VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE

OF THE

Hield Naturalists’ Club of Wirtoria

VOL. XLIV |

MAY: 1927, TO APRIL. 1928.
on. Editar : CHARLES BARRETT

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

MELBOURNE
HORTICULTURAL PRESS PTY, LTD., BANK HOUSE, BANK PLACE
1928.

Wasp, Lissopimpto semipunctuta ..

INDEX v
' ERRATA
Page 47—For “Anigezanthus” read “Anigozanthos.”
Page 50—For “squatrosa” read “squarrosa.”
Page 52—For “sambricifolius" read “sambuctfalius.”
Page 118—For ‘Aspidium” read “Dryopteris.”
Page 147-—For “rosemarinifolius” read ‘rosmarifolius,” and on
- pp, 174, 189.
Page 147—For “Pultenea’” read “Pultenace”; “illicifolia’ read
' “Wetfola.”
Page 165—For “Patersoni” read “Patersonit.”
Page 189—For “Waltheri" read “Walteri”’: “Sutiont’”” read “Sut-
tonti’
Page 190—For “Pimetia" read “Pimelea,”
Page 192—For ‘nivea” read * ‘cuneata.’
Page 195—For “suavolens” read “suateolens” | “linarifolie?” read
“monogynda.”
Page 236—-For “ramessissima” read “ramasissima.''
Page 299—For “Kangaroo Fern” read “Scented Polypody.”
Page 348-—For “Asmunda” read “Osmunda.”
ILLUSTRATIONS
4 PAGE
Aborigines, A Native Fight... -. .. .. 4, + 306.
Ant, Myrmecia nigriceps, Mayr. oH de oh B.'s, WSO
Ants, Bull-dog .. -. 2. ifs ge Volow 63 es oo b>. Cad
Ant, "Nest of Polyrackis macropus vt «bt glo baie tater es Cel
Bees—
Halictine .. ... opp tet te Phar 86 ade ST 8 ee TOP
Details of Halictus .. .. A Re hres eee era P 109
Euryglossa asperithoran, 5pm Ht tame del eeeaty! ante 16
Beetle, Diagram of a4. ., 6c be ee ek et 170
- Birps—
Australian Brown Plycatehér spate enlst Go ee SP on BOT
Grey Thrush and Young beast ce 4, 258
Chaleid Gall .- 1. -. - eit cd he thet gh eh a8 ae ws 264
Cylindracheta. kochi .. .. dle en eS He SES 266
Cicada, Hatching Process ‘of .- wee . 200, 201, 203
Club Mosses of Victoria ,. 2, 2. 62 6. 5-00 993" 226
Fossils, Some Victorian .. 2. 2. 2, 44 pe be te ee ue ae oy TBR
Grevillew polybractea, 1. St... oe ee ee a ee ee ee we ee ee TAL
ORCHIDS—
Pterostylis pedunculata .. 1. 2. 16 5 14
PB. berhete. i.) fa ee pia 43 42004 48 4 14
P. revolute .2 220s. b- wh a k A a 4
P, curt .... Oi owed opel deg techie dS
Cryptostylis leptockila. fee tse gt eam ety -b ete’ at) Be es
Greenhoods and Hybrids Sabie sales tele a La Madyet AB
Opossum, Young - te fee dee pate dee ee oe EO BBL
Shells, Feeding Place of Birds on .. .. .. bh tg peftebee, ob

The Victorian Naturalist

VoL. XLIV—No. 1, MAY 7, 1927- - No. 521.

FIRLD NATURALISTS’ CLUB-OF -VICTORIA.

A special meeting of the Club was held-in the Royal
Society’s Ilall, Victorla-sireet, on Monday, April 11th,
1927. The President, Mr. FE. B, Pescott, F.L.8., occu-
pied the chair, and about 70 members and visitors were

_ present,

The President atated that the meeting had been called
for the purpose of considering the proposed alterations
of the rules, ‘In accordance with nofice of motion given
at the previous ordinary meeting, the proposed altera-
tions and additions, as recommended by the Committee,
were submitted seriatum, and, on the motion of Mr. G.
Coghill, seconded by Mr. F. Pitcher, were accepted and
passed unanimously,

Mr. A. J. Tadgell moved, in accordance with notice of
motion given at the previous ordinary meeting, that the
following addition be made to Rule 4. clause (b) :—''Pro-
vided also that the Secretary and/or Treasurer shal),
while he continues in office, be exempt from payment of
member's subseription, but shall, ipso facto, be deemed
a financial member of the Club,” ‘This was seconded by
Mr. B.R. Hammett. After discussion, in which Mesérs.
F. Chapman, G, Coghill, F. Pitcher, and C, Lambert took
part, the motion was put to the meeting, but was not
carried,

‘Mr. Tadgell gave notice of motion for the alteration
of Rule 7 to read:—“The first year’s subscription of any
new! y-elected member shall be paid in full on his or her
election as a member af the Club.”

The Special Meeting then closed, and the ordinary
meeting: was held,

ORDINARY MEETING.
CORRESPONDENCE,

From Miss F. Smith, thanking the Club for exprés-
sions of sympathy in her recent bereavement.

From Mr. E. S. Hanks, thanking members for sym-
pathy expressed in connection with his recent accident.

From Department of Lands and Survey, advising that
it had been decided to reserve 3,586 acres, as a Public

.Park, at Sperm Whale Head, in the Pariah of Boole

Poole. It was resolved that'a letter of thanks and appre-
ciation be sent to the Minister of Lands in connection
with this reservation.

2 Figld Naturalists’ Club—Procecdings [YS LXELY

From Under-Secretary for Victoria, stating that the
absolute prohibition of the sale and -use of the pea-rifie
was not deemed advisable, but that special instructions
had been issued to the Police Force ta ensure that the
provisions of the Act restricting the use of this weapon
tw persons over 18 years of age, be enforced.

REPORTS.

Reports of excursions were given as follow :—Clematis
Gally, Belgrave, Mr. F: Pitcher; Mentone to Black Rock,
Mr L. L, Hodgson.

“ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The following were elected as ordinary membera—
Miss R. Rigg and Mr: G. Rigg, 20 Finch-street, East
Malvern; Mr. and Mrs, W. H, McCartney, 42 Adelaide-
street. Malvern; Ms. N. H. Seward, 457 Bourke-street,
Melbourne; Mr. J. C. Porter, Centre Road, Bentleigh;
~ and Professor A.J. Ewart, D. Se., FR. S., F. LS. , Univer-
sity, Carlton.

LECTURE,

The President introduced’ Mr. F. Lewis, Chief Inspec-
tor of the Fisheries and Game Department, who delivered
a lecture dealing with fish hatcheries and methods of fish
distribution in various countries; and more particularly
in Victoria. Mr. Lewis described the new method of
brine-freezing fish, and referred to the valuable work
done by Dr. Schmidt in elucidating the mystery of the
breeding habits of eels. A series of lantern slides de-
picting various phases of operatians ‘in connectian with
Victorian fish hatcheries was shown. <A vote of thanks
to Mr. Lewis, moved by Mr. ©; Daley, B.A. F.LS,, and
seconded by Mr, F. G. A. Barnard, was-carried with
acclamation. .

The President took the opportunity of thanking Mr,
Lewis for the sympathetic way in which he had received
various representations from the Club, particularly in
regard to the protection of the Kookaburra, and the
promptitude with which he had acted on suggestions
placed before him by the Club.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. A. L. Scott (in illustration of points discussed
at the excursion to-Beaumaris) : Jaw of shark canght in
South Seas, showing the successive rows of teeth, Under
microscopes: teeth of various molluscs. Series of speci-
mens illustrating various aspects of fossifisation,

By Mr. F. Pitcher: Mounted specimens of 22 species
of ferns, collected at Clematis Gully (Belgrave). Bifur-

ee

Mey | Field Naturalists’ Club—Froesedings 3

cated frond of Alsopkila excetsa, growimg in exhibitor’s
garden at South Yarra,

By P. B. H. St. John: Herbarium specimens of
Dryopteris deecomposita (R.Brown), Ktze, “Shiny
Shield Fern” (with creeping rhizome) ; Eastern Austra-
lia. Tasmania, New Zealand. ‘*Dryepteris glabella (C.
Christensen), “Smooth Shield Fern" (swith tufted
rhizome); Eastern Australia, New Zealand. Collected
by exhibitor at Clematis Gully, Kallista, Mareh 19, 1927.
These two ferns have hitherto been mistaken for the one
species, Dryopteris decomposita,

By Miss Amy Fuller: Dried specimens of Fieldia aus-
tratis, A. Cunn., Blue Mountains, N.S.W. Truekymene
erieoides, Sieber, and Humea oxothwmnoides, F.v.M,,
posit Victoria, N.S.W. Sterculia quadrifida, R. Brown,

"New record for Victoria,

SPECIATION AND MUTATION.

In Lhe fina) paper of a brilliant series on the Origin of Species,
Professor Henry Fairfield Osborne deals with Speciation and
Mutation. From his summary of the conclusions drawn from the
independent observations vf many kinds of living vertebrates, the
following is quoted :—- c

“Tt appears that the problem of the age-long process .of the
arigin of species can best. be studied under the natural conditions
of past and present time; it appears that all vertebrates which
range into a new sel of natural conditions, whether by geographic
isolation or otherwise, in the course of time give rise ta new
specific forms; ik appears that, where vertebrates can be traced
from one geographic range as it merges inio another, ‘transitional’
or ‘intermediate’ forms are observed, so that if placed side by side
one sub-species passes gradually into another by intergradzs, and
thus supposed barriers existing between species and isub-species
disappear."—(Atrerican Natuvelist, Vol, LXL, Jan-Peb., 1927.)

Specution is a word, perhaps unfamiliar to many Australian
field naturalists, which is being widely used in America, thaugh
admittedly “etymologically doubtful,” It is certainly ugly, but
the use of it is approved by some noted English zoologists, and it
is lfkely to gain general favour, as a word required, despite the
dissent of zoologieal classicists. Speciation means, of course, ‘
“the making of species,” and is a normal and continyous pracess,
which governs the greater part of the origin of species (Qsborne)-.

A generous gift from Mr. A, E. Keep has added to the
Chil’s Library, two important botanical works, recently published,
hamely, “Whe Ferns,” Vol. IL, by Professor FP. O. Bower, and “The
Classification of Flowering Plants,” Vol. Tl (Dicotyledons), by
Dr. A. B. Rendle,

4 ALEXANDER, Crune-Flies ov Duddy Long-Legs [| YS) sar

CRANE-ELIES GR DADDY LONG-LEGS,
By QHARLES P. ALEXANDER, P1.D,, F.E.S.

The long-legged, delicate flies that are commonfy called
crane-flies, In alluaion to their very long, crane-like legs,
are known -to everyone who has observed the insect Sife
of the shaded gullies or along the mountain streanis.

It is most unfortunate that these long, siender legs are
so delicately attached that they are lost upon the.slicht-
est mishandling, Tt is probable that it was this fragile
nature of the legs, and the consequent unsightlinegs of
the specimens, that caused crane-flies to be one ef the
most neglected of all abundant and widespread groups of
insects. This neglect is especially unfortunate, because
the family of crane-fiies, or, as termed by the scientist,
the fumily Ti ipulidae (after the first-named and largest
genus, Tipwla Linnzeus) comes almost at the beginning of
the great order Diptera. The flies of this family are
thus vastly ancient, the earliest known types having
appeared in all probability some 100,000,000 years ago.
During this périod of the desvent of the eratie-Ries, the
Dinosaurs and other gigantic reptiles have waned an
disappeared, while the entire class of mammuls has been
evolve. In the Rocene, some 44,000,000 years ago,
crane-flies were already notably developed a5 a group,
and were widely distributed over the world. At this
period, the Dawn Horse, the tiny Hohkippus, the oldest
known of the distinguished line of horses, was living in
What is now western Northern America,

Having had such a vast period of time in which to
evolve and spread, there is no cause for astonishment
when we ascertain the facts in the crane-flies present-day
distribution. For members of this group of delicate
flies have been found in virtually every part of the world
where insect life can exist. Species octur above the 80th
degree of north latilude, in Greenland, within a few
hundred miles of the North Pole. Others have invaded
the lands furthest fo the south (excepting the Antarctic

-continent, which, to the writer’s knowledge. has produced

no winged insects}, including the storm-swept Straits
ef MageUan and Cape Horn, the Falklands, and ever
the Macquarie Islands and others in the South. The
most remote oceanic islands have their quota of crane-
flies, often reduced in number o7 species, and, strange ta
say, tt is not the large, vigorous forms which occur, but
the delicate, ethereal species.

May | ALEXANDER, Cravwe-Ilies or Daddy Long-Lege 5

in the mountains, crane-fies have been tound above
20,000 feet, in most regions of the world where the land
attains this altitude. Im the mountains of Mexico, species
have been taken above 13,000 feet. In the vast inlar-
mediate and more oaptinum regions, members of the
group, totalling an unknown number of thousands of
kinds, oceur in a variety of haunts that includes almost
every possible ecological habitat, with the exception of the
very dry. Crane-flies are notable lovers of moisture, and
the greatest number of species in any given region are
to be found in the vicinity of streams or mountain
brooks, in wet meadows or margins of bogs, or m the
cool shade of damp woodlands, where the larvae, or de-
vetopmerital stages, are spent in the damp moss, in thick
leaf-mold, or in the wet, decaying wood of prostrate
trunks of trees,

Victoria is wonderfully blessed with some of the most
magnificent species of crane-files that have yet heen dis-
covered. ‘fhe great orange-and-black species of Clyto-
COSTES, the splendid black and silver- -spangied Platy-
phasia regina Skuse, and additional species of the equally

_imposing senus Plusiomyia, occur in the gullies of the
Dandenong Kange, and near Warburton, where they
were first discovered by the late Mr. F. P. Spry, Mr. F.
B. Wilson, my friend, Mr. J. Searle, and other collectors.
Resides these large and magnificently colored species, these
same gullies, and at least the lower ranges of the Vie-
torian Alps, support a wealth of other large, but more ob-
ecurely-colored crane-flies, as well as a host of the very
small to medium-sized, usually hairy, gnat-like kinds that
have been much neglected and are apt to add very greatly
to our knowledge of certain problems of distribution.
The affinities of the Victorian fauna, as shown by the
material so far available, are with Tasmania rather then
with the Blue Mountain region of New South Wales.
Many of the species that have been taken in the Dan-
denong Range likewise occur in Tasmama. It is un-
iortunate that the crane-flies of the higher altitudes of
the Victorian Aips and of Kosciusco, are still very poorly
known. Almost any specimens from the mountains of
Victoria would add to our knowledge of either seasonal or
geographica) distribution.

Most, crane-flies are fully-winged in both sexes, but in
wl regions of the world, subapterous forms have been
found. In most eases these oceur only in the mountains
or on the outlying wind-swept islands, or else in the cold

a ALEXANDER, Grune Ilias or Daddy Leug-Lens Wer otk,

of a northern winter, as in the case of the Snow Fly,
Chionea, spp. In other cases. however, subapterism
occurs Onder more normal conditions and such instances
are difficult of explanation. In one case, the New Zealand
genus Alezundrella Tonnoir, not only have the wings
been lost, but also the halteres, In most crane-flies with
reduced wings, it is the female sex only that is so de-
formed, the males having the wings normally developed.
In Victoria, there is a common species of Macreomastiz
(fergusent Alex.), taken at Cockatoo hy Mr. Hill, near
Warburton by Mr. Searle, and elsewhere, that has fully-
winged and very active males, the females beiny much
smaller and nearly wingless.

For more than 4 dozen years the writer has been en-
vaged in securing materials for a comprehensive review
of the crane-flies of Australia and Tasmania. Unfortun-
ately this has proved a matter of the greatest difficulty,
since only a relatively few collectors seern willing to save
these delicate creatures when they find them in their
nets, Lam writing this amall paper to see if some uf the
younger students cf entomology cannct be interested to
save these flies, especially when it is realised that they _
are Yery common in nature, ‘are not difficult to eollect,”
are easily handled for shipment, and that their study
is of the greatest importance in determining many dis-
puted points of phylogeny and distribution,

METHODS oF COLLECTING,

These insects may be told from all other similar and
related flies by the long, and usually very long, easily
broken legs. It should be emphasised, that no specimens
should be discarded, no matter how broken or legless
they may be, because the characters most needed for
final identification lie in the wings and structure of the
male genitalia. As stated above, crane-flies may be swept
with a light net from the ferns and other rank herbage
prowing near streams, on the wet, dripping walls of
cliffs, or elsewhere where there is a certain amount of
moisture, Many species may be captured while resting,
with all six legs (when this full number is present!)
outspread, on the walls of houses or trunks of frees, near
lakes and streams.

Many crane-flies are strongly attracted to lights, and
make their way into houses in the evening, when they
may be found the next day, resting on walls or on the
windows. This habit may be further used by running a

fney | ALExANogR, Crane-Plies or Daddy Long-Ley's 7

(rap-lantern, as is done in the case of collecting for
moths, Unfortunately, the majority of crane-flies thus
attracted to light are females, which sex is almast value-
less for accurate determination, Such collections should
be supplemented by a vigorous sweeping or beating of
the vegetation nearby when the missing males will be
very apt to be taken, When crane-flies are found swarm-
ing, the net may be passed through such a swarm and a
rich haul results, since such individuals are apt to be all
males, or virtually so. |

A day's collecting in the mountains of Victoria, ul the
height-of the season (November to Janusry), might yield
a Surprising range of these flies.- The largest would have
a wing-spread up to nearly three inches, the smallest—
hairy, midge-like pygmies—would be less than half the
size of an ‘ordinary mosquito, The average size of the
_ species would probably -be equal to or only a little larger

_than an ordinary gnat or mosquito. It is the small and

value -colored types-that are apt te prove of the greatest
Value. ;

Crane-flies i in the temperate regions of the world have
4 remarkable. seasonal distribution that” has; heen but
little studied for the Australian species. ‘The breaking up
of the winter in Victoria would produce the early spring
forms in September or October, These have a short
flight-period and disappeur, being followed by others of
the late spring and summer, which, in their turn, dis-
appear, being succeeded by the late summer or autumnal
types in March and April. It is probable that most of the
Victorian species will have the above limited seasonal
range, but some species will fly for a much longer part
af. the season, while others will be found to be double-
brooded, the firs!, generation appearing in the spring, the
second late in the season. [1 should be emphasised that
‘there are many, and often very many, of these small and
medium-sized types that look very much alike, and even
‘with a hand-lens might be pronounced identical, but
which, upon a critical examination prove to be éntirely
“distinet species. It is for this reason that all material
found in the net should be taken, and the final settling of
identities be done in the laboratory, with a microscope,
and other necessary accessories at hand.

CARE OF MATERIAL,

Vt is not a. difficult matter to-care for the specimens so
taken. When on collecting frips, a special bottle or

a ALEXANOER, Crane-Flies or Daddy Long-Legx [ YS .Pty

bottles should be reserved for these fies; or, at least,
they should not be placed in the same bottles with moths
or butterflies, or with heavy-bodied beetles and similar
bulky insects, When thus collected, the specimens are
usually found to be in good condition, with but few, if
any, of the legs detached in the bottle. The specimens
are best shipped by placing in small paper triangles or
envelopes, as is commonly done with the Lepidoptera
(Waterhouse and Lyell, Rutterfiies of Austrola, 1914,
p. 228; Tillyard, Insects of Austratia and New Zeaiand,
1926, p. 486). A number of specimens of about the same
size, and from the same place and date, may be placed
in a single triangle. The data, place, date and altitude,
together with the collector’s name or initials, should be
placed on the envelopes. The altitude is of primary im-
portance in mountain collecting, and should be ascer-
tained as accurately as possible.

When a sufficient number of these triangles has beer
gathered to warrant a shipment they may be sent in a
small strong weoden or tin box, with a layer or cotien on
top and bottom to prevent shaking. A. little powdered
naphthalene sifted into the box will repel book-lice and
other destructive vermin, Boxes up to 18 ounces weight
may be sent by Sample Post rate (inscribe packages,
“Dry insect specimens for study purposes only; sample
post rate’), the charge being only 1d. for four ounces
weight, When received by the special student, the flies
are relaxed snd mounted. I[f newly killed<specimens are
placed in a box reserved for the purpose, they travel
through the mails in much better condition than do
pinned and spread material.

The writer would greatly appreciate any co-operation
m this matter, especially among the younger and more
active entomologists, and would be very pleased to col-
lect and exchange insects from North America. If any
douht exists in the minds of the student as to exactly
What ig a crane-ty, a careful reading of Dr. Tillyard's
recent work (Tke Insects of Australia and New Zealand,
1926, pp, 346-349) will clear up the doubtful points, In
concluding this brief account,.the wriler would express
- his great appreciation of this most remarkable work of
Dr. Tillyard. Australasin is to be congratulated upon
now having such a comprehensive treatment of the
various insect groups. It is very certain that no finer or
more scholarly account of the insects of any region of the
world has ever appeared,

cee all Pescort, The Orchids af Viclorin HT
(edi bab vate olen el Hmm vqjovcosonhee) ds Me bb etme pany mt 6 BDI Dapeng pos engn cB ba nemgat tol MAE UN deat (ste Ah mv Lab MM saEheYDOR CAEU Clb heat heen etn mao OLetaS

The Orchids of Victoria
BY EDWARD E. PescoTt, F.L.8., F.R-H.S,

emt M oki Yt sina tare tbataanincvedov do ANY EDA nubile 4 4b ima an d0H OL LOMr yveMUN Se

PO a Ld

Part IX.

12. P, ALPINA, Rogers (alpine). “Alpine Greenhood,”
Plant slender, usually tall, from 6 to 24 inches. No
basal leaves; severa] leaves and bracts on stem, larger
ones 3 or 4 inches long. Flower solitary, very erect,
- shining, pale green, galea upright and then curved for-
-ward, blunt; lower lip with wide sinus, bent forward in
a swollen manner, then somewhat abruptly inecurved,
embracing the galea, the lobes somewhat exceeding Ht.
Labellum, linear, lanceolate, movable, much curved for-
ward al end, blunt, appendage quite pencillate. Column
shorter, upper lobes toothed, lobes usually wide, lower
lobes narrowed, ciliated.

The Alpine Greenhood usually grows in hilly or moun-
fain areas, and especially favours moist places: Its soft
green, almost succulent appearance gives it a daintiness
much admired, The flower frequently has white or
whitish markings. lt flowers from September to Novem-
ber, later in high mountain areas, Recorded from all
parts except the N.W., and also from Tasmania.

18. P. rurcatA, Lindl. (forked, referring to the points
of the sepals), “Forked Greenhood.”

Plant slender and glabrous, 6 to 12. inches high. Leaves
broad, un long petioles, not radical. Flower solitary,
rather large, green with brown markings. Galea up-
right, then curving forward, and somewhat upwards;
tower lip with medium sinus, the long linear points em-
bracing and far passing the galea. Labellum movable,
oblong linear, blunt, curved outwards, having a central
ridge, channelled on each side. Basal appendage very
pencillate. Upper wing's with a short round point, lower
wings blunt and ciliate,

This ig one of our very rare orchids, having been col-
lected only a few times. The recorded localities are Bun-
inyong, the Dandenong Ranges and the Western district.
Flowers late, November to January; recorded also from
South Australia and Tasmania.

14. P. GRANDIFLORA, R.Br. {large-flowered). ‘‘Long-
tongue Greenhood,”

10 PescarT, The Orchids of Victorie [ wee

Plant tali, slender, 6 to 18 inches high; leaves in a
basal rosette, 3 to 5, with several clasping stem bracts,
becoming larger as they near the flower, Flower large,
solitary, rarely 2 or 3; galea much decurved, the central
lobe extending to a tong filiform point. The conjoined
petals quite widely wing-lke, markedly veined, and
usually of a rich red-brown colour. Lower fip with. wide
sinus, having very long filiforra points, embracing and
far exceeding the galea, points upright, ' Labelium linear,
long, somewhat contracted towards tip, and then pointed;
wings of labellum moderately broad.

This is one of our largest, and most distinctive of
Greenhoods. It is quite rare, and until a few years ago,
was quite lost for over twenty years. It never appears in
colonies, and reproduces slowly. It is found in mountain
and hill gullies, usually growing In shaded apots. The
wide, beautifully brown and veined petals are its dis-
tinctive features, It is recorded only from the South, and
slso from New South Wales and Queenslund. Flowers
in winter and early spring.

7 i P_ REFLEXA, R.Br. (bent back}. UStriped Green-
ao

Plant. slender, about 6 to 8 inches high. Leaves all stem

clasping, lanceolate, Flower green, striped with white,
Solitary, large, Galea upright, with around short fine
point, Somewhat recurved, Lower: lip-erect, sinus wide,
having ‘long filiform points, embracing and far exceed-
ing the galca, Labellum lanceolate, tapering to a sharp
point, exceeding the column. Basal appendage curved,
pencillate.- Upper. wings of column acute, lower wings
‘blunt and ciliate.

“Recent investigations have shown that: this species
‘déubtfully exists in Victoria. The plant that we have
long classed as P! refleza, does not altogether conform ta
‘Brown's type. Dr. Rogers is at present investigating the

problem.’ He states, ““There was'a time when | thought
thatit (P. reflexa) did” (exist in Victoria) “although
for a good many years I have been of, opinion that the
well known species common to your State and our own
‘(South Australia) (and since placed as a variety of P.
alata by Fwart) was not conspecific with P. reflera of
R.Br’ Then of course there was another difficulty intro-
duced, owing to the desirability or undesirability of re-
taining, P. revoluta as a species distinct, from P. reflexc.
As you know, Bentham deliberately masses all these
species together as P. reflexa. This was certainly the

May : Pescorr, The Orchids of Victoria i

shortest and easiest way of dealing with a very dificult
problem. But I think we have now advanced sufficiently
in our investigations of these three forms to admit the
desirability of keeping them separate, although there
are sure to be a good many intermediate forms which
wil give trouble in sharply defining each of the three.
In the light of our more advanced experience in the
' yarious States, I feel that caution should be exercised in
definitely excluding P. refleta, Br., from Victoria; in
Tact, on locking through my herbarium, 1 find 2 ‘few
which appear to he identical “(except yierhaps in size)
with Brown's species,’

Recorded from all States, flowering from May to Sep-
tember.

' By P. REVOLUTA, R.Br. (revolute}. “Autumn Green-
00

Plant slender, from 6 to 15 inches in height; basal
leaves absent. Stem bracts small and slender, Flower-
solitary, quite large, pale green or white, striped, with.
light brown stripes and markings. Galea long, evenly -
curved, extending to a long, filiform point, with a down-
ward flexure. Lower lip long, gracefully curved inward
and upwards. The long filiform points embracing and
far exceeding the galea, usually wide spreading. Label-
lum long linear, somewhat pointed, curved-outward, ap-
pearing through the galea. Column pinge as in P.
reflexa, © — ;

This beautiful Greenhood is found in autumn, its slen-
der stem, with very small stem bracts carrying the large
coloured flower, makes it. a readily noticed plant. In
some localities it is quite rare, while in others it is_seen
in considerable numbers. Flowering from Mareh to
June, and recorded from the S., S.W. and N.E. Recorded
alsa from New South Wales.

r af P. TRUNGATA, Fitz. (shortened). “‘Brittle Green-
oo eae °

Plant dwarf, up to 8 inches high, Leaves almost ovate
in rosette stage; stem clasping and narrow lanceolate in
flowering stage. Flower solitary, large, Galea long, much
widened or expanded at middle and towards end; point
quite blunt or truncate. Lower lip relatively small, with
long very filiform points, embracing the galea and far
exceeding it, somewhat recurved. Labellum linear, taper-
ing to a fine point, somewhat twisted, Gojamin wings »
wide.

12 Pescorr, Uh Orehids of Victoria We ie

The vernacular name is quite apt, for the galea is very
brittle, and the flowers do not carry well. The very large
flower, and the low stature, give the plant a strange
dwarfed appeurance. It has only been recorded from
Tottenham, Sunshine, Brisbane Range, and You Yangs.
The latter is the original locality, where it was discovered
by W.. H. Nicholls: Recorded also from New South Wales.
Flowers April to June.

18. P. ALara, Reich. f. (winged). 'Purplish Green-
hood.” (Synonym, P. PRAECOX, Lindl.).

Plant slender, up tv 10 inches high, no basal leaves at
flowering time, stem leaves 8-4, small, the upper one
enclosing the bud. Flower solitary, long, grey green,
with brownish stripes. Galea erect and only slightly in-
curved, ending in a short point. Lower lip erect and up-
right, the sinus wide and notched, the fine points em-
bracing the top of the galea, and exceeding tt, being often
bent forward. Labellum straight. short pointed, red
brown at tip, having a central brownish line, raised.
Upper column wings curved, lower lobes blunt and eill-
ated.

Kaown for years as FP. praecoz, this name was suitable
on account of the early appearance of the flower. It is
smaller than the plant hitherto known as P. reflera, and
cof a general duller appearance, Like many greenhoods,
the foliage of the juvenile plants is in the form of a
rosette, having from 3 to'7 leaves, In subsequent years,
as the tuber becomes stronger, frequently, but not always
in the second year, this juvenile tuber becomes a flower-
ing tuber, without basal foliage. Recorded from all parts
of the State except the N.W.; and also from New South
Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Flowers from
May to July.

19. P. optusa, R.Br. (obtuse or biunt labeljum).
“Blunt-tongue Greenhood.”

Plant more slender than No- 18, but taller, up to 10
inches high. No radical rosette al owerme time, 3-4
stem leaves, broadly Jancevlate, Flower solitary, green,
shaded with deeper green shades. Galea compact, the
end much incurved, ending in a long fine point. Lower
lip quite erect. bread at the notched sinus, the long fine
points embracing the galea and far exceeding it, usually
facing forwards. Label:um oblong linear, brownish, itp
quite blunt or ottuse. Upper column wings toothed, lower
ones blunt.

iat, PrscortT, Tre Orchidy of Victoria 13

This dwarf Greenhood is at once distinguished by its
hlant, reddish brown labellum, which does not project
through or beyond the sinus, It ts recorded from the S,
and E., and also from Qucensland, New South Wales,
South Australia and Tasmania. It is autumn flowering,
usually occurring in April-May,

20. P. pecurva, Rogers (downward curved). “‘Red-
tongue” Greenhood.

Plant slender, graceful, glabrous, radical leaves 2-

not present at flowering, oval on long slender pedicels;
bracts 4-4. Flower large, solitary, green, with slight
reddish touches at points. Galea upright and then much
ineurved and deflexed, the point long, extended almost
even with base of ovary. Lower lip erect, with wide
sinus, the: filiform lohes being much prolonged, embrac-
ing and in an upright position, far exceeding the galea.
Labellum linear oblong, obtuse at apex, much recurved,
wand protruding through the situs, with a raised central
line, dull red in colour, appendage curved and _ trifid.
Upper column wings tovthed; lower wings bluntly
oblong, both wings reddish in front,

This very datnly Greenhood was first brought under
my notice by A. N. Burns, who found it growing freely
at Lower Fern Tree Gully. It does not oveur in colonies.
The three long, fine, filiform points make it easily recog-
nised, as does alzo the curved red tongue. It has only
been found in and near the Dandenong Ranges, and in
Tasmania, Flowers in December-January.

21, P. pakvirtorsa, R.Br. (small flowered). ‘Tiny
Greenhood,” .

Plant slender, often quite amall, ranging from 2 to 9
inches high, rarely up to 15 inches. No radical leaves
al- Howering, severa) small acute bracts on stem, and
one below each fiower. Flowers small, several, usually
up to 5, occasionally 10 or rnore. Flower erect, galea
much tncurved, marked with dark green or brownish
streaks, point somewhat blunt. Lower lip erect, wide
sinus, notehed, lobes embracing, but shorter than, the
galea. Ladetlum oblong, tip obtuse and somewhat re-
cursed, having a central broad red. line, and with a nar
row line on etther side. Upper angle of column wings
toothed, lower broad and ciltate.

The Tiny Greenhood has small flowers, and is often
quite a diminutive plant, The erect flowers are promin-
ent. A variety occurring in New South Wales and Tus-
mania is known as. P. apkylla. It is a short stout plant,

14 Prescott, The Orchids of Vistoria sone
with the flowers crowded together. at the top-of the’ stem, |
and nol separated as in the species. The rosette of leaves:
often found at the .base of the stem, is fr6m.a small, non--
fluwering tuber. It is recorded frorn all parts except the
N.W,, and also from al States except West Australia.

Flowers from March to June.

" 22. Po BARBATA, Lindl. (Bearded). ‘Hearded Gteen-
ood. :

“Blacit usually robust, 4 to 12 inches hist: Leaves.

numerous, crowded at base, especially before flowering
tite; also passing up the stem. and merging ‘Into stem.
bracts. Flower pale green, with rich green veinings and
reticulations, Galed quite erect, ending in a short rounded’
point, much infiated at lower half. Lower lip with long
linear points. nwite reflexed, lobes pointing downwards
Labellum-filiform, with a dilated base, ending in an un-
evenly rounded red brown knob, the whole portion ex-
cept the knob being covered with long. yellow hazrs.
Upper ~ column wings (see plate showing lahella).
rounded, lower wings blunt, pointing forward.

This plant is easily distinguished by its leafiness, its
beautifully veined flower, and the unusual yellow-haired
lahellum. It is found alike in the dry mallee, and in the
coastal -areas, being recorded from all parts. It is also
recorded from all States except Queensland. Flowers
ss deta toher.

. P. mutica, R.Br. (dovked). “Midget Greenhood.”
Sonat slender, small, somewhat compact, up to 3 inches
high, green. Leaves in a radical rosette; one or two stem
bracts.’ Flowers ‘green, quite small, 2-12. Galea in-
curved, blunt; lower lip broad, reflexed, pointing dawni-
wards. - Labellurm breadly ovate, tip rounded, Upper
column wings rounded, ciliate margins; lower lobes
bhintly’ triangular, ciliate.
Recorded from all parts and from Queensland, New
South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Flowers
August-to, November. °

24. P. OYCNOUEPAALA, Fitz, (swan-headed—appendage
to Jabelum), “Swan Greenhood.”

Plant stout, taller than No, 22. Leaves up to 10 in
radical rosétte ; 1-3 stem bracts. Flowers up to 10; quite
gmail, green. Galca incurved erect; lower lip short, re-
flexed pointing downwards, lubes united almost all the
-qay.' Labellum almost circular, with broad round tip-

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. xiiv. Mey, 1927
Plate XXII.

PTEROSTYLIS PEDUNCULATA, P. BARBATA, Lindl.
R.Br. (two flowers). Bearded Greenhood.
Maroon Hood.

P. REVOLUTA, R.Br. P. CURTA, R.Br..

et ee et

eS ey ew Fe
EE Ti Ah oe aS

eae

pay Pescorr, Phe Orchids of Victoria 16

Appendage to labellum pointing towards the tip. Upper
column wings rounded, iower wings triangular, botir
ciliate.

Reeorded from all parts but the E., and from New
South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Flowers.
September-October,

These two species, Nos. 22 and 23, might be for
the same, or for varieties. They are ‘very simdlar in out-
ward appearance, both being dwarf, and uniformly
green. F. mutica, however, is usually stouter and shorter
than P, cyenocephala; but the important difference be-
tween the two lies in the fact that the irritalile append-
age of the labellum of P. cyenocephala points outwards
towards the tip, while that cf P. mutica, is pointing
inwards. :

25, P, PUSILLA, Hogers (small). “‘Ruddy-hood,”

Plant small, slender, glabrous, up to 6 inches high,
green rosette of leaves at time of flowering, 2 or 3 stem
‘hyacts. Flowers 1 to 6 on slénder stems, vreen, with
rusty red shades and tints on galea, lower tip and label-
lum. Galea erect with short rounded point, Lower lip
reflexed, pointing downwards, lobes shortly pointed.
Tubellunt ablong, irritable on a long claw, feshy, concave,
tan not bent, but round and blunt, lateral margins ciliate,
with few hairs, under side with a deep central channel,
having two pear-shaped swellings directed. forwards,
Upper column wings wide, quadrangular, lower wings
rounded, all more or less ciliate.

Recorded from the 5. 8,W., and N.E,, and also from
South Australia and Tasmania. Flowers September and
October.

26. P, rua, R.Br. (reddish). “Rusty-hood."

Plant moderately stout and robust, from 4 to 12 inches
high. Basal rosette of leaves withered at flowering time;
2-5 stem bracts. Flowers fairly large, 2-5, green, with
rich red-brown markings and streaks, Galea broad, in-
curved, the puint produced to a long fine point, Lower
lip reflexed, pointing downwards, margins of concave
portion ciliate, produced to long fine points, often 1 inch
long. Labellum, narrow oblong, attached by a long claw,
membranous, sensitive or irritable, with an upturned
blunt tip, margins very ciliate, with two long prominent
bristle like hairs at base, deeply channelled on under side-
Column wings rectangular, ciliate.

Recorded from N.W., S.W., and. S., and also from all
the other States. Mlawers November-December.

16 Prscott, The Orehide of Victoria ish, Mas

27, P, SQUAMATA, R.Br. (scaly—referring to bracts},
“Scaly Greenhood.”

Plant stout, up to 9 inches high. Leaves in a withered
basal rosette at flowering time; stem bracts up to 8.
Flowers. dull green with red markings, up to 4, on long
stems. Galea incurved, produced to a fine point. Lower
lip reflexed, pointing downwards, lobes produced to fine
points. Labellum thick and fleshy, glandular, drritadle,
ovate oblang, the tip upturned and bifid, margins thick-
ened, cilzafe with long hairs. Column wings almost
square, lower ones ciliate,

Recorded from S. and N.E., and also from South Aus-
tralia and Tasmania. Flowers November-December.

28. P, MITCHELL, Lindl, (after Sir Thos. Mitchell).
“Mitchell Greenhood,”

Plant slender, up to 10 inches high, Leaves in 3 green
basal rosette at time of fowering, stem bracts 2-4,
Flowers fairly large, up to 6, green with rich red tints
and markings, Galea upright, recurved, the point finely
produced. Lower lip reflexed, pointing downwards, hav-
ing a spreading sinus, the two lobes produced inte long

points very divergent. Labelluwm thick, fleshy, glandular,

irritable, slipper shaped, tip depressed and slightly biful,
under surface channelled, marging ciliate except at the
contracted basal portion. Upper column wings acute,
lower blunt, both ciliate, ;

Recorded from §.W., and &.; and also from Queens-
land, New South. Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia.
Flowers August-October.

The above four species represent what is known as the
“Rufa" group of Greenhoods. Originally all were
“lumped” together as one species, but were gradually
separated, FP. pusilla forming the last member of the
group. Critical examination has disclosed the fact that
P. squamata may not be found in Victoria, but one speci-
men in my herbarium from the N.W., seems to agree
with that species, All four species are fond of somewhat
dry and hillside conditions.

The differences between the four species are clearly
set out by Dr. Rogers, in Trans. Roy. Sac. Sth. Aust., vol.
xilii., 1918. Briefly they are as follow:

P. pusilla. Labellum fleshy, tip straight, Rosette ,

green,

P_ rufa. Labellam membranous, tin upiurned. Rosette
withered.

nae ee wit

maz | Prescott, The Orchids of Victoria 17

P, sinamata. Labellum fleshy, lip upturned, Rosette
withered.

P, Mitekelizi, Labellum fleshy, tip depressed. Rosette
green.

29, P. LONGIFOLIA, R.Br. (long-leayed). "Tall Greer-
hood.'

Plant robust and rigid, dull green, up-to 20 inches
high, Stem leaves up to 8, larger towards the centre,
amail and bract-like at base, no basal rasette. Flowers
small, green, up to 8, rarely more. Galea somewhat in-
curved, not produced to a fine point, carried almost hori-
zontally, in two shades of green. Lower lip reflexed,
pointing downwards, Labellum irritable, oblong, glandu--
Jar, slightly three-lobed at end, tip upturned and bifid,
base thick and solid. Upper column -wings bluntly

toothed, lower elongate, frontal margins ciliate.

; The Tail Greenhond is a winter to spring flower, the
latter season being for mountain plants. It inhabits
forest and shady hill country. The irritable labellum is
very sensitive to the touch, springing inwards, but slowly
returning after the lapse of about half an hour. The
tall, several flowered, green plant is readily recognised,

Recorded from all parts of the State and fram ail
States except West Australia. Flowers from July to
October,

30. P. virratTa, Lindl. (banded). “Banded Green-
hood.”

Plant rather robust, similar in ‘habits of growth,
‘flowers and follage to No. 29, except that it is shorter

and stouter, ihe flowers being much larger. Plant up to
16 inches high. Flowers up to 8, very pale green, with
vedidish or nurplish brown bunds, Galea broad and long,
ending in a short acute point. Lower lip reflexed, point-
ing downwards, wide, ovate, lobes with acute, short
points, Labellum irritable on a long claw, broadly oblong,
' glandular, point, tip upturned and bifid; margins cillate,
the base thickened, carrying a short and thick point or
apike. Upper lobes of wings bluntly toothed; lower nar-
row and ciliate.

The Banded Greenhood is often found amongst tea tree
and other scrub, right along the coast, as wel] as inland.
The grey pale green, and rich brown markings are very
distinct. Occurring in winter, it is often missed by col-
lectors. Recorded from all parts except the N.E.; and
also from Tasmania, South and West Australia. Flowers
May tao duly.

ib Pescorr, the Ovehida of Victoria we tay

New SPECIES.

With the passing of years and the increase of interest
and study in Orchidology, it is only natural that new
forms and species should be discovered. When Baron
von Mueller wrote his ‘Key” (1888), he published 78
species of orchids for Victoria. Now we have over 150.

Since this work was commenced new records have
been made, and more than half a dozen new species Toust
be added to the list.

»Three new Prasophylla have been collected; one from
Lara, by Rev, A. ©. F. Gates, M.A,; one from Ringwood,

. by C. French, Jr.; and one from Bairnsdale, by T. S.
Hart, M.A, (Prasophyllum Hartii) - These are all
moderately tall, spring flowering species. A new Calo-
chilus (C. imberbis, Rogers) has been collected from
Rushworth hy Mys, Rich: this is a unique Calecitlus
Without a beard. A new Diurus (LD. fastidiosa, ey
Hea recorded frem Tottenham district by W,

icholls

A. J. Tadgell and others have cadordod Caladenia
alpina, Rogers, from Mount Bogong. I understand that
C. French, Jr., collected this orchid 30 years ago on
Mount. Hotham, but von Mueller recorded it as C. carnea,
A, J. Tadgell has also re-collected Mueller’s Thelymitre
Ehzohethae (named atter Mrs. McKibbin) from Ring-
wood, originally collected near Camberwell. Mr. Tad-
rell courteously supplies field details of these two orchids.

THELYMITRA ELIZABETHAR, F.v.M.

Plant. slender, Flower small, solitary, rarely 2.
Colour red, with reddish stems. Leaf solitary; one stem
hract, Summitof column denticulate and V cleft. Sum-
mit of column yellow at back: back of wings dark red.
Anther crest erect, and very prominent; 2 crested appen-
dages slightly fringed. Usually tardily opening on a
warm day, closing firmly, Flowers in Oetober.

It differs from 7. carnea in being a more slender plant,
with smaller flowers, darker stems and flower: summit
V spaced instead of closed. The summit of column is
yellow instead of red as in 7’. curnea, The 2 crested
appendages are fringed and not denticulated. 7. carnea
readily opens and is closed loosely.

» GALADENIA ALPINA, Rogers (alpine).

Plant robust up to 11 inches high, Stem reddish,
glandular hairy, clasping bract pointed above middle of

My ' Pescort, The Orchids of Vietoria iv

stem. Leaf thick, broad, pointed, with scattered hairs,
ustially as long as, sometimes longer than the stem; 8
thick lines. | Flowers 1-2, rarely &. Bratt sheathing
Dorsal sepal rigid concave and incurved, broad ovate,
almost inclosing- labellum. Lateral sepals concave,
broad, elliptic, standing out. Petals faleate, flat, broad.
spreading. Segments free and equal. Ovary elon-
fale, slender, hairy, green, 3 prominent red angles.

. Labellum ovate, concave, on short claw. Tateral

lobes erecl, entire margins; on half its length
transverse stripes; then about 6 teeth like lobes on either

side of middle lobe: membranous edges slightly ciliate:

very distinct,

lamina with 2 erect thick yellow calli at posterior end:

‘6 rows of clubbed yellow calli, follawed by 4 rows of

yellow calli on middle lobe, then 4 rows of small white

_ calli lo antevior Jobe. Column cleft where wings join

anther, Wings narrow, red lined, Anther pointed,

incumbent.

Flowers in January at Mount Bogong,
CALADENIA CARNEA, R-Br., var. AURIANTICA, Rogers,
lt i8 quite probable that this variety from -Albeérton

_ (ACJ. Tadgell) will be raised to specific rank when mare

material is collected. The orange-coloured Jabellam ts

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
The descriptions of the genera have been ahlefly taken

-from Bentham and Mueller’s “Flora Australiensis,”

which is the standard reference work for ‘Australian
Botany.

Very considerable help has becn ‘obtained trom the

anuesta and quite unique stereoscopic photographs of |
-T, Green. Itis very easily: possible to deacribe any
archi by the use of these-splendid pictures.

A very free use has-been made, by special permission,
of the descriptions of the- species. ‘of orchids by that emi-
nent orchidologist, Dr. R. S. Rogers, M.A., F.L.S. It is
impossible to give finer descriptions than those given in
the Doctor's works; and no Australian student can afford
to be without these, Indeed, the descriptions are 80 com-
plete and so perfect, that they stand as a model for all
orchid students. Australian students are so steeped in
the work of Dr. Rogers, that any work done at all, is
merely a reflection of his own. His help, generously given
at all times, 1s also characteristic, and I cannot. be tov
grateful for all the help and advice that haye heen so
readily aceorded, and so Sreely used,

. . , Vie €
aU CoreMAN, Pollination of an Orchid hee

POLLINATION OF THE ORCHID CRYPTOSTYLIS
LEPTOCHILA.

By (Mks.) EDITH COLEMAN.

An interesting, but perplexing, problem hay presented
itself in connection with the pollination of the Small
Tongue-orchid, Cryptostylis leptochkila. Early in January
my daughter described to me certain remarkable actions
on the part of a wasp, which she had observed visiting
the flowers of C. leptochila. It entered the flowers
hackwurds, instead of in the usual manner of nectar-
feeding wasps: the tip of the abdomen appeared to be
imbedded in the stigma of the flower, and, in every in-
stance, the insect freed itself with a. jerk, which shook
the stem and suggested resistance.

_ _ Investigations fully bore out her statements, and added

further unusual observations which, though they have
so far puzzled several leading entomologists, have
adduced at least two important facts in connection with
the pollination of this orchid. At Upwey and Belgrave.
where C, leytochila is fairly numerous, we watched many
of these insects visiting the Aowers, and always they
backed into them. They seemed to come from the
trees, never from the ground; and each would dart in-
stantly into a flower, backwards, without any attempt to
locate a possible victim in the shape of a moth larva, and
with no apparent interest in any flower other than the
one selected.

After backing into the stigma, the end of the wasp’s
body took an inward faleate curve, and the base of the
flower’s labellum appeared to be gripped by the claspers,
This curve of the end, brought the abdomen just in posi-
tion for the upper- surface, at about the second last ring,
to rest on the flower’s prominent rostellum, with its dark-
eoloured disc. The insect quivered for a moment. and
then became motionless. After a second or two, it
freed itself, with an apparent effort which shook the
flower. Resistance by the blossom could be plainly felt
when we withdrew the insect with our fingers. In every
instance, when we gave if time enough, the effort was
sufficient to release the pollinia, which, with the viscid
disc, were carried off by the insect on the tip of its abdo-
meén, never on any other part of the body. Owing, no
doubt, to this resistance, pollen was frequenthy deposited
on the stigma of the same flower, and more was yepbably
carried to the stigma of the next flower visited.

Mayy Comeman, Pollination of uw Orchid 21

Some of the insects bore pollen before they entered our
flowers, while others took away more than they brought.
It took at least a second to complete the act, and if we
disturbed the wasp too soon, no pollen was abstracted.
The inseets were identified as Lissopimpla semipunctata,
Kirby. Theoretically, being Ichneumon-flies, they
should not be interested in the flowers, except in so far
as they may harbour moth larvae, or secrete nectar; yet
I think we have proved that neither larva hor nectar was
the object of their visits to the flowers. ‘Their swift-
hess suggests either exceptionally sharp eye-sight or
keen sense of smell. It may be both.

Though, to our senses, the perfume of the Small
Yongue-orchid is not very pronounced, 1 think it may, in
the first instance, lure the insects to the flowers from
quite a distance, for most of my expériments have been
made on very hot days, when orchid-perfumes are usually
more powerful, and when there has been a breeze. But
T think jt cannot be scent only, for the inséct has no
further interest in a flower once the dark-brown dise has
heen removed, though the perfume has possibly not
decreased with its removal. Can it be that the rostel-
lum, with its dark disc, holds fhe key to the solution?
Roughly, in shape and colouring, the labellum somewhat
resembles the body of the insect visitor, As the flower
matures, the curve taken by the labellum with its upright
posterior margins, So exactly meets the needs of the
wasp, (hat one is easily tempted to hazard a Lheery.

From the shape and structure of its essential organs
the service of an agent is necessary im the pollination of
this orchid, whether with pollen brought from another
plant, or pollen from the same flower. Sv far as the
henefit, to the orchid is concerned, T am satisfied, but I
am not an entomologist. I have set oul the essential
facts in the hope that some reader yersed in entomology
may be able to elucidate something more definite, The
only facts we feel that we have confidently established
are?

1. That [assommpla semipunciata visits the orchid
purposely, and enters the flower hackwards.

2, That it successfully effects pollination, and there-
fore can be regarded as the orchid’s agent—possibly its
only one, Though most of the insects were identified
aa males, we searched the fiowers for trace of eggs or
moth larvae, but the microscope revealed nothing.

What, then, was the payment exacted by the insects

22 Cormmat, Pollmation of on Orehid Vters. Wat.

far the service it atidoubtedly rendered? The fact that
it is not deterred by any slight discomfort, from maling
subsequent visits, would suggest that it has in some way
received payment for its former visltz.,
The accompanying photographs were taken by Mr. T.
~_Green, a former member of this Club. -They show the
insect in the act. The flowers were snipped off into
a killing bottle while the wasp was oblivious to our pre-
sence, and were photographed with their visitor after
having been in formalin for over a week.

EXCURSION TO CLEMATIS,

Twelve members and friends attented the excursion to Clematis
Guliy, on March 19th. Al Belgrave Mr. O*Donoghue, Forest Officer,
met us, and kindly drove several of the ladies to the Gully in hie
eay, ‘The remaining members of the party walked about two
miles, to South Sassafras. We were at the Gully before noon,
The leader planted a bree, Fugenin Sumithi (brought fram the
Botanic Gardens by Mr, P, BR. H, St. John) on the north side of
Clematis Avenue. We then proceeded to explore the Gully for
ferns, whith are readily collected here in pleasing variety, as the
specimens exhibited testify.

Permigsion to -collect Terns for Club purposes, had kindly
been wiven.by the Forests” Commissioners. Mr. St. John has been
able to determine, from the specimens thus obtained, the epecific
differences between Dryopteris decomposita und £, giabellu, and
definitely to add the latter to the list of Victorian ferns,

We visited Dr. Glendinning’s garden, which is clase to the Gully,
and, after lunch on the baleony of the house, viewed a nobie col-
lection af Conifers and other trees, incliding 2 number of Aus-
tralian species, Waratahs from: New South Wales, showed
remarkably robust growth... Returning to the Gully, we made
fiirther investigations among the ferme”. Later we walked alung
the Sherbrook road and entered the Forest area, passing through a
portion that recentiy was planted with treés “by the pupils of
various schools, under the direction af Forest OiMicers. At the
head of the Gully, Lyre-birds were heard calling, snd some were
observed at their dancing-mounils.

The following is a list of the 22 ferns of which specimens were
jblained and mounted, and are exhibited here to-night-—

Bristle Fern, Trichumanca venonum; Austral Filmy Fern

' Hymtenophyllum australe; Shining Filmy Fern, A. Aabetlutim;
Soft Tree Fern, Dicksonia antaratea; Rough Tree Fern, Alsopnita:
australis, Shining Shield Pern, Dryopteris deconpostta; Smooth
Shield Pern, D. glabelia; Ground Polypody, D. pinctata,; Common
Shield Fern, Polystichwm aculeatum; Leathery Shield Fern, P.
adiantiforme; Necklace Fern, Asplenium finbellifoliun; Gristle
Fern, Blechnwm dartilaginewm; Pishbone Fern, B. discolor; Leather
Fern, & devigatim; Lance Fern, B. lanceolatem; Common Maiden-
hair Fern, Adiantum xthiapioum; Batswing Fern, Histionteris

_ineisa; Common. Bracken, Péeridum aquilinum; F inger Fern,
“Polypodiwm Billdrdieri; Scented Polypody, PF. diverstfatinem,
‘Mother Spleeawort, Aspleniwim dulbiferwm; Shade Spleenwort,
Athyium umbrosum—P, PitcHer.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. xtiv. May, 1927
Plate XXIII.

ICHNEUMON-ELY visiting flowers of Cryptostylis leptochila,

cyan | The Platypus Rook 23

THE PLATYPUS BOOK,

Australian zoologistsa are setting botanists an excellent.
example, Instead of census lists, useful indeed, but un-
satisfying to those who are cager for more than a know-
ledge of names, we have now a chvuice of books on native
animals that may be read for pleasure as well as for in-
struction, and not merely opened for refcrence, The latest
addition to real natural history books is ““The Platypus,”
by Harry Burrell], C.M.Z.5. The publishers are Mesars.
Angus and Robertson Ltd. (Syd.), whose imprint
appears on so many Worthy volumes, notably Dr, R. J.
Tillyard's “Insects of Australia and New Zealand.”

Mr. Burrell, widely known as a field naturalist, has
devated practically a lifetime to studying our wonder
mammal, chiefly in its native haunts; and he must be
regarded as the foremost authority on the habits and
life history of Ornithorhanchus anatinua. He gives ua,
in this fascinating book. the results of his observations
and research work, The Platypus fives in the pages
and illustrations. The volume is a Boaswellian bio-
graphy, one might say: Chapters deal with the discovery
and early descriptions of OrnithorAynchus, controversy
on its zoological position and the laying of ergs, general
characteristics, nesting burrow, breeding habits, etc. The
illustrations include a -eoloured plate, and Many half-
tones from photographs.

The Platypus was origmally described, in print, in
1799; und when specimens were first brought to Europe,
many naturalists considered them to be “fakes,” duc to
the misapplied skill of the Chinese who delighted, while
they deluded, Europeans in quest of the marvellous, Even
after Ornithorhynchus had been generally recognised asa
product of nature, and not of artful Orientals, contre-
versy continued, as regards its zoological position, itsege-
laying habil, and so forth. Ib was a most. puzzling animal
to the savants of Eurape for nearly a century. In some
respects it is puzzling still; though Mr, Burrell’s book
makes plain much that hitherto has been mysterious.
He remarks that a great deal of anatomical investigation
remains to be dare. But, so far as studies of the living
Platypus are concerned, no one is ever likely to reap
a harvest nearly so ri¢h as that which has rewarded
Harry Burrell’s devotion to the most. wonderful of all
existing mammals. Every Australian nature lover
should resd his book. It is ‘intended mainly for general
readers,"’ but is also truly scientific.

2d Report of Plunt Reeards Committee { ae re at

It is not practicable to produce popular books dealing
in detail with all the native plants of even one state, but
should we not have readable handbooks to the Ferns,
the Orchids, the Eucalypts,. the Acacias, etc., and gencral
wildHower books, on the lines of those numerous guides to
the floras of European countries and America?—C.B.

REPORT OF PLANT RECORDS GOMMITTER,

The following is a list of new Victorian Records established
recehtly—chiefly by members of the Field Naturalists’ Clab—which
will be included in the forthcoming supplement tc the Censuz of
Victorian Plants, The list excludes alien plants.

By Mr. GC. Barrett, C-M.Z.S.: In Bast Gippsland :—Puiltenaed
Readestsnas new for East; Trichomanes coudatum, new for Viec-
oria. :

By Mr. F. Barton, Jr: At Foster: Epeecris lanuginosa, Lepido-
Sperma sewiteres, Gladium acutim, Chulium tetragonim, Kucalyp-
tus Kilsoniana, Burnettia cuneate, Thelymitra grandiflora,
Veronien peregrina, Utricularia luteriflera, Thelymitra puncifiorn,
Sagine procumbens, Tetrarrhena distichophylla, Prasophyllum
Archerd. At Sperm Whale Head:—Prasophyllam nigricans,
Ghicine tabavina, Frunkenia panciflera, Buvoken rwmosixeime,
Cotula integrifolia, Triglochin minutissima; Anytanthus Prela-
ensert} Lepturus incurvatus, Gypsophile tubulosa; all new for
Mast,

By Miss Hrica Barton: At. Foster:—Prasophylluns Frenehiv,
Celochilus eupreus. At Ovean Grange:—Oleuria glutinosa; new
for Fast.

By Miss J. Galbraith: At Tyers:—Cladium tetragonum, Gre-
villee vosmerinifolia, Olcaria sbellulata, At Bulga Park:—
Prostunthera melixsifolia; new for Hast, At Reechworth:—
Prostunthern mea, Pterostylie Mitchellii, Thelymitroa grandiflora,
and Coladenia cxcullata; new for NE,

By Rev. A. C. FP, Gates, M.A: At Goclong:—Amphitpogon
striefua. At Lara;—Triglochin minttissinn, Fragroates pilosa,
Stipa wrixtighemis, Riemer eryetallinus, Kochia humillimo,
Psoralea parva, Festucu. Hookeriane; new Lor South, At Dingee:
—Brugross pilosa; new Jor NW. At Lorne:—Nymenvphyltum
rarain, new for Victoria, ;

By Mr. Maurice Keppel: At Buxton:—Huculyptus Perrivianda;
new for South,

By Mr. V. Miller; In East Gippsland:-—Greutlies Vietorite; new
for East. -

By Mr PL P. Morris: Abt Colae:—Chuoneeraphis spinescens,
gras; new for South,

By Mr. D. J. Paton: In Bendigo District: Asplanium Aabalti-
folium, Anogrumma leptophylin, Notholaena cistans, Kyllingia
witermeadia, Leupidosperma filiforme, Curex peeudo-eyperus,
Lomendra multiflora, Prasophylhon nigrieans, FP. odaratum
talbum), Thetymitra aristata, T. carnea, T. Macemilanit, I. lateo-
ciate, Mierotis norviftora, Calsana gajor, Cyrtostylis reniformis,
Coladeuu coerulea, Catudenia curnka, Diurns alba, D. patachila,

etal Report of Plunt Records Convmittec 26

D, sulphured, Plorostylis alata, P. pusilla, P. parviflora, P, revu-
ful, Persoonia ripida, Grevillea keugera, Marianthus praoumbons,
Acuclea deatbata, A. deourrens, A. laprosa, A. lanigera, A. ralinudes,
Decinedium uerians, TWibhertia acicularis, Pimelea spathulata,
Pucalyptue claeophora, Fy wmidcrorrhynecha, Rasckea ranwstsatne,
Halorrhagis teuecrioides, Astrotiicha ledifolia, Meliehrus urcenla-
lus, Logania flarihunda, Prostunthera, hirtutes, Vervnied perfoliata,
Stylidiume despectum, Olearia floribunda, Hurred ozathamnoides,
Achiohrysum vhoordatumys all new for N.W.

By Mrs. Rossiter: At National Park, Wilson's Promontory:—
Cryptostylis leptoehila; new for Fast.

By Miss’ Daphne Rhodes: At Gellibrand River:—Oleariw efel-
lulata; new for 5,W.

By Mr, A. J. Tadgell: At Mount Fainter:—Caren steliadata and
Euphrasiu antureticd, hitherto doubtful records for’ Victoria;
Bwortia nufigensa, Geranium sessiliflornn and Pratin puberula,
hitherto recorded only trom “Cobberas.” At the “Alps";—Agros-
tié venusta, Diohkelachne soturea, Crticn ineviva, Didisous Bent-
honiit, Helorrhagia teucrtetdes, Scirpus actaceus, Aymenantkera
dontatd, Juncus plebejus, J. privmatocarpus; new for N.E, At
Healesville:—Veronien serpulléfolia. At Werribee Gorge:
Halorrhigis elata; new for South,

By Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.1,S.: At Moonlight Head;:—Thely-
mites grandiflora; new for SW, At Omeo:—Mileonta rotundi-
folta. On Bogong UWigh Plain:—frathycome alpina, Morris; new
to Seierice. At Chiltern: Swoinsona Morrisiane, J, M. Black! new
ta Victoria, also collected by D, McLachlan, in Wimmera.

HACURSION TO MENTONE AND BLACK ROCK,

A party of 14 members and friends took part in the excursion
from Mentone to Black Rock, on Saturday afternoon, April 9th.
On arrival at Mentone station, we directed our steps to the beach,
where Lhe many varieties of seaweeds, range from pale pink to
deep green in udlour, were much admired. Mr. W. H. A. Roger
exhibited an interesting collection, which he had pressed on cards-
A number of crescent-shaped pieces of a jelly-like substance were
observed lying about the beach, which, on examination, were found
to contain thousands of minute fish-ovs. On reaching the south.
ern end of the beach, we ascended the cliffs, and walked to the
foesil-beach at Beaumaris. Sume time was spent here, but,
though the tide was conveniently low, only 42 few fossils, ineladin
a shark's tooth, were found, Several of the curionsly spiral-
shaped egg-cases of the Port Jacksan Shark: were examined,

The coast line was then followed, partly on the cliffs and some-
times on the beach, a large flock of Silver Gulls being observed on
a veef some distance from the shore, while nearby, several Pacific
Guils and Cormorants were perched on some rocks, Six Black
Swana were also noticed, close inshore. We viewed an interest-
ing relie of the early days. consisting of fuur high walls built af
irregular bloeks of local stone roughly cemented together, and
enclasing a courtyard, the object, I understand, having been Lo
atford protection from the aborigines,—L, L. Honcsan.

oti Barnetr, Notes on Ant-Lions | Vorxnty

NOTES ON ANT-LIONS.

The tamily Myrmeleontidae is the dominant one of the
Order Neuroptera, Dr, R. J. Tillyard states, and is per-
haps hetter known ‘from its familiar larval forme, the

“ant-lions,” rather than from the adult lacewings,
(Insects. of Australia and New Zealand, p 323). In Aus-
tralia there are 36 genera and 95 described species > but
little is known concerning the habits of our ant-lion
lacewings; and keen observing and collecting would cer-
tainly be rewarded.

Referring to lacewings generally, in. a recent letter,
Dr. Tillyard informs me that most of them, including all
the ant-liors, are to be found in the drier parts of Aus-
tralia. Tf one goes inland inte the back country of
Victoria or South Australia, or, better still, towards
Central Australia, they will be found in thousands, There
are mary new species vet to he discovered.

I first became interested in ant-lions and other lace-
wings in Egypt, which is the homeland of some wonder-
ful species of Nemopteridae, insects with very long and
slender hind-wings, which are tratled behind them like
filaments, when the fies flutter among the sand-dunes
of Lhe desert. Around the Pyramids at Gizeh, I ob-
served riumerous pit-falls, made by ant-liens. It is
donbtful whether pits are formed by Nemopterid larvae,
which are Similar in appearance to ant-lion larvae, but
have long and slender necks. This group is represented
in northern Australia, ranging from the West to Queens-
land.

Though ant-lions aré much more abundant in our
mallee country, some species are fairly numerous around
Melbourne. I have seen many pits, for example, on the
cliffs at Brighton Beach, where spray from storm-waves
could reach them. On the heath-grounds at Black Rock,
a species of Glenolean may be seen occasionally. in weak,
fluttering flight, or resting on leaf ar twig with its long
wings folded. A tine ant-lion, with beautifully marked,
faleate wings, was captured in a city building, in the
daytime, If was, probably, a specimen of Periclystus
circuiter Walk. ,

In the Linga district, Vie. Mr. F. . Wilson and [
saw ant-lion pits in hundreds, around bushes and irees,
where the sand was fine and loase, as if it had been sifted,
Rarely a larva was observed travelling among ihe pii-
falls, its movements. almost as queer as its appearance.

jay} Trarrert, Noles on Ant-Lieng oF

Ti:is the popular belief that the larvae of all speeies of
ant-lion lacewings form the conical pit-falls that gains
for them “easy” meals; whereas those of only two Aus-
tralian genera, Myrmeleon and Callisteleon, are known
to do so, Dr. Tillyard states. However, the most of the
larvae live secretly in sand or debris. They dre nol cap.
tured without difficulty, in my experience. Failure is
Srequent when one tries te dig aut ant-lion larvae; they
seem to melt into loose, clinging sand,

Some of our ant- lions are rare, or are seldom met with
in the adult, “lacewing™ stagé; others aré moderately
plentiful, or abundant. Many species are handsome
insects; others are drab-colored, and easily averlooked at
very close range, when they aré resting.

The larvae of M2 yemeleon (nine Australian species)
form the pit-falls most commonly seen in sandy places;
often un the fringe of frequented ways, and even in yards
and gardens, Beneath a house or other building, in dust or
sandy-soil, ant-lion pits may be found. Ants areamong the
common victims that glissade into the ant- lion’s gaping,
calliper-like jaws, just showing in the centre of the bot-
tom of the pit; but small insects of many kinds are
snared.

Ant-lions were known to the ancients; and in Latin
Bestiaries of the Middle Apes, accounts of the ““Mirmi-
ealeon” are given. The Jife history of the ant-lion
(Palpares libelluloides), in_its legendary form, has been
traced by G. C. Druce, F.S.A. His paper, erudite, but
highly entertaining, probably has been overlooked ‘by
miany naturalists: it.appears in The Antiguar ies J ournal
for Octoher, 1923.—C. BARRETT.

With this issue a new volume of. the Muteratist bepins;-and our
aim should be, to make if the best of a long series. Contributions
for the “Field and Study” section especially are desired. Merybers
are invited'to help the Editor, by contributing more freely.

Often an exhibitor uight hand in a note, dealing generally with
his exhibit. Many interesting happenings in Natvre are observed,
brat not recorded, by Club members. Nature notes, certainly, are
popular; and several pages of each number af our journsa) should
be devoted to them, -

Articles, not too lengthy, will also be needed during the ensuing
Club year Specialists who will winte im » popular way, make
their studies. of general interest, could help much by contributing to
the Meetteralist, |

28 Notes from Field aad Stidy Porte

_ DWARF SUGAR GUM TREE,

The jyiportance of the Sugar Gum, Mucatyptus claducalyr,
Fy,M., to Australia is not fully renlised until one visits such
towns 26 Horsham or Warracktuabeal, or such districts as Lismore
and Cressy. In the Lismore district, there are miles of gum
tree plantations, Sugar Guine and other species, growa Lor wind
breaks and shelter belts.

The wne ¢letrimental feature of the Sugar Gum is its quick
rowth, which produces a-tree with o very fine top of limbs and
fotiage, but«devoid of any growth for 10 ft. to Ub ft. up. Thus;
‘while a belt. of Sugar Gums may break the wind over a large ares,
it provides little shelter for stock in cold weather.

Attempts have been made to interplant the belts with such low-
growing gums us BE, Lekmeanni, bul the work has not always been
BueCesSE tal. f

While ut Beaufort recently, J heard of plantings of a “dwart"
Sugar Gum, which was interplanted with the ordinary Sugar
Gum, the combination thus giving a complete ahelter belt From
top to bottom. Mr. Hooke, of "Yersbin,’’ Buangor, first men-
tioned it, telling me that Cr. H, Troy, and the Hon. Theodore Beze,
M.L.C., both grew the gum extensively. Pursuing enquiries, and
obtaining specimens, I ascertained that there was really a dwart
Sugar Gum, or a dwarf varicty of Bucalyptus claducalyx im exist-
tence, Tater I found that Dr, ©, §. Sutton ia well acquaintet
with she tree, which, he says, is both dwarf and bushy, and, in the
sun, presents a golden tmt of foliage,

1 predigt a wonderful future for this dwarf tree Its import-
ance cun as yet be hardly rpalised. Byt ik is certain that in the
futnrce literally millions of plants will be planted all over the Com-
monwealth. Tree planters have been looking for a gum tree,
eatrying all the desirable characteristics of the Sugac Gutn, with-
gut its undesirable long bare trunk. And here Nature has given
it to us, in the form of @ seed variation, which woriderfully and
fortunalely comes true from seed. The one detrimental fealure
of the Sugar Gum has thus been removed for us, by this geeat
getft of Nature—E_. B, Prscort,

WEEPING MAHOGANY GUM.

In the Caniberwell Gardens, there is a very faiy specimen of
2 weeping Mahogany Gurm,-fecalyptis bolrwwides. The bonghs
of the tree are of a distinclively weeping form, while the branch-
lets are very pendant in character, Sveh a specimen is evidently
2 séed variation, for the upright character of the Mahogany Gum
i= well known —BE. &, Pescotr. :

The Victorian Naturalist

- You. KLIV—No. 2. JUNE 7, 1927. No. 522.

eS ——EeeSS OSE —e—E———e—e—eeoEoee—eEe—™E—EeeEEeeoe SS EE
—S——_ = SSS SSS EEE 3

FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA,

A special meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society’s Hall, Victoria-street, on Monday, May 9th,
1927, ‘he President, Mr, B, &, Pescatt, F.LS., oceu-
pied the chair, and about 90 members and visitors were
present,

In accordance with notice of motion given at the pre-
vious special meeting, Mr. A. J. Tadgell moved that Rule
7 be altered to read:—“The first year’s subscription of
any newly-elected member shall be paid in full on bis or
her election as a member of the Club."" Mr. A. L. Scott
seconded the motion. Mr. G. Coghill moved an amend-
ment, that the Rule be altered to read:—Persons elected
as members of the Club, after the first day of November
in any year, shall pay half the ordinary subscription to
the end of the Club’s year (April 30th), and thereafter -
the full subscription shall become payable on the first
day of May each year.’ This was seconded by Mr, H, B,
Williamson. After some discussion, the amendment
was put to the meeting and lost, The mation was then
put, and carried by a large majority.

The .special meeting then closed, and the ordinary
meeting was held.

REPORTS. '

Reports of excursions were given as follow:—Mace-
don, Mr. E. E, Pescott; Zoological Gardens (substituted
for Agricultural School, owing to fllness of: the leader,
Mr, 1. L, Hodgson) .

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The following were elected “as ordinary members:—
Miss Gladys Smith, 39 Fitzroy-street, St: Kilda; Mr. G.
W. Tranter, 23 Embling-road, Malvern; Mr. A, E. Proud-
foot, Evandale-road, Malvern; and Mr. E. J, Roberts,
6 Davies-street, Moonee Ponds. As country member :—
Mrs. B, M. Cooke, “Heathlands,” Toolangi, As Asso-
ciate Member :—-Master Chas. Ostberg, McIndoe-parade,
Mordialloc,

GENERAL

The President welcomed Mr. Burrows, of the Horficul-
tural Society of New South Wales. Mr. Burrows briefiy
responded,

The Hon. Secretary reported that the proposed Natural]
History Exhibition would be held in ‘the Independent

a Field Naturalists’ Club—Proceedings POLE

Hall;--Collins-street,-on--the -afternoon and evening’ of
Wednesday, July 20th next..:_A sub-committee had been
appointed to-arrange detailsand the support and sasist-
ance -of members and.-friends in exhibiting specimens
illustrating “the various branches of natural history,
would be appreciated by the committee.

The President announced that a conference of the
various Societies interested in the preservation of the
Sherbrooke Gully and Forest in its natural state, had
been held, and,.as a result, a deputation had waited on
the Forestry Commissioners, who undertook to discon-
tinue the planting of conifers and exotic trees in the area
under their control, and promised that strict supervision
would be maintained to ensure the preservation of the
natural flora and fauna. The Commissioners had fur-
ther agreed to appoint 2 number of honorary forest
officers, one nomination to be submitted from each
Society represented. In view of this, the Committee
had paid him (Mr. Pescott) the honour of nominating
him as the representative of the Field Naturalists’ Club.
Mr. G. Coghill moved that the action of the Committee
in this matter be endorsed. This was seconded by Mr.
F. G. A. Barnard, and carried unanimously.

Mr. A. D. Hardy stated that the necessary arrange-
ments for the formal declaration of Sperm Whale Head
as a temporary National Park were now being proveeded
with, and the proclamation would be gazetted very
shortly. Although the reserve would only he of a tem-
porary nature in the meantime, he fully expected that it
would eventually be made permanent, as in the case of
the National Park at Wilson’s Promontory.

ELECTION OF AUDITORS.

On the motion of Mr. F. Pitcher, seconded by Mr. F.
G. A. Barnard, Messrs. C. A. Lambert and W_ H. Ingram
were elected Auditors for the year.

NOMINATION OF OFFICE-BEARERS, 1927-28.

Nominations were received as follow :—

President: Mr. E. FE. Pescott, F.L.S. (proposed by Mr.
G. Coghill, seconded by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard). — Vice-
Presidents: Mr, P. R. 4. St. John (Mr. A. D. Hardy and
Mr. F. Pitcher); Mr. A. B. Keep (Mr. A. 8. Blake and
Mr, H. 8, Willismson). Hon. Treasurer: Mr. A. G,
Hooke (Mr. G. Coghill and Mr. -H, Hughes}. Hon.
Librarian: Dr. C. §. Sutton (Mr. A. D. Hardy and Mr.
F, G. A. Barnard). Hon, Edifor: Mr. C, Barrett,

Tait Field Noturotiste’ Club—Proceedings 8t

C.M.Z.S. (Mr. A, B. Rodda and-Mr, L. L. Hodgson).
Hon, Secretary: Mr, L. L. Hodgson (Mr. ©. French, Jr.,
and Mr, J. Ingram). Hon, Asst. sperreasy and Librarian,
Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.L.S. (Mr.3, G. A. Barnard and
- Mr. F, Pitcher). Cornmittec: Messrs. C. Daley, B.A,
F.L.S. (Messrs. H. Hughes and G, Coghill), F. Sis bat
A.L.S. (Messrs, A, D, Hardy and,C, A. Lambert), J .A
Kershaw, F.E.S. (Messrs. F. Pitcher and W. Thorn},
J. W. Audas, F.L.5, (Mesars. P, R. H. ats John and L. L.
Bodgsat), and V. Miller (Messrs. L. L. Hodgson and C.
arre -

PAPERS, ETC.

By Miss R. S. Chisholm, B.A,: HA Chat on Canada.”
An account was given of the climatic and physiographical
features of ‘Toronto and other parts of Canada, and re-
ference was made to many aspects of nature observed in
that, country. Miss Chisholm's - remarks were illus-
trated by an interesting series of lantern slides.

By Mr,-G, Coghill: “A Holiday in New Zealand,”
Owing tu the lateness of the hour, it wae RenBABANY to
postpone the reading of this paper,

EXHIBITS. *

By Mrs. E. Coleman: Ichneumon Flies (Lissopimpla
semipunctata (Kirby), after visiting the orchid Crypto-
stylis lentochila (F.v.M.),. showing curve of abdomen,
and complete pollinarium on each one,

Exhibited by Mr. A. J. Tadgell: Hyacinth Orchid, with
branching stems. Collected at Wandin, May, 1927.
No. 1 stem, 3 feet 6 inches in height; No. 2 stem, 18
inches, about 4 inches from base; No, 3 stem, 3 feet
4 inches, ‘about 2 inches from base. Usually a Dinodium
punetatum orchid has only one stem with flowers. It
is very rarely found with more than one simple stem,
but several flower shoots may spring up close together
from underground. The flat pseudo-stem No. 3 sug-
ests a last season’s shoat, No, 2 shoot appears to have
been the original stem, as the seed pods are beat
developed. This evidently had a side shoot, that, for
gome reason, assumed the lead, as No. 2 stem is only half
the diumeter in thickness, half the height, with only half
the flowers of No, .1,

By Mr. W, H. Ingram: Collection of Sea-weeds from
Beaumaris, mounted on cards, ©

By. Miss C. C. Currie (Lardner), per Mr. L. L. Hodg-
sen: Specimen of large goat moth, captured at Lardner,

a2 Field Naturctiete’ Club—Procesdings — [-Yis: iat.

By Miss R. Rigg: Collection of water-color paintings
ot New Zealand flowers, ete.

By Mr. G. Coghill: Collection of herbarium specimens
of New Zealand flora”

By Mr, V. Miller. —Gecko lizard, found jn a rolled-up
blind at State.Government Houge, Melbourne.

HUDSON BOOKS AND LETTERS.

Members of the Club who possess first editions of books by W.
H, Haden, the English Naturalist, are fortunate. These volumes
are now eagerly sought by collectors, and prices range high,

Recent quotations indicate that a slonder volume in my library,
purchased for 1/6-yesrs ago, js worth about £5 now. Another

-of my "Hudsons,” which cost me 14/>, is worth £12, accurding to
a London booksellers catalogue. Hudaon’s letters, also, are bring-
ing big prices overseas—up to £16/15/-. Everything he wrote is
treasured, .

Not to have read Hudson,.is to have missed some of the noblest
English prose: Tudson was a great writer, and wild nature moat
often was'his theme, He hated all the enemies of wild life, but
most of ali collectors of bird skins and nest robbers.

Writing te me, long ago, Hudsén said: “Those who read "The
Naturalist in La Plata,’ do tiet know, or consider, that it gives the

- compressed resulta of 20 years or more of observation and niedi-
tation, and it consequently gives the impression of an exuberant
nature.and of great abundance and variety of wild life, All books
about Nature must, in a measure, produce that false impression
owing to the necessity the ‘titer is under of sclecting his facts,
ahd, finally, only the best and most important,” Hudson believed
that a book on Australian wild life, might be written, to pival in
interest his “La Plata.” But he wrote: with a golden pen of
geniue, We have no Hudsons in Australia. Nor is there living in
uny country, a naturslist who, as a literary crattsman, may he
renked with the author ef “Hampshire Days,’—C.B-

During January { found a Platypus and an Echidna that had
met their fate at the hand of man, The Platypus had bern killed
by warkmen engaged in removing rushes from a portion of the
Olinda Greek, at Lilydale, and the Spiny Ant-eater had becn des-
troyed by some campers on the Cardinia Creek, at Upper Beseons-
field. With wilful destruction of this kind taking place in Vic-
toria, it is not at all surprising that the Echidna has diminished
in numbers daring fhe last 15 years. In localities where this
atiimal existed mm fair numbers, some few years aga, it is now
seklom secn, having been exterminated partly as a result of scttle-
ment, but zenevally, by vandals —D.D,

Prof. F, 3, Beattie, Dept. of Chemistry, Lowell Textile School,
Lowell, Mass, U.S.A., in & letter to the Hon, Sec. of our Chub,
states that he would like to correspond with some member who ia
3 cially interested in botany, and- exchange specimens of New

Theland planta for Australfan spocles, He -will seknowledge
promptly any letters that he receives. ; ‘

Fuge CLARE, The “Ants of Vietorio 88
THE ANTS OF VICTORIA
By J, CuarK, F.LS.
[Part TIT]

In part Ll. of this series, the habits of the Bull-dog
Ants were mentioned. Although not complete, the in-
formation given is practically all. that is at present
known concerning these primitive ants. Most of the
species have somewhat similar habits.

To illustrate the various forms, a plate has been in-
eluded, showing workers, females, and a male. The
figures are slightly under natural size, but are all on the
same scale. Figure 6 is a male, showing the small head
and mandibles, also the lung, straight antennae. The
male retains the wings attached throughout his short
life, which generally terminates with the nuptial flight.

Figure 4 is a normal winged female. After the nuptial ,
flight, the female removes her wings, which are easily
detachable, using legs and mandibles for the purpose,
It may be noted that, in many cases, a nest will contain
members of one sex only, while in others, one sex will
far outnumber the other; in 4 few instances, males and
females will be found in almost equal numbers. No
.doubt this is a provision of nature to prevent the de-
terioration of the species by inbreeding among the mem-
bers of the same colony,

With her wings removed, the female appears as in
figure 38, which depicts a normal queen found in the nest.
Here the large scuteldum and small mesonotum sre seen.
The worker does not possess a scutellum; but the meso-
notum is large. Figure 8 represents an ergatoid female;
that is, a werker in which the scutellum and other seg-
ments are partly developed, but which bears no wings.
- This form of female usually is larger than the worker,
but rarely so large as the true female. The exact posi-
tion of this form in the colony is at present unknown.

The photograph of Myrmecia nigriceps Mayr, a species
that was dealt with in part IT., is here included to ilus-
trate a side yiew of the ant, showing the normal position
as in life. The ant is enlarged 24 times, This illustration
is typical of ali the species of the genus. The long, power-
ful ating is to be seen at the apex of the gaster. This
is the painful end of ‘the ant, The large jaws cause little
or no pain to the victim; they have only sufficient power
-to enable the ant to cling in order that she may drive
-her sting into the’ victim. The sting of the ant is not
barbed, and is not left in the victim, a3 is the case with

$4 CLARK, The Ants of Vietoria Vor xe

the honey-bee, The ant ¢an use her sting repeatedly, and
appears to take #reat delight in doing so.

13, MyYRMBCIA TARSATA, Smith. (PI, III. figs. 2 and
8). Millgrove (F. E. Wilson),
Smith, Cat. Hymn. Brit. Mus., 6, p. 145, 1868;
Roger, Berl, Entom. Zeitschr., 5, Ds 53, 1861 ;
Mayr, Verh. Zool-bot. Ges, Wien., 12, p. 726,
1862; Forel, Fauna Sudwest Aust. I, p. 286,
1907; Froggatt, Agric. Gaz., N.S. Wales, POD.
5 and 10, 1905,

_ The worker is 19-22 mm. in length, and rather slender.
‘Colour, black, or blackish brown; the mandibles; labrum,
antennae, tarsi and the apical segments of the gaster,
reddish yellow; .postpefiole and gaster, black, with a

slight bluish tinge, and smooth and shining. .

The female is much larger than the worker, measuring
over an inch in length. In colour and sculpture the sexes
.are very much alike, Figure 8 depicts an ergatoid female
of this species, captured, with workers, by Mr. Wilson,
at Millgrove,

This species does not appear to be common in Vie-
toria. It was described as from N.S. Wales, and is
abundant around Sydney. It oecurs also in Queensland,
Froggatt calls this the “Black Bul-dog Ant,” and says
that., “if oné or two are captured the other ants retreat
into the nest and do not show fight.” -

14. MyRMBCIA ANALIS, Mayr. Portland (H. ‘W.
Davey),
Mayr, Verh. Zool-bot. Ges. Wien, 12, p. 725,
B62.

Myrmecia atriscapa, Crawley, Ann. Mag. Nat.
Hist. 9, vol, 16, p, 580, 1925,
The worker is 17-20 mm. in length. Head, thorax, and
_ node light reddish, the head'often slightly darker: scapes
_ of the antennae, legs and postpetiole, lighter, more yel-
_lowish; mandibles and apex of the gaster, yellowish red;
gaster, black, often with the base of the first segment
reddish, particularly on the sides; basal two-thirds of the
- scapes, ‘brown, or blackish.

The female is similar to the worker, but larger. The

_apex of the gaster is darker, more reddish.
Originally described by Mayras from Neu Holland,
this species has.a wide distribution in Southern Austra-

Jia. It ranges from Bunbury, W.A., to Brisbane, Q. I

have frequently found this species "nesting in decayed
logs and grass-trees (Xanthorrhoea). The colonies

“Tyne a| CLaRK, The Ante of Vietora 35

usually contain about 200 individuals. They are pugna-
cious, and will generally follow an intruder for some dis-
tance. They readily drop from trees on to a person pass-
ing close by,

15. MYRMEGIA'‘LUCIDA, Forél. Cheltenham (C. Barrett,
L.B. Thorn). Ferntree Gully (F. P. Spry).
Forel, Artin, Soc. Ent. Belg, 37, p. 458, 1893.
Myrmecia regularis, Crawley. yee Mag: Nat.
Hist. 9, vol. 16, p. 579, 1925,

‘The worker is 17-20 mm, in length, Shining brownish
red; scapes and legs, darker, more brownish; mandibles,
ranging from red to brown, in some species; caster, black
with the apical segments castaneus

The female is much larger than ‘the worker, but other-
wise similar.

The male is castaneus in colour, excepting the man-
dibles and antennae, which are slightly darker.

This species was ‘originally described from Tasmania.
It is found in various parts of Victoria and Western
Australia. The ant faunas of these three States have
much jn common; this applies particularly to the ancient
and primitive forms.

16, MYRMECIA FORFICATA,. Fabr. (Pl. IIT. figs. 8 and
9). Widely distributed throughout the State.
fPabr., Mant. Insect. 1, p. $16, 1787. Smith, Cat.
Hymn. Brit. Mus. 6, p. 143,°1858; Mayr,
Verh. Zool,-bot. Ges. Wien, 12, p, 436, 1862,
Forel, Fauna Sudwest Aust. 1, p. 265, 1907.

The worker is 19 to 23 mm. in length. Brownigh red;
mandibles, clypeus and sometimes the front of the face,
lighter red; gaster, black and shining, clothed with long,
yellowish hairs, which sre longer and more abundant on
the apical segments.

The female is considerably larger than the worker, but
does not differ in colour, Ergatoid females often are
found in the nests of this species, They differ from the
normal females only in not having the wing sclerites
properly developed.

The male is slightly smaller than the worker. The
head, thorax and gaster are black; mandibles, antennae,
node, postpetiole, and legs, reddish, or sometimes
brownish,

This is the commonest species in South-eastern Aus-
tralia; but has not been found in W. Australia. It was
one of the first species described from the collection
made by Banks, in Tasmania.

36 CuaRK, Uhe Ants af Victoriu [ae xt
This appears to be one of the species that were kept in

artificial nests by E, E, Barker, and described by him in

the Victorian Naturalist, 1903. - - * -- > . °

17. MYRMECIA FORFICATA, Fab, var. BREVINODA, Forel.
Bendigo (J. B. Thorn), Gisborne (W. W. Frog-
gatt, Type locality).

Forel, Rev. Suisse Zoo]. 18, p, 2, 1910,
This form is very much like forficate, differing only in
having the node shorter. It is slightly smaller, but the
colour, sculpture and pilosity are similar.

Photo. J. Clerk. MyRMEcia NIGRICEPS, Mayr.
: Lateral view of worker (x. 23),

18. MYRMECIA RUBRA, Forel. (PI. IIL, figs. 1 and 9.)
Yarra District (W. W. Froggatt, Type locality) ;
Ferntree Guily (F. P. Spry) ; Belgrave (F. E. Wil-
son); Croydon (J. A. Kershaw); Cheltenham (C.
Barrett and i. 8. Thorn).

Myrmecia forficata, Fab. var. rubra, Forel. Rev-
Suisse Zool. 18 p. 3, 1910.

Worker 19-23 mm. Dark red, almost blood-red, the
gaster black and shining; mandibles and apical joints of
the antennae, lighter in colour, the scapes tinged with
brown; yellowish hairs on the gaster are short, and not
abundant. '

The female, in colour identica}, is very slightly larger
than the worker, but is more robust in form.

Forel described this species as a variety of forficata.
It ts, however, quite distinct from that species. The

June) Ceank, The Ante of Vietorre ST
females are even more widely separated than the
workers.

19. MYRMECIA PYRIFORMIS, Smith (FI. TUL, figs. 4.6).
Ferntree Gully (F. P. Spry).
Smith, Cat. Hymn. Brit. Mus, 6, p. 148,. 1858,
pl. 10, f. 1-6; Mayr. Verh, rool. -bot. Ges.
Wien. 12, p. 726, 1862; Froggatt, Cat. Aust.
Ants, Agric. Gaz., N.S. Wales, p. 10, 1905;
Emery, Gen. Insect. 118, p, 21, 1911.
Myrmeeia forficata, Fab. r. pyriformis, Smith ;
Forel, Rev. Suisse Zool. 18, p. 2, 1910.

This species is much darker and larger than forficata.
The head is nearly square, whereas, the head of for ficata
is much narrower behind than in front. The gaster is
more or less covered with a dense greyish pubescence,
not shining, as in forficata.

The female is much larger than the worker; but simi-
lar in colour and sculpture.

The male is as large as the worker, and is black, with
‘brownish mandibles and antennae, -

_ This species is generally called the Black Bull-ant, but
the term is also applied to all the dark species,

20. MYRMECIA SIMILLIMA, Smith, var. VIOLACEA, Forel.
Millgrove (F. E. Wilson), Woori Yallock (L. B.
Thorn).

Myrmecia forficata, r. simillima, var. violacea,
Forej. Arkiy. for Zool. 9, 16, p, 5, 1915.

This form is very close to simillima, which it closely
resembles in all but colour, The sculpture is almost
identical, The head and thorax are reddish brown, gen-
erally with a slight metallic tint; gaster, black with a
violet sheen; node and postpetiole, with a more greenish
sheen; mandibles darker in colour than: those of simel-
lime, but similar in formation,

Some new species still remain to be added to the Vic-
torian list. Several undetermined males are available;
but, as they could only be attached to the species with
doubt, they have been excluded for the present.

Sub-genus PROMYRMECIA, Emery.

Genera Insectorum, 118, p. 19, 1911; Wheeler,
Biological Bulletin, Vol. XLIL., A, 1922,

Pristomyrmecia, Emery (in part) Gen, Insect.
118, p. 19, 1911.

Halmanyrmecia, Wheeler [in part) Biol, Bull.
XLIL, 4, 1922, .

43 Crakk, Phe Aris of Victoria Vee,

I include all the Jumping Bull-dog Ants in this sub-
genus. They form a natural section, Saltateria, of. the
genus Myrmecia. ; dey

| These ants are readily- distinguished from-the-Gres-
soria by their smaller size and more robust form. The
mandibles are shorter and the scapes rarely reach to the
occipital border of the head. ‘The node is always -short
and broad, with a very short petiole in front. The femur
of the hind leg is slightly thickened near the base; the
legs are well adapted for jumping. The formation of the
mandibles is variahle, but a study of these greatly assists
in grouping the species.
. All the species are more or less highly coloured. A few,
hdwever, are quite black, with little or no variation.
Others have the gaster densely clothed with bright golden
pubescence, giving the ant a handsome appearance, black
and gold. ’

The jumping habit of these ants is very difficult to
account for, Apparently, in their present habits or mode
of life, they do not differ from the non-jumping section.
It: is, however, only when they are disturbed, or excited,
that they do leap; at other times they walk, in the man-
ner of the large non-jumpers. The habits of ants of both
sections are similar. During the bright sunny hours they
hunt on trees and shrubs in flower. All the members of
the sub-genus are most active in the late afternoon, from
about four o'clock until sandown, when they retire for the
em They come out in the morning as soon as the sun
is high.

Nesting habits do not differ greatly in the two groups,
A few species of jumpers construct nests similar to, but
smaller than, those made by non-jumpers, All the mem-
bers nest in the ground, usually deep down, the depth
ranging from 18 inches to 2 feet, rarely more. Some
species construct their nest under stones or logs, but
others prefer the open spaces, with no covering stone or
log. Promyrmecia picta very rarely has any cover. The
nest is deep underground, and its existence is indicated
only by the small holes forming the entrance, or. exit.
A typical nest closely examined was two feet square, and
had five entrances, each just large enough to admit one
ant at a time. This nest, as is usual, was constructed
near the base of a tree. The ground was strewn with
fallen bark. Another nest was constructed at the side
of a foot-track through the bush; ali the entrances being
protected by small plants. This is rather dnusual with
the species.

dene | CLARK, The Ants of Victoria ag

A few species of jumpers seem to. prefer to make (heir
nests in Termites’ mounds; some species being found
mainly in such situations,

Like the non-jumpers, the ants will always show fight
when the nestis approached. They rash out from all
the exits. Their sight is very keen; they come straight
at the intruder; even when he is several feet away from
the-nest. They will also follow one for a considerable
distance,

The jumpers are widely distributed throughout Aus-
tralia, but are mvre abundant in the South than in the
North, One species, belonging to this sub-genus, -has
been described from New Caledonia, This is the only
Bull-deg Ant found outside of the Commonwealth of ~
Austr alia.

Ten spevies are known in this States many of these
are also found elsewhere.

21. MYRMECIA (PROMYRMECIA) ABERRANS, Fore).
Myrmecia aberrans, Forel, Ann. Soc. Kint. Belg. 44,
p. 64, 1900. Rev. Suisse Zool. 18, p. 9, 1910.
Fr oggatt, Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., p. &, 1905,
Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) ” aberrans, Forel,
Emery. Gen. Insect. 118, p. 19, pl. 1, fig. £0,
1911.

The worker is 10 to. 15 mm. in length. Black, the head,
paris of the thorax, and the node, red; mandibles and
labrum, yellowish red. The mandibles are short, and
broad; the scapes do not reach the back of the head,

This is a very rare ant; so far only odd specimens have
been obtained—by the late Mr. F. P. Spry, and by Mr.
C. Oke, at Broadmeadows and Coburg.

22."MYRMECIA (PROMYRMECIA) PICTA, Smit. Sea Lake
and Maldon (J. CG. Goudie) ; Lake Hattah (J, &,
Dixon}.

Smith, Cat. Hymn. Brit. Mus. 6, p. 146, 1858,
Lowne, The Entomologist, London, 2, p. 236,
1865; Mayr. Jour. Mus. Godeff. Mayr, Verh.
Zool-bot, Ges, Wien. 12, p. 727, 1862.

Length of the worker, 9 to 12mm. This species is most
variable in colour, generally black, more or less marked
with red. Some examples are wholly black; others, red.
The mandibles, clypeus and front of the fate are, how-
ever, always yellow. The antennae and front legs are
reddish yellow; middle and hind legs more brownish.

The female is larger than the worker, but similar in
colour and sculpture. Ergatoid females often are found

40 Crank, The Ants of Vietorice { Yes a Bat:

in the nests of this species; and T have frequently fourd
several active females in the nests. It is very unusual
to find more than one female in a nest of any species
of this genus,

The male is as large as the worker; black, with the
mandibles, front of the face, and whole of the legs yellow.

For more than fifty vears this species has been con-
founded with another species, xzrens Lowne, which it
somewhat resembles. Apparently it had not been seen
since Smith deseribed it, from Adelaide, in 1858. It is an
inland species, not ranging on the coast. On the other
hand, urens isa coastal species, not found inland. The
two species are not connected, although both have a some-
what similar range of colour varieties. Forel has des-
cribed two varieties of picta; these, however, should he ~
attached to urens, as Forel identified this species as picta.
One of the yarieties described, xigra Forel, is not a
variety; it is the black form of the typical zrens Lowne,

KEY TO PLATE IIT.

Fig. 1, Mirmecia cubpe, Forel, female. Fig. 2, M. tareata,
Smith, worker, Fig, 8, M, forficate, Fabr., female. Fig. a Mu
pyriformis, Smith, fenvale, Fig. 5, M. pyriformis, Smith, worker.
Fig. @, M. pyriformis, Smith, male. Vig. 7, My forficata, Fabr.,
worker, Fig. 8, J, tarseta, Smith, female. Pig. 9, M. rubre,
Forel, warker.

NATURAL HISTORY EXHIBITION.

The Club's natural history exhibition will be held on July 20th,
in the Independent Hall, Melbourne. All ranches will be repre-
sented, it ie hoped, from entomology to ethnology. Members of the
Club have been appointed to organise the various sections; and
already some tine exhibits have been promised. Tickets will be
posted, to menibers, who are asked by the committee to do all they
can to assure the success of the exhibition.

A BIRD TRAGEDY.
When driving from Glenthompson to Moyston, some years ago,
my attention was attracted to the extraordinury poise of a bird
over a pool of water by the roadside. I stapped and watched, and
found that the bird, a Pipit, Anthus austratis, was perfectly motion-
less, with ontspread wings, and with no apparent support, Closer
examination showed that it was supported by 4 piece of fencing
wire, agdinst which it had flown and become impaled. T'he sharp
iron had penetrated its ¢hest at the néck, causing it to remain
poised in the wonderfully life-like manner in which I found it,

probably some weeks after the accident—H. B. WrtatamMson,

Correction—The plates In May. 1927, iasve of the Naturalist,
should have been numbered J. and II, respectively, instead of
xxii. and xxiii,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. xiv. Jime, 192.

Plate IIL.

Photos. J. Clark. Buli-dog Ants of Victoria.

dune - NICHOLLS, Ptarontylis acunttiata 4L

PTE ROSTYLIS ACUMINATA, R.BROWN, AND
HYBRIDS.

By W. fi. NICHOLLS.

The form of Pi. acuminata found in New South Wales
and Queensland, where it is fairly common, is readily
recognised aa the type (Figs. e and f) of this Green-
hoed orchid. Doubtless the original specimens—from
which Robert Brown described the species—-were cal-
lected in the former State. - This form blooms during
the autumn months. During the last few years, I have
collected, or haye received from others, interesting
specimens, variously considered, either as hybrids, Or as
Pt, faleata, Pt. acuminata, or Pt. furcata.

These came from districts either in Victoria or Tas-
Mania.

I have also received from the Paterson district, N.S.W.,
excellent examples of the type form. Particulars of all
these specimens are included with the line drawings
accompanying these notes. A survey of these’ specimens
is of interest, and one cannot. fail to notice vertain char-
acteristic features of two well-known species, viz., Pt.
faleala, Rogers, and Pl. Nutens, R.Brown. The varia-
tions in the individual specimens, and the general] out-
ward dissimilarity of all from the aceepted type of
acuminata is clearly shown. We must admit them to be
hybrids—puzzling intermediates; showing every possible
variation between the parents; which, according to the
evidence, are the above-mentioned species.

None of these specimens (with one exception) was eal-
lected far from the haunts of these two species; in fact,
the majority of them were growing in company of either
faleate or nutans (or both). The exception (Fig. k) has
an interesting history, Several years ago, 1 received
from the Tallangatta Valley (Vic.) plant specimens of
two very rare species of chiloglottis. A, fair quan-
tity of soil accompanied these plants, which were accom-
modated in a large fern-pot. A few months later, a
small, ovate-shaped leaf was. noticed protruding through
the soil, I removed the possible seedling {o a smaller
pot, for observation, A year later, it had three much
larger leaves. In the following season the plant had
progressed sufficiently to develop a bud; two months
later (Dec.) it had developed into the fine specimen
iltustrated.

Vie. Nat.
VoL XLIV -

intitle. |

NICHOLLS, Ptorostylis wer

enhood Orchids and Hybrids.

