolia and thymoides
““may prove sufficiently constant to. be admitted as species.”

In 1928 Ostenfeld dealt with the West Australian species,
adding four new ones, while J. M. Black (Trans. Roy. Soc.,
S.A., XLIl) treated the South Australian forms in a similar
manner, recording three new species there,

A complete revision of the Australian species by V. 5. Sum-
merhayes, B.Sc., London, has now been published in the fournal of
the Linnean Society (April; {930). "This is based on the exam-
ination of all specimens at Kew, British Museum, Berlin and Copen-
hagen, and the entire collections of Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth,
as well as duplicates from Sydney. Melbourne-and Hobart, and

*

5z WiaAMgoN, Somu Plants oy the Northern Mallee WCRT en,
as a result it has been shown that 13 different species have been.
included under F, pauciflora and 8 under F. serpyllifelia, and Vat:
the total number of Australian species amounts to 45, including F.
pulverulenia, L., which must be regarded as an introduced alien
not yet naturalised, and regarding which the author of the re-
vision says: *‘ All the evidence points clearly to this species being
an occasional introduction inte Australia. The localities record-
ed are busy ports or much-frequented places. and even there the
plant seems to occur sporadically. When one bears in mind the
wide distribution of the species, the annual habit and the enorm-
ous seed production, the fact that Baudin discovered it at Port
Jackson so early as 1801 need cause no surprise, since Sydney
was founded 13 years before. If native, it is very remarkable
that it has not been found there again; in addition, the locality
is nearly 500 mites from the nearest station along the coast {Port
Albert) for any Frankenia.”

The plant has been recorded from Geelong, 1908 (H.B.W.);
_ Port Pine,.1901 (Koch); Norfolk Island, 1902 (Maiden). The
Geelong specimen was taken quite close to the wharf, where
many plants introduced by ballast being unloaded make their ap-
pearance. It is a prostrate annual easily known by its small,
broad petivlate leaves. Four species are shown to occur in Vic-
toria as indigenous, three of which are found only iq the natth-
west district. During my last visit to Mildura and Murrayville,
I was able to procure good specimens for investigation. In the
light of the recent revision, the following key gives the positicu
of the Victorian species:—

AL Leaves narrowed into a distinct stalk; stalk and stipular sheath
cihtolate; ovules. numerous F, pauiciflora, |}

Leaves almost sessile; sheath no! ciliolate; ovules numérous
‘or few B

B, Lesves crowded, very small (about I line), sestile on a
broad base, midrib concealed; ovules few F. sessilis, 2

Leaves 2-3 lines fone almoer sessile, midrib visible Cc.

C, Leaves sessile, all nartow; bracteoles narrow, similar to the
leaves; ovules numerous F. foltosa, 3

Leaves stalked. lower ones broadish: bracteoles. broad, stalked;
ovules 3-5 F. anguslipetala, 4

Although the author of the revision considers that the dis-
position of the ovules, whether distinctly parietal, numerous and
erect on the placentas, or basal, with a few oviles on long, bent
funicles, as untenable for a division of the genus into sections as
adopted by Ostenfeld and Black, still the arrangement of the ovules

de Wirciamsen, Some Pauly of the Nerthon Muttee $5
is shown to be a valuable test in separating species, otherwisé mor-
phologicaily similar.

I. F. pauciflora, DC, Common Seaheath, A shrubby
plant common in salt mayshes around Port Phillip Bay, Cono
Bay and Westernport. The leaves are almost terete, channelled
below. about 3 lines long, rather pointed, almost glabrous, and nar-
rowed into a short stalk which, with the stipular sheath, is pro-
vided with shart, white cilia. Muelley-at one time considered: it
identical with, or very close to the European F. laevis, L. Our
plant is the variety Cunnit, Summerh., with shorter leaves,
somewhat pubescent above, and smooth seeds, ,compared-with the
typical form which occurs only on the coast of West. Australia
fromi Shark Bay to the Swan River. Jt (yar. Guanii) has re
cently been sent in front Sperm Wale Head, F. Barton, junr.. the
most Eastern locality for any indigenous Frankenia.

2. F. sessdis, Summerhayes. Small-leaved Sea-heath, A
very small diffuse shrub with short and thick crowded leaves about
L tine long, usually ashy-encrusted, and somewhat esembling small
wheat ¢rains owing to the margin being so closely revolute that
there is merely a channel below. The flowers are white, smaller
than any other Victorian. species (about 2 lines across). This
is the plant discussed’ by Black in Trans, Roy. Soc., S.4.,' Vol,
XLI., under the heading F. fruliculosa, DC, and described by
him later in the same journal (Vol. XLIT. p. 178) under the
samé heading; bul Summerhayes has shown that /*. fruticulosa,
DC, is identicalywith a variety of F. pauciflora From South Aus
traha, which he has named var. fruticulosa, Dimboola (D'AI-
ton, Reader Walter and others), Murrayville (H.B.W,, 1928),
Extends to West Australia through Sourh Australia...

3. F. foltosa, J. M. Black. Pink Sea-heath, An erect,
dwarf ashy-grey shrub, about § inches in height, with bright pink
flowers and spreading sessile leaves not closed below, tn clusters
not so closely set asin /_ sessilis. The bracteoles round the calyx
resemble the leaves, being narrow and sessile. Sea Lake (W.-
W. Watts), Lake. Tyrell (Reed), Mildura (H.B: W.. 1928),
also in New South Wales and South Australia.

4. F. angustipetala, Summerhayes.” Thyme Sea-heath.
This plant has flat leaves varying from linear in the upper ta
ovate or elliptical in the Jower ones, with revolute margins. It
has been placed by Black under F. serpyllifalia, Lindl. (pauciflora,
DE. var. serpyllifolia, Bth), bot that it is a hairy plant with al-

54 Witliamson, Some Plenis of the Northern Mallen neers wit.
most capitate stitmas, growing in South and Central Australia and
the south-west of Queensland, Mallee country (Reader, 1896:
Walter, 1898), Murrayville (1928, H.B.W.), alio in the west
of New South Wales.

In concluding this series of articles, [| desire to acknowledge
the help of the Council for Seientific and Industrial Research,
whose grant for field work during 1928 enabled me to search
over a very wide range, including the country round Murrayville,
Cowangie, Pink Lakes, Gypsum, Mildura, No. 9 Lock, Kul-
kine, Nowingi, and the Raak, and to obtain a large quantity
of matérial for study and ‘for addjng to the National Herbarium
and the University Herbarium, I am also indebted to Messrs.
Shillinglaw and Oakey, of the Forests gee tinge at Mildura,
for their valuable co-operation in my work.

RANGE OF “RED RAIN.”