Gre

iste | NICHOLLS, Pteroxtylis ceuninata 43

¥t must be remembered that new forms are continually
being evolved, and the ill-fitted intermediates die out. It
is possible that some of the forms illustrated here will
never be found again. On the other hand, should any
of them persist, would it be advisable to add more names
to our list? I think not; if we examine the internal
structure (labellum and column) of these hybrids, we
find that these organs agree respectively with each other;
and, for a)l practical purposes, with those of the type
form, they are almost identical, Generally speaking, in
atl the recognised species of pterostylts (to mention but
one genus), we find that it is the tabellum that varies the
most; any important variation in this organ is regarded
ag of paramount significance. :
' Tt is possible that.the ancestors of the type were: Pt.
nutans and Pl. falcata, or some other Greenhood some-
what like the faleate species. Possibly Pt. RBaptistiz;
Fitz.; who can disprove ii? The stmilarity of this fine
species to Pt. acuminata hus been noted by others also,

Pt, Toveyana, Ewart-and Sharman, is still in a tran-
sitional stage. We have found interesting intermediates
here also, Intermediates are knowrm in some other
genera. For instance, in one other genus (Chiloglottis),
unbroken -chains have been collected, showing interme-
diates from one species to another. ©

Summary :-—Collectively, we find a startling number
ef differences in the forms before us; indivi~
dually, however, the variations are of littl value,
are triviat. To regard them as forma of either
Pt. nutans ar Pt. faleata, or any other species
not mentioned here, is, to me, unsatisfactory. » In
my opinion, the only satisfactory way of dealing with
these puzzling forms is to regard them as forms of the
species which they resemble closely, viz., Pt. acuminate,
R.Brown. The colouring of all the species mentioned in
these notes is practically the same, greenish with brown
markings, Pt. Baptistii having the brightest colouration,
the markings being a light reddish-brown.

Key & Figures, P_ 42,

(a) Pt. wutans, R.Er., Ringwood (Vic.), Oct. (W-H.N.); (1)
stigma (2) column (3.5.) Inbellum (4) petal. (b} Hybrid, Bays-
water (Vic.) (2 sp'ms), Nov. (A. B. Braine); details similar te
those of (J) (note appendage above upper bract). (c) hybrid,
Bayswater {(Vic.), Oct. (3 sp’ms) (W.H-N.), growing wilh Pt.
felewta and Pl. nutans; (16) petal; other details as those of (1)
td) Pt. Baptistii Fits, Lake Macguarie (N.S.W.J, Sept. (Miss

44- NICHOLLS, Pisrastilis aeumindla | ye hae

Rupp} (10.1%) labellum (13) petal (14) stigma (15) column. fe)
Pt. acuminate, R.Br,, Sth. Moreton, Bay (Qid-), July (Miss H.
Gelgsoiann) ; details as those of (f}. (1) PA acurmimela, R.Br,,
Paterson (N.S.W), June (Rev, H. M. RK. Rupp}; (12) stigma
(16.17) labellum (18) petal (19) front of flower. (g) Pt. faicata,
Rogers, Warburton (Vie,), Dee (W.HN-)4- (6&7) labellum (3)
pen {9) stigma. (bh) Hybrid, Bayswater (Vic.), Sept. (A. B-

raine), growing with Pé. foleata and Pf. mutans; (25) front. of
flower (numerous); details as those of (1). (i) Hybrid, Mordial-
loc (Vic.), Ang. (A. J. Tadgell), several sp'ms growing with Pt.
nulins; details as those of (lL). 43) Hybrid, near Waratah. (Tas.}
(Archn. Atkinson), Nov., 3 sp’ms growing with Pt. falenta; leaves
have entire margins, very similar to Pi. faloata’s but numerous;
(27) petal (28) front of flower (29-31) labellum (30) stigma.
(kt) hybrid grown from seedling (7) Tailangatta (Vic.), Dec.,
leaves similar to (j)); (26) petal; other details as those of (1)-
(|) hybrid, Bayswater, Oct. (W.H.N.), 2? sp’m; growing in a
elump cf #2. fulewta and near several Pt nutans and Pt, curta;
(20, 21) labellum (22) stigma (23) petal (24) eolumn; Seaves
similar to ¢{j); labella of fa, b, ¢, hy, i, J, K, 1) ptthescens.

ANTIQUITY.

Antiquity, it has been finely said, may be used as a lantern Lo
explore Futurity. -In Austratia, the antiquary and the archaeclo-
gist, have limited fields, “unless they glean in those that some folks
betieve, are non-existent. We must -follow faint little trails that
may lead us to some highway, ending in a prehistoric field.

The first number of “Antiquity," a quarterly Review of
Archaeology, published in England, has just reached Mejbourne,
Tis aim is to “attempt to summarise and eriticise the work ‘of those
who ate recreating the past’; its field is the Earth; its “range
in Lime 2 million yéars or so," its subject the human race. New
Zealand is represented in this first issue—an article on Maori
Hill-forts. Australia doubtless will not be overlooked; since our
country may yet become as important to students of pre-historic
man af are the other continents.

India has revealed a new civilisation, undreamed of by
archaevlugists. Sir John Marshall's discoverics, in the Punjab
and Sint, described in the Axnual Heport of the Archweologicai
Survey of India, 1923-4 (published in 1926), are not less remark-
able than those made in Crete, long ago, by Schliemann; and,
later, by Sir Arthur Evans: they resurrected the pre-historic age
of Greece. The excavation of Indo-Sumerian sites in India, has
revealed that the peopics of the Panjab and Sind, at least 5000
years ago, “wore living in well-built cities, and were in possession
“of a relatively mature culture, with a high standard of art and
craftsmanship, and a develope system vf pictographic writing.”
Excavaters in Australia may hope for no startling discoverics, of
lost civilisations; they may hupe to find relics of a pre-historic
Yace, to continue the story of which, already, some pages have been
written—C.B.

is" | CHAPMAN, Colour Bands in an Anciend Shell 45

COLOUR BANDS IN AN ANCIENT SHELL.
By F. CHAPMAN, A.LS.

Among the many startling things revealed to the
student, of fossils, not the leaat curious is occasional
evidence of colour preserved over very long poriods.
When we say long periods, we do not refer to time in the
humun or ephemera] sense, but in the way that the geo-
logist has inured himself to think, literally in millions
of years. -“

When, however, the original colour is seen in its more
or less perfect preservation, in a shell dating back for at
least 50,000,000 years, as, for example, in the primitive
ammonite «shell, Glyphioceras, of the Carboniferous
period, we may cease to wonder at the “fast” colour seen
in the shell under notice,

The colour on this fossil, to which we now refer, is a
rea] pigment-tinting, and not the resplendent. pearly, or
opaline colour seen in the inner layers of the pearl
oyster, the mussel, and the pearhy Nautilus. For this
pearly character, which is also preserved for even much
longer periods, is due to physical characters in the struc-
ture of the shell. The true colour of a shell is much
more easily obliterated by chemical changes going on
during and after preservation.

The subject of this note is a broken specimen of the
curious nautilus-like shell, known to palaeontologists as
Aturia australis. The species was named by Professor
McCoy, in 1876, and it is, therefore, fitting that the pre-
sent fossil should find an honoured place in the National
- Museum, where the Professor was Director and Palaeon-
tologist. This unique specimen was found by one of the
members of the Mornington Field Naturalists’ Club,
Miss Ivey ‘Chitts, who gave it to the Museum, :

In its perfect condition the shell would have been 5
inches across in its longer diameter, and what remains is
‘a little less than one half of the original shel]. It was
obtained from _the blue mar! of the Balcombian heds, of
Oligocene age, and is, therefore, at least three or four
million years old.

The surface of the shel! is distinctly marked with
brown-pink colour-bands, reminding one of those seen
in the living pearly Nautilus. The colour-bands have
a strong backward sweep, corresponding to the growth
lines of the shell, broadest in the middle, and narrowing

46 CHAPMAN, Colony Bands in an Anctént Shell f Aa nepay

towards the periphery, and less so towards the ymbilicus.
When this molluse died, the marly ooze, with its “fal)-
ing cain” of sea-butterflies, -foraminifera, ostracoda, and
radiolaria, must have settled down gently and completely,
so as to coat the fossil in’'an, impervious covering,
‘Another fortuitous incident favouring the discovery of
this important specimen, was the founding of the Morn-
ington Field Naturalists’ Club by the Rev, Geo. Cox, who
is doing splendid work in encouraging the younger gen-
eration in field study.

MOUNT PIPER,

Locally known as the ‘Sugarloaf,’ Mount Piper stands evt quite
prominently in the landscape when approaching Broadford per
train from Melbourne. A walk of two miles from Broaiford
brings us ta the mount, which Is only a few hundred: feet in height.
The climb is rough, but easy. A magnificent panoramic view ix
to be olttained from the top, the hiils, mountains ang ‘plains being
seen for many miles around,

The result of the drought was rather disastrous, and some in-
teresting notes were made on a recent visit. Large clumps of
the Rock. Fern, Chetlanthos tenuifolia, covering quite a Koodly
ares, wete lifeless. I did not see’ one living plant on the
“mount. Itis to be hoped that Nature has stored a stock of spores
for future growth.

Many hundred plants of the Wiry Dock, Rumen flexugsus, were
all dead. The long thick roots of many plants which I dug up
were also killed by the drought. Unfortunately, these planta
“left a large supply of their seeds.

~ Quite a number of trees. of the “Lightwood,” Acacia implena, as
well as plants of the Common Heath, Epacris impressa, had been
ited, Dead patches of the Prickly Starwort, Stellaria pungens,
were common everywhere. —

It was very depressing, for this is usually — most prolific moun-
‘tain-for beautiful native plants. I only found one poor little
_Spetimen of Parson’s Bands, Briochilus autumnalis, the svle repre-

sentative of the orchid family,

I-collected an interesting stone. It was a piece of glacial con-
glomerate, known as “Pudding Stone,” which was quite a foreigner
to the district. Mr, Brittlebank is of opinion that this piece came
?from the glacial area in the Werribee River, near Bacchus Matsh.
Té'was surely carried to Mount Piper by the aborigines. —k. E.
PESCOTT.

Jura) Busselton dad Yutlinghup Cove 47

A TRIP TO BUSSELTON AND YALLINGHUP CAVE,
By F, Pircuer and J, STICKLAND, .

(Read before the Yield Naturaliste’ Club of Victoria,
November Sth, 1926.)

During the meeting of the Australian Association for
the Advancement of Science, in Perth, W.A., August and
September, 1926, my wife and I, with Mr. Stickland,
visited the Yallinghup Caves. Qn the journey, we were
pleased by the sight of numerous wild-flowers, brighten-
ing the railway line, on either side. Among them were
the crimson and green Kangaroo Paws, Anigozenthus
Manglesi, with their tall flower-spikes, erect. above
Leschenaultia biloba, Hoveas, Burchardias, and orchids
of different species,

At Serpentine, 34 miles from Perth, the Serpentine
Falis were viewed, in early morning sunlight, from the
carriage window. The water flows over rugged rocks,
from a height of more than 100 feet. At North Darda-
jJup station an immense quantity of, jarrah timber was
stacked. The brown and orange Kangaroo Paw,
Anigozanthus flavidus, now mixed ‘freely with A. Man-
glest, and other flowers beside the railway line.

We had been passing grass trees or “Blackboys”
{Xanthorrhea) in thousands, in various localities for
several miles, but comparatively few were yet flowering.
A peculiar growth was noticed in the crown in some
specimens. We learned that these were known as
“Drumhead Blackboys,” and their stems made good floor-
ing for sheds, etc. They appeared to have. several
sheathed stems, 6 inchés or 8 inches high, standing up
from their crowns, among the leaves, with a flower-head
several inches broad on top. Subsequently, I was told
hy Mr. Gardner, the assistant Government Botanist of
the Agricultural Department in Perth, that these plants
were the endemic Aingia australis,

From Pinjarrah, we travelled through flooded country.
with, here and there, drier areas, thickly studded with
Macrozamia Fraseri. Near Mamel Station we passed
one of the Forest Nurseries of the State, Pinus insignis
plants, close to the railway Jine, are marked “Planted in
1904." They were about 20 to 30 feet in height, and
had stems of only 9 inches to 12 inches in girth, We
now passed into more hilly and better. country, where
grazing and dairying seemed fo be carried on, and
reached Yarloop, the centre of a very busy district.

4B Busielton and ¥ allinghup Cave [ ict Na

Large, stocks of timber are brought to this, as well as to
Wokalup station, 10 miles further on. The largest mass
of jarrah timber that we had ever seen was at this latter
- place, .Comfortable looking homes and country similar

"to parts of Gippsland, with sheep and cattle- looking, in
prime condition, were again seen, as we were reaching
Benger station. Brunswick station is the junction for
‘the Collie district, where the Collie coalfields are situated
about 25 miles distant.

_ Further evidence of the severity of the floods was seen ~
as we travelled over low-lying country, At Dardanup
‘a small Xanthorrhkwa, probably X. gracilis, was growing
‘beside the line in large numbers. On the platform at
‘another station were three of the finest Kurrajong trees
we had ever seen, They were about 40 feet in height,
and 24 inches to 30 inches in diameter at the base, Each
tree had several stems, was well shaped, and of pyrami-
‘dalform, Seed pods taken from these trees have been
given to our Botanic Gardens. The trees are of the
variety oecidentalis, of Brachyechiton diversifolium.
Numerous’ large specimens of what appeared to he
“Eucalyptus gomphocephala, of E. cornuta and E,
‘calophylia, were passed as we journeyed through
Fregweli, Elgin and Capel districta. Near Lud-
‘low further extensive Pinus tmsignis plantations, in
“splendid condition, exist running parallel and adjacent to
-the line for long distances,

Between Ludlow and Busselton we saw Hardenbergia
Comatoniond more gloriously beautiful than we could
have imagined. In addition to clothing the sreas in
large patches beside the railway line and mixing with
Kangaroo Paws of different species and other beautiful
flowers, the plants had sent their stems climbing into the
-prevailing forest trees of Agents on either side of the
line for about half a mile. Rich blue flowers flaked
‘stems stretching from tree to tree ut heights up to 20
feet.—F. PITCHER. -

- From Busselton, a small coastal town, we travelled by

‘motor car, about 20 miles, to the Caves "House, in a tim-

‘heyed: glen. Near by is a pictuesque outcrop of lime-

stone. The abundance of orchids in this distriet was

indicated hy a large bunch gathered by some visitors -
who had been out for the day, and a spider orchid, Cala-
‘denia, sp., of large size, was well represented.

' The following morning a pleasant walk of about half a

mile down the creek valley brought us to the ocean beach.

June) Buasdlion ond Yailinghup Cave 43

‘Numerous sponges of extraordinary shapes and large
size, very different from those to be collected near Mel-
bourne, were noted. In the afternoon, we walked through
the bush to the cave. Caves of the type visited occur in
limestone formations, and are hollowed out by the action
of water, and enlarged by- the fall of masses from the
root’and sides. In some cases the stream, presumably
responsible for the excavation, continues to flow through
the cave. Generally, however, the caves are compara-
tively dry.

Yallingup Cave is situated at about the northern end
of a large limestone formation, running parallel to the
coast, and extending from near Cape Naturaljiste to
Cape Leeuwin, honeycombed by caves for its whole
length. Very few of these are available for in-
spection. The narrow and tortuous passages of the
cave we inspected are well lit by electricity. Beautiful
formations were seen on every hand. The walls of the _
various chambers are extensively covered by an alabas-
ter-like layer of calcium carbonate, while from the “ceil-
ings” hang innumerable stalactites of all sizes and
shapes. Some of these resemble glass tubes, so frail
as ta be easily crushed by the hand. Some large groups
are very beautiful.

All these formations are built up by the action of rain
water from the surface of the ground above, which,
charged. with carbonic acid, percolates through the lime-
stone, dissolving it and reaching the cave charged with
carbonate of lime. The water drops so slowly that the
calcium carbonate is re-deposited,

Perhaps the most beautiful formations are those
known as shawls, or blankets, the latter being the more
correct descriptive name. These extraordinary objects
are suspended from the ceiling by their edges, and consist
of tin sheets of calcium carbonate, perhaps a quarter of
an inch thick, and varying in length up to 5 feet or more.
They hang for a width of 18 or 20 inches. Their colour
is exactly like that of a new blanket, the coloured stripes
near the edge being represented with remarkable exacti-
tude, together with the sewing along the very edge. A
certain corrugation of the surface of some of these
blankets suggests the idea of fancy weaving. These are
foynd hanging from a sloping ceiling.

An astonishing feature of the blankets in this cave is
their being folded, thus instead of hanging down as a
4ingle film, they are turned back at the ends and become
double, Innumerable diminutive blankets hang from

40 Busselton. and ¥ oltingha Cutie ie, fiat.

the ceiling, and closely resernble rashers of bacon, by
‘which name they are-known.... =-.. “I

“Among the objects which set one wondering are the
_Mystery Formations. Beginning like ordinary stalac-
tites, as'a perpendicular pendant, they take a sudden tarn
to_one side, and extend in a horizontal direction; then,
many of them turn upward. How water oozing down
from above can cause this apward “growth” is a mystery.

in one of the Buchan cayes a considerable cluster of
tree roots has penetrated the rock and hangs frum the
ceiling. This is altogether outdone in the Yallingup
Cave, for here a root about 3 inches in diameter, cumes
through the ceiling and passes through the floor. It is
supple, and may he bent aside. When it is considered
that the lowest part of the cuve is 150 feet below the sur-
face, the presence of such a root of such a size is most
remarkable. -

The “amphitheatre” is the crowning glory of the cave.
’ It is a vireular chamber, about 75 feet in diameter, and
of- similar height, with a domed ceiling, which is practi-
cally covered with large stalactites, while from the edge
of every rocky ledge hangs a calcareous fringe.—J.
STICKLAND,

1 TREES AT NEWHAVEN,

While at Newhaven, on the eastern end of Phillip Island,
recently, on the property of the Church of England Boy's Hume, I
saw i number of magnificent specimens of the Scented Paper-
Park, Melaleuca squetrosy. They were the largest specimens

have ever seen. I measured several which were over eighteen
inches in djameter three feet from the ground; a few were two
feet through; while one that had heen recently felled, measured
two feet six inches in diameter, The trees were fully 30 feet in
height,

These trees surely constitute a record, for it is usually con-
sidered that this is rather an undersized tree, of quite a small
diameter.

It is pleasing to learn that this grove is to be preserved as a
shelter paddock for stock,

’ The Sweet Bursaria, Bursaria emmoad, is very abundant at New-
haven, where it is commonly known as “Myrtle.” - The bushes
are very vigorous, and very well clothed in foliage. Several Jocal
residents were loud in its praise, saying that the bushes Aowered —
very freely, and were a source of great pleasure at New Year,
T was very pleased to note that everybody was in favour of pro-
tecting the shrubs, one resident being very proud of having one
plant inside the fence.

There were also some fine specimens of the Trec-violet,
Hymenanthera dentale, which were already showitg abundant
buds for the spring flowering.

The soi] at this end of the island is very rich and tertile, and
this 3 accounts for the excellent growth of the native trees —E. E.

ESCOTT. ° e . tepm,

Notes from Field 6nd Study - fi

ar as

THE FLAME-BRRASTED ROBIN, —-

In the “Australasian, January. 15, 1927, Capt. S. A. White
diseusses the migration habits of some Australian birds, and in-
elades the ‘Plame-hreasted Rubin (Petrotsa phoenicea) as 8
migrant between ‘l'asmania and the maintand. In Gould’s time,
and for fifty years ufterwards, it was generally believed by armi-
thylogists that these Robine crossed Bass Strait every spring to
Tear their broods in the highlands of Tasmania; however, in recent
gears ib has bevome an established fact that Fiame-breasted Robina,
so plentiful in the open country in Victoria, during winter, relire
into the mountains 4 nes They have been observed in egrest
numbers dyring the summer months.

In a monograph on‘this epecies (Emu, vol. 8), Mr. A. G, Comp-
bell pointed gut thai jb woul be impossible for such weak fliers
ta cross the Strait in the season of storms. On the high ranges
around Noojee, many of their nests have been found; while the
binds are quite numerous throughout ibe spring and summer
months, Nearer Melbourne, in the Dandenong ranges, especially
around (linda, many pairs have been seen nesting; one pait in
three conseculive years, reared brovids ina nest beneath a house
reised a few feot above the ground. November seems to be the
usual breeding month of this species, Neste generally are placed
on ledges of embankments, or burnt tree-trunks—D_D-

SHRIKE-TITS IN TOWN.

Among recent bird visitors to my garden, in Eisternwick, were
three Wastern Shrike-tits, Paicunculus trentatus. T have seen Lhis
species, or heard its call, in city parks and gardens! have had
glimpses of it in several enburbs; and conelude that it is not rare
around Melbourne.

Shrike-tits like the tree taps, and so are scldom noticed, unless
their notes betray them, being familiar sounds to the bird observer.
he crested birds are “foreign-teoking’ to some folks, who might
find it difficult to distinguish a Goldfinch from u New Hollund
Honey-sater,—0

EXCURSEON TO TOOGLANGL

Toolang) has been twice previously visited by members of the
Club, namely in 191U and 1922, An account of the district, by
Mr. F, G. A. Barnard, appests in the Naturalist fot March, 1910
Ty the 17 years since then, saw-millers and bush-fires have changed
the face of primitive nature considerably; but portions of the
forest Souuty, and several beautiful fern gullies, still rematn un-
scathed. , -

82 Notes from Field and Study =. [US SE

Light members cf the Club assembled at “Heathiands,” on April
14 last. The house is - genuine specimen of half-timbered work,
a strong hardwood framework, with ite spaces filled in with
locally-made bricks, It stands in its own grounds (some 56 acres),
and is tet well back from the’ Yarra Glen~Road, while the. Yea
River, locally known as ‘The Muddy,” runs at ifs rear, In the
orchard at the back of the house many Crimson Parrots (Platy-
cereus elegans) were disporting themselves, most of them being
young'birds. Another constant visitor to the apple and quince
trees was a Pied Bell Magpie (Strepera graculind), while the
musical calls of the Butcher Bird porne tions torquatus), and
the Grey Shrike Thrush (Collurictnela harmonica) were often
heard from the verandah. .

Owing to the lateness of the'season few native plants were in
flower; but ferns were much in evidence, and sny specialist in
fing! might have secured & good selection. Cordyceps Taylori,
a fungus that grows ont of the hinder end of the caterpillar of the
Swift Moth, is deseribed by Dr. J. A. Leach, in Australien Nefure
Sindies, as a “beneficent” fungi, Such a term_in Nature's pro-
cesses isimerely relative, and probably the caterpillar is of a dif-
ferent opinion.

Altogther, 130 species of plants were noted, including 23 varie-
ties of ferns. Only SL plants were found in fower, among which
Corren Lawrenciann, locally known as “tangle-foot,’ was promi-
nent. Great masses of Coral Fern, Gleschenia lmevigata and (,
eireinuta, growing along the henks of the Yea River, and the
smaller streams, were csvecially beautiful.

We visited mest of the places previously explored by members
of the Chub, in earlier visits, such as The Sylvia and Smedley
Falls, and what is known as “The Canoe’; but also broke frosh
ground m visitng two fern gullies, “Cooper's” and “Nolan’s.”"
-Cooper’s Gully, through which the Chum Creek runs; suffered
somewhat from last year’s fires, and we noted here the luxuriant
growth of the Giant Mountain Grass, Glycerid dines F. v, M.,
which was, in places, fully 10 ft. high, A shrub that seemed to be
doing well in this gully was the Elderberry Panax, Tieghemopanar
sonbrietfoltus.

Nolan’s Gully, which is reached by the old hardwood timber
mills track, at the back of Beach's saw mill, is one of the most -
beautiful gullies te be found within easy distance of Melbourne.
We traversed the forest, following the cld tram-track for miles,
pausing every now and then to listen to the calls of Lyre Birds, or
the wailing cries of the Black Cockatoo. Some et the Mountain
Ash trees -we passed were very finé specimens. Indeed, one
fallen giant, our zuide declared, was 300 ft. tn length.- In the
gully itself the treeferns were of exceptional girth and height,
and thely brenching fronds overhead shut out the sunlight. Many
of the tree-fern trunks were clothed with most beautiful mosses,
while others were scarred with initials, which same previous visi-
tors had cut upon them, thus desecrating one of Nature's sanc-
tuaries.

‘‘Fwo things: one would like to bring under the. notice of the
local Progrest Association, the tracks, especially those to Sylvia-
Falls, and Nolan's Gully, requiré attention, and a rough sketch
map of the district, showing the points of interest and the tracks
leading thereto, is needed. At present, it ls an easy matter to. lose
‘one's way.—A.E.K, '

ee

The Victorian Naturalist

VoL. XLWV—No. 3 No. 3 JULY T, 1937. No, 523,

FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUE OF VICTORIA,

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was, held
in the Royal Society’s Hall, Victoria-street, on Monday,
June 13th, 1927. The President, Mr. E. E. Peseott, oc-
cupied the chair, and about 100 members and visitors
were present. :

CORRESPONDENC E.

From Department of Lands and Survey, stating that
the reservation of 3,586 acres at Sperm Whale Head, as
a site for 4 Nationa) Park, was notified in the Gavern-
ment Gazette of May 4th last,

: REPORTS.

Reports of excursions were given as follow :-—Geologi-
cal Museum, Mr. A. B, Rodda; Ringwood to Mitcham,
Mr. G. Coghill.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The following were elected as ordinary members:—
Miss A, H, Moors, 14 Vincent-street, Malvern; Dr. Chas.
P, Alexander, Massachussets Agricultural College, Am-
herst, Mass., U.S.A.; and as a Country member; Mr. Her-
bert J. Prentice, Forestry Department, Orbost,

ANNUAL REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET.

The Annual Report for the year ended April 80th,
1927, was read by the Hon, Secretary, who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Mr, A. G, Hooke,
and carried unanimously.

The Hon. Treasurer submitted the Balance-sheet and
financial statement for the year, und moved their adop-
tion.. Mr. G. Coghill seconded the motion, which was car-
ried unanimously.

ELECTION OF OFPICE-BEARERS AND COMMITTEE.

‘The President referred to the fact that the whole of the
retiring office-bearers and members of the Committee
were unopposed, which he considered an unique event
in the Club’s history. It. indicated the complete satisfac-
tion and confidence of members in the various officers and
Committeemen. He had much pleasure in duly declar-
ing them t re-elected for the ensuing’ year.

' ‘VISITORS.

The President welcomed Mr. Robert Hall, of Tas-

mania, Rev. W. Tippelt, President of- Geelong Ficid

54 Field Naturalists? Club—Proesedings [ ¥ol*Ht¥
Naturalists’ Club, and Mr. R, D. Elliott, Acting Chair-
man of the National Museum Committee. Hach of these
gentlemen briefly responded, Mr. Hall recalling his carly
assuciation. with the Club, while Mr. Elliott referred to
the assistance which he hoped to receive from members
of the Club towards popularising the National Museum.
F GENERAL. .

Mr: C. Barrett moved:-“That the Chief Seeretary be
written to urging him to veto the proposal that an open
season be declared for the trapping of opossums.” Mr.
A. G. Hooke seconded the motion, which, after 4 short
discussion, was carried without a dissentient.

The President referred to the proposed planting o-
evergreen and deciduous trees along the Geelong roau,
and stressed the importance of the planting of thia road
being confined to Australian evergreens. Mr. G. Coghill
moved: “That the Club requests the Country Roads
Board to make the Geelong Road a distinctively Austra-
lian avenue, by planting it exclusively with native ever-
green trees,"' Mr, D. Dickison seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously.

The President announced that an anonymous donation
had been made to the Ciub for the purpose of financing
a natural history expedition to parts. of Victoria which
have not yet been thoroughly investigated, and of pub-
lishing the results thereof; ail the material collected to
be presented to the National Museum and the National
Herbarium. Mr. C. Barrett moved: “That the grateful
thanks and appreciation of the members of the Club be
conveyed to the donor through Mr. RB. D, Elbott, together
with an intimation that the Club accepted the donation
under the terms laid down." Mr. F, Pitcher seconded
the motion, which was carried.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS,

The President delivered the Presidential] Address, in
the course of which he made a strong appeal] to the
yoimger Members of the Club te specialise in some of the
many fields of natural history, in order to carry on the
splendid work achieved by the older members. Mr.
Pescott then exhibited a very fine series of lantern slides
in'natiral colour, depicting many of the wildflowers of
Western Australia observed during his visit to that State
last year.

as EXHIBITS.
, By Mr. G. Coghill: Cultivated specimen of Grevillea
rosmarinifolia A. Cunn. {also dried fruits of the plant

ty

aay ; Notea from Field and Study 56

from Western Australia) ; Flame Heath, Astroloma conr-
ostephioides, F. v. M., and Desert Banksia, B, ornate F,

v. M., from near the South Australian border.

By Mr. E. E. Pescott, F,L.S.: Cultivated specimen of
Bushy Heath-Myrfle, Thryptomene calycinag (F. v, M
Stapf; sample of sand plain soil, from Western Australia.

By Mr. F. Pitcher: Flower-heads of the Drumbhead
Blackboy, Aingia australig R.Br,, from Harvey, Western
Australia, the only species of the Genus Kingia, Family
SUNCOCHAE.

By Mr. W. H. Roger: Specimens of Caterpillar-fungus
Cordyceps Taylor?, obtained at Toolangi, April, 1927-

By Miss €. Nokes: Cultivated specimens of Hakea
laurina, a Western Australia species. -

By Mr. C, Borch: Case of Swallowtails, Papilio egipeus,
from Cairns district, Q., showing the great difference
between the colouring of the sexes.

By Mr. C. French, jr.: Cabinet drawer of 28 species of
insect pests of street trees.

By Mr, H. B. Williamson, F.L.S.: Dried specimens of
planis new to Victoria: Swaingona Morristana J, M.
Black, collected at Chiltern by the exhibitor, Dec., 1897,
and at Pimpinio (Wimmera), by Mr, D. McLachlan, and
sent to exhibitor, Aug., 1904. Determined by Mr. Black,
who recently described the species from South Australian
specimens. Ruelingia prostrata Maiden and Betche,
Creeping Kerrawang, collected at Monkey Creek, South
AEE by Miss Erica Barton, and sent to exhibitor

ov

PIONEER NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER.

. Claude P. Kinane, who died‘on June 14 last, from in-
juries received in a motor car accident, was one of the
first nature lovers in- Australia to realise the import-
ance of the eamera in field work. His photographs of
birds at their nests, and of fledglings in their nurseries
or just out in the world, were novelties, about twenty
years ago. He obtained an unique series of photo-
graphe, illustrating the early life of an Australian
cuckoo

Always keenly interested in wild nature and the
open air, Claude Kinane, first as a dairy farmer, and
later as an orchardist, had opportunities for observing
birds that he did not neglect. But for some years prior
to his death he lacked the Jeisure necessary for nature
photography. His name will always be associated with
the pioneer period of « hobby that has become of scienti-
fic importance. He helped to popularise nature study,
and waa helpful to many who followed in his steps, bird
hunting with field glass and camera.—U.B,

iG Annwil Report und Balwier Sheet Nice ae

ANNUAL REPORT:

To the members of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria.
Ladies and Gentlemen,—

- Your Committee has-much pleasure in presenting for
your consideration the forty-severth annual report, deal-
ing with the activities of the Club for the year ended
April 30th, 1927, and tt affords them much gratification
to report that the Club has passed through a very suc- ~
cessful year, with encouraging prospects of a continuance
of this satisfactory position.

During the termunder review, Licwsnibashiodaes shown
a large increase, 82:new members having been enrolled
(60 ordinary, 14 country, and eight associate members),
while 16 names bave been removed on account of deaths,
resignations, and other causes, leaving a net increase of
66 for the year. .The total membership is now’ 320,
comprising two honorary, cight life, 233 ordinary, 62
country, and 15 associate members, .

The deaths of Messrs. G. A. Keartland and F, Wise-
would during the year are deeply regretted. Both gentle-
men were oid and valued members of the Club, Mr,
Keartland’s membership extended over a period of 40
years. He was a noted ornithologist and performed
much valuable work as a member of the Horn Expedition
to Central Australia in 1894, and the ill-fated Calvert
- Expedition to North-west Australia in 1896. He was
President in 1907-8 and 1908-9, and acted on the Com-
mittee of Management for many years, The Club has
sustained a great loss in his death. Mr. Wisewould
was an “originai” member of the Club, and occupied the
office of President in 1910-11 and 1911-12, in addition
to other positions on the Committee. over a period of 16
years, He was a keen and enthusiastic worker, espe-
‘cially’ at the annual wildflower shows. His genial per-
“sonality and kindly disposition endeared him to all with
whom he came in contact,-and his passing hence leaves a
void difficult to fill. _

,The monthly meetings have been held regularly, and
large attendances have been attracted. The policy of
the Committee in providing for papers and lectures of a
more popular nature has been justified by the increased
interest of members and the public. On several accasions
more than 100 persons have been accommodated at our
meetings. A number of papers and lecturettes, deal-
ing with various branches of natural history, were con-
tributed during the year by Messrs. A. D. Hardy, J. A.

uy ; Annwul Report und Bulance Sheet. 57

Ross, E. E. Pescott, eee C. Barrett, C.M.Z.5., W. H
Nicholls, L, L. Hodgson, A. EB. Rodda, C. Daley, B, AL
F.L.S., F. Pitcher, T. Tregellas, Rev. Lang, A. 5. Kenyon,
J. Searle, J. A. Kershaw, H. W. Davey, F.E.8., and F.
Lewis (Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game Depart-
ment), The subjects dealt with were diversified: Pond-
life, two, Birds, two, Reptiles, two, Fish and Anthro-
pology, one each; six related to Botany, and fourtto sub-
jects of a general nature, The great majority *of the
papers and lectures have been ‘illustrated with lantern
slides, thus adding considerably to their interest. =

The forty-third volume of the “Victorian Naturalist”
has been completed, and the thanks of the Club are
due to Mr. Chas? Barrett, the editor; for the large amount
of valuable work which he has devoted to tha publication
of the journal, and the high standard that has -been
maintained. In addition to many interesting short
articles and papers by variaus authors, a valuable series
A articles on Victorian Ferns by Mr. H. B. Williamson,

F.L.S., was published in the journal, and a number of
reprints thereof were made available by Mr, Williamson
for disposal by the Club; they found a ready sale among
members, Mr, EB. E, Pescott’s fine series’ of articles
describing the Orchids of Victoria was also published in
the “Naturalist,” the last instalment appearing in the
May issue. These contributions form valuable: and con-
venient references for students of the particular subjects
dealt with. Members are urged to assist the edifor-by
submitting for publication articles on any branch .of
natural history with which they are familiar, and-by
contributing notes on various aspects of nature which
may come under their notice, for the ‘Field and Study”
section of the journal.

A comprehensive syllabus of excursions was drawn up
carly in the year, and members have largely availed them-
selves of the opportunities afforded for. field work- under
the various leaders. Half-day visits were made to
numerous places in and around the metropolis, and full-
day trips were undertaken fo Sherbrooke Gully, Morn-
ington, Geelong, Hurstbridge, Tooradin, Healesville.
Millgrove, Yan Yean, Killara, Belgrave, Cockatoo and
Macedon. More extended excursions included a Christnias
“camp-out” at the Mitchell Gorge under the leadership
of Mr. €. Daley, B.A., F.LS., a week-end at East Wir-
burton, and a five-day visit to Toclangi, At several of
the) more distant places visited, a ‘native tree, made avail

58 Annuwt Report and Ratunce Sheet — | yi\yg4t

able through Mr. P. R, H, St. John by the Director of the
Botanic Gardens, was planted in commemoration af the
Club’s visit.

The-annual Exhibition-of Wildflowers was held in the
St. Kilda Town Hall on Tuesday, October 5th, and was
opened by the President (Mr. E. E, Pescott, F.LS.), in
the absence of His Excellency the Governor (Lord
Somers) through illness. General opinion pronounced
the display to be one of the finest and most successful -
of the series held by the Club, this satisfactory result
being largely due to the splendid supplics of flowers
forwarded by Seabees and friends im the country dis-
tricts and neighbouring States, and to the valuable and
enthusiastic work performed by a number of capable
helpers. A net profit of 129/7/1 resulted, of which
amount the sum of £24 was donated to the Children's
Hospital Appeal. In appreciation of this donation, the
Hospital Committee invited the Club to nominate a Life
Governor, and Mrs, V. H. Miller was nominated for this
position, .

In June last, on: the suggestion of Mrs. E. Coleman,
an Orchid Section was formed, membership being re-
stricted to members of this Club, but other persons in
terested im the subject being welvomed as visitors to the
meetings. Several meetings have been held at the
National Herbarium kindly placed at the disposal of the
Orchid Section by the Government Botanist, and various
matters relating to the numenclature of species of the
erchidacex discussed and recommendations made in
regard thereto.

Your Committee has much gratification in reporting
that the efforts of the Club to have a large area of Crown
Lands situate at Sperm Whale Head, in the Gippsland
Lakes, declared a National -Park, have met with success; .
ati‘area of 3,586 acres having been declared a sanctuary
some months ago, and the proclamation of this area asa
National Park has recently been gazetted.

The Club has also been largely responsible for the de-
cldration of the Sherbrooke Gully and Forest as a sanctu-
aty for native fauna. A conference was held in March
laSt to discuss the proposal to have this area proclaimed a

ational Park, but, in view of the fact that it. was already
uhder the control of the Forestry Commission, it was
decided ‘to form a deputation of representatives of the
Various societies interested, to interview the Forestry
Commissioners, in order to urge stricter supérvision’ for

/

wag ; Annual Report and Balonee Sheet 52

the prevention of destruction, and the preservation of the
area in its natural condition. [In response to the requests
made by this deputation, the Commissioners promised
to discontinue the planting of coniferous and exotic trees,
and to see that every care was exercised to maintain the
grea in as natural a state as possible. They further
agreed to appoint a number of honorary forest officers
to be nominated by the various societies represented on
the deputation, Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., has accordingly
heen nominated as the representative of this Club.

Tt is a matter for regret that our Library, which con-
tains so much valuable and interesting matter, is not
made use of more freely by members, and the hope may
at the same time be expressed that some of those who
doe use it and have retained volumes or parts for an undue
length of time, will return them without further delay
in order that a stock-taking can be made. In addition to
publications ordinarily received by the Club in exchange,
are four others, of which the Bulletins of the Dominions’
Museum, New Zealand, and the Records of the South
Australian Museum, may be mentioned.

Some 15 volumes were acquired during the year, most
of them by donation, from the Clarendon Press, the
Oxford University Press, and various members. Notable
additions were Ie Soeuf and Burrell's “Wild Animals
of Australasia”; Burrell’s “The Platypus,” and the third
part of Black’s “Flora of South Australia." The Club
is specially indebted to Mr. T. G. Sloane, who kindly pre-
sented a copy of Dr. Tillyard’s volume “Insects of Aus-
tralia and New Zealand," to the Library, and also to Mr.
A, E, Keep, who generously donated two valuable batani- -
ca) works (“The Ferns,” Vol, II., by Professor. F.. 0.
Bower, and “The Classification of Flowering Plants,’
Vol. If., by Dr, A. B: Rendle}, to this department, Dona-
tions of books dealing with any branch of natural history
are at all times welcomed and appreciated by the Com-
mittee and members,

Careful consideration has been given to the Rules
of the Club, and, in otder to bring them up to date,
several suggested alterations and additions were sub-
mitted to members at the April mecting. These recom-
mendations were duly approved and passed, and will be
incorporated in the revised sets of Rules which it is ex-
pected will be available at an early date.

The Mornington Naturalists’ Club, which is affiliated
with this Club, and consists of a number af juveniles,
under fhe enthusiastic guidance of Rev. G. Cox, has been

60 * Aunual Report and Batonee Sheet Pye stv
active ‘during the past yéar, and the members have col-
lected various interesting specimens of fossils and other
natural history objects, while notes desertptive of their

activities have been-contributed. to -the Naturalist from _

time to time.

Your Committee is again ciueh indebted to Messrs-
Coghill and Haughton for kindly making their rooms
available for Committee meetings, Attendances at the
12 meetings held during the year were as follow:—
Messrs. St. John, Williarnson and Hodgson, 12; Messrs.”
Keep and Daley, 11; Mr. Hooke, 10; Messrs, Pescott.
Barrett, Chapman, and Audas, 9; Mr. Millar, 8; Dr.
Sutton,: Ts Mr, Coghill, 6; and Mr. Kershaw, 5,

In concluding their report, your Committee desires to
thank all who have assisted in furthering the objects
of the Club, and in stimulating interest in the various
branches of natural history. It is confidently hoped that
the same valuable help will be accorded the Committes
for the ensuing year, in order that the prestige and in-
fluence of the Club may not only be maintained, but
steadily increased,

Ed. E. PESCOTT, President,
L. L. HODGSON, Hon. Secretary.

FIHLD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AXD EXPENDITURE FOR
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 20th, 1927.

RECHIPTS, -
Toa Balanee in Bank and payin in .
> Rand on May 1, 1926 .. .. g22 3 2
», Subscriptions—
Town Members-—
Current Year .. .. .. ..€162 17.6
Arrears .- .. ., -- -, -- 26 18. 6
In advance ,. -. .- ,. -. WM 4 0
Country Members—
Ourrent Year .. .. .. .. 8712 6
Arrears .... --, -, -- & 16 9
In advanee .. .. 5. we oe 511 0
Associate Members .. .. .. 3 5 O
; £237 5 9
» “Victorian Naturalist’'—~ i
-Subse¢riptions .. .. .. .. .. 38 4 0
Uash Sales .. .2 .. .. 2. c. «28 OBIT
Reprints Charged 6 9 2
Refunds Account of ‘Tus. ‘

trationa .. _.

ny Annual Report and Bulunce Sheet — . 61
» Donations to Publishing Fund 90 9
j, interest from Savings Bank 7 8 8
» Sale of Club Badges .. 0 5 0
“99 J. H, Maiden Memorial Fund, ' :
~ Donation Received .. ' . 2 2 0
;,-Plant Census Account, Sale of - -- -
Books in Year .. 7 3,0
» Wild Flower Exhibition, Octo- ‘
ber, 1926— ‘ - :
Ticket Sales .. .. .. .. 84 9 3
Cash at Doors .. .. .. -. 67 1 @ te
Sale of Plants, Flowers Hi
and Ratfeshinents tote, BO 7 7 a
Donations .. .. 2... 1. 1 6 0 ys -
172 14 10
“go 1818 OB
£506 16 7
EXPENDITURE.
“By “Victorian ides seid
Printing .........:.. ,.£235 O 4
Mustrating -- an ... 6918 6 Roe
Wrapping, Despatehing pas : a s
Postage ™.. .. . .. 2 8 O ma
Reprints-— ~* . i .
vee ye avec ean TER YO
Charged .. .. .. .. .. .. 3812 0 :
£348 9 9
» General Printing .. .. .. .. 12 311
» Library Account, Purchases
and Binding .- . - 22 14 9
» Rent of Hall and Fee to Care-
taker... : 13 10 0
1 Postage, Bank "Charges, ‘In-
surance and Sundries .. , . 1113 9
» J. H. Maiden Memorial Fund | 22 0
» Char-a-bane Exeursion -. : 244 0;
» Wild Flower Exhibition, Octo-
ber, 1926—
Hire of St. Kilda Town
Hall . 9 $9 @
Purchase of Plants ‘and
Flowers .. , 40 0
Printing and Advertising 6 6 2
Cartage, Freight and Sun-
dries .. 23.10 7
Donation to Children’ FI Hos-
pital .. .. 20 8
(Balance retained in funds
of Chub, £104/9/1.) i
68 5 9
» Deposit St. Kilda Town Be
for 1927 Exhibition .. .. . 1 0
£482 8 jl
mT Balance in Bank: on n- April 30, 1 :
1927 ., ... : 24 7 8

£506 16 7

62 = Annuil Report and Balance Sheet Vier Net

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABIIITIES ON -
APRIL 30, 1927,

ASSETS.

Arrears of Subscriptions, £91, estimated
ti realise , ee ae eee £50 OD 6
E.S. & A. Bank Balance inp ott gseta ayia t 247 §$
State Savings Bank .. .. 175 8 0
Library-and Furniture ( Insurance yas ; 180 0 0
Mounted Badges on Hand ., . ; 017-6

Plant Census Account (difference between
cost and sales of books) .. .. . 138 2 tO

Accounts Owing te Club— i
For Advertisements in “Victorian

Naturalist” .. . haa cecae.. £710 6

Tor Reprints Charged . eves oe OO
i SS 7 18 0
£526 6 0

LIABILITIES. |

Subscriptions Paid in Advance .. i... ..-... +. +. £2011 0
Balance of Char-a-banc Fund .. -. .. .. -. 2... e. 212 0
Outstanding Accounts .. ., -. .. .. ss es ee ss 8418 56
447 16 5

A G, HOOKE, Hon. Treasurer.

Examined and found correct on June 9th, 1927,
Y etaenane } Hon. Auditors,

THE ANONYMOUS GIFT.

The wonderful uplift that our Club has received in
the welcome generosity of the unknown citizen, who has
presented us with the sum of £200 for research excursion
purposes, deserves more than a passing notice which
is given to if in our annual report. I think this is the
first occasion that Natural History has been so recog-
nised in our State,. There surely must result a wonder-
ful stimulus to our work, as there has resulted an in-
crease of membership.

The advertisement that has already seornsd: and
that will further come, will be of wonderful benefit
to the Club, and its members, and the correspond-
ing impulse should be a great one,‘ The officers and Com-
mittee express their hope that members will take their
Work and responsibility more seriously than ever, so
that the State shall not lack for Nature workers and
N: ature lovers in the years to come—THE PRESIDENT.

1305. Baer, The History of Florm Australionsis 63

THE HISTORY OF FLORA AUSTRALIENSIS.
By Cuas. DaLey, B.A., F.LS,

{I.)
INTRODUCTION.

In the prefare to a memoir of the life of Baron von
Mueller, published two years ago, the writer made ‘men-
tion of the disappearance of the voluminous correspon-
dence, nutes, and memoranda which were ‘existent at
the death of ‘the eminent bot; ~‘st. Enquiries had failed
to bring anything of importance to light, except evidence
that a mass of valuable written matter had, at different
times, been wantonly burned.

An old friend of the late Baron had been asked, in
1909, to write a biography, and every facility and oppor-
tunity were given for the examination of the papers and
correspondence so necessary in producing a satisfactory
work, The preliminary investigation of written
material was entrusted to the late Mr. Renner, formerly
of the National Herbarium, whose task was to examine
correspondence, etc., and select any pertinent matter
His work continued for more than six months, then, for
some reasons not apparent, the project of writing a
biography was abandoned, never to be resumed, The
disappearance and dispersal of the papers, ete., scem tn
have occured about this time, and so completely, that
avec years afterwards ‘no trace of them was obtain-
apple

About six months after the publication of the Memoir
by the writer of this article, it was casually and tardily
remembered that a parcel of papers had been handed in
to the Nationai Herbarium some years before, {rom the
gentleman who had contemplated publishing, and taken
the preliminary steps for writing, a biography of Baron
von Mueller. On a search being made, a long-forgotten
packet was found; mainly a selection of letters from
Mueller’s firm friends, Sir William Hooker, Dr. Joseph
Hooker, and William Benthain, three of the most
eminent botanists of the nineteenth century, all inti-
mately interested in the flora of Australia. This
correspondenée, extending over forty years, is closely
connected with the advance and extension of the know-
ledge of Australian plants,

From their intimate connection with the activities of
the Kew Herbarium, the three English botanists, and
especially Bentham, as author, were closely concerned

fe Daney,, Pac History of Flora Austrationsis | YP) ShTY
with the production of the Flora Australiensis, the classic
work on the subject, in which Mueller so loyally and una-
selfishly collaborated. This important correspondence,
salvage from the wreck, was made available to the writer
for perusal at the National Herbarium, Melbourne; and
the letters; in whole or in part, have been embodied in
telling, the story of the. genesis and production of the
Flora Auatraliensis, and of the cordial relations of Baron
von Mueller with this trio of distinguished and great-
hearted scientists. ”

Sir WILLIAM HOOKER. |

Mueller’s. intercourse with Sir William Hooker,
systematic and economic, commenced with. correspond-
ence on botanical matters when the former was at Ade-
laide, from 1848 to 1852, Hooker recommended Mueller
te Governor Latrobe for the position of Government
Botanist of Victoria, for some years was in close corres-
pondence with him, and until his.death, was warmly iin-
terested in Mueller’s researches. and botanical work.

Mueller, while on his first botanical excursion to the
Australian- Alps, wrote to Sir William, announcing his
appointment as Government. Botanist. In his next ex-
tended excursion, to the Grampians, the north-west, and
the north-east of Victoria, Mueller wrote to him from
the Victoria Range, and later, from Torumberry.
January 5th, 1954.* To these letters Sir William

Hooker replied on the 9th of April:—

Royal Gardens,
Kew, April #, 1854.
_ My Dear Sir— :

I have two most interesting, letters to thank you for, one
bearing date, Victoria Range, the 2ist Nov., 1953, the other
Torumberry, 5 Jan., 1844; the latter, too, giving me the highly
welvomeé intelligence that you are en route for the Alps, the
very locality that I lately suggested to your new Governor, Sir
Ghas. Hotham, as certain to yield a most interesting flora, or
ane that must be very instructive for botanical geography. He
has promised to de all in his power te promote the cause of
Botany, and to place you and ma in frequent communication.
No jess gratified have [ been with your first Botanical Report,
which the Duke of Newcastle sent to me only a few days ago;
and already you will see that the principal part of it 1s trans-
ferred to the pages of my journal. I could not help writing to
the Duke expressty to tell him how pleased I was that you had
been selected, for such an appointment. :

*For account of this journey see writer's Memoir of Life of
Baron Sir Ferd, von Mueller,

cn DaLey, The History of Flora Austratiensia 85

If I were pleased with your repurt, T cannot say that I gaye
to our Secretary for the Colonics an equally flattering account
of Mr. Swainson on the Gum Trees!!! In my life 1 think L
never. read such a series of trash and nonsense.’ There is a
man who left this eouniry with the character of a first-rate
naturalist (though with many eccentricities), and of ‘8 very
' fivst-rate Natural History artist, and he goes to Australia and
takes up the subject of Botany, of which he is as ignorant as a
goose, IJ only wait for a spare page in my journal to show
that he really is so. Though that T would not have -troubled
myself ta do if 1 did not wish to draw a contrast between the
two reports. It was stated in a Sydney paper that Swainson
rerejyved £200 fow writing all that nonsense. He makes, J think,
some 300 species of Hucanlypius of one small district. I only
hope that his drawings are valuable and Fairly in possession
of your garden. "

1 am now writing to Dr. Harvey ac Adelaide. You will, 1
am sure, be mutually pleased with each ather. Wis talents
and acquirements are first-rate, and he is as humble and modest
as he iS clever, I haye just heard from him from King
Geerge’s Sound. He had intended going on by land to Swan
River, but he dreaded the heat, and preferred searching for
Algae in Sutth Australia. Io am now publishing two, most
elegant Algae he discovered in Ceylon, new az to Genera as well
as species. ~ ;

No doubt you will find the Alps. o contain plants analogous
to those of Van Diemen’s Land, and I do hope you will collect
and send to us seeds: as well as specitnens. Such plants would
flourish in the open air with us. ; a

I do trust your late Governor, Mr. La Trobe, is bringing
home seeds and plants with him, Our last steamer took out
the new Governor, Dr. Hooker is very busy commencing on the
last. of his three works, the result of his Antarctic voyage, the
Flora Yusmanicd, and he contemplated a visit to Mr. Sonder,
at Hamburg, if he can possibly spare the time, IT have just
received a most rich set of Cryptogramae Irom a Mr. Oldfield,
in Van Diemen’s Land, He is not neglectful of other plants,
buf. has a most extraordinary affection for the Acotyledons,
and we are very thankful for anyone whe will be at the pains
ta collect them, sa J give him ail the encouragement I can, and
there are several charming things.among them. Indeed our
Herbarium is daily increasing in-extent and value. Lust year
was added to our collection all the late Dr. Bromfield’s Her-
barium and Library bequeathed to us, and now only last week
Mr. Bentham's whole collection (the largest private Herbarium
in the world probably next to my own) of plants, and his entire
bolanical library is given to us, and now sefely deposited here.
Jt is fortunate that the Queen hag graciously given me the use
_ of the whole of the King of Hanover’s House; and J& rooms are
now completely filled with the Herbariuin alone. We have two
assistants constantly employed to ltecp them in order, and every
day there are never lesy than five Botanists constantly work-
jing there, and yet extencive as this Hortus Siveus is, you will
have it in your power to add materially te it

Truly this is the era of discovery in Australia. I have just
had the Report of the Navigation of the Murray sent to me.
Mfr. Rae has penetrated a little into the South-West interior,
T have just received Drummond's very fine plants’ collection,

i]

66 Datey, The History of Flora Australiensis[ View SAR

300 miles north of Swan River, and now the Duke of Neweastle
is contemplating an expedition into the North-West interior,
which is, I hope, to be under the command of Capt, Shut, and
which my friend, Dr, Thomas Thomson, a first-rate Batanist,
ig accompanying in that.capscity. A capital artist, too, woes
with it, Mr. Baines. I sent some seeds through the Colonial
Office very lately, of the famous Argan of Moroceo, to Mel-
bourne, but whether J sent then directly to you or to Mr, La
Trobe, T cannot exactly remember. In “ither case they will be
sent to your Botanic Gardens, T do not doubt, I enclose for
you a little account of the same, I think your climate would be
suitable, The fruits were obtained at great expense and with
great difficulty in the freshest state possible. You will, I am
sure, kindly allow me to publish extracts from your letters,
iltustrutive of the botany of Victoria, Such information can-
not be mads too public. Nothing in the shape of plants, seeds,
or specimens have reached me yet from Victoria, nor sume
MSS. to which you allude. Probably the late Governor will
bring them home with him.

lf Mr. Swainson proenred the quantity of seeds of Hura-
lypts he professes ta have done, some of them should have been
sent to Kew. :

Yours, My Dear Sir,
Very truly and faithfully,

: W.J. HOOKER,

In this letter may be noticed Sir Wiiliam’s unfeigned
pleasure at Dr. Mueller's appointment, and at his suc-
cess with the Alpine flora, in which, naturally, from his
csanection with Dr. Jos. D, Hooker, who was issuing Flora
Tasmanica, he was closely interested. The caustic stric-
tures on Swainson seem to have been deserved, a8 alao
the approbation of Dr. Harvey, an eminent botanist, at
this time making a collection of Australian Alga,

It was from this letter that Dr. Mueller first obtained
information as to the project encouraged and financed
by the Dike of Newcastle, Secretary of State for the
Colonies, and approved by the Royal Geographical So-
etety, to send out a properly-equipped exploring expeili-
tion to the North-West of Australia, . Hooker’s friend,
Dr. Thomas Thomson, a first-rate botanist, who had
been selected to accompany the expedition, was, how-
ever, unable to go; and, in default, it was natura] that
Dr, Mueller should receive Sir William’s warm recom-
meéndation for the position, and thus be appointed az
Botanist under the command of the leader, A, C. Gregory.

The expedition left Sydney on July 18th, and on Sep-
tember 24th, 1855, reached the mouth of the Victoria
River. From “On board the Monarch,” Mueller wrote
to Hooker, in reference to the suggestion of a visit to
England on return from exploration: “Should the botani-
cal results to be gained during the journey be but pro-

aus Davey, Thé History af Flow Austrabiensiv 67

portionately small, which is very possible, considering
the nature of the expedition, and the probable absence of
high ranges in Central Australia, I shall then not apply
for leave of absence to return to England, but shali
rather continue my labours jin some part of Australia,
provided the Colonial Government will again supply
limited subsidia for that purpose.” ..... “but, if the
Flora of the-interior should prove so rich as to’ answer
my Sanguine expectations; and, if the means of transport
will adrmit.of my collecting all the species occurring there;
and, above all, if Providence grant me life and health
for the work, then I shall be greatly cheered in my
home journey to Europe by the anticipation of the pleas-
ure of paying you personally my respects and gaining so
much information at your magnificent establishment,”

Sir William acknowledged receipt of this letter, dated
September 3rd, but giving particulars as to departure
after quitting the “Monarch,” His remarks as to the dis-
posal of specimens and the rights of collectors are inter-
esting, In an optimistic vein he stresses the desirability
of Mueiler visiting England, ‘to do what nobody but
yourself can do towards the publication of your
treasures.”

R.G,, Kew-

Jan. 4, 1866.
My Dear Dr, Mueller,—

Two days ago your most welcome letter of September 3rd,
written as you were on the point of quitting the “Monarch”
to undertake your arduous journey, reached my hands, and as
the 7th is post day for Australia, I hasten to acknowledge it. A
few days ago I replied to your former letter, written “off More-
ton Bay," and sent that answer care of Mr. Moore. I wrote
also te Sir Wm. Denison, and now by this post I write to
Sir Charles Hotham. I hope and betieve that these gentie-
men, and ovr Secretary of State are all interested in vovr
success, and I must try and keep them alive to it. | gave ew
decisive answer in favour of your receiving u full set of all
the plants, you.gather, That I consider to be a sine qua non for
evety Stientilic botanical. collector, If he does not deserve that
he deserves nothing. I replied also to the query of Sir Wm.
Denison and Mr. Labouchere, our Colonial Seerctary, as to
whom the collections should go to in England, assuredly to
Kew. You do quite right, however, to address the packages to
the Calonial Office, as yor have done the box you have already
(thanks to your industry} despatched,

There came to me a separate note or invoice to that effect
aiso, and that I immediately sent ta the Secretary for the
Colonies, and they will inform me as soon as ever the col-
lection arrives, and IT shall send for it. I dare say it will soon
Active, if it Has not by this time, and depend upon it, my son
and [ and Bentham will scon overhaul! it; and then I shall have
the plewsure of writing to you aguin. :

GA Daley, The History of Flora Austratiensis [ YS . Ret:

- My present letter } send through the Colonial Office, because
they will be sure to send it officially, and I think the: tnvere
familiar yout natne is made there the better, I have put up
for you in as amall a compuss as Tf can, extracts which,I haye
printed from your letters and my figures of that extra-Aus-
trahan Proteeeee; found by our collector in Capt. Denison's
ship the "Herald”-—and also, as I see you have gathered Miagel--
larva indica, I bave put in a figured description of a new flagella
plant, with habits, however, more like a grass er Cyperacea, 60
that, Brown was quite startled when he first saw it. ° ,

The little Goodenia from the entrance of the Victoria, is
quite new, at-least there is nothing like it in my Herbarium
(and T haye mest of what have been collected by Bynoe), nor
is it in De Vries’s Monograph. This augurs well for the
future, Indeed, I am of opinion that, though non-mountainous
country, you will find a good deal of novelty. It is so distant
from any region that has beon botanically explored. Uf, too,
you enter Leichardt's Country, his collection you mow went to
Paris. Myr. Bentham examined the Leguminosez and found
several new ones, but the specimens so bad that they could not
be described. He might as well have let them alone. You will
please to-pay attention to the Zentia’s leaves, flowers, and fruit,
They have heen too much négiected. Your excellent artist in
the expedition will aid you by his pencil, Is the Pandaniwes of
the country certainly PY. spiralis?

Does Scecvola Konigii grow very large in N.A,, and its nal
the pith very abundant and white? ‘[t has in India and China
teen by sume considered to be made into Rice-paper. A good
section of a long stem would be interesting, a foot or more
Jong.. I have bean lovking into Stokes’s “Voyage,” and he re-
presents charming scenery, buth in Victoria and the Albert.

_ Hills rige from 200 to 800 feet. I see what. I take to be Kingia
_‘représented in Albert River in a plate, vol. LI., opposite p. 316,
or it may be » bad representation of a Xonthorrtea. T am
amused at Stokes saying (vol. I1., p, 357), that my opinion
of a handful of ¢arth he sent me, which confirmed his opinion,
suggested for that part of the continent the uame of. “The
Land of Promise." .
T wonid andertake to find seme as good in Iceland or in the
South Shetland Isles, but they are not therefore “Lands of
- Promiee” quod fertility. However, God grant they may prove
bands of Promise to you and al) your intrepid party. OF one
thing I om sure, that the country will be very interesting as
regards the geographical distribution of plants. That the bttle
Goodenia, allicd to a species of the Sonth of ‘Australia, should
be assuciated with Flugellaria iweica, is truly remarkable, and
IT am much mistaken 1f. with your industry, ability, and re-
search, yon will not be in possession of ample materials to make
ik desirable you should visit England, and do what nobody bot
yourself can do, towards the publication of your treasures, let
alone all you have collected in the South. A visit to our Kew
‘Herbaria and Libraries and our Botanists would refresh you
and strengthen you for further labours, It will be # great
disappointment to us if you should not nd it needfel to come
ta Europe. However. [ shall write you again IT trost ere Tong,
, Na doubt in the meantime some of your MSS., on heing veri-
fied, ought to’ be published, if it were only to raize- public
curiosity or to prepare for what ts. to ‘follow hereafter. As

1g]. Maney, The History of Flore, Austiatienais aa

-soan 48 we shall have seen your firet collections we will give
you the best advice and will write to you again, :

Ur. Hooker desires his best remembrances to you, and thanks
for all your kind and generous mention of him. I trust we
shall all meet in health Make my kinds regards to Mr. Baines,
and though personally unknown to him, | should be proud to
be remembered ta your distinguished commander.

Faithfully and affectionately yours,
. W: J. HOOKER.
The following letter was alsu sent during the absence
of the exploring party :— '
Royal Gardens, Kew.

I Feb, 2/56.
My Dear Dr. Mueller,— . 3

Where or when this will reach your hand I do not know, but
T send it through the best channels, through the Colonial
Office. I want you to see that we are doing the best we can
to bring your exertions or important labours in the cause of
science inte nolice, The Seeretary for State fur the Colonies,
Mr. Labouchere, highly approves of my publishing notices from
the communications I receive from you relating to your succesa
or progress, and f send him and other official people (Sir Wm.
Denison, for example) copies as they nppear. Dr, Hooker and
Tare thus issuing two series, if [ may vay vu, of your labours:
41) the new and rare Victorian plants, and (2) the particu-
Jars, or ruther generalisationg of your North-Western journeys,
and with such we have begun the new valume of the Journal
of W856, and sha!l continue to do so as health and time and
the information we receive from you may allaw,

I should be deenly sorry if anything should prevent your
visit to Eurepe soon after the present explorations are fin-
ished. Should your worst fears be realised, viz., that +the
absence of high mountains may oceasion a scanty vegetation
‘analogous to adjacent intra-tropical and maritime regions, yet
the geographical limits or distributions, gubjects that you never
neglect, and yonr great ardour and enthusiasm, which will
leave no species, phanerogams or eryptogams unedllected ar
unrecorded, all this must lead to very important results, and

' Zé is na small niatter in your favour that you are, so Iamiliar
with the vegetation of the extreme south of the same islands,
(for you are on one*oft the same pierces of a cireumsertbed in-

ulated ground), that you have ‘yourself touchud here and thore
. ,an the Bast Coast, that much of the West is familiar to you, by

* Drummond and Preiss, etc—and new you are in the extreme
north of that fine, immenso island. ;

Let me say, toc, that the few plants there from Stokes
(gathered by Bynoe), are new and enurious, and the interior
plants will be found more peculiar than the coast ones. God
grant you health and freedom from accidents, and F have no
fenv of your success. Your collections from the mouth of the
Vietoria River, as you were on the point of tanding, have all
come safe, and have beew immediutely despatched here by the
Secretary of Colonies, and are undergoing as careful an im-
vestigation as will be necessary to make such a report as shall
be sufficiently free from errors. without subtracting from the
novelty of your undertaking on your visit teu Europe. With the
heartiest’ good wishes, from Dr. Hooker and myself, believe me,

Your faithful and affectionate.
W. J. ROOKER.

0 ” The North-West Expedition Nis. g Nat:

THE NORTH-WEST EXPEDITION.

This North-West expedition under A. C. Gregory was
successfully carried out, the Victoria River being traced
to -its-source, and the ‘character of the country deter-
mined over a vast area. -Return was ‘madé overland yia the
Gulf of Carpentaria, the rivers Elsey, Roper, Albert
Leicharat, Flinders, Gilbert, and Burdekin, being crossed.
and the settled areas being reached at the Dawson River
after journeying 5,000 miles in sixteen months.*

On/this adventurous journey, Dr. Mueller was inde-
fatigable in collecting specimens of the varied flora, some-
times being so occupied in his task, as to lose sight of
his comrades, to their anxiety, and the no small danger
to' himself in this wild country. Gregory, in his report
of the expedition, writes (p. 168, July 29th, 15 deg.
lat. 59, long. 45) ;

“About three miles before we reached the eamp, Dr,-
Mueller had fallen some distance behind the party; but,
as this was a frequent occarrence in collecting botanical
specimens it was not observed until we reached the camp,
when he wus out of sight. After unsaddling the pack-
horse, I was preparing to send in search of him, when he
came up to the camp, the cause of delay having been that
his horse had knocked up. This was unfortunate, as the
load of one of the packhorses had to be distributed among
the others, in order to remount the doctor, who requires
stronger horses than any other person in the party,
having knocked up four since January, while not one of
the riding-horses had failed, though carrying heavy
weights."

Gregory relates another instance (p. 121): “4th Jan.,
Timber Creek’:

“Started at 7p. p.m., and followed up the Creek. Dr.
Mueller having wandered away into the rocky hills and
lost himself, I halted at the first convenient spot, having
despatched several of the party to search for him, but
it was not till 4 p.m. that the Doctor reached the camp.”

There was little fear of the Doctor losing himself, after
his wide experience travelling alone over thousands of
miles in unknown country. In an interesting letter to Sir
William Hooker, dated January 14th, 1857, Melbourne,
and published in Hooker's “Journal of Botany,” he gives
some important details which supplement Gregory's for-
mal account, but are mostly in reference to botanical
features and camp routine,

“See Memoir, oy, Baron Von Mueller, p. 11,

yt g ] he NortheWext Eapedttion 71

“T found it necessary for the sake of satisfactory dis-
tinction to describe all the tropical Eucalypts. (nearly
30 species) on the spot, and I was never at a loss how to
discriminate between variety and species, by consider-
ing all the characters of the trees collectively, and by
paying due attention to the soil, habit, stracture, and
texture of the bark, the manner of its decortication ; con-
sulting likewise, as very important, the insertion and
form of the fruit-valves, which, before opening, from
either a flat or a more or less convex vertex to the cap-
sule, a character, which, beautiful as it is, can only be
studied in living plants. Important also is the structure
and form of the fertile seeds, most of the ovules becom:
ing abortive; the former are in many kinds provided with
a very long wing, although the seeds of the generality of
the species are wingluss.”

“Tmpossible as it wag to remain so far behind of the
. party on account of the hostilities of the natives, who
attacked us twice, I have not secured as many kinds of
seeds as I might have wished, particularly during the
latter part of the exploration, one bagful being unfor-
tunately lost on a very rainy day, when we broke through
some dense mountain scrub; but when I say, Sir William,
that I never Jost a single minute in repose or useless oc-
eupation, I trust that you will be content with the small
quantity 1 have to offer. My time indeed was so much
occupied that I could not even write my journal at day-
light, but I devoted part of my two hours watch at the
bivouac fire for the purpose."

“We were roused precisely at d a.m. by the last sentry
on watch, finished our simple breakfast in a quarter of
an-hour, went at once in search of our horses, and man-
aged generally to have them caught, driven in, saddled,
and packed a little past sunrise. We travelled hardly ever
less than eight hours, often ten, at the rate of three
miles an hour; but when grass or water was not con-
veniently found, sometimes considerably longer, unload-
ing, going through our little domestic duties, repair of
clothes, attendance to our noble animals (without which
we should have been helpless beings in the wilderness),
pitching our calico sheets, and refreshing ourselves with
a -hasty meal would occupy us for better than an hour,
the rest of the day, about two hours a day at the aver-
age, was allotted to the respective duties of ovr de-

72 The North-Wesl Banedition Vic, xtiy

partments, I would employ myself in examining the
“plants around the camp, in attending to the specimens
and seeds snatched on the way, or writing botanical notes,
At night-we stretched. ourselves on our blankets, and gen-
erally in fullelothes, to he ready for defence at a-second’s
natiee, she gun alongside, the Be YeE une our head. sae

°

-epiiving our journey around the south part. of the
Carpentaria Gulf, the season was so dry that even that
precious providential gift of Nature, the Purslane, wes
parched and bitter. Our rations were small, the salt
pork, melted by’ the heat to a quarter of its original
weight (which of course remained the standard), it be-
came_randid and most indigestible. Game was scarcely.
to be had: But when we proceeded to the Eastern part
of the Continent. rain-showers had refreshed the vegeta-
tion, and we enjoyed not only the Portulaca. again, which
was Valuable above anything of the kind in heing gath-
ered without logs of time, and being in its fresh state,
at unce ready for use, but we relished also occasionally
the boiled Chenopodium erosum, which is hardly inferior
ta spinach, although we could badly afford’ the time for
collecting it, ws

‘ hitendtbee letter to Sir William, dated from Sydney
Botanical Gardens, on March 6th, 1859, he reports
having sent 1,000 specimens, nearly 250 species, per Mr.
Elsey, by the “Alnwick Castle,” and states that “The
Messenger,” with specimens had not arrived from Java.
Fifteen hundred species of the flora hat heen collected,
five hundred of which had nol yet been described.

It will‘be seen that the’ suggestion for Mueller to go
to England on return from the N.W. expedition, was
under consideration, but, whether he personally decided
against it, or could not get the requisite extended leave
from the Victorian Government, is not quite clear. On
return to Victoria, he resumed his studies of the flora
of the State, and directed his energies in preparation
for the publication at a future date of the Flora of Aus-
tralia. A few years before, owing to the strong repre-
sentationa of Sir Wm, Hooker, the advisability of pro-
ducing works descriptive of the local flora of India and
the Coloni¢s had been affirmed, and endorsed by the
Treasury, Admirulty, the Indian, and the separate Col-
onial Governments. Sir William had undertaken that
of British North America, and he inaugurated the pre-

aule The North-West Bepedition 73

paration of those of New Zealand, Australia, British
West Indies, the Cape, and Tropical Africa.

In regard to that of Australia, Sir William and Dr,
- Jos; Hooker looked to Mueller as being the botanist best
fitted for undertaking the work; “but it was also recog-
nised that to perform it effectually it was very necessary
to have ready~access to the great collections of previous
Australian botanists such as Brown, Cunningham, etc.,
also those of the French botanists. This was the reason
why the Hookers, father and son, so strongly brged
Mueller to come to England to undertake the work.

In a letter dated from Kew, June 5th, 1857, Dr. Jos.
D. Hooker, who seems from this time to have relieved his
father from most of his correspondence with Mueller,
expresses “how sincere a pleasure your success in your
botany and travels and gardens gives to my father and
myself in the earnest regard my father has for you and
your pursuits,” He expresses their disappointment that
Mueller is not coming to England to work out plants:
“My father and I have the most, sincere desire to aid
you from here in every way,” but there are so many'cor-
respondents to attend to, so little time, so much work,”

“T have often felt that the best I can do towards com-
paring your specimens before publication, converting
the proofs, etc., is infinitely far short of all you desire,
and all I would be glad to do; and as it is I feel that it
is infinitely less than you must naturally expect, for I
know that not a half or one quarter of the queries you
address to us are answered, nor half of the descriptions,
fully compared.” ‘ !

“Time is the measure of what we can do to help you.”

In consequence, Dr, Hooker again urges: “I cannot
therefore, too strongly advise, if there be any possibility
of avoiding it, to refrain from publishing your Victorian
plants until you have compared them in England,” “Come
to Kew” is the invitation. “No one is now nearly so well
qualified as you are to publish an Australian. Flora, and
nobody else can do it at all.”

He thanks Mueller for ‘valuable criticism of Flora
Taamanica, and. begs for more. He states that he is
“keeping up a very rough catalogue of Australian plants
in the hope that it will be useful to you and save you
much time in referring to the Herbarium.”

“It already contains 6,040 Dicotyledons, and I have
now begun the Monocotyledons.” The final injunction is:

es The North-West Pupedition Vor xeit

“T hape that you ..... will come to England and aceept
my poor services in the Hookerian Herbarium.”

The plants collected on the North-West Expedition had
been forwarded to England, and on October 10th, 1857,
Dr, Hooker writes from Kew, that his’ father had-re-
ceived “the very splendid and most interesting collec-
tion of North Australian plants ...-. whigh have given
the greatest satisfaction. They are in all respects better
than could possibly have been expected, and we are quite
at a loss to imagine how you could have managed te col-
lect so much and preserve a0 well, on so hazardous and
fatiguing an expedition.” He mentions that some genera
had been published in the last number of Hooker's “Jour-
nal of Botany.” Of the remainder the comment is that
it “is quite Impossible for anyone to do much with them
but yourself." He is engaged on the floras of Tasmania
and of India and has his time fully occupied.

In a letter from Kew, June 22nd, 1858, Dr. Hooker
suggests that Mueller should join the Linnean, Society,
and in referring to Acacias and Eucalypts, writes, "Mr.
Bentham very kindly revised the former, and you will be
surprised to hear that it took him upwards of a week's
hard work; working as you do, you have evidently no
idtea of the time and care it takes to turn out satisfac-
tory botanical work, Comparing specimens and deserip-
tions and confirming synonymy and reference with pyro-
per care, ig much slower work than you are aware of.
We think no errors trivial or venial that can be avoided
with proper care and proper materials. You have no
conception of the amount of trouble and time it takes to
correct an error of identification,”

“The slap-dash style of publication has brought the
science into terrible’ confusion already, The whole of
your extensive and splendid collections are now put away
in the general Herbarium, They are truly wonderful,
and the knowledge you have displayed in naming and
arranging them is very great.”

(To be. continued.)

EXCURSION TO GROLOGICAL MUSEUM,

Ry permission of the Director of Geological Survey of Victorig
(Mr. W. Baragwanath), the Museum was specially opened on
Saturday, May 21st, for this excursion, Sixteen members and
friends attended, and — general inspection of the specimens was
made, particulay attention being paid to carhon in its various
forms, and iis inorganic compounds. J would like to acknowledge
the courtesy of Mr. W. & Abraham, the Curator of the Museum,
who was present, and made available some valuable specimens
not usually on exhibition—A. BE. Rona.

July, W27

Vol, XLiv,

BE VICTORIAN NATURALIST

I

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TP rosie}

‘WHS fanMnygaden

vssop bing ‘Bag yo se

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Taoy | RAYMENT, A new Austritian Clif Reo 76

A NEW AUSTRALIAN CLIFF-BEE.
' BURYGLOSSA ASPERITIORAX, Sp. ns
By TARLTON RAYMENT,

TrPe |—Length about 4 m.m Entirely black, with the
exception of pallid spots on tibia and tarsi, and two dis-
tinctive pallid crescents at sides of clypeus. Head ordin-
ary, eyes converging below; clypeus fiat, with a few short
stiff pale hairs; supra clypeal area rising at its apex to
4 median ridge. Frons coarsely and excessively punc-
tured, with two amall sutures parallel with the compound
eyes, Mandibulse acute, obscurely red st tips. Antenne
ordinary. Mesothorax dull, and under a 1 inch objective
well punctured, with several striae radiating from each
puncture;.a sharp ridge along the median line, a sparse
coat. of short stiff pale hair. Scutellum sharply depressed
at each side, two pallid spots near mesopleurs, Abdo-
men ordinary, shining, well punctured; hind margins of
segments obscurely paler, a sparse coat of short stiff
pale hair. Legs black, except pallid patches on apical
ends of tibiae and distal ends of tarsi. Tegulae black,
with pallid margins. Nervures almost black, stigma
black. Wings hyaline.

On flowers of Goodenia ovata, and Olearia ramulosa,
February 23rd, 1927, at Sandringham, Port Phillip,
Victoria. ;

Has @ superficial resemblance to Furyglossa goodeniae
Ckel. and £’. oleariae Raym, but the pale crescents, and
the unique surface of the integument of the mesothorax,
at once distinguishes this apecies.

KEY TO PLATE:

Details of Euryglossa asperithorax sp. n., at various magni-
fications -— wo

1, Front view of head capsule, 2, Labial palpi: note the stout
basal joints that are characterise of bees included in this genun.
8, Abdominal. “half-ring” or tergite, showing the ridges or apo-
demes which serve as reinforced ribs for the attachment of
muscles, 4, Maxillary paipt are of six joints: the basal one is the
sfoutest. 5, Rear view of head eapsule. 6, Anterior wing: the
small square cubital cell receives both recurrent mervures in this
genus. 7, Portion of wing highly magnified to show the minute
hairs that cover the membrane. 8, Portion of sting showing
pores: perhaps olfactory in function, 9, Mesonotuns and tegulae-
10, Hind Jeg: note absence of pollen-combs. 11, Mandible or jaw:
12, Portion of spinose surface of hind tibia of Huryylassa good-
eniag, Ck; this is another characteristic of the genus. 13, The
antenna clearer on Fronk lew of Apia mullifera, Linu, 14, Frowt
lege of Buryglossa fusciatella, CKi.: compare Lhe cerrate form of
peg with that of the Hive-bee, Ajis.

76 RAYMENT, The CHF Bove [eee cht:
7 any

THE CLIBE-BEES.
By TARLTON RAYMENT.

‘September is’ a mercurial month—sunshine for one
day, and a cold, bitter wind the next. “ On the fine days
I go along the coast to make the acquaintance of the wild-
bees, waking from their winter sleep, Of course, I find
many! of them a-wing, for that is the easidst part.. But
{ am-like Fabre, for I desire to know how the creatures
live and have their being. ~

To’ find the nest is ‘a matter of some moment, and
since | cannot learn‘ the insects’ story without interview-
ing them in their own domain, why, I must just keep on
searching, Each Spring my first glimpse of this bee is
obtained about the first week in September, when I note
hundreds of them flying over the ‘tips of the Tea-tree, and
since these twisted growths are the chief feature of my
coast'line; 1 have plenty of material to go over,

I think it was Tickner Edwards, in the “Lore of the
Honey Bee," who first suggested that the young Ayis, or
hive-bees, had to learn how to garner the pollen-meal, and
search the flowers for nectar; but a life-time spent among
honey-bees fails to provide me with any evidence in
support of that contention, When I first discovered the
Cliff-hee, Euryglossa fasciatella CkIL, and other wild
bees.concentrating over the tips of the Tea-tree, the blos:
soms,of which were unopened, I began to think the
Tickner Edwards might be right after all. Second
thoughts, however, were aufficient to make me realise the
error, ‘The bees are all young ones that have never har~
vested from: any flowers, and there is not one old bee
present to teach them “the tricks of the trade,”

The insects certainly look in the right place for the
flowers, but are a week or so too early. Now 1 do not find
these insects on any other plant but Coasta! Tea-tree, -
Leptospermum lavigatum, and it is an ‘astounding thing
that they are able to congregate.about the trees as though
anticipating the source of the supplies,

When 1 remember the many debates on how bees find
the nectar in. blossoms, I am still further confounded by
these assemblages: You probably have heard all about
the brilliant ray -getels of many flowers being mere flags
to attract the honey-gatherers that find the nectar
sources by sight. On the other hand, we are assured
that the olfactory powers of the.hbee are so highly
developed that honey-plants are found by- *scent”’ alone.

13st. Raveiene, The Chie Boos "9

But the Cliif- bee, emerging from its winter retreat before
; tts food supply is available, havers persistently over the

“promised land.’ How am I to account for its per-
spicacity? I have captured males among::the bees that
congregate in this way, but I have never been lucky
enough to see them mate, though I believe that the nup-
tials are celebrated about the budding Tea-tree. There
are no white sign-boards to “catch the bee’s eye,” neither
ig there any ethereal odour to tickle its sense of smell.
Fortunately, I do not have to account for the gatherings;
I simply. tell you of the place and time when you may
observe the phenomenon for yourself. ..

But the Cliff-bee is small in statue, and has a tapid
flight that soon puts her out of view. For many ses-
sons ] have examined the shores with extra care in the
endeavour te Jovate the home, At odd times, when I
thought I had seen a black bee dive down into the grass,
I have patiently picked off the green blades, one by, one,
until L had laid bare quite a large ares, ever hoping to
uncover the tiny shaft. I am blessed ‘with very good
“eye-sight,” but these small, black bees test it to the ex-
treme limit, and often without availing me anything. I
certainly found other nests, but I will write of them in
another place,

It is disconcerting to have people stand and watch
you carefully plucking away the grass, stalk’ by stalk.
The most unsatisfactory part is my knowledge of thei=
thoughts. One morning, when I was returning from my
awim, { was fortunate enough to see a Cliff-bee‘ alight on
a patch. of bare ground, but in my anxiety to obtain a
closer view, I made un incautious movement: “Zip,"’ she
was away. Subsequent examination of the area failed to
disclose a single shaft. But this chance happening wave
me food for thought,

At Sandringham, on the eastern shore of Port. Phitip,
the cliffs are 456 feet or more in height, and the “face,
which receives the fuJl brunt of the hot, summer sug; and
resists the south-west winter wind, is composed of a
light-yeliow, stiff clay, mixed with much fine white sand.
a combination that is due to the decomposing of the
original stratum. These cliffs rest on brown rock, the
particles of which are cemented together with much
iron-rust, and is known Jovally us a pseudo ironstone.
Needless to say, wherever that dark foundation runs
down into the water, it forms a serics of smal] capes that
resist the pounding of the wintér gales, In between, the
softer sand and clay mixture weathers sway, so thut

78 Rayment, The Clif Bees Vat xbie

coves aré formed, with lovely half-moon beaches of
golden sand, The top of the cliff is covered with a fine,
sandy loam.- .

Many people of the district do not walk along the
asphalted ramps when going down to the water, but
simply ‘‘slither” down the face of the cliffs, and this
foot-traffic; combined with the erosion caused by thraah-
ing of the wild “south westers,” soon results in number-
less ‘‘washouts.” T say the fierce trials of such an ex-
posed’ face soon weather away ‘the softer portions, anu
leave the harder almost rock-like strata, standing up in
barren escarpments,

It was in such inhospitable country that I saw the
. Cliff-bee alight, but I found nothing. All that morning
IT had searched the coast without result, It is not my
habit to eat much lunch, but the house-wife prefers that.
1 leave the bees for an hour at noon, and come home,
if only té drink a mouthful of coffee. Home I go,

But J cannot forget that a Cliff-bee alighted in a wash-
out, in a barren, sun-scorched, wind-swept place without
any protection whatever from the brawling sea. Why, in
winter I have often watched the spume and spindrift
whirling up the face of the cliff like smoke-wraiths.
Surely no-bee would be so bold as to build there in the
sand-stone.

. No, I cannot write: even the paint-box fails to charm

me. Nothing in my home will content me, so I go out
once more to take up the quest for a tiny tube less than
one-eighth of an inch in diameter. It does seem rather
a futile thing for a man to do. Nevertheless, such is my
nature, that I go down and traverse almast the same
ground that I had searched before noon, but this time
I concentrate on the hardest portions, and though it
seems that the bee could not dig in such firm concrete, F
still persevere. Ii seems ridiculous, but I have the
patience of Fabre. I also have the luck of that lovable
old Frenchman, for i am rewarded,

Right in the hardest ridge that defies the weather I
find dozens of tiny black holes. I take out my strong
pocket-knife—it is the only implement I have at the
moment—and stab at the rock-like clay. T succeed in
splitting off a slice about half an inch in thickness: the
holes still go down. I almost break my blade, but I man-
age to clip off another inch. Of course, J make some
dust, and I remove this debris very carefully ev ag not
to block up the little shaft,

inet | Rayment, The Chg Bees 79

To my disgust, in among the loose, white grains, I
find a bee's head with the antennae still quivering. But
my disappointment is tempered by the knowledge that
at last I know where the black Prosopoid Bees nest. Here
are dozens of tiny burrows.

The shafts ] uncovered were slightly winding, and not
more than three inches or so in depth. The sides were so
smooth that the ubiquitous varnish was at once sug-
gested. However it may be, the lining of the shaft was
fairly hard, and resembled the glaze of dark earthen-
ware.

Each day the Clifft-bee continves its excavating, and J
see her burrowing with great energy, Some new arrivals
attack a bare spot, and at once begin to bite out the
quartz granules, grain by grain. The digging of the
shaft is an heroie labor, but at length the bee gets. her
head buried. Darkness intervenes, and the little laborer
sites away to shelter for the, night in the old winter

urrow.

Early next day she i is at the Work again, and, by noon,
she is down nearly an inch, I see her pushing out
the grains, aggregating = match-head in volume, and
which are just moist enough to hang loosely to-
gether; the Joad is levered out by the hind legs and the
end of the insect’s body. She does not cast the material
away, and so long as if reaches the mouth, she is, fully
content,

But her laxity slesutts in the formation of a eax'een
that almost hides her labors. More-over, when the hee
returns from refreshing herself at the white flowers of
the Tea-tree, she sometimes mistakes another's mound-
let for her own demesne. As soon as she alights, the
Cliff-bee rakes aside the loose spoil, and seeks to enter.
At once an irate owner appears from helow; and bids
her begone. But the Cliff-bee has a poor sense of location
and the ynerring homing precision of the Hive-bee is
unknown to her,

For weeks at a time, T watch her digging her burrow
Though I do not; see her do it, yet the fresh spoil at the
pit-mouth tells me of the laborer down below. Tn be
tween spells of Jabour and refreshment, 1 see her sitting
at the door, and blocking it with her tiny, black head,
just like the Halicti.*

When I move, she dussende a trifle; I retreat, in-
stantly, her head reappears. I keep on repeating the

*See F2. raynient? and other Wuliefé described elsewhere.

oe RarMrent, The Clif Bees vit shee

manouvre, but T desist first, for her patience is greater
than mihe.

~ At this stage I open a number of nests, but all that .
find’ is a lone. bee crouching in the bottom of the shaft.
I discover a number of deserted winter burrows, which
still house an odd female or two that have not vet started
their new shafts. In one or two I find a dead bee, and
it is plain that when-she matured she had been. unable
to'pierce the sand-plug at the top of the shaft, and had
never known the light of day, and the. joy of life in the
sunshine.

it is a very easy matter to distinguish these old. de.
serted nests, for at the bottom there is always a tiny
chamber, about the sixe and shape of a large grain of
wheat, and which is lined with a wonderfully delicate,
silvery, skin purse. This marvel of workmanship ts
slightly yellow with age, and is always buried with an
inch jot loose sand, You see, when the shaft is com-
pleted, the mouth is closed with a sand-ptug, and to reacn
day-light the baby bee has to bore upwards; the grains
50 displaced fall to the bottom and so fill up the o.
purse or cradle,

At first, I thought that the Cliff-bee carried no potlen-
granules beeatise she was only seeking sustenance for
herself, and, theréfore, needed no pollen until the nest
was completed. However, the bee is almost devoid of
‘hair, being smooth and shining, so that she hag no har-
vesting tools. But she does collect plenty of pollen-meal,
as we shall see presently.

I notice, too, that when the Cliff-bee alights, the body-
rings expand and contract in a very rapid manner, the
pulsations, if one may use the word, being about. four to
the second. Panting may not be an unsuitable word te
describe the action.

I find it essentiai to see the nests every day, for if I
“miss a visit-there is sure to be something done that I
regret having had no opportunity 'to observe. If the
weather be dull, as it often is in September, when the
failing hand of winter still clutches at the wings of the
Southern breeze, I find the Cliff-bees sitting at the door.
ways, and-blocking the entrances with their heads. It
seems that no work is undertaken unless the day be
bright and warm, When the climbing sun overpowers
the ‘nippy’ wind, the bees, making several feintings
and retreatings, emerge from the shafts. To all Intents
and purposes they imitate the suspicious behaviour of the

3323.) Rayment, The Clif Bev gl

eas:

ive-queen When she first issues from the natal queen-

When the bee is away the entrance of the home is Jeft
entirely uncovered. Only once have I seen two bees
come out of the shaft, and though I have‘examined hun-
dreds of nests, in only one instance have I found two
cells. In the latter case, the lower silvery nurse looked
as though it belonged to the previous season, for it was
full of sand, showing that the original occupant had
leared out the entrance plug before the second purse
had been constructed. ~

My field notes show that all through October the bees
mate, and are occupied with the excavation of the shafts
and the collection of stores from the Tea-tree. <Abont
the first of November I note one or two covering up the
portals of the homes with a few loose grains of sand, so
{ unearth quite a number of nests, and in every case I
find a solitary cell at the bottom. The chamber, I ‘say,
is about the size and shape of a large grain of wheat, and
the wall is covered with an extremely delicate, silvery
tissue of impalpable fineness. Should I draw the edges
of the purse together Iam quite unable to separate them
again. :

This bee has a broad tongue-tip, that L know makes an
excellent trowel], This clever bee weaves with the plas-
terer’s implement. She stands crosswise in the cell, and
begins a series of head-noddings with her tongue pro-
truding and travelling from floor to ceiling with quiet
rythmical movements. Esch swing of the head lays
down a thread of clear liquid that instantly hardens into
& membrane. Over and over the interior “wall.
a web is woven, and the minute interstices are filled: in
with the same action and material until the skin is'com-
plete. The threads seem to amalgamate perfectly, for
the material Is waterproof, and cannot be pf a resinous
character, because jt is insoluble in turpentine. It does
Be adhere to the smooth walls, although it is formed on
them. :

When the cell ts ready to receive its stores, the sitvery
purse, urn, or cradle, what you will, is like an egg, with
the end removed, and the stores are of the consistency of
thick batter, and are olive-green in colour. The ynusual
tint is due to the dark honey and pollen gathered from the
Coastal Tea-tree, the only plant visited by this bee, The
pollen js carried home in the insect’s honey-sac, and the
granular nature. of the stores leads me to. suggest that

82 Rayment, Uho Cliff Bees yes: xy

there is about 50 per cent. pollen, The great majority of
the cells are sHghtly more than half full, and the con-
sistency of the food is the same throughout.

Once or twice I have found cells containing a tiny drop
of white liquid, resembling milk. Ah, what an intrigu-
ing discovery! What a wonderful opportunity to hint
that here is the beginning of the undigested pap of the
Hive-bee, the concentrated super-food that forces the
development of that fecund mother! No, J give you the
bare fact that, in odd cells, T have found a drop of white
liquid. I make no comment whatever,

Once or twice I have uncovered cells two-thirds full
of stores, and since the silvery purse is not closed at
once, it looks as though the mother added to the amount,
but I have to confess that the larvae on the extra food
were, no older, or larger, than those on the smaller
amount.

You may say that males emerge from the scanty pro-
visions, and females from the abundant store, for that is
the rule in Beedom. Well, I do not know, and I am
just as anxious as you are about the point. I find that
each mother makes but two burrows, each with one cell.
At least I have had individuals under observation for the
entire season, and have seen them make only two shafts.
Now, do the first ones produce females and the second
males? -I cannot answer the question.

“Rather helpless.” © ,

Perhaps, but no matter, I make the admission freely,

The ogg is floated on the top, and when the shell
breaks, why, the larva has only to open its mouth snd
begin to feast on the tasty batter. In a fortnight it is
fully! grown; the stores sre all consumed; the cap is
woven to close the cradle cell, and the larva enters into
the mysterious sleep from which it wil! be awakened, by
the wafting of some fairy wand, to find itself changed
into a new creature gifted with antennae, legs, eyes, sting
ant wings.

I take some of the Jarvae on October 24th, and ? lift
them out in a simple manner, so as not to disturb them
unduly. Ihave on hand some small medicine bottles of
two ounces capacity. By pressing a glazier’s diamond
on the side, about 4 inch from the bottom, I am able to
rotate the bottle so that a cut encircles it, A tap with
the cutter and the bottom falls off, sometimes smoothly,
sometimes with jagged edges. The latter kind are best
for the Chiff-bee nests, because I can surround the cell,
and by turning the bottle can use it very successfully as

rca RaYMent, The Cliff Bees- 84

a bore to take out a circular core containing the cell.

_By the first of Navember the Tea-tree flowers are all
gone, and no longer do I find the Cliff-bees a-wing.
visit many of the nests, but all are closed with a few
grains of Joose sand just at ground level. I remove them
carefully, and um astonished to uncover a sepulehre
Behold the corpse of the worn-out mother,

I say that the industrious parent, exhausted by the
heroic labour of digging aut of stone two twelve ‘inch
shafts, and the weaving and provisioning of the sitken
cradles, closes the shaft with a one inch thick plug of
sand placed a little below ground level. Between it and
the surface there is just room for a mortuary. Immur-
ing herself in that dread chamber, and with her strength
rapidly waning, she performs her last:unhappy task. A
few grains of quartz are drawn loosely over the aperture,
and the indefatigable mother now awaits the call of
Death. At the bottom of the shaft there is a natal
chamber, and at tha top is a Sarcophagus of Death. |The
child will emerge to life through the very bones of its
creator.

In my bottles I have life. ‘I see that the jneyad sre
not curled up like those of the Hive-bee, but lie in the
cells, almost straight. Whereas the larvae of the Hive-
bee are pearly white, with the segments convex, as
though they were about to burst with fatness, the larva
of the Cliff-bee is dull-white in colour, and the pageants
are concave,

I gathered these larvae on October 24th. It is now Feb.
ruary in the new year, What a long sleep, but now I'can
see beginnings of movement; the tail part wags slightly,
and the larval skin looks more flacid. ‘Each succeeding:
day the skin gets drier, and on February, the 7th day,
the skin splits, and a creamy-white pupa struggled' out
with strong actions. Even the eyes are white; and the
antennae are crossed in front like the hands of'a saint’s
effigy. The wrinkted larva] skin or pellicle is at last cast
behind; this is the awakening after more than four
month’s sleep in a temperature of 75 dearogs F,

Three days later_—F abruary 10th—the pupa is un-
changed, save that.the two compound eyes are showing
just the faintest trace of a drab pink colour. By the 14th,
the eye-tint has deepened to a dull lilac-pink shade. The
next day: Compound eyes are now definitely dark-
maroon, with the ocelli the smallest of three dark specks.

R4 Rayment, The Cliff Bees Rosie

The body color now slowly deepens to a drab white, which
strengthens day by day until .

* February. 23rd, when another larval skin is moulted,
under low magnification I watch the hind pair of imma-
ture legs, endeavoring to thrust off the pelliele, which
appears to be still attached to the annal end. The abdo-
men keeps up.a strong wagging movement. ~

February 28th.—The head is now a dark coffee-colour,
with the eyes deep maroon, the mouth paris, which seems
to project in a very marked manner, are rusty-red, the
top of the thoraz is now distinctly dark slate; another
Jarval pellicle has been shed during the night.

The sable colour gradually extends from the thera2, but
there are two darker spots on the under part of the
abdomen. Colouring is slowly deepening.

March ard.—The slate shade has merged into black
at the top of the thoraz; the pigment may now be ob-
served entering the legs at the coxee; the seape is now
almost black, though the antennme are still a light coffee
colour. The tarsal . joints and the tip of the abdomen are ©
the last te be affected,

March 5th—The colour is now uniformly black, with
the exception of the tips of the antennae, tarst, or foot
joints, and the underpart of the abdomen near the anal
end. The immature legs are constantly endeavouring te
dislodge the two dried skins.

March 8th.—The elements of the wings, folded towards
the under-surface of the thorax, are now plainly visible.
Hairlis showing on the tarsi, which are fully devetoped
with the exception of the pad {empedium or pulvillas) ,
and the claws (anguicult).

March 12th—The mouth parts still protrude, and ap-
pear to be blood-red. The antennae are atill clasping the
under-lip, and the elements of the wings are folded round
under the thorax.

March 14th—The bees have reached the imago stage,
for they are now fully develaped, with wings complete in
final position, But the insects are lethargic, and scarcely
move; the abdomen is rather plump compared with that
of other Spring-flying bees. The period required for de-
velopment at the temperature mentioned, is more than
200 days.

But 1 must leave the Cliff-bees, for one must eat, and
the night falls quickly.

Iam greatly indebied te Prof, T. D. A. Cockerell for
his help in connection with my studies of Australian bees,

‘The Victorian Naturalist

Vor. XLIV—No. 4. AUGUST 4, 1927. 4, 1927. BNO: & B24,

. FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA. -
‘The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was heid in
the Royal Society’s Hall, Victoria-street, on Monday, July
lith, 1927. The President, Mr. E. E. Pescott, occupied
the chair, and about 100 members and visitors were
present. :

—— ee ee ee

DEATH OF MEMBER.

The President referred to the death of Mr. W. H, A.
Roger, an old member of the Club, and members stood as
amark of respect. It was resolyed that a letter of con-
dolence be written to the relatives of the deceased
member. °

CORRESPONDENCE.

_.From Country Roads Board, stating that consideration
would be given to the Club’s request that the Geelong
Road be planted exclusively with Australian evergreen
trees.
From Chief Secretary for Victoria, stating that con-
sideration would be given to the Club’s representations
in opposition to an open season for the trapping of
opossums. -

From Chief Secretary for Victoria, intimating that the
request of the Club that it be afforded an opportunity of
submitting nominations for representation on the pro-
posed Advisory Council in connection with matters per-
taining to native fauna, would receive consideration
when this subject. was under review.

. From Bird Observers’ Club, stating that it was pro-
posed to form an Advisory Council te make recommen-
dations to the Chief Secretary in regard to the preserva-

-tion and propagation of native fauna, and inviting this
Club to appoint two delegates to a Conference to be held
on July 19th to consider this matter.

The President referred to the recent action of the Chief
Secretary in refusing to sanction an open season for the
trapping of opossums, a decision which was most gratify-
ing to members of this Club, and kindred sacietias.

- ‘Messrs. A. E. Keep and! G. Coghill were nominated to
represent the Club at the Conference arranged by the
_ Bird Observers’ Club on July 19th, and were elected
unanimously.
; REPORT. .

A yeport of the excursion to Sherbrooke Gully was

given by Mr. A, G. Hooke. -

36 Field Naturalists’ Ulub—Proceedings ye NEW

vo ELECTION OF MEMBERS, it

The following were elected as ordinary members:—
Misa Elizabeth Andrew, B.Sc., 93 High-street, Kew; Mr.
J. L. Stamp, Menzies-street, -Brighton;.Dr. H. Flecker,
71 Collina-street, Melbourne; Mr. A. 8, Kenyon;
M.I.E.Aust., “Marringal,” Plenty-road, Heidelberg; and
a3 a ‘country member>—Mr. Thompson Nobie, Campbell
House, Campbell-street, Castlemaine.

GENERAL.

The: President announced that arrangemenis were
being made for an inspection on July 23rd, by members
of the Club and others, of the Tea-tree growing along the
foreshore, from Brighton to Mornington, in order to
ascertain the cause and extent of the decay of and dam-
age to this valuable growth,

The President read a letter from Mr. John Wilson, of

Cheltenham, referring to the proposed granting of per-
missive occupancy of portion of Cheltenham Park for
parkmg motor-cars, It was urged that a strong protest
should be made. Mr. F, Pitcher moved: “That the Sec-
retary for Lands be written to asking that a deputation
be arranged to interview the Minister for Lands, mm order
to urge the refusul of permission for any portion of
Cheltenham Park to be used as a parking area.” The
motion was seconded by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, and sup-
ported by Messrs. A. J; Tadgell, C. Barrett, A, L, Scott,
and A. D. Hardy, and carried unanimously.
* The Hon. Secretary announced that Hon, G. M. Pren-
dergast had consented to open the Natura) History Ex:
hibition on July 20th, and that His Excellency the Gover-
nor (Lord Somers) had accepted the invitation of the
Committes to perform the opening ceremony at the Wild
Blower Show on September 27th next.

Mr. A. D. Hardy reported that the Committee of
Management of the National Park at Sperm Whale Head
had now been appointed, this Club being represented by
several of the members. i Y Pa

Mr. W. Ramm referred to the open season for opos-
sums and koalas recently declared ‘in Queensland, and
suggested that the Club should take action to have the
declaration withdrawn. It was decided to communicate
with the Queensland Naturalists’ Society on the matter.

PAPERS, ETC.
_ Mr. G..Coghill read a paper on “A Holiday in New Zea-
land,” descriptive of many of the intéresting and scenic
portions of the North and South Islands; referénee being

tot7l Field. Naturatists’ Clubh—Prodecdinga BT

made to the botanical features observed. The paper was
illustrated by a series of lantern slides, loaned by the
New Zealand Tourist Bureau.

EXHIBITS,

By Mr. C. H, Borch: A rare Victorian Lycaenid, Mile-
tus delice, from Springvale. Larvae, attendants to
larvae, pupa cases from which butterflies had been bred,
and perfect. insects.

By Mr. A. N. Burns: Rare Lycenids, from Cairns dis-
trict, North Queensland. All the species exhibited, with
the exception of 7, cyanea-arinia, Fab., may he regarded
as rare, being found only in isclated, favoured spots even
though their food plants are widely distributed. Butter-
flies of the genus Miletzs are noted for the brilliant
markings of the underside, Among others, the exhibi-
tor bred-M. narcissus and M, arinia, in 1926, this very
probably being the first time these two species have been
bred. “Rainbow,” -or “Great Day-flying Moth,"
Nyctalemow orontes, of North Queensland. These
insects ily in countless numbers, usually from North to
South, during the greater part of the year. At times, in
selected spots, generally in scrubs or near rivers and
creeks, they may be observed resting with outspread
wings, often in such numbers as to weigh down the
branches. The great flights of “many-oloured butter-
flies” recorded from North Queensland were, in reality,
flights of these moths. Twenty or more may easily be
captured with one sweep of the net,

By Mr. G. Coghill: Dried specimens of New Zealand
flora, fruits of Cape Gooseberry, Physalis Francheti, a
native of China; Maori carvings; volcanic bomb, green-
stone and pumice-stone from N.Z.; poi-poi used in "dances;
photographs of N,Z, scenes, etc, ; cultivated specimens of
Greville rosmarinifolia,

By Mr. ©. J. Gabriel; Marine shells: Humphreyia
strangei, A.Ad., Western Port, Victoria; Aspergitlum
vaginiferum, Lam., Red Sea; Aspergillum pulckrum,
Desh,, Singapore; Dacosta australis, Sowerby, Port Jack-
son, N.S.W.; Gastrocheena tasmanic, T.Wds., Port Phil-
lip; also a series of New Zealand shells.

By'Mr, L. L. Hodgson: Cultivated specimens of Rose- |
mary Grevillca, G, rosmarinifolia, aiid Crimson Bottle-
brush, Callastemon, citrinus,

By Mr. E, E; Pescott, F.L.S.: Foliage of variegated
form of Agonis flexuosa, rare; flowers from cultivated
plants of Thryptomene calycina (F.v.M.), Stapf.; Stone

88 Field Naturalists! Clab—Proceediiga [Yi 5.NEp

implements, crude and finished, from New Zealand, seed-
pod of the Australian Wistaria, Milletia. magasperma.
_.By Mr, F. Pitcher: Specimens of 86 Ferns and
Lycopods of Southland district-of Otago, New Zealand,
12 of which are also to be found in Victoria.

By Miss J. W. Raff, M.Sc., F.E.S.: Specimen (from the
Botanical Dept., Melbourne University) of a low-grow-
ing Alpine plant from New Zealand—the so-all
“Vegetable Sheep," Haustia pulvinaris. :

By Mr, A. L. Seott: Sands from Rainbow Mount, and
pitchstone from Rotorua, N.2Z.

By Mr. F, E. Wilson, F.E.S.: Beetles from New Zea-
land: Prionoplus reticularis, White; Lissotes reticulatus,
Westw.; Lusiorkynchus berbicornis, Fab., Costlya dis-
edidea, Brown; Syrphetodes tuberculicustatum, White;
Navamorphe timeatuim, Fab.

BUTCHER-BIRDS AND MINERS.

I have lately beon watching with some interest the manner in
which a Buteher-bird, Cracticus forguatus, manages to evade a -
fancied—or possibly real—danecr, while gathering his breakfast
from the seraps which are put out every morning for the larger
birds that yisit our garden.

We have often noticed that no birds excepting Noisy Miners,
Muyzantha garrula, dare to take scraps from the bird-table, while
Magpies, Gymnorhina hypolenea, are there. and that Butcher-
birds are especially timid in the presence of their big relatives,

It seetmns, however, that Butecher-bitds recognise the daring of
the Miners, but know also that they are themselves among the few
birds of which Miners are afraid. Knowing this, they have
little difficulty in getting food. Thev wait at a safe distance while
a Miner slips among the Magpies, and takes a prece of meat, which
usually he carries some yards away before aligbting tu eat il, then
follow him threateningly. After a little hesitatian the Miner
drops his food, and returns to the bird-tabie for more. While he
is away the Biutcher-bird enjovs a stolen dainty, and returns ta his
post, where he awaifs another, or sometimes, the same, vietim,—

ry MICROSCOPICAL NOTES,

_ Parnamorctum,—Science teachers desiring a plentiful sapply of
material for elass work, will be glad of this bit of information.
Pavemoecwwn may be “cultured” in vast numbers by Teeding the
animals on a piece of hard-boiled yolk of an egg. This seems to
have a special attraction for them; if a small piece js dropped into
an aquarivin, in a day every Parameecium in it will be found strug-
gling for a better position near the chotee morsel. A loop-ful
placed on a hollow-ground, 3 x 1 slip, will show theanimals in every
stage of Teproduction—conjugation, fisson, ete, A cover glass
placed over them will prevent evaporation for a long time.
Amopta.—lIf a handful of pondweed is. pinced in a trystalfising
dish, or targe petri dish, and just covered with water {and pro-
tected from dust and rapid evaporation by a sheet of glass), and
placed in the sunshine on a window ledge, a constant supply of fine
Amocba from the dscaving weed is assured, Intra vitam staining
will show mitotic division in the nucleus heautifully.—]. Sears.

ry | Prscort, The Romance of Plant Names RD

THE ROMANCE OF PLANT NAMES.
By Epwarp &. Pescott, F.L.8.

When one studies the botanical names of plants, their
origins and their meaniigs, a new and entrancing worl
is at once opened to him. Jt is helpful to the botanist to
know name meanings, for if, and when he docs, he wouid
never look for Poa agiuatica (growing in water) on the
hill-top; neither would he search for Stipa eremophila
(desert loving) in a swamp,

But it is not this aspect that I was thinking of, so
much as the personal one. I often wonder what Labil-
lardiere really saw when he so named Chorizema, which
means a drink anda dance, Did he find the West Aus-
tralian aborigines dancing around a well? or was he so
pleased at finding water one day, that he and his men
danced for joy? Whocantell? We shall never know.
But we can, and do, enjoy both the name and the beauty
of the plant to which it was given.

When a boy, I used to enjoy visits to the coast at
Christmas and, New Year time; and an added enjoyment
was the presence of many white berries, which my com-
panions and J ate with great enjoyment, and which were
growing on what we called ‘“Tea-tree.* 1 now know
these shrubs under the cold name of Leucopogon Riches,
the “Coast Beard-Heath.” To-day, the berries are sickly
nauseous; but then boys will cat anything. The plant is
interesting naw, not for its berries, but far the fact that
it commemorates the neme of Lieut. Riché, who accom-
panied Labiilardiere’s expedition, and being lost for three
days, subsisted on these berries. ;

What a wealth of memories the name Buxksia recalls.
First there is the cabin of a small “windjammer” off the
coast of New Zealand, and three men sitting in con-
ference. Cook wanting to return home via the cape,
and Banks wishing to explore New Holland; the latter
prevailed, Cock consenting reluctantly. The next scene
is a well known picture, for who now cannot visualise the
landing of Captain Cook. One of the first plants they
would see was a Banicsia, so aptly numed by Linnaeus,
commemorating 2 great man and a great circumstance.
Linnaeus made a suggestion that this land should be
called “Banksia,” but it was never carried out. The
genus now named “Pimelea” was earlier designated
“Banksia” by Forster: but Linnaeus’ name stands, and
rightly so.

30 Prescott, The Romance of Plant Names Via. Sst.

The beautiful blue flowers of Dampiera bring us back
to our boyhood’s days, when, remembering the rough old
buccaneer Dampier, we recall all of our dreams of
Pirates, treasure, hidden gold, and what: not!

I have told the tale before of Prusophyllum Frenchit,
but it will bear repeating, Over twenty years ago this
orchid was discovered in two separate localities, first by
George French, son of one of our Club founders; and by
another, a founder of the Club, F. G. A. Barnard. As
George French was working with Baron von Muellér, he
presented his specimen to the Baron at nine o’clack,
when it Was at once given its present name. An hour
or two later Mr. Barnard came in with his speclmen—
tog late for it to be named “Prasophyllum Barnardi.’
We stil! wait for this latter name.

A remarkable little piece of personal history is_re-
vealed in the genus Browallia, which is not an Australian
genus; but we grow some of the species in our gardens.
The plants are all of American ortgin. John Browall,
a man of humble origin, defended the sexual] system of
plant classification originated by Linnaeus, against the
attacks of a man named Siegesbeck. (This
man’s. name is familiar to us in one of our com-+
mon native plants, Siegesbechia orientalis). Linnacus
was so delighted at the defence, of even so humble a
man, that he constituted a new genus Browwatlia in his
honour, the species being #, demissa, this name having
reference to Browall’s humble origin.

Later, Browall rose to honour, becoming a Bishop:
and, another species having been discovered, Linnaeus
named it #8, evuléato, in honour’ of his exaltation.
Strangely enough, this made Browall very angry, he
showing his annoyance by writing pamphlets against
Linnaeus in most severe language,

Then a third species was discovered, and Linnaeus, ©
recording the incident, named it #. alienata. It is to
be recorded with regret that the two remained alienated,
never avain becoming friends. Thue a friendship and
@ quarrel are for ever commemorated. I’m glad we
don't do such things now-a-days.

He who gives quickly gives twice, a Spanish proverb says, We
are alteady indebted to Mr, V. Miller for generous help in con-
nection with the wildflower shows, and now he is 'ziving to the Club
a typewriter, costing £9. Cluh correspondence has gyeatly in-
creased, atid a typewriter for use by the Hon. Secretary hes Tonz
bean needed.

AnB]° Daney, The History of Flora Australionsis a

THE HISTORY OF FLORA AUSTRALIENSIS,
(II.)

By CxHas, DaLey, B.A., F.LS.

. Again, on August 25th, 1858, Dr, Hooker writes;

-. "I feel very much that you should desire the honor of
publishing your discoveries, but the interests of science
should be first consulted, and what we da now so much
want is good observations on previously known plants.
I wish, too, that you would publish in a more methodical
form, It is extremely difficult already to refer to your
published descriptions, and [I am sure that I omit re-
ferring to some that I would not intentionally give the
go-bye to,—but life is short, and books are long; and the
inditference of men of science to the convenience of pos~
terity and catemporaries in publication is tending to un-
avoidable confusion. [am sure that you will not think
me censorious in saving so much, ... but no one, who
has not worked in a great library and Herbarium, has
any conception of the amount of labour and time lost in
approaching completeness and accuracy in descriptive
botany.” : ‘

In another letter, dated from Kew, December 20th,
1858, Hooker makes a last appeal for Mueller ta come
to England: £
* “Systematic monographs and floras are what we now
want, and we do look with the greatest anxiety to your
visiting England, and throwing your magnificent
materials into a connected whole. I am striving to do
this for the Indian flora. Harvey is going to begin the
South African, and all I can say is that you shall have
évery assistance for the Australian that we can command.
Meanwhile, we shall lose no opportunity of keeping your
labours before the public eye; and I shall make’ a point
of getting up the paper for the Linnean from your
Materials which you are anxious about, and present it
in-your name altogether, - Your collections are nearly all
arranged in the Herbarium, and are being poisoned as
they are entered, It is impossible te exaggerate their
value. mn

In regard to the publication of an Australian Flora, to
undertake which both Sir William and Dr, Hooker had
been so anxious to induce Mueller to proceed to England,
jt. became evident that Mueller, notwithstanding , their
advice and wishes, was not able to accede to the, oft-
repeated request.: Probably -the Colonial Government
Was unfavourable to the project, and health reasons may

oz Dany, The History, of Flore Australiensia [ vis: gti

also. have been.an obstacle. It was considered advisable
by English botanists that the Flora Austratiensis should
be undertaken without further delay; and, after much
discussion - and full consideration, the conclusion was
arrived at that Mr. George Bentham, the ‘distinguished
botanist, should be asked to prepare the Flora, and Dr.
Mueller to collaborate in the great work. :

This decision, the force of which Mueller, at the time,
could not so well understand, when viewed from an Aus-
tralian standpoint, was communicated to him, Naturally,
it was not readily accepted when he saw that the cher-
ished project, to which his labours had been for some
years definitely directed, would, in great part, be en-
trusted to another to carry out to completion,

Little information as to the actual discussion during

this period Is available; but, in the end, Mueller seems to
have been reluctantly convinced by the arguments and
representations of his English friends to agree tenta-
tively with the proposal.
. Bentham had hoped to start the work in 1859, but
tardiness in agreement among the Colonial Governments
in Australia had delayed operations, 0 that it was not
until 1861 that a definite decision was made. Bentham
éxplains the situation in the following letter ta Mueller:

My Dear Sir,— Kew, May 16th, 1861.

You will see by the annexed copy of a Setter T addressed some
days since to William Hooker that the question as to whether

I am to be entrusted with the preparation of an Australian

flora now depends entirely upon the immediate decision of the

Colonial Governments themselves. Our Colonial Office here

took up the project very cagerly, and the work would, 1 have

no doubt, have been commenced tWo years since with or with-
out the colonies themselves, had it not been for the desire soma
of them showed that there should be splendidly illustrated

Fioras, conducted on the scale that you have begun for that of

Victoria, which, independent of the diminished usc they would
_ be to European botanists, travellers, and temporary visitors,

' 4vould require far too much time and cost in their preparation
for me to think of undertaking, Even now the Duke of New-
' gastle saemed anxious that the Australian flora shauld be the
“next of the floras to be carried out on the general plan but the
Treasury have definitely declined to sanction it under the cir-
cumstances. The question now is whether the colonies are
really desirous of having the work done, and I will still. keep
°° my engagements open until the end of this year. [f, by that
. time, Ido sing epee the necessary authority, I shall be obliged,
,, Although with much regret, to give up the Idea altogether, and
+ enter into further arrangements for the Brazilian flara, of
_. which I have already done the Papilionacesze, and for which
“ Martens pays liberally. ray. oath
-- Should I receive the commission, I must depend a great deal
~ upon the continuation of the assistance you have always imost

aug) Datey, The History-of Flora Australionsis 93

. liberally furnished in the way of specimens or notes, and which
- L should always take caré most fully. to acknowledge-
>. always make a rule to adopt MS. names, when not debarred
‘ by the rules of priority, or by mistaken delineation. As you
will observe in the Hong Kong flora and other works, when the
MS, names of Champion, of Spren, of Mertetis, etc., are always
: given without adding my own name, for Champ, et-Benth., would
' gerve to lengthen uselessly the quotation, and I do not in the
- least eave to have my abbreviated name tacked on to the great-
~est possible number of species, as has not infrequently been the
case with botanists who have no claim to it as discoverer.

Immediately on receiving theauthority, should jt be-so decided,

- 1 shall commence with the Thelamiflorz, and much js already
- done. As far as regards genera for the Genera Plantarum
~ which Dr, Hooker and myself are preparing, and of which we

hope soon to send the first parts to press, I should be very glad
therefore, if I am to go on, if you would communicate as early
&s possible any specimens, notes, and printed accounts you may
have relating to Thalamijlora and Leguminosex, which T pre-
sume will fill the first volume.

T send you by this post a copy of my Flora Hong Kongensia,
which I beg you to accept both as a token of my great regard
for you, and as a specimen of the manner in which I ehould
propose drawing up the Flora,

Lam happy to hear that your name is on the list of the Royal
Society this year. I believe there were more than 40 candi-
dates, out of which only 18 could be elected. It was, however,
I hear, unanimously admitied that none had better claims than

- yourself, ,
Belicve me,
My Dear Sir,
Ever yours sincerely,

GEORGE BENTHAM.

From this letter it may be seen that Bentham was
awaiting the ratification by the Australian colonies of
the proposal that he should undertake the work on the
lines indicated, and also that he felt assured of Mueller’s
approval thereto, and of his active co-operation in the
production of the Flora Australiensts,

_ It would seem, however, that the trio of English
botanists had taken Mueller's complete acquiescence in
the project too much fer granted.

Still unconvinced that any insuperable obstacles pre-
vented the production of the work by him in Australia,
he had already written a letter to Sir William Hooker,
making out a strong case for such a course, and urging
his undoubted claims for being entrusted with the pre-
paration of the work. ;

This letter, received only a few days after Bentham’s
letter of May 16th, had been sent to Mueller, caused great
perturbation. Sir William showed it to Bentham and
Dr. Hooker. The former immediately wrote again to
Mueller as follows:

Datey, The History of Flora Austrationmis [ ¥'0'..NAy

Kew, May 22nd, 1861,
, My Dear Six,— q

Since writing to yok via Southampton the other day, 1 have
seen your letter to Sir William Hooker, in which you seem to
think the -Austrafian Flora. ought to be left entirely to you.
T am perfectly aware of the snide tetanic veal and mdustry you
_ have shown in the investigation of the vegetable productions of
Australia, of the high scientific ability you have shown in the
varied and numerous hotanical papers you have published; and
that, could you cume over to this country For the purpose, no
one could nearly so well as yourself prepare the general flora
that is so much wanted, Yet, at the same time, I feel also
that. to be catisfactory to the Botanical world, it must be done
Jn this country, for nowhere else can the old species published —
- ‘the collections of Brown, Cunningham, and others be verified—
_ and nowhere can the Tropical Anstralian hora especially be
properly elucidated with a compariaon with that of tropical
Asia and Oceania; and this I always considered the vicw you
took, when in your letters to myself aa well as to the Mookers,
you kindly expressed yourself so well pleased that the prepara-
tion of the flora should be entrusted to me.

It appears to me that it would far more contribute to the
advancement of science as well as to the maintenance and fur-
therance of the hizh hotanical reputetion which you already
possess if you were to devote yourself to the completion of such
“work as the pereniit flora of Victoria which you have com-
-menecd, and which cannot be done without the knowledge of
the living plants and othor advantages which you have—and
if you were likewise to continue giving to the world tho descrip-
tions of the numerous additions which you have made ta the
botanical treasures of Australie; whilst, if you were to give up
all these for the purpese of condensing the whole flora of your
‘continent into a few octavo volumes you would find it both a
hopeless and # thankless task to accomplish without these aids
which out Herbaria afford.

As for myself, I cannot but feel that my position has given me
peculiar facilities for the task; and, since it was proposed to me
to undertake it three years ago, I have becn in many ways pre
paring myself for it, and I feel fully confident that, if my health
and faculties do not hecome impaired by age, I shall easily get
through a yolume a year as I offered to do; and I think that
such a work got up in this cyantry, in which your contributions
would be fully noticed, jolned with the publication of your Vic-
torinn fiora and other works, will spread far move widely the
reputation your have so well earned, than were you to devote
your time to the work of compilation, which would ba moch
retarded by the necessity of frequent references fo Europe,
where it would be very difficult to find persons competent to
compare your specimens and solve your doubts, except among
those who have too many other occupations to devote themsolves
to the task Having said this much, 1 leave the matter in
_ other hands. The offer ta undertake the task having been
made fo meé, and accepted by me, I feel Joth to give it up} ba
as I said in my former letters, years are now coming on, a
either I must st once commence it or give it up éntirely.

Every yours very sincerely,
GEORGE BENTHAM:

45%] DALEY, The History of Flera Austrationsia 95

This letter contains a dignified and reasonable state-

ment. of the position, Two days later it was followed by
a letter from Dr. Hooker from Hetcham, Ipswich,
May 24th, 1861, in which he writes:

My father and I are much concerned to find that We are now
ngain et cross purposes with you upon that subject

In regard to the authorship of that work, our only desire is
to see that it is done well by whoever by position and attain-
tménts, is the-best qualified to do it well. Now, potting attein-
ments out of the question, it must surely be evident to you
that te work out the Australian Flora without references to
the oollections of Brown, Cunningham, Drummond and the
Paris Herbaria would he a proceeding that no botanist could
approve, and from which indeed [ should have thought that
mast botanists who regarded the interests of science and the
tights of collections as paramount, would have shrunk. Indeed,
we ail congratulated ourselves that vou had entertained the
Sime opinion of Bentham’s fitness that is universal in Eurape,
and we certainly zo understood from letters to himee)f, to my
father, and to me, in which you joined us in thinking that it
was 2 mutter of congratulation to hetany that a man who
is of al] others the most skilful and accurate in Descriptive
Botany, should undertake a task that called for so eminent a
display of these qualifications. There has been op desire or
wish in this country to disparage your labours, either as tra-

_ veller or botanist; indeed we have fought hard enough for you

in every way, but we are not going ta lose sight of justice to
your predecessors, whose claims you naturally think so lightly

~of, in comparison with your own, because in your isolated

»

position you cannot avail yoursetf of tham, or feel or know the
opinion that is formed of them in this country.

Vi would . . . . be of little use to point ont to you the
difficulty of the efficient canstruction of so gigantic a Flora as
that of Australia, how much tact it requires to seize prominent
characters, and to make diagnoses, both brief, dizgnostic and
accurate, in ‘duing which Bentham has had 40 years’ experience,
and you none; and how much advice and counsel the wisest
and best hotanists amongst us take of one another in all these
matters, before arranging a plan that is to include 8,000 species,
so arranged and described 25 to he reaiiy useful and not trouble-
some. all this, I ‘afirm, requires work of a very different
cheracter from that you have been accustomed to, and henee
for systematic methodising that you have never felt. called upon
to exercise. I will tell you candidly that excellence in these

matters, requires deep, Jong study end thought, without which

““Reritham himself would ‘never‘ have obtained even medioerity;

for my dwn-part, J fee? wholly unfit to cope with him, and
‘would not attempt any extensive Flora that he would—under
any civcumstances; nor do I see how you conld do the work
with care within a reasonable period. Bentham, who has
nothing (or little) else to do, works all day at Kew and then

‘with: Flore the most familiar to him. ‘He-rarely described

mare than five species a day,-inocluding all arrangements, com-

Tisons, nd genera, ete,; and he caleulates that-the Australian
Flara, would take him seven or eight years at Jeast to.do it,s0
that his work should fast, and the bock be a standard for all

oa ate. -- . 3a “ =

RG Datex; The History of Flora Austratiensia ( YS Pty

With your multifarious duties, and such a work as the Vie-
torjan Flora in hand, you would, T am sure, find it ‘impossible
to do the ‘Australian well.

“Candidly, - then, let me assire you as a friend, that in the
opinton of your best friends ‘here, ¢ireumstances are against
you undertaking the Australian: Flora, far more than against

“nine even; and [had for many years set my heart upon it, too,
but I have abandoned it long sgo in favour of Bentham, be-
'“enuse E have no time to do it justice, and because it would be
~ @ public calamity if it were taken ovt of his hands.
; peo Kew on July 14th, 1861, Dr. Hooker again
writes:
“He. (Bentham) has written to you about the Austra-
lian’ Flora, and J do hope that you will see the expediency
of the course he proposes—it is no fault of yours that you
are nat in a position to publish such a Flora, nor that
you have. not had the experience in general botany that
is so essential to drawing up short accounts and diag-
nostic descriptions, Your election to the Royal Society
will, I am sure, convince you that every one here is duty
anxious for your fair fame, and appreciates to the full
-your admirable labour. Go on publishing your materials
by all means, and above all things do give us an Index to
all your species with references, etc., we often waste
hours over your works for want of a key to the whole,”
Mueller was undoubtedly mortified and disappointed in
his ambition, but the strong recommendations of his
friends and the realisation of the difficult position he
‘would be in if be persisted in his desire to publish the
Flora from Australia had their effect.
In the latter case, there was not only the cardinal dis-
ability of remoteness from the repositories of other
botanists’ work which were indispensable for verification,
comparison, and elucidation of species and genera; but
_there was the deprivation of the Colonial Office's interest
and support in the undertaking; whilst the comparative
indifference to the project in Australia, and the much
greater cost of the work as a whole would have been
obstacles greatly hampering its success. Added to this
there was the risk of losing the invaluable assistance
from the Hookers and Bentham, and of a. possible
vestrangement:in friendly relations.
Dr. Hooker's plain presentment of the case seems to
Have convinced Dr. Mueller even against his will, of the
“advisability of sacrificing his private inclinations and
agreeing to.the scheme proposed a3 being in the best in-
iterests of botanical science. Henceforth, although the
disappointment was never forgotten, and a feeling of
digue remained, which sometimes foiind utterance.- ‘ Dr.
Mueller, as- Bentham freely acknowledged, assisted un-

ae. “ Darev, Phe History 6f Flore. Australiensis. 47

sparingly and loyally in thedevelopmentof the Flora Aua-
traliensis, a great work which Bentham could not havé
successfully produced without. Mueller’s valuable and
continued assistance. ;

--In reply ta Mueller’s intimation that he would accept
the proposal, a determination that relieved the tension of
a difficult situation, Dr. Hooker wrote as follows:

, Dear Dr. Mucller,—

4

Kew, '
September 22nd, 1861.

We have all been extremely gratified by the liberal spirit in
which you haye met the wishes of your friends here with regatd
to the Australian Flora; and Bentham and you may depend
that we shall make cyery arrangement for the fullest and most
prominent acknowledgment of your Herbarium, name, services,
ete, and in the title-page and throughout the body of the work.

Do you know I think you very wise to give up the iden of
writing an Australian Flora in Australia. Whatever the extent
and. value of your collections, granting even that they were
greater than ours, still to have published such a work without
reference to’ the collections: of Banks, Baudin, Freycinet,
D'Urville, Brown, and Cunningham, would haye brought an
amoant of criticism upon your work that it would never have
recovered from; and, indeed, I fecl positive that you would
have become dissatisfied long before its conclusion. Nor have
you, 1 am sure, any idea of the time and labour required, for it
an & task that I should well have liked; and for which I have
much more preparation than anyone in Europe by the study
and arrangement of all our Australian plants here, in the Lin-
nesn, ete,, and many of those of British Museum; but T shrink
trom the task which would be incompatible with my other work.

By the way, we cannot allaw you to be at the expense of
sending your Herbaria backward and forward, we shal] pay one
way of any rate. I shall see that we add to it seraps of all
the species it wants wherever they ¢an be broker off, sa as to
make it as complete ag possible before returning,

T am extremely glad-that you are going an with the Vic-
torian Flora;—it will do you a very great deal of credit in
every way. It will be a standard work ss long as Botany
remains, and must be so whenever an Australian Fiora must
have been superseded, and thereafter rejected, -

The public must always know that no man can be so quali-
fied as you for the Victorian Flora, that you have al] materials,
oviginal views of the descriptions and species and thorough com-
petency;—improvements and discoveries may follow, but it
must alwava .be gtendard, and can never be guperseded. - It
is » work of a widely different and in most respects of a much
higher order of merit than the Flora of Australia from its

. therongh character,

The Fipra of Australia will be at best an imperfect aketch,
No genus can he worked. out as you do a, Victorian one in -the
Victorian Flora, and, its greatest value in our eyes will be
derived from its working up the collections of the last centary

“into a systematic form, and awiping off the stain Upon our

éeclence which has been. left through our neglect of the collec-
tions of Banks, Brown, ete: . bois ek ustis
’ Ever most traly yours, i ‘S-

ran oo JOS. DI -HOORER!

98 Datzy, The History of Flora Australiensis (Vit. T3y

Mr. George Bentham was no less relieved at Dr.
Mueller’s change of attitude, and in a letter from Kew,
dated October 15th, 1861, writes:

I lose no time in expressing to- you: my gratification, at the
jJiberal manner in which you have met my proposal relating
to the Australian Vlora, a further proof of your well-known
zeal for sciencve, and of the disinterestedness o: your laboura in
the investigation of the botanical treasures of the Australian
colonies. I have no hesitation in acceding to the stipulations
contained in your letter, and I accept thankfully the lean of
your standard herbarium in successive portions an the proposed
conditions.

With regard to the title-page, upon consulting with Sir William
and Dr. Hooker as to the most suitable mode of meeting your
wishes, we propose to draw it up as fallows:—

FPiora Australiensis.
A Description
Of the Ey erine lant and Ferns

£ the
Australian, Colonies,

By
George Bentham, -President Linnean Sneiety,
With the Assistance of Notes and Descriptions
Communicated By
Ferdinand Mueller, Ph. and M.D., F.R.S.,

5 Government Botanist of thea Colony of Victorta.
Director of the Botanical and Zovlogical Gardens of Melbourne.
Published under the authority of the Colonial Governments of - .

The answers already received to Sir Williurn Hooker's appli-
cation to the Governors of the several colonies appear to be so
far satisfactory as to leave little doubt that the requisite funds
will be forthcoming, and I shall immediately proceed with the
preparation of the wark,

I should therefore feel obliged if you would, at your earliest
convenience, despatch the first portion of your Herbarium and
notes—that is, the Thalamifiore, including those Calyciflorous
families which in de Candolle’s Prodromus, precede the
Leguminosem, as these orders must he worked up with the
Thalamiflorz. . r

reo Kew again on November 16th, 1861, Bentham
wrote: -

Taent you, in my last letter, 4 sketch of the proposed title-
page for the Fiora. I forgot to add that I should, of course,
explain fully in the Preface the part you will have taken in the
“work,.and hope-to do full credit te.your-zeal and success. -What

-- Tam most anxious-for as soon as possible is the printed sheets
- of your Victorian Flora-—notes. an localities and habit of species
+ - net comprised in that Flora, and-the loan of specimens. of those
species of which you have not hitherta sent in. speciméens—all
for the:families -above Leguminosez, which, as you say, will
- probably fill the first volume.. ‘The second volume wil) include
_— the terrible-genus Eucalyptus, which, perhaps, might be worked
- up by you with notes that I might add from-comparison with
:_ Specimens published in Europe; and what i should_suggest as
+most edaducive to, the general-purpose, would be your proceed-
ing as rapidly as possible with your important flora: of- Victoria
so as to keep-well-ahead-of me:- ;

408%. ] : Daney, The History of Flora Australiensis qs

He speaks of the importance of noting the geography
of habitats to show plants belonging to the divisions,
North Coast, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,
Tasmania, North Australia, etc., and jnvites suggestions
for consideration in regard to thia or any other topics,

From this correspondence it is evident that it was the
unanimous opinion of the Hookers and Bentham that Dr.
Mueller was the one best fitted for undertaking the com-
prehensive work of an Australian Fora; that it could not
be effectively carried out except in Europe, where free
access to previous - botanists’ collections was indispen-
sable; that Mueller, althoush repeatedly besought te go
to England and undertake the work, and assured of every
assistance, was unable to go; and that, in default George
Bentham was asked and agreed to produce the work with
Dr. Mueller’s active assiatance,

A satisfactory understanding having been arrived at
between the parties interested, constant communication
between Mueller and Bentham took place up to the com-
pletion of the work. In some matters it is not a)ways
quite harmonious, but is generally frank and to the
point. When the waters are somewhat troubled, Dr.
Hooker tactfully pours the oil of counsel and good sense
on them, his influence with Dr. Mueller being very great.

In a letter dated 24th March, 1862, Bentham acknow-
ledges the receipt of a letter announcing the despatch
from Victoria of the first consignment of plants from the
Herbarium: “I will not allow another mail to pass with-
out thanking you for all you say as well as for yours of
24th January. I will take care to attend to and consider
well all your suggestions; and, if I do not discuss them at
length with you," it is because there is no time for long
letters, the Genera Plantarum and work entailed on it,
the detailed examination for the Flora Australiensis and
“minor botanical papers and affairs absorb ail his time. |

Bentham states that he works five and a half hours
every day at Kew and two and a half hours at home, and
has the evening for necessary quiet and social enjoyment.
In preparation for the Flors, whilst awaiting receipt of
Mueller's specimens he has been checking and examining
genera and species in detail, “On receipt of your speci-
mens,” he writes, ''f shall go i esa through the Flora,
beginning at the beginning: and, when not taken away by
other matter I find -I can readily get throuigh.80 or 46
species a week.” . oe ee ee er
_- He goes on to say, “As to the limits of genera and
species, the longer I live, and I have now worked at them

100 Daney, The, History of Flora Australiensie [¥it TRY

for eight and thirty years, the more-I see: how Little fixity
there is in them, and how impossible it 1s that botanists’
views should agree upon. them. In writing a systematic
work one must make up one’s mind-on the-spot, often
upon insufficient materials, and often must take into con-
sideration the opinions of Others against one’s own. -~

say this because it is inevitable that on many occasions
I may unite or separate species in a manner you may not
approve, just as in other works I have published, hotan-
ists whose opinions | value more than my own disagree
from. the conclusion I have come to; therefore it is that
Thave always declined joint work, unless, as in the case
of Dr. Hooker, I can daily and constantly discuss with
him. Iam anxious to give every credit to those who
kindly assist me; and in the Australian Flora, I am par-
ticularly desirous that you should be satisfied with what
T say on the subject, but I expressly wish to have the
sole responsibility, so that neither you nor anyone else
shal] be committed by what 1 do,”

(To be continued.)

BRUSH-TAILED RAIDERS. I

The Greater “rush-tailed Ponched Mouse, Phascologale pent-'
ciliate, the largest species of a very interesting genus, appears to
be increasing, though it is not common, in some parts of Victoria.
Lately I have received notes concerning it, from several localities,
tnelating Toolangi and Ruffy. It is described, in each case, as a
raider.

Writing from Ruffy, Mz. G. H. Noye says. that, some time ago,
& strange animal, ‘thought to be a “squirrel” of some kind, was
seen once or twice, very early in the evening. It would “ekylare
aver the ceiling, at. night, running races with itself.in great style,”
Outside, glimpses of it were obtained, as it scurried about in @
large Paradise tree, displaying a long, bushy tail. It would, after
yomping, remain perfectly still for 2 while, a'most crouching on a”
oug' '

- Canaries and goldfinches in an aviary often were disturbed at
night; and eventually a canary was killed. and drawn piece-meal
through the fine mesh netting, Another bird lost a leg; a third
suffered injury to its head. A rabbit-trap was set near an open-
ing in the roof, where the raider was. supposed to live, and next
maring a Brush-tailed Pouched Mouse was foand, dead, in the
trap. -These animals, Mr. Noye remarks; are not numerous in the
Ruffy district. They prey upon insects and simall, birds.

Recently a Phascologale of this species was captured in New
South Wales, and sent, alive, to Taronga Park. | _

Country members are invited to send notes regarding any of the
smaller maraupials inhabiting their districts. Of the habits of
some species we possess very little knowledge—C.B, 7

THE. VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol, xutv, Avug., 1927.
Plate V,

Details of Halictine Bees.

wade - Rayment, A New Halietine Bee 101

‘A NEW HALICTINE BEE,
' HALicTUS PLATYCEPHALUS, Sp. n,
By TARLTON RAYMENT. —

{Length about 45 mm.; black; Head large, Broad:
frons shining. and excessively punctured ; Clypeus pro-
minent, convex, coarsely and sparsely punctured, well
covered with white long plumose hair, the apical half of
supra clypeal area pointed upward on a median line.
Antennae of normal length, submoniliform. Mesothorax
shining, coarsely well-punctured, but not so excessively
as frons; a lin. objective reveals some minute striae
radiating from each puncture;afewscattered white hairs,
Soutellum sparsely punctured, Area of metathoraz
small, shining, with coarse anastomosing rugae, a. few
white hairs near plewra. Abdomen broad, shining, ex-
cessively punctured, hind margins of segments narrowly
and obscurely fulvus; the hind margin of the second seg-
ment has an unique single row or fringe of minute, stiff,
whife plumose hairs; the longer scattered white hair is
most conspicuous at sides. Tegulae piceus with pallid
margins, Wings almost clear; stigma and nervures
‘dark ferruginonus; second recurrent and intereubitus very
faint. Legs black, except fibzae, with light ends, and
tarsi ferruginous. Tibial spurs pale yellow, with oné
tooth and three nodules heyond,

The species frequents. Olearia ramulosa and Goodenia
opeta during’ February. The large head, striae and
black tegulae at once distinguish it from H. unicolour.

“KEY TO PLATE (V.).

A few details of four Halictine Bees of Port Phillip.

1. ft Halictus raymenti, Ckil.; note the curled hair of
the abdominal pollen-brush or scope.

2, Nodules. on the hyaline margin or rima of fifth
dorsal abdominal] plate. The furrow is character-
istic of the family.

_8. Hind leg of Halictus taritont, Ckil,# Note the

. _ faint recurrent nervures.

6, Posterior or hind wings of Halictus tarltont, ChILT
“Note the weak hooklets.

7. Portion of striate wing-muscles attached to the
inside of the mwiesothoraz. Note single row of epi-
dermal cells.

8. Antenna of Halictus intermedia, Raym., showing

- the “joints” on -which new organs. were found.
’ ‘The figures indicate; the number .on each.

102 Rayment, A New Halictine Boe Were

9. Surface of antenna, highly magnified, to show the
sense pores, the “pegs,” and four of the new
organs. -

10, New organ, highly magnified,

-11.-Portion. of fat-body of. Halictus raymenti, showing

the numerouz oil-globules in the fat cells,

Nota bene—I suggest that this organ be known as the
detectum, and that its function is the detection of sound-
Waves. Transverse and other micro-sections will be
obtained when more material is available in the Spring.

OPEN-AIR PLANT MUSEUM,

How Wilten's Bush, ar the Otari Native-plant Museum, came
into the hands of the Government, which constituted it = scenie
reserve, and how, later it was acquired by the Wellington City
Council, partly by purchase, is told in an article in the New Zea-
land Journal of. Agriculture (May, 1927),

The area occupied by the Museum is 143 acres—one half of
which is practically in a virgin state, The plan upon which the
museum is to be arranged is: tH A study of the flora from the
systematic biological sides. (2) The vegetation. (3) Horticulture.
(4) The restoration of the forest. “It must be clearly understood
that the flora and the vegetation of a country are two quite dif-
ferent things. The dora is concerned with the species merely
as species; ut the vegetation with the combinations of species as
they grow side by side, such combinations taken all together, mak-
ing the plant covering of the Jand.” :

Examples are to be made of various important features of the
primeval vegetation of New Zealand-—this is an unique wnder-
teking—full of possibilities for the good of the people, Indeed
aa the flora and vegetation of New Zealand are considered of special
interest the world over, the influence of the Otari Open-air Museum
will be world-wide—P.F.M.

EXCURSION TO SHERBROOKE GULLY.

Sixteen members and visitors attended the excursion to Sher-
brooke on Saterday, duly Oth. In Clematis Gully, the Lilly-pilly
tree, planted on the occasion of the Club's last visit,. was seen to be
thriving. This gully ig one of the finest in the Dandenonga.
The party proceeded to Sherbrooke by way of the track cut on
thesouthern sloperof the,hill. 05 okt et Fo eat Fact ce

m the margin of the forest, close. to;Sherbroake,-a Lyre-bird
Zeolony”, was Visited: and several ‘of the party had a good view of
a full-grown bird, traced by its calls; ‘Other members. went to the
kiosk, where they divided, and folldwed the sounds of Lyre-birds in
various direttions,, -During the,afternoon several: mote birds: were
seen, Ond a dancing.mound near the:kiosk. . =. -+ -

“The dampness‘ of the day rendéred it well snited for an excursion
of this kind, as. the moisture appears to bring the food supply of
Mériirattowards’ the-aurfacé, and tie! birds: gamed ene 406: Katlye in
their search among: the leaves: and mould;-and:disy: in thelr enjoy-
ment of tha:hunt on days.such as. this..,-,"A -psir.of-Panerea! Cocka-
toos and many smaller species of birds Were seen—A. G, Hooxn,

tody. RAYMENT, The Send-hopper Bees 103

THE SAND-HOPPER BHES.,
By TARLTON RAYMENT.

You will remember that the maker of fine purses, the
wild-bee, Furyglossa, dwells on the very face of the
cliffs which hem in the waters along the eastern shore of
Port Phillip Bay. This natural wall, then, receives the
fall brunt of the broiling summer sun.

In winter, the spray and spume from the sea sweep
up over the cliffs in misty gushes that follow each other
in irregular succession as determined by the ecaprice of
the wind. The ferocity of the “weather” erodes all soft
soil, and, as I have already described the cliff-bees love
the naked escarpments that are as hard as sandstone.

But the honey-gatherers that I now wish to talk about
are the “Sand-hoppers,” Halictus victoriellus,* Ckll., that
shun the exposed positions, and never seek the cliff-face,
with its alternate heat and cold and wind, They nest
in the top, in the shelter of the dense 'Tea-tree' and Coast
Wattle* There the ground is clad with the golden-
flowered Capeweed,’ the “Boobialla,"4 and also much
green verdure, including a kind of sweet-smelling wild
Spinach. There is, too, the yellow flowered Melilotus in
abundance,

In through the beauty of the unique Tea-tree growth,
wind narrow paths that are firm enough when wet, but
which in dry weather soon tramp into 4 light-grey loose
sand, Pienic parties from the city roam over the coast,
especially on holidays, and the paths become as soft as
dry flour, so fine are the grains of quartz. .

When the top of the ground is dampitis dark in coloue,
almost black, and I think the sombre hue might be ex-
plained by the decaying of the vegetation that crawns the
cliffs. Lam curious, and scrape away some of the black
top-land for a few inches until I uncover a thick stratum
of white sea-shells, all of which lie flat; never an one on
edge, Then a thin layer of charcoal-like debris, which
is- very black indeed. Then more bands of shells and
charcoal, perhaps for three feet down. The lime is soft,
and crumbles quickly between my fingers; it may have
been burnt ages ago, when fingers blacker than mine
ae out the tasty morsels from the freshly roasted
shells.

*Thia species is very close to H. pulvitectua, CKIL, recorded from
Tenmanit

1. Leptospermum laevigatis.
2. Acacia longtfolia, var, eopkorae,
3. Cryptostemma colendulaceum.
4. Muoporum insulare,

log RAYMENT, ‘Tho Sond-hopper Bess [ Yisty, Nae

However, the old residents of the shore tell me that
the aborigines were accustomed to congregate along the
grassy places, to perform certain rites that included the
cooking of shellfish from the near-by rocks. There are
large areas_of alternate. layers of shells and burnt debris,
and the corroborees- must-have. been spread over a very
lengthy period to account for such a huge deposit, _ Of
this I am sure, where the burnt matter is nncovered the
ground i is yery dark,

It-is all very interesting, and the problem is worth

investigating, but my paths are sharply defined, though
in places are right in among the Wattles, so that I get
brushed with the foliage as I push through. Now, I have
walked these winding tracks for years, and I possess
sharp eyes, but 1 had many disappointments before I
found the nests I sought.
. It is a spring day in September, and f am fortunate—
also patient, and I lean one arm on a bent tree-limb to
rest and observe at Jength.
~ [Tam rewarded.

-You see, it is yet too early for the summer visitors to

tramp the friable ground into flour, and right at my feet
I pereeive many dozens of tiny grey-black bees fossick-
ing for a shaft-mouth in the centre of a cone of loose
sand. These do not find their home sites quickly, though
they search diligently over an area of a foot or so, They
then dive suddenly into a cavity close to a grass-root.
They are females, loaded heavily, either with Cape-weed
gold, or else the cream polien of the pink “Pipface." One
searched the tiny pink funnel-flower of the Onion-weed,
- Fortune often comes with a lavish hand, and though
I have spent years in unsuccessful search, here are nesta
in abundance. Fabre said that his untiring patience
certainly yr a reward, consequently, he reaped his
harvest. Am I any less entitled to succeed? Three
years of honest peering into banks of sand, of clay, of
sandstone, of loam, under grass roots, in amongst the
tangle of the. Wattle and the Tea-tree, under the clear
blue—the intensely blue sky, the summer sun, in the chill
autumnal wind, as the spring showers came sweeping
ACTOSS the purple blue of the Bay.

Arid-success kept ever hovering ahead, just beyond my
grasp. To-day fortune comes and spreads her gifts in
a stream from her overflowing cornucopia.. The nests of
two long-sought species aré tight. at my teats while I
stand idly resting, ; ’ i

RarMent, The Sand-hopper Bees 105

. Close at hand are a few nests of another species, one
almost’ as huge as the Honey-bee. It is an Australian
Paracolletes,-but though I have often caught these bees
I had not previously identified the nests, I shall rectify
the omission. ‘ a .

The collection of bees in Melbourne’s Museum is a
limited one and many are unnamed. My collection will
have to be forwarded to Professor Cockerell, of Colorado,
U.8.A., for-identification. No entomologist has taken
up the study of the life histories of the Australian bees,
80 that I find myself bereft of all companionship. I look
up Froggart’s book on Australian Insects: “Nothing is
known of the habits of the Australian Halieti”! ‘

.To-day I notice quite 2 nymber of females searching

among loose sand, and some succeed in finding the mouths
of the shafts. Since the exeavated material is formed
into a mound, and is very loose, I do not. know if these
bees cover the entrances to conceal them, or whether the
loose. sand just drifts over the hole with the lightest
zephyrs that blow. However, most of the entrances are
. ¢losed at one period or another.
' The tunnel is not lined in any way, and although I saw
a few polien-laden females pass in, I could not find any-
thing other than a number of pupae cases, each a little
over & ag Sem of an inch in length, probably of some fly,
I brought some home to mature, but I do not think at
present these are reared on the bees’ stores. Six ta eight
gquare feet are occupied by the bees’ nests, and while 1
was unable to discover a pudding or cells, I did find plenty
of pupae of a brownish-pink colour, and one pupa of a
very dirty yellowy white, the abdomen being pinched into
A point at the end. They were found about 9 inches
down, and scattered through the earth. pair these
developed into large flies that have no relatienship with
the bees’ nests.] :

The October days are very fine, and I visited my bees
every day. Sometimés all of the shafts were closed with
loose sand, and since there is always much foot traffic,
Tam again unable to say whether the closing is due to
human feet or to those of the insects. I attempted to
dig one out, but it went down over twelve inches, and
owing to the looseness of the ground I was unable to
follow the burrow any deeper. Moreover, I do dislike
digging under the scrutiny of curious people, passing
visitors, and employes of the municipal council. . .:
* The head-gardener is a good friend of mine, so that
when I am rewarded with a glimpse of a wild-bee’s nest

106 RaYMent, The Sand-hopper Beee [Wily NY

in the loose sand of his flower beds, I say, ‘Will you
please let me know when you wish to dig this bed. That
tiny black hole is the mouth of the shaft that leads to
the nursery of a wild-bee. I want to study it.” The
gardener plucks a near-by twig and thrusts it into the
ground to mark the nest.

My notes read: October, 9th day, and it is blowing
“great guns” from the north, and though it is yet spring,
it is a dry devastating wind that turns ail the Cape-weed
heads to the south. Not a-single honey-gatherer is to
be seen, and 1 am dismayed. It ia a most uncomfortable
day. True, there ts no dust such as is drenching the in-
land northern suburbs of Melbourne, but the Tea-tree
wrenches at the soil, and the flowers suffer intensely. The
water is calm inshore, as the breeze is off the land, but
out a mile or so there is a white-capped cross sea.

I said there is not a bee in sight, and the Sand-hoppers
have almost every entrance closed. Of course, the wind
could do that quite easily. I have a spade with me to-
day, also 4 strong knife and a length of white string.

J blow away a patch of loose sand, equalling the area of

a half-penny, and uncover a tiny black aperture, © I then _
pass down my thread as far as it will go, and find that
eight inches is all that I can plumb. You see, the soil
on the cliff-top is so friable that fine, tinned wire en-
counters but litfle resistance in the soft ground, so that
it will disappear in any direction, and when I attempt to
follow it down, why! I astonish myself by delving clean
away from the bee's shaft, finding nothing at. ail,

I_ pass down the white string, which shows in dark
contrast to the dark soil. The next operation is to sink,
say, eighteen inches deep at the side of the shaft. I!
then bring into play my knife, and carefully pare awa
slice after slice of earth until I uncover my white, guid-
ing thread. The removed material drops away, and does
not bother me by falling in and obliterating the object
of my search.

- Down I go, very carefully indeed, for as far as I can
discern, there is absolutely no lining to the shaft, which
drops away obliquely. I must be particularly dexterous,
or I may damage the 1 I am at the bottom, where
the shaft turns, and terminates in a tiny chamber about
@ quarter of an inch in Jength.

. There is no sign of any bee. The inside of the chamber
appears slightly darker than the surrounding earth, as
though it had received the very thinnest coating of some
liquid. that had dried. just. a fraction harder than the

Ane | RayMent, The Sand-hopper Bess 10%

original ground. In the room is a solitary orange
coloured pudding, about as large as the head of a match,
or perhaps a little smaller. It is wonderfully smooth,
and has just a suspicion of shininess; it is very firm, and
seems to be softer on the outside. IJt is undoubtedly of
Cupe-weed pollen, for that is the only plant at preseut in
bloom. Indeed, there is no other local plant that yields ,
similarly bright granules, if we except the “Flat-weed,”
Hypochaeris radicata, a dandelion-like flower that is at
its best in autumn.

{ decided that the mouth of the shaft led to the Sand-
hopper’s nest because I detected a few Cape-weed gran-
ules that had been scraped from her legs by obstructing
grass stalks, and that reminded one of how the sheets of
perforated metal—used by the commercial apiarists to
confine the quten to the bhrond-chamber of the hive—
scrape off much of the Honey-bee’s load as she struggles
through the zinc barrier. IJ have seen quite a heap of
the vari-coloured pellets of the precious meal lying about
the doorways of busy colonies, and I have always opposed
the use of “queen excluders,” if only for the reason that
they caused a serious loss of food, te say nothing of the
bees's time and energy.

However, being aware of that effect on the Honey-bee
has often helped-me to discover the entrances to the Sand-
hopper’s nests. Some one may take me to task for my
choice of this name, so I will tell you how I came to
christen this bee.

-When I found the first colony, the holes were epread
out over an area of about five square feet, and it was
interesting tc watch these bees “flip” down, remain per-
fectly still for a moment, then “flip” again, when they
atighted a foot or so away. It seems that this bee does
not settle close to its shaft, buf makes several attemptr
before being successful, so that a number are alighting
while others are taking wing; they appear to be hopping
instead of flying.

This is especially the case when they are well dusted
with golden pollen. Should the bees have no granulea,
they are'‘more difficult to see, for they are as dark as the
grey of the soil; moreover, they are small in stature, for
the length is about a quarter of an inch.

- Jn the centre of a small, ovoid chamber is the pudding
of the Cape-weed pollen kneaded with honey. It is
beautifully round and amooth, and is without blemish.
like a polished lentil. In one nest I find a larva on its
eake. The baby bee is only 1-16th of an inch in length,

108 Rayment, The -Sand-hopper Bess (ic Bat.

and must be only a few hours old, for, even with a mag-
nifying glass of 24x power, I can discern no merk on
the shining smoothness of the store.

How lucky! here I am holding in my hand the little
cave with its pudding and feeding larva, and what an
opportonity to study fta development. You see, I want
ta place this in a glass tube, darkened with a black photo-
graphic paper sleeve, so that I may determine thetime
taken to eat the store, the weaving of the cocoon, the
period cf metamorphosis, and the season when the imaga
emerges, Then there is the sex to be considered.

While I am preparing to carry out my plans, the
wind howls roynd to the south-west and down comes a
drenching shower. The tiny pudding roils over in my
hand—-???, J say some hard things, for the soft larva
is crushed into a speck of moisture. The rain pours
down, and I am soaked ; but I cannot leave the place with-
out filling in the excavations, for someone would be sure
to fall in, and perhaps break a limb. In any case; the
municipal authorities, who are not nature students, would
most assuredly prosecute me if they witnessed my dig-
ging, so ! must stay and make things “ship-shape” again.

But Iam cold and wet, also hungry, and predispased—
just a little—to bronchitis, so I hurry home as fast aa I
am able while laden with a spade, specimen tubes, and
other impedimenta of the naturalist’s game. I am no
sooner arrived than the rain ceasés, and the sky is once
more clear and blue. Thatis the typical spring weather
of my coast line.

There is one point that prompts me to refet again to
Fabre's Hoalictus. As you are all aware, his bees did
not close up the cell until the larvae had eaten the whole
of the store, and were about to undergo the metamorphic
change. Fabre thought that the cells were left open, so
that the mother might supplement the ration, which
seemed scanty when compared with the supply of other
wild-bees.

Gf course, it might be so, for Apis, the Honey-hee, con-
tinues the feeding of the larvae with auper-food for
several days before sealing the cells, and the maternal
solicitude of Halictus may equal that of the Apis.

The cell of the Australian Sand-hopper Bee is often
closed for several days, and she, too, may rival the large
French Halictus-in her continued care for her family.
However, many of these bees carry pollen during the
whole of October, and this seerns anomaious, because 1
find only one chamber at the bottom of the shaft, and the
total store only amounts to about three Honey-bee loads.

Ang] Rayment, The Sand-Hopper Boes 10g

The explanation may be that only a very few trips are
made during the day. In three hours I note only one
voyage by this bee; then she spends an hour or two in
the cell, Unlike the “Black and Tans,”* this one is
seldom on “watch'' duty, nor at I able to find two bees
usiig one ttinnel. Each to its own is the rule with this
Halicfus. Only rarely does she watch at the entrance;
ig not the grand-mother, and, in this respect, she departs
from the Frenchman’s bees.

I repeat, I am utterly unable to obtain more than one
pudding in one shaft, but I doubt if the Sand-hopper
makes more than two shafts, However, up to the clos-
ing of the nests, I do not see any males, and although
there are unavoidable gaps in my observations, I feel
that the mothers I saw digging and provisioning nests
were a generation of females that are the progeny of a
fertile mother carried over the winter in a state of
hibernation.

I know of only one-large Sand-hopper Ree colony, and
it is so mixed up with that of another bee of very similar
form that I have to be extremely careful in my observa-
tions. However, by the end of October, all the “Sand-
hoppers" shafts are closed. and buried beneath an ava-
lanche of loose fine sand.

But when November opens, another generation of
victoriellus, is digging for dear hfe, and I see both males
and females on the Veronicas, the latter gathering fair
loads of cream pollen. About the time the famous
“Cup” attracts its hundreds of thousands, these bees cele-
brate the day by many “marriages” whichal! take place in
the burrows. F

"Halictus mssembryanthemt, Ckli, the lite history of which ts
given in % proposed book. ;

\ NaS a
*\ iB Hee

p es a

(eence Rayinent ) a

1, The heautiful labrum of Halictus intermedia, Raym, — 2, Por-
tion of front leg, showing antenna brush and peg, Halictus trter
mediz, Raym. + 3, Portion of abdominal dorsal plate, showing how
the coloured chitin impinges onthe hyaline margin, + Halictue trter-
mediz, Raym, 4, Mandible of MWelictus raymenti, Ckll, ¢ 45,
Mandible of Halictus intermedia, Raym, ¢ 6, The weak sting and
palpi of Helictus ruymenti, Ck. ¢— 7, The flexor muscle of the
mandible of Halictus taritoni, Ck], },

110 Natea from the National Museum | Aoi xe

NOTES FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM,

THE WHITE-STRIPED BAY, N¥YCTINOMUS AUSTRALIS,
ray.

An interesting series of the White-striped Bat was
recently forwarded,.alive, to the National Museum by Mr.
James Hill, of Murtoa. They farmed part of a large
colony of nearly 80 individuals, which were found
clustered in-a hole at the top of a large dead Eucalypt, at
Warracknabeal, ’

Although widely distributed over the greater part of
the continent, and extending into New Guinea, the white-
striped bat has not been regarded as common in this
State. It is one of the free-tailed bats, the long tail
projecting some distance beyond the margin of the
uropatagium, or leathery membrane, The head and body
are clothed with very fine, velvety, dark brown fur, the
coiour varying tn a reddish-brown, or, in seme instances,
almost black.

This species, which is extremely rapid in flight, may be
readily distinguished by the presence of a pure white
stripe on the under-surface of each wing-membrane,
which extends on to the sides of the hody, and, in some
instances, over the greater part of the abdomen, forming
a large, broad, white patch. The ears are large and are
practically joined together on their inner margins: and
the muzzle is broad and truncated with the upper lip con-
siderably wrinkled. .

- In confinement the bats were very active in their move-
ments, walking quickly on the hind-feet and wrists, with
the body raised clear of the ground. While resting, they
hong suspended just as frequently from the fore ag from
the hind limbs; occasionally uttering the short sharp
squeak one so frequently hears from bats on the wing,—
J, A, KersHaw, Curator,

THE SORRENTO BORE: A FOSSIL INDEX TO STRATA.

Probably one of the most interesting, and at the same time
voluminous, picees of work ever undertaken jn the Geological De-
pattment of the Museum, has been the sampling, naming, and
description of the material from the bore-cores obtained in L910,
by the Victorian Geplogical Survey, at Sorrento.

It ig seventeen years since this work of the minute serutiny
of the richly fossiliferous deposits from the boring was com-
menced. Within the last year or so 1t was made possible to
finalise these results through seientifie and clerical assistance from
the Mines Department. The work ia now ¢o far advanced that a
large portion of it has been sent to the press, The Victorian

srry \ Notes from the Nutional Mien ml

Mines Department will issue this report as one of the Ceolvgi-
es! Survey Records.

Sorrento is situated on the downthraw side of the Cape Schanck
Fault, and in consequence, at the locality we have a vast aceumt-
lation of Quaternary and ‘lertiayy deposits in regular sequence,
from ‘the bottom beds—Baleombian—to the surface—muds and
sand-dunea. So that a hore taken on the spot is of imestimabte
value in giving a complete section, in consecutive order, of the
marls, clays, and sands, with their accompanying faunas,’ which
were laid down Quying a period of three or faur million years.

The total depth of this bore was 1,696 feet, and was still in che
lower Tertisry strata, with no signs of having neared the base
of the series. It would be greatly to the interasts of science, and
alsu economic purposes, in regard to correlation of strata ineldent
to oj] search, if this bore could be continued.

In the report there will be embodied a summary of resuils,
giving such conclusions that may be of use in throwing further
light on the cognate aubjects of the biclogy, geogruphy, and lith-
ology of the Australian Tertiaries. To give some idea of the scope
of thix analytical work, I have’ determined, im round numbers,
about 10,000 specimens of the larger shells from the bore, while
such microscopic toxsils as the foraminifera and ostracoda, which
are all mounted on type slides, number about 5,000 specimens.

This collection of fossils, abtained Trom various depths in the
bore, comprises:—Foraminifera, Worms, Sea-urchins, Sea-mats,
Lamp-shells, Bivalves, Univalyes, Ostyacoda, and Fish remains.
They ave all named and labelled, and arranged for future refer-
ence, at the Museum. .

One of the outstanding feutures of this cullertion is the large
number of new species present, amauiting tu 56, These are
deseribed conjointly with Miss Crespin, H.A,, who, as an assistant
palacontologist to the Geologtcat Survey, is specially studying the
Textiary faunas, Notes are also supplied for this report by Mr,
F. A, Cudmore, on some new species of fossil sea-urchins oceur-
ring in the bore; while other F.N.C, members, namely, Messrs.
R. A. Keble and A. B. Rodda, have assisted, under the auspices of
the Mines Department, Mr. W. J, Parr, also a member of the
Club, has, from time to time, conferred with me on knotty points
regarding the interesting little foraminifera. : .

One feels inclined, at the end of a long-drawn out work, like the
présent, plously to write, as did the Rey, F. 0. Morris when he
finished his classi¢ on British Moths,—"Laus Dea."—F, CHarman.

LS.

Yn the garden of Mr, A. E. Payne, of Toorak (Vic.}, is a young
shrub, which is probably the only specimen of the kind in the
world. It is.a variegated form af the West Australian ‘‘Pepper-
mint," Agonis fexuova. D.C. The shrub is a little over six feet
in height, heaving the typical drooping habit of the normal species.
The leaves are smaller and narrower, and the variegation is very
pronounced. The contre of the leaf is 2 line of very pale green,
while the edges are broadjy cream-white and.distinctly pink
tinted. The young growing tips are a rich pink, as are alao the
young stems. This is one of the most dainty forms of variegation
that Ihave yer seen... . - - ; —*

*_ The Head Gardener, Mv. J. Blackburn, tells me that the plant
triginated as a seed spurt, coming es a young variegated plant in
a box of seedlings—E. E, Pescorr.

1l2 Notes from isl and Study We ae

war 4

BUGONG MOTHS AND JAM.

This is the third year, tn succession, in whch L have chserved
a Bugong micth, Ayrortis Infusu, suekiryy jam from a pilass dish
on the dining table: In the first instance L did not see the ingect
until is had commenced feeding, It was disturbed, after about
20 minutes, ouly by 4 sudden movement of some dable ware near
to it, '

On the secohd oecasion the moth was seen ti Ay in from the
dark garden. It then spent some minute or more flying about
the ¢lectric light, lnediately above the table, in erratic fight
(apparently), and after a few dashes inte remote parts of the room
landed on the table cloth ai a few inches from a shallow dish 9:
davk jam, Teo reach the jam it had to ascend the cutwardly
inclining side, and then descend the inward. slope, which it did
without hesitation, and at once unveiled its tongue and inserted
the tip. This moth remained during 15 minutes with only the
tongue moving, and then flew up to the light and soon disappeared,
_ The third moth few into and about the room without approach-
ing the lieltt, and then behaved as the others had done, excepting
that the first tongue insertion seemed unsatisfactary, and the
insect changed its position twice before settling down to an 18
minutes’ feast. In all three eases, folk were moving about, table-
ware was being removed from the vieinity; ig the seeand ease
withont scaring the creatures; and in the third it was actually
touched and finally withdvawn with my finger and thumb, but dis-
appointment followed a wutch, for its retirrn ta the unfinished meal.

The intevesting point is that these night-fliers came from the
external darkness deliberately to a bright light, and were by ro
means “dazsled,"—A,D.H, :

PROTECTION FOR OPOSSUMS.

As the result of a -ong campaign in their layour, opnssums, in
Victoria, are likely to enjoy full protection for a year at least, and
probably much longer. The Ohlub has heen most active in this
matter, and members must feel highly pleased that its efforts have
bee 30 successful. Also they must be grateful Lo the Chief Secre-
tary, Mr. Prendergast, for his humane decision aguinst trapping,
ls the keen interest he has shawn in the preservation of native
auna.

In future, ir is hoped, before an open season ts declared for
any species now protected, naturalists will be consulted by the
authorities. Tt is desirable that an. Advisory Committee should be
constituted. Opossums are not the ouly native animals that need
fuller protection. It is thought by many chservers of wild life,
that for several years thete should be no open season for ducks‘
and that quails should be treated as useful birds. and given com-
plete pirotection, ~ +

‘The Victorian Naturalist

VoL, XLIV—No. 5. SEPTEMBER 8, 1927 No. 525,

FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF cs

- The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in
the Royal Society’s Hall, Victoria-street, on Monday,
August 8th, 1927. The President, Mr. E. EB, Pescott,
occupied the chair, and about 100 members and visitors
were present.

CORRESPONDENCE,

From Queensland Naturalists’ Club, asking for supplies
of flowers for their Wild Flower Show to be held on 3rd
September.

From Australiaa Forest League, inviting the Club to
nominate representatives to attend a meeting of the
League on 10th August, for the purpose of urranging a
deputation to the Premier in order to_urge the necessity
for inereasing our forest reservations.

It was resolved that Messrs. A. E. Keep and H. B,
Williamezon should represent the Club at the Australian
Forest League meeting on 10th August.

REPORT

Mr. F. G. A. Barnard reported on the excursion to
Heathmont on 30th July.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The following were elected as ordinary -members:—
Miss Louise M. Witeombe, 4 Norman-avenue, Hawks-
burn; Mr. Wm. Ingleby, Basil-street, Darling; Miss Rose
W.. Winton, c/o Y.M.C.A., 60 Russell-street, Melbourne;
Mr, and Mrs, W. Hanks, 10 Holroyd-street, Coburg;
Miss Myrtle Morison, 16 Young-street, Ivanhoe; Mrs. J.
Ham, Pasley,” Domain-road, South Yarra; Miss ZL.
MeTaggart, Presbyterian Girls’ Hostel, Gipps-street,
Bast Melbourne, and Mr. L. A, Thomas, Teachers’ Col-
lege, Carlton; and as country members:—Mr, J. L.
Robertson, B.A., Werribee South; and Rev. A. II. West-
ley, The Vicarage, St. Bartholomew" 3, Ferntree Gully,

GENERAL.

The President announced that the recent Natural His-
tory Exhibition had been very successfui, but it was too
early to make a statement as to the financial results, He
considered the thanks of the Club were specially due to
Mr. J. A, Kershaw for the valuable help he had rendered
at the Exhibition, both as regards the ornithological
exhibit, and in connection with other exhibits. -

114 Field Naturalists’ Club—Procesdings [ YlG- Nar

Mr. F, Pitcher suggested that the press be thanked for
their assistance in advertising the Exhibition, and that
Miss J. Galbraith, of Tyers, also be thanked for for-
warding plants fo. sale.

The thanks of the Club were extended to Miss H.,
Gabriel for kindly supplying refreshments to the workers
at the Exhibition. °

The President drew attention to the sift of a type-
writer to the Club by Mr. V. H. Miller, “for the use of
the Hon. Secretary. Mr, C. Daley, B.A., moved, and
Mr. J, W. Audas seconded, that a vote of thanks be ac-
corded Mr, Miller, which was carried unanimously w ith
acclamation.

The President announced that the Geptember meeting
of the Club would be held in Queeén’s Hall, Collins-street,
when it was intended to hold a public meeting in con-
nection with the investigation of the tea-tree on the fore-
shores of Port Phillip Bay.

Mr. G. Coghill reported that a deputation had. waited
on the Chief Secretary for the purpose of urging the
formation of an Advisory Council in connection with
matters pertaining te the preservation and propagation
of native fauna, and stated that they had met with a very
favourable reception,

Mr. H. B, Williamson read a description of two new
Grevilleas. Mr. PR. H. St. John moved, and Mr. F. G.
A. Barnard seconded, that the species be accepted for
publication in the “Naturalist.” Carried.

The President invited suggestions in regard to the
Wild Flower Show, to be held on 27th September next,
and stated that the usual Ladies’ Committee would be
formed at an early date,

The President drew attention to the circulars for dis-
tribution relating to the Congress of the Australasian
Association for the Advancement of Science at Hobart,
January, 1928,

LECTURE.

Mr. F. Chapman, A-1..8., delivered a lecture on “Fossil
Hunting at Home and Abroad,” illustrated by a fine series
of iantern slides. ‘The lecturer dealt with various Jocali-
ties noted for fossilised remains of different forme of life,
many of which were depicted.on the screen and explained.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. F, Chapman, A,L.S., on behalf of National
Museum, illustrating lecture on Fossil Hunting :—Leaves
of Lomatia and Hedycorya, from Tertiary sandstone,

ete Field Naturalists’ Club—Proceedings 115

Narracan, Gippsland. Cretaceous bivalves (Pseudavi-
cula.), Maranoa River, Queensland. Fern (Thinnfeldia)
in Triassic pipe-clay, Ipswich, Queensland. T.eaves of
the seed-bearing fern-like plant, Glessepteris, in permo-
carboniferous mudstone, Singleton, New South Wales.
Trunk of Lepidodendron, associated with earboniferous
fishes, Mansfield, Victoria, Defence spine of a carhoni-
ferous shark (Gyracanthides), from Mansfield, Victoria.
“Pagoda Stone,’ Orthoceras (a nautiloid}, from the
Devonian limestone of Buchan, Gippsland. <A Univalve
(Trematonotus), with a perforated band. From the
silurian of Cave Hill, Lilydale, Silurian marine anails
(Euompholus), from the Cave Hill Quarry, Lilydale.
Straight-shelled Nautilus (Orthoceras) from the silurian
mudsetone of South Yarra. Slab of shale of Lower
Ordovician age, Lancefield, showing Graptolites (Logano-
graptus and Phyllograptus) and Pod-shrimps (Rhinop-
terocaris),

Ry Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.L.S.—Specimens of
Grevillea polybracltea, spn. G. chrysophaca (F.v.M.),
sp.n., described by the exhibitor in his paper.

By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard —Flowering branch of
Acucia faicifornis, Maiden, formerly known as A. pen-
ninervis, Sieb., vac. fatedformés, from South Warrandyte,
per favor of Mr. A, E. Opperman, Similar to an Acacia
growing at Rushworth, not recorded in the Census.

By Mr, H. W, Davey, F.1.S.—Sea-Mouse (Aphrodite
aculeata). The Sca-Mouse has received its generic name
of Aphrodite on account of its beautiful iridescence, the
word Aphrodite being the Greck name for Goddess of
Beauty, The Sea.Mice are marine worms known as
Polychaeta of the Chaetopoda. The back of the Aphro-
dite has a grooved channel, and through the mass of hair-
like bristles, with which it is covered, the sea water is
filtered. During the passage of the water along this
groove, the oxygen contained in the water is absorbed by
the sea-mouae, aftyr which the water flows away down the
channel and thence through an opening under the tail.
From Portland.

By Mr. &. BF. Pescott, F.L.5,.—Cultivated specimens in
flower of Thryptomene calycina (Stapf) and Acacia
longifohia.

By Mr, BD, J. Paton—-Two unusual forms of Ptera-
stulis nutans (Nodding Greenhood), one with two perfect
Howent, the other with an abnormal fiower partially

ouble.

, . . ‘ ?
L16 Field Naturalists’ Club—Proceedings | 445-05

By Miss Bolton,—Peariy Nautilus shell.

By Mr. H. P. Dickens—Drawing of Corysanthes
pruinosa (Helmet Orchid).

Ry M. G. J. Gabriel—-Various forms of marine mol-
luscan Opercula {tm site).

By Mr. C. H. Borech,—Three Victorian species of Cup
Moth (Limacodidac), with cocoons, from which insects
have emerged, and from which the moths derive their
name; also one species from Darwin, NT, :

By Geological Survey of Victoria (per Mr. A. BE.
Rodda).—Fossilised portion of body and right-hand claw
of crab from Longford.

By Mr. G. Coghill.—Cultivated specimen in flower of
Greviliea rosmarinifolia, (Rosemary Grevillea) -

By Dr. H, Flecker,—-X-ray photos., illustrating strue-
lure and functional organs of flora and fauna, ete.

FOOD OF THE LYRE-BIRD.

T have frequently been asked, “What is the principal food of the
Lyre-bird?" What is it, they so eagerly seek under the doad
leayes, bark, and accumulated debris, that they are continually
seralchitig and turning Over in the timber forests and gullies?
To give a definite answer to this question one would have to
examine the contents of the crop of numerous Lyre-birds at dif
ferent seasons of the yeat, As thia ia impassible, since, fortun-
ately, these beautiful birds are strictly protected, one must examine
théir feeding-grounds, turn over carefully the leaves and debris,
ane birds themselves do, and male notes of the animal life
‘found. For:

Data has been obtained on numerous collecting trips to Sher-
Lrvoke, Olinds, and to various parts of Gippsland. Tully 80 per
cent. of the animal life found among the decaying vegetation,
under leaves, ete., consist of the terrestrial amphipod, falityus; and
I think one would be safe in saying that these crustaceans form
the bulk of the food of Menwra. Tulitrus.is, I believe, the only
terrestrial amphipod found in Australia; and while T. sylvaticzs,
Haswell, is found all over Australia and Tasmania, a second and
larger species, T. kershawit Sayee, is by far the most numerons
in, and I think indigenous to, Victoria. ‘

Roth species of Talitridae occur together in many of our fern
gullies, and in forest country, and may readily be distinguished, not
only by their relative size, but especially by the shape of the
epimecal plate of the third segment of the metasome. The aver-
age length of 7. sylvaticus is 2mm., a large specimen may mea-
eure 12mm.: whilst the average Jeneth of 7. Kersharwi ic 11 mm.,
and may reuch the length of 15mm. In T.. kershawt, the
spimeral plate of the third segment of the mietasome has a trian-
gular downward projection, which distinguishes it from T.
aylvuticres, 1

The Talitridac of Victoria were fully described by the late
0. A. Sayce, some twenty years ago—J, SEARLE, ;

Sept. | Natural History Shou 117

NATURAL HISTORY SHOW.

Some years have passed since the Jast public display of
Natural History objects was made by members of the '
Club. This was at the Town Hall, Melbourne.

Tt was considered, in order to give practical evidence
of the objects and activities of the Club, that the time
was ripe [yur such another exhibition. The Show was
held at the Independent Hall on Wednesday, 20th Jane,
The different sections represented had been allotted to
members of the Club specially interested in each depart-
ment of Natural Ilistory. The Show was opened by the
Hon. W. Prendergast, M.L.A,, Chief Secretary. The
President of the Club, Mr. E. E. Pescott, in introducing
Mr. Prendergast, detailed the various directions in which
the Club nad been actively engaged during the past year
in repard to the protection and preservation of the Aus-
tralian faunas and flora,

Mr. Prendergast, in opening the Show, expressed sym.
pathy with the objects of the Club, and his desire to
assist in their good work ig any way that Jay in his
power,

There was a varied show of exhibits, and a good attend-
ance of the public showed the interest taken in natural
history. Mr. C. Gabriel, in charge of Conchology, had a
very fine collection of shells on exhibition, including a
case of "Thorny Oysters,” Spondylus, from N, Austra-
lia and the Gulf of Carpentaria; an attractive case of
Pectens, Australian and exotic; another of ‘“Ilarp” shells;
one of rare Victorian shells of various species, including
Faactolaria australasiea, Gathff and Gabriel, also its
capsules, showing the tiny embryonic forms tn sit, the
bunch of capsules containing several dozen, with five to
eight juveniles in each capsule

Of interest also were a series of the Common Cowry,
Cypraece angustata, Gessel., showing growth und develop-
ment; bivalve shells bored by radulae, also microscopic
slides of the borers; a large bunch of Sihquaria australis,
G. and G., from Bass Strait, a genus frequently embedded
in Sponges, and formerly regarded as an Annelid, its
moljuscous nature heing demonstrated by Andonin.

The ravages of the Teredo were shown in an exhibit of
several species of timber bored through by this destruc-
tive creature, of which fiye species from Victortan
waters were on view.

For purposes of comparison and instruction, the small-
est Victorian shell, Orbttestella hostowit, Gatlil, about

Vic. Wat.

11 Nampral History Shaw [ ¥ol.Xbi

“ow

one-thirtieth of an inch in diameter, was shown in juxta-
Position with the Jargest, Livonia mamalla, Gray, about
12 inches in diameter.

Although too early for a profuse display, such as
epringlime affords, there was a good show of winter
blooms in the botanical section, in charge of Mr. H. B.
Williamson, F.L.5. Mr. R. L.-Brookes, B.A., of Hor-
sham, sent 25 species, including Thryptomene, Red
Heath, Blush Heath, and Desert Heath-Myrtle from Dor-
sham and the north of tre Grampians. Mr. and Mrs.
Lougheed, of Diapur State School, also sent about 20
species, among which were Silky Hakea and Scaly
Humea, Mr, D. J. Paton showed the Coast Beach-heath,
Common Correa, Myrtle Acacia, Yellow Hakea, and
Coast Banksia, about 20 species collected at Boronia and
Beaumaris. Mr. F.S, Hart, M.A,, sent a collection from
Bairnsdale, in which White Correa, Showy Guinea-
flower, and Stalked Doubsh were interesting features.
Mr. and Mrs. Rossiter, from Hedley, sent beautiful Heath
and Correa, and growing Greenhood Orchids, mosses and
lichens.

An interesting and instructive exhibit of Mistletoes
on various hosts—-Cootamundra Wattle, Tree Lucerne,
and Peach, the last from the Rev. Birch, of Echuca, was
staged by Mrs. Coleman, who has been studying these
pests.

In accordance with the Club’s consistent policy to foster
the cultivation of Australian plants, a'stall with plants
for sale was under the charge of My, and Mrs. F. Pitcher,
with helpers, to which Mrs, J. Galbraith, Traralgon, and
Mr. G, Higgins, Red Hill, had sent an acceptable contri-
bution of young plants, which found a ready sale, the stall
receipts being £13/5/-.

Mr. Pitcher also exhibited fronds of 23 snecies of Ferns
gathered on a Club excursien to the Dandenonge in
March, among which was Aspidium giabella, forming a
new record for Victoria. Fine examples of the young
grey-coloured Jeavegs of the Blue Gum, Hucalyeptus
globulus, with mature leaves 18 inches in lenzth, showed
the marked heterophylly of this species of Gum,

In the Department of Ornithology, under the experi-
enced diyection of Mr. J. A, Kershaw, Director of the
National Museum, an admirable and representative dis-
play of native birds was made, which attracted much
observation and admiration. ‘To this section the Bird
Observers’ Club also contributed specimens.

Fas Nutural Ats tavy Show 19

An encouraging feature of the Exhibition was a varied
and pleasing collection of Natural History objects fur-
nished by the Juvenile Branch of the Club at Morning-
ton, whieh, under the enthusiastic direction of the Rev.
Geo, Cox, is making, as the exhibit well showed, great
progress in the departments of Nature Study.

_In the Geological Section, in charge of Mr. F. Chap-
man, A.L.S5., F.GS., the space was occupied by fossils,
minerals, microscope sections, stereoscopic views of geo-
logical scenery, and Jantern slides, By the interest
evineed in this section by visitors, it is evident that this
side of the field study, only needs popular treatment to
become more attractive. Minerals from Broken Hill,
Mount Lyell and Mount Morgan were exhibited by Mr. F.
A, Singleton, M.Se., a rare Silurian air-breathing snail,
Hereynella, found on a Club’s excursion at Killara by
Mr. A. C. Nilson; rock slices under the microscope by Mr.
A. L. Scott; a glaciated stone from the Permo Carboni-
ferous till, by Mr. A. O. Thiele; a stereoscope with views,
by Mr. W. H. Harvey; and a fairly large and interesting
series af foreign and Australian fossils from the National
Museum collection by Mr. F. Chapman, wha was ably
assisted by Mr. A, A, C, Carter. The foreign fossils tn-
cluded some of the interesting Jurassic king-crabs,
dragon-ilies. lobsters, and fishes from the Solenhofen
stone (lithographic), of Bavaria, and a series of coal
measure plants from the English coal measures,

The Australian fossils comprised, a well-preserved
fossil jelly-fish, and a sea-weed from the Silurian mud-
stone of Brunswick, Victoria; beautifully preserved fos-
sils on an old Cambrian sea-beach from the Ord River,
ond some of the Glossopteris leaves from New South

ales,

The exhibit of the Pre-historic Club,-under Mr. A, 8.
Kenyon’s direction, attracted much notice, being at once
diverse and comprehensive in character. Through the
kindness of Mr. J. Kershaw, Curator of the National
Museum, a most exhaustive and interesting series of
cerenionial objects of the Australian aboriginal, and an
equally valuable series of Old World implements, utensils.
and ornaments of the Sitene and Rronze Ages from the
Lake dwellings of Switzerland were on view. Mr. W. H.
Gill exhibited an extensive series of lime spatulae from
New Guinea, a pair of Kurdaitcha shoes, and two death-
pointing bones from Central Australia. Mr_ Gilbert Rigg
had a remarkahle exhibit of stone Souchers or coups-de-
poing from the Thames Valley, also palaeclithie imple-

129 Natural History Show [ Me Bede

ments with a relative set of Australian artefacts. Mr-
BE. S, Anthony exhibited a series of boomerangs, and
other implements; Mr, F. Schafer, a collection of stone
axes und other implements found recently in the metro-
politan area; Dr, Wischart, stone axes; Mr. A. 5. Kenyon,
a series of pygmy and other small chipped Austratian
implements; comparative gets of Maori, ‘Tasmanian, and -
Australian crude stone scrapers and cutters, a -séries of
aboriginal stone axes fram 1 inch to 10 phar in length,
and grooved tomahawks in various stages of manufac-
ture, with grooved American axes for comparison) abori-
ginal basket plaiting and netting work, shell and other
ornaments, churingas and ceremonial objects.

The whole exhibit served not only as an effective dis-
play of the products of the Ola Stone Age man of Aus-
tralia, but was rendered also more instructive and in-
teresting by the comparative sets showing the activities
of men of similar culture in other parts of the world.

The entomological section, under the direction of Mr.
F. ©. Wilson, was quile a feature of the exhibition,
twenty-six cases being contributed by twelve exhibitors.
Mr. C. Deane also showed. some excellent drawings of
Coleoptera; Mr. J.B. Dixer twe cases of Buprestidae, or
Jewel Beetles, containing handsome and rare species,
also one case each of Cerambycidae and Amycterid
weevils; Mr. C. French three cases showing Australian
Galls, scale insects, and mounted larvae of British
Lepidonlera, Mr, Deane’s draw contained numerous
examples of inleresting Tenebrionid beetles. Mr. A. S.
Robertson showed a fine case of butterflies, comprising
most of the Victorian representatives of the Suatyrinde,
some Hesperidae or skippers, with some very fine
examples of the rare Heteronympha cordace. Mr. C.
Borch’s case of attractive swallow-tailed butterflies. and
hawk moths from Queensland was an object of deserverdly
popular admiration, Mr, W. H, Davey tabled a case of
zorgeonsly-hued and quaintly-formed foreign Coleoptera,
also one showing the divisions of the order Arachnidae,
A notable exhibit was that of Mr. J. Clark’s two cases of
ants, showing the famed honey ants of Central Australia,
prized as a sweet morsel by the aborigines, also speci-
mens of the dreaded Driver Ants of South America,
There are Driver Ants in Australia, but, as Mr. Clark
showed, they are insignificant as compared with their
American brethren.

Mrs. Thorne kindly loaned two beautiful tases of moths

Sept Natural History Show 121

from the late L. B. Thaorne’s collection; one with speci-
mens of the delicately-hued Emperor Moths, the other
of the wood-boring moths, with some very handsome and
also very rare species. Mr. A. Burns exhibited a de-
lightful draw of Queensland butterflies in perfect condi.
tion, comprising handsome species of the genus Fuploca,
and interesting varieties of Hypoltmnas bolina, also a
case of the Economic Insects of the Sugar-cane. Mr. R.
Blackwood: showed beetles of the family, Carabidae,
among thern some fine species of the genus Notonynims.
The National Museum, per Mr. J. Kershaw, exhibited two
cases of the quaint Phasmidee, or Stick Insects, also twa
fine eases of Hemiptera, the Cicadidae of which were
particularly notable.

Mr. F. E. Wilson, F.E.8., tabled three cases of beetles,
comprising one each of Longicorns and Searabidae.
mainly Cetonidae, and one of quaint forms, including
examples of Australian fireflies.

In a side room, under the experienced direction of Mr.
J. Searle, a fine and varied collection of interesting sub-
jects of Natural History, including Pond Life, were
exhibited under the microscopes, this sectiun always
securing a large share of eager public attention.

NATIVE TREES IN OUR PUBLIC PARKS,

The miserable appestance of the Gum trees in many of our
Public Parks calls forth the pity of many passers-by. This, I
‘think, may arise frum two causes—the constant trampling over
the surrounding land, both by men and animals, hence its inability
tu absorb the rain falling on it; and, secondly, the absence of native
birds to ath as scavengers of the insects, breeding or livng on these
trees. That there is something in my first contention is ahawn
by the fact that a very large Red Gum, Excalyptus rostrata, in
the Victoria Park at Kew, one of the finest trees near Melbourne,
was Some two years ago showing signs of withering. The Curator,
Mr..C: L. Plumridge, obtained permission to lay a special water
service pipe to it, and by breaking up ‘some of the surrounding
sail, and judiciously using the water, the tree seems to have taken
on a new lease of life. Let us hope other gums in our parks will
be treated as intelligently—F. G. A- Bannarp, Croydon, Vic.

NATIONAL MUSEUM LECTURES,

These lectures continue to be well supported and appreciated by
the public. Members might note that for this month the subjects
are—"Anis and Their Ways,” by Mr, John Clark, F.L.S, Entomo-
lagist at the National Museum, on Saturday, 10th September, at
3 p.m.; and Tropic Isles,* by Mr. Chas, Barrett, C.M.Z.5., on
Tuesday, 20th September, al & p.m.

Both subjects should be full of interest and instruction;

122 Prescott, The Doomed Tea Tree PA age

“THE DOOMED TEA TREE.”
By Epwarp E. Prescott, F.L.S., PRESTDENT,

Under the above heading, Mr, Denald Macdonald, the
well-known. naturalist, has on several occasions in the
“Arpus,” directed attention to the decadent condition of
the Coastal Tea Tree, Leotospermum laevigatum, F.M.,
along the eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay, particularly
within twenty miles of Melbourtie.

Mr. Macdonald remarked that no one seemed’ to care
that the Tea Tree was disappearing: he stated that the
work of regeneration was urgent: and that such a body
as the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria should under-
take an investigation into the cause of the decadence of
the Tea Tree.

The challenge was too impelling to be passed by, and
on behalf of the Club an investigation was immediately
proceeded with.

The sea-front trem Brighton te Mornington was
marked, off into several sections, each section being
allotted to two or more members of the Glab, with instruc-
tions to work on definite and similar lines. A series of
eighteen questions and observations was prepared, and
éach observer was asked to prepare his report on these

lines. The question list is as follows -—

Prevalence or abundance of the Tea Tree.
Vigor of growth or otherwise.

Presence of insect attack.

Fresence of fungal or bacterial attack. (Speci-
mens of 3 and 4 to he collected,

Effect or consequences of these attacks: note
whether young growth, old growth, or trunks
are affected,

Presence of any natural decay,

Soil] conditions. Has the soil been interfered with
by digging, clearing, burying rubbish, raking up
leaves, general tidying of areas?

8 <Any evidence of decadence fram “old age.”

9. Any evidence of damage due wilfully, either by
public, or by concerted action. Any unneces-
sary cutting down of areas.

190. Any place where Tea Tree is not growing at
all, Why? .

11. <Any efforts at regeneration—natural or arti-
ficial—z.¢., replanting.

12, Presence of native plants. in association.

13. Presence of alien plants in association.

Pri

A ae

Phy | Prscorr, The Doomed Tea. Tree 123

#4. What opportunities of renewing growth in old
or destroyed areas,

15. Any evidence of suffering by drought.

16. Presence of bird life.

17. Is the Tea Tree deteriorating where water is
abundant.

18. Any other or general remarks.

The enquiry and investigation aroused considerable
and widespread interest, so that many offers of help were
received. To those who helped in the investigation, and
also who generously drove the workers in their motor
cars, the Club tenders its best thanks.

Many letters have been received, referring not only to
the sections under investigation, but also to distant areas,
such as St. Leonards, Portsea, and Point Lonsdale. These
will be dealt with in the report. An interesting letter
was received from one of our foundation members, Mr.
C. French, Senr., who has known the foreshore, and the
Tea Tree for over seventy years. Mr. French refutes
statements that the Tea Tree is as abundant now as it
ever was. Ile agrees that the Tea Tree is definitely
disappearing.

Several investigators entered upon the work with a
knowledge of the foreshores of over thirty years, so that
the observations were made with mature thought and
knowledge,

The results of the investigation have definitely proved
Mr. Macdonald's challenge, that the Tea Tree is decadent
—not only so, it is dying out, and being killed out very
rapidly.

The decadence of {he Tea Tree is more noticeable in the
suburbs near to Melbourne: and as we go further towards
Mornington the quality and quantity increase quite
noticeably,

At Brighton, the foreshore is completely denuded of
the trees; between Hampton and Sandringham the trees
are only in fair abundance; at Sandr ingham there is very
little; at Black Rock the reduction of the trees in recent
years is deplorable: between Edithvale and Carrum the
Teg Tree ig only plentiful away from the coast. While
from Seaford to Frankston and Mornington, the reports
show that the trees are stil! present in abundance; and
from Mornington for several miles it is practically con-
tinuous. How long under the present management, will
this abundance prevail?

124 Pescort, Thé Doomed Tea Tyee L-Yist,. fan

Again, it is reported that at St, Leonards, the sheiter is
fast disappearing.

One noticeable, and, indeed, very serious feature is
the absence of young plants for miles. Thus natural
regeneration has practically ceased. The trees at pre-
sent clothing the shores and cliffs are all ald apecimens.
We have no knowledge; nor records, of their age; but if
regeneration be not carried out, then the older trees
reaching the limit of their age wil) die, and that will be
the end of our Tea Tree,

At present, normal regeneration is prevented for
several reasons.

First: There is the traffic among the Tea Tree. This
is continuous: and so young seedlings never get a chance
to graw.

Second: Picnickers leave so much litter and rubbish
behind them. This is cleared up and buried. Thus
young growth is killed,

Third: Alien weeds, such as Cape Weed, various im-
ported quick growing grasses, and others are crowding
out the native herbs. °‘ Orchids were common ten years
ago, now they are quite rare. The small leaved Clema-
tis was abundant; this has gone from many localities.
The quicker and stronger growth of foreign weeds have
smothered out all young plants.

Fourth: Young seedlings generally grow at the out-
side of the older plantations. Along the coast traffic
is commou on both sides. Foot traffic destroys the young
plants on the coastal side; while the roads occupy the
inner side, Then there is the factor of road dyst, whick,
smothers out the young plants, Regenération is common
in places away from the foreshore, where traffic and dust
are absent.

It must be here emphasised that destruction by visitors
and picnickers is exceedingly rife. Trees are ruthlessly
chopped and broken down, in many ways. There seems to
be very little respect for the groves. In one young arti-
ficial plantation, some pienickers had deliberately broken
and torn down some young plants in order that they
might have a secluded place to play cards, and drink beer,
leaving their debris and bottles behind them.

In several localities young plantations have been
established, clumps of young trees having been brought
from inland. In some cases these have been shockingly
neglected. In others, the young trees have grown well,
making as much as four or five feet of growth last year.

Pescort, The Doomeil Tea Tree 125

More organised plantings are needed. Some investiga-
tors report that abundant regeneration follows a fire.
This is one method. The other method is transplanting.

The investigation shows that drought is quite a negli-
gible factor in the decadence of the Tea Tree. It should
be remembered that the Tea Tree has survived far worse
droughts than the recent ones. Further, wherever the
young plants are growing. they have made several feet of
growth in the current season.

Disease is very abundant. Mr. French will report on
scales, gall insects, thrips, leaf miner, and other pests-
Birds are almost absent everywhere, as a result of popu-
lation and traffic. hus the balance of nature is quite
upset, and the pests abound, These affect the older trees
considerably.

Still, young plants are also attacked, and yet they make
good advance in growth.

Tt is noteworthy that wherevertheplantsare cared for,
“that Is, in private gardens or plantations, they thrive
exceptionally well,

Native plants on agsociation, such as Iloneysuckles.
Sheoaks, Coasial Wattles, Boohyalla, are all suffering
from destruction in Lhe same way. They are ruthlessly
cut down for firewood or other purposes; there are no
young plants; and the young growths are being torn
down for house decoration. One physicgraphical fea-
ture which was not the subject of our observation, but
which has an important bearing on the foreshore ques-
tion, is. the subject of foreshore erosion. This was the
subject of 2 cpluable report made by Mr. ©. W. Wilson
to the 1926 annual meeting of the Beaumaris Tramway
and Improvement League. Because of its great import-
ance, extracts are here given from this report.

“On the flat. lands at Rickett’s Point, T took measure-
ments four years ago, and to test what was happening I
found that the foreshore was 31 yards from the public
road: to-day it shows a loss of 12 feet.” The sea here
has eaten well into the foreshore, and it is only a matter
of time when these lovely old honeysuckle trees will he
noe more.

“Opposite Reserve Road, 22 feet of foreshore has been
washed away, as much as 10 feet disappearing in a winter
gale. peters Point eight years ago was 195 feet fur-

er out.

“From Rickett’s Point eastward, the loss of foreshore
is trom 10 to 15 feet.

'
126 PESCOTT, The Doomed Tea Tree (aire ia

“Table Rock—serious erosion—8 yards within the last
eight years,”

_This is, indeed, a serious condition, and while the
disappearing Tea Tree is a pressing factor, the dis-
appearing foreshore is indeed an urgent one as well.

CONCLUSION,

What, then, is the remedy? Are we to keep our Tea
Tree? The slogan of this Club will be WE WANT
THE TEA TREE. "

The Tea Tree must be preserved. The remedy is
simple.

First: Where the trees are thin, or where there are
none at all, areas right along the coast should be re-
planted with young plants, which are readily available.
These plantations should be securely fenced with barbed
wire, and damage to these should be followed with severe
punishment. Where the present plantations or old trees
are thin and weak, these should be cleared out and planted ~
as above suggested.

Second: Traffic should be limited hy fencing off some
areas. Picnicking, camping,.and motor parking should,
be limited to specially defined areas.

Third: The control should be vested in one central
body, which could manage the whole of the foreshore of
the ‘seaside resorts. There are at present too many
bodies controlling the various areas. These bodies are
- doing little or nothing for the preservation of the Tea
Tree. One corporate body, with no local interests, no
votes to seek, would form the best system of manage-
ment.

Assocjated with these, is the question of shore erosion,
which, as before stated, is a very urgent matter.

The investigators do not favour planting foreign trees.
This method, besides being costly, would take away the
distinctively Australian or coastal character of the fore-
shores. The Tea Tree can be regenerated; and it will
be the aim of this Club to work to that end. Our fore-
shores and beaches are the delight and pleasure of thou-
sands of visitors each year; and if the facts as above
stated were brought home to them, it is certain that the
damage would he far less than it has been.

We must ever regard the Tea Trée as an heritage to be
cared for earnestly to he protected jealously, and to be
handed down to future dwellers and génerations. as an-
impaired and as beautiful as we found it,

Ree Danoy, The TMistory of Blora Australienais 127

TITE HISTORY OF FLORA AUSTRALIENSIS,
By CHas. Pacey, B.A., F.LS.
(1TT.)
(Continued.

It was on April 18th, 1862, that Bentham acknow-
ledged the safe reecipt of the first box of specimens in
excellent order, and his intention to set regularly to
work. “Next month, 1 hope | shall have made progress
with the early orders, and be able to say more of the
valuable collection you entrust to my care, and which, for
my own satisfaction, T shall be anxious to return at the
earliest possible period. T desire to begin printing early
in autumn, but for that J must have the greater part
of the volume in MS.; for, by the arrangement made with
the printer, he gives three sheets per week, . T
should like this time to have the first volume of Flora
Australiensis out not long after Xmas next.

On May 10th, 1862, he writes that the second
box of specimens has arrived, and that he has
done up to Cruciferae. "Your collection of Vic-
torian plants is most valuable, and I hope you
will receive all safe back, and your other Australian
specimens, a most material help, in addition to what is
fo be seen here. TI carefully avoid mixing them with
others, so that you may find yours intact. I agree with
you on most of your union of species, although perhaps
there are a few marked forms I may be induced to keep
up, not to go toa much against the opinion of others,”

Later, May 24th, he writes:—I am puzzled with many
of the localities in your labels, I find the greater
number of them in the excellent atlas ‘we have, but there
are several such as Sealers’ Cove, Mt. La Perouse, ete.,
Which are not there. I am also embarrassed sometimes
to know who the collectors are. . . . D.M, at first
puzzled me much, as you generally adopt the initials
¥.M.; but, on comparing localities, I conclade it must be
yourself. ig

On July 14th he announces the despatch of the first
box received, and the safe arrival of one with Rataceae
and Violaceae.

“By the time J can get your answer to this, I hope the
volume wijl be far advanced, and would like to know—

(21) What adjunct you wish to put to your namie in the
title? I suppose F.R.S., Governmeént Botanist to the
Colony cf Victoria—but anything else you wish.

(2) What I can say in a few words about those cal-

133 Daney, The History of Flora Austraiiensis [ a ert

lectors Whe have been supplying you with Australian
plants; . . . + and also give me some general
sketch of your peregrinations in various parts of Aus-
tralia; for, although I cannot. give the preliminary dis-
course till I come to the last volume (if 1 Jive long
enough), I must, with the first, give a short sketch of
what has been done in the Botany of Australia from its
first discovery, and"the Sources whence the materials of
the flora are derived.”

On July 24th, from Kew, is an interesting letter in reply
to one from Mueller referring to the limit of species, and
the poiris of identification :—

' "With regard to your views about species; you seem to have
taken & wrotig view of mine. I had a great many years dur-
ing my continved observation of living plants in a great yarety
of stations in almost every country is Europe, devoted mue
attention to the subject, and had come more and more to the
condlusion that species had fixed limits, diffienlt as it is often
to find them, and that genera and orders were arbitrary, and
though I never wrote much on the subject, I collected. a great
nomber of facts and explained my views somewhat generally
about genera in a mesmorandum in one of the first volumes of
‘af the Journal of the Linnean Society, and I believe in a review
of De Candolle’s Geographie Rotanique in the “Edinburgh
Review.” Byt IT entered much more in detail into the question
of species in a paper read at the Linnean Society in November,
1858, ‘but of which circumstances prevented the publication at
the time. -Two and a half years later it was inserted in the
first volume of the “Natural History Review:” |; . . . It
was immediately after reading this paper that Darwin's remark-
able observations were first made known, and whatever may
be the opinions upon the speculative portions of the work, it is
very ceftain that the numerous facts he has observed must
cause naturalists to reconsider their previous opinions, and I
begin to chink that my former views of the fixity of species
must be in some measure modified, or at least exceptions
admitted, But, however that may be, if species are fixed, the
evidence of what is a species, and what is a race is never _posi-
tive—always more or jess circumstantiat {whatever is not

ositive is not specific), and therefore “differently appreciated
y different minds; and there is no hepe af establishing the
limits of species $0 as to admit of no dispute even on the part
of the most experienced, the moat acute, and the most right-
judging botanists, without even taking into account that all
men tend to attach undue importance to evidences discovered by
themselves over that which others haye,”
' Tr regard to’the financial assistance towards the pro-
duction of the Flora, Victoria, New South Wales,
Gueenalbrig and South Australia ‘had responded favour-
ably.