At the meeting of the Geological Society of London, on March 26,
Professor J. W. Gregory exhibited a sample and slides .of the dust which
fell in “red rain” an New Zealand, between October 6 and 10, 1928.
This was described by Professor Gregory and Dre. Kidson, in Nature (March
15, 1930), and the former quotes from the Miciorian Naturalia’ (Vol. XX.
1903), the paper on Victorian Red Rain, -written by F. Chapman and H.
J. Grayson. Professor Gregory remarked that: “* The ‘red rain* of Victoria
and New Zealund of 1903 had heen shown from ws diatoms by Chapman
and Grayson to have been derived from the salt Jakes of the interior of
Australia. The recent occurrence im New Zeaiand was of especial interest
Jrom ‘the large quantity that fell, which js estimated by Dr. Kidson as over
200,000 tons. The diatoms exhibited under the microscope resembled Staar-
oneis, and others were like Pianularia resembling those of the New Zealand
yain described by Chapman and Grayson.”

JUBILEE DINNER.

The Club’s Jubilee Dinner .is to be held on July 16, at 7
p.m., at the St. Kilda Fown Hall. Tables for two, four, six or
eight persons may be reserved on application to Mr. V. H. Miller
{‘phone, Windsor 7730). ‘ Members are asked to note’ that
ordinary -dress will be worn, Applications for tickets (pnee, 7/6)
should be made as soon as possible to the honorary secretary. Mr,

Rodda.

“4 At the Club's Natural History Exhibition, assistance from
members is needed in staging exhibits, watching them, and cleaning
up. Those willing to help are asked. to- natty the shntotany
secretary.

ey Barrett, Spider Life on Nullhor Plein 35

SPIDER LIFE ON NULLARBOR PLAIN.

While insect life, consisting chiefly of small moths, was most
abundant on the Nullarbor Plain. during its “* spring-time ” after
the wonderful vains, spiders claimed more attention from a reving
naturalist, p

In May, 1930, when I visited many parts af the treeless plain,
much of the " loose’ water had disappeared, and- the big ‘* wash-
away" lake, west of Forrest, had shrunk to the size of a minor
Jagoon, Moths rose in thousands as J walked amougst the wild
flowers, which, far a brief season, were lighting ‘‘the desert’s dusty
face"! and*flaking the lmestone with colour—yellow and crimson
and butterfy-blue, with the purple of Solanum here and_ there.
White bell-fowers of the Austral Tobacco, Nicotiana suaveolens,
open and fragrant at night, attracted those hasts of little brown
moths, which sheltered chiefly in the daytime.

_ Spiders seemed to live everywhere. Under stones—large and
smatl travertine boulders—I found some kinds; pthers among
bushes, in the blow-holes, and stil] other spectes dwelling i the
twilight or utter darkness of caves. The dainty and brilliant little
Lampropodous scintillins, Rainbow and Pulleine, ran swiftly in sun-
shine over bare ground, and dodged into shelter. Jt was as quick
upon ils ways as a tiger-beetle.

My callection, containing repitestinlatives of 10 families, was
submitted to Mr. V. V. Hickman, B.Sc., of Launceston, Tas-
mania, to whom 7 am indebted for the following notes:—

“The collection of spiders from the Nullarbor Plain con-
tains several interesting forms, but owing to many of them being
immature, it has not been possible for me to identify all the species
with certainty. The collection contained 28 speciraens, repre-
senting |4 species of no less than 10 families;—Ctenizidae (1
species), Barychelidae (1 sp.), Dysderidae (1 sp.), Agelenidac
(2 sp.), Zodariidae (2 sp.), Lycosidae (1 sp.), Dictynidae (|
sp.), Theridiidae (2 sp.), ‘Drassidae (2 sp.}, Clubionidae (1 sp.).

* Among ‘those species which could be identihed with cer
sainty, Lampropodous scittillans, Rainbow and Pulleine, was the
most interesting form. he tarsal segments of the legs end in
béautiful iridescent tufts of hair, which, under a strong light, dis-
play all the colours of the rainbow. This spider has been previ
ously recorded from several parts of Sowth Australia, -The-single
representative of the, Ctenizidae proved. to be Eiinden incerlum,
Cambridge, This spider: has its rastellam mounted on. a _pad,
which is situated on the inner side of the faltes The type <peci-
men was, found near the Swan River, West Australia, The

56 Barnett, Spidor Life on Nullarchor Pla Oh eal

‘Thericiidae included two immature forms of our well-known -poison-
ous spider, Latrodectus hasseltit, Thorrell. This species has a very
wide distribution, and is known to occur throughout Australia, Tas-
mania, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, India, Malaysia,
Papua, and Eastern Arabia. Rebilus castaneus, Simon, was
the only malure member of the Drassidae in the collection. TI as
a chestnul-brown spider, doyso-ventrally compressed and well
adapted for living in narrow crevices between flat stones. Simon
has already recorded it from West Australia.

"The two: Clubionicac were immature specimens of Miturga
silva, L. Koch, @ species which lives under stones in open grassy
situations. It as known ta occur in Victoria, New South Wales,
and Queensland, as well as in West Australia, The only repre-.
sentative of the Dysderidae was Ariadna thyrianthina, Simon.
Spiders of this genus are remarkable in having the third pair of legs,
as well as the first and second patrs, directed towards the front.
They live in holes in the ground, and round the opening of the
hole they spin radiating threads attached to the inner silken lining
of the burrow. ‘These. threads act as trip lines for graund raving
insects, and notify the spider within the burrow of the approach of
its prey. The species has been previously recorded from West
Australia.” °

Though diligent search was made in severa) caves, no spiders
modified for life in darkness were found, Even in Dingo-
Donga, the Cave af Bats, where guano. the deposits of many cen-
turies, formed tmounds on the rocky floor, blind spiders, and blind
beetles, were lacking; all the species obtained had good eyesight!

hi CHarLes BARRETT

VISIT TO NATIONAL HERBARIUM,

A party of sbout 40 members attended the <axcurzion tn the National
Herbarium on Saturday, May 24, Afier some genetal remarks on the
history of the institution, reference was made to the extensive travels of
the first Government Botani’ {Baron F. von Mueller) thteughout Avatra-
fia. The Australian collections were then dealt with, and some notable
specimens ia this portion of the Herbarium were viewed. including a set
of some of athe first plats collected in Australia, in 1770, by Banks and
Solander, and others by Robert Brown, duciny the yenrs 1802-5. Both
égllecttons are in good state of preservation, A colleetivu of plants from
Peliver's Herbarium. gathered in Inclia and North America, more than 200
years ago. and deseribed in the Philosophical Transactions of ihe Royal Society
at the beginning of the eighteenth century, was exhibited, Sumnr aftention
Waa devoted to the library. «which now contains more than 10,000 volumes.

The satea-Aystralian collections were next visited, and the syslem of
acvanging the collections of over 1.200.000 sheets of apecimens was explained,
In this portion of the building the books of -historic interest are kept,

J. W. Avpas:

The Victorian ” Naturalist

Vol. ALVI, —Ne. A _ August 6, 1930, 4 No, 560,

THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held im the
Royal Society's Hall, on Monday, July |4, 1930. The pre-
sident, Mr, C, Barrett, C.M.Z.5., occupied He chair, and thet

were about 100 members and visitors present.,

CORRESPONDENCE.
From the Sandringham ‘and District Horticujtural Society
regarding the necessity of preserving native flora.
From the Victorian Advisory Council for Flora and Fauna,
extending congratulations to the Club on the attainment of its jubilee.