From, Church Stretton, on August 25th, 1862, Bentham
refers to the position‘:— _—— - : ;

“Many thanks for the transmission of the £100 for the firat
volume to the Victorian agent for me. 7 have written to

‘

isis | = Datmy,; The History of Flora Australiensis 129

enquire his name and address, and shall immediately communi-
cute with him on the subject The Governments of Queensland
New South Wales and South Australia have each promised
£50 per volume, which makes up the £250 required, Western
Australia declined, but will, I hepe, take some copics of the
work, a8 also will, I trust, Tasmania. [ cunsider that Victoria
wiil-be entitled, withont further payment, to at least 20 copies,
“and those Governments which contributed .£50 to 10 copies each
—making ultuguther 50 copies, and 1 should be very gled if

- PF ecould get 60 more subscribed for by the Governments, at my
aveeoeorcee with tho publisher will require that 100 eapies
should be taken at the full price. This 1 can do out of the
£250, but I hope, after the liberal example set by Victoria, 1
shall have a few more copies taken by the Governments. With
regard ti the progress of the work, after my return to town

_ the first days of October, 1 shall be able to proceed steadily
withont interruption, and I calculate that soon after ¥mas, I
shall be able to begin printing; for your own Flora of Victoria,
backed by your own specimens, tender the labour comparatively
‘ight. It would therefore be very important for me, if you
could Jet me see, as early as possible, all the new specimens of
Thalemiflorue, etc. You have deseribed in the last number
of your Freginenta, your new Anonacece, for instance, | am
in doubt whether they are or are not distinct from some of
those I have from Cunningham, MacGillivray, etc., perhaps tn a
different State, by which all doubts may at once be cleared up by
u wlance at the specimens.

“Mr. Teward has most liberally, om hearing the work T was
preparing, presented to Kew, Cunningham’s own set of his
dlants. DT have from Soudan an almost complete set of Preiss,
and FE hype before the volume goes to press, ta make a short
trip te Paris to see a few of Leschenault’s and Bandin's planta
dascribed by de Candolle, so that there will be very few Aus-
traliah species, of which T have not seen authentic specimens,
Erown's are particularly valuable. as showing vegetation at a

time when there were very few introduced plants, even at Port
‘Jackson, - - - - 1 do hope you will go on as steadily aa
possible with your important planis «of Victoria, which saves
me an immense deal of Isbour,"" :

- He also notifies that he is sending Mueller the firat
volume of his Genera Piantarum, Just published, and will
also send his photograph. ie hug

In the month of October, he writes, “I am. very glad
to hear that you are pursuing the publication of your
‘Plants of Vietoria, as I am anxious that you should
always precede me in order that full justice should be
done to your labours, and yet I have at my age no time
t put off if I have any hope of bringing my work to a
condlusion,”

You caution me continually against publishing as
synonyms catalogue names unaccompanied by- diagnosis,
and I shall avoid it, except: where they have got within
reach of Germans, who, ‘receiving specimens with the:

130 Dauey, The History vf Elora Austrailensia [Vit Ne

names in vendor's herbariums, or referred to in the
Linnean, are sure to take them up as “species negiectae,’
if not disposed of in some way.

In a letter from London on Octoher 26th, 1862, he
deprecates Mueller’s uneasiness about boxes sent from
Australia. “Boxes do not get lost in London, but it
often takes some time before they are cleared.”

"With regard to the unity of species, | quite agree with you
on the necessity of reducing the larre number of bad species
published of Australian plants; but, as to fixing definitely the
fhimits pf anyone, I thing it hopeless: f heve siudict speeies
living, wild, and in cultivation-—and dry gince 18/9. Por the
first two or three years 1 was always detecting new species « in
Friday; then observing the small species in a living state st
differences of latitude of about 15 degrees first opened my eyes
as to the variability of species. The next thirty years gra-
dually gonvinced me of the possibility of fixing positive limits
if taken coniprehensively enough, but the last eight or ten
years have very much shaken the conviction, and the great
number of facts brought to light by the Darwinian controversy
necessitates the reconsuleration of a geeat many points which
I had thought settled. We must, therefore, be particularly
cautious in uniting as species forms which have that degree
of apparent permanency which will juslify the majority of
botanists in maintaining them distinct,’”

On December 22nd, 1862, he mentions being employed
on Rutaceae—"“Have done Zieria, Roronia, E'riostemon,
Correa, and Phebaliuvm, all of which appear to me to be
natural as well as definitely characterised, and too gener-
ally kept up by botanists of eminence to be lightly inter-
fered with.”

At the beginning of 1863 Bentham visited Paris in
order to verify a few species of plants not otherwise
available, He had forwarded to Mueller 4 proof of the
title-page for his approval before setting-up the first
volume of the Flora, and advises that he will send clear
proofs of the text by each mail. He had finished
Rutaceae and Matvaceue.

In a letter on February 12th, 1863, he states a reason-
able objection to accounts of new Australian plants being
sent to outside societies for publication, instead of being
made easily available for the Flora:—

"You mention having sent your account of Gregory’s plants
to the Edinburgh Society for publication, FT am sorry for this.
The congequence will be they will appear perhaps a tweive
months hence, and, at any rate, long after the publication of my
first volume, which I think scareely fair.

"It appears to me that while I am publishing the Flora,
professedly with your assistattce, all new plants you have to
publish should either be inserted in your Fragmenta, or other
works you publish yourself, and of which you send to Sir

Sept }

Toe. Laney, The Mistory of Flera Australiensts 181

William Hooker early copies that I can make use of—or the

specimens sent to me to publish if you prefer it, a: 1 always

make a puint of retaining your names when not pre-occupied.

It is only by following: one of these courses that you prevent

useless additions to an already overloaded synonymy.”

On Mareh 19th, “On account of the separate grants
from the different colonies, I have thought it best to
distinguish prominently the stations belonging te each
colony, in order that each may see at once what belongs
to thelr own fiora. I have taken the boundaries of
Queensland as given in our mast recent map to include
Cape York, and from there south in 4 straight line, and
l have called Northern Australia all tropical Australia
west of that line, eluding the north-west coast.”

From Wilton Place, on April 25th, he advises that he
is sending additional proof sheets of the Flora, and all
remaihing plants described in the first volume, and
acknowledges receipt of supplementary Thalamifiorese
and Leguminoseae from Victoria. ;

Concerning the differences of botanists in regard to
the limits of genera and species, Bentham states :-—

“When I differ in opinion from you I state bath opinions,
adopting yours when I have doubts as to my own; adhering
to mine when I am more convinced E am right; but always it
will be for future botanists ta decide for one or the other.
have had too much experience to feel perfect confidence even
when L have had the fullest conviction at the time. . . -

“You again urge me not to publish as synonyms names unace
companied by diagnoses, | have already said that I do not take
ap mere manuscript names,—but where names have heen
printed and published, if they are not mentioned inj a work hke
this, it will always be supposed that I had not seen them, and
German botanists at least will enumerate them as species not

“satis notae.” T see no way of avoidng this, but by £
caution in not giving names to specimens unless they have been
sufficiently investigated to be tolerably safe from error. Names
onee launched by a botanist of vonr known experience and
knuwledge of Australian plants are adopied, and enter into
aystems and computations, and must, in some manner, be dis-
posed of,”

The whole of Volume 1. is in the printer's hands.
Rentham again states his strong objection to Mueller
naming plants after him. His sensible comment on this
point of scientific etiquette is, ''l must beg you nat to
name species after me, 1 have 50 often expressed my
opinion that, unless in Very exceptional cases, species
ought to be named after no other person than those who
collected or discovered them, and it would be awkward
to have plants named after me in a work T am inditing.”

Tt was about this time that Dr. Mueller seriously
thought of making a visit to England, an intention which,

\ 7
132 Davey, The History of Flora Austrationsia [YO yy

through some reason, probably pressure of work, was not
carried out, On June 24th, 1862, Bentham alludes to
isc— :

“fam disappointed at having to defer the pleasure of
making your personal acquaintante, but on the other
hand I muzt admit that you will be usefully employed in
continuing your-great work on the Victorian Flora.”
Mueller had purchased for £10 some copies of the Genera
Plantarum to be sent to some of hig friends, and had
suggested that a specially bound copy should be sent to
the Prince Consort, who had since died.

Bentham writes, “It was all very well while the Prince
lived, as he took an interest in science; now there is no
one about the Court who cares at all for such subjects,
The book would be quite wasted—not unlikely become
somebody's perquisite, and I certainly should not care to
join in any such useless present.

He mentions the receipt of £50 each from New South
Wales and South Australia, that from Queensland to
follow, the arrangement being that for every. £50 sub-
scribed, 15 copies of the Flora were to be sent to each
contributing Government. Thus each of the three men-
tioned got 15 copies, and Victoria 30 coptes.

Ile gives much defail in regard to the Order
Leguminoseae, the despatch and the receipt of plants,
and writes the characteristic personal note, “Pray do not
address me as Mr. Prestdent Bentham, for that is not
the custom in this country, however it may be in Ger-
many,”

From London, October 12th, 1868, he acknowledges
the receipt of Acacias, Jacksonia, Gastrolobinms, ete. Tn
regard to some of the returned plants suffering. from
damp when received in Australia, he states that they
were quite dry when sent, and were “always kept in the
room where I work, in which there is a fire al) day, five
days in the week during autumn, winter, and spring.

. . IJ shall go over your remarks and corrections
with my flora, of which I have an interleaved copy for
the purpose. ‘To what you say of illogical adoption of
genera such as Phebalium, upon a character which is
not considered gencric, I shall give consideration,”

Bentham finds the Leguminoseae difficult, concerning
which he writes, “Ti is very seldom that the pod alone
will fix the genus of a leguminous plant.”

He hopes to publish the second volume of the Flora by
March, 1864. The first volume had been well received,

Serr Dawe, The History of Flora Avustraliensis 13it

and it is of interest in view of the relations between
Bentham anti Mueller, to read a letter sent by the latter
to Professer Oliver:—

Melbourne Botanic Gardens,
Christmas, 1863,
My. Dear Professor Qliver,— -

{ feel that I owe to you, as the botanical editer of “Natural
Histor, Review," my cordial acknowledgment for the graceful
and generous manner in which you alluded to my co-operation
with Mr. Bentham in his publishing the Australian flora. Not
only are your kind sentiments gratifying to my feelings, but
they may tend also io mitigate the disadvantage which hes
unavoidably arisen to myself by the publication of the work
in London.

Speaking in frankness to you on this occasion, F see no reason

_ to withhold from you the faet that my relation to Bentham’s
work has generally left here the impression on the pablic mind
that 1 was unqualified to deal with such a task myself, and not-
withstanding some favorable remarks by Mr, Bentham himself
in the preface, others rather uncautionsly written are rather
strengthening the opinion,

You can, my dear sir, readily understand that as an officer
of the Australian Government, onder whose general ranye of
duty, issue of a work on the plants of this great land naturally
aveht to come, it cannot be otherwise than painful tn me, when
I see, in reference to the publication, sneers passed on me, or
unsatisfactory allugions made to it in the publie press,

Though, when Mr, Bentham resolved to write the universal
Australian Flora, I could at once see the disadvantages and
losses which would arise ont of any arrangement. J could enter
into, T sacrificed my private feelings for what I considered a
service rendered to science, and in this revard you have done
wre the fullest justice.

Yet, though I shall always know (how) to distinguish between
Ty private feelings and my public dutics, it will aver remain 2
source of the deepest regret, that the brilliant talents of Mr.
Bentham were not rather occupied in the elucidation of the
botanical treasures of tropical Africa or some other region
hotanically unknown, and for the Investigation of which the
Kew collection would have afforded more ample material then
that such # talent should be_wasted in the edition of an Aus-
tralian Flora; I venture to say, almast wasted, because in the
course of time I could not have failed to carry out the most of
the same detailed work now emanating from Bentham. Whilst
I feel convinced that as Australian field work experience. is
required to recognise the limits of species, I fear also that very
sate fe Mr. Bentham's newly established species will not stand
the field test.

It is also tight to he assumed that in our yet limited and
atrugeling communities here, scarcely anyone's leisure allows
him te enter closely inte the study of natural history as a means
of employing spare hours, and that therefore the issue of a
work like the Australian Flora might have been very well de-
ferred for some years,

You will see this verified in the return of the sale {7} in
Australia of such a magnificent work as Professor Harvey's

in Vatey, The History of Flora Austratiensis [ YS Ph

Phytologia, though that also refers to Awatralia exclusively,
ami is a real ornament of botanical literature.

Moreover, the delay of the publication of an Australian flora
for a few years would have been highly advantageous, as now
already the material for the first volume has become largely
supplemented, and wntil more is sent by my friends in N.W,
Australia and by a special collector i have in the field in
N. Bastern Australia, ane, will have a very imperfect know-
ledge of what actually the fora of Australia produces. My
Pian, so long cherished, wax this—to werk up eritically the
planls of Victoria, and along with them, and as otherwise
omasion might arise, also moréorless the extra-Victarian plants.
This would have given me the material for final re-arrangement
in one universal work on the plants of Australia, and for its
completion, I could at least have devoted twa summers and one
winter in Europe for the revision of collections there.

Meanwhile, my material for critical comparison would have
vastly increased. I have now, for instance, a set of Geetze’s
betanies] reliés, one of the largest sets of Preissian plants, alao
many of Sieber's, and within the next week I shall possear, from
another source, one af the largest of Drummond’s collections.
Cunningham's and Brown’s plants, although years ago more or
less obscure to me, because they were so_briefiy described, I can
now generally interpret with comparative ease, since I have now
most of the plants {in regions where they were collected) repre-
sented in my herbarium. My library has, moreover, after a
heavy personal outlay, extended so far that it means but little
exertion to render if complete in the literature of Australian
plants. ‘ ‘

Of the present extent of our ¢dllections you are able te form
an independent judgment. To me it appears that what I have
collected, and caused to be collected, is more extensive than the
contents cf Briiisn collections of Australian plants, if what
was furnished towards them by myself is excluded. The effect
of the existing arrangement hag been greatly to disturb my plan
of life, to bend much my spirit to proceed on my path, and to
resides me much leas bunyant to work as T otherwise might have

one. :
Having spent the best years of youthful vigour, enormous
exertions, and almost a fortune on a plan which now, to a cer-
tain extent, had been frustrated, I hope you will inake some
allowance fur the feelings L expressed to you, though what T
said was not intended te wound the sentiments of anyone
Your repardful,

FERD, MUELLER.

This frank Jetter to Oliver throws a sidelight upon the
existing arrangement, revealing how keenly Mueller felt,
having to give up the preparation of the Australian flora,
and how great 2 sacrifice he made in doing so. Wis ex-
planation as to the plans he had formed for working out
this fora in Australia aupgests the reasonable doubt
whether their surrender was really necessary or war-
Tanted.

Meanwhile, the work was in progress. In March,
1864, Bentham received from Australia the Myrtaceous

Foot. Dauey, The Histery of Florw Australiensis 136

plants, with a further consignment in May, and aiso
Victoriu's subsidy of £100 towards the second volume.
He writes, “I am almost overwhelmed with the Acacias
- pt — examining and describing.”

Concerning the famous botanist, Robert Brown, ha
affirms, “No one botanist, however eminent, has been
found to be so uniformly accurate in every one of his
works, great and small, except only that, appendix by
Kiett, the only thing he ever wrote in a hurry, and with
perhaps a little animtis, which it is useless to allude
farther to. He forgot his usual caution before publish-
ing.” On August 28rd he is hoping to send the second
volume by next mail. Actually the copies were sent in
October. The third volume will comprise Myrtaceae
Compositeae, and intermediate small families,

-Concerning the support accorded to the work by the
Australian Gavernments, he writes, “It would have been
more satisfactory if some of the other governments had
been as liberal as yours, for there is more labour than
I had reckoned upon in working up above 1,100 species
(for the last volume 1,500).

“\ fixed my own terms, and will go through the work
if I am spared in health and strength snfficient for the
purpose."

In regard to the receipt of a photo. of Mueller he writes,
“Tt is a credit to Victorian ert."

He ts at work on the Leguminoseae, and has nearly
finished Podalyriae, in which he has reduced the number
of his own species.

For the second volume beginning im January or Feb-
ruary he solicits the materials at the earliest convenience.
He mentions having'200 covers of Allan Ganninghame’s
specimens, and that Brown's collection ts the most re-
markable of the whole. He would have sent a copy of
his anniversary address, “but I thought you were on
your way to Europe.”

On November 19, 1863, he asks, “Could not you send
any paper for the Linnean Society? Any of your obser-
vations on the comparative vegetation of the different
descriptions of country in Australia, the forest land, the
scrub, the sandy desert, etc,, would be very valuable,"

Towards the end of the year, 1864, there occurs some
friction on account of letters written by Mueller to Dr.
Hooker and to Bentham, evidently under the sense of
personal grievance or pique entertained by the writer.
These disturb the previous harmony in some degree, and

136 Datey, The History of Flora Austratiensis | YS NAG

provoke from Dr. Hooker a sharp rebuke contained in
the letter appended hereunder. Bentham, whose. tem-

perament was unruffled and opposed to dissension, took
the matter more calmly.

G eau G Aare i fed orvere)
a) tenpinchsd whaler Fn — ert,
prarck GON Veen ice R nz!
heey SD xe Dw xe *

Se ON ol orrms J titty Chez,
PEM Hes aiid REET Q Cher an

COR eed yore
Rt en eee
ERD
LoL senelle oe rei) wep acy, fetta gor
Bg, Coundon ‘fore ae? ee

Facsimile Page of Letter,

Fred | LaLky, The History af Flora Australiensia 137

The causes of Mueller’s hasty letter seem to have been
a combination of annoying circumstances, the sum total
of which produced the exasperation of mind which
Mueller reflected in his letters, Thus there was a mis-
take regarding payment of freight on cases, 4 disugree-
ment in views on the delimitation of species and on
specific names, also a difference of opinion regarding the
wisdom of issuing supplements and addenda to the work
in progress, and finally a sense of umbrage at Sir William
Hooker sending a consignment of Cork Oaks to Australia
without conimunicating with Mueller in his official
capacity.

Dr. Hooker, ufter thanking the author for a yolume on
the botany of the Chatham Islands, writes from Kew, un
December 2nd, 1864 :—

“Tam much coneerned to find from the tone of your letter to
me, irom the absence cf any to my father, and from your angry
letter to Mr Bentham, that you are much incensed with all
parties here.

To begin, then, with myself, I had nothing to do with send-
ing Cork Qaks to Austraha, though had the duty fallen to me,
T should assuredly have acted as Sir Wm. Hooker did in that
matter, acting, as he did, under orders; and, after all, seeing
that you have, on thé one hand, hundreds of Cork Oaks in the
gardens; end on the other that you are yourself the active head
of the Acelimitisation Society, I ennnot understand in what
manner you are officially or personally offended, or have resson
to blame my father through me, a course which is painful to me,
and wanting in official courtesy 40 him who abounds in friendly
feelings to you, and has never felt or shown any other.

In the matter of the cases being sent, unpaid, to you, I am
wholly or chiefly to blame. The accident is due to the change
of curators, a change of which I haye informed you, and which,
considering, its magnitude and importance, and the revolution
it causes in internal organisation, must be held to make allow-
ance for accident. F had myself wholly forgotten which way
was paid (out cr home). When our new curator asked me,
I said, “Find out how it wns before, and do as before.” Ap it
ig, you cannot suppose that lL was ever intended by us to do
you wrong or injustice as the tone of your letter implies, At
any rate, we Inigsht have expected the courtesy of being asked
how it happened.

Again, you allude with acrimony to our wealth, and pecuniaty
matters compared with your establishment, wherein, I think,
you err, You have no idea how sharply every shilling, every
half-penny we spend is criticised, and especially on mmounty
and charges for carriage, etc. Knowing, aa the Audit Office
does, that in respeet of most foreign countries we have to pay
hoth ways of necessity, it insists on coir not doing It, and,
if possible, to avoid it,

The comparative wealth of a public offiee does not depend
upon its expenditure, but on the account. reqiired to be kept
of that expenditure, and my account for ours is serutinized by

188 Darey, The History of Flera Australionsis [ Vie

the: Board of Works and the Audit Qlficer, and the Treasury,
and we have letters of enquiry,

We are ajlowed wo margin at all. I doubt if this is the case
with you. Gur correspondence in the matter of exchange with
you has always been behind what 1 should bave liked and
wished; but, in the first, place, our late Curater, Mr. Sinfth,
was & very old man, nearly blind and auite unequal! to the heavy
duties of his part; and, secondly, my father is quite disheartened
at the cost of the transport of eases of Jive plants, and the
dismally bad condition they arrive in beth out and home.

ve > . Pray do not be annoyed at what I say, and pray
remember that wa are abselutely overwhelmed with work tn
the Gardens, Museums, and Merbarium, and that being the ~
Reteree on all manner of subjects for the Treasury, Admiralty,
Board of Works, Indian Office, Board of Trade, and innumer- _
able private badies, Gardens, and institutions allt over the world,
we are hurd put to get along with our correspondence especially.
Then, too, we aré exposed to incessant collisions with our
brother botanists, which is a very wholesome, though not always
auprecable discipline to which yuu are not exposed,

Lastly, let me beseech you to remember that Mr. Pentham is
a peckharly sensitive person, who shrinks exceedingly from
uuplessagt correspondence; he has never yet had any unplea-
sentness with any Botanists, British or foreign, and is a gentle-
nian of unbounded liberality of sentiment, delicacy of fecling,
and great judgment. Born, as he was, 4 gentleman, of private
means, and giving his whole time and means to science for no
pecuniary reward, and regardless of praise or worldly flattery,
his position is the moet highly-respected of any Botanist in
Europe, bevause the most independent and most unselfish. Such
&@ pereon Must feel the tone af your letter, most deeply grieving-

Believe mu, my dear Dr. Muelier,
Most sincerely your
J, D. HOOKER,
{Ta he continued, }

SAGACITY ON THE PART OF A GUM-TREE.

The previous owner of the property where I am now living, in
order te get rid of the. native vegetation—rushes, sedges, lepto-~
spermum, ets. -growing on the ground. skimmed off twu or three
inches of $01! with the plants, and piled i¢ in heaps jn varjous
plurces. One heap he made close loa Euéalyptus sapling, probably
a Swamp Gum, &, ovate, having a stem of five or six inches in
diameter. This heap contained about a couple of cubic yards
of well-rotte! material In the autumn 1 decided to utilise it
as top-dressing for a grass-plot. When temoving the soil, 1 found
that the tree had sent out long roots into the heap of soil, one
of them being fully ben inches above the original surface of the
jand. The -principal root was over three feet long, and had a
diameter of quite half an inch. No doubt the tree learned by
sume means that the heap of soil was of guod nutritive value,
hence its desire to make the most of it, How long the heap had
been in position, L cannot say, hut orebably at least Uo years.
This seems to me a remarkable case of sagacity, One would not
expect a vigorously growing tree to send aut roots above the level
of the ground in which it grew. Query—Would heaping svil about
a tree be an additional means of inducing it to grow?—F. G. A.
BARNARD, Croydon, Vic

Sort WILLIAMBON, Contribution to Genus Grevillea 139

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE GENUS GREVILLEA,
Br H. B. Wittitamaon, F.L.S,
GRBEYVILLEA POLYBRACTBA, sp. noV,

Frutex 50-150 com. altus, ranulis pubescentibus,. foliis
subsessilibus Janceolatis obtusis brevissime mucronatig
Mmargine recurvatis supra glabris vel minute scabris infra
appresso-pilosis, racemis sessilibus dense multifloris
(18-34 fi.), rachi tomentosa 7-10 mm. longa, bracteis
ovatis ciliatis deciduis 5-7 mm. longis quaque binos flores
subtendente, perianthio circiter 1 cm. longo extus dense
_ eoceineo-villoso intus practer quattuor albes cirrog
glabro, tore fere recto, glandul& hypogyna prominente
1.5mm, longé apice dentataé, ovario longe villosa, stylo
villoso Tem. longo, stigmate laterati.

Victoria: Mt. Granya, C. Walter, Oct., 1891. Corr-
yong, E. W. Curtis, Oct., 1917. Granya Gap, Tallan-
gatta, H.B.W., Oct. 1925. N.S.W.:; Dubbo, Sources of
Macquarie River, Curran, 1882.

The leaves of this shrub are lancéolate, from 2 to 3
inches leng, and sare scarcely to be distinguished from
those of G. floribunda, R.Br. Instead of the loose raceme
of that plant, which sometimes attains a length of 1}
inches, with from 8 to 12 flowers, it has a rachis reduced
te about + inch, on which are crowded often as many as
25, and sometimes even more than 80 flowers on pedicels
about 4 inch long. It fs remarkable also in having its
fiower buds enclosed in scale-like hairy bracts, one to
every pair of flowers. As the buds develop, these bracts
grow so that they conceal a coneike miass of young
flowers, and when all the outer bracts have fallen, some
of the inner ones may often be found retained among the
closely packed flowers. it has been noted that in al]
specimens of G7. floribunda examined by the author, the
perianth segments are connate for about 2mm. at the
base, so that even when the fruit has well developed, the
perianth is not forced off, but remains surrounding. the
fruit, while in this plant, of which no well developed fruit
has been seen, the segments are at an early stage free to
the base. They are also more nearly equal in breadth,
atraighter and narrower, while the investiture, including
the white internal tufts, is much looser and longer. The
ovary, aty}e and stigma are much alike in both plants, but
in G. floribunda the hypogynal gland is broad, short and
truncate, while in this species jt is narrow, twice as long,
and somewhat dentate at the apex. The large, crimson

140 Winttamson, Conirihution to Genus Grenvillea [ UiF Pay

bunches of flowers make it a showy shrub, well warthy of
eullivation.

GREVILLEA CHRYSOPHAEA (F. vM.), nomen nudum in
First. Gen. Rep. 17 G. floribunda, R,Br., ex parte.

Frutex 1-2m. altus, ramulis pubescentibus, foliis
aubsessilibus ovatis vel oblongis obtusis minute mucrona-
tis 1,5-3 cm. longis circiter | cm. latis supra glabris infra
tomentosis, foribus 3-7 in racemo brevi reeurvato 1 em,
longo, pedicellis 4mm. iongis, lobis superioribus
perianthii 1-1.6cm. longis inferioribus mm. longis
usque ad basin liberis extus dense rufo-vel luteo-
tomentosis intus fere glabris praeter parvum cirrum
infra medium, toro fere recto, stylo 1.5-1.7 cm. longo
tandem fere recto, glandula lat& non preminente, ovario
villoso stigmate laterali vix umbonate.

Victoria: “Avon, McAllister and Latrobe Rivers,
Steiglitz, Station Peak, F, Mueller, Geelong, Dallachy.”
Fl. Aust. V. 440.

This plant differs from G. floxvibunda, R.Br., in having
shorter and broader leaves, with veins of the upper side
less prominent, in the colour of the fiowers which is more
eften yellow than red, in the few-flowered racemes, and
in the general character of fhe perianth segments. In
G, floriiunde the racemes are often nearly 14 inches in
length, with as many as 15 flowers, and the style is only
about 4 inch in length, scarcely exceeding the perianth,
and does not straighten out as the long stvle of cur plant
does, The diversity in size of the two pairs of the
perianth-segments is much greater than in G. floribunda,
and the segments are quite free, and are soon pushed
off by the expanding fruit, while in floribunda they are
connate at the base, as the advanced state of the flowers
with well developed fruit shows. The position of the
interior hair-tufts is different, being further from the
base in floribunda, The stigma also is more prominent
(umbonate), in floribunda than in this plant. The plant
shows more affinity with G. alpine, Lindl., in general
character of habit, leafsge and inflorescence, resembling
a large-leaved form of that plant, but alpina has leaves
scabrous hairy on the upperside. a perianth not densely
hairy outside, more utmbonate stigma, and a very pro-
minent hypogynal gland.

No N.S.W. specimens have been examined, and it is
probable that it does not eccur there. So far it has not
been recorded outside the limits of Gippsland, except in
the Brisbane Ranges.

WILLIAMSON, Contribution to Genus Grevitlea 141

Var, canescens, Var. nova.
Ramulis foliis juvenibus racemisque canescentibus.

This is a form which has its young growth quite white
with a fine woolly tomentum. !

Sperm Whale Head. F.Barton, jr. Oct., 1926. -

A. Grevillea chrysophaen. B. G. polyhractea. ©, G. floribunda.

D. Unopened. inflorescence of G. polybractea. E. Ovary of G.

alpina, showing gland. (4). 1. (in eath) inside view of a pair:

of lateral perianth segments. 2. Style, side view. 3. Style,
front view. 4, Hypogrynal gland. AN) x 2.

i NOTES ON THE FAMILY.

The Genus Grevillea belongs to the Family (Nat. Order,
obs.) PROTEACEAE, which was founded on the Genus
. Protea, Protea mellifera, of Linnaeus (South African
Honey flower), being the type. It was so-called from the
Greek god Proteus, who is credited with being known in
so many different shapes. The name is not inapt, for
few families in the vegetable kingdom show a greater
diversity of form of flowers and foliage. Outside Aus-
tralia and New Zealand (two species), the family is re-
presented in the Indian Archipelage, Tropical Asia,
Japan and §. America. In Australia the most familiar
genera are Banksia, Hakea, Persoonia, Telopea and Gre-
viliew. Of about 30 genera, 10 are represented in Vic-

142 WILLIAMSON, Cloutribntion to Genus .Grenillea ie pat,

toria. The family is placed by botanists among the
plants. whose perianth (floral envelope), shows a low
form of development. Among Dicotyledons the families
are arranged thus:—CASUARINACEAE, MORACEAE, URTI-
CACEAB, PROTHACEAR, and after these SANTALAUPAE
LORANTHACEAE, etc., finishing with plants having a more
highly developed perianth, GooDENIACEAE and Com-
POSITAE, Casuurinas and the next two families have a
small, bract-like perianth. Then comes PROTEACEAE, in
which the perianth is simple, petaloid and deciduous, with
four segments and anthers sessile near the ends of the
segments. Banksia is named after Sir Joseph Banks,
Hakea after.Baron Hake (Hanover), and Grevillen after
the Rt. Hon. Charles Greville, of Paddington, a patron
of Horticulture.

With the exception of three or four species which are
found in New Caledonia, the genus Grevilfea is confined
to Australia, 156 species were enumerated hy Bentham in
hie Flora Aust., and 20 of these are found in Victoria.

The number has now been brought up to 203, if the
two species in this contribution are included, It is
interesting to note that of these, 165 are endemic in one
State, 27 are confined to two States, five fo three States,
five to four States, and one to five States. Of the 165
ahove, 113 are endemic in West Australia, four in South
Australia, four in Victoria, 24 in New South Wales, six
in Queensiand, and 14 in Northern Territory. Tas-
mania has only one Grevillea (G, nustratis, R. Br.), which
alsu oveurs In N.S.W. and Victoria, Of the 47 specics
added, only 10 are from States outside West Australia.
Of the 20 species recorded for Victoria in Bentham’s
Flora, three (brevifolio, ertcifolia, and divaricata) have
been reduced to varieties, and floribunda has been
dropped, 30 that as four species have been added, ramosis-
sima {a New South Wales species). Wilkamsoniz.
chrysophaed and palybractea, the number remains at 20. ,
As may be expected, such a large gentis is much in need
of revision, and the author’s short study of all available
specimens, by the courtesy of the officers of the National
Werbarium, indicates that the botanists of the last cen-
tury left many species in doubt. The wonder is that
SO Many species are incontrovertible. When one turns
over the dried specimens, one carmmot fail fo realise some
of the beauty of these interesting plants, and to regret
that in our gardens so few of the glorious masses. of
bloom of Australian Grevilleas are to be seen.

a Dickson, Birds at Port Albert 143

NOTES ON SOME BIRDS AT PORT ALBERT.
By D. Dickson.

While on a brief visit to Port Albert last Easter (April
15th-18th), | devoted much time in observing the hubits
of some of the aquatic birds which existed there in large
numbers. The locality, with its extensive mud flats, is
suitably adapted for members of the Charadriidae
family (waders), and when the tide recedes a large
stretch of marsh land is made available as feeding
erounds for these birds. Numerous mudbanks are scat-
tered throughout the whole of the bay, and with the fail
of the tide large flocks of birds, particularly Black Swans,
congregate on these banks to feed upon minute sea life
that has been left stranded by the falling tide. Black
Swans (Chenopsis atrate). These birds numbered
many thousands, and generally remained in the vicinity
of the mudbanks, seldom appreaching the shore at all.
Just on sunset large numbers used to take flight to seek
fresh water at some of the inland Jagoons. it was
apparent that they fed mostly during the morning and
late afternoon, and rested for a few hours ahout mid-day.

Doitrels. Only two species inhabited the shores, but
both were plentiful in numbers, The double-banded
Dottrel (Charadrius bieinectuz) eongregated in small
ftocks), and when followed would travel for over four
hundred yards along the water’s edge before taking flight
over the water, and returning to their favored strip of
beach. These birds had already donned their winter
plumage, at which time the conspicuous band ‘on the
lower chest becomes very indistinct. The other species
was the Red-capped Dottrel (Charadrius ruficapillus), a
much smaller bird, but often associating with the former.
It is a pretty little form, with pure white underneath and
a red cap, and seems to prefer to use its legs as means of
avoiding danger more than its wings.

Australian Curlew (Numenius cyanopus). Nearly
every mudbank was inhabited by a few of these wary
birds, but seemingly the majority had already left on
their flight te Asia, where, no doubt, the remaining birds
would secon be wending their way. There is a great
similarity in the flight of the Curlew with that of the
Brown Ilawk. Both birds usually fly low and direct;
the beat and shape of the wings while in flight are alike,
but with the Curlew rts flight is faster.

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (KLrolia acuminata) was
another Northern bird that was ready for its long flight.

14d Dickson, Birds at Port Albert ane

Only one flock of between 20 and 80 birds was seen, and
these were constantly on the wing. An interesting thing
concerning these birds is their wonderful powers of
manoeuvring whilst in flight. They rise from the ground
almost mechanically, fly rapidiy through the air, turning
sharply at short distances, but keeping close together all
the-time, and- when settling every bird appears to land
simultaneously. ,

Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus astralegus) —These
lovers of lonely shores were noted in small parties in
some of fhe inlets. Unfortunately, they were not numer-
ous, and like most shore birds, were extremely shy. Once
disturbed, they would fly a considerable distance before
settling again. Both here and on Phillip Island the
Biack Oystereatcher was absent. It is apparent that
this bird is either becoming rare, or is restricted to small
igolated parts along the Victorian coast.

Several fine specimens of Pacific Gulls (Gabtanus paci-
fiéus) were in evidence around the wharf near the town-
ship. Mostly they were in immature plumage, but
occasionally a full plumaged bird made ite appesrance,
is not until they reseh four years of age that the young
birds lose their brown mottled Plumage, and gain the
beautiful blue and white dress. As the number of brown
plumaged birds exceed those in adult attire by five or six
ta one, it is evident that the life of a gull is not a long one.
This bird is a voracious feeder, ever eager to pick up
morsels left by fishing parties, and at times it even tries

_to reb Silver Gulls of food from their bills.

The Silver Gull (Larus novae-hollandiae) is also a very
common bird in that part. Owing to the pugnacious
habits of the Pacific species this bird is often attacked
whenever it ventures too near its larger congener. They
obtain their food largely from the backyards of the
houses in the town, as on a few occasions-as many #8
twenty birds were seen fighting for scraps in fowlyards.

TRE DRAGON LIZARDS.

Some time ago it will be remembered that an aviator on his
firht to Australia mentioned secing en rete the strange Dragen
Lizard peculiar to an island in the East Indies,

‘An expedition was sent out to the island, Komodo, by the Ameri-
can Muscum, and several specimens were obtained, and a must

interesting .motion-pictnre of the grotesque creatures in their
haunts was-secured, and is now being shown. to illustrate a lecture
on “The Dragon Lizards. of Komodo,” the receipts from which are
reserved for an Experimental Research Fund.

The | Victorian Naturalist

SS - SS

Vou. X XLIV—No. B. - OCTOBER 5, 1927. No. 528. 826.

FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF V ICTORIA.

. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in
the Queen’s Hall, 181 Collins-street, on Monday, Sep-
tember 12th, 1927. © The President, Mr. BH, E. Pescott,
occupied the chair, and about 70 members and visitors
were present. ; ¥

DECEASED MEMBERS, . - ,

The President referred to the death of Mi. E. Ri.
Hammett, an old member-of- the Club, and. that of Miss.
Keartland, sister of the late Mr..G. A. Keartland, alse
a member,. and requested those present to stand as, a
mark of respect. WH. was resolved that letters of con,
dolence - be. written to, the relatives of nee deceased
members. :

‘CORRESPONDENCE,

From Mr. W. Stawell, regarding destruction of the

Tea-tree and Banksiaa near Rickett’s Point, bayer
Sandringham:

From Vietorian Railways, advising particulars’ oF: +
special tour of inspection ‘to Yallourn on September
22nd, and inviting applications for booking. _

From Field Naturalists’ Section of the Royal Society
of South Australia, asking for wild flawers for the Show
to be held on September 23rd and 24th. -

Messrs. J. W. Atidas and A, E.. Keep undertook to
collect and forward a supply of wild flowers to South
Australia. °

REPORTS:

Depicts of excursions were given as follow :~-Wattle
Glen, Mr. L, L. Hodgson; Greensborough, Mr. A.’ J.
~Tadgell; South Warrandyte, Mr. F'. G. A. Barnard; Fish
Hatcheries (Studley Park), Mr. L. L. Hodgson.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS. -

The following were elected as ordinary members :—
Miss Alice Slape, 14 Vincent-street, Malvern; Mr. R. D.
Elliott, Toorak-road, Toorak; Mr. §. R. Mitchell, Glen
Iris-road, South Camberwell ; Miss Reta Murrell, 35
Royal-parade, Parkville; and Mrs. A. L. Lawes, 17 Lans-
downe-strect, East Melbourne? and as country members:
Miss -Ada Beal, “Llandu,” Lorne; Mr. Ernest M.
Homann, Technical School, Wonthaggi; Mr. R. F. Lush,

146 Pivid Noturatiaw’ Club— Proceedinys | ver. xEny

“Oakwood,” Camperdown; and Mr, Robert Hall,
C™M.ZS~. Orchard Ciose, Waimea-avenue, Hobart. ~~ '

GENERAL,

It was decided that a letter be written to Mr. Chas,
French, Senior, congratulating him on the attainment of
his 88th birthday.

The Secretary was requested to convey to Myr. -F,
Chapman, ALS., F.R.MLS., the congratulations of Claob
members on his appointment to an important, position in
the Federal Government service,

Mr. A. S. Kenyon ‘referred to the necessity of a uni-
form method of control of the aborigines, and submitted
the following motion:—*“That this Club write to, the
Royal Commission on Commonwealth Constitution, urg-
ing that it consider the question of bringing the control
of the Australian aborigines under thea Commonwealth of
Australia.” This motion was seconded by Mr. C. Daley,
B.A., F.L.S., and supported by Messrs. A. E. Keep and
A.L.Seott. Mr, Lance Le Souef spoke of the difficulties
surrounding the question, The motion, on being put
to the meeting, was carried unanimously.

Dr. H, Flecker referred to the recent report, of the
shooting of a whale, on the Victorian coast. He con-
sidered that action should be taken to ensure the pro-
tection of these Animals, which were becoming scarce.
It was decided to refer the matter to the committee for
consideration.

The President drew attention to the samples of the
new Club badge adopted by the Committee, which were
ayailable for inspection.

TEA-TRRE INVESTIGATION,

The President, in referring to the report on the Tea-
tree Investigation, stated that this had been based on the
reports of the several parties engaged on the varioua sec-
tions of the foreshore, and stressed the importance of
approaching the Government with a view to restorative
tart being taken before the growth finally dis-
a
- P Rev. W. C. Tippett, Mr. A. 8, Kenyon, and Mr. Chas..
Barrett also spoke on‘ various aspects of the question-

Mr. L. L. Hodgson submitted the following motion:—
“That the Committee, of this Club be empowered to take
the necessary: action to ‘approach the Government in
regard to the control of the foreshore being vested in
one corporate body, instead of such control being divided,
as at present.”

Set) Féelel'Naturalisia’’ Glab—Procesdings 4147

This motion!was‘secérided thy Mr.:C, ‘J.Gabriel, and
was carried unanimously.

A seriés of lantern Slides, showing the Tea-tree in
tyarious stages ofgrowth»and!decay,\was! displayed, in
saddition to.a’selection‘of:coloured views depicting orchids
sand native flowers.

‘EXHIBITS,

‘By*Myr.C, J: ‘Gabriel — —"(1)' Flowering épecimens” (from
“Grampians) of ‘Boronia “pinnate, ‘Sm,, Boronia~pilosa,
Lahill., Baxera. sessilifiora, F: “v'Me} 'Thiryptomeme “caly-
scina, “Stat. , Grevillea *diecides, ‘Sieb., 'Priltenea ‘sub-
atpina, SFM. {2)'Marine ighells-—~Maorocallista” ‘erycina,
Linn. (Ceylon) Pitaria lupanaria,'Lesson (C.tAmerica),
‘and Pitaria'dione, ‘Lesson “(C. America)’; ‘(3) Land shells
from Grampians, 'Chloritis Vidtoris, ‘Cox,

“By Mr. C, ‘H. Borch Four species of Victorian
“Geometridae “(loopers), ‘familiarly’ known as ‘Silver
Wattle Moths, showing also larvae of ‘one ' ‘of them
‘(Thaiaina: punctilined).

‘By Mr. “tT, ‘Kerr (Echuca) Specimens of Acacia
‘acinaced. (Gold-dust ‘Acacia), Lordrithus quandong
(Grey Mistletoe), and Exocarpus syartea (Broom ‘Bal-
lart) from Echuca.

By Miss Currie fLardner):—Specimens of native
-flowers’ from Lardner, Gippsiand.

By ‘Mr. C. French, Junr—Case of - insects-—specios
that attack “Tea-tree,. ete.

By ’Mr. “H. McColl:—Specimens of cultivated -native
flowers—Three ‘Hordenbergias, -Grevillen trosemarini-
folia, Eriostemon myoporoides, and Kugenta Smith.

By Mr. -L.: L. ‘Hodgson——({1)+ Cultivated -spécimens ‘of
-Acaciacleprosa, (Leper “Aeacia), A. sprominens-(Golden-
-rain "Wattle), o4. 'spectubilis, Wardenbergia ‘monophylia
(Pur tplg \Goral Pea), Micromyrtus ciliatus (Fringed
'Heath-myrtle), Grevillea rosemarinifolia -GRosemary
iGrevillea) ,.Grevillea -aspleni{olia, and +Chkorizema -illici-
ifolia, 4(2) Photographs of ‘White-browed -Babbler
\(Pamatostomus' temporalis).and neat; exhibited’on behalf
‘of Mr. Alex, D.iSelby, of Quaritong, -(3) “Wire nest:of
Magpie, ‘exhibited ton chehalf .of ‘Mr, James Hill, of
iMurtoa.

By Dr. +H. ‘Pleckor. —Specimens ‘of: ‘Tobernite-and .
iAultuniite from Mt,‘Painter, ‘Flinders Range, South vAus-.
tralia “(copper ‘and -calciuim ‘uranium phosphates) i i
tri¢h ‘in-radium, ‘for ‘which ‘they ‘are’ mined. .

=148 aTacnson,. Avetration Land =Shells [yor arty”

-wo js. ;AUSTRALIAN LAND,SHELLS. , us
By SNEY Wu. JACKSON, R: ‘AO. t.

i. Many.) of- the Australian-snails have shells, of. great
Beauty, and are deeply. interesting. But few kinds are
common; and most people are familiar only with the
alien garden” snail, Helix,aspersa, which was introduced,
accidentally, by Quoy. and Gaimard, The eggs were in
the soil of pot plants which the two French’ naturalists
“browght’ out to Australia. ke!
Our Jand shells, especially! the smaller forms; are -not
found. without much patient.hunting. More than thirty
years of: field work has enabled me to ‘collect thousands
2o0f specimens;; including. a large number new' to: science.
The smaller the. shell; the rarer and: more ‘interesting-is
-the species. J+ seldom make-a trip-into the forests,
.pcrubs,-or jungles, ~ Without finding some small, sundes-
,cribed.species. ~~
In Australia we have several ianaved spéciés of land
shells, ranging from-the-tiny, Helix méeroeosmus, to the
“large and beautiful , Panda faleonari; a -stell nearly . as
‘large a8 .a,man's closed. fist. The shell of the latter
spécies varies in size, in different localities, and at dif.
ferent altitudes. The higher the elevation the. smaller
“the shell. On “Macpherson Range, in south-eastern
Queensland, at an altitude of nearly 4,000 feet, I found
‘in the dense’ jungles, shells of Panda faleonari just. one-
third the size of shells of the same species collected on
<the Tweed River,.some twelve miles further south, and
-at-an elevation of about. 500: feet or 400 feet,

Atthigh: elevationay ini particular, Tobserted that blow-
flies, Calliphora,.ap., play great havoc With land shells, by
depositing their. ergs or. larvae -in.the small.'openings
through which the snail breathes. :The larvae quickly
-make their way down into' the body ‘of ‘the snail, -and
devour its kidneys. .«This, of- course, causes the ‘snail
-to become & “cripple” ; it: loses completely’ the posver. of
travelling ot moving about, and-remains in a‘ half-dedd

-state’ for any days." When it dies, the body is eaten
-by ‘many fly ‘larve. Hence the nuniber of dead “and
‘empty shells found inthe jungles, and possessing rather
perfect and unbleached surfaces. I haye met with, and
jexamined, many Jand-mollus¢s, of numerous species, in

avdyingxcondition, ~The’ parasitising of~lands,moltuses
“bys blowflies: was-also; -noted:bythe late;Sir Arthur ‘Shipley,
in England. ,* 7Phe best time to: thunt fer-larnd-shelis-is-a

teat) JAcKsoN}-Australion ‘Land “Sheils* 149!

few.-weeks ‘after“rain has*fallen, and* the‘ ground. gener
ally has. had. a chance‘ to* become dry. “again! *One‘eané
then-find and-hunt in the spots remaining: damp}'to which’
the‘snails.have retreated. Hunting during wet weather“
is!not-nearly's6 -satisfactery, as all> parts! 6f*the ‘locality’
are ‘damp, and you cannot discover:a‘ proper “camp” for"
molluscs. Search for' shells wader‘bark at the hase‘of”
trees; under decayed wood, beneath stones, logs, masses
of .dead. leaves, ete. Many, species‘ liveton the‘ trunks;
and: the foliage of. trees, such snails'as the beautiful
Helizimecgilivrayi, and also numerous very_tiny:species.

Bush fires and the great advance of agricultural settle=
ment are responsible ‘for the extermination of some”
apecies. e °

We: possess many beautiful and remarkable forms.
Panda.-Whitei, 1 discovered in the dense jungles west-of -
Mackay, North Queensland,,in September, 1908; and-had |
it named, ie the late Dr. Charles ba F.L.S., in com-

our Enowiedae of the SW. whe of t Auatratia, tins

tte ee 68

ets *Béwer-birds, of Australia: use dead land: shells,
the decoration of their play-grounds, “* The”

Great! “Bawer-bird, Chlamydera nuchalis, uses large
quantities-of-shells.- --I have: counted as manyias 100
in-‘one- play-ground, on the Atherton tableland, ‘North?
Queensland. Throughcarefully.exaniining” the’ ‘play-*
grounds of the various species of Bower-birds,’I have’
been assisted ‘in discovering new species-of land ' shells.
In the bowers small <pieces-of shell were noted at times;
and-!.hunted the.locality<until. [-found-the ‘living-and:!
perfect shélls. . Thisthas *happened«frequently7> Such?
wasuthe ‘casesfor example, with they sbeautiful-andsdeli-.
cate Panda Whitedr STEP OE ee ES 7 Sse Be

“and “molluses ; are.’ nocturnal, and’ 1" ‘have’ “collected '
many as-they moved about Jate. rat -night, ‘in the Queens- |
land jungles. . Traps, potato peelings, ete, can be placed °
for them at likely’ spots, “I*have found numbers-in the
bush: at' night ‘in this’ manner. .

*Live’ ' shells should, be boiled for a few. tmomients,. and -
the animals immediately picked out. carefully with a
strong bent pin, Never dry them in or near:the gun;
place them on a'towelyand'dry in a-room*=in ‘the-shade—.
this prevents the bright4and!glogay: ‘interior, portion of!
the shell from becoming wh{té and dull. - ’ I havae‘tleaned®

15D, Jacuson, Australian Lond..Shellas ver xe,

many, thousands, and have,collected thennimevery: State;
in. she Comuhonyrealit including» islands, off our, coast,
Care. should.,be, exercised, in, removing the-animal, from:
thesshell- after, boiling, Dirty, and untidy, apecimens:
spoil. a.,collection; and: only, harbor; vermin: Careful,
data shauld-be. recorded with; each,specimen., Veryssmaill)
species, should be. kept.- in, glass, tubes;

. ‘Accompanying«thia: article: ignar, ‘photographstaken: by: |
\myself;ahowing) the.“feeding ground” ofthe Kookaburra;.
‘Daeelo: gigus;the Cat: Bird, Aeluroedus viridis, and thet
Noisy2 Pitta..ors Dragoom, Bird,. Pitte strepitans,. ins thes
Hoep,, Pine, Arauceria, cunningham ii,, scrubs, at. Coola-
bunia, near, ‘Kingaroy,., Queensland,’ during, June, 1908...
The great heap of land’ shells, Helix cunninghamt,.had.,
ali been broken by many birds of the species mentioned
on-the«much:worn stone shown-on the-left-side ofthe
illustration: The back ‘portion: of ‘each'shell' was broken;
in-order-to-allow. the-bird-to extract the:snail! The shells-
of: these-molluscs. are large; and-rather flat; and meaaure-
more: thamfwo inches across, In-thislocality:stones-ares
veryascaree,: consequently the: birds are-~compelled: tox
carry the shells-long- distances: toe thee“anviltstone- in»
order to,break.them, At one stone, counted more than
2,000 of'these, large shells scattered about, numerous, old ;
ones, and many, that had quite recently been broken,

I ;found., “live? -shells- on, the ground,; chiefly;: under,
masses af- leaves. and.loose bark—the bark.falls from-the..

loop. Pines,.when-dead, and gathers in,heaps at-the,;hase
of. the trees...

When; with: ‘Mr: A. F. Basset-Hull, L visited the:islands:s
invPort Stephens; N:S!Wy,. during: Januaryy. 1910: nume-
bers: of:Nankeen -Night,Herons,; Nycticorac :caledonicies;:
werexbreeding,-in-thestrees;,on Snapper Island;-andconu
the-plumage;of:manyzof these birds I. discoveredsliviag:av
tin; species of land shell, Achatenella:- jacksonensiso
(named after, Port Jackson), This illustrates. how. small
species, of _molluses: may be-carried, long, distances, from,
ont, island’ to another,, by, birds,

Just:prior.to ovr, arrival, some ruthless.plunderers :had ;
been on the islands, and shot. hundreds of, these-beautiful,;
birds, for the sake.of obtaining, the small white feathers
that spring. from the back: of the; head.’

Recently, at Millgrove, near, Warburton, in. a.few..
hours’ hunt; J, coHected.eight, species: of. land, shells; some-
large,, and,some- verysmalls, Lyre-birdss :Mmust.-devour::
agreat! number of snails. daily; tr

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. xtiv.

Plate VI.

Oct., 1927

Photo by Sid. We Jackson

Feeding-place

and snail shells

(on left),

‘anvil-stone”

showing

of Kookaburra and other species,

broken by the birds.

Visit. ta Nutional Museunr 151

VISIT TO NATIONAL MUSEUM,

Meeting al the National Museum on July 16, for 4
visit, to the Fossil Galleries, the party of about 20
members was first taken lo view the new group of the
Giraffes and the Okapi in the main hall, in order betiter
to appreciate the curious fossil] forms of the Giraffidae
exhibited upstairs. There it was seen, by specimens
and diagrams, that the fossil genera, found in the Siwalik
Hills of India, and in the Islands eff Greece, although so
distinct in general ferm, have in common the character
of a split canine tooth.

Attention was mainly directed to the larger exhibits,
those in the wal! cases being selected for detailed demon-
stration. Amongst these were seen the well preserved
foreign fossil plants, as the giant horsetails (Culamites),
the later palaecozoic conifers, and the beautifully pre-
served leaves of such European plants as the Poplar, the
Birch, the Lime and the Beech, all dating back nearly
three million years.

Amongst the fossil shells we saw the large pearly
Nautilus from Sheppey, presented by our fellow member,
Mr. Cudmore, the gigantic turreted shell, Cerithium,
from the Kocene of the Paris Basin, and the fine array
of the Ammonites, some of which still show the delicate
horny rostrum or hood. Scanning the fine series of
fossil fishes, their chief evolutionary lines Were traced,
and it was seen that several of the existing groups, as
the sharks and the lung-fishes, commenced their career
many aeons ago.

Of the Fish-lizards, the Museum possesses probahly the
most complete collection in the southern hemisphere, and
there afforded many points of discussion, as to their
mode of life and their rapid evolution during a com-
paratively restricted geological time-range.

The evolution of the Elephants forms a fascinating sub-

ject, and by means of diagrams and the fine models of the
Fayum specimens prepared by Dr. Andrews, it wag seen
that their cvidence fer progressive development was
nearly complete. Their tooth structure was also en-
larged upon, the modifications of which had resulted from
changes in their environment.

The main features of the Australian collection of fos-
sils were explained, and attention was drawn to the fine
séries of Diprotodon remains in the wal! cases, In these

452 Visit to National Museum ( Vi. sits

cases we especially noticed the gigantic ammonite forms
that are found in Northern Queensland, as well as some
other interesting cephalopods from the Tertiary beds of
Mornington and Eastern Gippsland. Here were seen
the giant Cowrie, the great Volutes, fossil sea-urchins,
s¢a-mats, and other interesting Tertiary fossils, from the
Murray River cliffs and Balcombe Bay; and also much
older, palaeazoic fossils, such as the ekeleton-like Grapte-
lites which once floated along with the seaweed that
drifted with the currents over the inky waters of the
Ordovician seas.

In the table-cas2s many choice specimens were noted,
as the delicate little crinoid (Helicocrinus) that was dis-
covered in fhe Brunswick brick-pit in 1902. In the
Jurassic series we saw the wonderful fossil ferns and
cycads, many of them identical with those of the Jurassic
beds of Yorkshire. It was intended also to examine
some of the unexhibited fossils in the palaeontological
office, but the time proving all te short, this was reserved
for a future visit.— F.C.

‘

EXCURSION, TO GREENSBOROUGH,

Twenty-one persons formed the party on August 27th, Starting
in an easterly direction, we crossed the vailway by the bridge
over the Plenty, and examined the river’s shallows and surround-
ings. The bird men were soon following calls, and several of
the party examined the physical features of the rocky banks. The
Tree-Violet was found in abundant bloom: Myoporum viscosun,
and the Swamp Callistemon, as well as seversl aquatic plants, were
noted, a

Proceeding north-westerly, we saw two semi-parnasites in speci-
mens of Phrygilanthus celastroides and Loranthus pendulus, and
as the latter abounded in flowers and buds, an opportunity was
sftorded of explanation of the nature of the two genera under their
later nomenclature. Greenhood orchids of three species were
found. FPterostylis nana was shundant, one specimen having
twin flowers of equal size and development, A double-flowering
bract in a specimen of P, curta exhibited an interesting and un-
usual phase, as the leaf-like expansion stood out at an angle of 45
degrees from a common axis, with the bract enclosing the ovary;
' the second bract was the larger, Festoong of Clematis mitor'o-
phylla tempted the photogrupher to take a picture of the party
with rich masses of the Traveller’s Joy, as a fitting background.

The district was somewhat dry for the time of the year, and
plant life rather backward. It was pleasing to see so many ‘of
the party listing the names of the 75 native, and 27 alien plants
collected. Another feature was the interest evinced in the intre-
duced ficra, which often times is taken less heed of in uur outings.
—A, J. TADGELL. .

Toa | Dauner, The History of Flora Australiennta 153

THE HISTORY OF FLORA AUSTRALIENSIS.
BY CHAS. Daury, B.A,, F.L.S.
IV.

On the 24th November, 1864, Bentham wrote regret-
ting the damage to specimens in transit, to Australia,
and the misunderstanding tn regard to freight payments.
He states that he has “very little time for writing letters
except absolutely necessary correspondence,” but con-
tinues at great length with information as to method of
Work, and some points raised in Mueller’s letters :—

“Every description of my flora is written out at least teice
over. he six hours’ work IT get in the middle of the day is
fully taken up by the examination of plants and search into
hovks—~all the writing out for press has to be done at home in
the morning and evening, then the proofs and revises, besides
my annual addresses, various reviews and revision of papers,
and I cannot entrust any of the writing o+ compiling to other
hands even if T could afford it; so that it requires a great deal
of courage after all that, and at my age to sit down to writs
letters, and T have written a great deal more to you than 1
ever expected to cdo, t

“When I make any observations about money matters, it is
not but that I fully recognise your liberality, as I stated in my
preface, and there is never any thought in allusion to you and
your government; but I always think that some of the other
governments might have followed the example of yours. Ont
of the £260 I get, I have to pay £100 down to Reeve. then (not
reckoning the copies which, by your desire, I haye charged to
you), I take 12 capies on my own account to give to those who
have assisted me with specimens, etc... . -

“T have much to pay in carriage of specimens ftom the ¢tonti-
nent, in postage and various minor expenses attending on the
work, 806 that on the whole I srarcely clear £125 per volume,
which is very poor pay for a twelve-month hard work, after
being nearly 40 years in the trade.”

He mentions having commenced the Myrtaceae, and
has finished Leguminoseae, after which he continues —

“Thanke for your notes on my second volume. I have not
made up my tind about supplements, Repeated supplements
and addenda to supplements are practically very inconvenient,
and I think that my time is move usefully occupied in continu-
ing the budy of the work. Numbers of criticisms will, of
course, be made on the published volumes; errors pointed out
and additions made. All these I shall take a note of, and it
life and strength are spared to me to bring the work to a
conclusion, embody them all.in one general supplement.

“With regard to the delimitation of genera and especies,
every botanist has his own opinion, and no one is of sufficient
authority for others to defer to except in some cases—Brown
and de Candolle. J come to the best eonclusion that I ¢an.
but I do not in the least expect you to agree with me, I am

164 Dauey, The History af Flora Austratiensis[ YS, Ney,

often in very great daubl myself, and an addtlivnal specimen
ov a aifferent chain of thought may turn the vote one way or
anuller. Our acquaintance with species, is at best very im-
erfect; the grentey part of the facts we state are more or
ess conjectural, and scarcely anything in hotany fs capable
of mathematical demonstivation,

“Vow find, Tadmil, far too-many species. You maybe per-
teetly ¢leht; on the other hand, botanists of as great, or
greater, experience than myself, and on whose judgment J place
the greatest reliance. think that [ unite too many species—and
they may be right, too, All I ean do is to act to the best of
my judgment, ful.y admitting its great fallibility.

“The idea that true spotics ave entirely limited in nature,
which you insist an so strongly, ts one that I long mantained
in opposition to Alphense de Candolle, W. Hooker, and others,
whose views on subjacis of the kind are founded on more
general knowledge than I can boast of, and T now find that my
Own Opinions are much shaken, the spirit of enquiry awakened
by Darwin's extravrdinary labours has thrown so much. light
(comparatively speaking), on the history of biological] suc-
eegsion as to break down all absolute cests of a species, and
there are very few naturalists of ability who would venture to
apeci{y the absoiute differences between a species, a race, and
a variety. 4H is in each case a question of nice appreciation,
which musl vary with the constitution of every mind, and one
Tmust have a strong conviction to set up one’s own opinion
against that of the majority af axperiencad botanists, .

"Genera, the more we know of them, prove to be still more
arbitrary, There i¢ searcely a single large gems in
Leguminoscae that is elearly defined fram adjoining ones; in-
termediate species ave always found sooner or later. Miyhelie
is a yery bad genus, although it has a technical character,
Ocvloliwm .passes as much into Gustrolabienw: az inta Chori-
zoma, and Oxylobiwn and Pultencaea, this again inbo Dilwynnta,
and #09 on, and 80 on, almost all through the Australian
Podalyriae, which might have made one, or at most, two genera.
Crotalaria passes inte Lotenonis, and many others; Pephresia,
with Millettia and many other Robinioid genera, Sworinkona
inta Lepellet, and through various degrees into Colitea, and no
quile constant character separates .them from Astragalus,
Cornyonae. -

“But to assist the human mind we must make genera which
are better or worse aceornding to the ability ef him who defines
them. I have no pretension to doing better than others. I
do the bost — ean, often giving up my own ideas for what I
conceive to be the general judgment of those of more experi-
ence than myself.

"I see you object to some of the specific names Ll have taken
up—sa to M5. ones, I have always given up my own, although
recorded in s3everal-herbaria for yours; but, when spevific
names ate published, it is a rule which de Gandolle and several
other botanists more thaw ever insist on, that, when a species
ig removed from one genus te another, the oldest specific name
is to be retained without very strong reasons to the contrary;
aiid, if T were not to do so, it would certainly be done for me
by the first who should follow me" ,

{527 | Dasey, The Mistery of Plora Australiousts 155

' On February 26th, 1866, he mentions that Mr. Kippit
had told him that Dr. Mueller had said that Mr, Bentham
would propose Dy, Woolls, of Sydney, as a Fellow of the
Linnean Souiety, but no mention of it had been made in
Mueller's letter.

He writes, evidently under a sense of unusual irrita-
tion ul same candid eomment or criticisms made by
Mueller on the second volume of the Flora -—

"YT am much obiged to you fer your corrections to my
Plora, which 7 note im my interleaved copy for the Supplement,
if ever life and health be spared to complete the work. Woe
all commit blunders, and make false determinations, . . . ~ over-
looking articles and observations. scattered over the extensive
botanical Jiterature; and I am very thankful I have mine
pointed out and corrected, as I um accustomed to do the same
to others without taking, or dreaming of giving offence, - - - .

“With the extensive collections of authentic specimens at
hand, we buve superior means of identifying plants than many
others, and therefore F have been more communicative about
identification than 1 ought to have been, but it was all with
the best intention, and as to & true description of genera and
af species, it is now a settled thing that no two naturalists aver
agree on the subject,

“T regret very much, however, that you have found reason
ta be so thoroughly dissatisfied with the execution of my second
volume, that you find my genera miserable, my delineation of
species often ridiculous, and my diagnosis unavai'ab'e for
practical use. T do my hest, and, as T am now pledged to con-
tinue the work, 1 shall persevere as long as I am able; and
trust that, notwithstanding my failure, yeu will continue th
give me your yaluable assistance."

Opposite to the preceding paragraph is writlen in

denial in the original letter a vigorous “No, F.M."
Bentham writes that he is working al Chamalexea,
Baechia, Lhotziya, Thryptomene, finding them very in-
volved, and he details the differences in the determina-
tive factors.
“Tam getting quite tired of these troublesame little
flowers. I have repented the analysis of these minute
parts over and over again before [1 could he satisfied,”
He hopes to get, Compositece in the third volume.

On March 26th he mentions that he anticipates Viltile
difficulty from the Orders, Cucurbditaceae and Parwt-
florene, as they had been worked upon hy Dr. Hooker
and Naudin.,

The treatment of Myrtaceae proceeds very slowly.
There are vast numbers of species of an order compara-
tively new to him, and there is a “multiplication of
species of Leptospermum.” "I am much at a loss where
to stop with the uniting of them, for the whole genus
seems to me to ahow a gradual passage from the one to

tii Daver, The History of Flare Austratiensia [ YS iy

the other, and yet I feel it would never do to unite them
all inte one species.” He has finished Kunzea.

On April 25th he writes, "I wish you would continue
and complete your greal work on the Victorian Fiora,
which is cerlainly your best and most useful way of
correcting the errors of my flora, besides that, its com- ~
pletion would be the greatest credit to yourself, . :
You say I opght to extend my descriptions more, tor J
have overlooked cardinal characters. If I have done so,
it is not from shortening descriptions, but with not hav-
ing drawn them up with sufficient care, notwithstanding
the pains 7 have taken, Descriptions of the length T
give them ought to include everything essential; whether
they do or not depends upon the ability of the author ;
and you know as well as anyone else how very much
easier it is to write a long description than a short one,
but how much more practically useful to the botanist is
a short than a long one.'

On July 26rd he announces that he has 2 already written
out the Myrtaceae, with its 570 species, except
Eucalyptus, containing 100 species. He remarks:—
“It will take me the whole winter to finish the third
volume.’ In regard to the extensive and difficult Order
of Eucalypts, replying to a request of Mueller for de-
tailed descriptions, he writes, "EF cannot indeed under-
take’ the elaborate details of this genus which you pro-
pose; that cannot be done on dried specimens alone
( which in this genus are necessarily imperfect). All
f can do is to identify as much as possible ‘old published
species, and give such an enumeration of them as I can
compile. TI had been in hopes that you would have
monographed the genus before I came to it; and now
T must leave it to you to prepare a complete monograph,
With proper illustrations, which can only be properly
done in the country with your means and talents, and
which you may make a lasting, monument to your
metnory.”

On September 21st, 1865, Bentham refera to Sir Wil-
liam Hooker's death on 12th August, and to Dr, Hooker's’
illness. He makes the important suggestion, “Tt would
be a great convenience if you were to give a systematic
Index to the plants described or commented on in your
Fragmeyta, and other papers; for it-takes a good deal
of Lime 1o hunt up the scaltered notices: and, after all,
there is a great risk of missing some, as is unavoidable
in regard to the notices of Australian plants occasionally

ie DALEY, The Bistory of Flora Australiensiz 157

issued on the continent,"—a practice to which Dr,
Mueller was somewhat addicted.

On October 18th he aguin refers to the difficulty of
working on the genus, Eucalyptus,

“The anthers are trequently a gapd character, but often
diMieuwlt to observe; venation a very constant one in most cases,
but very difficult to deseribe; the bark character may be exeel-
lent, but unfortunately in most cases unavailable. Parsillel
distinet anther-cells generally go with regular, numerous,
diverging veins; divergent, canfivent, anther-celly with irre-
gular, very oblique veins. The shape of the fruit is better,
I think, if wé get it properly developed and ripened.

"In short, after I have done the genera it wlll require your
doing it over again in the country where you ean ascertain
many particulars that the speciymens do not show, and which
your experience will give you there. I hope you will work up
a detailed monograph of Lucalypts, with their practical qua-
lities, and give figures of all, ab least of the useful and pro-
minent species, That would be a noble work which none but
youeself could do properly, und my present labour will only be
useful in identifying the o!d species.

On November 1th he is still engaged on the
Eucalypts :-—

“T have now been six weeks steadily working at Burcalypts,
and I have only just begun upon the Western species I have
grouped them as well 4s I am able, chiefly Ivam the anthers,
inflorescenec, and fruit, but am mnt at a]) satisfied with my
arrangement, The bark may, 4s you say, give good charac-
ters, but wholly unavailable to me, as the specimens never
show it, and the notes of collectors, when given, are most be-
wildeving, especially for those who have neven seen the trees
grawing, and the majority of the specimens are unaccompanied
by any note of the bark. I suppose T have anather month's
work with them. I shall then revise the Myrtaceae, and po
on with the following Orders.”

«,.. At my age, with the little time, lam Jikely to have
befove tne for work, I think it best bestowed in wetting on as
much as 1 can with the consolidation of old and new species,
sa as itt my flora to establish a groundwork for the future ela-
boration of a more detailed and aceurale and eomprehensive
avcount of Australian plants in whith you will be able to apply
with advantage your acquaintance with the living individuals,
which 1 have always found sa important In my work on the
BPuroepean flora,"

Tt was not until January 18th, 1866, that Bentham
could report, “After three months’ close work, and quite
tired of going over and over again intermediate speci-
mens of the principal species, I at length got through
Eucalyptus al Xmas’ Again, on 8th February, “T
have at length finished the revision of Myrtaceae with
Brown's splendid collection.”

Tn March he intimates his intention not te do supple-
mentary work which can be put inta Mueller'’s £rag-

Lag Dae, The Histary of Flora Austrotionsis [ wiles: RY

menta or other works. By April he has got through
Olewria for the next volume, and estimates that the cost
of including a map of Australia would he from £30 to
£40. ‘The Composites are a relicf after the Myrtaceous
Order. “I get on so much quicker with Compositcae
from. their, not requiring boiling,-as the..Myrtaceae do-
Cold water soon moistens them sufficiently.” He esti-
mates 700 pages for the next volume. His other wort,
Genera Plantarum is still in progress.

He expresses satisfaction on July 22nd, 1866, that the
Eucalypts had arrived safely on return to Australia.
The recent wreck of the Lundon in the Bay of Biscay
had made him uneasy. He wants the remaining Cam-
positeae, of which there is only a little to complete, 400:
species heing done.

“So far as i have gone, I have been able (pretty well
lo my own satisfaction, although very likely not to that
of others) very much to reduce the small genera,” The
39 odd genera were reduced to 5:—Myriocephalus,
Anoianthus, Grephosis, Calocephalus, and Craspedia.
He states that Australian Composites resolve into groups,
of which Helichrysum is probably the worst.

Bentham's eagerness to finish the Compositeae and his
pardonable impatience at the delay in receiving the re-
maining species, as expressed in his last letter to Mueller,
seem to have been somewhat displeasing to the latter,
for in an explanatory reply written to Bentham, 26th
August, 1866, he states, “By last mail, dear Mr, Bent-
ham, I did inform you that I had shipped the rest of the
Compositeae by the Yorkshire, which ship, left on the
Zist July. It was one box, chiefly containing Guapha-
loideae, in all 28 parcels. In my letter by last mail, I
alluded more specially te the unusual circumstance which
caused the detention, and 1 enclose a copy of a portion of
that letter, since I have received your note dated 18th
June, ta which I now briefly reply.” . eg Bt

Your regardtully,
Attached,
FERD, MuxULER.

An addendum to this letter was attached, which
Mueller avidently, on further consideration, endorsed,
‘not to be sent.” It is of interest, however, in showing
more clearly the writer's attitude of mind, sensitive to
what he probably considered an implied reproof at the
delay in forwarding the specimens referred to. He

oe DaLev, The History of Wlora Australiensis 159.

acknowledges the receipt of proof-sheets, congratulates
Bentham on the care and arrangement bestowed on the
Eucalypts, on which order he is forwarding some notes.
He deprecates undue haste, as he has had much un-
expected extra work, and if the Flora fure-runs the
Genera he is describing, the result is unsatisfactory. He
has sent Drummond's plants after tre-arranyement.
Goodentaceae and Lobeliaceae will be sent at the end of
the year.

Part of the addendum above-mentioned is as follows:

“My firm conviction is that a few years* delay would have
been most advantageous for the elucidation .. -- of the flora,
the first volume being already yery ingemplete, and a very few
years would have sufficed to render known the rich North-east.
Governments are not constantly inclined to support work of
this class; and, were I fo attempt after a few years a riew
edition, 4 should get probably no support from the State; and
T could probably neither here ner at home find a publisher,
while the printing at our Government Offve would probably not
be allowed for the sake of economy, In Australia there seers
as yet no call whatever for the work. There is seen never ance
yet a single copy in any of the many large bookshops of Vie-
toria. This owes not, perhaps, so much to the want of interest,
but to the circumstances that in a young bustling community
no ont has leisure to look far beyond the ordinary calle of life.
Tn Europe to mest the delay of the publication would have
been no hardship, considering that Robert Brown made so
litte use of the material for upwards of fifty years. What e
pity I ever worked en the Flora of Australiz now almost in
vain,

One cannot echo the pessimistic reflection that con-
cludes the statement.

Bentham had returned after holidays to find that the
remaining Composites had not yet arrived, and again, in
a lelter dated September 25th, 1866, expressed his dis-
appointment.

“Tam exceedingly anxious to proceed rapidly with the
Flora, as I feel that at my age I may any day have to
strike work, and I know of no young botanist here ready
to take it up upon my failing. Genera Plontarum is in
excellent train in Dr. Hooker's hands, but neither he nor
anyone else I know has time for the tedious working up
of species necessary for the Flora.” With customary
candonur he says, “TI may be wrong in genera as well as
in species, but stfll | hope f shall have cleared the way
in establishing the synonyms of the majority of old
species, and leaving tolerably authentic types both in
your and in our collections to guide those who may here
after undertake an improved flora of Australia,”

16h DALEY, The Hivtory of Flora Australionvix [Yio NR

Material for the next volume is wanted, and Gamo-
petoloae is to follow Cempostene.

From London, on December 19th, he announces the
completion. of the third volume, and sends the remaining
sheets, “The whole volume will be out next week. -. . .
T-hope you will-not be dissattshed with the volume. . = -
it has cost me twice the labour of either of the others,
having been close al it for two years, although the
number of species is only 1430..... I know very well
that. there will be much to correct and mmprove, and I
may have been mistaken in many of my views, but I
have done my best, and shall continue to do so as long as
1 have health and atrength.” He adds, “half the work
is done,” and that he should finish in six volumes.

“J wish that you, who are so thoroughly acquainted. with the
different types of vegetation in Australia, would prepare a
piper far ovr Linnean Society on the subject—with some
account of the physical characteristics, the georraphical extent
and position, and the prevailing species in each of the prin-
cipal regions of vegetation in Australia without reference to
political demarcation, 49 as fo give us who have never seen
the eountry an idea of its botanical agpect. This, Spatially
if jlustrated with an outline map on a small seale, in whic
the botanical regions might be generally indicated, would be
an important contribution to science, and none could work it
out so easily and #0 well as yourseld.”

From @ letter sent [rom Wilton Place, London, on
April 19th, 1867, it appears that after the publication
of Volume II1. little had been done. Bentham had re-
ceived Campanuluceae and Lebeliacene. As the whole
of the progress part of Genera Plantarum was in the
printer’s hands, he would now have more time for the
Flora Australiensis; but he was going to the Paris Bx-
hibition, and on a continental tour first. He mentions
meeting Mr. Moore, of the Sydney Botanical Gardens,
also that the late Sir William Hooker's Herbarium and
Library were now definitely made over to the National
Establishment at Kew, which was by far the most ex-
tensive, and in the most complete working order of any
in Europe.

On June 17th he advises that he is going to Germany,
and will be home in September to continue the Flora
Australiensis. He hopes the Monopetaleae will be at
Kew ready for htm.

“T see no great difficulties, and there are few (speci-
mens) that require the tedious boiling of the Myrtacene.
The great difficulty will be the delimitation of species :—
their division is carried further by Robert Brown than I

See.) Day, The History of Flora Australiwnsis 164

should be disposed to admit, and still further by many
eminent botanists whoge views one does not like to neg-
lect, although one feels one cannot follow them.”

Qn September [7th, he was back at Wilton Place, and
had started on the Goodenias and Stylidiums. Afier an
exceedingly agreeable holiday in Germany he purposes
going on steadily with the Flora without further inter-
ruption until the fourth volume is finished,

On October 19th he announces to Dr. Mueller, wht,
after an illness, had taken 2 brief holiday, that he had
reduced Stylidiaceae to these—82 Stylidiam, 7 Leven-
hookia, 1 Zostera. Total, 90. To keep specimens in
good condition a hot sun is required in summer, a good
fire in winter. At this time an order for £100 was due,
hut owing to a Government deadlock in Victoria, no pub-
lic funds were available.

Acknowledging receipt of plants on November 17th, he
states that Drummond’s collection among: them is badly
or uncertainly numbered. In regard to De Vreise's
Monograph he writes, ‘Has given one name to five
species belonging to three Natural Orders. Generic
characters sometimes. belong to only a small portion of
the species he puls under them. He quotes the same
specimens for two different species. He describes one
plant and figures another.”

He writes on December 19th :—

“I do not ike suppressing a genus so universally adopted
as Eeucopogon; and, if it is retained ag a section, and preves
at all a natural one, 1 cannot but think it better to leave if as
& genus—there is a great difference between making a genus
and keeping up one already made. Tf it can be done with
propriety, 1 shall have less scruple in doing sa, as I see you
have provided for it by keeping up the séction, and by naming
all your new species Leucopogon as well as Styphelia; the effect
af the double synonym is thus already created; and, whether a
wroup be a section or genus is, In many esses, purely arbitrary
-——and in matters of doubt botanists at large would rather follow
Brown than my opus.”

At the beginning of the year 1868 work is centred on
the Epacridaceae, the Stypkelia, and allied ¢roups, an
interesting Order of plants. Mueller had, evidently, at
this time, under the pressure of other work, suggested
deferring the Flora for a period. Bentham writes that
that he is too old to do that, and adds, “Your materiajs
are, of course, of the greatest use to me; but, if you are
unable to send them, 1 must do as well as can without,’
In regard to the Genera Plantarum, he admits that it has
been a heavy expense to Hooker and himself,

162 Day, Phe History of Flora Austroliensis | YS RAK

“Hooker is young-enough to hope to see the end of it,”
With the consciousness of failing energy, but with char-
acteristic spirit and determination he affirms, “What-
ever I undertake I wish to go through with. I pra-
mised, 1f possible, to publish a volume a year of the
Flora; and. although I cannot quite do that, f must. keep
aR near as possible to it.”

On February 23rd, he hopes that Mueller'’s health has
benefited by his trip te King George’s Sound, He will
await the arrival of the next box before finishing the
Epacrids. Sonder’s specimens are also expected, and
some Monopetales are still to come, The fifth volume

will contain the Monochlamydeae.

- “Now that [ have got inte the Orders contained in Brown’s
Prodromus, 1 see stil greater urgency in gding through the
identification which present circumstances favour, and which T
consider the important part of my work,

“With regard to the description and arrangement, .... 1
know well that, with the advantages you possess, you will be
ab'e ta do it much more satisfactorily in such works as your
Victorian Plants, but the identification of old species can only
be done here. Brown's have been very much mistaken, partly
from not having the plants he described and attributing his
disgnosis to those which came nearest—partly from the in-
sufficiency of short diagnoses when new species come to be
compared —in a few instances (in two at least), from mis-
prints in Nees's edition of the Prodromus.

“The Epacrids have given me a great deai of trouble owing
to the mintteness of the ovaries. It is exceptionally dificult
to hunt up the literature of modern systematic botany, and I
much fear that I may have passed over a number of published
species"

In an undated letter Bentham again urges—"Pray let
me beg of you again en no account to name any species
after me.” ;

’ By May 14th, 1868, the expected box had arrived with

Stylidium, Goodenoviae and Epacridaceae.

Bentham had gone through them, and packed them
up with others for return from Kew. He mentions that
all the Manoapetoleae cannot be put in this volume; the
Labiateae must stand over. He writes:—"I am afraid
you will find much fault with the-Stylidium, but the ex-
treme delicacy of the Corolla prevents, in most cases,
ascertaining its exact shape from dried specimens. In
the Epacrids there was no such difficulty, only the great
tedium of haying to examine the minute ovaries of
almost every specimen.”

On July 12th he has despatched twelve sheets of the
Flora, and more are in type. He is leaving London
until the middle of September. The volume just fin-

och Davey, Phe Jiistory of Flora Australiensis 1G3

ished js te compensate for the extra bulk of the third
volume,

T shall not trouble you to send any more until you hear
toon me that I have begun on the fifth yolume next year. It
is very possible that I may sometimes, in the large parcels of
some species in your collection, have let here and there a speei-
men out of place. I take what pains I can, but now and then
a misliuke may occur, and the specimene. being looge in double
sheets, I cannot turn them aver so frequently and readily as
ours, whieh, being fastened down in single sheets of stiff paper,
can be turned’ over rapidly like the leaves of a book, besides
T sometimes get bewildered in the great. heap of specimens,
and | trust te you to correct my mistakes.”

‘He notifies, on December 4th, that the copies of
Volume IV. have been sent out, and expresses the hope
that Mueller will take up the projected work on the
Eucalypts. He naively writes:—

“T perceive that Australian botanists are as little satis.
fied as T am with my classification of the genus, and |
am Very anxious to see your critical system properly
worked out for the whole genus.” He congratulates
Mueller on having received the honor of C.M.G., in re-
cognition of his work.

It was not until May 13th, 1869, that he spoke of re-
sumption of work on the Flora at Verbeniaceae. Acknow-
ledging the receipt in advance for £100 for the fifth
volume, he writes, “If not completed the money wiil be
returned,”

In a letter, dated June §th,. he finds the Myoporums
difficult, and discusses the points of the Order. ‘By
September 30th he is employed on the Labiateae.

In referring to the Doctor's new dignity of a baronetey
he writes, “T hope you are not particular about the von;
for, allhough in Germany your order gives you a right
as a Germanj—that is not the case here as an Engligh-
man where vons are not the custom and not recognised ;
and, on observing that the Colonia! Office do not give it
to vou, and enquiring there, we are told that in giving
you the Commandership of St. Michsel arid St. George,
they advisedly omitted the von, which is not Hnglish.
For my own part, I attach no value whatever to these
things,”

On November, 1869, Rentham has had to stop work
through an attack of sciatica. He has been doing the
Orders Plantagineae, Nyctagineae, and Phytolaceae, and
is now on Chenopodium. He admits being puzzled about

“some genera, and writes, “but that the gentlemen resi-
dent in Queensland and other settled districts should
send you little sprigs with a single flower or bud, or

4

164 DALEY, The Hiatory of Flava Austratiensis [ ¥ wi, aiiat..

with none at all is what I think you eught to remonstrate
against;—guessing al such puzzles only leads into
errors of which you will find too many in my flora, even
it there is not that excuse, Dallachy and others of your
own cullectors, as well as some of your correspondents
send, on-the other hand, satisfactory -specimens which it
is a pleasure to have to ‘work upon.”

On December 24, 1869, he writes: “Moquin has made
asad megs of Amarantaceae in the Prodromus—a great
deal for want of examinable as much as of authentic
gnpecimens; and much alse from taking for granted that
characters observed in one species are the same in ap-
parently similar ones." He will begin printing in
February.

By January 20, 1870, Bentham had begun Proteaceae
to conclude the fith volume, Sympathetically he writes,
“T was much concerned to see in your letter to Dr.
Hooker that you had been. subjected to annoyance in the
attempt to place your botanic gardens in other hands. 1
trust that the intention will not be carried out. In the
interest of science, that is your place, and it seems to me
that it would be as unwise as unfair to take it from you.
Bat, as with us, our present financial administration ts .
very antagonistic ta science. I suppose your colonial
administrations are aleo given to anti-sctentific ideas.”

At this period in Melbourne there was a movement in
the direction of making the Botanic Gardens more of
a pleasure resort than a scientific aid. On February 17,
1870, Bentham again refers to this, “I sincerely trust,
from what you wrote last mail to Dr. Hooker, that all
your troubles about the direction of the Gardens are
over,”

“The war (Franco-Prussian) has not made as much
havoe with scientific collections as we at first feared,
The natural resources of the country are so great that
could she succeed in obtaining a few years of quiet and
security, all might yet go well again; and I do not think
Germany is safe from internal dissensiona when the ex-
citement of victory is over.”

By September 24, 1871, he had resumed work, and on
that date and on November 23, again mentions Mueller's
troubles, Happy to hear from your letter to Dr. Hooker
that you have got over your troubles that had annoyed
you so long.” Having finished Conpositeae for the
Geneva Plantarum, he is free to take up the sixth
volume of Flora Australiensis. Next month he was
working Pimeéleaceae, and in reference to the transmis-

Oot Datey, The History of Flora Austratiensis 165

sion of the £100 for him from Victoria, he writes, “Nor
do I feel entitled lo it until I have advanced the work
a litéle further,”

A letter in January, 1872, is devoted to technical mat-
ters. He has received the seventh volume of tho Frag-
menta, and ja engaged on Kuphorbiaceas, on whith he
disaprees with Baillon's determinations. By the be-
ginning of 1873 he has finished the sixth yolume of the
Flora. "TI begin now to be very impatient to get to
the end of the Flora, for I am old, and feel that my
faculties may soon be impaired.” On April 8, he writes,’
“Tam very sorry to hesr that you do not get quite right
jn your official position, but 1 sincerely trust all will be
settled to your satisfaction.”

{To be eontinued.)

EXCURSION TO SOUTH WARRANDYTE,

South Warrandyte was visited for the first time by the Club
on Saturday, September 3rd. Nine members met the leader
at Croydon Station, whence Messrs. A. ER. Opperman and A. 4,
Chandler, residents, who hed kindly olfered to motor them to the
locality to be visited, a distanee of about three miles. We visited
Mr. Opperman’s garden, which contains several uncommon nlants.
The Geraldton Wax flower was in full bud, and the Nodding Blue-
Lily, Stuvendra glauce, in bloom. In the adjacent paddocks we
searched for orchids, It was found that the season was rather
late, but nearly a duzen species were {dentified, including Piuiris
maculata, Pternstylis nutans, P. longifolia, and P. pedunculata,
Caladenia curnen, C. Patersvni, and C. praecog. These two
genera hive heen 86 split up lately by the species-makers that. pos-
sibly other species might haye been identified, had many more’
blooms been gathered and sxamined with a pocket lens, | The
thanks of the Club are due to Mr. and Mrs. Opperman (South
Wartandyte) and Mr. Chandler (Kilsyth) for their kindness to
the party.---F. G. A, BARNARD.

NATURE &TUDY EXPEDITIONS.

Every State, excepting Weztern Auetralia, will be represented,
in the expeditions to several of the islands at the southern end di-
the Great Barrier Reef in November and December next. | The
most favourable time of the year has been chosen for the Visits:
The weather should be fine, and seabirds will be nesting. Students
of murine zoology will be afforded an exceptional oppourtenity for_
research work among the corals and coral animals during the
month jit is intended to be away. Special attention is to he paid
by one section of the party to un investigation of the huge sharks
and rays that inhabit the tropic seas, The expeditions, which are
the third and fourth of a series of nature study excursions organ-
ised in recent years by Mr. RB. F. Pollock, of Carrington-avenue,
Strathfield, New South Wales, will leave Sydney by rail for Bunda-
berg, Queensland, won November lath and December 27th, respec-
tively, The second one has been specially timed to enable school
leachers and others to make the trip during the summer vacation.

166 Notes from Field ond Study (Yh xy

-_

it
ey
| ic ape

TEA-TREE NOTES.

A few years ago, in company with another Club member, the
writer proceeded by boat to Sorrento, and we walked home round
the coast to Elsternwick—the only way to get a comprehensive idea
of our coastal fringe and its value.

The Following extracts from unpublished notes on that walking
tour wil supplement the information already to hand regarding
the Ten-tree. !

“On the road to Hye, the scrub is very dense, the Tea-tree fully
justifying its name a ‘Sandstay;’ Banksias, the Drooping She-oak,
the Coasé Acacia, the Honey-myrile, the Kangaroo Apple in flower,
and the Sea-box with white froits grew-amid the Tea-tree.

“Leaving Rye, we took the road to Dromana. Here the scrub
in its pristine state. Banksias grew well, and were the haunt of
many watthebisds, probably feeding also upon the berrics of the
Sea-box,

“After a welcume resl (at Rosebud) we went off ta Dromanna
slang the beach, the country here being heavily timbered with
Kucalypts. She-oaks, Black Wattles, and Banksias, with Tea-tree
faanging lhe shore. '

“Leaving Mt. Martha we decided to push on to Mornington. The
dense Ten-tree provided good shade, and with a little labor a de-
lightfatly shaded path for pedestrians might be cut from Mt.
Martha te Mornington, f

“At Frankston under the eyer-blessed. friendly Tea-tree, wa had
a sicsia in view of Lhe shore Tor a couple of hours.

“After heayy aand for bal-a-mile, we strack into an avenue
about two chains from the road, and & or 10 feet wide, with Tea-
trea branches meeting overhead, and the pathway earpeted with
soft leaves over the sand, whilst fickenng sunlight streamed
through the foliage. ‘fhe vista alone this well-kept avenue is
charming. Small scrub birds, wrens, robins. tits, creepers, ete,
flit aeross it. A Java dove alighta on the track. Oeeastonally, a
fleeting glimpse of someone EOE to or returning from the beach
nowhere far distant, is caught as they cross the track, Vehicles
rutuble along the road utseen from our sheltered path, stretching
ahead in an unbruken aisle of leafy perspective.

“On a hot day this is the most delightful walk around the coast,
and «whoever conceived the idea of rescrving it for pedestrians
metits the the name of Benoni, The only persons we met—ihree
workmen, mistook us for ‘rabbiters,, After tea at Seaforth, we
resummed the ‘cool sequestered’ pathway till it ran out at Carrum

‘arrum. -

“Prom herve (Mordialloc) round to Mentone the Tea-tree still
affords a fair amount of shade,

“From Beaumaris round to Hampton there is a good Tea-tree
shelter; but as one gets nesrer Melboutne there may be noticed

P53] Noteax{nonv. Bild. and! Study; 1671

the distinct change inutha character: of:‘ttie -Tea-tree; owikich now
mostly consists of old trees, whose tops become broken and the
trees-scragey, Wesmiss: the ‘young: trees with* hghter: foliage
springing-up+freely1o replace-the old-trees+ The-younge’ shoots
fet-no; chance, beig-trampled:down:ov-broken(by -the- Unrangs whore
frequent -the teaches and:.camp ‘in ‘the~Teastree aceub.'

The-closing: patagraph=.of these unaltered notes ‘readsi-—One>
naturally-gets from such’ artrip- distinct ‘impressions; rone—bow-
exceedingly-valuable-thie eastern: tore-shorerof*the»Bay*is* asta?
tomvenient “and: heallh-giving-means-of -relaxatian toscitytoijers>
of every degree; and; seconity, how extensively and wlrole-hesstedij-*
itcis :made:useyoftfrom-the “Yarrasta;the: Rip;

“Another laslingampression-isof. the extreme.valus:oftthe unpre:
tentious; Tea,tree,-its:pleasantishade ands yerduro;iitss protective:
powerragainst- wind andiraln,itssuse-in:staying the shiftingisand;
also its. abundant. growthzon: the; more -untrequented: frontages=toa
thezcoast, gradually, dwindling:to. extinetiony nearer thes metro:
polig.. Ewery .effortashouldz betmade:to preserve :thisritvaluables
tree;.the: presencejofywhich:doubly enhances-the:usclulossszofthes
sandy beaches; Heresand there small.plantations.o£f young trees:
arevenclésed; asiat Sandringham,, Black:Rock,ete; showing .that=
its: disappearance hase been noticed,.but:tha: respective, tomnsand?
shires should tendeavour, lou preseryejilsincits inaturals.growth;- or:
sogulats it as in the fine avenue from.-Frankston -to: Carrum,?=.

A_TRIBUTE, TO.. TREES. ,

The effects; of denuding:a country. of woody: plants: haa-athea
tesmlt.of causing foods and.droughts;, Wheresthe land is covered:
Withisome kind of woody ,veeetalion;.the'soi) looseand porvue,thea
rainaponetrates the sponge-like humusdayer;and sinks more slowly
intosthessarl iand-is saved-—the; remainder. reaching; thesbedsof;the-
creek gradually, cam only adyance.slowly on;account:of. the, cbstruc-4
enrolfpthe vegetation; Mnerefore;,fiogds are. retarded:, . Orther
other-hand, :when: hills and:slopes-:are completely denuded: of.trees=
and.'serub," the strang heat afithe sun-absorbs:the lastparticle off
Meistuve,, and sbaens the-veretation= A sthurderstorm :on::rains
descends:and rushes unobstruuted down: the hillsides; carryinggwiths
it part of the still-remainingsurface sol: A-very smail'portionsof~
the rain finds its way into the ground. Rushing along, the water
aarvics destruction to the low-lying lévels, where if cannot escape
guickly. Here the mud is deposited;imaking, the soiliimpervisus:
Depressions become stagnant pools, and, slowly evsporsting,, the
water leaves al) the -salt-it-brought*fronv the-higher: ground; anda:
this: accumulates; the soil gradually becormes>more-sterite:' a

Denudite-the-iand?of alittrees+ and shrubs—-undern the idea -of--
improving pasture--and‘ fields: is+ not+alwasys- beneficial” asyman-
eannot-maintain~his existence with -only the-limited ‘range: of?
vegetable and-animal life administeringedirectly to his wants;’ Ally
plants should not be-destroyed) as grass will grow well especially-
wheee moderate moisturesprovails>in the -shelter:of-suitably placed +
large trees. [bt is erroneous to assume that all good-land: must-
onlytbe:used for-thesgrowth' of cereals, ete foraproducing good
and-cyaluable timber .similarland, is equally-necessary-: .. For: the:
drier: parts; of the Commonwealth, its would: be: advantageouss ifc
oneshal€ oftit were-covercdwith!trees; Shrubszand,drees:ace thes
naturai rejuxyenatorsief -the soil, andcitcis: a miatakesto-eradicaten
all plants which are not useful-forfodder-—J.WeAs_ _- Ra

188: Notes Jrom Fisld. and: Study). [Yi adite

-

KANGAROOS :ON SPERM>WHALE- HEAD.

c ne ae ne a

«The, large. grey, Kangaroos. (Mucropus giganteus) are-becoming,
quite-numerousvim thes Sperm, Whale- Head Peninsula, and often,
in.ths-early. morning, some may. be seen feeding.close te our house-
Walking through rushes neng i, swamp, I surprised a female
Kangaroo\with a young, joey.’ She bounded off, but halted at
the, summit of airise,-about 200 yards distant. Hearing her young
one.calling, (the-sounds. it mude rather resembled the nates of
the. Gang-gang Cockatoo}, she -started.back, but' when I moved,
rétreated-at a fair -pace to the scrub, about half a mile away-

I decided to make friends.with-the-“Joey." Hearing-ma.com-
ings through -thewrnshes;,he.apparently thought,,that. I. was-his
mother,-and: hopped. clumsily toward-me, but, becoming aware:of-
his _wistake,. when ‘at. closc::quarters, -he uttered some. distressed
eriesycand: gallantly charged, grasping one .of my legs with his.
frentspaws; He-knew:well how to. treat a-foe; After stroking
his head :and.:ears ‘forva few ntinutes, I .departed, At naon i
Te-visited =the .spots;and -fovnd. the -Jittle chap nibbling herbage.
Later bestay down-on the sunny side of a tussock, and remained-
there, Ijthink; during-rriost of the alternogn. Although between
2rfeet ands 3. feet in~height when standing.erect,.the.“jocy”” was
not verycractivec incites movements; and. perhaps-.had-spent little:
timegoutsidé the mother’s . pouch.

Again, soon alter sundown, I went round by the swamp, and
stationed myself on the ris¢ towatds the serub; [ felt cortain that
the mother Kangaroo would return early. I touk care’to keep
tosthedleeward cofitheir usual track, to” avoid: my. presence being
detected. =. dust. at dusk’ l saw the mother coming, ‘fairly silently,
up-theinthor slope—stopping once, then.cn again to the-top, where:
another -halt ‘was made-- Having tidroughly viewed the sur-
roundings,she went-straight to her young one, and immediately.
Tvheard thé’ latter's: greeting eal. Another noise made’by the.
young. Kangaroo wis a curious spitting-sound; probably it denoted-
fear;as- he would do this rf I movedsabout at alittle distance
We foften: wonder what animals think of! That. day must-have:
seemed” -lomgevone-td the mother Kangaroo,’ andil-feel.safe in:
sayineetuat her-thovught= must. frequently haye wandered"to-the2
*0e0—. im the-rushes.—F rep. BARTON, Jnt.
aa = e200 wt BIT =

4a- fe 2
t- te >:

BLUE:WRENS IN: SUBURBIA.

: Judging-by my, own-dbservations, and. notes received from’ ather
nature lovers; the.Superb-Blue Wren, Matwrus eyanous, always a
familiar bird, is increasing in numbers! around Melbourne. “All
through: winter'I have had Blue: Wrensiin my garden {at Elstern-
wick)-;-and one- pair, at lpast, was feeding a brood in September.
The nest:was high in a_tangle of Honeysuckle and-other creepers,
on; latiace-work above a fence, Correspondents in other suburbs
state that:/Bluccaps?vare-among their, garden residents, or are
frequent visiters.2- -- - ,

oMy Bine -Wrens:delight in the wildtflower patch, where they.
find insects to-therr liking most abundant. Native plants, grown
as: a “medley,'-and-‘not in formal plotsp attract native biydsi more
than ‘garden: flowers. do—or one -likés ‘to: fancy. that Wild Nature:
acerpts*the .invitation -to “bring! birds that.are-not alieng ta, the:
eorner given overto: hér-plants—c.B!_* ' sey.

ate jE roursions. 5 #469

EXCURSION TO WATTLE GLEN:

The outing to Wattle Glen on Saturday, Amgust 18th, waa
attended by about 20 members and friends. ' Although the object
of the excursion was Wattles, it was somewhat early to observe
them in bloom, the Silver Wattles, Acacia dealbatu, along the
hanks of the creéle heing tn a semi-inflorescent state. Good gpeci-~
mena of the Hedge Acacia, A, ornate, and the Spreading Acacia,
A, diffusa, were noticed, in addition to~a few. plants of the Gold-
dust Acacia, A. acinacen. Leaving-the inmain road shortly after:
arrival at the station, the party was soon injthe bushy hiil country,
ahd several varieties of orchids were. collected in the moist gullies,
including the Nodding Greenhood, Ptorostyiiy nutans, Tall Green-
hood, P. longifolia, and-Blye Fairies, Caladenia deformis. | After
a pleasant ramble through the bush, wetheaded for Hursthridge.—
L. L. Honeson, ~ - od

EXCURSION TO FISH'HATCHERIES.