REPORTS.
Reports: of excursions were given as: follow:-—Ceological
Museum: Mr. W. S. Abraham; Agricultural School _Usizersis
Miss J. W. Raif, M.Se., FESS,

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.
The following were duly elected, as ordinary mémberts, on &
show of hands: Dr. J. F, Hollow, Kew; Miss D. Eckersley, South

Yarra. eo
GENERAL BUSINESS.

My. V. H. Milter, on behalf of Mr. L. L. Hodgson, asked
that suggestions for excursions and offers of leadership for the
syllabus now in course of preparation, be forwarded to Mr
Hodgson or the honorary secretary as soon as possible.

Miss J. W. Raff gave a: few. notes: on the congress of the
Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, recently
held in Brisbane, and thanked members. for appointing her as one
of the Club’s representatives, 9 c=.

Mr. E, E. Pescott also thatked. members for appointing him
as a representative of the Club, and conveyed the good wishes of
the Queensland Naturalists’ Chub.

The president referred toa publication by Miss J. A Ken-
yon, entitled ** The Aboriginal Word Book,” and recommended
it to members of the Club.

Mr. E. E, Peseott, as Director of the Jubilee Exhibition,
urged members [9 assis t. by sales of tickets, m making the Exhitr-

tion a Suecess.
LECTURE.
Mr. F, Lewis, Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game, read
a paper on “ The Future of our Fauna,” which was very interest-
ing and instructive. He exhibited pelts of opossums, showmg a
considerable ‘range of colour, from the -white of the albino, through
shades of fawn and greys" to, > Hie. alaiésy Black fur vof the: mouintain

)

56 Field Naturatists’ Club.—Pruceedinus. Sy-14 see

opossume of Victoria and Tasmania. In the discussion that
followed, Messrs. F. Pitcher, A. H. Mattingley, E. E. Peseott,
W. H.. Ingerarn, A. G. Brown,:H. B, Williamson, A. 5. Kenyon,
W,. S, Abraham and the president took part. A hearty vote of
thanks was accorded to Mr. Lewis.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. A. G. Brown.—Seed pods from North Queens-
land, and photograph of Kagu Bird, of New Caledonia,

By Miss F. Smith.—Preserved specimen of young marine
turtle from North Queensland,

By Mr. E. E, Pescatt,—Graoved stone axe, broken and sub-
sequently used for a hammer, and a pounding stone; photograph of
Rete. Cunmodactylus phuflurus, from Tambourine Mt., Queens-
land. '

By Mr. A. Mattingley —Venus Cup Sponge from Wilson's
Promontory,

By Mr. G, Coghill —Cultivated specimens of Eagenta Smithit
in fruit, and Grevilfea rosmarinifolia.

By Mr. C. J. Gabriel—A series of marine shell, Ericuse
Sowerbyi Kiener, from Victona and New South Wales.

AUSTRALIAN SEAWEEDS.

Interest in seaweeds is increasing, and Mr. W. Ingram’s dis-
play of specimens, collected chieRy at St. Kilda, was a feature of
the Club’s Jubilee Exbibition. Algae abound often where the
nevice might not observe them. Wherever water collects, there
ee Some forms are microscopic, others gigantic (Kelp,
etc: ). ' °
A list of Algae for Pore Phillip Heads and Westernport

vives 448 species and 149 genera. The large and common
genera are Callifhamnion, Caulpera, Dasya, Nilephyllum, Poly-
sophonia and Sargassum, - The number of species described far

Australia is 1250, and many more remain to be discovered, as
comparatively little work has been done, R. A. Bastow published
two large chart-keys in the Pro Roy. Soc. NSW, Wol. xxxlll.
‘These are handy for determination. Harvey's History of Austra-
lian Seaweeds, published 1855-1864, is still the standard work
on Australian Algae. A handbook on the seaweeds of South
Australia is in coursé of preparation by Dr. A, H. S$, Lucas,

of Sydney. ;
The -collection of seaweeds in the National Herbarium of
Victoria is very extensive, It consists of two sections, Anistralian

and foreign, and includes many thousands of sheets of specimens
and species. Professor Agardh, Dr, Harvey. Dr. Sonder and
Dr, Lucas have done most to make the Australian Algae better
known,

‘Se

Huucson, Nature Cleanings fram Prigeo's Highwey. 9
NATURE GLEANINGS FROM THE PRINCE'S
HIGHWAY.

By lL. L. Hopeson

(Read before the Field Naturalists” Club af Victoria, on
May 12, 1930.)

A journey » threveh E.ast Gippsland and the South Coast dis
tricts of New South Wales, via the Prince's Highway, affords the
tiaturelover many unique opportunities for the pursuit of his or cher
inelinalions in various branches of natural history. Attracted
by the possibilities of the country en route, the writer and his
wife left Melbourne early in September, 1928, Lakes Entrance
being reached the same evening. About five miles:frosn , Satzné-
dale the Mitchel{ River takes a sharp turn to the east, caused by
a high bluff known as Picnic Pomt, and then proceeds for some
miles through a narrow strip of land; the low-lying bank on either
side shaving been gradually formed by the deposition of silt and
detritus carried down by the river aver a long period. While
steaming across Lake King, a flack of Black Swans, Chenopis
alratu, shepheyding some scores of young cygnets, was passed;
many Cormorants (of twa species) and Macks of Silver Gulls, Larus
novae-hollandiae, also being in evidence. These gulls regularly
follow the steamers closely, té pick up odd scraps of food thrown
overooard, and rest occasionally on the awning over the deck.

Two days were spent at Lukes Entrance, visits bemg paid ‘to
Temmy's Lookout, Kalimna, North Arty and Lake Bunga, A
pleasant « piece of buehland. surrounds Kalimna; in a small gully
running down toa miniature heach on the lakeside, were found
same fine specimens of Lilly Pilly, Eugenia. Santhit, bearing clus-
ters of purplish berries, and Sweet Pittosparum, P. undulatum,
many of which were festooned to a considerable height with masses
of Erect Clematis, Clematis glucinoides, the creamy star-shaped
blossoms of the latter contrasting attractively with the green foliage
of their hasts. A number of other planta in bloom was noted.
the most prominent being Kangaroo Apple, Solanum aviculare,
Coastal Banksia, Banksia titegrifalia; Austral Indigo, Indtgofera
australis; Musk Daisy-bush, Olearia argophylla: Blanket-leaf, Bed-
fordia sulicima, and Red Box, Eucalyptus polyanthemos, Bird
life, though plentiful. was mot in great variety, the Red Wuttle-
bird, Anthochaera catunculata; Flame Robin, Petroica phoemceu;
Black Swan, White-capped Albatross, Diomedia caula, and ather
mote familiar ‘birds attracting allention.

A trip up the North Arm by boat proved of interest. owing
to the presence of a number of White-faced Herons, Molophnyx
nevae-hollandiae, and « colony of Bell Miners, Manorina melan-
oplirys, whose tinkling bgll-like notes came clearly across the water

& Howasan, Nature Gleanings from Prince's Highmay,. [age ate stay:

from the adjominy shore. At the top of the North Arm a tram-
‘line runs some miles inland throngh thick hush and timber to a
granite quarty, and along this track the Redbrowed Firetail,
Aexginthe temporalis, White-browed Sctub-wren, Sericorniy frontalia,
and Blue Wren, Maluruy eyureus, came under abservation.

Lake Bunga fies about three miles east of Laker Entrance,
at the eastern extremity of the ninely-mile beach, and is delightfully
set among well-timbered. hills, with an outlet to the ocean. across
which a sandbar has formed. thus damming the water back for
over half amile, the Lake varying considerably in width, A. good
‘track leads off Lake Tyers Road to this spot, through fairly dense
timber. amiong which many Bell Miers have made their home,
the bush resounding in all directions with their metallic, rinkling
notes. Many other species of birds were in evidence, the more
notable beng Harmonious Shrike Thrush, Cellwicinela harmonies}
Red Wattle-bird, Blue Wren, Eastern Whipbird, Psophudes oliva-
ceuss Crimson Rosella, Platocerus elegans; White-eared Heney-
eater, Meliphaya leucotis; Browze-winged Pigcon, Phaps chalcop-
tera; Australian Pipit, Anthux australis; and Gray Butcher-bird,
Cracticus torquatus, Descendmg a steep slope an the west shore
of the lake, a track leads through a fine grove of Coastal Baok-
sias, B. integrifolia, to the ocean beach. “This grove proved to
be a snake infested area, several large black snakes being seen
gheding across the path. Among the flowering plants appearing
hereabouts were Common Heath, Epacris impressa; Tasman Flax-
lily, Dianella tasmaricas Dusky Coral-pea, Kennedya rubicunda;
Pinple Coral-pea, Hardenbergia munophyliar Lily Pilly tn berry,
Austral Indigo, Sallow Acacia, 4cecia longtfolia: Spreading Acacia,
A, diffusa, and Golden Tip, Goodia Iotifolia, A. number of

young plants of the Saw Ranksia, Banfsia serrata, was also noted:

Another attractive point of interest is Hazel Walk, on the
north bank af the Nerth Arm. The shore is steep and thickly
clothed with a mass of yaned vegetation, including two species of
Daisy Bush, Glearia, and tresses of Wonga Vine, Tecoma aus-
iralis, draping the branches of the larger shrubs. and trees. © Com-
mon Correa, Correa rubra, was also fairly plentiful in the more
open parts. Dodder (Laurel, Cusytha glabella, had secured a
firm hold on many of the trees and bushes.

Fyom Takes Entrance, we journeyed to Mallacoota. Pass-
ing Nowa Nowa, at the head of the long arm of Lake Tyers,
through well-timbered country, we reached the Snowy River, a
wide stream meandering sluggishly through the famous rich Gals
of the Orbost district. Shortly after leaving Orbost the Brodyibb
River is crossed. and the weil-graded road pursues a torluots
course through the Orbost Forest to the attractive Euchre Creek
Valley. where it follows the stream for about seven miles. Among

Ave. | Hopesay, Noture Gleanings from Prinews Hyghmay 5]
the tall growths in this valley we noticed, in passing, several specr-
mens of Gippsland Waratah, Telopen oreades. We next passed
Bellbird, a tmy hamlet on the banks of a pretty creck, famed for
its great variety of ferns, and thence on to the Cann River, througl)
ever-varying bush and forest land.

The country is moderately timbered, and many species of
native Hora furnished bright patches of colour among the trees
and shrubby growth; especially noticeable were both red and white
varieties of Common Heath, Purple Coral-pea, Pink-eye. Teiratieca
ciliala, Austral Indigo, Dusky Coral-pea, and Salluw Acacia.
while of lesser note were Common Correa, Correa rubra, var.
virens, Common Beard-heath, Leucoperon virgatus, Dusty Miller,
Spyrtdium pervifalium, and Saw Banksia. On rejoining the ear,
we were whirled around the densely clothed slopes of Mt. Drum-.
mer, much too rapidly for adequate appreciation of the aany
glorious vistas of deep valleys and gullies, or for close exemna-
lion of the vaned natwe of the jungle growth, the home of the
Lyre-hird, Menura vietoriae, and. of numerous Kangaroos, Wal-
babies and Dingoes. An arresting feature on these slopes was the
tangled masses of Erect Clematis festooning the big shrubs and
trees up to a height of 40 ov 50 feet. Leaving Mt. Drummer,
a comparatively level stretch of yoad leads to Genoa, on approach
ing whieh a smal) brood of young Black Duck, Anes supercitiosa,
was sighted running across the road.

The Mallacoota road tumns off at Genoa, and follows the
Genoa River for a mile or two. At about five miles, a delight
ful vista of the north-western avm of the lake is ghmpsed, before
the road again diverges mto attractive bush country. A mob ol
some cighl or ten Kangaroos, disturbed by the sudden apprarance
of the car, was discernable in the dusk ax they crashed through the ,
scrub, Portions of the road were fringed with a profuse growth
af what appeared to be a species of Kunzea, probably K. pedun-
cularis, while white and red Heath was very plentiful.

During our two. days’ sojourn, several excursions were made -
into the surrounding country. A. short walk from our headquarters
(Mallacoota Hause) on the western shore of the inlet, brought us
ta Mallacacta West township. The track traverses a delighiful
gully, a prominent feature of the vegetation bemg many large
specimens af the Bracelet Tea-tree, Melaleuca armillaris, up ta 40
feet sn height. This species is confined, in Victoria, to the extreme
east of the State, though of frequent occurrence in the southern
eoastal regions of New South Wales Numerous birdy enlivened
the bush with flight and song, some 20 species bemp identified,
including the King Parrot, Aprosmictus scapularis; the Scarler and
Yellow Robins, Petroica multicolor and Eopsaltria australis; White-
eared Honeyeater, Blue Wren, Fantailed Cuckoo, Cacomantty fla-

o2 Hovasaw, Nature Cleanims front Prince's Highrmay. [ve gee fi

helliformis. ancl Magpie Lark, Grallinc cyanoleuce, besides more
common varieties, such ap Whitebacked Magpies, Cynmorhina
hypelerca; Kookaburra, Dacele gigas; Harmonious Shrike Thrush.
Gray Fantail, Rhipidura flebellifera; Black and White Fantail,
R, feacophrys, and others. .

A ramble over the heath-lands near the ocean beach resulted
in some thirty species af Howering native plants being listed, of
which Pirkeye, Tetratheca ciliata; Blue Dampiera, Danipiera
slvictaz Purple Eyebright, Euphrasia calling; Blue Squill, Chamae-
scilla corymbosa; Large-leaf Bush-pea, P ulleneae daphnoides:
Putple-llag, Patersonia sp., and Heathy Parrot Pea, Dillpynia
ericifolia, were promaent. Three species of Orchids were also
found—Wax-lip Orchid, Glossodia mayar; Leapard Orchid, Diuris
. amaculala, and Viger Orchid, D.-sulphurea, Some aboriginal kitchen
middens were visible near the shores of the inlet, bur little time
was available for investigating them, and nothing of interest was
discovered, 1 was, however. informed that skeletons and native
implements have been unearthed from time te time.