About 30 members and,friends attended the excursion th the
Fish Tatcheries at’ Studley. Park, under the.leadership of Mr. P.
Lewis, Chief Inspector of Eisheries and: Game, on the afternoon of
Saturday, September L0th{y After giving a short explanation of
the methods of hatching the eggs of Rainbow and Brown, Trout,
Mr. Lewis conducted the-party through one of the-hatcheries,
where the epee of these fishes were in process of being
hatched- The ova weresin various stages of development.
The leader showed us,through ancther hatchery, where the most
worern apparatus for:the- propagation of fish-has been installed,
with the object of hatching native fishes, suchiaa Murray Cod,
Perch, and Blackfizh. Success, it ‘is confidentiy ‘expected, will be
ultimately achieved. The ponds in which many, of the more
mature fishes are kept were inspected, A vote of thanks was
tendered to Mr. Lewis.—b. L. Hopcson.

x

A

The latestsaddition ta the excellent series, Handbooks af the
Flora and Fauna of South Austratia, is “The Crustaceans,” Fart
I, by Herbert M, Hale. The author is well known by his papers
on crustaceans und aquatic insects, and has done much valuable
research and systematic work. His book will be of. great use
to naturalists generally, and should stimulate inlerest tn Crus-
taceans, of which Australia possesses-many remarkable forma,

In order to-become acquainted with the various:parts
of which-a beetle is composed; ~arreferencé diagram is
helpful.’ “This ‘is often available only -by' purchasing
some costly book, and even then the beetle figuned.is pro-
bably--a European -species. Fhe .drawing- by Mr. 20.
Deane (on next’ page}, “is ‘given in ‘the hope ‘that it
may be ugeful to readers who do not-wish to'!go'to much
expense, yet, need the information. . ,/Thecinséct ‘Rgured
is, moreover, <an’ Australian indigenous .species. ;-1.By
tracing ‘the diagram and forming -tarbom zcopies; des-
-cribers .f Carabidae will havea‘ standard ‘to {check “oft
‘the féatares-of'the species under review. “°°

tA. HS §a02

VITO Dingramof: aABeetle anil vic. ny

DIAGRAM OF A '‘BELTEE,

Ceratoferonia phylorchus, Sloane; fam. Carabidae, showing some
vot “the under ‘parts. +1, antennae; °2, «mardiblés; 3, labrum; 4,
rlabial palpi; 6, «maxillary :palpi;-5a,-outer lobe (palpiform), and
w5b, inner.lobe ,of nraxilla;,6,-mentum; 7,,e;te; 8, :head; 8a,,gena;
“Sb,' buccal ‘fissure; 9, ;gula; 310, prosternum; 11,-prosternal -epister-
‘Tum ;+12,-infléxed-side-of ‘pronotum; 13,-prosternal epimeron; 14;
-mesosternum; .15,-mesosternal episternum; 16, mesosternal repi-
ameron; 17,-metasternum; 18,:metasternal*episternum; (1); metaster-
nal -epimeron;,20, posterior division of -metasterntumor -ante-coxal
<piece;..21, epipleuron or inflexed margin of .elytron;-22, plate of
“ventral segment ‘fbasal); 223, 24,125,*26, plates of ventrdl s¢g-
ments;-27, plate of ventral-segment (apical); “28, anterior coxac;
-29, ;middlecoxae; 30, trochanter}. 31,-posterior ‘coxaes i232, ‘posterior
ttrachanters;.33,. anterior. femora;. 34, middle femora; 35, posterior
femora; 36, 37, 38, tibiae;.39,.40, 41 tarsi; 42,-ventralor ambule-
tory setae. ‘ ;

Prt. | KRNYON, Aboriginal Bariat Customa 171

ABORIGINAL BURIAL CUSTOMS.
By A. S. KENYON.

Yery much hing been written, and much conjectured,
as to the esoteric meaning of burial customs. As far
25 pur own primitive Australians are concerned, little
more Meaning can be extracted from them than from
their other customs, their impiements or utensils.
Primitive man, alwsys living in fear of nature and its
violent manifestations, is continually under its influence.
Hence his implements vary with the materia! available,
and, similarly, his- burial customs are much governed by
natural conditions,

lt is true that, within one nation’s territory, in-
humation in various ways, platform and tree-exposure,
hollow-tree burial, cremation, and simple abandonment,
were al] practised: but along the Lower Murray, in-
humation was the sole means employed. This was the
case even with such unimportant persons as babies,
children, uninitiated men, women, and old men who,
for various causes, had ceased to command respect. For
initiate men, it was a different story. Special inter-
ment sites, or cemeteries, were selected, always in sandy
ground, the sandier the better. The whole site waa
more or less cleared, and at times elaborate systems of
mound-markings, semi-circles, concentric or _ single,
elliptic segments and straight lines. were constructed.
The existing trees or shrubs, generally Pittosporum
phillyraeoides, Heterudendron oleaefolium, or various
acacias, were preserved and helped to form a pictures-
que grouping with the mounds and burial huts,

- In no ease was-the so-called foetal, or doubled-up,
attitude in use. The corpse-was stretched out full
length, sometimes with the hands supporting.the head,
and lying sideways; sometimes on its back, with arms
along the sides. The depth was 3 feet to 4 feet, On
the bottom a freshly stripped sheet of bark .was laid,
with a mattress or covering of fresh grass, or leaves.
A special pillow was contrived, resting on a pile of. fresh
ashes, or white sand. The whole was covered with s
skin rug, on which the corpse was extended, More
grass or leaves were spread over, and the sand filled in-
On the surface a heavy layer, about 12 inches, of vrass
was. placed, filling the whole space between the en-
eircling banks. Sill logs -were -placed' round, and spars
brought up from them to a ridge about 4 feet shove

17 Kenyon, Aboriginal Brevdal Cystuns { YS: Piet

the ground. -On these rafters were laid parallel sticks,
on which grass was packed. tightly, making a good
weather-proof roof, the whole being held down by a Jarize
fishing net, securely. pegged down at the margins,

A good deal of ceremony accompanied the funeral,
which sometimes meant the earrying of a heavy body a
number of-miles. <A litter, or palanquin, of branches,
held up by: four men, was used: Behind followed the
tribe, yelling’ and groaning in the most heart-rending
fashion. Gashing of the bodies and cutting of: the head
was practised freely by the women, but not by the males,
Watch was kept over the grave by the widow, or widows,
assisted by her ‘tribal, or totemic, sisters,

Below the Darling junction, in addition to the universal
painting of. the body with. copi, or gypsum burnt into a
very efficient plaster of paris, the widow covered her.
head so thickly with handfuls of the copi at a time, that
the mass became too heavy to.sustain after two or three
days, and it was remaved from the head, the hair having
been previously protected by netting, and placed inside
the sepulchral hut, As a month was usually occupied
in mourning, these so-called widow's caps, weighing up to
40 Ibs., amounted to 8 to 10 on ‘the one grave. Their
comparative rarity is aecounted for by the fact that the
early settlers, with their big fire-places and log and daub
walls, used them freely to make whitewash..

Now all that remains, where the sand has drifted, are
fragments of bones of all sizes, occasionally a com
plete skeleton outstretched, with unio shells, bones and
exe shells and other kitchen midden remains of the
funeral feasts, An interesting and very human race has
disappeared, leaving no records save those that can be
collected by the archaeologist, in their stone and bone
remains. ~ .

ih Bird Book for the Pocket,” by Edmund Sanders (Oxford.
University Press, London), is a small, delightful volume, ilus-
trated with eoloured plates. The author deals with all the regular.
British species, and the book should prove very popular among
bird lovers in Britain. A book on the same lines, treating of
Victorian birds, would be welcome; and one on our’ wild flowers’
would ba a boon indeed.

The Victorian Naturalist

Vou, XLIV—Na, 7. NOVEMBER 7, 1927. No, 527,

FIFLD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA,

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held
in the Royal Society’s Hall, Victoria-street, Melbourne,
on Monday, October 10th, 1927. Mr, P. R, H. St. John
occupied the chair, and about 90 members and friends
were present.

CORRESPONDENCE. ; .

From Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game (Mr. F.
Lewis), inviting the Club to nominate two members to
accompany him on a visit to Phillip Island on November
26th, for the purpose of inspecting the damage being
caused by drifting sand to the Mutton-bird rookeries. It
was. decided that Messrs. EB. BH. Pescott, F.L.S., and C.
Barrett, C.M.Z.8., be asked to accompany Mr. Lewis.

From Royal Commission on the Constitution of the
Commonwealth, asking whether the Club desired {a give
evidence before the Commission during its sittings in
Melbourne, on the question of the contro} of aborigines.

The Hon. Secretary announced that. Mr. A. 5, Kenyon
was prepared to give evidence before the Commission on
Commonwealth Constitution, and it was decided that he
should represent the Club in this connection.

REPORTS,

Reporta of excursions were given as folow:—Wattle
Park, Mr. L. L. tedgson; Hume Vale, Mr. A. J. Tadgell;
Carrum, Mrs. V. Miller; and Frankston, Mr. L. L.
Hodgson,

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The following were elected as ordinary members :—
Mrs. F, Dowdle, 40 Toorak-road, Malvern; Miss M.
Doyle, 50 Domain-road, South Yarra; Miss S. Serpell,
Williamson’s-road, Doncaster; Mr, Ivan Le Souef, 52
Grey-street, St. Kilda; Mr. Lance Le Souef, c/o Messrs.
Victor Legeo & Co., Queen-strect, Melbourne; Mr, and
Mrs. W. T, O’Neill, 3 Royal Parade, Sandringham; and
Mr. C. Thompson, Charnwood-road, St. Kilda; and as
Country Members:—Mr, H. J. Oke, B.A.. High School,
Geelong; and Mr, Vernon R. Davey, Toolern Yale.

GENERAL.
. The Chairman referred to the recent death of Mr. G.
Coghill's mother, and expressed sympathy with Mr
Coghill in his bereavement. —
Mr. F. G, A. Barnard drew attention to a news para-

174 Field Naturalists’ Club—Proceedings Wig Nae

graph stating that the Water Reserve at Cheltenham
was to be made use of in connection with a golf links.
He moved that the. Minister for Lands be written to and
asked whether this had any bearing on the recent veto
of a proposal to allow portion of Cheltenham Park to be
used as a motor parking area for golf club members.
Seconded by Mr. F. Pitcher, and carried.

Miss D. Nokes suggested that a letter be written to Mr.
T. M. Burke, complimenting him on his action in pre-
> senting an area of Jand at Mt. Dandenong for a4 national
reserve. : :

Mr. P. R. H. St. John said that he considered that the
Club should give attention to the matter of choosing ‘a
national flewer for the State of Victoria. Mr. G.
Coghill moved, and Mr. F. G. A. Barnard seconded, that
the matter be referred to [he Committee, and that it be
placéd on the business paper for discussion at the next
meeting. Carried.

The Hon. Secretary reported that a party of members,
consisting of Messrs. . E. Pescott, C, Barrett, H. B.
Williamson, C. Daley, and V. Miller, had left on October
7th on a Natural History Expedition to the Western Dis-
trict, under the auspices of the Club.

PAPERS, ETC. .

“The Story of a Meadow Moonwort,” by Mr. F. G. A,
Barnard. The author related the finding of a specimen
of the rare fern, Botrychiwm Australe, R.Br., near Oak-
leigh, in September, 1887, and gave some interesting
particulars of its subsequent growth as a pot-plant

“On the Buffalo Plateau,” by Mr, L. L. Hodgson. This
paper dealt with the physiographical and botanical fea-
tures of the Buffalo Plateau, as observed during a short
vacation in December, 1926, reference also being made
to the bird and other anima! life of the district, A fine
series of lantern slides, from photographs by the author
and Mr. H. B. Williamson, was shown in illustration of
the paper.

EXHIBITS. :

By Mr, F. G, A, Barnard.—(i) Orchids from South
Warrandyte (collected by Mr. A. R. Opperman), includ-
ing Caladenta testacean, C. suaveolens, C. carree, 0.
Patersont, Thelymitra aristata, and Diuris longifola.
(2) Flowers from Greenbushes, W.A.

By Mr. G. Coghill.--Cultivated specimens of Greviliea
raat MLO. Prostanthera nivea, and Kunze parvi-

olic.

fae | Pield Naturatiste’ Club—Procecdings 175

By Mr. GC. J. Gabriel—‘Cup and Saucer’ Shell
(Mitrularie. egoestris, Linn.) from San Remo, showing
calcareous plate, by means of which the animal is fixed
to rocks.

By Dr. H, Flecker—Specimens of Carnotite (Potas-
sium uranyl vanadate), and Ilmenite (Titanate of Tron)
from Radium Hill, via Olary, S.A,

A MARINE SPIDER,

A remarkable spider was collected at Black Rock
(Vie,) recently, and I] am indebted to Mr. J. B. Elliott,
of St. Kilda, for details regarding its habitation. At
about 200 yards from the shore, in water 15 in. deep at
low tide, a rock, nine inches in length, was examined,
and on the underside, two cylindrical holes, { inch in
diameter, and 2 inches in depth, were noticed. At the bot-
tom of one of these a small spider lurked. To retain
the spider, the hole was filled with sea water, and the
spider was observed al the bottom of the cavity during
two hours, when the rack was being brought to me. The
spider was quite active when taken from is retreat

The European Diving Spider, Argyuroneta aqumtica,
spins an inverted domed web among water-weeds, and
by bringing down air imprisoned between its hairy legs,
it gradually fills its home with silvery bubbles, In a
similar manner this marine spider could fill its habita-
tion with air; and it is common knowledge that spiders
have been observed to prey upon small crustaceans, To
the best of my -knowledge, this is the first record of a
marine spider in Australia. It belongs to the family
Zodariidae, ani possibly is an undescribed Starena.
Length, 4 inch, vephalothorax, rich brown; abdomen,
trey: chelicera, almost the length of the cephalothorax,
—S. BUTLER. .

EXCURSION TO CARRUM.

Five members of the Club attended the excursion to Carrum on
September 24th, On the way, during a. short burst of sunshine,
we had a glimpse of snow on the Dandenong Ranges, The after-
noon was showery-—smart. hailstorms Alternating with brilliant
sunshine. However, the collecting ground—close to the railway
station—was thickly covered with Tea-tree, which afforded shelter,
Pive species of orchids were found flawering in profusion—Ptern-
stulis pedunculuta, PF. concinna, Po nana, P. nutans, and Caladevtea,
latifolea, In places the ground was carpeted with orchids; onc
patch in particular being 45 feet x LB feet, and containing alt the
varieties found in flower. Unfortunately, this collecting grownd
will not. be available much longer, 3s the Jand Is being raptdly
taken ap for residential purposes. V. HB. MILLER.

176 CHAPMAN, Foasil ‘Hunting in Vitoria | YS hy

FOSSIL HUNTING IN VICTORIA.

(A Lecture on this,subject was given before the Field
Naturalists’ C)ub of Victoria, on August 8th, 1927.)

By Frepk. Cuapman, A.L.S., F.GS., &c., Palaeontolo-
gist to the National Museum.

Melbourne is-an ideal centre for fossil collecting; while
farther afield there arc the happy hunting grounds of
the Geelong district, the Gisborne and Romsey area,
Baechus Marsh, Cape Otway, and the Western District,
to say nothing of the many richly fossiliferous fields
through the whole of Gippsland.

One of the encouraging features of any Field Club is
the readiness of tts more experienced members to help
the beginner. - In this way, the first steps have been
illuminated for many a worker. Among these men
who did sv much for the geological tyro in past days was
Professor Rupert Jones, one of the early Secretaries of
the Geological Society of London, who, curiously enough,
was the first to recognise that here, in Victoria, we had
undoubted Miocene beds largely developed; and tt was
from him that much of my own enthusiasm for the study
of micropalaeontology was derived. And so we would
pass on the torch of knowledge to others, who may take
an interest in one of the most fascinating subjects in or
under the earth.

Among the treasures that from time to time have been
found in the Melbourne bed-rock, may be mentioned the
curious spine-bearing Ampya, a trilobite of smali size,
not unlike a broad woodlouse. This trilobite used to
ereep, crawl, and swim over the soft sticky mud of the
Melbournian sea, 60 million years ago, at the spot that
we now cajl Hoffman's brick-pit. Im the same quarry,
near the top, where it is more sandy, there was also found
the remarkably perfect -and delicate sea-lily, called
Helicocrinus, with plumy arms that gathered in food.
This is a specimen unique of its kind, and may now be
seen in & place of honour in one of the table-cases at the
National Museum. Towards the bottom of the same
brick-pll, Mr. R. Evans, one of the workmen, recently
found another wonderful specimen, a fossil jellyfish.
This was perfectly preserved, and carefully handed over
by its discoverer. When it was photographed, even the
tentacles of the jellyfish could be seen extended from the
rim ef the umbrella.

Only one other discovery of this particular kind of
jellyfish has been made—in Trenton County, New York

re Grarman, Fossil Hunting im Vietoria 177

State. The original finder of the American specimen
named it Diseophyllum,” or “dise-shaped coral,” finding
it dificult to conceive of such a soft-bodied object as a
medusid being preserved through the ages. In that
storchouse of interesting fossils, the Moonee Ponds Creek
at Brunswick, there have occasionally been found the
curious lamp-shells named Lingula, on account of their
tongue-shaped outline; much of their interest lies in the
fact that the shells are almost'as fresh as when dredged
up from the deep sea, the phosphatie and horny layers
ot their complexly built shells having remained intact,
even from chemical alteration, since the day when they
were sealed up in the mud of the old Melhournian séa.

The Melbourne bed-rock, in other places, contains some
very interesting fossil remains, as in the South Yarra
area, Where excavations were carricd out during the
Yarra improvement scheme. The amount of material
gathered there for future work was prodigious, and this
collecting was largely due to the efforts of the late Mr.
Frank Spry, who, besides specialising on entomolory,
found time to investigate the fossils of the district. The
Museum collections have heen greatly enriched by Mr.
Spry’s energy and acumen in this direction, and one of
his most notable finds was the fossil Trackyderma, or
Keilorites, as it. is now called, since the former name was
pre-occupied by a beetle. This leathery-tubed worm,
like the living Serpula, with its limy tube, emerged at the
surface of the mud of that ancient sea, and spread its
feathery S-shaped arms to gather in its food. These
arms were studded with eyes, which may be seen on the
fossilised gill-plumes as minute curbonacteous dots, and
exactly in the position where we may find them in the
modern Serpula. ;

It took, by the way, seventeen years to work out the
relationships of this particular worm, which at first was
casually referred to something of a sea-weed nature.
During the time when Spry was collecting, he was also
superintending the sewerage excavations in Melbourne,
and thus secured many valuable fossils in the heart of
Melbourne itself, some of these proving the former exist.
ence of a shallow sea where Swarston-street now is, for
he discovered in the mudstone a most remarkable shoal
of little lamp-shells, actually at the Cathedral Corner.

The younger division of the Silurian strata round
Melbourne is well represented in the Lilydale district.
Cave Hill itself is a lime stone development of the

178 CHAPMAN, Mossil Hunting in Victoria [oat

Yeringian heds, as they were named by Prof. TI. W.
Gregory. This limestone, full of the most exquisitely
preserved corals and extinct univalves, is turned into the
kilns te be made into lime. The beds of limestone itn the
Cave Hill quarry are tilted at a high angle, and the
corals can often be distinguished in the position of their
growth in relation to the bedding plane. The chances
of discovering new kinds of fossils here aeem to be un-
limited,

The brown mudstone of the surrounding Lilvdale dis-
trict is evidently of about the sume age as the limestone,
for there are many species of shells commen to both
rocks, though there is some slight variation in the faunas,
as one misht expect, for the phase of deposition in that
part of the Yeringian sea was a muddy one. At Rud-
dock’s quarry numerous trilobites have been found in
this mudstone, such as Goldius greenit, related to a
Bohemian fossil, and named after its discoverer, Dr. J.
S. Green, a former member of this Club; the shovel-
headed Phacops, with its great compound eyes; and the
delicate little Cyphaspis. Many interesting lamp-shells
ar¢ also found in the mudstone, and very often pieces of
the rock occur ¢rowded with their remains, as if drifted
inte pools.

In dealing with the fosstltferous deposits round Mel-
bourne, we make a chronological jump from the
Palaeozoic bed-rock to the comparatively modern Ter-
fiary sediments at Beaumaris. That locality has always
heen a favourite collecting ground, and one industrioug
searcher, Mr. H. Mathias. to whom the National Museum
is indébted for many choice specimens, made, in one day,
the extraordinary seore of 63 snecimens of sharks’
teeth, Usually the first fossil to fall into the collector's
bag is the neat little heart urchin, Lovenia ferbesi; this
was even known to Alfred Deakin, who assured me,
when I first arrived in Melbourne, thal he had collected
at least one of my pets. Among notable finds at this
cliff there are.—the magnificent tooth of an extinct
Sperm Whale, Sealdicetus, discovered by Mr. F. D.
MacGee, also some related kinds of whale, like Physeter,
named by McCoy, and a host of teeth of sharks, which
have been mostly found in the shingle beneath, As a
record for size, the right palatine cr maxilla of an Ele-
phant Wish, Bdaphodow, should be mentioned here, since
it was found in the Reaumaris shingle by one of our
members, Mr. H, J. Prentice.

ie27, CHarman, Mossil Hunting in Vietoria 179

Another interesting exposure of fossiliferuus beds
near Melbourne, of Tertiary age; is that seen in the Flem-
ington railway cutting, where an ironstone hed rests on
the older basalt. This ironstone contains many casts
and moulds of shells, including the well-known mutton-
fish, Haliotis, but of an extinct species, That, and ather
shells of the ironstone, indicate that they were living on
a rocky shore line, Above these beds in the cutting are
other, less fossiliferous ones, and more uniformly sandy
in their nature; these are of the same age as those of the
Beaumaris Cliffs, but not so full of fossila, A similar
ironstone bed to that of Flemington has been known for
many years to geologists, at Green Gully, Keilor, The
fossils from this bed, and the underlying limestone have
jately been investigated and described by Miss. Irene
Crespin, who found a similay fauna there, which ¢on-
tained the Haltotis and a turreted shell, Cerithium flem-
ingtonense, formerly recorded from Flemington.

The limestone at Green Gully yielded several new
species, principally of the microscopic foraminifera and
the calcareous algae. In these ironstone heds the hollow
muulds of the fossils afford the most perfect replicas of
the crnament of the surface of the shells, if a squeeze in
plasticine or soft wax is taken. This shows that the
original material of the ironstone was once in a state of
slime or ooze, sich as we now find being formed by iron-
secreting bacleria.

Farther afield ure the interesting exposures of fosaili-
ferous marls of Kalcombian age, older than the Beauw-
maris and the Flemington Tertiaries, at Mornington and
Grice’s Creek, Port Phillip. If we take some fine wash-
ings from theze Oligocene marls and after drying, mount
the material in Canada balsam, we may note the abund-
ance of exquisite shells of the little sea-butterflies,
Limacing, as well as numerous foraminifera, belonging
to the minute Lagenae, which remind one of the most
beautiful creations in Venetian glass, only much smalter
than ever seen. Here, also, we may pick up the curious
nautilus-like shell, Aturia, with funnel-shaped siphun-
cular tubes, and sometimes colour bands. In the same
area there is the Sorrento boring, the fossils from which
amount to many thousands; and all of these will pre-
sentiy he deseribed or listed in a publication by the

_ Geological Survey of Victoria. This boring proved the
almost entire succession of Lhe Vietorian Tertiary beds,
for typical fossils found at certain horizons helped to

180 CHarMan, Fosail Hunting ix Victoria [ity 8%

prove the various horizons, such as Kutrochwa fontinalts,
& Torquay fossil, at some distance down the bore. Other
interesting evidence afforded by the bore was the pres-
ence of former river muds, allernaling with marine de-
posits, at varivus levels down to over 400 feet.

The low fossiliterous cliffs at Corio Bay afford a good
edllecting ground, especially for corals and lamp shells;
while the comparatively modern freshwater limestones
of Limeburner’s Point have yielded the remains of the
great marsupial, Diprotodon. This particular rock, when
seen under the microscope, shows that the lake in which
it was formed, was also the home of a thick growth of
water-weed; and, as in -other Pletstocene freshwater
limestones in Victoria, there occasionally drifted into the
lake, clouds of pollen, prebably from the Cypress trees
of the uplands,

Near Geelong are also the attractive fossil beds of
Torqusy and Waurn Ponds, where many interesting ex-
tinct sea-urchins are found, including four species of the
typically Miocene genus, Linthia. The “Fossit Ledge"
at Bird Rock, Torquay, is composed of a bedded mass of
the handsome bivalve, Glycymeris, while beneath this
bed may be found the rare and wonderfully interesting
cuttle-bone, Spirulirostra, half shell and half sepiostaire.
At Batesford, again, there are the great quarries in the
Miocene limestone, where pectens and discoidal foramini-
fera are abundant. The latter, termed Lepidocyclinae,
meaning “scaly-dises," indicate the age of the limestone
as Burdisalian, for even the species is identical with
thal, from French and Italian localities.

In boring for water many years ago, Jurassic fossils
were obtained at Bellarine, near Geelong. Many of these
actual specimens, such as Cladophlebis, Sphenopteris and
Contopteris, may be seen displayed in the table-cases at
the National Museum, Similar fossil ferns have more
recently been discovered in the Jurassic mudstones at
Queen’s Park, Geelong. The Jurassic beds in the Cape
Otway district contain very well preserved fronds of
ferns, as well as Jeaves of the extinct kind of Maiden-
hair Tree, called Baiero. This lake sandstone is in
evidence round Lorne, where Mr. Mulder made a large
collection of Jurassic fossils; some of these are now tn
the National Museum, together with the described types
from the same beds that were examined.by Professor
Seward.

Among the older rocks of the Bacchus Marsh area |

IT. CuaPMan, Fossil Hunting iw Victoria 181

there are the graptolite beds, which also contain the
curious ped-shrimp, Rkinopterocaris, At Bald Hill we
find the Permo-carboniferous sandstone with its large
and handsome leaves of the early seed-bearing plant,
Gangamopteris, This plant once ranged over the Gond-
wane continent, comprising India, Australia, South
Africa and South America. Although the lowlands at
this time supported a mild climate vegetation, the great
glacial beds associated with them seem to be evidence of
land sufficiently high to be above the snow-line. It is
still a problem how, if it were an ice-cold sea, such as i8
postulated for the Permocarboniferous, it could have
supported an abundant fauna of corals, immense rafts of
sea-mats and giant molluscan shells, such as are typical
of beds of similar age in New South Wales.

Around Gisborne and Romsey many curious and beau-
tifully preserved graptolites and “sea-firs’ have lately
been discovered. Some fine net-like Dictyonemae, and the
strange bristle-covered ‘asiograpius, were recently
secured by Mr. W. J. Harris from the Gisborne and
Bulla districts, whilst students from the Geological De-
partment of the University some years ago made &
unique find at Monegeeta, of fossils closely allied to “sea-
firs,” which sre still found living round our coasts. But
in a short talk like the present, it is impossible to do
justice to the treasures awaiting the collector in the
richly fossiliferous areas round Muddy Creek, Hamilton,
and, so, as when the lecture was given, about half of the
material is left over until another time.

In conclusion, we may remark that, unlike many other
natural history specimens, fossils in most cases require
little or no preparation. With fossil leaves that are pre-
served on shales, and so in danger of peeling, it may be
necessary to thinly coat the surface with size, taking the
precaution to have the solution warm and quite liquid.
Water-glass and varnish may be used in special cases,
and where marcasite, the unstable iron disulphide is pre-
sent, it may bé necessary to immerse the specimen in a
tube containing water.

Jn the case of friable Tertiary marts, such as we find
at Muddy Creek, the smaller fossils, as the gasteropods,
bivalves, polyzoa, Ostracoda and Foraminifera, may be
obtained by sieving the material on the spot, the sorting
of which will afford much interesting occupation for
leisure evenings.

132 CHAPMAN, Fousil Hunting in Vietowia [YS Pap

EXPLANATION OF PLATE (VIL).

Fig. 1—Tetragratus frauticosus (J, Hall), Lower Ordovician.
Lancefeld.

Fig. 2—lireaterelin selayni (McCoy). Silurian. Kilmore.

Pig. 3.—Loventa forbest (T. Woods). Janjukian. Beaumaris.

Pig, 4—Cellaria gastrulis (MacCollivray)- Balcombian, THarmil-

ton,
Fig. a Uipiete anelbournens7s (Chapm,), Silurian, South
arra.
Fig. G—Tegtilorhynehte sq@udmoad (Hutton), Janjukian. Bates-
ord.

Big. 7.—Parenka gippsiandica (MeCoy). Silurian, Matlock,
Fig. 8.- Spondylius paeudoradiusa (McCoy). Baleombian. SBal-
combe Bay, .

Fig. Ss, Coat mantolli (Zittel). Baleombian. Baleombe
ay
Fig. 10.—Jlyelithes spryi (Chapm.). Siluriah. Setth Yarra-
Rie ah —Caeetiarie ealvulate (Tate). Baleombian. Baleombe
ay.
Fig. 12.—Volutitithes unticingulata (MeCoy). Janjukian, Tor-
quay.

ORCHID NOTES. ~

Sinee living at Croydon I have been more in touch with orchids
that, [or many years past. Friends knowing my interest ia
netural history have brought me many specimens to have the “why
and wherefore" explained. In mid-October a wild-flower exhibi-
tion was held at the Wonga Park Hall, orgenised by Mr, Th. Dyer,
the headmaster of the local State Schoo). In this locality, about
five miles north of Croydon, consisting of wooded low silurian
hills, interspersed with small alluvial valleys, orchids have been
very plentiful during the early part of October, and at the display
about 30 species were exhibited, besides a number of other in-
teresting flowers. Among the latter were specimens of the hand-
some Mlat-pea, Flatylobivin formosum, and Goorlia lotifolia, var,
medicayineu, from Marysville. ; .

Of the orchids exhibited, the most notable were Thelyneitrn
aristata, a fine spike with 25 blooms; T., luteo-ciligta, Fitz;
Lyperanthis (Caludenia} suaveolens, both light and dark yarie-
ties; Caladenia Menziesui (Hare orchid}; C. testeeed, fine speci-
mens of both red and pale varieties; Pterostylis. barbata, the
Bearded Greenhood (very fine); P. ulpinn, P. mutica, and P,
pusilla. (Ruddy-hood). Some of these I obtained for home ex-
amination, with interesting results. The Musky orchid, €-
testacea, was neatly as fresh 122 days after as when ex-
hibited; while the beautiful scented Sun-orchid, T. orivtata, again
byened its topmost blooms when put out in the gun. A specimen
of that specifically badly-named orchid, Diuris punctate, from
Tarrawingee (north-east) opened an additional flower in water,
likewise Galochilus Robertsonit and Pterustylis pusilla still ex-
hibited the movement of the labellum when touched, though mare
slowly than when fresh. A pure white Spider Orchid, Caladenia
Patersonii, was gathered here lately, also a specimen of the May-
fly orchid, Artanthus eandatus. I hope towee Wonga Park an the
excursion list for the middle of October next vear—F. G. A.
Barnanp, Croydon,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST Vol. xiiv. Nov., 1927
Plate VII.

Some Victorian Fossils.

iy Datey, The History of Flora Austratiensia 183

THE HISTORY OF FLORA AUSTRALIENSIS,
YV. :
By CuHas, Datey, B.A., F.LS.

Again, on May 15th, ig a comment on the trying time
Mueller was then experiencing, “You will have seen our
friend, Mr. George Macleay, He is much interested in
your welfare, and f hope you may find his friendly coun-
sel of use in guiding you as to the best means of getting
rid of your present annoyance,”

On July 11th:—"I am afraid that you will not agree
with me in many of my generic and other descriptions,
but in these matters there ig no positive best, and every-
one acts according to his own vonvictions.” Speaking
of the remaining orders, he says, “However, I hope that
all will come into the seventh volume, which will close
the work, if [ live to work it out.” ®

Concerning the movement in Victorin to separate the
offices of Director of the Botanica) Gardens and Govern-
ment Botanist, he thus comments on September 21st,
1872 :—

“T am very sorry to hear of the continuance of your
troubles~—the independent interference of a subordinate
is as bad for the gardens entrusted to you, and as
annoying to yourself as the insolent interference of an
ignorant superior in the case of the Kew Gardens, which
has provoked so much indignant remonstrance on the
part of all: who are connected with science, and who
appreciate Dr. Hooker’s value——but notwithstanding all
the indignation and remonstrance, the evil I fear goes on,
and will go on.” '

Engaged in the Genera Plantarum, he has little time for the
Flora, - August 27th, 1873:—I have to thank you for the last
sheet of Pragmentad. Lam glad to see that you continue to get
now and interesting plunts to publish preparatory to the supple-
mental volume of the flora, which TI feel certain will be left for
you to work up. All I can hope to have life and health for is
the work of the seventh volume. 1 was sorry to see you taking
up the modem German notion of reviving obsolete names to re-
place those which are universally adopted. It is all very well
to restore. a name ;, -. . . for genera onty known to a few
botanists; buat abolishing such well-established names as
Stylidium and Forstera only creates confusion, end retards in-
atead of advancing science. The change will certainly not
be adopted, and only adds to the heavy synonyms with which
the science is clogged, and which tends so much to depreciate
systematic hotany in the eyes of the philosophical botanist.

I think it would be very advisable if you could prepare for
publication in your own name immediately after the completion
of my seven volumes, an additional one containing all the addi-

184 Lacey, The History of Flora Auatrationais[ YS: at

‘tions and correclions- you have to make to the flora, and a
general survey of the botany of Australia and its distribution
over the territory, with relation td physical conditions and to
presumed origin—alt which can be much better worked out in
the country iteclf than here, and is therefore march fitter to be
undertaken by you than by me even if my time admitted of it—
but I can only think now of trying to bring to a close what
I have in hand without attempting anything new.

Owing to being engaged on the Genera Plantarum,
Bentham was not able to start the seventh volume this
year; then he made two visits abroad, and at the end of
the year 1874 was working from six to eight hours at the
Genera Plantarum. He writes, “I do not like working
in partnerships,—the Genera with Hooker is the only
partnership I have ever entered into, and would not do
it with anyone except him.” In 1875 little work was
done on the Flora, but on May 4th, he writes :—

#'T feel much distressed that you should not yet find yourself
comfortable in your positton, and should really have been very
glad to have dune anything to assist yun; but I have no imter-
course with official people; and, if I had, it would have heen
impossible at this distance, and withont any menng of investi-
gating colonial affairs for me to interfere upon any plausible
grounds, lt is well known how fully we appreciate your
gcientifie eminence, and to that we are slwayy ready to bear
our testimony whenever oceazion seems to call for it.”

This alludes again to the long-threatened division of '
duties in Victoria, by which a new Director of the
Botariical Gardens was appointed, Mueller's duties heing
reatricted to that of Government Botanist.

It was not until towards the end of 1875 that work
was resumed on the Flora Austratiensis. In June,
Bentham sent a copy of the Genera Plantarum to
Mueller, but was unable to continue steadily at the Flora
during 1876, and writes on October 18th:—"I begin to
feel'very anxious about the completion of this last volume
of the Plora, for I doubt whether my working powers
will go on much longer.”

This consciousness of failing health and energy is ever
with him. On November 16th, 1876, he is awaiting
plants by the “Agamemnon,” and writes :—

J had once intended putting into the last volume some general
remarks on the geographical distribution of the Australian
flora, both in Australia and the countries with which it is con-
nected, but I have been obliged to give up the idea. . . . +
Hooker gave so good a summary in his Introduction to the
Tasmanian Flora that nothing would now be acceptable withogt
working up in the same spirit all that has since been learnt op
the subject by recent discoveries, and this would take up more
time that I can now spate, besides that I have not the local
knowledge necessary for rightly judging of the details, and sll
general principles must remain us Jaid down by Hooker.

jaay! DaLey, The History of Flora Australiensis 185

it would, however, 1 think, be of much interest if you, with
your experjence, would give us a genera) view of tha character
and extent of the different floras more or less spreail over Aus-
tralia, the widely-spread desert flora of Une interior, the Indo-
Australian to the North-East,, the Sub-Antarectic In Tasmania
and Victoria, and the two distinet South-East and South-West
endemic floras. This you could well do, and take the oppor-
tunity of completing the list of Australian plants with. refer-
ences to where you have published the species not contained im
my flora, and re-arranging the whole systematically according
to your view of genera and species when they differ from mine,’
On June 27th, 1877, the new volume is partly in the

printer's hands. The Graminae had been in much
disorder} and General Munro had been of much help,

When I have published this volume of the flora I hope you
will prepare a methodical supplement with all your additions,
This will give you the opportunity of giving the character of
the genera as yuu understand them where your views differ
from mine, f .

I trust fou will at the same time give a sketch of the physical
features and characteristic flora of the different parts of Aws-
tralia, which no one is in a position for doing se well as yourself,

With regard to the gencral geographical distribution of the
Australian flora there 18 but yery little to add or alter from
what Hooker gave in his preface to the Tasmanian flora which
makes ine less regret that I have no time to work it out. !

Then, on December 12th, 1877, in the last of these
selected letters, he writes, in a spirit of relief after the
anxiety in regard to being able to complete the work,
which must have been a great strain on his energies
towards the close :—

_“Fo-day I send off to the printer the last. pages of Flora
Australiensis, except the Index (which is ready); and
to-day also they have packed up at Kew the last of your
specimens to return to you. I shall long to hear of their
safe arrival,” ; ; 7

The fast volume was printed in due course, bringing
this preat work and vaJusble collaboration of the two
distinguished botanists to an end. No later letters seem
to have beer preserved, and after the Flora Australiensis
was completed the intimate correspondence was not long
continued, for Bentham, then 77 years of age, was in
failing health, and his reserve increased in his closing
years.

From the substance of Benthain's letters, it will be
seen that his advice and suggestions had a good effect
in stimulating Mueller to continue his valuable contri-
butions to the Botany of Victoria in the Fragmenta and
other works, and to direct his attention to useful labours
as in the Eucalyptographia, the Index of Australian

Plants, ete.

1t6 Datry, The History of Flora Austrationsis [ yal eury

For fifty years Flora Australiensia has been the classi-
cal work on the plants of Australia; a comprehensive
storehouse of botanical knowledge, carefully and syatema-
tically avranged, and of incalculable value to the student
of Australian botany. It remains as a worthy and
lasting memorial to its eminent author, to his faithful
Australian collaborator, and to the effectiveness of their
complementary labours conducted at so greal a distatice
apart, and wnder most unusual circumstances.

FRAPLANATORY NOTES.

Genera Planterun.—A codifivation of the Lat diagnoses of All
the genera of flowering plants, undertaken by William Bentham
and Dr. Jos. D. Hooker in conjunction. In three large volumes
the firar pubhshed in 1865, and the Jast in 1883, the work is
Indispensable to technical botanists, and is still the greatest work
of its Kind,

Brief reference to the principal pereons mentioned as directly
or indiyectly eonnected with the progress of Australian Botany.

_ Str Witkiam Hooker (1783-1865).—An eminent systemutic botan-
ist and seientist, Professor of Botany at Glasgow; then in 1841
he'laid a firm foundation for the Kew Gardens; Direetor until 1865;

an outstanding figure in science for f0 years. P. 63.

Siy Jeseph D. Hovker (1816-1911), the most distinguished botan-
ist of the Victorian period; a great traveller and eminent scientist,
the firel to accept Charlws Darwin's mutability of species: a pro-
lifie writer! chief works on Antaretic Flora, Flora of British
India, Genero Plentorum {with Bentham) and index Kewensis,
Director of Kew Gardens from 1865 to 1385, a philosophteal biolo-
gist, and the greatest exponent of the evolution of species. P. 63.

George Bentham (1800-1884), a distinguished botanist, unsel-
ftshly devoted himself from 1828 until his death to botanical study;
fot nearly twenty years working with the Hookers at Kew; wrote
‘Genera Plantarum, and also Flora Austroliensis, two nvrumental
works on Botany. P. 63,
_ WW, #. Harvey (1811-1866), Professor of Bulteny at Dublin; an
able cryptogamic Botanist; in 1854 visited Australia, Tasmania,
and New Zealand; eollected in. Victoria in Port Phillip and at
Phillip Island; wrote Phycoloygia Australica, a preat werk, P_ 65.

Williom Swainson (1789-1855) collected plants in Victoria and
New South Wales; a naturalist; His Victorian Botanical Report is
remarkable for its inaccuracy concerning timber trees; atterwards
in New Zealand. P, 65,

James Druneiond (1784-1365),—A fine Australian botanist; aa
indefatigable collector in Western Australia for 16 years; dis-
coyerer of Many new species. _P. 65.

Robert Brown (1773-1858), the greatest botanist of his day,
Accompanied Matthew Flinders m the “Investigator,” between
1801-4, Collected 4,000 species of Australian and Tasmanian
plants; laid foundation vf the scientific study of Australian flora;
wrote Prodromus Florae Nevar-Hollandiae; for SO years keeper
of the Botanical part of the British Museuyn. Facile Botant-
corm princnps. P. 73.

Allaw Cunningham. (1791-1839),—Successfnol explorer and_ fine
botanist, collected widely in Australia for Kew Herbarium; King's

sex) © Dane, The Hixtorp of Flora Awstratianzis 187

botanist, and later Superintendent of Botanic Gardens, Sydney.
(See Viet. Nat.,. Val. XLIIL, No, 6.)

Dr, Bynoe, with Captain Stokes, collected plants 1837 at Vic-
taria River, Bass Strait, and New South Wales, P. 69.

Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820).—Munificent patron of setence;
with Captain Couk, 1768-7); madé extensive botanical collections
of Australian flora in New South Wales; President of Royal
Snciety (1778-1820); employed botanical collectors and artists
{Solander, Robert Brown, Dryander, Bauer, ete.) A truly great
min. "The father of Australia," P, 97.

Nicholas Baudin.—French commander (1800-4) of “Geographie
Naturaliste,” Casnarina; visited North-west, Weet, and South
coasts of Australia, also Port Jackson, Leschenavit de Tour was
botanist on his vessel. P, 37.

Louis de Freycinet, commanded “Uranie" and “Physicieune,”
French vessels, visitmg western coast of Australia and Port Jack-
san. He also visited Blue Mauntains and neighbourhood, col-
lected Australian plants. M. Gaudichaud the botanist on his
vessel. P. 97,

Jokn S.C. D.. D'Uryille (1790-1842), distinguished French navi-
gator and botanist; in 1824 the naturalist on “La Coquelle” visit-
ing New South Wales; afterwards visited Australia, New Zealand,
Tasmania, in command of the “Astrolabe” and Zelve.” Collected
Australian plants, P. 97-

Dr. Wiiltan, Woolls (1814-1893), described and vollected Austra-
lian plants, especially in New South Wales; had wide knowledge:
a friend of Mucller. P. 158.

Jokn vedley (1799-1865) —Professor of Botany at London, the
daminant personality in botanical science in the mid-Viclorian era;
A systematic botanist and horticulturist; edited the “Gardeners’
Chronicle.” In 1838 preserved the Royal Gardens at Kew dctin-
itely for the nation as the headquarters of botanical science. Des-
cribed plants collected by Major T. Mitchell in Australia Felix,
visu muny other Australian plants.

Jokn McGillivray (—~--1867)-—Naturalist anid collector on
H,M.S. “F ly,’ on coastal survey of Tropical Australia, 1948, On
H.M.S. “Raltlesnake,” 1847, collected plants, etc., N.E. Australia,
N_ Australia and adjacent islands, Later, in H.M.S. “Herald,”
naturalist in Polynesian Islands. P. 129.

Chorles Moors (1820-1905).—Director uf Sydney Botanic Ger-
dens, 1848-1896. Did much useful botanical work; published
articles and sketches. P. 160.

Dr. Ludwig Preiss —Collected largely in Western Australia dur-
ing four years (1838-42); sold sets of plants in Europe; an carly
friend of Mueller, whom he advised to go to Australia.

Sir George Macleuy (1809-1891}—An explorer with Sturt
(1829-30); for some years a member of the Legislative Assembly,
New South Wales; returned to Enghand, fostered horticuliure; a
liberal patron of science.

Jokx Dallachy (1820-1871).—Appointed in 1849 Superintendent
of Melhourne Ratanical Cardens; a good collector; superseded by
Dr. Mueller in 1857; collected in Victoria, New South Wales,
Queensland. P, 164,

Rev, Jubon Tenwwon Woods (1832-1839)—Published botanical
papers on Tasmania and Sovth Australia, and collected plants;
referred to in the #'lorts Australiensis.

Errata; P, 64; line 25, Pt. 1—tBAd (not 1954).
P. 187, line 26, Pé. If].—Acclimatisation.

.

1s Honcsun, On tke Buffalo Plateaw — | igh Nas

ON THE BUFFALO PLATEAU.
By L. L. Hopeson.

(Read before Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria,
October 10th, 1927.)

To many people the mention of Mt. Buifalo, or the
Buffalo Plateau, brings visions of a snow-clad region,
where ski-ing, toboganning, and skating are the prin-
cipal diversions. This conception is, to a iarge extent,
an accurate one in so far as the winter months are con-
cerned; but, at such times, the locality would neces-
sarily have a Hmited appeal to the naturalist, with the
absence of plsnts in flower, and alse of most of the birds
and other animals that seek refuge in the comparative
shelter of the vaileys from the rigorous climate of the
higher altitudes.

Having this in mind when considering the Bultalo
Plateau as a locality in which to spend a short vacation,
I decided to arrange my visit at a time when the maxi-
murn interest could be derived from the flora, fauna, and
other natural features of the district, and, accordingly,
accompanied by my wife, I left Melbourne by train
on December 15th last.

Being within two minutes’ walk of the Gorge, our
headquarters at “The Bungalow” were ideally situated
for close examination of the locality with the minimum
effort. Perhaps the most interesting and attractive
physical feature of the vicinity is the famous Gorge, over
the precipitous head of which the Crystal Brook dashes
many hundreds of feet to its rocky fern-fringed bed inthe
shadowy depths beneath.

Just behind Bent’s Lockout is situated the Government
Chalet, An interesting record of the camp-out held by
this Club in December, 1903, was found close at hand—
@ well-blazed Eucalypt with the names “C. S. Sutton,"
*_.. Gossler,” and “G. Weindorfer,” and the date “1908"
deeply scored thereon, and quite clear, except that the
encreaching bark is gradually closing over the edges
of the old wound, and has already covered some of the
end-leiters. The vicinity of fhe Gorge is fairly well
covered with several varieties of Hucalypts—principally
the Snow Gum, Eucalyptus coriacae, var. alpina, Silver-
top, &. Sieberianc, Candlebark, FE. Rubida, and Willow
Gum, EB. Mitchelliana, many of which actually grow out
of cracks and fissures on the rocky wall of the Gorge,
apparently relying for their sustenance on the crumbling

“ate

1p27. Hoveson, On the Buffalo Plateau 189

rock, and the moisture caught and held in the crevices.
It was 4 novel experience to see, in some instances, trees
with trunks up to a foot or more in diameter growing,
rend to all appearances flourishing, under such condi-
ions.

Owing to the high altitude of the Plateau, ranging
from 4,306 feet to 5,645 feet, the plants blonm much later
in the season than in the lower country. At the time
of our visit, a large number of species was in flower, and
a considerable portion of our time was devoted to the
eallection of suitable specimens for herbarium purposes,
Among the more interesting flowering plants found near
the Gorge may be mentioned the very rare Blotchy Mint-
bush, Prostanthera Walther? (named after the late Mr-
©. Walther), which was discovered here by Dr. C. 8,
Sutton and Messrs. G. Weindorfer and F, G. A. Barnard,
in 1903, the only other localities from which it had pre-
viously been recorded being Mt, Ellery, in East Gipps-
land, and in New South Wales. Other interesting and
attractive plants in bloom hereahouts were. the pink-
flowering Alpine Boronia, Boronia algida, Crimson Kun-
zea, Kunzea parvifolia, Mountain Shaggy-pea Cailis-
tachys alpestris, Rosemary Everlasting, Helichrysum.
rosemourinifolium, bearing masses of small pink-and-

white blossoms, Gorse Bitter-pea, Duviesia ultetna,

with its spiny foliage, Rosy Heath-myrtle, Baechia
ramosissima, # pretty little shrub with four-
petaled pink flowers, and Leafy Bossea, Bossiaea
foktosa, a striking yellow-jlowered shrub with a great
number of small round leaves,

The only orchid seen, etther in bud or bloom, was the
Spotted Sun-orchid, Thelymitra ixiodes, which, curiously
enough, was found growing on a grassy patch under a
large Eucalypt a few yards in front of “The Bungalow.”
Close search was made for other genera or species of the
Orchidaceae in the course of several outings to different
parts of the Plateau, but entirely without success. J
was anxious to secure specimens of Prasophyllum Sut-
toni, discovered here by Dr, Sutton some years ago, but
none were in evidence,

The bird-life about the Gorge was plentiful, although
there was not 2 great number of species, With the first
flush of dawn, the bush around commenced to resound
with the mellifiuous notes of the Gray Shrike Thrush,
Colluricincla harmonica, mingled with the loud ringing
call of the White-eared Honeyeater, Meliphaga leucotis,
and the harsher cries of the Red Wattle-bird, Antio-

180 Haogsan, Ou the Buffalo Platron [ Vig. Nee

chaera corunculata, Sometimes the wonderful mimicry
of the Lyré-bird, Menura novae-hollandiac, was distin-
guishable at some little distance, while a colony of Gray
Currawongs or SBell-Magpies, Strepera versicolor,
mingled their loud bell-like calls in the chorus of song,
which was frequently punctuated by the sharp staccato
notes of the Crimson Rosellas, Platycerus elegans, during
their rapid flight among the trees, As the coming of

day advanced, other apecies contributed their quota of — ,

melody, the familiac carolling of the White-backed Mag-
pie, Gumnorhina hypoleuca, being especially welcome,
The Kookaburra, Dacelo gigas, with his hearty laughtor,
furnished a contrast to the more tuneful notes of many
of the other birds of the surrounding bush.

A flock of nine or ten Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos,
Calpytorhynchus funereus, was observed one afternoon
wheeling and circling above the Gorge, the while uttering
loud raucous crics. The bushes and small saplings con-
Stituting the undergrowth, were usually well tenanted by
mumbers of small birds, chiefly Lurge-billed and White-
browed Scrub-wrens, Sericormis magnirestris and S.
frontelis, and the Buff-tailed and Little Thornbills,
Acanthiza reguloides and A. nana, together with many
White-eared Honeyeaters, all busily engaged searching
for insects. Both the Scarlet-breasted Robin, Petrova
multicolor, and the Flame-breast, P. phoenicet, were
frequently noticed, their brightly tinted breasts adding a
pleasing touch of colour to their surroundings.

Crystal Brook, a small stream of clear sparkling
Water, running throuzh a marshy “plain” or “tundra,"
hemmed in on each side by timbered hills, whose slopes
are studded with irregular piles of rocks, is well stocked
with Rainbow Trout, The stream pursues a somewhat
tortuous course through the “plain,*’ and the vegetation,
although mostly of 4 stunted character, is of considerable

variety and interest. Two of cur Epacrids, Richea -

Gunni, with its tall spikes of creamy flowers and stiff
spiked foliage,and theCoral Heath, Fpacris microphylla,
occur here, in assoviation with the Waxhberry, Gaultheria
hispida, Mountain <Aciphylla, Acitphylla stmpleifolia;
Common Bultercup, Ranuneulud leppaceus, the Clustered
and Satin Everlastings, Helichrysum semi-papposim,
and H. leucopsidiuy, and Coarse Daisy, Brachycome
seapiformis; while bordering the water's edge arc Hour-
ishing bushes of the Tall Rice-flower, Pimelia Kkgustrina,
vat. hypericifolia, Long-leaf Hovea, Hovea longifolia,
and Mountain Speedwell, Veronica nivea. All were in

ae | Horcson, On the Beffelo Platosan , 191

bloom with the éxception of Howvea longifolia, found in
fruit only.

Overlooking the plain, the “Monolith,”’ a huge tapering
shaft of granite, rises to a height of 30 feet above the
crown of a rocky mass, on the sloping edge of which it
is precariously balanced. The “plain” itself, although
somewhat dried out at the time of our visit, is of a
boggy and peaty character, and the conditions.are appar-
ently unsnitable for Euecalypts and other large vegeta-
tion, only the low-growing shrubs and moisture-loving
plants finding sustenance in the usually more or less
water-logged soi], As the stream winds further up the
small valley, the plain gradually closes in, until it he-
comes a narrow strip a few yards in width, to walk over
which is like treading on very springy turf, so yielding
is the damp peaty soil, with its thick coverings of short
grass, rushes and other dwarfed growth. Some three
und a half miles up from the Gorge, a concrete wall has
been constructed across the narrowest section of the

Just above the wall, the little valley widens out again,
and the impounded water, dammed back up several small
gullies, forms a most picturesque lakelet about 100 yards
wide, at the centre and some quarter of a mile in length,
almost surrounded by huge masses of rocks, including
the Woolpack, and the Deyil’s Couch,

The flora hereabouts is somewhat sparse, and leas
varied than that met with lower down the valley, but
gome good specimens of Gommon Billy-buttons, Cras-
pedia Richea, and the Purple and Ivy-leaf Violeta, Viola
beltontetfolia and V. hederacea, were collected. On a
Eucalypt under which we rested to have our lunch, we
were joined by a Gang-Gang Cockutoo, which perched
directly above us, and proceeded to regale itself on the
gum pods, as evidenced by the shower of half-eaten poda
and bitten-off twigs which fell on and around us. From
the Crystal Weir, a rough foot-track proceeds past Og,
Gog and Magog, three immense tors, the largest approxi-
mately 100 feet in height, among which was found the
Common Shield-fern, Polystichum uculentum, one of the
few ferns seen. After skirting Jessie's Lookout, cross-
ing a small grassy plain, and passing through a section
of yather sparsely timbered country, the track termin-
ates at Hagle Point, situated on the western edge of the
Plateau, and overlooking the densely-timbered Ruffalo
River Valley, Some very brightly-coloured specimens

192 Hovoson, On the Buffalo Plateaus Lvic, As

of the Pink-eye, Tetratheea ciliata, were gathered in this
area, but otherwise the flora was poorly represented,

Returning te the Crystal Weir, another foot-track
leads round the back of the Devil’s Couch to Mt. Dunn,
one of the more prominent peaks of the locality, A
steep zig-zag track leads ‘to the pointed summit, and,
looking to the North-West, one has a fine view of the
Crystal Weir below, backed up by Anderson's Peak and
the neighbouring heights of the North Buffalo Plateau.
The character of the country may be well gauged from
the outlook provided over the greater part of the
Plateau; The Cathedral, The Hump, and The Horn stand-
ing out clearly to the South. Retracing our steps to the
foot of Mt. Dunn, we follow the track, and, after skirt-
ing several well-timbered slopes and gullies, shortly
emerge at the head of the Long Plain, where rises the
little stream which feeds Lake Catani. This plain is
some three miles in length, with an average width of
about s hundred yards, and has much the same charac-
teristics already described as pertaining to the Crystal
Brook plain. The track follows the ecreekflet to the
headwaters of Lake Catani, along the left bank of which
if continues until the road leading to the “Chalet” and
Gorge is joined.

Qne morning we walked to The Horn, at the farther
end of the Plateau. Within a short distance of the
“Chalet,” we crossed a small gully, in the moist bottom °
of which patches of Christmas-bush, Prostanthera
lasianthes, and the Round-leaf Mint-bush, P. rotundi--
folia, were flourishing, The Alpine Mint-bush, P. nivea,
Was also*growing somewhat less profusely, while several
clumps of the Tasman Flax-lily, Dianella Tasmanica,
displaying clusters of beautiful deep blue, yellow-centred
flowers, were noted on the roadside, The winding road
passes over the new timber bridge, recently constructed
across the deep gulch which carries off the overflow from
Lake Catani. This fine sheet of water, which teems with
Rainbow Trout and-Brown Trout, has been created by
the erection of a curved concrete wall across a narrow
section of the gulch just mentioned. The road runs
round the east bank of the lake, which is about three-
quarters of a mile in length, and of varying depths up
to 30 feet; its width ranging from about 50 feet, at the
weir, to three-eighths of a mile, at its broadest point near
the intake. ’

The slopes on each side are well covered with several
specios of Eucalypts and various shrubs, while the mar-

ioay.) Honeson, On the Buffalo Plateat 198

gins are fringed with tall grasses and rushes, among
which anakes are fairly numerous, being attracted by the
presence of large numbers of frogs. Two black snakes,
Pseudechis porphyriacus, were killed near the water’a
edgé early in the morning of our trip. In the gulch
below the weir, two specimens of one of our few conifers
—the Mountain Plum-pine, Podocarpus aipina—were
observed growing almost in the water. The bushes,.
when shaken, throw off great quantities of fine pollen
grains like clouds of yellow dust. Several bushes of
Mountain Pepper, Drimys aromatica, were noted nearby.
A few Black Ducks, Anas superciliosa, were seen swim-
ming on the lake. A flock of Crimson Rosellas, Piaty-
cerus elegans, was noticed feeding on grass seeds, the
bright blue.and red plumage of the parent birds being
rendered conspicuous by the more sombre green of their
young, rf

From the head of the lake, the road penetrates to-
wards the centre of the Plateau, here winding along the
slopes of a well-timbered rise, there passing round the
head of a small stream, or dipping to cruss some slight
depression in the econtoar, the prevailing vegetation on
each side consisting principally of Eucalypts, with alter-
nating patches of sparse undergrowth and bushy
thickets. In the Jesa thickly-clothed portions, thou-
sands of Coarse Daisies, Brachycome scapiformis, dis~
playing their bright mauve petals and yellow centres,
studded the landscape, together with numerous spikes of
the Trigger-plant, Stylidium graminifoltum, mostly in
bud, but many just bursting into bloom. We were de-
lighted to find several bushes of the Royal Grevillea,
Grevillea Victorias, in flower a little further on; this is
generally regarded as the finest of our Grevillegs, and
its bright red flowers are certainly very beautiful.

The rock features of the surrounding country are of
considerable interest. | They are of granitic formation,
and the gradual erosion of the softer portions has left
many huge bosses and isolated tors. The “Torpedo” is
a large boulder, balanced on another rock protruding
slightly above ground level. Near at hand is the “Levia-
than." This immense block rests on a comparatively
small base, and a large number of persons could find
ample camping accommodation under its massive over-
hanging sides. 1 believe that Sir John Monash esti-
mates it to contain, approximately, 50,000 tons of solid
granite. ;

Passing on, and skirting the rugged Le Soeuf Peak,

194 Hopcson, On the Buffulo Pletean wae
with the “Sentinel” and “Corral” close by, the foot of
The Cathédral and The Hump is soon reached. The
two peaks are practically portions of the one ridge, the
oveurrence of a low saddle between them being con-
sidered sufficient to differentiate them, The Cathedral
rises up to an unscaleable mass of rock forming a
bluntly-pointed summit, and is almost destitute of vege-
tation, a few sparse shrubs and Snow Gums, Fucalyptus
corinced, var. tlpina, finding an uncongenial rout-hold on
its lower slopes. The Hump is a much larger and con-
siderably higher mass, and is capped by two rounded
knobs resembling the humps on a ¢camel’s back. Being
the second highest elevation on the Plateau, it affords an
excellent colgn of vantage from which to view the sur-
rounding country. :

The road, which reaches its hishest level near The
Hump, now gradually descends as it approarthes The
Horn, while the intervening country becomes morc
rugged, being intersected by deep gullies, which even-
tually open out on toa slightly undulating plain-like area,
surrounded by a tumultuous jumble of stream rocks, and
dissected by seyeral tiny streams which pursue extra-
ordinarily tortuous courses, suggestive of the Grecian
Key pattern. Skull Rock, a boulder very suggestive of
a human skull, with the eye-aockets and other features
quite distinct, rests on the slope of a rocky hillock, The
lower portions of this area, bordering the streams, are
boygy, and support only a scanty dwarfed vegetation,
such as the Sky-Lily, Herpolirion Novae-Zealandiae, and
Mountain Aciphylls, A, stmplicifolia. The sparse plant
life hereabouts is in striking contrast to that of the
Rastern side of the Plateau, the rock-studded soil being
apparently incapable of meeting the more exacting re-
quirements and sustaining the more vigorous growth of
the lurfer vegetation. The lower slopes of the adjacent
heights, however, being above the influence of the
marshy conditions prevailing in the low-lying areas,
support a mederate growth of Snow Gums,

The Horn, which towers to a height of 5,685 feet, and
is the highest peak of the Buffaloes, comes into view as
_the road emerges on to the margin of the plain-like area
just described, and its sharply sloping sides give an
impression of a very stiff climb to the summit, A graded
zig-zag track, however, leads up the Western slope, and
in about 20 minutes steady climbing, the topmost point is
reached. Almost the whole of the mountain-side is
covered with a dense tangle of Snow Gums, through

Oy. j Hovason, On the Buffalo Pluteare 195

which a fire has evidently passed in recent years, practi-
cally every tree having been killed; the silvery white of
the trunks and Jimbs giving the Mount a ghostly appear-
ance in the near distance, A noteworthy feature of
thege trees is the manner in which they have been bent
and twisted during their growing period, the majority
with their topmost branches arched over until they
touch the ground. This has no dowbt been caused by
the weight of snow, and the force of the prevailing South-
Westerly winds. Fresh growth is, however, ¢pringing
from the bases of the dead trunks, and, provided no fur-
ther fires occur, and the area is allowed to regenerate
itself without interference, a few years should suffice
to retore it to its natural condition.

We waiked back to Porepunkah on the last day of our
stay. A rough track leads over the surface of an ex-
tensive outcrop of granite, and down the spur to
Mackey’s Lookout (3.600 feet). On the slopes were col-
lected specimens of Shrubby Trachymene, Trachymenea
billardiert, Lanky Goodenia, Goodenia elongata, Burgan
Kunzea, Kunzea pedurevlaris, Leafy Bossea, Bossiaca
foliosa, Sweet Forget-me-not, Myosotis suavolens,
Creamy Stackhousia, Stackhousia Linarifolia, and the
small White-fowering Alpine Grevillea, Grevillea Anse
tralis, with its pungent, pointed leaves. Near Mackey’s
were noticed numbers of smooth-barked Eucalypta, with
handsomely tinted trunks and limbs in tones of red, pink
and green,

From Mackey’s another short cut saves traversing a
Jong loop in the road. <A sweet scent noticed here-
abouts was traced to some flourishing bushes of the Tree
Lomatia, Lomatia Frasert, bearing clustered racemes of
pale cream flowers. A slender plant with Jarge basal
leaves, and a.tall spike bearing yellow flowers in the Jezf:
axils, proved to be the Spurious Mullein, Verbdascum
blatteria, an introduced weed. Derwent Speedwell,
Veronica Derwentia, and Mountain Speedwell, V. nzvea,
were plentiful, while numerous Trigger-plants, Stylidiwm
graminifolium, were in evidence, their tall stems being
in a more advanced stageofinflorescence than those seen
-at higher elevations. Several species of Everlastings,
Helichrysums, added a bright yellow note. The scented
Groundsel, Senecio odvratus, Ivy Goodenia, Goodenia
hedervacea, and many Milkmaids, Burchardia umbellata,
were also noted-

On reaching the Eurobin Bridge, a divergence was
made to yiew the Ladies’ Rath and Furohin Falls. <A

196 Honcson, On the Buffalo Plateawn | YS, Je

distinct change in Lhe composition of the soil takes place
near the Falls, the granitic character giving place to the
Silurian formation, with a corresponding alteration in
the tyne of vegetation, which is of a much Jess interest-
ing nature. A forther six miles, skirting the foothills,
brought us to Porepunkah,

Wild animal life is somewhat scarce on the Plateau,
though Wombats are occasionally seen in the dusk of
the evening, Dingoes also frequent the timbered
country, and their howls may often be heard at night.
Only one of each of these animals was observed during
our stay. On the journey up the mountain an Echidna
was disturbed, and made vigorous efforts to burrow into
the high bank of the road. After two or three minutes’
strenuous effort, it desisted and raised its head ta observe
its disturbers, but, on the motor horn being blown sud-
denly, it was amusing to see the frantic manner in which
it resumed its futile attempts to dig itself into the un-
yielding sotl, There is s colony of Lyre-birds near the
top of the Gorge, several being noticed, at times, seratch-
ing and feading within a few yards of the “Chalet,” in
the quiet of the early evening,

Tn closing, I desire to acknowledgé my tndebtedness
to Mr. A. J. Tadgell for kindly identifying a number of
specimens of plants with which I was unfamiliar.

EXCURSION TO HUME VALE.

On Show Day holiday, September 22nd, a party of 18 vinited
Hume Vale, about four miles beyond Whittlesea. Many birds were
heard and recognised. The Wedge-tailed Eagle, Uroaetus audaz,
soared majestically overhcad, and a flock of a dazen Gang met
Callocephalon fimbrintum, noisily feasted close by among the
Kucalypts, their “nut-cracking” noise being distinctly heard, while
the birds merely showed their thought of our presence by raising
their bright red crests. Tree-creepers, Robins, and Thrushes were
observed, also a nesting Thornbill. ‘

Collecting bottles were in evidence, and many species of Coleop-
tera and Lepidoptera noted. Even the geologist’: hammer gare
eonvincing evidence of his presence, The botanists had a good
field day, noting 101 species of native plants and 14 migrants.
Among the 10 orchids seen, Pterostylis alpina was of interest to
many. Orchids divided the honours with eight ferns, of which
Woodwurdiac caudate. was rarest to some. Ophioglessum coriaceum,
with its peculiar fruiting spike, was abundant on the cleared slopes
of Serubby Creek, and was a novelty to a number of the party.

The finding of Ranunculus parviflorus, and its beautify) sister,
the “rommon” Buttercup, gave rise te an interesting discussion on
the family being the original progenitors of the many forms found
in the floral world, also as to the construction of the pigment below
the epidermis, giving cause for the unique mirror-like upper-
surface of the petals, found in many Ranunculi—A. J. TApcee.

May | Barwarp, The Story of a Meadow Mopnwort 197

THE STORY OF A MEADOW MOONWORT.
By F. G, A. Barnann.

(Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria,
October 10th, 1927.)

It is seldom that a comparatively insignificant plant
cxn claim so long and so interesting a history as that L
can testify to regarding one of my pot-ferns.

In the early days of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Vic-
toria, now more than forty years ago, Oakleigh was often
chosen as the locality for a Club excursion, and yielded
many interesting specimens, Alas, habitations have
claimed the former haunts of many rare birds, insects,
and plants. The value of recording our findings in the
Naturalist is emphasised by the following extract, from
a brief report of a Club excursion held at Oakleigh on
September 3rd, 1887, as published in the Naturaltst,
Vol. TV., p, 82:—“In another paddock several specimens
of the rather rare fern, Botrychium ternatum were
noted.” (This fern is now listed under its earlier speci-
fic name, B. australe, R.By.}.

One of these plants T removed, and it has been exhibited,

in a growing state, al many meetings of this Club.
planted it in a five-inch pot, and it has been under a lath
fernery ever since. It has, on two or three occasions,
heen re-potted; but more frequently the surface soil only,
to a slight depth, has been renewed. In fact, I may say
that on account of its rarity, I have been almost
afraid t6 meddle with it in any way.
, This genus of ferns, familiarly known as “Moon-
worts,” is almost unknown to the average fern-collector;
for, though widely distributed throughout the world,
specimens are nowhere abundant, According to
-Hooker’s Inder, only about forty species are known to
-science,

A few Victorian records exist for this species. The
earliest 1 know of is that by 8. Hannaford, in his “Jot-
tings in Australia,” published in 1856, where he says, on
page 100:—'"Botrychium australe, R.Br., Habitat. In
swampy ground near Richmond. The only specimen
of this plant found in Victoria, we discovered in August,
1853, and although we explored the neighbourhood with
Touch diligence, could never obtain a second." Mr. C.
French, senr., in his articles on “Victorian Ferns,” in
the Southern Science Record, 1881 (Vol. L, p. 3) records
it from between Arthur’s Seat and Cape Schanck.
Another early record is that by the late Mr. D. Kershaw,

18 Barwarn, The Story of ‘a Menudo Moonwor! sk ee

also from Oakleigh. That it must be rare in Victoria is
shown by the following remark by Mr, F. Pitcher, in his
paper, “In the Strathbogie Ranges” (Naturalest, Vol.
XLI., p, 140)—"Though an old fern-collector, I found
Nere my first specimen of the Meadow Moonwort,
Botrychium australe, R.Br. a widely distributed fern,
but nowhere plentiful. Being strange to me, | at first
took it for an introduced plant.” More recently Dr,
Heber Green collected the apecies near Mooroolbark;
while I have been told that it ig oceasionally met with in
the Snowy River district, near Orbost.

Yor Vietoria, a second species, B, iunaria, L,, has been
recorded, but it is extremely rare. This is a cosmopoli-
tan species, and is more frequent in the northern hemi-
sphere. Dr. Mueller (afterwards Baron F. von Muel-
jer) collected it at Cobungra, Victorian Alps, in 18538;
and Mr. ©. French, senr,, in his articles on Victorian
Ferns, previously mentioned, states that he found it in
Studley Park in about 1860, No other record seems
Lo exist

The name “Moonwort” is an old world appellation,
tradition having ascribed to them medicinal properties
if gathered by moonlight at the time of full-moon. They
are then thought to be of value in the treatment of cases
of lunacy, The generic name, Botrychium, is derived
from a Greek word, signifying a bunch of grapes, from
the resemblance of the clusters of spore-cases on the fer-
tile fronds to miniature bunches of grapes. The spore.
cases are spherical, about the size of dust-shet, which,
when ripe, split and distribute imimense quantities of
spores, in the form of impalpable dust, but 1 have never
noticed anything resembling a seedling of this species
in my fernerv. The older specific name ternatum re-
ferred to the three main divisions into whivh the pinna-
tifid sterile trond appears to be divided; while the later
name, cuslrate simply means southern.

The Moonwort belongs to the lowest group of ferns,
lose to the litte Adder’s tongue, Ophioglossum. In
uppesrance the barren frond is like a small frond of
bracken, but softer and more flaccid, and of a. paler
colour. It grows to a height of six to nine inches,
generally out in the open. Tts roots are not fibrous like
the majority of terns, but short and fleshy, about an
eighth of an inch in thickness. To me its hahits of
vrowth have been of the greatest interest during the
forty years it has been in my possession, and very pro-
bably it is the only plant of its kind which has been
under observation for so long a period.

wove BARNARD, The Story of a Meadow Moonwort 199

Like nearly all the other species of its genus; the
Meadow Moonwort produces only two fronds each year,
or perhaps they should be regarded as a branched frond,
as they originate just at the surface of the ground from
one vegetative bud. One bud develops annually, and
the new fronds appear, in my specimen, as regular as
clockwork in the second week in February in each year!
and last till about December, when they turn yellow,
wither off, and die. Its resting period in my fernery
is thus very short, probably on account of the shade and
moisture it receives there. In the open its growing
period would probably be shorter, and its resting period
longer, and this is likely to be the reason: why it is
apparently so rare.

From my experience, woodlice, slugs, and the intro-
duced snails are particularly fond of the Moonwort’s
juicy stems, and I have had the greatest difficulty in pre-
serving it from their raids, being obliged to place the pot
on an inverted flower-pot standing in a saucer of water;
and even then the pests sometimes beat me. I last ex-
hibited my Moonwort at the Club meeting in June, 1926,
when it had two perfect fronds; but. soon after it had
been returned to its accustomed spot, I found the stem
had been nearly eaten through by a snail. TJ tried to
bandage up the wound, but the fronds soon withered and
died. I wondered whether my pet would survive this
attack, and therefore was greatly pleased to see, on Feb-
ruary 8th last, signs of the new season’s fronds. Only
the barren frond has been produced this year, rather
more lax and straggling than usual, perhaps owing to the
fact that this season it is in a different shade-house, hav-
ing a different aspect.

Reference to the Naturalist shows that I first exhibited
it at a Club meeting in May, 1892, rather more than four
years after I obtained it at Oakleigh. What an interesting
story it would have been had I kept a record of its be-
haviour, under all its trials during these forty years, for I
remember on one occasion, when it lost a frond soon
after it appeared. another was produced about three
months afterwards, while on another occasion three
fronds were produced at the same time.

Those who are net familiar with the plant, will tind it
illustrated, and briefly described in Part 3 cf Mr. H.
Williamson’s “Ferns of Victoria” (Naturalist, Vol. XLII.,

p. 265-7.) In the species, lunaria, the pinules of the bar-
on frond are half-moon, or saddle-shaped, and in times
past witches were supposed to have used them as saddles
for their broom-sticks when riding to the moon. How
easily popular names were suggested in olden days!

200 RaFr, Hatching Process of Cicada sd ee

HATCHING PROCESS OF CICADA.
By JANET W. RaFr, M.Sc., F.E.S.

The Cicada nymph, or cast nymphal skin, so commonly
found on tree-trunks, fences, etc., and the adult Cicada,
are, of course, familiar sights to all, especially after such
an invasion of the insects as occurred last summer. It
is doubtful, however, whether the eggs, or newly-hatched
larvae, have been noted by more than a few persons.

My observations have been made in the Zoological
Laboratory, University of Melbourne, from examination
of Cicada egg-nests, in twigs of a Eucalypt, handed to
me by Professor Wadham, to whom I am indebted both
for the specimens and for his kindness in taking the
accompanying photograph. (Fig. 1.) Mr. J. H. Lang,
of Harcourt, Victoria, from whose orchard the speci-
mens were collected, informs me that it was the black
Cicada that was prevalent
there this year, especially
during February and March,
so, in all probability, the
species concerned would
be Psaltoda moerens. Mr.
Lang noted also, that only
dead wood was attacked by
the insects.

Several records of the
disfigurement of living
trees, both native andj
orchard. due to Cicadas |
ovinositing in them, have
been made, from time to
time: and it is generally
considered that this is the
chief damage done, the in-
jury due to the sucking
habits of the insect during
the whole of its life-cvcle
being of a minor nature.

As is well known, the
eggs of the Cicada are laid
in the wood of trees, the
female piercing the bark |
with the strong. sharp ovi- =
positor, and placing the Big. 1

Ney RaFF, Hatching Process of Cicada 201

eggs in the deeper tissues. Figure 1 shows two dead
Eucalypt twigs, each about 12 inches in length, and as
thick as one’s thumb, very heavily scarred by Cicadas
ovipositing.

Though I have not observed the actual egg-laying
process, it is evident, from the very regular arrangement
of scars on the twigs examined, that the Cicada thrusts
its ovipositor backwards into the branch, while it is in
position as if advancing up the tree; for, in all cases,
the puncture formed by the insertion of the ovipositor is
higher up the twig than the chamber made by its con-
tinued insertion.

As there does not appear to be a detailed account of
the actual arrangement and number of eggs laid in the
chambers by our local forms, nor a description of the
hatching process, these observations are placed on
record.

Fig. 2.

By lifting the ragged pieces of bark, and raising them
gently, the eggs are seen to be closely packed, in a very
regular manner, in a small groove, or egg-chamber; they
lie two abreast, slightly overlapping oneanother, as shown
in Fig. 2. On an average, there are eight eggs in a
chamber, each one being elongate and spindle shaped,
yellowish in colour, and measuring from 2 mm. to 2} mm.
in length. The number of eggs deposited in each cham-
ber may possibly be found to vary, according to the
species of Cicada, locality, weather conditions, toughness
of wood, etc. Egg nests in Walnut, collected at Bright,
yield, on examination, an average of 12 eggs per cham-
ber. In those chambers where the eggs had already
hatched, the shells only remained, still arranged in the
overlapping manner, and each showing a wide split at
the anterior end.

202 RaFF, Hatching Process of Cicada piece pas.

Examining the eggs under a lens, it is seen that the
anterior end lies at the upper portion of the chamber,
i.e., towards the entrance, this no doubt making exit
easier during hatching. The egg-shell being thin and
transparent, the enclosed embryo, or larva, with black
eyes, sucking beak, and legs closely folded against the
body can be clearly seen. (Fig. 3.)

Hatching was observed to be taking place when first
I received the specimens, in the middle of July. Con-
sidering the Cicadas in the Harcourt district were about
in greatest numbers during February and March, one
might assume that the eggs were laid not later than
April. By this it would appear that hatching could
take place possibly as long as 10 weeks to three months
after deposition. As a matter of fact, this period can
be lengthened even more; for, by placing the twigs in
damp soil, and exposing them to the warmth of the sun,
as late as September 15th, further hatching occurred,
thus bringing the period up to four and a half months.
This is of importance, since it is generally stated that
the eggs remain for only six to eight weeks after deposi-
tion before hatching. Apparently, no doubt, depending
on climatic conditions, this period can, therefore, be very
much extended.

At the entrance of some of the egg-chambers were seen
the young larvae, working themselves gradually out
from their nests, head foremost, and freeing themselves
of a thin skin. The empty egg-shells, each with a long
split at the front end, were left behind in the egg-nest.
arranged in the double overlapping manner described
above. The manner in which the young larva freed
itself of the thin covering during hatching was watched
closely, and was as follows:—The head is first pushed
through the “skin,” then by a very slow sliding kind of
movement, with no distinct struggles or contractions.
the whole body is gradually released. The emerged
head is reared well up. and the antennae become ex-
tended and begin to feel about; the legs gradually be-
come free from their close apposition to the body and
move about; but, strangely, are not used during hatch-
ing as a Jeverage to assist the remainder of the body from
the covering. In a rather striking manner, the larva.
all through the hatching process, seems to be able to
support itself in the air, until only the tip of the abdomen
remains in the “skin,” and the final slight movement
releases this. The crumpled thin whitish ‘skin’ thus

hay | Rare, Gatehing Process of Civada 203
cast in the final act of hatching, either remained adher-
ing to the body, and was trailed round during the first
movements of the active larva, or, aS was generally the
ease, It remained sticking to the bark at the entrance to
the egg-nest, On close examination, this “skin”
appears to be a.true “moult,” or cast larval cuticle, and
nol an embryonic membrane, such as the amnion. This
is of great interest, and I hope later to describe it in
detail.

The larva begins at once to walk about, and very soon
falls from the twig, It is whitish in colour, and mea-
sures about 2mm. in length. The chief structural
characters of the newly-hatehed larva are the more or
less rectangular head with Jony sucking beak, the minute
eyes, the comparatively long antennae, and the extra-
ordinarily strong, spined fore-legs. These features are
shown in Fig. 4. The femur of the fore-leg is short and
broad, and bears on its lower aspect a very strong
heavily chitinized spine directed towards a similar but
smaller one on the tip of the tibia. The femur and
tibia, working on one another, thua form an efficient dig-
ging tool. The taitsus, composed of a single joint, is
articulated ito the tibia
some distance from its tip,
and carries a pair of claws. |
(Fig. 5.) The second and
third pairs of jegs are of
the normal type, there
being mo special enlarge-
ments of the parts:

The larvae were removed
_ lo small dishes of loose

damp earth, seme being
supplied with fine rootlets
for food, but I was unable
to keep them alive for a
longer period than five
weeks. One could imagine
the newly-hatched larva,
provided, as it is, with such
strong, digging front legs,
beginning to burrow into
the soil at once, but. appar-
ently the imstinet to get
- away from the light is
stronger than that to dig.
When one was placed in a

‘204 Rare, Hatching Process of Cicada vor xt

-smali glass dish of damp soil, which was packed down
tightly, it walked over the firm surface for half an hour
without making any attempt to dig down. However,
when pin-holes were made on the surface of the soil, it
immediately went into these, apparently seeking the
dark, On loose soil with an unéven surface, the larvae
found no difficulty in getting out of sight very quickly.
Whettier, in nature, should the ground be hard at hatch-
ing time, they would have to depend on the holes in the
ground up which the nymphs had moved to the surface,
for their first homes underground, I do not know, but no
doubt they would take this easy route.

It might here be noted, that the fully-grown larva, or
nymph, so well-known from Its cast skin, found clinging
to trees, etc., possesses similar digging fore-legs, the tar-
sus of which, however, is absent. In addition to the
difference in bulkiness of the body, the large compound
eyes and the bristle-like antennae of the nymph are a
strong contrast to the minute simple eyes and the com-
puralively long antennae of the newly-hatched larva.

_ EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

Fig. 1. Photograph of twigs of Eucalypt scarred by
Cicadas ovipositing.

Fig. 2. Portion of egg-chamber showing arrangement
of eggs,

Vig. 3. Ege with larva seen through shell.

Fig. 4. Newly-hatched larva,

Fig, 5. Enlarged drawing of the digging fore-leg,
showing the purts coxa (c), trochanter (tr.),
femur (f), tibia (t), and tarsus (tar.).

EXCURSION TO FRANKSTON,

The outing te Frankston on Saturday afternoon, October Sth,
wag attended by 16 members and friends. After proceeding
throngh Frankston Park and along the Tea-tree covered cliffs, the
party turned into a large patch of fairly open country towards
the Freshwater Creek. Wedding Bush, Iticinocarpes pinifolius,
was here growing profusely and flowering freely, and numbers
of the sweetly-seented Rabbit-ears Orchid, Thelymitra untenni-
jer, were found. On a hill over which a fire had swept a few
months age, some good snecimens of one of the Leek Orchids,
Prasophyliim, sp.?, and the Red-beak Orchid, Lyperenthus nigri-
cans, were collected; one or two specimens of the Hare Orchid,
Caladenia Menziestt, were also noticed. The QOoasta} Tea-tree,
Leptospermaun ievigatem, was in full bloom, and appears to be in
a flourishing condition, probably due to the presence of birds, 13
species being observed.—L. L. Honeson,

The Victorian Naturalist

Vou, XLIV—No. 8. DECEMBER 7, 1927, No. §28,

THE FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in
the Royal Society’s Hall, Victoria-street, Melbourne, on
Monday, November 14th, 1927. The President, Mr. E.
E. Pescott, F.L.S., occupied the chair, and there were
about 180 members and friends present,

DEATH OF MEMBER.
The President. referred to the recent death of Dr.
Géorge Horne, a member of the Club and a noted Ethno-
logist, Members stood in silence as a mark of respect.

CORRESPONDENCE,

From Chief Secretary for Victoria, intimating his
approval of the proposed advisory Committee on matters
pertaining to the fauna of the State, and suggesting that
this Club should appoint representatives to act on such
Committee when formed,

From Royal Zoological and Aéclimitization Society,
stating that it was Intended to form an Advisory Com-
mittee for the purpose of assisting the Minister in
matters pertaining to the fauna. of Victoria, and asking
. the Club to appoint delegates to a conference in this con-
nection,

From Minister for Lands, stating that enquiries would
be made into the proposal to establish golf links in the
Water Reserve at Cheltenham.

From Victorian Apiarists’ Association, requesting the
assistance of the Club in its efforts to prevent the de-
pasturing of sheep on Crown Lands in the Grampians
district, which caused the destruction of much native
flora, and deprived the bees of pollen,

- The matter of appointing delegates to the conference
te appoint an Advisory Committee re native fauna was.
referred to the. Committee.

Mr. V- Miller moved and Mr. H. B. Willlamson
seconded—“That the Club support the Victorian
Apiarists’ Association in its efforts to preserve the flora
in the Grampians district.” Carried unanimously.

REPORTS.

Reports of Excursions were given as follow >—Chel-
tenham, Mr. J. W. Audas, F_L.S.; Agricultural School,
atrarsity; Mr, L. L, Hodgson; West Kinglake, Mr. A. J.

adge

206 Field Naturalists” Club—Procesdings { Ve tiv

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The folluwing were elected as ordinary members !—
Miss A. Birch, 55 Livinystone-street, Ivanhoe; Mrs. G.
E. McLaren, 3 Nyora-grove, Caulfield; Mr. D. H. Pleay;
Ridley College, Parkville; Mr. Geo. N. Hyam, 144
Hampton-street, Hampton; Miss Jean Joshua, Whern-
side-crescent, Toorak; and as country members :—Mre.
J. G. Teare, Upper Fern Tree Gully; and Mr, and Mrs.
A. E. Opperman, Croydon,

GENEKAL..

The President announced that, subject to the
approval of the Club, he proposed to arrange with the
Tourist Bureau for competent members of the Club to
aceompany various excursions around Melbourne in
order to explain the naturai features of the localities
visited; also that he was arranging for a series of natural
history lectures to be delivered by Club members to the
Boy Scouts of the Essendon district.

The President referred to a letter in the “Herald,”
over the name of the Government Botanist, relative to
the finding of a new species of Pultennea, and expressed -
his view that the discovery was important. He also re-
ferred to the work performed by Mr. H. B, Williamson,
F.LS.. on the Pultenaeas. and asked members to con-
gratulate Mr. Williamson, which was done with ac-
clamation,

The attention of members was drawn to the donation
by Mr. ¥. Miller, of a copy of “The Australian Encyclo-
Pedia,” a notable work, m two volumes, and Mr. Miller
received the thanks of the Club for his generous gift.

Reference was made by the President to the visit to
Phillip Island, on Novernber 26th, for the purpose of iti-
specting the Mutton-bird rookeries.

Mr. C. Barrett spoke regarding Lhe proposal to throw
open an area of Lhe Upper Yarra country to sawmilling
operations, and moved—“That the members of this Club
are opposed to sawmilling operations being permitted in
an area of the Upper Yarra watershed, and that a strong
protest be made to the Government against the pro-
posal.” This was seconded by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, and
earried unanimously.

LECTURE,

_ A lecture was delivered by Mr. ©. Barrett, 'C.M.Z.8., on
various features of natural history observed during his
recent visit io Central Australis, with the Reso’ party.

Sse | Field Naturalists Club—Proceedings 207

Mr, Barrett's remarks were illustrated with an ex«el-
lent series of Jantern slides depicting many aspects of
aboriginal and other life.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. C. Daley: Chipped Stones and Obsidian bomb
from an aboriginal camping place south of Oodnadatta,
5.A.; also seeds of Abrus precatorius (“Jequinity” or
“Lucky-seeds"), used for ornament by aborigines in
Central and Western Australia.

By Mr, J. C. Searle: Apus australiensis and Hstheria
dictyon, from Hamilton Bore, Central Australia; also
Nebalia sp., dredged off Point Cook, and Lipiduris viri-
dis, from Hampton. Vic.

By Miss J, W. Raff, F.E.S.: Cicada egg-nests, eggs
and newly-hatched larvae, ag described in November
“Naturalist.”

By Mr. E, E. Pescott, F.L.S.: Cultivated specimens of
Bucatyptus torqueta, Hibiscus Huegelli, and Leptosper-
mum Nicholli; also specimens of aboriginal origin, from
Central Australia, including stene knives and spearheads,
churinga, pointing bone, ete.

By My. Geo. Coghill: Cultivated specimens of
Chamacaucium uncinatum, Geraldton Waxflower, and
Swainsona coronilufolia.

By Miss F. Smith: Hymenopterous galls on Eucalypts,
from Greighton’s Creek. Almost every flower bud on
the trees had been destroyed by this gall insect, giving
the trees a very pretiy appearance, as if covered with
creamy-white berries.

By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard: §Stick-insect (alive), from
Croydon, .

My Me. ©: J. Gabriet: Land shells from Central Aus-
tralia: Thersites adcoektena, Bednall; Thersites perin-
flats, Pfr.; Thersites sublevata, Tate: Thersites setigera,
Tate; Thersites arcigerens, Tate; Endodonta aemula,
Al Liporus Spenceri, Tate: Stenagyra itnterioris,

ate. . § ;

By Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.L.S.: Specimen of Butter-
fiy Flag (Diplarrhena Moraea, Labill.), collected at Tim-
boon by exhibitor on 30/11/1926. (Not previously re-.
corded for the South-west, )

By Mr, A. E. Opperman: Specimens of Olearia
myrainotdes, Melalexca deecussata and . Chamucglauctum
uncinutum, from Croydon.

205 Field Natiralises' Ctib—Procesdings [Yt xt’

-By Mr. C. Barrett: “Gibbers," from near Charlotte
Waters (Sturt's “Great Stony Desert’); “bull-roarers,”
ete., from Central Australia,

By Miss Beatrive Barrett: Bean necklace, from Alice
Springs district. ins

By Master Donald Barrett: Boy's shield and beoom-’
erang, from Horseshyé Bend, Central Australia.
The meeting terminated after the usuaj conversazione.

..EXCURSION TO CHELTENHAM AND HIGHETT.

Seven members attended the exctirsion t Cheltenham and
Highett on Saturday afternoon, Octoher 16th, The. day was
pleasant and the flora was seen at its best. About 50 species of.
shrobs and éther plants were noted in flower or fruit. e most
abundant were:—Leptospermum loevigatum, OO. scoparium, Le
myrsinoides (with white and -pinkish masses. of blossoma); "
Ricinotarzus plnifolius, Aotus villosa, Da lug nia. cinerascens,
Daviesia uticinu, Chamaescille corymbose, Dichopogon striotus,
Olearia rumutlosa, Burckardia umbellate, Helichrysum scorpigides,
Pimelea. humilis, Platylobium obtusangulum, and Kennedya pros-
trvta. Arnong smaller plants may be mentioned Sebaca ovuta,
Rutidosis punvilin, Levenhookia dubiu, Drosera glanduligara,
Seager muctdntie, Bossives prostrate, and Tsotoma. flzviatilis —

. W. Aupdas. . "

EXCURSION TO AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL, ,
The exeprsion to the Agricultural Sehoc) at the Melbourne Uni-
versity, under thé Jeadership of Professor S. M, Wadham) on
Saturday afterrioon, October 29th, was attendéd by nine mem--
bers. Professor Wadham, after briefly explaining the course taken
by the students.at the School, conducted the party through the_
yopagating houge and ‘the wired-in experimental plots, where
ifferent vanetics of wheat, barley/'peas, ate., were being raised.
It was mentioned. that there were about 3,000 known varicties of
wheat, some of which contained Id, some 28, and others 42
chromosomes in the nuclei of the grain. Those with 14 chromo-
somes would not cross with those containing a greater qumbur,
but the 28 and 42 chromosome graing would cross, though very
aften producing inferior grain, according to the yarieties used.
The experimental plots of potatoes, grasses, and other fodder
plants, suck, as lucernes, clovers, ete, were next visited, and the
main characteristics of the different plants puimted out by the
leader. Professor Wadham entertained the party at afternoon
tua, and aftarwards conducted us through the Museum attached
to the School, where many interesting features were examined
and explained. A vote of thanks was tendered to Professor Wad- .
ham and his assistant, Mr. O’Brien, for the interesting and in-
structive afternoon spent by those present—L- L. Honeson,

Corrigenda.—"Some Victorian Fossils" (Naturalist, November, -
1927). Explanation of Plate. Parenthesis to thé authority of
figs. 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, should have been omitted.

192i] Barrett, Ant Life in Central Australiu 209

ANT LIFE IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA.
By CHARLES BARRETT.

On the Reso tour to Central Australia, in August, 1927,
opportunities for natura] history collecting were limited.
But advantage was taken of every halt, delays while the
cars were crossing the dry sandy bed of the Finke River,
and an hour or two, morning and evening, around
camping-places. A day at Alice Springs was most pro-
ductive.

Devoting myself mainly to ants, I was able to make
a fairly representative collection, which was given to the
National Museum. Mr. J. Clark tells me that the collec-
tion includes several new species, and specimens of rare
ants, already known. This material will be studied, to-
gether with the collections made by the Horn Expedition,
and naturalists who visited the Central region more
recently.

Ants, of course, are the most conspicuous and abund-
ant insects in Central Australia—with the exception,
perhaps, of flies, in summer time! There is not a dis-
tinctive ant fauna—a number of species confined to the
Central region. All, perhaps, are arid country forms,
but the known species are widely distributed, Mr. Clark
informs me: some range right across the continent and
are familiar in Western Australia; others have been
recorded from Western Queensland.

On the Burt Plain, north of the Macdonnell Range,
crater-nests of Polyrachis (Campomyrma) macrapus
Wheeler, are a feature of the landscape for many
miles. Through the mulga scrub, craters are so numerous
in some places, that 50 or more could be seen almost
at a glance. We dug out cne nest, and found that the
“living apartments” were several feet down in the hard
dry ground. For coolness and moisture, ants must tun-
nel deeply in Central Australia. They accommodate
themselves to circumstances. Ants of the genus Poly-
rachis, in Victoria, for instance, commonly nest under
logs and stones. P. macropus, I believe, is the only Aus-
tralian member of the genus known that builds crater-
nests. The craters are large and often fairly high.
They are covered—a kind of shingle—with dry mulga
leaves, which also are scattered around in thousands.
The object, it has been suggested, is to safeguard the
nests from flooding in a season of generous rains. But
more probably, while the thatching tends to conserve

210 BARRETT, Ant Life in Central Australia a

such moisture as exists beneath the surface, the craters
may serve chiefly as a protection against sand-laden
wind: nest-entrances, lacking craters, might easily be
“smothered.”

Forel has observed, as Wheeler remarks in his fascin-
ating chapters on Ant-nests (Ants, pp. 192-224), that
the walls of craters formed by desert ants, such as
Messor arenarius, of the Sahara, are built up
to a greater height on the windward side. The
Australian ants of the genus Aphewnogaster are
widely distributed, and A. longipes, F. Smith, is perhaps
one of the commonest; it ranges from the Tropics to

Photo'-C. Burrett :
Crater-nest of Polyrachis macropus.

Victoria, and Melbourne is the type locality. Now the
Aphznoyaster ants are notable excavators, and a colony
may build up numbers of craters around the nest open-
ings. Some of these walls of earth-pellets and tiny
grains of sand, are perfectly formed; others are care-
lessly made. I have counted nearly 40 craters along a
few yards of country roadside. But almost anywhere
around Melbourne, A.longipes is to be found, and its nest-
craters, and irregular little tumuli over and around em-
bedded rocks and logs, are familiar objects.

rts Barrett, Ant Lafe in Central Auatratiq 211

Many of the beautifully rounded craters formed by P.
macropus could barely be covered bya large hat, They are
cleverly thatched, all over the exposed surfaces, including
the inner slopes, Two or three may be grouped so clusely
that. their bases are merged; usually they are a few
yards apart; here and there, one quite isolated is seen.
Captain §. A. White’s photographs of Polyrachis craters,
in the Everard Range (Trans. Royal Soc., South Aust.
XXXIX., 1915, pl. LXV_), created much interest, reveal-
ing, as they did, the very distinet nesting habits of an
Australian species of Potyrachis.

The crater-building species was onc of the novelties
in Captain White's collection of insects from the north-
western region of South Australia. It was originally
described by Wheeler as P. longipes; but. subsequently the
specific name was found to be pre-occupied.

At Alice Springs, and in other localities, 1 found cal-
onices of Honeypot unts, Camponotus inflatus, Lubbock,
but failed to take any repletes. Ordinary workers were
discovered under stones, and were very quick upon their
ways. The nest-tunnels were long, and in ground so
hard that digging-out was a task for which time was
lacking, with so much else to be done.

In a romantic and lonely spot, the Ooraminna Rock-
‘hole, a new species of Camponotus was taken. When
picking up flint scrapers, broken stone knives, and_ other
relics of the aborigines, | noticed ants issuing from a
-smal) hole in-the ground. Close by jay 2 nearly perfect
knife, fashioned -in stone, perliaps a hundred years ago.

Formeriy Ooraminna Rock-hole was worth visiting as
an “art gallery” of primitive man. But the rock-draw-
ings have cither been defaced by vandals, or worn away.
There are modern “paintings,” probably the work of
Afghans and white men, with a twisted sense of
“humor,” camping at the hole, which years ago, was
walled across, ta form a reservoir. It was dry on the
occasion of our visit.

“My Central Australian collection includes specimens of
26 species of ants. The sub-families Ponerinae,
Myrmicinae, Dolichoderinae, and Formicinae, are repre-
sented, the aller by four genéra and 10 species (of which
two are undescribed), There are five species of
Tridomurmez, including the widely-distributed Mound-
ant, J, detectus, Sm., and the variely vividiaenews, Vich.,
This variety is a very beautiful ant, the body of the

222 Basrert, Axt Life in Central Australia | 3S ett

worker being rich metallic-green, while the gaster shows
violet reftections. The nest was revealed only -by a slit-
shaped opening—there was no mound.

At Biood’s Creek, when seeking Lacewings by torch-
light, I noticed large “sugar-ants” (Camponotus, ap.)
issding from motndless nests, with slit-like orifices. In
the day-time these nests had been overlooked, the ants
being underground: they are nocturnal hunters.

Odontomachus rubriceps, Forel, was found among the
rocks af Alice Springs. The nest was in ground so
hard that it had to be chipped out with a sheath-knife,
The rock and the earth were:hot te the touch, but in
shady nooks and crevices nearby graw ferns of three
species, Cheilanthes véllea, T.v.M., C. tennifolia, Swartz,
and Grammitis rubaefalia, F.v,M., ferns with cool, green
fronds, that told of moisture, -

Tt am indebted to Mr. J. Clark, F.L.S.. for his kindness
in identifying the ants of my Centra] Australian collec-
tion,

RLUE-TONGUE LIZARDS IN CAPTIVITY.

About two years ago I brought home from the hills a youne
Blue-tongue Lizard (Tiligue), about four inches in length. After
a few weeks’ captivity, it disappeared. Bunt recently some neigh-
bours sent word of the presence of a “big lizard’ in their gar-
den. Collecting the spoil, we found a splendid sample of a full-
zrown. Blue-tonzue; and in all probability, our friend of tro
years ago. Now he is in an enclosure, feeding voraciously on
Cane Weed flowers and snails.

We have kept an. assortment of Blue-tongues for many years,
One individual was keot for about six years. Then it disappeared,
and over a year afterwards we had news of its accidental death,
in, @ neighbour's garden, during grass-mowing operations,

The diet of our lizards has been very varied. Minced steak i
a popular food, but they do not care to eat too freely of this.
Finely-chopped carrots are gladly accepted;- chopped lettuce is
always refused. Cape Weed flowers are eaten greedily, on ae-
count of both nectar and pollen contained in the flawers, Dande-.
lion flowers are not relished so much; neither are flowera of the
Sow Thistle. Perhaps the most popular item in the daily dicot is
snails (Helis aspersa). The shells must be broken, as the lizards
do not understand how to break them. One of our hungry lizards,
which had not been recently fed, managed a meal of 24 large
sized anails .

Milk, in almost any form, is greatly relished. Our lizards,
unless well fed. never refused cream, custards, Tice or sago cus-
tards, and similar foods, Evidently the Blue-tongues are fond: of
9 mixed diet—E,. WM. Prscort. wt i

Dee] DALEY, Phe History of Flora Aresitaitoneis Pa be

THE HISTORY OF THE FLORA AUSTRALIENSIS,
BY CHas. DALEY, B.A,, F.L.S

Dk. Jos. D. Hooker's CORRESPONDENCE WITH Baron
MUELLER.

Part VI.

The letters of Dr. Hooker reves) the kindly, sympa-
thetic, and frank character of their writer.