Mallacoota is an ideal place in which to spend a vacation, the
inlet being delightfully located in the ‘midst of ‘hills, around the
timbered slopes of which numetous arms and bays extend, the
whole effect being very picturesque with the Nadji Ranges loom-
ing in the background.

After our all too brief stay, our journey was continued to
Eden, 35 mites across the border in New South Wales, where
we spent the night. ‘The lownship js situated on a bare hill
overlooking Twofold Bay, the shores of which, in comman with
most of the surrounding country, are well timbered, The south
ern section of Twofold Bay, with the solitary peak of Mt. Tmlay
limned on the distant skyline, made a charming pais,

The district is of considcrable historical interest. “l‘he remains
of the old settlement at Boydtown. on the southern shores of Two-
fold Bay, recall the romantic career of Ben Boyd, who arrived in
«Sydney frem London in the early forties as the representative
of a gronp of Scottish financiers Having acquired pastoral jn-
teresis in the Monaro country, he saw that Twofold Bay would
afford an outlet therefor, and established Boydtown, where he
erected a Gothic church, a fine hotel. rows of brick steres and
houses, cottages ard a jetty. He also constructed 45 miles of
road to connect with |he Monaro country, and erected a light-
house 126 ft. high and 22 ft. in diameter, in which, however, he
was nut permitted by the Govetnment to instal a light. He later
established a whaling station and installed a fleet of nine whaling
ships, Thies imdustry has, in recent years, been revived, and
Twafeld Bay is [frequently the scene of whaling activites, the
‘spouting’ of a whale m the bay being one of the unique sights

ae lqoncson, Nature Cleenmyps from Prince's Highway. 63.

ol this interesting locality. The ruins of the Gothic church ane|
other old buildings may stil be seen, and the remains of the
lighthouse are still standing at South Head, Eden.

The next stage brought us to Bega, after passing through
Pambula, Merimbula and Wolumla, localines famous for the eul-
ture of oysters, which are spawned and raised jn the extensive
> shallow salt water inlets running in from the coast. Bega, the
centre of a prosperous dairying distnet, is a large, well-Jaid out
town atnid attractive undulating country, on which a fair proporticn
of ihe original timber has been left for shelter purposes, and whieh

is. watered by the Bega River and tributary creeks. The courses
of the streams throughout this part of the country are weil defined
by the River She-oke, Casuarina Cunninghamiane, which lines the
banks almost at the water's edge, and appears to be restricted to
such moist positions.

The beautiful Brogo Pass is a scenic revelation, the road
clinging to the side of a steep mountain slope, and follawing the
course of the Casuarina-lined Brogo Rover, which rushes over its
rock-strewn bed just below. Unfortunately, opportunity did not
occur for an examination of the wealth of varied vegetation which
Juxuriates in this region. Our roule wound around the slopes
_of the somewhat mountainous country, which we had now entered,
and, after touching at Bermagui, a resort on the coast, we con-
tinued through’ Tilba Tilba and other villages unti! we reached
Narooma. Near Tilba Tilba, we observed a big. outcrop of
rocks, practically covered ‘with the well-known Reck Orchid, Den-
drobium spectosum, the sweet scent of which was gently wafted to
us,
Several distinctive features of this section of country were of
much interest. The prevalence of Illawarra Flame Trees.
Brachychiton acerifoliun, a number of which was growing around
almost every colfage and farmhause throughout the district, drew
our attention. their covering af scarlet blooms, which appear before
the leaves open, being an aryesting sight. —Illimitable numbers of
Burtawong Palms, Macrozamia, of several species appeated’ in
dense masses in the uncleared areas of forest’ land, the principal
timber of which was the Spotted Gum, Eucalyptus maculata. The
prolific growth of these two types of plant, diversified at intervals
with clumps of tall Cabbage Palms, Lrvistona ausiralis—tults of
fronds at the summit of bare stems—was a dominating feature of
the scenery for some 200 miles or so along the coastal region.

Narooma proved a most interesting locality for the student
of mature. It is attractively situated at the mouth of the Wagonga
River, a stream with a yery narrow outlet, which has caused the
tiver to widen very considerably and form an extensive lake,
broken on each side by timbered knolls. and tongues of land, be-

fu Hoveson, Neture Giegntogs from Prince s Highway. [vi ear

ween which are. many charming little bays. Adjacent 1¢ ine
township are some large aréas of virgin bush-land, which literally
teem with bird-lfe. Eastern Whipbirds could be heard calling
all around, and we were enabled by remaining motionless or imov-
ing cautiously, to observe a aumber of these birds feeding and
calling, ‘Uhey feed on the ‘ground, scratching among the dead
Icaves and other debris somewhat after the manner of the Lyre-
Litd. “The principat call is given by the male bird, and im-
mediately alter the terminating whip-note, the female respands
with two quick, short ‘notes. Frequently, however na answer-
ing call is emitted by the hen-bird, her mate alone being respansible
for the long-drawn note ending with the whip-like crack. © Many
other species of birds were in evidence, notably the Golden Whist-
ler, Pauchycephala pectoralis, Red-browed Firetail, Fantailed
Cuckoo, Pied Currawong, Strepera graculina, Dusky Wood-Swal-
low, “iriemus cyanoplerus, and Harmonious Shrike Thrush. Seve-
ral species of Haneyealers Aitted aboul among ihe bushes and
trees, their clear singing notes being very pleasitg. “These in-
cluded the Yellow-faced, Meliphaga chrysops; Singing, M. vire-
seers White-cheeked, Afeliornis niger; and Searlet Honeyeaters.
Mozomela sanguinolenta, ‘Flying -agitatedly among the tops of
some clumps of Eucalypts adjoining the lownship were flocks of
Rainbow Lorikeets, Trichaglossus moluccanus, their harsh screech-_
ing being out of harmony with the beauty of their colouration,

Several species of plants were in bloom. but were mostly
similar to those already recorded. In the upper reaches uf the
river were some large clumps of White Mangrove, Avicennia offi-
e@nalis, growing on submerged mud-banks,

Alter spending three very interesting days at Narooma. we
proceeded toa Moruya, where we stayed-over night, and early next
morning the final stage of our journey to Sydney was commenced.
Passing through Milton, Nowra (a large town on the Shoalhaven
River) and Wellongong (an important coastal town), we reached
the famous Bulli Pass in mid-afternoon? and enjoyed the glorious
panorama from the top of the Pass, embracing the coastline with
its numerous sandy bays and foaming surf for many miles to north
and south, and overlooking the villages and towns nestling far
beneath us at the foot of the precipitous range.

The surroundings of the Harbour City are of such an unique and
diversifed character that they appear almost inexhaustible in the
interest afforded to the lover of the out-of-doors.

Church Point hes at the head of a long arm of Pittwater, and
js very picturesque, On the slopes and in the gullies we gathered
many species of wildflowers, notably the beautiful pink Boronia
floribunda, the ‘Toothed Nightshade, Solanum xanthocerpum. with
its prickly stem and foliage; the Snake Vine, Hibbertia vobulis,

nts Honeson, Nature Gleanmes from Princes Highway 6&5

a climbing undershruly bearmy large yellow fowers; Heath Pinkeye,
Tetratheva ericifolia, ‘having its Jeaves in wharls of four; Heath
Milkwort, Bredemeyera evicinum; Hairy Fanflower, Scaevola ram-
ostssimna, producing. purple, blossons oh a long hairy stem, and the
dainty little Ivy-leaf Violet, Viola hederacea. Numbers of young
Cabbaye Paltns were flourishing. in the small gullies of this. region.

Palm Beach is situated on the ocean front immediately ad-
yacent to Barrenjoey, the south headland of the entrance to Broken
Bay, into which flows the Hawkesbury River. A splendid ain
beach extends in a curve for about a mile, and is backed hy
well-timbered +hills dotted with many attractive homes. Among
the rocks and timber on the steep hill-slopes, the beautiful Flannel-
Flower, Actinotis helianthi, was growing profusely, specimens also
heing obtained of the Little Fannel Flower, Actinotis minor, a
somewhat diminntive relative of the lirst-named species Follow-
ing the coast along the heights for some miles, we passed Whale
Bay. with foam-flecked breakeys surging on its sandy shore, before
descending to the mam road, Hereabouts our collection of native
flora was enriched by the striking red Haney Flower, Lambertia
formosa, displaying its clusters of .tubular flowers surrounded by
numerous silky bracis. We also gathered the Crimson Bottle-
brush, Callistemon citrinus, the small-leuved Coral Heath, Epacris
microphylla, the curious Grey Spider-flower and Red Spider-flower,
Grevillea buxifelia and G. punicea, also Grevillea acanthifolia,
with its spiny Acanthus-like foliage and ved blossoms; the Tail
Cane-bush, Isxapogon anemonifatius, known locally as “ Drum-
sticks,” to which the flower-heads bear a striking resemblance ;
Kunzea capitata, bearing stall terminal inflorescences of a purplish
colour; Wedding Bush,-/Ricinocarpus pinifolinsy Swamp Heath,
Sprengelia incarnala; Spreading Flax Lily, Dianella revoliuta, and
the Tufted Lily, Stypandra caespifosa, producing numerous bnght
blue star-like flowers on a slender stem. A fine clump of Cabbage
Palms was passed in a low-lying patch of ground at Bilgola
Beach, near Newport, The Proteaccous plants, as exemplified by
the Grevilleas, Callistemons. Lambertias, and Isopogons form a dis-
tinctive Feature of the flara in thiv district.

Duying our slay at Svdney, the opportunity was taken to
visit the Blue Mountains. Alighting al Wentworth Falls Station,
a mile walk brought us to the reserve at the head of the Falls,
whence extensive views are revealed of the thickly-timbered Jamie-
son Valley below, and range upon range of rugged mountains
stretching to the ‘honzon, their scarred peaks and undulating ridges
clearly ‘etched against the distant sky-line. After visiting the
Weeping Rack and Cascades, we descended the stairs which have
been cut out of the solid rock of the cliff-face, and which afford
vantage points for varied aspects of the Wentworth Falls. On

66 Honason, Nature Cleanings from Prince's Highway. Pesca

reaching the [vot of- the Falls we proceeded along the wonderful
National Pass, a foot track which has been excavated for consider
able sections of its course, fram the Face of the overhanging sand '
stone cliff, and which disclases splendid vistas of the Jamieson
Valley and enclosing ranges. In about two miles, the Valley of
the Waters was reached, wherem is a rapid succession of fern-
emboweyred waterfalls, overlung with the luxuriant growth of gully
vegetation, and exquisitely fringed with a profusian of mosses
and small ferns—a sylvan scene of entiancing beauty.

Pasting ever a derp, narfow canyon, the track leads up to
the summit of the cliff, rhe sil being of a poor hungry looking
character, but supporting a moderate growth of native plants. ‘It
was ‘here that the Waratah, Telopea speciostssima, was found in
bloom, though the plants were somewhat stunted -and straggly.

The following day we essayed the trip from Leura to Ka-
toomba, via the Federal Pass. The track follows a stream down a
steep gully by a series of steps and siairs, ta the Leura or ‘* Brida)
Veil’ Falls, which, though not so imposing ag the Wentworth
Falls, have their own distinctive charm, ‘the Pass leads through
forest containmg many tree ferns, and numerous zpecimens of Cedar
Ware, Acacia terminalis, | Girgling beneath the profusion of
lofest yerdure, a succession of crystal-clear brooks tumble down their
steep rocky beds, befure the route brings one to the base of the
Three Sisters, a row of jagged rock columns forming portion of a
small spur jutting from the tableland above.

Continuing along the Pass, which now followed and occa-
sionaly crossed a stream almost hidden beneath a canopy of luscious
greenery. we eventually came into sight of the Kataomba Falls, a
narrow band of water falling abruptly from the edge of the cliff
which thas, at this spot, gradually eroded until a vast amphitheatre
has been formed. The impact of the falling steeam on a aas
sive boulder has a spectacular effeci; the water, dashed into a
thousand jets of spray, is dispersed over a considerable area, the
congenial environment maintaining the surrounding flora in a luxur-
iant condilton. Behind the Falls is a large natural grotto, in
which many yarietios of small ferus and mosses are clinging to
the wall-crevices,-and thriving in these perenially moist pasitions.

Leaving this delightful scene, the track continues on. After
passing ‘beneath the lonely Orsphan Rock, and ascending several
hundred steps, we eventually emerged on. the top of the cliff, whence
a shor! walk brought us to the thriving town of Katoomba.

Several ‘other short excursions were made to localities around
Sydney, notaby to Lindfield and Davidson Parks, adjoming the
famous Kuring-gai Chase, during which various specimens of native
plants were found in bloom. ‘These comptised the dainty red and
white Fuchsia Heath, Fpacris longiflora, Wiry Bawera. Bauera

fue] Hopcsox, Natvre Gleanings from Prince's Highway ° a7

rubtoides, the beautiful ‘pink flowering Crowea saligna, somewhat
resembling a large Boronia; the handsome Golden Pea-bush, Gom-
pholowiumt tatifofium, covered with yellow pea-shaped blooms; the
Largeleaf Bush-pea and Rigid Bush-pea, Pultenaea daphnoides
and P. siricia, also P. siipalarts, with numerous long, scaly stipules
hiding the stern; Heathy Parrot-pea, Dilwynia cricifoltas the spiny-
teaved Gorse Biltez-pea, Daviesia ulicina; Handsome Flat-pea,
Platylobium jormosum; the so-called ‘* Red Bean,” Kennedye rubi-
cunda; Slender Riceflower. Pimetea fimfoha; Sunshine Wattle,
Acacia botrycephala (discolor); Purple Lobelia, Lobeha purpures-
cens; the Swamp and Pinnate Boronias, Boronia parviflora and
B.. pinnata, with the dainty Boronia ledifolia; atsa the Grey Spider-
flower, Grevilleg buxifolia, in association. with Grevillea ecanthr-
folia and the narrow-leaved Grevillea linearis; and last, but far
from least, the large Flannel Flower, Actinotis Acliantht. The
dominant note of the flora in this area is the prevalence and variety
of the Leguminasae.