Dr. Hooker was of a genial nature, genuinely inter-
ested in Mueller and his work, and with a treater capa-
city for friendship than Bentham.

In consequence, the relations between Hooker and
Mueller for forty years ‘were of a most cordial character,
revealing a pleasing, mutual interchange of views,
advice, and confidences until the death of Mueller ended
the connection. a

Part of Dr. Hooker’s letters are contemporaneous with
those of Bentham, and throw sidclights upon the collab-
oration of the two great botanists in their work upon
the Australian Flora, In addition, the letters show the
reciprocal relations between Kew Herbarium and the
similar institutions directed by Dr. Mueller in Victoria.

The incidental knowledge conveyed in the letters in

regard to the great English institution, and also in re-
ference to features connected with Australian Botany, is
instructive, and interesting; whilst in the last letters
there is matter of a more intimate personal nature.
__dt has been previously mentioned that Dr. Hooker,
after the year 1857, had taken over, as was natural, the
greater part.of his father’s correspondence with Mueller.
Sir William was getting old, his time was fully occupied,
and "Dr. Hooker had abundant energy and activity, and
bore the brunt of the management and organisation of
the Kew Herbarium. Mueller’s collections, as wel) as the
business arrangements for the Flora, were mainly con-
ducted through the Herbarium, besides which there was
the regular interchange of specimens and ideas on botani-
-cal matters.

Writing in August 28rd, 1858, Dr. Hooker : acknow-
ledges receipt of MSS. and some Van Diemen’s Land
specimens, and writes, ‘ey am periectly amenable to all
your strictures on the Flora Tasmaniensis, No one has
any idea how important al! such works tust be. - Every-
thing seems clear, and easy, and accurate, till another
goes over the same ground.”

He breezily comments on several species:

ald DALEY, The History of Florm Ausivalicnais | YelRIV

As to Dennisoniu, it is a tiserable-looking plant to be the
name of the King of Australia,” and its dependencies. Can you
find no better plant for his honor?

JT have fo doubt you are right as to several of my Epocris
being bad species, and you will do a prodigious service by re-
ducing the species. of this and many other plants within their
just limits. Lencopogon iz in a terrible chaos, Melalewce. is
worse, ag to Eucalypts, I hope your cortical characters will
prove as infallible as you think they are, but Brown seemed to
think that perhaps you had systematized too much upor it.

Hooker then warns Mueller about hasty publication of
grasses and monocotyledons.

“Botanists should work at the variation of species, and a
goad paper from you on the limits of variation of the Vic-
tovlan genera,—especially such as Epacris, Leueopogon, etc.

“should immortalize you more effectnaily than describing new
species without proper material of hooks and Herbarium."
On December 20th, 1858, he writes from experiénce —

“ET know nothing so diffievit as keeping these booksellers in
tolerable order. They plague us out of our lives here with
dilatoriness, overchargés, incomplete copiés, ete., etc, I mast
now beg your acceptance of my remaining colored copy (of
Flova Pusmaniengiz), which I shall send to Pamplin for you.

I gave the two previous two parts to my father to send
te you, and I doubt not they have gone astray amongst his
muitifarious correspondence, but we veally are overwhelmed
here with duties of this sart.

I am quite prepared to accapt your opinions at. many of my
species being bad ones. I look at all systematic work as ap-
proximate only, and full of errors,..... I find that those
called critical botanists are just as fallible a5 others.”

He «iscusses points of difference. then frankly
resumes :-—

“T have studiously abstained from publishing any Victorian
plants, although I have a great majority of them from Cun-
ningham, Robertson, and others, because I knew you were
at work on that Flora, and liked to have the eredit of naming
your plants. You again go on naming and describing Tas
manian plants, although you know I am engaged on that flora.

Many persons would take great umbrage at this, but I
assurs you I do not at all, You further ask me now to give up
the Chatham Islands flora, which T do most willingly, though
I should not in fairness hide from you that I do not think the
request reasonable, as you do not leave the Tasmanian plants
to me. All I can say is that I shall always welcome your
labours in any form, and beg you to be assured that I hate
reclamations and jealousies, so pray describe Chatham Islands
and Tasmanian and Indian plants too, if you wish. You must
not expect, however, that, when I have reason to work at un-
published plants to which you have given MSS. names, | am to
take your names wherever the species are good only, as a

*Sir William Denison (1804-71) Goverttor of Tagmania, and
in IBRG ovennoy of N.&, Wales, nominally Governor-General of
Australia,

pee DaLry, The History of Flora Austratiensis 215

matter of course: hitherto | have done so, and have not

quoted your MSS. names-’ -... - =

Concerning De Vreise’s Goodeniacere,—he states :—

“Most unfortunate attempt. Any comment upon it without
access to the material from which he worred, cannot but add
_to the confusion he has ajready made.”

In systematic botany even the best botanists are often at
feult, and I find it impossible w identify many of Brown’s
described Tasmanian plants without access to the specimens,

The Cyuperaceae have cast me muny weeks of lahour, your
specimens have been invaluable, though Hke my own, oflen
wrangly named... - . . The long and short of the matter is
that Systematic Botany is # much more laborious and critical
eperation than anyene concludes who has not access to a Jarre
Herbarium and Library, and the quantity of scattered dis-
membered materials in the shape of genera and species now
daily being further ang more widely scattered through periodi-
eals of all kinds threatens to render the effectual study of
species impossible at no distunt date.”

In a later letter there iy an allusion to Brown's death,
and the statement,—“My father and T drew up a report
on your whole Botanical career in Australia for the
Colonial Office, but we have had no copies sent of it nor
sean it in print.” ;

In connection with Mueller’s report sent to the Linnean
Society, the Colonia) Office declined to pay for the
“printing. Hooker’s comment is, ''Very shabby to a pri-
vate scientific society." However the Linnean Society
printed it, and also a paper on Acacias and Eucalypts,

") am extremely obliged to you for your numerous and valu-
able corrections to my fawty Flot Tasmaniensizs, You will
doubtless reduce my species very mach, and no one will be more
giad than I to have this done for me.”

[t will be noted that there is a refreshing candor in
Hooker’s references, not only to the work of Mueller and
others, but also to his own. 7

The next letter is dated October 20th, 1860, from the
British Consulate, Jerusalern. [ooker, having six weeks’
leave, is visiting Syria, and is to return home by Caipha
and Beyrout—through North Syria, Lebanon and Anti-
Lebanon to Damascus. The country, as regards vegeta-
tion is “dead.”

He writes to Mucller for Australian seeds as a means
of remedy “towards improving this interesting locality.”

“The soil and climate are admirable, and the cogntry is
cutzed by man and man's work alone. I helieve that many
Victorian seeds wonld succeed here better than those of any
other country, and I know you would be proud to be the in-
strument of populating the country with arborescent vegeta-
tion. No one could do it so well as you, and no plents would

216 Datey. The History of Flora Austruliensie[ Ya whit

succeed better thari Australian. The quick-growing ones would
be the most important ones, a&-shade and breakwind of plants
that will withstand drought is the first requisite... .. -

The following would be desirable: —
Bluegum, Peppermint, various Acacias, Casuarinas, Callitris,

Melaleucas, Anthistiria, and other dry-climate large groups,

Pomaterris, Banksia, Hakea, Grevillea, ete, ete.-- You can,
from the above list, judge better than I cah, what would be
acceptable, Please put on each packet whether tree, shrub, or
grass. This is more important than the scientific name."

This was a practical proposition in afforestation to
which Mueller, who was the first to decry the evils
arising from the destruction of the forests in Victoria,
gave his sympathy and active support.

From Kew, November 20th, 1860, Hooker writes that

he has returned home, and on Mueller’s account had sent
£65 for Royal Society Membership. He is “glad that
excellent, elaborate and careful Flora of Victoria is
making good progress,” and reports that a genuine,
scientific Natural History review is to be established,
Mr. Oliver, librarian at Kew, edits Phanerogamic
Botany; Mr. Cury, Cryptogamia—the best men for the
purpose, It will be a quarterly review, with a quarterly
hibliography, and Hooker (Senior) will publish: ferng.
_ On Mey 24th, 1861, from Hetcham, Ipswich, Hooker
wrote the letter which evidently had the greatest in-
fluence in finally reconciling Mueller to the abandonment
of his plan for writing the Australian Flora, and in in-
ducing him to collaborate whole-heartedly in its publi-
cation by Bentham.

From Kew, September 22, 1861, Hooker advises that
‘he is sending some plants from North Africa, “not many
but very choice,” and gives the encouraging note,” "Your
seeds' are growing famously at Jerusalem.” He ex-
‘presses satisfaction that Mueller is gratified with’ elec-
tion to the Royal Society without any opposition what-
ever,

On December 8th, 1861, he remarks, in reference to
the decision concerning the Australian Flora, "f° am
sure you have acted both liberally and wisely.” I very
much hope that you will get on with Victorian Flora—
it is a capital work and will cost you more Jabour than
perhaps you anticipate to complete it.”” He mentions that
three years have been spent on the first volume of Genera
Plantarum, which is in course of publication, and réfers
to the plant Welwitsehia, received from Damara Land,
“Certainly the most marvellous plant discovered since

Tey]. DALaY, Phe Hivtory of Flora Austratiensis 217

Botany was systematized, more curious certainly, though
less striking in some points than Rufflesia.” Later, of the
same plant, “It is incomparably the most marvellous
plant found in any country.”

‘On December 24,1862, he acknowledges exchanges, and
is sending seeds of duplicate plants, and states that his
father is counting on “the unrivalled woods of Victoria
for the Exhibition,""—a selection having been made for
him by Mueller.

_In December, 1863, Dr, Hooker speaks of domestic
-afflictions, and in December enquires about Auguatus
‘Oldfield, a contributer of specimens to the Flora Tas-
smaniensis. “I have plenty always to suy to you, but no
time to say it now.” He asks for terrestrial orchids, pre-
ferably the tubers in the dry season, and bulbs of all
kinds from Australia will be acceptable.
Referring to information Muetler had by request sup-
plied about the natives of Australia, hé conveys the
thanks of Sir John Lubbock for the same,

On March 19th, 1864, Dr. Hooker is busy preparing
to publish Part I, Phanerogams of the New Zealand

anual on Botany. He is glad at Mueller’s pleasure at
Oliver's notice of the Flora Australiensis in the Natural
History Review, and later advises that Sir Phillip
‘Hodgson will personally deliver the papyrus at the Mei-
bourne Gardens.

On September 19th, 1864, he notifies sending to
_Mueller's order a dissecting instrument ata cost, of
twenty shillings. Té has triangular, pointed needles con-
sidered the best, and easily sharpened on a hone. A copy
of the New Zealand Handbook is enclosed.. ,

Information is asked about the blacks of N.W. Aus-
tralia,—whether it is a fact that there is an absence of
canoes among them, and if so, is it because: timber is
wanting; also whether stone implements are rough or
polished, loose or mounted for usé, and whether Mueller
‘haa seen them in actual use, and for what purpose,

Bentham and he are still at Genera Plantarum, They
have to publish the second part before being repaid half
the outlay on the first.

From Kew, on December 2nd, 1864, was sent a reply
‘to letters from Mueller, showing, under sense of aggrieve-
ment, signs of acerbity and irritation. Dr. Hooker points
‘out. the injustice and unwisdom of statements made, and
‘vindicales Bentham-and himself from undeserved re-

218 DALEY, The History of Flore Austvatiensts { Ys Pee

proaches. The mutual misunderstandings being cleared
up, cordial relations continue unaffected,

On February J7th, 1865, a consignment of trees and
shrubs is reported as being sent to Australia, and: the
writer mentions that his father, Sir. William, is better
in health; then tater, that he is seriously ill from bron-
chitis. Dr. Hooker is overwhelmed with work, but his
father will write to Mueller. He is sending packets of
fresh seeds from the Hebrides, also live plants.

Sir William Hooker died in 1865, and Dr. Hooker had
also been seriously ill. On October Sth, 1865, from Bux-
ton, Derbyshire, where he had heen convalescing, he
writes, saying that Bentham had promised to write to
Mueller. and he gives eloquent, fihal testimony to his
father’s work.

“My loss haus indeed been a grievous one, my father having
been for so many years more my daily companion than any
other person.' I shall never see his equal for liberality of
purse and work to Library and Herbarium, for genuine kind-
ness, for utter absence of self-love or self-esteem, and for
single-minded devotion te science. He thought nothing of him-
self in these matters, and scrupulously avoided applause, fiat-
tery, and distinction. These attributes brought their own re-
ward. He lived and died more happily than any scientific man
i know, and had not a single enemy of detractor.

I do hope, my dear Dr. Moeller, that our correspondenes ray
continue, [ have been for nearly three: months forbidden ta do
any duty, and so de not pretend to answer any of your late
letters to my father or myself till my return to Kew,''

Later from Kew, in reporting the sending of a hox of
succulents, and the receipt of seeds, he anticipates
changes in the management at Kew, and mentions the
offer of Hooker’s Herbarium to the English Government
for £6,000, with selection of all books wanted to com-
plete the Library. This offer was at a later date
accepted,

On March ist, Dr, Hooker is sending to Mueller Part
1. of Synopsis Filicum, Papyrus, and also seeds of a
Dracena from Cape Verde. Later he is to send fern-
spores, and young plants of the Autumn Crocus, seeds of
water-plants, and West Indian orchids. The Orchids
from Australia have not yet arrived, but the Xanthor-
rhea is doing well,

On January llth, 1867, Hooker has received two
plauts of Correa Lawrenciana. He writes, “The last big
Tree-fern sent is growing magnificently, and the Todea
gets bigger and bigger every year. It must have five
or six hundred fronds on it.” Of this Todea, sent some

Pec Datey, The History of Flora Awstratiensis 219

time before by Mueller, Dr. Hooker was extremely
proud. At this time he is preparing his Presidential
Address fur the Royal Society, He mentions receiving a
Xevotes oy rush-basket, also Goodenias,

August 4th, he is enquiring for Anigezanthi, or Kan-
garvo-paws, of which they have only two at Kew, The
Diuris and Pterostylis Orchids are in flower.

January 18th, 1869, he has written in vain to Madeira
and Teneriffe for plants for Australia. We asks for
Blandfordias and other bulbs, and acknowledges receipt
of cases.

In January 14th, 1869, he tells Mueller of & request
made by Nordlinger for specimens to be cut from a fine
series of polished slabs of Australian trees, and quotes
part of his answer,—“Cannot comply with your request
with regard to Anstralign woods.” All are slabs pol-
ished to show the nature of the grain for art purposes,
the cutting-up of which would disfigure the collection,

“The Todea is growing vigorously, and- will make a
grand show by next summer,”

March 19th. He asks for plants and seeds nf Bankgias
and Epacrids, and states that Schomburgh, at the Ade-
laide Gardens has sent magnificent Xanthorrheas living.
He requests good plants, four feet in length of Xan-
thorrhwa arborea, X. australis, and X, hastitis.

May 14th, 1869. He has received packets of Epacrid
seeds, and writes,—“We have abundance of Dicksonia
antaretica, Alsophila australis, Cyathea medullaris, we
want good small trunks of the other Australian Tree-
ferns. The Herbarium has received four or five Xan-
thorrheas from King George's Sound. Regarding the
Eucalypts at Kew, he says:—‘Hucalyptus’ polyan-
themos is the only Eucalypt that will stand an ordinary
winter with us... . we have tried scores of others.”

Mueller had promised to send “the King of Tudeas.’”’
On July i1th, 1869, Dr. Hooker writes thanking him :—

“What a figure it will cut at Kew! [ saw 2 superb ones at
St; Petersburgh. You shal] have the spores of our Ferns and a
ease of live ones as spon 3¢ we get a foreman. . . . T fagr,
however, that you will not find it easy to grow from spores and
cultivate as you anticipate, from the great difficulty in such
establishments as yours of keeping up a wnitormly good tem-
perature and shade. We, on the contrary, find Epaceis easy
- enough of cultivation if we eould only get them; but, of the

hundreds of Australian species of the Order, we have not
a senre!

220

Daley, The History of Flore Austrotiensis[ YE 4 PAE

We have now 8 species of Xanthorvhaa growing, pumilio from
you, 4 angulata trom the South, and. another, austrades? trom
Schomburgh, the two latter about 4-6 feet high.

I fear that on this side of the world we think the reverse_of
what you do, in reference to the debt batween Kew and Mel-
bourne. Your Ward's Cases arrive in stich woeful condition;
our foremen complain that you send on duplicates year after
year. You send us much better reports of the condition in
which our cases reach you, though it is now toe long since we
have sent you any, We have a case of Bamboo now eslublivhing
for you,

T think that you will find about the beginning of my taking ©
chatec, that we kept you in our debt with boxes of Orchids, ©

Bromelisceas, Cacti seeds, and Ward’s Cases of rare plats, ~ |

but-that lately we have fallen off, which is mnch due to the
factxthat for three years my own and the men’s lime have
been taken up with the re-organization of the Gardens, recon-
struction-cf houses and erecting apparatus, whieh has thrown
ut altowether out... _. . as

T cun quite understand your anxiety aboyt the Cryptogams
ef Australia, and I am sure I will gladly help you, though of
all the worries T know, this of Cryptogamic Botany is the great-
est—to wet the Australian Cryptogams even undertaken will
require a lengthened correspondence which I really cannot
uridortake. 2...

The first thing to be done is to select workers, ta give them
an idea of how much they will have lo do, how they are te da
it, how long they are to be, and what pay they are te get. A
condition. with all must he that they revise (at least) their
matter at Kew. Then when the MSS. is prepared, you will
want a skilled Editor to see if all through the press, who will
see that there is some uniformity in the matter, and especially
in the form and style.

I-can give you an idea of the ‘trouble I had with all my
Cryptogami¢ Floras to get. the matter of each author into
shape, Bach author had his own notion of what should form a
daseription, a diagnosis, a genus, 4 class, u species, a varicty,
a tribe,.an order, a family, and so forth; so, too, with the mat-
ler and.manner of the description, of synonymy, of quotation
of giving habitats, ete., ete. My correspondence with some o
these collaborators fills volumes. Lastly, each has his own
terms to express one and the same structure and organ, and
the confusion is-hence terrific.

The Cryptogamist cannot or will not come to Kew to work,
and without success to hooks and herbaria, they néver ‘van -
identify their species. 3

Poor Berkely’s health is worse and worse, though he con-
tinues: working at your Fungi. No two authors alte agreed
upon Hepaticms, fewer on Mosses, and ag to Tichens, the whole
subject is in chaos, as it appears to me.” :

Mueller has despatched the promised Todea, concern-

ing which Hooker jubilantly writes from Kew, on Sep-
tember 10th, 1869 :— -

\ Depa Datgy, The History of Flora Australtiensis £21
|

“The portentous and prodigious Todea arrived yesterday in
splendid condition, with hundreds of pink and white fronds
pushing through the saw-dust. ‘We shail make a nidus for it
with a watery batten in &# shady part of the Temperate House,
where I do not doubt it becoming a grand feature im the House-

, scope. It is the finest thing we have had for many a Jong day,
and ‘I cannot thank you sufficiently for it. We shall do our
endeavour.to send you 4 suitable return. JT think we had better
sehd case efter case of Neventhes till you get one alive. This
we must do through careful ship-captains. As to Sarracenias,
we have plenty, but they present more difficulty.”

He suggests sending them in Spring—selected, best
plants in small Ward's Cases, overland, if someone can
be got to look after them,

“The P. & Q. scem to take a delight in knocking Ward's
Gases ta pieces or putting them in the hold or near the engine.

Would not sawdust make capital packing for the ferns?
We now rarely get them with life in them even from Calcutta.
Depend upon it, we shall do our best for you.

Nepenthee takes any amount of heat and moisture, and
rather likes shade. Surrncenia you must keep cool, moist, and
shady with plenty of lycopodium among them. With moderate
ferns 2 to 4 feet, do not remove any fronds, young or old, but
fold them down carefully along the trunk. Have you any Aus-
tralian name for the Todea? ‘Fern Royal’ F call it.”

Tt wonld be of interest to know if this name is the fore-
runner of “King fern,” which now we apply to the Todea,

(To he cantinved.) > *

EXCURSION TO ELTHAM.

Some 20 members and friends attended the excursion to Eitham
an Saturday, November 12th... The first nests noted were those
of White-Winged Choughs, Corcoran smelonorhamphus, some of
which .were occupied. The next nest inspected was that of a
pair of Olive-backed Orioles, Oriolus sugittatus, built ina sapling
near the tack, and containing one young bird—the remaining one
of three—which flew out of the nest, protesting loudly. The party
followed the creek to a large White-Gum, where a pair of White-
fronted Herons, Notephoyr novue-hollandiae, had thelr large stick
nest, high on a horizontal branch. Four Herons, about three weeks
old, were standing erect in the nest.

Another interesting subject was a pair of Orange-winged Nut-
hatches, Neositta chrysoptera, busily engaged putting the Gnishing
. touches to their small, felted nest, in the forked branch of a Box
sapling. Close by, a male Pied Triller, Lalage tricolor, was sitting
on a nest high in a Stringy-bark; and withn a few yards a Brown
- Flycatcher, Aficroeca fascinona, was sitting on a tiny nest con-
taining two fledglings. Near by, a White-browed Wood-swallow,
Artomus superciliosug, hed her nest in a Stringy-bark. Black-
faced Cuckoo Shrikes, Coracina novee-hollandias, were flying
around,’ and Rufous Whistlers, Pachycephala rufiventris, were
much in evidence—W, C. Tones,

Faz Wiitramson, The Chilimossea of Victoria. [YS achat:

TRE CLUBMOSSES OF VICTORIA.

By H, B. WILLIAMSON, F.L.S.

By the popular terms “Ferns” and “Clubmosses” has
been known the Division Vascular Cryptogams, by which
is meant all flowerless plants (i.e. not provided with
stamens or pistil) reproduced by spores, and having true
stems enclosing bundles of vascular tissue. These
plants are divided into two classes :—

FiwicaLes:—Plants with large leaves (or fronds)
usually divided into small segments, and with spores in
spore cases (sporangia) in clusters on the under surface.

LYCOPODIALES :—Plants with smal) leaves, undivided,
with spore cases sessile in the axils of the leaves.

The terms “Ferns” and “Clubmosses” have heen used
as vernaculars for these two classes at a time when
Filites and Lycopodiatese were the botanical terms
accepted. The present classes, Filicales and Lycopodiales
do not exactly coincide with the old Filices and Lycopo-
diaceae; for instance, the genus Azolla, which was in-
cluded under ‘Lycopodiaceae, is now placed with
Filicales. However, the popular terms cited may be
accepted as good vernaculars for the two classes of
Vascular Cryptogams.

The Ferns of Victoria have been dealt with in pre-
vious. articles in this journal, and an attempt will now
‘be made to present the few Clubmosses (12 species} in
such a way that they may be easily identified,

Class LYCOFODIALES.
Family LYCOPODIACEAE,
Genus PHYLLOGLOSSUM.
PHYLLOGLOSSUM DRUMMONDil, Kunze. Pigmy
Clubmoss.

This tiny plant may be looked for in swampy ground
in most parts of the State, and is often easily picked out
by the yellow of its fruiting spike, though only about an
inch high. At. Mildura it has been found in the clay
alluvial of the Murray flats quite away from other vege-
tation, %¢ rises from a tuber of the previous year, and
produces from three to seven linear radical leaves about
an half inch long, from among which rises the fruiting
stem topped by a ¢ylindrical spike of bracts bearing

kidney-shaped spore cases. It is confined to Australia. .

(W.A,, Tas., N.8.W., Vic.).
; Genus Lycoroprum (6 species).
Two. of these havé been found near Melbourne, the
others being alpine plants,

/

|

t

\ Deco | WInLiaMson, The Clubmosses of Victorta. 228

(a) Lycopadtiun densum. “b) L. taterale. (c) DL. scarioswm,
(d) E, Selago. (e) L. elavatum. (f) L. vartum.

Nat,

224 WILLIAMSON, The Clubdmonses of Victoria roi, NUT¥

LYCOPODIUM DENSUM, Labill, “Bushy Clubmoss.

In all‘districts of Victoria except the North-West, .in-
cluding the Dandenong Ranges, this much branched
species may be found, rising from underground stems
usually to about a foot in height, appearing somewhat
like a miniature conifer. The leaves are pointed and
very much crowded, up to } inch in length on the stem,
and only about inch on the branches, which are dicho-
tomous (2-forked). Spikes bearing spore cases are ter-
minal, erect, and up to an inch in length

It occurs in Polynesia and New Zealand as weil as in
all Australian States except W.A

LYCOPODIUM LATERALE, R.Br. Slender Clubmosa.

This is distinguished from the last-named by having
very few branches, often none at all, and by’ its lateral
fruiting spikes. Leaves are crowded, very narrow, ant
about 4 inch in length on the stems, about 10 inches high,
rarely 2 feet. It is common in the Grampians, and has
been gathered in the Sandringham district. The dis-
tribution is the same 48 that of DL. densum.

LYCOPODIUM SCARIOSUM, G, Forster. Spreading
Clubrnoss,

This species, recorded for Victoria so far only the
Baw Baws and “Sources of the Yarra” is distinguished
from the remaining Victorian species hy having its
leaves in two rows (distichous). Between these rows
are smaller, appressed, stipule-like leaves, It is a-much
spreading or trailing plant, with shortly ascending
branches. Its fruiting spikes are terminal, about 4 inch
in length, with spore-case-bearing bracts broad, with
scarious edges and spreading tips. It occurs also In
Tasmania, New Zealand and America.

Lycopopium SrLago, L. Fir Clubmoss, (Conifer-like
branches).

This also has: been recorded from the Baw Baws,
though apparently rarely gathered there. Other locali-
ties are Mt. Hotham and adjoining peaks. Bentham’s
description includes the following ;—

"The stems are scarcely creeping, though slightly
“decumbent and rooting at the base, the forked and erect.
“branches forming dense level-topped tufts 3 to 6 inches
“high. completely covered with their crowded hut spread-
“ing dark green leaves, not forming a distinct terminal
“spike as in most of the species.”

In Australia, it occurs in N, S.W. (Alps), in Tasmania

/
t

ste | Wituiamson, The Clubmossce of Victoria 225

and New Zealand, It algo grows in Europe, Asia, Africa
and America, ;
LycoropruM CLavatuM, L. Common Clubmoss.

This may also be looked for on the Baw Baws and on
_ all the alpine highlands, and is the most widespread of
the highiand species. The author found it at the head
of the Dargo River, and was told at the St, Bernard
Hospice that it was the “Dargo Fern.” It. most re-
sembles L, scariosum, but it is easily known from that
plant by ifs narrow, incurved, much pointed leaves,
crowded all round the stem, and not distichous, and by ita
long-stalked fruiting spikes. These spikes are two or
three together at the end of a peduncle, two‘or three
inches jong, which js provided with scattered, small, nar-
row bract-like leaves. Besides the alpine regions of
N.S.W. and Tasmania, it occurs in Europe, Asia, Africa,
America and Polynesia.

LycorpoDlUM VARIUM, R.Br. Tall Clubmoss,

A very rare plant in Victoria, having been found only
at Genoa Peak. It differs from L. Selago, in having
stems elongated, and ascending, with bracts of the spike
smaljler than the stem leaves, which are somewhat longer
than those of ZL. Selago. It is found also in Tas., N.S.W..,
N.Z., the Pacifie Islands, and South Africa,

Family SELAGINELLACEAE, i

Qur tsvo representatives of this family are easily mis-
taken by their general appearance for Lycopodium, but
the family stands apart In having spore cases of two
kinds, small ones filled with minute powdery spores
{microspores}. and large ones containing from 1 to 6
large spores (macrospores), all the spore cases being
Placed in the axils of bracts in terminal spikes,

SELAGINELLA ULIGINOSA, Spring. Swamp Clubmoss,

A very common species, found in all the districts of the
State except the North West. It rises from a perennial
rhizome, with very stender but stiff branches, some-'
times amongst vegetation toa foot or more. The leaves ~
are scarcely 4 inch long, in four rows, scarious and:
spreading, or even reflexed, crowded near the summit
to form terminal spikes, with the bract-like leaves enclos- '
ing the spore cases. It is confined to Australia, and
otcurs In all the States.

SELAGINELLA PREISSIANA, Spring. Tiny Clubmoss.

Distinguished from the preceding species in being an
annual, branching scantily from near the base, rarely
reaching to 2 inches in height, and by having spore cases

; hte: i i
226 “WILLdAMSON, The Clubmosees of Victoria [ “it, Nat. '

(a) Phylloglossum Driumpmondii. (b) Selaginelia uliginosa.
{c) S. Preissiana. (a) Tmesipteris tannensis. (e) Psilotum
audum, (f) Fsostes Drummondii.

pil WILLIAMSON, The Clubmosses of Vieboria. 227

along the greater length of the branches. Leaves are

similar to those of S. wliginosa, but rather smaller. The

distribution is the same, except that-it has not been

recorded from the northern districts of the State,
Family PSinOtaCkag.

The plants ef this family have their spore cases, two
or three together, united into a two- or three-celled cap-
sule or sorus sessile at the base of bifid bracts or scales.

Genus TMESIPTERIS.

Stems simple, leafy, sori usually two-celled.
TMESIPTERIS TANNENSIS, Bernhardt. Fern Clubmoss.

A fern-like plant often found in the Dandenong and
Gippsland fern gullies growing from slender, creeping
rootstocks on fern trunks, and reaching sometimes a foot
in length. Its leaves are vertical, sessile, somewhat de-
current on the stem, about an inch long, blunt and with
the midrib produced at the end into a fine point. Along
the upper half of the frond are leaf.Jike bifid bracts on
stalks about 4 inch long. The capsule-like sori, broader
than long, are sessile at the junction of these bracts... It
aceurs in Polynesia and New Zealand, as well as in Tas.,
N.S.W., and Queensland: :

Genus PsiLoTuM,

Stems dichotomously branched, leafless, with distant
minute scales. Sori usually 3-celled.

Psttotum NupuM (L.), Griesb. (FP. rrrqueTrum, Sw.).
Skeleton Clubmoss.

A rare plant in Victoria, being found until recently
only on Mitre Rock, near Mt. Arapiles, During the
recent Western District. F.N. Club Exeursion, Mr. C.
Barrett disvovered it at Mt. Zero. Growing from rock
crevices, its forked leafless branches of a yellowish green
colour make it an easily recognised plant, though it has
possibly been passed by as a young Exocarpus cupresst-
formis or E, stricta. Spore eases are usually three to-
gether, united into a capsule-like sorus, nearly globular,
3-celled, 3-lobed, opening by three valves. The bracts
are bifid and very small. Stems are erect, or when on
trees pendulous, 3 inches to over a foot long, the fertile
branches 3-angled (hence Swartz’s name), and the bar-
ren ones usually flattened. Linne’s name for the plant
was Lycopodium nudum, and Swartz was wrong in
changing the species name when he removed the plant
into the genus Psilotum. Griesbach made the necessary
correction, It occurs in most rezions vf Europe, Africa
and America. In Australia it is confined to Vic.
N.S.W., and Qld, be -

228 Wil.tiamson, The Clubmosses of Victoria | A
Family ISORTACEAR.
Genus IsopTRS.
isdETES DRUMMONDI, A. Braun. Quillwort.

A peculiar, stemless, semi-aquatic plant found also in
N.8.W. and W.A. The few plants of this genus are
either submerged or growing in swampy places. - The
author found this species during the month of March in
& swamp, in which it must have been submerged during
the winter. It grows in tufts with filiform leaves, one
or two inches Jony, which have their bases dilated, short
and very broad, giving a bulbous appearance to the
plant. Like Selaginella, it has spores of two kinds, the
macruspores being at the base of the outer leaves, and
the microspores at the base of the inner leaves. It is
found only in the States named above,

DIATOM MOVEMENT.,

The movement ot living diatoms has always had a fascination
far the. migros¢opist, and nymerops guesses have been made as to
their method of locomotion. if living diatoms are placed on a
slide under the microscope, they are seen to move gracefully back-
ward and forward across the field of view, but always end-on,
never sideways. Occasionally. a small piece of debris will be met
with, and this will be pushed along in front of the diatom, but the
microseape shows that the frustrule is not in contact with the
obstacla—there is a distinctly clear space betwéen the diatom
and the obstacle—showing: that there exists an'envelope of some
substente sround the diatom - Another proof of the existence of
this. envelope is the fact. that it can be stained, ?

One suggestion as to the cause of the movement in diatoms waa
that it ts caused by the streaming, or circulation of the protoplasm,
and T have repeatedly watched a rapid, rhythmic movement along
the raphe of the larger Neviewla und of Plurasignta, It has
been lett, however, to Mr. A. A. C. Eliot Merlin, F.R.M.S., to
solve the long-standing puzzle, and he has shown. this. movement.
ig caused by a dense mass of extremely, short plastic threads or
vilia extruded through the well-known complicated structure of
the silex valves, and placed in some unknown way, 30 ag Rot to
create an observable current in the surrounding water, Be this
as if may, there is now no doubt whatever Lhat the fact. of_the
rapid vibration can be demonstrated, thus. placihge the movement
of diatoms in the same cateyory as that of other low forms of
mobile water organists, the propelling foree of all being rapid
plasmic vibrations of some kind.

Since announcing his discovery, Mt. Merlin has now suceeeded
in photographing the citia of Nitzechia rignoides by means of a
a m.m. apo 0.6. ef 1.40 W.A., employed at a magnification of 1,400
diameters. The ciatoms from which the photograph “was ob-
tained were skilfully stained so as to render the ciha visible on
the mounted slide, by Dr. 4. C. Coles, of Bournemouth. .

The fine details of the photograph cannot. be reproduced by the
half-tone process,’ but it is hoped eventually to render it available
for inspection by those interested —J. SARE.

Mec. J

ie27. NicHdLis, Through the Valley of Mystery ees

THROUGH THE VALLEY OF MYSTERY.
BY W, H. NICHOLLS,

Much has been written concerning most of the Gram-
pians country, but nothing (as far as I know) has been
published concerning the area now to be described. The
trip was planned by Mr. J. B. Howie (Vermont), with
the assistance of Mr. C. W, D’Alton (Hali’s Gap), The
other members of the party were Mr. F. J. Bishop and
myself,

We left Hall’s Gap on November 6th and travelled
past Mackey's Peak, the western side. Our immediate
destination, Turret, Falls, was soon reached. After in-
specting this pretty place, with its setting of showy
Bauera (B. sessilifiora), which in places is 15 feet in
height, we returned to the roadway, and to our packs,
which weighed over 40 lbs. each. Our guide led us
along the old timber tramway, which leaves the highway
nearby. Travelling due south, we passed over the old
Stony Creek diggings, and were soon admiring masses
of the beautiful Swamp-heath, Sprengelia incarnate. The
spikes of pink starry flowers were up to our shoulders,
and a pure white variety was collected.

On the saddle between Mt. Rosea and Mt. Difficult
Range, numerous flowers of Huphrasia eollina were
seen. It ts a common plant in these wilds, and often
grows luxuriantly. Our intrusion disturbed several
Black Cockatoos, many Gang Gangs, and also a fine
specimen of the Red Brush Kangaroo. This was sup-
posed to be a, botanical trip; but, the geographical fea-
tures of the country traversed, proved so interesting,
that at times, momentarily, flowers were forgotten. We
kept at a steady pace, over the rises and through the
valleys, but, halting often, to admire some unique floral
display, such as Blue Tinsel Lily, Calectasia cyanea:
its glorious blue was a conspicuous feature throughout,
at least, three days of our wanderings. In‘one patch
alone, we saw more than 350 flowers, in the space of
2 fest x 1 foot. The Purple Bladderwort, Utricularia
dichotoma, was seen everywhere—on mossy ledges and
rock f aces.
~ We were now at the head of Mt. Rosea Greek, flowing
east here,-then onwards into the Glenelg River, thence to
the ocean. On the saddle close by, and between the
Serra and Mt. Difficult Range, Borenia pilosa, Melaleuca
sguarrosa and Bauera sessiliflora were intermingled in

230 NICHOLLS, TRrough the Valley of Mystery [ Mattoch xpiy

the creek, Growing in profusion were the following
plants ;—Pultendea Bentham, Calytrix Sullivanit, Puil-
tenaca Luchmannit, Leptospermum, var. grandifolium.,
Thryuptomene colyeina, Calytria telragonda, Leptosper-
mum myrsivoides (with pink flowers), Stypandra glauca,
Cxsia parviflora, and Acacia Mitchellit, also Gymnoschas-
nus adustus, and several species of orchids, including
Caleana major.

We continued our journey, and on the banks of ML.
Rosea Creek and just below some high sandstone rorks
— Which we named “The Giant’s Stepping Stones'—we
found Lkotekya (Snow Myrtle) in some splendid bushes,
nod our first bush of Pultenaea subatpina (rosea),
which, according to some botanists, grows on Mts. Rosea
and William only, Ascending the rise before us, we
found the Downy Star-bush, Plewrandropsis phebaliawles,
an unusually pretty plant, with its numerous yellow, star-
like flowers and woolly tomentose foliage, On the crest
of this hill Fringed Heath-Myrtle, Micromyrtus eitiatus,
was plentiful, interspersed with a brownish moss, and
covering a large open space, as is its wont. On the
borders, Calytriz (Grampians Fr ‘inge-Myrtle}, and
Thryotomene (Yeath-Myrtle) were in profusion; there
was also pleaty of Leptospermum (Manuka), whith is
also very numerous throughout the lower hills, und Kus-
zea paruiflora, Grevillea alpina, Dillwynia floribunda,
Leucopogon virgatus (unusually tall); and asolitary, very
large bush of Haken pugioniformis in bud. In the open
Spaces, grew the Purple Bladderwort-

The next few miles proved very heavy going. ‘The
scrub was old, and, in places, almost impenetrable.
Creepers, mostly Cassytha, were interwoven among the
jower branches, effectively delaying our progress. Reach-
ing a creek, almost hidden by Melaleuca squarrosa, we
rested, King fern, Bawera, and Mint-bush (Prostan-
thera ldsianthos} were in luxurious growth on the levels
all around—the Bausre predominating.

This stresm (we called if “Melaleuca Creek"), flows
probably into Mt. Rosea Creek, Beyond, we encountered
tall growths of rushes, and found it tiring work pushing
our way through them. We emerged at last, into eom-
paratively easy country. By 6 p.m, we-had reached
another stream, probably Moora Moora Creek. Many
fine large bushes of Lhotzkyu were flawering on its banks,
together with Thryptomeng and Calytriz, We found
nearby, a strange, leafless shrub. Leptomeria aphylia,

Vee NicsoLys, Through the Valley of Mystery s3r

known locally as “Wild Gooseberry,” Here we camped,

Just over the neighbouring rise, to the south, emus
could le heard, bot we did not see any of the birds,
though their favourite food, the fruit of the Flame-
Heath, Astrolam« conostephioides, was very plentiful
hereabouts, and their tracks and other signs were not
wanting.

Nexi day we were up by 5 a.m. Half-an-hour later,
the sunrise was apparent by its reflection on the ranges
to the west, and the immediate valley looked like an in-
land sea with innumerable islands. The dew had made
our surroundings so wet that we were forced to delay
our departure for several hours. When we did leave

.we had to keep to camparatively open spaces, where the
undergrowth was low. At 9.30 a.m. we rested on an
elevation, slightly east of south of Tower Hill, which was:
distant about'a mile and a half. Tt is a conspicuous
Jandmark, and the one remaining rampart of the north-
ern extremity of a rocky wall.

Our position commanded views of the valley, in the
foreground, and of Victoria Valley itself, beyond to the
Black Ranges. Round about was a wonderful yarden
of Fringed Heath-Myrtle (Micromyrtus) with Thrapto-
mene and Calytrix in abundance, antl an occasional
Lhotzkya and Crimson Kunzea, K. parviflore. We tra-
velled roughly south, through rocky country, with
Boronia pilosa, 3 feet. in height, and rested awhile at
Small Creek, where Bawera, in riotous profusion, grew
up to 8 feet in height.

By 1 p.m. we found ourselves at a fairly wide rocky
ereek, with a good How of water. We had negotiated a
auccession of dangerous rocky ledges, between ateep
banks, where the scrub was very dense. Our packs were
troublesome; and often one was. held suspended.*

We called this stream “Discovery Creek,” as we found
on iis banks very large bushes of Pultenneoa subelpina
(vesea), also two orchids new for the Grampians, one
a rare species, being new for S.W. Victoria. One splen-
did bush cf Pultenaes (rosea) was in full glory: its base,
a tangle of showy Eruera, This bush was measured, and
found to be 15 feet 6 inches in height and 16 feet across.
Below, in a backwash of the stream the surface was rosy
red, with the fallen eonfethi’ of both P. subalpine and
Bauera.

Leaving this creek, we had anothey rough passape
through more heavy scrub, and finally emerged wpon the

232 NGHOLLE, Through the Valley of Mystery [ Mba

lower ridges, below Middleton’s Gap. From a promin-
ent vantage point a little higher up, another glorious
view was obtained of the immediate valley, with, Tower
Hill at the northern extremity to the west, on a rocky
tampart. Huge figures, of almost the total height of
the wall, could be clearly seen (with fieldl plassses), re-
minding one of the statues of Abu-simbe} on the Nile.
And above, over the Gap, several Wedge-tail Eagles were
soaring. Around us, on.all sides, above the intermingled
growth of Grampians shriibs weré gigantic masses of
Sandstone of almost every conceivable shape, from mush-
reom rocks to wonderful statues. . The rocky character
of this ridge, combined with the tall dense growth of.
Melaleuca squarrosa, etc., caused us much.trouble and
frequent rests were imperative, On the opposite ridge,
and beyond towards D'Alton Peaks, we saw Pultennea
(rosea) in such profusion Lhat large patches were vis-
ible to the naked eye at 4 distance of over half-a-mile. .
We explored these ridges next morning. Many other
well-known plants were in blossom around, including
Calectasia .cyanea, Boronia pilosn.and FEuphrasia aor
tina, the two last unusually fine,

We now descended to the creek, hoping to find an
easier passage to the Gap, but encountered such detise
scrub (Melaleuca and Dagger Hakea) that we had toa re-
trace our steps, breaking through higher up, and fnally.
reaching the head of the creek and Middleton’s Gap,

On the way [ Found our first specimens of the Alpine
Caladenia, Celadenia alpina, Rogera. Tt has only re-
cently been described, and this discovery adds. yet
another species to the list of plants for 5.W. Vivtoria.
Our. guide also found here a gpecies of orchid, new for.
the Grampians, Chiloglottis Gunnii, both green and.
purple forms in abundance. In the Gap we were sar-
prised to find more bushes of Pultenaeu (rosea), They
were all in perfect condition, and Heath (Epacris. im-
pressa), wilh unusually large flowers, var. grandiflora,
of such colours as pink, magenta, rose, and scarlet and
white. We camped here under a huge mass of rock, of
mushroom shape, in a slight depression, an idcal Spot,
away from the cool draught, blowing from the valley
below,

Next mirning we awoke. The huge log fire at our feet
still gave out welcome warmth, and not a sound dis-
turbed the silence until—“The bell-note of a bird" re-
vealed the presence a Grey Thrush. We saw if later.

ree } Nictioiis, Through the Valley of Mystery 233

whea viewing the prospect from the Gap. We looked
s. east, over Borough Huta to the' ‘Mt. William Range
and in the opposite direction to the Western Valleys. The
compact and shapely bushes of Pultenaew (rosea) and
masses of lovely Tetratheca (T. ciliata) on the ridges
tlose by were next examined, both inflorescences showing
large unbroken masses ot colour in some tnstances,

‘Caladenia alpina, and the Blue Turquoise Berry
Drymophila cyanocarpa: were pentiful, and specimens
of both were collected, the former being photographed
in its habitat for the first time. Several Funereal Cocka-
ioos flew over the camp on a visil to the Honeysuckle
Nats to the Kast, from whence we saw them returning
ai noon, lo the seclusion of the hills.

The morning was spent. in this wonder garden, Among
the rushes and grass, Violets were abundant—three
species (Violas betontctfolia, hederacea and Sieherians),
and Bultercups (Ranunculus igpnneeuel of Jarge size.
The peaks of the Serra Range, to the southward, were
examined during the afternoon: On a high eminence,
under a curious verandah-rock, of huge proportions, we
viewed the country below; north to Sundial Peak, etc.,
with Lake Lonadale and Lake Fyan's beyond. Pultenaec.
(rover). Thryptomene and Micromyrtus were here,
within a few yards of the summit, and many shapely
trees of the Grampian’s Gum, Eucalyptus alpina, added
beauty to the scene,

Farther s6uth-we scaled another prominent poimt—
the highest elevation for miles around, its apex a tower-
like formation of sandstone—with rock-seats and puols
of water! for our comfort." Tts baseand the immediate
foreground of quite cheerful appearance, with the flowera
of Pultenees. (rosea) and other plants. We named it
“Pultenaea Point.” “From-its summit the Borough Huts
were seen, due east (on the Tourist Map they are placed
farther N.E. app. 15 miles}. Our elevation was about
3,500: ft. :

We explored, butanically, the country—slightly to the
west, and found another species new for 8.W. Victoria,
viz., Purple Apple-berry, Billardiera longifinra. It was
rather plentiful among the rocks, its gorwveous fruit of
large size. Other plants collected included Styphelia
adseendens, Tetratheca ciliata, Banksia integrifalia
(trees of large size}, Corren Lawrenciana, Correa rubra,
with very large rough surfaced leaves, flowers lemon,
fore part blwe-biaek, should be given a varietal name,

24 NICHOLLS, Through the Valley of Mystery Rie at:

Templetonia Muellert, Melaleuca decussata, Rutania em-
netrifolia, Leucopogon glacialis (the jast mentioned flow-
ering very late), also several orchids, including Cala-
flenia olptne (plentiful), Caludenia dridescens (one
spm.), and Chiloglottis Ganniti.

On November 9th we left the Gap, travelling down
Discovery Creek, thence south through the thick scrub
and wild flower gardens to Middleton’s Mount. On the
way we collected Burksia marginate, Hakee sericea,
Phebaliwm dentatum, Boronia palygalifolia, and Epacris
impressa {of various colours---plants up to 7 feet).
From here we surveyed the valleys to the west, with
Castle Rock in the foreground, dye west (Tourist Map
shows it north-west over Discovery Creek!), Thence
we descended to a creek, a valley of wondecus rock for-
mulions of huge size.

This creek of crystal water was named “Alpina Creek,”
as on its banks we found Caladenia alpine in plenty, and
specimens even larger than those seen previously—the
petals, etc., tipped with rose. Showy Baucra was also
plentifal, and a pink form with yellow stamens was col-
ected,

Returning the way we had come, we descended the
precipitous side of the Serra Range to Borough Huts
and Hall’s Gap, observing on the way plenty of Staek-
heuxsia flavd, another species, not recorded, in the
“Census” for the S,West.

CLUB'S NEW BADGE.

The new badge, designed by Mr. H, Dickens, is now
obtainable, in three forms: brooch, pendant, and stud for
coat lapel.- The Red Correa-replaces the sea shell that
for so many years has been our badge. The change hag
met with general approval, and already numbers of
Correa’ badges have heen distributed to members. The
price is 2/6. ——e

At Wandin, on October 15th, 1927, while observing a pair of
White-eavred Jloneyenlers, Meliphagw leucots, I seated myself
about a yard from the nest, which was built in low scrub about
2 feet from the ground, and contained two young. The parent
birds were alarmed, and tried to lure, me away by fluttering along
as thongh injured, Presently they became more reassured, and
heran to hunt fot insects: After many advances and retreats, the
mother: bird at last flew to the nest, and ted the young. ‘The
mule bird continued to capture insects. He would perch on a
branch about 10 fest away until his mate retutned to bim, when
the food was given to her and she flew with it to‘the nest. This
performance was repeated several times, the male not appreaching
the nest during the half-hour while If remained there.—Peakn
Hanks :

rai) The Wildflower Show 235

THE WILDFLOWER SHOW.

One of the most successful Wildflower Shows eyer
organised hy the Cinb, was held in the St. Kilda Town
Hall on September 27th last.

It was officially opened by His Excetlency the Gover-
nor, Lord Somers, accompanied by Lady Somers. The
Chief Secretary, Hon. G, M. Prendergast, M.L.A,, was
ulso present. Lady Somers was presented with a
lovely basket and bouquet by Donald Barrett. The
floral presentation was designed by Mrs. F. G. Suther-
land.

The front table was arranged by the students of the
Burnley Horticultural Gardens. <A portion of the ex-
hibit was from cultivated plants, the balance being cal-
lected by the students at Ringwood. The display was a
very fine one, some excellent sprays of Eucalyptus’ tor-
quata and Grevillea rosmarinifolia being staged.

The main hall was a mass of glorious wildflowers, Mr.
H. B. Williamson, F.LS., placed a named collection of
over 200 species on the botanical classification table.

Miss Jean Galbraith’s collection deserves special men-
tion. It was staged on a stand designed and provided
by Miss Galbraith, who displayed a splendid collection of
flowers from Tyers, Gippsland. There were over 120
species, prominent among which were some wonderful
bowls of the Club’s Badge Flower, Correa rubra, °

The Grampians display was rather a poor one, and
most of the display of Thryptomene calycina was
from cultivated plants, Owing to a misunderstanding,
the Grampians display did not reach Melbourne until the
day after the Show, ‘

The Club suffered another disappointment in the
absence of flowers trom New South Wales. Thus
Waratahs, Flannel Flowers and the Sydney Kose Boronia
were all absent from the Show, owing to the restrictions
imposed by the New South Wales Wildflower Protection
Act. Still, the sales sections, in the hands of several
members of the Ladies’ Committee, were very popular,
and brought in a good return.

The abundance of displays of the Red-tiowered Correa,
sent from several] localities in Gippsland, was an evidence
of the splendid season for flawers in that division of the
State. Some fine bunches came from Miss Rossiter, of
Hedley, and Miss Jean Galbraith, of Tyers
_ As usual, Miss Amy Fuller’s collection of wildflower
paintings attracted considerable notice, and the micro-

236 The Wildflower Show [Ae RE

scopes, in charge of Mr. Sticklancd, were a valuable
adjunct to the Show.

Everybody worked with enthusiasm, and it is to this
inanimity of action that the success of the Show is due.

EXCURSION TO WEST KINGLAKE.

Though rain fell during the carly part of Ehe day, ben members
ventured from home on Cup Day, and at West Kinglake enjoyed
me of the pleasantest outings of the season. The mists. rolled
away, and the weather became beautifully fine.

From Whittlesea, a mator-run of nine miles bronght the party
to “Tommy’s Hut,” original name of the settlement at the inter-
section of the Kinglake and Yea roads, and andther mile along the
Kinglake voad set. as at the tram-line that runs dawn to the saw-
mill, the scene of Mason's Falls.

Collecting was commenced during the pleasant waik through
the virgin underserub, where progress would have been difficult
off the track, and the final descent “down the stairs’ af the tim-
ber trolly way brought us to the old mill, so completely burnt
out by the bush fires of January, 1996. The leader took the op-~
partunity of pointing out the wonderful nectar sacs found at the
basc of the petals of some of the Ranunculus family, as in R. rivn-
Invig, and by means of a flower showed their positions, which
materially helped his remarks on the places, fanctions, and pur-
Poses of the glands in plant life. ,

The two upper falls, near af hand, were view@!? and further
expigration down Mason's Falls Creck, that joins'the Sugar Loaf
Creek later, revealed 2 series of pthe! falls; then the creek was
found ta turn frora a southern to that of a westerly trend, past
a frowning porge, where exploration terminated. Pomaderris
elachophylla, was found, and Senecio inutus with Helichrysum.
Ineldiim and mach A, semipappesian, also Pultended. Muellert and
P. seabre gloviously in flower, and exceptionally large-headed speci-
tetis of Qlearia myrsinotdas. After listening to the clucking call of
a Lyre-hird, and the whistling of Thrushes, Kovkaburras, ete., the
party divided. Four orchids only of different species were found,
and 14 species of fetns were seen, uf which the Fan Fern,
Gloichenia fladellata, known to some as the Star Fern. interested
many.

But perhaps the showiest and most pleasing to a number was the
Buecken ramoswisaiwad, in light and dark shades, growing in abun-
dance and reminding at least one member of hie happy hunting
grounds in the Béndigo district. Altogether 110 specics of native,
and 20 species of introduced plants were cuilected or noted.

As we turned for home and our motar-ear, the party climbed
up the 300 and more steps of the long ladder-like tram line, rising
out of the sawmill valley. towards Kinglake road. the exertion
causing us to think sympathetically of the nilgvims to the farous
Chinese temple of the 2.000 steps, that needed to be trod if they
won ect “nearer to heaven” in the warship their priesta en-
jJomed.

Hundsomely coloured pendant flowering specimens of Pintelea
finifolia were seen, reminding the party that the Daphne of our
paniens. belonged to the same family as the Pimelea—A. 4.

‘ADGBLI-. .

"The Victorian Naturalist

=——— ———————————————————— er ee Fee

Vo. XLIV—No, 9, JANUARY. 7 . 1928. No. 529.

THE FIELD NATURALISTS! CLUB, OF. VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly mecting of the Club was held in
the Royal Society’s Hall, Victoria-street, ‘Melbourne, on
Monday, December 12th, 1927. ' The, President, Mr.. E.
By Peseott, FLS., occupied the chair, .and there Aare
"about 120 members and friends present. -

DEATH OF MEMBER,
The President referred to the recent death of a valued
member of the Club, Mr. R. E. Luher, ‘B.A., and members
stood in silence as a mark of respect.

CORRESPONDENCE.

From Minister for Forests, stating that only fifty per
cent. of the area.in the Upper +Yarra-district, in which it
wus proposed to allow sawmilling operations, was above
jthe catchment for..water supply purposes, and that he
considered that. the. utilization of our, timber - resources
jan. water supply could go-hand in hand.

From Minister for Lands, stating that he was awaiting
areply from the Committee of Management in regard to
the proposed use of the Cheltenham Water Reserve as a
golf links.

i _ REPORTS.

Reports of excursions were given as follow :—Loch to
iNyora, Mr. H-B. Williamson; F.L.S.; Boronia, Mr. FE.
‘Wilson, F.E.S.; Botanic Gardens, Mr. J. Wilcox; Wandin,
‘Mr. H.-B. Williamson, ELS:

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

‘The following were.elected as ordinary members:—
Mr. W. Harper Bell, 55 Coltins-street, Melbourne ;,Mr- R.
H. Croll, Education Department, Melbourne;. Mr., W.-H,
“Gill, 100 Exhibition-strect, Melbourne; Mr. H- RB. Goeby,
Helton-street, Glenroy; Dr. Sydney pera 12 _Coillins-
street, Melbourne; Mrs. A. S. Kenyon and Miss J. A,
‘Kenyon, Plenty-road, Heidelberg; Mr. H. J- Wright, “Box
4187, G.P.O., Melbourne; Miss F. M. Waeaneld, 73-Pot-
‘ham-street,” East “Melbourne: Miss E. M. Sweatman,
: Westbury-strect, St. Kilda; Mrs. D, J, Byrne, ' ‘Clarinda-
‘street, Caulfield; Miss A. Hodgens, Hawden-street,
‘Heidelberg; Mr. A.'H. Spencer, 86 Bourke-street East,
‘Melbourne; Miss I. J. Bainbridge, University “Grounds,
Carlton; and Miss E. Hooke 33 John-street, Hawthorn:

238 Field Naturalists’ Clab—Proceedings VG, xe
and as country members:—Mr. Geo. Aiston, Mulka, via
Maree, South Australia; and Mr. Harold Smith, Hor-
sham.

GENERAL. :

‘The President reported having visited Cape Woolamai
with representatives of other Societies, and stated that,
unless prompt action was taken, the Mutton-bird rook-
eries would be entirely destroyed by drifting sand in a
few years. He also referred to the opening of a fund,-to
which the “Herald” had contributed £25, with the object
of purchasing private land on which the rookeries were
situated, and expressed the hope that other donations
would be received.

Notice of notion was given, on behalf of the Commit-
tee, as follows:—“That Mrs, V. Miller be elected an
Honorary Life Member, in recognition of the special
services and benefactions rendered to the Club by both
Mr. and Mrs. Miller during the past two or three years.”

PAPERS, ETC.

_ Mr. A. D. Hardy referred to the recent introduction of
four English Nightingales into New Zealand, He out-
lined the history of the introduction of the Skylark and
Nightingale, and the subsequent observation of their life
in Australia, and followed his remarks with an interest-
ing selection of gramophone records of the Nightingale’s
Bong.

‘A lecture was delivered by Rev. W. C. Tippett on “A
Visit to Fiji,” in the course of which the lecturer gave an
interesting account of the Jife and customs of the natives,
and a description of the principal plants to be found on
the islands. A fine series of lantern views was ex-
hibited in illustration of the subject.

EXHIBITS,

By Mr. A. S. Kenyon.—Collection of Fijian weapons,
tools,, and utensils.
wae Rey. W, C. Tippett.—Specimen of-native cloth from

ijk

By Mr. C. Daley.—Stone axes from Suva, Fiji.

By Mr. H. E, Pescott—Cultivated specimens of Vie~
torian Christmas-bush, Prostanthera lasiantheos, New
South Wales Christmas-bush, Ceratopetalum gqummi-
ferum, and Hibiscus. Huegelti, i

By Mr. F. G, A. Barnard—Growing plant ‘of Myrtle
Beech, Nothofagus Cunninghamii, obtained as a seedling
about 4 inches high on Marysville excursion, December,
1918. :

1934. Field Nuuraliets! Club—Proceedingn 239

By Mr, F, Pitcher—Mlowers of Erect Clematis, C.
glycinoides, grown in cultivation; also specimens of
Necklace Fern, Asplentum flabellifolium, collected at
Kalimna, 11/11/1927,

By Mr, P. R. H. St. John.—(1) Plant of Hard Saw-
Fern, Agplenium scleroprium, Homb, and Jacq., 1852—
ayn, A. flaccidum, var. aucklandicum, Hook, fil. 1844,
syn. A. lucidum, var. scleroprium, Moore, 1857, found at
Biddy’s Camp, Wilson’s Promontory, November, 1927-
(Recorded in Flora of New Zealand, second edition, 1935.
From Stewart Island, Herekopere Island, and Auckland
Islands, Abundant on the margins of woods near the
sea.) (2) Herbarium specimen of Creeping Rock Fern,
Cheilanthes Siebert, Kunze, 1839. (Australia, New Zea-
land and New Caledonia), collected by exhibitor at
Beveridge, Vic., November 13th, 1927. (3) Herbarium
specimen of Rock-Fern, Cheilanthes tenuifolia, (Burm.)
Swariz, for comparison with Cheilanthss Steberi,

By Dr. H. Fiecker—Large meth, strangled by tendril
of grape-vine. ;

By Mr. E, 8, Hanks.—Coliection of birds’ nests from
Wandin,

Ry Mr. H. P. Dickens.—Mutton-hird eggers’ crook,
from Cane Wooslamai. ‘

By Dr. C. 38. Sutton.—Series of photographs of flora,
etc., of Table Mountain district of Tasmania, taken by
Mr. Weindorfer.

The meeting terminated after the usual conversazione,

; EXCURSION TO WANDIN. '

A teow members took part in the excursion to Wandin on Satur-
day, December 10th. Some ecrub near the railway station was
searched, and a few plants were found im bloom, including the
Common Fringe-lily, Thysanotus, Austral Gentaury, Lrythraea,
and Pale Grass-lily, Coeswa. Then a drive along the road towards,
Yarra Junction was undertaken through the courtesy of Mr. Lyle,
and several places were Visited, including a grazing paddock at
Woori Yallock, where the vegetation consisted almost. entirely of
shrubs of Manuka and Burgan, the latter in bloom, the former
infested with a black fungue. Here Misa Lyle took a number of
insects, including cocoons of a case moth, some of which were
clothed partly with Manuka leaves and partly with eum leaves, in-
dicating probably that the Tarvae had Sived for a time on both

ants,

P Brown Admirals were noted in numbers, but the most interest-
ing object scen during the day was a butterfly resembling that com-
mon gpecies, but larger, and presenting when resting a remarkable
resemblance to a brown dead leaf resting on edge, and, of course,
very difficult to locate. The creature eluded capture.

‘ ‘Fhe msects taken at Wandin included some saw-fiy larvae.
Butcher birds wete among the few birds noted.-H. B. WitLtam-
SON.

240 Winitamsnn, Aquatic Plants af Victoria | iieystt!

THE AQUATIC PLANTS OF VICTORIA,
: Part T.
By H. B. WinuidAmson, F.LS.

In these articles: it is proposed to give an’ account of
the monocotyledonous flowering aquatic and marsh plants
of our State, asfar ascan be now outlined, for it must be
admitted that there is still much research to be done in
this’ direction. Several epecies have rarelyor’ ever teen
callerted 1 in the e Stale since Baron von Mueller took: ‘thém

bras

Was sivien’s expressing the hope that collectors would
give more attention, to the water plants, and the need: for
stich field work has by no means diminished, seeing that
our fields’ for the study of aquatic flora-are suffering the
paiceet: spoliation consequent on the extension of settle-
ment. -

In prosecuting such field work’ it is, of course, neces-
sary that collectors should’ be provided with certain
equipment, usually unheard: of at botanical’ excursions,
A Beat, even if unly a flat box affair, is of course the moat
useful, but one cannot carry that about. Gum_ boots
would be an ideal equipment for the gathering of- the
plants in shallow water, but an essential part of the outfit
ig’ a, jointed rod fitted with a net or wire basket with
‘Kooks. Failing this, a very effective and portable
appliance is a small wire basket with hooks round the
edge. which can be thrown among the vegetation, and
hauled in by a strong cord. By attaching a small
muslin: net to the basket, one could entrap such amall
‘plants as Lemna and Wollfia. The hooks would tear out
such‘ plants as grow in masses, e.g., Potamogeton and
Aydrilla, Any such hauls ‘taken by a collector could be
sent. to the National Rerbarium, South Yarra, where it
would be determined for the sender, and preserved as a
record under his name.

Family LEMNACEAE, Duckweeds.

The plants of this family are among the most minute
of flowering plants, and are truly aquatic. They vary
from’ one-thirtieth to one-half inch ih length, and are
either rootless or produce capillary unbranched roots
‘extending into the water, which are covered at the end
by a ‘cylindrical cap. _ Ronteaps are seen on mast roots,
“but as in the case of duck weeds, the cap is in vontaet
with water, only it is preserved uninjured; -and-can be
observed in ifs-entirety: The simple -frondike body of

WILLIAMSON, Aquatic Plants of Victoria 241

ies, |.

6 to 9, Hydrocharitaceae.

‘Ictd 5, Lemnaceae.

"242 WILLIAMSON, Aquat Planis of Vietorlu } WS tah

the plant floats on the surface of water, and produces by
budding other fronds, which separate into independent
plants, and thus the surface of the water becomes covered
with a carpet of green. The Victorian Duckweeds are
classified into three genera:—Wollfa, with fronds root-
less; Lemna, with a single root to each frond; Spirodela,
with several or many roots to each frond.

Genus WOLLFIA,

WOLLFIA ARRHIZA, (L.) Wimm. Tiny Duckweed. Fig.
i, This Duekweed, which is found in many parts of the
world, is the smallest known flowering plant, and econ-
sists of fronds composed of cellular tissue only, and is
quite unprovided with roots. It vartes from one-fiftieth
to one-sixteenth of an inch in length, and is about half as
broad as long. Its thickness is even more than its
breadth, so that one might almost mistake it for « small
green seed. The figure (3) shows a bud forming at the
side. The flower, which has probably not been observed
in Australia, consists of a minute stamen on the upper
surface side by side with an equally small stigma (b), both
developed at the bottom of acavity. It occurs in Europe
and Asia, and has been noted in §.A, and N\S.W,

Genus LEMNA.

LEMNA MINOR, L. Common Duckweed. Fig. 2.
The frond is broadly ovate, about one-sixth inch long, and
convex above and below. This is the species most often
found, but flowers are rarely seen. They occur in a
smail crack on the edge of the frond, and are very simple,
as the figure (c) shows, and scarcely visible without a
lens. [i occurs in all States, and in every part of the
world.

LEMNA TRISULCGA, L, Ivy Duckweed. Fig, 3.
Fronds thin, almost lanceolate, and provided with a stalk,
reminding’ one of little green spades nearly half an inch
long, including the stalk. Young fronds grow out at
right angles, four or five being sometimes joined ‘to-
gether. Roots are very short, with a rather long root
cap.

All States except W.A.; also in Europe, Asia, Africa
and America.

Genus SPIRODELA.

Differs from Lemna in having more than one root to
each frond.

SPIRODELA OLIGORRHIZA (Kurz) Hegelm. Fig. 4.
Thin Duckweed. Identical in shape and size with L.

sent Wituiamson, Aguatic Plants of Victoria 243

1, Philudraceae. 2, Alismatacece. 38, Typhacene.
4-5, Sparganiacese. 6, Najadacene,

1244 | WILMAMBON, Aquatic Plants. of: Vietoria (atx

minor, but with fronds rather thinner,..three- or four-
nerved and provided with 2 to 5, sometimes more roots
to each frond, All States but W.A. and Tas.; Polynesia
and Asia. t .

SPIRODELA POLYRRHIZA, (L.)}'Schleid, Fig. 5. Large
Duckweed, This is easily distinguished from the pre-
ceding by its large, almost orbicular fronds about 4 inch
in diameter, light green above, and purplish below, pro-
vided with several, often many root fibres. Apparently
-it has not been collected in Victoria since: Mueller got it
on “Lagoons on the Towong, 1874,’ N.B. Vic. It
occurs in N.S.W. and in Europe, Asia, Africa and
America.

Family. HYDROCHARITACEAE,

This family of submerged plants is represented in Vic-
toria, by four speries each of which belongs to a different
genus. |
' HALOPHILA, & submarine plant with unisexual flowers.
* OFTHELIA, with large bisexual flowers and large floating

eaves,

Hyprinua, with small verticillate leaves and unisexual
flowers.

VALLISNERIA, with long narrow leaves and female
flowers growing on long spiral stalks.

.The family belongs to the-class of Monocotyledons,
which have an inferior ovary (set below the périanth),
and is distinguished from the other families of the class
(Orchidaceae, Tridaceae and Amarillidaceae} nm being
aquatic plants with regular flowers, mostly unisexual,
and with no albumen in the seed,

Genus HALOPHILA,.

_HALOPHILA OVALIS (R.Br.), Hook.f. Ses-wrack. Fig. 6.
A, submarine plant with thin, finely veined leaves, and
stems rooting at the nodes, where leaves arise in pairs.
Flowers are unisexual, and are contained in a two-jJeaved
spathe. Male flowers are stalked and emerge from the
spathe. Female flawers are sessile, and are included in
the spathe. The ovary has on its summit three long
hair-like stigmas. (st.). “Common on the shores of the
Indian and Pacific Oceans, often above, low water mark
at. the mouths of large rivers or brought up from depths
of seven fathoms or more." The author obtained it at
a depth.of 10\feet while»diving. in the Geelong baths.
All States but W.A:; also ‘Asia.

328) Winnramson, Agquatit Phints of Vivtarin 24a"

Genus, OTTELIA.

OTTELIA | OVALIFOLIA' \(R.By.), Rich, Swamp Lily.
Fig. ‘7 A common'plant in shallow soba, with ovate !
or-oblong leaves on long etalks, allowing -the blades te!
float on the curface, The large white flowers arise from!
a two-lobed, tubular: ribbed spathe about 14 inches Jong.
Petals.3, sepals 3, stamens 8 to 12, stigmas 6 to 8. All
States. except Tas. It. is confined to Australia.’

.Genus HYDRILLA.*

HYDRILLA VEBTICILLATA (L.), Casp. Water-thyme.
(Elodea), Fig. 8 A much brariched fresh water plant
often forming large masses under the-surface. The’
leaves are'abuul £ inch in length, in whorls of from 4 to
8, broad linear, finely toothed. Flowers are small, long
stalked, with petals and sépals 3. The only Victorian
specimens are Muejler's “in fluvia’ Murray,’ whether
N.W: or N.E.is doubtful. Tt is-found in‘ the rivers of ©
Northern’ Australia, S.A, and N.S.W:; alsovin Asia and =
Africa.

VALLISNERIA “SPIRALIS, ,°- ». Eel-prass? Fig, ~ 9."
Stems creeping by stolons at the bottom of ponds’and -
rivers. The leaves-are long, and-ribbon-like, often finely
toothed -at the end. Male flowers: (a) are produced-on
Short atalks on separate plants, having 2 or 3 stamena,-~.
and 8 sepals, Female,plants (b) bear flowers on long,
spirally,; coiled, thread-like stalks. Fertilization is»
effected .-by the: pollen escaping from the male flowers,
rising.,to the.surface, and eoming, in contact. with the «
stigmas of the female flowers, which just reach the sur-
face,,the coiled*peduncle allowing for a considerable ~
change in the depth.of the water. All-States but W.A,;
Burope,: Asia, Africa and America.

Family PHILYDRACEAR.
Allied to Alismataceae- and “Liliaceae in having a

superior-.(set.above the perianth} ovary, but:having-only
2 petals, .2 sepals,-and 1 perfect-.stamen.

Genus PHILYDRUM.

PRL OE LANUGINOSUM, ‘Banks. Woolly Water-
lily. Fig. 1. A swamp plant ‘about 2 feet in height,
searcely branched, clothed with a woolly tomentum, espe-
cially on the in orescence, wearing off With awe, Leaves :
6 inches to-over 4 foot in Jength, ‘distichous, sheathing,
gradually passing ‘inte ‘short sheathing bracta atithe ‘in-’
floyescence. (Flowers '(b) sessile, solitary. or rarely two'?
within each broad}: pointed bract.! Petals 2 (upper'and:}

246 Witbliamson, Aquatie Plants. of Vietorta | vise ee

lower) yellow, about 4 inch in length; Sepals, 2, longer
than the petals, yellow. It has apparently been gathered
only twice in Victoria:—Upper part of Wimmera
{Grampians?), Wilhelmi; Swamp near Bairnsdale, T. 8.
Hart. N.S.W. and Qld,; Asia.

Family ALISMATACEAE.

Allied to Liliaceae, but with fruit consisting of dis-
tinet fruittets.

Genus ALISMA,

Fruit with numerous roundish one-seeded carpels,

ALISMA PLANTAGO, L. Water Plantain. Fig. 2,
partly. A semi-aquatic, erect plant, with leaves all
basal, ovate lanceolate, sometimes cordate at the base,
usually seven nerved, oti long stalks, their bases
thickened into a thick rootstock. Inflorescence a large
panicle of whorled branches, one to three feet in height.
Flowers (a) small, pale pink, sepals and petals 3, stamens
usually 6. Carpels (b) 15 to 20, obovate, flattened,
rounded on the back and above, closely packed in a ring
round the axis. §.A., V., N.S.W., Europe, Africa, Asis,
America. :

Genus DAMASONIUM.

Carpels 6 to 9, tapering to a point, radiating, two-
seeded,

DAMASONIUM MINUS (R-Br.), Buch. Star-fruit. Fig.
2. A plant with a remarkable resemblance to the pre-
ceding in habit, foliage, inflorescence and flowers (a),
but it is smaller, 6 inches to a foot in height, and its
leaves have fewer veins—3 to 5. It is, however, easily
distinguished by its peculiar star-shaped mass of car-
pels (c), which are triangular, long-pointed and connate
by their broad bases. All States but Tas, It appears
to be confined to Australia.

Family TYPHACEAE.

Fiowers without perianth, which is replaced by capil.
lary bracts on the short flower stalks. Flowers in dense
spikes.

' Genus TYPHA.

TYPHA ANGUSTIFOLIA, L. Bulrush. Fig. 3. A tall,
reed-like plant, growing round the edge of swamps or
ponds. Leaves long and rigid, about ¢ inch wide.
Female flowers (c}) are densely packed in a cylindrical
spike (a) about £ inch in diameter and 9 inches long,
crowded among the soft hairs (bracts), Male flowers
are in smaller spikes (b), about 1 inch higher on tha

1928" WILLIAMSON, Aguulic Plunis of Vietoria 247

stem. The hairs of the fruiting spikes provide a material
resembling kapok, which can be used for the same pur-
pos. All parts of the world, and all States of Aus-
raljia.

Family SPARGANIACEAR,

Differs from the preceding in having flowers in globu-
lar heads, having scales instead of hairs between the
flowers. :

Genus SPARGANIUM.

SPARGANIUM ANTIPODUM, Graebner. Ribbony Bur-
reed. Fig. 4, <A plant with leaves long, narrow rather
thick, almost triquetrous, floating or submerged. Heads
of female flowers (a) 2 to 4, sessile. Heads of male
flowers (b) on thin, flexuose simple branches.

Murray River, near Towong; Omeo; Yarra. Mueller.

SPARGANIUM RAMOSUM, Hudson, Erect Bur-reed.
Fig, 5, An erect (1 to 3 feet), more robust plant, with
amply branching inflorescence, and with leaves never
floating, Only two localities in Victoria for this plant
are recorded:—Merri River, Warrnambool, H.B.W.
1902. Emu Creek, Mueller. If occurs also in N.S.W.
and Qld., as well as in all other continents.

It is hoped that collectors will give some attention to
the marshy places, where these Bur-reeds may be found,

Family NAJADACEAE.
Allied to Potamegetonaceae, but “with toothed leaves
and a different inflorescence, é .

. Genus NAJAS.
NAJAS TENUIFOLIA, R.Br. Water Nymph. Fig. 6.
This wholly submerged plant, which may be mistaken
for Althenia, Ruppia, or a fine leaved Potamegeton, has
narrow-linear leaves finely toothed, about an inch long,
which are provided with short broad sheaths, partly
clasping the stem. Flowers are minute, sessile in the
axils, male or female, the males (a) having a single
anther, and the females (b) a bifid stigma. Lagoons
on the Murray River; very rarely gathered. &%.A.,
N.3.W., Qld., New Caledonia.

Exrata.—Naturalisl, December, 1927.—Page 207, line 10, delete
the C. before Searle; line 12, Lipiduris should read Legiduris,
P, 228, line 32, Plurasigma should read Plaurosigma; line 46,
1.40 W.A, should read 1.40 N.A.

245 Datry, Wietory of Flora Austroliensia yi xity

HISTORY OF FLORA AUSTRALIFENSIS,
Part VII.
By Cuas. Davey, B.A., F.L.5.

From Cambridge, where Dr. Hooker is holding an ex-
amination in Natural Science, he writes on December
10th, 1869:—"“Dr. Rees called on me... .. I introduced
him to his fellow-voyager, the Todea, which he tells me
had a cabin to itself during the voyage. This no doubt
accounts for its excellent condition, for, indeed, the, hold
is destruction to live plants.” He will send Sanscenias
again, and Nepenthes also, if required, Instead of par-
tels of seeds which were spoiled in transit, he suggests
establishing young plants and sending them Rotted in
Ward's cases by private hands.

On December &th, 1869, he advises the despatch of
Veratrum ulbum and V. viride. “We shall pack the
album and the viride, if strong enough, in a little damp
moss, and send it overland in a box with holes bored in
the side, The roots seem to be a sort that should travel
after this fashion.”

“Many a case is brought safe to Suez or Alexandria
and destroyed on the passage home to Enpland.”

March 25th, 1870, Dr. Hooker asks for plants, and is
sending seeds and ‘plants. “More big Todeas will be
acceptable-—it is growing famously. How are Nepenthes
and Sanacenia’" a

The correspondence shows some of the difficulties in
the way for safe transfer of seeds and plants from the
one hemisphere to the other, and the means of preserving
them ative,

On May 14th, having received some igerts seeds, he
asks for those of Hpacris, Rutaceae, Ruueru, Goodenia,
and the smaller legumes. — In November he announces
that. the planis sent in calico are all dead. Loranthus
seeds are always destroyed before reaching England. He
has forwarded cuttings of plants, and affirms his pre-
dilection for Todeas. ‘I would readily pay £10 towards
expenses of a couple of good ones.”

Qn April 4th, 1871, from the P. and O, steamship,
“Majestic,” he writes, when en route for a holiday at
Tangier via Gibraltar. Adverting fo the loss of plants
sent in canvas, he attributes it te the want of moisture
in the tropics under the canvas,

At this period Mueller's troubles in the Directorship
and the future working of the Botanical Gardens were

ri Darer, History of Flori Ajatrolensis 249

rather acute. Dr. Hooker expresses his sorrow at hear-
ing the news.

"LT know from experience how difficult it is to secure and hold
always the position which one would like te occupy, but these
things aré of the ups and downs of life. . . . No doubt
had one turned one's energies or one's talents im other direc-
Hons, we should have made more of them, but then we should
Tot have been so happy and contented with ourselves.” ‘
He is glad that Mueller is doing the eee of Lord

Howe Island. “TI am sure that we still have dupli-
cates of American plants that would be useful ta you,
but the time to sélect them is what we want. How 1
wish that you could come over here, and take your pick.”

After a temporary lull In the agitation to effect
changes in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Hooker
writes on December Ist, 1871 :—

“Let me congratulate you -heartily on your release from the
worries and anxieties of your anomalous position, and next in
the acceptance of your dignities, which, ‘although not acknow-

“ ledged by the laws of this country, must be very gratifying to
you as testimonies of the appreciation of your countrymen that
are seldom awarded to aliens. I am not at all up-in these
matters, and scientific men in this country are not fond of
lotiers and orders except when given for direct service to the

State we serve.”

The dignity referred to was the conferring of the title
of Baron.

Writing on 20th March, 1872, Dr. Hooker says: "I am
very deep in your debt,” | He refers to the recent death
of Lady Hooker, and alsa to the straggle between Kew
and the British Museum, Ayster, through Parliament,
had proposed, in the interests of {he British Museum, to
break up the Kew Institution. The Government did not
seriously entertain the idéa, but Ayster's unwise tactics
got them into trouble, and much discussion took place on
the subject. The English Botanists rallied solidly
around Dr. Hooker, and prepared an address to the
Gavernment against the proposition, The similarity of
their troubles made a stronger bond of sympathy between
the two botanists.

Dr. Hooker signified his pleasure at hearing that
Mueller's trial was over, and that he might hope for
peace. His friends in England sympathised with him,
In acknowledging receipt of fern stems, he states, “When
ferns are taken up, fronds should be turned down on
trunks and tied.’ He would like one from 20 to 30 feet;
one 70 feet would hardly keep alive.

20 DAtEY, History of Flora Augtraliensixe $15 fist

Tn reference to a copy of a report Mueller had written
defending his administration of the Botanical Gardens,
and expressing his idezs as to the functions of such an
institution, Hooker writes :—

“Many thanks for your defence report, which reads eapitally,
and is temperate and judiciaus in the main; indeed, altogether
as faras £ know and can jodge from so great a distance. The
newspaper accounts are wicked when they attack and display
a detestable spirit, which, however, you must outlive, I am
so glad that the Gardeners’ Chronicle article was useful. Dr,
Martens was very enthusiastic about it, and it was wholly his
own writing. e had many taiks about it.”

Regarding the transport of plants from overseas, he
writes that few of the officers of vessels visit Kew,
though invited; the city and their homes take thelr time.
They are offered hospitality, bouquets, and so forth in
return for their services, but they fight shy of the Her-
barium. He thanks Mueller for axe-handles. ete.. made
from Australian woods for the Museum, and also for
information about the Todeas. "Treeferns, etc., I shall
be most thankful for,” and will send, in return, a box
of rare trees with clay round the roata. He wishes that
he could figure more of Mueller’s plants, but is afraid of
them being cut out by something else, "The magazine
itself is mortal. It lives by pleasing the taste of the
public.” The Todea will appear soon in the magazine.

tune 22nd, 1872. He has received a “Noble Tree Fern|" and

reports ag to othars, “The noble Dicksonia you have given us is
pushing fronds, the Alsophila not yet, but we do not despair of
it «© Tk is. covered with a Jight canvas petticoat to keep its flanks
moist, and stood in the most favoursble place for growth. Our
Dicksonias are the wonder of the world, all owing to my never
allowing a dead frond to be removed, and the great Todea
retains its luxnriance, it having now . » 800 fronds on it
whally through my treatment. I have it stood in a sheltered
place, surrounded with a shelter of stone and ferns, backed up
by a Inyer of soil eonfined by cask staves.”

Regarding their separate troubles—"I hope that you
have passed your ordeat. 1am far from the end of
mine. Gladstone supports that Ayster through thick
and thin, then attempts to get my correspondence, which
has heen called for in both Houses of Parliament. The
enclosed address will reveal to you my position, and so
T need say no more.”

A newspaper containing the address accompanied the
letter, Dr. Hooker is delighted to fear of more Chat-
ham Islands plants. “What about the Antipodes.
Bounty and Emerald Tslanda? Could nc one go to them?
Reverting to the beloved Todea, he says that it is in a

san.)

1928. Datey, History of Flora Austiatiensrs 251

superb state. He is much annoyed at Fitch's drawing
of it, reproduced in the magazine, which he describes as
miserable. He asks Mueller’s acceplance of Reuhen-
becke's Ferns, to zo with the next box, and mentions hav-
ing received the largest specimen procurable of Cape of
Good Hope Todeas, 90 lbs. in weight.

In Victoria, the movement put on foot, and discussed
in Parliament and the Presa to separate the positions of
Director of the Botanical Gardens and Government
Botanist had almost come to a head, and in answer to a
letter from Mueller on 24th November, 1872, Dr, Hooker
sends this reply with sympathetic advice :-—

“Kew, Jan, 16th, 1878.
“My Dear Mueller,—

"I am in receipt of yours of 4/11/72, and much distressed to
hear of your trials and vexations. It is not casy for me to
indicate or even suggest # course of action—but, judging from
what L gather from your friends here, of whom I have seen
many and warm ones, 1 am disposed so far as to run the risk
of intruding with the suggestion that you should let matters rest
for a few mynths, making no complaint or stir, and when public
attention is withdrawn’ from your present painful position,
quietly consult a few of your many powerful friends about your
future career, with a view to getting a thoroughly good artistic
horticulturist and decorative gardener, to whom I should dele-
gate the ornamenting and practical gardening; you only inter-
fering in the matter of general directions, estimates, and so

a

“This is the way in which I conduct this garden, and it is
the only way that could anawer, 1 am not a practical gar-
dener, ner a florist I am a botanist and landscape gardener,
T look to my curator for giving all plants, and for the amount
and kind of decoration required to gratify the public. He
looks to me (1) for the genera! plan of the gardens; (2) the
aniount to be spent in decoration; (3) power te cultivate accord-
ing to his judgment. All internal arrangements of plants in
stores, houses, and beds, I order, subject to his opinion that
they will grow well where I place them. He looks to me to
provide seeds and plants, except the merely decorative, which
he gets himself by orders countersigned by me, and for all in-
formation and countries, climates, and conditions that botanical
collections require, I can truly say that, since I became
Director in 1965, not an unpleasant word bas passed between
us, and that we have worked in perfect harmony. Just think
over this.

“T really do not see how you tan gratify the public with a
floral display of the kind they like, nor how you can accomplish
this without a gardener skilled in the modern fashion of garden-
ing, and whe should have a good deal of freedam of attion. T
set asitle a specific sum for that purpose, and the Curator has
absolute control over it, subject to my approval of his plans
and actions. So many men are allotted to it, whom he engages
and dismisses, simply informing me of it, lest I should find
reason tv disapprove of his course, 1 shall take care to keep

252 Nauy, History of Flora Austratenats vii ee,

your documents private, and if I could suggest any course of
action that wéild help you IT should conly be too happy- My
motto in all-such trials is ‘Setedte anitwiqm asquarn.

“Thank you:-a thousand times for your continued thoughts of
us onder your trials amd difficulties. Capt: Stacpole has'
arrived’ with the ‘Todea which I have to-day sent for, The two’
Cycas—Bentham's and minc—are both in a Tropical Tree-fern’ '
house. They have as yet shown no signs of life. The tall
Alsophila has sent forth a few fronds, and I have every hope'of
it. _ George MacLeay has sailed by the ''Somersetshire’'—he !
takes a box of yooted variegated forest-trees for you, These ~
T got from Paul, of Waltham Cross, and got him to pack them,
too; Iam glad- that these by the “Niagara” arrived ‘well.
You seem to he surprised at Ayster’s conduct to me, J assure’
you it ts no worse than te other people; he has hardly a friend ~
in the scientific world, nor has had for years.

“The British Museum is still striving to get the Kew Her-
barium and Library transferred co itself, and a powerful
memorial against the transfer is being addressed to Mr, Glad-
stone by the Rotanists of England. Mr, Carruthers is acting
a most unworthy part, and by his insolent demeanor and un-
gentlemanly conduct, 16 disgusting his former friends. ‘This,
of course, is private. So, my dear Mueller, with bast wishos
tor your prospetts and earnest advice lo say as little as possible.

“Most sincerely yours,
"JOS, D- HOOKER.”

The information in regard to the satisfactory working
of the Kew Gardens is interesting, and the violent criti-
cism‘of Hooker's administration in Parliament makes hia
sympathy for similar treatment in regard to Mueller’ the
greater: ‘

On May 6th he writes:—‘I have little time to write
by this mail, beitye much a¢eupied with the illness of my
brother-in-law, the Rev, G. Henslow, whose Botanical
Notes you may have seen in Nature, and who is suddenly
paralyzed, and his lite despaired of, which throws a heavy
burden and-family responsibility on me.”

He’ has received a second Todea, The Cycas are ‘still
inert’s"the Alsophila, after putting out & few fronds, has
stopped, and has been laid on its side and clothed with
moss; Mueller’ S Boronia megastigma has heen figured
for the’ magazine, and Xerotes and Lepidosperma re-
ceived for the’ museum. Dr. Hooker expresses a hope
that-Mueller’s troubles are ended, ' The hope, however,
was unfulfilled, as the Directorship ' was taken’ away from
Mueller'during this year.

‘From, Kew, on November ‘20th, 1874, he mentions the
ioss of his wife, whose assistance’he deplores, and-he had
informed’ the‘ officer of works" that he could“ no“ longer
overtake ‘his “duties, ’ so that? an “official secretary Was to_.

wae) DALEY, History of Flora Auxtratjensie 29

be -provided. Ré Australian’ trees, he affirms: “No
Bucslyptus will stand at Kew ‘except Polijanthemos. .Our
chilled; damp winter soil and’cold long springs are totally, ,
opposed to Australian plants, even Alpines. | It is not
other: cold that does it, but*damp ‘and’ spring ‘cold’ to-
gether.”

During this period letters are scarce, ‘put on December
13th, 1876, Hooker writes that his time is absorbed with
the official ‘work at Kew and the Royal ‘Society.

The’ Correa Lawrenctna, with scented flowers, which
Mueller was sending, ‘will be indeed an acquisition,”
On May 18th, 1877, criticising Mueller's book on School .
Plants, he gays, “TI do not like to see the introduction of
such terms as fruitlets in place of carpels, which | every
child should be taught.”

Speaking of the Australian plants on: March 11th;
1880, he writes, “The winter has killed them all.
Bucalyptus polyanthemos alone defies the winter, owing,
na'‘dowbt, to its roots being deep in the earth.” £&.
globulus has never stood two winters,”

In May, “Really the investigation of the Palms. of
Austraha almost requires an expeditien of itself. Could’
you not undertake it, including ford Howe's Island and
the survey.” In June, whilst thanking “Mueller” for
Notes on Vol, IHL, of his Genera Planturum, he again
refers ta the Palms, “The Australian Palms are in a
deplorable state of imperfect description. .... It really |
is melabcholy to find-so noble an order so little known in
the colonies.” ;

On June 29th, the letter: deals fully with Palms. In”
July,, he. mentions receiving a visit from Asa Gray,' the
well-known American botanist, October 1st, 1880; 'Went--
land has been here, and most kind and-helpful. -He
certainly jhas'a wonderful knowledge of them (Palms),
hoth by habit and character.”

October 6th. “The big Tree-fern trunk (Dicksonia ©
Antureticn),' which you sent here six years ago'is a
splendid sight; und the Todea goes on magnificently. ah
May 14th, 1881. Concerning ‘Livistona australis, or’
only Victorian Palm—

"It is alive, and there is every reason to expect that it will
vontinue to live and eventually become a fine plant.

You “ask about the results. of the various packets of seeds — you

have from time to time sent us; these haye yielded “a large bar-

vest of plants; but, asin the case of tropical countries, {t ig a
very small portion that are worth cultivation, and sfill fewer

254 Datey, History of Flora Austratiensia [ Yfd-*StY

worth figuring. Many aye shrubs that only flower after get-
ting old, and have inconspicuous flowers.” -

Te the Baron’s request to be allowed to finish the North
Queensland flora, he replies, “I only hope that you will
da so. No Australian or Tasmanian plant is hardy in
the South of England, Fucalyptus Gunnii withstands,
or rather exists, under our atrocious climate, but none
thrive, and no Correa would stand a single winter.”

Kew, November 8th. He mentions the difficulty of
getting artists to draw plants, Fitch having given up.
“Mrs, Dyer is good, but has now a family to look after.
Miss Barnard (Prof. Henslow’s artist) draws beauti-
fully, butisaninvalid. I have been for two years train-
ing a distant relative, a Miss Smith (MS. of Botany),
who will, I think, do well, and also has just begun hitho-
graphy. Bentham is in anxiety, Mrs. Bentham having
broken her leg, She is 82 years old and doing well.”

June 10th, 1881. “Overhauling a whole heap of
Brown's plants to complete a set. Brown’s collections
were enormous; it is marvellous what he did in that
little ship; incredible.” -

He states that he has a second set of specimens from
the British Museum, and is gorting and selecting for dis-
tribution; and it may be remarked that a selection of
Robert Brown's: plants was. sent te the National Her-
barium, Melbourne,

September 25th. He reports that a case of planis
had arrived, the specimens in which were ‘'stone dead,”
and relates, “In old days, when water was not laid on to
the houses, and the young and the old gardeners had to
walk a goud way to fetch every pot of water, then hard-
wooded ones were starved. Now it is ail the other way,
the soft-wooded ones Aourish, and the hard-wooded ones
are watered to death.”

He states that Epacrids can only be introduced by
seeds as the plants are killed by vaporization at the first
heat in the cases. He asks for Hymenophyllums,

Correspondence during 1881-2-3 ia relatively unimpor-
tant. On June 25th, 1883 he writes that Mr. Bentham
is very feeble, and has been unable to come to Kew for
weeks,

“Kew, March 4th, 1384,
“My Desr Baron,—

“I was vastly amused at finding my features engraved in the
Melbourne paper, and I thank you very much for your kindly
notice of me, all too flattering though it be. There are one or
two little inadvertences in it. I was barn at Helasville (Hales-

138 Davey, History of Flora Austratiensis 255

worth), Suffolk, three years before my father went to Holland,
and I am only a foretgn Assoviate of the French Adademy. I
took your kind respects to Bentham, whom I found much better.
He can just walk across the room with a stick, and complains
Tost of shortness of breath. He and I are sorry to hear that
you are so poorly, and earnestly hope that the mountain air will
do you good, 1 was indeed surprised to see the Catalogue of
the Melbourne Gardens published without an ‘allusion to the
author of the collection, and the former head of the establish-
tment and its founder in Victoria. I have written thanking the
donor of the copy,* and adding that the absence of any allesion
to your predecessor and the founder of the collection, both
surprised and pained me. Nothing more. I cannot under-
stand anyone behaving so-

“T am told that there are parties in Melhourne who sell dead
trunks of Dicksoria Antarctica for the purpose of growing
ferns vpon them. Can you tell ma whether this is so or not?
We have g series of pillars in our Fern House formed of dead
stems of Tree Ferns covered with living ferns; and we should
be glad to get some dozen or two of tronks five feet long and
upwards at a moderate price.

“Your jreat Todea is in splendid condition; it is impossible
to count the fronds upon it. It stands in a Jayer of cement,
with loose stones about the base, and one side covered with
stones, etc., the other exposed, and it goes on getting finer and
finer eVery year. Of course, if is in a shady spot. The big
Picke@nis is in splendid order. Dorysanthes excelsis is fower-
ng.

“Yours mast sincerely,

“JOS. D, HOOKER."

In August, Bentham is back to Kew, but on the Sist
Hooker writes, “Bentham is alive, but bed-ridden, and
cannot even sit up In bed. I see him weekly, but he
does not converse; and, after five minutes, asks me to
leave. It is sad to see such an énd of such a life, He
will neither see people nor be read to.”

December 8th, 1884, “If I do not answer a letter at
once, I do not know whet I may, sa I break off my work
at Alternanthera mollifera to thank you for yours just
opened, and read of 23/10/84, and its most interesting
cantenta."

On December ist, 1884, he advises of the despatch of
a few copies of Genera Plantarum for the sum of
$6/ 15/4.

Apri] 7th 1885. Tenison Wood, the well-known scien-
tist, of Adelaide, had been nominated for election te the
Royal Society, and the Baron had expressed surprise that
he had not been elected. Hooker wrote that his recom-
mendations were very meagre, and wanted backing up by
geologists to put him in amongst the 15 out of no Jess

256 Datny, Flistory of Flore, Austrutiausis Ye ae

than 67 candidates. He deprecated canvassing, for
selection was most carefully and honestly conducted,
Mr. Guilfoyle.
“This year Wond’s name was not up, and it was. too Jate to
putitup. Additions to his recommendations were wanted.

"OL 6L candidates this year, i had been wp for 13 years;
1 for 7 years; 2 int 6 years; 2 for 5 years; 8 for 4 years; 6 for
3 years; 22 for 2 years. '

“By the way, T have often intended to tell you that your long
letters ‘will’ come torn and crumpled frightfully, with the speci-
mens often smashed across ‘and reduced ta powder."

June 27th, 1885. The Baron at this period was
actively encouraging the exploration of New Guineas, and
Dr: Hooker states, “I do hope that your efforts to get
New Gutnea explored will be crowned with success, but
I know from experience how many reapers one must send
on to get a little corn.

WAN my time is now given to the Flora of British
India,'the completion of which will take the best of my
working days if Tlive Jong: chough ta complete it,”

“Regarding: his ‘favourite ‘plants; ‘he: writes, “Your
tree-ferns are splendid in the Temperate House,” aid

: (To be continued.)

_ EXCURSION FROM LOCH “TO NYORA,

A small party journeyed to “Loch on Saturday, ‘November 18th,
and were pleased to see dt that ‘railway station the Better arming
Train, having on board our President, and other members’ of the
Club. After lodking through the tain, which all members should
at some time make a ‘point of inspécting, a start was made for
“Nyora. Around Loch the veectation consists mainly of intro-
duced’ aliens, hut towards Nyora* some good native bush * was tra-
versed, where’ ‘fine Specimens of the Black-tongue Caladenia, C.
congestiv;’ and the Trigger-plant, Stylidium, were gathered. ‘The
Pale Grass-lily) Coesia parviflora, and the Cut-Ieaf Xanthosia,
X, dissecta, grew alone the railway fence, and here and there
specimens of the Wiry Bauera were seen. All the ponds met with
were swept, and the material was handed ‘to Mr. J. Searle for
examination. Mr, V. Miller attended with enthusiasm to the duty
of insect colleuting.

Our collections included the followmmg:—Copepoda: Boeckellu.
symmetrica, Cyclops albidus, Attheyella anstralica. Cladocera:
Simosa gibhasis, Pseudomoina lemnu. Ostrocoda: Cypris. leana,
Cypridopsis ‘minna. Insecta: Notonecia sp., Coriza, sp. Insect
larvae: Caddis, Chironomus,—H. B, WILnramson.

ae SELBY, Bird Life at Horsham 257

BIRD LIFE AT HORSHAM.
By A. D. SELBY.

The country near Horsham, as seen from the windows
of a railway carriage, does not look at all promising to
an ornithologist. Wheat country and open, treeless
plains, as far as the eye can range, are not ideal haunts
for the great majority of native birds. But Magpies
may be seen, in numbers, both the White-backed and
Black-backed species; also a few Banded Plovers, Ground-
larks, and Song-larks.

Fortunately, there are still a few strongholds for bird
life in the district, among the best being the scrub along
the Mackenzie Creek, now used as a channel to convey
water from the Wartook Reservoir, in the Grampians,
to the various distributing channels, and finally flowing

‘ “
ae

tPhoto by A.D. Selby.)
Australian Brown Flveatcher.

into the Wimmera River. At Lower Norton, a few
miles farther down stream, is some white sand country,
covered with Banksias, Murray Pines, Eucalypts, Heath
(Epacris), etc., and this locality teems with bird life;
while at Quantong, still farther down the river, the seep-
age and waste from the irrigation ditches keep the

258 SELBY, Bird Life at Horsham wae acres

swamps full in dry seasons, and provide a temporary
home for many waterfowl, driven in from “out back” by
drought conditions.

In all, I have noted some 150 species of birds here, and
there are more that I have not, so far, been able to iden-
tify. Much of the sandy country around Lower Norton
has been thrown open, and the result is generally one (or
two, at most) crop of wheat or oats—then the land
abandoned as of no further use. Having been cleared of
all timber and undergrowth, the soil blows this way and
that, until the land becomes unsightly, all mounds and
holes. Why not reserve a large acreage of it for a
sanctuary—such as a part of the “Little Desert,’—
between Horsham and Nhill? This is the last hope of
many local birds.

{Photo by A. D. Selby.)

Grey Thrush feeding young.

Though Emus, Dromaius novae hollandiae, were driven
out vears ago, one old bird with several chicks passed
thruugh Quantong about Easter, 1927. As usual, when
any rare bird appears, one of the local “sports” followed
with a gun, but, fortunately, an Emu was not a big
enough target for him!

Jans SELSY, Bird Life ut Horskave 259

Pied or Magpie Geese, Anseranas semipalmata, were
first noted on October 15th, 1925. Seven were seen,
fiying down the river at Lower Norton, On March 2nd,
1926, I Jocated seven of these birds, evidently the same
flock, near the mouth of Mackenzie Creek. They were-
feeding on a grassy flat near the water, They stayed.
about the locality until October, 1926. I noted them
many times bétween the dates mentioned, but,for obvious.
reasons, kept the fact to myself in this district. Some-
times one bird or more would be in a big Red Gum in
the river, <A favourite haunt, when the geese were not
feeding, was a sand bank; the imprint of their feet could
be plainly seen. One day there were three maned
Geese, Chenonetta jubata, near them,

About October all but two of the pied birds disap-
peared; and J think that the two that remained must
hyve nested near by, though I could not locate the nest.
One bird was seen to leave 4 patch of tall wheat on the
approach of any strangers, and return when danger
apparently was past; but—no luck. I last saw the Pied
Geese flying down stream at Quantong in. March, 1927,
The first time I saw birds of this species was at Bullock
Swamp, near Yatpool, in 1918.