SOME FACTS ABOUT FOSSILS.

Fossils shown by Mr, F. Chapman, A.L.S.. and others at
the Club's Jubilee Exhibition attyacted much allention. Many
questions were asked by visitors, Following are notes, supplied
by Mr, Chapman. giving an idea of what the fossils represent:—

Delicately tinted she}l limestone, probably of the Raised
Beach period, av used at Carnarvon, N.W. Australia, for the erec-
tion of houses. The shells are mainly of one genus, a small
species of Cordium, ne 6H > az.

Seme of the Tertiary beds of Curnatvon are largely made
up of the teste of Biscurr Urchins. “They are of some antiquity,
perhaps a million years, but are hike those living at the present

day

v

When the River Murray dvies up, at certain, seasons, various
bones of extinct marsupials are brought to ‘light, and an example
was shown in the fore-part of the jaw of the extinct giant Noto-
therium, found by W. D. Chapman, at Robin Vale, during the
construction of the yailway. “This marsupial was more enterprising
than the Diprotedan, for tt eventually reached Tasmania,

Pipe-clay beds in Victoria often represent the remains of od
Jakes, and tt is fascinating work to delve in these in order to find
the remains of fossil] Eycalypt Jeaves and others. One of them
was named, many years age, after Sir Albert Kitson, while he was
on the Victorian survey. Lake beds of a similar Tertiary age were
recently investigated by members of the Science Congress, when
they vistted,Brisbane, One of thase exlthited shows a wonderful
Banksia leaf with all ihe minute veins as clear as in a skeleton leaf
of the present day, though as old as two or three million years.

4 Sem, Facts About Fassifs, Vel XLVIT
a

‘ ’

From the Trias (40, 000,000 years) of Audit Hobart,
are the curious plants called Horsetails. These are now extinel
in the Southern Hemisphere, but are common ia America and Eur-
opt. In England the feathery growths of the Equisetum are often
seen in the hedgerows—veritable living fossils,

Sea-beds covered with shells of Productus and Strophatosia
(Lamp-shells) are found in the ald Permo-carboniferous rocks, in
the district of Bridgewater, Fasmania. It is about 50,000,000
yeafs since the water ran off and left them high and dry, Spirifers
and ancient Pectens, of similar age, from Tasmania, are toi be
seen, and some of these marine shells of the Pecten kind can at
times. be found washed into the kerosene shale of the Mersey
River series. The shale is suppoyed to have been formed in lakes,
30 that in this case the shore-liie could not have been far off.

| The old sea-bed of Zechan, Tasmania, ‘has an antiquity of
Shout 60,000,000 years, and the quaint kinds of shells, mainly
Jamp-shells. show how old they are.

Kinglake, Victoria, isa happy hunting ground for the fossil
collector, Trilobites. from the district belong to a genus which is
found as widely spread as North America, England and South
Arica. :

Among the oldest Fansifs + in Audeatia may be counted the
Trilobites (Redlichia) and thé Sea-butterflies (Salterella) of North-
west Australia, and the curious cup-like sponge-corals, the Arch-
aeocyathinae, of South Australia. The sea-beds in which they
occur are often horizontal, and seem never to have been disturbed
frem the earliest. times.

“WINTERING" SWALLOWS IN GIPPSLAND,

Is it so very unusual for a pair of Welcome Swallows, Hirunde neaxena,
ta slay all the winter in Gippsland? 1 do nat remember a year when there
has not been a parr cf Swallows with us, On two or three occasions, when
we had several days of severe frist, the small birds Would creep between
the Satens and the corrugated iron, and in the morning be stuck fast io
the arom with frost! They released thernselves Forcibly, with a loss of
feathers. This happened on several mornings io succession during the last
week of June, 1929, when we had ten frosts, The “lost’” feathers stayed
on jhe iton for some weeks, the warmth of the sun not being strong enough
to thaw them off. — wondered why the Swallows did not learn to use the
rafters that were further from the won. Only one pair remain, though a
great many gather before the “ flitting.’ There are also two pairs that
¢ach nest uncer a culver? ov bridge, which take a flood each season. Perhaps

the stringers of the culvert are high cnough to protect the aests—C. C.C.,
Lardner.. Victoria.

Excursion Syllabus—Ofer: of teadership are inviled from members For
the excursion syllabus for the year $990-31. which is now in foune of
preparation. Please communicate with the honorary secretary or Mr. L
L. Hodgson: = -

«2 i ‘,

The Victorian Naturalist

Vol. XLVITL—No. 5. September 3, 1930. No. 561.

THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the
Royal Society's Hall, on Monday, August 11, 1930, The pre
sident, Mr, C. Barrett, C:M.Z.5., occupied the chair, and there
were about 130 members and visitors present,

CORRESPONDENCE.

From the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria, enclosing
programme of meetings and lectures. ~

From the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau, with full
details of a proposed Nature Study Camp in the Grampiang in
September.

REPORTS.

Reparts of excurstons were given. as follow: :—National
Museum (conducted by Mr. F, A. Cudmore); Mr. P. R,”H.
St. John; Sherbrooke Gully: Mr. A. G. Hooke.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The following were duly elected on a show of hands:——As
an ordinary member: Miss Jean Sutherland, Caulfield; as a country
member: Mr. L. Mooney, Ararat.

GENERAL BUSINESS,

Mr. E. E. Pescatt, F.L.3., as honorary director of the.
recent Jubilee Commemoration of the Chub, gave a preliminary re-
port on the Jubilee Dinner and Exhibition of Natural History.
and stated that these functions were very successful, bath financially
and otherwise,

The president informed members that a notice af motion had
been made in committee by Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., that an
Endowment Fund he established for the benefit of the Club.

A welcome was extended to Mr. C. E, Clayden; a country
member from New Zealand.

Mr. D, H. Fleay showed a fine. series af photographic lan-
tern shides, and gave very interesting information concerning numer-
ous species of Avystralian marsupials. =A vote of thanks was
accorded to ‘him, and the was warmly congratulated on _the entel-
lence of his photographs.

7h Field Naturalists - Club,—Proceedings, . ong wer iL

EXHIBITS, *

By Mr. G. Coghill —Grevillea : rosmarinifolia, Theyplomene
walyeina, Tecoma anstralis, Acacia podalyrifolia, from his garden.

By Mr. H. P. Dickins.—Beanbsia collina.

By Mr, D. F. Paton.—Correa rubra, var. glabra, ‘* Smooth
Correa,” From River Yarra, Kew.

By Mr. H. P. McColl.—Three varieties of Hardenbergia

monaphylla, Grevillea rosmarinifolie, Acacia longifolia.

By Mr. F. Pitcher—Vatiegated form of Lilly Pilly. Eugenia
Smithts, in frait, from-his garden at South Yarra.