White-faced Herons, Notophoys novae-hollandiae,
though common, are worthy of mention. One example,
a pure white bird, has been here for two years or more,
and is locally known as a “Spoonbill.” The herons of
normal coloration, will have nothing to do with the
albino, The Straw-necked this, Threskiornia spinicollis,
is a common species, and as useful as it is in other dis-
tricts. . Some stay all the year, but the main flock
departs for distant nesting haunts,

A few White Ibises. 1. molucca, make their appearance
now and again, mingling with the flocks of Straw-necks.
The Glossy-Ibis, Plegadis faleinellus, has been noted only
twice. Two were seen on September 9th, 1927. They
do not seem to be popular with the two larger species.

Spoonbills, Platalea flawipes, are numerous; while P.
regina is @ very rare visitor—one was seen recently,
White-headed Stilt, Himantopus leucecephalus. Three
or four examples were here several times in 1926-7. They
are very shy birds. Small bands of Red-necked Avocets,
Reeuruirostra novae-hollundiae, were noted jn a swamp
with Stilts, bu€ were much quieter than their neighbours.

260 Seupy, Bird Life at. Horsham voexery

Two Painted Snipes, Rostratula australis, Were seen in
October, 1927. Gallinago-harduiekit is often. observed
along the mud-banks of “the Wimmera. The Great.
Crested Grebe, Podiceps. eristatus, is frequently noted on-
Natimuk Lake. P. rufiealias: ig) common there, and a
ad Hoary-headed Grebes, P. poliocephalus, appear at,
imes.

A pair of Blue-winged Shovellers, Spatula rhynchoéis,
was noticed on the river, rear, Quantong .bridge; many +
of, these birds have nested there.. The Plumed . Tree-
duck, Dendrocygna eytoni, was observed at. Natimuk:
Lake, and,on a swamp at Quantong—one only.. Pink-
eared Duck, Matlacorhynchus membranaceus sometimes:
appear on the lake and swamps.,

Ground (Mountain) Thrush; Oreodinela . unilata.
Though this is the last spot in which one. would look for.
this species, a pair nested,in an old garden near Nortop.
Bridge; in the season of 1926; while one arrived in Quan-
tong,.this year, 1927; but left again. I saw no sign of -
the, species: until 1926. It) may -have-come from the,
Grampians .via. Mackenzie». Creek- A Wedgebiil,.”
Sphenostoma cristalum, was seen-at Lower Norton in‘
1926. The Chestnut-tailed Ground W ren, Hylacola

pyurrhopygia, has been noted.on two occasions at. Lower
Norton, It is very shy.,

A pair of Black-shouldered Kites, Hlanus axillaris, has
been often :noted about an old' thatched stable near Lower -
Norton.- This is a visiting species,

Specimens of the Plain Wanderer, Pedionomus torqua-,
tus, and the Red-backed : Quail, Turnia mitculosa, have.
been brought in by cats.

Starlings and Sparrows are a great nuisance here, as
elsewhere. Every hollow tree haa Starlings’ nesta: No
cherries can now-be grown,,and grapes must he well.
wat¢hed. ~“The-Goldfinch is very numerous also, ‘but ist
not a pest- I have had under-observation a Goldfinchs’”
nest, which, besides four of her own,-contained an egg of
the Horsfield Bronze. Cuckoo, Chaicites basilis.. Has any
other. member known a Finch to. be, victimised by a.
Cuckoo? }

[Some years, ago,,in the Coastal Tea-treey; a founds ay
nest,of,the; Goldfinch, containing three eggsof, that species +
and, an egg -of, the Pallid. Cuckoo,, Cuculus pallidus —'
C.B.J; '

~ GrrauLt, Australian Chaleid-Waspe 261

. ‘AUSTRALIAN CHALCID-WASPS.
By A. A; GirauLt.

“Nowhere else in the world has this extensive group of
beautiful insects received such attention as in Australis;
and this attention has been given sufficiently early to in-
sure a more complete knowledge of the entire group than

“is possible-to be had in any of the older continents. For
‘instance, in’ Europe and America, settlement and com-
‘Inerce, especially as*regards America, have long since
‘changed the nature and extent of the chalcidid popula-
tion, while their classification has lagged and is chaotic.
But in ‘Australia the native population is as yet intact,
and has received very little destruetion, and-very little
foreign addition, while the exploration and classification
of the group are well advanced.

These insects, though small, are remarkable for their
metallic or variegated colouration, or for their grace, and
are attrattive also because of-their great numbers and
great diversity of habits. For though the majority are
carnivorous as parasites, nevertheless many are phyto-
phagous, and actually inhabit or cause various kinds of
galls.

“There is one ‘group of: peculiar forms known as Fig
Insects; they’ inhabit the various native figs. Two
entire groups confine their parasitism to the eggs of
various orders of insects; and are neteworthy because of
their minuteness, some being-no larger than a mote of
dust, and as elusive to the eye. Among these are some
of the smallest of known Insects, but in this country
veritable giants occur among them,-as with some of the
other chalcid. groups,

There is a group-which resembles, in size and colour,
various wasps, and these are the largest chalcids. There
is another group which’ J find fascinating because of their
stout vigorous bodies and. great agility; these are the
Encyrtids, rich in diversity. ‘They seem to.quiver- with
life and energy.

But the fascination which I find most constant and
most allnring in reference to these insects, is that which
has’ to do with their associations. The quest,:and the.
green.and blue, and glory of Nature. This is the plea-
sure of their study—the quest and the rich and varied
memories associated with it—the earer hunt-and the rich
spoil and the grandeurs-of this-glorious.carth on which
we live,

‘Por, afterall, their classification, though of much-in-
ferest and of great educational value (*eguiring great

262 Gimauet, Australian Chaleid-Wasps = | YO tN

effort and giving every emotional experience) is but a
dry and arid desert as compared to their collection which
releases a flood of generous emotion. The one is scien- ~
tific, the other poetic.

NEw SPECIES.

[ have had the pleasure recently of receiving from Mr.
®. Erasmus Wilson, of East Malvern, Victoria, a collec-
tion of these insects reared from galls upon gum trees,
and including new species which are characterised here.
This igs a valuable addition. The types are in Mr, Wil-
son’s collection, cotypes in the Queensland Museum.

ANAPHOIDEA NITENS, sp. Nov, (Mymarinae). As
galtont Girault but tibiae 1-2 yellow, fore wings very
wide, 34 lines of cilea, fringes one-third width, funicles
elongate, 2 over 4 times longer than wide, 1 quadrate, 6
two and a half times longer than wide. A distinct fuscous
stripe across wing from distal half marginal. Glisten-
ing. Male antennae 13 jointed, fanicle 1 quadrate, reat
elongate, Characterised by the wide wings. Reared
from ova of Weevil Gonipterus, ap.

Victoria: Ferntree Gully, Nov,, 1927, F. E. Wilson.
Types and Cotypes.

BOOTANOMYIIA VICTORIAE, ‘sp. Nov. (Megastigminae).
‘As unistriata but face yellow up to just above the anten-
nae, dorsal abdomen black except for indefinite yellow
spots down the side, and an obscure yellow area dorao-
lateral, near apex; a line of punctures down each side of
meson of scutum. Scutellum with 4 bristles, 3 and 4 4
little closer together, ;

Victoria: Ferntree Gully, May 18. 1927, (J. E. Dixon,
National Museum, Types). New South Wales: Albury,
Oct,, 1927, F. E. Wilson (1 Paratype female).

CIRROSPILUS OCCIPITIS, sp. Nov. (Hulophinae). Section
i. of Species table. Seutum green except latera) mar-
gins narrowly, green truncate at apex. Propodeum,
occiput, scutellum between the grooves, coxae and femora
(slightly splotched), green. Abdomen long, pointed.
Pronotum except lateral margins narrowly, and six
bands across the abdomen, including apex, also metallic
green; the apical and basal bands of abdomen each about
one-sixth length.

New South Wales: Albury, Oct., 1927, F. E. Wilson.
Types and Cotypes.

METACRIAS VICTORIENSIS, sp. Nov. (Entedoninae).
aeneiscaphus, but spicule of club present, short; Ireceal
aspects and apex of fore tibiae, distal half of tibia 2, the
same of tibia 3 (Jess by a fraction), white. Joint 1

GIRAULT, Australian Chalcid-Wasps 263

smaller but scarcely shorter than 2. Male scape rectan-
gularly dilated. With Ditropinotella compressiventris,
Girault.

Victoria: Ferntree Gully, Oct., 1927, F. E. Wilson.
Types and Cotypes.

BRACHYCHRYSOCHARELLA NUPTA, sp Nov. (Ente-
doninae), Coxae, femora, (Femur 1 latero-ventral only,
3 yellow longitudinally centrally), tibea 2, 1 above, cen-
trally, spots on 3 below knee and before apex, above
green. Jaws bidentate. Basal two-thirds of scape yel-
low. Two ring, three funicle joints, latter increasing,
8 one-fourth of pedicel, twice wider than long. Wing
2 with 18 lines of cilea, obtuse at apex. Labial palpi 2
jointed.

Victoria: Melbourne, Oct., 1927, F. E. Wilson. Types
and Cotypes.

EURYTOMA NOX, sp. Nov. (Eurytominae). As sculp-
tura but median basin ovate, finely punctulate along
median line, rest foveate, no channel. Segment 5 over
thrice 4, exceeding 2-4 united. Tegulae, scape, tibia 1,
2 beneath, knees, tips of tibiae, femora 1-2 except ventro-
lateral at basal two-thirds, 3 mesad, red. Meson scutel-
lum sparsely punctate. Post marginal barely exceeding
the short stigmal, marginal twice longer. Funicle 1
quadrate, exceeding pedicel.

New South Wales: Albury, Oct., 1927, F. E, Wilson.
Type and Cotype.

TETRASTICHUS WALSINGHAMI, sp. Nov. (Tetrasti-
chinae), Honey colour, black as follows: Ocellar area,
antennae except scape, face, prothorax, hind lateral angle
of pronotum, parapside except laterad, axilla except ex-
treme inner corner, a large cuneate mark towards centre
of scutum each side of median line, propodeum out to
spiracle, median line of scutellum widely, 6 stripes across
abdomen, 6 distinctly before apex. Propodeum, abdo-
men long, a distinct median carina on former. Funicles
quadrate, half length of pedicel. Ring joints large.

Victoria: Melbourne, Oct., 1927, F. E. Wilson. Types
and Cotypes.

EUPELMUS MAWSONI, Girault, terrae, sub. sp. Nov.
(Eupelminae). As typical form but legs aeneous, sides
of flattened tibia 1, knees, tarsi, base and apex of middle
tibia, apex of tibia 3 excepted. Ovipositor valves white,
a little extruded. Mesopleurum bare.

Queensland: Toowong, H. James (Type in Queensland
Museum). New South Wales: Albury, F. E. Wilson.
(Paratype female).

264 GIRAULT, Australian Chalcid-Wasps (xe nie

SOME NOTES ON CHALCIDAE.
By F. ERASMUS WILSON.

Chalcids, though most of them are more or less minute,
form a very prominent and important section of the large
order Hymenoptera. They are often referred to as
Microhymenoptera. In Australia, the Chalcidae are
very strongly represented, between two and three thou-
sand species having already been described. As the
greater number of these have been gathered in Queens-
land, it must be apparent that we have still much to learn
about this interesting group.

They play a big part in
maintaining the balance of
nature in the insect world, as
numbers of them are para-
sitic in their habits. Eggs
of the Weevil, Gonipterus
scutellatus, Gyll., parasitised
by a small Chalcid, were col-
lected in great numbers in
South Australia recently by
Mr. Tooke, and forwarded to
South Africa to help control
that weevil which has been
accidentally introduced, and
which is threatening the des-
tructicn of the Eucalyptus
plantations. I have bred out
a small Chalcid from Gonip-
terus eggs gathered at Fern-
tree Gully and Millgrove,
which Mr. Girault has named
Anaphoidea nitens, and which
may probably be the same
. species as collected by Mr.
Tooke.

Rearing Chalcids from
various galls or insect ova is
an easy matter, and is also a
pastime full of interest. All
that is necessary is to place ee
the galls in a wide mouthed bottle over the top of which
is tied a piece of fine muslin, so as to allow free access
of air into the receptacle. Galls in an airtight bottle
almest invariably become badly moulded.

BarRRETT, Notes on Cylindruchetu 265

From a single gall one may be fortunate in breeding
several different species of Chalcids. From the gall
figured which was growing on a white box Eucalypt, I
obtained numbers of a brilliant green species, Ditropino-
tella compressiventris, Gir, and also a new _ species,
Metacrias victoriensis, Gir. All the insects, with one
exception, emerged from the rounded basal gall, their
points of emergence showing in the figure. The former
species Mr. Girault considers as probably a parasite and
the latter a hyperparasite.

As illustrating the number of things that can be
reared from a single species of gall, it is on record that
Mr. Walker (probably Commander J. J. Walker) bred
examples of 75 different species of insects belonging to
no fewer than seven different orders.

Another fruitful source of Chalcids is grass tussocks,
where I have come across many when sieving for small
coleoptera. I am greatly indebted to Mr. C. Deane for
preparing the accompanying figure.

INTRA VITAM STAINING.

In reply to inquiries as to method of intra vitam staining of
amoeba, Mr. J. Searle sends the following :—

The most satisfactory method of intra vitam staining of
amoeba is the jelly method described by Messrs. Cropper and
Drew, in their Researches into cell reproduction. A stock solu-
tion of 2 per cent. agar jel.:y is made with distilled water only.

Take 5 cc. of 2 per cent agar jelly,

0.2 ec. of 5 per cent. sodium bicarbonate,
0.1 cc. of 1 per cent, aqueous Polychrome methylene blue.

Make up to 10 ce. with distilled water.

This is melted and poured on 3x1 slip, where it sets when cold.

A platinum loopful of amoeba is smeared on a cover glass,
which is then inverted and allowed to fa.] on the jelly film, when
the stain diffuses into the cell while it is still alive. The nucleus
stains a pale purple colour in ten minutes. Staining of the
granules does not cause death of the amoeba, and it may even
move for some minutes after the nucleus stains, but it then
rapidly dies and becomes spherical.

Amoeba may be fixed, before or after staining, by means of
formalin, absolute alcohol, or Schaudinn’s solution (2 parts
aqueous sublimate and 1 of absolute alcohol). —J. SEARLE.

CLUB BabGk.—Members are reminded that the new Club Badge
is now available in three forms—Brooch, pendant, and stud, for
coat lapel, at 2/6 each. Application should be made to the Hon.
Treasurer.

, A Vic. Nat.
266 BARRETT, Notes on Cylindracheta Vol.XLIV

NOTES ON CYLINDRACHETA.

By CHARLES BARRETT.

The need for special entomological studies in Austra-
lia is emphasised by recently published remarks on the
genus Cylindracheta. We do not even know, certainly,
whether this strange, wingless insect, rather wormlike in
appearance, is a cricket or a species of web-spinner.
Superficially, it resembles the familiar mole-crickets,
x _ though more slender

and elongated; but

this likeness may be

due to convergence;
possibly Cylindra-
cheta, as a result of its
habits, has assumed its
“questionable shape.’
If this proves to be the
case, we have another
wonderful instance of
convergent evolution.

This genus is also
interesting as a link in
the chain of affinities
that connects South
America with Austra-
tralia. It supports the

2 theory of a former
land bridge between
the two countries; or,
one of the other
theories that have
been formulated to ac-
count for the fact that
some plants and ani-
mals, very ancient
types, in South
1. Cylindracheta kochi, Sauss. America are related to
2. Side view of fore leg. Australian species.

When collecting in the Southern Andes, in 1926, Mr.
F. W. Edwards, M.A., Assistant, Department of Ento-
mology, British Museum (Natural History), obtained
specimens of ‘a very remarkable insect called Cylin-
dracheta spegazzinii, which burrows in the soil by means
of its modified front legs, and attacks the roots of garden
plants.”

ber ] Barnett, Notes on Cylindrachota 27

Mr. Edwards gives an account of his trip to South
America, in the October (1927)"issue of Natural History
Magazine, an admirable quarterly journal published by
the Trustees of the Museum. He was often on classic
ground—where Darwin observed and collected, nearly 9
century ago. The expedition {a joint one, arranged by
’ the British Museum and the Bacteriological Institute of
the National Department of Hygiene, Argentine), was
“almost like a second voyage of the Beagle, so many of
the scenes made farniliar by Darwin being re-visited.”

Most interesting to Australian entomologists, is Mr.
Edwards’ reference to Cylindracheta.. “The first
species of this genus,” he writes, “was described long
ago from specimens from Australia, and was -believed
to be a degenerate kind of mole-cricket; it was not until
1915 that the Argentine species was discovered, and iis
deseriber, Giglia-Tos, was of opinion that it was in no
way related to the mole-crickets, but belonged to 2 differ-
ent order of insects, the Embioptera. It is hoped that
a study of our material will decide whether this is really
a remarkable case of convergent evolution due to similar
habits.” “=

Our species of “wingless mole-cricket” is contined to
Western Australia, and, far from being rare, is almost
a pest, at limes, in many gardens. Mr, J. Clark, F_LS.,
Entomologist at the National Museum, has~ collected
specimens of Cykindracheta kochi, Sauss, in differ-
ent localities. Its known range is from Albany to
Carnarvon. Around Perth, it is common, though not
familiar—it lives, at least in the daytime, mostly under-
ground, being rarely seen in the open, except by accident.
Specimens usually are obtained during digzing opers-
tions in the garden.

lts general habits. Mr. Clark telis me, are practi-
cally unknown, but the “wingless mole-cricket” tunnels
in the ground, has been found in plant stems, and feeds
upon roots and stems apparently. It seems to like
potatoes; indeed, there is evidence that its tastes are not
at all exclusive, and it may be regarded as a harmful
insect in both vegetable and flower gardens.

Further study, Mr. Clark considers, may support the
opinion of Giglio-Tos, that these insects are not mole-
érickets, but web-spinners.

The illustration is from a drawing by Mr, Clark,

Stat

268 Notes from Field and Study Moreen

MOTH PUPAE AND PUB WEATHER,

Of all branches of natural history, one of the most interesting

is that of rearing insects from the latwal stage.
" "'The' tooth pipe, apparently, ‘has ‘the power of prolonging or
AShortecing the Period: of the pupal ‘stage. What is the rause af
this variation in the pupal perind? - May it not be a provision of
_pature's*to ensure the preservation of the species: all.the members
“of ‘a group, emerging at once,’ might be destroyed; but others,
*remaining longer in the pupal stage, would escage destruction,

It ig frequently’ noticed’ that during heavy rain, ‘especially after
2 prolonged dry spell; large numbers of moths appear’ on the wing,
apparently roused from their, inactivity by the rain. The cater-
pillars of these moths must enter the chrysalis al successive periads.
as-each matures, and the vast majotity ‘wait for the rain béfore
emerging. Pousibly the rain softens the ground, thus aiding the
‘imprisoned insect to escape; but that this iq not the only ‘reason is
‘evident: ~The same téndency té await the advent of rain is shown by
bred specimens, houged in a dry breeding-cage. For weeks. &t most
“on’y an oerasional specimen emerges, but the first rainy day often
brings outa number. It seems to me that atmospheric conditions
"ave a big factor: TY Sg we et 5 o

Mr. W. G:' Barnard, of _Touwoomba, told me of tertain moth
pupae which he obtained close ta.the sea, These were talon to
‘Toowoomba, one hundred miley inland. A year past the due time
for amerging}; they ware” returned ta thelr natural habitat,
where they'emergecd in a few days. What sense had told them that
they were “away from. home!'—creatived in a quiescent state in
a closeiy-woven cacoon? , » &

Severs] Jarvac of a handsome moth, Dantma bankai, obtained
in August, entered the ground in September. ~ With the exception
“of one, all ermerged during December, For some reason, this
math, of the same group in. the same breeding box, under exactly
the same conditions, did nof emerge until the end of March. The
‘weather, or ‘seasonal conditions, also affect batterfly pupae. '~* T
have has the mistletoe blues Ogyris olane, emerge 40 days after
pupstion, while another took 110 days during the cotd weather—
C, Bowen,”

EMUS IN THE MALLBEE. ;
Prolonged dry conditions ‘inland, compelled Emus to wander far
from their usuzl haunts: in search of waler and food. During
September and October, | received from several correspondents
in North-Western Victoria, nates of the aveurrence of Emus in
numbers, ‘Ihe birds‘in seme cases ventured ints paddocks, close
to habitations; others were peen crossing roadways, or feeding in

cTops. -
*From Mildura, in October, A boy (H.G,) wrote: “Our school is
> nee a lake, and there are a dozen Emus running on the sur-
, rounding country. We see them every evening when going home
Erom echoo!,” - Pe

“C'- Another young observer (J.B.), writing Irom Mittyack, on Nov-
ember Ist, said: “Emus have been yery' numerous here lately, and
haye, trampled down. many ,fenccs. -Although we are glid that
‘they are here, we will mot be sorry when they retire to, their
usual hausts.” 2hic 7 * x

“Large mobs" are mentioned by some correspondents. Un-

doubtedly Hmus_ havé been numerous early this summer, in Ipcali-
ties where,'a2 a Tule, few or none are seen at any season.—C.B.

~The Victorian Naturalist

VoL. XLIV—No, 10. FEBRUARY 8, 1928. No. 530.

THE FIELD NATURALISTS” CLUB -OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held ia
the Royal Society's Hall, Victoria-street, Melbourne, on
Monday, January 16th, 1928. The President, Mr, E. E.
Peseott, F.LS., occupied the chair, and there were about
6 members and visitors present.

CORRESPONDENCE,

From Mrs. Dorothy Luher, thanking members of the:
Club for their expressions of sympathy relative to the
death of her husband.

REPORTS.

A report on the excursion to Altona on Saturday, 14th
January, Was given by Mr. A. FE, Redda. The report
on the Xmas Camp-out at Sealers’ Cove, Wilson’s Pro-
montory, by Mr. C. Daley, B.A. F.L.5,, was held over
temporarily, in view of a proposal to hold a “Wilson’s
Promontory Evening” at an early date.

GENERAL,

The following motion, notice of which was given at

the December meeting, was moved by Mr. L. L. Hodgson,

i “That Mrs. V. H. Mitier be

elected an Honorary Life Member of the Club, in recopni-

tion of special services rendered and benefactions con-

ferred upon the Club by Mr. and Mrs. Miller.” The

motion was seconded by Mr. A. G. Hooke, and earried
unanimously.

LECTURE.

Mr. A, H, Mattineley, C. M.Z.8., delivered a tnettisd en-
titled “Papua Re-visited,” in the course of which he deult
with many aspects of native life and customs in Papua,
and also referred to several of the more interesting plants
indigenous to this region. A comprehensive series of
lantern views illustrated Mr, Mattingley’s remarks.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. A. H. Mattingley—(a) Fish-hock made of
mother-of-pearl and bird’s claw; (b) tusks of Dugong;
(c) erocodile teeth—ain illustration of Jecture.

By Master Eric Mattingley.—Twelve ticks taken from
the ears of a blue-tongue lizard,

By Mr_ H. B. Williamson, F.L.S,—Dried specimens of
16 species of aquatic plants desalt with in his article in the
January issue of the Naturalist,

270 Hivid Naturaiinta” Club—Proceedings Vie hte

Ry Mr. A, EB. Rodda—Branchlet and aerial root of
Mangrove (Avicennia officinalis), with acorn barnacles
attached, from Kororoit Creek, Altona.

By Miss B. Bollon.—thive specimen of Botany Bay
Diamand Beetle (Chrysolophus spectabilis), from Bright,
Vittoria.

By Mrs. E, S. Hanks Specimens of Hyacinth Orchid
(Dipedium punctatum), from Wandin,

By Dr. H. Flecker.—Fresh-water molluses from Cat-
rum Creek.

By Mr. A. Carter —Shells from Sealers’ Cove, Wilson's
Promontory,

By Mr, W. Hanks.—Sandstone of silurian age, covered
with brachiopod shells of various species, from behind
Pentridge Stockade, Coburg; also native rubbing stone.

By Miss Wigan.—Original letter from Baron von
Mueller ta Dr. Jamieson. .

‘The meeting terminated after the usual conversazione.

we.

EXCURSION TO RACKCOURSE BEACH.

Twelve members and friends luck part in the excursion tu Race-
course Beach, Seaholm, on January 14. Tn, the salt marshes,
tlants of Sea-Ileath (Feankenia), Goosefoot, Horned Poppy, Salt-
Bush, Glasswort, and other species were collected. In places the
Glasswort (Sdlizormia) forms bushes 3 feet in height and more in
diameter, in which White-fronted Chats and Goldfinches hava been
found nesting. Half-a-mile from the shore a flock of about of
Black Swans were feeding in the shallow water, while wn the ex-
tensive sandbanks, Sandpipers and Gulls (both the Pacific and
Silver species), and Pied Cormorants, were numerous, with a few
Dotterels and a Blsack-cup Tern vr two arnong the Gulls. ‘There
was also a flock of seven Sea-Curlews, which our party disturbed
several times.

A visit was paid to the belt of Mangroves, Avicennia nfficinaliz,
growing slong the left bank of the Kororoit Creek, and, the tide
being“out, we were able to walk arnong them and pote the numerous
peg-like pneumatonhores projecting: upwards, and, occasionally,
aerial roots stretching downwards towards the mud, It is in-
teresting fo note thal this is the nearest place to Melbourne, where
the Mangrove survives. Keturninge to the beach, some of us
waded over the wet sand flats and shallow pools, and some interest-
ing phases of sea life were observed. A particularly large speci-
men of the introduced Shore Crab was. surrounded in very shallow
water. and immediately showed fight by slashing its claws together
in a threatening manner, until expertly picked up when imme-
diately it gave in-and beeame quiet. Some shells were collected
by the conchologists of the party—-A, T.. Ronpa, °

Pep. Daney, The History of Flora Austratiensis 271

HISTORY OF FLORA AUSTRALIENSIS,
Part Vill,
By Cxkas. Daney, B.A., FLL.

Aug, 17th, 1885, Dr, Hooker informs Mueller that his
son, 4 mining enginecr, is going to Australia seeking em-
ployment. | ; He gives a letler of recommendation, and
writes, “hé is well educated and thoroughly dependable."
From The Camp, Sunningdale, October Srd, 1886, he
writes :— i

“t thank you exceedingly for the gift of your splendid volume
on Myonormnege, which will add a huge corner-stone to the
edifice you have raised to Australien Botany. It is a capital
pair to the Eucalypts, and I can hope now that your labour
will be carried on for many years te come. I have also to
thank you fer your many kind attentions to my son, Brian, who

seems to be getting on well.” .

He writes that he is now occupying Bentham’s room,
and is engaged with the Indian plants, and has no time
for Herbaria work on the Gardens. No letters are avail-
able for 1887 although there was no intermission of
correspondence.

The next is from The Camp, Sunningdale, March 4th,
1888. He thanks Mueller for his congratulations on re-
ceiving the Copley meédal, which he had not expected.
“In my old age I felt that I had been rewarded enough,
and ta spare, Ido hope that your turn of Royal Society
honor may nol be delayed. There are many scientists
on the list for jt.”

He thanks the Baron for hia notices of Brian, whom
he ig sorry to see speculating in gold-mining in Quecna-
jand. He should be content wifh an honorable position
under government, and has become engaged to a Mel-
bourne lady.

Returning to the subject of Botany, he writes :—

“Yes, the task of 4 Lamautier Key is immensely dificult. I
haye tried it myself; but, when It have done so I have thrown
affinity to the winds, finding it impossible to correlate artificial
and natural characters. J cannot encourage you to hope that
your attempt wall meet with the recognition that, its labour and
merit; deserve--from the simple -but lamentable fact that
systematic work is ignoved in the present condition of Botany.

_ o"“DThe flora of British India is ignored, and { am not aware

of any converts in the many reforms introduced into the
Natural Orders in the Genera Plontarum, The Orders Vint-
‘ferae, Contforar, and Ritbiaceae, Melastinuceae, etc., are com-
pletely re-modelled, as are many others.

“For my own part, | never look for recognition or acknow-
ledgment of such labours.

"We are stil] mourning Asa Gray’s death. He and Mrs.

g72 DaLey, History of Flora Avstratiensis A nae

Gray spent last summer in Europe, and made a tour with me
in Normandy, and he left the house for his home at the end
o£ September in perfect healt. I have known him intimately
since 1838. ‘You will find a notice by mein Nature,

“T’am in hopes that you will get more New Guinea collec:
tions to describe. They seem to come in, and Forbes's last ex-
pedition to have been a failure, [am very sorey that you can
give no better account of your health, and do hope that it will
soon be restored; there is 0 much work etill to be done.”

' The Camp, Sunningdale,.
ites April 6/86.
My Drar Baron,— . '

Dyer tells me thut you would kindly accept a more modern
photograph of me than that you have. I take se little account
of such things that T huve no idéa what it is you have; but on
the chance I enclose what js not, I hope, a duplicate—if Jt is,
please do what you please with it. 1 stil think that the one by
G. Walent, which was published in a series of Presidents by that

' pontloman ig the bext, though faint, I also send an excellent
* little one of my father, taken out many years before he died,

My 20n, Brian, tells us he is married to a Victorian lady, T

hope be has made a sensible match.

‘IT am still toiling at the Indian flora, - . . Systematic
Botany seems about centred at Kew, and what splendid colléc-
tivns there are at Leyden, Paris, and St. Petersburgh. Japan

and Java ‘should be undertaken, The flora of the Straits

Settiemente is to be undertaken by King, with me as referee

at Kew, King will, I am glad to say. be home this summer,

in the end of May, and will, I suppose, lay the foundation of the
work. His leave will be only for six months, so he will have
plenty to do. He mettions being latterly at the Indian Orchids,

Oberonea having nearly 42. species.

Cireicester,
Nav.19,1383.

My Dear Baron,—

I have to congratulate you on the announcement of a Royal
medal boing awarded to you for your many long, ani distin-
guished services to Botany; long may you live to enjoy it.

T write from the house ef my son, who is a medical practi-
tioner. This town is a vety interesting one on account of its
Roman remains. -

Tam myself quite absorbed in Indian orchids, and their name
ts legion, and J am utterly confounded at finding how littie has
been done by anyone but Lindley towards deseribing any of the
eontents of the genera themselves.

- Bentham did a wonderful piece of work in describing the
,order and limiting the genera: and, except in isolated cases, I
do not -see my way to any material improvement on what he

_ did; But. the species themselves are in a state of chaos that I
_ had no conception of. No one but Lindley in hie folio seems
to have attempted to classify-the species for a single genus.

, + + The amount of direction I have fo do is enormous, and
this reminds me to ask you if you use Browning's platyscopic
lenses for the simple microscope. I find them invaluable for
clearness, and the immense atea they cover, I get them mounted
to fit the area of the microscope. They are 18/- each, and there

r Ste Darky, History of Mlova Australiensis 273

are four powers. The relief to the oyes after the ordinary lenses
T have used all my life (imeluding doublets, triplets, Cadding-
tons and the Compound) ig greater than [can dell. If you send
meé the diameter of the ring or arm into which your lenses fit,
I would get Browning to mouat a couple of powers so ag to fit it.
Ever sincerely yours,
JOS. D, HOOKER.

In a communicative letter from The Camp, Sunning-
dale, the first pages of which sre absent, and evidently
refer to matters previously mentioned, there is much in-
formation in regard to the great work, Jmdlex Kewiensis.
The date of the letter is probably 1892. The remaining
pages commence with a reference to the praposed wark.

How to get it printed so as to sefl at a reasonably cheap rate
is the rub with & publisher, the prices will be prohibitive. There
will be at least three vols, quarto, with 1,600 pages each, and
three colurnns on a page, and there are upwards of 60,000
entries, and this up to the year 1885. Lam now énquicing
whether the Cambridge Press would have undertaken it,

Cambridge was Darwin's University, and three of his sons
are settled there, two as professors, but I doubt if they could
afford it without help, and I am stcing what'I could do by
touling amongst wealthy patrons of horticulture, Sir George
MacLeay has given me £300 to begin with. I suppose we
must print at least 1,600 copies, as the work will be wanted both
by botanists and horticulturists. It gives the names, first
authority (book and pen), and native country of every plant,
and synonyms as far as possible, but the work must not be
looked upon a8 an authority, for synonyms. You will find
every published name up to 1885; it professes no more. Of
éourse, extablished synonyms’ are entered ag sent; and, where
“possible, referred to their proper, place; and this hax, aa yuo
may suppese, given ceaselesn trouble in the hundreds of cases
where there are differences of opinion when a plant
referred to several genera, <All such cases are referved
to Oliver and myself. In doing the Indian Outlines,
the work bas been invalinble fo me. Wow else could I have
found Reuvhenbecke’s species published like yours in an infinity
of periodicals. ' I ehall soon send you 4 sample page. Do
you think you could get any help towards publishing in Aus-
tralia? Oliver anid I have devoted much time to it, of course,
gratuitously; so did Juhn Bale, whose Ioss to Kew Herbarium

+ is deplorable, ;

As for myself, [ am very well, but getting old. 1 am just
finishing the Outlines of the Flora of British India, a most
unsatisfactory job that hag cost me upwards of three years’

bor. Reuhenbecke’s work is detestable; he did not codify
a single genus, and his descriptions of species are so incom
plete that [I often have not known in what section of a genus
to put his species. Had not Bentham done the Genera’ of the
Order, I do not know where we should be. In doing India, J
am in #dmiration of Bentham's treatment of the Genera, espe-
cially seeing what a confused jumble of published materials he
had to deal with; and-the badness of Herbarium specirnens.

2t4 DaALbY, History of Flory Australionsis ye xaay

As for the rest, the Flora cf British India and the Botanical
Magazine take up all my time execpt the Steudal, which I am
revising after: Jackson,
Ever, my dear Mueller,
Sincerely yours,
; JO8, D, HOOKER,

‘In November, 1895, from The Camp, Sunningdale, he
states that he is reminded of remissness in correspond-
ence by a letter from Mr, Bufton, Tasmania, “who writes
;--- of your good offices and his own botanical proclivi-
ties. It is delightful for me, in my old age, to find
myself remembered in Tasmania, and I feel very keenly
Mr. Bufton’s kindness in writing ta me sand telling me of
the progress of Tasmanian Botany and of his aspirations
as a naturalist.’ He desires to be made a F.R.S.; “but,”
says Hooker, “I do not know if he has done any original
work without which entry is now impossible.” Regard-
ing a new edition of Mueller'’s Select Plants, he writes,
“It must gratify you to see the work often cited for prac-
tical purposes,”

He notifies |

"Sending you a lithograph of the best portrait of my father in

the Journal of the Kew Guild’s Annual of the staff of Gardens

ut Kew,” of which he will try and eet a copy, He states that
_ the portrait of Brown is from an of! painting by Pierce, made
for Lady Franklin, who had gallery of such hkenesses of. her
friends. “It was given me by Miss Canerott, after Lady Frank-
lin’s death, and it is an admirable likeness of a great man in
extreme old age. TI think T sent you the. little Wedgewnnd
medallion of my father that 1 had made at Sturia; if not, let

me know, as I am ordering sume more to be struck off. 4

The geographers have good hopes of an Antarctic expedition
with this Gevernment. Germany and Norway are organising
expeditions. The Norwegi:ins were highly favored by the
weather. It was an awful time when we were off Cape Adare.
Rose would have given his ears to be able to land anywhere
on the enast; and, if he could not, IT um sure no one else could
have af that tome. As we experienced (1840-1) the seasons
vary greatly; and, if we had had. the weather of 1242-3 we
should never have discovered Vtetoria Land, nor, perhaps even
have approached it, | hear, too. it is quite clear, from Wed-
dell’s experiences, that the pack moves ite position over vast
areas, Nevertheless, I am inclined to think that the route wia
EB, Coast of Victoria Land may be always more of lese open, the
currents being strong. '

As to wintering, 1 extremely doubt the practicability of 1;
and, even if practicable; 1 cannot conceive any commander tak-
ing the responsibility of leaving 2.party in such a. climate of
wind, fog, and snow, and on;such a coast, any part of which
may be blockaded for years by bergs or packs, and remain for
an Indefinite period. Let Cape Adare be, ever so acceptable
now, 4 square mile of pack, or a couple of icebergs stranded off
it might scal it up in a week for years. Graham's Land is the
pisee to search for winter quarters.” .

see) Dap, History of Flora Australiensic 275

This Comment on Antarctic exploration, with which,
in Ross’s. expedition of 1840, he had had experience, is
of interest in view of the successful revival of Polar ex-
ploration by a party sent out by the Vietorian Branch
of the Royal Geographical Society, of which the Baron
waa President, the modest forerunner of the well
equipped expeditions of the last 30 yeare.*

Dr. Hooker states that he js still at Flora Indica, snd
finds it very hard work identifying species.

His fourth son, Reginald, Assistant Secretary to the
Statistician, has been appointed to a Government post in
the Intelligence Department of Agriculture, being top
of the candidates. The salary is £150 per annum, rising
in £16 increments to £300 per annum, with a chance of
promotion, and a pension at 60 years. Brian has an
appointment to a position at Coolgardie at £450 per
annum. Heisa hard worker, and particulars about him
are impatiently awaited. .

"Tt is very gratifying to me that you keep in communi-
cation with his wife, who owes you so much,” is Lhe con-
eluding sentence. =f it

1 The Camp, Sunningdale,
ont . March 2nd, 1896,
My Dear Baron,—

1 have not yet thanked you for your acceptable letter of the
New Year, with its kind felicitatiuns, which I cordially accept
and respond to. Only to-day I have received your addvegs ta
the Geographical Section of A.A.A.S. at Brisbane. ~ [ have
vead it with yery great pleasvre and hot interest, It is capt-
tal und worthy of you, so ful] of savnd matter and of sound
sense, and all so well put that one "runs us one feads?’ and
what 4 store of information it contains, The summary of a
world’s ways and means frum an antipodal point of view, and
that a British standpoint, is verily refreshing, and makes one’s
hiond course faster. Thank you yery much for it and its
cantents.

You may guess: how deeply welcome your Jetter was, when I
tell you that it is yet the only intimation I have of Brian's
digegvary of mercury at Coolgardie, I had heard frora himself
very shortly before (1 suppese) the happy find. He told me
that he had # good billet ss munager of the White Feather
mine, with £600 a year,

1 am still struggling with the Indian Grasses, and Stepp is
preparing the same ordev for the flora of Tropical Alrica and
S. Africa, so we have much work in common that benefits us
both. The chaotic condition of the African grasses in the
Harbaria is inconceivable, and I only wish that T could withhold
publication till Stepy's is over, for [ can foresee that his work

“Sec p, 37, writer’s Memoir of Life of Baron Sir Ferd.
Mueller.

296 Daceyv, History of Flora Auatentieusia Ve ety

will throw great light on the Indian thay cannot appear till Ris
is completed.

{am also busy with Banks’s narrative, which necessitates a
great deal of work in detail, Happily [ am actively assisted
in this by my son, Reginald (now m che Agricultural Depart-
ment) as to which sp bointinene I thank you heartily for your
cangratulations. IT shall have to cotlect materials of Banks
from thts, the Royal Society’s rvuoms, and of Solander from
that, the Linnean Society's rooms_ a

The valuable feature of this work is the revealing of Banks
in his right place us a working naturalist, the pioneer of the
jiluatrious band of Naturalist Voyagerss of which Darwin is the
eulminant. lt nowhere appears in the accounts of Banks's
life and works that he was a bona fide naturaliat, in which
respect. Hawksworth does him no justice, Banks was further
the interpreter of the expedition, the commmissariat officer, so
to speak, and the thiet-catcher, to whose energy was due the
recovery of the stolen quadrants, but for which the expedition
would have been a failure, In short, but for Banks, the results
of Cook's Vovages would have been confined to geographical
discovery. His subsequent position as the Mucenas of Sejence
has eclipsed hitherto all he did in his carly cluys as a scientific
worker. Had he but published his collections, what a mark he
would have made in the scientific world proper. As it was,
he gave anyone liberty ta make use of them, and exeept for
the fragment of the Botany published by Brown, there was
nothing gained by these mugnilicent collections.

The conclusion of the “Index was indeed a relief, for which,
‘al my age, lam more thankful than I can express, for I have
always the fear of Saturn’s seythe at my heels during the long
period of its gestation. In one’s 79th year, the inevitable steals
on; the Ferns, so long an unfinished work, is in hand, and so it
is with the Indian grasses; but, 48 nearly half of this is printed,
IT may hope to see it concluded by midsummer, I still go three
days x week to Kew. I work here for the rest of the week.
The miniature of my father gocs by next mail.

Ever sincerely yours,
JOS. D, HOOKER,
' Answered’ 14/4/96. '

And now we come to the last letter which Dr. Hooker
sent to his old friend from -
The Camp,
Sunningdale,

June 12/96,.
My Dear Baron,— ' ul
1 have just opened and read yours of the 7th ultimo, and am
much gvatified by your notice of the Graminge of Fl, Beit. Ind.
Ll wish that I could look upon it with even equanimity, mych
more with satisfaction, hyt the further [ go on, the more con-
vineed 1 feei that the work is only an introduction. to the study
_of Indian grasses, und that future observations may much
modify my conclusions, Then, too, there is a plentiful crop of
blunders and omissions which turn up in the most unexpected
places. Then in the chain of genera, several genera are absent
—of obscure things that linked in out-of-the-way corners of
the Herbaria,.or of plants which, on a third revision, demanded
generic rank.

rep] - Daney, Atstory of Flora Austrationsis 277

66 Pappui must go into Calebrosa, with Calpodis, and go
next to Pon. Phragmites Mudayascarinus must form a new
Benus Hegnuntia,

The characters of 104, 105, 106 have got mixad by the printer
{L suppose). '-1l have just sent Pog, Festuca and Brenius to
press. I gave them all to Stepp to discriminate and diagnose,
as he knows European and Oriental grasses muich betler than
Ido. He has also done Hraprosts, 2 very difficult task, ‘Then
as the Bambusiae, ave all worked up by Gamble, ‘and it would
be folly bo interfere with his work, [ have only to extract this
matter, and put. it in the form of ‘the other genera of Grasses
af Gritish India, and-give him the credit of it, ete,

Banks's journal is nearly free of the press, a copy shall, of
course, go to vou at once. It cost more Jabour lo eoneatenate
properly than I anticipated, and I have been pawerfully aided
by my second son, Reginald, who is an officer in the Board of
Agriculture, and of a literary and mathematical turn. 1 hone
ike work will take in Australia, and give the world a higher
idea of Banks than it had. There should be a monument to
him in Australia, ; ; ;

The idea of giving you 4 musical salutation* on vour birth-day
tend mine) charms me. T did not know we were co-nated as
to day and month, or I would have thought especially of you;
all the more, as 1 had a musical Jubilee, tao. “My youngest boy,
Richard, aetat 12, having composed » very pretty piece for mu.
He is almost a musical genius, and delightful on the violin, Lull
of feeling and expression, “

At last Mrs. Brian has gone up’to her husband with the
chiJdvan; he has just built a house for them at Coolgardie,
Kanowna, where he has charge of a mine with £700 per annuin,
and liberty to look after athers. I pow think of all your kind-
ness to his poor wife in her distress with much gratified feelings.

Byer, my dear Baron,
Most sincerely yours,
JOS. D. HOOKER.

The Baron would receive this letter about two months
before his death in October, 1896, and although probably
unanswered, it would, from its kindly expression of feel-
ing, be specially welcome to him in his illness and com-
parative loneliness.

Thus, the long and unbroken correspondence between
Dr. Hooker, the most prominent scientist of his time,
and Baron Mueller, the distinguished Australian Botanist,
came to an end tn mutual interchange of kindly wishes
and friendly thoughts.

Tt is a remarkable tribute to the simple werth of the
Baron’s character, and a convincing testimony to the high
esteem in which he was regarded in scientific cireles in
Europe, that over a period of nearly fifty years, three
such eminent and distinguished English botanists as

“By Liedertafel. ;

278 Datny, History of Flora Australiensis (vis: xt

Bentham and the two Hookers—the two elder until the
closing years of their lives, and the survivor until
Mueller’s demise—shauld have preserved so unbraken a
friendship with a kindred soul, “whom not having seen,”
they could yet so well understand and appreciate.

In establishing Australasian Botany during the half
ceniury mentioned, the influence, judgment, and know-
ledge of these three great scientists, always available in
the furtherance of Mueller’s work,, have had important
effects, as valuable in their way as-the practical scientific
work of which Flora Tasmaniz and Flora Austra-
liensis are the fruition and the crown,

Sir Joseph Hooker survived his fellow scientist for
many years, honored and esteemed as the most distin-
guished botanist of his time, the great philosopher whose
wide knowledge and powerful influence were successfully
exerted in producing the wonderful change. in scientific
thought which followed the gradual recognition of the
truth of the mutability of species, as advanced by Charles
Darwin, his life-long friend.

Hooker’s last ptiblic appearance among biologists was
at the Centenary of Darwin’s birth in 1909. He died
two years later at the age of ninety-four, leaving an im-
perishable name.

Errata.-—P. 186, line 11, George Bentham.
P, 187, line 53, (1832-1889),
P. 214, line 24, omit “two.
P. 248, line 7, 23, Sarrarenia.

GE ALLL, a OMA. weetin tre coating]
oe er aan ae.

Hb. — fa,
Jb te nigtnhel

Signatures.

roenl FLeEAY, The Eastern Australien Opossum 279

THE EASTERN AUSTRALIAN RING-TAILED
OPOSSUM.

By DAVID FLBAY.

Our familiar little Ring-iailed ’Possum, correctly known
as the Eastern Australian species, Pseudochirus lanigino-
sus, is a characteristic inhabitant of the dense bush
gullies, and, among other haunts, is not averse to taking
up an abode in the gardens of both suburban and country
dwellings. For many years I have been in close contact
with it, both in the bush and in a ‘‘wild-tame” condition
about our home. Some have thriven in captivity and
reared numerous families.

Varying, in general colour, from silver-grey to brown-
ish grey, this small syndactylous marsupial is too well
known to call for a detailed description. The total
length, from nose to tip of tail, is a little more than two
feet; the face is characterized by large, protruding brown
eyes and rounded ears, while the under-surface of the
body is white. The strongly prehensile, thin tail is white
on the latter portion, in proportions varying with indivi-
duals, and serves the active creature almost asafifthlimb.
Unfortunately, more than one “ringtail’’? has been mis-
taken for a water-rat, and treated accordingly, owing to
this partially white member.

The terminal portion of the tail is naked on the under-
surface, and extremely muscular; and, if the marsupial
is suspended by the tail, it rapidly climbs up it in hand
over hand fashion! Silhouetted against the moon on
a quiet night, or seen ambling along the limbs of the
Eucalypts, with its tail held in a continued line from the
body, the prowler is easily identified. The quivering
hiss, so often given in alarm, is frequently heard.

As a general rule, the Ring-tailed Opossum constructs
a bulky nest, amid the tangled Blackwoods, Wattles and
Tea-tree cof forest gullies; being found also in coastal
Tea-tree, and established in the hollow branches of
Eucalypts scattered over plain country. At times, the
structure is placed surprisingly low, in blackberry bushes
the thorny wilderness evidently being a fairly safe
retreat. The cosy home is frequently constructed of
sprays, in pine trees, or in the wild cherry, E'xocarpus,
of the bushlands.

Unlike his relatives, the Common and Short-eared
*Possums, the “Ring-tail’” is well advanced in home-

280 FLEAY, The Eastern Australian Opossum RAC ics
building methods, and I have noted two types of nest.
One type is an open structure; the other, the usual domed
home, resembling a large nest of the Sparrow, and pos-
sessing sometimes two entrance-holes. Externally, the
home usually is composed of bracken fern, dry gum
sprays and bark, while shredded bark constitutes a warm
lining. The open nests, which seem to belong to lone
*Possums, often are converted into the larger, domed
structures.

When pursued into the tree-tops, these animals pull
the leaves together beneath them, and mingled, as it
were, with the foliage, elude detection even by very keen
eyes. Rarely do they return to a bush-land home if
ejected or disturbed; and when I touch the nest in which

Photo, D. Fleay

Young Opossum, 10 weeks of age, being persuaded back to the
pouch by its mother. (Note her grip of its tail.)

a captive specimen lives, the "Possum carefully puts all
the twigs in order again.

One free pair of the ’Possums have reared families in
several successive seasons, in a garden tree. It was
charming to see the mother invading the house at night,
by way of a window, with the young ones clinging to her
back.

On various occasions I have had the good fortune to

rete] Fueay, The Eastern Australian Opossum 281

observe these animals nest-building by the light of the
moon. The material is gathered in the fore paws and
transferred to the tail, which curls round it; and thus the
load is transported to the nesting site. The new bark,
bracken fern, etc., is firmly placed in position, and inter-
twined with the previous construction by means of the
animal’s fore-paws and teeth; while inside the nest, the
builder arching its back, pushes up the roof—in order,
apparently, to maintain the spaciousness of the little
home. The bulk of the occupants in a nest in my ‘‘Zoo”
became so great, as the young ones grew up, that the
floor of the nest fell out, and with it went the family!

Unfortunately, the ‘“Ring-tail” has a habit of running
for short distances over the ground, and so falls an easy
prey to the alert fox—as many a little heap of silvery-
grey fur bears witness.

The pouch of the female ‘Ring-tail’” contains four
mammae, and each season, usually in May, June, or July,

Photo, D. Fleay.
Ring-Tailed Opossum with two young ones, 13 weeks old, clinging
to her back. They are not yet permanently out of the pouch.
(Note the mother’s grip of their tails.)

from two to three young ones are born. Previous to
this, in the usual pairing period of April and May, the
animals fight bitterly, especially if a number be kept in
the same enclosure; but, as a rule, the females and males
battle only with others of their own sex. The young—
which I have inspected within an hour of birth—appar-

282 Fieay, The Eastern Australian Opossum { ¥iS Nat

ently crawl into the pouch aided by the mother, and there
attach themselves. The points of the mammae become
distended within the tiny mouths, and so prevent detach-
ment. The tiny, naked creatures, if taken from the
maternal shelter, even at this age, endeavour to return—
a process in which the mother aids them. Nourishment
is forced into the infants for two or three weeks, and a
week or more from the time of birth, the pinkish body
colour gives place to a bluish-black, as distinct from the
flesh-colouring of young of the Common and Short-eared
species.

Six to seven weeks after birth the young one, which is
now extracting nourishment from the mother by means
of its own activities, can be disengaged temporarily from
the mammae. It can even be taken from the pouch, whilst
the mother is always faithful to its hissing cries. Some
12 weeks after birth, fur, usually of a reddish nature,
makes its appearance cn the small bodies; and very soon
they become too large to be contained any longer in the
pouch. Occasionally the mother carries her offspring
at night, and they cling with claws and teeth to the fur
of her back. In times of danger, however, they are in-
variably carried off through the tree-tops in this manner.

When the young ’Possums are quite immature and still
in the pouch, the mother often pauses in her nocturnal
ramblings to sit up, open the pouch with both fore-paws,
and thoroughly lick the infants with her small, pink
tongue. When six months old the young animals drift
away, or are violently ejected by the mother, who has
cared for them so affectionately. Various fruits, rose
leaves and petals, gum-tree blossom, and young leaves,
and the foliage of many introduced trees, constitute the
varied diet of these arboreal animals; and it is most
entertaining to watch them sitting up and eating rose
buds (some folks may think differently!) with loud chew-
ing noise, and evidently much satisfaction.

The voice of the ‘“Ring-tail” is a quivering “quiss-
ss-ss-!,” oft repeated, and during a scuffle between two
of the animals, they seem to be almost sobbing.

The “Ring-tail,” owing to protection, and a fairly
ready acceptance of new conditions, appears to be one
of the few native animals which continues to hold its own
as settlement progresses—would that we could say the
same of many others.

vo Wituiamson, The Aquatic Plante of Vietnria 288

THE AQUATIC PLANTS OF VICTORIA.
PaRT I],
By I. B. WILLIAMSON, F,L.S.
POTAMOGETONACEAE (Pondweedsy,

This family is represented in Victoria by six genera,
three of which are marine—ZoOsTERA (2 sp.), CYMODOCGEA
(1 sp.), and Posiponta (1 sp.). Of-the other three,
Ruppia (1 sp.}; ALYHENIA (2 sp.), and PoTAMOGETON
(9 sp.}. grow in brackish or in fresh water, most of the
last named genus favouring fresh water of inland ponds
or lagoons in river flats.

Genus ZOSTERA, Grasswrack. .

(Gk. Zoster, a belt, referring to the band-tike leaves.)

These plants oceur in masses in shallow sea water,
often exposed at low tide. They grow from rhizomes
and short stems bearing long ribbony leaves about one-
sixteenth inch in width. Sometimes huge heaps of the
dry plant may be seen on.the beach. . This is much used
for packing material for fragile goods instead of straw-
Flowers are unisexual and:very minute, unprovided with
a perianth;.and attached to the thin flat rachis of a spike
enclosed in a spathe consisting of the sheathing base of
a leaf. On this flat receptacle male flowers, consisting
of a single one-celled anther, and female flowers consist-
ing of a single carpel with a two-branched style are inter-
mingled, ;

ZOSTERA NANA, Roth, 1827 (including Z. Muelleri
Irmisch, 1867)! DOwarf Grasswrack. (Fig. 1.)

Under this may be placed most of the specimens col
lected-on our coast line, The typical nave has leave
very narrow, with few secondary veins, presenting a
slight difference in the bilobed summit, and also in the
shape of the spathe, but.Bentham was probably correct
in uniting Irmisch's species under the older species. The
author's specimens from Paynesville are apparently the
true nana, Leaves vary from a few inches to over a
foot im length, and from one sixteenth 10 one-tenth inch
wide, with one central and two margina] veins; and from
six to twelve finer nerves between, The leaves are
notched at the end, thus showing two minute rounded
lobes (1¢). In Chis respect the species differs from the
world-wide 2, wring, and also from the next species,
At the base of the leaves the sheath (la) covering the
flowers or fruit exn be found, and the edges may be lifted
to expose the flat rachis bearing the minute flowers (nr

284 WILLIAMSON, The Agnitic Plaute of Victoria (YS sh

fruit) (1b), with two or three vertical plates {brac-
teales?) folded inwards over some of the flowers.

It occurs along the south and esst coast of Australia
as well as in Europe, Asia and Africa.

ZOBTERA TASMANICA, G. V, Martens, Tasman
Grasswrack. (Fig. 2.)

This is easily distinguished from Z. nana by its longer
and more dilated leaf sheaths, about 1 inch in length, and
* inch in width, and the absence of\the bract-llke folds,
The leaves are not distinctly notched at the end. Appar-
ently it ‘has rarely been gathered on our coast since
Mueller’s specimens, “Port Phillip’ and “Lady Bay.”
There are specimens from Barwon Heads, J. B. Wilson;
and from Brighton, A, J. Tadgell. It appears to be con-
fined 10 Tasmania and the south coast of Australia.

Genus CYMODOCEA, (Gk, Cymodoke, Sea Nymph.)

CYMODOCGRA ANTARCTICA (Labill.) Endl. Sea Nymph.
(Fig. 3.)

This is a marine submerged plant, with long wiry
branching stems, showing numerous leaf scars. IE can
easily be distinguished by its leaves, which are distichous
at the ends of the branches, from one to three inches in
length, and about } inch in width, curiously truncate or
lunate, sometimes, presenting a two-horned’ appearance.
The leaves have their bases enclosed in broad sheaths,
concealing the solitary flowers, Male flowers consist of
two anthers, and the female flowers. (on distinet- plants)
two carpels surrounded by connate bracteoles. It is-
restricted to the coasts of Australia and Tasmania. The
author collected it at Barwon Heads,

Genus POSIDONIA.. (Gk, Poseidon, Neptune.)

POSIDONTA AUSTRALIS, Ilk. f, Fibre-ball weed. (Pig. 4.)
A submarine plant with ribbony leaves, often two to
three feet in length, and about 4 inch in width, rounded
at the end, and with numerous parallel veins. At the
hase of the stem-is a mass of fibre, the remains of old
leaf sheaths. Flowers are on spikes two or three inches
in length, arising from a bunch of floral leaves, which
are provided with sheaths up to 1 inch in tength, per-
sistent after the floral leaves break off. There is no
perianth, and the flower consists of @ carpel with a 2-
4-lobed stigma and three stamens sessile on » connective
with a few broad bracts. which are only partially per-
sistent, Australian and Tasmanian coasts only. No
specimen collected on the coast of Victoria has been
found in the National Merbarium, nor is there any

>> ae
en . S == =
= >
, J
o = ee
— Se

—

aft (
d Oy
\N
rt Ne
An i
= 1
A
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———

1, 2, Zostera. 3, Gymoedocen, 4, Posidenta, 6, 6, Althevia, |
f Ruppi

286 «= Wittramson, The Aquatic Plunts of Vietoria | YS Net

authentic record of the same. IL appears tu have been
placed on our'cénsus on the strength of specimens col-
lected on the adjacent coasts of Tasmania and §.A.
(Beachport, etce.), and on the probability that it may yet
ie found on the Victorian coast. ;

Genus ALTHENTA. at
(After J, Althen, a Persian refugee in France, who
introduced the cultivation of madder.) :
Submerged, plants growing injfresh or in brackish
water. with capillary stems and leaves, and male and
female flowers on separate plants. Male flowers are
two or three together, enclosed in the dilated base of the
floral leaves, each consisting of three sessile anthers
enclosed -in thin sheaths or bracteoles. Female flowers
are at first enclosed, but soon are projected from the
sheaths so that ripe fruits are easily seen. By these,
determination car easily be made, and without them is
scarcely possible.

ALYHENIA AUSTRALIS (J. Drumm.) Aschers. Austral
Water-mat. (Fig. 5.)

Leaves are capillary, with dilated, stipular bases.
fruits in threes. on a straight pedicel up to nearly an inch
in length, each short-stalked, with a short incurved beak,
und provided with a small braet (5a, 5b) or sepal. Aus-
tralia and Tasmania only (W.A., S.A.. V.} The only
Victorian specimens in the National Herbarium are from
the Wimmera and the Murray. It appears that con-
fusion with Auppia has led to this plant being recorded
for the 8.W., S. and E.

ALTHENTA PREISSII (Lehm.), Graebn. Slender Water-
mat. (Fig. 6,

A commoner plant than the last- named, and distin-
guished from it by its scarcely dilated leat bases, the
narrower stipular sheaths of the floral Jeaves, and ite
slender smooth, cylindrical fruits with their strarght fli-
. form styles longer than the fruit (Ga). It oceurs’ in
W.A., S.A. Tas.,, V. In Victoria it has been gathered
in the Albert Park Lake, and in many places in the
coastal parts.

Genus RUPPIA. (After a German botanist, H. B,
Ruppius,)
Ruppia MARIYimA, L. Sea Tassel. (Fig. 7.)

A plant very common in salt and brackish Iagoons,
chiefly along the coast. Tt is easily mistaken for
Althenia australis, owing to the sheathing bases and
stipules of the flora] leaves, bwt. the sheaths are wider,

Vers | Wibuiamson, The Aquatic Plants. of Viotorta 287

and on close examination they may be seen to contain the
young spikes (a), consisting of two sessile anthers, and
fyom four to eight carpels (b), These spikes soon pro-
trude on straight lengthening stalks (c), until they reach
the surface, and after the anthers have fallen, to float
away, the long, thin stalk becomes spirally convoluted, and
the fertilized carpels are pulled below the surface. When
straightened aut: these stalks are sometimes over six
inches in length, The earpels, although at first sessile
on the spike, are found when ripe to be on long straight
stalks, sometimes two tnches long, These stalks break
off and carry the rine fruit to the bottom, where the seed
germinates, Some interesting observation work on the
fife history of this plant was done by members of the
Club, Mr. J. Searle and Dr. C. 8. Sutton some years aso,
and the result was published in the September number
of the Neturalist. 1919. No plant is more widely spread,
as it ocevrs in all continents, and in avery part of Aus-
Lrahia, -

Note an Philidrivn lanxgineswn, Banks:—(Part 1., January
nomber}. In addttion to the two localities quoted, another one
has to be recorded:—Sandringhaim, 1907, A. J, Tadgell.

- CRANE-FLIES CAPTURED BY DROSERA.
Sundews ate not séletrive ih capturing insects, though some
kinds may be more nutritious than athers—more casily “digested,’
Any small inseet that alights upon or accidemtally flies against a
sundew, is likely to renmiain, and perish slowly. Even large
insents become Victims, for I have seen dragon-flies, dead, on
Drosevy, plunts, with gauze-wings and legs entangled.

But craue-flies (Tipulidae) especially seem to be in danger from
the insectivoyous plants, - Where Drosern yellata prows thickly
by the water-side, one day in October, IT noticed crane-flies in
numbers about them, And often a “duddy" was observed ta touch
4 sutidew, and, despite the shedding of long legs, become a captive

‘Many of the plants examined cach held one or two crane-flies;
some already lifeless, others struggling teebly,

Specimens of plants and insects, with field notes, were forwarded
ta Dr. Chns. P. Alexander, of Amherst Agricultural Colliers, Mass.,
U.S.4,, who 1s monagraphing the Australian Tipulidue, and in a
recent lelier he says: —"I was delighted co get the very interests
ing observations on the capture of these insects by Drosera poltuta.
. - « + The fly in guestion is the 2rimicra pilipes (Fahy). w
judge fron: the labels, although there were alsu sent_a fow speci-
menz of the Macromustin. This is 4 larger, more blackish flv, and
I believe the obgervationg you give refer té the Tineéeru, but pos-
sibsy both species were involved."

Timiena, IT believe, is the usual victim; where sundews enriched
un entomologist's collection. But doubtless any. species of
“daddy long'egs” would reward a general foray among Drosera
poltata and its allies, where ths plants abound —CHARLES BARRETT,

288 Some New Orchids for Victoria [wcsablat

SOME. NEW ORCHIDS FOR VICTORIA,

In the Transactions of the Royal Society of South
Australia (Volume 61, 1927), Dr. BR. S. Rogers, M.A.,
F.L.S., has described & number of new Australian
Orchids, Five new species are recorded for Victoria,
one species, Which had hitherto been recorded under an
old name, is placed in a new specific position, and three
other Victcrian species are more definitely described than
previously. In addition, 11 other new species are des-
cribed from other States. Theshew Victorian species
are described below, the descriptions. which are taken
from Dr, Rogers’ papers, are given for the benefit of
Victorian students of orchidology.

CALOCHILUS IMBERBIS, Rogera.

“Thig plant is well separated from other mombers of the genus
by its beardiess fabellam, and by the conspicuous plate af the base
of the culumn. . ‘The flowers, though not ao regular as in the genus
Theiymitea, show an approach to actinomorphy, which is very
unusual in orchids. ‘The Np is digtinetly petaloid, but the lateral
petals retain the shape which is common to all known species of
Calockilus. It apparently oecurs in considerable numbers."

DIURIS: FASTIDIOBA, Rogers,

“This species approaches DP. paluchila, Rogers, very closely in
the flower, but is well separated by its setaceous leaves and lowly
habit. Whereas the lateral scpals are about equal in length to
the petalz in D. peluchile, they ave considerably longer thaw ail the
other segments in the new species, and there is no tendendy. to
erosy. Myr. Nicholls states that ‘all the flowers point to the sky,’
ie,, the tabellum is more or less vertical. From this habit, the
specifie name is derived,”

‘Tottenham. August, September.

PRASOPHYLLUM Harti, Rogers.

"This Prasophyllum is not likely to be gonfused with any other
published species, Ita robustness (60 ¢m.), colour of Mowers
{reddish brown or prune coloured), most characteristic and ex-
tremely wide labellum cauge It, in my opinion, to stand apart from
all other members of the genus, The contrast between the green
ovary and the dark flowers is noticeable, even in dried specimens.”

Bairnsdale, November, Named after T, S. Hart, M.A.
tts discoverer, : $4

“CALADENIA ALPINA, Rogers. ;

“The new species approaches very elosely to C. cuoullata, Fitz,
and C.-.angustota, Lindl, in both of which, however, the leaf is
nartrow-linear, From the former it is also agi de adit by its
long slender flower pedicels, the markings on the labellum [trans-
verse interrupted red or purple stripes sometimes spotted), and
the absence of the fimbriated calli; and from the latter by its
wide blunt, and extremely incurved dorsal sepa) and by the trans-
verse markings on the lamina.”

Mounts Hotham, Bogong; and Baw Baws. December,
January,

This orchid was first collected by'C. French, Jr., about
30 yesrs ago, and recorded by Mueller as C. ¢arnen.

rene ] Some New Orchids for Vetorus 289

Later, it was enllected by A, J. ‘Tadgell and W. ID
Nicholls,

CALADENIA AUDASII, Rogers.

"This species occupies a taxononid position midway belween
C, Putersonii and C. clavigora. Wrom the former it ditfers in ips
entire labellum, in ils relatively longer column, and in the colour
of its flowers (yellow). From the lutter, it is easily distin-
guished by the:size und colour of Une flowers, which greatly exceed
those ‘of C. clavigera, and by the presence of six rows of valli on
the jaballym,

Mount Melvor, near Bendigo.

This orchid was collected in 1896, and placed in the
National Herbarium, The collector and month of col-
lection are Unknown. Named after J. W. Audas, F.LS.,
of the National Herbarium,

PTEROSTYLIS ROBUSTA, Rogers.

This ia the orchid which hus been known in Victoria fur many
years under the name of P. reftexu. It is reeorded by Ewart,
and Sharman, as P, reflexa, vae. robusta, Tb is illastrated in the
Victoria Ntuturwlist, Vol, XLIL, 1925, p 62, by Pesentt and
Nicholls as P, veflena,

“Tt differs from the Jatter, in its. shorter stem, wider leaves, and
relatively short straight labelluni, which dots not protrude through
the sinus of the lower lip.” "

It is widely distributed through Victoria, - -

The other Victorian orchids more fully deseribed and
dealt with are:—

Quatradia seaumoides, R.Bv, Phelymitrd Bidiwbethae, Pov.M.,
Coleana Sullivanii, PvM., and Catadeua eornen, R.Br.

NAMING OF A PRINGE-MYRTLE.

At the January meeting of the Club, Miss L. Wigan exhibited
a letter fram Raron von Mueller to Dr, Jamieson, of Collins-
street, Melbourne, dated 7/5/83, informing him that the writer
had named one of the. Fringe-myrtles after him ¢Verticordin
Janviesanii), ‘The exhibit included the original specimen, taken
near the Gascoyne River, together with label for same, and printed
description from Wing's: “Southern Science Record,” March, 1823,
A part of the letter is hore quoted:—"I hope you will accept this
homage to your talent and knowledge in the spirit in.which it was
offered; it may not be much, bat is of permanency, and may some:
day still more be valued by your descendants. Though the plant.
is not strictly a therapeutic one, yet the volatile oil pervading this
group of Fringe-myrtles is aromatic and antiseptic. Structurally,
the spectes is very remarkable, even in a singular genus, Some
day, doubtless this, with other Vorticordias, will find its way into:
conservatories here and -elséwhere,”

Members of the Club will be very pleased by the news that
Mr. J. A. Kershaw has beep elected a corresponding member of the
Zoological Society of London, As -Curatoy of the National
Museum, he has dane much valuable work for Zoology; while his
many years of service as an officer-bearer, have materially helped
ouv Club to attain its present high position, as the foremast of its
kind in the Commonwealth, and one of the leading popular natural

history clubs of the world.
pow

290 Seah, The Fish Fauna of Victoria [ Ye Har

SOME ADDITIONS TO THE FISH FAUNA OF
os VICTORIA, |

No. V.
By Jas. A, Kersuaw, ©0.¥.Z8.,

Curator, National Museum, Melbourne.

‘The following: notes are in continuation of those pre-
viously published in the Victorian. Naturalist, ’and corm-
menced in"Voly28, 1906, It was intended to continue
these notes from time to time, with-the object of ulti-
mately publishing a list of- the Victorian fishes, but cir-
‘cumstances have so far prevented this being done.

The only list dealing with our Victorian fishes is that
published by A. H. 8, Lucas in 1890, under the title, "A
Systematic Census of Indigenous Fish Hitherto Recorded
from Victorian Waters.” This list comprised some 233
species, but this number has since been considerably in-
creaged, largely due to the excellent work accomplished
by F.LS. “Endeavour,” under the direction of the late
Mr. H. G, Dannevig.

Further trawling tn, the vicinity of our coast would
undoubtedly brite’ to light many additional species, and
add considerably to our knowledge of the fish-fauna of
the State.

CEPHALOSCYLLIUM ISABELLA, Bonnaterre.
. SWELL SHARK,

This amall shark i is well-known in New Zealand waters,
‘and occurs alsoin Tasmania. Two specimens from Vic-
‘toria are in the National Museum collection, one of which
“was captured at Flinders in November, 1907, and for-
warded by Sir James Barrett.

_ Itis asmall species, growing to a little over 8 feet in
length. The head is extremely broad and depressed, the
snout short and' rounded, and the mouth large. The
teeth in both jaws are small and numerous, with three
eusps. The skin, especially on the back, is rough, and in
colour dark brown, with black bands and blotches, Along
the sides are five or six irregularly rounded black
patches, numerous small white, and a few black spats.
Fins and tail have black patches and smail white spots.
‘The underside is creamy-white, with brownish-black
spots; Underside of snout. and tail brown, with creamy

- spots and patches; inside of mouth creamy-white.
ok A peculiarity’ noticéd in-these sharks is the distenlion
»,.0L the body with air or water. Waite mentions that,
arhen Laken from the water. the bodies were af relatively
A

Fete | Kersnaw, The Fish Poona of Vistoria a1

enormous girth, due to the inflation of the stomach with
water, When the abdomen was pierced with a penknife
blade, a jet of water spouted to a distance of severa) feet.
This peculiarity was noticed in a specimen Which TI saw
captured by some crayfishers, off the nor th-west coast
of Flinders Island, in Buss Strait.

An egg-case, obtained at St. Helen’s, on the east coast
of Tasmania, is long and narrow, strongly compressed
above and contracting somewhat in width.at each end.
From each angle is.produced a very long, slender tendril,
which coils around and serves to anchor the case to sea-
weed. When taken from the oviduct the case ig stated
to be very pale creamy white in colour, with yellow ten-
drils, but after deposition it becomes darker.

ISURUS GLACUS, Mull & Henle.
BLUE POINTER.

A young example of this shark, messuring 4 feet 9
inches, was caught by a fisherman at Frankston. © .Al-
though said to be common in New South Wales, and
occurring in South Australia. and Tasmania, it has nat
previously been recorded from Victoria, it grows to a
length of abont 12 feet.

NARCORATUS FAIRCHILDI, Hutton.
NUMBFISH OR ELECTRIC RAY.

This species was first obtained in New Zealand and
was described by Hutton, in 1872. The first Australian
specimen, which was obtained by the State trawlers from
the east of Green Cape, New South Wales, was recorded
by McCulloch, in 1918. Waite has since recorded it from
South Australia, Our Victorian specimen, which was
received in excellent condition, was captured at Lakes’
Entrance, Gippsland, in June, 1902, and measures, 2 feet
9 inches in length, and two feet,in width.

The Numbfish, like some of the Rays, has a bioad, flat
~‘bedy in form of a subcircular, perfectly smooth, ‘disc.
The tail is short and stout. Two dorsal fins are present,
situated close together at the base of the tail. The small,
sharp-pointed teeth are in a band in each jaw. and the
eyes small and placed immediately in front of the
spiracles, In colour, if is uniformly chocolate-brawn
above and white beneath. 4

Electric fishes, of which several species are known, are
furnished with an electric organ composed of vertical
hexagonal prisms, situated on each side of the head, with

Vi at
( Vo fitte

202 Kerseaw, The Fiah Fauna of Victoria
which they kill or par ralyse their prey, Large specimens
are said to be able, by a single discharge, to disable a full-
grown man.

These fishes inhabit deep water, -and are rarely
obtained except by trawling.

NARCINE TASMANIENSIS, Rich.
LITTLE. NUMBFISH.

This species has been recorded from Victoria by Cas-
telnau, who ‘stated that he had seen. on the St. Kilda
beach, a mutilated specimen measuring over 6 feet in
length. As it usually grows to only a little over a foot
in length, his identification must. be regarded with con-
siderable douht.

MACRORHAMPHOSUS ELEVATUS, Waite.
BELLOWS Fise-

On a previous list (Victorian Naturalist, XXII, 1906,

p. 125), I recorded a specimen of this fish, obtained at
Queenscliff, under the name of Centrisciua seolopax, Linn.,
var, elevatus, Waite,

‘McCulloch, in his Report on the fishes obtained by the
F.L.S. “Endeavour,” 1911, ‘states that, after comparing’
specimens of both M. scolopax and M. elevatus, he was
abie to point out well-marked specific differences between
them. Iam now able to record a second Victorian speci-
men, recently obtained by a trawler, off Gabo Island.

Examples were obtained by the “Endeavour” from
Bass Strait and New South Wales waters at depths rang-
ing from 22-68 fathoms.

HOPLICHTHYS HASWELLI, McCulloch,
SPINY FLATHEAD.

This is a deep-water fish, and a number of specimens
were obtained by the “ndeayour” from New South
Wales and southern Australian waters, at depths ranging
from 70-320\fathoms. The type, measuring 530 mm.,
was obtained in 1906, east of Port Jackson, in 800
fathoms.

Of two Victorian specimens in the Museum collection,
one was cbtained in a box of flathead sent from Queens-
eliff, and the other taken by a trawler, near Gabo Island.

The head is very broad and flattened, and furnished
with numerous strong spines, A bony plate extends
from the nostrils backwards between the eyes to the back
of the head, with numerous radiating ridges, in the cen-
tres of which are strong spines. On the opercles are

rol KrasHaw, Uke Fish Fauna of Victoria 293

similar bony ridges armed with small spines. The eyes
are large, and the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper
Extending along the whole length of the body to the tail
is a sub-dorsal series of strong bony plates, each fur-
nished with strong blade-like spines, from which radiate
a number of small ridges.

Tn life the colour is stated to be pinkish-yellow above,
mottled with darker spots, and white bencath. ‘The dor-
sals, ¢audal, and pectoral fins pinkish, the former with
rows of black spots between the rays, The margin of
the caudal is black.

PARMA MICROLEPIS, Gunther.
Scauy-FIn.

Although not previously recorded fram Victoria, this
Species is not uncommon in rocky situations. Specimens
in the National Museum collection were taken in Hob-
son’s Ray, at Mornington, and Portland, and one waa
taken in the Saltwater River, close to Melbourne.

Tt is well-known in New South Wales, South and West
Australia, and attains a length of-from 6 to 7 inches,
The adult is uniformly black, with a white patch on the
rill-covers. The young, however, are subject.ta great
variation, and are brilliantly colored with orange, and
with broad blue lines running backwards from the head.
The dorsal anal and ventral fins are brightly ornamented
with red, blue and orange.

SIPHONOGNATAHUS ARGY ROPHANES, Rich.
TuBE-MOoUTH.

This novel and highiy interesting species is remark-
able for its long, narrow, and greatly lengthened snout.
Tt measures nearly 17 inches in length, and is not more
than 1 inch in depth. The snout is about 3 inches long,
the mouth small, and from the extremity of the upper
jaw is produced a long, skinny barbel, which hangs down
before the mouth.

In colour the Tube-mouth is dark green above, paler
on the sides, with a narrow silvery stripe extending the
whole length of the fish, and on to the sides of the snout,
The underside is white, with numerous red spots.

This species was described in 1857 from a specimen
obtained at King George’s Sound, in-Western Australia,
It is said to be fairly common in South Australia, but has
not previously been recorded from Victorian waters, Our
specimen was recently obtained at Geelong.

2u4 Karspaw, The Fish Fuunw of Vietoria [vis ye

~ GANTHERINES MOSAICUS, Rams. & Ogilby,

' Mosaic LEATHER-JACKET,

The single specimen of this species was caught al
Lightning Rock, near Queenscliff, in December, 1881, It
was also obtained by the trawler “Endeavour,” 20 miles
south of Cape Everard, Victoria, in 69 fathoms.

‘Aucording to McCulloch, this Species undergoes con-
siderable changes in form with growth, and in old apeci-
mens the’ characteristic mosaiec-like markings, from
which it derives its name, disappear.’ The skin is srnooth,
and of a reddish or yelluwish colour, ornamented with
blue lines forming hexagonal figures, many of which en-
close a brown blotch,

_Tt grows to a leneth of 16 inches, and is distributed all
aiong the southern coast, and extends to New South
Wales and Tasmania. It has been obtained chiefly by
trawling, and appears to be rare in Victoria.

ANASPIDRS AT NOME.

During the Congress of the -Australasian Association for the

Advaneement of Acience, at Hobart in January last, one heard
much of the Mountain Shrimp, as Ayaapides tawmaning is popularly
termed. Famous among naturalists, this wonderful little crus-
taceun is well-known even ti bushmen in its: island home, though
Sh we them. perhaps are awave of its distinction, as “a living
‘ossil.
” Many of us, who attended the Congreas, were privileged to see
Anaapides “at home” in the beautiful mountain streams near
Hohart. At low altitudes, it was not found—it is a true moun-
tain lover, and. floprvishes in cold running water of the upper
teaches, also in the pools which are so clear that their inhabitants
may be easily observed. -

Anaspides is so abundant, in favorable conditions, that a pool
may contain hundreds of varying size, from midgets to “yiants”
two inches in, length They walk among weeds and over the
water- smoothed stones in a leisurcly manner, but dart to cover
if a’hand be dipped near to them. ‘Yet, with a little caution
and patience, specimens may he captured by the hand. They
dart forward, not backward, propelled by a Alicking fail, and

- ageldem was one observed to swim,

An admirable account of the Mountain Shrimp is given by the
late Geoffrey Smith, in his book, “A Natueallst in Tasmania.”
He says that Anaspider browses on mosses and liver-worts, and
any small creatures it is able to ecateh, We saw it nibbling at
submerged plants, and ambling around as if on the look ont for
unconsidered tries. It is an entertaining creature, and loolze
what it is—a survival of species, a link with the past, as notable
among crustaceans as the Platypus is among mammals. Lile
Geoffrey Smith, when first I saw Anaspides walking quietly in »
crystal pool; L seemed to be vine in the age of giant reptiles, and
a hired song from the forest sounded wnreal—for birds. had not
been evolved when the mountain Shrimp’s ancestors dwelt in the
sea.—C.B, OF

+E,

(Be cae Si TES

NATURE NOTES DESIRED - — . :

Tt should uot be difficult, to fill several pages of this section of
aur journal, zach month, ‘with notes of general interest, The
Editar agai) appeals ta members to contribute brief recards of
Uhings seen an their outings, or original notes from the stady,
That many members do write such notes 1s. proved by the number
appearing in newspapers, Send some to the Nuturalist. Country
members especially ate requested to help the Club in this way-

THE GOSPEL OF AUSTRALIAN TREES.

One of the most dificale things that we naturalists have to do is
lo ervate a nationalesentiment for Australian tteca, I was com-
pelled last month to enter the lists on behalf of the Club, against
the decision of the Minister of Forests tn sell Pinus craigita trees
on the sailway stations at sixpence each, After repeated attacks,
the Minister announced that he was prepared to sell any kind af
vee: but the statement was previously made that Pine trees were
the best for shade and planting purposés., =~

When.chull we be free from the baneful influence of the Mon-
ievey Pinef Jt is a poor timber tree at best; and if Australia
must plant it, let 36 be under forest, and not under voadside condi-
tions. The fnest trees in the State of the Couat Banksia, were jn
an area of pavk land just aver the Merdidlloc Creck, Taking Dr,
A. W. Hill, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Engiand,
to see these in Jnnuary, wa found that they had been cut oul, and
« new High School erected in the gvounds. I[t would seem that
these trees could easily have been left, and the building placed in
another part of the grounds. And the irony of it will be that
yery soon, the Education Department will be planting trees all
about the schoo] ground- ;

A few years ago, at Harcourt, it was decided to have a park,
In the area selected were two magnificent redzum trees. These
were rithlessly cut down, and the park fenced. Then the avthori-
ties immediately commenced to plant the park with trees and
shrobe, moet of which were Australian, _

Ahnost every country is freely planting ovr native shrubs and
trees; the demand for secds cof Australian plants iy so incessant
and constant, that we cannot keep pace with them,

There if an avenue of Australian gum and wattle trees miles
long In South Africa; all over Africa where trees will grow, out
trees are planted, We hear the same tetes from India, America,
France. Palestine, and many other countries, where our trees are
being planted dy the hundred thousand,

The pine olanting policy is a poor one!’ and if only, say,
Bucclyptua Acifolia were planted in hundreds.in.cur stveets and
along our roads, what a wonderful place we should live in, in a
few years’ time,

T have heard that, up till recently, an ordinance existed, compell-
ing the planting of Poplar trees all over Canberra! Think of it!
Warcign trees in masses at our Fedaral Capital!—B. E. Prscorr.

~ 298 Notes from Field and Stady + [YE BM

SOME ALPINE BIRDS.

On a recent visit to the Rogone High Plains, [ was interested in
noting the different species of birds that inhabited that locality.
The High Plains vary in altitude from 6700 to 5900 fwel, with
oteasionat peaks exceeding 6000 fcet. In all, 24 apecies of birds
were met with, three species being still nesting at the time of my
vigsit—the middle to end of January.

The bird that I was most surprised ta encounter was the
Glivaceous Whistler, a pair of which inhabited a patch of serub,
near the Varvonga Hut. I believed them to be still nesting, but
made no effort ta locate their home. AtS5900 feet a pair of White-
breasted Chats were noticed, the mule'being in particularly fine
plomage. One always expects to find Flame-breasted Robins at
extreme altitudes, and true to their habits, they were extremely
-plentiful. A nest was located boautifully protected by an over-
hanging vock, aud within a few feet of a waterfall. It contained
thyee nestlings in down. Must of the adults, however, were very
busy feeding young that had lett the nest some few wecks. _ Silver-
eyes. were also housekeeping, und two nests were found built in
heath bushes growing in sphagnum bogs. The only other birds
met with that were still nesting were a pait of Yellow-faced
Honeyeaters, who had a nest in a Snow Gum, which contained halt-
fledged young.

On two or three occasions Wedge-tailed Eagles were observed
soaring high over the plains, and three Sparrow Hawks were seen
almost every day during my visit. Painted Snipe frequent the
sphagnum begs, 2nd onee one was flushed trom a elaiip of Snow

ines on & dry slope, The only other game birds noticed were a
few examples of Painted Quail, which were flushed from amongst
the Snow grass tussocks. 1 picked up from the edges of a small
darn wing feuthers of a Black Duck, showing that passing birds
oreasionslly stop there,

A flock of about 25 Gang Gang Cockatoos flew over the hut every
morning, and seven Binck Cockatoos were always somewhere in
the yiuinity. Amongst the Snow Gums one could see evidences on
ali sides of thejr searches for wood boring grubs, quite a number
of the smaller trees having been felled as a result.

The most remarkable case inspected was where a green tree,
4 inches in diameter, had been cut down by the birds. Pennants
Parakeets were often seen, hut very few birds in adult plumage
were amongst them,

Two other species of Honeyeaters besides the Yellow-faced were
daily visitors to the Hut vicinity, viz., the Crescent and the Spine-
billed Honeyeaters. A pair of Wihite-backed Magpies were acecom-
panied by two well-grown young, but 1 am doubtful if they were
reared in the vicinity. Brown Tits and White-browed Serub
Wrens Were very numerous wherever theye was sufficient cover,
and both species evidently rear bronds at this altitude, The flower-
ing Snow Gums had attracted fair numbers of Red Wattle Berds ta
the High Plains, and in one instance a young one was seen that
had only recently vacated the nest. Both Spotted and Allied
Pardalotes were occasionally heard, and twice ite-shaftel Fan-
tails visited the Hut. At Salt Camp Creek, near Mt. Fainter, two
examples of Hersfield’s Bush Lark were observed. The only
ether species of bivd under notice on the High Plains were Crows?
eGoats of which were encountered nenr the Snow Polo line.—F. E,

2LSON.

The neers Naturalist

Vou. ELIV—No. IL. MARCH 7, 1928, No, 531.

THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in
the Royal Society’s Hall, Victoria-street, Melbourne, on
Monday, February 13th, 1928, Mr, A, B, Keep, Vice-
President, occupied the chair, and there were about 120
members and visitors present.

REPORTS.

Reports of excursions were given as follow :—Phillip
Island, Mr. L. L. Hodgson; Coburg, “Bad Lands,” Mr, J
H. Harvey.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The following were duly elected on a show of hands:—
As Ordinary memberg:—-Mr. Arthur Cox, Senr., 27
Hope-street, Spotswood; and Mr. C. R. Scott, 131
Thomas-street, Hampton.

GENERAL,

The Chairman extended the congratulations of the
Club to Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.L.8., on the fact of his
valuable research work in Botany having been recognised
by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Rescarch,
which had awarded him a grant for further field work
from the fund at its disposal.

Mr. .J. A. Kershaw also received the dongtetilabions of
members, on his recent election as. a Corresponding
Member of the Zoological Scciety of London.

LECTURES.

The evening was devoted to the National Park, Wil-
son’s Promontory. Mr.J. A. Kershaw, C.M.Z.S., read
a short ‘paper, detailing the events leading te the pro-
clamation of the Promontory as a National Park, and
described the aims of the Committee of Management in

. introducing native fauna and flora, and making the Park
attractive to tourists. Interesting lantern views were
shown,

Mr. C. Daley, B.A., F.L.S. gave a full account of the
visit of Club members to Sealers’ Cove, on the Hastern
coast of the Promontory, during the Xmas holidays. A
series of lantern views, from photographs taken by
Messrs. L. L, Hodgson and H. P. Dickens, was then
shown, brief remarks being Made by the former, oo.

298 Fielt Nuturaliste’ Club—Proceedings [“!, Ae

EXHIBITS.

By Miss J. W. Raff, M.Sc." F.E.S.—(a) Larger Dedder-
laurel (Cassytha melantha}, on Blackberry and on
Native Musk, showing very extensive. development of
haustoria. Collected at The Gorge, Launceston, Tas.
_(2) Spider with egg-mass or cocoon, taken from its nest
in ‘Tassel Rope-rush, near Port Arthur, Tas.

By Miss F. Smith—Dried specimens of (a) Hibdertia
volubilis, eaommonly known as Snake-vine, the flowers of
which have an unpleasant scent, and are the largest in
the genus, often being two inches across, (b) Pultéeniea
stipularis, a very distinulive species, with its numerous
long, sealy stipules, which hide the atem. Both speci-
mens from New South Wales.

By Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.L.S—Dried specimens of
seven species of aquatic plants dealt with in his article
in the January Naturalist.

By Mr. Chas, Barrett, C.M.Z.8.—Mountain Grasshop-
pers, Acridopeza reticulate, from Uamilton district.

By Dr. H. Flecker.—Fresh-water molluses (Limnoea)
from Merri Creek. ,

By Mr. J. Sticktand——Photo. of snake and young.

By Mr. V. H. Miller.—Sheils from Sealers’ Cave, Wil-
son's Promontory.

By Mr. C. Daley, B.A, F.L.S—Five sketches of
Sealers’ Cove; also dried specimens of ferns and
eucalypts collected near Sealers’ Cove in December, 1927.

By Mr. J. A. Kershaw, C.M.2.5—Series of photo-
graphs of National Park, Wilson's: Promontory.

By Mr. C. CG. Ralph—Series of photographs taken at
Wilson’s Promontory.

By Mr. A. BE. Redda.—(a} Bones of Mutton-birds and
Penguins, from midden near The Nabbies, Phillip Island.
(b) Crustacean parasites taken from. Leather-jackeé fish,
Cape Woolamai. '

By Mr. L. L. Hodgson.-(a) Dried specimens of
Cushion-Bush, Calocephalus Brownii; (b) specimens of
rock (showing crystals); (c) flint and quartz chippings,
from kitchen middens; (d) shells from Cowry Beach—
all from the vicinity of The Nobbies, Phillip Island; (e}
dried flower af Saw Banksia, Banksia serrata, from Wil-
son's Promontory; (f} bark of Paper-bark Tea-tree,
Melaleuca ericifolia, from Lilly-Pilly Gully, Wilson's
Promontory; {g) shells from Sealers’ Cove; (h) photo-
graphs taken during excursion to Phillip Island, January,

By Mr. C. H. Borch.—Case of insects from Wilson's

3s. } Field. Natuvatiste’ Clui—Proceedings 299

Promontory, including six species of butterflies, 36
species of moths, and twa species of beetles, The butter-
flies include specimens of Hefaronympha solandrt, which
is a new southerly record for this species. Collected
during Club excursion in December, 1927.

By Mr. F. G, A. Barnard.—Plant of Kangaroo fern,
Polyupodium pustulatum, Forst., obtained at Lilly-Pilly
Gully during Glub Exeursion to Wilson's Promontory,
December, 1914. Grows there on the ground, as well as
on other vegetation. Two lizards just az emerged from
the eggs.

By Mr. A. KE. Opperman—Speeimen of Fungus (7%)
Boletus portentosus, B. and Br., from East Ringwood.
Circumference of pileus, 60 inches; weight, 7 lbs. Fluwer-
ing branches of Cedar Wattle, Acacia elata, grown al
South Warrandyte.

BLACKRURN BIRD NOTES-

The birds that frequent my farden were unysuslly xctive last
spring. Food, in the shapo of nectar, grubs, insects, ete., has
been abundant. so that the most fastidious tastes have been
catered for, Even the Yellow Robin and the Rufous Fantail have
ventured away fram their haunts, in the shelter of the scrub
whieh trngos a little creek half a mile away, and have met with
the warm welcome their confidence deserves.

Among our many Blackbirds ts one with the richest song I
have heard. This season, after having hatched a brood of two,
his mate, on October 24th, was silling again. £ knew it long
before J found the nest, from the wonderful singing that, far two
or three days, came almost. incessantly from the loftiest tree, sor
telephone-post. Then he settled down to his duties, and his song
became mure intermittent.

The firet nest had been built in a tree right in front of my
window, and £ could see plainly that there were no half-measures
in the way the Blackbird did his work, He returned so quickly
from each foraging excursion, he could have had no time to enjoy
a snack himself. The second nesting site must have heen a happy
inspiration of the mother bird, for I found it tueked snugly into a
thick clump of a Dorothy Perkins rose. Trails of this rose, which
this season bore ineredible numbers of flowers, surrounded the
nest in cascades of pink blossom. Here, .two more eggs were
hatched.

The same glorious song notes of the male-bird again—and I
found his mate once more brooding im the first nest. A day or
two af joyous song, 1nd the mule once more settled down to his
duties until Lwo fledglings had flown (November 14th).

One fledgling formed the third brool, and by January Ist I felt
vonvineed that the mother was brooding again. There were the
same tokens—the protracted absence of the female, and the rich
nutes of the male, which darted here, there, and everywhere in

uick, furlive flights, that belied me. This time all my efforts to
find the nest were frujtless.

T should like to hear of other sueh instances, though it is possible
that these “frequent” families muy not meet with the same en-
couragement from orchardists in the dixtrictb—({Murs.) 7.
COLEMAN.

300 KERSHAW, National Perk yea: Shiv

NOTES ON THE NATIONAL PARK, WILSON'S
PROMONTORY.

By J, A. KERSHAW, C.M.ZS.

(Synopsis of paper read before the Field Naturalists’
Club. of Victoria, February 13, 1928.)

The proposal to set apart the whole of Wilson’s Pro-
montory as a National Park and permanent sanctuary
for the preservation of Australian fauna and flora, ori-
ginated with the Field Naturalists’ Club, and was the
outcome of a special trip made at Xmas, 1884, by three
of its members—Messrs, J, B. Gregory, A. H. 8, Lucas,
and — Robinson. In concluding the account of their
trip, the authors’ said:—"Practically inaccessible as it is
at present, we believe that a future yet awaits it ag a
summer haunt. of lovers of nature, and lovers of scenery.
We prophesy that . . . hot many generations will
pass before means of communication will enable Vic-
torians to find out and do justice to this noble granite
promontory, the Cornwall of Victoria,”

More than 40 years have elapsed since this prophesy
was made, but it has proved to be quite true.

The area permanently reserved comprises about
_ 101,730 acres, and embraces the whole of the Promontory

and the adjacent islands. The main object was the
establishment of a permanent sanctuary for the preser-
vation, under natural conditions, of the fast disappearing
native fauna and flora. The Promontory is particularly
sujtable, both as a sanctuary and as 4 resort for tourists.
It is the most southerly portion of Victoria, is almast
completely cut off from the mainland, and is quite un-
suitable for agricultural settlement.

When the Park was established only about six species
of native mammals existed there. These consisted of
the common Black-tailed Wallaby, Native Bear or Koala,
Echidna, one species of Bandicoot, and Ring-tailed Opos-
sum, Dingoes, Foxes, and Hares were also there, but
the former has been completely eradicated. Kangaroos,
Wombats, Common Opossums, Emus, Lyre-birds, and
many other characteristic Victorian animals" were not
represented, One of the chief objects of the Committee
of Management was to introduce as many of the native
animals and plants, not already existing there, as posstble.
Up to the present three species of Kangaroos, three
species of Wallabies, two species of Wombats, three
species of Opossums, two species of Bandicoots, Emus,

Mar,
1928.)

KexSHAW, National Park Ria
Lyre-birds, Mallee Hens, two species of Ibis, and Satin
Bower-birds have been liberated, and some of these have
increased considerably in number.

Regarding the flora, three separate biological surveys
have been made, and the results show that more than 600
species of native plants——nearly a fourth of the flora of
Victoria—exist in the Park, In addition, 43 species
have been introduced, either as seeds ar young plants, in-
cluding the Cabbayre-tree Palm.

Since the National Park was established, the Commit-
tee of Management has erected two rangers’ cottages, a
chalet to accomrnodate up to 30 nersons, two rest houses,
two campers’ huts, a jetty, bridges, and fencing. Tracks
have been formed to the various beauty spots, and horses,
vehicles and a boat purchased. The Government grant.
commenced at £200 a year, increased later to £500,then re-
duced to £300 for four years, and again raised to £500 last
year. The costs of erection and general maintenance of
all buildings, salaries of rangers, and general mainten-
ance have been borne without any extra Government
assistance, and it was only through the increased income
derived from the agistment of cattle and by strict
economy that the Committee hag been able to do so much,

As the natural beauty of the Park becomes known, the
number of tourists increases, and the demand for actom-
madation during the holiday seasons is now go great that.
large numbers of applications have ta be refused. With
the increased facilities for reaching the Park by motor, a
greatly increased demand is expected.

NOTES ON BUTTERFLIES

During the week spent at the Promontory, the umber
of butterflies observed was not very great; one reason for
this being the weather—vconsistently dull, with oeeasional
light rams and rarely a burst of sunshine. Six of the
12 species noted were embraced in the large family
Nymphalidae the others belonging to Papilionidae (1),
Lycaenidae (2), and Hesperiidae (3).

Heteronympha solandri was captured almost at the
level of the sea. This, the most beautiful of our Saty-
vids, has not heen taken so far south before. During
January and February it ean be obtained on the summit
of Mount Donna Buang (4080 feet), and in January of
this year, Mr. F. FE. Wilson collected a specimen on the
Bogong High Plains (elevation about 6000 feet), so that
the same altitude variation is appsrent in the butterfly
fauna at the Promontory as in the plants. Sassafras,
Myrtle-beach, ete., grow around Sealers’ Cove al. sea-level,

a

302 Kersnaw, National Park [ voles”

The Common Brown, Heteronympha merope, was
numerous (females only) on the wing. The males are
always eatlier, Xeniea klugi, another Satyrid, and the
Painted Lady, Pyrameis cardui, were both plentiful. The
Wood-brown, Tisiphone abeona, always impresses &8 one
of the most graceful of insects in the air. It appears to
float, rather than fly. and glides down the gullies, or over
one’s head, without the slightest perceptible effort. In
contrast to the preceding insect, the alert, swift flight
of the admiral, Pyrameis itea, was striking.

Blues were scarce, only the ubiquitous Common Blue,
Zizina labradus, and Candalides acasta, being taken.
The latter is found in Tasmania.

One example of the Swallow-tail family, namely,
Papilio macleayanus, was seen. This is the only Papi-
lionid which extends its range into Tasmania, and the
only Victorian species possessing 3 true swallow-tail, A
truly beautiful Insect, with delicate green and velvet
black coloration, it presents a perfect little picture as it
hovers, wings quivering, over a flower, Lastly, three
Hesperids were noted. Siyneta flammeata and Hesperilla
tdothea, bath common species in the Dandenong Ranges,
were numerous, both an the high country about the
Saddle, and in the low areas. Mesodina halyzia, a rarity
in Victoria, frequented only the slopes of the hill on the
western side of the Saddle, and the area near the Summit.
A quick flyer, like all the skippers, it kept quite low, fre-
quently alighting on the ground. Thirty-six species of
moths were taken.

NOTES ON A WAGTAIL AND TTS NEST,

A farmer friend related to me the following incident:—He had
a light wagon which had been standing in the stackyard for seme
time, not being required, when he decided to use it for bringing
from Murtoa, eight miles from the farm, a heavier load than usual,
He drove in the wagon to town, transacted some business, loaded
the wagon, and started on his journey home, When abant half-
way he had to stop and shift some of the loading, which had got
out of place. When on the ground, at the side of the wagon, he
was surprised to see a Willie Wagtail, Rhipidura leucophrys,
which darted at him furiously. Soon the little bird went beneath
the wagon, and sat on its nest, which was built on the fetchels.
My friend drove on. and when he unloaded the wagon at the farm,
the bird was still on its nest. The wagon was placed in its former
position. The bird was happy, brought the young ones out, and
reayed them safely. What love is like a mother’s?—James Hint
{Murtea). a ——

CLUE Babce.—The new Club Badge ts now available in three forms
—brooch, pendant, and stud for coat lapel, at 2/8 each,
Application should be made to the Hon. Treasurer,

ra Eroursion fo Sealers’ Cove S03

EXCURSION TO SEALERS’ COVE.

A party of fourteen, including four members of the
Walkers’ Club, on Boxing Day proceeded by train and
horse tram to 'Port Welshpool, where, embarking on the
motor-boat about 3 p.m,, they took a course up the Lewis
Channel, and then westward past the low-lying and ex-
tensive Snake Island to the Eastern Coast of the Pro-
montory. Passing Rabbit Istand, a conspicuous detached
granite mass, one of the rookeries frequented by countless
mutton-birds, the boat, coasting past Five-mnile Bay, and
rounding a lofty and precipitous, sentinel-like hill,
entered Sealers’ Cove,

Here a party of picnickers from the vicinity of Welsh-
pool was in camp near the beach. <A provisional camp
was made, which, on the departure of the visitors next
day, was transferred to 4 permanent one convenient to
the hut.

Sealers’ Cove is one of several landlocked inlets east
of the Promontory, which providé refuge in stress of
storm for tempest-tossed vessels, A century ago they
were the haunts of sealers and whalers, In 1798 George
Esss, on his memorable voyage, spent a week at Sealers’
Cove.

The Cove in form is a truncated ellipse, of which the
eastern side is open to the sea. Opposite this ia a grace-
fully curving beach of fine, somewhat. ‘musical,” sand.
extending for about a mile and a half, until beset by lofty
granite hills, the Southern one zhout 850 feet, the North-
ern about 950 feet in height, with huge rocky buttresses
securely protecting the Cove.

Sealers’ Creck, a tidal stream draining: ‘the watershed,
runs almost parallel to the beach, about a quarter of a
mile: distant hefore entering the Cove al the southern
end. The intervening land, overgrown thickly with
acrub, bracken, eucalypts, tea-tree, hazel, Banksia, sedges
and grasses, has evidently been formed by the combined
action of tide and creek, supplemented by wind.

Back for several miles to the enclosing mountain
range, rising like an amphitheatre with several peaks
over 2,000 feet in height, is a densely forested srea, the
thief Eucalypts being Bluegum, Stringybark, and Moun-
tain Ash, in association with Blackwood, Lilly-pilly,
Blanketwood, Hazel, Musk, Christmas Bush, ete., amid,
and underneath which, in moist glades and gullies, is a
profusion of ferns—Dicksonias, Alsophilas, Cyatheas,
huge Todeas, and most of our listed species. For miles

204 Excursion ta Sealers’ Cove Me NaS

along the rising track from the Creek to the Gap, the
luxuriance of embowered fern vegetation, of polypods,
mosses, and lichens, is extremely beautiful. Above the
divergence of the old tram route from the Sealers’ Cove
track, the Myrtle-beech grows vigorously, Some fine
old trees, begirt with moss and fern, being a pleasing
feature of the gully.

During our stay we studied the flora for some miles
along this verdurous track, with its fairy-like vistas and
rippling water-courses. The sea-front was ‘combed’
for its treasures. The two bold headlands were
ascended through the tangle of Banksias, Hakeas, Grass-
trees and burnt vegetation along their steep slopes, amid
huge granite boulders and rock-stréewn surfaces. On
the South headland we reached a vantage point giving a
charming view of Refuge Cove, and its double stripa of
gandy beach. Returning, we saw some splendid speci-
mens of King Fern in a steep creek discharging into the
mouth of Sealers’ Cove. This area, ravaged by fire last
year, is rapidly re-clothing itself with verdure,

Messrs. Garter, Dickens, and Ralph made a forced
march from the camp via the Gap and telegraph track
to the Lighthouse, 18 miles distant, returning next day
after an interesting trip. Messrs. Hodgson,-Carter, and
Ralph successfully essayed penetrating the thick serub
to Refuge Cove. ;

Then we followed the long-abandoned tram route from
the Cové track Into the heart of the hills, at the foot of
Mt. Wilson, This was a strenuous undertaking, the
denseness of the scrub of bracken, Senecio, rotten hazel-
stems, Acacia, sword-sedge, nettles. etc., being a preat
obstacle. A Way had constantly to be forced through
the tangle, and the elusive track frequently to be feft for.

When crossing and re-crossing the stream, great care
had to be exercised on the rotting timbers, overgrown
with vegetation. Fine fern vagetation occurred where
we touched the stream. After three hours’ struggling in
the close atmosphere and thick undergrowth, we lunched;
and then four of the party, persevering, reached some
ruined huts, a dismantled landing-stage, and some dire-
lict machinery near the end of the old line. It was evi-
dent that all available timber had been cut out from this
basin. Our return along the now beaten track was
much easier.

Regarding the flora in the area, so effectively sheltered
from the prevailing westerly wind and current, and

in Excuvsion to Souters’ Core B06

favoured by aspect and humid conditions, luxuriance and
vigorous growth are characteristic. The largeleaf
Pultenza, P. daphnoides, and Golden Goodia, G. lotifolia,
showed exceptionally large leaves; the Grass Trigger,
plant, Siylidium graminefoltitum, unusual size and deep
colouring, sedges and rushes great vigour in growth.
Seneeto velleioides was large-flowercd, and in profusion
giving the scrub a bright yellow tinge.

The Forest Bind-weed, Calystegia muarginate, forming
close festeoning masses on acacias, hazels and gums,
atrangled growth, sametimes strongly entwining itself to
a height of twenty feet. The Common Heath, Purple and
the Angled Lobelia, Scented Fan-flower, Kangaroo Apple,
Wood Violet, Elder-berry Panax, Bladderwort, Christmas
Bush, Coast Stackhousia, Coast Tea-tree, Sea-box and
Honey-myrtle, were in flower. Microtis porrifolia, Thely-
mitra aristate, and another species of Orchid were seen.
On the South head it was of interest to find Heealypius
Kitsoniana, of a mallee type, growing’ 800 feet above sea-
level; and ajso, far away from its recognised habitat, the
Omeo Gum, Fucalyptus neglecta, in the same vicinity.

In respect to fauna Koalas were fairly numerous, fre-
qyuenting Blue-gums. ' Wallabies and foxes were sean,
one of the latter at Refuge Cove carrying off several fish
from the camp there. Few lizards and no snakes were
seen,

Black fish and Galsrias are in the Creek and ite
affiuents, and many species came from the sea to the
mouth of Sealers’ Creek, At Refuge Cove, at which we
called whilst returning, we saw some whiting chased
closé {o shore by a barracouta, and a small shoal of
“mackerel,” with an Oyster-Catcher flying in pursuit,
Vhea campers at Refuge Cove were surprised to see a
shark arrive on a swelting wave, make 2 round tour of a
large granite rock, and go out on the retiring wave, Two
ating-rays, one of large size, were seen near the swim-
ming place at Sealers’ Cove, and on twe occasions por-
poises were disporting themselves,

Birds were not numerous, the Black Cockatoo, Bronze-
wing Pigeon, Strepera, Black Duck, Black Swan and
several smaller birds were noticed, whilst Silver Gulls,
Pacific Gulls, and the Skua Gulls were about the shore.
Crows were on several occasions seen feeding with gulls
on the shore. Much of the pleasure of the members at
the camp was due to Mr. Miller's arrangements as head
of the commissariat department.—CHAS. DALEY.

306 “Batties Long Ago’! Svonocnty:

“BATTLES LONG AGO."

The accompanying illustration (plate VIII.) depicting
a fight. between fwo tribes of aborigines, in the vicinity of
the Goulburn River, Victoria, is from one of several wi)
puintings executed by the Jate Mrs. A, A, C. Le Souef,
and presented to the National Museum by her daughter,
Mrs. Otway Falkiner. ~ |%

Mr. Albert A. C, Le Sounef, who was for many years
Director of the Melbourne Zoological Gardens, was
keenly interested in the habits and customs of the abori-
gines. In the early days he had exceptional oppartuni-
ties of associating himself with them, and, having gained
their confidence, of witnessing many of their ceremonies.

The description given below of the fight between the
Bangarang and Oorilim Tribes, which was witnessed by
Mr. Le Souef, in 1842, is taken from his own account,
which accompanies the painting.

Both the Bangarang (spelt Pangarang in his notes)
and the Oorilim Tribes occupied a large extent of country
bordering on the Goulburn River, and the corroboree
took place on the present, sile of Murchison.

NATIVE FIGHT.

“Tn the year 1842, I witnessed the fight here depicted
between the Pangarang and the Oorilim tribes on the
lower Goulburn—the latter tribe were encamped on the
banks of the Goulburn, not iar from the station where I
then resided, and had invited the Pangarangs by mes-
gage-stick to visit them. A number of that tribe arrived
one forenoon, and as soon as they had built their mia-
mias, I strolled up to the camp of a man named
‘Wigiloptka, but called Neptune by the whites. I had
been told that a fight was likely to take place, as Neptune
had recently lost a son, and he suspected his death had
been caused by the witchcraft of the Oorilims. Neptune
was sitting cross-legged before his fire, roasting an
opossum, his two lubras sitting behind him.

“In a few minutes the mother of the dead boy com-
menced a low mournful] dirge, and directly she did so,
her husband, who up to that moment had been laughing
and talking with me, became grave and silent. The
woman gradually worked herself into a rage, cursing the
Oorilim for causing the death of her child, and taunting
‘her own people, and her husband in particular, for not
avenging his death. Gradually the noise of the camp
became hushed, and several other women joined in the

Mar., 1928.

XLV.

Vol.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Plate VITI.

*(fanogs TC OCR CR CS daeap a ty Sangeet aya at fl

w Waly OANEN VY,

Muri "Buitles Long Ago! 207

chant for the dead, Neptune, who had sat motionless as
a statue until now, suddenly aprang to his lege as if he
had received an electric shack, and dashing his opossum
cloak to the ground with a wild cry, seized hia spears,
and rushing into the open space between the two camps,
threw a reed spear highinto the wir. As it Pell guiver-
ing in front of the Oorilim camp, every man rose and ran
to his weapons, and in a minute the two tribes, about
thirty men in each, stood opposite to each other,

“The conflict now commenced in earnest, spears and
boomerangs whizzed through the air, the men shouted
and yelled defiance, while the women of the tribes hang
on the outskirts of the combatants, cursing and taunting.
lashing the ground with their opossum cloaks and vam
sticks, throwing dust into the air, and dancing with rage
like very maniacs, as they were for the time. Every
now and then they would rush at each other with their
long, heavy yam sticks, and smash each other's fingers.
The children screamed, the dogs howled, and altogether
the uproar of the fight was deafening, After a time, as
the rage of the combatants increased, the spears were
thrown aside and the men rushed at each other with their
war clubs and head shields, and a general hand-to-hand
fight. took place and lasted for some time, until a third
tribe, the Benbedores from the lower Campaspe, who
were not mixed up in the quarrel and who were en-
camped on the opposite side of the river, crossed in their
canoes, and rushing in a body unarmed among the belli-
gerents, clasped the fighting men round their waists
from behind, and by that. means succeeded, with much
loud talking, in stopping the fight.

“When peace wus restored, 1 (who had watched the
combat from behind a tree) found that no great damage
had been done, One man was severely cut in the thigh
by a boomerang, two were speared, and a few broken
heads made up the sum totai of the casualties, Shortly
after, the tribes seemed to have forgotten their quarrel,
and were again on friendly terms, and on the following
night held a grand Corroboree.”

Sach illustrations and personal notes relating to native
tribes long since extinct,-are of considerable interest, and
are highly valued by the Museum. Doubtless others are
still in existence, and it is hoped they will find a per-
manent resting place among many similar treasures in
this inslitution.—J. A. KERSHAW,

.

308 WILLIAMSON, Aquatic Plants of Vietoria [ Vis Nt:

Vo), XLLV

THE AQUATIC PLANTS OF VICTORIA,

Part. {IL

By H. B. WituiaMson, F.L.S-
Family POTAMOGETONACEAE (contd.).

Genus POTAMOGETON.

(Gk, potames, a river; getton, neighbour.)
Freshwater plants often wholly submerged except the
flower spike. The genus belongs to that section of the
family which has bisexual flowers in spikes. In these
characters if agrees with Posidonia and Ruppia, but.
differs from them in having a floral perianth. Flowers,
(Fig. 1a), which consist of four sezments, are in simple,

dense spikes on axillary peduncles.

There are four

stamens, almost sessile, and four free carpels, which
coven, into nut-like fruits with an almost lateral beak.

(Figs. 1, 2b.)

KEY TO THE VICTORIAN SPECIES.

(a) Leaves similar, all submerged, sessile or
' néarly so
(b) Leaves broad, clasping the stam...
(b) Leaves narrow, not clasping
(c} Leaves lanceolate or linear-
lanceolate, 3-nerved, wits wavy
edges -. + + :
(c} Leaves flat, linear
{d) Leaves without sheathing
bases
(e} Leaves blunt, ‘waaay
netved . Boe ge gh ee
te) Leaves pointed . '
(d) Leaves with sheathing bases,
narrow-linear .. ..
(a) Leaves dissimilar, upper ones broader ‘and
floating
(f) Stems long and much branched,
leaves all submerged, petioles dilated
{{) Stems unbranched, or branching only
- atthe summit, upper leaves floating
{g) Floating leavestransiucent .. ..
{g) Floating leaves coriaceous

{h) Submerged leaves narrow-
lanceolate, quickly decaying,
semi-translucent, few-nerved,
fruit 3-keeled {tricarinate) |
i line long, stipules decidy-
ous, semi-translucent .

’ (h) Submerged leaves ‘broad,
oval, thin, but not semi-
translucent, many - nerved,
fruit tricarinate, 2 lines lang,
stipules deciduous, almost
apaque, couspicuously
streaked Pr ee he eo

= ye

P. per foliatus

P. crispus

P. ochredtug
P, weoutifolius

P. pectinatus

P. tucens

P. australiensis —

P. trioarinatua

P, sulcatus

eae 4
,

i

ryt WILLIAMSON, Ayndtic Plants of Vietoria 309)

POTAMOGETON PERFOLIATUS,.L. Perfoliate Pondweed-
(Fig 1), Tas., Vic.,.N.S.W., E., As., Af. Am.

This species is easily recognised by its having leaves
thin, ovate and perfoliate {clasping the stem which
appears to pierce the leaf) about 14 inches in length, and
1 inch in width, with about 12 parallel veins. Stems
are long, sometimes 5 yards, much branched, and leaves at
the upper end are somewhat crowded, provided with thin
stipules on the younger branches. Flower spikes are
rarely an inch long, and may contain as many as 20
flowers. It has been recorded from the S.W. (Merri
River, Warrnambool, H.B.W.) and the East (Gippsland
Lakes) of the State.

One of the forms found in the Tambo River, Mueller,
with longer and narrower leaves, not araply clasping,
has been placed as var. Muelleri, by A. Bennett. It was
labelled “P. praelongus,” by Mueller.

POTAMOGETON oRIsFUS, L. Curly Pondweed. (Fig. 2.)
All but W.A. and Tas. _All continents.

A smaller plant, with thin Jeaves mostly 1 inch in
length, and } inch in width, rounded at the end, with
wavy margins, the edges minutely toothed, distinctly
3-veined (2a). Beak of the fruit quite prominent. In
streams and lagoons in many parts of the State.

PoTAMOGETON OCHREATUS, Raoul (P. obtusifolius, Mert.
& Koch), Blunt Pondweed. (Fig. 8.) All the States and
all continents.

A much tommoner plant, distinguished from FP. cris-
pus by its longer, linear, flat leaves with no minute teeth,
and with many fine parallel veins (3a). Widespread
through all parts of the State,

POTAMOGETON ACUTIFOLIVUS, Link. Sharp Pondweed,
(Fig, 4.) §,A., Vic., N.S.W,, BE. As,

This is distinguished from P. ochreatus by its jeaves
being narrower, thinner and quite sharp pointed, (4a.)
Its spikes are apparently few-flowered. If is recorded
for Victoria from a specimen collected by Mueller about
60 years ago in the ‘Murray River,'' whether “Upper”
or Lower” is not known.

POTAMOGETON PECTINATUS,.L. Fennel Pondweed. (Fig.
&)} S.A, Tas, Vic., N.S.W. .

314 WILLIAMSON, Aquatic: Plants af Victoria [ Tie. sah

1, Potamageton perfoliatus. 2, P. erispus-
4, P. acutifolixs. 5, P. pectinatus,

3, P. achreatus.

yi WILLIAMSON, Aquatia Plants of Victoria a1I

A plant with the habit of Ruppia and Althexia, having
narrow, linear leaves, all submerged, 2 inches to 3 inches
in length, and up te 1 line in width, The plant is
placed in a section by itself on account of the long,
sheathing bases of the leaves, bearing at their summit
a pair of membranous stipules. All others of the genus
have no sheaths, but conspicuons stipules, from the base
of which the leaves arise. Flower spikes are on filiform
peduncles, one or two inches in length, and consist of
three or four clusters of flowers. In creeks and lagoons
from the Yarra to Portland, not rare.

POTAMOGETON LUCENS, L. Shining Pondweed. Doubtful
for Australia, All other continents,

A plant with all its leaves submerged, up to 10 inches
in length and 2 inches in width, lanceolate, often undu-
late, Jower ones rather distant, all pale-green, shining,
Stipules up to 3 inches in length. Spikes about 3 inches
long, On peduncies f§ or Tinches long. This species has
been recorded from the “Tambo River, F, Mueller,” A.
Bennett, in “Journa] of Botany,” XXV. (1887), 177, but
the specimens cannot now be traced. The plant_re-
corded from the National Park (Darby River), J. W-
Audas, 1910, is not P. tucens,

POTAMOGETON AUSTRALIENSIS, A. Bennett. (P. coloratus,
Vahl, var. jameaicensis, Grieseb.) Thin Pondweed.. .

This is the plant collected in the Barwon River by J.
Bracebridge Wilson, and placed by Mueller under P.
plantagineus, one of the synonyms of P, eoloratus. In
1887 it was raised to the rank of a species by A, Bennett,
“Journ, of Bot.’ XXV., 177.

Submerged leaves are about 4 inches in length, and
1 inch in width, on petioles nearly an inch long, lanceo-
late, pointed, and distinctly translucent. Floating leaves
ovate on shorter petioles rounded at the base, rather
blunt. Stipules about 1 inch long, longer than the
petioles. Spikes slender. -

Other species recognised by Mueller in his “Key” or
his “Census of Australian Plants” are P. xatans, L.,
and P. tricarinatus. With regard to the former, Graeb-
ner, in Engler’s Pflanzenreich, has shown that P, natans
does not occur in Australia. It differs from P. tricarina-
tus in not having 3-keeled fruits, and in its narrow,
almost thread-like submerged leaves. It seems certain
that our commonest species, which has floating leaves, ia

212 WILLIAMSON, Aquatic Plants of Victona [ ¥'% 4 hay

‘ricarinatus, F.v.M., a robust plant,.with thick, ovate,
tloating leaves, and thin, broad-linear or narrow-lanceo-
late submered leaves which, being deciduous at flower-
ing time, are often absent from) herbarium specimens.
lts fruits are distinctly tricarinate. Its close allies are
P. sulcatus, with submerged leaves never linear, but
ovate, thinner than the floating leaves, and P. Tepperi,
A. Bennett. Both these species, and even the allied
FP. polygonifolius, may be found to occur in Victoria,
There is one authentic specimen of P. suleatus (seen
hy Bennett} from the Lower Murray, and it is likely that
this species is more common than is apparent so far.

More cannot be said about these rather confused forms
until reference has been made to the British collection
at Kew.

Collectors are. reminded that for safe determination of
species of this group, it is essential to obtain a fair
length of stem showing submerged leaves.

‘Family SCHEUCHZERIACEAE,

A small family of marsh plants containing five genera,
four of which contain one species only. One of the
latter occurs in Australia (Queensland and New South
Wales). The other genus, Triglochkin, contains 14 species,
seven of which are found in Victoria.

Genus TRIGLOCHIN,
(Gk. treis, three; glokhis, a point.)

Flowers bisexual, perianth segments 6, herbaceous,
shell-shaped. Stamens 6, or fewer by abortion. Anthers.
sessile. Carpels 6, usually only 3 fertilised. Marah
plants, sometimes wholly submerged.

KEY TO THE VICTORIAN SPECIES.

(a) Fruits of three nutlets falling free,from
the central axis or from the sterile carpels.
Perennial! aquatic plant about 3 fect long. T. provera
(a) Fruits of 3 or 6 nutlets adhering to a
central axis ;
(b}) Perennial marsh plant 3 inches to 1
‘fant in height - » Tr alaiater
(b) Annual plants less than 3 inches in
height
(c) Carnels united only at the base,
the three fertile ones with na '
yeflexed ‘point .. .. _. DP. svitneronata
{ec} Carpels united to ‘the apex, no
Teflexed point
(d) Carpels with well developed .
Incurved basal spurs .. .. T. ca@lerbrapa
(d) Catpels with short basal
spurs, not ineurved

‘abl WILLIAMSON, Aquatic Plants. af Victaria 318

(e) Fruit pyramids! with a

conical apex ., .. .- .. T. turrifera
{e) Fruit linear of linear-
pyramidal
(f) Spurssmall.., ., 7. centrocarpa
(f) No spurs, fruit ses-
sile, minute ,. -.., 7. minutissima

TRIGLOCHIN PROCERA, R.Br. Water-ribbons. (Fig. 1.)
Confined to Australia, all States.

Tn running. water this plant is very common, the long,
ribbon-like leaves about 4 inch in width often floating
for several feet on or near the surface. Flower
peduncles are thick, and emerge bearing a dense spike
sometimes a foot long. Flowers about 4 inch long,
Perianth segments ovate. Stamens 6. Anthers sessile.
Fruit almost globular. Fruitlets 6. or by abortion
fewer, often more or less spirally twisted (1a.)
Fig. 1 shows a fruiting spike with some of the fruits
fallen off. Common in all parts of the State.

TRIGLOCHIN STRIATA, Ruis. and Pay. Streaked. Arrow

grass. (Fig. 2.) Australia, all States, Am., N.Z

A perennial, swamp plant, with basal, narrow-linear
leaves and slender flowers, stems from 1 inch to 1 foot
high (usually 5 inches), bearing numerous flowers on
curved pedicels. Fruit almost globular, with three fer-
tile carpels streaked on the back. 2a, flower; 2b, fruit;
2c, cross section of fruit. Recorded from all districts
except the NE

TRIGLOCHIN MUCRONATA, R.Br. Prickly Arrowgrass.

(Fig. 3.) Confined to Australia (W,A., S.A, Vie.),,

A tufted annual to 4 inches high. Leaves ‘all basal,
flaccid, Flowers few, sometimes only one to the scape,
Fruits sessile, top- shaped. Perfect carpels 3, each with
a short beak pointing outwards. Recorded from saline
flats at Geelong, Mt. Abrupt, and the Wimmera. .

TRIGLOCHIN CALCITRAPA, Hk, Spurred Arrowgrass.
(Fig. 4.) Confined ‘to Australia, all Ribabes’ except .
Tasmania.

A small tufted annual, with filiform leaves up ta 4
inches, Fruits linear-pyramidal, about + inch long, —
each carpel bearing two long, ineurved basal spurs.
Fig. 4a fruit, 4b a single carpel. Recorded from the
North-west only; Wimmera, F. Reader; Mildura, H.B.W.

14 WiuLtamson, Aquatic Plants of Victoria [Yorx diy

1, Trigiochin -protera, 2, T. striata. 3, T. mueronata,
4, T, calcitrapa, 5, 7, turriferg. 6, T. centrocarpe.
7, T. minutissini.

Mar] Wititam3on, Aquatic Plants of VFigtoria 315

TRIGLOCHIN TURRIFERA (Luehm.) Ewart. Turret Arrow-
grass, (Fig.5.) Confined té Australia (W.A. and Vie.).

This differs from T. caleitrapa by its linear, flaccid
leaves, and the remarkable shape of the fruit, a short
pyramid with an abruptly-set cone as an apex instead
of being evenly tapered from base to apex. Also the:
spurs are short, and not recurved, From the N.W. dis-
trict only. Taylor’s Creek, Eckert; Little Desert, F.
Reader.

TRIGLOCHIN CENTROCARPA, Hk. Dwarf Arrowgrass.
(Fig. 6.) (incl, T. nana, F.v.M., Fig. 6b.) Gonfined
to Australia, all States.

A small tufted annual from 1 inch to 3 inches in height,
much resembling 7'. calcitrapa, except that the carpels
have the basal spur short and straight, not Incurved.
Buchenau, in his monograph of the genus (1903), ia
Engler’s Pflanzenreich, keeps Mueller’s 7. nana as a dis-
tinct species on account of the difference in size of the
fruits, and the varying length of stalk, but Ostenfeld, in
his “Contributions to the Bofany of West Australia”
(1918) unites these forms, agreeing with Bentham (Fl.
Aust.) that it is impossible to find a line of demarcation
among the intermediates. Ostenfeld describes the plant
thus:—'‘Small to medium (3-ilem.) leaves setaceous,
filiform, much shorter than the scapes, flewers 4-25, ses-
sile or stalked; fruits erect to erect-patent, pyramidal-
linear to shortly linear 2-4 (rarely 5.5) mm, long; earpels
slightly dilated at the base, with very.short basal (not
curyed) spurs and bluntly keeled or rounded back.” Re-
corded from ali districts except N.E.

TRIGLOCHIN MINUTISSIMA, F.v.M. Tiny Arrowgrass_
(Fig. ‘7.) (Confined to Australia (Vic, and W.A.).
This was included by Bentham under T. centrocarpa,

but both Buchenau and Ostenfeld agree in keeping them

as separate species. It is a very small tufted annual,
with filiform leaves and flower stems, rarely reaching
more than an inch in height. Fowers 4-11, somewhat
distant on the spike, Fruits not more than one-sixteenth
inch long, sessile, spreading linear, with a very minute
projection at the base of the carpel, Recorded from the
South and East of the State—Brighton, Lara, Sperm
Whale Head.

‘
‘
I
ol Keiry, The Common Thrips Met

. THE COMMGN THRIPS.

e BY REGINALD KELLY, FES.

"A vertain amount of confusion exists concerning the
identity of the Thrips, common: in our gardens and
‘orchards, which wag so destructive in 1926. The insect
responsiblé was thought to be Thrips tabaci, Lind., but
recent investigations have proved that this species does
not,eccur in Victoria, the damage ‘being caused by an
entirely indigenous species, 7. #maginis, Bagnall. This
apecies was described by Bagnall in 1926 (Ann, Mag.
vies Hist. (9) XVIII, p. IIT.) from material submitted
n 1914,

T acquired the mounted collection of the late Mr. J.
Booth, and sent these to Mr. Dudley Moulton, of San
Francisco. All the specimens of the genus Thrips col-
lected by Booth, from various parts of Victoria and from
many plants, were identified by Moulton as T. imagzinis,
During the prevalence of the thrip pest in 1926, I sent
many specimens to Bagnall, and also to the British
Museum, where they were identified by Mr. Laing and
Mr. Morrison as 7. imaginis. Similarly, I aen¢ numbers
to Dr. Karny, of Buitenzorg, Java; Dr. Priesner, of Linz,
Austria: Mr. Moulton, and Mr. A. A. Girault, of the
Queensland Entomological Depariment, These insects
were al] identified as T. imaginis, and not one specimen
of T. tabaci was found among them.

Bagnall, out of the vast material sent to him from Aus-
tralia, has identified as 7. fobuci one female from Fre-
mantle, West Australia, and some females from Mt,
Lofty, South Australia, sent by Prov, Poulton, and two
females. sent by me, from Launceston, Tasmania; but,
so far, none from Victoria. All these are referable to
the dark variety, T. tabaci, var. pullus. As distinguished
from this form, some of the females of T. tmagitnis have
the abdominal segments 9 and 10 noticeably darker than
the rest, and are referable to T. imaginis, var. apicalie.

Dr. R, J. Tillyard, in his work, “Insects. of Australia
and New Zealand,” gives the number of Australian
species in the Sub-order Terebrantia as 18, and New Zea-
Jand, none, whereas at least 69 species are indigenous to
/Australia, and one to New Zealand. The same disparity

of reference applies to the Sub-order Pubulifera.
- It is worthy of note that T. tabaci was originally des-
cribed as the “tobacco-thrips,” whereas the insect infest-
ing that plant turned out te be Futhrips fusews, Hinds.
The interesting conclusion is that the orchardist’s pest is
ai indigenous one. and not introduced.

eset) Notes from Field and Study ant

A STICK INSECT INCIDENT.

At the October meeting of the Cheb 1 exhibited a Niving Stick
Insect, Cyphocrania, sp, which had been found on a cherry tree
in 8 garden nesr here. It waa about 5 inches in length, and did
not appear to be fully grown. The miorning after the mecting,
I released it on a cherry tree In my warden, It immediately com-
menced ta feed on the leaves, and appeared to be contented, re-
mining close by all day, notwithetanding the proximity of several
rieditim-sized encalypts, its supposed food-tree.

he next marning {Wednesday) il was sliJl there, with two
others In its company! hese were smaller, and, I judge, were
males; and each had lost one of its front legs, in onze ease the left,
in the other the right. The three insects remained on the cherry
tree afl day, buf disappcared before next morning,

Stick Insects are considered to be rare, and thelr occurrence has
recently heen mentioned in the newspapers. May fot the rarity
be atlributed to their habitat being out of sight among the young
leaves of gum-trees {eycalypts). The question arises, by what
means did my specitien attract the others; or bow did they be-
come aware of its presente?-——F. G, A, BARNant.

CONCERNING THE RK ATTIPO.

Recently the Katipo, or Med-backed Spider, hos been widely
discussed, a6 & menace td man, Two deaths, helieyed to have been
due to Katipo bites, have been reported. In a letter to the Editor,
Mr. Charles Fretch, Sent., says :—

“I know this spider well, having cellected jots of specimens far
Sivy Baldwin Spencer, when he had charge nf the Biological De-
partment at the Melbourne University. I have also been present
when my friend, the late Chas. Frost, of our Club, was conducting
experiments with the Katipo. The late Dr. Gadfrey Howitt, Senr.,
tald me that 4 givl servant at Barker’s Station, Cape Sthanck, was
fatally bitten, and this is the only anthentie case which has eome
under my notice. It oneurred over 50 years ago.

"Two cases of very severe after results uf bites have been
under my notice—one of the vichimis was a lady in the
Benalla district; the ather, a peblican then Hsing at Harrictville,
The former was ill for months, The man had to lay-up for nearly
three months (s0 he fold me himself), in the Beechworth Hospital,
but eventually, and after sutfeting agony, he recovered. Mr. Frast
handled these spiders with impunity. and always contended that,
sithough their bite killed mice and chickens, the result te human
beings was unlikely to be fatal. I have always taken an interest in

“the Katipo, as it was fairly common at Cheltenham when I lived
there, We found them in the stacks of empty flower-pots; but
uwing to some instinet, I suppose, no one handled them.”

ALS Notes from Field aul. Study vas: xLiv

THE CICADA NYMPR,

The primary object of this note is to correct a statement made in
my paper entitled, “Llatching Process of Cicada,” in the Novem-
ber Natwrzlist, I noted that the tarsus of the digging fore-leg
in the fully-grown larva or nymph was absent. This was a
mistake, owing to my baving examined imperfect specimens, The
tarsus of the fore-leg in the fully-grown nymph is single-jointed,
carries a puir of claws, and is articulated to the tibla some dis-
tance from its tip and on ita inner aspect. Et is thin and slender,
and is much less highly chitinized than the tibia, anil consequentiy
is very easily broken off in preserved specimens,

Of Australian forms of Cicada, the complete life history is gen-
erally considered to oceupy from three to five years, or perhaps
more, In America a greal amount of work has been carried out
on some of the species, such as the 17-year-old and the 13-year-old
Cicadas, and interesting details are brought out by C. L. Marlatt,
in a paper, entitled ‘'The Perivilical Cicada,” in the United States
Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Entamology, Rulletin 71,
1907. In the section on the underground lite of the Cicada, the
history of the larval and pupal stages is given from experiments
in a Successful 17-year breeding record. “A eareful study of the
matetial collected jn the course of the experiments demonstrates
the interesting fact that this specles, in spite of its very long
period of growth, presents the same number of adolescent stages
as is found in mgects which wo through their entire development
within a single year, or even of the more rapidly multiplying
species. which have many anual generations. But six distinct
stages are find, four of which belong to the larval condition,
and two to the pupal. In other words, the larval and pupal
changes in the periodical Cieada are normal, and are not inercased
by its long preparatory existence.’ ; The pupal stages referred to
ave those in which wing: pads are developing and where sexual
differences are becoming discernibte.”.

A remarkable fact is mentioned by Marlatt with reference to
the tarsus of the fore-leg. | During the long subterranean life "the
long slendew tarsi, being distinethy in the way in digeing ia the
earth and of no xervice, become rudimentary with the first moult,
and nearly disappear in the subsequent larval stage, They re-
appear in the first pupal stage, but. in this and the subsequent
popal stage, while the insect is still below the soil, they are folded
back along the tibiae, so as to be prsctically functionless, and ere
only unfolded and brought into service after the pupa has emerged
from the ground."—FANET W. RAFF.

TORTOISES IN MELBOURNE GARDENS.

There are several Murray Tortoises, Nmydera amecqguariac, in
the ponds of the Queen Victoria Gardens, Noticing one swim-
ming close to the bank, I threw in some prawn-heads, which were

‘soon picked up. ‘Jn feeding, the tortoise held the prawn-head in
its jaws by one end, and placing a foot on the other end and
pressing againet the bottom of the pond, with a jerk of the neck
broke the food into pieces of a eorivenient size for mastication.
During this operation, numerous carp fry crowded around to pick
up the Tragments, but the bortoise took no notice of them. A
larger tortoise coming up. attacked the firat one,, and drove it
away. It is improbable that these slow-moving chelonians can
catch us + ea alleen fishes, although they would devour dead
ones.—A. E.R.

.

ia Notes frow Field ond Study 319

A LARGE FUNGUS. ;

The yecont rains, extraordinary for the time of year, have pro-
bably been responsible for the nOmerous fangi (mushrooms in-
eluded} which have appeared in various places. When driving
along & road at Bast Ben piped one day early in February, I was
astonished ata group of Jatvea fungi which had sprung up under-
neath some medium-sized cucalypts (probably Apple Box, £.
Stuurtiana, F.v.M.) by the roadside, There were quite 30 of -
them, On alighting further to investipate the oecurrence, L war
so impressed by the immense size of the largest plant that I col-
lected it, to exhibit at the Club meeting.

It is a Boletus, and seems to agree with the deseription of
B, portentosus, B, and Br., in Gooks's Handbook of Australian
Fungi (p. 107). Singuiarly enough, this species also occurs in
Geylon. The pilens is very thick, the surface russet-coloured,
somewhat depressed in the centre; the flesh is lomon-yellow, while
the apore-iuhes are dark brown. ‘The stem is short and thick,
nearly 6 inches in diameter, and iv much dilated at the base. The
fungus measures just 60 inches in circumference, and weighs no
les¢ than 7 Ibs.—A. E. Orprenman, ;

MOUNTAIN GRASSHOPPERS.

‘Usually met with singly or in patrs, the Mountain Grasshopper,
Acridopeza reticulata, recently appeared in thousands in the
Hamilton district. A correspondent, who forwarded specimens,
stated that the insects had not previously heen seen in the district
for many years.

This species. is one of the most remarkable of all Grasshoppers.
The apteraus female has shell-like elytra, which she raises when
disturbed, revealing a plump, red, white, and blue bady, It has
been suggested that the object is to startle an enemy, IT made
numerous experiments with' different specimens, and the result
was ever the same. The least touch caused the Grasshopper to
raize its wing.covers; but sometimes they were lifted only shghtly.
Acridopeza was found on Mount Feathertop at an altitude of xbout
5,000 feet. Doubtless it is a mountain-lover, but it oecurs also
on the lowlands. Down Hamilton way, it was taken among stones
and bracken—©.B.

FLYCATCHER AND DRAGONFLIES. °

Early last summer, when dragonflies were hovering over the”
placid surface of the river, in handreds, I noticed, in the Restless
Flycatcher, Sewura inquwieta, 2 trait previously unknown to me.
One of these birds was perched an an over-hanging branch of a
gum-tree, from which it Mew at interval, to catch insects. Sud-
denly it swooped inte the midést of 2 lot of dragonflies—catching
two in its feet—not using the beak as it had done in capturing
other insects.

With the two dragonfies, which were rather lurge, the bird flew
towards the bank, one of the insects escaping en route, Calmly
alighting within a yard of where I was standing, -the bird stripped
the insect of its wings and legs, ate them, and then swallowed
the body whoie—head first. Js it usval for these small birds to
eat auch large insects, and to catch them by such methods?—
Evetyn LYte

320 Excursion to Phillip Talend Vor xnee

EXCURSION TO PHILLIP ISLAND.

Fourtecn mombers took part in the excursion to Phillip Island,
extending from Janusry 28th to 30th. On Saturday afternoon,
we walked a mile or two along the Main Road, and were much
interésted in the Koalas, a number of which were observed in the
Euealypts, growing in the adjcining paddocks. ‘'wo of these
animals frequented the trees in the yard of cur guést-house,

In the evening, we strolled along the “Lovers Walk," a pic-
turesque and sequestered footway through the Coastal ‘Tes-trec,
Leptospermum iesvigatum, fringing the shore. Many large Bank-
sias and Melaleucay were noted, together with Casuarinas, and
bushes of Sweet Bursazia, 8. spinosa, and Coastal Beard-heath,
Leucopogon Richez. In « clump of Tes-tree, three young Boobook
Owls, Ninox boobook, were discovered, while the piping of a Yellow
Robin, Kopsaltria qustratiz, and the raucous notes Of a Red Wattle-
bird, Anthochuwera carunculatn, were heard,

The Nobbies, at the western extremity of the Island, was the
rendezvous for Sunday. Several Koslas were seen perched in
forks of the Kucalypts along the rond close to the township, and
some were feasting on the gum-leaves, when we ceturned towards
evening. The Nobbies was ascended by a steep foot-track during
low tide, and Seal Rocks, some half-mile off the point, were viewed,
Several young Penguins, Rudyptula mixer, were found in their
nesting burrows, which usnally consist of a tunne} abcut 3 feet or
4 feet in length, with an opening sf each end, Small Pigface,
Mesembryanthomum tegens, and the Cushion-bush, Calocephalus
Brown, constituted practically the only vegetation.

A visit was paid to the Blowhole, a cave-like excavation in the
cliff, which, at, hizh tide, omits al intermittent roaring. The
party then walked alone the north coast to Cowry Beach, inspect-
ing a small Mutton-bird rockery on the way; while some time was
spent raking over o number of kitchen middens, but only a few
quartz and flint chippings, and a broken grinding-stone, were
picked up. Among the birds noted during this outing may be
mentioned the Whibte-backed Magpie, Guymnorhina hiypoleuca;
Kookaburra, Dacele gigs: White-fronted Chat, @pthianwra albi-
frons; Spur-winged Plover, Lobibyx novae-hollandine; Goldfinch,
Corduelia cardwelis; Butcher-bird, Graections destructor; Magpie-
lark, Grallina eyaxolexen; Spartow-hawk, Acciniter ctrrocephalus;
Harmonious Shrike-Theish, Colluricixcla harmonica; Red Wattle-
bird, Anthockasre carenciiata; and the ubiquitous Starling,
Sturnus vulgaris.

Monday was devoted to a motor boat trip to Cape Woolamai.
The sand drifts are encroaching on the rockeries, and we were
impressed with the seriousness of this menace, <A Horsefield's
Bush-lack, Mirafra javanica, und a Nankeen Kestrel, Faloo cen-
chroides, were noted on the Cape, im addition te one or two isolated
Mutton-hirds, Pufintis tenuirostris, Many sea-birds were ta be
seen an the mud flats near Newhaven and Rhyl, ineluding Black
Swans, Chenopa atrete; White-necked Herons, Notophoyx paci-
fica; Eastern Curlews, Nxmeontus cyanopus; Sand-pipers, Tringa
hypolauca; White-breasted Cormorants, Phalacrocorar fusceseens}
Silver Gulls, Larus novae-hollandiae; Pacific Gulls, Gabianuy paci-
ficus; Gannets, Sula serrator; and Terns —V. H, Mizisr, L, L.
Hapcson,

The Victorian Naturalist

You, ELIV—No. 12: APRIL 4, 1928, No, a82,

THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held
in the Royal Soviety’s Hall, Vietoria-street, Melbourne,
on Monday, March 12, 1928. The President, Mr. BE. BE.
Pescott, I'.L.S.. occupied the chair, and there were about
120 members and visitors present.

CORRESPONDENCE,

Brom Mrs. E. Waite, of Adelaide, thanking the Club
for expressions of sympathy relative to the death of her
husband.

From Mr. William Lawford, of Benalla, offering to
donate to the Club a complete set of Mathew’s “Birds of
Australia,” in 12 volumes, on the recommendation of
Mr. Donald Macdonald, It was decided that a letter of
acceptance and thanks be written to Mr. Lawford, and
also that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr. Donald
Macdonald for his interest in the matter.

REPORTS.

Reports of excursions. were given as follow :—Dredg.
ing Excursion, Dr, H. Flecker; Botanic Gardena, Mr. F
Pitcher; and Black Rock, Miss J. Raff, M.Sc, F.E.S.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

The following were duly elected on a show of hands:—
As Ordinary Member:—Mr. Andrew R. Wall, 14 Dar-
ling-road, East. Malvern, As Country Member :—Mr.
Jack Kubeil, Kirkland-street. Euroa; and as Associate
Member :—Master Neil Doublas, 27 Barclay-strect,
North Brighton,

GENERAL,

Mr. A. & Kenyon announced that a meeting of the
Ethnovlogical Section would be held in the Royal Society's
Hall, on Monday evening, March 19, at which Mr. W. IT.
Gill would read a paper on “Initiation Ceremonies of
Central Australia.”

Mr. Kenyon also referred to the i issue, by: the Numis-
matic Society, of a medal to commemorate the fight of
Mr. Bert Hinkler, from England to Australia,

The President reported that, at a meeting of repre-
sentatives of the various bodies interested in the pro-
posal to form an Advisory Council on Native Fauna and
Flora, an Executive Committee of six had been elected;
Dr. J. A. Leach was appointed as Chairman, and himself
as Treasurer.

522 Fizld Naturclists’ Club—Proceedings Wer wat

The President referred to the early departure of Miss
F. Smith on a visit to England, and wished her ‘bon voy-
age on behalf of members.

Attention was drawn by the President to Mt. R. H,
Croll’s hook; ‘The Qpen Road in Victoria,” just pub-
lished, Lt would be of considerable interest to mumbers.

PAPERS, ETC.
Mr. J, H. Harvey, P.R,V.1.A., read a paper dealing
with the flora and other characteristic features of the
West Coast of Tasrnunia. The paper was illustrated by
an interesting series of Jantern views, depicting the
scenic beauty of the locality.

EXHIBITS.

- By Mr, J. Searle—Sea-Dragon (Parapegasus, sp.),
Pipe-fishes (Sephanostoma and Syngnathus), Caw-fish,
and Cohbler (Centropagon australis). Also Crustacea:—
{a} Hermit Crab (in shell); (b) Serolis, Sp., an Tsopod
resembling a Trilobite; (c) [bla quadrivalvis, with ped-
uncles 3 inches in length. A Cirripede remarkable for
the fact that the hermaphrodite female is accompanied
by a parasitic complementary male—spermatozoa and
ova, and the parasitic male occurring in a single indi-
vidual; also Parasitic male dissected out, and micros-
copical mounts of the ova, spermatozoa and complement-
ary male of 7bla quadrivalvis. (d) Marine worms (Tere-
hillidae, Nereis, etc.}. All collected on Dredging Excur-
sion on '3/3/1928.

By Mr. F. Chapman, A.LS8., F.GS.—Specimens of
Apple-berry (Rillardiera scandens) and Casuarina
stricta (male), cultivated at Bahwyn.

By Mr. D. Blair.—*Parson’s Bands” Orchids (Erio-
chilies autumnatis), from foot of Arthur’s Seat, Dromana,

, By Mr. 4. 8. Kenyon.—A series of phyllodes of Acacia
melanoxyton, showing transition from true pinnate leaves
to phyllodes.

By Mr. H. B. Williamson, F.L.S.—Specimens of Pota-
mogetom and Triglockin, illustrating Part IIT. of his
“Aquatic Plants of Victoria,” in March Naturalist,

By Mr. H. MeColl.—Specimens of Fucolyptus leucoxy-
lon rosea, and Searlet Bottlebrush (Callistemon laneceo-
late), cultivated at Kew,

By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard.—Dwarf form of Kangaroo-
Fern (Polypodium pustulatwm), grown in pot for about
20 years.

tée0, | . Field Natwratists? Olnb—Procecdings $23

By Mr. E. E, Pescott, F.L.5.—(1) Eucalyptus root
moulded by crevices in Dacite rock, from Marcondah
Dam, Healesville; (2) European snails, srnall species, an
increasing and damaging garden pest; (8) hybrid fruit,
between common gourd and canteloupe (4) slicing of
conglomerate rock, from glacial rezion, near Mt. Lyell,
Queenstown, Tas.; (5) living Blue-tongue Lizard, about
3 years old.

By Miss E. Powles—Common parden snail, attacked
and killed by fungus.

By Mr, A, EB. Opperman—Bunch of common Heath
(Epacris tmpressa), from South Warrandyte; very early
occurrence.

EXCURSION TO BOTANIC GARDENS.

The excursion set down for February 26th, was postponed te
March 3rd. The Leader, who joined the staff at the Gardens as
office boy and messenger in January, 1869, tock the party to
various points af tnterest an the western portion of the Gardens,
and related incidents regarding the changes from their past con-
dition to their state to-day. With a plan showing the “lay-out”
of the Gardens in 1878, which the leader explained, and plans of a
copy of-recent date, which were handed to members of the party.
through the courtesy of Mr. Rae, the present Director,.one was
able te trace the transition work, and relate interesting information
in regard to the progresx of improvements which have brought
the Melhourne Botanic Gardens into the pride of place as one of
the finest in the world. We finished our journey about 5 p.m. at
the Lily Lake at the Lop or south end of the Fern Gully. This was
the last ares 40 temodelled, from having been, in 1878, a nursery
for the raising of trees and shrubs for distribution to eountry
councils, church and schoo] grounds and public institutions, for
street and other plantations.—F. PizcHEr.

DREDGING EXCURSION. .

The dredging excursion, which was to have been held on Feb-
ruary 18th, had to be postponed, owing to violent weather, until
Mareh 3c. We left in a sailing boat from the Town Pier, at Port
Melbourne. Unfortunately the tow net was lost at the very outset,
but about half a dozen haulg from the dredge brought up a large
variety of marine organisms, including several species of pipe-
fish, sea-horse, cow-fish, leather-jackets, blennies, cobbler, ete. The
evustacea were répréesented by some crabs, including hermit-crabs,
inhabiting shelis of Nassarius fasctata, a king crab, and some Iblas.
Large starfishes, and many varieties of molluscs, including a small
particularly beautiful orange-colored octopus, covered with very
brilliant turquoise spots, were obtuined; also worms, A sodden
squall compelled 2n abrupt abandonment of dredging operations,
Thanks are especially duc to Dr. Wishart for the boating arrange-
El and glsa to Mr. Searle, for the loan of the dredging gear.—

» FE LECKER. .

324 WiLutamson, Aquatic’ Plante of Victoria [YS 48M:

THE AQUATIC PLANTS OF VICTORIA.
Part IV.
BY H. B. WILLIAMSON, F.L.S.
_ Class 2, DicoTYLEpONs.
Family HALORRHAGIDACEAE,
Genus MyRloPHYLLUM.

Aquatic plants with their submerged leaves, usually di-
vided into narrow segments. It may be noted here that
as a general rule submerged leaves take that character,
thus presenting 4 greater surface to the water, which
supplies them with the necessary oxygen for réspiration.
Flowers often unisexual, upper ones sometimes bisexual.
Male flowers with four petals and four shorter sepals,
and four or eight stamens. Female flowers with no

petals. Fruits with four united fruitlets sessile in the
axils. é; .
% KEY TO THR SPECIES.
(a) Very smal) plant rarely exceeding 1 meh in height, with en-
tire alternate leaves ., ., . M. integrifolium:

(a) Plants widely spreading, with opposite wr whorled leaves,
(b) Leaves all opposite and entire

(c) Leaves cbovate or epatiulete. »o ee a, AM. amphiliam,
(c) Lesyes. all linear .. .. 2) MM peduneulatua!
(b) Leaves all whorled aes

d) Upper leaves broad, lower ones capillary
(e) Upper leaves entire or slightly toothed .. .,

M. elatinoides

e) Upper leaves lobed .. _. M. verrucogem.

(d) Upper leaves, narrow "as well as the lower ones .
' AZ. propinguum

4b) Leaves simply opposite, lowest in whorls of three .. -

; M. Mueltevt

MYRIOPHYLLUM INTHGRIFOLIUM, Hk. f. Small Waier-
milfoil. Fig. 1. Confined to Australia (All States but

of<

An annual herb up to about an inch in height, grow-
ing in inundated depressions. Leaves alternate or nearly
opposite, linear, pointed, less than + inch in length.
Fruit 4-lobed, reddish. Associated with this plant may
often be found species of Triglockin, Brizula, Centro-
lepis, and sometimes the rarer Trifhwria. Et has been
recorded from all districts except the North-East,

MYRIOPHYLLUM AMPHIBIUM, Labill. Broad-leaf Milfoil.
‘Fig. 2. Australia only (W.A., S.A,, T., V.).

A widely-creeping plant in shallow springs or water

courses, It is known by its opposite, entire, spathulate

or obovate leaves, often of a reddish tint. Upper flowers

4

1nag,| WintIAMEON, Aquatic Plants of, Vietora B25

are bisexual, with long -filaments and drooping petals
(2b). Lower flowers female, without petals (2 a)-
corded from Curdie River, Gellibrand River, Nat. Pak
Wilson's Prom., Bunyip.

MYRIOPILYLLUM PEDUNCULATUM, Hk, f, Stalked Water-
milfoil. Fig. 3. Aust. (W.A.,S.A,, T., V3, and N.Z.

Closely allied to M. amphibium, perhaps only a Variety
according to Bentham, differing only in its linear leaves
and its somewhat rougher fruitlets. Male flowers are
sometimes, but not always, short stalked. Recorded only
-from Cobberas, Alps, Baw Baws (Mueller), and Nat.
Park, Wilson’s Prom.

MYRIOPHYLLUM ELATINGIDES, Gaud, Coarse Water-mil-
foil. Fig. 4. N.Z. and Aust. (W.A,, S.A, T, V.), also
N. & S. America.

A very common submerged plant, with branches up to
3 or 4 feet long, often forming’ tangled masses, and be-
coming a pest in garden ponds. Its submerged leaves are
in whorls, and are much divided into capillary segments.
Upper emerging leaves are quite different, being in
whorls of from 4 to 6, short, broad and almost entire
(4a). It has been recorded from all districts.

MYRIOPHYLLUM VERRUCOSUM, Lindl. Red Water-niilfoil,
Fig. 5. Aust. only (Atl States but Tas.)-

This resembles M. elatineides in miniature, with finer
submerged leaves, and its emerging leaves broad and
distinctly lobed, almost pinnate, and often of a reddish
eolour. All districts but North-Hast.

MYRIOPHYLLUM PROPINQUUM, A. Cunn, (M. parinefotiam,
Hk.). Common Water-milfoil. Fig 6 N.Z. and all States
of Australia,

Stems simple, ascending; often stout, with all leaves
whorled, the submerged ones usually pinnate into eapil-
lary segments, the upper ones gradually . short-lobed or
merely: denticulate. The species varies a good deal. The
author’s Hawkesdale specimens have simple, linear,
whorled leaves, except one or two small pinnate ones at
the roots. Very common in all parts of the Stxte.

MYRIOPHYLLUM MUELLERI, Sounder, Slender Water-mil-
foil. Fig. 7, Aust. ‘only (W.A,, S.A,

A very slender plant, wholly submergerd. “All leaves
are very finely divided, the lower ones, in whorls.of three,

326 WILLIAMSON, Aquatic Plants of Victoria [ YS 'tY

and the upper ones simply opposite, Flowers are uni-
sexual, in thé upper axils: The plant is easily distin-
guished by the conspicuous -hood-shaped braets of the
male flowers (7a). It has been collected as yet only at
the Curdie River, Mueller, und in the Geelong district, °
Point Lonsdale, Mueller, Barwon River arid Queenscliff,
J. B. Wilson,

OTHER WATER PLANTS BELONGING TO VARIOUS
FAMILIES.

RANUNCULUS TRICHOPHYLLUS, Chaix (R. aquatilis, L.}.
Water Buttercup. E., As., Afr., Am., Aust. (S.A,, T., V.,
N.S.W,). Fig. 1.

A submerged plant with leaves divided into numerous
hair-like segments, Flowers, the only portion of the
plant that appears above the surface, are white, and very
small, less than 4 inch in diameter, and are typical But-
tercups except as regards colour. It has been recorded
‘froti all parts of the State.

RANUNCULUS RIVULARIS, Bks. & Sol. River Buttercup.
Fig, 2. Aust. (all States but W.A.) and N.Z.

A common plant in shallow water, growing from
creeping stems, and easily distinguished from the com-
mon J. lappaceus by that character as. well as by its glab-
rous digitate leaves, either submerged, floating or ermerg-
‘ing, and its narrow petals, usually about 8. (2a.). When
the leaves are submerged they are much divided. This is
also widespread through the State,

BRASENIA PURPUREA, Michx. B. peltata, Pursh. Cabomba
in Mueiler Key. Water-shield: Fam. Nymphaceae. Fig,
8, As,, Am., Aust. (V., N.8.W., @.)-

Growing from a prostrate rhizome at the bottom of
lagoons, with floating peltate leaves attached by their
centre to long petioles, oval, entire, 3-4 inches long, and
about, 2 inches wide. Submerged parts of the pliant are,
especially when young, covered with a thick coating of
transparent jelly. Flowers (3a) floating, of a dull
purple, and borne on long axillary peduncles. Sepals 3
and petals 3, ali very much alike, nearly half an inch
when they first open, but lengthening later to nearly at
inch. A plant very rarely gathered in Victoria, “Lower
Mitta Mitte, F, Mueller,” and “Mitta, Mrs, Flora Mar-
tin,” are the only records.

36] ; WILLIAMSON , Aquatic Plints of Vietorta 327

ABW Cn

1, Myriopkyllunt iniegrifolium. 2, M. amphibiwm. 3, M. peduncu-
lutwm, 4, M. elutinoides. 5, M. verrucosum, 6, M- propinguum.
7,M. Muclleri.

328 WILLIAMSON, Aquatic Plunts of Victoria A ye ltt

CERATOPHYLLUM DEMERSUM, L. Common Hornwert,
Fam. Ceratophyllacene. Fig. 4

Most widely distributed in all parts of the world, and
in all the States of Australia. A submerged plant with
long stems and whorled leaves, resembling some species
of Myriophytium., The leaves, however, are dichote-
mously, not pinnately divided. The meaning of the gen-
erlé name is “hornwort" from the resemblance to stag
horn, The slender segments are minutely tuothed,
Flowers wre very small, and solitary in the axils, Sta-
minate and pistillate flowers are distinct, but on the same
plants, Fruit (4a) oval, dotted, with two long straight
spines near the base. Stigma long, persistent. Locali-
ties: Murray River. N.W. Eckert and N. E. Muneller.
Pound Swamp, Bairnsdale, T. S. Hart.

JUSSIEUA DIFFUSA, L. Clove-strip. Fig. 5. Fam. Qena-
theracede, As. Afr. Aust. (S.A. V. NSW).

Creeping plant in shallow water, with long lealy stems,
which are provided at. the insertion of the leaves with
blister-Like hollows (vescicles) to add to the buoyancy of
the plant. Leaves are obovate or lanceolate, gradually
narrowed into stalks, crowded towards the ends of the
branches, where they are from 1 to 2 inches long. Lower
leaves are often very smali. The long-stalked flowers
have 5 rather large yellow petals inserted at the summit
of the ovary, which, after fertilisation, lengthens into a
cylindrical fruit about an inch long. (5 b.}

LIMNANTHEMUM GEMINATUM, Grieseb. vara Bonk
wort, Fig. 6. Aust. only (V., N.S.W., Q., ,
Stems floating or creeping, with long- eA fe
tar-cordate, entire, floating leaves up to 2 inches in
tength, purplish below, These Spring from the nodes,
either a tuft of leaves without flowers, or a single leaf
with an clongated flowering branch, along which the
flowers spring in pairs, rarely 3 together, on pedicels 2
or 3 inches long. Calyx 5-cleft almost to the base, blunt.
(64.) Coroila tender, large, yellow, with 5 lobes sparsely
fringed on the margin, sparingly bearded at the base,
without any crested membrane along the middle inside.
Recorded from Mitta Mitta, Omeo, Avon River.
LIMNANTHEMUM CRENATUM, Fiv.M. Wavy Marshwort,
Fig. 7. Aust. only (all States but W.A. and Tas.).
A plant very similar to the preceding, distinguished
by its leaves with somewhat crenate and wayy edges,
with the under surface minutely dotted with glandules.

teen | WILLEAMSON, Aquatic Plants of Vietoria 329

The calyx lobes are more conspicuously fringed at the
margin, are bearded inside at the base. and have a prormi-
nent longitudinal wing along the ceutre. (Ta.) Re
corded from Yarra River, Lower Murray, Colac,

HYDROCOTYLE VULGARIS, L. Common Pennywort. Fig. B.
E., Afr,, As., Am., Aust, (S.4., V., N\S-W., Q.)-

A plant creeping in mud or floating in water, with orbi-
cular leaves 1 to 2 inches in diameter; attached by the
centre (peltate) te long stalks springing frem the creep-
ing stems, with edges somewhat crenate, Flowers
minule, in an umbel on a peduncle nearly as long as the
leaf-stalk, with sometimes 1 to 3 whorls of flowers below.
Fruttlets quite compressed, (8a.) Recorded from all
districts of the State, though not often gathered.

UTRICULARIA FLEXUGSA, Vahl. Yellow Bladderwort. Fig.
. As. and Aust. (all States).

A submerged plant with leaves branching into numer-
ous very fine segments, and resembling Water-milfoil or
Water Buttercup, but by the presence of little globular
vescicles or utricles, it can be easily separated from those
plants. These utricles (9a) which also occur on the
reots of the more common Purple Bladderwort, [. dicho-
tome, are traps for animalcule which provide some nitro-
genous food for the plant, which is cut aff from supplies
from the soil, Flowers emerge on stalks 3 to 6 inches
jong, surmounted by a short raceme of 3 to 6 yellow
flowers nearly 4 inch across. Recorded from Murray
River, Omeo, Goulburn River, Yarra Glen.

Genus CALLITRICHE.

Slender aquatic herbs with opposite, entire leaves,
Flowers unisexual, axillary, without perianth = Fruit.
more or Jess fattened, notched at the top, 4-celled and 4-
lobed, that is surrounded by a double edge, the cdges
blant, acute or winged, and consisting of two 2-celled
disc-shaped carpels, united by their inner faces. Ben-
tham says:—"“The genus [s found in almost every part
of the globe, and, according to some botanists, consists
but of a single species, others divide it into two, the Aus-
tralian one belonging in that ¢ase to the one which has
the most universal geographical range. Those who vari-
ously extend the genus to from 13 to 20 species, describe
the commonest form as endemic.”

CaLLITRICHE VERNA, L. Water Starwort, Fiz. 10. With
the same distribution as Ceratophyllum.

A tender, aquatic herb with opposite, entire leaves,
The crowded leaves at the ends of the branches often

330 WILtIaMson, Aquatic Plants of Victoria | Vist,Nat

1-2, Ranunculus. 3, Brasenia. 4, Ceratophyllum. 6, Jussiena, 6-T,
Limnanthemum. 8, Hydrocotyle. 9, Utricularia. 10-12, Callatriche.

338.) WILLIAMSON, Aguulic Plants of Viatorta aay

float on the surtate, forming starlike roseltes, hence the
vernacular name, Lower Jeaves are narrow, and upper
ones obovate, 3-nerved. Flowers are minute, axillary,
unisexual, without calyx or corolla. Fruit 4-lobed, with
compressed narrowly- winged fruitlets. Very abundant in

all parts of the State.

Evidently Bentham and Mueller agreed that all the
forms occurring in Australia except C. Muelleri could be
included under this species name, but on critical exam-
ination cf the specimens collected by myself, there seem
to me a few distinct enough to rank as separate species.

(a) Hawkesdale, 1900. With nearly all leaves linear
and lI-nerved, except at the tips of the branches; fruit
wingless, dark coloured.

“(b) Linton, 1911, With leaves linear except tawards
the ends of the branches, where they are spathulale with
thin stalks; fruits wingless, on peduncles } inch long.

(c) Geelong, 1996, Fig, 12, Leaves spathulate, show-
ing distinct surface rosettes; fruit with broad wings.
This resembles European specimens of C. stagtunrits,
Scop., but may be Hegelmeyer’s macropteris.

(d) Mildura, 1912, Lake Hattah, 1913. A matted
plant with minute leaves and fruit. This tallies with the
type specimen of C. Sonderi, Hegelm. from "Station Peak,
F_ Mueller.”

Specimens in Nat, Herb.; Melb. (a) Say’s Goulburn
River spms. (b) None. (¢) Spms. from various locali-
tivs. (d) Bauerlen’s Lake Cobham spms, Until refer-
ence is made to Hevelmeyer’s Monograph, not available
here, or to the Kew authorities, these may stand as forms
ef GC. verna.

CALLITRICHE MUELLEKI, Sonder. Haye Water Starwort.
Fig. 11. Aust. only (V.,, ).

Resembling C, verna, but just feed in very shal-
low water, or on muddy edges of water courses, not form-
ing, floating rosettes. Its leaves are almost rhomboid
(with distinet petioles), and the fruitlets are broadly
winged. Recorded from Colac, Nyora, Snowy and
Latrobe Rivers.

CONCLUSION.
Besides the plants dealt with in these articles, there is
a number which may be termed semi-aquatic, including,
under Monccotyledons, many Rushes, Sedges and allied
plants, e.g., Trithuria, Centrolepis, Brizula, Xyris, Hreo-
caulon; Restio, Crinum, which are never found away
from water, and whose roots are always submerged.

332 WiLitamson, Agquetic Plants of Vietoria [ WS Nat
'

Among the Dicatyledons the following plants may be
listed as semi-aquatic, and may be found enjoying their
almost total sabmergence by temporary inundation :—
Claytonia australasica, Cardamine hérsuta, Montia fon-
tana, Hypericum japonicum (not H. graminewm), Ela-
tine americana, Viola Caleyana, Crantzia, Villursia,
Brachycome cardiocarpa, Cotulla coronopifalia, C. rep-
fans, Crassula recurua.

Others, chiefly small plants, which revel in shallow
water or mud are:—Myosurus, Ranunculus, parviflorus,
R. Millan, Caltha, Crassula honnriensig, Potentilin,
Stackhousia. pulvinaris, Halorrhagts Brawnii, H, mie-
rantha, Hydrocotyle tripartita, H. medicaginoides, H.
calktearpa, Centella, Mitrasacme distylis, Wilsonia, Mazus,
Mimutlue, Gratiola, (rlossostigma, Utricularia, Polypom-
pholyu, Lobelua, anceps, Pratia (several), lsatoma fluvia-
tilis, Goodenit ‘humilis, Selliera, Stylidium. perpusillem,
S. despectum, Cotula filifolia, C. integrifolia, Myrie-
cephalus rhizocephalus. ‘These do not inchide large
swamp plants, Sprengatin,. Melaleuca, Lathrum, Lycopus,
etc.

NOTES FROM MY DIARY,

Jan, 3,—Observed a Brown Hawk, Jerucidea berigora, feeding on

a freshly-killed rabbit—probably the hawk had killed it.

Jan. 10.—Three stalks of Hyacinth orchids between 2 feet and
3 feet in height, were carfying 27-35 and 37 flowers—a Lolal of 99
Nowers on the three stalks. Meagured a fine specimen of Rhagodia
haccata; the stem was 9 inches in circumference ab a foot from
the ground,

Jan. 28—Note that the Banksia Longicorn beetle moves about
chietly at night: and is quite active on its feet.

Feb, B- Saw a young Pallid Cuckoo being attended by a pair of
White-eared Honeyeaters, which were obtaining tood from among
the foliage of a Manna gum. a

Feh, 7.- First flowers noticed on Sanksin marginata and #8:
integrifnlia.

Peb, 23—Musk Lorikeets here avain; they were absent during
the summer, .

March 6.—A Peaceful Dove observed, feeding around a haystack;
apparently it wus obtsining fallen ont-graihs. This bird is seldom
seen here.

Mar. 11.—Saw first party of Red Wattle-birds on their flight
northward foy the winter,

Mar. 15.—Note that young Mugpie-larks and Red Wattle-birds
romain with their parents only for about six or eight weeks alter
leaving Lhe nest; whereas young Magpies stay till the following
Tune or July (almost 12 months),

Mar. 40.—Young King Parrots have appeared on their annual
visit. to these parts.

Mar, 21.—bossieea Aeteropkyla just coming inta bloom.

Mar, 83.—Pravophyllum nigricans in flower.—lRED. Banton,
Inv. (Spermwvhate Head Gippsland Lakes, Vie.). ' :

idoq,] COLEMAN, Pollination of Cryptostylis Luptoohila 833
POLIINATION OY GREET IST ELIS LEPTOCHILA,
Faw,

By (Mrs.) PnitH COLEMAN

_ Ina preliminary paper on this subject (see Vie. Nat,
May, 1927), I deserihed a remarkable parincrship
between the orchid Cryptostylis leptachia, W.v.M., and
an ichneumot-wasn, Lissopimpla semipunctata, Kirby,
male. A picture was given showing the extraordinary
matiner in which the insect visits the flower. Further
observations this season not only support my previcus
assumption, but point to an exclusive partnership be-
tween the orchid and the wasp.

As stated in the previous paper, all the visiting insects
entered the flowers in a reverse manner from that of
most nectar-feeding hymenoptera, and thus removed the
pollen, not on the head, proboscis er back. but on the
tip of the abdomen! It was soon clear that our wasps
were seeking neither nectar nor edible tissue; and, as
they were all males, there could be no question of ege-
placing, either in any larvae hidden in the flower, or in
the viscid matter of the stigma. I could form only one
conclusion, and in this I was supported by Dr, R. J.
Tillyard.

Until recently, the possibility of any attraction, other
than nectar or edible tissue, offered by flowers to insect
visitors, had not been suspected, Even Darwin over-
Jooked what now appears an obvious conclusion, and in
his Fertilisation of Orehids, commenting on a statement
by G, EF, Smith in his Catalorne of Plants of S, Kent, that
“Mr. Price has frequently witnessed attacks madé upon
the Bee Orehis by a bee,” he adds, “What this sentence
means I cannot conjecture.” The riddle of those strange
attacks has almost certainly been solved, in the first place,
hy Monsieur M, Pouyanne, in Algeria; later, by Colonel
M. Godfery, F.U-S., at Hyéres, France; and perhups even
more conclusively ‘by the interesting partnership that
forms the subject of this paper.

In the Algerian case, M, Pouyanne witnessed the pol-
lination of Ophrys lutea by a small hymenopteron, male,
which alichted on the Hower in the reverse munner
adopted by our achneumon-wasp, carrying off the pollen,
“not.on the head, but on the tail.’ - Colonel Godfery,
who has giver muth time to the study of orchid-pollina-
tion, Witnessed # similar instance, where the visiting in-
sect entered the Howers of Ophrys fusca in the same way:

334 CouemAn, Pollinition of Cryptostylia Leptochilee [Qaeygit

removing the pollinia on the end of-its abdomen, With
the proofs that we can offer, what was formerly only a
matter of conjecture ag to the motive actuating the
Strange behaviour of the insects, becomes practically a
certainty.

It is, I think, safe to assume that, as the orchid C-.
leptachila. is visited by male wasps only, and as these are
seeking neither nectar nor edible tissue, they are answer-
iny to an irresistible sex-inatinet, and the reason for the
unusual partnership thus becomes less incredible than it
at first appearcd.. “We-know that pollination is the sole
object in the structure of an orchid, and we are tamiliar
with the many strange devices adopted by flowers to
achieve this end; but in the present instance the perfected
plan of the flower to obtain the benefit of cross-pollination
unfolds a scheme unrivalled, surely, in the history of
entomophilous flowers.

The most remarkuble feature of this unusual partner-
ship is its almost certain exclusiveness. Were the same
insect acting as pollinating agent for any other members
of this genus, we should expect to find hybrids among
them. Visits. to the parenta of different species would
undoubtedly bring about an interchange of specific echar-
acteristics, yet, though T have found C, leptochila grow-
ing in close association with another member of the genus
(C, subuluta, Labill.), 1 have never seen a hybrid be-
tween these two types. Dr. R. &. Rowers, who ts the
Australasian authority en orchids, tells me that he has
never geen a hybrid in the genus Cryptostylia, ,

Several theories may be advanced as to the nature of
the attraction offered by the orchid. Scent and mimicry
are undoubtedly a part of it,

MIMIcRY.—T hough, from its structure, the service of
an insect is necessary for the pollination of C, leptochila,
the appearance of the flower docs net, at-first sight, sug-
gest the desire for insect agency, There are no bright
colours held -out to attract the wasp, but, insted, 2
cunning mimicry is more-than suggested. A glance at
the strange labellum, modified out of all proportion to the
thin, almost thread-like petals and sepats, with its double
row of dark glistening glanda that gleam in the het sun-
shine loved by the wasp, is perhaps sufficient to justify
the theory of an attraction based on the resemblance of
the flower to afemale wasp. Even to our eyes, the like-
ness is apparent. ‘T'o the inferior eyesight af the insect,
the resemblance may be still more convincing.

dg.) COLEMAN, Pollination of Cryptostylis Leptochila 335

Lissopimpla semipunctata: 1 and 8, males; 2, females.
Photos. considerably enlarged.

= ; : Tig he iy es ae Vic. Nat.
336 COLEMAN, Pollination of Cryptostylis Leptochila | vot x tay

The labellum and column are clearly the parts of the
structure on which the flower has expended most energy.
While I was experimenting with four spikes, on which
were 45 spent flowers, an insect selected the only open
flower at the top of one spike, and entered swiftly.
Though the narrow segments of the spent flowers pre-
sented an insect-resemblance even at this stage, they
apparently held no interest for the wasp, nor was any
flower visited when half of its labellum had been cut off.

On several occasions, this season, a flower has been
visited twice, and one detached flower was entered a
second time as it lay on the stable. This partly disposes
of my theory that the prominent rostellum, with its dark-
coloured disc, holds the key to the attraction. Though
mimicry would appear to be the chief lure, I can cite
instances which point just as surely to scent, though this
is almost imperceptible to me.

,

I have, this season, seen an insect “tacking” swiftly
once or twice over a flower before entering. I concluded
it was tracking the orchid by its scent. During January,
some spikes were sent to me at Healesville, a locality in
which C. leptochila has not so far been recorded. A
few minutes after they were exposed, the flowers were
entered by the males of Lissopimpla semipunctata. Dr.
Rogers. who was staying with us at the time, was much
interested in these experiments. Some spikes were
placed on a shelf under an open window in his rcom, and
almost instantly two, then three, wasps entered the room
and visited the flowers.

I was experimenting here myself on February Ist.
Having occasion to leave the room, and not wishing the
flowers to be pollinated in my absence, I closed the win-
dow. There were then no wasps visible. Returning in
a few moments, I found three on the window-pane and
one inside! I had inadvertently left the window open
less than an inch at one side.

On another occasion, I had only three flowers left, and
needed a photograph of the wasp actually ‘‘in’’ the
orchid. The first and second flowers, with their visitors,
were snipped off into the killing-bottle, but in each case,
the insect freed itself from the flower, and was given its
liberty, apparently none the worse for its unpleasant
experience. The bottle was then recharged with cyanide,
and In less than ten minutes the last flower and its guest
were secured and duly photographed.

Apt] CoLeman, Pollination of Cryptostylix Leptockila 337

These instances, and the fact that a single flower will
lure an insect from a distance, would suggest that, even
though the perfurne is so subtle ag to escape our notice,
it, is very readily conveyed to the wasp.

A glance at the column of the orchid serves to emphasize
the remarkable precaution taken to prevent self-pollina-
tion. By the inversion of the flowers, the anther-cells
lie belaw the saddle-shaped stigma, and the prominent
rostellum, projecting over the anther, prevents the recep-
tion of its own pollen by the stigma of the orchid, To
follaw closely the act of pollination increases one’s belief
in the sagacity of plants, Even more wonderful
than the outward modification of the flower for the
attraction of the insect is the structure of the parts con-
cerned with repreduction, all doubtless. specially adapted
to the shape and habits of the wasp. Such cunning ad-
justment of its essential organs for the achievement of
cross-pollination suggests a plant diplomacy to which the
eager instincts of the insect cause if to become a willing
victim.

The wasp files directly to the flower selected. Grasp-
ing the labellum with its two front pairs of legs, it then
draws up the long hind legs so that they clasp the upright
posterior margins of the labellum. This brings che
abdomen of the insect into the falcate curve, which
enables the tip to penetrate the stigma of the orchid, near
the base of the labellam. The upper surf'ace of its hody,
at tae last segment, rests on the viscid disc of the ros-
tellum.

Mark the canning of the plant, which first manufac-
tures the sticky substance, and then delays the insect long
enough for the viscid disc to adhere to its body! With
the effort needed to free itself, the wasp exerts pressure on
the rostellum. This pressure opens the anther-cells and
Teleasea the pollinia (whose cqudiclea are attached to the
disc), and these are withdrawn by the insect, adhering to
the last segment of its abdomen. The curve of the
abdomen ensures the withdrawal of the pollinia clear of
the stigmas, otherwise the purpose of the partnership
would he defeated, and self fertilisation would result,

Occasionally, the insect hag had some difficulty in free-
ing itself, owing to its hooked feet becoming too firmly
attached to the'labellum, and has completely twisted its
body round, In these instances I have found a consider-
able quantity of pollen left upon the stigma. In moat
cases, however, the P Ballints are withdrawn cleanly, and

338 COLEMAN, Pollination of Cryptostylis Leptochila[ Ve RT

Fig. 1: Flowering spike of Cryptostylis leptochila, Fv.M. Fig. 2:
Although the narrow segments of spent flowers bear an insect re-
semblance, the wasp selects the only open flower at the top of a
spike, and enters swiftly. Figs. 3 and 4: Top and side view of a
single flower, showing mimetic modification of labelium.

Pry ] CoLEMAN, Pollination of Craptontytin Luptoohite 3g

adhere always symmetrically, at right angles to the body
of the insect.

On. exposure to the air, the viscid dise contracts and
the caudicles become depressed—though this movement
ig less apparent than in many other orchids. With the
straightening of the insect’s abdomen, the pollinia are
brought parallel to it, and slightly projecting beyond the
tip—in the exact position for striking the stigma of the
next. lower visited.

At this point it is safe to assume that “pairing” does
actually take place, and that if not disturbed, the wasp
affects pollination, either with pollen from a distant
orchid, or from another flower on the same spike. In
more occasional instances, where the insect experiences
difficulty in freeing itself, it imypregnates the orchid with
its own pollen.

But I think T have shown thal cross-pollination ig more

frequently effected, for, by the time the impulse recurs —

in an undisturbed insect, it has had time to fiy to a fresh
spike, possibly at some distance. The matter can be
closely and scientifically ‘studied, and no other explana-
tion offers itself.

Normally, the season of the orchid is from December
to the end of February, but where the flowers do not
secure pollination, they have a wonderfully long period
of anthesis, so that I have been able to continue experi-
ments until March 20th with flowers, some of which had
heen in water for over a month. As each flower ex-
panded if, has been visited, though the wasps at this
period came singly and at longer intervals.

During the early part of January the orchids attracted
iarge numbers of insects. Competition was keen, and
they entered the flowers regardless of our presence, If
disturbed, they entered a second, and even a third, flower,
and we thus saw them hearing away several pairs of
pollinia, Sometimes two wasps entered a fower simul-
taneously, in which case only one carried away the pol-
linia. Later in the season, they visited the flowers in
only twos and threes, and were not nearly so eager;
while, by the middle of March, it was unusual to see more
than one wasp.

A few facts concerning the habits of the orchid may
serye to link it more conclusively with its agent. One

notes, on the whole, its general infertility, but a study

of its root system shows. that it is not dependent for in-
crease on the caprice of tts winged agent.

340 Coneman, Pollination of Cryptostylis Leptachita [VE FR

Like many other plants that multiply in the same
vegetative manner, it only needs to safeguard its future
by. supply of seed in the event of the plants becoming
exterminated during an unfavourable season. A "“dis-
criminating intelligence,” doubtless, suggests that this
purpose will be better served with a more vital seed re-
suiting from cross-pollination, and so, with a Machiavel-
lian cunning almost beyond belief, the orchid lures the
artless insect to its service.

Tn favuurable situations, the plants are so rebust that
one is struck by the absence of capsules. Taking five
spikes, on which were 54 expanded or spent flowers, I
found only four capsules. Other instances have given
an even lower aversge, On spikes up to 2 feet tall,
bearing as many 4s 25 flowers, it ie not uncommon to find
only one capsule aet, while the flowers on dozens of spikes
set no seed at all.

It ja usally the earliest fowera to open that set cap-
sules. Apart from the usual vigour of first flowers, it
appears ad if these top flowers hold less attraction for the
Wasps.

Their numerical strengih and their eagerness during
the earlier part of the season, have suggested fo me that
the males of Lissopimpla seminpunctata emerge conaider-
ably in advance of the females, possibly more so than is
venerally suspected. Tam not an entomologist, and in
giving Vbese details of the partnership, I have purposely
refrained from using enlomological terms. T have
merely described the action of the wasp as it appeared to
me to bear on the botanical side of the matter.

The photographs on page 335 are adapted from stereoscopic photo-
graphs, by Mrs, Ethel Bayes. The line’ drawings on page 838 are
the work of Mr. W, H. Nicholls. I am greatly indebted to these
two members of the Club for the illustrations, The task of phote-
gtaphing the insects wis nut an easy one, more espécially as T am
unskilled in the art of “setting insects, and owing to their having
been damaged in transit through the post. T ami also indebted to
Mr. * é Kershaw, who kindly supplied the insect (female) photo-
graphed.

EXPLANATION OF PAGE 338,
No. i, Lissopimpla semipunetata, Kirby (Male); after visiting the
orchid, showing pollinarium on tip of the abdomen. No. 2, Jiasse-
pinpla semipunctate, Kirby (Female). 8, Male, showing curve of
the abdomen, which allows the pollinia to be withdrawn clear uf the
stigma, Holding the living insect between the thumb and finger,
the movement of the candicles can he clearly followed. Their de-
pression takes from 30 tv 40 seconds. In Jess than-a minute the
abdomen of the insect resumes its normal] position:

dest Aupas, Flora of the Black Ranye $1

THE FLORA OF THE BLACK RANGE.
By J. W. Aunas, F.LS., F.R.M.S,

(National Herbarium, Metbourne.)

The Black Rane is situated about. 46 miles, in a south-
westerly direction, from Horsham. In October, 1927,
with Mr. H, B, Williamson, Mr. Harold Smith, of Hors-
ham, and others, I made several trips to the Range, In
close proximity to Horsham is a fine park. Fine avenues
of Sugar Gums, H'ucalyptus eladocalya have been planted,
and some splendid trees of the Black Box, F, bicoler, and
Red Gum, &£. vostrate; are growing in their natural stale.
Two small composites, the Basalt Daisy, Brachycome
basaltiea, and Beauty Buttons.

The objective of our first day’s excursion was the high-
est point of the Range, Mt. Byron. Leaving by car early
on the morning of October 29, we travelled via Horsham,
Brim Paen, Glenisla, and Hamilton roads—passing’ the
State School plantation at- McKenzie Creek, five miles
from Harsham, Just before crossing the Norton Creek,
18 miles south of Horsham, a plantation of Monterey
Pines, Pinas rudiatu, attracted attention. We travelled
for about nine miles through a forest, composed chiefiy
of Long-leaf Box, Fucalyplus elaeophera, Black Box, #.
bicolor, Brown Stringy-bark, FE. capiteliata, Messmate
Stringybark. EB. obligua, Common Peppermint, FB. avs-
tratiana, River Red Gum, 2. rostrata, and. Yellow Gum,
FE’. leucoxrylon, which was in full bloom.

At Murchong Creek fine specimens of Lavender Gre-
villea, G. Javandulacea, with beautiful spikes. of pinkish
flowers, G. alpina, Stypandra glauca, Hibbertia lhavearis,
iT. actculoris, H. virgata, H. stricta, and A. densiflora,
were gathered. Further on, we found a number of shrubs
of a Pulienuea, which we were especially desirous of ob-
tainting, Mr, Smith had previously sent a specimen of
this shrub to the National Herbarium for identification,
and I had informed him that jt was 2 species new to
acience, It is a handsome shrub, attaining 2 height of
three feet lo four feet, has spreading branches and
round, dish-shaped leaves; the blooms, dark purple and
yellow, are abundant. This new species belongs to the
section Coelophylium, and should have a place near P.
Vrolandi, from which it differs in the shape of
leaves, bracteoles, and other distinct characteris-
tics. Growing in association with it were the follow-

#82 “AUDA, Flora af the Bluck Rungit US tty

ing ahrubs:—Spyridium parvifalinm, Prostanthera den-
ticuleta, Halea rugosa, Dillawynia erietfolia, TD. forte
bunda, Leptomeria ophylla, Banksia ornata, Banksia mar-
gineata, Daviesia corymbosa, and Brackhyloma daphnoides.

Reaching the foot of the Mount. we ascended by means
of a deep gorge, through which, in the wet season, a
gmall atream flows. At this season it was quite dry. In
Lhe porge were numerous young plants of Plume Humeéa,
H, eleguns—a robust herb, which grows to a height of
about eight feet to ten feet, When mature, if ig a very
handsome plant, with large Icaves, red or pink feathery
panicles of flower-heads, and has a strong, tobacco-like
perfiime—occasionally it is misnamed “tobacco plant.”
Another attractive shrub was the Derwent Speedwell,
Veronicen Deriwentia, with its racernes of pure white
towers, fully afoot in length.

About half way to the summit, we came to a mass of
rock, which appeared to be built up of sandstone blocks:
throurth the face were noted several lines of strata, run-
ning al. different. angles, indicating a remarkable yzeo-
logical histary. Our leader staled that .a geologist, who
had recently visited the Mount, was interested in the
formation of this rock, saying that it was one of the most
remarkable sedimentary deposits he had seen. Growing
in favorable places were the Hairy Correa, C. aemula,
Fairy Fan Flower, Scuevola aemulo. Angular Pigface,
Mesembryanthemum aequilaterale, and the Bell Climber,
Marianthus bignoniaceus.

On the rocky ledges towards the summit, Nature's
garden was gay with Grampian Fringe Myrtle, Calytriaz
Sullivani, Fringe Heath Myrtle, Micromyrtus ciliatus,
Snow Myrtle, Lhotckya genetylloides, Bushy Heath
Myrtle, Thryptomene calycina, Crimson Kunzea, K, par-
vifolia, Slender Honey Myrtle, Melaleuca gibbosa, Com-
mon Fringe Myrtle, Calytrin tetragone, Nodding Blue
Lily, Stypondra glawea, Prickly Greyillea, GC. aqutfotinm,
Blush Heath, Brachyloma erieoides, Rough Mint Bush,
Prostanthera denticulatea, Showy Parrot, Pea, Dillwynia
floribunda, and Heathy Parrot Pea, D. ericifelia, with
flowers of a deap orange and red, in terminal clusters or
corymbs. In sume sheltered, mossy places beautiful
specimens of the Bristly Trigger plant, Stylidium soboli-
ferum, Purple Bladder Wort, Uérieularia dichotema, and
Forked Sundew, Drosera binate, were gathered—the
latter being easily distinguished by its forked leaves and

tes. | Aubas, Flora of the Black Range 343

large white flowers. Further on, some good specimens
of the new Pultenaea, in full bloom, were obtained; and,
on reaching the highest point of the Mount, we viewed
the cairn erected by Major Mitchell in 1838. The cairn
was In good condition, but the timber forming the flag-
staff—a Cypress Pine pole—was almost decayed,

A magnificent panoramic view was gained Northward,
the plaing of the Wimmera extended, with Mt. Arapiles
looming in the distance, while on the south the peaks of
the Grampians were plainly discernible.

On the following day, we left early in the morning,
via the Natimuk road, along which we travelled for five
miles to the west, through the famous black soil plains,
almost entirely under crop. Turning due south, we
crossed the Wimmera River at Kenny’s Ford Bridge, on
Noradjuha road, and further on the Quantong Irrigation
Channel was crossed. This channel carries water from
the Wartook Reservoir to Noradjuha, Still bearing to |
the south-west, we crossed the Norton Creek, about a
mile above its confluence with the Wimmera. At this
point the road branches, one branch leading to Norad-
juha, and the other te Balmoral.

About nine miles fYom Horsham we were surprised to
come upon a large tract of typical Mallee scrub, about
ten square miles in extent. Over the larger portion of the
area the following Bucalypts represent the main portion
of the taller shrubs, viz.:—Oil Mallee, Fucalyptus oleosa,
Green Mallee, £. viridis, Blue Mallee, F. nelybractea, and
Dumosa Mallee, #, dumowa, Here and there were #roves
of Acacias, viz, -—A. nha A. rigens, A. verntoiflua,
A, brachybotrya, A. diffusa, A. selerophylla, A. myrtt-
folia, A, Bayona and A, glanduligera—the latter
named by the late F. M, Reader on account of the glandu- -
lar hairs in the pods, Melaleuca Wilsonti, a very pretty
shrub with spikes of crimson flowers, was met with in
profusion, Sprinkled throughout the area were noted the
following species;—Loudonia Behrii, Lasiopetalum
Baueri, Baeekea Behrti, Beyeria Lesehenaultit, Eutazia,
Olearia decurrens, Dodonaea bursarifolia, Daviesia brevt-
folia, D. pectinata (having stiff, broadly decurrent leaves
with sharp points), and Pittesporum phillyraeoides, a
handsome shrub with pendent branches and willow-like
leaves. The flowers are yellow and sweetly scented, and
the fruit, when split open and displaying its red seeds,
is somewhat ornamental. Oring to the dry season, few

344 Aupas, Flova of the Black Range == [WiCjNat

good blooms of any plant were obtained. It was noted
a locality would be a splendid field for botanical
study.

Continuing our journey, we passed through the par-
ishes of Narragan and Nurabiel. About 20 miles from
Horsham, we turned off the main road to the south, and
approached Mt. Talbot, by a bush route known to our
guide. At the Mount, we encountered a dense growth of
the Bushy Heath Myrtle, Thryptomene calyecina, The
bushes were past their best flowering time. Some were
eight feet to ten feet in height. Other plants were, chiefly,
Messmate Stringybark, Fucalyptus obliqua, and Long-
leaf Box, EF. elagophora. Mt. Talbot is difficult to ascend,
-being nearly perpendicular, and consisting of rock de-
yoid of vegetation except that growing uear the base
“oy in the fissures of the rock—such species as the Grass
Trigger-Piant, Helichrysum lucidum, Billardiera scan-
dens, Oleoria. myrsinoides, and Correa aemula. From
the top of the Mount, a fine view of the surrounding
tountry is obtained. In this locality some of the finest
wool in Australia is grown, the Mt. Talbot and Melrose
clips being world-famous for texture and quality.

Travelling in a south-easterly direction, along a very
rough, scrubby track, winding through sandy ridges and
deep washouts, we decided to make our objective the
northern slopes of the Black Range, Getting into better
country, botanically speaking, and passing through some
timber we noticed nice bushes of Boronia cuerulescens—
the flowers ranging in colour from pale blue through all
the stages of mauve, violet and pink. After traversing
the foothills for some distance, we found we could pene-
trate‘no further with the cars, and as it was too late to
ascend these slopes, we abandoned the project and, in-
stead, roade an examination of the surrounding country,

In this vicinity some fine bushes of Pullexaen D’Altonii
in full bloom were seen. This species, described recently,
from specimens collected years ago near Nhill, had later
been recorded from Steiglitz. It is a showy plant, with
‘drooping foliage and yellowish blooms, and attains a
height of about six feet; it is well worthy of cultivation.
A feature of the locality was the Daphne-Heath, Brachy-
loma daphnoides, which grows plentifully throughout the
whole district—it is an erect, bushy shrub, and attains
a height of about four feet, Amongst interesting plants
of-3.smaljer kind were the Snow Beard-Heath, Leucopo-

$e | Aupas, Flora of the Black Range 545

gon virgatus, Rosy Heath-Myrtle, Baeckea ramosissima,
and the Spreading Flax-Lily, Dianella revoluta.

On Monday morning we inspected the High School,
which has been recently built, and contains all the latest
equipments. In the school anclosuré a plot is devoted to
the cullure of Australian wildflowers. We noted that
the plants were thriving well. Following the Dimboola
road, we passed through Dahlem, Pimpinio, and Wail,
en route for the Little Desert, south of Dimboola, In the
Desert everything showed the effect of an abnormally
dry spring—the only bright feature being patches of
the Golden Pennants, Loudonia Rehrtii, and the scarlet
flowers of Kennedyu prostruta. We noted enormous
heaps of the Porcupine-Grass, Triodia irritans, which
was dry and decayed in the centre, while the outside
portions were quite green. The Yellow Gum, Eucalyptus
leveozylon, the principal Eucalypt here, was in full
flower. The smaller branches from many of the trees
were thickly strewn on the ground, having been broken
off by the Gang Gang Cockatoos, which visit these treea
in the flowering season in search of the nectar contained
in their blossoms.

The trip to the Desert was disappointing, and on the
return journey we selected «a different route, passing
through the wheat-fields of the Horsham plains, We saw
a reserve, where the land is in its virgin state, and the
only trees growing on it are the Black Box; Fucelyptus:
bicolor, and Buloke, Casuarina” Luehmannit. The effect
of drought was observable on the wheat-fields, some of
which looked dry and vellow, but others promising.

Our collection of plants, gathered during the various
trips, comprised about’ 100 species. During two days,
only partial examination of the flora of the Black Range.
could be made. As the Ranve is sixteen miles in extent,
there is scope for further investigations.

ORIGLES AND CATERPILLARS.

Orioles, Oriolus sagitiatus, visit us every year, but until. this
summer, we had supposed that they tack nothing from the orchard.
except figs. Now we find that they must not be regarded merely
as fruit-eating birds, whase presence we weleome because of ‘their
heanty. They seem to have just disegvered that vine moth larve
are food to eat, and lately have been at the vine every day, feast-
ing, not yn grapes, but on caterpillars, A note in the Neturaltst
for January, 127, mentions Orioles as feasting an the pests, at
Sperm Whale Head; bat I had not until this year noticed them
eating caterpillars st Tyers.—J.G.

346 Notes from Field ond Sludy vat at he

| When ont with some Girl Guides at Ringwood, in October, 1927,
we had an interesting little adventure with a pair of spotted Par-
dalotes Pardalatus punctatur, After lunch, the Guides buried all
_ fragments of paper, orange peel, etc., in a hole made by the fall
of a tree. Soon, through a mosaic of song, we were aware of a
note of distress. It came from a Pardalote, which fluttered timor-
ously among the saplings near us. Without doubt, we were close
to ita home, vet could see no place for a nesting-tunnel. Presently
our trowbled visitor was joined by her mate, and the two came
nearer and nearer, exchanging plaintive pipings all the time. More
than once they alighted above the hole where the rubbish had heen
buried, and hopped about agitatedly until we realised that their
home must be beneath the fragments, hisiden Lhere. Hastily we
dragged them away, while the birds retreated to the trees.

In one side of the hole we found the broken entrance to a nest-
ing-tunnel, co placed that it was little wonder we had not seen
it before, We moved the last of the rubbish and went softly away,
fearing that the Pardalotes would be too frightened to return—
bot our feam were necdless. We paused at the nesting-hole that
evening and pointed ovt the alte of the home to the Guides. There
was To Movement, nor any sign of a bird, so we went on softly.
Aa we passed there was a flutter among the bracken—the Parda-
lote had heard our footsteps, and was leaving the nest, which
she had recovered, and where, no doubt, she had been all the after-
nvon.—({ Miss) J. GALBRAITR.

SHOCK OR SIMULATION?

-Experience with insects, mainly beetles, and several birds, sug-
gested study of records and consideration .of conflicting theories.
Some authors declare that when a Click-beetle (Hlater}. for in-
stanes, drops to the ground and remains apparently lifeless for
a while, it is shamming to be dead, Others, with more reason,
probably, say that the inert ciate in question is due to shock—it ia
really a case of hypnosis. Animsls can have no knowledge of
death, and therefore sre wnable consciously to simulate it.

And yet—birds provided evidence that sunports the “conscious
deception" theory. The actions of a Chat (Hpthianura), tumbling
along, away from its nest and before an intruder, have convinced
Many observers that, at least, birds pretend to be wounded. Less
familiar, among birds, is complete inertia, though camton, enough
in the insect world,

Fabre, ever inclined to reject accepted opinion, without Nature's
supreme authority, has deatt with this fascinating subject in twa
ehaptere of his “Glowworm and Other Beetles”’ As the result

H1 Notes from Picld:and Study 342

of taany experiments with insects, he decided against “shaming,”
which implies reason, in favour of hypnosis: "When. would-be scien-
titts proclaim aloud, when they declare that’a wretched insect.
knows the trick of simulating death, we will ask thera to lodk more
dlosely,.and not to confound the hypnosis, due to’ terror, with .the
pretence of a condition unknown tb the animial world.”

' My pwn observations, and some few experiments, persuade “me
that Pabre was-right in denying to insects the power to simulate
death; most cevtamly many species have a habit, of fainting, as
it were, and for varying periods lying itnmobilo atter a shock—the
lightest teuch will cause a Click-heetle to fall, and assume the
tigitl attitude of death. Spiders, also—some species, not all—
react in a similar manner, when instinet gives the alarm. Only,
they become limp, instead of rigid—as one finds the paralysed vie-
tims cf a hunting wasp, in little clay eclls on a wall,

For hours the state of inertin may last, bub usually ib is not
prolonged, The “dead” Click-beetle soon recovers—leaps into life
Again! Weevils are among the “shammers” that surely are un-
fonscious of frand, Dying, apparently, in a moment, they come
to life gradually. Inertia in Insects may be produced, as Fabre
praved, by éoncussion, sharp change of Lemperature, imtnersion
in water, and, of course, subjection to etheric vapour,

Birds ave not governed entirely by instinct; they have some
power of reasoning; and when the Chat lures you away from its
nest, ib may be mn control of its movements, and not reacting to
shock. The recovery, often, occurs suddenly; and the "trick" may
be repeated, should you approach the nest again. Conscious de-
certion,, or otherwise, it deserves more intensive study than it has
recenveo.

. Tm the Mallee, whon photographing at a nest of the Black-
backed Wren, Mahirvs melamotus, | wae distressed to see the male
dird fall from its perch on a anray, nearby, It had been flying
avound for several minutes, while I erected the camera and
focussed an the nest, which contained callow young. The female
Wren was bolder thav her mate, returning to the nest several
times. The heat was great, and when the male dropped suddenly,
I thought that possibly sunstroke was the cause. When picked
up, the bird tay Himnply in my hand, and closed its eyes, Ite head
tolled aside, as a dead bird's does, when the little body was lifted.
I put it down gently, near the nest, and resumed work with the
camera Presently Wren notes sounded—-and there was my
“dead” bird on the spray again, beautiful, animated, and chiding
tie in song. Had he sitnulated death, or was Inertia due to shock
—fear for the young?

North, in his account of M. cyaneus, states, without reservation,
that Blue Wrens “feign to be wounded, or simplate death very
well’ An adult male temporarily stunned, soon recovered and
tried to eseape from the hand that held it. Failing to do s0, it
eloved its eyes and gradually allowed the head to fall down, as if
it were dead. But, when unobserved, it again made efforts to
getaway. This was repeated several times. Finally, when held
out in the open palm of the hand, it quickly flew away,—(Nests
and Eggs, 1, p- 207.)

' Observers who have had similar experiences with birds of any
Species, should tecord thent.—C€, BakReErt.

348 Notes from Field and Study { YerxLie:

GIANT KING FERNS.

Mr. ©, Freneh, Senri, writes —"I have read With very great
interest in recent issues of the Nuturalist, Mr, Chas Daley’s ex-
cellent resiie of the correspondence between Baron von Mueller,
and the Hookers, of Kew (England). I note in Part § (Dec, 1927,
ps. 221), and Part 7 (Jan., 1928, p, 248), the remarks regarding a
giant King Fern, Todea (Asmunda) barbara, whieh the Baron
went to Kew in 1869. Though at that time on the staff of the
Melbourne Botanic Gardens, of which the Baron was the Director,
I do not remember this particular apecimen being sent away; but
as T know that the late Mr. W. Gessner, of Wheeler's Hill, pro-
sured for the Baron. scyeral very large Todeas, at varivus times,
from the Dandenong Ranges, it was doubtless one of these.

My son, Charles, now Government Entomologist, distinctly re-
members having, when attached to the National” Herbarium, sten-
cilled the address, "St. Petersburg,” on a large case containing a
Todea, that was sent to Russia. On one, occasion, at the desire
of the Baron, I accompanied Mr. Gessner to Mast Gully, near
Upwey, to obtain a very largé specimen for the fernery established
in connection with the Melbourne Exhibition of 1888, This
weighed almost a ton. I was present at its planting, and I believe
the plant stitl survives, though not so yigoroug as when obtained,
the present situation probably being unsuitable for it. Fortun-
ately, there are many large specimens still in the Dandenongs,
notwithstanding the spoilation of half a century.”

AN ANT-BATTLE.

When crossing a cattle track in a paddock one morning, my
attention was drawn to a dark mass along the way, It was
formed by ants. <A battle was raging between mound-ants, Irido-
myrmex deteotus and small black ants. The battle-ground, on s
cleat track, was abgue a chain from the large ants’ nest.

The “meat” ants fought bravely, and so did the-little biack fel-
lows. If one of the latter came near, enough, a big ant caught
him in its matdibles, and death followed! In numbers the mid-
gets had the advantage, and nine or ten of therm would seize a
mound ant by the legs and antenne. Many a mound aut was
seen with all its legs missing from one side. When holding the
legs of a foe, the blacks were safe, ag the large ant could not turn
its head to seize them, though striving to do so. But, clinging to
the antenns, the blacks were in danger of being drawn into the
mandibies,

The small ents were very lively, running about in every direc-
tion, until they seized upon an enemy. I da not know whether
there were any leaders in this great battle, which lasted for three
days after I first became 2n eye-witness. The battle-ground was
strewn with dead and dying; there wes not one large ant left at
the mound, A few days Jater, the Iridomyrmen citadel was oe-
cupied by the Liiiputians, and all seemed to be going on wel! with
them. It is strange that the mound ants should leave their strong-
hold to fight until none remained alive. 1 have seen two ant-
battles, fought on the Wimmera, in the course of 50 years, and
the smajler species was victorious on both occasions JAMES
HILL (Murtoa, Vic.),