By Mr. Tarlton Rayment—Double fruited Choko, Sechium
edule, grown at Sandringham.

By Mr. L. W. Cooper. —Photogiaph of natural grait of
Eucalyptus Lat growing near Broken Hill, New South Wales.

By Mr. C. J, Gabriel —Freshwatet shells, Bullinus pyrami-
datus, Sowerby, ‘font Portland.

By Mr. S. R. Mitchell —Flint replacing and infiling eche —
noid tests, Flint-quartzite conglomerate, from. Stratford, England:
also prehistoric hammer stones from Mona Copper Mine, Anglesea,
England.

By Mr. A. E, Rodda—Shell of bivalve, Chamostrea albido,
attached to oystet shell, Port Phillip Bay; also Queensland orchids,
from a city market.

By Mr. BE, E. Pescott.—Cultivated flowers of Thryptomene caly-
cing; collection of Briush flint artefacts.

By the Director, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, C.M.Z.S,, for the
Nationa) Museum.—Leadbeater Opossum, Cuymnobelidews lead-
beatert; Striped Phalanger, Dactylopsila trivirgata; Yellow Pha-.
tanger, Pseudechirus archeri; Jobnston’s Phalanger, Pscudochirus
johnstant; Common Ring-tailed Oposstim, Pseudochirus peregrinus
and young: Yellow-bellied Flying Phalanger,: Petaurus australis;
Squirrel Flying Phalanger, Peteurus' sciureus; Lesser Flying Pha-
langer, Petaurus breviceps; Lesser Flying Phalanger, Peteurus bre-
Viceps, var. papuanus; Pigmy. Flying Phalaryer, Acrabaies pyg-
maeus,

By My. T. Greaves.—Several wingless females of Braconid
and Thynnid wasps; beetle, Homacmota lactabilis, Blk,; a hunting
wasp, larvae of which, with flies upon which they were feeding, were
found one foot below the surface at Ferntree Gully.

For the convenience of members, Mr. Wy H. (ngram has- offered to
be in atfendance: in the Jower Kall from 730 p.m. until 8° Pim, on Chih meeting
“ight. He will issue books from the Library.

So-] Kesvan, Stone Stctctures of the Australian Aboriginal. 71
STONE STRUCTURES OF THE AUSTRALIAN
ABORIGINAL,

‘ By A. S. Kenyon: >

Despite much research and some rather circumstantial state-
ments, no evidence has yet been discovered of megalithic remains
on the Australian continent. True, it was stated in Chambers’
Miscellany, that stone circles were to be found in the Western
District of Victoria of a character, judging by. illustrations, quite
like Stanehenge, Seme were even-concentric. A}! this was due
to a letter from Francis Ormond, senior, to Siy James Y. Simpson,
wherein he stated that he had seen many stone circles up to 100
feet in diameter on the Mount Elephant Plains. Further, that
the aborigines had no traditions respecting them, and invariably
denied all knowledge of their origin.

It is, interesting to learn that one subdivision of the Mount
Elephant ron was named Stonehenge, However, the most dili-
gent search failed ta peveal any of these gigantic circles.

Mr, Peter Manifold, who was a much earlier colonist than
Captain Oymond, and who actually held that country-- Ormond
was on the Leigh River—gave a very simple explanation. The
stractures were shelter-crcles, erected in situations’ where neither
brushwood nor bark could ‘be obtained for buildmg mia-mias-

““' The natives there [ormed these break-winds of stones, placed
on edge in a ciroulay form, some of them very perfect, leaving the
opening generally towards the east: These circles are counman
on the plains or eastern part of this property (Purrumbete), where
branches of trees could no! be preeured for giving shelter, When
we first occupied this country (1839) | was. common for the
natives to use these circles as camping places, always having. the
fires in the centre. The fires were very small, ag they frequently
bad to carry the waod long distances. The cireles are yenerally
formed of large stones set on their edges and bedded in the areund
close together, without any other stones on the-top, thus forming
good protection from the wind as they lay around the fire. The
stones are of the common basalt, there being no other in the
district. - ‘Lhe situation selected was generally where waler was
convenient, or in sume favoutable-place for game. The circles
were about the size of the ordinary mia-mtas, that is from ten to
twenty feet in diameter.”

Stone Huts,

Among the remarkable stony rises south of Lake Condah,
and around Mouat Ecoles, Mr, Alex. Ingram, L.S., found a uum-
ber of these stone circles, about the year 1898, and learnt, from
one of the old natives of the: Condah Mission’ Station, that they had
been roofed over with boughs and bark like an ordinary hu. And

72 Kenyon, Stone Stuctures of the Australian Aboriginal. vec Bee

“ordinary " does not mean something small. The Chief Protector
of Aborigines, G. A. Robinson—the conciliator of the Vasmanian
blacks—in making one of his lengthy and extensive tours in 1841,
came upon a native village on the Great Swamp or Korning-I-Yoke,
aear Mt, Napier. We will fet him have his say: “ The natives
are still the undisputed occupants, to white man having been there
to dispossess them, The people who occupy this country have
fixed residences, At one village were thirteen large huts. They
are warm and wel) constructed in shape of a cupola or kraal. A
strong frame of wood is first made, and the whole covered with
thick tarF with the grass inwards. here are several varieties,
Those -like a kraal are sometimes double, having two entrances;
others are semi-circular; some are made with boughs and grass. And
last are the temporary screens, One hut measured 1(1 feet in
diameter by 5 feet high, and sufficiently strong for a man on horse-
hack to ride over.”

Both King and flinders found huts with stone walls, in both
instances in the north. In the north of South Australia, where
there are very Jarge, flat stones, the blacks, at tmmes, used them
for the roof ae well as for walls. So much fo: stone buts, Like
all things aboriginal, accessible material is the explanation.

George Grey discovered, in [838, on the N.W. coast of
Australia, near Hanover Bay, a number of piles of small, laose
stones, so heaped. together as to form a large mound. Twa re-
markable ones, found later, gained the honour of a drawing with
dimensions. One was 22 feet 5 inches in length, 13 feet 10
inches in breadth and 4 feet 3 inches in height, 2nd the other,
22 feet 5 inches, 16 feet, and 5 feet 10 inches respectively.
They were placed due east and west, and 33 feet apart. «The
Hones were of all sizes, from one as weighty as a strong man’
could lift, to the smallest pebble. The interior was composed
of mould, containing many kinds of sea-shells, Grey, with a
good deal of probability, considered them to be tombs,

In connection with many ceremonies, particularly of the
initzation group, earthen mounds Were formed. Where larghet
stones of somewhat uniform size were readily obtainable, Jines of
stones were used instead. These were set out in very elaborate
patterns. Chauncy describes some in the Western District, from
direct observations; and others, i in the Tatiara country, from hearsay.
In the early days the remains of these, and of earth structures,
were fairly common in the Western and Wimmera Districts, Me-
Kiplay found a remarkable one in the north of South Auatralia,
and Professor Wood-Jones another, quite recently. The mean-
ing of the word structure haa, however, to be somewhat strained

to include these. .